Bond of Brothers Year in Review 2013-14

Bond Brothers OF

YEAR IN REVIEW, 2013–2014

THE OFFICIAL MAGAZINE FOR SAN ANTONIO ACADEMY OF TEXAS

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A A Banner Year at S

Campus Takes Shape PAGE 11

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SAN ANTONIO ACADEMY TEX HILL

SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS October 1, 2014–January 6, 2015

San Antonio Academy proudly announces the Tex Hill Scholarship Program which provides tuition, fees, textbooks and uniforms to two fifth grade boys who will attend San Antonio Academy during their 6th, 7th and 8th grade years.

Visit sa-academy.org OR call 210.733.7331 for details.

San Antonio Academy admits students of all race, color, and national or ethnic origin.

Accredited by the Independent Schools Association of the Southwest. Member of the National Association of Independent Schools

117 E. French Place San Antonio 78212 210.733.7331

BE HONEST. BE KIND. BE THE BEST YOU CAN BE.®

Bond Brothers OF

In this issue

EDITOR

FROM THE HEAD OF SCHOOL 5 STUDENT OUTCOMES 6 FEATURE: BANNER YEAR AT SAA! 11 CURRICULUM 13 IN THE CLASSROOM 39 COMMUNITY OUTREACH 41 AROUND CAMPUS 43 ATHLETICS 46 ACADEMY COMMUNITY & SUPPORT 54 ENRICHMENT 58 ALUMNI 60 COMMENCEMENT 67

CO-EDITOR

Becky Shimek, Director of Communications

Virginia Beeler, Associate Head of School/Academics

CONTRIBUTORS Ruth Berg Natalie Bock, Wildcat Sports Bonny Osterhage, Paw Print staff Mary Shrader Valerie Tamez John Webster

PHOTOGRAPHY Cathy Baumgardner Natalie Bock Mary Candee Linda Gielen Robert Lemke Dana Parish Priscilla Power Haley Royer Becky Shimek Michael J. Smith

BOARD OF TRUSTEES

BE HONEST. BE KIND. BE THE BEST YOU CAN BE.® San Antonio Academy of Texas offers prekindergarten through eighth grade boys an exceptional academic program that features small classes, a family-like atmosphere, the development of a positive self-image and a foundation for life based upon the love of God and country, integrity and respect for each other.

San Antonio Academy admits students of any race, color, and national or ethnic origin.

Accredited by the Independent Schools Association of the Southwest.

Member of the National Association of Independent Schools.

San Antonio Academy of Texas 117 East French Place San Antonio, Texas 78212-5899 (210) 733-7331 voice (210) 734-0711 fax sa-academy.org

Mr. Christopher Allison Dr. Sergio Alvarado Mr. George Bodden ‘84 Mr. Steve Chiscano, Vice Chair Mr. Gary DeLaune, Ex-Officio Mrs. Elizabeth Hart Mrs. Lisa Kelleher Mr. Jacob Leibowitz, ‘99, Ex-Officio Mrs. Molly McAdams Mrs. Deborah Miller, Ex-Officio Mr. James Oliver Mrs. Victoria Roca Mr. Rob Sabom Mrs. Kelly Satel, Secretary Mr. Greg Seay, Chair Mrs. Patricia Smith Mr. John Tate Mrs. Melanie Thomas, Ex-Officio Dr. Robert Thomas, Ex-Officio Mr. Dennert O. Ware Mr. John Webster, Ex-Officio Mrs. Laurie White Mr. Greg Wright, Treasurer Mrs. Tina York, Development Committee Chair Mr. Josh Zeller

®

FROM THE HEAD OF SCHOOL

Bond of Brotherhood In November, an old and battered book arrived in the mail. It was accompanied by this letter: November 1, 2013 RE: Overdue book I am returning the book, “Horses I’ve Known,” by Will James. It is at least 57 years overdue. I say at least because I graduated from SAA in 1956. The book was originally donated to your library in 1949. Please accept my apologies for not returning it in a timely manner.

I found it when cleaning out my barn the other day. It was stored in a plastic container along with a number of other books, some of them old textbooks from my years at SAA and TMI. I thought that you might enjoy getting it back. I sure hope that you will waive the fine, for it might bankrupt me.

Sincerely, Michael S. O’Farrell ‘56 Cantonment, Florida An instant later, I sent Mike an email: Thank you, Mike. Soon you will receive an invoice for compounded overdue library book charges (June 1957– November 2013) totaling $997,001.77. You may use your MasterCard or Visa, if you wish.

Just kidding, sir. I’m reading your awesome overdue library book letter to the boys at chapel tomorrow…great letter, sir! On a different topic, we have created an Alumni Wall of Honor in Ellison Hall, where our 347 boys open each day with chapel. Your photo and your story are on our Wall of Honor.

Mike replied: The overdue library book joke made me laugh out loud.

I am in my seventies now, but I can honestly say that I look back at my time at SAA as some of the best years of my life.

It was my introduction to serving the USA, and though as a resident student, I missed my family, I am thankful that they chose San Antonio Academy.

Mike O’Farrell was awarded three Purple Hearts for his service in Vietnam.

Mike’s Academy buddy was Charles Anderson ’57, who was awarded the Bronze Star and two Purple Hearts for service in Vietnam.

Mike O'Farrell

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San Antonio Academy of Texas

Mike and Charles are part of a proud tradition that includes: •• Tex Hill ’28, the legendary Flying Tiger •• Tom Frost ’41, bank President and respected civic leader •• Charles Noble ’43, a veteran with distinguished combat

service in Korea •• David Scott ’46, an astronaut who walked on the moon •• James Willerson ’53, nationally renowned cardiologist •• Lamar Smith ’62, respected leader in Congress

These are men whose foundation was set at SAA…men who achieved at a high level, served their nation, gave back to their communities and who honored the Academy Code: •• I •• I •• I •• I •• I

will love God and my country. will perform my duty at all times. will show courtesy at all times. will always help others. will remember that honor and honesty are the most important gifts God has given us.

The Academy Code has been in effect for 128 years, and today San Antonio Academy is still going strong, as we teach our boys how important it is to: “Be honest. Be kind. Be the best you can be.”

For 128 years SAA has been faithful to its mission, values and traditions: •• All boys •• God and country •• Character and leadership •• Academic rigor •• Family

For 128 years San Antonio Academy has graduated men who have made a difference in San Antonio and beyond.

Thank you for all you do to make San Antonio Academy a lighthouse school. What we have here is special.

—JOHN WEBSTER, HEAD OF SCHOOL

STUDENT OUTCOMES ART SHOW included 222 works of art submitted by 165 boys in 1st–8th grades.

That means 57% of students in those grades participated in the Show. That’s a lot of Academy boys who love art and PERFORM at a pretty high level.

FOUR Academy 8th graders earned MERIT SCHOLARSHIPS, including: The Campbell @ SMH; The Brother Edel @ Central Catholic; the Frost @ TMI; and a McCallie Merit Scholarship.

47%

46%

of SAA’s 7th graders were STATERECOGNIZED on the college entrance test, the SAT, administered under the aegis of Duke University’s Talent Program (TIPS).

Among those students, three 7th graders were NATIONALLYRECOGNIZED. SAA’s Recognized students turned in scores that were higher than the average score for high school students who took the test. One Academy 7th grader turned in the highest CR (Critical Reading) score (710) in the Region.

of 7th and 8th graders scored in the TOP 10% on the National Spanish Exam, which was administered to thousands of students nationwide.

CONCERT Choir WOWED the crowd as it sang the National Anthem at the March 2 Spurs game.

FIVE Academy boys WON awards at the Regional Science Fair—with one student going on to win an award at the State Meet.

100

Academy boys have been elected to or appointed to more than 160 LEADERSHIP POSITIONS at their high schools since 2001.

100% of our boys participated in SAA’s after-school activities, filling 1,164 positions. After-school activities are an integral part of life at The Academy, as many of our guys remain on campus and stay INVOLVED at the end of the day. Studies show that, when students participate in after-school activities, their relationship with the school becomes stronger, and they develop a greater sense of ownership in their school experience.

ATHLETICS SAA’s varsity athletic teams posted an aggregate 49-9 record, WINNING more than 84% of their games.

Most important, 94% of our boys participated in SAA after-school sports.

The Tex Hill Scholarship Winners San Antonio Academy proudly announces this year’s winners of The Tex Hill Scholarship: Sammy Barr and Jeb Brysacz.

In 2007, San Antonio Academy announced The Tex Hill Scholarship Program, which provides tuition, fees, textbooks and uniforms to two fifth grade boys attending San Antonio Academy during their 6th, 7th and 8th grade years.

The three-year Tex Hill Scholarship is valued at more than $60,000.

The purpose of the program is to seek outstanding young men who have demonstrated excellence in scholarship, citizenship and participation in activities and who demonstrate the potential to become leaders in the school community.

Applications were accepted from students new to The Academy and also from boys currently enrolled at SAA. The final decisions were made by the Tex Hill Scholarship Committee, which consisted of members of the school community who do not work at SAA or have a child enrolled at The Academy.

Year in Review, 2013–2014

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STUDENT OUTCOMES

During the past thirteen years, over 100 Academy boys have been elected or appointed to more than 160 leadership positions at their high schools; during the past two years, 35 Academy grads have been recognized as Eagle Scouts.

The following is a partial list. Visit sa-academy.org for the complete 13-year list.

John Amini ’05 Ben Barenblat ’05

Battalion Commander at Lee HS ROTC

Rob Cavender ’05

Student Council Representative at AHHS

Vincent Dawson ’05

Student Council Representative at AHHS

Micah Graf ’05 Ash Hollis ’05 Patrick Joyce ’05

AJ Lewis ’05

Sophomore Board; Captain of Golf Team at International School of the Americas Freshman Class Treasurer at Berkshire (CT) Captain of the Varsity Football Team and Defensive MVP at Central Catholic; First Team All-State Academic and National Honor Society in 11th & 12th grades; Recipient of the Greg Chavez Linebacker Award; Team All State Academic 11th & 12th grades Student Council Representative at AHHS

Joseph Shields ’05

Student Body President at SMH; Sophomore Class VP at SMH

Andrew Simms ’05

Honor Council Representative at SMH

Ross Studer ’05

Student Council Representative at AHHS

Lex Stewart ’05

Class Representative; National Honor Society; Varsity Basketball Captain at TMI

Paul Terracina ’05

Student Council Representative at AHHS

Curtis Vaughan ’05

Student Council Representative at AHHS

Beau Watson ’05

Student Council Representative at AHHS

Johnny West ’05

Student Council Representative at AHHS

Will Yancy ’05

Student Council Representative at AHHS

Jerry Harris ’06 Hank Leeper ’06 Joe Montemayor ’06 Tyler Richard ’06

Senior Class Parliamentarian at Churchill HS Senior Class President at SMH; Senior Leadership Honorary; Freshman Representative to Upper School Head Search; Captain of Freshman Basketball team at SMH National Honor Society at Central Catholic Class Representative, Honor Senate, 9th & 10th grades; Resident Advisor in Freshman Dorm, Membership to TRP Woods Leadership Honorary Society at The McCallie School; Valedictorian

Marlow Taylor ’06

Sophomore Class VP at Keystone; National Honor Society at Keystone

Michael Blume ’07

Battalion Commander at Central Catholic

Brandon Clingman ’07 Wesley Gonzalez ’07 Henry Guerra ’07 Tom Holshouser ’07 Coley Kellogg ’07 Andrew Matalon ’07

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Freshmen & Sophomore Class VP at TMI; National Honor Society; Captain of Varsity Baseball Team; National Honor Society VP; Company Commander

Student Body President at SACS Class Representative, Community Service Council at SMH; President Spanish Club Company Commander at TMI; Battalion SGM; US Army Recruiting Commandant Award; National Honor Society, President Spanish Club Class Representative, Community Service Council at SMH Class Representative, Sports Council at SMH Track Team Captain

David Rochelle ’07

President, Sports Council at SMH

Spencer Romo ’07

Superior Cadet Award for TMI’s Corps of Cadets, Company Commander

San Antonio Academy of Texas

STUDENT OUTCOMES George Shaw ’07 Taylor Thornton ’07 Alex Bathie ’08 Timothy Brown ’08

National Honor Society at AHHS Class Representative, Fine Arts Council at SMH Sophomore and Junior Class Secretary at AHHS; Student Council Executive Board Resident Assistant in Freshman Dorm at McCallie

Jace Canty ’08

Student Council Representative at AHHS; National Honor Society; National Spanish Honor Society

Nick Prete ’08

Class Representative, Student Council at SMH

Thomas Rochelle ’08 Ryan Studer ’08 Jim Bugg ’09

Class Representative, Sports Council at SMH; Captain of Varsity Baseball Student Council at AHHS Secretary, Young Conservatives Club at SMH; Yearbook Editor

Chris Kaihlanen ’09

Cum Laude; National English Honor Society; Student Council; Math Club President at SMH

Anthony Kayruz ’09

Student Body President at SMH; Student Council Representative at SMH; Presidential Scholar

Austen McDonough ’09 Garrett Notzon ’09

Landes Rangel ’09 Griffin Rubin ’09

Zach Schaeffer ’09 Matthew Villanueva ’09 Parker Brown ’10 Steven Constantine ’10 Clark Finney ’10 Jeremy Heath ’10 Lane Kirstein ’10 Travis Long ’10 Marshall Noble ’10 Grant Roberts ’10 Riley Zander ’10 Jonathan Gottsman ’11 Harrison Richter ’11 Grant Sechler ’11 Marshall Thurmond ’11 Raul Aguilar ’12 Tom Bugg ’12 Marshall Webb ’12 Jack Wright ’12 Robert Allison ’13 Marshall Beldon ’13 Alexander Johnson ’13 Andrew Lemke ’13

Freshman Class President at Boerne Champion Honor Council President at TMI; Honor Council Representative; Guidon Bearer at TMI; Company Commander at TMI; National Honor Society, Treasurer; Senior Army Initiative Leadership Award; Boys State; Boys State Counselor New Student Ambassador at St. Mary's HS in Colorado Springs Governor of The Texas Junior State of America; Selected by Texas Junior Statesmen of America as one of five students from Texas to attend a leadership summit in California; Invited to participate in National Center for Learning & Citizen Conference in Chicago.

