THE
AUGUST2015
BELL
For the Alumni, Families, and Friends of St. Martin’s Episcopal School
INTRODUCING THE GIBBS FAMILY CENTER FOR INNOVATION + DESIGN
SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT
Architectural rendering by Blitch Knevel Architects. Architectural renderings are the artist’s interpretation. Finishes may vary. Possible changes may occur.
from Merry Sorrells
St. Martin’s Episcopal School
LEADING THE WAY with a Groundbreaking Program and a Cutting-Edge New Facility This special edition of The Bell is particularly meaningful to me because it is our launching point for the announcement of The Gibbs Family Center for Innovation + Design. Just as our design thinking program has been groundbreaking in education, the groundbreaking of the new facility will further integrate the program throughout our school and community. Ours will be the first building in the region, at the PK-12 school level, dedicated to design thinking and prototyping. It is hard to believe that over two years have already passed since I approached our Director of Innovation + Design, Garrett Mason, at a New Orleans Entrepreneur Week event, asking him to consider coming to St. Martin’s to help create and develop a design thinking program to weave into our academic and extracurricular offerings. This entire concept, modeled after Stanford’s d.school and MIT’s Fab Lab, was so fresh and new in education at the time that we soon became pioneers in the field, a model for other schools and programs as they later ventured forth in this direction.
As you read through the pages of The Bell, you will be treated to samples and examples of authentic curricular projects, across grade levels, which were hatched and executed in our labs. Story continued on page 2
The Gibbs Family Center for Innovation + Design Photo courtesy of Inside New Orleans
We started by transforming one classroom space into our Idea Lab, and the interest spread so quickly that we found ourselves migrating into three classrooms in the Middle/ Upper School area, soon to be followed by a new STeaM Lab in the Lower School. You can imagine our excitement when after a visit by Coeylen Barry, a well-known lecturer from d.school: the Institute of Design at Stanford, she wrote, “I am impressed by the breadth and depth of the projects that the Idea Lab has been able to launch!”
The Center for Innovation + Design will be a cuttingedge facility created to meet the needs of the school’s groundbreaking design thinking program. It will be a venue for teachers, students, and community members to explore the design thinking mindset and problemsolving approach. Designed by Blitch Knevel Architects, the new standalone building will house areas that enable students to experience true hands on learning. The approximately 5,000 square foot facility will simultaneously operate as a design studio, prototype lab, classroom, production studio, woodworking and build shop, and community
partnership workspace. These areas will be equipped with tools and supplies such as 3-D printers, modeling software, and video and audio equipment that will enable the rapid prototyping of ideas, field research, and multimedia presentations. The skillset obtained from utilizing the design thinking process is something St. Martin’s students will carry with them for the rest of their lives. Whether they become designers, educators, or business leaders, their work will be rooted in the practices of active citizenship and community building.
SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT These projects illustrate how this teaching method deepens the learning process and prepares our students to communicate more effectively, ask better questions, and build solutions together by working in a creative, collaborative learning environment. As I write this, our Director of Innovation + Design has just returned from Guatemala, where he was leading a week-long design thinking training for the staff and mentors of a nonprofit organization which provides schooling, mentorship, and leadership support to girls in rural areas. Earlier this year he led two week-long design thinking trainings for young African leaders who were then placed in high-poverty communities across Morocco to use the methods and techniques of design thinking for community development. Throughout the year, schools sent teaching teams to our lab to learn from our example, and Garrett was invited to travel across the country to conduct workshops. Our students worked on site at local businesses using design thinking techniques to help improve processes and communication. As you’ll see in the profiled projects from our Idea Lab, STeaM Lab, and Idea Collective,our students are learning how to solve problems and tackle difficult real-world problems. I never thought that I would describe fundraising for a project as fun, but it has been an absolute delight to present our vision to foundations and friends of the school. The enthusiastic response from our StM supporters enabled us to completely meet our project goal in less than six months of earnest fundraising. Thank you to the friends and families who believed in the vision and gave so generously to this project. This project has generated a level of excitement that is new to my nearly twenty years in education. My words here are the tip of the iceberg when it comes to describing the positive impact this new program and facility will have for our students, our community, and our school. We look forward to sharing our experience with you in coming editions of The Bell!
INNOVATION + DESIGN Marian and I have been DEEPLY INVOLVED in St. Martin’s for over 26 years. OUR CHILDREN, now adults, are enjoying the CONSIDERABLE BENEFITS of an StM education. The ST. MARTIN’S SPIRIT AND ETHOS is a combination of a noble mission, dedicated and committed teachers, challenging curriculum, many extracurricular activities, a beautiful campus, and a curious, motivated and energetic student body. StM is indeed a SPECIAL PLACE for students to grow, spread their wings, and start on the LIFELONG JOURNEY to fulfill their potential and become the BEST THEY CAN BE.
— Marian and Larry Gibbs
Challenge 20/20 St. Martin’s gratefully acknowledges the gifts made to
THE GIBBS FAMILY CENTER FOR INNOVATION + DESIGN The generosity of the individuals and foundations listed below has made this project possible.
2 | August 2015
step approach to design — GATHER, FOCUS, IMAGINE, PROTOTYPE, BUILD, DELIVER. At the center of each step, students find a guiding question, a reminder to have the proper
ANONYMOUS
mindset, and a list of words to trigger actions. Throughout the
THE MIKE AND LYNN COATNEY FAMILY FOUNDATION
process, they are encouraged to step back and reflect, to think
ELLA WEST FREEMAN FOUNDATION
This spring, St. Martin’s was awarded a $50,000 grant from the prestigious Edward E. Ford Foundation for a mobile design thinking laboratory which will enable St. Martin’s students to partner with schools, small businesses, and community organizations on project-based programs. It will serve as a multipurpose design studio, prototyping lab, and classroom that will offer participants the opportunity to learn and apply the design thinking process to solve real-world problems.
At St. Martin’s, the Innovation + Design process involves a six-
ANONYMOUS
THE REV. AND MRS. FREDERICK D. DEVALL IV ’87
The Idea Lab Hits the Road
Sixth grade embarked on a semester-long
about the people and context they are designing for, and to pay attention to and discuss the dynamics of their groups. Risk taking is celebrated and failure is acknowledged as an important
MR. AND MRS. LAWRENCE C. GIBBS
part of the process. We want students to be comfortable with
MR. AND MRS. JOHN J. GRAHAM
being uncomfortable. To push the boundaries of their ideas
MR. AND MRS. STEPHEN M. HUBER ’89
and those of their peers. To build on the tools they have been
MR. AND MRS. E. DOUGLAS JOHNSON, JR. ’60 EUGENIE & JOSEPH JONES FAMILY FOUNDATION MR. JEFF AND MRS. BETSY THREEFOOT KASTON ’72
given and to craft their own. To think holistically but hone in on the details. To focus on growth. To be empathetic leaders and innovators. To use design as a tool for positive social change. Throughout the school year, students are given this chance.
MR. AND MRS. MICHAEL F. NICOLADIS ’78 MR. WALKER FLEMING SAIK ’02 THE SELLEY FOUNDATION MICHAEL E. WANEK FUND THE BERTRAND A. WILSON FAMILY FUND
THE PROCESS
GATHER » FOCUS » IMAGINE » PROTOTYPE » BUILD » DELIVER
project inspired by the NAIS Challenge 20/20, which focuses on examining the global problems outlined in High Noon: 20 Global Problems, 20 Years to Solve Them by Jean Francois Rischard. This gave students the chance to learn about global issues and use the design process to create innovative solutions. Students gathered information on topics ranging from global warming to poverty. Then groups identified a specific topic to explore further. Moving through the design process, students engaged with one another, collecting feedback along the way to refine ideas and move towards prototyping. Prototypes ranged from sketches and technical drawings to apps, models, 3-D printing and even informative videos. Projects included a soccer ball with a filter system to provide a safe and fun way for youth to gain access to clean water, new devices to kill mosquitos in rural areas thus preventing the spread of infectious diseases, a program to develop aquaculture in blighted local areas, and many others. Through a series of culminating presentations, groups shared their solutions with various members of the greater New Orleans design community and stated plans for future development.
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INNOVATION + DESIGN
INNOVATION + DESIGN
Director of Innovation + Design shares his expertise around the globe Garrett Mason, Director of Innovation + Design, has presented and led design thinking methods around the world in the last two years. Among other activities, he has: Presented design thinking methods at the Traverse Conference to a group of innovative educators interested in experiential education. Taught a design thinking workshop in Boulder, Colorado for over 40 educators in collaboration with the Colorado Education Initiative and CreatEDU.
St. Martin’s students collaborate with Ibadan University students in Nigeria using Skype.
Alleviating Poverty Upper School World History classes embarked on a mission
to collaborate with other students to solve the issue of poverty. Internationally, over three billion people live on less than $2.50 a day. StM paired with the International School at Ibadan University in Nigeria to explore that country. To begin, teams gathered information on the causes of poverty in each other’s country. Then they focused on specific issues to target. Students communicated via conference calls and Skype to share progress, receive feedback, and exchange final proposals. Themes of education, job training, and entrepreneurship emerged. StM students developed specific plans for increasing agricultural productivity in Nigeria, such as mass cultivation of nutritional crops that are relatively unused. They also posited providing government and international programs to aid small farmers, supporting educational programs in engineering fields to build capacity for infrastructure development, creating more opportunities for women entrepreneurship, and providing alternative of theW education for students at risk ORLD’ S of dropping out of school. POPU
LATION
lives o n less th an $2.50 a day
4 | August 2015
Led two week-long design thinking trainings for CorpsAfrica volunteers, who were then placed in high-poverty communities throughout Morocco to use the methods and techniques of design thinking for community development. Facilitated design thinking training through the 4.0 Schools Launch program for a group of entrepreneurs to utilize the methods and techniques in the creation of their start-up education ventures and businesses. Taught a design thinking professional development training for public school teachers through FirstLine School’s Summer Camp X. Led a two-day design thinking bootcamp for over 50 educators in collaboration with Leadership+Design and Tulane University. Trained the staff and members of Starfish, a non-profit organization that provides schooling, as well as mentorship and leadership support, to girls in rural Guatemala. Led three week-long leadership and design workshops for students in conjunction with an educator training program for teachers from around the world. These were held in Seattle, Washington, and in New Orleans at the Solomon Group and at Tulane City Center.
Geometry in Art and Architecture Upper School Geometry classes spent a portion of the semester learning about
the role geometry plays in art and architecture through research and analysis, then applied those concepts to design a proposal to transform an outdoor space on the St. Martin’s campus. To begin, students were asked to become more aware of natural and built environments by documenting their world using their smartphone cameras. They then built background knowledge of how geometry has played a role in the work of designers throughout history, looking at concepts from the Vitruvian man to the golden ratio. They also researched designers to see how these concepts have been used. In the final phase of the project, students reimagined an underutilized site on campus into a space where students could relax, work together, and have class. Working in groups, they conducted research on seating, rain gardens, pavilions, walkways, and exterior building materials. They created diagrams to explore concepts such as work vs. play, open vs. enclosed, and light vs. heavy. They learned drafting techniques and drew scaled site plans. They then moved to 3-D modeling to represent spatial qualities. Finally they presented all their work to guest designers who provided critical feedback.
The Bell | 5
INNOVATION + DESIGN
Message from the Chairman of the Board of Trustees
IDCo Parking Efficiency When the St. Martin’s Safety Committee, composed of key
administration and staff, decided to address the issues of safety and efficiency in the school’s parking lot during carpool times, they approached the Innovation + Design Collective (IDCo) for the answer. This group of Upper School students is particularly interested in design and meets every week during their lunch period. Their first step was to gather as much information as possible. The group observed morning and afternoon carpool, talked with students, staff, and parents, and researched code guidelines for parking lots. Armed with information, they explored possible solutions. As those emerged they organized meetings to share ideas with members of the larger StM community to solicit feedback. They even worked with the Jefferson Parish Sheriff ’s Office. Their final proposal was put in front of the Safety Committee and approved for a prototyping phase. For two weeks the IDCo could see in real time the effectiveness of their changes, and solicit more feedback from the community. The final scheme implemented a change in faculty and student parking, installation of speedbumps and crosswalks, and new signage.
Stephen Huber ’89 The past decade has brought many changes to
City X This spring, 4th and 5th grade
students engaged in the City X Project, an international educational workshop that teaches creative problem solving using 3-D printing technologies and the design process. Each student was assigned a fictional character who lived in City X and had to design and prototype something that addressed a challenge their character was facing. Some of the solutions students came up with were a medical patch that could transform into a cast to treat injuries, jet propelled shoes for transportation, and a ‘meteor grabber’ that would catch a meteor before hitting the planet. You can read more about the program at cityxproject.com.
St. Martin’s, and to the world of education in general. On behalf of the Board of Trustees, I have to say that one of the greatest changes occurred when Merry Sorrells took leadership as our Head of School in 2012. The work she has done for our school in only a few years has had a huge impact on our students, the curriculum, and our community. It gives me great pride and excitement to announce that Merry has accepted an unprecedented five-year contract extension that will allow her to continue her place at the helm of St. Martin’s as it pioneers further into 21st century teaching and learning. Merry has the Board’s utmost confidence and we know our school is in extremely capable hands with her as our leader. Merry has brought a new level of innovation, collaborative Thank you to all my fellow alums, thinking, and diversification to the school’s curriculum parents, and friends of the school and student body. Under her leadership, St. Martin’s has who are continuing to support introduced the practice of integrating design-thinking St. Martin’s Episcopal School. across all grade levels, preparing our students for college and for life. She has expanded the George Cottage early childhood program, which doubled in size in just one year, and has made huge strides in enhancing our athletic and other enrichment programs. In addition to academics, St. Martin’s has always focused on faith-based learning. This summer, we further emphasized the important role that faith plays in our students’ educational careers by appointing The Rev. Dr. Michael Kuhn as Assistant Head of School. Fr. Kuhn, who also serves as the Lower and Middle School Chaplain, brings over 30 years of experience to this role; we are so pleased to have him and Merry working side-by-side to take St. Martin’s to even greater heights. With skilled, visionary, and competent leaders, a solid faith-based foundation, and an innovative curriculum, St. Martin’s has positioned itself as one of the region’s strongest educational institutions. I could not be more pleased about the direction of our school. Thank you to all my fellow alums, parents, and friends of the school who are continuing to support St. Martin’s Episcopal School. I hope you enjoy this exciting issue of The Bell.
