EAGLE S E C O N D
B A P T I S T
S C H O O L
WINTER/SPRING EDITION 2012
Critical Thinking
AT SECOND BAPTIST SCHOOL
contents
Winter/Spring 2012
Second Baptist School
6410 Woodway Drive, Houston, Texas 77057 www.secondbaptistschool.org Established in 1946, SBS provides a worldclass 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 Christ-centered 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. The Eagle is published by the Office of Advancement in the fall, winter/spring and summer 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 www.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.
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In order to prepare our students for success in a rapidly changing global society, SBS fosters an educational community that values critical thinking over knowledge gathering.
Middle School students delighted the audience with their show-stopping performance of Alice in Wonderland, Jr.
The Last Word
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A summary of the latest news, events, achievements and highlights at Second Baptist School.
Middle School Musical On the cover: Emma Prestage is enjoying her freshman year at Second Baptist School. Having watched her two older sisters, Anna Kathryn ‘04 and Ellen ‘08, walk the same halls and have many of the same teachers is a special blessing for Emma, who is a lifer at SBS. Her favorite thing about being a high schooler is making friends with students in other grades. Outside of school, Emma is involved in JUMP and takes guitar lessons.
From The Head of School
Campus News
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Alum, coach, and teacher Chris McInturff shares about the impact that SBS has had on his life.
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features
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Critical thinking at Second Baptist School
As we move into a world in which computers do the fact-finding for us, SBS proactively equips its students to interpret and apply knowledge.
Engines of Ingenuity: Upper School Clubs
By taking ownership of extracurricular clubs, SBS students use their leadership and critical thinking skills to make a difference in the community.
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An Insightful Journey through our Nation’s Capital SBS eighth graders share their reflections from the annual trip to Washington D.C.
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alumni
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Alumni Updates
A collection of alumni news from the 1980s, 1990s and 2000s.
Flight Night 2012 Dodgeball
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Over 80 alumni came to participate in the first ever Alumni Dodgeball Tournament, making Flight Night a huge success.
Future Eagles
The newest additions to the SBS community show their school spirit!
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Austin alumni lunch
The Office of Alumni Relations recently visited the alumni in Austin.
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letter from the head of school
in-depth look at what we do to prepare young men and women to compete in a global economy and live for Christ in a global culture. We feel that we must continue to build a curriculum, use masterful pedagogy, build authentic relationships and model a genuine faith that teaches our students to be great thinkers and to use their skills for Christ. Otherwise, our students will be a non-factor in the global work force and in our world.
Critical Thinking,
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Wagner states, “work, learning, and citizenship in the twenty-first century demand that we all know how to think—to reason, analyze, weigh evidence, problem-solve—and to communicate effectively” (xxiii). Students who are raised in a system that praises memorization over analysis will not be prepared for the future. I often state that I want to graduate great thinkers, not great memorizers. Thus, the emphasis in this publication is on the great critical thinking, reading, writing and ciphering taking place at SBS.
Reading,
Second Baptist School’s mission is to train students in areas of knowledge in order for students 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 digitally based global community. Our foundational purpose is clearly to equip young men and women for life. We are not just college preparatory; we are life preparatory. This is why we feel so strongly about teaching, training, and modeling the following seven survival skills, as Tony Wagner defines:
Writing
Ciphering
What is going to make the American educational experience different from that of other cultures? What is going to help our students be competitive and compete successfully for jobs? What do our students need not only to get these jobs but also to keep them?
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ost of us grew up in an educational system that emphasized the pursuit of knowledge. The educational system spent money, energy, and time in an attempt to fill us up with as much information as possible. However, our world is rapidly changing; education’s emphasis on information-gathering must change or the future leaders will not be prepared or competitive. We must not focus on simply pouring out facts for students to memorize, but on helping students learn the power of analytical thinking. They must learn how to access knowledge, cipher and apply that knowledge in order to solve problems, the kind of problems that currently permeate all facets of our world. Knowing that you can access any fact in a split second by surfing the web “flattens the world,” according to Thomas Friedman. Students in China, India, or any other country can get access to the same information our students can. American students must compete in a global economy and they no longer have the advantages they once did. This realization leads to a number of questions about the abilities graduates have to compete for these global jobs. What is going to make the American educational experience different from that of other cultures? What is going to help our students be competitive and compete successfully for jobs? What do our students need not only to get these jobs but also to keep them?
Tony Wagner has written an intriguing book called The Global Achievement Gap: Why Even Our Best Schools Don’t Teach the New Survival Skills Our Children Need. His thesis delineates the skills that matter most in this global knowledge economy. This book, along with Mike Schmoker’s book Focus: Elevating the Essentials to Radically Improve Student Learning, have really challenged the administration, faculty and staff of SBS to take an
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1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7.
Critical Thinking and Problem Solving Collaboration Across Networks and Leading by Influence Agility and Adaptability Initiative and Entrepreneurialism Effective Oral and Written Communication Accessing and Analyzing Information Curiosity and Imagination
The movement within all classrooms at SBS towards more critical thinking in oral and written work has been aggressive over the past two years. Though change takes time, I am privileged to work with an exceptional faculty that is devoted to training students to have the skills needed to succeed as learners, workers and citizens in our global society. Several weeks ago, I posted a quote from Mike Schmoker in my display case outside my office that typifies an ideal American education and what we strive to master here at SBS. All students should have a powerful combination of the following strategies: “adequate amounts of essential subject-area content, concepts, and topics; intellectual/thinking skills (e.g., argument, problem solving, reconciling opposing views, drawing one’s own conclusions); and authentic literacy-purposeful reading, writing, and discussion as the primary modes of learning both content and thinking skills” (26). With these strategies and skills in mind, Second Baptist School truly prepares young men and women to compete in the future marketplace. You will not find all the answers to this global educational issue in this publication. What you will find are the dynamic things Second Baptist School is doing to address the global educational issues for our students’ benefit. You will see rich examples of essential skills being honed by our outstanding teachers. Finally, you will see Christ modeled and lifted up as we strive for excellence in all we do. To God be the glory,
Dr. Jeff D. Williams, Head of School
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A th l etic news fine a r ts N ews C ampus news
campus news
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Campus News pp 4-15
Fine Arts News pp 16-25
Athletic News pp 26-33
Kindergarten Celebrates 100 Day
Kindergarten students know exactly how many days they have been in school this year – they celebrated the 100th day of school on January 26. Arriving at school that morning dressed as 100-year-olds, the young students looked authentically old in their gray wigs, glasses and walking canes. Each kindergarten student also brought a special 100-Day poster with one hundred things attached to it. (continued on next page) Winter/Spring 2012 5
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campus Throughout the day, kindergarteners used a variety of skills to learn about the big number 100. Demonstrating their counting skills, students placed 100 dots on a Dalmatian dog poster, strung 100 fruit loops onto a necklace and made a 100 finger chart. How many cups of popcorn would 100 kernels pop? Or how do you estimate 100 seconds of time? How do 100 pennies make one dollar? Kindergarten students were excited to learn the answers to these questions during their math lesson. Continuing with the classroom fun, teachers presented six bags to the students where they eagerly tried to guess the bag with 100 items in it. And guess what makes a perfect 100-Day snack? Trail mix! During reading time, kindergarteners listened to their teachers read the book 100 Hungry Ants. Then, listening to the parable of the lost sheep, the young students learned how the shepherd left behind his ninety-nine sheep to find the one sheep that was missing. Perhaps one of the students’ favorite activities was the 100-Day rap they performed in the lunchroom for the Lower School students. The presentation was especially fun for the older students who could sing along, as they recalled their 100th day of kindergarten.
Students Visit Yellowstone Academy
SBS third and fourth grade students visited their new prayer partners at Yellowstone Academy, continuing a beloved tradition that Lower School students at SBS and Yellowstone participate in each year. The students’ excitement was apparent as they eagerly exchanged handmade gifts and prayer partner cards. A sweet friendship quickly developed between the children who had just met for the first time. Other students later shared how adorable, funny, or shy their prayer
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partners were as they read to them, played games with them or just chatted with them. In class, their Bible teacher, Cindy Nelson, was able to emphasize how God had perfectly provided each student a prayer partner to pray for and minister to. All of the students agreed it was an honor to be selected for such a noble task.
Lower School Hosts Spelling Bee
Thirty-four Lower School students participated in the second annual SBS Spelling Bee, held in the Sanctuary. One at a time, the contestants stood in front of peers, family members and judges and recited the spelling of a given word. If the student missed the word, he or she was eliminated from the Bee, but if the student spelled it correctly, he or she advanced to the next round. Because of SBS students’ excellent spelling abilities, the Bee went on for more than six rounds. “It took so much courage to stand in front of peers and parents to show spelling skills. I am proud of every student who participated! Second Baptist School has amazing spellers,” Tamara Gallagher, Head of Lower School, said. After several rounds of spelling, the competition came down to two fourth grade students from Mrs. Ramey’s class. Spelling the word “nocturnal” correctly, Olivia won the SBS Spelling Bee.
Third Grade Explores Space Center Houston
Second Baptist third graders enjoyed a day of experiential learning at Space Center Houston. The day began with the NASA tram tour, a behind-the-scenes journey through the Johnson Space Center, where students viewed exciting new space exploration vehicles currently under development. On the tour, they also visited the Historic Apollo Mission Control Center and the Saturn V Complex at Rocket Park.
Back at the Space Center Houston museum, students explored the science behind space travel at Rad Rhonda’s Ultimate Science Lab, where they watched live science demonstrations. Students also had time to explore the Martian Matrix, where they experienced a multitude of hands-on exhibits. Third grader Noah explains, “I thought the NASA field trip was very fun because we learned a lot in an interesting way.” The field trip was a huge success, as students thoroughly enjoyed their time at Space Center Houston.
Bible Study Unites Lower School and Upper School Boys
by Kayla Chambers ‘12 SBS kicked off the FAST boys’ Bible study, or Fast Action Spiritual Training, which aims to create unity throughout the Second Baptist School community and to provide younger boys with godly role models.
Throughout the study, the boys looked at Matthew 7:24-25, when Jesus tells his disciples that “everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock.”
Camden Joubert, a senior who helped out with FAST said, “I really enjoyed hanging out with the Lower School boys. I know they look up to us in high school so it was just a really neat experience.” To conclude their time together, the Upper School guys played games with the boys in the gym. The event showed the younger boys examples of the importance of building their lives upon God’s solid foundation.
First Graders Shine in Annual Program
During the lesson, the leaders asked, “What are you building your life on?” Throughout this interactive study, the boys built a bridge using K’NEX building pieces. The boys attempted to build the bridge on a pillow, which represented a soft foundation, and then attempted to build the bridge on a table, which represented a solid foundation. The boys learned that their lives should be centered around God because He provides a solid foundation.
π During the annual first grade grandparent program, students proudly answered the question, “When I grow up, what will I be?” The program highlighted every child in costume, and gave students an opportunity to perform in front of an audience. Future professions ranged from archaeologists to professional athletes, and one student even posed as a frozen yogurt shop owner. We know that whatever God calls these little ones to be, they have been given a great foundation at SBS!
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campus Four SBS Students Named Eagle Scouts
by Nick Howard ‘12 Scouting has taught me survival methods, Christian morals and many things about myself. A scout begins at the rank of Tenderfoot; he then advances to Second Class, First Class, Star, then to Life. After achieving the Life rank, he seeks the coveted Eagle Scout. Each rank requires different leadership roles that help develop a young boy into a man. Throughout the scouting experience, each scout is taught to live by the Scout Law and Scout Oath, which serve as guidelines for living a selfless, good life. Acquiring the Eagle Scout rank says not only that the scout possesses the knowledge and proper technique to survive in the outdoors, but also that the young man’s character has shown the traits of the Scout Law and Oath. At Second Baptist School, I am one of three seniors to receive Eagle Scout this year. John Van Anglen, Josh Dunegan and I all worked hard to restore our community by completing our Eagle Scout projects. Josh built benches for Yellowstone Academy, John built a sidewalk for the Guthrie Center, and I built a wildlife cage for the Texas Wildlife Rehabilitation Center. Junior Brian Howell recently became an Eagle Scout, too, by completing his project for Star of Hope. Brian built a brick plaza, four park benches and two picnic tables. Senior Bryce Muras joined the ranks of Eagle Scout in 2008. Overall, scouting has been an excellent experience, and has helped me grow into the person I am today.
Special Events Unite Middle School Parents
Reaching out to moms and dads is a top priority for Middle School Administration, which is why they
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host the Middle School Moms Tea and the Dads Breakfast each year. Over 65 moms attended the Middle School Moms Tea, held around Christmas time, and was hosted by Rita Lane, Laverne Thomas, Grace Littlefield and Sally Preston. Each table of moms was given a set of questions to discuss when they arrived. They shared about their favorite Christmas traditions, holiday food, and favorite gifts they were given when they were in Middle School. Then, one mom from each table shared with the group the information they learned about each other. Next, it was time to decorate. Every table was supplied with Christmas odds and ends that they made into a wreath. After they completed the task, Mrs. Lane compared the activity to classroom teachers working with students to make a cohesive classroom. More than 150 dads and their sons gathered for the Middle School Father/Son Breakfast. The theme of the event was patriotism, and decorated war veteran Gary Wood was the featured speaker. Coach Wood is an Upper School teacher and one of the Eagles football coaches. After an inspiring video about military men and women, Coach Wood began his presentation. With passion and enthusiasm, he recalled stories and showed photos of his service during the Vietnam War. Whether it was a funny moment, a friend lost in combat, or a journey he had taken while fighting for the U.S., each picture had a story. A special highlight was the picture of when he received the Purple Heart. It was a moving presentation for dads and sons alike. After Coach Wood spoke, the audience quickly rose to their feet to give him a standing ovation. Head of Middle School, Jon Guthrie, closed the breakfast
by challenging the dads to be accountable to one another. He reminded them that their most important job is to be a great dad. What a blessing it is to be at a school that cares not only for our children, but also for the moms and dads as well!
“Fear Factor: Nutrition” Comes to P.E. Middle School Physical Education classes turned into “Fear Factor: Nutrition” when coaches Susy Crosser and Roxanne Worley used the popular game show as a way to help students understand the importance of making wise food choices.
Dressed in eye-catching costumes, complete with wigs and makeup, Coach Crosser and Coach Worley “pumped up” students with a boy versus girl nutrition competition. During each round, they selected one boy and one girl from each class to participate. The student had to correctly identify the food or beverage the coaches were holding, and then without making a disapproving face, consume the product. Some of the fruits and vegetables tasted and identified included: cherry tomatoes, beets, pomegranate, kale, asparagus, and Odwalla juices. After the students completed each of the challenges, the coaches shared important nutritional information about the item. Coach Crosser and Coach Worley also taught the students how to make wise choices, without sacrificing foods they love. For example, having a turkey hot dog rather than a beef hot dog saves about nine grams of fat, and drinking skim milk is a better choice than whole milk. Choosing Baked Cheetos over regular Cheetos is a much healthier choice to make, yet still allows students to eat chips. “Fear Factor: Nutrition” was a fun way for students to learn how to live a healthful lifestyle!
