Induction Class Of 2015

From the moment Dante entered New Bedford High School, he did not simply participate in sports, he dominated them. Few NBHS athletes over the years have ever excelled as he did in a major sport with each changing season. Thus, the reason he was dubbed "The man for all seasons".

During his football career he was able to become a varsity starter for four years; to be named as a Standard-Times All-Star four times; to play Safety, WK, and OB; to play in two Superbowls; to play on two Big Three Championship Teams in '97 and '99; to become Co-captain senior year; to lead the State Div 1 in TD passes senior year; to lead the team in tackles sophomore and senior years; to be named Team MVP senior year; to become the '99 S-T Player of the Year, the '99 Boston Globe Massachusetts Division Player of the Year, and a'99 Boston Herald All-Scholastic All Star, in addition to being named a'99 USA Today All USA Honorable Mention.

Shining like a bright star again on the basketball court, Dante was a four-year varsity starter, a four-time Standard-Times All-Star, a Co-captain both junior and senior years, a Boston Globe All-Scholastic winner, a Boston Herald All-Scholastic winner, a Massachusetts State Basketball Coaches Assoc.

All-Academic First Team member, a Big Three Championship Team member for three years, a team leader in scoring senior year, and a '98 USA Today All-USA Honorable Mention.

Dante also played baseball for tour years, three years as a varsity starter and his freshman year as aJV starter. As a senior he led the team in RBI's and displayed skills that earned him a selection as a Standard Times All Star for both his junior and senior years. Additionally, he was placed on the Big Three Conference All Star team both junior and senior years. He contributed to the success of the Big Three Champion teams of 1999 and 2000, as well as the 1998 State Champion team.

Dante came to NBHS already stamped with the destiny of future success on him. Just how successful he would become was a phenomenon. From establishing a record for most points in a single game scored by a freshman (34), to the thrill of hitting a home run in Fenway Park as a sophomore during the State Championship game, to attaining one of the top spots as an All-Time Scorer at NBHS with 1227 points, to being the first player in NBHS history to be named to Big Three All Stars in both football and basketball for four straight years, to being the only NBHS player to be named both the Otto Graham Award winner and the Dave Cowens Award winner, to being named Athlete of the Year by the Standard-Times and the Boston Globe, to the Globe's William Phelps Scholar Athlete Award, to Comcast's Mass. From male Athlete of the Year to the NBHS Murphy Award, the accolades, rewards and achievements were never-ending.

Upon graduation, Dante chose to go to Harvard where his successes continued both with football and the academics. He was a four year varsity starter, was the first player in the school's history to be selected to the All Ivy League first team for four years, was a four time All New England selection, was the recipient of the Harvard College Senior Athlete of the Year and numerous other awards both as a team member and as an individual.

He currently lives in Milton, MA with his wife Kelley, also a 2000 graduate of NBHS. They live with their children: Anna, 4; Dante, 3; Marco, 1.

He works for a Boston-based private equity fund that invests in late-stage technology businesses.

Known as "Camp" to his teammates and coaches, Aaron was an outstanding three-sport athlete at NBHS from 1996-2000. While playing soccer, basketball, and baseball for the Whalers, he was elected Team Captain for all three sports during his senior year and earned Big 3 Conference All-Star and Standard Times All-Star accolades in each respective season. He was also the recipient of The Standard-Times Leadership Award and NAACP Scholar-Athlete Award in 2000. In addition, he was voted "Most Athletic" by his fellow classmates for senior superlatives.

As a midfielder in soccer, point guard in basketball, and shortstop in baseball, Aaron excelled both offensively and defensively in each sport; and he had a knack for coming up with timely plays in big spots. He proved to be an integral part of several Big 3 Championship teams, as well as South Sectional Final teams. He was a sophomore member of the 1998 State Champion Baseball team that won the title at Fenway Park.

Not only was Aaron a great player between the lines but also was a terrific student in the classroom. He graduated from NBHS with Highest Honors and was inducted into the National Honor Society. In addition, he was chosen as the recipient of a

"Headmaster's Scholarship" as a senior.

After graduating from New Bedford High, Aaron enrolled at Boston College, where he continued his athletic career as a member of the Division 1 Baseball team. Despite competing against top-notch college talent, the annual highlights were always playing at Fenway Park for the Bean Pot Championship and the Spring Training exhibition game against the Boston Red Sox in Fort Myers. He graduated from BC in 2004 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology with a Pre-Med concentration.