6 | August 2015
2014-15 Board of Trustees Mr. Stephen M. Huber ’89, Chair Mr. Patrick E. Costello, Vice Chair Mr. Michael F. Nicoladis ’78, Past Chair Mrs. Heidi Gremillion, Secretary Mr. Jeffrey Meckstroth, Treasurer The Rev. Frederick D. Devall IV ’87 Mr. G. Perry Eastman III ’62 Mr. John M. Girault, Sr. ’55 Mrs. Betsy Threefoot Kaston ’72 Mrs. Ana Ortega ’85 Mr. David S. Reeves Mr. Walker Fleming Saik ’02 Dr. Peter Stedman ’71 Ex officio: Mrs. Merry Sorrells The Rt. Rev. Morris K. Thompson 2014-15 Board of Visitors Mr. Michael C. Odom, President Mr. Herschel L. Abbott, Jr. Mrs. Judy Fremaux Adams ’64 Mr. Richard C. Adkerson Dr. Robert Arensman Mr. Brian C. Bossier ’78 Mr. Alan G. Brackett Mr. Gary H. Brewster ’71 Mrs. Joella B. Burlingame Mrs. Lynn S. Coatney Brig. Gen. J. B. Cobb ’54 Mrs. Beth DePass ’79 The Very Rev. David duPlantier Dr. W. Brooks Emory ’60 Mr. Michael A. Flick The Rev. Susan Gaumer Dr. Tejas T. Godiwala Mr. John J. Graham Mr. James O. Gundlach ’54 Mrs. Donna Bethune Lewis Mrs. Brenda Manard Mr. Robert W. Merrick ’62 Mr. Jesse B. Morgan III ’66 Mr. Robert E. Peyton Mrs. Becky Ramelli Mrs. Janet Rigdon Dr. Fred H. Rodriguez, Jr. ’68 Mrs. Mary Sue Nelson Roniger ’60 Mr. Jerry L. Saporito Mrs. Margaret Schuber Mr. Howard J. Smith, Jr. ’60 Mr. Gary N. Solomon, Sr. Mrs. Karen Sullivan Mr. George R. Sumner Mrs. Edie Wilson Mr. John M. Wilson Ex officio: The Rev. Frederick D. Devall IV ’87 Mrs. Merry Sorrells The Rt. Rev. Morris K. Thompson
The Bell | 7
SECTION NAME August 2015
55
Publisher
24
St. Martin’s Episcopal School 225 Green Acres Road Metairie, LA 70003 (504) 733-0353 stmsaints.com
Head of School Merry Sorrells
Director of Development Lisa Davis
Director of Marketing & Communications
22
Editor, The Bell
14
Rob Norton
Director of Alumni Aimee Hyatt ’02
Photography
Wally Porter ’76, Parker Waters, Rob Norton, Megan Bauer, and faculty, parent and alumni submissions.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
39
15
Design
Kristi Peters and Christy Hackenberg, KP Creative
News & Events 10 Retiring Staff 14 Award Ceremonies 16 Athletic Awards 20 Athletics 22 Class of 2015 Graduation 24 Annual Fund 32 Saints Community Organization 34 Endowment & Special Funds 36 Alumni Events 39 Alumni Spotlight 44
13
45
Scattered Faculty 46 Scattered Saints 47 Memorials 54
MISSION STATEMENT
“We prepare students to thrive in college and in life through faith, scholarship and service.”
NEWS & EVENTS
NEWS & EVENTS
St. Martin’s Day
Class of 2016 Ring Day
Friday, November 7, 2014 — St. Martin’s held its annual
The annual tradition of Ring Day was observed Thursday, March 26, 2015, in the Dan and Frances White Chapel. James Adair ’93 gave the address.
celebration of our patron saint. This year’s theme was “Friendship without Borders” and, leading up to the event, the community helped raise money for the student-selected charity Friends of Liberia. The day began with a lovely all-school chapel service followed by games. Afterwards, everyone headed off to meet with buddies and seek answers for the annual discovery hunt. After a pep rally and traditional hamburger lunch, the entire school reassembled for closing ceremonies in the gym where the day ended with the singing of the Alma Mater. Background image: St. Martin’s Day comes to a close as the entire school sings the alma mater. 10 | August 2015
National Honor Society Spring Tapping The NHS Spring Tapping inducted four new students into the National Honor Society on Thursday, March 5, 2015. Former St. Martin’s faculty member Eileen Beckman gave the address.
Right: NHS inductees Helena Lazich, Anastasia Campeau, Rodney Rice, Madeline Stefani Left: The Class of 2016 on Ring Day The Bell | 11
NEWS & EVENTS
NEWS & EVENTS
Academic Teams win awards Academic excellence through scholarship has always been the hallmark of St. Martin’s Episcopal School. The 2014-2015 school year afforded numerous opportunities for our students at all grade levels to shine. St. Martin’s Quiz Bowl Team won both the Division and Overall State
Championships in the 2015 LAAC Prep Quiz Bowl Competition. The Louisiana Association for Academic Competition divides schools into four divisions by size and geographic region throughout the state to facilitate competition. After advancing to the State Championships, the team from St. Martin’s won not only its Division Championship, but the overall State Championship! Coached by long-time faculty member Lee Klebba, the Quiz Bowl team was led by team captain Iris Mire ’15 with Joseph DeCorte ’15, Alex Monier ’15, Jules France ’18, and Bryce Monier ’18. The team went on to compete at the regional competition of the National Quiz Bowl Tournament. The Quiz Bowl Team: Joseph DeCorte ’15, Alex Monier ’15, Advisor Lee Klebba, team captain Iris Mire ’15, Bryce Monier ’18, and Jules France ’18.
St. Martin’s State Rally Team also put in
a command performance that included Madelaine Pickens ’19 being declared the Overall Winner for Algebra I in the State of Louisiana. Additionally, St. Martin’s students earned six 1st place certificates, four 2nd place certificates, and a 3rd place certificate. Connie Munson and Janis McCormick coached the teams. State Rally Results April 25, 2015
Suessical the Musical The StM Performing Arts Department
presented this year’s all-school production, Seussical the Musical. Four outstanding performances were held April 22-25 in the Solomon Theatre.
LITERARY RESULTS Overall Winner Madelaine Pickens, Algebra I 1st Place
Madelaine Pickens, Algebra I Srihari Korrapati, Calculus Jessica Pickens, French I Rico Coleman, Latin I Gabriella Killett, Spanish I Johnathan Glenn, US History
2nd Place
Jun Choi, Algebra II Iris Mire, English IV Garrett Kalogiratos, French II Curry Cappel, Latin II
3rd Place
Caitlin Bagnetto, World History
OPEN AND PERFORMANCE EVENTS Superior Gigi Herberg, French IV: Interpretive Reading Excellent Anastasia Campeau, French IV: Extemporaneous Speaking
Division C Team
Division B Team
At the Louisiana State Science Olympiad Championships, St. Martin’s Episcopal School’s Division B team earned
2nd place, while the Division C team earned 3rd place. The overall medal count for St. Martin’s was one gold, three silver, and four bronze. Warren Lind coached the team.
12 | August 2015
The Bell | 13
NEWS & EVENTS
NEWS & EVENTS
Performing Arts Spring Concert The Performing Arts Department presented
The Halo Earns Top Honors Two Straight Years Chris Hamann
Jenkins Knighten
Janis McCormick
Vicki Johnson
Retiring Employees
– 2015 –
Thank you for your service to St. Martin’s!
Carmen Dobrescu
The staff of The Halo, St. Martin’s student newspaper,
competed in the Tom Bell Silver Scribe Conference in March at Loyola University. For the second year in a row, they took home the overall prize! Congratulations to the entire staff, along with faculty advisor Al Tritico. This first place finish is shared by all of the Halo staff, and especially recognizes the hard work the senior editors have put in for the past year.
Mr. Bivian “Sonny” Lee II, winner of the 2015 St. Martin’s Episcopal School Leadership Award
PRIOR RECIPIENTS OF THE ST. MARTIN’S EPISCOPAL SCHOOL LEADERSHIP AWARD MR. DOYLE COATNEY (2009) businessman, St. Martin’s grandparent of alumni and generous benefactor
Dedication of
The Julie Dieth Memorial Bell Garden On Monday, May 11, students, faculty, and friends gathered
for a very special dedication of the new bell garden in the Lower School. Named in honor of beloved teacher Julie Dieth, the garden serves as a reminder of her spirit, caring, and kindness.
MR. BRIAN BORDAINICK (2010) then- Executive Director of 9th Ward Field of Dreams MR. RON FORMAN (2011) President and CEO of Audubon Nature Institute, Inc. MR. DOUG THORNTON (2012) Senior Vice President, Stadiums and Arenas, SMG MR. ROLAND VON KURNATOWSKI (2013) founder of the Tipitina’s Foudnation MRS. RENE LEWIS-CARTER (2014) Prinicpal of Martin Behrman Charter School Academy of Creative Arts and Sciences
14 | August 2015
its Spring Concert on April 29 at 7 p.m. in the Dan and Frances White Chapel. Attendees enjoyed performances by the choir, band, and handbells.
St. Martin’s Episcopal School Leadership Award Mr. Bivian “Sonny” Lee II, founder/president of the Son of a Saint organization,
has been named the recipient of the 2015 St. Martin’s Episcopal School Leadership Award. It is presented annually to an individual who has demonstrated leadership in the Greater New Orleans area. The recipient is selected by a process in which ten students, representing grades 8 through 12, research potential nominees, make presentations to the student body, and plan the award presentation event. Son of a Saint (sonofasaint.org) is a nonprofit organization in New Orleans that is dedicated to enhancing the lives of fatherless young males. The son of a former Saints player, the late Bivian Lee, Sonny is the former chief aide to Saints’ and Pelicans’ owner Tom Benson. He previously held positions as the Director of Operations for the New Orleans Zephyrs and Director of the New Orleans Jazz Institute. Mr. Lee is a graduate of St. Augustine High School and the University of New Orleans. He is a youth mentor and TEDx speaker. His nonprofit work has been highlighted on CNN, Al Jazeera America, NPR, and local television stations and newspapers. His personal background and the Son of a Saint organization was the subject of a CBS Sports Network Super Bowl feature in 2013. Mr. Lee has been the recipient of several awards, including: 2015 Ten Outstanding Young Americans, from the United States Junior Chamber; 2014 New Orleans Magazine People to Watch; 2013 FBI Director’s Community Leadership Award; 2013 Champion of Change Award Crescent City Chapter of Links, Inc.; and 2013 Millennial Change Maker Award given by Spears Consulting. He was also included in the 2011 “40 Under 40” list by Gambit Magazine.
The Bell | 15
2014-2015 AWARDS
LOWER & MIDDLE SCHOOLS
Student Awards Lower School
Middle School
5th Grade Awards Program, May 22, 2015
Awards Program, May 28, 2015
SHILLING AWARD
Presented out of love and gratitude for Miss Shilling, teacher and friend, to a student selected by the faculty on the basis of scholarship, service and amiability.
ACADEMIC CITIZENSHIP AWARD
Winners Stefan Heppe, Taylor Stokes, and Mycah Porter
HIGHEST CLASS AVERAGE
Runners up Stefan Heppe and Brooke Whelan with winner Lauren Bone MILLICAN CUP
Presented to the student who has excelled in academic achievement and has consistently displayed the characteristics of good citizenship. Lauren Bone and Halle Bryan MARJORIE CONATSER AWARD
Presented in thanksgiving for the vision and dedication of Marjorie Conatser, a teacher and Lower School Head, to the student who possesses integrity, initiative, creativity, and enthusiasm.
HIGH ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS
Lauren Bone Halle Bryan Audrey Corcoran Kate Corcoran Charley Halpern Lauren Monier Mason Ng Christian Schneller Ashton Shepherd Taylor Stokes Michael Talbot Daniel Thompson Brooke Whelan ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS Allie Ducote Stefan Heppe Ryan Johnson Camryn Lafleur Sofia Lovera Katherine Main Carden Pippin Lilly Rabe
DON SCHWARZ DEAN’S AWARD
Madelaine Pickens, 8th Grade, Bharat Solankey, 7th Grade, and Clara Conatser, 6th Grade.
Richard Whitney with MS Head Jenny Velasquez
OUTSTANDING CITIZENSHIP
6th Grade: Clara Conatser Thomas Devall
7th Grade: Ella Zheng Zachery Day
8th Grade: Natalia Bourg James Thomas
DON SCHWARZ DEAN’S AWARD
DUKE UNIVERSITY TALENT SEARCH
Presented annually to a student selected by the Head of Middle School who excels academically and displays dedication to the St. Martin’s ideals of faith, scholarship and service.
