Feature Story: Living a Historic Moment - De La Salle Institute

magazine
Winter 2009
A publication for alumni and friends of De La Salle Institute
Feature Story:
Living a
Historic Moment

De La Salle Magazine
Winter 2009
Editors
Michelle Aukstik
Michael Walsh
Contributing Writers
Michelle Aukstik
Iris Gist Cochran
Sarah Reczek
Michael Walsh
Photography
Michelle Aukstik
David Banks
Michael Walsh
Root Studios
Designer
Jeff Marienthal
Printer
Andrews Printing
Dear Friends,
I hope that you will find this edition of the De La Salle Magazine
refreshing in light of these trying times. As you turn the pages
of the winter edition, you will see a snapshot of how our students
closed the 2008 calendar year by participating in heartfelt
efforts that challenged them to think about others less fortunate,
such as supporting children with cancer through the
Locks of Love fundraiser and the holiday food drive to help
a local community shelter. It is now more than ever that the
Meteor light shines bright through community service.
Our alumni also uplifted my spirits during the winter
months. You will read about our wonderful 113th Alumni
Banquet in November, 2008 where we welcomed home
more than 200 alumni. The younger alumni crowd has
also made impressive strides to establish a Young Alumni
Club, which continues to grow and is organizing its next
event in April—read Alumni Connection for more details!
While the brighter days of our society at large remain to be seen, De La Salle has much
to celebrate as we enter 2009. I invite you to take a moment to reflect with us on the
immense success that our Tablet PC academic program has achieved, and how De La Salle
sets itself apart from other college preparatory institutions with this integrated technology.
Finally, take a moment to share in our pride as you read the feature story about
members of the De La Salle community participating in the Presidential Inauguration.
Thank you for your continued readership and loyal support of our educational mission.
Yours in Christ,
De La Salle President Father Paul Novak
De La Salle Magazine is published
three times a year by De La Salle
Institute’s Office for Advancement.
The purpose of this publication is to
unite the Christian Brothers, alumni,
students, parents, faculty, staff and
friends together in De La Salle’s
mission of excellence in education.
All submissions or comments should
be directed to dmagazine@dls.org.
Rev. Paul E. Novak, OSM
President
Mission Statement
De La Salle Institute is an independent Catholic secondary school rooted in the tradition
of Christian education begun by St. John Baptist De La Salle. Founded in 1889, its mission
has been, and is, to foster a desire for excellence in education. Young people from a variety
of ethnic and economic backgrounds are given the opportunity to fully develop their abilities
so they may be active, contributing members of our complex, changing society.
INSTITUTE CAMPUS For Young men
3455 SOUTH WABASH AVE
CHICAGO, IL 60616-3885
P 312.842.7355 F 312.842.4142
LOURDES HALL CAMPUS For Young Women
1040 WEST 32ND PL
CHICAGO, IL 60608-6507
P 773.650.6800 F 773.650.9722
TOLTON Adult LITERACY CENTEr
TOLTON Adult LITERACY CENTEr
EAST CAMPUS
WEST CAMPUS
3647 South State St
115 South Pulaski Rd
Chicago, Il 60609-1951
Chicago, Il 60624-2823
P 312.747.3471
P 312.746.7744
www.dls.org
De La Salle Magazine Winter 2009

De La Salle Institute
Chicago, IL
Board of Directors
2008–2009
Chairperson
Sister Mary Alice Jarosz, SSF-TOSF
Members
Page 3
Page 7
Page 12
Page 18
Table of Contents
Academics
Class Notes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Faculty Farewells . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Tablet PC Success Story . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Faith, Service & Community
Living our Faith . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Meteors Making a Difference . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Lasallian Youth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Parents and Children—Learning Together at Tolton. . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Campus Scrapbook . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Feature Story
Living a Historic Moment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Athletics
Fall Sports Roundup . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Winter Sports Update . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Spring Sports Schedules . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Development
Great Futures Gala Honors Elzie Higginbottom . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Capital Campaign Progress . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Alumnus Campaign Contributor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Alumni Connection
Getting Together and Staying Connected . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
De La Salle Alumni Updates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Lourdes Alumnae Updates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
William S. Aldrich
The Honorable William J. Aukstik ’64
Marshall A. Blake
George A. Bonomo ’59
Mary L. Burke
Victor M. Chavarria ’69
Eugene L. Ferretti
Michael J. Glennon ’84
Dr. Robert O. Graham ’64
The Honorable Patrick M. Huels ’67
Prentiss J. Jackson ’67
Brother Michael Kadow, FSC
Sister Valerie Kulbacki, SSJ-TOSF
Paul D. McCoy ’68
Michael J. Passarelli ’90
Thomas J. Sargant ’62
Michael A. Tadin ’69
James A. Vanek ’64
President’s Council
Michael G. Bansley ’53
Michael F. Hickey ’56
James R. Woodrow ’53
Extollo Educational
Foundation
Board of Directors
President
Brother Michael Quirk, FSC
Vice President
Michael F. Hickey ’56
Secretary/Treasurer
Joseph J. Hartnett ’73
De La Salle Magazine 1

Class Notes
Throughout the first semester of school at De La Salle, students
have been involved with unique assignments in
and outside of the classroom by completing creative
projects for Spanish class, participating in knowledge competitions,
highlighting safe driving and taking part in
Northwestern University’s High School Journalism Day.
Students in Maria Cortez’s Honors Spanish III class at
De La Salle’s Lourdes Hall Campus created ofrendas as
part of their Day of the Dead celebrations. Ofrendas – which
means “offerings” in Spanish – are vivid tributes built to
remember and honor the memories of loved ones. The ofrendas
were displayed throughout the Lourdes Hall Campus.
Also at the Lourdes Hall Campus, seven students recently competed
in the First Annual Nutrition Knowledge Bowl held at the
DuSable Museum of African American History in Chicago. The
Nutrition Bowl was hosted by Celebrity Fit Club’s Dr. Ian Smith
who is also on 50 Million Pound Challenge. Students studied
material about nutrition facts and guidelines, diseases and cancer
risks, and lifestyle choices for maintaining a healthy mind
and body. De La Salle’s team was coached by biology teacher
Darcy Flaherty, and featured Teara Kemp, Khrystina Kulbida,
Lea Moravec and Lauren Nowaczyk. The alternates were
Madeleine Coatar, Ersilia Melchiorre and Theresa Sengstock.
The Meteors proudly came in second place in the competition,
winning $2,000 for De La Salle, along with a trophy.
De La Salle was also proud to be chosen to participate in a statewide
competition called Operation Teen Safe Driving, which is
sponsored by the Illinois Department of Transportation, the
Illinois State Police Department, Ford Motor Company and
Allstate Insurance. Our school’s program, called DLS: Drive Legal
and Safe, teaches young drivers about the consequences of risky
driving and provides them with safe driving guidelines. Faculty
Faculty Farewells
One of the primary reasons why De La Salle
Institute is the place where great futures begin
is because of the dedication of teachers like
Rich Radecki, John Sevcik and Brother Kevin
Fitzgerald, FSC. These exemplary educators—
who have combined for over 120 years in the
classroom—have decided that the 2008–09
school year will be their last at De La Salle as
they have chosen to retire later this spring.
Radecki, who is currently teaching anatomy
& physiology, honors biology and algebra,
has been at De La Salle since 1968. Sevcik
has taught a variety of math-related subjects
in his career which has taken him to
St. Mary of Perpetual Help High School
(9 years), Lourdes High School (24 years)
and De La Salle’s Lourdes Hall Campus for
Young Women (7 years). Brother Kevin, who
has been at the Institute since the 1980-81
school year, has served as a theology teacher.
“I have learned more
than I actually taught
from our own students,”
—Rich Radecki
and students incorporated safe driving into various aspects of
school during the week. The student body government group,
City of De La Salle, created “The Ten Commandments of Safe
Driving” which were displayed around the school and community
and reminded all Meteors to put safety first when you’re
behind the wheel. Teachers incorporated activities into their lesson
plans to highlight the importance of safe driving. The weeklong
learning culminated with students listening to an Illinois
State Policeman talk about safe and legal driving. De La Salle’s
efforts were rewarded with a $1,000 check from Allstate.
Thirteen students in Jaclin Szafraniec’s Publication Writing
Class recently attended the Seventh Annual High School
Journalism Day at Northwestern University’s Medill School
of Journalism in Evanston. Students participated in two seminars
which covered media-related topics such as page layout
and design, broadcast studio workshop, photojournalism, column
writing, sportswriting, feature writing and media design.
The students ended their day listening to an address from keynote
speaker Jonathan Eig, a former Wall Street Journal
reporter and graduate of the Medill School of Journalism.
Students at Northwestern University’s High School Journalism Day
When asked about their time in the classroom,
the educators provided these parting sentiments:
“I think one of the rewards
is running into or hearing
from former students and
finding out that I somehow
helped them have success
in college or in their
profession.” —John Sevcik
“The interaction with the
kids is the most rewarding
aspect of teaching. It’s
always fun. I loved
interacting with the kids.”
—Br. Kevin Fitzgerald, FSC
2 De La Salle Magazine Winter 2009

Tablet PC Success Story
By Michael K. Walsh
In the three years since launching the innovative Tablet PC
program at De La Salle, students have written and researched
hundreds of papers, done myriad assignments, honed
their critical thinking skills and had the burden of carrying
around bulky textbooks alleviated, thanks to this technology.
Freshmen, sophomores and juniors are currently using
Tablet PCs, with a few members of the graduating Class of
2009 also using them. The entire student body of De La Salle
is slated to participate in the Tablet PC program next year.
Who better to provide an update on this academic innovation
than Dr. Jorge Peña, who has been teaching at De La Salle
since the 2001–02 school year and was one the people responsible
in guiding the Tablet PC program from the start along with Br.
Chris Oddo, FSC, De La Salle’s Director of Computer Services.
In addition, as part of Peña’s doctoral program at DePaul
University, he wrote a dissertation on the Tablet PC program
that was centered around the impact individualized
instruction with learning technologies has on students.
Peña recently sat down with De La Salle Magazine to
give his viewpoint on the Tablet PC program.
What are the overall strengths
of the Tablet PC program?
“By using Tablet PCs in the classroom, students increase opportunities
for in-depth learning and knowledge construction.
Student engagement is an important link to learning and student
achievement, and using the Tablet PCs engages students in
the learning process. The Tablet PC program positively impacts
student understanding of the course material. Also, by incorporating
the Tablet PCs into learning, students are able to:
mmWrite and organize class notes and information by converting
their handwritten notes into text;
mmExplore the Internet for a particular area of study;
mmReceive critical feedback from teachers quickly;
mm Create and present multimedia presentations;
mmResearch, write, and edit reports and papers;
mmAccess e-books, works of literature, and historical
documents stored on the hard drive; and
m mIntuitively use a computer as a tool to produce intellectual work. ”
What degree of success would you
apply to the Tablet PC program?
“The administrators and faculty characterize the Tablet PC program
as very successful. Teachers use their Tablet PC and
LCD Projector to present their lecture notes, discussion points,
PowerPoint presentations, Internet websites, video clips, and
other instructional strategies they have acquired through
our Technology Professional Development and their graduate
course work. Teachers also use their Tablet PC to develop
assignments that require students to utilize this technology.
“Students have given testimony that they are much more
organized when using their Tablet PC, since students no longer
have to manage six paper notebooks. Rather, their notes
are centrally located in the handwriting program OneNote.
Students also use the other software programs available
to them to produce authentic intellectual work.
A student uses his Tablet PC to create a graph in algebra class
“For example, in math classes, students write notes and calculations
in OneNote during class. Homework is assigned requiring
students to use an e-book and the OneNote. In world history,
Academics De La Salle Magazine 3

