Kinkaid Magazine - Summer 2020 by The Kinkaid School

NON PROFIT ORG. U.S. POSTAGE PAID PERMIT NO. 3375 HOUSTON, TEXAS THE KINKAID SCHOOL

SUMMER 2020

201 Kinkaid School Drive Houston, TX 77024

Parents of Alumni: If this publication is addressed to your child who no longer maintains a permanent address at your home, please notify the Alumni Office of the new permanent mailing address.

april 16 17 two thousand twenty one

Class of

2020

SUMMER 2020

A Message from Dr. Ed Trusty

“T

Despite the unusual ending to the year, our teachers shift d, celebrated and created a learning platform and module that allowed students to continue to grow, learn and remain engaged. And, we continue planning for the unknown. Students used technology to remain connected, academically and socially. (Remember when many of us thought young people were spending too much time on their devices? This spring it truly was a saving grace for most.) Many of us struggled with the lack of face to face and daily interaction. As a result, some of us established new routines and some even began new hobbies during our time of quarantine. Good can indeed be born from adversity. Th summer issue of this magazine usually has a spread which includes class notes. Because of the unusual nature of our spring semester, we are saving class notes for a later publication. In this issue, we will celebrate the historic Class of 2020. Th se resilient young men and women have already made us proud as they go off into the world to further their education, grow, learn, lead and serve. In this issue you will learn more about the DEI Council and the work they have begun doing as they look to you for support and partnership. Lastly, I want to thank you for your support and care over the last six years. I will not list all of our successes nor the hurdles we have cleared – and maybe a few we have stumbled over. Nevertheless, we remained in the race (smile). We have accomplished much, and there is more mission-critical work to be done. I know you will support Jonathan Eades as he leads Kinkaid. It has been my honor to serve this community. Blessings!

Welcome.

am honored to begin serving as the sixth head of school of Th Kinkaid School. Last spring I concluded 13 years of service to Saint Mary’s Hall in San Antonio, and it is the nationally recognized excellence of Kinkaid that motivated me to pursue this special leadership opportunity. I was especially drawn to our school’s mission to “promote educational excellence, personal responsibility, and balanced growth, and thereby to help students discover and develop their talents and fulfil their best potential.” Our mission, in tandem with our four core values of honesty, respect, responsibility and kindness, greatly appeals to me as an educator but especially as a new Kinkaid parent. I am deeply devoted to education as a life passion. An independent school product, I attended Fort Worth Country Day from kindergarten through graduation. A graduate of Williams College with a B.A. in history, I began my career in education at the Harley School in Rochester, NY, teaching history and coaching. Longing for my home state of Texas, I assumed a teaching, coaching and administrative position with Episcopal High School here in Houston for eight years. Prior to leaving EHS, I completed a master of arts degree in education with a concentration in private school leadership from Teachers College, Columbia University. Aft r two years as head of upper school at Wichita Collegiate School in Kansas, I was pleased to return to Texas once more. I served as assistant head of school and head of upper school at Saint Mary’s Hall from 2007-2011, and served as Head of School from 2011-2020. Th Eades family is delighted to become members of the Kinkaid community and return to Houston after a 15 year absence. My wife Elizabeth is a native Houstonian and graduate of St. John’s School, UT-Austin and Rice University. When I’m not on campus, you will find me spending meaningful time with Elizabeth, Oliver (15, incoming freshman), Lilla (13, 8th grade), George (10, 5th grade), and our dogs Mae, June and Augie. Our passions as a family include

reading, travel, hiking, fishing and fie cely supporting multiple sports teams from the state of Texas (I won’t share which ones so that I remain in your good graces!). It has admittedly been a challenging time to transition, but every interaction - even physically distanced ones - that I have had with members of the Falcon community affirms the wonderful decision to join Kinkaid. Our community will soon learn that I am a relational leader, deeply devoted to being present, accessible and a good communicator. I highly value my relationships with all constituencies that make up a school community. I entered the fi ld of education 26 years ago as a teacher and coach because of my heart for working with students. As my administrative career developed, I discovered that I also have a passion for supporting teachers and staff and working with parents, grandparents, alumni and trustees. You will discover that I will communicate frequently and directly with you, and that I want to lift up all voices at Kinkaid. In closing, in only a few months at Kinkaid, I have learned what makes Th Kinkaid School distinctive is the strong sense of community. A talented student body is taught and mentored by premier faculty and staff who are national experts in their fi lds, all of whom share a passion for developing scholars, artists, athletes, and above all, good citizens. And like our students, our school possesses a growth mindset. We are driven to continuously strengthen our position as one of the premier schools in the country. I am eager for the journey ahead. Sincerely, Jonathan Eades Head of School

SUMMER 2020

Contents Features 2 22

The Legacy of Interim Term

Thank You, Ed Trusty

The Class of 2020

DEI Council

Departments

Around Campus 4 5 6 8

International Fair Celebration of African American Heritage Alumnae & Friends Luncheon The Moss Speaker

Virtual Around Campus 9 10 11 12

Field Day Kinkaid at Home Operation GradBox Honor Day Awards

Athletics 34 34

A Different View of Sports Winter Review

Visual and Performing Arts 38

Winter Review

32 26

THE KINKAID MAGAZINE IS A PUBLICATION OF THE ADVANCEMENT OFFICE OF THE KINKAID SCHOOL Tom Moore Director of Advancement

Carly Gray Lukefahr ’12 Alumni Activities Manager

Andrea Reyna Gift Records Manager

Rochelle Barnes Communications Coordinator

Tracy McCleary (fs) Kinkaid Fund Manager

Lisa Wood Assistant Director of Advancement

Journey Bova Advancement Assistant

Natalie Mercer Special Events Coordinator

Elizabeth Litton Hogan ’91 Advancement Assistant

Rita Morico Parent Liaison & Volunteer Coordinator

Photography contributed by: David Shutts ’74 David Shutts Photography, Inc.

Gina Lamme Advancement Assistant

Georgia Piazza Manager of Communications & Marketing

Alexa Leach ’09 Advancement Services Manager

Design contributed by: Michael Clarke Design

THE KINKAID SCHOOL

The Legacy of Interim Term

Computer Graphics class in 1971

Contributed by: Trinity Curry ’20, Kinkaid Communications Office Intern for Interim Term 2020

History

nterim Term was established in 1971 by former Upper School Principal Barry Moss and former Business Manager Bill McKinley. According to John H Cooper, former principal, interim term started off with the idea of an “educational experiment” that became a reality that still lives on today. Seniors stepped out into the world for the first time through the Career Research Laboratory. This program gave students the opportunity to discover the communication, art and STEM fi lds.

Oceanography Class in 1971

“Th student has a great deal of freedom under this type of program,” student Tim Fox ’72 said. “While at the same time making a very thorough study and enjoying peace of mind.” During the trip to Spain, students explored theatres, shops, monuments and other historic landmarks. Th adventure was described as, “very busy and… very happy” as the Kinkaidians toured Madrid with nine young Spanish students. Students were more eager to learn about life outside the classroom with courses ranging from science to computer technology to art and the enrichment courses that focused on “a wide range of music” and speech. Upper School students in 1971 at an advertising agency

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Interim Term Today

ow, Interim Term is a time for students to transition away

from normal classes by receiving a learning experience while stepping outside of normal curriculum and schedules for three weeks. Th s unique opportunity is a time for teachers and students to be further invested in their passions and hobbies. Interim Term reinforces a sense of unity among students and teachers through lessons with fun-filled activities like projects and presentations. Upper School mathematics teacher Carolyn Clancy says, “[teachers] from across the School, get a chance to step outside of the curriculum and teach topics that interest them as well as their students.”

Interim Term courses are designed as creative outlets for students and teachers to dig deeper into outside pastimes and skills and study them within the classroom. Students use this opportunity to express themselves through hands-on learning and group tasks that develop interpersonal relationships. Kinkaid offers classes focusing on everything from crocheting to making jewelry and dancing to kickboxing. “All in all, Interim Term gave me just the break I needed while making sure that the change to real school isn’t going to be as rough of a ride,” says Eva Wolfe ’22.