Fourth Graders Get Creative With Texas History
To wrap up their in-depth study of Texas History, fourth graders created projects based on the Texas Revolution. Throughout the fall semester, the students learned about people that played key roles in the history of Texas and what led to the state’s independence from Mexico. Fourth graders had four options for their projects: construct a 3-D model of a battle, recreate the six flags of Texas and design their own flag, write a poem about the Revolution, or create a PowerPoint presentation about significant people in Texas History. Their projects were proudly on display in the Woliver-Anderson Library. Culminating their unit, they took a field trip to Taste of Texas, where Mrs. Nina Hendee (an alumni parent and current SBS grandparent) gave the fourth graders a tour of the restaurant’s extensive collection of historical artifacts. During the tour, Mrs. Hendee transformed the restaurant into a Texas history museum through her talent and passion for telling stories of the state’s history. Throughout the restaurant are displays of important Texas history objects, such as a portrait of Stephen F. Austin, Republic of Texas currency, and the Six Flags of Texas. Mrs. Hendee talked about the history behind each flag and the length of each country’s rule over the state. She also told stories about the most famous Texans including Moses Austin and Stephen F. Austin, Sam Houston, Gail Borden, William Barrett Travis, Susanna Dickinson, Francisca Alvarez, James Fannin and Jim Bowie. Students especially enjoyed when Mrs. Hendee showed them a Bowie knife and several signatures of famous Texans. The annual fourth grade trip to Taste of Texas is always a delight for students after they have wrapped up the Texas history unit. Mrs. Hendee’s love of Texas history truly makes the students’ classroom learning come alive. Winter/Spring 2012 9
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campus Model UN Named Best Delegation
by Savannah Wilkinson ‘13 Second Baptist Model UN members participated in the annual Houston Area Model United Nations (HAMUN) at the George R. Brown Convention Center with faculty sponsors Toni La’Zurs White and Mary Johnson. The students collected eight individual awards, and the top award for overall best delegation, which is quite an achievement. “Mrs. White and I are very proud of the Model UN students. Our team consisted of many first time participants that weren’t sure what to expect at this HAMUN conference. However, once they arrived, these students listened to what was needed and quickly got involved, forming resolutions, and caucusing with other delegates to pass resolutions,” Mrs. Johnson said.
With 900 students at the conference, twice as many students as last year, the competition was tough. On Thursday, the students were in committee sessions until 9 p.m., working diligently to resolve the given problems. During the lunch, dinner, and staggered breaks, the students were able to spend time with each other before they returned to their specific committees. On Friday, the students continued debates throughout the sessions and drafted multiple resolutions to resolve international disputes among various countries. In their committees, the students not only connected with other committee members but also had the opportunity to role play their countries in debate. At the award ceremony, each committee gave up to four awards, and Second Baptist School collected eight of the distinguished awards.
Model UN Students Travel to the Windy City
“Our senior leaders set a high standard for future SBS teams because of previous awards from HAMUN conferences as well as the recent awards won at the conference in Chicago. With the caliber of student participants that we had, it didn’t surprise us that SBS competed so well. These students are now ‘hooked’ on Model UN and we believe they will continue to set a high standard for the future,” Mrs. Johnson said. Recognized by Committee Chair: Britt Schwing: UN Environmental Programme, United States Honorable Mention: Ben Tour: GA Plenary, Ambassador, Sri Lanka Macy Schmidt: UNHRC, Hungary Outstanding Delegate: Sam Miller: Security Council, United States Josh Dunegan: UN Human Rights Council, United States Preston Williams: UN Development Programme, Sierra Leone Best Delegate: Adam Hammer: International Court of Justice, United States Sam Dunegan: Special Political and Decolonization, Sierra Leone All of the students contributed to the overall Best Delegation Award that was given to Second Baptist School. Several times during the two days, the students received compliments from the staff of the Model UN. Congratulations to the Model UN members!
π In December, a select team of 13 Second Baptist School Model UN members traveled to Chicago to participate in the annual Chicago International Model United Nations Conference. The three-day conference presented live simulations of both historical and current events, and students enacted the roles of the General Assembly, Security Council, cabinets, and regional bodies. Josh Kee and Emily Waters won the Honorable Mention for Outstanding Delegates Award. While in Chicago, SBS students enjoyed the city’s famous deep-dish pizza, strolling the Miracle Mile and sightseeing.
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Lower School Readers Vote for Favorite Books
The Woliver-Anderson Library turned into a bluebonnet garden when qualifying third and fourth grade students arrived to vote for their favorite books on the 20112012 Texas Bluebonnet Award Master List. To qualify, students had to read a minimum of five of the twenty books on the list. SBS is proud that 113 students qualified to vote this year! Fifteen students read all 20 books on the list and received a few surprises to
celebrate their accomplishment. As an extra incentive, Upper School art students painted bluebonnets on students’ faces and hands; the students had the opportunity to have one bluebonnet painted for every five books read. Students also received a sweet treat for their reading accomplishments. After the ballots were counted, nearly every book on the list was named as a favorite. However, a few books stood out as clear winners among SBS students. The top four Bluebonnet books at SBS are: 1st Place: The Shadows by Jacqueline West 2nd Place: The Strange Case of Origami Yoda by Tom Angleberger 3rd Place: Imogene’s Last Stand by Candace Fleming 4th Place: Out of My Mind by Sharon Draper A special thanks goes out to Yuann Chang, Jenna Exley, Emily Harvin, Courtney Lewis, Megan Rogers, and Jessica Zhang for their masterpieces, displayed on the faces and hands of the bluebonnet voters. Another special thanks to the entire committee of parent volunteers that assisted in Bluebonnet Voting Day.
Sailing Club Nationally Ranked
by Clay Broussard ‘14 Did you know that the SBS Sailing Club is ranked 15th in the nation for single-handed sailing? Sailing Club is starting to take off at Second Baptist School. Currently, the Second Baptist Sailing Team is ranked fifteenth in the nation in single-handed sailing (one person on the boat) and twenty-third in the Southeastern region double handed sailing (two people on the boat). During the club meetings, the group looks at current events in the sailing world and learns new things about the complex sport of sailing. On the weekends, the club goes down to Lakewood Yacht Club and sails in Clear Lake for practice and on the water experience.
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campus Sophomores Look Forward to Leadership Seminar
Each year, SBS Upper School teachers nominate outstanding sophomore students to attend the HOBY leadership conference. Sophomores Micah Adickes and Elizabeth Mayes were chosen, and both are grateful for the opportunity to develop their leadership skills during the seminar. The HOBY Texas Gulf Coast Leadership Seminar is a three-day conference where sophomore students from the Gulf Coast area are inspired by business and community leaders to take greater roles in leadership. The event takes place each summer at Rice University, where students spend the weekend in dorms on campus. “We are both eager to go to the leadership seminar to receive professional guidance so that we can take the skills we learned back to school next year,” Elizabeth said. During the three days, students will interact with distinguished speakers who seek to relate to and challenge the students. The students will also participate in hands-on activities that will help them discover more about issues affecting local and global societies today. The seminar is life enriching for student leaders, and both Micah and Elizabeth look forward to the experience.
Eighth Grade Students Put Words Into Action
To wrap up their semester in eighth grade Bible, Coach Adam Huss gave his students an assignment to complete a service project and write a short essay summarizing the job and explaining what they learned. Reaching out to many types of organizations and meeting various needs in the community, these eighth graders have definitely cultivated a heart for service. Coach Huss reflected, “The students did great and I truly believe they got a lot out of doing the service for others.”
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Lauren Park and Taylor Kollmorgen helped Javier, a man in a trailer park who lost everything after his trailer caught on fire. The Red Cross provided him a new trailer, but he still did not have electricity, food or water. The girls took him a warm Thanksgiving dinner from Luby’s, groceries, plus a Bible and a devotional book, both written in Spanish. Meeting Javier was a humbling experience for the girls, as they were able to talk to him about many topics, including faith. “When we were talking to Javier, I remembered the moment when Dr. Young told us in the Thanksgiving Service that the one thing Satan can never take away is our thankfulness,” Lauren said. “Javier was so thankful to be alive and to have his hands, legs and eyes after trying to put out the fire. This experience taught me to appreciate what I have, and not waste time thinking about the things I don’t have.” Harrison Coons assembled bikes for underprivileged children through the organization Elves and More, a group he has volunteered with before. They have donated more than 118,000 bikes to children and families and the organization is changing lives, one bike at a time. “The bikes give people a means of transportation so that children can attend sports practice, scout meetings, after school programs or tutoring classes,” Harrison said. “Last year, a grandmother was thrilled to receive a bike to give to her grandchild for Christmas because she could not afford to buy gifts. Knowing how much we had helped her made my Christmas!” Rachel LeVrier collected socks to donate to Star of Hope. She asked all Middle School students to bring in a package of new socks, and in return they could wear slippers or flip-flops to school on a Friday. Rachel coordinated the project by talking to Star of Hope and finding out what their immediate needs were, and then coordinating the collection with Mr. McManus and Mr. Guthrie. Rachel was grateful for
the experience Coach Huss gave her grade to help out and make a change, even if it was a small one. The eighth graders participated in all kinds of projects. Meredith Kim collected school supplies for a school in Honduras. Kayla Cecil collected baby clothes for an orphanage in China. Sara Felt collected and donated money for an orphanage in China for kids with disabilities. Kate Lilly helped a family get into the Christmas spirit by decorating their apartment for them. The husband has had throat cancer for over 15 years, and uses a white board to talk to people, including his wife, Gladis. Through his jokes and light-hearted spirit, he put a smile on Kate’s face with his cheerful attitude. “This family has never gotten into the Christmas spirit because they are not with their family. I wanted to help them get into the spirit, and it made my heart leap with joy when they saw the decorations in the room, including the tree. The looks on their faces were priceless,” Kate said. Many served in local shelters such as Star of Hope and Angels of Light, and Daniel Songer even served at the Church in the Park, making sandwiches and handing out bottled water. Tristan Townsend put together a Thanksgiving meal and fed the the homeless. Paul Stolle bought blankets and delivered them to homeless Houstonians. Zachary Hojabri played bingo with residents at Spring Branch Nursing Home. Overall, the eighth graders truly learned the value of helping others, and this project will certainly help to emphasize our School’s commitment to service.
SBS Students Celebrate Thanksgiving
π In a spirit of thanksgiving, the SBS family gathered at the annual All School Thanksgiving Praise Service. A tradition that has become a favorite at SBS, the service featured Cliff Young ’91, Kara Lee and Brian Long, who led worship songs that were enjoyed by students in grades K-12. Dr. Ed Young gave an inspiring message about having an attitude of gratitude. He encouraged the students to be grateful for their common blessings, special blessings, and the most important blessing – the gift of Jesus Christ.
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campus Students Honor MLK by Serving Community
To commemorate Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Second Baptist School students followed the great leader’s example by spending time focused on service projects for the community. In addition to working on their projects, teachers also took time to explain to students about Martin Luther King, Jr. and his significance in history. Pre-Kindergarten students decorated place mats for residents of Vosswood Nursing Center. The place mats were adorned with festive snowflakes so that the residents can use them to decorate their tables and trays. The Soaring Eagles class delivered the place mats to the residents and enjoyed an afternoon reading together and having a snack. During January, our Kindergarten students collected items for care packages to send to soldiers stationed overseas. On Service Day, they filled boxes with these items and learned the importance of remembering those who are serving our country. First graders had a special opportunity on Service Day to learn about Living Water International. Earlier this month, each first grade student was given one bottle of water to drink. After drinking the water, they were encouraged to complete special chores at home to earn change to put back into the bottle. During their service project, the students were able to see the
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condition of the water that povertystricken cultures are drinking. They also were able to pick up a large, heavy container of water that the families must fill and carry back to their homes. The donated change, along with handwritten cards made by the students, will be given to Living Water International to help thirsty children and their families to be supplied with clean drinking water. Creating unity among the school levels, the second and seventh graders partnered together during Service Day to write blessing cards and pack boxes to be delivered to Agape Ministries, which was founded by Kirk and Amanda Craig, SBS graduates from the Class of 1996. The cards were given to Agape Ministries, along with donated items for the families that Agape serves. The second and seventh graders brought non-perishable snack items and drinks, along with gift cards to grocery stores. SBS third graders spent time showing their gratitude to many of the hard working employees at Second Baptist Church. They wrote personal thank you letters to the facilities staff, maintenance crew and the housekeeping group. Writing these letters enabled the students to have a moment of reflection as they expressed their sincere appreciation for such a hard working group of people. United together, fourth and eighth graders had the big task of assembling gift bags for residents of the Star of Hope. The students assembled 300 gift bags of
necessities for women and children. SBS students brought items such as Kleenex, toilet paper, soap, lotion, small toys, stickers, baby wipes and stamped envelopes, and much more. Each fourth grader partnered with an eighth grader and they walked around the Fellowship Hall gathering items to place into a gift bag. Working together, the students formed special relationships while acting in the spirit of service.
Eagle Spirit Soars at Flight Night
The annual winter sports celebration, Flight Night, is a cherished tradition saved on student and alumni calendars each year. This year’s activities began with a spirited all school pep rally, featuring a teacher basketball shoot-out, performances by the SBS cheerleaders and a game highlighting the MS and US basketball teams. Keeping with tradition, the pep rally ended with the SBS class yells. The fifth grade won the Middle School class yells, and the juniors led the Upper School with their tremendous school spirit. There was something for everyone during the evening activities at Flight Night. The Burger Daddies fired up the grill, while families enjoyed dinner and plenty of entertainment. A highlight of the evening came when the Lower School students participated in a dribble relay between the games. They ran fast and dribbled hard as they competed against one another to win. Following
their relay, they took the gym floor and participated in the “Cupid Shuffle,” a dance they enjoy doing on Fridays during P.E. classes. Tipping off first, the women’s varsity basketball team played a competitive game against Christian Home School Athletics. The Eagles pulled out a victory, winning the game 50-43. The men’s varsity team was in command of their game against the CHSA Wolverines, with a final score of 65-48. Scoring multiple times behind the threepoint line caused the crowd to stay on their feet to cheer for the Eagles at Flight Night.
Second Graders Enjoy a Day at the Zoo
The second grade classes traveled to the Houston Zoo to see and appreciate God’s creation of the animal kingdom. In addition to viewing the regular exhibits, second graders were treated to a fun and informative program in the Butterfly Pavilion of the Children’s Zoo. Those who had not seen the new African Forest section of the zoo found it especially interesting. The setting is designed to make visitors feel as if they are walking through a savannah, seeing the giraffes in the wild. Also, students were glad to see that chimpanzees are now a part of our hometown zoo. “I liked the monkeys with the flat faces,” said Callie. “He put his face on the window and stared at us.” Some students were able to see the baby elephants frolic in their new pool and the lions play in a water spray. They were not surprised to learn that the Houston Zoo is ranked among the top five in our country, because they all anticipate visiting again.
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Middle School Presents: Alice in Wonderland, Jr. by Laura Laughead ‘16
Performing in Alice in Wonderland, Jr. was hard work as we, the cast, rehearsed many hours in order for the show to be outstanding. Our directors, Mrs. Cindy Blades and Mrs. Claire Westmoreland, made sure that we practiced with excellence. A play of this magnitude requires a lot of hard work, and we rehearsed three days a week, on weekends, and even occasionally during the lunch hour. At one point, the show basically looked like a mess, but after an emphatic and inspiring speech from Mrs. Blades, our show not only improved but also evolved into the production that many people came to see. Overall, practices were fun, and watching all my peers act as characters that were not exactly within their comfort zones was pretty entertaining. During rehearsals, everyone put in his or her best efforts.