students use OneNote to take notes on medieval castles, use
Google SketchUp to design their own castle, use PowerPoint to
present their castle’s features and how it reflects the history of
the time, and Word to write a report on medieval castles. These
activities are intellectual exercises and skills that allow students to
produce authentic intellectual work in preparation for college.”
How are the students progressing
with the Tablet PC program?
“We are in the third year of using the Tablet PC program with
freshmen, sophomores and juniors fully participating. There
are also about a dozen seniors who have Tablet PCs. Next year,
everyone will have them. As the students mature in age, we are
finding they are increasing their responsibilities in taking care
of their computer and they are producing better quality work.
“There is a learning curve on using a Tablet PC, using OneNote,
accessing e-books, submitting assignments to teachers electronically,
and performing basic troubleshooting. The learning
curve is dramatically reduced within a student’s first semester
as they use their Tablet PC every day in all their classes.
“Beyond the management of their Tablet PCs, students are
also developing critical thinking skills, gaining in-depth
knowledge of subject matters and maturing in ways that
will positively impact them beyond the classroom.
“By using Tablet PCs, students are exercising critical thinking and
decision-making for themselves. When teachers assign projects
that require the use of the Tablet PCs and web-based technology,
students create knowledge for themselves by researching
topics, synthesizing information and evaluating what is pertinent
to the task at hand and what information is not relevant.
“As student have access to a wealth of information, not only are they
becoming selective in what they absorb, they also discover topics
that they can research in-depth and dive deeper into the learning
of a subject, making it more likely for them to retain the material.
“These skills and acute learning steps acquired via use of technology
are preparing students not only for success in the high school
classroom, but for their next steps into college or the work force.”
What has the faculty response been
with the Tablet PC program?
“Teachers state that there are many advantages of having students
use a Tablet PC to produce all of their academic work.
Students produce quality work using professional standards and
students are proud to display their work. Since students have
access to the Internet, they have access to research and information
to help them produce their work and explore content
on their own. The Tablet PC program is guided by the concept
that inquiry produces knowledge: when students seek
answers to their own questions and problems, they create knowledge
for themselves which will be the expectation when they
enroll in college or begin their first job. Students become aware
that this approach to learning has value beyond high school.”
During the course of his day, faculty member Paul Dirschl
teaches five classes of freshmen, totaling 96 students, all
using their Tablet PCs. Paul is working on his Type 75
Educational Administration Master’s Degree at Governors
State University and wrote an article for his coursework that
examined the use of Tablet PCs. The following is a brief
excerpt that captures the essence of using this technology:
Geometry teacher Beth Colletti integrates the Tablet PC into her lesson plan
“From a teacher’s perspective, the Tablet PC program has
helped expand the methods and materials used in the classroom.
We are now incorporating virtual field trips, web
quests, creating historical architectural replicas through
4 De La Salle Magazine Winter 2009

Google sketch art and encouraging students to create their
own websites and newsletters through Microsoft publisher.
“Moreover, the textbooks are much more interactive than the traditional
hard-bound versions, and this keeps students interested while
expanding their knowledge simultaneously. Students have benefited
the most through the integration of technology at De La Salle
because learning is more engaging and modern and that will
prepare students for the modern-day workforce and college.”
With De La Salle continually striving to set itself apart in
its pursuit of excellence in the field of secondary education,
Dr. Peña was asked how helpful the Tablet PC program
is in differentiating De La Salle from other high schools.
“Currently, there are three categories schools can be placed in: the
first category, and the most common one, is ‘little to no technology
usage by teachers and students.’ These schools may recognize the
benefits of using technology in the curriculum, but they have not
been trained in doing so and/or the school does not have the technology
infrastructure to integrate technology in the curriculum.
“The second category is a school taking the proper steps to integrate
technology in the curriculum, but the school does not have
a technology one-to-one program where each student has a
Tablet PC or laptop computer. Schools in this category are exploring
the benefits of technology and making available professional
development training to its teachers. These schools are determining
if students should use a laptop computer or a Tablet PC
computer, which are fundamentally different technologies.
“The third category is a school that has a technology one-to-one
program for its students. These schools either have a laptop program
or a Tablet PC program. When comparing these technology
solutions, laptops actually limit use to only inside the classrooms
and the keyboards are a big hindrance, especially for math classes.
Laptop keyboards also have monitors that are a physical barrier
between students and teachers. Tablet PCs, on the other hand,
lie flat and eliminate that barrier between students and teachers.
Tablet PCs are so mobile that students can carry them wherever
they go. De La Salle made the conscious decision in 2006 to
implement a technology one-on-one program with Tablet PCs.”
Based on this review, the greatest differentiation between
De La Salle and other schools is the high level of technology
integration into the academic programs offered. De La Salle strategically
decided to equip our students with a Tablet PC to maximize
usage of this technology in the classrooms and reap the positive
implications it has on our students’ educational experience.
To date, De La Salle is the only high school in Chicago that uses
Tablet PCs. And the results are vastly positive and paving the way
for graduates who are acutely prepared for today’s tech world.
U.S. History teacher Sophia Smith assists a student during class
Spring Calendar of Events
Spring Giving Drive Begins (until 3/20) ...................... 3/16/2009
St. Patrick’s Day ...................................... 3/17/2009
College Fair: Juniors & Sophomores. ....................... 3/18/2009
Spring Drama Production, 5pm ........................... 3/19/2009
Spring Drama Production, 7pm ........................... 3/20/2009
DLS Jazz Fest, Noon–3pm. .............................. 4/4/2009
D-Final Event, 6pm .................................... 4/6/2009
NHS Spring Induction & Honors Convocation 7pm @ Parmer AC ... 4/8/2009
Great Futures Gala, 6pm ................................ 4/24/2009
Young Alumni Night at the Sox Game ....................... 4/27/2009
Class of 2009 Girls Graduation @
Our Lady Of Sorrows Basilica, 7:30pm ...................... 5/20/2009
Class of 2009 Boys Graduation @
Our Lady Of Sorrows Basilica, 7:30pm ...................... 5/21/2009
Academics De La Salle Magazine 5

• In the ’07-’08
school year,
DLS students
gave over
$20,000 to
various people
and organizations
in need.
• Each year,
DLS students
give over
28,000 hours
of service
to the
community!
INSIDE
THIS ISSUE:
Week
Opportunities
Reflections
V O L U M E 1 , I S S U E 1
F A L L 2 0 0 8
Living our Faith
Faith, service and community are
three integral components of a
De La Salle education. By contributing
their time and talents to
empowering the lives of others, our students
are able to truly be called Lasallian.
Over the past few months, students, faculty
and staff at the Institute Campus
for Young Men and Lourdes Hall
Campus for Young Women have participated
in a variety of charitable endeavors.
Here are some of the highlights:
Twelve students and one student’s mother
took part in the Locks of Love ceremony
held at the Lourdes Hall Campus in
late November.
Locks of Love is a public non-profit organization
that provides hairpieces to financially
disadvantaged children in the United
States and Canada under age 18 suffering
from long-term medical hair loss from
any diagnosis. Most of the children helped
by Locks of Love have lost their hair due
to a medical condition called alopecia
areata, which has no known cause or cure.
Participating were: Michelle Cobos ’11; Amy
Collazo ’12; Olivia Estrada ’12; Lauren
Hailer ’11; Amy Hermle ’10; Marie Huels
’10; Jane LaGiglio ’09; Ashley Leanos
’10; Gianna Levato ’09; Irene Martinez
Meteors Making
a Difference
One of the highlights of the first semester at De La Salle
was the publishing of “In Their Own Words”, a quarterly
publication featuring all the service opportunities
in which students, faculty and staff of De La Salle participate.
Emily Vogel, the Campus Minister at De La Salle’s Institute
Campus for Young Men,
helped spearhead the project.
Throughout the year, Meteors
serve at various sites around
the city from hospitals to park
district field houses or back at
their grammar schools. Meteors
share their gifts with the community
while learning the
important values of selflessness
and civic duty. Join the readership
of “In Their Own Words”
and stay inspired by all of the
ways Meteors make a difference.
DID YOU
KNOW?
• Weekly Soup
• Weekly Mission
• Lasallian Youth
• Lasallian Peace
• Service
• Student
• Twin in Africa
Students here at “D” do more
than just attend classes. As
part of their instruction in
religion, they begin to practice
the Gospel values they have
learned in class through
participation in the Service
Learning Program.
Service is an integral
component of the special spirit
that resounds through the
halls of our school. St. John
Baptist de La Salle states,
“Such acts of faith made from
time to time are extremely
useful and can help us preserve
our faith.” Likewise,
service experiences can be
the single most important
element of introducing and/or
sustaining a person’s faith in
God and the infiniteness of
His love.
To that end, throughout the
’09 (and Irene’s mother); Elizabeth
Sierra ’12 and Mercedes Zapata ’10.
De La Salle would like to thank all of
those who donated hair for their heartfelt
display of genuine concern for the
wellbeing of others, as well as the local businesses
who contributed their time and
skills for participating in Locks of Love.
The Annual Turkey Bowl was played on
Chet Bulger Field, featuring football teams
from both the Institute and Lourdes Hall
Campuses. In addition to playing in some
competitive flag football games, the students
and staff also raised $300 that was
donated to Fr. Manny’s Outreach Soup
Kitchen and St. James Food Pantry.
De La Salle’s Annual Giving Drive—given
the title “The Meteors Brighten 3000 Lives”
this year—was a success as students, teachers
and staff from both campuses collected
toys, canned food and clothing. The Annual
Giving Drive was sponsored by the City of
De La Salle, Lasallian Youth, Peer Ministers,
the National Honor Society and the students,
faculty and staff of De La Salle.
At the Institute Campus alone, nearly
2,000 items of food were collected.
The clothing and toys were given to
St. Vincent de Paul Parish, while the
food went to St. James Parish.
In Their Own Words
“For we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard."
Acts 4:20
Meteors shine their light
year, Meteors serve at various
sites around the city from hospitals
to park district field
houses or back at their grammar
schools, Meteors share
their gifts with the community
Over 90 Meteors served at
the Annual Chicago
Marathon on October 12th.
Two members of the junior siding, which alone affected
Honors program, James Hartnett
and Nate Jacobson, have I have accomplished some-
the lives of three people. I feel
been honored for the second thing that most kids my age
consecutive year by the Cook don’t seek to do.”
County Sheriff’s Department
for contributing over 100 hours
of community service. Both
young men worked on housing
projects in McDowell
County in West Virginia.
Hartnett said, “It is one of the
poorest counties in the United
States. I helped install house
while learning the important
values of selflessness and civic
duty.
For example, at the annual service
event with the local Chicago
Fire Department last year,
juniors John Rosario and Tim
Crowley were among 20 students
who helped build bikes at
the CFFU. John Rosario reflected,
“I looked around and
saw we were all doing something
for the same reason.”
Crowley added, “It makes me
feel good knowing little children
will have a smile on their faces
Christmas morning from something
I did.”
Juniors set the example
James Hartnett and Nate Jacobson
Jacobson added, “When I
think of the service I have
done, I realize that I have
made a lot of different people’s
lives better.”
While it’s true that service is
an academic requirement at
De La Salle, it also stands
true that some students
serve because it’s the right
thing to do. Thanks to James
and Nate for setting the example
for the rest of us!
The numbers from the 2007–08
mission collection were finalized. In
a display of their immense generosity
and deep concern for the well-being
of others, the students, faculty and
staff of De La Salle raised $20,596.
This amount raised marks the 20th consecutive
school year that De La Salle has
surpassed the $10,000 mark in funds
collected for the missions. It is also
the second time that De La Salle has
eclipsed the $20,000 mark, raising over
$21,700 in the 2002–03 school year.
Since the 1985–86 school year, De La Salle
has raised $309,225 in mission collections.
De La Salle congratulates its
students, faculty and staff on this achievement
and for their munificence.
Catholic Schools Week 2009 was held in the
final week of January with the theme being
“Catholic Schools Celebrate Service”. The
five-day period was highlighted by Lasallian
Community Day on January 30 with students,
faculty and staff from both campuses
joining together for Mass in the Parmer
Activity Center. There also was a slideshow
during Mass celebrating our Catholic
family, as well as the services that our students,
parents, faculty and staff provide for
each other and the greater community.
Lasallian Youth
Students at De La Salle exercise their faith and leadership through
a student group focused mainly on serving the community, called
Lasallian Youth. Many Lasallian schools worldwide organize a Lasallian
Youth group for their students. Over the past 20 years it has become an
international movement and formation program which empowers students
to be examples of faith, service and community. More than 100
students are involved in the Lasallian Youth program at De La Salle.
Some of the opportunities that students involved in Lasallian Youth
experience throughout the year include mission trips, retreat programs,
social justice education and service-learning opportunities.
De La Salle has started a tradition of sending students on two mission
trips each year. Each spring, families in Appalachia welcome
De La Salle leaders who work tirelessly to restore the impoverished
homes. Over summer break, typically every June, De La Salle is proud
to send students to Guatemala who enter the Mission of San Lucas
Toliman community and brighten lives with their hard work and
open hearts.
Our community at large can become a part of the Lasallian Youth
experience by sponsoring a student to attend a mission trip, providing
supplies for the retreats or volunteering to chaperone one of the local
educational programs. Our student leaders, and the lives they touch,
are thankful for your support.
6 De La Salle Magazine Winter 2009

