PILLARS - The Episcopal High School Fall 2017 Magazine by EHS Houston

Hildebrand Athletic Center • Hurricane Harvey • Alumni Leadership Day

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 is an institution of the Episcopal Diocese of Texas established for the purpose of providing a superior education in preparation for college and a significant life thereafter. Through a rich offering of academic, spiritual, artistic, and athletic programs, the School provides an opportunity for each student to reach his or her maximum spiritual, intellectual, social, and ethical potential. Operating as a Christian community within the beliefs and traditions of the Episcopal Church, EHS in its teaching philosophy emphasizes understanding and responding to the individual needs and capabilities of each student. In an effort to reflect the community we serve, EHS strives to maintain a student body that is diverse in its social, economic, ethnic, and academic backgrounds. 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

Kendall McCord '03 kmccord@ehshouston.org 713‑512‑3478

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 2017

IN THIS ISSUE

From the Head of School 04 #KnightsStandOut 06 Bright Knights 10 Hildebrand Athletic Center 14 M.D. Knights 20 Alumni Leadership Day 22 EHS Responds to Hurricane Harvey 24 Pop Quiz 36 The Last Word 42

ON THE COVER

With the Hildebrand Athletic Center glowing with gameday activity, cheerleaders and fans celebrate our Knights as they kick off in Simmons Stadium. Photo by Mauro Gomez.

SAVE THE DATE Auction Gala 02‑23‑18 Alumni Weekend 04‑06‑18 Commencement 05‑20‑18

Photo by Chris Bailey Photography.

FROM THE HEAD OF SCHOOL Dear EHS Family, What a fall! When Bishop Andrew Doyle addressed the EHS community on Opening Day on August 23, blessing our new Hildebrand Athletic Center, none of us knew that two days later Harvey would make landfall, changing our lives forever. His words, recounted in part on page 14, were prophetic, connecting the physical space of the new building, and all that led to its creation, with the mission on which we were founded and through which we live today: "Your work as faculty and students is to create the community that God dreams about, and we believe it's possible in this space. A community that is different and makes a difference." What a difference we made in our community through the relief efforts in the days and weeks after the storm, and what a difference we make today, standing out in service to others in ways both large and small. Within this issue of Pillars, you'll witness numerous examples of our care for each other—for those within our community and for those outside—from assisting with evacuations to preparing meals, from volunteering with demolitions to hosting 120 students from neighboring Post Oak School. In 2017, we continue the strong tradition of EHS leadership and service stretching back to the School's founding. Our commitment to living our founders' vision inspired alumni doctors such as Amanda Schultz '05 and John Eakin '02 to live lives of significance in service to others, just as it inspires current students such as Gage Herrold '21. Of course, none of this would be possible without our engaging and committed faculty and staff, seasoned pros like Wayne Jones and Zach Schwarz as well as the newest generation, including Julius Michael, whose autobiographical essay concludes this edition of Pillars. Julius' journey to EHS is an inspiration; with such a faculty, it is no wonder that we continue today to inspire our students' inner genius. EHS is indeed a community that is different, significantly and intentionally so. Thank you for being a part of this great effort, and Go Knights!

Ned Smith Head of School

Head of School Ned Smith with seniors Christopher Short, Lauren Apollo, Omar Denmon, and Isabella Ray.

# K NIGHTS STAND OUT EHS Partners with Baylor Sports Medicine

SEED Program Grows Strong Communities

Student Photographers Gain National Exposure

Episcopal High School has partnered with Baylor College of Medicine to provide sports medicine services for the Athletic Department. One of the many perks of this new relationship is making all of Baylor's medical services available to EHS faculty and staff as well as student‑athletes.

This year, EHS launches the SEED Project, a peer‑led professional development program that creates conversational communities to drive personal, organizational, and societal change toward greater equity and diversity. The program trains individuals to facilitate ongoing seminars within their own institutions and communities. SEED leaders design their seminars to include personal reflection and testimony, listening to others' voices, and learning experientially and collectively. Through this methodology, SEED equips participants to connect their lives to one another and to society at large by acknowledging systems of oppression, power, and privilege.

The Media Arts department is proud to announce that 13 EHS students and one faculty member earned a total of 18 awards in the 2017 Association of Texas Photography Instructors Fall Contest. Sophomore Rohan Asthana won a total of four awards: a second and third place in the Beginning Landscape category, an honorable mention in Beginning Nature, and another second place award in Beginning Time Exposure. Junior Sydney Bosarge took home two awards: one first place and one honorable mention, both in the Advanced Animal category. Visual Arts Chair Kate Philbrick earned first place in the Faculty Portfolio category.

The comprehensive Sports Medicine team specializes in treating surgical and non‑surgical injuries, ankles, knees, wrists, broken bones, as well as offering preventative care, joint reconstruction, physical therapy, and trauma. "I could not be happier with our new health partnership with the Baylor College of Medicine," says Athletic Director Jason Grove. "Our students, faculty, and staff are receiving the very best in orthopedic and general healthcare, and our athletic trainers are supported by the most qualified sports medicine professionals in Houston." Dr. Jason Ahuero, an orthopedic surgeon, serves as the EHS team doctor, attending football games, conducting clinics at EHS every other week in the afternoons, and visiting the EHS athletic teams as his schedule permits.

Wayne Jones, 11th grade dean, varsity basketball coach, and history teacher has been named facilitator of the EHS initiative. Jones reports that the fall SEED seminars have met great success. "Over time," he says, "this program will enhance relationships, ignite conversations, and build an even stronger, more inclusive culture throughout the School."

ATPI sponsors an annual fall photography competition for students and teachers that includes a variety of categories. This year, the ATPI Fall Contest had 6,863 entries from 87 schools with 507 winners from around Texas, California, Kansas, and Oklahoma. Students who earned awards from this fall's contest include Robert Mason and Cullen Stewart in Advanced Landscape; Cara Kennedy in Advanced Sports Action; Stockton Shaffer in Advanced Sports Reaction; Elliott Jones in Advanced Time Exposure; Spencer Donley in Advanced Travel; Shelby Thierry in Beginning Fashion; Haley Simmons in Beginning Informal Portrait; and Gwen Rippeto in Beginning Travel. Miranda Greenwalt and Holt Johnson won awards in the Digitally Constructed Single Image category. Entries in this category have photographic elements but have been constructed through the use of computer software.

