VOLUME X, ISSUE II
2014-2015
S T. SMEBASTIAN’S AG A Z I N E
The Science Issue Story Title Story Title Story Title
p 12 p 33 p 35
Mike Grier ’93
FEATURES
In Every Issue
10 A Worthy Investment
2 Around Campus
6 Off Campus
Senior class members of the Finance Academy create a stock portfolio to benefit the School’s endowment
12 Why St. Sebastian’s?
Remarks given by Mary Supple P’09,’10,’15 at Admitted Students Night
14 A World-Class Leader
Doug Arnot ’68 travels the globe as an experienced executive of the world’s largest sporting events
8 By the Numbers 26 Fine Arts 30 Winter Sports 39 Class Notes 47 In Memoriam 48 Mission Moment
18 Taking the Road Less Traveled Mike Grier ’93 returns to St. Sebastian’s to coach hockey after 14 years in the NHL
22 70 Years of The Walrus
A look at the history of the school newspaper
Doug Arnot ’68
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Father GIlmartin
St. Sebastian’s School Mission Statement A Catholic independent school, St. Sebastian’s seeks to engage young men in the pursuit of truth through faith and reason. By embracing Gospel values in an inclusive, nurturing community and by inspiring intellectual excellence in a structured liberal arts curriculum, St. Sebastian’s strives to empower students for success in college and in life. The ideal St. Sebastian’s graduate will be a moral and just person, a gentleman of courage, honor, and wisdom, a life-long learner who continues to grow in his capacity to know, to love, and to serve God and neighbor.
Credits St. Sebastian’s Magazine publishes three times a year. Photos by Marcus Miller and Christine Robertson
St Sebastian’s School 1191 Greendale Ave Needham, MA 02492 781.449.5200
2014-2015 Board of Trustees Seán Cardinal O’Malley, OFM. Cap. Chairman James L. Elcock ’77, P’08 President William L. Burke III P’95,’97,’00,’04 Executive Officer, Headmaster Douglas A. Kingsley, P’10,’10,’12,’13 Secretary Robert M. Wadsworth, P’10,’15 Treasurer J. Devin Birmingham ’84, P’14,’17 David M. Calabro ’78, P’16 Devin C. Condron ’92 William T. Connolly, Jr. P’10,’12,’17 John DeMatteo II P’11,’13,’16,’18 John P. DiGiovanni ’84, P’14 Dana G. Doe P’17 Rev. Michael E. Drea Patrick J. Hegarty ’89 Jane M. Hoch P’07 Ross M. Jones P’16,’17 Wayne M. Kennard P’08 Rev. Brian R. Kiely John A. Mannix ’74 Wesley D. Mateo ’03 James F. Mooney, III P’18 Robert J. Mulroy ’82 Mark L. O’Friel ’79 William A. O’Malley P’09,’10,’13 Kristin E. Reed P’15,’17 John A. Sebastian P’18 Kurt R. Steinkrauss ’91, P’19 Stephen P. Ward ’96 Celeste E. Wolfe P’09,’12 Carol A. Smith-Fachetti P’13,’16 President, Guild of St. Irene Robert M. Reardon P’15 President, Men’s Association John E. McNamara ’81,P’14,’18 President, Alumni Association James A. Cotter, Jr. ’57 J. Brad Griffith ’58 Trustee Emeriti
From the desk of the headmaster
…to know, to love, and to serve God and neighbor
W il l ia m L . Bu rk e I I I
These last ten words of our mission statement express the essence of St. Sebastian’s—our ever-evolving reality, our sacred purpose, our ultimate goal. To evince the beautiful truth that our students embrace and advance our lofty mission, I often cite passages from their Chapel Speeches. However, in this issue of the St. Sebastian’s Magazine in which we celebrate our student newspaper, The Walrus, I think it most apt to share passages from recent issues of the paper. Here they are: … you don’t have just one group of friends here at Seb’s, everybody loves each other here. (Will D’Orsi ’15) For six years we have loved each other, our school, and the entire family at St. Sebastian’s. That is our legacy. (Tyler Wiik ’15) With their classes coming to an end, the Senior Class looks forward to embarking on their journey into the world of service where they will inspire good, represent St. Seb’s proudly, and spread the loving message of Jesus. (Greg DeMatteo ’16) As I often say, there may be people who despair about the future of our country and of our world, but those people don’t work at St. Sebastian’s, where our young men boldly articulate and joyfully live the order of the day: Love God, work hard, and take good care of one another. We are all very proud of and grateful to our wonderful students and their loving families. In this issue of our magazine, in addition to winter academic, athletic, artistic and service highlights, you will be treated to pieces on distinguished alumni from across the years, including Doug Arnot ’68, a good friend from the class above me at Middlebury College, and former NHL player, Michael Grier ’93, and recently elevated Lieutenant Colonel Chris Conley ’94, two outstanding young men from the student body who welcomed me when I began my tenure in 1990. John Hickey ’65, who celebrates his 50th reunion this spring, pays tribute to beloved mentor, Father Gilmartin, and trustee Mark O’Friel ’79 honors The Reverend Charles D. McInnis Society, our vitally important planned giving program. You will also be treated to the words Mary Supple P’09,’10,’15 delivered recently at our reception for admitted students and their families. I invite you to read them in the context of the assertion made by former Board of Trustees President, Jack Birmingham ’59, “We should send our sons to a school for two reasons: the experience while there, and the powers gained for having been there.” I thank all of our students, families, faculty, staff, trustees, alumni, and friends for supporting your School so lovingly well, and I urge you to visit soon and often. I am confident that you will be buoyed by the Spirit of the place and gain a better understanding of our deep gratitude and firm belief that the best is yet to come. May God continue to bless you every sacred step of the way. With love and gratitude,
William L. Burke III Headmaster
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Around Campus News and Notes from Our School Community Major Chris Conley ’94 Inspires with Message About Service
Science teacher Marissa Bianchi (far left) accompanies St. Sebastian’s students to the 2015 Boston Brain Bee at MIT.
Arrows Represented in Top Ten at Boston Brain Bee On February 7, ten students from St. Sebastian’s Neuroscience Network put some of their brains’ approximately 100 billion neurons to the test in the 2015 Brain Bee. This 10th annual event was hosted by MIT at the Picower Institute for Learning and Memory. The boys competed against students from 16 schools as they took an intense written neuroscience exam covering brain topics such as neurological disease, brain development, learning, memory and more. St. Sebastian’s was represented in the top ten highest scorers by Paul Keady ’16 who advanced to the live oral competition, judged by university professors and other professionals. Keady was awarded fourth place in the
On January 30, U.S. Army Major Chris Conley ’94 returned to campus to speak with current Arrows about service and visit with students in classrooms and during lunch. Major Conley, who has served in the Army since graduating from West Point in 1998, is now a defense acquisition systems coordinator at the Pentagon. This was his third visit to campus to speak to the School community. Addressing the student body during morning chapel, Major Conley implored his listeners to serve their country in any way they can, whether in the Armed Forces, in politics, or by working for the government. He shared stories of the incredible experiences the Army has provided him, as well as the unforgettable people with whom he has served. Recalling President Kennedy’s famous words, “ask not what your country can do for you—ask what you can do for your country,” Major Conley says the ultimate goal of his service is to protect the United States, and continue to make it the greatest country in the world.
running toward a spot in the National Brain Bee competition. The Brain Bee, sponsored by local chapters of the Society for Neuroscience, aims to encourage high school students’ interest in neuroscience and inspire their pursuit of science careers. The students also participated in a networking luncheon with a panel of medical and basic science research professionals representing academia, industry, and healthcare. The day ended with a keynote address on autism by an esteemed neurosurgeon from the Boston area. Congratulations to the following students: Sam Cullen ’17, Cedric Depestre ’15, Andrew Elcock ’17, Sam Gordon ’17, Paul Keady ’16, Casey Kelly ’16, Cam Rivera ’17, Michael Rozewski ’16, Tyler Wiik ’15, and Chris Wolpe ’15. Major Chris Conley ’94 addresses students and faculty in St. Bartholomew Church.
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AROUND CAMPUS
Switching Roles During Catholic Schools Week Students and faculty recognized Catholic Schools Week in early February by stepping into each others’ shoes. In honor of Student Appreciation Day, St. Sebastian’s faculty and staff completed the day’s work duty for students and then served up ice cream sundaes to the students. The following day, National Honor Society student volunteers tried their hand at teaching select classes.
St. Sebastian’s Hosts Annual Debate Tournament On March 1, St. Sebastian’s hosted its annual Parliamentary Extemporaneous Invitational Debate Tournament for students in both novice and advanced divisions. Fourteen independent schools participated in the Tournament. Congratulations to Liam Duggan ’17 who finished in second place out of 52 debaters in the novice division. Paul Canavan ’16 and Frankie Mahoney ’16 earned school individual speaker’s prizes in the advanced division.
Robotics Team Competes in State Championships Six members of the St. Sebastian’s School FIRST Tech Challenge (FTC) Robotics Team traveled to Natick High School on February 28 to compete in the FIRST Robotics Massachusetts State Championships. St. Sebastian’s was one of 32 teams from Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Maine in attendance. The Arrows competed in five preliminary-round matches and
Liam Duggan ‘17 with his team partner Stevie Karol ‘17 and Assistant Headmaster Michael Nerbonne.
finished with a 2–3 record. This performance was strong enough to move St. Sebastian’s from its 34th-place state ranking (out of 81 total teams) into a 19th-place ranking, but fell short of earning the team a spot in the next round of the competition. The team members in attendance were: John Flatley ’15 (assistant project manager); James Hunt ’15 (lead builder); Peter Olson ’15 (lead programmer); Cam Quirk ’15; Jimmy Ryan ’16 and Luke McKenzie ’20.
Ryan Lee ’15 was one of several students to take on the role of teacher, leading a history class on Faculty/Staff Appreciation Day.
Wiik ’15 Named National Merit Finalist Tyler Wiik ’15 was named a Finalist in the 2015 National Merit Scholarship Program. His performance on the 2013 Preliminary SAT National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test placed him in the top one percent of students nationwide. Only 16,000 students have advanced to Finalist and are eligible to earn a Merit Scholarship.
Members of the Robotics Team hold one of their robot creations. WWW. S T S EBASTIANS S CHOOL.ORG
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AROUND CAMPUS
Seniors Celebrate 100 Days to Graduation The Class of 2015 celebrated the traditional 100 Days to Graduation Breakfast on February 24 in Ward Hall. After piling plates with everything from bacon to belgian waffles, the students were addressed by Director of Alumni Programs Ed Davis ’65 and Assistant Director of Alumni Programs Andy Bartlett ’03, each of whom stressed the bonds of friendship the students have formed with each other during their time at St. Sebastian’s. Looking to the future, the seniors then selected Class Agents, who will coordinate class events for years to come.
Juniors and seniors who participated in Harvard Model Congress, led by History teacher Steven Thomasy (far left) and Religion teacher Michael Foley (far right).
Gavel Prize Earned at Harvard Model Congress
Seniors fill their plates with a special breakfast prepared by the dining staff.
From February 19 to 22, studentdelegates from St. Sebastian’s attended Harvard Model Congress, one of the largest government simulations in the United States. Each student at the conference assumed the role and political positions of a different member of the executive and legislative branches of the federal government. The students from St. Sebastian’s were fortunate to have been selected for roles such as Secretary of State and Chairman of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence. For four days, our delegates interacted with other students from around the United
States and several foreign countries. Michael Rozewski ’16 was awarded a Gavel Prize (the highest prize awarded within each Congressional Committee) for his role as Senator Roy Blunt (R-MO). In addition to Rozewski, the following students also served as delegates: Cole Aldrich ’16, Jack Brugger ’16, Anthony Canavan ’15, Ben Fachetti ’16, John Flatley ’15, John Kapples ’16, Paul Keady ’16, Frankie Mahoney ’16, Peter Olson ’15, Nick O’Neil ’16 and Nico Topulos ’16. The delegation was led by History teacher Steven Thomasy, along with Religion teacher Michael Foley. St. Sebastian’s has now participated in Harvard Model Congress for 29 years under the direction of Thomasy.
