By Jim Whelan

Four years ago on his first team bus ride, new coach Mike Jones asked his players if their opponent that day—the now defunct St. Al’s of Jersey City – was any good.

One of his players on the school bus responded with optimism, “No. They’re not that good.” After a short pause, she continued, “They only beat us by 22 last year.’’

That was Jones’ baptism to when he took the reins of the fledgling basketball program at Benedictine Academy in Elizabeth, a small, all-girls Catholic school located in Elizabeth bordering Hillside and Newark.

“I looked at the previous year; they lost by 50 five times and by 60 once,” said Jones. So in some ways he did realize the mountain he was about to climb.

Jones, a 24-year member of the Elizabeth police force, played in the Union County Police Basketball League where the games were conducted on Benedictine Academy’s home court. Never did the police veteran think a few evening police league basketball games would evolve into a head girl’s basketball coaching position at Benedictine Academy.

“I would get to the gym early and I started to help the girls in practice before our games started,” Jones said. When the position opened up, Jones, a standout at Hillside High School, took over as the new head coach. Four years later he has turned the program from fledgling to formidable.

The new coach had to start off simple with baby steps. “We had to practice just getting the ball over half court,” said Jones. “Then after that we worked on defense.” His first year, offense was a luxury. Jones recalls losing one game by only one point and his team shot one of 33 from the foul line.

Like any new coach, Jones credits the girls for working hard. The same group that couldn’t get the ball across the half court line amassed 18 victories during the 2007-2008 season and a second place finish in the all girls conference, the New Jersey Catholic League.

Crystal Orr (#11), in a file photo from 2007 courtesy of Benedictine Academy

Last year’s team was led by second team All Union County senior Crystal Orr. Orr was part of the first crew under in Jones’ first season. “She had very little athleticism, but she worked hard,” the coach said. Orr was heavily recruited by D-II schools, but decided to attend the University of Pittsburgh and try to walk on. She had the opportunity to play for Pitt, but took the role of manager for the Big East school. “She is doing great out there and I am really proud of her,” said Jones.

This year’s 12-10 club is just as talented, but injuries have hurt the young team. Sophomore Haneah Jackson had a bad ankle sprain and junior center Cynthia Robinson sustained a bad concussion during a game last week.

The injuries forced the team to withdraw from both the Union County and the state tournaments this year. “It was my call, we had injuries all year and the girls were O.K with it,” Jones said.

All is not lost for the 2009 Benedictine girls team. They did earn a spot at this year’s Catholic League Championship Game at St. Elizabeth College in Morristown on Feb. 27. “That is going to be our championship this year. We are going to be healthy,” Jones said. It will be a bittersweet ending for the conference as a whole. The league’s championship will be the last one. With realignment, the North Jersey Catholic League will dissolve and Benedictine Academy will play in a new league next year.

“I’m really sad to see the conference go because it is balanced and the championship game is like nothing I ever have seen,” said Jones. “All the teams in the league go to the game and have dance contests and the game is what I call the biggest little game in New Jersey.”

Students Volunteer At Food Bank—Students, faculty and staff from Benedictine Academy in Elizabeth volunteered time at the Community Food Bank of New Jersey in Hillside on Feb. 6. Pictured clockwise from far left are juniors Amiosinor Igertei of Hillside, Priscille Dossekou and Cassandra Silva, both of Newark, Vanessa Devia of Elizabeth, Natasha McDowell of Maplewood, and Elizabeth Bukiron of Elizabeth. They are assisted with a 50,000 piece mailing which the Food Bank sends out four times a year. (Photo courtesy of Benedictine Academy)

Distinguished Scholars—Three seniors at Benedictine Academy in Elizabeth were named “Edward J. Bloustein Distinguished Scholars” for 2009. Each of the three has exhibited both outstanding academic and leadership qualities during their years at the academy. Honored were Steffanye Barragan of Newark, Ninoshka Celi of Elizabeth and Tatiana Charles of Union. In order to be eligible for the Bloustein Distinguished Scholar Award, students must be in the top ten per cent of their class and have a minimum combined SAT score of 1260, or rank first, second or third in her class at the end of junior year.  (Photo courtesy of Benedictine Academy)

ELIZABETH—Benedictine Academy  in Elizabeth, along with the Benedictine Academy Parents Association, will host the “Dr. Rosemarie Battaglia Christmas Basketball Tournament” at the school, located at 840 North Broad Street in Elizabeth, on Dec. 26, 27 and 29. Basketball teams from eight New Jersey high schools, including Benedictine Academy, will compete for the championship title at the event. 

