CBA Celebrates Founder’s Day

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The CBA community celebrated Founder’s Day by filming a Lip Dub video, followed by a Mass, a special send-off to the senior class and a picnic under beautiful sunny skies at Alibrandi Stadium on May 14.

More than 800 students, faculty, staff and volunteers filmed the Lip Dub video. The video showcases the school spirit and pride, the athletic and fine arts programs and extra-curricular activities that make a Lasallian education so special.

The video takes you through the halls, classrooms, the school’s chapel, outside, the main office and gymnasium. It culminates with a final shot of the Class of 2015 lip-synching “When You Wish Upon A Star.”

Faculty member Erin Moore produced the video. The lip synch students, who had main roles in the video, practiced for two weeks. All other students, faculty and staff did not rehearse for their parts in the video. It took just two takes to produce the final version of the video.

To view the video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4rgObXqCVOo

Following the filming of the Lip Dub video, seniors rehearsed for graduation, which will be held on May 31 at Temple Adath Yeshurun, while grades 7-11 watched a skit performed by students on the life of our founder, St. John Baptist de La Salle. Seventh grader Isaiah Lerch read a poem that he wrote for his religion class on St. John Baptist de La Salle. Brother Joseph Jozwiak and members of the select choir sang “Honneur a Toi,” the traditional Brothers song that is sung in honor of our founder, and dates back to 1889.

The entire student body then gathered on the football field where Father Chris Ballard of Immaculate Conception Church in Fayetteville was the celebrant at Mass.

Several seniors took part in the Mass, including Peer Minister leaders Josh Popp and Amelia Genecco, Josie Hakizimana, Serena Schmitt, Tony Do, Ariana Cavallaro, Hannah Heppeler, Anthony Santaro, Gerald Seals, Katrina Drury, Ryan Congel and Matt Burns. Ian Smith sang the communion song “Hallelujah.” Chris Bedigian accompanied him on the guitar. Gabby Damico read a poem entitled “Numbers.” Senior members of the select choir sang “I Lived” by OneRepublic and Danny O’Connor read words from our Founder, St. John Baptist de Lasalle, “Let Me Be The Change.”

Faculty member Matt Keough then addressed the senior class. His speech, which was accompanied by music, included advice and personal stories from this year’s senior class.

“Seniors, our message to you is…you may not wear Brothers on your chest anymore, but you are always a Brother,” Keough said. “When you leave this place, and you graduate and you call yourself an alumni of CBA, you bring a piece of everyone with you. Because, that is exactly what Brothers means. It means family.”

To view Keough’s speech: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_20AoVHZn_U&feature=em-share_video_user

Brother Joseph Jozwiak blessed the senior class. The seniors then lined up on the track and each class went through the line to share hugs and goodbyes in a very emotional send-off. The entire student body, staff and faculty were then treated to lunch.

Seventh grader Quinn Horan gets a big hug from seniors Kane Alletzhauser and John Phillips. Alletzhauser will be attending the US Coast Guard Academy next fall. Phillips is heading to Boston College.

During the afternoon, students experienced Move Along Inc., which provides adaptive recreational opportunities for people who live with physical disabilities in Central New York. Students participated in wheelchair basketball and sled hockey.

The day culminated with the entire student body viewing the Lip Dub video filmed at the beginning of the day.

To view additional photos of the filming of the Lip Dub video and other activities from Founder’s Day: https://www.facebook.com/cbasyracuse