A few days ago, I had the opportunity to talk with Joseph Pagliuca (class of 2014) to catch up on his life in college and take a trip down memory lane back to his Oratory days. Joe and I have grown up together, attending the same preschool, grammar school, and high school. Our moms went to high school together at Mount Saint Dominic Academy in Caldwell and have been friends ever since. Joe currently attends Fairleigh Dickinson University in Madison. He is majoring in accounting.

Q: How would you describe your four years at Oratory?

A: I enjoyed my four years at Oratory because I was able to make some life-long friends, learn from great teachers, and have the opportunity to take advantage of several organizations that the school offered to enhance my experience.

Q: What clubs/activities/sports did you take part in at OP? Which was your favorite?

A: I was part of Young Apostles, Carlton Fellows, Student Council, Varsity Baseball, Varsity Spring Track, Varsity Winter Track, Yearbook Committee, and Bridges. My favorite would have to be Varsity Winter and Spring Track because I enjoyed being captain of the team. I also loved the practices, coaching, having great teammates, and the competition at the meets.

Q: If you had the opportunity to change one thing while at OP, what would it have been?

A: If I could change one thing while at OP, I would have campaigned for student council president senior year because I think I had a good chance of winning and would have enjoyed it.

Q: Who was your favorite teacher at OP?

A: My favorite teacher was Mr. Martin because he was a great teacher and a stand-up guy. I had him for several different classes, including Economics, American Law, and American Government. He was also my student council leader.

Q: What was your favorite class at OP? Most challenging class?

A: My favorite class at OP was Mr. McCrystal’s Sociology class because he made the class fun. My least favorite was Mr. Margolskee’s Environmental Science class because it was hard, he was a tough grader, and I don’t like science.

Q: What OP classes do you find the most helpful in college?

A: Both my Sociology and Economics classes were the most helpful in college because those classes are similar to ones I had to take or similar to the ones I am taking now.

Q: Favorite part of college?

A: My favorite part of college is the freedom I have and the privilege to make my own schedule. In other words, I have the ability to set up my future.

Q: What inspired you to pursue accounting?

A: I chose to pursue accounting because my dad is a CPA and my goal is to become a CPA and work with him one day.

Q: Where do you see yourself in twenty years?

A: I see myself as a CPA working with my dad in our own practice, married with children, and possibly owning a few antique cars. I also hope to be hanging out with my buddies playing some men’s softball.

Q: What do you want the members of the OP community to remember you for?

A: I would like to be remembered for being loyal, kind, trustworthy, and a leader at OP that helped make the school a better place. I also want to be remembered for winning 3 Non-Public B Winter Track Championships.

After having our conversation, I held a quick lightning round to find out a little bit more about Joe outside of the classroom.

Q: Favorite song at the moment?

A: I would have to say Lean On by Major Lazer & DJ Snake.

Q: Where do you want to travel to next?

A: I definitely want to go to Italy.

Q: Favorite food?

A: Tacos. I love Mexican food.

Q: If you had a superpower, what would it be?

A: If I had to choose one, it’d have to be super strength.

Q: Favorite movie?

A: Top Gun with Tom Cruise is my all-time favorite.
Though he is upset he couldn’t utilize it during his time at OP, Joe says he will be back in the near future to see the progress of the new building!