Students Receiving State Recognition Iris Heppe and Bharat Solanky DUKE UNIVERSITY TALENT SEARCH
Students Receiving Academy for Summer Studies Recognition Jack Corsetti, Andrew Gary, Iris Heppe, Bharat Solanky, and Brandon Stokes
Winner Halle Bryan and Marjorie Conatser
16 | August 2015
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2013-2014 AWARDS 2014-2015
UPPER SCHOOL
Upper School Honors Program, May 29, 2015
VALEDICTORIAN
Joe DeCorte SALUTATORIAN
Iris Mire NATIONAL MERIT FINALIST RECOGNITION
National Merit Finalists Iris Mire National Merit Commended Scholars Joe DeCorte CUM LAUDE SOCIETY
Seniors Anna Bilich Isabel Celata Joe DeCorte Will Dean Srihari Korrapati Jack Jenkins Alex Monier Iris Mire Ross Reggio Elise Ripley Tiffany Tavassoli Juniors Kailee Gibson Madison Kahn Abbey Simms Jack Zheng
THE JULIE DIETH 13-YEAR CLUB MEMBERS
Jack Brown Rivers Bruce Isabel Celata Will Dean Sarah Duplantier Ross Reggio Tiffany Tavassoli Aleks Vogel Mason Wooton THE JULIE DIETH 14-YEAR CLUB MEMBERS
Whitney Appel Jason Bremermann Clare Brierre Emily Bryan Bonnie Cash Alexandra Cashman Melissa Degrado Zach Israel Jack Jenkins Srihari Korropati Gerald Martin Alex Monier Jeremy Ott Bryan Recile Amanda Roquette Josh Wollfarth GIRLS’/BOYS’ STATE RECOGNITION
Girls’ State Delegates Helena Lazich Abbey Simms Queen Tervalon
Head of School Merry Sorrells with HeadOf School’s Academic and Athletic Achievement Award winners Ally Bartholomew, Chloe Bartholomew, and Bryce Monier HEAD OF SCHOOL’S ACADEMIC AND ATHLETIC ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
Presented annually to the young man and young woman who have attained the highest academic average for the school year while lettering in two or more sports. THE DR. W. BROOKS EMORY SCHOLARSHIP AWARD
This award is given to a sophomore who exemplifies “Faith, Scholarship and Service.” It was established by Dorothy Dorsa Porter, to honor Dr. Emory’s professional efforts and friendship. This legacy in her estate provides a modest scholarship for the recipient’s junior year. Luke Jeanfreau THE GUSTAF R. WESTFELDT, JR. AWARD
Awarded annually to the sophomore student who has been of outstanding service to the school and community without thought of recognition or praise but out of desire to be helpful. The award is given to a sophomore, chosen by the sophomore class from a list of nominees, who is noted for attitude, effort, example, and service. Brooke Williamson THE O.E. HARING MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP AWARD
Selected by the Head of School and the school clergy from nominations given by the faculty, this award is given to a junior student who has set an example of exemplary Christian citizenship on the campus, through whose efforts a significant contribution was made to the religious life. Antonio Imbornone
Rev. Jeff Millican with Antonio Imbornone
Allison Thomas with Helena Lazich
Mary Bond with Miles Encalarde
Alex Monier with Joe DeCorte
THE COATNEY LEADERSHIP AWARD
THE MILDRED ELLIS HERRON MEMORIAL AWARD
Presented to a junior student who has been selected by the members of the junior class from nominations made by the Upper School faculty. A Coatney leader guides by example and takes effective action based upon thorough knowledge of a particular situation with concern for the good of St. Martin’s students and the greater community as well. Further, he/she gives graciously of their time and skills, thus inspiring others to do likewise. Helena Lazich
Chosen by the Upper School faculty and administration, this award is given to a senior girl who exemplifies an enthusiasm for life, school spirit, and true friendship not only to the St. Martin’s community but to the community at large in memory of Millie Herron ’88. Isabel Celata
THE JOHN F. AKER AWARD
Commemorating our affection and respect for a former colleague and English teacher, this award is given to a junior whose effort, example, and character have made an outstanding contribution to the life of St. Martin’s school. The recipient is selected by a majority vote of the Upper School faculty. Miles Encalarde THE MICHAEL JOHN MOSELEY AWARD
Commemorating the outstanding record that was established at St. Martin’s by Michael John Moseley, class of 1967, who was a scholar and gave us leadership in service and athletics, this award is given to a student chosen by the Student Council, who is outstanding in athletics, scholarship, and service. Alex Monier
THE E. O. VAN SLATE SERVICE AWARD
Publicly recognizing the respect and affection of the faculty for their former Head of School, this award is given by the Head of School to a senior who has shown outstanding service to the school. Gerald Martin THE REV. JOHN STONE JENKINS CITIZENSHIP AWARD
Each year, two seniors are chosen by the Upper School faculty to receive this award which is based on character, courage, scholarship, leadership, and service. Joe DeCorte Srihari Korrapati THE SPIRIT OF ST. MARTIN’S AWARDS
This award is given to that member of the senior class who, in opinion of the Upper School faculty, best possesses and represents the qualities and characteristics of our school: Faith, Scholarship and Service. Iris Mire
Boys’ State Delegates Antonio Imbornone Bo Molbert
Rebecca Lovisa with Luke Jeanfreau 18 | August 2015
Rebecca Lovisa with winner Brooke Williamson
Greg Williams with Isabel Celata
Head of Upper School Michelle Scandurro with Gerald Martin
Srihari Korrapati and Joe DeCorte
Michelle Scandurro with Iris Mire The Bell | 19
SECTION NAME 2013-2014 2014-2015 AWARDS
ATHLETICS
2014-2015 Athletic Awards The awards ceremony was held on Friday, May 22. The Banquet began
at 11 a.m in the Dining Hall and was followed by the awards ceremony at 11:45 a.m. in the Solomon Theatre. Athletics Most Valuable Players and Most Improved Players
Major Awards
BASEBALL
Most Valuable Player
THE A.G. “TONY” PORTER AWARD
THE GLENN “ABE” MARTIN AWARD
THE ROBERT L. PETIT AWARD
BASKETBALL, BOYS
Most Valuable Player
BASKETBALL, GIRLS
Most Valuable Player
CROSS COUNTRY, BOYS
Most Valuable Player
Antonio Imbornone
Jesse Reeves
The Glenn “Abe” Martin award is presented annually to the male athlete selected by the Athletic Department who has demonstrated the highest ideals of leadership, character, spirit, and athletic achievement while participating in two or more varsity sports during the school year.
The Robert L. Petit Award is presented annually to a female athlete selected by the Athletic Department who has demonstrated the highest ideals of leadership, character, spirit, and athletic achievement while participating in two or more varsity sports during the school year.
CROSS COUNTRY, GIRLS
Most Valuable Player
Anabella Imbornone
Most Improved Player
Ashlyn Boyd
Commemorating St. Martin’s affection and admiration of Tony “Chief ” Porter, this award is presented to the male and female athletes who are members of the track team, who are spirited and unafraid to take risks and try new events for the improvement of the team. They possess the qualities of dedication, commitment, and hard work.
CHEERLEADING
Most Valuable Player
Most Improved Player
FOOTBALL (DEFENSE)
Most Valuable Player
FOOTBALL (OFFENSE)
Most Valuable Player
GOLF
Most Valuable Player
SOCCER, BOYS
Most Valuable Player
SOCCER, GIRLS
Most Valuable Player
Trinity Barriere
Anna Bilich
SOFTBALL
Most Valuable Player
Most Improved Player
Raj Shah
Brandon Womac Khaja Bradley
Whitney Appel Will Dean Ethan Robarts
Desmond McGovern
Levi Thompson
Kayla Gerard
Most Valuable Player
SWIMMING, BOYS
Most Valuable Player
Most Improved Player
Ethan Robarts
Most Improved Player
Gabby Killett
Most Improved Player
Julia Weaver
Most Improved Player
Hayden Nugent
Most Improved Player
Max Pancamo
Betzy Liriano
Natasha Salas
Most Improved Player
Brooke Williamson
Most Improved Player
Most Valuable Player
Most Improved Player
TRACK, GIRLS
Most Valuable Player
Jesse Reeves
Chloe Bartholomew
TRACK, BOYS
Most Valuable Player
VOLLEYBALL
Most Valuable Player
20 || August August2015 2015
THE E. DOUGLAS JOHNSON AWARD
The James M. Burlingame Award is presented annually to the male athlete who has demonstrated superior athletic achievement and ability in two or more varsity sports during the school year.
The E. Douglas Johnson Award is presented annually to the young lady selected by the Athletic Department who has demonstrated superior athletic achievement and ability in two or more varsity sports during the school year.
Desmond McGovern
Kayla Gerard
Antonio Imbornone Kayla Gerard
THE JOE MOOTY AWARD
The Joe Mooty Award is presented annually to an underclassman who through his attitude and work ethic exhibits a love for the game of basketball.
Most Improved Player
TENNIS, BOYS
THE JAMES M. BURLINGAME AWARD
Joseph Martin
Josh Wollfarth
Kayla Gerard
Most Improved Player
Ross Reggio
Antonio Imbornone and Karly Bruss
Ethan Robarts
Nick Dellacroce
SWIMMING, GIRLS
Most Improved Player
Ethan Robarts
Gerald Martin
Most Improved Player
Ally Bartholomew
Most Improved Player
Bryce Monier
THE DAVE RICE AWARD
This award is presented each year to the senior boy and girl varsity athlete who have displayed the most caring attitude and devotion toward their fellow teammates. Jared Pigeon and Whitney Appel
Andrew Devall
THE JUDY KETCHUM BAEHR AWARD
This award is given annually to the athletes who have distinguished themselves by lettering in three or more varsity sports during their senior year. Alex Monier, Whitney Appel, Ethan Robarts, Kayla Gerard, and Desmond McGovern
Congratulations to Ethan Robarts ’15 and Will Dean ’15, who were named 2015 Scholar Athletes by the Allstate Sugar Bowl Chapter of the National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame!
Most Improved Player
Lillian Doskey
The Bell | 21
2015 ATHLETICS
2015 ATHLETICS
Winter and Spring Sports
Make Big Strides and Notch Big Wins Our student athletes showed that hard work pays off by achieving success on the field, in the classroom, and representing St. Martin’s with character and sportsmanship!
Jack Jenkins finished 1st in the regional track meet in Javelin, and finished 2nd in the State Class 1-A. Girls and Boys Swimming finished 4th overall at the state competition. Boys’ Basketball made it to the 2nd round of the state basketball playoffs for only the 3rd time in the last 37 years! Brandon Womac was named nola.com’s New Orleans Metro Area Small School Male Athlete of the Week. Brandon Womac and Desmond McGovern were named to the Nola.com and Coaches All-District Boys Team. Khaja Bradley was named to the Coaches All-District Girls Basketball Team. Baseball had a great season as they notched a big 1st round win in the playoffs before losing a 1 run heartbreaker in the 2nd round. Desmond McGovern, Raj Shah, Hampton Davis and Kevin Bird all earned All District 1st Team honors. Max Pancamo and Jared Pigeon earned 2nd Team honors. Raj Shah was named the nola.com New Orleans Metro Area Small School male Athlete of the Week 3 times! Softball really came together as a team as the season wore on. The Louisiana Softball Coaches Association selected Khaja Bradley to the All-State softball team. In addition to Khaja, Kayla Gerard and Malorie Saucier earned All-District. Boys Tennis had the doubles teams of Alex Monier and Bryce Monier, and Jesse Reeves and Gerald Martin both notch wins in the 1st round of the State Tennis Tournament. Levi Thompson and Jun Choi earned t All-District honors for Boys Soccer, and Levi Thompson was named the District 9-III Defensive MVP. Trinity Barriere and Kailee Gibson earned AllDistrict team awards, and led our Girls Soccer team into the playoffs. Our golf team competed well with Nick DellaCroce advancing to the regionals as an individual medalist. In June, the cheerleaders competed in the UCA Cheerleading Camp in Gulf Shores, AL. Despite often competing against schools twice their size, our squad earned an excellent rating in sidelines and extreme routine, and a superior rating in stunting. During the final “Game Day Championships,” they received a superior rating and brought home a trophy. St. Martin’s officially added Lacrosse as a club sport! St. Martin’s partnered with Ochsner Sports Medecine to offer a higher level of care and training to our student-athletes.
22 | August 2015
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SECTION GRADUATION CLASS OFNAME 2015SPEECHES
Tonight is one of the last times that you will gather together as the Class of 2015. I know that in a few days you will not remember what you hear tonight, but I do hope that you will remember that what I say is being said with love and respect for this class. You belong to one of the best classes that have ever graduated from St. Martin’s.
What makes you so special—so memorable—has nothing to do with your performances on stage, or your accomplishments in the classroom, or your accolades in sports or Quiz Bowl, or Science Olympiad. It has everything to do with WHO YOU ARE on the inside. When I think of you I think of your smiles, your hugs, our sometimes deep conversations, and our mutual respect. There is just something that sets you apart. Those intangible, immeasurable qualities—respect, morality, goodness, kindness, strength of character, and empathy. You have survived deep emotional stress and loss, academic challenges, and the normal and expected ups and downs of teenage life. You have stood by each other and helped one another through death, divorce, broken friendships and more. With the support and care of your peers and your family, you have not stopped living your life. Living takes courage and you have that in abundance. Give this class a challenge, defeat them,
24 | August 2015
GRADUATION SECTION SPEECHES NAME
Baccalaureate Speech
Commencement Address
Janis McCormick, Math Department
Al Tritico, English Department & Faculty Sponsor of The Halo
but don’t expect them to back down— they won’t.
cluded) are left with the worry and you have already moved on.
Good Evening, assembled people of St. Martin’s…and Stewie.
I cannot deny that I am prejudiced when it comes to this class. You captured my heart in middle school and I have never wanted it back. I taught some of you in 7th grade and most of you in 8th grade. It was about this time four years ago that I fought back tears telling you how much I had enjoyed teaching you. I did not want to let you go. I feel the same tonight, but tonight is different. I will not see you around school. You will be off experiencing a new phase of your life. Our relationship will change, but that is okay. It has to be okay because that is what life calls us to do.
In closing, I want you to know that you have honored me tonight by asking me to speak and I hope that I have honored you as well. I will miss you, but I will not forget you. Nor will I forget your parents. They are as important to me as you are. They have been so supportive of you and of me, and they have become my dear, dear friends.
Your parents and grandparents and close members of your family are probably thinking much the same things that I am. They have conflicting feelings of pride and fear. Pride in what you have accomplished and concern about your “leaving their nest.” Most young people your age do not want advice. I totally understand that. You want to do things the way you think they should be done and learn from your own mistakes. That is fine and good, but I do have one bit of practical advice for you, and it involves communication. CALL HOME—nothing is worse for a parent than to not hear from their child— and yes you are still their child—and will be forever. A simple call every few days does wonders for your parents. It doesn’t have to be a long conversation. Just a quick—Hi mom, Hi dad—I am doing great. Miss you. Love you. I’ll call again in a couple of days. That is all that most parents need. They just want to hear your voice. On the other hand (and this is my second bit of advice), when you call home upset, it is your responsibility to call back when you have forgotten what you were upset about. Don’t leave your parents worried and wondering. Don’t forget to make that call back that says that you are okay. So many times parents (myself in-
As my final thought, I want to leave you with a blessing. Blessings were given in the Bible, first in the Old Testament and then in the New. Certain households still maintain this tradition to this day. This is my graduation blessing to you. A Graduation Blessing May you learn to listen to that small, still voice in your head May you live without regret May you embrace the pain in your life and learn to grow from it May you see adversity as opportunity May you handle dissappoinment with grace May you find time each day to show kindness to someone May you feel gratitude for all the good in your life May you have good health and a cheerful spirit May you seek to live a godly life May God bless you each day of your life I wish you the very, very best. I wish you strength and wisdom to deal with what life places in your path. I pray that you will keep all challenges in perspective and keep moving forward, but I pray most of all that you will always remember that I love you, your parents love you, and above all your Creator loves you. Godspeed and God bless each one of you.
