PILLARS - The Episcopal High School Fall 2020 Magazine by KnightTimes

Devoted Duo • Vic Kormeier Tribute • Lessons of COVID

Episcopal High School was founded in 1983 as a four‑year coeducational day school within the Episcopal Diocese of Texas. ACCREDITATION Independent Schools Association of the Southwest MEMBERSHIPS National Association of Independent Schools National Association of Episcopal Schools Council for the Advancement and Support of Education Educational Records Bureau College Board National Association for College Admission Counseling Texas Association for College Admission Counseling Southwest Preparatory Conference MISSION Episcopal High School, founded and guided by the Diocese of Texas, is an inclusive and joyful Christian community where students discover and develop their individual talents through the Four Pillars – academics, arts, athletics, religion – preparing for meaningful lives in service to others. ADMISSION Episcopal High School admits students of all races, colors, and national/ethnic origins to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities accorded or made available to students at the School. The School does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, or national/ethnic origin in the administration of its educational and admission policies, scholarship and loan programs, or athletic and other school‑administered programs. ALUMNI Please share your news with the EHS Alumni Association. Send information to: Margaret Young myoung@ehshouston.org 713-512-3600

Ashley Long along@ehshouston.org 713-512-3478

Ikechi “Chief” Achilefu cachilefu@ehshouston.org 713-512-3606

b facebook.com/groups/EHSHoustonAlumni x instagram.com/ehs_alumni j linkedin.com/grps/Episcopal‑High‑School‑Houston‑Alumni‑1029617 This publication is printed on FSC certified paper with soy‑based inks.

Episcopal High School P. O. Box 271299 Houston, TX 77277-1299

The Episcopal High School Magazine, Fall 2020

IN THIS ISSUE From the Head of School 04 #KnightsStandOut 06 Devoted Duo 12 Pop Quiz 16 Vic Kormeier Tribute 20 Bright Knights 26 Lessons of COVID 30 Alumni Spotlight 34 The Last Word 38

ON THE COVER

Twins Bria and Cimone Woodard ’21 enjoy a playful exchange on stage in Underwood Theatre during the “Pillars Magazine” photo shoot. Photo by Lauren West; styling by Kristina Burgess; lighting by Paul Revaz.

SAVE THE DATE

Light Up the Knight Auction 02-19-21 Alumni Weekend 04-09-21 Commencement 05-16-21

EHS 9th graders explore the joys of creativity and collaboration during Freshman Arts Day. Photo by Mauro Gomez

FROM THE HEAD OF SCHOOL Dear EHS Family, In this year’s Report on Philanthropy published earlier this fall, we revisited the remarkable runup to the start of in-person classes for all students after Labor Day this year. Since then, success has bred success as we have remained open in person throughout. At present, we have 10 of our 784 students opting in to off-campus remote learning, leaving 774 students and some 160 faculty and staff doing school together and in person each day. If you had told us at our reopening that we would accomplish this return to relative normalcy so successfully and over such a long stretch, few would have believed you. Episcopal High School continues to stand out as an oasis of stability in a desert of uncertainty in no small part because of the efforts of our Board of Trustees epitomized by trustee Vic Kormeier, profiled within. Among other accomplishments over the 40 or so years that Vic has served the School, he has led us to grow the endowment from $200,000 to $48 million. He has witnessed the upgrades to the Convent and Chapel and a complete rebuild of the campus up to most recently the opening of the new Field Hockey Field. Vic has been an invaluable advisor and friend to the School since its inception, inspiring generations of board members as a servant and a leader, and we are pleased that he continues to do so today. This stability is present at virtually every level, with our senior administrators ranging from 6 to 35 years at EHS and the median years of service by employees across the school at 12 years. Much of what you read within this issue will demonstrate that we continue to live our mission to its fullest every day. Our mission continues to inspire students like twins Bria and Cimone Woodard ’21, featured on page 26, and others across all Four Pillars, just as it inspired alums Dr. Kara-Lee Pool ’99 and Carla Molina ’96, who are featured on pages 34-37. It goes without saying that none of this good work would have been possible without the expertise and dedication of our faculty and staff, all of whom have been present on campus and leading by example since Labor Day. Second-year math teacher Robin Bowman put it best in her interview with Pillars when she states that EHS helps students discover their inner genius and lead lives of purpose. She concludes, “In my brief time here, I can say that the School changes teachers’ lives, too.” May EHS continue to change lives for the better for years and years to come. Go Knights,

Ned Smith Head of School

Photo by Mauro Gomez

# K NIGHTS STAND OUT Diversity, Community, and Inclusion Efforts Thrive

EHS Cheerleaders Named to AllAmerican Teams The EHS Cheer program, led by Coach Leigh Anne Raymond, continues to excel, and several Knights were recently recognized as All-Americans by the National Cheerleading Association. Cheer All-Americans Seniors: Morgan Garrett, Elena Cokinos, Elise Branch, Payton Smith, Elizabeth McLauchlin, Victoria Vella, and McKenna Whitney Juniors: Caylon Mike and Sophia Neylon Sophomores: Emily Keenan, Lexi Masterson, Tasia Rushing, Angelica Vella, and Elizabeth Cabes Freshman: Emma Dabney Pom Team All-Americans Juniors: Charlotte Kinzel, Kendall Aldstadt, Eliza Thompson, Frieda Borden, and Kristin Davis The addition of the Pom Team has been a huge success and has allowed the total cheer program to grow to more than 80 participants!

The Community and Inclusion Office, now Diversity, Community, and Inclusion, is in its second year with a new name. In addition to its new name, the DC&I office will be conducting grade-level learning for all 9th and 10th grade students this school year. This year’s focus is understanding and discussing racism and anti-racism. In other updates, the DC&I Faculty and Staff Book Club membership numbers have boomed, and a new diversity LibGuide is coming as well as a new Lunch Bunch Conversational Series that launches next semester. Wayne Jones, Director of DC&I says, “It’s amazing to have so many of our faculty members that are willing to volunteer to be open, vulnerable, and humble to learn things that are usually different from what they are normalized to hearing. This growth is a true testament to what an incredible community we have at Episcopal.” Jones thought DC&I activity might slow down during the pandemic, but things have sped up, and “that’s a good thing,” he adds. “So many of our faculty and staff are inquisitive about difference, as well as our students. That makes the meetings and conversations powerful and fulfilling. As we navigate the two pandemics that America is in, I am proud of how our community is reacting to both. We are working to be the most inclusive community that we can be. Some may say we are moving too slowly; however, we are taking steady sturdy steps that will leave an everlasting imprint and hopefully start to change the narrative.”

