GENERATIONS
Tyler Holder ’ 14 : Capacity for Change
Tyler Holder ’ 14 ’ s spring Chapel talk to Saint David ’ s seventh and eighth graders was an inspiring personal story about the capacity we all possess to change for the good .
In his younger years , school didn ’ t come easily to Tyler , and he described some of his struggles . Tyler then shared how , with the guidance of caring teachers , administrators , coaches , family and most importantly , his own determination , he decided to change . In particular , he recalled the caring but strong connections and conversations he ’ d had with teachers , coaches and administrators in his sixth-grade year , which led to his resolve to change course . He successfully turned it around , graduating from Saint David ’ s , followed by Kent (’ 18 ), where he served as President of the Student Council and Tufts (’ 22 ), where he graduated Cum Laude with a degree in Political Science and Government . He currently is employed in the field of international relations .
GENERATIONS
“ Understanding that you can take your own life by the hands and shape it into something better is a wonderful realization .”
A few years after his college graduation , while teaching English in Korea , Tyler found himself out of his comfort zone and deeply unhappy . Again , he improved his situation by shifting his mentality , drawing upon the resolve he had discovered when in the sixth grade . He was able to appreciate the good in his new situation and finish his time in Korea in “ spectacular fashion .”
“ I recognized I was the only one capable of making my life better ,” he told the boys . “ Whether you go to boarding or day school , or will be back here in September , you have many new challenges waiting for you . If you just want to improve your life or are not happy with where you are in life , you and only you have the strength to change your circumstances .” Tyler made note that during each boy ’ s journey , many people from the school - teachers , fellow classmates - may provide support , but , “ understanding that you can take your own life by the hands and shape it into something better is a wonderful realization .”
74 • Saint David ’ s Magazine