ParentNewsletter The La Salle
FOR PARENTS AND FRIENDS OF LA SALLE HIGH SCHOOL • PASADENA • CALIFORNIA • MARCH 2014
Principal Ideas Learn•Serve•Lead
The month of March is officially upon us and that means spring is just around the corner. Wait a minute! Spring follows winter and I'm sure we haven’t yet had that season of cold and rain. Maybe we can count the dismal conditions experienced by the rest of our nation?! For us in California, this is the year of the “missing Season.” If your plants and trees are confused it’s no surprise.
Admission Season As you may recall from your own admission experiences, February and March are key months in the School’s admission season. The members of our Admission Committee have been scrutinizing test scores, transcripts, evaluation forms, interview worksheets and recommendation letters for approximately 435 applicants. On Friday, March 7 we will be mailing our Decision letters to waiting eighth graders and parents. This is a daunting task each year for the Admission Committee because of the importance of selecting Mission appropriate students who will benefit from being part of our school community. As in past years, we will be enrolling a new ninth grade class of approximately 170
students. I have no doubt that, once again, we will be blessed with a wonderful group of new students and families who will thrive within our Lasallian Community. It is especially gratifying to see that many of the applications continue to come from families having either a past or current relationship with the School. The fact that year-in and year-out families are willing to maintain their connection with the School is a key factor in creating the family environment that we are so proud of at La Salle.
Health Concerns As I indicated in last months’ ParentNewsletter, the flu season had arrived at our door. I am happy to report that it appears to have departed our midst and is hopefully now dormant .A few of our students have experienced some athletic injuries and personal health problems. At the same time, two of our faculty members, Mrs. Jude Lucas and Ms. Elizabeth Mullin are under the care of doctors for health related concerns. Ms. Mullin is currently on medical leave as she recovers from surgery. She reports that her procedure went very well and her doctors will most likely release her to return to La Salle later this month. Mrs. Continued on page 2
The words of St. John Baptist de La Salle to the first Brothers "You, like John the Baptist are called to 'prepare the way of the Lord' in the hearts of your students. Do so with zeal." Saint John Baptist de La Salle Patron Saint of Teachers, c.1703 Meditations for Sundays and Feasts
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Principal Ideas Continued from page 1
Lucas is also recovering from surgery. Her postsurgery recovery will include some additional therapy and her return to full-time work has not yet been determined. Both of these teachers are missed and we await their return. Your prayers and good thoughts for them are requested, as they, like so many others in our school community, are confronted with everyday health challenges.
Technology Plan IPADS IN THE FUTURE
Earlier this school year, we communicated to you our intentions to move forward with our Technology Plan. For next school year (201415) current Freshmen and Sophomores will be required to have an iPad. Current juniors are encouraged but not required to have the device. Later this month, we will be sending a letter with updated information and answers to the questions we have been receiving.
make a decision on which offer to accept. To have such choices is a tribute to their life as a student and their hard work. Later this month, I will be sending you a letter outlining the various activities and events that surround our graduation ceremony in May.
The Lenten Season On Wednesday, March 5, the liturgical season of Lent will begin. This 40 day period (which culminates at Easter) is an opportune time for each of us to examine our lives by focusing on the many things that can prevent us from being the better, more caring and loving person we aspire to be. It is through the process of reflection and then corrective action that we grow and mature as individuals on our life journey. My hope and prayer is that each one of us will make a concerted effort to improve not only your life but also the life of another during this Lenten Season.
Important Choices for Seniors To the parents of our seniors, your sons'/ daughters' education is beginning to wind down at La Salle. While many of our seniors have already received their letters from various colleges and Brother Christopher Brady, FSC universities, some are still awaiting decisions. This Principal is a most anxious time for them as many have to
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ParentNewsletter
MARCH 2014
From the Parent Association
"One, Simple Little word...Gratitude" It’s a simple little word that doesn’t often creep into our everyday conversation. Not because it’s something obscure, but more likely than not, it’s because we don’t give (or have) much time to think about it. Most of us overlook many of things and quite frequently, innocently, take certain special moments or situations for granted without even giving them a second thought because our attention quickly shifts to something else. And as parents, it also seems like we are constantly striving to find that elusive balance between work, home life and the desire to share in our child’s high school experience. So, with this whirlwind of activity surrounding us, it’s unfortunate that for those times deserving special attention, we fail to rise above life’s details by not offering ourselves a time to pause and reflect upon what we have because our perspective of daily living has become so focused and narrowly defined. Since attending the Senior Parent Meeting at Back-to-School Night in January, the realization that we are in the final chapter in our role as current parents at La Salle is taking hold. The blissful ignorance we’ve held over the past six-plus years of our imminent “graduation” shielded us from the reality that we have clearly tried to postpone, if not entirely avoid. However over the past few months, we have grown to accept and now eagerly await the inevitable, and have looked back on our Lasallian experience and considered the impact that it’s had on our family over the years.
And that brings us back to the moment of pause and reflection and the one, simple little word that we too often neglect. Just as a lot of other current and alumni parents can similarly admit, if it were not for the faculty and staff at La Salle, life for our family would not be as fulfilling as it is today. The La Salle Community has had such a profound and defining influence on the Crabtree family that we would be hard-pressed to imagine otherwise. Our Lasallian experience runs deep and has so enriched the character NEXT of every member of our family. And for that, we have an overwhelming sense of Parent Association gratitude for the priceless gift that we’ve Meeting: Tuesday been so blessed to enjoy. Now, just for a March 11, 2014 second, we ask you to slow down a bit, take 6:30pm a step back and find a moment to pause and reflect about your own La Salle experience… Blakeslee Library and hopefully, that one, simple little word, gratitude, may find its way into your now broader perspective of family life. Please join us at what promises to be an extremely informative and excellent March general Parent Association meeting. Come see and hear from some of La Salle’s awesome students. In addition, we will be featuring a fabulous speaker and presentation on the topic of Teen Self-Reliance, one you won’t want to miss. As a reminder, all parents are given credit for one service hour for each meeting attended.
