Last Friday, February 15, I had the privilege of being the guest speaker for the Cum Laude Induction ceremony at my high school in Charlotte, NC, Charlotte Country Day School. It was so fantastic to be back on campus again after 17 years and see new and familiar faces alike. Stephanie Harner (class of 1991, Upper School Latin Teacher, Varsity Girls Golf Coach) was instrumental in getting me back to CCDS for this wonderful ceremony and I cannot thank her enough. Special thanks to Jonsie Evans (class of 1995 and Director of Alumni Relations) for being very helpful to my family as well as showing us around campus after the ceremony. It was awesome to see Jonsie again after having gone to high school together. The new fine arts center and gymnasium complex are truly out of this world. CCDS definitely now reminds me of a small liberal arts college such as a W&L or a Davidson. Congratulations to all of the new Cum Laude inductees! Check out CCDS’ News on the Cum Laude Induction Ceremony here.

The 2013 Cum Laude Induction Ceremony at CCDS was short and sweet. I had never spoken in front of 600 students, family members, and faculty members before, but I think it went just fine. Whenever I am talking about mountains and goals, I always just seem to get fired up and enjoy the moment. Stephanie did a great introduction of me and I spoke for about 20 minutes. My presentation consisted of a brief slideshow of the 7 summits Kristine & I have climbed together thus far combined with lessons we have learned from these peaks and bringing it all together at the end by addressing the inductees to pursue their passion(s) and never give up on their goal(s). I think it went over well with everyone and believe it was a bit different than the normal guest speakers they typically hear and I remember hearing when I was being inducted into the CCDS Cum Laude Society back in 1996. It was absolutely fantastic having a big “movie-sized” screen for the pictures as I think it allowed the pictures to jump out at the audience a bit more than the other slideshows Kristine & I have done in the past. Mark Reed (Head of School) and Matt Less (Head of Upper School) then called the names of the 23 new inductees up to the podium to receive their certificates. A reception ensued after the ceremony outside where it was great to chat with students and their family members, faculty members, and my family about everything from engineering to mountains. Thanks to CCDS for having me back after all of these years. It was an honor to be the guest speaker for such a wonderful occasion! Below are a few pictures from the event (all photos courtesy of Jonsie Evans):

Left to right: Me, Mark Reed (CCDS Head of School), and my dad, John Chalk, in the theater before the presentation. A picture of Kristine on Everest is on the screen in the background

Me on the far right with the 2013 Cum Laude inductees after the ceremony

The Chalk Family after the ceremony. Left to right: Ann Chalk (my mom), Logan Foose (my sister), John Chalk (my dad), me, Chuck Wimbrow (my grandfather), and Jean Wimbrow (my grandmother)

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