Celebrating our school’s rich cultural variety, students and families share in each other’s heritage at this annual event.
In the October episodes of Great Hall Great Talks, Dr. Rush talks with MS students Sierra F. ‘29 and Emily P. ‘29 about the production of “Singin’ in the Rain Jr.” and their roles as President and Vice President of the MS Student Council. https://www.instagram.com/reel/DBRkUPIPeE0
Look what I made in MAKE!
7th & 8th students are able to get hands on experience in the Design Den’s maker space in this STEM elective.
https://shorturl.at/GVLOB
Launching Lava!!??
PE faculty has as much fun creating games as the students at Hillcrest and Midway have fun playing!
https://shorturl.at/LsKR6
Spooky Saturday
Lower School families gathered in Gene E. Phillips Activity Center for food, fun and a few hundred confetti eggs.
https://shorturl.at/POfJH
The Wall of Service in person
Long-serving current and former Parish employees are honored with a portrait on the walls of both our campuses. They enjoyed a luncheon in early December to share stories and fellowship.
https://shorturl.at/3yTta
What’s for dinner (or bridge building)? Spaghetti!
6th grade Civil Engineering students used spaghetti and marshmallows to build truss bridges.
https://www.instagram.com/p/DDs_XrasEUG
Dress Code Violation?
Mrs. Geisler’s Ceramics students recreated their favorite shoes with clay.
https://www.instagram.com/p/DDcjRQ3PiC8
Partnering Up for Community
The Boghetich and Smith Advisory took a trip to Community Partners of Dallas to help with their mission. Our Middle School students visit Anne Frank Elementary Garden, Cigarroa Elementary, Feed My Starving Children and Community Partners of Dallas throughout the school year.
https://shorturl.at/DfEwQ
In December 2023, the Parish family lost a beloved member of our community when Hollye Fisk, Board Emeritus and former Chair (1986-1987) of Parish’s Board of Trustees (1999-2005; 2012-2023), died after battling cancer.
In fall 2024, we opened the doors to the newly renovated board room – Hollye C. Fisk Memorial Boardroom – named in memory of Hollye and his exemplary service, dedication and support to ensure the long-term growth and success of Parish Episcopal School.
Hollye and his wife Susan’s service to the Parish community reaches back to the early years of Parish Day School. Recipients of Parish’s Distinguished Service Award in 2018, the couple became a part of Parish Day School in 1983. With their sons (Carson PDS ’91 and David PDS ’92) attending as students, over the years, Hollye blessed our school with his service to the Executive Committee of the Board as well as Facilities and Security (Chair 2016-2017; Cochair 2018-2019), Risk Management and Advancement Committees. His gifts to the School, both monetary and otherwise, and his expertise in many areas, particularly architecture, construction and facilities, bolstered the School as it grew. When his sons graduated from PDS, Hollye didn't stop there. He continued to serve the School in many capacities, including playing a critical role in its expansion from Parish Day to Parish Episcopal School and the progressive growth of the School – the construction of Building E and Snyder Building at Hillcrest, purchase and subsequent opening of the Midway campus, the construction of Panther Gym, Gene E. Philips Activity Center and most recently Noble Family Performing Arts Center at Midway. He and Susan supported every major campaign of the School as well as annually supporting Parish Fund, Gala and more. In 2021, Hollye was honored by the School with the special designation of Board Emeritus.
Parish is blessed to not only have benefited from Hollye’s many gifts, but to have known him for the generous and gracious servant leader that he lived out each and every day of his life.
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Ifyou missed Global Blast this year, you missed more than just a festival – you missed a journey around the world, right here on our campus. How often do you get the chance to savor flavors from an eclectic mix of cultures, watch community members perform and hear firsthand stories from around the globe, all in one place? With cultural tables representing countries like Ethiopia, Brazil, Thailand, Poland and many more, Global Blast was a vibrant celebration of the diversity that makes our school so unique.
The day began with a Parade of Nations, where students proudly carried the flags of nearly 20 countries that were represented at the event. The parade was a striking visual of our global community, showcasing the pride and heritage that students and families bring to our school.
Families explored cultural tables filled with artifacts, stories and hands-on activities that brought each country to life. From learning about Ethiopian traditions to discovering the flavors of Puerto Rico, each table offered a glimpse into the beauty and richness of our world’s cultures.
