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News & Photos
Headmaster Britton Speaks at Convocation
Here is Headmaster Charlie Britton address to the school at opening Convocation. In reflecting on plumbing problems overcome this summer, he emphasizes overcoming adversity in all walks of life.
I welcome everyone here this morning, on this, McDonogh School’s 136th year! It is great to see all of you. I hope that you have had a wonderful summer.
The start of the school year always brings me joy. The campus springs back to life with the sound of buses rolling up Woods Road, and one can feel the energy of the first day of school, reminding us all that there is no place like McDonogh. And now here we are gathered for Convocation at one of the campus’ most beautiful places. It doesn’t get much better!
Those of you who have been on campus during the month of August might have noticed a flurry of activity, numerous workers, and heavy construction equipment. Workers have been using large excavation equipment including “plain, old” shovels to dig huge trenches because some of our sewer and steam pipes decided to wear out. The campus, particularly in front of Allan Building, has looked like a gigantic sandbox – lots of dirt piled up and large ditches exposing pipes that were put into the ground over eighty years ago. To give you perspective, the pipes were placed in the ground quite possibly when Harding and Coolidge were Presidents and Model T’s ruled the road. The pipes for the most part are sturdy – standing the test of time. But this summer, a few of them decided to call it quits, which has led to a vexing problem – a challenge to say the least. For a few weeks this summer the story line was “fix one pipe only to discover that another had broken.”
In the center of this maintenance issue has been Steve Simmers, McDonogh graduate, Class of 1970, a person who knows more about the campus possibly than anyone alive and who for many years has had the responsibility, along with Mr. Johnston, of taking care of our 823 acre campus.
Nearly every day during August, when I arrived on campus early in the morning, I saw Mr. Simmers and others trying to fix the busted pipes, working diligently to get campus ready for the school year. When I left my office in the middle of the day for lunch, I saw Mr. Simmers and others working diligently to fix the pipes, and when I called it quits at the end of the day, I saw Mr. Simmers and his crew still working diligently into the late afternoon and early evening trying to fix the pipes. And when I would see Mr. Simmers, he always displayed a calm demeanor and sometimes a smile, even though we both knew that having gigantic trenches around campus was not a good thing, particularly with school about to begin.
Nonetheless, Mr. Simmers and his crew worked incredibly hard, showing grace under pressure. And I believe that we can all learn from Mr. Simmers’ example, because his efforts and the efforts of those he worked with, show us all some important qualities. Think about it – we are often confronted in life with tough problems, sometimes difficult issues and painful calamities. And when we are, it’s easy to throw our hands up and quit and say, “I can’t handle this!” Sometimes the problems never seem to end – like one pipe bursting after another. But Mr. Simmers and his crew showed me something. They showed me all of the qualities of success – persistence, determination, patience, and humor, even though they had a huge problem on their hands.
Well, I’m pleased to say that most of the faulty pipes have been replaced or mended. In a few places, the work goes on. And while I don’t like having pipes break on campus, it happens – just like when we sometimes are confronted with life not going our way whether in the classroom, on the stage, on the athletic field, or at home. But if we are determined, if we show persistence, patience, and, yes, humor, we are most likely going to be successful in whatever challenges we face.
Without pushing this metaphor too far, we usually can dig our way out of a problem if we demonstrate the kind of qualities that Mr. Simmers and his staff demonstrated this summer. With the school year about to be unveiled, you all have a tremendous opportunity before you. When you meet adversity, show who you are – be persistent and determined and don’t quit. You have great qualities within you – use them to the best of your ability. I wish you the very best as we begin the school year.
Here is Headmaster Charlie Britton address to the school at opening Convocation. In reflecting on plumbing problems overcome this summer, he emphasizes overcoming adversity in all walks of life.
I welcome everyone here this morning, on this, McDonogh School’s 136th year! It is great to see all of you. I hope that you have had a wonderful summer.
The start of the school year always brings me joy. The campus springs back to life with the sound of buses rolling up Woods Road, and one can feel the energy of the first day of school, reminding us all that there is no place like McDonogh. And now here we are gathered for Convocation at one of the campus’ most beautiful places. It doesn’t get much better!
Those of you who have been on campus during the month of August might have noticed a flurry of activity, numerous workers, and heavy construction equipment. Workers have been using large excavation equipment including “plain, old” shovels to dig huge trenches because some of our sewer and steam pipes decided to wear out. The campus, particularly in front of Allan Building, has looked like a gigantic sandbox – lots of dirt piled up and large ditches exposing pipes that were put into the ground over eighty years ago. To give you perspective, the pipes were placed in the ground quite possibly when Harding and Coolidge were Presidents and Model T’s ruled the road. The pipes for the most part are sturdy – standing the test of time. But this summer, a few of them decided to call it quits, which has led to a vexing problem – a challenge to say the least. For a few weeks this summer the story line was “fix one pipe only to discover that another had broken.”
In the center of this maintenance issue has been Steve Simmers, McDonogh graduate, Class of 1970, a person who knows more about the campus possibly than anyone alive and who for many years has had the responsibility, along with Mr. Johnston, of taking care of our 823 acre campus.
Nearly every day during August, when I arrived on campus early in the morning, I saw Mr. Simmers and others trying to fix the busted pipes, working diligently to get campus ready for the school year. When I left my office in the middle of the day for lunch, I saw Mr. Simmers and others working diligently to fix the pipes, and when I called it quits at the end of the day, I saw Mr. Simmers and his crew still working diligently into the late afternoon and early evening trying to fix the pipes. And when I would see Mr. Simmers, he always displayed a calm demeanor and sometimes a smile, even though we both knew that having gigantic trenches around campus was not a good thing, particularly with school about to begin.
Nonetheless, Mr. Simmers and his crew worked incredibly hard, showing grace under pressure. And I believe that we can all learn from Mr. Simmers’ example, because his efforts and the efforts of those he worked with, show us all some important qualities. Think about it – we are often confronted in life with tough problems, sometimes difficult issues and painful calamities. And when we are, it’s easy to throw our hands up and quit and say, “I can’t handle this!” Sometimes the problems never seem to end – like one pipe bursting after another. But Mr. Simmers and his crew showed me something. They showed me all of the qualities of success – persistence, determination, patience, and humor, even though they had a huge problem on their hands.
Well, I’m pleased to say that most of the faulty pipes have been replaced or mended. In a few places, the work goes on. And while I don’t like having pipes break on campus, it happens – just like when we sometimes are confronted with life not going our way whether in the classroom, on the stage, on the athletic field, or at home. But if we are determined, if we show persistence, patience, and, yes, humor, we are most likely going to be successful in whatever challenges we face.
Without pushing this metaphor too far, we usually can dig our way out of a problem if we demonstrate the kind of qualities that Mr. Simmers and his staff demonstrated this summer. With the school year about to be unveiled, you all have a tremendous opportunity before you. When you meet adversity, show who you are – be persistent and determined and don’t quit. You have great qualities within you – use them to the best of your ability. I wish you the very best as we begin the school year.