Lancer Magazine Summer/Fall 2020 by La Salle College Preparatory

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FOR THE COMMUNITY OF LA SALLE COLLEGE PREPARATORY

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M AG A Z I N E

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Crowned Rose Queen

The President’s Emergency Fund As the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic continues to affect people around the globe, La Salle College Preparatory is deeply committed to supporting its students and families during this time of need. This fund provides critical resources during these challenging times and brings relief to families who have suffered a loss of income in our school community by: • Supporting financial aid packages for students and families directly impacted by this crisis • Solidifying enrollment and retention efforts with increased merit and need-based academic scholarships, including co-curricular programs Thank you in advance for considering this opportunity in time of great need for our students and families. To donate please go to: lasallehs.org/GiveNow

Lancer Magazine is published by the Office of Advancement at La Salle College Preparatory, for alumni, parents, and friends.

OFFICERS & ADMINISTRATION: BOARD OF TRUSTEES:

Mr. Robert Nuccio ’71, P’00, ’02, ’04, Chair Dr. Stephanie Paggi, Vice Chair Mr. Nabil Anthony Bisharat ’02 Mr. Dennis Patrick Burke ’60, P’85 Mr. Robert (Bob) Carrejo Mr. Michael Harper P’93, ’95 Br. John Hoover, FSC Mr. Andrew Hubert P’13 Mr. Thomas (Tom) Palffy P’03, ’07, ’08, ’13, ’15 Mr. Ray Pearl, Jr., ’99 Mrs. Victoria Richards P’08 Mrs. Tamara Wann Wheeler ’97

BOARD OF REGENTS:

Mr. Peter S. Griffith P’00, ’03 (Chair) Mr. Camilo Becerra, Esq. P’18

Mr. Doug Campbell Dr. Dino Clarizio ’75, P’06 Mr. Dennis Jebbia, Esq. Mr. David Lam P’08, ’09 Mr. John Moe II, Esq. ’68 Dr. Kris Mohandie ’80, P’21 Mrs. Leigh Olivar P’12, ’21 Mr. Brent Schoenbaum P’16, ’19, ’24 Mr. Thom Steinhoff P’21, ’22 Mrs. Julie Williams P’04 Mrs. Gina Zhang P’21

ADMINISTRATION:

ALUMNI BOARD:

Mr. Robert Packard Chief Financial Officer

Mrs. Robin (Quintanilla) Aksu ’03 Mr. Joe Alvarez ’83, P’20, ’22 Mrs. Maria (Romero) Bitonti P’22, ’24 Mr. Gabriel Castillo ’96 Mr. Jay Crews ’86 Mr. Nico Garcia-Corona ’12 Mr. Bill Hall ’62 Mr. Paul Lees ’75 Ms. Christina Mesesan ’99 Mr. Tony Messineo ’80 Mr. Rafael Mirasol ’80, P’17, ’18 Mr. Armando Ramirez ’93, P’14, ’20 Mr. Chris Rettig ’84, P’19 Mrs. Amanda (Gonzalez) Richardson ’01 Mr. Rich Schmidt ’72

Mr. Perry Martin President

PHOTO CREDITS:

Ms. Tina Bonacci ’94 Assistant Principal for Curriculum & Instruction

Mr. Pat Bonacci AFSC, P’94, ’97 Ms. Nicole Carlos ’12 Mr. Scott DoVale P’14, ’17 Mr. Perry Martin Tournament of Roses/ Michelle Mishina Ms. Kristen Schultz ’98 Mr. Alex Veliz P’20

Mr. Kevin Delaney ’89 Vice President for Advancement

PUBLICATION AND PRODUCTION:

Mrs. Courtney Kassakhian Principal

Mr. Michael Stumpf Assistant Principal for Student Services

EDITOR:

Mrs. Vanessa Strouse-Kenney ’97

EDITORIAL CONTRIBUTORS:

Ms. Elizabeth Kalmus ’04 Ms. Carolyn Neuhausen ’04 Ms. Kristen Schultz ’98 Mrs. Vanessa Strouse-Kenney ’97

KGB Studios

Inquiries and/or correspondence should be directed to: La Salle College Preparatory C/O Mrs. Vanessa Strouse-Kenney ’97 3880 East Sierra Madre Boulevard Pasadena, California 91107 vanessa@redcardinalmedia.com All pages are displayed on the La Salle website: www.lasallehs.org When you see this icon, go to www.lasallehs.org and click the Flickr icon to see more event photos.

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25 D EPARTMEN TS

F EAT U R E S 5

A NEW ERA FOR LA SALLE

Meet La Salle’s new President Perry Martin

FROM THE PRESIDENT

PRINCIPAL IDEAS

LANCER ACADEMICS

AMAZING EDUCATORS

Patrick Bonacci retires after 35 years

25 LANCER ATHLETICS

LA SALLE’S NEWEST ROSE QUEEN

28 CLASS NOTES

Camille Kennedy ’20 represents her community

22 MAKING A DIFFERENCE

Lancers on the frontlines of COVID-19

STAY CONNECTED

WWW.LASALLEHS.ORG

THE CROSSROADS BETWEEN A PANDEMIC AND THE DREAMS OF A NEW WORLD St. John Baptist de La Salle (1651–1719), the namesake of our school and founder of the Institute of the Brothers of the Christian Schools, was a pioneer and leader of his time - founding training colleges for teachers, reform schools for delinquents, technical schools, and secondary schools for modern languages, arts, and sciences. Much like life in today’s world, St. John Baptist de La Salle’s life in France (and within greater Europe) was laden with wars, innovation and invention, art and culture, monarchy shifts, worldwide exploration, and plagues. Like the COVID-19 pandemic of today, various European plagues laid siege to many countries during the 16th and 17th centuries, with people dying and suffering. The quarantine situations we are experiencing draw some parallels to pandemics and plagues of centuries past. It was under these conditions that de La Salle, son of aristocratic parents, had the opportunity for an excellent education (like a La Salle education of today) and went on to be ordained a priest and eventually followed his true vocation as an educator, entrepreneur, and innovator. We are fortunate to be part of his education legacy, the development of today’s Christian Brother’s formation, and our school, La Salle College Preparatory. For all of our current graduates, today’s world rests at a critical crossroads. Somewhere 2

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between the COVID-19 pandemic and a new, empathic future world lies the hope and dreams of our La Salle College Preparatory graduates. This intersect will cross a world waiting to rebuild itself more inclusively and responsibly. Like St. John Baptist de La Salle, we have all been pulled in many directions, “frozen in time” from the crossroad of what’s next. Within this crossroad, we have seen the damage that a pandemic can produce, the world death toll of the unexpected, the economic devastation of livelihoods lost, and the unfortunate effects to the most vulnerable in our society. We must look to what lies ahead to rebuild from an ethic that values care, life, and a peaceful world. So what does it take to prepare for the end of the pandemic and seizing the moment to rebuild a world with greater empathy, faith, with equitable and sustainable measures? The answer is discovered in the voices and the actions of our students and alumni. This summer, I met with La Salle College Preparatory student leaders over a video conference. We discussed the importance of the next generation of leadership and how their perspectives might change the world for the better. We discussed the characteristics of strong leadership and the mentoring processes needed to share opportunities and bridge young skillsets.

FROM THE PRESIDENT

In a recent forum from the World Economic Organization, “Strategic Intelligence” was a leadership skill cited as a priority for the next generation of young leaders to learn and master. Strategic intelligence studies social issues and forces driving transformational change across economies, industries, and human needs. As I listened to these brilliant young Lasallian student leaders, I realized that in a few short years, their generation would account for more than half of the world’s population. With that type of population leverage, enormous opportunities will abound to use their strategic intelligence. Our students will have opportunities to address world issues associated with geo-economics, international security, climate change, human migration and humanitarian rights, global health, equality and justice, world corruption, gender parity, and roles of religion and faith, to name a few. While this brief encounter over a video conference was non-scripted and straightforward, our students showed themselves to be compassionate leaders, equipped with emotional intelligence to withstand a world pandemic and more. It was within this single video conference that I knew our students’ passion for service to others and how their inclusiveness mindset would positively transcend both the COVID-19 pandemic and their education at La Salle College Preparatory. Nothing binds us together more passionately than a shared belief that a Catholic Lasallian education can positively change lives forever. Each of our students are made entirely in God’s image with collective voices. Every human being needs to have the blessing of a learning-oriented culture like that at La Salle College Preparatory. We must continue to welcome the most

vulnerable in our community and invite them into our lives and school. Just like St. John Baptist de La Salle, it will be beyond literacy and numeracy that our students will ultimately be engaged in this future transformation. They will be found elevating the most vulnerable, serving those who can’t help themselves, assisting those who can’t help themselves, eliminating racial discrimination and injustice, solving challenging and unique dilemmas, and leading us to an improved world of order, education, peace, and hope. In a lifetime, there will always be difficult years like what we’re all currently experiencing. It is times like these where our paths of faith and intellect emerge right in front of us. Where we find ourselves evaluating clear choices and deciding on crucial decisions that either can or cannot coexist within our lives. We find out why God brought us into this world. I pray that wherever your life intersects in your world of crossroads, that faith will define each of the steps you take. I pray you will make profound and lasting changes. I pray that your life is filled with joyful decisive moments, loving families, lasting friendships, undying faith, and a hopeful future. I certainly have confidence in our students and alumni and what they are capable of accomplishing. They will show us the way!

PERRY K. MARTIN PRESIDENT

PRINCIPAL IDEAS

THE ROAD TO PERFECTION Welcome Issue LancerMagazine. Magazine. In In Welcometotothe theSpring/Fall latest issue of of Lancer this issue you will read about our fantastic arts programs. this issue you will read about the many things that La Salle has been blessed with the leadership of Dr. Jude have taken place at La Salle over the last few months Lucas for 17 years. Under her guidance, our arts course and whatand ourprogramming La Salle community can look forward toofferings have expanded dramatically as we move into the upcoming so much so that this year, we have school split ouryear. Arts and Media Department into two distinct departments: Performing Arts & Media, led by Dr. Lucas, and Arts,atled Mrs. Kate Summer is always a time forVisual change a by school and Williams. Within these two departments our students are this summer brings big changes. The most notable able to grow and learn in the disciplines of acting, dance, is the retirement of Pat P’94, P’97 filmmaking, music, and the Bonacci, visual arts,AFSC, including drawing, and the addition of our president Martin. painting, photography andnew sculpture. OurPerry robust arts Mr. Bonacci been at LaofSalle forSalle 35 years. He has program is anhas important part the La difference.

served as teacher, dean, principal, vice president for William Formerpresident U.S. Secretary of Education, said, mission,Bennet, and acting during two president “The arts are an essential element of education, just like transitions. He has truly been the face and heart of reading, writing, and arithmetic…music, dance, painting, La In this issue willunlock celebrate Pat and his andSalle. theater are all keyswethat profound human commitment and to La Salle and Catholic education for understanding accomplishment.” All students at La Salle 50 years. take at least one art class before they graduate and many take arts classes throughout their time at La Salle through our four year The students highlighted in this Moving into arts the program. role of president is Perry Martin. He issue - James Fall ’20, Sophia Jasper ’22, Lily Polchow comes to La Salle with extensive Catholic school ’22 and Elijah Reyes ’19 – are four examples of the talent leadership andand has hitexperiences the ground running. of our students their illustrate the Those power of us arts whoprogram have started working with himarts here are of the and the commitment of our faculty.

excited about the energy, enthusiasm, and ideas he One of the distinctive qualities of our arts program is the has already brought and I hope through the article in many opportunities our students have to perform and this month’s Lancer Magazine you will begin to know share their work with the community. I know you will be more about Mr. Martin and be as excited about having impressed when you read about and see photos of our AP him at La Salle as weBand, all are here Choir at school. and Spring Art Shows, Strings, concert and our Jazz Concert.

