KnightsStandOut

#KNIGHTS STAND OUT

Artists Bring Home Accolades

Our student‑artists are standing out in local and statewide arenas. Results from the highly competitive South by Southwest Film Festival (SXSW) and the Texas Art Education Association's Visual Arts Scholastic Event (VASE) showcase the talent, effort, and potential unleased at EHS.

Weston Bering was nominated to the SXSW Texas High School Shorts Moviemaking Program. Bering is one of only 20 students from Texas to receive this honor. He recently learned that his music video "Loveless" won Best U.S. Music Video at the prestigious Lovett High School Film Festival in Atlanta, Georgia, and was screened in front of 650 people.

EHS students Teagan Ashworth, Madeleine Berckley, Miranda Greenwalt, Helen Hecht, Mary Helen Kennedy, Nora Lawless, Parker Nickerson, Dailey Nottingham, Natalie Peterson, Ryan Rassoli, River Reinertsen‑Forehand, and Sam Wilson received honors at the regional level of the VASE competition for their media and studio arts submissions.

VASE artists that advance to State include Teagan Ashworth, Madeleine Berckley, Nora Lawless, and Ryan Rassoli.

Guest Speakers Enlighten Students

In addition to the guest homilists who speak in Chapel, the School often welcomes outside experts to address issues relevant to the curriculum or current events.

In February, the Underwood Library hosted Baylor College of Medicine pediatric genetics counselor Haley Streff for a day‑long series of seminars on the latest advances in genetics testing. Streff engaged the students by sharing photos of popular celebrities who have inherited health conditions, such as "Game of Thrones" actor Peter Dinklage (dwarfism), Selena Gomez (lupus), and Angelina Jolie (BRCA gene). "Genetic information can be empowering," Streff asserts, and she enjoys counseling and advocating for her young patients. Streff and the students discussed the pros and cons of genetic testing and the implications for employment and families.

In March, the Choices program invited Houstonian Maureen Wittels to be this year's Distinguished Speaker. Wittels explained that her son, Harris, a rising star in comedy writing, had been a popular and brilliant student, but after he suffered a back injury in his 20s, he developed an addiction that led to his death in 2015 at age 30. "Addiction does not discriminate," she says. "It affects all demographics."

After her son's death, Wittels embarked on a mission to prevent other families from similar tragedy. She travels throughout the country educating audiences about opioid addiction and effective recovery programs. Wittels believes that a key to prevention is to encourage self‑care and stress management in families, schools, and workplaces.

Eight Students Named National Merit Finalists

By taking the 2017 Preliminary SAT/ National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test and meeting the required Selection Index of 212 or above, eight EHS students have shown outstanding academic potential and have been entered into the 2019 National Merit Scholarship Program. From approximately 1.6 million entrants, these students are among the 50,000 highest‑scoring participants who will be recognized in the fall.

From the 50,000 high scorers nationwide, about 16,000 will be named National Merit Program Semifinalists, representing the top scorers in each state. The other 34,000 students will be commended for their PSAT/ NMSQT performance. Semifinalists will be the only students to continue in the competition for about 7,500 Merit Scholarship awards to be offered in September 2019.

Congratulations to our EHS finalists: Daniel Cai, Brett Hauser, Carter Kardesch, Claire Kardesch, Anna McLauchlin, Ellie Ragiel, James Henry Ray, and Gabrielle Small.

NHS Welcomes 58 Students From the Athletics Director: Knights Unleash Success Early in 2018

More than 50 students were inducted to the National Honor Society at the April ceremony. The nationwide society recognizes students who stand out in areas of scholarship, leadership, service, and character. In addition to a minimum grade‑point average, students are required to complete a monthly requirement of service hours.

