FOREVER ISLANDERS DELASALLE HIGH SCHOOL
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ISLANDERS
DELASALLE
HIGH
SCHOOL
FOREVER SPRING
2021
PARTNERSHIP WITH THE U OF M SEE PAGE 3
FACILITIES UPGRADES SEE PAGE 8
BRITTANI ESTES ’10 SCHOLARSHIP SEE PAGE 13
FROM THE PRESIDENT
Welcome
Alumni, Parents, and Friends:
In this 121st year on Nicollet Island, we boldly stepped into one of the most
unprecedented chapters in our history. Throughout our history, we have been
resilient in challenging moments because we have been able to lean into the
strength that comes from our Catholic and Lasallian heritage, at all times in
partnership with all of you. Partnership matters. Your generosity, prayers, and Dr. Bryan E. Bass
engagement have meant everything to our students and staff as we adapt and
innovate to still deliver on our promise to prepare DeLaSalle students for their
President
future. Thank you!
Never in my almost 30 years of living in Minnesota have I been this excited for a spring season. I’m reminded of one
of my favorite Psalms: “Weeping may endure for a night, but joy will come in the morning.” (30:5) We have so much to
share and celebrate on behalf of our students. DeLaSalle is helping employees schedule appointments for COVID-19
vaccinations. With mitigation measures we’ve had in place all year, as of this writing we haven’t had any in-school
transmission related to classroom learning (and haven’t reported any cases on campus since January). Thanks be to God!
Our graduating seniors have shown leadership in this unusual year, and are well on their way to pursuing higher
education in colleges and universities across the country and living lives of service. Students have been active as bridge
builders in the community, responding to the call to love, serve, and build a more racially just and equitable world. Our
staff have built important relationships with students all while adapting to new technologies. And the group of ninth
grade registrants for the Class of 2025 shows every sign of sustaining our success over the next four years. We continue
to attract talented young people from across the Twin Cities.
Looking to the future, we will be calling upon you to join our strategic planning efforts kicking off later this spring.
As mentioned above, partnership is essential in advancing our Lasallian mission and guiding the next chapter in
DeLaSalle’s history. Watch for communications coming soon.
In closing, I am humbled by God’s grace and your unwavering belief in the power of the DeLaSalle experience.
Thank you!
For DeLaSalle,
Bryan E. Bass, Ed.D.
2
NEWS
Islanders Conduct Research with
the University of Minnesota
A new partnership between because of the academic excellence
DeLaSalle and the University of of Islander students, the school’s
Minnesota will give De students proximity, and the University’s
practical experience on the cutting desire to increase diversity in the
edge of science. They will work in science, technology, engineering,
the laboratory of one of the nation’s and math (STEM) fields.
top 10 mechanical engineering
“One of the best ways we can
departments.
address the lack of diversity in STEM
The students will help mechanical is at the high school level,” Hogan
engineering professor Dr. Chris said. “I’m trying to get students
Hogan and his lab researchers interested in studying topics like
find a quicker, more efficient way this and help them see what is
to identify proteins, which are available to them in college.”
equipment, analyze samples, and
functional biomolecules in all
Students will develop valuable make calculations.
living organisms. Hogan received
skills through the 10-week research
a grant from the National Science The research conducted by Hogan,
internship, including learning how
Foundation to conduct the research. the De students, and his lab
to read scientific papers, use lab
He chose to partner with DeLaSalle assistants could be useful in blood
screening tests, distinguishing
between “good” and “bad”
cholesterol, and even making a
protein or supplement that does
not mutate.
Hogan recalls how a research
opportunity he had in one of his
first years of college set him on his
current path. He is hopeful that the
DeLaSalle-University of Minnesota
partnership continues for years
and yields a similar outcome for
students.
“This is something that if you work
hard at it, people will notice,” Hogan
said. “If you’re driven, I can promise
you’ll be rewarded for it.”
Hogan presents
virtually in Mr.
Aaron Cote’s ninth
grade Science
classes, helping
students discover
the world of
engineering.
3
Student News
ASPIRING EAGLE SCOUT CREATES
ACCESS TO FREE BOOKS
An Islander who loves to read
hopes to make it easy for
others to find a good book.
