Alumni News
Riley Csernica Bezjian ’08 Honorary Guest Speaker for the 2023 Commencement Ceremony (5/30/2023) - Bishop England High School is proud to announce that Riley Csernica Bezjian ’08 is the 2023 Honorary Graduation Speaker. On Saturday, June, 3 2023 at McAllister Field House the Bishop England Class of 2023 will hear from our prestigious alumnus. “As we celebrate the Class of 2023 and their accomplishments at Bishop England High School, we know that the best is yet to come for them. The foundation they received at Bishop England will enable them to follow God’s path. Our Commencement speaker, Riley Csernica Bezjian (’08), exemplifies how following God’s path and her passion will lead you to make a difference for others. As a young entrepreneur, Riley invented a product to help others, and she continues to serve others professionally and personally.” – Patrick Finneran, Bishop England President Riley Csernica Bezjian graduated from Bishop England High School in 2008. After graduating, she went to Clemson University, earning her Bachelor’s and Master’s in Bioengineering and MBA in Entrepreneurship. Riley currently serves as the Director of New Business Development at DARCO International, where she works with R&D and marketing teams to launch medical devices into the market. Before working at DARCO, she owned and managed two medical device marketing businesses, became a cybersecurity startup shareholder, and taught an entrepreneurship course at the College of Charleston. Riley is passionate about inspiring and cultivating the next generation of our workforce. She finds joy in serving as a public speaker and volunteer mentor for new graduates as they navigate their personal and professional paths. Her TEDx talk on the topic of youth entrepreneurship has reached over 575,000 viewers worldwide. We are honored to have Riley Csernica Bezjian ’08 at the 2023 Graduation ceremony! Memories at BE What impact did Catholic education have on your life and career? Catholic education cultivated my sense of empathy toward the needs of others and challenged me to always search for ways to be a good steward in the world. Who influenced you the most during your time at Bishop England? The math and science teachers cultivated my spark for learning and sense of joy that I carry with me to this day. What path did you take after BE that lead you to your current success? I went to Clemson University to study for my Bachelor’s in bioengineering. Upon completion of my BS, I continued to complete my MBA in Entrepreneurship and Master in Bioengineering from Clemson as well. What is a professional achievement you’re proud of? I am most proud of co-owning a medical device startup after completing my MBA.
Blessing of the Carl Poole Jr. Track and Ribbon Cutting Ceremony (5/3/2023) - Our BE community celebrated our newly resurfaced Carl E. Poole Track re-opening with a ribbon-cutting ceremony and blessing. We welcomed Mrs. Poole and her family members to join the celebration.The Track Team, students, parents, alums, faculty, and staff, gathered and walked the track as Fr. Frymly blessed it. At the finish line, President Finneran, Mrs. Poole, and Jacki Edgerton were given the honor of cutting the ribbon. This symbolic moment for our school connects a long history of athletic excellence and is the beginning of many new projects in the future. The Carl Edward Poole Jr. Track is home to the school’s Track & Field team and serves as a practice field for the school’s football and soccer teams. Carl Poole Jr. (1943-1993) was a member of the graduating class of 1961 at Bishop England. Carl’s excellent skills garnered him local and state championships at Bishop England. He went on to Clemson, where he ran track and set ACC records. He also ran for the US Army track team and participated in the US Olympic trials. Carl was known for his fierce competitiveness and sportsmanship toward his fellow competitors. We are grateful to all who are welcome to join in the celebration!
Career Day 2023 (3/24/2023) - One of life’s biggest questions is, “What do you want to be when you grow up?” Career Day gives students an up-close look at different career paths and connects their learning to the real world. Leaders from our BE community and alumni came into the classroom to share insights about their careers and details about necessary education and training for career success. Students could listen to presenters, ask questions, and consider what careers pique their interest. Presenters serve as role models or mentors for students. Having a diverse group of presenters allows students to see themselves represented in different career paths. Thank you to over 40 of our outstanding speakers, BE Career Day 2023 was a success! We appreciate our speakers who took time out of their busy schedules to share their expertise with our students. Our students have had an invaluable experience learning more about their career interests. Thank you for giving back to our BE community and supporting our students. Thank you to our Counseling and Advancement departments for coordinating this year’s Career Day. This special day provides students with a platform to interact with community members directly. Buddy Baristas served our guests coffee, hot chocolate, and lattes to start everyone’s morning off with a smile! Thank you to our Options and Options Scholars!