Congratulations to our newest NHS members: Mea Ayers, Elizabeth Barringer, Emeline Birdwell, Lauren Bordelon, Clayton Butler, Sophia Casetta, Ashley Chandler, Lilly Cone, Katherine Davidson, Tyler Donovan, Abigail Flame, Anna Giesler, Ellie Gilchrist, Carolyn Hammond, Alexander Haney, Sophia Haugh, Brett Hauser, Alexandra Herrera, Harrison Holmes, Harris Inoff, Alyssa Kapusta, Carter Kardesch, Claire Kardesch, Jackson Kelso, Rachel Koch, Sadie Jensen, Anabelle Maples, Molly McGreevy, Anna McLauchlin, Macy Miller, Finty Milton, Mekaela Murphy, Gaby Murra, Julia Nasser, Delaney Newsome, Mark Nylund, Elyse Pedrick, Vincent Perryman, Lauren Porter, Eleanor Ragiel, James Henry Ray, Claire Schwarze, Amiri Scrutchin, Isabella Shin, Sofia Siegel, Story Sinex, Gabrielle Small, Camille Spence, Lillyana Stefanakis, Jamie Tatum, Kathryn Taylor, Sophie Thomas, Cameron Anne Trainer, Isabelle Vobbe, Emily West, and Hannah Windle. The new year launched successfully for the Athletics Pillar as the Knights enjoyed outstanding results at February's winter SPC tournament. The boys soccer team led the charge as they defeated Cistercian (1‑0), St. Mark's (4‑0), and Casady (2‑0) to capture their third consecutive SPC championship. The Knights finished the season with a 13‑0‑1 record and ranked #33 in national top‑50 polls. The boys basketball team competed in their fourth consecutive SPC championship game and lost a hotly contested match to Houston Christian. The wrestling team parlayed an incredible performance in the early rounds of the SPC championships to earn second place in the conference. Both girls soccer and girls basketball each earned two impressive wins in the tournament to place fifth overall. Girls and boys swimming competed very well in the championship meet as the girls finished sixth and the boys eighth.

The spring season is now upon us, and the Knights have enjoyed a strong run in non‑SPC play. The softball team is having a season for the ages as the Knights sport a 22‑1 record (at press time) and a #14 national ranking! The team is poised to hold on to the SPC championship trophy for another year. The baseball team also looks to match last season's championship success, and the early results are very promising. The Knights are ranked #1 in the state private school baseball polls and earned a big 6‑3 win over nationally‑ranked and defending UIL 6A champ Cy‑Ranch in early March.

Several students will continue sports at the collegiate level, and on May 1, our seniors will announce college commits. Spring SPC kicks off May 3; all results will be posted on the EHS website. Go Knights!

—Jason Grove, Athletics Director

The boys soccer team set a school record with their third consecutive championship at the winter SPC tournament.

#KNIGHTS STAND OUT

"Lead the Way" Capital Campaign Seeks Support for Next Phase

The skyline at the EHS campus reveals signs of progress as the walls come up for the 25,700‑square‑foot Underwood Student Center. Key features of this building will include: a large dining hall and server with double the seating capacity of our former space, two state‑of‑the art innovation classrooms, a performance stage, a coffee bar, and an art gallery. The construction project, which is funded through generous donations to the school, is on budget and will open in Fall 2018.

This building is the second building of an $80 million multi‑phased campus master plan which includes the Hildebrand Athletic Center, the new Underwood Student Center, a new Visual and Performing Arts Building, a new Benitez Chapel, and field improvements.

Just over 50 percent of our ambitious goal has been raised to date; fundraising is ongoing for this important effort. For more information, contact Peggy Haney, Director of Advancement, at 713‑512‑3436 or via email at phaney@ehshouston.org.

Scholastic Awards Celebrate Creative Minds Hexagon Yearbook Named One of Nation's Best

Episcopal High School marked a stellar year in the Scholastic Art and Writing Awards, with 32 students recognized by the program locally, and one writer and 11 artists earning Gold Key awards, which advanced their work to the national competition. National winners will be recognized at Carnegie Hall in New York City on June 8.

Congratulations to our Gold Key winners: Rohan Asthana, Kelsey Barker, Weston Bering, Rosalind Coats, Uday Dhillon, Mollie Hanna, Nicole Hopwood, Elliott Jones, Mary Helen Kennedy, Cade Williams, and Annmarie Youtt in the arts categories, and Ellie Gilchrist in the Poetry category.

Congratulations to the Silver Key recipients: Merrie Afseth, Rosalind Coats, Anna Layton Debes, Parker Forque, Miranda Greenwalt, Nicole Hopwood, Sadie Jensen, Nora Lawless, Elaina Manalac, Morgan McKee, Sophia Pamphilis, and Annmarie Youtt for their arts entries, and Anna Moise for three writing entries. Seniors Mollie Hanna and Mary Helen Kennedy were each awarded two Silver Keys for works submitted in the arts categories.