Riley Thompson ’21 built
and painted seven Little Free
Libraries that he will donate
SENIOR ADVANCES IN NATIONAL to Ramsey County parks,
MERIT SCHOLARSHIP COMPETITION including in the city of New
Brighton where he lives. “I’ve
Allicia Moeller ’21 has advanced to the next round in
always been a big reader and
the National Merit Scholarship Competition. Moeller, the
have seen firsthand the positive
younger sister of Joe ’15 and Nick ’17, earned recognition
influence these libraries can
last fall as a Semifinalist for her outstanding performance
have on the habits of our
on the 2019 Preliminary SAT. She became one of 15,000
youth,” Thompson said. He also
Finalists in the United States in February and will find out
collected books for the libraries
this spring whether she has been named a Merit Scholar.
through a drive at school.
Merit Scholars can earn one of 7,600 National Merit
Thompson’s older brother,
Scholarships from a pool of $30 million.
Brady ’18, earned his Eagle
Scout rank after planning and
REGIONAL HISTORY DAY building a vegetable garden
Congratulations to the students advancing 76 projects to in 2017 next to the DeLaSalle
the regional level of the 2021 History Day competition. Athletic Field.
History Day is an annual project in the 11th grade Social
Studies curriculum that gives juniors an opportunity to A WRITER IN OUR MIDST
become expert historians by selecting and researching
For the second time this
a topic of their choice around a national theme, which
school year, DeLaSalle
this year is “Communication in History: The Key to
senior, Marcus Hunter
Understanding.” Students demonstrate their work, as
II ’21, was published in
individuals or in groups, through exhibits, dramatizations,
the Star Tribune Op-Ed
websites, documentaries, or research papers. DeLaSalle
section. Through his
students are among the best in Minnesota in this
March 2 editorial piece,
competition. More students from DeLaSalle have
“I Live in a Cemetery,”
advanced more projects and papers to the State History
Marcus poignantly
Day competition than from any other high school in
describes his life as
Minnesota over the past 12 years. Last year, three
a Black teen in his
DeLaSalle projects qualified for national competition.
neighborhood and the
catastrophic effects of
gun violence on young lives and families. The following
week, WCCO, KARE 11 and FOX 9 all interviewed
Marcus on his bold writing and his fears for others in his
community. His message to them is empowering: “So let
your voice be heard and express how you feel about your
surroundings and what you are seeing everyday. Use your
voice.” We’re proud of you, Marcus.
4
BLACK HISTORY DE LAUDED FOR INCREASING THE
MONTH NUMBER OF YOUNG WOMEN IN
To conclude the celebration COMPUTER SCIENCE
of Black History Month, our DeLaSalle has earned national recognition for expanding
Lasallian Ministry Office the number of young women enrolled in the Advanced
in partnership with our Placement Computer Science A class. The College Board
students helped to organize honored DeLaSalle with the AP Computer Science
a powerful assembly, which Female Diversity award. De is one of only four schools
included prayers, readings, in Minnesota to earn the award. We’re so proud of the
and music. Pictured here young women exploring STEM and computer science
are Carmen Thomas ’21, through this course and know that our efforts are key to
the daughter of Andrea ensuring gender parity in the industry’s high-paying jobs.
Howell ’00, who read her
original poem “M&Ms”
about the Black experience
STUDENTS CELEBRATE THEIR
and De’Jaun Simmons ’22 ISLANDER PRIDE
who performed the song Students in each grade level have discovered creative
“Focus.” Thank you to all ways to bond this semester, gathering with their
who had a hand in making classmates (safely) to deepen their school pride, serve
the gathering and the others, and have fun. The Lasallian Ministry and Student
month of activities such a Activities offices have led a series of “Islander Pride”
success. days, organized events on campus to keep students
connected in the midst of the pandemic. De provided
transportation and lunch, while students performed
service projects and enjoyed group activities, including
dodgeball, solving an “escape room” puzzle, and campus-
wide scavenger hunts.
NATIONAL TECH HONORS FOR
DELASALLE JUNIOR
Congratulations to Sophia Noonan ’22, who has earned
an National Center for Women & Information Technology
(NCWIT) Award for Aspirations in Computing for being
an emerging tech leader! She earned a state honorable
mention award last year and is a Minnesota winner this
year. Noonan is taking her second Advanced Placement
computer science class at DeLaSalle this year and
plans to major in computer science in college. She has
been a teaching assistant for the past three years in the
University of Minnesota’s Summer Computing Academy
for young women, helping others learn how to code in
the Python computer language.