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“While Iceland sometimes seemed a series of picturesque and epic landscapes, we were shown the true beauty and spirit of the country,” Upper School mathematics teacher and trip chaperone Michael Vischak said. He adds that both the students and teachers were “informed and entertained” throughout the trip. Their adventures also included lessons in geology, astronomy, environmental science and more. Students were also given the opportunity to take a cultural tour around Spain with the homestay opportunity in Seville, coordinated by International Studies Abroad (ISA). Students traveled through historic places like cathedrals and museums while learning about Sevillano traditions like Flamenco dancing and paella cooking. Upper School Spanish Teacher Dr. Regina Ruiz said “Living in Seville with Spanish families truly exposed our students to the daily customs and traditions that were extremely different from what they are used to. However all of them were always flex ble, patient and open to learn constantly,” Across the board experiences like these will always be remembered and cherished.

Interim Term 2020 Spain homestay

During Interim Term, seniors are given various opportunities to explore different career fi lds to further spur their interests and gain experience in the business world. Students learn how their passions fit into possible work opportunities. Seniors can develop their leadership skills through various projects and assignments given by their employers. Sometimes, two or more students are placed in the same internship, providing the opportunity to collaborate and connect as a team throughout the three weeks. Director of Career Development Martha Kirkwood says, “I love playing a small role in supporting our seniors as they explore who they want to be and what they want to do beyond the walls of our beloved school. I have tremendous pride and faith in all of them!” Kinkaid students are also able to study language, culture and science abroad. Th s year, students went on an Iceland Science Expedition where they ventured through caves and lava tunnels, hiked on glaciers and discovered the Northern Lights.

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International Fair

rom the lively streets of Rio De Janeiro to the cold, classical nights of Salzburg, our Lower School students made the most of their trip “abroad”. Introduced to some of the top highlights, students enjoyed participating in their own Carnival, a unique festival that occurs annually in Brazil. Across the way in Austria, students got their fi st glimpse into classical music as they learned about Mozart’s timeless pieces. — On their journey, students were able to immerse themselves, learning about the culture, food and history of each country.

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Celebration of African American Heritage

he Celebration of African American Heritage and Culture was a night to remember! The entire Kinkaid community came together to honor the history, culture and voice of the African American community. The evening was filled with student performances of spoken word, music and dance. From the stage to the audience, each performance resonated throughout the room.

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Alumnae & Friends Luncheon

Co-Chairs Pat Kidson Fogle Cavanagh '66, Christine Robertson Morenz '92, Brooke Bagby O'Neil '02 with Honoree Lisa Helfman '93

n February 19, over 600 friends of Kinkaid came together at the Post Oak Hotel to celebrate Kinkaid and all of the amazing women who play a role in the School’s success at the Alumnae & Friends Luncheon. Th s year’s event was chaired by Pat Kidson Fogle Cavanagh ’66, Christine Robertson Morenz ’92 and Brooke Bagby O’Neil ’02. The keynote speaker and the recipient of the Margaret Kinkaid Alumna Award, Lisa Helfman ’93, Director of Public Aff irs Houston for H-E-B Grocery Company and the Founder of Brighter Bites non-profit, delivered an inspiring message that encouraged us to care for ourselves, live with integrity and do the things that bring you joy. Lisa encouraged the audience to take time away from constant busyness to live a life of real purpose. Lisa’s message can be viewed through a link on our webpage. Thanks to over 400 donors, this year’s event will raise over $110,000 for the Margaret Hunter Kinkaid Scholarship. Th s need-based fi ancial aid scholarship will be awarded to a female sophomore student who exhibits leadership potential. Th ough her agreement, Kinkaid will involve her in a three-year plan of activities and experiences to help build the habits of successful leaders. The future recipients of this scholarship may one day grace the stage at an Alumnae & Friends luncheon with their own life changing story.

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The Moss Speaker Series with Jon Meacham

on Meacham, presidential historian, a frequent national political commentator, the eulogist for President George H.W. Bush and First Lady Barbara Bush and a best-selling Pulitzer Prize-winning author spoke to the Kinkaid community on his #1 New York Times bestseller, The Soul of America: The Battle for Our Better Angels on March 4 and 5. Wednesday night over 600 tickets were reserved by parents, alumni, grandparents and former parents in the Brown Auditorium for his evening talk, and on March 5, Upper School students heard Mr. Meacham in an assembly. A select group of students and faculty in the history department also joined Mr. Meacham for lunch and conversation in the Anderson Room. In addition to his Pulitzer Prize-winning book American Lion: Andrew Jackson in the White House, Meacham has written many books including biographies of George Bush and Thomas Jefferson. His Truth is Marching On: John Lewis and the Power of Hope will be

released this Fall. After his visit to Kinkaid, Jon Meacham released a podcast Hope through History which explores five historic trying times in the United States and the impact that those moments had on American history. Mr. Meacham is the tenth speaker to visit Kinkaid as a part of the Moss Speaker Series. The Series is named after Barry Moss, a beloved former teacher, debate coach, Upper School principal and Dean of Faculty, who was a prominent part of life at Kinkaid for over 40 years until his death in 2005. The focus of the Series is Civil Discourse in a Democracy, a topic that includes a number of the skills and values so important to Mr. Moss as a teacher: clear and convincing written expression, public speaking and debate, the development of analytical skills, service to others, and the commitment to excellence. The Series has featured a broad range of speakers, including Wes Moore, Larry Temkin, Douglas Brinkley, Dr. David Finegold '81 and Clark Kent Ervin ’77.

Former Moss Speakers 2020 Jon Meacham, Presidential historian, Pulitzer Prize winning author, professor 2017 Mike Feinberg, Co-Founder of KIPP Foundation 2015 Wes Moore, youth advocate, army combat veteran and best selling author of The Other Wes Moore 2014 Larry Temkin, Distinguished Professor of Philosophy at Rutgers University 2013 Douglas Brinkley, American author, professor of history at Rice University 2011

J. Pittman McGehee, D.D., Diplomate Jungian analyst and the Director of the Institute for the Advancement of Psychology and Spirituality

2010 Clark Kent Ervin, ‘77, Director of The Aspen Institute’s Homeland Security Program 2008 Dick Brass, inventor and technology futurist 2007 Edward Hirsch, author of The New York Times best seller How to Read a Poem and Fall in Love with Poetry 2006 David Finegold, Ph.D., ‘81, Dean of Rutgers School of Management and Labor Relations

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Field Day 2020

inkaid Field Day 2020 was unlike any other in the history of the School! As tradition holds, the sun always shines on Field Day, and that was refl cted in the attitudes of the chairs, volunteers and students who made the best of the most unique Field Day to date. Faced with the most unusual challenge of the century, the Field Day chairs performed their slickest moves to change up the playlist for the originally planned “Catch the (Disco) Fever” themed event to create a virtual “Catch the Spirit” Field Day that could not have been imagined even a few months prior. Sixty plus parent volunteers rallied to get almost 900 Field Day t-shirts delivered within the span of two days, all over the greater Houston area. Students of all ages proudly wore purple and gold and embodied school spirit with improvised fi ld events in the backyard, in the driveway, in the pool, on horseback and wherever they were. Parents learned quickly how to navigate Instagram as their kids created and submitted 200+ photos and videos in support of their Field Day teams. This year, Purple came out on top in a very tight virtual race, but the real winner in this coordinated effort was One Kinkaid, where it was proven that COVID-19 was no match for this beloved tradition! A super groovy thank you goes out to our donors and volunteers and to our disco queens, Tracy McCleary, Sandy Sturm, and Allison Crosswell, whose flex bility, creativity and boogie shoes allowed them to hustle their way to a very memorable Field Day! #GoKinkaidGold #GoKinkaidPurple #OneKinkaid

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Kinkaid at home

idway through the spring semester, we were hit with an unexpected challenge, but as a community, we quickly came together. #KinkaidAtHome was a way to stay connected despite the distance, and that’s exactly what we did. Th ough Zoom calls, emails and online chat with friends, the Kinkaid spirit was alive and well!

