FROM THE HEAD OF SCHOOL

Dear EHS Family,

At the conclusion of her interview for this issue of Pillars, Senior Paige Naughton offers good advice. She speaks of her experience doing technical theater while at EHS, and her words capture the mindset that causes us to thrive: “Every setback is a chance to try something new and every mistake is an opportunity to learn and get better.” Our commitment to the Four Pillars ensures that all our students regularly try something new, and most graduate with experiences like Paige’s: “I signed up for a lot and just stuck with what I fell in love with.”

Episcopal High School’s mission calls for students to develop their individual talents and prepare for meaningful lives in service to others. They live this mission every day in ways both visible and invisible, and they live it with great purpose and greater enthusiasm. Our technical theater program, of which Paige is a part, is a wonderful illustration. Essential to any production, they are rarely seen or heard by the audience; in fact, we hope that they are neither seen nor heard. Instead, they support those who are seen and heard. Anywhere from 20-40 students strong, the stage crew labors in the background, the foundation that allows the actors to shine.

EHS is filled with Knights like Paige, who work with faculty mentors like Paul Revaz, our Director of Technical Theater. Paige speaks eloquently of the ways in which Paul mentored her during her time at School, shaping her into a “better leader and even a better person over the years.” This relationship between teacher and student encapsulates the virtues of EHS. Paige concludes her description of their relationship by saying, “He’s believed in me since the very first even when I didn’t believe in myself; looked out for me when I was struggling; and pushed me to get better every show no matter how confident I was. If nothing else, he truly hammered home the idea that there’s always more to learn.”

We continue to live our mission every day, just as we have since we were founded. The particulars of our lives at School may be different than they were forty years ago, but the essence is the same. Schools are, after all, living things, and we grow and adapt to the world around us just as our students do. This year is no different whether we consider the retirement of long-time staff member and quintessential Knight, John Colello, or the addition of programs like the financial literacy course to our math program detailed within, or the growth in our student health and wellness team now comprised of two nurses, two School counselors, a Choices education specialist, and three chaplains. The details may look a little different, but the essence remains unchanged. No wonder EHS stands out.

Have a Happy Christmas, and Go Knights, Ned Smith