But that wasn’t all! Gene E. Phillips Activity Center came alive with dynamic performances from students sharing traditions from India, Israel and China. Whether it was the intricate movements of Indian classical dance, the Israeli National Anthem or the melodic strings of the Chinese Guzheng, the talent and energy of our students left the audience captivated.
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And let’s not forget the food! Guests enjoyed a culinary tour around the world with dishes like spring rolls, pad thai, samosas, crepes and so much more. Each bite was a reminder of how food connects us across cultures.
Adding to the festivities was the rhythmic music celebrating African American culture, which had everyone tapping their feet, and a Henna station where students and families could enjoy the artistry of intricate designs.
Each year, Global Blast is more than just an event – it is a celebration of belonging, connection and shared humanity. It reminds us that when we come together to honor our differences, we discover the beauty that unites us all.
If you couldn’t make it this year, don’t worry – next year’s Global Blast promises to be even more incredible. Keep an eye out and don’t miss the chance to be part of this amazing tradition!
Legacy - the long-lasting impact of particular events, actions, etc. that took place in the past, or of a person’s life. Family - a group of one or more parents and their children living together as a unit; or a group of people united by certain convictions or a common affiliation.
While independently the words Legacy and Family might mean something different for each person reading them, collectively, they are an endearing element of our school’s past, present and future. In 2007, three years after Parish expanded to include a high-school and the Midway campus, it became apparent to our community that we needed to be intentional in maintaining the beautiful connections that were a natural part of our students’ day-to-day interactions with one another when they were all on one campus. And, so, the Legacy Program was created and Legacy Families, divisions named for our tenets of Wisdom, Honor and Service, were born.
Legacy was designed to provide our community with consistent, ongoing opportunities to connect, interact, build camaraderie and develop mentoring relationships. Legacy Families (originally called Legacy Groups) are cross-divisional and made up of approximately 20 students (1st – 12th grade), faculty and staff. For example, a Legacy Family might have students from 1st, 4th, 7th and 10th grade, as well as three faculty and staff members. Creating mini-families within the larger Parish community, these groups stay together from year-to-year with the same individuals as well as new family members added as new students, faculty or staff join, or as students graduate (all incoming 1st graders are added to the same division from which the most recent seniors graduated). For PreK – Kindergarten, while they are not placed in a Legacy Family right off, they are able to participate in special, age-appropriate activities designed to prepare them for the transition to a Legacy Family as they enter 1st grade.
A bit of history: In 2007, several special purpose committees were commissioned to formulate a plan for the implementation of Parish’s Legacy Program: “Community Committee” to address and oversee implementation; “Pioneers for Parish Pals & Partners” to formulate a mission for Legacy, form Legacy groups and implement Legacy events; and “The Curators” to create themes and curate archives to enrich our community’s appreciation of Parish’s history.
What do we do today? While the three original committees have long since dissolved and given way to the leadership of others along the way, the original essence of the program remains, promoting unity and encouraging every individual to become a vested member of our community. With Upper School students leading and facilitating 54 families (18 Wisdom, 18 Honor, 18 Service), three Legacy events take place each year around three key themes: Panther pride and spirit, Parish heritage and history, and Service to others.
What’s the future of Legacy? As was written in the original communication to the Parish community in 2007:
“It is splendidly clear that the Parish community values togetherness, acceptance, love and concern for and between all of its members, stemming from a regard for our mutual history. Isn't this wonderful? We treasure these values, and they are growing within us. We hope that you, too, will catch our exuberance about this pervasive spirit at Parish. It sets us apart, and we are intensely proud of that. Through our Legacy program, we have the opportunity to capture human connectedness on a level that is richer than ever before!”
We think this sentiment still holds and it is our hope that Parish’s Legacy program will continue to foster relationships among our students, faculty and staff, and build a desire to enhance our understanding of and appreciation for one another and Parish’s rich heritage and history, long after each family member graduates.
Upon returning from the winter holiday break, our varsity athletes were welcomed back with newly renovated varsity locker rooms. Thanks to a generous, in-kind gift from the Hollman family, the space has been elevated into a modern, functional environment that is both durable and beautiful, built to survive the enthusiasm and energy often found in the locker room while enhancing the student-athlete experience and team spirit.