Coffee House

ach spring, the student-led Fine Arts Leadership Board (FALB) hosts a Coffee House, inviting Kinkaid’s student vocalists, instrumentalists, creative writers, poets, film-makers, speakers, comedians and entertainers to an open mic night to share their talents with fellow students and performers. This Th s year, the regularly scheduled event happened on campus in February with students entertaining their peers with a wide range of talents and skills, including a juggling act! After distance learning began in March and the remaining spring fi e arts performances were canceled, the FALB realized that there was an opportunity to add a second, virtual Coffee House. There were also many students with unexpected free time and struggling with the loss of their spring Arts season who were excited to have another “stage” on which to perform. On May 2, Director of Visual and Performing Arts Scott Lambert played the part of host for a virtual Coffee House where performers relied on cutting edge technology to share a variety of talents, including solos and duets in guitar and voice and a short film with a happy ending. In Mr. Lambert’s words, “Coffeehouse was a tremendous opportunity that allowed students to share their art even from the confi es of their homes. The arts are a great way to bring the community together and for that hour of singing, poetry, and music, we were all able to escape into a world where things felt a little better, a little safer, and a little more creative.” While the performers could not actually hear the roar of the crowd, their friends supported them in spirit. Using the tools of the digital age, emogis and digital messaging, the applause still came.

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Operation GradBox

long with the cancellation of school due to COVID-19 came the cancellation of many time-honored traditions for graduating seniors, resulting in deeply felt disappointment among senior students and their families. With this in mind, a group of “Senior Admirers” began to brainstorm ways to honor and celebrate the Kinkaid Class of 2020 so that they would “feel the love from the entire community” despite the unfortunate turn of events. Creative, clever minds dreamed big with Operation GradBox, a “fun and frivolous”, three-week “operation” designed to celebrate the seniors during their final fi al weeks at Kinkaid. Seniors were invited to drive through campus on their last three Wednesdays of school to pick up their surprise GradBoxes and were greeted by faculty and staff volunteers olunteers who cheered and waved signs in their honor, turning GradBox pick-up into a celebratory senior parade. The GradBoxes were filled with personal touches including wrapping paper bearing all of the seniors’ names and featuring the logo of every college the seniors will reflected be attending this fall. Each week’s box refl cted a different, senior-friendly theme. Week One: “Party in a Box” included playing cards, balloons, Class of 2020 cups and napkins and a mini portable speaker. Week Two: “Grad in a Box” included each senior’s cap and gown, a fan featuring each senior’s cap and gown portrait, a group photo of the senior class and a congratulatory note from the Deans’ Offi . Week Th ee: “Good Luck in a Box” included Tiff ’s Treats cookies, a copy of the senior video, a journal with the senior’s college logo, a lottery ticket, fortune cookies and Lucky Charms cereal. A special addition to the week three box was a letter that all seniors wrote to themselves when they were in freshman Decisions class, a letter which students have traditionally received in school as part of senior year. Students who picked up a box each Wednesday were entered into a drawing for that week’s “bonus prize” with the lucky winner drawn by a community celebrity. Thank you to the Whataburger drive-through associate who probably knows many of the seniors by name, the ever-generous “Mattress Mac” MacInvale of Gallery Furniture and Houston Rocket Isaiah Hartenstein for doing the honors! The prize for each week was hand-delivered to the lucky winner’s home, at a social distance, of course, by a group of “senior fans”, adding a little extra excitement to the winning senior’s day! The week one winner, Jared Orkin, learned it was time to party with a new Apple Watch. Week two delighted two winners as Jonah Thomas graduated to his own mini-fridge, and Sarah Stephens won when “Mattress Mac” unexpectedly drew a second name and surprised everyone with the donation of a Tempur-Pedic mattress. Lizzie Markovich had all the luck in week three as the winner of Apple Air-Pods. Although impossible to replace the senior events that were missed, the behind-the-scenes masterminds responsible for Operation GradBox recognized an opportunity to make a challenging time a little brighter and worked tirelessly to send the 2020 seniors into their futures with a little extra love. Kinkaid Class of 2020, we hope you felt the love!

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Honor Day Awards Lower School Awards Character Education Award Second Grade

Grace Jacobson

Stevie Maas

Glenn Ballard Award

Third Grade

Abigail Hilgers

Morgan Aron

Carney Platt

Rebecca Lee Lingle

John Cooper Award

Fourth Grade

Olivia Nigro

Milly Bialas

Fourth Grade

Third Grade

Eleanor Kaim

Bryce Goldstein

Fourth Grade

Kush Puri

Lana Nguyen

Middle School Awards Academic Achievement Award Fifth Grade

Emma Huddle

Felix Riley

Sixth Grade

Ayla Patel

Seventh Grade

Isabel Huddle

Daniel Patterson

Arts Award

Gus Pielop

Seventh Grade

Lucas Fang

Eigth Grade

Sanjna Pandit

Travis Ainsworth

Caroline Raynes

Eshing Ji

Cole Hartung

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Jack Hannagriff Award

Will McMackin

Jan Braden Award

Vaishali Thakkar

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Character Award

Athletics Award

Jack Paris

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Onyi Ndee

Charles B. Sanders, Jr. Fifth Grade Award

Isabel Cooper

Graham Erwin

Emma Jane Miller Award

Kate DeWalch

Arthur E. Goddard Award

Ammar Ali

Greg Gephart Seventh Grade Award

Drew Montgomery

Marisa BouĂŠ Leigh Weld Sixth Grade Award

Chelsea Pope Collins Award

Blake Kekish

Jack Denechaud

Glenn Ballard Award

Upper School Awards

Eshaan Mani

English The Junior Class of 1953 Award for English

The Callie B. Law Writing Award

The Jeanne S. Alsup Award for American Literature Studies

Academic Awards

Sahar Punjwani

Sofia Bajwa

The English II Award

Lauren Tanner

Patrick Solcher

Mya Franklin

The English I Award

Harper Paddock

Clara Brown

William Watson

The Falcon Wings Award

Alexandra Blake

Michelle Sekili

The Junior Class of 1953 Award for English

Meredith Huston 13

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History The World Civilizations Award

The Freshman History Award

The Mike Moncrief Debate Award

The Celina Kilpatrick Research Award

Academic Awards

Jack Monday The American History Award

The Damon Wells Award

Samantha Fowler

Katherine Zhang

The Senior Social Sciences Award

Spencer Powers

Math The Malcolm Cravens Award

Anthony Treistman

Molly Ribbeck

Jack Monday The Papadopoulos Award for Biology

Zoe Price

The Monroe Rust Biology Award

Soha Sewani 14

Lydia Patterson The Four Year Science Award

Shreya Mehta The Goettsche Physics Award

Evren Ozdogan

Grace Beilstein

The Class of 1980 Mathematics Award for Precalculus

The Moran Chemistry Award

Ravi Yalamanchili

Jonathan Frumovitz The Monroe Rust Biology Award

The Statistics Award

Nick Bhasin

Patrick Solcher

The Kathryn Wade Geometry Award

The Chemistry Award

Connor Blake

The Calculus Award

Megha Neelapu

Science The Herder Fellowship for Science Leadership

Brian Shortt

Leo Zeng

Gardner Watson

Vedul Palavajjhala

The Algebra II Award

Soha Sewani

The Mathematics and Science Award

Ayush Krishnamoorti

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World Languages The Schlumberger Award for French Literature College Level

Tom Roff The Haynes Award for Spanish Language AP

The Chinese Award

Jon Jafarnia

The Dorothy Rice Cooper Award for Latin Literature College Level

Meghan Anand

The Spanish III Award

The Stone Award for French Language AP

The Latin III Award

Kallie Carlson

The Francita Stuart Award for Spanish Literature AP

Noah Rubinson

The Lucette Topper Level Three French Award

Computer The William S. Kilroy Computer Award

Leora Maksoud

Connor Blake

Ethan Fang

The Freshman Academic Merit Award

Academic Merit Awards

Jaisal Kalapatapu

Samantha Fowler

The Junior Academic Merit Award

Matthew Moseley

The Dan Hart Award for Athletics

Laura Behr

The Cathy Merrill Award for Athletics

Sammy Riesgo-Zamudio

The Sophomore Academic Merit Award

Jessica Liu

Laxmi Thakkar The Senior Academic Merit Award

Priscilla Mach

The Levy Garrett Award

Athletics Awards

Victor Garza

Nakeeya McCardell

Alexandra Blake

Nicholas Dillon 15

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The Maby King Award

Martin Ibarra

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The Class of 1953 Award for Junior Citizenship

