4100 Merrell Rd • Dallas, TX 75229 Visit us at www.esdallas.org
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2010-2011 Annual Report of Gifts
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The
The Magazine of the Episcopal School of Dallas
sixteen RECOGNIZED
“Wisdom Begins in Wonder”
by NATIONAL merit SCHOLARShip program for exemplary achievement Congratulations to the seven ESD seniors who have achieved the status of National Merit Scholarship Semifinalist: Charlie Albright, Don Buchholz, Catherine Cannata, Emily DeSantis, Kelsey Montgomery, Devi Nair, and Hannah Smith (pictured). The National Merit Scholarship Program honors individual students who show exceptional academic ability and potential for success in rigorous college studies. The names of approximately 16,000 Semifinalists in the 57th annual National Merit Scholarship Program were recently announced by officials of the National Merit Scholarship Corporation. These academically-talented high school seniors have an opportunity to continue in the competition for some 8,300 Merit Scholarship awards, worth $34 million, that will be offered next spring. To be considered for a Merit Scholarship award, these semifinalists must fulfill several requirements to advance to the Finalist level of the competition. Other recognition by the National Merit Corporation will also be announced later this year. Throughout the nation about 34,000 Commended Students in the 2012 National Merit Scholarship Program are being recognized for their exceptional academic promise. Their performance was outstanding, and recognition as a Commended Student is a credit to them, their parents, and their school. Although they will not continue in the 2012 competition for National Merit Scholarships,
Junior Wolf Run Project Furthers 21st Century Skills Eddie Eason’s Alumni Feature: Commended Students placed among the top five percent of more than one and one-half million students who entered the 2012 competition. Congratulations to Caroline Arterburn, Megan Barnes, Sarah Bass, Carter Brasch, Maria Granello, Bruno Harvey, Shelby Kuhn, Calvin Lones, and Kimberly Reimold for achieving this honor. A spokesperson for the National Merit Scholarship Program commented that “recognition of academically talented students and the key role played by their parents and their schools in their development is essential to the pursuit of educational excellence in our nation… We hope that this recognition will contribute to their educational opportunities and encourage all students to strive to realize their potential.”
Looking Back So We Can Look Ahead ESD Celebrates
Grandparents’ Day Fall 2011
January 10, 2012
Dear ESD Families and Friends, I begin the new year profoundly honored to have been entrusted with new responsibilities as Assistant Head of School for Academics. Five years ago next month, I visited the Merrell Road campus for the first time to interview for the Head of Upper School position that I also currently hold. I’ve recently shared with faculty and staff a few anecdotes about this visit, chief among them being the breathtaking surprise that awaited beyond a wall of windows, just a few paces inside the front door: the quarry, completely unannounced and ruggedly edly beautiful as it caught and tossed back the afternoon sunlight. This surprise was soon delightfully matched, though clearly in a different fashion, during my first visit to the Lower School. Already charmed by the chapel and the procession of second graders on their way in, I was not entirely prepared to see Father Harmuth in the same line, accompanied by a dog! Later, the young lady who had carried the cross explained, “That was Eve. She helps.” Those moments set the stage for many others since as my family and I have discovered so much that is wonderful at the Episcopal School of Dallas. In only thirty-seven years, through stunning faith and commitment, this school community has built a whole world. It’s a world, I would argue, as authentically driven by its mission as any school in the country—one of the most important aims of an independent school. Father Swann often describes ESD as ‘restless.’ It’s a good word, at the core of my charge as we move forward: to ensure a productive restlessness in the academic culture at ESD, one that leads teachers and students alike in every division to pursue shared, specific understandings of excellence. It’s been my privilege over the last five years to become well-acquainted with Upper School faculty, staff, and families. I am excited to get to know Middle and Lower School communities, as well. In the months to come, please consider stopping in, saying hello, and telling me about your ESD experience. Together we’ll continue to build this marvelous world. Sincerely,
Erin P. Mayo Head of Upper School Assistant Head of School for Academics 4100 Merrell Road Dallas, Texas 75229
(214) 358-4368 www.esdallas.org
Leadership Team
Fall 2011
contents
The Reverend Stephen B. Swann Founding Rector & Headmaster
Rebecca Royall Chief Academic Officer
Erin P. Mayo Head of Upper School
Scott Kimball Head of Middle School
Sandy Kerr Head of lower School
Robert A. Buchholz chief financial officer
Karla K. Wigley Director of Development
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community
1 Letter from Father Swann
14 Grandparents’ Day
2 “Wisdom Begins in Wonder”
17 Defining You: A Chapel Talk
6 Creating Global Citizens: A Lower School Focus on Global Awareness 8 Middle School & Upper School Fall Global Happenings 10 Make’m Love It
18 Lower School Carnival 19 Letter from the Parents’ Association President
alumni 36 Letter from the Alumni President 37 Alumni BBQ 38 Looking Back So We Can Look Ahead
16 Making Sure the Good Doesn’t Become the Enemy of the Best 20 Putting Together the Puzzle of a Story with George Shannon, the 8th Annual Elizabeth Anne Worsham Visiting Author 22 Faculty Grant Awards 23 Faculty News 24 2011-2012 New Faculty 31 Forty-Six ESD Students Recognized as 2011 AP® Scholars; Three Named National Advanced Placement Scholars ESD Seniors Significantly Outpace Statewide Average Nearly Fivefold 32 Student News
Andy Perry Director of Outdoor Education
David Tollison Director of Athletics & wellness
The Reverend Oliver M. Butler senior Chaplain
41 Alumni News
The Crest STAFF
44 Alumni Reunions
Julie Clardy
12 The Magic of Ropes 13 Lower School Implements Full Day Kindergarten
Director of enrollment management
40 Alumni Golf Tournament
21 The Bear Bell 26 Homecoming Spirit High at ESD
Ruth Burke
Director of Communications
28 Eighth Graders Look Beyond Themselves to Help Others
Karla K. Wigley
28 Good Net Results
Eleanor Arnold Sharon Bales Arthur Beckel ’13 Carol Bergman Oliver Butler Julie Butterworth Sharon Chapman Sylvia Chavez Class of 2013 Amy Duke Eddie Eason Gabrielle Griffin LuAnne Hobbs Sandy Kerr Austin Magnuson ’13 Janet Martin Erin Mayo Andy McGarrahan Andy Perry Erin Rupe Tolly Patterson Salz Bonnie Tollefson Carol Carlock Vig ’89
Editor CONTRIBUTORS
29 Third Grade Students Collect and Stock Nearly Two Tons of Food for North Dallas Shared Ministries 30 Commitment to a Healthy Community ESD Takes Another Step to Help Improve Relationships 45 2010 - 2011 Annual Report
Become a fan of the Episcopal School of Dallas on Facebook Visit us online at www.facebook.com/esdallas
on the Cover Blake Mahowald ’20, Catherine Blaylock ’20, Cristianna Williamson ’20, Father Harmuth, and Riley Breaux ’20 at a special service held in honor of Grandparents’ Day. The Crest, the magazine of the Episcopal School of Dallas, is published three times a year.
Address correspondence to:
Episcopal School of Dallas 4100 Merrell Road Dallas, Texas 75229
oPPORTUNITIES
TO GIVE
Tuition supplies approximately 80% of the operating revenue required to sustain the Episcopal School of Dallas each year. We rely on the Annual Fund, endowment income, and contributions to meet the standard of excellence ESD students deserve and expect. Academic excellence goes hand-in-hand with dynamic, contemporary facilities that support students’ educational experiences and preparation for an increasingly complex world. Technology must also keep pace with these demands. It is our challenge to maintain high standards for the construction and endowment of our physical plant. Capital additions are funded in their entirety by generous gifts from friends and families. Donors may enrich the Episcopal School of Dallas’ educational programs in a variety of ways. Please contact the Development Office at (214) 353-5808 if you would like additional information about specific giving opportunities.
Annual Fund
The Annual Fund directly and immediately contributes to competitive salaries for ESD’s gifted faculty, best-in-class technology, financial aid, enhanced learning materials, and enrichment opportunities, such as the Wolf Run Outdoor Education Center, the arts and humanities, and athletics.
Endowment
Gifts of endowment are personal and important statements of commitment to the future success of the Episcopal School of Dallas and play a critical role in our long-term financial stability. Endowment gifts are held in perpetuity and invested to earn a steady income stream that provides ongoing support for the activities you designate at the time of your gift. The School follows a conservative policy of income utilization to protect against inflation. Because endowments provide permanent support, we consider this to be one of the most significant ways to leave a timeless legacy at the School. Named endowments, which are established with a gift of $25,000 or more, can be set up in a variety of ways, including gifts of cash, stock, or bequests. Endowment gifts may also be paid over a period of years, usually three to five. Contributions can be designated for financial aid, faculty excellence, educational programs, facility maintenance, and unrestricted endowment.
Father Swann Society
A significant asset for the School’s operation, a trust or bequest may provide tax advantages for donors and their families. Please inform the School if you have made such an arrangement so that you may be recognized as a member of the Father Swann Society.
Financial Aid
One mark of ESD’s success is our ability to attract and educate the best students regardless of a family’s financial capability. We are dedicated to providing support for qualified students. In addition to contributions for tuition or for financial aid
endowment, gifts may be made directly to the non-tuition financial aid fund, which provides students with immediate assistance for expenses, such as school trips, school and athletic uniforms, AP tests, senior assessments, and other enrichment opportunities.
Gifts-In-Kind
A gift-in-kind is a non-cash donation which is used by ESD to carry out its Mission. When the educational or academic need arises or is foreseeable, ESD is thankful for gifts-in-kind which may include computers, software, and laboratory and or technical equipment. Gifts of services are also helpful and appreciated. Please contact the Development Office if you would like us to consider a gift-in-kind.
Library Gift Fund
Contributions to this fund expand the holdings of the Gill Library Collection and the Saint Michael Collection at the Lower School. A bookplate with the name of the donor and honoree is placed in each new book.
Memorials or Honorariums
Gifts in memory of a deceased loved one or in honor of someone special (especially in celebration of birthdays, graduation, or anniversaries) can be designated to any of our special funds. With a $1,000 gift to the All Saints Chapel Endowment, loved ones can be honored or memorialized with a bronze pew plate.
Parents’ Association
As one of the most successful and supportive parent organizations among area independent schools, the Episcopal School of Dallas Parents’ Association offers vital assistance through generous contributions of time, talent, and financial resources. The Parents’ Association funds an on-going faculty excellence grant program, as well as capital and special operating needs of the school through their annual auction party and other special events.
Dear Friends, Families, and Community Members, The fall semester is drawing to a close. Our students, faculty, staff, alumni, and parent community have been very busy fulfilling the school’s mission. This magazine serves to celebrate the accomplishments of our community and to salute the relentless efforts that make the Episcopal School of Dallas a remarkable institution. Thank you for embracing our efforts and for supporting our mission to provide a college-preparatory education based on sound learning, discipline, and faith. In this issue, you’ll find myriad accolades and achievements of our students, faculty, staff, parent community, and alumni. You’ll read and see examples of a vibrant and aware student body and superb implementations of 21st Century Skills. Sharon Bales and Father Butler share their experiences and wisdom of finding hope and faith. This year, we include the 2010-2011 Annual Report inside our fall issue. One of the benefits and requirements of our ISAS accreditation is the ongoing commitment to improving the school’s ability to serve its community and accomplish its mission. Part of this process includes a 10-year self-study. For the past 15 months, we have reviewed and evaluated each aspect of our school life. Thirty-nine committees and subcommittees of faculty, parents, board members, staff, and alumni were formed, communities were surveyed, and productive discussions ensued. We have focused on our strengths, areas needing improvement, and short and long-term plans for the future. At the end of January, a team of 21 colleagues from peer schools across the southwest will visit the Episcopal School of Dallas to evaluate the results of our report and make further
recommendations, as appropriate. This exercise of collaborating and deliberating has offered us the opportunity to see smaller pieces that contribute to the big picture and, conversely, the big picture that shapes the smaller pieces. Thank you to everyone who has participated in this process. It is another example of how your efforts and dedication continue to help our school grow. On December 3, Mrs. Swann and I participated in our annual Middle and Upper School Preview. The Bray Performance Hall was standing-room only, filled with excited prospective students and their families. More than 100 students, faculty, and parents volunteered to help welcome these families. It was wonderful to see. I am grateful to the Episcopal School of Dallas faculty, staff, parents, students, board members, and alumni for their individual and collective efforts to ensure that the standards of excellence we embrace as a community are preserved for our future. Not a day goes by that I am not reminded of and touched by your great kindness, understanding, and generosity. Faithfully yours,
The Reverend Stephen B. Swann Founding Rector and Headmaster
www.esdallas.org • 1
Barrett Anigian
“wisdom begins in wonder” Introduction by Tolly Salz, Upper School English Department
Ideally, the changes in the WR project were designed to maximize each student’s ability to communicate effectively, know more about an aspect of American culture, and think critically and innovatively in this rapidly changing world – especially for those students who explored areas of interest that related to the sciences. We wedded these aims with the opportunity for personal creativity by emphasizing moments of wonder and having students utilize research to find information to extend these moments – yielding powerful results. To scaffold these skills, weeks prior to the Wolf Run trip at the end of October, students met with their advisory groups to traverse the Merrell Road campus and, together, capture the essence of ESD – what it stands for, how we define it – in approximately five photographs. As guiding questions, students in their advisories considered the following: • How do we capture, visually, the essence/spirit of a place? • What places/objects help us identify who we are?
