Executive Chair’s Report

FROM THE EXECUTIVE CHAIR

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. –EHS Mission Statement

At a youthful 38 years old, Episcopal High School ranks as one of the top private high schools in Texas, with sparkling facilities, an outstanding faculty and staff, and a long-tenured and excellent administration. But, most importantly, its halls are filled with smiling faces—a testament to the vision of Episcopal’s founders.

Recently, I read a speech given by Bishop Maurice Benitez on Founders Day in 2008. Bishop Benitez was one of the many amazing people who helped found Episcopal. With an equal measure of humor and humility, Bishop Benitez recounted the early challenges and credited everything to the school’s principal founder—Almighty God. When you read Bishop Benitez’s speech, you realize how right he was, and how his words resonate today—particularly when he described the Religion Pillar:

“The next Pillar of the dream—and maybe the most important if the first ones are to be reached—is that this school be a Christian Community where every member, each student, each faculty, and staff member, be treated as a beloved child of God. And, for that reason, from the first day, since our doors were opened, you could walk the halls of this school and see smiles on the faces of the students and see smiling faculty members who love this School. This describes the vision we have sought to uphold.”

Speaking on behalf of the Board and the administration, faculty, and staff, we fully understand that this is the most important part of the vision and what sets Episcopal apart. It is what brings us together as one community and why we have smiling faces across campus.

As importantly, we also believe that this part of the vision is what allows us to navigate the issues of our time and face the challenges of this era. And, as we all know, there have been some challenges!

One of these challenges has undoubtedly been COVID-19. I am very proud of how the administration, faculty, and staff have navigated the past 18 months. We have garnered national recognition and have continued to chart our own path and “Stand Out”. We have not done so recklessly—but with thought and careful consideration every step of the way. We have chosen to lead and will continue to do so.

However, a once-in-a-century global pandemic may have been the easy part. The political environment is one that we have not seen for a generation, if not longer. We are not immune from it, nor should we be. It is in this environment in which we must educate our children and help prepare them for the world beyond Episcopal.

This brings us back to the words of Bishop Benitez and the centrality of faith to Episcopal High School. While we can return to normal (or very close to it) with regard to COVID-19, we strongly believe that our mission and Christian faith can guide us through the more difficult issues that still confront us, both as a school and a society. Although we may strive for perfection, we are not perfect and fully understand that we will have to deal with other issues in the future. However, by hewing to our mission and keeping our faith central, Episcopal will continue to be the school that Bishop Benitez described—one with smiling faces that, despite their differences, are unified as beloved children of God.

Kind regards,

A. Haag Sherman, Executive Chair of the Board of Trustees