Charlie Pagan

The Class of 1978 Award for Freshman Citizenship

Ezekiel Evans

The Mark Lester Award for Sophomore Citizenship

Reese Ham

The Amber Alexander Award

Cacie Chatman

The Independent Study Award

Character Awards

Gardner Watson

Watt Muir

The Alumni Association Award

Andrew Linhart

Eliza Moldawer

Sarah Stephens

Serena Thompson

The Class of 1975 Award for Senior Citizenship

Shreya Mehta

Sofia Bajwa

The Kinkaidian Award

Fine Arts Awards

Tyler Doan

Meredith Burpeau

Charles Garrison

The Kendall Award for Community Service

Maggie Johnston

The Acting Award

Haylie Sims

Eliza Moldawer

The Tom Boyd Musical Theatre Award

The Journalism Award

Maggie Johnston

Isabelle Grace

Frankie Wimbish

Andrew Linhart

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The Dance Award

Sapphire Thompson

The Orchestra Award

Jonathan Mitchell

The 3D Art Award

Fine Arts Awards

Rachel Reed

Regan Arkless

The Choir Award

Nikita Munsif

The Filmmaking Award

Haley Hester

The Lauri Jones Shepler 2D Art Award

Priscilla Mach

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The Band Award

Anthony Treistman

The A.J. Carothers 50 Award for Creative Writing

Alexandra Blake

The Technical Theatre Award

Arden Fayard

The Photography Award

The Journalism Award

Mya Franklin

Megan Riley

Wilson Kelsey

Eliza Griggs

Sally Buck

Madi Babine

Ayush Krishnamoorti

Megha Neelapu

The John Fontaine Memorial Scholarship

Frankie Wimbish

The Elena Semander Scholarship for Art Athletics

Scholarships

Antonio Melendez

Julia Sanchez

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Faculty/Staff Awards COLUMBIANA AWARD The Columbiana Award for Excellence in Teaching recognizes a member of the Kinkaid faculty who has demonstrated outstanding pedagogy within his or her fi ld and who reaches out beyond the classroom to serve as a mentor and role model for students and colleagues. Th s year’s recipient, Middle School World Language Chair and Spanish teacher Patricia Chadwick, inspires ALL students to learn. She does not confi e learning to the textbook, a classroom, or traditional methods of learning. Instead, she incorporates culture, fi ds creative ways to make material accessible, and is diligent in her efforts to enhance the curriculum. There is no doubt that she has the highest expectations of her students even when they don’t believe that they are capable of meeting them. Students know she is no-nonsense and will hold them accountable all the while doing it with a smile and a compassionate understanding of who they are as individuals. She is thoughtful, insightful, empathetic, and enjoys her time with her students in the classroom or attending students’ games and performances. She invests time to get to know each student as a whole person, and she can see what each child brings to the classroom community. Her approach to teaching includes fi ding and using her students’ unique strengths to overcome their struggles and develop a positive self-concept beyond learning a language. Whether teaching Spanish, coordinating a service-learning project, dressing up for spirit day or playing a serious game of volleyball with the students, this teacher does it all, and enthusiastically!

STEM AWARD

LEONARD AWARD

Th STEM Teaching Award recognizes excellence in teaching in one of the traditional STEM disciplines (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) or through leveraging the relationships and synergies within the intersections of STEM fi lds with the humanities, social sciences, and/or the arts. The inaugural recipient of the STEM Teaching Award, Upper School math teacher Olen Rambow, is described as a passionate, enthusiastic, and supportive educator known for a love of STEM and the arts. He was nominated by faculty and students alike for his creativity, original lesson plans, and the links he makes between his subject and the world outside of the classroom. The excitement he has for his subject is infectious, and his students state that they leave his class loving math more than they could possibly imagine. Having taught almost all levels of math at Kinkaid, from Algebra I to Multivariable Calculus, he is also known for his engaging Interim Term classes, namely “Defense Against Dark Math” and “Nuclear Physics for Hardcore Nerds”. He is also the sponsor of the Dark Math Club. He recently sponsored students in independent studies on Neuroscience Research and Musical Theatre. That may seem strange for a math teacher, but not for one who incorporates his musical talent into his math classes and participates as a musician in Upper School assemblies and the Kinkaid Coffee House. To sum it up, one student recently wrote, “He’s a great teacher and one of the smartest people I have ever met!”

The Georgia and Eddie Leonard Staff Excellence Award, named in honor of two long-time staff embers who were adored and respected by the entire Kinkaid community, is presented annually to a member of the Kinkaid staff ho has demonstrated the highest level of excellence in his or her own work over the course of the year. Director of Visual and Performing Arts (VPA) Scott Lambert gives this year’s recipient, Fine Arts Administrative Assistant Andrea Nash, rave reviews saying, “The VPA program at Kinkaid would not function nearly as well as it does if it weren’t for the kind, compassionate, focused, disciplined, organized, personable, intellectual, responsible, respectful, and honest Andrea Nash. Whether tracking the 39 budgets we manage, fi ding substitutes for the 28 full and part-time faculty we supervise, tracking hours for approximately 25 adjunct faculty members, ordering supplies, making travel arrangements for 150 students for the ISAS Arts Festival, creating programs for EVERY Arts production we host, manning the ticket booth and concession area when needed, ordering scripts, communicating with videographers and photographers, or any of the other miscellaneous jobs she does, she always does it with a smile. I knew Eddie and Georgia Leonard well, and they embodied the values of warmth, generosity, respect, commitment, and integrity. Andrea embodies these ideals to her very core.”

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VIRANI AWARD In 2016 the Virani Family and the School established the Faris D. Virani Memorial Award honoring Faris D. Virani, an extraordinary young man – smart, caring and kind with an amazing, indomitable spirit. Th s award recognizes one faculty member who embodies the “Go with the Flow” attitude that refl cts the spirit of Faris Virani, our Forever Falcon. Lower School Principal Krista Babine praised this year’s recipient, Lower School Innovation Coordinator Krissy Venosdale, saying, “Her life-juice is flex bility. It buoys her, and she, in turn, helps all those around her stay afl at. She models flex bility through her actions, and her cool demeanor in a challenging situation infects others. She elicits calm by remaining calm, helping those around her maintain perspective. She engages with faculty and students, empowering them at every turn. If you don’t think you can do it, she knows that you can, and she will gently prove it to you. Her sensitive and thoughtful scaffolding builds capacity in others, and her quiet humility keeps the spotlight on others, always. While she runs on flex bility, among her other skills are creativity and outside-the-box thinking. Time after time, she presents solutions to problems, typically before being asked. With her tireless work ethic, she has created, solved, planned, and inspired her way through countless challenges, the most recent of which has been distance learning. Krissy is a daily exemplar of a go-with-the-fl w mindset, and her greatest gift is her ability to transfer that mindset to others.”

Faculty Retirements

Judann Luening

Marysia Gillan

Betsy Thompson

Judann Luening has been associated with Kinkaid for over 32 years – fi st as a parent (Kinkaid alum, Christian Luening ’00), volunteer, and then an employee. For the last 26 years she has served as the assistant to the Middle School Librarian.

For 22 years Marysia Gillan has dedicated her career to Lower School serving as a Kindergarten teacher.

Betsy Thompson has devoted 20 years of her career as a Lower School First Grade teacher.

“I am so fortunate to have worked alongside and learned from Marysia over the past five years. She cares deeply for all of her co-workers and students as evidenced by her wonderful mentorship and the long hours that she dedicated to The Kinkaid School...Marysia has gone above and beyond for all of her students since the beginning of her career. I have learned countless, invaluable lessons from her, and I know I have become a better teacher with her counsel. I will cherish the many memories that I have shared with Marysia for years to come”.

“It has been a gift nd privilege to collaborate with such a masterful teacher, colleague, and friend. Ever the consummate professional, Betsy has been the embodiment of our school’s four core values, infusing each school day with laughter, positivity and joyful learning. For more than twenty years, she has dispensed her wit and wisdom to each class with heart, skill, and devotion. To us, her fi st-grade team, Betsy has been our guiding light — steady, wise, encouraging and uplifting. Adored by her students, she has left n indelible mark on the lives of the many children she taught”.