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fine arts Performing and getting ready for the shows was an absolute blast. I loved applying layers and layers of purple makeup and extremely long eyelashes to fully become my character, Violet, a very snooty flower. Some actors had to apply so much heavy and dark makeup they couldn’t completely remove it. They would then show up the next day at school with red faces and glue still in their eyelashes. The eyelashes, however, were the best part of the makeup. Almost everyone in the play wore extremely long eyelashes and spent a long time watching YouTube videos to learn how to put them on. Costuming created big challenges for the cast and the mothers who volunteered to help. I watched some of my classmates gain a ton of weight for their parts. A fat suit and pillow turned ex-gymnast Avery Northcutt into a chubby white rabbit. More pillows did the trick to change Lizzie Darwin and Caylin Falcon into rotund Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dum and Hanna Austin, Margaret Hoffman, and Kate Lily into chunky Cheshire cats. Some of the costuming really challenged us because Flower Lucy Tomforde and those who played Bugs like Vanessa Jessurun, Peyton Posell, and Caroline Wiesen had to make very hard 90 second costume changes. The costumes for this play were absolutely amazing thanks to Mrs. Kimberly Chambers, Mrs. Mary Ann Rankin, Mrs. Leigh Tomforde, Mrs. Rhonda Miller, Mrs. Kellye Williams, and many other wonderful mothers. They created beautiful costumes to transform us into a variety of musical characters. Makeup and complicated costumes just added to pre-show jitters. Thanks to Mrs. Blades and Mrs. Westmoreland, those hard rehearsal hours made the jitters disappear when we stepped into the lights for four big shows. I know that my cast full of friends will always be bound together by great memories every time we hear or sing “Zip-A-DeeDoo-Dah.”
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Congratulations to the cast of Alice! Gabie Adickes Gabi Amaya Katelin Ames Nathan Ammerman Hanna Austin Riley Bailiff Abbey Barkley Bitsy Brandfield-Harvey Carly Broussard Cooper Carlyle William Chambers Paige Connell Jason Daniels Hannah Dargahi Lizzie Darwin Caroline Dore Ally Duell Alina Erb Elizabeth Gaddis Emma Golden Colter Hawkins Connor Hays John Hildreth Margaret Hofmann Annie Hurley Vanessa Jessurun Venae Jessurun Natalie Jobe Brent Johnson Joshua King Hannah Klein Lolo Kroll Lauren Latinkic Laura Laughead Zach LeVrier Kate Lilly David Little Bryce Maffet Grace McGill Case Miller Corbin Nichols Avery Northcutt Meghan Park Bubba Pfeffer Olivia Pipkin Parker Posell Payton Posell Jaret Prothro Paul Rush Jessica Salwen Megan Sanders Kendall Schroeder Corbin Schwinger Kelsie Shoemake Daniel Songer Kendall Spurlin Lucy Tomforde David Towne Tristan Townsen Glenn Turner Andrew Verghese Nathan Verghese Nicholas Verghese Twila Wales Caroline Wiesen Will Wilkerson Caylin Wilkey-Falcon Lindsey Williams Claire Young
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fine arts Sixth Graders Prepare for Musicals in New Course Sixth graders are learning about what it takes to be in a musical in the new Musical Theatre Performance class. New to the Middle School curriculum this year is the Musical Theatre Performance class taught by Mrs. Cindy Blades and Mrs. Claire Westmoreland. This class – for sixth graders only – is a great stepping-stone to learn all about performing in musicals, a rich tradition at SBS.
The students go through a mock audition process, which Mrs. Blades and Mrs. Westmoreland film so they can review and critique the audition with each student. The students also learn about the rehearsal process and what is expected of them during vocal and blocking rehearsals. They learn stage directions, as well as what it takes to develop a character as an actor. “We have a lot of fun putting all of this together. Throughout the semester, we direct them in a minimusical and then they perform for their parents, teachers and peers,” Mrs. Westmoreland said. The musical that they prepared for during the fall was “North Pole Star,” a Christmas show with an American Idol twist. Each of the reindeer performed a song for the panel of judges, and each actor put a unique spin on his or her character.
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“This class really helps the students’ confidence when it comes to auditioning for the Middle School musical in seventh and eighth grades,” Mrs. Westmoreland said. “Our goal is that by the time our students arrive in Upper School, they feel comfortable auditioning in front of a panel of judges, since they will have had so much practice during Middle School.”
Photography Students go on the Road
by Emily Harvin ‘12 Photography One and AP Photography students took a field trip to the George Ranch to enhance their photography skills and capture some great moments! George Ranch is a living history site with people acting and living as if it were the 1800’s. The field trip was a great chance for students to take various photos in a different environment. They toured through the 1800-styled houses and talked to the characters of the time period. They broadened their creativity while taking photos of objects, people, and animals in the houses. George Ranch was a great place for the student photographers to focus on the detail, texture, and lighting in their photos. Photo One students focused on their “depth of field” project with their film cameras, while AP Photo used both digital and film to take photos of
what inspired them. The wonderful antique furniture and outdoor scenery provided many things to photograph. They also spoke to cowboys, ranch hands, and blacksmiths who made for great subjects in portrait photography. In the end, the students had a great time taking photos while learning about history.
Students Win Awards for Rodeo Artwork
One of the longest-running traditions of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo is the School Art Program. Each year, more than 300,000 entries are submitted from young artists all over the Houston area. Students in pre-kindergarten through twelfth grade enter their paintings, drawings, and sculptures that keep with the theme of Western culture, history or heritage. Participants receive a blue, red, or white ribbon of recognition, and one of our students won “Best of Show,” the top honor an artist can receive from the Rodeo. Preparing for the competition in art class was especially fun for our Lower School students. To help kindergarten artists, Mrs. Day taught the students a song about how to draw baby pigs. First graders were excited to draw their version of rodeo clowns, while learning how to show expression and detail in their artwork. Second
grade students expressed their artistic flare through mixed media, and created images of bluebonnets and Texas wildflowers. Our fourth graders participated in a cowboy and cowgirl photo shoot and then used the photo to create a realistic western self-portrait. Congratulations to the following ribbon winners: Blue Ribbon: Coe (K), Molly (1) and Ashley (3) Red Ribbon: Grace (K), Jules (1), Cole (1), Nicholas (1), Bella (2), Leighton (2), Hannah (3), Katie (4) and Nicholas (4) Eighth grade students explored various techniques and entered acrylic bluebonnet paintings and black and white ink paintings of cowboys on horses. Kayla Cecil earned two red ribbons. Taylor Bourgeois, Lauren Fisher, Brent Johnson, and Mabry Schlenker each earned white ribbons for their paintings. Senior AP Art student Courtney Lewis won the coveted “Best of Show” prize for her drawing. Her landscape piece will be prominently displayed in the Hayloft Gallery throughout the entire run of the rodeo. Senior Christine Kharkevitch won a Gold Medal for her artwork, and her picture will also be displayed in the gallery throughout the rodeo. Other Upper School art awards included Michele Howard (blue ribbon) and Kennan Jones (blue ribbon).
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fine arts Choirs Shine at Christmas Concert
by Morgan Cummins ‘12 The Middle and Upper School Choirs entertained audience members at the Choral Christmas Concert, a Christmas tradition at Second Baptist School. On December 5, Vision, Genesis and Revelation choirs entertained parents and faculty with the Christmas Concert. Each choir sang traditional Christmas songs such as “Winter Wonderland,” “O Holy Night,” “Joy to the World” and “Silent Night” and less common songs like “Oye Es Dia,” “Still Still Still,” and “Night of Silence.” Mrs. Patterson, the choir director, enhanced the traditional Christmas Concert by adding more choreography and involving the audience in the program. She also gave the choir a more elegant look with long, black gowns and pearls added to the girls’ ensemble. Mrs. Patterson also included more solos in the program; seniors Katherine Herrington and Sophie Adickes and junior Kasey Sisson all performed in the show.
Instrumental Concert Spotlights SBS Musicians
The annual Instrumental Christmas Concert was a night of great holiday music, performed by the fifth and sixth grade bands and the Concert Band. Though they had only been playing together three months, the fifth grade band opened the show with their piece “The Good King Rocks,” which energetically began the evening. The sixth grade group followed with their performances of “Fantasy on a French Carol” and “Christmas Gloria.” Joseph Bolling and Grayson Edwards shined during the crowd favorite, “Feliz Navidad.” Dressed in authentic Mexican ponchos and sombreros, the boys were highly entertaining!
The Concert Band, comprised of Middle and Upper School students, also gave an outstanding show. Their four numbers, which included “Fantasia on Christmas Comes Anew,” “Santa Baby,” “Christmas Swings” and “Sleigh Ride,” amazed the audience and created a festive Christmas atmosphere. “The Concert Band has made huge improvements over the past four years. This was by far their best performance,” Mr. Mark Lewis, Director of Instrumental Music at Second Baptist School, said. “I’m really proud of all of the groups and how well they performed at the concert.” The show was a great success, and all bands truly showcased musical talent at SBS.
To help the Vision Choir prepare for the concert, guest clinician Eddie Quaid worked with the students. Listening and critiquing, he helped the singers get their Christmas music ready. Working with Mr. Quaid was an exciting opportunity for the students to expand their knowledge in singing choral literature. Also included in the Christmas Concert was the outstanding Middle School Choir, under the direction of Mrs. Claire Westmoreland. The choir performed holiday favorites such as “Santa Claus is Comin’ To Town” and “All I Want For Christmas Is You.” The Middle School Choir has many gifted singers and their talents were showcased as they opened up the concert with their beautiful songs. Overall, Mrs. Patterson, Mrs. Westmoreland, and the four choirs together made the Christmas performance a huge success!
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Athletic news
SWIM TAKES STATE!
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athletic Swim Takes State!
The Eagles held on to their state crown at the TAPPS State Swim Meet in San Antonio. In a repeat of 2011, the men’s team finished an impressive eleven points ahead of the second place team. They scored 76 points in the final four events to pull out an upset over pre-meet favored San Antonio Christian for the TAPPS Division II State Championship! For the men’s team, this is the second consecutive title and third state swimming title overall. In a very close battle, the women’s team finished in fourth place, only 15 points behind second place. The SBS swim team has been setting records throughout their 2011-2012 season, and the state meet was no exception as several school records were shattered. The men’s team broke two records and the women’s team set one new school record. The men’s team took the state championship in two relay events (200 Medley Relay and 400 Free Relay) and three individual events (200 Free, 100 Back, 100 Breast) while the women’s team captured first place in the 200 Free Relay for the third straight year! There were several events that just missed the mark of setting new school records.
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“The success of this season was truly a team effort from both groups,” Mark Hahn, Head Swim Coach, said. “Congratulations to all of our swimmers for an awesome job. I am so proud of our team.”
New SBS School Records
200 Medley Relay (1:45.81): Graham Mitchell, Jerry Leung, Collin Whalen, John Van Anglen 100 Back (56.45): Collin Whalen 400 Free Relay (4:15.03): Margaret Hartman, Katharine Kimmel, Grace Pfeffer, Alyse Walters
State Champions
First Place: 100 Back and 200 Free: Collin Whalen 100 Breast: John Van Anglen 200 Medley Relay: Graham Mitchell, Jerry Leung, Collin Whalen, John Van Anglen 400 Free Relay: Micah Henderson, Jerry Leung, Collin Whalen, John Van Anglen 200 Free Relay: Margaret Hartman, Katharine Kimmel, Grace Pfeffer, Alyse Walters Second Place: 50 Free: Jerry Leung 200 IM: John Van Anglen 200 Free: Katharine Kimmel 400 Free Relay: Margaret Hartman, Katharine Kimmel, Grace Pfeffer, Alyse Walters
Third Place: 200 Free Relay: Ethan Hackett, Will Hale, Micah Henderson, Graham Mitchell Fourth Place: 100 Free: Jerry Leung 50 Free: Grace Pfeffer Fifth Place: 50 Free: Margaret Hartman 100 Free: Katharine Kimmel Sixth Place: 100 Free: Grace Pfeffer Seventh Place: 100 Free: Margaret Hartman Eighth Place: 200 Medley Relay: Christon Nichols, Sydney Salters, April Van Anglen, Alyse Walters 50 Free: Graham Mitchell Ninth Place: 100 Free: Graham Mitchell Tenth Place: 100 Fly: Will Hale The 2012 seniors and team captains are: Will Hale, Jerry Leung, John Van Anglen and Alyse Walters.
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athletic Championships. During the 2011 season, he celebrated his 400th career win. Congratulations to Coach Schroeder on this prestigious award!
Senior Named to All-Greater Houston Baseball Team
Quarterback Commits to Ivy League
Senior Ernest Evans II has signed a letter of intent to play football at Dartmouth College with a full ride scholarship. While quarterback at Second Baptist School, Evans was named MVP of the varsity football team, first team all district quarterback, first team all district offensive MVP and TAPPS honorable mention all state quarterback. “We are so proud of Ernest, and wish him all the best in his college career,” Mike Sneed, Head Football Coach, said. “We are sure to see great things from him on and off the field.” Ernest plans to major in Economics, and after graduating from Dartmouth, he plans to go to law school.
Schroeder Named Regional Coach of the Year
Jeff Schroeder can add another award to his impressive list of coaching accolades – ABCA/ Diamond Sports Regional Coach
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of the Year. The long-time SBS Head Baseball Coach received this honor from the American Baseball Coaches Association. “Jeff is more than an exceptional coach. He is a mentor who encourages, supports, teaches, models and lives a life that ultimately young men want to follow,” Dr. Jeff Williams, Head of School, said. “He uses the game of baseball to bring out the very best in every player.” Coach Schroeder is currently the Athletic Director at SBS and is preparing for his 24th season as Head Baseball Coach. “My ability to accept this award on behalf of our school would not be possible if it were not for the exceptional student athletes, coaches and administration that surround me,” Coach Schroeder said. SBS hired Coach Schroeder in 1989 as the Head Baseball Coach. Since then, he has earned 3 State Championships, 4 State Runner Up Titles, 11 Final Four/Regional Championships, 19 Bi-District Playoff Appearances, and 9 District
by Annie Samuelson ‘12 Senior varsity baseball player, Billy Arendt, has been nominated to the All-Greater Houston team that was recognized at the Annual Houston Baseball Dinner. Billy has played at the varsity level for 4 years at Second Baptist and has received numerous awards, which include second-team all-state shortstop 2011, first-team allacademic 2011, first-team all-district 2010-2011, nominated to PreSeason “All Houston” Team 2011, nominated to Houston “Top-10 Power Hitters” 2011, and Under Armour Pre-Season All-American 2011, among other distinguished accomplishments. Billy’s love for the game began when he picked up his first baseball bat at age four. As a senior, Billy reflects on the impact baseball has had on his life: “It seems like a short time ago I was a little kid in the stands watching Second Baptist play, hoping that someday I would be out on the same field. Now, with the help of God, my family, my teammates and friends who have pushed me forward, and every coach (good and bad), I have reached that goal. I am grateful for everything that baseball has done for me: the friendships gained, the character built and the new doors it has opened.” Billy is the eighth player from SBS to receive this prestigious honor. Former Eagles include Brandon Powell (‘10), Cooper Smith (‘09), Ross Seaton (‘08), Colby Smith (‘06), Aaron Thompson (‘05), Russell Dixon (‘04), and Kyle Reynolds (‘02).
Men’s Soccer Sets New Record
by Sam Miller ‘12 Ending its season with a winning record for the first time in SBS history, the men’s soccer team can be proud of what they have accomplished. The team had impressive performances throughout their 9-9 season, and especially enjoyed the games played at SBS. They played with integrity and effort, gaining valuable field experience with every game. Now, the Eagles look to the future with upcoming seniors like Chris Maurer, Ian Giles, and James Richter and younger players like Cade Edwards, James Todd, and returning keeper Samuel Worsham. Undoubtedly, these players will carry on the legacy of the program, and hopefully will lead the team to playoffs next year. Go Eagles!
Women’s Soccer Ends Season in Playoffs
by Kendall Looney ‘12 The varsity women’s soccer team ended their season with an 11-9 record, and finished their year in the first round of playoffs with a loss to San Antonio Christian. Coach Geoff Brooks was notably impressed with his team throughout the season, as they had a significant amount of success, despite their injuries. Brooks said, “I could not be more proud of our team this year. They put in a tremendous amount of effort each and every day, and always fought hard until the last second of the game. As a coach, that’s all you can ask for.” At the close of the season, the team agreed that their season was great, but were sad to have played their last game together and that the season was over. Those that will be returning to play next year feel they are well prepared because of the legacy that the senior leaders have left.
