Inspiring Young Alumni

Since 1852, St. Michael’s College School has formed young men who are leaders and change-makers across a variety of fields, industries, and professions — all over the world.

A wall inside the main hallway of the school building called, ‘Inspiring Young Alumni’, recognizes the achievements of some of the school’s most inspiring recent graduates. Meet them below.

Liam Abbott ’19

Film Producer

After graduating from St. Michael’s College School, Liam Abbott earned a scholarship to attend Chapman University in Orange, California where he is completing his bachelor of fine arts.

Liam is majoring in film production with a minor in entrepreneurship and documentary filmmaking. During his time at Chapman, Liam has been part of several film productions, including filming documentaries in the Philippines and Alaska, and editing multiple short-narrative films.

His work has been screened at film festivals in Canada and the United States. By tirelessly pursuing his passion, Liam aims to continue producing video content that challenges and questions traditional aspects of film and media.

Michael Bakaic ’07

Technology Entrepreneur

Michael Bakaic is the founder of the cybersecurity company, Iceberg Cyber. He also founded and was the former Chief Technical Officer of the photonic sensing startup, Fibos.

After graduating from St. Michael’s College School, he earned a mechanical engineering degree from the University of Toronto and a graduate degree from the University of Alaska Fairbanks and York University.

As a skilled engineer, Michael’s expertise has led to a variety of leadership positions in motorsports, cleantech, and security. Michael continues to pursue opportunities to grow his career while maintaining a strong connection to SMCS as a valued part of its alumni mentorship programme.

Haig Chahinian ’13

Seminarian

After graduating from St. Michael’s College School, Haig Chahinian attended the University of Toronto, earning a degree in international relations and a double minor in French language and history.

His career started with Apple Canada where he worked in a variety of capacities and co-led the launch of the first-ever Apple Watch.

In 2018, Haig answered the call to join the priesthood, and as the first Armenian Catholic Seminarian ever born in Canada, he entered the Armenian Catholic Seminary and moved to Rome to begin his studies in Philosophy and Theology in preparation for his 2023 ordination.

Marco Ciarlariello ’09

Lawyer

Marco Ciarlariello is a lawyer at Cassels Brock & Blackwell LLP. His practice focuses on intellectual property and information technology, and involves a variety of work in the sports and entertainment industries. Marco is also a leader of his firm’s blockchain and cryptocurrency practice group.

After graduating from St. Michael’s College School, Marco received a bachelor of arts in English literature from Western University, followed by a law degree from Osgoode Hall Law School.

Marco has served as a guest lecturer for the sports law courses at Osgoode Hall Law School and the University of Toronto faculty of law since 2018.

Andrew Cogliano ’05

Professional Hockey Player

Andrew Cogliano was a well-rounded student-athlete at St. Michael’s College School. After two highly successful seasons with the St. Michael’s Buzzers Junior A team, Andrew’s passion for and talent in hockey earned him a scholarship to the University of Michigan where he spent two seasons.

Andrew has captured a gold medal on three occasions while representing Canada, once with the National Men’s Under-18 team and twice at the IIHF World Junior Championship. He was selected in the first round of the 2005 NHL draft by the Edmonton Oilers.

His NHL career has also included Anaheim, Dallas, San Jose, and most notably the Colorado Avalanche where he won the Stanley Cup in 2022.

Kevin Collins ’13

Director of Front Office

Kevin Collins is currently working at the Park Hyatt Toronto, as the director of front office. He ensures the revenue and budget of the hotel are to forecast, while also overseeing all guest-facing aspects and guest satisfaction.

After a four-year renovation, the reimagined Park Hyatt Toronto welcomes guests back to the Yorkville neighbourhood and Kevin is an integral part of the experience that guests have while on property.

After graduation, he attended the University of St. Michael’s College where he majored in history and political science, while also playing on the Varsity Blues football team. Kevin is still involved in football today as an elite and highly ranked on-field official for the Canadian Football League and U Sports.

Matthew Crocker ’14

Epidemiologist

Upon graduating from St. Michael’s College School in 2014, Matthew Crocker pursued his undergraduate education in social sciences followed by graduate training in epidemiology and biostatistics.