More than a quarter of a million-dollar project, the updated locker room features Hollman’s award-winning, custom design solutions that can also be found in notable professional sports and collegiate locker rooms as well as corporate facilities here in Texas and across the country. The space here at Parish includes dedicated, keyless locking storage, enhanced ventilation to reduce bacteria and odor, durable finishes, and comfortable lumbar and seat cushioning – all designed to meet the needs of today’s athletes and ensure the space is both practical and aesthetically pleasing.
Hollman’s contribution and work completing the space reflects a shared commitment to supporting our athletes both on and off the field. The renovation invites athletes into more than just a place to prepare for games – it is a space for camaraderie, team building and focus.
We are deeply grateful to the Hollman family for their incredible generosity and investment in our student-athletes and Parish’s athletic programming. Their in-kind gift demonstrates the pride we have in our athletic programs and the bright future ahead, as well as provides a space that inspires, fosters teamwork and elevates the overall student-athlete experience. Join us in thanking the Hollmans for their partnership in helping us champion our teams before they ever step one foot out the door toward competition.
SAVE THE DATE!
Parish Athletics Complex at 5:00 p.m. Food Trucks Face Painting Bounce Houses Giveaways and More!
Thank you to our amazing Parish Fund volunteer team, led by 2024-25 Parish Fund Chairs Casey and Tim Gross (parents of Cameron '31 and Margaret '34). Parent volunteers contacted more than 1,000 parents, sharing their "why" and advocating for Parish Fund. We are so grateful for their commitment to the School!
Thanks to our parent volunteers and to you who made a financial commitment to Parish Fund, our community has invested more than $1.3 million in our School's mission through this year's Parish Fund campaign. And that number continues to grow! Because of you, our students can fulfill their potential and benefit from Parish's exceptional learning environment every day.
To learn more about Parish Fund and the many programs it supports, visit parish.org/parishfund
Lower School Division Chairs, Marija and Will Hoppe (Luke '34 and Palmer '37)
Katie and Aaron Michelsohn (Grade Level Captain), Lauren and Rich Young, Reed Standly, Scott Giordano, Melanie Berube, Satya Kumar, Ashleigh and Grant Everett (Grade Level Captains), Kerry Miller, Christina Zimmer, Maureen Mendoza, Tara Kapur, Bess and Paul Callarman (Grade Level Captains), Lindsay Steinberg, Sandra Blake, Lynette Christensen, Stephanie Greenberg, Vanisha Mehta, Rachel Mais, Elizabeth Gillis, Jennifer Kreick, Ben and Josh Collins (Grade Level Captains), Carrie Kitner, Kelly Geminder, Brad Geminder, Melissa Kohn, Roberta Villaverde, Colin and Sarah Hellfrich (Grade Level Captains), Hannah Wrenn, Courtney Langley, Jen Sanders, Scott Wrenn, Scott Langley, John Sanders, Jack and Jessica Murray (Grade Level Captains), Carrie Kitner, Susan Jones, Liza Olympitus, Jennifer Blevins, Brett Haydon, Sam and Sadi Raza (Grade Level Captains), Jennifer Zenker, Karin Maniktala, Kristen and Brian Schultz, Jyoti Kana, Shelly Boehler
Middle School Division Chairs, Lauren and Wade Walters (Quinn '30)
Keri Tonn and David Heard (Grade Level Captains), Jenny Brundage, Joy Hall, Lana Constantine, Ashley Conneely, Doyletta Minix, Liz Bogard,
Melissa Dean, Saira and Khaled Habash (Grade Level Captains), Marilyn Werner, Amber Thompson, Kerith Menter, Annie Reid, Rozina Jivraj, Reshma Rao, Shikha and Vaneet Duggal (Grade Level Captains), Jenny Brundage, Deepthi Tamminiedi, Jade Minh, Tonya Madison, Lisa Cloud, Elahe and Mike Walti (Grade Level Captains), Aisha Spence, Elizabeth McNeil, Melanie Spriggs, Kristen Kelly, Ximena Roa
Upper School Division Chairs, Kathy and Hugues De la Vergne (Hugues '27 and Lauren '23)
Janel Perez (Grade Level Captain), Nicole Post, Tiffany Terry, Alma Nachawati, Ellen Chang, Stephanie Holman, Amanda Inabnett, Marla Hughston (Grade Level Captain), Sharon Bowers, Amy Mitts, Jamie Gaunt, Shannon Mukundan, Stephanie Fokas, Jennifer Kashar (Grade Level Captain), Alissa Hsieh, Cari Walls
Leadership Giving Chair, Nash Lowrance (Eloise '28, Josephine '29 and Clara '31)
Alyson Jackson, Nicole Post, Kerry and Brent Crombie, Rachel and Prentiss Cutshaw, Tracy Henderson, Pam and Jason Creel, Julie Chronis, Dan Miller
Senior Gift Chairs, Gretchen Champion and Paul Staveteig (Jacob '25 and Ren '23)
Kim Pearson, Kelli Sattler, Christine Ashmore, Lacy Schultz
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A special message from BJ Antweil, Parish Parents’ Association President
In his fall letter to the Parent community, BJ Antweil made a special ask of our parents and would like to extend the opportunity to the rest of our Parish community members.
