Class of 2024
The Class of 2024 was asked in the final week to reflect back on what attending Del meant to them. These are the submissions we received:
Jake Ashcroft
McGill University- Management
What does community even mean? I was reflecting on this with all my friends the other night over cards- why am I so sad to leave?
When you walk into DEL, you're surrounded by people who care; students, staff and administration all have one goal and that is to harvest the best version of you that there is. DEL is challenging, stressful, demanding, but not unreasonable – the support systems in place are set up so that anyone who wants to succeed can succeed.
We become oblivious to this and forget how lucky we are to have such caring surroundings. It was a conversation I had with coach Zweig that put this into perspective for me. We asked “sir, how did you like your first year at Del?” and his response was “it was an honour to teach you guys.”
How many students can say their teachers are honoured to teach them. And extrapolating that to the future – how many people are actually looking out for your best interests. Nowhere I go for the rest of my life will I have the support behind me that I had at DEL, and I am forever grateful for what I took away from DEL. I’ve been hearing the same saying “you get out what you put in,” over and over again these past few weeks as I look at my future, but I would encourage any student who is lucky enough to attend DEL to apply that same philosophy.
All this to say, the bonds I have formed here are next to none – but what I will truly miss is an environment where everyone can succeed – its rare, special, and I would not trade these past six years for any other experience that I could find.
Madelyn Bester
Queen’s University- Commerce
When asked what Del means to me, I could talk for hours. For the last four years, Del has been my second home and family. As my older brother went to Del and loved it, I always dreamed of following in his footsteps and attending the school myself. Now that it’s all over, I am nothing but grateful for all of the incredible lessons and opportunities that Del has provided me.
From starting out in Grade 9 signing in to gym class online due to Covid, to sleeping on the field and signing our blazers on our last day of classes, Del has left me with unforgettable memories. Although it can be tough at times - loads of homework, long exams (can’t forget APs), and managing the crazy schedule of classes, sports, and clubs - I am fortunate to have been part of this community that always supports one another.
Thank you Del for giving me friendships that I will cherish forever, pushing me outside of my comfort zone and giving me the confidence to try new things, and leaving me with the best four years of my life. “D to the E to the L A S A L L E! DEL! You know it! Woo!”
Andreea Bogdan
Queen's University- Health Sciences
In the past eight years at DEL, since grade 5, I have made countless memories and friends, and experienced moments that have shaped me into who I am today. DEL has been more than just a school to me; it has been a second home, and I couldn't have made it to where I am now without the amazing teachers at DEL who are kind, caring, and always want the best for their students. Their dedication and constant support and encouragement have been the backbone of my academic and personal growth. Their passion and devotion to the courses they teach have inspired me to pursue science with a love for learning and a drive to excel. Specifically, my biology teacher, Mr. Vlahovic, has taught me that it’s okay to be wrong and to always have a thirst for knowledge. Also, he has shown me the importance of having a study partner for assessments, which has helped bring my friends closer and offered new insights and discussions.
The friendships I've made at DEL are truly special, beyond what words describe. Coming to class each day was a joy, not just because of the course, but because of the special bonds I share with my friends who always bring a smile to my face. We laughed together, supported each other, cried together, and embraced our academic and personal journeys together from the beginning. I will forever remember these amazing friendships that have shaped my life. From our late-night study sessions together to doing crossword puzzles and connection games during lunch breaks, I will always remember and cherish these memories forever.
Finally, one of my favourite experiences from DEL was my Biotech class in Grade 12. It was a small, intimate class that I always looked forward to and sparked a passion in me for science and diving deeper into concepts in lab work and research. The hands-on experiments, the collaborative projects, and the amazing group of students in the class made it a true highlight of my time at DEL.
As I graduate, I realize how much I will miss this place. DEL holds a special place in my heart, not just for the education I received, but for the incredible journey it has been. From grade 5 to 12, it's been a time of growth, discovery, and endless support. Every lesson learned, every friendship made, and every memory created has contributed to making me who I am today.
I'm very excited for what lies ahead and am confident that DEL has prepared me for any obstacles or challenges I will embark on in the future. Thank you, DEL!
Delmalisa Cassule Chilombo
University of Toronto - Criminology and Socio Legal Studies
Del to me wasn't only the place that stole my name , but the place I began to explore who I was as a person. Del allowed me to notice many things about myself that I wouldn't have known if I never took the chance to make it into the school. The school has shown me how coming from a low income family and neighbourhood shouldn't stop me from making it just like everybody else. Just because I may not have the money does not mean my future should be different from everyone else. Thanks to my hard work and determination to maintain my scholarship at Del, it has allowed me to find the confidence to work harder and reach my dreams. Without Del, I don't know where I would be right now. I am grateful for the opportunities Del has granted me and helping me to create a better future.
Del will miss being at Del.