This issue of Lancer Magazine of course also shares Like ourstories arts program, student students. life program is one some of our our awesome You will that get attracts students to La Salle and allows them to grow and to learn more about our latest Rose Queen, Camille challenge themselves as they journey through their time Kennedy ’20, and find out about the exciting and here. Mr. Ed O’Connor P’16, ’17, known as EOC to most exceptional of since our 1995. seniors will be students, has programs been at Lafour Salle Throughout moving into they begin in Student the fall. These five that time Mr.asO’Connor hascollege led our Life team, graduates everything are just afrom few service examples of theand intelligent, overseeing to dances rallies to retreats. much of what makes a student’s experience at engaged,Soand dynamic students that make up La La Salle memorable and fun starts in Mr. O’Connor’s office. Salle College Preparatory. He truly is an amazing educator and you’ll see that through his profile.

Our graduates are moving on from La Salle during a time with unlike other anyeducators, of us have known. Aslucky we Along ourno many veteran we are always moved into new distance learning, things changed, to welcome members to ourmany La Salle community. In 4

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January, Ben became events a part ofand our other Lancertraditions family as including ourBuys graduation our new head football coach. Our student athletes such as our annual Crystal Ball. In this issue youoften will spend more time with their coaches than they do with their read about some of the ways La Salle is responding teachers, easily spending 15 hours a week with their team to the COVID-19 crisis, but also how our alumni have and coach while in season. Therefore, although coaching responded in their work. are always sosearch, proud we to ability and experience was We paramount in our share storiestooffind howsomeone our alumni also wanted wholearn, couldserve, be a and greatlead, role model for our young men.service We found in Coachand Buys but especially so when andthat leadership a and we are excited about what this year’s football season willingness to learn are so vital to the health of our will bring. communities. So much happened at La Salle over the last semester. We

There is so much to ever talk for about when you talkthrough about raised the most money our twinning school La a first CIFevent championship for our Salle, annualincluding Riley’s Race for ever Change and were able to send more than $18,000 to Mont La Salle College in girls water polo! In these pages you will get a peek into Naka, Nigeria. We honored Board of Regents member all of that excitement. Thank you for your continuing Leigh Oliver, P’12, ’21 at our annual Crystal Ball. And of support of La Salle, our students, and the mission course we celebrated with our 160 graduates at our annual of nurturing, inspiring, motivating and challenging commencement exercises at the end of May. all of our diverse and capable students to become extraordinary people. There is so much going on at La Salle; this issue of Lancer Magazine will give you a peek into the excitement. Thank you for your continued support of La Salle, our students, Sincerely, and the mission of nurturing, inspiring, motivating and challenging all of our diverse and capable students to become extraordinary people. COURTNEY KASSAKHIAN PRINCIPAL

A NEW ERA FOR LA SALLE By: Vanessa Strouse-Kenney ’97

This summer, La Salle College Preparatory welcomed a new member to the Lasallian family, President Perry Martin. The appointment makes Perry the third president in La Salle’s history. He joins La Salle from Maryknoll Schools, a K-12 Catholic school in Honolulu, Hawaii where he served as president for almost 12 years. As president, he was responsible for strategy and master planning, and fundraising. In addition, he developed strong programs, admissions processes, enrollment management strategies and growth, and retention initiatives to ensure sustainability in a highly competitive market. In all of his work, Martin has taken a creative and entrepreneurial approach to addressing the challenges schools face in today’s world. Martin’s experience extends to both elementary and high school levels. He began his teaching career in Saudi Arabia where he and his wife Leann worked for 14 years as teachers before he became the school’s dean. In Saudi Arabia, they started their family and welcomed their two children, Casey and Jameson.

After returning to the States, Martin transitioned to Catholic education, first as Principal of Sacred Heart Catholic School in Medford, Oregon, then as Principal/ President of Marist High School in Eugene, Oregon and then to Maryknoll Schools in Honolulu. Martin says initially, it was the Christian Brothers that got him excited about La Salle. “I was really drawn to the way the Christian Brothers empower their leaders to lead,” he says, “and as I got to know many members of the Lasallian community, I really fell in love with the School.” He was impressed with La Salle’s Board of Trustees and Board of Regents calling them “dialed in” and says that between the support from the Boards and the Christian Brothers, he saw his future at La Salle. “Here, you’re never an island in a stream. I cannot do this alone. I have God on my side but I also need people to help me learn and grow and I know I can do that at La Salle.” 5

Perry with his family (l to r) Jameson, Casey, Nick, and Leann

Martin says his family is a fundamental part of his support system. “They’re just the best,” he says, “and are so supportive.” He and his wife Leann have been married nearly 40 years and he has a close relationship with his two children. His daughter Casey is an interior designer and lives with her husband Nick in Portland. His son Jameson, lives in Eugene and works for Ford Motor Company. Seeing his future at La Salle, Martin accepted the position of president. But just as he and his wife were preparing to move from Honolulu to Pasadena, the world was knocked off its feet by the COVID-19 pandemic. La Salle, along with the rest of the country, went into quarantine and teachers and administrations across the country were scrambling to figure out how to implement distance learning to an entire school-aged population. Despite the challenges, Martin remains calm about the situation. “We’re realistic. We know that we’re going to do the best we can. We have been following the guidelines of the City of Pasadena Public Health Department, the 6

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Center for Disease Control, and the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health and we have a plan. The health of our students and faculty are of the utmost importance.” In addition to working with his leadership team to establish COVID protocols for La Salle, Martin has been learning more about the School and getting to know the staff. “From what I’ve seen so far, I’m really impressed with the humanistic side of the teachers. They will go beyond the academic world. They do really try to humanize the experience for the students,” he says. In his first year Martin says he’s laser focused on strategy and building on the existing foundation. “I will focus on developing faith, teamwork, transparency, collaboration, and accountability fulfilling the school mission of nurturing the talents of each student, inspiring in students a sense of responsibility for others, challenging students to embrace diversity, and motivating our students to respond compassionately to the needs of others, especially the poor. I think if I can get everyone feeling like they are a part of the team and know the plan and know where we’re headed and how they fit in, it’s going to be great,” he says. Martin is also acutely aware that the conversations around the Black Lives Matter movement and racial inequality are essential to address. “On racism and culture, you have to be real. You can’t have a fake answer. Our young

THINK FAST // PERRY MARTIN FAVORITE MOVIE: “Secretariat,” because of its authentic storyline of human hardship, risk-taking, teamwork, and fastest horse of all time. FAVORITE BAND : The Eagles because they took country and rock, soul, and R&B and folk to the next level. They could do it all. FAVORITE SPORTS TEAM: Dodgers and Yankees equally. I grew up admiring both organizations. FAVORITE PLACE TO VISIT: Shanghai and Hong Kong IF YOU COULD HAVE DINNER WITH ANYONE WHO WOULD IT BE AND WHY? St. Paul because I loved his drive, commitment, and determination, and his conversion to Christianity.

kids will help us answer these larger questions. La Salle kids will help lead these conversations,” he says. “I will put my stake in the ground. We are forming a committee that can really talk about what we can do to sustain our efforts for change. The only way I know that can happen is you make strategic decisions and you move forward. This is a long-term plan but we will identify the steps and execute on the strategy with the right people at the table helping to make these important decisions.”

There is no doubt the year ahead will have its share of challenges. However, Martin is confident that defining the strategy and finding the human component, will lead to success and growth for the School. He says, “La Salle’s in a good position to do it because it has God, bright kids, and caring adults.”

Martin holds a B.S in Elementary Education/Technology Education, as well as, a M.S. in Elementary and Middle School Administration from Western Oregon University. He also has a Post Masters Elementary and Secondary Certificate in K-12 Administration from the College of New Jersey.

AMAZING

EDUCATORS

A LA SALLE LEGEND RETIRES AFTER 35 YEARS By: Carolyn Neuhausen ’04

PATRICK BONACCI didn’t envision retiring this way. But with the country and the Lasallian community reeling from a global pandemic, his time at La Salle came to an end in a way he never could have imagined. “Ending with COVID has been ugly. From March on, not being able to be with my students has just killed me. To tell someone promptly that today is the last day of school it was terrible. It felt like a death.” But time waits for no one and after 49 years in education, 35 of those at La Salle College Preparatory, Pat Bonacci officially retired on June 30, 2020. Almost 50 years after he began his life in education, Bonacci reflects on how he got here. He was first exposed to the Lasallian education philosophy while attending St. Mary’s College, a Christian Brothers school, which considered teaching an act of Catholic service. Bonacci felt aligned with that mission, citing the way

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the Christian Brothers treated him and his peers with kindness and care as a driving principle he admired. “I made the decision that I could best be of service by staying in Catholic education, first at Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary and then to La Salle College Preparatory. I saw my teaching as an extension of my faith,” he said. Since beginning his tenure at La Salle in 1985, Bonacci has held multiple administrative positions, starting as Dean of Students, later becoming Principal, and actinginterim President when both Philip Clark and Dr. Gray retired. “My 49 years in Catholic Education, and in particular my 35 years in Lasallian education, have made me appreciate the awe and wonder of faith based education. The values presented to the students are

also acted as academic advisor to students until his last year, working with them one-on-one to develop their long-term educational plans and helping resolve difficulties they might be experiencing in the classroom or with their studies.

life changing. Faith in the Presence of God; Respect for all people since we are all created in the image of God; Inclusivity; Service of the poor and marginalized; and the receiving a Quality Education - these five principles have become the cornerstone of my personal educational philosophy and the essential element of my career and faith vocation.”

Bonacci has watched La Salle grow and transform during his tenure; one of the biggest changes being the decision to admit young women to the School in 1991. Over the years he’s seen a more inclusive and diverse community grow at La Salle. As diversity has grown, so has the curriculum. “The English department has taken on a systematic way of examining social justice as it’s represented in the literature students are introduced to. We ask, what does a particular book look at? It might be a classic, but if we can find a different book that teaches the most critical information, that’s what’s important,” he said. He’s seen students openly engage with one another about race and social justice, meeting with one another to protest the current state of racial inequality and violence in light of the Black Lives Matter movement.