The Steering Committee of Diversity in Action, composed of sophomores, juniors, and seniors, has come together and continues to ride on the energy from last year’s success and recent current events. Ayesha Spooner, DIA’s Advisor, says, “We opened the year with discussion and reconnection around all that we’ve seen, heard, and felt over the last eight months. In our first meeting together, we covered everything from the impact of recent weeks and months locked down with family members who have very different social, political, and world views, to the long-lasting impact of the videotaped Black American murders seen over and over again last summer.” The Steering Committee looks forward to getting an open DIA meeting on the calendar. The student-led group has received requests to join DIA at rates never seen before. Spooner adds, “We’re excited about this upcoming year and already throwing out ideas for campus activities this spring. The student leaders of Diversity in Action are thrilled about EHS’s engagement and visible commitment to issues of diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice— especially in 2020!”

12 Students Recognized by Merit Program The National Merit Scholarship Program announced the index scores for this year’s competition, and 12 EHS students did remarkably well. Two seniors, Alexa Ya-Lei Hendricks and Nora Lawless, were named Semifinalists in September. In October, five EHS seniors were designated Commended students in the program, two students were designated National African American Scholars, and three students were designated National Hispanic Scholars.

#KnightsStandOut

The students are: Semifinalists: Alexa Ya-Lei Hendricks Nora Lawless Commended Students: Carson Clingman Haley Hammer Gloria Ni Keith Sill Benjamin Wasden National African American Scholars: Bria Woodard Cimone Woodard National Hispanic Scholars: Brianna Espinoza Alena Haney Conner Jones

Outdoor tents were installed to give students the opportunity to enjoy lunch outside their classrooms.

to accommodate students. “They always make sure everyone gets what they need and are very organized,” says Wheless.

Serving hot lunches again is a welcome challenge for the lunch staff, and they Dylan Osowski ’24 observes that have pivoted with ease. “It is easier their positive attitude stands out. to serve hot lunches because it is “The lunchroom staff are really nice,” what we are used to and we are able says Osowski. to provide a variety of choices again,” says Susana Borges-Pasini, the food Though enthusiasm for the return of services director. “My staff goes the hamburgers and Indian butter chicken extra mile, and they want to make sure caught the attention of students, it is the students are enjoying their dining the ability to sit and eat with their peers experience.” again that excites them the most. For Justin Begg ’24, eating lunch outdoors The lunch staff have also received gives students a break from the praise from the students. classroom setting and allows for time Elizabeth Wheless ’22 appreciates to connect. “I like being able to interact that they go above and beyond with others in my grade who aren’t in my classes,” adds Begg.

Hot Lunches in USC Reintroduced; New Outdoor Tents Unveiled The first cool front in September marked the return of hot lunches again on campus under newly installed tents. Due to COVID-19 social distancing recommendations, during the first month of in-person classes the lunch staff had prepared and delivered more than 800 boxed lunches to classrooms, and students ate their lunch inside with a faculty or staff proctor. While the boxed lunches served as great alternatives to encourage safe distancing by avoiding long lines, it was ultimately decided that reintroducing hot lunches could be done safely and efficiently with a grab-and-go system.

# K NIGHTS STAND OUT Students and Teachers Welcome Fall with Face-toFace Learning Episcopal started the school year with virtual learning in the name of health and safety and began to transition to face-to-face learning after Labor Day weekend. Providing families the option to keep students home, in addition to using bigger spaces on campus when needed for social distancing requirements, has necessitated a hybrid model of teaching. Microsoft Teams has been a mainstay technology application since last spring and has allowed teachers to bring remote students into the classroom. The introduction of iPads has helped with teaching students in several different locations. Eric Lerch, 9th Grade Dean, says, “While we have been excited to welcome many students back to campus, we continue to explore ways to improve the experience of our remote learners. With new tools for teachers such as iPads, we are dedicated to making sure all of our students are engaged and included in classroom activities.” Virtual learning can never replace being in the classroom with the teacher, who can more easily tell when students need a teacher to slow down or stop to answer a question or two. Isaiah Coleman, Assistant 10th Grade Dean, says, “The transition to in-person learning has been great, especially for the students who had challenges with virtual learning.” Meghan Moake, 10th Grade Dean, adds, “The transition to face-to-face has been awesome because it has allowed me to further build relationships with my students and the sophomore class—and that

was challenging to do through a computer!” Episcopal has welcomed students back to the classroom and supported students who want to stay at home, an important aspect of the school’s COVID reopening plan. As Mark Mitchell, 11th Grade Dean, says, “Of course, there’s nothing like in-person learning, so we’re happy to have students back on campus. But we also understand that many students and families feel it’s important to remain virtual. Hybrid learning and teaching is tough, but if anyone can pull it off, it’s the teachers at EHS.” Being in the classroom isn’t the only benefit students receive from a school. Students coming together in a community has been vital for many. As Shelly Edmonds, Assistant 11th Grade Dean, puts it, “It has been wonderful to see our students back and being able to engage with one another. Although many things are different, the students are still able to eat lunch, meet with their advisory, and meet with their teachers and peers.

It has also asked our teachers to be more creative in the classroom. Equipped with our new learning management system, Canvas, we are able to create more interactive assignments that allow our hybrid students to be just as involved as our in-class students. It’s been motivating to utilize all these new options to assist the students in a new way.” Technology like the iPad has made teaching much more productive in this new normal. Jessica Adams, 12th Grade Dean, explains, “The transition has been much easier than I expected. Although the hybrid model was intimidating at first, it has really forced me to hone my craft and think more critically about how I’m teaching. The iPads and tripods have been a blessing, and they’ve really helped with the transition. I have several students who are working remotely, and the new technology makes me feel more connected to them.”

#KnightsStandOut

Dance Program Steps Up for Online Learning Virtual choreography lessons have created new opportunities for the EHS Dance Program as Impact and Repertory students learn from experts from around the world. In August, EHS hosted a virtual preseason master class series to kick off the 2020-2021 school year. While working from home, students were able to learn from choreographers via Teams. Guest choreographers included Riccardo Battaglia, Katie Drablos, Amanda LaMotte, Crystal Knabeschuh, Aaron Medina, Lyvan Verdecia, and Shelby Nunn. Since August, Burgess’s students continue to learn from the choreographers they have met virtually. Burgess invited Shelby Nunn back for another class because of her talent and ability to connect with the dancers. “She is able to push the dancers to improve without making them feel embarrassed,” says Burgess. “She makes them believe in themselves.” Nunn, who is originally from Katy, currently lives in New York City. For Kendall Aldstadt ’22, Nunn’s expertise and guidance have been a positive experience. “She has been so great and helpful during this hard time, and she makes me want to dance, not just sit at home all day,” says Aldstadt. Navigating in-person and virtual lessons has posed both challenges and advantages for the students. Exceeding health and safety guidelines, the dance studios have designated 9’-by-9’ blue squares for students to dance in but stay distant from their peers. For Frieda Borden ’22, working in her blue square has improved her technique.

“It is surprisingly not as difficult to dance in a square as it seems,” says Borden. “These restrictions have made me more aware of my movement and spacing, but it has been a fun challenge.” Charlotte Kinzel ’22, says learning online choreography is difficult, but teaches new skills. “In dance, it is especially hard to learn through a video screen,” says Kinzel, “but we are learning how to be independent.”

