Across the globe, the Lasallian mission exists in 80 different countries, with varying intercontinental institutions spanning from North America to New Zealand. 

Linking all of these schools — separated by languages, cultures, and miles — together are the core values of De La Salle.

Aiming to emphasize this, and gain a better understanding of La Salle’s place in this international community, three Christian Brothers — Vicar General Br. Carlos Gómez along with General Councillors Br. Ricardo Laguda and Br. Chris Patiño — visited La Salle on Friday, March 7. After a tour of the school, led by juniors Gabrielle Jones and Sawyer Kerrigan, the brothers met with a student panel before visiting different classrooms. 

The panel was composed of seven students: sophomore Gabe Gallares, sophomore Jack London, junior Finn Christensen-McElroy, junior Kat Marks, junior Leah Simon, senior Mason Mueller, and senior Nicholas Arms. 

Opening the meeting, Br. Patiño introduced the brothers and thanked the students, saying it’s “a blessing to be here with you.” 

Brief introductions from the students gathered were followed by a questionnaire-led discussion, where the Brothers asked the students about their experience at La Salle, their perspective on the world, and their takeaways from their time in high school. 

Several students highlighted La Salle’s community and how, through the core values and collaboration with others, they were able to forge relationships crucial to both their time in high school and beyond.

“Our high school career is really short,” London, a third generation La Salle student, said. “Having that community is really important.” 

For Simon, these connections between students are especially apparent during their last year at the school, something she is excited about looking ahead. 

“People … really make the most of the time they have left,” she said. “La Salle is a great place to be a senior.” 

However, Simon also mentioned how her time at La Salle has opened her to a “much broader view of the world” through experiences like service immersions. Touching on her recent trip to El Paso as part of El Otro Lado immersion, Simon spotlighted that, for her, seeing people live out La Salle’s core banners and utilize their talents to help others resonated with her perspective on faith and the core values. 

“Knowing how to apply your faith to the world … allows you to connect your faith to others,” she said. 

Because La Salle offers many service opportunities, there’s a multitude of ways to be involved in the core values of the school, whether it’s through food drives or volunteering with Lot Whitcomb, Gallares noted. 

“While this is a high school, sometimes it does feel like a mission,” he said.

For Mueller, Gallares, and London, when asked about their point of view on the world at large — and what change is needed — they highlighted that it’s crucial to work towards broader goals, like increased empathy, humanity, and tolerance, within individual communities first. 

“We can make a change for younger generations and the future,” London said. “Our actions have a difference … here in our communities and here in our hearts.” 

In response to London, and mirroring his point of view, Br. Gomez expressed that “small things can make a difference, even more than strong things.”

Following the students’ discussion, the Brothers spoke about what they had seen and heard from fellow Lasallian students around the world, echoing many of the remarks and responses from the panel. The common threads across the places they’ve visited — such as London and L.A. — include a “sense of belonging,” Br. Patiño said, along with a “desire to work for justice and peace” and to answer the question “how can we be part of the solution, not part of the problem?”  

After the meeting, the Brothers went to three classrooms to talk to students and offer them a chance to ask questions about the Lasallian Brotherhood. 

Visiting the Honors French 3 classroom during 6th period was Brother Carlos, who spoke highly about his experience working with students at a school in Ethiopia, which gave him an appreciation for the country’s rich culture and languages. He also emphasized the importance of education and politics. He believes that students should have the opportunity to build their understanding of the world and foster their opinions based on it, especially at a time with increasing global division.

At the same time, Brother Chris and Brother Ricky met with students in Art Foundations and the IDC. At the end of the day, the bell rang, and Christian Brothers wrapped up their discussions before leaving.