Making Our Mark as the Class of 2017

Let’s take it straight from the beginning, at the first assembly of the year, where I introduced for the first time the motto of “Make Your Mark.” I described the idea of how Crescent is at its best when all members of the community contribute their own individual piece to the puzzle. Whether it’s coding a robot, playing the flute, or scoring a try, we all have the talent and ability to make our mark on the school, and we sure did this year. Today, I would like to look back on a few memories of Upper School students making their mark.

 

One significant impact that I can recall is the one made by our actors in today’s audience, who illuminated for me how hate can damage and compassion can heal with the story of Matthew Shepard. I had goosebumps more than a few times as our actors displayed the impact that one life can have on a community. The only way that the family of Matt was able to recover from the tragedy that they had been subjected to was through compassion, one of our core values here at Crescent. By not wishing Matt’s fate upon his killers, they were able to value the memory of a man who would never harm anyone. It was through this forgiveness that a generation of damaged people was able to recover. Thank you to all the cast and crew of the Laramie Project for proving to myself and the rest of the Upper School that nothing is able to bring people together like compassion.

 

Another mark made on my year was that from my Varsity Rugby teammates, who proved to me how far a season can go when personal responsibility, yet another one of our core values, is taken. This responsibility was shown perhaps most significantly during our pre-season training sessions. These required each of us to get up before 6 am to be at the school bright and early for a workout that left most of us vomiting into the nearest trash bins. I had a particular encounter with that bin there at the back. Nevertheless, a personal responsibility to our teammates, to our coaches, and to the game kept us coming back again and again. It was this responsibility taken by each team member that led to our successes further down the line. This showing of responsibility was not limited to this year’s rugby team. Motivated students fully committing to their roles lead to a mark being made with many OFSAA appearances in a variety of sports, top three overall season finishes, and exciting victories, such as the nail-biter win by the Senior Basketball Team over a much older UCC side. Outside of athletics in DECA, robotics, model UN, mock trial, math league, and many more clubs, we earned other huge distinctions. The common trend amongst each of these achievements was that they were sparked from a group of Crescent boys that valued their responsibility to their role on a team above all else.

 

Going back to rugby, I would have to say that Friday Night Lights was the point where all of the responsibility we had taken in training paid off. We were able to do the unthinkable by defeating a team with more strength, speed, and sheer size than us: St. Mike’s. We accomplished this feat because of the deep sense of commitment instilled in us from our coach, Mr. Haag, who is the epitome of buying in.

 

Speaking of Mr. Haag, I know that Mr. Kovacs will be celebrating his significant contribution to the school along with our other departing faculty shortly. However, I would be remiss if I didn’t take a moment, on behalf of the Prefect Team, to say thank you, sir, for your huge investment in student leadership during your time at the school. You made it your responsibility to show up to every single one of our meetings, and your presence was always valued. You had the ability to make us pause, think about what we wanted to accomplish, and then foster a supportive environment in which we could collectively develop an attack plan. From organizing the House System to planning Friday Night Lights, you have really been there for the Prefect Team this year. Thank you.

 

One final memory of Crescent boys making their mark that I would like to cite from this year has occurred over the past few weeks. It is at this time that I would like to draw a passage from my speech at our first assembly of the year, when I said, “There is but one thing that stays constant at Crescent School, and that is our culture.” When our student community perceived elements of our culture changing, we immediately looked to the final two core values of our school: respect and honesty. In a very respectful manner, we honestly expressed how we felt. Now, I don’t believe that it is fair to assign blame to anyone for directly causing this change. The truth is that the school experience of administrators and faculty will always be different than that of students, and that’s why an exchange of thoughts and opinions between these groups is so crucial. I am extremely proud of all of my Crescent brothers and other members of our community including the school leadership for being able to bridge this gap through open and honest communication.

 

The letters sent by the prefects, alumni, students, and parents, the massive effort from Rohan, and the many open forums facilitated by administration were able to make this possible. These were all mediums in which honest, heartfelt opinions could be exchanged respectfully, and look at what the result has been. We have chocolate milk back, a grad lounge, a quarter-zip as uniform, a spirit week, and most importantly, student forums which show a unanimous commitment to preserving all of the wonderful elements of what makes Crescent, Crescent. One thing that no one in this community can say is that Mr. Fellin, Mr. Kovacs, or any other member of the team sitting behind me were resistant to listening. When the time called, they responded. The mark made by everyone in this endeavor will show through with Crescent School moving onward and upward; and that is what matters.

 

The value of compassion was proven in the powerful production of the Laramie Project, the value of responsibility, embodied so deeply by Mr. Haag, was proven in our school’s many achievements, and the value of respect with honesty was proven in how we were able to work together to affirm our culture.

 

I have never seen the core values of Crescent more beautifully demonstrated than I have this year. They truly are the foundation on which our school is built, and we must never forget that. During the moments in which each of these core values were demonstrated, an incredible mark was made on our school. Each of these accomplishments were not completed by just one skill or individual person, but rather a grouping of unique abilities and diverse personalities. This year has proven so clearly that we are at our best when we work together.

 

It has been an honour and a profound pleasure to get to know all of you and to serve our school. Thank you for standing by me when times were hard, making me laugh, and filling my year with so much joy. I am going to miss Crescent more and more as years pass, but I will always find satisfaction in remembering the mark made during 2017. Thank you and have a restful, safe summer.