b'THE GLUE THAT KEEPS US TOGETHERA new leadership team at Chaminade in St. Louis begins the next chapter in the schools history, bonded by the Marianist Charism and the legacy of the late Marianist Father Ralph Siefert.By Kevin ConwayO ne of lifes lessons can be summed up:ALL PHOTOS: MIKE BIZELLIChange happens. Transition is how weadapt to it. Chaminade College Preparatory School in St. Louiswas ready for change. Plans were underway for aleadership transition. This included a one-year mentor-ship under President Father Ralph Sieferts guidanceto prepare Todd Guidry, Chaminades middle schoolprincipal, to serve as the next president. Upon FatherRalphs retirement in June 2022, Todd would take thehelm of Chaminades all-boys middle and high schools. But then another of lifes hard truths reared its head:Things dont always go according to plan.On Aug. 20, the day after the official school yearbegan, Father Ralph died after being hospitalized foran infection, catching everyone off-guard. (See FatherRalphs obituary, page 23.) For many days, powerfulwaves of shock and grief rippled through the close-knit Marianist and Chaminade families. But thanksto Father Ralphs insistence on a transition plan, threemenTodd Guidry, the new incoming president,Phillip Rone, Chaminades high school principal forthe past nine years, and Jack Twellman, the newmiddle school principalstepped forward to leadthe school. The three are well-prepared. Buttressedby the Marianist Charism and its values of faith, a quality Catholic education and the solidarity of the Chaminade community, they are confident aboutthe direction they will take the school. In addition,they have Father Ralphs legacy to learn from, a legacythey feel privileged to honor.Father Ralph: A legacy to emulate Chaminade College Preparatory School leaders: Matt Dailey, director of campusministry, Phillip Rone, high school principal, Jack Twellman, middle school principal,Father Ralphs 33 years as Chaminades president and Todd Guidry, president, in front of the schools 1,000-seat theatre named afterwere legendary. Through his leadership andFather Ralph Siefert, SMmarianist.com/donate 7'