Mr. Brian Danver
Latin and Social Studies Teacher, Dorm Parent, Head Coach of Varsity Soccer and Varsity Ice Hockey 

Mr. Brian Danver was selected by the Class of 2024 to give the “last lecture” to the class. Below is an excerpt of Brian’s advice and wisdom that he imparted to the seniors. His advice applies to all students on their college journey.
 
My first piece of advice is to exercise on a regular basis.  It does not matter if you are a great athlete, terrible athlete, or somewhere in the middle.  It doesn't matter if you ever get a six pack of abs or develop biceps that look good in a tank top.  Bodies come in all shapes and sizes and having a strong heart often has little to do with how “shredded” someone is.  What matters is that a sound mind lives in a sound body.  God gave us one tangible gift in life, and it is our body.  Take care of yours.  Exercise is essential to boosting your mental health. You will always feel better after a workout.  

Grow your character and do not worry about your online brand.  Achieving fame for the sake of achieving fame is not a virtue.  Living a seemingly anonymous life in service to those around you is not a failure—it is the ultimate success.  In Book 9 of the Iliad, Achilles is confronted with the most difficult of choices.  He can remain in Troy and gain great glory, but he will die in the process.  Or, he can sail home, marry a beautiful wife, have many children, and have a happy life, but his name will not survive for ages and ages.  Like a typical male, he tries to choose both.  He dies and misses out on a family, but his name has survived.  You are not likely to be confronted with a choice as epic as Achilles, but I would suggest that you reconsider fame.  I believe that long after we die, we remain by how we made people feel and how hard we worked to make the world a better place.  If you gain fame and fortune in the process of leading a life of service, great.  If not, everything will be just fine.

Life has never been fair.  It is not fair now.  It will never be fair.  Those who sit around and complain about how unfair life is are generally the most miserable people that you will encounter.  Stop complaining about how unfair everything is and fight to make the world more just.  Remember, not getting into your first-choice college or receiving a bad call in an athletic competition does not mean you have been treated unfairly.  Your problems are real but place them in the proper perspective. Fight each and every day to make this world a more just place rather than complaining.

Begin to develop your understanding of what it means to be a man.  All too often in our adolescent years, we equate the ability to beat someone in a fist fight as being a “man”.  However, it is often the ability to control our emotions and walk away from fights that make us men.  To me, a man is someone who can be counted on and depended upon at all times. Be a man who solves problems when everyone else runs away.  Find the one reason to remain calm rather than succumbing to the many excuses to give up.  

Do not compare yourself with others.  It will only lead you down a path of envy and disappointment.  There will always be someone smarter.  There will always be someone more athletic.  There will always be someone with more money.  And yes, there will always be someone better looking.  Try to grow comfortable in your own skin, as hard as it is.  Allow yourself to be inspired by great people rather than envious of great people.  Strive for perfection on a daily basis, but allow yourself the grace to realize that you will always fall short.  

In Luke’s Gospel, Jesus tells us, “Much will be required of the person entrusted with much, and still more will be demanded of the person entrusted with more.” Guys, you all have had many advantages in life.  You have experienced a great education at Prep.  When you go to college, socialize. Have fun. Break some rules. Not the law! But some rules. Take chances.  Go to the party.  Ask the girl to dance.  Be stupid, but in the words of my college tennis coach, “be smart about being stupid.” However, never lose sight of the fact that you have been entrusted with much.  Work hard.  Treat everyone around you with respect.  Fight for justice.  Build your character.  Look out for those who are struggling.  Text and call your parents.  Study.  Solve the world’s problems.  Go forth and set the world on fire!