It was an honor to have SAA alumnus Dr. Arturo Bonilla, class of 1976, join us as the first Alumni Monday speaker of the 2023-24 school year during chapel on August 21, 2023. Dr. Bonilla spoke to our boys about the amazing things he has accomplished as a pediatric ear surgeon and how The Academy laid the foundation for him to succeed and be the best he can be.

“Microtia” means “little ear,” and this birth defect affects one in every 6,000 children. Years after graduating from The Academy, Dr. Bonilla is a Pediatric Microtia Surgeon who has treated thousands of children with ear deformities. Since 1996, he has developed the largest exclusive Pediatric Microtia Center in the U.S. called the Microtia-Congenital Ear Deformity Institute.

Recently, Dr. Bonilla was part of the team that performed the world's first-ever successful ear cartilage transplant using a 3D Bioprinter. As he spoke to our boys about the work it took to create this great medical achievement, he pointed out that his passion for being curious enough to "create something out of nothing" ultimately transpired and was cultivated during his time here at The Academy.

He went on to speak about his time here at SAA and all the events and people that helped to create an atmosphere where he could grow and learn valuable life lessons that shaped him to be the person he is today. Some of those people include Col. Bondurant and Prof. Kennedy. He concluded by thanking his parents for the sacrifices they made to give him the opportunity for a great education and reminding the boys always to do the same and to, of course, always abide by our motto, 

"Be honest. Be kind. Be the best you can be."

Thank you, Dr. Bonilla, for sharing such wonderful memories and stories of your achievements with us.

About Alumni Mondays: Each Monday, we welcome an Academy alumnus to speak to SAA boys during Chapel. During this presentation, our alumni speakers share meaningful stories and lessons from their days at SAA. View Alumni Monday Showcase

TO VIEW DR. BONILLA'S FULL ALUMNI MONDAY PRESENTATION, VIEW THE FOLLOWING RECORDING: