Spartan magazine, Summer 2017 by St. Stephen's Episcopal School

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S T E P H E Nâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; S

E P I S C O P A L

Summer 2017

Honoring the Class of 2017

S C H O O L

C O NTENTS 2 Head Lines

3 Moody Walk Celebration 7 MLK Day: Living the Dream

PHOTO S COVER: Bijou Kanyambo and Sara Jimenez Rigo make their way to Chapel for graduation

10 The Rise of Jose Toscano

TOP TO BOTTOM: Blossom Maduafokwa leads a discussion group on MLK Day; Zoe (7th) and Susan Schaffer celebrate Valentine's Day; The Class of 2017 prepares for graduation (front row) Caroline Baizer, Natalie Huang, Ansley Arnow, Madison Barchas, Ruby Bowman and Syndey Rudman

67th Graduation Exercises

12 Upper School Graduation Ceremony 21 Faculty and Staff Recognition 22 Middle School Closing Ceremony Spartan Life

24 Mother-Daughter Breakfast head of school

25 Managing Your Personal Brand

Christopher L. Gunnin

25 The Power of PINC

editor

26 Literary Festival Highlights

Anne Marie Becka

class notes editor

27 Middle School Original Books

Nolu McIlraith ’12

design

Ellen Buckmaster, Bucko Design

29 Spring SPCs 30 The Power of Film to Mitigate Hate

contributors Christine Aubrey Cynthia Bartek Hayden Blood Sherry Buchanan Chris Caselli ’82 Joan Hyde Jon McCain Nolu McIlraith ’12 Jennifer Mourtisen Stephen Shields Paul Sweeney Ann Tarleton, Ph.D. Victoria Woodruff

Spartan magazine is published twice a year for constituents of St. Stephen’s Episcopal School.

28 Spartan Sports Stand-Outs

31 Student Directors Take Center Stage 32 Annual Fund and Spring Swing Wrap-Ups

33 Glorious Grand Day 34 Alumni Give Back 39 Class Notes 12

subscription information and address changes Joanna Sarrett jsarrett@sstx.org 512.327.1213 x158

SNAPSHOT

Dylan Cole '17 and Henry Jones '17 head into Chapel

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H E AD LIN ES

I N CO M M UN I T Y

Summer 2017

THE BEST of our community

As my first year as St. Stephen’s head of school comes to a close, I would like to share with you a few of the milestones that marked the academic year. In January the school hosted visiting accreditation teams from the Independent Schools Association of the Southwest and the Southern Association of Episcopal Schools as part of our routine 10-year reaccreditation process. The visiting committee, comprised of 19 professional colleagues from our peer schools in both associations, observed every aspect of school life and operations during their three-day visit. In their summary report, the committee noted the differentiating spirit and mindset of St. Stephen’s students. Time and again, the visiting committee was struck by the overall quality and attitude of our students: “Admitted for their individual achievements and competencies, they grow into happy, thoughtful, engaged young people who are comfortable with their learning environment and committed to hard work. Whether they are singing in Chapel or competing in a sport, they are pivotal to creating a wonderful spirit within the community. At a school like St. Stephen’s, which affords its students so much, it is remarkable that the most telling descriptors for them are ‘involved,’ ‘connected’ and ‘energized.’” During my first year at St. Stephen’s, I have endeavored to study and understand the many unique qualities of our school that make up what some Spartans refer to as “the St. Stephen’s experience.” The visiting committee’s analysis of our unique school culture, which is found in our students’ deep investment in their academic, athletic and fine arts endeavors, aligns perfectly with my own impressions gleaned throughout the year. Our academic programs are second to none, but I believe that it is our school culture — forged by our founders, fostered through our devotion to our Episcopal identity, sustained and strengthened by our outstanding faculty and staff, and embraced by Spartans of all ages — that distinguishes St. Stephen’s from other remarkable independent schools.

Spartan Magazine

LEAD Lower Moody Walk Project Caps Two Decades of Campus Transformation

Snaking through the center of St. Stephen’s campus—down from The Hill, past the Middle School, student center and dorms, to the Clayton Gym dropoff area—sits a beautiful campus greenway. Students meander along native stone walkways, around boulder terraces and indigenous vegetation, and reflect on the rugged Hill Country beauty beyond.

As you explore this edition of Spartan magazine, you will encounter many telling examples of the unique call to action that St. Stephen’s fosters — not just in the articles about current students and programs, but also in the pieces about alumni, current and former parents, trustees and other friends of the school who stay connected to this special place long after their time on The Hill. Spartans are indeed uniquely “involved, connected and energized.” —christopher l. gunnin, head of school

St. Stephen’s Episcopal School

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I N CO MMU N IT Y

IN C O M M U N I T Y

“

THE PROGRESSION OF MOODY WALK AND GREENWAYS THROUGH THE HEART OF CAMPUS REINFORCES THE SCHOOL’S FIERCE ATTACHMENT TO OUR PIECE OF THE TEXAS HILL COUNTRY.

KNITTING THE LAND TOGETHER

— CHRISTINE AUBREY, ASSOCIATE HEAD OF SCHOOL FOR ADVANCEMENT

”

BE FO R E A F TE R

Each of the four phases of Moody Walk has contributed to enhancing the natural environment and campus community: k Scenic pathways for pedestrian movement incorporating handicap access and views of the Hill Country beyond l A variety of campus open spaces serving as forums for casual interaction, studying, gathering, respite and student expression m Environmental regeneration by slowing rainwater runoff and promoting water infiltration to support indigenous vegetation and recharge the groundwater n Pedestrians prioritized over cars while accommodating resident, visitor, delivery and emergency access o Connection to adjacent campus facilities as part of an of open space network for student movement throughout campus

NOW NAMED MOODY WALK, THIS IMPORTANT CAMPUS THOROUGHFARE HAS NOT ALWAYS BEEN SO INVITING. In an earlier era, roadways, parking

of Moody Walk not only transformed the

shape our future. We knew we needed to

firm Fehr & Granger. During each stage of

and development, resulting in a campus

spaces and a scarred, eroded landscape

land, but also served as a specific example

repair and add buildings, athletic facilities,

construction, we have paid close attention to

unity and legibility guided by the land.

dominated the land. Four different site

of the changes that could take place on the

parking areas, roads and outdoor spaces

the repair and enhancement of the land.

projects implemented throughout the past

adjacent landscapes.

while paying attention to erosion, flooding

20 years, beginning with the creation of

The final Lower Moody Walk project,

ENHANCING OUR CAMPUS FA C I L I T I E S

and the complexities inherent in a boarding

“The progression of Moody Walk and

like its predecessors, offers value beyond

the first phase of Moody Walk in 1998 and

Associate Head of School for Advancement

and day school. We also wanted to honor

greenways through the heart of campus

its boundaries by completing the central

ending with Lower Moody Walk Phase IV,

Christine Aubrey credits the Site Master

Bishop Hines’ and the Rev. William

reinforces the school’s fierce attachment to

campus greenway. The project incorporates

completed last winter, have regenerated

Plan first adopted in 1994 with the vision

Brewster’s founding vision of how the

our piece of the Texas Hill Country,” noted

the same environmental and campus

the landscape, replaced asphalt drives with

and grounding needed to carry St. Stephen’s

campus was originally organized.

Aubrey. “We understand that our limestone

community benefits as the earlier phases,

pedestrian corridors and campus green

campus through this transformation during

boulders, creeks and native plants are at the

with the addition of some significant

spaces, and harnessed the rush of water

the past two decades.

heart of the St. Stephen’s experience.”

campus improvements.

l Connection to handicap-accessible routes throughout the rest of campus m Revised roadway for updated emergency access

down the hill. Alumni may remember

“With Joan’s guidance throughout the past 23 years, we have invested more than

Moody Walk as The Crossroads, the pathway

“When Joan Hyde of Resource Design first

$60 million in campus restoration and

Through periodic updates to the

Knitting the land back together while

separating the girls’ dorms from the boys’.

put forth the idea that the land should

construction,” Aubrey added. “We have

Master Site Plan over time, the guiding

also enhancing campus facilities, the

be the focus and organizing principle

restored and built dormitories, art spaces,

principles—to create a compact academic

Lower Moody Walk project continues the

When the initial phase of the campus

for campus planning, it touched a nerve

classrooms, dining and common spaces,

village, replace cars with pedestrian spaces

pattern of connecting students to their

greenway was funded by the Moody

in the St. Stephen’s community,” Aubrey

gymnasiums, athletic facilities, parks,

between buildings, capture views of the

environment and to each other. From

Foundation as a model of environmental

explained. “Community members loved the

roads, and campus pathways. With each

Hill Country beyond, preserve the Live

The Hill to the Athletics area, people and

restoration, it was difficult to imagine how

magnificent site and scope of the campus.

new piece we have thought about how the

Oak canopy, and emphasize native plants

water move along the same pathways down

that ragged piece of land would be changed.

However, we didn’t understand how to

project relates to our founders’ vision and

and indigenous building materials—have

through all phases of the campus greenway,

Once in place, however, the first phase

use our precious acres to think about and

the Master Site Plan created by architectural

remained foundational to campus planning

culminating at the Lower Moody Walk.

Some significant campus improvements unique to this project: k Handicap-accessible parking, pool access and picnic area

n Large deck adjacent to the pool for school community and competitive swim team use o Attractive new pool fence that meets current safety standards p Replacement of resident faculty parking lot that is safer, more efficient and environmentally sound

—joan hyde, founder of resource design 4

St. Stephen’s Episcopal School

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I N CO MMU N IT Y

Summer 2017

Spartan Magazine

MOODY WALK DEDICATION

LIVING THE DREAM

St. Stephen’s Celebrates MLK Day

A widely separated family inherits a house in which they have to live together. This is the great new problem of mankind. We have inherited a big house, a great “world house” in which we have to live together—black and white, Easterners and Westerners, Gentiles and Jews, Catholics and Protestants, Moslem and Hindu, a family unduly separated in ideas, culture, and interests who, because we can never again live without each other, must learn, somehow, in this one big world, to live with each other. —DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING JR.

