Collegiate THE
FALL 2023
Multi-Million Dollar Donation Fuels New STEM Innovation Center
BUILDERS of BOYS.
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ORIENTATION The Class of 2027 is welcomed to freshman orientation by the LINK Crew leaders.
MAKERS of MEN.
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CONTENTS
27.
Alumnus Sheridan ‘77 Brings Experience to DLS Athletics, Admissions
08.
Multi-Million Dollar Donation Fuels New STEM Innovation Center
15.
Brothers’ Mission: Br. Ken Shares Papua New Guinea Experience
13.
Alumnus Ziemba ‘72 Sponsors Math Competition for Incoming Students
CONNECT WITH US
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19.
Sophomore Starts Rocketry Club
DE L A SALLE COLLEGIATE
14600 Common Road | Warren, MI 48088 (586) 778-2207 www.delasallehs.com The Collegiate | Fall 2023 Published by the De La Salle Collegiate Advancement Office State of Frequency: Four times per year PRESIDENT Larry Rancilio ‘86 PRINCIPAL Br. Ken Kalinowski, FSC ‘84 ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL Christopher Dean ‘89 DIRECTOR OF CURRICULUM Annmarie Michol
21-24.
Making a Difference: Students, Faculty, & Alumni Serve Our Lasallian Mission School News 05. Letter from the President
26.
Alumni Spotlight: Anthony Assad ‘07 Alumni News 21. Stepping up to end Neurofibromatosis 23. Alumni Spotlight: Frank Slanczka ‘15 23. Career Day 2023 27. Professional Networking Updates 29. Fireside Chat at Lochmoor Club 29. Alumni Reunion Weekend 33. Eastside Football Reunion
DIRECTOR OF ADVANCEMENT Greg Esler DIRECTOR OF ATHLETICS Dan Rohn DIRECTOR OF ALUMNI RELATIONS Dennis Koch ‘94 CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER Dave Barstys DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS Joe Gerardi ‘86
07. Capital Campaign Phase 2
DIRECTOR OF ADMISSIONS Brendan Johnson ‘15
11. AP Scores Highest in Six Years
DIRECTOR OF MARKETING & COMMUNICATIONS Kevin Fitzhenry ‘03
12. Engineering Students Visit International Auto Show 12. Johnson Returns to DLS as Director of Admissions 14. Eighth Grade Algebra Class 16. Shortt Reflects on Buttimer Visit 17. New Faculty Members 18. Balamucki Attends Lasallian Social Justice Institute 20. Faculty Summer Fun
MANAGING EDITOR, THE COLLEGIATE Vicki Granger ASSOCIATE ADVANCEMENT DIRECTOR Linda Fraschetti ADVANCEMENT ASSISTANTS Vito Chirco, ‘11 Kelly LaRose
BOARD OF TRUSTEES Roma Heaney, Chair John Bernard, ‘70, Vice-Chair William Edwards, ‘86, Treasurer Br. Anthony Baginski, FSC William Doetsch, ‘85 James Fyke
Athletic News 30. NHL Veteran LaRose Leads Hockey Program
Darrell Goolsby Sr., ‘84 Justin Martineau John Moore, ‘75 Alan Rudzewicz, ‘69 Rick Stanza, ‘93 Ben Venstresca
34. In Memoriam
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Joe Wyskiel, ‘64
PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
Dear De La Salle Collegiate Alumni and Supporters, The Holy Spirit's guidance has been unmistakable as we move through another transformative year. Our community's dedication and faith have contributed to an extreme amount of momentum within our school and among our cherished donors. At the forefront of this wave of generosity are Steve and Kathy McShane. Their recent gift embodies the Lasallian spirit at the heart of De La Salle Collegiate. On behalf of our entire community, I extend my deepest gratitude to the McShanes for their commitment to nurturing the growth and potential of our young men. Equally heartwarming is the homecoming of Bill Sheridan. A familiar face to many, Bill has honed his professional and college football skills, gathering experiences and insights that few possess. We are blessed to have him back on our team, serving in our Admissions Department and enriching our football program. Welcome home, Bill. These individual contributions symbolize our alumni and donors' broader support and faith. The impressive momentum we're experiencing is a testament to your financial gifts and your unwavering belief in our mission. Your confidence fuels our endeavors, enabling us to strive for more outstanding excellence and expand the horizons of what is achievable for our students and faculty. I take this moment to express my sincere thanks to all of you. Your assistance and support are invaluable gifts that pilot us forward every day. May the Holy Spirit guide us as we advance our mission to educate and shape young men who will make a difference in our world. St. John Baptist de La Salle, Pray for us! Live Jesus in our hearts, Forever! Sincerely,
Larry Rancilio ‘86 President, De La Salle Collegiate
MISSION STATEMENT De La Salle Collegiate is dedicated to the Lasallian Catholic education of its diverse students, including the poor and disadvantaged. We are a collegepreparatory school inspired by the spirit and tradition of St. John Baptist de La Salle, where learning takes place in the presence of God. Each student is encouraged to develop his faith, character, intellect, and morality. This mission is embodied in the school’s motto: Builders of Boys. Makers of Men.
Our faith extends far beyond religion. It’s rooted in one another and our commitment to excellence.
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De La Salle Collegiate is proud to kick off Phase 2 of our Builders of Boys. Makers of Men. The Next 100 Years Capital Campaign. Athletic Facility Improvements:
• Synthetic Turf Baseball Field
• New concession & restroom facility • Increased parking spaces • New batting cages
Scan to learn more
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SCHO OL NEWS
McShane Pledges Multi-Million-Dollar Gift to Lead Capital Campaign
“
My dream is ambitious: to transform De La Salle into one of the premier schools for STEM education in the State of Michigan, a school that kindles curiosity and promises fulfillment of that dream. - Steve McShane, ‘61
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”
SCHO OL NEWS Steve McShane, ‘61, continues to give back to the school that helped make him into the man he is today. Earlier this summer, McShane pledged a multi-million-dollar gift to De La Salle Collegiate, which will be used to construct a world-class STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) center, aptly titled the Steve and Kathy McShane STEM Innovation Center. This facility will replace the school’s TARMAC (formerly the Library). “I think the addition of a STEM-based center will be highly impactful,” Steve McShane said. “For starters, it’ll help attract high-quality students who are committed to excelling in various highly technical subjects. This is critically important to the school and to our country, which relies on innovation to compete in today’s world.” In speaking to the student body on September 7, McShane said, “My dream is ambitious: to transform De La Salle into one of the premier schools for STEM education in the State of Michigan, a school that kindles curiosity and promises fulfillment of that dream.” McShane remembers his time as a Pilot student fondly. It helped pave a path for success for him as he entered college and then embarked on a fruitful professional career.
“When I was at De La Salle, I was put into some of the advanced courses, with high expectations that really helped create for me the value of learning and understanding concepts (especially in science and mathematics),” McShane expressed. “I think this STEM center will do the same for the DLS students of tomorrow. “I think my time at De La Salle put me on a path for higher achievement,” McShane added. “I came from a working-class family. I was really the only one of my siblings that went on to college, and I feel that DLS laid a solid foundation for me, enabling me to be focused on my education.” McShane shared his thoughts on how De La Salle made a difference in his life. “Our family of six kids suffered the loss of our mother during my sophomore year of high school,” McShane said. “I stumbled for a while. I lost focus, and my grades dropped. “But, this period also marked a turning point that would shape my formative years. It was in these moments of hardship and self-discovery that De La Salle made a difference in my life. It was a beacon of hope, a place where high expectations, Christian values, and academic excellence were top priorities. Gradually, I regained my footing.”
For more information on the Capital Campaign, please contact Greg Esler at gesler@delasallehs.com or 586-541-6254.
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McShane’s experience at De La Salle didn’t just make him a better and harder-working student. It also made him a more morally-sound and values-driven man. McShane attributes a lot of that to the strong, positive influence of the Christian Brothers, both inside and outside the classroom. “My choice to go to De La Salle definitely put me in a position to expand my educational experience and to get into college,” McShane said. “But, it also helped shape my moral compass, and made me a more disciplined person.” McShane went on to the University of Detroit for his electrical engineering degree, and then the University of Michigan for his MBA. “I believe DLS continues to have a reputation for high academic standards, value-based education, and a level of discipline that’s not existent in the public schools,” McShane said. “It provided a better path for success because of such values, and it certainly put me a step ahead of others.” DLS President Larry Rancilio, ‘86, praised the McShanes. “The De La Salle community is blessed to have Mr. and Mrs. McShane as part of the Pilot family, and views this ultra-generous gift as critical to the long-term success of the school,” Rancilio said. “I cannot thank Steve and Kathy enough for their generosity. De La Salle is better
SCHO OL NEWS
(left to right) Director of Advancement Greg Esler, Steve McShane, ‘61, Kathy McShane, Board Vice-Chair John Bernard, ‘70, Board Chair Roma Heaney, President Larry Rancilio, ‘86 .
today than it was yesterday, and it’s because this gift will impact a countless number of young men for years to come.” McShane is the CEO of Midtronics, Inc., which he founded in 1984. Midtronics is the global market leader in battery testers and diagnostic chargers for traditional automotive electrical systems, as well as the service equipment for electric vehicle batteries. As the leading innovator in this field, Midtronics possesses more than 200 patents in battery management technology. Midtronics has twice been named Chicago’s most innovative company by Crain’s Chicago Business.
