The Highlander: Spring/Summer 2023

The Highlander

The mission of St. Andrew’s Episcopal School is to provide an enriched academic program within a Christian environment emphasizing the fulfillment of each student’s potential.

Core Values

COMMUNITY

Based on trust, traditions, communication, appreciation, and support

SPIRITUAL FOUNDATION

Developed by intentional instruction in moral and ethical behavior

HIGH EXPECTATIONS

Reflected in both the knowledge base and behavior of the faculty, staff, students, parents, and board members

CARING, CELEBRATION, AND HUMOR

Fostered by kindness and collegiality

Dear St. Andrew’s Families and Friends,

community. Your generosity of spirit, kindness, time, treasure, and support for our children and teachers is a blessing to us all, especially our students—thank you! Our students are doing amazing work and I could not be more proud of St. Andrew’s.

Many of you may know that I spent most of this school year recovering from a recurrence of breast cancer that involved surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation. During the period of my recovery, our teachers, parents, volunteers, staff, and board members stepped up to keep our school as strong and thriving as we have ever been. Thank you to all! I am happy to report that I am in complete remission, and I feel great. I am more enthusiastic, optimistic, and grateful for the opportunity to start a new school year than ever before.

This edition of The Highlander is a tribute to the incredible scholars, artists, athletes, and servants who bless us every day with their talent, their humor, their curiosity, and their love. Whether it’s second grade students showcasing their Dinosaur Expo, perfect scores by our students on the National Latin Exams, SPC championship wins, or seniors presenting Senior Projects, our students continue to inspire and delight us with their good work. How fortunate are we?

We have very big plans for the future of St. Andrew’s, which you will read about in the pages of this magazine. Like generations before us, St. Andrew’s families, alumni, foundations and friends will be called upon to help us create the next iteration of our school with a new Athletics Complex and Student Union, an integrated 6th–12th grade campus on Southwest Parkway, and two new Lower School Buildings to house our 1st–3rd graders, Fine Arts and STEAM spaces, and learning labs. It is an extraordinary plan— slated to be complete by the 2027–2028 school year—and we could not be more excited. Please enjoy this edition of The Highlander, which is a beautiful reflection of our beloved school community. And, in closing, a special thank you to our amazing Class of 2023 alumni who are off to begin their next adventures in colleges and universities around the world. May they come home to St. Andrew’s often!

Melissa Grubb Head of School

As I reflect on my second year as Head of School, I remain incredibly grateful for this school

Dear St. Andrew’s Community,

The profoundness of that statement struck me at our last Board meeting in May. As I surveyed the room, I saw our Head of School, our school’s Leadership Team, and our Trustees and realized that they all have something in common. They are all people who want to do something. Together, we want to propel St. Andrew’s to new heights. We want to take the beautiful foundation that has been laid by the people before us and expand on their vision.

We want to create beautiful campuses that enable advanced programming and inspire our teachers and students. We want to nurture our student’s minds, bodies, and spirits. We want to foster a community of kindness, inclusivity, and diversity. We want to be even more generous to our teachers and staff. We want our graduates to reach their full potential. We want St. Andrew’s to be synonymous with excellence.

That is our focus. Our plans for the next phase of St. Andrew’s have been thoughtfully and thoroughly curated and they will transform our school. Like Boards before us, we are dreaming big and we know these plans will be realized with the support from our entire St. Andrew’s community.

Yvette Rios Chair, Board of Trustees Parent of Sofia Wesbecher ˊ25

A friend involved in Texas politics once said, “All politicians fall into one of two categories: there are people who want to be something and people who want to do something.”

Highlander Highlights

6th Grade Art Raises Money For Earthquake Relief

In sixth grade art class this spring, Kate Torres’ students learned the art of printmaking. In the midst of their unit, the devastating earthquake struck Turkey and Syria. In response, sixth grade artists decided to raise money for relief by selling packets of stationery featuring unique custom prints that they had created in class. They were able to raise $800 for earthquake relief with the sale of the stationery, directly helping displaced people in Turkey and Syria.

Singing Through Music City

This spring, Upper School Select Choir embarked on their annual tour, this time in Nashville, Tennessee. The tour is always a highlight of the year, allowing Select Choir members to learn from collegiate-level instructors, share the joy of music outside of their local communities, and gain a new understanding of their repertoire. Students were able to learn from collegiate voice clinics at Belmont University, Vanderbilt University, and Sewanee: The University of the South, and also got to observe college choir rehearsals and enjoy campus tours. During their time in Tennessee, they performed at The National Museum of African American Music, The Heritage Retirement Community, Sewanee: The University of the South, the Country Music Hall of Fame Museum, and Good Shepherd Episcopal Church. And of course, a trip to Nashville wouldn’t be complete without some line dancing!

Lower Schoolers Start Coding Journey

Fourth and fifth grade students launched into JavaScript coding classes, led by Alexandra Baird and Geoff Harrison. Coding equips students with essential skills for their future, like problem solving, logical reasoning, and computational thinking. During coding classes, students displayed their creative thinking and growth mindset and left with a solid foundation to build their coding knowledge in the future.

Upper School Select Choir

TEAMS

Two teams from St. Andrew’s competed in the Test of Engineering Aptitude, Mathematics, and Science competition this spring. After researching and writing a group paper, the St. Andrew’s teams completed a competition that included a multiplechoice exam and an engineering design/build challenge. One of the teams—consisting of Zoie Jaimes ’23, Pruett Fedorowicz ’24, Lily Krengel ’24, and Charlie Moore ’24—scored within the top 50 in the nation, qualifying them for the National TEAMS Competition.

Evening of Empowerment Inspires Success

The Empowering Women of the World club, founded in 2021 by Evie Dewey ’23, Madeline Marks ’24, and Christiana Strehli ’24, aims to inspire girls to understand and utilize the power and strength they hold, especially in the business world. By linking influential women in the world of business, politics, art, medicine, and more with EWoW members, the club has inspired its members to take up space and embrace challenges.

Throughout their two years as a club, EWoW has hosted Austin businesswomen whose careers they admire. During the 2022–2023 school year, the club’s founders wanted to put on an event that was the culmination of all the good work they had done so far.

Bowling Bonds

Reviving a beloved St. Andrew’s tradition, seniors and first graders came together for a morning of bowling in April. The seniors had last connected with the first grade during St. Andrew’s Day, and everyone had a wonderful time at the reunion, especially the seniors, who were capping off a period of their final exams. Seniors took great care of the first graders and were impressed by the young Highlanders’ bowling skills!

The Evening of Empowerment was the club’s most ambitious event yet. Held on April 18 at the DFAC, the evening featured keynote speaker Julie Kocurek, Judge of the Texas 390th District Court, as well as a panel of inspiring women: Sarah Puil, the founder and CEO of BOXT; Ana Ruelas, the owner of Austin Woman Magazine and founder and managing partner of The Agency Austin; and Carron Gibbs, the Managing Director of Accenture Technology Center. Being from all sorts of different career fields, the panelists provided unique insights that were valuable for the entire audience. For students, the value of seeing local examples of success in the business world was enormous, giving them a taste of what could await them after college. For the club’s founders, the Evening of Empowerment was an incredible example of what they can accomplish, and next year’s event is sure to be just as empowering.

Highlander Highlights

A Blooming Philanthropy

Lyla Hellmund

’28 has found a way to give back to her community by utilizing her passion for gardening with others. She has founded a nonprofit organization, Go Color Your World, whose mission is to spread the beauty of nature by making it easy to plant native flowers. She chose zinnias to start her beautification project because they are both colorful and easy to grow. She harvests the seeds from the zinnias she has grown in her own garden and packages them into seed packets that she hands out at local farmers’ markets. Currently, she is going to the Lone Star Farmers Market but she hopes to branch out to others in the future. Check out her website at www. gocoloryourworld.org for more information and to follow the growth of Lyla’s project!

Eighth Grade Takes Flight

For their final science project, eighth graders constructed rockets to apply their understanding of forces and motion. Their challenge was twofold: they were to build a rocket that could reach a high altitude and fly a smooth trajectory, while also designing and constructing a recovery system in order for an egg to act as a payload and return to the ground intact. In order to accomplish their challenges, students used and tested their knowledge of center of mass, drag, force/ thrust, and air resistance. As they constantly adjusted, tested new prototypes, and made observations, eighth grade students truly engaged in the engineering process during their final project.

Students Shine in National Latin Exam

Latin students at the Upper & Middle Schools took the National Latin Exam in early March, joined by over 100,000 students from all 50 states and 13 other countries. There are separate exams for different levels of Latin, and students in each level are awarded medals (gold and silver) for high achievement and ribbons and certificates at the middle school level. Thirty-eight upper school students were recognized with some kind of award. At the Upper School, ten students received Gold Medals and fifteen received Silver Medals, the two highest awards on the exam. Gold medalists (summa cum laude) were Owen Almy ’24, Laila Antonini ’25, Quinn Evans ’26, Martina Faini ’25, Isaac Hilton ’23, Holly Quinn Hornaday ’28, Presley Kuo ’26, Caroline Newby ’26, Rory O’Hara ’24, Deven Sheth ’24, and William Sykes ’23. Silver medalists (maxima cum laude) were Miller Bowers ’28, Amelia Brandon ’28, Jude Bush ’26, Bo Carpenter ’25, Beau Diede ’23, Aidan Embestro ’25, Giulia Faini ’25, Griffin Hill ’24, Frances Nelson ’28, Griffin Perkins ’27, Roman Rawie ’25, Maya Rossouw ’25, Skye Rossouw ’25, Meredith Shaw ’23, Brendan Tan ’25, Emily Wallingford ’26, Bo Wieland ’24, and Alice Wukasch ’28 Optime factum, discipuli!

A Dino-Mite Exhibition

At this year’s Dino Expo, second graders delighted their audience with an immersive and engaging experience centered on all things dinosaurs. Using music, storytelling, and tactile experiences on the playground like fossil puzzles and an enormous dinosaur nest, students were able to demonstrate their expertise on all things dinosaurs to family, friends, and faculty.

Design Thinking In Action

In March, fourth graders took part in a design thinking challenge, a hands-on activity-based session built around the five phases of the design thinking process: empathize, define, ideate, prototype, and test. Each group was assigned a different client with particular needs and desires. Their goal was to build a chair that was sturdy enough to hold two heavy books and kept their client’s needs in mind. Fourth grade showed admirable skills in collaboration, critical thinking, and problemsolving, showcasing the unique ways they approached challenges.

Seniors Sign NCAA Letters of Intent

This spring, four members of the Class of 2023 signed their letters of intent to compete at the NCAA Division III level. Anna Berry will run track at Haverford College, William Dunaway will run cross country and track at Washington & Lee University, Ella Townsend will play basketball and lacrosse at Sewanee: The University of the South, and Annie Zimmerman will play volleyball at Gordon College. Congratulations to these spectacular student-athletes!

A Blueprint for St. Andrew’s Future

In this 70th year of our school, we celebrate all of our past and current families, alumni and friends who have built St. Andrew’s into what it is today. Now, we are looking to the future and what is about to become for our students and our beloved community.

has almost doubled in just over two decades! This visionary generosity and leadership has changed the lives of our children and teachers forever.

Raise

In the past 25 years alone, St. Andrew’s has grown in tremendous and transformative ways, thanks to the generosity of many families in our school community. We now have a thriving Upper School campus, Dell Hall, Nazro Hall, a stunning 31st Street chapel and library, our incredible Dell Fine Arts Center, and a state-of-the-art Kindergarten building. Along with these campus improvements, our student enrollment

This renewed vision for St. Andrew’s is being driven by a comprehensive and strategic site plan that includes modest growth in our student body (without compromising small class sizes), new facilities on both campuses, and investments to our endowment fund. This plan will enable everyone who enters our doors to obtain an exceptional educational experience. It is a vision that first provides an environment conducive to student growth and safety, it is a vision that allows our students and faculty access to the latest and most advanced resources for teaching and learning, and it is a vision that helps everyone achieve a dream.

 Preliminary design of new Lower School classroom building on the 31st Street campus.

Our school has been built on hopes, dreams, and the generosity of many to work towards creating a beloved community.

We are going to

the Roof of St. Andrew’s! And in turn, raise up our amazing Scholars, Artists, Athletes and Servants.

St. Andrew’s Next 3–5 Year Growth Plan

Most immediately, we will build what will become the heartbeat of our Southwest Parkway campus: our Athletics Complex and Student Union. The goal is to open this facility in Fall 2025. This will be the place where we will cheer on our students, rally our community, graduate our seniors, gather our alumni, host our student clubs, study groups, and service projects, nourish our students at the Spirit Shop, and provide space and grace for our kids to win, lose and compete in all the healthy ways our students should learn. It will be the building our students remember when they return as alumni and it will make St. Andrew’s a beacon for families who want a beautifully well-rounded program that involves the whole community.

In addition, we are moving our Middle School program to Southwest Parkway—and building a brand new Middle School building in a location that allows it to be independent and self-contained—to support our 6th–8th grade students and faculty. And what a facility it will be! Our teachers could not be more excited about this opportunity for the future. We believe, and research shows, that a 6–12 curriculum and program

alignment enhances and heightens the educational experience of students and faculty and will only make our school stronger and better.

Imagine Middle School classrooms with flexible spaces to collaborate across disciplines, Innovation Labs to bolster creativity and critical thinking, room to grow and diversify our student body to better serve our Austin population, and opportunities for students to excel from the expertise of Upper School faculty and grow into our excellent athletics and fine arts programs.

It will be a place where we can implement programming that serves the next generation of students, students who must help us save our planet, think deeply about complex issues, and solve problems with a critical eye and an empathetic heart. It will elevate St. Andrew’s in ways we have never seen before.

