Dual Paladinos

Dual+Paladinos

Joe Paladino, Contributor

This article’s featured alumni is my brother, Jack Paladino.  Jack is a graduate of the 2014 class of Oratory. He is currently a sophomore at Clark University in Worcester Massachusetts, where he is an economics major and plays on the baseball team. I asked him to take some time and answer a few questions about his time at Oratory.

 

Q: What was the best part of your four years at Oratory?

A: Out of all the amazing times I had at Oratory, I would have to say that the Italy Ski trip my junior year was the best. Every four years the school does a Europe ski trip. We stayed in Bormio, Italy and skied at two different locations there. One day, we went to Switzerland and skied in the Alps there too. The best part about the whole trip was that we weren’t really on a schedule.  We got to ski in our own groups of friends for almost the entire day. After a dinner at the hotel each night, we were able to go out and explore the town we were staying in. I hope someday I get to go on a trip just like it with the same people. I know you said to only pick one of the best times at Oratory, but the Florida baseball trip that I went on my senior year is right up there with the ski trip.  It was an amazing experience playing games down in beautiful Florida with some great teammates. I made many memories on those two trips that I will never forget.

 

Q: What was the worst part of your four years at Oratory?

A: The worst part of my four years at Oratory had to be when I slightly tore my PCL in my right knee.  It caused me to miss most of my junior year baseball season, but I did come back and hit in a couple of games.

 

Q: Who was your favorite faculty member?

A: Well, I met a lot of great faculty members during my time at Oratory. Allan Parsells, the Head Athletic trainer, was probably my favorite. He is such a funny guy who is great to joke around with when you need break. I loved having him on the bench for baseball games and a couple hockey games. My favorite teacher at Oratory would have to be Mr. Acquadro. I had him for my freshman year geometry class and closed out my time at Oratory with him in Honors Calculus.  It was great hearing him tell stories about us when we were freshmen and how much different we were as seniors. From his Mike Francesa impersonations to his life stories, he was amazing.

 

Q: What about Oratory best prepared you for college?

A: Oratory’s curriculum definitely prepared me best for college. In college now, I am taking a lot of economics courses and I feel like the most beneficial class I took was my senior year was AP Econ with Mr. Horan.  I was able to receive college credits for that course, which propelled me into a more advanced class my freshman year.

 

Q: What advice would you have for an incoming freshman?

A: My advice for incoming freshmen would definitely be to get involved. You do not want to be just confined to your academics. Join some clubs and maybe even some sports teams if you haven’t already. Enjoy your time and meet a lot of new people. Definitely explore Summit because it is a great little city with a lot to offer. I would also attend as many home sporting events as you can whether you like the sport or not. School pride is so important. Be proud to go to Oratory because it is a great school.

 

Q: What advice would you have for a graduating senior?

A: My advice for graduating seniors would be to live it up. I know a lot of you right now from baseball. Keep up the hard work in school and on the field. It’s going to be a stressful time getting in all of your college applications, but I can promise there will be a great relief once it is over. Focus up for the next couple of months in school so you can relax after you have next year all figured out.