The Alumni Spotlight highlights Georgetown Prep alumni making impacts all over the globe. Prep's 5,700 live and work all over the world in every field imaginable. The Alumni Spotlight series captures our graduates' stories and Georgetown Prep's impact on their life after their four years as a student. To submit your or a fellow alumni's story, email alumni@gprep.org.

A 1979 Georgetown Prep graduate, Dan Paro matriculated to Denison University where he was a four-year letterman on the football team starting in every college game. Coach Paro during his time with the Big Red started at middle guard, defensive end, strong safety, defensive back, punter, and kicker. In 1982, he served as team captain and was named team MVP, All-OAC, and named All-American College Sports Information Directors of America. In 1981, he led the nation in punting with a 41.2-yard average while being named All-OAC. He finished second in the nation in 1982 with a 42-yard average. Coach Paro held the OAC record for most consecutive extra points going 57 for 57 in his career as the team's kicker. He is a member of the Denison Hall of Fame.

After Denison, Coach Paro signed with the Detroit Lions in March 1983. He signed a free agent contract in May 1983 with the Super Bowl Champion Washington Redskins and spent training camp with the team.

After his playing career, he served as a Graduate Assistant and Assistant Football Coach at Ohio University. Coach Paro received a master's of Athletic Administration degree from Ohio University in 1985. He taught at Mater Dei from 1989-1995 before serving as Prep's Dean of Students from 1996-1998. Coach Paro has served as Prep's Athletic Director since 1999. In that span, the Hoyas have won 108 I.A.C. titles across all sports and have won 16 I.A.C. Founders Cups presented to Prep for overall excellence. In the fall of 2016, Coach Paro was presented Georgetown Prep's highest award the Insignis Medal.

This year marks Coach Paro's twenty-fourth year as Georgetown Prep's varsity head football coach. In his head coaching career, Coach Paro maintains a 159-76 record and a 66% winning percentage. He began his tenure on the Prep varsity football staff as the special teams, defensive backs and running backs coach from 1983, 1986-1993. From 1994-1996, Coach Paro served as Coach Jim Fegan's offensive coordinator.

In his thirty-five years as a member of the Prep coaching staff, the Hoyas have won 14 I.A.C. titles and Prep has been ranked top-20 in the state of Maryland 20 times. Coach Paro led the Hoyas to a 30-game winning streak from spanning from 2000-2003. The 2002 varsity football team finished the season ranked number one in the area by The Washington Post.

What is one of your fondest memories of Georgetown Prep?

Without a doubt, it was the time spent with friends through every experience at Prep. During the good times or the bad, we were always there for each and always kept each other honest. The brotherhood was real and lifelong.

One memory that says everything about the commitment of the School was when Fr. Elliott, my Spanish teacher, showed up at my house unannounced one Saturday morning at 9:00 a.m. I had a baseball game that day, but it was cancelled due to rain and Fr. Elliott knew it. When I answered the door bell at my house, there was Fr. Elliott, and he asked if he could talk with my mom. Oh boy. Well, he told my mom that I was struggling with Spanish and wondered if he could take me for the day for extra help. As I drove off with him, I couldn't believe what was happening. All day with Father and Spanish! Looking back, it was one of the greatest days ever and he helped turn the tide for me showing me how caring the teachers were and how they were always there to help. I don't know if my Spanish got better, but my trust for all teachers grew measurably. This made all the difference for someone who was struggling. He gave me confidence to ask for help.

Tough question. I have been formed by Prep starting 45 or so years ago. There has never been a day in which I didn't think about Prep or reflect on lessons learned. The formation provided to me through faith, academics, the arts and athletics shaped who I am. I have made a lot of mistakes in my life, but thank God I learned that these mistakes made me a better person. Fr. Galvin always told us that adversity was an opportunity to do something special.

Attending football camp my sophomore year changed my life. Fr. Dugan caught my attention, and for the first time I listened to him at the football Mass. His homilies were great and I started thinking about life in a completely different way. To this day the football masses at Prep are one of my greatest experiences. Fr. Dugan, Fr. Galvin, Fr. Roach, Fr. George and Fr. Sauter were and are apostles whose message always made sense and always made a difference. I am forever grateful. They helped shape who I am today.

Prep is home, Prep is family, Prep is an opportunity to engage in all aspects of life. I live it every day, and for that I am extremely blessed.

Every student at Prep will experience a different journey; however, it is important that they watch and listen to the caring community they are part of. Prep is a life-long experience that is created through their daily actions. It is important that our students take the leap of faith and trust Prep's loving family. They need to get involved in all aspects of the School. The strength of our community is the difference that assembles here each and every day. There are so many opportunities in so many ways, but in order to experience the Prep I love, they must be trusting and willing to branch out to all aspects of the school. The greatest learning experiences of my life were times when I tried something outside of my comfort zone. I knew I could play sports. That was easy. But, when I found myself in the play Bye Bye Birdie or in the art studio painting, I was very uncomfortable. But in time, I found out it was one of the greatest things that I had done.

We are all provided opportunities in our lifetime. If Prep is one of those opportunities, you better be all in and ready to make the most of each day. If our students take that leap of faith and are willing to embrace our community, their spiritual formation will guide them forever.