FROM THE PRINCIPAL
JESUIT EDUCATION IN THE HEART OF THE BRONX
A Q & A with Joseph A . Petriello , PhD ’ 98
Being a Bronx
Q : school is a vital part of the Prep ’ s identity . How does that manifest itself in the student experience ?
Q :
You are a proud son of the Bronx . Where did you grow up ? How did you commute to the Prep ? Why is commuting an important part of the Prep experience ?
Q :
The Prep ’ s connection to the Bronx also includes its neighbors on the historic Rose Hill Campus , Fordham University . What is one unique way students can take advantage of that relationship during their time at the Prep ?
Q :
You must have a favorite place to eat on Arthur Avenue . Which is it ?
A :
When we speak about Fordham Prep to prospective students and families , we proudly share our mission of “ Jesuit education in the heart of the Bronx .” After 181 years on the Rose Hill Campus , you really can ’ t separate Fordham Prep from the borough in which we have taken root and grown for almost two centuries . A substantial number of our students , faculty , and staff live in the Bronx . Many others ( like myself ) grew up in the Bronx and will always call it home . For our students , their experience of Catholic , Jesuit education is one that invites them to better understand the rich history of our neighborhood and local context . I think fondly of Lou DiGiorno ’ 88 and his talk at freshman orientation in the University Church that opens their eyes to the wonders of Fordham in relation to the Bronx . I also would highlight the call to be men for and with others in local community partnerships like our longstanding ministry with Part of the Solution ( POTS ) on Webster Avenue . When our school community celebrates our place in the broader Jesuit apostolate of the Bronx — alongside Fordham University and St . Ignatius School — we realize our commitment to neighbors is at the heart of who we are and who we are called to be .
A :
I grew up on Fenton Avenue between Allerton and Arnow . It ’ s about a ten-minute drive from the
Prep , depending on the traffic . My parish was Holy Rosary Church on Gun Hill Road and I am a proud alumnus of Catholic schools from my earliest years at Holy Rosary School . Both sides of my family were raised in the Belmont neighborhood — Little Italy of the Bronx . In fact , Our Lady of Mt . Carmel Church is where my parents were married and where my brother and I were baptized , in “ the neighborhood ,” as many Italian-American families from this area would say . During my high school years , I commuted a few different ways to the Prep : taking the Bx26 bus down Allerton Avenue , getting a car ride from my mom before she dropped off my younger brother at school , and finally driving on my own to campus as a senior . Commuting is such an important part of the Prep experience because it invites our students to build social relationships and community with one another in ways that are unique from the classroom or athletic experience . Whether it is the bus , subway , or Metro-North , public transportation allows our young men to present themselves as Prep gentlemen to the wider world . They realize very quickly that they are not only representing themselves on the train or bus , but they are carrying the history and good name of the Prep with them wherever they go .
A :
Our relationship with Fordham University is a special one . Our early years as the Second Division of St . John ’ s College and long history recalls that we are part of the larger shared Jesuit apostolic community of the Bronx . It ’ s difficult to pinpoint one unique way our students can take advantage of this relationship . First , they are blessed to be able to call the University Church their spiritual home on campus . From school-wide liturgies to reconciliation services to retreats , this sacred space is a formative one for our young men . Second , there is no other high school in the Bronx in which students can take advantage of college athletic fields and facilities . Our scholar-athletes are privileged to practice and compete on amazing grounds , from which they get a real taste of what college may be like after graduation . Lastly , the opportunity for qualified seniors to enroll in undergraduate academic courses during their final year is another tremendous benefit of their Prep education . In recent years , our seniors have studied computer science , economics , philosophy , and sociology at the University , expanding their knowledge and skills alongside college students in the same classroom . We are sincerely grateful to our colleagues at Fordham University for our ongoing and deepening partnership in mission .
A :
You clearly saved the most difficult question for last … How can I choose one ? For a special occasion ,
I would say Roberto ’ s without a doubt . The food , wine , and ambiance are exceptional . I also enjoy excellent meals at Zero Otto Nove , Fiasco , Emilia ’ s , Enzo ’ s , and Mike ’ s Deli . But you only asked for one , right ? You usually can ’ t go wrong anywhere on Arthur Avenue . Mangia bene , ridi spesso , ama molto !
WINTER 2023 VOLUME 43 , ISSUE 1
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