#KnightsStandOut

Founders Day Chapel: Crowd Applauds Vic Kormeier for the Ned C. Becker Humanitarian Award For the past four years, the Ned C. Becker Humanitarian Award has been presented at the annual Founders Day Chapel in October. This year's honoree was Vic Kormeier, president of the EHS Endowment Fund. The Humanitarian Award, named in honor of the School's second head of school, Ned Becker, states that it be "given to a member of the EHS community for his or her significant contribution of leadership or service, which has improved or enriched the lives of others. Furthermore, the outstanding accomplishments of this individual will have reflected admirably on and brought honor to Episcopal High School." Founding board member The Rev. Larry Hall delivered a heartfelt homily that noted the sequence of events leading to the School's founding in 1983, and he also shared a few of the celebrated anecdotes about Bishop Benitez's legendary zeal and the founders' can‑do spirit. Head of School Ned Smith addressed the crowd of students, faculty, staff, and board of trustees to present the award to Kormeier. Smith praised Kormeier's steady hand and added, "Vic's first board term started 27 years ago, and he has been in service to the School ever since. In addition to chairing fundraising efforts, he served as the executive chair of the board of trustees and currently serves as president of the endowment board. To this day, he actively attends meetings at EHS for the executive committee, the endowment board, and the EHS Board of Trustees. He has never taken a break, and thank God for that. As both a lawyer and a certified public accountant, Vic has used his skills to guide EHS through many lean years when the goal was to keep the doors open. With our endowment fund now reaching $34 million, he can look back on a life's work well done." Kormeier and his wife, Lucy, have two children: one daughter, Elizabeth, and one son, Gus, a member of the EHS Class of 1992. They are also the proud grandparents of Lucy, a member of the Class of 2021. Head of School Ned Smith presents the Humanitarian Award to Vic Kormeier. Photo by Mauro Gomez.

# K NIGHTS STAND OUT Weston Bering Stars at All American High School Film Festival Senior Weston Bering, one of Episcopal High School's most promising student filmmakers, brought home the All American High School Film Festival's award for Best Music Choice Video Challenge in October. The All American High School Film Festival is ranked among the elite media arts competitions in the United States. For this year's competition, entrants were asked to create their own music video for Fall Out Boy's new song "Young and Menace." ETV sponsor Pejman Milani calls Bering, who has created almost 100 videos/films in the past year, "one of the most talented and tenacious students I have taught at EHS."

EHS Athletes Score Big with Opportunities

National Merit Scholars Rank Among the Best

For the second year in a row, the U.S. Army All‑American Bowl selection committee headed to Episcopal High School to honor a Knight, and this year the jersey went to wide receiver Jaylen Waddle.

Seniors Sophie Allan, Aidan Cook, Avery Edwards, Parker Graves, and Blake Ogle have qualified as semifinalists in the 2018 National Merit Scholarship Program. The nationwide pool of semifinalists represents less than 1 percent of U.S. high school seniors and includes the highest scoring entrants from the 2016 PSAT in each state. As one of approximately 16,000 high school seniors who are semifinalists, these students have an opportunity to continue in the competition for some 7,500 National Merit Scholarships to be offered in the spring.

Waddle, citing past Houston‑area bowl players that include former teammate and current Stanford freshman Walker Little '17, as well as NFL players Andrew Luck and Adrian Peterson, says, "This award means a lot to me. It means so much to be mentioned in the same sentence as these players." Ranked as the Number 69 player in the country as well as the Touchdown Club's Private School Offensive Player of the Year, Waddle has narrowed his college choices down to a final six: Alabama, Florida State, Oregon, TCU, University of Texas, and Texas A&M. The U.S. Army All‑American Bowl will be played on Saturday, January 6, 2018, at the Alamodome in San Antonio. In October, five seniors signed national letters of intent to compete in intercollegiate athletics: Mylana Byrd committed to play volleyball at Alabama, Kansas Watts will play basketball at Colorado State‑Pueblo, Sarah Venker will play softball at Ball State, Antonio Cruz will play baseball at Rice, and Peter Geib will play baseball at the University of Texas. Geib was also named one of the Top 10 Players to Watch for in "Texas High School Baseball Magazine." The 6'2" 3rd baseman has started on the Episcopal High School varsity team since his freshman year.

In addition, seniors Cristina Wyatt, Analia Salomon, and Alexis Aboulafia scored in the top 2.5 percent among Hispanic and Latino PSAT/NMSQT test takers in our region on the 2016 PSAT and were named National Hispanic Scholars. Seven seniors also qualified as Commended Scholars: Alexis Aboulafia, Ian Evans, Peter Geib, Shane Hauser, Mary Helen Kennedy, Eric Nagueh, and Analia Salomon. Commended scholars scored in the top 34,000 (top 5 percent) of 2016 PSAT test takers, and show exceptional academic promise.

#KnightsStandOut

Fall Athletics Wrap‑Up: Girls Volleyball Triumphs The Knights completed a banner season at the 2017 Fall SPC Championships in Fort Worth. Cross country, field hockey, and girls and boys volleyball all qualified for the three‑day event featuring the top teams in the conference. The highlight of the SPC tournament certainly was the girls volleyball team's title run. The Knights secured the #1 seed with a 6‑0 record in the south zone and made quick work of St. Stephen's (3‑0) and Episcopal School Dallas (3‑0) in the first two rounds. The Knights faced south zone foe Houston Christian in the championship match and dispatched the Mustangs 3‑1. The SPC title marks the first for the girls volleyball program since 1998 and the ninth in program history. The Knights finished with an overall record of 29‑6 and return a solid nucleus of players eager to defend their title. In December, Coach Amanda Watts was named Texas Association of Volleyball Coaches SPC Coach of the Year. Varsity football qualified for the SPC 4A championship game with an undefeated run through the conference regular season. The Knights faced familiar rival Kinkaid at the University of Houston's TDECU Stadium and the atmosphere was electric! The Knights jumped out to a quick 7‑0 lead on a 92‑yard run by senior sensation Jaylen Waddle, but the Falcons wrestled the lead away late in the first half and defeated the Knights 38‑21. The field hockey team earned the #4 seed in the SPC south zone behind solid play from our young and talented athletes. The Knights played well in the SPC tournament, sandwiching a thrilling 2‑1 win over Oakridge between 1‑0 losses to Hockaday and St. Andrew's. The team continues to make huge strides and finished the season with an overall record of 11‑8. The boys volleyball team faced stiff competition throughout the tournament, dropping the opener to #1 seed Greenhill before falling to south zone rivals St. Stephen's and Kinkaid. The Knights graduate one senior and look to make another run at the title in 2018. A major storyline throughout the fall season was the excitement surrounding the girls and boys cross country program. Coach Julius Michael and his staff brought new energy to the program and are excited to build the Knights into an annual contender in the SPC. Both the girls and boys runners improved throughout the season and performed very well at the SPC championship meet on the challenging Fort Worth Sports Performance Ranch course. The cheerleading team had a phenomenal fall season as they thrilled audiences at halftimes and pep rallies with their energy, enthusiasm, and technical skill. EHS boasted three teams and almost 60 participants in the program. All three teams competed and dominated the NCA Lone Star Classic at NRG Arena in early November. —Jason Grove, Director of Athletics