Along with his successful professional life, McShane has developed a reputation for being a servant to others. Consequently, he embodies what it means to be Lasallian, in every sense of the word. “Steve and Kathy McShane are two of the most good-hearted and value-driven people that I know,” Advancement Director Greg Esler said. “As I’ve gotten to know the two of them better, it’s become readily apparent to me how much they value traditional Catholic principles and a De La Salle education. Steve and Kathy, through their generous gift, have definitely made a difference in the educational experience of future generations of Pilots.”
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The building of the Steve and Kathy McShane STEM Innovation Center is a vital component of the school’s recently launched Capital Campaign. The campaign – titled Builders of Boys. Makers of Men. The Next 100 Years! – plans to keep De La Salle alive and well for another century. As McShane put it, “As we stand at the threshold of our centennial year, let us invest in the light of learning, ensuring it forever illuminates these halls.”
SCHO OL NEWS
AP Scores Highest in Six Years Students in De La Salle Collegiate’s robust Advanced Placement (AP) program, which includes 16 classes for the 2023-2024 school year, showed significant improvements on tests taken during the May 2023 testing period. Approximately 32% of the student body, 167 students, took 347 Advanced Placement exams. According to Assistant Principal Christopher Dean, the Advanced Placement organizational report showed that DLS scores were the highest in six years. Additionally, test scores have improved over the previous year for three consecutive years. The number of classes that averaged a “3” or higher on the AP exam is the highest in six years. Dean says the number went up over 60% from the 2022 test scores.
Dean said that Advanced Placement French has been added to the offerings this year. In addition to the return of AP French, and the classes noted above, DLS offers AP courses in English Language, Calculus AB, Statistics, Chemistry, Environmental Science, Physics, Psychology, U.S. History, and Microeconomics. Part of the DLS curriculum offerings for over 40 years, the Advanced Placement program offers students the chance to earn college credits, and possible placement into higher-level courses. Tests are rated on a 1-5 scale; the amount of credit offered to students varies, depending on the college. Some universities do not give credit but do enable students to enroll in advanced courses.
“We were also able to maintain our college placements to Tier 1 colleges, such as the University of Michigan, Michigan State University, the University of Notre Dame, Illinois, Purdue, Penn State, Texas A&M, Indiana, and Wisconsin,” Dean said. “We also had a student who received an appointment to the US Naval Academy.” In six classes, students averaged 10-46% better than all AP students in Michigan. Those classes include: • AP Biology This class, taught by Mary Balamucki, was the most improved, raising the test average by • almost 1.5 points (on a 5-point scale). • AP Human Geography, taught by Brent Castine, has averaged a “4” on the AP exam each of the last four years and has had the highest AP scores. • AP Calculus BC taught by Joe Novak. • AP Spanish taught by Lindsey Tula. • AP Government taught by Thaier Mukhtar. • AP English Literature and Composition taught by Dave Kirck. Annmarie Michol, Curriculum Administrator, noted that teachers have utilized resources provided by the college board to help assess student performance throughout the course.
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“Teachers have taken some professional development courses to guide their instruction and practce,” Michol added.
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SCHO OL NEWS
Engineering Students Visit Auto Show
In mid-September, students in Mr. Ron Barger’s Engineering classes visited the North American International Detroit Auto Show at Detroit’s Huntington Place. The Auto Show featured a variety of new vehicles and highlighted the trend toward electric vehicles. “Multiple students were able to ride on the test track with a professional driver,” Barger said. “They were also allowed to ride in the Jeep exhibit over man-made hills and uneven terrain.” Barger is a trained Project Lead The Way (PLTW) teacher, specializing in Engineering courses as part of the De La Salle commitment to STEM education. He teaches Introduction to Engineering Design, Principles of Engineering, and Engineering Design. Sophomore Evan Kelley enjoyed the experience. “The Auto Show was incredible,” Kelley said. “We were able to see different types of cars and the newest models. We could also see the interworkings of a car engine and how it worked. A really cool experience was being able to test drive a Jeep on different terrains to see how it would function in a real-life environment.” Most students received tote bags or backpacks of different car vendors. Barger hopes that a field trip to the Auto Show will be an annual event like it used to be. “The Auto Show switched to a summer event, and then we had COVID,” he said. “All in all, the kids had a fantastic time.” Director of Operations Joe Gerardi ‘86 said that student transportation for field trips has been much easier since DLS acquired its own buses during the 2021-22 school year, thanks to a generous donation from alumnus Mark Rusch, ‘75. As The Collegiate went to print, Gerardi said DLS will be taking delivery of a fourth bus, a new one, that will have 51 seats. This fourth bus has also been funded by Mark Rusch.
Johnson Returns to DLS as Director of Admissions A proud 2015 graduate, Brendan Johnson returned to De La Salle Collegiate in August 2023, taking on the Director of Admissions role. Johnson previously worked on campus as part of the DLS Alumni Relations team from 2017-2020. For nearly three years, he served as the Director of Admissions at Gabriel Richard High School in Riverview, MI. "De La Salle is more than a school. It's home,” Johnson said. “DLS stands unparalleled as the best Catholic High School in Michigan. I'm exhilarated to reunite with the phenomenal faculty and staff!" He added, “De La Salle's magic lies in its inclusivity. No matter where you stand academically or whatever your passions, our dedicated staff is right beside you, nurturing and guiding every step." President Larry Rancilio added, "Brendan's unyielding passion for Lasallian education and steadfast commitment to inclusive, student-centric methods will be pivotal in our quest to usher in a diverse and gifted student populace." Johnson earned a bachelor's degree, magna cum laude, with a specialized focus on business administration marketing from Madonna University.
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SCHO OL NEWS Pictured (left to right) Paul Ziemba, '12, Jake Ziemba, '11 , Roger's wife, Diane, Roger Ziemba, '72, Terry Ziemba, '69
Alumnus Ziemba, ‘72 Sponsors Math Competition for Incoming Students For nearly 100 years, De La Salle Collegiate has helped young men become equipped to deal with the challenges of college and life after college. Now, Roger Ziemba, Class of 1972, wants to help his alma mater achieve that very objective for another century and beyond. Ziemba, who has lived a successful life crunching numbers and breaking down probabilities, wants to help bring the brightest and best math students to De La Salle. He plans to accomplish this through sponsoring a new, merit-based math competition that will award the top students in the sixth, seventh, and eighth grades with either scholarship money or a gift card to the Pilot Hangar – the school's spirit store. Specifically, if the winning student at the eighth-grade level plans on attending De La Salle for high school, he will receive a $5,000 scholarship. The scholarship will be renewable for all four years of the student’s career at DLS, contingent upon the child maintaining an “A” grade in his math courses. Meanwhile, the second-place winner will receive a $3,000 scholarship to attend DLS, the third-place winner will receive $1,500, and the fourth-place winner will receive $500.
Once again, the scholarship money is applicable only to those students who choose to attend De La Salle Collegiate.
understand that, you'll understand statistics and probability, and you'll see the world in a whole different way."
In total, Ziemba will be gifting $10,000 – and $40,000 over four years – to the highest achievers in the aforementioned competition. Meanwhile, the winners at the sixth-and-seventh-grade levels will receive a $50 gift card to the Pilot Hangar.
It is why it’s essential, in Ziemba’s opinion, for De La Salle to have the very best math department, consisting of both top-notch educators and students. And, through his gift to the school, he’s hoping to aid DLS in building a roster of top-tier math students, akin to building an NFL roster of high-quality talent.
The first-ever edition of this competition will take at the school's Warren-based campus. DLS Math Department Chair Joe Novak, '03, will run the competition.
“I want to be like (Detroit Lions general manager) Brad Holmes and help build a roster of high-achieving math students at De La Salle,” Ziemba said.
"There's not enough meritocracy in the world. I want to do a small piece, in a small brick in the De La Salle foundation, that rewards merit, and specifically, in something I was good at. So, I picked something that I was good at (math)," Ziemba said of his decision to support inaugural math competition. "And, it (math) is underappreciated. You cannot be good at science, technology or engineering – any of the first three STEM components – without being good at math. And, your life will be so much better because of it.
