Second, our annual upper school fall play will not happen this year and here's why: The planned-for play involved the death of a mother. The cast had been rehearsing for six weeks and were a little over a month from the production date. Out of respect for Lisa Patterson and her family, and with a sensitive eye towards themselves and the rest of us, the cast decided to abandon the play, and begin rehearsing another one. It has been a struggle, given the shortened time-frame, and this week, in consultation with Ms. Goodspeed and me, they made the painful decision to stop rehearsing. Other academic pressures, including college applications in some cases, were beginning to suffer, so they quietly decided they would not put on play this year. Many of them will instead feature in the upcoming One-Acts, dates still to be determined.

Sometimes the Pillar of Sound Character shows itself in quiet ways. And just think of the myriad other ways, some even quieter than this, that our young men and women are growing under the partnership guidance of their parents, teachers, and coaches.

Kudos!