Brothers and Sisters,

Sixty-four years ago this January, St. Benedict’s Prep declined to admit a scrawny 13-year-old from Woodbridge, N.J. A few weeks later, someone intervened on the kid’s behalf and Dennis Leahy was given a shot to attend Benedict’s. As many of you know, the admissions reject was me, and getting a second chance to come to Benedict’s changed my life.

The opportunities I received back in 1959 are alive and well thanks to your support. You may not see it directly, but your investment in The Hive is helping to shape the lives of 977 students in our care today.

You keep the lights on at 520 MLK Boulevard and make it possible for us to operate like a diner, 24/7. Your generosity allows us to intervene and not give up on kids, whether it’s using the resources of the Steven M. Grossman Counseling Center to accompany a student in crisis or providing financial assistance to students who could not attend St. Benedict’s without it. You give Gray Bees their shot to tackle early college courses, to push their limits in sports and activities and to lead this community. 

I’m supremely grateful to the 3,206 donors listed in this Annual Report 2021-2022. Thank you for going to bat for our kids and for the trust you’ve placed in me as Headmaster for the past 50 years. I deeply appreciate all the good wishes extended my way and am humbled by the gifts made to the 50 Days for 50 Years Campaign in honor of this milestone anniversary.

My face may be on the cover of this magazine (not my choice, believe me!). But it bears repeating that no one individual carries this place. It takes all of us to make the place go. I ask that you continue to remember St. Benedict’s Prep in FY23 and every year that follows. We need you.

Please be assured of our prayers for you as we look ahead to celebrating more 50th anniversary milestones in 2023. Please pray for me as I do for you.

Peace,

Fr. Edwin Leahy, O.S.B. ’63
Headmaster