Looking Ahead – November 12, 2021

• Congratulations to Mandarin Chinese teacher, Ju-Chang Wang, who is the recipient of the Teacher of the Year Award through the Minnesota Council on the Teaching of Languages and Culture. Ju Chang has represented DeLaSalle at many conferences with her presentations and participation, as she also built out the curriculum within the program from a first-year level through an Advanced Placement level. There are more ninth graders registered in Mandarin this year than any year before. We admire her work in growing the program at DeLaSalle and are most grateful we are part of her accomplishments!
• Theology teacher Peg Hodapp and Head of School Jim Benson, joined several DeLaSalle students in the Saint Martin de Porres pilgrimage for racial reconciliation on November 6. Named in honor of the patron saint for racial reconciliation in the Catholic Church (whose feast day is November 3), the pilgrimage participants started with prayer at Ascension Church before making their way on a two-mile walk through north Minneapolis to lunch and more communal prayer at the Basilica of St. Mary. Archbishop Bernard Hebda met with the group at the Basilica. Under Ms. Hodapp’s leadership, DeLaSalle’s participants were joined by fellow pilgrims from Ascension, the Basilica, the University of St. Thomas, and the Catholic Community Foundation. For more on the pilgrimage, read this article posted on November 10 in The Catholic Spirit newspaper.
• Gus Langford `22 was named first-team All Metro Boys’ Soccer by the Star Tribune. In addition, Gus was joined by Tony Manciu `22 and Andre Clifton `22 receiving All-State honors in Class AA from the Minnesota Soccer Coaches Association. Gus, Tony, and Andre were all three-year members of varsity team at De and led the Islanders to an undefeated regular season for the first time in school history.
• The Minnesota State High School League, with assistance of one of its corporate sponsors, US Bank, has named Aidan McCauley `22 as this week’s recipient of the “Most Valuable Teammate” award. Each week, one student-athlete is chosen from more than 500 member schools in the MSHSL, and Aidan is the ninth recipient in 2021-22. Aidan, a member of the National Honor Society, completed an outstanding senior season in cross country, as both the lead runner and team captain, earning All-Conference recognition for his running and now, earning statewide recognition for his leadership and character.

Students are reminded of the Out of Uniform guidelines found in DeLaSalle’s Student-Parent Handbook, page 31. (link to online handbook)

Performances are Fridays and Saturdays, November 12 & 13, 19 & 20, at 7:30pm, on the Friendshuh Stage in the Florance Center. Tickets are $15 for reserved seating; $10 for general admission, $8 for students and seniors; and free for DeLaSalle students with school ID. You may purchase reserved tickets in advance here.

• We welcome individual meetings/tours with parents and students, because every “story” is important and every question deserves an answer. We benefit from such meetings as much as you will!
• Prospective students can see what it’s like to be an Islander for a day! Student guests take a closer look at what it means to be a De student by following a ninth grader through a day of classes. Eighth grade students are invited to choose a Monday, Wednesday, or Friday to visit DeLaSalle. We will do our best to ensure that each student is able to attend the classes that interest them most. Click here to schedule an Islander for a Day visit.

Students who have registered for a winter sport are encouraged to attend or participate with their family in PAC (parent athlete coach) meetings for each sport. These meetings provide you with helpful information for the upcoming season. You can find when PAC meetings are scheduled for each sport here.