THE
Spring 2013
P R E S B Y T E RI A N S C H O O L
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Looking in on our Alumni
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welcome
P r esb yteri an Sc ho ol 5300 Main Street Houston, Texas 77004 www.pshouston.org
1 Headmaster’s Message
class of 2013
Boa r d of Tr ust ee s
Efua Ankoma-Sey Kim Clark Nora Dobin Julie Harris Laura Higley Ace Holley Brock Hudson Jane Joplin Sean Keenan, Treasurer Mary Knapp William Lee Lea Aden Lueck Andrew McFarland Sam Murray, Vice Chairman Ted Oldham Fred Robertson Jamey Rootes Judy Stanley Claudia Stewart, Chairman Tim Williamson, Secretary Ex-Officio Members Dr. Jim Birchfield, First Presbyterian Church Pastor Dr. Mark Carleton, Headmaster Ann Hill, Parent Volunteer Council Chairman
Ac adem i c Lea d ershi p
Dr. Mark Carleton, Headmaster Janet Fox, Academic Dean Christy Heno, Head of Early Childhood/Lower School Philip Cannon, Head of Middle School
Th e Window Editor: Andrea Lawless Contributors: Frances Boswell Andi Georgsson Ashlea Taylor Lizzie Voss Design: InkWell Plus
A special thank you to the alumni, parents, students, faculty and staff who made this magazine possible. We have made every effort to ensure the accuracy of the printed information. Please send alumni updates or corrections to Lizzie Voss, Development Associate, at 713.620.6354 or lvoss@pshouston.org.
2 My Influence 4 Through the Years 5 Lifers
spotlights – what do we value?
10 Respect 11 Perseverance 12 Courage 13 Compassion 14 Integrity 15 Gratitude
alumni updates 16 Class Notes 22 Class of 2009 College Decisions
alumni association 31 Alumni Board 34 Special Events 36 Portrait of a Panther
Cover photos feature snapshots of our alumni when they were students at Presbyterian School. Top row: Class of 2011 student, Henry Herbert, joins his class in prayer during Easter Chapel in 2007. Class of 2006 student, Sarah Cordill, competing in a 2006 PS lacrosse game against St. John’s. Class of 2012 students, Camille Williamson, Suman Atluri, Ashley Walker and Maddie Heno present Beauty and the Beast musical. Class of 2007 student, Robert Orr, working in fourth Grade Language Arts class in 2003. Class of 2008 students, Isa Hetherington and Calum Mitchell, on their Green River class trip in 2008. Bottom row: Class of 2010 student, Arin Drtil, sharing his third grade Great Moments in History presentation as King Arthur in 2005.
W elcome
What Is My Influence?
headmaster’s message
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ach year we ask our faculty, staff and students to consider an essential question as a guiding theme for the school year. This year’s question focused on influence. We began our investigation of this question with an understanding that influence is a powerful force not only in our lives, but also in the lives of those around us. For the majority of our students and families, Presbyterian School has the opportunity to be the most powerful institutional force in their lives. A student who enters our doors in the Alpha class and leaves after eighth grade will have spent twelve school years with us. That’s the equivalent of four years of high school, four years of college, and four years of post-graduate school . . . combined! Moreover, when you consider many psychologists identify these twelve years as the most formative in the lives of young children, you begin to understand the scope of Presbyterian School’s influence. As an illustration of this force, consider Newton’s Cradle, which, according to Wikipedia, “is a device that demonstrates conservation of momentum and energy via a series of swinging spheres. When one ball on the end is lifted and released, the resulting force travels through the line and pushes the last ball upward, as it acquires most of the velocity, momentum, and energy from the first ball. The impact produces a shock wave that propagates through the intermediate balls.” As you read the pages of this year’s Window, you’ll see that the influence of Presbyterian School—particularly in the context of our core values of Respect, Compassion, Courage, Perseverance, Integrity, and Gratitude—is transferring into our students and our families. This transfer of human force and energy is propagating no less significant impacts—no less powerful shock waves—in communities near and far from Presbyterian School.
Influence in.flu.ence (noun)... the capacity or power of persons or things to be a compelling force on the actions, behavior, and opinions of others.
Dr. Mark Carleton Headmaster
T he W i n dow • S p r i n g 2 0 1 3 • 1
my influence class of 2 0 1 3
1 Matthew Garnett: I want to set an example in every action I perform on the field and in the classroom to show others how to maximize their potential. 2 Matt Ballard: I want to influence others to hold on to creativity through the pressure of school.
Pre s b y t e r i a n S c h o o l ’s 2 0 1 2 - 2 0 1 3 essential question was “What is m y i n f l u e n c e ? ” Pr o m p t e d b y Matthew 5:16, “Let your light so s h i n e b e f o re m e n , t h a t t h e y m a y see your good works, and glorify y o u r Fa t h e r w h i c h i s i n h e a v e n ,” o u r e i g h t h g ra d e s t u d e n t s re f l e c t e d u p o n h o w t h e y w o u l d l i k e t o s h a re their light and influence in the w o r l d a f t e r g ra d u a t i o n . In c l u d e d h e re a re s o m e o f t h e i r a s p i ra t i o n s .
3 Max Bowen: I want to
influence others to be respectful and kind to their classmates and teachers. 4 Alex Gueno: I want to influence others to strive to achieve their goals and face their problems so they can overcome them. 5 Troy Porche: I want to
influence others to be happier in their daily lives, live life to the fullest, and to help push them through a tough time in their life.
6 Joe Gobillot: I want to influence others to do the right things, and work as hard as they can at everything they do.
10 Elizabeth Berquist: I want to influence others to work hard and strive for excellence in everything they do.
7 Christina Rockrise: I want to make people think about what they say and how it will affect others.
11 Shariff Wilson: I want to influence others to be leaders and to be respectful.
8 Katharine Juden: I want
to influence others to follow their dreams because “a dream is a wish your heart makes when you’re fast asleep. In dreams you will lose your heartaches. Whatever you wish for, you keep.” – Cinderella 9 Gracie Duson: I want
to influence others to be nice and gentle with other people. Every day I try to be nice to others and respect them like other people. I hope that influences other people to do the same.
12 Ben Garcia: I want to influence others to be kind to people and also respect themselves and others. 13 Mitchell Black: I want to influence others to be what they think they can be and not what others want them to be. 14 Katy Taylor: I want to influence others to try their best and set their goals high. 15 Emma Shepherd: I want to influence others to be strong in their faith and always have others’ intent at heart and to grow closer with God through everything they do.
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16 Spencer McLean: I want to influence others to try their hardest in everything they do because nothing worth having comes easy.
22 Connor Watson: I want to influence others to be a better person to others and help people grow towards God.
17 Marion Watkins: I want to
23 Julia Calaway: I want to
influence others to never give up. That no matter what happens, keep your head up. Everything happens for a reason. 18 Michael Jacobe: I want to
influence others to make good choices that will benefit everybody. 19 Jonathan Wilcox: I want to influence others to make a positive lasting impact on themselves and to be successful. 20 Jiries Ganim: I want to
H i g h S chool Accepta n ces
influence others to be the best person they can be. 24 Tess Peterson: I want to
influence others by my leadership. I want people to look at me and think that I was someone that they can look up to. I want to challenge people to do their best. 25 Emma Shea: I want to influence
21 Morgan Cuenod: My influence is my brother Grayson. After his death, I have used him to drive my life.
27 Emma Robinson: I want to influence others to try their hardest in everything they attempt.
Duchesne Academy of the Sacred Heart
Choate Rosemary Hall (CT) Phillips Exeter Academy (NH) The Governor’s Academy (MA) The Hill School (PA)
The High School for the Performing and Visual Arts
The Hotchkiss School (CT)
Houston Christian High School The Kinkaid School
St. Andrew’s School (DE)
St. Agnes Academy
St. Stephen’s Episcopal School (TX)
St. John’s School St. Pius X High School
Salisbury School (CT)
St. Thomas High School
The Thacher School (CA)
Strake Jesuit College Preparatory
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The Lawrenceville School (NJ) Principia School (MO)
Second Baptist School
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Kent School (CT) Portsmouth Abbey School (RI)
Lamar High School IB
28 Angelica Carrizal: I want to influence others to make the right choices, and lead others with a positive influence.
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Cate School (CA)
Episcopal High School
26 Grace Keenan: I want to
influence others to never give up on anything.
• Boarding Schools •
The Emery/Weiner School
others to be more open-minded and accepting of themselves and others.
influence others to make a positive change in their life.
• Houston Schools •
Awty International School
Woodberry Forest School (VA)
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T he W i n dow • S p r i n g 2 0 1 3 • 3
class of 2 0 1 3
through the years
4 • P r esbyte r i a n S chool
T he W i n dow • S p r i n g 2 0 1 3 • 5
class of 2 0 1 3
lifers By Andi Georggson
Presbyterian School has
Meet the “Lifers,” a group of 22 students, who have known, laughed and lear ned together at Presbyterian School for as many as 12 years. Now in eighth grade, each entered PS no later than kindergar ten. Many came in even earlier: as two-year-old Alphas, three-year-old Betas, or at age four in prekindergar ten. In early March, these bright, and clearly fun-loving, young people were treated to an infor mal luncheon of pizza and lemonade in honor of their time at Presbyterian School.
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hey’ve earned that affectionate title of “Lifer.” They now belong to that group of the longesttenured students who graduate from Presbyterian School. There at the beginning, they remember each other from before they could read, from circle time on the rug, first report cards, first sleepovers and first school dances. At lunch, they talked about the friends
6 • P r esbyte r i a n S chool
they made and still cherish. And they recalled the lessons they learned over the long years that flew by so fast. Here are some of their most vivid impressions of how Presbyterian School influenced them–snapshots of the memorable times that helped shape these Lifers into the confident and compassionate people they are today.
influenced me to... be more creative
persevere
Matt Ballard (Alpha) discovered new spheres of interest during his Presbyterian School career. “We had the Globe Theater project in third grade. It got me interested in architecture when I worked on a replica of the theater.”
Matthew Galtney (Alpha) learned not to give up just because a task is difficult. “Last year’s science class was hard. I kept at it and ended up doing well.”
love to learn
“Because it’s a small school, I am able to feel comfortable with being who I am.”
be myself
stand up for myself William James (Alpha) liked how he was able to feel secure at Presbyterian. “Because it’s a small school, I am able to feel comfortable with being who I am.”
Julia Calaway (Alpha) gained confidence in her abilities from a special teacher. “In second grade, Mrs. Edwards helped me a lot because I really struggled back then. She helped me want to continue to do better.”
“ We had to work together, and we learned for the first time how to listen to others.”