ON APRIL 26, THE ST. STEPHEN’S COMMUNITY GATHERED TO CELEBRATE THE SCHOOL’S 20-YEAR COLLABORATION WITH THE MOODY FOUNDATION AND TO DEDICATE THE FINAL PHASE OF THE MOODY WALK PROJECT ON CAMPUS. The Lower Moody Walk dedication

School Chris Gunnin welcomed attendees

their many gifts, their longstanding

ceremony marked the culmination of

to the new community space. “From the

commitment to helping shape the slopes,

four different site projects implemented

founding of St. Stephen’s, our school

contours and waterways of campus has

throughout the past two decades.

community has recognized that being

enabled us to engage in vital improvements

surrounded by God’s majestic kingdom

to the land while respecting the natural

The service of dedication and thanksgiving

compels us to live noble and sacred lives,”

environment.”

began with an invocation by Jim Crosby ’70,

he said. “Today we gather to celebrate the

alumnus and lay chaplain, who called upon

beauty of our campus, to be reminded of

Gunnin also thanked Joan Hyde, founder

those present to offer thanks for the new

our responsibility to care for this earth and

of Resource Design in Austin, who has

campus space, which has regenerated the

our resources, to pull ourselves out of the

overseen master planning and landscape

campus landscape by adding pedestrian

business of our lives to pause, to reflect,

design at the school for the past 25 years.

corridors and campus green spaces from

to breathe and to worship. And we gather

Following his remarks St. Stephen’s

the top of The Hill to St. Stephen’s Creek at

to thank all those who had a hand in the

chaplain, the Rev. Todd FitzGerald, led the

the lowest point on campus.

creation of this special space.

more than 900 attendees in prayer before consecrating Lower Moody Walk. “Peace be

Following a reading of Psalm 127 by Ellen

“We especially want to recognize the

to this place and to all who enter here,” he

Osborne Ray ’86, alumna and executive

Moody family’s decades-long dedication to

exclaimed.

chair of the board of trustees, Head of

St. Stephen’s,” Gunnin continued. “Among

P H OTO S The Rev. Todd FitzGerald leads the St. Stephen’s community in prayer during the Lower Moody Walk dedication; Middle School students gathered for the dedication service: William Casas, Harrison Ratliff, Carson Thu, Solomon Marshall, Jack DiNovo, Preston Miles, Peter Horton, Javier Montemayor-Aguirre and Jack Gormin

St. Stephen’s Episcopal School

PHOTO Lauren Aung and Nick Hatton participate in the Red Bench sstx.org

I N CO MMU N IT Y

Summer 2017

Spartan Magazine

On January 16 St. Stephen’s celebrated the

starts searching for their roots, they may end

life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King

up pointing to one or another civilization—

Jr. by exploring how to achieve his dream

whatever or wherever we originated from, we

for a better world. This special school-wide

are from the same source.

event included interfaith speakers, musical and dance performances, and thoughtful

“More than 3,000 years ago, a concept

discussions on a variety of religious belief

originated in the Vedic scripture Maha

systems and racial injustice.

Upanishad (Chapter 6, Verse 72): ‘The entire earth is but one family,’” Lal added.

“One of the great things about St. Stephen’s

“This statement is not just about peace and

is that we’re welcoming of all faiths and

harmony among the societies of the world,

traditions,” said Christine Aubrey, associate

but also about a truth that somehow the

head of school for advancement, who

whole world has to live by the same rules like

conceived of the idea for the special MLK

a family, set by an unknowable source. Just by

Day celebration with International Program

contemplating this idea and by at least trying

Director Sarah Todd during a “Peace

to live by it and practice it in our lives, we

Education Through Religious Pluralism”

could make this world a better place.

seminar in India last winter. Lal noted that fear stems from the unknown.

the Red Bench session; Ella Benjamin, Susannah Joffe and Sarah Helmbrecht; Jayant Lal speaks in Chapel

St. Stephen’s Episcopal School

one of the many ways we educate students about what connects us to others. We help students move beyond the superficial to a place of real, authentic relationships.” —SARAH TODD, INTERNATIONAL PROGRAM DIRECTOR

SHARING MLK’S DREAM

Jayant Lal, an education consultant from India, traveled across the globe to emphasize the universality and importance of Martin Luther King’s message of world peace to the students and staff at St. Stephen’s for MLK Dream Day 2017. A keynote speaker and scholar-in-residence for the week, Lal spoke to students in Chapel, linking traditional stories and scriptures to contemporary statements and strategies for promoting peace and harmony among the societies of the world.

“We want St. Stephen’s students to

When people do not know one another, they

understand all faiths and what unifies

fear one another. "What could lead us into a

them,” Aubrey said. “In his World House

happy and tolerant way of life is that we are all

they are moderated, small group discussions

speech, Dr. King said that if we cannot learn

looking for hope," he said.

held in a respectful and safe environment.

to live together in peace, we are doomed.

P H OTO S Simone Talma Flowers of iACT leads

“Our MLK Day celebration is just

“The entire earth is but one family,” Lal said, quoting an ancient concept from Vedic scripture that includes the belief that “the whole world has to live by some rules like a family.”

Participants are invited to share their personal

Lal reiterated King’s World House message through a succinct quote borrowed from

That message is still so relevant today as

Following morning Chapel, students broke

experiences and listen with their hearts

the civil rights leader: “People fail to get along because they fear each other. They

we witness racial injustice and religious

off into small groups to discuss a wide range

while others speak their personal truth.

fear each other because they don’t know each other; they don’t know each other

persecution.”

of issues, such as why people have racial and

The program was difficult, informative and

because they have not communicated with each other.”

religious prejudices, how different people can

moving to all who participated.

Lal expressed his hope for St. Stephen’s students: He wants them to realize that,

The day’s programming was designed

live in harmony, how to find hope in a violent

to help students lean into discomfort by

world, white privilege and micro-aggressions,

“St. Stephen’s Martin Luther King Jr.

political divisions. Students need to know that “there is more to life than listening to

identifying and discussing both overt and

moving past stereotyping and mere tolerance

celebration was designed to promote the

empty rhetoric.”

subtle discriminatory beliefs and behaviors.

to acceptance, and overcoming the fear of

values of our school and ideals of our

Students also explored the ways in which

others. In between group discussion periods,

founder, Bishop John Hines: peace, justice,

racial and religious discrimination affects

students attended performances by Atash

understanding and equality,” said Head of

visits, Lal works to reinforce the concept of student democracy and how to choose

individuals and society as a whole.

World Music and Tapestry Dance Company.

School Chris Gunnin. “I am proud of our

peers for leadership roles. This distinguished man from India wants students to

even in the angst over current political developments in the world, we live in spite of

According to the scholar, students today have an instinct for mass communications, and they can become great leaders. Whether in Texas or in other locales that he

school and excited that our students and

realize that that the world “needs educated people to come into politics, because

A highlight of the MLK Day event proved to be The day culminated with the different student

staff had the opportunity to use this special

they are the ones who will shape the future.” They need to “listen as well as hear.”

the special morning Chapel featuring Jayant

groups coming together to hold Red Bench

day to grow, learn and strengthen our bonds.

Lal, former associate headmaster of The Doon

sessions in the dining hall. Led by Simone

No doubt, this day initiated many important

School in Dehradun, India, who serves as

Talma Flowers, executive director of Interfaith

ongoing conversations among members of our

executive director of the Shri Ram Group.

Action of Central Texas and a member of

school community.”

St. Stephen’s board of trustees, the Red Bench “There are many countries, many religions,

is a unique dialogue program designed to

many languages, diverse cultures, different

address one of the most pressing needs of our

physical attributes spread out around the

time: improving interfaith understanding

globe,” he said. “If the entire human race

and civil discourse in our society. Put simply,

Like King with his dream of world peace and racial justice, Jayant Lal has his own dream for students in this modern world. He sees them honestly thinking about the future, determining what people really need and becoming well-educated leaders whose minds are without fear of those who are different. In short, he shares King’s dream for a world house, and he continues to work to keep the dream alive. —ann tarleton, ph.d, freelance writer for west austin news Condensed and reprinted with permission of the author and publisher

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“

I think it’s incredibly important for the board to have somebody who came up through the ranks. I don’t have a degree from Harvard. I’m not a lawyer. But, like my kids, 20 percent of the students here have financial aid. I want to give them and their families a voice.

The Improbable Rise of Jose Toscano Parent of three Spartans Ashley ’08 Alan ’12 Anique ’15 Trustee, St. Stephen's 2016-Present Regional Sales Representative Mapei Corp. Foster Parent Jose and his wife, Letty, have fostered 24 children since 2004

St. Stephen’s Episcopal School

”

Austin. After catching a late-night cab

he had to contend with maggots and foul-

sales job at another company, he leapt at

ride from the bus station to the apartment

smelling “trash liquids.” He persevered and,

the opportunity. It was work that eventually

complex where his girlfriend was living

after a few months, earned a promotion.

led to his current job.

with 10 members of her extended family,

His pay was raised to $5-an-hour.

he was debating whether to knock on her

Taking in foster children was Letty’s idea.

door at that late hour when he was greeted

He married “Letty” and started learning

They counted 24 in all from 1994 to 2007.

by Austin’s constabulary. “Sir, what are

English at night school. And along the

The first child was Xavier, a newborn

you doing out here?” the policeman asked

way, because of a short stint as a seasonal

African-American boy, whose mother had

in English, not a word of which Toscano

worker picking cotton in nearby Elgin and

been a cocaine addict and had lost her

understood.

Taylor, he became legal in 1988 under the

parental rights.

Simpson-Mazzoli Act. Toscano still marvels A Spanish-speaking officer was enlisted.

at the irony.

He informed Toscano that the police had

Their last foster children were a brother and sister, Issaiah and Sierra, 4 and 3,

fielded a citizen complaint that “there’s

While collecting trash, he got to know

respectively, whose parents were both in

a suspicious-looking Mexican hanging

people at St. Stephen’s Episcopal School,

jail. “They stayed a year and we went for

around the parking lot.” Toscano was

a boarding and day academy in Westlake.

adoption, when her aunt in California

provided with an ultimatum: Either take

And he heard about a two-week summer

claimed them. Then she gave them up

his chances with Leticia’s family or spend

leadership program that the school was

after six months and they came back to us.

For Austin executive Jose Toscano, many of

Austin at 1:30 a.m. following an all-night,

the night in the slammer. He selected

offering to minority children. Daughter

But three months later their aunt changed

his workdays are spent on the road, logging

33-hour bus trip from Guadalajara, Mexico,

option No. 1. “My future father-in-law

Ashley ’08, now a graduate of Pomona

her mind and they were returned to her.

in 30,000 miles a year traveling Texas in

which included a mechanical breakdown

opened the door, looked at me, and said,

College in California, was accepted into the

“My kids took it very, very hard, especially

outside San Antonio.

‘What in the world are you doing here?

program and, a year later, admitted as a

my youngest, so we decided to take a

And then he told the cops, ‘Yes, officer, he’s

sophomore day student. Their son Alan ’12,

break,” Toscano said of the foster children’s

dating my daughter.’”

a 2016 graduate of Trinity University in San

departure.

his 2001 Ford Excursion or his wife’s 2007 Toyota sedan.

