FROM PRESIDENT
Dear De La Salle Community:
As a kid, I used to love visiting a place called Fresh Choice (not sure if there was one in the area since I grew up in Sacramento, but it was a buffet-style restaurant; reasonably priced, all-you-can-eat). I loved it because there was something for everyone: you could load up on a salad, have some pasta or bread, enjoy some pizza, and top it all off with a frozen yogurt sundae with all sorts of toppings — a simple yet brilliant concept of offering something for everyone. This edition of the UnionMagazine strives to deliver that same spirit of variety and inclusivity.
Those of you who have been affiliated with De La Salle for a while can attest that there is something for everyone here. In fact, an alumni parent has often remarked to me, “David, there is something for my mathlete and my athlete.” Others have shared that they have had three or four boys, all completely different, and each young man found a home on Winton Drive. So, while there’s no food to savor here, we invite you to enjoy a sampling of what De La Salle offers within these pages. You’ll get a glimpse into the profound impact of our Learning Center, discover the transformative power of our Bishop Cummins Program, and see how we’re helping our seniors navigate the evolving college landscape. Much like the variety at Fresh Choice, these are just some of the highlights in this edition, showcasing the diverse programs and opportunities we provide at De La Salle.
Something magical happens at De La Salle daily because we offer a holistic and integrated educational program. Our educational environment is as diverse in its offerings as the people who receive it are. There is depth in each dimension so that we can access each young man's deep ethos and call him to be a Man of Faith, Integrity, and Scholarship. Pope Francis says more eloquently, “Education is not about knowing things or taking lessons, but about being able to use three lingos: those of the head, the heart, and the hands... learning so that you can think about what you feel and do, can feel what you think and do, and can do what you feel and think. Unity within a person” (2017, speech at Scholas Occurrentes Foundation). What we do matters in all of its diverse dimensions. Our Founder reminds us, “This work of teaching is one of the most important in the Church” (Med 199.1). Perhaps that is why we can touch the hearts, minds, and souls of the young men entrusted to our care by offering an expansive program.
While I can’t eat at Fresh Choice anymore, the amazing Hofmann Center food harkens back to childhood joy! Enjoy our UnionMagazine.
Warmly yours,
David J. Holquin President
The School Seal
The school seal is an important part of the identity of De La Salle High School. The symbols used to make up the seal have particular meanings that reflect the values and purpose of the school. In the center of the seal is the Chi Rho (Kye Row). This is the Greek abbreviation of the title “Christ.” The first two letters of the word Christos or “Christ” are “Chi” and “Rho,” represented in the Greek alphabet as a capital “X” and “P.” The fleur-de-lis, with “lis” meaning lily in French, reminds us of our French origins with Saint John Baptist de La Salle. The lamp is a symbol of knowledge, reminding us of our primary purpose as a school — education. The section of broken chain represents freedom — freedom from ignorance. The chain surrounding the seal signifies strength and unity. “Les Hommes de Foi” is French for “Men of Faith.”
Faith • Integrity • Scholarship
De La Salle
UNION MAGAZINE | SPRING 2025
In This Issue
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Steve Abreu ’83, BoardChair
Cathy Avila, AP ’18, ’20
David Depolo, AP ’12, ‘13
Blas Guerrero, AP ’21
Joan MacDonald
Debbie Meeks AP ’20, ’22,ViceChair
Br. Michael Meister, FSC
Margie Morris, AP ’14
Matt Noonan, AP ’01, ’09, ‘10
Kristen Thall Peters, AP ’10, ’12
Larry Puck
Greg Varni ’01
Chase Wheeler ’09
PRESIDENT’S CABINET
David J. Holquin
President
Dr. Heather Alumbaugh
Vice President forAcademic Life
Mark Chiarucci
Vice President forAdvancement
Chris Garavaglia
Vice President for Finance
Leo Lopoz ’94
Vice President forAthletics
Spencer Shively
Vice President for Mission and Student Life
Content
Rich Davi, Mark Chiarucci, Michelle Erickson, David Holquin, Tim Roberts ’88, Angelica Rodriguez, and Ida Tolentino
Photos
De La Salle High School, Studio One
Photography, Tod Fierner Photography, Kevin Schofield Photography
Design
Marsha Sanchez
Comments, questions, news?
Editors: Rich Davi and Michelle Erickson
Contact: DLSCommunications@dlshs.org
Produced by Office of Advancement, De La Salle High School 1130 Winton Drive, Concord, CA 94518 Tel: (925) 288-8100 | Fax: (925) 686-3474 dlshs.org
About the Union Magazine
The De La Salle “Union” is a bond of unity for the extended De La Salle family — alumni, parents, alumni parents and the many friends who make up our school’s growing family. Read the Union online at dlshs.org/union.
Below: The photo below is a picture of the Br. John’s 13 Disciples team, who were the champions of our freshman flag football season. Flag football is just one of the many intramural activities that take place on the De La Salle campus annually.
N S W E
Navigating the College Landscape
De La Salle’s College Counseling department makes a point to check in with Spartan alumni one year into their college journey. Their goal is two-fold: to find out how graduates are doing and verify that De La Salle gave them the tools they needed to transition into college successfully. The results are always overwhelmingly positive. The last three surveys (for the Classes of 2021, 2022, and 2023) revealed that between 93% and 96% of former students felt that their time at De La Salle prepared them well for college.
Such findings continue to validate the efforts of De La Salle’s three college counselors — each of whom brings a unique set of skills, perspective, and experience to the school. Esther Lopez, Co-Director of College Counseling, is the most tenured. Now in her eleventh year at the school, Esther came to De La Salle after leading college counseling at Justin-Siena High School in Napa. Before that, she spent a decade as an Associate Director of Admissions at Saint Mary’s College of California. Esther has also served on the Executive Board of the Western Association for College Admissions Counseling (WACAC) and chaired various positions for the organization, including Government Relations. In addition, she was on the Government Relations Committee of the National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC). Last year, she and Lisa Sciacca presented at the WACAC Conference 2024 held in Sacramento.
Lisa joined De La Salle five years ago as the school’s other Co-Director of College Counseling after serving as a College Counselor at Carondelet High School. She decided to make the move to the other side of Winton Drive after seeing the innovative College Advisory Program that her predecessor, Janet Appel, put in place with Esther. However, Lisa had already had success as a school counselor in Florida, making her uniquely qualified to help Spartans deal with the complex emotions that accompany college admissions.
The newest member of De La Salle’s team is Cecilia Del Toro, who took on the role of Assistant Director of College Counseling at the beginning of the school year. Like Esther, Cecilia has spent considerable time on the college side of the fence as an undergraduate recruiter for San Jose State University and a graduate admission counselor for Touro University. Her work experience provides valuable insight into what colleges seek from high school applicants. Yet, her desire to have more one-on-one interactions with students is what drove her to De La Salle.
We recently interviewed De La Salle’s College Counseling team to get their perspectives on the college admissions landscape and what they are doing to help students navigate the application process.
What would you say is the role of De La Salle’s college admissions department?
Esther: It’s really about providing individualized support to students and helping them through the entire college admission process. Sometimes, people think it's just about the application, but we help students with interviews, scholarships, financial aid, and site visits, all the way through to their final decision.
Cecilia: We also help them through the highs and lows. We try to provide holistic support in all aspects of the process. This involves getting to know them and forming a strong, trusting relationship. They know that we care about them, are there to support them, and can help them find the right college.
Lisa: Using us as an outside support resource can be extremely helpful as there can sometimes be a little bit of resistance when students only hear from their parents. The maturity is not always there, so we meet students where they are at. We help guide our students toward what they should focus on and what they need to do next. It is a process that we take one step at a time. Our ultimate goal is to help students find the right college fit for them. There are so many college options in the U.S. that we firmly believe there is a college for everyone.
What is a common misperception among parents trying to help their son get into college?
Esther: Some parents think there is a secret formula or that they need to keep up with what they see other parents do, but there isn’t, and they don’t. De La Salle’s College Advisory sessions have been deliberately tailored to boys and designed to keep our students on track, even down to the timing of their admission essays.
Lisa: Yes, everything is developmentally appropriate. Front loading in freshman year or the first semester of sophomore year would be too much for most of our students and not beneficial to the end objective.
When and how do you start your work with students?
Esther: We jump in during the sophomore year (in the second semester) and then progress from there.
Lisa: We coordinate with the Religious Studies Department and go into their classrooms to give a general college information presentation. Then, we have them register for Scoir* and do a career assessment. What we really want is for them to see us and know who we are, as well as understand what will happen in junior and senior year.
How has the college landscape changed over the last few years?
