16 minute read
Pop Quiz
Q+A with EHS Teachers
Pop Quiz turns the table on teachers and asks them to respond to 13 quick questions. Their enthusiastic responses reveal the values, quirks, and interests that make them so effective in leading EHS students.
ERIC LERCH
Assistant Dean of Academics, Teacher, and Coach
Eric Lerch grew up in Southern California, where he attended Lutheran High School of Orange County. He then headed northeast to Dartmouth College in Hanover, New Hampshire, where he also played football. After graduation, he moved to Texas and spent one year at SPC rival St. Mark's in Dallas before arriving at the correct location in Houston at Episcopal. Currently in his 13th year at EHS, he serves as the Assistant Dean of Academics, working primarily with members of the 9th and 10th grade classes in academic support. He also teaches world history and is an assistant varsity football coach.
Eric and his wife, Courtney, have been married for nine years. They have three children: William, age 6, an avid golfer; Catherine, age 3, a passionate and independent young spirit; and John, age 1, who spends all day either laughing or eating.
What's on your playlist right now? Otis Redding, The Beatles, Johnny Cash, CCR, Journey, U2, Garth Brooks. What was the first concert you attended? The main one that stands out was seeing Neil Diamond at the Toyota Center a few years ago. If you weren't a teacher, what would you pick for a career? Follow the Craig Kilborne/Josh Elliot career path of Sportscenter host parlayed into a national talk show host gig. What is your proudest accomplishment? In 2013, I was honored to receive the Mark F. Adler Faculty Award here at EHS. I came to Episcopal with only one year of teaching under my belt, so achieving something like this was only possible through the incredible support and professional development offered by this community. To be recognized among such an outstanding group of faculty was an amazing and humbling experience. Do you have a favorite app or tech gadget? Clash of Clans... Me and this army! Which pro or college sports team do you cheer for? I am first and foremost a fan of my beloved Los Angeles Dodgers. Growing up going to games at Chavez Ravine, I still have vivid memories of our magical run in 1988 with Orel Hershiser's scoreless innings streak and Kirk Gibson's home run in Game 1 of the World Series. I will be up late this year listening to Vin Scully, the greatest announcer of all time, calling games from the West Coast for his final season. And of course, I have to give a shout out to the 2015 Ivy League Football champions, the Big Green from Dartmouth. I also root for the Anaheim Ducks, Dallas Cowboys, Phoenix Suns, and Arizona State Sun Devils. Did you have a mentor growing up who inspired your career? I have had too many teachers to name here who have inspired me, but I especially think about my 3rd grade teacher Mrs. Hazelwood, my middle school homeroom teacher Lynn Mohr, my high school football coach Jim Kunau, and my Greek history professor Dr. Paul Christesen. But the teacher who had the biggest influence on me was my mom. Mrs. Lerch taught middle school for two decades, and it was a treat to bring her in to my Interim Term class to give a lesson on the Walt Disney Corporation, since she now works at Disneyland. What's your favorite city abroad? Barcelona has everything you could want in a great city. Amazing food, unique architecture, rich history, and the greatest football team on the planet. Barca—més que un club! If you could travel back in time, what period would you choose? Pax Romana. Ancient Rome had indoor plumbing and a functioning legal system, so that's a good start. What trait do you most admire in your colleagues? Supportive. Our teachers are incredibly sympathetic and encouraging, and they go above and beyond to help our students. What trait do you most admire in your students? My favorite part of teaching is the conversation with students, and the quality of that exchange is driven by their participation. I love when students put themselves out there to engage with the material. Read any good books recently? I just finished Allen Drury's classic political novel Advise and Consent, and now I am working my way through Susan Wise Bauer's The History of the Ancient World. If you could eat only one meal this week, what would it be? Tons of deli meat and cheese stuffed between two slices of fresh bread. Miss you, Mama Tina!
AMIRA KAMAL
Spanish Teacher
This is Amira Kamal's fifth year teaching and third year at EHS. She graduated from the University of Houston and then attended la Fundación José Ortega y Gasset-Gregorio Marañón in Madrid, Spain. She grew up in Sugar Land and began her career at Fort Bend ISD before joining EHS.
Kamal teaches Spanish I and Spanish II and works in the library. She also serves on the Honor Council and sponsors La Sociedad Honoraria Hispánica, National Honor Society, DIA, the cooking club, and Arabic club.
