Eagle Magazine - Summer 2018

EAGLE SE CO ND BAP T IST S C H O O L

SUMMER EDITION 2018

Elements of SBS

SECOND BAPTIST SCHOOL 6410 Woodway Drive Houston, Texas 77057 secondbaptistschool.org Established in 1946, SBS provides a world-class education for the leaders of tomorrow. SBS is a learning community for over 1,000 students (PK-12) who enjoy a breadth of educational opportunities – from customized learning experiences to travel exposure to technological advancement. Nurtured by a Christcentered community that edifies the soul and an academically rigorous environment that enriches the mind, SBS graduates are armed with the character, confidence and capability needed to succeed in the world they confront in the 21st century.

OUR MISSION The mission of Second Baptist School is to train students in areas of knowledge that will allow them to understand clearly, to think deeply, to judge wisely, and to have the courage to live their lives on the great principles and convictions of biblical truth as they engage an innovative and digitallybased global community.

OUR PASSION Our passion is to bring every student into a personal relationship with Jesus Christ while equipping them to do with excellence that which God has called them to do.

HONOR CODE As a member of the Second Baptist School community, I will not lie, cheat or steal; I will do my best to exemplify Christlike integrity in my academic and personal endeavors and encourage others to act accordingly.

The Eagle is published by the Office of Communications and is mailed free of charge to students, parents, faculty, alumni and friends of Second Baptist School. For more information call (713) 365-2310 or visit our website at secondbaptistschool.org.

Disclaimer: Second Baptist School makes every effort to ensure that all names and listings are accurate and complete. If a name has been omitted, misspelled or listed incorrectly, please accept our sincerest apologies.

EAGLE

LETTER FROM

the Editor

Who am I? I am an alumnus of SBS. I am the wife of a Class of 1982 graduate. I am the mother of a Class of 2009 Lifer. I am daughter-in-law to Distinguished Alumni Parents. I am a member of Second Baptist Church. My connections to this place run deep and shape the person I am today.

But what makes me who I am?

Participating in drama as a student under Cindy Blades taught me how to find my voice, ultimately learning the importance of confidence and poise. Cheering on the sidelines and playing volleyball and softball taught me how to work toward a common goal with my teammates. Being a parent volunteer as my daughter went through school revealed to me even more about the heart of SBS. And eventually joining the staff full-time allowed me to pour into this institution that still serves as my second home.

Not one of these things acted as my entire experience, but each one together strengthens the love I have for this place and its mission.

The elements in this edition of the Eagle magazine, when combined, create the whole of Second Baptist School. Individually, these elements all serve their unique purposes. Yet, SBS is not defined by any one of these elements on its own. Together, coordinated and divinely focused, these elements form a community unlike any other.

This is God’s school. We are His people. This is SBS.

Shari Durrett Director of Communications

Contents 04

LETTER FROM HEAD OF SCHOOL

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ELEMENTS OF SBS

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T W E LV E G R A D UAT E S F R O M T H E C L A S S O F 2 0 1 8

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A L U M N I N OT E S

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CLASS REUNIONS

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W H AT ’ S N E X T: C L A S S O F 2 0 1 4

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20 QUESTIONS WITH COLLEGE FRESHMEN

DR. DON DAVIS

FOR 2017-2018

ten nine eight seven six five four three two one

Working everyday on my Apple computer Watching students perform OKLAHOMA! at the A.D. Players new theatre Winning multiple state championships Worshiping with my family at Second Baptist Church Experiencing this caring community that quickly embraced me and my family Getting to know our amazing and super-talented students Helping in lower school carpool each week Eating lunch with my colleagues at Jane’s Grill EagleFest - what else is there to say?

Our faculty

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LETTER FROM

Head of School This year has been full. When I take a step back and reflect on the last 365 days, I am humbled by all that God has done at Second Baptist School and in my life. I am blessed beyond measure and grateful beyond words for the opportunity to serve the SBS family this year.

As I witnessed firsthand God walking with us through so many challenges, I honestly cannot think of any place I would rather be. Despite the chaos brought on by Harvey, God was not surprised. He equipped this incredible body of believers to come together and support each other in innumerable ways. This fall we saw the best of SBS at work – caring for one another and serving each other.

Each day I experienced so much on this campus. The thrill of victory was felt over and over again with our three athletic state championships. Not only did we see success from our student athletes, we were entertained by incredibly talented middle and upper school students in their three stage performances. Academically, our students soared earning first place at a robotics competition, traveling to the Chicago International Model UN Conference, planning and building the fourth grade garden project and preparing space experiments that will go on a mission to the International Space Station.

This year alone, our faculty spent more than 250,000 hours pouring into our students each day training them to think critically, live biblically and lead courageously.

Pray with me this summer. Pray for God’s favor to shine down upon us. Pray for our wisdom as we commit all of our ways to Him. Pray for our hearts to be filled with gratitude for the opportunities we have to love each other.

For the Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord bestows favor and honor. No good thing does He withhold from those who walk uprightly. Psalm 84:11 God has been good to us this year and He will be faithful again as we step toward the 2018-2019 school year.

Thank you for an unforgettable first year.

To God be the Glory,

Dr. Don Davis Head of School

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SUMMER 2018

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EagleFest

Twelve years ago, Second Baptist School started one of its most beloved traditions, EagleFest, a day for absolute fun and fellowship. Designed to raise money for the B. Jane Hursey Teacher Endowment Fund, teachers, staff and volunteers come together to produce a spectacular day for all to enjoy.

This year, a great amount of prayer held back the much expected rain on the day of EagleFest ’18, making it one to remember!

After the entire student body paraded into the E Gym, the EagleFest Blue vs. Gold games commenced, and the BLUE team achieved this year’s victory. At the conclusion of the games, the community headed out to a picnic lunch and enjoyed a fun-filled afternoon at the carnival. Juniors and seniors fought hard in two highly competitive games of powderpuff football and volleyball; middle schoolers won prizes playing bingo; and lower school students enjoyed every ride and game the renowned EagleFest carnival has to offer.

EagleFest is certainly fun, but there’s a bit more meaning to this big day. Senior Bible teacher, Jeannene Simonton, starts off each EagleFest the same way. She sits down with her seniors and explains to them the importance of EagleFest. She challenges the seniors to look at the heart of the event and why we continue this tradition year after year.

“EagleFest raises an incredible amount of money for the B. Jane Hursey Teacher Endowment Fund in one day!” She went on to say, “What does this fund do, you might ask? The interest that will eventually come from this account will be used to benefit our teachers, ensuring Second Baptist School hires and maintains the best of the best. When you graduate college and come back to Houston, you will be proud of and confident in your alma mater.” Thanks to a hugely successful EagleFest, we certainly are!

Thank you to our outstanding EagleFest chairs, Kimberly Roth and Erica Walsh, all of the EagleFest volunteers and the Office of Advancement for making this day so special.

This year, EagleFest raised an incredible $644,000!

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Distinguished Speaker Luncheon

Every fall, the Second Baptist School community gathers for the Distinguished Speaker Luncheon.

This is a special day for our community as we reach out to the greater Houston area to showcase SBS. This event features a keynote speaker and honors an alumnus and alumni parents for their ongoing support of the school.

All proceeds from the luncheon go directly toward Christmas gifts and salary increases for Second Baptist School faculty and staff. This year, our Distinguished Speaker Luncheon with speaker Lou Holtz raised $335,000!

For its thirteenth year, SBS is welcoming Steve Green as the speaker for DSL 2018. Steve Green became president of Hobby Lobby, Inc. in 2004, and has helped his family grow the business to more than 800 stores in 47 states with approximately 32,000 employees. He is a national speaker on both business and philanthropy interests, always focusing on how his faith intersects with his life endeavors.

Green has authored three books: Faith in America, The Bible in America and This Dangerous Book. He is also the visionary founder of the Museum of the Bible. In his role as chairman of the board, Green assembled a team of academics, designers, technology professionals and other experts to create the 430,000-square-foot Museum of the Bible, dedicated to a scholarly and engaging presentation of the Bible’s impact, history and narrative. The museum opened November 2017 in Washington, D.C.

We hope you join us this year on Friday, November 2, 2018, for this special event!

Second Fund

In order to deliver the SBS mission to its greatest excellence, Second Baptist School relies on the sustained commitment of philanthropic support from current parents, faculty, staff, alumni, alumni parents, grandparents, foundations and corporations. Every donation to Second Fund makes an immediate impact on students, faculty, staff and the SBS community. The primary areas of focus for Second Fund are professional development, technology, arts and athletics.

This year, the Second Fund five-week campaign raised $544,000!

Purchased with funds this year: Technology 12 drones, Cubetto playset for young learners (age 3-6), iPads for the fifth grade, document cameras for MS and US classrooms Professional Development Jane Schaffer Writing Method training for 37 of our teachers, National Council of Mathematics Annual Meeting and Exposition, Catherine Bishop seminars for reading and writing strategies, Boxcars and One-Eyed Jacks for teaching math using math games, How to Differentiate Instruction books purchased for PK-12 faculty Athletics 60 parkas, men’s basketball uniforms, women’s soccer uniforms, women’s softball uniforms, parkas for swim team, new softball field scoreboard Arts Transportation costs for the cast of Oklahoma! to participate in the Tommy Tune Awards Other New shelving for library books, costs associated with Project Ezekiel allowing SBS students to send experiments to the International Space Station

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Clubs An important value at Second Baptist School is fostering wellrounded students who serve and contribute to God’s kingdom in a multitude of ways. Students are regularly encouraged to discover what interests them and pursue those things they are passionate about. Some students play sports, others enjoy various art mediums and many discover their passion through their involvement in clubs.

From Environmental Committee to Business Club, students have ample opportunity to use their God-given talents and passions in ways that help further God’s kingdom and serve SBS well.

One example of that is the Environmental Committee’s commitment to recycle on campus. According to upper school teacher and sponsor Geoff Brooks, “As a community that continues to develop a tradition of Christian stewardship, it is important that we teach students the importance of being good stewards of God’s creation, and one way we accomplish this is through recycling and being environmentally conscious.”

Other clubs that meet for common interests include lower school chess club and Tech Squad. These groups foster

Field Trips

Our students have ongoing opportunities to put into practice what they learn in the classroom. Creating life experiences and making memories go hand-in-hand with classroom learning.

The heart behind field trips at SBS is to provide interesting, real-world experiences to spark our students’ minds and to help them make real-life connections that will further their learning.

Students in third grade study architecture and buildings, so their trip to Minute Maid Park was an extension of their learning in that unit. In preparation for the trip, students made bridges in Enrichment Class using a computer app to simulate an architect building a bridge. They were able to see and compare how their bridges would work inside Minute Maid park.

At the park, students were given a tour to see beams and structures similar to what they studied in the classroom. They walked the park to learn about the size, viewed the press rooms and other areas in the building and even walked on the field.

interests that lower school students have and provide opportunities to put those passions into practice.

The goal of SBS Tech Squad is to provide essential tools to help students become leaders in technology. The club tackles part of the SBS mission to “engage an innovative and digitally-based global community.”

According to lower school technology integration specialist Melissa Herring, “What’s great about tech squad is that it gives a voice to kids who love technology. These are the students who enjoy tinkering, problem solving and serving others.” She went on to say, “Tech Squad isn’t about access to ‘shiny toys’ but more about learning respect for a device that will be a tool for life. They will use technology for a long time to come, and learning to troubleshoot these devices and review why some applications are good or bad for their learning is a critical skill for their education.”

Just as God creates each student in unique and special ways, He provides passions that are supported and fostered at SBS. Clubs are one way to provide outlets for those passions and allow students to grow into well-rounded, major influencers for the kingdom of God.