The tournament is named after Dr. Rosemarie Battaglia, who coached varsity basketball at Benedictine Academy from 1954-58. Battaglia will be honored at the Christmas Tournament on Dec. 29 at 7 p.m.  Her record while coaching at the all-female Catholic college prep high school was 36-4. The 1954-55 varsity basketball team was undefeated, with a 12-0 record. She has been inducted as a Hall of Famer several times including Benedictine Academy in 2004; the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) in 1999; and the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA) in 1996. Battaglia was named “Coach of the Decade for the 1970s” by the Star Ledger.

Varsity basketball teams representing eight schools including Benedictine Academy will play during the four-day competition. Friday, Dec. 26, will feature the following games: Vernon Twp. H.S. v. St. Anthony (Jersey City) – 1 p.m.; Metuchen H.S. v. St. Patrick’s (Elizabeth) – 3 p.m.; Lacordaire Academy (Upper Montclair) v. St. Joseph’s (West New York) – 5 p.m. and, Benedictine Academy v. St. Mary’s (Elizabeth) – 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 27 will feature consolation games at 5 and 7 p.m. Semi-finals will be played on Friday, Dec. 28 at 5 and 7 p.m. The 3rd place consolation game will take place on Monday, Dec. 29 at 3 p.m. and the Championship Game will be played on that day at 5 p.m. All games will be played in the gymnasium of Benedictine Academy.

Admission to the tournament is $5 for adults and $3 for children and students under 18. Food and refreshments will be available. Proceeds will benefit activities and athletic programs at the Academy. Members of the community, along with alumnae of Benedictine Academy, are invited to the tournament.

ELIZABETH—“Minga”, roughly translated, is a word used in South America that means “a community coming together to work for the benefit of all”. A group of students at Benedictine Academy in Elizabeth has come together as a “Minga”, saying “yes” as part of its “moral response to the human race”, in a very focused effort to help rid the world of human trafficking.

The Benedictine Academy students are members of the “O Ambassadors Club”, which participates in the “O Ambassadors” program, a joint project of “Oprah’s Angel Network” and “Kids Free the Children”. With their hearts and minds moved by all they have learned about the trafficking issue, the students have raised nearly $5,000 so far to help combat the problem. In addition, determined to spread the word about how victims are impacted by trafficking, the student leadership group at the academy produced a DVD documentary along with a brochure containing many eye-opening facts. Both are very powerful.

Specifics attributed to the “Coalition to Abolish Slavery and Trafficking” (CAST) state in the brochure that human trafficking is a “global epidemic”, “a modern-day form of slavery” and a “$9 billion industry annual profit for traffickers”. “Victims of this horrible practice are subjected to force, fraud or coercion for the purpose of sexual exploitation or forced labor.” Types of trafficking and slavery include factory work, domestic service, restaurant work, begging, prostitution and commercial sex exploitation. “Victims are young children, teenagers, men and women”. They are subjected to gross human rights violations such as rape, torture, starvation, and murder threats. There are an estimated 27 million people living in slavery around the world today, and approximately 70% of the victims are women and children. Many of these facts are expanded upon in the student documentary made by the BA students and written by Allison Michalski, daughter of BA Campus Minister Linda Michalski.

