Written by Lucas Toglia
For those who don’t know, Mr. Boniello is the new Director of Admissions. He was the former Dean of Students at Oratory and worked in the math department beforehand and taught other courses like “Graphic Novel.” Mr. Boniello has been at Oratory for seven years and is excited to take on his new role in Newman Hall. When asked about what exactly the Director of Admissions does, he told the Omega that he conducts interviews with students and their parents, attends school fairs and other schools, and is in charge of reaching out to the New Jersey community.
When asked about what he looks for in a student, he said, “There is actually a true ‘Oratory Man.’” He says that, “all of us students have all (most) of these specific qualities in common. These qualities include men who understand the value of asking the right question; they are intelligent, courageous, devout, mature, and self disciplined.”
Mr. Bonello’s favorite part about Oratory Prep is the culture. He told the Omega, “I had a great college experience and this place reminds me of that experience.” He described how he matured during college and that Oratory does the same thing, but on a high school level. He mentions how Oratory has unique qualities that he loves such as the small class sizes, strong leadership, extraordinary faculty, and young men who have the desire to learn.
“Not having football means that we don’t have a football culture and I really think that helps us focus on academics and the sports we do have.” Though it may seem like a terrible misfortune that we don’t have such an American staple, he does bring up a good point. It allows Oratory to be great in other areas which are clearly proven when the college acceptance sheet comes in every year.
He recommends students to become ambassadors. He was quotes saying, “Students chose to come here after hearing about what an amazing place this is. It is the students’ job to spread the word and inspire future students to apply here, and graduate from here.” I then asked him how the ambassadors should go about showing prospective students the school and he said, “Stress the positive and share the great experiences you have had at Oratory.”
Mr. Boniello believes that Oratory is a great place due to its wonderful faculty, students, and administration. He is looking forward to this year’s applications and to see what the future Oratory students will be like. The whole Oratory community knows that a man who has been here for almost a decade is going to bring the ideal “Oratory Man” to our great school.