Gray Geiselman (Alpha) learned to hold fast to his convictions. “One year I pushed back a bit on a fact that was asserted. As it turned out, I was right.”
be brave
be patient
Emily Gonsoulin (Alpha) loved Kindergarten Circus. “We had to work together, and we learned for the first time how to listen to others.”
Grace Keenan (Alpha) saw the seventh grade class trip to North Carolina as an opportunity for fun and taking on a challenge. “I liked our team-building exercises and the rock climbing. I got to the top of the rock-climbing wall even though I didn’t think I could.”
T he W i n dow • S p r i n g 2 0 1 3 • 7
lifers
(continued)
get involved
enjoy life
respect others
Cooper Lueck (Alpha) expected something of a slog in his participation in an academic competition. But, to his surprise, just the opposite happened when he joined the PS Prep Bowl team. “I wasn’t sure I’d enjoy that, but I did. I learned it was really fun. I even went to Prep Bowl camp.”
Dana Wempe (Alpha) made many happy memories at Presbyterian. “In kindergarten, my friend and I went outside and painted each other. I have had a lot of fun times here.”
Matthew Garnett (PreK) loved Mrs. Petrucciani’s class in seventh grade and was touched by her sensitive teaching. “She reached out to us, and that gave me a perspective on others and their feelings.”
be responsible
Marion Watkins (Alpha) values the responsibility she was taught in her earliest years at Presbyterian School. “It’s taught throughout. They start to let you go; they loosen the leash. Like when I had to do my own research with our Great Moments in History project or the Colorado trip this year.”
go beyond the protocol
Mitchell Black (Beta) developed the passion to go beyond what was expected. “In second or third grade, we did number scrolls and were required to go to a certain number. But I was always going past what we had to do.”
be a leader
find the best in every situation
William Kallmeyer (PreK) learned to embrace challenges by finding the silver lining. “School is usually pretty fun. Other times, not so much. When school is hard or we are doing something difficult, I know I always have my friends.”
be independent
“When school is
hard or we are doing something difficult, I know I always have my friends.”
8 • P r esbyte r i a n S chool
Connor Watson (Beta) relishes the responsibilities he was given at PS. “Last year, I was the Field Day leader for my group. This year in soccer, I had to step up because we had sixth graders on our team.”
David Minton (PreK) began to build an important life skill in Mrs. Henricks’ third grade class: “She made me take responsibility for my homework.”
“Going to the Renaissance Festival in seventh grade taught me to be open to new and different ideas and not be so exclusive with people.”
be open to new experiences
Christina Rockrise (PreK) listened and learned. “My brothers went to Presbyterian before me. They always talked about how awesome it was to go here. So I was really excited to come to school here and to do new things.”
be confident
Lindsay Rogers (PreK) found courage to step outside of her comfort zone. “In third grade, I was really scared and nervous for my Great Moments in History presentation. I pretended to be (the famous animal behaviorist) Jane Goodall. I felt really good at the end.”
put others first
think positively
Ben Garcia (K) has fond memories of his community service projects at PS. “Right before Christmas, we decorated a homeless shelter. If you do things for other people, you’ll feel better than if you just do for yourself.”
Abbey Lane Rank (K) found herself unexpectedly up to the challenges of her seventh grade class trip to North Carolina. “We had to hike for a very long time. Our group took the hard trail. It started to rain, and we got cold. But it was fun and we got to bond a lot.”
appreciate what i have
take responsibility for my actions
Emma McCollum (K) learned a sound life lesson participating in school service days and on field trips to different wilderness environments. “The time we spent in nature made me thankful for my life’s comforts.”
be open-minded
Victoria Mota-Carrasco (K) broadened her world during her time at PS. “Going to the Renaissance Festival in seventh grade taught me to be open to new and different ideas and not be so exclusive with people.”
Caroline Rippeto (K) put the lesson of an early mistake to good use going forward. “In kindergarten, my friend and I used to get in trouble. That especially taught me to be on my best behavior at all times.”
“ If you do things for other people, you’ll feel better than if you just do for yourself.”
T he W i n dow • S p r i n g 2 0 1 3 • 9
al u m n i spotl i g hts
respect
what do we value? By Andi Georggson
Presbyterian School teaches the six core values of Respect, Perseverance, Courage, Compassion, Integrity and Gratitude. These core values continue to be lived out by our alumni. Here are a few of their stories.
Gracey Wallace Presbyterian School: 2006-2012 The Kinkaid School: 2012- current
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eing a respectful person is a quality that I like to see in my family, peers and teachers,” says Kinkaid student Gracey Wallace. “Respect means being courteous to others and to yourself.” Gracey says respect, as a core value, was reinforced while she was a PS lower and middle school student. “Throughout my years at Presbyterian, being respectful to peers was always emphasized and grew to be a standard that I set for myself,” Gracey says. “I try to take into account other people and how they might feel or react. On an everyday basis, I try to be respectful to my teachers, family and peers.” A talented and hard-working student, Gracey comes by respect from others honestly. During her eighth grade year, she received four different high school acceptances, which demonstrated that others respected her and that her “work throughout middle school had finally paid off.” “All of the teachers had continuously said, ‘This will be helpful in high school’ or ‘This will pay off when you get to high school.’ It was an experience that showed me that I had made my middle school education mean something.” “Presbyterian helped me develop core learning and studying skills
that have helped me in high school,” Gracey notes. “I find myself constantly using ideas here at Kinkaid that I learned at PS.” Gracey received much respect and admiration this year for earning one of only three freshman spots on Kinkaid’s varsity cross country team, and she also made the varsity track team. Next year, she says she hopes to continue to do well as both an athlete and a scholar. Outside of school, Gracey is a budding photographer. She has had her work displayed at the Parsons New School of Design and as part of an exhibit in Washington, D.C., sponsored by the President’s Committee of the Arts and Humanities. Last year, she won two regional Gold Key Awards and a Silver Key Award for photography in the Scholastic Art & Writing Contest. Whether Gracey pursues photography as a hobby or a profession, her respect for people and places is a defining value that will serve her well any time she aims her lens.
“Respect means being honest to one another and to yourself and thinking of others before you take action.”
Presbyterian School: 2002-2004 Strake Jesuit College Preparatory: 2004-2008 University of Oklahoma: 2008-2012
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ife is going to challenge and test you, and through it all you have to overcome difficulties,” David advises current Presbyterian School students. It’s a lesson David draws on as he develops a career in professional football. Clearly, only the most steadfast and talented young person will reach that goal. This spring, David achieved his dream of joining the NFL after the Philadelphia Eagles picked him in the draft. At 6’5” and weighing in at 286 pounds, an NFL draft analyst called David an “athletic, versatile lineman” who “holds the edge well in the run game [and] knows his responsibilities outside, potentially giving him a chance at strong-side end.” Sure, he’s a big guy now. But PS Middle School was where David says he learned to handle hardship that came his way. In those days, David was troubled by how different PS was from the educational environment he had experienced up to that point. “When I came to PS, it was different,” he remembers. “I didn’t know if I would fit in, so for a good while I kind of just kept to myself.” He held back, but he didn’t quit. “Eventually I started to open up and build relationships with the other
Second Team and the 2012 AllBig 12 Football Second Team. He graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Human Relations. He’s proud of the fact that he was named captain of the OU football team, and that he received honors for both athletic and academic achievements. “Stay on a straight path,” he advises. “Don’t let anything knock you off of this path, and fight through any obstacle life throws at you. Believe me, there will be obstacles, and they won’t be easy. How you fight through will reveal the kind of character you have.”
“Perseverance means being able to overcome obstacles and continue to succeed in the goals you have set for yourself.”
perseverance
Cal Sport Media via AP Images
Brett Deering/Getty Images
David King
kids.” He made friendships that have endured to this day. But the real test of David’s determined spirit was the passing of his beloved mother during his sophomore year at the University of Oklahoma. “I was raised in a single parent home, so I took it really hard and went through a period of depression,” David recalls. “My grades started slipping, and I even considered giving up football.” Certainly no one would have blamed him. However, his mother, David says, would not have approved. He brought his grades up and put his full effort back into the sport that he loves. “I have faced several obstacles in my life and have been able to overcome them. It wasn’t easy, but I couldn’t let anything keep me from pursuing my dream of a career in the NFL.” After finishing Presbyterian School, David distinguished himself on the Strake Jesuit gridiron. As he embarked on his college football career, he was thought to be “one of the top strong-side defensive end recruits in the nation.” At University of Oklahoma, David won the 2012 Don Key Award for excelling on and off the field in addition to the 2012 Academic All-Big 12 Football
T he W i n dow • S p r i n g 2 0 1 3 • 11
Currently, Akshay plays on club and school soccer teams, runs cross country and track, belongs to his school’s South Asian Affinity Group– where he is encouraging them to perform traditional and Bollywood-style dances for a chapel service–and serves as a member of the SJS student government –where he is looking forward to planning homecoming, field day and other school events next year. What’s more, he’s won an impressive number of athletic and academic achievement awards. Is it any wonder that Akshay’s advice to students moving on to high school next year is to get involved? “While there might seem like an overwhelming number of organizations and clubs to join, do your best to learn about them and sign up for some,” he urges. “Signing up for fifteen clubs my freshman year might have been the best thing I could’ve done. While I hardly participate in them all now, trying out all those different clubs really helped shape my interests and made my freshman year fun and exciting!” Closing the door on being the Panther a few years ago inadvertently gave Akshay the courage to walk through many more doors that have since been opened for him. Carpe Diem!
courage
what do we value? (continued)
Akshay Jaggi Presbyterian School: 1999-2011 St. John’s School: 2012- current
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kshay Jaggi, now a student at St. John’s, is a young man unlikely to pass up any opportunity. It’s hard to imagine that he would be afraid of anything. Nevertheless, he says, a defining lesson in courage came when his fear prompted him to say no to wearing the Presbyterian Panther mascot suit for a pep rally in seventh grade. He said he felt bad for turning down the offer and sought advice from Mrs. Hughes, a trusted teacher, who “recommended I not dwell on my wrong decision but look forward to seizing opportunities in the future.”
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“Though I enjoyed getting to see one of my good friends run around in the Panther suit and get swarmed by kindergartners, I realized I had missed a truly fun experience,” Akshay says, looking back. “Since that day, I have tried my best to learn from that advice and take any chance that presents itself to me, no matter how scared I am at first.” Taking risks is a way of life for Akshay now. Just recently, he pushed past his doubts and agreed to drive his school team’s test car in a competition for young engineers, even though he’d never driven a car before. The gamble paid off. Not only did he learn a lot, he made some good friends. “Had I not been willing to try something new, I would’ve missed out on this really fun experience.” While courage came at the expense of a lost opportunity, it was also bolstered through the encouragement of friends Akshay made at PS over the years. “Spending twelve years at one school, I developed strong and lasting friendships with most of my classmates, many of whom I frequently talk with today,” he reports. Akshay also credits Presbyterian for giving him the self-confidence and leadership skills to pursue interests in other fields outside the classroom. According to Akshay, PS “helped me learn that I can be more than just a book-smart kid.”
