Updates
THIS Saturday @ 1 pm Friar Alumni Day Reception - come meet up with your class/other Friars !
It's a three-peat Friar occasion: Congratulations to senior Friar Henry Platt who just released his single on Spotify, *Take a Number *(attached) AND was featured in 34th Street (in the comments section) AND is singing the National Anthem at Penn's commencement in two weeks! And yes, he is the same pitch-perfect Friar featured on *Sing On Country* earlier this year. ![]()
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open.spotify.com/track/2Zy5YCIMRYA5EZsoDAergc?si=3HCSZ6FIQhC_fNy1oNdv7Q&dl_branch=1Henry Platt · Song · 2021
For those who missed this - way to go Haley Rizek, one of the newest members of Friars Class of 2022! ![]()
DP Sports Player of the Week: Haley Rizek
www.thedp.com
For the first time this season, Penn women’s track and field were able to compete in the heptathlon. And despite not competing in any multi-events for over a year, junior Haley Rizek recorded the pr...
And here is another amazing female Friar athlete - featured on Penn Today. Congrats to senior 2021 Friar Zoe Belodeau ... Sorry your last season at Penn was cut short, but glad you could go out with this well-deserved accomplishment for the record books anyway. ![]()
Zoe Belodeau reaches 100-goal mark | Penn Today
penntoday.upenn.edu
Against La Salle at Franklin Field, the senior attacker recently became the 13th player in Penn women’s lacrosse history to score 100 goals.
I can't thank the Friars alum and current members enough for supporting and donating to the Philly Fights Hunger race. I am so excited to announce that we raised $4,779 to benefit Philabundance by hosting a virtual 5k/10k. We had 250 people who signed up to run and many Friars who came out to run in-person this past Sunday (see pictures)! ![]()
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We could not have done this without you all. And it's not too late to support! If you would like to donate, DM me or Mitchell Cornell for more info. #beethunger![]()
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Since the pandemic started, food insecurity has risen significantly. With 1 in 5 people facing hunger in the Philadelphia area, it has become a crisis in our community. Philabundance is a non-profit that aims to feed the Philadelphia community and end hunger for good.
Another Friar making waves - this time as best of on the internet!?!?! Join me and vote for ***Broken Bird** *going for a **Webby Award**. ![]()
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***Broken Bird*** is a short film created by an incredible new mother, filmmaker (and Friar) Rachel HG! It is the story of Birdie, a biracial girl raised by her mom in a NJ suburb. She spends a visitation day with her father, and debates inviting him back into her life as she prepares for her Bat Mitzvah and adulthood. ![]()
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Being nominated for the 'best of the internet' is a pretty cool feat. Good luck! Votes are being accepted between now and May 6th. ![]()
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PS Rachel was also part of our White House Confidential Speaker Series ....she does it all! ![]()
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Vote for the best of the Internet
vote.webbyawards.com
I just voted in The Webby People's Voice Awards and checked my voter registration.
Bringing new meaning to "for the love of the game" is our own grad board president, Sanela Kunovac. Read the interesting story of how our international tennis phenom turned down going pro to go to Penn, went on to make history while there, left to teach economics and psychology, came back to help Penn get back on track and is now changing the culture with Penn's tennis program. Our newest Friar Bryzgalova Yulia, who ended up ranked #10 in the nation last year, is a great example of Sanela's positive influence that has brought fiery life into Penn Women's tennis. We are so lucky she came back to Penn and brings her wide range of talents to lead our Friar Grad Board for another year. ![]()
Passion for tennis took coach Sanela Kunovac from Bosnia to the Red and Blue's baseline
www.thedp.com
Born in Bosnia, Penn women’s tennis coach Sanela Kunovac's athletic journey began when she was 3 years old. After getting lost at a beach and sending her parents into a frenzy, she was finally found...In case anyone is free ... perhaps Darren Tomasso can be part of our speaker series or lead a work out class for Friars !?!?! The undergrads run Friar Fit Club events - maybe time for us to try it out?
