70 Years, 70 Moments

2016 Alumni Athletic Hall of Fame

70 YEARS, 70 MOMENTS

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Birth of the School

On Ash Wednesday 1947, St. Martin’s Protestant Episcopal School opened as the first day school established by the Episcopal Church in Louisiana. At the time, the school was located on Metairie Road and led by its first headmaster, the Rev. David C. Colony. The student body consisted of a weekday kindergarten group taught by the school’s first teacher, Anne Leigh.

Miss Leigh and her kindergarteners

A Lasting Gift

Mr. and Mrs. O.E. Haring establish a foundation for the benefit of Christian education in the Diocese of Louisiana. St. Martin’s is the beneficiary of their first grant, a gift of $20,000. A year later, the foundation bestowed another $20,000 gift to the school.

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Since its inception in 1947, St. Martin’s has been a training ground for leaders. Its combination of academic rigor, healthy competition, spiritual devotion, and selfless giving provides students a strong foundation for a lifetime of success and service.

For 70 years, St. Martin’s has prepared students to thrive in college and in life by instilling in them the values of faith, scholarship, and service. Here, The Bell looks back at 70 moments that helped shape StM’s history.

1948

1949-1950

New Building

Groundbreaking held for a new school building at the original campus on Metairie Road.

Arts Introduced

Drama and music programs added to the school curriculum, a precursor to today’s thriving fine and performing arts programs.

A Time of Growth

225 students are enrolled, with 20 staff.

First Chaplain

The Rev. Albert E. Pons joins the school as assistant headmaster and the school’s first chaplain.

1950

Cutting Edge

Fr. Pons develops and uses audiovisual techniques to teach Bible stories to students. Walt Disney Studios learn about Fr. Pons' teaching techniques and representatives of the studio share some of their techniques with the school.

Major Purchase

Eddy Family estate known as Green Acres, stretching from Airline Drive to Lake Pontchartrain, is purchased for $175,000.

1951

First Commencement

With a growing student body of nearly 600, St. Martin’s graduates its first class.

Board of Trustees Established

The Board of Trustees is formed and charged with the programming and operation of the school. Eight of the board’s 15 founding members were chosen by the church.

’54

A "Chief" Hire

Tony “Chief ” Porter hired as coach. Anthony G. Porter, or “Chief ” as he was often called, coached at St. Martin's. He also served as athletic director until his retirement in 1982. He coached football, basketball, and track. He was received the NORD Meet of Champions in 1970, the Outstanding Coaching Award by the Louisiana High School Coaches Association, and the Distinguished American Award by the National Football Foundation.

Our Second Head of School

Ellsworth O. Van Slate becomes the school’s second headmaster.

New Home

New campus opens at Green Acres with nine two-classroom cottages, a gymnasium, a temporary cafeteria, and an office. For the first time in the school’s young history, it is open to a full 12 grades.

Making Changes

The existing horse barn on the property is remodeled to serve as the cafeteria, a student lounge, art classrooms, and 4th grade classrooms at various times. It was removed in 2000 to make room for auditorium, dining facility, and teaching spaces. The area where The Barn was located remains the heart of campus to this day.

He is remembered as the longest-tenured headmaster in the school’s history, 1951- 1975. Van Slate immediately went to work, outlining his objectives, reorganizing faculty, and setting curriculum goals.

A High Honor

Eugenie Stoll and Bill Doswell, of the Class of 1951, are recognized for outstanding loyalty and devotion to St. Martin’s. This tradition would later become the annual naming of Mr. and Miss St. Martin’s.

A Stately Home

Mr. and Mrs. Van Slate move into the Colonial-style home on Airline Highway, becoming the first St. Martin's family to use it as a residence. Built in 1940, the home has since served as a residence for three other heads of school and their families, including the current Head of School Merry Sorrells and her husband. The house was converted to office space for a brief period of time beginning in 1986, when not in use as a residence.