Toscano, who is of medium height and As the regional sales representative

Antonio, started that same year in the sixth

has a stocky but athletic build, has been

for Italy-based Mapei Corp.—a global

urged by friends to tell his only-in-America

The next morning, having bunked with

manufacturer and marketer of such

story…. How he quit his university studies,

Felipe, his future brother-in-law, and

now a sophomore at New York University,

serve on its board of trustees. He takes

products as mortar, grout and adhesives

said “adios” to his single mother and six

becoming the twelfth member of the

also graduated from St. Stephen’s.

his duties seriously. “I think it’s incredibly

critical to the installation of tile, carpet,

siblings in Mexico to immigrate to this

household, he went job-hunting. Presenting

wood and decorative concrete—he covers

country, found work and learned English.

himself to Longhorn Disposal (now part of

All were able to attend thanks to the

who came up through the ranks,” he

a sprawling district extending from Waco

How he and his wife worked hard to

Houston-based Waste Management Inc.),

school’s generous financial aid program.

explained. “I don’t have a degree from

on the north to the border towns of

educate three children and took in 24 foster

he elicited a laugh from the hiring manager

“Tuition was $22,000 when Ashley started,”

Harvard. I’m not a lawyer. But, like my

Brownsville, McAllen and Laredo.

children, all the while sending money back

when he confessed to lacking legal papers.

Toscano recalled. “And I was making

kids, 20 percent of the students here have

home to help his mother and siblings in

“Everybody comes to work for a day or two

$30,000 a year.” He was also paying his

financial aid. I want to give them and their

It is time-consuming work with plenty of

Mexico, who had been abandoned by an

and quits,” he remembered being told.

little brother’s tuition for medical school

families a voice.”

responsibility—a far cry from his first job

abusive, alcoholic father. And how he went

at a trash-hauling company in Austin 31

out on his own, became an entrepreneur

Toscano soon discovered why. Clad in

and siblings back in Mexico that he was

years ago that paid the minimum wage

and then climbed the corporate ladder.

company-issued clothing, his job—cleaning

becoming a big shot in the United States

of $3.85-an-hour. And he was lucky to be

Such a future, however, looked mighty

out garbage trucks and dumpsters—was

and could easily afford it. In truth, both he

employed—and not in jail—after arriving in

unlikely that first night he arrived in

unspeakably awful. In digging out the

and his wife were working all hours.

detritus and hosing down the equipment,

In the mid-1990s, when he was offered a

grade. Anique ’15, the baby in the family and

This year, St. Stephen’s asked Toscano to

important for the board to have somebody

in those years, pretending to his mother

—paul sweeney, freelance writer for west austin news Condensed and reprinted with permission of the author and publisher

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UP P E R SCHOOL GRADUATIO N

Summer 2017

Spartan Magazine

HONORING

the Class of

2017

On the morning of Saturday, May 20, proud parents and family members, faculty, and special guests gathered in St. Stephen’s Chapel to celebrate the school’s 67th Graduation Exercises.

UPPER SCHOOL

“Our nation and our world need Spartans,” Gunnin continued. “We need young people like you who are committed to using their God-given talents for good in their local, national and global communities. We need people who respect the earth, who pray for peace and for its people, and who delight in the good. “You ascended The Hill at St. Stephens this morning as students for the last time,” he said. “You will leave here today as graduates, ready to share your skills, values, passions and pursuits with a larger and broader community.”

St. Stephen’s Episcopal School

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G R A D U AT I O N

Following opening prayers by the Rev. Todd FitzGerald, Head of School Chris Gunnin welcomed the Class of 2017 to this important milestone in their lives. “On behalf of the faculty and staff of St. Stephen’s, I applaud you for the work you have done, the skills and concepts you have mastered, and the young men and women you have become,” he said. “You have met the very high expectations we have held, and in some cases, you have exceeded even our highest hopes,” he noted. “Your diploma signifies that you have the full confidence of this faculty that you are ready to do nothing short of making a powerful difference in the world.

UP P E R SCHOOL GRADUATIO N

Summer 2017

Spartan Magazine

After congratulating the seniors, Gunnin turned the podium over to Doug Dickson, head of Upper School, who challenged the seniors to think about ways they can be of service to others. “I want to suggest that making a positive difference does not mean you have to move mountains or invent the next big thing in the universe,” Dickson said. “I know that you can make a positive difference by simply continuing to build upon the foundations of what all of us have heard in this special space and in the practices we have been encouraged to perfect. “I feel confident that you learned a great deal at this school,” he said. “Above all, I hope that you will always aspire to look for the goodness in every person on this earth, that you will extend your love and care to any person in need, and that you will always humbly offer your love, your care and your compassion to others.” Following Dickson’s speech and the presentation of major awards and diplomas, Ben Schneider ’17 gave the senior speech. A longstanding tradition at graduation, the senior speaker is elected by the outgoing class to summarize their collective school experience.

Graduation ended with a recitation of the school prayer and the closing benediction, led by the Rt. Rev. Dena A. Harrison, Bishop Suffragan of the Episcopal Diocese of Texas. Congratulations, Class of 2017!

St. Stephen’s Episcopal School

UPPER SCHOOL

“A St. Stephen’s diploma is more than a verification of each of our abilities; it also marks the beginning of our journey as alumni,” he said. “Every one of you brings something unique to the table, something you will surely use to your advantage and success. But consider for a moment how much more rich our lives could be if those talents contributed not only to each of our individual accomplishments, but also to each other’s accomplishments.” P H OTOS

THIS PAGE CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: Head of School Chris Gunnin; Upper School Head Doug Dickson; Kalle Seppanen, Patrick Park, Star Liu, Korn-Aticha Cherdchoo and Nice Sermsripong; (back row) Sarah Rogge, Anna Hartzell, Sydney Rudman, (front row) Natalie Huang, Clara Lack, Sydney Starkes RIGHT PAGE: Grace Reynolds and Abigail Grant

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G R A D U AT I O N

“Over the years, my teachers have taught me and my peers how to solve the unsolvable, how to question the unquestionable, and how to pretend to know the unknowable,” Schneider said. “You see, classes here have taught us much more than just what’s in a textbook. They have taught us how to argue and how to think critically about the world around us.

Spartan Magazine

Diplomas with High Honors

Daniel Borders Coco Chu Kisara Moore Matthew Schneider Lisa Schulmeyer

The Bishop John E. Hines Medal is named after the Rt. Rev. John Hines, founder of St. Stephen’s Episcopal School, who was a man of extraordinary vision and bold action. The Bishop Hines Medal is awarded to the member of the senior class who maintained the highest academic standing throughout his or her junior and senior years. The 2017 Bishop Hines Medal was presented to Kisara Moore.

Diplomas with Honors

Named for the school’s first headmaster, The William Brewster Medal was established in 1960 by the St. Stephen’s faculty to recognize a member of the senior class who has made the greatest total contribution to the life of the school. The recipient is an engaged and talented student—strong across all disciplines and genuinely interested in “the life of the mind.” Elliott Trahan was named the 2017 Brewster Medal recipient. The Dobbie Leverton Fenton Medal is awarded annually to a member of the senior class who promotes the values of social justice. This year’s Dobbie Leverton Fenton Medal was awarded to Kayla Thompson. The Velberta Asher Towner Award in the Performing Arts is named for “Bert” Towner, a member of the St. Stephen’s faculty from 1958 to 1984 and a longtime chair of Fine Arts. This award is presented to a student who has excelled in the performing arts—music, drama and dance. This year’s Towner Award was presented to Sam Oberle. The Rev. Charles Abram and Virginia Sumners Music Award is presented annually to a member of the senior class who has made the greatest overall contribution to music at the school. The 2017 Sumners Award recipient was Coco Chu. The Anne Dewey Guerin Award is awarded each year to the member of the senior class who has made the greatest contribution to the theatre program. This year’s Anne Dewey Guerin award was presented to Alex Oberle. The Catherine Elliott Montgomery Prize is awarded by a committee of teachers to a member of the senior class whose creativity, character and scholarship give promise of a contribution in history or the social sciences. The 2017 Montgomery Prize was awarded to Derek Wu.

St. Stephen’s Episcopal School

P H OTOS CLOCKWISE FROM TOP:

Kisara Moore with Bishop Dena A. Harrison; Elliott Trahan; Kayla Thompson; Coco Chu with Bishop Dena A. Harrison; Sam Oberle with Fine Arts Department Chair Elizabeth Hansing Moon

Andrew Abikhaled Ansley Arnow Hill Atwell Caroline Baizer Mahria Baker Madison Barchas Gage Baumli Jake Baumli Abby Breckwoldt James Bulholf Victor Cano Jackson Castro Felicia Chang Grace Coates Dylan Cole Nihar Gagneja James Green Anna Hartzell Natalie Huang Jennifer Jou Danielle Kessler Clara Lack Shutong Li Star Liu Andy Liu Maggie Lu Nikki McAllister Ellie Metni Mae Mouritsen Sarika Mullapudi Karina Munoz Conor Murdoch J.P. Near Ethan Nguyen Tommy O’Donnell Sam Oberle Charles Oh Abe Okayli Masaryk Patrick Park Charner Ramsey Sydney Rudman Abbie Sage John Sansbury Ben Schneider Lily Sperling Delia Stephens Kayla Thompson Jorge Torres Elliott Trahan Taylors Walters Mary Wang Thomas Wang

Madison Wiedeman Derek Wu Matthew Zachary

National Chinese Honor Society

Highest Standing in the Senior Class

National Greek Exam

Ryan Przybocki

Felicia Chang Kisara Moore

Cum Laude Society

National Latin Exam

Andrew Abikhaled Ansley Arnow Mahria Baker Daniel Borders Jackson Castro Dylan Cole Coco Chu Nihar Gagneja Danielle Kessler Clara Lack Andy Liu Nikki McAllister Kisara Moore Sarika Mullapudi Sydney Rudman Abbie Sage Ben Schneider Matthew Schneider Lisa Schulmeyer Delia Stephens Elliott Trahan Mary Wang Thomas Wang Derek Wu

National Merit Scholarship Winner Mahria Baker

Spiritual Leadership Award Bijou Kanyambo

Diversity Leadership and Service Award Nenla Dewa Kayla Thompson

Environmental Leadership Award Elliott Trahan Felicia Chang

Devil's Canyon Wilderness Program Award Emily Danuser

International Student of the Year

Kisara Moore

Mahria Baker

National Latin Honor Society Mahria Baker

American Mathematics Competition Andy Liu Patrick Park Mary Wang

American Invitational Mathematics Exam Andy Liu

StuGov Senior Leadership Award Andrew Abikhaled Sydney Rudman

The Jan Hines Senior Leadership Award Felicia Chang James Green Bijou Kanyambo Sarika Mullapudi Reyden Weis