Bright Knights

MYLANA BYRD '18

Talent That Works

Mylana Byrd discovered volleyball through family. "Playing volleyball enticed me because my cousin and mom played and loved it. I knew I would too." She started playing volleyball at 10 years old when she tried out for her cousin's club team. The director of the club saw her potential, so he gladly took her on. Even though Byrd was redshirted and participated primarily in practices, she didn't give up. Fast‑forward four years to Byrd's volleyball career at EHS, a team for which she has started since her freshman year of high school. The athletic accolades Byrd has earned while at Episcopal are numerous and include Houston Chronicle's Athlete of the Week, a 2016 and 2017 Phenom Watch List athlete, and a 2017 Under Armor All‑American Candidate. As Coach Watts describes her on the court, "Mylana is one of our captains who not only plays quarterback when she's on the back row, but puts up a wall on defense and is a huge offensive threat on the front row. She's anywhere we need her to be." This year, her final year at EHS, Byrd helped bring home the SPC championship, which has not been done in nearly 20 years. After meeting and working with many cohorts of talented volleyball players, Byrd found her team in 2016—a group of girls who shared her commitment, love, and drive for a sport they hope to play in college. For Byrd, that college will be the University of Alabama, which she committed to the summer before her junior year. When she walked on the 'Bama campus, talked to the coach, and met the players, she knew it would be her next home. To Byrd, volleyball is more than a sport. It's family, fun, and her future. "I love the game because I thrive on competition. My whole family does. Volleyball allows me to be successful and have fun. It gives my life meaning and allows me to set goals I can achieve. My goal every day when I wake up is to better myself so I will beat the person across the net." Byrd hopes to one day play for the Olympics. On the court, Byrd embodies one of her favorite quotes, made famous by Kevin Durant when he was named National College Basketball Player of the Year in 2007: "Hard work beats talent when talent doesn't work hard." She applies this adage to every part of her life, including her work at EHS. "Mylana not only dominates on the court, but she takes care of business in the classroom, earning Honor Roll all four years she's been at EHS. She has exemplified what it means to be a student‑athlete," says Coach Watts. "EHS has taught me how to push myself in the classroom and on the court. Teachers really care about their students and want them to succeed, and have fun while doing it." —Emma Tsai

Bright Knights

VICTOR NETLAND '18 A Practice of Perseverance

Call it determination, courage, grit, or zeal. Victor Netland says, "The quality of 'not giving up' is the most valuable takeaway from my time at EHS." Whether he was pushing himself through a 5:45 a.m. cross country run, attending daily tutorials for Honors Algebra II, or giving a speech for Student Council elections—when he disliked public speaking—he challenged himself to persevere and try harder. "I was a shy, quiet guy in middle school," he admits. "The supportive environment at EHS freed me to loosen up a little and find my passions." During freshman year, when he heard about the Locks of Love program, a nonprofit that makes hairpieces for children with hair loss, he decided to grow his thick hair for two years, so that he could donate a 1‑foot‑long ponytail last spring. After fellow students noticed his knack for finding the coolest vintage shirts and sportswear, he created a cottage business selling quality items to his friends. On weekends, when he is not logging miles for cross country, he's rummaging the racks at Value Village, Goodwill, or garage sales, searching for the best deals. Sales boomed during the Houston Astros' run for the World Series pennant after he located throwback shirts from the candy‑corn era to the black‑and‑burnt‑orange look of the Killer B's. Netland says his business continues to flourish during the Rockets' season, and besides sports brands, recent finds include vintage polos and a Tommy Hilfiger jacket. Bob Matthews, Netland's advisor throughout high school, says, "Victor embodies the 'try anything' attitude. He took a strenuous course load during junior year and embraced the challenges. I would ask him if the course load was too much. Did he need to make some adjustments? He would say, 'No I want to stick to it. I want to figure it out.' I remember his sense of accomplishment when he improved an honors math grade from a D to a B. That was his goal—and he did it. "Victor is not a student who's focused solely on GPA or the path to an award," sums up Matthews. "He enjoys the journey of learning. On top of that, he is a good guy, and a great leader." —Claire C. Fletcher

HILDEBRAND ATHLETIC CENTER OPENS DOORS, INSPIRES EXCELLENCE Since the grand opening in August, the Hildebrand Athletic Center has become the heart of activity at Episcopal High School and an inspiration for excellence and achievement. As Bishop Doyle remarked in his 2017‑2018 Opening Day homily, "We raise money and we build buildings on this campus, so that we may create a particular kind of space, that we may build a particular kind of community, and a particular kind of school that is significantly and intentionally different than the way the rest of the world works. Board members and parents are responsible for the work of funding and building this school. Your work as faculty and students is to create the community that God dreams about, and we believe it's possible in this space. A community that is different and makes a difference."

Your work as faculty and students is to create the community that God dreams about, and we believe it's possible in this space. With 65,000‑square‑feet of space and plentiful natural light, the stunning complex includes a 5,500‑square‑foot Alumni Center that offers panoramic views of downtown and the Galleria area; a 7,000‑square‑foot weight room; a 4,000‑square‑foot wrestling and cheerleading room with surround sound; a film room for study sessions and team meals; a 1,300‑square‑foot training room with treatment tubs and physical therapy equipment; and a history gallery on the first floor that features 70" monitors and multiple glass trophy shelves that celebrate the School's strong tradition of championship teams. On any given day, the first‑floor Alkek Gym accommodates a Chapel program showcasing a dance concert, pep rallies, and a constant schedule of basketball and volleyball games. The spacious third‑floor Alumni Center has quickly become a hot spot for fundraisers, reunions, student council workshops, and in‑service meetings for faculty and staff. Whether for sports, academics, or social events, the Hildebrand Athletic Center is a place where people can come together, forge bonds as a community, and create opportunities for EHS students to realize their promise.

Hildebrand Athletic Center Highlights Top‑of‑the‑line machine weights, free weights, and cardiovascular equipment fill the 7,000‑square‑foot fitness center.

Collegiate‑style locker rooms with carpet and oversized lockers 4,000‑square‑foot wrestling and cheerleading space includes a video monitor with instant playback capabilities, eight wrestling practice rings, and an all‑purpose non‑slip floor A third‑floor event space featuring a 1,000‑square‑foot terrace that overlooks Simmons Stadium and Brown Field 1,300‑square‑foot training room with seven treatment stations and five hot and cold treatment tubs

The Alkek Gym, with a Knighthead and the state of Texas outlined at center court, showcases both school and state pride.

A cutting‑edge competition gym with the capacity to seat 1,500 cheering fans 15

We raise money and we build buildings on this campus, so that we may create a particular kind of space, that we may build a particular kind of community, and a particular kind of school that is significantly and intentionally different than the way the rest of the world works.

New Underwood Student Center Coming Soon 57.5 miles of rebar in the foundation 3,660 tons of concrete throughout 500 seats 1 coffee bar Photo by Ashleigh Teel.

