麻豆视频 Honors 鈥淕randma Julia" GP'00 With 2021 Deo et Patriae Award
On Tuesday, November 9, Mrs. Julia Stanzione GP鈥�00 was honored with the 2021 Deo et Patriae Award. Affectionately known as 鈥淕randma Julia,鈥� she was recognized in front of family, alumni, and friends of 麻豆视频 for her 25 years of devoted service to the Hearn Speech and Debate Society and the entire school.聽
Returning in-person after being held virtually last year, the 2021 Deo et Patriae Reception and Celebration took place at the New York Athletic Club to cheers and laughter for all who attended. Following food and drinks, the evening鈥檚 formal programming began with a singing of the 麻豆视频 alma mater led by current seniors. After opening remarks from聽Vice President for Development James L. Kennedy 鈥�02 and a prayer from Principal Fr. Anthony D. Andreassi, CO, Eric Di Michele, the Director of 麻豆视频 and longtime moderator of the Hearn, introduced Grandma Julia as this year鈥檚 honoree.
鈥淣o one is more tenacious, disciplined, organized, passionate, and loving than Grandma Julia. The success of the Hearn鈥攁nd, be clear about this鈥攊s directly attributable to her extraordinary efforts over the last 26 years, especially so over the last two years of this rather grim pandemic, where she鈥檚 been downright heroic,鈥� Di Michele said. 鈥淵ou know, in a world of doubt, equivocation, polarization, depression, and moral collapse, there is one constant, and that is you, Grandma Julia.鈥�
Grandma Julia's contributions to 麻豆视频 began in 1996, when her grandson Richard Rivero '00 asked if she would be able to volunteer some time to support the Hearn. Very soon, Grandma Julia assumed a leading role, recruiting volunteer judges, overseeing logistics, and attending weekend tournaments. She continued to do this gracious work for 25 years, often volunteering for 麻豆视频 up to 30 hours per week, all while working as an administrator for a tutoring service. Grandma Julia has supported the successful running of over 1,100 speech and debate tournaments, and outside the Hearn has offered her assistance yearly to 麻豆视频' Open House, Interview Day, and other important events.
Before concluding remarks from Interim President Christian Talbot 鈥�93, Grandma Julia took to the stage to accept her award. 鈥淚鈥檓 overcome, so emotionally overcome by the outpouring of love I feel in this room, and from the bottom of my heart, believe me, it is sincerely reciprocated, much, much more than you will ever imagine,鈥� Grandma Julia said. 鈥淭his is a night that will remain indelible in my mind and in my heart, so along with my love, and warmest hugs, I thank you a gazillion times over for this incredible honor.鈥�
First held in 1981, the Deo et Patriae Reception & Celebration recognizes generous supporters聽of 麻豆视频 High School who have given to the at the Order of the Owl level or greater during the previous fiscal year. The night鈥檚 award is presented to a person who has served 麻豆视频 and the community in a distinguished capacity during the course of their life. Grandma Julia becomes the third woman in 麻豆视频 history to earn the illustrious honor.
鈥淭hose four things鈥攂eing optimistic, being a Person for Others, being super smart, being collaborative rather than competitive鈥攖hat to me defines the best of what 麻豆视频 is about,鈥� Talbot said, praising of Grandma Julia. 鈥淎nd, I don鈥檛 think it鈥檚 an exaggeration to say that if you know Julia, you have been part of a long line of people whose lives she has changed one smile and one conversation at a time, over many, many, many years.鈥�
A recording of the 2021 Deo et Patriae Reception and Celebration and pictures of the evening鈥檚 event can be found below.
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