The WALRUS The time has come, the Walrus said, to talk of many things: Of shoes and ships and sealing wax, of cabbages and kings. - Lewis Carroll Vol LXIV, No. 2 St. Sebastian’s School November 2010 A Twenty-Five Year Gift not know what the ISL was or had it is safe to say that all the kids here By Tom Murphy‘11 even heard of St. Sebastian's, but at St. Sebastian's like Mr. Nunan too. On November 10th, Mr. now it is easy to say that both are a Mr. Nunan then went on to Nunan was honored for his 25 years major part of his life. When Mr. Nun- say that he came because he wanted of service at St. Sebastian's. There was an arrived he says that he was not to make the kids better, but they a reception and dinner held in his much older than the students, but made him better. He came to make a honor, followed by a musical perfor- now he is coaching the son of one difference in the lives of others, but mance by Tom Keefe and Mr. Nunan’s of his former hockey players. Kind of they made a difference in his. And fi- son Tom Nunan and speeches by crazy how quickly time goes! In one nally he says that it’s simple with just Headmaster Bill Burke and Jim Sul- interesting point Mr. Nunan showed a few kids either on the fields or in livan. Both Mr. Burke and Mr. Sullivan us all that he has done on a regular the classroom, but the reality is that spoke of Mr. Nunan’s dedication to basis over the years for St. Sebas- that is everything. I think it is safe to the school over the last 25 years, tian's. He has done well over 8000 say that what Mr. Nunan originally citing specific accomplishments such grade reports, has coached over set out to do he has accomplished. as the New Orleans trip. Ever since 1000 games of soccer and hockey at He has made the kids better, he has hurricane Katrina devastated the city all levels, has had the equivalent of made a difference in the lives of of New Orleans, Mr. Nunan has been 50 straight days of parent/teacher many others – and we too cherish helping the many who were and conferences, has spent dozens of our time with him in the classroom still are in need. Mr. Nunan has led a nights at the Seaside House on or on the fields. He also goes on to group of about 25 juniors and seniors junior and senior retreats, has had 7 say that he has stayed because of his to New Orleans. All who have gone trips to New Orleans, and has seen colleagues, who over the years have have been deeply changed. Without 25 graduating classes, just to name a become some of his greatest friends, Alumni Panel: (l-r) James Keefe ‘02, Adam Soivilien ‘04, Ted Dillon ‘06, Tony Barros ‘03, and Keon Webbe ’00. Mr. Nunan the New Orleans trips few. and perhaps most importantly he might never been possible, and with- In a funny side note, Mr. has stayed because of the Eucharist. out him there would not be someone Nunan revealed that he has spent As he says he is here by the grace of The Inspiration of Unity Day who knew exactly who needed help the night at St. Sebastian's twice and God, and does not think that any of and how each and every one of us that the first lacrosse game he ever what he has accomplished would be ences. could contribute. Without Mr. Nunan, saw he coached, and the second possible without God. This thread segued beauti- “finding one’s niche” is not always a By Tom Keefe ‘11 those who have gone on the New one he referreed. He spoke also of Finally Mr. Nunan offered fully to the next part of Unity Day, simple task. Orleans trip would not feel as close an interesting coincidence, or act some of his own sage advice. He S E N I O R E D I T O R in which a panel of young alumni The panel then turned to to one another as they do, and would of God in some ways. When he was spoke of the fact that there is no joy On November 5th, the last shared their experiences at both the audience for questions, and not have the life long memories of still in high school, he describes how in comparing, no point in count- day of the quarter, the whole school at St. Sebastian’s and beyond. The afterward the next section of Unity helping those in need, while having he used to pray… really pray, and ing, there is only one scorecard in filed into Ward Hall for the fourth panel of alumni consisted of James Day began. The entire school divided an incredible amount of fun with their whenever he would it would invoke the end that matters and you are annual Unity Day. Unity Day is an Keefe ‘02, Adam Soivilien ‘04, Ted into small discussion groups of classmates. a verse “’The time has come,’ the not the one keeping it. He says that event geared towards promoting Dillon ‘06, Tony Barros ‘03, and Keon about ten to fifteen participants. In Finally after Mr. Burke and Walrus said, ‘to talk of many things . you must love teaching to do it; in diversity, respect, and understanding Webbe ’00. Reiterating Regan’s classrooms throughout the school, Mr. Sullivan spoke, and Tom and Tom . of shoes and ships. and ceiling other jobs this may not be the case, of differences at St. Sebastian’s. Since theme of respect, Keefe made the these groups watched a short film performed, Mr. Nunan came forth wax . of cabbages and kings.’” The but teaching is definitely not one of the theme for the entire year is in point that “everybody in the world capturing a black man’s hesitancy to give his speech on his incredible coincidence is that it appears on them. He also says that to think you fact Unity, this year’s Unity Day held has a soul, and with this common to help a white woman and her twenty-five years here. His speech every issue of our school newspaper, are doing it alone is a trap, and this special importance. bond, each soul should be treated children, a scene which took place in was centered around three main The Walrus – check out page one. could not be more true. Many of us, The day began with a with the dignity they deserve”. He a train station during the mid-20th questions, “How did you get here? Mr. Nunan explained that both teachers and students have late speech delivered by Mrs. Grace Cot- also talked about his times in MPA, century. The groups were posed Why have you stayed? And what the main reason he stayed was be- nights, but what makes all of us bet- ter Regan, the Executive Director of a club within the school which cel- questions such as “Why did the man advice would you give?” cause of the people. For without the ter, all of us stronger, helps each and Advancement for the New England ebrates diversity, and he joked that hesitate? How were his thoughts As Mr. Nunan describes he people St. Sebastian's would truly every one of us grow closer is that Province of Jesuits and also the he learned all his “dance moves” from shaped by the environment in which came to the school in 1985 when be only a building. Before coming we are all in this together. Finally, he mother of Luke “Creature” Regan from his friends in the club. he lived? Would things be different one of his wife’s roommates saw to St. Sebastian's Mr. Nunan spent a says to heed the advice of his spiri- the Class of 2009. She opened the Mixing the humorous and now?”, and so on. a three-line want-ad in the Globe: year in the Jesuits or the Society of tual director, remember, be grateful speech with advice received from her the profound, the alumni captivated In my discussion group, “Catholic independent school seeks Jesus, and it was leaving there that and be glad. son, which was, “Don’t talk too much their audience. Since they had just the bulk of our time centered upon Religion teacher and hockey coach.” he received some sage advice from We are all truly blessed to Mom, or else you will come across as left the high school scene, their sto- the impact of Facebook in our own Mr. Nunan, although unsure, applied, his spiritual director. Mr. Nunan said have had Mr. Nunan as a part of the boring”. Indeed, her presentation was ries garnered the rapt attention of culture. Students pointed out that and after an interview with former to him, “I hope the kids like me” and St. Sebastian's community for the far from boring. Though she received high schoolers and middle schoolers since these websites produced false Headmaster Fr. Riepe, received the his director’s response was “No, Tom, last 25 years, and we are all truly ap- an hour to speak, she filled the time alike. Dillon stressed the need to try images of ourselves for the public to job. We are all exceedingly grateful hope you like the kids.” Mr. Nunan preciative of all that he has done for by showing various video clips and new things, and he explained that see, we have false images of others that he did.