5
DeLaSalle Graduates Thrive in College
as Wallin Scholars
DeLaSalle is proud to maintain
its Catholic and Lasallian legacy
of providing education to young
women and men regardless of
personal financial circumstances.
Because of the generous support of
DeLaSalle alumni and friends, over
$3.3 million in financial assistance
has been granted in 2020-2021. Our
collaboration with Wallin Education
Partners helps ease the worry for
many Islanders about how they will
be able to continue their trajectory of
excellence once they leave the Island.
Feleke receives her diploma in 2018 from Tim Dolan
Wallin’s mission to increase college
`73 and Barry Lieske, AFSC, the Board Chair and
access and graduation for low- president at that time.
income students, many of whom are
first-generation college students and
students of color, works in beautiful With 21 current Wallin Scholars from
concert with the commitment we DeLaSalle, Islanders are connected
have to our students during their to a program that has invested
high school years. more than $50 million over the last
three decades to support over 5,000
graduates.
Individual support pays off.
Scholars are able to select any
four-year college in Minnesota,
Iowa, North Dakota, South Dakota EFRATA FELEKE ‘18
Over 90 percent of students complete their or Wisconsin or a historically Black A Wallin Education Partners
undergraduate degree in six years. college or university. scholarship is helping Efrata Feleke
“Receiving a Wallin Education pursue her dream of becoming a
Partners scholarship is more than physician’s assistant.
just financial support for college,” The Minneapolis resident and
More than one in three graduate college Wallin Manager of Organizational
with no debt. graduate of Risen Christ Catholic
Effectiveness Caitlin Cardinal School fell in love with the
said. Each scholar is paired with healthcare field when she studied
Employed or enter graduate a professional advisor who helps biology at DeLaSalle. Feleke said
95% school within six months of students navigate and reflect on
graduating. the classes she took and the faculty
the college experience, maximize and staff she surrounded herself
Employed in Minnesota. 80% their financial aid, and prepare for with as an Islander “allowed me to
a meaningful career after college. gain confidence in myself and my
Wallin Scholars have access to ability as a student.”
exclusive career programming and
networking opportunities and can Efrata earned the DeLaSalle
build relationships within Wallin’s Award (the highest honor given to
network of scholars and alumni. a graduating senior) in 2018 and
then went on to become the first
6
in her family to attend college. She where she mentors first-year Nigatu, who like Feleke graduated
is now completing her third year students through new settings and from Risen Christ Catholic School,
in the University of Minnesota’s shares tools for success. credits his DeLaSalle college
College of Biological Sciences, counselor Barbara McAdams with
“We do our best to keep moving and
where she is majoring in biology helping him discover the Wallin
bettering ourselves.”
and minoring in sociology. Outside program. “My story would not be
of the classroom, she is developing complete without her.”
experience in patient care as an
“What I did at DeLaSalle—preparing
optometric technician, where she
myself with detailed assignments
checks eye pressure and other
and projects that would challenge
visual tests before a patient sees
me—made the transition to
their eye doctor.
college easier.” Now, through the
Feleke’s Wallin advisor showed her Wallin program, Nigatu has found
how to take advantage of tutoring multiple ways to advance his major
and office hours her freshman in kinesiology and plans to attend
year while also helping her graduate school. “My Wallin advisor
discover internship and networking has helped me pick classes and
opportunities. She has applied the meet prerequisites for physical
financial aid she has received from therapy school. I have developed a
Wallin to enroll in summer classes, AMANUEL NIGATU ‘19 clear idea of what I wanted to do in
which will help her get ahead in her college because of her.”
His Wallin scholarship is helping
degree and prepare her for graduate
Amanuel Nigatu combine his love Nigatu also found a research
school.
for sports with his passion for opportunity last year through
“I feel so proud to be part of the serving others. As a boys’ soccer his advisor. He worked with a
Wallin community, which has helped player and track and field athlete at population data scientist and served
me navigate college in a better way,” DeLaSalle, he saw the healing power as a Census taker in his Minneapolis
Feleke said. of physical therapy when some of his neighborhood with a vibrant East
teammates suffered injuries. The care African community. “I made sure
Even as she continues on her they received sparked his interest in all residents were counted, which
own path, Feleke is leading other the medical field. Now the second- required me to communicate with
students forward. She serves as a year University of Minnesota student elders who do not speak English. I
teaching assistant, is a member of and Wallin Scholar aspires to be a know how important this is to help
the Dean’s Scholars program, and physical therapist himself. my community get the funding we
is a President’s Emerging Scholar,
deserve.”
