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Funeral Arrangements for Jim Hague, ’79
Proud Prep alumnus and legendary Hudson County sportswriter Jim Hague, ’79, passed away on Sunday at age 62. Jim was an unforgettable character and a great friend of Prep Athletics—and high school athletics in North Jersey in general. Please read on for details on funeral arrangements.
Prep’s VP for Planning and Principal Giving, Jim Horan, ’70, was Jim Hague’s journalism teacher at Prep. He offered the following tribute to his former student:
Very few graduates of Saint Peter’s have been as passionately proud of their Prep diploma as Jim was, and through both his infectious personality and his prolific sports writing career he was both well known and admired by fellow alumni of many generations. As we all know, Jim ‘lived’ in the world of sports, and he was as enthusiastic about a local freshman team’s winning season as he was about a stunning state championship game at MetLife Stadium. That said, especially in Hudson County, he was both a pundit and an everyman, seemingly always on the scene and quickly churning out compelling copy. His passing is not only a loss for Saint Peter’s Prep, but also for Hudson County’s many athletes who have lost their most reliable chronicler.
Jim Horan, ’70Funeral Arrangements
A wake will be held in Prep’s O’Keefe Commons on Wednesday, June 14, from 3-7 p.m.
The entrance to the Commons is found at 236 Van Vorst Street, Jersey City, NJ 07302.
As always, please note that parking in downtown Jersey City is limited on weekdays. Prep recommends arriving via PATH at Grove Street or Exchange Place, or the Hudson Bergen Light Rail at Marin Boulevard or Exchange Place, which are all less than a 10-minute walk from campus. If you will be driving, there are numerous pay parking options nearby. For your convenience, here is a map of several nearby locations. Prep does not have a relationship with these facilities; please contact them directly for further information.A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at Saint Paul the Apostle Church on Thursday, June 15, at 10:30 a.m.
Saint Paul’s is located at 14 Greenville Avenue (at Old Bergen Road), Jersey City, NJ 07305.
Jim most recently wrote for the Observer of Kearny, where a fellow Prep alumnus, Kevin Canessa, ’92, is the editor. The Observer published this obituary over the weekend, which also includes tributes from a number of his many friends and colleagues.
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Funeral Arrangements for Rev. Tony Azzarto, S.J.
As we continue to celebrate the life and legacy of Rev. Tony Azzarto, S.J., we can now share the details of Fr. Azzarto’s funeral arrangements:
Visitation and Vigil Service: Thursday, April 20
A wake will take place in the O’Keefe Commons at Saint Peter’s Prep, located at the corner of Grand and Van Vorst Streets in Jersey City, from 1-7 p.m.
The wake will conclude with a brief vigil service, beginning at 7 pm. The service will include a reflection by Prep President Michael Gomez, Ed.D., ’91, a Gospel reading with a homily by Rev. John Mullin, S.J., prayers of the faithful, music by Prep Vox, and a eulogy by John T.M. Chester, ’74, P’03,’05.
Please Note:
- Access to the Commons will be through the doors on Van Vorst Street only.
- In order to accommodate as many guests as possible, we respectfully request that you limit your time in the Commons.
- Parking on campus is extremely limited, a condition exacerbated by ongoing utility work on York Street. Permit and alternate-side restrictions also apply for street parking. Therefore, we strongly suggest you plan to arrive via public transit. PATH at Grove Street or Exchange Place, or the Hudson Bergen Light Rail at Marin Boulevard or Exchange place, are all less than a 10-minute walk from campus. If you will be driving, there are numerous pay parking options nearby. For your convenience, here is a map of several nearby locations. Prep does not have a relationship with these facilities; please contact them directly for further information.
Funeral Mass: Friday, April 21
A funeral Mass will be celebrated at Saint Aedan’s, the Saint Peter’s University Church (800 Bergen Avenue, Jersey City) at 7 p.m.
Please note:
- Parking will be available in the Saint Aedan’s parking lot (entry on Tuers Avenue between Mercer and Vroom Streets), and in Saint Peter’s University Lot #1 (entry on Montgomery Street between Jordan and Tuers Avenues).
- Parking in these lots is also limited. We appreciate your understanding.
- The doors to the church will open at 6 p.m.
Live streams
Live streams will be available for both the Thursday vigil service and the Friday funeral Mass. Full details here.