Burgess admires the resiliency of her students. “I am most impressed by my students’ ability to not only learn all of the choreography via Teams, but the way they adapt to every situation thrown at them while staying positive,” she says.

# K NIGHTS STAND OUT Athletic Director’s Fall Wrap-Up The 2020 fall athletic season proved to be unlike any other at EHS. Things looked bleak in mid-August when the SPC announced that the fall conference schedule, including the SPC championship tournaments, would be cancelled. In true EHS spirit, the Knights found a silver lining and with the blessing of medical experts, proceeded with an independent schedule for all fall season teams. Although the girls volleyball and football teams were unable to defend their 2019 SPC titles, both teams seized the opportunity to compete against the very best that Texas has to offer. The girls volleyball team replaced traditional SPC contests with games against the likes of College Station, Fulshear, George Ranch, and Memorial. The football team took the opportunity to travel to Port Lavaca Calhoun, Angleton, and Beaumont Westbrook. These games proved to be unforgettable experiences for students, coaches, and parents.

The boys volleyball teams began holding practices in late August and waited patiently for other SPC schools to give their teams the green light to participate. Although the program graduated several outstanding students, the young Knights enjoyed another strong season capped by dominating efforts from both the varsity and JV teams at Kinkaid in late October.

The EHS cheer program, long known as one of the top private school groups in all of Texas, experienced significant growth as the addition of the Pom Team increased participation numbers north of 85. All four teams worked hard to provide the EHS football teams plenty of encouragement and thrilled crowds with their incredible halftime performances.

The big story of the fall season may very well be the performances of the girls and boys cross country teams as they faced some of the strongest UIL 5A and 6A programs in greater Houston. Although the girls team returned the nucleus of a group that had captured back-to-back SPC runner-up titles, the Knights took their competition to another level. At one point, the team captured three consecutive invitational championships! The boys team would not be outdone as they too consistently placed in the top-3 in challenging meets.

Although the field hockey program appreciated the use of the baseball field for practices and games, it certainly comes as no surprise that the students and coaches were elated to move to their new home field in the final week of the season. A huge thanks to all those who made this possible, as the field is now among the finest in the country! Hats off to the students and coaches for navigating a challenging fall athletic season and for bringing boundless spirit to the EHS community. —Jason Grove, Director of Athletics

EHS’s new field hockey playing surface is one of only 10 in the country of this caliber. International Hockey Federation and USA Field Hockey are excited about our School’s effort to grow the sport in the region. Dedicated donors, including current parents and alumni groups, made this field of dreams a reality. Photos by Mauro Gomez.

#KnightsStandOut

Photos by Mauro Gomez

DEVOTED DUO Chapel Planning During a Pandemic Prompts a Return to Basics Social distancing has impacted not only the configuration of the classroom and lunch, but also daily Chapel. Rev. Art Callaham, EHS’s new chaplain, has collaborated with Rev. Beth Holden to “get back to basics,” and the Chapel program is a responsibility he has taken on in his new role. COVID-19 precautions have meant reworking Chapel service and paring it down to what’s most important. Together, the chaplains revisited the history of both the School and the Church and asked the question, “What are the basic elements that constitute worship in our tradition?” “Yes, we all like singing,” Rev. Callaham says. “We all like communion, we all like fancy processionals and lengthy sermons that tie seamlessly into the scripture passages, but social distancing requirements have meant that won’t be possible. So, we started with the basics: readings and prayers.” As EHS has moved to in-person instruction, the chaplains have added elements to worship that support the overall goals of the Religion Pillar. Speakers and soloists made the most sense. Rev. Callaham adds that for the time being, “Chapel will always be at least readings and prayers whether we are in the Chapel itself, in our advisories, or watching from home.”

“Going back to basics has provided other benefits, like adapting quickly to unforeseen circumstances.” Traditionally, the readings from Chapel have either been selected by the speaker or from the Episcopal Church’s Daily Office Lectionary. Says Rev. Callaham, “While I love the Daily Lectionary for my personal devotions, it is not well suited for a program like ours that meets for less than nine months of the year, once a day, and never on the weekend. Too many gaps form, particularly during the really important parts of the Bible story like Christmas and Easter.”

So, Rev. Holden and Rev. Callaham started writing an EHS lectionary for use in the Chapel. Their goal is to survey the major stories and teachings of the Bible over the course of two school years. They’ve been mindful of the flow of both the Church and the School calendar and have tried to select readings that are familiar, appropriate, and brief. Going back to basics has provided other benefits, like adapting quickly to unforeseen circumstances. When the campus closed because of a tropical storm in September, Rev. Callaham was able to quickly farm out pieces of liturgy to members of the community, who in turn could record readings on their own computers. The “Dear Chaplain” video on the second day of campus closure from the weather was the brainchild of Rev. Callaham’s kids and turned out to be the ultimate rainyday project. “I had been thinking about how we could maximize the potential of video worship,” Rev. Callaham recalls. “And so, ‘Dear Chaplain’ was born.” The chaplains have approached the challenges of the pandemic as an opportunity to try out new things such as the Election Prayer Guide. “We’re looking closely at what works and what doesn’t so that when things return to normal, we can have some tried-and-true creative ideas to weave back into the traditions of this place,” Rev. Callaham adds. Rev. Holden and Rev. Callaham took a few extra minutes to share impressions from their unprecedented first semester together in Benitez Chapel: After the spring 2020 campus closure, how does it feel to have students back in Chapel? Rev. Holden: It’s been wonderful to have students back in the Chapel for our services! There is some awkwardness to having only four advisories in there at a time, in chairs separated by six feet of distance, with all

others watching via livestream in their classrooms, but we have managed to reclaim that sense of gathering as a whole community in prayer every day. We need that sense of community – even as we need the daily time with God, especially during this time. Rev. Callaham: It feels so good to be in the midst of a community that makes time to incorporate worship the way that ours does. I’ve been super impressed with the various ways that students, faculty, and staff have risen to the occasion to make sure that Chapel happens every day. Has one particular Chapel program this year stood out? Rev. Holden: The Senior Blessing Chapel stands out in my mind because we were able to gather the entire class together – outdoors on the new baseball field! – and remain carefully socially distanced. We couldn’t have everyone clump together with arms around each other, but we could still have them stand together as a class and be blessed. Rev. Callaham: I’m going to go with our Spanish Language Chapel. I believe that the liturgies of the Church are where we practice being the best versions of ourselves so that when we head out into the world, doing the right thing feels like second nature. Seeing some of our students offer their gifts of language to the community, watching others patiently and compassionately struggle with the discomfort of not fully understanding what was going on, and hearing Ms. Alejandra Ortiz share from her experience of what life is like when something as basic as shared language cannot be taken for granted seems to me like a vision of God’s Kingdom. Do you see positives from the Election Prayer Guide? Rev. Holden: The guide that Art put together was a tremendous offering! The selection of prayers reminds us that it’s important to pray for the country in which we live, its people, and its leaders. When we’re able to join with others who are all individually lifting up prayers for the good of our land and our people, and when we can humble ourselves before God, we are able to overcome the things that divide us. Rev. Callaham: The time to put together the prayer guide was, itself, a gift to me. The opportunity to amplify the clear signal of the Church’s intention to hold up civil society with prayer from the noise of so many different political epochs was luxurious. I won’t speculate on what the overall value of my reflections will be to anyone else. But, for me, the time I spent preparing them was a gift.

