STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — Staten Island Academy celebrated six distinguished alumni Nov. 15 during its Hall of Fame ceremony on the school’s Todt Hill campus, honoring graduates whose achievements span athletics, journalism, the arts and community impact.
This year’s inductees included Advance/SILive.com publisher and Advance Local CEO Caroline Diamond Harrison, Edward J. “E.J.” Burke Jr., Sophia DeMauro, Michael Fafian, Martha B. Nutt and Donna Tucker-Jones.
Speakers highlighted the honorees’ accomplishments—from Burke’s multi-sport excellence and collegiate pitching career, to Harrison’s rise to the top ranks of American local journalism.
Nutt was recognized for her dual legacy in textile artistry and embodied wellness, while Tucker-Jones was honored for an international career in the performing arts. DeMauro and Fafian were celebrated as two of the school’s most accomplished multi-sport athletes.
School officials said the inductees represent “the breadth of what an Academy education can inspire,” noting their continued ties to the community.
Students, faculty, administration, family and supporters attended the celebratory event, and were treated to refreshments and words of wisdom and gratitude from the honorees and their presenters.
Staten Island Academy celebrated six distinguished alumni Nov. 15 during its Hall of Fame ceremony. Pictured is Advance publisher and Advance Local CEO Caroline Diamond Harrison ’82. (Courtesy Henry Pegeron)About the honorees
EDWARD J. “E.J.” BURKE JR. ’99
Edward “E.J.” Burke was a rare three-sport varsity athlete at Staten Island Academy whose grit and versatility defined his scholastic career. A Gold “A” Award and Mills Medal recipient, he excelled in baseball, basketball and soccer while earning a reputation for leadership and team-first dedication.
In baseball, he was a four-year varsity player who earned Most Improved Player in 1997 and Co-MVP in 1999, helping the Tigers win the 1996 PSAA West Division title and the 1998 PSAA championship.
He went on to pitch for Drew University, where he led the staff in ERA as a junior and senior and helped the team reach two MAC Freedom playoff appearances.
On the basketball court, he shifted from guard to frontcourt roles on an undersized squad and served as tri-captain. Burke was also a three-year varsity soccer player and 1998 MVP. He is remembered for resilience, humor and enduring athletic excellence.
Staten Island Academy celebrated six distinguished alumni Nov. 15 during its Hall of Fame ceremony. Pictured is Edward J. “E.J.” Burke Jr. ’99. (Courtesy Henry Pegeron)
SOPHIA DEMAURO ’19
Sophia DeMauro, one of Staten Island Academy’s most decorated athletes, excelled in basketball and softball while defining a dominant era in girls athletics.
A four-year varsity basketball standout, she helped lead the Tigers to two NYSAIS Class A Federation State Titles and four straight Federation Tournament appearances. A skilled guard/forward, DeMauro finished her career with 1,344 points—fifth all-time in school history—and averaged 21 points and eight rebounds as a senior.
She earned back-to-back Jaques Awards as Staten Island’s top female basketball player, as well as NYSAIS All-Tournament and NYS All-State Second Team honors. A two-time team MVP, she also received the Academy’s Athlete of the Year Award and earned ACIS All-Conference honors in softball.
DeMauro continued her career at Rider University, earning three MAAC All-Academic distinctions, before transferring to Caldwell University, where she started 24 games in 2023–24 and earned Academic All-District recognition. Her career reflects discipline, talent and unwavering dedication.
Staten Island Academy celebrated six distinguished alumni Nov. 15 during its Hall of Fame ceremony. Pictured are Caroline Crane, left, and inductee Sophia DiMauro ’19. (Courtesy Henry Pegeron)
MICHAEL FAFIAN ’87
Michael Fafian was a standout three-sport athlete at Staten Island Academy, excelling in soccer, basketball and baseball while earning recognition for leadership and competitive drive.
In soccer, he was a two-time Advance All-Star and two-time Staten Island Select honoree known for his playmaking ability at center midfield. He served as Co-Captain and Co-MVP as a senior and earned three Major A awards, along with a Minor A as a freshman.
Fafian was also part of the distinguished 1983–84 varsity soccer team that earned the prestigious Kearns Award. On the basketball court, he earned two Major A and two Minor A awards, showcasing consistency and athleticism.
In baseball, he hit .520 as a senior, earning Most Improved Player and another Major A honor. His all-around excellence earned him the Huus Award. After graduation, Fafian spent more than 30 years coaching CYO and travel basketball, guiding multiple teams to championships and national-level success.
Staten Island Academy celebrated six distinguished alumni Nov. 15 during its Hall of Fame ceremony. Pictured is inductee Michael Fafian ’87. (Courtesy Henry Pegeron)
CAROLINE DIAMOND HARRISON ’82
Caroline Diamond Harrison, a third-generation Staten Island Academy graduate, has built a distinguished career in journalism and digital media leadership.
A Staten Island native and Dartmouth graduate, she began as a college intern reporter at the Staten Island Advance before training at the Times-Picayune and the Patriot-News. She returned to the Advance in 1999 as General Manager, working alongside her father, longtime publisher Richard E. Diamond.