Fourth grade students took their studies of famous Texans and inventors on the road to Kegg’s Candies and the Taste of Texas where restaurant owner and SBS alumni parent Nina Hendee introduced our students to her extensive Texas history collection. Mrs. Hendee told stories about famous Texans and showed our students artwork and artifacts she has collected dating back into our great state’s history.

During their visit with Kegg’s Candies, fourth graders studied the candy business and saw firsthand what goes into making candy! Sarah ’26 said, “I like watching the chocolate go through the belt. And I really liked sampling the candy!”

Our students are blessed with opportunities like these to take classroom lessons and see real life application.

Jackson’s takeaway from the day’s adventure was, “I liked watching the movie about Kegg’s Candies to see how they started their business.”

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Enrichment Class

Retreats

Ask any senior about a special moment during senior year and he/ she will tell you about a memory made while at senior retreat. Ask a freshman how the class bonded and solidified the class identity, and they will mention freshman retreat.

Ask a fifth grader how they felt prepared to tackle middle school, and together, as a class, they will tell you that it all had to do with fifth grade retreat.

Second Baptist School students have unique opportunities unlike other schools, to identify in unity and friendship, with the students of their class level.

They attend retreats at pivotal moments of their school years for different experiences yet similar purposes. The purpose behind retreats at SBS is for students to leave as individuals and return united, with a common mindset and goal as a class.

For seniors, they learn how to become leaders in the school. This is done through speaker sessions, activities, fellowship opportunities and a favorite tradition of stargazing. Since 1988, Seniors at SBS have looked forward to the tradition of spending time in Round Top.

“My favorite part about Senior Retreat was stargazing because the view was something I don’t get to appreciate regularly. Ms. Simonton’s words spoken over us fit the scene perfectly,” shared Thais Olivero ’18.

This tradition is when Ms. Simonton gives each senior a stone to represent their Ebenezer, a tangible reminder of God’s power and protection as illustrated in 1 Samuel 7.

Freshman Retreat is about establishing a common identity and forming foundational bonds that will carry our lower classmen through upper school.

They learn important lessons such as how to be academically successful and life lessons like the value of community.

Fifth graders travel to Pine Cove Christian Camp to spend a few days of high-energy fun and sweet fellowship with one another to help them make the transition from lower to middle school.

Retreats are a unique opportunity to develop or even strengthen friendships and special class bonds.

Our students look forward to these moments and they cherish the memories forever.

Enrichment Class is based on the foundation of critical thinking, creative problem solving and learning 21st century skills. However, the class is constantly evolving based on what exactly those 21st century skills are. From 3D printing to business marketing, lower school students receive an education that rivals college courses. Enrichment teacher Meredith Hall’s classroom is a colorful, lively, all-around fun place to be and students are learning in an environment to expand their minds. The class not only helps them dive deeper into classroom curriculum, but hones in on skills that will carry them through middle and upper school, all the way into adulthood.

Students practice collaboration with groups that are constantly changing and their roles within those groups evolve as well. The heart behind those changes is to see where students shine in group settings.

They have opportunities to lead and cast a vision. They also learn how to support a group leader and perform tasks to see a project come to life.

Immersing students in situations where they are being challenged is valuable, and Enrichment Class is the place for that. On any given day, a student might be creating a silent film to portray themes of a novel without using words, or they might be using Lego robotics to create preexisting shapes.

This program is an extension of many areas of curriculum, but also stands alone. When learning how to play chess, our young learners are exposed to different ways of critical thinking. As they come across a problem, they must learn how to solve it. While Mrs. Hall leads them to make correct choices, ultimately, the ownership belongs to the students.

“When an idea clicks in the mind of a student, this class allows them to follow through and take ownership of that idea.

My job is so rewarding,” said Mrs. Hall.

Students also incorporate Latin in their lessons, which has many benefits including supplementing the Spanish classes they take, opening doors to other languages and helping with spelling and vocabulary.

The class curriculum is rarely the same from year to year, as new research and studies in this type of curriculum call for a change. This is part of what makes enrichment class so innovative. Students are learning skills that they will carry throughout their lives.

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Champions

GOLDEN GIRLS TAKE STATE The Second Baptist School Golden Girls competed in the 2017 TAPPS Spirit of Dance Championship. For this competition, private schools from across the state of Texas brought two routines to compete for the state title.

The Golden Girls took a pom routine and a jazz routine that they have been learning, practicing and perfecting since the start of the semester. In addition to their pep rally and halftime performances, the girls spent early mornings, after school and additional Saturdays rehearsing their contest routines for the competition.

In only their second year at SBS, the Golden Girls made their mark on the dance world and in the SBS community.

Coming off of a huge first semester, the girls continued to compete in the spring as well as host their second annual Spring Show featuring their competition dances, upper school student vocalists, solos and more.

BASKETBALL TAKES STATE The varsity men’s basketball team won the 2018 TAPPS 5A State Championship title. It takes countless hours of preparation to reach a championship game.

Winning a championship is incredible, and the journey to that point has made this year’s men’s varsity basketball team exceptional.

According to Coach Mouton, “This championship is special but it will not define you as a man. What will define you is how you apply the life lessons and struggles that we worked through as a team. I am proud of you, I love you and you are STATE CHAMPIONS!”

Under Coach Mouton’s leadership, the team finished the season with a record of 30-7. The Eagles are district, regional and state champions. In addition to these team accomplishments, four players were selected for the academic all-state team, six players selected for the alldistrict team and two selected for the all-state team.

GOLF TAKES STATE The spring athletic season at Second Baptist School proved to be as exciting and successful as other sports seasons of the 2017-2018 school year! In addition to the playoff games our teams attended, the varsity men’s golf team brought

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home a state championship with an individual title won by Travis Vick ’19.

“Our season was full of motivation as we finished second last year behind Midland Christian. We used this motivation to make sure we did our best at state this year,” said Travis Vick ’19. “This is Coach Butterfield’s first state championship. Doing that for him is a memory my team and I will never forget.”

Led by head coach Johnnie Butterfield, the SBS golf team has made it to the TAPPS State Golf Tournament 10 years in a row. This is the first time bringing home a championship after several years of being one of the top five teams.

“This was a great victory for our young men,” said Coach Butterfield. “The team consisted of Travis Vick ’19, the TAPPS State Champion for 2017-2018 with a score for this year of 70 & 66, Sam Oelfke ’19, Donovan Dastmalchian ’19, the TAPPS South Regional Champion this year with a score of 67, Richard Callaway ’19, Tyler Holt ’19 and Chris Hannon ’18.”

ROBOTICS WINS FIRST PLACE Students who participated in the SBS Robotics Society worked every Friday after school for the entire year to prepare for the MATE Underwater Robotics Competition. Close to 30 schools came out to compete from across the state of Texas and, with a total of 192 points, SBS Team Sea-vantage brought home first place!

After a day full of competition and critical thinking, the SBS team was humbled and grateful for their win in only their second year of participation. According to team CEO Payton Kim ’19, “One of the best parts about the competition was when one of our tools broke and we had to improvise with the other pieces around us to complete tasks. This experience showed the ingenuity of the team and our ability to communicate and work well with each other under stress.”

Echoing Kim’s thoughts was teammate Josh Collins ’23: “This competition challenged us and made us be creative to find the best way to address problems.”

Overcoming a few setbacks and challenges, the team had moments of triumph, as well. According to robotics teacher Javier Saavedra, “I was so impressed by this team, but what I was most proud of was the team’s presentation of their ROV before a panel of engineers. Our students were professional and expressive and evidently impressed the panel.”

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Mission

a giant sense of accomplishment, continue to grow and strengthen through each grade.

As the student grows, so does his/her ability to engage, problemsolve, deliver and perform. The best part about it is that the truth of Christ and His saving grace and power are woven in and through every aspect of SBS. And, along the way, our qualified and gifted teachers and staff are there preparing, guiding, discipling and cheering on these greatest treasures.

Our mission and passion are simple: to prepare our students to enter their college, their community, their workplace with the confidence and poise that was first ignited as a lower school student walking across the stage presenting their speech during “Dream Big.” As long as we exist, we make it our goal to help every student reach their divine potential for the honor and glory of Jesus Christ. Our passion remains. Our mission continues.

Chapel & Worship

year and asking God to reveal how He wants His students to grow in the upcoming year. It is evident that God again provided this year—as Bible teachers announced last May that students would learn all about serving next year. Then in August, Hurricane Harvey hit.

“It put everything into perspective, and we had this amazing example of how Houston and our church stepped up and served one another,” said lower school Bible teacher Ashley Corbin. “It became clear that God gave us the idea.”

The lessons students learn in Chapel are applicable, relevant and timely. Chapel is a time to draw near to God. It is a time for worship, prayer, fellowship and learning rich truths about Him. Second Baptist School desires every student be brought into a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Chapel is an essential part of that, and countless students have come to know Christ through this special time.

The mission of Second Baptist School is to train students in areas of knowledge that will allow them to understand clearly, to think deeply, to judge wisely and to have courage to live their lives on the great principles and convictions of biblical truth as they engage an innovative and digitally-based community. Furthermore, our passion remains: to bring every student into a personal relationship with Jesus Christ while equipping them to do— with excellence—that which God has called them to do.

At SBS, our goal is to raise and inspire well-rounded students. Students who are prepared academically, spiritually, emotionally and mentally. We desire for each student to live and lead courageously. To love Jesus Christ fully and to engage and love others well.

In the earliest grades at SBS, our students are handed assignments involving public speaking: They are given a role, a dream, a character, and on that special day, enter stage right and left to present their speech with preparation, courage and poise in front of a crowd of many. The speeches, along with

Walking on campus, it is difficult not to be drawn into the sweet sounds coming from chapel each Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.

These are the days our lower, middle and upper school students have Chapel each week. It is a time to take a break from everyday life and worship the Lord in song and in fellowship. Each week, students and staff are blessed by speakers ranging from SBC pastors and leaders to SBS alumni. In addition to special speakers, students look forward to themed chapels such as their Christmas chapel and their Spanish chapel.

For lower school, themes are a major part of chapel and tie many lessons together. The theme for the 2017-2018 school year was serve. To emphasize this theme, Bible teachers wore aprons throughout the year with the word “serve” on them.

Chapel themes are chosen by Bible teachers with intentional and prayerful thought, looking back at the previous school

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Traditions

Home·com·ing Noun The return of a group of people usually on a special occasion to a place formerly frequented or regarded as home.

Second Baptist School’s homecoming is just that. It is a time for alumni and alumni parents to return home. Each year, current college students, young professionals and former students with their new families gather on the SBS campus to reminisce and cheer on their Eagles!

The first SBS homecoming took place in 1979. Before football was added in 1989, homecoming happened each January and centered around a basketball game, resulting in what is now known as Flight Night. Over time and with the addition of football, homecoming became a more traditional spirit day and football game at SBS.

In addition to alumni, current students enjoy the week, as well. The week leading up to Friday’s football game, upper school students enjoy spirit days, vote for the homecoming court and attend the homecoming dance after the game.

Varsity athletes help out with lower school carpool and sign autograph cards during lower school lunch.

Homecoming is SBS community in its truest form.

It is the gathering of an entire community, near and far, for one celebration of school spirit.

FLIGHT NIGHT Flight Night is a Second Baptist School tradition dedicated to recognizing the hard work and talent of winter athletes: basketball, swim and soccer. The entire community comes together to enjoy dinner, participate in activities and watch basketball games to show school spirit and support for winter sports.

Flight Night 2018 festivities kicked off with an all-school pep rally. The entire SBS community filled the E Gym to cheer on our SBS students, teachers, cheerleaders, Golden Girls, swim teams, soccer teams and basketball teams.

Flight Night basketball started promptly with the JV mens and womens games. Meanwhile, dinner and face painting were underway as families gathered in the atrium.

At the same time, future Golden Girls prepped for their Flight Night performance during their dance clinic.