What are the two of you doing to maintain balance during the year of coronavirus? Rev. Holden: Prayer continues to be important to my daily life. I keep a running list of people who have asked for prayers on my laptop, and I have a folder of photo sheets for each grade and faculty/staff that I use in my prayers. At home, the regularity of daily family dinners has also provided significant times of connection – and my 23-yearold daughter Mary (EHS Class of 2015) who is living with us does a lot of the cooking, introducing us to fabulous new menu items. To work off all those calories, I walk on Saturday mornings with my sister Leslie, sometimes around my neighborhood or Memorial Park, and sometimes around her neighborhood where we can spy peacocks in the trees! Rev. Callaham: My sanity starts with family, too. My kids are younger than Beth’s and I’ve yet to get them to the point where they can make dinner for their mother and me without some help. So, I ‘help’ a lot in our kitchen. Recently, we’ve been baking our way through all of the Pillsbury Bake-off winners. It’s not only been a tasty and fun way to spend time together, but it’s also been a fascinating historical look at food trends and how tastes have changed over the decades. We also spend an inordinate amount

“It feels so good to be in the midst of a community that makes time to incorporate worship the way that ours does.” of time each week playing board games. COVID kept us from our usual summer tour of board game conventions and expos, but we’ve more than made up for it by playing games from our own collection and watching video game reviews online. Wellness-wise, I lean more toward the contemplative in my personal prayer life: I try to sit for 30 minutes to an hour a day when I can. Likewise, I walk outside as often as I can, usually listening to audiobooks and bouncing a lacrosse ball.

At October’s Spanish Language Chapel, Choices Counselor Alejandra Ortiz shares her journey as a Chilean American navigating life in the United States.

Rev. Beth Holden and Rev. Art Callaham preside over the Senior Class Blessing and Pin Ceremony for the Class of 2021 on the Jess Borg Baseball Field. 15

Q+A with EHS Teachers

Pop Quiz turns the table on teachers and asks them to respond to 11 quick questions. Their enthusiastic responses reveal the values, quirks, and interests that make them so effective in leading EHS students.

ROBIN OWENS Math Teacher

Robin Owens was born and raised in Shreveport, Louisiana. She graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics from the University of Texas at Tyler, which is where she met her husband of nine years. She and her husband moved to Houston after college and now have a 4-year-old daughter. This is Owens’s third year at Episcopal High School, where she currently teaches Geometry and works with the dance program.

What’s on your playlist? Any song that moves me to dance or cry. I love a good beat drop or waltz count. What was the first concert you attended? N’SYNC at the Miss America Pageant. If you weren’t a teacher, what would you pick for a career? I would be a full-time writer. Surprise! I love math, but I also love writing short stories and am currently working on a novel. What is your proudest accomplishment? Birthing my daughter! Do you have a favorite app or tech gadget? I suppose the ol’ Instagram scroll takes a lot of my attention. Did you have a mentor growing up who inspired your career? My ballet teacher in high school often dropped wisdom during class. I was vaguely aware there was more happening there than only ballet curriculum and I felt that her lessons would come in handy as I got older. (Spoiler alert: They have!)

If you could travel back in time, what period of history would you choose? Probably not too far because I like air conditioning, so maybe the 1970s? I would land in New Jersey and become childhood friends with Kelly Ripa.

If you could eat only one meal this week, what would it be? An entire plate of Thanksgiving dressing.

What do you most respect about your colleagues? They are positive and encouraging and always willing to offer help. What do you most respect about your students? They are hilarious. Teenagers are witty and make me laugh. Read any good books recently? Currently reading Ghosts of Harvard, a lovely 400-page novel. Just to keep a theme here, I would also recommend Ghost Boys, an inspiring quick read, and Ghost Boy, a fascinating memoir. Ironically, these three books have nothing to do with each other and are not “ghost stories.” Intrigued?

JUSTIN HICKEY Science Teacher

Justin Hickey grew up in Wichita Falls, Texas, before attending the University of Texas at Austin where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Astronomy. He recently celebrated his fourth anniversary with his wife, Julianne, a Houston native, who he met while at UT. This is Hickey’s fourth year at EHS, and he currently teaches AP Physics II, Physics I, and Astronomy, and also works with the Academic Assistance Program. What’s on your playlist? A lot of stuff! Currently: Westerman, Narrow Head, Shamir, Fleet Foxes, and Sufjan Stevens. What was the first concert you attended? I went to a lot of small concerts around my hometown growing up, but the first major artist I saw in high school was John Mayer at Fair Park in Dallas. If you weren’t a teacher, what would you pick for a career? Astronaut! It’s still a dream of mine if NASA ever recruits teachers again. What is your proudest accomplishment? I was fortunate during undergrad to work as a research assistant in the Department of Astronomy under a very well-regarded scientist in the field on a stellar evolution project. Though I graduated and began teaching before the project was finished, I was given a co-author credit along with the rest of the team on the first paper he published about the project. Do you have a favorite app or tech gadget? My Nintendo Switch.

Did you have a mentor growing up who inspired your career? In college I had an advisor, Dr. John Barentine, who showed me that getting a Ph.D. was not the only possible path for a science major nor the only measure of success. This allowed me to really consider teaching as a profession, and I am very grateful for his guidance. If you could travel back in time, what period of history would you choose? Hmmm…probably 1968-1975. The Apollo missions and some of the best music ever made happening simultaneously. What do you most respect about your colleagues? Two things: their willingness to help each other out at the drop of a hat, and their intelligence.

What do you most respect about your students? Their curiosity and their perseverance even when the concepts get really tough. Read any good books recently? Yes! I just finished The Fifth Season by N.K. Jemisin, and earlier this year I read Contact by Carl Sagan for the first time. Currently I’m reading The Dark Forest by Cixin Liu and The End of Everything (Astrophysically Speaking) by Katie Mack. If you could eat only one meal this week, what would it be? This is such a tough question… probably fajitas from Ninfa’s, which my wife and I get every Friday night anyway. It’s a tradition!

