The La Salle Military Academy Alumni Association

The De La Salle Dispatch
 23 January 2009

Mike Ragno meets with students

The De La Salle School’s fifth grade had a special treat yesterday afternoon when more than a dozen Franklin Square fourth and fifth graders traveled to Pine Street for a few “pick-up”basketball games and a pizza party. Many thanks to Mike Ragno, a hard-working benefactor of The De La Salle School, for organizing this event and bringing along a half dozen of his friends to help with officiating and coaching.

“This was a great opportunity for all the students,” commented Dean of Student Life, Mr. Kevin Rall. “Not only did the kids have a fantastic time running up and down the basketball court, but they had a chance to get to know each other and are already planning their next meeting.”

And the event was more than just fun and games – each student was encouraged to bring nonperishable food items which were collected and will be donated to Our Holy Redeemer’s Parish Outreach program.
 

This essay assignment was designed to hone the students’ skills in composition with an emphasis on proper structure. The compositions were required to have an introduction, a body that flowed, and an appropriate conclusion. Here is seventh grader Allan’s essay on Jimi Hendrix.

Jimi Hendrix was a guitar player in the 1960s. His band was called the Jimi Hendrix Experience. Then Jimi went solo. His songs revolutionized how people played the guitar. His music made you feel relaxed and hyper at the same time. You felt relaxed at the beginning of the song and hyper at the solos because the solos were fast. 

His music was a mix of Rock, Funk, Metal, and Blues. Most of his songs had different styles: Purple Haze was mostly Rock, Little Wing was mostly Funk. If you listen to his CDs you  will know what I am talking about. Jimi amazed and scared the audience. He could play with his teeth. He also played behind his back. Sometimes at the end of a concert he would set the guitar on fire.

Jimi's music hypnotized people and they wanted to be hypnotized. They wanted to get away from the government. They also wanted to get away from the Vietnam War.

Tragically, Jimi died on September 18, 1970. His music was so good it has lived on for many years. He is recognized as the best known guitarist. He is also recognized in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. People still do concerts in his honor and play his music. That is why Jimi Hendrix is the best known guitarist.