Cardinal Spellman High School celebrated its 50th Anniversary with a Gala Dinner at Villa Barone Manor on October 30. More than 500 graduates, faculty past and present, and friends of Spellman attended the sold out event. Marcus Solis, Reporter for WABC Eyewitness News and graduate of the Class of 1987 was Master of Ceremonies for the night that included the induction into the Spellman Hall of Honor of Anne and Stephen J. McGuinness (class of 1977), and Gloria (Perri) and Daniel S. O’Connell, both from the class of 1972.
The Spellman Gospel Choir and Singing Sensations, under the direction of faculty member Mila Bello, class of 2000, provided several inspirational musical selections during the evening. A number of graduates took part in the ceremonies, including Rev. Msgr. John Graham (class of 1966), Pastor of St. Raymond’s Church; Dr. Juan Sotomayor (class of 1975), brother of Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor (class of 1972); and Jenise Harrell, (class of 2005) and a recent graduate from George Washington University. Dr. Sotomayor read a letter from his sister Sonia, in which she said that during her four years at Spellman, “we absorbed all we were taught by extremely dedicated teachers.” Also participating in the program were Anne Gevlin, former dean of students and assistant principal, and Brother Bernard Hanson F.S.C. and Sr. Mary Ann Garisto S.C., both former faculty members who represented the two religious orders that played an integral part in the founding of Cardinal Spellman High School, the Brothers of the Christian Schools and the Sisters of Charity.
