by Mr. Samuel Long – Assistant Director of Development, La Salle Academy, Philadelphia PA
Angel Jose and Angel Gabriel Arevalo are twin brothers in the seventh grade at La Salle Academy. They immigrated to Philadelphia from Mara Caibo, Venezuela in 2018 with their parents, in search of the opportunity to make a better life for their family. Despite the challenge of speaking very little English, they were enrolled at La Salle Academy in Philadelphia in 2019.
At the beginning, teachers worked with Jose and Gabriel to overcome the language barrier by utilizing iPads and Google Translate to communicate their thoughts and ideas. Br. Joseph Mahon, FSC, from Anselm Hall, also volunteered to tutor the twins in English, helping them to become fluent. The boys love soccer, but prioritize academic excellence. They have their sights set on attending Mercy Career & Technical School after graduation.
The brothers express gratitude to their friends, coaches, and exceptional teachers at La Salle Academy, citing them as the best part of their educational journey. They have enjoyed playing sports, and remember fondly the school’s summer beach trips, especially the boat ride. They are confident that the five goals of their school, to be Peaceful, Responsible, Consistent, Motivated, and Respectful, will guide them through life. At La Salle Academy Philadelphia, the personal attention, academic excellence, and commitment to overcoming challenges, have proven to be the right combination for the Arevalo brothers.
THE ST. JOHN BAPTIST DE LA SALLE FUND seeks to ensure that a Lasallian education is available and accessible to those students most in need. Through an initial program of student sponsorship and a growing program of grants to identified schools, the Fund provides tuition assistance for students to attend a Lasallian school. With your support, we are now providing $845,000 annually for our students in need. All are welcome to join the Brothers and their Partners-in-Mission in this specially dedicated scholarship fund which continues to grow each year.