Friends Bond Over Flags and History

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TEDDY MCDADE ’31 AND LEO MANOUSOS ’31 HAVE been friends since first grade. Bright and expressive, they both like sports and history and talking with each other. It wasn’t until fourth grade, however, that they realized they have a common interest in learning about flags from countries all over the world.

Leo explains, “I noticed some books that Teddy was reading, and they looked really cool. He started drawing flags, and I thought it was so interesting. I wanted to join because I really know a lot about flags and I like doing it, too.”

Teddy says his interest in flags stems from learning about his own family’s history, which includes ties to Oliver Wolcott, a signer of the U.S. Constitution. “We have a lot of history that goes back to a long time ago,” he says. “I started learning about my family and then I wanted to learn more. One thing led to another.”

Leo says, “When I was little, I was really interested in states and capitals. When I was three, I could tell you all the capitals of the states. Now, I’ve moved on in life and moved up to countries. I’ve really been interested in it since I was a child.”

Their teachers, Jeanna Prevette and Stacy Lynch, recognized that the school could support the boys’ natural interest in other countries and their flags and mentioned the duo to David Lynn, then director of International Studies. Mr. Lynn knew the perfect way Teddy and Leo could get involved with International Studies. He asked them to help sort and organize the office’s bins of tabletop flags that had become jumbled over many years of use at various events.

With their knowledge, the boys made quick work of sorting 30 years of the department’s flags by country, continent, and historical flags. For someone else, the job may have been tedious and require a few internet searches. But the boys had fun. As Leo explains, “It was interesting because I’ve never seen that many flags. It was relaxing because I was doing something with my friend, who also likes to do it.”

Both Teddy and Leo are looking forward to Middle School and the opportunity to get more involved in global studies. As for making the transition, Teddy has great advice for anyone ready to try something new: “Don’t try to be someone you’re not just to impress someone.”