When David Fitzpatrick ’07 and his wife, Meredith, won the “Lacrosse Dream Package” auction item at Gilman’s 41st Annual Bull Roast last fall, they looked forward to serving as honorary team captain for a varsity lacrosse game in the coming spring. After all, David had played varsity lacrosse himself as a student on Roland Avenue. But when they enrolled their son, James, at Gilman for the 2025-2026 pre-kindergarten class, they had a new idea.

Working with Director of Lower School Enrollment Mary Furrer, the couple arranged for the honor to be shared by the entire incoming class of pre-kindergarten students, James’ future classmates. “For kids and parents alike, starting a new experience is always a combination of exciting and scary,” David said. “We thought it would benefit the incoming families to get together and share an experience to build excitement and diffuse any nerves.” He remembers looking up to older boys when he joined Gilman as a Middle School student and also “the responsibility of being a role model for younger boys when I was in the Upper School. Both are intrinsic to the Gilman experience.”

On Tuesday, April 22, 2025, many future Greyhounds from the incoming pre-kindergarten class walked to the field, escorted by members of the varsity lacrosse team. The game took place at the same time as a planned playground playdate for all new Lower School students who will attend Gilman beginning in the fall of 2025. “The playdate is such a wonderful event because it brings together new students and parents with their buddies,” said Furrer. “It makes the newly enrolled families feel so welcome and confident as they join our community.” In the spring, students enrolled for the following fall are each assigned a “buddy” — a current student in the same grade who serves as a built-in friend in the beginning of the year as the new boys get to know everyone.

The playdate, in addition to being a fun afternoon outside with ice cream, offers an opportunity for new Lower School families to spend time on campus and watch older students play, manage, and broadcast an athletic event — a window into what a regular day at Gilman is like. “New families can see how our boys support each other and how involved our Lower School families are. It really showcases the pre-k–12 aspect of Gilman,” said Furrer.

“Throughout the admissions process, it was evident the entire Gilman program was intentionally designed to reflect its core values,” David said. “When it was time to decide, we were confident that Gilman is a place where James’ growth will be fostered and encouraged as he develops from a young boy to a man ready to add value to the people around him.”

David has fond memories of his time at Gilman, particularly in the athletic program. “I loved that it was integrated into the core of the Gilman experience,” he said, adding that he enjoyed cheering on his classmates who played different sports just as much as he appreciated playing soccer and lacrosse.

David’s senior year coincided with a large renovation project in Carey Hall, causing his classes to be held in trailers. “What could have been a drag forged our class closer and created opportunities to do things differently and make our own mark,” he said. Doing things differently and bringing classmates closer together seems like a theme that has stuck with him all these years later.

View photos from the playground playdate on SmugMug

View photos from the lacrosse festivities on SmugMug

The incoming pre-k class thanks David and Meredith for their generous gesture!