ALEX BRUTON

Spanish Teacher & Interim World Languages Chair Alex Bruton was born and raised in Mexico City, and his parents still live there. He attended “the other” Episcopal High School in Alexandria, Virginia, before attending Tulane University in New Orleans. His first job out of college was teaching high school Spanish in Pittsburgh where he met his wife, Anadeli, and finished a master’s degree at the University of Pittsburgh. Alex and Ana moved to Houston in 1999 and Alex changed careers and worked in advertising and marketing for more than a decade. His true calling, however, beckoned, and he became a teacher once again. Alex has three children, Brinley, Ana Cecilia, and John (who is a Junior at EHS). This is Alex’s fourth year at Episcopal.

What’s on your playlist? I have a long playlist and it depends on my mood...some of my faves: Bomba Estereo, Massive Attack, Grateful Dead, Leonard Cohen, and Mexican Institute of Sound. What was the first concert you attended? I saw The Grateful Dead in Washington, DC, in 1981. If you weren’t a teacher, what would you pick for a career? I’d be a diplomat. What is your proudest accomplishment? Raising three amazing children (Brinley, Ceci, and John). Do you have a favorite app or tech gadget? Several podcasts, including: Slate Magazine Political Gabfest, Freakonomics Radio, the Moth, and Radio Ambulante. New “smart TV”...first new TV in 10 years!

Did you have a mentor growing up who inspired your career? Mr. Murray, my high school Spanish teacher and Tom Johnson, a colleague from my first teaching job in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. If you could travel back in time, what period of history would you choose? I would choose 13th-14th century Spain, specifically Córdoba, during the Muslim rule of what is now southern Spain. The city was one of the largest in Europe at the time and was the leading cultural and economic center throughout Europe and the Mediterranean.

What do you most respect about your students? I respect their energy, optimism, and how so many find where they can excel. Read any good books recently? The Conquest of Mexico by William Prescott. If you could eat only one meal this week, what would it be? Anything from Fadi’s Mediterranean Grill.

What do you most respect about your colleagues? I respect their seriousness of purpose and their commitment to helping make EHS the best place to learn for students.

VIC KORMEIER: FAITHFUL SERVANT Life Trustee and Endowment Chairman Vic Kormeier’s Dedication to Episcopal High School Spans 40 Years

Leader. Friend. Faithful Servant. Brilliant Mind. As Vic Kormeier retires from his position as president of the EHS Endowment, which he has directed since 2000, the terms used to describe him are superlatives. EHS Founder and Life Trustee Larry Neuhaus says, “Vic Kormeier is an all-star player on the Episcopal High School team. He has served in numerous different roles over the last 40 years. He’s been a stellar member of the board of trustees, he was executive chair from 1998-2000, he chaired two capital campaigns, was on the executive committee for years, and has served as the president of the endowment fund, which grew from a very nominal amount to more than $48 million under his dedicated leadership. Equally notable, Vic has been a loyal financial supporter of the School since its very early years when EHS was navigating treacherous waters, and it was not at all secure. “More important than all of these accomplishments,” Neuhaus adds, “Vic has been a voice of reason and quietly advised three headmasters and numerous boards. Furthermore, he is a friend to all.” The Episcopal High School Endowment Fund launched in 1984 with $200,000 donated by Houston philanthropists Jack Trotter and Lee Jamail. At one point during a financial crisis in the ‘90s, the School had to borrow from the endowment, and the fund was repaid in 2000. That year, with Kormeier’s guidance, the School actually got a re-start on the endowment. An independent school’s endowment is a collection of hundreds of separate funds, set up through the generous charitable gifts of donors. Endowed funds grow over time through a combination of donations and investment returns, and funds are spent to both meet current needs and the needs of future generations. Most of these endowed funds are known as “restricted” funds that can be spent only in specific situations or under certain conditions. During the past 13 years, the growth of the EHS Endowment has been extraordinary, due to effective financial management and generous donations. For example, in June 2007, the value of the endowment totaled $18.6 million. In June 2020, the value was listed as $48 million, which includes $7 million in pledges. Dedication and Determination “Vic was determined to grow the endowment, protected it fiercely, and has been very successful in his goal,” says Founder and Life Trustee Lynda Underwood. “He has been dedicated to Episcopal and its mission because he believes in the goodness of

Photos by Marc Nathan

Vic Kormeier shares a moment with family after receiving the Ned C. Becker Humanitarian Award at Founders Day 2017. From left to right: Wife Lucy Kormeier, Vic Kormeier, granddaughter Lucy Howley ’21, son-in-law Tom Howley, and daughter Elizabeth Howley. the School. He leads by example and was a great chairman of the board. We are so fortunate that Vic has and continues to share his talents and time to help grow Episcopal into the school it is today.” Sukey Fenoglio, former Director of Advancement who worked with Kormeier throughout the late ‘90s and early 2000s, calls Kormeier a faithful servant to EHS. “He never gave up on building the endowment to ensure the future of the school,” states Fenoglio. “When the time was right, at a board retreat in 2005, he kicked off the endowment campaign that raised $14 million in just a few years. Vic is a faithful friend and leader at EHS. Today the fruits of his labor are certainly evident.”

“He has been dedicated to Episcopal and its

mission because he believes in the goodness of the School.” —Lynda Underwood Kormeier and his wife, Lucy, have two adult children, Gus Kormeier and Elizabeth Howley. Gus graduated from EHS in 1992. Elizabeth’s daughter, Lucy Howley, is in the Class of 2021. Elizabeth Howley explains that her father’s volunteerism at Episcopal High School began at the request of Bishop Maurice Benitez, late head of the Episcopal Diocese of Texas, who heard of Kormeier’s reputation as a skilled lawyer, accountant, and volunteer at St. John the Divine Church. Howley says that her parents became active members of St. John’s after they moved to Houston in 1968.

“Dad was initially asked by Bishop Benitez to help with the start of Episcopal High School in the early ‘80s. Dad had been on the board at St. John’s School and was instrumental in the acquisition of some land for campus expansion. He was also very active in the vestry of St. John the Divine Episcopal Church. Bishop Benitez knew Dad had financial acumen and a generous heart. When my brother, Gus, went to EHS, Dad became involved on the board at the School. One of the first things that Dad did was to incorporate the endowment. This allowed for the separation of the two entities—school and endowment.” One Foot in Front of the Other Howley describes her father’s leadership style as organized, passionate, persistent, and determined. “It’s truly amazing that the endowment went from $200 thousand in 2000 to now $48 million! Many gifts and good investment decisions led to this strong position. Now, the endowment is able to provide three percent of its income annually to the operating budget of the school,” she adds. When Vic Kormeier reflects on his decades of effort leading the EHS endowment, he says modestly, “I just put one foot in front of the other for 20-plus years.” In 2020, Kormeier passes the mantle of leadership to Randa Duncan Williams, the endowment’s new president. “I’m grateful to have been able to serve EHS in this capacity,” declares Kormeier. “I made wonderful friends over the years and have the satisfaction of helping to increase the School’s financial stability. I am incredibly fond of EHS and proud of all the good work that is going on at the school today.” —Claire C. Fletcher

With admiration and appreciation, Head of School Ned Smith presents the Ned C. Becker Humanitarian Award to Vic Kormeier three years ago.

