3D Printing 22 Alumni Weekend

ALUMNI WEEKEND 2016 BRINGS ALUMNI, FAMILIES, AND FRIENDS TO CAMPUS

Friday evening's music was provided by Katie Stuckey Rushing '98 with the band Grand Old Grizzly featuring Will Thomas '97 and Chris Lewis '96.

piscopal High School launched its second annual Alumni Weekend on Friday, April 1, as alumni, friends, faculty, and family gathered to celebrate the Bishops Alumni Award recipients, Andrew Hawthorn '91 and Sharifa Rhodes-Pitts '96, along with Hexagon Distinguished Faculty and Staff Award recipients, Karen Foster and Julie Rollins.

In Chapel on Friday, the student body was able to take in two incredibly compelling talks by Hawthorn, a product marketing senior consultant at Dell Computers, and nonfiction writer Rhodes-Pitts, author of the critically acclaimed 2011 book, Harlem is Nowhere: A Journey to the Mecca of Black America. Hawthorn spoke of the profound impact that Episcopal High School had on shaping who he is today and also the lives of his brother and sister-in-law who are alumni. He said that the faculty and staff helped him to identify talents that he continued to explore in college as well as his career. Addressing the seniors, Hawthorn encouraged them not to forget EHS and to use the moral compass provided to them during their high school years to make the most of the next stages in their lives. He reminded the underclassmen that they are in a special place where they will learn many life lessons beyond those lessons in taught in textbooks or classroom lectures. Rhodes-Pitts reflected on the many hours she spent in the Chapel and how participation in community service such as Student of Service (SOS), helps to foster a greater community beyond the walls of EHS. She challenged the students to think about the wider connections in their lives and to consider those who came before them as they embark upon the future. Rhodes-Pitts, currently living in Haiti researching her second book, shared that Haiti and the United States have a significant connection, and had it not been for the Haitian revolution, the Louisiana Purchase never would have transpired. Her historical references demonstrated that even though events occurred in years past, their impact is still significant today.

Friday evening found Crum Field House filled with alumni, families, and friends to honor Hawthorn, Rhodes-Pitts, Foster, and Rollins. A special thank you is due to Jennifer Collins McCormick '94 who chaired the all-alumni gathering. To kick off the evening, Assistant Head of School Nancy Eisenberg proudly introduced the alumni award winners and shared an inspiring overview of their lives and careers after Episcopal High School. Her remarks reflected the lives of significance led by both Hawthorn and Rhodes-Pitts.

Rhodes-Pitts challenged the students to think about the wider connections in their lives and to consider those who came before them as they embark upon the future.

Anne Louise Conway '03, president of the Alumni Directors Council, recognized Science Department faculty member Foster and Director of College Counseling Rollins for their decades-long commitment to fostering the minds and spirits of Episcopal High School students. Both Foster and Rollins were greeted with overwhelming applause when they received their awards on stage. EHS is proud to have them as our very own!

Saturday's campus tours found alumni and their families marveling at the state-of-art classrooms and science labs in the Jack T. Trotter Academic & Sciences Building, recalling that their classrooms where much simpler. Upon entering the Convent, Dance Studio, Chapel, and Alkek Gym, alumni were immediately greeted by the familiar settings where each had spent a significant amount of time. As the tours concluded, the consensus was that everything at Episcopal was the same, yet different. Saturday evening was full of class parties for the reunion years. Alumni were able to spend a fabulous Houston evening outside at various venues as they shared stories, memories, and current updates of where they have been and where they are now. In addition, teachers and coaches were able to make the reunions for part of the evening and participate in the many conversations that lasted well into the night.

For more Alumni Weekend reunion photos, turn to page 34.

—Margaret Young

Save the date for Alumni Weekend 2017, on April 7-8!

MOMENTS

Faculty and staff offered their helping hands in the EHS ceramics studio to create pieces for the Houston Food Bank's Empty Bowls Project. Photo by Ashleigh Teel.

ROYAL KNIGHTS AUCTION DECLARED A SMASHING SUCCESS

On Friday, February 26, 2016, the EHS community gathered to celebrate Episcopal High School at Royal Knights: A British Invasion! Co-chairs Julie Bayouth, Bonny Edwards, and Heather Herrold, along with countless volunteers and generous donors, raised an astounding $1.3 million net for the School's operating budget.

During the Paddles Up portion of the Live Auction, EHS alumnae Vanessa Ramirez '02, founder of the nonprofit Eight Million Stories, discussed the impact EHS and the financial aid program had on her life. "I am incredibly honored to play a role in supporting the EHS Financial Aid Program as it was your open doors, open arms, and open hearts that empowered me to become the change agent my community so desperately needs and provided me the 'now you know what you didn't know' experiences that inspired me to start my own nonprofit, Eight Million Stories, whose mission is to aggressively disrupt the school to prison pipeline." Vanessa's heartfelt testimony combined with the generous giving of the EHS community raised more than $250,000 for the financial aid program at Episcopal.

Decorations Chairs Allyson Connelly and Gretchen Hilyard transformed River Oaks Country Club into a party fit for the Royals with British soldiers and Buckingham Palace gates at the entrance of the club, and hydrangeas and British flags placed throughout the salon and dining area. Guests enjoyed Piccadilly Punch, a classic British meal, an outstanding Live Auction, and then finished the evening with mini Beef Wellingtons in the Knight Cap Pub, all while supporting EHS. As we depart from London, the Auction Office is gearing up for A Knight on the Orient Express: A Grand Tour! Cochairs Catharine Faulconer, Kim Martin, and Kimberly Miller promise a luxurious "ride" through Europe that cannot be missed. Mark your calendars for February 24, 2017, to join the festivities.

For the latest "Orient Express" news and updates, check the School's website and weekly Windows e-newsletter. If you'd like to get involved, please contact Auction Coordinator Debbie Kelley at dkelley@ehshouston.org or Special Events and Volunteer Coordinator Kendall Buckalew McCord '03 at kmccord@ehshouston.org.

Article by Kendall Buckalew McCord '03. Photo by Chris Bailey Photography.