October 2020 | Page 105

S P E C I A L A D V E R T I S I N G S E C T I O N ( INDEPENDENT SCHOOLS HIGHLIGHT DISTINGUISHED ALUMNI ) OF Since graduating from their respective schools, these thirteen accomplished alumni have pursued various career paths, from professional sports to engineering and law. Despite their varying professions, they all share a commitment to excellence and maintain close ties with their alma maters and their missions. DONALD KAVANAGH LA SALLE ACADEMY, 1969 Donald Kavanagh ’69 has been La Salle’s principal since 2000. He served as teacher and coach from 1973 to 1984 and returned in 1999. “La Salle is a special place where miracles happen for our students every day,” he says. His dedication to La Salle led to his being named an Affiliate of the Brothers of the Christian Schools, the highest honor given to a layperson. The proclamation reads, “You are committed to mission, possess a Lasallian spirituality and are dedicated to Lasallian ideals. It has been a real blessing for La Salle Academy to have you as a leader.” JEFF BARRY MOSES BROWN SCHOOL, 1986 After stints in the Peace Corps and working as a venture research analyst, Jeff Barry founded Boston Organics. The company delivers fresh organic produce directly to more than 2,000 customers while supporting local agriculture. Before COVID, their clients were split evenly between commercial and home. In a week’s time, everything shifted to home delivery and the nature of the food changed as well, with the addition of milk, eggs, cheese and bread. Deliveries went contactless and customers indicated where to leave groceries. A nutritious service stayed healthy and safe. Boston Organics has long supported community needs, donating produce to organizations such Food For Free and the Greater Boston Food Bank. A Certified B Corporation, Boston Organics received a Boston Green Award and has been recognized as a Bike Friendly Business. “It's been a crazy year,” Jeff says, “with much uncertainty. It's encouraging to see schools like Moses Brown talking about social impact.” JESSE WOODBURY LA SALLE ACADEMY, 2015 Jesse Woodbury ’15 was an athlete, violinist and Diversity Committee member while at La Salle. “One of the important lessons La Salle gave me was the discipline to excel in a number of areas,” he says. He is grateful to be a member of Morehouse College’s Class of 2019, whose student loan debts were paid by investor Robert F. Smith. Having earned a bachelor’s of science degree in biology, Jesse is currently a scientific researcher at Genentech, participating in the company’s prestigious Development Science Rotation Program. Jesse is also a founder of the Students of Color Alumni Network, a subcommittee of La Salle’s Alumni Association. KATE CORVESE NOELTE ROCKY HILL COUNTRY DAY SCHOOL, 2005 Kate Corvese Noelte ’05 developed her sense of community service and responsibility while at Rocky Hill Country Day. She continued to foster this interest while at Vanderbilt University, where she earned her BA, and Yale School of Public Health, where she earned her Master of Public Health. Kate has worked in public health for her entire career, starting with the Rhode Island Department of Health and currently with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in Atlanta, where she serves as the Deputy Director of the Division of State and Local Readiness in the CDC’s Center for Preparedness and Response. Kate focuses on public health emergency preparedness and response activities with state and local public health department partners, and is currently actively involved in the COVID-19 response. PAUL ZARRELLA ROCKY HILL COUNTRY DAY SCHOOL, 1987 Paul Zarrella ’87 was a three season athlete who maintains his connection with Rocky Hill Country Day as a regular participant in the alumni athletic games. After RHCD, Paul went on to graduate from Stetson University and launched his real estate career. He is presently co-founder and president of Williams and Stuart Real Estate. Paul, along with his business partner and the company, is engaged in many philanthropic causes, including hosting events benefiting A Wish Come True and the American Cancer Society. They are a sponsor at the Making Strides Against Cancer event in Providence, where Paul was one of the top fundraisers for the Real Men Wear Pink Campaign for three years. This spring, the firm awarded two local seniors $1,000 for college scholarships. Paul can be heard Sunday mornings on News Talk 630 WPRO and 99.7 FM giving real estate advice to thousands of listeners throughout Southern New England. PETER KARMUE PROVIDENCE COUNTRY DAY SCHOOL, 2004 Peter Karmue ’04 is on the frontlines of the pandemic as a psychiatric nurse at Butler Hospital in Providence. At Butler, he works in both the Intensive Care and Alcohol and Drug Inpatient Treatment Units. Peter emigrated to the United States as a refugee when he was a child and has aspired to work in healthcare from a young age. “I fell in love with nursing,” Peter says, “because I wanted to educate and help patients.” Peter majored in biology and played soccer at the University of West Virginia before earning his nursing degree from Westmoreland County Community College. He is RHODE ISLAND MONTHLY l OCTOBER 2020 103