In a lot of respects, Senior Parent Night With gratitude for the entire La Salle served to create our personal moment for pause and Community, reflection. In particular, this has been a time for us to think about the experience and to give thanks to the many members, past and present, of the La Salle High School Community. The admiration that Tess Crabtree P’12, '14 we hold for this dedicated and deserving group of President educators who have been so instrumental to the Parent Association success, not only of our two sons, but of all La Salle students over the past 58 years is not easily forgotten. PAGE 3
ParentNewsletter
MARCH 2014
La Salle Matters
THE UNIVERSAL DESTINATION OF GOODS
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I must confess that I am hooked on the Netflix series, House of Cards. In a way, I knew I would be as I was absolutely enamored of the original 1990 BBC series of the same name in which an unscrupulous M e m b e r o f Pa r l i a m e n t schemes his way into being elected Prime Minister. The American version follows a similar trajectory in which Kevin Spacey, playing Francis Un d e r wo o d , t h e H o u s e Majority Whip, plots revenge on his political enemies in order to position himself eventually - as a candidate for President. Both the British and American versions borrow heavily from Shakespeare particularly Macbeth - in which the wife mirrors Lady Macbeth, a co-conspirator, with her husband, in the murder of the king. The American version of House of Cards, however, differs from its British inspiration in its characterization of Underwood’s wife, Claire, who heads a non-profit organization focused on providing clean drinking water in third world countries. She is, however, no less complicit than her British counterpart in providing crucial support for her husband’s schemes (there is a marvelous scene in which she criticizes her husband not for using her to attack a political enemy, but for doing so unsuccessfully), but her character is much more highly nuanced in straddling the good vs. evil divide. There are two scenes in Episode Six, for example, in which she encounters a homeless person outside her place of business. In the first scene, she notices him, but walks by. In the second, she walks by, stops, turns around, and gives him money, telling him that there is a Deli around the corner. I found these two scenes fascinating, not just because they illustrated a highly-nuanced moral depiction of a corrupt politician’s wife; but because
they illustrated - at least for me - the principle of the universal destination of goods which is a cornerstone of Evangelii Gaudium (“The joy of the Gospel”) Pope Francis’ first apostolic letter to the world’s Catholics. Now, stay with me, folks, this will make sense (I hope) momentarily. The “universal destination of goods” is a uniquely Catholic concept which asserts that God’s creation is destined for all people to take advantage of and improve upon so that ever yone benefits. The Catholic principle of the “universal destination of goods” assumes that private ownership is the primary means by which individuals assist those who struggle with poverty and/ or homelessness. It is the principle upon which the virtue of charity is exercised by those who have been blessed with abundance on behalf of those who struggle to make ends meet. In other words, as Catholics, the Gospel demands that we share our largesse with those for whom life has handed less than a full plate. The corrupt politician’s wife in House of Cards is exercising the Catholic principle of the “universal destination of goods” by giving money to the homeless man. This scene impressed me because of her compromised morality. In other words, her momentary generosity stood out precisely because it was unconnected to her willing participation in her husband’s morally questionable political schemes. This is where Evangelii Gaudium becomes relevant. For me, one of the most remarkable statements in the Pope’s apostolic exhortation is this one in which he asks why: “it is not a news item when an elderly homeless person dies of exposure, but it is news when the stock market loses two points?”
ParentNewsletter
The simple act of giving to a homeless person can be understood as charity, guilt or noblesse oblige…none of which addresses Pope Francis’ rhetorical question about the newsworthiness of the death of a homeless person. And, I suppose, we know exactly why the question is rhetorical: a change in the stock market directly affects us in ways that will never be true for the death of a homeless person. And yet, it is probably the case, that all of us, at one time or another has given money or food to a homeless individual. Rarely, however, do we think about why we do so. In Evangelii Gaudium, the Pope makes clear why we engage in charitable activities - to advance the universal destination of goods - so that all may benefit from His creation. For some, this may seem to be a terribly inefficient method of ameliorating the social costs of inequality; but, as the Prophet Isaiah reminds us, God’s ways are not our ways. Every student at La Salle knows that service is an important priority in their educational development - it is another method of pursuing the universal destination of goods. And, just as Claire Underwood stopped to think about assisting the homeless man in House of Cards, we want our students to be intentional with respect to their acts of charity now and in the future.
Richard Gray, Ph.D President
SAVE THE DATE!
La Salle’s 2014 Grandparents Day will be held on April 16th. It's a wonderful event highlighting our students many talents. Volunteers are needed for April 15th and April 16th - 8:00am to 12:00pm Please sign up on the volunteer website: http://lasallepa.chapterweb.net/login Lynell Messineo Grandparent Day Chair
MARCH 2014
La Salle High School
3880 E. Sierra Madre Blvd. Pasadena, California 91107-1996 • Telephone 626.351.8951 Facsimile 626.351.0275 www.lasallehs.org • The La Salle ParentNewsletter is published monthly except January and July by La Salle High School of Pasadena, Incorporated
© 2014
• Editor, Designer John Blackstock ’67 Director of Communications Telephone: 626.696.4316 • email: jblackstock @ lasallehs . org
Transforming Lives Since 1680
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ParentNewsletter
MARCH 2014
Gifts from the Heart Social is a Heartfelt Success On February 9th, the “Gifts from the Heart” San Miguel Scholarship Social was held at the beautiful home of Hope and Dino Clarizio ’75, P’06. Fabulous food, wine tasting and the “Gypsy Kings” Tribute Band entertained the guests, plus Rose Princess, Jamie Kwong told of her adventures during the Tournament of Roses Parade. Then, Dr. Gray spoke about the importance of the San Miguel Scholarship Program at La Salle and how many students’ lives it has touched. These students leave La Salle with a wonderful education and many opportunities. Examples of artwork done by a former San Miguel Scholar were on display at the Social and will later be auctioned off at the Crystal Ball. On behalf of the entire La Salle community, thank you to everyone who supported this year’s wonderful “Gifts From the Heart” San Miguel Scholarship Social.