Juniors Serve Breakfast to the Homeless On March 21, a group of juniors, along with faculty members John Eaton, John Ryan and Michael Foley, traveled downtown to serve the homeless of Boston a traditional St. Patrick’s Day breakfast. The 10th graders, along with dedicated Paulist Center parishioners, helped prepare and serve a breakfast of corned beef, eggs and potatoes. This St. Patrick’s Day project continued the efforts of the junior class at the Paulist Center’s Community Breakfast, where they serve on the third Saturday of each month. The Community Breakfast has been serving the homeless of Boston for more than 35 years. Mr. Foley, Mr. Eaton, Jack Brugger, Matt Aisenberg, Paul Keady, Jimmy Ryan, Mr. Ryan, and Nathan Akukwe gather outside the Paulist Center in Boston.
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AROUND CAMPUS
Scholastic Art Awards Recognize Photography Talent Congratulations to Seve Mustone ’15 and Christian Locurto ’16 for receiving Honorable Mention in the 2015 Scholastic Art & Writing Awards. Both students were recognized for their photography work. The Scholastic Art & Writing Awards are presented by The Alliance for Young Artists & Writers whose mission is to identify students with exceptional artistic and literary talent and present their remarkable work to the world through the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards. Through this program students gain experience in entering shows, winning awards, and presenting work for a gallery exhibition. “Circle of Life” by Christian Locurto ’16
“[HELP]” (above) and “Immerse Yourself” (right) by Seve Mustone ‘15
MPA Remembers Bloody Sunday Men with Positive Attitudes (MPA) hosted its annual Black History Assembly on March 31. This year’s assembly recognized the 50th anniversary of Bloody Sunday, the Selma to Montgomery marches, and the Voting Rights Movement of March 1965. The program began with a welcome from MPA president Edosa Onaiwu ’15. MPA members then delivered brief presentations introducing video news clips from Bloody Sunday, which were
followed by musical performances from Ms. Christina DeVaughn and Mr. David Coleman from Dana Hall School. Following the video presentations, Will Supple ’15 and Joe Kerwin ’15 performed an acoustic rendition of “What a Wonderful World” before a presentation of “Perspective,” a skit by Matt Blue ’15. Students, faculty and guests then stood together to sing the closing song “We Shall Overcome” before Headmaster Burke took the podium to offer closing remarks. MPA members join the entire student body and faculty in singing “We Shall Overcome.”
WWW. S T S EBASTIANS S CHOOL.ORG
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OFF CAMPUS
Exploring Costa Rica From breathtaking beaches to tropical rainforests and simmering volcanoes, it was a week filled with outdoor adventures for twelve St. Sebastian’s students who traveled to Costa Rica over March break. The students, along with Spanish teachers Andy Beaule and Andrew Digan, began their journey by visiting the magnificent Arenal Volcano and swimming in the nearby hot springs. The next adventure was a boat tour along the Rio Frío, where students got a close-up look at wildlife. The action started to pick up with horseback riding along a Costa Rican lake, a morning of ziplining through the rain forest in Monteverde and a beautiful walk along the rainforest canopy, providing amazing views. The final days of the trip brought the group to Quepos, a beach town on the Pacific side of the country. The Manuel Antonio National Park offered a glimpse of the abundant wildlife, from sloths and monkeys to rare birds, as well as a beautiful place to swim. Minutes away from the park was the ocean, where big waves made for exciting but tiring swims under a stronger sun than what the students are used to in New England! The final night was spent in the capital of Costa Rica, San José. It was a fantastic trip full of experiences these students will never forget.
TOP: Jack Browne ‘18 gets a close look at an iguana; BOTTOM: The students explore Costa Rica on horseback
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OFF CAMPUS
Building Connections with Two Very Different Catholic Schools This past March break, St. Sebastian’s sent its students on exchanges with two all-boys Catholic independent schools, giving students the opportunity to experience life at another school, create new friendships, and return to campus with a new perspective.
St. Benedict’s School
Newark, NJ Eight freshmen headed to Newark, NJ as part of a new exchange program with St. Benedict’s School. The Headmaster of St. Benedict’s, Rev. Edwin D. Leahy, O.S.B., delivered the 2014 Commencement address at St. Sebastian’s. During his visit, Fr. Leahy established a connection with Headmaster Burke and these two leaders began to explore how the two schools could come together in order to advance the mission of both schools and build a relationship between their students. In addition to experiencing a day at St. Benedict’s, the St. Sebastian’s students and their 9th grade hosts shared meals together, saw a play called Nevermore about the life of Edgar Allen Poe, and visited the 9/11 Memorial & Museum. The St. Sebastian’s students will have the opportunity to host the St. Benedict’s students in May.
St. Sebastian’s and St. Benedict’s students visit the 9/11 Memorial together.
St. Michael’s College
Dublin, Ireland Six St. Sebastian’s students stayed with Irish families for a week, experiencing the culture firsthand. The boys were paired with students from St. Michael’s College, located on the famed Ailesbury Road in Dublin. The Irish host families packed our students’ days with exciting excursions. The boys took in the championship “football” and hurling matches of the GAA (Gaelic Athletic Association) at Croke Park. Other highlights included a tour of Trinity College; traditional Irish music and step dancing; and the Viking Splash sightseeing tour of Dublin. To top it off, they got to experience the St. Patrick’s Day parade on O’Connell Street. Tuesday through Friday, when school was in session, the St. Sebastian’s students attended various classes at St. Michael’s. In early April, just a few weeks later, it was the St. Sebastian’s students’ turn to host their new Irish friends. In addition to celebrating Easter with their host families, the Irish students sat in on classes at St. Sebastian’s and visited Boston. They toured the State House, including a VIP visit with Rep. Walter Timilty on the House Floor, enjoyed a Duck Boat tour and visited the Prudential Tower Skywalk Observatory.
TOP LEFT: Students visit the 1979 Papal Cross in Phoenix Park, Dublin; BOTTOM LEFT: The St. Patrick’s Day Parade on O’Connell Street; ABOVE: Irish students visit the Massachusetts State House.
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Science by the Numbers
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The number of state-of-the-art labs in the Science, Math & Library Center, providing faculty with the necessary platform and tools to deliver excellent science instruction
17,355,240,314,800 The number of excess electrons on the dome of the Van de Graaff generator in the physics lab when charging to 200,000 volts
32
49
The number of bones in the human body (out of 55) correctly identified by Matt Guarino as winner of the “Bones Challenge,” the first in a series of Pop-Up Competitions offered by the Science Department
1,030
Total number of eyewash stations in the science labs
297.06
Average velocity (in cm/s) of the fastest mousetrap car this year
5.67 to 1 The current student:teacher ratio in the AP science courses; 26 of the 72 seniors are taking AP Science this year.
The number of WebAssign homework questions completed by members of the AP C Physics course this year
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Summer Workshops in Writing & Science Two sessions for Summer 2015:
July 6–17 & July 20–31
These two distinct workshops, run by our experienced St. Sebastian’s faculty, are an enriching learning opportunity for students looking for a challenging and fun summer experience.
Open to all boys entering grades 5–9
stsebs.org/workshops WWW. S T S EBASTIANS S CHOOL.ORG
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Finance Academy Senior Portfolio
A Worthy Investment Thousands of high schools across the country participate in stock market simulation games, managing fictional brokerage accounts with virtual cash. Senior class members of the Finance Academy at St. Sebastian’s School have taken the experience to a new level. Rather than using fake dollars, the students are using real money to make real investments that will benefit the School while providing a unique educational opportunity.
T
he Finance Academy Senior Portfolio is a small stock portfolio under the sole direction of the senior class members. Envisioned by Assistant Headmaster Michael Nerbonne, the fund was financed by a gift made by an anonymous donor to benefit the School’s endowment. Although real money investing clubs are common in higher education, few high schools have entered this arena. Nerbonne saw this as an opportunity to provide real-world experience for students and was convinced that using real money would change their approach. “We had tried the stock game a few times in the past, but it never got much traction,” says Nerbonne. “When I heard about college students investing real endowment dollars, that’s when I came up with the idea for our program with the seniors this year.” Indeed, this was no longer a “game” and the fifteen seniors involved took it seriously from day one. With no stocks and no structure, the students essentially started with a blank page. Stephen DuFour P’14,’18,’21 a portfolio manager for Fidelity Investments, worked with the seniors to help them develop the framework they needed to get started. DuFour served as the perfect mentor, using his experience on the Advisory Board of Notre Dame’s Applied Investment Management (AIM) course, a competitive program designed to give students the opportunity to manage a live portfolio while developing their financial analysis skills. Although on a significantly smaller scale, the program created at St. Sebastian’s is based on a similar concept as the course at Notre Dame. The first couple of meetings, DuFour worked with the students to educate them about how the stock market works, outline an investing policy and define the process for how the students would pick the stocks for the Senior Portfolio. They were then each assigned to one of the ten sectors in the stock market and charged with researching a stock and pitching it to the group. The seniors involved came prepared to make their pitch. “We really did our
“We really did our research before pitching our stocks. We knew we were starting a foundation for the future and no one wanted to let the team down.” —Greg Barletta ’15 research,” says Greg Barletta ’15. “We knew we were starting a foundation for the future and no one wanted to let the team down.” DuFour had encouraged the students to pick a stock they were familiar with or passionate about. The picks ranged from classic stocks like Under Armour and Apple to some more unusual choices like Alibaba, an e-commerce company known as the “Chinese Amazon.” After each pitch, the students voted and if the majority of hands went up, the stock was selected. The next couple meetings were spent learning about ETFs (exchangetraded funds), percentages and how to assemble a balanced portfolio. The final portfolio, composed of one stock from each of the ten sectors, was designed to grow while minimizing risk. “The boys started with nothing and now five months later, they have a sheet filled with stocks,” says DuFour. “I’m very proud of the effort they put into this.” Throughout the process, the boys were learning as they were doing. The primary objective was to build financial literacy through hands-on experience, but there were many other benefits to the program. The students had to work together as a team, learning to challenge and trust each other’s choices, and to verbalize their own ideas—skills that will benefit them in any industry. Students also gained an understanding about the School’s endowment. Involvement in the fund stirred interest in exploring finance as a career. “I plan to pursue economics in college and this was a cool introduction to courses I’ll be taking in the future,” says Scott Westvold ’15.
The Finance Academy Senior Portfolio is a culmination for students who have been introduced to the topic through the club’s speaker series. In March, Brian Mulvey P’17, a broker-dealer for UBS (Union Bank of Switzerland), made investing easy to understand for the students, providing examples from his work. Sean Silvia P’15 spoke to the club in January about his role as a stock trader at Jeffries and Company and how technology has changed the way stocks are traded. These are just two examples of parents and alumni who have spoken passionately about their jobs, encouraging student interest and providing a great foundation for underclassmen who may become involved in this new initiative. Soon, the Class of 2015 will be moving on and the portfolio will be handed over to the incoming class of seniors. Now that the fund is established, this new group of students will need to define how they will monitor the portfolio’s performance until they graduate next year and make buy/sell decisions as needed. There is still much work to be done, but the groundwork for a successful program has been laid by this hard-working group of seniors. “Hopefully, we’ll look back ten years from now and say ‘wow’ from a very meager start,” says DuFour. The Finance Academy is always looking for new speakers. If you work in the finance industry and would be interested in making a presentation, please contact Assistant Headmaster Michael Nerbonne at michael_nerbonne@stsebs.org.
