MOMENTS of DISTINCTION

On October 4, 2022, the Class of 2023 participated in the school’s annual College Interview Day. Held in the school gymnasium, 67 admissions representatives (an in-person record) and 55 colleges and universities were in attendance. Seniors were scheduled for individual appointments with the colleges of their choice. In the exchange, seniors presented their transcripts, had the opportunity to provide additional personal information, and asked questions about the colleges and universities.

La Salle College High School opened its doors on August 18, 2022 for the start of the school’s 164th academic year. Over 300 boys from local middle and elementary schools were welcomed to the Class of 2026 by the faculty, staff, and administration with various orientation activities. The students were greeted at the entrance of the school by Brother James Butler, FSC, Principal James Fyke, senior members of the Student Council, the Explorer mascot, and the sounds of the Pep Band.

The Mothers’ Club welcomed new mothers to the La Salle community on September 11, 2022 at the annual New Mother’s Tea. Over 250 mothers attended the event that was held in the gymnasium. Brother James Butler, FSC, Principal James Fyke, and Mothers’ Club President, Mrs. Nancy Matthews, spoke to the mothers regarding different aspects of life at La Salle College High School. The mothers enjoyed light refreshments and came away with many new acquaintances.

Over 300 families toured the buildings and campus during the Open House on September 25, 2022. Personal tours were conducted by Student Ambassadors, which allowed families to visit particular areas of interest. Music filled the air as over 100 musicians performed throughout the day. All nineteen athletic teams were in the gym along with the academic departments, and over 50 clubs and activities were represented in the Glaser Center. Trolley’s with student guides provided tours of the school’s 84-acre campus.

Over 100 Golden Explorers – alumni who graduated more than fifty years ago from La Salle College High School – returned to campus on October 4, 2022 for the annual Golden Explorers Reception. Will Ryan ’23 spoke to the alumni about life at La Salle today and reunions were celebrated by the Classes of 1952, 1957, 1962, and 1967. The event provided an opportunity to catch up with old friends and classmates, reminisce about the glory days at “20th and Olney” and “8605” as well as learn about the exciting things going on at their alma mater.

On October 5, 2022, the Golf Team won the Philadelphia Catholic League Championship at Jeffersonville Golf Club. The Explorers’ overall score of 455 was 23 strokes better than Saint Joseph’s Prep and 44 strokes better than Devon Prep. It was the 7th consecutive Philadelphia Catholic League Championship for the Explorers and their 19th title since 2000. La Salle was led by junior John Stevenson who fired a 2-over par round of 72, finishing second overall, Ten Explorers shot 80 or better and received All-Catholic honors. The following week, the Explorers repeated as District 12 Champions and went on to defeat Liberty High School (Bethlehem, PA), the District 11 Champions, by 11 strokes to advance to the finals of the Pennsylvania State Championship for fifth time in six years.

On October 11, 2022, the freshman class (Class of 2026) participated in Freshman Branch-Out Day. Over 300 students, along with almost 200 of their fathers and 30 members of school’s faculty and staff, performed a day of service at 21 different “under-served” sites in the Philadelphia Area. This year marked the 20th year that the freshman class at La Salle College High School has “branched out” in service to the community. In total, over 450 members of the La Salle community collectively provided over 1,600 hours of service to these organizations. The day concluded with a discussion about the integral role community service plays in the Lasallian mission and a challenge to the freshman to find their role in that mission.

La Salle College High School held its annual Academic Convocation on October 20, 2022 and awarded a Scholastic “L” to 384 First Honor Students – 154 seniors, 98 juniors, and 132 sophomores – who distinguished themselves by attaining a final grade point average of 3.75 or above and no grade below a “B-” at the conclusion of the 2021-2022 academic year. In addition, 223 boys – 92 seniors, 66 juniors, and 65 sophomores – were recognized for having a final GPA of 4.0 or higher at the conclusion of the 2021-2022 school year. Mark Gibbons ’92 and Mark Chesnik were recognized for their 25-years of service to La Salle College High School and Daniel Spinelli, Jr. ’14 was the guest speaker.

The Theater Program at La Salle College High School performed six one act plays – including two student-written and student-directed shows – as part of the school’s Annual One Act Play Festival held in the auditorium October 21-22, 2022. A group of 26 actors and actresses staged two performances of the plays.

The Cross Country team captured the Philadelphia Catholic League Championship on October 22, 2022 for the 7th consecutive year and 14th time since 2003 by scoring 18 points as senior captain Drew Brill captured individual honors with a time of 16:14 at Belmont Plateau. The following week, La Salle repeated as District 12 Champions to advance to the Pennsylvania State Championship in Hershey, PA, where they finished in second place. The runner-up finish marked the 6th consecutive podium (Top 2) finish for the Explorers, who were State Champions in 2017 and have now finished 2nd in the five years since then.

On November 13, 2022, over 260 members of the Class of 2024, along with their families, attended the Brother Edward Gallagher, FSC Leadership Liturgy. Named in honor of Brother Edward Gallagher, FSC who twice served as Principal of La Salle College High School (196669 and 1972-77), the event marked the transition to leadership for the junior class. The day began with a Mass celebrated in the gymnasium by Reverend Louis Monica, Jr. and concluded with a leadership pledge along with the blessing and presentation of the Class of 2024 Leadership Pin along with class rings for those who purchased them.

The Thanksgiving Food Drive to benefit Saint Vincent’s Parish in Germantown and La Salle’s Pheed Philly service initiative wrapped up on November 21, 2022. Over 14,000 cans and non-perishable food items were collected by the La Salle community and were used to benefit families in need around the Thanksgiving holiday and throughout the year.

A Thanksgiving Prayer Service organized by the Mission and Ministry Leadership Team was held in the gymnasium on November 22, 2022 and attended by the entire student-body. Students packed the food into boxes and prepared it for transport to the pantry at Saint Vincent’s Parish in the Germantown section of Philadelphia, which serves those in need in North Philadelphia.