Tony Esposito ’74, provided some of his select wines from South America.
Above, Rose Princess Jamie Kwong '14. Below, l to r, Monique and Ed Malicdem ’88, P’16, Jennifer and Mauricio Pavon, P’17.
Middle, Dr. and Mrs. John Quigley P'07. Above, l to r, Kim Chacon, P’12,’16 and Debbie Burns-Rice. PAGE 6
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Richard Gray, Hope and Dino Clarizio ’75, P'06
MARCH 2014
MORE EVENT PHOTOS ARE ON THE LA SALLE WEBSITE
Above, Russell and Sandra Kasper, P’85. Middle right, Dr. Gray describes artwork created by a San Miguel Scholar that will be part of the Crystal Ball Auction. Right, The Gypsy Kings Tribute Band entertained throughout the night.
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ParentNewsletter
MARCH 2014
JOIN THE FUN ON MARCH 7
Please see the Attached flyer for more information, including how to buy your tickets!
The Lancer Luau
March 7 from 7:00 -10:00pm Come to La Salle’s First Family Dance! A night of dancing, activities and fun for La Salle students and their families
Spend March 7 with us learning how to dance the hula, playing games with your kids and having a great time! There will be dessert, prizes and lots of fun! Ticket Prices: $30 for a couple (a mother-son pair, a father-daughter pair, etc.) $40 for a family of 3 or more Half the proceeds go to our Twinning School in Mont La Salle, Kenya! PAGE 8
See the flyer attached to this electronic newsletter
ParentNewsletter
MARCH 2014
Shantytown at La Salle On February 8th, La Salle High School hosted Shantytown 2014, an event organized by the San Gabriel Valley Habitat for Humanity. At Shantytown 2014, students from high schools around the San Gabriel Valley joined together in the La Salle upper parking lot to create awareness and generate funds for the families and individuals that are served by Habitat for Humanity. The students involved built "shantytowns" out of cardboard and slept outside to raise their own awareness of life without an adequate house. Juniors Aoife Megaw and Madi Lanyi, who lead the Habitat for Humanity Club at La Salle, helped to organize this meaningful and successful event."
Left to right, Jordan Rupp, Adrian Sanchez, Harvey Sito, Christian Javryd, David Magluyan, Alec Meha, Nate Chandler, Tom Usle, Luis Melendez and Alexander Tuason.
Front: Sinclair Daniel and Sarah Reynolds. Middle: Katie Sparks, Aoife Megaw, Kiki Schuster, actress Rae’Ven Kelly, Alexi Zate and Ellie McGregor. Back: Ruby Wellen (of Flintridge Sacred Heart), Madi Lanyi, Katie Stoddard, Sofie Megaw, Melody Munson and Megan Mathison. PAGE 9
ParentNewsletter
MARCH 2014
15th Annual Crystal Ball Friday, May 2, 2014 THIS AMAZING EVENT SET FOR MAY 2
On behalf of the Crystal Ball Committee, I would like to thank all the parents, alumni, grandparents and friends who have already generously supported this year’s event. a
With the Crystal Ball fast approaching, we would like to share our sponsorship opportunities with you which will guarantee that “A Black & White Affair” will be a fabulous success! d
Please review the following opportunities and see if you are able to be one of our supporters this year. a
The Crystal Ball benefits all the students and faculty at La Salle. If you have any questions regarding these sponsorships or the Crystal Ball, please call Liz Kwong at 626.826.1411. d
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2014 Crystal Ball Sponsorship Opportunities That Old Black Magic $20,000 Two dinner tables (20 guests), premier seating, $50 Opportunity Drawing tickets, premium full page ad plus recognition in the Crystal Ball Program, membership in the President’s Cabinet, and special recognition at the Crystal Ball. Some Enchanted Evening $15,000 Two dinner tables (16-20 guests), premier seating, $50 Opportunity Drawing tickets, full page ad plus recognition in the program, membership in the President’s Cabinet, and special recognition at the Crystal Ball. Night and Day $10,000 Two dinner tables (16 guests), premier seating, $50 Opportunity Drawing tickets, full page ad plus recognition in the program, membership in the President’s Council, and special recognition at the Crystal Ball.
FABULOUS AUCTION ITEMS AVAILABLE
Tuxedo Junction $5,000 One dinner table (10 guests), premier seating, $50 Opportunity Drawing tickets, full page ad plus recognition in the Program, membership in the President’s Circle, and special recognition at the Crystal Ball. Moonlight Cocktail $2,500 Four Crystal Ball tickets, $50 Opportunity Drawing tickets, ½ page ad plus recognition in the Program, membership in the Crystal Circle. When You Wish Upon a Star $1,500 Two Crystal Ball tickets, $50 Opportunity Drawing tickets, business card ad plus recognition in the Program, membership in the Crystal Circle.
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ParentNewsletter
MARCH 2014
From Guidance and Counseling
Smile and Just say Hello By Susan E. Keens, Ph.D. Clinical and School Psychologist, Department of Guidance and Counseling
LITTLE ACTIONS FILLED WITH KINDNESS
This month, we will once again enter into the Lenten Season. It can be a time of reflection about our lives and relationships. We can celebrate Lent in a positive and proactive manner. It can take very little effort to smile or say hello to someone. Instead of just ‘giving up’ things for Lent, we can make an effort to be more patient or tolerant with our student, family member, relative or friend whose behavior can be challenging. Little actions filled with kindness can make an enormous difference in our lives. I know a person who packed extra sandwiches when going to the movies because there would always be someone there who was hungry standing on the curb or sidewalks. Another person carries dollar bills in an envelope. When driving past people who often stand on corners of streets or near stores holding signs that say they are hungry, that person simply gives a dollar bill, making no judgments about them. How many families have bottled water in the car for after school or practice? Pack a few extra to hand out when someone on that corner might be thirsty. There are so many small ways we can make a big difference in the lives of those around us. Whatever our individual challenges may be, we have the opportunity for examining our behaviors and begin to make positive change in our lives. I encourage you to spend some time thinking about your personal challenges and how you will work toward improvement in those areas in your relationships with others during this Lenten season.
