Mr. Pariseau then addressed the crowd. The full speech appears below. After the presentations, the cocktail reception resumed, and guests mingled and shared their memories of Allen-Stevenson. It was a wonderful tribute to Mr. Pariseau and his many years at A-S. The following day, alumni and their families had the opportunity to watch a rehearsal of The Tempest, directed by Mr. Kersey. After the rehearsal, guests joined Mr. Kersey for an intimate lunch. A special thanks to this year’s reunion chairs for all of their hard work! Reunion Chairmen: 50th Reunion Robert Liberman ’58 45th Reunion George Bernard Clairmont ’63 40th Reunion Marc Francis Goeller Giattini ’68 35th Reunion James Daniel Seligman ’73 30th Reunion Maurice F. Edelson ’78 25th Reunion Nicolas Wuorenheimo ’83 20th Reunion Christopher Persley ’88 15th Reunion Anthony Paul Bonan ’93 and Kenneth J. McCauley ’93 10th Reunion C. Andrew Hughes ’98
Mr. John E. Pariseau h’98
Speech by John Pariseau
Tim I learned much about the art of teaching.
As a member of the class of 1998, it’s really great to be back for our 10th reunion. I look forward to more of our reunions in the future, perhaps even to our 50th in 2048!
Jean Lamont’s bright smile. From Jean I came to appreciate more deeply the value of maintaining confidence in the possibilities of continual personal growth.
Doesn’t that sound like my typical optimism?
My memories of Jim English are also ones of kindness, compassion, and the embodiment of the essence of being a gentleman.
And it also reflects my profound feeling that I have been blessed.
Jim Holt still returns each year to keep score in the Academic Bowl. Jim’s example of choosing to join the world of education gave hundreds of boys the opportunity to learn about high standards and passion for knowledge.
Looking out into this wonderful Assembly Hall I see sitting before me living examples of those blessings.
Among those blessings are the holy trinity of the three Davids who have spoken, all men of faith. From them I have learned so much.
So many of you have given me so much.
Dr. O’Halloran, now head of the St. David’s School, a thoughtful and wise man who gave me many lessons in how to be strategic and innovative.
In my remarks last month on Founders Day when we celebrated our 125th birthday, at one point I said to that assemblage: “You all are part of the story of Allen-Stevenson, one with a grand past – and a promising future. “ I know that all of you are proud to have been part of that journey, as I am, too. Given that this is an alumni event, I actually want to speak mostly about you men – and the boys you once were, both those who I taught and those who attended prior to my joining the School. But before I do so, I would like to comment about the gifts I have received from a few of the other adults here. What a pleasure to see colleagues from the past. Among them, I see Tim Nichols h’78. How clearly I recall the year that Tim and I cotaught a history class. I still remember your incredible understanding of how the art of humankind illuminated the history of people. And the yearbooks you produced with your student staff remain exemplars to this day. From
David Kersey, who sometimes makes me think I am playing Leporello to his Don Giovanni, is a man I truly love, is a man we all truly love. When I was a youth in the early 1970’s, one afternoon at David’s apartment on the West Side, I asked him to help me reflect on my future path. Given the opportunity to leave Allen-Stevenson and work in business, it was David who said to me, “No, John. You are a teacher; you should remain in education.” Without his advice, I would not be here today. David Kersey inspires devotion in us all. Recently he asked me if I had any regrets. I told him no. And David Trower, who accepted the offer of the Trustees to join us as our Head of School in 1990. David has helped Allen-Stevenson grow from good to great, finding many teachable moments to help me grow as well. I would not be here today if David had not chosen to ask me to stay and if he had not given me opportunities to serve the School. David and his partner in leading the School, Ronald Rolfe ’60, also transformed the School into a place that is safe, inclusive, and welcoming to many different people, including me and my life partner of 37 years, Dario, who I am happy to see tonight sitting next to my older brother, Richard. It is Dario who has taught me about the true meaning of goodness. And from Richard, my love of opera. To all of you, I give my deep thanks for helping me become who I am. But, my greatest blessings are all the other men in this room, you, the alumni. You men, once boys, not lost, but found. And here is what I mean by found. As a teacher, as an educator, my life has been filled with the intangible. Unlike a carpenter who continued on next page
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