Commencement Address 2002
A St. Margaret's Education: Making Connections
Kay Gwaltney Remick '57
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It is a privilege for me to address you on this very special day in your life. It is, quite frankly, an opportunity I wouldn't want to miss. I never dreamed I would have a second chance to share my thoughts with a group of young people. I have three grown children, all in their thirties: one married with two young children and two getting married this summer. As a parent, I've been thinking about what I would say to them today if they were graduating. As someone involved in the educational process for years, I've wondered what points seem most important now. And, as a member of the Class of 1957, what about my own St. Margaret's experience, and how it informs my thoughts to you about your experience? So, as a parent, educator, and alumna, I bring you the following ideas for your consideration. Just look at you now! Here you are, at long last ready to receive your diplomas. Can you believe this day has finally come? For some of you, it has seemed a quick journey, and for others, more like a trip up a very tall mountain. Nevertheless, it is time for reflections and celebration! It is indeed a day of joy. Here are some questions you might be asking yourself at this moment: Now what? How am I going to live my life in this next chapter? What am I going to be? Do I know who I am? Is it possible I can do something to make this a better world? As a young woman, what are going to be my opportunities? Can I make good choices and know what is most important? Am I willing to be open to new experiences? What will be my most cherished memories of this place? These questions swirling around in your head are honest questions, questions any graduating student might be asking. Some can be answered immediately, but others may remain unanswered for a while yet. But never be afraid to raise the question. A successful educational program, it seems to me, allows the questions to be asked and invites the search. For just a minute, I would like to explore some attributes of a successful educational program. It:  Knows its mission; who it is serving and why Recognizes dedicated teachers and encourages new teachers Employs great support staff Has a small ratio of students to teachers Provides a rich environment for learning Celebrates each student's uniqueness Nurtures curiosity Supports creative exploration Pays attention to the whole student: body, mind, and spirit Offers a fine-tuned curriculum to meet the needs of a variety of learning abilities Provides education for life: knowledge of the environment, development of spiritual life, promotion of a healthy body, and social skills for community living |
  "Now, what has a St. Margaret's education given you? I think it is endless possibilities."  Commencement speaker Kay Gwaltney Remick '57 before the day's ceremonies with Head of School Margaret R. Broad and Board of Governors Chair Sarah Belle Eason Parrott '68. Mrs. Remick is a two-term St. Margaret's School governor, former president of the Alumnae Association, the school's 2001 Distinguished Alumna, and the new chair of the Foundation Board. Trained as a librarian, she has taught, managed libraries, and for 17 years owned the successful Richmond childrens' bookstore, Edward T. Rabbit & Co. |
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I believe St. Margaret's School offers just such an outstanding educational program. As a Board member, I have watched Margaret Broad's leadership transform this school into one of the very best small girls' schools in the nation. Today, I would like to look at your experience here at St. Margaret's. First, you, the graduating Class of 2002, have given to the school in many different ways. That is one part of the story. Another part of the story is what a St. Margaret's education has given you. And third, what connections are possible that point the way to the new learning experiences waiting for you this fall? Aldous Huxley said, "Experience is not what happens to a man; it is what a man does with what happens to him." Let's take a look at the senior year. The year began with 9/11, an unimaginable horror. Much has been written about the terrorist attacks and the heroic responses. I think we would all agree that everyone in this country has been marked by them. You responded by sending money and giving blood. You showed compassion. You prayed and discussed the events of that day, and you pondered what it means to your future. You have been participants. In sports, two-thirds of the senior class played on a team, gaining self-confidence and teamwork skills. Eleven of you, student-athletes, won spots on the League of Independent Schools all-league team for your respective sports. Your community service hours were incredible. You have worked hard. In academics, seniors have received merit scholarship offers totaling more than $100,000 for the first year of school alone from at least 15 different colleges this year. Two of you were accepted as Presidential Scholars at Randolph-Macon College; this is that college's top merit award. Margaret Broad reported in the Fall/Winter Thistle about the leadership examples of Kelly Proctor and Kristina