A new school year often brings about many changes — new schedules, new teachers, and, this year, new transfer students. 

Here’s a look at 10 of La Salle’s new transfer students, what their experiences have been like so far, what their hopes are for the future, and who they are — both inside and outside the classroom.

Cole Hopp

Transferring this year from Cleveland High School, sophomore Cole Hopp’s time at La Salle thus far has been “just a really fun experience,” he said.

In particular, spending time with his friends outside the school building and playing on La Salle’s boy’s soccer team this season have been two highlights of Hopp’s first month attending La Salle.

“I just like hanging out with friends … and I also play baseball,” Hopp said. “So, yeah, I really like sports and friends.”

Playing since he was around eight years old, Hopp appreciates how soccer is able to strengthen relationships between the players and how it gives him more opportunities to spend time with his friends. “I think it’s a good team-building experience,” he said. “And I think scoring a goal is just so fun.”

Despite the positive transition he’s had so far, Hopp admitted that transferring to a school where he barely knew anyone was difficult. Still, he did his best to adjust. “Trying to talk to people and get to know people has been really helpful and helped me feel welcome,” Hopp said.

One thing that Hopp said he is most passionate about is his education.

“I just think it’ll put you so far in life,” Hopp said. “It’s really important to start with a new baseline, and I think La Salle is going to give me all the resources I need for that.”

Something Hopp was looking forward to was this year’s Homecoming dance, which is the first he had ever attended, as his previous school wasn’t able to host any.

Hopp isn’t quite sure where he sees himself in the future or if he wants to pursue any particular career path, but he’s OK with that. 

“I’m just excited to see where life takes me, I guess,” Hopp said.

Darcy Boss

One reason that sophomore Darcy Boss made the switch to La Salle from Oregon City High School this year was that she was “just ready for a change,” she said.

While not yet involved in any extracurricular activities at La Salle, Boss plans on looking into joining a few clubs and, next year, hopes to participate in student council, which she was a part of at her previous school.

“I thought it would kind of be nice to do it here, too,” Boss said.

Outside of school, Boss enjoys reading books and participating in many different forms of dance, including ballet, tap, jazz, hip-hop, and contemporary styles. Her dance career has been “going on for a while,” she said, initially getting into it through a few of her friends.

Apart from dance, Boss has a passion for giving everything her best effort because of the long-term benefits she expects it to bring her.

“If I could start doing my best now, then it’ll help me in the future,” she said.

Gazing into her future, Boss has plans of becoming a second-grade teacher due to her love of helping others, which she said she’s known all throughout her life. “It’s never changed,” she said.

But looking forward to this year, Boss is enthusiastic about becoming acquainted with more of the La Salle community and said she wants everyone to know that she is overjoyed to do so.

“I’m very excited to meet them,” Boss said. “And I hope to get to know most people.”

Ella McMahon

Junior Ella McMahon, while new to La Salle, is not entirely new to transferring schools. 

From going to a private school from first through sixth grade to transferring to Happy Valley Middle School for seventh and eighth grade, to moving on to Clackamas Web Academy her freshman year, and then attending Adrienne C. Nelson High School and now La Salle, McMahon said that her adjustment to La Salle has been relatively easy for her.

“I’ve switched schools a lot,” McMahon said. “So I kind of know how it works.”

McMahon described herself as a usually energetic and outgoing person but also as someone who feeds off of other people’s emotions in a given moment, which is something she wishes more people knew about her. “If someone’s down, I probably won’t have as much energy,” she said. “But when someone’s really upbeat around me, I’m like, ‘Oh, let’s jump around.’”

While she plays lacrosse on Clackamas High School’s club team, at La Salle, McMahon is thinking about being a part of the student council or taking part in a theater production later in the school year per the suggestion of her dad, who she said thinks that her lively and sassy personality is perfect for the stage.

“My dad was like, ‘You were so good in sixth grade, you should do it again,’” McMahon said.

Her family, who she said she is extremely close with and spends most of her time with outside of school, is something that McMahon views as the main priority in her life. 

Being the youngest of three children, McMahon thinks that she started getting closer with her siblings once they were out of the house for college “because I just wasn’t around them 24/7,” she said and thinks she also began growing closer to her dad and stepmom this year as well.

Her closeness with her family is also a consideration for McMahon when it comes to planning her future and furthering her education, so choosing the right location for college is important to her. 

Oregon State University and the University of Oregon are two schools she is thinking of attending because they are both her ideal distance from home.

“Because they’re close,” McMahon said. “But they’re far enough away so that I can get away from my parents a little bit, but I can also come home because I will probably get homesick.”

Lee Papajack

Sophomore Lee Papajack chose to transfer to La Salle because of its academics, and she “needed the challenge,” she said.

