Poly Alumni Association Spirit Award 2020 - Matt Durando '96, P '30 by Poly Prep Alumni

Poly Alumni Association Spirit Award 2020 - Matt Durando '96, P '30 by Poly Prep Alumni https://padlet.com/PolyPrepAlumni/m1jbs7rjl9g511lz Congratulations, Matt! en-us 2020-10-06 13:19:02 UTC 2026-01-25 07:35:25 UTC hello@padlet.com https://padlet-uploads.storage.googleapis.com/557417952/b1cb40904536520ec20053fa765914d8/Blue_Devil.jpg Congratulations, Matt! alexmaresca https://padlet.com/PolyPrepAlumni/m1jbs7rjl9g511lz/wish/827193989 Matt, it is clear how much you love Poly. I just hope you know how much Poly loves you. You are responsible for so many smiles every day, not just from the kids but also parents and colleagues. You wear a lot of Poly hats but you wear them so well. I am thrilled that you are getting the recognition you deserve. Thank you for your incredible Poly Spirit and dedication to our school. ]]> 2020-10-14 02:03:35 UTC https://padlet.com/PolyPrepAlumni/m1jbs7rjl9g511lz/wish/827193989 From Matt Roventini '92 PolyPrepAlumni https://padlet.com/PolyPrepAlumni/m1jbs7rjl9g511lz/wish/829897067 2020-10-14 18:44:44 UTC https://padlet.com/PolyPrepAlumni/m1jbs7rjl9g511lz/wish/829897067 Dear Matt, jamesfriel92 https://padlet.com/PolyPrepAlumni/m1jbs7rjl9g511lz/wish/833661486 I was so happy to see that you won the spirit award. It is rare people like you that make Poly the special place that it is. In such a short period, you made me feel like family. You are integral to what makes Poly baseball a community.
Keep teaching people that winning and being kind are never mutually exclusive. Your old players are better people for having learned that from you. I'm a better man for having learned that from you, no doubt. Cheers Coach.]]> 2020-10-15 18:58:32 UTC https://padlet.com/PolyPrepAlumni/m1jbs7rjl9g511lz/wish/833661486 From Maureen Sapega P'99,'03,'07 https://padlet.com/PolyPrepAlumni/m1jbs7rjl9g511lz/wish/834241883 Matt - Congratulations on winning this year's Spirit Award. Thank you for teaching by example - to be kind, offer assistance and always with the biggest smile. Your impact on your students, friends and colleagues is enviable. Thank you for your dedication to our entire community - you make Poly a better place.]]> 2020-10-15 23:41:17 UTC https://padlet.com/PolyPrepAlumni/m1jbs7rjl9g511lz/wish/834241883 Congratulations, Matt! https://padlet.com/PolyPrepAlumni/m1jbs7rjl9g511lz/wish/835262846 2020-10-16 12:02:45 UTC https://padlet.com/PolyPrepAlumni/m1jbs7rjl9g511lz/wish/835262846 Matt -- Congratulations on this well-deserved award. Your warmth, dedication and generous spirit inspire children and parents everyday. My children adored you as a teacher. As a parent, I am so grateful for your kind smile whenever I see you at Poly. You always stop and ask how our family is doing. That is Poly spirit. That is Poly community. Thank you. margaretschilling28 https://padlet.com/PolyPrepAlumni/m1jbs7rjl9g511lz/wish/835343368 2020-10-16 12:40:22 UTC https://padlet.com/PolyPrepAlumni/m1jbs7rjl9g511lz/wish/835343368 This recognition is so well-deserved! https://padlet.com/PolyPrepAlumni/m1jbs7rjl9g511lz/wish/835400925 Matt, you are the kind of teacher/coach/leader that kids remember for the rest of their lives. That is so powerful! And you never squander it -- teaching kindness and inclusion in everything you do.

The Poly Community is so lucky to have you.

