The Standard: All Good Things Come to an End

By Peter McShane ‘23

As I sit down to reflect on my four years of high school, it’s hard not to be overwhelmed with emotion. The journey has been challenging, but it has also been incredibly rewarding. Looking back, I can say with confidence that my time at Brother Rice High School has been transformative. I have grown into the best version of myself, and I owe it all to the experiences I’ve had at this school.

It all started on my first day of freshman year when Mr. Alberts gave us what I interpreted as a silly speech about what it means to be a Crusader. I remember thinking it was all a bit cheesy, but as time went on, I realized how much that speech impacted me. It taught me that being a Crusader isn’t just about winning on the sports field or getting good grades in the classroom. It’s about embodying a set of values that go beyond oneself.

Balancing golf, basketball, track, and being in hard classes was a challenge, but it pushed me to my limits and helped me become a better version of myself. I learned how to manage my time efficiently, prioritize my responsibilities, and focus on what truly mattered. The experience taught me that anything is possible with hard work and dedication, and it gave me the confidence to tackle any challenge that comes my way.

But it wasn’t just the academic and athletic challenges that made Brother Rice so special. It was the community that made all the difference. Being a part of the basketball team was like being a part of a family. Through the wins and losses, we always grew closer with one another. The bonds I formed with my teammates were some of the strongest I’ve ever had. They were the ones who pushed me to be my best, and they were the ones who were always there for me through thick and thin.

I am incredibly grateful for the experiences I’ve had at Brother Rice High School. It’s hard to put into words how much this community has impacted me. It has taught me that success isn’t just about personal achievement, but about how you can make a positive impact on the world around you. It has shown me that true strength comes from lifting others up, and it has instilled in me the importance of striving to live the life that God calls us to live.

As I write this article in my last days of high school, I can’t help but think back to that first day when Mr. Alberts gave us that speech. It has always stuck with me about what being a true Crusader really means. It’s about living a life that is guided by the principles of acting manfully in Christ Jesus, faith, and brotherhood.

I know that as I move forward in life, I will take the lessons I learned at Brother Rice High School with me. I will strive to be a person of character, and I will use my talents and abilities to make a positive impact on the world. I am excited for the challenges that lie ahead, and I know that with the skills and values I’ve learned at Brother Rice, I am prepared to face them head-on.

My four years at Brother Rice High School have been transformative. The challenges, experiences, and community have shaped me into the person I am today, and for that, I am incredibly grateful. I am proud to be a Crusader, and I will carry that pride with me for the rest of my life. Lots of people talk about how their experiences with things are like roller coasters because of all the ups, downs, bumps, and stomach drops. If I had to describe my four years at Brother Rice as a roller coaster, I wouldn’t change any inch of that roller coaster because each lesson of each day has shaped me into the Crusader I am today, and I know I’m more than ready for the next roller coaster that I choose to make and live out because of how my time at Brother Rice has shaped me.