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Why St. Sebastian’s? Remarks given by Mary Supple P’09,’10,’15 on April 8, 2015 at Admitted Students Night
Good evening. I’m honored to be sharing a few words with you this evening. I want to add my congratulations to you boys and to your parents—for all the time you committed to visiting, testing, applying and interviewing. It’s quite a journey you’ve been on, especially for the boys who’ve had to throw on the jacket and tie, plus bring your firmest handshake and best eye contact to each event. For those who’ve already deposited, I’m aware that I’m “preaching to the choir.” But I hope you’ll learn even more about what our wonderful school is like while you’re here tonight. For those boys and parents still figuring out what to do, I hope this evening brings the clarity you need to make the best decision for your family. When Mr. Nerbonne asked me to speak about my experience as a parent, I thought back to when I was in your seat, 12 years ago, and here’s what I remember thinking about: First, I wanted my son’s middle and high school to offer him the best foundation for life and preparation for college he could get. I wanted a school where learning, analyzing, and debating
respectfully are part of the school’s culture. I was seeking a place where my son could be himself, would have friends, could play multiple sports, be on stage for drama and music, and have a shot at leadership roles for clubs he liked. Second, I wanted to know if it was going to be worth the investment? Would he have a great experience here? And, yes, part of that investment question meant “Will he get into a great college?” Third, I hoped that St. Sebastian’s would grow stronger and dream bigger while my son was here. My husband, Bill, and I are the parents of four children: three boys who came here in grade 7 and a daughter who graduated from Newton Country Day. They were all good students, they were singers and actors; and they had leadership roles in their favorite extracurriculars. Each was the captain of one or more high school sports. They went on to compete on Division I and Division III college teams. We are very happy with their various interests and successes, but those don’t begin to reveal how they were able to accomplish all that. The boys had so much guidance and support here along the way. Growing up is tough, but attending St. Sebastian’s makes it a lot less tough. Here we have a partnership with the School to help us raise our sons, and there are literally positive influences around every corner. This year, I’m the parent of a St. Seb’s 12th grader. My youngest child is graduating in this church in June and heading to Boston College in the fall. It is a day I anticipate with mixed emotions. I’m tired of reminding him to get out of bed faster, be at school on time, eat breakfast and drive slower. But there’s so much I don’t need to remind him of: to be respectful of his
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teachers, to finish senior year strong even though he’s into college, to be kind to the younger students, to be a man of character. To do the right thing; not the convenient thing. This School sends those messages loud and clear and often. I’ve sent my three sons here knowing their school is academically demanding, holds them accountable for their behavior, and has high expectations of them. As Headmaster Burke and Father Arens say repeatedly, they have a “sacred partnership” with families. They take that concept seriously and that sacred partnership has been the most cherished aspect of the Supple family’s time here. As you’ve seen throughout this admissions cycle, the leadership team here is excellent. And the talented and caring faculty they’ve assembled is top-notch. They are well-credentialed, experienced and eager to teach your sons. They really know boys, they know how to motivate, encourage, and engage that “interesting individual” who is an adolescent boy headed into manhood. On the caring side, they are unrivaled. There’s one especially busy administrator who has regular meetings with several boys, each of whom has lost a parent, just as this man did at a young age. There’s another department chair who keeps close tabs on a student whose mother has serious, recurring health issues. There’s an AP Literature teacher who makes a point to supplement great classics with NY Times Opinion pieces. While he wants the seniors to score well on the AP exam, he also wants to discuss contemporary issues with them this spring on topics they’ll be facing in college. When the inevitable academic or behavior “issues” arise with your student, the teachers here will find your son, come in early or stay late to
meet with him, and try their best to get him back on track. If your son is somewhat elusive— like mine have been on occasion—they do not hesitate to contact the parents... It’s part of that sacred partnership concept I spoke of. I fondly remember our first Orientation Day when the students and parents have lunch with the boys’ advisors in September. I’m looking at my 7th grader thinking of the basics. For me the basics included, “Oh, I hope he has someone to sit with at lunch tomorrow” and “I hope he doesn’t lose his navy blazer in the first month.” Soon Headmaster Burke shared his familiar words: “this School exists to help young men become all that God wants them to be in body, mind and spirit... to prepare them for success in college, to assist in keeping them focused on heaven.” Mr. Burke was so very far ahead of me with his talk of heaven on Orientation Day. One year later that same son was in his first week of 8th grade. The advisor asked him what he did over the summer and Ned mumbled something about competing in a triathlon. The advisor pointed out he should be running on the cross-country team if he was doing triathlons. Ned did not have a response to that so the advisor walked my son down to the hall to the cross-country coach. Ned ended up running on that team for 5 years. That advisor story is an example of what I was looking for here. My husband and I didn’t make the suggestion and didn’t need to. Someone at St. Sebastian’s asked good questions of our son, took action, and followed through. A story like this happens every week here. Twelve years ago I was thinking about the investment we were going to make in our son’s education at St. Sebastian’s. Like it or not, college
matriculation is a consideration in today’s world. The college matriculation list for this year’s seniors is outstanding, as it has been for many years. This class of 72 talented young men committed themselves to putting a priority on and excelling in their academics. They’ve taken advantage of the opportunities here at St. Sebastian’s, and they’ve been rewarded with offers of admission at prominent and impressive colleges and universities. Those who are on wait-lists at their top choices have the full support and daily attention of the College Guidance Director and the Headmaster this month. Many years ago the St. Sebastian’s Board made the brilliant decision to commit to excellence in their Writing and Speaking Program. As you’ve heard, it is a challenging and successful part of the curriculum. Our two older sons chose to attend small liberal arts colleges. Because of the intense focus on writing here, even at top colleges like Holy Cross and Middlebury they became known as the guys who were great editors and critiquers on their freshmen hallways. Those writing and speaking skills honed at St. Sebastian’s offered them a huge advantage when they transitioned to college. Regarding my third question: wondering if St. Sebastian’s would grow stronger and dream bigger while my sons were here... the answer is a resounding yes. This School has developed in ways that directly benefit the students and faculty, without increasing enrollment and by keeping the student/faculty ratio low. The Science, Math & Library wing that opened here two years ago is stateof-the-art. There are terrific turf fields, and much more field space overall.
“Growing up is tough, but attending St. Sebastian’s makes it a lot less tough. Here we have a partnership with the School to help us raise our sons, and there are literally positive influences around every corner.”
Multiple varsity sports, including swimming and wrestling, were added a few years ago and there have been renovations to classrooms and locker rooms in recent years. The school your sons will enter in the fall will surely change too. The campus is evolving and there is a lot of excitement on the horizon. The enthusiasm and excitement don’t end when your sons graduate. Tomorrow night is the annual reception for Parents of St. Sebastian’s Alumni. It will be the biggest crowd ever. You boys have heard about the “Arrows Brotherhood.” Well, that same spirit and connectedness exists among the parents. If your son enrolls here, you mothers and fathers will make lifelong friendships. The sense of community among the parents at St. Sebastian’s is well-known. I often describe it as a very warm welcome, complete with a big bear hug, and they never release you from that embrace! We are a community that celebrates joy together, shares sadness together, and we cope together with the bumps in the road that come with raising teenagers. In closing, I want to quote Headmaster Burke. He wrote the following when the School was celebrating its 60th Anniversary. “I believe our sons of St. Sebastian’s will continue to grow in all the right ways here, through college, and beyond. They will join the ranks of honored alumni. They will lead in their families, in their communities, in the Church, and in the world, seeking to do as their parents, teachers, and leaders here have done. I believe they will stay connected to one another and to us. I believe the world is a much, much better place because of St. Sebastian’s.” I believe that too. And, I hope you’ll choose to come to St. Sebastian’s and discover that truth for yourself. This is a great place to grow up, and, as Mr. Burke says, “to grow in all the right ways.” Thank you.
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A World-Class
Leader There is no such thing as a typical work day for Doug Arnot ’68. It really depends on where he is in the world. As one of the most experienced executives of the world’s largest sporting events, Arnot is currently involved in the planning of three different Olympic Games— each operating at very different speeds—as well as Baku 2015, the first-ever European Games being held in Azerbaijan. Circling the globe, he divides his time between Rio de Janeiro, Tokyo, Boston and Baku, passing on his incredible knowledge on how to plan and deliver a major international event.
By Christine Robertson
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I
t’s no wonder Arnot’s expertise is in such high demand. He has held senior leadership positions in five organizing committees for Olympic Games and served as an advisor to executive leadership for four other Games. Arnot’s involvement with the Olympics spans more than twenty years, beginning with his role as Director of Venues and Operations for the Atlanta 1996 Summer Games. Even during his high school years at St. Sebastian’s, Arnot stood out as a leader in the classroom and on the fields. He was not only a top scholar with a keen mind and a winning personality, but also a great athlete. His love affair
Doug plays his part in helping the St. Sebastian’s football team achieve a perfect season his senior year in the Fall of 1967.
with sports began at an early age, and only grew deeper as a member of the varsity football team, which was undefeated his senior year. Arnot continued his passion for sports at Middlebury College, where he was captain of the football and lacrosse teams and a language major. Upon graduating from Middlebury, he earned his law degree at Suffolk University. Arnot was working at the District Attorney’s Office in Boston in the early 1980’s when the idea of a state-wide summer sports festival for Massachusetts was floated to him and his career took a markedly different path—although at the time he thought it was only a detour. In 1982, Arnot launched the first-ever Bay State Summer Games in Boston, and three years later, the inaugural Winter Games took place in the Berkshires. He spent ten years as Executive Director of the Massachusetts Amateur Sports Foundation (MASF), the organizer of the Bay State Games, providing athletes of all ages and abilities with the experience of Olympic-style athletic competitions at a local level. Arnot’s vision was to bring together athletes from all different types of communities and to create opportunity. “I wanted to help kids find themselves and give them a chance to shine through sport,” says Arnot. “I believe that there’s an athlete in everybody.” Arnot expanded that vision by founding the National Congress of State Games in 1988. Serving as the nonprofit’s first President, he passed on the insight he gained from building up the Bay State Games to help further develop state games throughout the U.S. During
this time, Arnot managed to accomplish a great deal with next to nothing, working with primarily volunteerbased organizations, and also learned a significant amount about governing bodies and international games. It was the 1994 FIFA World Cup that propelled Arnot onto the global stage. As Executive Vice President, he used all of his training and talent to deliver a hugely successful tournament in nine cities across the U.S., the first and only time our nation has hosted the event. Arnot has been immersed in planning some of the greatest spectacles in the sports world ever since. In addition to his role in the 1996 Atlanta Summer Games, his resume includes Director of Operations for the Salt Lake City 2002 Games, President of USA Rugby, Senior Vice-president of Chicago’s bid for the 2016 Olympics and Director of Games Operations for the London 2012 Games. Arnot’s first Olympic role in Atlanta turned out to be one of his most challenging. “When the bomb went off, I had to quickly assess 75 other venues, make sure they were all safe, reassure our workforce, many of them volunteers, and decide whether or not it was wise to open the games the next day.” In the nearly two decades since then, the Olympics have grown significantly in scale and complexity. Along with highstakes security issues, there is significant budget pressure, an unrelenting delivery program that ranges from coordinating venues to volunteers, and the immovable deadline of the Opening Ceremony—all taking place under huge media scrutiny. Indeed, the staging of the Olympic Games is one of the most complex projects that
“There are so many things people learn to do planning and organizing an event like the Olympics that they never would have thought or learned to do otherwise.” —Doug Arnot ’68
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many cities will ever undertake and Arnot is at the forefront of it all. One of Arnot’s strategies is to surround himself with a dedicated and talented team of people who are good at what they do. Following his experience with the Atlanta Olympics, he recognized that much of the vital insight gained by those involved was being lost after each set of Games was over. And so he founded the Broadstone Group as a way to retain that talent and institutional knowledge from one event to the next. From venue design and transportation to technology, he has a team of experts that can be placed wherever and whenever they are needed most. While there are common threads, Arnot notes that every set of games presents its own unique challenges. Recognizing that there is no “one size fits all” approach, his key to success is quickly learning the local culture and how it operates—whether it’s the formality of Japan, or the carefree spirit of Rio de Janeiro. Arnot spends much of his time with government officials, acting as the interface between the event organizers and the local government. “I do a lot of listening, trying to understand what’s feasible and practical in that culture,” he says. Arnot not only has to navigate the customs of whichever city he happens to be in at the moment, but also needs to quickly shift gears depending on what stage of planning the games are in. The bid for Boston 2024 is just getting off the ground, whereas Baku 2015 is only weeks away. One involves long-range planning, anticipating obstacles and galvanizing local support, while the other requires ensuring that the teams, structures and processes are ready to go when the athletes, spectators and media arrive. Regardless of the phase, Arnot believes in using the games strategically, encouraging the host city to think about where it wants to be in 20 to 30 years. Even in the early days of the process, Boston 2024 is already bringing people together to talk about issues like housing, transportation, and the future of the city. “There are
Doug at the Boston 2024 headquarters.
so many things people learn to do planning and organizing an event like the Olympics that they never would have thought or learned to do otherwise,” attests Arnot. “And so many groups that would never have come together learn about each other.” Arnot has earned many international honors in his career, including being named an Officer of the British Empire for his role in the London Olympics and being awarded the Olympic Order of Excellence and the Olympic Order
of the Rings. He has been in charge of leading as many as 200,000 people at a time to deliver one of the most complex and high-profile projects available anywhere, with the world as his audience. Sport is the vehicle, but the legacy that comes out of each set of games is really about what human beings can accomplish together. For Arnot, this is what it’s all about.