Cecilia: I think one of the most significant changes in the past ten years has been testing. Public schools in California have stopped requiring SAT or ACT scores, and many private independent schools have, too. However, while California public schools are “test blind,” other schools are “test-optional,” and they will use submitted results to help with placement because these tests determine if a student is ready to take a college-level class.
Esther: However, test-optional schools really do mean they are test-optional. It is perfectly okay not to submit test scores. In fact, the data we receive from individual test-optional colleges show how many students are admitted and whether they did or didn’t submit test scores, and it is typically around 50/50. Their message to us, over and over, is there is no disadvantage to students if they choose not to submit test results. The one thing where tests could be an advantage would be for scholarships.
What are colleges looking for in their applicant pool?
Esther: Some colleges conduct holistic reviews, while others strictly focus on academic reviews.
Cecilia: Yes, it depends on where the student wants to go.
Lisa: In general, though, it’s always going to be about grades and the rigor of coursework. Those are always the two most important factors. However, colleges will also look at letters of recommendation, extracurricular activities, and how the student has been involved in their community — both inside and outside of school. Have they made an impact? What is even stronger is if the student has pursued an area of interest to them. For instance, if they are interested in pre-med, have they volunteered at a hospital, been involved with a medical-related club at school, and pursued academic courses related to or helpful in pursuing a pre-med track?
What is one mistake that students make with their college resume?
Esther: One thing stands out when I think of students who have successfully matriculated to top-tier colleges. Their resumes were authentic. They were in leadership and student activities because they wanted to be, not because they were told. Somehow, colleges can tell when somebody has tried to curate their application. For instance, when they have done community service out of the country or started a nonprofit because they thought it would look good for colleges. In actuality, the more authentic applications tend to rise to the top.
Lisa: Some of our student-athletes also make the mistake of being unable to list extracurricular activities beyond their sport. When they are younger, they may think they will be recruited, but that often doesn’t turn out to be the case in their senior year. Colleges with holistic application review processes look at how the student has impacted their community.
Esther: That’s true. We try to encourage them to make time even when they are playing a year-long sport. We suggest they find time during the off-season, like over the summer.
What can underclassmen do now to pave the way for college?
Esther: There are three things. The first is academics. The second is getting involved with co-curricular activities, with a focus on demonstrating the quality of commitment by senior year (measured by time instead of the number of commitments). The third is more general, like their impact on their community.
Lisa: We also recommend that you build in time to visit colleges if you are traveling for a sports tournament or a family vacation. Check out college campuses and take a tour if you can. It is a great way to get more ideas and think about colleges beyond the brandname schools. Sophomore year is a great time to learn about different colleges, and there is no pressure.
Is
it essential to take Advanced Placement (AP) Classes?
Esther: No, there are plenty of our students who have been admitted to college and have not taken an AP or a lot of AP courses. While it is important that students challenge themselves, they need to do it appropriately. Not everyone has to take an AP. It is a balance. If a subject is an area of strength or interest, then absolutely keep advancing and consider an AP. With this in mind, colleges are putting equal weight on the quality and rigor of courses, not just grades.
Admissions have also become much more competitive in the last couple of years. There are many high-achieving high school students, which means the applicant pool for some universities can be very large. For highly selective universities, they do expect students to take the most demanding courses offered at their school. At DLS, those are our AP courses.
What has been your biggest success story or most memorable moment as a college counselor at De La Salle?
Cecilia: I’m so new that I don’t have a specific success story yet. However, I consider it a success that students already feel comfortable enough to approach me proactively with questions even though I am the newest counselor on the team. This shows that I was a good fit for De La Salle, and they trust and have confidence in me. I consider this to be my biggest success at De La Salle.
Lisa: My favorite thing has been working with the Bishop Cummins Scholars, our first-generation students. As a firstgeneration college student myself, I find the work very gratifying. It feels like I am changing the trajectory of their lives and that what I am doing really matters.
Esther: For me, it is one particular type of student – a student who, after listening to our presentation and reviewing the data that we present, feels really down and questions whether he’ll get into any college. I like working with them to show that this is not the case. I help them brainstorm options and suggest colleges for them to visit. When they come back, their demeanor is very different. They are standing taller, smiling wider, and you can just tell the switch has turned on, and they are excited about their future. Seeing them then apply and get in is extremely rewarding. My other success was starting the college advisory program during my first year at De La Salle. Getting that started from the ground up, improving upon it every year, and even presenting about it at conferences is a professional success story. De La Salle’s College Advisory program is unique in that it is a once-a-week course for seniors that meets during 7th period and after school. Each week, a different aspect of the admissions process is covered, and students are given essential and timely information and instructions about selecting colleges and completing applications.
In our first year of implementation, our seniors gave us feedback, saying they wished they could have started the process as juniors. So, we created College Advisory for Juniors and have three monthly sessions with them during the spring semester.
*Editor’sNote:Scoirisanonlinecollegeandcareerresearchplatform. ItisDeLaSalle’shubfororganizingthecollegeapplicationprocessfor its students.
Setting Up Student-Athletes for Success
Philanthropic support has long played an instrumental role in De La Salle’s ability to not only live its mission to educate students regardless of their ability to pay for that education, and to provide an enriched and dynamic learning environment for all students. Over the years, the school has drawn on the generosity of its community to support giving programs like the Annual Fund, the Brotherhood Fund, and the Bishop Cummins Scholarship Program, as well as to help raise money for large projects like the construction of the school’s Hofmann Student Center in 2006, the STREAM Innovation Center in 2015, and the Ladouceur Athletic Performance Center in 2019.
Now, thanks to some history-making gifts, De La Salle’s baseball and practice field is the recipient of a makeover that includes new state-of-the-art turf, new baseball dugouts and fencing, and a much-needed multi-purpose practice area for school athletic programs such as soccer, lacrosse, football, and rugby. As a result, it will immediately reduce the need for early morning or late night practices and give back precious time to students for study, family, and socializing.
Last month, following just six months of construction and ten months of fundraising, the school gathered the field’s core donors and other dignitaries for a dedication ceremony that celebrated what is possible when vision, generosity, and determination come together. Student-athletes, coaches, and the project’s philanthropic supporters stood shoulder-to-shoulder as they learned how donor contributions had made school history. The project represents the first time De La Salle has received four unique gifts of $1,000,000 or more and the most $500,000 gifts during a single campaign.
The completion of the fully-funded field marks the beginning of a new chapter for De La Salle Athletics. Its design and construction reflect the school’s ongoing commitment to give De La Salle students the tools, facilities, and support they need to excel both on and off the field.
“It’s a canvas for future champions, a home for the athletes of tomorrow, and a lasting legacy for all of us,” explains David Holquin, De La Salle’s President.
De La Salle
Jonah Ribando, Junior
Jonah developed an interest in art toward the end of middle school, thanks to the influence of his grandfather, who is a keen painter. While his own artistic journey began with painting, Jonah has since worked backward through De La Salle’s Fundamentals of Art program to learn some of the basics. Now, as a junior, he is honing his skills and interests via the school’s AP 2-D Art and Design class.
Jonah credits the structure of De La Salle’s Visual Arts program as the catalyst for the success he has achieved so far. “I found that if I had to meet a certain requirement, I could be more productive and make even better art,” he explains. “Having structure in place really helps.”
Indeed, art has become one of the most important things in Jonah’s life. “Art is everywhere,” he says. “It’s become a way that I can interpret the world around me and put it on paper. It’s almost like a catalog of what I see in any given moment.”
It is this embrace of his surroundings and desire to be fully present that has propelled him to experiment with different kinds of colors and techniques. It has also led him to initiate a really interesting project for his AP portfolio that combines what he has learned in Art with what he has read in Mr. Pelster’s English class. Taking inspiration from Herman Melville’s MobyDick and building upon an incredible brown ink map that he created to show all the locations mentioned in the book as part of his English coursework, Jonah is about to embark on painting a whale mural for Mr. Pelster’s classroom.
“I chose to make the theme of my AP portfolio about animals in nature and how humans connect to them,” he shares. “A mural of a whale with a bunch of people on a ship is a perfect example of this
Success can take many forms at De La Salle. Some students define success by their academic performance; for others, it is about connecting with people, impacting their communities, pursuing dreams and interests, or competing at a high level in sports. Yet, for many, it is a combination or all of the above. Talk to any student at the school, and you will quickly discover how multifaceted they are. Their achievements are a reflection of their talent, hard work, perseverance, and the school’s commitment to create well-rounded individuals who are equipped to deal with college and the world beyond.
concept, and it will allow me to push myself technically with the paint I use. At the same time, it will be a great addition to Mr. Pelster’s room, especially as MobyDickis one of his top five favorite books.”