Homecoming 2022 (8/12/2022) - Come tailgate & celebrate with the BEHS Alumni Office! Join us for our annual Homecoming Tailgate Party, featuring food, music, and reminiscing! Then, cheer for the Battling Bishops as they take on Timberland High School at 7:30 pm. We look forward to welcoming the classes of 1962, 1972, 1982, 1992, 2002 and 2012 as they celebrate milestone reunion years. Friday, September 30th, 20225 pm – 8 pmBishop England High School | Jack Cantey Stadium Tickets: $25 adult | $10 child 12 & underIncludes a low country supper and non-alcoholic beverages
Arthur McFarland ’66 Honorary Guest Speaker for 2022 Commencement Ceremony (5/25/2022) - Bishop England High School is proud to announce that Arthur McFarland ’66 is the 2022 honorary Graduation Speaker. On Saturday, June, 4 2022 at McAllister Field House the Bishop England Class of 2022 will hear from our prestigious alumnus. “Bishop England High School is excited to have Arthur McFarland as the Commencement speaker for the Class of 2022. Judge McFarland is proud to be the first African-American graduate of Bishop England in 1966. He is a respected member of the Charleston community through his professional career and volunteer activities. Every year, I challenge the freshmen to make Bishop England High School better by the time they graduate. The Class of 2022 has risen to this challenge, and they will continue to improve the world around them after graduation. Arthur McFarland is an excellent example of how Bishop England graduates make a difference in their community with grace and humility. We look forward to celebrating the Class of 2022 and honoring Judge McFarland at our Commencement Ceremonies on June 4th. “ – Principal Patrick Finneran Judge Arthur C. McFarland served as the Municipal Court Judge for the city of Charleston for 33 years and served as the city’s chief judge for 28 years. A native of Charleston, he began his career as an Earl Warren Fellow with the NAACP Legal Defense Fund in New York.Judge McFarland was among nine black students who desegregated Bishop England High School in 1964. As an undergraduate at Notre Dame University, he founded the Afro-American Society of students organized to promote the interests of black students. He received his JD from the University of Virginia Law School and was admitted to practice law in South Carolina and the Federal and US Supreme Courts. We are honored to have Judge McFarland at the 2022 Graduation ceremony! Memories at BE What do you remember from your time at BEHS?As you may know, in 1964, I was one of the first African American students to enroll in BE as part of the desegregation of Catholic Schools in the Diocese. I transferred to BE from Immaculate conception School, only several blocks from BE. I entered in my junior year along with Ann Seaberry (Ross) and Leslie Green (McCauley). We were welcomed by most students, faculty, and staff of BE. I was placed in the honors program in my first year and graduated as an Honor Student and a member of the National Honor Society. Surprisingly, French was one of my best subjects. That may have been a result of my tenth-grade Latin course at ICS. In my senior year, I became the first African American student in the entire State of South Carolina to play on a previously all-White basketball team. I remember the rousing cheers from BE fans when I took the court during our first home game. I vividly recall the support and sometimes protection from coach Charlie Gallagher and my teammates as we experienced hostility because of my presence on the team and the fact that BE was […]
Alumni Highlight | Bill Runey, Jr. ’84 (4/8/2022) - Bill Runey’s time at BEHS helped him chart the course for what has been a fulfilling 34-year career in education. He credits his parents as well as great role models in the classroom and in athletics and strives to forge a legacy that they would be proud of. After graduating from St. John’s School in North Charleston, Coach Runey entered BEHS as a member of the class of 1984. Sadly, his father died in January of his freshman year leaving a void that only his BE Family could attempt to fill. While at BE, he played football, was an officer in the Key Club, and graduated near the top of his class. From there, it was on to Clemson to major in Education and an (unofficial) minor in fraternity life. At 21, Coach Runey started as a math teacher and coach (football, basketball, and baseball) at our storied campus at 203 Calhoun Street. After receiving his Master’s at The Citadel, he served as Disciplinarian for Grade 10 while still maintaining his teaching and coaching duties. While being named Vice Principal in 1997 was an honor, he quickly learned that his first task would come with a steep learning curve as he was the point person for the historic move from downtown