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When this happens, it's usually because the owner only shared it with a small group of people, changed who can see it or it's been deleted.Thanks Kyle for posting about Anthony Scarpone-Lambert who did in fact win the 2021 President's Innovation Award. Here is the full announcement from Penn. (Anthony is the handsome one in the light blue shirt in the lower left)
Class of 2021 President’s Engagement and Innovation Prize winners announced | Penn Today
penntoday.upenn.edu
The Prizes enable students to take on post-graduation projects that make a positive, lasting difference in the world.
Am I jumping the gun, or is it ok to congratulate Anthony Scarpone-Lambert? ![]()
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The recipients of the 2021 President’s Innovation Prize are...![]()
Anthony Scarpone-Lambert, Nu’21, for Lumify Care: Lumify Care aims to improve the patient experience by developing innovative tools and resources needed to support frontline health care workers. Its flagship product is the uNight Light, a wearable LED light allowing health care workers to illuminate their workspace while decreasing patient sleep disturbances. Anthony is mentored by Therese S. Richmond, the Andrea B. Laporte Professor of Nursing and Penn Nursing’s Associate Dean for Research and Innovation.
media1.tenor.co
An appropriate article to share now. Ed Stefanski and obviously his son Kevin will be on the "Spring Dinner" call on Sunday at 1 PM (EST)... clearly sports know-how and the ability to rise to the top runs in the Stefanski blood.![]()
Tracing Ed Stefanski's path from the Palestra to banking to NBA Executive
www.thedp.com
Ed Stefanski played for Penn men’s basketball from 1973 to 1976 in a mostly supplemental role under legendary coaches Rollie Massimino and Chuck Daly. In 1999, Stefanski fully invested his professio...
**Donation Matching Opportunity:**![]()
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Hello Friars Family!! ![]()
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On behalf of the Friar Classes of 2021 and 2022, I am asking for your help. The disproportionate impact of COVID-19 has highlighted systemic inequalities that continue to severely impact large amounts of people. **In Philadelphia in particular, hunger and food insecurity have seen huge increases in the last year.** ![]()
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Organizations like **Philabundance**, which supports many food kitchens in the city, are underfunded and struggling to keep up with demand. ![]()
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To this end, one of our own current Friars, Sahitya Mandalapu, has organized a 5K race in Philly on April 25th to raise money for Philabundance!! More info about the race can be found here: ![]()
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www.eventcreate.com/e/philly-fights-hunger![]()
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and contestents will be able to run on their own or in a small group in any part of the city! Perfect for adjusting to COVID restrictions.![]()
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They are expecting 100-200 ticket sales at $18 per ticket. **We would love to have Friar alumni match all ticket sales to be able to double (or more) the donation to Philabundance after the event. **![]()
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As a 2021 class, we have worked at MANNA Food Kitchen on several days of this semester, so this effort would complement in a substantial way our continued commitment to service in Philadelphia. ![]()
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**If you have the ability to donate, please email me at mitcorn@sas.upenn.edu with the amount you can pledge to match,** and we will reach out after the event to collect the money. Any amount will help, whether it's $5, $18, or $100. Please feel free to email me or text/call at (775) 750-4646 with any questions.![]()
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I have been more than proud to lead my Friars class this year, and this effort will be the right way to finish off our unique year. We greatly look forward to joining such a dedicated and passionate alumni community.
Even in a pandemic-limited athletic year, we still have Friars making news. Congratulations to senior Camille Dickson on breaking yet another Penn record! I've lost count you have so many. If it weren't for Covid and you had a normal season of meets to finish out your time at Penn, I'm sure you'd rack up even more. Friar proud.![]()
DP Sports Player of the Week: Camille Dickson
www.thedp.com
It’s not everyday that a program record is broken, but on Saturday during a Big 5 Meet at Franklin Field, Camille Dickson did it twice.RSVP with a comment for Friar Spring "Dinner" 4/18 @ 1 pm! w/ John Gamba, Kevin Stefanski, Class of 1971 & new Friars to honor
Friars!![]()
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I invite you all to join me tonight at 7pm Pacific for one hour of totally fun, totally free, and totally fabulous improvisation games. Open to you and/or the entire family. Just make sure everyone's on their own device. ![]()
Register here and bring your cocktail with you. 👍🏼👌![]()
www.davidkoff.com
Join David Koff, a 30-year veteran of improv, for a fun demonstration of games, exercises, and fun activities for you and the entire family. All are welcome, ages 9-99!