Ziemba’s love for math stems from his days as a Pilot student. In fact, he received a partial scholarship to De La Salle as a result of his math prowess. Ziemba’s sons, Jacob, ‘11, Matthew, ‘09, and Paul, ‘12, also attended DLS, as did Roger’s brother, Terry, '69, and his nephew Patrick Cahill, ‘00.
"You make much better decisions if you understand simple math. I mean, literally high school math, if you
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At DLS, Roger Ziemba also gained a strong admiration for reading and learning. He believes it can be partially attributed to the reading requirement of four different books, including the historical novel “Ivanhoe,” leading into his freshman year. He proceeded to spend three weeks on each book,
SCHO OL NEWS reading 25 pages per day, helping to instill a strong work ethic in Ziemba. To this day, he remembers the academic rigor of the school fondly, and says it prepared him well for the University of Michigan. “All my new friends (at Michigan) talked about, ‘Oh, my goodness, how different U-M is,’ and these were guys from Troy and Bloomfield and all these different local, public high schools. And, I said, ‘Me, too. U-M is so much easier than De La Salle,'” a laughing Ziemba said. “And, these guys were going crazy, and I was thinking, ‘Jeez, I’m spending less time academically than I did at De La Salle.’” Ziemba, in part due to the enriching, faith-filled experience he had as a Pilot student, has become an upstanding father to his three boys and model husband to his wife, Diane. And now, he’s decided to pay it forward and give back to De La Salle in an attempt to help build the next generation of morallygrounded, Lasallian men. “The more people who immerse themselves in the De La Salle culture, the better off we all are,” Ziemba commented. DLS Advancement Director Greg Esler couldn’t be more excited for what Ziemba is doing for Pilots students of today and tomorrow. “I can’t thank Roger enough for his tremendous generosity and the terrific impact he is set to make on the De La Salle Math program and so many different Pilots students for years to come,” Esler said. “I say with no hesitation that De La Salle is extremely blessed to call Roger one of its own.” Novak also is grateful for Ziemba and the immense and long-lasting impact that his gift will have on the DLS Math Department. “Roger, through his ultra-generous gift, is going to help take the De La Salle Math Department to the next level,” Novak said. “He’s going to assist in putting even more of the
brightest and best math students into the seats at De La Salle. Subsequently, I believe Roger is making a huge impact on not only the school’s math program, but also on De La Salle as a whole.” De La Salle continuously strives to be the best college preparatory school in the state of Michigan, and because of alumni like Ziemba, that goal is an attainable one.
8th Grade Algebra Class Continues to Add to Prospective Student Success Each morning, at 7 a.m., a group of nine eighth-grade boys, from three area grade schools, meet with Mr. Joe Novak for a 40-minute Algebra class. Now in its second year, the before-school offering enables students to learn Algebra I with an experienced De La Salle math teacher. The boys’ parents deliver their sons each morning for class; a DLS bus then transports the students to their home grade schools. Novak said the group, which has students from St. Isaac Jogues and St. Germaine (St. Clair Shores), and St. Anne (Warren), has “been respectful and has meshed nicely.” He added, “They come in eager to learn.” The class is offered to boys in area Catholic grade schools. Students in the 2022-2023 group, who are now freshmen, are enrolled in Geometry, a typical sophomore class. Mrs. Ashlee Barrett has a current freshman at De La Salle, who was in the inaugural class during his eighth-grade year. Another son, an eighth-grader at St. Isaac Jogues, is now in the morning class. “Mr. Novak’s Algebra 1 class has been a great blessing for our sons,” said Mrs. Barrett. “When it was first suggested to us, we were hesitant to
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place our soon-to-be eighth grader into a high school setting, when he was already in a wonderful environment in his grade school. But, he was ready for the academic challenge, so he joined the inaugural class of seven boys. We all quickly realized this class benefits the boys not only in math, but also in getting to know each other well. They had friends from day one of high school.” She added, “Mr. Novak is a phenomenal math teacher. My sons both agree that he makes it seem easy because he explains everything so well! We hope our younger sons can take advantage when they are in eighth grade. Thank you, DLS and Mr. Novak, for this great opportunity.” Novak teaches Advanced Algebra 2, Honors Pre-Calculus, and AP Calculus BC. Additionally, he chairs the Math Department. “Assuming the students continue to do well, they will be taking Algebra 2 as sophomores, Calculus AB as juniors, and then Calculus BC as seniors,” Novak said.
SCHO OL NEWS Brothers’ Mission: Br. Ken Shares Papua New Guinea Experience By day, and most evenings, Brother Ken Kalinowski, FSC ‘84, serves as Principal of De La Salle Collegiate as well as teaches two Theology classes.
He is also the “Rector” or Director of the Brothers’ Community living in the Brothers’ House on Gloede, across from the school’s Warren campus. But on many weekends? Most Sundays, he attends Pope John Paul II Parish, formerly Transfiguration, in the area of Six Mile and Mound. Brother Ken himself grew up in the Six Mile-Davison area. However, some weekends he speaks at Detroit-area parishes on behalf of the De La Salle Brothers’ Missions. His message to the Catholics gathered for a weekend Mass is to simply tell the congregation about the Brothers’ efforts throughout the world. He brings his experience serving in the missions, with time served in Nairobi (Kenya), Mexico City, and Papua New Guinea (PNG). The De La Salle Brothers operate four schools in PNG, where there are 800 languages, where 80% of the island nation’s population lives below the poverty line, and where they still experience tribal warfare.
Brother Ken volunteered for the three-year stint at La Salle Hohola Technical College in Port Moresby, PNG where he was the Deputy Principal and taught Math and Theology.
“In Papua New Guinea, our school is nicknamed the school of second chances,” he said. “It is a technical school where most of the students could not find space in the government schools.” Brother Ken said, “I knew I was in the right place, when I saw the UN vehicles, Doctors Without Borders, the Missionaries of Charity, and our Brothers serving a society that truly needs us. The spirit of the people to share what little they have truly humbles you.” During the summer of 2023, Brother Ken spoke at all the Masses at St. Jane Francis de Chantel in Sterling Heights and Holy Spirit Parish in Highland Charter Township, and encouraged voluntary donations to the De La Salle Missions. “I always felt lucky to receive an education, and for those who helped me graduate from De La Salle and, later, Villanova University, “ Br. Ken said.
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He has also spoken to American Catholic congregations and school groups in Buffalo, Syracuse, Philadelphia, and New York City, and in foreign settings in Australia, New Zealand, and Haiti; in Haiti he also taught at the Brothers’ school in Port-au-Prince. At De La Salle Collegiate, Brother Ken encourages regular donations of school supplies to PNG and Kenyan schools, as well as raising money for food donations through dress-down days. To make a donation to the De La Salle Missions, contact Brother Ken at De La Salle Collegiate.
SCHO OL NEWS
Mike Shortt ‘04 (back row, second from right waving) and the first-year Buttimer attendees
Faculty Member Shortt, ‘04 Attends Buttimer Institute For two weeks earlier this summer, De La Salle Collegiate faculty member Mike Shortt, Class of 2004, attended the Buttimer Institute, an intensive threeyear educational program for faculty and staff members in Lasallian schools. Shortt was in the first-year Buttimer group. Running from June 26 - July 8, the program was conducted at Manhattan College in the Bronx, NY; participants stay in college-owned, off-campus housing. Shortt and over 20 others in his group studied the life, work, and spirituality of St. John Baptist de La Salle, as well as interacted with others who were in the second and third years of the program. Shortt said the program also included “some free time to be a tourist.” A teacher in the DLS Social Studies Department, Shortt said that the program covered “the big picture.” “We learned about world history, then French history, and then about St. John Baptist de La Salle and his life,” Shortt said. “As a history fanatic, I found it very interesting.” DLS President Larry Rancilio, ‘86, was attending the Buttimer program for the second year. He said, “The Buttimer Institute is an invaluable program for nurturing the Lasallian spirit among faculty and staff, and renews our faith in the vocation of teaching as an act of love and service.”
Rancilio added, “The program ensures that each educator becomes a vessel of this sacred mission, fortifying De La Salle Collegiate’s role as a leader in shaping the minds and hearts of young men for generations to come.” During the second year of the program, participants study La Salle’s educational vision. The third year is devoted to La Salle’s spiritual vision. The Buttimer Institute began in 1984, named in honor of Brother Charles Buttimer, FSC, (1909-1982), the first American Superior General of the Brothers of the Christian Schools. After serving as a long-term substitute teacher, Shortt joined the DLS faculty in 2013. He teaches Economics, Personal Finance, Psychology, and Advanced Placement Microeconomics. Shortt is also the moderator of the Model United Nations Club, the defensive line coach for the DLS Varsity Football team, and the assistant JV Golf Coach. He attended Central Michigan University, majoring in History. Shortt cites past faculty members Mike Jolly and Jon Nicoloff as strong influences in his life, and key to his decision to pursue a teaching career. Shortt and his wife Sarah, a nurse, live in St. Clair Shores.