to Daniel Island. He coached the Battling Bishops to the last victory in the famed Father O’Brien gymnasium. That summer, he and Coach Spence led a moving crew made up of many of their student-athletes; and while the work was challenging, they had an amazing experience, including World Cup level “tape soccer” in the new library. Being able to open the new BEHS on time was an important part of his legacy. While on Daniel Island, Coach Runey continued his coaching duties while maintaining his service as Vice Principal. Being a part of a new era with a state-of-the-art academic environment; a stunning arts center; and, for the first time in school history, a full complement of athletic facilities that solidified our school as the place to “BE” was extremely fulfilling as both a graduate and administrator. He retired as Head Varsity Basketball Coach in 2005 after being named Coach of the Year leading the Battling Bishops to the Elite Eight. He and his team received the incredible honor of being the pallbearers when our beloved Father Robert Kelly passed away. In 2006, he and his family relocated to Attleboro, Massachusetts, and he was named Principal of Bishop Feehan High School, one of the premier Catholic schools in New England. His six-year term at Feehan was marked by assisting in the multi-million dollar fundraising effort to turf the football stadium and renovate an existing convent into a Library Media Center. In 2012, Coach Runey stepped into his greatest challenge. After twenty-four years in Catholic education, he chose to take the position of Principal at Attleboro High School. Choosing to leave for the rival school across town was perplexing to some, but he saw it as an opportunity to truly […]
Alumni Spotlight | Monique Fergerson Brown ’90 (2/4/2022) - What do you remember from your high school years at BE? I have so many wonderful memories of my time at BE! John England Day was one of my favorite days. It was a celebration full of Food, Fellowship, and Fun!! BE generated a feeling of unity. Unity came not only from wearing uniforms but from the spirit of togetherness that is shared in the hearts of anyone who attended Bishop England. What impact did attending Bishop England have on your life? Attending BE strengthened my Christian faith and academically prepared me to excel in college and law school. I have a deeper value in the importance of a Catholic education. It was imperative for us to have our children attend Catholic high schools. I am proud to say our oldest daughter graduated from Bishop Kenny High School in Florida and our youngest daughter Nailah Brown ’23 is a junior at Bishop England High School. Who influenced you the most while at BE? My American Government teacher Mrs. Heath. She was an excellent teacher and her class was so interesting I decided to major in Political Science in college. Life after Bishop England? College/Graduate School? After graduating BE, I attended the University of South Carolina (Columbia) for undergrad and law school where I received a BA in Political Science and a Juris Doctor degree. Community involvement is part of my upbringing and has always been a value of mine. I have served in various ways – through the church, school, work, or in the community. My husband is a retired naval officer, but while he was on active duty we lived in various parts of the country. In each community we lived in, I found ways to volunteer and support various local organizations and military families. Currently, I am involved in several local boards, community, and professional organizations. One reason I decided to become a lawyer is because service is at the heart of a legal career. Describe a current day in the life of Monique Brown! I am currently Senior Corporate Counsel and Privacy Officer at Benefitfocus, a technology company headquartered on Daniel Island. A typical day is Exercising Working (currently from home) Review my to-do-list Respond to emails Provide legal guidance to various business partners Attend meetings (virtually or conference call) Research and review laws and regulations Network with legal colleagues Create new to-do-list Dinner time – it is a priority to eat dinner as a family. What are the most difficult and rewarding aspects of your job? Dealing with different personalities and managing various projects with competing deadlines. Being able to assist others and provide valuable advice and creative solutions is rewarding. What would alumni be surprised to learn about you? While in high school, my dream was to live in New York City. As a military family, prior to relocating back to the Charleston area, we lived in Washington state, Alabama, Virginia, and most recently Florida. I haven’t lived in New York yet, but I […]- Veterans Day (11/10/2021) - Thank You to our Bishop England Veterans!