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After two, hard-fought games by our JV basketball teams, the varsity women’s team took the court, and the varsity cheerleaders performed during their halftime. Varsity women defeated Lake Houston Homeschool 60-24. Before the men’s game, the future Golden Girls (KN-4) danced in their first Flight Night performance. At the conclusion of their routine, the varsity men’s team came out and defeated HCYA 77-53. Halftime for the men’s game consisted of a performance by the varsity cheerleaders, recognition for our senior varsity swimmers and a state champion banner presentation and dance by the Golden Girls.

Senior Hannah Price stated, “Flight Night was very special to me this year, considering it was my last Flight Night after years of playing basketball at SBS. I really enjoyed the crowd of families, friends and alumni that came to watch us play.”

She went on to say, “The team was able to hold our opponent to zero points mid-way through the third quarter which was a huge accomplishment for our team and largely contributed to our win! It was such a fun time being together as a team and seeing the school come together for a night of back-to-back basketball games.”

SPRING SWING Each spring, Second Baptist School celebrates its spring athletes through an evening of food, fellowship, baseball and softball. The entire community is invited to cheer on the Eagles and enjoy the coming of spring.

Celebrating baseball, softball, track, golf and tennis, Eagle fans are always eager for this memorable day.

This year, Spring Swing brought together current and alumni families to enjoy one of America’s favorite pastimes, baseball. Food and fun were available for all ages from our very own Burger Daddies to an inflatable batting cage.

Earlier in the day, our baseball and softball teams enjoyed a special luncheon, accompanied by a visit from the Astros’ World Series Championship trophy.

Both teams played Lutheran South Academy. The final score of the JV game was 0-4 and varsity won 6-1.

One of the highlights of the evening was the EF ’18 auction winner throwing out the first pitch! Lower school student JT came prepared to play ball and act as an Eagle baseball player in training. According to James ’28, “Throwing the first pitch at Spring Swing was an awesome experience because I also got to be the bat boy and watch the Eagles WIN!”

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Interim Term

Students at Second Baptist School are constantly challenged in their way of thinking, learning and living in an attempt to prepare them for life outside the walls of this campus. Experiential learning inside and outside the classroom can be an essential component of Christian education. When students graduate from SBS, they leave having been trained to understand clearly, think deeply, judge wisely and have the courage to live their lives on the great principles and convictions of biblical truth as they begin to engage an innovative and digitally-based global community.

The purpose of Interim Term is to enhance our academic curriculum through, a two-week learning experience implemented in 1988. The heart and philosophy behind Interim Term is to provide opportunities for students to immerse themselves in learning outside the classroom. With a myriad of opportunities available our students have opportunities to dive deeper into personal interests and discover new passions.

This could be an international trip tracing the footsteps of the Apostle Paul, a tour for students visiting colleges across Texas or a grilling class on campus where students learn the science and art behind Texas barbecue.

The hope is that students experience something that isn’t on their four-year plan. While academics at SBS are unparalleled, often learning becomes more real for students when they are able to see, touch or experience it firsthand.

Second Baptist School is leading the way in innovation and paving the way for the students of SBS to become lifelong learners.

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Lower School Programs

Older students who have been around since lower school still have fond memories of the many lower school programs that have become SBS tradition. From playing special parts like George Washington in second grade’s Parade of Presidents program or Paul in fourth grade’s Jesus Freak, SBS provides many opportunities for students to learn to speak confidently in front of an audience, whether large or small.

“We really want kids in lower school to have the opportunity to learn to speak in front of an audience, and we think this is a great way to do it,” said Head of Lower School Evette Haberman. “The programs are also tied in with what they study. In first grade, our students study jobs in America. Their program is What I Want to be When I Grow Up. In second grade, part of their American History curriculum covers the formation of the country, so they cover the presidents in the Parade of Presidents. In fourth grade, Jesus Freak pulls together all that they’ve learned in Bible curriculum throughout lower school. And, of course, the ECP Hoedown is a fun celebration of Texas traditions during the Houston rodeo season.”

These programs, aimed toward an audience of parents and grandparents, take special care to incorporate each student in some capacity, giving students speaking or singing roles. This empowers our students to take ownership of their learning and creates accountability for them to learn their roles, all in a fun, safe environment.

“Students in first grade learn about careers and occupations and talk about what they want to be when they grow up. As they are connecting their interests to careers, they are encouraged to dream BIG and remember that God has a perfect plan for their life,” said lower school teacher Gina Hicks.

“Our second graders worked so hard to present the Parade of Presidents program,” said second grade teacher Alison Tidmore. “Learning speeches and special parts, finding the perfect costume, learning where to stand, how to stand, how to speak into the microphone and singing patriotic songs with passion was an incredible process to watch unfold.” She went on to say, “I have such admiration for our second graders as they practiced each day with smiles and happy hearts. The culmination of all of their hard work brought tears to my eyes because it truly was an amazing performance.”

“Jesus Freak was born out of necessity.

Sixteen years ago, the Bible curriculum changed, and SBS saw a need for a new program that would reflect what fourth grade students learn in the classroom,” said lower school Bible teacher Dianna Bolling. “The vision was groovy, cool, colorful and fun, but most importantly it was inspired by what Romans 10 calls beautiful feet – gospel sharing feet.”

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Houston & SBC

There is no doubt that Houston’s unique culture and attitudes have influenced Second Baptist School and Second Baptist Church. Neither institution would be the same if located in another city. Perhaps the most striking similarity between Houston, Second Baptist School and Second Baptist Church is the growth and opportunities each community provides.

In August 1836, the Allen brothers founded Houston at the confluence of Buffalo Bayou and White Oak Bayou, in what’s known today as Allen’s Landing. They named the town in honor of General Sam Houston, whom they greatly admired after he led the Texans to victory in the Battle of San Jacinto.

Explosive growth characterized early Houston and continuously does so today. In January 1837, Houston had 12 residents and one log cabin. Four months later in April 1837, Houston had 1,500 residents and 100 houses. Today, the melting pot of Houston is the largest city in Texas and the fourth largest city in the United States with a resident population over 2.3 million and a land size of nearly 600 square miles.

Similarly, Second Baptist Church has experienced growth and opportunity. From its beginnings in downtown Houston in 1927, Second Baptist Church moved westward in 1957 to establish its main location on Woodway Drive mirroring Houston’s population expansion. Under the leadership of Dr. H. Edwin Young, Second Baptist Church presently serves a membership of over 63,000 congregants, making it the largest Baptist church and fifth largest church overall in the United States. SBC provides its members with numerous worship services, Bible studies and ministries to meet their spiritual needs.

Second Baptist Church ministers to the Houston population by providing Christ-centered academic excellence through Second Baptist School. Founded in 1946, Second Baptist School opened its doors with 14 kindergarten students. In August 1979, Second Baptist School added an upper school. Today, more than 3,000 students can proudly claim graduating from Second Baptist School. SBS students receive an education second-to-none in a safe, secure and supportive environment situated among a tight-knit community of educators who care about the minds and hearts of their students.

Around the world, whenever you claim a hometown of Houston, someone is sure to ask you if you know their friend who also lives in Houston, despite it being one of the largest metroplexes on earth. In the same way, a mention of Second Baptist School and Church brings forth memories and anecdotes from those familiar with its name. There’s a certain weight carried by each, a common recognition we all claim with pride. SBC and SBS comprise the town within the big city, a place we all feel at home.

Dr. Don Davis

Q: What is a head of school?

DFD: A head of school is the man or woman

responsible for shepherding the community and ensuring that the school is aligned to the mission and serving our constituents.

Q: What does a day in the life of a head of school look like?

DFD: A day in my life at school involves meetings

with administrators, parents, staff and students. I also visit classrooms, plan events, make decisions, answer emails, attend student activities and school events.

Q: What’s your favorite part of being a head of school?

DFD: My favorite part is celebrating our students!

Q: What is your biggest challenge as head of school?

DFD: One of the biggest challenges I face each

day is prioritizing my time. There are so many important priorities that deserve my time, but there are only so many hours in a day.

Q: What are your favorite tech tools that you regularly use as head of school?

DFD: (1) email (2) text messaging (3) G-suite (4) my new Apple watch

Q: If you weren’t a head of school what would you be?

DFD: I would be a college basketball coach.

Q: What is ONE thing everyone should know about being a head of school?

DFD: It is so important to remember that school is not about you, it’s about the students.

Q: Final thoughts about being a head of school?

DFD: Being head of school is not a job but a

ministry. Each day, I am able to pour myself into this calling because of the love and support of my family.

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Service Second Baptist School is committed to pursuing our students and pushing them towards Jesus Christ.

He came to serve, not to be served.

SBS middle schoolers exercised and displayed this Christ-like behavior on Middle School Service Day. The day started in the Hall for Chapel with a talk led by Bobby Overturff from SBC student ministry.

Fifth Grade – In the morning, students visited the residents at Vosswood Retirement Home. There, they spent time with the residents, sharing their faith and Bible verses. The fifth graders in musical theatre even sang to the residents. One resident was not able to make it to the common space, so our students sang in her room. In the afternoon, the fifth graders packed over 500 lunches for the organization Kids Meals which delivers lunches to homes of preschoolers.

Sixth Grade – Students traveled to Agape Ministries, led by Kirk ’96 and Amanda ’96 Craig, and helped serve their community by repainting their ministry parking lot, mulching their playground, installing a playground slide, gardening, weeding and collecting trash.

Seventh Grade – Students divided into teams and headed to Hermann Park. Here, seventh graders were met by the Hermann Park Conservancy Volunteer Director, Diane Kerr. Kerr spoke about what it means to be a volunteer. She talked about the valuable experiences people gain when they volunteer and how it can help with college applications and future employment. After raking for two hours (pine needles and oak leaves), students enjoyed a picnic lunch and a spirited kickball game.

Eighth Grade – Students spent the day serving at the Star of Hope men’s shelter in downtown Houston.

Projects included washing ministry vans, landscaping, food service, encouraging note writing, dorm cleaning, other facility cleaning, painting door signs, folding sheets, care package collection and praying over the campus. The students took a tour of the facility and

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learned about the services offered through Star of Hope.

In addition, students participated in worship and shared their stories of faith with the clients during lunch time.

In the weeks leading up to Martin Luther King Jr. Day, SBS students prepared to team up with different grade levels and serve God by serving people. Families collected restaurant gift cards, toiletries, store gift cards and other supplies for various ministries. On Monday, January 15, they came together and poured out love for those in need.

Kindergarten and fifth grade students partnered with Family Legacy Missions to collect toothbrushes, deodorant and dry-erase markers for orphans in Zambia.

Students worked together to label these items before they’re sent overseas with SBC members this summer to Family Legacy.

First grade students traveled to Living Water International headquarters to learn about the difficulties people experience when they don’t have access to clean water. They returned with water bottles to fill with coins to help Living Water International continue building wells and bringing clean water to developing countries.

Second and sixth grade students partnered with Agape Development to support their after-school program for inner-city neighborhoods. They collected gift cards to a variety of restaurants and spent time together creating scripture bookmarks.

Third and eighth grade students collaborated on a service project benefiting the Star of Hope Women and Families Shelter. Students collected supplies and put together gift bags of specific items that families in shelters need.

Fourth and seventh grade students teamed up to benefit My Life Speaks, a ministry supporting the care, education and health of orphans in Neply, Haiti. Students collected gift cards leading up to the service project and on the day of, collaborated to make matching games for children in Neply.

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Bible Curriculum

The passion of Second Baptist School is to bring every student into a personal relationship with Jesus Christ while equipping them to do with excellence that which God has called them to do.

Every day, Bible teachers disciple the hearts and minds of our students to share God’s love, equip them for His calling on their lives and prepare them for the challenges of life they may someday face.

The word of God never fades (Isaiah 40:8).