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TAPPS All-District and All-State Honors
Final Buzzer Sounds on Men’s Basketball Season by Bryce Muras ‘12 The varsity men’s basketball team heard the final buzzer as Arlington Grace Prep defeated the Eagles 81-41. This year, an entirely new coaching staff was assembled to coach a team with only one senior. Just like the coaching staff, the varsity team was new. Over half of the team had never played at the varsity level and a quarter of the team consisted of freshmen.
The team’s journey began in September with the off-season fall league. The Eagles were trying to find their identity, while other teams blew by them running on previous years’ chemistry. The Eagles went 1-8 in the fall league. The Eagles’ prospects looked dim as the official season began. The team played and lost to many opponents. By the beginning of January, however, the Eagles were 9-10. District play started out rough with back-to-back losses. The Eagles made some adjustments and won the next five games. The Eagles took fourth place in district; however, earning a playoff seed proved difficult. The Eagles lost in overtime to Lutheran North. The win would have given the Eagles a guaranteed playoff spot. It came down to the following Saturday for the Eagles to clinch the last playoff seed in overtime against Northland
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Christian. They won with a buzzer beater from Tim Williams to secure their playoff berth. On Saturday, in the first round of playoffs against Arlington Grace Prep, the final buzzer rang and ended the Eagles’ hard fought season. The Eagles went 16-16 for the season. The buzzer marked the end of high school basketball for #15 Nick Madole and Manager Bryce Muras. Even though the wins equaled the losses, strong team chemistry has been created for next year. For everyone that has supported the team throughout the year, thank you.
Women’s Basketball Ends Season at Regionals
The varsity women’s basketball team ended its season in the regional round of playoffs, falling short of the win against TK Gorman Catholic School. The team played hard all four quarters, but could not stop the Crusaders. The game ended dramatically when freshman Rachel Stading made a major three point shot at the buzzer, but the Eagles lost 73-51. “I was very proud of the way the girls came together as a team this year,” Head Coach Eric Boettcher said. “The team worked hard all season long and showed improvement throughout the season. It was a great year!”
The team had a successful season, finishing third in district with an overall record of 26-12 for the year. Senior captains Taylor Barnett and Megan Milam did an outstanding job leading the team throughout the entire season. Taylor finished the season leading the team and the city of Houston in scoring with 25.8 points per game.
The following athletes were recognized by TAPPS as all-district and all-state team selections.
VOLLEYBALL
ALL-ACADEMIC AWARDS Samantha Strother
ALL-STATE AWARDS Micah Adickes, TAPPS Honorable Mention All-State Offensive Line Carter Brown, TAPPS Honorable Mention All-State Linebacker Chris Callahan, TAPPS 1st Team All-State Punter Earnest Evans, TAPPS Honorable Mention All-State Quarterback Camden Joubert, TAPPS 2nd Team All-State Defensive Back Will Zimmerman, TAPPS Honorable Mention All-State Receiver
FOOTBALL
MEN’S SOCCER
ALL-DISTRICT AWARDS Samantha Strother, 1st Team All-District Emily Walker, 1st Team All-District Savannah Wilkinson, 2nd Team All-District ALL-STATE AWARDS Samantha Strother, 2nd Team All-State Emily Walker, Honorable Mention All-State
Middle School Sports Accolades The Middle School boys’ swim team won the conference. The 8th grade girls’ basketball team won the HJPC conference, marking off a 29-1 record for this year and a 56-1 record for their middle school career.
ALL-TOURNAMENT AWARDS Samantha Strother Emily Walker
ALL-DISTRICT AWARDS Micah Adickes, 1st Team All-District OL Carter Brown, 1st Team All-District LB Chris Callahan, 1st Team All-District Punter Earnest Evans, 1st Team All-District QB Earnest Evans, 1st Team All-District Offense-MVP Camden Joubert, 1st Team All-District DB David Kroll, 1st Team All-District DL Will Zimmerman, 1st Team All-District WR David Abbott, 2nd Team All-District OL Chris Callahan, 2nd Team All-District PK Taylor Dick, 2nd Team All-District DB Ethan Hackett, 2nd Team All-District RB Adam Hammer, 2nd Team All-District LB Jordan Stading, 2nd Team All-District WR
ALL-DISTRICT AWARDS Cade Edwards,1st Team All-District Josh Dunegan,1st Team All-District Adam Hammer, 1st Team All-District Nick Howard, 2nd Team All-District John David Link, 2nd Team All-District Christopher Maurer, 2nd Team All-District James Richter, 2nd Team All-District Matthew Beall, Honorable Mention All-District Ian Giles, Honorable Mention All-District ALL-ACADEMIC AWARDS Josh Dunegan Adam Hammer
WOMEN’S SOCCER
ALL-DISTRICT AWARDS Kendall Looney, 1st Team All-District Meagan Maloney, 1st Team All-District Molly Tollett, 1st Team All-District Asha Worsham, 1st Team All-District Sara Bresser, 2nd Team All-District Ashley Elliott, 2nd Team All-District Ally Finken, 2nd Team All-District Jolie Parrish, 2nd Team All-District Kasey Sisson, 2nd Team All-District Kristen Thomas, 2nd Team All-District
Jen Mohler, Honorable Mention
ALL-STATE AWARDS Molly Tollett, Honorable Mention ALL-ACADEMIC AWARDS Kendall Looney Molly Tollett
WOMEN’S BASKETBALL
ALL-DISTRICT AWARDS Taylor Barnett, 1st Team All-District Michelle Howard, 1st Team All-District Kristen Milton, 2nd Team All-District Rachel Stading, 2nd Team All-District ALL-ACADEMIC AWARDS Taylor Barnett
MEN’S BASKETBALL
ALL-DISTRICT AWARDS Tim Williams, 1st Team All-District Juan Aparicio, 2nd Team All-District Nick Madole, 2nd Team All-District Jay Prince, Honorable Mention
SWIMMING
ALL-STATE AWARDS Margaret Hartman, 1st Team All-State Micah Henderson, 1st Team All-State Katharine Kimmel, 1st Team All-State Jerry Leung, 1st Team All-State Graham Mitchell, 1st Team All-State Grace Pfeffer, 1st Team All-State John Van Anglen, 1st Team All-State Alyse Walters, 1st Team All-State Collin Whalen, 1st Team All-State Ethan Hackett, Honorable Mention Will Hale, Honorable Mention ALL-ACADEMIC AWARDS Margaret Hartman Katherine Kimmel Jerry Leung Grace Pfeffer Kevin Sweat John Van Anglen Alyse Walters Collin Whalen
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Critical
Thinking
At Second Baptist School
The Cultivation of an Essential 21st Century Skill
by Johannah Kersey
A world-renowned scientist inventing a cancer vaccine. A Silicon Valley entrepreneur creating a small technology company. A Supreme Court justice rendering a verdict. All of these breakthrough moments depend upon strong critical thinking skills for success. In an age when computers seem to do all the thinking for us, the need for critical thinkers has never been greater. The best and brightest minds are needed to find cures for cancer, create jobs in America, and educate young minds. A critical thinker is not the person who knows the most, but rather the person who knows how to best interpret and apply knowledge. As a companion piece to the feature article from the last Eagle “Creativity at Second Baptist School,� this article examines the need for equipping our students to become strong critical thinkers. With the
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Critical Thinking
dynamic duo of creativity and critical thinking, students are equipped to navigate and succeed in our competitive global economy. These vital 21st Century skills go hand in hand. Second Baptist School has always had a strong commitment to educating critical thinkers. In fact, the very mission of the School embodies this objective: “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 digitally-based global community.” Each year, the faculty and administration seek to make critical thinking an integral component of the educational experience at SBS. The Origin of Critical Thinking The Word of God has much to say about the mind. Ultimately, God has given humans the powerful gift of wisdom, having the ability to use the mind to think critically from a righteous perspective. In Jeremiah 33:3, God encourages humankind to seek wisdom through Him: “Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.” Colossians 3:16 urges followers of Christ to “let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom.” This call to seek and obtain wisdom through Christ is taken very seriously at SBS. The roots of critical thinking in an educational context date back to the teaching of Socrates, inventor of the Socratic method, which is a teaching style that uses probing questions to elicit critical thought. Responders are forced to use sound evidence and reasoning to respond. SBS teachers use this method today to challenge students to think independently and rationally to solve a problem or answer a question.
The Development of Critical Thinking A magic formula for gaining critical thinking skills does not exist. A new trend in curriculum development or the latest technological gadget will not suddenly impart the ability to think analytically to students. Rather, critical thinking skills are obtained through a systematic, disciplined approach to learning. Simply put, critical thinking involves the process of analyzing, synthesizing and applying knowledge. When students engage in critical thinking, they are no longer simply receptors of information, but become suppliers of knowledge. In training critical thinkers, the role of the educator is not to fill the student with facts, but rather to light the spark of curiosity and passion to begin the lifelong quest of seeking knowledge. The Missing Link: Critical Thinking in Education The 2010 documentary Waiting for Superman makes a powerful case for bringing critical thinking skills back into our schools across America. Without learning these fundamentals skills, students are failing to reach their full intellectual potential, as evidenced through declining student performance in all disciplines. Through a series of interviews with students and educational experts, the film shows how students are simply showing up for school without taking anything away with them in terms of intellectual development. Without critical thinking skills, students remain lost in the system. Another 2010 documentary film entitled “Race to Nowhere” chronicles students who are jumping through the hoops of academia without really learning how to think. The title of the film
emphasizes that students are getting caught in a frenzy of achievement, while literally racing to nowhere. Without real purpose behind learning, students miss out on the very mission behind education, which is to bring up great thinkers who will make valuable contributions to society through innovation and leadership. Recently, the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS) President Patrick F. Bassett blogged about critical thinking as an essential 21st Century skill. In his blog posted January 11, 2012, he urges educators to integrate critical thinking into each subject matter and “to center their teaching on critical thinking rather than on rote memorization, worksheets, state-imposed test preparation, and other misguided emphases... that remove all of the energy, spontaneity, and intellectual engagement for the teachers and the students” (www.nais.org). In the book Focus: Elevating the Essentials to Radically Improve Student Learning, Mike Schmoker makes the compelling argument that educators must return to the fundamentals of teaching to make students think critically in every discipline. He claims that three elements are imperative for schools to succeed: (1) what we teach, i.e. the curriculum, (2) how we teach, i.e. learning objectives, and (3) authentic literacy, i.e. purposeful reading and writing in every discipline. By returning to these fundamentals, a “gamechanging difference” is made in education (12). According to Schmoker, if we fail in any of these three areas, we do not equip our students to become critical thinkers.
Noteworthy Quotes on Critical Thinking
“
“An education isn’t how much you have committed to memory, or even how much you know. It’s being able to differentiate between what you do know and what you don’t.”
Anatole France
“Do not go where the path may lead; go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.”
Ralph Waldo Emerson “The direction in which education starts a man will determine his future life.”
Plato
“No problem can be solved by the same consciousness that created it. We need to see the world anew.”
Albert Einstein
“21st Century learning is not new but represents what our best educators have been teaching us for several centuries.”
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Jay Matthews
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A l umni S pot l ight
nore this ig r e g n lo o n ld u o c “I rs and e th o e v r e s o g to e g r u eds address the many ne ad seen.” h I 4 Peyton Millinor ’9 HOPE Coffee sells high quality Honduran coffee beans in order to assist CAM
International in meeting its goals. CAM International produces and empowers followers of Jesus Christ in Spanish-speaking areas of the world, particularly by investing all of its profits into water and shelter construction projects for the poor in partnerships with the local churches. In 2009, Mark Fittz, a missionary with CAM International in Honduras, saw the need to encourage U.S. churches toward international outreach. As members of these churches visited Honduras on short term mission trips, they often wanted a “piece” of Honduras to take back with them as a souvenir. One of the most sought after souvenirs was Honduran coffee. CAM International commissioned a team to investigate starting a U.S.-based HOPE Coffee in 2010. With wisdom and direction from the Lord, Mark Fittz, Brian Masters and Peyton Millinor were able to successfully bring the details of this “Kingdom Business” together, and the same great HOPE Coffee once found only in Honduras can now be purchased in the U.S.
Peyton
Millinor ’94
A Critical Thinker Explores the World and Builds a Business with a Mission In 2009, Peyton took a sabbatical from his career as a portfolio manager for a private equity firm. His quest was to travel around the world. When he stepped on that first airplane, he also began a journey of personal transformation and enrichment. His experience is a testament to his courage, faith and sheer spirit of adventure.
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People can help support HOPE Coffee by purchasing the coffee, encouraging churches or businesses to purchase the coffee or participating in a mission trip to Honduras. More information can be found at www.HopeCoffee.org. “If you’re going to buy good coffee, why not buy good coffee from a company whose profits are reinvested in serving the poor and sharing the Gospel?” says the HOPE Coffee team. The critical thinking skills that Peyton has developed throughout his career have enabled this business and ministry to flourish. Drawing on his business background, Peyton has focused on financial management and cash flow. He has also expanded his skills in marketing through this venture. Although he worked on large-scale restaurant chains in his previous career, he finds that the business principles are the same across the board.
Peyton’s
Around
the World
Trip Facts
• Days Away from Home: 175 • Beds/Places Slept: 130 • Countries Visited: 17 • Continents Visited: 6 • Languages Heard: 12 • Miles Flown: 46,236 (The circumference of the Earth is 24,900 miles.)
• Miles Driven: 3,149 • Means of Transportation: Jet Plane, Prop Plane, Private Bus, Public Bus, Train, Taxi, Subway, Motor Boat, Car, Campervan, Steamboat, Scooter, Truck bed, Horse, Elephant, Bamboo Raft, Longtail Boat, Donkey, Camel, Felucca, Ferry, Foot. (Excludes India, where he spent November 9 – December 13)
“From putting together a business plan and detailed budget to analyzing and forecasting cash flow, it has been great to apply the same skills I used in private equity,” he explains.
During his around-the-world trip, he was awed by so many breathtaking sites and interesting cultures, but what touched him the most was seeing not only the spiritual needs of people but also their physical needs. This eyeopening experience inspired him to use his time and treasures to serve others.
The greatest reward of being involved with HOPE Coffee has been realizing that there is a vibrant movement towards business as mission, which only continues to grow.
In response to this calling, God opened the door for Peyton to serve on a mid-term missionary trip to Honduras. He left for the field in August 2011. His prayer remained, “use me, mold me, break me.”
“There is a renewed focus on establishing businesses in developing countries. This strategy helps people use the special resources God has provided for them,” Peyton says. “I would love to continue using my business skills to further God’s kingdom in this way.”
Peyton soon realized that the decision to serve in Honduras had an even more significant purpose than he could have imagined. Initially, he focused on construction, but then became involved with HOPE Coffee. God’s timing was perfect because the leadership of HOPE Coffee was in the process of expanding this business from Honduras to the United States. Peyton joined the team and used his gifts in finance and business to help the growing company.
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Critical Thinking
In 2012, Peyton joined C-III Capital Partners. In addition to his full-time career in business, he is excited to continue his role with HOPE Coffee as a team member and advisor, using the skills God gave him to bring glory to God’s kingdom.