Prologue: Yeah, I’m gonna play the hits tonight. But here’s the thing: This isn’t a speech. This is a thank-you note. It’s about us. I’ll tell you a little about me, and about why I identify with 2015. You know I love you. By the end of this, you’ll know a little more about the “why.” But tonight is about you—and so this is my last shot to send you off with something tangible, something you can take away from the four years we’ve spent together. Some of this will be “do better than me, do good things.” It’s my hope none of this will be condescending. And I’ll give a shout-out to the Monkey House at some point. Intro: A little over a week ago, David Letterman ended his nearly 35-year run in broadcasting. Dave began his final monologue with characteristic reserve and sardonic distance, remarking “Well, it’s beginning to look like I’m not going to get ‘The Tonight Show.’” Tonight, I’m going to take a page out of Dave’s book and attempt to get through this without sentimentality. While this is a moment to talk about new beginnings, it’s also a moment to look back. This place, St. Martin’s, and this time, the past four years, will resonate throughout our brief lives, and beyond. Through your children, and the works you do. We should pause and reflect upon it every so often. Tonight is an opportunity for that. By the way, how cool is it that the old guy frames your commencement speech with references to a retired, 68-year-old late night talk show host, from a format so dead even Fallon gets ratings only on YouTube? Almost as cool as my awesome references to Tupac and the Beastie Boys, am I right? Sticking
to my guns, proving the best way to appeal to the post-millennial generation (or whatever you people are) is desperate attempts to remain relevant with hopelessly outdated name-checks. Show of hands: how many of you actually watched the Letterman finale? It’s always the horn section. The Truth: “Diane, I’m holding in my hands a small box of chocolate bunnies.” It’s a speech. Here’s a secret: I hired Kurt Vonnegut to write it for me. Yeah, I said I’d play the hits tonight. And one of them is what I tell my freshman English class early on, mostly on day one: Watch out for minivans—and it wasn’t a face-plant. No—it’s actually this one, the way I welcomed a new batch of freshmen four years ago: Life is short, sometimes brutal. This is a dark ride. We are born, we do our best, we die. Alone. And the only thing that makes this worthwhile is love. Here’s the catch: The ones we love are the ones who hurt us. So, welcome to Freshman English. Yay. We also have the capacity to heal one another. To overcome the brutality. We owe that to one another. You and I, the Class of 2015, had a moment in our lives. We had the length of a few good laughs. Our time was fleeting. And it’s gone now. The Love: When I met you, I was wearing rose-colored glasses. Here was a group of kids, some who had known one another all their lives, who, though they were as different as snowflakes, lived in harmony. The bullying high school paradigm was a lie: these kids accept one another. Eventually, I got wise. It took speech class senior year for the scales to drop from my eyes. I learned y’all weren’t perfect – that some of you hurt one another, some of you almost left. It hurt me to
get real. But then a greater epiphany hit: family is complicated. And it wouldn’t be a family if everything were, in my manufactured dream of 2015, sweet and kind and smooth. So, the ones you love can hurt you and nothing is rose-colored. But it’s still family. And you, 2015, still have one another. I know enough about you to know that when it counts, you get each other’s backs. The “What Have We Learned?” Part I Let me tell you what I have learned from you. Let me tell you something you already know: I’ve learned far more from you than I ever “taught” you. You, my class, my heart, have made me a better teacher, a better man. I’ve learned grace–you’ve been so good to one another through high school. It amazed me on a daily basis that cliquishness and adolescent politicking gave way with you to patience and looking after one another. I’ve learned humility. With every joke that died and every question about my age —“so you’re like, 48, right? 53? Oh, sorry. It’s just your horribly, horribly receding hairline.” Here’s another thing I learned—the thing I started with—love. I see the schisms, the minor hurts you perpetrated on one another. But believe me, the gentleness always prevailed.
The Bell | 25
CLASS OF 2015 The gentleness prevailed because in the end, with clear eyes, I believe you truly love one another. I witnessed the way young men could nurture one another. In class, on the gridiron and hard-court and diamond. And most of all, when it really mattered, when the chips were down. In moments of relationship crisis and, more importantly, when we lost people, you rallied. I watched you men come together and I learned that I couldn’t teach you anything you didn’t already know –you already knew how to take care of one another. In short, I witnessed a family, a real, one, in action. I guess commencement speeches are about old folks passing along wisdom to younger ones. Here’s all I’ve got: I’ve been told that the change in me over the last four years is as evident as the change in you: I’ve become less cynical. My heart is larger, my hope more real. You made that happen. You broke me. You took a punk and made a damn hippie. So I’ve got no lessons for you except the ones you taught me. Sorry if you feel shortchanged. The Heart: And here’s one more thank-you, and a real expression, an explanation of the love thing: thank you for allowing me to go to high school. Every so often I catch myself saying “sophomore year, when this or that happened…” I know of course it was your sophomore year, not mine. I know of course, that I’m not graduating tonight. I also know one big reason I’ve identified with you, Class of 2015: I didn’t graduate high school. Yep. I went to six high schools in three-and-ahalf years and dropped out a few months short of walking. The reasons were many, the stories are fun, but suffice it to say I made it as hard on myself as possible. An aside: I also made it hard on my mother and brother, who are here
26 | August 2015
GRADUATION SPEECHES tonight. So let me add them to tonight’s list of thank-yous. What matters is I got it together, went to college, grad school, and beyond. And ended up at St. Martin’s, a place I call home, a place that brought me four years of dignity, professionalism, and family. There’s a completely different speech in there, about how failure can teach us far more than success, about how resilience and support can help us overcome the moments when we slip. But that’s for another time, and seems more like a conversation than a speech. If you ever need that conversation, I’ll be glad to lend one final bit of wisdom. For now, it’s fitting to simply say it’s one of the many reasons 2015 means so much to me. I’ve lived vicariously through your triumphs and tragedies. When I’ve seen one of you fall down, I had, I think, a unique perspective to lend a hand. On occasions, I’ve reminded many of you how valuable this place, is, how this is your second family, and how you should never take time here or elsewhere for granted. In a way, I graduate with you tonight. That is a gift you’ll never understand, and I thank you for that. The “What Have We Learned” Part II: Whew, we got through that. So, down the home stretch: I figured early on it was a bad idea to single out any one member of the class of 2015—but then I was left with no choice after Senior Chapel when Emily said “The St. Martin’s community and the friends I’ve met along the way have transformed me into the person I am today.” I couldn’t have said it better. Then she really stole the show, saying as plainly as possible that “the people I sit here with today I can truly call my family.” At this point, she went off on some pop culture rant about a T.V. show that ended in the 90s, and she lost me—I mean, who resorts to television to frame a speech as significant as the Senior Chapel sermon?
Class of 2015, I have never been inspired by a group of people as I have been by you. I know that grammar is weak. I don’t care. You, you may not know it yet, but you are going to contribute. You are going to do big things. Or maybe you’re going to live happy, mediocre lives. Either way, I know this: long after I and the rest of the adults here are gone, you are going to love one another. That’s what you do. And it is meaningful. Class of 2015, don’t ever let one another go. Again, with the grammar. Guess I failed you as an English teacher. But hopefully you understand. More importantly, never forget how much your family love you, how much they sacrificed for you. Don’t take your folks for granted. They’ve lived and died with you too, and tonight is theirs as much as it is yours. Mrs. McCormick expressed it well Wednesday night—her love for you. That love, that you’ve engendered in the people whose lives you’ve touched here, that’s your legacy. Carry it with you and continue it throughout your lives. Don’t forget what St. Martin’s means —it means service. And it means faith. And it means family. Go do the things you are capable of. Go represent us. You are the best of us. I am in your debt. The Coda: I’ll finish where we began—in T.V. land, with a quote from Norm Macdonald (he’s another old comic). On his last appearance on Dave’s show, he did a joke by Dave that he heard when he saw Dave in a nightclub in the 1970s. Then the normally deadpan MacDonald began to break. He turned to Dave and said: “I know you don’t go in for the mawkish, and you have no truck for the sentimental, but a thing is not sentimental if it is true. So I say in truth, Class of 2015, I love you.
Salutatorian Speech Iris Mire, Class of 2015 Class of 2015, I feel absolutely ridiculous standing up here talking about the future because I haven’t been there yet. We are all in the same boat. We are all about to leave the place we call home and take one step toward adulthood. Some of us will go across the country, some even across the world, while some will go across town. But the fact is, regardless of distance, we are all going.
We are no longer St. Martin’s students. We have learned our lessons and are being kicked into the bigger world. I don’t know about you guys, but that sounds a bit scary to me. Some of us have lived at St. Martin’s for more than half our lives, never knowing any other school. I immediately panic whenever I think about being on my own without my mother or teachers or friends there to physically guide me. However, when I stop panicking and think logically, I realize that there is no reason to be afraid of the future. When I was a little kid, I loved to watch The Magic Schoolbus. The show follows the adventures of an elementary school class as they take scientific field trips on a magic bus to outer space, the bottom of the ocean, inside the human body, and all sorts of fantastic places. A classic nerd show. The teacher and school-
bus driver, Ms. Frizzle, tells her students every time they get into a scary situation: “Take chances, make mistakes. Get messy!” These are words for us to live by. Going off to college, each of us has an opportunity to hit the reset button. We’re going to a world where no one is thinking about the awkward clothes we wore in middle school or remembers the stupid things we said five years ago. This more than any other time in your life is a chance to take risks and try something new. Just to be clear, I don’t mean purposefully do something you know is a bad idea and say “It’s college! YOLO!” I don’t mean make mistakes on purpose. I mean dare to examine the world beyond the familiar. Take a class you know nothing about. Start up a conversation with a stranger sitting next to you. Join a club. Take a chance. When you take a chance, you may mess up and make mistakes. Remember Ms. Frizzle and know that making mistakes is OK. We aren’t perfect. No one expects us to be. We are all works in progress…and progress can be very slow. For those of you who don’t know, I am a painter. One of the most valuable lessons I learned in art class is this: Every painting goes through at least one ugly phase. When I first started painting, I would begin a piece, be really happy where it was going, and then stop when it first started to look weird. I never worked through the ugly phase. However, this past year, Mrs. Thomas and Mrs. Gamble combatted my stubbornness and pushed me to truly finish the painting, rather than give up when I got discouraged. Their efforts helped me produce some of my best pieces— ones that I can truly be proud of because I took chances, made mistakes, and persevered. Every single one of us will go through “ugly phases”—times when we make
bad decisions or we aren’t satisfied with how things are going. But it’s important that we not give up, that we work through our mistakes. Ms. Frizzle encourages us to “get messy” and then learn from that mess. Luckily, St. Martin’s approach to student-led education has given us experience in cleaning up our own messes. I am not afraid of the future because I have total confidence that I have the skills necessary to takes chances, make mistakes, and get messy. Everyone at St. Martin’s. has tirelessly worked to prepare me for that scary, messy future. Because of St. Martin’s, we all have the tools to make the world our own. St. Martin’s has designed our education so that we bounce when we fall. StM taught us to take failure in stride and work through the ugly phases, compelling us to become the competent young men and women we are today. And for that I would like to say thank you: Thank you to the faculty and administration who have given us everything we need to thrive in college and beyond; to the parents who have stuck with us through our ugly phases; and, finally, to you, the class of 2015. It’s been a pleasure learning with you. So, 2015, I leave you with this: Take chances, make mistakes, and get messy!
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CLASS OF 2015
Congratulations Travis Michael Adolph Elena Marie Andry Whitney Caroline Appel Trinity Faith Barriere Kyla Isabel Bernberg Anna Maria Bilich William Marett Brannon Jason Michael Bremermann Clare Michelle Brierre John Crichton McCall Schwegmann Brown Rivers King Bruce Emily Breanna Bryan Margaret Ann Bryan Rebecca Josephine Buhrer Mya Michelle Carter
28 | August 2015
John Cabot University (Rome, Italy) Louisiana State University American University Louisiana State University Tel Aviv University (Israel) College of Charleston University of New Orleans Savannah College of Art & Design University of West Florida Louisiana State University Louisiana State University Texas Christian University Texas Christian University Roanoke College Santa Fe University of Art & Design
Bonnie Leigh Cash Alexandra Kelly Cashman Isabel Emma Warren Celata Joseph Alexander DeCorte Paulos Lemma Lemos De Jesus Loureiro William Roy Dean Melissa Alana DeGrado Paige Margaret Dublin Sarah Gray duPlantier Nathan José Fernandez Jordan James Fresneda Kayla Rene Gerard Paige Elizabeth Holcomb Zachary Knight Israel Jack Stephen Jenkins
Chapman University Savannah College of Art & Design Rhodes College University of Michigan, Ann Arbor Tulane University Wake Forest University Sarah Lawrence College Louisiana State University Louisiana State University University of Kentucky Spring Hill College Louisiana State University Texas Christian University Louisiana State University Hendrix College
CLASS of 2015 Riley Marra Kirkpatrick Srihari Korrapati Desmond Emile McGovern Gerald Louis Becker Martin Iris Catherine Mire Alexander Paul Monier Jeremy James Ott Max David Pancamo Nicolas Charles Phillips Jared Richard Pigeon Bryan Vincent Recile Ross Charles Reggio Rodney Devon Rice III Elise Evans Ripley Ethan James Robarts
Elon Univesrity Emory University Tulane University Texas A&M University, Galveston University of Chicago Case Western Reserve University Texas Christian University Louisiana State University United States Airforce Louisiana State University Chapman University Claremont McKenna College Louisiana State University Louisiana State University Louisiana State University
Amanda Reneé Simon Rouquette Mason A. Scofield Trevor Michael Smith Ilana Samantha Springer Madeline Devoe Stefani Tiffany Marie Tavassoli Levi Wea Thompson Sofia Marie Ungarino Aleksander L. Vogel Breuna Dominique Westry Joshua Alexander Wollfarth Brandon Womac Mason Michael Wooton
University of Alabama DePaul University Texas A&M University, Galveston Texas Christian University Louisiana State University Loyola University New Orleans St. Edward’s University Ave Maria University Louisiana Tech University St. Edward’s University Louisiana State University Louisiana State University Louisiana State University
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CLASS OF 2015
CLASS OF 2015
Valedictorian’s Speech Joe DeCorte, Class of 2015
Friends and family, faculty, Board of Trustees, thank you for attending the Class of 2015 commencement ceremony, and thank you for supporting each of us in our development into young adults and learners. When Ms. Bond first notified me that I would be receiving this honor, my mind immediately raced to come up with a speech idea that wouldn’t put you all to sleep. I first thought of analogizing our class to a circus—I’m a big juggler—with each of my classmates contributing a specialized talent to a grand overall performance (sound terribly lofty here), or perhaps having each year of high school represented as an additional ball in a juggling routine. But, I thought that was too corny, so instead—in an effort to establish myself one final time as… not a nerd—I settled for the infinitely less corny idea of comparing our journey through St. Martin’s to solving a Rubik’s cube.
our cube (twist cube randomly). In the midst of finding our way, we were—at the time—perplexed by things like why won’t that mean ol’ chemistry teacher stop terrorizing us in the lunchroom, we didn’t quite know how to decorate for homecoming, and by God where did they find these two freshman English teachers? Despite our growing pains, by the end of freshman year, by chance or by luck, we came together and solved the first part of our cube. On to sophomore year, we were a bit more grounded, and—hey wait Dr. Vaccaro’s being nice to us now… maybe he had a point earlier. Anyway, the Class of ’15 had also gained a treasured, totally nonbiased ally in Mr. Tritico; we got more involved; and, perhaps most importantly, we survived Mrs. Beckman’s last year at St. Martin’s… by the skin of our teeth. By the end of sophomore year, we had solved a bit more of our cube.