Angela Ortiz ]]> 2020-10-16 13:01:08 UTC https://padlet.com/PolyPrepAlumni/m1jbs7rjl9g511lz/wish/835400925 Dear Matt, Congratulations on receiving this year's Spirit Award...so deserving. Thank you for being such an amazing teacher and coach to Bart. You are always there for others and your love for Poly is evident in everything you do to make our school a "Poly Family" Congratulations, again Matty D! https://padlet.com/PolyPrepAlumni/m1jbs7rjl9g511lz/wish/835544240 Love,
The Moroney Family ]]> 2020-10-16 13:41:56 UTC https://padlet.com/PolyPrepAlumni/m1jbs7rjl9g511lz/wish/835544240 https://padlet.com/PolyPrepAlumni/m1jbs7rjl9g511lz/wish/835913275 Congrats Matty D this is so well deserved. Miss you and thank you for everything. ]]> 2020-10-16 15:20:36 UTC https://padlet.com/PolyPrepAlumni/m1jbs7rjl9g511lz/wish/835913275 Congratulations!!! https://padlet.com/PolyPrepAlumni/m1jbs7rjl9g511lz/wish/836014965 You are an incredible part of the Poly community and one of the people I miss the most. You have been nothing but kind and caring to me and my siblings throughout our Poly experience. You always had a bright smile and a kind word to say to every student. As a coach, you would take time out of your day to help me even though I wasn’t even your player, which was very appreciated. If anyone deserves this award, it’s you. Congratulations!!! Wishing you all the best.

Kerri Saputo]]> 2020-10-16 15:46:42 UTC https://padlet.com/PolyPrepAlumni/m1jbs7rjl9g511lz/wish/836014965 Congrats!! stephenbates1 https://padlet.com/PolyPrepAlumni/m1jbs7rjl9g511lz/wish/836081566 Congrats, Matt! You are very deserving of this award, as your passion for and dedication to the Poly community are always evident.
-Steve Bates]]> 2020-10-16 16:04:21 UTC https://padlet.com/PolyPrepAlumni/m1jbs7rjl9g511lz/wish/836081566 A well deserved honor! https://padlet.com/PolyPrepAlumni/m1jbs7rjl9g511lz/wish/837325528 When I visited Lower Poly for the first time, it was Mr Durando who sold me on the school in a chance encounter in the hallway when I got separated from the tour. We chatted for several minutes and I said to myself, if all the faculty and staff at Poly are as great as this guy, I know my kids will be in good hands. And they have been since then! Thanks Matt and congratulations!
Kippy Joseph P’24, ‘26]]> 2020-10-17 03:20:59 UTC https://padlet.com/PolyPrepAlumni/m1jbs7rjl9g511lz/wish/837325528 YOU are the BEST! https://padlet.com/PolyPrepAlumni/m1jbs7rjl9g511lz/wish/839354460 Hello Matt,

Your smile and attitude is so warm and welcoming to everyone. You completely embody the true meaning of the Spirit Award. We are all so lucky you are a part of the Poly community! Not only do Tom and I enjoy spending time with you but all three of my children value your friendship. Thomas especially enjoys swapping fishing stories with you. You are so kind and generous with your time, it is no surprise that you are all the students favorite!! Thank you for your incredible dedication and positive outlook.

Congratulations!! Tom, Barbara, Caroline, Claudia and Thomas

]]> 2020-10-18 23:33:03 UTC https://padlet.com/PolyPrepAlumni/m1jbs7rjl9g511lz/wish/839354460 Congratulations! https://padlet.com/PolyPrepAlumni/m1jbs7rjl9g511lz/wish/841012837 I truly can't think of someone more deserving of this award. Your smile and constant positivity are infectious. Poly is more than lucky to have you!]]> 2020-10-19 13:45:28 UTC https://padlet.com/PolyPrepAlumni/m1jbs7rjl9g511lz/wish/841012837 https://padlet.com/PolyPrepAlumni/m1jbs7rjl9g511lz/wish/842919863 Great teacher, coach, brother and friend

I’ve had the privilege of being taught by, coached with, and like most who Durando- felt his aggregate approach to the game of life! Congratulations- well deserved and wish you the best in the future! ]]> 2020-10-19 21:56:16 UTC https://padlet.com/PolyPrepAlumni/m1jbs7rjl9g511lz/wish/842919863 Simply the Best https://padlet.com/PolyPrepAlumni/m1jbs7rjl9g511lz/wish/843002515 Matty there is no one better than you! Working with you 24/7 at camp and at the Lower school was a dream come true. You absolutely earned this honor! I can not think of a better person or friend that deserves this!

