To the Episcopal High School Class of 2024

Today is a special day. It is the day when the Class of 2024 from Episcopal High School in Alexandria, Virginia, walks across the stage to become graduates. As part of the tradition, every faculty member at Episcopal signs the diploma of the graduating seniors. The signatures are arranged from the Head of School to the Assistant Heads of School, and then from the most tenured faculty down to the newest members. I've had the privilege of both receiving this diploma and signing the diploma.

Last month, I had the honor of seeing a group of young men I welcomed to the Holy Hill during the challenging times of fall 2020. As ninth graders, they arrived at Episcopal needing to stay six feet apart from their new peers, eat their meals in pods, and undergo frequent COVID testing. My advisory boys came from diverse places such as Saudi Arabia, North Carolina, Florida, Maryland, Hong Kong, Korea, Virginia, and beyond.

When I transitioned away from Episcopal in the summer of 2021, it was bittersweet to leave these boys behind and miss their continued growth as students and young men. However, from Seattle, I watched them navigate their lives, participate in sports from basketball to track to wrestling, and lead the school in song, academics, and leadership. While I can't see them walk today, I was thrilled to reconnect with almost all of them last month as seniors. Witnessing their growth and hearing about their college plans filled me with immense pride.

I am proud of the young men and graduates they have become. While I left Episcopal being called Mr. Lee, I am happy to finally let them call me Jonathan, as they have truly earned that privilege. Congratulations to the Lee Advisory and the Episcopal High School Class of 2024.

God bless the High School.