Holy Cross New Orleans
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“When I reminisce I think of Holy Cross and a very special year
My blurred images and disheveled thoughts soon begin to coalesce
And I don’t take long to realize these things were worth remembering”
– – – ’73 Tiger Yearbook
Next Holy Cross New Orleans Class of ’71 newsletter: May 1, 2026
For those interested in OFFICIAL Holy Cross Alumni events, here’s the link
Yearbooks: All four years of our high school days can be found online here
Some classic HC Bulletins can be found online here
The Class of 1971’s YouTube channel can be found here
February 4, 2006
The Holy Cross Tigers Class of 1971 Presents Their 55th Part 1 Gathering, the 5th Annual Crawfish Party!
Date: Sunday, 17 May 2026
Time: 12:00 Noon until approximately 5:00 PM
Location: The Huddle
Holy Cross High School
5500 Paris Ave
New Orleans, LA 70122
October 22, 2025
Renaissance Man
“Sitting in the breakfast nook of his log cabin, gazing through the window at part of his over 4 acres of property nestled inside of a 40-acre tract of wilderness, Frank Marengo runs down a checklist of the wildlife he’s seen”
Legacy: Three generations of Fioritos
Giving Back to the Sport: Steve Ferrer picks up a coaching whistle
Alaska: The Pearsons face-off with bears
Roots: John Gloriso visits his ancestral home in Sicily
Normandy: The Pedeauxs at Omaha Beach
Into the Midnight Sun: The Guichard trek to the land of the Vikings
And More!
May 7, 2025
Between Two Worlds
“From the wind-swept mountains of Mexico to sun-kissed Pacific Ocean beaches, to the largest city in the United States – Stephen Dwight Stanton Cornely has called many places ‘home’.”
Multi-talented Typing Teacher: John Kokemor ’69 looks at the life of Br Vincent dePaul Hujar
‘This [is] a Caesar. When comes such another?”: Michael S. Leach answers the question of “Just who is this guy in the mismatched tennis ensemble and floppy be-bop cap, the one bumming a light for his next Camel and groping for yet another cup of putrid coffee?”
And more – – – much more!
November 1, 2024
The Music Man
Music is in the DNA of Frank Mannino’s family. Beginning with his uncle, jazz trombonist Santo Pecora, through his sons Marco ‘69 and Milo HC/EJ ‘81, to his grandson Jon, the sounds of the big band swing era continue
“When I opened the band room door that afternoon, I was greeted by a silver-haired, well-groomed, impeccably dressed gentleman; Frank Mannino. He saw that I was both excited and nervous, so he took his time to ask me about myself, how long I had been playing trumpet, who I had studied under and most importantly, why I wanted to play in the Holy Cross Band.” – – George Plaeger ‘71
“I always felt like I was part of something larger. This entity was the fact that we had a musical family incorporating all the musicians that played with us.” – – Milo Mannino HC/EJ ‘81
“Frank Mannino was the nicest grandpa. He’d always have a big bucket of gummy bears or licorice behind his easy chair that we’d snitch from. Every so often dad (Marco ’69) would bring us to his house and I’d get a lesson.” – – Jon Mannino
“Frank Mannino loved students who worked hard. Even if you fell short, he was there for you, encouraging you. But if you didn’t live up to being a Holy Cross Man, he would tell you, and he was pretty stern about that.” – – Tim Laughlin ‘81
And more . . .
June 15, 2024
Crux Spes Unica: The Next 100 Years
Campus for the Next Hundred Years: Architect Ron Blitch ’71 takes us behind the scenes on the design and construction of Holy Cross’ Paris Avenue campus
The Victory Bell: John Kokemor ’69 explains the origin of the Victory Bell
The Grotto: the story of the recreation of the Dauphine St grotto on the Paris Avenue campus
Orphan, Foster Child, or in Detention: Apollo rocket scientist John Hornung relates his experiences as a 6th grade boarder in 1949
The Gazebo: John Kokemor tells the history of the gazebo
Paris Avenue Construction Video
Animation Video of how the new campus would look – made prior to the beginning of construction
And more . . .