Following college graduation, Aaron attended the University of Connecticut Dental School from 2005-2009, graduating with a Doctorate in Dental Medicine (DMD). Following this, he spent 2009-2010 at Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond completing his residency in Advanced General Dentistry, where he also met his future wife.

Aaron currently resides in Westport, MA with his fiancée Stephanie, and their chocolate lab mix, Griffey. He works as a General Dentist at Brooklawn Dental Health Center on Ashley Boulevard in New Bedford. In his spare time, Aaron enjoys spending time with family and friends, rooting for his Boston sports teams, and playing golf.

Like a meteor, Rich Rogers flashed across the NBHS landscape. He did not participate in Whaler athletics until the spring of his junior year as he was a member of the JROTC program for his four high school years. Once he began to compete, it was obvious to all that he was born to run.

As a junior, Rich immediately found success running the 400m and 800m events, and he was anchoring the 4x800m when the championship meets rolled around in late May-early June. He teamed with seniors Peter Hamel and John Gomes and junior Geoff Paine as the relay eventually won the New England title with a school record time of 7:58.22.

His senior season saw him run all three competitive seasons, and he displayed his versatility as he excelled racing the five-kilometer cross-country distance as well as any other running event on the track. Indoors, Rich and Somalian refugee Abdirizak Mohammed waged three epic 600m races with both dead-heating in the State Division 1 meet. Their time of 1:20.73 was a meet record until last year. Mohammed, a two-time National H.S. Cross Country Champion (Foot Locker) was ruled the winner by 001 of a second. The following week Mohammed edged Rich by .08 at the All-State and then bested Rich a third time at the New England's by. 15. However, Rich was able to finish each meet by anchoring the team's 4x400m relay to titles that helped alleviate the sting of losing to the nation's best cross-country runner.

During the outdoor season, Rich would once again battle Mohammed over the 800m distance and an additional opponent in Brookline's Jon Riley, named Outstanding H.S. Indoor Track and Field athlete by Track and Field News. This pitted three of the country's best runners in both the Division 1 and All-State Meets. In one of the most highly anticipated races in memory, Mohammed edged Rich again at the line as both athletes bested Riley; however, the following week, Riley (who later represented the USA in the '04 Olympics in Athens, Greece) emerged victorious in another strategic race that found all three runners only six-tenths of a second apart. Rich's time for 880 yards was 1:53.65 which converts to under 1:52.9 for the more commonly run 800m distance.

The Whalers were dominating the 4x400m relay during Rich's senior year, by having won the All-State relay both indoors and outdoors. Rich with seniors Nelson Rivera, Steve Rivera, and junior Yusel White dominated the most popular relay during the 1996-1997 season. The Whalers, who are the only school to win All-State outdoor team titles (a total of 7) over four consecutive decades from

1976-2002, lost a close team title by finishing in the runner-up position at this 97 All-State Meet.

Rich went on to star at Meridian Community College in Mississippi where he was a Junior College All-American and ran the fastest American-born 1000m in the junior college system during the '98- *99 indoor season. After Meridian, he went on to serve our country and was selected to enter the Ranger Assessment and Selection Program and is a US Army Ranger School Graduate. His position currently is a squad leader and staff Sergeant serving in the Ist Ranger Battalion: 75th Ranger Regiment, United States Army Special Operations Command.

When not deployed, Rich resides on Hunter Army Airfield in Savannah, GA with his wife Sasithorn and son Athen who is ten years old.

For Rebecca athletics became her passion upon entering New Bedford High School as a freshman. She competed for all four years on the volleyball team, the basketball team, and the spring track team. Furthermore, she was extremely successful in all three sports.

While starting on the varsity volleyball team for two years, she participated in winning two Big-Three League Championships, and in being part of the first female volleyball team in NBHS's history to win the Massachusetts High School Division I State Volleyball Championship.

In addition to these thrills, Rebecca was selected to the S-T All-Star Team and also had the honor of competing on the Coastal Junior Olympics Team for two years. These honors came because she refused to cave into an early-season injury. Instead, she led the team in passing efficiency at 481.