Art is not the only AP class that Jonah is taking, though. After completing an Algebra Honors class during his sophomore year, he is now doing AP Calculus. Jonah hopes to parlay this aptitude for both math and art into an architecture or engineering degree and career. One area that particularly interests him is car design, as he has an appreciation for the simple look of Japanese cars from the 80s and 90s.
In his spare time at De La Salle, Jonah tutors other Spartans in the Learning Center as part of his National Honor Society (NHS) commitment. It is something that he finds very rewarding, and he takes comfort in knowing that he can help. Jonah also participates in other NHS-initiated community service activities and is a member of the Healing Spaces Club, which transforms the living space of a local community member in need each year.
Yet, despite such a diverse experience at De La Salle, it is art that Jonah comes back to when asked what his proudest moment has been at the school. Specifically when Mr. Pelster quietly hung Jonah’s aforementioned ink map on his wall. Well, that and the fact that two of his teachers recommended him for this article! As he so sweetly and humbly says, “I was like, whoa, I guess I really made an impression. It was good to hear.”
Ashton Preston, Sophomore
Ashton is one of those lucky students who finds classwork relatively easy. However, that doesn’t mean he hasn’t found the increased workload after middle school challenging. It also doesn’t mean he slides through his academics with minimum effort. “If I don’t understand something and need extra help, I go see a teacher, or I put in some extra study time,” Ashton explains. “Like today I had a Biology test, so I spent Friday, Saturday, and Sunday studying really hard because I knew it was going to be difficult. It is important to put in the work.”
So far, Ashton’s grinder mentality has paid off. He continues to be a High Honors student, with a GPA over 3.75. Moreover, this year, he has taken the first step in pursuing De La Salle’s suggestion to stretch himself academically while seeking out subjects that interest him. “I like challenging myself to see if I can do it,” he says. “I chose to take Honors Biology because I thought some of the stuff we
would be covering, like cancer cells, would be pretty fascinating. I plan to take more honors and AP classes next year.”
Yet, Ashton’s experience at De La Salle isn’t all about academics. He is also a two-sport athlete – having played football and basketball for the school these past two years. However, next year, he intends to focus solely on basketball, a sport he has enjoyed his whole life and where he has found personal success. Indeed, his proudest moment so far at De La Salle has been getting pulled up to varsity during his sophomore year.
When asked how he juggles his athletic schedule and school work, Ashton is very matter-of-fact. “I try to do all of my work at school so that when I get home after practice, I can just eat, chill, and go to sleep,” he says. “I always try to get a good amount of sleep.”
While college is still more than two years away for Ashton, he already knows where he wants to attend. However, he is undecided on what he wants to study. “I really want to go to UCLA,” he shares. “That would be my dream choice.”
As for his advice to current and incoming De La Salle freshmen? “Try to get involved in as much you can,” he says. “Play a sport, or do a club instead of just going home after school. Get involved, make friends, and go to football games. And don’t procrastinate with your schoolwork. Get your assignments done on time, early even.”
Ian Moore, Senior
Getting a perfect score on a standardized test like the SAT or ACT is no easy feat. But that is precisely what De La Salle senior Ian Moore achieved last summer when he scored a 36 on his ACT. He was the only member of the Class of 2025 to do so, although four other students scored 34 or higher. Going into the test, Ian knew he would do well because of the preparation he had undertaken, but the score still came as a welcome surprise.
Like Ashton, Ian puts in a lot of study time to ensure his hard work pays off. The ACT was no exception, and he took full advantage of a one-month course that his mother purchased for him, which included video lessons for every concept and multiple practice tests.
“I broke up the coursework across four weeks, studying for maybe an hour a day, and took a practice test every Saturday at 8 am to mimic the test conditions as accurately as I could,” he explains.
“I would then review the questions I got wrong and continue with the coursework until the four weeks were up and it was time to take my test.”
Ian has applied a similar effort to his schoolwork, selecting to push himself via challenging courses from the moment he stepped onto Winton Drive. He started his freshman year with English 1 Honors and World History Honors. Then, in his sophomore year, Ian took on two more honors classes (English 2 Honors and Geometry Honors) plus AP Computer Science A and AP Biology. In his junior year, he supplemented his regular classes with AP Language and Composition, AP Chemistry, AP US
History, and AP Computer Science Principles. Now in his senior year, Ian has extended his high school AP total to 11 by taking four mathoriented classes along with AP English Literature and Composition.
“I broke the cycle of my English class being the most challenging this year with Mrs. Woo’s English Literature and Composition class,” he says. “Her class is a genuine joy to attend and I recommend every De La Salle and Carondelet student sign up.”
When it comes to extracurricular activities, Ian has been equally busy. In 2022, he was instrumental in bringing back the school’s student-run newspaper, the Winton Oracle, along with classmate Noah Wilson. It was the first club Ian was involved with at De La Salle, and he learned a lot about the work that goes into publishing – including sales. “There was one time when the club was running out of funds to print issues, so Noah and I went around to local businesses to try and sell advertisement slots in the newspaper,” he shares.
Ian is also an active member of the NHS. While he has never been an officer, he recognizes that the level of commitment that Mr. Norfolk demands from its members is unparalleled to other clubs at the school. “Mr. Norfolk is amazing,” he exudes. “Just being a part of that club helps you to understand the giving nature that De La Salle hopes to cultivate in every student.”
Tennis has also been a large part of Ian’s life. He began playing at age nine and has dedicated a lot of time to the sport. It was, therefore, only natural for him to be part of De La Salle’s tennis team. Last year, he was made team captain and relished the opportunity to lead and bring everyone together.
Interestingly, it is neither his academic prowess nor tennis or the Winton Oracle that Ian points to when asked what his biggest success has been at De La Salle. Instead, he says it has been figuring out where his priorities lie. “I am sure they will change in the future,” he says. “But for now – after not knowing what I wanted to do or where I wanted to go – I have some direction and a set of values that I can abide by. De La Salle’s dedication to the formation of self is truly special,” he adds.
What might that direction be? Well, it points toward a finance degree at either the University of Notre Dame or the University of Michigan.
INSIDE THE SPARTAN SUCCESS PROGRAM
As a college preparatory school, De La Salle’s raison d'être is to prepare students for college and for life. This has long been achieved by taking a holistic approach to learning that considers the student’s entire journey. For this reason, De La Salle chooses to leverage an infrastructure that includes a strong curriculum, an accessible and informative support system, and the necessary cocurricular programming to mold well-rounded individuals.
De La Salle’s Spartan Success Program is just one of the many support-oriented components that help facilitate student success in school. The program’s origin dates back 25 years when Frank Tamony, a former teacher, baseball coach, and Dean of Students, created a class before school to help freshmen get one-on-one help. At the time, De La Salle wanted to support incoming students who felt they might need extra assistance based on their middle school years. As such, the class covered everything from good study habits to assignment help. However, it wasn’t uniquely tailored to meet student needs.
While the mission and intent of that first class remain the same today, what was essentially before-school tutoring assistance has since evolved and grown into more intentional instruction built
into De La Salle’s bell schedule. It officially became what is known today as the Spartan Success Program when De La Salle hired Sean Bristol ‘97 in 2008 to meet the needs of students with learning difficulties. In addition to covering meaningful life and study skill lessons, Spartan Success also provides targeted Math and English instruction and one-on-one tutoring.
“When Sean arrived, it really marked a substantial shift,” says De La Salle’s English Department Chair Alex Stevenson. “He is someone who has specific knowledge and insight about working with students with learning differences and how to best support them. Through him, students have access to resources that will help them succeed over their four years here.”
At its heart is “Study Skills,” a mandatory class for freshmen identified during the admissions process as needing additional support – either through a recommendation from a middle school principal or teacher, their High School Placement Test (HSPT) results, their middle school grades, or Individualized Education Plans (IEPs). Study Skills is by invitation only and is taken in lieu of a world language during a student’s freshman year. Like any other class, it is graded and worth graduation credits.
However, what makes Study Skills unique is how it is divided into sections designed to meet students where they are in their learning journey. For some students, this may mean a more heavily focused English Study Skills class taught by Mrs. Stevenson or Mr. BrownDavis '97 that focuses on Membean (the school’s vocabulary system), essay writing, and a Book Club with the school’s librarians. For others, it may mean a more Math-oriented class taught by Mr. Norfolk that complements a slower-paced Algebra class that is split across freshmen and sophomore year. In addition, the school offers a more generic Study Skills class taught by Mr. Bristol specifically for students with identified learning differences.
