Senior Francesco “Frankie” Polonis has been awarded the 2023 Green Advocate Award by the Macomb County Green Schools Program. Polonis received his award at the Green Schools Program Annual Awards Ceremony in late April. 

At the ceremony, De La Salle was also presented with the Evergreen Award, a first for DLS since the school began its participation in the program more than 10 years ago. To qualify, schools must present evidence of their activities in 25 different categories.

Polonis, who serves as Vice-President of the DLS SAVE (Students Against Vandalizing the Environment) Club, was selected by a panel of judges for the recognition. DLS Science teacher Mrs. Nina Jacks is the group's moderator.

In nominating Polonis, SAVE President Adam Pryszczewski wrote about his classmate, saying “Frankie is a true eco-warrior and a role model for all those who seek to make a positive difference in the world.”

Among Polonis’s accomplishments is his leadership of the school recycling program, significantly reducing the school’s carbon footprint. He has passionately read pro-environmental books to second graders at Pinewood Elementary School (located adjacent to the DLS campus on Common Rd.). He has also sold baked goods and pastries from a local bakery to raise money for the SAVE Club to ensure the club’s growth. 

Pryszczewski also noted Polonis’s passion for the environment, and how he built a backyard garden during the COVID19 pandemic, and grew a variety of vegetables and herbs to share with family and neighbors.

Polonis plans to attend the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, and major in mechanical engineering. 

His favorite teacher is Mr. Ron Barger, who has taught Polonis in various engineering classes throughout high school, including Introduction to Engineering, Principles of Engineering, Engineering Design, and Digital Electronics.

In addition to his activity with the SAVE Club, Polonis is a member of the Student Council, the National Honor Society, the Link Crew, and the Military History Club. He has also been on DLS Jeopardy teams and is proud of making the finals of the annual schoolwide Jeopardy Tournament his senior year. 

He attended St. Anne Grade School in Warren, and chose to De La Salle “because of the great teachers and great students.” 

Polonis and his parents, Diane and Jerome, live in Warren, and are members of the St. Anne Parish. 

Pictured at right: Polonis and Macomb County Commissioner Don Brown.