Camden Catholic High School in Cherry Hill will hold its fifth annual Hall of Fame ceremony on Saturday, April 16, honoring teams and individuals who have excelled in the world of academia, arts or athletics, as well as contributed to their community.
Seven of the alumni will be honored in Arts and Academics, and two of them are brothers in the military. Five others are recognized for accomplishments in athletics, another for coaching, and the initial induction for upholding the spirit of the school, as a student and alumnus. Additionally, the 1947, 1948, and 1949 football teams, which combined for 25 wins, one tie, and one loss, will be inducted, cited as the Renaissance of Camden Catholic Football.
Inductees in Academics and Arts include:
Dr. Richard Callahan, DPA, Class of 1978; Associate Dean and Director of State Capitol and Leadership Programs, University of California in Sacramento;
Dr. Raymond M. Holzalski, PhD, Class of 1986; Assistant Professor, Department of Engineering, University of Minnesota, specializing in the quality of drinking water distribution systems;
Msgr. Andrew Martin, Camden Catholic High School Principal, President Emeritus, for his 26-year dedication to the school;
Col. Gary S. Graham, U.S. Marine Corps, Class of 1979; decorated fighter pilot, first African-American to command a USMC Squadron and Air Group;
Capt. Michael Ray Graham, USN, Class of 1981; decorated sea officer, currently serving as Ship Program Manager, Sea Systems, Washington, D.C.
Barbara Yeager Conforti, Class of 1976; dancer, Broadway actress, choreographer
Inductees in Athletics include:
Gabby Bieg Funke, Class of 1994; All-South Jersey in field hockey, four-year starter in field hockey and lacrosse, highly recruited Division I athlete, four-year starter in field hockey and two-year started in lacrosse at Boston College;
Stuart Green, Class of 1960; All-South Jersey football running back, First Team All-Conference and leading scorer at University of Delaware;
Donald Kennedy, Class of 1950; Camden Catholic’s first single-season four-letterman, standing out in football, basketball, track, and golf his senior season, and named CCHS Athlete of the Year in 1950;
Mike Kondrla, Class of 1967; All-South Jersey and All-State end who earned Knute Rockne Award while playing at the University of Notre Dame;
Gary Papa, Wrestling Coach 1992-2005. His teams compiled 245 wins and only 52 losses, while winning seven NJSIAA State Championships;
Rick Slininka, Class of 1966; All-South Jersey two-way lineman, Honorable Mention All-State, three-year varsity offensive tackle at the University of Maryland;
Renaissance Football Teams, 25-1- and one state championship by teams in 1947, 1948, and 1949; the successful 1947 season was the second year of reopening the program under Tom Kenney, after the school shut it down in 1941, without a winning season.
Inductee in Special Achievement:
Kurt Schmidt, Class of 1985; graduate of the Special Education program; bowler, basketball manager, multi-sport Special Olympics medalist; selected to the U.S. Special Olympics bowling team, which will compete in July in Athens, Greece.
Posthumous Inductee:
Mary Woods Kelly, Class of 1933; Dance Instructor, Camden Catholic annual music show producer, world-wide performer.
Tickets for the 7 p.m. ceremony and celebration on Saturday, April 16 are $45 pre-sale, of $50 at the door. Cocktails, hors d’oeuvres and desserts will be served immediately following the ceremony. For more information, contact Meghan at 856-663-3347, ext. 34.
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