“To have courage, you need to overcome some fear, small or large. Courage is the ability to conquer what frightens you.”
Hunter ReinertsenForehand
Presbyterian School: 2002-2012 Episcopal High School: 2012- current
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frequent visitor to the island of Ambergris Caye in Belize, Hunter saw the sad state of the playground in the island’s one town– broken swings, slides without proper ladders, rusted metal, trash beneath the sandy ground–and her heart cried out. “The children are very dear to me, and I’ve formed some wonderful bonds with them,” Hunter says. “I would like to build a safer playground so the kids can enjoy their time outdoors and help make their parents less worried. Seeing the kids’ joy would be a great experience.” “It was a very significant moment for me when I had the idea to raise money to build a new playground,”
Hunter confides. “I felt such compassion for the kids because I have grown up visiting Ambergris Caye a lot. They are so welcoming and always make me laugh.” While Hunter’s compassion comes naturally, her drive for success and seeing others succeed was nurtured during her time at Presbyterian School, where she was an avid swimmer and participated in extracurricular activities such as the National Academic Prep Bowl. “My teachers always encouraged me to try my hardest,” she remembers. “I also learned to be well-organized, which is a very useful ability when my schedule gets overwhelming. I have learned great time management and not to procrastinate.” Now a student at Episcopal High School, those are the skills she brings to many of her endeavors, from academic pursuits to raising funds to help children a world away. Besides a rigorous academic schedule, Hunter is involved in her high school golf program, arts program, and was a cast member in two theater productions: A Midsummer Night’s Dream and Seussical. She also earned an Honor Award and the Exemplary Effort Award, which is given to the top two
compassion
performing students. Most recently, Hunter placed 2nd in her age group at the 2013 Houston Kids Triathlon. Hunter’s compassion for others also keeps her involved with Episcopal’s service organization and has led her to volunteer with Animeals, the Houston Marathon, and the Nehemiah Center. As Hunter looks back fondly on her kindergarten days with the fun of leprechaun traps and Kindergarten Circus, she says she has some good advice for current PS students. “Go to tutorials!” she stresses. “This year, I have gone to tutorials a lot and have really seen a change in my understanding of the topic during class. I am more engaged and find I remember more of the information.” What’s more, Hunter suggests, students should get out of their comfort zones by signing up for activities they wouldn’t normally do. “This provides you with some knowledge of what your interests are, and it’s a great way to make new friends,” she says.
“Compassion is caring for someone no matter their race, religion, or wealth. I think a person who is compassionate has no boundaries for their love to others.”
T he W i n dow • S p r i n g 2 0 1 3 • 13
what do we value?
integrity
(continued)
Jack Hawkins
Presbyterian School: 1999-2008 Strake Jesuit College“Preparatory: 2008-2012 Vanderbilt University: 2012- current
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ntegrity is a trait I strive to uphold in my everyday life. I’m honest in school, in work and in my relationships,” says Jack Hawkins. Integrity, he says, is a guiding principle that was instilled in him from an early age and throughout his early school life. “Presbyterian School definitely influenced me in several ways throughout my time there,” he recalls. “The Christian environment was great to grow up in. The weekly chapel lessons, school-wide Day of Service, and eighth grade character talks are all things I look back on and am grateful for.”
“Integrity is a trait that encompasses many others. A person of integrity is honest, trustworthy and has a strong sense of morals.”
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It was those character talks that he and his eighth grade classmates were called upon to develop and present each week that Jack says led him to ponder more deeply the meaning of living life with ethics and honor. Jack says he remembers those speaking assignments as a positive influence. “I try to always be honest with people and put myself in their shoes when considering different situations,” he says. “I think integrity demands that a person look out for others and consider what is best for everyone and not just oneself.” Holding integrity as a core principle isn’t something that cries out for attention. “It’s more about letting honesty guide my everyday decisions,” Jack reflects. His faithful character was validated during his senior year at Strake Jesuit when he was honored with the Positive Coaching Alliance’s Triple Impact Award. The award is given to an athlete who demonstrates self-improvement and proves himself an asset to his team and to the recipient’s chosen sport. “I believe the part about bettering the game really hits on integrity,” says Jack, an avid golfer. “Arnold Palmer is credited with saying that golf is a game of integrity. I was honored that
the people that voted on the award felt like I had bettered the game of golf.” Jack’s integrity shows itself in many aspects of his life, from his goals (to continue to make good grades as he pursues his major in Electrical Engineering and do more community service); his school involvement (in the Reformed University Fellowship, a campus ministry group); and his keeping up with the “lasting friendships that made the Presbyterian School experience that much better.” Jack’s advice to current Presbyterian School students? “Work hard now because it will pay off later,” he counsels. “The more you pay attention and learn at Presbyterian School, the easier high school will be, no matter where you go.” Now that is certainly the truth.
Malcolm Bremer
Presbyterian School: 1994-2005 The Kinkaid School: 2005-2009 Drexel University: 2009-2013
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hen long-time Presbyterian School student Malcolm Bremer talks about being thankful, his sincerity radiates off the page. Gratitude, Malcolm explained, is that core value that “helps me recognize those who have helped throughout my life.” He shares, “PS always influenced me to use my imagination whenever possible. Teachers, like Dr. Hemenway, encouraged students to challenge themselves and to be creative when it came to papers and projects.” When Malcolm describes the influence of his years at PS, it is clear that saying thank you to the people who helped shape his character
and intellect is as valuable to him as the education he received. “You never know what a simple compliment, sign of compassion, or giving thanks can do in someone’s day or life,” Malcolm reminisces. He compliments former Presbyterian School Chaplain, Shelli Wright, and former Head of Middle School, Bob Beck, for instilling in him the value of gratitude. “Both (Beck and Wright) made significant impacts on my life while at Presbyterian, and when I went up and thanked them for all that they had done, they emotionally hugged me and thanked me for being a great student,” Malcolm recalls with fondness. Malcolm remembers, too, Mrs. Wright’s final chapel at the end of seventh grade, where the entire middle school sang her favorite songs. She retold bible stories that were
gratitude “For me, gratitude means giving thanks. It can be in the smallest ways, like saying thank you to your teacher for helping you understand difficult class material, or in an emotional manner, like giving your teacher a big hug at the end of a school year for all that he/she has taught you.”
special to her, and students shared some memorable moments of past chapels. “Mrs. Wright was so grateful for the act, and all of the students were so grateful for all that she had done,” he remembers. In fitting with Malcolm’s enthusiasm for sports, he is appreciative of the experience he had when PS won back-to-back basketball championships during his seventh and eighth grade years. “The best game was when we played a very talented St. John’s team,” he shares, recalling how the gym overflowed with spectators. “The game was close throughout the whole time and eventually went into overtime. It was great having family, classmates, and teachers cheering us on as we eventually won the game.” Malcolm is currently working as an intern for the Philadelphia Eagles while he pursues his studies in Sports Management at Drexel University. As the Vice President of his Tau Kappa Epsilon fraternity, he organizes the Chapter’s community service events. There are many people in the Philadelphia community thankful for his generous outreach. After graduation, Malcolm confides that he will be seeking more than a paycheck in a career “where I can feel like a productive member of the organization and a place where I can enjoy going to work every day.” Who wouldn’t be grateful for that?
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al u m n i u pdates
The Early Years
class notes
Sarah Brents (Lamar ‘03, Texas A&M ‘07, University of Leicester ‘11) currently works in the communications department at First Presbyterian Church. She is involved in two Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo Committees, Western Art and Wine Garden. She is also a member of the Bayou City Art Festival committee, the Junior League of Houston, the Houston A&M Club, and the Community Leadership Training Committee as Project Chairman. Sarah is also a docent at the Holocaust Museum.
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Charles Ebbs (Lamar ‘02, University of Texas ‘06) and his wife welcomed their first child, Molly Elizabeth Ebbs, in November 2012. Charles currently works at Federated Investors, Inc. as an External Wholesaler. Jackie Lynch (St. John’s ‘05, University of Texas ‘09, University of Texas School of Law ‘12) received her Doctors of Jurisprudence last May. She also received the Dean’s Award for Legal Research and Legal Writing, served on the editorial board for the Review of Litigation, and worked as a teaching assistant for a first-year legal research and writing course. Allison Young (St. John’s ‘03, University of Pennsylvania ‘07) opened Sweet Paris, a crêperie and café, last May with her husband in Rice Village. Their inspiration came from their world travels and was based on their favorite dish for which they
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have since developed over a hundred recipes. They also donate 25 cents to the World Food Program USA for every crepe sold, which is enough to feed a school meal to a child in need.
2003 Hannah Chesser 1 (St. Agnes ‘07, University of Texas ’11, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio) is a second-year medical student at the top half of her class. She is continuing her work with internal medicine research while volunteering at various student-run free clinics in San Antonio. Hannah is also the director of the Student Interpreter Program, which she helped found. This program helps find volunteers and translators to translate exotic languages, such as Swahili, Arabic, Nepali and Karreni, at the Refugee Health Clinic. This year, she spent a weekend in Laredo giving free flu shots, sports physicals, and testing glucose and cholesterol levels. She is also a counselor at medical student orientation and a Peer Advisor for first-year medical students where she helps plan monthly events and make their transition to medical school easier. This past summer, Hannah enjoyed traveling to Chicago, New York, Colorado, and Miami. Emma Ebbs (Lamar ’07, University of Houston ‘12) graduated in December with a degree in Spanish and a minor in Global Business. She is now working as the Fundraising Events Associate at the Children’s Museum of Houston. She also volunteers on the Gatekeepers Committee for the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. Last fall, she studied in Brazil. She also enjoys playing on a kickball team with friends. Griselda Gallardo (Chinquapin ‘07, St. Edward’s ‘11, University of Houston Grad School) is busy working as a Case Administrator at The Mills Law Firm and is working towards receiving her MBA. She will be going to Paris, France this summer with the U of H MBA program. In her spare time, she
John Hermes (Woodlands ‘07, University of Texas ’11) graduated with a Bachelor of Arts. He is currently working at Southwestern Energy in Houston as an Oil and Gas Lease Analyst. Outside of work, he enjoys hiking, traveling, music, and watching sports. Eddie Millard (Kinkaid ‘07, Denison ‘11) is working as a geologist at an underground gold mine in Western Australia. He graduated with a Geoscience degree and moved to Australia to join the local mining boom. Doni Pleason (Duchesne ‘07, University of Kansas) will graduate with a Liberal Arts degree. She plans on moving back to Texas and getting her teachers certification. Alex Pons (St. Agnes ’07, Colgate ‘11) currently lives in Madrid, Spain as a Fulbright Fellowship Scholar, where she conducts research on European energy policy. She also teaches social sciences in an underprivileged bilingual school. In September, she will attend Oxford University in England, where she will start working towards a Master of Science in Environmental Policy. Jordan Warmath (Hackley ‘07, Rice ’11) graduated from college with a Bachelor of Music in Viola Performance. She worked as an outdoor trip leader for five months in the mountains of Virginia where she backpacked, rock climbed, and kayaked. She then took an eightmonth trip where she spent most of her time climbing in Nepal, Malaysia, Thailand, Australia, and the Himalayas. After returning to the United States, she continued to backpack as a counselor in the Colorado Rockies and has spent the past seven months playing and practicing for graduate school music auditions. She will be attending University of California, Santa Barbara in the fall.