National Honor Society at AHHS Summa Cum Laude; ACTS Team Co-Director at Churchill HS Freshman Council; Ambassador for Incoming Students at McCallie; National Youth Leadership Conference; Keo Kio, Senior Leadership Honorary; Resident Assistant Battalion Staff at TMI; Guidon Bearer at TMI Sophomore Class President at AHHS; Junior Class President; VP Future Business Leaders of America; Spirit Club President Student Council at Hotchkiss in Connecticut; Teaching Assistant; Dorm Proctor National Honor Society at AHHS Fine Arts Council at SMH National Honor Society at AHHS National Honor Society at Churchill National Honor Society at AHHS Sports Council at SMH Undergraduate Honor Society at Churchill Sergeant at Arms of Sophomore Class at AHHS; Treasurer, Junior Class at AHHS Spanish National Honor Society; Future Business Leaders, Social Chairman Guidon Bearer at Central Catholic Fine Arts Council at SMH Honor Council Representative at SMH Sports Council at SMH Student Council at AHHS Sophomore Class President at Churchill HS Student Body Treasurer at TMI Student Shadow Ambassador at SMH

Year in Review, 2013–2014

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2013–2014 SAA Leadership P

ositions BATTALION STAFF Commander James Pfirrmann Executive Officer Cesar Martinez Adjutant Andres Rodriguez Aide De Camp Jacob Roos Operations Officer Jack Renaud Logistics Officer Matthew Lopez Inspector General Cole Conlin Public Relations Officer Isaac Goldstone Protocol Officer Vincent Notzon

COLOR GUARD Commander Reed Sechler Executive Officer Ethan Grant Daniel Lemke Jay Roberts David White

DRUM CORPS Commander Marcus Sampson Executive Officer Garrett Freiling Jax Roberts

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San Antonio Academy of Texas

COMPANY A

COMPANY B

COMPANY C

COMPANY D

Commander Thomas Hart

Commander Luke Powers

Commander Matthew Pisano

Commander Daniel Guerra

Executive Officer Hunter Schenk

Executive Officer Sam Harper

Executive Officer Nathan Romo

Executive Officer Frates Newsom

Platoon Leader Davis Guglielmo

Platoon Leader Luke Dunn

Platoon Leader Miguel Ruiz

Platoon Leader Braden Coleman

Platoon Leader Pierce Kellogg

Platoon Leader Campbell Erwin

Platoon Leader Evan Shimek

Platoon Leader Michael Shriner

Training Officer Sam Metersky

Training Officer Miles Erwin

Training Officer Frankie Armijo

Sergio Alvarado Alex Alvarez Traylor Azar Sammy Barr Sawyer Barr Steven Benke Hutton Campbell Gage Casey Jack Casey Cameron Chan Ben Chapman Jack Chapman Juddy Crawford Ben Feinstein Ethan Feinstein Cole Finney Jatin Gurrala Edward Hart Max Hart Emory Hill Angelo Huff Chazz Hunter Christopher Hunter Jamie Johnson Parker Johnson Jose Carlos Martinez Nate Mayo Ben Metersky Isaac Miller Will Nunns Jack Osterhage Ty Osterhage Max Rosenbloom Jordan Sampson Mark Sechler Wendell Snow Edward Snyder Austin Tibbetts William Tucker Quinton Uribe Michael Wagner Alex Weis Ben Weis Michael Wood Parker Worley

Spence Baldwin Lance Berryman Aidan Campbell Troy Cervantes Niko Chiscano Cameron Dudley Cole Dudley Jackson Duffin Cole Dunn Ethan Dziczkowski Griffin Erwin Roan Erwin Ethan Fish Anthony Fletcher Eddie Garcia Andrew Hieger Chase Holley Max Huddleston James Jacob Braden Malone Lee Charles McNeil Ethan Met Steven Nguyen Warren Oliver John Paul Ortiz Simon Powell Zachery Powell Alex Pruitt Henry Ramirez Joe Ramirez-Magnani Isaiah Rettig Sam Riggs Ben Rios Jackson Ross Henry Satel Emory Scott Garrett Scott Browning Shemwell Reed Shemwell Lee Smith Morgan Smith Tristan Tamez Mason Traylor Reece Traylor Samuel Velez Jay Welder Manuel Zuniga

Jake Bentley Chaz Bregman Noah Bregman Jeb Brysacz Courtlandt Buzzini Tucker Conlin Billy Conn Daniel Covert Jack Covert Joshua Cross Michael Delvacchio Nico Diaz Donny Duggan Hasan Ehsan Daniel Espey Ben Espy Jaden Gabriel Eli Greenberg Robert Gulley John Howard Hassmann James Hawes Rod Hunter Griffin Kelly Richard Kinsel Sammy Lewis Zachary Liu Clark Mandigo IV Andres Martinez Santiago Martinez Matthew McCutcheon Connor McGrath Dillon McManus Luke Peeler Justin Pisano Peyton Randolph Razik Rehman Henry Robison Dylan Rybacki Shane Rybacki James Schnoebelen Mark Schnoebelen Harrison Stuart Daniel Wang Clark Webb Gray Woodson John York

Argyle Amberson Bennett Angulo Eshanth Beeram Vivek Beeram Michael Blaess Timothy Blymyer Jonathan Duperier James Forgason Curtis Gunn Elias Hansen Myles Jonas Raed Khan Hunter Lee John Kohl McAdams T.J. McFarland Seth Meade John Miller Reaves Miller Walker Noble Mac Northington Joseph Notzon Anish Padala Ethan Parkhurst Rett Pena Robbie Pena Erik Peterson Jackson Rogers John Saad Teel Sabom Andrew Seay Campbell Seay Tate Seeligson Ishan Shah John Ben Shepperd Nathaniel Shriner Matthew Silva Drew Stewart Parker Thill Luke Thomas Josh Uviedo Mikey Vildosola Nicholas Wheeler John White Miles Wright Will Zachry Omer Zafar Ben Zeller

Year in Review, 2013–2014

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Bann

er Year at SAA! HAPE S S E K A T S CAMPU

•• At a price of $4.3 million, the

THE 2013–14 SCHOOL YEAR MARKED THE ONSET & COMPLETION OF SAN ANTONIO ACADEMY’S BLUEPRINT FOR EXCELLENCE CAMPAIGN: PHASE ONE. JULY 2013: Relocation of art and kinder to separate, spacious temporary buildings—located to the north of the Carriage House

circular drive was eliminated, and a new entrance and driveway were constructed on the west end of campus to keep traffic out of the center of the school grounds.

•• Frost Field was expanded with all-season turf installed. Goodbyes were said to the back field, as a much-needed parking lot replaced it and doubled the number of parking spaces.

•• Art and kindergarten classes moved to new temporary buildings that were designed especially for their use. Months of waiting were rewarded in May as construction had come to a close, revealing our campus transformation.

NOVEMBER 2013: Demolition of the concrete annex to the Stribling House—the annex that houses art

BEFORE

DECEMBER 2013: Elimination of the circular drive; creation of a new pavilion entrance drive-through between the Stribling and Franklin Houses

Drawing by Bronson Schoolcraft, Kinder

AFTER

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Today is the day! The Art Building is coming down. The amazing suspension of the machine climbs over the debris. The master claw has made easy work of this demolition. The insulation of her rubble is getting smashed to smithereens. As the boom of the machine swings in a 90 degree angle, it scatters rubble in every direction. Soon the building will be demolished. Isn’t it an outstanding sight?

— Luke Thomas, 3rd Grade

San Antonio Academy of Texas

BEFORE BEFORE

JANUARY 2014: Construction of a new parking lot north of the gym, doubling on-campus parking

FEBRUARY–APRIL 2014: Expansion of the front field

BEFORE MAY 2014: The expanded, newly-renovated Frost Field opens.

AFTER JULY 2014: The centrallylocated Stribling House is now home to the Uniform Store and third grade mathematics.

348 Academy boys lined up to take their turn running onto the new Frost Field on May 5, 2014. The expansion of Frost Field (+40%) and installation of a multi-purpose, all-weather surface will elevate PE classes, the athletic program, recess and summer sports classes.

GIFTS FROM CLASS OF 2014: •• A shiny new flag pole was erected

on the east end of the newlyrenovated Frost Field. The flag will be represented and remembered twice a day by students for years to come as SAA honors our country’s colors and those who fought for our freedom.

•• A “teenage” tree was planted to help repopulate the campus as the newly-renovated field claimed a number of trees in that area.

AFTER

Thank you to our boys and our parents for your patience, and thank you to the generous donors who have made the changes possible, as we create a campus that will help us live our dreams. More changes are on the way, as we envision the shape of things to come.

IT’S AN EXCITING TIME TO BE PART OF THE ACADEMY! Year in Review, 2013–2014

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Math “RACE TO TEN” Using dice and unifix cubes,

Math Creates Problem Solvers

the dice as it bounces across the

MISSION: Mathematics education at San Antonio Academy provides a challenging and stimulating environment which emphasizes mathematics as a language, producing competent thinkers and effective learners with lifelong problem-solving capabilities.

table during the “Race to Ten,” a

Geometers Are First to Open the Doors

boys in Kirstin Railsback’s kindergarten class love the competition and the sound of

math game that helps students gain automaticity and speed in one-to-one correspondence.

Eleven eighth graders took advantage of the opportunity to compete in a high school level geometry course instructed by Mike Hansen. Students who score “A”s in the class often receive high school credit. This elective class met weekly, Monday through Thursday mornings from 7:00–7:50. The students who completed the course were: Frankie Armijo Isaac Goldstone Ethan Grant Daniel Guerra Thomas Hart

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San Antonio Academy of Texas

Cesar Martinez Sam Metersky Frates Newsom James Pfirrmann Luke Powers

Jay Roberts Andres Rodriguez Nathan Romo Jacob Roos Marcus Sampson

CURRICULUM Academy Students Excel in PREP Course

POWs Test Writing & Mathematical Skills Both Mike Hansen’s seventh and eighth grade algebra students solved their POWs (Problems of the Week) using numbers and words. They also quickly realized the importance of math in real life situations. Mike’s eighth graders learned how speed impacts the distance that it takes to stop a car they might be driving, and in an associated problem they discovered how much careless driving can impact their wallets when they have to pay speeding tickets.

Seventh graders investigated the states and how their areas and populations compare as they learned about data analysis.

While working on this project they discovered that every person on Earth could easily fit inside the State of Texas.

SAA Finishes Strong in AMC–8 Contest SAA seventh and eighth graders competed in the AMC-8 contest, a nationwide free response, no calculator math competition given to more than 150,000 students in more than 2000 schools. Top SAA finishers (pictured below) were: 7TH GRADERS Josh Uviedo Top 5% Michael Wood Top 25% Hasan Eshan Top 25%

8TH GRADERS Daniel Guerra Top 5% Nathan Romo Top 25%

The PREP program, a mathematics-based academic enrichment program offered over the course of three summers, enrolls over 1,300 students each year. The following students successfully completed the course this past summer: Frankie Armijo Hasan Ehsan Anish Padala Nathan Romo

Reece Traylor Jordan Sampson Marcus Sampson Josh Uviedo

MATHCOUNTS Team Places 5th at Regionals Competing against 40 other top teams from 17 area schools, Coach Hansen’s MATHCOUNTS team took 5th place team honors. Individual results were impressive with Daniel Guerra placing 13th, Joshua Uviedo taking 14th, and Campbell Erwin, 16th place. The SAA mathletes included: 7TH GRADERS Michael Blaess Hasan Ehsan Myles Jonas Santiago Martinez Lee Charles McNeil Emory Scott Harrison Stuart Josh Uviedo Michael Wood Will Zachry

8TH GRADERS Frankie Armijo Campbell Erwin Daniel Guerra Cesar Martinez Andres Rodriguez Nathan Romo Jacob Roos Hunter Schenk

Year in Review, 2013–2014

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English WORD DAY AT SAA Every student, faculty and staff member at SAA taped their favorite word to their backs.

English Department Encourages Writing

meaning and how to use it in

MISSION: The English Department provides students with the skills to enable them to become proficient communicators in regards to writing and speaking with clarity and precision.

a sentence, which promoted

Humanitarian Essay Wins Recognition

conversation while mustering

Each year when SAA’s Alumni Council sponsors the Col. W.T. Bondurant Oratorical Contest, four seventh and eighth graders present their essays to members of the Council. This year the Council also chose to include a sixth grader. The students are instructed to write about a person who has had a major impact on their lives, how they learned an important lesson or what The Academy means to them.

Finalists were sixth grader Zachery Powell, seventh graders Andrew Hieger and Lee Charles McNeil, and eighth graders Thomas Hart and Andres Rodriguez.

They needed to know the word’s

up respect and interest for words. Thanks to Priscilla Power for initiating this fun idea.

The 2014 Humanitarian Award Essay Winner was Andrew Hieger whose essay was entitled “Courageous Cuban Courage.” He writes about how his grandfather escaped through Mexico to America when the Communist party took control of Cuba, seizing his family business.

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San Antonio Academy of Texas

CURRICULUM

SECRET INGREDIENTS As a prelude to a writing activity, Melinda Biehl told her Third Grade Emotions Poems

sixth graders how a

EXCITEMENT Excitement is hot pink.

It sounds like laughter.

It smells like warm cookies.

It tastes like chocolate cake.

It looks like fireworks.

Excitement feels like a soft blanket.

famous chef, Wolfgang Puck, answered when asked, “What’s your secret ingredient? What makes you special, unique or successful?”

Tenacity was his response. Melinda’s students reflected on what

—Ethan Met

made them special, and then each drafted a paragraph on a “recipe

Recalling the Day the Building Came Down

card” explaining how that quality has made them who they are.

Carol Beckwith’s and Jan Fry’s third graders remembered the visual image and sounds that accompanied the demolition of the Art building.

Crash! Boom! The Art Building is coming down. A big, monstrous machine was tearing down the building. The destruction looked very cool! I wish I was demolishing the Art Building with the enormous machine.

The machine looked very, very sharp.

A worker was spraying water on the building so dust wouldn’t fly around. I am glad the building is coming down.

—John Paul Ortiz

Buzz About the Spelling Bee In a repeat of last year’s performance, the Spelling Bee came down to sixth grade students Troy Cervantes and Jack Osterhage. Troy eventually took the title after spelling the word anonymity with Jack placing as first runner-up. Troy qualified to enter the Citywide Spelling Bee where he finished in 8th place out of 170 contestants.

The ten students in grades four through eight who qualified to compete in the school-wide Spelling Bee included: Argyle Amberson, Troy Cervantes, Ethan Grant, Max Hart, Thomas Hart, Walker Noble, Jack Osterhage, Ty Osterhage, Erik Peterson, and Harrison Stuart.

Drawing by Cole Finney, 3rd Grade

Academy Students Excel in Speech Tournament Forty-one Academy students competed in a variety of events at the Incarnate Word High School Invitational Speech Tournament. The Academy was represented in the finals in all but one event. In both Prose and Public Speaking, SAA had four and five of the eight finals competitors. Top performers were Cesar Martinez (2nd in Prose, 4th in Poetry), Marcus Sampson and Miles Erwin (2nd in Duet Acting), Nathan Romo (2nd in Poetry) and Andres Rodriguez (3rd in Public Speaking). Others who reached the finals rounds were: Troy Cervantes, Ben Feinstein, Isaac Goldstone, Elias Hansen, Thomas Hart, Sam Metersky, Jack Osterhage, Zachary Powell, and William Tucker.

Year in Review, 2013–2014

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CURRICULUM Coach McClintock Teaches Sports Reporting

Fifth Graders Leave Their Print Spearheaded by SAA parent, Bonny Osterhage, the Paw Print, in its fifth year, is the school’s resource for all of the happenings in and around San Antonio Academy. The staff met weekly after school to produce five news-packed issues which included articles and photos. The boys were also contributors to this Bond of Brothers publication. The Paw Print staff included: Sammy Barr Vivek Beeram Jonathan Duperier Eli Greenberg Max Hart Chazz Hunter James Jacob Walker Noble Rett Pena Max Rosenbloom Henry Satel

Fifth Grader Recounts Family Trip in Travel Blog Eli Greenberg and his family had an opportunity to travel to the Middle East and Asia during a time when he would miss school. Laura Douglass, his social studies and English teacher, created an individual assignment for Eli that would incorporate the countries and cultures they were visiting in lieu of that week’s daily work. Thinking back to the journals kept by Lewis and Clark, Laura wondered what a modern-day explorer might do. So she assigned Eli to create a travel blog to record his own adventures. While abroad, Eli wrote a few sentences each day about the places he was exploring and included photos that he sent to Mrs. Douglass who then turned the assignment into a daily lesson by sharing the blog and photo entries with his classmates. The entries were laminated and placed on a bulletin board entitled, “Where’s Eli?”

Mike “Mac” McClintock took a break from coaching to visit Linda Harst’s fourth grade English classes where he discussed his second passion, Sports Broadcasting. Linda said, “After listening to John Webster read Coach Mac’s reports of SAA’s athletic events, I knew Mac had the expertise to impart two important qualities of an effective writer: authentic voice and excellent word choice.” In conjunction with his own recaps, Coach Mac incorporated the sports’ section from a newspaper to demonstrate specific qualities of an effective sports report.

