Prior to coming to MPA, I celebrated two milestones at two different schools - a 75th anniversary and a 100th.  And the independent school I attended as the son of an English teacher was founded in 1897.

So, it is a special thrill to be able to be actually among the founders of the school - those who are still very much a part of the life of the school today, whether as distant cheerleaders or showing up here every day to work on behalf of today's MPA students.

When I first heard about the opportunity at MPA, I was intrigued by the idea of participating in the transition from founding leadership to the next stage.  Bob Kreischer left extremely large shoes to fill.  I fully expected to encounter anxiety, fear, uncertainty about the future.

But I was welcomed by the entire community.  In first encounters with MPA culture, I found a level of self-confidence without arrogance.  I found an openness to others, curiosity about the world and how it works; a passion for learning, respect for others, and true joy in the learning process.

These qualities, built into the DNA of MPA from the beginning and in full bloom today, are key to the future for our kids and for the school.

The celebration of MPA's 25th anniversary is the celebration not of a place, but of an idea; a celebration of the people who first brought that idea alive and of those who continue to bring it alive, every day in their own compelling way – the cluster of teachers I saw in the hall yesterday deep in intense conversation about a kid - what that kid was going through and what it would mean for him and how they could help.

The fourth graders who serve as playground managers and are surprised that the younger kids actually do come to them to sort through their issues; the incredible poise that is the rule, not the exception among MPA students of all ages.

The beauty of the MPA idea is that innovation is a built in feature.  It’s what will keep MPA forever young and new.  And our faculty and staff live this philosophy.

There is no such thing here as a teacher who simply recycles old material.  The drive to be constantly renewed, both by the latest group of students to come through and by the almost obsessive drive to seek out new ways to teach and learn.

There is something very special about MPA, about the way our staff transcends the normal limits of teaching to create unique learning opportunities that touch the hearts and minds of young people.

Something special about the support of so many dedicated volunteers who make book festivals and duty-free lunches, auctions, and 25th anniversary celebrations possible, not to mention capital campaigns and new facilities.

And most importantly, something special about the way that our students and alumni move through their world, encounter it, make sense of it, and change it for the better - all thanks to that original powerful idea for a special school on this spot with the people gathered tonight in this room both in body and in spirit.  It is a remarkable legacy.  Thank you, and Happy Birthday!