When the season changed she looked forward to her favorite sport, basketball. During her last two years as a starter on the varsity, Rebecca gained everyone's respect as someone who had a strong knowledge of the game and had a great attitude on and off the floor. She earned the role as the captain and was known as an all-around player who understood the meaning of "team" skills and abilities earned her many awards including the Robin Dabrowski Award, S-T All-Stars Team (twice), Dave Cowens League All-Stars Team, NB Holiday Tournament All Stars Team, Silver Lake Holiday Tournament MVP and Big Three League All-Stars. Additionally, Rebecca was a nominee to the Massachusetts Top 80 All-Stars Team, competed for two years in the prestigious Bay State Games, and was on the Coastal Team, winning the Bronze Medal in 1994 and the Silver Medal in 1995 at the Boston Garden.

Then the time came for Spring Track. Using many of the same skills and talents she displayed earlier, Rebecca was once again part of a team that won three Big Three titles. Her accomplishments included being named captain her senior year and qualifying twice for the Glenn Loukes Games in White Plains, NY in the long jump. A major highlight was breaking the NBHS Freshman triple jump record at that time and being selected as the outstanding female athlete representing NBHS in the Massachusetts Girls and Women in Sports Day in Boston.

After graduation, Rebecca entered St. Joseph's College in Maine. She continued the same success in and out of the classroom and again made a name for herself athletically and academically.

She continued to garner numerous awards and to be named to All-Star Teams at various levels. since graduating from college, she has continued to excel in her career and has moved up the ladder to her current position of Assistant Principal of Great Falls Elementary School in Gorham, Maine. She became the youngest administrator employed in the school district at that time. She is forever grateful for the education, guidance, mentorship, and support that all her coaches and teachers at NBHS offered to her. Her hope as an administrator is that she will help students achieve and exceed their goals in the same way that NBHS helped her.

She is married to Michael Fortier, an elementary PE teacher for the Gorham School Dept. They live in Gorham, Maine with their three children: Aiden age 8, Abigail age 7, and Andrew age 4.

Her parents continue to reside in New Bedford and she and her family visit New Bedford olten.

She will always be proud to be a "Whaler" for life.

When Maureen entered her freshman year at New Bedford High School, it was obvious by her records and awards that she had made an early decision to become fully involved with the sports programs offered to both young men and young women at the school. Early on she participated with the Spring Track and Field program until 1990.

This was in addition to her participation in both the Field Hockey program and the Basketball program. Both sports kept her busy for all four years of her high school experience.

Her efforts with the Field Hockey team were rewarded by her selection to the Standard-Times First Team All-Stars, not only in her junior year but also in her senior year. Her selection also to the Bristol County All-Stars First Team further distinguished her abilities in an even larger pool of candidates.

As the seasons changed, Maureen's attention shifted to the Basketball team. Her abilities on the court made her stand out and thus earned her special recognition once again. First, her junior year added to her scrapbook memories by being selected to the Old Rochester Regional All-Tourney First Team All-Stars and the Silver Lake All-Tournament First Team All-Stars.

Then, her senior year took her abilities over the state line into Rhode Island where her skills were once again recognized and earned her a selection as a member of the Ocean State First Team All-Stars. This honor joined her selection back home in New Bedford to the Standard-Times First Team All-Stars.

To round out her athletic abilities with her academic abilities, Maureen was honored in 1990 with an NBHS Scholar-Athlete Award for basketball. Then, in 1992, Maureen represented NBHS as a Dave Cowens Award Nominee. These honors were capped off with her selection in 1992 as the Female Athlete of the Year. This was obviously well-deserved.

After high school graduation, Maureen headed to Bridgewater State College where she continued her playing days with the Field Hockey team. Once again her skills were noted with several selections. In 1994, she was chosen for the MASCAC All-Conference First Team All-Stars and also Player of the Week twice during the regular season.

In 1995, she again was chosen for the MASCAC All-Conference First Team All-Stars. Also, she increased her tally for Player of the Week, being selected three times during the regular season. These awards were capped off with her being voted 1 of 2 top scorers in MASCAC.

Currently, Maureen resides in Boston.

It is safe to say that John Macaroco has experienced the sport of soccer from almost every angle. He played for all four years at New Bedford High School. His junior and senior years found him as a starter on the varsity team coached by Manny Matos. Especially impressive during his senior year, on a team everyone considered "no threat", Co-captain Macaroco helped change their minds with his 19 goals and 11 assists during the regular season and helped make the team the co-champions of the SMC Div 1. His efforts were rewarded with All-Star Honors in SMC Div 1, Standard-Times All-Stars, Boston Herald All-Stars, and Boston Globe All-Stars. In addition to these honors, John was also named to the All-State team.