Bible instruction is theocentric, bibliocentric, Holy Spirit dependent and gospel-driven with heart transformation as the goal. SBS teachers are committed to being Jesus disciple makers who are led by the Holy Spirit to model what is intended to teach. Ultimately, the goal is a student’s heart changed, a student desiring to love and worship God and a student ready to serve others.

SBS Bible curriculum focus on three things: to learn to pray continually, think biblically and love genuinely.

While SBS excels in academics, this challenges our teachers and students to teach and learn beyond the mind and focus on the heart. Teachers have the privilege of instructing students in the Word of God, which is not only alive and active, but will never fail, will never return empty and will never pass away.

Harkness

Walk into any middle school humanities class and you will not find desks, but rather a large, oval wooden table encircled with chairs. The Harkness table is named for the

Harkness method of learning in an engaging way in which students discuss topics and provide input in a higher level of thinking.

From Mrs. Hopf’s “Harkness in the Darkness” to Ms. Adams’ lively discussions on eighteenth century

historical documents, students at SBS become immersed in academic conversations while sharpening their critical thinking skills. The purpose behind these discussions is to develop in students the twenty-first century skills necessary to cultivate original thoughts, discover for themselves their interest in the content and confidently share it with their classmates.

Middle school history teacher Michelle Adams uses the Harkness table in her classroom and takes an active role in participating. She has seen success through this and shared, “Student-driven discussion allows students to dig deeper into course content and discover alongside their peers. It also allows for students to direct their learning into areas or topics that interest them.” She went on to say, “Through discussion, students learn valuable communication skills like how to support their beliefs or respectfully disagree. The Harkness method was created so that students would be active participants in their learning and the table facilitates just that.”

Student-driven discussion in humanities classes allow for students to extend their knowledge beyond regurgitation of material to internalize their learnings.

This is how students at Second Baptist School have such high-level thinking skills. Not only that, but it helps sharpen their understanding of the Bible and really begin to make their faith their own. Students taking ownership of their learning is an important goal of the Harkness method, and at Second Baptist School, that goal is amplified by teachers who love teaching and students who love learning.

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Arts

Second Baptist School has a rich history of celebrating the arts in all its various mediums. From the debut musical, The Music Man, which opened in 1986 to the 1996 formation of the marching band to the award winning arts department you know today, SBS excels in the arts and will continue to do so.

“The arts department at Second Baptist School is rich in history and tradition, honoring those traditions while preparing artists to shape tomorrow is the focus of our outstanding faculty,” said Director of Arts Kathy Payne. “Striving for excellence in all that we do to honor the Lord challenges the department to constantly search for innovative and creative opportunities to engage our students and tap into their God given talents. With exceptional faculty all gifted in their crafts and a dynamic collaboration of students, faculty and parents supported by our administration the SBS Arts Department eagerly looks to what is ahead as we embark on this exciting season.”

Second Baptist School Theatre Company performed OKLAHOMA! for this year’s upper school spring musical. From the opening song to the final bow, the show was spectacular to watch.

On the heels of last year’s many nominations and five awards, the SBS Theatre Company continued their success in this year’s spring musical with 11 Tommy Tune Awards nominations.

The cast and crew of OKLAHOMA! received the following nominations: • Best Musical • Best Direction • Best Choreography • Best Stage Crew & Technical Execution • Best Lighting Design • Best Costume Design • Best Scenic Design • Best Ensemble/Chorus • Best Supporting Actress – Jenna Bobbora ’19 • Best Supporting Actress – Rachel Young ’18 • Best Supporting Actor – T.J. Johannesen ’20

Second Baptist School brought home a Tommy Tune Award from the 2018 Showcase: Best Supporting Actress Rachel Young ’18 as Ado Annie.

The Second Baptist School band and choir end-of-school concerts showcased the hard work and talent of our middle and upper school students.

SBS band students worked tirelessly and prepared relentlessly throughout the year. From the Eagle Band leading tunes at football games and other school events to spring semester preparations, the Spring Band Concert presents a culmination of our middle and upper school students’ remarkable talents.

SBS choirs wrapped up their year with the Spring Choir Concert.

They performed classics as well as recent hits from The Greatest Showman. Audiences were wowed as the Sanctuary echoed with sounds from middle and upper school choirs.

Student artists had their work featured in the week-long SBS Spring Art Show! Spanning multiple floors and featuring a variety of mediums of art, the 2018 Spring Art Show was a sight to behold. From fashion design to photography and everything in between, it was an honor to showcase the talented art students from SBS.

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After School Programs

Leaders

In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. Philippians 2:5-7

Christ lived out servant leadership for us as an example for believers.

Leadership training begins early at SBS and students are provided many opportunities to put into practice what has been instilled in them. Head Prefect Fielden Baker ’19 explained how SBS takes leadership seriously and raises up leaders regularly.

“At SBS, we follow Christ’s example by leading through service. Many of my greatest leadership opportunities have come when I take time to look outward and serve others.

I think of the times in middle school when my entire grade got to visit the Star of Hope and the Salvation Army to serve meals, clean living spaces and pray with the residents.” He went on to say, “In upper school, we had the opportunity to use our Interim Term to serve at Texas Children’s Hospital, bringing toys and snow cones to the children there. In those cases, SBS enables us to lead by allowing us to become the hands and feet of Christ.”

From leaders in athletics to chaplains of the arts and everything in between, leadership skills are instilled in SBS students from a young age. One major example is the captain of athletic teams. These students are expected to perform to the best of their abilities, while also encouraging other student athletes on their teams to do the same. A good leader is someone who leads by example, and for students to learn this behavior, it is clear that the faculty and staff of SBS are the ones leading the charge to excellence.

“Teachers and administrators serve as mentors to students in various roles and organizations such as Key Club, Model UN, Prefects and others positions. By serving alongside us, they teach us to lead effectively,” said Fielden.

“We also learn leadership by having administrators who go above and beyond to model it in their own positions. On numerous occasions, I’ve had an SBS administrator email me out of the blue a message of encouragement or an article on leadership they found particularly interesting or helpful.”

After school programs pick up where the regular school day leaves off as a wonderful way to enhance students’ overall educational experience.

At the start of each semester, students have the opportunity to sign up for one or all of the following classes: Robotics, Innovators or Spanish.

From the moment our lower, middle and upper school robotics club students step through Mr. Saavedra’s door on the sixth floor, it is all hands-on!

According to Saavedra, “Robotics allows the use of several techniques, solutions and methodologies to solve real life problems. It provides the perfect consolidation of learning where students explore planning, teamwork, reasoning and implementation.” Saavedra leads and teaches through the philosophy that “a problem is an opportunity waiting to be discovered.” The best part is the fun these students experience while on the road to solving these problems.

During Innovators, third and fourth grade students are given a STEAM challenge each week, which incorporates science, technology, engineering, arts and math.

These challenges are completed in pairs or groups and include projects like building a small catapult, designing mazes and competing in an egg-drop challenge.

Enrichment teacher Meredith Hall loves teaching Innovators because it gives her a chance to build relationships with her students outside the constraints of a school day.

Spanish teacher Ana Konuma says that the best part about teaching Spanish two days a week to lower school students is the ability to give her students a skill that will be useful inside and outside of school, to open their eyes to different cultures and ways of life, and to plant the seed and hunger for other nations. According to Konuma, “I believe that a key element in any foreign language classroom is keeping students motivated with a positive, fun and energetic classroom.”

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Faculty Second to students, the faculty at SBS is the heartbeat of the school and its mission.

Alumni visit and roam the halls year after year in hopes of engaging with their favorite teachers.

SBS faculty are passionate about preparing students to not only be prepared for life after SBS mentally, emotionally and spiritually. Our faculty go above and beyond to not only teach students, but mentor and disciple them into God’s family. According to Assistant Head of Middle School Ellen Barrett, “Our faculty are unique in that they care so deeply for their students and this school. Faculty members are constantly in prayer for students, seeking wisdom in how best to meet student needs and are reaching out to students and families to ensure success.”

When asked what they miss most about SBS, the Class of 2017 was quick to respond with answers such as, “Community, Bible class and my friends.”

However, the one answer that each college freshman could agree upon was, teachers. Each student that leaves SBS gains a pool of wise, God-fearing counselors to continue to challenge, pray for and teach them as they head out into the real world.

Our students say: “In all my years at Second, I have seen teachers who care and have a love for Christ and a love for students and I think that’s what makes the faculty at SBS stand out.”

“My teachers are incredibly caring, compassionate and supportive.”

“When I was in middle school, my teacher had conferences with us not just to talk about the subject material but to talk about life!”

“My upper school Bible teacher revolutionized my faith. He challenged my faith, and I made it my own.”

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Writing Curriculum True ease in writing comes from art, not chance As those move easiest who have learn’d to dance.

—Alexander Pope

SBS graduates can write and write well. Upper school English teacher Mitzi Sisk says she is amazed every year when students return from their first few months of college. “Even students who did not excel for me are the ones that professors ask where they went to high school because they can write.”

As another essential element of SBS, the writing program starts in lower school and progressively develops students writing skills through graduation.

“Writing is important because writing is empowerment... parents should know and understand that their student is receiving one of the very best writing curriculums offered,” says middle school teacher Stephan Simmons. “The unvarnished truth is that if you can write well today, you set yourself apart from the crowd almost instantly,” adds middle school teacher Sarah Pruet.

At Second Baptist School, a student is introduced to writing in the lower school. As early as first grade, our teachers empower students to write in a variety of ways. By the end of the first grade, students learn to write a full paragraph including a main idea sentence, three supporting sentences and a concluding sentence.

In addition, they write small “moment” stories. Beverly Bradley, a first grade teacher, explains, “Students learn that they can write just like the authors of published books we read in class. They learn to write the small moments of their lives. In the spring, students learn how to embrace what they are experts at doing so they can write informational texts. Students create non-fiction chapter books complete with a table of contents.”

The lower school curriculum is advanced; each class practices with a workbook for the class year ahead, culminating with fourth grade students mastering fifth grade concepts. From simple paragraphs to stories of a personal narrative, each student progresses at a pace above grade level. By the time students finish third grade, they practice what great authors do to begin their stories with action, setting and dialogue. Students will be required to add and punctuate dialogue in their stories, use descriptive language to create word picture for their

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readers, add figurative language to their stories, and add appropriate paragraphing conventions for character dialogue, time and setting changes.

But for parents, one of the most satisfying aspects of the writing program occurs when the student is promoted from lower to middle school. As the student progresses through each grade, teachers gather several published writing samples from each student to add to his/her personal writing folder. Parents are able to view their student’s writing skill development from pre-kindergarten through fourth grade when they are presented with this portfolio at the spring conference. “As a teacher, I love to flip through these folders to see my students’ progress too,” shares lower school teacher Iris Stewart.

Beginning in middle school and continuing through upper school, teachers reinforce concepts learned in lower school and introduce a sophisticated teaching method to expand a student’s writing skills.

“Writing is focused, persuasive and effective thanks to our vertically aligned approach to the Jane Schaffer format. Students have great confidence as writers when they sit down to an assignment and know what elements to include in their writing and how to include those elements. This confidence will serve them well in college and in careers beyond college,” says upper school English teacher Nancy Wahl.

The Jane Schaffer Writing Concept, a formulaic writing method that teaches students how to be organized, is introduced in fifth grade and continuously expanded through twelfth grade. Students learn to identify concrete detail as opposed to commentary in prose. When drafting essays or stories, students are required to state a concrete detail and support it with at least two commentary details. This is known as a “chunk.” As students progress through middle school, they are required to incorporate multiple chunks into each assignment. In upper school, students are permitted to abandon the format once they learn the elements of a well-constructed paper. But, adds Mitzi Sisk, “Even if they stay in a strict format, they remain focused.”

While the SBS writing curriculum is rigorous, challenging and advanced, it is safe to say it is a success because of the teachers, and best summarized by Nancy Wahl’s comment, “For me, reading and writing are as essential as breathing, and I look forward to another year of writing with students about the beautiful literature we will read.”