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Critical Thinking
Critical Thinking at Second Baptist School
SBS teachers engage in teaching that fosters critical thinking skills. Rather than having students remain seated in their chairs and passively take in information, teachers engage students and make them active participants in the learning process. The following sections show a glimpse of how students are gaining critical thinking skills at SBS. Head of School Dr. Jeff Williams is passionate about leading a school that invests in the intellectual and spiritual lives of its students. He devotes tremendous time and energy ensuring that our students graduate as thinkers. “While our students are constantly being bombarded by the distractions of life, it is our hope as educators that we help them stop and think about what they are doing,” he comments. Dr. Williams is especially interested in helping students develop a lifelong love for reading. “What a joy it is to see a student get lost in a good book and take away a rich understanding of the text. When reading War and Peace, students realize that this isn’t just a book about war; it is also about passion and grit.” One of the major movements at SBS is to accustom students to reading, writing, and discussing regularly. “There is no way we can read, write or think enough in one day,” he says. The Harkness Method The Harkness Table style of discussion is a prime forum for enhancing and applying critical thinking skills. Recently, Dr. Williams led a seventh-grade Bible class around a Harkness Table. With the purpose of answering a series of questions
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related to the lesson, the students remained committed to thinking deeply about the topic. “While students did not have time to answer all eight questions during our discussion, something far more important happened. They went into in-depth analysis of the questions they answered by pointing out references from the Bible and deciphering what others thought about the text. Instead of asking our students to answer 25 questions without thinking about what they are answering, we expect them to take ownership of knowledge. Great education happens when you see students reading a text, writing about it and ciphering through it.” Already, observers are noticing the fruits of teaching students in this fashion. When Mr. Johnny Griffith from Phillips Exeter Academy visited SBS during December to conduct Harkness training, he was impressed by “how far advanced SBS teachers and students were during the discussions.” He could see the analytical wheels turning.
Reading and Writing Initiatives In January 2012, author Walter Dean Myers was sworn-in at the Library of Congress as the nation’s third ambassador for Young People’s Literature. In this post, he will encourage students across the country to become lifelong readers. He has titled his campaign, “Reading is Not Optional.” In an interview on NPR, he had the following to say about the importance of reading: “Well, the problem is very often books are looked upon as a wonderful adjunct to our lives. It’s so nice. Books can take you to faraway places and this sort of thing. But then it all sounds as if it’s something nice but not really necessary. And during my lifetime things have changed so drastically. You can’t do well in life if you don’t read well.” His message is a vital reminder that reading is what puts students ahead academically and propels them to excellence in all disciplines. Building Reading and Writing Skills: Lower School In Lower School, students are inspired to become engaged readers. “Reading is an integral part of every subject that we teach. Using both fiction and non-fiction books, teachers bring literature into every discipline, even math and science. We especially train our students how to decode and comprehend as they read,” explains Mrs. Tamara Gallagher, Head of Lower School.
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questions about what they are reading instead of answering factual questions. Having the ability to analyze and synthesize the information is crucial to mastering the reading process,” she explains. Lower School students also gain extensive practice with research and writing skills. From an early age, students learn how to avoid plagiarism. They write two research papers in first grade and three in the subsequent grades. Writing projects are integrated with reading assignments. Students also gain critical thinking skills through collaboration and writing about their own experiences. To encourage reading, the Woliver-Anderson Library has an accelerated reading program that allows teachers to set individual goals with students, so they compete against themselves to break records. There is even a Millionaire Club for kids who read over a million words in one year. “Caught You Reading” is a movement that rewards students for reading before the school day begins. The purpose behind these programs is to make reading a habit, not an obligation.
Teaching reading comprehension is a high priority in the Lower School. Every first through fourth grade teacher uses a reading strategy chart to teach students how to comprehend a passage. “They can carry this skill with them to other subjects and grade levels in the future,” comments Mrs. Gallagher. Teachers are also equipped with questioning strategies to help with critical thinking skills in every discipline. “Reading is purposeful. We encourage students to ask
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Critical Thinking
Advancing Reading and Writing Skills: Middle and Upper Schools An emphasis on reading, writing and ciphering continues throughout the academic experience. While the primary development of these skills in written communication occurs in English classes, students are stretched as readers, writers and thinkers in every subject matter. Mr. Nathan Barber, Head of Upper School, is committed to setting high standards when it comes to critical thinking skills. He understands the process required to move from simply being a student to becoming a thinker. “The world of information acquisition has changed drastically in the last decade. Students now have instant access to information that once needed to be committed to memory. The challenge for educators now lies in teaching students first, how to access that information, and second, what to do with it once it has been compiled. When working with information, data, statistics, and the like, educators must teach students to use the information to make connections, look for cause-and-effect relationships, observe trends and change over time, and consider bias and point of view, all in an effort to answer a looming question or to solve a problem. This process not only requires but also fosters critical thinking. This process is a major part of what we expect in Upper School classrooms,” he explains.
Night at the Library: Books Come Alive at Book Fair 2012 The Woliver-Anderson Library was home to the 2012 Book Fair “Night at the Library…Where Books Come Alive!,” an event that brought students and families together to celebrate reading.
In the 21st Century, the ability to read, write and discuss effectively across a variety of disciplines has become increasingly vital. SBS has long heralded writing as a fundamental skill, and through a disciplined and advanced writing program, teachers place the tools for success in the hands of each student. The expectations set by the English Department reflect the same standards upheld by college writing programs. The following list provides some of the critical thinking skills gained through writing assignments: • Find, collect, organize, analyze, and distill primary and secondary sources. • Assess the validity of sources. • Defend logically and articulate persuasively one’s evidence and conclusions in a manner reflecting intellectual rigor. • Understand and refute conflicting evidence and arguments. • Analyze through compare and contrast examples. • Use analogy and metaphor to elucidate complex matters and story to illustrate ideas.
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Read-It-Forward Surges Through the Upper School The program Read-It-Forward has inspired students to pick up a good book for enjoyment. Librarian Mrs. Julia Beddingfield hid books around campus and in lockers. The inside cover gave the students instructions about how to participate. After reading the book and signing the inside cover, students were asked to pass the novel along to a friend. This year, Mrs. Beddingfield chose Divergent by Veronica Roth, which is similar to The Hunger Games, last year’s book.
Stepping off the elevators of the sixth floor, visitors immediately took in the sight of student artwork surrounded by lions and dinosaurs in a museum-like display (and that was just in the lobby!). After entering the library, students and parents were delighted with the abundance of books, as well as the expertly crafted decorations emphasizing the creative theme of the Book Fair, “Night at the Library.” This year, the featured guest was Roland Smith, a popular and award-winning author of children’s and young adult books. After visiting with Lower and Middle School students, Mr. Smith spent Family Night signing books for his many SBS fans. The School community enjoyed the alwayspopular Family Night, where students and families shopped for books during extended hours. A
Starting in fifth grade, students write a compare and contrast essay, a fictional narrative, an essay about an author, a non-fiction article and poetry. By sixth grade, students are prepared to write a research paper in conjunction with global studies. They also have the opportunity to write and publish a fiction book. In seventh and eighth grades, students write several analytical essays about literature in addition to a research paper. In the Upper School English courses, students write expository, analytical and argumentative essays that use research to support arguments based on themes from literary works. These essay assignments make students better readers, writers and thinkers. In AP English courses, students write a major essay each nine weeks in addition to timed-writing essays based on an open-ended prompt that relates to theme analysis. Students draw upon “textual detail to relate to social and cultural values” (College Board).
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tremendous highlight of the evening was seeing Lower School students dressed up as their favorite authors and book characters. Spotted in the Woliver-Anderson Library that night were characters like Dalmatians, Mark Twain, Waldo, Tim Tebow, Fancy Nancy, and much more. It would be fair to say that books truly came alive at the Book Fair during Family Night. The Library Staff is thrilled that more than 500 books were donated as a result of the Book Fair. Math Initiatives Bill Gates, an advocate for education reform, claims that students must be trained in science and math in order for the U.S. to build an economy based on innovation. SBS also believes this statement to be true and has put valuable resources into building a highly competitive math program. In order to empower students to think critically in math and prepare them for the future, SBS is implementing various strategies in teaching the math curriculum with a greater emphasis on
How
Critical Thinking is Taught in
Upper School
Math Courses
by Mrs. Laura Kates, Math Department Chair
New Math Initiative to Raise Standards Math teachers have invested time in professional growth this year to learn about a math program that emphasizes analytical reasoning and critical thinking through problem solving. Instead of simply learning the rules of math, students are also grasping why these rules matter. Working with a math specialist, these teachers have learned proven strategies that support a greater understanding of algebraic thinking through the grade levels. “Since more rigorous math standards will be implemented nationwide in the coming years, incorporating this rigor now will benefit SBS students by putting them ahead of the game,” says Mrs. Evette Haberman, associate head of Lower School.
Algebra II: Students use critical thinking to explore banking problems by expanding beyond the application of a formula. They analyze how a change in the interest rate affects the time and amount of earnings of the initial investment. Also, they examine how long it takes to double the original investment, noting how the other variables are affected when rate or time changes. Students also examine what it takes to start a business and then to make that business profitable. They must think “from the ground up” and then analyze the data to optimize profit. Geometry: Students must think critically as they use given information to construct a formal proof using deductive reasoning. Precalculus: Students learn to think critically as they explore all facets of trigonometry. They derive mathematical models from statistical data and then use the models to predict future values. Collaboration in other math classes: Students are asked to explain their work to each other. This approach causes them to think critically as they explain how they solved a problem.
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In All Upper-level Math Courses...
having students think about what they are doing as they solve problems. “The reason America is so far behind other nations in math is that students have been learning how to get the right answers rather than understanding how they arrived at those answers,” explains Dr. Williams.
the Rule of Four is used to train students how to examine and investigate ideas and models analytically, numerically, graphically and verbally. Second grade teacher Mrs. Rita Herring explains some of the specific changes. “We are now focusing more on building a deeper understanding of place value. We have also adopted a common vocabulary throughout the math department to provide continuity. We continue to use models to help students visualize concepts like fractions, place value and addition and subtraction.” Mrs. Nancy Nichols, a fourth grade teacher, is encouraged by how the changes in the math standards and curriculum will help students become more proficient and advanced in mathematics. “The new procedure is more mathematically sound and uses value to compose and decompose equations. We are attacking algebraic thinking from kindergarten right on up through high school. Students are learning at an early age to be great thinkers and problem solvers,” she explains. Using the new program, students are already finding math much more exciting and engaging. “We are providing more problemsolving strategies that involve self-discovery of mathematical concepts,” says Mrs. Terry Richardson, a third grade teacher.
Analytically
1
Numerically
2
Graphically
3
Verbally
4
...using algebraic representations to symbolically express and explore mathematical relationships
...displaying and organizing data to make patterns and relationships explicit
...gaining understanding about mathematical models through pictures, diagrams, or graphs to help make mathematical relationships and abstract models more concrete
...using spoken and written communication to correctly explain material
Application of Mathematical Concepts In the more advanced math courses, students are required to think deeply about calculations and problem solving. Through a systematic, college-level approach to math, students graduate with the mathematical skills needed to excel in college and beyond. Math instructors are not only teachers, but also mathematicians who demonstrate high-level thinking about mathematical principles. Winter/Spring 2012 45
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Faculty Engage in Critical Thinking Below is an overview of Faculty Development in the Middle and Upper Schools. While not a comprehensive list, it provides a glimpse of what teachers are doing to stretch themselves as critical thinkers. Faculty members pursuing master degrees
into training students to become critical thinkers. Professional development remains a top priority at SBS. As teachers invest in their own intellectual quests, students directly benefit from this growth. In the Lower School, several teachers have worked closely with an expert in spelling instruction to tailor-make a unique curriculum for our students. Teachers have spent a significant amount of time learning teaching strategies that support spelling instruction that provides long-term results for students. Math teachers have invested significant time learning about the new math program that raises standards in math instruction.
A Gifted Faculty Imparting critical thinking skills to students begins with teachers who engage in critical thinking through continued education and professional development. Their intellectual pursuits make a significant contribution to the classroom experience. SBS faculty members find meaningful opportunities to continue learning and growing as thinkers and educators. Eric Hanushek, the Paul and Jean Hanna Senior Fellow at the Hoover Institution of Stanford University, says that a high-performing teacher helps students progress three times as fast as an average teacher. These top-quartile teachers show students not only how to read words on a page but also take the extra step to help them process and understand what they are reading. At Second Baptist School, students are educated by some of the best teachers in the nation. With robust standards and a passion for teaching, the faculty invests tremendous time and resources
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Some Lower School teachers attended a gifted and talented conference and brought back valuable ideas to share with the entire LS staff. Many teachers have visited other schools in the Houston area along with Dallas and Austin and have returned with fresh ideas on how to challenge students to become critical thinkers. Teachers have also participated in independent book studies, sharing their discoveries with colleagues. “The Lower School staff strives to be a learning community,” explains Mrs. Haberman. Faculty members in the Middle and Upper Schools have been busy working on advanced degrees, attending conferences in their subject areas and contributing to the education field through workshops and presentations. The in-depth independent study that many teachers pursue brings richness and vitality to the classroom.
Brandon Alred Theology Dallas Theological Seminary
Faculty members who have recently attended conferences, received advanced training or served as AP readers Bethany Hildebrand attended solar system course at McDonald Observatory in Ft. Davis, TX, summer 2011
Katie Blades Instructional Technology Houston Baptist University
Kathy Lee attended creative writing workshop at Yale University
Carole Crawford Education in Counseling Houston Baptist University
Jim Shewmake attended cyberbullying conference, fall 2011
Julie Hufstetler History University of Houston
Ruth Dale completed online design yearbook production training, Kansas City, MO
Jane Jackson Education in Counseling University of Houston Clear Lake Chris McInturff Christian School Education Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary Houston
Kelli Touchstone completed online design yearbook production training, Kansas City, MO Janell Luce Rosetta Stone Classroom training, fall 2011 Danica Marble Rosetta Stone Classroom training, fall 2011
Danica Marble Educational Technology Boise State University
Adriana Saavedra Rosetta Stone Classroom training, fall 2011
Martha Rees Education in Teacher Leadership Lamar University Clare Towery American History and Government Ashland University Lindsay Wall Education in Teacher Leadership Lamar University
Geo Wyss Rosetta Stone Classroom training, fall 2011 Jim Brown AP European History Exam reader, summer 2011 Clare Towery AP US History Exam reader, summer 2011
Faculty members who have received training from Exeter in the Harkness Method Ellen Barrett Jim Brown Lindsay Butterfield Sharon Cook Ruth Dale Adam Huss Karen Jensen Leslie Kellam
Brad Lane Toni La’Zurs-White Kathy Lee Mike Lewis Tara Longbottom Christine Oliphant Kim Orr Dione Poveromo
Sarah Pruet Martha Rees Jeannene Simonton Mitzi Sisk Laura Towne Laura Visage Nancy Wahl Susan Williams Winter/Spring 2012 47
Engines of Ingenuity
Upper School Clubs
Extracurricular clubs provide a glimpse into how Upper School students apply their critical thinking skills. With high student involvement and commitment, the clubs are thriving. This year in particular, students have stepped up to the plate and taken ownership of the clubs. From helping families cope with childhood cancer to passing out 400 reusable shopping bags within two hours, students are making a real difference in their community through valiant efforts and meaningful contributions. In order to mobilize the clubs and accomplish their goals, students must use critical thinking and leadership skills. In turn, the experience leading clubs gives students invaluable analytical resources for managing other organizations in the future. This article provides a glance at the ingenuity behind a few of Upper School’s myriad thriving clubs.
Model UN In Model UN, students step into the shoes of ambassadors from UN member states to debate current issues on the organization’s agenda. Students make speeches, prepare draft resolutions, negotiate with allies and adversaries, resolve conflicts, and navigate the conference rules of procedure – all in the interest of mobilizing “international cooperation” to resolve problems that affect countries all over the world (www.unausa.org/modelun). Representing the United States, Argentina, Ecuador, Greece, Hungary, Sierra Leone, Sri Lanka, Sao Tome and Principe, over 60 SBS students are involved in the Houston Area Model UN. This year, the conference was held at the George R. Brown Convention Center. SBS Model UN members performed exceptionally well at the Chicago International Model United Nations Conference (CIMUN). Sam Miller had the impressive position of director of the KGB in the Historical Soviet Union Cabinet. Sam Mannetti was press secretary for Historical East Germany. Savannah Wilkinson served as a reporter for a German newspaper. Josh Kee and Emily Waters received honorable mention delegate awards. Only 30 awards are given out of the 1,000 students attending the conference. According to Mrs. Mary Johnson, the faculty sponsor, the step to go international this year is one of the most exciting initiatives for the club. In March, eleven of the Model UN members and their sponsors will travel to St. Petersburg, Russia for the Model UN international conference. These SBS students will also have the opportunity to visit Moscow during the trip.