• How was “this house” built, and what does that tell us about its history? • What kinds of space do you see and how are those spaces valued? • How can we capture visually core ideas central to ESD’s mission statement, to the educational goals of the school, to the Founding Tenets? This exploratory activity set the groundwork for the mission at hand at Wolf Run, where students were required to ask similar questions about the land and its history. Coupled with Socrates’ statement that “Wisdom begins in wonder,” students set out, again with their advisory groups, to hike the land and evaluate the spaces of the house and the barn at the Wolf Run property. Upon their return, students completed a sketchbook, detailed with visual and written elements that captured the essence of this place and its corresponding history. Students crafted seven written pieces, three of which were rooted deeply in research, to explore areas of observation, wonder, and curiosity relating to the 19th century and Texas. As students explored areas of history and nature that spoke to them in some significant way, we were amazed by the quality of their writing. As partners, teachers and students discovered ways to observe, reflect, evaluate, and improve. Already we are looking forward to our next trip in October, 2012. Perhaps junior Catherine Duffy’s visual interpretation of juniper berries captures the essence not only of the project, but also of the way in which the Wolf Run project enriches the ESD experience. She writes: Scale-like needles pierce my cold, dried fingers as I struggle to break a section of the immense branch. Continuing down the dusty road across the prairie, I glance once more at the crowded trees, pushing each other by a forceful crisp wind. Holding the bundle of green and brown arid life, I discover small, delicate blue berries, clustered together to combat the intrusive green growth of shrubbery. Juniper berries: symbols of longevity, strength, and fertility. They have been used to treat both diabetes by American Indians and asthma by local pioneers (Morgan). Aromatic and flavorful, they add spice to dull foods. Huddling together in my open palm, they create a united front, vowing to remain bonded to one another. Collectively, they imitate a family of loyalty – generating a community of security, stability, strength. It is this community that we as ESD teachers hope to foster, facilitate, nurture, and grow to its fullest, richest potential. Please continue on for more samples of students’ pursuit of the project’s possibilities. Whether engaged with culture, science, natural beauty, critical questioning, or literary direction, these pieces are memorable achievements. Special thanks to Arthur Beckel ’13 for his interview of Claire Mrozek, originally published in the Eagle Edition.
Windmill, Ellen Sliva The windmill at Wolf Run reminded me of the transpiration-cohesion-tension mechanism I learned about freshman year in Biology as they both provide ways to get water and nutrients from underground to places where they are needed. The windmill at Wolf Run was used to pump water for drinking from water below the ground. In the 1850’s, windmills were extremely useful and necessary for people living in hot, dry climates like Texas has. A windmill works by having the energy generated by the wind moving the blades pump a rod attached to a piston, which in turn draws water up from the ground. This process is very similar to the transpiration-cohesiontension mechanism which is used by plants to draw xylem sap up to the leaves of flowers and trees. The air also powers this mechanism as it pulls water molecules out of the stomata (small openings) in leaves because the surrounding air is drier than the interior of the leaves. Cohesion of water molecules makes the water molecules stick together, forming a line of water all the way from the roots to the stomata opening in the leaves. The xylem sap also sticks to the water molecules and too is pulled up the stem to the leaves, but it stays inside the leaf while the water is pulled out. This mechanism provides sufficient nutrients to all parts of the plant, just as the windmill provided water to humans when it was hard to reach.
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Thirteen years ago, the inspiration for the Junior Wolf Run project was twofold. While English and History teachers had been brainstorming ways to collaborate, providing students more opportunities to engage in cross-departmental learning, ESD learned of benefactor Pete Gifford’s gift of his Wolf Run ranch to the school for student use. In 1998, juniors first experienced Wolf Run – the property and the project. While various modifications have been made to the project over the past thirteen years, the most significant changes came this year, not only to the project itself, but also in the focus and scaffolding of necessary skills required for true investigative research and critical thinking. Somewhat ironically, teachers Greg Randall and Claire Mrozek – brainchildren of the initial Wolf Run trip and corresponding project – found that these changes actually returned the project to its roots. About these changes, Mrozek muses, “We came back to that hybrid we wanted: students paying good, quality attention while remaining in the moment and focusing on what was around them.” Such a focus provided students the “opportunity to pay attention to details they normally don’t,” Mrozek adds. “That’s what research is supposed to be: a desire for an individual to have a question and want an answer.” With this focus in mind, last spring junior teachers began a series of meetings to discuss how to bring about effective changes that would maximize student skills in the area of critical thinking and research. They focused on what the most recent educational research suggests should be the focus of 21st century schooling: the cultivation of students who • can communicate effectively; • can perform complex math problems with accuracy; • have strong knowledge of science; • are versed in American and world cultures; and • can think critically in a rapidly changing world.
Student photos taken around campus in October.
“Learning and innovation skills increasingly are being recognized as the skills that separate students who are prepared for increasingly complex life and work environments in the 21st century, and those who are not, a focus on creativity, critical thinking [and problem solving], communication, and collaboration” were necessary components of this project, beginning from our first advisory activity of exploring the landscape of ESD. Quotation from www.21stcenturyskills.org
2 • Fall 2011
www.esdallas.org • 3
Anna Hansell
Shiny laminate encases ancient weathered parchment, sealing it off from the destructive oils of curious fingers. Blackened tattered edges frame the message written in barely discernable amber script. Three insignias boldly stamped in black ink stand out from the background of pale brown, proclaiming their innate importance. Ornate lettering and the flourishes of structured pen strokes suggest the time-honored rituals of an older government.
Garrett Greenberg explored how the “golden ratio” Phi applies at Wolf Run Ranch, from the ant on the ground to the footprint of the main building.
Nature Sketch Wolf Run Nature Poem, Jack Blair “Do more than exist, LIVE; Do more than touch, FEEL ... Do more than listen, UNDERSTAND ... Do more than talk - SAY SOMETHING!” – John Harsen Rhoades I exist today to experience Wolf Run Her sights, sounds, smells and tactile nature I am present and drawn by her gentle and calming effect I wonder what she was like in her youth? I touch the prickly purple body of the profusion of eryngo Her cone-shaped center is protected by a collection of tiny spears She lures me with her brilliant magenta dress as she stands out in a crowd
Carolus IV Dei Gratia HISPANIAR REX Charles IV by the Grace of God King (of) Spain
I see the chartreuse peeking through the vegetation the translucent caterpillar will soon become a Luna moth The voracious eater dines on the persimmon plant As she awaits her metamorphoses into an adult
There was unmistakably enormous legal power in these documents, as they were the deeds that transferred ownership of the tracts of land from Spain to the Shield family. However, the delicate nature of these papers any pretense of physical power. Any tangible control that the Shields were able to establish over the land surely rested in their hands, not in the curves and loops of these words.
I listen to the habitat crunching beneath my boots Severe drought from the searing sun has suffocated the surroundings My stride separates the tall wheatgrass The slender spikelets scrape one another
Inoceramus, Daniel Hull
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Deeply imbedded in the limestone sat Inoceramus, a clam- or oyster-like creature that sat on the ocean floor millions of years ago feeding on suspension feeders. Sitting there, I wondered why was it still there after a hundred million years? Why hadn’t it just dissolved away? Limestone is the answer. The sedimentary rock forms as the sediment of the ocean piles on and builds up over time. Eventually, the sediment build-up pressures the lower levels to form solid rock, engulfing whatever species sat there to form a fossil. To the paleontologist and frantic fossil searcher like me, it meant a chance to find something. In the big picture, to pioneers like the Shields family, it was a useful rock in building and construction around the farm. Inoceramus caught my eye with its beautiful rounded edges that welcomed the Shields family in 1850 a chance to adapt and use limestone on the farm.
In this environment, I don’t talk I want to live, feel, observe, understand and then I will Eventually say something!
Meditation, Maggie Hackney While on the hike, I found myself struggling to connect with my childlike curiosity.
I began to think of Emerson, who
saw magical beauty in everything, and I envied his curious mind.
It wasn’t until we rounded a bend in the gravel road
that I was instantly struck by the beauty of the field in front of me.
The wind was rushing through the golden
flowers, causing the field to look like a massive, yellow silk blanket.
I then became aware of the Tiffany blue sky
that looked so flawless as it gently touched the edge of the field.
It was a perfect combination.
As we continued
our hike, my mind began swiftly racing, that glowing image stuck in my vision.
Meditation, Reiny Rundell
Reed Seidel reflecting on his heritage while at Wolf Run.
4 • Fall 2011
By making things more and more convenient, are we not lowering the art of putting time into things that we tend to speed through now? By making smoking a cheap endeavor, do we not eliminate the art that went into creating such intricate pipes? By making construction of buildings and homes a quick process, do we not eliminate the art of finding the necessary materials and shaping them to our will? By making food microwavable and fast, do we not eliminate the art of creating those traditional and intricate recipes? By making all of these things simple and quick tasks, do we not eliminate the sense of accomplishment achieved after completing such task? I believe that if we continue to make things faster, simpler, and more convenient, we will continue to raise the standards for what an impressive accomplishment is and continue to lower the standards for what art truly is.
I was suddenly six years old again, creating my own fairy tale.
My sister and I were playing in the field, hunting for
one special golden flower, which would give anyone everything she could possibly wish for.
Curing Frontier Illnesses, Asia Hawkins While watching a documentary in AP US history, I became inspired by the influence of medicinal herbs to cure illness on the frontier. I knew that I wanted my junior research project to be intriguing and different from the common choices of 19th century domestic and farm life. By incorporating the skills that I learned in ESD’s microbiology class, I combined science and history to discover if certain plants had to potency to actually kill bacteria during the 1800s. As soon as I arrived at Wolf Run on that cold and windy morning, I was instantly welcomed into a botanical wonderland, blooming with possibilities. My advisory and I trekked through the numerous acres of the Shield’s previous property and I was able to swab different surfaces such as a barbed wire fence and a decaying cow skull to collect bacteria for further growth in an incubator. Dr. Diffily bestowed her knowledge on me and helped gather various plants with medicinal qualities like prickly ash, cedar, and yucca from the Wolf Run site. As the buses parted Wolf Run, I became increasingly enthusiastic about the results of the project. Upon returning to school, I gathered more medicinal herbs that are native to Texas from the ESD greenhouse and soon the microbiology lab became illuminated with the aromatherapy properties of the herbs. With the help of Mrs. Williamson and the science department, I was able to extract a colony of bacteria from the decaying cow skull and create a gram stain in order to closely observe the microscopic spores. To my surprise, the skull contained staphylococcus aureus, commonly known to cause staph infections. In order to see if the medicinal herbs actually killed bacteria in the 19th century, I placed the liquid extractions of various samples of plants like cedar, prickly ash, and dandelions onto the bacteria to see if they would inhibit the growth. After placing the herbal samples on the bacteria, I found that cedar is the most universal medicinal herb that will kill harmful bacteria. Cedar is known as the tree of life for its uses as an astringent, aromatheraphy, and the treatment of rheumatism. I was in awe of the results because it differed from my original hypothesis that the poisonous castor beans would kill the most bacteria, but the beans did not inhibit nearly as much growth as cedar. Wolf Run has opened my eyes to the importance of nature as a benefactor to human health while the little grape like clusters I viewed under the microscope and the intriguing study of microbiology and infectious diseases has transported me into a new microcosm that I wish to continue researching and studying for my undergraduate education.
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Land transfer documents
It was the most sought out
things on the planet, and although some people doubted its
existence, my sister and I knew it existed because the wind had led us to it.
I became satisfied with myself for letting my mind
wonder and take me back in time, but I also found something unsettling about this.
Being imaginative and
curious shouldn’t be something that gives you a sense of accomplishment after having struggled with it.
Imagination
and curiosity should be part of our everyday lives, a natural path our mind wants to follow.
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Creating Global Citizens:
A Lower School Focus on Global Awareness By Erin Rupe, Lower School Curriculum Coordinator; Sandy Kerr, Head of Lower School; and Julie Butterworth, Assistant Head of Lower School and Pre-Elementary Coordinator “Children are the world’s most valuable resource and its best hope for the future.” – John F. Kennedy
At the Episcopal School of Dallas’ Lower School we firmly believe this, and we continually strive to prepare students for lives of intellectual discovery, integrity, and purpose as stated in our mission. In the twenty-first century, this includes ensuring our students will be successful in an increasingly interconnected and interdependent global community. According to Stephanie Bell-Rose, president of the Goldman Sachs Foundation, “Preparing today’s students for success and eventual leadership in the global economy is the single most important task facing U.S. education. If young Americans are to take on challenging global leadership roles in the future, they must possess a deep understanding and appreciation for other cultures, geography, history, and languages.” With great fortune, the Lower School has connected with Melonie Kastman, photographer, documentary filmmaker, 6 • Fall 2011
philanthropist, and Forgotten Diamonds Foundation founder (www.forgottendiamonds.com) who has arranged relationships with partner schools for us around the world. According to Ms. Kastman, “Big things start small and small things make a big difference.” It is this philosophy we hope to instill in students as they become global citizens. We are privileged to have many faculty members with global connections, and we are also hoping results from the recent survey sent by Eleanor Arnold, Director of Global Education, will identify parent and alumni resources. “A Lower School goal is to acquire partner schools in as many international locations as possible,” says Assistant Head of Lower School/Pre-Elementary Coordinator, Julie Butterworth. The Lower School global education initiative, led by Curriculum Coordinator Erin Rupe, will strive to develop in students an awareness of other cultures, the ability to view cultural traditions and decisions from others’ perspectives, and the mindfulness to become contributing members in a global society. The Lower School’s focus will encompass the four key
cognitive strategies proposed by the National Association of Independent Schools: investigate the world, recognize perspectives, communicate ideas, and take action. The students will use the Super 3/Big 6 research models to develop inquiry-based questions, to analyze information from many sources, and to synthesize and evaluate information that is globally significant. “Through this research, students will gain insight to others’ perspectives both within our school community as well as globally,” says Rupe. ESD’s Lower School students will communicate and collaborate world-wide with many other classrooms throughout the school year. Our initial global venture was for each child to create a “Day in the Life” collage page to be used to make a global book. Children included photographs, labels of favorite items, drawings, words, magazine and newspaper clippings, and natural items that reflected their daily life, interests, and activities. In addition to the collage, students will be exchanging letters and photographs and participating in various curriculum-based projects with their pen pals. The ESD classrooms will share their
projects and communications with each other so that everyone can benefit from our world-wide correspondence. Finally, the Lower School students will be participating in ESD’s schoolwide community service project to raise money for Nets For Life (wwww.netsforlifeafrica.org), an organization focused on eliminating malaria in Africa. “We feel very blessed to have these global opportunities this year and know how much they will enhance the academic, social, spiritual, and character development of our children, ” says Sandy Kerr, Head of Lower School. “The lives of children and young people are increasingly shaped by what happens in other parts of the world. Education for Global Citizenship gives them the knowledge, understanding, skills, and values that they need if they are to participate fully in ensuring their own and others’ well-being and to make a positive contribution, both locally and globally.” (Oxfam’s Education for Global Citizenship: A Guide for Schools) www.esdallas.org • 7
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fall Global Happenings By Eleanor Arnold, Director of Global Education
UGANDA AMBASSADOR VISIT The U.S. Ambassador to the Republic of Uganda, Jerry P. Lanier, met recently with ESD students to discuss a wide range of issues, including conditions in Uganda, the impact of colonialism on development and politics in central Africa, and his own long career as a diplomat. The visit began with a breakfast co-hosted by ESD parent Donna Malouf, the Admissions Office, and the Global Education program. Most of the students invited to attend were members of the Admission Ambassadors team who meet and greet prospective families and tour them around the school, as well as members of the Upper School World Affairs Club. The visit was particularly timely, coming the day after President Obama announced that the U.S. was sending one hundred troops into Uganda to help fight against an insurgent group called the Lord’s Resistance Army. Ambassador Lanier’s remarks clarified the complexity of the situation in central Africa and the challenges facing the countries in the region as well as U.S. interests in the area. Students came away with a better understanding not only of Uganda, but of the vital role our diplomats play around the world.