Moving into junior year, things got a bit more interesting. We had finally implanted ourselves into the school through our involvement in academics, extracurriculars, and service. It is at this time that the true potential of our class shone through, and we flaunted our talents and successes. But, all of the sudden, everyone started asking the dreaded question… the question that When we first set foot in the upper simply refused to quit, the question that school, we justifiably didn’t know where would haunt all of us for the entirety of to go, where we fit in, who liked whom, the next year: “…Hey man…where are etc. We had just gone from being the you thinking about going to college?” kings and queens of the 8th grade to For some, this brought tears of sadness, being the newbies of the upper school for others it evoked feelings of sublime (believe me, I thought I was a cool little ecstasy. But whether we were nervous 8th grader…I wasn’t). Necessarily, this about the future or not, we were so close year we spent a lot of time getting familiar to finishing high school and completing with things, a lot of aimless twisting on our cube that, when the Class of 2014
30 | August 2015
Commencement McAlister Auditorium May 29, 2015
graduated here one year ago, many of us wished we could go with them. But nay, there was still work to be done! Senior year. It’s been a blast. We were all able to explore our passions—Melissa with her poetry, Whitney and Riley with their unorthodox (yet efficient) leadership of the Halo, for instance. Also, I suppose some casual onlookers may have erroneously observed my passion as college app writing—I wrote 14 of them; it was exhilarating. Though we took the helm of St. Martin’s by storm, this year passed us by quicker than ever, and before we knew it we had committed to college, played our last games, taken our last exams, gone to prom (or proms), rung the bell, and ended up here, in McAlister Auditorium. By the end, we have this finished product—something we’ve impatiently waited for years to make and have—this beautiful thing! This completed thing; this frightful thing. You see, now that we’re finished, our instinct is to set this aside, sit back, admire our work, and be praised for it. After all, we toiled for four years to ingrain the Class of 2015 into the memory of the school; however, as hard as we tried, we must necessarily be forgotten by the coming grades, so that they may solve their own cubes. So, if we are to be forgotten, what should we be doing? Instead of sitting idly and demanding praise for a completed product, my friends, take the skills you’ve learned along the way—broadly, those of faith, scholarship and service—and apply them to college (hold up bigger Rubik’s cube) or graduate school (hold up bigger still Rubik’s cube), but most importantly, I urge you all to find your passion, make it your cube, and never stop solving it.
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ANNUAL FUND
ANNUAL FUND
Because of you... “Invest in the Best” was our message throughout this year’s Annual Fund campaign. Judging by the
incredible response from our dedicated StM supporters, the message resonated with our community. You want and expect nothing but the BEST for our students and school. Your gifts were critical to the success of the campaign, and the impact of your investment cannot be overemphasized. This year’s Annual Fund campaign raised $450,085, significantly surpassing our $400,000 goal. While that number in itself is a remarkable indication of the incredible depth of your commitment, I want it to be clear that the increased support has increased opportunities for our students and faculty. The entire school benefits from your generosity.
During the “March Matchness” campaign, we posted pictures from every inch of our campus with students and faculty highlighting the variety of ways your gifts make a difference; some of my personal favorites are on these pages. Each photo helps to make it clear that your gifts provide opportunities for our students to thrive.
YOUR annual gifts enable St. Martin’s to offer a world-class education to all of our students. Whether it’s through providing new technology in classrooms and labs, equipping our student-athletes on the field, funding the arts and innovative programs, or hiring and retaining the best faculty and learning specialists—we simply would not and could not be the school we are without you. There are so many successes to celebrate from this year! Our entire community shares in each and every victory. Stay tuned for a full 2014-2015 giving report in the Fall edition of The Bell. Special thanks to John and Jackie Morgan for serving as the Annual Fund Chairs, and the members of the Development Committee led by Ana Ortega ’85. It was an extraordinary year, and I look forward to a continued partnership with you in the 2015-16 school year. Your support of our students and school means that together, we can change lives. by Lisa Davis, Director of Development
Annual Fund Co-Chairs Jackie and John Morgan along with Lucy and David Thomas sponsored the Matching Challenge and presented a check to Head of School Merry Sorrells for $25,000.
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SECTION NAME SCO
SECTION NAME
SCO Makes Big Impact
HOW THE SCO GIVES BACK TO OUR STUDENTS
The Saints Community Organization had an impressive inaugural
year. Countless hours devoted by the executive committee and parent volunteers helped create a school year full of fellowship and fun. Special thanks to all those who supported the organization through a sponsorship or donation. YOUR contribution of time, treasure, and talent helped to make the year so outstanding. Fundraisers such as the golf tournament, gala, and craft fair were hugely successful, and the group was able to award the school $153,000 toward wish list items, professional development grants, and activity buses.
$6,450 $2,000 $9,620 $7,650
$7,100
The mission of the SCO is to provide a forum that will facilitate open communication, collaboration, and fellowship between families, administration, and educators of St. Martin’s Episcopal School. Together, we are committed to helping to meet the needs of our school, through volunteer and financial support; we seek to create a vibrant school community for all students and families.
$120,000
New Student Activity Buses Athletics The Arts Teachers’ Wish Lists Professional Development Boys & Girls State Competition
and was inspired by how much the students and parents of St. Martin’s cherish and take pride in the school. Both school gymnasiums were transformed to take guests back to the days of pompoms and pep rallies, with splashes of red and blue everywhere. There was a bidding war over a sculpted metal art bull BBQ smoker donated by Laura and George Mueller. Marian and Larry Gibbs were the winners. The Patron Party had Celebrity Bartenders Douglas Smith, actor most notable for his work on the HBO series, Big Love, and St. Martin’s very own Jason Kirkpatrick. Tommy Tucker from WWL Radio was the Celebrity Auctioneer. Music was provided by Imaginary Frenz.
From L-R – Kelly Williamson, Donovan Ferguson, Fred Devall ’87, David Reeves at the 2014 Golf Tournament.
UPCOMING FALL EVENTS SCO Family Fest Saturday, October 3, 2015 City Park Carousel Gardens
Golf Tournament Friday, October 23, 2015 Cypress Lakes Country Club at Ormond
34 | August 2015
Thank You to our sponsors who helped make the “Show Your Spirit” Spring Gala a big success!
The theme was “Show Your Spirit”
The dedication and commitment of our parent volunteers is inspiring and motivating. Please continue your support of their efforts to help make St. Martin’s the best it can be. YOU make a difference!
SCO Co-Presidents Heidi Gremillion and Jason Adriance present Head of School Merry Sorrells with a check to purchase two new Student Activity Buses.
SCO Co-President Heidi Gremillion presents PK teacher Alma Roohi ’83 with a faculty wish list grant.
SPECIAL THANKS TO THE SCO EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE Heidi Gremillion – Co-President Jason Adriance – Co-President Julie Relan Donna Glenn Richie Pigeon Rachel Jurisich Brian Kuehne Holly McCollum
All proceeds from the event were dedicated toward the purchase of a new bus for student activities, field trips, and athletics.
PRESENTING SPONSOR
PATRON PARTY SPONSOR St. Martin’s Board of Trustees GOLD SPONSORS Marian and Larry Gibbs
Melanie Branton Manzella ’87
Above: Kim Sorrells, Head of School Merry Sorrells, Gala Chair Amy Lawler, Chris Lawler.
RED AND BLUE SPONSORS General Biomedical Service, Inc.
Merry and Kim Sorrells
Below: Dale Williams and Guy Williams, President of Gulf Coast Bank.
PATRON SPONSORS Catherine and Richard Barnett Robin B. Bone Valerie and Charles Corcoran ’88 Erica and Patrick Costello Leigh Deutcsh ’94 and Arthur Deutcsh Lisa and Fred Devall ’87 Melissa and Alex Fein Jennifer and Lee Gary Donna Gorum Glenn and Robert Glenn Heidi and Adam Gremillion Shannon and Stephen Huber ’89 Trudy and Tim Hurley Brandi Jones and Mitch Rubin
Christine Jones and Stephen Jones/JJ’s Diner Rachel Jurisich and Donald Klotz Gayle and Randy Martin Richelle and Paul Monier Laura and George Mueller Kristen and Michael Nicoladis ’78 Palmisano Contractors LLC Julie and Bennie Relan Helen and Bob Richards Ashley and Rex Salge Jennifer and Danny Scheuermann Fran and Mark Scofield DeAnna and Todd Tillery Betsey and Andrew Todd
FACULTY PATRON SPONSORS Muffin L. Adriance ’96 and Jason Adriance Pam Brierre Holly Dalferes Lisa Davis Cynthia Hill Marissa and Rob Norton GALA BAR SPONSOR Gian Rutherford SPECIALTY COCKTAIL BAR SPONSOR Palmisano Contractors LLC PHOTOGRAPHY SPONSOR Wally Porter Associates
Michelle Scandurro Keith Stanton and Terry Stanton ’69 Kem Opperman-Torres and Manuel Torres Winifred Wendel FOOD SPONSORS Café du Monde Chez Pierre Court of Two Sisters Drago’s Seafood Restaurant Mr. John’s Steakhouse The Crossing Zea Café
Cathy Barnett, Donna Gorum Glenn, Marissa Norton, Gala Chair Amy Lawler, Melissa Fein, Kimberly Smuck, Annie Palmisano, Heidi Gremillion, Erica Costello.
The Bell | 35
GIFTS
THE LEGACY SOCIETIES
Mrs. Margaret Dannenberg Bossier ’78 Mr. Alan Brackett Mrs. Linda Eckles Brackett Rev. Daryl Canfill *
The St. Martin’s Family Endowment includes the restricted and unrestricted funds outlined here. The school’s goal is to continue to increase the size of the Endowment through additional scholarship funds, special purpose funds, and planned gifts. Please contact the Development Office at (504) 736-9960 for more information.
Mrs. Lynn Coatney Mr. Michael Coatney Mrs. Ethel G. Coupland* Mr. Sean Daly Mr. John DeMartini ’80 Mrs. Sandra DeMartini Mr. F. Otway Denny Mrs. Beth Hughes DePass ’79 The Rev. Fred Devall IV ’87 Dr. Dee Dee Estes Mr. Michael A. Flick Mr. Lawrence Gibbs Mrs. Marian Gibbs Mr. John Girault ’55 Mrs. Murrell Girault
Scholarship Funds Alumni Financial Aid Fund Barbara H. Ryan Fund Billie Walters Memorial Fund Dorothy Dorsa Porter Scholarship Fund Faculty Recognition Scholarship Funds The Lewis Lagniappe Fund for Students Gustaf Westfeldt, Jr. Award Rigdon Family Scholarship Fund Ruth U. Fertel Foundation Scholarship Fund St. Martin’s Board of Trustees Faculty Recognition Scholarship Fund Tad Huber Memorial Scholarship Fund W. Brooks Emory Scholarship Fund Educational Purpose Funds Christian Life Fund Michael Edward Wanek Memorial Lectures for Faculty and Family Enrichment Fund
Dr. Tejas Godiwala Mr. John Graham Mr. Peter Hagan*
Unrestricted Funds Family Endowment Green Acres Fund Tony Porter Memorial Award Funds Audrey B. Michaud Scholarship Fund * Belle Johnson Scholars Foundation * Godiwala Fellowship for Innovation in Education Haring Road Fund Mildred Ellis Herron Fund Moseley Fund Reisch Teacher Fund
ENDOWMENT Savings Account Investment
*Are not housed within the St. Martin’s Family Endowment.
Plant Funds Haring Road Fund
FOUNDATION FOR THE FUTURE
Ms. Jan M. Hayden Mr. Tom Huber* Mr. Tim Hurley Mr. Hans A.B. Jonassen ’58 Mrs. Meredith Labouisse* Mr. Dan LeGardeur ’69 Mr. Jon King Mayer* Mrs. Mary Anne O’Neil Mrs. Anthony Porter* Mrs. Mary Sue Roniger ’60
What will your legacy be? Would you like to join our Legacy Society and make a gift that continues beyond your lifetime? Contact the St. Martin’s Development Department at (504) 736-9960 or lisa.davis@stmsaints.com.
Long-term
Mr. John P. Labouisse ’60*
Stability During Times of Recession
Lasting Security
ANNUAL FUND Checking Account
Every Year ACCESSIBLE
Expenses Not Covered by Student Tuition
Small Gifts Making Large Impacts
Available to Use
Mr. Brian Bossier ’78
Over the years, St. Martin’s has received gifts from donors to the school’s Endowment for specific purposes such as scholarships, faculty professional development, student aid, Episcopal identity, academics, and more.
Short Term
Senator Conrad Appel
St. Martin’s Family Endowment
RECURRING
Mrs. Carol Appel
Endowment vs. Annual Fund
Immediate Needs
Mrs. Margaret Stainbach Adams ’75
Endowment and Special Funds
Needs to Increase with the Growth of the School
MEMBERS OF THE LEGACY SOCIETIES OF ST. MARTIN’S
Mrs. Charlotte Smith* Mr. Gary N. Solomon, Sr. Mr. Doyle Spell ’52 Mrs. Billie Poag Walters ’63 Dr. Susan Wilkie *deceased
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The Bell | 37
ALUMNI EVENTS
ST. MARTIN’S
GOLF TOURNAMENT Melanie Manzella ’87 and her son, Tony Manzella ’18
Hello, Fellow StM Alums! While the newest St. Martin’s alums were crossing the stage and collecting their diplomas, I was visiting with some of my friends from the class of ’87. Twenty-eight years after graduating from St. Martin’s, we still find time to get together to reminisce about our past, celebrate the present, and make plans for our future. I wish the new St. Martin’s graduates an exciting future and hope their friendships made through our beloved StM are cherished as much as mine are.
SAVE THE DATE!
It’s an exciting time to be a St. Martin’s alum. Aimee Hyatt, class of ’02, is our new Alumni Relations Director, and I am honored to be working with her. This past Spring included many successful and well attended Alumni events, with some folks visiting for the very first time in 50 years. When was the last time you attended an Alumni event or visited our beautiful campus? Aimee and I would love to see you and show you all of the exciting progress happening at our dear St. Martin’s. We look forward to seeing you at our Fall events. Hope to see you soon! Melanie Manzella ’87 Alumni Board President
Friday, October 23, 2015 | Check-In/Brunch 9:30am | Shotgun Start 11:00am | Awards Reception 4:00pm
2014 Alumni Brown Bag Lunch In October the Alumni Association held a special lunch on the Alumni Lawn at the Van Slate House for students with parents who are alumni of St. Martin’s. Students from all divisions, Cottage through 12th grade, enjoyed quality time with family and friends.
