10th Anniversary Celebration - October 12, 2009
The San Miguel Board of Directors hosted a celebration on Monday, October 12, 2009 to showcase 10 years of empowering youth through a Lasallian education. More than 100 students, graduates, board members, teachers, staff, and benefactors celebrated the first 10 years of San Miguel. 
President Ben Murray welcomed everyone and reflected on the 10 year history of San Miguel. Founding President Brother Larry Schatz, FSC, and founding Board Chair Frank Miley shared their reflections on the origins of San Miguel. Mayra Rodriguez, 2006 graduate, shared her experiences as a student and how San Miguel has helped her as a senior at DeLaSalle High School. Sr. Mary Willette, SSND, spoke about her eight years as principal.
Board Chair M. Joe Johnston and Ben Murray, together with graduates and students of San Miguel, recognized the parnership of the Lasallian Schools and Ministries, along with the parish Sagrado Corazon de Jesus, and presented them with a framed keepsake.
Closing prayer and benediction were said by Fr. Ralph Goman, Chaplain and volunteer at San Miguel. Music selections were provided by Board Member Liliana Rodriguez and her husband, Harold Torrence. After the program, guests enjoyed hors d'oeuvres and refreshments catered by Salsa A La Salsa.
Reflection by Mayra, San Miguel 2006, DeLaSalle 2010
Good evening. My name is Mayra. I graduated from San Miguel in 2006 and now I'm proud to be a senior at DeLaSalle High School. Thank you for the opportunity to share my experiences with you tonight.
When I came to San Miguel, my first impression was, wow, the school days are long and the rules are strict: uniforms and no nail polish or make-up. But I quickly found out that there are some very good things at San Miguel. I was challenged like I had not been before, especially in writing and English. Because of the small classes, there was more individualized help. I learned the basics of putting my name, subject and date on the top of all of my assignments, a skill I still use today. But more importantly, I learned how to write papers, something I know will continue to use in college. San Miguel taught me some important habits, like always getting my homework done, staying organized and preparing for exams. Because of this, I am doing very well at DeLaSalle High School. More than just preparing us academically, the San Miguel teachers and staff cared about us personally. They took the time to get to know us, our interests and hobbies, our families, and our dreams for the future.
The San Miguel Graduate Support Program helped me choose DeLaSalle, complete all of my application materials and understand the process. Throughout my four years of high school, I have connected with Mr. Grande almost every week at DeLaSalle.
Sometimes it is just a quick hello and other times he helps me understand the resources available for me to prepare for college. DeLaSalle also is helping me to prepare for college. For example, I am in a program at DeLaSalle called First Generation to College, which provides individualized help, like a personal timeline and checklist, to ensure I'm on track for graduation and college. I will be the first person in my extended family to graduate from high school in the United States. I am really proud of this. I do this mainly for my grandma. She has a lot of grandchildren but I know she is counting on me especially.
As I said earlier, I am proud to be at DeLaSalle. I have appreciated the spiritual connection between San Miguel and DeLaSalle, both being Lasallian schools. I am on the varsity soccer team and the step team... and I am working hard to bring my GPA to a 3.0 by the end the semester. DeLaSalle is a college prep high school so the academics are difficult but I know it's challenging me to be my best.
And now onto my future. I am applying to University of St. Thomas, St. Catherine's University, and Augsburg College. All three universities will help prepare me for a career in business. I hope to major in business and minor in Spanish. After four years of French at DeLaSalle, I am trilingual in English, Spanish and French. I feel that I will have the skills to do well in the business world.
I would like to thank the teachers, staff, board members and benefactors at San Miguel for providing me with a great education, opportunities for my future, and for staying with me. I want to give a special thank you to my parents for their support and for motivating me to be successful and not give up. I know that with the support of so many people, and through my own hard work, I will achieve my dreams. And in doing so, I will be a role model for other San Miguel students, including my brother Bryon in seventh grade, helping them to achieve theirs.
Thank you!
Recognition of Lasallian Ministries and Parish Partner
Since it's founding in 2000, San Miguel Middle School has been blessed with the partnership of its "big brothers," the other area Lasallian ministries. The Christian Brothers opened the first of these schools and ministries more than 100 years ago. Since then, collectively they have established the Lasallian tradition in Minnesota as one of excellence in Catholic education.
The Lasallian ministries have provided guidance in administration and advancement, their students and graduates have become volunteers and benefactors, and the ministries continue to provide Bibles, books, desks, equipment and supplies. They have hosted our students for activities and events, and today, they are providing an outstanding Lasallian education for San Miguel graduates at the high school level, and eventually the university level.
The Lasallian ministries and partners recognized at the 10th Anniversary include:
Cretin-Derham Hall
DeLaSalle High School
Totino-Grace High School
Holy Family Catholic High School
Saint Mary's University of Minnesota
Saint Mary's Press
Dunrovin Christian Brothers Retreat Center
Christian Brothers of the Midwest
Catholic Parish of Sagrado Corazón de Jesús
