IN MY WORDS
In My Words is a 2024 publication featuring powerful testimonials from Belen alumni whose lives have been shaped by their time at the school. For this project, alumni were interviewed, their stories recorded, carefully transcribed, and thoughtfully distilled to capture the heart of their experiences.
Each quarter, a selection of these stories will be featured on this webpage, with additional promotion through our Alumni eNews and social media channels. This ongoing rotation ensures that the voices of our graduates continue to be heard and celebrated throughout the year.
We are deeply grateful to the hundreds of alumni who generously shared their memories, passion, and enduring love for Belen. Their words are more than reflections on the past — they are a testament to mission, brotherhood, and spiritual formation. May their stories challenge and inspire today’s students and generations of Wolverines to come.
BROTHERHOOD
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HEAR FROM Jorge Cobian ’06 |
JORGE COBIAN ’06
Belen Jesuit Preparatory School was a huge part of my life. It prepared me academically for college and my career, and it also gave me lifelong friendships that I consider family.
Even though I now live in Mexico, my friends from Belen are still there for me whenever I need them. It's amazing to see how our friendships have evolved over the years, from high school to now, having our own families and our children becoming friends with each other. I am so grateful for the education and the bonds that Belen has given me.
If I ever move back to Miami, I would want my children to attend Belen, just like my brothers and many of my close friends did. It is truly a dedicated and exceptional school. The memory of playing soccer and being part of a team that was like a family stands out to me. We learned so much from each other and supported each other through everything. Belen Jesuit had a huge impact on my life, and I will always cherish the memories and friendships that I made there.
CARLOS JOEL RAMOS ’14
I started attending Belen Jesuit Preparatory School in the sixth grade. I came from a coed school, so it was a bit of an adjustment coming to an all-boys school. However, I met my best friends that year, and we have stayed close ever since. We sat at the same lunch table every day until graduation. I even played on the baseball team with them. Unfortunately, I didn't make it to the varsity team. I was cut during my sophomore year.
Whenever I mention Belen on my resume or in an interview, it always catches the interviewer's attention, especially if they are also a Belen alumnus. During a tough time when I lost my job, my girlfriend sent my resume to a recruiter who happened to be a Belen alumnus, and that same day, he called back to say someone wanted to hire me. It turned out that another Belen alumnus saw my application and immediately wanted to help me out.
It's amazing how we all stick out for each other and are always there to lend a helping hand. That's just the kind of community Belen fosters. We are all men for others, and that was instilled in us from the school's founding in 1854. It's like a fraternity of brothers, always looking out for each other and living through God's glory.
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HEAR FROM Carlos Joel Ramos ’14 |
ACADEMIC INFLUENCES
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HEAR FROM Rafael Tapanes ’91 |
RAFAEL TAPANES ’91
My time at Belen Jesuit was truly transformative. It's hard to pinpoint just one moment that stands out because the entire experience was so impactful. The academic rigor at the school really shaped me into the hardworking individual I am today. The friendships I made there have lasted a lifetime. I still keep in touch with my seventh-grade classmates, and we even go on vacation together every year.
As for my favorite class or teacher, that's a tough one. I have to say, my Spanish class with Ms. Jimenez was truly memorable. She pushed us to be our best and showed us that hard work pays off. I also played baseball at Belen and was involved in clubs like Key Club and Alpha Club. Overall, the education I received at Belen is what I value the most. They instilled in me a love for learning that I will carry with me forever.
RICARDO COSTA CAPORAL ’96
When I think about my time at Belen, there's no single story that stands out. It was the gradual shaping of my character through little reminders and acts of goodness over the six years I was there that made an impact. Belen prepared me for the next level in my life academically and in terms of values and personal growth. I'm grateful for my time there. It's always nice to reflect on my memories of Belen. I hope to inspire others to consider Belen Jesuit Preparatory School as a great option for their education.
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HEAR FROM Ricardo Costa Caporal ’96 |
MEN FOR OTHERS
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HEAR FROM Gerardo Miguel Simms ’69 |
GERARDO MIGUEL SIMMS ’69
I had such a great experience at Belen Jesuit. I made some amazing friends there, and we still keep in touch even though we're spread out across the country. Graduation was definitely a highlight for me, but overall, I would say I was a good student and my teachers would agree. It's hard to pick just one favorite moment from Belen because there were so many great ones.
I was on the basketball team and part of the yearbook staff, so I got to experience many different things. Some of my closest friends were also on the basketball team with me. I can't think of one specific event that stands out, but overall, I had a fantastic time at Belen. My teachers and classmates were all amazing and I have no complaints.
ROLANDO JOSE MENDOZA '84
My time at Belen Jesuit was special because of the strong bonds of friendship and brotherhood formed among my classmates. We started in seventh grade and stuck together until graduation, creating an unbreakable bond that still exists today. It's amazing to have a group of men that I can always count on, no matter what. That's what makes Belen unique and impactful.
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HEAR FROM Rolando Jose Mendoza '84 |