— Laura Easterling, Kindergarten Assistant

— Dana Brown, First Grade Teacher

“Along with being a prolific eader of middle-grade literature and deeply knowledgeable about cataloging and library organization, Judann was unparalleled in her ability to help students fi d information for their research projects. Thank you, Judann, for your commitment and dedication to Kinkaid, our students, and the library program over your many years of passionate service. You will be missed!” — Christina Bell, MS Librarian

Kim Adkins Kim Adkins began her career at the Kinkaid School 15 years ago teaching computer applications in the Upper School. In 2006, Kim became Kinkaid’s fi st database analyst and was later coined the “Veracross Goddess”. “Since I arrived at Kinkaid six years ago, I have come to treasure two of Kim’s qualities. First is her curiosity and willingness to continue learning while also pushing our thinking. I also cherish Kim’s human-centric commitment to customer service, enabling each person to help get Veracross to be able to do what they needed it to do to get their job done”. — Vinnie Vrotny, Director of Technology 19

THE KINKAID SCHOOL

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New Members of the Board of Trustees

he Kinkaid School is honored to welcome five new members to the Board of Trustees. Each new trustee answered questions about their service to the School. A special thank you to outgoing trustees Linda Andrews, Pam Fullenweider, Berdon Lawrence, Christine Robertson Morenz ’92 and Mary Eliza Lovett Shaper ’88 for their service to Kinkaid and the Board of Trustees.

Jim Looke

Parent of Christiana Looke ’15 (fs), Mary Frances Looke ’12 (fs), Catherine Looke Thompson ’09 (fs), Caroline Looke Benak ’08 (fs), Collins Looke ’05 (fs), Liz Looke ’02, Joe Looke ’00, Steven Looke ’99, Grandparent of Carlyle Looke ’33 and Bromley Looke ’28 What does success look like to you in terms of the Board’s job at Kinkaid? To continue the excellence of the Kinkaid School and try to improve on this fi e learning institution. A good education along with good values is one of the most important gifts e can give our children. The world’s most valuable resource is an educated population. Education has always been dear to my wife Carole's and my heart.

Charles Lawrence Jr.

Alumnus Class of 1996, Parent of Berdon Lawrence ’31 What motivates you to serve on the Board of Trustees? What motivates me to serve on the Board of Trustees is that I’m passionate and committed to serve each and every student at Kinkaid, to help the School accomplish its overall mission and goals, and to assist in ensuring that the future of the Kinkaid Community will continue to thrive. I keenly recall my high school English teacher, Dr. Barry Moss, back in the mid-90’s, and how he helped to shape my life in so many positive ways. Further, since graduating in 1996, I have been grateful of how Kinkaid has enriched the lives of many of my family members. My son will be going into the 2nd grade this fall, and I love seeing his learning evolve because of his teachers and all that Kinkaid offers him. It’s simply an honor and privilege to give back to such a phenomenal institution of well-rounded students who will undoubtedly make a signifi ant difference in our world.

Ashley Morgan Hanna

Alumna Class of 1993, Parent of Catherine Hanna ’29 and William Hanna ’28 What motivates you to serve on the Board of Trustees? I want my children and future generations of Kinkaid students and families to look back on their experience at Kinkaid with the same fondness, appreciation and gratitude that I have for my years at the School. Kinkaid is a very special place where our students should not only be academically prepared for their futures, but also be instilled with the moral character and personal responsibility that they will need to be successful.

Bethel Quander

Parent of Katie Quander ’23 and Jack Quander (18) What motivates you to serve on the Board of Trustees? I want to be part of shaping the strategy that enables the Kinkaid community to continue to thrive as the world becomes more complex and diverse. We have the unique opportunity to provide the tools and resources for a new generation of educators and students to embody our core values: honesty, respect, responsibility and kindness.

Neil Wizel

Parent of Camille Wizel ’30, Anna Wizel ’28, Grace Wizel ’24 and Henry Wizel ’24 What does success look like to you in terms of the Board’s job at Kinkaid? Success at the board level means that our Head of School and our administrative team feel fully enabled and empowered to elevate Kinkaid to its highest potential, so that in practice and theory, the School fulfills its mission to develop resilient, thoughtful and engaged leaders and thinkers.

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ANNUAL REPORT SUMMER 2020

Dr. Ed Trusty Parade

uccessful celebrations in the time of COVID require some creativity.

Thankfully, everyone loves a parade! On May 17, a beautiful Sunday afternoon, Kinkaid celebrated Dr. Ed Trusty with a lively and socially distanced send-off parade in his honor. Hundreds of cars decorated with notes of well-wishes, postfilled ers, streamers and fil ed with smiling, cheering, waving, honking, confetti-shooting parade participants rolled through campus as Dr. Trusty held court on his balloon adorned dais. It was an unforgettable afternoon for an unforgettable man. Good luck in your next adventure. Until we meet againâ&#x20AC;ŚThank you for everything, Dr. Trusty!

THE KINKAID SCHOOL

full circle

A leaderâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s journey returns to a familiar place Contributed by: Dr. Kimetris Baltrip, Upper School Journalism and Yearbook Teacher

SUMMER 2020

Meet Man. That’s short for the full moniker his paternal grandmother gave him: “the little man of the house.” Th single-word version, popular among his closest relatives, suffi d in dignifying his birthright. He was his father’s progeny, the start of a new generation. Born in 1973, Man was raised in East Baltimore, not the “good” part but the tough and scrappy side that was lined with swaths of rowhouses. Migrants from the area had relinquished it to the proletariat and the poor. This was segregated Baltimore, where people enjoyed a flavor of the “high life” on stoops, around hucksters, in salons, or at church. It was the inner city, bustling and vibrant. Man lived in a happy home with extended family and relatives, including his maternal grandmother. Later, he resided with his stepfather, mother and sister who is four years younger. He also has a brother who is 10 years his junior. His mother attended college when he and his sister were young, so an aft r-school program at the local recreation center doubled as a sanctuary. It played a crucial role – second only to church – in steering urban youth away from the lure of their surroundings. When Man spent time with his peers, he scampered on a basketball court and played football in a neighborhood fi ld like an ordinary child. He discovered he had natural athletic ability just like many of his friends, but he wasn’t quite like them. In his neighborhood, sports “was the avenue that many kids saw as their way out,” he said. Not him. His maternal grandmother, a woman of deep Christian faith, had spoken prophetically. Man was a leader, a standout. His family knew it, too. To his father, Man was Maurice, which was extracted from the middle of the name they shared. He was his father’s pride. “I clearly remember my dad bragging to a friend…‘My son’s going to be a doctor,” he said. “And so, I clearly thought…‘Yeah, I’m going to be a doctor. I’m smart enough to be a doctor.’” Man was just 8 or 9 then, but he had the determination of someone years older. Gazing more than a decade beyond elementary school, he was already committed

to reaching the goal he had established in his mind. His mother nurtured the prospect. “My mom who realized that I was pretty bright early on would make sure that I was challenged in the right places so that I could get the best education,” he said. “She realized that was not happening in the schools where I was going to, where everybody else in my family went.” His mother submitted an application to a magnet school outside his neighborhood. He enrolled there and at other magnet schools before eventually attending Gilman, a local all-boys independent school, in 8th grade and throughout high school.

Keeping his aim in focus He excelled academically, but his grades didn’t qualify him for the grapevine trailing in the streets. What people talked most about was the homegrown, 5-foot7, 175-pound powerhouse he’d morphed into on the football fi ld. Man and Maurice existed inside him, but in public more and more the now teenage boy had gained a reputation under his formal name, Edward Trusty. Or because people preferred truncations, he was known as Eddie or simply, Ed. Th latter landed in print. “Gilman running back Ed Trusty decided to turn yesterday’s game against host Forest Oak into his personal showcase,” read the beginning of an article published Nov. 3, 1990, in The Baltimore Sun. He had become the subject of headlines and fodder for sports writers across the nation. Scouts ticked off his carries, rushing yards and touchdowns, salivating at a chance to sign him to the next level. But that wasn’t him. He caught the passes, made the plays and ran off the fi ld, chucking the football behind him. His history as an offensive phenom would age with the turf stains on his cleats. He walked away, seeking more than exposure under Friday night lights.

THE KINKAID SCHOOL

The preposition “but” began many of the questions people asked him following his decision. The most pressing: But what about playing college football? “No, that’s somebody else’s dream,” he told them. “Defin tely not mine.” People were shocked. Near the end of a July 30, 1991, article in The Sun, the writer seemed to begrudgingly mention his name, as if in mourning: “By the way, running back Ed Trusty, who, along with Cox, was a preseason high school All-America at Gilman last year, has dropped football. He’ll enter the University of Virginia in another month and study to be a minister. In his application for admission he didn’t even mention that he had played football.”

neighborhood and friend group in that area, go off o college and do those kinds of things…A part of it was also my own opportunity to prove to the community that there certainly is some good that comes out of this neighborhood.” His “some” expanded into a lot of good.