Although she said that the heavier homework load at La Salle has made her transition slightly difficult, “it’s not too bad,” Papajack said. “[La Salle] is a nice change of pace.”

Since transferring this year, Papajack’s favorite classes have been chemistry, taught by Mr. Matt Owen, and Geometry, taught by Mr. Peter Shelburne, because of the welcoming and relaxed nature of the teachers.

“They’re really nice and chill,” Papajack said.

Art and basketball are two things Papajack is passionate about. Basketball, in particular, is something Papajack has been involved in since the third grade, and she hopes to be able to pursue it in college but is still unsure which school she would play for. For now, Papajack looks forward to playing on the basketball team in the upcoming season.

Two classes that Papajack foresees being impactful to her life and helpful for her future include Introduction to Design Thinking and Tools because of its help in preparing students for future jobs, she said and Spanish because she feels it is important to know more than one language.

“Intro to Design is very based off of, not business, but proceeding with people and employees, so I feel like that would be really helpful,” Papajack said. “And Spanish because I need to learn a second language.”

Jasmine Scherzinger

For the past two years, senior Jasmine Scherzinger has spent her sophomore and junior years enrolled in Kolbe Academy, an online Catholic school. This year, however, Scherzinger has returned for her second and final year at La Salle, having attended the school in person for her freshman year before transferring online during the COVID-19 pandemic.

One reason Scherzinger felt compelled to return to La Salle was being able to end her high school career with the same people she had begun it with.

“I really wanted to graduate with my friends,” Scherzinger said. “I think the experience of having a senior year and graduating in person was really important to me.”

During her time back at La Salle this September, Scherzinger described the experience as “pretty darn good, so far,” because of her previous attendance, saying that “It’s nice seeing everyone again, all the teachers are super chill, and it’s nice not getting lost because I know where everything is.”

In her freshman year, Scherzinger played on La Salle’s tennis team alongside her older sister Sabrina, but, after going online, Scherzinger began playing on Rex Putnam High School’s tennis team last year. Still, she intends on joining La Salle’s team once again in the spring.

Along with enjoying playing tennis and soccer, and being a member of La Salle’s choir, Scherzinger has other interests outside of school, such as reading manga, a style of Japanese graphic novels, of which she has a “good-sized collection,” she said and playing video games.

“Whether [the video games] be singleplayer, multiplayer, whatever, it will be pretty darn fun,” Scherzinger said.

Scherzinger is most looking forward to all the social events taking place at La Salle this year, including assemblies, concerts, and theater productions because “being at home and online is a lot different than being in person and actually with a group of people,” she said.

Although she’s not entirely new to La Salle, Scherzinger’s transition back has not been perfect, as she has had to relearn some of what she once knew about attending the school.

“The biggest thing is figuring out everything again, ” Scherzinger said. “It almost feels like I’m a freshman again. Everything’s new in a sense.”

Arianna Longley

Having a couple of friends who already attended La Salle previous to her transferring, junior Arianna Longley gravitated toward the school when it came time to decide where she would go for her third year of high school.

“So I’m not completely alone,” Longley said.

Coming from St. Mary’s Academy, an all-girls school, Longley is excited to be back in a co-ed environment at La Salle, especially when it comes to school events, like Homecoming, that she said she “really can’t wait” for.

“Yeah, I’m really excited for that,” she said.

Still, transitioning and adjusting to the environment at La Salle has not been entirely easy for Longley. “I came here, and I like the co-ed aspect,” Longley said. “But also I feel like sometimes I miss all-girls, too. …It’s like forcing [me] to get out of [my] comfort zone. But I think I’m doing pretty well.”

Outside of school, reading and hanging out with her friends are two of her favorite activities, and, at school, she hopes to involve herself with a few of La Salle’s clubs, including the Asian American and Pacific Islander club and Book club.

Her Psychology and Catholic Moral Thinking classes are also things she has found interest in at La Salle, saying that Psychology has been “really fascinating,” and, of all her classes, Catholic Moral Thinking has been most beneficial to her because of its teachings on ethics and morality.

While Longley has been told she may look “scary,” she said, due to her quiet disposition, she wants people to know that she really has a more extroverted personality once you get to know her.

“I’m genuinely just really shy,” Longley said. “Once I feel comfortable in an environment…I kind of get a little more outgoing.”

Gordon Thomas

Living overseas for a year and a half before coming to La Salle, sophomore Gordon Thomas developed a newfound passion for issues surrounding homelessness, as his perspective acquired by international travel has given him a new view and urgency of the issue. 

In the town of Ghent, Belgium, where Thomas lived with his family, he saw no homelessness. This issue, one especially prevalent in Portland, was obsolete in the Belgian community. It was “rough seeing the homelessness,” Thomas said, upon his return to Portland. But this issue has sparked a passion for service in Thomas, as he plans to do a lot of volunteer work for Habitat for Humanity, a nonprofit organization that focuses on the betterment of communities, including those in Portland. 

