The Tapestry of Life

I am Earl and Bonnie's son, Floyd, Olive, Martin, and Florence's grandson, and the great-grandson of Claus and Ernestine, Franklin and Ida, Hilda and Charles, and Louisa and George. Immigrating from Sweden and Germany in the late 19th century, my great-grandparents traveled the Hudson River and settled in the Midwest. Among them were farmers, homesteaders, traveling salesmen, lumberjacks, nurses, teachers, doctors, and bankers. 

These men and women, most of whom I never met, shaped the beginnings of my path. Similarly, my teachers and coaches, Mrs. Prendergast, Mr. Dickie, Mrs. Coffee, Mr. Fardy (I am not kidding), Mr. Gauthier, Ms. Santos, Mr. Lilien, Walter Dragonetti, Jim Murray, and Doug Heath, pushed me, dusted me off when I struggled, and cheered when I succeeded. Ms. Prendergast taught me to read, and Mrs. Washburn taught me how to love books. I remember Ms. Santos telling me during my junior year that I had something unique to say and I shouldn’t confine myself to simply looking for the right answer. My classmates also walked alongside me during the highs and lows of adolescence while still managing to laugh at my ill-fated Shakespeare monologue during senior year or roll their eyes when I would get a tad too nostalgic. They still do! These people, my family and classmates, guided me through growing up and figuring out who I would become.

The final days of the school year always move too fast for me. While the promise of summer vacation and a slower pace is appealing, the urgency to finish and get on to the next event makes it difficult to consider what each occasion means. Watching our students perform in our plays, the Backyard Revue, and Middle and Upper School music nights, we saw much more than we heard or watched—we witnessed growth, transformation, and the blossoming of potential. Each performance was testament to the countless hours of dedication, practice, and perseverance. In those moments of vulnerability on stage, with all eyes watching, our students demonstrated their talents and courage to be seen, make mistakes, and shine regardless.

Reflecting on these events, I am reminded of my journey and the myriad influences that have guided me. It’s easy to see the parallels between my past and our students’ present—the family members before us, the mentors who pushed us, the peers who supported us, and the challenges that tested us. We are all part of a larger tapestry woven with threads of shared experiences, influential voices, and individual triumphs.

JWB