Young Alumni Chapel and Dinner - A Thanksgiving Tradition

Yesterday evening, William Fitzgerald '08 returned to school to give the Young Alumni Chapel talk, a pre-Thanksgiving tradition, for which we had a record turnout! William focused on the unique values that Saint David's instills in its students, its commitment to balance and producing "men of integrity," and he noted how rare it will be to find a similarly structured environment so supportive going forward.

He urged the boys present -- our current eighth graders (younger brother Laird '17 among them) and alumni in high school -- to be ambassadors for Saint David's as they journey through their lives, offering the following five traits as those that will enable them to carry on the tradition of Saint David's: having a strong work ethic, being versatile and open-minded, exhibiting leadership, being humble, and demonstrating kindness.

"Be that good man that Saint David's strives for you to be," he said,
"Remember where you came from, and preserve the legacy of your school." William closed saying that the young alumni present, those soon-to-be, and all of the alumni that preceded them form a "proud family of brothers" that look out for each other. How perfect a sentiment during a time of year that celebrates family!

Following the talk, the Class of 2016 posed for a photo with a plaque of their Class Legacy Gift, which supports the Eighth Grade tour of the Sistine Chapel. We then all enjoyed a wonderful dinner, during which last year's Student Council President James K '16 presented his class's check for the more than $11,000 raised in support of Saint David's Kalina School in Tigray, Ethiopia.

The Young Alumni Chapel and Dinner event is always one of my favorite; it is gratifying to see so many young alumni return to school -- taller, stronger, older, but eminently recognizable as Saint David's boys.

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