Dear Saint Patrick,
From the day I shadowed, to the first day of freshman year, I never knew what to expect. I only knew one other guy from my grade school, so naturally I was afraid. However, my first steps inside gave me the assurance and confidence to know that I was in the place where I belonged. My last class of the day, my theater arts class, helped me find my first home at school, the theater. Theater has since been my safe space as well as my place to express myself. Mr. Arndt and the entire theater department were my first feeling of community but I came to learn that the entire school was truly a special place to be.
Brotherhood is a word you will not only hear, but see each and every day in the halls and classrooms. Whether it is the willingness of students to help others on an assignment or the strong diversity among extracurriculars, the word Brotherhood is more than just a word among the young men who call themselves Shamrocks. The large diversity shown from all over the Chicagoland area also allows students from different backgrounds to interact. The opportunities I had with students from around the city made each daily experience different because each student brings a unique aspect to the table. When I think about the lessons that I learned in the halls and classrooms, they are just too many to count.
The most important lesson I learned would have to be not to judge others. I can count on one hand the amount of times that I judged someone and regretted it. I was taught on my first day that a person may not be exactly like you but that is fine because our uniqueness is what makes the world interesting. I think of the experiences I would have missed out on if I had listened to social norms and decided not to talk to someone. This is going to be one of the most important aspects from high school that I hope to hold onto for the rest of my life. Another important lesson I learned was not to knock it before you try it. It was during my sophomore chemistry class that Mr. Martin helped me hone in on this idea. I was never a science fan until his class. I remember it like it was yesterday, we were conducting an experiment and I was focusing on another assignment because it seemed more interesting. However, after spending only a few minutes on the experiment, I lightened up and became more invested in the class. From that moment on I became more open to trying new things.
During my sophomore year I was involved in a walkout to protest gun violence. As an underclassmen, I had little presence or acknowledgement outside of theater. After the walkout occurred I was known as the “walkout kid” or the “guy with his arm up” and got some negative feedback from some classmates. I also got positive responses from both teachers and counselors. It was the encouragement from Coach Luke that made the biggest impact. He told me that he was proud of the action I took and wanted to see me inspire students to do the same. I am incredibly thankful for the support of the teachers in that moment and throughout my four years.
When I look back at pictures from freshman year and think of, not only what I looked like, but the kind of person I was, I am eternally grateful for the young man I have become at Belmont and Austin. My first day I was a mere 14 year old who didn’t give a thought to anything aside from soccer and Pokemon Go. I was quick to judge and quick to dismiss anything or anyone I didn’t like. I gave little thought to those around me and just wanted to do my work, go to soccer practice, and go home. It was not until I let loose a little that I began to understand the message of what it means to be a Shamrock. When I started on that first day of school, I never thought about how rewarding school was, I only saw it as a requirement. Now, I cannot imagine having been anywhere else for the past four years.
As a kid, I would listen to my dad talk about how great it was to be a Shamrock. I knew that he had many of his Shamrock brothers still in his life. I feel the same way as I near the end of my time at Belmont and Austin. I never knew how much it would mean to walk out of a class for the last time, or how special a last high five with a classmate would be. No one gives much credit to such a miniscule thing like these and here I am wishing I did. I knew that like all good things, high school must come to an end but I never thought it would be so soon. I am thankful for every beef day and every extra minute in class. I am thankful for every question asked and answer given, every lesson learned. I am thankful for every class discussion, every cafeteria conversation. I am thankful for every Stud Section chant and every prayer before each class. I am thankful for every announcement and Go Shamrocks!
I will never forget the lessons and experiences from my time at St. Pat’s. I am truly blessed to have been a Shamrock and spend my high school years at the “oldest and best all boys school in the state of Illinois.” I cannot express how important it was for me to take my first steps through the doors at Belmont and Austin.
Much love and gratitude,
Lucas Richard ‘20
To read other Dear Saint Patrick letters from the Class of 2020, please click here.
