Why I Give Back
(This article was first published in the Belen Alumni Magazine - Winter 2026 edition.)
I first arrived at Belen as an eighth grader, a new student from a public school with no prior connection to Belen — no family ties, no older brothers or cousins paving the way. Over time, I realized I had found something special: a place that would not only challenge me academically, but also shape my character, my values, and ultimately, the person I would become.
I first arrived at Belen as an eighth grader, a new student from a public school with no prior connection to Belen — no family ties, no older brothers or cousins paving the way. Over time, I realized I had found something special: a place that would not only challenge me academically, but also shape my character, my values, and ultimately, the person I would become.
Now, decades later, Belen is deeply woven into my family’s story. While living in New York City, my wife Maria and I were married by Father Eddie Alvarez, S.J. ‘63, who years later, baptized both of our sons. My oldest, Nicholas, is now a proud sixth grader in the Class of 2032, and my younger son, Michael, currently in the third grade, will hopefully join the Belen brotherhood as a member of the Class of 2035. What began as a new experience for me in 8th grade has grown into a family tradition that will continue for generations to come.
As an only child, Belen gave me something I never had before — a band of brothers – as Father Willie, S.J. ‘87 likes to say. The friendships I made back then have lasted more than two decades. We’ve shared life’s biggest moments together, and that sense of brotherhood is one of the greatest gifts Belen ever gave me.
My time in school instilled in me a strong sense of purpose and discipline. The teachers and Jesuits who guided us didn’t just prepare us for college — they prepared us for life. They taught us the value of hard work, faith, and integrity. Looking back, I can honestly say Belen changed the trajectory of my life.
The school’s call to be “Men for Others” was emphasized. It challenges us to use our gifts to make a difference, to “give and not to count the cost” as St. Ignatius of Loyola prayed. It reminds us to use our time and talents to make a difference, to serve rather than be served. That’s something I’ve carried with me throughout my career and personal life. The call to give back has always been part of who I am. Naturally, that commitment extends to Belen.
Today, I serve on the Belen Board of Advisors, mentor students, contribute to the Fund for Belen, and volunteer however I can. Every act, big or small, is a way to honor the school that gave me so much. There’s deep personal satisfaction in knowing that I’m helping the next generation experience the same opportunities I had. I’ve watched Belen continue to grow — from expanding its facilities to strengthening its financial aid program — and it’s inspiring to see how the school keeps investing in its mission and its students.
I give back because I know that my own education was made possible by the sacrifices of my parents and the alumni who gave before me, and now it’s my turn to pay it forward. Every generation of Wolverines builds upon the legacy of the last. If we all continue to do our part — through our time, mentorship, or financial support — there’s no limit to what Belen can achieve.
To my fellow alumni: let’s keep the tradition alive and make sure future generations have the same opportunity to be shaped by this incredible place.
BELEN JESUIT PREPARATORY SCHOOL
500 SW 127th Avenue, Miami, FL 33184
phone: 305.223.8600 | fax: 305.227.2565 | email: communications@belenjesuit.org
500 SW 127th Avenue, Miami, FL 33184
phone: 305.223.8600 | fax: 305.227.2565 | email: communications@belenjesuit.org
Belen Jesuit Preparatory School was founded in 1854 in Havana, Cuba, by Queen Isabel II of Spain. The task of educating students was assigned to the priests and brothers of the Society of Jesus (the Jesuits), whose teaching tradition is synonymous with academic excellence and spiritual discipline. In 1961, the new political regime of Cuba confiscated the school's property and expelled the Jesuit faculty. The School was re-established in Miami the same year, and over the next decade, continued to grow. Today, Belen Jesuit is situated on a 34-acre site in western Dade County, just minutes away from downtown Miami.