Each class includes general life and learning lessons, such as how to set goals, present in front of an audience, write emails, manage time, take notes, or study for a test effectively. Moreover, all lessons are created with the mindset of helping students succeed in their current and future classes. Time is also set aside for study, homework, test preparations, research, and more.
“We will never give out a Study Skill assignment that is pointless,” explains Sean Bristol, De La Salle’s Learning Needs Coordinator. “They are always helpful.” A classic example is the March Madness-themed lesson he taught last year during the annual NCAA college basketball tournament. With basketball running on a screen in the background, students were asked to research the colleges playing, including their location, tuition fees, and average GPA for applicants. Colleges were segmented into three buckets: the “Sweatshirts” (well-known teams), the “Mid Majors” (colleges that students may have heard of), and the “Who Is This?” to ensure that students were doing thorough research. Layered assignments like these are designed to create space for students to adopt a variety of skills, like research, data analysis, reading comprehension, and organization.
Five years ago, the program also incorporated a Motivational Speaker Series into the Study Skills framework to allow students to meet various members of the De La Salle community and hear their powerful narratives. The series is designed to reinforce the lessons taught in class by giving students personal accounts related to goal setting, accountability, character, motivation, and focus. It also provides an opportunity to practice listening skills and note-taking – something that is evaluated when students answer questions using their notes.
Spanning the entire breadth of De La Salle’s Study Skills offering is a single theme: self-advocacy. “The goal is to teach students how to be advocates for themselves,” says Bristol. “They need to take ownership of their education so that we can provide the right kind of support, not just at DLS, but beyond.”
As a precursor to Study Skills, De La Salle holds a two-week Summer Session before the start of the school year to give incoming students the opportunity to familiarize themselves with upcoming Math and English concepts and meet key staff. The last day culminates in a campus tour so students feel comfortable navigating their first day of school.
Following freshman year, students continue to have access to other mechanisms designed to ensure continued success. Two years ago, De La Salle added multiple Study Hall classes across each period of its Bell Schedule to further help students who need extra time and assistance with assignments and homework, or a space to study for tests. Similarly, the Learning Center opened its doors in the fall of 2017 to provide a dedicated space (before, after, and during school hours) for students to build their academic skills — including Bishop Cummins students and those with learning needs. And, of course, every student at the school is assigned their own personal counselor. In addition, Mr. Bristol closely monitors all students who were part of the freshman Spartan Success program, offering advice and assistance along the way.
To date, the results of De La Salle’s Spartan Success program have been impressive. Before Spartan Success, a small subset of students dropped out of school each year due to grades. (No student can graduate or continue at De La Salle if he has received an F grade in any subject. Instead, course(s) must be repeated in an approved online course or through summer school before they can continue at De La Salle). Now, as a result of Spartan Success and the Learning Center, the number of students asked to leave due to failing grades has reduced significantly. The same applies to students on academic probation and student-athletes who have sacrificed team eligibility because of poor academic performance.
At the same time, when it comes to college, De La Salle has seen approximately 80% of its Spartan Success students go on to four-year colleges. Mr. Bristol is particularly proud of this, as demonstrated by the college pennants in his office — each belonging to a student he has personally helped.
Growing the Sport of Rugby
Rugby is one of the fastest-growing sports in the U.S. Once known as a niche sport, it officially became mainstream when Major League Rugby (MLR) was formed in 2017. Now, its popularity is growing at both the high school and collegiate levels. Today, over 50,000 high school athletes (both male and female) play rugby for their schools or U19 clubs, and the sport grew high school registrations by an impressive 12% last year.
Yet De La Salle has long been ahead of the curve in terms of adopting the sport, and it is no wonder why. Known as a gentleman’s game for athletes with heart, rugby’s core values of integrity, passion, solidarity, discipline, and respect closely align with the school’s own values and ethos and uniquely complement the very essence of what it means to be a Spartan athlete.
Since its inception 22 years ago through Paul Still ‘88, the program has had great success. Several athletes have gone on to have impressive collegiate and professional careers, including several who have donned red, white, and blue kits for the USA Eagles.
During the last four years alone, thanks to Head Coach Derek Holmberg, who was hired by former Head Coach and Program Director Ed Christiansen in 2016, De La Salle’s varsity rugby team has been ranked #1 in California and top three for the country. (It secured the top spot nationally in 2022 and third place in 2021, 2023, and 2024 from the Goff Rugby Report). This notable feat is even more remarkable when you consider that most Spartans enter the school’s rugby program having never played the sport before. Equally impressive is that, of the 19 rugby players who graduated last year, 17 went on to play collegiate Division 1 rugby.
Coach Holmberg attributes a lot of the program’s success to his coaching staff, which took him eight years to put together. Coaches like Brad Roberts, Ryan Luis, and Paul Tiernan all came to DLS after successful collegiate careers, and Coach Chris Biller ‘04 earned 22 caps playing internationally for the United States. Each of them has a love for the game and an understanding of the type of kids they will be able to coach at De La Salle. “We are fortunate to have such great rugby minds and men willing to lend their hand to the next generation of American Ruggers,” says Coach Holmberg.
However, it is also what the coaches don’t do that has an impact. “We show how it is possible to win at the highest level by not breaking our athletes, but rather, empowering them,” explains Holmberg. “Under our watch, they learn how to leave their ego at the door and form unbreakable bonds with their brothers.”
The trickle-down effect of De La Salle’s approach to rugby cannot be understated as former Spartan players continue to make their mark in the sport. The program has seen six players move on to play professionally, including Erich Storti ‘19, who was MLR’s first overall pick last season, Derek Ellingson ‘14, who was the third pick for Utah Warriors in 2020, and Dino Waldren ‘10, who plays for NOLA Gold. In addition, a number of Spartans have played rugby for their country, including Dino Waldren, Chris Biller, Derek Asbun ‘06, Tim Maupin ‘07, and most recently, Tommy Rainsford ‘23, Lucas Meranda ‘24, and Dominic Besag ‘22 (who is projected to be a #1 MLR pick in two years). Mario Storti ‘21 is also being looked at for the national team, having been a standout player at both De La Salle and Saint Mary’s College, where he currently plays.
On the coaching side of the sport, Ryan Parkhouse ‘07 was the first alumnus to break ground as a collegiate head coach when he led the rugby program at Regis University in Denver more than a decade ago.
Last season also saw eight Spartan rugby alums (Matthew Abbes ‘22, brothers Joseph Becker ‘23 and John Becker ‘21, Dominic Besag ‘22, Tommy Deitchman ‘21, Aiden Payne Kraus ‘21, Elijah Prospero ‘20, and Andrew Jullien ‘22) put on a show when they helped Saint Mary’s College defeat defending champs, Navy, to win the 2024 Men’s Rugby National Championship. They join a long list of other Spartans who have played in a National Men’s Championship game for schools like UC Berkeley, St. Mary’s, and West Point.
“Under our watch, they learn how to leave their ego at the
“De La Salle Rugby continues to graduate players who are ready to contribute at the next level immediately,” states Holmberg. “Their impact on the collegiate side has been enormous, and three of the last four National Championship teams have had a DLS Alum on their rosters. However, what we appreciate most is how our young men represent themselves, our school, and their families along the way.”
What is less well-known is the direct impact that De La Salle Rugby has had on growing high school rugby in Northern California through Coach Holmberg. Whether it is providing the blueprint for a successful program, donating money or equipment to schools like Liberty High School and youth programs like the Oakland Warthogs and SacPal, or inviting coaching staff and opposing teams to train with De La Salle’s athletes, the Spartan program is always ready to help.
Schools like Serra, St. Francis, and St. Ignatius have all benefited from De La Salle opening its books and showing them how to budget for the season, what equipment to use, how to take a team on tour, and traditions like post-game team meals. And just last year, Coach Holmberg worked closely with Matt Welton at Acalanes High School so that they could start their own program — something that came full circle when the two schools had their first game against each other this season.
door and form unbreakable bonds with their brothers.”
Head Coach Derek Holmberg
“The way we see it, the more teams we have competing at a high level, the better it is for all,” explains Holmberg. In fact, it is also one of the reasons why De La Salle created the Single School Competition: so that athletic directors would see that there is an official league to join.
In return, this camaraderie has helped ensure that rugby continues to stand alone as a communal sport where teams help each other out. A classic example is when competing club LAMO graciously and without hesitation offered its home field to De La Salle after the field it had booked at Saint Mary’s College was rained out.
With all of its cumulative achievements, it can be hard to imagine how De La Salle Rugby can reach new heights. Or at least it was unimaginable until now. While the program tries to go on the road every other year during spring break, its tours have been confined to the U.S. However, 2025 will mark the program's very first international trip when the school’s varsity squad heads across the Atlantic to play in Ireland. At the time of writing, De La Salle’s games against Presentation in Cork and St. Michael’s in Dublin had yet to take place, but one thing is certain: the Spartans will no doubt play their gentlemanly hearts out.