8 • Fall 2011
Talent, Passion, and Philanthropy Several Middle and Upper School classes attended a presentation by world-renowned photographer Annie Griffiths, thanks to an invitation first proffered by parent Beth Puckett. Ms. Griffiths was one of the first women to work as a National Geographic photographer. Her work has been internationally recognized, with awards from the National Press Photographers Association, the AP, the National Organization of Women, and the White House News Photographers. Increasingly, her work has focused on women and children in underdeveloped countries. Along with other photographers, she has established a philanthropy called Ripple Effect Images that documents the needs of women and the work of NGOs that are particularly effective in meeting those needs (rippleeffectimages.org). The photographs they take are then donated to the organizations to use in their publicity, recruiting, and fund-raising. Creating a highly successful career by uniting her talent and passion for photography was not enough: Ms. Griffiths has taken those qualities to the next level, giving back, as Ripple Effect phrases it, by “helping women to help the planet.” Ms. Griffiths urged students to begin their own contributions to making the world better through a simple project: using the GoodSearch browser when they’re online, which donates one penny to a philanthropy of their choice every time they make a search (www.goodsearch.com). A gallery of Ms. Griffiths’ work can be seen on her web site (anniegriffithsbelt. com/documentary.htm).
Confucius Classroom Status Conferred on ESD
Hart Global Leadership Seminar at SMU
The great 6th-century B.C. philosopher and scholar Confucius is one of the most revered figures in Chinese history. The Chinese government, in an effort to spread knowledge of Chinese culture and improve Mandarin language instruction, has established a number of Confucius Institutes in major universities around the world. Under the auspices of the Confucius Institute at UTDallas, ESD has just been designated a Confucius Classroom School. As such, our students and faculty will have opportunities to travel to China on programs subsidized by the Chinese government, and we will receive funding and classroom materials from them. At a ceremony at UT-Dallas, the Dean of Arts and Humanities at UTD, Professor Dennis Kratz, and the Chinese Consul General from Houston, Erwen Xu, welcomed ESD to the program and presented a plaque with the Confucius Classroom designation to hang in the Chinese language classroom. Upper School Head Erin Mayo accepted the plaque on behalf of ESD, along with Dr. Angela Fritsen, Foreign Language Department Chair; Faye Williams, Chinese language instructor; and Eleanor Arnold, Director of Global Education.
In September, fourteen ESD students and three faculty members participated in the Hart Global Leadership Seminar at SMU. Former Secretary of Defense Robert Gates was the keynote speaker. Students began the day with two seminars conducted by SMU faculty members. The first considered the “just war” concept, led by Seyom Brown, the John Goodwin Tower Distinguished Chair in International Politics and National Security; the second, conducted by Professor Delores Etter, Texas Instruments Distinguished Chair in Engineering Education, focused on the role of biometrics and robotics in warfare. Secretary Gates then addressed the students, sharing anecdotes about his time in Washington (and the many hats he has worn there) and answering questions on a wide range of subjects. ESD students attending the seminar were Virginia Durham, Jake Harvey, Asia Hawkins, Wiley Hunsaker, Shelby Kuhn, Austin Magnuson, Kelsey Montgomery, Blake Moore, Matthew Mrozek, Devi Nair, Bayla Pidgeon, Stephen Shanley, Seth Stukalin, and John Robert Teeter. Faculty members Claire Mrozek, Barbara Sampson, and Eleanor Arnold accompanied them.
education
middle & Upper school
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by Michael York with contributions from the Middle School History Faculty Scott Kimball, Head of the Middle School, has established his own tradition. At the conclusion of the Middle School faculty meeting on the day before classes begin in August, he simply says, “make’m love it.” In this phrase Mr. Kimball expresses the essence of what he believes makes a Middle School teacher successful. And, to the extent that we achieve this goal, we make the experience of each Middle School student exciting, rewarding, and meaningful. The Middle School history department takes Mr. Kimball’s words especially to heart, maybe because he is a history teacher, too. What does “make’m love it” mean? Greg Crook says it means making fifth-grade students so excited about learning that they go beyond themselves seeking more and more information. Meg Fahrenbrook ’01’s goal is to invite her sixth graders into the story of the people and events of American History, so students develop a passion for history. One of the ways Vicki Patterson feels successful in “make’m love it” is when Upper School students tell her they selected research project topics based on something they studied in sixth grade. Denise Stark believes it’s easy to get students engaged in learning if the teacher loves them for who they are; she finds adolescents in seventh grade energetic, enthusiastic, 10 • Fall 2011
and open to new ideas. She believes students love a class for more reasons than the subject matter they are learning; she strives to create a classroom in which they feel safe to express themselves because they know their differences of opinion will be accepted and respected. Marc Salz doesn’t just want his eighth-grade students to love it; he wants them to smell it, taste it, and see it as
they imagine everyday life during the Middle Ages. Indeed, one of my responsibilities as a teacher of eighth graders is to make life in medieval times come alive. I have both a desire and the need to supplement the text with additional information, often in the form of stories about important people, important events, and the way people lived. Telling stories is an integral part of teaching history simply because history is a story. In addition to providing information, my goal in telling stories is to capture the imagination of my students. And, the eighth-grade history course, Medieval and Early Modern History, is full of wonderful stories. The clever schemes of Philip II of France, the disgusting details of the Black Death, the mind-boggling failures of the one-and-only John of England, the interplay of religion and politics in the relationship of Martin Luther and Frederic, Archduke of Saxony, and the French Civil War of the late 1500s are just a few of the stories I look forward to telling. Greg Crook has his own favorites: the charge of the 20th Maine at Gettysburg, Thomas Gage’s raid at Lexington and Concord, and the Battle of Cowpens during the Revolutionary War. He knows he’s made an impression when parents report that their child entertained
education
education
MAKE’m love it
the family at the dinner table with a story from his class. Classroom activities and projects give students many opportunities to work together, think critically, and express their creativity. Greg Crook asks his students to create a revolutionaryera individual and write his or her biography, using historical details to make their person a participant in real events. Meg Fahrenbrook uses interactive simulations for her units on World War I and World War II to give students the experience of living “in other people’s shoes.” In the seventh-grade Global Studies course, Denise Stark assigns her students a realistic fiction or a nonfiction memoir each quarter to augment their study of Latin America, the Middle East, India, and China. Each book features a main character of middle school age, giving history a realistic and identifiable aspect students often do not encounter in textbooks. Marc Salz and I have students use software to create threedimensional drawings of medieval castles and cathedrals during the first semester; our students also have the opportunities to build model trebuchets and become writers of historical fiction. Mr. Salz’s students compete in “geography relays” to see which team of students can draw the most accurate details of a variety of countries on the board. Ignoring medieval illiteracy, he also has his students write a hypothetical peasant diary to see life in the Middle Ages through the eyes of farmers. There are two special off-campus experiences for Middle School history students that really make history come alive. In seventh grade, students participate in an archaeology dig at Wolf Run Ranch, followed by an overnight stay at the ranch. Prior to the trip, Dr. Randy Moir, a professional archaeologist, teaches the students about the discipline of archaeology, including the appropriate techniques of carrying out a dig; he also explains how archaeology relates to geology, paleontology, and history. Students are amazed that Wolf Run Ranch is a “real” archaeological site where items dating from prehistoric times have been found. Many Upper School students say the single most memorable trip ESD offers is the sixth-grade trip to Washington, DC and Williamsburg. During the month before the trip, students work on a research project about a monument or museum; they find and report on the appearance, background, and history of the site they selected. Their research makes them well-informed tourists. The guides and bus drivers know about these research projects and often ask our students to tell interesting facts about a site as the buses approach. Highlights of this five-day adventure include visits to the Lincoln Memorial, the Jefferson Memorial, Arlington National Cemetery, and the Vietnam Memorial, as well as the U.S. Capitol and the White House. In contributing to this article, my colleagues all expressed their commitment and devotion to Middle School students and their passion and excitement for the subjects they teach. Our commonly held belief is that students learn best if they become engaged in the courses they take. In a variety of ways I think we succeed in making our students love history. Being a successful student requires doing quite a lot of work, but most students who love what they are learning hardly notice how much work they are actually doing. “Make’m love it” is one way teachers help students learn and succeed.
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the magic of ropes By Andy Perry, Director of Outdoor Education
education
Lower School Implements
Since ESD’s beginning, outdoor experiences have played an important role in fulfilling ESD’s Mission and supporting ESD’s Founding Tenets, specifically the Tenet of Community: experiencing mutual trust, respect, and honor while preserving individual identity, uniqueness of thought, and personality. The outdoor education program also provides integrated and experiential learning opportunities that capture the minds of students and further bring classroom curriculum alive. With names like The Inch Worm, The Bowling Alley, and The Cargo Climb, the new low ropes course at the Wolf Run Outdoor Education Center is generating a lot of excitement. When the 2006 tornado went through Wolf Run, a number of the existing low ropes elements were lost. This provided an opportunity to rebuild the course to enhance the current Wolf Run program. The replacement course consists of fifteen different games and challenges, including a large multi-element course. The multi-course consists of ten separate elements that can be used separately or together as one large obstacle course. Each element presents varying degrees of physical, mental, or psychological challenge. Built to blend into the natural environment of Wolf Run, wooden poles were used to provide the structure and support. Designed by the Director of Outdoor Education, the course was built by the WR staff: Jim Tippie, Rick Smith, and Justin Antwailer. A course like this gives us the flexibility to provide programming for different group sizes and different ages. Low ropes courses have long been an effective tool to foster the development of community and aid in group building. Low ropes elements can be referred to as “We” development. They consist of real and imaginary obstacles designed to challenge groups and individuals to work together to accomplish tasks. Activites address socialization skills, inhibitions, and differences.
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Full Day Kindergarten in 2012-2013 by Sandy Kerr, Head of Lower School, and Julie Butterworth, Assistant Head of Lower School and Pre-Elementary Coordinator
Participants solve problems, communicate, and develop trust amongst members of the group. As well, students are challenged physically through tests of strength, stamina, agility, balance, and flexibility. Students may also experience emotional issues such as a fear of falling, a fear of failure, and a loss of control. They have the opportunity to conquer these fears in a safe, controlled, and supervised environment. Some of the magic of a ropes course is that it brings people totally into the moment which is an overarching theme of all Wolf Run trips. The Class of 2019 was the first class to “officially” use the ropes course as a part of the 5th grade day trip that is designed to help integrate 5th grade students into the ESD Middle School community. The 5th graders were helped by 9th grade students from the Butler and Eatherly advisories. Based on the concepts of effective communication, trust, and participation, the activities made available by the new low ropes course go hand-in-hand with the Wolf Run program goals, as well as the school mission.
As we continually strive for excellence at the Episcopal School of Dallas, the Lower School is excited to join other top independent schools by implementing full day kindergarten beginning in the 2012-2013 school year. Dr. Deborah Stipek, leading researcher and endowed professor for early childhood education at Stanford University’s School of Education, says “Full-day kindergarten allows children and teachers time to explore topics in depth, reduces the ratio of transition time to class time, provides for greater continuity of day-to-day activities, and provides an environment that favors a more developmentally appropriate approach to the curriculum.” Educational research also finds that full-day programs lead to greater short-term and long-term educational gains, more independent learning, higher classroom involvement, and an increase in productivity in work with peers. “Our teachers are most excited about the opportunities for a more in-depth curriculum, individualized learning, small group instruction time, a more relaxed pace, and the addition of enriching experiences,” says Sandy Kerr, Head of Lower School. The new schedule will support more direct instruction as well as curriculum-reinforcing activities which will result in greater progress in literacy, math, problem solving, higher level thinking skills, and social skills development. It will also allow for more appropriate challenges for children at all developmental levels. “All parties involved will benefit from the implementation of this program: parents, teachers, and most importantly, our students,” says Julie Butterworth, Assistant Head of Lower School and Pre-Elementary Coordinator.
ESD’s Pre-Elementary Students to Wear Uniforms Next School Year Beginning in the 2012-2013 school year, the Episcopal School of Dallas’ Pre-Elementary students will wear uniforms for the first time in the history of the school. The boys will wear navy blue elastic waist shorts, white polo shirts, crew socks, and solid black tennis shoes. Our Pre-Elementary girls will be wearing navy sailor jumpers with white ties, navy sliders, white bobby socks, and solid white tennis shoes. The reaction from the parent community has been one of excitement and thankfulness. Parents are thrilled that they may shop in the store or online at Parker Uniforms for their child’s wardrobe for the entire year. Uniforms take the indecision and choice off the table when children get ready for school in the morning, which means no more daily battles about what to wear to school, which have, in the past, included outfit choices and tennis shoes versus sandals versus crocs. “Our goal is for uniforms to encourage a sense of belonging and community within the entire Lower School. We are so excited about seeing our Beginner, Pre-Kindergarten and Kindergarten students in uniform next year,” say Sandy Kerr and Julie Butterworth.