From the Blakeslee Library
Library Volunteer Opportunities
The Blakeslee Library is in need of after-school monitor volunteers each school day afternoon from 3:00-5:00pm. This is a good way to fulfill your Parent Volunteer Hours obligation. Also, donations of snacks and drinks are appreciated for the Café Bibliothèque events in the library. The dates for events are: March 20, and April 10, 2014. Please call Delia Swanner at 626.696.4313 or Janet Hagen at 626.696.4332 to sign up PAGE 12
MARCH2014 2014 MARCH
ParentNewsletter
La Salle Summer Programs
The Crystal Ball Opportunity Drawing
June 23 - July 24 GET YOUR TICKETS NOW
•Academics •Athletics •Enrichment Grades Four Through Twelve Call for Catalog 626.351.8951
The prizes are: • A Pleasant Holidays Vacation for 2 to Maui* 8 days, 7 nights at the Royal Lahania Resort including round trip airfare $500 credit to selected resort restaurants • Family 4-pack of Disney Park Hopper Passes • Apple iPad Opportunity Drawing tickets will be sold at the Parents Association meetings. Also on the Crystal Ball link: lasallehs.ejoinme.org cbDrawing2014 and on La Salle's home page under "News." *The Hawaiian Vacation is made possible by a grant from the William H. Hannon Foundation.
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ParentNewsletter
MARCH 2014
From the Athletic Boosters
Spring is on the Horizon I am sure our friends back east don’t feel it but despite our drought conditions in California spring is in the air. Most of our winter teams are in the CIF playoffs and our spring sports are just beginning, so let's recap our winter program to date: Good news is that our girls and boys basketball teams, girls water polo, and girls soccer have all made the CIF playoffs. Boys soccer is rebuilding this year as it graduated quite a few seniors. We are sure with this young team, they will be back to their winning form next year.
SUPPORT LANCER ATHLETICS
Remember, you can always find out about schedules, latest scores and what s going on in La Salle sports by clicking on the our Athletic website www.lasallelancers.org. Feel free to contact me at jdcina@sbcglobal. net if you want to get involved. The Athletics Booster Board is always looking for people to help, so if you can volunteer to chair a project please contact me.
It’s hard to believe that we are entering the final sports cycle of the year. Where has the time gone? I am not sure if it is a function of age, but our kids think everything takes so long and I hope to see you the second Tuesday of yet as an adult I feel like I can’t keep up. I talk each month in the Band room at 7:30pm for our to my sons about going to collage and it seems Booster meeting. Until then, be safe and “Go like the big thing in their mind is getting into Lancers!” and then getting out of college. Graduating in just four years sounds wonderful for my wife and I financially, but I can’t help telling them to not be in such a rush. I am really not trying to send mixed messages, but as we all know, once they are completed college, they will enter the work force. John D. Cina P'13, '14 I keep telling them to work hard, but enjoy the Athletic Boosters President moment. T To all of us who have children graduating this year, enjoy the remainder of their senior year. Take in all that they are doing and all they have done. Enjoy your last official days at La Salle. Go to the Crystal Ball, attend the Parent Association meeting take in a play, don’t stop before you get to the finish line. Just enjoy it all.
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The next ParentNewsletter will have information on what the boosters have planned for next fall, so stay tuned for some exciting changes coming down the pipeline.
ParentNewsletter
MARCH 2014
Would you like to get more involved? Check out Academic Boosters! Are you interested in fulfilling your Parent Hours in an easy and fun way? Please consider volunteering to be part of the Academic Boosters Board. We are in need of a couple more helping hands on the Hospitality Team for next school year. The members of the Hospitality Team take turns setting up refreshments at the various Booster events.
