Immaculata High School inducts ninth Hall of Fame class

A firefighter who made the ultimate sacrifice on 9/11, the first female golfer in school history to compete at the Division I level in college, a trailblazer in Type 1 diabetes research, a former major league baseball pitcher, and the entire national championship marching band from 2012 were among those inducted into the ninth Hall of Fame class by Immaculata High School, Somerville, on April 10 at The Palace in Somerset.

In a letter to the inductees, school administrators and the community, Bishop James F. Checchio wrote, “Immaculata High School stands on the pillars of Faith, Scholarship, Service and Friendship and your legacy embodies these virtues in extraordinary ways. Through your achievements, you have not only excelled in your respective fields but have also served as role models for generations of Spartans to come.”

As guests gathered to greet the honorees, the Immaculata Jazz Band entertained during the cocktail hour, and student vocalists opened the evening with a stirring a cappella Star Spangled Banner. 

Linda Piscadlo, an Immaculata alumna and school board member who has chaired the Hall of Fame selection and gala committee for the past eight years, recognized both the honorees, whose “pursuit of greatness in their own ways made them stand out,” and the attendees, whose “support of tonight’s event will help continue the great things that are happening at our school.”

As he offered Grace, Monsignor Joseph Celano, pastor at Church of the Immaculate Conception and director of schools for both Immaculata and Immaculate Conception School, said, “We give you thanks, God, for the many gifts you’ve bestowed upon us beyond measure. We especially thank you for the men and women we honor tonight … May their varied achievements serve to inspire us and our youth to strive for that excellence of character to which you call us.”

This year’s honorees were:

Chike Aguh, class of 2001, whose career in public service has included administration roles at the federal level, where he helped shape a $2 billion effort to modernize the U.S. unemployment insurance system.

John Collins, class of 1976, inducted in memoriam, who was a New York City firefighter who gave his life trying to save others in the tragic attacks on the World Trade Center in September 2001.

Wayne Hartshorn, class of 1984, a leader on the football field with a “refuse to lose” mentality that carried over to his work as a youth football coach and his company, a pioneer in cutting edge air quality solutions. Hartshorn was so deeply impacted by the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary and the charism of the school that he became a convert to Catholicism while at Immaculata. 

Dr. Aaron Kowalski, class of 1989, who as CEO of Breakthrough TID, formerly the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, is leading efforts to accelerate research toward a cure.

Mary Kate Williams Lynch, class of 2002, a multi-sport athlete who became the first female member of the Immaculata golf team, and who is today working as the first team manager of the national development program at the United States Golf Association.

Mark Murphy, class of 1977, inducted in memoriam, whose success on the Immaculata basketball court until an injury cut short his near achievement of 1000 points transitioned to a life defined by perseverance, leadership and faith.

Jason Ryan, class of 1994, an Immaculata baseball standout who led his team to a county title and went on to play in Major League Baseball.

Gordie Sammis, class of 2003, today a respected college football coach at University of Connecticut, who was a dominant force on the field at both Immaculata and University of Virginia.

The 2012 Spartan Marching Band, a group of extraordinary musicians and performers whose undefeated season culminated in a national championship. Principal Ed Webber, in 2012 the school’s director of bands, and Sister Dolores Margaret, IHM, at that time the music director, accepted the award on behalf of the marching band, which was well represented at the program. 

Over 200 attendees honored this year’s inductees.