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By Christine Robertson
Taking the Road
Less
Traveled Mike Grier ’93 was jumping up
and down with excited anticipation as the puck traveled towards the net. It was late in a playoff game this past March and the Arrows had a legitimate opportunity to score and break the 1-1 tie. Twenty-two years after lacing up his skates for the Black and Red, the former NHL player was standing on the bench, this time as the team’s Assistant Coach. Although the puck missed by just inches, and the Arrows lost in overtime, it is the entire season— his first as a high school hockey coach—that Grier will remember.
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S
ince his playing days at St. Sebastian’s, Grier has had a remarkable career on the ice. Originally drafted by the St. Louis Blues in the 1993 Entry Draft, he was traded to the Edmonton Oilers while attending Boston University, and went on to play for the Washington Capitals, San Jose Sharks and Buffalo Sabres. The 6 ft. 1” Grier, weighing in at over 220 lbs., was a powerful right wing who was known for his thunderous body checks and penalty-killing prowess. Along with his size, Grier also stood out on the ice because of the color of his skin. He was the first African-American player, both born and trained in the United States, to make it to the NHL. It was really Grier’s character that made him special. Well respected by his coaches, teammates and fans alike, he was a hard-working, loyal player who displayed tenacity on the ice and leadership in the locker room. “It’s not just about talent,” says Grier. “The players who play the right way and work harder go further. That hard works pays off.” Grier played 1,060 NHL games over the course of 14 seasons before retiring and moving to Needham with his wife, Anne, and three young children. Grier grew up in a household centered around professional sports. His father, Bobby Grier, who is Associate Director of Pro Personnel for the Houston Texans, was a running back coach for the Patriots at the time. His older brother Chris was also a stellar athlete who played football for the University of Massachusetts and was a scout for the Patriots before taking on his current role as the Director of College Scouting for the Miami Dolphins. “I saw how hard my dad worked as a coach, and the effort and sacrifice the players put in,” recalls Grier. “I guess I was subconsciously learning just by being exposed to that environment.” Although football was the family sport, it was hockey that Grier was drawn to when he first picked up a stick around age five. “It was fast. I
you have a goal, go after it. “IfDon’t let anyone tell you that you can’t do something. ”
liked the speed and the physicality of it. And I liked that it was a different avenue,” says Grier. From his early days in youth hockey, Grier was a force on the ice, playing the game with passion. However, it was his toughness and resolve, along with the support of both his parents, which helped him to succeed. “I had plenty of people telling me I was in the wrong sport,” says Grier, “but my parents pushed me forward, helping to block out the noise and the criticism.” His “won’t take no for an answer” personality proved to be a defining quality for Grier that fueled his success, both on and off the ice. St.
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—Mike Grier ’93
Sebastian’s Business Manager Jack Doherty, who coached Grier on the varsity hockey team, remembers him as a dedicated and very determined athlete. “He’d go through a wall to get a win,” recalls Doherty. While Grier was on the team, the Arrows won back-to-back ISL Championships, but there were lessons learned in the classroom as well. “It was important to realize that you could be competitive both academically and athletically, and to see everyone still treat each other with respect,” notes Grier. Today, Grier is trying to impart the lessons he learned in the NHL as a coach. This past season, he worked
Mike Grier at a Glance
1st
U.S.-born, U.S.-trained African American hockey player in the NHL
1,060
games played in the NHL over 14 seasons as part of 4 teams
1 of 2
African-Americans to reach the 1,000 game milestone in the NHL
1000th
game played in November 2010 against the Boston Bruins, becoming the 254th player to reach this milestone
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with the varsity hockey team on a daily basis, passing on “tricks of the trade” during practices and games. Grier spent a lot of time one-on-one helping players to build individual skills. “He could really talk about the nuances of a position,” says Head Coach Sean McCann. “But he always did it in a positive manner, in a way that reinforced the kid’s confidence.” McCann attests that it was Coach Grier’s positive approach that was really the biggest contribution to the team. “The kids were in awe of him and ecstatic to have him as part of the staff, including those who want to follow in his footsteps.”
Indeed, Grier has served as a role model to many young people, especially minorities. “It’s been a nice thing to be able to open doors,” says Grier. “Lots of parents would tell me that their kids looked up to me. It was a responsibility, but one that has meant a lot to me.” Regardless of race, the greatest lesson that Grier hopes to pass on as a role model and coach is this: “If you have a goal, go after it. Don’t let anyone tell you that you can’t do something.” It’s a lesson he’s lived since the first time he picked up that hockey stick.
points scored in three seasons for Boston University’s Terriers and helped them to win a national championship in 1995
2
ISL Championships won during his junior and senior years at St. Sebastian’s
1984
appeared in “Faces in the Crowd” column in Sport’s Illustrated at age 9 after scoring 227 goals in two seasons as a member of the Holliston Mites
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“The time has come,” the walrus said, “to talk of many things: of shoes and ships and sealing wax—of cabbages and kings.” —Lewis Carroll, Through the Looking-Glass
70 Years of
The Walrus
Every student ever to graduate from St. Sebastian’s
School has more than likely picked up a copy of The Walrus and scanned its pages. The first issue of the school newspaper was published in February 1945, just months before the first senior class was set to graduate, and remains a strong tradition at St. Sebastian’s seventy years later.
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T
he unlikely name of the paper is a sacred part of its heritage. One might wonder, why The Walrus and not “The Arrow” or “The Bullseye”? The answer can be credited to Father Charles McInnis, the School’s first Headmaster (1941-1950), who loved to read and was a fan of Lewis Carroll. The Walrus was inspired by the following passage in a narrative poem that appears in Carroll’s book, Through the Looking-Glass: “The time has come,” the walrus said, “to talk of many things: of shoes and ships and sealing wax—of cabbages and kings.” The paper has always “talked of many things,” living up to the quotation which has had a permanent place on its masthead. In its earliest days, The Walrus offered a synopsis of life on “the Hill” in its simple, four-page layout. Conservative enough on page one which chronicled School news, it became more personal on the inside sheets with the “Biog” column, featuring sketches of several student personalities, and “The Roving Reporter,” with its often humorous interviews of faculty. On page four, the “Class Notes” Moderator Fr. Duggan, with The Walrus staff Andy Nemethy and Don McColluch in 1963.
An excerpt from “A Typical Day with Fr. Duggan,” a cartoon featured in the May 1967 issue of The Walrus, with Fr. Duggan on the left and Monsigneur Harney on the right. Ironically, the cartoonist’s name was none other than Bill Burke ’68, whose fun-loving and exceptional cartoons were one of the most popular features of The Walrus at the time.
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“It was always a big deal when The Walrus came out. You’d walk into the library or a classroom and every single student would be reading it.” —Mike Hoff ’13 section never failed to bring a laugh with its many witticisms gathered from the innermost recesses of the classroom and gym. The paper has always been seasoned with a generous amount of humor. In addition to the “Biogs” and “Class Notes,” Tom Driscoll ’69 recalls one of the highlights of The Walrus in his day: the remarkable and entertaining cartoons, often featuring the priests. “These men truly committed their heart, mind and soul to the school. Everybody was astounded at not only the quality of the drawings, but how they captured the priests’ personalities.” These days, favorites include “Celebrity Look-a-Likes” and “The Rare Questionnaire.” Some of the satirical traditions have lived on as well, like the “April Fool’s” edition, Not the Walrus. As The Walrus evolved and adapted a more traditional newspaper format, its pages increasingly covered what was happening outside of the School’s walls. A fabulous array of contrasting articles, from the controversial to the serious, became intermingled with sports updates and reviews of the School’s drama productions. The content reflected what was happening in the world, whether it was an editorial on the Vietnam War in 1960 or a review of the new Rolling Stones album in 1980. Some clubs come and go, but student involvement in The Walrus has not waned. It is an honor to be one of the few senior editors elected each year, and over the course of the school year, 30-40 students contribute in some way. “I think of it as a sport I coach all year long,” says Faculty Advisor and English teacher Dan Drummond. “The litmus test I encourage students to use: who is going to read it and why.” Although Mr. Drummond provides guidance, The Walrus is and always has been a student-run paper.
It serves as one of the few school activities that accurately simulates a work environment where students can learn a myriad of skills, the values of a newsroom and how to work together. Contributing to the paper has also given countless students the opportunity to showcase new talents. Mike Hoff ’13 discovered a gift for writing sports articles while working on The Walrus and was inspired to hone his skills further as a sports writer for The Heights, Boston College’s independent student newspaper. Mike works alongside fellow Arrow Chris Stadtler ’12, who serves as The Heights’ General Manager. “It was always a big deal when The Walrus came out,” recalls Hoff. “You’d walk into the library or a classroom and every single student would be reading it.” In this age of the internet, the continuance of this literary tradition is something to be celebrated. Hats off to every editor, writer, illustrator and photographer who ever contributed to delivering clever and informative content to your fellow Arrows. May The Walrus continue to “talk of many things.”
TOP LEFT: Entertaining Class Notes from the June 1965 issue of The Walrus; TOP RIGHT: Mark Leonard ‘88 works on the sports page. BOTTOM: The 1985 “April Fool’s” issue, coined Not The Walrus.
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“The Rise and Fall”
O
n Friday and Saturday, February 13-14, the Slings and Arrows Players of the St. Sebastian’s Drama Club performed “The Rise and Fall,” a one-act play written and directed by C.J. Santosuosso ’15. “The Rise and Fall” takes place in Dallas, Texas, on November 22, 1963 — the day President John F. Kennedy was assassinated. The show revolves around the events leading up to and following the assassination, and the audience is able to see the day through the eyes of many different characters. With historical events woven into a fictional story, “The Rise and Fall” is an original, artistic take on a tragic tale that will live forever in American history.
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The cast featured seniors Mac Morris, Chris Wolpe, Paige Sanderson, Michael Wadsworth, Tom Caravolas, Pat McGowan and Anthony Canavan; juniors Owen Finnegan and David Korzeniowski; sophomore Andrew Elcock; freshmen A.J. Santosuosso, Marty White, Will Foreman and Thomas Olson. The tech crew included seniors Shawn Lynch and Cedric Depestre, sophomore Jackson McKeigue, and seventh grader Aidan Garrity. The Drama Club would like to thank all the students and faculty who have supported the Slings and Arrows Players this year. To the cast and crew and everybody who made the show possible, congratulations on a successful show.
FINE ARTS
A Joy to Direct By Marcus Miller
S
ix years ago, if you had asked C.J. Santosuosso ’15 where he would be during his final show at St. Sebastian’s, his answer wouldn’t be at the back of Ward Hall, watching while his friends took the stage. But if you asked him now, he would tell you there’s no place he’d rather be. In recent years it has become Drama Club tradition for a senior to write and direct St. Sebastian’s winter play. Mark Lane did it in 2012, as did Jack Goldman in 2014. This time it was C.J.’s turn to focus his attention on directing. “I thought it would be a difficult transition,” admits C.J. “I thought the whole time I’d be thinking, ‘man, I just want to get up there and perform.’ But it actually wasn’t bad to sit there and watch. It was easy.” The only hard part was convincing his friends to do the show in the first place. Around campus, the Slings & Arrows Players are known for producing comedies, not nuanced dramas. For years the Players’ forte has been shows steeped in pop culture references, inside jokes, and playful pokes at their teachers. C.J. knew his friends were capable of more. “All these guys, they have so much ability and potential and skill,” he adds, “but you have to push them — just as you’d push them in the classroom or on the field — to get it out of them. I really wanted to show people that these kids can act, that they can do other things besides comedy.” “Whether it’s your teachers, your peers, your parents,” says C.J., “people at Seb’s push you to do the best you can every day. I’ve had people push me since seventh grade, and now that I’ve reached the end of my journey here, I really wanted to push people, too. Sort of as a way to give back.” C.J. revealed his plans slowly, first showing his script to Fine Arts chair Mark Rogers, and then to a few close friends. “The Rise and Fall” was spectacular, they all said. The only question was whether the cast was up to the task of performing it. “After our first read-through as a cast,” recalls C.J., “the guys all said, ‘Look, C.J., we can’t do this. We’re just a bunch of guys, we can’t pull this off.’” And so C.J. pushed — and it didn’t take long until he had convinced his friends otherwise. By late February, when the Drama Club took “The Rise and Fall” to the Massachusetts High School Drama Festival, the cast was performing with ease. Tom Caravolas ’15, Mac Morris ’15 and Chris Wolpe ’15 even earned acting awards for their performances. “I’ve known these guys in the classroom, I’ve seen them on the athletic field, I’ve hung out with them after school,” says C.J. “I know what they’re like, and to see them do something that’s different or out of their comfort zone is always a joy to watch. They will always have a special place in my heart. Without them nothing I did would be possible. They took what I wrote and brought it to life, and for that I’ll always be thankful.”
