More Than a School: Why O’Dea Will Always Be Home

SEATTLE- O’Dea holds a special place in many people’s hearts. It’s more than a school, it’s a home, even long after graduation. Mr. Pierre LeDorze first found himself at O’Dea as a student. Years later, after graduating from college, he now finds himself back at O’Dea serving as a teacher, coach, representative, and leader to students.

Looking back, O’Dea wasn’t originally somewhere LeDorze knew he wanted to be. That realization came after a fall football season.

“In eighth grade, I was able to play on North Kitsap, where we were able to beat Bellevue,” LeDorze said. “That’s when I came to the realization that I wanted to play quarterback for a team that could compete with the best. I was already the biggest kid on Bainbridge, so who was going to block for me? When I went to O’Dea, there were finally some kids bigger than me that I was looking up to, and I was pretty much sold from that.”

Once at O’Dea, it didn’t take long for him to become part of the brotherhood the school has to offer. To him, it was more than just a place to learn and play sports.

“O’Dea was a home,” LeDorze said.

During his time at O’Dea, LeDorze was involved in a variety of activities, including baseball, football, Link Crew leadership, and serving as a student ambassador. Throughout his four years, O’Dea pushed him to become the best person he could be.

“I think one of the great things about O’Dea is our competitiveness not only on the field, but also in the classroom,” he said.

While attending school, LeDorze had a demanding daily routine. He would take a six- or seven-o’clock ferry to school each morning and then another ferry home after practice in the evening, leaving him with little to no free time. Still, he says it was all worth it because it gave him something meaningful to be part of.

“O’Dea really separates itself from other places, especially other schools,” LeDorze said. “A lot of kids come from different backgrounds, and whether that’s football, e-sports, or DECA, O’Dea offers and supports a home for everyone.”

After graduating from high school and later from college, LeDorze found himself working in finance. Although the job paid well, it didn’t give him the same sense of purpose as he wanted.

“Once I began coaching freshman football with Dean, I was much more excited to come to O’Dea than I was to go to work,” LeDorze said. “I was lucky to have figured that out at a young age. I’m happy to be back at O’Dea and give back to the school that once gave so much to me.”

Now back at O’Dea, LeDorze hopes to have the same positive impact on students that his teachers and coaches once had on him. He mentioned Coach Kohler, Mr. Lazarek, and Mr. Patterson as people who gave him opportunities, motivation, and helped shape him into the man he is today.

O’Dea did much more for LeDorze than just teach him lessons in the classroom or on the field. One of the most important things he says he gained from the school was the ability to be both sympathetic and empathetic.

“You never know what someone is going through behind closed doors,” LeDorze said. “O’Dea gave me that perspective. It helped me look out for others and help people when they need it.”

LeDorze hopes to continue his career at O’Dea for as long as possible. To him, it feels like a calling. His goal is simple: to help students the same way O’Dea once helped him.