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Engines of Ingenuity
Upper School Clubs The Chicago International Model UN Conference by Sam Mannetti ‘12
In December, a select team of 13 Second Baptist School Model UN members traveled to Chicago with faculty sponsors Mrs. Mary Johnson and Mrs. Toni La’Zurs-White to participate in the annual Chicago International Model United Nations Conference. The three-day conference presented live simulations of both historical and current events, and students enacted the roles of the General Assembly, Security Council, cabinets, and regional bodies. Students from around the country participated, as well as schools from France and Mexico. On Thursday, the SBS team sampled some of Chicago’s famous deep-dish pizza and strolled along the Miracle Mile, where they had to bundle up against the cold since the temperature was in the teens at night. They also took a trolley tour of the city to see great attractions such as the Sears Tower and the Bean at Millennium Park. At the end of the tour, the team stopped by the Chicago Museum of Science and Industry to see amazing exhibits, including a captured German U-boat from WWII and a controlled tornado. The conference opened with a formal banquet, featuring keynote speaker former U.S. Representative Joe Sestak. Then students spent three days working in committees, attempting to pass resolutions for their assigned country and roles. The historical simulation began on October 8, 1989, and dealt with the Cold War. The current event discussions focused on a variety of different subjects. The students were also assigned topics to research before arriving and then gave presentations at the conference.
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In January, the club visited UTMB Children’s Cancer Center in Galveston where they met with patients, toured the facility and donated thermal tote bags. YAC will end its year with the big Memorial Park Walk. Last year, the club raised over $2,500 and hopes to increase the amount this year. YAC President Katherine Herrington comments on her leadership role and the club: “One of the most rewarding aspects of being the president of YAC is knowing that I am helping people in incredible ways. I love knowing that we have had an impact on someone’s life and that makes it all the more special. I could not accomplish our club’s goals without the members of YAC. Each meeting, we focus on the task ahead of us and make sure we complete our projects for the families.”
PHOTOS > Second Baptist School Model UN members traveled to Chicago conference.
YAC Reaches Out to Family in Need by Katherine Herrington ‘12
> Helping with College Day is a major service initiative for Key Club.
In December, Youth Against Cancer and Student Council went to visit a family who was in need of Christmas presents during the holiday season. A single mother with seven children heads this family, and her middle son, who is thirteen, suffers from cancer.
> YAC donates thermal tote bags to UTMB Children’s Cancer Center.
During the days leading up to our visit, students from the club volunteered to buy presents for each of the seven kids. Before our visit, YAC had a meeting during which we all wrapped the presents and prepared for our visit that evening. On our way to the home of the family, we all felt nervous because we were not sure what to expect.
One of the most interesting aspects of the Model UN conference, however, was that students had to be able to discuss and react to events as they happened, which required a deep familiarity with the interests and concerns of the nation they were assigned to represent. As delegates to the UN, the SBS students submitted position papers in the form of both a “white paper” (the state’s official statement of policy) and a “black paper” (the state’s unofficial statement of policy for internal use only). SBS students served as the Italian delegation in Chicago, but also had specific positions in which they served.
When we got to their home, the mother, Erica, greeted us with hugs and thanked us for what we were doing. Once we entered their home, we were instantly met with smiles and hugs from all of the children. When the kids noticed that we had a Christmas tree to put up and decorate, they were so excited and immediately began helping us trim the tree. We put on lights and decorations, and the process of putting it all together soon made us friends. When we finished with the tree decorations, we unloaded the gifts. Before we left, we joined Erica in prayer for her child to be healed from the cancer.
Youth Against Cancer (YAC)
I had no idea that visiting this family was going to be as touching as it was, but I left their home feeling more gratitude for the opportunity to share the joy of Jesus’ birth with them. My prayer is that this family is given peace and will be blessed with a miracle for their brother and son.
With the mission of raising awareness and funds towards the fight against cancer, SBS students have created an enthusiastic club committed to helping ease the load of families facing this terrible illness. This relatively young club has made many accomplishments. In the fall, the group made and donated Halloween and Thanksgiving bags to the children at Texas Children’s Hospital. In December, YAC completed two service projects. Students adopted a local family whose middle child has terminal cancer. To help brighten this family’s holiday, the club shopped and
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wrapped gifts for them. During this same month, several members catered dinner for families at Ronald McDonald House located at Children’s Memorial Hermann Hospital.
Key Club The oldest and largest service program for high school students, Key Club is a student-led organization whose goal is to teach leadership through serving others. Key Club has long supported several vital functions at Second Baptist School.
The faculty sponsors Mrs. Ruth Dale and Mrs. Mitzi Sisk share enthusiasm for what the club has accomplished this year. At Christmas, they sold 1200 poinsettias. The proceeds enable the Brookwood Community residents, who are mentally challenged, to live independently with minimum supervision. For Operation Christmas Child, Key Club members wrapped boxes that contained assorted items for children overseas. Helping with College Day is a major service initiative for Key Club. The club organizes and provides breakfast and a light lunch for over one hundred college admissions officers. Mary Paige Stevenson, the leader of College Day for Key Club, has the following to say about her experience in this role: “In order to make College Day run smoothly, we started preparing in the summer by talking with various restaurant owners. We had a lot of help from Mrs. Sims and our Key Club officers. While planning this event, I really learned the importance of asking people for help and planning in advance. In big events, it is crucial to have people support you in whatever you need.”
Billy Arendt, the president of Key Club, has a passion for fulfilling the mission behind the club and helping other students engage in this calling. “One of the most exciting initiatives of Key Club is creating the foundation and urge for a servant leadership lifestyle in my peers and myself. This quest is exciting because while we impact the present through our actions in Key Club – whether helping on College Day or selling poinsettias for the Brookwood Community – we also influence our future by what service does in our own hearts,” he explains. Billy sees Key Club as an opportunity “to answer God’s call to love your neighbor as yourself as well as to begin a life journey of community service.”
The Environmental Club Actively working to create a cleaner planet, the Upper School Environmental Club makes a difference at our School and in our community. Bethany Hildebrand, the faculty sponsor, has helped motivate students to get on board and take action. Recently, members of the organization went to the Fiesta Grocery Store in downtown Houston and distributed reusable bags to shoppers. More than 400 bags were passed out in just two hours! While Alyssa Melillo and Bishop Powell
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Engines of Ingenuity
Upper School Clubs
were busy passing out the bags, Davian Wilson dressed as the “Bag Monster.” Club members worked on his suit, which contained 500 plastic bags, representing the approximate number of plastic bags one shopper uses in a year. Not only are these students getting our community involved in using less plastic, they are also spreading the word around SBS. The organization hosts several viewings of documentaries that shed light on various issues affecting the Earth. The club is also active in several other initiatives. As an ongoing project, the club is collecting used cell phones. Over 100 cell phones have been collected so far. In January, students participated in Project Let’s Enhance America’s Forests (LEAF). In conjunction with the City of Houston and Texas Parks and Wildlife, club members helped plant trees in city esplanades. To finish out the year, the club will participate in the City of Houston’s Earth Day recycle bin contest. The bin must be made out of the type of recycled materials that it contains. The club will collect paper and plastic water bottles from classrooms.
STUCO STUCO has been particularly active and enthusiastic about leading SBS students in significant ways. In particular, the club has launched a successful spirit campaign to cheer on our amazing athletes. The faculty sponsor Clare Towery has been impressed by the number of initiatives students have tackled this year. Student Council has completed the following projects: 1. Created a student section at the football games entitled “Eagles’ Nest.” 52
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PHOTOS > STUCO actively leading students in significant ways. > Environmental Club members helped plant trees in city esplanades. > Students heard a lecture from the Consulate General of Korea.
2. Provided spirit snacks for all fall sports teams. 3. Provided teacher appreciation snacks. 4. Sponsored a canned food drive for Angels of Light. 5. Provided groceries and Christmas presents and decorations in cooperation with YAC. 6. Volunteered at Angels of Light. Giving their time to serve those in the community, SBS students, teachers, coaches and staff members volunteered in a variety of ways during Angels of Light. After practice, SBS athletes spent the evening serving in a myriad of capacities at Angels of Light. They worked behind the scenes with Team Impact and volunteered at dinner, where more than 1,000 Angels were fed each night. Students helped serve dinner, clear tables, and clean up throughout the evening. Students particularly enjoyed serving at the entrance, where athletes stood in a “welcome tunnel” as families entered the gymnasium. They greeted and cheered for the Angels, which made every guest feel welcome to the event. The students also helped with toy distribution, making sure every child who attended left with a new present. Freshman Olivia Lovoi said, “Serving at Angels of Light was a great experience. All of the families were so thankful, and it meant so much to me to be able to help them!”
Cultural Society The Cultural Society meets once a month to learn about other cultures. At each meeting, one student presents on a country he or she has lived in, visited, or finds interesting. Students present information about the culture, bring in food representative of the culture, and discuss what their society is like. Once a year, the club sponsors an International Festival with food and music that all students are welcome
to attend. This popular club has about 50 members. Taylor Barnett has been the president for two years. According to Taylor, “we want to expose students to different countries, expand their horizons, and raise awareness about various cultures in our world.”
Consulate General of Korea comes to SBS by Ashley Petkas ‘12
Cultural Society sponsored an enlightening speaking engagement at SBS. Students heard a lecture from the Consulate General of Korea, Mr. Yun-Soo Cho. Mr. Cho came as a guest speaker and had a profound impact on his student listeners. As the Consulate General of Korea, it is his duty to facilitate trade and friendship between his country and other countries throughout the world. Mr. Cho used the meeting to teach the students about some differences between Korean culture and American culture.
Upper School Clubs Book Club Cultural Society Environmental club French Club Key Club National Honor Society Science Club Spanish Club Student Council TAPPS Academic Team World Quest Yearbook Youth Against Cancer
“I found the presentation extremely enlightening and was very grateful that I had the opportunity to meet a consulate general,” senior Joshua Dunegan said. During the last five minutes of his presentation, Mr. Cho expressed his gratitude to America for taking part in the war against communist North Korea. “The Korean War is now known as the ‘Forgotten War,’” said Mr. Cho, “But the events that occurred during this war were so important; they shaped the lives of thousands. It is too great to be forgotten.”
Winter/Spring 2012 53
An Insightful Journey
through our Nation’s Capital
Trip of a Lifetime
Significant Moments Preparation
A Trip of a Lifetime
Already in its 12th year, the SBS eighth grade trip to Washington D.C. presents one of the most valuable learning opportunities that our students take with them upon graduation from Second Baptist School. When conducting exit interviews with seniors, Head of School Dr. Jeff Williams is always delighted by the number of students who mention that the trip to D.C. is one of their best memories. The Washington D.C. trip leaves an indelible imprint on the lives of our students. They are able to see, touch and experience the historical monuments and sites that they have learned about in the classroom. In essence, they see history come alive in front of their eyes and gain a renewed appreciation for the sacrifices made to secure freedom. An additional advantage of this trip is that students learn about what our Founding Fathers did to build America on Christian values and principles.
Trip of a Lifetime
Significant Moments Preparation
Impressions and Reflections by SBS Eighth Grade Travelers A map of downtown Washington, D.C., including points of interest.
Dr. Williams has been closely involved with the trip since its inception. “The greatest thing about this trip is that our students grasp a depth of understanding about our spiritual heritage and the sacrifices made in the name of freedom. While students certainly have fun on the trip, teachers do a great deal of work preparing our students for the experience. So, when students stand in front of the Lincoln Memorial, they bring knowledge that helps them grasp the significance of this place,” explains Dr. Williams. One of the veterans of the trip is Mr. Jerry Towne, who has attended as a sponsor since the beginning. “The trip is just as exciting as the first year. Each class brings its own personality, changing the tone and energy of the trip, which makes every year memorable. Traveling to Washington D.C. never gets old,” he explains. Mr. Towne has seen the long-term impact the trip has made on students. “The memories from this trip last a lifetime. It provides a great opportunity to show our students what our country is about and spread a passion for patriotism,” he says.
Significant Moments
Arlington National Cemetery always makes a significant impact on the SBS group. In fact, it is Mr. Towne’s favorite place to visit. “If it weren’t for the soldiers buried there who paid the ultimate price for our freedom, we wouldn’t be here today.” His most memorable moments over the years have been seeing how students respond to the Changing of the Guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldiers. “Their reverence and immediate understanding of the magnitude of the moment are unforgettable. I cry every time I visit this site with our students,” he explains. Cadet Sergeant Trevor Hanson ’09, who attends the Naval Academy, will never forget the significant memories made on his trip to Washington D.C. with SBS. A key moment for him occurred at Arlington National Cemetery. “Seeing the
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Trip of a Lifetime
Significant Moments Preparation
graves put things into perspective for me. It made me so much more appreciative of this country and what it represents. These men and women lived for something so much greater than themselves and died in defense of our great nation,” he explains. Trevor was also impacted by his experience at the Vietnam Memorial. “During our trip, the Vietnam Memorial struck me as something I should spend some time observing. As I ran my fingers across the wall and read the names engraved in the stone, I thought about the ultimate sacrifice these men made for our country. I distinctly remember reflecting on the actions that these men took for the freedom of myself and all Americans.”
Preparation for the D.C. Trip
By the time students step onto the sidewalks of Washington D.C., they are equipped with knowledge about the city and all the sites they will visit. Mr. Mike Lewis, the eighth grade U.S. History teacher, spends a significant amount of class time helping students discover a wealth of information about the nation’s capital. To help build anticipation for the trip, the Middle School bulletin board is decorated with a map of Washington D.C. and other tourist paraphernalia. After students watch an educational video that provides an overview of D.C., they create a brochure over one of the sites that they will visit and present the brochure to the class. In some instances, students will go to the web and show a virtual tour of their site to the class. To prepare for their visit to the Holocaust Museum, they read The Hiding Place, a book about a Christian family who hid Jews in their home during WW II. Mr. Lewis comments on how the trip helps students absorb history. “First of all, students gain a sense of patriotism by visiting the memorials. I often hear students say they feel part of history as they visit Mount Vernon, the Holocaust Museum, and Ford’s Theater. Overall, our students return with a greater appreciation for our nation and the sacrifices that have made it the greatest country in history.”
This visit to Abraham Lincoln’s memorial has changed my opinion of what defines a great leader and has taught me a valuable lesson that a strong faith in God, determination, and perseverance will help one prevail over evil even in the worst of times.
World War II Memorial by Alex Dodd
When we pulled up to the World War II Memorial, my first impression was that is was massive in size. The names of the states and countries who fought for the allies were engraved along the walls. One of the most memorable moments occurred when I saw the state Texas written along the wall. I liked seeing all the states and countries listed because this visual highlighted the large number of countries who fought for our freedom. Others should visit this monument because it is a major part of our history and reminds visitors how many people died for the freedom of others.
The Naval Academy by LoLo Kroll
My first impression of the Naval Academy was the high level of respect exhibited by the students. The utmost respect is given to our military heroes as well as to the instructors. Everywhere we looked, we saw students dressed in their uniforms. Most importantly, I learned that serving our country takes immense training and dedication. The campus was beautiful, and every building was exquisite. Spread out across Annapolis, the vastness of the school was overwhelming. While touring the campus, I thought about how my uncle and cousin had both attended the Naval Academy. Stepping on the ground where they had stepped made me feel a connection with them.