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community
community
grandparents’ Day Grandparents’ Day is a beloved tradition at the Episcopal School of Dallas. This year’s festivities were held Friday, November 18, 2011. Grandparents and their grandchildren enjoyed special chapel services and time in the classroom. Upper School grandparents and students cheered on at a rousing faculty vs. twelfth-grade volleyball game in the competition gymnasium. “The relationship between a grandparent and a grandchild is sacred,” Father Swann, grandfather of thirteen, remarked. “Grandparents have a way of making their grandchild feel treasured and appreciated. We wanted to help our students reciprocate that. We are glad so many were able to join us for this special day.”
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defining you:
Making Sure the Good Doesn’t Become the Enemy of the Best
education
On October 12, the Class of 2012 gathered in the Zachary Bell Theatre for the Dedman Lecture. Quickly, they became engaged by ESD parent and Board of Directors member Cullum Clark. Mr. Clark talked about the future of ESD. A responsibility, he suggested, that, in part, belonged to them. Aware that his audience was more immediately concerned with college applications and next week’s calculus test, he expertly outlined why ESD’s future mattered to them. ESD has served them well today, and will serve them well in the future. It’s also the right thing to do. Mr. Clark punctuated his message with a famous quote by Winston Churchill, “We make a living by what we get; we make a life by what we give.” “Great institutions need to be nurtured,” Mr. Clark insisted. “We exist in a Darwinian environment. In order to thrive and grow, people have to care. Our mission should be to plant trees under whose shade we won’t live long enough to sit.” Without question ESD is a remarkable school, blessed with a gifted and committed faculty, excellent students, and world class facilities. Resting on our laurels; however, is not an option.
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A CHAPEL TALK by Sharon Stout Bales, Spanish Instructor and Director of Diversity
For several months, Mr. Clark shared, he and a team of faculty, education experts, parents, board members, and alumni have spent countless hours researching how to sustain and develop a worldclass institution. The study group determined that four areas have a limitless ability to impact the community: faculty and programs, enrollment and tuition assistance, facilities and technology, and sustainability. “Intelligent planning and increased alumni participation are the cornerstones for the ESD of tomorrow,” added Mr. Clark. “We want to be even better and even stronger.” The study group discovered that older peer schools all shared a common thread, alumni involvement. A young school, ESD is seeing increased participation by alumni in the alumni association, as current parents, and as teachers and coaches. A few are active in the school’s governance as members of the Board. Older institutions have substantial involvement at the board level, ranging from 50% at Hockaday to 100% at Philips Exeter. The alumni, in effect, have taken ownership of the school. “ESD is and will always be a part of you,” Mr. Clark concluded. “There’s no better way to say thank you to the incredible teachers and community than to ensure that ESD is here for generations to come.”
A reading from the Gospel according to St. Mark: “But what about you? He asked. “Who do you say that I am?” Think about what will define you because you get to decide. My father could have easily let poverty and heart disease – he had his first heart attack at 31 – define him, but they didn’t. Everyone who knew him remembers him for being smart, kind, funny, and sweet. He didn’t define himself by his job either, though he enjoyed it very much, or define himself by his political views. There is a movie out right now called The Way. It is about a man whose son dies while walking the Camino de Santiago, a medieval pilgrimage route through France and northern Spain. When he goes to France to claim his son’s body, he decides to finish the pilgrimage for him. Along the way, he meets an eclectic group of people who walk the Road to Santiago with him. The tag line for the movie is, “Life is too big to walk it alone.” My dad opened up his life to anyone who wanted in, and he chose his companions, most especially my mother, very well. And his life was greatly enriched by the companions he had. Who will you walk through this “big life” with? Who will help you along the way? My high school classmates are among the people with whom I am most proud to be associated. They account for well over half of my Facebook friends, and I have found in the nearly twenty-five years since we graduated that they always have my back. They still remember my birthday, and we are always there for each other in good times and in bad. I propose to you that some of your most important companions in this “big life” are your classmates. What defines you as a class? What will your class be remembered for? Each class has a special charisma, a unique gift, and leaves an indelible mark on the school. I think of seniors like Sarah Bass, Shelby Kuhn, Schaffer Ochstein, and Araceli Gallegos who are determined and willing to do whatever it takes to get the job done. Juniors, people like Arthur Beckel, Blake Moore, and Rithi Kotamarti, are sweet, smart, and kind to one another. Sophomores, like Kirbian Peters, Caroline Oden, and Carter Boisfontaine, have developed an uncanny sense of humor and a willingness to try anything. And freshmen like Armon Naeini
ESD hosted the DADYO retreat at Wolf Run this November. Students from St. Mark’s, ESD, Hockaday, Greenhill, Parish, and other independent schools participated.
and Johnathan Barr are energetic, hard-working, and incredibly supportive of their classmates. And finally, the grades together form the Episcopal School of Dallas. What defines us? Our mission statement reads, “The Episcopal School of Dallas prepares young men and women for lives of intellectual discovery, integrity, and purpose. The School develops the unique talent and potential in each student and embraces sound learning, discipline, and faith as essential elements of an educated conscience.” Our four Founding Tenets, daily worship, community, ethical decision making, and service, are at our core. The teachers and staff are the heart and soul of this school. People like Mr. Lutken, Mr. Eason, and Mrs. Meier are walking examples of our mission statement and tenets. And Mrs. Hodge, Mrs. Fahrenbrook, Mrs. Smart, and Ms. Neill walked the walk in early November. Their way was the 60-mile Road to a Cure for Breast Cancer. All of these parts add to the very rich history of the success of the Episcopal School of Dallas. And each student, each class that passes through, adds another piece to what defines our school. Earlier this fall, our seniors initiated a poster campaign and decorated our school with their vision of ESD. They decided what defines us, how we walk, and what our way is. As Jesus said, “But you, who do you say that I am?” We are ESD. This is our house and this is our way. We walk it, we talk it, and we live it. We have an expression in Spanish, “Dime con quién andas y te diré quién eres.” Tell me who you walk with and I will tell you who you are.” The companions you choose and how you treat them will be a large part of what defines you. Remember that you are in charge; you decide who you want to be. Don’t ever let someone else do it for you. Amen.
community
The Robert H. Dedman Lecture Series provides students of the Episcopal School of Dallas with both academic and practical experiences in leadership education. The series enhances the School’s Mission to prepare students for lives of intellectual discovery and further distinguishes ESD as a collegepreparatory school of the finest caliber. The inaugural lecture was given on April 12, 2002 by Mr. Robert H. Dedman, Sr., noteworthy philanthropist, founder of ClubCorp International and grandfather to Jonathan Dietz ’03, Christina Dietz ’09, and Jeffrey Dietz ’14. Since that time, students have benefited from the wisdom of a wide range of leaders – a senator, a Marine, a cardiologist, a bank president, a chaplain, a professional athlete, a historian, and an architect, to name a few.
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Lower School CARNIVAL The annual Lower School Carnival is one of the highlights of the fall. October 28 was truly Spooktacular! Parent organizers Allison Benners, Christy Crenshaw, and Lauren Swann and their team of volunteers created a magical afternoon filled with treats. From bats to “monsters” to ghosts, special crafts created by the students added to the festivities as children enjoyed bounce houses, carnival games, face painting, confetti eggs, pink-maned pony rides, and more. A howling good time was had by all!
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It is amazing to me how fast this school year is progressing. Welcome, new families, to our community! We are thrilled you have chosen to be a part of our phenomenal school. I encourage each family to volunteer through the Parents’ Association to foster the unified sense of community which makes our school unique. To facilitate this process, the Parents’ Association, thanks to the leadership of Tamara O’Connor, launched an on-line volunteer program through which parents may volunteer year round. Don’t miss your chance to meet other ESD parents, learn more about ESD, and feel connected! We started the school year with our wonderful parent community uniting to make this an outstanding year for our families, faculty, and administration. Diane Johnston and Becky Mills showered our faculty and staff with appreciation, at a seated luncheon in their honor, prior to the start of school. Sally Dutter and Carol Riddick continue to express our gratitude to faculty with treats throughout the year. The parent communication representatives and student social representatives planned festive back-to-school parties for the students and fall parent parties for the families to get to know one another and have fun. Homecoming was kicked off with a spectacular pep rally with This Is Our House yard signs and bumper stickers generously donated so each ESD family could show their spirit! If you have not picked up your yard sign and/or bumper sticker, stop by the Development Office and see Mary Beth Weinberger. Not only were our homes showing the ESD bond, the students were decked in their spirit mums, thanks to the hard work of Kirsten Kerrigan and Nicole Trammel. We appreciate Allison Benners, Christy Crenshaw, and Lauren Swann for chairing the ESD Spooktacular for the Lower School families and children. The pumpkin patch, face painting, food, games, and decorations made by the students, delighted the families of the Lower School and raised $35,000 to fully fund the Parents’ Association budget. As a result of the generosity of the Lower School families, underwriters and donors, all auction proceeds will benefit our faculty and students. The ESDPA Lecture Series has provided a wealth of information for our parents on topics which our students are also learning. Our fall lectures included Social Media 101 with Debbie Kenvin (President and Co-Founder of Savvy and Chic), Take 5 Minutes to Talk to Me about teen dating violence presented by Jan Langbein (Executive Director of Genesis), and The Unhealthy Truth featuring Robyn O’Brien and her book of the same title about how we are sacrificing our children’s health for the sake of convenience. The Lower School lecture, The Saving Seed, taught tools for having healthy money discussions and learning financial concepts for toddlers to teens by our own ESD parent and graduate, Ashley Bogard Parks ’94. Don’t miss the next lecture: When Sean Speaks – January 13 from 10:4011:40 a.m. in the competition gymnasium in the Father Swann Center, a real life message about drunken driving consequences from one who personally suffered them.
The ESD Auction is already off to an awesome start thanks to Gina Betts and Paula Miltenberger and their unbelievable Buy It Now events in November. Now it’s time to get your prom dress, your dancing shoes, your date and get ready for the Parents’ Association’s biggest event, our auction, TOTALLY PROM on February 4 at 6:30 p.m. in the Stephen B. Swann Athletic and Wellness Center Competition Gymnasium! Our prom queens, Christine Cook, Suzanne Everbach, and Elaina Peterie have planned the best party in town for the ESD community with an unforgettable ESD Parent Performance, tunes by Dallas DJ Jeff Mitchell, a RADICAL Silent, Big Board and Live Auction including Class Projects and Class Baskets you can’t resist! Plus, Totally Prom will supply unbelievable food and beverages for everyone to enjoy! Don’t be lame, get involved by donating an item, purchasing an ad, underwriting the event or join the committee – it’s not to late! Go to www.esdallas.org/auction for the latest news. Thanks to Haley Teegarden and Devon Nelson the Lower School’s Big Top Bingo is scheduled for Friday, January 27 from 6:00-8:30 p.m. in the Daryl Johnston Family Dining Commons at the Father Swann Center. What’s better than a fabulous dinner and family bingo game on a cold Friday night? We are very busy and having a great time. Please join us. The Parents’ Association is grateful and inspired by the dedication and commitment of the remarkable ESD community! May God bless each and every family associated with our beloved Episcopal School of Dallas.
community
Dear ESD Parents and Friends,
Sincerely,
LuAnne Hobbs Presidents’ Association President
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Putting Together the Puzzle of a Story community
George Shannon, the 8th Annual Elizabeth Anne Worsham Visiting Author By Bonnie Tollefson, Lower School Librarian
The Elizabeth Anne Worsham Endowed Visiting Author Fund was created in 2004 by Mr. and Mrs. Joseph I. Worsham II, friends, and family in memory of Elizabeth Anne Worsham ’13. ”Children who love to read become adults who love to read, a wonderful gift for a life-time of enjoyment,” says Lower School Librarian Bonnie Tollefson. “The Visiting Author Program supports that development. And, we think of Elizabeth and her love of books and reading every day when we gather round her special rocking chair to read books aloud for story-time. The chair features the scripture verse from Mark 10:14, `Let the little children come to me.’ It is depicted by an intricate carving of Jesus surrounded by children.”
Visiting authors are recognized as masters of their craft, inspiring students to learn and express their creative spirits. Previous guests include Patricia Polacco, author of Meteors and The Keeping Quilt; Susan Stevens Crummel, author of Jackalope and And the Dish Ran Away with the Spoon; David M. Schwartz, author of How Much is a Million and Q is for Quark; Will Hillenbrand, author of The House That Drac Built! and Look Out, Jack! The Giant Is Back!; Seymour Simon, author of The Heart: Our Circulatory System and Destination: Jupiter; Steven Kellogg, author of Pinkerton, Behave! and The Mysterious Tadpole; and Janie Bynum, author of Noah’s Magic Shoes and The Twelve Days of Christmas in Texas. The Lower School welcomed the 8th annual Elizabeth Anne Worsham Visiting Author on September 20, 2011. Mr. George Shannon, picture book author, storyteller, and collector of folk 20 • Fall 2011
tales stretched our imaginations and creative thought processes with his presentations. Mr. Shannon, who has written more than 40 books, is known for challenging the reader to think “outside of the box.” For example, his book Tomorrow’s Alphabet begins with the line: “A is for seed…tomorrow’s apple.” His collections of world folktales, such as Stories to Solve, invite the reader to use information presented in the story as clues to figure out the resolution. The reader must turn to the back of the book to see if they reasoned out the correct answer. Students, teachers, and parents laughed at his many reminisces, as he showed us how life’s every day events can become one little piece of a story. A good writer can create a magnificent “whole” story by putting together seemingly disparate vignettes – similar to putting together a jigsaw puzzle piece by piece. One suggestion he gave for budding writers is to keep a “maybe, maybe” book – a journal of ideas that can become story pieces. He told us he has about 80 of these idea books. Mr. Shannon shared three letters from ESD 4th grade students on his blog to show how they “let me know we had truly connected through the basics of writing.” The Elizabeth Anne Worsham Visiting Author program is a special experience for all Lower School students and a lovely way to remember our beloved student, Elizabeth.