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Fr. Jenkins Joins StM

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The Rev. John Stone Jenkins joins the faculty as St. Martin’s first dedicated priest, eliminating the need to split time with St. Martin’s Episcopal Church on Metairie Road.

John Stone Jenkins’s job at St. Martin’s was three-fold: to conduct chapelservices for the entire school, teach religion to the seventh, eighth, eleventh, and twelfth grades, and supervise religious studies in the lower school. Jenkins was also instrumental in setting the tone and overall philosophy of the school in the early years.

Student News

The first issue of The Halo is published.

First Yearbook Published

The first annual edition of The Shield appears. Focused on student activities and important events, early issues of The Shield also featured an editorial page, message from the headmaster, and a variety of poems, gossip, and humorous compositions.

1954

1956-1957

Student Council is formed as student governing organization.

’60

’73

The First Bell Rings

1965

1959

Lyre Published

The Lyre, St. Martin’s student literary magazine, is first published.

Award-Winning Faculty

Science Teacher Harold Graf wins Manufacturing Chemists Association Chemistry Teachers Award, one of three recognized in all of US and Canada.

1975Our Third Head of School

1963

Diocesan School

St. Martin’s officially becomes a diocesan school.

Alumni Association Forms

The Alumni Association officially forms and hosts its first event, a Christmas party. Following the event, the association is formally organized with the selection of representatives from each graduating class, led by Chairman Luis Zervigon ’55.

First issue of The Bell is published. An introductory letter written by Ellsworth O. Van Slate states that the purpose of The Bell is to “find a medium through which alumni, parents of present students, and friends of St. Martin’s could be kept informed of the objectives, plans, work, and accomplishments of the school.”

With the retirement of Ellsworth Van Slate, John Comfort takes over as the school’s third headmaster.A native of Pelham, New York, Comfort began his teaching career at Country Day School in Greenwich, Connecticut. He worked at two schools in the northeast before becoming the founding headmaster of Ensworth School in Nashville, where he served for six years. In 1964 he was named headmaster of Graland Country Day School in Denver. Comfort served as headmaster of St. Martin’s from 1975-1980.

1978

Mr. and Miss St. Martin’s

In the first edition of The Shield, Charlene Smith and Jimmy Gundlach of the Class of 1954 were honored as Mr. and Miss St. Martin’s.

Chapel For and By Students

Dan and Frances White Chapel dedicated. Envisioning the chapel as a campus centerpiece, Trustee Frances White gave the lead gift in memory of her husband. In designing the building, the architect, school leaders, and clergy sought input from the students who communicated a desire for a simple house of worship.

Volleyball Team Wins Division II State Championship

In winning state, Coach Linda Trevino’s team sent the loud and clear message that girls’ sports demand an equal level of support at St. Martin’s. It also signaled the emergence of Coach Trevino as one of the most important figures in Louisiana women’s prep athletics.

Fire Destroys Volumes

Library catches fire, damaging several adjacent classrooms and offices, as well as more than 14,000 volumes. St. Martin’s receives an outpouring of support and volunteer help, including the use of other libraries' books and equipment, while the school recovers.

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Making a Splash

The Thanksgiving Pool is formally dedicated. The indoor Olympic-sized pool was made possible by a gift from Suzie and John Graham in thanksgiving for their parents.

Library Opens

New library opens and is named the Martin Family Library in honor of Ken G. Martin and his family, whose gift made the project possible.

First Senior Leadership Day

St. Martin’s begins a new tradition, thanks to the inspired vision of English teacher Julie Wells: a program where seniors take over many of the adult positions in the school for a day.

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Curriculum Expanded

In his first year as headmaster, Witman identifies curriculum goals that resulted in the addition of Latin classes, Honors and Advanced Placement courses, concurrent enrollment at Tulane University for seniors, and Computer Science classes for the entire school.

Computer Revolution

Computers are introduced on campus.

Athletic Field Dedicated

The Athletic Field os dedicated and named the Tony Porter Athletic Field.