Love always Devon]]> 2020-10-19 22:52:07 UTC https://padlet.com/PolyPrepAlumni/m1jbs7rjl9g511lz/wish/843002515 Simply Simply the best https://padlet.com/PolyPrepAlumni/m1jbs7rjl9g511lz/wish/843005620 2020-10-19 22:54:26 UTC https://padlet.com/PolyPrepAlumni/m1jbs7rjl9g511lz/wish/843005620 Congratulations! mpiscopo1_2 https://padlet.com/PolyPrepAlumni/m1jbs7rjl9g511lz/wish/844313078 Matt, congratulations on this well deserved honor. From your days as a Poly student, loved LS teacher and respected baseball coach you have modeled all that is good at Poly. I am a better person for knowing you as a student, teacher and coach, congratulations!
-Mildred Piscopo]]> 2020-10-20 10:58:02 UTC https://padlet.com/PolyPrepAlumni/m1jbs7rjl9g511lz/wish/844313078 Mr. Poly https://padlet.com/PolyPrepAlumni/m1jbs7rjl9g511lz/wish/844597512 Working this year with Matt (Mr. Durando) in PE has been a real pleasure. He is quite simply the heartbeat of the Lower School. He bleeds blue and grey and is a very fitting receipt of the Poly Spirit Award. Having gone to Poly and now carving out his career at Poly— Matt is the embodiment of all the good that Poly stands for: Mind, Body, Spirit!]]> 2020-10-20 12:59:25 UTC https://padlet.com/PolyPrepAlumni/m1jbs7rjl9g511lz/wish/844597512 https://padlet.com/PolyPrepAlumni/m1jbs7rjl9g511lz/wish/845535162 There is an adage in team sports that no name on the back of the jersey is bigger than the name on the front. But when the name on the back is Durando, its name has become one and the same with the front. ]]> 2020-10-20 16:13:27 UTC https://padlet.com/PolyPrepAlumni/m1jbs7rjl9g511lz/wish/845535162 Congratulations! https://padlet.com/PolyPrepAlumni/m1jbs7rjl9g511lz/wish/845689783 2020-10-20 16:44:33 UTC https://padlet.com/PolyPrepAlumni/m1jbs7rjl9g511lz/wish/845689783 Chris Peters https://padlet.com/PolyPrepAlumni/m1jbs7rjl9g511lz/wish/850584033
Matt,

I can't think of a better person for this honor. It was a privilege for me to work with you in the Lower School. I will always remember your dedication to the children and your positive spirit! Congratulations.

Chris Peters]]> 2020-10-21 22:27:29 UTC https://padlet.com/PolyPrepAlumni/m1jbs7rjl9g511lz/wish/850584033 Matt, as your former teacher and coach, I was thrilled when I heard that you were this year’s recipient of the Spirit Award! Thanks for all your positive energy and good will through the years. You make Poly a better place. Congratulations! gstone25 https://padlet.com/PolyPrepAlumni/m1jbs7rjl9g511lz/wish/852223615 2020-10-22 12:59:10 UTC https://padlet.com/PolyPrepAlumni/m1jbs7rjl9g511lz/wish/852223615 Matt, https://padlet.com/PolyPrepAlumni/m1jbs7rjl9g511lz/wish/853060092 Heartfelt and sincere congratulations. The dedication, respect, genuine concern & concern is just one of the many reasons this award is so well deserved. As mentioned by many, you truly embody all the good at Poly. We are all very fortunate to have someone as special as you in our lives.
Congratulations!!