Harrison became Publisher in 2004, President of Advance Local in 2018 and CEO in 2020, leading one of the nation’s largest digital news and marketing organizations. Under her leadership, Advance Local earned major national honors, including two 2023 Pulitzer Prizes. Locally, the Advance/SILive.com has been repeatedly recognized for investigative reporting, photography, feature writing and community service.
Harrison has served on numerous boards, including the Metropolitan Museum of Art and Staten Island Academy. Her career reflects a deep commitment to public-service journalism and strengthening local communities.
Staten Island Academy’s Caroline Crane, left, presents award to Staten Island Advance publisher and Advance Local CEO Caroline Diamond Harrison ’82. (Courtesy Henry Pegeron)
MARTHA B. NUTT ’80
Martha Nutt’s career bridges textile artistry, athletics and the study of human movement—passions she developed during her K–12 years at Staten Island Academy. A captain in three varsity sports and art director of the yearbook and The Quill, she combined creativity with physical discipline early on.
After attending Drexel University, she transferred to the Rhode Island School of Design, where her textile work exploring fabric’s inherent structures was exhibited in the Woods-Gerry Gallery.
She began her career at WilliWear as an in-house textile designer, traveling to India and earning recognition for her moiré-inspired fabric collections. Seeking deeper integration of art and physicality, Nutt shifted toward wellness, spending more than three decades studying weight training, yoga, meditation and bodywork.
Now based in Santa Monica, she continues her textile practice while teaching clients of all ages how alignment, breath and intentional movement can transform the body and mind.
Staten Island Academy celebrated six distinguished alumni Nov. 15 during its Hall of Fame ceremony. Pictured is inductee Martha B. Nutt ’80. (Courtesy Henry Pegeron)
DONNA TUCKER-JONES ’81
Donna Tucker-Jones discovered her love of performance at Staten Island Academy, where she attended from sixth grade through graduation. She began college at Long Island University but soon pursued music full time, performing with bands across New York City.
Early highlights included competing on Showtime at the Apollo and singing the national anthem at the dedication of Martin Luther King Jr. Parkway on Staten Island. Tucker-Jones later expanded into theater, beginning with a production at Snug Harbor and continuing after she moved to Delaware, where she also taught and served as a music instructor at the Christina Cultural Arts Center.
She performed internationally with the ensemble Fruits of the Spirit and opened for Sweet Honey in the Rock and jazz artist Will Downing. Her portrayal of Velma in Crowns earned a Barrymore Award nomination.
Today she writes, records and produces through DRAMEDY Productions while embracing her roles as mother, grandmother and mentor.
Staten Island Academy celebrated six distinguished alumni Nov. 15 during its Hall of Fame ceremony, including Donna Tucker Jones, pictured. (Courtesy Henry Pegeron)
Scene from Staten Island Academy’s Nov. 15 Hall of Fame ceremony, honoring graduates whose achievements span athletics, journalism, the arts and community impact. (Courtesy Henry Pegeron)(Courtesy Henry Pegeron)
Staten Island Academy celebrated six distinguished alumni Nov. 15 during its Hall of Fame ceremony, including Donna Tucker Jones, center. (Courtesy Henry Pegeron)(Courtesy Henry Pegeron)
Scene from Staten Island Academy’s Nov. 15 Hall of Fame ceremony, honoring graduates whose achievements span athletics, journalism, the arts and community impact. (Courtesy Henry Pegeron)(Courtesy Henry Pegeron)
Staten Island Academy celebrated six distinguished alumni Nov. 15 during its Hall of Fame ceremony, including Donna Tucker Jones, center. (Courtesy Henry Pegeron)(Courtesy Henry Pegeron)
Scene from Staten Island Academy’s Nov. 15 Hall of Fame ceremony, honoring graduates whose achievements span athletics, journalism, the arts and community impact. The event was held at the Academy’s Todt Hill campus. (Courtesy Henry Pegeron)(Courtesy Henry Pegeron)
Scene from Staten Island Academy’s Nov. 15 Hall of Fame ceremony, honoring graduates whose achievements span athletics, journalism, the arts and community impact. The event was held at the Academy’s Todt Hill campus. (Courtesy Henry Pegeron)(Courtesy Henry Pegeron)
Scene from Staten Island Academy’s Nov. 15 Hall of Fame ceremony, honoring graduates whose achievements span athletics, journalism, the arts and community impact. The event was held at the Academy’s Todt Hill campus. (Courtesy Henry Pegeron)(Courtesy Henry Pegeron)
Scene from Staten Island Academy’s Nov. 15 Hall of Fame ceremony, honoring graduates whose achievements span athletics, journalism, the arts and community impact. The event was held at the Academy’s Todt Hill campus. (Courtesy Henry Pegeron)(Courtesy Henry Pegeron)
Scene from Staten Island Academy’s Nov. 15 Hall of Fame ceremony, honoring graduates whose achievements span athletics, journalism, the arts and community impact. The event was held at the Academy’s Todt Hill campus. (Courtesy Henry Pegeron)(Courtesy Henry Pegeron)
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