“These spaces have enhanced and enriched the boys’ experiences already and will only do more so in the years to come,”
said Headmaster O’Halloran. “They are built to enable boys to learn and teachers to teach in ways that are optimal—active,
hands-on, project-oriented, integrated, and interdisciplinary.”
As PA President Linda MacKinnon, who created an “Amazing” video capturing the community’s reaction to their new
surroundings, noted, “What is so remarkable to me is how seamless the move into this amazing new space has been for the
boys. While the new environment is of seismic proportion, the culture and everything we love about this school has stayed
the same—just amplified—which equals more of what we already loved.”
Saint David’s remains the same at her core with a steadfast commitment to the mission’s ultimate aspiration, “That they be
good men,” and the four pillars (academics, arts, athletics, spirituality) that provide the foundation for each boy’s education.
November 12, 2018, The Second Act: School Blessed/Ribbons Cut
The Grand Opening and Expansion Celebration began early in the morning of Monday, November 12,
2018, with a special ribbon cutting for the pre-primary boys in the new Lower Gymnasium. Then it was
all the way up to the sixth floor’s expansive new Price Family Gymnasium for the Official Ribbon Cutting
ceremony. Student Council President Peter Karasyov ’19 and Vice President William Rao ’19 welcomed the
hundreds of parents, alumni parents, alumni, trustees, faculty/staff, and boys in Grades One through Eight
who were gathered in the new gym.
The Lower School ceremony and Official Ribbon Cutting.
Saint David’s Chaplain, Father Chris Keenan, bestowed a blessing on the newly consolidated/expanded school and all of
her community members, saying, “This morning, like David and God’s people, our ancestors before us, we celebrate with all
our strength, deep in our hearts, joy and gratitude…we are here to give thanks for this wonderful gift… It’s only because you
have given your life and time and talents and gifts for these 10 years that we could gather and have this wonderful celebration
as a family of Saint David’s School.”
Headmaster O’Halloran thanked the alumni and alumni families “who returned home” to Saint David’s for the unique and
special occasion. “Since our founding, we have somehow managed to inch our way east—from 12 to 14 to 16 to 18 and now
22—all the way to Madison,” he said.
“This consolidation and expansion of our school on 89th Street not only keeps Saint David’s right here, where it was founded
some 67 years ago, but ensures the school’s ability to fulfill the potential of its program, its incredibly talented faculty and staff
and, by extension, the full potential of each of its boys. Omnium nobis.”
Dr. O’Halloran acknowledged the cast of thousands who made the project possible: (see page 12) from faculty and staff, to
construction team principals, board and oversight teams, the strategic planning committee, Campaign Co-Chairs Jenny Price
and Greg Hoogkamp and the entire campaign fundraising team, logistics and construction teams, the “Closer” Kevin Hayden
and the “Champions” Craig Wood and John Menz, two trustees who helped lead the initiative from conception to completion,
and whose sons have long since graduated from Saint David’s. On behalf of the school, Director of Finance and Administration
Jack Sproule presented Mr. Menz the Saint David’s Purple Circle Award for being “wounded” in the line of duty.
8 • Saint David’s Magazine