Love,
Billy & Danielle Basso]]> 2020-10-22 15:55:56 UTC https://padlet.com/PolyPrepAlumni/m1jbs7rjl9g511lz/wish/853060092 Congratulations! PolyPrepAlumni https://padlet.com/PolyPrepAlumni/m1jbs7rjl9g511lz/wish/853503116 Thank you for the positive impact you've made on Eric's Lower School years (you too, Mr. S!) Long live floor hockey in PE!
Congrats and well deserved!
Much love, The Muoio Family]]> 2020-10-22 17:28:33 UTC https://padlet.com/PolyPrepAlumni/m1jbs7rjl9g511lz/wish/853503116 Diane & Ed Ruck https://padlet.com/PolyPrepAlumni/m1jbs7rjl9g511lz/wish/855805024 Congratulations Matt,welcome to the club.I cannot think of a more deserving person.Your love of Poly shows in everything you do.I have be very fortunate to have known you as a student,captain of my first varsity baseball team and as a colleague,but most importantly a friend.Poly is very lucky to have you working in the lower school and coaching Varsity Baseball with Matt ,you two make such a great team.Once again congratulations,Diane and I love you.]]> 2020-10-23 13:50:26 UTC https://padlet.com/PolyPrepAlumni/m1jbs7rjl9g511lz/wish/855805024 Kevin Heller '08 https://padlet.com/PolyPrepAlumni/m1jbs7rjl9g511lz/wish/856210078 Congratulations Coach Matty D! Can't think of a more deserving recipient for this award. I'll never be able to thank you enough for making me a better baseball player, but most importantly, a better person. You're second to none when it comes to caring about your players, and your kindness and warm heartedness are infectious to any and all around you. The class of 08 continues to discuss how much you mean to all of us, and how we miss the Matty D passion (and occasional Metallica music!). It's an honor to call Coach Durando both a mentor and a friend, and I say with all the confidence you've made Poly a better place!
Congratulations!]]> 2020-10-23 15:30:47 UTC https://padlet.com/PolyPrepAlumni/m1jbs7rjl9g511lz/wish/856210078 AJ Ventura '07 https://padlet.com/PolyPrepAlumni/m1jbs7rjl9g511lz/wish/856383416 Congratulations Coach Durando! We say this all the time, but there isn't a nicer person on this earth than you. Thank you for always making the time to work on the most minute details in practice, chat about baseball, school and life. You always have a smile on your face and treat everybody as if they are the best of friends, even when meeting them for the first time. There isn't a more deserving person for the Spirit Award, Poly is truly lucky to have you as a teacher, coach and mentor. Congrats again!]]> 2020-10-23 16:11:25 UTC https://padlet.com/PolyPrepAlumni/m1jbs7rjl9g511lz/wish/856383416 Congrats Matt Durando!!! You truly embody Poly's spirit and have made an impact beyond what you can imagine. It is an honor to call you a friend and to have you as part of the Poly family! qadirforbes https://padlet.com/PolyPrepAlumni/m1jbs7rjl9g511lz/wish/857362537 2020-10-23 21:15:12 UTC https://padlet.com/PolyPrepAlumni/m1jbs7rjl9g511lz/wish/857362537 Congratulations, Coach! https://padlet.com/PolyPrepAlumni/m1jbs7rjl9g511lz/wish/857528172 Thank you, Coach Durando! You have been a great mentor and friend! Need to get out on the water with you when I get back East! Nobody deserves this more than you!

