Dear St. David's Community and Friends, I am pleased to announce the St. David's Speaker Series for 2019-20. The series has grown into a much anticipated program of public interest, political significance and theological value. It is not a gloss on an excellent education, but central to the complete development of young minds and souls. St. David's mission aims at challenging and enriching our students both inside and outside of the classroom. The Speaker Series, as Headmaster Yonan has stated, seeks to bring our students, our parents and our community into conversation with significant voices, important leaders and timely issues. The Speaker Series emerges directly from our efforts to serve these goals of informing, inspiring and empowering young minds. That means creating opportunities for our students to engage with the leading figures in government, the arts, academics, journalism and regional interests. The Speaker Series for 2019-20 does just that. This year three parent and student education speakers have been planned, scheduled and executed by our Dean of Student Affairs, Krissie Barr. It is exciting to welcome these dynamic speakers to our campus as the help us take a hard look at what kids need from their parents, the challenges students face from drugs to bullying as well as navigating a world dominated by te chnology. I am also looking forward to another outstanding Simply Speaking event, led by two seniors, with a focus on failure for success. In the pages that follow you will see more detail around a wide and enriching spectrum of questions, topics, leaders and issues. Each event a new panel discussion or lecture will unfold some new problem or fascinating question. I think that you will agree that these events are not to be missed and hope you will join us for each one of them. Sincerely, Gil Greggs, Director of Academic Symposia and Upper School History Teacher