Reflections on his journey

Indeed, he was a standout.

He returned to his alma mater and taught at Gilman for 13 years before serving as the head of the lower school for five years at Baltimore’s Calvert School. In 2014, he moved to Houston and joined The Kinkaid School to serve as assistant headmaster. He was promoted to interim head of school in 2018 and hired as interim head of The St. Paul’s School for Boys in Baltimore beginning July 1, 2020.

He left or Virginia, gaining a bachelor’s degree in psychology and a master’s degree in teaching. And by destiny, he became a doctor. He earned a doctorate of education in educational leadership from Morgan State University in Baltimore.

“I’m grateful that this is where I was able to serve and grow for the last six years,” he said, refl cting on his time in Houston and the support he and his wife Dynell received. “I truly believe that there are great people here at Kinkaid.”

“To me, being doctor whatever represented the highest level of achievement you could have academically…,” he said. “There’re not very many folks who, from my

He said his greatest influence came from a gift e received from both of his grandmothers: their faith. And Kinkaid’s four core values – honesty, responsibility,

SUMMER 2020

Sound leadership – with a smile – can make the challenges that come with transitions quite bearable. “My commitment to bringing joy and light to the community was of utmost importance to me,” said Dr. Ed Trusty, former Interim Head and assistant Headmaster at The Kinkaid School. Dr. Trusty closed his office or and offi ally ended his tenure at Kinkaid on June 30, but his commitment and contributions while he guided the school through transitions in leadership left a ualifi d impression on those whom he served. Kinkaid’s board chair, Mr. Ken Cowan, commented that Dr. Trusty was “a prime example of living out our core values daily.” The Kinkaid Alumni Association shared that sentiment. In 2019, the association created The Core Values Award as a prestigious honor that recognizes a Kinkaid employee who exemplifies he School’s four core values and goes above and beyond in her or his work. The association renamed the honor – The Edward M. Trusty, Jr. Core Values Award – to memorialize his legacy. Dr. Trusty said the award’s rebranding was an “incredible” feeling. “It was overwhelming, actually. I never do any of my work for recognition but from a place of love and care,” he said. “The recognition alone, and the fact that it will be here in perpetuity, is indeed a blessing and a testament.” During his six years of service to Kinkaid, Dr. Trusty said his greatest fulfillment was enriching the lives of students. He taught interim term courses, held a community group, launched a yearly all-school convocation and developed the Celebration of African-American Heritage and Culture. His daily interactions with students endeared him to them and earned him the 2020 yearbook dedication. “One of the reasons we wanted to dedicate this year’s book to Dr. Trusty is that we wanted to fi d a way to honor and recognize all the hard work he’s done these past few years,” said senior Haylie Sims, a yearbook editor-in-chief. respect and kindness – so aligned with his Christian beliefs and personal standard for how to treat people that they felt natural for him to espouse. But he contemplated why those tenets didn’t seem to translate as easily for others, especially around topics of class, race and culture. “I think there’s, to a degree, some reticence about embracing, whether it’s diversity, equity and inclusion or whatever it is,” he said. “And the truth of the matter is that we really can’t prepare ourselves and our community for the world ahead if we don’t.” His “hope and prayer,” he said, is that the good within Kinkaid’s community will move the school forward through healthy partnerships and allowances for whatever differences that people could use as points of separation. In parting ways with Kinkaid, he symbolized the vision of his younger self. Man was a boy who had the boldness to follow his own convictions. He desired to be an example to the naysayers, to challenge the limits ascribed to people from the inner city. He excelled within the boundary of Baltimore and broke through it, coming to Houston and proving that success isn’t mapped along a single route. He embodied the proof he’d sought. “Now, I’m going home,” he said.

Students, along with the balance of the School’s community, celebrated some of Dr. Trusty’s signature habits. Quite religiously, he stood in hallways to greet passersby with a smile; added polish to his wardrobe with a colorful bowtie; engaged audiences with poems, anecdotes or songs; and worked to personally resolve different situations instead of referring people to someone else. Faculty members also benefited from his commitment as he emphasized their need to develop and grow in their respective fi lds and to embrace diversity, equity and inclusion. He traveled with faculty to the People of Color Conference annually and supported a number of professional outreach and training opportunities for faculty across all three divisions of the School. When Dr. Trusty learned that the School’s community wanted to pay tribute to his legacy through fi ancial gifts, e decided those gifts hould be used for students who need them most. Thus, The Edward M. Trusty, Jr Fund was established to assist students receiving fi ancial aid. The endowment will help pay for some students’ incidental expenses such as books, computers, fi ld trips, uniforms and meals. If you are interested in making a contribution to the fund, please contact Tom Moore at tom.moore@ kinkaid.org. “Th s fund to support students like me who could not have attended an independent school without signifi ant fi ancial support is a reminder of how kind God is and how it is our collective responsibility to serve others and give back,” Dr. Trusty said. Cowan said Dr. Trusty will be remembered as leader who exhibited “grace and class.” 25

THE KINKAID SCHOOL

Class of

SUMMER 2020

2020

Resilient and determined, that pretty much sums up the Class of 2020.

ith the last in-person class happening well before graduation, parent volunteers, staff and faculty were determined in making sure this resilient group of young men and women did not leave Kinkaid without a show. Social distancing practices created an obstacle, but the evening of June 12, turned out to be more beautiful and intimate than ever before. Although graduation looked different this year, Segal Field still was adorned with magnolia wreaths and ivy arches keeping the small Kinkaid traditions alive. Each graduate had a â&#x20AC;&#x153;family boxâ&#x20AC;? for their guests to view graduation in the comfort of their own personal space. Matching face coverings and welcome baskets with all things graduation greeted the guests as they arrived. With a welcome from Interim Head of School Ed Trusty and an eloquent invocation delivered by Senior Class President Molly Ribbeck, the temperature and sun set over the ceremony and smiles under the graduatesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; masks came shining through. Dr. Trusty delivered a powerful and memorable address, and Governing Council President Sally Buck touched on the high points of her class over the past 14 years. Each graduate in attendance was able to walk across the stage to receive his/her diploma, and Head of Upper School Peter Behr closed out the evening. Lots of family and friends tuned in for the celebration virtually with over 900 unique views online.

THE KINKAID SCHOOL

Class of

2020

n addition to the awards given during the Virtual Honor Day, the following awards were announced at graduation.

Valedictorian Noah Rubinson The Cooper Award Jonathan Frumovitz The Mrs. W.J. Kinkaid Award Lydia Patterson The W.W. Kinkaid Award Nicholas DillonÂ

Congratulations to all the 2020 graduates! Best of luck in your adventures ahead.

SUMMER 2020

Class of 2020 Cum Laude Front Row (L to R)

Second Row (L to R):

Third Row (L to R):

Back Row (L to R):

Sofia Bajwa

Daisy Gracia

Duryn Dunbar

Jonathan Frumovitz

Sahar Punjwani

Sapphire Thompson

Brian Shortt

Megan Frankel

Nikia Munsif

Noah Rubinson

Shreya Mehta

Alexander Skidmore

Ayush Krishnamoorti

Karm Ghei

Sarah Stephens

Brian Xu

Lydia Patterson

Alexandra Blake

Molly Ribbeck

Andrew Linhart

Tanmay Srinivasan

Elizabeth Markovich

Michael Bell

Meredith Huston

Julia Burpeau

Evelyn Mineo

Carson Keller

Spencer Powers

Megha Neelapu

Sophia Ghauri

THE KINKAID SCHOOL

College Matriculations

Austin Community College

Davidson College

Northeastern University

Bates College

Duke University

Pomona College

Belmont University

Elon University

Prairie View A & M University

Boston College

Emerson College

Reed College

Boston University

Georgetown University

Rhodes College

Brown University

Houston Baptist University

Rice University

Bucknell University

Houston Community College

Sewanee: Th University of the South

California State University-Fresno

Lehigh University

Southern Methodist University

Chapman University

Louisiana State University

Stanford University

Colorado College

Loyola Marymount University

Syracuse University

Cornell University

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Texas A&M University

Dallas Community College

Middlebury College

Texas Christian University

SUMMER 2020

Class of

2020

Texas State University

University of Colorado Boulder

University of Texas at Austin

Texas Tech University

University of Houston

University of Virginia

Th Hotchkiss School

University of Michigan-Ann Arbor

Utah State University

Th University of Alabama

University of Michigan-Dearborn

Vanderbilt University

Th University of Texas at Dallas

University of Mississippi

Wake Forest University

Trinity University

University of Mount Olive

Washington and Lee University

Tuft University

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill University of Oregon

Washington University in St Louis

Tulane University of Louisiana United States Air Force Academy University of California-Davis University of Chicago

