Convocation 2024: ‘You get what you give’

Head of School Chris Fortunato P ‘26, ‘28 addressed the Upper School and then the Middle School today (Wednesday, Sept. 4) as part of Convocation ceremonies to start Thayer Academy’s 147th school year. And, whether the venue was the CFA’s Hale Theater or Thompson Hall, his message was the same: give the Thayer community your attention, your trust, and your faith, and the Thayer community will do the same for you. 

“You get what you give,” Fortunato told students, faculty, and staff, echoing advice his mother had given him years ago and, in fact, still gives him today. 

Now entering his 26th year in the education field, Fortunato explained that he was once a practicing attorney who gave his time and effort to his job but found little personal satisfaction. Switching careers, he said, allowed him to give his heart and soul as well and proved a decision he has never regretted. 

“Choose what’s important to you and what you pay attention to,” he said. 

Fortunato called trust the foundation of the work undertaken at Thayer but, citing the words of research professor and author Brené Brown, something that can only be built moment by moment. To illustrate, Fortunato brought a jar of marbles on stage; faculty and staff members then offered examples of trust-building before dropping one more marble in the jar. 

In requesting faith from students, Fortunato quoted civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr.: “Faith is taking that first step even when you don’t see the whole staircase.” 

Fortunato encouraged students to have faith in Thayer. Speaking on behalf of faculty and staff, he said such faith was a two-way street. 

“Our faith in you: unshakeable,” he told students. 

At the Upper School, Convocation began with remarks from Luke Driscoll ‘25, president of Student Government. 

“Don’t be a picky eater,” said Driscoll before likening Thayer to a buffet of experiences waiting to be sampled. “The more you immerse yourself in opportunities, the more connected you’ll become.” 

Later in his talk, Driscoll offered the most important reason for diving into the Thayer experience. 

“You’ll find your home,” he said. 

At the Middle School, Emily Li ‘29 and Thomas Casal ‘29 shared the honor of welcoming students back to campus and ushering in a new school year. 

Casal offered a special welcome to new students and encouraged them to try something new this school year. 

“You’ll soon learn that Thayer is a very welcoming place,” he said. 

Li thanked faculty and staff for working to make the first day of school so seamless, recommended that students seek a proper balance in their lives, and joined Casal in kicking off the first day of classes. 

“Welcome to the Middle School, everyone,” said Li. “Let’s make it an unforgettable year.” 

Convocation in both the Upper School and Middle School included a stirring rendition of the alma mater as sung by current students supported by graduates among the faculty and staff. 

As noted by Fortunato in his address, this marks the 147th year of Thayer Academy, just three years shy of the school’s sesquicentennial.