The Tolton Adult Literacy Center is an adulteducation
program that provides employability
skills, family literacy and child services in lowincome
communities in the Chicagoland area
free of charge. Serving approximately 800 people
a year from various backgrounds, Tolton
has been recognized as a leader in adult education
at local, state and national levels.
Tolton’s mission is to provide excellent alternative
adult education experiences within a caring
community where “everyone teaches and everyone
learns.” Fr. Augustus Tolton, for whom the
Tolton Adult Literacy Center is named, was the
first African-American priest in the United States.
He overcame many hardships to have a great
impact on the lives of many disadvantaged people.
The Tolton strategy is to empower poverty level
adults through academic achievement. This
strategy recognizes that breaking the illiteracy
cycle must begin with the adult who is the center
of the family and community structure.
The following is a snapshot of the successful
English as a Second Language (ESL) program.
The beginning stages of a lifelong love of books
Tolton students receiving a key to additional learning
Parents and Children—
Learning Together at Tolton
Three days per week, immigrant parents—primarily
Mexican and mostly
mothers—arrive with their young
children at Toman Library to participate
in Tolton’s ESL (English as a Second
Language) Family Literacy Program. Many
arrive early to return library books and take
out new ones. The day begins as parents
engage their children in a simple learning
activity—a song, a finger play or sharing
conversation around a picture book. Then,
parents join classmates in one of three ESL
levels while their children participate in ageappropriate
early childhood education.
In addition to language and literacy
instruction, Tolton offers parents weekly
workshops that address the issues of raising
a family in a new country and teach
ways for parents to promote children’s
literacy. Another powerful aspect of
Tolton’s adult program is the Parent and
Child Time (PACT), which affords families
the opportunity of enjoying learning
activities with other families while getting
to know new friends in their area.
These are some of the components of
Tolton’s ESL Family Literacy Program,
now in its fourth year of operation at
the Toman Branch Library and Our
Lady of Tepeyac Elementary School. By
offering various learning structures, students
are allowed the opportunity to
succeed in family literacy whereby:
1. Parents gain economic self-sufficiency
from adult literacy training;
2. Children succeed in school
and life experiences from ageappropriate
education;
3. Parents learn to serve the role as
primary teacher for their children
and see themselves as partners
in the education of their children
from parenting workshops;
4. Parents and children foster intergenerational
learning from interactive
literacy activities together, and
5. All family members embody lifelong
learning and the use of educational
resources by becoming familiar with
the public library environment.
Tolton began serving economically and
educationally underserved immigrant
families in Chicago’s Little Village neighborhood
in September 2006 when ESL
instructors Marie White and Mary Lou
Faith, Service & Community De La Salle Magazine 7

Tolton Family Literacy Wish List
Laptop Computers
Montessori Early Learning Materials
Gross Motor Equipment
ESL Adult Materials
LCD Projector
Tape Recorders with earphones
Art Supplies
Jenks began classes at Toman Branch
Library in response to high demand
from families. Both instructors were
highly qualified for the task, bringing
previous experience as adult ESL
instructors, as well as cultural awareness
from past volunteerism such as being a
Peace Corps Volunteer in Honduras.
As the program continued to grow at an
exponential rate, new instructors joined
the team. Tolton veteran Mary Ellen
Lesniak joined with 35 years of experience
in elementary and adult education
and a Certificate in Family Literacy from
Penn State University. The program
also welcomed former volunteer Marge
Cribben, a retired Archdiocese of Chicago
and Chicago Public School teacher.
Celebrating the achievements of Tolton students
Moms and tots learning through finger play
Critical to the success of the Family
Literacy Program is the education offered
to children in Tolton’s Early Childhood
Program. Ana Paliminoz heads the program
and brings her own story as a
United States immigrant from Peru to
her daily interaction with immigrant families
and children. While in Peru, Ana
earned a Bachelor’s in Early Childhood
Education and a Master’s in Psychology
and Family Therapy. Ana knows firsthand
the importance of learning English
and is committed to helping immigrant
families and their children learn
English not only as a means of adjusting
to the demands of a new environment,
but also as a way of social integration.
“To be socially adjusted means to develop
interests and skills to confront the
demands that a new environment presents,”
Paliminoz said. “To be integrated
implies making these social demands
our own, to be involved in working for
the common good, and to actively participate
in the new social order for one’s
own betterment and for the strengthening
of the country that has welcomed us.”
The other team members who work diligently
for Tolton at Toman Branch Library
include Margarita Guillen, an immigrant
who is especially proud of her new status
as an American citizen, Emily Minnick,
who brings a background in Special
Education and TESOL (Teaching English
as a Second Language) and two former
volunteers, Emily Alberghini and Ben
Pitzen, who are now fulltime staff members.
De La Salle Institute has partnered with
entities such as the Chicago Public Library
and its Toman Branch Library and Our
Lady of Tepeyac Elementary School to
provide the space for Tolton’s ESL Family
Literacy Programs. To date, the various
8 De La Salle Magazine Winter 2009

funding sources that help support Tolton
include an Even Start Grant through
the Illinois State Board of Education,
an Illinois Secretary of State Literacy
Office Family Literacy Grant, and a
McCormick Tribune Foundation Grant.
Tolton is strongly committed to bringing
adult education and family literacy
services to Chicago’s immigrant community.
“In my four years as a Tolton
ESL instructor, I am continually amazed
at the incredible dedication to learning
that our adult ESL students bring
and at their determination to integrate
their families into the American culture,”
Toman veteran instructor Marie
White said. “It is such a joy to work with
students so hungry to learn and so willing
to share their culture and customs.”
Among the other programs the Tolton
Adult Literacy Center offers are:
• G.E.D., Pre-G.E.D., Basic
Skills and Literacy
• Employability
• Child Services
• Family Literacy
• English as a Second Language (ESL)
Founded by De La Salle Institute in
1991, Tolton has grown tremendously
over the years. In 1998, a partnership
with Chicago Public Libraries led to the
development of two Tolton sites: one
located on Chicago’s South Side at the
Chicago Bee Branch Library, located
at 3647 S. State and a second site on
Chicago’s West Side at the Henry Legler
Library, located at 115 S. Pulaski.
A third site was founded at the beginning
of the 2001–02 school year on the
West Side within the Alain Locke Charter
Academy at 3141 W. Jackson. To accommodate
students living on the Southwest
Side, additional centers were established
at the Chicago Toman Branch
Library at 2708 S. Pulaski and Our Lady
of Tepeyac School at 2230 S. Whipple.
For more information about the Tolton
Adult Literacy Center, please contact
De La Salle Vice President for
External Affairs Lawrence Blakley ’83
at (312) 842-7355 ext. 142 or blakleyl@dls.org
or Tolton Center Executive
Director Susan Perez at (312) 746-7744.
De La Salle congratulates
Sue Perez on being chosen as the
Tolton Center’s new Executive Director.
Sue Perez began the Tolton program
in 1991 with Carmina Renner and
has seen Tolton grow from its initial
site at St. Elizabeth Church at 41st
and Wabash into a multi-site campus serving
two target populations - Adult Basic
Education (ABE) and GED populations
on Chicago’s Near South and West Sides
and ESL (English as a Second Language)
immigrant adults and their families in the
Little Village neighborhood on Chicago’s
Southwest Side. The Tolton Centers are
located in three public libraries, a charter
school, and a Catholic elementary school.
“Adult education is a place where ministry
and education come together,” Perez said.
Perez brings an impressive resume to her
position as Tolton’s Executive Director. She
has spent the past 40-plus years as an educator
at levels ranging from primary through
university and is also a state trainer for the
Illinois Institute for Special Learning Needs,
as well as a participant in teacher training to
bring Evidence-Based Reading Instruction
to adult education classrooms in Illinois.
In addition, Perez has served on the
Illinois Continuing College Board Advisory
Council and is a past recipient of the Illinois
Adult Continuing Educators Association
(IACEA) Administrator of the Year Award.
Perez holds a Bachelor’s Degree in
Sociology from the University of Wisconsin-
Madison, a Master’s Degree in Theology
from the Catholic Theological Union
and is a Doctoral Candidate in Adult
Education at Northern Illinois University.
Perez has been married to Joseph for the
last 41 years and together they have four
children, two grandchildren and two
dogs. The Perez family has been members
of St. Giles Parish’s Mass Community
in Oak Park, IL for the last 35 years.
Congratulations, Sue!
Faith, Service & Community De La Salle Magazine 9

1. The women’s volleyball team pauses for the pre-game National Anthem
2. Meteors express sincere concern for others through the Locks of Love Charity event
3. Meteors exemplify community spirit by participating in The 3000 Lives Food and
Clothing Drive
1
4. Meteor pride shines at the homecoming pep rally from the women’s cheerleading squad
5. De La Salle students attend Northwestern University’s High School Journalism Day
6. Meteors vote in the De La Salle mock presidential election
7. Students particpate in a Mass celebrating the Feast of the Immaculate Conception
8. The Meteor Man does his best to intimidate the competition
9. The Nutrition Bowl team proudly shows off its second-place prize and trophy
2
3
4
10 De La Salle Magazine Winter 2009

