Eagles on the Air

Foundation, Film, and Faith in the Journey: Louis D'Esposito '74 and the Road to Marvel Studios

Louis D'Esposito didn't know movies were something you could make for a living when he graduated from Salesian High School. 50 years later, he's the Co-President of Marvel Studios. In this virtual episode, Steve Sallustio sits down with the Class of 1974 grad who went from the Bronx to Iona College to $35-a-day freelance gigs to executive producing Iron Man alongside Jon Favreau, and who has been at Kevin Feige's side building the Marvel Cinematic Universe ever since. Louis talks about the teachers who shaped him (Mr. Flaherty and Mr. Martinelli), working with Marlon Brando on The Freshman, sneaking into theaters with the Russo Brothers to watch fans react to Endgame, and why it took him 35 years to become an overnight success. His message to every student watching: put in the work, love the journey, and don't listen to the voice that says you're not good enough. Salesian High School was founded in 1920 and is an independent school within the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of New York accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools serving the Westchester County and Bronx areas. Learn more [https://www.salesianhigh.org/] about Salesian High School. Keep up to date with Salesian High School! Follow us on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/salesianeagles/], Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/SalesianHS/], YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCiERJF-V0EdTeYcg4JqWTqg], and LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/school/salesianhighschool/]

Basketball, Brotherhood, and Giving Back: Sal Torre '88's Lifelong Salesian Connection

Sal Torre showed up to Salesian High School on day one without knowing a thing about it. What followed was a basketball career that landed him in the Athletics Hall of Fame, a successful run in commercial real estate finance, and a return to the school as a Board of Trustees member helping build the future.  In this episode, Sal talks about playing on Coach Frank Conroy's first varsity team alongside future NBA draft pick Eric Mobley and 15-year pro Willie Latson, the mentors who shaped him, the teachers he's still friends with nearly 40 years later, and why he's helping launch Salesian's Alumni Association. His message to current and future Eagles: take every opportunity in front of you and find your lane. Salesian High School was founded in 1920 and is an independent school within the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of New York accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools serving the Westchester County and Bronx areas. Learn more [https://www.salesianhigh.org/] about Salesian High School. Keep up to date with Salesian High School! Follow us on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/salesianeagles/], Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/SalesianHS/], YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCiERJF-V0EdTeYcg4JqWTqg], and LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/school/salesianhighschool/]

Drive, Dedication, and Doctoring: Dr. Michael Foti's '10 Salesian Story

Dr. Michael Foti came to Salesian because his brother couldn't stop talking about it. What happened next was a complete transformation. From ranking #1 in his class all four years to becoming valedictorian, Mike went on to Iona College, NYIT College of Osteopathic Medicine, and an internal medicine residency at Greenwich Hospital in the Yale system. Now a professor of medicine at Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine, Mike discovered that his real calling wasn't just being a doctor but being a mentor. In this episode, Steve Sallustio pulls out Mike's actual high school transcript, talks influential teachers like Jessica Cullen, Angelo Petrino, and Miss Caringi, and announces that Dr. Foti will be the 2026 commencement speaker. Salesian High School was founded in 1920 and is an independent school within the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of New York accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools serving the Westchester County and Bronx areas. Learn more [https://www.salesianhigh.org/] about Salesian High School. Keep up to date with Salesian High School! Follow us on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/salesianeagles/], Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/SalesianHS/], YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCiERJF-V0EdTeYcg4JqWTqg], and LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/school/salesianhighschool/]

Faith, Family, and Giving Back: Tarik Hyman '96 and the Salesian Way

Tarik Hyman didn't choose Salesian High School. Salesian chose him. In this episode, Steve Sallustio sits down with the Class of 1996 Silver Eagle recipient who turned a career in Catholic education into a lifelong mission of paying it forward. From his grandmother bringing him to that first interview with Mr. Flaherty, to running schools across the Archdiocese, to sending countless students back to Salesian, Tariq's story is proof that the Salesian family never lets go. Now the Assistant Principal at St. Raymond's Elementary, Tariq is set to receive the Bishop Ernest Coppola Award for Alumni Achievement at the 2026 President's Dinner. Salesian High School was founded in 1920 and is an independent school within the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of New York accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools serving the Westchester County and Bronx areas. Learn more [https://www.salesianhigh.org/] about Salesian High School. Keep up to date with Salesian High School! Follow us on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/salesianeagles/], Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/SalesianHS/], YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCiERJF-V0EdTeYcg4JqWTqg], and LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/school/salesianhighschool/]

Faith, Service, and Community: Gio Lopes’ '15 Salesian Journey

In this episode of Eagles on the Air, Steve Sallustio sits down with Gio Lopes, Class of 2015. Gio shares how his connection to the Salesian Order began through his mother’s work as an educator and how that relationship in Westchester led him to Salesian High School. Entering as a shy young student, Gio reflects on how Salesian helped him grow into a confident young man: drawn in by the basketball program and shaped by meaningful experiences both on and off the court. The conversation also explores Gio’s passion for service, from a powerful service trip to Haiti and his involvement in Gospel Roads, to his current role as Brand & Social Marketing Manager at Feeding Westchester, one of the largest food banks in the county. Gio speaks about how Salesian prepared him to continue a life of purpose, helping others and giving back to his community. 🎧 Listen now to hear how faith, service, and leadership come together in a true Salesian story. Salesian High School was founded in 1920 and is an independent school within the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of New York accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools serving the Westchester County and Bronx areas. Learn more [https://www.salesianhigh.org/] about Salesian High School. Keep up to date with Salesian High School! Follow us on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/salesianeagles/], Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/SalesianHS/], YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCiERJF-V0EdTeYcg4JqWTqg], and LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/school/salesianhighschool/]