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Cypress Lakes Country Club at Ormond | 10 Villere Drive | Destrehan, LA 70047 | tel: 985-764-6868 For more registration or sponsorship information contact: Lisa.Davis@stmsaints.com | (504) 736-9960 or register at stmsaints.com/golf The Bell | 39
ALUMNI EVENTS
ALUMNI EVENTS
Martin de Tours Award
Alumni Easter Egg Hunt 2015
Cynthia Phillips Schmidt ’74, the recipient of the 2014 Martin de Tours
Award, is certainly a deserving alumna. She has served her community in many ways. She has given much of her time to interests within the Episcopal community, particularly with St. Martin’s Episcopal Church and the Solomon Episcopal Conference Center. She also served the school as a member of the Alumni Board. After graduating cum laude from Tulane School of Law, she was a practicing lawyer for many years. She also worked for LexisNexis where she earned many distinctions, including Consultant of the Year and the Circle of Excellence Award. In 2007, after the death of her daughter while travelling abroad, she worked to establish The Ashley Soulé Conroy Foundation. This nonprofit foundation provides scholarships based on merit and/or financial need to qualified students for travel and study abroad in hopes that a tragedy can enrich the lives of others.
Head of School Merry Sorrells with Martin de Tours Award winner Cynthia Phillips Schmidt ’74.
Mrs. Schmidt was honored during an Upper School Assembly the morning of January 9, 2015, as well as at a private reception the night before. During her acceptance speech, she focused on the importance of not just of grand acts of service, but also of ordinary acts of caring kindness which were a great inspiration to her.
It was a beautiful March day as the Alumni Association held its annual Easter
egg hunt under the oaks of the Van Slate House. The Alumni Lawn was covered with eggs and the children loved scooping them up during the hunt. They also enjoyed crafts, three bouncy houses, and some delicious sweets. The Martin de Tours award is given annually
“It is in the slower, quieter, more simple aspects of life, where a great deal of love and goodness can be found.” —Cynthia Phillips Schmidt ’74
Named for the patron saint of the school, the award is the school’s highest alumni honor. Martin de Tours is best known for his ability to find God in the simple joys of life. There is a well-known story in which Martin met a shivering beggar at the gates of the city of Amiens in Gaul. Moved with compassion, he divided his coat into two parts and gave one to the poor man. Martin de Tours exemplified the aspect of service that we value so highly at St. Martin’s Episcopal School. If there is an outstanding alum who you would like to nominate for future consideration please contact the alumni office at (504) 736-9986 for a nomination form or visit stmsaints.com/alumniawards .
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to an exemplary citizen who has consistently served his/her community and has demonstrated a commitment to the highest standards in his/her chosen field of endeavor. PAST RECIPIENTS INCLUDE: Robert L. Livingston, Jr. ’60 Sue Ruppel Laudeman ’55 Hans A.B. Jonassen ’58 Julie Hogue McCollam ’52 Gwynne Bowman ’59 W. Brooks Emory ’60 James O. Gundlach ’64 Robert W. Merrick ’62 S. Ford Rowan, Jr. ’61 Patty Habeeb Muehlemann ’65 Carlos Zervigon ’57 John M. Girault, Sr. ’55 Robert J. “Bobby” Whann III ’57 Antonio Cabrales ’54 John Gage ’59 Peggy Higgins Sewell ’68 Betsy Threefoot Kaston ’72 Walter E. Blessey, Jr. ’62 Donald K. Marshall ’68
Alumni Chapel The Alumni Chapel on May 8 honored The Class of 1965. Alumni from several decades came together in the Dan and Frances White Chapel to worship. Vince Massimini spoke at the chapel which the current Upper School students were a part of. Kathy Hesse Ambrose and Jay Broders served as scripture readers.
Far Left: Head of School Merry Sorrells with Mary Sue Nelson Roniger ’60 and Natalie James ’58. Speakers: Top: Kathy Hesse Ambrose ’65 Left: Vince Massimini ’65 Above: Jay Broders ’65
The Bell | 41
ALUMNI EVENTS
ALUMNI EVENTS
Spirits Party
Santa Fe Chicken Day
On May 9, 2015, Alumni of all ages gathered under the
On January 7, the Class of 2014 came back to campus for
oaks of the Alumni Lawn at the Van Slate House for the annual Spirits Party. Complete with crawfish, jambalaya and libations for all.
one of StM’s newer traditions. This is a day for our most recent graduates to reconnect, pick up senior yearbooks for the first time and enjoy a favorite from Saints Hall... Santa Fe Chicken.
Dorothy Porter Service Award St. Martin’s Episcopal School was proud to award the
2015 Dorothy Porter Service Award posthumously to Julie Dieth during the Alumni Spirits Party on Saturday, May 9.
2015 Dorthy Porter Service Award Winner Julie Dieth
42 | August 2015
Beloved kindergarten teacher Julie Dieth was a part of our community for more than 30 years. As a classroom teacher she was passionate about her little ones and always went above and beyond for them. She loved planning the special units for kindergarten, such as Greek Mythology, Cowboy Day, and the Spring Tea Party. In addition to her care for her students, Julie nurtured the whole family. She took the parents under her wing, coaching them through kindergarten while giving them lessons to carry into their parenting careers. Her compassion did not end when her students left her classroom. She stayed involved in the lives of her students throughout their years at St. Martin’s and beyond. In recent years, Julie initiated Senior Snack Day for members of the senior class on their last day of school. Her pride for St. Martin’s was overwhelming. She was a dedicated StM ambassador to all she encountered, and is sorely missed. However, our community’s memories of her are a testament to her enduring impact.
The Dorothy Porter Service Award was established in honor of our beloved long-time teacher, who was a part of St. Martin’s from its beginning. Even after her retirement in 1983, Mrs. Porter was actively involved in the school. She exemplified grace, commitment, historical love for the school, and an enduring spirit that is admired by everyone who is a part of St. Martin’s. With the Dorothy Porter Service Award, we honor Mrs. Porter and her commitment to St. Martin’s. The award’s recipient must be an exemplary St. Martin’s citizen who has consistently served the school with time, talent, and treasures and who represents the motto, philosophy, and mission of St. Martin’s: Faith, Scholarship, and Service.
Julie Dieth’s family received her award in her honor at the Alumni Spirits Party.
PAST RECIPIENTS OF THE DOROTHY PORTER SERVICE AWARD Dorothy Porter (2002) Jim Marsalis ’62 (2003) Belle Johnson (2004) The Rev. Gedge Gayle (2005) Eileen Beckman (2006) Bill Rosenbaum (2007) Wally Porter ’76 (2008) “Miss Janet” Russo (2009) The Rev. John Stone Jenkins (2010) Lynn Coatney (2011) Karen Sullivan (2012) Linda Trevino (2013) Marian and Larry Gibbs (2014)
Marian and Larry Gibbs, the recipients of the 2014 award, were also honored at this year’s Alumni Spirits Party. They are pictured here with Merry Sorrells and their daughter Hillary Gibbs Alread ‘05.
The Bell | 43
ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT
ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT
Designing the future of Art
Innovation through change Photo courtesy of Latter & Blum
AMBIKA SUBRAMANIAM, Class of 2010 M.F.A. candidate, Chelsea College of Art and Design You recently received the Caroline Risque Janis Prize in Sculpture and the John T. Milliken Foreign Travel Grant. What accomplishment are you most proud of? I’m so proud of everything I was able to accomplish at WashU - particularly the Milliken Foreign Travel Grant. I was lucky enough to be chosen out of the Sam Fox fine art students to participate in the Milliken residency at the Cite Internationale des Artes in Paris, which I had to postpone due to my commitment to graduate school at Chelsea College of Art and Design. I’m hoping that after my masters I will be able to take up that spot in Paris. It’s been said that your designs fuse your Indian and Louisiana heritage. Can you tell us your sources of inspiration? I think my art in general stems from both Louisiana and India’s rich cultures of storytelling. As a artist, playfulness and narrative take such a huge role in everything I make, whether intentionally or unintentionally. The work’s manifestation always tends to bring out aspects of my lively upbringing in New Orleans or with Indian aesthetics. Also, one of my main materials, wood, evokes the traditions of my Indian heritage, but contemporizes it through theory and practice.
Why do you think design is important? What effect can it have on the people who interact with objects? A huge portion of my practice my senior year of college focused on ways the design and art world could mesh. However, I’m not completely sure that design will be the route I take in the future. I’m currently immersed in the contemporary art world of London and going in completely new directions. I’ve been writing a contemporary art fiction novel (one of my best friends from StM is an editor). I’ve started a performance lecture series that will take place across multiple London universities, gained a residency at a Rhizome-affiliated web platform called Unstitute, and am doing various collaborative projects such as one involving writer Stewart Home. To answer the question though, design still plays a major role. All my work involves a heavy amount of designing, planning, and aesthetic considerations. Given the importance of interface and interactive aesthetics in our digital world, “designing” will always play a huge role in all fields. What advice would you give to St. Martin’s students interested in art and design? I would suggest starting to read as much as possible - art theory, criticism, philosophy, and other critical dialogues are so important to the field. At the same time, the art world is constantly evolving. So much is happening that it becomes hard to be extremely knowledgeable about one’s practice while simultaneously being involved in the field. I truly feel that even though I read hundreds of pages of art theory a week, I’m nowhere close to knowing as much as
I should. I wish I started earlier than college! As with any field, if there’s an interest or passion, it’s important to become fully immersed and never stop being on top of the ball. Did St. Martin’s play a part at all in your interests? StM definitely showed me that my talents did not necessarily lie in science/math. My parents are doctors so I assumed my life would go in a medical direction - as did both of my older siblings who went to StM. Amazing teachers like Ms. Thomas, Ms. Sauer, and Ms. Gamble really pushed me to do the most I could in art because they saw a passion in me that I may not have recognized.
ROBERT MERRICK, Class of 1962 Chairman & CEO, Latter & Blum Inc. You were recently named the 2014 New Orleanian of the Year by Gambit Magazine and have had numerous other accolades. What accomplishment are you most proud of? My family. I’m so proud of my four daughters. Especially getting to work with them. Do you think being innovative is an asset to success in business? When I think of innovation, I think of change. Adapting to change is a critical tool. Business is constantly changing and being innovative helps you stay competitive. Innovation can also create new opportunities. How has being innovative contributed specifically to your success? As I said, innovation is change. We have had to make changes over the years. We always say write your plans in water. If you aren’t flexible things may not work out. Specifically we’ve restructured our compensation which has benefitted agents. This change was progressive and created opportunities for success.
What are some of your fondest memories at St. Martin’s? I was quite a troublemaker at StM. Many, including the faculty, can remember classic “Ambika stories.” So other than ridiculous situations I often found myself in, I think my absolute favorite part was humanities class. The books, art, and history we covered still seem to find a way back into my current research and practice. I constantly reference things I learned in that class. I think I’ve seen almost every piece of art I learned in that class in person - which is awesome!
Often failure may be a part of innovation. What advice do you have for those who experience failures? First of all I think you probably learn more from your failures than you do from your successes. It’s not that you fail, it’s what you do after you realize that you fail that becomes very important. The failure might be a learning tool. In many cases for me every failure has been a learning tool.
“When I think of innovation, I think of change. Adapting to change is a critical tool. Business is constantly changing and being innovative helps you stay competitive. Innovation can also create new opportunities.”
What can we look forward to from you in the future? Hopefully a successful art career! I feel I’m really growing in exciting and unknown directions. Hopefully I will have my first published book by the end of the year. I’m also applying to residencies/fellowships in several cities - so who knows! More about Ambika on her website ambikasubra.com.
What are some of your fondest memories of St. Martin’s? I was a good athlete, all state football, all state track. My fondest memories are running touchdowns on the football field. Also I think the camaraderie. We were a fairly close knit group. We just had our 50th anniversary two years ago which was nice. Do you have any advice for future StM alums on how to get ahead in business? Be a student of whatever you go into; eat, sleep, breathe, drink it. Be engrossed by it, and don’t be afraid to take risks as long as you can measure the downside of that risk. I think that’s part of the secret to our success. We’ve always been good at taking risks, but what if it doesn’t work out? Understanding the downside and how we can handle it is the key.
Photo by Danny Reise
— Robert Merrick ’62
What part did St. Martin’s play in preparing you for your future as a business leader? Someone wrote a book Everything I Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten. I feel like everything I needed to know I learned through high school. St. Martin’s gave me a foundation that was all I needed to work off of.
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The Bell | 45
SCATTERED FACULTY
ALUMNI NEWS Father Jenkins The Reverend John Stone Jenkins is an important figure in St. Martin’s history and has had an impact on so many alumni over the years. In anticipation of their 55th reunion, the class of 1960 began reminiscing about Fr. Jenkins and his stories of the jubilation in Paris at the end of WWII. This sparked one class member, Mary Sue Nelson Roniger, to dig deeper into that time period. Mrs. Roniger called Fr. Jenkins to learn more about his WWII experiences. John had been a navigator on B-17 bombers stationed in England during WWII, and he had flown 25 missions to Germany. On his first flight, he was in an older bomber, and there was concern about his plane being strong enough to carry bombs. His plane carried tin foil instead, and his plane flew beneath the bombers, and dropped the tin foil, to mess up the German radar! His plane was shot down, but with the help of the French Underground, he made it back to England and flew 24 more missions. With Fr. Jenkins’ story as inspiration, Mrs. Roniger asked classmates to share their own WWII stories, and found equally amazing, heartwarming, heart-wrenching tales. Dr. Brooks Emory’s father served in the Public Health Service, and was on duty at the USPH hospital on State Street tending to victims of a U-boat sinking at the mouth of the Mississippi River on August 1, 1942, when Brooks was born at Touro. Most people do not know that there were U-boats at the mouth of the Mississippi River early in the war. In fact another beloved teacher from the time, Mr. Harold Graf, patrolled the levees in lower Plaquemines Parish looking for sabotage and U-boats. Mrs. Roniger’s own father was an engineer in charge of construction at Camp Claiborne near Alexandria. So many of the Class of 1960 was affected by the war in some way. You can find a complete copy of all these stories on our website at stmsaints.com/ ww2stories .
1951
1958
1962
Class Agent: William T. Doswell, (413)442-4448, Wmdoswell@aol.com
Class Agents: Natalie James, (504)288-8605, izones@bellsouth.net
Class Agents: Ray Fontenot, rayfontenot@cox.net
1952 Want to be a class agent? Contact Aimee Hyatt ’02 at (504) 736-9986 or aimee.hyatt@stmsaints.com
1953 Class Agent: Kathleen Wolfe Kemp, (985)893-0884, kwkms@bellsouth.net
1954 Class Agent: Lucile Smart Hawkins, (985)635-8316
1955
Jeanne Shepherd
Class Agents: John Girault, (504)484-7571, jgirault@cox.net
In March of this year Jeanne Shepherd celebrated her 90th birthday with friends and family. Mrs. Shepherd was a beloved member of the Lower School faculty for three decades spanning the mid 1950s through the mid 1980s. Most of this time was spent teaching second grade alongside the late Theresa Frost. She was also the mother of three StM students, Bonnie Shepherd Hobden ’66, Anne Shepherd Breitschwerdt ’69, and Tommy Shepherd ’79, and aunt of Melissa Perrett Cook ’73. After her retirement, she was a volunteer adult literacy tutor and also volunteered at the Historic New Orleans Collection with her StM colleague, Dorothy Porter. Some years ago she moved to Baton Rouge, to be closer to family.
