This past summer a group of Calvert Hall students traveled to Manhattan College in New York City to attend the annual Lasallian Youth Assembly. Each July, the annual event gathers over 120 students and teachers from Lasallian high schools for a week focused on the Lasallian concepts of Faith, Service and Community. Calvert Hall has been participating in the Assembly since the late 1990’s and this year was represented by six students along with faculty members, Brother David Trichtinger and Mr. Josh Harris. This year’s theme for the Assembly was “Lasallians Without Limits.”
This past summer a group of Calvert Hall students traveled to Manhattan College in New York City to attend the annual Lasallian Youth Assembly. Each July, the annual event gathers over 120 students and teachers from Lasallian high schools for a week focused on the Lasallian concepts of Faith, Service and Community. Calvert Hall has been participating in the Assembly since the late 1990’s and this year was represented by six students along with faculty members, Brother David Trichtinger and Mr. Josh Harris. This year’s theme for the Assembly was “Lasallians Without Limits.”
“The purpose of the Lasallian Youth Assembly is to have students meet students from other Lasallian high schools, pray together, perform community service, learn about current and social issues, discuss peer ministry and leadership, and to recreate together” said Brother David, School Counselor and Assistant Athletic Director at Calvert Hall. Brother David chaperoned the trip, composed one of the prayer services, and worked alongside Calvert Hall students at their community service activities.
Dylan Herbert ‘21 was among the six students representing Calvert Hall at the Assembly. When asked why he decided to attend the event he commented, “I wanted to participate so I could bond with other people about my faith. There were people from across the world and I really wanted to serve the community.”
Over the course of the week students engaged in prayer activities, attended various presentations, interacted with other students in small group discussions, and devoted two days to performing community service at sites including a neighborhood food pantry in New Jersey. In between, the students enjoyed a day touring New York City and made friendships with students from the other schools.
“Calvert Hall students enjoyed interacting with other students from the Lasallian highs schools on the Eastern United States, as well as from schools in France and Italy,” noted Brother David. He added, “They worked hard and were justifiably proud of all they accomplished at their various service sites. I believe our students were inspired by their various experiences throughout the week.”
When asked to reflect on his experience attending the Assembly, Emerson Clay ‘20 responded, “I think the experience really helped me grow my faith. I learned more on how to pray and connect with God and see God through other people. I realized that Calvert Hall was not the only school that bases its teaching off of St. John Baptiste de La Salle. There are many Lasallian schools around the world and it was inspiring learning that I was part of that tradition.”