Essay written by Brian Apple 2022
Financial Advisor - The Pine Harbor Group at Morgan Stanley

Photo: CC brothers exploring the Colosseum (May 2026)
Left to Right: Michael Barron 2022, Brian Apple 2022, Nick Condon 2022, Noah Potter 2022, Luke Ervin 2022, and Brady Anderson 2022

When I walked into Detroit Catholic Central as a freshman, I never imagined the guys I met in homeroom would become the same ones I’d live with in college and travel more than 4,000 miles with after graduation. Our friendship was forged in the camaraderie events CC had to offer: drive competitions, athletic events, and the support that carried our 2022 Hockey State Championship run. Catholic Central blessed me with brothers who became my roommates for three years at Michigan State, my travel partners across Europe, and lifelong friends now building careers of our own- mine at Morgan Stanley.

For Brady Anderson, Michael Barron, Nick Condon, and me, Orchard Street in East Lansing became our home and sanctuary. Our three years together were filled with frigid cold plunges, turning our backyard into an archery range, die tournaments, and bonfires that occasionally got out of hand. We somehow stayed loyal to MSU football through the rougher times in Spartan program history. All the while, I earned a degree in Finance with a concentration in Wealth Management. 

After graduation, the Orchard boys plus two other CC graduates, Luke Ervin and Noah Potter, embarked on our trip across the pond. We started in Switzerland, with a home base in Interlaken, exploring various mountain towns in the Swiss Alps and stopping at every bench with a 10/10 view. Italy, filled with prayer, reflection, and great Tuscan wine, came next on our itinerary. We hit the Como car show and a boat day on the lake, then rolled into Florence for the Florentine steak and leather shops none of us could resist. In Rome, we toured the Vatican, Colosseum, and all the historic sites the ancient city is known for, but that’s not what I remember most. After exploring Trastevere, Luke, Nick, and I stumbled into the most breathtaking and comforting church. It was 1 a.m. on a Sunday, and the kind hosts invited us to take part in confession and reflection. This opportunity allowed me to take a deep breath, acknowledge my blessings, and realign myself with God’s plan. I walked out with a mindset full of gratitude for my faith, and left with a Bible verse that truly changed my life: Psalm 51:11, “Cast me not away from your presence, and take not your Holy Spirit from me.” We ended our trip in Croatia- perfect weather, a beautiful coastline, and the relaxation we needed before heading home.

I will truly cherish the memories made overseas, and I’m blessed to have experienced the world with my best friends. Back in Michigan, I’ve begun my journey as a Financial Advisor with the Pine Harbor Group at Morgan Stanley in Bloomfield Hills. I’m grateful to work alongside seasoned partners who are committed to my growth and push me to become the best version of myself. At Pine Harbor, we take a multi-generational approach built around investment planning for taxes, managing risk, and leveraging the global resources of the firm. The entrepreneurs and executives we work with value a plan tailored to their goals, family, and the future they’re working to build. Outside the office, I’m focused on building a practice alongside my team, staying consistent in the gym, golfing, and working toward achieving my Certified Financial Planner® (CFP®) designation. To my fellow Shamrocks: whether you’re taking your first steps as an investor, entering retirement, or selling a business, I’d love to connect - and I’m always happy to be a resource.

CRC 5889294  9/26