Opening Fall 2018 17

MOMENTS

The annual Challenger Football Game brings joy to the gridiron and provides children with disabilities the opportunity to play ball and experience team sports. Photo by Ashleigh Teel.

M.D. KNIGHTS

Two EHS grads discover a satisfying life of challenges and rewards in the field of medicine

AMANDA SCHULTZ '05

Whole‑Hearted Care

As a family medicine practitioner, Amanda Schultz '05 is that small town doctor in a big city who can handle common ailments like the flu to life‑changing events like birth and delivery. She feels privileged to serve others and be granted such access into their personal lives, something Schultz sees as a great honor. What Schultz truly appreciates about her job is the unspoken trust between doctor and patient that transcends the boundaries of most professions. She takes pride in being able to apply her knowledge to help improve the health of her patients. Schultz has an up‑close and personal view of the entire life span through her work as she sees patients in every phase of life, from infancy to the sunset years. EHS helped Schultz come into her own. Kim Randolph's senior biology class made her consider entering medicine— especially the day he brought freeze‑dried human lungs to show the class. "I about fainted," she recalls. "I was disgusted and fascinated all at the same time. I touched them, I studied them, I held them up, and I overcame my initial horror. There was something about touching those lungs that made everything click for me. I was strangely drawn to them—I wanted to know and see more of the human body that no typical person gets to see, so I decided that day I was going to be a doctor!" A typical work day for Schultz begins at an outpatient Family Health Center in downtown San Antonio. She sees patients in the clinic four‑and‑a‑half days a week, but makes herself available for any emergencies roughly seven days out of the month. This means that if someone goes into labor or needs to be admitted to the hospital, or one of her patients in the hospital isn't doing well, she's the first one called to help. Schultz also works for a family medicine residency with deliveries and in the hospital.

"The rewards are many, but the most rewarding experience in my job is being the very first person to touch a baby you are delivering to waiting parents. It's an adrenaline rush because, despite your studies and practice, birth is never a completely controlled process. Babies, moms, families, hospitals, equipment—all of it can surprise you. And nothing compares to that point in delivery that everyone has been waiting for and to see the celebration in the arrival of a new person—for the family, of course, but even for me." Her day begins at 6:30 a.m. and by the time much of the world begins to wake up, Schultz can be found reviewing patient charts and her appointment schedule for the day. These appointments vary from physical examinations to well child check‑ups to prenatal appointments to procedures (like toenail removals, joint injections, or skin lesion removals and biopsies). With such variety in her hour‑to‑hour work, Schultz has the opportunity to use a wide variety of tools and problem‑solving skills for very important means—health and well-being. From an education that focused on the whole child to a job that focuses on the whole body and the whole life, she feels thankful to do something so impactful to so many. "Few careers allow you to know others in such a way and guide them through pivotal moments," Schultz explains, "like the birth of a child, the remission of cancer, or the recovery from a heart attack. It's fun, it's challenging, it's heartbreaking, and it's incredibly satisfying. I provide care to patients of every age, sex, and background. I use my whole brain and whole heart every day." —Emma Tsai

JOHN EAKIN '02 A Habit of Excellence

John Eakin '02 seeks environments that reinforce positive habits and doing "good." From his days at Episcopal High School to his recent tours as a flight surgeon in the U.S. Navy, he is happiest when surrounded by people who are motivated to achieve success through serving others. "Early on at Episcopal, daily Chapel helped me keep priorities balanced and recognize the values that are important in my life. The service projects we did at EHS taught me the joy of giving back," says Eakin. "Intellectually, I was challenged by teachers like Nguyet Pham, Kim Randolph, Tom Wright, Beverly Rutledge, and John Flanagan who made tough subjects accessible and prepared me for a rigorous college course load."

Early on at Episcopal, daily Chapel helped me keep priorities balanced and recognize the values that are important in my life. Service projects taught me the joy of giving back. Eakin graduated in the top of his class at EHS and went on to graduate with high honors from the biomedical engineering program at the University of Texas at Austin. He then attended Baylor College of Medicine on a Navy scholarship, where he also graduated with high honors. Since then, between tours of duty and medical training, he has lived in California, Florida, Hawaii, and Massachusetts and deployed twice overseas.

Eakin's goal now is to match with an orthopedic surgery residency in Houston so that he can live near family, including his sister, Elizabeth, who attended EHS with the Class of 1998. The Texas Medical Center would give him access to some of the most advanced medical facilities in the world as well as dedicated surgeons and clinical researchers. Wherever he lands, Eakin wants to maintain ties with the military through the Navy Reserves. "The troops are such a gratifying population to work for," he explains. "One patient I remember well was an 18‑year‑old Marine infantryman who was shot in the hand during live‑fire field exercises. When I unwrapped his bandages I could see that he lost several fingers and had a very severe injury. Yet this Marine sat there stoically and told me how much he enjoyed being a Marine, which I found incredibly selfless and courageous." Eakin's experiences have also blessed him with great leadership role models and wise rules to live by. He recalls the mantra of one of his favorite surgical mentors: "Always do what's right by your patient and," referring to anatomy as well as people, "never hurt anything with a name." —Claire C. Fletcher

Eakin's commitments to medicine and military service have satisfied his adventuresome spirit and helped him define his career goals. He found his niche during rotations in orthopedic surgery. "The orthopedic community is great. I've been impressed with everyone from clinic staff to medical device reps to the teams in the operating room." He enjoys orthopedic surgery because the care often produces immediate and tangible results for patients. "When someone is broken you put them back together. I like that!" Eakin says with a smile. "It's rewarding to help patients maintain their mobility and live fulfilling lives."

THIRTY SECONDS WITH ELON MUSK

Alumni Emphasize Authenticity and Work Ethic at Third Annual Alumni Leadership Day

"If you had thirty seconds with Elon Musk, what would you tell him are the top two things that make you exceptional?" That was the question alumnus Eric Santamaria '92, Service Manager for Tesla, posed to EHS seniors during his visit to campus for Alumni Leadership Day. Santamaria and 40 other alumni returned to EHS on Tuesday, November 7, where they met with EHS seniors, shared stories about decisions that impacted their career paths, and described daily life in their professions. Panels included diverse fields such as Arts and Entertainment, Engineering, Science and Medicine, Finance, and Real Estate. Following the panel discussions, alumni joined the seniors for lunch, where students could visit with them and follow up on questions in a less formal atmosphere. A few common themes ran through most of the discussions, as the panelists stressed the importance of identifying personal strengths and weaknesses to determine career paths and find success. Alumni across all fields emphasized building a strong work ethic and reputation, qualities that will further careers. Marketing panelist Katia Mazzone Basley '08 advised, "Never let any job be beneath you. Pick up trash, do the admin work, stay late, and work hard." Alumni also encouraged seniors to take advantage of the many classes, electives, and extracurricular activities at EHS, which will help students discover interests and determine their passions. The Arts and Entertainment panelists were unanimous in their belief of internships and networking. When networking, "Be sure that you are authentic," emphasized actress Stephanie Styles '10. "Have coffee and tea with people, learn from everybody—in general, people love to share advice. Ask artists whose work or career you admire if they want to meet and talk. Most likely, they will." In addition to serving on the Business and Entrepreneurship panel, Santamaria addressed the entire student body during Alumni Chapel on Monday, November 6. In his Chapel talk, Santamaria emphasized work ethic and curiosity as keys to success. He reminded listeners that life and work will bring both joys and disappointments. But, he told the students, "It's not about how you fail, it's about how you get back up and achieve." —Claire C. Fletcher

Photo by Ashleigh Teel.

