magazine - De La Salle Institute

FALL
SPORTS
RECAP
(See p. 18–19)
magazine
A publication for alumni and
friends of De La Salle Institute
EMBRACING OUR GLOBAL FUTURE
De La Salle Institute Adds Mandarin Chinese to Its Curriculum
Fall 2011

De La Salle Magazine
Fall 2011
Editor
Michael K. Walsh
Photography
Tom Lyons ’43
Root Studios
Michael K. Walsh
Contributing Authors
Iris Gist Cochran
Margaret Grabowski ‘06
Tom Lyons ‘43
Kate Rhodes
Michael K. Walsh
Designer
JB Chicago
Printer
M&G Graphics
De La Salle Magazine is published
three times a year by De La Salle
Institute’s Office for Advancement.
The purpose of this publication
is to unite the Christian Brothers,
alumni, students, parents, faculty,
staff and friends together in
De La Salle’s mission of excellence
in education. All submissions or
comments should be directed to
dmagazine@dls.org.
To receive this magazine
electronically, please send an
e-mail to dmagazine@dls.org.
Dear Friends,
I’m pleased to present to you the fall edition of D Magazine and the many accomplishments of our Institute in just
three months.
As you have observed from the cover of the magazine, De La Salle has expanded our Global Language Program with
the addition of Mandarin Chinese to the curriculum. Living in a world class
city demands constant growth and appreciation for its many inhabitants and
their culture. What a wonderful opportunity for our students to encounter
the Chinese culture through the mastery of language, sampling the food,
experiencing the customs, celebrating the holidays, learning the political
structure and hopefully, traveling the Asian continent.
I can’t thank you enough for your continued support of the Meteors. Your
investment in our young men and women can only be measured through the
good deeds accomplished over a lifetime. This was evident at our alumni
banquet as I continued to hear and learn of your many accomplishments.
As benefactors, alumni, and friends of De La Salle Institute, you can take
pride in the accomplishments of your alma mater. The following pages
outline the dedication of our faculty and staff as we continue our curriculum
review and prepare for our AdvancED accreditation renewal. Our first
accreditation as a four-year high school took place in 1923. Our faculty and
staff continue the commitment to provide a curriculum that is innovative and
challenging for today’s Meteors.
In addition, you’ll learn about the Augustus Tolton Adult Literacy Center’s 20th Anniversary, improvements to our
campus, athletic successes, and accomplishments of our students.
I hope you’ll enjoy the following pages of stories, news, photos, and accolades that have come to life thanks to you,
our alumni, friends, and benefactors. Your continued support, pride, and encouragement resonate through the pages
and our hallways daily.
Thank you for your ongoing support!
非 常 感 谢 你 的 支 持 。
St. John Baptist De La Salle …Pray for us!
Our Lady of Lourdes…Pray for us!
Live Jesus in our hearts…Forever!
Fr. Paul Novak, OSM
President
De La Salle President Father Paul Novak
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 backgrounds 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
3455 SOUTH WABASH AVE • CHICAGO, IL 60616-3885
P 312.842.7355 • F 312.842.4142
LOURDES HALL CAMPUS For Young Women
1040 WEST 32ND PL • CHICAGO, IL 60608-6507
P 773.650.6800 • F 773.650.9722
TOLTON Adult LITERACY CENTEr - EAST CAMPUS
3647 South State St • Chicago, Il 60609-1951
P 312.747.3471
TOLTON Adult LITERACY CENTEr - WEST CAMPUS
115 South Pulaski Rd • Chicago, Il 60624-2823
P 312.746.7744
Table of Contents
Academics
De La Salle Adds Mandarin Chinese to Curriculum 4–5
Re-accreditation and Curriculum Review & Renewal 6
Lasallian Universities Partner with De La Salle 7
Tablet PC Program Update 8
New Faculty Welcomed to De La Salle 9
Faith, service & Community
The Tolton Center at 20 10–13
Preparing for Their Great Futures 14
CAMPUS Scrapbook
Photos of the De La Salle Community 15
parent place
How to Become an Involved Meteor Parent 16
Calendar of Important Dates for the Second Quarter 16
All Roads Lead to De La Salle 17
Athletics
Fall Sports Recap 18
Chicago Catholic League Celebrates 100 Years 18
Five Meteors Enshrined into DLS Sports Hall of Fame 19
Meteors Win IHSA Academic Award 19
DEVELOPMENT
LINK Unlimited Commits to DLS Students 20
Growth and Expansion at De La Salle 21
Planned Giving: Continuing Your Legacy 22
Additions to Advancement Staff 23
Alumni Connection
De La Salle and Lourdes Alumni Updates 24
Remembering William Malone ‘08 25
De La Salle and Lourdes Deceased List 25
Alumni Week Recap 26
Career Day & Alumni Banquet Scrapbook 26–27
Feature on Eugene Pontillo ’43 27
De La Salle Institute
Board of Directors
2011-2012
Chairman
Mr. Paul D. McCoy ‘68
Vice Chairperson
Mr. Prentiss J. Jackson ‘67
Members
Mr. William S. Aldrich
Honorable William J. Aukstik ‘64
Mr. Marshall A. Blake
Mr. George A. Bonomo ‘59
Ms. Mary L. Burke
Mr. Victor M. Chavarria ‘69
Mr. Eugene L. Ferretti
Mr. Michael J. Glennon ‘84
Dr. Robert O. Graham ‘64
Honorable Patrick M. Huels ‘67
Sister Mary Alice Jarosz, SSJ-TOSF
Brother Michael Kadow, FSC
Sister Valerie Kulbacki, SSJ-TOSF
Mr. La Rue Martin, Jr. ‘68
Mr. Joseph D. Parente ‘84
Mr. Michael J. Passarelli ‘90
Mr. Thomas J. Sargant ‘62
Mr. Michael A. Tadin ‘69
Mrs. Cathryn P. Taylor
Mr. James A. Vanek ‘64
President’s Council
Mr. Michael G. Bansley ‘53
Mr. Michael F. Hickey ‘56
Mr. James R. Woodrow ‘53
Extollo Educational
Foundation
Board of Directors
President
Brother Michael Quirk, FSC
Vice President
Mr. Michael F. Hickey ‘56
Secretary/Treasurer
Mr. Joseph J. Hartnett ‘73
www.dls.org
De La Salle Magazine 3

