The Legacy | Fall 2025
- Pope John Paul II
- 1 day ago
- 8 min read
From The President
Welcome to “The Legacy”, an online newsletter for the alumni of PJP and its legacy high schools.
If you are an alumnus of PJP or one of our legacy schools and something noteworthy has happened in your life recently, let us know so we can publish your great news.
Every fall, as the leaves turn and the air grows crisp, I’m reminded that change is both beautiful and sacred. It’s a time to pause, to give thanks, and to marvel at how God continues to work in and through our community here at Pope John Paul II High School.
This school year, PJP has begun to live out its new strategic plan, which will guide us through June 30, 2028. Like our last plan, this one continues to focus on six key drivers: Academics, Board and Administrative Leadership, Development, Enrollment, Fiscal Responsibility, and Student Financial Assistance. At the heart of each driver is faith—faith in God, in our mission, and in the formation of our young people.
This fall carries special meaning for me. After much prayer and reflection, I have shared with our Board, as well as the PJP administration, staff, and faculty, that I will be retiring on July 31, 2026. Even as I write those words, my heart is filled not with sadness, but with deep gratitude—for our students, who demonstrate their God-given gifts each day; for my colleagues, who have supported and challenged me; and for the parents, alumni, and benefactors whose faith in our mission has never wavered.
In these remaining months, my focus is simple: to continue giving my best to a community that has given me more than I could ever repay. Together, we have celebrated milestones, overcome challenges, and strengthened a culture grounded in faith, excellence, and care for one another. That spirit—the heart of Pope John Paul II High School—is what I will carry with me always.
Please know that I am praying for each of you as we move through this school year together. Let us make it one filled with joy, gratitude, and faith in God’s plan for the future of our beloved school.
With heartfelt thanks and prayers,
Vincent F. Cazzetta
President, Pope John Paul II High School
Community Events
2025 Hall of Fame
Thank you to the more than 200 people who joined us in celebrating this year’s Legacy of Impact Hall of Fame!
The event honored extraordinary individuals from Pope John Paul II High School and our proud Legacy Schools St. Matthew’s, St. Patrick’s, Bishop Kenrick, Archbishop Kennedy, Kennedy-Kenrick, and St. Pius X.
We were proud to recognize honorees whose achievements in athletics, academics, government, nonprofit work, business, the arts, lifetime accomplishments, and community service have left a lasting mark on our PJP family and the world beyond.
Your presence and support helped make the celebration truly special.
Reflections from attendees:
"I know everyone of the basketball team, Jim Shaffer's family and the McPherson family were very appreciative and impressed with the ceremony... As alumni of legacy schools that are a bit out of the 'geographical area' of PJP, we're all very appreciative for being included. I'm sure you can tell our loyalty runs deep!"
"It's never easy to have your high school close but attending the event last night
has resurrected the spirit of BK for me, our '76 b-ball team and all other BK attendees."
"It was a great night and all the family and friends of the BK family were impressed with your students and staff. They all did their part to make the entire program run smoothly."
Breaking News
PJP Honored with the 2025 Angel Award!
We are overjoyed to announce that Pope John Paul II High School has been awarded the 2025 Angel Award by the Catholic Foundation of Greater Philadelphia! This prestigious honor comes with a $50,000 grant that will help our Office of School Ministry take the Family Faith Program to the next level.
Thanks to this grant, we’ll be launching four exciting new initiatives designed to strengthen our faith community and support families on their faith journey:
Parish Mentor Program – Connecting families with mentors for guidance and support.
Family Retreats – Offering meaningful experiences to deepen faith together.
Parent Fellowship Nights – Creating opportunities for parents to connect and grow as a community.
Expanded Access to the Hallow App – Bringing faith resources directly to families’ fingertips.
This incredible recognition is a testament to the dedication, vision, and hard work of our team, especially Kevin Kozeniewski and Morgane Kerns, whose leadership made this achievement possible.
We are so grateful to the Catholic Foundation of Greater Philadelphia and look forward to seeing the impact of these initiatives as we continue to strengthen the faith lives of our PJP families.
PJP launches new website!
We are proud to introduce the new Pope John Paul II High School website! This project was created with our community in mind, offering a fresh look, improved accessibility, and easier ways to stay connected to everything happening at PJP.
The new site celebrates our mission of faith, service, and excellence. It is designed to celebrate who we are as a community while helping families, students, alumni, and friends find the information they need quickly and easily.
This achievement is a reflection of the dedication, vision, and collaborative spirit within our PJP community. We are especially grateful to Abbey Fenton, our new Director of Marketing & Communications; to Lenny Martelli (class of 2012), currently serving as one of our newest members of our Board of Directors, and his company Bizengn.com; and to the marketing committee, administration, and advancement team whose partnership, leadership, and commitment brought this project to life.
We also extend heartfelt thanks to our broader PJP community for their support and belief in our mission as we continue to grow our brand and strengthen the mission of Catholic education.
Thanks to You...
Your generous contributions to the John Paul Fund made these facility upgrades possible.
Your Gift. Their Future.
In this season of thanksgiving, we pause to celebrate the blessings of our Pope John Paul II community and the generosity that empowers our students to dream big and achieve more.
Every gift, no matter the size, touches the lives of every student, every day. Your generosity honors the past, sustains the present, and secures the future of PJP.