He focused on a key or decisive play in the game, the use of words and phrases that are specific to that sport, emphasizing strong action words and also included literary devices such as alliteration, similes and metaphors.

Following the workshop, each boy wrote a sports report using the five steps of the writing process and implementing the Six Traits of Writing.

First Graders Perform Surgery on Words At the beginning of the year, Lindsay Kramme’s and Tanya Weis’ first graders were welcomed into the “Doctorate of Sentence Engineering” program at SAA. The boys performed their first “surgery” after being introduced to contractions. Each student was to read two given words (it is), surgically remove unnecessary letters using a scalpel (scissors) and then combine the letters that were left to make a contraction. The two words were joined together with an apostrophe bandage.

17

San Antonio Academy of Texas

CURRICULUM

Academy Boys Take Top Four Places in the Laws of Life Contest San Antonio Academy boys were pleased to find out their essays were selected as five of the twelve finalists in the Better Business Bureau’s Laws of Life Essay Contest. At an Awards Banquet they were told they took first, second, third and fourth places out of the 430 essays submitted. In their essays, they shared their own values based on experiences and people in their lives that exemplified those values.

1ST ������������������������������� Thomas Hart (8th grade) When Dixie Died 2ND ������������������������������� Andrew Hieger (7th grade) Courageous Cuban Courage 3RD ������������������������������� Lee Charles McNeil (7th grade) Pursuing Perseverance 4TH ������������������������������� Andres Rodriguez (8th grade) Avoiding Peer Pressure HONORABLE MENTION ���� Zachary Powell (6th grade) Two Doors When asked what they felt the essay contest meant to their students, Brendan Moore said, “The boys were stimulated to a greater contemplation and discussion about what their personal life values might be.” Melinda Biehl replied, “The boys came away with a more focused viewpoint about where they stand on things of the heart that really matter.” In Priscilla Power’s words, “It provided our Academy boys a valuable opportunity to reflect on their own value systems as well as a chance to experiment with new writing strategies.”

Pegasus Winners Recognized Eighth graders Thomas Hart and Campbell Erwin wrote poems that were selected from over 1,900 submissions to be published in the 2014 Pegasus Anthology. Their poems follow: THE SPIRITS OF WINTER Shrouding all in white Shimmering like angels’ robes Snow drifts like lost souls —Thomas Hart, Grade 8

LIKE DYING IN A FREEZER The wind is drying my eyes, but I cannot see anyways I try to sneeze to feel something But nothing happens My nose is worse than my eyes It can’t smell My ears are cold real cold Fire cold I’m cold They can’t hear I want, need to at least hear my thoughts My mind is against my body but my body needs a mind My mind finally reacts The warm yet sinister voice yells Peril chuckles You are dead Nice Job Fatty Don’t drive in a blizzard You only learn when it doesn’t help you Loss is the greatest teacher and you just lost an existence your existence This hurts more than the cold The truth is the one that freezes my soul My mind is against my body but my body needs a mind My mind is on strike, a coward rebel The quitter facetiously scolds me Mocks and reprimands for not giving up My teachers have trained my mind to be reasonable It’s the one being sensible right now But life isn’t sensible How can I die?

The opposer of instincts rants one last time In the light snow you shall die Gather the light now For the darkness will show itself soon Bullying pain is what reason brings Reason brings death of the mind When the body needs it the most Everything is wasted on pain I am pain I can only feel and I only feel pain Feel Death I become my only wish to be warm Time to catch up on my sleep —Campbell Erwin, Grade 8 Year in Review, 2013–2014

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Reading KINDERGARTEN ROCKS Kindergarten has fun every day, but it was an especially exciting day when Alan Gielen, resident computer teacher, came to their classroom to talk about the guitar.

The boys were learning the ui phonogram, so a jam session seemed in order. Alan taught the boys some facts about the guitar, and they had a great time singing and playing along with him.

Reading Program Bucks National Trend MISSION: SAA’s reading program provides skills that enable boys to become proficient, critical and enthusiastic readers. The Academy instills purpose and meaning to reading through a variety of genres, texts, and crosscurricular connections. A love for reading is fostered in each child, creating a culture of lifelong readers.

How Would You Sum Yourself Up? In the novel Flipped, Melinda Biehl’s sixth graders read that “a painting is more than the sum of its parts. A cow, meadow and sun by themselves are just a cow, grass, and a beam of light respectively. Put them all together and you’ve got magic.”

Melinda posed a related question to her students. Responses included: I am more than the sum of my parts when

I do a good deed for no reason.

I see someone alone and play with them.

I help friends and family who are hurt or sad.

I go out of my way to help my friends.

I help my little brother with his homework.

I am less than the sum of my parts when

I lie to get something I want.

I tease friends or laugh at them.

I do not study a lot for a quiz or test.

I don’t listen to what people are saying.

I don’t take the blame for what I did.

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CURRICULUM Reading Buddies Prove to be a Win-Win! Five eighth graders and librarian Elizabeth Snow served as mentors and reading buddies to at-risk second graders at Hawthorne Elementary. After completing the San Antonio Literacy Program’s one-hour training session, the boys spent thirty minutes once-a-week reading with their designated student. Elizabeth said, “The second graders gained confidence with their reading skills, and the eighth graders realized how they could use their strong reading foundation to help others.”

BOOK TRAILERS ENCOURAGE READING Maree Longoria’s fifth graders created book trailers for the Texas Bluebonnet books. The book trailers could be viewed on a Vimeo link for others to enjoy. The boys had fun critiquing them and voting on what they considered to be the Top Six.

Sixth Graders Are All Ears A group of sixteen sixth graders opted to spend Thursdays during their lunch period in a Reading Club. They gathered in the library or outside to listen to SAA’s librarian, Elizabeth Snow, read aloud while they enjoyed their lunch. In addition to reading, a group discussion ensued when Elizabeth read an unfamiliar word. The boys chose to first hear Red Kayak, a suspenseful tale of three teenagers entangled in a tragedy, which tests their friendship and their ideas of right and wrong.

Seventh Graders Engage in a Debate After reading Hiroshima, “The Sniper,” and “War,” and in preparation for A Separate Peace, Priscilla Power’s seventh graders participated in a class debate. The topics debated were “War is Unnecessary” and “Cruelty is a Necessary Ingredient in War.” With their team, the boys researched for three days, preparing notes and opening and closing arguments. Students enjoyed the heated arguments and look forward to debating more in eighth grade.

Third Grade Book Dioramas on Display Lining the tops of bookshelves in the Bondurant Library, the third graders’ book dioramas were on full display, showcasing the students’ tremendous creativity. After reading their favorite AR (Accelerated Reading) book, taking notes about its literary elements, and then writing a book report, Carol Beckwith’s and Jan Fry’s students created dioramas depicting scenes from the book.

Year in Review, 2013–2014

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History EIGHTH GRADERS TAKE A SHORT TRIP BACK IN TIME

History Comes Alive!

Eighth graders opened time

MISSION: SAA's Social Studies/History Department provides students with the skills that enable them to understand how the past affects the present and how to make informed decisions to participate in a culturally diverse, democratic society in an interdependent world.

capsules that contained stories they had written in the first grade.

While reading about their favorite activities, fondest memories and best friends, they chuckled at their penmanship, expressed affectionate sentiments about their memories, and rekindled old and forgotten friendships.

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Academy Seventh Grader Places First in Battle of Flowers Essay Contest Seventh grader Andrew Hieger won first place in the Battle of Flowers Texas History essay contest. This year’s topic was “Landmarks and Legacies of Native Americans in Texas.”

Andrew’s winning essay was on Mission San Francisco de la Espada. The essay contest winners were recognized at the Battle of Flowers Oratorical Luncheon. As the first place winner, Andrew rode in the 2014 Battle of Flowers Parade, and his essay was published in the Battle of Flowers parade program.

CURRICULUM Kinder Celebrates All Things Texas

Battle of Flours: First Graders Make Empanadas

Kristin Railsback’s and Janet Weatherston’s kindergarteners, already donning their Texas best after the Cowboy Breakfast, celebrated all things Texas. The boys spent two weeks learning about Texas, including the State motto, animals that represent the region, what the colors in the Texas flag represent, and the Texas pledge. After learning all about the Lone Star State, the kinder boys wrapped up the unit with a Texas-sized celebration with Cathy Cummins. The boys colored wooden longhorns, painted bluebonnets on mini canvas boards, decorated cowboy-style bandanas, and labeled maps of Texas. To complete their cowboy outfits, they were “branded” with rope-style temporary tattoos reminiscent of those used by famous cattle ranches, like King Ranch.

Fifth Grader Wins Geography Bee Ten students from grades five through eight qualified to compete in the schoolwide Geography Bee. They included: Daniel Covert, Jack Covert, Nico Diaz, Donny Duggan, Campbell Erwin, Ethan Fish, Max Hart, Luke Powers, Andres Rodriguez, and Jay Welder. Alternates were Vivek Beeram, Troy Cervantes, Davis Guglielmo, Morgan Smith, and Ben Zeller. Fifth grader Max Hart won first place with eighth grader Luke Powers as the runner-up.

In conjunction with their Social Studies unit on Spain, first graders visited the SAA kitchen where Food Director, Christina Graf, showed them the art of creating empanadas. The “young chefs” assisted Christina in making dough by adding the ingredients and blending them together. Next, boys rolled up their sleeves and rolled out their dough, taking delight in the very messy process as flour was scattered from the tips of their fingers to the tops of their heads. After filling the dough with cinnamon and apples, the empanadas were baked and devoured by 34 hungry little guys, who took pride in their baked creations.

Schoolwide History Quiz Tests Knowledge of SA Tourists Spots The History Department celebrated Geography Awareness Week’s theme of “exploration” by conducting a schoolwide survey to identify famous San Antonio tourist spots. Because “place” is one of the five themes of geography, the survey was created to challenge students to identify some characteristics of our place, San Antonio. The faculty was asked to participate in the survey to compare their knowledge of San Antonio tourist spots to upper school students. The most recognizable tourist spots were the Tower of the Americas, the Riverwalk and the San Antonio Zoo, while the least recognizable spots were the Carver Community Cultural Center, Guadalupe Cultural Arts Center and the Villa Finale in the King William’s District.

First Grade Digs into Ancient Egypt Tanya Weis’ and Lindsay Kramme’s first graders “dug” deep into a unit on Ancient Egypt. As a special enrichment activity, the boys visited Cathy Cummins’ classroom to learn all about King Tut and his famous tomb.

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ACADEMY STUDENTS VISIT THE NATIONAL WWII MUSEUM IN NEW ORLEANS Thanks to the generosity of Colonel and Mrs. Kelso, grandparents of Jay Roberts, twelve Academy boys had the opportunity to tour one of the finest museums in America.

What a reminder of the courage and sacrifice of those willing to fight and die for freedom!

Seventh Graders Honor Flag in Retirement Ceremony Seventh grade students experienced firsthand, respect of country in an official flag retirement ceremony. The boys gathered outside and following the United States’ flag code, burned a tattered flag belonging to Priscilla Power. Mrs. Power explained why she organized the event. “Because we study Hiroshima, read the book A Separate Peace, take a trip to the Nimitz Museum and because the boys will study American History next year, I was thinking what a valuable lesson it would be for the boys to witness an official retirement of the flag.”

Flat Stanley from Alaska

Second Graders Set Flat Stanley’s Itinerary Each boy in Kathleen Hill’s and Anne Trevathan’s social studies classes chose a person they knew in another state as a destination for Flat Stanley. Dressed in Texan attire upon arrival, it was expected that he would be sent back representative of the state he visited.

Through research, the boys learned about the wonders of the states Flat Stanley visited—landmarks, nickname, sports, flag, famous residents, and weather encountered at that time of year.

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First Sergeants Michael Wood and Lee Charles McNeil respectfully displayed the flag, with stars towards the East, while First Sergeant Will Zachry called the seventh graders to attention. After Ed Crump sang the National Anthem, history teacher Barry Bradley said “This flag has served its nation well. It is now worn to a condition in which it should no longer be used to represent our nation. We pay honor to this flag for the service it has rendered.” The boys followed the order of steps. First, they cut the stars out of the flag; then they cut one row of stars at a time and cut them again individually to place them on the fire. Then each strip was cut and also placed into the fire.

Priscilla concluded the ceremony with a quote from President Calvin Coolidge, “We identify the flag with almost everything we hold dear on Earth: peace, security, liberty, our family, our friends, our home, our nation.”

Science Scientists Investigate Their World MISSION: The SAA Science Department uses a hands-on approach to teach students to think critically and creatively, communicate effectively, problem solve and use the scientific method to investigate the world around them.

ACADEMY STUDENT RECOGNIZED AT TEXAS STATE SCIENCE FAIR Reece Traylor was recognized by the American Society of Mechanical Engineers for “outstanding

Release your Balloons!

achievement in displaying an

With the condition just perfect, Lindsay Kramme led her first graders to an open area of the playground to conduct their wind experiment – studying the wind pattern. The boys released their blue balloons into the air to see how far they would travel. A note was attached to each balloon explaining the experiment and engaging its reader to respond, providing their location or GPS coordinates. A surprising response came with a picture of a young boy holding a partially-deflated balloon with a note that read: “My name is Merit. I am almost four years old. I found your blue balloon while searching for seashells at the beach in Galveston, Texas. Your balloon went a long, long way.

I will be in first grade in three years, and I hope I get to send blue balloons.”

exemplary understanding of mechanical engineering principles and practice demonstrated at the ExxonMobil Texas State Science & Engineering Fair.”

Put a Cork In It SAA recycled 21,685 unwanted corks which donated $867.32 to cancer research and keeps the corks out of the landfill. $.04 per cork is donated to the Stehlin Foundation for Cancer Research. Science teacher Cathy Baumgardner reminds the boys that the project is “an easy way to help save the earth and end cancer one cork at a time.”

Year in Review, 2013–2014

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CURRICULUM

Dinosaur Explosion!

During a discussion about fossils, Connie Haiduk’s and Trisha Sinclair’s Pre-K classes helped to construct a play-doh mountain, complete with dinosaur figurines, around a soda bottle . A mixture of vinegar and baking soda was then poured into the “volcano.” The boys were mesmerized by its eruption.

Experimenting with a Sixth Grade Science Fair This year science teacher Kim Stanage challenged her sixth graders by participating in their own grade-level Science Fair. The student-constructed displays were a culmination of months of research, planning and experimenting using scientific methods. Mrs. Stanage experimented with the idea of a sixth grade Science Fair because she believed, “It would give the younger guys an opportunity to succeed at a long-term project and learn the scientific method.” The winners also participated at the Regional Science Fair.

FIRST �������������������� Gage Casey: How much iron is in breakfast cereal?

SECOND ���������������� Browning Shemwell (3rd in his division at Regional Fair): How high does a tennis ball bounce after a certain number of hits?

THIRD ������������������� Isaac Miller: How does the design of a paper affect the speed of a paper airplane?

FOURTH ���������������� Jack Osterhage: Which brand of popcorn produces the most unpopped kernels?

Wendell Snow: How does the size of an Alka-Seltzer affect the time it takes before the rocket takes off?

SAA Science Fair Participants Advance to Regionals All seventh graders took part in a Science Fair, sponsored by SAA science teacher, James Pellman. Students recorded observations in a data table and constructed a graph demonstrating their results. During the Fair, six judges canvassed each display, while students had the opportunity to showcase their projects through oral presentations.

The results were as follows: FIRST �����������Reece Traylor: Which material reflects or absorbs the most sound?

Fourth grade boys visited Mitchell

SECOND �������Emory Scott: How does chord length affect thrust?

Lake Audubon Center, where they

THIRD ����������Michael Blaess: How does the number of papillae affect a person’s ability to distinguish between real and artificial sugar?

discovered the various aquatic

FOURTH �������Harrison Stuart: Does age affect reaction times?

creatures that are present in its

FIFTH ����������� Quinton Uribe: Can people tell the difference in natural and artificial smells?

pond. Boys studied the importance of a wetland ecosystem and San Antonio’s watershed.