Alumni Spotlight | Dr. Robert “Casey” Fitts ’74 (9/7/2021) - BE alum Dr. Robert “Case” Fitts ’74, a general surgeon with a passion for treating the underprivileged and a lifetime of service proving it, was awarded the State of South Carolina’s highest civilian honor for his extraordinary work in the community. In 2001, after 10 years of building a busy practice in general surgery, Dr. Fitts took a year leave of absence to develop a community program which would provide a medical home spanning all aspects of healthcare for these patients. He educated himself in the rules and regulations of Medicaid, Medicare and the South Carolina Department of Insurance. He brought together the four Tri-County hospital systems, charity clinics, and nearly 1,600 local physicians and secured $12 million in funding to create Tri-County Project Care. He rallied his fellow physicians to accept significantly discounted rates to care for this uninsured population. Photo From Left: Dr. Robert “Casey” Fitts ’74, United States Senator Tim Scott, Sue Fitts What do you remember from your high school years at BE? I kind of feel guilty that what I remember was all great; played multiple sports, challenged academically and developed lifelong friendships. I know that the high school years can be a struggle as you transition for the first time toward more independence and developing your identity as an adult. I remember the support from fellow students, teachers, coaches and administrators as I went through. They patted you on the back when you did well but did not hesitate to correct your errors in a manner that encouraged you to do so. What impact did attending Bishop England have on your life? To fully understand the impact BE had on me really started with grade school. I went to Cathedral and we played in a basketball league with the other catholic grade schools at the BE gym on Calhoun street on weekends. We competed hard and had our rivalries but all knew that one day we hoped to be teammates playing together on the same court for BE. This set the tone for being at BE where we really continued our journey toward adulthood. We were molded with a strong sense of family, personal responsibility and achievement. That education and experience gave me the foundation to be successful in my personal and professional lives. Who influenced you the most during your years at BE? I was extremely fortunate to have three icons of BE influence me the most – Father Robert Kelly, Principal Nicholas Theos and Coach Jack Cantey. I first met Father Kelly in grade school during our basketball season, rooting us on and playing pick-up games with us while wearing his robe and black converse all-star shoes. He once took a group of us to see the Harlem Globetrotters at the old County Hall on upper King Street. He knew their best player, Meadowlark Lemon, who he brought to see our games and visit with us the next day. I saw Principal Theos early on mainly for disciplinary reasons but developed a […]
Alumni Spotlight | Mary Anne Tucker ’84 (8/12/2021) - Mary Anne Bolchoz Tucker, ’84, is synonymous with Bishop England High School. She and her family have attended and/or worked at their beloved alma mater for over four generations. Mary Anne first joined the BEHS faculty as a math teacher from 1989 – 1991 and then re-joined the Bishop faculty in 2005. In 2017, she took over as Associate Principal. What do you remember from your time at Bishop England? So many things! Father Charles Kelley’s freshman religion class – loved that man! Performing La Fromage Qui Rit at Foreign Language Day at the Fair with Trisha Gustafson’s French IV class. Our trip to France as seniors and the escapades of the Versailles 3! “Camping out” overnight in the parking lot to be first in line for parking spaces. And, of course, hanging out in my mom’s office! What impact did attending BE have on your life? The biggest impact that attending BE had on my life was that it reinforced the foundation of my Faith. Attending Catholic school for twelve years (Blessed Sacrament and BEHS) made my Faith an integral part of who I am as a person. I would also say that the friendships that I made at BE were truly lifelong friendships. We shared common bonds and grew up together – those experiences formed us and cemented our relationships. So many of us still keep in close touch today! Who influenced you most during your time at Bishop England? That’s an easy one. My mom, Alice Bolchoz ’50, by far influenced me the most. She went from English teacher to Director of Guidance and Admissions during my four years at BE, so I had the benefit of leaning on her both from an educational as well as a parental perspective. I was incredibly blessed! Life after BEHS? I am a proud graduate of Clemson University and Loyola Marymount University. I’ve been married to my very best friend, Joel, for just shy of 30 years. We have four incredible kids: Ryan ’11, who lives in Chicago; Molly ’13, who lives in Charlotte; Maddie ’15, who lives here in Charleston; and Allie ’17, who will graduate from Clemson in December. All four kids are BE graduates; three are/will be Clemson grads; Maddie strayed from the fold and graduated from Xavier in Cincinnati Describe a current day in the life of Mary Anne Tucker. Hmmmm….I’m an early riser, usually 4:30, so I can get to the gym before school (which I HATE!). Then it’s to school by about 7:30 and the day usually ends around 5:30. Thankfully, Joel loves to grill after work, so he’s taken over most of the dinner responsibilities, since traffic on the way home is usually a beast! And speaking of beasts, we have (actually, Maddie has!) a two-year old, 90-pound black lab/Great Dane rescue that has taken over our house and our hearts! What are the most difficult and rewarding aspects of your job? High school administration by nature requires dealing with the “challenges” that […]