His greatest joy is connecting with students, teaching them, seeing their personalities blossom and their skills and talents take off in extracurricular activities. Throughout the years as Principal, Bonacci performed double duty, teaching both history and religion classes. “There were many times in the classroom where someone asked a question and I gave an answer and you get this look and you just know the student ‘gets it.’ It’s a fulfilling moment for a teacher,” he says. He

While this has been a challenging year for most, Bonacci asks students to be patient with the disruptive changes that will most likely continue as COVID remains present. “It will be easy to lose your spirit, and I understand that, but stay connected to friends, use social media 9

Pat pictured with son-in-law Jay, Julie, Claire, Tina, Jacob, and Jayden

for connection. You have to hang in there and not let your spirits get down and if you need help, you need to reach out to someone. You can’t just lock yourself in your room and not have interaction with other people.” After almost a half a century in the workforce, Bonacci is looking forward to more family time. He and his wife Claire celebrated their 49th wedding anniversary on June 5th. They have two daughters, Tina Bonacci ’94 and Julie Bonacci Kolb ’97 who both graduated from La Salle. Tina also works at La Salle where she serves as the Assistant Principal for Curriculum and Instruction. Bonacci is especially looking forward to seeing his grandsons Jayden (11) and Jacob (9) play Little League and soccer games. Reflecting on his time at La Salle, Bonacci says, “There were certainly days that challenged me to my very core. But in the overall scheme of things, I came to the La Salle campus each morning with a feeling of expectation and anticipation for the wonderment that the day would provide. I was seldom disappointed in my 10

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daily interactions with our students and with our faculty and staff. There is not a more capable and dedicated faculty to be found in any school. And, our students are day in and day out the very best - GO LANCERS!!”

THINK FAST - PAT BONACCI • Favorite Place(s) On Campus: The dining hall - that is where I can visit and talk with the students at breaks and lunch. Next would be Kohorst Field and the Duffy Lewis Gymnasium - for the same reason where I can engage with the students as we cheer on our student-athletes • Favorite La Salle Memories: - Welcoming our first group of female students to our campus at the beginning of the 1991 school year. -

In 2006 I was surprised beyond belief when my dear friend, Brother DeSales, on behalf of the Christian Brothers, shared with me the official letter that the Superior General of the Brothers, named me an Affiliated Member of the Brothers of the Christian Schools. This is an honor that I never felt I deserved; but I am eternally grateful to the Brothers for this honor. With gratitude I have since then used the initials AFSC after my name on all La Salle correspondence.

• If You Could Have Dinner With Anyone, Who Would It Be? Dinner with the Obama family would be most cool. • Favorite Movie(s): The Godfather 1 & 2 • Favorite Band: Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young. I have been to at least 5 concerts going back to their beginning. •

Favorite Sport: Dodger Baseball. I first saw them play when they moved here from Brooklyn and played in the LA Coliseum.

Rose Queen Embodies La Salle’s Mission By: Elizabeth Kalmus ’04

Photo Credit: Tournament of Roses/Michelle Mishina 12

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CAMILLE KENNEDY ’20 started her senior year as many students do, optimistic and excited for the year ahead. Little did she know, her senior year would challenge her in ways she never could have expected.

the lead in the Spring 2020 musical, “Anyone Can Whistle,” which was canceled due to COVID.

In 2020, Camille became one of many seniors around the country who, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, didn’t get to receive his or her diploma in front of family and friends. But that doesn’t mean she didn’t get the chance to leave her mark. In October 2019, Camille was selected as the 2020 Rose Queen for the Tournament of Roses (TOR) Association’s Royal Court. In a year of uncertainty, this Pasadena native could not have asked for a better way to celebrate with her community. “I’ve never been a ’join a school sport’ kid, I’ve always been an arts kid,” Camille says of her start at La Salle. Camille fondly remembers how she walked into La Salle and immediately leaned in to every aspect of the theater program. She enrolled in a theater course, signed up for the fall play, and was lucky enough to be cast almost immediately. She thrived in the environment and was cast in the spring musical. “It was just a phenomenal experience,” Camille states. “It really helped introduce me to this wonderful community at La Salle, which was immediately accessible as soon as I became involved in the theater program.”

Camille had been so focused on preparing for the fall musical that she didn’t realize the Tournament of Roses Association had started their annual search for the next Pasadena Rose Queen. “I kind of went on a whim,” Camille admits about the tryouts for the Royal Court.

The supportive atmosphere La Salle provided helped prepare Camille for her sophomore year studying abroad in Japan. As a freshman, she concurrently enrolled at PCC in Japanese classes. In Tokyo, Camille attended an all-girls’ high school for 10 months, where she continued to hone her Japanese language skills as well as grow her love for Japanese culture. But four weeks after her first interview, she found herself standing among 25 young women, waiting to see if she had been chosen for the Royal Court. To her surprise, she was the second young woman selected for the 7 person Royal Court. “My friends told me that when they watched the video of the announcement, I didn’t look surprised. They had no idea I was surprised into silence.”

Camille returned to La Salle as a junior and picked up right where she left off; “It was a great year to come back, as I was lucky enough to be cast in the lead role in a production.” She had been cast in “City of Angels” as Alaura Kingsley/Carla Haywood and would go on to be cast in her senior year as a lead role in the fall musical production, Charles Dickens’ “Mystery of Edwin Drood.” Due to the intense commitment required by her Royal Court duties, she unfortunately had to drop out of that performance. Camille was also cast as

Her excitement of being selected quickly shifted to focusing on performing her duties on the Royal Court by visiting nursing homes, special needs schools, and feeding the homeless - working with organizations that partner with the Tournament of Roses Association. The announcement that Camille had been chosen as the 102nd Rose Queen came a month later in a surprise reveal at the Coronation Ceremony in late October 2019. What came next, was a whirlwind. The Royal Court had close to 150 public appearances between October and January first, which they had to juggle with their regular schoolwork, plus the college testing and application process. 13

Her years of theater experience and performing in front of large crowds had prepared her for what came next. On January 1st, 2020, at 2:00 am, Camille began preparing for her big day as Rose Queen of the 131st Tournament of Roses Parade. “It was such a busy morning. Adrenaline was pumping, and I was so excited.” With an estimated 700,000 people attending the live event and 37 million tuning in on national television, Camille knew there would be a large audience watching her make the five mile trip down the parade route. “It was surreal,” Camille states as she remembers what she saw when the Royal Court float made that famous grand turn on the corner of Orange Grove Boulevard and Colorado Boulevard in Pasadena. “We made the turn, and there were so many people. It looked like I was looking into a sea of little Lego figures!” Camille’s friends and family came out in force to support her. Her mother had even arranged for Camille’s friends in the crowd to wear t-shirts with her Japanese nickname on them. However, when COVID-19 became a global pandemic in March, nearly all of Camille’s Royal Court duties came to

a halt. Her focus pivoted from summertime Rose Queen appearances to figuring out what college might look like in the Fall. “I’ve been accepted at Waseda University in central Tokyo, Japan,” Camille explains. “But I’m not sure if I will still be traveling as was originally planned. I hope so, but we’re just not sure.” If she does attend in the Fall, Camille plans to major in Intercultural Media Communications with a minor in Japanese language. Despite these uncertain times, Camille is clear about her experience with the Royal Court. “I was so honored to be a part of this wonderful tradition, especially with this group of young women. The Rose Parade itself was the culmination of our entire Royal Court experience. I would love for Ava, Jennifer, Tim, Camille, Esmé Kennedy people to know all the good that the Tournament of Roses Association does, as an all-volunteer group dedicated to supporting charities and philanthropies. I learned so much about my city and also about the amazing ways people are reaching out to serve others. So it’s not just about us sitting up on a float and doing the ’Parade Wave.’ It’s about learning how to work together for the betterment of our communities, just like what I learned at La Salle”

THINK FAST - CAMILLE KENNEDY • Favorite Movie: Spirited Away • Favorite Class: Theater and History • Favorite Food: Japanese food, but also Avocado toast.

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• If You Could Go Anywhere in the World, Where Would You Go? Italy, but the rural side. •

Dinner Guest: Matthew Gray Gubler, TV actor on CBS’s Criminal Minds because there is so much about him as a person that I just want to sit down with him and ask why.

SENIOR SPOTLIGHT MIKAELA AVAKIAN CLASS OF 2020 Mikaela Avakian ’20 transferred to La Salle College Preparatory as a junior, initially looking for a school to help better accommodate her demanding schedule for her activities outside of academia. “I’ve been fencing since I was 11 years old,” Mikaela explains. “I needed to find a school that would help support my pursuits in fencing as I started to compete nationally and internationally. La Salle offered that, and then so much more.” When Mikaela started at La Salle, she didn’t know how La Salle would come to mean so much to her in other ways as well. “There’s an incredible rapport between the faculty and the students, giving the students mentors that are so accessible to discuss academics or anything in general, and I think that is incredibly unique, highlighting the nurturing nature of La Salle and how it focuses on the interpersonal development of their students.” Mikaela embraced La Salle after her transfer, noting how her transition to La Salle from public school was fascinating as she was amongst such concentrated small groups of students. But it only aided in her development and sense of belonging on campus. “It gave way to incredible discussions covering religious, philosophical, socioeconomic prominence of themes in different ways,” Mikaela states. Her classes brought her a wealth of knowledge by allowing expression more freely. She was given the time and space to explore ideas in a close-knit environment of peers, whether it be amongst the other students or the teachers as well.

“La Salle and the Lasallian community have been the greatest contributors to my success – both academically but also in outside pursuits. If it wasn’t for the continual support and understanding of my peers and teachers, I wouldn’t be able to pursue academics and athletics at such a high level.” And Mikaela has done more than just pursue these endeavors – she has excelled. Crowned a twotime National Fencing Champion as well as a 2019 Cadet US World Team Member, Mikaela was also featured as a fencer in the Macy’s 2019 Back-to-School campaign. Her academics have soared as well, honoring her as a National AP Scholar, and an All-American Award winner and an All-Academic Award winner for maintaining excellent academics and athletic accomplishments simultaneously. Mikaela also started a French club at La Salle in her junior year, calling it “Le Cercle Français” to keep active with her other passion – the French language. Mikaela will be attending Princeton University in the fall where she will study at the Princeton School of Public and International Affairs while also obtaining a certificate in the French language. And, of course, she will continue with fencing, just as she was able to continue with the sport while attending La Salle. “My teachers worked with me and helped me so much along the way. Fencing isn’t usually considered a team sport, but La Salle has certainly been my team.”

