The first time I entered Lakehill Preparatory School in the summer of 1975, it was obvious to me that this was a place where I could make a difference, have a positive impact, and enjoy my work. I could not have known then what a vital role Lakehill was to play in my future. The school motto from the beginning has been, "To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under heaven." I have been fortunate to enjoy 45 seasons at Lakehill, and now it is time for me to narrow my purpose to enjoying time with my family and friends. The 2020-2021 school year will be my final year as Headmaster of Lakehill Preparatory School. The school is in a place of exceptional strength, and I am excited for its future. We are fortunate to have a dedicated faculty, a distinguished Board of Directors, an experienced administrative team, and supportive and engaged alumni and parents. Lakehill is poised to become even stronger for new generations of students.
Lakehill will continue to pursue its mission--to help our students gain not only valuable knowledge and skills, but also to embody the founding tenets of truth, honor, and loyalty. While there is sadness in leaving the career that has defined my professional life, I know that Lakehill has a remarkable future ahead.
I am also confident in the leadership of the Board in undertaking a search for my successor. Board Vice-President James Perry will chair the search committee responsible for recommending a new Headmaster to the Board of Directors. The values, history, and future of Lakehill are in good hands with his leadership and that of other members of the Committee.
I feel intense gratitude to the Lakehill community for the privilege of working with you over more than four decades. I have been blessed to find such a caring community for my family. One of the greatest joys for Virginia and me has been the education our children received here, and their enduring friendships with teachers, coaches, and fellow students. Lakehill has been a wonderful home for all of us, a place for learning both in and out of the classroom, of caring for others and the community. Now, we get to watch our granddaughter create her own memories and share these special times with her.
Of course, I will still be working at Lakehill for another year, so this is not yet goodbye. It is, though, an appropriate time for me to give you all my thanks. To the many Board members who have volunteered their time and their wisdom; to my faculty colleagues who have engaged and taught us all; to our devoted staff, who have worked in our offices and on our grounds to make all we do possible; to our passionate alumni, who with love for Lakehill's past have helped create our future; to the parents who have joined our Lakehill family and entrusted their children to our care; and most of all, to our students, the reason all of us have joined together, our hope, our future, and our inspiring present -- thank you!
Lakehill has not only given me the most meaningful and rewarding job I could have imagined, but it has also provided my family and me a community of friends and an abundance of memories. I never imagined I would stay here so long or love it so much. Lakehill is and will continue to be a great school because of all of you and your commitment to the ideals at Lakehill's heart. I look forward to the coming months and to the opportunity to reflect on past memories and create new ones as we share our journey through the upcoming school year.
With great appreciation and Warrior Pride,
