Dear Class of 2013 Families, I trust the summer has been enjoyable ...

Dear Class of 2013 Families,I trust the summer has been enjoyable and relaxing for all of you. My family and I have had agreat summer and are surprised at how quickly the school year is approaching. I hope yourfamilies can find a way to both prepare for the upcoming school year and relax a bit morebefore school is in full swing.It has been exciting to dean the Class of 2013, and I cannot believe that in a few short weeks theywill begin their senior year at University Liggett School. I can remember heading off on theFreshman Retreat with a group of roughly 70 individual students full of nerves and questions.Now they will lead the school in just about every facet, and they seem calm and excited aboutthe work ahead of them. What a transformation! I am proud of this class, and I look forward toseeing all that they accomplish this year.I have received e-mails this summer from a few students who have traveled beyond ourclassrooms to learn and interact with other students and people around the country. I wouldlove to hear from more of you about your various summer activities. I also hope that you allwill be willing to share your experiences with the entire class during upcoming class meetings.Some of your work sounded very exciting. I know I want to hear ain Texas.In addition to all your other activities this summer, I am sure that you have been spending a lotof time thinking about the college admissions process. If you have not already, please be sure toregister with Mrs. Jamett for one of the College Essay Workshops on August 16, 20, or 22. Allseniors are required to attend one of these sessions. Should you have any other questions,please direct them to Elizabeth Jamett or Peter Gaines. The first semester of senior year is aunique challenge. There is school work that needs to be done, sports practices, familyobligations, and college applications on top of that. You can help yourselves by getting much ofthe college work done ahead of time. It will feel great to have a good head start on the year!By now, seniors should have completed the 25-hour community service requirement. Therequirement is designed to allow students to work with one or two organizations outside theschool in a significant way. Through these opportunities, you have grown as a person and havehad a chance to reflect on what role service will play in your life beyond Liggett. Serviceorganizations are always in need of volunteers, and I hope you have seen what a positiveimpact your service has on others as well as on you. If you have not completed the graduationrequirement, I suggest that you do your best to complete this work before the school yearbegins. As I mentioned earlier in this letter, senior year can be very busy, and it is best to getthis work done before the academic work is added to your obligations. Please remember thatSenior Privileges are only awarded to seniors who have completed their community servicerequirement.

As we head into the fall, a few dates you should have in mind are:September 18: Picture Day (photos must be taken regardless of whether a professionalportrait has been taken)September 24: Senior Picture on the Library StepsSeptember 27: Upper School Parents NightOctober 1-5: Spirit WeekOctober 6: Homecoming DanceOctober 13: Mum SaleI am honored to be a part of the Class of 2013, and I look forward to working with youthroughout an exciting year. The Class of 2013 has impressed everyone from the verybeginning, and I look forward to seeing their great work continue. I hope you enjoy the rest ofyour summer, and do not hesitate to contact me with any questions or thoughts you have aboutthe upcoming year.Sincerely,Ben LampeDean, Class of 2013