5
6
7
8
9
Campus Scrapbook De La Salle Magazine 11

Living a
Historic Moment
By Michelle Aukstik
The energy of the 2008 presidential race between John McCain and Barack
Obama was undeniable. The messages and ads of the campaigns infiltrated
our airwaves. We heard sound bites about hope, the mavericks, change, and
experience. The campaign buzz caused people to start talking to one another
about the possible outcome. More impressive than conversation, however, was the
unprecedented participation in this past election among our country’s youth.
Here at De La Salle Institute many of our
students volunteered on campaigns, wore
candidate buttons, or put bumper stickers
on their car. All students, staff and
faculty devoted time during Election
Day to take part in a mock election. The
outcome of the De La Salle mock election
was in line with the outcome of
the national election—Barack Obama
won with an overwhelming majority.
On Inauguration Day, the De La Salle community
took pause to share in a historical
moment. The electricity pulsing through
the air in and around Washington, D.C.
traveled all the way to Chicago’s South
Loop as students, staff and faculty gathered
around televisions and big screens to witness
the swearing in of our 44th president,
Alan Jenkins kept his invitation and credential as a souvenir
Barack Obama. Whether it was because
Obama lived just down the street from us,
we trusted his promise to bring change
and hope to our country, or because he
is the first African-American person to be
elected to the highest office in the country,
all members of the De La Salle community
celebrated the grandness of the moment.
De La Salle was privileged to have several
members of our community, including
alumni, students and staff, make the trip
to Washington, D.C. in order to witness
firsthand the swearing in of our 44th president
and vice president. Alumnus George
Ferro ’85 was selected by the Armed Forces
Inaugural Committee to represent the
Navy at the 2009 Presidential Inauguration.
Alan Jenkins, Class of 2011, and Colette
Blakley, Guidance Counselor at the Lourdes
Hall Campus for Young Women, shared
the story of their historic moments with
De La Salle Magazine, recalling the inauguration
as a cherished and exciting
experience that they will never forget.
Jenkins’ inauguration opportunity came
from his involvement in the Congressional
Youth Leadership Council. His extraordinary
academic record, coupled with
his interest in government and politics,
earned him acceptance into the prestigious
Presidential Youth Inaugural Conference.
“I attended the inauguration through an
opportunity that was offered to me. I made
sure to seize the opportunity. Even if Obama
didn’t win the election, I would have gone to
Washington, D.C. because it’s historical either
way,” quipped Jenkins. Alan did admit the
experience was made a little sweeter with
Obama’s win. “My reaction to Obama winning
was pure excitement. I guess I knew
he was going to win, but I am still excited
for what he’s going to accomplish.”
The week-long youth leadership conference
included the opportunity to hear
talks from political leaders, historians and
key decision makers. The once-in-a-lifetime
experience ended with all participants
attending the inauguration of the president
and vice president. Jenkins said of the
event, “My favorite memory from the inauguration
was listening to Obama’s speech.”
Jenkins said that he thinks the attention
that De La Salle gave to the presidential
race, even for students that could not yet
vote, “helped prepare us to truly appreciate
this historic and significant event.”
Colette Blakely and her family knew on
election night that they would attend the
presidential inauguration of Barack Obama.
“My family and I decided during the summer
that we would attend the inauguration
so we made the necessary plans—purchasing
tickets, making hotel reservations—so
that we could go. It was that simple!”
Blakley became interested in the presidential
race at the onset of the historical
campaign. She votes in every election,
but like many in America, she felt there
was something special about this race.
12 De La Salle Magazine Winter 2009

“This win opens opportunities
academically and beyond
for minority students.
There is a renewed sense
of hope in our children.”
Colette Blakley’s family and friends celebrate the inauguration in Washington, D.C.
(Starting from left) Front row: Cassey Cage (Jacksonville, FL), Carmen Cage (Jacksonville, FL), Courtney Brooks (Savanah,
GA), Lindsay King (Brooklyn, NY), Kim Baker (Litchfield, KY), Ronnie Cage (Jacksonville, FL)
Second row: Ruth Cage (Nashville, TN), Sandra Cage (Jacksonville, FL), Avelene Hollands (Chicago, IL), Tiffanny King
(Jacksonville, FL), Colette Blakely (Chicago, IL), Donna Brooks (Jacksonville, FL), Anita Hollands (Chicago, IL)
Sharing in the sentiment of many
other voters, she felt that Obama was
an exciting and historic candidate.
Being a guidance counselor at De La Salle,
Blakley shared a special perspective on
Obama’s win. “This win opens opportunities
academically and beyond for
minority students. There is a renewed
sense of hope in our children.”
The morning of the inauguration, Blakley
and her family left their hotel at 4:30 AM
and headed to the National Mall via
the Metro train system. They wanted to
ensure that they would have an excellent
place to stand for the inauguration.
Blakley recalls her favorite moment, “Being
on this crowded Metro train and realizing
that everyone was there for the same
reason—babies in their mother’s arms,
parents, kids and grandparents—all of
these people from all different ethnicities
were celebrating the moment together.”
Students at the Institute Campus for Young Men gather to watch the broadcast of the Inauguration
When Blakley and her family arrived
at the Mall and found their spot, they
enjoyed conversation with the people
around them. “It was a community of
the states. There were so many different
types of people and the crowd was filled
only with peace and joy,” said Blakely.
The diversity within the crowd gathered
on the National Mall was particularly
interesting to Blakely because it was reflective
of the De La Salle student body.
De La Salle has created a unique environment
that reflects the real world which is
an important part of preparing our young
learners for success after graduation.
As we move forward from this historic
moment, we would be remiss not to highlight
the importance of the past election
as it relates to our school. Though Barack
Obama now calls the White House his
home, it’s not hard to see how the Hyde
Park native captured the attention of the
De La Salle community and not only got
us talking, but got us acting. He created
a historic moment and movement that
future Meteors will study in history class.
He highlighted our diversity as a country,
and caused us to reflect on our own
diversity as a school. President Obama
reminded us to dream big and proved to
our youth that you can be whatever you
want to be. He wrote a new chapter in our
nation’s history and for a few of our own,
he created the experience of a lifetime.
Feature Story De La Salle Magazine 13

Fall Sports Roundup
Women’s Volleyball
The Meteors women’s varsity volleyball
team was honored as four members
were chosen to the 2008 All-Girls Catholic
Athletic Conference White Team.
Lauded for their excellence on the court
were Jillian Vilimas ’09, Taylor Drechney ’10,
Amy Hermle ’10 and Jenna Duddleston
’11. In addition, Vilimas also was chosen
as the GCAC White Player of the Year.
These four athletes played integral roles
as De La Salle won the GCAC White regular-season
championship as well as the
GCAC White postseason tournament.
Men’s Football
Eight Meteors were chosen to the 2008 All-
Chicago Catholic League White Division
First Team. Lauded were wide receiver/
defensive back Darryl Bland ’10, defensive
lineman Curtis Blaydes ’09, linebacker
Nate Bowman ’09, kicker Juan Gonzalez
’09, running back Mark Kasper ’10, linebacker
Ed Keating ’10, linebacker Bobby
Kerwin ’10 and linebacker Matt Murray ’09.
In addition, Bowman, who tallied a teamhigh
120 tackles this season, was awarded
a berth on the 2008 Illinois High School
Football Coaches Association’s Class
7A Team.
The Meteors concluded the 2008 season
with an overall mark of 8–5 and a conference
mark of 3–1 in winning the Catholic League
White for a second consecutive season.
Murray ’09 and Keating ’10 were chosen
to the 2008 Academic All-State Football
Team by the Illinois High School Football
Coaches Association.
In the classroom, Keating owns a 4.857
grade-point average and is ranked
No. 2 in the 179-member Class of 2010
at De La Salle’s Institute Campus for
Young Men. As for Murray, he maintains
a 3.775 GPA and is ranked No. 37 in the
162-member Class of 2009 at De La Salle’s
Institute Campus.
Men’s Soccer
Defender Scott Mestan ’09 was recognized
as the recipient of the 2008 Tony
Lawless Award, emblematic of the Most
Valuable Player in the Chicago Catholic
League. Mestan scored five goals and
added four assists as De La Salle finished
with an overall record of 12-8-3 and garnered
the Catholic League White Division
championship with a mark of 5–1.
In addition to being chosen as the
Tony Lawless Award winner, Mestan
also was picked to the Chicago Fire
Honorable Mention All-Academic
Team, as well as the Illinois High
School Soccer Coaches Association’s All-
Sectional Honorable Mention Team.
Meteors head varsity soccer coach Tom
Dufficy was chosen as the Chicago Catholic
League’s Tony Lawless Award winner for
the 2008 season. For Dufficy, this was the
second consecutive season he has been
honored with this prestigious plaudit.
Five Meteors were chosen to the 2008 All-
Catholic League Team. Excelling on the
pitch this season were defender Andrew
Gaona ’09, midfielder Gabriel Garcia ’11,
defender Mike Lucio ’11, Mestan ’09
and midfielder Victor Trujillo ’09.
Women’s and Men’s
Cross Country
Four members of the Meteors women’s
cross country team advanced to the IHSA
Class 3A Niles West Sectional by virtue of
their performances in the Whitney Young
Regional. Representing De La Salle were
Irene Martinez ’09, Barb Doherty ’10,
Nicole Ortiz ’10 and Hanna Bansley ’11.
The Meteors men’s cross country team
also competed in the Whitney Young
Regional with Jake Bugajski ’09 and Gerry
Medina ’09 among the five individuals who
advanced to the Niles West Sectional.
Kaia Powell ‘11 participated in the IHSA state
tennis tournament
Women’s Tennis
Kaia Powell ’11 participated in the
IHSA state tournament, finishing with
a total of three points. At the University
High Sectional, Powell placed fourth in
singles play, enabling the Meteors to finish
fourth in the eight-team field.
In state competition, Powell posted a 6–4,
6–3 win over Krystal Webb of Homewood-
Flossmoor in the first round, while
also earning a 6–3, 6–4 triumph over
Paige Sturley of Edwardsville in the second
round’s consolation bracket.
Men’s Golf
Steve Chmelovsky ’09 and Justin Cook
’10 made history as they became the first
Meteors ever to reach sectional play.
Cook shot an 80 at the Class 3A St.
Ignatius Regional held on Cog Hill’s No.
2 course, good enough for third place.
Chmelovsky carded a 90, also earning
one of eight individual berths in the
Homewood-Flossmoor Sectional.
Meteors Win!
2008 All-Chicago Catholic League White Division First Team
14 De La Salle Magazine Winter 2009

