On Wednesday, Nov. 20, students and staff gathered in the gym to honor the 2024 Lasallian Educator of the Year, Spanish teacher Ms. Amy Gantt. Seniors also took part in the annual Heroic Vow pledge. 

To kick off the assembly, Director of Campus Ministry Mr. Carter Powers led students and staff in a prayer, which was followed by a short speech from Principal Ms. Alanna O’Brien. Director of STEAM Ms. Carie Coleman then introduced keynote speaker Brother Dan Morgan, a 1975 alumni of La Salle, and spoke about what it means to be a Christian Brother.

“Brothers are very human,” Coleman said. 

After being introduced, Br. Morgan addressed the audience and told his story of becoming a brother, which is not something he had planned on while growing up. 

“The adventure continues to this day,”  he said after talking about his decision to be a Christian Brother instead of going to his dream college, the University of Oregon. “Anytime I thought I was going a specific route in my life, it took a detour.”

To close, Br. Morgan encouraged seniors to “be open to where your heart leads you and never look back but look forward.”

Following Br. Morgan’s speech, fellow Spanish teachers Ms. Lisa Moran and Ms. Karen Kessler spoke about Ms. Gantt and their experiences knowing and teaching with her. Using words such as vigilance and piety to describe her, they talked about Ms. Gantt’s willingness to serve and help anyone in need, especially at her church.

“She has a servant’s heart,” Ms. Moran said. “She continually puts the needs of others before her own.” 

Also mentioned was her organization skills, which were reiterated in the next speech from senior Jillian Craeton Raddle, who spoke about her time having Ms. Gantt as a teacher. “She is one of the most put-together teachers I have ever had… she’s kind and fun, but sets boundaries in her classroom,” Craeton Raddle said. 

Finally, after receiving the Educator of the Year medal from Ms. O’Brien, Ms. Gantt gave her speech. Centering it around heroes and her personal stories regarding them, she asked the crowd: “What is a hero to you? Who are your heroes?” 

Ms. Gantt’s grandmother is one of her personal heroes, and her uncles are two others. They looked out for her as a kid when she was left out of the fun her brothers and cousins were having either due to her age or gender.

Reflecting on her time at La Salle, Ms. Gantt said, “I have grown so much as an educator here because of the support and encouragement of this community.” 

Next, it was time for the seniors to take the Heroic Vow pledge and receive their medals. They were asked to stand and to respond “I will” to:

• Will you carry on the Lasallian call to remember the presence of God, value the individual, accept everyone, and respect all people?
• Will you call upon the virtue of zeal and push your limits to respond to anyone experiencing poverty to overcome injustice?
• Will you continue to prepare for life utilizing the quality education you have received and continue to seek truth in all things?

After responding, seniors were invited to walk up and receive a medal from one of the designated teachers handing them out.