Following is a capsule look at the six 2026 MHSAA Hall of Fame inductees the American Association of Suicidology, 1995-2014. *** 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. *** 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. *** 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.”) *** 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. *** 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. THE MALDEN ADVOCATE–Friday, July 24, 2026 ALUMNI | FROM PAGE 6 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 “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 — Page 7 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 Gerry D’Ambrosio Attorney-at-Law Is Your Estate in Order? Do you have an update Will, Health Care Proxy or Power of Attorney? If Not, Please Call for a Free Consultation. 14 Proctor Avenue, Revere (781) 284-5657 MORE SUPPORT. MORE SOLUTIONS. LESS WORRY. Clear answers, faster decisions, and a team that goes above and beyond to get things done. We make it easy for you to get more of what you want. Because here, easy means more. EverettBank.com 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 ALUMNI | SEE PAGE 10
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