did not follow baseball, so Williams was able to go about his business with little, if any, fanfare.

If you asked his classmates — or even the school president — of Bernie Williams’ baseball accomplishments (including his four World Series rings) while he attended MSM, they probably would have given you a blank stare.

Even MSM President James Gandre — who had lived in New York during Williams’ playing career — had no knowledge of his past life as one of the most revered Yankees of the late 20th century. It spoke to his humility as a student, and as a person, that his career at MSM was as low-key as it was. Said Gandre:

I was so floored by him. He’s so unpretentious for someone who has achieved as muchVenezuelans used to be among the happiest people on the planet.

In 2012, they voted themselves into fifth place in a global Gallup survey on happiness. In 2013, this South American country ranked 20th out of the 156 countries included in the United Nations’ annual World Happiness Report, which assesses well-being worldwide based on measures like wealth, life expectancy and corruption.

My home country used to be a prosperous, cheerful place. People were proud to be from Venezuela – a place known for its friendly citizens and beauty queens: Venezuela has produced six Miss Worlds and seven Miss Universes.

Not anymore. This year, Venezuela plunged to 102nd place of 156 countries in the World Happiness Report. By comparison, Denmark topped the list and the United States came in 18th.

What happened?

Terrible leadership

Venezuela