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SCHO OL NEWS
Pictured (left to right) Michael Rice, Matthew McCroskery, Amanda Hammou, Dave Nowinski, Robert Cornwell. Not Pictured: Ben Rancilio.
DLS Welcomes New Faculty Members De La Salle Collegiate welcomed several new teachers this fall, including: • Robert Cornwell ‘19 - Music • Amanda Hammou - Theology • Matthew McCroskery - Theology • Dave Nowinski - Science • Michael Rice - Business • Ben Rancilio ‘18 - Counseling pre-practicum Robert Cornwell, Class of 2019, has joined the faculty as the school’s Music Director. He majored in Music Education at Albion College, and minored in clarinet and voice. As part of his college coursework, Cornwell learned how to play a variety of instruments, including the piano, saxophone, and stringed and percussion instruments.
“I’m looking forward to building the program and giving young men the experiences that I had when I was here,” Cornwell said. “It’s good to be home.” Amanda Hammou, who is now teaching Theology, has had a wide range of experiences, working in ministry at several parishes, including St. George Chaldean, Holy Martyrs, St. Cyril and Methodius, and St. John Vianney. She is a graduate of Avondale High School and majored in Sociology at Oakland University. Hammou has also taken classes at Sacred Heart Seminary. She has worked in leadership and business development for businesses and non-profits for several years. “A client would come to me with an idea, and I’d make the idea real,” Hammou said. “I enjoy working on building things from the ground up.”
Cornwell pursued music education because of his music experiences at DLS.
Outside of school, Hammou enjoys creating art in various mediums, and likes hiking on trails.
“Just having the opportunity to teach people inspired me to go into education,” Cornwell said.
Matthew McCroskery also joined the Theology Department, teaching Morality to juniors; he will also be assisting with the DLS Stock Market Club. Most recently, he taught at St. Anne Grade School (Warren), and has had a lengthy career with the U.S. Military.
While a high school student, Cornwell participated in the school’s drama productions, the mock trial team, Science Olympiad, and captained the tennis team. His high school music participation encompassed the marching and jazz bands, men’s chorus, and show choir. He also served as a cantor for school liturgies.
McCroskery attended Grosse Pointe South High School before heading to college at Hampden-Sydney College in Virginia where he majored in political science and played rugby.
Cornwell is currently teaching music appreciation and concert band and wants to create a pep band. He is starting a men’s choir for liturgies and hopes to pursue cooperative music adventures with Regina High School.
He worked in the corporate world for several years but joined the U.S. Air Force after the events of September 11, 2001. Most recently, he has served as a first sergeant, stationed at Selfridge Air National Guard Base in Harrison
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SCHO OL NEWS stationed at Selfridge Air National Guard Base in Harrison Township. McCroskery and his wife live in St. Clair Shores. He enjoys woodworking, music, and outdoor activities. Dave Nowinski substituted for science teacher Nina Jacks last spring, and has taken on freshman Biology and sophomore Chemistry. Jacks has become the Administrative Assistant in the Counseling Department. A teacher at DLS from 1988-1990, Nowinski left for Fraser High School, his alma mater, and taught mostly Chemistry and Physics. He also coached the swim team, a position he held for 36 years. Nowinski retired from the Fraser Public Schools in November 2022. He is a graduate of Wayne State University with a bachelor’s and master’s in Biology, and a master’s in teaching. Nowinski and his wife Lisa, a small animal veterinarian, have four children and one grandchild. Michael Rice, a long-term substitute at DLS during the second semester of the 2022-23 school year, joins the DLS Business Department. He is teaching Accounting, Introduction to Business, Introduction to Technology, and a new course “Entrepreneurship.” Rice, who has both his undergraduate degree and his MBA from Walsh College, spent several years in the banking and mortgage fields before feeling “burnt out” and turning to teaching. “Various friends, mentors, and my spouse suggested teaching,” Rice said. “I decided I could ‘pay it forward’ and make a difference in kids’ lives, similar to how many educators made a lasting impact on my life.” He and his family live in Macomb; his three children are enrolled in the Utica Community Schools. Rice himself is a graduate of Fitzgerald High School (Warren, MI). When not involved with teaching or his children’s activities, Rice is engaged in various ultramarathons, Ironman triathlons, Brazilian jiu-jitsu, MMA, and Muay Thai Kickboxing. Ben Rancilio is in the pre-practicum phase of his pursuit of an advanced degree in school psychology at the University of Detroit Mercy. He is spending time at DLS during the first semester, working with the Counseling Department.
Balamucki Attends Lasallian Social Justice Institute De La Salle Collegiate Science teacher Mary Balamucki spent time in Florida during July 2023 at the La Salle Education Center in Homestead. However, she wasn’t learning about the latest trends in teaching that she might use in her Advanced Placement or Anatomy and Physiology classes. Balamucki, along with 11 other Lasallians in North America, attended the 2023 Lasallian Social Justice Institute (LSJI) in Homestead, FL. The program focused on the migrant farm worker experience. The group heard stories about the migrants and their struggles, and also had personal encounters with families living in the area. At the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) office, participants saw the struggles that immigrants and asylum seekers face, such as legal and language barriers. “We saw hundreds of people waiting, and they had no shade, and no water,” Balamucki said. “We actually went to an immigration court and met with a lawyer from Catholic legal aid who explained the process for someone trying to cross the border.” Balamucki said the experience was intense, and some participants dropped out. “It was emotionally difficult and physically uncomfortable,” she said. The group stayed at the Homestead Center, sleeping on air mattresses, and also helped with the local food share program. The LSJI group also toured the Shrine of Our Lady of Charity in Miami, and met with Father Jose Espino who shared his story of coming to the United States.
A four-year swimmer at De La Salle, Rancilio continued swimming in college at John Carroll University, where he majored in Industrial and Organizational Psychology.
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SCHO OL NEWS
Sophomore Shoots for Space, Forms Rocketry Club The world’s largest rocket contest gives nearly 5,000 middle and high school students the opportunity “to design, build, and launch model rockets, as well as hands-on experience solving engineering problems.” The Rocketry Club meets regularly as part of the new DLS lunchtime schedule which gives students the opportunity to belong to any of the nearly 40 clubs. Gabe said the first Rocketry Club meeting attracted nearly 20 students, and in the future, as they prepare for competition, they will be meeting after school. “Every single field of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics), as well as Medicine, is part of a rocketry program,” Gabe said.
Although he is only a sophomore, Gabriel “Gabe” Enghauser already knows what he would like to be in the future. An astronaut. Gabe has spearheaded the creation of the new “Rocketry Club,” with plans to enter the American Rocketry Challenge (ARC) later this school year.
explore spaces humans haven’t gone to,” Gabe said. “I hope to find technologies that could help humanity forever.” He plans to major in aerospace engineering in college and is already thinking about applying for the U.S. Naval Academy or the U.S. Air Force Academy. Gabe carries a 4.0+ GPA and is enrolled in a variety of Honors classes this year. He has played the trumpet since fourth grade and is a member of the DLS Concert Band. He has also taught himself how to play the didgeridoo, a wind instrument similar to the flute, originally used by Australian aborigines.
Gabe said that the rockets for the American Rocketry Challenge must meet certain specifications. Judges consider how close the model rocket is to those specs, as well as how long the rocket can stay in the air.
Once tutoring schedules are set up, Gabe plans to tutor and to apply to the DLS National Honor Society. He was in the Junior National Honor Society while at St. Germaine Grade School in St. Clair Shores, where he was the valedictorian for his eighth-grade class.
An additional piece of the competition involves including an egg in the rocket as the “payload,” with the goal of having an intact, unbroken egg when the rocket lands.
His two older brothers are alumni; Julian ‘16 attended Oakland University and studied film, while David ‘21 is studying business at Michigan State University.
Mr. Rob Black, who moderates both the Rocketry and the Robotics teams, says, “Gabe is a highly motivated individual who has a passion for STEM. Even as a sophomore, he is a leader of our Robotics team and is the driving force behind the creation of the Rocketry Club this year.”
His parents are Kevin Enghauser and Rebecca McDonaldEnghauser, and the family lives in Macomb Township.
