3/31/2023
David Perritano
It’s a family affair for Dr. Ron and Michele Musto, who have been fixtures at Academy of the Holy Names since their first daughter attended Pre-K in the mid-80s.
It’s been a bit of a whirlwind since.
For Michele, who started as a volunteer, first serving hot lunches to students, then as a “room mother” for all three children (Kristen, Alexis, and Terence) and later an eighth-grade tutor. When presented with an opportunity from Mary Anne Vigilante to coordinate the High School Math Lab, Michele jumped at the chance. 32 years later, she added Algebra teacher, Assistant Principal, Division Head, and ultimately Principal to her resume.
Ron was there every step of the way. The associated activities in which he has offered his time (often with Michele) are a snapshot of his dedication to his children and to Holy Names: plays, shows, picnics, father-daughter dinner dances. Ron was also the bookkeeper for the Boutique Noel for several years and helped with concessions for several more. He coached fifth and sixth grade basketball for several years and ran an annual basketball tournament for grades 5 through 8 for about ten years. Ron and Michele chaperoned every middle and high school dance, Holly Ball and Prom for as long as memory serves. Ron has also been the supervising physician for the Automatic Implantable Cardioverter-Defibrillator (AICD) program. In the last several years Ron has also happily been the “unofficial” accompanist for all manner of Holy Names events including liturgies, graduations, ceremonies, song contests and cocktail parties.
Both say it’s an honor to receive The John Henry Farrell Building the Future Award – one named for such a prestigious member of Albany (Farrell created the modern Times Union).
John H. Farrell visited the Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary (SNJM) in 1880 and expressed his wish to register his seven-year-old daughter Mary. Mr. Farrell was not only the father of the first student but a lifelong friend and faithful benefactor of the Sisters.
The award named in his honor is given to individuals who, through their continual service and dedication to Holy Names, have a lasting impact on the student body and entire campus, and whose commitment to the school and its student body have helped in AHN’s growth and development leaving a lifelong imprint on its campus, staff, and students.
“As my time at Holy Names is coming to a close, I think of Eulalie Durocher (Blessed Mother Marie Rose) and her dream to educate girls,” Michele says. “She provided the foundation upon which the future of Holy Names is built. During my 38-year affiliation with Holy Names, I have worked with faculty and staff of the utmost professionalism; they embrace the Mission of the school and the charism of the Sisters (of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary). To them, I say thank you for all they bring to the students. It has been a privilege to go to school with them!”
Ron, who says the who are AHN “lifers” is most proud of their three competent, personable, family focused, ethical children. Michele agrees, but as many can attest, once you join the Holy Names family, your circle tends to expand.
“I can say that many of our friends today are from Holy Names,” Michele, the mathematician says. “My daughters are still friends with their classmates, some of them they have known since they were in Pre-K! I consider them part of our family. I guess you can say our family has grown exponentially!”