Marian Catholic High School announces the three people will receive the 2024 Distinguished Alumnus Award on Saturday, May 18 in the John P. Malarkey ‘51 Gymnasium at Marian Catholic High School in Hometown.

Also, eight people and one family will be inducted into the Marian Catholic High School Class of 2024 “Hall of Fame.”

The 2024 recipients of the Distinguished Alumnus Award are the late Hugh “Wink” Gallagher, Class of 1931 from Saint Jerome’s High School; Alice Yacobenas Miller, Class of 1968 from Marian Catholic High School and Bruce Svetz, Class of 1983 from Marian Catholic High School.

Hugh “Wink” Gallagher ‘31

Wink Gallagher served as a teacher, coach and athletic director at Marian Catholic High School from 1954 until his retirement in 1981.

“Wink’s life of service to Marian over 30 years has been nothing short of extraordinary. His impact on thousands of Marian alumni cannot be measured,” said Patrick Reilly, chair of the school’s board of directors.

“There are two men of embody “Mr. Marian.” Last year we recognized Jack Malarkey and this year we get to honor his colleague, Hugh “Wink” Gallagher.”

Gallagher and his late wife, Margaret, are the parents of three Marian graduates; Maryann ’61, Hugh “Buddy” ’64 and Margaret Coassolo ’66. Their grandson, Mark, graduated from Marian in 1990. They are also grandparents to Rebecca Steber O’Donnell, Tracy Gallagher, Karen Gallagher Jacobs and have five great grandchildren.

Gallagher also served as basketball and football coach at his alma mater, Saint Jerome’s High School, Panther Valley Catholic and St. Edward’s in Shamokin. He graduated from LaSalle University in 1935, after earning a scholarship. Gallagher died on Aug. 4.

Alice Yacobenas Miller ‘68

Alice Miller has been working in Catholic education for 51 years, 50 of those years were at Saint Jerome’s Regional Catholic School in Tamaqua. “Alice’s selfless and devoted service has been a great gift to Catholic education,” said Patrick Reilly.

Miller, and her late husband, Gary, are the parents of two Marian graduates Ann Marie Polinger ’99 and Lisa Fuller ’07. Miller is a graduate of Kutztown University. Her special memories of her days at Marian was being in the first class to attend high school all four years in the current location in Hometown, and being one of the 100 girls to tryout for the girls’ basketball team led by legendary coach of the Marian Fillies, Elsie Tolan.

Miller served as the scorekeeper for the Marian Fillies for many years and was the junior varsity coach during the 1980-81 season.

Bruce Svetz ‘83

The fourth of seven children of Theresa and the late Joseph Svetz of Hometown, Svetz graduated from Marian in 1983, where he served as president of the student council and was a three-sport athlete, earning a full scholarship to Boston University.

A successful corporate executive, working for companies like Pepsi Co., Kraft Foodservice and The Gatorade/Quaker Oats Company, Svetz never forgot his alma mater, despite living most of his life in Florida.

Svetz eventually served as a member of the board of directors at Marian and was a force in the capital improvements made over the last 15 years totaling in the millions of dollars, particularly the Men of Marian Stadium Plaza.

Svetz currently resides in Orlando, Florida with his wife Joanna, and two children Katarina and Luis. “Marian would not be where we it is today if not for the vision and passion of alumni like Bruce,” said Reilly.

“Marian Catholic High School has many extraordinary alumni, and the Distinguished Alumnus Awards give the school the perfect opportunity to recognize their achievements, service to Marian and Catholic education, and how they are making a difference in their professions, communities, and around the world,” Head of School Michael Brennan ’06 said.

The Distinguished Alumnus Award was established in 2023 to recognize and honor alumni of Marian Catholic High School, Saint Ann’s High School, Saint Jerome’s High School, Saint Mary’s High School, Mauch Chunk High School and former students who are noted in their field of endeavor or recognized for their expertise and good works

The award celebrates those accomplished role models who inspire today’s Marian students to follow their own pursuit of excellence. Award recipients must meet the following criteria:

• Graduated from or enrolled at Marian Catholic High School, Saint Ann’s High School, Saint Jerome’s High School, Saint Mary’s High School or Mauch Chunk High School at least 10 years prior to being honored.

• Must have distinguished themselves through achievement, service or contributions to their alma mater or society.

• Exhibits leadership, character, and service at work, in their community or in civic organizations.

Last year’s recipients were former Marian Principal Jack Malarkey ’51 and alumnus Bill Bonenberger ’76.

The Distinguished Alumnus Award will be presented on May 18, in recognition of the outstanding and widely recognized achievements of the Hugh “Wink” Gallagher ’31, Alice Yacobenas Miller ‘68 and Bruce Svetz ’83.

In addition, the school will welcome eight individuals and one Marian family into the new Marian Catholic High Hall of Fame:

• Former Marian Principal Rev. Msgr. Edward Sacks from Allentown

• Arthur Coury from Boston, Massachusetts (formerly from Lansford)

• Jane F. Engler, Esq. ’61 from Jim Thorpe (Posthumously)

• Maureen Clausius Heffelfinger ’61 from Lansford

• Joe Velitsky, Esq., ’62 from Summit Hill

• Bill Stulginsky ’69 from Newtown Square (formerly from Mahanoy City)

• Jean Engler, Esq ’77 from Jim Thorpe

• John E. Morgan from Tamaqua (Posthumously)

Ermano and Diane Agosti of Lake Hauto (Posthumously, parents of five Marian graduates: Joe Agosti ’77 from Millsboro, Delaware; Jim Agosti ’78 from Tamaqua; Patti Agosti Confer ’81 from Tamaqua; Steven Agosti ’82 from Tuscarora and Bobby Agosti ’88 from Lake Hauto

They have nine grandchildren who are Marian graduates and 14 fourteen grandchildren in total.

“The 2024 Hall of Marian honorees were chosen from a pool of talented, successful and loyal alumni and Marian families. They are united by their exceptional passion and dedication to Marian Catholic High School, and their drive to make the world a better place,” Brennan said.

The Hall of Fame was established in 2023 to honor and recognize alumni from Marian Catholic High School, Saint Ann’s High School, Saint Jerome’s High School, Saint Mary’s High School and Mauch Chunk High School along with faculty, staff and special friends, who are distinctively dedicated to serving their community in a way that upholds the tradition and teachings of Marian Catholic High School and its mission. The Hall of Fame seeks to honor people who have significant lifetime achievement and service.

The Distinguished Alumnus Award and Hall of Fame Celebration will take place on Saturday, May 18 at Marian Catholic High School, starting at 5:30 p.m. with the cocktail reception and the dinner and program starting at 7 p.m.

Contact Larry Furey ’79, Event Chair at 781-710-0242 or lfurey@partnersinmission.com, or Dr. Erin Marek, Director of Advancement at 570-467-3335 or emarek@mariancatholichs.org for more information on sponsorship, program book opportunities and tickets for the event. Proceeds from the celebration will benefit the Scholarship Fund at Marian Catholic High School. More information is available at www.mariancatholichs.org