Impressions and Reflections by SBS Eighth Grade Travelers Eighth grade students who traveled to Washington D.C. in February wrote the following journal entries. Their collective experiences provide a glimpse of how the trip impacts our students.
Lincoln Memorial by Laura Laughead
While visiting the Lincoln Memorial, I noticed two enormous murals on the walls, the “Emancipation” and the “Unification,” which exemplify Lincoln’s great achievements in our nation’s history. I began to think about why the designers spent so much time and effort on this one memorial. I decided that the builders constructed this massive monument because Lincoln had ended slavery and worked to reunite the Union despite a brutal Civil War. Also, his strong faith in God gave him the strength and perseverance to prevail over all the demons he faced during this difficult time in our nation’s history.
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Newseum
by Katherine Bingham I enjoyed the mix of technology and interactive exhibits that create a unique museum. There are six different floors of various exhibits to explore. My personal favorites included the 9/11 Gallery, the Interactive Newsroom, and the Pulitzer Prize Photographs. The 9/11 Gallery is an exhibit full of newspapers, photos, and videos of the terrorist attack on the World Trade Center in 2001. It was a very eye-opening experience to see all that happened on that dark day in America’s history. The Interactive Newsroom was by far the most entertaining in this large museum. It gives you and your friends a chance to become a newscaster for NBC while filming your very own weather forecast. Lastly, the Pulitzer Prize photographs were very intriguing. These photos include ones from the scene of Iwo Jima, the attempted assassination on President Ronald Reagan, and many other events. This hall filled with captivating and often doleful pictures expresses the joys and also the horrors of humanity.
Winter/Spring 2012 57
Arlington National Cemetery
National Cathedral
When we first pulled up to Arlington National Cemetery, I saw the sea of white tombstones lining the grassy hills. I felt like I was in a dream engulfed by the sea of white that was all around me.
When you walk into the National Cathedral, you gasp at the beauty. The Gothic architecture is classic and gorgeous. The most notable aspects of the building are the pointed arches, vaulted ceiling, and stained glass windows. My two favorite windows are the Space Window and the Genesis Window, also known as the west rose window. The Space Window honors man’s landing on the moon and shows red and blue space objects and planets. The Genesis window is an abstract take on the creation of the world.
by Blake Wertheimer
We made our way to the top of the cemetery where we witnessed the Changing of the Guard. The guards there are required to march back and fourth during one-hour shifts. They walk along a mat and stop at both ends of it to click their boot and switch the shoulder that the gun rests on. Going to this cemetery was an amazing experience and made me so thankful for the courage of the men and women who gave their lives for our nation. Anyone who wants to be part of an incredible and unforgettable experience needs to visit Arlington National Cemetery.
by Abby Aldis
The tour guide led us through a series of small chapels and prayer centers all ornately decorated. We learned that work began on the church in 1907, but the first services didn’t start until 1912. The church was completed in 1990. The Cathedral’s center tower is 30 stories tall, and there are a total of 231 stained glass windows. The weight of the entire Cathedral is 150,000 tons! My trip to the Cathedral was very memorable because it reminded me that our country was founded on Christianity.
The Capitol
by Meredith Kim When I first stepped into the Capitol, my eyes turned directly to the stunning designs carved into the walls. In Statuary Hall, I saw 100 bronze and marble statues, two from each state in the U.S. These statues resembled a famous man or woman from their state. For example, the two from Texas were Stephen F. Austin, founder of Texas, and Sam Houston, former President of the Republic of Texas. A third room that I will always remember is the Crypt. This room was actually designed so that George Washington could be buried beneath. However, in his last will and testament, he asked to be buried at his home on Mt. Vernon. Therefore, the crypt now contains an empty tomb. Also located in this room was the very spot where Washington, D.C. is divided into its four quadrants. I actually got the chance to stand on it, and I can now say that I’ve been in all four parts of D.C. at once.
The Holocaust Museum by Rachel Knight
At first glance, the Holocaust Museum looks like a normal office building. A visitor has no idea that that building holds the story of the genocide of the Jews. The museum is designed as a winding staircase. When one reaches the top of the museum, he or she is given an identification book with a name of a person who died in the Holocaust. Upon entering the top level, everyone grows quiet. This silence prepares you for what you are about to experience. The most surprising part for me was seeing people in the background of pictures doing nothing to help the Jews. It was also surprising to learn that the Nazis burned books as a kind of protest. Heinrich Heine, a German poet, said the following about book burnings: “When books are burned, people in the end will be burned.” That was a powerful quote for me to contemplate.
Mt. Vernon by Sarah Felt
Mount Vernon is known as the home of George Washington and is located near Alexandria, Virginia. I was so excited when I found out that we would be visiting Mount Vernon as part of our trip. When you first see Mount Vernon, the beauty of the house amazes you. The property looked like the front of a postcard. Also, the gorgeous view from the back of the house looking over the Potomac River is breathtaking. Mount Vernon was definitely one of my favorite places that we visited on the Washington trip because I loved the beauty and the historical background of the home. The feeling of standing where George and Martha Washington walked back in the 1700’s was incredible.
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Alumni Updates Send your updates to sbsalumni@secondbaptistschool.org!
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1982
1985
c l ass agent
c l ass agents ––––––––––––––––––––
. . . . . . . –––––––––––––––––––– ............................
Craig Moritz
cmoritz@spe.org
Eve Phelps Giddens Eg996320@aol.com
Beth Brock Looser bblooser@aol.com
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1983 c l ass agent ––––––––––––––––––––
Trisha Pessara
. . .trisha.pessarra@motivaent.com ................................
Did you know SBS Alumni has a YouTube account? Check us out to see hilarious videos from Dodgeball and more!
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1986 c l ass agents ––––––––––––––––––––
kap1228@gmail.com
1984
Michelle White
rm_white@yahoo.com
Charles Beall
Helen Buckner
. . . . . .helen@bucknerweb.com .............................
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1988
1992
1995
c l ass agent ––––––––––––––––––––
c l ass agents ––––––––––––––––––––
c l ass agent ––––––––––––––––––––
Kimberly Thode
. . . . . . . .kcthode@gmail.com ...........................
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1987 ––––––––––––––––––––
Dawn Williams Trozzo
. . . . . . . . .dwtrozzo@aol.com ..........................
Attention Class of 1987:
It’s time for your 25-year reunion! If you’re interested in helping plan the reunion, please contact Dawn Trozzo at dwtrozzo@aol.com.
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kpaull@planetpaull.com
Marissa Mariner Womble
. . . . . . . mwomble@gmail.com ............................
Lisa Rude
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1989 c l ass agents
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Leslie Niermeyer
Sabrina Morgan Ogelsbee
. . . . . . . .smogles@yahoo.com ...........................
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1993 c l ass agents
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c l ass agents ––––––––––––––––––––
Donny Ford
Tisha Harper Krause
. . . . . . . . tkrausepfs@aol.com ...........................
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1994 c l ass agents ––––––––––––––––––––
Lucian Bukowski
lucian.bukowski@staubach.com peyton@mail.com
1991 c l ass agents ––––––––––––––––––––
Leslie Stiver Rice lsr@maisonriz.net
Jill Moses Holstead
. . . . . .jmholstead@comcast.net .............................
Allison Moody Ball
. . . . . . . . .alliball02@me.com ..........................
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1997 c l ass agents ––––––––––––––––––––
Peyton Millinor ...................................
c l ass agent ––––––––––––––––––––
Anne Munger Freeman
. . . . . . .jarendale@comcast.net ............................
1990
1996
annefreeman20@yahoo.com
Meredith Jolley Arendale
c l ass agent
youtube.com/sbsalumni
Kristin Johnson Paull . . . . . . . . .lwrude@gmail.com ..........................
dford@ford-math.com
c l ass agents ––––––––––––––––––––
charles@beall.org
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lniermeyer@yahoo.com
Kimberly Arnold Parker ...................................
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Keith Morris
keith@rkm3law.com
Thomas Stuckey
tomstuckey@suddenlink.net
Marilyn Van Zandt Kehr
Reagan Fincher
reaganfincher@yahoo.com
Katy Kyle
. . . . .katy.kyle@expresspros.com ..............................
Ali Ansari was featured in
the Houston Chronicle for the coffee business that he and his father run. Their Houston-based company, Fresh Brew Group, sells coffee nationally to airlines, hospitals, hotels and restaurants. Their company also has a vending machine service. www.freshbrewgroup.com
marilyn_kehr@yahoo.com
Chris Wood
cabwood@gmail.com
Winter/Spring 2012 61
Alumni Updates
Alumni Updates
Dodge, Dip, Dive, Duck and Dodge – Alumni Dodgeball!
N
etworking at an SBS Alumni After Work event in August 2011, a group of alumni from the 90s suggested a Dodgeball Tournament at SBS…and that’s how the story began. After much planning, video making, team recruiting, tweeting, practicing and stretching, Friday, January 6, 2012 marked the first ever Alumni Dodgeball Tournament at Second Baptist School. The event was a night to remember. Over eighty alumni were in attendance – a record-breaking number for Flight Night! It was a special treat to have Coach Eleanor Frank, Coach Mike Hall, Coach Jane Jackson and Coach Sue Berg as the referees for the evening. Coach Hall and Coach Frank came all the way from Dallas! A big shout out goes to the Class of 2003 for having the most alumni present. Not only did the Class of 2003 have two teams, but they also brought along a fan club! With Coach Klingenberg as the emcee and Thomas Smith on lights and music, the evening began with an energetic start. Nine teams competed for the Championship title and the coveted first place trophy in the double elimination tournament. As “The Final Countdown” song began, Coach K introduced each team to the middle of the floor…
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The Dodgefathers Big Red Bling it On Dread the Red SBS Socks
– – – –
Don’t Stop BALLieving Average Joe’s The Purple Cobras House of Orange
After a fun-filled night of dodging, ducking, diving, dipping and more dodging, the Championship game came down to Don’t Stop BALLieving captained by Reagan Fincher ’97 and The Purple Cobras captained by Doug Daniels ‘89. It was the perfect match up. The Purple Cobras defeated Don’t Stop BALLieving in a nail biting game. Congratulations to the 2012 Alumni Dodgeball Tournament Champions, The Purple Cobras: Doug Daniels ’89, Drew Daniels ’98, Jason Kates ’97, Justin Kates ’99, Chris McInturff ’97 and Jeremy Donalson ’97. Also, congratulations to Reagan Fincher ’97, who was awarded the Most Valuable Player, and to Bling It On for being the Best Dressed Team! Thank you, SBS Alumni, for making the first Alumni Dodgeball Tournament such a great success! The 1980s... Craig Moritz ’82, Shari Nelsen Durrett ’84, Charles Durrett ’86, Doug Daniels ’89, Janice Mayes-Clayton ‘89 The 1990s... Scott Sage ’90, Donny Ford ’90, Jack Perry ’95, Joshua Connelly ‘95, Reagan Fincher ’97, Richmond Talbert ’97, Jeff Scheldt ’97, Jason Kates ’97, Chris McInturff ’97, Jeremy Donalson ’97, Drew Daniels ’98, Justin Kates ’99, Amir Radfar ’99, Lori Smith Johnson ’99, Jayne Jennings ’99, Will Bradley ‘99 The 2000s... Tom Hicks ’00, Joanna Fraser Laeding ’00, Meredith Shanklin Earnest ’00, Lauren Ashkar Baker ’02, Nora Ashkar Ripple ’02, Laura Low Frank ’02, Bobbi Ingram ’02, Mary Margaret Porter Brollier ’03, Alex Leach ’03, Lauren Dies ’03, Bill Gregory ’03, Chris English ’03, Hannah Noble ’03, Josh Ault ’03, Jamie Grubb ’03, Loren Steifel Hopf ’03, David Tauber ’03, Walker French ’03, Jeff Black ’03, Corby Dill ’03, Adam Selwyn ’03, Elliott Donnelly ’03, Katie Ressler English ’03, Blake Skidmore ’03, Paige Partin McInturff ’05, David Towery ’05, Elizabeth Suffield ’05, Leah Terrell ’05, Amy Elders Rodgers ’05, Annie Williams ’05, Andyshea Saberioon ’06, Stacy Buckalew ’06, Austin Glass ’06, Brooks Shanklin ’06, Caroline Suffield ’08, Stephen Coddou ’08, Jacob Plagens ’08, Ellen Prestage ’08, Ashley Rolland ’08, Sarah Toups ’08, Brock Havard ’08, Matthew Elders ’09, John Doughtie ’09, Hailie Durrett ’09, Laura Payne ’09, Jennifer Doughtie ’10, Emily Boyd ’10, Kelsey Noble ’10, Scott Terrell ’11, Isaiah McDuffie ’11, Daniel Garza ’11, Ben Riggle ’11, Mitzy Ayala ’11, Ladonna Bunnell ’11, Ellen Geis ’11, Jason Blades ’11, Ben Pfeffer ’11, Maggie Britven ’11, Tanner Crake ’11, Jay Calhoun ’11, William McMichael ’11, Danielle Cope ’11, Victoria Deberry ’11, Sarah Hamilton ’11
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future eagles
Celia Little
Daughter of Meredith Bruyere Little ‘99
Hunter Riemer
Son of Lily Bambrick Riemer ‘02
Noah
Welker Son of Je nnifer Mc Kenzie We lker ‘01
Alumni Updates
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1998 c l ass agents ––––––––––––––––––––
Kelly Clanton Holton kcholton@hotmail.com
Meghan Griffin Norton
. . . . .marymeg2002@yahoo.com ..............................
rier yton Lev a L & , n y d n r ‘03 Timmy Levrie Lance, Lo Levrier ‘03 &
uren Triplets of La
Goddard
Priscilla Peyton Stansell and Findley Caballero
Larkin Watkins
Son of Kaylan Findley Caballero ‘95
Daughter of Erin Larkin Watkins ‘00
her husband Tanner welcomed Titus Lynn Stansell on August 7, 2011, weighing 6 pounds, 9 ounces and 19 1/2 inches long. Big sister Emerson turns four on March 13. mrststansell@sbcglobal.net
Becky Young Baker and her
husband Jeremy welcomed Henry Miles Baker on August 2, 2011. Henry came into the world weighing 9 pounds and measuring 22 inches. Becky, Jeremy, and family are so grateful for this blessing! rebeccalbaker@gmail.com
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Bryant Lee and his wife Sarah welcomed their second child, a daughter, this past fall. Elizabeth Suzanne Lee was born on October 3, 2011. Beth weighed 7 pounds, 3 ounces and measured eighteen inches long. Bryant, Sarah, and big sister Bennet (2) are thrilled by this addition to their family. The Lees currently reside in Houston. bryantplee@gmail.com
SBS Future Eagles
Daughter of Deb Westbrook Turner ‘99 & Mike Turner ‘98
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Annie Turner
Eagle
Son of Priscilla Peyton Stansell ‘98
Son of Becky Young Baker ‘99
Titus Stansell
Henry Baker
Does your new baby have an SBS onesie? If so, make sure to send in a picture of them wearing it! If you still need a onesie, e-mail sbsalumni@secondbaptistschool.org and we will mail one to you!
