From the Editor

On Campus from the editor

The one window in my new office looks out over the canopies of Nearburg Hall. It was under these canopies that we distributed the 2022 Marksmen yearbook just three short months ago. That would be the last yearbook I would advise, ending my 21 years as journalism instructor and adviser to both the yearbook and The ReMarker student newspaper here.

(above) Ray Westbrook (left) Westbrook and journalism students Will Spencer ’23, Morgan Chow ’23, Ian Dalrymple ’23 and Jonathan Yin ’22 review a recent issue of Focus magazine entitled “Preserving American Democracy”

Journalism students distribute the Marksmen yearbook

Rather prophetic, too, was that yearbook’s theme, “You never really leave,” because it personifies my St. Mark’s experience to a tee. After more than two decades in the classroom, I accepted Eugene McDermott Headmaster David Dini’s offer to serve the School in a new role as Communications director. So I quickly said goodbye to retirement plans and have begun this new adventure in the office of Development and Alumni Relations.

My new teammates in Communications — Dave Carden, Alex Hughes and Scott Moore — have done a yeoman’s job of coordinating an exhaustive workflow for the past 18 months. Their commitment to doing the important work of internal and external communications honors the memory of Katy Rubarth, who courageously fought her battle with cancer until February 2021. Katy was a dear friend of mine, and I’d like to think she’s looking down at all of us with her winning, infectious smile, pleased that we are continuing her long record of service and devotion to the School.

So, while I’m not leaving 10600 Preston Road, I welcome the opportunities this new position affords.

Be sure to drop by and say hello when you’re on campus.

When a school year ends, there’s a palpable sense of relief...from students, for sure. But also for teachers.

For administrators and staff, not so much — as preparations begin almost immediately for the next school year.

But for another group on campus, there’s an immediate sense of excitement and anticipation as participants — students and instructors — begin three weeks of accelerated learning through the Brendan D. Court ’06 Summer Enrichment Program.

In this issue, we take a deep dive into this program which was started more than two decades ago. We’ll show you the many learning opportunities students enjoyed, talk with Marksmen who taught the four subject areas, and hear from an alum whose time as an instructor propelled him into the Teach for America program, where he spent two years teaching in a Dallas ISD public school.

Obviously, the Brendan Court Program provides life-changing experiences for its students and its teachers. I hope you’ll enjoy seeing how these three weeks can literally alter the trajectory of its participants’ lives for years to come.

Ray Westbrook, Director of Communications