Seniors Establish Their Legacy

From the moment each Marksman steps on campus, St. Mark’s challenges its boys to not only succeed in the classroom, on the playing field, and in the art studio, but, more importantly, to become good men. This Path to Manhood culminates during senior year as boys take responsibility for leading their peers and to cross the Commencement stage ready for the next step. 

 

As they prepared to take that next step, the officers of the Class of 2025, with the support of the whole class, met to decide how they could leave a lasting legacy at 10600 Preston Road. Since 2002, graduating Marksmen have made a Senior Class Legacy Gift, designating the remainder of their activity budget to help future Marksmen. For their gift, the Class of 2025 reflected on how the School had developed them into the men they have become. 

 

“We recognize the importance of character and leadership education at St. Mark's,” said Henry Estes ’25, Senior Class President. “Gifts like ours ensure that our School continues to lead in character and leadership education.” 

 

Members of the Class of 2025, including Estes, Senior Class Vice President Eduardo Mousinho ’25, Senior Class Secretary Teddy Fleiss ’25, and Senior Class Representative Owen Ackerman ’25, met several times with members of the Office of Development & Alumni Relations to decide how their funds could make the greatest difference and benefit the causes they held dear. At Graduate Luncheon before Commencement, the officers presented this Senior Legacy Gift to Eugene McDermott Headmaster David W. Dini.  

 

The Class of 2025 contributed $50,000 toward the renovation of the Ralph B. Rogers Natatorium into a multi-purpose fieldhouse. As the Class of 2023 supported the Zierk Athletic Center long before the project’s completion, the Class of 2025 also thoughtfully contributed toward a space that will benefit generations of future Marksmen. Additionally, more than $10,000 was directed toward the Sarah and Ross Perot, Jr. ’77 Leadership and Ethics Program Fund, given the unanimous opinion of the class that the Character & Leadership program was an extremely formative part of their collective experience. Finally, in keeping with a longstanding tradition, the Class chose to contribute a gift of $2,025 to the St. Mark’s Fund. 

 

“Our ability to succeed at St. Mark’s is directly tied to our character that makes us true Marksmen,” continued Eduardo. 

 

The decision to highlight Character & Leadership was an easy one for the class, and they identified that their Character instruction extended beyond the classroom and onto the sports field. 

 

“This gift will allow generations of Marksmen following in our footsteps to strengthen bonds with one another and strive to be their best selves, individually and collectively, in pursuit of athletic excellence,” Estes said during the presentation of the gift. 

 

Additionally, the Senior Officers believed that showing their commitment to the athletics program was important. 

 

“Athletics at St. Mark’s have made a huge impact on the lives and thinking of our class, and we thought that this was the perfect opportunity to give back to an area we loved during our time here.” said Owen Ackerman. 

 

The Senior Legacy Gift demonstrates the leadership and character that the Class of 2025 brought to St. Mark’s and extends tangible benefits to future classes. The tradition of the Senior Gift illustrates the Path to Manhood and encourages younger Marksmen to improve St. Mark’s with their leadership, dedication, and care for others in their community. Every Senior Legacy Gift since the tradition began in 2002 is commemorated on a breadboard outside the Senior Lounge.