Alumni News

Milner. He moved up the ranks, learning merchandising, and was a sales manager for the Perry Drug Company. He now works part-time in sales for Trepco, a wholesale distributor in Madison Heights. All these experiences, along with his teaching background, make him a welcome guest speaker. “If each student can gain just one thing from what I’ve presented, it’s worth it,” said Tony. Tony is also serving on the Lasallian Fund Committee because of what he gained through his De La Salle Collegiate education. “We had great camaraderie, and had great Christian Brothers. I had a strong four years, and enjoyed school immensely. I was on the first DLS Bowling Team to engage in competition with other schools, and we won a trophy! I have no regrets. I have fond memories of the Brothers.” Tony encourages alumni from his era to visit DLS, and tour the school. “I was here for Open House in 2015, and again in 2016. I marveled at what I saw. If alumni would tour the school, they would understand why it’s important for them to participate. Today’s education is costly, but kids need this for their futures. De La Salle is always updating with new ideas and new concepts. And we don’t have as many Brothers that we had 40, 50, 60 years ago. We want the best lay teachers. We want to make families want to send their sons here.”

Be an Alumni Class Representative

De La Salle Collegiate is alive and well, and with the support of our outstanding alumni, we will continue to be an outstanding Catholic High School in the State of Michigan. But we do need your help. The De La Salle Collegiate Alumni Association is asking for your assistance as a Class Representative. Class representatives work together with their respective class to • Keep your fellow classmates updated with important information (illness, death, etc.). • Notify DLS of any important class news or data changes (address, email, phone number). • Assist with organizing class reunions. • Assist with soliciting classmates to attend the Christian

Brothers’ Dinner. • Encourage classmates to join the DLS Alumni Association. • Encourage classmates to participate in DLS Alumni

Association events and activities. No one person is expected to do all of these things. But collectively, there is power in a small group working to achieve the goal of a more active, vibrant Alumni Association. Please contact Alumni Director John Monigold directly to let him know of your interest at jmonigold@delasallehs.com or by phone 586.541.6212.

D e L a S a l l e C o l l e g i a t e

A l u m n i A s s o c i a t i o n

Alumni News

Alumni Town Hall

Approximately 30 alumni from various generations gathered at De La Salle Collegiate on October 4 for an “Alumni Town Hall Meeting.” President John M. Knight said, “The Alumni Town Hall Meeting was an opportunity to share information with our alumni, but more importantly, to receive information from them.” President Knight said that the alumni provided valuable feedback on what they would be interested in having the Alumni Association do, and of their interest in alumni programs and networking opportunities beyond the Christian Brothers’ Dinner and Alumni Speaker series. “We also talked about some ways to deepen their bond and connection to their alma mater,” said President Knight. “We wanted to make sure the alumni understand they are important to us, and a valuable part of our community, and we want to continue to partner with them.” The next steps include a survey of alumni (see info at right) and working with class representatives (see page 27) to put a plan into action.

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Look for Our Survey!

One of the outcomes of the recent Alumni Town Hall was a need for the De La Salle Collegiate Advancement and Admissions Departments to better understand alumni attitudes about their DLS experiences, and how alumni presently feel, or don’t feel, connected to the school. Consequently, we have created an Alumni Survey. In early January, you will be receiving an email, through our Constant Contact system, with a link to an online form to complete the survey, and update your contact information. Your continued advocacy of De La Salle Collegiate is essential to our success. Whether it be influencing the admissions decision of a future Pilot or providing needed financial support to continue our excellence, alumni make the future of the school possible. If you do not receive emails from us, sign up today with your email address to receive this survey. Contact Vicki Granger at vgranger@ delasallehs.com.

Alumni News

Legacy Families Will Gather at Mass

De La Salle Collegiate has been blessed with many “Legacy Families” - families where two or more generations of the same family have attended De La Salle Collegiate or St. Joseph’s. For the past several years, alumni whose sons, grandsons, or nephews are students at De La Salle have been invited to join their relatives at the All-School Liturgy celebrating Catholic Schools Week. The Mass is an opportunity to visibly demonstrate the importance of Catholic education, particularly to these families. Notably, the Blessing of the Class Rings takes place at this time, symbolic of a young man’s commitment to Lasallian values of a DLS education. Beginning with this issue, we’d like to feature some of our “Legacy Families,” beginning with the Karam Family. Grandfather Mike Karam (‘59), son Mike Karam (‘85), and grandson Mike Karam (‘17) are pictured here on the day Mike signed his Letter of Intent to play baseball at Northwood University. Mike ‘59, originally attended De La Salle because “my father made me go. But after two weeks, I was really glad he did.” When Mike’s son Mike, ‘85, was ready for high school, he attended Harper Woods Notre Dame, next to Regina, where his sister was

Mike Karam (‘85), Mike Karam (‘17), and Mike Karam (‘59).

a student. “I was only at Notre Dame for freshmen year, and transferred to De La Salle my sophomore year when the school moved to Warren.” He goes on to say, “I loved my three years at De La Salle. I made lifelong friends, and it was a great experience. I probably wouldn’t have graduated if I hadn’t gone to De La Salle!” He has high praise for his son’s De La Salle experiences. “I’m very excited for him. Academics. Sports. Everything at De La Salle has been great.” From the time he was a small child, both his grandfather and father talked about De La Salle. The third-generation Mike, who graduates in May 2017, says he has really enjoyed his four years, and it’s been even better than he expected. As for a future fourth-generation Pilot? Mike Karam, ‘17, says, “Absolutely!”

