These words formed the centerpiece to a letter Art Smith delivered to his peers in early April announcing his retirement in June after 47 years as an educator at Church Farm School. Those who had the privilege to work or coach alongside Art Smith at the 107-year-old all-boys boarding school in Exton, or who were lucky enough to be one of the thousands of young men he mentored in the halls and on the mats at Church Farm School, felt the loss immediately. But the community also felt other things: pride in knowing such a stalwart of the community, happiness that he was leaving to enjoy life with his family in Maine and, finally, awe at the passion one must have to spend nearly five decades in one location. 

Surrounded by family, friends, faculty and fellow “Griffins,” the 18 members of the Church Farm School Class of 2025 were honored on May 25 during Baccalaureate and Commencement ceremonies on the private boarding and day high school’s Exton campus. While the graduating class is smaller than in years’ past, their accomplishments are sizable. 

Christopher Kramaric, who joined the Church Farm School community on July 1, 2024, was recently named a VISTA NextGen Superstar. The 40 recipients of the award are recognized for being dynamic business and professional leaders, under the age of 40, who are shaping the Chester County's future. Christopher will be celebrated with other recipients at the Penn State Great Valley Conference Center on May 8.