Breaking Ground on Boldly BL

A warm September sun shone down on Lake Avenue as seniors and kindergarteners, hands entwined, marched onto J. Duncan Smith Field for BL’s Opening Convocation. It is a longstanding tradition for the oldest and youngest students to join together, evoking the journey from childhood to young adulthood.

As faculty and remaining students looked on, Student Body President Jacob Pacheco led the Pledge of Allegiance and read the School’s mission statement. After a rendition of the School song, Headmaster Chris Post addressed the entire crowd. “We gather at Opening Convocation to recognize the promise and opportunity of a new year,” said Mr. Post, “Whether it’s your first year or your 14th year as a student; whether you are a brand new teacher or advisor, or you’re in your 61st year like Mr. Ehrhardt.”

Following Convocation, the promise of tomorrow that Mr. Post had talked about came to life as the entire School community made its way from the field to the construction site for the official Groundbreaking Ceremony for The Boldly BL Campaign for Boys' Latin. The campaign focuses on three priorities: expanding and renovating the upper school and Gelston Athletic Center and growing our endowment, all of which will enrich boys' lives, support our programs and propel Boys' Latin forward. The Campaign goal is $22 million. Thanks to the support of our board of trustees and the many other donors who have made significant leadership commitments, we are well on our way to reaching our goal.

The groundbreaking ceremony began with the entire student body and board members in attendance. Lower school boys were particularly noteworthy as they were clad in plastic "hardhats" and seemed to want nothing more than to join the construction project and start digging. Mr. Post kicked off the event with brief remarks explaining to the boys the purpose of the campaign and expressing his gratitude for everyone who has supported the campaign thus far. "What's made all this possible? It is the generosity of people who feel passionately about Boys' Latin – who feel strongly about our outstanding faculty and you, our spirited boys. Those donors – our alumni; parents and past parents; faculty, staff and administrators; friends of the school and foundations – have given generously to make possible the transformation of our campus and the creation of our endowment." 

The President of the Board of Trustees, Geoffrey H. Brent '77, followed Mr. Post with his own speech offering his support and enthusiasm for the project. "It was about 51 years ago today that I walked onto this campus. It was only Williams Hall and an annex then, and housed both the middle and upper school. We have been able to grow because of the people and the feeling that continues to this day that we are all in it together." He also reminded boys not to take for granted the experiences they have at Boys' Latin and all the opportunities they have been given. 

Geoff Brent, Chris Post, Kyle Gore' 80 (Board of Trustees treasurer and Campaign Chair), Duncan Smith' 77 (Board of Trustee Assistant Secretary and Honorary Campaign Chair) picked up the gold shovels, dug into a small pile of dirt and with pride and humility officially broke ground for the Boldly BL Campaign. 

Click below to access more information regarding Boldly BL. 

The Boldly BL Campaign for Boys' Latin