ACTIVITIES: • Mock Trial - 12 • La Salle Student Ambassador - 12 • Le Cercle Français - 11 • Fencing - 2X National Champion - 2019 Cadet US World Team Member - Featured as a fencer in the Macy’s 2019 Back-To-School Campaign AWARDS: • Excellence Award - English

SENIOR SPOTLIGHT JAMES FALL CLASS OF 2020 “I entered La Salle with no notion of what I wanted to accomplish,” James Fall ’20 explains. “I liked music and all, but I didn’t have any goals. I didn’t know what I wanted to do with my life. But La Salle helped me figure that out. If not for all the mentors, I would not have been encouraged to find a path.” And that’s just what he did. “La Salle’s theater program was where I had the most significant personal growth,” says James. “When I started at La Salle and had my first class with Dr. Lucas, she said I didn’t project, didn’t speak loud enough. But now, four years later, I’m told I’m too loud!” James is no stranger to the stage, having performed as a musician before, but the theater was something new to him. Once he tried it, he never stopped. James participated in each production during his four years at La Salle, including some of the summer productions at the Portico’s Theater space with professional actors under Dr. Jude Lucas’ theatrical immersion program through La Salle. He went on to earn a Theater Excellence Award in his senior year. James continued with his musical pursuits as well, spending all four years in Jazz Band and going on to earn a Merit Award for Music Theory. James was also the recipient of the Joseph Antonisamy Memorial Scholarship for Excellence in Music, going on to earn Jazz Merit Awards both his sophomore

and junior years and be inducted into the Jazz Hall of Fame his senior year. James also kept his academic pursuits active, earning Scholastic Achievement as a freshman and was awarded the Academic Honors Award and Academic Achievement Award as a senior. “La Salle allowed me to try new things,” James explains. “Even things like JV Football. Although I only lasted three hours!” James says that the best thing about La Salle was the ability to explore all these different possibilities. That, and the people. The people he met at La Salle – from fellow students, to the faculty and staff, to alumni and those connected to La Salle, opened up more possibilities. James will be attending the California University of the Arts in the fall with a proposed major of Performer-Composer in Music. He hopes to continue to explore music and perform, as well as, perfect his composing, hoping to one day compose film scores. “If it wasn’t for La Salle, I would not have gone into the arts,” James admits. “I came to La Salle, still trying to find myself. I like the person I’ve become thanks to La Salle. It’s me.”

ACTIVITIES: • Theater - 9, 10, 11, 12 • Jazz Band - 9, 10, 11, 12 • Studio Art - 11

• Photography - 11, 12 • JV Football - 9

AWARDS: • Scholastic Achievement - 9 • Merit Award for Music Theory - 10 • Joseph Antonisamy Memorial Scholarship for Excellence in Music - 11 • Jazz Merit Award - 10, 11 • Choir Excellence Award - 12 • Theatre Excellence Award - 12 • Jazz Hall of Fame - 12 • Academic Honors Award - 12 • Academic Achievement Award - 12

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SENIOR SPOTLIGHT KAIYA WILSON CLASS OF 2020 Kaiya Wilson ’20 walked onto the La Salle College Preparatory campus on her first day of freshman year with one goal in mind - get through high school and go on to college to get a degree in Musical Theater. But her perspective began to change as she was exposed to all La Salle had to offer. “At La Salle, students have the freedom to do all sorts of different activities,” Kaiya remarks, crediting La Salle with her ability to discover other joys. “La Salle opened my eyes to the world of math and science. Before La Salle, I wanted to solely be a performing artist.” But in the summer between her sophomore and junior year, Kaiya enrolled in a Spanish course at La Salle’s summer school program, allowing her to take on an additional class once she began her junior year. What class did she choose? “Physics,” Kaiya laughs, noting the big jump of taking an additional science course instead of a course in the performing arts. “It was in that class that I made that turn. That class at La Salle opened up the possibility and taught me that I could do both – that I could perform and also be a scientist.” Her love of science blossomed, culminating in her receiving the Bob Thomas Memorial Scholarship for Math and Science. Kaiya found her calling in science at La Salle, but she participated in many activities while a student. She kept up

performing by acting alongside fellow thespians in the theater productions all four years, as well as performing with the Improv Club. Kaiya was also the inaugural winner of the David Paul Needles Award in Improv her junior year. She continued singing as a member of Chorus and Music for the Masses for her four years and even served as a member of the Student Council and Senior Senate, as well as acted as a Student Ambassador. She was inducted into National Honors Society in her junior and senior years, and after flourishing in science, was also inducted into the Science National Honors Society for those years as well. Kaiya has decided to fully embrace her love of science and attend Wellesley College in the fall with a prospective major in physics. Her current goal is to be a Physics Professor and Researcher while still performing on the side. “Without La Salle, I would have never known that I wanted to follow science as a profession,” Kaiya explained. “Because of that, I can say La Salle is the best thing that ever happened to me.”

ACTIVITIES: • Class Council - 11 • Student Life - 12 • LEAP - 10, 11, 12 • National Honors Society - 11, 12 • Science National Honors Society - 11, 12 • Senior Senate - 12 • Student Ambassador - 11, 12 • Chorus - 9, 10, 11, 12 • Theater - 9, 10, 11, 12 • Music for the Masses - 9, 10, 11, 12 • Improv Club - 9, 10, 11, 12 AWARDS: • Hall of Fame: Chorus • Hall of Fame: Theatre • Bob Thomas Memorial Scholarship for Math and Science • David Paul Needles Award for Improv (1st recipient)

SENIOR SPOTLIGHT FERNANDO JIANG CLASS OF 2020 Fernando Jiang ’20 wasn’t sure what to expect when he began as a student at La Salle. As an international student, Fernando says La Salle helped him in ways he didn’t expect. “La Salle offers a perfect program for international students. The environment really helped exercise my English language abilities,” Fernando explains. “I really needed the support of the school I chose and La Salle gave me an environment to create and develop.” Fernando’s love is in applied art, and as an art student, he felt supported and encouraged to develop his own artistic works in various ways. He participated in painting, photography, sculpture, camera and cinematic operations, and production of media. He was a production maven with Lancer Television (LTV), acting president of the Just Dance club, participated in the four-year Arts program at La Salle, and was selected as the “Fashion Star” by his class his senior year. Fernando was also awarded the Crystal Award for Mixed Methods AP, inducted into the Hall of Fame for the 21st Century Award and the Visual Art Award, and received the Gold Award for two pieces in Photography in the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards.

“La Salle has a strong four-year art program that provided many practical opportunities for students like me to explore all art programs, like photography, AP Art, and video production,” Fernando explains. “But for me, the most distinctive feature of La Salle is the LTV program. It allows students to use their own creativity to shoot and distribute a whole program that is then broadcast on our TV station. I don’t know any other school that has that.” La Salle also gave Fernando an opportunity to learn more about a subject he has always enjoyed – fashion. In fact, that experience has guided his decision about what to study in college. Fernando will be attending the Parsons School of Design in New York City. He is already enrolled in their summer program and has decided to major in Fashion Design come Fall. Fernando feels he benefited from having the opportunity of a structured education with so many opportunities to explore different avenues. “In such an environment, I feel that students can better adapt to social life in advance of going out into the real world. La Salle helped prepare me for that, for what the future holds.”

ACTIVITIES: • The President of Just Dance Club - 9, 10, 11, 12 • “Fashion Star” of the Yearbook AWARDS: • The Crystal Award for Mixed Methods AP • Hall of Fame 21st Century Awards • Hall of Fame Visual Art • Scholastic Art & Writing Awards:

Photography Gold (2 pieces)

• Excellence Award - Visual Arts

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LANCER

ACADEMICS

CLASS OF 2020 G R A D U AT E S

On Saturday, June 27, 2020 La Salle celebrated the Class of 2020 with its first-ever drive-thru graduation ceremony. Students and family members lined up in their cars and one by one, walked across the stage and were presented their diplomas by Principal Courtney Kassakhian and Pat Bonacci AFSC.

In a previously recorded video, the Invocation was led by Josefina Alvarez, welcome address given by Marcos Vargas, Commencement Address delivered by Kaiya Wilson and final remarks by Principal Courtney Kassakhian. Congratulations to the Class of 2020!

See photos and video from the graduation ceremony here: www.lasallehs.org/Commencement2020

2020 SENIORS

BY THE NUMBERS Japan

MAP DENOTES CLASS OF 2020 COLLEGE ATTENDANCE LOCATIONS

122/170 STUDENTS GRADUATED WITH HONORS

11 STUDENTS RECEIVED ATHLETIC COMMITMENTS

• 13 CUM LAUDE • 26 MAGNA CUM LAUDE • 52 SUMMA CUM LAUDE • 31 STUDENTS ATTENDING COLLEGE WITH ONE OR MORE ACADEMIC SCHOLARSHIPS

• 2 BASEBALL

• 1 SOCCER

• 1 BASKETBALL

• 2 SOFTBALL

• 1 FENCING

• 1 SWIMMING

• 2 FOOTBALL

• 1 VOLLEYBALL 19

Congratulations to the 12 Legacy Families in the Class of 2020! This group includes 11 Dads from 1969-1993 and our first Legacy Mom from the Class of 1996.

Legacies include:

1 Joe Alvarez ’83 - Josie ’20

7 Dennis Haupt ’69 - Sydney ’20

2 Jeff Allen ’84 - Collette ’20

8 Johnny Lima ’85 - Kevin ’20

3 Leo Anaya ’89- Leo ’20

9 Armando Ramirez ’93 - Vanessa ’20

4 Ron Escamilla ’81 - Aaron ’20

10 Chuck Tapert ’79 - Lauren ’20

5 Max Esquivel ’83 - Max ’20

11 Diana (Sankikian) Watkins ’96 - Alex ’20

6 Eddy French ’75- Edmund ’20

12 Orlando Clarizio ’81 - Brandon ’20

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12 21

MAKING A

DIFFERENCE

HEROES OF THE PANDEMIC By: Kristen Schultz ’98

The tragic spread of the COVID-19 pandemic has altered the lives of every person on the planet, whether directly or indirectly. We in the Lasallian community strive to live each day following the Lasallian motto of Enter to Learn and Leave to Serve. These Lancers have done just that and we thank them for their tremendous contribution. NATE KOLBECK ’03 moved to New York in 2013 to establish an east coast office for a company which produced videos for technology businesses and artists but he slowly realized that the industry wasn’t for him anymore and began looking for new technologies to focus his attention on. That is when he discovered 3D-printing. He founded his current company 3D Brooklyn in 2015 to research sustainable applications for 3D-printing tech in the Brooklyn area dabbling in different markets before evolving into a product design and prototyping studio for New York City inventor-entrepreneurs. In March 2020, 3D Brooklyn was in the early stages of a large product development project for a client preparing to go to Tokyo for the Summer Olympics. Nate has a second 3D-printing business Loop Lab that focuses on 3D-printing at live events. Loop Lab scored a gig for the entire Olympic Games and they were planning on making the move to Tokyo for a month. Needless to say, that job was cancelled as was all the product development 22

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work due to COVID-19 related issues. It was then, near the end of March, that Nate heard about open source PPE projects popping up around the world to help make supplies for the frontlines. Nate and his business partner decided to quickly develop their own face shield design which they tested with a few MD friends and then they started producing them and getting them to hospitals. They called this project COVID Supplies NYC. 3D Brooklyn started delivering face shields on March 27th and by the end of May they wrapped up the donation project making and delivering over 16,000 face shields to over 250 hospitals and supporting groups. Along the way they raised $60,000 in donations to keep the project going, were awarded a $20,000 COVID-19 Solutions grant from Mozilla and employed a dozen people on the assembly line for six weeks. As of June, Nate reports that 25% of 3D Brooklyn’s normal business is back and trending in the right direction while Loop Lab is still completely paused. 3D Brooklyn is now offering face shields for purchase to businesses preparing to reopen in hopes that this will replace some of their lost revenue but Nate has committed to donating 5% of profits to a local nonprofit, Veterans Rebuilding Life, who will continue donating PPE to those in need in New York City.

