Malden High Alumni Association Hall of Fame Induction and Banquet set for May 1

Tickets now available; six new inductees will be honored at Anthony’s of Malden

By Steve Freker

The achievements of six distinguished alumni will be celebrated when the Malden High School Alumni Association hosts its 7th Biennial Hall of Fame Induction and Banquet. The event will be held on Friday, May 1 at 6:00 p.m. at Anthony’s of Malden, 105 Canal St., Malden. Tickets are available by mail with checks made out to MHSAA. Return to: Malden High School Alumni Association, P.O. Box 47, Malden, MA 02148 or contact Camille Colantuoni, 781-632-1646/email: cm*****@*ol.com. Tickets are $50 per person.

The 2026 inductees are as follows:

ALAN “LANNY” BERMAN, Ph.D. Class of 1961— Science: Adjunct Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Science st the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. His research on Suicide and Suicide Prevention is world-renowned — Executive Director emeritus of the American Association of Suicidology, 1995-2014.

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PHILIP CONTI, D.M.D., Class of 1953— Community Service: Dedicated and caring Malden dentist serving his patients for over 60 years. Founded Malden’s Project Triangle & Malden Special Olympics. Instructor at Northeast Metropolitan Regional Vocational High School’s post-high dental assistant program and a lifelong tenor soloist.

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KEVIN JARVIS, Class of 1974 — Government: A U.S. Marine, assigned to the Marine Corps Security Forces in embassies around the world, with a focus on war crimes and terrorism; Veterans’ Services Officer in the City of Malden. Worked with Veteran community to address homelessness and provide needed housing.

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PHYLLIS KARAS, Class of 1961 — Arts: Adjunct professor at Boston University School of Journalism. Writer for Boston Herald and People magazine and author of many books, on famous people from Hollywood stars to the South Boston Crime world. (Books: “Brutal,” “Hunted Down,” “Women of Southie.”)

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MICHAEL SOUZA, Class of 1975 — Business: President & CEO of multiple companies that became successes due to Michael’s strong insight. Money raised each year to support and assist child abuse victims and veterans and provide scholarships for needy youth and to honor community heroes and first responders. First Poet Laureate of the town of North Andover.

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ARLENE VELLEMAN, Class of 1975 — Education: Special Education Teacher and Advocate. Hosts the podcast and MATV Show “The 15 Minute Advocate.” American Sign Language interpreter for children’s theater, promoted full-access performances for the Deaf, Hard of Hearing and Special Needs Communities.

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The MHSAA invites all to attend this special evening and also is asking supporters to consider taking an ad in the Hall of Fame Program Book. For more information on this, contact Len Iovino, 781-321-3568/email: lv*****@***oo.com or Fran Mauriello at 781-324-7426/email: xs******@*ol.com.

Here’s how the inductees are selected

From the start of the Hall of Fame event, the Malden High School Alumni Association has been asking for nominations of MHS graduates to the MHSAA Hall of Fame. It is the purpose of the Hall of Fame to recognize Malden High School alumni for exceptional achievement in their chosen careers or for their outstanding contributions to the Malden Community and beyond.

MHS Alumni are eligible to be nominated to the Hall of Fame 10 years after graduating. Inductees are selected from the following categories:

• Arts – recognition for outstanding achievement in cultural, visual or performing arts
• Business – recognition for outstanding accomplishments and/or leadership in the business world
• Community Service – recognition for special contributions to the Malden community and beyond
• Education – recognition for career accomplishments in education, or for contributions to the field of education
• Government – recognition for outstanding service to the city, state, or national government
• Media – recognition for outstanding achievement in print or broadcast journalism
• Military Service – recognition for outstanding service in a branch of the armed services
• Sciences – recognition for career accomplishments in a scientific or medical-related field
• Technology – recognition for career accomplishments in the creation or application of technical processes for practical purposes

Inductees will be selected from nominations made by alumni and community members and reviewed by the Hall of Fame Selection Committee. To nominate, go to the MHSAA website at www.maldenhighalumni.com. The next MHSAA Hall of Fame induction and banquet will be held in May 2028.