Proctor Medals Omar Chatila Coco Chu James Green Natalie Huang Lincoln Jin Henry Jones Jennifer Jou Bijou Kanyambo Andy Liu Star Liu Karina Munoz Charles Oh Patrick Park Sydney Rudman Mary Wang Thomas Wang Reyden Weis Ivy Zhang

PHOTO S TOP TO BOTTOM:

Gracie Coates; Kevin Tsai and Johnny VanDyke; James Bulhof, Harrison Jones, James Green and Ben Schneider

Charles Oh

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G R A D U AT I O N

Medals and Honors

Summer 2017

UPPER SCHOOL

UP P E R SCHOOL GRADUATIO N

Summer 2017

Spartan Magazine

Senior Book Prizes

Fine Arts Awards

English 12 Lisa Schulmeyer Advanced Art History Lisa Schulmeyer English Independent Study Abbie Sage Advanced Biology II Kisara Moore Chinese 7 Kisara Moore Advanced European History Mahria Baker Latin V Mahria Baker Statistics and Selected Topics Kiley Browne Advanced Statistics Sydney Rudman AB Calculus Danielle Kessler Chinese VI Danielle Kessler French VI Clara Lack Multivariable Analysis Daniel Borders Engineering Dylan Cole Social Science Seminars Sarika Mullapudi Spanish VII Sarika Mullapudi Visual Studies II Kalle Seppanen Visual Studies III Robert Thompson Advanced Visual Studies Sabrina Chuang Spanish VIII Elliott Trahan Astrophysics Matt Schneider Geology, Hammer Award Hill Atwell Cloos Award Madison Barchas Advanced Physics Award Abe Masaryk

Director's Award for Orchestra Matthew Zachary

Excellence in Ceramics Sarah Nevins

Excellence in Piano Mary Wang

Excellence in Graphic Design Sabrina Chuang

Excellence in Guitar Ensemble Kalle Seppanen

Outstanding Saxophone Student Ryan Parker

Outstanding Jazz Band Performer Elliott Trahan

Outstanding Choral Student Nihar Gagneja

Director’s Commitment Award Kisara Moore

Dance Leadership Award Natalie Huang

Outstanding Choreographer Sarah Rogge

Theatre Focus Awards Daniel Li Sam Oberle Abbie Sage Lisa Schulmeyer

Outstanding Theatre Technician Emily Danuser

P H OTOS CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT:

U UP PP PE ER R SS C CH HO OO O LL GR RA AD DU G U AT AT II O ON N

Michael, Alex, Sam and Shane Oberle; Abigail Sage and Mahria Baker; Sabrina Huang; Daniel Li with parents Colin Li and Tong Liu and grandmother

PHOTOS CLOCKWISE FROM TOP: Daniel Borders, Cade Bandera, Nikki McAllister, Jorge Torres, Sarah Nevins; Reyden Weis; Charner Ramsey; Tom Guan, Emma Breckwoldt and Noah Yow

St. Stephen’s Episcopal School

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UP P E R SCHOOL GRADUATIO N

Summer 2017

Spartan Magazine

Athletics Awards The Don Cunningham Memorial Award is presented to a female and male senior who have lettered in three sports in their senior year and have demonstrated outstanding talent, leadership, dedication and sportsmanship. The 2017 Cunningham Award was presented to Delia Stephens and Hill Atwell. The David Paschall Award was created to recognize and honor outstanding accomplishments of students in academics and athletics. To be eligible for the award, a student must earn a varsity letter during each term and maintain honor roll status during the fall and winter terms. This year’s David Paschall Award recipients were Ansley Arnow, Delia Stephens, Hill Atwell, Jackson Castro, Anna Hartzell and Valerie Morrow. The Athletic Leadership Award is presented each year to a male and a female studentathlete who have demonstrated exceptional leadership qualities throughout Upper School. The 2017 Athletic Leadership Award was presented to Anna Hartzell and Derek Wu.

Special Faculty and Staff Recognition During the Baccalaureate Service and the 67th Graduation Exercises, several special presentations and awards of excellence were made to stand-out members of the St. Stephen’s faculty and staff. Shelley Sallee, history department chair, was awarded the Dean H. Towner Master Teaching Chair.

PHOTOS CLOCKWISE FROM TOP: Athletics Director Jon McCain with Hill Atwell; Delia Stephens; Andrew Abikhaled with Bishop Dena A. Harrison; Derek Wu and younger brother Edbert with parents Jin and Snow Wu

Spanish instructor and alumnus Philip Doig ’81 was awarded the John D. Gerhart ’61 Master Teaching Chair.

All SPC Award Winners Girls Volleyball Avery Poppinga Boys Volleyball Isaac Berken Field Hockey Delia Stephens Football Robert Allen Cross Country Andrew Abikhaled Boys Soccer Jorge Torres,

Hai Zheng Olefsky, Chinese instructor and assistant director of St. Stephen’s International Program, was awarded the Master Teaching Chair in Critical Languages. English instructor Andy Aceves received the Upper School Teacher Excellence Award.

Adam Gohary

Girls Soccer Kayla Thompson Boys Baseball James Green Track and Field John Sansbury, Andrew Abikhaled, Robert Allen, Ben Schneider

St. Stephen’s Episcopal School

English instructor Miriam Murtuza, and science instructor Rick Pearson both received the Middle School Teacher Excellence Award. PHOTO S

TOP: (back row) Madison Wiedeman, Avery Poppinga, Kayla Thompson, Madison Parra, Abby Grant, Reilly Wieland, (front row) Danielle Kessler, Lily Sperling, Grace Reynolds, Izzy Morrow; BOTTOM: Andy Aceves with Head of School Chris Gunnin

Cecelia Stewart, Middle School administrative assistant, received the Staff Excellence Award.

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MI DDL E SCHOOL CLOSI NG C E R E M O NY

Summer 2017

Spartan Magazine

MIDDLE SCHOOL

closing ceremony On May 26, the Middle School held its Closing Ceremony to honor its graduating eighth grade students and outstanding members of all grades. During the morning program, Magnus Maccow, head of Middle School presented a number of academic, athletic and community leadership awards, including the following: The Academic Hall of Fame Award is presented each year to the students who achieved High Honor Roll status every term for three years of Middle School. This year’s award was presented to Evan Schlesinger, Lara Tanner and Isabella Villarreal. Lara Tanner (8th grade), Jael Dammann (7th grade) and Crawford Arnow (6th grade) were recognized for Highest Academic Standing in their Class. The Linda Douglass Spirit of Hope Award recognizes a student leader who exemplifies what it means to make a difference in the St. Stephen’s community and beyond. Madeline Ford received the 2017 Spirit of Hope Award.

PHOTOS CLOCKWISE FROM TOP:

Abbie Prewitt, Penelope Cano, Katie Hashman, Casey Bray, Mia Gonzalez, Fiona Johnson, Amelia Hammond; Head of School Chris Gunnin, Harrison Ratliff, Ronik Gupta, Elijah Butler, Ray Swartz; Evan Schlesinger with MS Counselor Tania Gil; the Rev. Todd FitzGerald with Isabella Bauer, Sam Palmer and Desiree Delgado

PH OTO S CLOCKWISE FROM TOP: Malika Chauhan and Jessica Chatham; Jackson Henry, Vincent Moroz, Patricio Solis; Middle School Head Magnus Maccow with Tamia Jackson

St. Stephen’s Episcopal School

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SPARTAN LIFE

Summer 2017

SPARTAN Life

Spartan Magazine

Managing Your Online Personal Brand

EVENTS CLUBS CULTURE CELEBRATIONS AWARDS TALENT SPORTS HOLIDAYS ACHIEVEMENTS SUCCESS

In mid-January residential students attended a special Digital Citizenship program on personal branding put together by Residential Life, EdTech, College Counseling and Library department staff. The program opened with a detailed YouTube video about online identities that reminded students to be thoughtful about how they present themselves on various social media outlets. Following the video, staff introduced the concept of personal branding, which is the message or image that you project about yourself.

Mother-Daughter Valentine Breakfast For Valentine’s Day the Middle School hosted a special mother-daughter breakfast in the dining hall to celebrate the special bond between Spartan girls and their moms. Following a performance by member of the orchestra, Upper School Counselor and Coach Karrie Poppinga spoke about the important ties that bind mothers and daughters before leading participants in several fun activities. The mother of two teenage daughters, Poppinga remarked that it is often difficult for girls to “sit in a compliment.” To help them recognize and own what makes them special, she asked the moms and daughters to share something they love about each other. “Since Valentine cards are typically anonymous and are intended to say ‘I love you,’ this Valentine is ‘leveling up’ by stating the why…out loud for everyone to hear,” Poppinga explained of the heart-warming exercise.

You Go, Girl! The Power of PINC Nestled in the first floor of Hines Hall, below the science classrooms, is a girls’ bathroom that received a temporary upgrade last winter. Colorful sticky notes with handwritten messages covered the bathroom mirrors — “Never Doubt that You Are Powerful,” “You Are Enough,” “Beautiful Inside and Out!” These messages were part of a campus endeavor called the Post-It Note Compliment Project, cleverly nicknamed the “PINC Project.” The project was the brain child of Ava Mouton-Johnston, a day student from the Class of 2018, who wanted to promote self-confidence and spread words of encouragement among the female population at St. Stephen’s. An active member of Student Government, Mouton-Johnston worked in tandem with the Mind, Body and Spirit Committee to bring this project to fruition last winter during Mind Week, which focused on spreading positive messages and acts of kindness across campus. At first only a few sticky notes were placed in the Hines Hall bathroom, as well as other women’s restrooms across campus. Soon after, however, Mouton-Johnston noticed that other girls had decided to contribute to the collection with their own words of encouragement to their peers. “The awesome thing was that the messages did not solely focus on physical aspects of one’s appearance, but on girls’ intelligence and self-worth as well,” she said. Mouton-Johnston appreciates St. Stephen’s inclusive culture, one in which students are able to be their authentic selves and not strive to obtain the same unattainable beauty ideals that her peers often feel pressured to achieve. “Here, most girls don’t wear make-up, but at other schools girls feel pressured to do so,” she noted. “Our dress code allows for female students to wear athletic clothes and ‘comfy’ clothes and still feel confident.” Mouton-Johnston believes that social media has been the catalyst for increasing negative body images and low self-esteem among females her age. “Girls are continually bombarded with photos of models that have perfect hair, bodies and lifestyles,” she said. “Ironically, it is these models who are starting to speak out about the ‘behind- the- scenes’ work that goes into crafting these images. More people are starting to realize that beauty is not solely defined by looks; it is, in fact, the person behind the photo that matters.”