C.J. Santosuosso ’15, writer and director of “The Rise and Fall.” (Photos: Seve Mustone ‘15)
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FINE ARTS
By Christopher Haley ’15
As an ambitious art enthusiast, Chris Haley’ 15 enrolled in the rigorous AP Art History course in the fall of 2012, the beginning of his sophomore year. During the course, the larger questions that challenge artists, curators and critics of today were explored, including the debate that centers around rightful ownership of stolen treasures of art. For centuries, plundered masterpieces have been looted outright in heists or sold at auction to the highest bidder without the artist/heirs providing consent or receiving compensation. A life long learner, Chris’s interest in this topic was genuine and he has continued to study art long after the course concluded. The following piece is a testament to his commitment to academics and his work as a budding art historian. Chris will continue to pursue his study of humanities at Harvard University next year.
W
ho owns art? It seems obvious. Museums and private collectors purchase art to display. Regrettably, the reasons behind purchasing art are not always noble. The desire to purchase art depends on what art means to the buyer. Unfortunately, for most people, art means money. Big museums spend millions of dollars on works to add to their collections in the hope of attracting viewers who will pay to see those works. Private collectors often purchase art for its name value. Some want to be able to say that they own an original Matisse, or a Picasso painting. When we acquire and sell art for money or bragging rights, art loses its purpose and meaning. During World War II, the Nazis looted, stole, and destroyed hundreds of priceless works of art from the countries they occupied. Intending to strike at the heart of what defines culture, the Nazis destroyed paintings, architecture, sculpture, and pottery, and hid what they chose fit in caves and underground tunnels all over Europe. Hitler’s goal was to amass (what they perceived would be) the world’s greatest collection of art to display once they had successfully conquered all of Europe. For the Nazis, art was about hegemonic power and money. By stealing an artistic and historical achievement from a nation, the Nazis had the power to erase, or to steal, the cultures of foreign nations. For
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Portrait of Adele Bloch-Bauer I by Gustav Klimt, 1907. Gold & Oil on canvas, Neue Galerie New York.
a thankfully brief moment in history, the Nazis had the power to destroy art and aimed to dictate what art we remember and what would be forgotten. Sadly, they were successful in destroying and damaging masterpieces. One of these stolen art works was Gustav Klimt’s Portrait of Adele Bloch-Bauer 1, which is the subject of the new Simon Curtis film Woman in Gold. The painting focuses on Adele Bloch-Bauer, a woman who may have had an affair with Klimt. She sits with wide, beautiful, optimistic eyes, in a dazzling gold dress. Characteristic of Klimt’s style, the patterns on the garment are glimmering geometric gold shapes, making the dress glow. The woman herself is a treasure in Klimt’s eyes, and she shines brightly in our eyes as well. The stunningly beautiful painting originally belonged to Adele Bloch-Bauer’s niece, Maria Altmann. However, when the Nazis occupied Austria, the painting was stolen from
FINE ARTS
her home. After the war, the painting was recovered. However, it was not returned to Ms. Altmann. Instead, it went to the Österreichische Galerie Belvedere in Vienna. Ms. Altmann, believing that she was the owner of the painting, sued the museum, and eventually won ownership of the painting back. To Maria Altmann, the art was about more than money. The Klimt painting was an intimate depiction of someone she knew personally. She had an emotional connection to the work. In its’ purest form, art is an expression of our humanity. Art shows us who we are and it triggers emotional responses. Maria Altmann’s intention for the art was always that it be accessible and viewable to the public. She wanted everyone to be able to admire the painting for its glimmering beauty, and to gape at the talent of one of Austria’s most revered and treasured artists. She intended to keep the painting off of the art market, which reveres art only for its worth and price. Her battle to reclaim her family painting was fought in court and evoked interesting questions about art ownership. Even though Ms. Altmann seems to have had the best of intentions when fighting for ownership of her family’s art, there is evidence to suggest that her pursuit of the painting was also driven by the money the painting was worth. How could it not be with a Christie’s estimated value of $135 million dollars? Certainly, Ms. Altmann must have been upset that the Austrian government had ownership of the painting and was profiting from her family’s painting without receiving compensation. After all, she ended up selling the painting, along with a few other Klimt paintings of hers, to Neue Galerie in New York for a huge sum of money. Alternatively, art ownership is not always motivated by money. Public museums allow the public access to the masterpieces of the past. Private collectors sometimes collect art to make it more accessible to the public. Ms. Altmann’s stipulation in selling her painting was that the art must be accessible to the general public. This has yet to be fulfilled. Even those with the best of intentions still require payment to view and purchase items in their collections. Money always seems to play a role in art. The creators of great art, after all, do not paint for free. Art should be made to express how we feel. It should be used to give us a voice. Art should trigger a reaction from its viewer, and change the way we think. Too often we judge works of art for their price tags instead of for their messages, their beauty, or how they make us feel. The answer to the question “Who owns art?” will never be answered. The reality is that money owns art. However, if we learn to focus more on art’s effectiveness than its price, we can better appreciate art, and can focus more on how it makes us feel than how much we can sell it for.
Technology & Privacy Jordan Barros ’15 explains the meaning behind his artwork In our modern society, technology serves as a way for us to connect with the world, but often leads to less personal connections and a decreased ability to protect one’s privacy. Throughout history, artists have used their art as an outlet to discuss political and social issues. Influenced by the work of José Guadalupe Posada and his political prints from the Mexican Revolution, I experimented with his satiric use of the calavera skull. Posada utilized skeletons in his influential cartoons to reveal political and cultural critiques. In this case, I incorporated the skull to satirically portray the consequences of technology in our society and our world’s obsession with wealth. Through bright tones, I developed a scene which revolves around a human figure who is stuck in a shadow. I focused on depth and perspective. Inspired by the Scholastic category “Technology & Privacy,” along with the work I’ve studied in art class, I reflected on how easy it is to lose touch with reality. After all there is an escape from this trap. The door is behind us.
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Winter Sports Varsity Hockey by Coach Sean McCann The 2014-15 season was certainly one of opportunity. With only one player returning who had scored more than 10 goals in a varsity season and a young defensive core that had yet to define their roles, this St. Sebastian’s hockey team was wide open. Competition was exceptional during tryouts and continued on during the whole season as players lobbied for bigger roles and more ice time. This healthy competition not only brought the best out of the players, but allowed this team to be better offensively and defensively than the previous season. The start of the season was exceptional as the team won its first four games averaging an incredible 5.75 goals per game while only allowing 1.72 goals per game. John Rourke and Will D’Orsi led the team offensively with Rourke scoring
two against Rivers while D’Orsi netted two against Milton. Fellow linemate RJ Murphy decided to join in on the fun with two of his own against BB&N. However, it was the match against New Hampton that demonstrated that everyone would contribute this year as Chris Joyce and Harry Kelleher scored their first goals of the season while Alex Zafonte played in his first varsity game stopping every shot he saw. The final competition before the Christmas tournament was against an undefeated Brooks team. The pace of the game was outstanding, but some puck luck and a great goal by Paul McAuliffe allowed the Arrows to jump out to a 3-1 lead. However, a goal at the end of the second period and two power play goals in the third allowed Brooks to take the lead with only 1:54 left in the game. With the goalie pulled and intense pressure applied, Rourke was able to score with 19 seconds remaining to end the game in a tie. The holidays proved to be a difficult time for the hockey team as goals
were at a premium. Numerous players contributed as James DeSisto, JD Dietrich and Brendan Goostray scored their first goals of the season as the team won the first two games of the St. Sebastian’s Christmas Tournament. Once again the squad was facing St. Andrew’s from Toronto in the championship game and although the game was intense and opportunities were numerous, goals were not. St. Andrew’s ended up claiming its second tournament championship in three years. After a year hiatus, the Mutch Cup was back on and the game did not disappoint. Catholic Memorial played an outstanding game, but Danny Higgins and Alex Zafonte combined for the shutout as the Arrows won the Mutch Cup for the fourth time in the past five tries. Over the next ten games the Arrows would face 7 teams that were ranked in the top 10 in New England. Although the wins were not frequent, players such as Evan Reddick, Blake Colman, Peter
Headmaster Bill Burke with Tom Mutch, brother of Kevin Mutch ‘80, and seniors Matt Doherty (holding the Mutch Cup trophy), Danny Higgins, Will D’Orsi and John Rourke.
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winter Sports
LEFT: Matt Doherty ‘15 lines up a shot; ABOVE: Harry Kelleher’16 closes in on the puck.
Mullin and Jack Doherty developed quickly and gained valuable experience. An outstanding game against Nobles and ties against Belmont Hill and Thayer tested this young team and allowed them to grow and come together for the stretch run. The Travis Roy Cup against Tabor was the tipping point. A hard fought game against a strong Tabor squad allowed St. Seb’s to win its 5th straight Travis Roy Cup. Outstanding goaltending by Higgins and a great defensive performance by the whole team, and especially Jack McCool, allowed the team to claim a 2-1 victory. This game propelled the Arrows forward as only 7 games remained in the season. An outstanding Will D’Orsi speech in front the school body and a vocal Henry’s Corner inspired the players to a complete victory against Belmont Hill. Fifty-four minutes and 8 goals later the Arrows were going home happy. Christian Reenstierna led the way with his first career hat trick while McAuliffe and Mullin added two each.
Over the next six games defense proved to be the difference. The effort of the forwards to apply back pressure and play sound position hockey, combined with the depth of the defensemen, contributed to a 4-2 record down the stretch. The defensive core of Matt Blue, Matt Doherty, Jack McCool, Mike Mackintire, Eric Jeremiah, Evan Reddick and Blake Colman allowed the team to play a physical, high tempo game with many contests in a short period of time. Giving up only 6 goals in those 4 wins was the difference as the team only scored 12 goals. The end of the season resulted in achieving our goal, a spot in the playoffs and a chance at a championship. The Arrows were once again going to face a Brooks team with only 5 defeats in the season. Players and fans alike commented that this game was one of the best games they have been a part of in a long time. Early in the contest both teams were cautious, but each goalie was up to the task when called upon. In the second period Brooks struck first,
but St. Sebastian’s only needed 1:30 seconds to respond. A power play goal by Murphy tied the game as RJ deflected a shot from Jeremiah to send Henry’s Corner into a frenzy. Although the third period was controlled by the Arrows and numerous scoring opportunities were available, Brooks did not break. As the game went into overtime, it looked like either team could come out on top. With 4 minutes left in overtime Brooks was able to convert, ending the season for St. Sebastian’s. For the first time in my 6 years everyone was a factor in the success of this team. Players rose to the occasion and took on bigger roles when injuries occurred, while others increased their production to create a balanced attack. However, it was the job of the seniors to bring this team together and they did an outstanding job, especially when the season became difficult. I would like to thank Doherty, D’Orsi, Higgins, Rourke, Blue, DeSisto, Reenstierna and Albertson for all of their contributions to this program.
WWW. S T S EBASTIANS S CHOOL.ORG
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2015 NEPSAC Champions
Varsity Skiing by Coach Deirdre Rynne Excellent conditions paired with twenty hard-working skiers, a surge in talent, and outstanding captains resulted in a 3rd place ISL Finish, three Honorable Mention Skiers and a back-to-back New England Championship title! During our season, Boston survived 104.1” of snowfall and when we were able to safely make it to the hill, we enjoyed some of the best conditions we’ve seen in years. There is no greater irony than missing ski practice or a race due to too much snow.
Despite missing four practices and a race due to excessive snow, the team prevailed in large part due to the exceptional leadership of cocaptains Seve Mustone ’15 and Doyle Silvia ’15. Two years ago, Mustone and Silvia transitioned from recreational skiers into racers. They proved that through hard work, discipline and determination, a strong skier can be competitive with veteran racers. In a sport that is measured by individual performance times, Mustone and Silvia never lost sight of the number one goal: the team. Whether it was cheering on teammates in the gym, following up with a teammate who missed practice, or ensuring the team was slipping the course and pulling
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gates at the conclusion of a subzero cold day at practice, these two have left a legacy of what it means to be a class act and were excellent role models for our entire team. The “team first” attitude modeled so well by our captains resulted in all of our members being eligible to earn a varsity letter. In November, we gathered in my classroom and wrote down our personal and team goals for the season. Here are some: “Improve my times and become a stronger athlete.” Check. “Become closer with my teammates.” Mission accomplished. “Move up in the ISL.” Achieved. “Win another NEPSAC Championship.” Won.
winter Sports
ABOVE: Chris Golden ‘20 speeds down the mountain; RIGHT: Captains Seve Mustone ‘15 and Doyle Silvia ‘15.