CALLY (COSTER) GALLAWAY ’08 always knew she wanted to be in the medical field but it took her a while to find what path to take. While working on her BS in Kinesiology she learned about various lung disorders. Inspired by her sister’s athsma and family friends who suffered from COPD, Cally went on to respiratory school following her graduation from Sacramento State and currently works as a respiratory therapist at Adventist Health + Rideout Hospital in Marysville, CA. When COVID-19 began to take over the United States, Cally knew she had an oath to uphold. Thankfully her hospital in Marysville was not hit very hard but the east coast was drowning in cases. Cally knew she had to support her fellow medical works so she went on social media and began searching for medical travel companies. With the support of her hospital managers she applied for a position on Friday, April 24th and had her flight booked for Boston the following Tuesday, April 28th. She spent over a month working 7pm to 7am a few days a week at Lawrence General Hospital, just north of Boston. The floor patients and ICU’s at Lawrence General were overflowing with Covid patients. The hospital turned the Post Anesthesia Care Unit into an extra ICU for Covid patients where Cally spent most of her shifts. In order to enter the unit Cally needed to put on shoe covers, 2 layers of gloves, a body suit, 2 layers of hair covers, a gas mask, eye wear, and a face shield. Once in the unit, Cally was responsible for managing 12-15 ventilators at once including placing people on life support, taking them off, drawing blood and assisting with CPR. Cally knew the virus was bad, especially on the east coast, but she had no idea it would be as bad as she witnessed. “I’ll never forget the doctors tracking me down and asking ’What should we do?’ They were out of options. Out of

ideas. They were willing to try anything to save lives.” Cally returned home to northern California on May 31st where she quarantined for two weeks before returning to work. She says the experience has forever changed her. “Working a pandemic is something I never thought I’d have to do, and hopefully something I never have to do again. I was challenged mentally, physically, and emotionally. I see death often in my profession but I don’t think anything can prepare you for that much death. Many images I’ll never be able to get out of my head. I’m thankful to be healthy and have an amazing support system of friends and family to come home to. I’ll always remember to say ’I love you’, hug a little longer when I have the chance, forgive a little easier. Life is too short.”

MAKING A

DIFFERENCE

Shelby’s first assignment was at the Billie Jean Tennis Center which was turned into a FEMA hospital. From there she was reassigned to a level one trauma center in the Bronx where she worked in one of their six intensive care units. She worked every day, seven days a week, 12 hour shifts for two months before she got her first day off. Shelby describes the environment there as “chaotic, frustrating, and incredibly sad but all we could do was keep our heads up and do the best we could with the knowledge we had at the time.” Despite the adversity Shelby was blown away by the tenacity and kindness of her colleagues and the larger community “when we were tired and hungry and crying-they gave us a cheer and a pat on the back to help us keep going.” Following her time in New York, Shelby decided to continue to travel and help in areas hit hard by the pandemic and is currently working at Yuma Regional Medical Center in Arizona which is critically understaffed. “This experience has really opened my eyes to what is important in life. I have been inspired to sell most of my material thingsliving simply allows me to focus my energy on spiritual, mental and physical health. After all, I can’t help others heal if I am not whole myself.”

SHELBY MCCRAY ’07 always had a passion for medicine and was set on going to medical school but following her graduation from Northern Arizona University in 2011 she was not prepared for the financial debt med school would involve. Instead, she began working in clinical trial research in the Bay Area, providing non-FDA approved medication to patients who had failed with traditional FDA approved treatments and were looking for alternatives that could be life-changing. Shelby loved the patient care work she was doing and was inspired to go into nursing. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing in 2018 through Samuel Merritt University. She was working as a nurse and had gone back to school to become a family nurse practitioner when the pandemic hit the United States. Within days she was furloughed from her clinical research work and her school closed. Shelby had heard that medical staff were dying because of the stress and exhaustion of COVID and knew she needed to help her fellow healthcare workers. She contacted several staffing agencies that had contracts with FEMA to provide emergency personnel in NYC hospitals that were experiencing critical staff shortages. 24

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LANCER

ATHLETICS

CIF CHAMPS! The girls water polo team won the CIF championship after decisively beating Rancho Mirage on February 22. Coached by first year La Salle coach Ian Castillo, the girls outscored their opponents over four rounds by a combined score of 58-22 on their way to the first ever CIF Championship in the history of our girls water polo program.

GIRLS BASKETBALL TEAM

SETS NEW SCHOOL RECORD

La Salle’s record season finally came to an end after a close game with Ontario Christian. The nail-biter ended with a score of 59-51. The Lancers semifinal appearance in the CIF-State Division 4 playoffs is the furthest the program has ever been.

effort they put into the game. To go from 7 wins to the best season in School history says something about our kids,” said La Salle coach Scott Wiard.

The game was so closely matched the teams took the game into overtime. “I’m so proud of our kids for the

For more information on Lancer Athletics, please visit lasallelancers.org.

La Salle finished its season with a 26-9 record.

LANCER

EVENTS

CRYSTAL BALL

RAISES OVER $160,000

On behalf of the faculty, staff and administration, La Salle is pleased to announce the final results of the 2020 Crystal Ball Virtual Auction. A very special thank you goes out to the entire volunteer committee, chaired by Carol Kirland P’22, who had to make strategic adjustments along the way given the Coronavirus health crisis. These much needed funds will support the academic, arts and athletic operations of the school, including financial aid and the San Miguel Scholarship Program.

The virtual event, which ran from May 14 through May 17 brought many participants, actively bidding on items and donating to La Salle and our Special Asks. Thank you to all our parents, alumni, grandparents, faculty/staff and friends who generously supported this effort. We are very grateful for their participation and for supporting this online experience.

GIFTS FROM THE HEART

As part of the Crystal Ball event, Gifts from the Heart is the Annual Fundraising effort that raises money for the San Miguel Scholarship Program. The February event, was hosted at the home of Dr. and Mrs. Clarizio. It was attended by members of the La Salle community and included an exciting conversation with NFL Hall of Famer Jackie Slater. The event raised $80,000 for the San Miguel Scholarship. For more details on Crystal Ball, including video highlights from the event itself, please visit www.lasallehs.org/CB2020. 26

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SCOTT DOVALE RETIRES

After 10 years as an educator at La Salle, Scott DoVale retired in June of 2020. DoVale joined La Salle from St. Lucy’s, where he taught for seven years. After receiving his masters, DoVale was looking for a school, closer to his home in Pasadena, where his two kids could attend. “La Salle was by far the only choice because of its sense of community and its focus on developing all aspects of each student.” DoVale joined the La Salle community in 2010 where he primarily taught English III. In addition to teaching, he coached JV golf, sang in Music for the Masses, mentored students, and moderated the Key Club. In 2017, DoVale received the prestigious Lasallian Educator of the year award. Of his time at La Salle, DoVale says, “My favorite memory, was sharing so many moments with my two kids, Kate ’14 and Max ’17, as they would visit me during lunch or walk into my class to give me a hug or kiss. In class, my favorite memory is always being able to share discussions and laughter with my classes.”

spending more time with his wife Melissa, and their kids. “I want to slow down the pace of life and hopefully enjoy a few more healthy years before I get too old,” he says with a smile. While he looks forward to his retirement, DoVale says, “I will The DoVale family definitely miss teaching and dog Kuma the nine month journey of sharing my life with my classes each year and having them share their lives with me. I will miss the discussions surrounding novels where we would all learn about life and each other. And I will miss the shared laughter and love that was present in almost every single class.”

Scott pictured with wife Melissa, daughter Kate and son Max

DoVale’s classroom

On his retirement, DoVale says, “My plan is to have more time to live my life.” He wants to write, read, golf, cook, travel, and volunteer at the Union Rescue Mission to serve the homeless. He’s also looking forward to

Of DoVale’s contribution to La Salle, principal Courtney Kassakhian says, “Scott has been associated with La Salle College Preparatory for many years, as both a parent and a teacher. Although teaching is not his first career, it is the perfect career, as he clearly loves teaching and being around young people. Additionally he is a wonderful colleague. I know Saint La Salle would have been proud of this educator.” 27

ALUMNI

CLASS

NOTES

1960

Michael Ford is a retired attorney. He spent 33 years with the Los Angeles County Counsel’s office and retired as an assistant county counsel and division chief. One of his career highlights was working on the Governor’s Committee on worker’s compensation reform. Michael and his wife Susan have two daughters and live in Nipomo, CA. Al Lumas retired from Straube Associates Inc. and has served as the Chairman since 2018. He and his wife June have three grown children, four grandchildren and reside in Milpitas, CA. Roger Smith served as an administrator and transplant coordinator for a regional organ procurement organization at UCLA for 33 years. He and his husband Gene have one grown son and two granddaughters.

1961

Ted Francisco retired as an advertising representative and management from Pacific Bell. He and his wife Lisa have four grown children, six grandchildren and two great grandchildren.

1962

Victor Vert has owned the MacSmith Corporation and VEV Investments, Inc. for 40 years and Boss Hoss of California, Inc. for 17 years. He and his wife have been married for 21 years, have three children, two grandchildren and live in Gardena. Michael Roney has a successful insurance business spanning

LANCER MAGAZINE

over 50 years. He and his wife Catherine reside in Newport Beach.

1963

John Zuerlein is a retired finance director from the engineering and utility construction industries. He has two grown children, one granddaughter and resides in San Clemente. Neil McElwee is working as a marketing consultant to tech firms. He and his wife Cathie have three adult children and live in Sparks, NV.

1965

Charles (Burpee) Fiore spent the majority of his career as the vice president of human resources for Lockheed Martin where he specialized in designing, implementing and managing compensation and benefit programs. Charles makes his home in Lake Havasu City.

1969

Jim Normandin retired as president of Memorial Medical Center Foundation in Long Beach in 2016 and has since been working as a charitable gift planning consultant.

1970

Stephen Singer is retired and lives with his wife Christine in San Jose. They have three grown sons. He enjoys going on short backpacking trips every few months and is a volunteer for the San Francisco City Guides.