If you are interested, please contact
Shaya Akobian (ptsafamily5@gmail.com) or Jesse Marez (jessemarez@yahoo.com) Co-Presidents, Academic Boosters
DATE
ACADEMIC BOOSTER EVENT
START TIME*
3/15/14 4/9/14 5/21/14 5/27/14 6/4/14 7/10/14 7/11/14
Registration & Freshman Pledge College Forum Senior Uniform Buyback Academic Awards Night Used Uniform Buyback Used Uniform Sale Set-Up Used Uniform Sale
7:30 AM 6:00 PM 11:30 AM 5:30 PM 9:00 AM TBA 11:00 AM
HOURS* 5 3 3 4 3
EZ TO HELP AND EARN HOURS
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*Start time and number of service hours is approximate. Volunteers will be advised of exact start time prior to the event. Credit will be based on actual hours served
Go to the La Salle Website. Click on “Parents” at the top of the screen. Click on “PA volunteer website” on the left side of the screen. Click on “member log in.” Enter your user name, this is your firstname_lastname (lower case). Your password is your last name (lower case). Once you are in the La Salle Parent website, click "calendar" at the top of the screen. Now you can look through the calendar year and click on the events that you are interested in volunteering for. Volunteer Coordinators: Ellen Hoffman ehoffman929@gmail.com Diane Taylor dtaylorfamilyof5@gmail.com
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ParentNewsletter
MARCH 2014
2013-2014 NCAA Athletic Signing Ceremony By Anthony Harris. Athletic Director
FOUR GREAT LANCER ATHLETES
February 5 is an exciting day for hundreds of student-athletes across the country, especially four here at La Salle! Please keep these statistics in mind when thinking of college athletic scholarships: 98 of 100 high school athletes will never play in college; one out of every 1000 high school athletes will receive a Division I scholarship; the odds of obtaining a Division 1A scholarship is just 2%. Many high school athletes dream of becoming an Olympian or professional athlete and parents dream of their child earning a college athletic scholarship. Unfortunately, this is a difficult and often unrealistic goal. The La Salle athletics progr am emphas iz es co mmit me nt, discipline, and character. However, the academic program is our priority with athletics serving as a valuable companion. These two, coupled with the school’s Lasallian values, help develop the complete Lancer student-athlete. In November of this year, we celebrated Caroline Knop who signed with the University of Michigan for womens volleyball. We now have the pleasure of National Letter of Intent Signing Ceremony in the Duffy Lewis Gymnasium celebrating more Lancer student-athletes. on February 5, 2014. George Medina Midland University (Baseball) George came to La Salle as a junior last year. He made an immediate impact in the baseball program with his big bat and as our starting catcher. George has gained valuable playing experience by participating on travel teams such as The Oakley Stingrays, Corey Lidle, Play Hard, and the Oakland A’s Scout Team. George’s stats last season were impressive. He had a team leading 13 runs scored, 23 hits, 21 runs batted in, 7 doubles, and a .517 on base percentage. His outstanding play helped lead him to his selection on the Del Rey First Team All-League. We look forward to him leading George Medina with, from left, his father, Athletic Director Anthony Harris, George's sister, Varsity Baseball Head Coach Harry Agajanian and George's our team this spring. mother.
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MARCH 2014
Bryce Harvey with, from left, Athletic Director Anthony Harris, Varsity Football Head Coach Russell Gordon Bryce's mother, Binti and his father, Stephen.
Samantha Dier with, from left, Athletic Director Anthony Harris, her father, Duane Dier, brother, Max, mother, Katalina Kleine and varsity soccer coach, Edgar Manvelyan.
Marisol Dankan is joined by, from left, Athletic Director Anthony Harris, Marisol's mother Maria, Coach Shannon Streeter, and her father Earl Dakan.
Bryce Harvey Western Colorado (Football) Bryce is a young man of character who is a coach’s dream. Bryce is soft spoken and quiet but do not mistake his kindness for a weakness. Bryce is a mentally strong young man who has faced adversity his entire life. He has always been told that he was too small to play RB in high school and definitely too small to play college football. But in the last two seasons Bryce has combined for 138 carries for 1000 yards and 12 touchdowns averaging 7.2 yards a carry. Bryce had a combined 26 receptions for 314 yards and 4 TDs. Defensively, Bryce had a combined 56 tackles and 4 INTS. Samantha Dier St. Edward’s University (Soccer) Sam began playing soccer in AYSO very young, yet her coach saw that she had goalkeeper potential and began to develop her as a keeper. When she was U13, she made the Olympic Development Program State Team and remained in the ODP program for three years. She played U16 for Real SoCal and became their starting keeper for two years where they won the Surf Cup and made the final four at National Cup. Sam attended FSHA her freshman year and was their starter keeper winning a CIF title. Sam came to La Salle last school year and sat out the season due to injury. Fortunately, she is now healing and looking forward to continuing her soccer career at St. Edwards University in Austin, Texas.
Only 2% OF High School Athletes Play In College
Special Acknowledgement: Marisol Dakan Brown University (Water Polo) Although Marisol did not sign a national letter of intent on February 5, we celebrate her for being recruited and finally committing to an Ivy League school. Marisol began playing water polo as a freshman at La Salle where she earned the Rookie of the Year award. Dakan Continued on page 25 PAGE 17
ParentNewsletter
MARCH 2014
From the Arts Boosters
The Shrew is Back! This year’s Spring Musical, to be performed in late March and early April, will be “The Taming of the Shrew”.
Adapted from a script by up-and-coming British screenwriter Bill “The Bard” Shakespeare ("Ten Things I Hate About You," "She’s the Man") this production places the classic makeover-romanticcomedy in the Wild West, and adds some snappy tunes to boot. The original Wild West Taming of the Shrew was first performed at Marin College in 1970 under the Direction of Jim Dunn, and won a Fringe first prize at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in 1971. Since then the Cowboys-andThespians format has proven extremely popular with audiences and has also been applied to other Shakespeare plays, including "Measure for Measure" and "As You Like It".
Performances will take place on Saturday, March 29 at 2:00 and 7:00pm, Thursday, April 3 at 7:00pm, Saturday April 5 at 2:00 and 7:00pm, Friday, April 11 at 7:00pm, and Saturday, April 12 at 2:00 and 7:00pm. Tickets are available from the La Salle Box Office. A rumor is circulating that the summer production will be a silent science-fiction version of “Waiting for Godot” performed by a troupe of mimes.
La Salle families, please use the eScrip Online Mall for your gift or regular shopping. Earn money for La Salle at no cost to you! 1. Enroll with www.escrip.com 2. Click on the online Mall logo at: www.escrip.com 3. Shop at your favorite brand name stores and automatically donate to La SaIIe.
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4. Download AutoEARN to earn contributions every time you shop without having to visit the Online Mall first!
ParentNewsletter
MARCH 2014
The La Salle High School Alumni Association presents the return of the ENJOY THE TASTY TASTY ON MARCH 22
Saturday, March 22nd 6:30pm-9:00pm
La Salle High School Dining Hall & Atrium Featuring unlimited food and beverage tastes from over eateries & beverage companies
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The event features an Opportunity Drawing with 6 amazing prizes, including the Grand Prize: “Eat Out for a Year� basket featuring gift cards totaling over $1,500 to local eateries. Winners of the Opportunity Drawing need not be present to win.
