Dear St. Andrew's Families, I could write a book about last weekend, but I wanted to point out one of the many small pieces that made the weekend so
Dear St. Andrew's Families,
I could write a book about last weekend, but I wanted to point out one of the many small pieces that made the weekend so memorable for me. As Will Speers called out the names of the 76 members of the Class of 2013 there were many different kinds of mini-celebrations from the graduates. Some offered a smile, others a fist-pump, maybe a clap. There was uniform excitement, but I also couldn't help but notice that all of their careers as St. Andrew's students ended in exactly the same way: with a hug from Tad.
This is a relatively new tradition Tad introduced in the last ten or so years and my guess is that it developed organically over the years. He hands every single graduate a diploma before enveloping them in what can only be accurately described as a massive bear hug. Every graduate. It is a recognition of celebration and thanks, congratulations and commencement — a powerful reminder of the ever-present, underlying spirit of this place.
Congratulations and thank you to the Class of 2013. And thank you all for the support and sacrifice you make to enable the St. Andrew’s experience for our newest graduates and those who are one year closer to receiving that milestone hug from Tad.
All the best,
Will
PS — You can watch the ceremony on our livestream channel, but we'd also encourage you to check out OKVideo. They put together a high-quality DVD every year that will last long after livestream no longer exists. Visit OKVideoDE.com to order.
2013-2014 School Year Information
Opening Day is September 1, 2013! Here are a few items you'll need to get ready.
The Parent Center remains your home for all pertinent information and resources.
Exam Week!
Yes! Those are smiling faces in the middle of Pem Heath's Precalculus/Trigonometry exam. Our original picture featured stern faces hunched over papers and calculators, but these rising seniors insisted on showing their collective joy instead.
Brandon Baker '14 finished his exams yesterday and decided to spend his free evening making caramel cashew cookies for his classmates in Mary Kelly's apartment on Sherwood. Mary reports:
"The cookies Brandon made were some of the most delicious cookies I have ever tried in my entire life. They were the perfect combination of soft, crumbly cookie with gooey caramel sauce on top. I am in heaven right now. You can quote me on that."
Brandon will spend part of his summer working in a bakery in Charlotte, N.C. Look him up if you want to share in Mary's euphoria.
Haiti, Italy, and Israel & Palestine 2014 Trips
Students are heading to China and South Africa in a few days, but we're already planning for 2014 trips. If you are the least bit curious about our spring break trip to Haiti in 2014 please contact Diahann Johnson or Jay Hutchinson. Terence Gilheany is fielding inquiries about a summer trip he is leading to Israel & Palestine where he spent his Fulbright year in 2012. You can email him here for more information. John McGiff is also planning a trip to Italy next spring break. Please email John if you're interested in learning more.
Click the photo to watch video from the Haiti Chapel this past fall.
2012-2013 Memorable Moments
We asked members of the faculty and staff for some memorable moments from the year. Here's a sampling of what we received in the last 24 hours:
The humility, joy, surprise, and pride in Dia Nikoi’s eyes as advisor Ann Taylor placed the St. Andrew's Cross around her neck at Commencement.
Willie Maerov and Co. not missing a beat in leading their Great Books class while their teachers were delayed.
The faculty performance in The Pirates of Penzance as policemen with Will Speers typecast for the role.
The time I returned to my apartment after duty and Sam Gowen had washed a sink full of dishes for me after I let him cook some eggs in my kitchen. (Mary Kelly)
Izzy Navarro striking up a conversation in French with French school children we happened to meet on our trip to Rome.
Seeing Brandon Baker riding a blow-up sea horse around the dining hall during the V Form’s last breakfast sign in.
The thoughtful, energetic, and happy crew on the summit of Old Rag Mt. this spring. The accomplishment of the long climb together, the remarkable natural beauty and expansive view extending as they enjoyed the time with each other as good friends.
10:00 p.m. study breaks with the fabulous girls of Pell, under the stars and among the fireflies, on the T-dock, singing their favorite songs at the top of their lungs!
Walking through the main common room this early winter and hearing a group of kids singing “Lean On Me” at the top of their lungs with full piano accompaniment.
The Girls Basketball victory in the 1st round and then 4th quarter comeback in the state tournament against Sanford
Betsy Neill breaking the all-time soccer scoring record.
III Formers Lily Shao, Bill Hu, Juliette Neil, Neely Egan, Kat Kornegay, Jenna Jaquez, Cai Johnson, Taylor Jaffe, and Preston Firestone performing scenes from “A Raisin in the Sun.”
School Meeting Q&A with the teachers from King’s Academy in Jordan.
The Washington, D.C. Trip with more than a dozen excursions to alumni and parent workplaces, including the Senate, Department of Energy, Department of State, Pew Research Center, and Change.org.
Boys Tennis State Championship in front of a massive crowd of friends and alumni.
The Boys Thirds Basketball team’s unbelievable come-from-behind win over Westtown.
Arts Weekend dance recital complete with explosions, desks, a white board, and Mark Hammond.
Chapel Talks: Matthew Roach ’04, Pemberton Heath ’08, Janice Nevin '77,P'13, Haiti, Tad’s Martin Luther King, Jr. Chapel, Jon Walton, Jory Kahan, and Lonnie Dillon to name a few. All can be downloaded here.
This will be our last Weekly Parent Email of the year and I hope you've enjoyed them.
Many of you have written thanks along the way and I always love hearing from you. If you join the ranks of those grateful for these emails, I'd ask a personal favor that you express your thanks by participating in the Annual Fund. Everything we do is predicated on meeting our Annual Fund goals every year. I've seen the power of the Annual Fund as a student, alum, and now faculty member.
Thank you to the more than 150 families that have already participated in the fund this year. If you are still considering a gift, please know how important it is to the livelihood of this place and visit http://www.standrews-de.org/giving today.
