Spring – Summer 2015 - The De La Salle School

Salle-utations
The Newsletter of The De La Salle School
High School Graduates
David Alvarado 2011
Hempstead High School
Christopher Caceres 2011
Holy Trinity Diocesan High School
Derlin Canela 2011
Freeport High School
Kevin Gomez 2011
Holy Trinity Diocesan High School
Brian Gonzalez 2011
Holy Trinity Diocesan High School
Justin Gray 2011
Holy Trinity Diocesan High School
Michael Guttierrez 2011
Waldorf School of Garden City
Shaquille Harrison 2011
Hempstead High School
Dan Jean Marie 2011
St. Anthony’s High School
David Lipscomb 2011
Holy Trinity Diocesan High School
Kevin Morales 2011
Holy Trinity Diocesan High School
Anthony Morel 2011
Freeport High School
Marc Pierre Louis 2011
Kellenberg Memorial High School
Shayan Santos 2011
Freeport High School
Joel Vicioso 2011
Holy Trinity Diocesan High School
José Villatoro 2011
Kellenberg Memorial High School
Dimitri Joseph 2010
West Hempstead High School
College Graduates
Alan Fermin 2007
SUNY Farmingdale
Yomar Torres 2007
Molloy College
Andrew Zuluaga 2007
Adelphi University
We
Volume XIII -Number 2
Spring 2015
d of the C
u
o
r
p
o
s
lass
e
r
a
of 20
15!!!
8th Grade Awards
Award for General Excellence Albert S.
SCIENCE
Achievement Albert S.
Effort Manuel A.
Improvement Orlando B.
ELA
Achievement Albert S.
Effort Kevin M.
Improvement Rolando R.
RELIGION
Achievement Manuel A.
Effort Rolando R.
Improvement Kevin M.
HEALTH
Achievement Albert S.
Effort Khalel F.
Improvement Karl V.
PHYSICAL EDUCATION
Achievement Kenneth M.
Effort Javet D.
Improvement Khalel F.
MUSIC
Achievement Khalel F.
Effort Jerry H.
Improvement Kevin M.
MATH
Achievement Manuel A.
Effort Albert S.
Improvement Rolando R.
SPANISH
Achievement Khalel F.
Effort Albert S.
Improvement Orlando B.
ART
Achievement Khalel F.
Effort Jerry H.
Improvement Kevin O.
SOCIAL STUDIES
Achievement Albert S.
Effort Dilan R.
Improvement Ryan C.
PERFECT ATTENDANCE
Karl V.
Albert S.
DEAN OF STUDENT LIFE
AWARD
Louis R.
Kryston W.
87 Pine Street Freeport, NY 11520
Voice: 516-379-8660
Fax: 516-379-8806
Learn@DeLaSalleSchool.org
www.DeLaSalleSchool.org
Page 2
The Year in Review
From the Desk of
the Executive Director
Our tenth class
graduated
this
June. All fifteen
students had been
enrolled at The
De La Salle School
for four years and
had formed a cohesive unit. They
demonstrated solid growth as gentlemen, commendable
success as students, and a well honed
spirit of service. Elsewhere in this issue of Salle-utations you will see their
photos, read some of their words, and
learn about the next step in their educational journey. I am very proud of
this group and grateful to their parents
for entrusting them to us and working
with us. I commend my colleagues
for their competence and concern
that nurtured the progress of each of
the members of our Class of 2015.
This newest cohort joins 118 others
who have earned a diploma from The
De La Salle School. Our Graduate Support Program provides us with a structured way to maintain contact with our
alumni and to offer various services to
them. Mr. Kevin Rall, Director of the
Program, reports that we are lacking
current data on only twelve of the 118.
Amazingly, 74 of them have been back
to visit during the 2014-2015 school
year. Invariably they comment on the
positive impact their involvement with
The De La Salle School has had on
their life. Often we will enlist them to
offer words of advice and encouragement to our current students and they
do so willingly with honesty and gusto.
Of the sixteen young men who graduated from The De La Salle School four
years ago, ten now have a diploma from
a Catholic high school, including Holy
Trinity, Kellenberg and St. Anthony’s,
and one has graduated from the Waldorf School in Garden City; the five
remaining are at public high schools,
and are completing their Regents exams as we go to print. Special thanks
to those benefactors whose donation
to The De La Salle School was earmarked for our Graduate Support Program. Some of the funds in that category provide tuition assistance for our
graduates enrolled in Catholic schools
and hence make that option possible.
Among the four-year colleges where
these recent high school graduates, our Class of 2011, will study
are La Salle University, Marist College, Molloy College, Mount St.