Our beloved 31st Street campus will also be transformed, too. Our Lower School classrooms have greatly needed updating since their original construction in 1957. While we will conserve and update the existing 1st–3rd grade wing for administrative use, we will be removing much of the older Lower School facilities to make room for two new buildings.

 Preliminary design for Athletics Complex and Student Union on the Southwest Parkway campus.

Our new Lower School classroom building and Fine Arts/STEAM building will be the very best place for an elementary education in Central Texas. Long have our teachers wished for larger indoor/outdoor classrooms to engage students with our natural environment and to share spaces and boost creative opportunities. Long have they hoped for Innovation and Design Labs that will inspire our students to try new ideas, to make (and break!) and create new things, and long have our teachers wished for dedicated Fine Arts spaces to help our students shine. We know that the combination of intentional exploration spaces and rooms to sing, play, and pretend are critical components to an exceptional education.

These new Lower School buildings will allow us to truly reach every student in meaningful ways and help them better prepare for their next steps in reading, writing, math, problem-solving and beyond. It is long overdue and much deserved for our students and teachers.

All of these new buildings are being designed with security at top of mind. Our vision also includes upgrades to our existing facilities so that we can ensure that we are doing our very best to keep our students

and teachers safe. We are planning a thoughtful construction schedule that will be as unobtrusive as possible. A portion of this campaign also includes fundraising to grow our endowment to specifically support teacher compensation, financial aid, and maintenance and upkeep of new facilities.

Simply put, we want to be the best school in Austin, raising up all Four Pillars to support our Scholars, Artists, Athletes, and Servants. We want to enroll the best families. We want to recruit and keep the best teachers. Facilities matter: good facilities inspire creativity and learning in meaningful and transformative ways and we want facilities that will allow our teachers the spaces and opportunities to fully realize our amazing curriculum, explore the innate talents and curiosities of our students, and inspire us all to make the world a better place. These buildings will build our future and we could not be more excited.

More information about the Raise the Roof: A Blueprint for St. Andrew’s Future campaign can be found at: https:// www.sasaustin.org/about/raise-the-roof-campaign

 Preliminary design for new Middle School building on the Southwest Parkway campus. The goal is to open the new Middle School in Fall 2026.

Faith In Our Future A Retrospective

By JOHN C. MILLER , Former Trustee, St. Andrew’s parent and grandparent, and Capital Campaign Co-Chair for St. Andrew’s Upper School, Rollins Library and Fourth Grade Wing

Empowered by the Holy Spirit and the vision and support of dedicated mortals on the ground, the Upper School and other improvements became a reality some twenty-plus years ago—let me tell you how.

My wife Jeannine and I were blessed by two daughters, and blessed again when both were accepted to St. Andrew’s. Our oldest daughter entered first grade in 1992 with our youngest entering in 1994. Even then, we wondered where they would attend high school. Fortuitously, my wife was selected as a school trustee about the time there was discussion about adding an Upper School at St. Andrew’s. We were both enthusiastic supporters of adding additional grades, and Jeannine’s board position enabled her to be an advocate for expansion.

While there were a few on the board who questioned whether the will and financial resources existed within the St. Andrew’s community to undertake this endeavor, Jeannine deeply felt that the founding of an Upper School was imperative, and firmly believed that the funding goal could be reached. Ultimately, the Board approved moving forward with the plan to found and build an Upper School, and—to broaden the community’s interest in the project—a new Library and fourth grade building on the 31st Street campus were included.

Because of Jeannine’s enthusiasm for the project, the Board Chair invited us to chair a capital campaign with a goal of raising $15 million. I remember Jeannine calling me and saying that she felt we needed to accept the charge. Being a seasoned and obedient spouse, I agreed. Without any experience in fundraising, but with confidence in the Head of School and other leaders and a belief that the project would be a transformational one for the school, we took a deep breath and said “yes.” Thus began a seven-year odyssey which changed

our lives for the better, and remains for us a profound experience to this day.

St. Andrew’s has had a long tradition of excellence, supported by the community’s shared passion for doing the best for our children. That commitment had long been the foundation for the school’s success, and would be the catalyst for this challenge once the story was told. Communicating the scope of the project— both at large gatherings and one on one—largely fell upon the campaign committee, including the Head of School and Director of Development.

Our committee’s membership changed somewhat over time, but most members committed to serve until our goal was reached. The committee was blessed and strengthened by a mixture of different personalities, ages, backgrounds, and relationships to St. Andrew’s and to each other. Some of us were not acquainted at first, but were united by the common goal of making St. Andrew’s even better. Varied talents were put to work: Some were list-makers and record-keepers, some had their ear to the ground, some were event planners, some were strategists, some analysts, some sources of wisdom, encouragement, and institutional memory, and a few were comfortable with asking for pledges. All were enthusiastic. Opinions were voiced, different perspectives exchanged and decisions reached. Meetings could be spirited, but always collegial. The Campaign was hard work, but we had fun, and still delight twenty years later to see one another and reminisce about the good times and hard times.

The process was a learning one. Experience revealed that while a beautiful brochure is a necessary part of a campaign, by itself, it won’t raise money. The truth of the “gift pyramid” was a relentless taskmaster: an insistent reminder that raising money is fundamentally all about math. To be successful, we had to create a culture of giving at St. Andrew’s, raising expectations of what it realistically costs in terms of gifts to undertake a campaign of such magnitude, which was enormous at the time. The community had to learn that there was no “money tree,” “pot of gold,” or one or two donors that could make it happen. Looking to “others” to make the gifts gave way to the realization that it would take the generosity of everyone who believed in the project. The requisite number of major “asks” had to be made, and the potential donors had to be given the courage “to give until it feels good.”

And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

—Romans 8:28 (KJV)

John C. and Jeannine Miller 

Occasionally dispirited by naysayers, second-guessing, or the rare “turn down” of an ask, we all persevered, overcoming disappointments and difficulties with confidence in the long-term viability of the project. The committee had to be flexible, thoughtful, and sensitive, especially when dealing with the inevitable setbacks – which in our case, ranged from a rare party that didn’t come together, to being handed increased fundraising goals by the Board, to the heart-wringing event of September 11th. Persistence and faith were the bulwark of the defense against fear, worry, doubts, and discouragement, always lurking in the wings. Reports to the Board could be stressful—especially during a drought in the fundraising. But when gifts came through, it was a time for celebration, buoying our spirits, strengthening our confidence, and warming our hearts at the visible display of people’s deep generosity and love for the school.

A valued byproduct of the experience was sharing the journey with the many fine people we came to know. From the Head of School and Development Office, to the outside professionals involved, to our fellow volunteers in the overall project, we were inspired by their talents and hard work, for the examples they set, and the results they achieved. Witnessing first-hand the generous response by the donors, revealed to us that philanthropy is God in action. Their example also influenced us to have the courage to make a gift. Like so many of the donors, it was the largest gift we had ever made, and we learned about the joy of giving.

The campaign also impacted our family. Our girls were in the Lower School when our work began. They witnessed the many hours we spent, hopefully instilling in them the value of working for the community and trying to make the world a better place. Not fully understanding at first what it was all about, they

Preliminary drawings of the Upper School chapel and Learning Commons from the Capital Campaign. 

never complained that our time on the Campaign took away from our time with them. As time went on and construction started, they gained an understanding that the cumulative effort of many can lead to tangible and impressive results.

Personally, it grew our faith in God and that nothing is impossible if He has His hand in it. Jeannine and I didn’t know what we were doing, but He did. We are convinced that the Holy Spirit gave us and our committee the courage to do something we had never done before, and the Spirit never left us whether we failed or triumphed.

From the participants in the “leg-work” of the project, to the myriad donors, I suspect all feel a sense of pride and accomplishment at what was ultimately achieved—I know I do. And more importantly, we hope that the experience sets a strong example for the future, encouraging a “can-do” attitude combined with the ever-present desire for excellence that has always prevailed at St. Andrew’s. I hope my recollections encourage those who will soon embark on the next challenging and exciting plan for St. Andrew’s. Your work is important. It will prove to be meaningful to not only the school, but to you and your family, and will become a memory to treasure.

Members of the Capital Campaign Committee

Rona Baizer

Allison Baker

Alec Beck

Amanda Beck ʼ68

Carrielu Christensen

Kate Clark

Betsy Clemons

Priscilla Pond Flawn

Jeff Garvey

Charlotte Haro

Mary S. Jones

Catherine Miller

Jeannine Miller

John Calhoun Miller

Lucy Nazro

Julie J. Oles

Louise Pincoffs

Kathryn Runnells ʼ71

Molly Sherman

John Works

Mary Yancy ʼ74

Clockwise from left: Members of the Capital Campaign in 2001: Kate Clark, Molly Sherman, Kathryn Runnells ’71 , Julie J. Oles, and Rona Baizer; Celebrating the new Upper School buildings at the end of construction; Carrielu Christensen, Amanda Beck, John C. Miller, Lucy Nazro, Jeannine Miller, and Catherine Miller.

Dr. Steven Fletcher, who assumed the role of Head of Upper School this July, knew instantly that St. Andrew’s was the place for him. In his search for a faith-based, independent school that emphasized a culture of excellence, belonging for all, and a sense of community, St. Andrew’s fit the bill perfectly. “I’m inspired by St. Andrew’s caring, compassionate, creative, curious, and courageous community,” said Fletcher, who comes to Austin from TMI Episcopal in San Antonio, where he served as Upper School Dean of Students and Director of Student Life. He brings two decades of teaching and research experience to the Upper School, having previously served as a science and math teacher, Assistant Dean of Students, and Service Learning Coordinator at George School, a 9–12 day/boarding school in Newtown, Pennsylvania. In addition to his years at George, Fletcher has taught organic chemistry

New Beginnings

Steven Fletcher joins St. Andrew’s as Head of Upper School

at Rosemont College, LaSalle University, and Temple University and chemistry at The Johns Hopkins Center for Talented Youth.

Fletcher holds a Ph.D. in organic chemistry from Temple University, a master’s degree in chemistry education from the University of Pennsylvania, and a bachelor’s degree in chemistry from Earlham College. Yet it is not only his scholarly achievements that set him apart. Upon meeting Dr. Fletcher, one is struck by his confident, warm, and approachable demeanor. He is a leader who prioritizes relationships, emphasizing achievement while exuding kindness, with his previous Head of School describing him as “the kind of leader every school hopes to have in their community.ˮ

As St. Andrew’s Upper School embarks on an exciting new chapter with Dr. Fletcher at the helm, it is certain that his vision, experience, and genuine dedication will enable the school to thrive as a community, foster belonging, and cultivate excellence.

Here, Dr. Fletcher answers some select questions from the famed Proust Questionnaire so that the St. Andrew’s community can get to know him a bit better—be sure to introduce yourself when you see him around campus this fall!

1. What is your idea of perfect happiness?

My idea of perfect happiness would be sitting at the family table during the holidays, surrounded by current and past generations. We would enjoy a delicious meal while engaging in thoughtful conversation and look at photo albums (not camera rolls on phones!) with my family and friends.

2. Which living person do you most admire?

I have two living people that I most admire, the first being Robert B. Grossman, Professor of Chemistry at the University of Kentucky. I credit Dr. Grossman with helping me through my graduate studies. I do not know him and I have never met him—however, he authored a book, The Art of Writing Reasonable Organic Reaction Mechanisms, which helped me pass all of my organic qualifying exams. This book was the catalyst in making me believe I could be reasonably decent at organic chemistry. The second person I admire is author and University of Pennsylvania professor Adam Grant. Being an avid reader of self-development books, I find his works to be grounding, enabling me to let go of any inclination towards pursuing career paths in industry, research, or higher education. Instead, I leverage my interpersonal skills to do my part to make schools stronger.

3. What talent would you most like to have?

To not be afraid of heights, in addition to being able to speak at least three different languages.

4. What do you consider your greatest achievement?

My greatest professional achievement is obtaining my Ph.D. in organic chemistry. As an undergraduate taking organic chemistry for the first time, I was challenged

but eventually began to love the course. Obtaining a Ph.D. in this science was something I decided to do a decade after obtaining a B.A. in chemistry. This achievement is the equivalent of going from high school sports to a pro sports league without practicing!

5. Who is your hero of fiction?

The Batman. Utility belt? Check. Batcave? Check. No fear of heights? Check!

6. Who are your heroes in real life?

My heroes in real life are the ones who overcome adversity. My cousin, Steven, is my hero because he chose to be a significant part of my life when he could have moved away from his hometown. His contributions were so immense that I named my son after him. Additionally, my great-grandmother is my hero because she demonstrated care for her family through acts of love. She raised three generations of children: her children, her grandchildren and her greatgrandchildren, and we became great human beings. Even though she was laid to rest almost twenty years ago, I think about her and how she influenced me every single day.

7. What do you most value in your friends?

Because life is hard, unfair, and sometimes unjust, friendships need to be easy. That doesn’t mean friendships don’t go through challenges and challenging phases; however, the good times must outweigh the bad. With that said, my most cherished friendships are with people with whom I could laugh the loudest, and also be unafraid to challenge each other’s ideas. A good friend is someone who shows up for you—that presence is cultivated over time, decades even.

8. What is your motto?

Choose to be brilliant. Do your very best, move forward, and shine brightly.

Over $1,300,000 Raised at Gala For Financial Aid

On April 15, decked out in their finest flight suits and aviator sunglasses, St. Andrew’s families and friends touched down on the 31st Street campus for Top Fund: Gala for Financial Aid 2023, ready to celebrate the school and raise money for St. Andrew’s financial aid program. The annual Gala for Financial Aid is the largest single source of support for the financial aid program, and the funds raised during the gala help nearly 150 students attend St. Andrew’s and enjoy all that this special community has to offer.

