Dear St Mary Family,
It is with great humility and gratitude that I introduce myself as the new Alumni Director of St.
Mary High School. I am deeply aware that I follow in the footsteps of a true legend, Mr. Michael
Sheridan, whose decades of dedication, leadership, and faith have left an indelible mark on our
school community. His legacy, and that of his family, is woven into the very fabric of St. Mary’s,
and I recognize the immense responsibility of carrying forward the tradition he built.
For me, this position is not just professional, it is personal. I am a proud graduate of the Class of
2016, and my family’s history at St. Mary is a point of great pride. My mother, Enrica Ricciuto
D’Alessandro (Class of 1984), and my aunt, Elisa Ricciuto (Class of 1986), are both alumni.
My brother, Jay D’Alessandro, graduated in 2022, and my youngest brother will graduate this
year, continuing our family’s longstanding commitment to the Gael tradition.
After graduating from St. Mary, I went on to study Political Science at Rutgers
University–Newark, earning both my bachelor’s and master’s degrees. Over the past several
years, I have been fortunate to teach here at St. Mary, coach our student-athletes, and now, step into this role with a deep sense of loyalty to the school that shaped me.
My guiding mission as Alumni Director is to honor and expand upon the values that have
defined St. Mary for generations—Small, Personal, Catholic. Including maximizing our current
strengths of diversity and close relationships to our future alumni. These words are more than a
motto; they are the lived experience of every student, teacher, and family member who has
walked through our doors. I will work tirelessly to strengthen connections across generations of
Gaels, to support our alumni community, and to ensure that the spirit of St. Mary continues to
inspire future students as it has inspired all of us.
I look forward to connecting with each of you, hearing your stories, and working together to
expand on the incredible alumni network already in place. Please know that I am open to your
ideas, feedback, and guidance as we move forward together.
Thank you for the warm welcome I have already received. Thank you to Coach Sheridan for his
mentorship. It is an honor to serve you and to build upon the legacy entrusted to us.
With gratitude and Gael pride,
Mr. David D’Alessandro
ddalessandro@stmaryhs.orgAlumni Director
St. Mary High School, Rutherford, NJ
Class of 2016