Last summer I spent a couple of weeks in Telluride, Colorado. I love going to Telluride because it has managed to stay somewhat off the beaten path and tucked away compared to so many other Colorado towns. It is harder to get to Telluride than most other great spots in Colorado, so there are fewer people taking up the mountain air that I like to submit myself to. It’s less crowded, less overrun by commercialism, and there is a little more wildlife to see in their natural habitat. I love back country hiking, and there are several trails leading out of town, so I looked forward to an overnight – just me, the mountains, and the stars. It’s a time to think, a time to pray, a time to relax, and a time to simply be. I have been hiking for years as time has allowed. The difference this year was that for weeks before the trip, my fiancée (now my wife), Liz, kept telling me how worried she was about my overnight. She imagined bears attacking me, and used every opportunity to try and convince me to not go camping. I tried to reassure her over and over that I have been doing this for years, I have never had any problems with bears, no one I know has had trouble with bears, and there is absolutely no reason to worry about bears on my overnight camping experience. I wasn’t worried. However, I noticed the trash cans in the alleyways in Telluride had locks on them, with a little bear paw on them and a little message: “Lock your trash cans: Bears.” Over the years I have seen these trash cans, and have heard stories about bears coming into town at night to rummage through the trash. At some point during the days leading up to my hike, I made an observation that began to haunt me: 1) the trash cans indicate there are hungry bears in the area; 2) the bears come into town from somewhere; 3) that “somewhere” is in the nearby mountains; 4) I am going to spend the night alone in the nearby mountains where the hungry bears are looking for food. A feeling of panic and confusion overcame me the morning I was walking out of town with my pack on my back, and I realized that simple logic required I carry something to protect myself. So, I walked into a knife shop and requested the biggest knife they had. “Oh, what will you be using the knife for?” the woman asked. “I’d like to be able to kill a bear,” I confidently replied. As she handed me the four-inch blade, she informed me that was their big knife. I pretended to get more excited, “Well, where I can get a really big knife? Or a machete!?” She wasn’t sure she had ever seen a machete in Telluride, but directed me to the Ace Hardware down the street. The very-bearded mountain man in the Ace Hardware apron greeted me as I walked in. I asked him for his biggest knife and he immediately wondered what I needed a big knife for. “I’m going hiking overnight, and just want to be ready for a bear if one comes into camp.” He paused and looked amused. It was at that moment that I heard what I had just said. Here I was, someone with 20 years of camping and backpacking experience asking for a knife to kill a
by Senior Chaplain, The Reverend Oliver M. Butler
bear with. But it was too late. I launched into my next question, “…or maybe you have a machete?! Or some of that bear spray repellent?! Or…” The guy interrupted me, “Son, a knife, a machete, or bear spray will just make a 400 pound bear angry.” “Yes, of course…” I responded. “But, I have just what you need.” He led me into the depths of Telluride Ace Hardware. I imagine we were headed to the weapons section, where he would undoubtedly unveil the appropriate firearm. “Here you go.” He reached up and grabbed something off the shelf and placed it in my hand. I looked down to see a single silver ball in a pouch on a piece of cardboard packaging that read “BEAR BELL.” He said, “Yep. This is it. Wear this on your backpack strap and the noise will keep the bears away.” I smiled and walked out of the Ace Hardware store up into the mountains ringing this little bell with each step. About an hour into the hike I was so annoyed by the little bell’s “ding ding ding!” that I muted it for the rest of the day. At night I hung the bell over my head in the tent. And all night long, I’d wake up hit the bell “DING!” and try to go back to sleep. The overnight was a success – I enjoyed my time in the mountains, I hiked, and the bear bell worked because never did I see a single bear! I took this crazy little thing with me on my journey that night, and in spite of it appearing to be just a tiny thing, it apparently was the right thing to take with me to ensure a great and successful trip. Jesus told his disciples as they went out to minister to the masses and spread the Gospel what they needed to take with them in Mark Chapter 6: “Take nothing for the journey except a staff – no bread, no bag, no money in your belts. Wear sandals but not an extra shirt.” The disciples did not need more than those things, because they had God with them on their journey. Throughout Scripture in the Old and New Testament, God accompanies his people on their journeys and is more than enough: God went with Daniel into the lion’s den; with Jonah into the whale; with David into the battle against Goliath. The God who knows every hair on our head, our comings and goings, and who walks with us through the valley of the shadow of death is the God we can choose to take with us on our journey in life. It is a wonderful and simple truth. It’s sort of like the simplicity of my little bear bell being the right thing to take on my overnight journey, God is the right one to walk with us on life’s journey. We just need to remember to take Him along. God shows up now and then on our journeys, but will never force us to take Him with us. So we can choose to have Him be part of the trip or not. How is your journey this year? It is never too late to have Him join you.
community
the bear bell
www.esdallas.org • 21
SPRING 2011-WINTER 2012
FACULTY GRANT AWARDS
education
For over 20 years, the ESD Parents’ Association has generously sponsored the faculty grant program, helping sustain our culture of excellence. This year, 40 faculty members applied and were given support to participate in nearly 50 different programs. From graduate coursework to collaborative conferences to exploring China, ESD faculty traveled three continents to experience opportunities that will impact the lives of our students. Every full-time faculty member is afforded $3,000 every two years under the grant program. To apply, they submit their request to a committee of their peers. Approximately $100,000 in grants is awarded each year. The program is tremendously appreciated by our faculty. Primer teacher Allison Hogan said, “The faculty grants program helps make the process of attaining quality professional development smooth. Teachers, like students, are lifelong learners and we definitely benefit from these grants. I am thrilled to have the opportunity to be surrounded by the professionals and experts I learned about in graduate school.” Nick Brette believes his experience will help his students as well, “The workshop at SMU on teaching engineering at the high school level enabled me to become certified to teach the Imprinting Project to our students at ESD. This program is designed to allow students to see the relevance of science and math classes and to understand the technology that has an ever-increasing impact on our daily activities. Thank you for the Faculty Grant Awards.”
Tim Adams Texas Association for Health, PE, Recreation & Dance Conference: Dallas Max Auge AP Convention: San Francisco Monica Awbrey Choral America Conference: San Francisco Elaine Biewenga
Dallas Theatre: Dallas
Martha Bowden
ISTE Technology Conference: Philadelphia
Nick Brette
Infinity Workshop on Engineering: SMU
Kris Brockhagen Texas Association for Health, PE, Recreation & Dance Conference: Dallas TAHPERD Leadership Meeting: Granbury Bill Cook AEPL Literacy Conference: Colorado Tim Couch Texas Storytelling Conference: San Antonio Dusty Davidson Graduate class in French Theatre: UNT Judi Davidson Music: Milan, Italy Dawn Eatherly Radical Yoga Training: Washington, DC Youth Strategies class at Cooper Clinic: Dallas Meg Fahrenbrook
Historical military sites: Savannah, Georgia
Matthew Fuller
Beginning Teachers Conference: Nashville
John Gallo
Biology Institute at Phillips Exeter: New Hampshire
Jeff Geier
Davis Mountains Sports Clinic: Ft. Davis, Texas
Laur Gomez American Volleyball Coaches Convention: San Antonio Katie Grunst Youth Strategies class at Cooper Clinic: Dallas National Field Hockey Coaches Convention Mary Hansell Teaching History with Technology: Boston Molly Hardy Master of Education classes: SMU Amy Henderson Master of Education Leadership online class: UTA Corey Henderson Texas Basketball Coaches Convention: San Antonio Lauren Hill Master of Education classes: SMU Allison Hogan Calkin’s Reading Institute: Columbia University Ann Jackson Society of Children’s Book Writers Conference: New York City Laila Kharrat Master of Arts in French class: UNT American Association of Teachers in French Convention: Quebec City, Canada Carrie Martin National Athletic Training Conference: New Orleans Marta Milian Texas Foreign Language Convention: Houston Mark Mrozek Chinese Bridge for American Schools: China Vicki Patterson
Historical sites: Oklahoma City
Barbara Purdy Lost Wax Casting class at the Creative Arts Center: Dallas Greg Randall Community of Writers: Squaw Valley, California Hollie Read Texas Association for Health, PE, Recreation & Dance Conference: Dallas Kimberly Rogers Teaching World’s Religions Conference: San Francisco Erin Rupe Curriculum Leadership Academy: Austin Marc Salz AP World History: TCU Institute Mike Schneider Providing Dietary Guidance: Cooper Clinic Texas Association for Health, PE, Recreation & Dance Conference: Dallas Joe Snyder American Organists Guild Conference: San Francisco Texas Choral Director’s Conference: San Antonio Trey Stringer National Strength & Conditioning Conference: Las Vegas Faye Williams National Chinese Language Conference: San Francisco
22 • Fall 2011
faculty news HONORS & ACCOLADES Lower School Physical Education Coordinator Kris Brockhagen was voted the 2011 Texas Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (TAHPERD) Elementary Physical Educator of the Year. Coach Brockhagen accepted her award at the organization’s 88th Annual Convention on Friday, December 2 at the Sheraton Dallas Hotel. On a related note, Kris has learned that she has also been nominated for the 2012 Southern District Elementary Physical Education Teacher of the Year. Congratulations to Father Oliver Butler and Elizabeth McCurry who married on November 5 in All Saints Chapel. Episcopal School of Dallas Middle School teachers Darla Hodge, Meg Fahrenbrook ’01, Ellen Neill, and Amanda Smart ’94 have been working out together for a few years. A year ago, the idea of participating in the Susan G. Komen 3-Day for the Cure became a part of their workout conversation. They encouraged the entire Middle School to get involved with the fight to find a cure for Breast Cancer. On October 4, a special Chapel talk by a breast cancer survivor further inspired students into action. Students and faculty raised $2,000 for breast cancer research by participating in National Denim Day, held on
October 6 all over the United States. SAGE Dining Services supported the day by making a strawberry cake with the breast cancer ribbon on top. Students collected yogurt tops in conjunction with Yoplait’s “Save Lids to Save Lives” program. Every grade level participates in age-appropriate projects. ESD received the 2011 Youth Service Award at the fifth annual Volunteer Center of North Texas Hearts of Texas award luncheon. (photo a) Fine Arts teacher Vikki Martin was recently recognized for being a community advocate for Bayles Elementary School. For 15 years, Martin and her neighbors have had one goal in mind: help improve the school’s unacceptable academic achievement scores. Since 2009, Bayles has earned the rating of “Recognized” by the Texas Education Agency. The programs put in place are now being replicated in several other schools: S.S. Conner, Truett Elementary, and Lang Middle Schools. Congratulations to Amy Duke and Brian Wolf on their engagement. They will be married in early July 2012 at ESD. In 2001, Bickel and Brewer founded the Future Leaders Program (FLP). Classes are held after school and during the summer at some of Dallas’ most prestigious private schools, including St. Mark’s School of Texas, The
a
b Hockaday School, Greenhill School, and Episcopal School of Dallas. In this program, 170 DISD students, grades 5-12, benefit from a challenging and rewarding academic curriculum designed to complement what FLP students are learning in their public schools. They are instructed in language arts, technology, mathematics, and leadership in classrooms that are staffed by both a public and private school teacher. A 5:1 studentteacher ratio assures every student receives personal attention and guidance from the faculty. In addition to faculty participation, students from ESD, Greenhill, Hockaday, and St. Mark’s also serve as peer mentors. Administrators from the participating independent and public schools oversee the program. FLP teachers from ESD this year include Deb Goudy, Vicki Patterson, Jill Simpson, Amanda Smart ’94, and Denise Stark. Ms. Stark functions as ESD’s campus liaison in the 4th quarter when the students are here on campus. Ms. Goudy works with the computer technology program; Ms. Simpson with math. Ms. Stark and Ms. Patterson work with both humanities and American leadership. Ms. Smart will join the American leadership team in the last quarter.
the United States as a Junior National Team coach at the 2011 World Rowing Junior Championships held August 3-7 in Eton Dorney, Great Britain. The four-day regatta took place at the future site of rowing’s 2012 Olympics and had the USA’s junior scullers post their best results in a thirty-year history of junior international competition. Coach Naifeh was one of the youngest of the Junior National Team coaches and one of very few selected from a high school rowing program. Most of the coaches named to this distinguished coaching staff represent elite university and club rowing programs from across the nation. Naifeh holds the highest level of coaching certification offered by USRowing and was invited to join the coaching staff at USRowing’s athlete development camp during the summer of 2010. He was elevated to the Selection Camp coaching staff in June 2011 and spent the summer term in New Milford, Connecticut, and Princeton, New Jersey, coaching athletes in preparation for World Championships. On July 21, 2011, Faye Williams and her husband Dale welcomed their daughter, Emilyn Grace Williams, to the world. She weighed in at 7 pounds and 14 ounces. (photo b)
Matthew Naifeh ’05 was among an elite group of coaches who were selected by USRowing to represent www.esdallas.org • 23
Clarence Davis US Mathematics Mr. Davis comes to ESD as an Upper School Mathematics teacher after having served in the Dallas Independent School District as an instructional coach and high school math teacher. He has also worked as an adjunct instructor at University of Dallas in their Executive MBA program for concentration in Management Information Systems. He served in a similar capacity at ITT Technical Institute. Mr. Davis earned a degree in Applied Mathematics from University of Texas of Dallas after 13 years as geophysicist in research and petroleum exploration for the former Mobil Research and Development Corporation and British Petroleum. Prior, he earned a degree in Physics with minors in Mathematics and Geology from Florida A & M University.
education
New Faculty 2011-2012 ESD’s tireless and gifted faculty and staff are the backbone of our institution and paramount to the school’s success. They are committed to inspiring, developing, and sustaining excellence, and are deftly able to balance the rigors of a college-preparatory environment with nurture and compassion. More than 200 serve the ESD community and all are appreciated and respected for their individual and collective contributions. This year, we are pleased to weave fifteen talented educators into our fold. Natalie Amato Third Grade Teacher Ms. Amato earned a Bachelor of Elementary Education and Bachelor of Liberal Arts: Math and Science from Rowan University. She then earned her Masters of Education from Southern Methodist University. Prior to ESD, Ms. Amato has taught in North Carolina, DISD, and Omaha, NE. She feels extremely blessed to be at a place like ESD. Scott Barrentine ’06 Upper School Science Teacher After earning a Science for Teaching degree at Texas A&M, Mr. Barrentine returned to Dallas to student-teach at J.J. Pearce. After receiving his certification, he began substitute teaching and tutoring at ESD. This year, Barrentine joins the Upper School Science Faculty full-time in the position made available by the promotion of his high school advisor and physics teacher, Jeff Laba.
