News

By Phyllis Beattie ’72

I was mortified. …As only an entering freshman at a new high school could be.

It was September 1968, and I had done what many did then: gotten a sunburn from a (now illegal) sun lamp. How embarrassing. I walked into first-period study hall that Monday, dreading the moment someone would start teasing me. I’d been teased so much in grammar school.

Ugh. Here I was again.

“Hey — did you mess up with a sun lamp or something?” There it was. From Susan, of all people — a really popular girl who’d been at the school most of her life. I. Could. Just. Die.

“Don’t you hate that?” she continued. “I’ve done it like three times. They should put a bell on those things or something.” Soon a little group had gathered, sharing their own stories of stupid sunlamps and teen traumas.

And there I was — still with a goofy-looking sunburn — feeling relieved and accepted.

Wow.

It’s such an obvious fact of life: When kids — or anyone — feel welcomed and appreciated, they do better. In school, sports, work … in life. How blessed I am to have found my way, at age 14, to a place and people who understood that.

Now, decades later, I see the same thing when I visit: students at ease with themselves, friendly, confident, having fun.

And now the school has an added layer of appeal — a clear, intentional display of good will for the outside world. Posters inviting volunteers to charities, boxes for canned food drives, notices for fundraising events. I often comment that there is a greater sense of mission at my alma mater than at many places of worship. The strong academics offered at North Shore are laudable, but even more meaningful to me are the lessons the school imparts about living a generous, purposeful life — about what true “success” really means.

And so, inspired by my future fellow alums, I give.

It feels good to know that leaving a legacy — of any size — to North Shore will join with others to make a real difference in the lives of future students and faculty and, in turn, the outside world.

Because our motto is simply and profoundly to “Live and Serve,” I try to do so — for the school that welcomed this shy teenager so many years ago. For the remarkable institution that educates its students — academically and altruistically — so well and with such noble intention.

To learn more about planned giving, contact Director of Development Tracie Frederick at 847.881.8809 or tfrederick@nscds.org.