Want to double your impact?
Many employers will match your gift to a non-profit organization.
Check with your employer today to see if they will match your gift to the John Paul Fund.
Because of You...
Over 200 students have access to Catholic Education through the EITC program thanks to legacy donors.
PJP Volleyball Makes History
The Pope John Paul II Girls Volleyball team captured its fourth consecutive PIAA 3A State Championship with a 3–0 sweep over Oakland Catholic on November 15, 2025 at Cumberland Valley High School. In a thrilling second-set comeback, the Golden Panthers rallied from a 24–19 deficit to win 26–24, showcasing their grit, focus, and championship spirit.
Led by standout performances from seniors Norah Busch (21 kills), Ava Maloney, Cailyn McTamney, and libero Sophia Benincasa, PJP powered through all three sets (26–24, 26–24, 25–18) to once again secure state gold. Coach Ryan Sell praised the team’s resilience, calling the win “surreal” and a true testament to their hard work, teamwork, and unshakeable belief.
Congratulations to our Golden Panthers on an incredible legacy!
Panther Pride
Traditions
Where Are They Now?
Joe Bruno (class of 2010, St. Pius X)
When Joe Bruno saw a casting call for a movie shooting in Charlotte, he was intrigued by one of the roles. The director of Roofman, starring Channing Tatum and Kirsten Dunst, was seeking someone to play a news reporter while the production filmed in Charlotte. Joe Bruno recorded a video audition on his deck and said while he doesn't have any film experience, he is a news reporter by profession and was in the drama club in high school. Bruno got a callback and was offered a credited role on the spot after meeting with the director and producers in person. The movie played in theaters this Fall. His character's name is Adrian Baracco.
Joe Bruno, a St. Pius X 2010 alumnus, participated in the drama club all 4 years of high school. He considers it one of his best memories and says it played a major role into who he is and how he works today. Joe Bruno is a five-time Emmy award winning journalist for the ABC News station in Charlotte, North Carolina, WSOC-TV. He and his wife, Liz Bruno, have a 1-year-old son, True Bruno.
Akshay G. Patel, MS, MD, PhD (class of 2012)
Akshay is a PGY-1 resident physician in the PSTP at Yale New Haven Hospital in New Haven, CT. He earned his BS and MS degrees in Biology at Villanova University, and his MD and PhD (Biochemistry and Molecular Biology) degrees at SUNY Upstate Medical University, where he was funded by an F30 from NIDDK.
He hopes to acquire a greater clinical understanding and appreciation of the gaps in our knowledge of immunology, autoimmunity, and hepatology/gastroenterology.
He is currently pursuing his residency training at Yale New Haven Hospital as a member of their Physician-Scientist Training Program (PSTP).
Your Legacy. Our Pride.
Share your high school memories or career accomplishments, learn about how you can join the legacy and be added to special event announcements and alumni news updates.
Honoring Our Veterans
Throughout the month of November, Pope John Paul II High School would like to honor those within the PJP community who have served or are serving in the United States military.
Annemarie is a 2018 graduate of Pope John Paul II and is the daughter of PJP’s Mrs. Gray, a PAWS
advisor and administrative assistant for academic affairs.
Annemarie is also the sister of PJP graduates Meredith
(’15), Andrew (’17), and Aidan (’23).
Annemarie was recently promoted to Staff Sergeant.
Mr. Barczyk is the father of Tabitha (’26) and Natalie (’29) Barczyk and served in the United States Navy from 1998 to 2009.
He was an Electrician’s Technician Nuclear assigned to the USS Ronald Reagan during the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier’s christening and commissioning.
He also trained future “Navy Nukes” at the Naval Nuclear Power Training Command in Ballston Spa, N.Y.
Father of Connor O’Brien (’27), Mr. O’Brien amassed over 5,000 flight hours during his 30-plus year career in the United States Air Force, piloting the A-10 Warthog, the T-38 Talon, and the remotely-piloted MQ-9 Reaper.
He flew over 30 combat sorties each over Kosovo and Serbia during OPERATION Allied Force, over Iraq in OPERATION Iraqi Freedom, and over Afghanistan in OPERATION Enduring Freedom.
He also flew remote missions behind the controls of the MQ-9 Reaper over Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria, and the Arabian Gulf. He was stationed at airbases in Pennsylvania, Mississippi, and Arizona as well as South Korea and Germany.
Grandfather of Francis (’17), Bernadette (’22), and Veronica (’27) Interrante, and father-in-law of Paula Scharff (Bishop Kenrick ’85), Mr. Interrante served in the United States Air Force for 40 years and four months prior to his retirement in 1991.
Mr. Interrante was granted a special fourmonth extension in 1991 by President George H.W. Bush at the outset of the Persian Gulf War between the United States and Iraq.
The PJP community is forever thankful to all of those who have served in uniform.
Help us honor legacy alumni who served in the U.S. Armed Forces.
Please share your story or that of a loved one so we can recognize their service.
Thank You Golden Partners
Our Golden Partners are a special part of the Pope John Paul II High School community. Their generosity helps sustain our mission of faith, service, and excellence by supporting scholarships, programs, and events that enrich student life. We are deeply grateful for their commitment to helping our students grow in spirit, leadership, and success.
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