24 • Fall 2011
Edna Cannata Lower School Permanent Substitute Mrs. Cannata received a Bachelor of Science in Biology from Vanderbilt University and a Master of Science in Nutrition from Texas Woman’s University. Currently, she is working on getting her Early Childhood teaching certification to teach 6th grade and should complete it by January of 2012. She has two children currently attending here and an eldest daughter who graduated from ESD. Edna has been subbing at Parish Episcopal, Highland Park ISD and ESD for the past seven years. She also worked part time as a dietitian for the city of Dallas. Elizabeth Capela Fifth Grade Language Arts Teacher Ms. Capela moved to Dallas from Manhattan. She received her Bachelor of Arts from Quinnipiac University in Connecticut. Prior to working at ESD, she worked at Oak Crest Private School in Carrollton. She also spent four years working as a research analyst in the financial field before pursuing a Master of Education.
Laura Dauterman 3-Day Beginner Ms. Dauterman earned her Bachelor’s degree from the University of Texas. She has taught at Saint Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church in Dallas, and Saint Luke’s Episcopal School in San Antonio. Ms. Dauterman is also a coach for ESD’s new program, Girls on the Run. LAurie Ellison Cross Country / Track / MS PE Coach Ellison is currently pursuing her Master’s at Texas Women’s University. She earned her Bachelor of Science from Sam Houston State University. Prior to ESD, she was a teacher and coach at Mansfield High and Cleburne ISD. Jenny Esteve Third Grade Teacher Ms. Esteve attended University of Texas in Austin for her Bachelor of Science in Education and SMU for her Masters in Liberal Arts. She taught at Hockaday for 10 years and coached basketball, volleyball, and golf. The past two years she taught 3rd grade at the Kessler School in Kessler Park. Ms. Esteve is now very happy to be a part of the ESD family. Leila Humphreys Upper School Foreign Language Faculty Ms. Humphreys earned both her Bachelor of Arts & Masters in French and Spanish Literature from the University of North Texas. She taught as a French Teaching Fellow at UNT before completing her Spanish Teaching Certification as an intern in iSchoolHigh at Lewisville Charter ISD.
Ashley Jarol Fourth Grade Teacher Ms. Jarol earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts from SMU and a Master of Education in her native city of Chicago at DePaul University. Prior to ESD, Ms. Jarol taught in Chicago at Sacred Heart School for three years and at St. John’s Episcopal School of Dallas last year. Pat Kennedy Head Lacrosse Coach Coach Kennedy os a 1997 graduate of Moeller High School in Cincinnati, where he was selected First-Team All-Ohio and AllAmerican his senior year. Kennedy went on to play for one of the top college programs in the country, Syracuse University, where as an attackman for the Orangemen, he competed in three National Championships and was a member of the 2000 Division I National Champions. Following his college career, Pat was drafted by and played for the Chicago Machine in Major League Lacrosse. He joins ESD after serving as head coach at College of Mount St. Joseph in Cincinnati where he led the team to it’s first winning season (10-7) in 2011. Paul Meredith 8th Grade Algebra Teacher Mr. Meredith earned his Bachelor of Science degree from Mississippi College, and his Master of Education from Texas Tech University. Prior to joining ESD, Mr. Meredith taught three years in the Lubbock Independent School District, and two years in the Allen Independent School District. Angie Nickens Administrative Assistant to the Assistant Head of Upper School Dallas native, Angie Nickens received her Bachelor of Science in Health and Fitness Kinesiology and Master of Education in educational administration from Texas Christian University. While at TCU, she played soccer for the Horned Frogs and was captain of her team. While getting her Masters she joined the University’s coaching staff as the director of operations. Now at ESD as the Assistant to the Assistant Head of Upper School Jeff Laba, she is coaching JV field hockey, JV boys soccer in the winter, and JV girls lacrosse in the spring.
education
Cameron Christensen US Computer Science Mr. Christensen earned his Bachelor of Arts in Computer Science from St. John’s University in Minnesota and his M.Ed. from the University of Notre Dame. Prior to ESD, he taught at St. Augustine Catholic School in Dallas.
Marissa Royall Pre-El Teaching and Learning Assistant Mrs. Royall graduated with a Bachelor of Science and holds a Master’s of Science in Communication Disorders from the University of Texas at Dallas. Mrs. Royall comes to us from Oak Hill Academy. Abbey Rusek First Grade Teacher Mrs. Rusek earned her B.A. from Baylor University. Prior to joining the 1st grade team at ESD, she taught 2nd grade for four years at Woodway Elementary in Midway ISD, Waco, Texas. www.esdallas.org • 25
Homecoming Spirit High at ESD
community
In true ESD spirit, ESD’s campuses buzzed Homecoming Week, held the last week of September. One of Homecoming’s themes, “This is OUR house,” was seen everywhere. The motto, developed by this year’s senior class as a way to demonstrate their school spirit and gratitude for their teachers, could be found on t-shirts, posters, and bumper stickers throughout the community. Students, parents, faculty members, alumni, and friends affirmed their support of the school in a myriad of ways during this special weekend, including alumni games, the traditional spirit week and pep rally, a parade of teams, and the varsity football game. Visible in the stands Friday night was a sea of navy, called for by the Student Council, as the ESD Eagles narrowly lost 14-17 to Fort Worth Country Day. The traditional dance, held in ESD’s Commons, was themed, “Deep in the Heart of ESD.” The return of so many alumni made the festivities even more special. Events included a BBQ, class reunions, and the annual alumni versus varsity volleyball game. ESD’s first Homecoming Queen, Jamie Baldwin ’01, and Homecoming King, Chad Alexander ’01, crowned this year’s Queen and King, Devi Nair ’12 and Schaffer Ochstein ’12.
26 • Fall 2010
www.esdallas.org • 27
THIRD GRADE STUDENTS COLLECT AND STOCK NEARLY TWO TONS OF FOOD FOR NORTH DALLAS SHARED MINISTRIES community
Students Learn to Serve God by Serving Others
Eighth Graders Look Beyond Themselves to Help Others Overview by Jill Remaud, Middle School English Teacher
On September 26, the eighth graders visited five different North Texas charities as part of our 2011-2012 theme, “Looking Beyond Ourselves.” We have made it our mission this year to stand united as a team. Participating in community service projects will enable us to display compassion and empathy, and it will educate our own consciences. On October 13, a group of fourteen eighth graders delivered a chapel service encouraging and celebrating their classmates actions that benefit the greater good.
28 • Fall 2011
good net results On Wednesday, November 30, the eighth grade sponsored a field day to raise money and awareness for Nets for Life. To kick off the event, the students made a chapel presentation informing students about the malaria crisis in sub-Saharan Africa and about how mosquito nets can help save lives. Because of their efforts, the students raised enough money to purchase 73 life-saving nets for Episcopal Relief and Development’s Nets for Life Inspiration Fund.
ESD third grade students collected, sorted, delivered, and stocked 3,924 pounds, or nearly two tons, of food for North Dallas Shared Ministries earlier this month, just in time for the holidays. Students also delivered $1,580.00 in monetary gifts. This annual project is made possible by teachers, students, Lower School families, and parent volunteers who organize and collect donations over a four-day period. “This is a tradition [with ESD] that has been going on for almost 20 years,” remarked Judy Rorrie, Executive Director of North Dallas Shared Ministries. “Over the years, the quantity of food we are getting and the direct involvement has increased tremendously, so it is a very exciting time and a wonderful beginning to the holidays.” Service to Others is one of ESD’s four Founding Tenets. Students at every age complete age-appropriate community service projects. “The goal of our community service program is to instill a sense of life-long responsibility for the greater community in our students,” said Sandy Kerr, Head of Lower School. “To see our student body work together to make this project so successful helps me realize that we are achieving our goal, and that even at this early age our students are learning to serve God by serving others.” “All you have to do is look around at the quantity of food that is brought by the ESD students and you know how thrilled we are,” continued Ms. Rorrie. “We are grateful to ESD. In addition to this, we have Upper School Students who volunteer in the medical clinic and in other aspects; there is a total involvement with whole student body.” www.esdallas.org • 29
2011-2012
ESD Takes Another Step to Help Improve Relationships
In conjunction with ESD’s commitment to wellness, we are pleased to offer the 2011-2012 Wellness Speaker Series. This series is presented by the ESD Parents’ Association and ESD’s Health and Wellness Program. Parents, faculty, staff, and alumni are welcome and invited to attend.
Healthy Community by Dr. Andy McGarrahan
community
In addition to reading, writing, and arithmetic, children are faced with learning how to successfully navigate social and emotional situations. When parents decide to enroll their children at ESD, they can take comfort in the fact that there is wonderful support system of advisors, teachers, coaches, administrators, and staff who will be looking out for their sons and daughters. This support system also includes a group of highly experienced psychologists from Children’s Medical Center Dallas (CMC). For the past 21 years, ESD has contracted with CMC for the provision of psychological services at the school. Their mission is to assist the ESD community in fostering emotional well-being and academic success for all students. The psychologists on site at ESD are also faculty members of the Department of Psychiatry at UT Southwestern Medical School (UTSW) and have particular areas of knowledge and expertise that they bring to their work. Hilary Hodgson, Ph.D. is completing her 14th year at ESD and serves as the Learning Specialist for 8th-12th grades. Andy McGarrahan, Ph.D. is in his 13th year at ESD and works primarily with the Middle and Upper School. Cara Holmes, Ph.D. is in her 5th year as the psychologist at the Lower School. ESD also contracts with UT Southwestern for an intern from the school’s Clinical Psychology program to work at ESD 20 hours a week. For 2011-2012, the intern is Hayley Evans, who attended ESD for Middle School, and is in her third year of the program. The Episcopal School of Dallas Founding Tenet of “Community” states that experiencing mutual trust, respect, and honor while preserving individual identity, uniqueness of thought, and personality is paramount to our school’s well being. Longstanding demonstrations of community include programs to foster understanding of diversity, to develop interpersonal skills, and to embrace the values and principles set forth in ESD’s Honor Code. In continuance of this mission, three years ago the faculty, staff, and administration researched the best practices to preventing and responding to bullying. After talking with many schools and experts in the field, ESD chose to roll out the Olweus Bullying Prevention Program (OBPP). Large-scale evaluations of OBPP have shown significant reductions in student reports of being bullied and bullying others with peer and teacher rating yielding similar results. Other results include improvement in classroom social climate and more positive attitudes toward schoolwork and
30 • Fall 2011
school. Second, the program is used throughout the school year and is ongoing. Additionally, since bullying impacts all students and adults at school, the OBPP goes beyond simple classroom curriculum changes and involves multi-level implementation and climate change at the school. OBPP has received recognition from a number of organizations including the U.S. Department of Education’s Blueprints Model Program; the Center for the Study and Prevention of Violence at the University of Colorado at Boulder; the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration; the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services; and the Effective Program from the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, U.S. Department of Justice. To begin, ESD conducted a school-wide student survey to see where, when and how bullying takes place at school. Last December and January, ESD contracted with Elaina Rowe from Trinity Valley School in Ft Worth, who is also a certified Olweus trainer, to train our core group of trainers. Because of the similarities between the two schools, Elaina was a great fit for ESD. She received rave reviews from our trainers about her helpfulness and professionalism. During August in-service, ESD faculty and staff received the OBPP training. Regular class meetings are a key component of the program. The focus of these meetings is to build a sense of class community, teach the rules and consequences of bullying, help students understand their role in bullying situations, and address issues as they arise. Views like “kids will be kids” and “bullying is not a problem at ESD” are not helpful or accurate. No school is immune to the effects of bullying. All students should feel safe at school. When bullying occurs, those bullied are less likely to want to come to school and may find it more difficult to focus and learn. As they grow older, we worry about problems such as low self-esteem, depression, health issues and even suicidal thoughts with these students. Bullying also effects the bystanders to the situations by making them afraid, feeling guilty about not intervening, feeling helpless to act, or even being drawn to participate. Research shows that those students who bully typically have other problems with breaking other rules. As they grow older, these students who bully are also at greater risk of increased rule breaking and use of alcohol and substances at relatively young ages. OBPP’s goals align with ESD’s: to achieve better peer relations at school, to reduce existing bullying problems among students, and to prevent the development of new bullying problems. It is our hope that when our students are our age, the stories they recall will be of all the great experiences they had at ESD, where they were able and encouraged to develop and express their unique talent and potential.
ESD Wellness Speaker Series
Upcoming Events When Sean Speaks: A real life message about Drunk Driving Choices & Consequences Friday, January 13, 2012 10:40-11:40 a.m. in the Competition Gym (US students and parents will be hearing Sean’s message together to accommodate his medical constraints)
Parenting with Love and Logic Monday, February 6, 2012 7:00 p.m in the Lower School Theatre
EAT (It’s Not About Food) Thursday, February 16, 2012 (Preview for Parents) 7:00 p.m. Bray Theater
Social Aggression: Approaches to Intervention and Prevention With Dr. Marion Underwood, Author and Professor, UTD School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences Thursday, April 5, 2012 (Preview for Parents) 7:00 p.m. Bray Theater
Past Events October 4, 2011 Social Media 101 for Middle School Parents with Debbie Kenvin, President & Co-Founder of Savvy and Chic October 11, 2011 Take 5 Minutes: Talk to Me with Jan Langbein, Executive Director, Genesis Women’s Shelter November 7, 2011 The Unhealthy Truth, Food & Your Family with Robyn O’Brien, Author, Advocate & Motivational Speaker presented by the Parents’ Associations of ESD, Greenhill, Hockaday, and St. Mark’s. November 14, 2011 The Saving Seed with author, CFP, current parent, and alumna Ashley (Bogard) Parks ‘94.