Last spring, Nigatu heeded a
recommendation from his advisor to
attend a panel discussion of public
health professionals hosted by
Wallin. It proved to be a formative
experience for Nigatu, who enjoyed
hearing the perspective of front
line workers and found their advice
about how to stay motivated while
working from home timely as the
coronavirus pandemic forced people
to live, work, and study remotely.
“The Wallin program cares about
their students beyond their classes.
They care about developing us as
professionals.”
Nigatu, a Distinguished Scholar, was nominated by his peers to address the congregation at his DeLaSalle
graduation in 2019.
7
Leading a School in a Pandemic
Over the course of the last year, the only thing that has any other. Always mindful of keeping colleagues and
remained constant is change. And the visionary leading students safe, Benson has steadfastly implemented
DeLaSalle through the most adaptive and innovative guidelines from the Minnesota Department of Health and
year in our history is Jim Benson, completing his ninth the Center for Disease Control in all we have done, with a
full year as principal or chief operations administrator priority on keeping our students learning and connecting
at De. Under his leadership, the Islanders have adapted in a Catholic, Lasallian, college prep high school.
and/or reimagined safe models for learning, dining,
And as if this wasn’t enough to balance, all of the
competing, and participating.
adaptations occurred in tandem with some massive
Benson led the operational shift to full-distance learning facility upgrades. In order to create the best-possible air
in March 2020, and then managed the administrative quality in the B building, a new heating, ventilation, and
team as the school moved to a hybrid model of air conditioning system was installed. Then a water leak
instruction in the fall. Teachers have adapted lessons in November warped a large section of the wood floor in
to lead learners in their classrooms and those joining the main gym. Upon insurance review, it was determined
classes synchronously from their homes. Other area that a full replacement was required. This meant two
administrators worked with Benson to create new delivery more months of scheduling and organizational pivots,
models of routines that are important to De including: as De lost a critical space used for student gatherings
Masses, assemblies, staff meetings, Homecoming, virtual throughout the early fall.
student activities, college planning presentations, lunch
“I am humbled and amazed by the sacrifices so many
routines, and academic mentor meetings.
have made to help students maintain good mental
Throughout a year of constant planning, Benson has also health, academic growth, and physical safety in the midst
been a stalwart supporter for teachers, staff, students, of an ongoing crisis,” said Benson.
and parents as the school has navigated a year unlike
8
BOARD PROFILE
Jeff Laux ’72
Jeff Laux’s roots in the world of nearly century-old B building. The
property management run deep. As project provides fresh, circulated
a young man growing up in north air throughout classrooms and
Minneapolis, Laux learned valuable gathering spaces such as the
lessons from his father, who Florance Center, which is key to
managed a square block of property ensuring a healthy and safe learning
downtown, and spent his summers environment in the midst of the
working for a local construction coronavirus pandemic and beyond.
company. Laux has leveraged
“This project does the right thing
those experiences into a career as
by the B building and gives us a
an entrepreneur and real estate
mechanical system that is safe and
developer while also giving back to
energy efficient,” said Laux, who
those communities that formed him.
said the project reminded him of a
In his two terms on the DeLaSalle lesson he learned from his dad. “If
Board of Trustees, Laux has you take care of your building, your
returned to the school he graduated building will take care of you.” DeLaSalle, Laux has advised schools
from almost 50 years ago and throughout the country on how to
Because of Laux’s facilities
has contributed his leadership in best manage their facilities. He has
leadership, DeLaSalle has earned
helping DeLaSalle modernize its also served as a longtime trustee
Energy Star certification from the
buildings and grounds. for the parish where he grew up, St.
U.S. Environmental Protection
Anne’s, assisting in its merger with
As the chair of the Facilities Agency and has been recognized
the Church of St. Joseph Hein in 2012.
committee, Laux has overseen as a Building Energy Challenge
multiple projects in the last five Leader by the City of Minneapolis. Laux says his success in business
years, including replacing a 1920s Previously, Laux earned the and leadership reflects a homegrown
era boiler, installing occupancy Minneapolis-St. Paul Business principle.
sensors, and upgrading to LED Journal’s Best Overall Real Estate
lights. His recent and most Development Award for his role “Good decisions, careful research,
significant accomplishment was as the lead developer on the $97 and hard work—all those things our
a $2 million installation of a million historic renovation of the grandmas and grandpas taught our
new heating, ventilation, and air luxury IVY Hotel in Minneapolis. moms and dads—are things that
conditioning (HVAC) system in the we need to level into how we run an
In addition to his leadership at organization.”
