We were pleased to welcome Drew Petkus ’12 to speak to Upper School students at our celebration of National College Decision Day on May 1, 2024.
After graduating from the University of Michigan, Petkus climbed the ranks in sales and business development at Salesforce before joining Qualified, a B2B startup founded by former Salesforce executives.
“MPA provides us all with an amazing education that extends far beyond the confines of traditional academia,” he told the Class of 2024. “Never forget that as you move on to this next journey.”
>> CLASS OF 2024 CELEBRATES COLLEGE ACCEPTANCES & SCHOLARSHIPS
Petkus (right) with Upper School principal Tom Drahozal and Elliot Kang ’11
TRANSCRIPT
Hi everyone, I’m Drew Petkus, MPA class of 2012.
As I stand before you today, a proud alum of Morgan Park Academy who walked these halls a dozen years ago, I am filled with a flood of memories and emotions. It feels like just yesterday that I sat where you are now, eagerly anticipating the adventures that awaited me beyond the walls of MPA. Like you, I forged friendships here that would last a lifetime. And now, as I look out at all of you, I am filled with excitement for the journey that lies ahead of you.
As I put together my speech for today, I was reminded of all of the incredible memories I had at MPA during my time here. However, when I transferred into MPA in first grade, I remember feeling like an outsider. I didn’t know anyone, the commute home to the suburbs was long, and I was surrounded by a completely new student body & faculty.
I distinctly remember running out to catch the bus on my first day of school here, and seeing it drive away, leaving me without a ride home. As a scared and distraught first grader, I ran inside, only to be met by one of my classmates and his parents, who comforted me and shared that I was in the right place & that I’d be just fine after the first week of settling in.
That classmate ended up being my best friend for my 12 years here, and that story has served as a reminder that though very nurturing, the MPA experience has forced many of us to leave our comfort zones at home, wherever that may be, to collaborate, grow, and contribute to a world that needs our talents.
As I pushed through the bumps and bruises & conquered lower + middle school at MPA, I remember my parents giving me the option to explore other high schools. I was conflicted at the time – it was hard managing the workload & finding time to play sports, see friends and pursue passions outside of school. I went back and forth, and I eventually decided that MPA offered the best community, the most nurturing teachers, and the best environment to succeed in high school and prepare for the next step.
Choosing MPA for high school was, to this day, one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. I remember stepping into my first day of high school & reconfirming why this place was truly special. I knew I made the right decision. Many of the students I went to lower & middle stayed at MPA for high school, but there were also dozens of students from all around chicago who were new to the school who I began to build close friendships with.
The fledgling new friendships I made and the old friends who stayed with me for high school reminded me that the MPA experience starts with the people. Here, we are blessed with more than just an education; we are granted the gift of community. From the moment we set foot on campus, we are embraced by a diverse and supportive family.
Our teachers not only impart wisdom upon us but also serve as mentors, advocates, and confidants, nurturing our talents and fueling our passions. I think about all of the incredible teachers in this room who set an impossibly high bar. I personally remember Coach Drahozal, or Dro as we fondly called him, pushing me to be the absolute best I could be in the classroom and on the baseball field. Know that all of the amazing educators in this room are doing the same for you. We all owe a huge thank you to the MPA faculty – your influence will continue to live on as our graduates tackle and conquer the rigors of college and pursue successful careers.
It’s not just the incredible faculty & people at MPA that will prepare you for the challenges of college, it’s the myriad of experiences outside the classroom that will enrich you far beyond the time you graduate. There are many experiences that will never leave me – from dunking Mr. Malcolm in the tank at academy day, engaging in community service projects throughout the city, attending project week, or indulging in the infinite number of cuisines in Alumni Hall during International Day. These experiences are a reminder that MPA provides us all with an amazing education that extends far beyond the confines of traditional academia. Never forget that as you move onto this next journey.
So what comes after MPA? Many of you are contemplating that right now I’m sure. And I remember wondering the same thing. Going into my senior year, I had my sights set on the University of Michigan for college, but worried about the thousands of others across the country who also wanted to go there. I worked hard, my grades were good, but MPA uniquely helped me realize my dream of going to Michigan. But why?
On this campus, I was given opportunities to make a difference and test my skills at an early age. I was able to represent my class in student council, to captain the varsity baseball team, to organize the peer mentor program, and to see the world through project week. MPA helped me nurture my passions and gave me the forum to be a leader, in a small, dynamic community, where I was free to be myself, experiment, and grow on my own accord.
When I applied to my dream school, my grades mattered, but I was admitted because I lived, and was the benefactor of the MPA experience. I was given opportunities here that shaped my character, pushed me to work hard to build community & make a difference. It changed my life.
As I moved into the next phase of my life after MPA, at Michigan, I was constantly reminded of what I learned here. During my freshman year in college, I brought with me passions from MPA, and joined one of the most selective leadership organizations on campus, joined a community-service focused living learning community (that fellow MPA grads were apart of). I thrived academically. I became a founding member of a business fraternity that has grown to 1,000s of members and graduated with an excellent foundation that prepared me for success in the business world. As I progressed through college, I remembered MPA empowered to always push boundaries, to be a leader, and to be an independent thinker.
As I look out to all of you, many of you are artists, musicians, student government leaders, mock trial & model UN savants. Some of you are sports champions (shout out to the girls basketball and volleyball champions this year). You’ve all found success on campus and have been given the opportunity to make a difference in this community. MPA has equipped you with the tools you’ll need to make an impact in a world that needs difference makers. You have developed the critical thinking skills, creativity, and adaptability necessary to succeed in today’s ever-changing landscape.
To the graduating class of Morgan Park Academy, I offer my heartfelt congratulations and best wishes as you embark on the next chapter of your journey. As you prepare for the future, do so with confidence, knowing that you are equipped with the skills, knowledge, and resilience to excel and stand out beyond your peers. I hope you continue to nurture the amazing relationships you’ve built with your friends, teachers, and faculty during your time here. After all, at MPA, we’re reminded that it is always about the people.
Congratulations to the Class of 2024 – the MPA community is proud of you and I know that you’re prepared to find incredible success as you conquer life after your time at the Academy.