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Eighth Grade in D.C. Each year, eighth grade students spend five days in Washington, D.C. to explore the nation’s capital. They spend their days exploring historical landmarks and monuments both within D.C. and the surrounding areas. Popular stops include the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland, Washington’s homestead, Mount Vernon, National Archives and the Lincoln Memorial. During the evenings, students participate in fun activities like ice skating and the ever popular dance cruise on the Potomac River to build camaraderie within the grade.

The trip makes excellent connections with historical content learned in eighth grade. Prior to the trip, students study how our nation’s government formed and the role it plays in our daily lives. While in D.C., students visit the three branches of government (the Capitol, Supreme Court, White House) and see each in action. They also study the formation of the U.S. and its progress through the Civil War, including the founding of D.C. as the capital. Having the opportunity to see history up close and in person really solidifies what students learned in the classroom.

This year, in preparation of the highly anticipated eighth grade trip, Ms. Adams and Mrs. Nix assigned their students to research one of the monuments they

Convocation

Pre-kindergarten through twelfth grade students, their families and the SBS faculty and staff gather for Convocation at the start of each new school year.

Early morning alarms and backpacks full of new school supplies fit into most first day routines. At Second Baptist School, first days are also filled with highly anticipated reunions, lots of hugs and most notably, Convocation.

Convocation is a time to look forward to the upcoming school year and receive a charge from our head of school as well as the upper school head Prefect. The SBS community listens and receives inspiration from God’s word and a call for the school year. A notable moment in Convocation is when parents are invited to join hands with faculty and staff

would see in D.C. After researching and writing about the monument, students created a tour guide style presentation. As students visited each monument, they would give their groups a tour sharing who/what the monument was for, why it was built, who built/designed it, architectural detail/symbolism and interesting facts.

Students presented at the following locations: Jefferson Memorial, Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial, Franklin D. Roosevelt Memorial, Lincoln Memorial, Vietnam War Memorial, Korean War Memorial, World War II Memorial and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery.

According to Ms. Adams, “Our students did an outstanding job, and it was great for classmates to have a better understanding of each site.”

Highlights from this year’s trip to Washington, D.C., include a visit to the newly opened Museum of the Bible; changing of the guard at Arlington National Cemetery where four SBS students participated in the wreath laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier; the U.S. Naval Academy where students heard from recent SBS graduate Matthew Fahnestock ’17 and a visit to the Hart Senate building to hear from SBS alum Senator Ted Cruz ’88.

“My favorite part of the trip was definitely our visit to the U.S. Naval Academy,” said Promise Facciponte ’22. “There was so much history and it helped me to better appreciate and understand our military. It was really fascinating.”

as they surround the student body and pray for them. The sound of voices imploring God to protect, lift up and bless the students of SBS is a sound unlike any other and is powerful to watch.

The Convocation ceremony for the 2017-2018 school year set the stage for SBS students to lean on God’s strength through Dr. Davis’s words. “Find your strength and courage in the power and plan of God. You can be strong and courageous because God has provided a path for you,” said Dr. Davis.

His message of God’s command to be strong and courageous carried SBS through a year where many people depended on God’s strength and courage.

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Volunteers

Volunteers take on a unique and vital role in supporting our school community.

SBS parents, grandparents, friends and more give their time in ways that elevate the experiences of students and faculty, making them one of the greatest strengths of our school.

Whether it’s working concessions at our sporting events, giving of hours and hours to prepare for our musicals, stepping up as a lower school room mom or committing to 24/7 prayer over our campus, volunteers and parents enable and encourage SBS to do what it does best. When parents, faculty and staff all share a united vision for SBS students, we allow God to enter and transform the lives of students.

The Office of Advancement seeks to help SBS parents find the best individual ways to participate. They desire for every parent who has the time and interest to take part in advancing the mission of the school, whether through serving on our Parents Association Committee, assisting the Office of Advancement or anything in between. Volunteering at SBS is one the best ways to stay closely connected to the school, and they hope to help you in any way they can. If you have questions or are looking for more ways to plug in email volunteer@secondbaptistschool.org!

Technology

Second Baptist School is committed to appropriately exposing students to cutting edge technology programs that will set them up for success in the classroom and beyond. Our teachers and technology department collaborate to make technology a priority and an educational advantage.

1 to 1 – Our technology team is dedicated to providing the most effective and innovative educational tools to our students and faculty. SBS believes that technology equips students to perform to their maximum potential in an everchanging world.

From the youngest learners in pre-kindergarten to tech-savvy seniors, teacher devices provide supplemental instructional tools to engage students.

TechFest – With the large number of independent

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schools in the Houston-area, the tech team made use of an opportunity to bring like-minded educators of differing skill sets and experiences together to join in on the edtech conversation. TechFest is a one-day event aiming to nurture and support educators in integrating technology into their curriculum area for best practices. To date, hundreds of teachers and administrators have attended this professional development event.

Tech Squad – The aim of the SBS Tech Squad is to give students the tools they need today to become the technology leaders of tomorrow. Composed of 16 students in grades 3 and 4, the squad challenges young learners to engage in an innovative and digitally based global community through a school service organization. Students complete an application each year with includes an essay and teacher recommendations.

Technology in the classroom – Technology makes learning visible, while the teacher creates an individualized and meaningful learning experience. A few examples of the unique technologies available to students are 3D printers, laser cutters, drones, programmable robots, digital portfolios and online courses. Over the course of their time at SBS, students experience a scaffolded technology curriculum. This curriculum provides the foundation of skills and design thinking for emerging careers.

Robotics – It is important for our students to be exposed to practical solutions to common problems. The field of robotics provides the opportunity to develop high order thinking skills while it creates a challenging atmosphere full of teamwork, task interdependence and fun.

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Higher Education The Office of College Guidance at SBS isn’t unique solely for its 100% college acceptance rate. Nor for the amount of ivy league institutions our many alumni attended. It’s not renowned for the intensive, step-by-step plan of action for higher education beginning in ninth grade.

Though each of these is an impressive part of our college guidance office, they aren’t what makes it unique. It is the foundation upon which the office was built and the philosophies founded in 1986 when the office began that they hold dear that make our college guidance office something that no other school in the city of Houston has.

Beginning with rising ninth grade students, the Office of College Guidance takes a vested interest in who our students are, and how God has gifted them in unique ways. The college guidance team begins forming relationships with students during this year and determining what kind of university would make a good fit for the students.

From the beginning, the Office of College Guidance makes clear the intent for their relationships with the students. They desire not only for our students to excel and get into the college of their choice, but to understand that it is not the final outcome and purpose for their educational lives.

That Christians are to be stewards of our education, for life. The final purpose of a student’s education isn’t getting into college – it’s extending God’s kingdom in whatever field He calls them to.

From sophomore year onward, the ownership is placed back on students to research and find out more about various schools that might be a good fit. Students begin going to college fairs and

meeting with college representatives as they visit SBS during the school year. College guidance is there to encourage students to ask questions, extend hospitality and make the most of the experiences.

Juniors are blessed to have abundant resources available to them from our Office of College Guidance. From essay writing to resume building, help is always available for our juniors. Another way in which SBS stands out among others in college guidance is the individualized, special and deeply personal letters of recommendation that our Assistant Director of College Guidance Donna Sims writes for each student.

“My goals in writing these letters are two things,” said Sims. “I look at it as Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians 3:2 – You yourselves are our letter of recommendation, written on our hearts, to be known and read by all. I want each letter to be a picture of that student, completely different from other pictures of other students.” She went on to explain, “Part of my philosophy is that each student is imago dei – built in the image of God. I want to be able to reveal what that image is so that college admissions offices will not only see our students, but they will see God.” By the time students reach senior year, they have put all the work forth and are ready to send in applications come September.

From there, it is up to the Lord to place students in the colleges they are meant to go to. They are enabled to find their purpose and pursue their goals, having the foundation of a Christian education that will allow them to flourish and become active in their faith, wherever they might be. The Office of College Guidance is there along the way to pray and shepherd our students toward the end goal – being a light in the world for Jesus Christ, through all different vocations, using the skills they learn through higher education.

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Athletics

The SBS athletic department is one-ofa-kind for its students.

Student athletes have the opportunity to grow not just as athletes, but as people, leaders and teammates. Coaches not only coach on the sport of their expertise, but on loving others, working as a team and serving God.

The goal of the athletic department is to provide an environment of competition, cooperation and teamwork for our students that will glorify God and provide valuable life lessons. Winning the contest is important to any competitor; however, the lessons learned in the heat of competition are the most important attributes to be gained from the contest. SBS coaches are dedicated to assisting all athletes in reaching their maximum potential as an athlete, but more importantly, as an outstanding citizen.

One SBS coach said, “Our students become mentally tough through athletics. These athletes learn to never give

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up and to keep on fighting. This grit helps the students to be mentally tough in the classroom and in life. Not all SBS students will go on to play sports in college, but the leadership skills and teamwork they’ve learned through athletics will carry on with them at the next level in their life.”

Spring Sports Recap:

• Women’s track placed third overall at the district meet

• Men’s track relay team placed first in the mile relay event

• Six individual track athletes advanced to the state meet

• SBS Varsity baseball is second in district and area champions

• SBS Varsity softball is third in district and area champions

Join us in congratulating our talented and hard-working student athletes on all they have accomplished during the spring 2018 athletic season.

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Family In September 2017, eight classmates from the SBS Class of 1999 gathered to rescue a SBS family stranded after Harvey. They didn’t stop at helping just one family; these SBS men continued helping family after family in that neighborhood. Once the water receded, they returned with tools and equipment and worked day and night cleaning out houses, hauling away ruined belongings and helping with the recovery from Harvey’s devastation.

This is what family is, and this is what family does. When longtime faculty and staff members were asked about SBS and family, this is what they said:

“Family means we know each other’s names and we would stop and help one another if we saw the need. We ask about how our grown kids are doing. Many years ago, this campus was a refuge for me. When I returned after being gone for a few years, I heard, “Welcome home” over and over again from so many who were still here and knew me from before. I’ve always felt safe at SBS.”

“To me, family signifies unconditional love and support for each other; a safe place in which you can make mistakes; family offers grace and comfort in the hard and difficult times; family helps shape you into who you are by coaching, counseling and teaching you as well by modeling kindness, respect and responsibility. Ultimately, family helps prepare you for a life of service to God and humanity. SBS is my family.”

“SBS is a nurturing place that seeks the best for each student.

The best may not be what the student wants at that time, but it is the best for the student’s future. This place is a source of encouragement and challenge for our students. So many students I have taught have returned here with their children. I love seeing where God has placed them and what they are doing to extend His kingdom. Whether a student was a graduate of 1982, 1996 or 2017—a common bond knits them and us (faculty) together. It was through my son’s memory verses he learned at SBS that I became a believer.”

“Family is about people that love and encourage us no matter what. They bring out our best. This school is family to me and holds a special place in my heart. This community has poured into my kids and impacted my family in countless ways. At SBS, we are doing life together... raising children, growing and struggling in our faith together, experiencing highlights, milestones, heartaches and loss together. There is genuine care for one another that I’m not sure exists in other schools.”

Are we perfect? Not even close! But we are a family —proud and strong. We are capable and hard-working. We have fun, we laugh hard, and we share in each other’s victories and celebrations. We grow together and love each other. Through life’s struggles and sometimes tragedies, we stand by each other and lean on one another.

Whether new to this school or a long-time member, SBS is home, and we are family.

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Lifers

There’s nothing quite like experiencing your childhood and teenage years in a place where everyone knows who you are and cares about you, much like a small town. The people you grow up with at SBS are the same ones you experience so many pivotal moments in life with—from taking home your first weekly reader in kindergarten to getting your driver’s permit in upper school.