Below: Bob Smith ‘50 and Tom Wallander ‘50 learn about the brain. Right: Students in Mr. Jacob York’s Human Anatomy and Physiology course do the same work in an
upgraded classroom.
9
FACULTY PROFILE
Maria Quintana
For Maria Quintana, teaching high school Spanish
is about more than helping students develop their
vocabulary or conjugate verbs. The native of Mexico
believes that learning a language helps students
experience another culture and understand different
points of view.
“Learning another language opens up so many doors
to the future and I try to show this to my students,”
Quintana explained. “When you meet someone who
comes from the culture, you understand the person.
When they see me, they can see Mexico in some way.”
Born in Mexico City and raised in the southern Mexican
the international school. Then, one of her students gave
state of Oaxaca, Quintana began her career teaching
Quintana a cross with an icon of St. John Baptist de La
Spanish to tour groups visiting from the United States,
Salle, the patron saint of teachers and namesake of our
which is how she met her future husband, Jason
school. “It was calling me. It was in the spirit of my life.”
Benjamin. She moved to Minnesota, where she earned
her bachelor’s degree in Spanish culture from Metro “DeLaSalle feels like home to me and my family,”
State University and her master’s degree in curriculum Quintana said. Her oldest son, Jacob, graduated from De
and instruction from St. Mary’s University. in 2018. Her daughter, Isabella, will graduate this spring
and youngest son, Diego, is completing his freshman
Several factors influenced Quintana’s decision to begin
year as an Islander. Having children of her own at
teaching at DeLaSalle in 2012. After years of teaching
DeLaSalle helps Quintana think about how she teaches
Spanish to multiple grade levels at the K-12 International
students. “I teach my students the way I would like other
School of Minnesota, she felt drawn to teaching high
teachers to teach my own children.”
school students exclusively. She also desired a more
meaningful opportunity to work with students and One change Quintana noticed immediately is how often
families who were not as wealthy as those she taught at students thank her at the end of class. Even when she
taught classes online last year during the pandemic,
Quintana found many students signed off with “Gracias,
señora!”
Simultaneously teaching classes to students in-person
and online isn’t the only way Quintana has incorporated
technology into her lessons. Each student in her class
has a school-issued iPad as part of DeLaSalle’s 1:1
technology initiative. “The iPad brought us a lot of ways
to enhance the learning of the language,” she said. With
the device Quintana and her students can find and
explore resources like Duolingo, online flashcards, and
YouTube videos to improve their speaking, listening, and
reading skills.
Quintana is grateful for the opportunity to share her
culture and language with DeLaSalle - and for inspiring
students to major in Spanish in college, pursue a
teaching career, or even study abroad.
“I love being part of the community of DeLaSalle.”
10BENEFACTOR PROFILE
The Cronin Family Legacy
Time and time again, people will say what makes DeLaSalle so special is the
people, and this is definitely the case for the Cronin family.
One could never have imagined the multigenerational impact the family
patriarch would have on DeLaSalle when Carlton R. Cronin, Sr. enrolled as
a freshman from Holy Rosary grade school in south Minneapolis in the fall of
1923. The Cronin family, like many others, became believers in a permanent
way. When Carlton’s son, Rick, graduated from DeLaSalle in 1953, he took
with him the virtues the Christian Brothers instilled in him during those
formative years: a love of faith, family, friends and perseverance. With these
guiding principles, good things were destined to happen.
Rick made many friends during his DeLaSalle days and these lasting
relationships were solidified even more when he married Ann Liemandt. Ann
was well aware of the Islanders through her brother Greg (Joe) ’61 and she
attended many mixers in those days between DeLaSalle and St Margaret’s.
Their partnership blossomed into something special. They nurtured six
wonderful children and continued to accomplish great things collectively.
Rick’s determination really came through professionally, too. He followed
in his father’s footsteps in finance and, in 1974, Rick founded Cronin &
Company, a firm that specialized in municipal bonds.
Rick and Ann cemented their commitment to DeLaSalle in the early 1980s.
