A PRAYER FULFILLED

by Kim Randolph

My father always said that when you have kids, time seems to accelerate the months and years pass so fast. I guess when you have your own two children plus 798 more, time seems to travel even faster. 27 years have gone by, and I have truly enjoyed my service at EHS. How many people can honestly say that? Thanks to all of you for allowing me to be a part of your child’s life and to my colleagues, friends, and heads of school for giving me the room to use the gifts God gave me in service to others.

My purpose in writing, however, is not solely to thank the community for the opportunity to serve and for the trust you have shown me; it is also important that I leave a message behind for those like me who have wanted a meaningful and rewarding life of work. That message is that God answers prayers; I am a witness to His grace and love for us.

At any age, it is wonderful to have dreams, but it is especially wonderful at an early age when we are wide eyed and full of energy and our gifts are not as apparent. Without this certainty, perhaps an uncle, mom or dad, teacher, coach, director, pastor, or friend’s parent might have mentioned that we seemed well suited for a particular vocation and we latched on to that idea, or like many of us, an opportunity appeared and we took it because we were afraid another might not come along for some time. My dream as the oldest of seven was always to lead the way for my brothers and sisters and do something meaningful for others. Although it took me a while to get here, Episcopal High School has fulfilled my dream and, more importantly, has been an answer to prayer.

Prior to EHS, I worked as a public school teacher and coach, an assistant project manager for an environmental lab equipment company, an environmental scientist for a large engineering company, a partner in a retained search company, and then a partner in an equipment manufacturing business related to the oilfield. I spent almost 20 years determined to use my six years of higher education to some purpose, thinking that it would satisfy my dream and that there would be real opportunity to use the knowledge and skills I had worked so diligently to obtain. Suffice it to say that my search continued, and without the support of my wife, the daily joy of my children, and the happenstance of meeting then EHS Athletic Director Dick Phillips, I may not have recognized that the answer to my prayers was at hand.

Athletics has always been a part of my life, and my parents used our athletic experiences to teach us life lessons. I started coaching before I had children, which solidified my desire to stay involved in sports. When there was an opportunity to coach my children, therefore, I jumped at the prospect and started coaching baseball and softball during the summer months. At a particularly rough time in my work life, when I could not find joy in what I was doing, I coached a 14 under softball team who performed at an exceptionally high level, and we were fortunate enough to qualify for a state wide tournament. After one of the championship games, I was introduced to Dick Phillips, whose daughter Lacy was playing on the team. Unbeknownst to me, our wives were scheming behind the scenes for Dick and me to talk about the teaching/coaching needs at EHS and whether I would be interested in considering a career move. At the time, Dick needed someone to coach 9th grade football, 9th grade basketball, and JV baseball. I had played all the sports in high school, coached them at Bonham High School in North Texas, and played baseball in college.

From an athletics standpoint, it seemed like a good fit. The School was also looking for someone to teach science, specifically biology, my undergraduate degree. I had taught physical science in Bonham and had worked as an environmental scientist earlier in my work life. The next week I interviewed with EHS Chaplain Reverend Dub Brooks who made me feel like I could really make a difference in a growing school that needed versatility and a little grey hair. For me, our discussion of community and the School mission sealed the deal. On my way home, I remember saying to myself that only a tuned out person could not hear what God was trying to tell me. Not only did all the pieces seem to fit perfectly, but I recognized that the answer to my incessant prayer was seemingly hidden in the charge of the EHS mission. I just needed to reverse my focus away from myself and toward others.

After 27 years, I recognize that we are charged with identifying our students’ gifts and providing opportunities for students to recognize those gifts in preparation for a meaningful life in service to others. Identifying and nurturing those gifts is what my colleagues and I do every day, so whether it takes 20 years as it did for me or we know right out of college what will bring us joy, EHS is preparing us. I pray for His continued grace and favor to make possible the good work with which He has entrusted us.