Senior Braeden Holder will graduate magna cum laude with the DLS Class of 2025, and has an impressive list of both academic and athletic accomplishments. 

He has taken four Advanced Placement (AP) classes, including Calculus AB, Environmental Science, English Language and Composition, and Psychology.

He is also the DLS nominee for the CHSL Scholar-Athlete Award for tennis, and is headed to Oakland Community College where he will play basketball. 

Braeden said he is likely to pursue a career in either electrical or mechanical engineering. 

He captained the DLS tennis team his senior year, and was All-Catholic for both junior and senior year. He was also All-State his junior year. 

Mrs. Annmarie Michol, DLS Head Varsity Tennis Coach, said, “As captain of the tennis team, Braeden led by example both on and off the court. A dedicated and disciplined athlete, he consistently demonstrated a strong work ethic, punctuality, and a commitment to excellence. His leadership helped foster a supportive team environment, especially for younger players who benefited from his guidance and encouragement. In addition to his athletic contributions, Braeden excelled in the classroom and represented the team with integrity and pride.”

In basketball, Braeden was part of the state championship team in 2021, and part of the varsity all four years, captaining both junior and senior years. 

Varsity Soccer Head Coach Mr. Thaier Mukhtar said, “He is a great classmate and works hard to earn good grades. He won’t settle for anything but to be the best. I have always enjoyed watching him compete in basketball and tennis. He is one of our finest scholar-athletes.”

He was also a Student Council representative.

Braeden advises freshmen to “Have fun with your friends and join activities and sports. The time goes by fast.” 

He says his best memory of DLS will be winning the state championship his freshman year. 

Mr. Ben Westphal, Varsity Tennis Assistant, describes Braeden this way: “He is a fantastic, young man that has a bright future. He is a natural-born leader, mature beyond his years, while being a man for others. As a tennis AND basketball captain, he is always mentoring the underclassmen into not only better athletes, but into better humans. Additionally, he has such a tough mental mindset in all he does, especially in tennis matches. Braeden is an extraordinary example of a true Pilot and will be making such an impact in the lives of others as he journeys into his next chapter of his life.”

Braeden’s father Ron is a DLS alumnus (1996) who also played varsity basketball. His older brother Linden is a 2021 graduate. Braeden and his parents Ron and Nicole, live in Macomb Township and attend St. Isaac Jogues parish in St. Clair Shores. Braeden works part-time at his father’s engineering company.