Remarks delivered to students, faculty, staff and guests at the opening of the new facilities on Wednesday, August 30 in the Lansing Sports Center.

Yogi Berra was a catcher for the New York Yankees baseball team and he had a special gift for language, a way of saying things that sounded like nonsense but that actually made a lot of sense. My favorite quote of his was, “when you come to a fork in the road, take it.” Four years ago, when I first came here as head of school, MPA was at a fork in the road. Over the years, MPA has been presented with many forks in the road, and we are here today because once again, MPA has chosen the path that leads to growth and renewal.

We are here to celebrate the official opening of all the new facilities; and they include:

For performing arts – a recital hall, outdoor amphitheater and almost exclusive use of the Nicholson Center, no longer to be shared with physical education classes.Four new science labs. Mr. Thomsen will no longer be the wandering science teacher. New art and drama rooms to provide new opportunities for additional classes in these areas.

A new middle school – finally a defined space that the middle school can call its own, a place where you can be who you are in your special middle school universe. Five new lower school classrooms and a dedicated lower school.

A new outdoor four-square and basketball area by the playground where the trailers have been the past year. An enclosed open-air courtyard for all ages. A new Upper School student commons with a separate study area. A new lobby with a state-of-the-art concession stand.

And this fabulous new facility – four courts for volleyball, basketball and other indoor sports, a running track, a weight training facility – and all the bells and whistles that make this a premier facility for physical education and athletics.

For all of this, we have many people to thank:

A Development Committee that was on fire with fund raising when I first got here and inspired us to launch a campaign. In her remarks earlier, Nancy Misra mentioned four people in particular – Coming of Age Co-Chairs Chuck Jakway and Ford Nicholson, Development Committee Chair Dan McKeown, and Board member Brad Boyle.

The firm of Pope Associates Architects, including new parent Paul Holmes. The construction team from Kraus Andersen, especially Brad Harvey, who has been working with us since the 2002 locker room renovation, and project foreman “gentle” Ben Mergens.

The Building and Grounds Committee, led by Board member Richard Dana and including parent Gaylene Camacho. And the entire Board of Trustees for their courage in moving forward with this project

On the staff side:

Kathy Peters-Martell, Director of Development, for her leadership of the campaign. The Division Directors - Nansee Greeley, Bob Cooke, and Robbie Seum, who have inspired us with a vision for the new space. Athletic Director Joe Kordosky, working with physical education faculty and athletic staff.

Laurie Foss and all of the hard working support staff who’ve managed through this big change. Vince Meyer and his custodial staff who got us into this space on time after a very busy summer. Business Manager Dave Aune, beginning with the purchase of the land in 2002, the bond refinance, and through construction management for last two years. And all Faculty and Staff for their participation and patience

All of this started with a vision for a new sports center when MPA parent Tom Lansing walked into my office in December of 2002 with an offer to help us build a sports center. Tom and his wife, MPA board member Karen Lansing, were prepared to contribute a significant amount of financial resources towards construction.

That offer really started the ball rolling, attracting other families into the process and leading ultimately to this moment. It is safe to say that if Tom and Karen had not stepped forward at the moment that they did, we would not be here celebrating today.

I know that for Tom, it begins with his love of sports and his desire for everyone to have an opportunity to play and to stay physically fit. But it goes well beyond that. Tom and Karen saw a need at MPA for better facilities and decided to do something about it, to help us make MPA a better place for everyone.  In so doing, Tom and Karen truly embody the spirit of MPA – to do what ever you can to make a difference in the world.

And the idea that began with a better sports facility has grown into something that touches virtually every aspect of MPA life –from the new PreK and vast new green space on the south end, to this stunning facility in which we are now gathered.

Tom and Karen, for your vision, dedication and unquestioned love of and support for Mounds Park Academy, all of us at MPA are deeply indebted to the Lansing family and would like to present you with this replica of the court on which we are now standing. Thank you!  

I began these remarks with a quote from Yogi Berra. Here’s another one: Yogi was touring a friend through his new mansion and the friend complimented him on how fabulous it was and Yogi said, “Ah, it’s just a bunch of rooms.” And you know what? When it all comes down to it – this is just a bunch of rooms too – nice rooms, but rooms all the same. And none of it means anything without all of you – without what you all will make of these rooms, this space, these outward expressions of a school.

There was a family touring the building from out of town about a week ago – from an area where the architecture is more elaborate, more ornate, and one of the visitors remarked that our new school buildings were simple, functional and well thought out –but not so much calling attention to themselves.

And I told that visitor that it is because here at MPA, the real colors come from the students, supported by the teachers and staff and parents. So MPA students – this is your chance to sing,  make great art, create great poetry, argue about world affairs, convince us with your persuasive oratorical skills, dazzle us with your ball handling skills, surprise and move us with flights of your imagination, and, in the true spirit of MPA, make a difference in the world.

Thank you, and have a great school year!