The evening’s Top Gun theme added an element of nostalgia and excitement to the event, transporting attendees back to the classic 1980s film. Guests embraced the theme wholeheartedly, donning outfits that channeled Maverick, Goose, and Charlie. During cocktail hour, attendees snapped photos on a HarleyDavidson and enjoyed cocktails on Crusader Field before dinner and the auction began.

During a spirited live auction headed up by the Siren Sisters Auctioneers, guests eagerly vied for fabulous

items and experiences, such as a luxury Texas Longhorns football suite, a stay at a gorgeous modern home in the Hamptons, and a whirlwind food tour of Austin with Ali Khan.

After the auction, it was time to take to the dance floor with music by The Motts. As the opening notes to “Danger Zone” swelled, guests were guided to the dance floor with orange batons, and soon enough, the floor was filled with fly boys and fly girls dancing the night away.

Between the live auction, online auction, sponsorships, and donations, the St. Andrew’s community ultimately raised over $1,300,000 for financial aid during this year’s gala, ensuring that talented students from diverse socioeconomic backgrounds have access to a top-tier education. These funds will change the lives of so many students, enabling St. Andrew’s scholars, athletes, artists, and servants to unlock their potential. It means that St. Andrew’s can continue to build a student body filled with exceptional students from different

socioeconomic backgrounds, enriching the classroom, the field, and the stage with varied perspectives and enabling all students to discover and expand upon their knowledge of the world.

To all of our generous donors this year, we want to extend our deepest gratitude. Your unwavering support has created a pathway for our students to thrive, explore, and reach for the stars. Together, we have shown that when we come together as a community, we can make a true and lasting impact. Thank you for your generosity and your belief in the power of education.

Save the date for next year’s gala on April 27, 2024!

Our Newest Alumni

The Class of 2023 Embarks On Their Next Adventure

On Saturday, May 27, St. Andrew’s Episcopal School graduated the class of 2023, welcoming our newest class of alumni. The air was filled with a palpable sense of excitement and pride as students, families, friends, and faculty gathered to honor the achievements of the newest alumni.

The class of 2023 selected Dr. Andrew Forrester and William Sykes ’23 to be their faculty and senior speakers, respectively. Dr. Forrester spoke to the graduates about the joy of continuous learning, the importance of being content with uncertainty, and the power of community.

“If you have a question, someone has had that question before. If you have a complicated feeling, someone has

felt that feeling before. What a gift. You may not always land on an answer, or a solution, but you’ll never be alone in looking for it. This goes for the things we learn about ourselves, too. We are part of a great, ever expanding exchange of ideas and emotions and hopes and challenges, and that is at least part of what it means to be human: to want something—knowledge, love, justice, beauty—and to do that wanting alongside others who feel the same way. To be singular in who you are and unified with others who share a similar purpose.”

William Sykes, selected by his peers, reflected on the supportive community found at St. Andrew’s, the joyful moments and achievements shared by the class of 2023, and the importance of embracing the unknown without fear.

“Any time that you are afraid of being known and seen and found lacking, you know from our experience here that you can be seen and known and loved. We are a place that carries you through the good and the bad, the highs and the lows, the beautiful and the terrible by the strength we receive here, with each other. Because you know what it is to be loved instead of to be found lacking, you don’t have to just keep that knowledge in your heart. You can share it with others, bringing yourself and your whole community into a greater sense of belonging, purpose, and life wherever you reside in the future. By seeing, knowing, and loving others, in a very real way, our St. Andrew’s community can be carried into every community we go into from here. On our graduation day, this is what it means to be called to love.”

As the ceremony drew to a close, students proudly received their diplomas, symbolizing the culmination of years of hard work, dedication, and personal growth. The Class of 2023 is a special one. With the beginning of their Upper School experience fractured by the pandemic, they were critical in the rebuilding of Upper School community and culture. They have excelled in their pursuits as scholars, athletes, artists, and servants. They have been a class to look up to and a class that models excellence in all they do.

Congratulations to the class of 2023! There are so many adventures and achievements in your future—please know that you always have a home at St. Andrew’s.

Class of 2023 Graduation Awards

The History Awards

JOLIE GRABS & NATE SABO

The English Awards

EVAN ALLBRITTON, ANNA BERRY, & WILLIAM SYKES

The Packwood Math Awards

LUCY WARD, MARK GREENBERG, & RACHEL KILGARD

The Science Awards

ZOIE JAIMES, NATE SABO, & LUCY WARD

The Mandarin Language Award EMMA KIM

The Spanish Language Award TOMMY BULLION

The Latin Language Award

ISAAC HILTON

The Religious Studies Award

ANTHONY TASSONE

The Warren Dickson Instrumental Music Award

KARSTEN LYLE & WILLIAM SYKES

The Warren Dickson Vocal Music Award

JACOB BURROWS & MEREDITH SHAW

The Theatre Discipline Award

ARWYN HEILRAYNE & MEREDITH SHAW

The Technical Theatre Discipline Award

KATIE BRADLEY

The Senior Yearbook Award

JULIETTE HUGGINS & PAIGE KIPKE

The Susan Kemner-Reed Visual Arts Award

KATE FASON & NAOMI REMINGTON

The Kethan Kumar Filmmaking Award

EMMA DAVIS & MARY LOUISA DONOGHUE

The Artist Award

KELLY CAROLAN & HARRISON CAUTHEN

The Athlete Awards

WILLIAM DUNAWAY & ELLA TOWNSEND

The Scholar Awards

NADIA HSU & LUCY WARD

The Scott Field Bailey Servant Award

ANNIE LI

The Faculty Prize

This award is given to that student whose curiosity, positive energy, and supportive attitude consistently improve the classroom experience for fellow students and for teachers, regardless of discipline. This student’s presence, the faculty agrees, is a tide that lifts all boats.

KELLY CAROLAN

The Hilary H. Carlson Award

By charting a path of dramatic growth throughout their individual high school journey, this senior exemplifies the tenacity and composure of the founder of the Upper School, Hilary H. Carlson.

EVAN ALLBRITTON

The Cornerstone Award

Established to commemorate the pioneering Class of 2002, the Cornerstone Award recognizes that outstanding senior whose principled audacity and original thinking push the school to be a better version of itself.

ARWYN HEILRAYNE

The Lucy Collins Nazro Award

Created to honor former Head of School Lucy Collins Nazro in recognition of her love of this school and her ability to unite and inspire others, this award goes to that remarkable senior who contributes in thoughtful ways to improve the life of the St. Andrew’s community.

CULLEN

DAWKINS & ANNIE ZIMMERMAN

The St. Andrew Award

The Episcopal tradition values employing the head and the heart in all that we do. Both are essential to encouraging people to love themselves, love their neighbors, and serve the deep needs of the world. Through our common life together, St. Andrew’s fosters a sense of each person’s belovedness and the desire to “strive for justice and peace among all people, and to respect the dignity of every human being.” The winner of this award embodies the spirit of our school’s foundation.

WILLIAM SYKES

Eighth Grade

Onto The Next Chapter

On May 24, in front of proud family, middle school faculty, former teachers and friends, the Class of 2027 celebrated the end of their middle school careers with a lovely ceremony in Crusader Hall. After readings from a few of their classmates, they were treated to one final homily from Ashley Brandon, their chaplain. Before handing them over to Mother Whitney, the chaplain at the Upper School, where many of them will be moving on for high school, she sent them off with this message: Class of 2027, the threshold you are crossing today is a reminder that life is full of changes. You will move through your own eras, you will have highs and lows and wins and losses and joys and sorrows, you will grow and change and

evolve. Fashion trends will come and go, but no matter what you wear, always remember to clothe yourselves in Love.

Before the presentation of diplomas, Head of Middle School Tim Moore presented three awards given to the students who exemplify what it means to be a St. Andrew’s student.

This class started middle school in home learning and has shown so much growth over the past three years. We are so proud of their hard work and accomplishments and know they will do great things in high school. Congratulations, Class of 2027!

Eighth Grade Awards

The Adrienne Grooms Medal

The faculty’s collective choice for that eighth grade student who seems to most completely represent what St. Andrew’s Middle School is all about, a student who embodies and exemplifies the four pillars of scholar, artist, athlete, and servant. This award is given in honor and memory of Adrienne Grooms who was the first math teacher in the middle school.

The Bill Costas Medal

This is the “E for Effort” award, one given to a student who works diligently at his or her responsibilities, who keeps the faith, and demonstrates good cheer about any task or challenge. This student consistently demonstrates hard work, dedication, and a positive attitude. The award is given in honor and memory of Bill Costas, a former math teacher, who emphasized a positive work ethic to his students.

GINNY HEARD

The Faculty Medal

The Faculty Award is presented annually to an eighth grade student who, from the beginning of their Middle School experience to the end, has shown significant growth and maturity, both academically and socially.

This person demonstrates perseverance and does not make excuses. They learn from their mistakes and show a willingness to improve on them. They get out of their comfort zone. They are mindful of their interpersonal skills and have worked on their relationships with teachers and peers.

GRIFFIN PERKINS & NOAH GILMORE

TARA RUIZ & CHARLIE CANALES

Journey Through Time

Fifth Grade Unveils the Tapestry of 18th Century Texas

On April 15, St. Andrew’s fifth graders debuted original audio guides at the Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum. Spearheaded by social studies teacher Michele Turner, fifth graders worked collaboratively to research a core question: As Texas was becoming Texas in the 18th century, what were some of the competing interests between the indigenous tribes and the Spanish and French colonists?

After conducting their research and having it factchecked by the museum, students recorded audio guides that were displayed at the museum during Texas History Day on April 15.

Walking around the museum during a September field trip, teacher Michele Turner couldn’t help but notice that, unlike many other museums, the Bullock Museum didn’t have any audio guides alongside their exhibits. After the field trip, Turner drew up a proposal for the museum—she proposed a series of audio guides researched and recorded by her fifth grade class. The Bullock Museum greenlit the project, suggesting that the fifth graders’ guides could be featured on Texas History Day. The museum agreed to work with Turner and the fifth grade to approve their content before it was released to the public.

Museum team member Coyote Shook was integral to the process, helping Turner’s class formulate compelling questions, guiding them to focus the scope of their research, and handling the recording and editing of the audio guides. The class began by establishing a research question and constructing a timeline that spanned the interactions between French and Spanish colonists and the indigenous people. Each student was assigned different events to investigate. From the research of these events, the class derived research questions and formed small groups. These groups collaborated on paragraphs to answer their respective research questions that would ultimately be turned into the public audio guides.

As with any project of this magnitude, students faced challenges. From wading through the highly advanced reading levels of the primary and secondary sources, to determining how to represent diverse perspectives and eliminate personal bias in their research, students found themselves grappling with obstacles, but were able to move through them with the help of the mentors involved in this project.

After the research went through several rounds of editing and fact-checking with the Bullock Museum, the guides were ready to be recorded. Since all sixty-one fifth graders weren’t able to individually record, Turner selected student names randomly, who would later record with the museum and produce eleven audio guides.

“The Bullock Museum was so involved in helping us with this project. They came to St. Andrew’s with a special recording booth to help us record, they did all the audio editing, and they had one of their curators read through our research from a cultural proficiency lens, ensuring that we were treating all of the indigenous groups in our research with respect.” said Turner. “They were wonderful to work with.”

Fifth graders couldn’t wait for Texas History Day on April 15, when they could see their hard work on display for all to see at the Bullock Museum. Texas History Day is a huge day for the museum, when hundreds of Texas middle and high school students present their projects to be judged for the National History Day competition. The museum was full of students and their families, who were a whole new audience for the fifth grade’s audio guides. It was a truly special experience for both the students and Mrs. Turner, seeing their work come to life in a public forum, educating and engaging their audiences.

The enthusiasm of the fifth graders brought a special dimension to the project. “Fifth graders are so awesome because they’re so eager,” said Turner. “Right when I told them about the project, they were thrilled—they could already see the vision, which was so exciting.” This sense of purpose continued to motivate the students when they ran into tough spots. “When we were in the weeds and it was so much work, the fact that it would be shown to the public was really motivating. They would listen to each other’s drafts and that could be its own long process, but the collaboration of the class was integral to everyone’s success. We pushed beyond the boundaries of what a fifth grade project could be, just because they had motivation that they knew their work was going to be seen by the greater public.”

Latin Students Excel

At TSJCL and Area F Latin Conventions

In an unforgettable year for St. Andrewʼs Latin, students in both Middle and Upper School Latin classes showcased their exceptional skills and talents at both the Texas State Junior Classical League (TSJCL) Convention and the Area F Latin Convention this spring, earning top honors, awards, and recognition.

At the Area F Latin Convention in February, St. Andrew’s students competed in various classically-themed academic, creative, and athletic contests with terrific results. In the Certamen contest, St. Andrew’s had four teams compete, one in each level of competition: Middle School, Novice, Intermediate, and Advanced. The teams achieved commendable results, with the Novice team (Quinn Evans ’26) securing second place, the Intermediate team (Jacqueline Drako ’26, Caroline Newby ’26, Brendan Tan ’25, and Captain Emily Wallingford ’26 placing third, and the Advanced team (Martina Faini ’25, Giulia Faini ’25, Captain Isaac Hilton ’23, Presley Kuo ’26, Maya Rossouw ’25, Meredith

Shaw ’23, and William Sykes ’23) earning second place after a tough finals round. St. Andrew’s Upper School emerged as the 1st place sweepstakes champions, which are calculated by adding a point for each student who wins in the top three of their academic contest, and won second place in Olympika sweepstakes, which are calculated by adding a point for each student who places in the top three of an athletic competition. The Middle School team achieved second place in Academic Sweepstakes and first place in Olympika Sweepstakes. Students also excelled in individual tests, with Quinn Evans ’26, Presley Kuo ’26, Martina Faini ’25, and William Sykes ’23 achieving the highest scores in their respective categories.