Garth Adlao
Bishop Cummins Scholarship Program Coordinator
Garth Adlao ‘93 may be a relatively new addition to De La Salle’s faculty and staff, having joined the school as its Bishop Cummins Scholarship Program Coordinator in the summer of 2023. Yet, he is far from new to the school as he once walked the hallways of De La Salle as a student.
“I had always wanted to return to De La Salle because I had always considered it home,” he explains. “When I saw the Bishop Cummins position open up, I was at a moment in my life where I realized that financially, my family was secure. This allowed me to pursue what I truly believe is my calling.”
For De La Salle, Garth is a true gift. Once a scholarship student himself, he not only knows what it is like to grow up not having much, but also what it takes to become a college graduate. As such, he is uniquely equipped to help De La Salle’s Bishop Cummins students achieve success.
What do you love most about your life?
IlovemyfamilyandtheextendedfamilyIwasbroughtupin.I havealargefamily,andbeingconnectedwiththemthroughout mylifehastaughtmealotabouthowtolovealltypesofpeople andacceptothersforwhotheyareandthelifetheywanttolive. Now,asafather,Irelishtheopportunityformysontohavethese experienceswithhisaunts,uncles,andcousins.Whenweareall together,feelingsafe,loved,andbelongingisfoundationaltohow weconnect.Iamatrulyluckyperson.
Name something you want to do so much that you would be okay failing at it. Iamokaywithfailingbecausethatispartoftheprocessof‘doing.’ TherehasneverbeenatimewhereIthrewmyselfintosomething whereIdidn’thavefailures,astheyareindicatorsthatIam pushingmyself.OnethingIreallywanttodoisbeagoodfatherto myson.Attimes,Icomeupshort,butIknowthatitisaboutthe workandtimeIputintobeingagoodexampleformyson.
Onalessphilosophicalnote,IstartedplayingguitarlastyearandI havereallyenjoyedtheprocessoflearningsomethingcompletely new.Needlesstosay,Iamnotgood,andpracticeisaprocessof failingandthenadjusting.Itisagreatmetaphorforlife.
If you had $100 million in the bank, what would your day look like?
Mydaywouldprobablybethesame.IhavefoundthatIpreferto workinacommunity,andIlovebeinghere.
What do you dislike that everyone else loves?
Irealizethatmostpeopleareonsocialmedia,butIdon’tuseit formultiplereasons.MymainreasonisthatwhenIstartedusing socialmediaonmyphone,Iquicklyrealizeditwaspreventingme frominteractingwithpeopleintherealworld,andIdidn’twantto propagatethis.
When did you first really feel like an adult?
ThefirsttimeIfeltlikeanadultwaswhenIwasabletofundmy ownlife,includingrent,carexpenses,andleisure.Irememberthe momentwhenIrecognizedthat‘candothisonmyown,’andit wasveryfreeingforme.
Where is the one place in the world you like to escape to? IloveTomalesBayandInverness.Specifically,myfavoritespot intheworldisthecampsitesonPointReyesthatrequireaboatto access.Theyareclosetohomebutalsofeellikeamillionmilesaway.
If you could choose anyone in the world (living or dead) to have dinner with, who would it be?
Iwouldchoosemymother.Imisstalkingtoher.
What is something one of your parents said that you will never forget?
‘Iloveyou.’Mymothertoldmethisoverandoverthroughoutmy entire life.
Tell us something that most people don’t know about you. Icanrecitethe44countiesofIdahoinalphabeticalorder.Itisa wonderful,uselesstalenttohave.
What is your most treasured memory from when you were a student at De La Salle?
Ihavesomanymemoriesfromthattimeinmylife,butwhatsticks outtomearethepeopleImet.Mytwobestfriendstodayarethe firsttwoguysIbefriendedduringmyfreshmanyear.Ialsohad teacherswhoalwayswenttheextramileforme,andthememory offeelingthatthiswasaplaceformeisstillrealtoday.
De La Salle’s Bishop John S. Cummins Scholarship Program
The Bishop John S. Cummins Scholarship Program was established at De La Salle High School in 2008 in direct response to a mandate from the De La Salle Institute to draw at least 5 percent of the school’s student body from families whose income does not exceed 185 percent of the federal poverty level. The program aims to address the inequities that prevent low-income students from fully participating and excelling in high school.
In addition to the possibility of receiving full tuition assistance, a Bishop Cummins Scholarship can provide additional financial support to ensure that students and their families can engage in all of the curricular and co-curricular opportunities that De La Salle has to offer. At the same time, the program provides social-emotional support, dedicated academic support, and family partnership through gatherings, meetings, and workshops.
Ultimately, as Garth puts it, “De La Salle’s program is built and maintained to keep the doors of opportunity open for our Bishop Cummins scholars so that they can go on to excel in college and life.”
While De La Salle has offered scholarships since its inception, the formalized program that was introduced in 2008 to support students from diverse social, cultural, and economic backgrounds also served as a tribute to Bishop John S. Cummins, the second Bishop of Oakland. An affiliated member of the Christian Brothers, Bishop Cummins spent 26 years actively helping the poor and marginalized through education.
Now, following his peaceful passing at the end of 2024 at the ripe old age of 96, De La Salle’s financial aid fundraising program will continue to live on in his memory. However, Bishop Cummins’ life work went well beyond education. He was deeply committed to social justice in its entirety and, as such, made significant contributions to the local community through his advocacy for affordable housing, support for immigrant communities, and more. He also sought to promote dialogue and understanding between different faiths.
Through DAFs
Alumniand individuals committed to charitable giving often seek ways to make a lasting impact on the causes they care about. For Robb Van Wyck, Class of 2008, giving back has long been a central part of his life and it is a Lasallian trait that he took with him once he graduated. However, after years of traditional donations and through a career in finance, he knew there was a smarter way to maximize both his charitable impact and financial goals. In particular, as a CPA, Van Wyck was drawn to donoradvised funds (DAFs), a tool that would ultimately redefine his approach to philanthropy.
DAFs allow donors to contribute to an account, receive an immediate tax deduction, and then direct funds to chosen charities over time. In essence, the donor becomes both the giver and the financial advisor, ensuring that donations align with their values while fulfilling charitable ambitions. For Van Wyck, a DAF offered the flexibility to decide where to direct funds – whether to support De La Salle or other causes.
Van Wyck's desire to give back to De La Salle was driven by the positive experience he had at the school. Reflecting on his time as a student, he shares, “Being at De La Salle was the most formative time in my life. Not only did I make lifelong friends, but when I graduated, I felt academically prepared for college – almost over-prepared.”
He credits faculty members like John Pelster ‘87, Kevin Selby ‘91, Mike Appel, Bob Zorad, Roger and Mary Hassett, Mike Otterstedt, and Spencer Shivley for helping shape who he is today and for
instilling in him the deep sense of community that drives his philanthropic efforts. “When I started at De La Salle, I was 90 pounds, 5 feet tall, and looked like I was seven years old... I probably acted like it at times. They were patient with me. They understood me.” Through his giving, Van Wyck supports both De La Salle’s Cross Country program and the Bishop Cummins Scholarship Program. “I give to the Bishop Cummins Scholarship Program because Mr. Pelster made me aware of it and the impact it has on students in need. I didn’t face barriers at De La Salle, but I know many students do. I want to help remove those barriers and support families most in need.”
From a financial perspective, DAFs will typically offer significant tax benefits. Donors can contribute appreciated securities like stocks or real estate while avoiding capital gains tax and receiving a charitable deduction based on the full market value.
In addition, funds in a DAF grow tax-free, potentially increasing the balance over time. For Van Wyck, this means his charitable contributions make an even bigger impact. Ultimately, Van Wyck’s experience demonstrates that using a DAF isn’t just about providing a financial tool – it’s about empowering individuals to give in a more strategic, thoughtful, and impactful way. “Health begets health, sleep begets sleep… donations beget donations,” Van Wyck reflects, underscoring how philanthropy can inspire others to give.
Scan this QR Code to visit our website to learn more about Donor-Advised Funds.
Spartan Stories
It is no secret that De La Salle prides itself on being a premier college preparatory school. Each year, it actively reviews and adjusts its curriculum to meet the ever-changing college application landscape. At the same time, the school's academic requirements are carefully designed to meet or exceed the admissions requirements of public and private university systems worldwide, including California’s highly sought-after University of California system.