PILLARS IN THE STORM In the early 1990s, Bishop Benitez honored the School's dedicated and selfless early supporters with beautiful stained glass windows depicting scenes from scripture. One of the most striking images is "The Stilling of the Storm," in honor of founder Jack T. Trotter. On these pages, we recognize our community members who stepped up to help after Hurricane Harvey. When the Category 1 storm dropped 51 inches of rain across our city, causing catastrophic floods and destroying more than 100,000 homes, EHS volunteers worked tirelessly and joyfully to help those in need. Whether it was students distributing clothes at shelters, faculty and staff cooking for colleagues, administrators welcoming a neighboring school with temporary classrooms, or alumni launching boats for rescue missions, these stories are the ones that make Episcopal High School unique and #TexasStrong. Tales of hurricane heroics and small kindnesses are too numerous to detail here, and some efforts are still in progress. This feature provides a glimpse of the EHS spirit, a foundation of service and benevolence that endures despite any storm or adversity.

COLLEAGUES SHOW CARING AND CONNECTION by Patricia Houser, College Counseling

I don't know about your family, but food is central to nearly every event in mine. Indulging in a celebratory dessert, turning to favorite comfort foods in times of grief, or gathering around a table to break bread together in fellowship, food has a way of connecting us. For better or worse, colleagues often become a second family, dysfunctional as it may be. Even on a good day, we find that we spend more waking hours with our coworkers than we do our own families. In the days following the hurricane, we began to learn that many of those colleagues had been impacted by the storm, some marginally and some catastrophically. The opportunity arose to coordinate a meal train for a few members of our faculty and staff who had to secure temporary housing because their homes were uninhabitable. As food is a primary love language for me, I was eager to take on the task of organizing. I expected the work of communicating needs and coordinating days to fill a simple need within the community, providing members of our team with a little extra love and support. What I didn't expect was that doing so would make me fall in love with our EHS family all over again. First, the outpouring of love was overwhelming. So many members of our community offered to prepare meals on an ongoing basis and still others generously purchased gift cards to local restaurants to make eating out or carry‑out easy options on those particularly hectic days. Second, the care and dignity shown was beautiful. Nobody needed to know who would be receiving the meals on the other end. It didn't matter. And questions about preferences and food allergies and special requests arose time and time again. Some of the meals were so elaborate, I suspect our families ate like kings for days. As the one lucky enough to get to hand off those meals, I got to see the relief that came with marking off one small task from the growing list, knowing dinner was covered. As one recipient welcomed a meal, she offered, "We don't even have a salt shaker at our new place." I began to look forward to scurrying around campus to deliver meals as I got to know colleagues I didn't previously know very well—both those who'd cooked and those receiving meals—a welcome opportunity. As I said, food has a way of connecting people. The generosity of our faculty and staff community was remarkable; the gratitude on the other end was palpable. And I was reminded once again what a wonderful, special place this is. Tragedies such as Hurricane Harvey bring out that most basic instinct in all of us to help when someone is in need. Witnessing that truly restores your faith in humanity. I count myself so blessed to work at Episcopal High School and to call the wonderful folks I work with every day my second—more functional than most—family.

KNIGHTS HELPING KNIGHTS by Gage Herrold '21

Have you ever had to reach out to help another or been helped when you're down? As I woke up early Saturday morning, tired from the football game the night before, I got dressed and headed over to senior Aidan and sophomore Noah Cook's house, fellow schoolmates whose home flooded badly after Hurricane Harvey. I did not know how bad the damage would be, so I prepared for the worst. When arriving, I met the welcoming and kind family and felt as if they were already close family friends. Dean Kim Randolph gathered us and told us what we needed to do. We were each assigned sections of the wall and floor to remove due to mold growth, and we put on our masks and began working. Because my section of the wall was small, I finished first and stuck around in case anyone needed help. Watching my Knight friends work hard to help another Knight was heartwarming. Even though our tasks were small, it took so much weight off the Cooks' shoulders. Watching Dean Kim Randolph put his blood, sweat, and tears into the job to get the work done inspired us all. We could tell that Mrs. Cook was a hardworking mom that would do anything to help her family. Everything was truly inspiring, and taught me an important lesson: Never give up, even when you are at your lowest. At the end of the day, Mrs. Cook told our group, "Y'all are true angels that God has sent to us." Helping this family in need was a great experience and learning moment.

I feel comfort in knowing that we are part of a community where anyone is prepared to help.

THE CITIZEN NAVY by George Jackson '02

On the Sunday during Harvey, floodwaters started rising rapidly in the Braes Heights neighborhood. My brother Alex's good friend and fellow Class of 1996 alum, James Kadlick (who lives in the neighborhood), reached out to Alex and asked him to go get his boat as there was a critical need to evacuate people. James had his boat at his house and was out doing rescues all day Sunday. Alex, who lives in Montrose, was able to get to his boat and he picked me up at my home in West University on the way to Braes Heights. The scene we confronted that afternoon was astonishing. Water had made it all the way from Brays Bayou to Pershing Middle School. We backed the boat into the first place we could find deep enough water and set out into the neighborhood. We had never seen anything like it; the streets were rivers! The current was so strong it made it difficult to navigate our small fly-fishing boat. We made our way toward the bayou and found a huge Harris County emergency vehicle that had stalled out. The emergency workers had been stuck there for hours. We pulled a few out and took them to dry land. During this time, people were sending us text messages and flagging us down, pleading to be rescued. We started our rescues Sunday afternoon and worked until dark. I will never forget a woman who was nine months pregnant, trapped in her flooded home. Her neighbor, Mandy Malone Loper '98, alerted us because she could go into labor any hour. We found out that she had the baby the next day! We also rescued an elderly couple. The wife had a neurological disorder and was wheelchair‑bound, and the husband had advanced dementia. That was a difficult rescue. The husband was extremely confused and did not know what was going on. Finally, with the help of neighbors, we convinced the couple's son that they needed to get out. We carried the lady above our heads in her wheelchair (water was up to our chests) and placed her in the boat. We had to carry the man against his will and put him in the boat. It was just about dark when we got them to the unofficial staging point at Molina's Restaurant on Holcombe. They both required medical attention immediately, but we could not get an ambulance dispatched. I called the West University fire department and they sent their large emergency vehicle and picked the couple up and sped them to the hospital. The couple's son called us the next day and was profoundly appreciative. The doctors told him that his mother had a high probability of dying (her meds were lost in the flood) if she had not made it to the hospital. Alex, James, and I continued our rescue efforts for five days, helping more than 100 people. Every citizen we met who was not severely affected had stepped up and was out helping strangers. This navy of private citizens was awe‑inspiring—and we all felt fortunate to be a part of it.

