THE ROAD TO PERFECTION

Welcome to the latest issue of Lancer Magazine. The theme for this issue is “Better Together” and that is a terrific way to summarize the strength of our Lasallian community. The last twelve months have been challenging for everyone in different ways, but, as they say, every cloud has a silver lining. For the La Salle Community that silver lining has quite often been the reminder that we are not alone in these strange times. Our community of current students and parents, alumni, employees and friends is a strong one that provides support for each other in both good times and bad.

That support has looked different this year as many in-person events have been replaced by virtual ones. As you’ll read, our alumni have participated in Zoom reunions with their former classmates and teachers, in addition to connecting with our current students through participation in virtual career day and panel discussions. They have also joined in serving our community. Despite distance, La Salle has stayed committed to the motto Learn, Serve, Lead and had successful Boxes of Love and Adopt a Family events in the fall, in addition to numerous drives for the needy throughout the year.

In addition to finding new ways to keep old traditions going, the changed circumstances of the last year brought new opportunities. Despite being unable to operate classes on campus for most of the 2020-2021 school year, we were able to continue to have students on campus for our Health and Wellness Through Fitness program. Led by our athletic director, Brian Walsh, this program was born out of the desire to keep our community of students strong physically, mentally, and socially in a safe way.

Our athletic department was not alone in helping to serve our students during this unique year. As you’ll see, our counseling department has also worked tirelessly to support our students throughout this school year.

This issue will also introduce you to one of our fantastic educators, Mr. Jeff Niemiec. Besides being a member of our technology and engineering department, Mr. Niemiec coaches our incredibly successful speech and debate team. Speech and debate is a great example of a program that pivoted but did not slow down during the pandemic. In person tournaments went virtual and our students have been as busy and successful as ever.

And of course, this issue also contains our annual report. The philanthropic efforts of our community are a great example of one of the ways that when we come together we can do fantastic things. We are grateful to all of you who supported La Salle during this past year. With your help, our students returned to campus this spring to two new science labs, better able to help them investigate and discover, as well as completely remodeled art studios in which they can create and express themselves.

So enjoy this issue of Lancer Magazine and thank you for being a part of this community, where we are always better together.

Courtney Kassakhian

PRINCIPAL