Gabe said he has been inspired to travel in space since preschool. “I really want to travel in space and
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Whenever possible, the family still attends church at St. Germaine. “Even though I graduated from St. Germaine almost two years ago, we are still extremely close to the community there,” Gabe said. “It is a testament to the great community at that school, especially since the education there helped build the foundation of everything I have learned so far.”
SCHO OL NEWS
Faculty & Staff Summer Fun
Sheryl Anderson Anderson, our DLS Information Technology specialist, went skydiving in Buckeye, AZ, while visiting her son Kyle ‘13. The skydiving experience - a birthday present - was a first for Anderson.
Vicki Granger Christopher Dean ‘89 and Christian Dean ‘19 Assistant Principal Christopher Dean ‘89, and his son, Christian ‘19, ventured to New York City for a few days of sightseeing. Christian is now working in NYC.
Longtime faculty member and now part of the DLS Advancement Department, Vicki Granger and her husband Mike enjoyed a week in July visiting Switzerland, Germany, and the Netherlands. The two were part of a University of Notre Dame alumni travel group, led by Notre Dame’s President Emeritus Fr. Edward Malloy. They are pictured here in the cathedral in Cologne, Germany.
Andrew Grauzer ‘04 Andrew and his wife Sarah headed to Africa in July. They visited several national parks, seeing numerous animals in their native habitats. In this photo, they are along the Mara River, in the Maasai Mara National Reserve, in Kenya.
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SCHO OL NEWS
MAKING A DIFFERENCE Students, Alumni, Faculty & Staff in Service of the Lasallian Mission One Station. One DJ. One Roof. One Week.
Matt Markham ‘12
For the fifth year in a row, De La Salle Collegiate alumnus Matt Markham, Class of 2012, lived “up on the roof” in downtown Port Huron for a week in mid-September. Markham, a radio personality at Port Huron’s WSAQ 107.1 FM station, broadcast each day from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., from the roof of the MiMutual Building as part of the annual fundraiser benefitting the local Child Abuse/Neglect (CAN) Council in St. Clair County. “The Community Roof Sit for Kids” helps the child abuse program provide therapy for victims and their families. Along with other community organizations, as well as Markham’s listeners, the fundraiser generated $162,000, well above its $150,000 goal. Markham says, “It shouldn’t hurt to be a child.” In past years, Markham has pointed out that his “camping” can be chilly. “It can get cold up here in Port Huron,” he said. “We’re at the mouth of the St. Clair River and Lake Huron, so it’s usually 10 degrees colder up here than in Detroit.”
Stepping Up to End Neurofibromatosis Led by hockey coaches Chad LaRose, Nick Stefani, and Ian Cicchini ‘10, the Pilots’ varsity and junior varsity hockey teams took part in the second annual “Steps for Scaps” charity walk on September 17 at Addison Oaks County Park. The “Steps for Scaps” team raised nearly $3,500 for the Children’s Tumor Foundation. The group walked in memory of Alexander Scapini, ‘16, who tragically lost his battle with a brain tumor in January 2022. Alex’s condition, neurofibromatosis or NF, is a genetic disease that affects 1 in 3,000 people. Currently, there is no cure.
Markham, who attended the Specs Howard School of Broadcasting in Southfield, got a job in Port Huron after graduation. He’s worked at WSAQ and its sister station, WBTI 96.9 FM.
The DLS group was one of several walking that day in the signature fundraising event of the Children’s Tumor Foundation, the “Shine a Light on NF” walk. Overall, the teams raised $45,000 to go toward research and finding a cure for NF.
He attended St. Angela Grade School, until it closed, and then finished eighth grade at St. Isaac Jogues, before attending De La Salle. He was a member of the De La Salle swim team.
The Pilots celebrated Alex’s life, along with Alex’s parents, Dr. David Scapini and Karen Scapini, as well as Alex’’s cousin and event organizer, Melissa McCabee. To make a gift to the Alexander R. Scapini Memorial Scholarship, an endowed scholarship, check the scholarships page on the DLS website.
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SCHO OL NEWS
Specifically, he assisted individuals in getting to checkpoints to further their travels, made and served food for newly-arrived refugees, took care of children at a refugee daycare, and directed sick people to proper places of care.
Alumni Spotlight: Frank Slanczka ‘15
Servant first. It precisely sums up the way Frank Slanczka, Class of 2015, lives his life. At just 26 years old, Slanczka has already become the epitome of someone who puts the needs of others before his own. He credits his parents, Frank and Karen Slanczka, for his strong Christian upbringing, as well as the Lasallian, faith-filled education he received at De La Salle, for molding him into the morally grounded man he is today. “De La Salle taught me how to be a hard worker while being both value-oriented and virtuous,” Slanczka said. “I couldn’t be more proud of the Lasallian education I received. It taught me the importance of helping others, and of practicing the virtue of charity.” Since graduating from De La Salle, Slanczka has been keenly focused on serving the less fortunate and giving back to the community. His most recent act of service came as part of a trip to Poland earlier this summer. Slanczka spent nearly three weeks in the Central European nation, providing aid to the millions of Ukrainian men and women who have taken refuge there.
He also organized a warehouse stocked full of daily essentials, such as medical supplies, clothing, and soap, which were used by the refugees and also shipped to Ukraine. Despite the hardships of the Ukrainian people that he witnessed, Slanczka found his time in Poland to be a highly rewarding experience. “The experience itself was hard to see. It was unimaginable to put yourself in their shoes, and it was hard to digest some of the horrific stories that I was told,” Slanczka said. “However, I would not change the experience for the world. It was a rewarding feeling to be able to put a smile on someone's face whose future was unknown, and to be able to help them as much as I could.” Currently, Slanczka is a faculty member at Guardian Angels Grade School in Clawson. He teaches history, religion, and literature to sixth through eighth grade students. On a daily basis, he emphasizes to his students the importance of possessing a strong work ethic, a lesson he learned during his time as a Pilot. “Whether it was in sports or inside the classroom, all the teachers, staff, and parents at De La Salle taught us to work hard in whatever we are doing,” Slanczka said. “This has carried over into my life. Whether it is building friendships, help
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ing others, teaching, or praying, I work hard to get better every single day. This is one of the many life lessons that I have learned from DLS.” Slanczka has a myriad of fond memories from his time as a De La Salle student, both from inside and outside the classroom. He played soccer and ran track as a Pilot student-athlete, and also participated in multiple Wig and Mask Society (WAMS) play productions, including “South Pacific” and “Damn Yankees.” Meanwhile, he was a wellaccomplished student, and thoroughly enjoyed being taught by longtime social studies teachers Thaier Mukhtar and retired faculty and staff member Mike Karas. Both teachers played a significant role in Slanczka’s pursuit of a teaching career himself. “Some of the best memories of my life are from my time at De La Salle, and have carried over into my life now,” Slanczka commented. “I still keep in contact with many of my friends and teachers. I always cherished seeing the teachers greeting us in the hallway every morning and taking the time to help us when we, as students, needed help. This is a big part of why I chose the profession of teaching.” Slanczka graduated from Grand Valley State in 2020 with a Bachelor’s degree in History, with a minor in language and business. He completed his Master’s in Secondary Education and History, with a minor in Social Studies, at Oakland University in 2022. During the 22-23 school year, he worked part-time at St. Augustine in Richmond.
SCHO OL NEWS
MAKING A DIFFERENCE Annual Day of Service Calls Lasallian Annual Day of Service Calls Mission to A
Lasallian Mission to Action ction
On Friday, September 22, De La Salle Collegiate students, along with faculty and staff members, engaged in a “Day of Service” at 16 different local churches and schools, as well as the Detroit Riverfront Conservancy and Sacred Heart Major Seminary.
Brother Carl Malacalza said, “We are called to be disciples, followers of Christ, in this world. The De La Salle Service Day enables us to build community by working together to be Christ's hands and heart for those who need a helping hand.”
President Larry Rancilio, ‘86, had high praise for the school-wide effort. “This day is a compelling testament to our commitment to shaping the character of our young men, showing them the power of kindness, empathy, and community involvement,” Rancilio said.
He noted this is a reflective attitude, so that students will see this as more than a service project.
“I have received nothing but compliments for all of the hard work that was done and the way that our boys were so respectful,” said Principal Br. Ken Kalinowski, FSC, ‘84. Sister Kathleen Matz and Brother Carl Malacalza, DLS Campus Ministers, organized the mandatory program, along with Brother Ken Kalinowski and the Faculty Service Committee. “It is important for our Pilots to be involved in generous service to others,” said Sister Kathleen. “When we say ‘Builders of Boys. Makers of Men.’ we certainly include the aspect of helping others. As mentors to our students, we stress that we wish to model the attitude of Jesus when being present to others. To paraphrase the Matthew 25:40 scripture, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of your brothers or sisters, you did for Me.’ True faith reaches out to people who are hurting, facing injustice, or are in need of help.” Students chose their service destination in advance. In some cases, DLS transportation was provided. In 2022, DLS organized the first school-wide Day of Service; previously, only the senior class was engaged in a Day of Service, while sophomores and juniors took a standardized test and freshmen had a half-day retreat. At the various church and school sites, many of the activities involved assisting with outdoor clean-up and yard work, moving furniture, and working with students in the classroom.