Gifts in memory of Fr. Azzarto
Per Fr. Azzarto’s wishes, donations in lieu of flowers may be made to Saint Peter’s Prep (online at spprep.org/give or by mail at 144 Grand Street, Jersey City, NJ 07302). When donating, please indicate your gift is in memory of Fr. Azzarto. You can note this on your check, or check the “tribute gift” box on the online form.
Share your memories of Fr. Azzarto
As Dr. Gomez noted in his message Saturday, everyone with a connection to Saint Peter’s Prep has an “Azzarto story.” As a tribute to Fr. Azzarto, we have created a place to share memories, in words and pictures, of this Prep Legend. We welcome you to add yours as we celebrate a life well-lived, giving glory to God through tireless service to others.
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Rev. Anthony Azzarto, S.J. | 1938-2023
Dear Saint Peter’s Prep Family,
I write this brief letter with profound sadness and profound gratitude.
I am sorry to share that our friend, our colleague, our Prep brother, Rev. Tony Azzarto, S.J., passed away peacefully earlier today. He was 84. I had the opportunity to visit with Tony a few times over the past couple of weeks, and I reminded him, on behalf of the entire Prep community, how much we loved him and how transformative his time with us has been. Over a span of 60 years, Tony served Saint Peter’s Prep as teacher, counselor, chaplain, and retreat director. This is only scratching the surface of this extraordinary life, and does not include countless baptisms, weddings, funerals, handwritten notes, pictures, and so much more.
I can say, quite simply, that Tony walked the road with all of us. He walked with us on the road to Emmaus, he walked with us on the dark and lonely roads, and he walked with us on the roads to our greatest heights. And right now our hearts break at the thought of walking on without him. But our faith tells us Tony will walk on forever, in all the lives he shaped, and the lives we will go on to shape through all he has taught us. And what he has taught us is the very best of what it means to be Saint Peter’s Prep.
When we know the dates and times of Fr. Azzarto’s funeral arrangements, we will be sure to let you know.
I know that all of us have an “Azzarto story.” Most of us have many. I know we will be sharing them with much love and gratitude for years to come. While no one gesture can begin to capture what Tony has meant to Prep and to each of us, below is a link to a brief video tribute. There will be many more opportunities to celebrate his life and legacy in the days ahead.
Prep for Life. Prep Forever.
Michael Gomez, Ed.D, ’91
President
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Alumni: Prep’s Summer Immersion Program Critically Needs Your Support!
Each summer, Prep students travel to communities near and far to serve, learn, and encounter others through our Summer Immersion Program. These experiences often become defining moments in a young person’s formation, shaping how they understand leadership, service, and justice.
As we finalize plans for this summer’s immersions, we are seeking additional adult chaperones to help make these experiences possible.
We know that many of our alumni carry forward the values they developed during their time at Prep. This is an opportunity to give back in a direct and meaningful way by accompanying the next generation of Prep students as they engage in service and reflection.
The need is time-sensitive, and securing enough qualified chaperones will ensure that students can fully participate in the experiences they have been preparing for throughout the year.
- 2 Chaperones Needed – Appalachian Institute at Wheeling University, Wheeling, WV: June 21-June 26,
- 2 Chaperones Needed – Nazareth Farm, Salem, WV: June 28-July 4
- 1 Chaperone Needed – WV Ministry of Advocacy and Workcamps, Mt. Pleasant, WV: July 5-11
- 1 Chaperone Needed – Bethlehem Farm, Talcott, WV: July 5-July 11
Here is what’s in it for you:
- These trips are definitely awesome opportunities to get to know our current students and help ignite their spirit for service.
- It’s super powerful to learn about different communities around our nation from firsthand experience.
- There is a $600 stipend! (Food, lodging, gas, etc. covered for the trip)
- It’s an opportunity to show off what Prep for Life really means. Showing them that former graduates want to continue to be involved is extremely meaningful.
Please Note: Per our policy, all drivers must have the following:
- Valid driver’s license
- Personal automobile insurance (parent, spouse or family insurance policy accepted)
If you would like more information or are interested in serving as a chaperone, please contact Mr. Keith Cummings, ’10 at cummingsk@spprep.org
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Quinnipiac University Summer Open House
As your students are planning their college search, we invite them to join us for Quinnipiac University’s June Open House on Saturday, June 6. This event is designed for rising seniors, juniors, and sophomores who are ready to explore academic interests, learn more about the admissions process, and get a feel for campus life.