According to Scott Terrell ’11, “It’s definitely different than what most people grow up with. It means you know these people well because you go so far back with them.” And Preston Price ’18, a recent graduate, says, “It’s a family—we are all brothers and sisters. I loved how we grew up and experienced life together. We went through awkward stages and funny ones, too. It is special getting to spend your time as a kid at the best school ever. Second Baptist School has been very important to me, especially because of the faculty and all my friends.”

Perhaps one of the best parts of being a Lifer is that there’s always a place to go home or someone to connect with. Not only that, being a Lifer means you have a support system to lean on when

and staff who daily poured into them, shaping their hearts and their minds. And, of course, their friends who were with them along the way.

For Billy Arendt ’12, being a Lifer means “I always have a home. No matter how long it’s been, I can return to campus and reflect on the growth I had there, especially as a Christian. The values, morals and foundation for my life were instilled and fostered at SBS.”

“Being a Lifer shaped my education and walk with God. I think it is a privilege to have attended a school where teachers’ priorities were not only to teach, but to encourage my walk with Christ. Having attended a public university for one year now, I am reminded daily how

2018 LIFERS Ryan Antona Joseph Bolling Siena Corbin Jordan Doughtie Sarah Grace Elliott Mauricio Funes Ashton Gaddis Parker Gonzales Charlotte Hartman Shannon Johnson Audrey Morgan Hannah Price Mary Grace Price Peyton Price Preston Price Alex Worley Kayla Yarbrough Bobby Zakhireh

Since 2006, SBS has graduated 1,014 students and 296 of them were Lifers! That’s an average of 29% in each class. life gets bumpy or a whole crowd of cheerleaders there when something worth celebrating occurs.

“There are not a lot of people in this world who say that they still regularly keep in touch with their best friend from kindergarten, let alone their kindergarten teacher.

But for SBS Lifers, that’s just how things work. We all grew up together, and therefore we are all fiercely protective of and caring for each other. My fellow Lifers are my family; they’re my brothers and sisters, and their parents feel like aunts and uncles to me,” says Hailie Durrett ’09.

This sense of community never leaves these students.

What marks a Lifer’s journey to adulthood is the faculty

thankful I am to have had teachers who called me by name and prayed for me,” says Kendall Schroeder ’17.

So, every day the SBS campus eagerly welcomes back its alumni—Lifer or not. We celebrate each graduate, and we love them all.

Perhaps we sometimes reminisce a bit longer with those students who spent most of their childhood with us, the ones we have labeled “Lifers.” But for every student who walked these hallways, we are family and we welcome you home!

“To be in the same school practically since birth is a honor because you graduate with friends that feel like family. When you meet another SBS Lifer, you automatically feel like you know each other. On the outside it might seem like a club, but really it’s just a massive family tree of friends and classmates,” says McKinzie Jones Howard ’11.

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Graduation Second Baptist School’s commencement ceremony is certainly special. It is a beautiful culmination of all that our graduates have worked hard for. We celebrate as a school, give thanks to our families and commit to pray for the future of the graduating class.

Many pieces of the ceremony are unique to SBS. According to Donna Sims it is, “the dignity of the ceremony that sets it apart.” She went on to say, “The details, such as having seating arranged well ahead of the event and the beautiful program—a keepsake that will be beautiful to show their grandchildren. The gift of their Bibles, inscribed with their names (embossed on front and calligraphed inside), as a reminder to them that their faith does not stop here, that they are called to be lights and to proclaim the excellencies of His Name wherever they go.”

For graduates, it’s the day they look forward to all year and won’t soon forget. The day to celebrate all their hard work, reflect on the past and receive a charge for the future. It’s the end of the school year, and there is only one thing left to do: graduate.

This year, commencement speeches began with

salutatorian Garrett Logan and valedictorian Arian Tabibian. Garrett spoke about the importance of environment, and more specifically, how environment shapes character. He spoke about the environment of SBS and how the Class of 2018 helped to shape himself and others. Arian’s speech provided an insightful look back at his memories of upper school, stating, “All my life, I was ready to leave so soon, chasing the destination, not realizing it was the journey I was truly looking for all along.”

Following the students, Dr. Don Davis paid tribute to the Class of 2018 with an extensive look at all they have accomplished. He challenged them to continue being strong and courageous and to never forget God’s presence in their lives. We are extremely proud of our graduating seniors and look forward to all that God will do in and through each one of them.

Congratulations to all the seniors from the Class of 2018!

The Class of 2018 has four second generation graduates! ~ Joseph Bolling with father David Bolling ’83 ~ Cole Smith with mother Alli Kendall Sepulveda ’89 ~ Kylie Tidmore with mother Alison Jones Tidmore ’91 ~ Rachel Young with parents Danielle ’94 and Cliff ’91 Young

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Second Baptist Sc

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hool Class of 2018

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James Michael Addison* Summa Cum Laude Texas A&M University Ryan Michael Antona* Cum Laude Undecided Santiago Aparicio-Ruiz University of Oklahoma Christopher Michael Begala* Cum Laude Baylor University Andrew Brooks Bell* Summa Cum Laude Baylor University Robert Charles Blakes III* Cum Laude Millsaps College Joseph Paul Bolling* Summa Cum Laude Texas A&M University Caroline Clayton Bornman* Summa Cum Laude Texas A&M University Rhianna Grace Bruegger* Summa Cum Laude Belmont University Connor Giles Burton* Summa Cum Laude The University of Texas at Austin Makayla Dawn Cerda Auburn University Christopher Michael Christensen* Magna Cum Laude Auburn University Siena Anne Corbin* Summa Cum Laude The University of Texas at Austin Victor Terrill Curne University of Washington Jack Williams Davis* Summa Cum Laude Texas A&M University Drew Gibson Decker Indiana State University Anna Madeline DeJong* Summa Cum Laude New York University Jackson Dale Derise* Summa Cum Laude Texas A&M University Uche Emmanuel Dibiamaka* Cum Laude The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley Joseph Wayne DiCecco* Summa Cum Laude The University of Texas at Austin Jordan Elizabeth Doughtie* Summa Cum Laude University of Oklahoma Arden Taylor Duhon* Summa Cum Laude The University of Texas at Austin Sarah Grace Elliott* Cum Laude Texas Christian University Alexander Jacob Feuer* Cum Laude University of Dallas Cameron Michael Fontenot Texas Lutheran University Mauricio Josue Funes Baylor University Ashton Grace Gaddis* Cum Laude University of Oklahoma Katelyn Michelle Garcia* Summa Cum Laude Baylor University ZoĂŤ Rene Garcia Baylor University Parker McMillan Gonzalez* Summa Cum Laude Texas Christian University Life Elijah Granville* Magna Cum Laude Undecided Logan B. Hall Hardin-Simmons University Christopher James Hannon* Summa Cum Laude The University of Texas at Austin Logan Elizabeth Harris* Cum Laude Auburn University Charlotte Elise Hartman* Summa Cum Laude Texas A&M University Machi Douglas Horne* Cum Laude Southwestern University Shannon Lynne Johnson* Cum Laude Blinn College

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Carter Harris Kroll* Summa Cum Laude University of Oklahoma Muriel Elyse Lee* Summa Cum Laude Texas A&M University Jordan Zane Lejano* Summa Cum Laude Harding University Darnzel Joseph Levy* Cum Laude Chapman University Garrett Bogue Logan* Summa Cum Laude University of St. Andrews Christian Allan Mauterstock* Summa Cum Laude The University of Texas at Dallas Max Madden Modica* Cum Laude California Lutheran University Audrey Elizabeth Morgan* Summa Cum Laude Georgia Institute of Technology Tara Irene Nored* Summa Cum Laude Tulane University Thais Olivero* Summa Cum Laude Texas A&M University Jack Stanley Pokluda* Summa Cum Laude Samford University Hannah Louise Price* Summa Cum Laude Baylor University Mary Grace Price* Summa Cum Laude Texas A&M University Peyton Joshua Price* Cum Laude Baylor University Preston Daniel Price Baylor University Madison Rae Prillaman* Cum Laude High Point University Kendall Nicole Reppert* Magna Cum Laude Baylor University Reuben Alonzo Reyes* Cum Laude Texas State University Jackson Ray Ryan University of Mary Hardin-Baylor Nadine Sally Saab* Magna Cum Laude University of Massachusetts Amherst Deion Darrell Smith* Cum Laude University of Colorado Boulder James Colson Smith* Cum Laude Baylor University Arian M. Tabibian* Summa Cum Laude University of Chicago Kylie Nicole Tidmore Liberty University Samantha Marie Wilfur* Summa Cum Laude Trinity University Charlotte G. J. Willerton-McKee* Magna Cum Laude Savannah College of Art and Design Lauren ReneÊ Williams* Summa Cum Laude University of Mary Hardin-Baylor Ashunti Deon Wilson* Magna Cum Laude Loyola University New Orleans Randol Craig Wilson* Magna Cum Laude Drew University Dalton James Wood* Cum Laude Rice University Alexander Scott Worley* Summa Cum Laude Washington University in St. Louis Kayla Marie Yarbrough* Summa Cum Laude The University of Texas at Austin Andrew Robert Young* Cum Laude Baylor University Rachel Danielle Young CMC Makeup School Bobak Zakhireh* Summa Cum Laude Texas A&M University Ivon Zetino* Magna Cum Laude Texas Woman’s University * National Honor Society

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Class of 2018 What element of SBS will you miss most next year?

by Twelve Graduates from the Class of 2018

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“Football. Because I have grown up playing football, it will always be a part of who I am. I was able to grow and mature into who I am today through the lessons I learned on the field. I am going to miss the brotherhood that my teammates and I formed over the last four years. Some of those guys and I have grown really close, and I know I can call or text them whenever I need something, and they can do the same with me.”

Drew Young

“I will miss the community that the staff and teachers have created and having the ability to build relationships with teachers. I can go in and talk to a teacher about anything or just play cards. The teachers and staff became more than just the people I would see in classrooms. They become people who pushed me to always be the best version of myself.”

Ivon Zetino

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“I will miss the fantastic community of students, teachers and administration. I loved getting to know my teachers. They always looked to support and help me in the best way possible. This year as head prefect, I was lucky enough to meet with Dr. Davis during community time to discuss leadership. I heard his stories and experiences as a leader. I also really loved getting to spend 14 years with my “lifer” friends. I can absolutely say I know those people really well.”

Audrey Morgan

“I will miss the teachers the most, because they have been a key part of my time at this school. The variety of teachers and their teaching methods have challenged me in so many ways. I am especially grateful for their help through the years. Thank you for all of the amazing classes.”

Jordan LeJano

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“I will really miss my day-to-day interactions with all of the faculty and staff at SBS. Getting to know my teachers has profoundly influenced my high school experience. Because they care for me both as a person and as a student, I am more motivated to work hard in class. In this way, my education became much more than letters on a report card. Rather, it has been a culmination of all of my interactions with my teachers, allowing me to consider other perspectives and become a more open-minded person. Through experiences like Interim Term, I was able to make memories that I’ll always cherish. I will miss our yearbook editor meetings, sharing Chick-fil-A with Mrs. Offenbacher, lectures on energy-saving-tips in economics, impromptu Spanish discussions and so much more. I am very thankful that my teachers took the time and effort to educate and build a relationship with me. I hope they always remember how valued and appreciated they are.”

Tara Nored

“The element I will miss the most is the family atmosphere and how the teachers care. When I had a question about what to do in a situation, the teachers were always willing to listen and give the best advice they had. I appreciate the fact that I could talk about life with my teachers and that they listened to me. I will miss the atmosphere the most.”

Jackson Ryan

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“More than anything, I am going to miss the closeknit group of my friends and teachers. I have grown up with my grade, and we all know each other’s story.

In college, it will be weird not knowing everyone in my class. Second has also given me the opportunity to have some great mentors who deeply care about me as I have gone through school, and it has been a blessing.

