Malden High School Alumni Association honors Hall of Fame inductees on special night

Six are welcomed into the prestigious MHSAA ranks at banquet, ceremony

By Steve Freker

Malden High School never forgets its own; neither do its successful alumni, whose cherished memories live on long after they leave their Salem Street edifice of education. That was the major and recurring theme which became apparent at the recent Malden High School Alumni Association (MHSAA) Hall of Fame banquet and induction ceremony.

Six new inductees joined the ranks of the MHSAA Hall of Fame at the 7th Biennial Hall of Fame induction held at Anthony’s of Malden. This year’s inductees: Alan “Lanny” Berman, Ph.D. (Class of 1961); Philip Conti, D.M.D. (Class of 1953); Kevin Jarvis (Class of 1974); Phyllis Karas (Class of 1961); Michael Souza (Class of 1975); and Arlene Velleman (Class of 1975). Earlier on the day of the induction ceremony, the six honorees were guests of honor at a special luncheon held at Malden High School, hosted by Principal Chris Mastrangelo and members of the MHSAA.

Following the luncheon, the honored guest inductees were introduced to a group of students in the historic Jenkins Auditorium, where each inductee delivered brief remarks. MHS principal Mastrangelo served as master of ceremonies at the evening event, welcoming the audience of family, friends and others in attendance as well as performing the task of introducing the individual honorees. After their introduction, the newly inducted Hall of Famers delivered their remarks.

Alan “Lanny” Berman, Ph.D., a 1961 MHS graduate, was recognized for his accomplishments in the field of Science. He is recognized as one of the leading experts — internationally — on the subject of suicide and suicidal behavior, its underlying roots, causes and strategies to prevent it. His research and publication of over 135 articles and eight books, including the widely used and acclaimed “Comprehensive Textbook of Suicidology” (2000), have been credited greatly for furthering the goal of suicide prevention. Dr. Berman received his B.A. from Johns Hopkins University as well as a Ph.D. from the Catholic University of America. He is an adjunct professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine and formerly the executive director of the American Association of Suicidology and Director of the National Center for the Study and Prevention of Suicide at the Washington School of Psychiatry.

On the day of his induction, Dr. Berman said it was the first time he had stepped foot inside Malden High since the year he graduated — 64 years ago. “Being back in Malden High is sort of unreal. I mean, it’s been 64 years since I was in this building,” Dr. Berman said. “It’s wonderful, it brings back a lot of memories.”

Dr. Philip Conti, D.M.D., Class of 1953, was recognized for Community Service, through his over 60 years as a local dentist and his philanthropic work with what was then called Project Triangle, as one of its founders in 1971. Dr. Conti recalled collaborating with other Malden and community and business leaders who believed that employment is an essential part of gaining independence for those with physical and intellectual disabilities. Over 50 years later, what is now called Triangle, Inc. has steered thousands of disabled clients into skills training and employment, across several communities in the region.

“What I learned growing up, with my family being involved with the Order Sons of Italy in Malden and through their charitable organizations, you got the feeling that you have to get back to the community,” Dr. Conti recalled. “You can’t just be taking.”

Kevin Jarvis, Class of 1974, was recognized in the field of Government. A U.S. Marine veteran from a family of military service, he enlisted in the USMC soon after high school graduation, then made a career in federal law enforcement. He worked for many years in both the United States and overseas in his career. He returned to Malden in 2011 as the city’s Veterans Services Officer, serving 15 years before his retirement earlier this year.

Jarvis said his time in Malden showed him the value of collaboration, especially in one of the pursuits he has been most proud: assisting in the acquisition and installation of six life-size bronze military statues — now positioned in Forest Dale Cemetery and Bell Rock and Devir Parks — honoring veterans of six wars and conflicts where Malden residents served.

“You can do whatever you want. It’s not going to be easy and you’re going to need help from friends and family,” Jarvis said. “When you get into a job somewhere, coworkers will help you. I found that out.”

Phyllis Karas, a second honoree from the Class of 1961, recognized for contributions to the Arts, has spent her life as a published author on many topics — most notably, crime — as well as covering celebrities for publications and national magazines, such as People. Karas is also a professor at Boston University’s School of Journalism. She has in her career received awards from the New England Newspaper & Press Association, such as the Best Feature Story, as well as the Simone Rockower Award for Excellence in Feature Writing in Moment Magazine.

“I feel very honored and very humbled. At this stage of my life, it’s nice to be honored for anything, and especially this, because the school meant a lot to me,” Karas said of Malden High School. “It’s just more than just a building.
It was my whole life. Very, very special, it’s very powerful.”

A Class of 1975 graduate, MHS alumnus Michael Souza was honored for his contributions in the field of Business. He pointed to his experiences “growing up in the supportive environment of Malden High, leading to my whole life trajectory changing.” Souza recalled his experiences in academics and athletics while at Malden High in the early-to-mid 1970s, as a Golden Tornado football and baseball team member in his three years of high school. He also gave a “shout out” to his former MHS guidance counselor John DiGiammarino.

Souza attended Amherst College and then pursued a lifelong career in the business world, served as the first Chief Executive Officer of Beth Israel Deaconess Health System’s Affiliated Physicians Group and the CEO and President of New England Life Care. “I really leaned on my mentors at Malden High School in going on to next steps in my life,” Souza said. “I learned to stick to my values and be honest in all that I do. It has taken me a long way.”

Arlene Velleman, a Class of 1973 graduate, was honored in the field of Education. She has crafted a 40-year career centered on working with hearing-impaired students, including teaching sign language to many. At a young age — in elementary school — she recalled, she became enamored with American Sign Language (ASL), which became her life’s passion, working with and for the hearing impaired. Velleman pursued learning ASL in college and beyond with the National Theatre of the Deaf, leading to her first teaching position at the Perkins School for the Blind in Watertown. She moved on to many years as a special education teacher and then administrator in the Waltham Public Schools.

She recalled an episode at Malden High in her senior year, 1973, where her Senior Class made a sizable donation to Project Triangle, making the Class the largest donor that year. The donation drew the attention of superstar singer-performer Stevie Wonder — who is blind — who heard of the donation and came to MHS for a mini-concert. This was considered a memorable 1970s milestone for Malden High.

“If people feel like giving up, encourage them to continue and keep going because you never know whose life you’re going to touch,” Velleman told the audience.

Another highlight of the evening came when MHSAA leaders Camille Colantuoni and Arlene Ceppetelli presented MHS Principal Chris Mastrangelo with a special award. Mastrangelo departed Malden High School after nine years at the helm and 17 years total at the school, moving on to another opportunity in education. “[Chris] Mastrangelo has done a remarkable job in his years as Malden High School principal and touching the lives of so many students and educators,” Colantuoni said. “We wish him the very best and thank him for all the support he has shown Malden High School and the Alumni Association.”

“To those who know me, I am often never this speechless when it comes to things like this,” Mastrangelo said. “I am humbled by this great honor. I loved Malden High School, its students and staff, and I truly appreciated all that the Alumni Association does for everyone.”

The Malden High School Alumni Association hosts a Hall of Fame Induction every other year to honor individuals who have graduated from Malden High School, as well as their legacy and their successes at Malden High. For more information about the Malden High School Alumni Association and for a complete list of past honorees, visit www.maldenhighlumni.com.

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Following is a capsule look at the six 2026 MHSAA Hall of Fame inductees

ALAN “LANNY” BERMAN, Ph.D. Class of 1961 — Science: Adjunct Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Science at 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 from 2011-2026; 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.