MIAA Champions

OUR INAUGURAL BOARDING CLASS

HAS ARRIVED ON LAKE AVENUE!

By: Stephanie McLoughlin Over the summer the new residence hall and western campus were readied for the arrival of our inaugural boarding class. On August 29, 2021, a group of young men from across the country joined our Laker community, and we couldn’t possibly be more excited to have them here! The boys hail from six different states — Florida, California, Colorado, Massachusetts, Maryland and North Carolina — bringing with them a variety of interests and passions ranging from athletics to art to nature to travel.

“The diversity of areas across the country that these boys come from will allow them to bring their own personal culture to our community,” said director of boarding Michael Williams. “They are pioneers and will be the foundation of this program for years to come.”

As the boys arrived on campus, they were greeted by upper school faculty and administrators, Headmaster Chris Post and a group of upper school boys, who made quick work of emptying cars and bringing their belongings to their new dorm rooms. Our new boarding students lost no time getting to know campus, each other and our community. Over the past several weeks, the boys have hiked in the Appalachian Mountains, hit a few balls on the driving range, attended an Orioles game, spent an afternoon team building on a high ropes course and enjoyed a real Baltimore crab feast.

“It has been great to witness our day students welcoming our boarders into our tight-knit community and watch how quickly they have adapted to life on Lake Avenue.” said upper school head Brian Mitchell. “As a school built on relationships, it’s not surprising how quickly they have integrated into our community.”

In addition to the many School events going on throughout the year, the boys will be traveling to D.C. and Philadelphia, taking ski and other weekend trips and enjoying the sights and sounds of Baltimore.

We can’t wait to see all the ways these young men will enhance life on Lake Avenue!

Otis Read III ‘55 Family

CELEBRATING OTIS B. READ III ’55

By: Mac Kennedy On July 20, the Otis Read ’55 portrait was officially unveiled to a crowd of family and friends. Many of Otis’ former colleagues gathered in the Julian S. Smith Alumni House to honor and reminisce about their mentor. Painted by former middle school art teacher Kirk Maggio, the black and white oil painting reveals Otis in the role he played best – teaching and engaging students here at Boys’ Latin.

Otis was a BL man most of his life. He entered BL in 1952 and never left. Even during his college years at Johns Hopkins, Otis came back to School to coach athletics. According to the 1955 Maroon and White yearbook, “Oats” always had an “easy manner and bright smile.” The yearbook was quite prophetic; “In future life we…feel certain that Oats will continue to gain new friends and recognition in scholastics and athletics because of his glowing personality and strong character.”

Otis started his teaching career at BL in 1957 coaching the 130 pound six-man football team. In the winter of 1957-1958 Otis coached the junior varsity basketball team and in 1960 served as the assistant varsity lacrosse coach under his old coach and mentor, Okey O’Connor

BL hit a crossroad in the spring of 1960. The School’s property on Brevard Street was designated for urban renewal and the School was forced to either relocate or cease operations. The relocation process was long and arduous, and when the Lake Avenue site was finally selected, Okey O’Connor decided he would not be a part of the new school; however, he did insist that the new BL include Otis Read. O’Connor saw the importance of BL continuing WITH Otis Read and his financial involvement included that stipulation.

Otis was here on 822 West Lake Avenue, greeting the new students in the fall of 1960. And he was still here up until his death in 2012.

Otis did it all: teaching English, history, biology, science, directing the summer school, coaching varsity basketball, JV football and JV lacrosse, heading the middle school for 30 years and last serving as the Associate Headmaster for Facilities.

For over half a century Otis was a positive presence here at BL, and the School is a better place because of him. He helped countless Lakers navigate the difficult period between lower school and high school and all of us who knew him still miss him, and always will appreciate his guidance and influence.

The Otis Read portrait will hang in the middle school.

Artist Kirk Maggio