MICKEY AXELBANK SONS HONOR HER NAME
On Wednesday, June 9, there was a celebration. A celebration in honor of a staple in the Marble Hill Nursery. This was not a time of mourning, but of honor. Mickey Axelbank “believed in
children.” There were so many fond moments of what this amazing woman did that were shared. Gary Axelbank, her son, shared a story of a 40-year-old man walking up to him. The man
explained how much Mrs. Axelbank did for him. And it amazed Gary that at 40 this man remembered his mother. Karen Warchel, the director of Marble Hill, said, “She was really a role
model. I tried to embrace that kindness and warmth. It was how she lived her life.” To top this, the sons of Mickey Axelbank donated $1,800 to Marble Hill Nursery to restock the library
with new books, new ideas and diversity. This matriarch left this place better than she found. And once again, It’s a reminder for us to do the same.
(L-r) Gary Axelbank, son; Karen Warchel, director of Marble Hill; David Bleeker-Adams; and Jeff Axelbank, son. Photo by Jewel Webber Mickey Axelbank.
BRONX TIMES REPORTER, J BTR UNE 18-24, 2021 67
The St. Raymond High School for
Boys community honored four deserving
individuals at the school’s
2021 Leadership Gala on Thursday,
June 3. Eugene New ‘68, Cindy Mc-
Donald, Phyllis Sobieralski, and The
Bronx Design Group were recognized
not only for their commitment to the
young men of St. Raymond, but also
for the way they live their lives following
the Catholic tradition. After
nearly a year and a half of no events,
The VIP Country Club in New Rochelle,
NY happily hosted almost 150
guests, including St Raymond students
and faculty, alumni and supporters
and esteemed members of the
clergy.
“Each year we come together to
recognize and to celebrate a few select
individuals honorees who not
only demonstrated their commitment
to St. Raymond, but through their life
and through their work, truly embody
the principles of a St. Raymond
education. Through their generosity
of time and spirit as well as providing
a positive infl uence to the world in
which we live, these individuals play
an essential role in continuing the
St. Raymond traditions of academic,
athletic, cultural, and spiritual excellence.”,
said Judith Carew, principal
of St. Raymond High School for Boys.
Eugene New ’68, recipient of the
Raven Alumni Award, has been a
great supporter of the students and
athletes of St. Raymond High School
for Boys and is a model of achievement
and commitment to our young
men. Over the years he has held fast
to the values that he learned while a
student at St. Raymond, and speaks
of St. Raymond as family and “a home
away from home”.
Cindy McDonald, recipient of the
Blue & Orange Distinguished Service
Award, was known, during her more
than 15 years of service, for being a
highly capable, almost irreplaceable
administrative assistant to several
principles. Her commitment to being
a mentor, a friend and in many ways,
a teacher, to the young men of St. Raymond
by serving in so many different
roles throughout the years was extraordinary.
Phyllis Sobieralski, recipient of
the St. Raymond Nonnatus Distinguished
Career in Education Award,
is best recognized for her exceptional
skill, dedication and constant striving
for excellence that characterized
her more than 25 years at St. Raymond.
Day after day, she provided
her students with challenging, rigorous
lessons taught with heart, always
with the success of her students fi rst
and foremost as her goal. With her
deep Catholic values clear for all to
see, she was a model for all Catholic
school educators as well as her students.
The Bronx Design Group, recipient
of the Msgr. John Corrigan Outstanding
Organization Award, has
for over 30 years provided quality
printing and graphics combined with
extraordinary dependability and
commitment to their customers. As
we client, St. Raymond has benefi ted
immensely from their commitment
to excellence, high quality work, and
moreover to their clear dedication to
support of their community.
This year’s dinner raised $33,000
for the more than 450 current students
that all live within the lower income
bracket. All proceeds from this
event will be used to help support student
scholarships and offer students
unprecedented tools to allow them to
move the world and propel them into
a life of success.
St. Raymond High School for Boys
Leadership Gala Raises $33,000
for Scholarship Funding
(L-r) St. Raymond High School for Boys Leadership Gala Honorees: The Bronx Design Group
team, Phyllis Sobieralski, Cindy McDonald and Eugene New ’68.