For Mason Stempin, his future as a Pilot began as a toddler, when his grandfather, Mr. Greg Esler, was the head coach of the DLS Varsity basketball team. Mr. Esler stepped away from coaching duties in 2020, and has been the Director of Advancement at DLS for the last several years. 

Mason and his parents would attend games, and as Mason got older, he would help behind the bench as a water boy, and later, the guy pushing the mop across the court. 

So when it came to high school, there was no other choice for Mason. “I wanted to join the brotherhood,” he said. 

Mason attended St. Thecla (Clinton Township) and will be heading to Adrian College to play baseball for the Adrian Bulldogs. Adrian plays in the MIAA https://adrianbulldogs.com/sports/baseball

He plans to major in Economics and become a financial advisor. 

Mason is on track to graduate magna cum laude, and his transcript includes both Honors and Advanced Placement (AP) classes including AP Government and AP Environmental Science. 

In addition to playing varsity baseball, and serving as the team’s captain this year, Mason is a member of the DLS National Honor Society (NHS) and served as a Kairos leader. He was a 2024 DECA finalist. 

DLS Faculty member and NHS moderator Mr. Ben Westphal, ‘16, says, “Mason is a wonderful leader both in and out of the school. As an NHS member, he constantly is serving the community and wants the best for those around us. He is a true leader that is a role model for the underclassmen.”

Mason advises freshmen to “enjoy every moment because it goes by fast.” 

His best memories of DLS are going to and winning state championships in football and basketball. 

DLS Theology Teacher Mr. John Berlin describes Mason as “a gentleman’s gentleman.” 

Berlin adds, “Mason has a great handshake and a warm smile, and then it just gets better from there. He is always a positive presence in the classroom. He truly never has a bad day because he embodies what we teach/promote to our young men here at De La Salle and that is to live a life of gratitude!”

Berlin also commented, “Mason personifies that to have good friends you need to be a good friend. His De La Salle friend group is made up of "men who sharpen men" who truly complement one another in all things good. Most share his love for baseball, but they also share his love for the Church by being regular attendees at Campus Ministry’s Mass Mobs. They too are quick to be a part of the Brozone to support their classmates in their respective sports.”

His parents are Ron and Rhonda Stempin; Mason’s younger brother Benjamin is a current freshman. The family lives in Harrison Township and attends St. Thecla Church. 

His uncles the late Doug Esler and Rob Esler ‘98 also attended DLS. 

“I’m very proud of Mason,” said Mr. Esler. “He is everything you would want in a grandson. He is kind, gracious, and a very caring person. Mason and Ben brighten my day when they stop by my office. I love them both very much.”