Moreau Society Inducts New Members

By Ric Chapman '09

On the chilly night of October 25th, six members from the class of 2010 were inducted into the prestigious Moreau Scholars Society.

The honor, formed in recognition of scholastically outstanding incoming freshmen, is formed by the most intelligent and creative minds of the Bishop McNamara community. It follows the precepts of its founder, Fr. Basil Moreau; the greatest of these being a Moreau scholar is all about.

The induction began as all things at McNamara, with a prayer by the society's chaplain, Cat Donley '08. A welcome was then extended by Mr. Alfredo Odierno, the moderator of the Moreau Scholar Society. The co-Presidents of the society, Anthony DeGannaro '07 and Sarah Stuart '07, then gave statements on the mission of Moreau society, extolling passion for intelligence rather than simply knowledge.

"Although it is an important factor, a Moreau scholar is not simply defined by their intelligence," Sarah pronounced to the soon-to-be inductees. "Rather, a certain passion is required which all of you have demonstrated through your quest for knowledge and by your willingness to comprehend the world around you."

"We would also like to encourage all of you to apply your academic talents to the betterment of the community in which you live," Anthony added, a little later on. "Understand that a Moreau possesses a socially interactive facet which complements his or her intelligent and ambitious psyche."

The next aspect of the induction was the presentation by the guest speaker; in this case, McNamara's own Mr. Charles Shryock. His speech told how students look for not just knowledge in their teachers but understanding, justice and a sense of humor; Mr. Shryock then went to apply this to how this applies to the Moreaus; they should be special kinds of scholars, as they have potential to "transform the world".

And then came the induction itself.

The freshman inductees came up one at a time to receive the pins of the Moreau society and their certificates of achievement; Maxwell Alegro '10, Miguel Boludo '10, Gregory Carbott '10, Shannon James '10, Alani Mason-Callaway '10, and Alessandra Villareal '10 stepped on to the stage of the Fine Arts theatre to become part of one of McNamara's greatest societies.

Following the presentation of pins was the bestowal; this process involves the senior members of Moreau giving information of the nine virtues of the Moreau society, so as to confer them to the new members; these virtues are prudence, firmness, patience, meekness, seriousness, vigilance, zeal, knowledge and reverence. These are qualities that are integral to the academic and social lives of a Moreau scholar; in many ways, the guideline by which they conduct themselves.

The school President, Mrs. Heather Gossart, then came to the podium to give closing remarks; she summed up what others had said previously, describing the values and achievements of the previous 106 members of the Moreau society, concluding with her trademark phrase, "the best is yet to come." The evening ending with a closing prayer by Cat Donley '08, and finally with that which is most valued by scholars everywhere: refreshments.

View photos of the evening.