Head of the Upper School Tony Szymendara joined StC in 1986 as an English teacher and coach, and he has been inspiring our boys in the classroom and on the athletic fields ever since.
1. Where do you find your inspiration as an educator?
Young people. In high school, I just remember loving the priests and teachers who really seemed to take an interest in us and treat us like adults who had legitimate thoughts and opinions on things — even when we really or probably didn't. I wanted to be one of those people and over the years I have grown to be fascinated with the growth and development at this age.
In ninth grade, the boys are self-sufficient in very basic ways and by 12th grade, they are independent in almost every way possible. That keeps me coming back for more every year.
2. What is one of your favorite StC memories?
There are so many. As a coach, I could speak about so many great games, championships, and relationships. As a teacher, I can recall great classroom moments — seeing a class put together a semester's worth of British Literature, for example, was always rewarding.
After Hurricane Isabel tore through the neighborhood, I can remember working with a host of faculty members cutting downed tree limbs and collecting debris alongside the maintenance crew to clear the campus. The team and community spirit are hallmarks of the School, but to see it in a situation like that will always stay with me. People just showed up to help.
3. Do you have any alumni memories you can share?
How do I limit the number?! The most meaningful memories, however, are a little more difficult to share.
One of the toughest parts of my job is often knowing more than I want to know about a given boy and his family situation. We are part of the larger community and our boys and families are not immune to the very same struggles as anyone. There are always a couple of boys who graduate without much acclaim, no awards to their name, but for whom just walking across the Terraces and getting that diploma is an amazing accomplishment. Most will not know the hardship they have overcome, the extra hours they have put in with all sorts of support services and personnel, and so on.
Those will always be the deepest meaning memories. Those boys needed us and we were there for them — even when they did not appreciate it at the time.
There's not enough room for all the stories!
4. What is the most rewarding thing about your role as Head of the Upper School?
So many good things happen here on a daily basis. If pressed, I would say that it is seeing the efforts of the faculty come to fruition in what the boys do. We work very hard to achieve a shared vision. We spend a great deal of time working on how to execute the plan, as we want everything we do to help a young man to become the person he has the capacity to be.
Building that team is hard work, but when you see a boy succeed or see a class come together, that's the most rewarding thing.
5. Favorite dining hall dish?
Haha, now this is an awesome question! Back in the days of the previous dining hall, it had to be sheet pizza day. Who doesn't like some cheese and sauce on a piece of cardboard? At least the price was right.
The only really good answer here has to be whatever Miss Georgia is serving — and yes, she is still here saying, "All right, baby!" to the boys as they thank her for lunch. 50 years of literal service — amazing and a true Saint!
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