Scattered Saints
Eric Phillpott, (504)837-6914, eddgcon@cox.net
1956 Want to be a class agent? Contact Aimee Hyatt ’02 at (504) 736-9986 or aimee.hyatt@stmsaints.com
1957
Happy 90th Birthday!
Class Agent: Robert Wehrmann, (972)803-4144, bobwehrmann@gmail.com
Wiley Steen and wife Ellen, after 54 years of marriage, recently took up their mutual love of race horses. Three years ago they acquired a mare and large newborn filly, thereafter breeding the mare, who turns out to be extremely fertile, to better and better stallions. Now they have a herd numbering two colts and two fillies and a mare no doubt wondering about her new boyfriend. The eldest, a three year old filly is in race training. The couple hope to run her at the Fair Grounds this fall.
1959 Want to be a class agent? Contact Aimee Hyatt ’02 at (504) 736-9986 or aimee.hyatt@stmsaints.com
1960 Class Agent: Mary Sue Nelson Roniger, (504)866-6863, msroniger@gmail.com The Class of ’60 celebrated their 55th reunion on Friday, May 8, 2015 at the home of Mary Sue Nelson Roniger. It was a lovely evening and well attended by many StM alumni from the Class of 1960 and others.
1961 Class Agent: Mo Emory, (504)828-7417
Have something to share in our Scattered Faculty section? Contact Eileen Beckman (eileenbeckman@gmail.com) or Linda Trevino (tvino1@cox.net).
46 | August 2015
Martha Nelson Frost, (225)533-9242, frostmartha@bellsouth.net Bobby Merrick was awarded an honorary doctorate from the University of New Orleans in December and was also named New Orleanian of the year. Turn to p. 45 to see the Spotlight featuring him. Perry Eastman and his family were pleased with the arrival of grandson George Perry Eastman V. Anita Zervigon-Hakes and her husband are finishing a house in New Orleans and will be returning from Atlanta to live full-time in the city later this year.
1963 Class Agent: Anne Cunningham, (276)356-1790; acunningham@bvu.net In the fall of 2014 Judge Charles Carter Wicks was re-elected without opposition as a Republican to a second six year term as Judge of the Elkhart Superior Court No. 5, Elkhart County, Indiana.
1964 Class Agent: Bill McHugh, (985)892-6734, wmchugh@williamrmchugh.com
1965 Class Agents: Gaynell Reese, (504)283-6383, greese19@cox.net
Sonny Wiegand, sonnywiegand@tulanealumni.net The Class of 1965 celebrated their 50th reunion on Saturday, May 9 with a luncheon at the Southern Yacht Club. There were also several class members at the Alumni Chapel on May 8 which honored the class. Vince Massimini spoke at the chapel which the current Upper School students were a part of. Kathy Hesse and Jay Broders served as scripture readers. Charlie Nelson is now chairman of W.S. Nelson Engineering while younger brother Ken Nelson ’73 is president and sister Ginger ’68 is corporate secretary. His sons Lee and Hunter are both in Denver where Hunter works as an engineer and Lee is applying for PhD programs and/or law school. Patty Habeeb Huehlemann was excited to celebrate with her father as he turned 100 in November and was honored by her DAR group during their annual luncheon held at the WWII museum. Vince Massimini welcomed his seventh grandson in October, bringing his total number of grandchildren to 8. He and wife Pat still live near Annapolis, MD. Both work in aviation for a not-for-profit firm in Virginia that focuses on safety analysis and civil aviation use of GPS. Additionally Vince volunteers as a docent at the Air and Space Museum. In their free time they enjoy travel including a recent trip to Israel in November. They also vacationed to Australia and New Zealand where they managed to meet classmate Kathy Hesse Ambrose and husband Paul. The Bell | 47
ALUMNI NEWS
ALUMNI NEWS 1993 and a second location in Birmingham that was opened in the Spring of 1994.
1965 Reunion
1966 Class Agent: Tommy Merrick, (504)899-6589, tmerrick@canalbarge.com
1967 Want to be a class agent? Contact Aimee Hyatt ’02 at (504) 736-9986 or aimee.hyatt@stmsaints.com
1968 Class Agent: Ed King, (504)885-1772, egking3@cox.net Anne Bernos Bosso and Bob are celebrating their 40th wedding anniversary in May by heading to California. Bob retired this year; Anne is still running the Real Estate Office and is very active in the Town of Juno Beach as head of the Property Owner’s Association and other civic boards. Anne also ran the campaign for Juno Beach’s mayor this past March, and the campaign was victorious. Jayne Schlosser Gurtler continues to work as an oncologist. She and husband Tim recently enjoyed trips to Africa and Scotland. Batty Walther Stephens celebrated her mother’s 100th birthday on Mardi Gras 2015. Batty and husband Ken recently enjoyed an exciting 40 day cruise from Istanbul to Singapore. Pam Danos and Sonny Wiegand are now living in a high-rise in downtown Denver after selling their house in the suburbs. Sonny is still practicing law with two associates while Pam spends most of
48 | August 2015
her time being a grandmother. They spend as much time as possible in Breckenridge skiing in the winter and hiking in the summer. Jay Woodberry remarried on October 4, 2014. Madeline Steiner Mitchell is a grandmother to seven amazing grandchildren ranging in age from almost 1 year to 13 years old and continues to work at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill as Associate Director of a practice based research network consortium and a project manager. Wes Bolles retired from
Kimberly Clark Corp in Birmingham in March of 2012. He moved to Birmingham, where his son lived, after Hurricane Katrina. His son has since moved to Atlanta, but Wes plans to stay in Birmingham. Kristine Gauthier Childs was married to Stacy Childs for 20 years from 1968 and has never remarried. She has two daughters, Callan Yorke McWilliams (architect) and Pilar Kohl Dostal (Ernst & Young consultant) and three grandchildren, Marin Sophie, Sylvie Renn, and Keenan James. Kris started an optical shop “iiis” in Seaside, FL in the Spring of
After 32 years of teaching, Beth Robinson Carroll will retire this year! Beth plans to spend more time in Denver with her daughter and will also be helping plan her daughter’s April 2016 wedding. Jaffrey Gatto’s daughter Jessica has just finished her Freshman year of her four year scholarship at NYU. She is in the Clive Davis Institute of Recorded Music Program there, the same program Lady Gaga attended. Ed King and wife Nancy travelled to East Africa last September for three weeks of safari. Their safari adventure
Ed King ‘68 and wife Nancy in Africa
visited the Ngorongoro Crater and the Serengeti in Tanzania; and the Ol Pejeto Game Conservancy, the Masai Mara, and Treetops Lodge in Kenya. In May Ed enjoyed the annual Spirits party and seeing fellow Saints Mike McHugh, Karen Baltar, Dan LeGardeur, and Louis McFaul.
1969 Want to be a class agent? Contact Aimee Hyatt ’02 at (504) 736-9986 or aimee.hyatt@stmsaints.com
1970 Want to be a class agent? Contact Aimee Hyatt ’02 at (504) 736-9986 or aimee.hyatt@stmsaints.com Cliff Sutter welcomed granddaughter Hazel Elaine Joint born on December 2.
1971 Class Agent: Dr. Louise Harris Saik, (504)831-3246, Louise6677@aol.com
1972 Class Agent: Elizabeth Pedrick Sartain, (408)410-3288, mslib5@yahoo.com
Alums celebrating the life of Cricky Brown ‘76
1973 Class Agents: Adolphus & Melanie Fanning Dunn, (704)987-1237 adolphus.w.dunn@aexp.com
1974 Class Agent: Walter F. Becker, Jr., (504)866-0078, becker@chaffe.com
1975 Class Agent: Martha A. Jones, (504)488-6760, poppymollyjones@aol.com. The class of ’75 held its 35th Reunion on Friday, May 8 at the home of Kip and Vickie Gibert.
1976 Class Agent: Wally Porter, (504)455-6908, LondonWP@aol.com On Feb. 22, 2015, alumni, mostly from the Class of ’76, gathered at Galatoire’s Restaurant in New Orleans to celebrate the life of classmate, Cricky Brown. Seen in the picture are from left to right: Terry Sistrunk, Lane
Maloney Sistrunk, Michael Haik, Todd Trenchard, Buddy Spell, Kevin Kiser, Nan Smyth , Kate Hoffman, Tommy Letard, John Early, Laurie White Williams, Barbara Danos Cranner, and Adair Brown ’78.
Dr. Amy Sandridge, sandridge@sandmews.demon.co.uk
Class Agent: Evelyn Fried Lazear, (713)942-9999, freedomknot@gmail.com
Cherie Riemer Henderson spent some time with Billy Fowler and Amy Sandridge May 28 on Cherie’s drive home to Austin from collecting her daughter, Diana, from Brown University where she just completed her Junior year. Amy’s daughter, Isis Greer ’19, just completed 8th grade at StM. Amy’s older daughter, Michael, graduated from the University of Cardiff, Wales, July 2015. Amy has accepted a faculty position at the American University of Armenia, School of Public Health in Yerevan.
1979
1981
Class Agent: Carolyn Ashby Allen, (504)845-4679, cackie103@charter.net
Class Agent: Karen O’Meallie Gundlach, (504)866-6054
1977 Class Agent: Rob Ayerst, (901)757-8841, rayerst@bellsouth.net
1978
1980 Class Agents: Tara Schultz Carvin, (770)992-5050, tscarv@bellsouth.net Jack Gordon Eric L. Holtzman, (504)861-9155, eric.holtzman@att.com
1982 Class Agent: Patti Micklin, (303)593-0099, patti.micklin@gmail.com Marta Garcia Blanco established a nonprofit, Sofia’s Hope, in memory of her daughter, who died three years ago at the age of 13 from heart
The Bell | 49
ALUMNI NEWS
ALUMNI NEWS
failure caused by the chemotherapy drugs she received almost eight years earlier for Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. Marta seeks to raise awareness of pediatric cancer and the fact that children are dying every day waiting for promising new treatments. The nonprofit awards research grants and funds programs for kids going through treatment (e.g., equestrian lessons, art workshops). Visit the website and make a donation - sofiashope.org. Scott Shackelford’s daughter, Charlotte, was selected as one of 200 students to attend Ole Miss’ Summer College for High School Students. She was also named to New Orleans’ All-Metro Swim Team for the second consecutive year. Kurt Appel is leaving the Gulf Coast to become the pastor at Asbury United Methodist Church in Petal, MS. He and his wife are empty-nesters with all three kids in college or out in the working world. Ginny Erwin Sirera was just named one of the Top 100 Matrimonial Lawyers in Louisiana by the National Advocates-Matrimonial Section. Paul Pearce’s two oldest daughters are in college at George Mason University
Some members of ’84 spotted over Mardi Gras. From left to right: Jess and Derek Barnes, Rachel and Stuart Gayle, Janine and Lester Coe
50 | August 2015
Talbot for providing the venue, Shelly Oechsner Waguespack for providing the adult beverages, and Jenny Sneed Heebe for providing the delicious food. A great time was had by all reminiscing about old times and catching up with each other.
1989
1986
Alicia Vial’s daughter Marigny began PreK at StM last fall. She was so excited to serve as an acolyte on her first ever St. Martin’s Day in November. She joins big brother Aiden who is in 1st grade.
Class Agents: Dominique Brown Giordano, dgjewelry@gmail.com
1987 Liz Leveque Gouner ‘84 with twins, Amy and James
Class Agents:
and American University. His youngest girl is a rising 3rd grader. He and wife Liz will be celebrating their 25th wedding anniversary in October.
enjoying his 3rd and 4th years as an Anthropology major at UVA in Charlottesville.
Rachal Gately Moriarty, (504)831-4018, rgmoriarty@bellsouth.net
1984
Lacy Williams Rabe, (504)737-9598, lacerabe@cox.net
Ruth Aleman Moore and Remy celebrated their 30th wedding anniversary in April. Their oldest daughter, Caitlin, is a phlebotomist at Texas Oncology in Fort Worth. Their youngest daughter, Brennan, will be graduating from high school in June and headed to Stephen F. Austin College in Nacogdoches, Texas.
1983 Class Agent: John Burlingame, (704)375-3113, jburlingame@carolina.rr.com Ashley Jackson Spencer and husband Peter are enjoying being empty nesters. Their eldest son Piers was married to Elisabeth Bursley this past August in Old Town, Alexandria, Virginia. After a honeymoon in California, the couple resides in the Clarendon area of Virginia. Piers is a 3rd year project engineer with Clark Construction and Libby will be teaching English as a Second Language to high school students in a local VA school. Jackson, Ashley and Peter’s younger son, is
Class Agent: Peyton Pettit Greene, (504)835-9543, PeytonG00@cox.net
1988
Liz Leveque Gouner and her husband, Greg, would like to announce the birth of their twins, Amy and James, born on November 25, 2014.
Lynne Churchill Renshaw (713) 963-9883 home, (713)320-0397 cell, Lynne.Renshaw@BP.com
1985 Class Agent: Jim Rogers, (504)834-5225, James.Rogers@arlaw.com The Class of ’85 celebrated their 30 year reunion on May 8th. Thanks again to Mark
Class Agents:
Class Agents: Ruth Mora Marshall, (504)304-0596, ruthanalise@aol.com Charlee Marshall Williamson, (504)861-3809, cwilliamson@neworleans-food.com
Lynn Beckman participated as part of a team and raised several thousand dollars toward the goal of over 16 million dollars to provide health services for those in the San Francisco and Los Angeles areas who suffer with AIDS. This is her second year participating in this charity event. She is a senior sales
The wedding of Jason Griffith ‘94
executive with the Marriott Corporation.
1993
1996
Class Agents:
Class Agents:
1990
Katie Faught, (504)887-6977, kpfaught@yahoo.com
Stacy Weber Houston, (214)366-3120, Stacy.houston@att.net.
Steve Griffith, (504)899-4442, sgriffith@bakerdonelson.com
Carole Miranne Osborne, (225)610-0688, carolemosborne@gmail.com
Nikki Corcoran Jordan, (214)240-2037, nchrisjordan@aol.com
In December Muffin Adriance’s son Will served as a reindeer and later page to the court at the annual Squires Ball. Will also was in the tableau for the Harlequins Ball.
Class Agent: Kelly Petro Bridgforth, (662)893-4250, kelly.bridgforth@butlersnow.com The Class of ’90 celebrated their 25th reunion Friday, May 8 at the Columns Hotel. On Saturday evening before the Spirits Party, the Class of 1990 held a small ceremony to dedicate a bench in the lower school in memory of Allison Chrestman Alexander. Many class members were there and the dedication was led by former lower school teacher and chaplain Susan Gaumer.