Our Fifth Head of School

Donald Schwartz takes over as headmaster. Schwartz served as headmaster from 1986-1994.

Senior Chapel Introduced

Technology Program Established

Full-scale computer program established at StM as an integral part of the learning process.

Van Slates Honored

Formal resolution from the Board of Trustees officially names the Van Slate House in honor of Mr. and Mrs. Van Slate. The two were present at the dedication ceremony in their honor.

’90

No Place Like Home

Though the St. Martin’s girls swimming team won the state title a few years before, the 1980 championship held particular significance. The opening of the Thanksgiving Pool allowed St. Martin’s to host — and win — the state championship in their home pool.

Our Fourth Head of School

John Comfort departs and Harold F. Witman takes the reins as the school’s fourth headmaster.

1984

Spearheaded by senior class president Lester Coe, and conceptualized by Fr. Ralph Byrd, the Senior Chapel serves as the senior class’ homage to the school.

Education Honor

Council for Private American Education names St. Martin’s Lower School one of the top 60 private elementary schools in the nation. Lower School principal Margaret Conaster presented with the honor at the White House by President Ronald Reagan and Secretary of Education Dr. William Bennett.

A Saintly Award

First Martin de Tours Award to Robert L. Livingston, Jr. ’60.

See page 29 for the 2016 recipient and a history of the award.

1992

1994

On the Books

Student Center

The Stuart Kemp Peyton Student Center is built in memory of Stuart Peyton of the Class of 1993. The building was dedicated in January 1993. Located between two corridors of the Upper School, the 2,000 sq. ft. student center provides a comfortable place for students to relax, study, and socialize.

Our Sixth Head of School

Leo P. Dressel is hired as St. Martin’s sixth head of school.

1995

In anticipation of the school’s 50th anniversary, the Rev. Hugh Crockett McKee, Jr., a founding member of the Board of Trustees and Rector Emeritus of St. Martin’s Episcopal Church, compiles a history book detailing the school’s first 50 years.

2001

Campus Improvements Continue

2005-2006

’04

Saints Hall and Solomon Theater open. The first production to take place in the brand-new theater is Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Oklahoma!

Gym Dedicated

Gymnasium dedicated and renamed Adkerson Gymnasium.

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Belle Johnson Scholars Established

In 1997 Doug Johnson ’60 and his family established the Belle Johnson Scholars to honor his mother for her generous service to the school and for making a St. Martin’s education available to him and to his sister Glenn Brady ’65.

1999-2000

Lower School Expands

In September 1999, construction starts on new 4th and 5th grade building.

Gibbs Hall opens to students in March 2000.

Dorothy Porter Honored

Inaugural Dorothy Porter Service Award given to Dorothy Dorsa Porter. The award recognizes a member of the StM community for exemplary service to the school and representation of the motto, philosophy, and mission of St. Martin’s.

Dorothy Dorsa Porter taught at St. Martin’s from 1950 - 1983. She primarily taught social studies and served as chair of the department. She was beloved by students for her fairness and dedication to St. Martin’s. After retirement she continued to serve the school as a member of the Board of Visitors.

George Cottage

The George Cottage, for children ages 2-3, opens and is dedicated on August 22, 2004. The program was named after Kim and Eric George, who provided funds for the original facility.

Merrick Visual Arts Building

At the same ceremony, The Merrick Visual Arts Building is also dedicated by The Rt. Rev. Charles Jenkins, Bishop of Louisiana.

Our Seventh Head of School

Dr. Christian Proctor is named Head of School beginning in the 2005-2006 school year.

The Storm That Changed New Orleans

Hurricane Katrina makes landfall in Plaquemines Parish on August 29. Initial reports state St. Martin’s campus was spared from serious damage and flooding.The school later confirms the majority of impact was tree damage and debris clean up.

Recovery and Re-opening

St. Martin’s reopens in October with 255 re-enrolled students.

The school steps up to serve the community and allows Jesuit High School, still reeling from hurricane damage, to operate its classes on an evening schedule on the StM campus.