Academics
Addition to Curriculum
Mandarin Chinese Offered at De La Salle
Mandarin Chinese Added to DLS Curriculum
“During the first class this semester, I asked students why they decided
to take the Mandarin class,” Liang said. “They gave a variety of
reasons, including a love of Chinese food! No matter what the reason,
they have a lot of courage for doing so. Believe it or not, Mandarin
Chinese is the most widely-spoken language in the world. Therefore,
learning to speak Mandarin allows someone to speak with millions of
people worldwide.
“In addition, having thousands of years of history, Chinese culture
is endlessly fascinating. Learning to speak Mandarin allows
someone to enjoy tourist attractions in the country in a richer, more
meaningful way. Most importantly, learning to speak Mandarin
allows someone a huge advantage in participating in the international
Chinese business market, which is the fastest growing in the world.
Whether your interests are language, history, architecture, music, or
cuisine, knowledge of Mandarin will enrich your understanding of
Chinese culture.
At the Lourdes Hall Campus for Young Women, there are seven
freshman students enrolled in Liang’s class, one of whom is Yerania
Venegas. Of the seven students, two are taking Mandarin as an
Honors class.
“I chose to take Mandarin Chinese because it’s an interesting language
and I thought it would be fantastic to learn something new,” Venegas
said. “I definitely do not regret choosing this class.
“Ms. Liang is great and she helps us a lot like when everybody is
having struggles at pronouncing the words or writing them.
“I enjoy learning this new culture and language. It’s awesome. I
really hope to gain and adjust to this new language. I want to be
able to speak it, write it, and read it properly. I am sure that all of my
classmates and I will adapt to this new language and sooner or later,
speak it very well.”
According to the website www.anthro.palomar.edu, the most
common language in the world is Mandarin Chinese. It
is estimated that 874,000,000 people speak Mandarin
Chinese with 16 countries having substantial numbers of
native speakers.
In an effort to provide its students the opportunity to speak and
comprehend Mandarin Chinese, as well as strengthen the world
language portion of De La Salle’s Language Arts Division, the
administration of the Institute added Mandarin Chinese to the
curriculum for the 2011-12 school year.
“Mandarin Chinese was a successful summer program for seventh
and eighth graders,” De La Salle Assistant Principal Nick Colletti
said. “And that experience encouraged us to think about adding the
class to our curriculum.”
De La Salle’s Mandarin class is taught by Simiao Liang, who brings
an impressive resume with her. Liang teaches Mandarin I at the
Institute Campus for Young Men in the morning and at the Lourdes
Hall Campus for Young Women in the afternoon.
Before her arrival in the United States, Liang taught English to
Chinese students in Beijing, China. Liang then came to the U.S. where
she completed her Masters in Education (M.Ed) program in TESOL
(Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) at The University
of Georgia. While at Georgia, Liang taught first-level Mandarin at
the Athens Chinese School. There she worked collectively with
American-born Chinese students, who were from the ages of four to
seven. Liang then moved to Chicago, where she began her current
position of teaching Mandarin to students in pre-kindergarten
through second grade at St. Therese Catholic Chinese School, located
approximately two miles from De La Salle. In addition, Liang also
teaches Mandarin at the Chinese-American Service League (CASL)
located in Chinatown. The students there – who are not all Chinese –
range in age from four to 14.
“In both China and the U.S., my experience tutoring and teaching both
English and Chinese, along with my M.Ed. in TESOL, has made me
better aware of how native-Chinese speakers learn English, as well as
how native-English speakers learn Chinese,” Liang said. “This twoway
knowledge and experience gained throughout my time in the U.S.
is highly relevant to teaching Chinese to speakers of other languages.”
Liang uses a variety of methods and techniques to enable her
students to expand and strengthen their knowledge of Mandarin. The
students use workbooks and their tablet computers, along with other
tactics such as referring to each other by using their Chinese names
and even playing a game of Jeopardy in which all of the answers
are in Mandarin. In addition, at the beginning and the end of each
class, Liang and her students follow a greeting routine used only in
classrooms in China, which shows mutual respect.
Students also watch a number of Chinese videos and participate in
annual Chinese holidays, such as the Mid-Autumn Festival which
celebrates the harvest and dates back over 3,000 years to moon
worship in China’s Shang Dynasty. Liang also provides students the
opportunity to enjoy mooncakes, which are Chinese pastries offered
to friends and family while celebrating the festival.
“Mandarin is a language that bears little resemblance to English,”
Liang added. “Because it is not the easiest language to learn, it is
important that when students begin, it is fun and engaging. However,
there is also a lot of hard work. But as an old Chinese saying goes,
“Sharpening your ax won’t waste time cutting your firewood,” which
means proper preparation will increase the speed of the process.
“In each class, we spend most of our time practicing spoken
Chinese through dialogue. The first several classes involve teaching
students Pinyin (the Chinese phonetic system) and Chinese tones.
(In Mandarin, the same pronunciation spoken in different tones
has different meanings.) These two things form the foundation
for learning Mandarin. While the process proceeds at a relatively
slow pace, I have developed a range of lighter activities to maintain
enthusiasm in learning the language.”
Of the 18 freshman students at the Institute Campus for Young Men
enrolled in the Mandarin class, eight are taking it as an Honors class,
including Horace Nowell III, who said there were a variety of reasons
for his wanting to take Mandarin.
“I have traveled to Singapore a few times, and have noticed the
prominent Chinese-speaking culture there,” Nowell III said. “I have
also made a few friends who speak Mandarin in Singapore. I find
Mandarin to be a totally different language and format than Spanish,
which I took as a language in grade school.”
“I also find the Asian culture and history to be very interesting. What
I like about learning Mandarin is learning the many different Chinese
characters because I find them to be like an art form.”
“What I hope most to gain from enrolling in this class is the ability to
properly speak and understand a language that is spoken around the
world, therefore, allowing a whole new world of adventures, people,
and opportunities to unfold for me.”
Taking everything into consideration as for the future of Mandarin at
De La Salle, there will be a Mandarin II class offered in the 2012-13
school year.
“Many students are interested in the business world, and Mandarin
is one of the most useful languages for that field,” De La Salle Dean
of Language Arts Carrie Contreras said. “We have confidence in our
new instructor, and we hope the program continues to grow.”
4 Academics Academics 5

Academics
CURRICULUM REVIEW
Lasallian Universities Partner with De La Salle
Partnership
Combined Re-Accreditation, Freshman Curriculum
Renewal, & Sophomore Curriculum Review
De La Salle Institute is undergoing
an accreditation renewal process this
academic year called AdvancEd.
Schools and school systems must renew
their accreditation every five years.
Accreditation is a voluntary method of
quality assurance developed more than
100 years ago by American universities
and secondary schools, and is designed
primarily to distinguish schools adhering
to a set of educational standards. Today’s
accreditation process examines the whole
institution—the programs, the cultural
context, the community of stakeholders—
to determine how well the parts work
together to meet the needs of students.
Although this is an intensive process for
much of the faculty and staff at De La Salle,
we find that it challenges us to advance
the mission of the Institute and improve
student learning, while making continuous
school improvement a distinctive reality.
In addition to the accreditation process,
the faculty is in the midst of conducting
a thorough review of the academic
curriculum, as a result of the last strategic
plan, which is now in year three.
The previous school year was spent
reviewing the freshman curriculum in its
entirety, while this year brings a study
of the sophomore curriculum. Led by
teacher facilitators, a curriculum map
is developed for all of the core classes,
as well as electives and is linked to the
Illinois state standards.
The end result is a comprehensive
curriculum aiding the faculty and
providing student success. Examples
of class syllabuses, tests, quizzes, and
projects can be shared among the faculty.
The review wraps up each year with a
presentation to the Curriculum Committee,
The Board of Directors and approval by
the administration. It is an incredible
process that has shaped the future of De
La Salle’s academic standards. The 2012-
13 school year will examine the junior
curriculum, while year 2013-14 will wrap
up with the examination of the senior
curriculum information.
For several years, De La Salle Institute has
had a partnership with Lewis University. The
Institute Campus is home to Lewis’ Chicago
Campus, hosting graduate-level classes
most evenings of the week. De La Salle
is continuing to develop this relationship
in order to create more innovative and
applicable experiences for our students.
After hosting a successful summer of
Space Camp for grammar school students
at D, we are working with Lewis to share
its aviation coursework – including a flight
simulator! – as part of De La Salle’s high
school curriculum.
Our university affiliations don’t end there!
Saint Mary’s University in Minnesota is
teaming up with D in order to provide
the opportunity for our students to gain
college credit for courses in which they
are currently enrolled (Honors or advanced
level coursework).
A variety of colleges and universities across
the United States will accept these course
credits from Saint Mary’s University.
De La Salle strives to provide outstanding,
challenging, and state-of-the-art academic
opportunities for our students. We are proud to
be in partnership with these two universities,
allowing our students to be exposed to life
beyond the blackboard. Please contact the
Guidance Office at 312-842-7355 for more
De La Salle Classes Include:
• Honors American Literature
• AP English 4
• AP Politics
• Honors US History
• Calculus
• Anatomy and Physiology
In Order To Receive College Credit, Students Must:
• Maintain a B grade in the course
• Be in the top 20th percentile of high school class
• Score 50% on standardized test
• Maintain a 3.0 GPA
• Receive approval by the program coordinator
6 Academics Academics 7

