GENERATIONS
An Evening With Wes Moore for the Eric Wu ’ 14 Alumni Parents Lecture Series
“ True resiliency means you were able to make a bigger table for other people to see their own greatness as well .”
This key message was delivered in May by Wes Moore , CEO of Robin Hood , one of the largest anti-poverty forces in the nation , and bestselling author , combat veteran , and social entrepreneur . Mr . Moore provided a riveting , inspiring talk via Zoom for our graduating eighth graders , their parents , and the alumni / alumni parent community on resilience , the year ’ s school-wide theme . The evening marked the 17th annual Alumni Parents Council Lecture Series event ; this year renamed for the first time in honor of alumnus Eric Wu ’ 14 ( R . I . P .), in celebration of Eric ’ s short but meaningful life .
Lauding the graduating class for their ability to adapt during this curveball pandemic year , Mr . Moore observed a great lesson from this pandemic : that the only certainty in life is inconsistency , surprise , and the need to adapt . As he reflected on the unpredictability of life , Mr . Moore encouraged the boys to live deeply and purposefully , to “ go big ” and leave a positive mark on this world : “ While we are here , let ’ s push , let ’ s advocate , let ’ s organize , let ’ s love , let ’ s fight , find an issue , pull people together , have conversations with those we might not have had conversations with before .”
Mr . Moore noted that we are all part of a larger , global fabric and our individual successes are dependent on the success of all others . Resilience , he said , requires more than an individual ’ s singular conclusion ; it entails using one ’ s power to pull others up — we are all interconnected .
In closing , Mr . Moore expressed his confidence in our boys , stating , “ I know the hopes , dreams and expectations of everyone here are that you are going to be truly resilient and the world will be better because of it .”
Each year , our Lecture Series provides a culminating master class experience for our graduating class which includes presentations by the guest speaker , followed by a question and answer session with the eighth graders . Mr . Moore ’ s talk inspired all present to live lives of impact and meaning , and was the perfect lecture in honor of Eric , an incredible young man who epitomized our school motto Ut Viri Boni Sint in deed and in word .
Saint David ’ s School thanks Mr . Moore for sharing his wisdom and insights with the boys , their parents , and the alumni community . Appreciation also goes to APC cochairs Winnie Feng and Annie Haddad , J . P . Hormillosa and Maureen Barry of the Development Office , and alumni parent and former trustee Suzanne Karr for bringing this memorable evening to fruition .
Wes Moore , CEO , Robin Hood
Summer 2021 • 65