Kristen Winship (Episcopal ‘07, University of Houston) currently lives in Houston and is pursuing a second degree in nursing. When she’s not in school, she nannies for a family of two girls. She is coaching her third season of fifth grade boys’ soccer as a volunteer for the YMCA. Her little sister, Kaitlynn, will begin sixth grade at PS in the fall.
2004 Monica Cheavens (St. Agnes ‘08, University of Houston) works as a Project Coordinator at Milestone Project Management. She is working towards her Bachelor of Arts in Construction Management while working full time. Monica has also received her C3 certification.
Jeannie Lovett Barrick Photography
mentors for Breakthrough Houston on topics regarding college studies.
Amy Jenkins (Lamar ‘08, Texas Tech ‘12) graduated with a Bachelor of Music and Teacher Certification (EC-12), Summa Cum Laude. The Board of Regents named her the highest ranking graduate in the College of Visual and Performing Arts, which earned her the honor to be the banner-bearer at graduation for the School of Music. She student taught choir and music theory at
Central High School in Keller ISD last semester. Currently, she teaches private voice lessons from home, sings professionally for Schola Cantorum of Texas, and serves as a chorister at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church of Ft. Worth. She was recently accepted to Southern Methodist University for their dual Master’s Program for Arts Management and Business Administration. She will begin her graduate studies this fall with equal scholarships from the Cox School of Business and Meadows School of the Arts. James McBride 2 (HSPVA ‘08, Loyola University New Orleans ‘12) graduated with a major in Theater and a minor in Business. During college, he received the Ignatian Award, Leo Zinser Drama Award, and the award for Outstanding Senior Man. He currently works in the artistic office of Hartford Stage in Hartford, Connecticut and goes on regular business trips to Boston and New York City. This summer, he will be an assistant on his first Broadway show, a new musical called A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder. He helped with Hurricane Sandy recovery work this past year. Kelsey Rodriguez (St. Agnes ‘08, Southwestern ‘12) graduated with honors with a Bachelor of Arts in Early Childhood Education and a minor in Special Education. She is currently a Pre-K 3 teacher at a small private Methodist school in Houston. She teaches ten three-year-olds, 2
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class notes
(continued)
International Office for the past two years. She has also worked at the Children’s Place, a children’s clothing store, and volunteered at Breakthrough Austin, a program for children who live in low-income neighborhoods. She hopes to begin an alternative teaching program to reach her goal of becoming an elementary school math teacher.
including some with special needs, in a diverse learning environment of six different languages and fifteen different countries represented. Teddy Russell (St. Thomas ’08, Southern Methodist University ‘12) graduated with a degree in Mechanical Engineering and is currently working for Schlumberger as an MWD/LWD engineer in Saudi Arabia. Andrew Sterling (Episcopal ‘08, Dickinson ‘12) decided to pursue his childhood dream of playing professional baseball and recently had the opportunity to play in the California Winter League, an independent baseball organization. Andrew competed against players from Major League Baseball teams, such as the Diamondbacks and Rangers, and various independent leagues throughout the United States, Canada, and Japan. He also enjoyed playing with Roger Clemens’ son, Koby Clemens. Unfortunately, his season was cut short due to injury. Julia Wood (Kinkaid ‘08, Texas A&M ‘12) graduated with a degree in Marketing. She is currently working for Sewell Automotive Companies as an Assistant Service Manager for Audi North Houston. Last summer, she hiked the traditional Inca Trail in Peru with her family. She also went on the First Presbyterian Church
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relational mission trip to Uganda and spent time working with African Renewal Ministries (ARM) in Gaba, Uganda and Namutamba, Uganda. She now sponsors a four-year-old named George. Julia is also a member of the Houston Theta alumni and volunteers at Court Appointed Special Advocates.
2005 Leen Baasiri (Awty ‘09, American University of Beirut ‘13) volunteers for the World Affairs Council and worked as a summer hire at Bechtel Corporation, an engineering, construction and project management company in Houston. She is currently studying International Business. Desire Boston (Episcopal ‘09, St. Edward’s ‘13) is majoring in Global Studies and has worked in the
William Grubb (St. Thomas ‘09, University of Nebraska-Lincoln ‘13) worked as a sports talk radio host for 93.7 The Ticket KNTK in Lincoln, Nebraska. He served as a co-host of “Morning Take with Will & Jake” since last August. Before this, he worked at the station as a producer and sports update anchor. He attended the Big Ten football game this year and was responsible for calling the game as part of 90.3 KRNU’s season-long coverage of Husker football. His major is in Journalism. Upon graduation in May, he will start a job at a local radio station in Houston.
(Lamar ’09, Blaire Honore Houston Community College) is majoring in biology and will graduate in 2014. She has worked at Mark Twain Elementary and the University Co-op this year and volunteers at the SPCA. Her goal is to work at a good animal shelter. She is getting married next summer.
at Ernst & Young in their fraud, investigations, and dispute services department.
2006 Molly Eckert (Lago Vista ‘10, University of Redlands) plays on the University of Redlands lacrosse team and has traveled to Washington and Oregon for lacrosse. She is a member of Alpha Phi Omega, a national community service fraternity, and works in the campus garden which provides grown food to the homeless. Katherine Egner (Episcopal ‘10, Texas A&M) was accepted into the Professional Program in Accounting, where she will be working towards getting a bachelors and masters degree in five years. Last summer, she interned at Baylor College of Medicine in the finance office and this summer, she will be interning
Elizabeth Hay 1 (St. John’s ‘10, Washington University in St. Louis) is majoring in International and Area Studies, with a concentration in Development Studies. She is also minoring in Economics and Chinese. Elizabeth has been elected to be the Student Union’s Vice President of Administration for the upcoming school year and was inaugurated in March. She has also been elected President of the Student Alumni Ambassador Program for 2013, where she facilitates the partnership between current Wash U students and the Alumni Association. She just completed an externship at Metronome Partners, Chicago during spring break. She is a member of Sigma Lota Rho and Alpha Omicron Pi.
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Rahee Nerurkar l Student Life
Dandan Liu (St. Agnes ’09, Rice ‘13) will be graduating Summa Cum Laude with honors in English Literature and a distinction in Research and Creative Works. This past summer, she worked in Urubamba, Peru as a Loewenstern Fellow. She taught secondary students English, led a teacher’s workshop for the Peruvian Ministry of Education, and taught indigenous communities in the Andes their first English words directed towards tourism and textile marketing. She also went to Amsterdam with the Minter Scholarship and pursued an independent project at the Jewish Historical Museum. Dandan published her first paper in the Journal of American College of Surgeons titled “Are Surgical Trials with Negative Results Being Interpreted Correctly?” She is finishing her third year working as Curriculum Chair for the Partnership for the Advancement and Immersion of Refugees. This semester, she founded and led Rice U’s first interfaith week. Its mission was to spread awareness about the diversity of beliefs on campus. She is extremely interested in interfaith work, so next year, she is taking a gap year to live in monasteries of different religions in Jerusalem, Japan, and Tanzania. Her objective is to discover what it means to live a life of faith, contemplation, and community. Following that, she plans to pursue a Ph.D. in Cultural Anthropology.
Elizabeth Gollin (St. Agnes ‘10, University of Texas) is Chief Financial Officer of the Kappa Alpha Theta sorority and is majoring in Economics. She volunteers for CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) and CCSC. Last summer, she interned in China for five weeks for Max Oriental Limited, a shoe manufacturer. Elizabeth was chosen to participate in a New York University research program and will be interning in Ghana this summer.
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class notes
(Lamar ‘11, Patrick Diamonon Hendrix) coached a U-13 and U-15 Hurricane lacrosse team in Houston and got to travel to Baltimore last summer to coach lacrosse. He plays Varsity lacrosse at Hendrix College. He is majoring in Allied Health and wants to get an internship this summer for occupational therapy.
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Alek Rockrise (Episcopal ’10, University of North Carolina at Wilmington) is currently a competitive surfer on his university’s team. He also teaches surfing at local resorts. Troy Rockrise (Episcopal ‘10, University of Colorado at Boulder) is currently taking law school entrance exams in preparation for graduate school. Sam White (Bellaire ‘10, Trinity) is a Spanish and Economics double major. He is a member of the Leadership Team for InterVarsity Christian Fellowship. This past summer, he worked and studied in Madrid, and he’ll be working in Cuzco, Peru this summer. Yoshio Wilson (Kinkaid ‘10, University of Miami) studied marketing abroad in Paris, France last summer. This school year, he was Vice President of Member Development for the Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity. He was also on the Dean’s List and interned at Rose Capital Advisors in Miami.
2007 Thora Ansell (Bellaire ‘11, University of Kansas) has decided to major in Education and hopes to teach fourth and fifth grade math. She received a job this year at the University of Kansas in the photo lab on campus, where she helps with the check out room, the studio/shooting, and the dark room.
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Catherine Hay 1 (St. John’s ‘11, Brown) ran her first marathon this year, the Chevron Houston Marathon. She ranked sixth in her division of Females 16-19. She plans to run another marathon this year and hopes to run the Nike Women’s Marathon in San Francisco. At Brown, she is majoring in Chemical Engineering, and she will be interning there this summer. She received the UTRA Research Collaboration Award to do research on graphene with Brown University faculty. Hannah Kretzschmar (St. Agnes ‘11, Arizona State) has been working hard on her design blog (http://the-design-nerd.tumblr.com), which now has over 5,600 followers and counting. She majors in Graphic Design, is a member of Alpha Gamma Delta sorority, competes
in intramural soccer, and has made Dean’s List. Hannah traveled to Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands this year. Caitlyn Luther (Episcopal ‘11, Texas A&M) is Pre-Dental with a Biology major. She is a member of the Pi Beta Phi sorority and the Pre-Dental Society. Caitlyn will be a middle school youth intern at First Presbyterian Church this summer. Brenda Salvador (Chinquapin ‘11, University of St. Thomas) is working toward an Accounting degree. She is a supervisor at Sellers Bros. grocery store, and is also an officer of the nationally-recognized Association for Latino Professionals in Finance and Accounting (ALPFA) chapter at school. Sa’Misty Utley (Second Baptist ‘11, Knox) was named the Martin Luther King, Jr. Scholar for the academic year and is also a McNair scholar. Sa’Misty had the opportunity to work alongside one of her professors as a research assistant, which is helping to prepare her to design and run her own research endeavors this summer and also preparing her for graduate school.
