Friends,
As we have finished one of the most incredible and challenging years, I am filled with gratitude for the partnership and support you have shown BC High. Without the ardent efforts of every single part of our community, from students and families, to faculty and staff, to our alumni and friends - we would not have been able to celebrate Commencement for the Class of 2021 in the manner that we did. The amazing ceremony meant so much to our young men, their parents and guardians, and of course, our adult community who were fortunate to watch the fruits of their students' labors after such a hard-fought year. You can view full photo albums from the day here.
On Thursday, we prayed and reflected with our Arrupe Division and underclassmen students before sending them off to a well-deserved summer break. We trust that they will reconnect with friends and family, embrace some rest, and enjoy time to explore new hobbies and old. Our faculty and staff will use the summer to further their professional and academic development, and plan to welcome our young men again in the fall.
Principal Lewis has often said that summer is his least favorite part of the year, because the students - our very reason for being - are not in the building. This is so very true. But while Morrissey Boulevard has gotten a bit quieter, our campus is still brimming with energy. Senior Mentors are here for orientation sessions to welcome new Eagles, BC High Summer Programs will soon welcome young people from across the state for a wide range of activities, and many of our spring sports teams are still competing for a shot at state championships! There is never a dull moment at BC High.
On behalf of our entire community, I wish you and your family a reflective and restorative summer.
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Announcement from the Board of Trustees |
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Last week, we were thrilled to welcome the Board of Trustees to Morrissey Boulevard for companionship, reflection, and much discussion. On Tuesday evening, current Board members were joined by past Board Chairs for a wonderful dinner in Cadigan Lecture Hall - honoring our shared love for BC High and so many special memories. |
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On Wednesday, at the June Board Meeting, the assembled Trustees shared our deep gratitude to outgoing Finance Committee Chair Greg Bulger '68, who is completing his three-term tenure on the Board of Trustees. Greg has been an incredible source of knowledge and support at BC High, and we look forward to his continued involvement in our community as a champion of the fine and performing arts.
The Board also reviewed BC High's strategic plan and many important topics of interest. Perhaps none was more exciting than the vote to add three new Trustees to the Board. I hope you will join me in warmly welcoming them and praying for them as they begin this important service to our community.
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Thank you Fr. Perry and Fr. Sparks! |
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On Thursday, Fr. Ron Perry, SJ and Fr. Nathan Sparks, SJ concelebrated our last Mass of the year. It would also be their last Mass at BC High for now, as both will be leaving the Boulevard this summer!
Fr. Perry will return to Fairfield Prep, where he served 25 rewarding years as a beloved teacher and Jesuit from 1977-84, and again from 1987-2006. In 2006 he was missioned to our community and spent 15 years in many positions including Rector of the Jesuit Community, Kairos retreat leader, Christian service immersion trip leader, media club moderator, photography teacher, and member of the Board of Trustees. He will be very deeply missed, but we wish him the best in his new roles as full-time member of Fairfield Prep's Campus Ministry Team and as Chaplain to Prep Alumni. Fr. Sparks will be pursuing further graduate studies and continuing to explore the world sharing Jesuit philosophy. His gentle nature and knowledge will be greatly missed in the Classics Department - but we will be sure to continue following his adventures.
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Congratulations to Conor Harrity ’13 on being named to the 2020 Team USA USRowing Men’s Eight Roster! Conor, a former team captain at Harvard University, has worked tirelessly toward this goal and has had an impressive career. Now he is poised to represent the USA on the world’s biggest stage.
He has good company in Olympic hopeful and current University of Michigan star Jared Daigle ’18 who is competing at the US Olympic Swim Trials in the 200 Individual Medley.
Also in the pipeline is Owen Keating ’21, who was invited to the US Junior National Team Camp this summer in Chula Vista, California. The goal of the camp is to select athletes to represent the United Stated in the World Rowing Junior Championship in Plodiv, Bulgaria August 11-15. As this year’s team captain, Owen is in the BC High top ten, all time, for his 2k and 6k and will be rowing at Cal Berkley this fall.
Best of luck to these amazing Eagles!
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Jesuit School Young Alumni Giving Challenge is on! |
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Starting today, BC High young alumni are competing against graduates from nine Jesuit High Schools around the country in the Jesuit School Giving Challenge. At the end of the day on Thursday, whichever school has the highest percentage of alumni participation from the classes of ’11-’21 will be awarded the Presidents’ Cup. Show your BC High pride and make your gift today!
We are also excited to announce that for this challenge BC High is partnering with our Columbia Point neighbors at the Walter Denney Youth Center and the Boys and Girls Clubs of Dorchester! If 50 donors from the classes of ’11-’21 donate on Wednesday and Thursday, the Alumni Advisory Council will meet the Denney Center’s needs for backpacks and athletic equipment this summer!
Thank you for your support and Go Eagles,
The Jesuit School Young Alumni Giving Challenge Committee
Scott Gosnell '15, John Puma '12, Sam Mecha '17, Emmanuel Kalu '15, Tim Smyth '18, John Bracher '18
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Dever Players Bring Night of the Living Dead To You!
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The Dever Players theatrical performance ensemble, under the supervision of Mrs. Beth Killorin P'25, an English teacher and Director of the group’s One Act Plays, didn’t let the pandemic prevent them from their craft. Working throughout the winter and spring, they filmed The Night of the Living Dead in the local area and on our own Gregory E. Bulger '68 Performing Arts Center stage. The film represents a shortened version of George A. Romero’s 1968 project. The students worked hard to complete this production in a medium that was new to most, if not all, of them. We hope you enjoy the show! |
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At the year-end faculty and staff retreat, Director of Equity and Inclusion, Ruth Evee P’18, '22 reflected and updated our community on the anti-racist work we have undertaken. Mrs. Evee took stock of the progress we have made and the work we still have to do, while recognizing fellow faculty and staff members who have done outstanding work in the DEI space.
She also recognized the three DEI Practitioner Leaders who have been named to her team to help enrich and augment the ways in which we are already supporting our students. Lizzy Corsetti (faculty development), Katie McKiernan (curriculum and resources), and Terrell Diggs (student support) will serve as leaders in their spheres of influence to enhance the work already being done by Mrs. Evee.
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Chief Information Officer Jennifer McLarnon P’19 '21 received her MS in Cybersecurity from Boston College and was awarded the Jeremiah O'Connor, SJ Graduate Award for a student who has demonstrated leadership and engagement with his or her community and professional field, and/or through personal commitments. This individual exemplifies the Jesuit ideal of “men and women for others” and has lived the Jesuit vision of servant-leadership through community engagement.
Michael Hoyle, Senior VP for Administration, Finance and Strategy shared:
“In the last four years, Jen has led an IT team at BC High that has made the IT environment at BC High more secure, responsive, efficient, reliable and all in a cost responsible manner. Through her leadership we were up and running remotely when the pandemic started and able to pivot to a synchronous model this academic year. Jen’s dedication to our mission is on display each and every day.”
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Back to the Point Podcast Returns!
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In the first-ever three-guest and parent podcast, host Rick Goulding '04 gets together (virtually) with Mike '11, Anthony '16, and Alan Iofreddo P'11, '16 to talk about the BC High story from a family perspective, Kairos, the importance of faith, what it's like to work on a ranch, the Iofreddo family takeover of Austin, Texas, and much more!
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| Boston College High School | 617.474.5001 | www.bchigh.edu |
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