“We can become the ‘Minga’ in the United States, and help our sisters overseas,” Crystal Orr, a recent graduate, states in the film. To this end the girls are distributing the DVD and brochure along with a letter inviting support, hoping the message will educate other students in nearby schools and across the nation. “We wish to make others in our local communities more aware of this problem,” Orr comments. “We also want to make a positive change by asking others to support our initiative to change lives in a significant way, so that young girls do not fall prey to the lies,” Orr continues. The students have set a goal of raising $8500 to build a school for girls at risk in a targeted developing country either in Africa, Asia or Latin America. They have already raised 60% of their goal. “We need 80 people to give $100 each…that is the cost of a cup of coffee a day for about two months. It is not beyond our reach,” Orr adds. “We would like to get the support of local businesses and organizations in order to make a difference,” she suggests.

Junior Amei Igetei of Hillside is originally from Nigeria. She explains in the film how families and young children in her country are lured into trafficking. The traffickers “come from the cities to the villages to take teenage girls back to the cities,” she states. “They actually tell the parents they’ll give the girls a good life and education. The parents let the children go because they do not have enough food or clothes, and every parent wants the best for their child. When they get to the cities, it is a different scene entirely. They are put in big mansions and trapped there, into prostitution with older men. Some girls try to run back home but cannot because they don’t know their way around town and have no money or cell phones. They have no option but to stay and do whatever they have to do,” Igetei explains. Human trafficking occurs in many other countries, including Cambodia, China, France, Italy, Japan, Russia, Spain, South America, the United Kingdom and the United States.

Noting that the Benedictine Academy Campus Ministers, Linda Michalski and Sister Donna Jo Repetti, OSF, asked if the students would think about coming together to “make a difference”, the students state in the film that they said “yes”. After hearing about how the dignity and rights of young women and children were being violated “right here” (in America) and in other countries, three BA Campus Ministry groups pooled their energies. The “O Ambassadors Club”, “Blue Angels” and “Sisters on a Mission”, collaborated and researched the problem. They made the DVD and now plan to raise enough money to build the school while also building awareness.

“When we go from a ‘me’ to a ‘we’ philosophy, we empower each other to make the impossible possible,” Orr states, quoting the motto of the “Free the Children Organization”. That organization’s founders, Craig and Marc Kielburger, first encountered “Minga” while on a school-building trip years ago. After running out of time to complete the school, and being sorely disappointed, the brothers advised a female elder of a village community of their upsetment. She called a “Minga” and, the next day, a wave of volunteers arrived to help finish the project. Amazingly many of the helpers were not from that village, having no motive of gaining anything from their decision.

“Ghandi said ‘we must be the change we wish to see’”, Orr notes in the film. “It is an atrocity to think that human trafficking is going on in the 21st century,” she adds. “Through this effort, we have a greater chance to change situations that are morally wrong,” she said.

Students participating in the documentary are Geraline Arroyo ’11, of Union; Barbara Diogo ’10, of Newark; Chisom Emeana ’11, of Hillside; Tracy Estelus ’11, of Linden; Adjani Gary-Gil ’10, of East Orange; Emily Gonzalez ’11, of Elizabeth; Aimie Igetei ’10, of Hillside; Marci Morales ’09, of Elizabeth; Crystal Orr ’08, of Elizabeth, Jennifer Ramos ’08, of Newark; and Mushirah Reed ’09, of Newark.

Anyone interested in ordering the nine-minute film may call the Benedictine Academy Campus Ministry Office at 908-352-0670, ext. 125.

If you are interested in becoming part of the school’s Minga by making a contribution toward the building of a school in one the developing countries, send your donation to “Free the Children”, ATTN: Campus Ministry at Benedictine Academy, 840 North Broad Street, Elizabeth, NJ 07208.

Fighting Breast Cancer—Seniors Stephany Sanchez of Newark, Ninoshka Celi of Elizabeth, Erika Yang of Hillside and Stefannye Barragan of Newark led their entire school community’s participation in Benedictine Academy’s Annual Breast Cancer Walk-a-thon on Oct. 8. Students raised more than $2200, which will be contributed to the Susan G. Komen for the Cure Foundation to be used to wipe out the disease.

Junior Stateswoman—Colonia resident Emilie Burke (right), a sophomore at Benedictine Academy in Elizabeth, visited Congressman Michael Ferguson’s office in June while she was enrolled at Georgetown University in Washington D.C. in the “Junior Statesmen of America Summer School Program”. She was one of 1,300 high school students to gather on four campuses to immerse themselves in politics and debate. 