They were involved in the school’s revitalization efforts to help stabilize
the enrollment, finances, and future. The Cronins and a handful of other
passionate benefactors publicly voiced their support in sustaining the
Catholic and Lasallian mission on Nicollet Island.
As DeLaSalle’s resurgence continued Rick and Ann wanted to make a gift
that would last forever. They established the Carlton R. Cronin Sr. Memorial
Endowed Scholarship Fund in honor of Rick’s father, the first of many family
members to graduate from DeLaSalle. With his own pedigree in finance,
Rick felt passionately that endowments were going to be vital for DeLaSalle’s
success moving forward and for Catholic education at large.
This insight has proven to be quite providential for DeLaSalle. Rick and
Ann’s passion and love for DeLaSalle has inspired others to step up and do
their part to make the DeLaSalle education possible today for young people.
The school now has over 50 named endowed scholarship funds and the
school’s collective endowment is close to $10 million.
Although Rick and Ann are no longer here with us today, their generosity
lives on day after day, year after year through the countless young people
they have helped with their endowment fund. Following in their parents
footsteps, their children are involved in numerous organizations, including
Minneapolis NEXT, which directly impact today’s Islanders. It is pretty
remarkable to think of something that started almost 100 years ago with Top: Carlton R. Cronin, Sr. ’27
Carlton continues to flourish today with the same guiding principles that
Above: Ann (Liemandt) Cronin and Rick Cronin, Jr. ’53
have shaped generations of Cronins. Thank you Cronin family!
11Save the Dates!
HALL OF FAME
August 5, 2021
• Social
• Induction Ceremony
The Hall of Fame Ceremony is an
opportunity to say “thank you” to those who
have given their time, gifts, or talents back
to DeLaSalle. Because of the pandemic, we
were unable to host an event in 2020 and
are looking forward to celebrating some
outstanding Islanders in 2021.
ALUMNI AND
FRIENDS GOLF
TOURNAMENT
August 6, 2021
• Shotgun Start Scramble
• Social Hour
• Picnic Dinner
Grab your clubs and join us on the green!
Golfers of all ages and abilities are welcome
for this fun (and slightly competitive)
afternoon. Proceeds from the golf tournament
support the Alumni Association’s scholarships
to DeLaSalle 12th grade students.
CLASS REUNIONS
August 7, 2021
The culmination of Alumni Weekend are
Saturday night Reunions, social time with
high school friends you see often and those
you haven’t seen in years.. Nicollet Island will
host twice the celebrations in 2021, as last
year’s gatherings had to be postponed. We will
honor all classes ending in 0, 1, 5, or 6.
12Honoring the Life of Brittani Estes ’10
The Estes family has a long tradition Brittani was a loyal friend who thrived on meaningful
of giving back to their community relationships with others. Her bond with her family,
in the heart of the city. As a second especially her mother, April, radiated love. The two
generation Islander, Brittani made a regularly checked in throughout the day even though
lasting impact on her classmates and they lived thousands of miles apart.
the DeLaSalle community. She was
Brittani’s life was cut short
blessed with many gifts and knew
when she lost her battle with
how to share them with everyone.
cancer in 2020. To honor her
She could sing, dance, play piano and
memory, Brittani’s family
was passionate about her faith. No one had more school
and friends have established
spirit than Brittani and being a cheerleader gave her
a scholarship in her name.
the perfect opportunity to show off her Islander pride.
Each year, a female recipient
Brittani’s infectious school spirit inspired her classmates
who emulates Brittani’s
and other students to cheer the Islanders on to victory
character and passion for
during football and basketball games. In addition to
life will be recognized with a
sideline cheer, Brittani also participated in competitive
scholarship to be used in her
cheer and helped her team find success at state and
senior year at DeLaSalle. This
national tournaments.
student will carry forward
After De, Brittani attended Alabama State University in Brittani’s legacy while also
Montgomery, where she earned her Bachelor of Science making her own impact on
degree in Criminal Justice. Brittani had aspirations to DeLaSalle and the world.
become a criminal defense attorney.
If you would like to make a gift in honor of Brittani, please visit delasalle.com/donate and list Brittani’s name in the tribute section.
To learn more about setting up an endowed scholarship for someone in your family, please contact Patrick Felicetta at 612-767-7605
or patrick.felicetta@delasalle.com
In Memoriam We hold in prayer these members of the DeLaSalle family who have died since
our last magazine. To report the death of a classmate or family member, please
email advancementoffice@delasalle.com or call 612-676-7687.