MOMENTS

Applying skills learned in her Alternative Photo Processes class last year, River Reinertsen-Forehand ’21 shot this award-winning image while on vacation at Driftwood Beach on Jekyll Island, Georgia.

Bright Knights

VERSATILE TWINS’ JOURNEY LEADS THEM TO HOWARD Bria and Cimone Woodard ’21

Over the summer in the midst of the Black Lives Matter movement, Cimone and Bria Woodard ’21 began to rethink their commitment to play volleyball at Texas A&M in favor of renowned HBCU (historically Black college and university) Howard University. Attending HBCUs have a long history in the Woodard family. Four generations of their family are HBCU graduates. “We started hearing our family’s experiences of going to an HBCU, how different it is, and how it helped shape the people they became. Everyone in our family went to an HBCU,” Cimone explains. Howard began recruiting Cimone and Bria in middle school and their mother made her daughters learn more. “We always had a good relationship with the Howard coaches, but there’s always been a big emphasis on a Power Five school since the eighth grade. The bigger the better was what everyone always said. And we thought since A&M was close, our family could come see our games. We knew we wanted to stay together,” Bria explains. “It was my idea to go to Howard,” adds Cimone. “In mid-July, I became obsessed. But it wasn’t a small decision. Opening our recruiting process would have gotten crazy, and HBCUs have become a touchy subject for everyone. More athletes were starting to go there. We’re popular as recruits because you get two of us at once. Howard was really flexible and said it was an open offer, here for us, whenever we were ready. Finally, Bria and I started talking about opening up the conversation,” Cimone says. Bria and Cimone didn’t take the decision lightly, as they take all their commitments seriously. Bria recalls, “Cimone did a lot of research, and we had a conversation about everything. Once we realized we wanted to pursue it, we had a virtual visit with the Howard coach then talked to the A&M coach. I realized I wanted to be in a campus environment with people more like me. I’ve never had that before, and I’ll never get it again.” Bria came on board and realized that Howard, as a smaller school, would be more fitting for her. “So many of our friends in Jack and Jill go to HBCUs,” she says. “We’ll get to compare our experiences on a completely different level. We realized that Howard could offer the kind of experience that A&M never could.” Jack and Jill is an African American organization started by a group of mothers who wanted to have their children connect and develop culturally, socially, and educationally. Cimone and Bria’s recruiting process started in middle school. They received their first college interest letter at the end of the seventh grade, and it exploded from there. Cimone started playing volleyball a year before Bria. They were dancers when they were younger, but their father wanted them to play a sport where it would be an advantage to be tall. “In the fourth grade, the doctor knew we’d be over six feet tall. And that’s how we began volleyball,” says Bria. Their talent goes beyond the volleyball court and into the classroom, and academics are no less competitive. “Our parents aren’t super uptight about grades,” Bria says, “as long as we’re learning. We compete against each other, though.” Cimone always wants to get the best grade she can, and Bria is a ready-made motivator for her to do well. Both these honor roll students take a full load of AP courses, are members of the National Honor Society, lead student groups—DIA and Honor Council—and actively participate in the Arts Pillar. In the sixth grade, Cimone, a member of the EHS Orchestra, started playing the cello. “I always thought the cello was really pretty,” Cimone says. “I wanted to play an instrument that was taller than I was! I thought the bass was so ugly, and I didn’t want to stand up for an entire concert.” Bria has enjoyed experimenting with all kinds of extracurriculars and is dancing again in EHS’s Repertory Dance Group. Bria and Cimone often finish each other’s sentences and talk for each other, but they aren’t similar in every way. “Cici is more bubbly,” Bria says. “Bria is so serious,” Cimone adds. They both nod and respond in unison, “But we’re definitely sisters!” —Emma Kate Tsai

Bright Knights

ENGINEERING GENIUS ONE PILLAR AT A TIME

Brendan Massaro ’21

It is not often that a student at Episcopal High School can say they helped develop an app, but that certainly is the case for senior Brendan Massaro ’21. Massaro’s knack for computer science and engineering has led him to contribute further to the development of KnightTime, an app designed to update daily class time schedules for students and faculty. Alan Duncan initially created KnightTime in 2012. Later in 2016, the app was redesigned to make it more customizable and consistent with the EHS regular schedule by former EHS students Devin Gohel ’16 and Nihaal Manesia ’16. Though the app was fully functional, it needed adjustments. In spring 2020, Massaro first took an interest in the app while in AP Computer Science and wanted to improve the design, add functionality, and create an increased purpose for the app. “My natural response to the app was, ‘Hey, this is something I can fix,’ so I got access to the code from Mr. Duncan,” says Massaro. Since taking on the app, Massaro has enhanced the user experience by adding a dark mode option, creating a widget feature, and allowing customized schedule naming. With the app’s need to work dynamically by updating virtual and in-person schedules, Massaro is currently working on an administrator interface so that EHS administrators can enter and edit schedule information throughout the week. While the process has had its highs and lows, Massaro takes it in stride. “I enjoy when things work together and seeing my creations work,” Massaro adds. “I like the challenge of it.” Developing an app comes with challenges, successes, and at times, failure, but through it all, Massaro keeps his focus and takes challenges head-on. “Brendan is motivated by the love of complexity, and he learns from his mistakes, if you want to call them that,” says Mr. Duncan. “In the process of science, it requires iteration after iteration and sometimes failure, but Brendan sees it as an opportunity to learn and get better.” Besides Massaro’s passion for computer science, he has also taken a liking to photography. During his sophomore year, Massaro enrolled in photography to satisfy a course credit requirement and eventually realized it was something he loved. “When I first started getting into it, the mechanical side of photography clicked with me,” says Massaro. “It awakened an artistic side of me that I never knew I had.” Massaro has also helped with theatre stagecraft on campus. Starting out as a volunteer, he would spend his weekends and after-school time building stage sets because he yearned to learn woodworking. “Most Saturdays, I would come home covered in sawdust,” says Massaro. One of the most notable productions Massaro assisted in running projections and building the set for was the spring 2019 production of “Fiddler on the Roof.” Whether photography or stagecraft, Massaro acknowledges that his involvement with the arts has always had a technical and engineering flair to it. “At Episcopal, I have been able to let my academic and engineering interests open up my involvement with other artistic fields.” Aside from his personal development under the Academics and Arts pillars, Massaro admits that it is the deep connections with his teachers that have made his tenure at Episcopal the most enjoyable, citing Japheth Storlie, Paul Revaz, John Flanagan, Kayla Rogers, and Alan Duncan as those who have made a positive impact. “I love having strong relationships with my teachers,” Massaro explains. “I will talk with my teachers about things that go beyond the curriculum, and they are actively engaged in the conversation with me.” Next year, he hopes to study at a college with a strong computer science or aerospace engineering program, such as the Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Colorado School of Mines, or California Polytechnic State University. —Lauren West The completed and updated version of KnightTime is expected to be available for students to download for free from the Apple App Store by the beginning of the spring 2021 semester.