“Be a team that people respect and recognize as being a good group of sportsmanlike guys.” Realized. Henry David Thoreau once said; “What you get by achieving your goals is not as important as what you become by achieving your goals.” The victory this season was not in the trophy or the banner that will proudly hang at our school, but in how these young men conducted themselves as they achieved their goals and who they became as they succeeded. Whether it was Matt Aisenberg’s ’16 commitment to the team as manager after an injury (that did not occur while skiing), or newcomers this year like Conor Masterson ’15 learning how to race, this team worked hard to put the team before themselves. Team scoring on Varsity is determined by taking the four best times out of seven. Depth and consistency resulted in an overall third place finish on Varsity and Junior Varsity this year. As blizzards and snow fall plummeted relentlessly down on
Boston, Arrows skiers entered into the most difficult portion of the season with slalom training. Despite missing practice, the team earned our highest finish in skiing history on February 4, placing 2nd and beating out rival Belmont Hill! The next week we traveled to Mount Sunapee where we were able to successfully defend our title as New England Champions in Class C. In the Giant Slalom event, we took away three medals: Peter Murphy ’18 earned 2nd place, Peter Rowe ’17 scored 8th and Christopher Golden ’20 placed 12th. In the afternoon Rowe dominated the Slalom winning the event with Murphy following in 4th and Golden in 7th. The team beat second place Brewster by 26 points and Pingree by 27 points. As they did each week, Reid Walsh ’18, Luke Jones ’17 and Wilson MacPherson ’18 put down solid runs. We are blessed to have a talented young team! Five racers compete in each event and the top three scores are taken.
We returned to compete in two more weeks of regular season and the team worked together to place third as a team. This was the highest finish for the team in its history and a hard fought victory. In reaching for this goal, the ISL recognized Golden (10th), Murphy (11th) and Rowe (12th) with ISL All League Honorable Mention Awards. On any given day, these three exceptionally talented skiers inched each other out for who was going to be the top shredder on the team. When totaling all of their races without the ISL scoring system, Rowe led our leaderboard, with Golden and Murphy fractions of points from him. These three athletes conduct themselves with humility, but if you visit our Arrows Skiing Youtube video, you will see that they are animals on the race course charging with tenacity, grit and tact. As a team, these guys proved to everyone that the Arrows are a team to watch. Coach Uhlman and I are incredibly proud of this team and encourage you to come watch us race next season!
WWW. S T S EBASTIANS S CHOOL.ORG
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winter Sports
Varsity Basketball by Coach George Morelli At the conclusion of the 2013-2014 season, there was reason for optimism for the Varsity basketball team. The ’14 squad was a couple of victories shy of being a tournament contender and only three seniors graduated. So with the addition of two outstanding freshmen, Dana Tate and Will Plansky, along with several new but talented juniors, Jackson Mannix, Ryan Colgan and Austin O’Shea—dreams of an ISL championship and possible playoff berth were not so far-fetched. After a strong 3-0 start, the Arrows entered Christmas break with the Rivers and Belmont Hill tournaments. Alas, the Arrows did not fare well, going 1-5: bottoming out with a 30 point drubbing by playoff bound Tabor Academy. Now at 4-5, things were not looking so good, but the bright side was that the team was 1-0 in ISL play. The first game back from break pitted the Arrows against neighboring foe RL. The team played inspired, jumped out to an early lead and never looked back. Next up Tabor, round two. After a motivating pregame speech by Coach Hinman, the boys impressively avenged our loss, with a four pint victory. The team was spurred on by Henry’s Corner and the big duo of Captain Tyson Mattox ’15 and Matt Karpowicz ’16: 14 and 24 points respectively. In that week’s time we redefined who we were and how we were going to play. As the Arrows progressed through the league schedule, there continued to be emotional wins and losses; an overtime loss at Belmont Hill; followed by a huge come-from-behind win at BBN; a tough hard fought loss to Rivers, but 18 hrs later a pivotal class A win at Andover. Jordan Barros’ 34 points, and 8 points in a one minute span late in the game by Will Plansky, carried us to a huge 1 point
ABOVE: Jordan Barros ‘15 drives to the hoop; RIGHT: Captain Tyson Mattix ‘15 scores for the Arrows
victory at St. Mark’s the first road win in Southborough in 15 years. However, after successive losses to Lawrence Academy and Governors, our hopes for a share in a league title were dashed and the team’s playoff hopes were dwindling. Despite the down feeling, the team resigned itself to finish strong, compete and enjoy the rest of the season in good company. The squad went 3-0 over the last week, finished 10-5 in ISL play, 15-10 overall and as it turned out there was one more game to be played. St. Sebastian’s first-ever Class A tournament game, to be played at #1 seeded Kent. After two days of preparation, the team took the 3-hour bus ride to the Kent School with every intention of winning. The game opened with a couple of huge threes by Will Plansky and then key contributions from Tommy Pace ’15 and Michael Calabro ’16, great floor leadership and timely shooting from Will Phelan ’17, a couple of huge threes by Jackson Mannix ’16 and all around great play from Matt Karpowicz. With one minute to go, the Arrows were up one. Unfortunately, Kent made two big defensive plays and converted an “and one,”
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leaving the Arrows having to foul and on the short end of a 61-58 tally. The boys left everything on the floor that day and walked off the #1 seed’s home court with a deflated feeling, but heads high. I couldn’t be prouder of the way the Arrows played that day or the way they conducted themselves over the course of the season. It was good to see St. Sebastian’s competing in playoff basketball again and well deserved for this group of young men. On behalf of Coaches Dave Hinman and Al Rue, I would like to offer a special thank you to our eight seniors: Tyson Mattox, Tommy Pace, Jordan Barros, Colin Connolly, Kevin Murray, Edosa Onaiwu, Kenny Vallace and Mike O’Connor. These young men contributed a combined 22+ yrs of varsity experience, displaying commitment and sacrifice to Arrows basketball and several of these players had their roles reduced, but handled it with class and only as good teammates do—by showing up, working hard and making us better every day.
winter Sports
Varsity Swimming by Ryan Lee ’15 From the first day of practice after Thanksgiving to the final 400 relay in the first week of March, this season was full of highlights for the varsity swim team. The season began with a thrilling one point victory over rival Portsmouth Abbey with the relay team of Jeremy Xu ’19, Greg DeMatteo ’16, and captains Will Supple ’15 and Jack Adams ’15 winning the final relay to bring home the victory. The team competed against opponents from both the Independent School League (ISL) and the Eastern Independent League (EIL), battling many traditional rivals, along with newer competition. The year consisted of many best times for the team, along with multiple school, ISL, and EIL records. Some highlights of the season came towards the end, as we entered our championship season excited to turn heads
in the league. In the opening race, Jimmy Mitchell ’15 out touched traditional power house St. George’s to win the 200 medley relay by four hundredths of a second. This was followed up by victories in the 200 Freestyle and the 100 Butterfly for DeMatteo, along with an ISL record in the 100 Backstroke for Adams. Overall, the team placed third in the league, with great swims by Supple, Mitchell, Justin Lee ’15, and newcomers Richard Gallo ’15 and Declan Walsh ’16. Walsh, Peter Fantozzi ’15, Tom Caravolas ’15 and Shawn Lynch ’15 filled in wherever was needed in the lineup, whether it was the 100 Breaststroke, 200 Freestyle, or the daunting 500 Freestyle. At the EIL invitational, many swimmers swam best times at the Wellesley College pool. Richard Gallo had a personal best shaving two seconds off his time in the 50 Free. Adams kept up his great season by winning the 100 backstroke again, along with breaking his own EIL record. While the team was ineligible to reach the podium as a team, there were many top eight finishers, many of them medaling.
The final meet of the season came on March 7, as the team departed Greendale Avenue at 6 AM for the Class-B NEPSSA Swimming and Diving Championships at Roger Williams University. Those who qualified included Adams, Supple, Mitchell, Xu, J. Lee, Walsh, Ryan Lee ’15, and Scott Westvold ’15. For the departing seniors, this was the last time each had a chance to swim for the Arrows. In the morning preliminary session, many had great swims, as five members qualified to return to finals that night. The highlight of the meet came in one of its final events, as Jack Adams, the two time runner-up in the 100 Backstroke, destroyed his competition by two seconds, becoming St. Sebastian’s first ever New England Champion. Overall, the team came in seventh place, again beating rival Portsmouth Abbey by a single point. The team would like to thank Ms. Callini for her dedication to the team. With many members of the squad moving on to college, we would like to recognize her for the years she has been with us, supporting everyone each step of the way.
Matt Rocco ’15 demonstrates his powerful butterfly stroke. WWW. S T S EBASTIANS S CHOOL.ORG
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winter Sports
Varsity Wrestling by Matt Guarino ’15, Co-Captain Wrestling is a sport that tests your character. Even though the varsity wrestling team didn’t have the record they were hoping for this season, they proved that they have a lot of character and a lot of heart. From the beginning, the team knew there would be a long road ahead of them. With the majority of the team being young or new, Coach Ryan and Coach Tull were ready for the challenge of shaping athletes into wrestlers. The underclassmen came out strong with freshmen Marty White, Patrick Ryan, Thomas Olson, Henry DeMatteo, and Finn Mulligan, and sophomores Will Evans, John Petro, Patrick Reed, Thomas Wasynczuk, and Chris Vallace filling weight classes across the board. Even though most of them had some experience, a few had never touched the mats before and still went straight into the varsity lineup. For these young wrestlers the beginning of the season was all about learning the sport. Even with their inexperience, their toughness and determination helped them see success throughout the season. Guys like Ryan would stay alive in matches by fighting off their back for minutes at a time before turning what looked like a loss into a win, while others such as DeMatteo and Petro would simply use their strength and athleticism to win. Vallace consistently demonstrated his willingness to go out and try every move he learned in practice. The time these wrestlers put in paid off at the end of the season when they traveled to Tabor Academy for the JV New England Tournament, where Vallace took first in the 132 weigh class, DeMatteo took second at 145, White placed second at 106, and Matt Behman ’19 placed fourth at 160. The success of the younger guys on the team is not only due to the coaching, but also to the leadership and example
Thomas Olson ‘18 takes down his opponent.
set by the junior and senior classes. As the only junior on the team, Casey Kelly had a successful season, going 9-3 at the 170-weight class. Casey will definitely be a guy to watch out for next season after finishing strong, placing sixth at ISL’s and representing St. Sebastian’s well at the New England tournament. During the season, Seniors John Ryan and Peter Olson stepped up as leaders and role models while Captains Tyson Reed and AJ Jreige battled injuries, and captain Matt Guarino was out for the entire season with a back injury. After a few years wrestling JV, Ryan was ready to step into a varsity spot at the 160-weight class. He had always been good technically, so the strength he gained in the offseason made him a real threat. After wrestling well all season, Ryan had to miss the end of the season due to a knee injury, but showed his dedication to the team by showing up to every match and practice. Wrestling at the varsity 138 spot, Olson earned the team points in key matches, keeping his opponents guessing by being quick on his feet and controlling the pace of the match. In practice, Olson worked hard with new wrestlers, and helped the team improve as the season went on. Known for his strength and willingness to go after opponents, Jreige set the bar high
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during matches. He would always be on the attack, and showed the rest of the team how to control a match. Wrestling in the heavier weight classes during the first half of the season, he decided to try to drop to 160 after Ryan’s injury. He made it just in time for ISL’s, and took third in the league. After missing the first few weeks of the season with an ankle injury, Reed came back with high hopes after doing well last season. He had placed second in ISL’s and wrestled well in the national tournament. During matches, Reed is always in control and knows how to move an opponent and keep the pace of the match. Even though Reed wrestled ten pounds above his weight, his skill and athleticism still allowed him to find success against bigger competition. At ISL’s, Reed started strong, but a back injury in one of the first few matches kept him out for the rest of the tournament. Despite injuries and inexperience, the team never gave up and made the coaches and captains proud with their work ethic and heart. Thank you to our managers, Pablo Hernandez ’15, Tyler Jackson ’15 and David Korzeniowski ’16 for their contributions to the team. The squad looks to come back next season with older, more experienced wrestlers, and a strong future for the program.
