Graduation 2009

Please see the below excerpt from Head Master Andy Martire's graduation address:

I would like to welcome all of you-parents, grandparents, family members, faculty, staff, students, trustees, alumni, guests, and especially our 8^th graders-to the Calvert School 2009 graduation ceremonies.

What a talented, wonderful group is assembled to my right, the class of 2009...they are finished their Calvert years now and are headed off to 12 great schools in the fall.  On behalf of Calvert School, I greatly appreciate the opportunity to pass out awards and diplomas this morning and to offer a few brief remarks. I am humbled to work with such talented, caring people at Calvert, to interact with such incredible students and parents, and to have the privilege to speak today. Thank you for this opportunity.

The class of 2009 and their parents have invested deeply in Calvert School. They have done homework, studied for exams, played and attended games, driven to and from school countless times, gone to innumerable events and activities, laughed, cried, sung, embraced, and, of course, shaken hands. I have come to learn that the more you invest in something, the more you get out of it in return. The more you care, the more others care. The more you give, the more you, in turn, receive. I know that the class of 09 and their parents have invested so much in Calvert, and I hope that they have received as much, if not more, in return.

As the students move on to their next schools, I implore them to invest right away. Four years go by quickly. Don't be standing at high school graduation four years from now saying "I wish I had tried out for the play, I could have run for office, I should have played basketball..." Financial advisors will tell you that one of the most best investment tools is time-meaning the earlier you can start saving money the better you will be in the long run." My advice is start investing in your new schools right away, freshman year. Get your feet on the ground and then get going. Continue the long Calvert tradition of being a leader in high school in academics, athletics, drama, and student government.

The more you invest, the higher the highs and the lower the lows. That is the tradeoff, and many of you have experienced that in your life already. You care so passionately about something-be it a class, a sport, a friend-when things go well-life is great-high grades and glowing teacher feedback, championships, friendships that cannot be broken....the converse, however, is that when you care so much and invest so much and fail a test, lose a championship-or don't even get there, or fight with a friend-it hurts that much more. The pain is deeper.

Don't let that deter you, however. Make the investment. I heard Tony Jarvis, the legendary headmaster for over three decades at Roxbury Latin School in Boston, speak a few years ago, and he said that this notion of "balance"--of not working too hard, of staying in the middle--  is fruitless. If you believe in something and love something and feel the passion for a cause, in his case, a school, then let yourself go-don't stay neutral--dive headlong and give it all you have.

This famous quotation from President Theodore Roosevelt is very applicable:  "Far better is it to dare mighty things, to win glorious triumphs, even though checkered by failure... than to rank with those poor spirits who neither enjoy nor suffer much, because they live in a gray twilight that knows not victory nor defeat."

When you are, to use Roosevelt's words, checkered by failure-and it will happen at some point--step up into that adversity and meet it headlong-but be sure to ask for help. The notion of teamwork in both good times and bad is key. Current educational theory posits that being able to work in a team, collaborate, and think critically to solve problems is an essential skill for students-and adults for that matter-today. I can tell you that I rely heavily on my colleagues every day-and even more so when times are difficult. As an example, Mr. Clapp and I probably communicate at least 10 times a day via phone, face-to-face meetings, or e-mail. And why not? We can talk through issues,  brainstorm solutions, and also celebrate successes much better than if one of us did so alone.

Graduates, parents, guests, and employees, make investments-and make them early-- in things you believe in. Revel in the highs, hold on to the roller coaster during the lows, and find great teammates to whom you can turn for help, friendship, and guidance.

Class of 2009, I wish you success and happiness, and we at Calvert send you off with our love and very best wishes. Thank you very much.