Academics
Tablet pc program update
Lenovo/IBM ThinkPad PC’s
In August 2006, Lenovo/IBM ThinkPad Tablet PCs
made their debut in our classrooms. All students at
De La Salle use a Lenovo ThinkPad Tablet PC or the
NOBI Intel Companion Touch Tablet PC loaded with
the latest Microsoft software to produce scholarly work
in each of their courses.
De La Salle is committed to use learning technologies
that support the different learning styles of our students.
The Tablet PC is integrated into the curriculum, while
our courses continue to become more engaging
with interactive projects as students are continually
challenged to transform information into knowledge
and knowledge into action. Having courses that use
learning technologies prepares our students for life
beyond high school.
By utilizing the Tablet PC in courses, students increase
opportunities for in-depth learning and knowledge
construction that research demonstrates improves
student learning and achievement. Students are engaged
in learning - an important link to student achievement -
when they use e-books, take digital handwriting notes,
research databases and the Internet for information, and
produce professional-looking work.
As we study the effects of De La Salle students’
academic success prior to the implementation of the
Tablet PC Program, as compared with those students
who used this method of learning throughout their
high school years, we find a significant improvement
in standardized test scores. In the areas of English
and reading, students are now scoring one to two
points greater than before the Tablet PC Program was
implemented. We are seeing a trend of improvement in
science and mathematics test scores, as well. The Class
of 2010 used the Tablet PC for all four years. Upon
finishing their first year of college, we asked for their
feedback on the program, their academic experience,
and their college preparedness.
Here is what they had to say when asked how important
the Tablet PC Program was to their success:
“My experience as a high school student enrolled
in the Tablet PC Program unveiled to me a number
of organizational and technological skills that soon
become integral to my developmental progress as a
full-time, college student at the University of Illinois.
My familiarity with various software programs allowed
me to complete assignments efficiently and neatly as
to maintain a good academic standing in each of my
courses. As a dedicated alumni of the De La Salle
community, I am definitely satisfied with the academic
preparedness and expertise that was given to me through
the Tablet PC Program.” —Alberto Jimenez
“It was extremely important. I am very familiar with
software that my schoolmates in college know little
about or have no experience with.” —Mercedes Zapata
“It was very important. I understand computers very
well and adapt to maintaining and fixing computers
when I encounter problems.” —Jessica Stevenson
“When I arrived at college, the DLS Tablet PC prepared
me to interact with my university’s technology
resources by preparing me to properly organize my
school documents on the laptop in order to benefit my
study habits.” —Ayla Garcia
By incorporating the tablet pc’s into learning, students are able to:
Write and organize class notes and information
into folders for effective studying
Research the Internet for a particular area
of study
Receive critical feedback from teachers quickly
Create and present multimedia presentations
Research, write, and edit reports and papers
Collaborate with students on projects
Access e-books, works of literature, and historical
documents stored on the hard drive
Submit assignments electronically or as a hard copy
Intuitively use a computer as a tool to produce
intellectual work
Take their tablet PC home every day, over the weekends
and during holidays
Experience what academic life beyond the blackboard looks like!
1
WELCOME TO D!
De La Salle proudly announces that the following
individuals have joined its faculty and staff for the
2011-12 school year.
Teaching at the Institute Campus for Young Men are
Blanca Ascencio (Language Arts) and David Hanke
(Applied Sciences). Kenneth Ramey is working in the
technology department of the Institute Campus.
Damian Creazzo (Social Sciences), William Schmidt
(Language Arts) and Mallory Thelander (Applied
Sciences) are teaching at the Lourdes Hall Campus
for Young Women. Diniah Dean is working in the
technology department at the Lourdes Hall Campus.
Simiao Liang (Language Arts) is teaching at
both campuses.
3
Congratulations and welcome to all the new faculty members!
2
1 David Hanke, William
Schmidt, Damian
Creazzo, Simiao
Liang, and Mallory
Thelander
2 Diniah Dean
3 Kenneth Ramey and
Blanca Ascencio
8 Academics Academics 9

TOLTON AT 20
the Tolton Adult Education Center
In its 20 years
of existence,
Tolton has been
recognized as a
leader in adult
education at
local, state and
national levels.
Since its founding in 1991, the Tolton Adult
Education Center has served residents
of Chicago’s South, Southwest and
West Sides as an adult education program that
provides employability skills, family literacy
and child services in low-income communities
without a fee.
The Tolton strategy is to empower povertylevel
adults through academic achievement. This
strategy recognizes that breaking the illiteracy
cycle must begin with the adult who is the center
of the family and community structure. Tolton’s
mission is to provide excellent alternative adult
education experiences within a caring community
where “everyone teaches and everyone learns.”
Over its two decades of existence, Tolton—which needs $130,000 to reach its goals for
this fiscal year—has had many people from a variety of backgrounds enter its doors as
administrators, teachers, volunteers and students.
faith, service & community
Brock Bolton former instructor
Brock Bolton was an adult basic
education instructor at the Tolton
Center’s Legler and Bee Branches for
nine years. Bolton found the experience
of helping others in the classroom to
be so enriching that he has chosen to
make teaching his fulltime profession. Bolton is currently
student-teaching at Ruggles Elementary School in Chicago.
Bolton recently participated in a brief question-and-answer
session with De La Salle Magazine.
De La Salle Magazine: What made you want to teach at Tolton?
Bolton: “I wanted to teach at Tolton because I liked to help
people. I have worked with all types of students, but the adults
here need the help. Adult education has its own intrinsic
rewards such as helping out your fellow human beings,
becoming a close-knit group, and passing knowledge to those
who can utilize it.”
Harold Richards alumnus
In 1992 at the age of 49, Harold Richards
made a life-impacting decision for
himself: He wanted to go back to school.
De La Salle Magazine: What rewards did you receive as a
result of having taught at Tolton?
Bolton: “I received the most important reward: Satisfaction!
Finding my life’s calling through helping and teaching the
young has been most gratifying. The staff of the Tolton Center
is amazing and works quite hard to get students ready to
pursue greatness beyond the classroom. The students are truly
blessed to have them.”
De La Salle Magazine: How are things progressing for you in
the classroom?
Bolton: “I have been student-teaching for eight weeks and
while tired, I feel that I have found something that I want to do
with my life. I have Tolton and De La Salle Institute to thank
for it. They truly gave me the opportunity and ability to get
here. I am eternally grateful!!”
life and about your achieving success. After Tolton, I became
a volunteer with the American Literacy Program and I did that
for a year.
Whether they were in front of the blackboard or seated in a desk and whether they
participated in classes at the Bee Branch of the Chicago Public Library at 37th and State
or Legler Branch of the Chicago Public Library at Pulaski and Monroe or Alain Locke
Charter School at Jackson and Kedzie or the Toman site of the Chicago Public Library
at 27th and Pulaski, everyone who has been involved with Tolton is well aware of the
adult education program’s importance.
As Tolton celebrates its 20 years of excellence, De La Salle Magazine thought it would
be interesting and meaningful to hear from four people who have been affected by
Tolton and to gauge the impact Tolton has had on their lives.
Here are their stories:
10 Faith, Service & Community
So while visiting his local library one day,
Richards asked for information regarding
a General Equivalency Degree program. The librarian promptly
referred him to De La Salle’s Tolton Adult Literacy Center.
After enrolling at Tolton’s branch at Corpus Christi Church at
50th and King Drive on Chicago’s South Side, Richards was
taught English, math, history, social studies and science. In fact,
things went so well for Richards while at Tolton that he was
inducted into the Adult National Literacy Honor Society.
While a student at Tolton, the former tradesman learned about
verbs, pronouns, equations and so many more useful things.
Richards also garnered some other very important benefits from
the staff at Tolton that could not be found on a piece of paper or
in a book.
“They gave me a vision of hope,” Richards said. “I worked
with others and found there were others who cared about your
“The people at Tolton gave me self-confidence and they told
me I wasn’t too old to learn. They helped improve my whole
vision of having a fulfilled life. I’m still in touch with them
after all these years.
“Tolton was a family setting. I still feel a part of the Tolton
family.”
After graduating from Tolton in 1995, Richards went on to
receive his certification as an alcohol and drug counselor
through a program – The African-American Communiversal
Project – at the Center for Inner-City Studies at Abraham
Lincoln Center in Chicago. From there, he attended Chicago
State University.
Richards then moved to Memphis where he got his
Associates Degree from Remington Technical College.
continued on next page
Faith, Service & Community 11