After graduation, John entered Massasoit College and during his time there [84-85] he added many additional honors to his name. These included becoming the all-time leading Goal Scorer, a 2 year National Tournament All-Star, First Team All-American [84], First Team All-New England [85], and a Hall of Fame inductee in 2011. All of these honors are further proof of his skills and proficiency.

John then entered the University of Rhode Island where he played and started both years.

In 1987 he was the Atlantic 10 Leading Goal Scorer. His soccer awards at URI were followed by his Bachelor of Science degree in 1989.

Again in 1995, another honor came with his induction into the NSCAA (National Soccer

Coaches Athletic Association) Hall of Fame.

Finally, coming full circle, John returned to the athletic fields of New Bedford High by becoming the Boys Soccer Head Coach in 2001. This is a position that is still held by him.

During his tenure in this position, his teams have won 9 Big Three Championships, 2 Division

1 South Sectional Championships, 2010 Eastern Mass Champions, and a State Finalist.

In 2010-2011 he was named Boston Globe Coach of the Year.

In addition to his vast experience in so many areas of soccer, the role of a player as a Semi-Pro for many years in LASA (Luso American Soccer Association) must also be added.

Along with coaching, he is also the business owner of M & R Screenprinting.

John currently resides in Acushnet with his wife of 25 years, Debbi,e and their two children: daughter Sorrell ('09) and son JB ('II).

Larry Livramento was born in Cocoli Canal Zone, Panama, but became a 100% NBHS Whaler. At New Bedford High School, Larry competed on three sports teams: football, basketball and spring track. His teammates remember his unselfish play and his determined spirit whenever they think of their high school athletic adventures.

One of the greatest moments in his high school athletic career came during his senior year in a game that had the drama of a heart-wrenching movie since as a senior it would be his last high school football game, it was against arch-rival, Durfee, and it meant being champions of the Bristol County. Although NBHS was holding a 7-0 lead in the third quarter, there was still too much time left to be certain of a victory, since they were about to turn the ball over to Durfec. The Whalers were on their own 20-yard line and forced to punt. 

Larry was not only the quarterback, but also the Whalers' kicker. The snap was low and bounced past him with

the crowd moaning in pain. Larry saved the ball at the 8-yard line, but by now was facing the prospect of being mangled by a sea of red and black jerseys. Somehow, no one knows for sure just how Larry through pure determination and skill escaped the mass of jerseys and began a run toward the goalpost at the opposite end of the field. While the crowd of approximately 10,000 roared with delight and disbelief, this "special" young man ran for a 92-yard touchdown! Adding another 19-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter, Larry guaranteed the New Bedford crowd a victory and brought home the Bristol County Championship. Truly, this was better than a Hollywood movie script.

Larry also experienced success with the NB Whaler Basketball Team which compiled a

13-1 record and won the Bristol County League Championship. He was noted as one of the top rebounders in the Bristol County League and was one of the three NBHS team members averaging in double figures. (17.4) Larry was then selected to the Standard-Times All Bristol County League All-Stars, joining his teammates, Ed Rodrigues, and Brian Baptiste, to fill in three of the five positions selected.

He was an outstanding performer on the spring track team, holding the New Bedford High School record in the triple jump from 1971 - 1978.

Following graduation, he entered the University of Connecticut on a football scholarship and was the starting quarterback for the UConn freshmen. He also made the freshmen basketball team as a walk-on and averaged 15.2 points, second highest on the team.

Unfortunately, Larry passed away in November of 2013 due to cancer. He was survived by his wife Ida Denise (Bacon) and his parents, Edwin L. and Dorothy, as well as two brothers and six sisters and an extended family of loved ones and friends.

Although Rick played baseball for New Bedford High School in the 50s, he has proven to be one of the greatest players to wear the "Red and White". Throughout his three years with the team coached by Mr. Charles Luchetti, he earned many awards and special recognitions. By the end of his senior year, the 1957 team had ended with 14 wins brought about by some spectacular performances and concluded one of the finest regular season records in the school's history of baseball.

