On becoming a ‘DeSales man’
Cameron Shipaila
Over the past four years, DeSales has changed me into the person I am today through many events and experiences.
It all started on the first day of freshman orientation. Our class was asked what a DeSales man is, and we all answered with generic answers of what we thought a good man is. Truly, these didn’t matter to us, because each person ended up forgetting everything we put on the board.
While we went home and forgot those words, the staff of DeSales was engraving every word into everyday life lessons and experiences.
Through my four years at DeSales, a few key events that I have enjoyed and that have changed my life for the better are Colt Class, Senior Retreat, Immersion, the volleyball team and sporting events.
In Colt Class, select students from each grade meet to talk about house competitions during the upcoming week. During this time I learned to branch out and try new things. I loved this time because I got to compete and meet new people. This class allowed me to get comfortable in the school where I met one of my best friends.
One of the most meaningful experiences that I experienced at DeSales was Senior Retreat. It was an amazing experience; I learned many new things about my friends and myself. It was a difficult time where I realigned myself to be the person I want to be.
During this time, I was also able to spend time with classmates I didn’t know as well, and I found it was interesting to learn facts about my classmates I had never heard.
Another experience that was meaningful was Immersion. It is a very unique experience to
DeSales, as we would spend a whole week learning outside of the classroom. In my senior year I really branched out and tried something new. I chose to go tent camping at Red River Gorge.
This was out of my element, as I have never gone tent camping before. I am normally a very neat, clean person, which this event tested.
Another important time for me was volleyball season. This was an important time because I got to represent my school through the sport I love. It was always fun to compete, but it doubles the intensity and passion when you get to represent a group of people you really care about.
Similar to the volleyball season, attending sporting events was very important to me. I have always loved watching sports, and this love only increases when you have a personal connection with the team.
Every event or experience I have been a part of has taught me to be a DeSales man.
Through these experiences, I have learned to become a leader, empathetic, vulnerable and open to new experiences. I would have never developed these traits if it weren’t for the deliberate effort of DeSales.