faith, service & community
Richards, who is 68 years old, worked as an alcohol and drug
rehabilitation counselor for 10 years. He also spent 28 years
as an auto and body repairman, having attended Washburne
Trade School in Chicago.
Richards is currently retired and lives in St. Paul, MN. While
some 400 miles from Chicago, Richards still holds fond
memories from his time as a student at Tolton.
“At Tolton, they have the motto that ‘Everyone teaches and
everyone learns,’” Richards said. “That has helped me my
whole life since my experience at Tolton.
“Ms. (Carmina) Renner and Ms. (Sue) Perez and Pam Clemons
were my most memorable and helpful teachers at Tolton. They
gave me hope and they gave me inspiration. That was the
beginning of a new life for me.”
Pamela Clemons continued
and find it difficult to believe that someone really cares enough
to assist with no strings attached other than bringing them to
their fullest potential.
“These students later tell us that they learned to trust again and
allowed themselves to let their guard down. To me, there is no
greater compliment of what teachers and staff can do collectively
to create a learning environment in which
students can thrive on so many different levels.
“We educate the whole student by exposing them to education
and a real-world approach of how to reach success. In short,
students come and stay at the Tolton Center because they are
celebrated and not just tolerated. There is a difference.”
Pamela Clemons program coordinator
Lourdes Garcia student
Pamela Clemons, who is the Program
Coordinator at Tolton’s Bee Branch
site, as well as a language arts instructor,
holds the distinction of being the first
teacher hired at the Tolton Center
nearly two decades ago.
As she begins another year of dedicated and outstanding
service to the Tolton community, Clemons participated in a
question-and-answer session with De La Salle Magazine.
De La Salle Magazine: How long have you been at Tolton?
Clemons: “I am entering my 19th year at the Tolton Center.
I have been here from almost the very beginning and have
been here to witness many changes and program successes.
De La Salle Magazine: What is your role at Tolton and what
have your past roles been?
Clemons: “My role currently at the Tolton Center is a dual one
as I am Program Coordinator and a language arts instructor
at our south (Bee Branch) campus. In my tenure at Tolton, I
have worked with every instructional level and have taught
practically every subject except math at the upper level.
“I worked as lead teacher for many years at Tolton and I
feel I was instrumental in replicating the highest standards
wherever we have been blessed to satellite our program. For
three years, I worked as Program Coordinator of a satellite
evening adult education program we held at Paul Revere
Elementary School and also as the Program Coordinator of a
family literacy program for three consecutive summers.
De La Salle Magazine: What is the greatest reward about
teaching at Tolton?
Clemons: “I am rewarded because I can without reservation
bring who I am spiritually to our students. I have a
relationship with God and I am very aware that my primary
obligation is to serve my students with the very best that God
has blessed me with. I am a product of the community I serve
and feel even more committed to helping our students know
that they can break out of poverty. I love that I am able to
bring my skills as an artist and a social worker to work with
our students daily. In fact, they complement the work I do.
“Most important, I am so gratified when I am able to assist a
student in getting their high school diploma and getting on a
career or vocational track that leads to securing a satisfying job.
De La Salle Magazine: What is your teaching philosophy?
Clemons: “My personal teaching philosophy is that teaching
is about relationship building and having a genuine desire to
serve. Every adult has a purpose in life and should be assisted
in connecting with this. When they come to Tolton, a mutual
contract is made and my role is to assist in retraining their
mind so that a goal or focus point is achieved.
“In my experience, students will not meet with success unless
there is a goal and having an example of someone to be like
is also significant. I’m clear that I‘m learning along with the
student and this is so ingrained in my philosophy and does
so much for setting the stage to nurture the environment for
learning.
De La Salle Magazine: What kind of feedback do you get
from your students?
Clemons: “Students tell me often that they have never been
in a more caring environment than the Tolton Center. When
they compare adult educational facilities, they frequently
state that our instructors and the instruction far exceed any
educational experience they recall having.
“We have students who have been hurt and wounded by life
As the Tolton Center celebrates its 20th year
of existence, De La Salle Magazine thought
it would be interesting to hear from the
people for whom the Tolton Center exists:
the students.
Lourdes Garcia is enrolled at the Tolton Center’s Toman Branch,
located in the Little Village neighborhood on Chicago’s Southwest
Side.
Garcia came to Tolton as an English as a Second Language (ESL)
student with her primary points of focus being learning how to
read, speak and understand English.
Here is an interview with Garcia that was conducted with the help
of Tolton’s Toman Branch staff:
De La Salle Magazine: How did you hear about Tolton’s program?
Garcia: “I go frequently to the Toman Library and my friend,
Veronica, told me about these English classes (which were then
located at the Toman Library).
De La Salle Magazine: What do you like best about the Tolton
program?
Garcia: “I like the program because the teachers let me speak
English. The teachers have a lot of patience with me and they
teach us different topics that I need to learn.
“For example, when I go to the hospital, I can understand
the receptionist. Or when I receive papers from the school, I
understand them. Or when I go to the store, (I understand the
signs). The teachers have taught me about these topics, which help
me and my family.
De La Salle Magazine: Has anyone else in your family participated
in the Tolton program?
Garcia: “Yes, my son, Ricardo. He participated for one year
in this program when he was four years old, before he went to
kindergarten. It helped his English fluency greatly and to relate
and socialize with other children. And above all, to love books.
He loves to look at books and now he already knows how to read!
De La Salle Magazine: What are some of the benefits you have
received from the Tolton program?
Garcia: “The benefits are the fieldtrips. We went to the zoo and
my children loved visiting the whole zoo. They are very excited
about the children’s museum. They are very happy there. It is a
great recreational benefit. Because I don’t drive, I appreciate these
fieldtrips.
De La Salle Magazine: What are some of the things you have
learned/are learning at Tolton?
Garcia: “I am learning English grammar and also to listen. That is
the most difficult for me because it is hard to capture what people
are saying. And I am learning to read and write. I want to learn and
I need to learn to be able to help my children with their homework
and to help my family when I need to read the mail or when I take
my children to the hospital.
“I need to be able to understand directions to know where to go.
Or when I go to the store where they speak English, I need to be
able to ask for the things I need. My oldest son is already speaking
English and I want to be able to understand him. These are things
that I have learned and am learning in my classes.
“I am thankful for the people in this program who have taken an
interest in people who need this help.”
12 Faith, Service & Community
Faith, Service & Community 13

campus scrapbook
Preparing for their
Great Futures
2
6.
Dolores Duran ‘12
For the young women of the Lourdes Hall
Campus, passion and dedication for learning
and inspiring others not only applies to their
work in the classroom but to their experiences
outside of academics. Juniors Jennifer Sansone
and Natali Natera and senior Dolores Duran
are just a few students from Lourdes Hall who
are enthusiastically working to make the world
and their lives better.
4.
Natali Natera ‘13
That same enthusiasm and desire can also be
found in Institute Campus for Young Men
students like senior Dominic Varela.
To expose the evils of tobacco and enlighten
people on the consequences of lighting up,
Sansone took part in the “Share the Truth”
commercial contest as sponsored by the
Respiratory Health Association of Metropolitan
Chicago as part of its Chicago Tobacco
Prevention Project and won the grand prize.
Sansone was impacted personally by the
harmful effects of smoking. Her grandmother
passed away from a tobacco-related illness,
and the 30-second radio commercial she
produced expressed her feelings.
Out of over 150 entries, eight commercials
were chosen and voted on in the TV and radio
categories. Sansone’s radio commercial beat
out all the other applicants and started airing
in late June.
Jennifer Sansone ‘13
Dominic Varela ‘12
The grand prize included a $5,000 scholarship
from Tribune Media Group, a VIP concert
experience from Clear Channel Radio Chicago
and a MacBook Pro from Comcast Spotlight.
The words of Sansone’s commercial united
people and brought awareness about a very
important topic. Natera traveled to Europe for
that similar sense of solidarity.
Natera attended the World Youth Day in
Madrid, Spain from August 16th-21st. World
Youth Day is an encounter with the Pope
and a celebration of the Catholic faith that
specifically focuses on how many youths want
to commit themselves to Christ.
“Everyone came together for this reason,”
Natera said. “I stopped being selfish for a day.”
The opportunity to attend World Youth Day
was given to Natera through her father’s
church group at Immaculate Conception.
She and her cousins spent 18 days in Europe,
meeting young people from all over the globe,
and celebrating their faith.
Among her favorite parts of the trip were the
Mass with the Pope and the actual Youth Day,
where everyone walked around and traded
things with people from other countries.
Natera has t-shirts and hats from many
countries, including Argentina and Ecuador.
Natera was not the only person who traveled
over the summer. Duran and Varela both
traveled to the University of Illinois in
Urbana-Champaign to participate in the
Leadership Education and Development
(LEAD) program.
LEAD is a way for minority students to get
a chance to network with companies through
different universities throughout the country.
Duran and Varela were two of the 2,000
students who applied to this program and were
chosen to be in a group of 30 people from all
over the country and Puerto Rico to spend
three weeks in July at the University of Illinois
in the LEAD program.
Duran went to visit many Fortune 500
corporations during the three-week program,
including John Deere and Whirlpool, a visit
that really sticks out for Duran. She learned
that no guests are allowed in the Whirlpool
headquarters unless they are personally invited.
Along with the honor of being invited, Duran
had fun cooking in the seven kitchens the
Whirlpool company had displaying its products.
As part of the LEAD program, the students
had to participate in a case competition every
week. The students were placed in 10 groups
of three and asked to work on a case study.
Duran’s team earned 3rd place for its case
study on artists who bring in the most revenue.
Duran had such a memorable experience
and is so happy that she was able to have the
opportunity to participate in LEAD. Besides
making a bunch of new friends who have
become like family to her, Duran became
acquainted with students from the University
of Illinois, her first choice for college.
“I’m so glad I did it,” Duran said.
4
1
6
6.
7
5
3
1. Members of the De La Salle community raise
their voices in song during the school-opening
Mass held in the Parmer Activity Center.
2. The De La Salle varsity football team gathers
for a prayer before the first game of the season
against Lane Tech.
3. The Meteor cheerleaders show their
school spirit.
4. The De La Salle band participated in the annual
St. Jerome’s parade this summer.
5. A view of the De La Salle Homecoming football
game from 1,200 feet from a plane flown by student
Tim Quigley ’13.
6. Approximately 200 De La Salle students,
faculty and staff volunteered for the 2011 Bank
of America Chicago Marathon.
7. Senior Jhabri Hughes ’12 offers a petition
during the school-opening Mass.
8. Freshmen Kent Eng ’15 and John Zlotkowski
’15 learn how to use their Tablet PCs during
orientation.
14 Faith, Service & Community
8
Campus Scrapbook 15