winter Sports
Varsity Squash by Paul Keady ’16 This was a great season of progress for the squash team. We entered the season with a mix of experienced and new players, and by the end of the season, everyone made noticeable improvements and was playing well. Their hard work and improvements show how the St. Sebastian’s squash program has the potential to develop into a great one in the coming years. The season started off with a nice win against Phillips Andover’s JV squad. In past years, the squash team has played mainly 3rds teams. This year, however, we faced much better competition, and the players handled it very well. Against Phillips Andover, the Arrows fought through many close matches to come out on top with a 4-3 win. Our next match was the first of three against St. George’s. We were beaten handily, with everyone on the team losing. From this match, we learned that we’d have to step our game up and keep working hard in order to become competitive with talented teams like St. George’s. We took this lesson and greatly improved our skills throughout the season. The progress was palpable in how we performed in the next two matches against St. George’s. Just two weeks after the beat down, we returned to Rhode Island and pulled out a 4-4 tie. And the progress came
full circle towards the end of our schedule when we finally beat St. George’s 4-2. A major factor in the team’s improvement this year was the strong competition from other teams. The matches we played against well-known and wellestablished squash programs taught a lot to our players, especially the newcomers. Some of our toughest competition came in the trimatch against Groton and BB&N. Groton brought their varsity team, on which some of the players are nationally ranked. Faced with this challenge, all of the players put up tough fights, barely losing close 11-9 games. The match against BB&N was slightly closer, but the Knights still proved to be a formidable opponent. We also played against Belmont Hill’s renowned squash team and a very talented Middlesex squad. Although the score sheet say these were blowouts, the Arrows played some excellent squash and showed that we are worthy opponents. All of the lessons learned from these tough matches came to fruition in the final matches of the year. We earned a 4-3 victory against Brooks, and then we capped off the year with extremely close matches against Nobles JV that ended up as an 8-7 loss. The match could have gone either way, and many of the games were 11-9 and even 12-10. Next year we will be losing one senior, John Flatley ’15, and we have a strong core of juniors returning. This bodes well for more success next season as we hope to continue improving the program and to keep building our reputation in the ISL.
Winter Athletic Awards The following students were recognized for their performance on the Arrows varsity hockey, basketball, skiing, swimming, wrestling and squash teams during an Athletic Awards Assembly on March 11, 2015: All-League ISL Basketball: Matt Karpowicz ’16 Hockey: Will D’Orsi ’15, Matt Doherty ’15, Eric Jeremiah ’17, R.J. Murphy ’17 Honorable Mention All-League ISL Basketball: Jordan Barros ’15, Will Phelan ’17, Will Plansky ’18 Hockey: Danny Higgins ’15, Jack McCool ’16, Christian Reenstierna ’15 Wrestling: A.J. Jreige ’15, Tyson Reed ’15 Honorable Mention All-Scholastic ISL Skiing: Christopher Golden ’20, Peter Murphy ’18, Peter Rowe ’17 Flood-Shield Award As voted by league coaches, this award is presented to the hockey player who demonstrates the highest level of determination and sportsmanship throughout the season. Will D’Orsi ’15 Coaches Award This award is presented to the member of the St. Sebastian’s Varsity Hockey team whose commitment to excellence and devotion to the game has repeatedly been evidenced by aggressive and spirited play and selfless contribution to the total team effort. Christian Reenstierna ’15 Fr. Daniel J. Gilmartin Award Given by the coaches to the St. Sebastian’s Basketball player who possesses the qualities of commitment, teamwork and outstanding attitude. Edosa Onaiwu ’15
Erik Jones ‘16 (left) and Sam Gordon ‘17 (right) show their form during a squash match. WWW. S T S EBASTIANS S CHOOL.ORG
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in the future of St. Sebastian’s. Be a part of something Great. In the halls of St. Sebastian’s, greatness is being inspired every day as we develop young men of faith and reason to be not only leaders of their own generation, but for future generations to come. Your gift to the Annual Fund will make a tangible impact on the Arrows of today and of tomorrow. Please contribute by June 30, 2015 and join us in supporting our students and faculty. Every gift—no matter the size—makes a difference.
www.stsebs.org/give | 781.247.0120
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CLASS NOTES
Students clearing the hockey rink in the Winter of 1963. Can you imagine, after the record snowfall we had this winter, if the rink had needed to be cleared? WWW. S T S EBASTIANS S CHOOL.ORG
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CLASS NOTES Notes and Announcements from Arrows Alumni
1949
Henry Lane’s daughter, Jennifer, will be inducted into the Noble and Greenough Hall of Fame on May 9, 2015 for her contribution to the Nobles Tennis Program. Jennifer went on to be the numberone woman’s tennis player at Boston College and played briefly on the pro circuit. She is now an attorney working and living in Vero Beach, FL.
1957
Ed O’Donoghue and his wife, Dorothy, welcomed their sixth grandchild, Henry George, 9 lbs 6oz and 22 inches. Ed feels certain that Henry is an Arrows linebacker in the making.
1962
Tom Furlong is enjoying retirement in Gorham, ME, with his wife, Barbara. They continue to spend three weeks each fall 80 miles north of Gorham in New Harbor. His son, Jim, daughter-in-law, Tara, and his four grandchildren live in Londonderry, NH.
1970
Timothy McDaniel is happy to announce that his daughter was accepted to Eastern Virginia Medical School for a master’s in art therapy, and his wife recently retired after 34 years as a speech pathologist. They now live in Sturbridge, MA.
1974
Garry Grady is living in Marin County and is the Program Manager for Goodwill Industries of the Greater East Bay in Concord, CA. Garry runs an AB109 Program for participants who are on Contra Costa County Probation.
’65
1978
Ed McCarthy continues his nearly two decades of work in the battery power industry, joining Power Products as chief operating officer in December 2014. He was previously COO at U.K.-based Alexander Technologies, a rechargeable battery manufacturer.
1983
Matt Lawler was recently spotted on the hit Netflix show “House of Cards.”
1984
Mike Mullowney just coached his daughter, Deirdre, and the U14 Boston Eagles girls hockey team to a National Championship.
1993
Justin McCullen is currently working as the Emergency Management and Business Continuity Officer for the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston. He is an alumnus and adjunct instructor for the Boston University School of Medicine’s Healthcare Emergency Management Masters program. He and his wife, Jane, live in Needham, MA, with their two girls (ages one and three).
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Classmates Frank Burke, Joe Kuchta and Ed Davis catch up after work on March 9, 2015.
Career Advisory
Network
The St. Sebastian’s Career Advisory network links alumni, especially recent graduates, with alumni and parents who are willing to share their experiences, offer valuable advice, and possibly provide employment leads. The network also serves as a way to connect members of the St. Sebastian’s community with other well-established alumni and parents who share similar vocations. More than 500 people representing a wide range of professions are already part of the network, and the potential for growth is tremendous.
To become an advisor or learn how to access the list of career advisors, visit:
www.stsebs.org/careers
FL & CA
RECEPTIONS
Headmaster Bill Burke, along with Rich Arms, Director of Development, and Ed Davis ’65, Director of Alumni Programs, traveled to Florida and California in mid-March for St. Sebastian’s annual alumni receptions. Food, memories, and stories were enjoyed by all who attended. Special thanks to our gracious hosts: Bill ’68 and Mary Fran Driscoll (Vero Beach), David Gately ’73 (Jupiter) and Bob and Pat McCool GP’16,’19 (Naples). Thank you, also, to all who attended for making this year’s receptions so memorable.
TOP ROW: Mike ‘62 and Cary DeCenzo with John ‘68 and Kathy Galligan; Ed ‘65 and Toni Davis, Jennifer Lane, Karen Birmingham, Bill Driscoll ‘68, Henry Lane ‘49, Rich Arms and Mary Fran Driscoll; MIDDLE ROW: P.J. Heller ‘91, Dorothy Keville and Harry Witt GP’19; Eileen Roche GP’17, Headmaster Bill Burke, and Laurie and Jay Roche ‘77, P’17; Joe Shea ‘50 with Rich Arms; BOTTOM ROW: Headmaster Burke with Molly and Mary-Caitlin Hentz, sisters of Parker Hentz ‘12, and friend, Daniel; Patty Burke, George Hoch ‘07, Jack Mahoney ‘06, Patrick Jones ‘02 and Jennifer Mahoney P’06.
WWW. S T S EBASTIANS S CHOOL.ORG
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CLASS NOTES
My Father Gilmartin Stories Always a Teacher, Always a Coach By John Hickey ’65
I
was a latecomer to the sport of basketball. I had attempted to play hockey from seventh grade to freshman year with very limited results. The fact that I was not a strong skater had some bearing on my decision. Henry Lane certainly did not encourage me to continue my career in that sport. During my sophomore year I had not signed up for a winter sport. Varsity basketball coach Father Daniel Gilmartin (from 1958-1970) saw me fooling around on the basketball courts
after school one afternoon and called me over to speak with him. He wanted me to start playing basketball because of my 6’ 3” height. He sent junior Dan Crane, a reserve on the varsity squad, over to tutor me on the basics of the game, since I had never played basketball as a youth. That was my first interaction with Father Gilmartin as a coach, and not just as my geometry teacher that year. French teacher Doug Rutnick also coached the junior varsity basketball team our junior year. This was my
first year of organized basketball. Mr. Rutnick prepared me well enough to become a practice player on Father Gilmartin’s varsity team our senior year. I saw limited game-day action in the winter of 1964-65. Our last regular season varsity basketball game was against Christian High at home. We were winning handily at the intermission. During half time, I saw senior student manager David Daly conferring with Father Gilmartin in the locker room. David was pointing to the scoring book
The St. Sebastian’s basketball team with their trophy after winning the Class B New England Prep School Tournament in 1965.
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CLASS NOTES he maintained for the coach. As we walked out of the locker room to start the second half, David approached me to say I would be starting when play resumed. I said incredulously, “What?” David told me I was the only varsity player who had not yet scored a point all season. I thought to myself that was some accomplishment. The second half began with me at forward. Everyone on the team knew why I was in the game. On one play, Grady O’Malley passed me the ball on a break away. I immediately passed the ball back to him and he scored. Grady turned to me and said, “Shoot the ball!” I knew if I made a basket that Father Gilmartin would immediately take me out of the game; I wanted to stay in the game for a while. I gave up several more shots by passing the ball back to my teammates. The bench was yelling, “Shoot, shoot!” Finally, I went to the offensive left corner and received a pass from Jim Conlon. I was forced to shoot; it was a set shot, not a jumper, and swish— nothing but net. The bench erupted in cheering. After five minutes of playing time, I knew what was coming. Father Gilmartin stood up and called a time out. Off the court I walked and took my usual place on the bench to the applause of my teammates. Father just smiled at me. I had finally scored for the mighty Arrows. Father Gilmartin coached the St. Sebastian’s varsity basketball team to a 19-2 record in 1964-65. The season was capped off by winning the Class B New England Prep School Tournament held at Belmont Hill. Four years later, I found myself teaching at a small Catholic parochial grade school in Hollister, California, a small town of 10,000 located ninetythree miles southeast of San Francisco. Teaching seventh grade at Sacred Heart School was my first job after graduating from Notre Dame in 1969. That gig lasted only nine months; I did not have the patience to handle those
Father Gilmartin earned the nickname of “Ralph” among the students. Any teacher worth his/her salt usually earned a student nickname.
hormonally challenged preteens. After I first arrived, I learned that Hollister had been the first town taken over by the Hells Angels in 1947. It was also considered to be the earthquake capital of California. I was quite unnerved when I experienced my first several, and luckily minor, earthquakes. As it turned out, I did not have to confront any Hells Angels. In addition to teaching, I was also the coach of the seventh grade flag football, basketball, and softball teams. What I had learned about basketball I had learned from Father Gilmartin while sitting on the bench next to him during our games. I was not sure how to go about preparing to coach the only six available players on this grade-
school team. I wrote a letter to Father Gilmartin at St. Sebastian’s and asked him if he could diagram some zone offenses and defenses, and some boyto-boy offenses and defenses. About a week later, I received a lengthy reply from Father with the information and diagrammed plays I so desperately needed. My little Sacred Heart team finished second in the conference, despite having to suit up our manager during one game when two of the team’s players fouled out. Father Gilmartin’s plays worked like a charm. I will never forget his kindness in aiding me in 1969. Requiescat in Pace, Father Gilmartin—always the willing teacher, always the willing coach.