Mary’s College, St. John’s University, and St. Thomas Aquinas College.
While I am not sure there are any
journalism majors among our graduates currently in college I suspect
we might have some in that profession in the future. The centerfold
of this issue of Salle-utations presents the work some current students produced with the guidance of
their English Language Arts teacher
Miss Christina Rattotti. Please join
me in applauding their good effort.
Thank you for your interest in
our ministry and your investment in our students. Be assured
of my prayers and best wishes.
Brother Thomas P. Casey, FSC
Executive Director
P. S. The fresh look of this publication is
due to the skill of Mr. Alex Vera, a member of our teaching staff. Your feedback is
welcome. Mr. Vera, a recent graduate of
the College of the Holy Cross, was a full
time volunteer with us during the 20142015 school year and will serve our students again next year in the same capacity.
Honoree Mary Jane McCartney receives her
award from Board Chairman Michael Moriarty and Brother Thomas at our annual Gala.
Thank you to all our teachers
for all their hard work!!!
Mrs. Boniello, Miss Pagano, Miss Podmore,
Miss Rattoti, Mrs. Rainone, Mr. Donodeo,
Mr. Rall and Mr. Vera
De La Salle Gentlemen lead the community
in prayer during the Advent Prayer Service.
Mission Statement
The De La Salle School
The De La Salle School is a Catholic School
in the Diocese of Rockville Centre that shares
in the Lasallian heritage and exists to provide a quality education for young men
from economically disadvantaged situations.
We nurture each student’s growth, spiritually,
academically, socially, and physically in collaboration with his parent(s) or guardian(s).
We emphasize respect, responsibility, leadership, and service, thereby preparing the
young men to be caring citizens of the world.
Page 3
The students of The De La Salle School participate in a relay race to raise funds for our
twin school in Kenya, Mwangaza College.
Families enjoy a story together during our
annual Hot Cocoa and Book Night.
Alumnus Devan Casillas
shares his experience being in
the Marines.
Our 8th Graders celebrate their diversity during
the International Luncheon.
Mrs. Rainone teaches students how to play the
drums during our Extended Day Program.
De La Salle Gentlemen Kenneth F., Manuel and
Jean, receive a recognition for their MACHO work
with the founders of the MACHO foundation.
Students work with high school volunteers during
our Extended Day Program.
The De La Salle School had two teams for the Catholic Middle
School Mock Trial Program at St. John’s University School of
Law on Saturday, 16 May 2015. Here is the Prosecution Team
with Mock Trial Judge Damien Smith. From left: Yordys, Kevin
M., Christian A., Dilan, Daniel P., Cleon, Albert, and Manuel.
Brother Thomas, far right.
Ranulfo, Daniel P. and Rolando
compete in the final round of our
Spelling Bee.
The De La Salle School Defense Team with Mock Trial
Judge Bartolomeo Pittari. From left: Raymond, Orlando,
Christopher G., Khalel, Robert, Angel D.; Mock Trial
Coach Susan Bevilacqua, far right. Both teams won a mixed
verdict.
Page 4
Stars in Blue
The reason why this newspaper is called Stars
in Blue is because we are all stars. Everyone in
The De La Salle School is a star because they
make you smile,
even
when
you
are down. All the
teachers show this
trait, so do the
students, and especially the parents. Our paper will
always be printed
on blue paper to
reflect the emblem
and color of our
uniform. For all
these reasons, the
newspaper staff chose to title the paper as such.
Jayden D., Editor in Chief
& Stars in Blue Staff
De La Salle School Lenten Prayer
Service
by Rolando R.
As Easter approached, the eighth
graders in The De La Salle School
prepared for a Lenten prayer service. The service consisted of a
performance, prayers, and reflections on each of the Stations
of the Cross. This event took place
at Our Holy Redeemer Parish in
Freeport, on March 30th at 7:00
PM, and April 1st at 1:00 PM.
The 8th graders worked diligently on their parts and it
was a magnificent performance.
“I found the Lenten prayer service to be an opportunity to give
back and serve my community, as well as an opportunity to
learn about the Passion and go
in depth with our reflections,”
one of the eighth graders recalls.
“It was painful carrying the cross even
though it was not real,” Orlando, who
played the role of Jesus, reflected.
“We had to create the script and
put in the effort to re-enact
what happened in the Passion of
Christ,” said another eighth grader.
“It was very moving because I was
able to put myself in Jesus’ shoes
and experience the pain that he
went through to show His love for
us,” was Miss Pagano’s reaction to
the Prayer service. Miss Pagano is
the religion teacher for 5th, 6th,
Raising Funds for Mwangaza College
by Daniel L.