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Michael Wakeland (Strake Jesuit ’11, University of Illinois at UrbanaChampaign) is majoring in Mechanical Engineering, is a part of the Navy ROTC, and participated in CORTRAMID (a United States Navy summer training program for midshipmen). He traveled to San Diego and Camp Pendleton for training this year. His goal is to be commissioned in May of 2015. Nicholas Wood (Kinkaid ‘11, Texas A&M) is an actively involved member of the Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity (PIKE) as well as a peer leader in the Mays Business School. He is majoring in Accounting.
2008 Andre Bouillion 4 (Strake Jesuit ‘12, Southern Methodist University) is majoring in Mechanical Engineering. He is a part of the New Century Scholars program, which is a service community that runs events such as Habit for Humanity builds. He is extremely active in the triathlon club, placing seventh in his first race and qualifying for Collegiate Nationals. This is the first time an SMU team has gone to nationals. Their team is ranked 31st in the nation, and Andre is ranked 557th in the nation. He also works in the Paleontology lab at SMU where he cleans and scans real dinosaur bones. His job also includes a long-term project of building lifesize models of dinosaurs. Elliott Bouillion 2 (Strake Jesuit ‘12, Southern Methodist University) plans to major in Finance and Economics. He was elected among his peers to be a part of the 99th Student Senate as a first-year student senator. He was recently accepted to a student leadership panel that is in charge of constructing the curriculum and setup for the new Residential Commons at SMU. Elliott is also a member of the Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity. Ian Bouillion 3 (Strake Jesuit ‘12, New York University) is studying acting at the Tisch School of the Arts. Aside from schoolwork, he has been working as run crew for multiple Tisch productions. Additionally, he works as a Production Assistant for the New York-based Junket Productions, which produces and hosts press conferences and interviews for upcoming films. Working with both national and international press, he assists in set up and recording, giving him an inside look at the many facets of the entertainment industry. Katherine Copper (St. Agnes ‘12, DePauw) plays lacrosse for the DePauw lacrosse team. She spends most of her time studying and playing lacrosse.
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Nina Distefano (Episcopal ‘12, Savannah College of Art and Design) earned the Girl Scout Gold Award after organizing a service project at the DePelchin Children’s Center, which focuses on strengthening children’s lives by providing mental health, foster care, and adoption services. Nina and a group of volunteers created affordable fashion items for teenage girls out of materials such as trash bags and coffee filters. Nina then worked directly with 35 teenage girls, helping raise their self-esteem. Leslie Donoghue (St. Agnes ‘12, University of Alabama) is studying Chemical Engineering and worked at Rilco Manufacturing Company, Inc., a manufacturing engineering company. She volunteered at the YMCA in Tuscaloosa and is a member of Phi Mu sorority and Society of Women Engineers. She made the Dean’s List this year. Katie Fiedler (Episcopal ‘12, Georgia Tech) is majoring in Biomedical Engineering. She is a member of Alpha Phi sorority, DanceTech performing company, Society of Women Engineers, and Women’s Recruitment Team. Last summer, Katie interned at the MD Anderson Cancer Center in the critical care and anesthesiology department. During her internship, she helped collect data and research for outcome studies about assisted breathing techniques and observed surgeries. Isa Hetherington (Episcopal ‘12, University of Texas) is enjoying college and loves living in Austin. She
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volunteers at Yellowstone Academy and McBeth Recreation in Austin. Isa traveled to San Miguel, Florida, New York, and Telluride this year. Chandni Jaggi (Duchesne ‘12, Texas A&M) is a member of two service organizations. She is in a freshmen leadership organization called FAST (Freshman Aggies Spreading Tradition), where they host events for charities and attend other service events. She is also a member of a coed service fraternity, Alpha Phi Omega. She has volunteered at many events including a kickball tournament for Lupus, a Halloween festival for an underprivileged preschool in Bryan, and Relay for Life. She is also a Fish Camp Counselor. Alistair Jones (St. Thomas ‘12, Baylor) was invited into the National Society of Collegiate Scholars (NSCS), an honor society for first and second year students. He volunteers with the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) clinic. Alistair is also a member of the Baylor Democrats, the Bear Pit, and Mulkey’s Mob/ Block Party (a student spirit group for the Baylor basketball teams). He spent spring break in Paris and plans to travel to the United Kingdom this summer for a family vacation, and then to study abroad with a group of students and professors. Sarah Rohrman (St. Agnes ‘12, University of Notre Dame) is majoring in Biology and minoring in Anthropology. She made Dean’s List this school year. She is also a company member and choreographer
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in the Dance Company of Notre Dame. This summer, she will be working as a second-year intern at the Christus Stehlin Foundation for Cancer Research, where she will be working with tissue cultures and nude mice in a vivarium laboratory. She also plans to join a group of students and doctors on a medical mission trip to Peru, where she will distribute medicine to communities around Tumbes, an impoverished area on the Northern coast. Peter Ten Eyck (Strake Jesuit ‘12, University of Texas) is currently studying Computer Science in the Turing Scholars Honors Program. He is a member of a Christian fraternity, BYX (Brothers Under Christ), a University of Texas Men’s Choir, and the Austin Stone Community Church Easter Choir. He recently planned a camping trip for his bible study. This summer, he will be interning for Schlumberger in Houston as a software developer.
Allison Winzenreid (South Whidbey ‘12, University of Puget Sound) received a Dean’s Scholarship this year and is a member of a women’s empowerment club. This summer, she will be working as a hostess at Prima Bistro in Langley, Washington.
2009
Walter Cayce (Strake Jesuit) is the Student Body President and rugby team captain for both Varsity and Junior Varsity. His other activities include yearbook editor and Magis Newspaper news editor. He plans to study Journalism and Strategic Communications with a Pre-Law minor in college.
Angel Apreza (Lamar) will graduate with the International Baccalaureate Diploma. He plays Varsity soccer and competes with the Lamar Robotics Club. Eric Blackwell (Strake Jesuit) was a member of the Varsity football team. He continues to volunteer with the First Presbyterian Church Middle School Youth Program and went on last year’s mission trip. Wade Brill (St. Thomas) is a member of Fellowship of Christian Athletes and has traveled to Mississippi. He volunteers at the YMCA.
Clay Eckman (St. John’s) hopes to get a degree in Computer Science and Engineering. He became an Eagle
Class of 2009 College Decisions
Claire Alderson Colorado College
Clay Eckman Trinity University
Erica Hoffman University of Oklahoma
Allie Luther Texas A&M University
Carson Smith Louisiana State University
Kenneth Ankoma-Sey Texas Christian University
Audrey Eyring Villanova University
William Hunter Colorado School of Mines
Eric Mangin Texas A&M University
Angel Apreza University of Houston
Joe Fisher Southwestern University
Andrew Kennedy Baylor University
Alex McCollam Louisiana State University
Grace Southerland Rochester Institute of Technology
Emma Barr Rhodes College
Katie Flores Southern Methodist University
Hadley King University of Texas at Austin
Eduardo Orellana St. Edward’s University
Sean Gardner Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology
Ian King St. Edward’s University
Quentin Baxter Occidental College Eric Blackwell Baylor University Wade Brill University of Mississippi Kathleen Burt University of St. Thomas Walter Cayce University of Kansas Chafic Charafeddine Texas A&M University Kate Chernosky Texas A&M University Jack Collier University of Mississippi Adair Cook University of St. Andrews
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Harrison Hanna Baylor University Anna Grace Hawkins University of Georgia Kory Haywood Southern Methodist University
Ben Kirton University of Texas at Austin Jared Lapidus University of Texas at Austin Amanda Leavell Princeton University
Caroline Henry Baylor University
Julia Levy University of Alabama
Jackson Henry Baylor University
John Lewis Dartmouth University
Scott Hereford Rhodes College
Lexi London The University of South Florida St. Petersburg
Aldo Ortiz West Texas A&M University Josh Otey Howard University Lane Pleason Louisiana State University Aaron Reiss University of Missouri James Russell Texas Tech University Chynna Sands Oral Roberts University Will Short Southern Methodist University La’Desia Simpkins University of Houston
Leah Stevenson University of Miami Caroline Stewart University of Texas at Austin Will Swope University of Texas at Austin Catherine Tharp Texas Christian University Harry Tudor University of Virginia Nathaniel Wallace University of Texas at Austin Ellen Weinheimer Washington University in St. Louis Davian Wilson Grinnell College Maggie Wilson DePauw University
Scout in Troop 511. For his Eagle project, Clay built five new computers and installed a computer center for Agape Development Ministries in the Third Ward. He also recently showed an engineering project he designed with BlueStamp Engineering at the Maker’s Faire. Harrison Hanna (Episcopal) was captain of the Varsity boys’ volleyball team and was the manager for the Varsity baseball team. He was the sports editor of the Episcopal High School newspaper, The Knight Times. He volunteers by serving on the Junior Rodeo Committee of The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo.
Anna Grace Hawkins (St.Agnes) plays for the Tigers Varsity field hockey team and is the Varsity lacrosse team captain. She is a member of the National Honor Society and National Charity League, and has done several mission trips, most recently to Bolivia. She has served on the Federal Reserve Bank Student Board of Directors for the Houston Branch.
