Lawrence Blakley-Vice President of External Affairs for De La Salle Institute

After speaking to Mr. Blakley, I understood that his initial outlook on life was not one of pleasantry, high hopes, motivation, etc. He was an average, sometimes below average student and more often than not, hated school. His basketball scholarship assisted in the furthering of his education. "I definitely wouldn't have been at Loyola had it not been for my scholarship. In fact, even with my scholarship, I don't really know how I got into any college. To be honest with you, my grades were sub-par for most of my educational career."

Though he did not enjoy school in and of itself, one thing he did enjoy was learning new things and helping other individuals. "I have always receive some sort of self-gratification when I extend myself at the sake of others in need." This must be the reason that his career path has lead him in the direction of External Affairs at De La Salle Institute, consisting of service in the community at the Tolton Center and fundraising and sponsoring different events for different grammar schools around Chicago and its metropolitan area.


Grandmaster John R. Venson-Chief Instructor at Just For Kicks Martial Arts

For this man, the life he leads now has been one he has lead for many years. He is the current CEO and chief instructor of Just For Kicks karate school. He has been a student all his, studying under his father, founder of the karate school. "The decision was pretty much made for me. When my father was no longer able, I was going to take over the family business, no matter what I wanted." To somewhat secure his future, Mr. Venson attended Roosevelt University, majoring in Business Management, after his honarable discharge from the United States Marine Corp. He later began working for the Secret Service and his now a sheriff for the state of Illinois.

Mr. Venson is also one who loves helping others. But his reason is a little more personal. "I went into the service when I was 16 years-old. When most of my friends were going on prom and graduating from high school, I was in Vietnam, fighting for my life. I was very close to death twice, and my knowledge of effective hand to hand combat, was what saved my life. I often told God while I was in War, if he let me live and see my loved ones and American soil again, I promised to guide his children in the right direction. So, I figured I would do it the best way I knew how; through the disciplinary, character and life lessons I learned through karate."