Winter Sports Update
Women’s Basketball
In her first season as varsity head coach,
Jenna Markoff guided the Meteors to a
15–7 overall record, a 5–0 mark in winning
the GCAC Blue championship and
the consolation championship in the
GCAC White postseason tournament.
Two Meteors were chosen to the 2008–
09 All-GCAC Blue Team. Honored
were guard Angel Brooks ’10 and guard
Natalie Williams ’11. Brooks averaged
14 points, 4 rebounds and 2 assists per
game, while Williams averaged 9 points,
6 rebounds and 4 assists per game.
Men’s Wrestling
Curtis Blaydes ’09 and Clayton Kendall ’09
garnered individual championships at the
Chicago Catholic League Tournament.
Kendall, the Meteors’ 189-pounder, bested
Providence Catholic’s Joe Michals 6-2,
while Blaydes prevailed in the title match
at 285 pounds, posting a 21-10 victory
over Mount Carmel’s Curtis Vacendak.
Three Meteors finished in first place
and three more took second at the St.
Ignatius Regional. Blaydes, Kendall
and 145-pounder Pat Golden ’10 won
their respective weight classes, while Eric
Helson ’10 (135 pounds), Scott Thomas
’12 (152 pounds) and Angelo Rivera ’11
(160 pounds) were second-place finishers
in their respective weight classes.
De La Salle finished third overall in the
11-team regional field.
Men’s Bowling
The Meteor varsity and junior varsity
men’s bowling teams won the 2008–09
Chicago Catholic League championship.
This marked the first time in school history
that De La Salle has earned the Catholic
League championship in men’s bowling.
Representing the Meteors’ varsity were Matt
Cortese ’09, Rich Barnotes ’10, Mike Ginger
’10, Gary Young ’10 and Joe Scumaci ’11.
The bowlers comprising the junior varsity
were Gil Morales ’09; Bryant
Barnard ’10; Michael Gonzales ’10;
Josh Moreno ’10 and Casey Zwiazek
’10 and freshman Eric Noto ’11.
The head coach of the Meteors’ varsity
bowling team is Ray Garcia, while
John Cortese led the junior varsity.
Introducing the Meteors Women’s Bowling Team
Women’s Bowling
NEW
In its first year of existence, the De La Salle
women’s bowling team finished sixth
in the nine-team IHSA St. Ignatius
Sectional with a total of 3,295 pins.
The Meteors were coached by Sophia
Smith and Avise Tomlin. Comprising
the roster were Taylor Castro ’10; Katie
Hayes ’10; Antionette Johnson ’11; Amber
Mangione ’11; Vania McFadden ’11;
Jazmin Neely ’11; Erin Pogue ’09; Jeanitrea
Presswood ’10; Rochelle Slater ’10.
In the Girls Catholic Athletic
Conference Tournament, the varsity
Meteors finished seventh. The junior
varsity Meteors were fourth-place finishers.
Individually, McFadden was
fifth, while Mangione was ninth.
Men’s Swimming
NEW
Under the leadership of head coach
Heriberto Garcia, De La Salle began
a boys swimming program during the
2008-09 school year. Thanks to the generosity
of the Valentine Boys & Girls
Club on 34th and Emerald, the Meteor
swimmers have a pool in which to compete
and practice just a mile west of the
Institute Campus for Young Men. In their
first meet, the Meteors competed against
Kenwood Academy and Morgan Park.
Garcia, who teaches Spanish at the Institute
Campus, attended Queens College where
he participated on the swimming and
water polo teams. In 2002, Garcia helped
Queens College finish third in the country
in water polo. As a coach, he guided
his Chicago Park District team to Midwest
Zone Championships from 2006–08.
The Meteors’ 23-man swim team consists
of eight seniors, four juniors, six
sophomores and five freshmen.
Men’s Basketball
Point guard Derek Needham ’09 was nominated
to the 2009 McDonald’s All-American
High School Basketball Team. Through the
first 20 games of the season, Needham led
the Meteors in scoring (14.3 ppg) and assists
(4.7 apg), was second in 3-pointers made
(25) and fourth in rebounding (3.2 rpg).
De La Salle’s varsity finished second in
the Catholic League South with a 6-1
conference mark. In league play, the
Meteors garnered victories over Mount
Carmel, Bishop McNamara, Providence
Catholic, Hales Franciscan, St. Francis de
Sales and Brother Rice. As of press time,
De La Salle was 16–4 overall, including
a win over defending Class 2A state
champion North Lawndale in a game
played at Northwestern University.
Six-foot-8 forward Michael Shaw ’11
began the season as ESPN.com’s No.
8 player in the country in the Class of
2011. Through the first 20 contests of
the season, Shaw averaged 10.2 points,
7 rebounds and 2.5 assists per game.
Go Meteors!
Derek Needham leads his team to victory
Meteor Athletics De La Salle Magazine 15

18 th Annual
D-Final Event
Monday, April 6, 2009
Doors open at 6:00 pm
De La Salle Institute
Parmer Activity Center
3455 S. Wabash Ave.
$30 (Admission/Beverage/Food)
$35/ticket at the door
-FINAL
Facts About D-Final
u
u
u
u
u
NCAA Basketball Championship
Game Broadcast on 4 Big Screens
Unlimited Food and Drinks
Games & Cash Prizes
Silent Auction
Super Raffle Drawing
With a $14,000 Grand Prize and
Over $26,000 in Cash Prizes
For additional questions contact
Lisa Andersson, Special Events
Manager, at 312.842.7355 x146 or
anderssonl@dls.org
All proceeds of the D-Final Event go
toward the De La Salle Meteor Athletic
Program and general scholarship fund.
www.dls.org
Meteor Pride Wins $10,000
This past fall, De La Salle
was chosen to participate
in the High School
Rivalry Game of the
Week through mouthpiecesports.com.
The
Chicago-based sports
website highlighted the
Meteor football team
taking on the Vikings
of St. Laurence—a
game in which the
Meteors were victorious.
In addition to the
media coverage, mouthpiecesports.com
offered
a $10,000 prize for
Check presentation participants from left: Jim Krygier, Diane Brown, Mitch
Berk, Jillian Jesk, Father Paul Novak, Mike Glennon Front Row: Jillian
Vilimas, Chris Martinez, Courtney Scott, Matt Murray
the school that displayed the most spirit on the mouthpiecesports.com website.
De La Salle once again proved victorious; creating an unprecedented buzz
among mouthpiecesports.com users, adding 488 registered friends to De La Salle’s
customized page and winning the $10,000 for their outstanding Meteor pride.
CEO Mitch Berk and on-air personalities Jillian Jesk and Sarah Spain presented
the reward to students and administration during halftime of the Meteor basketball
game against Mt. Carmel in February. To watch highlights from both
the football and basketball rivalry games, log on to mouthpiecesports.com.
Beloved coach
will be missed
On February 19, longtime
De La Salle faculty
member and coach Chet
Bulger passed away at the
age of 91. Mr. Bulger—
for whom the athletic field
at De La Salle’s Institute
Campus is named—
coached and taught at
De La Salle from 1949–82.
Chet Bulger
De La Salle extends its
deepest sympathies and prayers to Mr. Bulger’s
family and friends. For those who wish to do so,
donations to the Chet Bulger Scholarship Fund
are being accepted in care of De La Salle Institute,
3434 S. Michigan Ave., Chicago, IL 60616.
Eternal rest grant unto Mr. Bulger, O Lord,
and may perpetual light shine upon him.
May his soul and all the souls of the faithful
departed rest in peace. Amen.
St. John Baptist De La Salle, pray for us.
Live Jesus in Our Hearts, Forever.
16 De La Salle Magazine Winter 2009

Meteor Varsity Athletic Schedules
Spring 2009
Varsity Baseball
21-Mar Whitney Young Home 11:00/1 JV/V
24-Mar Morton Home 4:30
28-Mar St. Pat’s Home (DH) 11:00/1
31-Mar St. Viator Home 5:00
1-Apr Washington Home 4:30
3-Apr Kenwood Away 4:30
4-Apr Shepard Home (DH) 10:00
7-Apr Simeon Home 4:30
8-Apr Marist Away 4:30/7 JV/V
13-Apr Gordon Tech Home 4:30
15-Apr Loyola Home 4:30
17-Apr St. Laurence Away 4:30
18-Apr Loyola Away 11:00
20-Apr Leo Away 4:30
22-Apr Fenwick Home 4:30
23-Apr St. Joe’s Away 4:30
25-Apr Fenwick Away 11:00
29-Apr St. Rita Home 4:30
30-Apr St. Rita Away (U.S. Cellular Field) 3:00
2-May St. Ignatius Away (DH) 11:00
4-May Mt. Carmel Away 4:30
6-May Mt. Carmel Home 4:30
9-May Br. Rice Away (DH) 10:00
11-May Seton Home 4:30
13-May Providence Home 4:30
15-May Von Steuben Away 4:30
16-May Providence Away 11:00
18-May St. Francis DeSales Away 4:30
April 11
April 17
April 18
April 19
April 20
April 25
May 2
May 8
May 9
May 17
May 22
May 21
May 28
Outdoor Track Meets
Mather Invite
East St. Louis Invite
Brother Rice Relays
Windy City Classic
Fenwick Relays
Proviso East
GCAC
CCL Frosh/ Soph
Girls Sectionals
CCL Varsity Championship
Boys Sectionals
Girls State Championship
Boys State Championship
Women’s Softball
16-Mar Morgan Park Away 4:30
19-Mar Riverside/Brookfield Away (The Max) 4:30
20-Mar St. Francis DeSales Home 4:30
21-Mar Taft Away 11:00
24-Mar Bremen Away 4:30
25-Mar Seton Away 4:30
26-Mar Bogan Away 4:30
28-Mar Queen of Peace Away 11:00
30-Mar Fenwick Away 4:30
31-Mar Lincoln Park Away 4:30
3-Apr Von Steuben Away 4:30
6-Apr Proviso East Away 4:30
7-Apr Morton Away 4:30
8-Apr St. Benedict Away 4:30
9-Apr Resurrection Away 11:00
13-Apr Loyola Away 11:00
15-Apr St. Ignatius (DH) Away 11:00/1:00
16-Apr Trinity Away 11:00
17-Apr Maria Home 11:00
20-Apr Mother McAuley Away 4:30
23-Apr Guerin Away 4:30
27-Apr Riverside/Brookfield Home 4:30
28-Apr Regina Away 4:30
29-Apr Mt. Assisi Away 4:30
30-Apr Gordon Tech Home 4:30
4-May Thornridge Away 4:30
5-May Proviso East Away 4:30
7-May Whitney Young Away 4:30
5/12-5/16 G.C.A.C. Tournament TBA TBA
18-May Oak Lawn Away 4:30
19-May Notre Dame Home 4:30
21-May St. Scholastica Away 4:30
25-May IHSA Playoffs Start TBA TBA
Men’s Tennis
26-Mar Bishop Mac Away 4:30
1-Apr Mt. Carmel Away 4:30
2-Apr Whitney Young Away 4:30
7-Apr Br. Rice Home 4:30
18-Apr Br. Rice Tournament Away TBA
21-Apr St. Ignatius Away 4:30
23-Apr Fenwick Home 4:30
29-Apr Walter Payton Home TBA
30-Apr Loyola Away 4:30
5-May Providence Away 4:30
7-May St. Laurence Home 4:30
15-May CCL Championships at Loyola 9:30
Women’s Varsity Soccer
Mar 24 Bronzeville away 4:30
Mar 27 Queen of Peace home 4:30
Mar 31 Mt. Assisi away 4:45
Apr 2 Guerin Prep home 4:30
Apr 6 Curie home 4:30
Apr 8 Notre Dame home 4:30
Apr 11 Bremen away 11:00
Apr 17-18 Reavis Invite away tba
Apr 20 Von Steuben away 4:00
Apr 21 St Francis de Sales home 4:30
Apr 23 St Scholastica away 4:45
Apr 27 Reavis away 4:30
Apr 30 Gordon Tech away 4:30
May 5 Maria home 4:30
May 9 Trinity away 12:00
May 13 Cristo Rey away 6:30
May 15-23 IHSA playoffs
Men’s Volleyball
24-Mar Br. Rice Home 5:00/6:00
25-Mar Holy Trinity Tournament (Vars.) Away TBA
26-Mar St. Rita Away 5:00/6:00
27-Mar Holy Trinity Tournament (Vars.) Away TBA
28-Mar Holy Trinity Tournament (Vars.) Away TBA
31-Mar St. Laurence Home 5:00/6:00
18-Apr Kelvyn Park Tournament (JV) Away TBA
21-Apr Providence Home 5:00/6:00
23-Apr Fenwick Away 5:00/6:00
28-Apr Gordon Tech Away 5:00/6:00
2-May Kelvyn Park Tournament (Vars) Away TBA
5-May St. Ignatius Away 5:00/6:00
14-May CCL JV Tournament at DLS TBA
16-May CCL JV Tournament at DLS TBA
22-May CCL Varsity Tournament at St. Ignatius TBA
23-May CCL Varsity Tournament at St. Ignatius TBA
25-May IHSA Regional
TBA TBA
Meteor Athletics De La Salle Magazine 17

