Alumni In The News

Michael Iavarone – 1993. Courtesy of Newsday. Michael is the founder and a co-owner of International Equine Acquisitions Holding Inc. and a co-owner of the winner of Saturday's Kentucky Derby. The first Derby winner since 1915 with only three previous races, Big Brown cruised to an easy victory becoming the seventh undefeated Derby winner; the last one was Barbaro in 2006. He resides in Holtsville with his wife, Christine ’93 and their two daughters, Kayla and Emily.

Michael Dragotta - 2001. Michael was honored in the 2008 Alumni Hall of Distinction by the Commission on Independent Colleges and Universities in Albany, NY. The 19 individuals honored represent New York State Independent Sector graduates who are veterans of World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, Operation Desert Storm and Operation Enduring Freedom.

Priscilla Castellano - 1993 Priscilla was presented with the “Thunder Award” by Congressman Tim Bishop, in cooperation with Steve Cuomo, president of the Rolling Thunder Special Needs Program, for her outstanding dedication and many years of service to Rolling Thunder, a not-for-profit organization for physically and mentally challenged athletes on Long Island. Priscilla, an employee of SJC since 1997 and current facilities manager at the Danzi Athletic Center, was instrumental in obtaining approval for Rolling Thunder to train on its long Island Campus since the group’s inception in 1998. Since then, she has been active in the training of Rolling Thunder athletes as a running partner and team motivator, and her patience and leadership have been vital tools in maintaining the enthusiasm and direction needed to guide the team.

Fred W. Herron - 1974. Fred was the recipient of the National Catholic Education Association's SPICE Award (Selected Programs for Improving Catholic Education) for the program "Cyberfaith and Catholic Faith:St. Clare's Technology Initiative. He will be presented with the National Association of Parish Catecetical Directors' Mustard Seed Award for establishing an exemplary parish program of formation and catechesis at the annual convention in Indianapolis in March. Fred's new book, Combing the Tradition: Catholic Schools in the Era of Baptismal Consciousness has been published by University Press of America.

Barbara Malkas – 1982. Barbara was appointed the assistant superintendent for personnel and negotiations for Pittsfield Public Schools where she was previously the district’s coordinator of mathematics, science, health and physical education. She served as the assistant principal at C.H. McCann Technical School in North Adams from 2004 to 2006 and worked as a science teacher for the Northern Berkshire Regional Vocational School District. Barbara was also a department chairman of science at Taconic High School. She is currently a year away from her doctorate in curriculum leadership from Southeastern University in Brattleboro, Vt.

Renee Kantro – 1998. Renee was named in Briarcliff’s Faculty of the Year, where she is an assistant professor of Liberal Arts and Sciences. At Briarcliff, she established a peer tutoring center, where faculty donate their time to assist students, one-on-one and in group settings through a series of workshops. She also coordinates the Who’s Who selection process and annual awards brunch.

Maribeth Pinz Olsen – 1978. Maribeth was appointed the principal of Merrimac Elementary School in the Sachem Central School District in June 2007. Maribeth began her career in Maryland and later returned to New York to teach in the Sachem schools. Throughout the years, she has served as a Special Education teacher, CSE member (MD), Reading Specialist, Principal's Aide, and the Sachem Elementary Summer School principal. She has designed and facilitated numerous district wide Professional Development workshops for St. Mary's County, MD and Sachem CSD.

Joseph Pancari – 1987. Has been appointed to Executive Vice President/Chief Operating Officer at the Cerebral Palsy Association of New York State. He will oversee the daily operations of Metro Services, which offers a wide range of programs and services designed to support individuals with disabilities in leading more independent and productive lives. Mr. Pancari has more than 20 years experience in the field of developmental disabilities. He spent the past nine years at Builders for the Family and Youth – Catholic Charities in Brooklyn, the past two years as Vice President of the organization and he spent the previous 10 years at the Developmental Disabilities Institute in Smithtown as Assistant Director. In addition, he has co-authored numerous articles for professional publications over the years and he currently serves as President of the New York State Association for Behavior Analysis (NYSABA).

Cynthia Diane Finn - 1990. Cynthia is a partner at Sheehan & Company CPA, PC in Brightwaters and was elected president of the Suffolk Chapter of NYS Society of Certified Public Accountants. She had been a member of the Society since 1992 and was the 2003 recipient of its Arthur J. Dixon Public Service Award. She presently serves as a member of the Executive Board of the Society’s Suffolk Chapter. She founded and chaired the Suffolk Chapter’s Young CPAs Committee, the first of its type in New York state. Cynthia organized the Suffolk Chapter’s Toys for Tots Program 12 years ago working closely with the U.S. Marine Corp and members of the Suffolk Chapter. She has volunteered at several fund-raising events for the Make a Wish Foundation and has coordinated projects for Long Island Volunteer Enterprise (“LIVE”).

Maureen O’Connell - 1984. Maureen was recently named one of Long Island’s Top 50 Women by Long Island Business News. She began her professional career as a registered nurse and later attended St. John's Law School, practicing law until 1998, when she became deputy mayor of the Village of East Williston. That same year, she was elected to the New York State Assembly, the first woman to represent the State's 17th Assembly District. In 2005, she was elected Nassau County Clerk. Maureen also served on the American Cancer Society's Breast Cancer Detection Team and currently she is an adjunct faculty member at the Adelphi School of Nursing.