Thomas’ transition back to Portland and his entrance into the La Salle community has been made easier by some of his peers. He has built close relationships with many people on the cross country team, as he feels that the social aspect of the sport has opened up a multitude of opportunities to get to know new people. 

Academically, Thomas is thriving too. An emerging interest in English class was inspired by English teacher Mr. Greg Larson and his instructing strategies. 

“He’s really passionate,” Thomas said. “He makes it fun to be in his classroom and makes it possible for us to also be passionate about what we’re talking about.” Larson, who Thomas describes as “impactful,” has implemented an effective learning environment in his classroom and has made an influence on students already, he said.

Melly Riel

Moving from Jacksonville Beach, Florida, sophomore Melly Riel has taken an interest in cross country running and feels that her social circle has been formulated with the help of the team. The time that the runners spend together during practices and meets fosters new friendships and offers opportunities for students to support each other. Summer exercises led by the cross country team have served as opportunities for Riel to meet new people. 

Fleming Island High School was the school she attended for her freshman year of high school, which was much larger than La Salle, Riel said. However, Riel expressed her appreciation and preference for a smaller community like La Salle’s. 

“Well, I used to go to a pretty big school, so La Salle is definitely smaller, but I kind of like it because everyone knows each other slightly more,” Riel said. 

Riel chose La Salle over other contenders due to the positive impression the school and staff left on her when she attended a tour earlier this year. 

“Everybody was really inviting and welcoming,” she said.  

An aspect of La Salle’s education that Riel sees as truly beneficial is the science program. Already, she has seen how her physics class and other future science classes would be of great benefit to her, considering Riel hopes to pursue a future career in the medical field.  

Additionally, Riel describes herself as a “food person,” and is excited about the diversity of food that Portland offers. So far, she has scouted out a new favorite, called Yama Sushi. 

Riel also notes senior Raphael De Leon as a specific student that stands out to her as really impactful and helpful when it came to transitioning schools.

Lastly, something Riel would like to share with the community is that her favorite companion is her beloved Weimaraner, Addison. 

Brien Williams

Junior Brien Williams has a great enthusiasm for mechanics and spends a lot of his free time working on his 2000 Toyota Corolla. He hopes his enjoyment of mechanics will lead him to a successful career in what he is really passionate about. 

Among other reasons, his transfer to La Salle from Jesuit High School was motivated by a shorter commute to school, the possibility of reconnection with old friends, and a desire for a community where he can experience more of a sense of belonging. 

Williams is looking forward to this year’s club fair, hoping that it will be the opportunity he is searching for to be able to explore La Salle’s opportunities for involvement and extracurriculars. 

Since his transfer to La Salle, Williams considers himself happier. His ability to reunite with friends from middle school has affected and even changed his social circle.

“I think it’s made me more social at school,” Williams said. “You know, with all my old friends, it’s just real nice, and I’m just talking more. I think I’m just happier.” 

Williams also has a strong dedication to being a “good Catholic,” he said. Williams decided to get baptized in the fifth grade when his parents converted to Catholicism. Although he isn’t a “huge fan of going [to church],” he feels it is really important for people to keep up with their faith. 

Chris Rusth

A passionate baseball and football player, Chris Rusth joined the La Salle community for his junior year. Some of his hobbies include weightlifting, hiking around Multnomah Falls, and spending time with his friends.

Rusth’s experience at La Salle thus far has been immensely improved due to a few notable peers and staff members. Rusth describes junior Grant Ellison as “very accepting,” and “a really good leader.” Another member of the community he appreciates is science teacher Mr. Matthew Owen. 

“He’s just so charismatic, he is so funny,” Rusth said. “There is just so much to say about Mr. Owen. He makes the class actually interesting. ” 

Another teacher that Rusth sees as especially impactful is Ms. Sarah Maher. 

“She really opens up your perspective on issues,” Rusth said. “She talks a lot about what she has done and how she thinks she’s helped.” Ms. Maher has helped Rusth to understand the deeper purpose of immersion trips, as she emphasizes the importance of lived experience and utilizing your experience in real-world applications. 

His appreciation for Ms. Maher’s philosophy around service reflects his personal beliefs as well. Rusth feels that “America is supposed to be about everyone getting the same chance,” he said. Rusth feels it is important to uphold the value of equality, especially with America in its current state. 

Rusth also shares his grievances about his lack of a parking space, claiming that, thankfully, it is the only complaint he has had this school year. 

Transfer students not featured in the story above include sophomore Sophia Kelley, sophomore Ben McIntosh, sophomore Elaine Van Vleet, sophomore Cian Schutte, and junior Keadin Henry.