Congrats to those awarded Honorable Mention: Sam Birdwell, Holt Johnson, Blair Lovoi, Judy Roberts, Keith Sill, Sarah Vanderbloemen, and Sam Wilson for their arts entries, and Catherine Andrews, Ellie Gilchrist, Rachel Hallett, and Claire Kardesch for their writing entries. Two arts submissions by Catherine Cohn and three by Mary Helen Kennedy were also awarded Honorable Mention. In March, the American yearbook manufacturer Jostens announced that the 2016‑2017 Hexagon will be featured in the Jostens Look Book.

The largest publication of its type, Jostens' Look Book features 296 pages of design, coverage, photojournalism, and themes reproduced from outstanding yearbooks created by Jostens customers. The Hexagon made the cut for outstanding design.

"Of all the honors The Hexagon and its staffs have received over the years, this one is the most special," says yearbook faculty sponsor David Framel. "With our appearance in such an exclusive publication like the Jostens Look Book, graphic artists and yearbook professionals recognize our team as unique innovators. This is a big pat on the back for every student in the publications program."

EHS Office of Communications Strikes Gold California Dreaming: A Knight on the Golden Coast Made Our Dreams Come True

The Episcopal High School Communications team recently earned six awards at the CASE District IV conference in Fort Worth. CASE District IV includes universities and independent schools from a five‑state region that includes Texas, Louisiana, Arkansas, New Mexico, and Oklahoma.

Advancement departments and communications offices submit their best brochures, magazines, websites, and photography for the competition each year. EHS is proud to compete against some of the largest universities in the United States and be judged the best of the best.

The EHS Office of Communications received the following awards this year: Gold in the Website Homepage category; Gold in Viewbook Design; Gold in Admission, Recruitment, and Promotional Literature Design; and Silver in the Design Improvement category.

Additionally, Graphic Designer and Communications Associate Ashleigh Teel was awarded Silver in the Athletics Photography category, and Webmaster Mauro Gomez took home Bronze in the Digital or Computer Enhanced Images category. On Friday, February 23, 2018, the EHS community headed to "Palm Springs" to celebrate and support Episcopal High School at California Dreaming: A Knight on the Golden Coast in our new Hildebrand Athletic Center. Co‑chairs Tammy Barringer and Molly Shaffer, along with countless volunteers and generous donors, raised an astounding $1.3 million for the School's operating budget.

Decorations Chairs Allyson Connelly and Gretchen Hilyard worked with Swift + Company to transform Alkek Gym into an unforgettable evening in California. Upon arrival, guests were greeted by two classic retro vehicles, palm trees, and a replica of the iconic Parker Hotel breeze bricks. Frank Sinatra played in the background as attendees sipped on California sparklers and bid on silent auction items. After a gourmet dinner, guests raised their paddles high for the outstanding Live Auction. We finished the evening with brandy freezes and a throwback DJ at the after‑party—all while "dreaming big" for EHS.

During the Paddles Up portion of the Live Auction, EHS alumnus Devon Cash '14 discussed the impact EHS and the financial aid program had on his life. "Because I was fortunate enough to study at such a great high school without financial impediments, I was able to focus all of my efforts on simply being a student. The ultimate result is that eight years after starting my journey here, I have been positioned to embark on a career that has already allowed me to begin paying it forward. Talent and intelligence are universal, opportunities and resources are not." Devon's heartfelt testimony combined with the generous donations of the EHS community raised over $200,000 for the financial aid program at Episcopal.

With our California road trip complete, the EHS is gearing up for Auction 2019 "Derby Knight." Co‑chairs Sabrina Espinoza, Patricia Hammond, and Lyria O'Brien promise an unforgettable evening at "Churchill Downs" that can't be missed!

For the latest "Derby Knight" news and updates, check the School's website and weekly Windows eNewsletter. If you would like to get involved, contact Debbie Kelley at dkelley@ehshouston.org or Kendall McCord '03 at kmccord@ehshouston.org.