KNIGHTS IN SHINING ARMOR by Claire C. Fletcher

When Bellaire street flooding cleared a few days after Harvey, the administrators at the Post Oak School on Bissonnet discovered that the entire first floor of the lower school was soaked with 5 inches of water. Sheetrock needed to be replaced and mold remediated. Plans had to be made quickly to find temporary facilities for 100‑plus students. Maura Joyce, head of school, described her dilemma at a Houston Area Independent Schools (HAIS) heads of school conference. Soon after, recalls Post Oak Lower School Director Jeff Schneider, she received a call from EHS's Ned Smith saying, "We've got you covered." Cut to September 11, when 120 Post Oak lower school students and their teachers walked single‑file into the B Building and Bishops Parlor for temporary classes. Schneider says the children were thrilled to study among high schoolers and they were especially excited to be greeted with colorful welcome posters and signs. EHS teacher Paul Revaz and his Theatre Tech students even unloaded trucks and helped Post Oak faculty carry supplies into their classrooms. A feeling of goodwill prevailed, says Schneider, and EHS students reacted to the children's presence with a mix of "curiosity and kindness." When the renovation wrapped up on October 6, the Post Oak School students were eager to return home, but not without a big and boisterous thank you. They showered Ned Smith with letters, hugs, cheers, and a giant poster signed by all the Post Oak students thanking their "Knights in Shining Armor."

A DOWNPOUR OF GOOD DEEDS The EHS response to Harvey was swift and comprehensive. Immediately after Harvey hit Houston, the "EHS Response to Harvey" web page was established as a clearinghouse for information about resources and volunteer opportunities. The EHS Grade Level Deans were enlisted as point persons for each class, matching families whose homes flooded with essential resources, from mold remediation to textbooks. Soon, photos of Knights volunteering across Houston began showing up on social media, as students helped out at shelters at NRG and the George R. Brown. Teams of clean‑up crews assisted homeowners from Bellaire to the Energy Corridor. Coach Steve Leisz, who had borrowed a lifted truck from a friend, was tagged to evacuate neighbors from their houses, even though his own home filled with water after the reservoir release. The School established an EHS Relief Fund to assist faculty and families affected by the hurricane. Within two weeks, more than $90,000 was donated and distributed by the Business Office. In October, the Student Council held a food drive to replenish the pantry at Yellowstone Academy in the Third Ward. The Interact Club dedicated proceeds from their annual Haunted House to Harvey Relief.

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.

WAYNE JONES

History Teacher, Coach, and 11th Grade Dean Wayne Jones considers himself a proud native Houstonian, even though he spent a few years in New York City and Los Angeles as a boy. A lifelong educator, he has taught at Kinkaid, Strake Jesuit, and now six years at Episcopal. At EHS he wears many hats, including 11th grade dean, head basketball coach, boys golf coach, U.S. History teacher, Sports and Society teacher, and the facilitator of the School's new SEED (Seeking Education Equity and Diversity) project. As a basketball coach, Jones has led numerous Houston‑area teams to division finals, and in 2013 he ended a 17‑year drought at Episcopal with an SPC Boys Basketball Championship. Both of his sons graduated from Episcopal, Colby in 2014 and Canyon in 2016. If Jones isn't on campus, you can find him on the greens or in the kitchen cooking up some Italian cuisine. What's on your playlist right now? My playlist is very eclectic! I have a little bit of everything—some Miles Davis, Wynton Marsalis, Jason Aldean, a lot of Jay Z, Dr. Dre, and Biggie, with some Sam Hunt, Ed Sheeran, Adele, Wale, and Migos sprinkled in. What was the first concert you attended? RUN‑DMC and the Beastie Boys in Madison Square Garden, a bucket list event for me during my youth. If you weren't a teacher, what would you pick for a career? I would definitely be a golf pro. Golf is a passion of mine, and if I were not good enough to be on a professional tour, teaching golf to others would be so satisfying. What is your proudest accomplishment? My proudest accomplishment is being a father to my two sons, Colby and Canyon. I have been truly blessed watching them grow into young men and having been part of that everyday process with them. Do you have a favorite app or tech gadget? I am not a tech person, but I have fallen in love with my Apple Watch. I still can't use most of the features, but it's fun finding new things it can do all the time. Did you have a mentor growing up who inspired your career? My mother was my mentor who stressed education and "paying it forward." She emphasized to my brother and me how important education is and that it is our duty to help educate others. If you could travel back in time, what period of history would you choose? The 1960s. I love the zeal and grit that individuals had during that time period. Most people were fighting for some type of right or social justice and they helped lay many of the foundations that we take for granted today. What trait do you most admire in your colleagues? The ability to work with different types of students. We have students from different backgrounds, different religions, different parts of the city, and we make it work every day for the betterment of the individual student. That is a trait most schools wish they had from a faculty and staff. What trait do you most admire in your students? The ability to multitask. We ask so much from them on a daily basis and they seem to always come through—sometimes with a little prodding. The vast majority of our students are very active in at least three of our Four Pillars. It is amazing to watch them do all the things we ask of them. Read any good books recently? The Greatest: My Own Story by Muhammad Ali. Ali is an icon of mine, not because of the things he did in the ring, but for the things he did outside of it. To go from being one of the most execrated men in the America to being loved by most is truly transformative. If you could eat only one meal this week, what would it be? A great aged ribeye with mashed potatoes and asparagus.