Rancilio also praised the faculty and staff for their efforts. As Rancilio stated, “Their participation in Service Day reverberates far beyond the walls of our institution, touching lives and making a tangible difference.” At the Rising Stars Academy in Center Line, students conducted a field day with games; Rising Stars Academy is a post-secondary, vocational training program for young adults with developmental disabilities. Additionally, some of the DLS athletic teams participated as a group: • The cross country team assisted at Sacred Heart Major Seminary. • The golf team and the Advancement Department staff began the morning at Mass at Our Lady Queen of Apostles Church, and then assisted with the cleaning of the church and the choir loft. • The soccer team assisted parishioners in cleaning up the inside of the historic St. Albertus Church in Detroit. • The tennis team engaged in clean-up at St. Hyacinth Church, in preparation for the parish’s Banana Festival. • The basketball team assisted the church staff at Sweetest Heart of Mary in cleaning up the parish’s historic cemetery. Other service sites included St. Anne (Warren), St. Germaine, St. Isaac Jogues, St. Thecla, St. Malachy, St. Faustina, and St. Lawrence.
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ALUMNI NEWS
CAREER DAY 2023 Nearly 40 alumni and friends of De La Salle Collegiate gathered at the school on Friday, September 22, 2023, for the annual “Career Day.” Students heard from alumni during three morning class periods, before heading to the Bill Fox Gymnasium. Jeff Fratarcangeli, ‘91, delivered an inspiring keynote address. The speakers represented a variety of professions from legal to medical, business to sales, information technology and first responders, and even skilled trades. Faculty member Dave Nowinski said, “I felt it was very valuable for the kids to hear the path to success is rarely easy. These speakers talked about their flaws more than their successes. I felt it was very insightful and genuine for them to mention their imperfections and that we all have them, but hard work, integrity, and persistence can overcome many things. It was good for students to hear these things.”
Career Day Speakers Benjamin Aloia, ‘91 Chris Bondi, ‘98 Anthony Catullo, ‘59 Greg DeMars, ‘00 Charles Drabik, ‘13 Christopher Fett, ‘90 Sebastian Foltz, ‘18 Jeff Graus, ‘95 Patrick Guyon, ‘13 Joseph Hallman, ‘88 Christian Hauser, ‘90 Nicholas Jozefczyk, ‘15 Michael Kardasz, ‘93 Michael Kornas, ‘11 Joseph Leone, ‘94 Jacob Lepore, ‘10
Matt Loria, ‘95 Andrew Mastay, ‘05 John Monigold, Jr., ‘94 Jim Muer, ‘95 Luke Popiel, ‘08 Joey Schoenherr, ‘11 Brian Simpson, ‘94 Mark St. Peter, ‘81 Cory Stadelbauer, ‘08 Kyle Suminski, ‘11 Dr. Jon Tosch, ‘94 Gino Tozzi, ‘99 Jason Walewski, ‘00 Jack Wangler, ‘13 Dr. Peter Watson, ‘90
Gino Tozzi, ‘99, shared his real estate experiences with students. “We had a lot of alumni passionate about their careers and helping the students,” Tozzi said. He currently chairs the alumni professional group, the Pilot Business Association. First-time presenter Chris Bondi, ‘98, who works in human resources recruitment, said, “I would be delighted to continue to engage with the students in the Business classes. Great day. Great buzz. I hope the students felt the same.”
Joe Leone ‘94
Brian Simpson, ‘94, and Mike Kardasz ‘93, both studied engineering but took different career paths. Simpson is in tech sales, while Kardasz is a technical leader for General Motors. The two are long-time friends, and have presented together at past Career Days. Kardasz said the two discussed their education and “the doors that our education opened.”
Brian Simpson ‘94 & Mike Kardasz ‘93
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ALUMNI NEWS
Alumni Spotlight: Anthony Assad ‘07 At Brown, Assad majored in Biology, but took an Economics course nearly every semester. “I loved Brown,” Assad said. “Brown was what opened up the finance world to me.” During college, Assad interned at a venture capital firm specializing in biotech investments. “I was the scientist, liaising between the business and medical sides,” Assad said.
Anthony Assad, Class of 2007, will be addressing the De La Salle Collegiate Class of 2024 at the annual 1926 Society Breakfast at the Detroit Athletic Club on October 27.
Since 2013, he has been with HG Vora Capital Management, an investment advisor that manages about $7 billion in investor assets.
Anthony Assad, the ‘07 Valedictorian, is a hedge fund analyst living in Brooklyn, NY, with his wife Gina Guzzardo Assad. They regularly return to the Detroit area for holidays and family gatherings, and they plan to run together with their families in the October 15 Detroit Free Press Marathon Relay. During his high school career, Assad consistently ranked in the top three of his class, taking numerous Advanced Placement courses AND playing varsity hockey for three years. He was the team’s captain his senior year. Assad spent “several months” thinking about his college future, ultimately deciding to submit an early decision application to Brown University in Rhode Island. “I think many people had hoped that I would apply to Notre Dame,” Assad said. “Fortunately, I found a wife that graduated from there!” Assad’s wife, has an MBA from the University of Notre Dame Mendoza College of Business.
He also has several private residential real estate investments. After living in Manhattan for eight years, Assad bought a multifamily rowhouse in Brooklyn, where he lives in one unit and leases out two apartments. He also owns rental properties in Philadelphia, in Providence near Brown, and in Detroit’s Woodbridge area west of Wayne State University. Assad attended Shelby Junior High, choosing to attend De La Salle because of his father’s encouragement. “My father wanted to attend a private Catholic high school, but that wasn’t a financially viable option for his family,” Assad said. “I was fortunate to have the opportunity.” Assad said that his Advanced Placement classes were helpful in his college career. “At Brown and many other private universities, you don’t really have the opportunity to get credits, and then graduate a semester or two early, in order to save on tuition,” Assad said.
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“With AP credit, Brown placed me in higher-level courses. I came in with AP Calculus BC, for example, so I placed into multivariable calculus on Day 1.” Assad is pleased with the number of Advanced Placement courses in the DLS curriculum. “AP classes are a way to progress through college more efficiently,” He said. Assad keeps in touch with several De La Salle classmates, including three classmates - Gino Roncelli, Michael Martin, and David Hakim - who were groomsmen in Assad’s 2021 wedding. Assad encourages his fellow alumni to give back. “I learned many things about brotherhood and faith at De La Salle,” he said. “Our philanthropy will help people in the future, and ultimately better the lives of today’s students and the students to come.” Dan Barry, who coached the DLS Varsity Hockey team for 15 years, fondly remembers Assad and is still in touch with his family. “Anthony was a great player for us,” Barry said. “He was a true leader on and off the ice, and one of the toughest players I coached. Anthony was dealing with a lot of shoulder injuries his senior year, but he was always at practice every day. He was such an amazing young man. He led his teammates on the ice, and in the classroom, he was the only valedictorian we ever had from the hockey program.” Barry continued, “I’ve coached hockey a lot of years, and he was the only captain I can remember that had everyone’s respect, from the coaches to the players. Truly a great leader.”
ALUMNI NEWS Professional Associations Have Full Fall Schedule The four De La Salle Collegiate professional associations have had a busy fall, with gatherings and speakers during September and October. Led this year by President Donovan Asmar, ‘06, the Pilot Bar Association gathered in Royal Oak for a “happy hour” in mid-September, and planned an October 10 meeting with Bill Sheridan, ‘77 as its guest speaker. The Pilot Construction Association, meanwhile, met in downtown Detroit on September 15 for a tour of the former J.L. Hudson’s Building. The event was arranged by Scott Schollenberger, ‘87, of Barton Malow.
The Pilot Business Association and the Pilot Medical Association planned separate gatherings during October. The Medical group heard from Dr. Peter Watson ‘90, of Heath Alliance Plan (HAP), while the Business group met with Macomb County Executive Mark Hackel.
