Zackary Wagner is ranked among the top students in the De La Salle Collegiate Class of 2026.  He was recently recognized as a Commended Student in the 2024 National Merit Scholarship Competition.

Due to his strong academic abilities, Zack has several Advanced Placement (AP) courses on his transcript, including AP Spanish 4 which he took as a junior. 

As a freshman, Zack was in Mr. Wilson Juncaj’s Spanish 1 class, and Juncaj recognized Zack’s aptitude for the language. Zack jumped to Spanish 3 as a sophomore, and earned top grades there as well. 

He has AP credits in AP Calculus AB and AP Calculus BC, and is taking AP Statistics this year. 

His AP credits in Science include Chemistry and Physics, and he has taken both English Language and Composition and is currently in AP Literature and Composition. 

His senior year schedule also includes a Personal Finance class and Art. He took Introduction to Engineering Design and Principles of Engineering before his senior year. 

But Zack is not only a standout student in the classroom.

He is one of the captains of the DLS Varsity Football team, headed to the state semi-finals this weekend, as well as a captain for the Varsity Baseball team.

Zack said one of his best memories of high school will be Kairos because it is a "life-changing experience." He also says he will "treasure the many friendships I made in high school." 

As a result of his athletic AND academic abilities, Zack has committed to Central Michigan University, where he plans to major in either Engineering or Finance. 

“Both engineering and finance attract me due to their emphasis on real world problem solving and use of mathematical skills,” Zack said. “I’m drawn to the logical thinking that comes along with engineering, along with the analytical aspect of finance.”

In addition to being a skilled football player, Zack also plays varsity baseball. Coach Dan Cimini says, “Zack is a great football player and an even better baseball player. He could play both in college.” 

Cimini added, “Zack Wagner is one of those student/athletes that comes around once in a decade. He has been a fantastic role model to his teammates and classmates since his freshman year and does everything the 'right way.' Zack leads by example both on the field and in the classroom. 

Zack is also involved with the DLS DECA team. During the 2024-2025 school year, he was a District Champion and a State Finalist in the Hospitality and Tourism category with his partner Brady Lee. 

DLS DECA Moderator Mr. Dennis Koch, ‘94, said, “Last year Zach really made an impressive start in DECA. As a first-year member, earning a spot at States speaks volumes about his dedication and drive. He consistently put in the time and effort to learn, improve, and represent our team.”

Zack is also a member of the National Honor Society. 

Zack chose to attend De La Salle for several reasons. 

“The strong emphasis on brotherhood, the relationships built here along with the core principles of faith and integrity stood out to me,” Zack said. “The support system of teachers, coaches, and peers is like no other. The sense of community ultimately convinced me it was the right place to build my foundation for success in life.”

Zack advises freshmen to “focus on exploring different interests, building connections with new people, and developing good study habits from the start. Getting involved is crucial, and surrounding yourself with people who support you in achieving your goals is even more important.”

Math teacher Mr. Joe Novak, ‘03,  said, “Zack is one of the quiet leaders of this school.  Students not only look up to him because of his athletic ability but because of everything else too. He is at the top of the class in GPA- he took a 10th/11th grade Advanced Pre Calc class his Freshman year). He is kind to peers and very humble when it comes to any of his successes.  Just a great overall, well rounded young man. He is a wonderful model for our entire student body.”

Theology teacher John Berlin also has high praise. “It truly has been a pleasure to have him in class. I always think of ‘pursuit of completeness' when I think of Zack Wagner. Here is a young man who seeks mastery of all academic disciplines (a joy for learning) and master of all techniques while growing his spirit along the way.”

Berlin adds, “Zack is the ‘total package.’ Punctual, prepared, attentive and positively engaging each and every day. Zack embraces all things great at De La Salle. He is everything a student should be. He truly is intrinsically motivated to maximize his De La Salle experience, knowing that the more he takes out of his Collegiate experience, the better prepared he is for university rigor. He always shows interest, respect, and support to all his fellow Pilots no matter where he may be.He is everything a student should be.”

Zack lives in  Washington Township and attended Holy Family Regional. His home parish is Saints John and Paul in Washington Township. His parents are Tim and Holly. Zack's younger brother Luke is currently a DLS sophomore.