Find Your Calling
[This speech was given at Crescent's Opening Assembly on September 5, 2019.]
It was seven years ago – almost to the day – that I first sat in this very gym, listening to the first of what would be many speeches from a variety of Head Boys. I struggled to make sense of the words that the man in the blue blazer was saying. Besides, Grade 5 me had much more pressing issues, like what lunch was going to be like at this strange new place, or whether or not I packed my soccer cleats that morning. (I didn’t.)
It was seven years ago – almost to the day – that I first sat in this very gym, listening to the first of what would be many speeches from a variety of Head Boys. I struggled to make sense of the words that the man in the blue blazer was saying. Besides, Grade 5 me had much more pressing issues, like what lunch was going to be like at this strange new place, or whether or not I packed my soccer cleats that morning. (I didn’t.)
At that time, there was no reason to contemplate where I would be in seven years. 2020 was nothing more than a speck in the distance. But each year, as I inched further back on the gym floor, I understood the Head Boy’s message a bit more. 2020 slowly grew less and less absurd. And now, seven years later, here we are.
Mr. Fellin, members of the platform party, faculty, and students, good morning and welcome to the 2019-2020 school year. I hope everyone had a restful and relaxing summer, and is looking forward to the upcoming year. This time of year is one of change – students returning from summer break and starting in a new grade, or at a new school, with new classes to get accustomed to.
But amid a whirlwind of new and exciting change, there always seems to be one constant – our culture. Crescent is a place that has so much to offer beyond academics, and all these activities are what fuel our culture of support and innovation. The aim of sustaining and developing this culture was the driving force behind the discussion of this year’s motto, and was what ultimately led us to settle on our motto for the 2019/2020 school year: “Find Your Calling”.
This should serve as a message of encouragement for all of us to be willing to step outside our comfort zones. It should also be a reminder for us to keep an open mind when entering any situation, because you never know what that experience may hold. Most importantly, though, it should always serve as a reminder to be true to yourself.
Boys, for the past seven years, I have sat where you sit.
To the Lower School: Stay curious. Be willing to try something new, even if it scares you. These new experiences will help you get an idea of how your Crescent journey may look, and the friendships you make will last for your time here and far beyond.
To the Middle School: Don’t be afraid to fail. You will learn more from your failures, and the most important thing is that you always get up after you’re knocked down. Seek guidance from those around you, the teachers and mentors you come to know will prove invaluable over your Crescent career.
To the Upper School: Commit. Whatever your calling may be, you will get out of it what you put in. Nothing worthwhile will come easily, but you will quickly come to learn that the most daunting tasks are often the most rewarding. It may be a grind, but if you learn to love it, then nothing will stand in your way.
To the Faculty: From early-morning practices to BEAR week to long hours in the robotics lab or drama studio and everything in between, each and every one of you takes the time to foster relationships with students, making each and every one of us feel welcome and cared about. These relationships are what makes Crescent such a special place. But it isn’t just the teachers; from the lunch staff and maintenance to administrators, every person plays a crucial role in keeping Crescent operating at such a high standard.
To the Class of 2020: I couldn’t have asked for a better group of people to spend the past 7 years with. You are truly a special group, filled to the brim with individuals gifted in so many different ways. We have had all the time to find our calling, now all that’s left to do is hit the ground running and dive head-first into whatever this last ride may hold for us.
To Everyone: Find your Calling. Let’s have an amazing year. Thank you.
Back
Mr. Fellin, members of the platform party, faculty, and students, good morning and welcome to the 2019-2020 school year. I hope everyone had a restful and relaxing summer, and is looking forward to the upcoming year. This time of year is one of change – students returning from summer break and starting in a new grade, or at a new school, with new classes to get accustomed to.
But amid a whirlwind of new and exciting change, there always seems to be one constant – our culture. Crescent is a place that has so much to offer beyond academics, and all these activities are what fuel our culture of support and innovation. The aim of sustaining and developing this culture was the driving force behind the discussion of this year’s motto, and was what ultimately led us to settle on our motto for the 2019/2020 school year: “Find Your Calling”.
This should serve as a message of encouragement for all of us to be willing to step outside our comfort zones. It should also be a reminder for us to keep an open mind when entering any situation, because you never know what that experience may hold. Most importantly, though, it should always serve as a reminder to be true to yourself.
Boys, for the past seven years, I have sat where you sit.
To the Lower School: Stay curious. Be willing to try something new, even if it scares you. These new experiences will help you get an idea of how your Crescent journey may look, and the friendships you make will last for your time here and far beyond.
To the Middle School: Don’t be afraid to fail. You will learn more from your failures, and the most important thing is that you always get up after you’re knocked down. Seek guidance from those around you, the teachers and mentors you come to know will prove invaluable over your Crescent career.
To the Upper School: Commit. Whatever your calling may be, you will get out of it what you put in. Nothing worthwhile will come easily, but you will quickly come to learn that the most daunting tasks are often the most rewarding. It may be a grind, but if you learn to love it, then nothing will stand in your way.
To the Faculty: From early-morning practices to BEAR week to long hours in the robotics lab or drama studio and everything in between, each and every one of you takes the time to foster relationships with students, making each and every one of us feel welcome and cared about. These relationships are what makes Crescent such a special place. But it isn’t just the teachers; from the lunch staff and maintenance to administrators, every person plays a crucial role in keeping Crescent operating at such a high standard.
To the Class of 2020: I couldn’t have asked for a better group of people to spend the past 7 years with. You are truly a special group, filled to the brim with individuals gifted in so many different ways. We have had all the time to find our calling, now all that’s left to do is hit the ground running and dive head-first into whatever this last ride may hold for us.
To Everyone: Find your Calling. Let’s have an amazing year. Thank you.