- Sammy Jacobs ‘05]]> 2020-10-23 23:39:44 UTC https://padlet.com/PolyPrepAlumni/m1jbs7rjl9g511lz/wish/857528172 https://padlet.com/PolyPrepAlumni/m1jbs7rjl9g511lz/wish/857979674 Matt Durando is the best. ]]> 2020-10-24 12:21:23 UTC https://padlet.com/PolyPrepAlumni/m1jbs7rjl9g511lz/wish/857979674 https://padlet.com/PolyPrepAlumni/m1jbs7rjl9g511lz/wish/857991107 Coach Matt “Mr. Spirit” Durando,

Congratulations on this incredible and “MAJOR” award!! Can’t think of anyone more deserving. You tireless commitment to Poly is evident in all of your caring support to Poly’s athletes and students throughout the years. You are a true role model for us all and I am proud to call you a dear friend.

I wish I had a Battalion full of Matt Durandos.

Lieutenant Colonel Bryon Linnehan P ‘96]]> 2020-10-24 12:40:16 UTC https://padlet.com/PolyPrepAlumni/m1jbs7rjl9g511lz/wish/857991107 https://padlet.com/PolyPrepAlumni/m1jbs7rjl9g511lz/wish/858055679 There could not be a more deserving recipient of this award! Matt Durando embodies everything that Poly strives to be - he is simply one of the best coaches, mentors, educators and human beings we’ve ever come across! Our son is so lucky to have you as a positive force in his life. Congratulations Matty! The Zaremba family. Class of ‘95 and p ‘24 and p’29]]> 2020-10-24 14:11:21 UTC https://padlet.com/PolyPrepAlumni/m1jbs7rjl9g511lz/wish/858055679 Mr. Durando https://padlet.com/PolyPrepAlumni/m1jbs7rjl9g511lz/wish/858065190 You make us smile everyday. You bring joy to all upper and lower school.

Holly & Erin Byrne ❤️]]> 2020-10-24 14:22:43 UTC https://padlet.com/PolyPrepAlumni/m1jbs7rjl9g511lz/wish/858065190 Congratulations! https://padlet.com/PolyPrepAlumni/m1jbs7rjl9g511lz/wish/858137852 Matt, I genuinely believe that this is a well deserved award for you. A heartfelt and sincere congratulations goes out to you. You do so much for the Poly Community and are such a positive influence to everyone you come in contact with!
Congratulations

Lynda Casarella ]]> 2020-10-24 15:42:54 UTC https://padlet.com/PolyPrepAlumni/m1jbs7rjl9g511lz/wish/858137852 Aminata Diagne https://padlet.com/PolyPrepAlumni/m1jbs7rjl9g511lz/wish/858192750 CONGRATULATIONS Coach Durando!

You totally deserve this award!!!
👏🏾🏆🥇⚾️🌻🌈⭐️♥️

❌⭕️❌⭕️
Amina ‘30 ]]> 2020-10-24 16:40:43 UTC https://padlet.com/PolyPrepAlumni/m1jbs7rjl9g511lz/wish/858192750 Very Well Deserved! https://padlet.com/PolyPrepAlumni/m1jbs7rjl9g511lz/wish/858362082 My Dear Friend Matty,
It is of no surprise to me that you are being honored for anything at all, especially “Spirit”. You are one of the most caring, energetic and happy individuals that I know. You care deeply for your family, friends, colleagues, students and players. You take great pride in your work and it shows. I love listening to you speak about the great kids that you work with both on and off the field. You can see the joy in your eyes. I don’t think there is anyone more deserving of this honor than you. As a matter of fact, I believe that Poly should be honored that you are a part of their family, just as we all are. Congratulations!!!
- Angelo DiLeo]]> 2020-10-24 19:49:02 UTC https://padlet.com/PolyPrepAlumni/m1jbs7rjl9g511lz/wish/858362082 So well deserved! https://padlet.com/PolyPrepAlumni/m1jbs7rjl9g511lz/wish/858365587 Dear Matt,

Congratulations! I was thrilled to hear that you were selected as this year’s winner. We go back a long way and I can say from experience that you are, and always were, a gentle spirit - so kind and caring and always ready to lend a hand. Thank you for all you do for the community and for just being you.