(Episcopal) is Caroline Henry a yearbook photographer, officer of Knights and Squires, an acolyte, and manager of the boy’s basketball team. Caroline also played soccer and lacrosse. She received the Climb Award at Episcopal for showing significant improvement in Environmental Science AP. She has been an active member of the First Presbyterian Church youth group and faithfully served with them in South Dakota, Jamaica, New York City, and Miami. She also received the Silent Leader Award at First Presbyterian Church. She enjoyed working with local organizations, including The Forge, Yellowstone Academy, Nehemiah Center, and The Joy School. Caroline enjoys photography, scuba diving, sailing, tennis with friends, and midnight movie releases. Jackson Henry (Episcopal) played soccer and ran the 300m hurdles in track at Episcopal High School. He jumped Varsity pole vault all four years. He was frequently on the Honor Roll and was elected to the National Honor Society during his junior year. He has been an active member of First Presbyterian Church youth group and also faithfully served with them in South Dakota, Jamaica, New York City, and Miami. He has
earned the rank of Eagle Scout in Boy Scouts. For his Eagle service project, Jackson did trail maintenance and fire load reduction at the Houston Arboretum. He enjoys backpacking, scuba diving, snowboarding, parkour, and slacklining. He will study Engineering and Computer Science in college. Erica Hoffman (St. Agnes) will graduate with honors. She played lacrosse for the Tigers and cheered for Strake Jesuit. She has received many awards and recognition in art competitions with her drawing and photography. She was also involved in the Campus Ministry Team at school and continues to travel with her church youth group on summer mission trips. In college, she is looking forward to studying in the School of Architecture at the University of Oklahoma. Hadley King (Episcopal) won Best in Show in the fall for two different categories (2D & 3D) in a schoolwide art competition at Episcopal High School. She won a Silver Key in the 2013 Scholastic Art & Writing Competition for her Drawing “Fan Abstraction” and Honorable Mention for her Ceramics submission “Palm Vase.” She was inducted into the National Art Honor Society as well
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as the National Honor Society. She traveled to Costa Rica recently for her senior trip and will travel to Italy after graduation. In college, she will study in the College of Fine Arts at University of Texas at Austin. Ian King (Episcopal) traveled to Costa Rica for his senior trip this year. Amanda Leavell (St. John’s) was honored as a finalist for the Triple Impact Competitor Scholarship from Positive Coaching Alliance. She was captain of the Varsity basketball and lacrosse teams, All-SPC in basketball, Team MVP in basketball, St. John’s School Athletic Excellence award, Lacrosse All-American Honorable Mention, All-State, and All-SPC. She will play lacrosse in college next year. In the classroom, she takes Honors and AP classes and is a National Merit semi-finalist. She was selected by faculty and administrators to be a part of the Senior Peer Leaders Program to mentor incoming freshmen. Her activities at St. John’s include the Spanish Club, Community Service Club, Photography, Theatre, and the African American Affinity Group. She is a member of WHEE (Women Helping Empower Each Other), FACETS (Diversity Organization), International Club, Bible Study, PRISM (students promoting acceptance of all expressions of sexuality), Science Club, Math Club, and Spirit Club. She has also gone on mission trips to Mexico and Costa Rica, traveled to Spain on an
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has served as Managing Editor of the school newspaper that finished third in the country for newspapers of eight pages or less at the National Scholastic Press Association Conference in San Antonio. He tutors freshman for National Honor Society and has volunteered with Be The Match (the national marrow donor program) since he was a freshman. This spring, he received his third academic letter that was awarded for making St. Thomas Club two semesters in a row with a 93+/100 GPA. He occasionally freelances sports photos for Gulf Coast Shots.
exchange program, volunteered with adults with Alzheimer, and coached youth lacrosse. She has earned the Silver Award in Girl Scouts. Allie Luther 1 (Episcopal) is a member of the cross country team and track team. She is in the National Honor Society. This January, she ran her second marathon at the Chevron Houston Marathon where she ranked seventh in her division of Females 16-19 with a time of 04:36:04. Next fall, she will study Business in college.
Alex McCollam (Episcopal) played shortstop and pitcher for the Knights Varsity team. Last summer, he played on the U.S. Southwest Team in the Senior League World Series in Bangor, Maine. Aaron Reiss (St. Thomas) was featured in the Houston Chronicle as Student of the Week in October of 2012. He has a passion for journalism and hopes to write for a magazine in the future. He
Leah Stevenson (Lamar) received the Arrowhead Award for students with a 4.0 or higher GPA and are in good standing with National Honor Society. She also received the Amigos de Las Americas plaque after completing over 400 community service hours in the Dominican Republic last summer. Currently, she is a volunteer vet trainer and helps train new volunteers for their summers abroad in Latin America. She also volunteers with other non profits around the Houston area. Additionally, she continues her lifelong study of ballet and works part time at El Real Tex Mex. This year, Leah returned to the PS campus to speak with the eighth grade class about making good life decisions. Will Swope (Episcopal) has played tennis for three years and is currently on the Varsity team. He plans to study Premed/Physics in the fall. Harry Tudor (Lamar) was the captain for the water polo, swimming, and diving teams. He won the Redskin Spirit Award, which is given to the team member who best exemplifies leadership and team spirit.
Max Rank 2 (Strake Jesuit) was part of the football, baseball and track teams. He has been spending as much time as possible on his wakeboard and boogie board at Canyon Lake and enjoys hitting golf balls at Top Golf.
2010 Sara Coutinho (Colégio Sagrado Coração de Maria) currently lives in Lisboa, Portugal with her family. She has enjoyed traveling to many places, including Barcelona, Salamanca, Picos da Europa, Guimaraes, Algarve, Alentego, and Mesao Fio. She volunteered at a toxic dependent community and a youth community.
Maggie Rippeto (Episcopal) is a member of the National Honor Society, plays on the Varsity lacrosse team, and was in the fall production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream. She is a group leader for the Presbyterian School Girl Talk mentor program. Her outside activities include National Charity League and playing for a national travel lacrosse team. Madison Silver (Bellaire) won a gold medal on the National Spanish Exam. Last summer, she traveled
to Ecuador with Amigos de Las Americas for seven weeks. She is a Spanish tutor at Braeburn Elementary School through National Honor Society. She is also a member of the Cardinal Varsity tennis team, yearbook staff, Spanish National Honor Society, and National Honor Society. Sophia Skelly (Kinkaid) plays soccer at her high school, and the team won first place in South Zone at SPC this year. She volunteers for Special Olympics, Meals on Wheels, and Race for the Cure. Last summer, she enjoyed working at a barbecue restaurant in Wisconsin. Hayley Talkington (Episcopal) is very involved in theater at her high school, with a lead as Hermia in A Midsummer Night’s Dream and as JoJo in Seussical. She received a Tommy Tune Nomination for Best Supporting Actress as JoJo. She is also on the Honor Roll and has volunteered at Nehemiah Center and The River. Holland Geibel
that went to the Senior League World Series in Bangor, Maine last summer.
2011 Harrison Tyler Bingham (Episcopal) worked at the Children’s Museum of Houston last summer as a Discovery Squad Volunteer and will volunteer
Lexie Davis (Oldfields School) is a member of the riding team at boarding school and also rides for IEA, a club riding team in the Maryland area. She volunteers with local organizations that teach younger children riding and how to care for horses. She has enjoyed visiting Lubbock and the Texas Tech campus. This May, she started an internship in Houston at Stereo Live.
2
Phillip James (Strake Jesuit) was a member of the U.S. Southwest Team
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at Texas Children’s Hospital this summer. He reports that he had a great experience running cross country in the fall. He was glad he decided to branch off and try a new sport. He is currently training for a triathlon this summer and was recently accepted into the Duke TIP summer institute program where he will study advanced genetics for two weeks this summer. Sarah Castaneda (St. Agnes) is a member of the Tigers Varsity field hockey team as well as the Junior Varsity lacrosse team. Marwan Charafeddine (Strake Jesuit) is a member of the debate team, choir, and has made the Honor Roll every quarter. He has traveled to the Strake Jesuit Retreat Leadership Center and Los Angeles, California. He volunteered at the Houston Food Bank, Rebuilding Together Houston, Strake Jesuit Spring Fling, and the Strake Jesuit Open House. Caroline Colucci (St. Agnes) played on the Junior Varsity lacrosse team this year and is a member of the Young Republicans and Key Club. Elizabeth Copper (St. Agnes) plays goalie for the Tigers Varsity lacrosse team.
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Perry Corrigan (Strake Jesuit) plays Junior Varsity soccer and football for the Crusaders, is on Honor Roll, and is a member of the School Service Club. He traveled to Scotland, Ireland, and the Galapagos Islands in Ecuador. Peter Dade (Strake Jesuit) is a member of the Crusader baseball team, the Key Club, and Athletes in Action. He volunteers at Berry Elementary School working with fifth graders and tutoring students on the weekend. He enjoyed vacationing in Florida this year. Juliana Ganim (Episcopal) is active in theatre at her high school.
(University of Emmalie George North Carolina School of the Arts) was invited to attend high school in North Carolina to study dance. She reports, “Our days consist of dance classes, academics, and rehearsals that sometimes run until ten at night!” She was honored to participate in her school’s performance of The Nutcracker this Christmas. She had the privilege of dancing with Veronika Part, who is a principal dancer with American Ballet Theatre. Emmalie enjoys being at a school with extremely dedicated students who get to do what they love all day and every day. After living in Houston her entire life, the move to North Carolina was a leap of faith and now she is certain that she made the right decision. She feels like it is her “second home” and is learning new things every day. Dewey Gonsoulin (Strake Jesuit) plays football and baseball and is a member of National Honor Society, Honor Roll, Student Council, and Young Conservatives. He volunteers with Interfaith Ministries and Berry Elementary School. He has enjoyed traveling to Alaska to fly fish and has visited Sea Island, Georgia and Los Angeles, California.
Wylie Geibel (Episcopal) is involved in theatre, the Book Club, and the Sign Club at his high school. He continued his love of travel with a trip to Cozumel this year. Natalie Geisler (Kinkaid) is on the Falcon Varsity soccer team and also on a club soccer team that travels on weekends to compete in tournaments. This summer, she will spend time at soccer camps at colleges to help determine where she might want to attend to play soccer at the collegiate level. She has volunteered by planting trees at Memorial Park and enjoyed participating in the Color Run in Houston.
Henry Herbert (Episcopal) is very active in the drama department at his high school and was in their productions of A Midsummer Night’s Dream and Seussical. He received a Tommy Tune Nomination for Best Supporting Actor as Cat in the Hat in Seussical. At HITS Theatre, he performed in Thoroughly Modern Millie. He has also interned for HITS
Theatre. When he is not on stage, he is a member of his high school’s cross country team and volunteers at The River. Isabel Herrick (Episcopal) traveled to Washington, D.C. with the program Closeup to learn about government during the election. She made Honor Roll and enjoys volunteering and working with cats each weekend at the SPCA. She is also a member of the lacrosse team and swim team and participates in dance.