In a stunning achievement, Martina Faini ’25 was named Latin Student of the Year and received the Jo Green High Score Award for her exceptional performance on the Decathlon, which is considered the most challenging academic contest at the convention. Isaac Hilton ’23 was recognized as the Armadillo Classical Society Senior Scholar and received a scholarship for scoring the highest on the Decathlon among seniors.

At the TSJCL Convention in April, over fifty St. Andrew’s Latin students participated in various academic, artistic, and athletic contests related to Ancient Mediterranean culture and Latin and Greek languages. In the Novice Division of Certamen, St. Andrew’s freshman Quinn Evans ’26 represented Austin on a combined All-Area team and secured second place, qualifying the team to represent Texas at the national competition. In the Advanced Division of Certamen, the Area F Advanced Certamen team, composed of St. Andrew’s students

Captain Isaac Hilton ’23, Martina Faini ’25, and Meredith Shaw ’23, and students from LASA and Westlake High School, emerged as the state champions for the second consecutive year.

Additionally, St. Andrew’s students achieved outstanding results in Open Certamen, with Marley Sheth ’29, Nina Urban ’27, Presley Kuo ’26, and Laila Antonini ’25 securing top positions in their respective divisions. Isaac Hilton ’23 earned the high point award for Latin Literature, meaning that he achieved the top score across all levels of competition on the Latin Literature test. The convention itself is run and organized by an executive board of student officers. Meredith Shaw ’23, who served as the 2022–2023 First Vice President, had a huge hand in making sure the convention ran smoothly, including being responsible for academic contests. Next year’s convention will be co-hosted by St. Andrew’s and Anderson High School, and Martina Faini ’25 will serve on the TSJCL Board as the 2023–2024 Co-Convention Coordinator.

The impressive achievements of St. Andrew’s Latin students at these conventions are a testament to their dedication, hard work, and expertise.

We are so proud of this group of scholars!

TSJCL Academic and Classical Civilization Contest Results

First Place

Laila Antonini ’25 — Costume Contest (Individual Character) Upper Division

Ethan Benton ’29 — Roman Life (Level ½ A)

Isaac Hilton ’23 — Latin Literature (Level V)

Isaac Hilton ’23 — Decathlon (Level V)

Isaac Hilton ’23, Jude Bush ’26, Meredith Shaw ’23, Martina Faini ’25, McAlpine Kirkland ’25, and Laila Antonini ’25 — Vocal Ensemble

Gideon Jones ’28 — Greek Life and Lit (Level ½ A)

Presley Kuo ’26 — Club T-Shirt

Presley Kuo ’26 — Advanced Open Certamen

William Sykes ’23 — Reading Comprehension: Advanced Poetry (Level V)

Second Place

Sana Abbas ’25 — Latin Oratory (Level I)

Sana Abbas ’25 — Research Paper

Presley Kuo ’26 — Mythology (Level III)

Presley Kuo ’26 — Decathlon (Level III)

Whitney Nichols ’29 — Dramatic Interpretation (Level ½ A)

August Nordstedt ’24 — Dramatic Interpretation

Passage I (Level III)

Meredith Shaw ’23 — Mythology (Level IV)

William Sykes ’23 — Advanced Grammar (Level V)

Alice Wukasch ’28 — Latin Literature (Level ½ A)

Third Place

Laila Antonini ’25 — Phrases, Mottoes, and Abbreviations (Level III)

Laila Antonini ’25 — Advanced Open Certamen

Martina Faini ’25 — Roman History (Level IV)

Morgan Harrison ’23 — Dramatic Interpretation Passage I (Level V)

Paul Korman ’29 — Monochromatic Art

Maya Rossouw ’25 — Vocabulary (Level IV)

Nola Sabo ’25 — Latin Literature (Level II)

Meredith Shaw ’23 — Latin Literature (Level IV)

Meredith Shaw ’23 — Vocal Solo Soprano/Tenor

Nina Urban ’27 — Novice Open Certamen (Level ½ B)

Area F Latin Convention High Score Overall Awards

Martina Faini ’25 — Roman History

Isaac Hilton ’23 — Latin Literature

Maya Rossouw ’25 — Vocabulary

Skye Rossouw ’25 — Roman Life

William Sykes ’23 — Reading Comprehension, Poetry

Quinn Evans ’26 — Pentathlon, Level I

Presley Kuo ’26 — Pentathlon, Level III

Martina Faini ’25 — Pentathlon, Level IV

William Sykes ’23 — Pentathlon, Level V

Amelia Brandon ’28 — Pentathlon Level ½ A

Holly Hornaday ’28 — Pentathlon Level ½A

Meredith Shaw ’23 — Lauren Dill Judges’ Choice Award in Vocal Performance

Martina Faini ’25 — Jo Green Decathlon Award— Latin Student of the Year

Isaac Hilton ’23 — Decathlon Senior Scholarship Award

The Gift Of Time

By KIMBERLY HORNE , Upper School English Teacher and Class of 2024 Dean

Senior Projects are the capstone assignment for every senior at St. Andrew’s and a requirement to graduate. After months of initial proposals and planning, seniors use the month of May to focus on their projects. Intensive and immersive, senior projects are designed entirely by the seniors themselves. They are asked to pursue an interest, follow a passion, create something, investigate a complicated issue, solve a problem, or serve a community. At the end of May, seniors present what they have learned to the community. The program is led by Upper School English teacher, Class of 2024 Dean, and founding Upper School faculty member Kimberly Horne—here is her perspective about this important annual milestone for our senior class.

For the last six or so years, ever since I became the coordinator of senior projects, I have asked seniors at the end of May what they have learned from the experience of their projects, and the variety of their answers speaks to the variety of their experiences and the diversity of what they get out of them.

“I learned how to drive a tractor.”

“I learned how to change a diaper.”

“I learned that things are bound to go wrong.”

Of course, these are just the answers I receive, as I do not hear from most of the seniors since they are no longer reading or responding to school email or they’re

tired of filling out forms or they’re still too focused on executing their projects to think about what they might be learning . . . or they simply just don’t know yet.

Because I have been a faculty member since the beginning of the Upper School, I can admit to the main, original intention of the senior project. It was—to be brutally honest—to get seniors off campus during the month of May. The original Head of Upper School, Hilary Carlson, had no problem explaining to any and all that off-campus was definitively the best place for seniors during the month of May because they were simply done with us, and well, we were done with them, and well, they did need to practice not being at school and finding their own way, as they surely would have to in their next chapter—it was a good deal for all. Close behind this relationship-saving solution was the fervent hope and belief that seniors could and would do something of their own devising with their newfound and well-earned independence and that they would bring this experience back to campus in the form of a public presentation, a chance to exhibit what one might actually do when given a month to replace the traditional classrooms of their childhoods with one of

“I learned that a month goes by way too fast when you’re doing something you enjoy.”

“I learned about all of the parts of a commercial kitchen, including the burners, grills, griddles, fryers, etc”

“I learned how to build a website.”

“I learned how to draw trees.”

“I learned how to ride a motorcycle.”

“I learned that nobody is going to help unless you ask for help.”

“I learned that people are more generous than I thought.”

William Dunaway ’23 with his permanent woodworking installation at the DFAC, an effort to use woodworking to promote campus creativity. Chi Brown ’23 presenting his project, where he built sets and played Sultan in Aladdin, the senior project production of Mark Greenberg ’ 23

their own creation. All of this serves as a way to explain why the senior project, since its inception, has always been described as a gift—it’s a gift of time (perhaps the most valuable gift one can give) and opportunity to the seniors and a chance for them to give back to us the story of their month of absence. Along with that, because they would normally be in a classroom if not engaged in their projects, the senior projects program has always been thought of as an academic endeavor and thereby is the final stone in the building of the academic pillar, the last graduation requirement before walking across the stage.

Naturally, then, senior projects are advertised and consistently messaged as serious endeavors, and yet, because they are invented and owned, dreamed up and designed by young people in their last month of high school, this program has always been reflective of the

idiosyncratic and rambunctious and creative nature of the students who participate in it. That’s why Upper School teachers love mentoring a senior or two through the process, which begins late in the first semester of senior year and ends with their presentation in late May. We get to live vicariously through them as we watch them rush toward ideas and stumble through actually imagining them. We watch them change course— or sometimes not—and we try to encourage their capacious ambitions even as we suggest the existence of the very real hurdles in their way. It’s great, messy work to plan one’s own project and so it is also to stand alongside someone else while they try to do it for the first time. And because they are all such different humans and yet influenced by others, the kinds of projects every year are of widely varying types and yet subject to yearly trends. In other words, it’s never boring to be a mentor. Faculty often tell me that this is

One of six pieces that Amy Jackson ’23 created for her art show.



one of the favorite things they do at St. Andrew’s and that Senior Project Presentation Day is their favorite day of the year. They usually tell me this in May when I’m fretting about the seniors for one reason or another, but I also believe them because I feel the same way.

Let me foolishly try to list some of the types of projects and then some of the specific examples of each that have stood out to me over the years. There are the maker projects when seniors build, create, craft, and compose. They have written short stories and original music and children’s books and they have painted and sculpted. They have built tables and chairs and bookshelves and benches and owl boxes and canoes. They have quilted blankets and designed clothing lines and t-shirts and learned to sew and embroider and knit. There are also the service projects where seniors have given their time and talents to non-profits in Austin. They have walked dogs and cleaned cages at Austin Pets Alive and played with kids at Helping Hands and taught ESL classes at Posada Esperanza and run drives for prom dresses and soccer equipment and used books. They have cooked meals for the homeless and lifted hundreds of pounds of trash out of local waterways. Then, there are the internships and the research projects when seniors have witnessed surgeries and learned about finance and insurance and marketing and architecture. They have written academic papers on mental health and Roman history and rape culture in film and television. They have worked at sustainable farms and law offices and dance studios and Texas Monthly. And this doesn’t include the tons of

photographs they have taken and the apps they have designed and built and the one-woman shows and the yoga and scuba certifications and the podcasts.

But surely, you get the picture—or the hundreds of pictures—that the senior project program is as difficult to quantify as the different identities and personalities of each graduating class and each of their members. It’s this range and multiplicity that make the overall program and the presentation day itself so exciting and so dang cool.

I’m not going to lie and tell anyone that every single senior has some blissed-out month of full immersion in an ambitious project that results in an invention that will potentially save humanity (though that would be nice). Instead, I will assert that it is the collection of mediocre, really good, and pretty awesome projects that fully captures the senior project program and the reasoning for its continued existence. My continual stewing during the month of May (and the worry of individual mentors) stems exactly from our collective inability to really control their experiences. After so many years of teachers crafting much of their learning experiences, we do really and truly hand it over to them in this moment . . . and it’s a beautiful thing, no matter what the final result of their project ends up being, because, no matter what, they have learned hard and true lessons that they have taught themselves, and while they may not realize all of them in the moment, the lessons emerge and abide.

Zoie Jaimes ’23 presenting her project, where she built a low-cost outdoor oven that uses thermodynamic principles to maximize cooking temperatures.

College Counseling

A Year In Review

By ELIZABETH GUICE , Director of College Counseling, and CHAD FULTON , Associate Director of College Counseling

College counseling is a blend of stories and data. Stories are what help students make themselves known to colleges. Data is one way that St. Andrew’s shows outcomes. The two together provide a more complete picture of a year in the life of college counseling at a high school. There are hallmarks of our program that we repeat year after year because they have proven to be successful ways to engage students, educate families, and inspire our community. Each year, we also rethink what we do, solicit feedback, and adjust our plans.

We welcomed over 100 college admissions counselors to our school this year to meet with students. On average, our seniors applied to eight schools each and were accepted by 140 colleges and universities. They are on track to attend 65 different schools and fifteen will be the first St. Andrew’s Highlander to attend the college of their choice (or the first on those campuses in over seven years). All of this is the result of hours of reflecting and writing, personal discernment, campus visits, and a lot of support from college counselors, mentors, teachers, and family. While much of the

application work takes place in the summer before and fall of the senior year, the foundation is set each year that a student is in high school.

Through grade-level newsletters, programs like our annual College Admissions Panel and College Night, and individual meetings with students and parents, students in grades 9–11 begin the college search process that culminates in the 12th grade. We welcome students to college fairs and make sure they know about collegerelated events in Austin. We offer guidance to families as they plan to travel and want to start seeing colleges. Students take the PSAT and then we offer suggestions about how to determine whether the SAT or ACT is the best test for them. Prospective athletes and artists receive support from those departments on campus. We also provide insight into the financial aid process and how to pursue scholarships, acknowledging that the cost of college is steep.

Our model of college counseling is grounded in our team of college counselors, which allows for each

student and family to be known and supported from the very beginning to the very end of this process. While we have long valued this process, it is the words of our students on this page that confirm the power and effectiveness of our program. As we close out this year, we want to offer a special thanks to Dan Latreille for his 17 years of service to our college counseling program. He has directly guided 134 seniors through the college application process and indirectly has impacted so many more. According to a former advisee, he is “the best mentor I’ve ever had.” It is St. Andrew’s good fortune that the Class of 2027 will begin forming itself with Dan as their Class Dean, even though we will miss his steady demeanor, keen insight, wise counsel, and natural curiosity. Thanks to Dan and the rest of the college counseling team for guiding our seniors to their next chapter—Class of 2023, please stay in touch!