All my best,

Marie Corkhill

]]> 2020-10-24 19:53:27 UTC https://padlet.com/PolyPrepAlumni/m1jbs7rjl9g511lz/wish/858365587 Simply the best! https://padlet.com/PolyPrepAlumni/m1jbs7rjl9g511lz/wish/858454986 Matt, you deserve this every year. You bring so much joy to our lives each day. I am proud to call you not only a colleague but a dear friend.
Congratulations and much love!
Bette Soto]]> 2020-10-24 21:58:54 UTC https://padlet.com/PolyPrepAlumni/m1jbs7rjl9g511lz/wish/858454986 Congrats, coach! https://padlet.com/PolyPrepAlumni/m1jbs7rjl9g511lz/wish/859776216 Matty D,
This is the perfect award and is so well deserved. Every day you came to the field or the bubble with a huge smile on your face, you would instantly change the mood of the entire team. We are all so grateful for your constant support (in baseball and beyond), great hitting advice, and positive energy.

Thank you for everything, and we hope to see you soon,
PP Baseball '20]]> 2020-10-25 19:46:27 UTC https://padlet.com/PolyPrepAlumni/m1jbs7rjl9g511lz/wish/859776216 https://padlet.com/PolyPrepAlumni/m1jbs7rjl9g511lz/wish/859786492 Congratulations, Matty D! ❤️ The Plym family ⚾️]]> 2020-10-25 19:55:39 UTC https://padlet.com/PolyPrepAlumni/m1jbs7rjl9g511lz/wish/859786492 Congratulations! PolyPrepAlumni https://padlet.com/PolyPrepAlumni/m1jbs7rjl9g511lz/wish/861400628 2020-10-26 12:36:24 UTC https://padlet.com/PolyPrepAlumni/m1jbs7rjl9g511lz/wish/861400628 Congrats from Head of School PolyPrepAlumni https://padlet.com/PolyPrepAlumni/m1jbs7rjl9g511lz/wish/861401648 Congratulations, Matt. You make other people happy, better, inspired, and confident. You are a true teacher and coach; your students and players will never forget the positive impact you've had on their lives. You live the truth that the more you give to life, the more life gives you. I am so very proud to be your colleague. - Audrius Barzdukas]]> 2020-10-26 12:36:43 UTC https://padlet.com/PolyPrepAlumni/m1jbs7rjl9g511lz/wish/861401648 Congratulations Matt! https://padlet.com/PolyPrepAlumni/m1jbs7rjl9g511lz/wish/862981465 It's always a joy to watch you with the kiddos. Thanks for being such sunshine no matter the weather! -Laura Grimm]]> 2020-10-26 18:04:03 UTC https://padlet.com/PolyPrepAlumni/m1jbs7rjl9g511lz/wish/862981465 Congratulations! PolyPrepAlumni https://padlet.com/PolyPrepAlumni/m1jbs7rjl9g511lz/wish/863251049 You make everyone a better version of themselves- no matter if they’re an old or new friend or if they see you daily, weekly, or monthly. You truly lift my spirits, as you do so many. I am honored to be your colleague!
Billy Joel’s “ You’re my Home” is an especially beautiful song which has always spoken to me- what a wonderful connection you made to Poly.
Wishing you all the very best, Matt. This couldn’t have been a better year for you to be the recipient.
Congratulations!!!
Peggy Cook]]> 2020-10-26 19:04:59 UTC https://padlet.com/PolyPrepAlumni/m1jbs7rjl9g511lz/wish/863251049 Congratulations! https://padlet.com/PolyPrepAlumni/m1jbs7rjl9g511lz/wish/863276532 Although I’ve only known you for a short time, a hearty congratulations for an award well earned! Your commitment to Poly is unquestionable and your sincere passion for your alma mater palpable. I look forward to working (and meeting in person!) with one of Poly Prep’s absolute best.

Opeyemi Laniyonu ]]> 2020-10-26 19:11:51 UTC https://padlet.com/PolyPrepAlumni/m1jbs7rjl9g511lz/wish/863276532