Friends,

Our school year has come to a close in the midst of unprecedented turbulence in our nation and in our world. I want to first commend all of our boys and their families, as well as our faculty and staff for their incredible work throughout the year and especially in these trying past few months. And I am deeply grateful for the perseverance, courage, and honesty all have shown in adapting to our connected learning program and - more recently - processing the grave injustice in our country. To that end, I am pleased that BC High will host our second annual National Anti-Racism Teach-In this summer. We must acknowledge and affirm that Black Lives Matter.

These days have made it more readily apparent than ever that the world needs our young men. Our world needs the leaders of conscience, competence, compassion they are becoming - men educated for and in justice.

Because, though our boys' formal academic studies have ceased for the time being, we know they will continue learning in these next few months of summer. They will continue reading, reflecting, engaging, and thinking about how to bring about a more just world. And they are just the beginning.

The beautiful part of serving in a school is witnessing the cycle of life right before your very eyes. And as we prepare to honor the Class of 2020 in July and send them out to excellent colleges and universities across the country, we have also just recently begun to hold virtual orientation sessions for our newest Eagles. Thanks to excellent work from our Enrollment team, and all of our students, faculty, staff, parents, and alumni who support their efforts, we have exceeded our target number in both Grades 7 and 9. In fact, we are even making adjustments to allow us to take a few additional students while not increasing our individual class sizes.

And so, we have great reason to hope. Hope for our soon-to-be youngest alumni as they prepare to go out and set the world on fire. Hope for our current students who will continue learning and striving to make this world a better place. And hope for our newest Eagles - who are about to embark on the journey of lifetime.

AMDG,

Grace Regan P'12

One of the many cherished traditions that had to be adapted for our new reality was the Athletic Awards Banquet. We are so used to seeing hundreds of smiling faces in McNeice Pavilion waiting to receive their varsity letters and have the chance to honor their fellow Eagles. And while this year was quite different, the video below is a meaningful tribute to our student-athletes and coaches whose hard work, humility, respect, and teamwork makes our athletics program what it is. Special thanks to Athletic Director Jon Bartlett '87, Mrs. Gina Smyth P’18, and all who worked so hard to put together this program!

Head varsity lacrosse coach Marcus Craigwell was recently featured in the Boston Globe in a piece by Nate Weitzer on the opportunity to address racism through athletics. In the article, Coach Craigwell perfectly articulates our philosophy of viewing BC High athletics as an extension of the classroom.

Our student-athletes continue the formation of their head, heart, and hands on the field, court, and ice. They bond with their fellow Eagles and coaches, developing a deep appreciation for the lived experience of others through vulnerability, teamwork, and a willingness to learn.

To view the article, visit this link.

During the month of May, we sought to celebrate the arts at BC High and highlight the incredible work our students continued to produce during our connected learning program. From outstanding visual artwork, to interviews with some of our most acclaimed alumni artists, and even an entire Zoom production of Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream! And, there's even more to come - stay tuned on social media.

A Midsummer Night's Dream

Last week, although they could not be together, 8th graders in the Class of 2024 received shirts with their classmates’ signatures! The Arrupe Division will miss them greatly, but we know they are on to continued excellence in high school. Congratulations! For a full photo album, visit this link.

On June 17, four of our country's top Jesuit schools will begin the Young Alumni Jesuit School Giving Challenge. The mission we share – the Jesuit mission to transform and unite the world through education – is more important now than ever before. And with your help, BC High will emerge even stronger. Stay tuned for more details and be sure to follow along on social media for updates. Please email Mike O’Brien, Sr. Director of Alumni Engagement at mobrien@bchigh.edu if you would like to volunteer to help your class fundraise next week.

For rising Juniors/Seniors and Young Alumni, the BC Hire Summer Seminar: Professional Discernment and Formation will be offered June 22 - August 8. Students will be offered the chance to learn about how the Jesuits developed their global educational network. They will be challenged to reflect on the traits and values that enabled the Jesuits to thrive in varied global cultures and historical context. Chris Lowney’s Heroic Leadership serves as the primary text for the course and as we explore themes of self-awareness, ingenuity, love, and heroism. The text will be supplemented by articles, podcasts, and online discussions with leaders in the BC High Alumni Network.

The summer seminar Pedro Arrupe: Essential Writings will be offered to all alumni, parents and friends of BC High. In this course students will examine Pedro Arrupe, a Basque Jesuit, who was Superior General of the Society of Jesus from 1965 until 1983. Arrupe was instrumental in promoting a new mission for the Jesuits in terms of "faith that does justice." The readings here, beginning with his shattering eye-witness account of the bombing of Hiroshima, reveal profound faith, deep compassion, and an almost mystical devotion to Jesus.

To learn more, visit the course registration by clicking here.

An Update from the Board of Trustees

Click here to read the recent message from Board Chair, Kelly Verrochi P'15 and Vice-Chair, Tim O'Donnell, '83