Words from our students:

“College counseling at St. Andrew’s will give back as much as you put in, which is a lot more than can be said for most other in-school college counseling programs, and I am immensely grateful for that. Even amidst the chaos of the admissions process, I always felt a sense of peace and comfort because of the support that I had in my college counselors. They were constantly available and invested in me during this time, not only in terms of the status of my applications and decisions, but all aspects of my well-being. This completely changed the college application game for us, especially since we had never gone through something like it before. Even if I had never asked my college counselor for help on a single essay or application, the very fact of their supportive presence altered how we operated during this process.”

As we revisit this year and look ahead to next year, we are proud of the programs that we initiated in 2022–2023 and excited about some changes on the horizon:

New in 2022–2023

Our college counseling stewards helped us start our college counseling Instagram account (@sascollegecounseling)

“There were a few times I felt panicked and nothing felt possible—my college counselor helped me through it, helping me make a plan for college work along with homework while keeping in mind home life and extracurriculars. Little things that they did completely changed my college process and my entire fall semester.”

Looking Ahead to 2023–2024

We will have College Nights for both our juniors and sophomores to start the process a little earlier for families

We hosted parents of sophomores for a “Coffee & Conversation with College Counselingˮ Program

We are introducing a Case Studies Program for Juniors & their parents

We offered a practice digital SAT to the Class of 2025 to prepare them for that format shift

We invited college admissions counselors from UT Austin, Southwestern University, St. Edward’s University, and the University of Rochester to guide the Class of 2024 through their initial college essay work

We will create an ongoing and more robust series of “Coffee & Conversation with College Counselingˮ Programs throughout the year for parents of all grade levels

We have expanded our college counseling team from 11 to 13 members—welcome to Ms. Lind, Mr. Otto, and Mrs. Powell!

Lifelong Learners

At the foundational level, St. Andrew’s teachers operate with a growth mindset, constantly seeking new and interesting ways to inspire curiosity, establish critical-thinking skills, and embed core proficiencies into our curriculum and teaching. Our faculty and staff work internally across divisions to ensure alignment and to share ideas, but they also seek outside professional learning to amplify their teaching. During the 2022-2023 school year and summer, our faculty and staff participated in more than 200 professional development opportunities, some of which are listed below. Support for these programs is made possible by the St. Andrew’s Fund.

Math Interventions, Why Students Struggle and How We Can Help

Texas Music Teachers Association 2023 State Conference

Dyslexia Con22

Texas Music Educators Conference

Artificial Intelligence Symposium

Articulating the Intangibles of Teaching: Aligning your Purpose and Practice for Instructional Leadership

American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages

Convention and World Language Expo

Vex Robotics Educators Conference

Gettsyburg College

American History Masters Capstone Course

Master Class Poetry

USC Athletics

National Council of Teachers Virtual Conference

8th Grade Roman Culture Research

Music Centers Masterclass

Blueprint

Volleyball Coaching Clinic

Lexile Certification Course

NAEA National Conference

Learning and the Brain Conference

“Teaching Behaved Brains”

Organization of American Historians Conference on American History

Teaching Mathematics through Big Ideas in Middle School

The Gardner Carney Leadership Institute (gcLi) Leadership Lab

People of Color Conference

Plain Talk about Literacy and Learning

World Religion Teachers at American Academy of Religion (CSEE)

Texas Association for College Admission

Counseling Annual Conference

American Council of Teaching Foreign Languages

Broadway Teachers Workshop

Association of Threat Assessment Professionals

Winter Conference

Continuing education for Strength and Conditioning Credentials

La Canción Lírica: A Survey of Spanish Art Song Repertoire

Shoulder to Shoulder Ethical Leadership Forum

How to Implement Transformative Faculty Growth and Development

Annual Fall Conference of Texas Classical Association

National Association of Episcopal Schools Conference

SPC Championships Continue to Roll In

The Varsity Girls Basketball team continued the streak of SPC Championships for St. Andrew’s, proudly taking home the 3A championship this winter. The team beat Oakridge, John Cooper and Trinity Valley in the SPC Tournament in Dallas to win the title, marking three seasons in a row that St. Andrew’s has won an SPC championship (Boys Lacrosse last spring and Boys Cross Country in the fall). After going 18–9 in the regular season, the Highlanders secured the number one seed in the tournament. With strong performances from players throughout the tournament and strong team defense, the coaches were very proud of the

team effort that brought them to victory. This was the first 3A SPC Championship for girls basketball at St. Andrew’s and their overall record of 21–9 was the winningest season for the program.

The small but mighty girls golf team was the next to continue the streak. The four person team, comprising Loula Aycock ’24, Bailee Beem ’23, Annie Li ’23, and Addi Sell ’24, put together an undefeated season before heading to the two-day tournament in Houston. After a rainy first day, the girls pulled away on day two, winning by 40 strokes! Annie Li finished 6th,

Loula Aycock finished 8th and Bailee Beem finished 9th, giving them SPC All Conference recognition for finishing in the top 10. This title marks the first in the history of the golf program at St. Andrew’s.

Putting an exclamation mark on an incredibly successful spring season—and year as a whole—for St. Andrew’s Athletics, our boys tennis team took home the 3A championship this year as well! Competing at the DFW Metroplex, the Highlanders came into the tournament as the #4 seed and faced #5 Cistercian in the opening round. After four matches, they were tied 2–2, making

the final doubles match the tie breaker. Wheeler Ehrlich ’24 and Brendan Tan ’25 battled hard and won, sending them to the semifinals vs. #1 seed Fort Worth Country Day. The Highlanders then upset the top seed three matches to two, sending them to the final vs. #3 Casady, ultimately taking home the victory, winning 4 of 5 matches! Coach Chafitz was blown away by the effort she saw from every player, and even more so by the support everyone, including the girls team, showed each other throughout the tournament. She credits the exciting upset win to that support and camaraderie displayed by the team.

Thomas Hill Named Boys Basketball Program Director

St. Andrew’s Athletics is thrilled to announce the hiring of Thomas Hill, who will serve as the new Boys Basketball Program Director.

Coach Hill comes to St. Andrew’s with an incredible and wide-ranging background. He began his basketball career playing at Lancaster High School in Lancaster, Texas, where he was named NHSACA/Converse All-American in 1989. He continued on to play at Duke University, and while there, he was a part of 3 Final Four teams, including back-to-back National Championships in 1991 and 1992. He was named to the All-ACC 3rd team three times, was 1993 All-ACC Academic, and 1993 Honorable Mention All-American.

He was drafted by the Indiana Pacers with the 39th pick in the 1993 draft, and played professionally for 8 years. In 2001, he was inducted into the Texas High School Hall of Fame.

Following his time playing professionally, Coach Hill served as the Head Coach at Avenues: The World School in New York City for seven years, where he also coached tennis, served as the Director of Basketball Operations at Howard University, and was the Assistant Coach at Berkeley College in New York. Most recently, Coach Hill has been the Assistant Coach at Tyler Junior College.

Said Coach Hill, “I’m very excited and honored to join the St. Andrew’s community. I look forward to being an asset to not only athletics, but the St. Andrew’s family as a whole. I’m eager to begin working with our student-athletes in helping guide them in their development, not only as athletes but as young people. I’m excited to bring a wide range of experiences to St. Andrew’s basketball to help us achieve some of the goals that have been set from the school’s inception. I look forward to being a part of the continued growth of athletics and making it a great source of pride for our community.ˮ

A Stellar Spring For Middle School

It was an exciting spring for our middle school athletes! Tennis and baseball showed significant improvement throughout the spring and both coaches noted the hard work shown by all their players. Our track and field teams had impressive finishes to their season, with 5th/6th boys, 7th/8th boys and 7th/8th girls all winning the AIPL championship. The 7th/8th boys golf team also had an exciting season, taking home the AIPL title.

Looking back on the 2022–2023 year for middle school athletics is quite impressive as well. At the 7th/8th 1A level both boys and girls teams won the volleyball, basketball and track AIPL championships! The 7th/8th 1A girls have won the AIPL championship for 7 straight seasons! The future’s looking bright for Highlander Athletics!

Farewell, Coach McCrary!

Athletic Director Jeff McCrary departs St. Andrew’s after nearly twenty years of service.

Athletic Director Jeff McCrary first came to St Andrew’s more than 35 years ago, but has been on staff since 2004. He has been a student, coached, taught Algebra I, and served as a ninth grade advisor, but for most of his career, he has focused on serving our Athletics Pillar. If you’ve ever played a sport, watched a sport, or coached a sport at St. Andrew’s, you have benefited from Jeff’s leadership—and he’s the only employee who can put “go-to Wide Receiver for Drew Brees in Middle School flag football” on his long list of accomplishments at St. Andrew’s.

Jeff has made an incredible impact on our school and students. The growth of our K–12 athletics program is a result of his thoughtful and collaborative leadership. His employment at St. Andrew’s began when the Upper School was just a few years old and over his tenure, he has helped shape our athletics programming both as varsity boys basketball coach and assistant athletic director. More recently, he has hired excellent program coordinators and athletics staff in his role as our Athletic Director.

True to our Athletics pillar, he has always remained focused on developing our students’ physical wellbeing while ensuring that our students have a good

time and learn the spirit of healthy competition and sportsmanship. He is a treasure to hundreds of our alumni, too, who benefited from his coaching, mentoring and leadership. Said Kyle Quick ’10, “Jeff McCrary’s positive influence and guidance have been influential for so many teenagers who needed a little help finding their direction in life. His kindness and wisdom have helped shape so many St. Andrew’s graduates into successful young adults.”

Not only has Jeff devotedly served as our Athletic Director, but he also served as the President of the Athletic Directors for the Southwest Preparatory Conference, where he played a pivotal role in guiding Athletic Directors and member schools through important athletics decisions and through the ups and downs of COVID-19. In the words of Bob Windham, Commissioner of the Southwest Preparatory Conference: “The SPC is going to greatly miss Jeff McCrary. Jeff never showed partiality to any one school or individual, but always showed total dedication to his role and doing what was best for the Conference. He is a great AD, a great leader of the Conference ADs, but he could have never been as successful in this critical role if he had not first been a great person.”

As Jeff moves on to a new chapter, we want to thank him for his service to our school, for his countless sacrifices, and for inspiring student passion for movement, healthy competition, and grace.

Leading The Charge

Thomas Sale joins St. Andrew’s as Athletic Director

“ St Andrew’s is a special place filled with extraordinary people, ” says new Director of Athletics Thomas Sale, who believes that a winning athletics program requires an engaged, active community behind it.

Mr. Sale’s community-focused approach to leadership comes at an exciting time for St. Andrew’s athletics. With St. Andrew’s teams coming home with multiple SPC championships and students showing up to games in droves to support, the 2022–2023 school year was an excellent one for The Highlanders—and this incline is poised to ascend even higher in the 2023–2024 school year.

Mr. Sale comes to St. Andrew’s with 17 years of experience in education, most recently spending 11 years as the Assistant Athletic Director at Polytechnic School in Pasadena, California. Prior to his time at Polytechnic, he worked in Advancement and Admissions at Woodbury University in Burbank, California. He brings with him extensive experience in coaching and program management, game management, college counseling and communications. At his core, he wants athletics to serve students in a way that honors their hearts, minds, and spirits.

success and personal growth for all our student-athletes. The shared purpose of developing the whole student along with the fostering of community is what drew me to St. Andrew’s in the first place.” says Mr. Sale .

He emphasizes communication both with the department across divisions as well as with the parent community, so that all may understand and enjoy being part of the positive enthusiasm for the direction of the program. He brings with him a contagious energy and optimism, supported by experience and results.

Mr. Sale graduated from Woodbury University with a B.S. in Business Management and is a certified Athletic Administrator through NIAAA and a Certified Interscholastic Coach through NFHS. He and his wife Adena have a young daughter, Audrey Mae. They are thrilled to plant their roots in Texas and to be close to family in Katy and San Antonio, and St. Andrew’s is delighted to welcome Thomas and his family into our beloved community.

“I hope to share my passion and vision for our future while building upon the incredible foundation our coaches, student-athletes, and families have established at our school. Together, we will continue cultivating an athletic culture that promotes competitive

Supporting our Athletic Pillar

St. Andrew’s is committed to our Athletic Pillar with a K–12 program that is designed for athletes of all ages and abilities. The mission of the St. Andrew’s Episcopal School PE/Athletics Department is to build the foundation for a lifetime of physical fitness and wellbeing within a positive environment that empowers each student to reach their full potential. We aspire to shape our athletes’ character by teaching discipline, commitment, good sportsmanship, teamwork, and camaraderie. Our program also strives to encourage lifelong, physically active individuals.

Research shows that physical activity can have an impact on cognitive skills and attitudes and academic behavior, all of which are important components of improved academic performance. Team sports

enhance resilience, empathy, confidence and empowerment. They have also been shown to increase executive functioning, creativity, cognitive development and self-regulation, and improved teamwork and social responsibility.

St. Andrew’s is investing further in its Athletics Pillar by establishing the new Athletics Complex and Student Union, which will be a transformative facility on the Southwest Parkway campus for our Middle and Upper School students. With additional court spaces, a state-of-the-art Sports Performance Center, team and training rooms, and more, this new facility will dramatically enhance the sports and physical education opportunities at our school.

Lessons From The Director’s Chair

Seniors make their directorial debuts with Senior-Directed Plays

For the Acting II students who take on the production of a Senior-Directed Play each year, the experience is a special one, inspiring creative expression, leadership development, and personal growth. This year, seniors Arwyn Heilrayne ’23 and Morgan Harrison ’23 made their directorial debuts under the mentorship of Theatre Director Jason Kruger, with Morgan directing Fyodor Dostoevsky’s Crime and Punishment and Arwyn directing #ENOUGH: Plays To End Gun Violence, a collection of plays written by teenagers to confront the issue of gun violence.