Michael Petermann is engaged to his dream girl Susan Graves and lives in Escondido. Between them they have four children and four grandchildren. He is a retired banker and is now enjoying lots of travel and his 1940 Ford Coupe hot rod. Greg Munro spent 35 years in the financial services industry in San Diego County and the Inland Empire with Merrill Lynch and Morgan Stanley before retiring last year. He and his wife Pam have two adult children and live in Fallbrook. Richard Tres spent over 35 years as a high school teacher and was a Fulbright Scholar. He and his wife Janice have been married for 45 years, have two children, two grandchildren and live in Napa. Phil Hendrie was a radio disc jockey for 17 years and then started a satirical talk show for radio that went national in 1999. He left radio in 2013 and started voice acting and acting in various sitcoms and television pilots. Phil currently operates a digital subscription business for his archived radio show and produces a daily comedy netcast. Mark Krouse has spent 44 years working in human resources and is currently vice-president human resources for Kaiser Aluminum. He and his wife Kim have been married for 40 years, have two grown children, four grandchildren, and live in Coto De Caza. James Edwards is semi-retired working as an engineering

consultant for the Department of Defense. He has worked in the oil and gas industry for over 40 years and owned and sold two engineering companies one of which designed and engineered the first installation in over 30 years of the sub-sea pipeline offshore California. He and his wife have been married for 47 years and live in Magnolia, Texas. Howard Miller is a retired navy corpsman and retired postal worker. He was an avid bicycle racer averaging 10,000 miles a year for 38 years and a three time Military Road Race Champion. He and his wife Margarita have two high-school aged children and live in Long Beach. Patrick Frey worked in the grocery industry for over 45 years before he retired. He and his wife Gloria have been married for 32 years, have five children, 13 grandkids, seven great grandkids and live in Fountain Valley. Greg Danenhauer has worked for Parker Boiler, a mechanical engineering company, for 38 years. He has done a lot of designing with combustion systems and steam. He and his wife Leslie have been married for 20 years and have five kids between them. They reside in Laguna Beach. Michael Moran had a varied career path in the engineering and construction industry which included two years in Saudi Arabia. He also spent years in the public transit industry and currently volunteers as a little league umpire. He and his wife Nancy will be married 36 years this fall, have three grown children and live in Concord, CA. Don Olender spent 40+ years working in technology in the

financial services industry and retired as CIO of Wells Fargo Capital Finance a few years ago. He has served as the Executive Director of Innovate at UCLA and a board member for Here to Serve, serving low-income families with pediatric cancer challenges, and Children’s Advocacy Center of Covina, serving children victims of physical and sexual abuse or violent crimes. Don has also been an active volunteer at La Salle serving as the Chair of the Lancer Golf Tournament for the last 7 years. Jim Goetz spent 40 years working in California agriculture and lives in Hollister, CA. Kevin Sweeney was a pilot with American Airlines for 32 years flying domestically as well as to the Caribbean Islands, Central America and Europe before he retired. He and his wife Mary have three children, two grandchildren and live in Stowe, Vermont.

and is endorsed by Ph.D. professors from various backgrounds, including physics, exercise science, paleo-anthropology, neurology, biomedical engineering, sociology and psychology. It is also endorsed by three orthopedic surgeons. Doug conducted a two-day seminar in Norway last November and is considered one of the world’s foremost experts in “biomechanics of resistance exercise”.

1981

Frank Ferrante was chosen by the

Julio Salazar spent 37 years in the film industry, 30 with 20th Century Fox, working in transportation. He worked on 165 films, television series and tv movies and traveled all over the country. He still rides his Harley all over southern California and his classic cars keep him busy. Julio and his wife have two children and live in Acton.

1978

Doug Brignole won first place in the 2019 AAU Mr. Universe bodybuilding competition on November 2, 2019 in Las Vegas. This is Doug’s second Mr. Universe win, beating out younger competitors in their 20s and 30s. Doug turned 60 on December 15. His latest book, “The Physics of Fitness”, was published in January

Chicago Tribune as one of the top ten performances of 2019. He earned the honor for his comic role as ’The Caesar’ in the cirque spectacular “Teatro ZinZanni.” In 2017, the Wall Street Journal selected Frank as one of the top performances in the country for his work in Philadelphia’s Walnut Street Theatre production of “A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum” which he also directed. 29

1985

Erich Braun is the parks superintendent for Polk County Conservation in Granger, Iowa. He and his wife Rhonda have one daughter and reside in Urbandale, IA.

1988

Patrick Ellis has been accepted as a member of the 2020 cohort for the US Chamber Foundation Fellowship Program. The Business Leads Fellowship Program is an inperson training designed to grow a new, informed coalition of business leadership on education and workforce issues in communities across the country.

1989

Professor with tenure in the Department of Kinesiology & Health at Georgia State University in April 2019. In April 2018 he was awarded a four year, $1.5 million research grant from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute of the National Institutes of Health. The title of the grant is “Microvascular and sensory nerve function in nonHispanic Blacks and Whites”. Brett and his wife Elizabeth Fallon reside in Alpharetta, GA.

1997

Susan Ehring is the vice president, business affairs for HBO in Santa Monica. Hannah

(Miller)

Wilder

was

MAJ Leroy Cisneros is currently

1998

Mark Dizon works in information technology for Netflix in Amsterdam. He and his wife Cristina have a son, Philip.

1999

Oscar Holguin works in manufacturing as the vice president of technical services, production management and compliance for The Outdoor Recreation Group. Jake Benitez was formerly a senior vice president for KBS Capital Markets Group and then Cole Capital, both in Michigan. He is currently raising capital as the regional vice president for the west coast with Nelson Partners, a student housing, DST sponsor in Southern California.

2003

Adam Inman received an Emmy

deployed to US INDOPACOM Headquarters at Camp Smith, Hawaii, where he is assigned to the J338 Homeland Defense desk. He is currently monitoring the COVID-19 situation across the Pacific Region. He just graduated from the Defense Planners Course, through the US Army War College, and is also attending the Joint Professional Military Education II Course through National Defense University.

1994

Brett Wong was promoted from Assistant Professor to Associate

LANCER MAGAZINE

ordained an Episcopal priest in January 2020 at St Mark’s Episcopal Church where she now serves as a curate. St Mark’s is located in the City Heights neighborhood of San Diego, a diverse area with refugees and immigrants primarily from South Sudan, the Congo, Myanmar and Latin America. She supports volunteers in providing food, clothing, showers, prayer and connection to social services to the most vulnerable populations. She enjoys preaching and singing on Sundays and walking with her congregation through life’s ups and downs. You’re invited to visit on Sundays at 10:15 am (4227 Fairmount Avenue, San Diego).

Award from The National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences in the category of Outstanding TransMedia Sports Coverage for his work on the 2018 FIFA World Cup, which was held in Russia. Adam is currently working as a senior associate producer at Fox Sports. He lives in San Gabriel with his wife of six years, Sheena, and two sons, Colin (3) and Liam (1).

2005

International University, Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine.

2007

Jackie Maniago graduated with a BS in Clinical Laboratory Science from Cal State Dominguez Hills and is currently in graduate school at Colorado Technical University for a MBA in Healthcare Management.

Brittany Vita is an art director for Tory Burch in New York.

Charlie Barakat works in the software industry as a customer adoption associate manager for ServiceTitan in Glendale. He and his wife Nicole welcomed their son, Michael on June 28, 2019. Charlie and his family live in Pasadena. Dale Santos

reenlisted in the

Thomas Justo works in ad sales for Twitter in New York. Glen Willis earned his Master’s in Product Development Engineering from USC in 2014 and is working in data analytics for Mixpanel as a senior solutions architect in San Francisco. Michael Petrovich is a staff engineer with Tetra Tech.

United States Navy on April 20, 2020, ten years to the date of his original enlistments ceremony in 2010. He is currently on shore duty at Joint Base Pearl Harbor Hickam as the Lead Instructor for Confined Space Safety. He previously served on the USS Louisiana out of Bangor, WA and the USS Columbia out of Pearl Harbor.

2009

Madeline Herlache is the director of operations for the Dave Knight Real Estate Team, Keller Williams Realty. Preston Grochmal is working as a senior accountant at ZipRecruiter. Molly Hulbert earned her master’s from USC in 2016 and is currently attending medical school at Florida

Asa Merrigan works in IT support for OnCall IT, located at the California Schools of the Arts San Gabriel Valley campus. Jose Simbol is a video game designer at KIXEYE in San Francisco. Ara Yardemian earned an MS in Integrated Design, Business & Technology from USC’s Lovine & Young Academy in 2019 and is a project manager for Mission Wine & Spirits. Rita Kazarian is currently in graduate school for a master of science in nursing and is working at a family medicine clinic. Sandra Trevino earned her BA in Child Development from Cal State LA and is working as a preschool teacher in Glendale. Max McClellan is a firefighter with the Stockton Fire Department.

Ashley (Siewert) Leslie earned a Master’s in Social Work from USC in 2015 and is working as a social worker.

2011

Jessica Webster graduated from Arizona State University with a Master’s Degree in Business Administration in December 2019. Jessica successfully completed her MBA while working full time at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, in the Robotics Section, and training as a competitive equestrian.

2012

Kelly Mercade started her master’s in accounting at USC in June.

2014

Caroline “CK” Knopp transferred from the University of Michigan to the University of Florida her sophomore year where she continued to compete as an indoor volleyball player. CK and the Gators were NCAA Division 1 national runnersup in 2017, losing to Nebraska in the National Championship. She was invited by USA volleyball to train with them as part of the US national team in the summer of 2018. CK completed her degree in sports management and graduated in December 2018. CK is now an assistant volleyball coach at the College of Charleston in Charleston, South Carolina. In addition to being one of the three members of the Cougar staff, CK is also the recruiting coordinator responsible for finding future players for the Cougars. Sabrina O’Reilly has had a poem published in the poetry anthology Train River Poetry available on 31

Amazon. Her “Sunset Nun”.

poem

UCLA and will graduate with her BSN and be an RN.

entitled

2015

graduated in December 2019 from Cal State San Bernadino with a BS in Kinesiology and finished his collegiate golf career. He has started graduate school at Cal Poly Pomona and is working on his master’s and adaptive PE credential. Bailey

Toribio

Kimberly Mejia was selected to be a SEO Law Fellow and is spending the summer interning at the Newport Beach office of O’Melveny and Myers LLP.

2016

Duncan McDonald is currently living in the town of Chaiya in southern Thailand where he is working at Phetpadung Weing Chai school. He is teaching English to children ages 2-8. Diego Salgado joined the United States Army and graduated basic training in 2019. He is currently stationed at Fort Bragg, NC with the 82nd Airborne division where he is also pursuing a degree in criminal justice.

2017

Eleni Daughters, Davidson College, 32

2018

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a senior at won her first

Atlantic 10 title as a member of the Wildcats track team, snapping the tape in 2:51.03 in the 1,000-meters in the final day of the A-10 Indoor Championship. Her performance also broke her own school record, previously at (2:51.96). Aly Hartman has completed her junior year at Santa Clara University and is spending the summer as a management consulting intern for TCF Holdings. Gabriella Navarro will start

her

Garien Agapito just finished his sophmore year at Northeastern University. He recently studied abroad in South Korea where he was able to do a research project on Korean architecture in places such as Seoul, Busan, and Daejeon. Sarah Day will be a junior in the fall

at St. Mary’s College where she is majoring in politics and English. This past January she studied abroad in India where she explored over 12 cities. Throughout the month, she was able to engage with the locals, the animals, including camels, elephants, and monkeys, and everything that India had to offer.

2019

Josh Ng senior year at UCLA in the fall where she is majoring in nursing. She is the secretary of LANSA (Latina Nursing Student-Alumni Association) at UCLA and also a member of the UCLA Nursing Fraternity, where she participates in community service on Skid Row. This next year she will spend at various clinics and hospitals in Los Angeles gaining valuable nursing experience. Gabriella is in an accelerated nursing program at

has completed his first

year at Harvard where he got involved in WHRB (on campus radio station), The Crimson newspaper, the Asian-American Dance Troupe,

the Asian-American Christian Fellowship, Camp Kesem and the Harvard Philippine Forum. Josh is majoring in mechanical engineering. Leyna Hong has wrapped up her freshman year at Claremont McKenna College where she served as a research assistant for the Kravis Leadership Institute allowing her to work alongside professors and fellow students on researching women

Shiraz Simonian ’98 and Sevag Simonian ’02 were both selected to the 2020 Southern California Rising Stars list, an honor reserved for lawyers who exhibit excellence in practice. The brothers started their law firm Simonian & Simonian in 2014 in Glendale and specialize in employment law, personal injury, bankruptcy and landlord/tenant matters. in leadership. She is also involved in the student-run organization Claremont Women in Business

where she works as an analyst on the Legal, Risk, and Compliance team.

