Another Great Year for Health Careers Club

The Health Careers Club brings professionals from many fields within the healthcare profession to talk to students about their jobs, their education, and their journey along the way. With 70 students enrolled, it is DLSNC’s most popular club, and meetings generally see a turnout of 30 or more. Occasionally, the presentations include a hands-on aspect—this year students were taught to close a wound by suturing as well as the basics of an ultrasound machine.

With a lot of organizational legwork on the part of Amy Lacks, Science Department Chair and STEAM Program Director, we offered seven amazing lunchtime sessions for the Health Careers Club this school year. Speakers ranged from dentists, nurses, therapists, surgeons, an anesthesiologist, a gynecologist, and a pediatrician. Many thanks to all our valued presenters: Jinky Hickcox, mom of Joshua Hickcox ‘26, and her colleague from Willamette Dental, Dr. Yashar Sekhavatmandi; Monica Norwood, mom of Syniah Allen ‘25 and registered nurse at Legacy; Dr. Dayle Hodge, OHSU; Dr. Chidimma Abanulo, Femme Flôr Women's Pelvic Medicine; Karina Peters, Soobin Im, and Marti Diaz-Domm, The Children’s Program; Deirdre Burton, Metropolitan Pediatrics; and Nathalie Johnson, Legacy Cancer Institute.

The benevolent spirit of St. John Baptist de La Salle shone down on our school community through glorious sunshine for Founder’s Day on May 10. Founder’s Day is one of the only days of the year that the entire school is together, and all students, faculty, and staff joined in the special activities.

The traditional celebration started with a meaningful assembly in which we heard reflections on NW Connections, a two-day community-builder shared with our sister Lasallian schools in the Pacific Northwest. The recipient of the 2024 Lasallian Educator of the Year was also revealed—Math Department Chair Barbara Bodzin couldn’t be more deserving of that honor! Then we dispersed for a full morning of service work at 13 sites all across the city followed by a barbecue lunch in our courtyard and Commons. 

Many DLSNC teams helped out at shelters (Jean’s Place, Laurelwood Shelter, River District Navigation Center, Walnut Park, Willamette Center) with various organizational and “spring cleaning” tasks. Teams went to several schools (Holy Cross, Woodlawn Elementary) where they were of service through outdoor cleanup, supply sorting, and playing with students. Lots of invasive blackberry got pulled and trails cleared at two public parks (Kelly Point, Marquam) while other teams contributed to youth enrichment at Foster Flood Plain Nature Reserve and the Boys & Girls Club. 

Since DLSNC’s founding in 2001, De La Salle’s Saint Day has been an opportunity to highlight our Five Lasallian Principles and to make our motto, “Enter to Learn, Leave to Serve,” truly come alive. 

DLSNC Junior Kahlial Lofquist recently teamed with English Department Chair Anne Warrington in a competitive application process for the Bezos Scholars Program. This month we learned that their hard work paid off—they are one of only 12 student/teacher pairs from around the country to receive this honor. The year-long leadership program brings its participants (the 24 US students and teachers plus five students and one teacher from the African Leadership Academy in South Africa) together for an all-expenses paid trip to the Aspen Ideas Festival in June. It continues through the following school year when Bezos Scholars return home, participate in virtual trainings, and launch sustainable community change projects to transform their schools and communities.

Here’s an excerpt from the Bezos Family Foundation’s press release about the honor, which gives a sense of Kahlial’s drive: “As a biracial person with dwarfism, Kahlial knows firsthand the importance and need to support diversity and inclusion, particularly within sports and education. Though those with dwarfism are often physically and intellectually underestimated, Kahlial’s accomplishments and community impact prove that despite his small size, his mind is sharp, his heart is huge, and he’s a force on the basketball court. He is also a coxswain for his rowing team, runs track and field, and swims. Kahlial wants to encourage youth with disabilities to pursue the sports they love, regardless of any challenges, real or perceived. He is also driven to increase access to higher education resources and provide career mentorship opportunities for those with physical disabilities.” 

Kahlial recently shared, "I wanted to be a Bezos Scholar for the amazing opportunity to learn, grow, and give back while building lasting friendships with a diverse group of like-minded peers from around the world.” Way to go Kahlial and Ms. Warrington!

Our final heritage assembly of the year took place in mid-May, celebrating Asian and Pacific Islander culture. The event educated us regarding important holidays in the Asian and Pacific Islander calendar, focused on prominent Asians and Pacific Islanders in the media, and then concluded with a rousing game of Red Light/Green Light as inspired by Squid Game. Many thanks to the Asian Pacific Islander Student Union, Ms. Brunning, and Mr. Alex for such a well-organized, informative, and fun event!

For the first time in several years, all four grade levels at De La Salle North Catholic are working five days per month in local businesses across the gamut of industries. To celebrate this exciting development in our integral Corporate Work Study (CWS) program, we’re taking a regular peek into the experience, from both a student’s perspective as well as that of his or her supervisor.

Oregon Health & Sciences University has partnered with us now for nearly 20 years. Senior Kynayzya Brewer is at the OHSU Center for Women’s Health on Wednesdays (plus one rotating Monday per month) working with Kafiat Beckley, Practice Manager.

How are you growing this year as a supervisor to a DLSNC Student Associate?

I’ve been more reflective about my communication style. In my mind, I know exactly what I want, exactly what I need, but I’ve had to ask sometimes, “Is Ky really hearing the message I want to convey?” Knowing that she is growing in her role, I’ve used some different communication tools with her, like the talk-back method. Having Ky here has been a great reminder of how important this type of mentoring is. (Kafiat Beckley)

What’s been the coolest thing about working with Ky?

Ky is like a breath of fresh air to be around. The boost of morale she offered to our work environment with her energy and willingness was so refreshing. We have all types of folks at OHSU who are really renowned, and Ky, being pretty ambitious, came in unafraid to ask everyone questions. It was amazing to see my colleagues willing to share their journeys with her so generously. It was like they were giving their 18-year-old selves great advice from the future. (Kafiat Beckley)

How are you growing this year working as a Student Associate at OHSU?

I really want to do something in the medical field, and when Ms. Ashley said there was an opening at OHSU, I was like 100%, I’m in. It’s not just a hospital but people are learning and training there as well. I’m taking Honors Anatomy and Physiology this year so I knew that being there would help me with my homework. 

I want to learn the business side of medicine as well as the patient side. There is so much that the regular person doesn’t see. It’s not just patient to doctor, it’s also what happens from doctor to manager, and then manager to CEO. I’ve realized that healthcare has its ins and outs and that there’s a lot of sacrifice behind the mask. (Kynayzya Brewer ‘24)

The department I was in was so fun. They treated me like I was one of them. The first day I was in a meeting about team bonding, and they turned to me and said, “What do you think?” I remembered the note bags we do at Akwantu and shared, and they were like, “OMG, good idea, Ky!” After the energy of that kick-off, it was like, we’re all human, I’m no better than you, nor am I less than you. I feel like that’s so important for going into a new workplace. And that continued. It was always, “We’re so happy to have you here, thank you so much for all you do.” Those are reassuring things that make a kid want to come back to work and learn. (Kynayzya Brewer ‘24)