The process began with the selection of their seniordirected play. While making their decision, “I wanted to direct a show that spoke to the reality of being a teenager today,” said Arwyn. “When I came across #ENOUGH: Plays To End Gun Violence, I really connected with it. I saw the real experiences and feelings of me and my peers reflected back to me in really beautiful and honest ways.” For Morgan, Crime and Punishment came to life in her head while she was reading the play’s staging notes. “While reading an excerpt of the show, I was already beginning to imagine how I could

Clockwise: A scene from “Crime and Punishment”; Morgan Harrison ’23; Theatre Director Jason Kruger, and Arwyn Heilrayne ’23; A scene from “#ENOUGH”

change it, what I would keep, and how the story could best be brought to life. I realized that it was an easy choice to select Crime and Punishment.”

Both Arwyn and Morgan gave their actors a great deal of agency in their own performance. “After my actors read the script, I met with them individually to discuss how they viewed their characters and how I viewed them. I wanted to find our common ground on who their characters were,” said Morgan. Giving this sort of creative freedom to the actors brought an authenticity to the performances, strengthening the bond between the actors and their roles. At the same time, both directors discovered the delicate balance between being their actors’ unwavering supporters and pushing them to achieve their best performances with constructive criticism.

Arwyn and Morgan not only had to direct their actors, but also make decisions on lighting and sound, determining the overall look and feel that each scene should have. Though both Arwyn and Morgan were seasoned in the St. Andrew’s theatre program, neither of them had much experience on the technical side of theatre. “The technical part was a lot of fun for me,” said Arwyn. “I spent many hours one night just sitting in the black box theatre, playing with the different lights and creating the perfect looks for every scene.” Morgan collaborated with Elle Foster ’24, an experienced theatre tech, to determine lighting cues and moods for

the show. “Elle and I walked through the show scene by scene and discussed how we thought lighting should shift with the story. It was her idea to have the color shift with the mood of different characters, which gave me the idea to also let the lights correspond to certain characters and flashbacks.”

Collaboration and teamwork were paramount to the experience. “The play would not have been possible without everyone playing their part, no pun intended,” said Morgan. “Since we had limited time in class, actors had to sacrifice a good amount of time with commitments to outside rehearsals and lots of independent time working on lines and characterization.” Creating the right group that was devoted to bringing a show to life was critical, giving the directors valuable knowledge for shows they will put on in the future.

The senior-directed plays are a hugely valuable experience for any senior who is passionate about theater, especially those who want to pursue a theatrical discipline in college. Showcasing the talent, passion, and creativity of students like Arwyn and Morgan, senior-directed plays enrich the school’s theatrical landscape and bring meaningful, memorable stories to life. Said Arwyn of the experience, “I already knew going into this experience that I wanted to be a theatre teacher, but this solidified it for me. I can’t wait to do this for the rest of my life.”

Advice For First-Time Directors

1. Don’t be afraid to ask questions. There were multiple times I tried to take something on myself which would have been so much easier with others’ help. —Morgan

2. Embrace multitasking.

From lights to costumes to props, I had a wonderful team that helped me, but at the end of the day, it was my show, and I ended up doing much more than I originally expected. This was wonderful because it meant I could make things exactly how I wanted, but it was a huge time commitment and often very difficult. Be prepared to take responsibility for every aspect of your show! —Arwyn

3. Follow your passion. Choose a production you’re passionate about! My senior direct would have been a very different experience if I was not as passionate about the piece of work I was bringing to life on stage. —Morgan

4. Expect to fall in love with the process. There is nothing that can prepare you for seeing a show you directed entirely yourself onstage before an audience for the first time. I had assistant-directed before, but my senior direct was unlike any experience I had ever had. It was so surreal and I wanted to start a new show immediately. —Arwyn

An Under-The-Sea Spectacular

Theatre guests were treated to an explosion of nautical whimsy, color, and fun when Middle School theatre students premiered their spring musical, The SpongeBob Musical, during the first week of May. For director Laura Skipper’s first Middle School musical, she wanted a show that would highlight the unique talents of this year’s crop of theatre students. “When I was thinking of shows that would highlight this particular group of students, this one came to mind. There are so many unique characters in it, just like these kids. It was a lot of fun to put on.”

Premiering in June 2016, The SpongeBob Musical celebrates the characters and setting from

Nickelodeon’s beloved animated series, featuring a unique score with songs written by a wide variety of artists, from Steven Tyler and John Legend to Cyndi Lauper and Panic! at the Disco. The story begins when a volcano threatens to destroy the fantastical underwater land of Bikini Bottom, leading SpongeBob and his friends to set out on a mission to save their beloved home. As they face impending disaster, they encounter challenges and colorful characters. Exploring themes of friendship, courage, and the power of unity, the musical teaches its audience that heroes can come from the most unexpected of places. With humor, delight, and energy, Middle School actors delivered an entertaining romp for an audience of all ages.

Photos by Peggy Keelan Photography

In this under-the-sea spectacle, exciting musical numbers lay at every turn. Musical director Alec Warn was thrilled about how the middle school actors rose to the challenge of this show, learning musical styles from so many different artists. From rap to country western to sea shanties, the musical showcased all kinds of styles and demanded different skills out of each performer. Plankton, played by Miller Bowers ’28, delivered “When The Going Gets Tough,” the show’s hip-hop number written by T.I, to fast-paced perfection, and Squidward, played by Charlie Canales ’27, maneuvered his many legs in a show-stopping tap dancing number written by They Might Be Giants, “I’m Not A Loser,” flanked by an ensemble of fabulous tap dancers. There was no challenge that these young actors weren’t up for, and it was that commitment that left their audiences delighted and totally enamored.

“In middle school, you can be a little more reserved when it comes to theatre, a little more worried about what your friends might think. This group got over that initial bit of discomfort quickly and they were so willing to jump in headfirst. It made the show that much more fun.” said Skipper. Embracing their inner cartoon characters let the actors truly shine on stage, especially against the explosively colorful costumes and whimsical sets that further turned up the show’s volume.

The SpongeBob SquarePants theme song promises “nautical nonsense” to its viewers, but audiences of this year’s Middle School musical got that and so much more: joy, laughter, and a few lessons about friendship, bravery, and teamwork.

Photos by Peggy Keelan Photography

A Person’s A Person, No Matter How Small

Sixth Grade Presents Seussical

In a colorful celebration of Dr. Seuss’ many fantastical stories, sixth grade musical theatre students put on Seussical this spring. The magical show captivated audiences of all ages, leaving them with lessons on celebrating differences and the power of imagination. Bravo to the sixth graders, director Laura Skipper, and music director Alec Warn on a spectacular show!

Photos by Peggy Keelan Photography

Master Keys Club Serves Community With Song

Master Keys Piano Club, a service club that shares the joy of music with St. Andrew’s and the Austin community, had an amazing year! William Sykes ’23 serves as Club Leader, Nadia Hsu ’23 serves as Publicity Chair, Annie Li ’23 serves as Piano Festival Chair, and Lori Hahn acts as the club sponsor.

Club members shared the gift of music at numerous events, including the Club Fair, Admissions Coffees, Chapel Preludes, the Alumni Holiday Party, Winter and Spring Concerts, Brookdale Senior Community,

Fine Arts Pillar Day, Grandparents’ Day, and various DFAC theater shows. A special highlight was hosting the 10th Annual Lower and Middle School Piano Festival, where club members met and adjudicated young pianists. Festival participant Eva L. ’28 even met with Master Keys leadership about starting a piano club at the Middle School—she will kick it off this fall! Congratulations to all these artist-servants for a fabulous year of music!

Clockwise from top: Master Keys after a performance at the Brookdale Senior Community, the club hosting the Lower and Middle School Piano Festival, and members after a performance at the Alumni holiday party.

From Clay To Canvas

This April, Middle School artists presented their 2023 Art Fair, a beautiful presentation of visual art achievements from this school year. Pieces spanned all kinds of mediums—ceramics, woodworking, watercolor, printmaking, and more—and showcased the many different techniques that young artists have learned in class this year. As they experimented with different styles and explored their artistic voices, they nurtured their creativity and grew as artists. In this year-end showcase, middle school artists demonstrated their ability to translate their ideas and emotions into tangible, memorable art forms.

Supporting Our Artist Pillar

An experience rich in the arts is fundamental to a well-rounded education—it is why “Artist” is one of our Four Pillars at St. Andrew’s.

The arts encourage creativity, innovation, and selfconfidence, essential skills for a 21st century workforce. The fine arts also provide students with non-academic benefits such as promoting self-esteem, motivation, aesthetic awareness, cultural exposure, creativity, improved emotional expression, as well as social harmony and appreciation of diversity.

Research shows not only that the fine arts are

beneficial in themselves, but also that they help improve performance in subjects like math, reading, and science. They provide students opportunities to acquire basic skills in kinesthetic, musical, spatial, and visual intelligence, applicable to learning in all other subject areas. The fine arts develop valued higher-order and creative thinking skills such as memory, various forms of communication, and the ability to compare and contrast, group and label, explain cause and effect, assess significance, make predictions, and frame and test hypotheses.

In the Lower School, students immerse themselves in art, music, and drama every day, planting seeds of artistic appreciation that continue growing through their

schooling. Students explore topics from their science or social studies lessons further in their art classes, through painting, sculpture, collage, and other multimedia forms.

From sculpting and theater to choir and percussion, Middle School provides a wide array of opportunities for students to fine-tune their artistic skills and flex new creative muscles. The year is full of events that let our artists shine both on and off-campus, including at regional and state-wide competitions where our students consistently rank at the top. The sustained success of our students is a true testimony to the dedication and expertise of our Fine Arts faculty across all divisions.

At the Upper School, our fine arts program is supported by an extraordinary 64,000-square-foot fine arts complex, the Dell Fine Arts Center. St. Andrew’s offers 21 different fine arts courses taught by faculty with decades of experience combined. Our theater sets and actors have won statewide awards, our Select Choir is regularly invited to sing at places like the National Cathedral and Carnegie Hall, and our studio artists have been featured in galleries across the nation.

St. Andrew’s graduates go on to study with accomplished professionals, receive art scholarships, pursue careers in visual arts, Broadway, and television & film, and perform and exhibit their work professionally.

FUN FACT » The arts generate over $300 billion annually as an industry! The arts represent 6% of the Gross National Product (GNP)

St. Andrew’s is hosting the 2024 ISAS Fine Arts Festival on April 11–13, a festival that welcomes over 3,000 fine arts students to campus to celebrate all things fine arts. Interested in volunteering? Email isas2024@sasaustin.org

Answering The Call To Serve

Middle School organizes garage sale for earthquake relief

On February 6, 2023, a devastating 7.8 magnitude earthquake struck southern and central Turkey and northern and western Syria. The destruction left buildings across the region in wreckage and tens of thousands displaced, not to mention staggering death tolls. In a region that was already socio-economically underserved, the effects of this earthquake were nothing short of disastrous.

Middle school science teacher Deniz Beal, who—as the daughter of Turkish immigrants—had spent many summers and two years of schooling in Turkey, was heartbroken and looking for ways to help. After a stirring chapel talk where Beal shed light on the tragedies being experienced by the people of Turkey and Syria and rallied the community to donate to relief efforts, the Middle School Advisory Cabinet hatched an idea in support of Beal’s efforts: a school-wide garage sale with all proceeds going to earthquake relief.

Over several weeks, the Advisory Cabinet collected new and gently used donations—everything from clothes and jewelry to toys, sports equipment, and kitchenware—in support of their cause. On Saturday, March 25, they set up the donations outside of the Middle School and invited the community to peruse

and shop for a good cause. After a successful morning of sales, Middle School raised $3,236. Even more exciting was the offer of a generous match from Dell, which allowed the Middle School Advisory Cabinet to donate nearly $6,500 to The Red Crescent and The White Helmets, two leading organizations for humanitarian relief efforts in Turkey and Syria.

The chapel theme this year, Called To Love, encouraged the community to reflect on what it meant to be called by and for something bigger than ourselves, what it meant to truly practice love and not simply feel it.

The great needs experienced by the people in Syria and Turkey called this community to love—not just in their feelings, but in their actions—and their mutual efforts made a tangible difference. It is a true testament to the power of collective action and the extraordinary capacity of kindness and love on our campuses. Within each and every one of us is a servant’s heart— it is our responsibility to not only nurture and cultivate these qualities but also to utilize them in the service of others.

If you would like to donate to continued relief efforts, please visit http://kizilay.org.tr and https://www. whitehelmets.org/en

St. Andrew’s families peruse the offerings at the earthquake relief garage sale.

Project Citizen

Empowering Eighth Graders to Create Positive Change

St. Andrew’s Middle School always aims to help students identify ways they can help and serve their community. The word community could encompass many things—their classmates, neighbors, the greater Austin community, people in Texas, the United States, or even around the world.

Throughout the school year, middle school students are provided with numerous opportunities to engage in community service. They are not only encouraged but also expected to consistently seek out ways to assist others. Project Citizen is the culmination of the eighth grade honing this important life skill throughout their time in middle school.

Project Citizen is the eighth grade capstone project in which every eighth grade student chooses a topic they

are interested in and identifies an issue or problem within the topic. Students spend the second half of their eighth grade school year conducting research in an effort to learn more about the issue, and more importantly, come up with a solution. They conduct interviews and gather information, finally compiling their data, ideating a solution, and presenting it to their families, classmates, and teachers at the Civics Fair at the end of the year.