Sponsorships and Tickets available online at
www.lancernetwork.com/Taste2014 Advance tickets are $40 or $50 at the door. For more information contact the Alumni Office at 626.696.4362 or alumni@lasallehs.org. PAGE 19
ParentNewsletter From the College Counseling Center
College Center News By M. Teresa Baldonado and Owen Hou ’90 College Counselors
Senior News College acceptances are continuing to come in. Seniors have been offered admission to many colleges throughout California and the United States. Remember to add your admissions decisions on Naviance. We need to know all the news, both good and not so good, in order to get a complete picture.
Junior News Ms. Baldonado and Mr. Hou are now meeting with juniors and talking to them about college options. Some Junior College Planning Surveys are still outstanding. If your student has not submitted his/her survey, please remind them to do so as soon as possible. We promise to meet with every junior who submits the survey by the end of May. We are also glad to meet with parents after your student has met with his/her College Counselor. Please feel free to call and schedule an appointment.
Sophomore News
Career Days will take place on March 13 and March 18 during Mentor Period. Alumni of La Salle will talk about their career with your student. Ask your student what careers they learned about.
All Students CONSIDER TAKING SAT SUBJECT TESTS
Standardized Testing News We would like to thank all juniors who took the ACT at La Salle in February. We expect their results to arrive via mail around early to mid-March. Students with online ACT accounts can access their results sooner. Please see your counselor if you need help creating your ACT account. We hope that all juniors have already registered for a spring SAT and/or another ACT. If not, they should register in the very near future. Registration information and forms are available in the College Center. The next SAT test dates are May 3 and June 7; the ACT test dates are April 12 and June 14. If your student wants to apply to a University of California campus, he/she is encouraged to take two SAT Subject Tests from different disciplines. The best time to take SAT Subject Tests is in June after the student has completed the course. There is time to re-test for SAT, SAT Subject Tests, and ACT during the senior year, and all colleges will take the highest scores. In addition to the UCs, some colleges* require or highly recommend applicants to submit two or three SAT Subject Tests. The College Center advises Freshmen to consider taking the Biology test and Sophomores, the Chemistry and/or World History test on June 7 if they are receiving a B+ or higher in the course. Students should talk with their teacher about the material covered in the test or consider taking a practice Subject Test exam (see details at the end of this article). Please contact Ms. Baldonado or Mr. Hou if you have any questions. *A list of colleges that require/recommend Subject Tests can be found at www.compassprep.com/admissions_req_subjects.aspx.
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Mock SAT Subject Tests The La Salle Academic Parent Boosters will be offering practice SAT Subject Tests on March 29. This is a good opportunity for students to become more familiar with these standardized tests and to see whether they are ready for the real thing in June. Mock SAT Subject Test(s) - Saturday, March 29 at 9:00am, Room 301 The price for the mock SAT Subject Tests is $10 per test or $25 for three subject tests. The fee includes a follow-up workshop offered to both parents and students to review the test and answer any test-related questions on Wednesday, May 1 at 6:00pm. It will be held in Blakeslee Library.
To register, please submit a check to the College Center, made payable to La Salle High School.
Plan to Visit Colleges Over Easter Vacation Plan a college tour locally or out-of-state with your son or daughter over the Easter break (April 7- 27). Touring a college this time of year will allow your student to experience a true college setting with college students attending classes and club activities in the campus center. Seeing a college campus first hand will help your son or daughter find the right college campus for them.
COLLEGE FORUM APRIL 10
College Forum – SAVE THE DATE: Thursday, April 10 Our largest college-planning event of the year will take place on Thursday, April, 10 at 6:00pm. We are planning over 15 different presentations for 9th, 10th and 11th grade students and parents. Look for a copy of the program in next month’s newsletter. Your student will also receive a program in their Mentor Period. Please contact either Ms. Baldonado or Mr. Hou if you have any questions. Advanced Placement (AP) exams (May 5 - May 16) All students currently scheduled in AP courses are required to take the AP exam. Each exam is $89 and the total will be billed to the student’s La Salle High School account and reflected on the April Statement. The fee(s) will be processed according to your current payment plan selected (ACH, Credit Card or Check). The AP exams will be administered on the following dates (all dates are printed in the school calendar): Monday, May 5 - Chemistry Tuesday, May 6 - Spanish Language Wednesday, May 7 - Calculus AB & BC Thursday, May 8 - English Literature, Studio Art Friday, May, 9 English Language Monday, May 12 - Biology, Physics C Tuesday, May 13 - Government & Politics: U.S. Wednesday, May 14- U.S. History, European History Thursday, May 15 - Macro/Micro Economics Friday, May 16 - Spanish Literature Students who are not currently scheduled in an AP course but who are interested in taking an AP exam should pick up a registration form from Ms. Baldonado. The fee for each AP exam is $89. Forms must be returned to Ms. Baldonado by Monday, March 10. For additional information, please contact Ms. Baldonado, AP Coordinator, at 626.696.4311. PAGE 21
ParentNewsletter
Academic Awards Ceremony
ACADEMIC AWARDS and honors
