113th School Year Begins

As the sun rose over 10600 Preston Road, 878 Marksmen arrived on campus for the first day of the 2018–2019 school year. Students and teachers reconnected, shared their summer stories, and dove into the new year. By midmorning, parent volunteers joined the dining services staff in firing up barbeque grills and preparing an outdoor lunch. Inside the Great Hall, students, faculty, and staff gathered for Opening Convocation.

“There’s never been a better time to be a Marksman,” said Clark Hunt ’83, President of the Board of Trustees and father of Knoble ’21. “For over 110 years, St. Mark’s has been known for the excellence of its faculty and students. Everyone in this room is part of that tradition of excellence. It is incumbent upon all of us to build on this legacy by setting lofty goals and working hard to achieve them.”

Student Council President Landon Wood ’19 greeted his fellow classmates and recalled his busy summer filling out college applications and preparing for his senior year. “It’s a weird feeling knowing that this is my last year at St. Mark’s but that’s why I want to make it such a great one. The year ahead is going to be amazing, filled with opportunities every day to learn, to grow, to serve others, and most importantly to have fun. Make sure that you take advantage of what this place has to offer because I guarantee you won’t regret it.”

Following a reading by Senior Class President Joshua Kang ’19, Eugene McDermott Headmaster David W. Dini welcomed students to the new year and encouraged the boys to strive, not only for achievement, but for meaning. “Take responsibility for yourself and for those around you. You have our commitment as adults and teachers that we will do our best to know you, to love you, and to commit ourselves to your success each and every day.”

Finally, Mason Smith ’15 addressed the boys. Mason is entering his senior year at Stanford University and has been on campus this summer helping with the Character and Leadership Education Program. “You have 878 brothers in this room, but you also have thousands of brother alumni out there in the world. We are all excited to share in the meaning you will make of your time at St. Mark’s and the stories you will be able to tell. Make this year the year that you take control and start creating the life narrative that you want to tell by living deliberately with purpose.”