Brooke Jenkins (Houston Christian) was the captain of the Junior Varsity basketball team and is a Student Ambassador. This past summer, she went on two mission trips, one to Tennessee and the other to Latvia, a bordering country of Russia. During the summer, she worked at a local Chick-fil-A and has volunteered with Agape Development Ministries in the Third Ward neighborhood of Houston.
hockey tournament with her Texas Pride club team. She enjoys volunteering at the Houston Food Bank and is an acolyte at her high school. Robert Larkin (Episcopal) plays on the Knights football team and is an acolyte during chapel services. Sarah Lewis (Kinkaid) is a member of the Bocce Ball Club, Kinkaid Cooking for the Community (KCFC), and Kinkaid PAWS Club. She is also a Spirit of Kinkaid (SOK) representative that makes signs and posters for pep rallies, organizes food and prizes for tailgates before football games, and decorates the school for big events and sports teams. She plays field hockey and soccer and runs track. She also volunteers at Bellaire Nature Discovery Center. Claire Mangin (St. Pius X) plays tennis, is on Student Council, and made Honor Roll at her high school. She is a Buddy Volunteer with Challenger baseball, an organization for children who cannot play baseball on their own due to physical or mental challenges. She enjoys visiting family in New Orleans and babysitting. Kim Martinez (St. Stephen’s Episcopal) had a photograph entered into the State Arts Competition at TAPPS (Texas Association of Private and Parochial Schools). She is Vice President of GLO (Girls Leadership Organization), a group that plans
events, including the school formal and fall festival. She is also involved in community service at her high school with Roots and Shoots and helped organize school wide events such as Peace Day. Quinn McClean (Strake Jesuit) enjoys being a member of the cross country team at his high school. Tessa Mudford (Episcopal) is on the Varsity swim team, performed in the spring dance concert, and is a member of SOS (Students of Service) and the admissions club. Next year, she will attend boarding school at Brentwood College School in British Columbia. Adam Nunez (Second Baptist) will intern at JP Morgan this summer as an Assistant Private Asset Manager. At his high school, he made First Team All District in football and was a captain for his football team that won the TAPPS 4A State Championship. His other activities include Fellowship of Christian Athletes, tennis, Spanish Club, SBS Ambassador, and Model United Nations Club. He also volunteers with Coastal Conservation Association, Medical Bridges, and the Red Cross. Peter Nyberg (Episcopal) is a Grade Discipline Council Representative, on the Varsity basketball team, made Honor Roll, and earned Highest Honors. He also volunteers at Nehemiah Center.
Emery Larkin (Episcopal) won All-SPC for Division I field hockey. She made the Honor Roll for fall semester and traveled to Disney World and Palm Beach for a field
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Luke Parazynski (St. Thomas) volunteers at his sister’s class for students with autism. At his high school, he made the Honor Roll, plays tennis, and is a member of the Spanish Club. He traveled to Boston to visit family this year.
Grant Williamson (Episcopal) won third place in art and honorable mention in the 2013 Scholastic Art & Writing Competition for his sculpture submission titled, “Red Shadow”. He plays soccer for the Knights and enjoyed traveling to London this year.
Meghan Parsons (Bellaire) enjoys being on the Cardinals swim team and is a member of the Christian Students’ Union, a club that meets to worship and talk about their lives. This year, she has traveled to Key West, Washington, D.C., and Maryland. Jack Rogers (Strake Jesuit) competes on the Varsity swimming team and swam at Junior Nationals this year. At his high school, he is a member of the Young Conservatives Club, Business Club, and Principal’s Honor Roll. He volunteers with the First Presbyterian Church Wing’s Program and worked in Canada. Charlie Russ (Phillips Exeter) plays Varsity soccer and lacrosse at boarding school and traveled to Hawaii with his family. Alondra Salvador (St. Stephen’s Episcopal) joined the tennis team and is Vice President of Roots and Shoots, a service organization at her high school. She is proud of a commercial the club made for a Houston Zoo project called Action for Apes that helps to conserve the animals’ habitat. Her artwork earned fifth place at the TAPPS art competition. She also enjoyed traveling to the Grand Canyon this year. Lauren Stubbers (St. Agnes) made the Honor Roll and is a member of the Junior Varsity lacrosse team, Key Club, and Model United Nations Club. Katherine Ten Eyck (St. Agnes) is busy at her high school performing in the SAA/SJ Mixed Chorus and being Co-President/Co-Founder of That’s So Raven Club. Outside of school, she is a member of the Youth Choir at First Presbyterian Church and tutors at Nehemiah Center.
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Presley Wilson (Kinkaid) was in the ensemble of her high school musical performance of Chicago. She excels on the Kinkaid diving team with numerous awards, including sixth in the SPC 1-meter girl’s diving event, third in girl’s diving at the Cardinal Classic Swimming & Diving Invitational, and first in the 1-meter girl’s diving at the Houston Area Private and Parochial Invitational. Phoebe Zipper (Kinkaid) reports that she enjoyed traveling to Costa Rica for a three-week language home stay this year.
2012 Caroline Ankoma-Sey (St. John’s) is on the volleyball, basketball, and Varsity track team. She ran in an 800m sprint medley relay where she broke a school record that had been in place since 1985. She was recognized as an Outstanding Freshman at a recent track meet. Additionally, she is a member of the Caprice Dance Group, Community Service Club, and WHEE (Women Helping Empower Each Other). Suman Atluri (St. John’s) has been busy focusing on community service and has volunteered for more than 150 hours. He is involved in many clubs and activities as well as sports at his high school. He is a staff writer for the St. John’s School newspaper, a member of South Asian Affinity Group and tour guild, an avid spirit club member, a quiz bowl member (something he started at Presbyterian School), and plays tennis. He also managed the girls’ basketball team. He traveled to Boston in November for a quiz bowl tournament at Harvard. Elena Benn (St. Agnes) was the goalie on the Varsity field hockey team this year.
debate team, and community service club. She has traveled to Dutch Islands, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, New York, and Connecticut. She has volunteered at Sippican School in Marion, Massachusetts.
Sarah Benstock (The Kent School) has been involved with intramural crew, Varsity swimming, Varsity crew, Bridge Club, Model United Nations Club, and the Kent Republican Club. She is Coxswain on the crew team, helping to steer and navigate the boat. She won the Honorary Oarswomen Award for showing an exemplary attitude, commitment, and hard work. She also made the High Honors Roll. She helped with fundraising at a local elementary school and a retirement home where she enjoys playing bridge and visiting with the residents. On campus, she gives tours to prospective students and helps with set up and clean up for school dances. Chris Borders (Memorial) has enjoyed being on the football and basketball teams at school.
Kentucky where she entered the USA Fencing all-academic team competition (a competition which recognizes excellence in academics) and hopes to achieve the highest tier. She also participates in China Club and Battle Reenactment Club at her high school. Lately she has been working for Kids Meals through National Charity League and Meals on Wheels through Kinkaid School, which delivers meals to children and seniors. Claire Brito (Tabor Academy) attends boarding school in Massachusetts. She reports that “going away to school has been a great experience. I have learned a lot about living with others and managing my school life independently.” At Tabor, she is involved in the musical, tennis team,
Aubrey Calaway (St. Agnes) will travel to China for three weeks this summer to work at an orphanage for disabled children. She is a member of SAMS club (Students Against Modern-day Slavery), Film Club, Photography Club, and was a member of the crew for the performance of Legally Blonde. She also enjoyed traveling to Seattle this year. Sam Clark (Strake Jesuit) is a member of Student Council, Key Club, and the cross country team. He received the Highest Honors/Principal’s Honor Roll. He is one of three freshmen who made the Junior Varsity A lacrosse team. He participates in drives and service opportunities, including volunteering at the Belmont Village Retirement Home. He enjoys intramural dodge ball and UCAL basketball. Brittney Reese (St. Agnes), Camille Williamson (St. Agnes), and Cassidy Newsome (Episcopal) enjoyed seeing one another at the Presbyterian School Fall 2012 Back to School Ice Cream Social.
Kendyl Bree (Kinkaid) won a Silver Key and Honorable Mention for her poetry submissions in the 2013 Scholastic Art & Writing Competition. She fences at Alliance Fencing, an epée club. She traveled to a North American Cup in Louisville,
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Ca’Rhonda Evans (Stafford) volunteers in the youth department at Impact Worship Center, has a babysitting job, and helps in her neighborhood by updating the neighborhood sign with events, planting flowers, and helping keep it clean. At her high school, she is a member of the basketball team, tennis team, and Distributive Education Clubs of America (DECA), which prepares students for entrepreneurship. This year, she is taking five advanced or Pre-AP classes. Morgan Feanny (Episcopal) has enjoyed volunteering at a “Bike Rodeo” where she helped children learn the skills and precautions to safely ride a bike. During the fall semester, she received the Highest Honor Award and played field hockey. This spring, she is a member of the tennis team and the Art Club. Daniel Hancock (Episcopal) is a member of the wrestling team and active in theatre classes. He volunteers at HOPE pet adoptions and enjoyed traveling to Belize with his family. Maddie Heno (St. Agnes) plays on the Varsity softball team and made the Honor Roll. Sam Kretzschmar (Strake Jesuit) is a member of the football team and lacrosse team. He is active in Computer Building and Athletes in Action and made the Honor Roll during the fall semester. He
also volunteers at Belmont Village Retirement Home. Lerah Lockett (Episcopal) was awarded Highest Academic Honors and Exemplary Effort awards for the first semester. She is also on the Varsity golf team and involved in theatre. She enjoys tutoring young children and volunteering to help abused and neglected animals. Kylie Lohrenz 1 (Kinkaid) won two Silver Keys in the Harris County region for her poetry submission and personal essay/memoir submission in the 2013 Scholastic Art & Writing Competition. One of her poems was picked to be included in an anthology published by Creative Communications. She played Varsity volleyball as a defensive specialist (DS) at school. Alena Peters (St. Agnes) is on the tennis team and field hockey team. She earned the MVP award for field hockey. She also participates in the That’s So Raven Club and Spirit Club. She enjoys babysitting and dog sitting. 1
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Sam Wempe (Episcopal) is taking three honors courses his freshman year and earned Highest Honors– the highest academic achievement eligible to students. He started on the freshman football team, which had an undefeated season. He also earned a position on the Junior Varsity basketball team and was selected as manager for the freshman baseball team. He is active in Service Club, participating in the Freshman Day of Service last fall. He is also active in the First Presbyterian Church high school accountability group for freshman boys and will go on the First Presbyterian Church high school youth mission trip to Dominican Republic this summer. The highlight of his summer after graduating from Presbyterian School was attending the University of Kentucky Basketball Camp, where his team won the camp tournament, and he had the opportunity to meet Coach John Calipari. Joyson Zhang (Strake Jesuit) placed third for his piano performance in the 2012 American Protégé International Competition of Romantic Music and placed first in the American Protégé International Piano and Strings Competition. He was invited to perform at The Winners’ Recital held at New York City’s Carnegie Hall.
Want to share your news? Keep us updated on what is going on in your life. We would love to hear from you! Email Lizzie Voss, Development Associate, lvoss@pshouston. org.
A strong alumni association has been a dream of the School’s since the first eighth grade class graduated in 2003. Last spring, we began working towards this goal. After many meetings, the Alumni Association was formed and bylaws were created. The Presbyterian School Alumni Association provides a common ground where past students can connect with each other and the School which we all adore. The Alumni Association is operated by a Board that includes a President, Vice President, Social Chair and many other positions. The Alumni Board ensures that the goals and actions of the Alumni Association align with the School’s mission and the Association’s purpose. We are a dynamic group and adapt to the changing social environment but still stay steadfast to our goals. We, in the association, hope to connect old friends, provide opportunities for personal and developmental connections, as well as reinforce the bond between the alumni and Presbyterian School.
al u m n i A S S O C I AT I O N
alumni board
Christopher Winters PS Alumni Board President Class of 2006
Alumni Board members:
Katy Odom, Clark Jacobs, Ben Clemenceau, Chris Winters, Blair Bradford
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alumni board (continued)
Chris Winters President I am an avid 80’s hair metal fan.