For Lent every year the boys of The De La Salle School
raise money for our twin school in order to give back.
We have been paying $1 a day to help our twin school in
Lake View, Nakuru, Kenya in Africa. During assembly, we
used Skype to interact with Mwangaza. The boys in the
M.A.C.H.O. club met up on Fridays and created a presentation explaining the next week’s activities. I joined these
activities and it was super fun to play with our world cup
teams. The activities were different types of races such as
a scooter race, a four corner race, a wheelbarrow race
and a sprint race. For those who have not heard of the
four corner race before, it is a race that in order to win
you have to overlap the other team and try not to get
tagged with a noodle baton. Compared to last year’s efforts, I feel like this year the fun and games made a big
impact. Another week’s competition was knock hockey.
The champion of this tournament
was Matthew S., a 6th grader.
Our generous benefactors, the
and 7th graders and felt the Prayer
Fishlinger
siblings, pledged to match
Service brought the story of Christ’s
as
much
money
as the students raised
Passion alive in a more meaningas
a
donation.
After
raising over $400
ful way to the younger students.
dollars,
the
Fishlingers
surprised us
This became evident in one of the
by
not
just
matching
our
achievesixth grader’s reflections.
“This
ment,
but
by
donating
$1,000.
In
year, when I went to the Lenttotal,
we
raised
$1,400.59
for
our
en Prayer Service, it touched my
twin school, Mwangaza College.
heart because I felt that I was really
there with Jesus when He was being
put to death.” Jorge explained, “I
think that it was better than last
year because of the format and
because this year the 8th graders had to remember more lines.”
Many visitors from Our Holy Redeemer attended this year. It
was a great experience for everyone to come together in prayer.
Getting Hyped for March Madness!!
by Khalel F.
Basketball took over the month of
March as colleges played their way
through the brackets to reach the
top! Who will be the March Madness
Basketball victors?
Though many like the Basketball
season, this March Madness was centered around the 8th graders’ college
presentations that they worked so
hard on. From the sport powerhouses
to the academically inclined colleges,
March Madness was an opportunity
to learn and look toward the future!
How did you feel while presenting?
Javet: “Very nervous…”
And how did you overcome that fear?
Javet: “Well, I stuck to what I knew.”
Future Problem Solving
by Ryan C.
A group of selected students participating in the Extended Day Program competed in
a state-wide competition at Molloy College on March 15, 2015. The program, Future
Problem Solvers (FPS), had a number of students throughout the state that competed
by creating a skit to act out. The skit had to present a problem that might occur in
the future and the students’ solution to it. The students at The De La Salle School were
split into two groups, 5th and 6th graders, and 7th and 8th graders. The 7th and
8th grade team came in 3rd place, and the 5th and 6th grade came in 4th.
Daniel L., from the 4th place team, said, “It was a great experience, and I would
definitely do it again next year.”
“I enjoyed watching other students perform, and creating our own skits,” Rolando R.
said. Overall most of the students enjoyed performing, and would do it again.
The Buzz in Athletics by Jorge C.
MLS
•Lionel Andrés “Leo”
Messi Cuccittini is an
Argentine professional
footballer.
•Cristiano Ronaldo dos
Santos Aveiro, GOIH,
known as Cristiano
Ronaldo, is a Portuguese professional
footballer who plays
for Spanish club Real
Madrid C.F. and the
Portugal National
Team.
•New York Red Bulls
hitman Bradley
Wright-Phillips named
MLS Player of the
Week.
NBA
•Stephen Curry was
dominant and the
Warriors made some
key defensive adjustments to get the crit-
ical Game 4 win to
even their series with
the Grizzlies 2-2.
MLB
•José Alberto Pujols
Alcántara is a Do•Upcoming games in
minican-American
playoffs:
first baseman for the
Chicago Bulls vs. Cleve- Los Angeles Angels
of Anaheim of Major
land Cavaliers
L.A. Clippers vs. Hous- League Baseball.
ton Rockets
Washington Wizards
•Bryant breaks in new
vs. Atlanta Hawks
bleachers with homer
Memphis Grizzlies vs.
•Cubs phenom chrisGolden State Warriors. tens left-field seats
with first Wrigley Field
NHL
homer.
•Minnesota Wild goaltender Josh Harding is •Didi caps Yanks’ vicexpected to retire betory with catch off
cause of complications catwalk.
from multiple sclerosis,
according to the Min- •Yankees aren’t payneapolis Star Tribune.
ing Alex Rodriguez a
promised $6 million
•Rangers, Capitals
bonus for catching
meet in third Game 7 Willie Mays in home
runs.
in four years.