University of Pennsylvania

William and Mary

University of Rochester University of Southern California University of St Andrews

THE KINKAID SCHOOL

The Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Council Finds its Voice DEI Council Members

Current Parents

Parents of Recent Alumni

Alumni

Faculty/Staff

Senior Administrators



Trustees

arlier this summer, Kinkaid formally announced the establishment of the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Council (DEI Council). That public moment was the culmination of more than two years of work by the Board of Trustees, school administrators, and many others to create a framework and foundation on which our school could build on ongoing open and honest conversations about diversity, equity and inclusion at Kinkaid. In the past, Kinkaid approached these difficult issues in various ways, and the DEI Council is an evolution of lessons learned. The DEI Council promotes values of solidarity and integrity that are supported by school leadership and are integral to the comprehensive education of a well-rounded student. DEI initiatives are not a standalone effort, but instead align with Kinkaid’s values and mission statement and weave seamlessly into all aspects of the Kinkaid experience – academics, athletics and the arts - to create a community where everyone feels safe, valued and respected. While so many elements of the Kinkaid experience make our school exceptional, there are always areas for growth in order to sustain balanced excellence. The DEI Council exists to advance certain strengths and improve certain shortcomings, always in the best interest of our students and our school. In the coming months, as the work of the DEI Council becomes more visible across campus and among our alumni, it is important to know the make-up of the group and what role it will play in our community.

Who is on the DEI Council?

The DEI Council is comprised of 28 individuals representing broad perspectives from across our community, including several who represent multiple constituencies. The group includes current parents (20), parents of recent alumni (7), alumni (8), faculty/ staff (8), enior administrators (3) and trustees (2). Lower, Middle and Upper Schools are also well-represented by DEI Council members.

How was the DEI Council selected?

After an application process open to the entire Kinkaid community, the DEI Council was selected in the fall of 2019 by the Interim Head of School Dr. Ed Trusty, senior administrators and a focused working group of the Board of Trustees, in conjunction with outside advisors on best practices at JONES as detailed below. As current DEI Council members complete their varying terms, new applicants will be solicited through this same accessible process. For a full list of the current members, visit https://www.kinkaid.org/explore/dei.

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What is the DEI Council’s Purpose?

The DEI Council has a clear purpose statement drafted in consultation with its many stakeholders. Th s statement focuses on our students and affirms the work of the DEI Council moving forward. As The Kinkaid School prepares our students to lead as engaged global citizens, the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Council’s purpose is to foster a community grounded in equity and inclusion where diversity of thought, identities and people are safe, respected and valued. We provide a collaborative platform where all voices of our community, including students, faculty, staff, parents and alumni, are actively encouraged to share their perspectives and experiences. We work with the Board and the administration to support and hold our Kinkaid community accountable to collectively strengthen and purposefully advance Kinkaid’s mission.

The Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Council’s purpose is to foster a community grounded in equity and inclusion where diversity of thought, identities, and people are safe, respected and valued.

Who is leading the DEI Council?

The DEI Council is led by the Head of School Jonathan Eades and two current cochairs, Trustee Greg Looser and Assistant Athletic Director Stacey Marshall. Kinkaid, originally through the Board of Trustees in 2018, has engaged JONES (www.jonesinclusive.com), a diversity, inclusion and organizational change consulting fi m, to guide the School’s and DEI Council’s efforts to further this important work throughout our community. Since its founding in 1906, Kinkaid has gone through many changes and risen to the challenges required of growth and progress while remaining committed to balanced excellence in education. The summer of 2020 will prove to be another signifi ant infl ction point in the School’s history as our community adjusts to a change in senior leadership during a national outcry for social justice amidst a global pandemic. Building a stronger school together is rooted in trust – something that takes a long time to build and an instant to break. The vital work of the DEI Council has just begun, and with the support of the Board, senior administration, faculty, staff, parents and alumni, our entire community will build this trust together. Th s work together may not be without obstacles, differing opinions and setbacks - some might call that good trouble. But undoubtedly this work together, anchored by our values, will strengthen Kinkaid’s mission.

How do I contact the DEI Council?

If you would like to contact the DEI Council, please email DEICouncil@kinkaid.org. With a focus on fi ding common ground in our students’ best interests, we will continue to join together as a community and support Kinkaid’s leadership to advance this important work to sustain balanced excellence.

THE KINKAID SCHOOL

Athletics

A Different View of Sports Contributed by: David Holm, Director of Athletics

t still seems unimaginable, those few days in March, when we “lost” sports. When it

happened, it happened quickly with collegiate tournaments, the NBA and NHL cancelled, Upper and Middle School seasons delayed, postponed and then cancelled as well. No more spring training, no Opening Day in late March or early April. For those of you who have spent the majority of your time living in a warm climate, Opening Day is exciting as you anticipate a possible run for the World Series, but for those who live, or have lived, in the upper Midwest and Northeast, Opening Day represents that and a whole lot more. Coming out of a long winter, it is Opening Day that is the strongest sign that spring is here, and warmer weather is around the corner. We didn’t get to experience either of those feelings. Instead, our concern and attention shifted immediately to our health, safety, family and loved ones. We battled with the loss of the experiences that are so important to our student-athletes, parents and fans and faced a greater concern for our community’s well-being. As a sports administrator and long-time coach, the impact of cancelling our sports season this past spring was immense. Our Seniors would not get to fin sh their fi al season. All of our students would miss the opportunities, experiences and relationships that are so much a part of their lives. When I think about this it

makes me realize what I miss about not having sports on campus. I miss the feeling and the energy that comes with playing sports. Whether it is practice or competing in an event, I enjoy watching our students play and our coaches teach. To be on our campus in the late afternoon is an experience that any sports fan would enjoy. You can stand or sit in one place and watch an assortment of sports and different levels of play. It is awesome and uplifting. I am looking forward to when we return to this, and we will. As a parent, and I never thought I would say this, I miss trying to figu e out how to be in three different places at the same time, having to go over the morning schedule and decide the drop-off and pick-up for the day for the various sports games and practices. I miss the support and the collaborative effort of other parents sharing these duties and coordinating with them as they are trying to figu e out how to be in three places at one time as well. It takes a village. It takes a community. I look forward to the return of those somewhat hectic times, and we will. As a true fan of sports, I thought about how much I missed watching sports and how sports are embedded in the fabric of our society. I thought about what life was like without these events, and I realized what I regretted the most was the loss of what is so great about sports…the stories. Watching or listening to sports gives us great stories. When the NCAA Men’s Basketball tournament was

AT H L E T I C S

ANNUAL REPORT SPRING SUMMER 2019 2020

cancelled, we missed seeing the upsets, the stories of schools that become known to us through the tournament. Would the favored teams make the Final Four, or would we fall in love with a 12 or 13 seed who would be in the spotlight for that “one shining moment”? Th same could be said about numerous sporting events from grade school to the professional leagues. When the Summer Olympics were postponed, we lost the stories about individual athletes and what they have overcome to be on the world stage. We lost the opportunity to learn more about the host country and its culture. We were left with the empty feelings of loss and knowing that some extraordinary events, performances, and storylines were not going to happen. To be sure, we lost some of these stories, but in this time of great concern and uncertainty, we did see and are currently seeing extraordinary storylines of people who are doing extraordinary things. Former student-athletes are first responders, emergency workers, doctors, nurses, truck drivers, grocery store workers, business owners, entrepreneurs, teachers and parents. All of whom, as well as others, are essential in getting us through these difficult times. We didn’t lose sports, we pushed pause and at some point, we will push play. And that will be a great day. I look forward to when that day comes, and it will.

Winter Athletics Review

Go Falcons!

