Behind The Scenes Dear Reader, We selected the cover photo for The Collegiate several weeks ago, as the International Baccalaureate Program has now completed a full, four-year cycle, with the first cohort writing their IB Exams last May. The lead story details two of their most recent service trips, to Montana and New Orleans, as well as work with local non-profits. In this issue, we also spotlight two of De La Salle Collegiate’s rather famous alumni - brothers Frank and Sam Viviano. Frank has written extensively for National Geographic and been a foreign correspondent; Sam, “the guy who could draw,” retires at the end of the year as Art Director for Mad Magazine. Interestingly, in separate interviews a few months apart, both praised their De La Salle education as “rigorous” - a description of academics at De La Salle that applies today. The hallways are abuzz as we prepare to send The Collegiate to print. A football state championship, the second one for De La Salle, capped off the Fall Sports season. Second-year coach Mike Giannone was named the Detroit Lions High School Coach of the Year. A full recap of the Fall Sports Season is on pages 20 - 27. But athletics is just one piece of life here at 14600 Common. This fall, a group of dedicated students are preparing weekly news videos, and their interviewing and video editing skills have steadily improved. Our Student Broadcast Team has lugged equipment to nearly every football game, and also did the broadcasts of several soccer games. Alumni all over the country tuned in to hear their reports at www.dlsbroadcast.com. The boys will be back “on the air” during most basketball and hockey games. Musicians have qualified for college and area Honors Bands. The WAMS put on a great comedy this past weekend, directed by two alumni. And just after the final curtain fell on Sunday, dance auditions began for the spring musical, The Wiz, scheduled for February 22 through 24. Academically, the boys are preparing for semester exams in a few weeks. Mike Szatkowski and his team have worked with students who need that extra bit of academic support - and the results are amazing. The data shows that boys who had a tough time with a subject, such as Algebra or Biology, are now in Honors Classes. Most heartwarming of all, has been the fantastic spirit of giving our student body has displayed. We can really see “Builders of Boys, Makers of Men” in action as the boys acquire the Lasallian spirit of giving to others, particularly to those less fortunate. Whether it was a collection of rice during “Rice Week,” or donations for local food pantries, our Pilots stepped up. They have a sense of “Brotherhood,” the same spirit that drives alumni to remain committed to De La Salle. Wishing you and your loved ones a Happy and Holy Christmas. St. John Baptist de La Salle, pray for us. Live, Jesus, in our hearts forever.
Mrs. Vicki Granger Editor of The Collegiate
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