P H OTOS CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: Taylor (7th) and Tanisa Bernard; Miriam Murtuza and Maya (6th) Murtuza-Lanier; Malika (8th) and Upma Chauhan

Ultimately, Mouton-Johnston is thankful for St. Stephen’s because she believes it to be an accepting and open-minded environment. “We have been taught that we can be our true selves,” she said, adding that this applies to academics and athletics in addition to beauty standards. “I have heard about other schools, where doing so is harder.”

The program offered students goodsense guidelines about creating a positive personal brand, including the following tips: be authentic and intentional; show your confidence; build a positive and meaningful online presence; evaluate your image regularly, including content that other people post about you; aim for a well-rounded presence, including volunteer work, interests and achievements; and publish examples of work and activities that fall in line with your brand. Staff members presented students with examples of professional websites with consistent, polished personal branding. In addition, EdTech leader Christy Fennewald gave examples of web tools that can easily be used to create a good and shareable web presence, including Google sites, Bulb, Weebly, Wix, WordPress and Blogger. She also emphasized that students should “Google” themselves frequently and remove undesirable content from social media sites. The presentation concluded with Director of College Counseling Bob Clagett explaining how college admissions officers view web content. He offered the following advice to students: be mindful of the photos and comments you post; make sure that content depicts you in a good light, as college admissions officers often perform more than a light web search; use a professional email address and demonstrate good manners when communicating with colleges and potential employers; and consider creating a digital portfolio that you can distribute to colleges or other professional contacts. —cynthia bartek, head librarian

—nolu mcIlraith ’12, alumni relations and giving coordinator

St. Stephen’s Episcopal School

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SPARTAN LIFE

Summer 2017

Spartan Magazine

PHOTO S

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP: (left to right) Laurel Griffin, Emmie Casey, Meredith Clay and Judith Van Dusen; Grace Lack; Gavin Dodd

Literary Festival Highlights St. Stephen’s Becker Library was pleased to host the 2017 Literary Festival on January 25. This special event featured a group of 20 professional writers who visited campus—in person or via Skype—and gave presentations about their work in breakout sessions with the entire student body. The purpose of this biennial festival is to celebrate writing in all its forms and to introduce students to the various ways in which writing plays a role in professional and creative work. This year we were especially pleased with the diversity of our presenters and the customized experience offered in the morning sessions. Each St. Stephen’s student and faculty member was able to choose and attend sessions that aligned most closely with his or her interests. Our presenters inspired and challenged us to understand how writing can be a lifelong pursuit and how it connects us to others. We welcomed both adult and young adult novelists, nonfiction writers, a historian, journalists, writing workshop facilitators, poets and a filmmaker. To facilitate the best experience for all and to create leadership opportunities, we paired student moderators with faculty hosts in each venue.

Writing and Designing Original Books “I love to read dystopian novels, so I knew I would try one,” said sixth grader Laurel Griffin, who wrote and illustrated an original book this spring. “I didn't think I could write fiction, but I thought about what would go through the character's head and what would make the story more exciting. I ended up having too many ideas. The art was my favorite. The ‘big, bold and simple idea’ we were taught in class helped me pare down the really complex ideas I was imagining in my mind. I was really happy with how my book ended up.”

We are very grateful to this year’s chairs, trustee Evan Smith and parents Laurie Orman and Mary Beth Jester, who worked tirelessly with library staff and many parent volunteers to make this wonderful event a reality. We extend double thanks to Smith for graciously serving as one of this year’s presenters. It is a great pleasure to carve some time out of our busy schedules to ensure that every student gets a chance to interact with working writers who love what they do. In follow-up conversations with students, library staff learned that what students enjoyed most about this year’s Literary Festival was hearing the writers’ compelling personal stories and engaging in meaningful dialogue with them about the art of the written word. —cynthia bartek, head librarian

St. Stephen’s Episcopal School

The Original Book project, a popular sixth grade English activity at St. Stephen’s, gives students the opportunity to write and design their own illustrated books. The project culminates with a special multigenerational exhibit of their original works in Becker Library at the end of the year. “Sixth graders are brimming with ideas and creativity,” said Middle School English teacher Victoria Woodruff, who teaches the course. “For many, writing a book is a natural progression of their own love of reading and writing. Other students have read relatively little and written even less. For these students, a creative project of this scale is a leap of faith and significant progression in their skills.”

P H OTOS CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT:

“The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind” author William Kamkwamba Skypes with Middle School students; Ishaan Chedha, Matthew Rowe and Eliza Cho; Priya Jhaveri, Avery Evans and Lux Baumann; 2017 Literary Festival presenters, (left to right) front row: Sean Petrie, Bobby Hawthorne, Michael Hurd, Michael Moore, Jessica Luther, Edward Carey, Keith Maitland, David Fruchter; row 2: Chris Tomlinson, Leticia Urieta, Carolyn Cohagan '90; row 3: Rene S. Perez II, Skip Hollandsworth, Ben Sargent, S. Craig Watkins; row 4: Douglas Brinkley, Festival Chair Evan Smith, Cristin O'Keefe Aptowicz, Ernest Cline; not pictured: Traci Chee, William Kamkwamba

Woodruff has a number of “teacherly goals” that drive the capstone project. She believes writing and illustrating original books improve students’ writing stamina, sentence structure and fluidity of writing, accuracy in writing mechanics, understanding of visual symbolism, and much more. “Most of all, I hope my students will see the link between reading and writing and want to do more of both!” she said. “We read and discuss some great novels then begin with creative exercises to get a great idea,” Woodruff added. “We take it step by step and devote almost six weeks of class time to the work. This year’s original books spanned the gamut of genres with a particular bent toward dystopian and futuristic fiction. The stories vary greatly in length and complexity, but I believe each child strived for his or her personal best.”

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SPARTAN LIFE

Summer 2017

Spartan Magazine

Seniors Ink to Play College Sports On February 1, St. Stephen’s celebrated National Signing Day with a special ceremony honoring the seven members of the Class of 2017 who have penned to play sports at the college level. • Kirby Hayes will play tennis at the University of Delaware • Jackie Liu will play soccer at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute • Avery Poppinga will play beach volleyball at Florida State • Charner Ramsey will play volleyball at Bucknell University • Delia Stephens will play field hockey at MIT • Kayla Thompson will play soccer at West Virginia University • Taylor Walters will play lacrosse at Oberlin College P H OTO S Spartan seniors who will continue their athletic endeavors in college: (left to right) Taylor Walters, Kayla Thompson, Avery Poppinga, Charner Ramsey, Delia Stephens, Kirby Hayes and Jackie Liu

Congratulations to these amazing studentathletes!

Spartans Secure Boys’ SPC Track Title

Tennis Academy players Nevin Arimilli, ranked No. 1 in Texas, and Nathan Arimilli, ranked No. 3 in the state

The Tennis Academy’s Dual Threat St. Stephen’s Tennis Academy players Nevin Arimilli and Nathan Arimilli, brothers who hail from Austin, are dual threats; not only do they frequent the school’s honor roll, but they are both nationally ranked elite junior players. Nathan, a member of the Class of 2020, is a five-star (blue chip) recruit ranked No. 3 in Texas and No. 14 nationally in his age group. He has joined older brother Nevin in the 18 and under division in Texas in order to find adequate competition. Older brother Nevin, a member of the Class of 2018, is also a five-star recruit ranked No. 1 in Texas in his age group and No. 48 nationally. He has been actively recruited by numerous elite Division 1 collegiate tennis programs. While most top junior tennis players in the United States opt for home schooling or utilize a distance learning education program in order to maximize their time on the tennis court and have greater flexibility in attending tennis tournaments, the Arimilli brothers have successfully balanced the rigorous academic curriculum at St. Stephen’s with outstanding performances on the tennis court. Their daily schedule is not for the faint of heart. The two practice at the Tennis Academy or participate in physical conditioning for three or four hours every day after school. Then come the hours of homework. The two also routinely travel for tennis tournaments on weekends, so they have learned to perfectly maximize their time to stay caught up with school work. Despite the challenges of their schedules, the two have thrived at St. Stephen’s. These young men are fantastic examples of what can happen at St. Stephen’s when academic excellence and elite athletic performance are intertwined. Both Nevin and Nathan have extremely bright futures ahead of them, and we could not be more proud to recognize their accomplishments and have them as a part of our school.

St. Stephen's Varsity Boys’ Track and Field Team captured the Southwest Preparatory Conference (SPC) Championship on April 29 at St. Mark's School of Texas in Dallas. The SPC Track and Field win was a first in the school’s history. The two-day meet came down to the final relay between St. Stephen’s and St. John’s School of Houston. St. Stephen’s Spartans held a 20-point lead over St. John's and only needed to place to earn the overall team honor. After the first three legs of the 4X400M relay, it was clear that St. John’s would do their part by winning the relay and securing the 20 points they needed to share a first place finish, but St. Stephen’s junior Cameron Conyers chased down the two teams ahead of him to secure a sixth place relay finish and the overall team title. Immediately following the relay race, St. Stephen’s boys’ and girls’ track and field teams celebrated together at the finish line. The Spartans’ SPC Championship team broke a few records during the title chase. Conyers broke school records in the 200M (21.47) and the 400M (48.76), as well as part of the 4X100M (42.84) relay team along with sophomore Zach Taylor, junior Jamal January and senior Robert Allen. January also scored valuable points for the team with personal records in the 110H (15.23) and the 300H (39.98), and he finished fifth overall in the triple jump. The distance events were equally impressive for the Spartans during the meet. Sophomore Crayton Carrozza won the 3200M (9:34.28) event, and sophomore Travis Dowd secured a second place finish in the event, dropping his own personal record by 14 seconds. Carrozza finished second in the 1600M (4:28.21), followed closely behind by senior Andrew Abikhaled, who took third (4:31.65). Dowd also scored valuable points in the 1600M with a seventh place finish. The 4X800M relay team of senior Ben Schneider, senior John Sansbury, Abikahled and Carrozza also broke a school record with an impressive first place finish in the event with a time of 8.05:51. Sansbury followed the relay with a first place finish in the open 800M (1:57.68), followed by Abikhaled in third place (1:59.27).