ZACH SCHWARZ

History Teacher, Coach, and Assistant Dean of Faculty After growing up in Connecticut, and going to college in New Jersey, Zach Schwarz would never have imagined he'd be a Texan of 10‑plus years. But after graduating from Princeton University with a degree in history, he moved to Houston and has been here ever since. During his tenure at EHS, Schwarz has helped coach the varsity boys soccer team, developed the Independent Study Program, and designed elective courses on both contemporary America and the 1980s. He currently teaches history and serves as the Assistant Dean of Faculty. Now in his 11th year at EHS, Schwarz most enjoys the chance to help students make connections between the past and their own lives, aiding them in the process of becoming life‑long learners. In his free time, he can be found reading, training for a marathon, cheering on the Rockets, or searching for Houston's best tacos. What's on your playlist right now? I'm more of a podcast than a music person. Malcolm Gladwell's "Revisionist History" is a favorite of mine, even if I find myself disagreeing with some of his analysis. And "The Lowe Post" is my go‑to for all things NBA. What was the first concert you attended? Dave Matthews Band in beautiful East Rutherford, New Jersey. If you weren't a teacher, what would you pick for a career? Growing up I wanted to be a trial lawyer, but I think that was mostly because I watched too much of "The Practice." What is your proudest accomplishment? Finding a career that I not only enjoy, but also feeling like what I do makes the lives of others more enriching. Do you have a favorite app or tech gadget? Memory. It's an app that tracks total phone usage and pickups on a daily and weekly basis. I'm always trying to better my stats by using my phone less than the week before. Did you have a mentor growing up who inspired your career? My 11th grade Physics teacher, Mr. Rhodes. He had a unique way of making content relatable regardless of a student's intellectual interests. I realize that many of my students do not care about Henry Clay or the Marshall Plan, but if I can help them develop skills that they can use far beyond their experience in my classroom, that is what is most important to me. If you could travel back in time, what period of history would you choose? There is something gritty and authentic about the 1970s that fascinates me. The decade rests at the intersection of the modern and contemporary worlds, with America struggling to find its place following Watergate and the Vietnam War, but before the collapse of the Soviet Union. What trait do you most admire in your colleagues? Their humility. Nobody becomes a teacher for public acclaim, but the preparation, dedication, and intentionality of our faculty for the benefit of others is incredible. What trait do you most admire in your students? Their curiosity. I'm always energized by the random and diverse interests of my students. Read any good books recently? Darktown by Thomas Mullen, which documents the lives of the first African‑American police officers in Atlanta in the late 1940s, was outstanding. And Rising Sun by Michael Crichton, which outlines the differences between American and Japanese business and culture in thriller‑form, was a great summer read. If you could eat only one meal this week, what would it be? Tacos—100% Taquitos off of Southwest Freeway has been a staple in my life for over a decade.

HILLARY HOULE

English Teacher and New Faculty Mentor

Hillary Brooks Houle '92 is blue, through and through—and so is her family. Between various members, the Brooks and Houle clans have collectively served more than 30 years at EHS. Houle has taught English and creative writing at Episcopal for 12 years, and her father, The Rev. Dub Brooks, served as chaplain and assistant head of school from 1992 to 2004. Her stepmother, Suzanne Brooks, worked in Advancement for three years, and her husband, Tony Houle, taught history for two years. In addition, Houle graduated in 1992 and her brother Gabriel graduated in 1994. Houle grew up in Alexandria, Virginia, and Houston, earned her undergrad degree from American University, and received a Master of Writing from Johns Hopkins University. Her 5‑year‑old daughter, Cleo, attends Duchesne Academy, where Tony is head of middle school. When they aren't teaching, studying, or traveling, this star‑gazing family can be found admiring the latest images beamed back from the Hubble telescope. What's on your playlist right now? I'm all over the map. Here's a snapshot: Martin Sexton, Needtobreathe, Pink, and the Jackson 5. I also secretly love church choir music from around the world. What was the first concert you attended? Madonna. If you weren't a teacher, what would you pick for a career? Since I also write short stories and poetry, I'd keep up with writing and have a food truck offering organic seasonal selections. What is your proudest accomplishment? Being a teacher for my students and my daughter. Of course, my hubby is an amazing sidekick—I'm pretty proud that I married him too. Do you have a favorite app or tech gadget? SkyView—I love studying maps of outer space. I'm particularly interested in what's beyond the Kuiper Belt and the moons of Pluto. Did you have a mentor growing up who inspired your career? A teacher, Nguyet Pham, our EHS Dean of Faculty. She helped math make sense to me and was incredibly encouraging in the classroom. If you could travel back in time, what period of history would you choose? I've always wanted to meet my paternal grandmother who died of breast cancer when my father was 14. She was a pilot in WWII. My grandfather was her flight trainer, so that's how they met. She has an incredible story. If I went back to the 1950s I'd have a chance to see her as a mother, when she was flying for fun with her children, and have a chance to hear all of her crazy adventures. What trait do you most admire in your colleagues? Work ethic. What trait do you most admire in your students? Willingness to try. Read any good books recently? Really, too many to list. For my next read, I am about to start #EdJourney: A Roadmap to the Future of Education by Grant Lichtman. If you could eat only one meal this week, what would it be? Spanakopita followed by loukoumades at the Houston Greek Festival.

MEET THE NEW TRUSTEES Area Leaders Join the EHS Team

Henrietta Alexander, a thoroughbred trainer, was the first woman to train a Grade I winner at Saratoga Race Course in 1992. From 2001‑2005, she owned and managed the Camden Training Center in South Carolina. Alexander earned a B.A. in humanities with minors in business and English at the University of Texas at Austin. She is a member of St. John the Divine Episcopal Church. Alexander is an accomplished photographer and enjoys skiing, hunting, hiking, and serving community nonprofits. Her son, Laird C. George, graduated from EHS in 2017. Craig Chandler is the co‑founder and current president of Powersite LLC, an innovative Houston‑based developer of environmentally‑friendly combined cycle gas turbine power plants. He has been a member of the Powersite Capital board since 2013 as well as a member of the EHS Dads Club board since 2015.

Craig and his wife, Trina, have two children, Brenton '16, a sophomore at the University of Texas, and Ashley, a current junior at EHS. This is Craig Childers' fourth term on the Episcopal High School Board of Trustees. He is a retired attorney and oil and gas executive who is now an active community volunteer. Childers attended the United States Air Force Academy and graduated with a B.S. with honors from the University of Utah. He also has a J.D. from the University of Texas. Childers and his wife, Jence, have a daughter, Jenny, who graduated in 2002. They are members of St. John the Divine Episcopal Church. Ashley Edens is the president and CEO of Sunny Sky Products, a leading manufacturer and distributor of dispensed beverages to a variety of consumers including schools, convenience stores, and food accounts.

Craig Childers, Haag Sherman, Craig Chandler, Ashley Edens, Trey Snider, and Henrietta Alexander. Photo by Ashleigh Teel.

Edens earned a bachelor's in accounting and finance from Texas Christian University. He and his wife, Pepper, have three children. Will is a senior at EHS and daughter Avery is a sophomore. Their youngest daughter, Peyton, is a 7th grader at River Oaks Baptist School.

Sherman is a member of St. John the Divine Episcopal Church, where he serves on the board of trustees of the endowment. He is married to Millette L. Sherman and has two daughters, Carson, a junior at EHS, and Julie, a 6th grader at River Oaks Baptist School.

Edens is a board member of YMCA Greater Houston and enjoys hunting, fishing, and playing tennis. He and his family are members of St. Luke's United Methodist Church.

Trey Snider is the founder and co‑president of O'Donnell Snider Construction, a Houston commercial construction firm. He graduated from the University of Texas at Austin with a B.B.A. in finance.

