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 LXVII, No. 1 St. Sebastian’s School October 2013 Ann Hirsch’s St. Sebastian Statue a Hit with Students and Faculty By DANNY HIGGINS ‘15, church doors open and send each St. read that which reveals the powerfully JACK McCOOL ‘16 Sebastian’s student westward into beautiful truth of our patron’s faith, the world after commencement. The honor, strength, and courage,” ex- The sun beamed down as the Statue is to symbolize and guide each pressed Headmaster Burke at the po- St. Sebastian’s community gathered individual graduate into his future. St. dium in front of the statue. His words outside the science building. The glis- Sebastian, standing so tall and strong, depict the beauty with which Ann tening bronze structure in the center holds arrows in his right hand, our Hirsch blessed our school grounds. of the crowd, carved with such detail school emblem. These arrows sym- Our paths as men are depicted in this to resemble a Roman soldier, was the bolize so much suffering endured by one statue and Mr. Doug Kingsley de- focus of every person’s gaze. We had our school saint, but so much of the livered this message profoundly: “It is gathered on this beautiful Thursday strength and the love of God, which is our hope that each of you young men, afternoon to dedicate our breathtaking present in our community. and the countless Arrows who will new statue of St. Sebastian. The base of the statue tells follow in your footsteps in the years Fortunately and gratefully, the meaning of being an arrow. Carved to come, will look at this statue and the St. Sebastian’s community was in the base, which the nearly seven consider your own path to heaven. blessed with the work of architect foot tall sculpture stands on, are the As each of you stride forth from this and parent Rob Olsen and esteemed words: “Veritas”(Truth) and “Faith” School into the world, how you will sculptor, Ann Hirsch, to produce this and “Reason”. Truth is prominently pursue truth through faith and reason? wonderful statue. Rob Olsen, par- placed in front of the statue because How you will be a beacon of light in ent of Peter Olsen, designed our new as young men at St. Sebastian’s we the world, and an example to others?” science and math building just a few are on a mission in life to seek truth This statue is exactly what From Left: John Hailer P ‘17, Headmaster Burke, Steve Pemberton, Board President Jim Elcock years earlier. Sculptor Ann Hirsch is through faith and reason. The carving St. Sebastian’s needed. It conveys ev- well known around the Boston area of truth symbolizes St. Sebastian lead- ery message instilled in us by St. Se- and is currently working on a statue of ing the newly graduated men out into bastian and can remind us every time Steve Pemberton’s Story Inspires Bill Russell near City Hall. Collabo- the new world to find this truth. we lay our eyes on it to strive for ex- rating with Doug and Joanie Kingsley, During the dedication, cellence and do good, as our true lead- parents of four St. Sebastian’s gradu- Headmaster Burke, Father Arens, and er Jesus Christ would have wanted us ates, Rob and Ann were capable of Doug Kingsley spoke about the new to do. St. Sebastian followed the way, Entire St. Sebastian’s Community constructing a figure to not only im- statue. “This great statue is a work of and as disciples of St. Sebastian, we By CALEB ALDRICH ‘14 given, but you have ever say over you to take action.” Pemberton did in- prove our campus, but also to convey art in itself, and we all know that art need to follow the path, which he lays HEAD WRITER the meaning of St. Sebastian’s School. isn’t completed until a viewer engages out in front of us, portrayed divinely what you build.” By telling the sto- deed take action and he found himself On Monday September 9, The bronze statue walks with it. It’s so strikingly beautiful that in this sculpture. The school therefore ry of his heartbreaking childhood, accomplishing his dreams of graduat- 2013, Steve Pemberton addressed the west towards the exit of the church. it arrests us, draws us in, makes us remains grateful to Ann Hirsch for her Pemberton was hoping to inspire ing from Boston College, getting mar- St. Sebastian’s Community. The au- This is not just an exit however; the want to look upon it from all sides and artistic vision and her terrific work. not only his family, but also readers ried, and having children. thor of this year’s all school summer around the world. At the close of his speech, read, A Chance in the World, spoke Pemberton proceeded to Pemberton left the