House Expansion Project . She also designed the office spaces within the trailers outside of the school during the same initiative . Along with another senior administrator , she additionally created the uniform and organized system for requesting and ordering office furniture . In addition , she would assist personnel with the design of their spaces when they asked ( and they usually did !). Last , she supported the Duff family with the creation of the Faculty Study following the Graham House Expansion . On a side but related note , Esther revealed to me in a recent conversation that Christmas was her favorite time of year . She was known to not only beautifully decorate the school ’ s three Christmas trees and hang the numerous wreaths and decorations , but on her own time she would make truly impressive and ambitious gingerbread houses at home . She is also a talented seamstress and has created numerous Esther took great joy in organizing Graduation . She designed the school ’ s Golden Jubilee clothing apparel , including a British Naval Banner and , shown on the opposite page , the Graduation Banner .
Officer ’ s coat which she wore at the Pirate Halloween Day in 2022 .
Athletically , Esther loves the “ beautiful game ,” soccer . She taught the love for the sport to her daughter , Melanie , whom we are fortunate to have at Saint David ’ s as a faculty member . She would also use her athleticism and problem-solving skills in miraculously always fixing the numerous copying machines which typically required advanced yoga style stretches to free jams and regular deadlifts of reams of paper , or the machine itself ! Leading up to the Great Compression , she was the go to “ purger ” on the Transition Logistics Committee , running from room to room and helping us all to thoughtfully declutter and digitize paper files . Always handy , she was frequently seen running around hanging student artwork and a variety of prints and portraits throughout the building . And , during one First Friday faculty and staff gathering which was held at a bowling alley , Esther revealed her love for that sport , which shone brightly , and much to the delight of her colleagues and friends .
Regarding our spirituality pillar , Esther has taken incredible joy in either organizing or simply assisting at any event or experience that brings our community together , especially Graduation , Lessons and Carols , and school masses . She also loved the school ’ s annual Mozart Party which brought faculty , staff , their friends and families together in celebration of not only the composer ’ s music , but also of each other . Graduation and the reception to follow was truly an annual highlight for Esther as she was the chief organizer of the incredibly important event . As an innate people person , she has always been eager to help anyone who asks , especially if it involves bringing people together . From serving as an usher at Grandparents Day to organizing the processional at the Sixtieth Anniversary Mass , she simply loves to help . Within her office , she particularly enjoyed her time working and collaborating with her colleagues Sandra Lewis Reeves , Sylvia Hopkins Whitmore , and Charlotte Grima in the Headmaster ’ s Office . She savored her time with each , and reflects proudly on their joint accomplishments .
Looking back one last time , Esther cites as her proudest accomplishment her work in the school-wide transition from Blackbaud to Veracross as the primary database system . From creating individual accounts for families , students , parents , faculty , and staff to helping create and outfit the school ’ s Veracross class schedule system , Esther relishes how her hard work benefited so many students , parents , and colleagues .
Simply put , Esther Formosa has always been known to work hard , work smart , and to make magic happen … A LOT of magic , and we have been most fortunate to call her ( and her magic wand ) a colleague and friend for the last 25 years . Not only are we better for it , but the school is most of all . Everything noted above just scratches the surface of what Esther Formosa has meant to Saint David ’ s , and I am honored and have the incredible privilege of recommending her to you for a well earned and greatly deserved retirement . •
Warm regards , John C . Dearie ’ 95
John C . Dearie ’ 95 is Director of Secondary School Counseling and a Religion Teacher at Saint David ’ s School .
6 • Saint David ’ s Magazine