ELIZABETH—“I am proud to introduce Benedictine Academy’s 93rd class of graduates…” declared Associate Principal Kenneth Jennings, as the forty-one young women turned to face guests at Saint Catherine of Siena Church in Hillside at the Academy’s commencement ceremony on Thursday evening, June 5.

Proud family members, friends, faculty, administrators and others filled the pews, applauding the beaming Class of 2008 as they flipped their graduation cap tassels from left to right. Earlier in the evening, the graduates were presented by Dean of Students Andrea Banks-Suggs to Academy President/Principal Sister Germaine Fritz, OSB ’54, who conferred their diplomas. Jennings announced academic awards and also acknowledged the Classes of 1983 and 1958 on the celebration of their silver (25th) and golden (50th) anniversaries of graduation from the academy.

This year’s graduating class earned over $1.68 million in academic scholarships and received acceptances from 50 colleges and universities, as noted by Melissa Grau, director of guidance at BA, who read out the individual accomplishments of each graduate.

Jennifer Ramos, a Newark resident who will attend the New Jersey Institute of Technology, was Valedictorian of the Benedictine Academy Class of 2008 and delivered the farewell address. Salutatorian Crystal Orr of Elizabeth, who will attend the University of Pittsburgh this fall, welcomed those gathered. Ramos and Orr were also named Edward J. Bloustein Distinguished Scholars this year, along with classmate Raquel Firme of Newark, who will attend Rutgers University. All three are members of the National Honor Society.

Other BA graduates who achieved National Honor Society status are Pammela Andrade of Kearny; Nazish Asif of Newark; Gabriella Bacchus of Irvington; Jennifer de Andrade of Linden; Anayiah Hall of Newark; Christina Malloy of Hillside; Jessica Martinho of Newark; Yvonne Okereke of Union; Ashley Perez of Elizabeth; Amanda Rendeiro-Pires of Union; and Andrea Ribeiro and Nicole Tortorello, both of Newark.

Jessica Martinho was recognized as the recipient of the distinctive St. Scholastica Award, which is given to the student who most exemplifies the virtues of the Benedictine way of life. Sister Sharon McHugh, OSB ’67, Prioress of the Benedictine Sisters of Elizabeth, had presented the award to Martinho at the previous evening’s Baccalaureate Mass in St. Walburga Monastery. The commencement ceremony closed following the singing of the Alma Mater, led by Class of 2008 graduate Jasmine Durr of Roselle.

Graduates of Benedictine Academy earned numerous academic awards from their school this year. “Highest Achievement” Awards were conferred upon the following graduates: Pammela Andrade- Honors Pre-Calculus; Gabriella Bacchus- Health; Felicia Cooper- Pre-Calculus, and Math Applications; Jessica Martinho- Art: Photo Art, British Literature and Physical Education; Yvonne Okereke- AP English, AP French, Health, and Psychology; Crystal Orr- Global Economics; Ashley Perez- American History I; and Jennifer Ramos- Advanced Biology, AP Spanish, and Religion.

Benedictine Academy also conferred “Second Highest Achievement Awards” upon the following graduates: Pammela Andrade- AP French; Nazish Asif- Global Economics; Gabriella Bacchus- Advanced Biology, and AP English; Claudia Creoruska- Art: Photo Art; Jennifer de Andrade- AP Spanish; Raquel Firme- Religion; Anayiah Hall- Psychology, and Physical Education; Samantha Neary- British Literature, and Math Applications; Crystal Orr- Honors Pre-Calculus, Physical Education, and Religion; Isabelle Piroli- Pre-Calculus; Andrea Ribeiro- Art: Photo Art; and Nicole Tortorello- AP Spanish.