Following graduate school, Matthew worked as an epidemiologist with the Government of Canada, where he was responsible for briefing senior government officials on opioid-use and COVID-19 surveillance, COVID-19 response, surveillance and planning.

Currently, Matthew serves as an epidemiologist at ICES (formerly the Institute for Clinical and Evaluative Sciences), a research organization producing quantitative evidence to inform effective and responsible provincial health policy.

Connor Emeny ’14

Endurance Athlete / World Record Holder

After graduating from St. Michael’s College School, Connor Emeny attended Queen’s University and earned a Bachelor of Commerce degree while participating on the Queen’s triathlon team. Following university, Connor began his career in business development with Uber.

In March 2020, he completed his first Ironman competition (3.8 km swim, 180 km bike ride, 42.2 km run) in New Zealand, setting the stage for the journey of a lifetime.

In the span of two years, Connor made history, establishing a world record as the youngest person to finish an Ironman on six continents.

Liam Fitzpatrick ’12

Greenhouse Infrastructure Specialist

Following his graduation from St. Michael’s College School, Liam Fitzpatrick continued his studies at McGill University where he earned a degree in chemical engineering with a minor in environmental engineering.

With a passion for sustainable agriculture, Liam then pursued his master’s degree in bioresource engineering at McGill University’s Macdonald Campus, conducting research on the measurement and reduction of greenhouse gas emissions from agricultural soils.

He now works as a greenhouse infrastructure specialist alongside other horticultural professionals at Berger, studying the properties of horticultural mixes in an experimental greenhouse.

Justyn Knight ’14

Professional Track and Field Athlete

Justyn Knight has a passion for track and field that was fostered as a student-athlete at St. Michael’s College School.

He earned a full scholarship to Syracuse University where he had an outstanding career that included two NCAA championships, a world championship finalist, and All-American honours in track and field.

Following his time at Syracuse, Justyn signed a long-term professional contract with Reebok Boston Track Club, where he trained for the Tokyo Olympics and competed in the 5,000-metre as part of Team Canada. He is currently training for the Paris Olympics.

Andrew Lobo ’21

Harvard Student-Athlete

At St. Michael’s College School, Andrew Lobo found success in the classroom and on the court.

He earned the second highest GPA and served as the Head Prefect, Senior Councillor, House Captain, Wellness Team Moderator, and Volleyball Captain while accumulating 750 volunteer hours and founding a non-profit which sponsored underprivileged athletes.

Andrew then matriculated at Harvard University, where he is currently studying Social Studies and Computer Science and playing Division I volleyball. He is also on the board of Harvard Global Research & Consulting, through which he has led pro bono consulting projects with some of the world’s largest non-profits.

Dr. Ryan Muir ’08

Neurologist

Dr. Ryan Muir is a neurologist who completed his medical degree and specialization in neurology at the University of Toronto.

He is one of seven physicians in Ontario to have received the prestigious Resident Teaching Award for excellence in teaching and mentorship from the Professional Association of Residents in Ontario in 2022.

Ryan is an active member of the Research Ethics Board at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre where he actively reviews the ethical conduct of research studies and is also an avid researcher, authoring over 20 peer reviewed articles and book chapters. Currently, Ryan is pursuing further specialization as an epidemiologist, vascular and cognitive neurologist at the University of Calgary.

Ryan Neeson ’13

Global Immigration Law Clerk

Ryan Neeson is currently a licensed paralegal working as a global immigration law clerk at Vialto Partners, a leader in providing globally integrated solutions supporting global workforce mobility.

After graduating from St. Michael’s College School, Ryan earned a double major in criminology and socio-legal studies and history from the University of Toronto, followed by a post-graduate diploma in paralegal studies from Seneca College.

After completing his studies, Ryan began his career as a court clerk and registrar at the Ministry of the Attorney General, where he helped conduct multiple high profile cases.

Prem Nichani ’13

Ophthalmology Resident

Prem Nichani is an ophthalmology resident in the department of ophthalmology and vision sciences at the University of Toronto.

Following his graduation from St. Michael’s College School, Prem completed an honours health sciences degree from Wilfrid Laurier University, along with earning his master’s and medical degree from the University of Toronto.