For their part, the goal of De La Salle’s eight academic departments is to help develop their students’ academic acumen and interests so that they can uniquely demonstrate the scope and rigor of their educational course selection to colleges and universities. Part of this process is encouraging students to find a balance between interest and reach, where they can challenge themselves yet still be motivated by what interests them. This is one of the reasons why De La Salle offers more Advanced Placement (AP) and Honors classes than any other school in its area.
However, under the umbrella of its Lasallian Catholic charism, De La Salle’s learning experience is much more than teaching students how to master their academic subjects. Faculty strive to teach the whole student, including their mind and heart, while equipping them with the skills, confidence, character, and knowledge they need to thrive in college – and, indeed, the world beyond. It is this multifaceted approach that sets De La Salle apart from other schools. It is also why Spartan graduates are able to transition so seamlessly into college.
We spoke to a few recent graduates to get their take on how De La Salle helped them create a foundation for college success.
Drew Cunningham ‘24 Stanford University, Economics Major
“Findsomethinguniqueaboutyourselfandmakeityoursellingpointincollegeapplications. Colleges,especiallyStanford,lovetoseesomeonewithatruepassion,especiallyhowitcan positivelyaffectlifeoncampus."
Drew Cunningham ‘24 is well-known among the Spartan community thanks to the success he had during his high school football career. In his senior year, as a football Team Captain, he parlayed 86 tackles, with 10.5 tackles for loss, into a National Letter of Intent agreement from Stanford University despite the school’s 4% acceptance rate. At the same time, Drew was recognized as the East Bay Athletic Co-Defensive Player of the Year and Get Sports Focus (GSF) Bay Area Linebacker of the Year.
Now in his first year at Stanford, he has already been invited to be part of the university’s Honor Society, an organization dedicated to recognizing academic and professional success. For Drew, becoming an Honor Society member at Stanford represents a personal success because the larger workload he faced when transitioning into college was extremely noticeable even though, as he puts it, “I felt very prepared with being able to manage my time thanks to De La Salle.”
Time management was just one skill Drew learned during high school years. “De La Salle helped me develop strong habits and appreciate the value of hard work,” he says. “It also helped me discover my potential and narrow down what I want to do in the future.”
In fact, it was Mr. Fordon’s AP Macroeconomics class in his senior year that inspired a passion for understanding how the economy works. He is now pursuing this passion through his Economics major. After college, he hopes to apply what he has learned to a career in private equity or investment.
from College
Isaiah Daco ‘24
University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), Political Science Major
“Anyonecanbecomeknowledgeableonaspecificsubject/topic (sokeepstudyinghard).However,noteveryonecanbecomean altruisticandwiseperson.Seekoutextracurricularsthathelp youbecomeaservantleader.Bethepersonwhovolunteers.”
Isaiah Daco’s high school journey was not an easy one. First, COVID forced students into online and hybrid classes during his freshman year. Then, he had a couple of health setbacks. It was only once he had come to terms with his adversity during his sophomore year that he was able to stretch himself by taking on a more rigorous course load and committing to the school’s cross-country team.
However, his hard work and persistence quickly paid off. By the end of junior year, Isaiah had not only found academic momentum but also the power of service. In May of 2023, he was awarded De La Salle’s prestigious Brother Laurence Allen Memorial Award, which is given annually to an outstanding junior who has distinguished himself in scholarship, leadership, and service to the community.
“I developed a philosophy where I knew my life was going to be alright if I continued to work hard and trust in God; so my duty was to serve others,” he explains. “De La Salle taught me to be altruistic.”
The high school also taught Isaiah to be more prudent, considerate, and thoughtful in his actions and decisions instead of acting on impulsive instincts. Specifically, Isaiah credits De La Salle with cultivating a “game-theory-esque” form of thinking in the classroom, through material and thoughtful discussions, and service-driven extracurriculars.
Indeed, since matriculating to UCLA, service has become Isaiah’s north star, something that guides him and where he attributes personal success. He currently works for UCLA’s Community Programs Office (CPO), which provides resources, academic programs, and basic necessities like food to facilitate student success. He also volunteers for events through UCLA’s Volunteer Center and is in the process of joining UCLA’s Mentorship program, which pairs undergraduate students with local K-12 students.
Yet, when it comes to high school, one success stands above all else. “My biggest high school success was running a mile under 5:00,” Isaiah shares. “While it was a singular race and a singular moment, the cumulative effort to reach that point was the proudest I had been of myself. I think I put in that much effort because of my coaches, teammates, and the values I learned at De La Salle.”
Mike Kostolansky ‘22
Princeton, Chemistry Major
“Pursuesomethingthatyoufeelpassionateabout.Inapplyingtocolleges(andfurther oninlife),thebestthingthatyoucandoforyourselfistostaytruetothepeople,places, andideasthattrulyexciteyou.”
Princeton University is consistently ranked as one of the top universities in the United States and worldwide based on its academic programs, research, and reputation. One would think, therefore, that incoming students may feel a little trepidation as they embark on their higher education journey at the school. Yet, that does not appear to be the case for Mike Kostolansky ‘22. He dove right in by seeking out a degree in Chemistry with minors in Computer Science and Quantitative and Computational Biology. This intersection of chemistry, biology, and computer science allows him to pursue his interest in leveraging computational methods to investigate and decode cellular mechanisms.
“Advances in computational software and hardware have made it possible to interrogate the cell in ways that have previously been inaccessible,” he explains. “I am interested in using molecular simulation techniques to image mechanisms of cell organization.”
Mike certainly seems to be in the right place. His academic work has allowed him to conduct a variety of research, something he has found to be a very enriching experience. So much so, that he says it “feels like a personal success” in its own right because it has allowed him to engage in something that he has been aiming at for a long time.
Indeed, Mike is all about making the most of experiences in general. It is something that he learned from his De La Salle Italian teacher, Signor Reguzzoni, who told him that he should always show up and be present, even if he didn’t want to. “I think this sentiment is very powerful as it teaches you to be persistent, even on days when you don’t feel like it,” says Mike. “I have since come to believe that perseverance and determination are the key determinants of success in the long term.”
At the same time, Mike believes that while it is tempting to look forward to the next assignment, test, or period in life, it is important to enjoy the current moment. “For better or worse, you will never be able to be yourself again in this present moment, so don’t spend too much time hung up on a past or future version of yourself,” he says.
Next up for Mike is hopefully a doctorate in either molecular biophysics or computational chemistry, with the goal of eventually working in the biotech sector. In the meantime, Mike credits De La Salle’s teachers and administrators for helping him develop not just as a student but as a member of a community. “While academic success was valued, kindness, integrity, and respect for one another was taught to be just as important,” he concludes.
Derek Thompson ‘23 Harvard, Economics Major
“Beaverywell-roundedperson.CollegeslikeHarvardlookateverythingholistically. Theylovepeoplewhoarereallygoodateverythingandmaybeexceptionalatonething.”
It would be realistic to expect a bit of a learning curve when transitioning from high school to an Ivy League school – especially when it comes to the oldest higher learning institution in the U.S., Harvard. Yet that has not been the case for Derek Thompson ‘23. To borrow his words, “the academic transition wasn’t bad at all.”
Derek attributes his smooth landing to the fact that, in his eyes, the academic rigor of De La Salle mirrors that of Harvard. While his current collegiate classes are undeniably harder, he believes De La Salle students are equally challenged to learn complex concepts and to think both critically and creatively. This foundation enables Spartans to be wellequipped as they continue their learning journey while adapting to the new challenges they face after they enter college. “If you take your academics seriously at DLS, you will be in a good spot for whatever university you attend,” he explains.
A High Honors student with a grade point average well over 3.75 when he attended De La Salle, Derek is proud that he has kept his college grades roughly the same as they were in high school. He credits this achievement to a value that was instilled in him by Coach Wine and Coach Alumbaugh ‘98 from the moment he entered the school as a freshman: “There is no replacement for hard work.”
It is this work ethic, combined with other values that Derek holds dear (like perseverance, integrity, and respect), that has helped shape his life. “Taking the values De La Salle gives you will guide you to leading a successful life,” he shares. “I believe I am on that path so far, so I will forever be indebted to DLS and, more specifically, the football program. Without DLS, I would not be sitting here today.”
Indeed, it is his beloved high school football program that is the first thing he thinks of when asked what his biggest high school success was. “Beating Folsom during my senior year in the NorCal Championship was my favorite moment of high school. The team battled through a ton of adversity with all of our different injuries and ended up reclaiming the NorCal title, which was the best feeling ever,” he explains.
However, Derek quickly points out that being accepted into Harvard and winning the Brother Norman Cook, F.S.C. First Principal’s Award for academic and athletic excellence at graduation came a close second and third.