During Open House, students and families will be able to:
- Hear from our admissions team about making the most of high school — course selection, involvement, and preparing a strong application.
- Explore academic programs across all of our undergraduate schools: the College of Arts & Sciences, School of Business, School of Communications, School of Computing & Engineering, School of Health Sciences, and the School of Nursing.
- Tour our Mount Carmel and North Haven campuses and meet the faculty, staff, and students who shape our community.
GRANT OPPORTUNITY!
Students applying for Fall 2027 who attend June Open House will also be eligible for our $500 annual Open House Grant — renewable for up to four undergraduate years (totaling $2,000) — should they enroll as first‑year students and meet renewal conditions. This grant is exclusive to June Open House attendees and will be included in their financial aid offer if admitted.
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Your Students Are Invited to Apply forAmerican Legion Jersey Boys State!
ALJBS is the premier youth leadership program for top NJ high school seniors boys. It’s a week-long, college-level seminar that brings together nearly 1,000 of New Jersey’s young men to become citizen leaders in their community, dedicated to service, respect, and Americanism.
APPLICATION & ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
We have extended the deadline to apply to May 31st!
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Recruited-Scholar Athlete Webinar
Dwight Global will once again be hosting our annual Recruited-Scholar Athlete webinar, and we welcome your students and families to attend. The webinar will take place Tuesday, May 19th at 6pm ET. Our panel this year will include admissions officers, athletic directors and coaches from University of Michigan, Santa Clara University and Bowdoin College
Expert panelists will discuss a range of topics, from college recruitment timelines to admissions processes to NCAA eligibility. With a focus on the ever-evolving landscape of college athletics, our moderated discussion brings together a hive-mind of college admission officers, athletic directors and coaches. Joining them will be student-athletes, who will share their first-hand recruitment experiences, and discuss balancing academics and athletic commitments at both the high school and collegiate levels.
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Prep Students Sleep in Courtyard to Raise Funds for Covenant House New Jersey
More than 165 Prep students spent the night in Prep’s courtyard on May 8 in solidarity with the millions of young people who experience homelessness in the United States each year at the Student Sleep Out, a popular annual fundraising initiative that has raised $65,807 thus far in support of Covenant House New Jersey for 2026.
Covenant House New Jersey is a nonprofit organization that “empowers young people to overcome homelessness and trafficking by providing them with safe housing, food and clothing, and relentless support.” Sleep Outs hosted by schools and other communities across the country benefit their mission annually.
In the days leading up to this year’s event, Prep students gathered for multiple “text and email blitzes,” during which they engaged and energized their own networks in support of their fundraising goal.
The Sleep Out itself began in the O’Keefe Commons on May 8, with time for pizza, camaraderie, and brotherhood. Assistant Director of Campus Ministry Mr. Keith Cummings, ’10, whose ongoing leadership has cemented this initiative’s strong place at Grand & Warren, delivered opening remarks and welcomed the Student Sleep Out Committee: John McClelland ’26, Patrick Naughton ’26, Alexander Sasha Tyazhelkov, ’26, Maximillian Yershov, ’27, Desmond Tripp, ’28, and Ray Lipkin, ’28.
John McClelland, ’26 once again led his peers in fundraising this year and is currently one of the top ten fundraisers in the state of New Jersey.
Throughout the night, Prep students, many of whom were sleeping out for the very first time, heard from representatives of Covenant House New Jersey, including Chief Development Officer Jim Low and Senior Development Director Janette Dubenezic, as well as several Covenant House alumni, who have benefited from the programs Prep’s efforts continue to support.
At 10 PM, the participants finally adjourned to the courtyard for a candlelit vigil before gathering cardboard boxes to fashion makeshift shelters and settling in for the night ahead.
We thank the Campus Ministry Department, including Director of Campus Ministry Dr. Susan Woolever, Campus Ministry Associate Ms. Maureen Hess, P’17, 19, and Mr. Patrick Rooney, ’21, Alumni Service Corps, for their support of these efforts. We also thank the Prep faculty and staff who joined us this year, as well as the entire Operations Team.
Sleep Out fundraising efforts are ongoing. Learn more at spprep.org/sleepout.
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Prep Students Exhibit Work at Annual Art Show
Prep’s Annual Student Art Exhibit welcomed family, friends, faculty, and staff on Sunday, May 3 to celebrate and learn more about the portfolios of our fine arts students, still on display in our Library.