FAMILY Matthew Crabtree ’14 got engaged to Lauren Gensheimer on October 26, 2019 at El Matador Beach in Malibu. The two met at the University of Oklahoma and are planning an April 17, 2021 wedding in Montgomery, Texas.

Angela Arunarsirakul ’09 married Arun Kambivalappil in September 2019. The two met while working in Japan. Angela recently completed business school at UCLA and earned her MBA.

Matthew Jones ’05 married Laura Selvaggio in September 2019. The ceremony was at St. Rita Catholic Church with the reception at The Valley Hunt Club. Other alumni in attendance included Christopher Bigley ’05 (best man), Christopher Stellar ’05 (groomsman), Joseph Hamlin ’05 (groomsman), Malaika (Venegoni) Heinbaugh ’94, Nicholas Venegoni ’95, Jason Dineros ’05, Danielle (Encinas) Caster ’05, Kevin Drake ’05, Michael Grbavac ’05, Christopher Iglesias ’05, Brett Larson ’05, Benjamin Trousdale ’05, Fred Weideman ’05, Stephanie (Bakey) Zandieh ’05, Ryan Doeppel ’08, Amanda (Doeppel) Nulty ’06, Matthew Kohorst ’07, Michael Bigley ’07, Lindsey (Licher) Guest ’00, and Paul Bigley ’77. Matthew and Laura spent their honeymoon traveling around Italy for two weeks and currently reside in Pasadena. 33

James Castro ’94 and his wife Jessica welcomed Sienna Hope Castro on November 2, 2019. Everyone is healthy and happy especially big brother, Braden! Gabriel Castillo ’96 and his wife Natasha welcomed their son Vincent Joseph Castillo on May 10, 2020 weighing 7lbs., 9oz. The best Mother’s Day Gift ever!

Kendall Grant ’98 and his wife Heather welcomed their daughter Gabrielle Corinne on April 22, 2020 at 3:23pm weighing 7lbs., 14oz. Kendall and his family live in San Francisco.

Tim Valdivia ’02 and his wife Dulce welcomed their daughter Nova Luna Valdivia on October 30, 2019 at 6:57pm weighing 6lbs., 4oz. and 20in. long. Tim is an associate electrical engineer for the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California. He and his family reside in Ontario.

Courtney (Zimmerman) Kutach ’08 and her husband Blake welcomed their daughter Georgia Blake on January 3, 2020.

LANCER MAGAZINE

Katie Steben ’06 and her husband Andrew welcomed their first child, Miles Gregory Steben, on December 12, 2019. He was born in Anaheim at 11:19pm weighing 8lbs., 7oz. and 20 in. He is a sweet little guy and has brought so much joy to the family.

Shay Baluyot ’12 welcomed her daughter Kaia Patrice Ajdukovich into the world with all smiles and no cries on May 8, 2020 at 9:24am in North Miami Beach, FL.

ALUMNI SCHOL AR S

Members of the 2019-2020 Alumni Association Executive Board with front row, second from left, Colby Stenzel ’20, Alumni Heritage Scholar, Amanda Orza ’20, Alumni College Scholar, and Annalee Longhurt ’20, Alumni College Scholar. Both the Alumni Heritage Scholarship and the Alumni College Scholarships are funded by the Alumni Association’s biennial Taste of La Salle event. The recipients are selected each year by the members of the Alumni Board.

COLBY STENZEL ’20 is the first recipient of the four year Alumni Heritage Scholarship which he was awarded as an incoming 9th grader. Over his four years at La Salle he has been involved in the Support Our Troops Club, Senior Class Council, Mock Trial, Academic Decathlon, Rho Happa Honors Society President, World Scholar’s Cup: International Team, and the Student Life Service Team. Colby felt that the service opportunities he had the opportunity to participate in at La Salle to serve the community in tangible ways were his biggest blessing. Colby will be attending Westmont College. AMANDA ORZA ’20 has been a Student Ambassador,

Retreat Leader, Support Our Troops Club member, a members of CSF, NHS President, Water Polo Captain, and a member of the Swim, Soccer, Volleyball and Golf teams at La Salle. Amanda is a recipient of the Alumni Association College Scholarship and will be attending UC Santa Barbara. ANNALEE LONGHURST ’20 has served on La Salle’s Student Life Team, as well as being a Retreat Leader, Student Ambassador and active on the Volleyball team and in the dance program. Annalee is a recipient of the Alumni Association College Scholarship and will be attending Regis University. 35

ALUMNI

ACADEMICS

CLASS OF 2020 SABRINA HILARIO ’16 earned her Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies with a concentration on child education from Loyola Marymount University in May. She plans on completing grad school at LMU to earn a master’s degree in educational studies focusing on policy and administration.

EMILY WRIGHT ’16 graduated with a BA in Theatre Arts from the University of Redlands on April 17, 2020. She is spending the summer working as an assistant director of horses at Tom Sawyer Camp in Pasadena.

SKY GARCILASO DE LA VEGA ’16 graduated from the University of San Francisco in May with a BA in English Creative Writing and a minor in psychology.

KATIE SPARKS ’15 graduated from UCLA with her Master’s degree in Education in June. She has taken a job at Lamont Elementary in Maryland where she will teach 5th grade and is excited to make the move to Washington DC.

SPENCER SCHOENBAUM ’16 graduated from UCLA on March 20, 2020 with a Bachelor of Arts in Business Economics and a minor in accounting. He will start working at Deloitte in Chicago this fall.

ELISE HOLMES ’16 graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance and a minor in biology from UC Irvine on June 13, 2020.

KYLE CUELLAR ’16 graduated from UCLA in June with a degree in political science. Covid-19 ended his senior year of baseball in March where he was the #4 Senior Hitter in Div. 1 NCAA baseball. NCAA gave all spring sport athletes another year of eligibility so Kyle will return to UCLA in the fall and earn a minor while competing for a National Championship in baseball as a 5th year Senior.

SAMANTHA HARDY ’16 graduated from USC with a BA in Psychology and double minors in forensics & criminality and individuals, societies & aging on May 15, 2020. She will be moving to Chicago in the fall to pursue a master’s in marriage and family therapy at Northwestern University. 36

LANCER MAGAZINE

LAUREN CHACON ’16 graduated from Reed College with a BA in Psychology in May. This summer she has an apprenticeship with a local textile artist, Marie Watt, that is being funded by Reed.

JAYA BANKS ’14 graduated from the University of Montana with a Bachelor of Arts in English in May 2020.

EMILY O’CONNOR ’16 graduated from Saint Mary’s College of California on May 23, 2020 with a Bachelor of Arts in Justice, Community, and Leadership on the Multiple Subject Teacher Education track. After earning her teaching credential, Emily plans on teaching 4th or 5th grade in Southern California.

PHILIP GONG ’15 graduated from Cal State Los Angeles with a BA in Child Development. LANCE ALVISO ’16 graduated in May with his Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Mount Saint Mary’s University. ROBERT GRIFFITH ’16 greceived a Master of Science in Computer Science with a specialty in Computer Systems Architecture from UCLA Samueli School of Engineering on June 13, 2020. BHAV PATEL ’16 has completed his BA in Aerospace Engineering from UCLA and is spending the summer working for Aerojet Rocketdyne on the next NASA rocket engines before starting graduate school in aerospace engineering at UCLA in the fall. ISAAC CALDAS ’17 graduated in three years from UCLA with a Bachelor of Arts in Music.

GRADUATION ANNOUNCEMENTS BRANDON JENKINS ’16 was named the Centennial Conference Scholar-Athlete of the Year for baseball for the second year in row. Brandon graduated from Haverford this past spring with a double major in economics and mathematics. During the abbreviated 2020 baseball season, Brandon was named CC Pitcher of the Week in his final week on a collegiate mound. Over his seven innings of work across four appearances in 2020, the senior southpaw tallied a win and two saves with 12 strikeouts, four walks, and no hits allowed. Brandon was an honorable mention All-Centennial Conference selection in 2019 after emerging as a shutdown lefty out of the bullpen. He appeared in seven conference contests and racked up four saves in 17 innings of work during those games while striking out 17 batters and holding opponents to just a .197 batting average. Brandon will be starting his career as an investment banking analyst at Rothschild and Co. in Los Angeles.

JACKIE TORREZ ’16 graduated from George Washington University on May 16, 2020 with a BA in Anthropology and Political Science. She is currently working on Susie Lee’s campaign for U.S. House of Representatives for Nevada and plans to work in elections and legislation in D.C.

HANNAH HOWARD ’16 graduated from the University of Alabama on May 2, 2020 with a bachelor’s degree in business administration. She will be returning to the University of Alabama in the fall to earn a master’s in journalism in hopes of becoming a sideline sports reporter in the future as well as using the remainder of her eligibility to compete in track and field.

JANE ZANTESON ’16 graduated from the University of California, San Diego on June 13, 2020 with a Bachelor of Science in Structural Engineering. She will be attending the University of Washington this fall to pursue a master of science in civil engineering with a specialization in structural engineering and mechanics.

ALEXANDER NINO ’13 graduated from California State University at Northridge with a bachelor’s degree in journalism on May 17, 2020.

SOPHIA MOBAYEN ’16 graduated Magna Cum Laude from the University of Alabama with a BS in Hospitality Management on May 2, 2020. In April, she started working at SoFi Stadium and Hollywood Park as an event specialist.

LAURA BORQUEZ ’14 graduated in May from Cal State University, East Bay with her Master in Speech-Language Pathology. JANELLE BIEKER ’13 graduated in May from Columbia University with her Master of Science in Social Work. She continues to live in New York City.

SOFIA ROBLES ’11 earned her MS in Counseling with a specialization in School Counseling & a PPS Credential from San Diego State University on May 17, 2020. Sofia has been hired as an elementary school counselor in the Fallbrook Union Elementary School District.

CHRISTAL HAYNES ’14 graduated in May from Western University of Health Sciences with a Master of Science in Health Sciences. She has been accepted to USC to continue her education and achieve her dream of becoming a Doctor of Occupational Therapy. 37

ALUMNI

SPORTS The Alumni Baseball Game on Saturday, January 4th at Arcadia County Park was a great day of baseball with the alumni defeating the Varsity team. Prior to the first pitch, Lancer Baseball Coach Harry Agajanian made a special presentation to former player Ryan Garcia â&#x20AC;&#x2122;16.

Ryan Garcia â&#x20AC;&#x2122;16 was a three year Varsity Baseball player at La Salle and signed to play for the UCLA Bruins. During his career at UCLA, he posted a 20-2 record, 2.11 ERA, and 206 strikeouts over 183 innings and had the

seventh-best career ERA in program history (2.11). Ryan was selected in the second round (No. 50 overall) of the 2019 MLB First-Year Player Draft by the Texas Rangers.