1999 c l ass agents ––––––––––––––––––––
Lori Smith Johnson Smithers83@aol.com
Amanda Skelton Yocum asyocum@yahoo.com
Beth Trahan
crushBT@yahoo.com
Amanda Skelton Yocum and her husband John moved from Midland, Texas all the way to Anchorage, Alaska. Amanda is
Winter/Spring 2012 65
Alumni Updates
Alumni Updates
Meredith Herring Stevens
due with their third son at the end of May, which will make them parents of three boys, ages three and under! James is 3, Patrick is 1, and Henry arrives in May! Here is a picture of the family enjoying their first sledding adventure! Keep up with the Yocum’s by visiting their blog: theyocumalaskanadventure. blogspot.com. asyocum@yahoo.com
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2000 c l ass agents ––––––––––––––––––––
Christen Bringhurst Myers
and her husband, Brian, and their children Cameron (4) and Caden (3) live in Fort Bragg, North Carolina. Brian is currently serving in Afghanistan. dith83@hotmail.com
Abigail Grace is 3 years old and thrilled about her new little sister. jessicaingram83@yahoo.com
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2002 engaged. Rory and Beau met when their mothers set them up. It led to love, and they are getting married on May 19 in Cabo San Lucas. rjbrew@gmail.com
ceebs2815@aol.com
Erin Larkin Watkins
. . . . . .erin.l.watkins@gmail.com .............................
Kyle Reynolds and his wife, Caroline, just welcomed their first baby, Ella Jane Reynolds on January 30, 2012. Baby Ella weighed 8 pounds, 8 ounces and was 21 1/2 inches long. The new family is doing great!
c l ass agents ––––––––––––––––––––
Rory Brewton and Beau Bellow (SBS Class of 1997) are
Kristin Hendee Blackford kristin.blackford@gmail.com
Drew Jackson and his wife,
Saona, welcomed Scarlet Wren Jackson on January 9, 2012. Scarlet weighed 8 pounds, 6 ounces. Micah 6:8 is the Jackson’s prayer for her. “He has shown you what is good. And what does the Lord require? To act justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.” drewjackson1@gmail.com
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2001
Jackie Wahl
. . . . . . jackie.wahl@yahoo.com .............................
Farah Degani Escaloni and her husband David live in Austin. They married on October 22, 2011, and David is a Marine Corps Veteran. Farah works for PPD in Austin as a Health and Safety Specialist. Still an active runner, she just completed her fifth marathon! Sunflower3784@msn.com
Laura Terrell Lalani, her
husband Kary and their daughter Emma Grace (2 years old) welcomed Ava Yates Lalani on January 13, 2012. Ava weighed 7 pounds, 6 ounces and was 20 inches long. The Lalani family lives in Waco. Laura.lalani@gmail.com
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2003 c l ass agents ––––––––––––––––––––
Bradley Jackson
bradleyjax@gmail.com
Mary Margaret Porter Brollier . . . . . marymbrollier@gmail.com ..............................
c l ass agents ––––––––––––––––––––
Rory Brewton
rjbrew@gmail.com
Peter Warden
. . . . . .peterwarden@gmail.com .............................
Margaret Magee Doiron
and her husband Josh welcomed Charlotte Elizabeth on June 18, 2011. Charlotte weighed 7 pounds, 10 ounces and was 20 inches long. The Doiron family lives in Houston. Margaret.doiron@gmail.com
Josh Moore and his wife, Elise,
had a great new year because they welcomed Simon Warner Moore to their family on January 2, 2012. Simon weighed 7 pounds, 13 ounces and the family is doing great! joshmoore@mac.com
Jessica Jones Ingram and her
husband welcomed their second child, Annabelle Faith Ingram, born June 16, 2011. Big sister
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Lily Bambrick Riemer, her
husband Will, and big sister Abigail welcomed Hunter Curtis Riemer on December 29, 2011. Hunter weighed 8 pounds, 4 ounces. Lilyriemer@hotmail.com
Katie Ressler & Chris English,
both graduates from the Class of 2003 got married on November 5, 2011 in Houston. Katie and Chris were high school sweethearts at SBS and dated throughout college.
Winter/Spring 2012 67
Donated Books are Changing Lives
Alumni Updates
L
ast school year, Second Baptist School families donated used textbooks through Bible classes that were then donated to International Medical Outreach (IMO), a group that helps to set up libraries in poor and rural schools in Africa. SBS alumni parent Tim McKenzie, involved with IMO, contacted the School to participate in the program to help the students in Africa. Thanks to the generosity of the SBS community, the students and faculty of these schools had great cause for celebration because of the books they received.
Earlier this year, International Medical Outreach traveled to Uganda, where they set up libraries in almost 30 poor rural schools. Libraries – and access to books and other resources – are almost non-existent in most rural areas of Africa, and even teachers have limited access to references. In fact, many of the children had never held a book before these libraries opened. The headmasters, teachers, students and parents expressed great joy upon receiving these books, as singing and celebration accompanied each library’s opening. The books from SBS will be placed in a library in Arusha, Tanzania, and likewise in other school libraries in the area. The books are a tremendous blessing to this project. The readers, reference books, dictionaries and thesauruses will undoubtedly change the face of education in Africa.
Amber Calhoun ‘08 Shatters College Volleyball Records
They were thrilled to have so many of their close friends from SBS in the wedding party including Jordan
Anderson, Jeff Black, Mary Margaret Porter Brollier, Lauren Dies, Matt Garza, Paul Gregory, Jamie Grubb, Alex Leach, Conor Shary, Lindsay Smith, Ashlea Moore Taylor and David Tauber. The
newlyweds live in Houston where Chris works as an export sales manager at Riviana Foods Inc, and Katie is an oil and gas attorney at Looper Reed & McGraw PC. katieresslerenglish@gmail.com
Alumna Brings Mercy Street Dallas Students to Distinguished Speaker Luncheon
S
hattering volleyball records at Texas State University, SBS alumna Amber Calhoun will graduate in May with athletic honors and accolades that only a few collegiate players ever earn.
Amber was named the 2011 Southland Conference Player of the Year; she is only the third player from her university to win this honor. She was the Southland Conference Tournament MVP and became the seventh Bobcat ever to earn the MVP title at the conference tournament. Combining those two prestigious awards, Amber is the second person from Texas State ever to win these two awards in the same season. “I’m so proud of Amber, and the incredible senior season – and overall career – she has had while at Texas State. She has represented our school and her family with such honor and dignity, both on and off the court. These past four years of college volleyball and the invaluable lessons she has learned will stay with her a lifetime.” Sue Berg, Amber’s high school volleyball coach, said. As a three time all-conference player, Amber hit over .300 in all four years and in this season alone, she set or matched her career highs in nearly every category. She moved into second place in the Texas State record books for career total blocks, and she tied the all-time career hitting percentage. Additionally, Amber broke the all-time block assists record. Throughout her career, Amber has been named Southland Conference Player of the Week five times, putting her in the company of just four other Texas State players to receive the accolade three or more times. As she prepares to finish her senior year, she is especially proud of the three championship rings she has helped her team earn. 68
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J
ill Harmeyer ’98 has a passion for urban youth. She works for Mercy Street Dallas, where she mentors middle school youth and inspires them through leadership development. When she heard about the Distinguished Speaker Luncheon at Second Baptist School, she thought the event would be a great opportunity for her students to attend a formal luncheon and hear from a keynote speaker to whose background the students could relate. Jill contacted SBS and the adventure began. She brought seven students to Houston for the luncheon, and one of her students told her on the trip that the 5 hour trip was the longest distance he had ever traveled from home. They enjoyed the luncheon immensely, and they were particularly moved by Dr. Ben Carson’s life story. In hand written thank you notes from the students, they commented that they learned that “even if you are at the bottom of your class at school, you can still make the effort to be at the top.” They were also “inspired never to give up on your dreams because it does not matter where you come from, but how dedicated you are to your dreams.” Jill is making an eternal impact in the lives of her students, and teaching them to pursue their aspirations.
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2004 c l ass agents ––––––––––––––––––––
Casey Brewton
cabrewton@gmail.com
Rebecca Hickman
. . . . . . . . rsh1129@gmail.com ...........................
Raana Arjomand graduated
from The University of Texas at Austin in 2009. She majored in Public Relations and minored in Global Business Foundations. Raana now works as an Account Executive at Dancie Perugini Ware Public Relations in Houston, Texas. Her clients include The Houston Symphony, The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, H-E-B Grocers and The City of Houston to name a few. rarjomand@gmail.com
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2005
Megan Dixon married Blake
Smalley on December 10, 2011 at Second Baptist Church. Megan’s dad and Dr. Jeff Williams performed the ceremony. The couple met at Auburn University when Megan was a cheerleader. Blake helped with the women’s basketball team because his sister played. They met on the women’s NCAA tournament trip to New Jersey. meganelisedixon@gmail.com
c l ass agents ––––––––––––––––––––
Robert Doty
rdoty87@yahoo.com
Mary Margaret Porter married
Kinkaid Alum Clay Brollier on October 22, 2011. SBS alums in the wedding party included Lauren Dies, Katie Ressler English, and Alex Leach, all from the class of 2003, and Jamie Weaver, from the Class of 1999. The couple resides in Houston where Mary Margaret is a fourth grade teacher in Katy ISD and Clay works in the oil and gas industry. marymbrollier@gmail.com
Elizabeth Suffield
. . . . . . . desuffield@gmail.com ............................
Cale Dowell and Lynne Sullivant
first met in December 2010 at a mutual friend’s Christmas party. It wasn’t long after when Lynne found herself back in the city of their first date, with her best friend on
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Alumni Updates
bended knee in the middle of Kyle Field asking her to spend the rest of her life with him (what an amazing engagement story!). Lynne and Cale have set their wedding date for September 8, 2012 in Houston.
Maegan Toups was recently
profiled in a published article with her CFO where she discussed hiring skilled workers to fill positions in the booming energy sector. She shared her viewpoint on what companies will have to do moving forward to recruit top-talented employees. Maegan works in Houston and is the Global Marketing Manager for Swift Worldwide Resources.
Annabel Fowler graduated early from Cornell University, where she was the Class President for four years. She had the distinct honor of speaking at graduation to the undergraduates and graduates in the Class of 2012 at Cornell who graduated early. aef75@cornell.edu Leslie Herring graduated from
the University of Oklahoma in December. She lives in Houston and works at Keely Thorne Events. lesliepherring@gmail.com
Alumni Updates
conference. Lexy has also been named to the 2012 USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year Watch List, which puts her in the running for the Player of the Year honor. During the 2011 season, she was a top finalist for the award. As a junior, Lexy led the Big 12 with her .438 batting average, .792 slugging percentage and .510 on-base percentage and set UT single-season records in all three categories.
c l ass agents
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Jenny Long
jenniferlaurenlong@gmail.com
Eugene Kim graduated in December from the University of Texas with a Bachelor of Science in Petroleum Engineering. He works for Weatherford as a deployment engineer in Houston. ekk1288@gmail.com
seliece.dodds@gmail.com
Sarah Holland Jacob Plagens
jnplagens@gmail.com ...................................
2007 c l ass agents ––––––––––––––––––––
Mallory Dixon
malloryd313@yahoo.com
Paul Thompson
. . paul.thompson8811@gmail.com .................................
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Ross Seaton
seatonross@gmail.com
Lexy Bennett is in her senior
season as an infielder on the University of Texas softball team and earned Big 12 Player of the Week honors for the opening week of the 2012 season. This is the third time in her career she has been Player of the Week for the
Tyler Lohse
tylohse@gmail.com
Matthew Kerns
Shannon Dodds
shannondodds@comcast.net
Josh McKenzie
. . . . . mckenzie.jsm@gmail.com ..............................
Christina Hayes
Seh2990@comcast.net
Sarah Mayes
sarahkmayes@aol.com
c l ass agents ––––––––––––––––––––
c l ass agents ––––––––––––––––––––
Seliece Dodds
Hailie Durrett
hailied90@gmail.com
2010
2008 christina7006@aol.com
c l ass agents ––––––––––––––––––––
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Brooks Shanklin
dbshanklin@gmail.com
2009
matthew.kerns@bba09. mccombs.utexas.edu
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2006
Alumni Join Together for Lunch in Austin
................................... ...................................
Ross Seaton married Katherine
Arden on December 17, 2011 at Second Baptist Church Woodway Campus. The couple met in middle school, but lost touch during high school. Eventually, they reconnected via Facebook. Ross eventually gathered the nerve to ask for Katherine’s number, then asked her out, and eventually proposed. seatonross@gmail.com
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2011 c l ass agents ––––––––––––––––––––
Danielle Cope
dcdandy@hotmail.com
William McMichael
. . . wemcmichael@sbcglobal.com ................................
T
he Office of Alumni Relations hosted a free alumni lunch in Austin on Friday, November 11. As always, these lunches are a great time for alums to reconnect and hear about the new things going on at SBS. Alumni from the 80s, 90s and 00s were all interested to hear about the first ever Homecoming dance on campus, the musical, The Sound of Music, the Harkness method and the One-to-One laptop program. Without fail, the question “Is Ms. Ware still there?” always arises. Graduates from 2010 Serena Hudson, Jenna Hendrick and Leslie Slaughter stopped by between classes at The University of Texas. Jennifer Noble ’02, who is currently a PhD student at UT, also took time out from her studies to join. Other 2002 graduates who attended were Sam Whiteside and Catherine Blackburn Frazier. Sam had just returned from a multi-week trip to Central America and Catherine is busy working for Governor Perry. Additional SBS alumni who are living and working in Austin came by the lunch to reconnect. Kelsey Orr ’05 works with a social media company, Amelia McFarland ’89 works at Seton Hospital and Clay Holsey ’99 is a realtor.
Winter/Spring 2012 71
t h e
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w o r d
Chris McInturff SBS alum, coach and teacher
First Day of School Noon Dismissal August 15, 2012
L
ooking back on my time at Second Baptist School as a student, many memories come to mind. In the classroom, on the athletic field, or even on stage, I developed treasured relationships with people I still consider good friends. Moments I will especially remember at SBS include squaredancing in the Hoedown in Lower School, taking a tour of the San Jacinto Monument and the Battleship Texas and traveling to Disney World in Middle School, nearly winning a state title in football, winning one in basketball, performing in one of the best ever SBS productions of Crazy for You, Key Club meetings, pep rallies, and so much more. Looking back now, I really appreciate the incredible opportunities I had to grow academically, morally, and spiritually. However, those years as a student are only a fraction of the impact SBS has had on my life. After graduating from Texas A&M University in 2002 and following God’s call into education, I turned to SBS to begin my career in teaching and coaching. Because so many SBS educators, counselors, and coaches made such an impact on my life, I decided to follow their footsteps in Christian influence, leadership
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Important Dates 2012-2013
Labor Day Holiday September 3, 2012 Fall Holiday October 8, 2012 and devotion to serving the Lord. This year, I am teaching seventh grade history and coaching eighth grade football, seventh grade boys’ basketball, and Middle School track and field. Through God’s plan in placing me at Second Baptist School, I met a beautiful Christian woman, Paige Partin McInturff ’05. Through God’s grace, we have been happily married for over two years. Paige joined the SBS family in the Office of Advancement this year, where she works with an amazing staff as the Annual Giving Officer. Second Baptist School is indeed a special place. Having worked at other schools and knowing friends and coaches from other institutions, I have seen firsthand how extremely unique SBS is. Different memories stand out from time to time, but through the years, the one thing that never fades is the spiritual growth and Christian influence I experienced by attending SBS. I am thankful that I now have the opportunity as an educator to instill our mission statement: to train students to have the courage to live their lives on the great principles of biblical truth.
Homecoming October 12, 2012 Thanksgiving Holidays November 21-23, 2012 Christmas Holidays Begin Noon Dismissal December 21, 2012 Spring Semester Begins January 8, 2013 Winter Holiday February 11, 2013 Spring Break March 11-15, 2013 Easter Holiday March 29, 2013 Easter Holiday/Make-up Day April 1, 2013 Last Day of School/ Class of 2013 Graduation May 24, 2013 Note: All dates listed are subject to change.
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Parents of Alumni If this magazine is addressed to a graduate who no longer maintains a permanent address at your home, please notify the SBS Alumni Office by fax (713) 365-2355, phone (713) 365-2310 or email sbsalumni@secondbaptistschool.org. Please forward this edition of the Eagle on to your SBS graduate. Thank you.