Alumni, students gathered with Archbishop Weisenburger for a Mass commemorating school's centennial, lasting legacy of faith
WARREN — A century is bound to bring change, from locations to programs to technology. Yet through it all, De La Salle Collegiate has remained committed to its mission of being "Builders of Boys; Makers of Men."
De La Salle Collegiate, founded by the Christian Brothers in 1926, celebrated 100 years of its founding with a centennial Mass on Sept. 12 at St. John Baptist de La Salle Stadium on the school’s campus with Detroit Archbishop Edward J. Weisenburger presiding.
“The Christian Brothers had a vision, a hope, but I’m not sure they could have envisioned the blessing that has unfolded over the past 100 years,” Archbishop Weisenburger said.
“I love the motto, ‘Builders of Boys. Makers of Men.’ These young men have been challenged through academics and athletics, and we are all challenged to be the best disciples we can be,” he added.
Hundreds of alumni, faculty, friends and family gathered for the outdoor Mass in a sea of purple and gold, the school’s colors, including Tom Pakla, ’61, who attended De La Salle at its original location at Conner and Glenfield.
“We have such a strong history of 100 years with our alumni and leaders,” said Pakla, 83. “You need leadership, and we see it here with (chief operating officer) Dan Rohn. He is a leader and a coach, and he is driving the rudder.”
Pakla continues to attend events at De La Salle and proudly embraces his connection to the school: “I’ve had a great run,” he said. “I’m glad to be here. This has been unbelievable.”
Rohn reflected on the school’s history and said that as the school celebrates a century of faith, service and leadership, the celebration is also a reminder that its greatest legacy is found in the young men who have walked its halls and gone on to make a difference in the world.
“We are celebrating 100 years of what’s been built for De La Salle, and now it’s our turn to build the next 100. Happy anniversary, De La Salle Collegiate,” Rohn said.
Rohn encouraged those gathered to continue the celebration by attending the centennial gala, scheduled for Oct. 3 at the Detroit Institute of Arts.
De La Salle senior Gavin Velicevic played the piano during Mass. For him, the centennial year has meaning.
“To be able to celebrate 100 years of an honored legacy at De La Salle is an incredible honor, especially to be a part of the liturgy which celebrates 100 Years to the date of dedication,” Velicevic said. “I’m excited for all of the memories left to make this year. They’re going to be ones that I’ll never forget.”
Dominic Aldini, ’12, who sang during the centennial Mass, reflected on how much the school has changed in the 14 years since his graduation.
“It’s really nice,” Aldini said, noting the transformation of the former library into the Steve & Kathy McShane STEM Center and the addition of robotics and aviation classrooms. “These are great changes, but it’s nice to see that so many traditions are still here as well. Here, you can see the future and still keep the past. Our traditions are still alive.”
Following Mass, an open house reception was held inside the school, where Msgr. Gary Smetanka, ’74, who serves at Our Lady Star of the Sea Parish in Grosse Pointe Woods, blessed the school's new Bloomberg Center & Finance Lab.
The center is designed to prepare students for careers in finance, business, entrepreneurship, marketing, communications and emerging technologies. De La Salle is the only high school in Michigan with Bloomberg technology.
For more information about upcoming De La Salle Collegiate centennial events, visit www.delasallehs.com.
Michelle Samartino is the sports information director at De La Salle Collegiate High School.