PHOTOS

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: St. Stephen’s Boys’ and Girls’ Track and Field Teams celebrate the school’s first-place finish; St. Stephen’s track and field team members John Sansbury, Ben Schneider, Andrew Abikhaled and Crayton Carrozza; St. Stephen’s junior Cameron Conyers chased down the team title win for the Spartans

— stephen shields, tennis academy instructor 28

St. Stephen’s Episcopal School

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SPARTAN LIFE

Summer 2017

Spartan Magazine

Using the Power of Film to Mitigate Hate history, decided to make a documentary about her grandmother’s return to her birthplace. “I wanted to know what it meant for her to go back, to visit the town where she grew up,” Schlesinger said. “I thought it would be a way to teach people about what happened to the Jews. “The coolest part of the whole trip was hearing my grandmother talk about feeling triumph and forgiveness,” Schlesinger said. “She told us, ‘Hitler tried to kill me and my family, yet here I am, surrounded by my offspring and their children.’” For Schlesinger, editing the footage into a compact five-minute film proved challenging. She spent five months honing the footage. Film instructor Mike Dolan helped her through the process, teaching her how to use the equipment and providing valuable feedback at different stages of production. “Rachel persevered to make a powerful and beautiful film,” said Dolan, film instructor and associate director of St. Stephen’s Theatre Focus. “At first she struggled to condense the footage; editing is extra challenging when the subject is so close to home. She also worked with a local sound engineer to edit and mix the sound to be as effective as possible. She had a great experience with this part of the process because she saw how complex it is, and she worked with industry professionals who collaborated with her in the same way they work with professional directors.” “I have always liked to write, but making a film is more interesting because you get to make your stories visual,” said day student Rachel Schlesinger, a member of the Class of 2018. “There’s something about a film that is more universal and accessible than words on a page. “I love the medium so much,” added Schlesinger, who enrolled at St. Stephen’s in sixth grade and took her first film class as a freshman. In that course she learned to write stories for film and to use a movie camera. Her first projects were short commercials. “My sophomore year I started to get more serious about filmmaking. I spent about six months working on a documentary about flaws in the American education system. I spent months editing it, but it always felt like clips strung together.” Despite not completing that first film, the process taught her a valuable lesson. “Even a documentary needs to be written out, scripted,” said Schlesinger, whose next film project was decidedly more successful. The idea emerged from plans for a family trip to Lichtenfels, Bavaria, her maternal grandmother’s hometown. “My grandmother lived a normal life until Hitler came to power,” she explained. “On the ‘Night of Broken Glass’ [Nov. 9, 1938], Hitler sent soldiers across Germany to destroy Jewish homes, businesses and synagogues. My great-grandfather was a businessman; he was arrested and jailed. That night my grandmother, Inge, hid from the Nazis in the attic of her home. She was 9 years old.” When Schlesinger’s great-grandfather was finally released, the family fled Germany. They immigrated first to England and then, nine months later, to Queens, N.Y. Schlesinger, who was familiar with her family

Schlesinger’s determination paid off, and the resulting documentary, “Inge,” was accepted into the 2017 SXSW film competition. Hers was one of only 20 short films produced by high schools students shown at the prestigious film festival. Her work on the film also was recognized during this year’s Scholastic Art Awards. In addition to winning a Gold Award and being named an American Vision Award nominee in the regional competition, she was selected a “Best in Grade” award winner in the national competition. That honor gained her entrance to the prestigious national awards celebration in New York City. Schlesinger appreciates the recognition her film has received, but is most interested in sharing her grandmother’s story with others. “I want to share her story with as many people as possible,” she said. “I want people to understand that you have the power to control the amount of hate in this world.”

Student Directors Take Center Stage “As much as I love acting, I have always had an interest in what the director does and how much they put into the process,” said freshman America Gonzalez, one of three students enrolled in St. Stephen’s Theatre Focus Program selected to direct a one-act play this spring. “I thought it would be a great experience to work with my peers to create an incredible piece of art while also gaining a deeper understanding of and respect for the behind-the-scenes efforts that go into making a show.”

Oberle, who participated in Theatre Focus all four years of Upper School, chose the play “So” about a college student who ends up the Emergency Room after a drunk-driving accident. “I wanted to direct this play because of its structure,” he said. “I found the concept of having these monologues, these windows into how each character thinks, absolutely fascinating. This show really resonated with me; I found the writing so believable and real.”

To earn the title of director, Theatre Focus students had to apply and interview for the job with co-producers Lindsay Brustein, director of Theatre Focus, and Mike Dolan, associate director of Theatre Focus and film instructor. The producers selected five short plays for students to review. Students then chose one play they wanted to direct and explained their vision for the production to Brustein and Dolan. Ultimately, Gonzalez, senior Sam Oberle and sophomore Cecilia Fields were named directors of the spring show.

Fields chose to direct “Field Day,” about two soldiers alone in a war zone. The topic proved challenging to the young cast. “There were some moments in the scene that my actors had a hard time understanding,” she said. “As director, I enjoyed aiding them in living truthfully in the circumstances. I’m so proud to have worked with these talented actors as they brought this story to life.”

“These student directors clearly articulated why they were excited about the play they chose,” Brustein said. “All three have demonstrated a clear passion for directing and a good eye for storytelling. “This is the first time students have picked the plays they directed and the first time the one-act play auditions have been open to all St. Stephen’s students,” Brustein added. “About half the students acting in the one-act plays had never participated in theatre before. We were excited about this opportunity to expand our theatre community on campus.” St. Stephen’s Theatre Focus Program has grown steadily since it was first introduced in 2000. “The program provides a more targeted curriculum for students excited about theatre who want more intensive training than the school’s traditional theatre offerings,” Brustein said. “It is more intensive in terms of training methods, study trips, and special workshops with guest artists. The program meets every student where they are and helps them grow their skillset in their areas of interest.”

Like Fields, Gonzalez was new to Theatre Focus this year. Both student directors previously had acted in plays at the school and appreciated the close-knit theatre community on campus. In fact Gonzalez chose to direct the play “7th Grade Freaks” because it calls for a large ensemble cast. “Earlier this year I was fortunate enough to act in the production of ‘Noises Off,’ and the incredible community built within our ensemble really inspired me to choose a play with similar aspects,” she said. “My biggest challenge was knowing how to direct my actors in a way that made sense to them,” she said. “In working with peers, it was hard to find a balance between being their friend and also making sure they got work done.” Of the three student directors, Oberle is the only one with definite plans to study theatre in college. “I'm hoping to become a professional actor,” he said. “As I've gone through high school, the most effective technique I've used to make me a better actor is just to try new things. Directing gave me an important new perspective on making theatre.” PHOTO

Lowe (in green) in Uttar Pradesh, India, where she conducted studies on nutrition during pregnancy

PHOTO S The cast and crew of the spring one-act plays: (front row, left to right) Evan Ugarte, Aidan Ellis, Cecilia Fields, America Gonzalez, Jinho Rhee, Sarah Murphy, Sam Oberle; (back row, left to right) Rei Yoshioka, Compton Stewart, Noah Yow, Valerie Montanez, Sayaka Sugita, Nayeon Kang, Thomas Waugh, Andrew Yow, Ella Benjamin, Madeleine Andrien, Stephen Lemmon

St. Stephen’s Episcopal School

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SPARTAN LIFE

Summer 2017

Spartan Magazine Mouritsen Family(left to right) Mae ’17, Mark, Jennifer and Missy ’16 Mouritsen

Support the Annual Fund, Support Students As parent chairs of the 2016–17 Annual Fund, we want to thank everyone who so generously supported the campaign. It was a true community effort, and we were honored to be a part of an incredible team of class captains and parent callers. We exceeded our goal, raising critical funds to support the annual operating budget and sustain the continued excellence of St. Stephen’s. Each donation was a direct investment in the programs that make St. Stephen’s such an extraordinary place. Beyond the very important dollars raised, community participation in the Annual Fund reflects the strength of our school and our shared commitment to St. Stephen’s students. As the parents of two recent graduates, we are so grateful for the incredible experiences and life changing opportunities that St. Stephen’s has offered our daughters. Thank you to all the Annual Fund volunteers and donors who have ensured current and future Spartans will continue to enjoy and benefit from our remarkable school on a hill.

A Glorious Grand Day! At the end of March the St. Stephen’s school community welcomed grandparents and special friends to campus for Grand Day, an annual capstone event. On Grand Day students were able to share the rich academic and cultural life of the school with their grandparents and other honored guests, who attended Chapel and then went to classes with their favorite Spartans. Hosted by the Advancement Office, Grand Day 2017 was made truly memorable by a bevy of dedicated parent volunteers. “I loved Grand Day because of the sweet connection I saw between students and their grands,” said Lori Johnson, who served as parent co-chair alongside Melissa Rubin. Her co-chair agreed. “I have to say, Grand Day is one of the most rewarding events that St. Stephen’s sponsors,” Rubin said. “Students were excited to share our marvelous campus with their Grands, who were beaming with pride and so happy to be there.”

—jennifer and mark mouritsen, 2016–17 annual fund parent chairs

Spring Swing's School of Rock The Parents’ Association 13th annual Spring Swing event brought together more than 400 parents, faculty, staff and friends to celebrate community and raise funds to support St. Stephen’s commitment to excellence. Attendees bid on silent and live auction items donated by hundreds of local businesses, as well as faculty and staff. Jack Black himself even made a special cameo appearance via video, inviting partygoers to bid on a guitar signed by none other than Mr. Black himself! Special thanks go to Spring Swing co-chairs Debbie Arnow, Elizabeth Bray and Jill Turner and their hardworking, creative committee for a wonderful evening, as well as Heatherly Ayres, Make It Happen chair. This year’s event raised a record-breaking amount for the school’s operating budget and PA-supported student activities.

Mark your calendars for next year’s Spring Swing: Saturday, Feb. 24, 2018. PH OTO S TOP TO BOTTOM:

Nancy and Chris Gunnin, head of school, with Nichelle and John Bielinski; Spring Swing co-chairs Debbie Arnow, Elizabeth Bray and Jill Turner

St. Stephen’s Episcopal School

PHOTOS

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP: Jordan Mitchell with Adrienne Curry; Bill Goodman with Kate Goodman; Farida and Javaid Vendal with Amaan Rumi; Shaina Schechter, Claire Schechter and Marshall Schechter; Lizzy Jones, Carol Sharp and Zach Jones; Mary Lois and Sloan Leonard with Sloan Wittliff

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ALUMN I N EWS

Summer 2017

Spartan Magazine

After three years, Haas left the band and joined his brother Simon in creating a cabinet and architectural fabrication business in Los Angeles. He also started painting. “Our work was all very organic; we had no vision for the business,” he said of the company that quickly transformed into the more avant-garde Haas Brothers design studio. Today, they have 10 employees and are planning to build a second studio in Joshua Tree, Calif. “For me, work and creativity and business and life all blend together; I try to live life from a place of love,” he said of his business ethos. “I want to work on projects that serve the people I’m working with as much as myself,” he said. “I feel privileged to be a working artist, so I want to help others succeed when I can.”

