Being named the farewell address speaker – essentially his school’s valedictorian, leading clubs and thriving as both a student and an athlete are all reasons for Gareth Macdonald to feel fortunate as he marks his graduation from Saint Augustine Preparatory School in Richland.
Still, after surviving serious health challenges both before and after his birth, Gareth is grateful for something much deeper.
“Looking back, I realize just how blessed I am to even be here today,” said the 18-year-old from West Deptford. “I’m very grateful to God because I know that without His generosity my life could have been very different. These achievements have taught me gratitude and, above all, have deeply strengthened my faith.”
Gareth’s father, Richard, describes him as their “miracle son,” who doctors predicted just four months into pregnancy would be born with malformed hands and feet, as well as spina bifida.
“We were strongly encouraged to terminate the pregnancy while it was still legally an option. Well, thanks to our strong Catholic Faith, that was not an option,” said Richard. “We decided to leave it in God’s hands and accept His will. Well, God in his mercy, proved the doctors wrong and in May 2008, we welcomed our healthy, perfectly formed son, Gareth.”
Gareth again faced a serious obstacle in 2012, when he began experiencing epileptic seizures.
“Within a few short weeks, his seizures were so severe that an EEG registered over three hundred seizures in one hour,” Richard recalled. “We were told by his doctors that within a few months, our little 3-year-old would be permanently wheelchair-bound and incapable of doing much, if anything, for himself.”
Gareth’s parents once again turned to prayer, and by June of that year he was seizure-free and without any neurological damage as a result of the seizures or medication.
“My family never stopped praying and again placed their complete trust in God,” said Gareth. “By God’s grace, I have been completely healed and have been seizure-free for 14 years and counting.”
Gareth, who is a member of Infant Jesus Parish, Woodbury Heights, and previously attended Saint Margaret Regional School, will be attending the University of South Carolina in the fall to study biomedical engineering. Looking back on his time at Saint Augustine, he cannot say enough about his experience.
“In experiencing the brotherhood firsthand, I can truly say that this school is something special. The Prep not only challenged me academically but also helped me grow as a leader and greatly strengthened my faith,” he said. “Throughout my four years there, I have been very blessed to meet incredible teachers, coaches, and mentors who helped form me.”
His high school tenure included being introduced to rowing as well as a wide range of academic and extracurricular experiences, with great friendships built along the way.
“Graduating is such a bittersweet experience – I am excited to begin the next phase of my education at the University of South Carolina, but I’m saddened to have to leave behind the friends, memories, and traditions that made St. Augustine Prep feel like my second home,” he said. “I will always be grateful for the opportunities this school has given me and for the person it has helped me become.”
Father Robert Murray, OSA, the head of school, reflected on Gareth’s story and all he contributed to their school community.
“Gareth’s story is a powerful reminder that every life is a gift and that perseverance, faith, and the support of a loving family can mitigate even the greatest challenges,” he said. “From the moment he arrived at Saint Augustine Prep, Gareth distinguished himself not only through his academic achievements but also through his humility, character, and commitment to others. We are incredibly proud of the young man he has become and grateful to have shared in his journey.”
For Gareth, his own life’s experience has inspired his support for unborn children, including those who – like him – might be the subject of grim diagnoses or medical recommendations.
“Realizing that as an unborn child I was so close to not being born at all, I am also a strong supporter in the pro-life arena,” he said. “Every child, even if they may have some disability, deserves a chance to experience God’s creation.”
Whether through his medical trials as a child or in any other challenges he has faced, Gareth turns to his faith, much like his parents have done.
“Whenever I go through a rough patch, I remind myself that I have received more than my fair share of God’s blessings,” he said. “Faith is not just something to be practiced on Sundays; for me it is present every day in the way I approach every aspect of my life – school, leadership, service, and my relationships with others.”
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