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L-R: James Fegan, Bonnie Hanes, Airton Kamdem, '12,
and Father Marco.
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The annual President’s Councilors Dinner, which honors those individuals who have demonstrated exceptional generosity and service in the Georgetown Prep community, was held on October 5 at Columbia Country Club.
The Insignis Medal, Prep’s highest award, was presented to two long-serving and beloved members of the Prep community – James Fegan Sr. and, posthumously, Richard A. Drozd.
In introducing Mr. Fegan, Prep President Rev. Michael J. Marco, S.J., noted that the longtime coach, teacher, and administrator has been at the school for 50 of the 93 years Prep has been on its current campus, and that he is still a regular at daily morning Mass in the Chapel of Our Lady.
“He is being honored not because he was an [exceptional] coach, but because of who he is, someone who reflects the truest values of Georgetown Prep,” Father Marco said. “He is truly a remarkable man.”
In accepting the honor, Mr. Fegan thanked his family, especially his wife of 55 years, Bunny, the Jesuit community at Prep, and all who have continuously supported the school.
“The most beautiful part of my job is working with students and athletes, who keep my spirits young,” Mr. Fegan said. “At Prep, it’s never been work. It’s been fun. … Many ask about my win-loss record, but the record that is far more important to me is how many boys to how many men.”
In presenting the award to Mr. Drozd, Father Marco recalled his first brief encounter with the beloved teacher and cross-country coach, who died before Father Marco had started as Prep president, and then how overwhelmed he was by the outpouring of love at Mr. Drozd’s funeral.
“It was an incredible celebration of life,” Father Marco said. “It clearly spoke to me of a wonderful man who lived every word of the mission with authenticity, integrity, and passion.”
Said Bonnie Hanes, Mr. Drozd’s widow, who received the award on his behalf: “He really cared about Prep, about teaching, coaching, and service.”
Ms. Hanes came out of retirement from Georgetown Prep after Mr. Drozd’s death to run a writing lab for students seeking help with assignments. Her reconnection to the school has buoyed her.
“I’ve come to appreciate the incredible family of Georgetown Prep,” Ms. Hanes said.
The Joyce Award was presented to senior Airton Kamdem. A native of Cameroon and an alumnus of the Washington Jesuit Academy, Mr. Kamdem was cited by Headmaster Jeffrey L. Jones for his leadership qualities, his general excellence in academics and athletics, and for his commitment to extracurricular activities such as the Model United Nations.
“He has an incredible work ethic and is a humble young man,” Mr. Jones said. “He is always willing to go the extra mile.”
Mr. Kamdem recalled his experience at this year’s Jesuit Gridiron Classic, which highlights the storied rivalry between Prep and Gonzaga and serves as a fundraiser for the WJA.
“For me to be on the giving end of this generosity was very special,” said Mr. Kamdem, describing how it felt to be a member of Prep’s football team. Mr. Kamdem noted that he had been the beneficiary while attending the tuition-free middle school.
Mr. Kamdem praised Prep’s teachers for their passion not just for what subjects they taught, but for “whom they teach.”
“It encourages me to work harder,” Mr. Kamdem said. “I hope one day I can give back to the community that has given so much to me.”
The John Edward Joyce Award is given annually in memory of the namesake, a beloved member of Prep’s faculty for 36 years. When Joyce died in 2002, at the age of 87, he left his entire estate to Prep, in the hopes that his example might inspire others. Annually, a faculty member or student who best exemplifies Prep’s core values and ideals is presented a cash award in Joyce’s memory.
Established in 1981, the Insignis Medal is the highest honor Prep bestows. The award’s name is taken from the Spiritual Exercises of Saint Ignatius Loyola and his Meditation on the Kingdom of Christ, in which Loyola cites “Insignis in domino,” which is Latin for “Outstanding service to the Lord.”
The President’s Councilors Dinner is held annually to honor leading donors to Prep’s Annual Fund and past winners of the Insignis Medal. |