NIKOLAI HAAS shares his creative genius “Art is about selling a fantasy, not an object,” said Nikolai Haas ’03, who visited campus for several days in January to work with St. Stephen’s Middle School students to create a jungle-themed mural for the student center. Haas and his twin brother, Simon Haas ’03, are co-owners of the Haas Brothers creative design firm in Los Angeles. Since starting their company four years ago, they have become phenoms of the international art world. Their eclectic sculptures and playful furniture designs are simultaneously otherworldly and comfortingly familiar. Think Surrealism meets Dr. Seuss: humansize bronze mushrooms capped with dayglow beads; delicate candy-colored glazed ceramic amoebae layered with petals; a

St. Stephen’s Episcopal School

lush, fur-covered chaise lounge with bronze monster feet and testicles…. Despite his intrinsic inventiveness, Haas never expressed an interest in visual arts or design in high school. Rather, he was obsessed with playing the drums, the first of his many artistic endeavors. His junior and senior years, he took private drumming lessons from Trevor Detling, now director of St. Stephen’s Thunder Drumline. Following graduation, Haas moved to New York City and began playing gigs with musician and actor Vincent Gallo. He toured Europe with Gallo’s band, creating what Haas called “artsy fartsy” conceptual, improvised music. “Sometimes we were good, other times not — but failure is part of success in the end because you learn from it,” he said.

A great example of Haas helping other artists occurred in 2012, when he traveled to South Africa to help create a business platform for local craftswomen making life-sized beaded sculptures. Rather than simply paying them a fair wage for their work, he made them equal partners in the business and helped connect them to the Western market. Last year their works were exhibited in the Cooper Hewitt Smithsonian Design Museum in New York City. “We’re trying to create a fair landscape,” he said of the venture. A desire to support new artists was also the impetus for his visit to St. Stephen’s in January. Current parent Lora Reynolds, owner of the Lora Reynolds Gallery in Austin, was instrumental in bringing Haas to campus. “When we initially talked with the Haas Brothers about doing an exhibition at my gallery, the first thing Niki asked for was an opportunity to work with young people,” Reynolds explained. “My instinct was to organize something with St. Stephen’s, where Niki and Simon are both graduates and my daughter, Georgia Lee, is a 7th grader. Where else could Niki spend time with such an exceptional group of kids?”

After brainstorming ideas with Fine Arts Department Chair Elizabeth Hansing Moon, they settled on the mural project. Middle School art students attended special sessions with Haas, but all students were invited to swing by the student center during free periods to paint. “We ended up with a strange and spectacular jungle that vibrates with ambition and diversity and hilarity,” Reynolds said. “It’s an incredibly genuine portrait of the student body. I hope everyone who participated, after moving on from St. Stephen’s, comes back to see the mural and remembers St. Stephen’s as a place that fosters inclusivity and experimentation.” “I had been looking for ways to engage with the St. Stephen’s community,” Haas said of the project. “I attended St. Stephen’s on a scholarship, so this was a way for me to give back to the school. Coming back to campus also helped me realize how lucky I was to be a student here.” In working with students on the jungle-themed mural, Haas tried not to direct the design or control the final outcome. “I wanted the kids to have a really good time and not focus on creating ‘art,’” he said. “I didn’t want to restrict their work because that would limit their creativity. Kids have great ideas. If I tried to get them to make something specific, it won’t be their best. “The world needs new ideas,” he said. “I wanted to give the students room to think as individuals and learn about themselves. If everyone who worked on the mural projects got something out of it, then that would be good. “Being good technically is cool, but it is not necessary to change the world,” he concluded. PHOTO

LEFT TO RIGHT: Nikolai Haas ’03 with Gabriel Sierra Kamar and Coby Carrozza; Colin Page; Student artists working on the Student Center mural

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ALUMN I N EWS

Summer 2017

Spartan Magazine

FORGING A PATH “Most of what I am doing now and plan to do in the future is about representation,” said James T. Carter ’13, who has pursued his passion for psychology and issues of race at Rice University, following his graduation from St. Stephen’s. Following his college graduation this May, he plans to earn his doctorate in either social psychology or organizational behavior and then pursue a career in academia. “I want to become a professor because I have only had two black faculty members at Rice, and there was only one full-time black faculty member at St. Stephen’s while I was there,” Carter explained. “I want people who move through the space that I have moved through to have role models that look like them.” Carter credits St. Stephen’s with helping him to develop the intellectual and emotional skills necessary to act as a change agent in Rice’s socio-political environment. Like many St. Stephen’s graduates, Carter immediately threw himself into all that his university has to offer. Since his freshman year, he has focused his academic studies on psychological research and now conducts lab research on racial diversity and discrimination and how the two manifest themselves in the workplace. “My goal is to create tools that mitigate discrimination and stigma within these environments,” he explained. In addition to serving as the diversity facilitator during new student orientation week, Carter founded an organization at Rice called the Student of Color Collective, which works with university administrators to help make the Rice experience more equitable and inclusive of all students, particularly students of color. “Part of my work includes working with the administration to clarify the admission policies and financial aid opportunities for undocumented students,” he said. “There are plans to diversify faculty, better explicate the financial aid offerings, create an African-American studies major…and admit more students of color.”

St. Stephen’s Episcopal School

for others

When asked about the St. Stephen’s faculty and staff who influenced him in his career choice, Carter replied, “I don’t think I could ever actually list all the faculty and staff who influenced me, but I would be doing a great disservice if I didn’t mention Laurel Eskridge, who introduced me to psychology and set me on the life-changing path that has led me to pursue a Ph.D.” Ultimately Carter is thankful for his time at St. Stephen’s because it provided an environment that he had no previous exposure to and helped mold him into the individual he is today—analytical, thoughtful, questioning and nonconforming. At St. Stephen’s he learned to stand up for what he believes in, speak his mind, challenge the way things are and be unapologetic about the things he believes in. St. Stephen’s also taught him about the realities of the world, such as wealth differences and disparities, and that not all students, particularly those across town, get the type of education provided by St. Stephen’s. He also discovered how much one can learn from living with their peers; it’s an experience he would welcome all over again. As for his future, Carter plans to earn his doctorate and “enter academia as a professor and teach students, create a pipeline for young students of color, and research and write on social phenomena that impact everyday life,” he said. “Although there is not a direct pathway for this to happen, it would be nice to return to St. Stephen’s in a diversity capacity and a teaching capacity, doing the things I love at the school I love.” Until that time, Carter encourages students to enjoy the St. Stephen’s experience and capitalize on the challenges presented to them. “Use this experience to springboard into college or the world you choose to enter once you leave because you will be far more prepared than most and you have the potential to be a change agent if you so choose because of the lessons you learned here,” he concluded. —nolu mcilraith ’12, alumni relations and giving coordinator

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Class Notes 1951

getting worse, but has good care. He is said to not be

on her mind, as she reflects on the years in which she

WILL BREWSTER

very verbal now. Visitors are welcome.

made not only a life but a living with her writing. She has thanked Allen Becker and Pete Melcher for leading her to

brewsterwilliam34@gmail.com

1952

Karen Fife Payne and her husband are in good health

write, edit, teach creative writing, publish her work and

and spirit.

lead journal seminars wherever she has roamed. She

FRED HELDENFELS

Tom Romberg has been following granddaughter Liz

fheldenfels@gmail.com

Carter’s senior softball year at Texas A&M–Corpus Christi with his wife, Peggy. Liz has achieved over 500

The efforts to create the altar frontal were multi-faceted. Smith began talking to Aubrey several years ago about wanting to stitch an altar frontal in honor of their friendship and Aubrey’s work at St. Stephen’s. After Allen and Smith met and agreed to collaborate, Allen visited campus in the spring of 2015 and spent several days composing an image that she colored first by pencil and then with acrylic paint onto the fabric that Smith would needlepoint. This first step was completed square by square in order to avoid filling the holes between each grid. Smith then chose the colors and used fine wools, silk threads and beads

St. Stephen’s Episcopal School

to embellish the design. She also added depth to the design by shading with individual threads and stitches. Her work on the piece took six months to complete. “Smith embellished it beautifully,” Allen said of the finished work. “She really helped the canvas come alive. It’s a true work of art.” FitzGerald believes that their artistic collaboration embodies the values of the Chapel program. “Worship, or liturgy, means the work of the people,” he explained. “The goal of Chapel is that whatever work we do be comprised of the work of the people. Choir, the Chapel leadership team and the orchestra contribute to this. Page and Kay have expanded the notion by contributing to our Chapel program on behalf of current staff, alumni and former parents. Both have shown how all members of our community can offer their works, whatever they may be, to the glory of God.” The finished piece was introduced to the school community during Allen’s 50th Reunion celebration in 2016. The new altar frontal is used during special Chapel celebrations, such as weddings, funerals and baptisms.

their fellow adventurers. She wishes you vast amounts of satisfaction. Nancy (Hoppy) Hopwood reported that she is taking

Texas Tech this season, and recently hit a grand slam at

a quick trip to Georgia to visit her cousin in a nursing

E D NA N O E L H E L D E N F E L S

Prairie View. She graduated with a B.A. in psychology

home. She has taken six months off traveling to give

fheldenfels@gmail.com

with a 3.85 and is going to Washington University for a

her second new knee time to recover and now leaves

master’s degree in NCAA management. Tom and Peggy

in two weeks for three weeks in the Stans — the

met the Rev. Charles Sumners and Robin Sumners in

"new" destination on a photography trip with several

Cuero a few weeks back while passing through from

prior travel mates. The rest of the year includes

MIKE HINES

Corpus Christi. They are well. They enjoyed talking

Newfoundland, Republic of Georgia, Kashmir and

mjhines1@cox.net

politics with both of them. Tom and Peggy were sad to

1954

Alumna Page Allen ’60 and former parent Kay Smith recently collaborated to produce a needlepoint altar frontal for St. Stephen’s Chapel. The artistic duo was first introduced by Christine Aubrey, associate head of school for advancement, and the Rev. Todd FitzGerald, school chaplain, who asked the artists to create an altar frontal that was “elegant and beautiful.” The final design easily surpassed their expectations. The piece depicts a view of campus facing west from the Chapel out past the Brewster Memorial. The design includes the Live Oak photographed at the school’s groundbreaking, as well as rolling hills, rocks and water— and perfectly captures the beauty of our school on a hill.