His accomplished career has not only been restricted to medicine, where he has been recognized by the Canadian Ophthalmological Society for excellence in ophthalmic research, but has also included entrepreneurial experience as an owner and operator of a successful entertainment business offering music, photography, and videography services.

Nickolas Aurilius Papadopoulos ’19

Performer

Nickolas Aurilius Papadopoulos is an accomplished singer, musician, composer, filmmaker, and actor.

After graduating from St. Michael’s College School, he earned his bachelor of motion picture arts from Capilano University in Vancouver, B.C. From an early age, Nickolas’ musical gifts were evident as he was playing piano by age four, composing by age seven, and performing professionally in his early teens.

In Grade 12, Nickolas wrote, directed, and produced his first full-length feature film as well as composed an original musical score. Professionally, he has written, directed, and edited over 15 short films, and his bands have performed at venues in Canada, Cuba, and several European countries.

Mitchell Louis Passarelli ’12

Aerospace Engineering

Mitchell Passarelli is currently working towards his PhD in aerospace engineering at the Georgia Institute of Technology. His research focuses on combustion dynamics in gas turbine combustors and he hopes to eventually work in the industry on next-generation aerospace engines.

After graduating from St. Michael’s College School, Mitchell completed his undergraduate in applied science in engineering science from the University of Toronto, followed by his master’s of applied science in aerospace engineering from the University of Toronto Institute for Aerospace Studies.

Mitchell has a passion for aerospace engineering and over the past two years has volunteered as a mentor and judge for the Launch Canada rocketry competition.

Franco Junior Recchia ’10

Chief Executive Officer – Door 24

Since graduating from St. Michael’s College School in 2010, Franco Junior Recchia has pursued a professional career in the creative arts — a passion that was cultivated during his four years at SMCS.

Franco received an honours bachelor of arts degree with a major in performance and history from the University of Toronto.

Much of his work in film and media has been recognized through Door 24 — a leading creative agency he founded and currently serves as CEO — for both small businesses and global brands such as Fairmont Hotels and Make-A-Wish. Prior to Door 24, Franco worked as a therapeutic Clown at the Hospital for Sick Children.

Michael Reynolds ’20

Biomechanical Engineering

Michael Reynolds is currently studying for a bachelor of applied science in biomechanical engineering at Queen’s University and is a member of the Queen’s Biomechatronics design team, focused on providing physical support to first responders.

At the same time, he is working as a content developer and instructor with Queen’s Connections, a department of Queen’s University dedicated to providing STEM-based education to underprivileged youth in Ontario.

Currently, Michael is the Chief Marketing Officer of the startup Motiv App Inc, an event planning, crowdfunding, and organizational social media application for post-secondary students.

Chris Rossetti ’08

NFL Pro Scout

After a successful student-athlete career at St. Michael’s College School, where he excelled in football and basketball, Chris Rossetti was recruited to attend the University of Guelph to play football and continue his education, earning a bachelor of arts in history.

His career as a professional football scout began with the Toronto Argonauts before moving on to the Miami Dolphins as pro scout and later the assistant director of pro scouting.

He currently serves as the director of pro scouting for the New York Giants.

Todd Stewart ’12

Infantry Officer – Canadian Armed Forces

Todd Stewart is currently serving as an infantry officer in the Canadian Armed Forces.

Todd graduated from Brown University in 2016 with a bachelor of arts in history. In 2015 while at Brown, he received the Yeardley Reynolds Love Unsung Hero Award that recognizes college lacrosse players who helped their teams achieve success both on and off the field.

Todd took the lessons he learned at Brown and St. Michael’s College School and applied them to the workforce at tech startup, Hubdoc, where he worked for two years before transitioning to the Forces.

Prakash Thambipillai ’08

Graduate Student in Clinical Psychology

After graduating from St. Michael’s College School in 2008, Prakash Thambipillai earned his BA in psychology from York University and a master of science from Queen’s University.

He is currently working at Mount Sinai Hospital on the SUMMIT trial, the largest randomized control psychotherapy trial in the world for perinatal women struggling with depression and anxiety.

Prakash is also pursuing his doctorate in clinical psychology at Queen’s University, where he is studying the relationship between trauma and emotion regulation, the interaction of these factors in family systems, and innovative interventions that address these factors, especially in immigrant and refugee populations.