LESSONS FOR COVID TIMES Teachers and Students Weigh In

Courtney Lindloff Student Activities Director & English Teacher

“During this time, many lessons came to light, but the primary takeaway has been the reminder to slow down and be present in the moment. Pre-COVID, I worried about what was next on my to-do list or the next assignment my students would complete without fully embracing what was currently happening. As a result, the pacing of my class has shifted to invite more opportunities for authentic and organic discussions, the assignments sway a bit more creative and reflective, and offer more academic choice, and each day is met with the reminder about checking in on the well-being on others.”

John Bruton ’22 “My experience through quarantine and these life-changing months has been a period in which I learned key life skills. For one, learning to relax and meditate when life around me appears to fall apart at the seams or overwhelm me, has been extremely helpful. Additionally, I have learned never to take anything for granted, because something that seemed normal a couple of days ago can disappear quickly—and so the lesson of impermanence has also stuck with me through this quarantine time.”

Alan Duncan Computer Science Teacher

“I feel like the coronavirus era has evened the playing field. Students have become more independent. Before COVID, the lessons learned in the classroom were from the curriculum. It was more about the content than the personal development. Now students are strengthening their interpersonal skills. They are having to find their inspiration, connections, and resources on their own.” 31

Quon Marion ’21 Student Body President

“The COVID-19 months haven’t been the best time, but I wouldn’t say they’ve been the worst time of my life. I’ve learned both positive and negative lessons during the pandemic. One quality I’ve tried to develop is patience. My nature is to rush everything. I need to take time and get more focused—whether it’s classes, family time, talks with friends—rather than just speed through things. By trying to live in the moment, I better understand that as humans the most valuable thing we have is our time. Because of the downtime during this pandemic, I’ve spent hours learning about myself, weighing my strengths and weaknesses, thinking about my responsibilities to family and friends, or even just figuring out what I do and don’t like. Better understanding myself gives me a clearer picture of my future. I’ve also taken up the practice of meditation and had one-to-one conversations with people I’m super-close to. Self-reflection is something I needed, and I am grateful to have found the time this year.”

Kaia Athenais Chambers ’22 “As the pandemic grew worse and worse, I realized more and more people stopped caring about others and instead reverted back to their lives prior to the pandemic—lives with no masks or social distancing. This made me view the world with a different lens than I used to. Previously, I believed that people were inherently selfless creatures, and humans were innately a communal species that would thrive working together, but I think my view of humanity, specifically in the United States, has changed. I now think that the culture in which we are brought up in heavily affects to what extent we will go out of our way to care about others. This really made me examine my own behavior and ask what I can do better to help other people and how I can be more selfless.”

Alumni Spotlight

KARA-LEE POOL, M.D., ‘99

Creating a Legacy of Care Kara-Lee Pool, M.D., is a breast and pediatric radiologist based in Los Angeles. From an early age she knew she wanted to be a physician, like her father. When asked if Episcopal played a role in her decision to become a doctor, Dr. Pool says, “What EHS solidified was the importance of hard work, humanism, and creativity. That was instilled in me through the Four Pillars (and my parents!). I was a competitive tennis player and pianist in high school, and EHS always supported those endeavors. The Four Pillars nurture the exact characteristics needed to become a motivated physician, scientist, and clinician educator.”

one of the first formalized four-year global health curricula for radiology residents at UCLA.

Thinking about teachers who impacted her journey, she answers that “the ones who challenged my classmates and me are the most memorable. Mr. John Flanagan was and still is an amazing teacher. And Dean Colello was always on my back when I was not following the rules—those stories will stay between us! Let’s just say, he knew my goals were mighty and reminded me of that when I tried to push the boundaries of right and wrong.”

These extensive achievements have made her an invited lecturer for the World Health Organization on the topics of breast ultrasound and ultrasound of infectious diseases. She is currently working with the Lancet Commission on Global Diagnostics to elevate the level of diagnostic capacity in lowand middle-income countries.

Dr. Pool’s research and publications, community initiatives, and program building are focused on global health and education. “My family emigrated from South Africa in the 1980s in order for my sister and I to be raised outside of Apartheid. We would return often to visit family, and I knew early on that I wanted to give back to the country of my family’s past,” says Dr. Pool. To that goal, she has created an ultrasound technique with colleagues at the University of Cape Town to evaluate mediastinal lymphadenopathy in children as a marker of pulmonary tuberculosis, and her research in Malawi includes training local clinicians in point-of-care ultrasound as a tool in the diagnosis of extrapulmonary tuberculosis. She produced an award-winning documentary titled “Mountains of Hope” about the challenges of HIV in Lesotho. She has conducted collaborative projects with oncologic surgeons in South Africa with the goal of implementing diagnostic breast ultrasound to assist in triaging palpable breast masses. She published collaborative projects with Infectious Disease specialists in Brazil on imaging of Zika-infected patients. Dr. Pool created

“What EHS solidified was the importance of hard work, humanism, and creativity.”

“Donating tangible items is one thing, but donating knowledge and skills will last generations,” says Dr. Pool. “That is my ultimate goal with my work: to donate as much knowledge so that future physicians and health care workers in Africa and around the globe can carry on and continue to provide highlevel medical care.” —Ashley Long

Alumni Spotlight

CARLA MOLINA ‘96

Alumni Spotlight

Balance Brings Joy to Career in Communications For Carla Molina ’96, balance is crucial. Molina serves as Head of U.S. Local Market External Communications for Bank of America and was named “Top 40 under 40” in her industry by PRWeek in 2016. She says that her time at Episcopal helped instill a strong work ethic, diverse leadership skills, and the desire to continuously strive for a life of symmetry.

households. Speaking about the noble purpose of helping consumers improve their financial lives, she says, “We bank one out of every two households in this country. Just knowing that people are seeing the messages we are posting and reading information about us through major news outlets is very meaningful to me.”

“One of the lessons I most appreciate about EHS is the focus on the Four Pillars and how that can really shape who you can become as an individual and a leader,” Molina says. “That really stuck with me. I played field hockey, soccer, and lacrosse all four years in high school, and I think those team sports helped develop me as a leader. My style of leadership is very collaborative. I try to approach my team at work like a sports team, to a certain extent. At the end of the day, we’re all striving for the same goal: providing clarity as to what our goals and objectives are, and how to divide and conquer across the team to accomplish them.”

Like many, it’s not always easy for Molina to step away from the demands of her job and invest more time in self-care. She says in order to get the best of herself in certain areas, she cannot stop developing the other aspects of her life. “Making time for health and spiritual enrichment are very important,” Molina emphasizes. “I love riding my Peloton and joining group fitness classes. I also appreciate the power of meditation and staying connected to my faith. Even if it’s just a few minutes a day, meditation is scientifically proven to help you be more effective.

