Saint David's Magazine BOYS Vol 33 No 1 | Page 62

GE N E R AT IONS Young Alumni Chapel Tradition Nearly 150 high school age alumni joined current eighth graders and several faculty and staff for one of Saint David’s favorite Thanksgiving traditions, the Young Alumni Chapel and Dinner, held on Tuesday, November 20, 2018. Early in the evening, which was organized by Assistant Director of Development John C. Dearie ’95, dedications were held for the Class of 2017 and 2018 legacy gifts, both related to the school’s expansion. The Class of 2017’s was the restoration of the Graham House Mosaic. The Class of 2018’s, the new Eighth Grade Commons, which the boys named Il Duomo and was dedicated in memory of Rovena Kilkeary. The boys packed the Chapel to hear the Chapel talk given by Fernando Guimaraes, who graduated in 2010. Fernando focused on the importance of self-discipline, hard work, and integrity; sharing that despite mistakes he may have made when younger, the lessons and values of Saint David’s helped him get back on track. “In order to go back to the good man Saint David’s taught me to be, I needed to be disciplined, I needed to work hard, and Saint David’s set me up for this,” he said. He embraced that mindset, was admitted to Brown University, and graduated with a degree in philosophy and history. Fernando told the boys they would be challenged, that their choices and decisions matter, and that it is far too easy to get distracted.