BJ’s Ask: “We all know that the backbone of this school is community. And to continue to foster that community, I ask each of you to complete a brief survey on where you’d like to help. Whether it’s an area of interest or expertise, we’d love to have your support!”
Alumni, Grandparents, Parents: Whether you’d like to serve concessions at a home game, bring your expertise to a class or workshop, or fulfill a longer-term commitment on a board or committee, all are invited to complete the survey. Once you submit your response, a member of our team will reach out to you with next steps.
“Thank you for being a member of our community and embracing the Parish experience, supporting all our children and families.”
In a world increasingly disconnected from the origins of its food, Kate McDowell ‘10 is creating a meaningful impact through Silver Streaks Farm, just south of downtown Dallas. For Kate, farming is about more than growing vegetables – it’s about cultivating connections, health and a better future for her community.
Kate’s journey from student at Parish Episcopal School to farmer and educator has been anything but linear, yet the values and lessons she absorbed during her years at Parish have shaped her path in profound ways.
“Parish helped me in ways I didn’t fully understand until years later,” Kate said. “One of my favorite classes was World Religions. Learning about the beliefs and histories of the five major religions taught me empathy and understanding – skills I use every day in farming, working with others and teaching.” Kate applies these lessons when welcoming volunteers, customers and community members from all walks of life to her farm.
Her experience on the Parish swim team also proved foundational. “Practice started at 6 a.m., and it was up to me to get there on time. That taught me accountability, self-motivation and discipline – qualities I didn’t realize were preparing me for a farmer’s lifestyle,” Kate recalled. The knowledge gained in Parish classrooms continues to guide her work. When building planting beds on a sloped field in Virginia, she leaned on geometry and trigonometry lessons with Mrs. Cooke to ensure her rows were straight. And recently, as she worked on installing solar panels for an irrigation system, her thoughts returned to her Parish physics teacher, Mr. Hampshire, and the intricacies of watts and volts.
After studying Foods and Nutrition at Samford University, Kate volunteered on a New York farm, igniting a passion for the rhythms of agricultural life. She honed her skills on farms in Alabama and Virginia, eventually managing a nonprofit farm that employed adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. This experience reinforced her love for hands-on education and community engagement.
Now, back in Dallas, Kate is channeling her passion into Silver Streaks Farm. “I wanted to reconnect with the farming community here and help people think more deeply about where their food comes from,” she explained. “Our mission is to provide fresh, nutritious produce while educating people about nutrition, immunity and the interconnectedness of diet and health.”
The name "Silver Streaks" is inspired by Kate’s own prematurely grey hair, a testament to embracing natural processes. This philosophy extends to the farm, where she employs regenerative methods to enrich the soil without synthetic chemicals. “Building healthy soil means growing nutrient-dense food,” she said. “That’s something everyone can benefit from.”
Kate’s vision for Silver Streaks Farm goes beyond growing vegetables. She hopes to connect with Parish students and families by hosting field trips, internships and volunteer opportunities, and even envisions a garden or composting project on campus. “I’d love to help students understand where their food comes from and how farming connects us to the environment, science and each other,” she shared.
As Silver Streaks Farm prepares to launch its first Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) box subscriptions in 2025, Kate’s enthusiasm is infectious. “I’m excited to provide fresh, local produce to the Dallas community,” she said. “There’s so much joy in sharing the fruits of my labor with others and encouraging healthier, more connected lives.”
Kate’s story is a shining example of how Parish’s lessons – both inside and outside the classroom – continue to inspire and empower alumni to make a difference in the world. You can continue to follow Kate’s journey at Silver Streak Farms on Instagram or Facebook @silver_streaks_farm_dfw