Alumni Soccer Players returned to La Salle on Saturday, January 4th and took on the current Boys Varsity Team on Kohorst Field.

Alumni basketball players returned to the Duffy Lewis Gymnasium on November 29th for the Annual Alumni Basketball Game. Former Head Coach Steve Goldstein was on hand to coach the alumni team who defeated the current JV and Varsity teams. 38

LANCER MAGAZINE

LANCER ALUMNI SHOW THEIR PRIDE Send us a picture of any La Salle memorabilia you’ve saved for all these years! Alumni@lasallehs.org

Arnel Aquino ’85

Kevin Delaney ’89

Tommy Stafford ’99

Teresa (Ring) Elmslie-Britt ’03

Amanda (Gonzalez) Richardson ’01

Al Prado ’80

Eddie Magluyan ’94, P’23

Vanessa Strouse-Kenney ’97

Samantha Torrez ’13, James Torrez ’18, Raquel Torrez ’20, Jackie Torrez ’16

Tracy Cresta ’13

Meagan (Bitonti) Loomis ’02

Evan Loomis ’01

LANCER

EVENTS

REUNION CALENDAR UPDATE Due to COVID-19, we have postponed all Reunions. The health and safety of our alumni are of the utmost importance.

APRIL Reunions previously scheduled for April 2021 have been postponed to Fall 2021.

MAY

More information to come. If you would like to help with your reunion planning, contact the Alumni Office at alumni@lasallehs.org or 626.696.4362

5/1: Class of 2010 Ten Year Reunion

5/26-5/27: Class of 1971 Fifty Year Reunion

JUNE

6/12: Class of 2000 Twenty Year Reunion

6/26: Class of 2015 Five Year Reunion

** A decision regarding the May/June reunions will be made in January 2021.

1970 ReZOOMion

The Class of 1970 held a 50 Year ReZOOMion Happy Hour on May 28th, the evening that their Reunion Party should have taken place. 19 members of the class participated from California to Vermont. Plans are now being made for a Fall 2021 Fifty Year Reunion!

LANCER MAGAZINE

LANCER

EVENTS

10 YEAR REUNION

The Class of 2009 celebrated their 10 Year Reunion on Friday, November 29th at Golden Road Brewery. 47 members of the class were in attendance. The class has raised $711 for their Reunion Class Gift to benefit La Salle’s financial aid program in memory of their fellow classmate Arion Tavakoli ’09.

3 1

Back row, l to r: Jefferson Strouse ’09, Vanessa Cruz ’09, Ashley Windsor ’09, Brian McSweeny ’09, Matthew Housman ’09, Alaina Christensen, Thomas Justo ’09, Kevin Quintero ’09. Front row, l to r: Jessica Luna ’09, Paola (Bisharat) Ismail ’09

2 Tyler Varing ’09, John Kopcha ’09, Cameron Scott ’09, Kyle Marrs ’09 3 Allen Mitchell ’09, Rita Kazarian ’09, Tiffany Prasifka ’09, Sean Gomez ’09 4 Nicole Mirkof ’09, Ashley (Siewert) Leslie ’09, Katie Olender ’09, Maddie Herlache ’09 41

LANCER

EVENTS

20 YEAR REUNION

The Class of 1999 celebrated their 20 Year Reunion on Saturday, November 30th inside the 100:1 Club at the Santa Anita Race Track. 48 members of the Class were in attendance along with favorite faculty members Pat Bonacci and Ed O’Connor. The class raised $1,300 for their Reunion Class Gift to support La Salle’s financial aid program.

Chris Adaimy ’99, Chris Beltran ’99, JR Davidson ’99, Gerald Phillips ’99, Christina Mesesan ’99, Annie (Depew) Bartley ’99

Andrew Delahunt ’99, Nick Elliott ’99, Noa Porter ’99

Nick Potter ’99, Melissa (Garcia) Klose ’99, Adam Richey ’99, Jake Benitez ’99, Sean Pinto ’99

Sarah Alhafidh ’99, Richard Wall ’99, Oscar Holguin ’99, JR Darling ’99

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EVENTS

4 43

HELP SUPPORT

ALUMNI OWNED BUSINESSES

During this unprecedented time, La Salle has created an online directory highlighting Alumni Owned Businesses that need your support. We encourage you to visit LancerNetwork.com/alumnibusiness to see the list of businesses. If you would like to be added to the list, or know of an alum business owner, please contact Kristen Schultz ’98 in the Alumni Office at: 626.696.4362 or kschultz@lasallehs.org or fill out the online form at LancerNetwork.com/LancerStrong

ONCE A LANCER, ALWAYS A LANCER!

STAY CONNECTED The La Salle Alumni is planning some informative and fun virtual ways to keep alumni engaged with each other and their Alma Mater.

LSHSAlumni

Make sure your EMAIL is on file with the Alumni Office to know about these opportunities. Now, more than ever, is the time to stay connected. Update your info online LancerNetwork.com/update or contact the Alumni Office alumni@lasallehs.org 44

LANCER MAGAZINE

@lshsalumni

@LSLancersAlumni

A TRIBUTE TO THE CLASS OF 2020 The Lasallian community would like to acknowledge what a challenging year this has been for the senior class of 2020. While your senior year didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t go the way you planned, we are proud of your accomplishments and wish you the best of luck in your future. Once a Lancer, Always a Lancer.

Cameron Agapito Luc Anthony Aguilar-Fraley Sarah Guadalupe Aguirre Jake Ryan Ajamian Kelsey Albino Collette Marie Allen Josefina Carmen Alvarez Leo Aurelio Anaya Neil Gallen Mapua Angsanto Nicholas Gerard Ary Alex Au Mikaela Avakian Karina Nicole Barnard Briana Catherine Beddawi Gabriel Rafael Bohanec Kelby Drew Bourne Sophia Nicole Brenes Margaret Rosa Brennan de Jesus Connor K. Brown Alexa Gale Salonga Buluran Lyric Eve Burch Zachary Tyler Burnham Jacqueline Irene Castro Isabella Christine Chavez Christina Lok Yee Chen David Chen Noah Steven Chin Tyler Michael Christensen Brandon Thomas Clarizio Thomas Gilbert Clavijo Jason Daniel Colella Carmen Elaine Compton Harlan Crawford Mark Andrew Daley Timothy Richard De La Mora Kathleen Siobhan DeRose Emma Raye Dillion Xinyi Sophie Ding Aaron Anthony Escamilla Isabella Maria Escovar Max Esquivel Angela Catherine Estrada James Randy Sanchez Fall

Mayolo Sebastian Figueroa Andrea Flores Aaron Philip Forbush Warren A. Fowler Sara Fraser Edmund Carter French Giana Marie Froio Nathan Claude Ganguin Angelica Julia Gao Marilyn Victoria Garcia Victoria Nicole Garcia Cade Riley Gibson Mackenzie Ellen Grube Cesar Gudino Alice Guo Carolina Aurora Gutierrez Tunstad Emellie Rose Guzman Elizabeth Letendre Harrity Sydney Hana Haupt Jason Connor Helgeson Lorenzo James Holmes Liliana Jane Hovsepian Zhanao Jack Huang Sofia Lucille Ibbotson Drake Benjamin James Jackson Samuel Jacobs Leilani Alissa Jeffery Andrew David Jerome Zihao (Fernando) Jiang Corbin Bassett Jones Daniel A. Jose Kent Timothy Kachigian Carly Marie Kejmar Camille Elizabeth Kennedy Steven William Khaw Wonmin Darwin Kim Robert Emilio Kimble Ruobin Lan Miguel Luis Lanza Chung Chak Lee Theodore Lee William Lee Haley Lenz

Yifan Li Lauren Courtland Marie Lieberg Kevin John Lima Ryan Alexander Lin Josephine Lo Catherine Marie Lomeli Annalee Kaye Longhurst Andrew Lopez Nathaniel Edward Lucas Wes Nathan Manginsay Yocelyn Mercedes Marquez Odalys Gabriela Martin Justin Alexander Mataalii Tatum E. Mediano Ethan John Faigao Montesa Elena Margaret Morales Kimberly Munoz Calen Murray Isabella Alba Nelson Grace Marie Newell Riley Lennon Nice Evelyn Frances Ogier Matthew Oliden Izabella Esperanza Ortega Amanda Elise Orza Ewan Jon Painter Brigid Mariano Palaganas Junyao (Phoebe) Pan Nicholas Keet-Mun Pando Alexander Shaunt Parseghian Gregory Dylan Pavon Nicole Roxana Payes Alessandra Perez Karly Rae Petersen Alexiane Lehuanani Peysson Trey Phipps Drew Thomas Pickett Casey Popham Jacqueline Marie Posada Adrian Joseph Puga Alexandra Anna Quijano Crystal Ramirez Vanessa Marie Ramirez

Ashley Madison Riegsecker Joseph Vicente Rivera Justin Sean Robles Natalia Emily Rodriguez Joshua Lee Roesner George Rounds Lauren Salas Addison Sale Mary Grace Sophia Salvatierra Angel Sanchez Kevin Santiago Isabella Carolina Santoro Vincent Frank Sgherzi Erin Kiyomi Shimazu Erin Anne Simone Emmett Finch Sloan Colby Thatcher Stenzel Lance Li Heng Tam Lauren Elizabeth Tapert Vitsa Tanahiri Tello-Vallejo Alexander Tippie Raquel Torrez Olivia Frances Tortell Julian David Allen Turner Fernando Urteaga Gennaka Valarao Sofia Carolina Valencia Aaron Hsu Van Blerkom Laura Varbedian Marcos Alberto Vargas Vincent Slevo Vazira Mario Sebastian Veliz Katherine Jialin Wang Runshi Sean Wang Mika Watanabe Owen Jacob Wiebe Kaiya Coleman Wilson Colin Reece Zavala Hongbo Zhao Melina Ellie Zoumas

La Salle

COLLEGE PREPARATORY

3880 EAST SIERRA MADRE BOULEVARD PASADENA, CA 91107-1996 WWW.LASALLEHS.ORG

Parents of Alumni: If your son or daughter no longer maintains a permanent address at your home, please notify the alumni office of their new mailing address at 626.696.4362 or alumni@lasallehs.org

Investing in La Salle’s Students

CONCEPT ART

STEAM 4 is a $800,000 project aimed at addressing an urgent need at La Salle, the renovation of our four science laboratories and two art studios. The need to refurbish these six facilities has been sparked by burgeoning student interest in our School’s STEAM program, first introduced in 2014, and the construction in 2018 of an Innovation and Design (I.D.) Lab. Our four science laboratories lie at the core of instruction in our biology, chemistry and physics programs, and our two art studios were last refurbished in 2004. In addition to improvements in the studios themselves, STEAM 4 will facilitate the construction of a new Kiln Room. Your support of STEAM 4 will bring new strength to the program, and will help La Salle students build on their competitive edge. If you have any questions please contact Kevin Delaney ’89, Vice President for Advancement at (626) 696-4318 or kdelaney@lasallehs.org.

Lancer Magazine Summer/Fall 2020

Articles inside

CLASS OF 2020 GRAD ANNOUNCEMENTS

Class Notes

A La Salle Legend Retires After 35 Years

Heroes of the Pandemic