I will miss the teachers, coaches and friends that I have spent the last 13 years with.”

Joseph DiCecco

“I have grown up at Second Baptist School all of my life and I would have to say that I will miss Interim Term the most. Interim makes SBS special in that it gives students the chance to learn beyond their horizons. I was able to travel the world with my best friends and make memories that will last a lifetime. I will also miss the loving atmosphere of SBS and the teachers who made my years so memorable.”

Hannah Price

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“Going off to college, I am going to sincerely miss my wonderful teachers. I remember during my junior year, when the stress of difficult classes and college applications peaked, my AP Biology teacher, Meredith Offenbacher, helped me not only as a teacher but also as a friend. God truly blesses Second Baptist School with a diverse range of teachers, giving students the ability to have many mentors to go to, gifted teachers who love their students. The element of close relationships with Christ-loving, caring faculty will be missed.”

Bobby Zakhireh

“I am going to miss the people the most. My friends and the faculty I’ve gotten to know have made my experience at Second Baptist School so much more than a great education. Their support and kindness has taught me endless lessons about what it means to be a leader and a servant in today’s society. I have so many wonderful memories with my friends from SBS that I will carry with me far beyond my senior year. I couldn’t be more grateful for the things I have learned here.”

Arden Duhon

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“The thing about Second Baptist School that I will miss the most next year is the tight-knit community.

I have been going to school with some of my classmates for fourteen years. We have endured all of the numerous playdates in lower school, all of the awkwardness of middle school and all of the growth that high school brings. The people at SBS – friends, teachers and administrators – have impacted my life in huge ways. I will miss being loved on and understood by my community here. Being a ‘lifer’ at SBS is such a special and unique experience. I am so grateful for my 14 years here.”

Charlotte Hartman

“I am really going to miss two things about SBS: One, my basketball team and how we were such a tight knit family. When I transferred, my teammates made the transition much smoother as we bonded quickly. Obviously winning state this year was huge, but the moments I will cherish are the day-to-day grinds during practice. Secondly, the faculty at SBS are phenomenal. All the teachers are great, but a few made a big impact on me: Coach Holmquist, Mr. Alred, Mr. Mitchell and Mrs. Wahl. They all believed in me and showed me how to be more like Christ.”

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ALUMNI NOTES 1 982 – 201 8

1986 JAMES SCARBOROUGH and his wife Amy live in Mansfield, Texas, with their three daughters Hannah-Grace (17), Hope (14) and Halle (11). James serves as the pastor of ministries at Walnut Ridge Baptist Church. In May, Amy (former SBS teacher) will graduate from Liberty University with a master’s in professional counseling.

She is serving clients at Compassion Counseling in Arlington, Texas. In March, the Scarboroughs celebrated their 20th wedding anniversary. (1) 1988 SARAH TOMLINSON DICK married Stephen Dick in Austin approximately 30 years after they first met. When they first met, Sarah was finishing up high school and going off to college; Stephen was finishing up college and figuring out where life would take him.

After a long-distance, letter-heavy romance of over two years, life took them on different journeys. Years later, the two reconnected as friends, and the rest is history. Stephen is working for the US Army in Fort Hood, continuing to serve as a civilian after 20 years of enlisted service. Sarah continues her career of over 25 years with Dun & Bradstreet. The couple lives in Austin and regularly visits family in Dallas and Houston. (2) 1989 ALLI SEPULVEDA married Mark Sepulveda at Second Baptist Church where they both work. The couple resides in Houston, Texas. Alli’s son Cole graduated in the SBS Class of 2018 this May. (3) 1996 DANA BUKOWSKI recently took over both locations of Body Rock Pilates in Houston, one in Rice Military and one in Oak Forest. (4)

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1999 JUSTIN KATES and his wife Lana are proud to share the news of their newest addition, Shelby Mercer Kates. Shelby was born on January 10, 2018, and sisters Libby (5) and Evie (2) couldn’t be happier! (5) NICOLE MARTINEZ and her husband John welcomed John Christopher Martinez on November 28, 2017.

Addison (7) and Kyle (4) are proud siblings! (6) CARRIE JOBE BOWDEN recently took on the role of primary and lower school assistant principal at First Baptist Academy in Houston. She previously worked as the primary and lower school technology instruction and integration specialist. Carrie and her husband Gregory also welcomed a new addition, Emily Mae, on July 28, 2017.

Catherine (4) and Samantha (2.5) are thrilled about their little sister. (7) 2000 TOM HICKS and his wife Gina welcomed baby Tyler James on February 2, 2018, at 7 pounds, 4 ounces and 20 inches long. He has already started school at SBS in the Discovery program with his siblings and is growing fast! Gina returned to finish the year working at Second Baptist School while Tom is growing his Low Cost Geeks managed services business and expanding the VoIP phone service to small businesses in West Houston area.

Hailee Ryan (3) and Kyle Thomas (2) are excited about their new brother. (8) MICHAEL LONG and his wife Alexis welcomed twin girls Evelyn Rose and Lillian Fay on April 3, 2018. Nolan Randall (2) is a proud big brother! (9)

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CAROLINE COBB SMITH gave herself a goal to write a song for every book of the Bible in the year 2011. That year of writing set in motion a new passion to tell the stories of scripture through music, faithfully and creatively.

Caroline’s latest album, A Home & A Hunger: Songs of Kingdom Hope, came out in September 2017. Produced by Gabe Scott, it traces the biblical themes of Eden and exile, restlessness and rest, and God’s “upside-down” gospel and features Shane Barnard and Jill Phillips. Each song parachutes into a different biblical scene. She and her husband Nick live in Dallas with their three young kids (Ellie, Harrison and Libby). You can find Caroline’s music on iTunes, Spotify and anywhere music is streamed. (10) 2001 CATHERINE MACALUSO ALEXANDER ’01, JENNIFER COLQUITT ’01, JULIE DANVERS ’01 and MARGARET MAGEE DOIRON ’01 recently gathered in Round Top for a relaxing weekend and sweet time catching up. (11) 2002 KYLE REYNOLDS and his wife Caroline welcomed Warner Smith Reynolds on February 27, 2018. Big sisters Ella (6) and Molly (3.5) are smitten with their new little brother! (12) NORA ASHKAR RIPPLE and her husband Nicholas are thrilled with the arrival of Hunter John Ripple on March 6, 2018. June (2) loves being a big sister.

Nora is looking forward to her tenth year of teaching at SBS this fall! (13) 2003 MEREDITH SIMONTON JOHNSON and her husband Matt joyously welcomed Shepherd “Shep” Lyons Johnson on March 10, 2018. Aunt Jeannene Simonton was visiting in Midland when Shep was born. He came early

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on the day she arrived! The Johnsons recently moved to Midland, Texas, and they’re enjoying exploring West Texas and raising Shep and Covey Anne in a small town. (14) 2004 ELIZABETH DUNN GORTMAKER and her husband Ben welcomed Lillian Jane on November 19, 2017. Lillian loves laughing, being outside and playing with her grandparents (Bill and Sharon Dunn)! (15) NATHAN KASPAR recently graduated with his Master of Divinity from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. He is currently the Next Generation Pastor for Western Heritage Church in Irving, Texas. He began there in June of 2015 as the youth pastor. Shortly thereafter, he also began overseeing the children’s ministry along with starting a young adults Bible study on Thursday nights.

He also leads Sunday morning worship on occasion. (16) 2005 ANNABEL STEPHAN HARDIN was recently named content director of LDWW Group, the 2017 Sabre Award Boutique Agency of the Year.

Previously at ESPN and FOX Sports, she is using almost a decade of sports reporting and production experience as she oversees all original content for the National Football Foundation’s new Football Matters campaign and the Sabre award-nominated Big 12 Champions for Life campaign. She lives in Fort Worth, Texas. (17) TIFFANY SMITH LIMER and her husband Luigi welcomed new baby Isabella Emilia on April 11, 2018. She measured 21 inches, 8 pounds, 9 ounces Giuliana loves being a big sister and helping with their new baby. (18)

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BRYANT PALMERTON is employed

by BDO in Houston. He, his wife Alicia, and their two children live in the Spring Branch area and look forward to growing their family! (19) 2006 CHELSEA DEUTSCH GUTHRIE and her husband Ryan are thrilled with their newest addition, Genevieve.

Genevieve has been their greatest joy since her birth on October 30, 2017.

She loves to smile and sing. Being her parents has been such a sweet adventure for Chelsea and Ryan. (20) NICK FUERST and wife Kathryn recently welcomed a little girl, Corsyn Kay Fuerst, on April 2, 2018. The Fuersts live in Norfolk, Virginia, where Nick is an internal medicine resident and Kathryn is a speech therapist. (21) 2007 KATIE PALMERTON FRANK and her husband Statton currently reside in New Orleans. Katie works for Shell Oil as an engineer. They are active in the Young Life Program at Tulane and enjoy traveling. (22) LAURA RICKWAY recently had a Memorial area home that she designed featured on the cover of Luxe Interiors + Design on the July/August 2017 edition. (23) KATHRYN WORSHAM married Jim Humphries on March 24, 2018, in Austin, Texas. Jim and Kathryn have lots of mutual friends and have always known of one another (he was class of 2007 at Kinkaid) but it wasn’t until Kathryn moved home from New York

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that they began dating. The wedding party consisted of many SBS alumni: the bride’s siblings, JESSE WORSHAM ’09, SAMUEL WORSHAM ’14 and ASHA WORSHAM ’15; and friends of the couple, JOHN BROWN ’07, TRIPP PRUET ’07, KIM JONES WHITESIDE ’07, MALLORY SHARY ’07, ELLEN LUTKEN RAMSEY ’07, SAHRA HARVIN ’07 and CAITLIN HERRING TEBO ’07.

The couple resides in Houston where Jim works in commercial real estate and Kathryn is a marketing and PR consultant. (24) 2008 DALTON DOMINY and his wife Claire moved from Kailua, Hawaii to San Clemente, California in August with the Marine Corps. Shortly after, they welcomed baby Madelyn on October 19, 2017. Dalton is currently working at the School of Infantry. (25) ALLISON SANDERS GILBERT and her husband Blake recently welcomed Reaves Rutherford Gilbert. He is a sweet and happy baby. Big sister Evelyn turned 2 a few months after Reaves was born. The Gilberts are loving life as a family of 4! (26) CHRISTINA TRIPP SAUNDERS recently earned her PhD in biostatistics from Vanderbilt University.

She enjoyed celebrating graduation weekend with her husband Scott, her sister and brother-in-law ALEX ’10 and WILLIAM ’10 WHALEY and her parents. She lives in Nashville and has accepted a position as a postdoctoral research fellow at Vanderbilt University Medical Center. (27)

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2009 HAILIE DURRETT addressed the SBS Class of 2022 on the occasion of their promotion from eighth grade to the upper school. (28) AMY PALMERTON has recently transferred to Denver with her current employer PricewaterhouseCoopers where she works as a senior assurance associate. She loves the outdoor activities available in the Denver area. (29) JESSE WORSHAM earned his doctor of medicine from Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center School of Medicine. He will soon begin his residency in psychiatry in Lubbock, Texas. (30) 2010 CHRISTOPHER LEWIS earned his doctor of osteopathic medicine from Kansas City University. He recently completed two years of clinical rotations in Fort Meyers, Florida, and will soon begin his four year residency in psychiatric medicine at Unity Health in Searcy, Arkansas. (31) NATALIE JOHNSON married COOPER SMITH ’09 on April 28, 2018, in Dripping Springs, Texas. The couple began dating after college in 2014.