Huhh? Science Fair!
by Jayden D.
This year’s science fair revolved around being green and recycling. We learned about helping our environment, not hurting
it. Most of us hurt it without really knowing we are. So, this is
the reason why this year we had this theme in mind. Most of
the students made projects about plants and helping the earth.
Our 5th graders and 6th graders also worked very hard on
their presenting skills. Also, our teachers, Miss Rattotti and Miss
Podmore, gave us time to work our projects in class. So our
class of 5th and 6th graders would like to thank Miss Rattotti
and Miss Podmore for their generosity.
Preparing for the science fair was a process. It didn’t just
come to us, it took a lot of time. As I explained before, we
spent a lot of time preparing. The students of The De La Salle
School bought materials and performed their awesome projects.
The science fair is a fun activity to do each year. This year’s
science fair was especially fun. Everyone’s project was great, the
5th grade did awesome for their first time. There were some
very cool projects. I had a great time and I hope everyone else
did too. The visitors that came to the science fair were very
nice and all of us appreciate that. So I would like to give them
a thank you!
Page 5
Scientific Mysteries Explained
by Franklin C.
How is plastic made?
Plastic is made out of materials such
as carbon, oxygen, hydrogen, chlorine, sulfur, and nitrogen. This goes
into a plastic injection machine. This
machine heats it up to 600° F and
creates what we know as plastic.
Why
do
earthquakes,
tsunamis, and volcanic eruptions occur when Earth’s axis is tilted?
These typically occur at boundaries
between Earth’s tectonic plates. Tsunami waves are formed as displaced
water, which acts under the influence of gravity, aka the Earth’s axis
tilt,
attempts
to
find
a
stable
position
again.
Page 6
Congratulations Gentlemen!!!
Manuel Abreu
Kellenberg Memorial High School
I will always vividly remember the memories created at this school such as the jokes so funny
that almost lead to crying, but most importantly the people that I have grown up with and
whom that I proudly call family. I would especially like to thank our parents, teachers,
tutors, benefactors, and my peers who have helped me climb the mountain of success.
Khalel Florentino Almonte
Kellenberg Memorial High School
Thank you to our teachers for all they have done for us. They
spend a lot of their own time to see us succeed, to prepare us for
the life ahead, and to give us a set of values to guide us. Thank
you to my parents for building me up when I’m down, and making
sure I do my very best in school. Last, but not least, to the Graduating Class of 2015. All of you are awesome, and I’m glad I got
to spend my De La Salle experience with all of you. I wish you
the best of luck in High School, I’ll miss you dearly.
Orlando De Jesus Blanco
Bishop Loughlin Memorial High School
At my time at De La Salle I learned to appreciate my parents and all that they do
for me. Mrs. Boniello and Mr. Rall have opened my eyes to how hard my parents
try to keep me on the right path, and I am a thankful to them for doing that for me.
Thank you all for these four years of great memories.
Karl James Valbrun
Kellenberg Memorial High School
I would like to thank The De La Salle School for the memories
over the years. They helped me to become more of a stable person.
I can now balance academic responsibility and not allow it to
change my attitude towards others. They showed me how to have a
little fun even in times of worry.
Jerry Antoñio John Hernandez Quintana
Holy Trinity Diocesan High School
I’ve completed four years here at The De La Salle School, but it only felt like four
minutes. The school helped develop my character so I could grow up with characteristics of diligence, fortitude, integrity, and of course intelligence. I’m grateful for
the teachers that exemplified these attributes. Most of all I’m thankful for my
parents and brother who encouraged me when things were rough all over. I promise
to continue to be the good man I was meant to be in order to make both worlds
happy. Thank you.
Kevin Roberto Ortega
St. Mary’s High School
I had a blast at the De La Salle School. There are several reasons for my positive
feelings. First, this Catholic school gives you respect and a lot of opportunities. Another
favorite thing is how the staff shows you to be a De La Salle gentleman. They teach the
students to make eye contact while shaking other people’s hands. Secondly, the teachers
at this school give up their time for you for extra help. Finally, this school prepares you
for high school by showing each of us how to take advantage of educational opportunities and to interact with peers and staff. Thank you.