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The top five winners had an opportunity to compete in their division at the Alamo Regional Science and Engineering Fair at Saint Mary’s University. The results were as follows: FIRST..................... Reece Traylor SECOND................. Harrison Stuart

FOURTH............... Michael Blaess FIFTH................... Emory Scott

CURRICULUM

KEEP SOARING Young Astronauts bid long-time program instructor, Drew Kennedy, a fond farewell.

FIRST LEGO LEAGUE Teams Advance to Regional Championship All three Robotics teams coached by Cathy Baumgardner and Tyna Powers advanced to the Regional Championship. The theme this year was “Nature’s Fury,” and the teams were charged to come up with an innovative way to use robotics to help people in the event of a natural disaster. In order to advance to Regionals, the teams have to score in the top half of the robot game as well as perform exceptionally well on the project, design, and core values components of the challenge. The teams included fifth, sixth and seventh graders.

THE ROBUCCANEEERS Argyle Amberson Vivek Beeram Daniel Covert Jack Covert Ethan Fish Myles Jonas Walker Noble T.J. McFarland Andrew Seay

TEAM INFINITY Courtlandt Buzzini Donny Duggan Emory Hill Isaac Miller Rett Pena Erik Peterson Shane Rybacki Tate Seeligson

THUNDERCATS Anthony Fletcher Max Hart Chazz Hunter Zachary Liu Jose Carlos Martinez Sam Riggs Henry Satel Reed Shemwell

The RoBucanners received a trophy award for teamwork at the qualifying tournament.

The judges even commented, “Operating in a diplomatic fashion, they had designed roles and even formulated a team constitution.”

Team Infinity was awarded the Second Place Champions Award at the qualifying tournament. According to the judges, “They exhibited overall excellence, professionalism, and an attitude that would take them to infinity and beyond!”

Young Astronauts This year’s theme for Young Astronauts: “What’s Going on in Space, Today?” provided plenty of opportunity for YA boys to experience life beyond Earth.

After a brief presentation on applicable space websites, the older guys were paired with the younger ones and told to find a story or current event about today’s space program. The older students jotted down notes for a presentation given to the rest of the Young Astronauts.

FLL teams present their ideas to local first responders, Firefighter Larry Jansky (left) and Captain Luke Schott, about how to help people in the event of a flash flood.

The ThunderCats earned a robot award for programming, which recognizes a team that “utilizes outstanding programming principles, including clear, concise code that allows their robot to perform challenge missions autonomously.”

Great Showing at FIRST Championship Event On the robot game table, in the words of Cathy Baumgardner, “The ThunderCats clawed their way into 9th place; Team Infinity secured 10th place and the RoBuccaneers snatched 14th place.”

The teams also received high marks in their core values sessions and their robot design. Two of the teams were in the top 10 (out of 50 teams), and all of them were in the top third.

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Wellness ARE DRUGS WORTH IT? Former narcotics detective Brian Onofre gave a powerful talk to the 6th–8th graders on the long and short term effects of drugs. Included were the gateway drug marijuana, synthetic marijuana, hydrocodone and other prescription drugs, cocaine, heroin, and the Monster Met (metamphetamine). Officer Onofre concluded by asking the boys, “Is it worth it, knowing how drugs can devastate your world?”

Dimensions of Wellness MISSION: The purpose of the Dimensions of Wellness program is to give SAA boys a more comprehensive perspective of who they are in mind, body, and spirit while striving to teach them to live a healthy life.

Students Experience Healthy Food and Fitness Fun Students enjoyed learning about nutrition and fitness fun at this year’s Health Fair.

Boys from all grades rotated through interactive stations to learn about eating and staying healthy, as well as the importance of being physically active. Thanks go to Academy parent Kate Rogers who coordinated efforts with HEB to host numerous stations at the Fair, including: making simple, delicious smoothies using frozen fruit and coconut water; a SPIN-TO-WIN game with healthy snack prizes; a sanitation station where boys could visually see the “germs” on their hands spread after shaking hands with one another; and an obstacle course to engage the boys in a fun, physical activity. Even HEBuddy made an appearance, welcoming the guys with high fives. HEB also donated goodie bags as gifts full of healthier snack options, dental care and a book. Tummies on the Run was the book selected for the primary boys.

Boys also learned the importance of proper oral care at a station hosted by Dr. Britton’s office, the negative effects of excess sugar consumption by a nutritionist from Dr. Jenny Seger’s office and additional ways to stay active by playing games with members from the YMCA.

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CURRICULUM

With Hearts in Mind Due to the generosity of Dore and Bart Koontz and the AugustHeart Foundation, San Antonio Academy was able to offer seventh and eighth graders the opportunity to receive free heart screenings in an effort to help identify hidden heart abnormalities in teens.

August Heart provided screenings to 34 students.

A Focus on Dental Care Kathleen Hill and Anne Trevathan’s second graders felt like VIPS when visiting the offices of Academy parent and orthodontist, Dr. Bloyce Britton.

The boys circulated through a series of stations which taught the boys not only about dental care but also the effects of good nutrition. The on-site observations and hands-on demonstrations provided an incredible learning experience.

San Antonio Academy’s “Social Media Mashup” SAA has a new location that connects all of its social media networks in one place, called a “Mashup.” Never miss an Academy Tweet, Post or Pin again!

Located at the header and footer of The Academy’s web site, saacademy.org, simply find the icon “SAA Social Media Mashup”. One click gives access to the school’s Twitter, Flickr, Vimeo, Pinterest and Alumni Facebook feeds, all in one location, all populated in real-time.

Visit our social media mashup page today and stay connected to SAA happenings anytime. Don’t forget to share the link with family and friends, too!

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Technology GMAIL REPLACES GAGGLE E-MAIL Academy students quickly recognized the advantages of changing to Gmail. It allows them to access Google, Google Calendar and Google Docs.

Presentations, spreadsheets and documents can be stored

Technology Integrated Into Every Classroom MISSION: The Technology Department prepares students to become lifelong learners and contributing members of an ever-changing information-based society through an integrated computer curriculum that builds key technology skills.

on Google Drive without taking

Legal Implications of Cyber Technology & Misuse of Social Media

up additional space. Computer

Because navigating the social worlds of Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Vine, Tumblr and Snapchat can be difficult for students, Counselor Theresa Moore invited Donna McElroy, SAA’s attorney, to speak to our boys. Mrs. McElroy explained to her audiences of 5th–8th graders that all electronics leave a digital footprint or trail.

Deleting it doesn’t mean it has gone away. She cautioned that before you type or post something to a social media network, consider whether or not you would want your friends or family to see it.

teacher Alan Gielen explains that the Google accounts can be accessed anywhere, anytime and from any device with an internet browser. Consequently, students

Chromebooks Transform Classrooms

can edit and work on documents

Chromebooks were eagerly received by both seventh and eighth graders. Teachers say that along with Google Docs and the Hapara Teacher Dashboard, Chromebooks have transformed their teaching and improved the boys’ overall learning experience. In their words,”I can be more involved with student papers as they are being written.” “It allowed me an easy access point to begin a flipped classroom.” “It is so much easier! I am able to move more efficiently through my teaching.”

when they are not on campus.

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CURRICULUM Students Enter Virtual World to Learn Quantum Physics

Students Embrace Flipped Classroom Once or twice a week in James Pellman’s seventh and eighth grade science classes, the learning experience was “reversed.” Instead of standing in front of his class imparting information while his students busily take notes, James opted to save the lecturing for after-hours and focus on providing more opportunity for student-driven discussion and collaboration during class time. The learning technique known as a “Flipped Classroom” is a method where teachers present their lecture via video, replacing faceto-face instruction. With instruction transferred to homework, class time becomes available for teachers to provide guidance, advice and clarification while students work problems, analyze outcomes and discuss. It also allows students to control and repeat instruction as needed.

Mike Hansen also uses this “blended learning” in his seventh and eighth grade PreAP Algebra classes. He assigned homework, a video lesson that he made, which was also available for remediation or for the major lesson when a student is absent.

Alan Gielen’s sixth grade computer class participated in MinecraftEdu’s “qCraft.” Here they explored the foundations of quantum physics and quantum computing. Over the span of three weeks, students entered the virtual world and participated in lessons that covered the three basic concepts of quantum physics: observational dependency, superposition and entanglement. After a discussion about Quantum Physics, the boys watched short, directed videos on each concept and answered questions on the lesson handouts via their Google Drive. Next, they entered the “Institute for Quantum Blocks and Matter” and participated in experiments tied to each concept.

IPADS CAPTURE MOMENTS WORTH SHARING Parents of primary boys got more than a glimpse into their sons’ classroom when videos taken with iPads in class were loaded into a video website for their access.

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CURRICULUM

Stage Academy Boys Take the Stage MISSION: At San Antonio Academy boys learn to demonstrate poise and confidence and express themselves clearly and expressively as a result of the numerous opportunities they have to perform in front of an audience.

Eighth Graders Take on Macbeth

MACBETH WAS THE FIRST SHAKESPEARE PRODUCTION AT SAA IN 1991. SINCE THEN, IT HAS BEEN PERFORMED THREE TIMES OVER THE COURSE OF 23 YEARS. 31

San Antonio Academy of Texas

The eighth grade boys took on the huge challenge of performing Macbeth in front of an audience of peers, family and visitors—each cast receiving standing ovations for their performance. Prior to the productions, beginning in January and early February, the students were deeply immersed in learning lines; becoming familiar with blocking and sword fighting; constructing sets; locating or making costumes; building stage properties; learning to operate sound equipment and lights boards; working on enunciation and becoming proficient with the nuances of Shakespeare’s language.

Director Extraordinaire, Brendan Moore, English Department Chair, reveals that, “a core lesson of every production is the value of teamwork and community. At SAA the eighth grade Shakespeare unit encompasses every student in the graduating class, a fact that frequently leads to boys who initially had little or no interest in drama or Shakespeare actually thriving in the play. Even more significant, as a curricular unit, the annual Shakespeare production provides an invaluable instructional tool for unlocking the relevancy of classic work, through a combination of classroom study and a great deal of kinetic activity: a perfect educational approach for middle school boys.”

CURRICULUM

Special thanks to SAA moms Tammy Freiling, Paulina Martinez, Mary Ellen Powers and Amy Roberts for their invaluable behind-the-scenes work with make-up and costumes.

Technology Facilitator Linda Gielen produced the lighting and music, creating the perfect mood for each scene, and Freddie Cedillo worked the lights during the show and dress rehearsals.

Eighth Graders Debate the Topic At the end of the spring public speaking unit in the eighth grade, ten students earned the right to compete in the annual Championship Debate in Ellison Hall. The teams debated the issue, Despite its long history, racism in the United States is at long last moving towards obsolescence. Both teams showed they had thoroughly researched the topics. Speaking with passion and flare, each boy argued his case. Moreover, the alternates paid careful attention to all of the speeches and provided a ready supply of rebuttals for their teammates to use. In the end of a closely called debate, the judges, Barry Bradley, Karl Graf, and James Pellman, determined that the winning group was the team opposing the proposition. Members of the debate teams were: FOR Isaac Goldstone Daniel Guerra James Pfirrmann Jack Renaud Luke Powers (alternate)

AGAINST Ethan Grant Cesar Martinez Matthew Pisano Andres Rodriguez Nathan Romo (alternate)

PRE-K PERFORMS ANNUAL PLAYS For over a decade, Pre-K boys have performed plays in front of an audience of parents, grandparents, friends and the older Academy boys. The little guys are challenged to memorize lines and some even have acting parts. This year’s plays: “Peace at Last” and “The Grouchy Ladybug.”

Voted Top Debater was Ethan Grant, and Top Public Speaker was Isaac Goldstone.

FIFTH GRADE PRODUCTION OF DON QUIJOTE DE LA MANCHA Fifth graders prove they are up to the task: performing a play in a second language, excelling in pronunciation, acting, volume and memorization.

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Language Spanish National Honor Society Inducts New Members The SAA Circulo Hispánico Chapter, established to promote the study of the Spanish language and its culture and to offer friendship to Hispanic countries, inducted eight members this year. To be inducted into the Spanish National Honor Society, students must be eighth graders, maintain an average of 96% or higher in Spanish, maintain a 90 overall average in all classes, take the National Spanish Exam, and participate in a school project to benefit a Hispanic country. The 2014 inductees were: Isaac Goldstone Daniel Guerra Cesar Martinez James Pfirrmann

Matthew Pisano Luke Powers Andres Rodriguez Jacob Roos

Fourth Graders Research Spanish Proverbs & Idioms Natalie Bock’s fourth grade classes completed a unit on Spanish proverbs and idioms. They discussed a number of English proverbs and idiomatic expressions and realized how often these image-provoking figures of speech are used in daily conversation.

And so it is in every world language that colorful exaggerations or lifelessons are imbedded in the daily speech of people throughout the world. Consequently, they directed their focus on some of the most common Spanish proverbs and idioms, how and when they are used, and what their literal and figurative meanings are in the English language. The result of each student’s individual research was recorded in a video with the help of Technology Facilitator Linda Gielen.

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Emphasis on Communication Skills MISSION: The Spanish Department generates enthusiasm for the language and its culture by providing students with challenging and engaging opportunities to develop the skills necessary to use Spanish in their daily lives.

SAA Students Excel on Spanish National Exam The following Academy boys were Premio de Oro winners (top 5% in the nation), having received nationwide recognition with a score at or above the 95th percentile: 7TH GRADERS Hasan Ehsan Santiago Martinez Emory Scott Harrison Stuart Michael Wood

8TH GRADERS Daniel Guerra James Pfirrmann Matthew Pisano Luke Powers Miguel Ruiz

BILINGUAL Manuel Zuniga (7th Grade) Cesar Martinez (8th Grade) Andres Rodriguez (8th Grade)

Those students who were Premio de Plata winners (top 10% in the nation), having received nationwide recognition with a score from the 85th through the 94th percentile were: 7TH GRADERS Hunter Lee Argyle Amberson Lee Charles McNeil Ben Chapman Josh Uviedo Jack Covert Will Zachry Daniel Covert Ben Zeller Eddie Garcia John Howard Hassmann

8TH GRADERS Campbell Erwin Miles Erwin Isaac Goldstone Thomas Hart Frates Newsom

Vincent Notzon Jack Renaud Nathan Romo Jacob Roos

Those students who were Premio de Bronce winners (top 15% in the nation), having received nationwide recognition with a score from the 75th through the 84th percentile were: 7TH GRADERS Jack Chapman Ethan Fish Myles Jonas William Tucker Quinton Uribe

8TH GRADERS Garrett Freiling Ethan Grant Davis Guglielmo Jay Roberts

CURRICULUM

Notes from the Music Department MISSION: SAA’s Music Program offers broad, hands-on musical experiences, with training and live performance opportunities in voice, movement and instruments. Our goal is to make music learning fun, practical and stimulating as we seek to develop each boy’s abilities, enjoyment, knowledge and appreciation of music.

Musical Mondays Showcase SAA’s Talent Fresh garden salads, homemade soups and deliciously prepared chicken are not the only reasons to enjoy lunch with your SAA son. On select Mondays, you may also experience a musical treat before your meal!

After auditioning, talented SAA students are selected to entertain students and teachers in the lunchroom for “Musical Mondays.” Presenting their pieces during the 60 seconds of silence that follow the blessing, the following SAA musicians prepared and shared their talents this school year: Eshanth Beeram, Vivek Beeram, Richard Cage, Max Dabbous, Connor Davis, Chase Holley, Christopher Hunter, Aidan Notzon, Sam Riggs, William Riggs, John Paul Tucker and Daniel Wang. Many thanks to these boys who so generously enhanced our lunch time experience.

