Magis: Andrew Vargas '00

(This article was first published in the Belen Alumni Magazine - Winter 2026 edition.)

Andrew Vargas ‘00 is reflective when talking about his Belen education. “I attended from sixth through 12th grades,” he noted. “Belen was the rock, the foundation of my formation. It formed me educationally, culturally, spiritually and morally. Belen — the teachers and administrators — taught us to use our God-given talents to benefit others.”

 

Over the holiday season, as the newly installed Reyes Magis Chair — the leader of the community service arm of the Belen Alumni Association — Andrew oversaw the annual Thanksgiving and Christmas events that benefit the Gesù Catholic Church community. Gesù is in a diverse downtown Miami neighborhood and is run by the Society of Jesus. Andrew noted that although Gesù runs a food kitchen that serves seniors and those in need, the church does not have the bandwidth to support and organize holiday events, which mandates that others step up. Belen and its alumni association have enthusiastically taken on that role.

The Thanksgiving event on Nov. 22, fed over 300 members of the Gesù community. “The first floor was completely full with people and families from all walks of life,” said Andrew. “We had lots of food donations — Islas Canarias, a restaurant owned by John Andrade’s ‘03 family, brought food, plus there were donations of Cuban bread, soda, water — you name it — as well as gift cards. Belen students had organized a food drive, so all families took home food for Thanksgiving dinner — turkeys, the whole meal — and Publix gift cards. Everyone left happy and satisfied.”

 

He continued, “What was also great is that many alumni brought their families to help serve. I brought my kids and nephews. Afterward, I received many phone calls from alums telling me what a great experience it was. There was a sense of joy throughout the event.”

 

The Christmas celebration at Gesù on Dec. 13, sparked joy as well. “Hundreds of children attended and each received two gifts based on their age group,” said Andrew. “Additionally, Santa was there for pictures, and a number of bikes were raffled. For several years, Claudia Espinosa, mother of Ralph Espinosa ‘27, has donated bikes for this event.” Andrew also noted that the wishlist for toys that is posted in advance of the event always sells out thanks to the generosity of the Belen community.

 

For Andrew, Belen and Miami have been home for a very long time. He lived in the Midwest for years while he was continuing his Jesuit education as an undergrad at Loyola Chicago, followed by law school at St. Louis University. “They were great schools and I enjoyed the Midwestern experience, but there was never any question that I would come back. My closest friends from Belen are still my closest friends today. It is a tight knit brotherhood.” And 15 years ago, Andrew and three of his colleagues left the company they were working for and started their own law firm, Vargas González Delombard. It comes as no surprise that the partners are all Belen grads. “We didn’t plan it that way,” said Andrew. “But with our education in common, we saw how we could do things differently and on our own.”

 

Which leads back to Belen… “As practicing lawyers, we treat everyone with dignity, respect and professionalism. It doesn’t matter if they’re a blue-collar worker or a Fortune 500 CEO. Everyone gets treated well and fairly.” That, noted Andrew, is a direct reflection of the Jesuit education he received at Belen, and of the Jesuit principle of Magis — a more profound and sustained sense of doing more for those around us.

 

The principles that have governed his professional life are the same that he has lived by in his personal life as well. Despite a busy schedule as a husband, father and attorney, Andrew has continued to look for ways to support his community. After working with past Reyes Magis chairs to support the Gesù Thanksgiving and Christmas events, Andrew stepped into the leadership role this year. “It’s a family affair,” said Andrew. “My wife, Nicole, and my children, Enrique (age 9) and Nicolette (age 7), attend these events with me. It’s really special to do this kind of work together.”

 

Andrew, who was a member of the student council at Belen and class president his senior year, has long embraced leadership roles and a commitment to service. He noted some of the teachers who influenced him most. “Of course, the Jesuits,” he said. “And Mr. Eugene Zoller, my eighth-grade civics teacher. He was awesome. There was always a level playing field. He taught us how to read and understand the news and to be good citizens. He definitely influenced my decision to become a lawyer.” He continued, “Belen is a second home. As we graduate, we may leave that home, but once we’re educated and settled, you come home. As an alumnus, I want to make sure that the school is doing awesome still; I want to talk to teachers and admin about what is needed, show up to events, pitch in and give back.”