the ST. MARK’S SCHOOL OF TEXAS DALLAS, TEXAS
remarker
VOLUME 65, NUMBER 6 APRIL 12, 2019
STIMULANT ABUSE
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Head of Middle School Warren Foxworth ’66 stands at the front of Decherd Auditorium, directing yet another Middle School assembly. Just a few rows away, Steven* sits in the eighth grade section. He can’t think straight. He’s short of breath, but he can’t convince himself to breathe. That morning, he had taken his first Vyvanse — one of his sister’s. Just so his doctor could guide him toward the right dose. He stands up and walks out. The medicine that was supposed to help him focus only made things worse. Three years later, he became the dealer.
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STORY CONTINUED PAGE 5 Editor’s note: Steven is a pseudonym used to protect the identity of the student interviewed. STORY Kamal Mamdani, Sahit Dendekuri, Parker Davis, Lyle Ochs PHOTO Kyle Smith
As final exams loom on the horizon for Marksmen in eighth to 12th grades, the question of how to best prepare is on every student’s mind. But when faced with that challenge, some may be tempted to cut corners.
Undersea explorer, investor Victor Vescovo ’84 named as Commencement speaker by Sid Vattamreddy eadmaster David Dini announced to the Senior Class March 26 that Victor Vescovo ’84 will speak at this year’s Commencement. Vescovo, who is a retired naval officer, a noted undersea explorer and a private equity investor, will return to campus May 24 to deliver the Commencement Address. Dini consulted with representatives from the Senior Class, including class president Joshua Kang, before Dini officially selected Vescovo as the speaker. “We started off with a list of notable alumni and people associated with St. Mark’s and whittled it down from there,” Kang said. “Vescovo came up when one of the class officers mentioned him, and he ended up becoming our choice.” According to Kang, Vescovo’s unconventional career
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path was one of the main reasons he stood out as a candidate. “The eccentric nature of the projects he has done, including the Five Deeps and Seven Summits expeditions, was what drew us toward him,” Kang said. “He didn’t follow the traditional ‘go to a good college and make money’ career path, which made him a perfect alum in our minds.” For Vescovo, the occasion represents a chance to impart valuable wisdom to the seniors as they graduate. “It really isn’t about me,” Vescovo said. “It’s more about what message can I try to transmit to the students that are making a huge transition as they are entering the next phase of their life.” One of the key points Vescovo hopes to emphasize in his speech is the importance of going out of the comfort zone.
“We should have something in our life that stretches us beyond what we think we can do,” Vescovo said. “We are capable of achieving so much more than we ever imagine as people.” Similarly, Kang sees Vescovo’s life as something to learn from as the Senior Class leaves the school. “[Vescovo] has such a unique and different story he can tell,” Kang said. “There’s something we can all learn from his nonconformity.” Ultimately, Vescovo believes the opportunity represents him closing the circle as he returns to Commencement 35 years later. “I sat in those seats ages ago, and I’m right back in that same place but on the other side now,” Vescovo said. “As someone who’s been out in the world for 35 years, I hope to pass on something of value.”