Union Catholic proudly inducted 15 new members into its Hall of Fame during a very inspiring, emotional, and entertaining Hall of Fame Class of 2023 ceremony on Friday night at the Shackamaxon Country Club in Scotch Plains.
The memorable ceremony, wonderfully emceed by Dave Thornton (UC Class of 1975), began with a welcome from UC Assistant Principal Dr. Jim Reagan Jr., opening remarks from UC Principal Sister Percylee Hart, RSM, and speeches from current UC students Riley Ramirez and Emma Muir.
Before each inductee was introduced, a mesmerizing video presentation was displayed showing their journey as Thornton spoke about their amazing accomplishments. And then the inductees delivered very powerful and impressive acceptance speeches that kept the packed crowd captivated.
Congratulations to all the inductees!
Here's a list of the UC Hall of Fame Class of 2023 with the categories they were chosen for. Click on their names to read their bios.
UNION CATHOLIC HALL OF FAME CLASS OF 2023
Alumni
Paul E. Simons '73
Arts
Kenneth M. Diego '74
Athletics
Community Leader
John J. Pellicone '69
Cornerstone
Educator
UC Hero
UC Hall of Fame Members listed by year of induction
2023
Cornelius J. Baasten '66 - Community Leader
Marybeth Boyar - Educator
Barbara Dellanno - Educator
Kenneth M. Diego '74 - Arts
Lisa Besson Geraghty '88 - Athletics
Pamela Holmes Kirkland '80 - Athletics
Robert H. Mathers '68 - Alumni
Timothy P. McCabe '85 - UC Hero
Sydney M. McLaughlin-Levrone '17 - Athletics
Taylor McLaughlin '15 - Athletics
Mary Nadasky - Cornerstone
John J. Pellicone '69 - Community Leader
Cherie L. Pizzano '89 - Alumni
Paul E. Simons '73 -Alumni
Mary Ellen Wischusen - Cornerstone
2021
David Babbitt '75 - UC Hero
Joe Connolly - Community Leader
Michael & Lynn D’Antico - Parents
Neil Horne, Jr. - Athletics
Neil Horne, III '88 - Athletics
Neil Horne, III '88 - Athletics
Daniel “Buddy” LeRose '74 - Community Leader
Fabiana Pierre-Louis '98 - Alumni
Michael McCabe - Athletics
Patrick O’Hanlon '85 - Alumni
Patrick O’Hanlon '85 - Alumni
Jim '81 & Jennifer Siburn - Parents
Reverend James F. Spera '70 - Educator
Jim Wood '68 - Athletics
Jim Wood '68 - Athletics
2019
William P. Griffin '75 - Alumni Kevin J. Kutchaver '75 - ArtsJames T. Reagan, Sr. and the 2005 Girls Volleyball Team - AthleticsAl Smith - Community LeaderMary J. Cullinane (Class of 1985), Sister Irma Gazzillo, SSJ, Sister Ann Sullivan, SSJ, and The Sisters of Saint Joseph - EducatorsWilliam and Felicia McLaughlin, and John and Nancy Occhipinti - Parents
2017
Peter Tierney '66 - AlumniDennis Boyle '66 - ArtsCheryl Cop Hart '89 - AthleticsLaura Iden '98 - AthleticsMartin Mazick '68 - Community LeaderMonica Howlett Vermeulen '69 - Community LeaderMaryann Farrell - EducatorSister Mary Raymond Alkazin, RSM* - EducatorPatricia & Vito Gagliardi, Jr. - Parents
2015
Kenneth Clifford '74 - AlumniAl Ashmont '84 - Athletics1973-74 Boys Soccer Team - Athletics1989 Girls Softball Team - AthleticsJane Albert - Community LeaderMyrna McManus - EducatorLou Merola '66 - EducatorBarbara & Bill Butler - Parents
2012
James Venezia, Jr. '66 - AlumniNancy Richardson Saggio '88 - AthleticsTiffany Wilson '90 - Community LeaderSister Percylee Hart, RSM - EducatorAnne & Bob Wischusen - ParentsDominican Sisters of Caldwell - 50th Anniversary Legacy AwardMarist Brothers - 50th Anniversary Legacy Award
2010
John Del Giorno '88 - AlumniBill Sieben '70* - AthleticsJess Ballweg Perkin '01 - AthleticsCarol Ann Riester Giardelli '72 - Community LeaderBruce Zehnle - EducatorMildred & Stephen Ritter* - ParentsSister M. Eloise Claire Kays, RSM* - UC Hero
2008
Joseph Schurtz '71 - AlumniMike Brown '78 - AthleticsMary & Arthur Ryan - Community LeaderMichael Marotti - EducatorAdele & Eugene Gatens - ParentsKevin Apuzzio '02* - UC Hero
2006
Kris Durham '87 - AthleticsJim Revel - AthleticsRich Scialabba '70 - Athletics1988 Girls Basketball Team - Athletics1989 Girls Basketball Team - Athletics
2005
Ed Ehret '72 - AthleticsBob Wischusen '89 - Athletics1981 Girls Swim Team - Athletics1982 Girls Swim Team - Athletics
2004
1984 Boys Baseball Team - Athletics1987 Boys Basketball Team - Athletics1987 Girls Basketball Team - Athletics
1997
Rocky Lettieri - Athletics
1996
Kathy Matthews - Athletics
1995
Mike Allocco '69 - AthleticsKim Hunter Turner '83 - Athletics
1994
Larry Del Guercio - AthleticsKris Kirchner '77 - AthleticsBette Schnitzer - AthleticsBilly Ziobro '66 - Athletics
*posthumously