Jane A. Metzler ’73 returned to McDevitt recently to moderate the Super Quiz section of the school's Academic Octathlon Competition for sixth, seventh and eighth grade students from eight area Catholic elementary schools. Jane is Senior Editor and Anchor/Reporter for Fox News Radio in New York. She has been a broadcast journalist on both television and radio for over thirty years. Photo: Jane A. Metzler ’73 with Dave Horn, Octathlon organizer and former Churchillian Society moderator, and school president Dr. Sal DiNenna

"The education I received at Bishop McDevitt High School, both in and out of the classroom, not only set me on my chosen career path, but prepared me for so many challengesGod has sent my way,” says McDevitt Alumna.  “The first speech I ever gave was at Bishop McDevitt,” she recalls. “It was as freshman class chairman and I was terrified but felt an invisible boot kicking me in the behind,” adding, “It got easier after that.” Ms. Metzler served as class chairman again during her sophomore and junior years and was elected Student Council Co-President but says participating in the Churchillian Forensic Society was what “really opened up a whole new world to me." "Traveling around the country, participating in speech and debate, I met people from different backgrounds. I also realized I could excel on a national level.”
Speech and debate led to Ms. Metzler attending Northwestern University on a full scholarship.

An internship at CBS in Chicago led to a TV anchor job in Maine, then one in Boise, Idaho, another in Houston, Texas, then Albuquerque, New Mexico and on to New York where Ms. Metzler has been an anchor on the ABC Radio Network, Managing Editor of the Imus in the Morning Program, reporter for Fox Five News, producer at MSNBC and what Metzler calls “her memorable career experience” as co-anchor of the newsmagazine program “American Catholic” and co-host of the celebrity interview program “Fame and Faith,” Featuring Catholics like actors Martin Sheen and Faye Dunaway and politicians from Pat Buchanan to Geraldine Ferraro. As for how she wound up at Fox? She says her pastor introduced her to network founder Roger Ailes after Mass.

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Jane A. Metzler ’73 at podium reading Current Events questions
for the 2008 Octathlon Super Quiz on April 3, 2008

Contestants from St. Cecilia Catholic School holding their first place trophy for winning the 2008 Octathlon
celebrating with Jane A. Metzler’73. At far left is Ryan Kirk, a Neumann Scholarship winner and member of McDevitt’s Class of 2012.

Bishop McDevitt and the Academy of the Fine Arts

Because of the school's relationship with the Pennsylvania Academy, Bishop McDevitt High School students receive a world class education in the arts and participate in a distinguishing and prestigious academic experience. Thank you Al Gury, Painting Chair at the Academy, and who was instrumental in McDevitt students attending the Academy.

Pictured above from left to right are: Timothy P. Speiss, Samantha Miller, Dr. Salvatore DiNenna, and Ryan Mohl.  Click here for the related article in The Catholic Standard & Times concerning the 2008 celebration at the Academy, as attended by members of the McDevitt community.

On Sunday, May 22, 2007 William T. “Buddy” Riggs, '07 received a Black Belt in Tae Kwon-Do. He competed in the White Tiger Cup tournament in Connecticut and took First place in sparring in his division and Third place in patterns.  He will be teaching in a Do Jang in October as a substitute instructor.  He is enrolled in the Computer Network Administration Program and has earned his Novell certification and The Governors Gold Seal. Buddy is the Treasurer of The Skills USA program.  Skills USA is Eastern’s version of a student council. Through Skills USA students are able to compete in different skills and win awards for doing what they do best. Buddy has won a Silver Medal in the Skills USA Customer Service Competition.

Eastern has also awarded Buddy a certificate and Tools of the Trade Award for two years perfect attendance as well as the Aramark Award.  In addition to Buddy’s McDevitt life, which also includes his stage crew responsibilities for The Royal Masque, his Eastern life, and Tae Kwon-Do, Buddy also holds a part time job at Friday’s restaurant.

Bernard (Barney) E. Bailey'61 and Rev. Henry B. Degnan visited school recently and were led on a tour by Dr. Sal DiNenna. Father Degnan was Prefect of Studies during the school's early years. He was also the basketball coach at one time and recruited Barney to the team. They've been close friends since then. Other friends of Father Degnan can contact him at St. Paul's rectory, 2007 New Hope St. Norristown, PA 19401. Barney lives in Lewisville, TX with his wife Dr. Catherine (Burke'62) Bailey and children.

Barney told Dr. DiNenna, "The most important things I recall about my education at McDevitt were the opportunity to play basketball, to have Fr. Degnan as mentor and friend and to be able to receive the Eucharist daily in chapel." All alumni are invited to visit school whenever in the area.