Charles Schaefer, (415)383-2036, charles.schaefer@comcast.net Chris Beckman posted win number 500 in his 19th year as head basketball coach at Episcopal High School of Baton Rouge. His former teammate Louis Thomspon was there with three of his children cheering him to victory.
Lynn Beckman ‘89
Chris Beckman ’88 with his son.
1991 Class Agent: Sam Dunn, (504)813-2844, samueldunn22@me.com
1992 Class Agent: Jennifer Adams, (504)828-6793, jadams@dkslaw.com
Class of 1985 Reunion.
Louis Thomspon ’88 and Chris Beckman ‘88
1994 Class Agent: Jason Griffith , (702)650-5011, jason@dejoyagriffith.com Jason Griffith married Erika Griffith on October 24, 2014 in New Orleans. Several alums were there to celebrate including Brian Axelrad, Brent Scalia, Collin Schumacher, Erika Griffith, Catherine Betz ’98, Tyler Adkerson, and Brent Beaulieu.
Blake Schuhmacher and wife Catherine have moved to Little Rock where he has taken a job as the Vice PresidentController of CS&L, Inc. a publicly traded real estate investment trust that owns and leases telecommunication and distribution system assets.
1997 Class Agents:
Class Agents:
Steven Sherman, (504)463-0278, lsusherm1997@yahoo.com
Bill Schroeder, William.Schroeder@gmail.com
Stephen Faust, McCray37@aol.com
Cindy Perret, (225)658-6481, cindyaperret@gmail.com
Steven Sherman lives in Baton Rouge and is the VP of Marketing Midwest Region for the firm Rauch-Milliken International Inc. He serves on the Board of Directors
1995
The Bell | 51
ALUMNI NEWS for the LSU Tiger Athletic Foundation and is the youngest non-athlete to be voted to this position, as well as the youngest Purple Blazer recipient.
1998
ALUMNI NEWS July 5, 2014. Mark is a public corruption prosecutor in the U.S. Department of Justice’s Public Integrity Section.
1999
Nihal Tijas Godiwala, (212)965-5119, nihalgodiwala@hotmail.com
Class Agents:
Nihal Godiwala and wife Michelle live in Washington DC with their two boys, Cooper (4) and Benson (1). Nihal is finishing subspecialty training in Pediatric Critical Care/Intensive Care at Chlildren’s National Medical Center while Michelle is a practicing veterinarian in downtown Dupont Circle, DC. Matthew Rigdon and his wife Julia live in Houston with their three children, Marguerite (6), Dorsey (4), and Wallace (18 mos). Matthew is President and COO of Jackson Offshore, an owner and operator of offshore supply vessels. Though he loves Houston, he hates the Texans and remains a diehard Saints fan (both New Orleans and StM). Andy Chrestman lives in New Orleans with wife Sarah and two children. Andy serves on the Headquarters Staff of Marine Forces Reserve in Algiers. Marty Black lives in Concord, NH with wife Melissa and their three children, Ethan, Isaac, and Lydia. Marty practices as a Pulmonary Critical Care physician. Mark Angehr and wife Ann live in Washington, DC, with their two daughter, Lake (3) and Beatrice, who was born on
52 | August 2015
2000 Reunion
In January Elizabeth Schoen Larsen welcomed baby Norah Annalise.
Peter Adair, wife Katie and son Will (3) welcomed new baby Hana in May.
Class Agents:
Andrea Roohi Bonnette, (504)837-2470, Arbonnette@bellsouth.net
Lauren Giles Mora and husband Brian welcomed baby girl Avery Giles Mora on Feb. 23, 2015.
2002 Class Agents:
Malain McCormick, mmccormick@eliteracing.com
John Caine, (540)449-1657, jcaine3@gmail.com
Wedding of Kevin Kirschman ’02 Wedding of Megan Peck ’02
Wedding of Heather Boos ’03
Brittany Olson Rosenbloom, (504)891-1876, bmolson1@gmail.com
Lindsey Greer, (504)443-2738, GreerLD@gmail.com
John Baker, (504)466-4483, john.baker2@marriott.com
Christine Stanley, (937)750-5188, stanleyatc@gmail.com
Jessica Resignola Skelly, Jessica.Skelly@yahoo.com
David Coons, (504)451-9475, davidccoons@gmail.com
Dimitri Loupakos, Dloupako@indiana.edu
2000
On October 23, 2014 Tracy Goldblatt Hammond and husband Nate welcomed their first child, Brecken Oliver Hammond.
Washington, Mary Scott Westfeldt McKinnon, Naveen Kailas and Peterson Harter. Heather and Evan live in New York where she is a sales consultant for Rodan & Fields, as is Beth Washington.
2004
2005
Class Agents:
Class Agents:
Melanie Matthews, (504)444-3977, Melanie.v.matthews@gmail.com
Anna-Marie Coons, annamcoons@gmail.com;
Class Agents: Ondina Canales, (504)875-0938, ondina.canales@gmail.com
Megan Peck married Kyle Walther on November 22, 2014. Sarah Watts was among the bridesmaids and many StM alums were there to celebrate the couple.
Zachary Wool, (504)885-8853, zacharywool@gmail.com The class of 2000 held its 15 Year Reunion on Friday, May 22 at Rock N Bowl.
Jonathan Lu, (504)738-1850, Lu2007@alumni.rice.edu In October of 2014, Heather Boos married Evan Crandall. Bridesmaids included Becky Quintal, Kristina Haydel and Kristin Howard. Also there to celebrate were Beth
2006 Class Agents: James Pfeiffer, james.pfeiffer@gmail.com
2003
Kelsey Vogt Napier, Kelsey.vogt@gmail.com
Class Agents:
2001
Sadiha Ahmed, (504)583-6585, sadiha5@hotmail.com
Class Agents: Jessica Boe Duhe, (504)391-2005, jesboe@gmail.com
Rebekah Smith, rebekah05@gmail.com Tyler Coatney, wife Becky, and daughter Charlotte welcomed baby Elliot Tyler (8 lbs.1 oz) on December 2.
2004 Reunion
On April 18, 2015 Kevin Kirschman married Megan Klobuchar. Both the ceremony and reception were at the Royal Sonesta in New Orleans.
On March 17 Ondina Canales Mendoza and husband welcomed baby Jose Angel Clement Mendoza known as Jac. He was a whole month ahead of schedule but still a healthy 7lbs. 3oz.
On Saturday, November 28, the Class of 2004 celebrated its 10 year reunion at Happy’s downtown.
2007 Class Agents: Kate Hoolahan, hoolahan@email.unc.ed
David Christian, dwchrist@gmail.com
Sarah Beth Pansano, sarahbeth.np@gmail.com
Lauren Malone Keller, (504)905-2030, laurenmalonekeller@gmail.com
Lauren Waters, lewater@emory.edu
Ashley Mohrmann, akmohrmann@yahoo.com Jac, son of Ondina Canales Mendoza ’00
Norah Annalise, duaghter of Elizabeth Schoen Larsen ’01
Brecken Oliver, son of Tracy Goldblatt Hammond ’02
Ashley Riso, Jessica Leone Moran, and Brooke Rabin
Michael Perez, Chris Snodgrass, Aaron Denn, and Karl Senner
The Bell | 53
ALUMNI NEWS
2015 FOOTBALL SCHEDULE
2008
2011
Class Agents:
Class Agents:
Shayan Ahmed: shayanakahmed@gmail.com
Ben Amoss, bmamoss10@aol.com
Alex Humphries, stm08@hotmail.com
Katherine Honeywell, katherine22193@aol.com
2009 Class Agents: Robert Breaux, rbrea17@tigers.lsu.edu Maryclaire Manard, maryclaire.t.manard@vanderbilt.edu. Taylor Michals, Taylor.Michals@gmail.com Aaron Nussdorf, stmnussy@hotmail.com In December, the class of 2009 held a delayed reunion at Bruno’s.
In May, Katherine Honeywell and Samantha Oppenehim graduated from Tulane University. Katherine will begin law school this fall.
Mallory Young
In December of 2014, Olivia Johnson graduated from Regis University with a degree in Fine Arts and Psychology.
Also in November, Emily Tastet was presented at the annual Bachelors’ Club of New Orleans Presentation.
Spencer Schlesinger, spencercoe1029@gmail.com
Alex Degravelle As a member of the LSU student senate, Alex deGravelle was elected to serve on the summer planning committee and also co-authored a finance bill that passed with 100% approval.
Conway Solomon, conway5400@gmail.com
Class Agents:
James Conastser
Class Agents:
Will Farber
Class Agents: Jefferson Honeywell Jefferson. honeywell@yahoo.com Stephanie Bossier Tia Schlesinger The new book of poetry Cat Poems: Wompus Tales and a Play of Despair by StM teacher Chris Shipman has cover art by Caleb Macintosh.
Class Agents
Joanna Smilari
Caroline Bossier, cbossier@gmail.com
2014
Ali Lange
2013
2012
In November, 2014, Darius Calliet and his group Pennies for Change was named winner of MasterCard’s Give-Backa-Thon. The event aimed to generate technology solutions to help nonprofits. His group of developers works to make donating small amounts easy and automatic.
2010
This Mardi Gras Emily reigned as Queen at the Caliphs of Cairo ball. Serving as maids in the ball were Caroline Bossier and Mallory Young. Caroline also served as a maid in the Olympians ball.
DAY/DATE OPPONENT
TIME LOCATION
Wednesday, August 19 Ben Franklin (Scrimmage)
5 PM St. Martin’s
Friday, October 2 7 PM Ecole Classique Ecole Classique
4 PM Newmann
Friday, October 9 7 PM Houma Christian Houma Christian
Friday, October 16 Crescent City
Friday, August 28 Cohen (Jamboree)
Saturday, September 5 7 PM Thomas Jefferson West Jefferson
DAY/DATE OPPONENT
TIME LOCATION
7PM St. Martin’s
Friday, September 11 Fisher
7 PM St. Martin’s
Friday, October 23 7 PM Covenant Christian St. Martin’s
Friday, September 18 Archbishop Hannan
7 PM Hannan
Friday, October 30 7pm Varnado St. Martin’s
* Friday, September 25 Country Day
7 PM St. Martin’s
**Friday, November 6 7pm Ecole Classique St. Martin’s
2015 Class Agents:
* = Hall of Fame Game
** = Homecoming and Senior Night
Rebecca Buhrer Amanda Rouquette, saintsangel123@gmail.com Breuna Westry, breewestry@gmail.com
Samantha Oppenheim ’11 and Katherine Honeywell ’11 with Tulane commencement speaker Mya Rudolph
MEMORIALS • Jewel Marcotte Faust ’52
• William Salvaggio ’88
• Benjamin C. Tisdale III ’54
• Allison Chrestman Alexander ’90— sister of Mary Beth Chrestman ’93 and Andy Chrestman ’98
• John Lambert ’55— father of Cheryl Lambert Reiss ’77 • Betsy Little ’55 • Carol Turnbull Hellman ’63— sister of Catherine Turnbull Snyder ’67 • Mary Lynn Watkins ’75— sister of Louis Watkins Smitherman ’75 • Cricky Brown ’76— husband of Margie Schwegmann Brown ‘76; father of Jack ’15 • Pamela Kay Jenkins Long ’88— sister of Janet Jenkins Crumb ’85 • Michael Weaver ’82
54 | August 2015
• Dr. Walter Ray Abbott, Jr.— father of Ehren Abbott ’09 • William Fredrick Colomb— father of Cammie ’80 and Will ’81 • Jerry Dell Delchamps— father of Barbara Delchamps Bossier ’82; father-in-law of Steven M. Bossier ’82; grandfather of Caroline Bossier ’12, Stephanie Bossier ’14 and Ashley Bossier ’16 • Mary Elizabeth Griffith— mother of Steven ’93 and Jason ’94
• Robin Houston— mother of Nicole ’72, Jonathan ’96 and Matt ’98 • Douglas R. Talbot— father of Kirk Talbot ’88 and Mark Talbot ’85; grandfather of Anna Beth Talbot ’19 and Michael Talbot ’22 • Ian Callahan— son of staff member Denise Callahan • Joshua Laskay— husband of Upper School faculty Julie Laskay • Marjorie Conlon Reed— mother of Margie Conatser, former faculty
The Bell | 55
HIGHLIGHTS Received a
BUILDING
$50,000 GRANT
on Our Success
Partnered with 45 schools and businesses locally and abroad in design-thinking based projects.
2014-2015 highlights Founded in 1947, St. Martin’s has enjoyed a long history as a top school in the greater New Orleans area. In recent years, with innovative programs, exceptional students, and a dynamic faculty, our name is being spoken literally all over the map.
for a Mobile Idea Lab from the prestigious E.E. Ford Foundation.
The only independent school in the city to partner with a leading educational technology organization
Student athletes in basketball, baseball, volleyball, cross country, track & field, swimming, and tennis excelled in the state playoffs
to HOST an
Ed Tech Conference
RECEIVED
in NOLA
Hosted an international student summer camp with
Lower, Middle, and Upper School faculty presented their programs at national conferences
40
students from China
9
Enrolled international students for the 2015-2016 school year QUIZ BOWL TEAM
in the
Green School Challenge
Mo d
Two stude nt sc
$400K GOAL
ington ash W
TOP HONORS
er e
e nc
Received
the state championship
U el
ge
Annual Fund Exceeded its
won
ting in the Ge pe or om N Conf
receive the "Outstanding Delegate"
Science Olympiad
Director of the Innovation + Design program traveled to MOROCCO and GUATEMALA to teach the design thinking process.
AWARD.
teams placed in for our efforts in reducing waste by recycling 56 | Spring 2015
THE TOP 3 in state competition
Merry Sorrells accepted a 5-year contract extension as Head of School
The Rev. Dr. Michael Kuhn is appointed the new Assistant Head of School
Non-Profit Org. U.S. Postage PAID Permit No. 11 Metairie, LA
225 Green Acres Road Metairie, LA 70003-2484
Looking forward to the NEW school year! MARK YOUR CALENDARS FOR THESE UPCOMING EVENTS. SCO Back to School BBQ Bash Sunday, August 16, 2015 3:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
OPEN HOUSES
Alumni Athletic Hall of Fame Ceremony and Game Friday, September 25, 2015
George Cottage and Lower School Saturday, October 17, 2015 9:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
SCO Family Fest Saturday, October 3, 2015 City Park Carousel Gardens
Middle and Upper School Saturday, November 7, 2015 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Golf Tournament Friday, October 23, 2015 Cypress Lakes Country Club at Ormond Alumni Brown Bag Lunch Thursday, October 29, 2015 Homecoming Friday, November 6, 2015 Spring Gala Saturday, April 16, 2016
All School Thursday, January 21, 2016 9:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.