Parent place
BECOME AN INVOLVED
METEOR PARENT
Students aren’t the only ones who should have fun during their four years of high school. The parents
should have fun, too, and participating in special events and parent groups on campus are the best way to
ensure an enjoyable high school experience at De La Salle. Here is a list of some of the things you should
look forward to as a Meteor Mom or Meteor Dad:
Parent Association
The Parent Association is a forum by which parents and
guardians can better communicate and collaborate with
the faculty and administration and become more deeply
involved in the school community. The Parent Association
leadership is comprised of a Board and three Committees
that work with the De La Salle faculty and administration
to achieve specific goals benefiting the De La Salle
community. The Board and its members meet every third
Thursday of the month at either campus at 6pm. At the
meetings, those in attendance plan for such events as college
forums, dances and fundraising events, and discuss ways in
which the parents, students, and faculty can collaborate to
further enhance the ‘D’ experience.
Sporting Events
If you have a student-athlete, you will probably be watching
most of your student’s games anyway. However, a lot of
parents get involved with the selling of concessions at
our major sporting events such as girls volleyball, boys
basketball and football.
Freshman Parent Dinners
For incoming freshman parents and guardians, De La Salle
hosts three dinners for the parents to be welcomed into the
Meteor family. Not only are freshman parents able to hear
from the De La Salle faculty and administration, but current
De La Salle parents act as the wait staff for the event and
share their own experiences with the incoming families.
Mother/Son, Father/Daughter Dances
This is a De La Salle favorite for parents and students alike.
Who makes a better date than your son or daughter, right,
parents? On Valentine’s Day weekend in February, there
are two dances, one specifically for the young men and their
mothers and one for the young women and their fathers.
For more information on the De La Salle Parent Association, please call (773) 650-6800.
important dates FOR THE 2011-12 SCHOOL YEAR
November 14-December 14
November 16
November 19
November 24-25
December 3
December 13
December 16
December 19-21
December 22-January 4
January 5
January 13
January 14
Holiday Giving Drive
Open House - Institute Campus for Young Men
Open House - Lourdes Hall Campus for Young Women
Thanksgiving Break
Open House - Institute Campus for Young Men
De La Salle Band Christmas Concert
Second Quarter Ends
First Semester Final Exams
Christmas Break
Second Semester / Third Quarter Begin
Staff Development Day (No Classes)
Entrance Exam
all roads lead
to de la salle
easier than ever to get to the institute
One of the characteristics that makes
De La Salle Institute so unique is the
diversity of our student population,
which is a direct result of how easy it
is for students from the entire city of
Chicago and surrounding suburbs to get
to our conveniently-located campuses
by using either the Metra, the CTA’s Red
and Green Lines, and the De La Salle
transportation system.
In spring 2011, a new stop on the Rock
Island Metra line opened at 35th and
La Salle, creating opportunities for
prospective students to travel to De La
Salle from Joliet, New Lenox, Mokena,
Tinley Park, Oak Forest, Midlothian,
Blue Island, Morgan Park and Beverly.
The 35th Street/ Lou Jones/ Bronzeville
Metra stop is two blocks from the
Institute Campus at 35th and Michigan.
Students who take the Rock Island line
will get off the train at 35th Street and
walk to the Institute Campus, and the
young women are taken to the Lourdes
Hall Campus by a De La Salle bus.
In addition to the new Rock Island stop at
35th Street, De La Salle continues to pick
up students from Union Station and the
Illinois Central Station at Randolph and
Michigan every morning so prospective
students can use all the other Metra lines
as well.
A private De La Salle bus picks up
students at 7:30am from Union Station
and 7:45am at the Illinois Central
Station. At the end of the day, students
are dropped off at the Illinois Central
Station at 3pm or 6:10pm and 3:10pm
and 6:20pm at Union Station.
If you live near any Metra Line, there
is no excuse not to attend De La Salle
because our transportation system makes
it easy to get to our campuses. It is
definitely a convenient and cost-effective
way to get to the Institute.
Sophomore Ryan Rickert lives in
Evergreen Park and takes the Metra train
from 99th and Longwood in Beverly
every day to and from school.
“The Metra train makes it so much easier
to get to school,” Rickert said. “It’s only
20 minutes from 99th Street to 35th
Street. I can read and study on the train
and having the train available helps me
and my family a lot.”
Prospective students who do not live
along the Rock Island line, but still want
to utilize public transportation should
know that many De La Salle students take
the CTA Red and/or Green Lines.
Both the Red and Green Lines have stops
on 35th Street, Sox/35th on the Red
Line and 35th/Bronzeville on the Green
Line, which sits right behind the De La
Salle football field. Like the Metra line,
students take the Red or Green Line trains
and walk to the Institute Campus, and the
young women are taken to the Lourdes
Hall Campus by a De La Salle bus.
De La Salle students are not limited to
those two particular CTA train lines.
There are ways for students who travel
on the Blue, Brown, Pink and Orange
Line trains to transfer to the Green or
Red Line.
For those families who do not have
the option of using the Metra or CTA
Red or Green Lines, the De La Salle
transportation system has eight bus
routes that pick up students as far south
as South Holland, as far north as Wrigley
Field, on Chicago’s East Side and on the
Southwest Side by Midway Airport.
The De La Salle buses pick up students
at major intersections near their homes
and bring them back to a closelylocated—if
not the same intersection—at
the end of the day.
The best part about the De La Salle
buses is that you are able to purchase
bus tickets as your student needs without
paying an astronomical transportation
fee upfront like at some other high
schools. Students can purchase a book
of 20 tickets for $50 which is two
weeks’ worth of rides.
No matter what part of Chicago in
which you reside or which suburb you
call home, De La Salle’s convenient
transportation options and centralized
location make it easy for students from
all over Chicagoland to be a Meteor.
16 Parent Place
Parent Place 17

