For senior Aidan Elher, his decision to attend De La Salle was sealed when he attended the school’s Open House back in 2021.

Aidan, then an eighth grader at St. Mary’s (Mt. Clemens), said, “The way the staff member leading our tour spoke about De La Salle really stuck with me. DLS was the first school we visited, and, on the walk out to the car, I knew I wanted to come here.” 

Although Aidan has always had a full schedule of Honors and Advanced Placement classes at DLS, and has participated in numerous activities, he has a GPA in the top ten of the Class of 2026 - a ranking he has held each of his four years of high school. 

And, he also has a job, at Kem-Tec in Eastpointe, using his Computer Assisted Design (CAD) skills to work part-time two days a week. 

Aidan got the job at Kem-Tec through a chance encounter with Mr. Mel Joseph, the owner of Kem-Tec, and a long-time supporter and donor to De La Salle. 

When Mr. Joseph found out that Aidan had CAD skills, he offered him a job; Aidan was unable to accept at the time due to a lack of transportation. 

But Aidan encountered Mr. Joseph again this past summer, at an outing sponsored by his church, Our Lady of Redemption in Warren (Aidan is an altar server), and was again offered the job. This time, however, he was able to drive and has enjoyed the chance to put his skills to work. 

DLS Advancement Director Mr. Greg Esler said, “Mel Joseph has been a tremendous donor and supporter of De La Salle. He has provided employment opportunities to lots of our students and alumni. We are so very blessed and grateful for his support of DLS and our Lasallian mission.” 

Aidan plans to major in aerospace engineering at his first choice college, the University of Michigan (Ann Arbor). 

“Michigan is one of the top schools for aerospace engineering in the country,” he said. 

Aidan’s class schedule is more than challenging; in addition to taking five Advanced Placement (AP) - Government, Statistics, Calculus BC, Psychology, and Literature and Composition, he is also independently studying the material for the AP Physics C Electricity and Magnetism exam. He’s also enrolled in the Music Appreciation class and Theology. 

His other AP credits, earned prior to his senior year, include U.S. History, Calculus AB, Chemistry, Computer Science Principles, English Language and Composition, and Microeconomics. He will finish his high school career with 13 AP classes. 

With such an intense class load each of his four years at DLS, Aidan has managed to be involved in both Robotics and Rocketry each year of high school, and DECA since his sophomore year - and has been successful in both areas. 

Mr. Rob Black, who has taught Aiden and is the Robotics moderator, said, “As his Robotics mentor and Chemistry teacher, it has been amazing to watch Aidan grow and learn these past four years. He is now a reliable and confident leader of our Robotics team and is planning to take our team back to the state and world competitions. His skills and presence at meetings shine through as he helps teach the younger students how to succeed at First Robotics competitions.” 

Aidan is also involved with the DLS DECA team. As a junior, Aidan was a district finalist and made it to states in the Business Services Marketing category. 

Moderator Mr. Dennis Koch says, “Aidan IS De La Salle. He’s an exceptionally hard worker who gives his best effort in everything he does- whether it’s Rocketry, Robotics, the National Honor Society, or DECA, where he serves as Vice-President, or even balancing a part=time job, Aiden consistently works hard. He is a true student - he’s humble, hardworking, and he’s a winner.”

Aidan says his best memories of DLS are going to the Robotics World Championship and DECA states. He also cites Homecoming earlier in October. ‘My friends convinced me to go this year, and I had a blast.” 

He advises freshmen, “Your freshman year is the most important for your GPA so tread lightly. Don’t just go into it like you did for eighth grade. High school is a whole different ball park.” 

Not surprisingly, Aidan is a member of the DLS National Honor Society.

Mr. Joe Novak has taught Aidan and says, “Aiden is a great example of what every incoming freshman should strive to be like. He is kind, thoughtful, hardworking, and doesn't back down from a challenge. When he doesn't understand something,he asks questions and works until he knows the answer. Aiden will be very successful when he leaves DLS.” 

DLS Assistant Principal Mrs. Annmarie Michol, describes Aiden as “always involved and always dependable.”

She adds, “His leadership, enthusiasm, and commitment make him a true example of De La Salle pride.” 

Aidan lives in Sterling Heights with his parents, Kathy and Dimitri Elher, and has a younger brother Lucas, who is a freshman. His other brother is currently a fourth-grader. 

And in his spare time, Aidan is completing college applications…