Kamal has four older sisters and one younger brother, seven nieces and nephews, and two more on the way. "We are extremely close," says Kamal, "and I am so lucky to have the majority of my relatives in Houston." Besides spending time with family, she likes to cross-train, box, and play the piano.
What's on your playlist right now? I love all genres of music, but I've recently been listening to Sia, Florence and the Machine, Coldplay, J. Cole, Chambao, and this incredible pianist named Chilly Gonzales. What was the first concert you attended? When I was younger, my sister dragged me to see Enrique Iglesias. At the time, Enrique was only well known to the Latino and Hispanic population. Although I really didn't know who he was when I went to the concert, I had a blast and that experience was pivotal in developing a true passion for the Spanish culture. If you weren't a teacher, what would you pick for a career? I would want to pursue a career that helped me apply and develop my love of language. I've always had an interest in international fashion, and it would be incredible to travel the world discovering fabrics and design, and have the chance to collaborate globally with creative people. What is your proudest accomplishment? I am proud to have stepped out of my comfort zone and fulfilled a lifelong dream to travel the world. I have always been deeply fascinated by history and the world's cultures, and to date, I have had the opportunity to visit over 40 countries. Traveling is a humbling and enriching experience, and I always look forward to that next stamp on my passport. Do you have a favorite app or tech gadget? Words With Friends! I am OBSESSED. Which pro or college sports team do you cheer for? None! I did not grow up following sports. In fact, my first football game was here at EHS. Go Knights! Did you have a mentor growing up who inspired your career? I had a PALS (Peer Assistance and Leadership) teacher in high school who was someone that I deeply admire to this day. Her positive attitude, kindness, and genuine care for her students is an illustration of the type of person I strive to become, both in and out of the classroom. What's your favorite city abroad? I love Barcelona—it's magical! Barcelona has the perfect mix of art, history, individuality, culture, and fun! If you haven't had a chance to visit, just imagine that Tim Burton and Dr. Seuss came together to design a city. If you could travel back in time, what period would you choose? I would head to the 3rd century BC, to visit the Library of Alexandria. Just imagine all of the marvelous discoveries of the ancients, and how much of it has been lost to time. It's hard to envision the amount of knowledge stored within those walls, and let's not forget the incredible people you might run into! What trait do you most admire in your colleagues? Their unceasing dedication. I feel fortunate to work with people who are wholly focused on bettering our students and reminding our kids of their importance and purpose. What trait do you most admire in your students? I admire my students' persistent determination to excel. Being a student can be tough, and yet their resolve and thirst to succeed is unyielding. We can all learn something from them. Read any good books recently? I am currently reading Cutting for Stone by Abraham Verghese. The book is filled with striking imagery, clever wordplay, and some fun twists. If you could eat only one meal this week, what would it be? Easy. Who doesn't love pizza? The best pizza I've ever had was in Naples. It was crisp, gooey, and cooked with an egg on top. Delicious!
1991 CLASS REUNION
An intimate gathering gave those from the Class of 1991 time to reconnect and celebrate Bishops Alumni Award recipient Andrew Hawthorn. Teachers Alice Davidson and John Flanagan visited with members of the Class of 1991, and everyone had a great time reminiscing about their time at EHS.
Photos by Marc Nathan Photography.
1996 CLASS REUNION
Lauren Levicki Courville kicked off the evening with a toast welcoming over 70 attendees to the Class of 1996 reunion. It was a fabulous Houston evening under live oaks and strung lights that carried into the after party at The Owl Bar. It was great catching up with this group of alumni!
2006 CLASS REUNION
Over 30 alumni from the Class of 2006 gathered at The Owl Bar to celebrate their 10-year reunion. As they reminisced with old friends, guests enjoyed sliders, chips and queso, and sweet treats catered by the bar and Charlie's & Co. Many of our 2006 alumni are establishing their careers and celebrating weddings. In fact, Rachel Doherty Aiello '06 was married on the evening of the reunion!
2011 CLASS REUNION
Alumni from the Class of 2011 enjoyed a beautiful spring night on the porch of The Owl Bar for their five-year reunion. Guests came from as far as New York City to see their classmates and friends. Many attendees are settling in to their first jobs, while others are pursing graduate degrees. The Class of 2011 is thriving in their post-college life.
Photos by Marc Nathan Photography.