Great Futures Gala Honors
Elzie L. Higginbottom
To accurately describe the primary
purpose of De La Salle
Institute’s Great Futures Gala in
one word, it would be “opportunity.”
One of the objectives of the fundraiser
is to give De La Salle an opportunity to
express its sincere gratitude to those
individuals and companies who have
so generously given of their time, talent
and treasure over the years.
Along with that, the Great Futures Gala
also provides De La Salle’s munificent
benefactors with an opportunity to further
deepen their relationship with the
Institute and continue to richly benefit the
young women and men who call De La Salle
home. At last year’s inaugural Great
Futures Gala, over $115,000 was raised.
In addition, the Great Futures Gala also
affords an avenue for those individuals
and companies who have not yet begun
a relationship with De La Salle to learn
firsthand of the unique, thriving educational
environment existing at both our
Institute Campus for Young Men and our
Lourdes Hall Campus for Young Women.
At this year’s Great Futures Gala, which
will take place on April 24, 2009 at 6 pm at
the University Club in downtown Chicago,
De La Salle will celebrate the generous contributions
and loyal support of Mr. Elzie
Higginbottom, who will be the honoree, as
well as the recipient of the Founder’s Award.
A passionate leader while serving on the
De La Salle Board of Directors and a committed
youth advocate donating to our
programs, Mr. Higginbottom embodies
Lasallian tradition and values.
Among his many accomplishments,
Mr. Higginbottom founded East Lake
Management & Development Corp.,
one of the preeminent real estate development
and management firms in the
Midwest and is recognized as a major
developer within the Chicagoland area.
De La Salle is privileged to honor such
an influential leader in our school community
at this year’s gala event.
Mr. Higginbottom recently took time
out of his schedule to spend a few minutes
with De La Salle Magazine.
Q: How important has education been in your life?
A: Education has been key in my life and is
key in the lives of my children. My father
was an entrepreneur and ingrained in
me the importance of education, hard
work, and goal setting. From early on, I
approached school as a means of learning,
mastering and succeeding. At Bloom
Township—and later on at the University
of Wisconsin in Madison—I had the benefit
of excellent teachers, professors and
coaches; and through them, with the
encouragement of my father, I learned the
skills needed to succeed in business and in
life. Through high school sports, I received
another invaluable education. I was able
to travel, compete with and get to know
friends from across the country. It opened
my eyes to lifestyles I otherwise would never
have seen. At the University of Wisconsin,
I was not only given an excellent business
education, I also made lasting relationships
with students from around the world.
Through professors, coaches and fellow
students, I learned goal setting, discipline,
and the will to create a successful career.
Q: What are some of your best memories from
your high school days? What was it like being
a state-champion track and field athlete?
A: To be truthful, my best memories from
high school and college are those from my
days on the track. I loved being part of a
team. I loved (and still do) competing. Most
of all, I loved winning. Track and field
taught me discipline, determination and
focus. I learned to push myself and find my
inner strength. I learned that it was through
my daily efforts that I could find my personal
best and become a champion. All
of these lessons helped me succeed in my
first career with Baird and Warner and it
helped me decide to start my own business
and make it grow into a successful venture.
I should add that it was track and field that
allowed me to get into a university as highly
rated as Wisconsin. Without the athletic
scholarship, I never would have been able
to afford going there. The coaches at UW
were excellent. They gave me the enthusiasm
to work hard in the classroom and on
the track team and graduate with a diploma
I am proud of—especially since I am the
first person in my family to attend college.
Mr. Elzie Higginbottom, Great Futures Gala Honoree
Q: Why did you choose to become
involved with De La Salle?
A: It is De La Salle’s mission of service and
academic excellence that stands out. Many
years ago, I became friends with Brother
James Gaffney of Lewis University and have
always admired his commitment to education
and the community. In 1985, he
introduced me to Brother Michael Quirk
and De La Salle. I was able to see the high
quality of education that De La Salle offered.
I appreciated that it had authentic roots
on the South Side of Chicago—and that it
offered a classic education to the children
who live in this neighborhood, whether
they could afford it or not. The administration
and teachers are truly committed
to serving students in the community and
bringing out the best in each student—academically
and morally. I wanted to support
that mission of service and academic excellence.
I know Fr. Paul Novak as being a man
of great vision, desire and leadership. I’m
well aware of his passion for and commitment
to De La Salle Institute and am very
confident in his ability to sustain De La Salle
as a place where great futures begin.
Q: As a Catholic high school in Chicago since
1889, De La Salle has sustained its excellence
in education over many decades. What do you
see in the future for De La Salle Institute?
A: I see continued growth and success
for the school. The neighborhood
in which De La Salle is located is experiencing
tremendous rebirth. New housing
for people of all incomes is being constructed
and new businesses are opening
on every corner. This new development
will mean many new families will be moving
in and looking for the best education
for their children. De La Salle is more than
18 De La Salle Magazine Winter 2009

prepared to fulfill this need. De La Salle
is considering expansion opportunities
and the economic growth of the neighborhood
will support such expansion.
Q: You established East Lake Management &
Development Corporation, which has become
one of the preeminent real estate development
and management firms in the Midwest. You currently
oversee more than 10,000 housing units
and you have been involved as principal developer
in several highly recognized ventures in Chicago.
What prepared you to achieve such success?
A: First, I would have to credit my father
for teaching me entrepreneurship. He
taught me the value of hard work, integrity
and patience. You make one dollar at a
time. He also taught me to treat people—
all people—honestly. Next, I would say that
I was lucky to forge some very important
relationships—in high school and college—
that I could leverage to enter the world of
business. Upon graduation from college
in 1966, there were not many real estate
doors that would open to a young African-
American. It was my coaches and teachers
who wrote letters and made phone calls on
my behalf. Their efforts opened the door at
Baird and Warner where I began my real
estate career. So it is not only the education,
but also those you meet through your education—the
teachers, professors, coaches
and friends—who will make the difference
in your life and help you turn opportunities
into success in all areas of your life.
Q: The South Loop neighborhood is one
of the areas of Chicago that is experiencing
tremendous growth. What do you believe
are the keys to such growth and what role
do you see De La Salle contributing to it?
A: The South Loop has definitely benefited
from the economic boom throughout
the city. Chicago, through investments
in infrastructure and housing, has supported
this growth. The challenge now, in
these more difficult economic times, is to
make certain that the growth is not eroded.
It is in this area that De La Salle can play
a vital role. De La Salle is a strong institution,
a community anchor. This school
should continue to educate the children of
all incomes of the area to keep this neighborhood
strong. It should reach out to
local schools and other institutions to help
strengthen them. De La Salle is an essential
part of this community’s fabric—it
stands as a beacon of hope and it will
continue to hold that significance in promoting
the neighborhood’s growth.
Q: You will be feted as the guest of honor
at the Great Futures Gala this spring. What
does it mean to you to have the educational
community of Chicago honor your
contributions and achievements?
A: Years ago, I made a conscious commitment
to focus my professional career on
the development and re-development of
predominantly African-American communities.
My focus in such development has
been and is not only in housing, it is in
schools, and hospitals, in community-based
service organizations and in small businesses.
I have always considered De La Salle
to be one of my most important allies in
my redevelopment efforts. I stand in awe
of the education it is giving Chicago’s
youth—who are the future of this city.
I am, therefore, very moved and humbled
to receive this honor from an
institution that I admire so greatly.
Q: What do you think are the key facets
that make De La Salle Institute “the
place where futures begin?”
A: The De La Salle administration
believes in educating the mind and the
spirit and finding each student’s personal
best. The school’s very mission is
to bring education to the children of the
poor and the working class, as well as
to those who can afford such a school.
Today, the school welcomes children of all
races and creeds from the neighborhood
and from throughout the city and suburbs.
The teachers here are dedicated to
preparing the students for life—be that
college life or straight into a career—with
the knowledge necessary for success. And
the faculty here teach something beyond
the textbooks. They teach the students
the values of giving back, the ethics of
a life well-lived, and the belief that they
have the tools necessary to compete with
whomever and wherever they go. Such an
education is invaluable. Graduates have
seen their lives change through the knowledge
learned here. Their futures have
truly become great, thanks to De La Salle.
Second Annual Great Futures Gala
Friday, April 24, 2009
University Club of Chicago
6:00pm cocktails • 7:00pm dinner
An Event to Benefit De La Salle Institute
Silent Auction offering access to hands-on learning from Chicago’s educational community.
Featuring a guided tour of the revered Holyland.
$2,500 per table — $250 individual ticket
For more information please contact Lisa Andersson, Special Events Manager, at 312.842.7355 ext. 146 or anderssonl@dls.org
Development De La Salle Magazine 19

De La Salle’s Campaign:
Standing on Tradition,
Making Tomorrow Possible
Phase I
$8 Million
By Father Paul Novak, President
$7 Million
At the brink of my first six months
as President, I proudly reflect
on De La Salle’s great momentum
and its road into the future. I feel
that it is important to articulate our
priorities and how I envision achieving
them by working together.
This is a challenging time to be reaching
for greater heights. However, the future
success of our students depends on it. As
President, the commitment of continued
financial strength of our Institute has been
entrusted to me. And the first step on the
path of ensuring adequate fiduciary support
is an open, productive dialogue.
Here is a snapshot of where we stand
in the current Capital Campaign,
Phase I: Standing on Tradition,
Making Tomorrow Possible.
Through individual pledges and corporate
support of generous alumni, family,
friends and foundations, we have currently
raised $4.5 million of the $8 million
goal. This progress is indicative of the deep
impact that De La Salle and our Lasallian
mission of education has made on people.
The difference between where we were
before the Campaign and where we are
today is astounding. We have implemented
numerous renovations to our school
facilities and improvements in our technology-rich
curriculum. We have been able to
lay the groundwork for a 21st century campus
and community development project
with these funds that acquired land that
is planned for future school expansion.
The difference between where we are today,
and where I envision for us to be, has everything
to do with how we come together as
a school community and actively engage
in a financial reach to shape our future.
I invite you to enter this dialogue with me. I
can review with you the renovation projects
yet unfinished, point out how having a stateof-the-art
outdoor athletic facility would
greatly impact our school, and discuss
how replenishing our current endowment
would sustain educational opportunities
for all students who seek them.
That is how I see the road into the future,
traveling it together, with you as our partner
in the great task ahead. Completing our
$8 million goal of the Capital Campaign,
Phase I is extremely important to me, and
to each bright future who walks our halls.
In the coming months, this will be a main
topic of discussion and an opportunity to
engage you in this momentous challenge.
Campaign Progress as of Winter 2009
$
4.5 Million
$6 Million
$
5 Million
$4 Million
$
3 Million
$
2 Million
$1Million
0
A student works on her project in the newly
created biology lab.
The recently constructed Commons at the Lourdes Hall Campus
serves as a multi-purpose room for students and staff.
Current state of the outdoor Meteor athletic field.
20 De La Salle Magazine Winter 2009