WWW. S T S EBASTIANS S CHOOL.ORG
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CLASS NOTES
’03
’02
LEFT: Jay ’03 and Elly Tansey’s son, Jack. ABOVE: Millie Keefe daughter of James ’02 and Hadley Keefe holding new baby sister, Claire Alice Keefe born March 11, 2015.
WHAT’S
NEW? Keep your classmates updated by sending us your news! Send us photos, too!
Submit class notes and photos at: stsebs.org/classnotes Deadline for next issue:
July 10, 2015
Photos will be published based on quality and available space. Please be sure to send the highest quality image possible and identify everyone.
1996
Jason Spiegel became engaged to Jillian Caulfield in October 2014.
2003
Jay Tansey and his wife Elly are excited to announce the arrival of their first child, Joseph “Jack” Hazard Tansey! Jack was born on January 25, 2015, in New Haven, CT, where Jay is a first-year MBA student at the Yale School of Management. (see photo)
2004
After working at LinkedIn for four years, Alex Reznikow recently began working at Mixpanel. He currently resides in New York City.
44 | S T. S EBASTIAN’S M AGAZINE Volume X, Issue II
2005
Chris Kovalcik recently moved back to the Boston area after living in Minneapolis for two years. He hopes to join his classmates at their 10th Reunion in May. Tyler Fallon got engaged to Kelly LaBella in August 2014. Michael Flaherty married Samantha Steverman on October 4, 2014, in Washington, D.C. Classmates Joe Shamon and Chris Curran were part of the wedding. Christopher Murphy is currently living in San Francisco with his soonto-be wife. The couple will be married on September 19, 2015, in Newport, RI. For the past five years Chris has worked for State Street Global Advisors.
2006
Steve Byrne was named the Chief of Staff for the Committee on Technology and Intergovernmental Affairs in the Massachusetts House of Representatives. James Pietsch is working as Director of Global Accounts at Scalable Display Technologies, a software company that uses a camera-feedback system to automatically blend and geometrically warp multiple projectors into one seamless image. He is traveling internationally to grow the business and help drive the market demand.
2008
Steve Feeley, his wife, Stacy, and daughter, Hannah, are living in Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Italy.
CLASS NOTES
2009
Will Barrack married Mary Beth Harbour on October 25, 2014, at the Matthews House in Cary, NC. Matthew Brennan got engaged to Kayla Dufton.
’03
2010
Kevin Lynch graduated from Seaton Hall in May 2014 and was hired as the Coordinator of Basketball Operations. Kevin played for the team as a walk-on during his senior year and appeared in four games for the Pirates while also earning Big East Academic All-Star Status. John O’Connor graduated from Lehigh in December 2014, and in February 2015 started working at a data analytics consulting firm in New Jersey.
’12
Wes Mateo ‘03 and his wife, Tory, with fellow 2003 classmates, Andy Bartlett, Joe Scardino, Will Hayes, Will Bacic, Andy Clark and Greg Clark, at their wedding on October 5, 2014 at Castle in the Clouds in Moultonborough, NH.
STAY CONNECTED with your fellow Arrows wherever you go.
Former Arrows teammates Patrick Healy ‘12 and Jack Connolly ‘12 met on the lacrosse field on February 28, this time as opponents — Healy playing for host Notre Dame, and Connolly captaining visiting Dartmouth.
Now you can keep the support of St. Sebastian’s alumni community in your pocket. The Arrows Alumni App powered by EverTrue takes staying connected to a whole new level, whether you are traveling, moving to a new city or looking for Arrows in your own neighborhood. Download the app today and discover its many features:
www.stsebs.org/alumniapp Available for Apple and Android devices. WWW. S T S EBASTIANS S CHOOL.ORG
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CLASS NOTES
Bowdoin teammates Richard Arms ‘14, Peter Cimini ‘12 and Chris Nadeau ‘12 caught up with Wheaton’s Jared Clement ‘12 on March 10 before Bowdoin faced Wheaton during the 2015 RussMatt Central Florida Invitational in Auburndale, FL.
Michael Tierney ’05, Michael Buckley ’04 and Andy Bartlett ’03.
Celtics Night On February 16, the St. Sebastian’s Alumni Office held its first St. Sebastian’s Celtics Night. Young Alumni from the classes of 2000-2010 gathered for a pre-game networking event in the Celtics’ Front Office, where they had an opportunity to hear from Celtics’ President, Rich Gotham P’20, on a variety of topics, from the state of the Celtics and his path to his current role in the organization to his views on the NBA as a business. Following the event, the group went over to the TD Garden to watch the Celtics take on the Philadelphia 76ers.
Share your alumni profile ideas Do you know an alumnus you would like to see profiled in the St. Sebastian’s Magazine? Tell us about it! Send an email with your suggestions to communications@stsebs.org.
46 | S T. S EBASTIAN’S M AGAZINE Volume X, Issue II
Alumni on the Ice St. Sebastian’s alumni Danny O’Regan ’12 and Tommy Kelley ’13, now teammates on Boston University’s men’s hockey team, played in the NCAA Frozen Four finals national championship game on April 11, 2015 at the TD Garden. The BU Terriers fought hard against the Providence College Friars, with Danny O’Regan ‘12 takes the ice for Boston O’Regan scoring a University’s Terriers. goal. Although the Terriers fell one goal short, the game was the culmination of an outstanding season for the team. Arrows hockey was well represented in this year’s NCAA Men’s Division I Ice Hockey Tournament. Danny’s brother, Tommy O’Regan ’10, and Desmond Bergin ’11 helped Harvard earn a bid after capturing the ECAC Hockey Tournament title, and Noah Hanafin ’15 took the ice for Boston College. In Division III, Brendan Burke ’12 and Jake McLaughlin ’13 helped Amherst College hockey win its third NESCAC title and earn a spot in the NCAA Tournament.
In Memoriam We extend our deepest sympathy to the families of the graduates and friends of St. Sebastian’s School whose deaths are reported with sorrow. Lois Aldrich February 13, 2015 Grandmother of Caleb ’14 and Cole ’16 Aldrich Leo Buckley March 14, 2015 Grandfather of Michael Buckley ’04 Rita Dailey January 4, 2015 Grandmother of Michael Dailey ’19 Elizabeth Dargati January 4, 2015 Grandmother of Ryan ’16 and Michael ’20 Colgan Rosaria DeMatteo January 26, 2015 Mother of Marty DeMatteo ’59 Helen Karpowicz March 11, 2015 Grandmother of Matt Karpowicz ’16 Patricia Lane March 13, 2015 Wife of Henry T. Lane ’49; mother of Mark Lane ’77 Katherine “Katchy” Maloney February 12, 2015 Mother of James ’66, Mark ’68, John ’70, Robert ’71, Andrew ’73, Paul ’74, Donald ’75, Alan ’79; mother-in-law of faculty member Gretchen Maloney
Joan Mercier March 17, 2015 Mother of Linda Panetta, Asst. to the Director of Development, and mother-in law of Paul Panetta, Asst. Director of Maintenance Pasquilina Mercuri February 18, 2015 Mother of Francesco Mercuri ’75 Robert O’Connor February 11, 2015 Past faculty member Thomas Shields April 2, 2015 Father-in-law of Trustee John Mannix ’74 Dr. David C. Sortor January 13, 2015 Grandfather of Sean ’09, Michael ’10, and Brian ’13 O’Malley; father-in-law of Trustee Bill O’Malley A. Geraldine Sullivan January 27, 2015 Mother of J. Timothy Sullivan, Jr. ’65; grandmother of Joseph T. Sullivan ’92 Erin Van Flandern January 16, 2015 Sister of Michael Van Flandern ’20
This listing contains deaths reported between January 1, 2015 and April 2, 2015. To report a death of a St. Sebastian’s alumnus or relative to the Development Office, please contact Kelsey Johnson at kelsey_johnson@stsebs.org.
George H. Donovan ’60 George passed away on February 7, 2015. Known by his classmates as “Little Man,” George played big on the ice, starting as goalie for varsity hockey and captaining the team during his senior year. He was also an avid debater on The Hill, serving in Father Beatty’s debating society for four years. He is survived by his beloved wife, Janice; his children Kari and Mark; grandchildren Olivia and Jarred; and siblings Regina and Richard. He is preceded in death by his sister Claire and his brother Robert ’54.
Dr. Roger T. Doyle ’55 Roger passed away on January 6, 2015. When he arrived at Nonantum Hill as a sophomore, Roger quickly made a name for himself as a terrific athlete. By his senior year, he was St. Sebastian’s starting goalie, a halfback on the varsity football team, and a member of the varsity baseball team. After college at Holy Cross he moved to New Jersey where he worked as a dentist for more than 40 years. He is preceded in death by his wife, Paula, and survived by his children Erin, Conor, Trevor, Ryan, and Kelly; his grandchildren Nolan, Nora and Naomi; his brother, Richard ’64 and sisters Nancy, Deborah, and Susan.
John C. Hanlon ’57 Jack passed away on January 16, 2015. At St. Sebastian’s, Jack was beloved by his classmates for his radiant personality. His yearbook entry reads: “John’s goodhumored and friendly company will be one of the items most missed by us.” He is survived by his loving wife, Carol, as well as his children Jacqueline, John Jr., Susan, and Kathleen; and his grandchildren Mariel, Michael, Charles, Thomas and Ryan. He is predeceased by his sisters Mary and Joan, and his brother, Edward.
WWW. S T S EBASTIANS S CHOOL.ORG
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Mission Moment Words given by Edgar Escobar ‘15 to Prospective students
“I simply would not be the person I am today without St. Sebastian’s.”
A
s I reflect on my six years at St. Sebastian’s, I can still recall my first year as a seventh grader. Those first days I felt new, ready to absorb my studies and succeed, but before the school year started I was nervous and timid. Then, eying the crest above the front doors, and entering the building, the anxiety seemed to fall through the tips of my fingers. At least, I like to believe that the sparking along my fingers was the anxiety escaping out of me because from then on, I developed a relaxed pose of having my hands in my pockets as I strolled throughout the school. Just as I began to develop the calm pose of having my hands in my pockets, I began to develop a sanctuary within reading and writing. Before St. Sebastian’s, I had not enjoyed reading many stories and was only mildly entertained by a classic or two. By senior year, five other
students and I decided to start a brand new course focused solely on the works of Shakespeare. And so, once reading became an enjoyment, I also began to appreciate the act of writing. By the ninth grade, although my analytical writing needed quite a bit of work, my desire to write about my life, my relationships with others, and my ideas for the future, commenced to swallow me. As I matured, my writing matured. My perspectives widened and my desire to write transitioned from writing about myself to writing about others. I entered the school with a shaky and hesitant speech. Now I no longer fear my opportunities to stand at the podium and give a speech. I owe St. Sebastian’s my education, I owe St. Sebastian’s a nurturing community, and I owe much more to this community that I’ve been a part of for six years.
“
It’s about giving back to a place that made a significant contribution to my education.
”
Leaving a legacy to St. Sebastian’s may be simpler than you think... Mark O’Friel ’79 is committed to ensuring that future generations of Arrows benefit from the education and values that make St. Sebastian’s a special place. “St. Sebastian’s is a mission-driven school that fills a really important niche in Boston and I want to make sure it continues to thrive,” explains Mark. As a member of the Board, as well as the Endowment and Long-Range Planning Committees, Mark was inspired to make a planned gift because he could see the potential impact of such bequests on strengthening the endowment and supporting the School’s longterm goals. In addition to giving to the annual fund and capital campaigns, the decision to make a future bequest from an IRA was an easy one. These assets are ideal to transfer because of the heavy tax burden if
paid to non-charitable beneficiaries and the advantage of deferred giving. It’s also very simple to change the beneficiary on your IRA and does not involve a lawyer to update your will. Please consider joining Mark as a member of the Rev. Charles D. McInnis Society by including St. Sebastian’s in your estate plans. Planned gifts take many forms, but they all play a vital role in the future of the School.
For more information about gift planning and including St. Sebastian’s in your estate plans, visit plannedgiving.stebs.org or contact us at 781.247.0116 or richard_arms@stsebs.org.
Rev. Charles D. McInnis Society
Nonprofit Org. US Postage PAID Boston, MA Permit No. 19943
1191 Greendale Avenue Needham, Massachusetts 02492
William L. Burke III Headmaster Richard F. Arms Director of Alumni & Development Christine Y. Robertson Director of Communications
70 Years of
The Walrus
pg. 22