“One of the lessons I most appreciate about EHS is the focus on the Four Pillars and how that can really shape who you can become as an individual and a leader.” In spite of her current success, Molina did not always possess the confidence in her writing skills that she does today. She recalls a class her junior year with Nancy Eisenberg as a defining moment on her path. “Early on in high school, I struggled in my English classes. I took a class with Ms. Eisenberg on essay writing because I was so insecure about my writing skills. That class helped me learn things about myself and my abilities as a writer.” Today, Molina leads communications for all 91 markets across the United States for Bank of America, reaching 66 million U.S.

“Balance and consistency are the key to everything,” she adds. “You can work out really hard for one week, but long term it’s not going to make a big difference. Consistency is key. Just try to be better every day. Finding time for self-care feels like a constant struggle, but overall a focus on balance leads to a more rewarding life.” —Ikechi “Chief”Achilefu ’03

2020-2021 Alumni Events Carla Molina ’96 was among 55 alumni who joined us for our Virtual Alumni Leadership Day on November 18. K. Knox Nunnally ’97 addressed the community in Alumni Chapel on November 16. Thanks to all who shared their time, wisdom, and career journeys with the Class of 2021. We are busy making plans for our spring reunions and awards. Events will be held rain or shine, virtual or in-person, the weekend of April 9-10, 2021. Stay tuned for details. We hope you can join us!

The Last Word

MATH + COSTUME DESIGN EQUALS DREAM CAREER by Robin Bowman I love theater. When I was in high school in Louisiana, I performed in or crewed every production and served as the president of the Thespian Club my senior year. I was even in the chorus of two operas during my freshman year of college. I originally majored in engineering at Louisiana State University (LSU) and envisioned that I would work as a theater technician, but after a summer internship at a theater shadowing their sound engineer, I realized that it wasn’t a very stable lifestyle— most theater techs move around a lot, going where the work is, arranging contracts for individual productions. Very few have salaried positions with benefits. So, I shifted gears. I also love math, and thanks to a part-time job in college at a tutoring center, I discovered that I love teaching. I changed my major and headed in an entirely new direction. Honestly, I thought I would never be involved in the theater again, except maybe in community productions as a hobby, someday in the future when I had the time—like in retirement.

“Getting involved in

EHS Theatre is one of the greatest joys of my professional life. I love having a creative outlet.” During my senior year at LSU I was bedridden with the flu for a week and binged four seasons of “Project Runway.” I thought to myself, “That doesn’t look that hard!” I asked my parents for a sewing machine for Christmas and taught myself to sew by watching YouTube tutorials. I started designing clothes for myself—it’s hard to find cute clothes that are schoolappropriate—but mostly I use the skill for my uber-nerdy hobby of cosplay, which is dressing up in costume to go to ComicCon, the comics culture conventions where fans masquerade as superheroes and fantasy characters.

When I applied to the EHS Math Department two years ago, Dean of Faculty Nguyet Pham asked me what additional responsibility would interest me. I mentioned that I was interested in theater. She put me in touch with Dean of Arts Jay Berckley and Theatre Program Coordinator George Brock. I explained to Jay and George that I knew how to sew, and that I had a casual interest in costuming. They said that the department had either been contracting a professional costumer or asking for help from parent volunteers. There was a real need for a consistent presence—someone who knew the students, who could attend production meetings, and who could make plans months in advance instead of scrambling the week before technical runs. And that’s how I became the EHS Onstage Costume Coordinator. Getting involved in EHS Theatre is one of the greatest joys of my professional life. I love having a creative outlet. I love working with students on something they’re passionate about. Theater kids are the best because they are devoted and dedicated to their craft, and their zeal is contagious. Collaborating with faculty and staff outside of the Math Department and combing history books to research period clothing and hair styles enriches my knowledge. I’m thrilled by the challenge of ordering costumes and accessories, documenting everything in volumes of spreadsheets. And I’m ecstatic when I can provide actors a small costume detail, such as a period piece of jewelry, that strengthens their connection to a character and adds depth to the performance. Episcopal High School helps students discover their inner passions and lead lives of purpose. In my brief time here, I can say that the School changes teachers’ lives, too. —As told to Claire Fletcher

The Last Word

Class of 2021 students at the Senior Class Blessing and Pin Ceremony on the Jess Borg Baseball Field.

2020 ‑ 2021 BOARD OF TRUSTEES Chairman The Rt. Rev. C. Andrew Doyle Executive Chair A. Haag Sherman Frances Alexander, Henrietta K. Alexander, Shelley Torian Barineau, J. Craig Chandler, W. Craig Childers, Jane Johnson Dabney, William A. Edens Sr., Emerson K. Hankamer Sr., Terri Havens, Andrew B. Hawthorn ’91, Thad Hill, Richard A. Howell ’01, Elizabeth K. Howley, Jenna Junell, Alecia Lawyer, Clay Manley, Laurie N. Morian, William Randall, Ned Smith, Trey Snider, The Very Rev. Barkley Thompson, John Weinzierl, James Whitehead ’94, Julius Young Jr. Life Trustees John F. Austin III, Edward C. Becker, The Rt. Rev. Maurice M. Benitez †, W. Craig Childers, Lacy Crain, The Rev. Laurens A. Hall, Victor A. Kormeier Jr., Frederick R. McCord †, Laurence B. Neuhaus, The Rt. Rev. Claude E. Payne, Joel I. Shannon, Lynda Knapp Underwood, The Rt. Rev. Don A. Wimberly Executive Committee J. Craig Chandler, W. Craig Childers, The Rt. Rev. C. Andrew Doyle, William F. Galtney Jr., Melinda Budinger Hildebrand, Victor A. Kormeier Jr., Clay Manley, A. Haag Sherman, Ned Smith, Lynda Knapp Underwood, John Weinzierl, James Whitehead ’94, Randa Duncan Williams, Julius Young Jr.

LEADERSHIP Head of School Ned Smith Associate Head of School Nancy Laufe Eisenberg Principal Kim Randolph

Director of Finance and Operations Evelyn Cambria Director of Diversity, Community, and Inclusion Wayne Jones

Dean of Faculty Nguyet Xuan Pham Director of Advancement Peggy Haney Dean of Spiritual Life The Rev. Beth Holden

Dean of Arts and Innovation Jay Berckley Director of Athletics Jason Grove

PILLARS MAGAZINE TEAM Director of Communications Claire Fletcher Faculty Writer Emma Kate Tsai Photography & Graphic Design Lauren West

Contributors Ikechi “Chief”Achilefu ’03 Robin Bowman Claire Fletcher Mauro Gomez Peggy Haney Courtney Lindloff Ashley Long Emma Kate Tsai Lauren West

Non Profit Org. U.S. Postage PAID Houston, TX Permit No. 10468

4650 Bissonnet • Bellaire, Texas 77401 • 713‑512‑3400 • 713‑512‑3606 • www.ehshouston.org