Feature Story
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magazineSpring Summer 2009 A publication for alumni and friends of De La Salle Institute Feature Story: Recognizing the Value of a Neighbor Dear Friends, De La Salle Magazine It is the time of the school year when nostalgia sets in as the graduating seniors Spring/Summer 2009 leave our familiar school halls and spread their wings for new challenges. We can proudly reflect upon how much they have developed since they started their journey at De La Salle four years ago. Editors Michelle Aukstik The four students who were the valedictorians and salutatorians of the Class of 2009 will be attending some of the most academically challenging universities Michael Walsh in the country. Dan Joyce, the valedictorian at the Institute Campus for Young Men, will attend the University of Illinois in Urbana-Champaign, as will Jessica Contributing Writers Nelson, the salutatorian at the Lourdes Hall Campus for Young Women. Michelle Aukstik Jillian Vilimas, the valedictorian at the Lourdes Hall Campus for Young Iris Gist Cochran Women, will also further her education in the Midwest, choosing Marquette Sarah Reczek University in Milwaukee. Joe Karas, the salutatorian at the Institute Campus for Michael Walsh Young Men, has wisely opted to leave Chicago’s winters behind, traveling to the warmer climes of the University of Miami in Coral Gables, FL. De La Salle President Father Paul Novak Photography The aforementioned students aren’t the only members of De La Salle’s Class of 2009 who will attend prestigious and academically excellent schools of Michelle Aukstik higher learning this fall. Having been prepared for their great futures in a caring and thorough manner by our Michael Walsh dedicated faculty and staff, our Meteors will attend 78 different colleges and universities in 20 states across our Root Studios great land. While some graduates will remain nearby at institutions such as DePaul University, Illinois Institute of Technology, Designer Illinois Wesleyan University, Lewis University and Loyola University, others from the Class of 2009 will be found in Jeff Marienthal such destinations as Alabama (University of Alabama), California (San Diego State University), Connecticut (Fairfield University), Kansas (University of Kansas and Kansas State University) and Pennsylvania (Penn State University). Printer Though they will be spread across the country through different time zones and area codes, these outstand- ing young men and young women will always possess the commonality that they are and will forever be Meteors. Andrews Printing Wherever their path through life may take them, these graduates of the Class of 2009 travel with the knowledge they have been well prepared as a result of their four years at De La Salle. Please join me in wishing our De La Salle Magazine is published graduates the best. three times a year by De La Salle Yours in Christ, Institute’s Office for Advancement. The purpose of this publication is to unite the Christian Brothers, alumni, Rev. Paul E. Novak, OSM students, parents, faculty, staff and President friends together in De La Salle’s mission of excellence in education. All submissions or comments should be directed to [email protected]. Mission Statement De La Salle Institute is an independent Catholic secondary school rooted in the tradition of Christian education begun by St. John Baptist De La Salle. Founded in 1889, its mission has been, and is, to foster a desire for excellence in education. Young people from a variety of ethnic and economic back- grounds are given the opportunity to fully develop their abilities so they may be active, contributing members of our complex, changing society. INSTITUTE CAMPUS FOR YOunG men LOURDES HALL CAMPUS FOR YOunG WOmen 3455 SOUTH WABASH AVE 1040 WEST 32ND PL CHICAGO, IL 60616-3885 CHICAGO, IL 60608-6507 P 312.842.7355 F 312.842.4142 P 773.650.6800 F 773.650.9722 TOLTON Adult LITERACY CENTER TOLTON Adult LITERACY CENTER EAST CAMPUS WEST CAMPUS 3647 South State ST 115 South PulasKI RD Chicago, IL 60609-1951 Chicago, IL 60624-2823 P 312.747.3471 P 312.746.7744 www.dls.org De La Salle Magazine Spring Summer 2009 De La Salle Institute Chicago, IL Board of Directors 2008–2009 Chairperson Sister Mary Alice Jarosz, SSF-TOSF Members Table of Contents William S. Aldrich The Honorable William J. Aukstik ’64 Marshall A. Blake Academics George A. Bonomo ’59 Valedictorian and Salutatorian Addresses . 2 Mary L. Burke Class Notes . 4 Victor M. Chavarria ’69 Eugene L. Ferretti Faith, Service & Community Michael J. Glennon ’84 Page 2 Living our Faith . 5 Dr. Robert O. Graham ’64 Meteors Making a Difference . 5 The Honorable Patrick M. Huels ’67 Lasallian Youth . 5 Prentiss J. Jackson ’67 Tolton Students Honored . 