Principal’s Message

As an American citizen and as principal of Gloucester Catholic, I take pride in announcing that three members of the Class of 2013 will attend the United States Military Academy at West Point this fall. Seniors Brandon Wethman, Devin McCall and Nick Marks will spend the next four years as officers in training at the storied academy overlooking the Hudson River. I proudly salute these young leaders and look forward to hearing of their certain accomplishments.

It is an exciting time on the GC campus as college acceptances roll in and seniors make plans for the prom, the class trip to Disney World, and this year’s spring musical, Fiddler on the Roof. I know you will enjoy reading about the many activities and accomplishments of all of our students in this issue of Ramblings.

In recent weeks,our GC family has experienced some difficult transitions. Our chaplain, Father Chuck Colozzi, has been named pastor of Saint Gabriel’s Parish in Carney’s Point and offered his final school Mass during Holy Week. Our community thanks him for his years of faithful service to students, faculty, and staff. We all wish him well as he begins this new chapter of ministry. We also bid farewell to our bookkeeper, Mrs. Mary Ann Grant, who retired in April. Mrs. Grant was a behind-the-scenes person who could always be counted on and will be missed. And I am sad to say that a beloved member of our staff, “Big Jim” McNamee, passed away on April 7. Jim was a little guy with a big heart who touched generations of students and made history come alive with stories of his exploits during World War II. Jim was a part of the “Greatest Generation,” and it was a blessing to have him in our midst.

Gloucester Catholic had a strong showing at the Camden County Teen Arts Festival with eight of our students taking home awards. Special thanks to teachers Dave Sipple, Kathy Schilling, and Emily Wehrle for doing such a fine job preparing these students for the competition. The Courier Post and The South Jersey Times honored senior Nick Marks as “Swimmer of the Year.” Girls’ basketball coach Lisa Angelotti Gedaka was named “Coach of the Year” by the Courier Post and The Philadelphia Inquirer. Junior high student, Haley Finley, competed at the World Championship of Irish Dance in Boston and finished 15th. The Rams’ baseball team, under the guidance of new coach Mike Rucci, is currently ranked number one in the state, while our girls’ softball team, coached by alum Tom Sullivan, is ranked among the top teams in South Jersey.

The hard work and tenacity of Gloucester Catholic’s students and teachers, coaches and staff, pays off. Our halls are alive with school spirit and accomplishment… what a school!

John T. Colman