Some of the topics presented at this year’s Civics Fair included:

• Loss of Biodiversity in Texas

• The Positive Effects of Team Sports on Youth

• Bridging Communication Barriers for the Deaf and Non-Deaf

• Entomophagy: The Wonderful World of Edible Insects

• Deforestation in Malaysian Rainforests

• College Affordability

• National Housing Affordability Problems

Cole Willis ’27 chose to focus on Textile Waste and Its Effects on the Environment. During his research and outreach to significant players in this field, he

successfully arranged a tour of the Goodwill Central Texas Recycling Center. Accompanied by the Senior Director and Chief Marketing Officer of Goodwill Central Texas, as well as an independent sustainability expert, Cole gained valuable insights into the recycling process for clothing that goes unsold at Goodwill. He was shocked to learn about the staggering amount of textile waste that ultimately ended up in landfills.

Motivated by this disheartening discovery, Cole went beyond conceptualizing potential solutions solely for Goodwill. He took action within his community by initiating the SAS Spiritwear Recycling Program. This innovative program focuses on reducing waste associated with St. Andrew’s spirit gear. Cole’s signature program involves collecting donations of unwanted St. Andrew’s apparel from individuals, which are then taken home, cleaned, and handed over to the Spirit Shop, who then resells the items at a discounted price, extending their lifespan and minimizing waste.

Following his experience at the Goodwill Central Texas Recycling Center, Cole received an invitation from the Goodwill team to join them at the McCombs School of Business at the University of Texas. There, he had the opportunity to engage with students who had developed ideas for enhancing Goodwill’s processes and reducing waste. This collaborative effort exemplifies the shared commitment to finding innovative solutions and making a positive impact on textile waste management.

Harper Drake ’27 chose to address The Mental Health Crisis in Teen Girls for her project. During her research, she reached out to an NBC News correspondent, hoping to secure an interview that would shed some light on the issue. To her delight, Harper not only succeeded in securing the interview but also left an impression on the correspondent. The correspondent was so impressed with Harper’s work that she requested an interview with Harper herself, as part of a story she was working on regarding the same topic. Harper’s insights were featured in a segment on NBC, focusing on the immense pressure faced by teenagers in the age of social media. To watch the segment, scan the QR code on this page.

Year after year, during their Project Citizen presentations, St. Andrew’s eighth graders consistently demonstrate not only the knowledge, curiosity, and skills they have acquired throughout their middle school journey, but also exemplify their transformation into dedicated community servants. Scan

St. Andrew’s Rallies

for El Buen Samaritano’s Back to School Campaign

Over the years, St. Andrew’s community members have partnered with El Buen in the annual Hands for Hope food drive, fundraised for families in need, and helped prepare holiday meals during the Thanksgiving and Christmas seasons. With Austin’s rapid growth and escalating cost of living, the services that El Buen provides are more important than ever.

This Easter season, St. Andrew’s once again partnered with El Buen Samaritano, this time to support one of their signature programs, the En El Juego Back to School Campaign. Each summer, El Buen distributes more than 1,000 backpacks filled with school supplies to children aged pre–K through twelfth grade. The cost of a backpack plus necessary school supplies averages about $50 per student, which does not take into account the time cost of getting children ready for a new school year. These costs can be challenging for parents who are struggling and often working multiple jobs.

Led by Directors of Service Learning Annie Sykes and Austin Davis, St. Andrew’s students helped kick off the Back to School Backpack and School Supplies Drive this April to support the En El Juego campaign. Student-tostudent and family-to-family, St. Andrew’s was able to reach out and support our neighbors who are helped by the critical work done by El Buen Samaritano. From kindergarten to seniors, students and families were able to collect school supplies and backpacks that will help our neighbors start their fall season off on the right foot, easing the stress and financial strain that can come with starting a new school year.

For many years, St. Andrew’s has shared a special bond with El Buen Samaritano, a local Episcopal mission that provides food, medical care, lifelong education, and other critical resources for underserved Austinites.

Members of the Service Council drop off the first round of backpacks to El Buen Samaritano.

Planet Protectors

Take Action On Earth Day

The Planet Protectors also organized a Community Chapel session focused on sustainability. With an informative presentation, they emphasized the significance of adopting eco-friendly practices in everyday life.

The day was filled with educational activities and handson experiences that left an inspiring impact on students from various grade levels.

To kickstart the event, the fifth-grade students of Planet Protectors took on the role of mentors, enlightening their peers in second, third, and fourth grade about the life cycle of litter. Through presentations and interactive discussions, they conveyed the importance of responsible waste management and the detrimental effects of pollution on our planet. Additionally, they introduced an innovative solution by teaching their fellow students how to compost using worms, demonstrating how this practice could significantly reduce organic waste and benefit the environment.

Meanwhile, another group of fifth graders dedicated their efforts towards a bake sale supporting the environmental initiative Team Trees. With an array of treats on offer, the students raised funds to contribute to the organization’s ambitious treeplanting mission, helping combat deforestation and promote a greener future.

Eager to take action, the Planet Protectors also engaged in a hands-on clean-up effort within St. Andrew’s campus and Bailey Park alongside first grade students. Fifth graders also accompanied kindergarten students to Shoal Creek, providing them with an immersive experience in nature. Amidst the beauty of the creek, students explored and discovered the wonders of the natural world. Encouraging their creativity, the fifth graders guided the kindergarteners in constructing sculptures using materials found in the surroundings, fostering an appreciation for the environment.

Proving that age is no barrier to making a positive impact, the Planet Protectors inspired their fellow students and set an example for the wider community. With their dedication, these leaders instilled hope for a brighter and more sustainable future for our planet.

In a display of environmental awareness and community engagement, the Planet Protectors, a fifth grade service club, put on an impressive event this Earth Day.

From energy conservation to recycling, the fifth graders showcased the power of small individual actions in creating a collective positive change for the planet.

Lower School students participate in the Planet Protectors’ Earth Day event.

1 GINA HOUSTON ’ 83 received a BA in Theatre Performance from St. Edward’s in 2005. After a six year hiatus, she has returned to the Austin stages and is a Paramount Education Story Wrangler. She appeared in The Dragonfly Princess at The VORTEX in March and April. She will be appearing in The Art of Martyrdom by Rita Anderson at the end of June and in RavenWinged Hours produced by Archive Theatre in September. Gina joined the Board of ATXtheatre. org in 2022. Join ATXtheatre.org for free to get weekly updates on Austin Theatre!

2 KRISTIN MARKER ’ 02 is delighted to report that she has completed treatments for breast cancer and is now cancer free. It has been a long and difficult road since the diagnosis in 2021, but she completed her final round of infusions in February 2023. Kristin also recently started a new job working in-house in the Wells Fargo legal department. Earlier this spring, she met up with former teachers Jennie Luongo and Clint Hagen!

3 MICAH WIENER ’ 03 and his wife, Caitlin Bennett, welcomed their first child, Jane Lily Wiener, on May 22nd in Austin!

4 SARAH TAUBE TOWNSEND ’ 06 writes, “I recently graduated from Regis University with my Doctor of Physical Therapy. I will be practicing in Denver as a neuro specialist. I also married Nolan Townsend of Round Rock, TX in a small ceremony during the Covid outbreak in October 2021.”

5 HANK BRIGHAM ’ 09 dropped by campus for a visit this spring, and took some time to chat with JEFF Mc CRARY ’ 94 and Abby Elliott.

6 MERRITT (BURY) RASMUSSEN ’ 09 and her husband, Spencer, welcomed Julia “Blake” Rasmussen on April 16.

7 Class of 2009 classmates and friends, FLO CLEMONS and ADAIR (CUMMINGS) BELISLE , opened Flo’s Wine Bar & Bottle Shop this spring!

Flo and Adair have partnered with Allday Pizza at their Tarrytown establishment, and the line has been out the door since they opened. Go see Flo and Adair at 35th Street and Pecos!

8 Congratulations to KATHERINE LEWIN ’ 09 , who opened a new location of her store, Big Night, in the West Village. She opened the original location in Greenpoint, Brooklyn in 2021, selling all the necessities for the perfect party. With the grand opening of the second location, Vogue wrote a story on Katherine and her Big Night journey.

9 CHAD MCLAREN ’ 10 married Erica Whaley on July 22 in Dripping Springs! (L to R): RYAN MCLAREN ’ 03 , Erica Whaley, CHAD MCLAREN

’ 10 , Julia Driscoll, Justin Willette, (Front): LOGAN MCLAREN ’ 34

10 EVANS MILLER ’ 10 got married in April. Former St. Andrew’s chaplain, Father Gerhard, officiated the ceremony.

11 This spring, we welcomed SAS alums KATIE NEWELL ’ 11 & NATHAN HORNADAY ’ 15 of Caprock Projects, LLC for a special Earth Day event. Big thanks to CYDNIE GOLSON ’ 17 (not pictured) and our Sustainability Council for helping coordinate their visit, and demonstrating the power of the SAS alumni network!

SUSAN BRANNOCK ’10 opened her own charcuterie shop called Honey Brie ATX in August 2022! She writes “It has been so fun opening Honey Brie and watching it grow into what it is becoming! I am also contracted and working with Special Needs classes all over the Austin area. Honey Brie has been the creative outlet I needed throughout Covid.” Check out www.honeybrieatx.com for more information!

1 RACHEL (MCCARTHY) CHAPMAN ’ 11 got married on the side of the mountain in Sedona, Arizona to Cole Chapman.

2 TRACE TURNER ’ 13 directed and adapted a play called Wraith Radio for Bottle Alley Theatre Company in Austin. Trace also wrote significant portions of the play, which ran from June 16th through July 2nd.

3 As of July 2023, REMY FENRICH ’ 16 has entered medical school at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, TX.

4 CULLEN PARKER ’ 16 and CAROLINE PARKER ’ 21 played at this year’s Reunion Celebration Dinner with their band, Southern Angels.

5 HALEY JUSTIZ ’19 was featured by Life & Letters of the University of Texas Liberal Arts this spring, citing Haley’s love of entrepreneurship and the importance of a liberal arts education!

6 KEVIN LATREILLE ’19 graduated from the University of Kansas this spring with a Bachelor’s Degree in Sport and Fitness Administration/Management. This summer, Kevin has joined the William Penn Athletic Department as an Athletic Operations and Recreational Facilities Graduate Assistant, where he’ll pursue a Master’s Degree in Sport Management.

7 BECCA NEZZER ’ 19 graduated Magna Cum Laude in Art History from Loyola-Chicago this spring!

8 KATE SARAHAN ’ 19 has moved to Washington, D.C. to serve as a Staff Assistant for Congressman Lloyd Doggett. This spring, she spent the 88th Texas Legislative Session interning for State Representative, Chris Turner. During her internship, Kate joined fellow alum and capitol worker, WILL TEMPLE ’ 12 , on a special tour for our St. Andrew’s AP US Government field trip.

9 MICHAEL THOMAS ’ 19 just wrapped up his senior season as running back for the Rhodes College football team. This spring, he was awarded the Lester Crain Award, which is “given to the graduating senior football player who exemplifies the highest qualities of leadership and commitment to his teammates. Leadership qualities of personal integrity, courage, and honor will be the hallmarks of every Lester Crain Award recipient.” Congratulations, Michael!

10 MADELINE SWEANY ’ 21 was featured this spring by Texas A&M on her work in the University Writing Center in their donor impact video.

11 This spring, MERRITT BURY RASMUSSEN ’ 09 , ELIZABETH BIRDSONG ’ 11 , BRENNA CANNON ’ 11 , SUSANNAH HADDAD ’ 11 , ALLIE ZODIN ’ 11 , and KYLEE ORLANDO ’ 12 all returned to campus to meet with the Empowering Women of our World club.

12 Alumni return to celebrate Graduation 2023! Mr. Chad Fulton catches up with former advisees TRENTON JACKSON ’21 , PATRICK WILSON ’20 , and CHELAN BEAVERS ’20

• CAMERON WILKINSON ’ 19 graduated with honors from Clemson University with a degree in Industrial Engineering.

• AMARION HALL ’20 graduated Cum Laude and with Distinct Honors from American University with a degree in Legal Studies—in just three years!

• ALLISON PORTNOY ’05 is an Assistant Professor of Global Health at the Boston University School of Public Health.

• ALEX TAUBE ’08 has started a new position as Senior Manager—Identity & Access Management at Universal Music Group!

1 MOLLY FOX ’18 writes, “I graduated from CU Boulder with a dual degree in Sociology and Leadership and Community Engagement, along with a minor in business analytics. During my last semester, I defended an undergraduate honors thesis, which earned me summa cum laude honors in Sociology and the Jim Downton award at graduation, which recognizes community service and academic excellence. Additionally, I completed a yearlong internship focused on enhancing healthy youth outcomes in Lafayette, CO.

In the realm of entrepreneurship, I was fortunate to achieve 3rd place in CU Boulder’s New Venture Competition for climate change start-ups with my idea/vision for Ecovolve (a one-stop shop that leads consumers towards a more sustainable lifestyle, addressing climate anxiety, and sustainable inaction). This experience allowed me to present my business idea at Google in front of investors and judges. Additionally, I was honored to be awarded a scholarship to attend Icademy, a climate start-up accelerator in Boulder, which will further deepen my understanding of this field.

For my next endeavor, I am working for World Learning as an education facilitator and Program Leader for the Iraqi Young Leaders Exchange Program (IYLEP) this summer. The IYLEP is a fully funded program by the State Department, which aims to bring high school students from Iraq to the United States for leadership and skills development workshops. As part of the program, I will guide these students in crafting social impact projects to implement upon their return to Iraq.”

2 Alumni return to celebrate Graduation 2023! Members of the Class of 2022, KRIS LATREILLE , RICO BEUERLEIN , COLE DE GIACOMO and SCOUT SWANSON gather on the Nazro Green.

3 STEPHANIE LAVAGGI ’11 has been enjoying her success as a creative director, photographer and graphic designer, with years of experience working with brands such as Free People, Act+Acre, Wildfox, The Mayfair Group, Girlfriend Collective & more. She was a founding member of CUUP, a company that specializes in making bras for all sizes, and her creative direction helped launch the brand into what it is today. She now splits her time between LA and New York as the Associate Creative Director of Reformation, a clothing brand that focuses on sustainability.