March Madness Bracket Update - leading up to the Final Four ....![]()
Change in the standings! Now we have Chris Ahearn, Barry Bear, Tiffany Sparks, Diego Morales and Jamie McCarthy in the top 5. Barry was class president and a wrestler and Tiffany not surprisingly was the sports editor for the DP at Penn and is our mysterious Hoop Dreams! All banking on Gonzaga to have a perfect season - so stay tuned!
**Pre-round of 8 March Madness Friar Bracket Update: **![]()
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**Little bit of movement in the ranks - Chris Ahearn is still at the top, then the mysterious Hoop Dreams, followed by Diego Morales, Jamie McCarthy, and GotRice uncovered as wigger and a founder of Oracle Senior Society Earl Lee! But things could change depending on who wins it all between Gonzaga, Michigan and Baylor.**
Pre-round of 16 March Madness Friar Bracket Update: ![]()
Amazingly a Mask and Wigger, Jamie McCarthy leads the pack !?!?! Followed by Penn 6-5000 charmer Chris Ahearn, the mystery Got Rice Friar and representing us gals - 2021 scribe Sydney Lewis, the big guy Hassan Duncombe and sprint footballer Diego Morales !!! There are 14 Friars in the mix - guess only time will tell. Yours truly started off strong, but not doing so well now. Darn.
Breaking news: Congrats to our own Matt Klapper accurately described as "the very definition of a mensch — just a beautiful human being." Couldn't agree more. Cory Booker and New Jersey's loss is the U.S. Department of Justice and our entire country's gain. No one runs things like Matt ... well deserved. Good call Merrick.![]()
Klapper set to become chief of staff to the U.S. Attorney General - New Jersey Globe
newjerseyglobe.com
Matt Klapper, Cory Booker’s chief of staff and longtime top advisor, is headed to the U.S. Department of Justice to serve as chief of staff to AttorneyFYI, not surprisingly, b-baller Hassan Duncombe is in first place in our Friars March Madness Bracket at the moment followed by Jamie McCarthy and GotRice28 who ever that is ...
Since we have three Penn alums and two Friars coaching teams this year, thought it made sense to try a Friars NCAA March Madness bracket! There is my classmate, Fran McCaffery coaching Iowa and Friar teammates Matt Langel coaching Colgate and Michael Mike Jordan coaching Drexel in on the Madness. Who will have bragging rights? I hope I set this up right - done on ESPN. The group I set up as you can see is called Friars@Penn and password is friars - of course. Good luck! Maybe we'll have a piece of Friar garb as a prize for the winner!?!?!
Join my group, Friars@Penn, in ESPN Men's Tournament Challenge!
fantasy.espn.com
Come join the Friars@Penn group in ESPN Men's Tournament Challenge and see if your bracket beats the rest.And the day gets even better - congrats also go out to Mike Jordan who is dancing with his team into NCAA March Madness! As first year coach at Drexel, Mike and the Dragons are tournament bound for the first time in 25 years!!!!! Way to go. Now that makes two former Penn b-ball players coaching teams in the tourney.
Here is Friarside Chat list (Mon @ 7 pm) ... to add your name MUST RESPOND TODAY by 5pm
Upcoming Events
2020 Fall Speaker Series (dates vary)
April 14, 2020 in downtown Philly
2020 Winter Friar Quizzo Tournament
April 14, 2020 in downtown Philly
Friars Fall Dinner @ Homecoming: November 15, 2020
Friar Alumni Day at Penn
Toast Friars In Style!
Friar Happy Hour Rooftop Mixer @ NYC
Early Summer 2020, Friar Rooftop Fun!
Friars Summer Pool Party in LA
Tentatively June, 2020.
2019 Annual Spring Dinner
April 17, 2018 in downtown Philly
Friars and Alumni Day @ Penn
After the Alumni parade meet Friars at POD