For more information, please scan with your smart phone.
FORTY-SIX ESD STUDENTS RECOGNIZED AS 2011 AP® SCHOLARS; THREE NAMED NATIONAL ADVANCED PLACEMENT SCHOLARS ESD Seniors Significantly Outpace Statewide Average Nearly Fivefold Forty-six students at the Episcopal School of Dallas earned the designation of AP® Scholar from the College Board in recognition of their achievement on the 2011 college-level Advanced Placement Program® (AP) exams. Seventy-three percent of ESD Upper School students scored a 3 or higher on at least one AP Exam – compared to 15.5 percent of all Texas seniors. In total, 130 ESD Upper School students completed 256 exams with 224 scores being 3 or higher; 90 percent of ESD students taking an exam earned at least one 3. ESD offered 22 AP courses last year. Grant Fitts ’11, Sam Schooler ’11, and James Spellings ’11 received the National AP Scholar Award, earning an average grade of 4 or higher on a five-point scale on all AP exams taken. Students must take at least eight AP exams and score a four or higher on each exam to qualify as a National AP Scholar, Thirteen students who completed the exams by the end of their senior year at ESD were recognized as AP Scholars with Distinction by earning an average grade of at least 3.5 on all AP Exams taken and scores of 3 or higher on five or more of these exams. These students are: Weston Barker ’11, Bethany Berg ’11, Happy Carlock ’11, Murphy Anne Carter ’11, Grant Fitts ’11, Elise Hansell ’11, Kaitlyn Hansen ’11, Sarah Hendrix ’11, Vinay Kotamarti ’11, Mandy Martin ’11, Sam Schooler ’11, James Spellings ’11, and Kira Witkin ’11. Additionally, Charlie Albright ’12 completed five or more of these exams by the end of his junior year at ESD and earned the AP Scholar with Distinction Award, scoring an average grade of at least 3.5 on all AP Exams taken. Thirteen students, nine members of the Class of 2011 and four from the Class of 2012, received the AP Scholar with Honor Award, earning an average grade of at least 3.25 on all AP Exams taken and scores of three or higher on four or more of these exams. These students are: Sarah Bass ’12, Virginia Durham ’12, Lindsay Goolsby ’11, Maria Granello ’12, Drake Greene ’11, Michael Harnett ’11, Connor Hecksel ’11, Wes Hoblit ’11, Julia Hussey ’11, Nikolai Laba ’12, Megan O’Sullivan ’11, Sasha Rezaie ’11, and Molly Weinstock ’11. Nineteen students completed three or more AP exams with a score of three or higher, receiving the AP Scholar award. Five of the 19 students completed these exams by the end of their junior year. The AP Scholars are: MacKenzie Alexander ’11, Madison Bassett ’11, William Bernstien ’11, Bre’Shard Busby ’11, Elizabeth Canon ’11, Chloe Carry ’11, Camille Driver ’11, John Durham ’11, Sam Hunsaker ’12, Pierce Jamieson ’11, Taryn Kaufman ’11, Devi Nair ’12, Schaffer Ochstein ’12, Kimberly Reimold ’12, Stephen Samei ’11, Ellie Skochdopole ’11, Sara Sliva ’11, Hannah Smith ’12, and Laura Weinmann ’11.
education
Commitment to a
www.esdallas.org • 31
Dear Fellow
ALUMNI,
alumni
I hope this letter finds you well. Earlier this fall, I had a chance to catch up with Peter Lutken. Like when I was a student at ESD, he drew me in with his insight on the fall happenings at ESD’s quarry. Peter Lutken spoke about the chimney swifts and flycatchers heading south, that the monarch butterflies were just about gone, and the sightings of red tailed, cooper and sharp shinned hawks were plentiful. There had also been a fair share of ducks, mallards, widgeons, wood ducks, and teal. Peter is one of the many who remind me that ESD is home. On the alumni front, our Homecoming BBQ had the highest number of attendees ever. Even long after halftime, we were still gathering in the Daryl Johnston Family Dining Commons, spending time with old friends. In October, our 9th annual Mary Elizabeth Williams Alumni Golf Tournament was another great day. It is wonderful to see everyone who comes to play year after year. And because of your continued support of this event, more qualified alumni children have the opportunity to receive the same incredible education we had. To see more photographs from these events, visit www.esdallas.org/alumni. One of the perks of being your president is I get to be a reader in the Lessons and Carols ceremony, an ESD tradition that warms my heart. As I prepared for this year’s event, I recalled when I was in school, when the senior boys would carry their fifth grade buddies into the Commons on their shoulders so that the Middle Schoolers could place their hand-crafted ornaments on the tree. When decorating was complete, the service would begin. We’d surround the tree, listen to the nine lessons, and sing carols. It is still as magical today. Please mark your calendar for April 21, 2012 as the alumni association hosts our second annual Eagle Laureate Dinner. We expect a great turn out as we honor more of our faculty and staff who have dedicated over 20 years of their lives to ESD. We will be sending lots more information about that over the next few months.
THANK YOU to all who participated in the Alumni Homecoming BBQ on Friday, September 30. Nearly 350 alumni, faculty, and their families attended the event and enjoyed delicious BBQ prepared by SAGE Dining Services. “The alumni BBQ was a huge success, with a turnout bigger than expected,” shared Eddie Eason, a 30-year faculty member who is now also responsible for alumni relations. “We had alumni who traveled from as far as Seattle and Guatemala to be here. For me personally, it was very rewarding to see so many former students come back to ESD and touch base with them in the current phase of their lives, as accomplished professionals and nurturing parents now avidly supporting ESD. The current Art Club painted faces and Ambassador Club gave tours to our alumni who hadn’t seen the campus since they graduated. It was a memorable weekend.”
Please stay in touch. We love hearing from you. Fondly,
Carol Carlock Vig ’89 Carolcvig@me.com
Save the Date April 21, 2012
Eagle Laureate Dinner honoring our faculty and staff with twenty or more years of service. 36 • Fall 2011
www.esdallas.org • 37
Looking Back
So We Can Look Ahead
alumni Early November 2011 backpacking trip to Rush Creek Ranch near Decatur.
Then and now. Outdoor education has always been demonstrative of ESD’s commitment to our Founding Tenet of “Experiences in Community.” Outdoor chapel during an early trip to Crossen’s Ranch.
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Shortly after graduation and the close of each school year, I step out of the office for a couple of hours and take a long walk on the ESD campus. The walk is my way of bringing closure to the past school year so I can focus on the new school year just ahead. The trek always begins with a visit to All Saints Chapel where I offer prayers of thanksgiving for the past school year. My prayer intentions quickly turn to the newest 100 or so members of our alumni association. I think about their time as students at ESD, and what each one of them “brought to the table” as we say at the senior retreat. I wonder what they will take to their new tables, now located on university campuses scattered across the United States. The UT promo, “what starts here, changes the world,” is playing in my brain like background music. I firmly believe that each graduate, every new alum, leaves ESD well equipped to be successful at college. They are equally well equipped to make a positive impact in their community by sharing their time and talent as volunteers wherever they hear the call. I finish my chapel visit by reflecting on the past year, and recalling the numerous lessons and stories shared over the past 180 school days. Stories we all remember – unconditional love in the form of a mud pie; the journey of the monarch butterflies; flowers at Flanders’ field; the living nativity; Roger Bannister breaks the four-minute mile; and the importance of “passing it on” to future generations of ESD students. Our chapel stories are sacred because they tell the true narrative of who we are, and what we treasure at ESD. Collectively, they define the ethos of the ESD community. When the reflection ends, the school year officially closes for me. The remainder of the walk is all about looking ahead. The walk this year was a special one. Four of my dear colleagues (Elaine Biewenga, Robbie Cook, Nancy Fomby, Karen Stutsman) and I had just celebrated our thirtieth year at ESD. We had made the journey from dry-walled cubical classrooms in the original gymnasium to one of the most beautiful school campuses in the country. It was hard to find a square inch on campus that hadn’t undergone a significant transformation. Even the original building has a new facade. I spent the rest of my walk deriving a personal mission for the new school year. As ESD marched forward with time toward its fourth decade to start a new chapter in its life as an institution,
I would make certain that the important elements, the Founding Tenets and school traditions, would be woven deeply into the ESD fabric of tomorrow. Within a week of my walk, Erin Mayo entered my office and asked me if I would consider a change in my school duties. She would re-assign a few of my responsibilities to capable hands if I would consider serving as the alumni relations coordinator. She didn’t have to ask twice. My fantasy job description was realized. I get to teach math, be an active member of the outdoor education program (a.k.a. wilderness for you old timers), and coordinate alumni activities. I been blessed with the opportunity to wear many different hats at ESD over the past thirty years, but I must confess, the new one is a lot of fun to put on every day and go to work. Since donning my new hat, my email and Facebook accounts have been lit up daily with alumni contacts from across the country and around the globe. I have been moved to tears by your genuine words of support for Father Swann, ESD, the faculty, and me. We have all enjoyed reading your updates. We are so proud of you, your successes, and the way you perpetuate the mission of ESD on a daily basis. The future of your alumni association is brighter than ever. Membership is over 2,000 strong, and your alumni board has a dedicated executive committee led by Carol Carlock Vig ’89. The current plan is to continue to host the slate of successful alumni events and broaden our activities to encompass as many alumni interests as possible. A few activities in the development stage include alumni art exhibits, book clubs, coffee houses, alumni speaker series, and Wolf Run weekends. We are also looking into developing alumni events in various regions across the country. Your ideas and input are always welcome and valued. Please take the time to read through all of the class notes, and keep sending us your updates, photos, and stories. Visit your recently updated alumni website and Facebook pages. Together we are one community, connected by our storied past and paving the way for an even stronger future. We are ESD. I look forward to seeing you at an ESD event soon.
alumni
by Eddie Eason, Director of Campus Scheduling and Alumni Relations
www.esdallas.org • 39
RAISES OVER $20,000 FOR SCHOLARSHIP FUND
alumni
Over 100 former students, parents, community members, and faculty teed off at Las Colinas Country Club on Monday, October 17, for the 9th Annual Alumni Golf Tournament. Organized in memory of a beloved classmate, parent and teacher, Mary Elizabeth Williams ’82, the tournament benefits the scholarship fund in her name, which provides assistance to qualified children of alumni who might not otherwise be able to attend ESD. Through the generosity of the tournament’s supporters, the corpus of the Mary Elizabeth Williams Endowed Alumni Scholarship Fund is now nearly $300,000.00. “This was an exciting event: great golf and tremendous participation from the ESD community. It is a privilege to give alumni children the means to experience the outstanding education we received at ESD,” said tournament chairman and current ESD parent Neil Waterman ’91. “Mary Elizabeth Williams brought so much joy to the lives of so many members of our ESD family. This event honors her infectious enthusiasm and dedication to academic excellence.” “The golf tournament was definitely a mission wellaccomplished,” offered Eddie Eason, ESD Director of Campus Scheduling and Alumni Relations. “It was wonderful to see old friends together and family members sharing an afternoon. Our community is something special. Neil and his committee did an excellent job.” The Alumni Association is grateful to everyone for their participation and support. Platinum sponsors included Father and Mrs. Swann and an anonymous donor. Gold sponsors were Brockette/Davis/Drake Inc. and the Online Skills Coach (www.onlineskillscoach.com), who was also on-hand to help players fine tune their stroke. Events of this magnitude require the support and efforts of many. We appreciate Carol Carlock Vig ’89 and Neil Waterman ’91, as well as 2012 co-chairs Jeff Axley ’94 and Collin Comer ’94, 2013 co-chairs Brian Rawson ’96 and Doug Dunsavage ’90, their committees, and volunteers including Mary Elizabeth Carroll ’86 and Erin Parisi ’92. Planning for next year’s tournament has already begun. More information will be posted online at www.esdallas.org/ alumni. ESD alumni, faculty, parents, and friends are welcome to participate. Results of the shotgun scramble First Place: Adam Blake, Jeff Blakely, Don Chapman, and Jay Eiland YOUNGEST TEAM (but had a great time!): Edward Bogel ‘05, David Davidson ‘05, and Andrew Yao ‘04 Closest to the pin (tie): Alumni parent Jon Weinstein and Keith Russell Longest drive: Greg Powell Putting contest: Whit Sheppard
40 • Fall 2011
alumni news 1985
Shelley (Lewis) Guerra is living in Austin, Texas, with her husband Andres. They welcomed their first child in September. Shelley has worked as a marketing writer/editor for Backroads, an active travel company based in Berkeley, CA, since 2004.
1987
Amy Goldstein Roseman writes, “I am loving my new position as the Texas Donor Recruitment Coordinator for DKMS, the world’s largest Bone Marrow Donor Center! I work with college students to organize bone marrow donor drives on their campuses. It helps families of patients needing to find a life-saving bone marrow donor and helps companies enable their employees to give back. It is an incredible gift!” Mike Simpson reports that he and his wife Jen are doing well – busy of course with work. Jen works with Safety-Kleen as their Proposal Development Manager. For the last 14 years, Mike has been working with Protection 1 as a System Administrator. Outside of work, sailing is their passion and occupies most of their free time and helps him give back to the community: he races in the annual Leukemia and Lymphoma Society Regatta on Lake Lewisville and has offered the boat to a local Cub Scout troop and Sea Scout Ship for outings and instruction. Being an Eagle Scout, sharing his love for sailing is his unique way to demonstrate his appreciation for Scouting. Mike
obtained a Merchant Marines Captain’s license this year, which is was one more step of many towards his goal of taking his boat offshore and cruising her throughout the Caribbean.
