FROM THE DESK OF MERRY SORRELLS

Dear St. Martin’s Family and Friends,

As I reflect on my nine years as Head of School at St. Martin’s, gratitude is the word that is pervasive in my thinking. Though the time was peppered with challenges and hurdles, the successes, victories, and opportunities have been nothing short of magical. The St. Martin’s community continues to be a vast and connected family, and this has always been our hallmark.

A few years back, our valedictorian gave a remarkable speech, and while he was delivering his flawless address, his fingers were flying to solve a Rubik’s Cube. None of us knew that this was his intention, and the audience was captivated as we watched and listened to this talented young man accomplish both objectives simultaneously, and seemingly effortlessly.

That same summer, when I visited a nearby coffee shop, whom did I discover behind the counter, waiting on me? This very same young man, our valedictorian. We exchanged a warm greeting before he had to go into the back kitchen to retrieve something. As soon as he stepped out, the women who usually wait on me inquired, with a sense of awe, how I knew him. I let them know that he was a recent graduate of St. Martin’s. They shared with me how impressed they were with him. He was so smart, kind, thoughtful, and capable. He could even make change without looking at the numbers on the cash register. They expressed that his presence brought a light into the coffee shop that hadn’t been there before, and they were so grateful to be working with him.

Not all St. Martin’s students can solve a Rubik's Cube while delivering an impressive address, and most will not rise to the level of valedictorian. But what this young man has in common with his peers from St. Martin’s is his intelligence, his graciousness, his warmth, and his comfort level with new challenges.

It has been an extreme pleasure to work with the faculty, staff, administration, and Board at St. Martin’s to create a learning environment that is challenging, nurturing, supportive, and rigorous. Together we have designed and provided a uniquely innovative curriculum that teaches our students, from their very first days, how to think creatively, critically, collaboratively, and spiritually. From our early childhood play spaces to our Lower School Science and STeaM Labs, our chapel, our classrooms, courts, stage, and fields, and our Gibbs Family Center for Innovation + Design, we prepare our students to thrive in life and to embrace with confidence all that they will encounter. Next year marks our 75th year of following our mission to educate the young students who attend St. Martin’s to be fine, capable, and successful citizens of this world. The legacy of St. Martin’s is an honorable one, and filled with the promise of guiding and developing future leaders.

My seven grandchildren are enrolled at St. Martin’s, and I look forward to visiting them and witnessing the continuation of this dynamic learning atmosphere. My hope is that, as they move through their learning years at St. Martin’s, they will become as accomplished as our talented valedictorian in ways unique to each of them. The love for and understanding of St. Martin’s that Ford Dieth expresses and embodies assures that our traditions and accomplishments will endure as he takes over the reins to lead the school toward the future. I will miss the day-to-day experiences as Head of St. Martin’s, but I look forward to cheering from the wings as our school soars into the future. That our students will continue to brighten their pathways is my sincere hope and expectation. My heart is filled with gratitude for all that I have experienced during my tenure at St. Martin’s. Thank you!

Merry Sorrells, Ed. D. Head of School

FORD JONES DIETH, JR. ’89

has been named Interim Head of School. Dieth has served St. Martin’s in numerous capacities since he returned to St. Martin’s as Head of Lower School in 2013. A valued member of the Leadership Team, he has helped direct St. Martin’s focus on campus safety as the head of the Safety and Security Committee and became the assistant head of school in 2019. Read more on page 12.