SAES_JULY '22_Magazine

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GRADUATION Saint Andrew’s Graduates! I am so honored to be addressing you today. I feel this distinction deeply, not only because you are an incredibly special class, but because your Saint Andrew’s story is woven tightly with my own. You see, the very first day I stepped foot on the Saint Andrew’s campus, it was to substitute teach in your third grade class. At the time, Ms. Trevor was the Head of Lower School, and she did her best to prepare me for you. “They are lovely little people,” she said. “But do look out. They are QUITE social. And they challenge each other. And I’m not sure I’ve ever heard of a third grade class who cries quite so much.” Sometimes your life is changed forever on days you do not expect it to happen. I did not know what to make of this explanation of you, but I settled into the classroom to wait. “A new teacher!” Renee said. Ellis shook his head. “Oh boy. I feel sorry for you.” Eva waved to me brightly. “Don’t worry,” she said. “You’re going to love us!” Eva, you were so right. I did love you all. I do love you all. Your whole community loves you. It’s impossible not to. There will never be another version of a Saint Andrew’s class that has your unique sense of integrity, your humor, and your emotional intelligence. Ms. Trevor’s introduction to who you were (lovely, social, and challenging) remains true in several ways, even as you expanded in both body and number, welcoming new classmates. You have challenged each other. You’ve grown up together, shaping each other by your kindnesses, your friendships, your best moments and some of your worst. Of course there’ve been some tears. You’ve grown up BECAUSE of those challenges, and been presented with life lessons that, if you paid attention, will serve you well throughout your lives. You learned how to navigate the world through each other, and you did it in the safest, kindest place in the world. This school. Graduates, you’ve been described as ‘social.’ While at times this characteristic has created some extra work for the adults in your life, this collective allure has also shaped you, and you are strong. You ARE social, but because of it, you are drawn to social justice. To community betterment. You are not waiting until you are adults to make changes to the world. You are the change, right now. You know how to advocate for yourselves, and your peers. Your social skills are some of your very greatest strengths, and you expect us all to keep up with you. Don’t ever stop. The world needs you. 30 S A I N T A N D R E W ’ S M A G A Z I N E T H E C O M M U N I T Y I S S U E
Graduates, you’ve been described as ‘lovely.’ And how lovely you are. At 14 years old, you are still excited to come to school. You thank your teachers after every class. You invite us to share your big life moments. You send us your newest music recordings and teach us origami. One of you has kept track of every mistake I have ever made, and you send me encouraging little notes when I’m making more than usual. You are devoted big buddies, you are authors, illustrators, athletes, relentless debaters (have you ever tried arguing with Vishnu?), and you give the best hugs. Why are you so lovely? Do you know? I have a theory. My theory is your loveliness corresponds to all the love you have ever received from the community that surrounds you. Take a moment and look around. Who is here, in this room, loving you right now? A lot of people. Graduates, never in your lives will you be surrounded all at once by so many people who know your story, who love you, and have helped nurture the best in you. Caring communities make this loveliness. That is who we are, and now that is who YOU are, too. Remember to nurture the loveliness in yourselves, and build more lovely, caring communities wherever you go. Challenging, social, lovely graduates. I am grateful to be your commencement speaker because our chapters at Saint Andrew’s are closing together, at the same time. Thank you for being such a clear and poignant part of my experience here; my own story. A lot like our school logo, we are woven tightly together. This also means we form a sustaining pattern, and will likely come together again. Even as the ends of the rope stretch in opposite directions, its heart, the knot, follows back onto itself. That togetherness makes the whole strand strong. Even as you go off in your new directions on different adventures, remember the ties that bind you here. That tightly braided support system that will always be here to catch you. Remember you are part of the pattern of Saint Andrew’s, and you will always have a community here who knows you and loves you. Your gifts and your goodness are woven into the very heart of this school. We are connected together, always, and that is precisely what makes you, and Saint Andrew’s, so special. Congratulations, class of 2022! MS. LAUREN ORME-AXUP S U M M E R 2 0 2 2 31
Page 1 and 2: The Community Issue SUMMER 2022 S U
Page 3 and 4: IN THIS ISSUE 04 08 18 22 CONTENTS
Page 5 and 6: Saint Andrew’s has never wavered
Page 7 and 8: nse Timeline Throughout the 2021-20
Page 9 and 10: The first team to finish their work
Page 11 and 12: Our desire to deliver a complete, b
Page 13 and 14: The school encourages a growth mind
Page 15 and 16: WHOLEHEARTED STEWARDSHIP ❣ A SUST
Page 17 and 18: Join us for a Milestone Anniversary
Page 19 and 20: In March, a cast of 47 third—eigh
Page 21 and 22: ARE INTROVERTS TOO QUIET OR ARE EXT
Page 23 and 24: The Spring Social allowed parents f
Page 25 and 26: Chances by Preston Wong I have been
Page 27 and 28: Moving Up “The Moving Up Chapel i
Page 29: Presentation of Awards The Rotary C
Page 33 and 34: In the fall, the members of Saint A
Page 35 and 36: Graduates from the Class of 2018 ar
Page 37 and 38: “As Youth Poet Laureate, my purpo
Page 39 and 40: We are all in, all the time, all fo

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