Senior Week Day 3: Dear Class of 2020 from Darlington Alumni

We're halfway through Senior Week and I'm so proud of our Darlington Community for standing behind these fine young men and women from the class of 2020! Today we'll hear from some alumni from the decade of the 70s. It may have been over forty years since these alumni walked the Lakeside as students, but their memories of and passion for Darlington are still so strong!

From: Kim McConkey (’73, LD ’12)

When I think back to Spring of my 1973 graduation, all I remember is getting my diploma in the Chapel and how important Darlington and the faculty were in molding my values and positioning me to accomplish everything I could have ever imagined in my personal life and business career! The class of 2020 has seen no other adversity greater than the 1940’s during WWII. You can be the best Class ever at Darlington! Give back in service and treasure, and you will receive dividends beyond which you could ever imagine.

Please remember we are all family, and will always be there to help each other to meet our goals.

From: Jim Dent (’77, LD ’19) 

I graduated from Darlington in 1977. The buildings, facilities, faculty and staff were very different back then, but there are several things that have not changed over the years. I would like to share with you a few things to which you can look forward as you prepare to graduate and move forward with your life. I hope that you can find a little encouragement as we cope with the struggles and constraints that we have amidst the Covid 19 pandemic. 

For over 4 decades, I have enjoyed the benefits of the excellent education I received at Darlington. One might tend to think that a college prep school does only that, prepare one for college. Yet, throughout my career, the communication skills I gained at the lakeside have distinguished me among my peers. Every time I get positive feedback for how I communicate, I reflect on the blessings of having graduated from Darlington. The gift you are getting will never fade away. For example, just this year I received an excellent performance review and accompanying bonus that I believe has roots in my ninth grade English class. This is not hyperbole. My command of the English language does more for my career than the Lean Six Sigma skills I use every day as a Process Engineer.

The self-confidence that you are gaining will never leave you either. When you enter that tough statistics class in college, or when you receive a challenging project on your job, you will be able to reflect on having overcome equal challenges in high school. You are not getting an education at a school where social promotion is the norm. You are getting an education where teachers do not bend the standards; they come alongside you to help you meet expectations. You are learning how to get it done in the face of ever present headwinds. I remember when I struggled with my Algebra II and Trigonometry class. (Math has always been hard for me) My instructor went out of his way to help be reach the finish line of a passing grade. Even though math was hard for me back then, I am now able to use it every day in my job to improve business processes at a company that is number 26 on the Fortune 500 list.

Don’t forget the Darlington pride that you will be able to take with you forever. I am so proud to be a Darlington Alumnus. It is not the kind of pride that the Bible teaches us that is bad. I am not proud because I think I am any more special than the next guy. I am proud because I was given the grace of a special education. I owe that grace to God and thank Him for what He has done for me. I have a pride that points to God’s greatness, not my own. I am the beneficiary of His gift. Just yesterday I was out for a drive with my wife, and we drove by the Darlington campus. 

She asked me when the school was founded. I told her 1905, as I looked upon the lovely campus, majestic buildings and fine facilities. God gave me an opportunity that so few have had in the history of civilization. I was born in a day and time and country, and in a family that made sacrifices, such that I was able to attend Darlington. Wow, just wow! You have this blessing too.

It may be tempting to think that the Corona virus is ripping you off of some special senior year experiences, but some day, those feelings will fade and give way to the thoughts I have just described to you. Keep your eyes on the prize. Do not waiver. I will leave you with this Irish blessing. “May the road rise up to meet you. May the wind be always at your back. May the sun shine warm on your face; the rains fall soft on your fields and until we meet again, may God hold you in the palm of His hand.”

Best regards always,

Jim Dent, Class of (‘77, LD ’19)

From: Mary Helen Wright Heaner (‘77) 

My heartfelt prayers have been lifted up for you as you live out your senior year in a way none of us could have ever imagined. These weeks should be filled with making more lasting Darlington memories, having fun with friends, prom, spring sports, the spring play, choral  and  music concerts, and of course, Graduation Day.  We wish we could celebrate these events with you, but instead, we will celebrate who you are and the wonderful class that you are. Each of you is a special and important part of Darlington forever. Your kindness, thoughtfulness, enthusiasm, politeness and fun loving traits are an inspiration to all. These are the recipes for a successful life. How grateful I am that each of you has had the Darlington experience – the teachers, coaches and administrators who love you as their own and challenge you academically, athletically and musically to be your best. That was true when I was at Thornwood and Darlington 43 years ago. What  a  great gift that many don’t have the opportunity to have.

May your always carry  Darlington in your heart as you move on to your next exciting step.  You will always be remembered as the class who so bravely showed us how to handle difficult times with a grace and maturity beyond your years. Wishing you all the BEST!

Darlington Proud,

Mary Helen Wright Heaner ('77)