DENA Provincial Speaks to Br. George Synan Society Alumni and friends of De La Salle gathered on September 21, 2023, at the Detroit Golf Club for a gathering of the Brother George Synan Planned Giving Society. Named for the late Brother George Synan, the Planned Giving Society aims to ensure that De La Salle Collegiate fulfills the mission of St. John Baptist de La Salle, the founder of the Christian Brothers. St. John Baptist de La Salle once famously said, “No boy should be turned away from an education because of a lack of funds.” Brother Robert Schaefer, FSC, the “Brother Visitor” or “Provincial” of the District of Eastern North America (DENA), addressed the group. He stressed the importance of a Lasallian education and ensuring that the school is financially able to offer tuition assistance to needy students. “I truly believe that the purpose and mission of De La Salle Collegiate is an essential part of God’s mission on Earth,” Br. Robert said. “That’s what we are investing in.”
For more information about each association, check out the DLS website at delasallehs.com/alumni. Interested alumni should contact Dennis Koch, ‘94, Director of Alumni Relations, at 586.541.6221 or dkoch@delasallehs.com
Attendees also saw a video showing the proposed STEM Center, to be named the Steve and Kathy McShane STEM Innovation Center, and an update on the current Capital Campaign. The event was made possible through the generosity of Russ Agosta, ‘64, and Mike Jolet, ‘96. Dennis Koch, Director of Planned Giving, said the Brother George Dinner is part of a sustained effort to develop our Planned Giving program. Koch is working with additional experts to “take the program to another level.” To discuss a potential planned gift, your legacy to show the world your love for De La Salle and your Lasallian education, contact Dennis Koch, ‘94, Director of Planned Giving and Alumni Relations Director, at 586.541.6221 or dkoch@delasallehs.com.
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ALUMNI NEWS
Your Legacy for a
lifetime. Become a Member of The Brother George Synan Society. Become a guiding light as a member of The Brother George Synan Society. Your gift to De La Salle can become a part of your estate plan that benefits the school. There are a number of options from donating insurance plans or investments, to gifting real estate. Our team will work with you to develop a gifting plan that works for you and can become a tax deduction. “No boy should be turned away from an education because of a lack of funds.” -Brother George Synan SCAN HERE TO:
Create a legacy
that influences future generations of Pilots.
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14600 Common Road, Warren, MI 586-541-6254
ALUMNI NEWS
Several Classes celebrated milestone reunions during the annual Alumni Reunion Weekend Event Sept. 8-9.
Pictured (left to right) Dr. Peter Cracchiolo ‘03, Dr. Jeff Fisher ‘96, Joe Olekszyk ‘99, Ed Olejniczak ‘91, Bruno Tabbi ‘01, Matt Cracchiolo ‘05
Alumni Gather at Lochmoor Club for Fireside Chat
Class of 1968 - 55 Years
Alumni and friends of De La Salle gathered on September 14 at the Lochmoor Golf Club in Grosse Pointe Woods for a “Fireside Chat” about the current Capital Campaign and proposed improvements. Director of Advancement Greg Esler showed alumni renderings of the proposed Steve and Kathy McShane STEM Innovation Center, already funded by a generous donation from the McShanes. Construction is scheduled to begin in June 2024, at the end of the current school year. The next phase calls for improvements to the outdoor baseball field, an additional parking lot off of Common Rd., and a concession stand/restroom/ storage building serving all the outdoor fields.
Class of 1983 - 40 Years
Class of 1993 - 30 Years
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AT H L E T I C N E WS NHL Veteran LaRose at Helm of DLS Hockey
DLS Athletic Director Dan Rohn is pleased to have LaRose on board. “I'm very excited to have Chad, with all his years of experience playing in the NHL and as a youth hockey coach, to lead our hockey program with his playing experience, knowledge of the game, and his ability to train and elevate our student-athletes. I'm confident that he will be a great asset within the De La Salle community,” Rohn said. LaRose’s varsity hockey staff includes current assistant coach Nick Stefani and former Detroit Red Wings defenseman and DLS alumnus Danny DeKeyser, ’08, who called LaRose “a great hire.” DeKeyser highly recommended LaRose because of the time he recently spent training with him. “Chad will push the organization on its continued path of success,” DeKeyser said. “He has great experience not only as a coach, but also as a longtime professional player himself.” He said he looks forward to supporting LaRose and the DLS student-athletes. “I came here to coach hockey,” LaRose said. “I am a better hockey coach than a player. It’s the way I’ve stayed motivated. It’s my passion.” He wants to share his same passion for the game with his players. “I want us to grow together as a team, and I want them to be cohesive and have as much fun as they can, to enjoy the game of hockey and the values that hard work and competing can create for them.
Continuing to build a team with a strong foundation is just one of the goals of new DLS varsity hockey head coach Chad LaRose – and he brings plenty of experience along with him. In June 2023, LaRose was named the new head coach of DLS’s regional championship-winning varsity hockey team. He takes over for former head coach Sean Clark, who was named general manager for the Sioux City Musketeers. Like his predecessor, LaRose plans to add more wins to DLS’s record. “I want to make the kids better on and off the ice,” said LaRose, 41. “I focus on motivating the kids, so they can play as a team and compete at the highest level.” Motivation and winning are what he strives for, proven in his 2006 Stanley Cup championship with the Carolina Hurricanes. With a playing career that extended from 2003-17 – and consisted of more than 600 games – the NHL veteran has vast knowledge to share. LaRose currently trains and coaches in the area, and with his ties to DLS, he felt the job would be a great fit, as he will be able to continue to develop his coaching and teaching philosophies.
“This is a special time in their lives when they are able to do that. We don't get to do this all the time, and I want to instill this in them,” he said. “I want them to have fun with it.” LaRose, who works as a trainer with current NHL, IHL, and UHL players along with student-athletes, said, “I'm a firm believer that if you want to compete at the highest level, you have to skate and train. I’m constantly on skates in the spring, summer, and fall. I love training players of all skill sets.” At just age two, LaRose, a Fraser native, jumped on the ice to play with his brothers, and quickly discovered the game that he loves and would later devote his career to learning, playing, and teaching. He credits his family for its continued support and encouragement that allowed him to compete, and wants to pass that along to the young athletes in the great game of hockey today. “I’m excited for it, and I know the kids are. I’m excited to be a part of the DLS community. I love coaching and teaching this game,” said LaRose, who recently coached two Triple-A teams in the same season and understands the time and commitment it will take. “I’m very grateful and honored to be a part of this amazing school and its excellence in all aspects,” LaRose added.
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AT H L E T I C N E WS
Alumnus Sheridan ‘77 Brings Experience to DLS Athletics, Admissions You can go home again.
into college coaching.
Bill Sheridan, ‘77, returned to De La Salle Collegiate this fall, as a member of the varsity football coaching staff and also handles responsibilities in the DLS Admissions Department.
He thought being a head coach at a high school could be his ticket to the university level, but “I got one interview with Marine City Holy Cross, and didn’t get it.”
After years of living in the Ann Arbor area, Bill and his wife, Jaycine, made a decision in late 2022 to return to the East Side, where both have extensive family and friends. Bill is one of 12 children, four girls and eight boys. The 12 Sheridans all attended St. Raymond Grade School. His sisters all attended Regina High School; Bill and six of his brothers are De La Salle alumni, as well as several nephews. Bill’s father was a Detroit police officer, and the family lived in northeast Detroit. While online research details Bill’s coaching journey, and the many stops along the way, working with legendary coaches and players, what doesn’t show is his perseverance and dedication to teaching. Sheridan played for DLS under Coach John Maronto before heading to Grand Valley State University, earning his teaching credentials. “I wanted to go into teaching because of the correlation with coaching,” Sheridan said. After college, he taught Social Studies at St. Clare de Montefalco (Grosse Pointe Park), and later at St. Louis the King (Detroit). “I never saw the inside of a gym,” Sheridan said. “At that time, when you got a teaching certificate, you could teach anything from kindergarten to eighth grade.” While teaching, Sheridan was an assistant coach at Royal Oak Shrine, and started thinking about getting
He added, “I realized a school like Chippewa Valley wasn’t going to hand me the head coaching job.” Sheridan talked with his Grand Valley State coach Jim Harkema, who encouraged Bill to consider becoming a graduate assistant on Harkema’s staff at Eastern Michigan University. Sheridan headed to Ypsilanti, and attended spring practices, while taking classes and seeking internships. But Lloyd Carr, then a coach under Bo Schembechler at the University of Michigan, reached out to Harkema, looking to add to his staff. Thus began Bill’s long career at the collegiate level: Maine, Cincinnati, Army, Michigan State, the University of Notre Dame, and then back to Ann Arbor from 2002-2004. You can go home again. While Bill and his family were living in Ann Arbor, and his children had started school, the professional teams came knocking. With the New York Giants, Bill was the linebakers’ coach for the Giants’ 2007 Super Bowl Championship team. He had a stint with the Miami Dolphins, and then the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, before coming home to Detroit. He coached linebackers for the Lions from 2014-2017. Then it was back to the college ranks. Boston College. Air Force. Wisconsin.
