Perspective from the Headmaster Friends Through the Ages

The person who held the door open for me on my very first day of high school became my best friend and remains so 35 years later. He was with me the first time I travelled overseas, was the best man at my wedding, and helped me find my first teaching job.

I have always felt extremely fortunate to have met my friend at such a pivotal time in my life. At Crescent, though, it seems that this kind of deep connection is more often the norm than the exception.

Lasting friendships and strong bonds are inherent in the Crescent School experience. A glance at the “Life After Crescent” section in any Past & Present magazine will show numerous examples of friendships that have endured through the decades. What is it about Crescent School that ingrains and perpetuates these friendships? Our feature article, “Bonds of Brotherhood,” shares stories from groups of friends and why these bonds are so impenetrable.

As Crescent returns to a post-pandemic normal, opportunities to come together abound. Our alums are returning to campus to visit with favourite teachers, give university advice to our grads, and shine a spotlight on their career choices. Earlier this year, alums gathered on the lawn bowling pitch and recently raised a pint at the Midtown Alumni Social in December. One of the main goals of our Alumni Relations department is to foster sustained and meaningful connections among alumni. It is just one way we help support the bonds of brotherhood.

Michael Fellin P’24 Headmaster

The most powerful bonds of friendship are not forged overnight. Many are created during one’s formative years and cultivated by shared moments of dedication, empathy, and, of course, fun. Even though their Crescent experiences were decades apart, the alumni interviewed for this article shared stories with common themes: they are each other’s companions through thick and thin, they’re best men at each other’s weddings, some even collaborate professionally. These are the stories of boys who became men together, tackling challenges and celebrating the successes of life.