The Collegiate “ LIFE LESSONS Life Lessons INSIGHTS FROM A STUDENT AND ALUMNUS “ A ship in harbor is safe, but that is not what ships are built for. Every student’s journey at St. Joe’s is shaped by unique experiences, challenges and moments of discovery. In this piece, a current student and an alumnus from the Class of 1975 share the three most valuable lessons they’ve taken from their time at St. Joe’s. At St. Joe’s, I learned that failure isn’t the end—it’s a stepping stone to greater success. Joseph Nga ’25 Craig Cirbus ’75 Lesson 1: At St. Joe’s, we were encouraged to go beyond the classroom, to take risks and to embrace opportunities. Sure, we could have played it safe—headed home at 2:30 every afternoon—but that’s not why we chose St. Joe’s. Our school provided countless avenues for growth: fine arts, athletics, student government, academic clubs and mission- driven activities. Fifty years later, we see the impact of that encouragement.
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Lesson 1: High school is a time of self-discovery, where students start to explore their purpose and how they want to make a difference in the world. At St. Joe’s, I’ve learned to constantly ask myself what my purpose in life will be. Through role models and spiritual reflection, I’m starting to think about life beyond grades and academics. Purpose is different for everyone, but it is the reason you exist.
Our class includes professional athletes, entrepreneurs, doctors, lawyers, architects, engineers, bankers and leaders in nearly every field. That courageous spirit—to get involved, chase dreams and take chances—was nurtured at St. Joe’s. The lesson? Step out of your comfort zone. Growth doesn’t happen in the harbor—it happens when you set sail. Lesson 2: Life is fleeting. The class of 1975 was the first to experience the “freshman annex” across the street and the camaraderie we built was unshakable. Even in those early years, we were faced with the sobering reality of loss. As teenagers, we felt invincible—until life reminded us otherwise. Now, 50 years later, we gather for this milestone, missing 19 of our classmates. Their absence is deeply felt, yet their memory remains woven into the fabric of our shared experiences. As we look at one another, we marvel at how quickly these years have passed, yet the moments we spent at St. Joe’s remain vivid, as if they happened just yesterday. The lesson? Cherish the time you have. Life moves fast—embrace every moment. Lesson 3: “Remember, we are in the holy presence of God.” These words began every day at St. Joe’s, grounding us in something greater than ourselves. Regardless of world events, school activities, faculty changes or personal struggles, this simple reminder remained a constant. Faith meant different things to each of us and our journeys have taken many paths since high school. Over the past 50 years, we have all faced victories, setbacks, loss and doubt. But for those who embraced it, this foundation of faith has been an anchor—a guiding light through life’s storms. The lesson? Hold on to the things that keep you centered. Faith, purpose and gratitude will carry you through.
Lesson 2: Handling failure and success is a crucial lesson I’ve learned at St. Joe’s. Life is not perfect and there will be times when you feel like nothing is going your way, but St. Joe’s has taught me to stay resilient. It has taught me that failure is not the end but a stepping stone to achieve greater heights and will bring you one step closer to success. St. Joe’s has taught me the value of hard work, studying hard, seeking help and staying persistent. Lesson 3: The body and mind are deeply connected and heavily influence every aspect of life, from physical performance to academic performance. Many people separate physical and mental health, but friends and mentors at St. Joe’s have taught me that they are two sides of the same coin. Your body is only as strong as your mind allows it to be and your mind is only as sharp as your body is healthy! Recognizing this connection has helped me prioritize balance, resilience and overall well-being in my daily life.
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