GARAGE BAND KEEPS ON ROCKIN’ During chapel SAA’s Garage Band rocked out playing their first gig for a large audience comprised of students, faculty and parents.

Introduced last school year, the sixth grade elective continues to serve students with a love of

Concert Choir Visits Chicago

music. Instructed by Dr. Owen

SAA Choir members enjoyed more than music during their October, 2013, trip to Chicago. While attending a thrilling Chicago Symphony concert was a highlight, visiting the Art Institute of Chicago, the Shedd Aquarium, Field Museum of Natural History and the Museum of Science and Industry along with many other Chicago landmarks certainly made the adventure an educationally-rich experience.

Duggan, The Academy’s Upper School Choir Director, members are cross-trained on guitar, keyboard, drums and vocals,

Symphony Players Tune Up To enhance and enrich understanding of the unique sizes, sounds and playing techniques of symphonic instruments, SA Symphony players were invited to “tune up” during chapel. Instruments featured throughout the year were the trumpet and tuba, the bassoon contrasted with the flute and the piccolo, the French Horn and trombone, the clarinet and cello, and the double bass and violin. The Academy thanks the Nancy Jean Newman Memorial Music Endowment for this enrichment opportunity.

allowing them the chance to try a little bit of everything. The class concentrates on the music genres, rock and roll and blues.

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CURRICULUM Spreading Holiday Cheer Primary boys certainly enjoyed a “A Holly, Jolly Time” as they presented their December 19 concert of songs for family and friends. With second graders narrating, ringing chimes, singing solos, accompanying on Orff and other percussion instruments as well as leading motions depicting words of the songs, Primary boys sang about Hanukkah, Christmas and of course, Santa Claus and his mighty reindeer.

Their musical numbers included Light One Candle, Feast of Light, the First Noel, Zumba, Zumba, A Holly Jolly Christmas, and Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer. Second graders donned Santa hats for their jazzy rendition of Santa’s on His Way but Coach Mac, dressed like Santa, nearly stole the show as he lead Coach McNeil, dressed as Rudolph, around the front of the Ellison Hall stage—much to the delight of not only the Primary boys, but their enthusiastic audience as well.

Handbells were center stage during the Upper School Holiday Concert entitled “Winter Wonders.” With talented fifth graders as narrators and instrumentalists, boys in grades 3, 4 and 5 began their program with Here We Come A-Wassailing, followed by the Concert Choir singing Deck the Halls. Handchimes once again rang out during the melodious Hanukkah song Candles in the Window, but it was back to bell accompaniments for the round Christmas Is Coming and The First Noel. Fifth grade soloists were stellar and were followed by the entire ensemble joining for the popular spiritual All Night, All Day, accompanied

by Orff percussion. Fourth graders looked festive with their red mufflers and gloves during their movement routine to A Holly, Jolly Christmas, and once Medley of Bells, again featuring handbells and soloists, was over, the applause was deafening.

Congratulations and thanks go out to all our Pre-K through fifth grade boys for enriching the holiday times with their amazing concerts.

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SAA Choir Concert If your evening jog included a run down Belknap Street late Tuesday afternoon on February 26, there’s a very good chance you may not have finished it! As you passed

by Christ Episcopal Church you would have undoubtedly been drawn inside to explore just who was responsible for the melodious sounds rising from the structure. And you would have found those voices belonged to SAA Concert Choir members. The Star-Spangled Banner opened their program which quickly started to “swing” when George Gershwin’s I Got Rhythm followed.

Younger choir members in grades 3, 4 and 5 continued the music, singing some in Latin (Cantate Domino, Sing a New Song!) before treating the audience to sweet renditions of the American spirituals, Swing Low, Sweet Chariot and Hush!

Somebody’s Callin’ My Name. But the swinging began again as they donned sunglasses while sharing Mary Had a Little Blues.

The older choir members in grades 6, 7, and 8 followed with a manly Are You with Me, Men? and the impressive Maid of Llanwellyn. Concluding the concert, the full choir group joined together for a Georgia Sea Island song called Yonder Come Day and the patriotic Land of the Free.

Choir members included: Sergio Alvarado Eshanth Beeram Vivek Beeram Michael Blaess Chaz Bregman Noah Bregman Juddy Crawford Donny Duggan Ethan Dziczkowski Jonathan Duperier Campbell Erwin Griffin Erwin Miles Erwin Roan Erwin

Ben Espy Cole Finney Daniel Guerra Robert Gulley Jatin Gurrala Chazz Hunter Christopher Hunter James Jacob Clark Mandigo John Kohl McAdams Matthew McCutcheon T.J. McFarland Ben Metersky John Paul Ortiz

Jack Osterhage Ty Osterhage Alex Pruitt Henry Ramirez Razik Rehman Jackson Rogers Nathan Romo Dylan Rybacki John Saad Marcus Sampson Henry Satel Garrett Scott Ishan Shah Reed Shemwell

CURRICULUM

Mother’s Day Concerts Academy mothers began their “special weekend” celebrations two days early as primary and upper school boys serenaded them at their traditional Mother’s Day Concert. Singing their way through a program entitled “All Creatures, Mostly Small,” the Primary boys performed songs about squirrels, weasels, monkeys, worms, turtles, chipmunks and frogs.

Accompanied by second grade instrument players and using choreographed movements, Pre-K through second grade boys delighted the audience with their singing and enthusiasm.

Second graders added their their own special touch to the program with an energetic and rockin’ version of Purple People Eater, complete with one-eyed purple hats.

SAA NIGHT WITH THE SPURS San Antonio Academy’s Honor Guard presented the colors, while the SAA Choir sang the National Anthem at the March 2nd Spurs vs. Mavericks game.

Upper school students began their concert with a Calypso song from the West Indies, Mary Ann. Featuring steel drum and Orff instrument accompaniment, it was definitely an upbeat beginning! The traditional song, Shoo Fly, was followed by a round from Ghana, Nanuma.

Sung and choreographed in four distinct parts, third graders took the lead for this number with movement, costumes and instruments. Fifth grade students then grabbed red cups and performed the complex “Cup Song” routine featured in the movie “Pitch Perfect” in two different configurations. Fourth graders were at the helm for a traditional singing game, My Landlord, made complete with hand slapping movements and Orff accompaniment.

Seventh and eighth grade choir members were stars during the final number, a combination of Lean on Me and Wavin’ Flag.

With choreographed movements and great singing, they encouraged everyone to join in the celebration saluting our great SAA mothers.

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Art Art Encourages Creativity

ART SHOW SPOTLIGHTS STUDENTS’ CREATIVITY

MISSION: The Art Program is dedicated to bringing out the very best in each student’s abilities, as well as promoting and fostering confidence and creative thinking. SAA art students learn the fundamental skills in a variety of media, while enhancing their awareness and understanding of art as a means of personal and social expression.

gallery displaying 222 framed paintings, drawings and

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On April 30 Ellison Hall was transformed into an art photographs. The artists ranged from first graders to eighth graders. Mediums used by the artists were chalk pastel, oil pastel, acrylic, white charcoal, pen and ink, graphite, and mixed media. Art teacher Cary Gates began the tradition in 2001. Each year he says he is amazed by what the students turn out.

CURRICULUM

Fourth Graders Create Artwork to Classical Music Fourth graders were honored for their creative artwork entries in this year’s Paint to Music Contest, hosted by the San Antonio Symphony. This year’s interdisciplinary theme was The Scientific Symphony which combined elements of the water cycle with classical music. Sudie Holshouser chose “Wagner’s Forest Murmurs” as the classical piece. The following students were recognized, and their works were projected and showcased during the Young People’s Concerts.

1ST PLACE....................... John Saad 2ND PLACE...................... Bennett Angulo 3RD PLACE...................... Morgan Smith HONORABLE MENTION..... James Hawes

STUDENTS DRAWN TO POP ART Dana Parish’s sixth grade Drawing and Painting class completed “Pop Art” style self-portraits using the signature method of Roy Lichtenstein. Lichtenstein’s use of evenly repeated dots and diagonal lines was inspired by comic strips and advertisement posters.

Sixth Graders Look In-Depth at Films Art teacher Cary Gates shared other interests he has when offering a History of Film elective. His students explored how film making evolved from the Silent Era through modern time.

Cary wanted the boys to consider the question, “Do movies in this country reflect the social values of our times, or are they in reality, instrumental in creating those very values?” The boys enjoyed analyzing movie clips, and an added bonus was occasional popcorn.

First in the VIA Youth Art Contest

Telegraph.co.uk

Daniel Wang won first place again this year, but in the fourth grade division of the VIA Youth Art Contest. This year’s theme was “Be Smart…Don’t Dart!” Over 4,500 posters were entered.

Winning posters will be displayed throughout the year in the “Classroom on Wheels” bus that is used to teach children about riding the bus and safety.

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IN THE CLASSROOM

Parents & Extended Academy Family Bring Expertise into the Classroom

On Character

On a Time in History

On Nutrition

As a Dallas newsman, Gary DeLaune, grandfather of seventh grader Chase Holley, was one of the first to report that President John F. Kennedy was shot. He also witnessed the shooting of Lee Harvey Oswald by Jack Ruby and recorded it. Mr. DeLaune was recently inducted into the prestigious Silver Circle known for his delivery and his coverage of the JFK assassination 50 years ago. Mr. DeLaune took a break from his national media-blitz to share his role in history with fourth through eighth grade Academy boys.

Dr. Terive Duperier, father of Jonathan and Joseph, read his book, Larvie Learns a Lesson, to the PreK boys. The story is of a caterpillar that could not become a butterfly until he engaged in a doctor’s supervised medical weight loss program. Dr. Duperier is a weight loss surgeon and co-founder of BMI Texas.

On Striving for Success Former Academy parent and Trustee, Roy Terracina, spoke to the eighth graders on overcoming challenges in life by having resilience, determination and grit. Growing up on the tough streets of Chicago, Roy overcame hardships by discovering his own life’s purpose.

He set a goal, and then went after that aspiration by working hard every single day—never letting anything get in the way—to achieve it. Roy attributed family, faith and values as the key factors that determine happiness and success in life.

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Special guest and former Academy parent, David Robinson, Spurs #50, spoke to a standing-room-only crowd during Grandparents Chapel in late September. David shared what it means to be a leader—character which often encompasses sacrifice, commitment, hard work and integrity. In his words, “Integrity is doing the right thing for the right reasons.” Watch video at SAA Wildcats TV on Vimeo.

On Rights of African and Indian Children & Endangered Animals Shannon Davis, mother of third grader Connor, visited Cathy Cummins’ Friday Reading Masters class in late May to talk about her work in Africa and India to establish schools, free children from slavery and help endangered animals. She is CEO of the Bridgeway Foundation, and in her role she has worked with heroes like Archbishop Tutu and Nelson Mandela who have advocated for human rights.

Mrs. Davis told the students about people who do not have our basic rights. One example was an Indian girl Priya who was enslaved until the age of eleven, and worked in a rock quarry filling buckets with stones. She helped her and others gain freedom and go to school for the first time. Cathy’s students were so inspired by Shannon’s work that they decided to collect pads of paper, pencils, pens, and deflated balls for her to take with her to Africa.

Mrs. Davis became one of their heroes.

IN THE CLASSROOM

Special Events & Guest Leadership Speakers Award-winning children’s author, Stephanie Bodeen, led a writing workshop in the Bondurant Library for sixth, seventh and eighth grade boys.

Mrs. Bodeen began by explaining the impact emotions can have on writing.

After sharing a childhood experience that inspired one of her young adult novels, Mrs. Bodeen asked the boys to write about one of their own childhood experiences using emotion. Next she asked the boys to share obstacles that they frequently come across in their writing, which led to a discussion of the Six Traits of Writing. In addition to improving writing skills, Stephanie Bodeen emphasized the importance of always finishing what you start and not letting obstacles get in the way of your dreams.

SPIRIT OF UGANDA IS ELECTRIFYING Thanks to Goldsbury Foundation, Academy boys were given an opportunity to see the Spirit of Uganda (children ages 8–18) perform. Their talent, their musicianship and their energy were all inspiring and entertaining.

A “Golden Guest” Returns Golden Bones author, Sichan Siv, who first visited SAA nearly four years ago, returned at the urging of former Academy parent Maggie Houston who knows the author personally and thought that students could benefit from his message. His amazing tale describes how he escaped from Cambodia with only his mother’s ring, her scarf and an empty rice bag, and how he made his way from being a taxi driver in New York City to being appointed a worldwide ambassador by President George W. Bush. His message to the boys? Never give up hope!

Year in Review, 2013–2014

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COMMUNITY OUTREACH

Making a Difference With Community Service Outreach Programs Haven for Hope Taught Lessons & Touched Hearts After touring Haven for Hope, Academy sixth graders engaged in hands-on community service consisting of organizing backpacks for children of the homeless, sorting and categorizing clothing and loading a truck with boxes of toys and jackets. Melinda Biehl later asked them in class to put themselves inside the heads, inside the hearts of the homeless.

THIRST I sat on a bench, my mouth begging for water, dry, arid, dehydrated.

My mouth as dry as the Sahara.

—Curtis Gunn STARVED I cried with hunger, famished, fatigued, broke.

What if I died hungry?

—Zachery Powell SURVIVING ON THE STREETS What if I couldn’t get money from friend and family?

I might sleep under an overpass or a bridge.

What if I had nothing to consume and I was voracious?

I would pilfer fast food.

What if I were addicted to drugs?

I would do whatever I could to get more.

What did I do to deserve this?

—Jake Bentley

New Medal for Service Performed Outside of School SAA chose to award a new medal to upper school students who perform 24 hours or more of community service outside of school. The award was spearheaded by then, fourth grader, Jeb Brysacz, who submitted a proposal with that suggestion.

Jeb also designed a form for students to log their hours and assisted in selecting a design for the new medal. At the time a student’s community service totals 24 hours, he is awarded the medal which can be worn on his uniform with his other medals.

During the first year, twenty-two boys received the medal.

SAA Boys Proudly Run the Race Several Academy boys participated in the Lead the Way 5K, supporting the Young Women’s Leadership Academy, the first and only college preparatory public school for girls in San Antonio.

Second Graders at the San Antonio Assistance League After filling 494 hygiene kits to be given to children in need, Kathleen Hill’s and Anne Trevathan’s second graders received a personal safety lesson entitled “I’m in Charge.”

With Intergenerational Programs Living Legacy Program Initiated by Cathy Cummins and now in its twenty-sixth year, the Living Legacy program at the Chandler Nursing Home continues to impact the lives of Academy boys and their senior friends. Academy 6th, 7th, and 8th graders each visit and interview a senior “buddy.” The boys write acrostic poems about the residents, highlighting qualities and details of their lives. Framed copies of the “living legacies” are read and presented to the senior participants at the May evening celebration. Thanks go to the sponsor, Virginia Beeler, and to this year’s participants.

THANKSGIVING GRATITUDE After singing festive holiday songs, the Kinder boys gave handwritten cards with expression of gratitude to the residents at the Chandler Nursing Home.

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6TH GRADERS Spence Baldwin Jake Bentley Courtlandt Buzzini Ethan Dziczkowski Elias Hansen Jack Osterhage Wendell Snow Ben Weis

7TH GRADERS Daniel Covert Ben Feinstein Eddie Garcia John Howard Hassmann Emory Scott Harrison Stuart William Tucker

8TH GRADERS Daniel Guerra Andres Rodriguez Nathan Romo Miguel Ruiz Marcus Sampson David White

COMMUNITY OUTREACH

With Schoolwide Drives With Service Projects The entire 2013 school year was filled with the spirit of giving, as our boys spread goodwill throughout our community and around the world. Students were encouraged to earn money or use a portion of their

Pennies for Patients SAA participates annually in the program benefitting The Leukemia & Lymphoma society.

