![Founder's Day 2020]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1601494060/stsebs/pb5hmwzyzjwatfrttyec/093020-FoundersDay-9.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1601494060/stsebs/pb5hmwzyzjwatfrttyec/093020-FoundersDay-9.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1601494060/stsebs/pb5hmwzyzjwatfrttyec/093020-FoundersDay-9.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1601494060/stsebs/pb5hmwzyzjwatfrttyec/093020-FoundersDay-9.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1601494060/stsebs/pb5hmwzyzjwatfrttyec/093020-FoundersDay-9.jpg","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_6/v1601494060/stsebs/pb5hmwzyzjwatfrttyec/093020-FoundersDay-9.jpg","width":2200}])
FOUNDER’S DAY 2020
St. Sebastian’s, founded by William Cardinal O’Connor, opened on September 29, 1941, on our first campus on Nonantum Hill. In honor of our 75th Anniversary in 2016, the tradition of an annual Founder’s Day celebration on or near September 27 was established. The school community continued the tradition on September 30, 2020, celebrating its fifth annual Founder’s Day, with students assembled in their class gathering spaces across campus.
Ricardo Jeremiah ’80 and his son Eric Jerimiah ’17 served as this year’s keynote speakers. Ricardo shared memories of the warm and supportive atmosphere at St. Sebastian’s during his time as a student and of great teachers who really cared for him. He also spoke of the glory of a football championship in his sophomore year. Ricardo has always remained connected to St. Sebastian's and recalled attending an alumni gathering when his wife was pregnant with Eric and Headmaster Burke’s prophetic proclamation that she may well be carrying a future Arrow! Ricardo expressed that our School has only become more deeply spiritual, caring, and loving over the decades.
Eric '17 joined St. Sebastian’s as an intern faculty member this fall and shared how happy he is to be back on campus and his love for the school. Students were given the opportunity to ask questions, and when asked his favorite sports memory, Eric (a two-year varsity hockey captain and varsity lacrosse star) mentioned that being a spectator at the "Silent Night" basketball game stood out. A huge percentage of our student body was in costumes -- he was in a Santa suit -- and cheering wildly from the moment St. Sebastian’s scored the 10th point through the end of the game.
Previous Founder’s Day speakers – each representing a different decade - have done a wonderful job of providing our students with a strong sense of the St. Sebastian’s of their time. Former member of our Board of Trustees, Senator Paul Kirk ’56 - the grandnephew of our founder - served as our inaugural speaker, followed Paul’s brother, Ed Kirk ’62, in 2017, Board President Jim Elcock ’77 P’08 in 2018, and Former Boston Police Commissioner and current member of our Board of Trustees, Bill Evans ’77 P’17 in 2019. Thank you, Ricardo, for continuing the legacy, along with Eric, and helping us to celebrate St. Sebastian’s 79th birthday!