Athletics
2011 FALL Sports RECAP Sports hall of fame
GIRLS TENNIS A cause for optimism for the Meteors was the play of
Khalia Powell ’14, who finished the season with a perfect mark of 9-0 in
Girls Catholic Athletic Conference competition in the regular season. In
the postseason, De La Salle tied for fifth in the GCAC Red Tournament
with Powell garnering second place at No. 1 singles.
As a team, the Meteors defeated Seton Academy, St. Joseph, St.
Scholastica and Maria over the course of the season.
Girls Swimming The primary highlight for the Meteors was a
victory over Maria to begin the season.
Girls Volleyball Four Meteor volleyball players earned All-Girls
Catholic Athletic Conference White Team plaudits for their efforts during
the 2011 season. Bridget White ’12 was chosen the Player of the Year
in the GCAC White, while Arianna Hayden ’12, Natalie Arredia ’15 and
Julianna Townsend ’14 also garnered places on the All-GCAC Team.
In regular season play, the Meteors won the De La Salle Tournament as
Carleigh Barringer ’15 and White ’12 were selected to the All-Tournament
Team with Barringer being named the Most Valuable Player.
In the postseason, De La Salle won the Illinois High School Association’s
Class 3A King Regional, defeating Gage Park and King. The Meteors
then advanced to the Class 3A De La Salle Sectional that took place after
printing deadlines.
Girls Cross Country In girls cross country, the Meteors’ season
was highlighted by a fourth-place finish at the IHSA Class 2A U-High
Regional. Members of the team that advanced to the sectional were
Margaret Rocha ’14, Miranda Elizalde ’13, Diana Trujillo ’13, Kayla Hui
’14, Christine Sanchez ’13, Victoria Alvarez ’13 and Brenda Esparza ’13.
The sectional was held after printing deadlines.
Boys Cross Country In boys cross country, the Meteors’ season
featured a fifth-place finish at the U-High Regional. Representing De
La Salle on the sectional-qualifying team were Pat Schiller ’14, Jeremy
O’Brien ’12, Johnny Torres ’13, Kevin Bansley ’12, Brian Bansley ’14,
Daniel Leon ’15 and Joseph Benson ’13.
Boys Soccer Victories over Gordon Tech and St. Francis de Sales
keyed the Meteors’ Catholic League schedule. In nonconference
play, Latin and Northside Prep were beaten by De La Salle in Lasallian
Cup competition as the Meteors earned second place. Simon
Aldama ’14, Luis Calvillo ’12 and Miguel Mercado ’12 were selected
to the All-Chicago Catholic League White Team. Calvillo was chosen
to the Illinois High School Soccer Coaches Association’s All-Sectional
Team, while Mercado achieved honorable mention plaudits.
Boys Golf The Meteors competed in the Illinois High School
Association’s Class 2A St. Ignatius Regional where they finished eighth.
De La Salle was 11th in the Chicago Catholic League Conference meet.
In regular-season play, the Meteors were 8th at the Bishop McNamara
Invitational and 14th at the St. Laurence Invitational. Another highlight
was the play of four-year starter Jonathan Davis ’12.
Boys Football The Meteor varsity finished the season with an
overall record of 4-5. Attaining All-Chicago Catholic League White
First Team accolades were James Buss ’12, Jordan Fisher ’12,
Chris Lisenby ’12, Jared Philp ’12 and Mikale Wilbon ‘14. Buss
also was chosen the Defensive Player of the Year in the CCL
White. Wilbon also was named a Chicago Sun-Times Player
of the Week for the timeframes ending Aug. 28 and Sept. 4.
Named to the All-CCL White Second Team were Ryan Flynn ’13,
Jamarco Jones ’14, Adam Klupchak ’12, Nick Klupchak ’12, Bobby
Popp ’12, Sal Romando ’12, Zack Strock ’12 and Brandon Wright ’12.
On Sept. 30, 2011, five former Meteor athletes were inducted into the De La Salle Sports Hall of Fame.
This prestigious plaudit recognizes this quintet of gentlemen for their accomplishments on the wrestling mat,
the football field, the track, the soccer pitch and the baseball diamond while proudly wearing the royal blue
and gold of De La Salle Institute.
These Meteors who comprise the Class of 2011 will have their names forever hanging in the Sports
Hall of Fame display case in the Toth Foyer next to the Parmer Activity Center.
Please join us as we honor:
wrestler Tom Combes ’94
football player Tom Marks ‘94
football player Reggie Pippen ’94
track and field athlete/
football player Jaikevin Thomas ’81
baseball player/
soccer player Tim Ulatowski ’90
De La Salle extends its heartiest congratulations to all of these
men and thanks them for their many contributions to the Institute
and our athletic program.
A round of applause please for the Class of 2011 as it is enshrined
into the De La Salle Sports Hall of Fame.
GO METEORS!
L to R: Ulatowski, Thomas, Pippen, Marks, Combes
Chicago Catholic League Celebrates 100 Years
METEORS win ihsa academic awards
In the fall of 1912, representatives of eight Catholic high schools in Chicago
gathered to form an athletic league that would provide structure and competition
for its members. One of the eight schools at the meeting – which would serve as
the start of the Chicago Catholic League – was De La Salle.
De La Salle would remain a member of the CCL until the 1960-61 school year.
One decade later, De La Salle would rejoin the CCL and continues to be one of
the key members to this day.
As part of its recognition of the CCL’s 100 years of academic and athletic
excellence, De La Salle would like to honor the former and current Meteors
who have attained membership as athletes, coaches or administrators in the
prestigious Chicago Catholic League Hall of Fame:
Brother I. Austin F.S.C. • Chet Bulger • Al Cech
George Connor • Ron Curl • Hon. Richard J. Daley
Br. Eamon Gavin, F.S.C. • Jim Hoffman
Edward “Moose” Krause • John Niemiera • Stan Patrick
Jim Prunty • Edward Riska • Jerry Tokars • Tom White
Congratulations to these men and best wishes to the members of the Chicago Catholic League for another century of success.
18 Athletics
In the spring of 2011, De La Salle’s student-athletes concluded
the 2010-11 school year in impressive fashion as the girls
soccer team, girls softball team and boys volleyball team all
were recognized by the Illinois High School Association for
their excellence in the classrooms.
As a result of sustaining cumulative grade-point averages of 3.0
or better, these three teams were given IHSA Team Academic
Awards. Over the course of the 2010-11 academic year, 10
Meteor teams attained this impressive accolade.
Members of the girls soccer team were Veronica Alvarez ’11;
Noemi Camargo ’12; Nadia Carmona ’12; Katie Cline ’12;
Dalilah Earley ’14; Maria Gonzalez ’11; Selena Hernandez ‘13;
Anna Nowaczyk ‘13; Zitlaly Perez ’14; Sylvia Reyes ’12;
Maggie Rocha ’14; Christina Sanchez ’12; Herlinda Sanchez
’11; Alyssa Sandoval ’12; Wendy Sotelo ’12; Diana Trujillo ’13;
Nitza Valencia ’13 and Maricruz Zarco ’11.
Coaching the Meteors were Tom Dufficy and Carlos Nunez.
Members of the girls softball team were Jaicie Botica ’11;
Rebecca Brazel ’12; Francesca Castagna ’12; Kayla Castaneda
’13; Kathy Crowley ’12; Kelly Crowley ’12; Jill Duddleston ’12;
Alex Garza ’12; Rebecca Gierut ’14; Natalie Gorman ’12;
Anisa McHugh ’14; Morgan Owens ’12; Carolyn Roberts ’14
and Nicole Roney ’14.
The Meteors were coached by Tom Combes ’94 and
Angelica Espinosa.
Members of the boys volleyball team were Nick Carroll ’12;
Brandon Curry-Tidwell ’11; Pat Galvin ’12; Dan Gorman ’11;
Billy Izzo ’12; Grant Lapinski ’14; Chris Lisenby ’12; Kelley
McKenzie ’11; Tom Platt ’11; Vince Solis ’12; Karol Szacilowski
’13; Eric Tremore ’14; Josh White ’12 and Mario Vega ’11.
Michael Dieter and Ashley Shinnick were the coaches for
the Meteors.
“Winning three more IHSA awards in the spring and winning
10 during the school year strengthens my belief that we have
some of the best student-athletes in the Chicagoland area,”
De La Salle athletic director Tom White said. “Our studentathletes
are challenged every day in the classroom and in the
athletic arena and they always respond, thrive and succeed.”
Athletics 19

development
LINK Unlimited
Continues its
Commitment to
Students
Founded in 1966 by the late John C. Parmer ’46 and his wife, Carolyn Noonan Parmer, LINK
Unlimited is Chicago’s oldest mentoring and college preparatory organization. LINK Unlimited
has successfully transitioned 1,700 economically disadvantaged African-American youth
to college by providing academic support through their high school years. The success of the LINK
scholars through high school is supported by their Mentoring, Academic 1. Enrichment, Leadership
Development, and Tutoring and Study Skills programs. LINK students are set on the college
track through College Readiness programming. They have attended many top-tier colleges
and have become successful as bankers, business professionals, engineers, educators,
attorneys, doctors and more. Many former LINK students are now sponsors
and benefactors of current LINK students.
LINK’s programs challenge each student academically and personally,
compelling them to push beyond what they thought were their limits to reach
higher levels of excellence. LINK strives to remain abreast of the needs of
our students, their families and the community. The organization’s history
and long-standing success drive them to continue evolving programming
and outreach, so that these scholars can advance even further.
Since 2001, LINK Unlimited has been a leading partner with De La Salle
Institute and its students. Currently, there are 25 LINK scholars
attending De La Salle. Because of their commitment, De La Salle is on
track to becoming the premier secondary school of choice for Chicago’s
students, helping to develop not only the minds of today’s young people,
but most important, the Lasallian values of faith, service and community.
We remain deeply grateful to Link Unlimited for its investment in
the students of De La Salle.
Growth & Expansion
at De La Salle
In August 2011, the Chen Medical Building, located on
the northeast corner of 35th and Michigan across from
the Institute Campus, was deconstructed with partial
preservation of historical artifacts. De La Salle acquired
this property about five years ago and is looking forward to
enhancing the gentrification of the neighborhood. Currently,
you’ll see a beautiful green space on the corner until the
development plans are finalized.
Over the course of the next four months, De La Salle will
visit with our various constituencies to create a clear strategic
plan and vision for De La Salle for the next five to ten years
and beyond. Through this process we will be reviewing the
following areas:
• Academics
• Athletics
• Buildings and Grounds
• Campus Ministry/Spiritual Life
• Faculty
• Finance and Development
• Fine Arts
• Student Life
• Student Recruitment/Enrollment
• Technology
• Tolton Centers
Participate in
the strategic
plan & visioning
process!
At the conclusion of this process, we will have a strategic
vision to advance the mission of Lasallian education in
Chicago and the financial investment. If you would like to
participate in the strategic plan and visioning process, please
contact Kate Rhodes, Vice President of Advancement, at
rhodesk@dls.org or 312-842-7355 x147.
20 Development Development 21