Derek hopes to get an internship in finance after graduating. He is currently applying for the summer of 2026 before he enters his senior year. His ultimate goal is to work on Wall Street.
Chukwunonso Udeh ‘23
UC Berkeley, Molecular Cell Biology Major
"TakeyourAPandcommunitycollegecoursesseriously,astheycangiveyouaheadstartby earningcreditsevenbeforeyoustepontocampus.”
Chukwunonso, a graduate of De La Salle’s class of 2023, knows exactly what career he wants to pursue after college. “My ultimate goal is to become an anesthesiologist, combining my passion for medicine with hands-on patient care,” he explains. As such, everything Chukwunonso has done leading up to college and everything he is doing now is with that goal in mind. He plans to pursue a master’s degree once he graduates from UC Berkeley while also finding ways to gain experience through research, volunteering, and clinical work before he applies to medical school.
Chukwunonso’s passion for medicine first appeared during his sophomore year at De La Salle when he had a Biology class that “piqued his interest.” Since then, he has had his head down, devouring one rigorous course after another. In fact, it is because of the AP and community college credits he earned during high school that he could skip several prerequisite courses at Berkeley. So, while he is currently a sophomore, his academic standing and completed units reflect that of a junior. “This head start has given me more flexibility in my college journey, enabling me to focus on my major while exploring additional academic and extracurricular opportunities,” he says matter-of-factly.
Yet Chukwunonso doesn’t just credit De La Salle’s rigorous academic environment for helping him develop the strong study habits and critical thinking skills necessary for college. He also places value on being part of a close-knit, supportive Spartan community that emphasizes discipline, leadership, and personal growth. One of his biggest successes in high school was learning how to mentor and lead through programs like OnBoard! and the National Honor Society.
“Through mentoring, I developed strong communication and leadership skills like learning to listen, encourage, and provide meaningful advice,” he shares. “It was incredibly rewarding to see others grow and succeed with my guidance, and this taught me the importance of fostering a supportive community. The experience not only strengthened my ability to lead but reinforced my commitment to helping others – something that I continue to carry with me in my academic and professional pursuits.”
It is the totality of De La Salle’s learning foundation that Chuckwunonso continues to draw on today as he navigates the demands of Berkeley. While he admits that his initial transition from high school to college was “a bit shaky,” he fully believes that De La Salle’s positive and formative influence helped him adjust to Berkeley’s challenging coursework much smoother than some of his peers. “Balancing a demanding course load while actively engaging in extracurricular studies has been one of my key successes at Berkeley, although it hasn’t always been easy,” he concludes. “Despite the challenges, I have managed to successfully juggle coursework and lab experiments while also exploring my broader intellectual interests.”
Financial Report
De La Salle’s financial statement audit for the fiscal period July 1, 2023, through June 30, 2024 (FY24) was completed in the fall of 2024. The school continues to perform at a high level, and its operational and financial strength remains strong thanks to fiscal and operational stewardship and the generous contributions of donors.
$28,619,691 REVENUE TOTAL
Expenses
$1,819,572 Tuition and Fees $20,402,437 (Includes T&F, Misc. Fees, Book Rentals) Contributions, Fundraising, and other Income $3,099,208
Activities $1,956,483
& Unrealized Investment Gains $1,341,991 (Includes: Net Investments, Int & Div, Unrealized Gain)
The largest portion of allocated funds for De La Salle High School is for faculty and staff salaries. These salaries represent a significant investment in the quality of education and the success of the institution, ensuring that we can attract and retain skilled professionals who are dedicated to our mission. Other key expenses include operational costs, facilities maintenance, and academic resources, all of which contribute to maintaining a high standard of education and institutional efficiency. For the 2023-24 school year, De La Salle’s total functional expenses were $28,080,284.
$19,789,543
$1,638,246 $28,080,284 EXPENSES TOTAL
Tuition Assistance for 2023-24
De La Salle’s tuition assistance program is central to the school’s mission, as it makes education affordable for those who otherwise would not be able to attend the school. During the 2023-24 school year, De La Salle awarded $4.427 million in tuition assistance to more than a third of its students. In total, 401 students (39% of the student body) received tuition assistance, with an average grant size of $11,877 (50% of tuition). Tuition for the 2023-24 school year was $23,840.
Number of Students & Percentage of Tuition Assistance Awarded
Annual Fund
De La Salle’s Annual Fund provides unrestricted support for the school’s co-curricular activities, faculty development, and financial aid. It is one of the most important ways De La Salle’s community can have a direct impact on the Spartan experience, as well as extend this experience to students from the widest range of backgrounds. Without it, the school would not be able to bridge the gap between the amount of financial aid available and meet the needs of its students. More than $2.330 million was donated to De La Salle through Annual Fund support in FY24. The philanthropic support of our alumni, parents, and friends continues to make a significant impact on the lives of our students each and every day.
Endowment
Endowments provide De La Salle with a stable funding resource that supports long-term planning and enables the school to invest in essential priorities. During FY24, the school released $1.14 million from its Endowment Fund to support tuition assistance for the 2023-24 academic year. The Endowment fund also increased by $1.6 million from the previous year, and its investments performed well compared to those of other schools, businesses, and individuals around the country.
$27,858,772 ENDOWMENT FUNDS
SpartanSports
De La Salle Athletics fall and winter sports programs once again dominated their respective divisions at both the East Bay Athletic League (EBAL) and North Coast Section (NCS) levels. During the fall campaign, the school’s football and water polo teams captured their NCS Championships, while cross country earned a runner-up finish. The football team advanced to the CIF State Open Division Championship, while the water polo team finished runner-up in the CIF NorCal Open Division Championships, and the cross country team posted a thirdplace finish at the CIF State Meet. Cross country runner Trey Caldwell was the EBAL and NCS Division 2 Individual Champion before finishing third at the CIF State Meet.
In winter sports, the basketball and soccer teams both won EBAL Tournament titles. The basketball team then claimed the NCS Open Division title and advanced to the CIF NorCal championship game. Following a runner-up finish in NCS Division 1, the soccer team also competed in their CIF NorCal regional final. In wrestling, William Gilmore (128 pounds), Alexander Ortiz (159 pounds), and Wyatt Ferguson (287 pounds) were EBAL champions. At the NCS Championships, Ortiz placed second, and Ferguson placed fourth in their respective weight classes. Ortiz then represented De La Salle at the CIF State Wrestling Championships.
2024 Fall Sports Review
Football – De La Salle’s football team finished the season with a 12-1 record, defeating top Northern California teams. They captured their 32nd consecutive NCS Championship, defeating Pittsburg 10-7 in the Open Division Championship, and represented Northern California in the Open State Championship, where they fell to Mater Dei 37-15. The Spartans also made an impact on the international stage when they defeated the NFL Academy in London on October 8. The team averaged 36.5 points per game, scoring more than 30 points in 11 of their 13 games. The defense was also stingy throughout the year, holding opponents to 13.6 points per contest and limiting eight opponents to 10 points or less. All-EBAL First-Team honors were awarded to seniors DJ Asiasi, Niko Baumgartner, Derrick Blanche, Matthew Johnson, Dominic Kelley, and Ace Robinson. Second-team allleague selections included seniors Ant Dean, Toa Fa’avae, and Lucas Platzbecker, as well as juniors Wyatt Ferguson, Jaden Jefferson, and Myah Telona.
Water Polo – De La Salle’s water polo team had an outstanding season, finishing with a 22-7 overall record. The Spartans captured their fourth consecutive EBAL Championship, going undefeated with a 9-0 record in league play, and advanced to the NCS Open Playoffs as the number 4 seed. In a thrilling final, the Spartans overcame a three-goal deficit in the fourth quarter, eventually defeating Miramonte 14-13 in triple overtime, with Hayden Tully scoring the game-winning goal in sudden death. The team continued its strong performance in the NorCal Playoffs, advancing to the championship game before falling to Sacred Heart Prep. The 2024 season marked the furthest the water polo program has ever advanced in the CIF Championships. The team was led by EBAL Offensive Player of the Year Breydon Congo and EBAL Defensive Player of the Year Will Corr. First-team all-league honors went to Davidka Skov, Lukas Peters, and Hayden Tully, while secondteam all-league selections included Sloan Brown and Tanner Lustig.
Cross Country – De La Salle’s varsity cross country team had a remarkable season, highlighted by a second-place Division 2 North Coast Section (NCS) finish and a top-5 finish at the CIF State meet. The Spartans were led by Trey Caldwell, who claimed the individual NCS Championship before finishing third at the CIF State Meet. Trey broke multiple records this year, setting new course times at the DLS Nike Invitational and the Mt. SAC Invitational. He also had the fastest time in De La Salle history at the state meet. For the third consecutive year, Trey competed in the Foot Locker Cross Country Nationals, finishing 15th overall. Tadhg Murray and Heath Salter were consistent performers throughout the season and earned First-Team All-EBAL honors. Dillon Gaber, who was an honorable mention all-league selection, also contributed to helping the Spartans capture the EBAL Championship for the first time since 2020.