April 7, 2024
To Serve Them All of My Days
The Fire Within: Greek philosopher Plutarch wrote, “The mind is not a vessel that needs filling, but wood that needs igniting . . . and then it motivates one towards originality and instills the desire for truth. Michael Leach ignited that fire for thousands of Holy Cross students over his almost four decade tenure at the Lower 9th ward high school.
Guiding Light: Five Decades of Inspiration: “The last 50 years went by a lot faster than I thought it would,” comments John Glorioso on approaching five decades in the classroom. “I’m pretty proud of that. Not a lot of people teach for that long.”
From Wrestling Mat to Mentorship: Teachers don’t always realize the long-lasting impact they have on some student’s lives. Just ask Rick Zimmer, who has been on both sides of the teacher’s desk. Zimmer’s father died when he was 11 months old, his stepfather was an alcoholic, and Holy Cross wrestling coach Br. Melchior Polowy – who could be considered one of the original social influencers – unknowingly became a role model for him.
Leach’s Speeches:
PDF files of his Commencement Addresses and other speeches
From Here to There
Four Years: A Tribute to the “Old Soldier”
THE WIZARD OF OZ: THE TRIUMPH OF SIMPLICITY
DIMENSIONS OF MAN : AN UNAUTHORIZED TAXONOMY
October 1, 2023
Flyboys
A Need for Speed: Phil Kessling was an avid reader growing up. At age 8 he started reading biographies and autobiographies of WWI and WWII fighter aces. At Holy Cross he was a 4 year member of the AFJROTC and got his first flight on an airplane while in the Civil Air Patrol.
Living the Dream: Flying over the Bad Lands of South Dakota, Bill Pedeaux throttled back his supersonic jet as he put his T-38 Talon in a 60 degree bank, repeatedly circling Mt Rushmore. He constantly reminds himself that he has the greatest job in the world. “Who would have thought that a kid with average grades could do this?” he shakes his head in disbelief. “I always wanted to be pilot. It was a kid’s dream – and it came true.”
A 2nd Lieutenant Walks into a Bar: Usually you’d expect the punch line to come next, but not in Sam Bolen’s case. A recently commissioned Air Force officer, Bolen was finishing Navigation School at Mather Air Force Base in California. He and his classmates were finished practicing taking sightings with their sextants and headed to the Officer’s Club.
Walking up to the bar, he noticed a familiar face – his former high school English teacher and Holy Cross Brother, Christian Rogers. Except Rogers was no longer a brother: he was now a Captain in the Air Force and a B-52 Aircraft Commander.
Cadet Commander to Air Commander: While visiting family in Miami, Humberto Brocato’s uncle took him on a field trip to the local airport. They parked at the end of the runway outside of the fence and watched Boeing 727s flying overhead. It was then that the 8 year old Bert knew what he wanted to do – become a pilot.
“Flying is what I always wanted to do. I thought flying would be the best job in the world,” recalls Brocato. “I joined the Air Force because I wanted to fly airplanes with the ultimate goal of becoming an airline pilot.”
And more – – – much more!
April 19, 2023
Catching the Light
Catching the Light: we take a look at the universe through the lens of Jerry Lodriguss
Managing for Life: Rick Ranson explores the impact of having been an HC football team manager
Hello World: Rhonda Glorioso talks about her trip to the Middle East
The Story Teller: the tables are turned and Jeff Junker gets interviewed
The Islenos: Dennis Delaney’s quest to trace the roots of the 18th century settlers of St Bernard
And more . .
November 1, 2022
Nothing But Net
The 70s: An Unmatched Decade of Holy Cross Basketball
Magical Maestri Tour
Message from Frances and Harold Veith
Boys and their Toys
The Rapid Rabbit
And MORE!!!!!!
May 1, 2022
Boys to Men: Twenty Five Years Later – – did you know that the original Boys to Men campaign had nothing to do with fund raising? See what two of the original poster boys are up to 25 years later.
Bodaciously Good Eatin’ – – The Reuther’s BBQ joint named best in Shreveport
Breaking the Zodiac Killer Ciphers – – – An original Homeroom 6 member solves the mystery of the Zodiac
The Boys of Summer series continues with Raul Viera
And more (much more!)