Haag Sherman co‑founded and serves a chief executive officer of Tectonic Holding LLC, a diversified financial services firm with $3 billion in client assets and the parent of Sanders Morris Harris LLC (a nationally chartered bank) and Tectonic Advisors LLC. He is also the co‑founder of the largest energy disposal business based in northeast Texas and northern Louisiana.

Snider and his wife, Lynette, have two children, Walt and Lindsey '19. Snider and his family are members of St. Michael's Catholic Church.

Sherman holds a B.B.A. in accounting and economics from Baylor and a J.D. from the University of Texas School of Law.

BUILDING AN 8,000‑MILE BRIDGE by Julius Michael

"My dear sister if you don't want to go to school, go and cook. I pray that God helps us, and on holidays one day we will be driving cars." Those are the lyrics to a nursery rhyme we sang as children under a tree at a refugee camp school in Uganda. I didn't realize it back then, but years later I stand in a classroom in Houston and reflect on how education got me to where I am today. One constant about life as a refugee in 1990s Uganda was moving from camp to camp at a moment's notice. A civil war between the Sudanese government and the People's Liberation Army, led by the corrupt politician Omar al‑Bashir, displaced thousands of families, including mine, and eventually led to the secession of South Sudan in 2011. Going to school was a way to escape the realities of daily life. Dedicated teachers opened our eyes to parts of the world that were impossible to imagine. I remember the day our teacher told us a story about a country called America where the men have traveled to the moon. I looked at the moon, and as a 5th grader, the fact that humans had landed on that glowing object far away fascinated me. Little did I know that one day I would end up calling the Space City my home. I loved my teachers and classmates in the Ugandan refugee schools, and every time I had the opportunity to attend class I tried not to miss a day. I remember one morning sitting in English class reviewing spelling words when suddenly we saw three United Nations trucks pull into our compound. The visitors walked straight into the headmaster's office. They had a heated conversation, and then started loading blackboards, desks, chalk, and tables onto the trucks. The students and our teachers were puzzled by the commotion. We asked them if they were replacing the old supplies, and they told us the U.N. could no longer afford to keep the school operating. Teachers had not been paid, and it cost money to replenish school supplies. We children tried to reason with the workers and prompted a peaceful protest by locking our

small arms and blocking the trucks from leaving, but despite our efforts, the school was shut down. In 1999, when at my parents' request for my safety and for our family's survival I moved from my homeland, I again met great teachers who were devoted to their craft. Although South Sudan and Texas are 8,000 miles apart, the teachers I had on two different continents changed my life and inspired me to become an educator. My life is a combination of different yet similar worlds. My love for history and social studies goes back to my first social studies class in my 3rd grade refugee school, because the topics are centered on human experiences. In history, we focus on the ways culture shapes our lives, which is an important aspect of my teaching because I see how people, regardless of our backgrounds, are all connected. I try to

The Last Word demonstrate this when I'm teaching about a particular country by showing examples of traditional foods or finding music to play for my students so that they can experience the culture and appreciate how similar we are as people. After 15 years of separation from my biological parents, I finally visited my family in South Sudan during a mission trip to teach and be a translator. I discovered that the questions the Sudanese ask me about life in America are the same questions my friends and students ask me about life in Africa. I try to be a bridge between these two worlds. In my history classes I make the point that building relationships and ties with people from different backgrounds and perspectives helps bring understanding. I tell my students how we all have much in common as humans, regardless of the different "‑isms" we use to describe and divide ourselves. When we have a relationship and a face to match with a certain group or nationality, we usually think twice before making generalizations and assumptions.

I discovered that the questions the Sudanese ask me about life in America are the same questions my friends and students ask me about life in Africa. I try to be a bridge between these two worlds. We all have much in common as humans, regardless of the different "‑isms" we use to describe and divide ourselves. Even though the political strife has calmed down in South Sudan, children still struggle to be educated. On my summer visits, I have seen the troubles firsthand. Students who cannot afford tuition and fees are kicked out of school at 11:00 a.m. each day after roll call, when administrators check off who has paid and who has not paid. By noon I would see students walking on dirt roads, trekking back home with their heads down. The next day they would sneak back into classrooms, trying to learn all they could before being asked to leave again. A young student told me, "At least I learned something before they sent me home. When my family comes up with the money, one day I will be able to stay a whole day!"

States in 1999 and grew up with his cousins in Houston, Texas. He received his bachelor's from Sam Houston State University as a McNair Scholar and earned his master's at Florida International University. He taught for 10 years at local schools before joining Episcopal High School this year. Michael is also the head cross country coach and led the team through a successful 2017 SPC season.

Possessions—houses, cars, and clothing—may be taken away, but knowledge and skills like critical thinking, problem solving, and curiosity are the true essentials for building a good life and a better world. Some of these skills are taught by our parents, and some we may learn from others—our teachers—miles away from home. Julius Michael is a faculty member in the Department of History and Social Sciences. He immigrated to the United

Photo by Chris Bailey Photography.

2017 ‑ 2018 BOARD OF TRUSTEES Chairman The Rt. Rev. C. Andrew Doyle Executive Chair Randa Duncan Williams Henrietta K. Alexander, Matthew K. Baird, Shelley Torian Barineau, J. Craig Chandler, W. Craig Childers, Gregory S. Curran, Rod Cutsinger, Julie G. Donaldson, William A. Edens Sr., J. Todd Frazier '88, Susan C. Garwood, Gregory R. Geib, The Rev. James M. L. Grace '94, Melinda Budinger Hildebrand, George V. Kane III, George O. McDaniel III, Jeffrey J. McParland, Dis Netland, Townes G. Pressler Jr., Joe Pyne, A. Haag Sherman, Ned Smith, Trey Snider, Duncan K. Underwood '89 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, 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 Merrell Athon, John F. Austin III, John S. Bonner III †, Thomas L. Carter Jr., Jonathan M. Clarkson, The Rt. Rev. C. Andrew Doyle, William F. Galtney Jr., Melinda Budinger Hildebrand, Victor A. Kormeier, Laurence B. Neuhaus, Joel I. Shannon, Ned Smith, Lynda Knapp Underwood, Thomas M. Wright

LEADERSHIP Head of School Ned Smith Assistant Head of School and Principal Nancy Laufe Eisenberg

Director of Finance and Operations Evelyn Cambria Dean of Faculty Nguyet Xuan Pham

Dean of Spiritual Life The Rev. Phil Kochenburger

Dean of Arts Jay Berckley

Director of Athletics Jason Grove

Director of Advancement Peggy Haney

PILLARS MAGAZINE TEAM Director of Communications Claire Fletcher Graphic Design Ashleigh Teel

Contributors Chris Bailey Photography, Jason Grove, Gage Herrold '21, Patricia Houser, George Jackson '02, Julius Michael, Emma Tsai

Photography Claire Fletcher, Mauro Gomez, Ashleigh Teel

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