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But in the summer of 2022, he was back in Michigan, with his four children grown, out of college, married, with children of their own. He was back home. Again. Bill’s contact list is extensive. Before long, he was asked to join the coaching staff at Belleville High School. Sheridan, ever the teacher, wanted to make sure he wasn’t just a face out on the football field. He wanted to be in school - even if only for the semester - and became the permanent teaching substitute. Belleville went on to win the 2022 Division 1 championship. He already had an XFL coaching job lined up for January 2023, and he and Jaycine had purchased a house in northern Macomb County, planning to move once the XFL season ended for the Arlington (Texas) Renegades. You can go back home. This fall, following his move to the “East Side,” Sheridan is working closely with Admissions Director Brendan Johnson, ‘15, particularly focused on the recruitment of international students. “Bill adds a great mix of experience, professionalism, and Pilot pride to the Admissions Department,” Johnson said. “A large focus of his time will be exploring ways for us to reignite an international student presence at DLS. In addition to his work in expanding the international student program, Bill is helping with a lot of the day-to-day operations, including the Pilot for a Day students, and preparing for admissions events this fall. He is a tremendous asset to our school, and it’s great to have him back at his alma mater on a daily basis.”
AT H L E T I C N E WS “When I walk in the building every day, I have two feelings,” Sheridan said. “I feel good. It’s a great atmosphere, a great culture, and there are wonderful people in the building. The other feeling I have is pride. I am proud of being a graduate. Proud of being part of the staff here, proud of being part of the football staff, and proud of being part of the academic effort with the Admissions Department.” But more importantly, Sheridan sees himself as a teacher. “I’m here to be a good role model, caring for the players, their well-being, wanting them to be successful,” Sheridan said. “I wanted to be in the building, and didn’t want to just roll in every day at 2:30 p.m.” As for football, Sheridan says, “I have 40 years of experience, and that’s a lot of experience seeing a lot of different things.” Athletic Director Dan Rohn said, “As great as it has been to have Coach Sheridan join our football program because of his experience, knowledge, and love for the game, having Bill in the hallways and around our students, staff, and community has been an added bonus because of his professionalism, dedication, and loyalty. When he spoke to our Dads’ Club at its September meeting, you could tell and hear in his voice the love and pride he has for being an alumnus and how he wants to see the school continue to grow and improve in every way possible.” Visit De La Salle any day, and look down the hall toward Sheridan’s office. When the bell rings for classes, Bill steps out in the hall. Looks kids in the eye. Shakes hands. Asks their names. Yes. You can go home.
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AT H L E T I C N E WS
DLS Hosts Eastside Football Reunion On Friday, September 22, alumni from nearly 40 closed Eastside Catholic high schools gathered at Wayne State University, prior to the De La Salle vs. Catholic Central varsity football game.
Led by alumni from Bishop Gallagher High School in Harper Woods (which closed in 2002, and continued as Trinity Catholic until 2005), and DLS Athletic Director Dan Rohn, the first-time ever reunion gave over 100 attendees the opportunity to catch up with old friends. Bishop Gallagher graduate Matt Simoncini, Class of 1979, hosted a gathering of his teammates a few years ago, which led to a Bishop Gallagher Football Alumni group. Simoncini then met with Rohn, who suggested the group gather at the DLS vs. CC game for the first annual Eastside Catholic High Schools Reunion. “We wanted to rally around DLS, as it’s the last-standing school in that area,” Simoncini said. Although the event began primarily as a football reunion, all alumni were welcome to attend. Dennis Koch, DLS ‘94, Director of Alumni Relations, handled registration for the event, which also gave participants the opportunity to order a T-shirt. Simoncini wants to make the reunion an annual event. EASTSIDE CATHOLIC SCHOOLS: Annunciation Austin Catholic Bishop Gallagher Cathedral De La Salle Collegiate East Catholic Nativity Immaculate Conception Notre Dame Patronage of St. Joseph Sacred Heart Salesian St. Ambrose
St. Anne St. Anthony St. Bernard St. Catherine St. Charles St. Clement SS. Cyril & Methodius St. David St. Elizabeth St. Florian St. Gertrude St. Joseph St. Ladislaus
St. Lawrence St. Louis St. Martin of Tours St. Mary St. Paul St. Philip Neri St. Rita St. Rose of Lima St. Stanislaus St. Thomas the Apostle Servite Trinity Catholic
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IN MEMORIAM 1940s John (Jack) Seitz ‘48. July 10, 2023. Served in the U.S. Marine Corps, eventually rising to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel.
1950s Dr. Joseph Arends ‘59. September 12, 2023. Brother of the late Dr. Norman Arends ‘51. Served as a doctor in the Navy Reserves.
1960s Dennis Buchalski ‘60. September 4, 2023. Brother of David Buchalski ‘68. Served in the U.S. Army in Vietnam. Steven Grimaldi ‘66. September 26, 2023. Son of former DLS booster Edward Grimaldi, brother of Thomas Grimaldi ‘73 and Paul Grimaldi ‘80.
1970s
Annette Lucido. September 18, 2023. Mother of Peter Lucido III ‘00. Sister-in-law of Peter Lucido ‘78, and aunt of Peter Lucido ‘14. Daughter of the late Robert Deane ‘48. William Mason. June 13, 2023. Father of William (Bill) Mason II '91 and Paul Mason '93; grandfather of Mason Erskine '17. Brother-inlaw of Bob Thomas '63. Uncle of Frank Thomas '88, Jeff Kment '90, Brian Thomas '91, Jason Thomas '92, Jaime Sheridan '95, Christopher Kment '02, and Cory Sheridan '04. Thomas Palazzolo. July 29, 2023. Father of Michael Palazzolo ‘94. Uncle of Joseph Palazzolo '66 and Thomas Palazzolo '79. Virginia Pitruzzello. August 5, 2023. Mother of De La Salle transportation coordinator Larry Pitruzzello, as well as mother-in-law of DLS staff member Ivana Pitruzzello. David Tamulevich. June 27, 2023. Father of David C. Tamulevich '90 and Mike Tamulevich '93. Grandfather of Dominic Tamulevich ‘27.
Daniel Binienda ‘71. September 23, 2023. 2000s Peter Mukhtar ‘03. September 9, 2023. Cousin of Skip Mukhtar ‘03, Scott Mukhtar ‘04, Bryan Wickersham ‘04, Chris Wickersham ‘06, Nick Mukhtar ‘07, and Sean Mukhtar ‘09. Also, Peter’s uncle, Thaier Mukhtar, has been a faculty and staff member at DLS since 1982, serving in the capacity of both varsity soccer head coach and social studies teacher.
Extended Family Sr. Alice Ann Kotwick, OSM. October 2, 2023. Sr. Alice was a longtime educator and beloved faculty member at De La Salle. She will be greatly missed by the DLS community. Rachel Benigni. September 24, 2023. Wife of Brad Benigni ‘99. Sister-in-law of Todd Benigni '91 and Scott Benigni '94. Cousin of Mike Benigni ‘94, and Anthony Ballor ‘08. Gregory Joseph DeLeeuw. October 5, 2023. Brother of longtime DLS administrative assistant Anita Griffin and brother-in-law to Larry Griffin, the longtime PA voice of the Pilots varsity basketball and football teams. Uncle of David Griffin ‘06. Frances (Fran) Edwards. July 16, 2023. Wife of the late William (Bill) L. Edwards, a past De La Salle board member. Mother of present board member William (Bill) Edwards ‘86 and the late Ken Edwards ‘88. Aunt of the late Paul Bottini ‘89 and Michael Bottini ‘00. Ryan Graham. October 4, 2023. Brother of longtime De La Salle Spanish teacher Lindsey Tula. Lawrence “Larry” Hallman. June 29, 2023. Husband of past CBA president Alyce Hallman, as well as the father of former CBA president Kathleen Cyr and former Dads’ Club president Joe Hallman ‘88. Father of Larry Hallman Jr. ‘83, Joey Hallman '16, Liam Hallman '18, Danny Cyr '18, Matthew Cyr '19, and Brennan Hallman '22. Loyal supporter of the Christian Brothers and the De La Salle Collegiate basketball program for many years. Chester (Chet) Kempa. September 14, 2023. Father of Mark Kempa ‘96.
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De La Salle Collegiate 14600 Common Road Warren, MI 48088
SAVE THE DATE 43RD ANNUAL
Christian Brothers’ Dinner Thursday, APRIL 18, 2024
Penna’s of Sterling
38400 Van Dyke Ave, Sterling Heights, MI 48312