Paul D. McCoy ’68
—Standing on Tradition, Making Tomorrow Possible
For more than two decades, Paul McCoy ’68 has been involved
with De La Salle. He currently serves on the Board of
Directors and is the chairman of De La Salle’s second annual
Great Futures Gala to be held in April. His generosity of time and
treasure has significantly enhanced De La Salle’s work in fulfilling
its Lasallian mission of education to our young women and men.
McCoy was born and raised on Chicago’s South Side, attending
Providence of God Grammar School on 18th and Union.
In choosing De La Salle, McCoy’s parents wanted him to have
a Catholic education. Secondary was the fact that the Chicago
Public School options at that time were not as good at delivering
a quality education as the one he received at De La Salle.
De La Salle prepared McCoy for life experiences. It opened the
door for him to attend college, something that had not been an
expectation for him as a child. “Most important,” McCoy said, “The
students at De La Salle came from a diverse background: culturally,
socially, and financially, yet at school we were all equal, and all held
to the same performance requirements. In my career, I have always
liked the idea that we are all equals to the task at hand, separated
only by our differences in skill.” As a businessman, McCoy has
always tried to manage his companies with this premise in mind.
McCoy is a generous benefactor of De La Salle’s capital campaign
“Standing on Tradition, Making Tomorrow Possible.” There are still
several campaign projects remaining to be completed. Future plans
include a new learning center, increasing funds for the student
scholarship program, the renovation and expansion of the Bulger
Field and the creation of a multipurpose, on-campus athletic facility.
Keeping the community at large in mind, a renovated and updated
Bulger Field would not only benefit De La Salle’s Meteors, it would
also play a critical role in Chicago’s bid to host the 2016 Olympics.
Giving back to De La Salle comes very easily to McCoy. “It’s
very simple,” says McCoy. “I look back and wonder how would
my life be different if I had not gone to DLS? The answer for
me is very different. I want other students, and their families, to
have the same door opening opportunity I did. My family feels
lucky, indeed, to be able to share our success with De La Salle.”
The Campaign for De La Salle
Supporting De La Salle’s Campaign is possible at a wide range of participation levels,
including a one-time donation or a continuous pledge.
Five-Year Pledge Table
Pledge Level Annual Semi-annual Quarterly
$100,000 $20,000 $10,000 $5,000
$50,000 $10,000 $5,000 $2,500
$25,000 $5,000 $2,500 $1,250
$15,000 $3,000 $1,500 $750
$10,000 $2,000 $1,000 $500
$5,000 $1,000 $500 $250
Development De La Salle Magazine 21

Getting Together and Staying Connected
The alumni office of De La Salle Institute
values every opportunity to reconnect
with our alumni and give you the chance
to stay in touch with the current happenings
of your alma mater. A special
thank you to the alumni who participated
in the following events and helped
make the occasions quite memorable. To
those who were unable to attend, we hope
you can join us for upcoming events and
programs, and we invite you to pay us
a visit when you are next in the area.
Father Paul and Jerry Tokars ’51 at the ’08 Alumni Banquet
Last fall, more than 225 alumni and
their spouses, guests and friends celebrated
De La Salle during the 113th
Alumni Banquet on November 21st, 2008
at the Hyatt Regency McCormick Place.
Classmates had the opportunity to exchange
updates and see old friends—and even
favorite faculty and staff, such as longtime
science teacher, Richard Radecki, and
former basketball coach Jerry Tokars ’51.
The Class of 1958 and the Class of 1983
celebrated their Golden and Silver anniversaries,
and the sense of pride for their
alma mater resonated during the entire
evening. The Honor Keys awarded went
to Class of 1958 graduate Deacon George
Brooks and cherished math and science
teacher Kamaal Khazen. A special posthumous
salute was presented in honor of
Frederick Buedel ’58 and his success story
as a De La Salle graduate. Fred was a thriving
entrepreneur in the food industry and
offered his time and talent in community
service and various humanitarian endeavors.
He was also a dedicated supporter of
De La Salle. Such commitment from alumni
is what new De La Salle president, Father
Paul Novak, emphasized as being critically
important to the future success of the school.
Mark your calendar for the 114th Alumni
Banquet to be held on Friday, October 2nd,
2009 at the Beverly Country Club. We celebrate
all alumni of De La Salle during
this wonderful reunion and encourage
all graduates to gather your classmates,
spouses and friends together to attend.
In the spirit of class reunions, the alumni
office was pleased to hear that the Class
of 1948 celebrated their 60th anniversary
together by organizing a luncheon
in November 2008, and the Class of 1952
hosted another lovely annual holiday luncheon
at Midlothian Country Club on
December 30th, 2008. The Lourdes High
School alumnae also informed us of a special
gathering to honor the Class of 1958
and its 50th anniversary. The celebration
took place at the Oak Brook Marriott Hotel
on Saturday, September 27th, 2008. There
were Lourdians from nearby suburbs who
attended as well as some alumnae who
made the trip from locations as diverse as
Brazil, California, Florida, Indiana, Maine,
New York, New Jersey, and Wisconsin.
More recently, alumnae of Lourdes High
School gathered at De La Salle’s Lourdes
Hall Campus for Young Women for a special
celebration on Saturday, February
7th, 2009. They attended an afternoon
Mass at St. Mary of Perpetual Help followed
by a reception in honor of the
anniversary of the miraculous apparitions
of the Virgin Mary to Bernadette in
Lourdes, France. Lourdes High School was
named after this world-renowned place of
Christian pilgrimage. Since 2002, the educational
mission of promoting an excellent
learning environment for young women
continues at the Lourdes Hall Campus of
De La Salle Institute. We were pleased to
see Lourdes alumnae taking an interest in
meeting Principal Diane Brown and learning
more about how the young women
of De La Salle succeed while studying at
Lourdes Hall under the caring instruction
of former Lourdes faculty Sister Josita
Krzeminski, Sister Ann Mary Wundrach,
and Sister Rosemarie Morowczynski.
There was another reason to celebrate with
alumni over the holiday season when the
Lourdes Hall Class of 1958 Reunion
Dave Moore ’00, Jake Callinan ’97, and Dale Burke ’00 at
the Young Alumni Holiday Party
new Young Alumni Club of De La Salle was
established. More than 50 alumni from the
class years between 1992 and 2001 gathered
for some holiday cheer at Buffalo Wings
& Rings, a popular hangout for “D” grads
located on 35th and Halsted in Bridgeport.
Wings & Rings is owned by Jesse Alvarez ’95,
Jim Metcalf ’94 and Francis O’Donnell, the
son of a “D” graduate. The success of the
Young Alumni Club Holiday Party proved
the sincere interest of our younger alumni
network in becoming more involved with
De La Salle. We look forward to seeing more
young alums at future events being planned!
Watch for more information about the
next Young Alumni Club event—Night
at the Sox Game—on April 27th, 2009.
Make sure to check De La Salle’s Alumni
Relations and Lourdes’ Alumnae Relations
webpages at www.dls.org for updated
information. Email alumnirelations@
dls.org if: 1) you would like more information
about upcoming alumni events;
2) you are interested in helping volunteer
with event logistics or sponsorships; 3)
you want help getting in touch with your
classmates or organizing class reunions;
4) you have an interest in visiting either
campus or speaking in a classroom.
We look forward to hearing from you!
22 De La Salle Magazine Winter 2009

Alumni Updates
1941
Lawrence Riordan resides in Fort Myers, FL
with his wife, Kathy, and is a retired CEO
from the manufacturing industry. Riordan’s
e-mail addresses are KATRIORD@
aol.com and LTRRIORD2@aol.com.
1955
James DeFalco is living in Fort Myers, FL.
DeFalco’s e-mail address is Defal2@aol.com.
1956
John Henry Bishop Jr. is retired and
calls Detroit, MI home. His e-mail
address is bishop.home@sbcglobal.net.
1958
Denis P. “Scotty” Curran has started
a four-semester program to become
a priest through Sacred Heart School
of Theology in Hales Corners, WI.
Curran adds that “prayers would be
greatly appreciated.” He can be contacted
at drdeniscurran@yahoo.com.
1959
Joseph Marzullo is retired from the communications
technology field and lives
in Chicago. He and his wife, Carol, have
been married 45 years and are the proud
parents of Joseph and Gina. Marzullo
can be contacted at jmarz5129@att.net.
1961
Frank Zelis retired in May 2005
and lives in Tucson, AZ. His e-mail
address is webzed@msn.com.
1962
Clarence Malinger calls Lockport, IL
home and is retired from the Chicago
Police Department and Cook County
State’s Attorney Office. Malinger can be
reached at clar1943@sbcglobal.net.
1963
Dennis Bell lives in Homer Glen, IL and
is a retired fire inspector. He and his wife,
Nancy, are the proud parents of Tracey
(Lourdes 1986), Dan (De La Salle 1988)
and Colleen (Lourdes 1990). Bell can be
reached at dede31245@comcast.net.
1965
James Chaloupka resides in Berwyn, IL and
is working as a teacher and scheduler. He
and his wife, Christine, are the proud parents
of Jennifer and James. Chaloupka’s
e-mail address is jchaloupka@ameritech.net.
William J. Egan works in the warehousing
and logistics industry as a general manager.
He lives in Orland Park, IL and his
e-mail address is billegan47@sbcglobal.net.
Richard Tyszka works in the field of education
and lives in Franklin, WI. His
e-mail address is singpix@wi.rr.com.
1966
Jerry Kulig is the Director of Sales
for the Outback Bowl. Kulig, who
resides in Tampa, FL, can be reached
at jerry@outbackbowl.com.
1967
Michael Beninato lives in Woodland Hills,
CA and is employed in the packaging industry
in supply chain management. His e-mail
address is mbeninato@silgancontainers.com.
James Raymond resurrected his running
career after 35 years. He’s run 12 marathons
since 2003, including Boston (twice),
Milwaukee, Las Vegas and Disney. Raymond,
who is a lawyer, resides in Highland, IN. His
e-mail address is jwilliam10@yahoo.com.
Leonard Allen Smith lives in West
Orange, NJ and is working in the
finance industry as a Chief Risk Officer
with hedge funds. Smith’s e-mail
address is smithaj@hotmail.com.
1971
John Molini resides in Berwyn, IL
and is the Manager of Art Packing
at the Art Institute of Chicago. His
e-mail address is jmolini@artic.edu.
1972
James Mason resides in
Bloomington, IL. His e-mail address
is KobeJim2@comcast.net.
1973
Daniel Niemiec is a Midwest Regional Sales
Manager in Dealer Sales in the diagnostic
ophthalmic instruments and imaging
industry. He resides in Homer Glen, IL
with his wife, Rosemary, and children,
Maggie, Katie and Daniel. Niemiec’s e-mail
address is danielniemiec@yahoo.com.
Bruno Roti is a Chicago resident and is
working as a machinist and general foreman.
1977
John Hankes is working in the field
of education as a recruiter. Hankes,
who lives in Batavia, IL, can be
reached at jhankes@comcast.net.
1978
Earl Demus lives in Chicago and is working
in the law and education industries. He can
be contacted at earl_demus@yahoo.com.
1979
Michael McGowan is the assistant athletic
trainer for the Washington Nationals professional
baseball team. McGowan, his wife,
Heather, and children, Brittany, Jacob and
Michael reside in Viera, FL. McGowan’s
e-mail addresses are mike.mcgowan@
nationals.com and mcfoz@aol.com.
1981
Victor Megaro is a fire marshal
and resides in Chicago. His e-mail
addresses are rpdox@aol.com and victor.megaro@cityofchicago.org.
1982
Angelo Prieto is working in the music industry
as a CEO and President. His e-mail
address is fantastic4promo@aol.com.
Jack Zuniga is an operating engineer
in the construction industry. He
resides in Frankfort, IL and his e-mail
address is jack_zuniga@yahoo.com.
1984
Michael Galvan works in the healthcare
industry as an athletic trainer. Galvan, who
works for various college and professional
teams, also owns his own business, Galvan
Sports Training, with offices in Chicago
and Bensenville, IL. He is also the proud
father of Gabbie and Frankie. Galvan’s
e-mail address is mgalvan55@yahoo.com.
Edward Kilgore calls St. Paul, MN
home and works in the construction
industry as an operating engineer
and ironworker. His e-mail address
is edward.kilgore@yahoo.com.
1985
John Michalec lives in Bolingbrook, IL. His
e-mail address is 4michalecs@sbcglobal.net.
1986
Salvatore Gurgone is an operations
manager in the printing
industry. He resides in Chicago and
can be e-mailed at sgurgone29@yahoo.
com or cyclone29@earthlink.net.
1988
LaHarvi Gwin resides in Dolton, IL and is
working in the education field. His e-mail
address is laharvigwin@yahoo.com.
Alumni Connection De La Salle Magazine 23

