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Bridget Collins explained how she transferred to McDonogh in in the seventh grade from a Baltimore City public school. Though unhappy at first, Bridget found her niche. "I remember being blown away by the time and support given to me by my teachers. . . By the eighth grade, I truly loved this place. I had a core group of friends, I had wonderful teachers, and I had a PERM (a true measure of success in the 1980s!).

"I was faced with a decision. Should I return to McDonogh in the ninth grade or should I go to my sister's school, Catholic High? You see my sister, Colleen, had applied to McDonogh for the ninth grade the same year I applied for the seventh grade. I had gotten a scholarship, but she had not. It was always a point of contention and the source of most of our arguments. We were so vicious when comparing our schools that we actually had a rule in our family that we couldn't talk about school at the dinner table.

"Colleen wanted me to go to her school and be her little sister following in her footsteps . . . But I chose to go against my sister's wishes and return to McDonogh. Colleen was angry and hurt. I had a wonderful freshman year and knew I had made the right decision. Doors were being opened to me: opportunities to learn to write well and excel in math, to go to New York and see a Broadway play, to hear amazing speakers like [Chief Justice] Sandra Day O'Connor, to play on competitive sports teams and build meaningful relationships with my teachers."

At the end of freshman year, however, Bridget found out that her tuition was increasing more than her family could afford. She lobbied for help, but none was available. "I returned home from school and went to my bedroom and began crying. My sister heard me and came into my room. Colleen asked what was wrong and I explained the situation. I told her I felt so helpless. I was only 14 years old. I couldn't possibly make enough money babysitting . . ."

"She thought for a moment and said, 'You can't, but WE can. We'll baby-sit for the summer and give Mom and Dad all of our money.' And that is exactly what we did for the next three summers. We both worked and gave all of our money to Mom and Dad so that I could go to McDonogh. Even when Col was in college, she worked and gave my parents every dime so that I could go to the very school she had always resented me going to.

"I am still blown away by this act of love and kindness. The reason I share this story with you is that as a sophomore, junior and senior, I recognized the value of my McDonogh education in a real and tangible way. It was a gift from my mom, dad, sister, and myself. I was a different student and person because I began to be thankful for each opportunity McDonogh afforded me.

"This ceremony marks a turning point in your McDonogh career. You are now upperclass women and men. You are the leaders of our school. Being a junior is not your excuse to do less and care less. Instead, it is your responsibility and privilege to DO MORE and CARE MORE. I was more involved my junior and senior years, and as a result, I got so much more out of my experience here. As a junior, it is easy for you to fall into the habit of being negative and critical. It is no wonder, because by junior year, many of you have been here five, eight, or even eleven years. . ."

"It is EASY to see the negative in things, but my challenge to you is to be thankful for gifted and caring teachers, small classes, administrators who care, an honor code, 800 acres of incredible beauty, academics that prepare you for college, dedicated alums who donate time and money to the school, the late bus, access to great technology . . . "

"And, most of all, for your family, who love you so much that they've sacrificed thousands of dollars, and countless hours of time, coming to events and carpooling, to send you to a place that cherishes your individuality and loves you like family.

"You are a wonderful class. You have proven yourself to be the BEST class in the school. Of course, I am biased but I have proof. You are welcoming: you welcomed me back to McDonogh your freshman year and made me feel as though I had never left. And you welcomed many new students who've entered ninth, tenth and eleventh grade. You are very intelligent: half the class is on Honor Roll or Dean's List. You are talented artists, photographers, athletes, musicians, singers, writers and dancers. You are compassionate: You have come to the aid of many classmates in difficult times in the hospital and in emotional trials. . . "

You have so much to offer McDonogh and so much to offer the world. Let the pin you receive tonight symbolize: Your family's sacrifices, the love of your McDonogh family, and your commitment to make the most of this special place. And remember the words from the Bible that FDR quoted in his 1937 Inaugural Address, 'To whom much is given . . . much is expected.'