Who puts possibilities in front of our kids?
You do. 

Get outta here. If you had told me American football would make a comeback at The Hive a few years ago, I would have been incredulous. Once again, I’ve been proven wrong. Sports and activities constantly evolve at St. Benedict’s Prep, and new opportunities for our kids, along with the adults who can implement them, emerge. That’s why you’re reading a story in the summer issue of this magazine about our winning girls flag football team — a varsity sport we launched last spring that is catching fire in New Jersey and nationwide. 

Eighteen months ago, 99% of the girls who joined the team had never handled a football, thrown a pass or rushed the quarterback. Yet this group of intrepid young women discovered what we want all Gray Bees to uncover: grit, leadership and a passion they didn’t realize they had. Now, two of our graduates will compete in the NCAA, and more will likely follow as an increasing number of colleges and universities establish women’s flag football programs. 

Flag football, like many of our sports, visual and performing arts, and experiential learning opportunities, is a vital part of a Benedict’s education. When they hike The Trail, attend a performance at Lincoln Center, travel out-of-state for a crew regatta, or spend a week in the wide-open skies of Wyoming, Gray Bees realize there’s a much bigger world outside of their four-block neighborhood. Your love and financial support of St. Benedict’s Prep is why we’re able to put these possibilities in front of our kids.

Thank you for all you did for Benedict’s this year. Many of you reconnected with The Hive at the Adega Rooftop Alumni Gathering, and I hope to see even more of you at the Alumni Reunion Weekend, October 23-25. We ended the fiscal year on June 30, having raised more than $21 million from over 2,600 donors. We’ll provide extensive detail on the 2024-25 year in our Annual Report. 

This publication coincides with Summer Phase, and the beginning of the 2025-26 academic year, my 53rd as Headmaster. I’m asked about the future of St. Benedict’s more and more these days. The future is the men and women who graduated from Benedict’s who’ve dedicated their professional lives to the place. The future is this community of students, faculty, monks, alumni and teammates pulling together to create even better possibilities for the 1,000 kids in our care. 

Courage!

Rev. Edwin D. Leahy, O.S.B. ’63
Headmaster