FALL KNIGHT OUT
Back for its second year, the EHS-Kinkaid-St. John's mixer at Saint Arnold Brewing Company brought over 200 alumni together for a fun night. There was lots of excitement as alumni from all three schools saw each other and reconnected!
Top Row – Allison McConnell Monroe '06, Price Monroe '05; Megan Kaldis '05, Casey Wright '05; Bottom Row – Michelle Caldwell, Kellan Caldwell '03; Greg Kaldis '07, Jennifer Hobson Kaldis '07.
HOLIDAY LUNCH
Once again, alumni from near and far gather for the annual EHS Holiday Lunch. Each year, we look forward to seeing alumni, meeting their children and hearing all the many updates. In addition, the fajitas and queso help with the holiday cheer! Mark your calendars for the next Holiday Lunch on Saturday, December 17. We would love to see you and your family!
Top Row – Jill Buja, Max Buja '91; Whitney Jackson '00, Kelsey Goodwin; Bottom Row – Ashley Parker Pope '03, John Pope; David Nwabuisi '08, Spencer Evans '05.
AUSTIN, TEXAS
With the fall SPC championship in Austin, EHS alumni gathered at Moonshine for an evening on the patio. We saw everyone from UT college freshman to alumni that have been settled in Austin for some time. Word is that SPC will be back in Austin next fall, so we'll see you again this November!
Top Row – Joseph Presley, Betsy Myers Presley '05; Ashley Brown '12, Stephen Pitt '12, Isa Hetherington '12, Meagan Meeks '12, Mary Alex Knight '12, Julie Nini '12, Stewart Cartwright '12, Drew Galtney '12, Will Fraser '12, Carter Mizell '12; Bottom Row – Emily Roeser Wehring '95, Maisie Scharold '93; Daniel Berra, Darby Taylor Berra '98, John Colello.
NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK
Heather Skidmore Howard '87, COO of Anya Hindmarch, graciously arranged for EHS to host an alumni event at the Madison Avenue flagship store. Former faculty members Martha Newport and Clinton Carbon joined the fun. We loved hearing about everyone's experiences in the Big Apple! To all of our NYC alums, be sure to visit campus when you're in Houston!
Top Row – Martha Newport, John Colello, Clinton Carbon; Kendall Buckalew McCord '03, Katie Stevens '06; Bottom Row – Mason Smajstrla '12, Emily Garibaldi '11; Justin Humphries '01, Laura Hixon Hsu '02.
KNIGHT ARRIVALS
Walker Raymond
Born February 18, 2014 to Mary (McDaniel) '01 and Weston O'Black
Mary Lucille "Lucy"
Born October 21, 2014 to Mary and Will Harper '94
Brooks Kiel
Born December 17, 2014 to Christie (Peeler) '01 and Kiel Garella
Glen Wallace
Born February 14, 2015 to Kimberly and Jeff Raben '92
Sofia Marianne
Born March 15, 2015 to Lizzie and Anthony Krajcer '94
Josephine Juhree
Born April 10, 2015 to Deanna and Steven Packard '94
Lila Beth
Born May 4, 2015 to Jennifer and Brad Tashenberg '89
Lucy
Born May 5, 2015 to Henley (MacIntyre) '99 and Carter Old
Lilian
Born May 13, 2015 to Meg (Greenwood) '02 and Philip Rife
Jake Edward and Beau Thomas
Born May 21, 2015 to Laura and Chris Hutcheson '96
1 2 Aubrey Rose
Born June 3, 2015 to Tracy and Paul Lehman '01
Channing
Born June 18, 2015 to Gina (Groman) '96 and TJ Cooley
Larsen Michael and Finn Ryan
Born July 1, 2015 to Ingrid (Tellepsen) '01 and Michael Cribbs
Isabelle Louise
Born July 4, 2015 to Kristin (Jacobs) '00 and David Thomas '94
Evelyn Lee
Born July 11, 2015 to Kathleen (Lee) '98 and Philip McDaniel
5) Weston Kemble
Born July 15, 2015 to Lauren and Bryan Athon '04
Hannah Elizabeth
Born July 21, 2015 to Kortney (Caldwell) '04 and Kirk Oliver
Annie
