Aiming for Another Record-Setting Year: The

Aiming for Another Record-Setting Year

The 2019–2020 Annual Fund officially kicked off on October 4. Headmaster Kerry Brennan, Annual Fund Chairman Bryan Anderson ’88, Mat Cefail of Class I, and Tevin Barros ’14 each took to the podium to share with current and past parents, alumni, faculty, staff, and friends the importance of RL in their lives, and the ways in which donors’ generosity makes a Roxbury Latin education possible. Read excerpts from their speeches here:

KERRY BRENNAN, HEADMASTER “You know that last year the school achieved another milestone by busting through the goal and receiving more than $4 million in gifts to the Annual Fund. As notable as that figure is, that 2,189 parents, alumni, and friends of the school believed in us is a similarly impressive reality. They believed that we have the capacity to change lives for the better. Given the talent, versatility, diversity, and ambition of the boys with whom we have the pleasure of working, it would be surprising and, in fact, criminal, were we not to ask of them all that we do. In a culture that cries out for such leadership, we are offering to the world each year a cadre of good men who can change it, who can change our world for the better. In small ways, perhaps even in undiscernible ways, the boys we serve will go on to serve others, to serve those in need, to serve worthy causes. And in doing so they will lead. In the communities they will encounter and shape—families, neighborhoods, cities and towns, states and our Nation, in the workplace, in places of worship—these boys grown into good men will carry with them the burden and the legacy of this place in which character is paramount. Since 1645 we have been in pursuit of a single-minded goal: to fit students to lead and serve, to represent and reflect that which is good and bright and honorable. //

TEVIN BARROS ’14 “My RL journey was truly a special one, and as I stand up here tonight I am overcome with a feeling that most RL boys feel every time they step on campus and reminisce. It is a sense of belonging and pride that I realized I carried with me long after my time at RL. I continued on to attend Tufts University, and when I think about my four years there I agree with most of my peers: that RL sets its students apart in preparation for learning at the next level and in life. Through this shared experience we learned to think critically, challenge our perspectives, and push ourselves through any speed bumps to maximize our potential for growth. After Tufts, I went on to work in an elementary school in my hometown of Dorchester, and I believe RL played a strong role in this decision. My journey from grade school to Tufts was such a unique experience—one sadly not enough students are able to partake in. The commitment of time and effort from the RL community that went into making my journey possible, not only on my behalf, but for so many others, is what makes

Headmaster Kerry Brennan

Mat Cefail, Class I

this place one of a kind. It’s why I work with young people today. It’s what instills in me a sense of community, and an urge to help young individuals who are currently sitting in a classroom in Dorchester as I once sat. If I can act as a Mr. Ryan or Mr. Reid for students, and help guide them along a positive path, then I have succeeded in carrying on the RL tradition.

RL has been instrumental in shaping who I am today, and I owe it all to you. The faculty, the students, alumni, parents and trustees, I cannot thank you enough for continuously making this opportunity possible. Thank you.” //

MAT CEFAIL, CLASS I “I ask you all to look around the room at the faculty of this school. These individuals, year after year, meet new students and say goodbye to the old ones. They work with these students for 6 years, for 10 months each year. They see all of us fail and succeed. They watch all of us grow, and shape us into who we will be as adults. Whether it is as our teacher in class, our coach on an athletic field, our instructor in Glee Club, our director in the play, or whether they are our mentors, our advisors; if they are the men and women who help keep the school clean and running smoothly, these individuals impart the lesson of honesty in all dealings, the lessons of a life of service. Yet their greatest lesson is something more, gifted through their kindness and support. Every day they are there for us—catching us when we stumble, helping us get back on the path, helping us to make the right decisions in life. These men and women have taught me how to memorize Latin, how

44 Winter 2020 to solve math that has letters in it, how to stand up here in front of you all and speak as I am. These men and women have taught me how to be honest, humble, respectful, thankful, and kind. This is the feeling that every graduate feels walking out of these halls for the last time. They feel the magnitude of what Roxbury Latin has done and imparted to them. Roxbury Latin has stood for 375 years, and will continue to stand for many more because of you. Our alumni, parents, and friends are here tonight because the lessons learned at RL resonate with them. They give to RL to ensure that these same lessons are passed on to future generations of RL boys.

To the faculty, past and present, you are truly outstanding individuals who make RL the great institution that it is. On behalf of myself and every Roxbury Latin student: thank you. To our alumni, parents, and friends: thank you for all you have given to RL over the years. You have allowed me, and countless other boys, to be taught and supported by these wonderful individuals.” //

BRYAN ANDERSON ’88, ANNUAL FUND CHAIR “The Annual Fund bridges the gap between tuition and the actual cost of a Roxbury Latin education. First, some facts:

>> Budgeted cost per student is $60,900 and tuition is $34,550, which leaves a gap of $26,350 for each student. >> The average day school tuition of other Boston area independent schools is $50,568, compared to our current tuition of $34,550. A difference of more than $16,000.