community with with eloquence and conviction. His talk about how it is our duty to take very inspirational words about han- comments covered a wide range of what we have been given and pass dling adversity. He said, “pray to God topics including why he chose to tell it on to the next generation, “we are for strength to deal with your prob- his story, the duty to help others and measured by the impact our lives lems…Don’t tell God you have a big the challenge of facing adversity. have on another…on your best days, problem; tell your problem you have a In the first segment of his address, you are custodians – enjoying what big God…He will hear you.” Pemberton focused on his reasons for others have built, taking care of the Steve Pemberton’s, A writing A Chance in the World. Most community and strengthening it for Chance in the World, is a truly ex- importantly, he believed he had a duty the next generation.” ceptional story. Hearing his stirring to tell his story. Pemberton noted in Pemberton later alluded to words in corporate chapel brought the speech“I didn’t survive to keep the brutal situation he found himself the story to life. Headmaster Burke my victory to myself – I had a respon- in as a child. He said that he hoped summed up the sentiments of all at- sibility to get it down, to share it…our but also believed he would make it tending when he closed the assembly lives are ultimately about choice… out of the foster home: “hope asks by stating, “How richly blessed we are your inheritance is given to you; you you to stay where you are and wait; to have read his book, to have listened have no say over what you’ve been belief sits on a higher plane: it asks to him, and to call him friend forever.” Headmaster Burke Stands with the Kingsley family and the new St. Sebastian statue, “Seb.” Teachers Freed from the Sixties by New Classrooms; School Rejoices By ANDREW ELCOCK ‘16, freshman, said the new setup would that he “hates having to look at other aid students out in the real world: people’s faces all day.” Moreover, JACKSON McKIEGUE ‘16 “It helps when you develop the skill Mr. Cressotti, in contrast to his love Over the course of the past two years of not talking to solely one person, of the ample closet space, bemoaned our fine establishment has refurbished but instead the entire class.” When the curtains. “Instead of darkening the many of its old rooms, primarily in consulted for his opinion, Mr. Ste- room, the curtains, in fact, are some- the original wing of the school. The fan Cressotti said the best part was how made of a magical material that workers, laboring tirelessly over the the “closet in the corner” where he makes the sun brighter,” he said dur- summer, put in new floors, desks, can “store his jacket and his tea pot.” ing an interview. Clearly, magic cur- lights and (controversially, perhaps) While increased closet space is un- tains can only be detrimental to any curtains. Over fifteen different his- doubtedly helpful in the teaching, no proper place of learning. Mr. Cres- tory, religion and English classrooms others have commented on this perk, sotti also complained about the lack around the school have been reno- strangely enough. Mr. Cleary, when of outlets, claiming the total number vated, breathing new life into the tired asked what he would change about in his room has dropped from the al- FREEDOM! FREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEDOM! Now all we need are new water fountains! hallways of this hallowed institution. his room, responded with an em- ready meager two to a miniscule one, From new tables, to better desks, phatic “Not. A. Thing.” Furthermore, making electronic resources a hassle you can tell who’s drifting in and out.” In our opinion, the new rooms are vast autumn days are still frigid, while even to stylish carpets, the modifications Marty White, the one-stop-shop for to properly utilize. In addition, Mr. Mr. Cleary claimed they merely helped improvements over the old. For one, the mildest summer mornings see boys have been extensive, to say the least. all things St. Sebastian, responded to Doherty commented on how difficult him refine his method of teaching, es- the lack of gum on many of the new sweating anywhere near that wing. As with anything, there are plenty of questions about the new rooms with tables make proper test taking, almost pecially the long table he had installed desks is a big plus, though already it is Altogether, the improvements have had people willing to tell the world their overwhelming enthusiasm, stating inviting cheating due to the close in one part of his room.