development
Planned Giving
Continuing Your Legacy
We greatly appreciate those individuals who
remember De La Salle with a bequest or
other means of deferred giving. You will
not only honor your own memories and experiences,
you will also build a legacy that will help thousands
of students receive the Lasallian education that is a
longstanding tradition of De La Salle Institute.
There are many ways you can give a gift that will
last a lifetime and make a difference for countless
students who hope to follow in your footsteps.
Family members and friends who wish to make a gift
to the Institute in memory of a loved one can now
see their name listed on the memorial plaque that
hangs next to the school’s Signum Fidei Chapel at
the Institute Campus.
The Legacy Circle recognizes alumni and friends
of De La Salle Institute who have provided for the
school in their estate plans.
Additions to Advancement Staff
Kate Rhodes
New vice president of advancement
In July, 2011, De La Salle named
Kate Rhodes its new Vice President
of Advancement.
Rhodes, a graduate of Marquette
University in Milwaukee, WI and Marian
Catholic High School in Chicago Heights,
IL, brings 13 years of experience as a
fundraising professional to the Institute,
having worked in a variety of nonprofit
organizations throughout Chicagoland
including Hazelden Chicago, The
University of Chicago, LatzBruni
Partners, and most recently, Old St.
Patrick’s Church in the West Loop.
At Old St. Patrick’s Church, Rhodes
led a team of professionals (including
communications, special events, member
relations, and database management, as
well as several volunteer fundraising
committees) responsible for advancing
the mission, while also planning and
executing the capital and operating
fundraising strategies and goals.
Maggie McEldowney
Congratulations,
Kate, & welcome
to De La Salle!
new special events coordinator
As you conduct your year-end planning with your
financial advisor and tax attorney, please remember
De La Salle Institute. If you are not listed as a current
member of the Legacy Circle, but have provided
for De La Salle in your estate plans, please contact
Iris Gist Cochran, Director of Development, at
312.842.7355, ext. 152 or cochrani@dls.org.
Congratulations
& welcome back
to ‘D’, Maggie!
In September, 2011, De La Salle
welcomed Maggie McEldowney as
its new Special Events Coordinator.
McEldowney, who is a former intern in De
La Salle’s Advancement Office, is a graduate
of the University of Illinois at Urbana-
Champaign with a degree in Media Studies
and Communications. McEldowney is a
graduate of Marist High School.
“During my internship, I had a wonderful
time getting to know the school, and what
we represent as the De La Salle family,”
McEldowney said. “I’ve been able to
meet a variety of members on our faculty
and staff, and see what a wonderful
conglomeration of people we have not
only teaching our students, but also
the dynamic group of students we have
attending De La Salle.
“As the Special Events Coordinator, I plan
to run successful and entertaining events
while proudly representing De La Salle
Institute. Being a part of the Advancement
office, I hope to assist my colleagues in
promoting fundraising at the school, and
keep in close contact with our alumni.”
22 Development Development 23

Does De La Salle have your email address?
Alumni Connection
Alumni Updates
1941
Edward Fietz is retired after working as an
accountant and salesman. Fietz is a resident
of Portage, IN and can be reached via email at
delasalle411@frontier.com.
1951
Patrick Laughran resides with his family in
Orland Park, IL and is working in the field of
package delivery for United Parcel Service as
a loss prevention manager. His email address
is packyog@aol.com.
1965
Ron Gaj is a technology consultant and resides
in Hawthorn Woods, IL. Gaj also informed
us that in June 2011, he graduated from Le
Cordon Bleu School of Culinary Arts in
Chicago. Congratulations! His email address is
rong@dls.net.
1967
Alan Rucker is a music consultant and lives
in Chicago, IL. His email address is
aerco5020@att.net.
1968
Earl Coggins is a senior revenue agent for
the state of South Dakota. He calls Rapid
City, SD home and can be contacted at
ecdutch7@gmail.com.
1971
James Geers is a retired police officer and
lives in Princeton, IL. His email address is
jtgeers53@gmail.com.
1978
Alvin M. Lee visited Chicago in September
and stopped by De La Salle for a tour. Lee is
working in the field of law enforcement and
resides in Garland, TX. His email address is
Runningback1978@gmail.com.
1983
Anthony Cater and his wife live in Chicago.
Cater’s email address is acater94@yahoo.com
1990
Danuel Williamson is a special events
logistics manager. Williamson and his family
reside in Chicago and can be contacted at
dwilliamson@cafebonappetit.com.
1993
Jarrett Anderson and his family live in
Springfield, IL. Anderson is working as a
football coach and can be contacted at
dalast3@msn.com.
1997
Thomas Schergen and his family call
Evergreen Park, IL home. Schergen is
working in the field of secondary education
as a teacher and coach. His email address is
tschergen@mchs.org.
1998
Martez Davis is employed in education
as a post-secondary counselor. He resides
in Chicago and can be emailed at davis@
janeaddamshigh.org.
Vincent Pavilionis and his family live in
Downers Grove, IL. Pavilionis, who holds
degrees from Knox College and North
Central College, is teaching in Park Forest, IL.
He and his wife, Shelley, became parents in
April, 2011. Pavilionis’ email address is
vincepavilionis@yahoo.com.
1999
Robert Aguilar is working as a transportation
engineer and lives in Chicago. His email
address is aguilarjr.robert@ymail.com.
2000
Rodolfo Ruiz Jr. lives in Chicago with
his wife and is a student at Northeastern
Illinois University. Ruiz can be reached at
r_ruiz6047@yahoo.com.
2001
Michael Brown is an admissions counselor as
well as the Chicago regional representative
for Illinois College. Brown’s email address is
michael.brown@ic.edu.
2005
Andrew Mack works in the Office of
Undergraduate Admissions as an admissions
counselor for Valparaiso University. Mack can
be contacted at Andrew.mack@valpo.edu.
2006
Vincent Hardy resides in Chicago. His email
address is hardy7124@gmail.com.
2007
Danny Solis has been hired as an assistant
baseball coach at De La Salle. After
graduating from De La Salle, Solis played
collegiately at South Suburban College and
McKendree College. Congratulations and
welcome back to ‘D’!
2009
Lance Corporal Christian Mondragon is
serving in the United States Marine Corps
and is currently deployed in the Helmand
Province of Afghanistan. His email address
is cmondragon26@yahoo.com. De La Salle
thanks Mondragon for his service to our
country and wishes him a safe return to
Chicago when his tour of duty is completed.
Tom Plaszewski lives in Chicago. His email
address is tompwah13@gmail.com.
Alumnae Updates
1980
Georgann Martinkus lives in Chicago and is
working as an accountant. Her email address
is gmartinkus@yahoo.com.
2001
Maria Gaitan is an office manager and lives in
Chicago. Her email address is sweetmaria24@
yahoo.com.
Evelyn Paredes resides in Chicago with
her family. She can be reached by email at
evelynparedes5@gmail.com.
William Malone
It is with great sadness
that De La Salle wishes
to inform its alumni and
friends that alumnus
William Malone, a
graduate of the Class of
2008 who was serving
in the United States Air
Force, passed away on
Sept. 25, 2011 at the
age of 21 at McChord
Air Force Base in
Washington State.
While a student at De La Salle, Airman Malone was
a four-year member of the chess team, as well as a
member of Lasallian Youth.
De La Salle extends its deepest sympathies and
prayers to the Malone family and thanks them for
William’s service to our country.
St. John Baptist De La Salle, pray for us.
Our Lady of Lourdes, pray for us.
Live Jesus in Our Hearts, Forever!
De La Salle Institute extends its
deepest sympathies to the families
of the following De La Salle and
Lourdes alumni and friends who
have recently passed away:
Mr. William J. Buckley ‘46
Mr. Albert R. Cech ‘60
Mr. Thomas F. Dorencz ‘53
Mr. William F. Dwyer ‘45
Mr. Gerald Fitzgerald ‘49
Mr. Donald J. French ‘49
Mr. John Gilbert
Mr. Russell Harvey
Ms. Evonne Hill
Mrs. Anne Kairis
Mr. Bernard Kelly ‘48
Ms. Evelyn Kozlowski ‘L57
Mr. Terrence J. McHugh ‘52
Mr. Robert E. Murphy ‘56
Mr. Arthur Papineau ‘51
Mr. Anthony Passafiume ‘63
Mr. Robert J. Rodzon ‘66
Mr. John J. Rogosich ‘64
Mr. Gus A. Schumann ‘45
Mr. Craig Taylor ‘81
Mr. William E. Vincent ‘49
Mr. Francis J. Weiter ‘33
Mr. Kenneth Wicks ‘61
Mr. John P. Yandel ‘49
Eternal rest grant unto them, O
Lord, and may perpetual light shine
upon them. May their souls and all
the souls of the faithful departed
rest in peace. Amen.
St. John Baptist De La Salle, pray
for us. Our Lady of Lourdes,
pray for us. Live Jesus in our
hearts, forever.
24 Alumni Connection
Alumni Connection 25