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The first semester Academic Awards Ceremony took place on the morning of February 13 in the Dining Hall. The administration and faculty of La Salle High School applaud these extraordinary high achievements. Induction into the National Honor Society preceded the Academic Awards. Four awards were presented during the ceremony by Principal Brother Christopher Brady, FSC and President Richard Gray, PhD. Gold Certificates honors students who have maintained a 4.0 grade point average or higher for the last semester. The Academic Achievement Award indicates that the recipient has raised his or her GPA by .5 over the last semester. First Honors Award certificates are given to the students who have achieved a GPA of 3.7 to 3.9. Honors Award is given to students who have achieved a 3.2 to 3.6 GPA (Inclusive). First Honors and Honors students received their awards and recognitions in their classrooms. In addition to the academic honors and awards two students received the prestigious Alcorn and Thomas Scholarships. The Bob Alcorn Memorial Scholarship for Excellence in the Humanities was established by the Class of 1962 to honor their revered teacher and mentor. Many members of the Class of 1962 were privileged to have Bob Alcorn as their teacher in more than one subject – he taught English, Modern Language and Social Studies. In addition to his teaching duties, Bob Alcorn was also Moderator of the Drama Club. The School’s Administration elected to honor a current student in the Junior Class who excelled in the three subject areas taught by Bob Alcorn. That student, selected by the Faculties of the English, World Languages and Social Studies Departments, receives a thousand dollar scholarship to be applied to the Senior year tuition at La Salle. This year’s recipient, Nate Chandler ’15 is Assistant Commissioner of Service, a member of the Support Our Troops Club, NHS, participates in LEAP, Model UN and is a linebacker for Coach Gordon and throws the Shot Put and Discus for Coach Riley. Nate and his parents volunteer once a month at Union Station; all the while maintaining a 4+ GPA in which his lowest grade in any of his classes is A–. La Salle also honors a Junior selected by the Math and Science Faculty to receive the Bob Thomas Nate Chandler, top, with Mrs. Alcorn and Ben Wu, above with Memorial Scholarship for academic excellence in Mrs. Thomas are flanked by Brother Christopher and Dr. Gray. those two disciplines. This award was established by his wife, Jayne, to memorialize the time Bob was a beloved teacher here at La Salle. Jayne Thomas has been a faithful donor to her deceased husband’s memorial scholarship and has never missed an Academic Awards Ceremony since the Bob Thomas Scholarship was created. This year’s recipient, Ben Wu ’15, also works with LEAP, plays piano with the Jazz Band, participates in Science Outreach, has been elected to NHS and the National Science Honor Society, has applied to participate in summer research programs at Johns Hopkins and the City of Hope and wants to study engineering in college. Like his fellow awardee, Ben’s lowest grade in any subject is an A–.
MARCH 2014 Brother Christopher, Monique Gougeon and Dr. Richard Gray.
Gougeon '03 Receives Alumni Education Award During the Academic Awards Ceremony, The Broth- had to wait for her mother to bring the proper attire er Mel Anderson, FSC Alumni Award is presented. from home. At Saint Mary’s College, she was even The following is part of Dr. Gray's introduction. One of the pleasures of introducing the recipient of the Brother T. Mel Anderson, FSC Alumni Award for Excellence in Education occurs when the recipient returns to La Salle to teach. Monique Gougeon ’03 serves as an excellent example of a Lasallian educator who combines the best of what influenced her in high school with an outstanding undergraduate and graduate training in her field of expertise. While at La Salle, Ms. Gougeon was actively involved with the Campus Ministry Team – now known as the Student Life Team. She was a member of Pi Alpha Chi, an anchor for the daily LTV broadcast and participated in the Ven a Ver program to Tijuana. Because of her involvement in Campus Ministry, Ms. Gougeon also participated in the Lasallian Student Leaders workshop held annually at Saint Mary’s College. She joined the Cheer Squad as a Sophomore and was selected its Captain each of the next three years. On top of all the activities outside of the classroom, Ms. Gougeon earned a place on the Honor Roll each semester for four years. While this might suggest that, as a student, Ms. Gougeon was "at the top of her game," she does admit that she arrived at school on her very first dress up day out of uniform and
more involved – if that is possible – than during her high school years. Ms. Gougeon was selected to be a Resident Advisor in the dorms and, in her Senior year, she was appointed a Supervising RA. She was named Secretary of the Inter-Varsity Christian Fellowship, an ecumenical club that emphasized prayer and service and became a Bonner Service Leader – responsible for the coordination of student community service at Saint Mary’s - for two years. A defining moment for Ms. Gougeon’s future decision to become an educator took place in her Junior year when she participated in a Christian Service Internship during Jan Term (a month-long creative educational program that is a distinctive part of Saint Mary’s College experience). Ms. Gougeon learned how to plan service projects as well as teaching Religion to fifth graders at San Miguel School, a free Lasallian School for impoverished middle school children in Providence RI. She shared community life with the Christian Brothers who staffed the school and came away from that month-long experience with an appreciation for the work, prayer and community life of the Brothers. When Ms. Gougeon returned to California, she knew then that she wanted to be a Lasallian educator. Gougeon
ALUMNI EDUCATION AWARD
Continued on page 25 PAGE 23
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MARCH 2014
MARCH 2014
The Obsequious Observer By John Blackstock, The Editor
Names in the News
COOL STUFF TO KNOW
The National Merit® Scholarship Program has named Student Life President, Ben Dalgarn ’14 a Finalist. Ben was one of 16,000 Semifinalists named in September 2013. Ben received his Certificate of Merit from Brother Christopher at the Academic Awards Ceremony. All Finalists will be considered for National Merit Scholarships offered in 2014. The 2014 Prudential Spirit of Community Awards committee has selected Alison Chi '15 as a Local Honoree in this year’s program. The Prudential Spirit of Community Award celebrates her volunteer work that earned this recognition. This program was designed not only to identify each state’s top youth volunteers, but also to give schools and local service organizations an effective way to congratulate deserving young volunteers. Senior, Stephen Boyer’s film, “Paradigm” was selected for the prestigious Harvard Westlake Film Festival. Industry professionals are the judges for this festival. On Saturday, February 1, the Lancer Varsity Baseball Team had the honor of playing nine innings against a team from Korea. Yatap High School’s 40 man baseball team was visiting the United States from Seoul, Korea while on their winter break. During their one month stay, they played 15 exhibition games against several highly ranked Southern California teams. The team is very competitive as they practice daily, Monday through Saturday from 8:00am to 4:00pm. At the February 1st game, several professional baseball scouts were in attendance evaluating the Korean and American players. The Oakland A's drafted a player from this team in 2011. Although, La Salle lost 9-3, the boys enjoyed the experience and took notice of their opponents different style of play. There was a pre-game ceremony with an exchange of gifts and afterwards the two teams shook hands and took souvenir photos.