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1990
Meredith Miller Hodgkinson’s second son, Charles “Charlie” Houston Hodgkinson, turned one year-old on November 21, 2011. She reports, “ I am a PhD health educator and love to talk with students of any age about any aspect of health, but substance abuse prevention and physical activity for the lifetime are my favorites.” Stacey Forshagen Merchant and Brian Merchant had their second boy, Collin Charles, on May 27, 2011, joining big brother John (nearly two). Stacey has retired from pharmaceutical sales and is selling Stella & Dot part-time and enjoying being at home with the boys. (photo a)
1992
Erin Parisi is one of the producers and the media manager for the Dallas production company New Trick Flicks, LLC’s new movie Cry. The film is about two social outcasts: Cable, a bitter old man struggling with his wife’s death, and Carson, a confused teenager dealing with angst and his parents’ death. Erin has been on set at ESD where some of the scenes have been shot, and current ESD students had roles as extras. The film is set to distribute at the January 2013 Sundance Film Festival and Dallas International Film Festival.
1993
Jeremy Ford joyfully announces the birth of his son, Gerald “Jerry” Blue Ford on May 14, 2011. (photo b) Alice Shelborne Sarmiento is working as the marketing and advertising manager for Becks Prime Restaurant in Houston. She and her husband Mark have two kids, Rowan age 5, Olivia age 2, and are expecting a baby in April.
1994
Justin Bliffen is engaged to Brittany Grech. They are getting married in Costa Rica on May 5, 2012. Jamie Sowa and her husband Spence welcomed Pryor Parsons Sowa on August 31, 2011. She joins big brother John Edge, who is 2 1/2. (photo c) Ashley Bogard Parks is the author of a new book,
The Saving Seed: Growing a Financially Healthy Family Tree. Ashley was the featured ESD Wellness Speaker on Monday, November 14, at the Lower School where she discussed her book and provided insight into tools for parents to incorporate healthy money discussions and financial concepts for toddler age through teens.
alumni
ALUMNI GOLF TOURNAMENT
1995
Greg Sproat writes that Hudson Alexandra Sproat was born on May 12, 2011. He and his wife Leslie are as happy as ever! For the last twelve years, Greg has been working fixing hail damaged vehicles in the States, and for the past year, in Australia. He says, “ Life is only as good as you make it and I choose to make it great!!” (photo d)
1997
Blake Barker says, “Having never submitted to the Crest, www.esdallas.org • 41
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alumni
there’s a lot to update. I finished college at Rice in 2001. I took a short diversion to NYC to take some acting classes (wasn’t as much fun as I thought it would be), then re-routed back to Houston for medical school at Baylor College of Medicine, which wrapped up in 2007. Finally, I finished residency in Internal Medicine at Northwestern University in Chicago. I met my fiancée, Kim Do, there (yes, at the hospital, very much like Grey’s Anatomy). We’re planning our wedding in Santa Fe in the fall of 2012. Chicago was great, but Texas was calling. We both moved to Dallas over the summer and started our practices at UT Southwestern this September. I am in General Internal Medicine and Kim is in Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation. I’ll be seeing patients for their blood pressure, diabetes, aches and pains, or any other primary care issues, so if you know anyone who needs a doctor, send them my way.” Carson Fisk was married to Kendall Lauren Bryant on September 17 at St. John’s Episcopal Church in Norman, Oklahoma. Rebecca Calisi-Rodriguez M.S., Ph.D. is currently a National Science Foundation Post-doctoral Researcher in the lab of Professor John C. Wingfield, Department of Neurobiology, Physiology and Behavior, University of
42 • Fall 2011
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California, Davis, as well as Affiliate, Lab of Professor Timothy Gentner, Department of Psychology, University of California, San Diego. Rebecca is pictured with her husband Sam and baby Carmen. (photo e) Traci Lamb Houston announces that her daughter Sydney Leeann Houston was born on September 9, 2011, weighing 7 lbs. 6 oz. and 20 inches long. She was joyfully welcomed by her parents, Traci and William Houston, and “big” sister Lucy who celebrated her first birthday on September 30, 2011. (photos f and g) Jennifer Hurst Edenfield and Bruce Edenfield announce the birth of their daughter, Annabelle Carolborn May 17, 2011. (photo h) Kelle Boatwright Smith reports her fourth child, Andrew “Drew” William, was born on September 13, 2011. He weighed 10 lbs 6 oz and was 21 7/8 inches long. Drew is a healthy baby and is very loved by his two big sisters, Hannah (7 yrs) and Genevieve (5 yrs), and his big brother Isaac (3 yrs.). Kelle and her family are currently living in the DC area. Her husband was promoted this year to Major in the Army and is doing a veterinary pathology residency. She is homeschooling their children for elementary school. (photo i)
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1998
Cleveland Clinic.
1999
Tuonglinh Nguyen writes that she is getting married in April 2012 to Dan Sabo and moving to Portland, Oregon next summer to start her counseling internship. Says Nguyen, “Life is gooooood. =)” (photo m)
Walker Hairston married Hannah Hodges on November 12, 2011. Jennifer Richman Charney and her husband David welcomed a baby boy on August 31, 2011. His name is Benjamin Max Charney. (photo j) Sarah Chenault graduated from UCLA with her M.A. in Latin American Studies and is now a research intern at The Museum of Latin American Art in Long Beach, California, researching an upcoming show on Latin American Female Artists from 1960-1980. (photo k) Capera Clement and Igor Norinsky were married on April 30, 2011 at the King Ranch outside of Kingsville, Texas. Father Swann and Rabbi Frank Joseph co-officiated the Episcopalian and Jewish Ceremony. Capera and Igor will reside in London where Igor is an associate at Linklaters, an international law firm. (photo l) Rachel Friedlander is currently working in the events department at NorthPark Management Company. In April of 2011, she became engaged to Dr. Justin Grodin. The couple will be married in March of 2012. After their wedding, they will be heading off to Cleveland, Ohio where Justin will begin his fellowship in Cardiology at the
Douglas Perkins and wife Sarah welcomed William Morrow Perkins on July 18, 2011. Margaret, 2 1/2, loves being a big sister! (photo n) Allyson Rose Schaeffer and her husband Erik announce the birth of their son, John Martin “Marty” Schaeffer, born on September 9 in Austin, Texas at 10:23pm. He weighed 7 lbs 8oz and was 20.75 in long. (photo o)
2000
Jamie Alexis Fowler ran in the NYC Marathon on November 6, 2011. Her charity is UNICEF. Jamie-Alexis ran a personal best of 3:42 in a very crowded marathon. That’s an 8.5 minute pace for 26.2 miles!
2002
Drew Moor broke the Major League Soccer (MLS) record for most consecutive games played by a field player. Beating the previous record of 67 matches, Drew played his 68th game on Saturday, August 20, 2011. “It’s definitely an accomplishment that I’m proud of and I want to continue to play as much as I can and help this team to win
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championships and trophies,” said Moor. In 2010 which culminated in the Rapids defeating FC Dallas for the MLS Championship, Moor became only the third field player in MLS history to play every possible minute of a MLS season. He was also named both the Rapids’ 2010 and 2011 Defender of the Year. During the off-season, Drew has been found helping ESD’s varsity men’s soccer team alongside Cesar Jasso ’05, Coach Perry, and Drew’s high school coach, Coach Gardner. ESD faculty member Janis Hefley writes: “Good News! Attached is a photo of Margaret Ritzert, her fiancée Chris, and me. Larry and I attended a couples’ shower for them here in Dallas. Margaret graduated with her Bachelor’s degree from Southwestern University in Georgetown, Texas, and her law degree at Georgetown University in Washington, DC. She is currently employed as an attorney for the U.S. Department of Elections. Her fiance Chris is employed by the Central Intelligence Agency. They married in Virginia on October 1 and will continue living and working in DC. Margaret was one of my first AP Photography students, and we remain close friends. I predict that she will be a congresswoman, senator, or President someday! Check out the HAPPY couple!” (photo p)
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Callie Thompson writes, “This December I am graduating from St. Edward’s University with a Master of Arts in Counseling. Next, I will work toward becoming a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC). I want to work with those suffering from depression and anxiety, and eventually I would love to have a private practice in Austin. My time at St. Ed’s has been exciting, eye-opening, and challenging, to say the least. However, the best part was that I made a life-long friend in one Ms. Ashley Stout ’03. While we may have never crossed paths at ESD, I’m so glad that we found each other in this small world. Congratulations to you, chica, I’m so proud we made it! See you at graduation!”
American women. She has been featured in the USAT Magazine, The Examiner, and CW33. She also has been a featured speaker regionally at various workshops, seminars and expos on the essentials of nutrition with hair growth, triathlon training, and tips on workout hair care regiments.
Alexandria Williams graduated from Texas Tech University with two Bachelor degrees in 2007. Since November 2009, Alexandria has completed five triathlons, one half-marathon, one duathlon and countless other races. By day, Alex is a Media Relations Manager. By night and by Blackberry, Alex writes she is the Co-Founder of Sporty Afros.com. Alexandria founded Sporty Afros after being asked how she maintained her healthy hair while training for her first triathlon in 2010. Sporty Afros is solving the “I can’t workout because of my hair” excuses and is tackling decreasing the staggering obesity and diabetes rate among African
Zoe Jones married John Vern Getchell on June 18, 2011, at Brook Hollow Golf Club in Dallas.
2003
Liz Kozlow graduated from Baylor University School of Law on July 30, 2011. She writes, “I began clerking in August for Justice Dale Wainwright of the Supreme Court of Texas and will continue for one year, and then I will be working at K&L Gates in Dallas after my clerkship.”
2004
2005
Anna Crosby ran in the NYC marathon on November 6, 2011, and finished in 4:11:18. (photo q)
2006
Casey Smith graduated from University of Missouri in May 2011 with a Masters degree in Journalism. She is now employed by the Tulsa World newspaper.
2007
Phil Jensen writes, “I’m engaged
and getting married this upcoming June. My bride-to-be’s name is Theresa Hupf. We met during our sophomore year at Trinity and the rest is history.” Laken Litman, who graduated from the University of Texas at Austin in May 2011 with a degree in sports journalism, has recently accepted a job with FOXSports/Scout.com covering SMU athletics. While at Texas, Laken covered the Longhorns for The Daily Texan, the student-run newspaper. She also had an internship at Sports Illustrated in New York City, where she was published in four different issues, the most recent of which was the Baylor spread in the 2011-12 Big 12 Preview. She was also the Longhorns blogger for The Dallas Morning News and did some freelance work for the Associated Press (where she covered events that involved her interviewing Michael Phelps, Andy Roddick, and Kevin Durant, among others). With her new job, Laken will attend SMU football and basketball games and practices, interview players and coaches and write stories that will be published on PonyStampede.com. Pictured you’ll see Laken and Britton Lynn from January’s Cotton Bowl (LSU vs. Texas A&M). They both covered it for different news outlets (at the time, Laken was covering it for The Dallas Morning News and Britton for ESPNU). Britton
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r also works for FOX Sports now. (photo r)
The Class of 1986 celebrated their 25th reunion at the home of David Moderi and his wife Nancy, on Saturday, October 1.
Jordan Anderson graduated with Phi Beta Kappa honors from The University of San Diego in May 2011 and is currently attending the Graduate School of Architecture, Planning and Preservation at Columbia University. Jordan is featured in a video on the USD website in the Architecture Major Alumni Section.
2010-2011
2008
Brianna Jordan completed an internship at the Smithsonian Institution this summer. Brianna worked in the Office of Exhibits Central employing 3-D imaging of mummies and a small-scale space shuttle. She is a senior at Washington University in St. Louis.
Fun was had by all at the
1991 reunion, held on Saturday, October 1, at the home of Reggie and John McFarland.
ANNUAL REPORT
2011
Julia Hussey was recently awarded the Girl Scout Gold Award. Julia created a DVD presentation for high school students on what federal and local law enforcement agencies do for our communities. She is a member of Girl Scout Troop 1948.
Southpaw Organic Cafe, owned by TJ Frank, was the setting for the
Class of 2001’s 10 year reunion
44 • Fall 2011
held Sunday, November 27.
www.esdallas.org • 45
4100 Merrell Rd • Dallas, TX 75229 Visit us at www.esdallas.org
NON-PROFIT ORG. U.S. POSTAGE PAID DALLAS, TX PERMIT #04224
2010-2011 Annual Report of Gifts
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The
The Magazine of the Episcopal School of Dallas
sixteen RECOGNIZED
“Wisdom Begins in Wonder”
by NATIONAL merit SCHOLARShip program for exemplary achievement Congratulations to the seven ESD seniors who have achieved the status of National Merit Scholarship Semifinalist: Charlie Albright, Don Buchholz, Catherine Cannata, Emily DeSantis, Kelsey Montgomery, Devi Nair, and Hannah Smith (pictured). The National Merit Scholarship Program honors individual students who show exceptional academic ability and potential for success in rigorous college studies. The names of approximately 16,000 Semifinalists in the 57th annual National Merit Scholarship Program were recently announced by officials of the National Merit Scholarship Corporation. These academically-talented high school seniors have an opportunity to continue in the competition for some 8,300 Merit Scholarship awards, worth $34 million, that will be offered next spring. To be considered for a Merit Scholarship award, these semifinalists must fulfill several requirements to advance to the Finalist level of the competition. Other recognition by the National Merit Corporation will also be announced later this year. Throughout the nation about 34,000 Commended Students in the 2012 National Merit Scholarship Program are being recognized for their exceptional academic promise. Their performance was outstanding, and recognition as a Commended Student is a credit to them, their parents, and their school. Although they will not continue in the 2012 competition for National Merit Scholarships,
Junior Wolf Run Project Furthers 21st Century Skills Eddie Eason’s Alumni Feature: Commended Students placed among the top five percent of more than one and one-half million students who entered the 2012 competition. Congratulations to Caroline Arterburn, Megan Barnes, Sarah Bass, Carter Brasch, Maria Granello, Bruno Harvey, Shelby Kuhn, Calvin Lones, and Kimberly Reimold for achieving this honor. A spokesperson for the National Merit Scholarship Program commented that “recognition of academically talented students and the key role played by their parents and their schools in their development is essential to the pursuit of educational excellence in our nation… We hope that this recognition will contribute to their educational opportunities and encourage all students to strive to realize their potential.”
Looking Back So We Can Look Ahead ESD Celebrates
Grandparents’ Day Fall 2011