October 30, 2021
Wing and a Prayer
A pilot and his wife foster over 100 children
The story of Fr. Tom
HC71’s latest inductee into the HC Sports Hall of Fame
4950 gym’s second facelift
And more
June 30, 2021
HC71 Fifty Years Later
Luncheon with the Class of ’21
Return to Campus
Golden Diploma Ceremony
Blowout at Chateau Estates Country Club
Surprise Party for Tommy Tommaseo
and more!
April 12, 2021
A Man of Faith
Bobby Dawson’s trek from the bayou to the bible
Danny Vorenkamp overcomes a near career ending football injury
A look back at campus life 50 years ago
Charlie Kothmann tells the tale of his Homeroom 6 combination lock
Did you know that Br Melchior was young once?
and more!
January 5, 2021
Land Down Under
This issue has kangaroos, tigers, monkeys, snow, and alligators
Roni Sumich crosses the Pacific
Louis Reuther enters a Tiger’s Den
Humberto Brocato remembers the Vietnam POW/MIAs
Mike Heller’s Awards of Dubious Achievement
And more . . .
Did I mention it has kangaroos?
October 15, 2020
Kenny Duke is named a “Legend of the Game” and is honored at the HC-Jesuit football game.
September 30, 2020
A Quiet Aura
Obituaries of Earl Schneider, Al Wilhelm, and Br. James Ryan
and more
June 30, 2020
The Boys of Summer
A look at the 1971 baseball season through the eyes of Donald Hergert, Donnie Maheu, Donnie Meyer, and Mark Kalbacher
Memories of youth league baseball from Rene Bull and guest writer Steve Glaviano (St Aloysius/Br Martin ’71), who played at Bunny Friend with many members of HC71.
Three generations of HC baseballers in the Guichard family
A look at Holy Cross Park now as compared to 100 years ago
And more . . .
March 1, 2020
Hold the Presses!
Remembering Ken Hechler: former students recall the “media” giant
One Small Step: the amazing story of Dennis Delaney’s father’s role in the Apollo project
Rivers Always Reach the Sea: an HC71 YouTube Video that looks back at 3 hurricanes to hit the school.
Hechler Godsend to Tiger Athletics: Bill Bumgarner says good-bye to “Kenny Kodak”
And more
December 30, 2019
Home Away From Home
Resident Students: A look back at the Boarding Program through the eyes of the boarders
Downbeat: Craig Ducote is still playing saxophone
Family Ties: our older brothers
Legacy: the Kattans HC ties run deep
Cripple Creek: Bert Brocato takes an explosive hike in the mountains
and more
October 25, 2019
Tiger Yearbooks Online:
The 1968, 1969, 1970, and 1971 Tiger yearbooks can be downloaded at this link by copying and pasting: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1C2gJh4DgOaDkH2WjYvSaLzx0qZaZIBW2?fbclid=IwAR2IOeFpmnI_DKoeRI1YxXlwYaVj92Cwuk6tHQ876EQbYGFX9JZNss_X_eM
September 30, 2019
Band of Brothers
Dan McGovern meets Harry Truman
The Boys of Summer
Our Eighth Grade Intramurals
“Daddy, Did you know Holy Cross had a OLD main campus?”
The Mysterious Case of Rodney Culotta’s Shrinking Shirt
Al LeBreton’s Mysterious Moustache
and more
September 5, 2019
Congratulations to Dennis Delaney on his upcoming induction into the Holy Cross Sports Hall of Fame. Also to be inducted is the 1969 State Baseball Champions of which Mark Kalbacher and Donnie Meyer were members.