Members of the Support Our Troops Club held a Valentine's Day fundraiser selling roses for students to send to each other. The money raised from this fundraiser will allow the Club to assemble and mail care packages to service men and women stationed overseas. Juniors, from left, standing, Alex Tuason, Taylor Brennan. Seated, Claire Faber, Purima Stanek, Natalie Sirois and Maddy McGoldrick. Many thanks to Duran's Flowers in Pasadena for donating the long stem red roses. Page 24
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MARCH 2014
New Parking Regulations
In an effort to be courteous neighbors to surrounding homes and businesses, the following adjusted parking regulations are now in effect: 1. Only Seniors may park in La Salle’s Upper Parking Lot along East Sierra Madre Boulevard. 2. Any student may park in a numbered space in the Sierra Madre United Methodist Church Parking Lot off of Michillinda Avenue. 3. Any student may park on East Sierra Madre Boulevard or on Michillinda Avenue. 4. Any street or parking lot not mentioned above is off-limits to student parking. Lastly, all student drivers must register their vehicle with the Dean’s Office. Questions? Contact Brandon Birr '03, Dean of Students - 626.696.4360.
Thank you for your help. Gougeon Continued from page 21
As a result, Ms. Gougeon pushed herself in her Senior year, voluntarily undertaking to write a thesis on Pope Gregory VIII for her Religious Studies major, which necessitated that she study Greek. When asked why she took on these additional tasks, Ms. Gougeon simply replied that she didn’t think she was finished with her studies by the time she completed her Senior year. Parenthetically, this push to know more found Ms. Gougeon receiving the Pope John XXIII Award for Excellence in Scholarship – an honor given at Graduation to the top-ranked senior in Religious Studies. Happily, Ms. Gougeon received a call from Mr. Ed O’Connor, inquiring if she was interested in a Religious Studies position at La Salle. Without thinking twice, she said yes! At La Salle, Ms. Gougeon has performed a variety of tasks – coordinating the Spiritual Life Team, one of the LEAP Coordinators and Director of Student Retreats – along with her teaching responsibilities in the Religious Studies Department. Her commitment to lifelong learning led her to participate in the three-year long Buttimer Institute for Lasallian Studies at Saint Mary’s College and to enroll at LMU to obtain her Masters in Theology – which, once she completes her thesis (entitled “Finding God in the Lasallian Mission: an Ignatian Approach to Lasallian Education) she will graduate this coming May.
IMPORTANT NEW PARKING RULES
Ms. Gougeon cites her La Salle teachers: Ed O’Connor, Jane Osick, Paula Moore and David Desmond as central inspirations for her choice to become a high school teacher and hopes that she can be a mentor to students the way her La Salle teachers mentored her, especially in their ability to see potential in her that she never realized was there. We now celebrate Ms. Gougeon ’03 as the recipient of the Brother T. Mel Anderson, FSC Alumni Award for Excellence in Academics. Dakan Continued from page 17
She then joined the Rose bowl water polo club and has participated in the USA Water Polo Junior Olympics for two years. She participated in the Olympic Development Program last year and competed against some of the best players in the nation. Marisol was named the Lancers' MVP in her Sophomore and Junior year. In addition, she has been named first team all-league for four consecutive seasons. Marisol went on a recruiting trip last summer to Brown and fell in love with the school. She was invited to join the womens water polo team and was told that she was their primary recruit and if she decided to attend Brown, she would be the starting goalie. We celebrate Marisol and her commitment to continue her academic and water polo career at Brown University in the fall. PAGE 25
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ParentNewsletter
MARCH 2014
Check your School calendar for event times and dates MARCH 2014
March Highlights ASH WEDNESDAY LITURGY MARCH 5
LANCER LUAU MARCH 7
REGISTRATION CLASS OF 2018 MARCH 15
Junior Senior Prom APRIL 4
COLLEGE FORUM APRIL 10
March 5 Liturgy Schedule Dress up Day Ash Wednesday Liturgy 9:20am Dining Hall March 7 Rally Schedule Spring Sports 1:50pm Duffy Lewis Gymnasium Lancer Luau Father Daughter /Mother Son Dance 7:00 - 10:00pm Dining Hall March 11 Parents Association Meeting 6:30pm Blakeslee Library Boosters Board Meetings 7:30pm Campus March 15 Saturday Registration for the Class of 2018 9:00am - 12:00pm Dining Hall and Gymnasium
March 17 School Holiday Saint Patrick's Day March 20 Café Bibliothèque 2:30pm Blakeslee Library March 21 Special Schedule Cultural Assembly 9:30pm Dining Hall March 31 - May 3 Student Life Campaign Week April 4 Junior - Senior Prom 7:00-11:30pm Long Beach April 8 Parents Association Meeting 6:30pm Blakeslee Library Boosters Board Meetings 7:30pm Campus
April 10 College Forum 6:00-10:30pm Dining Hall April 10 Café Bibliothèque 2:30pm Blakeslee Library April 14 Special Schedule Dress up Day Lenten Prayer Service 9:30am Dining Hall April 17 - April 27 Easter Vacation April 20 Sunday Easter April 28 Classes Resume
Save the Dates: March 8 and 9! La Salle High School is proud to present:
“The La Salle Student Produced Super Awesome Fun-Time Show In 3D”!
Entirely directed, produced, and performed by La Salle students! With many original pieces, this production has singing, dancing, comedy, suspense; a little something for everyone.
The cast and crew hope to see you there!
The La Salle Student Produced Super Awesome Fun-Time Show In 3-D Saturday, March 8, at 6:00pm and Sunday, March 9, at 2:00 and 6:00pm in the Linda M. Grinstead Theater. Tickets are $5 for students and $7 for adults.
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