Directo Named Salutatorian

At the Strake Jesuit Graduation Ceremony on May 26, Alessandro Directo (’20) addressed his Class as Salutatorian. Alessandro was joined by twelve of his Western classmates from WA Class of 2020, namely: Paul Belton, Caleb Bryan, JohnPaul Chincuanco, Joseph Dinh, Jacob Hanel, Cadel Malanga, Sebastian Manero, Patricio Parra, Robert Sellers, Alex Shield, Elijah Uyenco, John-Paul Webber.

Among topics Alessandro addressed in his speech were the importance of friendships and the positive influence of his teachers.

“During the online learning and the quarantining, there were long stretches of time when I wouldn’t see any of my friends. That drove me mad! But when I was able to see my friends again, I grew to appreciate the time we had together… Going off to college and leaving old friends can be bittersweet, but the friendships we have made here should inspire us to create more meaningful friendships wherever we go.”

Commending his teachers, Alessandro remarked, “As a student, you have been shaped by the faculty and staff to always strive for excellence and to always desire to reach your full potential.” He also said that it was his “esteemed teachers and staff that made his school great, not the classrooms, the rolling chairs, countless TVs, and Smart Boards.”

Congrats, Alessandro, well done! And congratulations also, to Carol and Angelo Directo, Alessandro’s parents. Alessandro is the second of three Directo boys who have distinguished themselves at Western as members of House of the Green: Alvaro (‘15) who graduated from University of Dallas and is recently engaged to be married, and Paolo (‘24) who graduated this year from WA.

See Strake News Item

Watch Alessandro’s Full Speech, at 34:13