Inductees will be honored October 11 (Friday) at the Warren Easton Football pre-game, 6:45 at Tad Gormley and Saturday 12 6:00 pm in the Student Center, Reception & Ceremony. For tickets for the Saturday reception & ceremony at the school: https://www.holycrosstigers.com/apps/pages/SportsHallofFame-3
September 1, 2019
The channel name is Holy Cross New Orleans Class of 1971
June 28, 2019
Legacy
A look at some of the Grandfathers-Fathers-Sons that carry on the HC tradition
Remembering Br. Melchior
A Second Cup of Coffee with Carlos Urmeneta
Burnin’ the Midnite Oil with Al Wagauspack
On the Banks of the Seine with the Guichards & Tessitores
“A Warehouse” Monument with Bobby Wahl
Sports Hall of Fame Nominees from ‘71 – – David Falgoust, Dennis Delaney, and Steve Ferrer
And more
March, 2019
48 Year Unofficial Reunion Photos
Photos by Dan McGovern and Patty Legendre
Hail Chief
Chief Vs Santa
Rene Bull’s White Pelicans
The Tiger King
Wisconsin Dells Zip-lining
Wingbacks
And more!
January, 2019
Epic Fail
Somebody gets an “F” in math
Escape from Pasadena – Does Robyn Miller break out?
Boston Bound – Rene Bull aboard a 100 year old schnooner
Obit – Clifton Juan
Easy Rider – – Paul Winters marathon rides
Baker’s Dozen – the story of 13 Odinet children – 7 went to HC
Through Fire and Flood – – Tommy Tommaseo’s Rocky and Carlo’s story
and more
January 11, 2019
HC71 Forty Year Reunion
Eight years ago today, we celebrated our 40 year reunion. Friday night’s activities were at the Paris Ave campus; Saturday night was at Pat O’Brien’s in the French Quarter. This is a photo essay of that event by Dan McGovern.
November, 2018
Travels with Charlie
Travels with Charlie – stories of a Border Patrol Agent
Blue Jay Burial – Dom Gulotta’s recollections of a pep rally before the HC-Jesuit game
The Kick –follow up – comments about Dave Falgoust’s most famous Field Goal
Sports Hall of Fame – Glenn Herbert gets inducted
Pat Wolfe reflects on the 47 year Part 2 Unofficial Reunion
and more
September, 2018
And Something Else
Teaching those who come to us – Michael Leach reflects on HC tradition
Pont du Gard – – Alvin Albe vacations with his grandkids in France
Rolling on the River – Ricky Zimmer shows his passion for kayaking
A Wedding is a Day; A Marriage is a Lifetime – Steve and Claudia Schultz’s leadership role in the Engaged Encounter program
To Serve Them All of My Days – – a look at David Hardin’s career in education
April in Paris – The Falgousts on the River Seine
The Kick – David Falgoust’s game-winning field goal against Jesuit
August, 2018
The White Helmet
The White Helmet – the story behind Dennis Delaney being the only Tiger on the football team with a white helmet
Video Tour – of architect Wayne Troyer’s project on Tulane University’s campus
The Never Written Story – just what goes on inside of an HC football huddle
and more
June, 2018
Under the Oaks
Under the Oaks – Trey Perry ’01 (Al’s son) moving Salutatorian Speech given at his Baccalaureate Mass
The Esplanade Group – Dan Colomb’s design/builds in North Carolina
Phantom Surprise – Frank Galle encounters Br. Christian Rogers half-way across the world
View From the Cockpit – Br. Christian Roger take on running into Frank Galle and what Chris Rogers has been up to since.
Grotto Returns – Ron Blitch helps bring the Grotto to the Paris Ave campus
Gridiron Mentor – Mark Kalbacher talks about his dad, the legendary football coach John Kalbacher
Follow-up on Br. James Ryan’s classroom antics
and more
March, 2018
Ghosts
Ghosts – stories from 1965 about the occupants of Br. James Ryan’s Homeroom 6
Wild Kratts – Gary Vinturella goes to the Saenger
The East Wing – Bert and Niki Brocato go to the White House
24 Hours at Daytona – Dan McGovern tests his endurance
The Yurt – Steve and Claudia Schulz’s strange looking “hotel”
December, 2017
Along the Way
Prince of Darkness – Jerry Lodriguss Swarthmore College colloquium
Mother Goose – Larry Folse’s Moscovy hatchery
Clark’s Creek – a trek into the wild with Doak Wattigney
In a B52 simulator – Bill Pedeaux’s still training USAF bomber pilots
Magical Mystery Tour – Carl Gaines trip to England
and more