LA SALLE ACADEMY’S AUGUST RECAP
Being in the spectacular sacred space of Saint Patrick’s Cathedral for our commencement exercises was amazing. Not only did we have that historic beautiful building to ourselves, but the opportunity to ritualize graduation in a somewhat traditional way provided our seniors with a memorable touch of the familiar. It was good to have the members of our Class of 2020 together for the first time since we dismissed them from the gym on March 12th. Despite the challenge of social distancing, it was clear that five months apart had not severed their bond as a very special cohort. Alumni never fail to mention that the connections made at La Salle Academy tie them together for a lifetime.
We celebrated our 171st commencement exercises on August 13th at Saint Patrick’s Cathedral. The Class of 2020 graduates and their families wore masks and sat socially distanced from one another. It was belated, but the celebration of growth and achievement was palpable. Pictured above are Co-Valedictorians Steven Dumeng and Elijah Perez-Mendez. Read more and watch the ceremony here.
It is with sorrow that we announce the passing of La Salle Academy Board Trustee and former faculty member, Brother Ralph Darmento, FSC, who entered into eternal rest on Friday, August 14, 2020. Read more about Brother Ralph’s history with La Salle Academy NYC and the De La Salle Christian Brothers by clicking here. We pray that Brother Ralph now enjoys fullness of life in God’s holy presence.
In July we launched Lasallian Patrons, formerly known as the Lasallian Student Sponsorship Program. Read more about the program here and if you are able, please contribute to our current Lasallian Patrons campaign. Luis Tejada ’16, an alumnus who benefitted from this program as a student said, “Your gift will allow inner-city students like me achieve their own dreams.” (Read the rest of his testimonial here.) Text LSAPATRONS to 41444, click here, or contact Ms. Ismini Scouras at 212-475-8940 ext. 204 or [email protected] to learn how you can become a Lasallian Patron today and help more students like Luis achieve their dreams. Thank you.
La Salle received a generous bequest from longtime benefactor Elizabeth Weese, the daughter of 1913 alumnus Fred Weese, last month. Ms. Weese, who passed away in June 2019, was a strong advocate for La Salle and Catholic education. Her planned gift will help sustain our mission to provide a college preparatory education to those in need. If you are interested in learning about how you, too, can join The Legacy Society and leave a planned gift to La Salle, please contact Ms. Ismini Scouras at 212-475-8940 ext. 204 or [email protected]. Please keep Ms. Weese in your prayers.
Teachers are in the school building today and tomorrow. Although we are adhering to appropriate protocols, there is a sense of being together that cements our association for the benefit of the young men entrusted to us. Although the pandemic and its consequences have caused a decrease in our student population, we are poised for in-person orientation sessions next week and the resumption of remote education at least through November 6th. Thanks to our share of a national grant from the De La Salle Christian Brothers, our teachers have had funds available to enable them to enrich their skills in working with this new pedagogy. I invite you to consider investing in our work too, by clicking the “Contribute” button below.
May God bless you and those special to you and keep you healthy and safe.
Brother Thomas P. Casey, FSC
President