This past year the school collected $2,000 which brings our total contributions to $17,567.

allowance when contributing monetarily to a project.

In December Sonny Melendrez made his annual stop to the PRE-K cottage to collect toys for the Community Center, which assists the area's underserved children.

KINDERGARTEN students donated toys, books, clothes and diapers to the community of Asbury Church where Janet Weatherston, one of their teachers, helps minister.

FIRST GRADERS collected art supplies for The Children’s Shelter.

SECOND GRADE students collected children’s books for the San Antonio Assistance League “Togs for Tots” program.

THIRD GRADERS collected new or gently-used books to donate to the children who reside at the Strong Foundation Ministries Home, a nondenominational, faith-based, non-profit organization offering food and clothing to those in need.

FOURTH GRADERS collected food items to help children at Stafford Elementary (Edgewood ISD), who without this assistance, might go without breakfast and lunch during the two-week holiday break. The food is slipped into the backpacks of these children.

FIFTH GRADERS collected unwrapped gifts for Children’s Hospital of San Antonio (formerly CHRISTUS Santa Rosa Children’s Hospital).

SIXTH GRADE boys collected new socks and underwear and new or gently used coats to benefit the homeless served by the San Antonio Catholic Worker House.

SEVENTH GRADERS collected $923.76 for World Vision to be used to buy farm animals, solar lanterns, a footpowered water pump, mosquito nets to prevent malaria, and soccer balls to be donated to third-world villages in Africa. The act is in response to their reading Hiroshima, about the plight of people after the first atomic bomb was dropped.

EIGHTH GRADERS collected $2,080 to help the underprivileged children living in Los Quinchos in Nicaragua. The money provided food, clothing, and education to children who live with their families in this area.

Annual Food Drive Academy boys collected 1,512 pounds of food during the 2013 Annual Food Drive, providing 1,181 meals.

End-ofYear School Supplies SAA faculty and staff donated school supplies to support the Kimbondo Orphanage in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the Children’s Shelter of San Antonio. Earlier in the year, boxes of stuffed animals and Frisbees which were used to promote physical activity, were sent to the orphanage which houses over 800 children. Special thanks go to Yulanee McKnight, Summer At The Academy Registrar, for coordinating these efforts.

Year in Review, 2013–2014

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AROUND CAMPUS

Celebrating Years of Service Each year, faculty and staff are recognized for their years of service at San Antonio Academy. Thank you for your dedication!

Luisa Bolen 25 YEARS During Luisa Bolen’s twenty-five years at SAA, she has become a student-favorite. Luisa is synonymous with all things eighth grade: she teaches 7th & 8th grade Spanish, serves as the 8th grade advisor, coordinates the senior class trip, chairs the Spanish department, mentors the boys, and attends dozens of Academy alumni events and activities each year.

Robert “Bobby” Zander 20 YEARS

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San Antonio Academy of Texas

When graduates return to The Academy, their first stop is invariably to see “Señora Bolen,” who had a major impact on their lives.

Her love and dedication to SAA and “her boys” has enriched our school, where today, she continues to make an ever-lasting impression.

Virginia Beeler 15 YEARS

AROUND CAMPUS

Natalie Bock 10 YEARS

Owen Duggan 10 YEARS

Maree Longoria 10 YEARS

Julie Smith 10 YEARS

Randy Yawn 10 YEARS

Steve Marshall 5 YEARS

Ernestine Pavleka 5 YEARS

Elizabeth Snow 5 YEARS

Frank Stanage 5 YEARS

Year in Review, 2013–2014

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AROUND CAMPUS

Faculty Shine Off Campus Dr. Patrick Atkerson, fourth and fifth grade math teacher and Assistant Commandant for the 2013–14 school year, earned his Doctorate in Education from University of the Incarnate Word. He is one of the few people to whom that the title has been conferred upon after the public defense. Rewrites are usually required, but not in this case; he only had to respond to challenges made to his research.

Congratulations Dr. Atkerson!

Congratulations to both Frank Stanage and James Pellman who each earned their Master of Education degree from Concordia University. Frank serves as Commandant, Dean of Students and Human Resources Director while James Pellman is Science Department Chair and teaches seventh and eighth grade science and Kid’s Place Director.

Dr. Owen Duggan was selected as a presenter at the 2013 Texas Choral Directors Conference here in San Antonio. His topic was “Church Anthems.”

Professor Allen Hamilton, Academy Texas History teacher, was chosen by the University of Texas Road Scholar program to be a keynote speaker for all thirteen programs in San Antonio. He began each of their week-long programs with a twohour Monday morning lecture on one of his favorite topics, Texas History. The Road Scholar program, sponsored by the University of Texas at Austin, provides over 10,000 programs each year in more than 90 countries, specifically geared to enriching the lives of older adults through exceptional learning opportunities.

We Welcome New Faculty Trisha Sinclair joined Connie Haiduk last year as Pre-K teacher after having spent a year on campus substitute teaching in the primary grades and tutoring several Academy boys. Trisha’s nine years of teaching experience in Pre-K through fourth grade and her Masters of Arts in Teaching with Early Childhood Certification made her a great addition to our Primary. Trisha already felt a connection to The Academy since both her father and brother were graduates.

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Leon McNeil came to The Academy after having coached football, basketball and track at Cooper Middle School.

He graduated from Abilene Christian University where he had a football scholarship. When not on campus, he stays involved with City Kids Adventures, which he created to introduce inner-city youth to a world beyond their communities. Leon is a perfect fit for The Academy as a football, basketball and track coach. He is also glad to have the opportunity to work with his own son who was an Academy seventh grader when Leon was hired.

Debra Luna, BSN,RN, joined The Academy as School Nurse, after having spent over ten years with the SAISD Student Health Services at both the elementary and middle school levels. Debbie’s school and hospital experience, her knowledge and talents with students, faculty and staff make her an asset and invaluable resource.

Her constant smile exudes warmth and caring.

Wildcat Sports Year in Review, 2013–2014

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ATHLETICS

“It doesn’t matter that you’re not the first guy to finish; just knowing you did your best to make your effort count for the team makes you feel pretty important.”

— BROWNING SHEMWELL

This tough mindset allowed the top five of SAA’s 7th-grade-and-under team, Josh Uviedo, Jonathan Duperier, Eddie Garcia, Ben Weis, and Browning Shemwell to bring home the gold at the Seguin Matador Invitational, most narrowly edging out top competitor FEAST Home School by a tiny margin of just five points.

There’s No “I” In Team Cross Country Relies on Team Depth to Solidify Victories To the casual onlooker, running certainly appears like an individual sport. But the 2013 Wildcat cross country team repeatedly demonstrated how crucial the solid depth of a team can be when it comes to long-distance treks.

In their short three-meet competitive season, the 5th-7th grade Cats brought home two second-place and one firstplace trophy. With the field consisting of anywhere between 8 and 12 other teams, bringing home the hardware is always a tremendous feat. But when the accolades 47

San Antonio Academy of Texas

are earned by the slightest of margins, those victories are all the sweeter.

Though over 25 talented young runners comprised the SAA cross country roster, it’s only the finishing places of the team’s top five to cross the line that determine the team’s overall rank. All five leaders must have the stamina to continually pass up the competition, maintain a wrenching pace, and overcome the mental and physical set-backs that attack throughout any given hilly, humid, two-mile course.

And in the instance there’s a tie after the first five cross the line, it’s the sixth runner who holds all the cards. As the tie-breaker, this runner may not post the fastest finish for the team, but he represents the fortitude of the depth of a quality team. At the Cats’ nail-biter of a final meet, Browning Shemwell came through in this key role, shutting out Alamo Heights from any chance of walking away with our second-place prize in the Lutheran Stampede.

“It’s an incredible feeling,” Shemwell said, “knowing I was one of the people that helped our team win. It doesn’t matter that you’re not the first guy to finish; just knowing you did your best to make your effort count for the team makes you feel pretty important,” he said.

And though Shemwell and his teammates understood that every man counts, they were studying every move of team leaders like eighth-grader Luke Powers, who consistently posted impressive mile splits at six and a half minutes or under.

Head Cross Country Coach Natalie Bock said she is constantly impressed with the perseverance of her young running squad.

“They pushed themselves to their mental and physical limits through every finish line, demonstrating time and again what dedication truly means.

ATHLETICS

“Lacrosse is a sport where the difference between winning and losing is team play.”

— COACH CONLIN

The Stuff Legends are Made Of When Academy dad Brent Conlin took the helm of the Wildcat lacrosse program this year, he knew he was taking over a legend. And he knew he had the right players assembled now to take this supremely popular sport to even greater heights at SAA. With a 7-2 season record, Conlin’s varsity lacrosse team put all of their years of training together to produce play on the field that looked as much like art as it did sport.

The most beautiful of which, recalled the coach, was the victory against Reagan High School. The toughest competitor on SAA’s schedule, Reagan’s squad, which practices and plays year-round, challenged SAA three times during the nine-game season, and won twice. But in one amazing game, the Wildcats forged an exciting comeback from a half time deficit to win 8-4.

During that second half, the Wildcats exploded in precision plays, spreading the ball around and posing threats left and right to their older opponents. One of the most astounding stats of that second half was goalkeeper Jax Roberts’ 12 saves/0 goals shutout. The squad shared a new level of determination to turn this into a win, Roberts said, and he himself became unstoppable. “We were so focused. We didn’t like that we were losing. All of a sudden, I wasn’t letting any goals in. I could see the defenders were getting pumped, and obviously on the other half of the field, everybody else was, too,” he said.

And the then the Wildcat goals poured in. “They came together in support of one another as a unit. The second half of that game was one of the better displays of middle school lacrosse of which I have ever been a part,” said Conlin, who had spent the two previous years as SAA’s assistant coach.

While most players on the 17-man varsity squad were culminating their Academy lacrosse careers with finessed teamwork, even more young Wildcats were busy preparing to fill their shoes.

Twenty-two rising stars played on the 5-2 JV squad, and first-through fifth grade aficionados were plentiful enough to field three SAA teams in a local club program.

Conlin said he loves seeing a lacrosse stick in the hands of a little guy.

“Lacrosse is a sport where the difference between winning and losing is team play,” he said. And when they’ve had the opportunity to spend a few years developing teamwork and skills in these non-competitive arenas, he said, they’ll be ready to be coached and play the game at a higher level when they hit middle school. And certainly, to make their own mark on this Wildcat legend.

Year in Review, 2013–2014

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ATHLETICS

“You’re gasping for air, and you feel like you’re going to fall over at the finish line. In the end, it’s just going to go to whoever wants it more.”

—VINCENT NOTZON

Stepping Up the Competition Yields Shattered Records With nearly 60 athletes out for the track program this year, surely records were bound to be broken. It was just a matter of time.

And in this case, it was a mere few minutes into the first meet of the season that the first two Academy records would fall—the triple jump and the high jump, both at the hands, or rather feet, of Vincent Notzon (8).

In the course of the quick five-meet season, four other long-standing records quickly came tumbling down: the shot put, the 4x400m relay, the 4x100m relay, and the 100m dash.

Under the guidance of coaches Leon McNeil and Brittany Schrader,

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Wildcats as young as fifth grade thrived at both private and public school invitationals. “We wanted to compete at a higher level this year, and the boys stepped up to the plate,” Coach McNeil said. “They flourished.”

Evidence of that was the team’s performance at the large public school meet hosted by LaVernia. Though the Academy’s limited entries allowed the school only enough points to finish in second place of eight overall, Wildcats earned first-place medals in countless individual events throughout the day.

Case in Point: Lee Charles McNeil (7), who entered five grueling events, earned a shiny new gold medal at each of those five finish lines.

Certain specific performances will always stand out in the track enthusiast’s mind.

According to Coach McNeil, this year’s record-shattering 4x400m relay, which is always a heart-pounding way to close out a long day at the track, was definitely one of them.

“In the final leg, SAA and SACS were coming down the home stretch, neck and neck. With just 25 yards to the finish line, Vincent Notzon pulled away and brought home the first place medal,” McNeil remembered. That performance, orchestrated by Evan Shimek (8), Luke Powers (8), McNeil, and Notzon, demolished SAA’s previous record by a full ten seconds.

Notzon, who now holds a handful of Academy track records, knows full well how grueling and relentless the home stretch of the 4x400 meter race is. “Your legs feel like lead; you don’t even know how you’re moving them. You’re gasping for air, and you feel like you’re going to fall over at the finish line,” he vividly recalled. “In the end, it’s just going to go to whoever wants it more.”

ATHLETICS

“We were successful because when we all had to step it up, we always did.”

— MANUEL ZUNIGA

It’s a Hard-Knock Fight Wildcats Pounce on Tough Opponents from Across the City In a game known for a lot of hard hitting, the Wildcat football squads sure faced their fair share of heavy hitters in 2013—and most successfully so, they’d add. With their autumn schedule chockfull of powerhouse opponents—mainly large public schools—the Blue team (Varsity) boasted a strong record of 5-3, while the younger White squad emerged with hardly a scratch at 6-1 for the season.

Despite listing only eight eighth-graders on the roster, SAA’s football program has been evolving over the years to seek out a higher level of competitive play, said Defensive Coordinator Leon McNeil.

“It’s never about wins and losses, but if you are consistently beating your competition and if you are attempting to continue to develop your players, at some point in time in your program you must increase your level of competition.”

The motivation to do what’s in the best interest of the players and the school compelled the small squad of Wildcats to face off against formidable teams across Bexar County like Boerne Middle School South and Somerset. The Somerset game was one that Academy coaches and players will not soon forget, McNeil said.

“We were able to compete at a very high level and put 18 points on a team, which was undefeated. We almost gave them their first loss,” he recalled with a smile.

Offensive stars including Quarterback Lee Charles McNeil (7) and Running Back Vincent Notzon (8) relished in turning the bold plays called by Head Coach/Offensive Coordinator Mike Heineman into hard-fought points. They enjoyed only short breaks between drives because the menacing Wildcat defense, including quick-thinking outside line backers Manuel Zuniga (7)

and James Pfirrmann (8) and imposing linemen like Sam Harper (8), gave their opponents precious few opportunities to find the end zone.

“We were a smaller team facing tough competition,” Zuniga said. “We had a limited number of players, and basically there were no substitutions. But we were successful because when we all had to step it up, we always did.”

Looking forward to next season, which will be led by a squad that almost went undefeated at the sub-varsity level last fall, the team is banking on big accomplishments coming from its smart, coachable players. But scoreboards aside, the coaching staff walked off the 2013 field confident in the achievement of their Number One goal: To develop their boys to be able to compete successfully at the next level.

Year in Review, 2013–2014

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ATHLETICS

“Our boys were very competitive against wellcoached teams, and they figured out how to slow down really fast public school programs.”

— COACH MCNEIL

A winning basketball program knows that calling the shots on both ends of the court is an essential measure for success. Keeping the opponent from connecting with his basket is just as crucial as putting more points on the board. And it looks like the Wildcats have got their defense figured out.

Post Player Vincent Notzon (8) set the standard for tactical Wildcat play. “He had a great ability to control the boards both defensively and offensively,” said 7th- and 8th Grade Head Coach Leon McNeil.

Boasting four full teams among its 7th and 8th graders, the Academy basketball program proudly brought home an impressive aggregate record of 33-9 in the 2014 season. Among those statistics stands out the 7th-grade Varsity team, which wowed the crowds with an undefeated 14-win season.

Sixth-grade guard Justin Pisano’s extreme talent on the court gave him the unique opportunity to play up all season on the championship seventh grade team. “Our teamwork and ball pressure on defense were our strengths,” Pisano said. “We forced a lot of turnovers from the other teams.”