Born July 22, 2015 to Katie (Macintyre) '03 and Matthew Wold
Keeland James
Born July 27, 2015 to Betsy Gray (Keeland) '00 and Javier Lemaster
Scarlett Leigh
Born July 29, 2015 to Jennifer and Daniel Loper '00
Annie
Born August 8, 2015 to Julie (Antill) '01 and Ryan Bergeron '01
Dante
Born August 22, 2015 to Meagan (Hyde) '98 and Damien De Clerck
Preston
Born August 27, 2015 to Piasha VanTho '05
Georgia Collins
Born August 29, 2015 to Katie and Forrest Andrews '00
2) Mary Francis
Born August 31, 2015 to Tany and Chaz Klaes '05
Anna Ebersole "Ebby"
Born September 5, 2015 to Katherine (Lane) '04 and Ryan Allen
Ainsley Savannah
Born September 7, 2015 to Sarah (Swann) '02 and Matt Warren
Wyatt Allen
Born September 18, 2015 to Mary and Seth Reiser '99
Luke Randolph
Born October 7, 2015 to Lauren and Rand Lionberger '02
Allison Braley
Born October 12, 2015 to Melissa (Millin) '04 and Connor Cook
3 4
Oliver James
Born October 26, 2015 to Heather (Williamson) '92 and Michael Tonan
Cassidy Joan
Born October 29, 2015 to Lauren and Brad Geary '00
Kate Golden
Born November 9, 2015 to Elaine (Golden) '00 and Russ Webster
7) Eve Alexandra
Born November 15, 2015 to Becca (Heilman) '03 and Daniel Davison
Hannah Grace
Born November 18, 2015 to Katie and Will Miller '98
Graham Taylor
Born November 20, 2015 to Kelly (Dalio) '02 and Adam Tepper
4) Davis Mitchell and Ford Gilchrist
Born November 24, 2015 to Emily and Scott Jackson '98
Josephine Calamity
Born November 26, 2015 to Bette (Bentley) '04 and Brian Santa Maria
Camden Andrew
Born November 30, 2015 to Lindsey and Thurston Webb '01
William Barton
Born November 30, 2015 to Lauren (Timbrook) '99 and Andy Ross
3) William Kraege
Born December 5, 2015 to Mary (Oates) '00 and Parker Polan
Peter William
Born December 14, 2015 to Jessica (Miranda) '03 and Howard Haryanto '03
Eleanor "Ellie" Francis
Born December 21, 2015 to Laura (Hixson) '02 and Geoffrey Hsu
Leigh Carter
Born December 21, 2015 to Amanda (Hobson) '04 and Ryan Savoie
Adeline Kadriye
Born December 23, 2015 to Kadriye and Avery Alcorn '06
Elijah Aleksander
Born December 24, 2015 to Angie and Julio Veliz '04
Audrey Elizabeth
Born December 28, 2015 to Virginia (Skelton) '06 and Micah O'Hare
William James
Born January 10, 2016 to Jessica (Wolff) '03 and Ben Perry
1) Robert Wells
Born January 20, 2016 to Sarah (Brown) '98 and Robert Bailey
Thomas Norwood
Born January 20, 2016 to Elizabeth (Frierson) '05 and Brett Taaffe
Benjamin
Born January 21, 2016 to Leslie (Lloyd) '04 and Jonathan Greene
Greer Merrel
Born January 21, 2016 to Margot and John Athon '01
John Emmott V
Born January 24, 2016 to Lisa and John Emmott '97
6) Henry Ryan
Born January 26, 2016 to Sandra and Ryan Mendez '01
Alessandra Michelle
Born February 1, 2016 to Amanda (Reed) '96 and Armand Bonvicino
Lucy Caroline
Born February 2, 2016 to Leigh (Nelson) '04 and Jeff Williams '05
Harrison Bennett
Born February 10, 2016 to Robin (Jones) '99 and Jason Begnaud
Charlotte Brooke
Born February 11, 2016 to Megan and Matt Lewis '99
Ruby La Verne
Born February 12, 2016 to Elizabeth (Kugler) '00 and Rocky Harris
Alex Dylan
Born February 18, 2016 to Alysha (Kahn) '97 and Blake Frieden
Nelson Michael
Born February 20, 2016 to Joi (Motley) '95 and Garrett Jones
Riggan Archer
Born February 24, 2016 to Jenny (Campo) '00 and Rusty Rogers
As of February 29, 2016.
Please send your Knight Arrivals to Margaret Young at myoung@ehshouston.org, and be sure to share your own photos on Facebook and Instagram!