P
resbyterian School means so much to me. It has given me lifelong friends, great morals and values, along with a great education. My favorite memory from Presbyterian School was the eighth grade play. It was our last hoorah with my classmates, many of them I have been with for many, many years. Having gone to Presbyterian my entire life at that point, it was hard to just pick one memory because my entire life up to that point was molded and shaped through Presbyterian. I wanted to serve on the PS Alumni Board because I want to reach out to old friends and start something that will be able to build connections for later in life. Currently, I’m a junior at Wake Forest University where I am an Economics major and an Entrepreneurship and Social Enterprise minor. I am currently the leader of the Business Development division for “TaketheFight” cancer foundation. I will also be working for Crown Castle International this summer in the corporate finance division.
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Katy Odom Vice President My guilty pleasure is reality television, any of the Real Housewives shows are great.
P
resbyterian was such a great community for me to grow up in, it was like a family. I have a lot of favorite memories from Presbyterian, but one that really stands out to me was when I was in fifth grade and we had to come up with a million dollar project. We were given a million fake dollars and had to devise what we were going to spend the money on. I chose to run a cattle ranch. I had so much fun creating the project and learned a little about excel sheets and basic finance. As part of the PS Alumni Board, I hope to reconnect with my old school, classmates and teachers, and help others to do the same. Currently, I attend the University of Houston Law School. Additionally, I work part-time at Weingarten Realty Investors in their legal department. I am also involved with, and volunteer through, the Galveston Bay Foundation’s Young Professional Association.
Blair Bradford Social Chair
P
I’m on a quest to travel to all 50 states and all 7 continents.
resbyterian School will always be what my friends and I call the “ol’ stomping grounds.” It’s where we gained exposure to everything from Spanish to valuable life lessons. PS provides a safe community to develop from a young child into a young adult. As a PS student, my favorite memory has to be third grade. It was a big jump–we got to wear new uniforms and got grades and real homework. I thought I was super prepared–even took a test “close-note” because you got 5 bonus points. I learned early that you need to be prepared. I equate PS with preparation. I have found that PS built such a solid foundation that I have subsequently been prepared and succeeded. As an alumni, my favorite memory has been planning reunions with students and teachers. Students and teachers still get so excited to revel in memories. It’s a unique experience we have at PS, and the opportunity to come back together is one that I’ve enjoyed bringing to others. As a member of the second PS graduating class and it having been the only school I attended until that point, I feel a sense of responsibility for the future of the school. PS gave me endless opportunities. I want to make sure that alumni like me give back to the school in whatever way we can so that future generations can share in those opportunities. Currently, I’m in my first year at the University of Chicago Law School. I will be working as a summer associate for Vinson & Elkins during summer 2013.
Ben Clemenceau Clark Jacobs Ever since I watched an episode of “Bizarre Foods” with Andrew Zimmern, I’ll eat virtually anything that isn’t still crawling around my plate.
P
resbyterian School is an opportunity for children. It’s a place that allowed me to develop my sense of self (I attended from kindergarten through eighth) and challenged me to face subjects that intimidated or confused me. I’ll never forget our middle school class trips to Colorado, Florida, etc. They were great opportunities for students to bond and experience things outside the classroom and in many cases outside our state. I joined the PS Alumni Board because I want to help people stay in touch with these roots. College alumni events are always a focal point because that’s a four-year period that changes people and matures people quite dramatically. I think that elementary school and middle school are just as critical when examining factors and environments that influence people as they grow up. Currently, I’m working fulltime with Cameron International as a Marketing Coordinator here in Houston. It’s been a terrific opportunity so far and I’m really enjoying it. Outside of that, I’m learning French and taking cooking lessons.
C L A S S AG E N TS
I was born in NYC, lived in New Jersey, grew up in Houston, currently attend school in Nashville, and my family recently moved to Des Moines, Iowa.
It is our hope that each class stays in touch with the School. To help promote alumni events and gather alumni news, one boy and one girl are elected by their peers to serve as Class Agents. The following individuals are serving as Class Agents. If you would like to represent your class, please contact Chris Winters, President of the Alumni Board, or Lizzie Voss, Development Associate at Presbyterian School.
P
resbyterian School exposed me to many situations that have shaped who I am. It particularly taught me the quality of perseverance. Even though math has always been my strongest subject, Ms. Olmstead’s eighth grade class is still one of the toughest courses I’ve been through. While the intense workload and fast-paced learning didn’t seem fun at the time, I learned to keep pushing forward in adverse times. This experience prepared me for high school and my success in math. I remember eighth grade basketball season when we played Westbury Christian. Standing at 4’10’’, I wasn’t the tallest guy around. The opposing team stepped onto the court, and I quickly realized I was over a foot shorter than every player on their team. I nearly got dunked on by a kid that had to have been at least 6’4”, and we ended up losing the game around 85-20. At the time, it was a tough loss but now I laugh about it. As a member of the PS Alumni Board, I wanted to positively impact the participation of the Alumni Association and reestablish the community with my classmates. The Alumni Association is a great way to reconnect with old friends and encourage others to do the same. Currently, I am a sophomore Economics major at Vanderbilt with a minor in Financial Economics and Corporate Strategy. I try to keep myself busy in Nashville through my fraternity involvement and RUF (Reformed University Fellowship).
• Class of 2013 •
Julia Calaway Cooper Lueck • Class of 2012 •
Aubrey Calaway Suman Atluri • Class of 2011 •
Katherine Ten Eyck Akshay Jaggi • Class of 2010 •
Kelly Buckner Phillip James
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al u m n i assoc i at i o n
special events 2012-2013
Alumni Summer Reunion Rajun Cajun August 2, 2012
Alumni Mom’s Reunion Home of Debbie Hanna February 28, 2013
Left: Alice Rohrman, Renee Hawkins and Dana Miller Top right: Lisa Kretzschmar and Stacie Williamson Bottom right: Debbie Hanna and Brenda Wempe
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Top: Class of 2003 alumni Katy Odom, Emma Ebbs, Carlton Wilde and Alex Pons Middle left: Class of 2004 alumni Laura Rodriguez, Kelsey Rodriguez, Erica Njoku and Blair Bradford Middle right: Class of 2007 alum Clark Jacobs with Class of 2006 alumni Palmer Wilson and Chris Winters Bottom: Class of 2005 alumni Mary Megan Mullins and Hillary Caldwell
Alumni Christmas Reunion for College and Beyond Armadillo Palace December 19, 2012
Top left: Class of 2004 alum Erica Njoku and Class of 2003 alumni Griselda Gallardo and Gabby Salazar Top middle: Class of 2008 alumni Danielle Benn, Ian Bouillion, Chandni Jaggi, Alistair Benckenstein, Sarah Rohrman, and Elliott Bouillion Top right: Class of 2003 alumni Farrell Davis, Alex Pons, Katy Odom, Jordan Warmath, Hannah Chesser and Rudy Ramirez Bottom Left: Class of 2004 alumni Charlie Bryan, Andrew Sterling, Kelsey Rodriguez, Joey Arcidiacono, Ian Herbert and Blair Bradford Bottom right: Class of 2008 alumni Alistair Jones, Jean Edwards and Blaine Williamson
Alumni Christmas Reunion for High School Armadillo Palace December 21, 2012
Top left: Class of 2012 alumni Suman Atluri, Meredith O’Neal, Camille Williamson, Gentry Barton, Lerah Lockett and Aubrey Calaway with PS music teacher, Susan Howard Top middle: Class of 2009 alumni Harrison Hanna and Eric Blackwell with Class of 2010 alum Justin Bernard and Middle School Head, Philip Cannon. Top right: Class of 2012 alumni Claire Brito and Kylie Lohrenz with English teacher, Scott Hanold. Bottom: Class of 2011 alumni Akshay Jaggi, Elizabeth Copper, Katherine Ten Eyck and Claire Mangin with Class of 2010 alum Justin Bernard and PS music teacher, Susan Howard
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al u m n i assoc i at i o n
portrait of a panther
Graduates of Presbyterian School have a carefully developed foundation of core values when they leave us. Respect, perseverance, courage, compassion, integrity, and gratitude characteriz e their shared jour ney through a challenging curriculum that enriches their minds, an eclectic fine ar ts program that captivates their spirits, comprehensive athletic and wellness programs that nur ture their bodies, and ser vice projects at ever y grade level that nourish their souls. Presbyterian School students emerge ready for so much more than just high school; they are ready for life!
P r esbyte r i a n S chool G r ad uates... • Seek
•
through prayer, study, and reflection to discern the guidance of their Creator in all their reallife situations.
• Read
Embody a positive sense of selfconfidence, self-worth, and security so that they believe deeply and take appropriate risks throughout their lives.
• Identify
• Display
a growth mindset, focusing on dedication and hard work, which create a lifelong love of learning and a resilience that is at the heart of great accomplishment.
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and write critically, actively synthesizing information and making sense of it for themselves and others. and solve problems creatively by analyzing disparate sets of data and then drawing novel conclusions.
• Engage
themselves comfortably in communities and their many forms.
PS stay connected Like u s on Face book
Presbyterian School Alumni
C on n ect w it h t h e a l u m n i a s s o c iat io n
The Association is committed to the bond established between Presbyterian School and its alumni. Let us hear from you! A lu m n i B oa r d
class agents
V isit t he Alumni Po rtal
Chris Winters, President cw14@comcast.net
Class of 2013
www.pshouston.org/alumni portal All alumni have an individual login to access the portal.
Katy Odom, Vice President kodom@utexas.edu Blair Bradford, Social Chair blairrbradford@gmail.com Clark Jacobs clark.m.jacobs@vanderbilt.edu Ben Clemenceau bclemen@gmail.com
Julia Calaway jcalaway123@gmail.com Cooper Lueck cwlueck31299@gmail.com Class of 2012 Aubrey Calaway aubreycalaway@gmail.com Suman Atluri sumatluri@gmail.com Class of 2011 Katherine Ten Eyck katherine.teneyck@st-agnes.org Akshay Jaggi akshay.x.jaggi@gmail.com Class of 2010 Kelly Buckner kbuckner14@gmail.com Phillip James psjames3@aim.com
5300 Main Street Houston, Texas 77004
Parents of Alumni
If your son or daughter no longer maintains a permanent address at your home, please notify Lizzie Voss, Development Associate, at 713.620.6354 or lvoss@pshouston.org. Please forward this edition of The Window to your PS graduate. Thank you!