Message from the Board of Trustees Chair

A MESSAGE FROM Brian Cullen

Board Chair

Dear Pegasus Community,

Almost 200 years ago, British Statesman Benjamin Disraeli observed, “What we anticipate seldom occurs, but what we least expect generally happens.” Ironically, Mr. Lopez and I borrowed Disraeli’s quotation for a presentation this past January. Two months later, the pandemic sent us all out of our offices and classrooms and back into our homes.

However unexpected the challenges this past year, Pegasus once again showed its strength and proved its readiness and ability to adapt, pivot, and continue delivering the superb education and socially enriching experiences our students deserve. Last June’s graduation looked a little different from past years, but was no less special and maybe more personal. Our 59 graduating scholars, artists, and athletes advanced to 17 different high schools, each individually cheered on by faculty, administrators, and staff.

Students demonstrated their resilience by adapting to a new work environment at home and online. Faculty revealed not only their commitment to our high educational standards, but their creativity in delivering it. Parents supported these endeavors at every turn in myriad ways.

Our Board, guided by our Strategic Plan, made advancements of our own. Thanks to the generosity of many donors this fall, we unveiled the new, state-of-the-art Science and Technology Building, now home to 14 classrooms, including five active laboratories. We also introduced our Horowitz Family Quad, an essential space in meeting the safety needs of our community as we navigate the pandemic. Corinne Yeager joined our faculty as the School’s Technology Coach, a prescient and essential addition to our community as learning moved online last spring. We continued to support our financial aid program and strengthen the School’s financial position, consistent with our commitment to deliver an unparalleled educational experience to our students while sustaining a strong future for generations to come. Through conservative fiscal management and the generosity of our donors, our endowment continues to remain robust and our financial goals realized. We’re wellpositioned to thrive in the future despite the uncertainties of the past year.

These extraordinary achievements in challenging times have been made possible because of the strength of our collective community. On behalf of our Board of Trustees, thank you all who have given your time, donated funds and have continued to believe in Pegasus as we navigated uncertain times. Not only did we meet our perennial goal of graduating another fine class of scholars amidst a global pandemic, but we also successfully completed the largest building project in the

history of the School on time and under budget. We extend our gratitude to Jason Lopez, Head of School, for his steady leadership and strategic adaptability, and our incredible administrative team and talented faculty. Thank you to our team of volunteers, our Board of Trustees, our Committees, and our Parent Teacher Organization for their time and commitment to our School when their expertise, time, and talent were most needed.

It’s been an honor and privilege to serve as Board Chair of Pegasus for the past 3 years. Diem Dang has now stepped into this role and, under her qualified leadership along with talented and devoted Trustees, I’m confident Pegasus will continue to succeed in meeting whatever challenges lie ahead, and prosper in the face of change. My time on the Board has reinforced what I knew as a long-time Pegasus parent— because of our incredible community, strong leadership and amazing faculty, there is no better school in Orange County that equips students to achieve future academic success and make a positive impact on society.

I wish you all a safe, healthy, and fulfilling 2020-21 school year.

Brian Cullen Board Chair