• RILEY CUMMINS ’ 19 graduated this spring from the University of Colorado Boulder Leeds School of Business with a B.S. in Business Administration, concentrating in Environmental Social Governance/ Corporate Social Responsibility, and with a certificate in Social Responsibility & Sustainability. She is now working for the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment in the Air Pollution Control Division as a Marketing & Communications Specialist.

• SIMMS EHRLICH ’19 graduated from the University of Texas with a B.A. in Human Dimensions of Organizations with honors from the College of Liberal Arts. She is moving to Madrid, Spain in the fall to teach English and travel!

• Of the 14 University Awards which Santa Clara University bestows on their graduating class of 2000+ students, GRACE EVANS ’19 walked away with the The Gracelyn Rillorta Bateman Award for Inclusive Excellence. The award recognizes “a student or student organization that has demonstrated a commitment to enhancing an inclusive environment at SCU.ˮ

Alumni Gatherings

Reunion Weekend 2023: Welcome home, Alumni!

In April, our school community welcomed alumni back to campus for Reunion Weekend 2023! Though we were marking the milestone reunions of the Classes of 2003 (20 years), 2008 (15 years), 2013 (10 years) and 2018 (5 years), all alumni at least 5 years out were invited to attend.

Our ’80s & ’90s alums were invited to return to the 31st Street campus on Friday afternoon for a chapel service and nostalgic tour with Tom Costas. Many of them had not seen each other since their time at St. Andrew’s, nor had they seen the campus, and they remarked on how wonderful it was to see the school today.

Micah Wiener ’03, who served as his class graduation speaker in 2003, returned to the podium to deliver a Chapel homily to our Upper School faculty, students, and alumni in attendance, speaking on the importance of community. Flo’s Wine Bar, owned by Flo Clemons ’09 and Adair Belisle ’09, welcomed our milestone classes for happy hour on Friday night.

Saturday evening began with a round of toasts from alumni, colleagues and friends from near and far to honor the tenure of Athletic Director Jeff McCrary ’94. Jeff is departing St. Andrew’s this year after nearly 20 years of service in many roles, such as teacher, coach, advisor and Athletic Director.

Afterwards, we kicked off our Reunion Celebration Dinner with alumni, who were joined by current and former faculty. Dinner and drinks, live music from Southern Angels band (fronted by sibling duo Caroline Parker ’21 and Cullen Parker ’16) and delicious crepes from Andy’s Minis (owned by Aileene Rosales ’16) rounded out a beautiful evening of reconnection and reminiscing on the Nazro Green.

We’re already looking forward to next year, as we’ll be celebrating the Classes of 2004, 2009, 2014, and 2019. Please join us on April 6, 2024 for this treasured annual event! Email Alumni Relations Manager Julia Driscoll at alumni@sasaustin.org to serve as a Reunion volunteer.

The Class of 2018 celebrating their 5th Reunion.

Micah Wiener ’03 addresses the Upper School in Chapel.

Members of the Class of ’08 Nico Gayle, Declan Fitzsimons, Kayla Klingseisen, and Aaron Lemke have a drink at Flo’s Wine Bar.

Our ’80s and ’90s alumni gathering in the McGill Chapel on 31st Street.

The Class of 2013 celebrating their 10th Reunion.

Jeff McCrary ’94 and Melissa McCrary with their two sons, Houston and Barrett.

The Class of 2003 celebrating their 20th Reunion.

Alumni Gatherings

Alumni Baseball Game

It was great to see our players and families at the annual alumni baseball game over Memorial Day weekend. Big thanks to Leslie Harrell and Chris McComb for grilling some delicious burgers and hot dogs after the game.

Join us next year on Sunday, May 26, 2024 for another fantastic day of alumni baseball!

Save the Date for Upcoming Events

Homecoming

Friday, October 20, 2023

Join the St. Andrew’s community for Homecoming under the Alumni Tent!

Alumni Holiday Party

Saturday, December 16, 2023

Celebrate the holidays with faculty and fellow alumni!

Reunion Weekend 2024

April 5–6, 2024

All alumni are invited to return to campus for our annual Reunion Weekend celebration. We’re particularly excited to celebrate our milestone classes of 2004, 2009, 2014, and 2019. With campus tours, an alumni chapel speaker, and dinner on the Nazro Green with former faculty, there are plenty of opportunities to reconnect and reminisce over your St. Andrew’s experience.

If you’re interested in helping with Reunion planning and rallying your classmates, please email Alumni Relations Manager Julia Driscoll at alumni@sasaustin.org

Alumni Baseball Game

Sunday, May 26, 2024

Come out to Tommy Yager Field to play or watch some alumni baseball, and stay for a cookout after the game!

Welcoming the Class of 2023 to the Alumni Community

By JULIA DRISCOLL , Alumni Relations Manager

The spring is a delightfully chaotic time at St. Andrew’s Upper School. For our seniors, this time is filled with anticipation and excitement as they begin to confirm their plans for their next step beyond St. Andrew’s.

Our annual Wildflower Chapel in March is a moment in that spring chaos that Mother Whitney and I have partnered to create for our senior class. This inaugural Chapel began with the Class of 2021 to provide a safe way to gather the entire class together for the first time in over a year (due to the pandemic). Though much has

changed since then, the opportunity to gather together in the PARK and plant wildflower seeds to be enjoyed for years to come has become a treasured service and activity for our seniors and their advisors.

This year, I was honored to speak to the Class of 2023 out in the PARK on that beautiful March day. In keeping with our Chapel theme of “Called to Love”, I decided to share with them a story about my love of the outdoors, and a true St. Andrew’s coincidence.

Last spring, I was on the phone with my older brother, Pete, who lives in Colorado. He’s one of my favorite adventure buddies, and we’re always planning our next trip together. We settled on kayaking 33 miles of the Devil’s River in West Texas: a trip that would take us

three nights and four days, and decided to go over fall break.

Then came the next question: who would be our river crew? It’s a small world, but here’s where St. Andrew’s shrunk my world even smaller. As we were planning, my brother says, “I have a buddy who I met on another river trip who lives in Austin. Loves the Devil’s River, and I’d bet he’d want to do it.”

Sure, I thought, another experienced river rat would be ideal, since I had never done a trip like this. Well, it turns out that “buddy” was Ryan McLaren of the St. Andrew’s Class of 2003, and current parent of an SAS 1st grader and future kindergartener.

Ryan’s brother, Chad, is also an outdoor and Devil’s River enthusiast . . . also a St. Andrew’s graduate of the Class of 2010. Chad and I had worked together quite a bit, as he was in his last term as president of our St. Andrew’s Alumni Board.

Our river crew was now set. It would be me, my brother Pete, Ryan and Chad McLaren, Chad’s fiance, Erica, and my husband, Justin.

Now, heading into the wild wilderness of west Texas with the Brothers McLaren, as I call them, two people I assumed I’d only have a professional relationship with, was a little scary to me at first. But spoiler alert: I wouldn’t be telling this story if it didn’t work out just fine.

The trip was incredible! It had its funny, frustrating, beautiful, triumphant, and failing moments. Snapped paddles, strong headwinds, beautiful sunrises and sunsets, one leaking kayak, countless bruises, and a major sense of accomplishment.

Here’s how I ended my story for the Class of 2023:

“I learned so much from this trip, and I owe so much of that to my river crew. Their knowledge of the Devil’s River, the gear needed, and the process of getting out there was only the beginning. It was their teamwork and positive support that really got me through.

As I said before, I was nervous to head out into the wilderness with some St. Andrew’s alums, but I was also oddly confident.

I already had a sense of trust in Ryan and Chad because, after being part of this community for almost 7 years, that affiliation means something to me, and it will for you too as you finish up your time at St. Andrew’s.

The River Crew during their Devil’s River adventure.



I want you to think about this Chapel as the beginning of the end, the start of Senior Spring. This is a really special time and I don’t want you to take it for granted. This group right here . . . consider them your river crew for the next few months.

I want you to help each other, spend time together, support each other, lend a paddle to someone who breaks theirs, include each other, and forgive each other for your shortcomings.

In a few months, you’re going to graduate, and your river crew is going to expand as you become part of the bigger Alumni Association of St. Andrew’s.

There will be events and opportunities for you to meet and be in touch with alumni, and I want you to take advantage of that. They’ve been in your shoes, down the same river, and they’ve taken a similar journey. They’re ready to help you when you get to the other side, and if you ask me, that’s a pretty good river crew.”

Then, Mother Whitney blessed the wildflower seeds, and the Class of 2023 left their mark by planting them in the ground, just like the class before them.

While the Wildflower Chapel marks the beginning of the end, the Senior Dinner is a special way to kick off our graduation celebrations with the Class of 2023, our newest class of St. Andrew’s Alumni. The Senior Class gathered for dinner on the DFAC porch the week before graduation, surrounded by photos of memories submitted by senior parents. To welcome them into

the alumni community, alumni donors, mentors and volunteers were invited to attend this special evening.

Barbara (Breckinridge) Levesque of the Cornerstone Class of 2002 served as this year’s Senior Dinner speaker. Barbara has overlapped with St. Andrew’s in many ways, from being a member of our first graduating class, to serving as a coach, teacher, tutor and Junior Experience trip leader. Her father, The Rev. Lex Breckinridge, is the former Chaplain at the Upper School.

Barbara remarked on her time as a member of that Cornerstone Class:

“In the mid ’90s, someone had an idea about a new school, a place that would be a little different, and they let those of us in who wanted to be part of it, and turns out we were all kind of a bunch of weirdos, really. When I look back on us, we were a ragtag group of young teenagers who were willing to take a chance. If you had to categorize us, we were mostly a bunch of nerds, pretty dorky and creative, we had some real smartypants, definitely some slackers, some jocks (sort of, but let’s face it, not really), lots of drama nerds . . . and we had some troubled kids, too, some rebellious types. I was definitely a goody goody, an athlete, a drama/choir nerd, a lover of all things self-expression. We really were all pretty different, and yet each of us somehow carried the same pioneering spirit, even though we certainly wouldn’t have known it at the time. Without any questions, we all said, “sure” to building something new.”

Barbara Breckinridge Levesque ’02 speaks at the Senior Dinner. 

“Right now, you all are focused on the future and not about how much you can’t wait to get back to St. Andrew’s. But I have a strong feeling that once you have some distance from this place, you’ll look back on it with fondness. The seeds that we planted those 25 years ago have borne really beautiful fruit. The intention to create a loving community of thoughtful young people who will meet the world with a solid foundation of respect for others still remains. It’s palpable here when you walk past the chapel or the Garvey Gates. They say places actually hold the energy of those who have been there. And each one of you has imprinted your particular energetic signature on this campus.ˮ

Ahead of this event, the senior class was asked to complete the Senior Challenge, in which they were to update their email address, join the True Blue Alumni Network, and had the option to make a deferred pledge to the St. Andrew’s Fund, to be fulfilled by their first Reunion in five years. The hope is that our seniors begin to understand the impact they can have on their community, as others have done before them. To further emphasize the importance of this impact, the Alumni Board agreed to match the class’ deferred pledge up to $2,023.

Thank you to all of our alumni donors, volunteers and mentors, our Senior Dinner Committee, and of course, to Barbara Breckinridge Levesque ’02 for making this a special evening for the Class of 2023!

“I can tell you with absolute confidence that those of us who were here all those years ago feel grateful for this place, because it remains a home to us. It held us and gave us permission to be ourselves. You’re important to this place because you were YOU while you were here. St. Andrew’s somehow needs you just like you needed it to get this diploma.”

Clockwise: Seniors pose in the photo booth; Seniors enjoying the Senior Dinner; From L to R: Kyle Quick ’10, Chris McCoy, Whitney Langston ’09 and Graham Trull ’10 at the Senior Dinner, Honoring the Class of 2023

Leadership Team

MELISSA GRUBB

Head of School

ALICE NEZZER

Assistant Head of School

BEN COURCHESNE

Head of Upper School

TIM MOORE

Head of Middle School

KATY ROYBAL

Head of Lower School

BRANDON ARMBRUSTER Chief Operations Officer

AMANDA BOARDMAN

Director of Health and Wellness

KAREN COWAN

Chief Financial Officer

CATHERINE HERTER ERVIN

Director of Advancement

PRISCILLA LUND

Director of Enrollment Management and Financial Aid

MATT LIPSTEIN

Director of Technology

MICHELLE ROE

Director of Human Resources

Board of Trustees

YVETTE RIOS Board Chair

THOMAS QUEEN Vice Chair

NICOLE BRENNIG Secretary Chair, Advancement Committee

SEAN GREENBERG Treasurer Chair, Finance Committee

TORI BLAKE Chair, DEIB Committee

BETH COHEN

THE REV. ANGELA CORTIÑAS

PHIL DIAL

VICKY GREGG

JEFF HOWARD

MICHAEL HSU

GRACE INGRAM-EISER Liaison to the Parent Association

CHRIS MABLEY

AMY PADDOCK ’87

Chair of Head Support and Evaluation Committee

ANNE SMALLING

Chair of Investment Committee

ROBERT STRAUSS

RAVI VEMULAPALLI

GREG WEAVER

Chair of Buildings and Grounds Committee

JASON NEAR, EX-OFFICIO

Chair of Committee on Trustees

Immediate Past Chair

ST. ANDREW’S LOWER AND MIDDLE SCHOOL

1112 W. 31st Street

Austin, Texas 78705

ST. ANDREW’S UPPER SCHOOL 5901 Southwest Parkway

Austin, Texas 78735

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