Stephen Alexander ‘62 Daniel Graskow ‘50 Peter Latenville Robert Ross ‘54
Michael Bednarz ‘57 Richard Graziano ‘49 David Lies ‘56 Michael Roth ‘56
Beverly Beljeski Anthony Gruba ‘96 Janet Madzey-Akale David Rouillard ‘64
Charles Berg ‘11 Joan Hagemann Paul Mahoney ‘74 George Salchert ‘49
Larry Boeser Cindy Hazelton Jean Malachowski Mary Ann Schepers
James Bogucki George Healy ‘71 Helfride Manning Mark Schindeldecker ‘63
Richard Brimacomb Patrick Hedrick ‘47 Richard Mashek ‘58 Gary Schneider ‘58
Myron Buccek ‘65 Todd Hendrickson ‘53 Daniel Maturen John J. Smaciarz, Jr.
Mary Louise Campion Robert Higgins ‘49 Thomas “Jake” McCoy ‘59 Vernon Steffens ‘52
Thomas Chapman ‘61 Don Hilson ‘63 Robert McDonald ‘59 Roger Stockinger
Carol Connolly Donna Joranger Himmel Timothy McGough Marilyn Stoffel
Veronica Coughlin John Hoffer ‘67 William McPherson ‘55 Raymond Stoneberg ‘64
William Delaney ‘57 Steve Huss ‘69 Margaret Melich Michael Sullivan ‘58
Herbert DeRoma ‘60 Bonnie Iacarella Mark Moses Brent Svor
James Dirlam ‘49 Lavelle Jackson ‘05 Thomas Mulvaney ‘55 Jean Swaja
Brittani Estes ‘10 Ronald Jacobs ‘49 Frank Niznick ‘62 Michael Swords
Glen Evans ‘64 Ronald Jerich ‘58 Mary Jane O’Keefe Cliff Thompson
Mike Finnegan ‘58 Jerome Kaess ‘64 Steven Patrick ‘90 James Wagner ‘53
Raymond Forrest ‘79 Richard Kammerer ‘49 Michael Peters ‘60 Thomas Walker ‘58
Gerald Freund ‘49 Catherine Keane Shirley Pharr Helen B. Weides
David L. Garrison Gary Kelley ‘66 James Plocienik ‘63 Robert A. Wind
Marguerite Geier Audrey Krolikowski Sean Rice ‘70 August Zuccaro ‘39
13Class Notes
An author, writer, journalist,
columnist, and singer/songwriter for
almost thirty years, Jim Walsh ’77
is excited to be sharing the stories
of his favorite neighborhoods
(and a few references to De) in
his latest book “Fear and Loving
Summer Youth
in South Minneapolis.” Featured
on TPT’s Almanac in January, Jim
talked about this collection of 70
Camps essays capturing the unforgettable
encounters with community
members and locations that are
DeLaSalle provides opportunities for students in foundational to Jim’s love of the
grades 3-12 to explore and develop new skills in a city. “It’s a great place to grow up
variety of sports and activities over the summer. In and a great place to write about.
2021, students can choose from camps in eleven I love the nature part of our city,
different activities—from learning how to create the smart people, and the history we’re living
an app to developing a theatre stage persona to through each day.”
building their skills on the athletic court or field.
Camp instructors, moderators, and coaches are As part of Black
current DeLaSalle staff members, alumni, and History Month
friends. Camp Islander programs provide a fun way at DeLaSalle,
for students to meet new classmates or spend time students were
with friends they already know all while developing treated to a
fundamental skills and honing their abilities. moving speech
from Sweet Potato Comfort Pies founder (and
To learn more, visit former DeLaSalle parent) Rose McGee. Her
delasalle.com/student-activities/camp-islander. daughter Roslyn Harmon ‘94 joined in the
presentation by reading her original poem
which is packaged with each pie. Roslyn is
the Executive Director for Dispute Resolution
Center and is pictured here second from left
with Theology teacher Peg Hodapp, Rose, and
campus minister Nicole Stecklein.