The complete list of Benedictine Academy 2008 graduates is: Jalissa Allen, Janella Anderson, Pammela Andrade, Nazish Asif, Zandrea Askew, Gabriella Bacchus, Jazmyn Brantley, Felicia Cooper, Claudia Creoruska, Monique Davis, Jennifer de Andrade, Shamirah Drummond-Riley, Jasmine Durr, Raquel Firme, Anayiah Hall, Imani Harper, Christine Jean-Baptiste, Troi Johnson, Dominique Laurel, Christina Malloy, Sonia Manasse, Jessica Martinho, Keisha Modeste, Samantha Neary, Yvonne Okereke, Crystal Orr, Janae Payne-Hawley, Ashley Perez, Isabelle Piroli, Jennifer Ramos, Mildrena Rasberry, Amanda Rendeiro-Pires, Andrea Ribeiro, Zenobia Robinson, Stephanie Santos, Kejandra Sharpe-Butler, Ulrielle Souffrant, Deanna Starks, Ravyn Thomas, Nicole Tortorello and Tamara Williams.

Jennifer Ramos, a Newark resident who will attend the New Jersey Institute of Technology, was Valedictorian of the Benedictine Academy Class of 2008 and delivered the farewell address. Salutatorian Crystal Orr of Elizabeth, who will attend the University of Pittsburgh this fall, welcomed those gathered.

ELIZABETH—Nine Benedictine Academy eleventh grade students were honored on April 10 when they were inducted into the school’s chapter of the National Honor Society.

The evening ceremony was held in the Benedictine Sisters Monastery Church across from the all-female Catholic college prep high school. Andreia daCosta, a 2004 graduate of the Academy, was the guest speaker. DaCosta will graduate from Rutgers University this spring and plans to pursue a career in biotechnology. The ceremony included the recitation of the qualifications for membership in the National Honor Society as well as a candle lighting noting the qualities of Knowledge, Scholarship, Leadership, Service and Character that every member must exhibit.

The newest members of the Benedictine Academy NHS chapter are: Nicole Andre of Union; Stefannye Barragan of Newark; Melanie Calatayud of Union; Ninoshka Celi of Elizabeth; Tatiana Charles of Union; Adriana Coleman of Linden; Melissa daSilva of Hillside; Genesis Mendoza of Elizabeth; and Erika Yang of Hillside.

NHS Moderator Ana Vilarinho Alves, a graduate of the Academy who achieved National Honor Society status during her time at the school, assisted the senior members of the group as they conducted the ceremony. Senior NHS members who will graduate from the Academy in June include Pammela Andrade of Kearny; Nazish Asif of Newark; Gabriella Bacchus of Irvington; Jennifer de Andrade of Linden; Raquel Firme and Anayiah Hall of Newark; Christina Malloy of Hillside; Jessica Martinho of Newark; Yvonne Okereke of Union; Crystal Orr and Ashley Perez of Elizabeth; Jennifer Ramos of Newark; Amanda Rendeiro-Pires of Union; and Andrea Ribeiro and Nicole Tortorello of Newark.

Senior and Junior Class members of the Benedictine Academy chapter of the National Honor Society. The juniors were inducted into the NHS on April 10. Front row: Tatiana Charles ‘09, Jessica Martinho ‘08, Nazish Asif ‘08, Erika Yang ‘09, Stefannye Barragan ‘09, Melissa daSilva ‘09, and Adriana Coleman ‘09. Middle row: Ashley Perez ’08 (partially hidden), Nicole Tortorello ‘08, Amanda Rendeiro-Pires ’08 (directly behind Erika Yang), Genesis Mendoza ‘09, Jennifer Ramos ‘08, Nicole Andre ‘09. Back row: Jennifer De Andrade ‘08, Raquel Firme ‘08, Yvonne Okereke ‘08, Crystal Orr ‘08, Anayiah Hall ‘08, Melanie Calatayud ‘09.

Students Of The Month—Four young women from at Benedictine Academy in Elizabeth have earned recognition for their academic and all-around achievements at the all-female, Catholic college-prep high school. Selected as “Students of the Month” for January are sophomore Vanessa Devia (standing, left) and freshman Tracy Estelus (standing, right), both of Elizabeth; senior Ulrielle Souffrant of Roselle (seated, left) and junior Erika Yang of Hillside (seated, right.)