Alumni Connection
ALUMNI WEEK RECAP
From Sept. 28 through Oct. 1, De La Salle held Alumni
Week in which all the graduates of De La Salle as well
as Lourdes were invited back to the Institute to participate
in a variety of informative, fun and memorable events.
Alumni Week began with the inaugural Extollo Golf Outing
held at Gleneagles Golf Course in Lemont. Plans are already
being made for next fall’s Extollo Golf Outing. De La Salle
would like to thank the Chavarria family for its leadership in
making the Extollo Golf Outing a success.
Thursday, September 29th was an exciting and energetic
day at De La Salle. Not only was it Spirit Week for the
students in anticipation of Homecoming, but over 20 alumni
returned to both the Institute and Lourdes Hall campuses to
share their career paths with the juniors and seniors. The
students enjoyed hearing about “a day in the life” of various
professions. The alumni had the chance to tour the hallways
and spend time in the classroom again, while recalling their
own high school days. Alumni shared how they chose their
career path, how their educational experience helped prepare
and shape their lives, as well as their keys to success. It was
apparent that De La Salle and Lourdes High School had a
positive impact on the lives of our alumni, not to mention the
impression they made on students this day!
If you would like to participate in Alumni Career Day next
year, please contact Maggie McEldowney in the Advancement
Office at mceldowneym@dls.org.
The third event was the Sports Hall of Fame reception and
induction ceremony that took place prior to and at halftime of the
Meteors’ varsity football game against Lake Forest Academy.
Not only were Tom Combes ’94, Tom Marks ’94, Reggie
Pippen ’94, Jaikevin Thomas ’81 and Tim Ulatowski ’90
enshrined, but the Meteors also beat the Caxys by a count
of 33-23.
Alumni Week wrapped up with the 116th Annual Alumni
Banquet taking place at Adrianna’s Banquets as Ron
Finlay ’82 and Sam Finlay ’81 were our gracious hosts.
The evening was highlighted by the Honor Keys presented
to Jack Ward ’54 and the late Mike Vitek ’64. The
jubilee classes of 1961 and 1986 also were recognized in
celebration of their 50th and 25th anniversaries.
De La Salle would like to thank everyone who participated
in this year’s Alumni Week and invites everyone to
participate in Alumni Week 2012.
1
1 Shawn Dalcour ’80,
an executive with IBM,
addressed students in
Dale Burke’s mathematics
class on
Career Day.
2 Arthur Solverson ’65,
an accountant for the
Wrigley Company,
joined De La Salle
president Fr. Paul
Novak and Ray Garcia
’03, a member of the
Chicago White Sox’
media relations staff,
prior to Career Day.
2
EUGENE PONTILLO ‘43
of Premium Marketing, Inc.
By Tom Lyons ‘43
Eugene (Gene) Pontillo ’43 attended
Haines Elementary School near 23rd
and Wentworth and came to De La
Salle on the recommendation of his parish
priest. From the four years Pontillo spent
at the Institute, he remembers well the
guidance he received from Brothers Austin,
Ralph and Vincent.
Upon graduation, with the United States
completely committed to its World War
II efforts, Gene, like most of his other
classmates, entered the military. He enlisted
in the Navy Air Corps, and was assigned to
patrol bomber duty, flying missions in the South
Pacific and gathering weather data critical to
the invasions of Guam, Tinian, and Saipan. He
served with distinction from 1943-46.
Using the GI Bill, Gene attended Loyola
University and earned his bachelor of science
in commerce in 1950, and began his marketing
career working for King Korn Marketing. The
Reuben H. Donnelly Corporation wanted to get
into the direct mail business and tapped Gene’s
expertise in that field.
Pontillo later formed his own company,
Premium Marketing, Inc., and for 40 years
worked with J.C. Penney, Montgomery
Ward, Sears, Shell, Mobil, Magnavox,
Panasonic, and others, bringing brochures on
practical, well-accepted houseware products to
consumers via their monthly billing statements.
In 1998, Gene closed down the direct mail
business and formed Genie Fulfillment
Services LTD, a supplier in Lake Zurich, IL.
In addition to these endeavors, Gene became
part-owner and managing general partner
in Ditka’s Restaurant in Chicago in the late
1980’s, and later opened Luigi’s of Hong
Kong and Ponti’s Italian Restaurant and
Ocean Ranch in Lake Zurich.
Besides all of the above, Gene involves
himself in many charitable organizations.
Helping people is number one on his list of
things to do for the day, and his generosity
has touched many. Through the Food for the
Poor Ministry, Gene has funded six homes and
provided many other items for impoverished
families in Latin America and the Caribbean.
In Memphis, he sponsors three children at
St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, and
closer to home, in addition to underwriting the
tuition for four students at St. Malachy’s, an
inner-city parish where he has become known
as one of their “Angels Among Us,” Gene
supplies turkeys to all the parishioners at
Christmas. Christmas turkeys also go to The
Sisters of Mercy and The Sisters of St. Theresa.
Gene and his wife of 63 years, Josephine,
have been blessed with three daughters,
Theresa Anne, Jean Anne, and Rose Anne,
all born on or near St. Anne’s Day, hence
the same middle names. All are married
with families and doing well. With seven
grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren,
Gene and Josephine are very busy grandparents.
Clearly, Gene is surrounded by a multitude of
family and friends, and this helps to keep him
“healthy, wealthy and wise.”
The Pontillo family lives in Mundelein, IL.
scrapbook career day & Alumni Banquet
3
4
5
6
7
8
3 American Bar Association program associate
Shawn Sanford ’04 provided beneficial advice
and insight to students in Justin Costello-
Stebelton’s American Literature class at the
Lourdes Hall Campus for Young Women.
4 Genetic engineer Peter Wilczak ’61 explained
his career field to students in George Dzuricsko’s
Honors Physics class at the Lourdes Hall
Campus for Young Women.
5 Brothers Thomas Ward ’56, Jack Ward
’54, Jim Ward ’48, Bernard Ward ’51 and
Neil Ward ’59 enjoyed their family reunion
at the 116th Annual Alumni Banquet.
6 The family of former De La Salle coach Mike
Vitek ’64 accepted his posthumously-awarded
Honor Key after its presentation by Fr. Paul
Novak, OSM (left) and De La Salle Alumni
Association president Steve Burrows ’91 (right).
7 Members of the Class of 1961 celebrated
their Golden Jubilee at the 116th Annual
Alumni Banquet.
8 Prentiss Jackson ’67, Alan Rucker ’67 and
Dr. James Hunter ’72 shared a moment
during the 116th Annual Alumni Banquet.
Alumni Connection 27

Office for Advancement
3455 S. Wabash Ave.
Chicago, Illinois 60616-3827
312.842.7355
Parents:
If this is addressed to your son or daughter
and he or she no longer resides there, please
contact De La Salle’s Office for Advancement
by phone or with the enclosed envelope so
that we may update our records.
Have you considered a planned gift to De La Salle?
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Entrance
Exam for the
De La Salle
Class of 2016
Saturday, January 14, 2012
8 AM
All students taking the exam will
report to the Institute Campus at
3434 S. Michigan Ave. The exam fee
is $25. For more information, please
contact De La Salle’s Director of
Admissions, Chuck Kuhn, at 312-
842-7355 ext. 150 or kuhnc@dls.org.
Fifth Annual
Great Futures Gala
Friday, April 20, 2012
University Club of Chicago
76 E. Monroe St.
Join us for our annual black-tie event
that celebrates De La Salle Institute as
“the place where great futures begin”
and raises funds for the school’s student
financial assistance program. At the 2011
Great Futures Gala, more than $240,000
was raised to support the educational
mission of De La Salle Institute.
21st Annual D-Final Event
Monday, April 2, 2012 6 pm
Parmer Activity Center
Since 1991, friends, family, classmates, parents, co-workers and neighbors
have been gathering at De La Salle for the D-Final Event. Together, we watch
the NCAA men’s basketball championship game on four 9 X 12 foot screens,
enjoy a buffet dinner and open bar, bid on the silent auction and more.
Go Meteors! All proceeds benefit De La Salle’s athletic program.
De La Salle Golf Classic
De La Salle Golf Classic
Wednesday, June 27, 2012
Gleneagles Golf Course, Lemont, IL
A day on the links is a great day! All proceeds from the Golf Classic
benefit the scholarship program at De La Salle Institute. This important
program brings a De La Salle education within reach for every young
man and woman who desires to attend the Institute.
To receive an invitation for
these events, please contact
De La Salle’s Director of
Development, Iris Gist Cochran,
at 312-842-7355 ext. 152 or
cochrani@dls.org.
To become involved or
volunteer for these events,
please contact De La Salle’s
Special Events Coordinator,
Maggie McEldowney, at
312-842-7355 ext. 146 or
mceldowneym@dls.org.
For more information, please
visit our website at www.dls.
org/development/events.