Sarah Johnson ’96 recently
started as Communications
Manager at YouthLink, a downtown
Minneapolis nonprofit that provides
social services to homeless teens
and young adults. “I am happy to
carry on the Lasallian tradition of
service to others that I learned at DeLaSalle,
another downtown institution,” she says. She
APP CREATION • ART • BOYS’ BASKETBALL brings with her a background in nonprofit
BOYS’ SOCCER • CROSS COUNTRY • FOOTBALL development and communications, most
recently at Hennepin Theatre Trust, where she
GIRLS’ BASKETBALL • GIRLS’ SOCCER • TENNIS
worked for 13 years. In her spare time, she is
THEATRE • VOLLEYBALL
also a baseball and basketball statistician.
14We invite alumni to share their personal and professional accomplishments with us! Submit your class note to advancementoffice@delasalle.com
and connect with us on our LinkedIn page. Search for DeLaSalle High School—Minneapolis and follow us today!
Brian Few, Jr. ‘07 makes art with Samantha Chaney ’17 had a front-row seat
purpose and passion as a to history as an intern in the political unit at
photographer and videographer. CBS News this past fall. Samantha described
You may see him taking pictures or covering stories in Washington, D.C. at the White
video on the sideline of a Minnesota House, the U.S. Capitol, and the CBS News
Lynx basketball game, at the bureau as life-changing. The Howard University
Guthrie Theatre, or on the streets of senior majoring in journalism also held CBS
north Minneapolis. He’s worked in internships with This Morning and the Evening
collaboration with talented writers, News with Norah O’Donnell. She also interned in the Twin
directors, and musicians and independently on projects. Cities at KMSP-TV (Ch. 9).
His 2017 film, Angels Walk, a short film about the emotional
effects of gun violence in North Minneapolis, continues to
be recognized and highlighted at film festivals. Evan Francois ’17 will serve as a
Finance intern this summer in the
Wealth Management & Investment
Tiffany Trawick Johnson ’09 Services department of U.S.
has had a love for writing Bank. The third-year student is
stories and poems since she completing his Bachelor of Science
was a young child. While in entrepreneurial management in the Carlson School of
earning her BA from the U of Management at the University of Minnesota.
MN-Twin Cities, Tiffany wrote
articles for the Minnesota Daily.
Now a staff writer for the Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder Congratulations to Madelene Margioni ’17
and marketing manager for the Penumbra Theatre, Tiffany who earned the Bucknell Prize for Women from
released a new children’s book in mid-December 2020. My Bucknell University. The award recognizes
Shadow is an inspirational children’s book for all ages that a woman of the junior class who shows the
celebrates a serendipitous encounter and reminds readers greatest proficiency in English composition
of the holy presence of God. and literature. Madelene is a senior majoring in
political science and English-literary studies.
In July 2020 Neenah Ferguson ’10
completed an Improving Math through Estefani Guiracocha ’18 has been
Instruction Feedback certification accepted to the Public Policy and
from Harvard University and is now International Affairs (PPIA) Junior
working on another course with NYU Summer Institute program at the
Tisch x Indie Wire x Rolling Stone in University of Minnesota. This program,
collaboration with the Yellowbrick through the Humphrey School of
program. Neenah teaches 5th grade math at Mayfield Public Affairs, is a rigorous academic graduate level
Junior School in Pasadena,CA as she continues working on preparation program aimed at undergraduate students
her entrepreneurial journey. who are committed to careers in public service.
As a Senior Market Specialist for U.S.Bank The artwork of Weslyn Harmon
Global Custody, Grace Holbrook ’13 has ’20 has been selected by Best
received the 2020 Legends of Possible Award. Buy for their Black History Month
This is the highest recognition for U.S. Bank celebration. In a collaboration
employees. She is also working towards her between the retailer and PopSockets,
MBA with Carlson School of Management four teens were chosen to have their design featured on a
with a specialization in finance. Congratulations, Grace! removable grip product that was sold at Best Buy stores
and online. Weslyn, a freshman at Howard University
noted that: “With my art, I want to inspire younger girls
who look like me to know that they can do what I do.”
15DeLaSalle High School
One DeLaSalle Drive
Minneapolis, MN 55401
612-676-7600
www.delasalle.com
@DLSIslanders
UPCOMING EVENTS
Mark Your Calendar!
Founder’s Day Mass and Alumni and Friends Golf
Celebration Tournament
May 14, 2021 August 5, 2021
Lasallian Luncheon Hall of Fame
See you in 2022! August 6, 2021
Class of 2021 Graduation Class Reunions
May 20, 2021 August 7, 2021
Celebrations are being planned for class
Summer Youth Camps years ending with a 0, 1, 5, or 6.
June 9-August 13, 2021You can also read