All alumni with sons attending De La Salle Collegiate are invited to attend the Annual Legacy Mass on Thursday, February 2, 2017, in the Bill Fox Gymnasium. Mass is at 9:30 a.m. Please notify John Monigold if you plan to attend so we may plan for seating.

Alumni News

Pilots on Campus

De La Salle Collegiate President John M. Knight, along with Alumni Director John Monigold, visited DLS Alumni on their college campuses in October and November, meeting on-campus or at nearby locations. Local DLS and St. Joe’s alumni also joined the gatherings. President John M. Knight said, “Over the past year, it became clear to all of us in the Advancement Department that we had an opportunity to begin reaching out to young alumni. We want to stay connected with them, and to make sure they know they are important to us. We wanted to be able to help them, especially in terms of connections with other alumni. We determined that the best way to reach out was to visit them at their college campuses.”

Grand Valley State University

The visits were to Grand Valley State University (October 26), Michigan State University (November 2), and the University of Michigan (November 9) . “We were pleased with the turnout, and enjoyed making connections,” said President Knight. “We want to continue to keep connected to our young alumni, and keep them connected to De La Salle, and we want to grow programming to connect alumni.” Visits are planned to meet with alumni at Northwood University and the University of Detroit Mercy after the first of the year.

Michigan State University

University of Michigan

Alumni News

Zach Giannetti, ‘15. Zach Giannetti, ‘15, is currently a sophomore at the University of Michigan, studying Business Administration, Psychology, and Entrepreneurship. He attended the November 9 event on Michigan’s campus. “I was able to reconnect with faculty and former students and peers. My conversation with President John Knight was particularly rewarding. During our conversation, I shared my professional interests and goals with him. About a week or so later, I received an email from Mr. Knight, connecting me with Mr. Benjamin Clevenger of Northwestern Mutual. “This connection would not have been possible without the coordination and execution of a successful campus alumni event. I am now being considered for a Financial Representative Internship at Northwestern Mutual - the number one internship program of its kind! “I thank De La Salle Collegiate, Mr. Knight, and the rest of the faculty and staff for giving so much to me and continuing to inspire me to become the best individual I can be.” Dr. Joe Arends, ‘59, recently threw out the first pitch at a Detroit Tigers game at Comerica Park. Longtime Detroit area alumni may remember Joe as the Medical Consultant for WJR Radio, a position he held for 21 years.

Joe is a graduate of the University of Detroit, and Wayne State University’s Dr. Joe Arends ‘59, second from right, getting School of Medicine. He served ready to throw out the first pitch at a Tiger game. as a flight surgeon for two years at the Naval Air Station in Corpus, Christi, TX, and later practiced in Dallas, TX. Joe also coached amateur baseball for 12 years, winning the National Amateur Baseball Federation College World Series. The late Henry Chiodini, ‘73, was honored by the Chippewa Valley Schools for his 18 years of dedication and service on the Chippewa Valley Board of Education in ceremonies on Oct. 21. Henry passed away in 2011, at the age of 56, after a battle with cancer. As Henry ran the scoreboard at home football games at Dakota High School, the Chippewa Valley Schools dedicated the Dakota scoreboard in his memory. Henry was an active member of the Chippewa Valley Schools Community, and while serving on Henry Chiodini, ‘73 the Board, received the Michigan Association of School Boards Master Board Member Award. He was “a true champion for children who was never afraid to stand up and do what was right for students.” Bob Dabrowski, SJ ‘60, received a certificate honoring his 40 years of service as a volunteer for the boat races on the Detroit River. Tony Lamerato, ‘02, has been named Director of Sales at WXYZ-TV. Tony is also serving on the new Marketing Committee (see page 13). Bartosz Maska, ‘09, graduated in May 2016 from the University of Michigan School of Dentistry, earning a Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) degree. He is now pursuing a Master of Science in Periodontics. Joe Novak, ‘03, and his wife Stacie, welcomed another Future Pilot on November 18 with the birth of their second son, Joseph (Class of 2034). Young Joseph joins older brother Brady, Class of 2032.

Alumni News

Class of 1976 Reunion

2016 Senior Alumni Christmas Luncheon

The Class of ‘76 held their reunion at the Buhl Bar in Detroit.

Bob Zink, ‘54 and Roland Rinke, ‘43

Frank Palazzolo and Leon Bemben, both from the DLS Class of ‘59 Brother Robert Carnaghi, SJ 48, with the oldest alumnus in attendance; Ted Mushenski, SJ ‘42