By Danny Wallace ‘21

The dreaded reality I have been fearing for years has finally arrived. Two weeks from now, I will have officially graduated from Brother Rice, my second home for the past four years. And I can confidently say that I loved every single second of it.

The timing of this piece cannot be any more meaningful. The entire senior class has just reconvened after more than a year-long hiatus because of COVID-19. Not seeing some of my closest friends for such a long time almost made me forget how special Brother Rice actually is.

But, these last couple of weeks have completely jogged my memory.

From the time we were shut down last March to now, nothing skipped a beat. And by nothing, I mean the bond and comradery that we all share. The same classroom discussion, jokes and stories remained beautifully untouched.

But can I really describe these feelings to someone outside of the Brother Rice community, outside of this brotherhood?

Well, the answer is an adamant no. The comfort and friendships that I have with my classmates is something that was built throughout this four-year journey. There is no formula to it. It cannot be grasped by just any stranger.

It’s something that begins once you walk in those doors freshman year and does not end until you die.

I know some of these guys will be the best men at my wedding. I know they will be the godparents of my children. I know they will be a shoulder to lean on whenever I’m down on hard times.

One last point I want to share is how Brother Rice challenged my mind and soul in a way that always kept me focused. Yes, there were times when I dreaded taking a hard test or was up longer than I expected doing homework, but it was well worth it.

As Nietzsche once said, “To live is to suffer, to survive is to find meaning in the suffering.”

So is an easy life with no challenges or obstacles one worth living at all?

I literally cannot fathom how I will get through the next chapter of my life without seeing my brothers by my side day after day, but I will push through it, bringing my stubborn Southside Brother Rice personality with me.

If I could offer some advice to anyone currently on the path to where I am now, I would say this: bring enthusiasm to every single thing that you do.

The worst attitude you can have is not caring, so get involved and enjoy the limited time you’ll have! Because once that time runs out, it’s gone forever.

So, with a heavy heart, now is the time I must say goodbye to my second home.

All of the experiences I had here will remain locked in my memory forever; I could not be any luckier.