As part of a carefully planned Board leadership succession plan that has been in process since last October, Board President and alumnus David Stone, ’73 will be stepping down as President, though remaining on the Board and as Chair of the Building Community campaign. David’s last formal act as President was to award diplomas to the graduating class of 2010. Board Treasurer Ron Feldman was formally voted in as our next Board President at the May 27 Board meeting.
At our year-end Trustee - Faculty Appreciation Dinner, perhaps because this would be his last year speaking at this affair, David spoke from the heart about Applewild. David is always eloquent about why Applewild matters, yet that night he was also very personal. I asked him if he would let me share his remarks more widely, and he graciously agreed. They speak to all of us, whether faculty, staff, parents, alumni, parents of former students, or students.
It will come as no surprise to you that we have great appreciation for David’s leadership of the Board for the past five years. He is not leaving us, so no “fond farewells” (as Lower School uses) are necessary, and he and Ron have already been working with me on a seamless transition.
Chris Williamson, Head of School
Appreciation Dinner Remarks
May 27, 2010
David Stone ‘73
I have decided to skip an attempt at the “state of the school” this evening. . . . With your indulgence, I would like to speak on a subject I know best – why Applewild is worth the effort, and why my experiences have inspired a love for Applewild.
I loved being a student here. While the school was different in some of the details back in the old days – coats and ties, weekly chapel and so on – it was the same in the most fundamental ways. The teachers, your predecessors, were very much like you. They helped us develop core skills in reading, math, science and language. They demanded our best, or perhaps I should say they coaxed the best out of us. We had big events - important soccer games, spring concerts, plays, public speaking contests, all of which seemed as epic at the time as I am sure they do today. But in the long run, the best part of Applewild lived in the details - family style lunches, announcements, celebrations, kindness, compassion. The school then as now provided a great foundation for future education, but it also provided a great foundation for life.
I have loved being a Trustee here. I think the Greek poet Herodotus must have had us in mind when he wrote, “He is the best man [probably would have said ‘person’ today] who, when making plans, fears and reflects on everything that can happen, but in the moment of action is bold.” It has been a joy to work this way with you all - my fellow trustees, Chris and the administrative team, and many teachers, to carefully and fully explore each important issue, and then be willing to act decisively. I deeply appreciate the opportunity to work with so many generous, creative, committed people who share my commitment to Applewild and who want to help this school succeed.
And I loved being a parent of an Applewild student – and being the uncle of three more is pretty fun, too. The big events here are so much like a family photo album – they provide snapshots which capture moments of progress and achievement. Seeing my seven year old son deliver his “speech” at the living wax museum, hearing him progress from a beginner on the recorder to a clarinet soloist, watching him play Varsity Soccer – these were big moments. But they weren’t nearly as big as the teacher conferences, when I learned not just about my son’s progress, but also how much time, effort and energy you put into making his progress possible. At dinner every school night it was a delight to hear how Mr. Brodeur or Mr. Gillis made the class laugh, or of how delightful it was to point out Mr. Palmieri’s spelling “mistake”, or of the daily raid on Mrs. May’s jar of mints. Most of all it is a moving sight to see my son, along with your daughters and sons, move on from Applewild as “confident learners and responsible citizens” –just like our Mission Statement says.
I know that each of you has your own lists of reasons to love this school. Some may overlap with mine, others are uniquely yours. It is for these reasons, our shared experiences, and experiences which are unique to me and unique to you, that we work to sustain Applewild. We believe in the future of Applewild School, and in the future that an Applewild education makes possible. It has been a true pleasure to work this year together with all of you who share my love of Applewild. Thank you all for your efforts on behalf of Applewild School.
Thank you.