The 2018 James D. Held Book Award

The James D. Held Book Award is a beloved tradition at St. Bernard’s.  Each year eighth and ninth grade students receive a hardback copy of a biography to mark their graduation.  

Sharon Held visits an Upper School morning assembly each year to describe the award and offer the boys well wishes.  She explains that the award was founded in 2003 in memory of her late husband and Old Boy, James D. Held ’74.  James Held loved his days spent at St. B’s and found great joy in reading.  To honor his memory, the Held family hand delivers a book to each boy in the eighth and ninth grades.  James’s mother and sister joined Sharon this year for the occasion.
 
Mr. White, the Head of Upper School, selected the memoir by Scott Kelly entitled Endurance: A Year in Space, A Lifetime of Discovery as the Held book award for 2018.  In her remarks, Sharon Held gave the boys a preview of what was in store for them in this remarkable account.  She completed her talk with some words for the boys as they embark on their next adventures:  “Endurance is aptly summed up as ‘the triumph of the human imagination, the strength of the human will, and the infinite wonder of the galaxy.’  Although you may not be ready for space travel yet (and it is coming in your generation) I have no doubt you will be spellbound by this compelling account of life in space.  A great read indeed for your summer break.”
 
St. Bernard’s School is honored that the Held family has chosen to remember James in this way.  Their generosity has made an impact on generations of St. B’s boys and continues to do so today. 
Back