With four traveling teams, many game nights featured four fast-paced, backto-back games. A new competitive schedule meant that about half of the season’s opponents were public schools,

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San Antonio Academy of Texas

The Best Offense…

Is a Wildcat Defense a challenge that forced Academy players to speed up the tempo of their game play. In those games, the coaches emphasized staying focused and not becoming intimidated by the size or numbers of their opponents.

Coach McNeil recalled well one game against Rogers Middle School (SAISD).

“Rogers was running the ball up and down the floor, and they put a lot of pressure on the ball,” he said. “Our boys

did not back down and gave everything they had; their effort was never in question in that game.”

The challenging schedule, which resulted in a 10-4 record for the 8th grade varsity program, provided a terrific learning experience for all Wildcat teams, Coach McNeil said. “Our boys were very competitive against well-coached teams, and they figured out how to slow down really fast public school programs.”

ATHLETICS

“We came out ready to play.…The goal of a cohesive team truly showed. It was beautiful soccer.”

That confidence lead to a winning record for the developmental squad’s short season, and to a near-perfect 7-1 season for the varsity team. More important than a winning record, however, was achieving the goal of creating a truly cohesive team from a group of many individually skilled players, said Coach Schrader.

—COACH SCHRADER

That objective was put to the test with the most anticipated match of the season against San Antonio Christian School. “We came out ready to play,” Schrader recalled. “The boys possessed and worked the ball on the field, and the goals just seemed to come after that. The goal of a cohesive team truly showed. It was beautiful soccer.”

Stand-out goaltender Luke Powers (8) agreed that though there was a lot of individual talent on the team, the fact that the core group had been playing together for years made it easy to forge great teamwork this season. “We already knew each other’s strengths and weaknesses,” he said. “Knowing how to use everyone’s technical skills, and working together to pass the ball more frequently made us an exceptional team.”

No Field? No Problem.

Soccer Shines Amid Construction Constraints With all Academy playing fields undergoing major facelifts for months on end, one would think the school’s soccer programs might have suffered this past year. But quite to the contrary, the sport flourished with winning seasons, electric team energy, and unprecedented excitement about the sport’s future at SAA.

“The impact of construction was minimal,” said Brittany Schrader, SAA soccer head coach. “In fact, we even expanded the soccer program by adding a winter developmental soccer league. It was very successful in creating a stressfree environment in which players could develop and build confidence.”

Up-and-coming stars Manuel Zuniga (7) and Lee Charles McNeil (7) are some of the future leaders Coach Schrader has her eye on as she looks forward to next year’s performance from a young, talented squad.

And that field. That beautiful new field.

Coach Schrader is thrilled that the new turf field will provide her 2014 teams with a great surface for practice. “The grass will always be green, injuries will be reduced, and we’ll have a full size goal and penalty area for practice,” she said.

The improved practice conditions, paired with the cohesiveness that already exists among returning players, guarantee an exciting soccer season next fall.

Year in Review, 2013–2014

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ATHLETICS

“Tennis is about character,” he said. They [Players] learn to deal with adversity, maintaining a positive attitude and staying composed even when things don’t go our way.”

— COACH ZANDER

Integrity is Served What’s the goal of youth sports? Is it finishing first? Or is it developing character and integrity? If you know SAA’s Coach Bobby Zander, you’d know he’d always choose the second.

Fortunately, though, with the quality of the young men he helps develop in his Wildcat tennis program, he doesn’t have to choose. When the regular season came to an end, the Cats held their heads high with a combined A and B-team record of 10-0. But athletic prowess aside, Coach Zander was most proud of his athletes’ composure on the court.

“Tennis is about character,” he said.

With no referees or coaches on the court to call the shots, young players are left to their own devices to abide by the rules. “They learn to deal with adversity, maintaining a positive attitude and staying composed even when things don’t go our way.” Boasting two nationally-ranked players on the 23-man squad, Academy tennis was a threatening foe to most opponents, but

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the Wildcats’ integrity on the court was never called into question.

Daniel and Jack Covert (7) in the B-division.

Tennis newcomer Ethan Grant (8), who first took up the sport in the fall of his 8th grade year, practiced devotedly for months before tennis tryouts this spring, and capitalized on his speed and excellent hand-eye coordination to quickly find his spot on the A-team.

Coming from a background of highercontact team sports, Grant found that emotional self-control was essential on the court. “We learned how to keep our cool. Getting mad at your partner or a call will affect your playing style.

Plus, we were representing our school,” he said, so playing by the rules, even when no one was looking, was simply an expectation.

The tennis career of the Covert twins has been symbolic of the progression of many Academy tennis players. Since they started playing a few years ago, “they’ve gotten intense about what they’ve learned,” Coach Zander said. “They learned to be in control of their matches, and in so doing, became the MVPs who carried us to the top.”

Despite a disappointing third-place team finish at the league tournament (with several key players absent), SAA finished proud of the way they played the game.

Doubles partners Thomas Hart (8) and Roan Erwin (4) earned second place in A-division doubles, as did twin threats

Fortunate are the scores of smaller Wildcats who get to grow up in Coach Zander’s care as participants in his weekly clinics held throughout much of the school year. They’re being groomed not only as future athletes, but as gentlemen as well. “We introduce them to the game and develop their coordination and kinesthetic sense,” Zander said. “But mostly, I want the little guys to see tennis as something they can confidently share with anyone, for a lifetime.”

ACADEMY COMMUNITY & SUPPORT

Your Gift EVERY YEAR, Makes a Difference EVERY DAY!

5

YEARS

The Academy surpassed its Annual Giving goal of $600,000 during the 2013–2014 school year, reaching $648,279 to help build a stronger school for our boys.

Annual gifts enable The Academy to attract and retain the very best teachers and keep the school small, ensuring that each boy is known, understood and valued.

For the 5th consecutive year, 100%

10%

Restricted Gifts

15%

Fall Family Fair

of Academy parents supported the

Annual Fund, joining our board of trustees and our faculty and staff who also reached 100% participation. Only 3% of the nation’s independent schools attain this goal.

1%

Memorials

60%

Annual Fund Campaign

14% Spring Thing

Other groups who have supported the Annual Fund this year are grandparents, alumni, parents of alumni and friends of San Antonio Academy.

Thank you to the Annual Fund leadership, Chairs Melanie & Robert Thomas, Co-Chairs Sherolene & Scott Barr, Alumni Chair Jamey Steen, Grandparents’ Chair Martita Seeligson, Faculty/Staff Chair Kathleen Hill and to the 600+ participants who made a gift toward SAA this year.

Celebrating Annual Fund Participation On May 8, San Antonio Academy celebrated the great success of this year’s Annual Fund with two out-of-uniform days and a schoolwide pizza party. These fun incentives help make the campaign exciting for students. Thank you parents for backing our boys!

Circle of Excellence Every fall semester, donors who are members of the Circle of Excellence receive an invitation to attend an annual donor recognition dinner. Members of the Circle of Excellence are donors who made a cumulative gift of 1,000 or more to The Academy during the previous fiscal year. This year’s event was held on November 6 at the home of SAA parents, Melanie & Robert Thomas. The event began with cocktails and special remarks from Head of School, John Webster, and Board Chair, Greg Seay, followed by an elegant dinner.

Special thanks to Melanie & Robert Thomas, parents of Luke, 3rd grade, for hosting such a lovely event.

Year in Review, 2013–2014

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ACADEMY COMMUNITY & SUPPORT

SAA PARENTS’ CLUB:

BY THE NUMBERS

$17,000 raised & donated for SAA scholarships

4,320 Gatorades

served & sold at the snack sale

1,200 happy kids dancing the night away at the dances

1,000

cheers of spirit from the Cat Shack

42 CAKES served at cake day

Seventy-two boys guarding the Alamo during fiesta

100 COSTUME HATS made by class reps for the holiday concert

400 X

the boys asked about the next Rick Riordan book at the Book Fair

Countless volunteer hours by our

amazing Academy parents!

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San Antonio Academy of Texas

The Big Give S.A. San Antonio Academy of Texas participated in The Big Give S.A., the first-ever giving day for our city, on May 6. Thanks to the support from Academy students, parents, alumni, grandparents, parents of alumni, faculty, staff and friends, our school raised $6,000 in just 24 hours. Proceeds raised for The Academy during The Big Give S.A. were contributed to the school’s Annual Fund.

GRANDPARENTS: Essential Members of The Academy Family They support their grandsons in many ways—helping parents with carpool, attending school performances and joining their grandsons for lunch. Other grandparents serve as volunteers, provide leadership on the Grandparents’ Council or support SAA with an annual gift. SAA grandparents are special to our school!

•• 265 grandparents attended the monthly grade-level

luncheons hosted by the Development Office.

•• During Grandparents’ Chapel on September 26

and February 20, grandparents got a glimpse of how their grandsons begin each school day. In September’s chapel, grandparents had a front-row seat to a presentation with special guest, David Robinson, Spurs #50. David spoke to a standing-room-only crowd to share what it means to be a leader and what it means to have character by emphasizing: "You can only be a good leader if you have good character.”

•• One of SAA’s most treasured days of the year is Grandparents’ & Grandfriends’ Day. Held on November 22, the event began with a special luncheon for grandparents at Club Giraud, hosted

by Mrs. Helen Groves and Mr. & Mrs. Richard C. Traylor. Luncheon attendees were entertained by the SAA Choir.

Following the luncheon, grandparents and grandfriends joined The Academy's family on campus to enjoy a musical performance by the primary school, whose program included singing, dancing and playing musical instruments; a Battalion Presentation that included a drill competition by the upper school boys; and student-led tours to classrooms and around campus.

ACADEMY COMMUNITY & SUPPORT

Fall Family Fair 2013: Abra-Cat-Dabra

Abra-Cat-Dabra, the 28th Annual Fall Family Fair, was an amazing event! Seeing the family and friends of SAA on campus enjoying fun, food, and fellowship really was magical.

Ticket sales were great, food was delicious, and the silent auction was a big hit. New games and rides joined old favorites.

Magic was performed. Together, we raised over $90,000 for the school’s operating fund.

Our hats are off to the event chairs, Kelly & Robert Lemke, and co-chairs, Debbie & Terive Duperier, and to the 180-plus parents who either volunteered to work a booth or served on the planning committee (or both!). Eight months of planning culminated in…

•• 1,400 family, friends, and neighbors attending the Fair •• 60 underwriters sponsoring the Fair, which offsets expenses •• 200-plus businesses, SAA families, faculty,

and staff donating items to the Fair, including Silent Auction and Drop-in-the-Bucket •• 100-plus cakes walking out the door in the arms of happy winners •• Countless chills & thrills being had in the “Cirque Du Slay” Haunted House •• 12 dozen donuts mysteriously disappearing from “Donut on a String” •• 4,000 calories being consumed by the lucky winner of The World’s Largest Gummy Worm

Year in Review, 2013–2014

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ACADEMY COMMUNITY & SUPPORT

Spring Thing 2014: The Great CAT-sby

Two hundred parents, grandparents, alumni and Academy family and friends reminisced, recounted and retold all that they love about SAA at the 18th Annual Spring Thing: The Great CAT-sby at The Veranda. Over 120 businesses and individuals contributed auction items, supplies and underwriting for the event. The newly renovated and charming 1920s estate in Castle Hills was the perfect setting for a swell evening of live and silent auctions, good food, good friends and conversation.

After a lively game of buying-back into the Tuition Drawing, Becky and Jorge Alvarez walked away with a great souvenir: a free tuition for 2014. Auctioneer Joey Tominlson and emcee Mike Osterhage entertained the group and set the stakes high

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San Antonio Academy of Texas

while encouraging lively bidding during the live auction. Music of the roaring 20s kept it all in Gatsby form—a little swanky, a lot unique and all good tunes.

Event Chairs Susan & Steven Pisano and Co-Chairs Tinker & Vincent Notzon, with an energized committee, created a fabulous event to build stronger relationships among the Academy family. Thanks to the participation of many Academy supporters, the event raised over $80,000, benefitting the San Antonio Academy Annual Giving program. The money goes right back into the classroom, helping SAA to attract and retain talented teachers and keeping the classes small so that each child is known, understood and valued.

ENRICHMENT

2014 Summer At The Academy Kids enjoyed classes where they learned to…

ACT

ENGINEER

BUILD

FINE-TUNE

CREATE

GIVE IT THEIR ALL & HUSTLE

DESIGN

IMAGINE

STRATEGIZE

Year in Review, 2013–2014

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ENRICHMENT

Enriching Classrooms for 27 Years Did you know that in addition to teaching Early Bird and Master Reading classes on campus after school to thousands of children around the city, during the day, Cathy Cummins can also be found in SAA classrooms and in Ellison Hall bringing a plethora of enrichment activities to our boys!

Dia de los Muertos 3RD GRADE

Colonial Fair 4TH GRADE Australia PRE-K

Greek Festival 2ND GRADE Asian Festival 2ND GRADE

Columbus Festival KINDER

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San Antonio Academy of Texas

Ellis Island (Europe) 1ST GRADE

ALUMNI

2014 Colonel W.T. Bondurant, Sr. Distinguished Humanitarian Award Recipient Honored “At no time in history has it been more important than it is now to foster an education system that stresses honor, character development, ethics and superior academic achievement. San Antonio Academy has inspired and educated young men to become outstanding contributors to society. It is truly an honor to join a long list of wonderful people who have enabled the legacy of this outstanding institution.”

—DENNERT “DENNY” O. WARE The Alumni Council of San Antonio Academy of Texas presented Mr. Dennert O. “Denny” Ware with the 2014 Colonel W.T. Bondurant, Sr. Distinguished Humanitarian Award on Tuesday, February 11 at a special luncheon in his honor at the Witte Museum. Proceeds benefit the Colonel W. T. Bondurant, Jr. Scholarship Endowment, a need-based scholarship fund for attending San Antonio Academy.

Denny Ware was named CEO of the Year by market research and analyst firm Frost & Sullivan in 2006. Under his leadership as President and Chief Executive Officer of Kinetic Concepts, Inc. (KCI), revenue

at KCI grew from approximately $300 million to $1.4 billion, making it one of the medical technology industry’s fastest growing companies. Mr. Ware currently serves as CEO of CeloNova Biosciences.

“Mr. Ware has been and continues to be a part of companies that push the limits of science and technology as a way to better our society. He is a role model for the students of San Antonio Academy and reflects the Bondurant family’s commitment to leadership and service. We are honored to celebrate Mr. Ware’s achievements with the 2014 Colonel W.T. Bondurant, Sr. Distinguished

Humanitarian Award,” says Jacob S. Leibowitz, San Antonio Academy Alumni Council President, Class of 1999.

In honor of Denny Ware’s leadership, vision and impact on the San Antonio community over 160 guests, including Bexar County Judge Nelson Wolff, Edith McAllister and Phil Hardberger, attended the award luncheon. Special thanks to the many individuals and businesses that supported the event, including Catto & Catto, LLP, CeloNova Biosciences and Frost Bank, this year’s Partners in Education Business Sponsors.

Homecoming Weekend Festivities began on October 18 with Alumni Day serving as the kickoff event for the special weekend as Mr. Charles H. Noble, Jr. ’43 and Mr. Edward H. Austin, Jr. ’55, were recognized as this year’s Col. W.T. Bondurant, Jr. Distinguished Alumni Award Recipients.

The morning event wrapped up with an Alumni Muster, Pass-In-Review and the annual Alumni group picture.

Homecoming Weekend concluded with Fall Family Fair on Saturday, October 19, where SAA alumni volunteered at the beverage booths and reconnected at the alumni pavilion.

Special thanks to the 2013 Homecoming Weekend Chairman, Adam Reed ’99, and to members of SAA’s Alumni Council who helped organize and promote the event.