Exhibits spanned various media—from painting, to photography, to architecture, to graphic design, to sculpture, to clothing design, to animation, and beyond. We commend all our students on their work.
Prep offered 21 fine and performing arts courses in the 2025-26 school year.
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Notre Dame Pre-College Online Program
Structure and Flexibility for Summer
As students finalize their summer plans, many are looking for ways to stay engaged without committing to a rigid schedule.
The Notre Dame Pre-College Online Program offers a unique way for motivated students to explore fields like medicine, law, or business. Our 100% online, self-paced courses ensure that learning is productive but fully flexible.
Students can use this time to explore a specific passion or get exposure to college-level content while maintaining full control over their summer schedule for family time or work.
Please feel free to circulate this message and the attached flyer.
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Arrupe Week Concludes with Keynote Assembly
Prep concluded this year’s Arrupe Week programming on April 30 with an assembly in the gymnasium featuring a keynote from Dr. Art Pressley, Associate Professor of Psychology and Religion at Drew University, and a student-led panel featuring members of our own community who have immigrated to the United States.
This year’s topic was “Belonging in Every Place: Pilgrimaging with persons and communities who have been displaced from their homes.” For more than 20 years, Arrupe Week, named for Pedro Arrupe, S.J., the late superior general of the Jesuits, who charged the religious order with its modern mission of forming “men and women for and with others,” explores a different topic related to social justice through a Jesuit lens.
This year’s assembly began with an introduction from Director of Campus Ministry Dr. Susan Woolever and a prayer from Matthew Sapp, ’26. Dr. Pressley then took the stage to share reflections on the life of Fr. Arrupe, on the spiritual and psychological impacts of displacement, and on resilience and courage
We thank our student panelists (Mayuel Catelin, ’26, Garreth Core, ’26, JP Lombera, ’26, Dmytrii Frenkel, ’26, Nestor Perez, ’27, and Ruoyu Li, ’27), who gathered next for a question and answer session sharing their own experiences of immigrating to the United States.
Seamus Brown, ’26 and Evan Donath, ’26 then led us in prayer through song.
“The assembly ended with a song I learned from students at Xavier High School, Chuuk, Micronesia a couple of summers ago,” Dr. Woolever shared in a recent letter. “The prayerful song invites us to pray for peace, love, and hope in our neighborhoods. I challenge us to stretch our notion of neighbor to include peoples and communities beyond our streets, outside of our zip codes, and across borders.”
In addition to service opportunities all year long, this week’s Arrupe initiatives included examens, prayers, and information sharing during the school day. Our lobby also featured a gallery display by iconographist Kelly Latimore, featuring artwork of Jesus and the Holy Family among refugees and people who have been displaced from their homes.
Throughout its long history, the Pedro Arrupe, S.J., Lecture Series has hosted, among others, noted peace activist Dan Berrigan, S.J.; death penalty activist Sr. Helen Prejean, CSJ; Greg Boyle, S.J., of the successful anti-gang initiative Homeboy Industries; Sean Carroll, S.J. of the Kino Border Initiative; Mr. Jim Keady of Team Sweat; Dr. Michael Kimmel, sociologist and author of Guyland; Sr. Peggy O’Neill, S.C., director of Centro Arte para La Paz in El Salvador; Dr. Khalil Gibran Muhammad, of the Harvard Kennedy School; and Fr. Daniel Corrou, S.J. who worked with Jesuit Refugee Services in the Middle East.
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Prep Commends Latest Group of Honor Society Inductees
Six Prep honor societies inducted more than 80 upperclassmen—many of whom were inducted into multiple societies—into their ranks at a ceremony in the O’Keefe Commons on April 30.
We commend the new members of the McNally-Sinnott Chapter of the National Honor Society and five language honor societies (Società Onoraria Italica, The Chinese Honor Society, Deutsche Ehrenverbindung, Société Honoraire de Français, and Sociedad Honoraria Hispánica).
The evening began with remarks from Prep Principal Mr. Chris Caulfield, ’03 and a prayer by Student Council President JP Lombera, ’26. One by one, the moderator of each society described their respective induction criteria and led the inductees in their pledges. Following the presentation of membership certificates, the ceremony concluded with a keynote address by John Fitzgerald, ’26.