>> The Annual Fund comprises 22% of the operating budget. This compares with the national private day school average, where the Annual Fund provides less than 10 percent of the operating budget.

>> Roxbury Latin is one of the few remaining need-blind admission and enrollment private schools in the country.

So, let’s get this straight: Tuition for every student in the school starts at little more than half of what it actually costs for every student to attend. And those who can’t afford the aforementioned little more than half? If they deserve to be here, RL will figure it out for them. Even if that means that they pay nothing.

Who in the world built this budget? Well, it turns out John Eliot did, 375 years ago. And I quote from the school’s website: ‘The school was open to all who wished to attend. Subsequently, Eliot convinced those founding families to defray tuition for students whose families could not afford donations, and later, the trustees granted free admission to all applicants from Roxbury. Today financial aid is decided solely on the basis of need instead of geography.’

Ladies and gentlemen, history must repeat itself here at Roxbury Latin. We must continue to support those who cannot fully support their stay here in this village. I am not sure how Eliot would have succinctly described this generosity in his day, but I believe in my heart he would be incredibly proud of this little ‘Annual Fund’ today: 375 years later and the mission has stayed true.

Please enjoy the rest of your evening, and when you think of RL, and your gift to the Annual fund in the near future, please give just a little more and know you are truly honoring our Founder’s wishes 375 years later!” //

Tevin Barros ’14

Annual Fund Vice-Chairs Soren and Caroline Oberg P’21,’23,’25;

April Anderson and Annual Fund Chairman Bryan Anderson ‘88 P’21,‘23;

Headmaster Kerry Brennan; and Parent Chairs Beth and James Frates P’19,‘21

ALGC Dinner On December 11, the Alumni Leadership Giving Committee (ALGC) held its annual dinner at Del Frisco’s in Boston. Admission Director Billy Quirk ’04 was the evening’s keynote speaker. The ALGC is comprised of roughly two dozen alumni who share the responsibility of asking other alumni to join them in making contributions to the school at the leadership level.

Annual Fund Update

The 2019–2020 Annual Fund is making great progress toward achieving its goal of $3,800,000 thanks to the generosity of our alumni, parents, and friends. We have already received gifts and pledges totaling $3,085,321. We are 81 percent of the way there, but we still need your help!

Thank you to all who have already made a commitment to the 2019–2020 Annual Fund. If you have not yet contributed, please consider supporting Roxbury Latin. Every gift helps RL maintain tuition that averages $16,000 less than that of other local independent schools. Every gift helps bridge the $26,350 gap between the cost of tuition and the actual cost of an RL education. Every gift supports the admission and enrollment of qualified boys, regardless of their family’s ability to pay, and every gift helps retain and attract a faculty that is second to none.

Gifts, large and small, from each and every donor, make a tremendous difference to the talented young men who study here. Please join your classmates, fellow parents, and friends by making a gift today. Thank you for doing your part to ensure that Roxbury Latin can preserve its distinctive quality and character. //

3.4.2020

In this 375th year, help us celebrate with 375 gifts in one day!

Call for Trustee Nominations

The Committee on Trustees is seeking recommendations from any member of the Roxbury Latin community for trustee candidates to serve a six-year term on the Board of Trustees. Please forward such recommendations by March 1 to the Committee on Trustees at nominations@ roxburylatin.org.

HOCKEY — First Row: Kieran McCabe, Kam Miller, Sam Ginsberg, Kevin Swan, Joey Ryan (Captain), Mikey Jones, Dante Cuzzi (Captain), Matthew Traietti, Bobby Luca, Peter Frates, Nolan McKenna; Second Row: Coach David Cataruzolo, James Birch, Frankie Lonergan, Sam Stone, Patrick Schultz, Tait Oberg, Connor Berg, Will Murphy, Jojo Dable, Andrew Sparks, Malcolm Whitfield, Coach Mo Randall, Nolan Walsh, Walker Oberg

BASKETBALL — First Row: Antonio Rosado (Captain), Charlie Weitzel (Captain), David Brennan (Captain); Second Row: Coach Sean Spellman, Benja Rosenzweig, Javier Werner, Mark Henshon, Nate Ukoha, Jere Rose, Reid Corless, Sunil Rosen, Ejiro Egodogbare, Colin Herbert, Antonio Morales, Tim Smith, Austin Kee, Aidan Cook (Manager), Coach Tony Teixeira

WRESTLING — First Row: Richard Impert, Mat Cefail (Captain), Javi Rios (Captain), Pete Levangie; Second Row: Nick Consigli, Thomas Savage, Aidan Gibbons, Kayden Miller, Ethan Chang, Miguel Rincon, John Wilkinson, Justin Shaw, Dovany Estimphile; Third Row: Coach Paul Sugg, Ben Crawford, Eric Auguste, Esteban Tarazona, Adam Kuechler, Will Specht, George Humphrey, Krystian Reese, Will Hutter, John Balson, Arjun Bose, Avi Attar (Manager), Coach Josh Wildes