La Salle Academy’s October Recap
We welcomed many visitors to La Salle Academy in October. Read about some of our special guests below.
St. Francis College President, Dr. Miguel Martinez-Saenz visited our school earlier this month to guest lecture in a senior Social Justice class and a junior American History class. I also had the opportunity to meet with Dr. Saenz to discuss the expansion of La Salle Academy’s partnership with St. Francis College. This expansion will include incorporating another college-credit course into our curriculum and a summer opportunity for our students.
Our school’s annual Hispanic Heritage Month Assembly welcomed special guests U.S. Congressman Adriano Espaillat; City Council Member Ydanis Rodriguez (pictured); Julissa Gutierrez, Deputy Director, Office of Constituency Affairs for Governor Cuomo; NYPD Deputy Commissioner Robert Ganley; Fr. Joseph E. Franco, NYPD; Assistant Chief Fausto Pichardo, NYPD; Deputy Chief Philip Rivera, NYPD; and the NY Police Band under the direction of Detective Amy Pape.
St. Joseph High School, an all-girls school located in Downtown Brooklyn, hosted our young men for a joint college fair. La Salle has thus far had 57 college admissions counselors in our building as our seniors make plans for life after graduation.
The 4th Annual William F. DeSpagna ’46 Memorial Mass was held on Sunday, October 20th at Saint Anthony’s High School on Long Island. Around 50 alumni and friends gathered in the chapel to remember deceased members of our Lasallian community. Pictured here is the DeSpagna family with the students who attended the Mass and brunch that followed.
La Salle students had the privilege of meeting American rower Garrett Klugh, who told his story of how he turned his childhood Olympic dream into reality. Mr. Klugh was a six-time member of the U.S. National Rowing Team, which won a World Championship in 1999. He represented the United States at the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens. Mr. Klugh, who was the last rower on the last day to make the Olympic Team, emphasized the importance of both creating your own opportunities and perseverance.
This past Saturday, we hosted our annual Open House. Prospective students and their families who attended received guided tours from our current students. Families had the chance to see our building, meet our competent and caring faculty and staff, and learn about our rigorous college-preparatory curriculum. A parent who visited said, “We had a lovely morning visiting La Salle. All of the young men were quite impressive and very respectful. They’re a real credit to your school community.”
I encourage you to visit our school someday soon as well. Also, please save the date for our 29th Annual Spring Gala on Thursday, May 7, 2020 at The Pierre in Manhattan! Click here to read the names of our honorees and to find ways you can participate. Reserve a seat or a table now and plan to join us for a festive evening as we build our scholarship fund.
Sincerely, with prayers and best wishes,
Brother Thomas P. Casey, FSC
President