Bethea. You have shared your talents. Some of you have shown your passion for music by being part of the Treble Choir and Vocal Ensemble. The arts are alive here at St. Margaret's, and you have expressed yourselves in ceramics class, the painting studio, creative writing, and the literary magazine. You have put a lot of effort into all of your endeavors. There are many stories to tell, and not enough time to share them all with you today. But this graduating class has indeed given much to the life of this school by sharing its talents to mentor younger students through the peer leadership program, and by reaching out to the greater community. Now, what has a St. Margaret's education given you? I think it is endless possibilities, because you have discovered how important it is to stay curious, to have a sense of wonder. Your teachers have given you a glimpse of the wider world through their history classes and science classes, through their well planned river program, with exchanges with Queen Margaret of Scotland schools around the world, and with the attractive Minimester opportunities. Your teachers have asked you to think for yourselves. After 9/11, not one of you doubts the importance of knowing other people and cultures to a better understanding for seeking peace, for living together, for never taking our freedom for granted. We must be part of the wider world. Through a St. Margaret's education, you have lived in a caring community, you have been good citizens. You have joined hands. Ann Riggs has offered you opportunities to reflect on who you are in this world and how you are going to live your lives. She said to you, "When asked to show your true colors, I pray that the world will recognize in you the colors of faith, charity, and love woven into a splendid tartan." A St. Margaret's education makes this possible. Your English and American literature classes show over and over again the power of the written word. An author writes about what he or she feels passionate about, and you, the reader, come to this work with your unique experience to learn, through a well written story, a little about yourself, as well as about worlds beyond. You recognize that the dreams and hopes of others are, amazingly enough, yours, too. A St. Margaret's education is meant to challenge you. And now, as you are about to depart, you know not to be afraid of being challenged. Your learning has just begun, and it goes on for a lifetime. And what about those connections that a St. Margaret's education offers? Let me begin with this idea. I believe a student at this school has the chance to develop a real sense of place and an understanding that, in the greater scheme of things, no one can afford to act alone. Mary Oliver, winner of the Pulitzer Prize and National Book Award, wrote in her book, Winter Hours: "I would say that there exists a thousand unbreakable links between each of us and everything else, and that our dignity and chances are one. The farthest star and the mud at our feet are a family; and there is no decency or sense in honoring one thing, or a few things, and then closing the list. The pine tree, the leopard, the Platte River and ourselves-we are at risk together or we are on our way to a sustainable world together. We are each other's destiny."You have heard many different voices during your stay here. You make connections with those who offer you friendship, direction, and hope. As you leave for other places, friendships made here are treasures to be valued at great price. As the years pass, keep those connections. And as a warning: you have to make it happen yourself. As you make your journey, a network of friends is so important! We all feel lucky if, during our school time, there is one voice that shows us a path that hints something about a talent, an interest that along the way becomes a lifelong interest or passion. St. Margaret's alumnae can tell you their stories of being shown a direction, but I suspect a handful of you probably have a note from a teacher or staff member wishing you well as you depart, or you have been given a nudge of encouragement, and maybe in some cases, a shove. Mentoring fosters great connections. Stay in touch. And hope-what voice or voices spoke to you of hope? Samuel Johnson said, "Without hope, there is no endeavor." David Gessner, author of The Return of the Osprey, said: "But with hope our energy surges, infusing us with verve and the excitement of possibility. Hope is the juice we drink, a juice we need to fight on, to struggle." Possibilities: what more could you want as you leave this school? Dare to dream, dare to have a vision. You have felt the spirit of this place, St. Margaret's School. It can be found in many different places-on the hockey field, along the river bank, and in the chapel, the classroom, a dorm, the dining hall, even crewing on the river. The spirit of this place will go with you and bring you back many times. You are treasured for your uniqueness. Your abilities have been nurtured and developed. You found at St. Margaret's much was demanded of you, much was expected of you, but much was given to you. Now to end, let me share some of Dr. Suess's words in Oh, The Places You'll Go: Congratulations |
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