Rick's lifetime love for baseball began at a young age with Centre Jewelry in the Elks Pony League. From there, he moved to his stint with Mt. Carmel in the CYO League. Both of these teams had successful seasons and were crowned champions. Later he entered New Bedford High School and spent three outstanding seasons with the Crimson baseball team.

Throughout his career with the Crimson, he continued to build up impressive stats. Against New Bedford Voke - 14 strikeouts - 3-0 win; Holy Family - 12 strikeouts - 5-4 win; Attleboro 11 strikeouts- 9-2 win; Brockton - 10 strikeouts - 5-1 win; Coyle - 17 strikeouts - 4-1 win;

Fairhaven - 22 strikeouts - 1-0 win in 13 innings.

This success for Rick and the Crimson brought about an invitation to the Eastern Mass Schoolboy Tournament to face Milford High whose record was 15W-IL. While impressive, the 15-1 record did not stymie the New Bedford High team. Once again, Rick threw 12 strikeouts and the Crimson defeated Milford 2-0.

These efforts throughout his career brought special recognition to Rick. He was selected to the all-Bristol County Team in '55,

'56 and '57. He was selected to the 1st Teams for New Bedford, Fall River, and Taunton. Perhaps his greatest recognition was to be signed by the then-Brooklyn Dodgers and invited to camp in Vero Beach, Florida. Unfortunately, his father would not let him go since he needed to work in the family-owned business.

He continued with his passion for baseball after graduation by playing in the Twilight League with Perfection Oil. Once again, Rick was with a championship team who won the title in 1958.

In 1959, he turned to another passion and entered the music business. For 38 years, he has been the leader of the Meltones Orchestra.

Rick currently lives in Fall River with his significant other of 18 years, Patricia Garner.

His son, Kyle, is the musical director at the Newport Playhouse.

Manny Lima was a three-sport varsity athlete at New Bedford High School from 1954 - 1956.

During that time he spent three years on the basketball and baseball teams and played soccer during his junior and senior years in high school.

Joining the varsity soccer team his junior year, he played fullback for Coach Benny Wilson. Being part of the 1955 team gave him the great thrill of going undefeated, and then, becoming State Champions. This was followed by becoming co-captain for his senior year.

Manny played varsity for three years for Coaches Stan Grabie and Al Palmieri at the high school.

Manny and the team experienced one of the greatest highlights by beating Durfee, who was undefeated at the time, at the Fall River Boys Club his senior year. That proved even more impressive by the fact that Durfee then went on to win the New England Tournament, with their only loss to the Crimson.

A second highlight was being able to play on the same floor as the Celtics in the old Boston Garden during the Tech Tournament.

His greatest passion came with his third sport, baseball. Manny started playing varsity baseball under Coach Jack Cronin and then played junior and senior years under Coach Charles Luchetti.

Showing great power and skills earned him the honor of being selected All Bristol County in his junior and senior years in New Bedford, Fall River, and Taunton. During his junior year, he hit a game-winning home run in the State tournament for a 2-0 win over Milford. His hitting earned him the nickname "Little Ted" from the New Bedford Standard-Times, referring to the great Ted Williams.

He then achieved Honorable All-State in his senior year, batting .462.

After graduation, Manny attended Dean Junior College for a short time before signing a professional bascall contract with the then Brooklyn Dodgers. He was assigned to the Reno Silver Sox in the California League by them and later spent a spring with the Chicago White Sox. This was followed by time played in the Cape Cod League with the Wareham Gatemen and the Sagamore Town Team, and finally, numerous semi-pro teams.

After his playing days slowed down, his passion for baseball did not. He turned his attention to the coaching and the promotion of baseball. He was a coach for the Exchange Club in the Colt League and the Teener League, and he ran the league for a number of years. In 1980 NB Post One folded, at which point Manny took over and has continued for the last 35* years. His accomplishments in that capacity also proved amazing. In 1993 they were the Northeast Regional Champions, World Series in Roseburg, Oregon. In 1997 they were State Champions after 33 years. More recently, Manny was the driving force to upgrade Walsh's baseball field with a press box, lights, dugouts, fences, etc. It is no wonder that in the city of New Bedford, his name is synonymous with this sport.

He has been married to his wife Elaine for thirty years. They have three children, all graduates of NBHS: Mark- football and ice hockey; Sharon- cheerleader; Wayne- football and ice hockey. Manny and Elaine were also honored by the Prince Henry Society for Man and Woman of the Year.