Girls Soccer

UPPER SCHOOL Boys Basketball

Overall Record: 16-8 Conference Record: 5-2 South Zone Finish: 4th Place SPC Finish: 5th Place

Girls Basketball

Overall Record: 18-10 Conference Record: 6-1 South Zone Finish: 1st Place SPC Finish: 4th Place

Boys Soccer

Overall Record: 16-2 Conference Record: 6-1 South Zone Finish: 1st Place SPC Finish: 2nd Place Overall Record: 15-6-0 Conference Record: 4-3 South Zone Finish: 4th Place SPC Finish: 5th Place

Swimming

SPC Finish Boys: 3rd Place SPC Finish Girls: 3rd Place

Wrestling

SPC Finish: 6th Place

MIDDLE SCHOOL 8th Purple Boys Basketball Conference Record: 4-5 HJPC Finish: 5th Place

8th Purple Girls Basketball Conference Record: 8-2 HJPC Finish: 3rd Place

8th Boys Soccer

Conference Record: 6-3 HJPC Finish: 5th Place

8th Girls Soccer

Conference Record: 7-3 HJPC Finish: 5th Place

MS Swimming

Southeast Texas Middle School Championships 2nd Place: 50 Freestyle – Patrick Reilly ’24 3rd Place: 100 Freestyle – Thomas Carr ’24 3rd Place: 50 Butterfl – Thomas Carr ’24 3rd Place: 200 Freestyle – David Liu ’25

THE KINKAID SCHOOL

AT H L E T I C S

ANNUAL REPORT SPRING SUMMER 2019 2020

THE KINKAID SCHOOL

Visual and Performing

ARTS

Review

Contributed by: Scott Lambert, Director of Performing and Visual Arts

efore Kinkaid closed due to the pandemic, Kinkaid Visual and Performing Arts produced two major musicals. In January, the entire 8th grade joined together to tell the story of transformation, love, and tolerance in Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, Jr. A special Friday performance of the show was presented to 8th grade grandparents and special friends. It was a magical time for our students to share with their family members. Th last weekend of February brought the Upper School’s production of the 1944 musical On the Town. Telling the story of three sailors on a twenty-four hour leave and the three women they fall in love with, the show brought the rousing music of Leonard Bernstein to life. Earning two Tommy Tunes nominations for Supporting Actor for Andrew Linhart ’20 and Martín Ibarra ’21, the show was a colorful, energetic, feast for the senses.

SUMMER 2020

Although we were unable to continue Arts classes and performances in the spring, Kinkaid’s Visual and Performing Arts faculty continued to make the Arts available to our students. Some pandemic highlights included: •

The design of 232 asynchronous lessons and masterclasses for our Middle and Upper School students. Ranging from “Nail Polish Marbling” to “How to Paint Using Coffee” and from Learning the Harlem Shuffle o Tongue Twister Competitions, there were plenty of opportunities for our students to explore and experience.

•

Six weeks of synchronous courses offered on Arts Wednesdays. Classes included learning a dance combination to the music from Broadway’s Hamilton, a course in using Adobe Premiere for filmmaking, a Theatre Games Class and Virtual Open Studio Hours for our visual artists to work together on projects.

•

A Virtual Coffee House performance by our upper school students that was “attended” by almost 100 viewers. See box on page 10.

•

The creation of a virtual version of the annual Senioritis Art Show featuring visual art creations by senior students, including original works of photography, paintings and sculptures.

•

The creation of a Virtual Community Choir performance of “You’ve Got a Friend in Me” from Pixar’s Toy Story featuring students, faculty, staff, administrators and parents.

•

The creation of several fun videos by faculty, staff, administrators, and students including Dolly Parton’s “9 to 5” featuring faculty working from home, “It’s a Hard Knock Life” reminding us to wash our hands, and a cooking class where Chef Harris and friends taught us all how to recreate the Dining and Learning Center’s famous Waffle ednesday in our homes!

•

VPA faculty and students have further adapted by moving to virtual auditions for this fall’s line-up of performances. The show must go on!

THE KINKAID SCHOOL

SUMMER 2020

THE KINKAID SCHOOL

Dear Kinkaid community,

espite the unusual circumstances that surround us, it has been a great pleasure to meet many of you already, and I am truly looking forward to meeting with, learning from and working alongside you in the months and years ahead. My wife Lacy and I have been married for more than 20 years and have spent the better part of our lives in the Lone Star state. Also an educator, Lacy and I have two daughters, Michaela (19) and Katherine (13), and one son, James (17). The latter two will be students at The Kinkaid School in 8th and 11th grades, respectively. We are also guardians of Andrew Jung (17), who has lived with us and will move to Houston with us, and formerly of, Eryn Li (25) who lives in Chicago. We consider these two young people to be a part of our family, and we are honored to have them in our lives, thanks to independent schools where we’ve been in the past. Finally, we have two dogs, a Great Dane named Griffey and a bird dog named Jackie. The Rush family is moving from College Station, Texas where I most recently served as head of school at Allen Academy for the past six years. Prior to that, I served as assistant head of school and head of middle school at Cannon School (Concord, NC). I have also been head of middle school at Harding Academy (Nashville, TN) and North Cross School (Roanoke, VA). I started my teaching career at my alma mater, Greenhill School (Addison, TX), where I taught English and coached football and baseball. While academics, diversity, equity and inclusion work, and leadership initiatives are my passions professionally, I am also unabashedly a huge sports fan. I have coached girls volleyball, 4th grade basketball and varsity golf, but my favorite sports are and always have been football and baseball. I’ve had incredible opportunities to coach

baseball at the collegiate and Olympic levels, as well as to be a part of an SPC Championship football coaching staff. My appreciation and affection for this community continues to grow, and I am humbled to have the opportunity to be involved in the next chapter of the School’s nearly 120-yearold history. Th oughout the weeks and months ahead, I look forward to meeting with each of you to deepen that appreciation and invite you to help me understand our school’s strengths, history and opportunities for excellence. Even amid the uncertainties surrounding us, I am galvanized to do the critical and important work ahead. I look forward to a year in which I will get to know you and your children better, and I am eager to partner with you. I am always available by email (matt.rush@kinkaid.org), so feel free to contact me if you have questions, or if you’d like to introduce yourself. Sincerely, Matt Rush Assistant Head of School

SUMMER 2020

A Message from Dr. Ed Trusty

“T

his was an unusual spring" is a gross understatement. What we — and the world — have experienced can be described as unprecedented, unfair, frustrating, overwhelming. Th global impact of COVID-19 past, present and future continues to dictate our “normal.” And, the murders of African-American men and women also sparked a global outcry. We are, indeed, living in unprecedented times. As I shared with the Class of 2020 during my address, “Good can indeed be born from adversity.” We each have the opportunity to be active participants – and leaders – in that good. Despite the unusual ending to the year, our teachers shift d, celebrated and created a learning platform and module that allowed students to continue to grow, learn and remain engaged. And, we continue planning for the unknown. Students used technology to remain connected, academically and socially. (Remember when many of us thought young people were spending too much time on their devices? This spring it truly was a saving grace for most.) Many of us struggled with the lack of face to face and daily interaction. As a result, some of us established new routines and some even began new hobbies during our time of quarantine. Good can indeed be born from adversity.

Th summer issue of this magazine usually has a spread which includes class notes. Because of the unusual nature of our spring semester, we are saving class notes for a later publication. In this issue, we will celebrate the historic Class of 2020. Th se resilient young men and women have already made us proud as they go off into the world to further their education, grow, learn, lead and serve. In this issue you will learn more about the DEI Council and the work they have begun doing as they look to you for support and partnership. Lastly, I want to thank you for your support and care over the last six years. I will not list all of our successes nor the hurdles we have cleared – and maybe a few we have stumbled over. Nevertheless, we remained in the race (smile). We have accomplished much, and there is more mission-critical work to be done. I know you will support Jonathan Eades as he leads Kinkaid. It has been my honor to serve this community. Blessings!

Welcome.

NON PROFIT ORG. U.S. POSTAGE PAID PERMIT NO. 3375 HOUSTON, TEXAS THE KINKAID SCHOOL

SUMMER 2020

201 Kinkaid School Drive Houston, TX 77024

Parents of Alumni: If this publication is addressed to your child who no longer maintains a permanent address at your home, please notify the Alumni Office of the new permanent mailing address.

april 16 17 two thousand twenty one

Class of

2020

Kinkaid Magazine - Summer 2020

Articles inside

The Class of 2020

DEI Council

Thank You, Ed Trusty

Winter Review

Honor Day Awards

International Fair

Celebration of African American Heritage

Operation GradBox

Alumnae & Friends Luncheon

Kinkaid at Home

The Moss Speaker

Field Day

The Legacy of Interim Term