2024-25 Winter Sports Review
Wrestling – De La Salle’s wrestling team had an impressive regular season with 10 new members on varsity. The team secured tournament championships at the Wolverine Duals, the Pirate Invitational, and the Placer Duals. It also had runner-up finishes at the Old Dutch, the San Marin Duals, and the Contest of Champions. Similarly, the Spartans had a strong showing at the NCS tournament, with 10 qualifiers and two podiums. Senior Alexander Ortiz, the EBAL 159-pound Champion, took second place and qualified for the CIF State Championships. Junior Wyatt Ferguson, the EBAL 287-pound Individual Champion, made waves, finishing fourth at NCS, and senior Willy Gilmore was the 128-pound EBAL Champion and led the team with 26 pins.
Soccer – De La Salle’s soccer team put on an incredible performance this season. They had a 13-3-2 regular season record, which included a second-place EBAL finish. The team closed out its regular-season schedule with a seven-game unbeaten streak (that included five clean sheets) before winning the EBAL Tournament with victories over Monte Vista (2-2 SO) and Dougherty Valley (3-1). The Spartans earned the number-2 seed for NCS Division 1, where they posted wins over Windsor (6-3), San Ramon Valley (4-0), and Clayton Valley (2-1) and increased their unbeaten streak to 13 games, before losing to Dougherty Valley (2-1) in the NCS Championship game. The season continued with CIF NorCal playoffs, where the sixth-seeded Spartans went all the way to the championship game before losing to Everett Alvarez (2-1). Senior Matthew Rajecki was named the EBAL’s Defensive Player of the Year and was joined on the All-EBAL First Team by Ronan Rattigan and Mamir Shlah. Flynn Salyapongse and Cian Rattigan earned Second-Team All-EBAL honors as well.
Basketball – De La Salle’s varsity basketball team posted a 22-5 regular season record against toughest competition in the state. They defeated Clovis West, Santa Margarita, and Duncanville (TX) during the preseason before completing EBAL play with a 7-2 record to finish tied for second in the league standings. Led by EBAL Player of the Year Alec Blair, the Spartans went on to win the EBAL Tournament, becoming the top seed in the NCS Open Division. De La Salle opened the NCS tournament with a 47-37 win over Dublin and then defeated Salesian, 59-42, to capture the first NCS Open Division Championship in school history. The win represented De La Salle’s 15th section title and first since 2020 and secured the team a spot in the CIF NorCal playoffs. Following an impressive 47-38 win against Folsom in the semifinal, the team went on to play Archbishop Riordan in the championship game where they eventually lost. Blair was joined on the all-league team by fellow seniors David Balogun (1st team), Braddock Kjellesvig (2nd team), and Bryce Patton (2nd team).
For updates on the 2025 spring sports season and post-season schedules, visit the De La Salle Athletics website at www.DLSSpartans.org.
De La Salle Alumni Reunions and Events
Alumni Soccer Game - November 27, 2024
Five-year Reunion for the Class of 2019 - November 27, 2024
Alumni Basketball Game and Reception - December 21, 2024
Alumni Rugby Game and Reception - December 21, 2024
Spartans’ Night at the Colombo Club
On Thursday, February 20, De La Salle hosted its annual Spartan Night at the Colombo Club for alumni and the father figures in their lives. For more than a decade, the Colombo Club — one of the country’s oldest Italian clubs — has been the setting for a night of great food and Spartan camaraderie. This year was De La Salle’s largest turnout yet, drawing alumni spanning over seven decades. The event has become a cherished tradition, where alumni bring their fathers, uncles, and even grandfathers as a way to stay connected to the De La Salle community.
Spencer Shively, the school’s Vice President for Mission and Student Life, was this year's guest speaker. Spencer updated De La Salle’s guests on how students have been involved this school year and provided an overview of the new House System, which will be inaugurated in the fall of 2025.
One of the highlights of the evening happened when De La Salle launched a new feature of Spartan Night called the “Ravioli Sponsor.” Moving forward, each year, one person/family will be responsible for covering the cost of the ravioli served at dinner. This year, the inaugural honor went to Pat Oswald ‘83, former parent and grandparent of Syd Thompson. Next year’s sponsor will be Mark Vranesh ‘85.
With your continued support, we look forward to continuing and growing this annual Spartan event.
In Memoriam
Joe Stocking
(April 29, 1939October 28, 2024)
Joe Stocking was a former cross-country, track and field, and soccer coach at De La Salle. Known as "Coach Joe," he left an indelible mark on the De La Salle community with his leadership and passion, and he influenced hundreds of students while coaching at the school in the 1980s. Early in his career, Joe’s cross-country teams achieved an impressive record of 182-9. His contributions to the high school sports world were further emphasized when De La Salle’s cross-country team, the Spartan Harriers, won five Catholic Athletic League (CAL) titles and two Northern Coast Section (NCS) championships. During the same period, Joe's De La Salle track and field teams posted a record of 97-10-1, capturing four CAL titles and an NCS championship in 1986. In recognition of his accomplishments, Joe was inducted into the De La Salle Athletic Hall of Fame in 2008.
Alvin Claiborne (April 2, 1939December 4, 2024)
Alvin Joseph Claiborn Jr., known as Coach Al by many students, passed away at the age of 85 in Richmond.
Alvin had many roles at De La Salle, including teacher, administrator, and coach.
He was an original faculty member when the school opened in September 1965 at Most Precious Blood, before moving to Winton Drive the following year after De La Salle’s campus had been built. Throughout his 15-year career at De La Salle, Al taught History, English, and Physical Education, coached cross country, basketball, and baseball, and even served as the school’s Athletic Director. However, he will mostly be remembered for the lessons he taught about love, kindness, and leadership, and what it means to be a great man.
We also remember...
Donald Allison, former De La Salle student
Muriel Boyd, mother of Gregg W. Boyd '75
Robert Buckman and Charlene Buckman, parents of Mark Buckman '76, Barry Buckman '79 and Laurie Lucas CHS '74
Jack Campbell, former DLS board member, father of Christopher Campbell '84, Scott Campbell '86 and John Campbell '87
Al Claiborne, former DLS faculty member and coach
Marlene Colvis, grandmother of Vincent Colvis '06, Joseph Colvis '08, Dante Colvis '22 and Dominic Colvis '22
Paul Cross, father of Adam B. Cross '12
Elizabeth Cruz, mother of Jeffrey Cruz '93
Daniel D. Dawson, father of Sean Dawson '90 and Michael Dawson '92
Dorothy Delahoussaye, mother of former De La Salle
Counselor Cheryl Delahoussaye
David Flinn, father of Douglas Flinn '84
Robert D. Glynn Jr., father of Robert Glynn III '83, Kenneth Glynn '86, Matthew Glynn '89 and grandmother of Bryce Glynn '09
F. Robert Koenig, grandfather of Christopher Koenig '18 and Tyler Koenig '19
Karen Lujan, mother of Lorenzo Lujan '91 and grandmother of Mateo Lujan '25
Michael Mague, grandfather of Braden Mague '16
Edward O'Brien, father of Pablo O'Brien '82 and grandfather of Joshua Grosswirth ‘10
Justo Ramiro, grandfather of Michael Andes '00 and Jordan Henry '10
Jay Randall, father of Cal Randall '23
Larry Shaw, former Head Diving Coach for De La Salle
Joe Stocking, former DLS staff member and coach
Dana Tucker, father of David Tucker '12
De La Salle
HIGH SCHOOL
1130 Winton Drive • Concord, CA 94518 • dlshs.org
Dates Remember 2025
Thursday, April 10 Hadestown Production
Saturday, April 12 Auction - Spartans Around the World
Monday, May 5 New Student Welcome Night
Friday, May 16 Baccalaureate Mass
Sunday, May 18 Graduation, Class of 2025
Friday, June 20 Brother Maris Golf Tournament Boundary Oak Golf Course
Saturday, August, 9 De La Salle/Carondelet Grand Reunion
Wednesday, August 13 First Day of Classes for 2025-26
Thursday, August, 28 Back-to-School Night
Thursday, September 18 A Taste of De La Salle
Friday, October 3 Homecoming Football Game
Saturday, October 4 Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony
Monday, October 6 De La Salle Golf Classic
Sunday, November 2 Open House