Teachers, students from Alito's high school recall his brilliance

Published: 2006-03-13

PHILADELPHIA (CNS) -- Teachers and fellow students from Steinert High School in Hamilton Township, N.J., recall the brilliance of Samuel A. Alito Jr., the newest associate justice on the U.S. Supreme Court. When senior William S. Agress selected Alito as his debate partner in 1965, he could not know that Alito, then a sophomore, was destined for the high court four decades later. Although Alito had never debated, Agress agreed to interview him. "He struck me as being extremely intelligent," said Agress, now 57, of Lawrenceville, N.J. "He was extremely bright, to the point of really being brilliant. When he spoke, he spoke very well." According to Agress, he and Alito won most of their debates that year. "I recall Sam as being very good at doing the research, and he had an excellent memory for facts," he said. Years later, Agress noted, he read that Alito said he first knew he would pursue a law career when he began debating. On Jan. 31, Alito, a Catholic, was confirmed by the Senate to sit on the court. "I'm very proud of him," Agress told The Catholic Standard & Times, newspaper of the Philadelphia Archdiocese. "Everyone in the area is extremely proud of him." One other thing about Alito stood out for Agress. "High school kids can be mean, but Sam wasn't like that," he said. "(Alito) never spoke ill of anyone. Sam was just a very kind, decent guy."

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