Stephen Mondesir
What is a favorite memory from your time at Meridian?
It’s really hard to pick a favorite moment. But I think the one that always goes through my mind is my last trip to Camp Beckett. It was so emotional--a mixture of sadness and happiness. The highlight of that trip was canoeing on the lake. A couple of the boats rafted up together, and we were just sitting there. Then, out of nowhere, Nathan starts rapping. His rapping turns into a complete rap battle between him, Jamie, and I. It reminded me of my first Beckett. So it was really awesome to have that happen one last time.
What will you miss the most after you leave Meridian?
I honestly think I’ll miss the community. We’re so close to each other, almost like a family. We are always willing to help each other and be there for anything. I don’t think you can find that anywhere else, to be frank.
What is a parting thought you have for younger students? Words of wisdom?
A pearl of parting wisdom I have for the younger students is this: learn and appreciate everyone in your life. Continue to follow your dreams and never compromise them. Love and positivity are the best things.
Quotes from Stephen’s peers:
Stephen has the innate ability to bring warmth and comfort into even the most difficult situations. He is patient, funny, and is incredibly musical. In the four years Stephan has been at Meridian, he has become an intricate part of our grade.
Stephen is always able to share a laugh with those around him. His creativity and sense of humor, combined with his optimistic outlook on life brings a smile to everyone around him.
Stephen Don Mondesir is a person of astounding moral fiber, enthusiast energy, and empathy. Stephen was truly friends with everyone at Meridian, liked by all, and his presence often helped glue the community together as he navigated effortlessly between cliques and people. Stephen has always been there to lean on, no matter who you are, and has demonstrated immeasurable ability to hear people out and steer everyone around him in a positive direction whilst also being exceedingly honest about facing the hardest parts of life and being a student.
Though we both get into petty fights with each other, when it comes down to it, our friendship is both goofy and supportive. We have been through a lot together and we def need to hang out at Copley like old times.
He always sports a snazzy jacket, a brilliant, kind smile, and a brave sense of adventure and vulnerability. But Stephen is also a man of mystery: perhaps because it is his birthday every day, or more likely because of the (to the rest of us) unfathomable way his brain forges understanding from deep, complex connections, Stephen is wise beyond any of our years. You never know what he will say next, and that makes every day spent with him a mine of gems: ideas that are seemingly random, always unique, sometimes funny, sometimes deep.
Stephen is honestly one of the sweetest people I know. He is so genuine and kind and cares so much for everyone. I'm going to miss seeing him everyday in the hall and I'm going to miss going to grab lunch with him at Ula, but I'm excited to see where he goes. Whoever meets Stephen is lucky and should appreciate how great a person he is. If they don't, then we're gonna have problems.
Stephen can light up a room with his high fives. From the moment I knew him, he has made an effort to ask me and everyone else he sees in the halls how they are. He makes an effort to ask everyone how they are all of the time, and he truly listens. He believes in everyone to accomplish what they want to do.
Stephen, you fill the halls of Meridian with laughter and joy. You brighten the room whenever you walk into it, and I'm glad that I didn't have to attend Meridian without you. You are exquisitely skilled in the musical department, and I can't wait to see you amount to great things in your future.
Stephen is one of the most caring, generous, thoughtful, sensitive, creative, interesting, goofy, and overall amazing people I know! He’s always asking questions about the world and he’s passionate about both his own interests, and supporting and learning about the interests of others. I’m so thankful to have him as a friend, to be able to talk and laugh with him, and to see what questions he asks next.
