De La Salle Collegiate senior Luke Jablonski is setting his sights high as he enters his final year of high school - he wants to be a leader in the business world. 

Academically, Luke ranks as the number one student in the Class of 2025 with a 4.5 GPA, aiming to attend the University of Michigan’s Ross School of Business or the Mendoza College of Business at the University of Notre Dame. Luke visited both campuses this summer. The Michigan Ross BBA program was recently ranked Ranked #4 by U.S. News & World Report as one of the best undergraduate business programs in the world. 

“I've always been a math guy, I have always loved numbers; it is my favorite subject,” Luke said. “Business is combining numbers and communication, which is something I love to do.

“You have to be a leader in the business world if you want to make it,’ Luke continued.  “Unless you want to be stuck behind a desk the whole time, you need to have strong leadership skills.”

Luke credits his communication and leadership growth from his participatiion in a plethora of extracurricular activities: He is a member of the school’s DECA team, which sent 21 students to the state competition last March. He is the Student Council Treasurer, Law Club president, member of the Mock Trial Team, NHS, Bible Study Leader, and a member of the varsity football team. 

Luke said his favorite memory of the past year was participating in the Kairos Retreat. “Kairos helped me develop a better connection with God and strengthened friendships with my classmates,” he said. 

Luke credits his life at home with shaping who he is as a leader.  “I’m the oldest of three children, which I think has helped create my leadership mentality,” Luke said. He also tries to live by a mantra his father taught him. “My dad told me: ‘Everyday, meet someone new’ - at first it sounded corny, but now  it's the best piece of advice I could give.” 

This piece of advice is something he is eagerly awaiting to impart to the incoming freshmen. 

“Try to sit at a different lunch table one day and meet someone new. Meet as many people as possible,” Luke said. “We have such a tight-knit brotherhood. I believe the dynamic of being at an all-guys school helps you become more approachable - you can go up to anybody and make friends in one day.” 

The Jablonski family credits Luke’s time at De La Salle for helping him develop into the leader he is today. 

“Luke has grown so much in three years at De La Salle - mentally, physically, and spiritually,” said Keith Jablonski, ‘92, Luke’s father. “I am thrilled that he lives the mantra of judging people on their merits and being open to meeting and learning from people from all walks of life.”

““De La Salle has allowed these qualities to not only remain, but to be supported to grow stronger,”  said Tina Jablonski, Luke’s Mom. “The school allowed him to try so many new things, such as Stock Market and Business Club, NHS, DECA, Link Crew, Law Club, Mock Trail, Kairos Leader, Bible Study, IM Sports, Jeopardy. He continues to be involved in student council, playing football for four years and even trying his hand at golf and baseball!” 

Another piece of advice he hopes to convey to the new freshmen is to challenge yourself academically. 

“Challenge yourself as much as possible. Take it Put in the effort, put in the work. Don’t blow things off. Freshman year matters - colleges look at that. It might not be in your mind, but it needs to be," Luke reiterated. 

Luke has certainly challenged himself - having taken five Advanced Placement (AP) courses his junior year, he is set for another full AP course load including AP Calculus and Statistics. Additionally, Luke will continue learning a foreign language - he is enrolled in Honors Spanish 4. 

“I was on a family vacation in Myrtle Beach and some of the workers were Hispanic, and I could have some basic conversations with them,” Luke said. “This is all part of being a strong communicator and business leader.”