View the list of inductees in the program below:
View a full gallery of the ceremony
The Chinese Honor Society 
Sociedad Honoraria Hispánica 
Società Onoraria Italica 
Deutsche Ehrenverbindung 
The National Honor Society 
Société Honoraire de Français -
Spring Concert Features Vox, Concert Band, Jazz Band, and Prep Dramatics
Prep’s Annual Spring Concert welcomed friends, family, faculty, and staff to the O’Keefe Commons on April 24 for an unforgettable evening of music, courtesy of Prep’s performing arts programs.
The show began with a welcome from Prep Principal Mr. Chris Caulfield, ’03 and an invocation by the Rev. Lito Salazar, S.J., and then, Vox, Prep’s vocal group, was the first to take the stage, directed by Ms. Emily Fencik.
Vox performed a diverse repertoire, drawing from popular favorites, liturgical music, and Broadway and finished with a choreographed “Jersey Boys Medley,” to much laughter and applause.
They were followed by Prep’s Concert Band, conducted by Mr. Steve Caslowitz. They performed both old and new favorites, including the debut of an instrumental version of the popular “Soda Pop” from the film K-Pop Demon Hunters. The company of Prep Dramatics’ Spring 2026 production of Pippin then presented a medley from the musical.
As the closing act, Prep’s Jazz Band was joined by guest singer Mr. Michael Allocca of the Theology Department for a thrilling rendition of “Come Fly With Me,” and Vox returned to join them onstage for “Fly Me to the Moon.”
We thank everyone who helped make the day a success, and we commend all the performers on their well-practiced work.
Concert Band
Flute
Daniel BarretoClarinet
Caleb Cabeza^
Jack Connors
Rahul Fernandes
Benjamin Gourley
Viraj Khosla
Carter Townsend
Bass Clarinet
Robert Vayda
Baritone Horn
Reyansh SahaniTenor Sax
Claude Nick Ferdinand*
Rolando Sally
Paolo Zamora^Alto Sax
Ishmael Abraham*^
Dylan Ashe^
Krishay Chugh
Finn Curry
Kieran Nath
Nik Nayar
Spencer Neissen*^
August Passafiume
Luke WojciechowiczTrombone
Seamus Brown*^
George Caccire
Zachary DeCastro
Baritone Sax
Luke Meagher^
Nicholas RinaldiTrumpet
Griffin Kong
Lucca Lachica*^
Kayshav Mittal^Percussion
Noel Almenana
Ecolz Delmar Aplado
Ryan Bartlett
Max Goski
Roman Kantardjan
Rohan Poduval
Justin Sa-Onoy
Liam Shah
Owen Verdibello
Mallets
Adrian WentzheimerBass
Patrick Naeris^*Senior
^Jazz Band MemberAdditional Jazz Band Members
Hudson Lespinasse, piano
Raaghav Mittal, drums
Sebastian Morse, bass
Jude Siperstein, drumsVox
Tenor I
Daniel Barreto
Evan Donath*
Isaac Kang#
John Masterson
Arjen Verboon
Tenor II
Leo Ang
Brayden Bankuti
Caleb Cabeza
Jacob Esperanzate
Tyler TranBaritone
Cillian Collins
Aaron Dela Cruz
Rolando Intal III
Jacob Konev
Nate Lugtu
Abel Medina
Declan McCormick
Kyle RoddickBass
D.J. Colon
Varick Kerly
Zy’on Monroe
Asher Ouyang
Harry Sangha
Ethan Seals*
Sebastian Varela*
Riley Villa*Senior
# North Jersey Region Mixed Choir MemberPippin Cast
Cast: Evan Donath, Miniyah Lee, Ethan Seals, Sophie Lee, Isaac Kang, Leo Ang, Sofia Santomauro, Kira Varela, Kyle Rodrick, Arjeen Verboon, Alison Turok, Sebastian Varela, Riley Villa, Ava Scarsi, Daniel Barreto, Maeve Berry, John Masterson, Emma Moloney, Krishay Chugh, Isabella Galarza, Luke Meagher, Lei Molina-Leigh, Robert Pinzon, Sofia Gonzalez, Aleksander Fennell, Miranda Shepard, Izabella Tamoro, Lily Torres, Marcella Ona, Danielle Concepcion, Christian Espiritu, and Caitlin Espiritu
Stage Managers: Cillian Collins and Ellen McCartin