Their wedding included a few fellow alumni; BRAEDON BROCK ’10, MATTHEW KRESTON ’09, and best man JOHN WALLACE ’09. The Smiths now reside in New York City, where Natalie works as a labor and delivery nurse at New York Presbyterian Hospital and Cooper works in technology sales at VMware. (32) 2011 BROOKE MAXCY MCGHEE and her husband Hayden welcomed baby Clare Louise. Clare measured 9 pounds,

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2 ounces and 20 inches long. She was born in Fort Rucker, Alabama where Brooke’s husband Hayden attends Army Flight School. (33) REGAN FUERST received a juris doctor, magna cum laude, from the University of Richmond School of Law. Regan will be attending New York University School of Law Graduate Tax Program in pursuit of an LL.M. in taxation. She will move to Manhattan this summer! (34) 2012 ALLYSON FINKEN graduated with honors from The University of Texas at Austin with degrees in both psychology and human development. After Austin, Allyson was accepted to the University of Oklahoma PhD program for industrial and organizational psychology. At OU, Allyson keeps busy with her classes, research and teaching statistics to undergraduates.

This past April, Allyson was selected to present her research on work-family conflict at the Society for Industrial and Organizational Psychologists annual conference in Chicago. (35) 2013 CHRIS CALLAHAN graduated from Baylor University in 2017, where he lettered on the football team for three years. Since then, Chris worked as the graduate assistant for student services at SMU Athletics. This May, Chris graduated with a master’s of science in sport management. He recently accepted a position with The Deacon Club at Wake Forest University working as a development assistant. Chris is excited to work in the fundraising arm of the department, helping to provide the resources for athletic scholarships, facilities and other revenue generation functions within the athletic department. He will be located in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. (36)

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MARY PAIGE STEVENSON is excited to move back to Houston this summer following her wedding! She will live in the Galleria area and pursue teaching.

(37) 2015 MACY SCHMIDT graduated a year early from the University of Florida with a degree in music theory. Macy is living in New York City working as a full-time freelance musician and Broadway industry music director, pianist and orchestrator. (38)

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2016 JORDAN HAYLEY founded the chapter and serves as president of a nationally recognized club, Alexander Hamilton Society at Liberty University. The organization is dedicated to promoting and understanding United States national security interests. Jordan will intern this summer in Washington, D.C. with American Foreign Policy Council where she will be working on the Counter Islamic Extremism and Russian (due to her Russian language ability) Projects. Finally, Jordan is attending Covenant Journey’s Israel trip in August where she will learn how to strengthen the U.S.-Israeli alliance through a biblical context. (39)

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2018 The class agents for 2018 are: JOSEPH DICECCO, MARY GRACE PRICE, BOBBY ZAKHIREH and CHARLOTTE HARTMAN. (40) 40

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ALUMNI FROM THE CLASSES OF 1988, 1993, 2003 AND 2013 traveled

from near and far for their class reunions this spring. Events were held at favorite local restaurants and classmates’ homes as lifelong friends sat down to catch up and exchange memories over a shared meal. A couple of events were attended by SBS faculty favorites, Ms. Jeannene Simonton and Mrs. Becky Larkin. Many, many thanks to the SBS Class Agents who planned these parties: LAURIE RANKIN CARL ’88, KIMBERLY CRAIG THODE ’88, MARLO TURNER WISE ’93, MARY MARGARET PORTER BROLLIER ’03, MARGARET HARTMAN ’13 and BEN TOUR ’13!

Reunion

Class of 1988

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Reunion

Class of 1993

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CLASS OF 2014 Our Class of 2014 alumni are getting ready to enter the ‘real world’ as they round out their college years. Take a look to see what 28 of them will be doing next!

MEREDITH AMMERMAN Baylor University Degree: Interior design WHAT’S NEXT: I’ll work for an architecture and interior design firm, designing hotels, restaurants, bars and more nationwide.

CLAY BROUSSARD

HOUSTON, TEXAS

Georgetown University Degree: Finance WHAT’S NEXT: I will be working at an investment bank called Leerink as a generalist first year analyst, but most of my work will be with the healthcare services group.

MARSHALL DINGES

SARAH GEIS

Texas A&M University Degree: Petroleum engineering WHAT’S NEXT: I plan to work in oil and gas after graduation.

HOUSTON, TEXAS

CONNOR BRYANT

Texas A&M University Degree: Petroleum engineering WHAT’S NEXT: I plan to pursue a career in petroleum engineering.

HOUSTON, TEXAS

NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK

University of Oklahoma Degree: Human relations WHAT’S NEXT: I will be going on the World Race, an eleven month mission trip to eleven different countries.

WORLDWIDE

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CRAIG HANNON

Cornell University Degree: Development sociology WHAT’S NEXT: I am taking a gap year and then planning to attend medical school.

HOUSTON, TEXAS

NATASHA HENDERSON

MICHELLE HOWARD

JAY KENNEDY

HOUSTON, TEXAS

HOUSTON, TEXAS

MITCHELL LATINKIC

ALEXIS LOCASCIO

KAYLEY LOONEY

STATE COLLEGE, PENNSYLVANIA

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS

University of Oklahoma Degree: Management information systems, supply chain management WHAT’S NEXT: I am working for Hitachi Consulting doing process and technology consulting.

Texas A&M University Degree: Accounting WHAT’S NEXT: I will be finishing my masters in finance this next year.

Baylor University Degree: Entrepreneurship and real estate WHAT’S NEXT: I’ll be working in commercial real estate appraisal.

DALLAS, TEXAS

Baylor University Degree: Finance, economics WHAT’S NEXT: I will be attending law school at Penn State University.

Texas A&M University Degree: Management information systems WHAT’S NEXT: I will work in IT consulting for Deloitte.

Texas A&M University Degree: Interdisciplinary studies with a certification in middle grades 4-8 language arts/social studies WHAT’S NEXT: I am deciding between attending graduate school or teaching.

HOUSTON, TEXAS

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ELIZABETH MAYES

The University of Texas at Austin Degree: Neuropsychology WHAT’S NEXT: I will be working as an analyst at a management consulting firm called Sendero.

HOUSTON, TEXAS

MIA PASTEL

The University of Texas at Austin Degree: Psychology, honors religious studies WHAT’S NEXT: I am getting a masters in clinical mental health counseling.

AUSTIN, TEXAS

HARPER MCGEE

Baylor University Degree: Finance, entrepreneurship WHAT’S NEXT: I will work as a BBVA Compass LEAP associate.

KENNEDY NABORS

Baylor University Degree: Biochemistry PLANS: I am on the job hunt!

HOUSTON, TEXAS

HOUSTON, TEXAS

MORIAH ODERMANN

University of Houston Degree: Marketing and finance, minor in sales and corporate entrepreneurship WHAT’S NEXT: I will work as an outside sales representative with 3M in the health business group.

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS

TRISTEN PATTON

Oklahoma City University Degree: Music theater WHAT’S NEXT: I am currently working in the box office of Lyric Theatre of Oklahoma, and also as a social media and marketing coordinator for Santa Fe Family Life Center (a non-profit gym in benefiting disadvantaged youth). I am marrying Eddie Wiewel this September!

OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLAHOMA

ELIZABETH PLEZIA

Texas A&M University Degree: Psychology and neuroscience WHAT’S NEXT: I will spend a year studying how other countries practice occupational therapy, and then I will pursue a doctorate in occupational therapy.

MULTIPLE PLACES ACROSS EUROPE AND AFRICA

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HANNAH RAYMOND

Villanova University Degree: Psychology WHAT’S NEXT: I am pursuing a masters in elementary education at George Washington University.

WASHINGTON, D.C.

SYDNEY SALTERS

The University of Texas at Austin Degree: Physics, mathematics WHAT’S NEXT: I am attending The University of Texas at Austin School of Law. AUSTIN, TEXAS

DILLON SCHROEDER

WADE STROTHER

CAROLYN TRENEER

DALLAS, TEXAS

HOUSTON, TEXAS

ALEXA VAN KEUREN

SUSIE WAHL

EMILY WATERS

WASHINGTON, D.C. OR GREENVILLE, SOUTH CAROLINA

HOUSTON, TEXAS

Texas A&M University – Commerce Degree: Construction management WHAT’S NEXT: I recently accepted a position as a superintendent at GT Leach Construction.

Texas A&M University Degree: Construction science WHAT’S NEXT: I plan to work in commercial construction and/ or attend seminary.

Texas A&M University Degree: Industrial distribution WHAT’S NEXT: I have accepted a full-time position with Johnson Controls.

HOUSTON, TEXAS

APRIL VAN ANGLEN

Texas Christian University Degree: Nursing WHAT’S NEXT: I am working as an emergency room nurse at Dallas Presbyterian Hospital.

DALLAS, TEXAS

Clemson University Degree: Political science WHAT’S NEXT: I will spend some time traveling around Europe before beginning a job hunt.

Baylor University Degree: Nursing WHAT’S NEXT: I will be working at The University of Texas MD Anderson Children’s Cancer Hospital.

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Oklahoma State University Degree: Honors economics, minors in international business and Spanish WHAT’S NEXT: I will begin law school at the University of Oklahoma this fall.

NORMAN, OKLAHOMA

20 questions

1

What do you miss most about SBS? Knowing everyone’s face and name and being a part of a PK-12 family...also, Jane’s breakfast tacos

2 When you were a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up?

A star on Disney Channel

3 What was a total freshman move you made this year?

wit h College

I packed up my entire car, turned it on to go home and then ended up locking myself out of it for several hours.

4 What is one thing in your life you couldn’t live without?

My church, friends, family and HEB

5

What song always gets stuck in your head?

“It’s Meant to Be” by Bebe Rexha. My dining hall plays it every day!

Freshmen

6 What fashion decisions do you regret from your middle

SBS Class of 2017

school days?

Buzz cuts, gauchos and neon jeans

7

Are you a die-hard fan of any sports teams?

The Astros, Red Sox, Baylor track team, Fighting Texas Aggies and the Alabama Crimson Tide

8 How do you feel about your first year in college?

What surprised you? Did SBS prepare you for most of it, some of it or none of it?

It was awesome and at times eye-opening. It flew by, and SBS completely prepared me for it, especially when it came to study skills and writing. All of my friends ask me to edit their papers! Additionally, I STILL use Ms. Clark’s notes for my math classes.

9 When you were little, what was your favorite book?

The Berenstain Bears

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Top row (from left to right): Jaret Prothro, Jason Daniels, Fielding Davis Bottom row: Kate Steelman, Meghan Park, Venae Jessurun, Kendall Schroeder, Hannah Klein, Janna Lejano

10 If you could travel back in time three years

and visit your younger self, what advice would you give yourself?

To be more respectful to my parents and enjoy where I am in life because it goes by so fast.

11 What is the biggest challenge you faced in college?

Realizing that I’m not always going to be the best at something and to be okay with that.

12

What word do people use to describe you most often?

Calm, positive, lively, goofy, laid-back and bubbly

13 What’s the best advice you’ve ever been given?

In order to get ahead, you have to do the right thing when no one is watching.

14

What is the first thing that comes to mind when you think about God? Worship, creative, faithful and love

15 If you could do your first year in college over again, would you make any changes?

Yes. I’d study more and worry less!

16 What was the best thing about being a freshman in college?

My independence

17

What’s your current favorite show to binge watch on Netflix?

New Girl, Chef’s Table and Stranger Things

18 What fictional character would you like to meet?

Batman, Gandolf, Kim Possible and Thor

19 How do you receive your news?

Other people, social media, CNN, Fox, The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times or my mom!

20 What do you think makes SBS unique?

The opportunity to have Bible class everyday and to be mentored by incredible teachers

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A Ministry of Second Baptist Church 6400 Woodway • Houston, Texas 77057 713-365-2310 Address Service Requested

PARENTS OF ALUMNI: If this magazine is addressed to a graduate who no longer maintains a permanent address at your home, notify the Office of Alumni Relations at sbsalumni@secondbaptistschool.org. Please forward this edition of the Eagle on to your SBS graduate. Thank you.

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