President's Message April 2020

“Even the darkest night will end and the sun will rise.”

Victor Hugo, Les Misérables

There is no doubt that it may be difficult to find anything good or positive as we navigate through these fundamentally unchartered waters. At times like this, and acknowledging that hope is not a strategy, one needs to nevertheless maintain a positive attitude. Recognize that fear rides well ahead of facts in situations like this; and it fills a void where facts are absent.

I have no doubt that we will prevail and come out the other side of this difficult time just fine. Patrick Henry said it best: “Fear is the passion of slaves.” We are not slaves; we will conquer this and prevail.

That said, we find a wanting in regards to some measure of adequate medical response and capabilities. This is temporary and will get fixed. We just need to recognize that the news is going to be like a roller coaster for a while.

I revert to something drummed into me during my time in the service (variously attributed to John Wooden or Heywood Hale Broun):

“Adversity does not build character at this point in your life, it reveals it.” So we all have a chance to reveal our character now, when it really counts.

“By failing to prepare you are preparing to fail.”

Attributed to various individuals (notably - Ben Franklin, Reverend H. K. Williams, E. B. Gregory the U.S. Quartermaster General).

I’ve also thought about this quote quite a bit as this current pandemic descended upon us.

Where does one start? Let’s start here –

• Fact - the median age of our alums puts us in the most susceptible group/class for adverse impact from this current pandemic. Even more true for the masters.

• What to do - stay in contact by phone or email with fellow alums, friends and family. David Curry has done an admirable job of this with his classmates. We all need to do the same. I have started by emailing and calling those I could in my class.

• Follow the guidelines to keep yourself protected from exposure; and immediately communicate and act if you feel symptoms.

• Do what Lenox School grads do best – maintain perspective – find ways to serve others while being mindful of the restrictions of contact. Sed Ministrare.

• Maintain a flinty determination to prevail over this; we are not victims, we’re survivors.

• Stay vigilant, stay prepared; help others where possible, seek help when needed.

The challenges to our friends are daunting, as this has turned everything we accepted as routine and normal upside down:

• S&Co. has posted a message on their website from Allyn Burrows, essentially indicating the following:

“Under normal circumstances we celebrate gatherings. They are our lifeblood and the very means through which we can tell extraordinary stories in the way that makes theatre unique and valuable.

For now the gatherings will have to wait. We have to put the health and safety of our patrons and artists at the priority that is required to eradicate the Coronavirus, and that means following the advice of the experts who have the knowledge to guide us through this to the other side of it.”

We hope the very best for our wonderful friends at S&CO. We will come out the other side of this along with you Allyn, and everyone else at S&Co.

• We were copied on a message from another of LSAA’s friends, Julia Heaton, Head of School at Miss Halls. I extracted the following as it captures that flinty and persistent determination to prevail:

“Miss Hall’s School has seen much during its history — the 1918 influenza pandemic, a devastating fire, the sudden death of its founder, two world wars, and the September 11 attacks. But, from its very beginning, the School has persisted with a singular mission of educating young women to the highest of academic standards and for lives of purpose. Through the years, the School has adapted and evolved as the world around it has changed. No doubt, the Miss Hall’s School of 2050 will look quite different from MHS in 2020, much as School today is vastly different from how it was a hundred years ago. Nevertheless, we will continue to pursue Mira Hall’s mission and live by our core values of respect, honor, growth, and authenticity.”

Julia’s message reminded me of the quote from Emily Dickinson:

“Hope is the thing with feathers
That perches in the soul
And sings the tune without the words
And never stops at all.”

LSAA is gripping hands with you Miss Hall’s, we will all get through this and you will prevail and carry on your noble mission.

Personally, I look forward to 16 & 17 OCT in the belief that this will be behind us and we’ll be able to celebrate another reunion where the Lenox School class of 1970 marks their 50^th year since walking between the Masters. Of course we’ll have to keep an eye on developments, but it will be a welcome relief to see old friends and celebrate.

Thus, save the date! OCT 16 & 17 where Lenox School and all the alums, friends and family will be back and active in the Berkshires. It will be an especially sweet event having come through and prevailed as friends, family, organizations and a country.

We have chosen: We are going to face everything and rise. I look forward to seeing everyone back at school!

OCT 16 – OCT 17

Be there!

Stay well and stay strong in the interim.