ladies and gentlemen, boys, the light of knowledge.
one hundred years ago, in 1859, 41 boys sat in this room and were asked the same question that greets you at the start of each semester. gentlemen, what are the four pillars?
in her first year, welton academy graduated five students. last year we graduated fifty-one. and more than seventy-five percent of those went on to the ivy league. this, this kind of accomplishment is the result of fervent dedication to the principles taught here. this is why you parents have been sending us your sons. this is why we are the best preparatory school in the united states.
as you know, our beloved mr. portius of the english department retired last term. you will have the opportunity later to meet his replacement, mr. john keating, himself a graduate of this school. and who, for the past several years, has been teaching at the highly regarded chester school in london.
glad you could come by.
you've been away too long.
good to have you back.
mr. anderson.you have some big shoes to fill, young man. your brother was one of our finest.
thank you. so glad you liked it.
tom
neil. we expect great things from you this year.