Michaela Cauchi
Queen's University- Bachelor of Arts
De La Salle was a second home for the past eight years. Through the good and the bad, this school remained a constant in my life. I am profoundly grateful for the opportunities this institution has given me, and for the message it has imprinted on me: enter to learn, leave to serve. There could not be a more perfect motto to describe the school.
De La Salle gave me a community that formed me into the student and woman I am today. The teachers I have met over the years have shaped me in a very unique way - in a way only educators are capable of. I have been challenged, encouraged, and understood here. I have learned patience, responsibility, and perspective.
Leaving is bittersweet, but I console myself with the knowledge that I will always have a family in this school. Thank you.
Audrey Cheng
McGill University- Bioengineering
I have been staring at my computer for the last 20 minutes as I am at a complete loss for how to condense 7 years spent at Del into just one paragraph. Del is so much more than just a school to me - it has been my second home and my second family ever since I stepped into that 6B classroom. From the 7am Student Council meetings to the 7pm theatre rehearsals, I know that every single minute I have spent here has shaped me into the person I have become today.
I am eternally grateful to the teachers who have challenged me and pushed me beyond my limits. I would not be going into Bioengineering at all if it weren't for Mrs. Kim's Grade 10 Science class, or Mr. Salem's Grade 11 Physics summer school class, or Mr. Vlahovic's Grade 12 Biology class.
The Del community holds such a special place in my heart - the incredible friends I have made here and the memories we share together will last me a lifetime. Taking inspiration/borrowing from Mr. Vlahovic's words of wisdom: I am so so fortunate to have shared the path with all of you.
Alexander Corral-Ignatyev
University of Toronto- Rotman Commerce
Five or so years ago, after a long and tiresome day of middle school, my parents dragged me to the De La Salle Open House. With the long lines of cars parked on the grass, the swarms of parents and their children all simultaneously walking towards the entrance, and the murmur of awe echoing throughout the bustling hallways, a rush of emotions befell me on that sunsetted evening: nervousness, discomfort, shyness, and reluctancy. While sticking close to my parents, I, from a distance, observed. I observed those students in green jackets greet and welcome my parents, I observed the abominably long Physics equations on the whiteboards, and most importantly, I observed that after a brief conversation with a student, my heart was no longer pounding in my chest; my shyness had vanished. I distinctly remember leaving in the dark of the night with a promising feeling of warmth and belonging, something I would have never imagined when I first set foot through the gates a couple of hours earlier. Little did I know that the minute transition in my perspective of the school due to a mere Open House would be a much larger foreshadowing of my change in character throughout my years at De La Salle.
From my exciting, albeit nerve-wrecking first day of high school to my final opportune, albeit melancholy days as a high school graduate, I can only look back and wholeheartedly smile at all the long-lasting memories and friendships that I have made so effortlessly at Del. From class prayers to morning assemblies, after-school tutorials to deeply impactful class lectures, I am grateful for the sincerely human connections that Del fosters, for it is through our shared humanity that we are able to collectively persevere through our most profound struggles, most notably unit seven of Mr. De Jesus’ Data Management class and the entirety of Mr. Sourial’s Calculus class.
But in reality, Del did so much more than teach me to find the limits of functions or to calculate indefinite integrals. It taught me to approach problems, whether they were math equations or intriguing moral dilemmas, with both a critical and compassionate eye, recognizing that every challenge we face is implicitly an opportunity to grow and that every solution, both big and small, should strive to benefit not only me but also the wonderful community around me. In short, I dare to say that De La Salle has prepared me well for the expansive and daunting future that lies ahead, instilling in me the academic literacy, leadership qualities, and unwavering compassion necessary to not only succeed, but to truly make a difference in the world. GO CLASS OF ‘24!
Laura Giancola
McGill University- Mechanical Engineering
I began my journey at Del in grade 9, right in the midst of a global pandemic, not knowing anyone. If someone had told me on that first day that I would eventually be graduating alongside my best friends, holding countless memories, and heading to my dream university program, I would have found it hard to believe.
My time at Del has been filled with countless hours on campus. From the 7 am soccer practices to the 8 pm theatre rehearsals, Del wasn’t just a place of learning; it became my second home. At this second home, I met my second family. From the first awkward introductions to the deep, unbreakable bonds we share today, I can honestly say I have made the best friends at Del.
As I reflect on my time at Del, I am sad that it has come to an end. However, this sadness is a testament to how fortunate I have been. I am incredibly lucky to have been part of a community that is so difficult to leave. Del had not just been a school; it has been a place where I found friendship, mentorship, and a true sense of belonging.
Daniel Guzzi
Wilfrid Laurier University- Lazaridis School of Business
It is hard to believe that 8 years have gone by since entering Del in grade 5. In looking back, I see the journey I have been on as being a nurturing, nourishing, and rewarding one. It is a place that comfortably became my second home, where I made life-long friends, learned valuable lessons, and created many memories that I will cherish forever. I feel fortunate to have been part of a small and caring community where teachers and students come together in unique ways.