Mario Jauregui is working as a security
officer. He’s looking forward to hearing
from former classmates. Jauregui’s
e-mail address is booblies@gmail.com.
Bob Kohn lives in LaGrange, IL
and works in the civil service industry
as a highway maintainer. He can be
reached at kohn0202@sbcglobal.net.
1990
Rich Wagner, who lives in Tinley
Park, IL, is working as a network engineer
in the IT field. His e-mail address
is richard.f.wagner@walgreens.com.
Timothy Ulatowski’s e-mail
address is tju15@comcast.net.
Mike Zirngibl resides in
Crestwood, IL with his wife.
1992
Fred Kappel is a Chicago resident. His
e-mail address is kapz22@aol.com.
Kevin L. Thompson is an Assistant
Vice President/Treasury Management
for ShoreBank. Thompson resides
in Chicago and can be contacted
at kevinlthomp@gmail.com.
1994
Robert Sepka and his wife, Christina,
welcomed a baby boy, born on
February 6 and weighing in at 5 lbs.,
8 oz. and standing 20 inches tall.
Robert is the Vice President of Lending
for Mortgage Direct and can be contacted
at rsepka@mtgdirectnow.com.
Congratulations to the Sepka family!
1995
Eric Aponte is a union electrician
and resides in Chicago. His e-mail
address is eaponte18@gmail.com.
Michael Navarro is working as a firefighter
and paramedic. He resides
in Chicago and his e-mail address
is camone67@sbcglobal.net.
Christopher Reyes is the Director
of Development for Watertower
Surgicenter in Chicago. His e-mail
address is creyes@wtsurgi.com.
1996
Mike Quinlan informed us that his twin sons
and future Meteors, Michael and Patrick,
were born on October 1, 2008. Quinlan’s
e-mail address is mquinlan@walshgroup.
com. Congratulations to the Quinlan family!
1997
Joseph Aiello lives in Chicago. His e-mail
address is joseph.aiello@gmail.com.
Dominic Leodoro is working in the power
protection industry as a front-end web
developer for Tripp Lite. His e-mail
address is Dominic.Leodoro@gmail.com.
1998
Vergis Eiland is employed as a real estate
agent and resides in Homewood, IL. His
e-mail address is verg904@sbcglobal.net.
Anthony Frieri lives in Chicago.
Charles Kaminski and his wife, Michele,
live in Chicago Ridge, IL. He is looking to
reconnect with his classmates. Kaminski’s
e-mail addresses are Ckam1980@aol.
com and Michshellybean79@aol.com.
Demond Walker is the Director of
Multicultural Affairs at San Francisco
University High School. Walker, who
resides in San Francisco, can be e-mailed
at demond_walker_1@hotmail.com.
1999
Jaime Buzo is an electroencephalograph
(EEG) technician in the healthcare
industry. E-mail Buzo, who lives in
Chicago, at jbuzo81@yahoo.com.
Michael Fegan is employed in the market
research/consulting field. He
resides in South Korea and can be contacted
at m_fegan2@yahoo.com.
Matthew Navarro lives in Chicago. His
e-mail address is nub302@sbcglobal.net.
2000
Alex Jenkins resides in Chicago and can
be contacted at ajenkins@illinoisalumni.
org and fiyah_n_brimstone@yahoo.com.
2001
Jim Gurgone is employed in the contract
furniture industry as a salesman.
He resides in Chicago and his e-mail
address is jimjuice@sbcglobal.net.
Jason Triche lives in Chicago and is working
in education as a teacher and coach. Triche
can be reached at Jason.Triche@gmail.com.
2002
Patrick Erickson resides in Burbank,
IL and is employed in the hospitality
industry as an IT manager. His e-mail
address is twisted29@gmail.com.
Andrew Wilk lives in Chicago and is
working as a software engineer. His
e-mail addresses are awilk1484@comcast.net
and wilkand@iit.edu.
2003
Ray Garcia has been hired on a full-time
basis by the Chicago White Sox as the
Coordinator of Media Services after serving
a one-year internship in the team’s
Media Relations Department. Garcia’s
e-mail address is rayggarcia@gmail.com.
Best of luck with the new position!
Jon Gorzkowski is training to be a paramedic.
Gorzkowski, who resides in
Chicago, can be contacted at jonathangorzkowski@gmail.com.
Michael Sanchez resides in Frankfort,
IL and is employed in the legal industry
as a Coordinator of the First Legal/
Title Department at the law firm of Pierce
and Associates, P.C. Sanchez’s e-mail
address is msanchez625@aol.com.
2004
Curtis Robinson is attending Northern
Illinois University with a future goal
of being a meteorologist for the
National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration. Robinson’s e-mail
address is curtis_allstar@hotmail.com.
Matt Slajchert is working as a security
officer, as well as a lineman for
Commonwealth Edison. In addition,
Slajchert, who lives in Chicago, is studying
to become a police officer. His e-mail
address is Sgtmatt666@yahoo.com.
2006
Jenna Bruno participated in the Kennedy
Center American College Theatre Festival
held at Saginaw Valley State University.
Two hundred students were nominated
for the Irene Ryan Scholarship and
only 50 advanced to the semifinals with
Bruno being the only undergraduate student
from Lewis University to ever make
it to the semifinals. Congratulations!
Christopher Stirgus is a Chicago
resident and may be contacted
at cstirg2010@yahoo.com.
2007
Wesley Pickett is working in education as a
teacher’s aid. Pickett lives in Dolton, IL and
can be reached at slavewest@yahoo.com.
2008
Joann Santana lives in Chicago. Her e-mail
address is jojo.santana@yahoo.com.
24 De La Salle Magazine Winter 2009

Lourdes Alumnae Updates
1968
Alice Wych (Jesionowski) lives in
Naperville, IL. Her e-mail address
is awych@comcast.net.
1969
Linda Harnish (Nielsen) lives in
Camas, WA. Her e-mail address
is noteable@cybergal.com.
1970
Laurie Mraz (Macuga) was featured in the
Tinley Park (IL) Junction newspaper after
leading The Pajama Program at St. George
Elementary School in Tinley Park where
she has been a teacher for the last 18 years.
The Pajama Program is a not-for-profit,
national organization that collects new
pajamas and books for children all
over America and across the world.
1977
Karen Hosman (Krolczyk) is a registered
nurse and resides in Villa Park,
IL. Her e-mail addresses are mktcp@
att.net and k-mktcp@att.net.
1985
Debbi Lyall lives in Chicago. Her e-mail
address is dllcool@yahoo.com.
Phonathon Thank you
We Appreciate Your Support!
1987
Kellie Ann Donato Galvan is the gym and
computer instructor at St. Jerome Grade
School in Chicago. She is the proud mother
of Gabbie and Frankie. Galvan’s e-mail
address is kdgalvan@sbcglobal.net.
1991
Teri Korolewicz (Simmons) resides in
Chicago with her husband, Jack, and daughters,
Vivian and Lorraine. Her e-mail
address is tsimmons521@yahoo.com.
1996
Jessica Lopez lives in Burbank, IL. Her
e-mail address is jessicalope@gmail.com.
1998
Patti Dyjak (Weyer) works in the
legal profession as a secretary and
lives in Chicago. Her e-mail address
is mpmvc03@sbcglobal.net.
2001
Maria Gaitan is employed as an office
manager in the substance abuse industry.
She resides in Chicago and her e-mail
address is sweetmaria24@yahoo.com.
De La Salle recently held its 2009 Phonathon. We are truly fortunate to have such
generous alumni who care about our students and their futures. The Phonathon is not only
about asking donors for support of the school’s financial assistance program, but also about
thanking them for caring about their alma mater. Fourteen student callers did an excellent
job for an important program. We thank all of you who answered the call for support.
Mini-Meteors
E-mail a photo of your Mini-Meteor wearing their favorite De La Salle gear to alumnirelations@dls.org
to appear in the De La Salle Magazine and we’ll send you a free t-shirt
De La Salle Institute extends its deepest
sympathies to the families of the following
De La Salle and Lourdes alumni and
friends who have recently passed away:
Mr. Joseph B. Mirabella ’35
Mr. John M. Kilroe ’36
Mr. Frank J. Geraghty ’37
Mr. Lawrence A. Byrne ’38
Dr. Anthony J. Batina ’41
Mr. Joseph A. Kelso ’41
Mr. Michael J. Martino ’44
Mr. James E. Radtke ’44
Mr. Raymond G. Reiff ’44
Mr. Gerald E. Ragan ’45
Mr. Ronald E. Irace ’52
Mr. Herbert C. Liebbe ’52
Mr. Norbert L. Skimel ’52
Mr. Leo F. Cronin ’53
Mr. George A. Rickord ’54
Mr. Martin F. DeWan ’56
Brother Norman L. McCarthy ’56
Mr. William F. Sheehy ’58
Mr. Joseph A. Filecia ’59
Mr. Raymond J. Padvoiskis ’64
Mr. Michael R. Lupa ’67
Mr. Robert E. Needham ’71
Mr. Rudy J. Comeaux ’75
Mr. Thomas A. Domanski ’79
Marlo Elizondo ’08
Mrs. Diane Thorpe ’L55
Mrs. Eloise C. Judy ’L58
Mrs. Renata Cummins ’L59
Ms. Judy Freeman ’L59
Ms. Maryann Jemilo ’L59
Mrs. Gloria Lorenzetti ’L59
Mrs. Elaine Murcia ’L59
Mrs. Anne E. Simmons ’L59
Mrs. Celine Ware ’L59
Mrs. Judy Melville ’L77
Ms. Francine Mason ’L93
Mr. Chet Bulger
Mr. Robert E. Cronin
Mrs. Frances T. Maggio
Ms. Donna Martin
Mrs. Patricia Washington
Eternal rest grant unto our brothers
and sisters, O Lord, and may perpetual
light shine upon them. May their
souls and all the souls of the faithful
departed rest in peace. Amen.
Davon Stacker, grandson of
Iris Gist Cochran, Director
of Development
Jacob and Isabella Brogan, children of John Brogan,
Dean of Social Sciences
Mary Hopkins, daughter of Steve Hopkins,
Faculty Member & Coach
St. John Baptist De La Salle, pray for us.
Live Jesus in our hearts, forever.
Alumni Connection De La Salle Magazine 25

-FINAL
18 th Annual
D-Final Event
Monday, April 6, 2009
Doors open at 6:00 pm
NCAA Basketball Championship
Game Broadcast on 4 Big Screens
Super Raffle Drawing with a
$14,000 Grand Prize and
Over $26,000 in Cash Prizes
$30 (Admission/Beverage/Food)
$35/ticket at the door
Second Annual
Great Futures Gala
Friday, April 24, 2009
University Club of Chicago
6:00pm cocktails • 7:00pm dinner
An Event to Benefit De La Salle Institute
De La Salle Institute Golf Classic
All proceeds of the D-Final Event go
toward the De La Salle Meteor Athletic
Program and general scholarship fund.
-FINAL
www.dls.org
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Gleneagles Country Club
13070 McCarthy Road
Lemont, IL 60439
-FINAL
For more information on any of the above events, please contact Lisa Andersson, Special Events Manager,
at 312.842.7355 ext. 146 or anderssonl@dls.org
Office for Advancement
3455 S. Wabash Ave.
Chicago, Illinois 60616-3827
312.842.7355
Non-Profit Org.
U.S. Postage
PAID
Permit No. 3092
Chicago, IL
Address Service Requested
Parents: If this is addressed to your son or daughter
and he or she no longer resides there,
please contact De La Salle’s Office for
Advancement by phone or with the enclosed
envelope so that we may update our records.