Both my children have attended OLMC, starting with Mary in 2005. She went on to graduate as part of the Class of 2015. Matteo started later, in 2008, and is graduating this year as part of the Class of 2018.
What is your profession outside of OLMC?
My profession is that of a Wine Producer. My projects are always about food and its relationship to wine.
So you are concluding your journey as a parent of a current student, so I guess the simple question is “Why OLMC?”
I chose OLMC after visiting exactly eight schools, all along the Hudson, if you will, and throughout different towns with different approaches. It could have been very easy to pass OLMC. But, on my second visit, Miss O invited me to sit down and talk. She asked in the most sincere of ways, “What is it exactly that you’re looking for?” Perhaps it was the way she asked or perhaps it was her mannerisms. Perhaps it all just felt right. As we now know, I made the best choice possible. I have many favorite things about OLMC. I love that I was always treated as family. Nobody ever lied to me, and nobody ever campaigned for anything other than this is the way it is. These are our goals. This is the direction we are going in, and this is what we feel is best for our students.
What are maybe some interesting stories or fond memories of your time at OLMC?
One of my personal favorite memories will always be of Father Leonard. Throughout the 10 or so years that I had a relationship with him, he always made me feel comfortable. He encouraged dialogue. In my case, it was never about fundraising or anything political. He knew I was immune to that. Instead, we would talk about places in the world: Boston, Rome, New York. He would say I have so-and-so coming for dinner at the residence and we are going to have this-or-that. I would say these wines match up best for the dinner. I would then leave them on the back porch in the same spot all the time. They would always be there for pick up days before his events, complete with instructions of what to serve and when to serve them. I miss him for a variety of reasons: our missions, our journeys, and our conversations. I will always cherish what he left me with.
To newly arriving parents or to those who are considering OLMC? What do you say to them?
For 13 years, I left my kids in the north parking lot. I would always wait for 7:45 until a teacher would come out and keep watch. In the beginning, I would wait a few minutes longer just to see how things went, and I was soon assured that I need not worry. I stood by anyway just to capture the visions of my children growing, knowing full well that those images would be captured and etched in my mind. I never, ever left that school with a worry! I wish I had the words to accurately describe leaving without a worry! I never left my children and worried about them during the day. To incoming parents, I share these thoughts and the peace that I found at OLMC.