A Message from Alumni Association President
Jeana Gamber '95
It was only sixteen short years ago when I was privileged enough to walk across Childs Memorial Terrace and graduate from McDonogh School. As I reminisce about the days past, I have so many fond memories. From “battling” in Mr. Scocos’s social studies class to boarding as an RL my senior year, McDonogh has remained very close to my heart and forever will. Perhaps what is even more thrilling is the fact that my eldest daughter is entering kindergarten this fall and will be a member of the class 2024. When I think about McDonogh, I think about creating a legacy because McDonogh is not of an age, but for all time. A new generation is emerging and how very fortunate I am to witness my daughter’s transformation the same way my parents witnessed mine.
As we all know, McDonogh School is an amazing institution where each and every child is encouraged to grow and learn to their fullest potential. In John McDonogh’s “Rules for My Guidance in Life” the notion of doing the “greatest possible amount of good” is one of his most honorable rules because as educators and parents, our essential job and duty is to teach our children the importance of hard work, kindness, responsibility, morality and respect. It is a commitment between McDonogh’s faculty, administration and parents to educate our children together so that they can in fact do the “greatest possible amount of good.” This was John McDonogh’s vision, to create an environment where children can reach their full potential.
In order to generate a well-rounded child, we must also foster growth in other areas of life, and with the development of the Moral Compass, this is possible. McDonogh is an honorable institution where all students learn the importance of honor through service. With the development of McDonogh Roots, children harvest and then donate tomatoes and potatoes to various food banks. Reaching out to our community is merely one way we encourage our students to give back. Thus, by giving back to the community through service projects, the McDonogh community and the legacy we are leaving lives on in us and in generations to come. Therefore, as alums and as members of the community, it is important for all of us to give back to the school we hold so dear to our hearts.
The McDonogh community extends beyond its walls as the leaders leave not only a legacy at McDonogh, but in all areas of our lives as we move forward. To every one of us, McDonogh represents something diverse because she speaks to each of us differently. For me, driving up Shell Road is always a pleasure because I can almost hear McDonogh whispering, “Welcome Home.” That is precisely what McDonogh is, a home away from home. So I ask every one of you to ask yourself how McDonogh speaks to you. Do you hear her whispers while walking through the halls of Allan or do you hear her whispers while strolling through the rolling pastures? Wherever you hear McDonogh’s voice, one thing is for certain; McDonogh’s walls do in fact talk, and they say simply there is no place like McDonogh!
Directions | Site Map | Contact | Employment | Privacy Policy | Directory | Campus Map | Library | School Store | Support McDonogh