Kryston Anthony Whyte
Kellenberg Memorial High School
My experience at The De La Salle School was amazing! Time goes by so quickly,
it felt like the first day of fifth grade was yesterday! My favorite memory at The
De La Salle School was going to Fire Island. As we climbed up the steps of the
Lighthouse, I thought about climbing the mountain to reach the goal, to achieve
this day! I want to say THANK YOU to the benefactors, tutors, and especially
the teachers. You’ve made my four years here amazing, and I’ll never forget this
place, the fun, and the laughter.
Class of 2015
Ryan Justin Cabrera
Kellenberg Memorial High School
Before coming to this school, I never thought that my faith was that
important to me. Now, being at The De La Salle School for four
years has taught me how to act in front of others, as well as built up
a foundation for my faith. It taught me to focus on what was important before I did anything else. I would like to thank my parents and
teachers, because without their effort and devotion, I would not have
made it to where I am today.
Page 7
Kenneth Adrian Moreno
Holy Trinity Diocesan High School
Over these past four years at De La Salle, I feel that I have matured
as an individual because of the four goals we strive to achieve. These
four goals are respect, responsibility, leadership and service. When I
entered this school as fifth grader these words were meaningless to me.
Now that I’m a graduating eighth grader, I’ve realized through my
teachers what these words fully mean. Thank you.
Javet D. Delbusto
Holy Trinity Diocesan High School
Thank you to all the teachers and tutors for helping me get back on
track these four years. I came to this school as a horrible, irresponsible
student. When I first got here, I honestly thought I would hate it, and
boy I was wrong. I started to care because I noticed how much the
teachers cared for me. So, I began to study and little by little I received a
good grade, then a better grade then the best grade I could achieve. And
now I am a De La Salle gentleman!
Dilan Joseph Rockensies
Holy Trinity Diocesan High School
Kevin I. Molina
Kellenberg Memorial High School
The De La Salle School is huge and memorable school in my
life. I appreciate what all the teachers do for me and my fellow
peers. I want to thank everybody here, and especially Mr. Rall
for giving me an opportunity to go to a special school I’ve desired to
go to. I look forward to being a student at Kellenberg Memorial
High School next year and apply what I have learned here. Once
again thank you!
I would like to start off by saying Thank You. Thank
you to all the teachers that gave 100% to see me succeed.
Throughout these four years I feel I have gained characteristics
that will provide me with opportunities for a bright future.
Also, thank you to my parents. You have pushed me to come
here and I truly appreciate it. Thank You.
Rolando Samuel Ramos
Kellenberg Memorial High School
During these four years at The De La Salle School, I became a gentleman. I was disciplined, taught manners, and respect. Thanks to the patience and perseverance of my teachers, especially Mr. Rall, I became the person that I am today, so thank you. I will never
forget the day that Brother Thomas came to my parish, he reached out to me. This school
saved me from what could have been a bad future, it opened opportunity for me. Once
more thank-you for your patience, perseverance and knowledge. God bless you.
Louis Alexander Rodriguez
Newtown High School
After going to The De La Salle School for four years I have learned to be more studious.
I have achieved this through my teachers, because each and every teacher at The De La
Salle School cares about you and will do a lot to see you succeed. The De La Salle School
will still care about me and others as alumni who are trying to get a high school or college
education. I am forever grateful to The De La Salle School for supporting my valuable
education that will help in the future.
Albert Saintilus
Holy Trinity Diocesan High School
The De La Salle School has helped me become a better person. It has helped
me realize the skills that I have. For four years I feel like I had another
family. Throughout my years at De La Salle I have learned that I’m not
alone in my education and the teachers are here to help, and provide me with
guidance as I go on into high school and with the rest of my life.
The De La Salle School
87 Pine Street, Freeport, NY 11520
Phone: 516-379-8660
Fax: 516-379-8806
www.DeLaSalleSchool.org
Non-Pro�it
Organization
U.S. Postage
PAID
Freeport, N.Y.
Permit #28
Save the date!!!
13th Annual
The De La Salle School
Golf and Bocce Outing
Monday, 28 September 2015
LAWRENCE YACHT AND
COUNTRY CLUB
LAWRENCE, NY
For More Information Call Jeanne Mulry at 516-379-8660
or scan the QR Code above to register.
Salle-utations is a periodic publication of The De La Salle School, a Lasallian Catholic Middle School in the Diocese of Rockville Centre. Brother Thomas P. Casey,
FSC, Executive Director; Mrs. Kathleen Boniello, Dean of Academics; Mr. Kevin Rall, Dean of Student Life; Mrs. Jeanne Farnan Mulry, Director of Development.
The De La Salle School does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, national or ethnic origin, in the admission of students,
or administration of its educational policies, scholarship programs, and other school-administrated programs.