I have been blessed with the opportunities to have experienced this through academics, and a variety of sports and clubs I participated in. At the center of it all were the Lasallian values which permeated all aspects of these experiences, in either small or significant ways.
One of the things that my time at Del has taught me is not to be afraid of change or challenge no matter how big it seems. With dedication, perseverance, and the support of the De La Salle community, I have been able to reach new heights that I initially thought would be very difficult to reach. From being a nervous grade 5’er to a grade 12 survivor, the people I have met along this journey and few good laughs have helped me get through it all.
Beyond the great education I received, the valuable lessons about life I learned have helped to shape me into who I am today. I can confidently say that I can now live up to Del’s motto, “Enter to learn. Leave to serve.” While I am preparing to leave Del, a part of Del will always remain a part of me.
Kate Hollister
Western University- Engineering with Ivey AEO
As an aspiring engineer who values the wonderfully rigorous academic environment of De La Salle, what I have taken away from my time at this school has had little to do with science or academics. One of the best decisions I have ever made has been becoming involved in the student life at Del, integrating myself deeply into initiatives that have allowed me to better myself and in turn my community. From programs where I felt completely at home, like Theatre De La Salle, to stepping out of my comfort zone and joining the cross-country team, I have always felt supported by the most amazing teachers, staff, and the lifelong friends I have made here.
Del's emphasis on student life, community, and the arts, in combination with a structured focus on academics, cultivates not just “good” or model students, but those who can truly practice what is preached by members of this community when we say, “enter to learn, leave to serve”. Between pages of calculations and pages of script, between hours of lectures and hours of planning for school-wide events, within the chaos of everyday life, I have learned kindness, patience, and appreciation for things greater than myself.
Del will always have a place within me, wherever I go, and this is something for which I am undeniably grateful.
Zachary Llewellyn
McGill University- Business
I have been at Del since grade 5 and it has become my home away from my home. I have spent 8 years at this school; nearly 50% of my life. I have experienced many firsts and many lasts at this school. Many successes and many failures.
The amount of stress which Del has caused me is unmatched, but I wouldn’t trade it for the world. Hardships and stress unite us together. Whether it be the late night face time calls the night before an exam or the heads up when a teacher is coming by while we are on our phones. We always look out for each other.
And at the end of the day as annoying as some of the rules are Del cares. Del cares how you act. Del cares how you dress. Del cares how you are. Because when you step foot outside of Del, you will quickly realize that no one will care like Del did.
When you get dressed for that first interview, no one will remind you to do up your top button or make sure your shirt is tucked in. But you will do up that top button and tuck in that shirt thanks to Del. Be thankful for those detentions, slips, and headaches because your hardships faced now will pale in comparison to the hardships faced in the real world.
Francesco Logozzo
University of Toronto- Civil Engineering
It's hard to put 6 years of my life that I have cherished so much into words. My time here at Del is an experience I will never forget. The life-long friends I have made here as well as the lessons I learned I won't find anywhere else. The strong community here is something special; it welds everyone together, making everyone care for one another and helping build friendships.
Sometimes, it's the little things that make the most impact, and at Del, everything, even the little things, makes you feel like you belong here. Everyone here is always welcoming, and every teacher wants to see their students bring out the best version of themselves, and that's what I think Del is so good at, helping people bring out their genuine selves and making them better people.
Thank you Del for some of the best memories I could ask for.
Arman Pakravan
Waterloo University Management Engineering
When most people talk about where they grew up, they say they were "born and raised" in that place. While I wasn't born on the school campus, I was raised in this school.
During the 6 years I attended Del, I learned how to improve in many aspects of life. I developed good study habits, learned how to communicate with peers and teachers, gained a newfound confidence in public speaking, strengthened my sense of morality, increased my knowledge in many areas, and made many friends along the way.
I cannot say that I have made this progress by myself because I've had the luck of receiving support from fellow students, teachers, and other members of the community. Any success that other students and I experience in the future are largely due to the groundwork that Del has provided in building students' character.
Jesus Villena
University of Toronto- Kinesiology
For me, it has been an enjoyable six years in DEL. The unforgettable friendships that I have created, the riveting experiences in different courses, and the vibrant atmosphere of DEL athletics, forged a positive and vital change towards who I am before I graduate.
It has always been an honour to represent DEL outside and inside the classroom, especially for DEL athletics, specifically for basketball and I wish that I could've participated in more sports throughout my time in this school. DEL has improved my confidence, trying new sports such as volleyball and frisbee, and creating new relationships with others outside of my graduating class in the DEL student community.
In the classroom, the teachers of DEL have changed my mindset and motivation towards learning intriguing content no matter the course, and frame a smooth transition into the university environment. In addition, the retreats were always an opportunity for a spiritual reflection period that is led by the Faith, and the overnight trips with my classmates will be something to always look back to smile on.
I will never forget this school, and I will look to give back to the school community in any way possible, as DEL did for me. Thank you DEL for these six fun-filled years and I am excited to embark on a new journey in university!