51����

Top of the class!

The North Carolina Advanced Placement (AP) School Honor Roll Recognition for 2024 has been announced with 51���� earning the highest possible distinction – Platinum with Access.

The sunshine pouring through the stained-glass windows of St. Joseph’s Chapel on Wednesday warmed everyone inside on a balmy November morning.

RJ Fox ’25 may no longer be here in physical form, but signs are all around that his presence and spirit never left the 51���� community, and never will. 

Monday's presentation of President's Volunteer Service Awards came with a heightened sense of school pride. 

Why not in light of recent events?

Greenies of all ages came to the aid of Western North Carolina in its time of greatest need, back in September and October when every good deed was needed to jumpstart the recovery from Hurricane Helene. This outpouring by the boys, our alumni, families, and friends all melded into what is a year-round commitment to service here, disaster or no disaster. 

Football became something more than football these last four weeks for 51���� players and coaches. 

A game became an escape from the reality going on all around them. A field 100 yards long and 50 yards wide became a sanctuary from all the fallen trees, downed power lines, and displaced families. 

Friday morning’s Student and Residential Life Awards came with a twist. 

Dean of Students Drew Hyche ’94 got emotional talking about the resiliency, grit, and patience he has seen out of the boys since Hurricane Helene ravaged Western North Carolina.  

“You all, these past three weeks … I’ve been here 25 years,” Mr. Hyche said.

My family has a friend who we’ll call Dr. Drent. He was an ear, nose, & throat doctor. He happened to be my best friend’s dad as a kid, but that’s not important. What is important is that he was cheated out of a ton of money because someone stole his invention.

The best line I’ve ever heard about prayer comes from a musician named Andy Squyres. In a book he wrote titled Poet Priest Vol.I he has a two-page photograph of someone playing pool. Over the hands is written this this remarkable sentence:

Prayer doesn’t work. Until it does.

Most of us right now are not in Arden. But a lot of us Greenies are. Students, faculty, and staff who live locally are still physically in the wake of Helene. They’re “left behind,” if you will. So was Paul.

Since two critical pieces of campus infrastructure are back in working order – power and water service – we feel comfortable in sharing the school’s plans to resume operation. 

Listen to what Paul says to the Thessalonians at the end of chapter two.

“But since we were torn away from you, brothers, for a short time, in person not in heart, we endeavored the more eagerly and with great desire to see you face to face, because we wanted to come to you—I, Paul, again and again—but Satan hindered us. For what is our hope or joy or crown of boasting before our Lord Jesus at his coming? Is it not you? For you are our glory and joy.”

As they say, the main thing is to keep the main thing the main thing. This Monday morning seems as good a time as any to get our bearings. So let’s kick off the week here with this – what’s the center of Christianity?

Browse the University of Tennessee’s webstore and you’ll find an endless supply of clothing and novelties – mostly in orange of course. 

Some new arrivals to the store could not be more personal to Charlie Browder ‘21. 

I see you’ve checked back in for Sunday’s Daily Devotional. That must mean you want St. Paul’s secret to friendship. Here it is: care more about what God thinks of you more than what anyone else thinks of you.

What are you like as a friend? How do other people experience you? If I called the people you spend the most time with and said, “Describe so and so to me,” what would they say?

Note: Chaplain Peter Hartwig will be sharing a Daily Devotional between now and Sunday, October 13. 

reported that 65% of Americans believe that they are of above-average intelligence. Need I say more?

It’s really hard for us to get an accurate picture of ourselves. Put another way, self-awareness is hard to come by these days. So how do we develop it?

Note: Chaplain Peter Hartwig will be sharing a Daily Devotional between now and Sunday, October 13. 

Moments like this come without warning and test the fiber of lesser communities. The indomitable spirit and brotherhood found at 51���� have a 125-year head start on Hurricane Helene.

Because we are Greenie Strong, this historic 125th anniversary will be celebrated with the joy and reverence it deserves.

Note: Chaplain Peter Hartwig will be sharing a Daily Devotional between now and Sunday, October 13. Greenies: remember to check your student e-mail for the link to Wednesday’s 11 a.m. virtual chapel service on Zoom. All family members are welcome!

Over the last three days, 51���� has demonstrated the same grit and character that have defined us for 125 years. Our entire school community has come together. Alumni, faculty, staff, and parents from all over the world have gone to exceptional lengths to support and care for our students in a challenging time. The Long Green Line is enduring and strong.