6 Brother Michael Kadow, FSC Sister Valerie Kulbacki, SSJ-TOSF Parent Place – NEW! Paul D. McCoy ’68 Welcome to the Parent Place . 7 Michael J. Passarelli ’90 Page 7 Campus Scrapbook . 8 Thomas J. Sargant ’62 Michael A. Tadin ’69 Feature Story James A. Vanek ’64 Recognizing the Value of a Neighbor . 10 President’s Council Athletics Michael G. Bansley ’53 Michael F. Hickey ’56 Winter Sports Roundup . 12 James R. Woodrow ’53 Page 10 Spring Sports Update . 13 Extollo Educational Development Foundation Board of Directors Reliving the Great Futures Gala . 16 President Scholarship Honors Memory of Graduate . 17 Brother Michael Quirk, FSC President’s Club Reception . 17 Vice President Alumni Connection Michael F. Hickey ’56 Getting Together and Staying Connected . 18 Secretary/Treasurer Page 16 De La Salle Alumni Updates . 19 Joseph J. Hartnett ’73 Lourdes Hall Alumnae Updates . 21 De La Salle Magazine 1 Valedictorian and Salutatorian Addresses Jillian Vilimas attended Bridgeport Catholic Academy and is from Daniel Joyce attended St. Daniel All Saints – St. Anthony Parish. Jillian, who will attend Marquette the Prophet Elementary School and is University, graduated with a 4.957 grade-point average in De La Salle’s also from St. Daniel the Prophet Parish. Honors Program. Daniel, who will attend the University of Illinois – Urbana-Champaign, gradu- Here is Jillian’s reflection on what being the valedictorian of the Class of ated with a 4.891 grade-point average in 2009 at De La Salle’s Lourdes Hall Campus for Young Women De La Salle’s Honors Program. means to her: Here is Daniel’s reflection on what being I had a great opportunity at the valedictorian of the Class of 2009 at De La Salle to share the same expe- De La Salle’s Institute Campus for Young riences that most of the men in Men means to him: my family have had. My father, Paul Vilimas ’78, my brothers, I was very excited when I learned Daniel Joyce Eric ’02 and Matthew ’05, my uncles that I was the valedictorian of the Keith ’73 and Joseph ’70, and my Class of 2009. I am very proud to cousin Zachary ’07 were all Meteors represent such a great class. We have had many good times over before me and I am the first female the four years at De La Salle. We have had a number of successes, in my family who is able to call including sports, school productions, St. Baldrick’s Day, and many myself a Meteor. other events. Members of the Class of 2009 were all major contribu- tors to these accomplishments. Some of the best things that Jillian Vilmas De La Salle offered me were a As I move on to continue my studies at the University of Christian life in a diverse community, Illinois—Urbana-Champaign, I will take many things I learned a quality faculty and staff, extensive extracurricular and athletic at De La Salle along with me. Aside from the outstanding educa- programs, and demanding regulations and procedures. tion provided by an excellent faculty, I have learned other things about life. At De La Salle, I was very involved in clubs, activities, and athlet- ics. Some of the highlights of my high school years were being the One great thing about De La Salle is the diverse student popula- President of the National Honor Society, winning the Girls Catholic tion. I have gotten to know and become friends with many different Athletic Conference Athlete of the Year for the White Division in people from all over the city. I now have a greater appreciation and volleyball, and achieving the highest honor of being valedictorian understanding of different people and cultures. De La Salle also of my class. encourages its students to become more active in the community. Whether it is volunteering at the soup kitchen with Brother Kevin Being the valedictorian means so much more to me than just the or building bicycles with the Fire Department, De La Salle students title. My uncle, Joseph, was also the valedictorian 39 years ago when have impacted the community around the city for the better. he graduated. It is an honor to follow in his footsteps, especially since he is no longer with us today. At the University of Illinois, I plan to study business. I feel the edu- cation I acquired at De La Salle has prepared me to succeed. I Next year, I will be attending Marquette University where I hope have been challenged and worked through Mr. Khazen’s tough to find a career that I love in the medical field. The memories that I Calculus course, and a number of teachers have taught me how to am leaving with are priceless. I am going to miss all of the students do research and write a good paper about it. As I move forward in who became friends and the faculty who became family. De La Salle life as an alumnus, I will never forget how De La Salle has impacted became a second home to me, and it will always have a special place my life.