Year in Review, 2013–2014

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ALUMNI

Alumni Return

Reception, Reunion & Commencement On May 29, the eve of Commencement, alumni of all ages reconnected with fellow classmates and former teachers at the 3rd Annual Gather Under the Oak Tree reception in front of the iconic oak tree in front of Taylor Hall at San Antonio Academy.

The event reunited old friends and created new ones as alumni took a walk down memory lane flipping through yearbooks and sharing stories of their former school days.

John Webster, Head of School, shared an update on the state of San Antonio Academy, and expressed his appreciation to alumni for demonstrating their support of SAA through their time, talent and gifts to the school.

As a special part of the program, Prof.

Drew Kennedy was recognized for his retirement of 43 years of service at SAA. He was presented with a scrapbook that included photographs and quotes

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San Antonio Academy of Texas

from alumni who submitted their fond memories of Prof. Kennedy and well wishes on his retirement.

The alumni festivities continued as former alumni returned to campus to attend the 128th Commencement ceremony at San Antonio Academy. Alumni celebrating

special milestone anniversaries received medals during the ceremony. Marshall Steves ‘64 was honored with a 50-year anniversary medal. Gary Marvin ’89 and Patrick Shearer ’89 received their 25-year anniversary medals, and five members from the Class of 2004: Matthew White, Jonathon Schneider, Jonathan Fitzsimons, Alex Velasquez and David Akright—received their 10-year anniversary medals. Per tradition, alumni were also asked to serve as field marshals during the Pass In Review parade on the recently reopened Frost Field.

ALUMNI

ALUMNI WELCOME 8TH GRADERS TO THE RANKS With over 90 guests in attendance, SAA Alumni gathered at La Fonda on Main to carry on the tradition of welcoming the 2014 graduating class to the Alumni Association.

Judge Richard Price ’76 served as keynote speaker and shared with 8th graders what SAA means to him and the impact that The Academy continues to have in his life.

The Academy would like to extend a thank you to Academy alumni and friends who made a contribution toward the luncheon. We also extend our gratitude to Suzy and Cappy Lawton at La Fonda on Main for their generous support.

Renovated Classroom Brings Alumni Back Recently, cramped classroom space was cramping the learning process in the Spanish classroom. But, thanks to the generosity of 37 donors—all alumni and parents of SAA graduates—and spearheaded by Laurie and John White ’61, $125,000 was raised in only two months to create a new spacious and resourceful location for the Spanish class at The Academy.

The new classroom space was constructed and has now been in full operation for one year. On Wednesday, November 13, 2013, alumni stopped by during an Open House to view the classroom and to visit with Sra. Luisa Bolen, who has been teaching Spanish at SAA for 25 years and has taught more than 375 Academy boys.

Graduates told stories of their days at The Academy and remembered Sra. Bolen’s love of teaching, love of her students and love of the Spanish language. One graduate recalled entering SAA in the 7th grade with no prior language lessons and was quickly discouraged by his failing (Spanish) grades. Sra. Bolen created a separate curriculum for him and a fellow classmate and tutored them individually so that they could learn at their own pace.

Following the Open House of Sra. Bolen’s new Spanish classroom, alumni teamed up to play in the annual Alumni vs. 8th grade Basketball Game at SAA.

Year in Review, 2013–2014

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ALUMNI

ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT: Eugenio “Keno” Urquiza, Class of 1994 “Taking an idea from author T.E. Lawrence, I suggest that you dream not only at night with your eyes closed, but during the day with your eyes wide open.”

— EUGENIO “KENO” URQUIZA, ‘94

one of them. Learning how to think, communicate, and feel true empathy is a constant and worthy pursuit.”

He adds, “The Academy has taught you discipline. Use it and turn your goals into accomplishments. Keep reminding yourself of what you want to be when you grow up and why. Then plan for it.

When you get to high school, take the toughest classes from the beginning.”

readings from the Old Testament, discussing current events and politics with Prof. Bradley, long afternoons playing basketball outside, and learning math with Prof. Graf. “San Antonio Academy gave me great confidence in math, which motivated me to continue to pursue math along with physics and eventually engineering. More broadly, The Academy taught me to take pride in my work, my appearance, and the mutual rewards in teaching and mentorship,” he adds.

While attending San Antonio Academy 20 years ago, Eugenio “Keno” Urquiza was asked in the 1994 Bluebonnet Yearbook, “Who do you most admire and why?” Keno’s answer was “Mac Gyver because he makes cool things!”

Today you could say that, like his childhood hero, Keno spends his days designing “cool” devices too. As the Founder and Chief Engineer of Thermotive LLC, a research, engineering, and product development company focused on thermomechanical technology development for the aerospace industry, Keno is pursuing his love for space—a passion he remembers sharing with Professor Kennedy at San Antonio Academy.

Keno says his fondest memories at San Antonio Academy include starting the day with Mr. Webster’s inspired

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San Antonio Academy of Texas

Keno earned a PhD in mechanical engineering from the University of California at Berkeley and published original research on heat transfer in nuclear power and aerospace applications in several technical journals.

While working in the Thermal and Cryogenic Engineering Group at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory of NASA at Cal Tech in Pasadena, California, Keno identified several unmet needs in thermal control of airborne (airplane-mounted) instruments. Today, Keno’s company, Thermotive LLC, provides and develops advanced thermomechanical technology for ground, air, and space systems.

“Taking an idea from author T.E. Lawrence, I suggest that you dream not only at night with your eyes closed, but during the day with your eyes wide open. This way, rather than waking to realize it was a fantasy you can act out your dream and make it happen.”

Keno has lived and worked in France and Mexico, and visited many countries on the Mediterranean. “I enjoyed seeing different cultures while realizing we are all much more alike than we are different,” he says.

To Academy students, Keno shares this advice, “In truth, there is no destination, and there are only a few clear milestones along the way. The Bondurant Gate is

Keno and his wife, Columba GonzalezQuintanilla, have a son, Gabriel.

ALUMNI

Class Notes Congratulations to John Steen ’63 who has been appointed to the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board. In 2009, John was named San Antonio Academy’s Col. W.T. Bondurant, Jr. Distinguished Alumni along with fellow classmate, Blair Labatt ‘63. John is the father of John Steen, III ‘95 and Jamey Steen ‘03.

Patrick Shearer ’89 was selected as one of the winners of the 18th annual San Antonio Business Journal’s 40 Under 40 awards last February.

Class of 2010 alumni, Lane Kirstein and Marshall Noble, visited the SAA Young Astronauts to give a presentation about the rocketry program at Alamo For his commitment to serve our community, Judge Richard Price ’76, was invited by the Alumni Council to speak during the Alumni & 8th Grade luncheon in May. Price shared his advice on how the boys can give back to the community based on what they have learned from their SAA teachers, classmates, and experiences at San Antonio Academy.

Heights High School.

Tim Kennedy ‘90 graduated from Yale School of Divinity in May 2014 with a Master of Divinity, and also graduated from Berkeley Divinity School at Yale, the Episcopal seminary within Yale Divinity School, with a Diploma in Anglican Studies and a Certificate in Educational Leadership and Ministry.

Tim was awarded the R. Lansing Hicks Prize, which is given to a student who, in the opinion of the Episcopal faculty, has done the most to benefit the Berkeley community during his or her years in New Haven. In July, he started a new job as the Chaplain and Religion Teacher at Washington Episcopal School in Bethesda, Maryland, Washington, DC, and part of the Episcopal Diocese.

S.A. Scene magazine named SAA Alumnus, Brian Steward ’79, among the top “25 Personal Injury Lawyers” in its September 2013 issue.

Year in Review, 2013–2014

64

ALUMNI Will Beason ‘06 serves as a Statistical Analysis Intern with the United States Air Force.

Congratulations to Javier Rocha ’91 and his wife, Audrey, on the birth of their second child, Abigail Marie, born on December 21, 2013.

Phillip Hargrove ’06 graduated from Stanford University on June 15 with a Bachelor of Science in Aeronautics and Astronautics. Phillip is continuing his studies at Stanford University and pursuing his master degree.

Brad Kaufman ’99 and his bride, Jen, were married on May 17, 2014 in Houston, Texas. Brad celebrated the joyous occasion with fellow Class of 1999 Academy Alumni (L-R): Clint Hamilton ’99, Travis DeArman ’99, Brad Kaufman ’99, Austin DeArman ’99 and Adam Reed ’99.

Lance Reed ’03 and his bride, Amber, were married on April 12, 2014 in Fort Worth, Texas.

Micah Graf ‘05 is the singer of a modern country rock variety band called NovaStarr. Visit their Facebook page to find their next show.

Hank Leeper ‘06 was hired by Fisher Investments as an Analyst for the Portfolio Evaluation Group. Hank will be able to pursue his passion for investments by “researching and analyzing potential equity acquisitions and current client portfolios in order to implement efficacious strategies amid shifting market climates.”

Adam Reed ‘99 served as the project manager and designer for Argo Group, an international insurance company, when they relocated their US headquarters to San Antonio. Adam, representing his employer, Ford, Powell & Carson, Architects and Planners, Inc., and Argo Group received awards for Best Building Space and Best Public/Private Partnership from the Downtown Best Awards.

Grayson Hamilton ‘01 is the guest host and full-time gaming correspondent for the nationally syndicated Computer America Radio Show.

Sean Knoll ’02 has moved to Houston, Texas to open a second location of Greenhouse Fine Art Gallery.

Chandra Vemulapalli ’02 was accepted into the Orthopaedic Surgery program at the National Resident Match Program.

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San Antonio Academy of Texas

Tyler Richard ’06 was accepted into the PhD program at Harvard.

Reggie and "El Guapo" prepare for a championship round of hand slap.

Reggie Hargrove ‘05 returned to SAA at the invitation of John Webster to speak to the boys on leadership. He graduated from the Air Force Academy as a Second Lieutenant. Reggie made the following points when describing how to be a good leader: “Adapt to what the world puts in front of you. Be someone that people want to follow because they respect you. It’s not how far you fall, but how quickly you can pick yourself up.”

Petty Officer Third Class, Charles “Corky” Hummel returned to campus for his reenlistment ceremony in the United States Navy that was held during Chapel at San Antonio Academy.

ALUMNI Taylor Thornton ‘07 was accepted to the University of Texas’ Los Angeles Center program for Spring 2015, which transitions UT graduates from “college life to real life” for those interested in film, television, music, and new media.

Landes Rangel ‘09 was accepted to the U.S. Military Academy at West Point.

Parker Brown ’10 was accepted to Northeastern University College of Engineering.

Peter Howard ‘10 returned to campus to perform a mix of original and cover songs in front of students, faculty, parents and guests during Chapel on March 21.

Travis Long ‘10 was accepted to Duke University.

William Schmuck ‘10 will attend Birmingham Southern College in Alabama this fall to play college baseball.

Steven Constantine ‘10 was accepted to Duke University. Last March he was featured in the News 4 San Antonio story, TMI Tough Guy May Have a Future in Politics.

Mohan Iyengar ‘12 earned his Eagle Scout award on November 14, 2013.

Mohan completed 11 years of scouting in Packs 1947 and 66. Before embarking on the Eagle trail he earned the Arrow of Light award, which is the highest award given to Cub Scouts. His merit badge count totals 26, including the Hindu religious awards, Dharma and Karma, as well as all of the Eagle required badges, such as Citizenship of the nation, community, and the world. Mohan is currently a junior at Keystone.

Jeremy Heath ‘10 will attend Union College in New York on a full academic scholarship this fall. In addition, he is being recruited by Union’s men’s basketball team. Union is one of the oldest colleges in the nation, established in 1795 as the first college chartered in the state of New York.

Courtesy of San Antonio Express-News

Light Cummins ’29 is surrounded by fellow alumni, Jay Buzzini ’77, John White ’61, and eighth graders, David White and Nathan Romo during a celebration honoring Light and the other senior “buddies” who took part in The Academy’s annual community service project, Living Legacy.

Aaron Taylor ’10 sang The National Anthem at the Spurs Game on January 8, 2014. Aaron received a $40,000 scholarship toward Berklee College of Music’s four-year program in Boston, Massachusetts, where he will attend this fall. He also competed on the Broadway stage in the National High School Musical Theater Awards, informally known as the Jimmys.

Austen Teal ‘10 will attend University of Missouri in the Fall.

Stephen Trippy ‘10 will attend the University of Houston in the fall. Stephen graduated in the top 10% of his class at Health Careers High School.

Tom Bugg ‘12 currently attends Saint Mary’s Hall, where he holds leadership positions in the Fine Arts Council and Shadow Society. Tom is also an Eagle Scout.

Marshall Webb ’12 was a finalist in the Congressional Debate at the Texas Forensic Association State Tournament and qualified for the Extemporaneous Speaking Tournament of Champions at Northwestern University. In June at the National Speech and Debate Association National Tournament, Marshall placed as a quarter-finalist (top 30) in United States Extemporaneous Speaking.

Dominic Grazioli ’12 scored 135 points on his exam during the American Mathematics Contest, beating his high school’s (Saint Mary’s Hall) average by an 80-point margin. Dominic’s impressive score earned him an invitation to take the next level exam, the American Invitation Mathematics Examination (AIME), given last spring.

Over the summer, Dominic attended an engineering and mathematics program at UC Berkeley.

Dustin Smith ’12 was inducted into the TEPS program, a leadership and service organization, at McCallie School.

Year in Review, 2013–2014

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ALUMNI Walt Buzzini ’13 performed in the high school production of Hamlet at McCallie School.

Cameron Diamond ’13 received the Core Value Award for Integrity at Design and Technology Academy.

IN MEMORIAM: Mr. Samuel E. Barshop ‘43, Mr. Armer F. Earwood ‘34 Mr. Daniel Groh, Jr. ‘42 Mr. Henry C. Tindall ‘59 Mr. Robert F. Townsend ‘55 Mr. Chris M. West ’74

In 1986, The Bondurant Gate was donated to San Antonio Academy in honor of Col. Bondurant, Jr. by Mr. & Mrs. J. Laland McCormick, parents of James ’81 and Thomas ’87. As tradition, graduates pass through the gate during Commencement.

The Bondurant Gate symbolizes a portal into the rest of the graduate’s life as he leaves SAA with a strong foundation.

CLASS OF 2014 On May 30,

36 young Academy men passed through the Bondurant Gate, accompanying their classmates for the very last time. From the Salutatory Address by Andres Rodriguez to Cesar Martinez’s Valedictory Address, to closing comments from Honorary Scholar, Daniel Guerra, the 128th Commencement was marked with memorable moments. We wish our graduates the very best!

Congratulatio 67

San Antonio Academy of Texas

! s on

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Save th e Dat e

Farewell to

Drew Kenn edy

2015 COL. W.T. BONDURANT, SR.

Distinguished Humanitarian Award Luncheon

We are pleased to announce that Mrs. Patricia Galt Steves will be honored with the Col. W. T. Bondurant, Sr. Humanitarian Award. This award is presented by the San Antonio Academy Alumni Council to honor an individual who exemplifies the school’s most cherished values: honesty, respect, pride in achievement and service to others.

SAA’s Longest-serving Employee Retires

Proceeds from the luncheon benefit the San Antonio Academy Col. W.T. Bondurant, Jr. Scholarship Fund.

“San Antonio Academy has been the foundation of my entire adult life. Through the love and support of the Bondurant family, I was able to use my gifts of teaching and administration to teach children math and coach 7th grade basketball. I have been able to do this for 43 years in the same school! For that I am eternally grateful.

My Academy family is too large to name. From staff and faculty to multiple generations of families I have known, I have been truly blessed.” —Drew Kennedy

TABLE SPONSORSHIPS AVAILABLE

WATCH HIS FAREWELL VIDEO TRIBUTE AT SA-ACADEMY.ORG

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 10 , 2015 11:30 A.M. Lunch & Program San Antonio Country Club

$75 Individual RESERVATIONS REQUIRED REGISTER: SA-ACADEMY.ORG