stories too, and so they are compiling family histories for

strikeouts in her career there, had a no-hitter against

1953

ARTISTS COLLABORATE ON ALTAR FRONTAL

is working on a third book. Her young'uns like to share

hear of Sara Todd’s passing. She had impressive writing

1955

achievements of which they learned in the notice. Tom has retired from air conditioning contracting. He is in

Morocco — all photo trips. She retired from patient care in July 2017 after 42 years at University of Michigan. Bettie Cartwright reported that she has moved on toward the golden 75, which seems to have her and

COLIN PHIPPS

good health. He steered their J70 sport sailing boat

colin@phippsfarm.com

in five races at the Austin Yacht Club’s Governor’s Cup

flying around the world. She just came back from India

Regatta on April 8 and 9 in heavy winds, placing third,

and she is off for Sicily soon. She lives almost half the

second, seventh, sixth and seventh, respectively, out of

year in Gloucester, Mass. Her plan to celebrate her

14 boats.

birthday is to drive up to Prince Edward Island, New

1956

Hoppy, and others, too, she bets, hitting the road or

E L L E N M C C O R Q U O DA L E M A RT I N

Brunswick, for a week in August. Early in 2016, she

ellen@mccorquodale.net

acquired a new aortic valve. It seems to be working just

1957

1960 PAT FAT T E R B L A C K

ggpat77@gmail.com

RU T H W I L S O N W I T T E N

Ruthwitten@aol.com

Page Allen (Lucy of yore) created the beautiful design of St. Stephen’s new altar frontal piece. The needlepoint

fine. “Remember how we loved to gaze at the distant hills when we were at St. Stephen’s? Good preparation for being drawn to gazing beyond the latest horizon rising into the future.” Joan Bird enjoys life in Worthington, Ohio. Larry, her spouse, passed away at the Veterans home in

was done by Kay Smith. It was dedicated at Reunion in

Sandusky, Ohio, in 2015. He is buried next to his parents

October 2016. Page told us about her creative process

in Binghamton, N.Y. Son Brandon and his wife, Mickie,

J. P. B RYA N

and her much beloved welded steel Hill Country

have left the sights and sounds and seafood of Boston,

BryanJ@teai.com OR andrea@thebryanmuseum.com

landscape sculpture, which has been relocated to the

Mass., for the great weather (especially for winter

front of the Chapel. It is a welcoming sight for those of

sports) and new jobs that millennials enjoy in Denver,

us in the class of 1960.

Colo. Joan is enjoying and staying active with Chamber

1958

1959

events, Leadership Worthington, Zonta International and

TOM ROMBERG

Emily Bailey wrote that she is semi-retired from UT as of the

tromberg@me.com

end of January. Full retirement will probably happen soon.

Harry Gerhart is in a memory care facility in Austin, the

Linda Bulloch (a.k.a. “Mouse”) wrote, “Greetings,

Silverado at Bee Cave. His son Matt said that he is slowly

littermates, from Savannah.” St. Stephen’s is frequently

—nolu mcilraith ’12, alumni relations and giving coordinator

traveling. She hopes her traveling will get her back to Austin and St. Stephen’s again. Pat Black planned two singing trips with the Berkshire Choral International to Ashville, N.C., in June and back

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ALUMN I N EWS

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Spartan Magazine

1962

architecture since she was just asked to write the

DAV I D S A N D E R S

introduction to another book, “Texas Modern”.

rdavidsanders@msn.com

Terrence Malick ’61 Profiled in Texas Monthly

Jay Millard and his wife, Wenda, moved to London

In April Texas Monthly magazine published a

in June. She is starting up an office for her company

detailed profile of filmmaker Terrence Mallick ’61 in

MediaLink in the UK, and he is going along for moral

anticipation of the spring release of his new film,

J U L I A C AU T H O R N

support and heck, why not? He certainly hopes to be able to connect with Jonathan Neale and who knows

“Song to Song.” Entitled “The Not-So-Secret Life

Julia@texancapital.com

1963

of Terrence Malick,” the article discusses his early

who else will be there. “What an exciting time to be Julia Cauthron reported that her son, Bill Sommers (age

years growing up in Texas, including his time as a

there with Brexit and all.” Don’t worry fans of the

boarding student at St. Stephen’s. You can read the

32), married Vicky Lai on March 18 in Sausalito, Calif. He

Metropolitan Opera HD telecasts, he will fly back to

full article online at www.texasmonthly.com/the-

works as a software manager at Rent-the-Runway, and

work those and whatever other work he can scare up.

culture/the-not-so-secret-life-of-terrence-malick/.

she is a writer at Google, both in New York.

He and Wenda are looking forward to weekends on the Robert Henderson ’68 and wife Leilani at the north shore

Continent. However it works out, it will only be for a

of Oahu

year. Will they see any of you there?

married and divorced, I have been living in Los Angeles

1965

Ann Gateley reported that they are in Europe cycling

for many years. I've been the Hollywood correspondent

DIANNE DUNCAN TUCKER

about Germany, Holland and Croatia and enjoy living

for the French film magazine Cahiers du Cinéma since

ddtuck@aol.com

amongst the beautiful with fickle weather.

Phaidon in ‘English as Hitchcock at Work.’ In 1993 I

1966

1967

stumbled on the negative of an unfinished Orson Welles

CANDY MILLER

R A N D Y PA RT E N

film, ‘It's All True,’ in a vault at Paramount, put together

hcm@postoakfarm.com

jrparten@parten.com

a team of collaborators and made ‘It's All True, Based on

Candy Miller still maintains a web page for the class at

an Unfinished Film by Orson Welles.’ It is a documentary

www.postoakfarm.com/SSSLink.htm

Bill Krohn admitted he has been out of touch with classmates and wants to bring them up to date. “Once

1978. In 2003 I published Hitchcock au Travail, a study of Sir Alfred's working methods, which is available from

about the making of the film in Brazil and its subsequent

1968

unmaking in Hollywood. When the film was released in

Helen Thompson wrote that her book, “Marfa Modern,”

R O B E RT H E N D E R S O N

1994 it won Best Documentary from the Los Angeles Film

continues to do well. She had book signings in Houston,

rehenderson@nvcc.edu

Critics and a special citation from the National Society

Dallas and Austin, as well as San Antonio, where

of Film Critics. ‘Hitchcock at Work’ won awards here and

she was invited to give talks at their respective book

Robert Henderson wrote that he and Leilani were in

in France, paving the way for monographs on Hitchcock

festivals. She thinks the book has spawned a little

Hawaii for some down time with old friends and a break

and Stanley Kubrick (both in CUT the Phaidon's Masters

cottage industry for her in the world of Texas modern

from the cold weather in late February. Back in Virginia,

of Cinema collection) and Luis Bunuel (Taschen Press). My English language publications have appeared in

Sweet pup Mazy Malick attended an important

anthologies about George Cukor, John Frankenheimer

meeting on campus this spring while owners Terrence

and Douglas Sirk, among others. And western fans

Malick ’61 and Ecky Wyatt-Brown Malick ’60 enjoyed

can hear me conversing with director Monte Hellman Bill Sommers, son of Julia Cauthorn ’63, married Vicki Lai on March 18 in Sausalito, Calif.

enjoyed lunch in the dining hall with Lou Porter

and a critic colleague on the commentary track of ‘The

Bailey ’71, director of planned giving.

Shooting and Ride in the Whirlwind,’ released last year by Criterion. Finally, this year a university press will

to beautiful Sheffield, Mass., where they sang the

reflected on how outnumbered they were by the girls in

publish Letters from Hollywood, containing the English

Verdi Requiem to close out BCI’s time at the Berkshire

their class. He thinks there were only three guys. Susan

originals of my Cahiers articles, which I'm preparing for

the family gathered in March for a celebration with their

School. She misses that place dearly. Her precious

seemed to enjoy talking some music history with Jim.

the press. Anyone who wants to know more than this

firefighter daughter, Diana, and her firefighter husband,

ruby King Charles cavalier, Reba, crossed the Rainbow

John is still working full time at Duke, seeing patients,

bare recital should contact me at bill_krohn@aol.com

Patrick; their birthdays fall on the 15th and 18th. Their

Bridge to Doggie Heaven in March. “She’s left a big hole

teaching and doing research even though he is now an

to get caught up!”

cop daughter, Rachel, and her cop husband, Sameer,

in our hearts, but many fond memories as well.”

emeritus professor.

John Looney and his wife, Susan, got back from Texas,

harrowing and often hilarious stories, and he and Leilani

1964

where they had a long ranch weekend with old Austin

1961

friends. Each year they meet at one of their farms or

S T E V E J O L LY

ranches and relax. It is a good tradition to get them

stevejolly@mindspring.com

back to Texas. This time, he and Susan also spent

were in fine form. The kids enjoy the chance to share try not to let on or cringe openly. Work in Grants at

We are in need of a Class Representative. If interested,

NOVA continues to be fun, and he plans to hang in the

please contact Nolu McIlraith at nmcilraith@sstx.org.

workforce for a while longer. If anyone is passing through the Washington, D.C., area, he would always clear a date for lunch or coffee. Molly Dougherty ’68 with brother, Chrys Dougherty ’69, on a recent trip to Japan

time with Jim Lynch and Mary Ann Lynch. He and Jim

St. Stephen’s Episcopal School

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Summer 2017

Spartan Magazine

Thomas, lives in Paris, France, so we are not able to

She and Hank Ewert ’70 will also head to New Mexico this

spend as much time with him. But thanks to technology,

summer and look forward to spending some time with Andy

they are able to Facetime regularly.” With six children

Fraser and his wife, Marguerite.

between them, he and Jennifer expect there will be many more grandchildren to come. Dee still plays a

Andy Fraser reported: Retirement? No. Grandkids? None.

lot of music and periodically gets together with St.

Travel? He went to Washington, D.C., and Annapolis, M.D., in

Stephen’s alumni Robert George ’71, Barry Gilbert

April and visited the Frasher Mansion. Arthritis? Yes. He got

and Jim Crosby. Dee and Jennifer spend a lot of time

a brace for his knee in May. He hopes the brace will preclude

in his hometown of Bandera, Texas, as he and his sister

new knee. He is pleased to have seen everyone at Russia

inherited their family homestead upon their mother's

House for dinner and a tango lesson in early February.

passing in early 2016. “Bandera has turned into a lively little city, but is still a nice respite from the big city of

Mark Clark wrote that his daughter, Lauren, is married to

Austin.” Dee sends regards to all and he hopes to see

Teddy, who is a karate instructor in the Bryan ISD middle

many of you at upcoming reunions.

schools’ Kick Start for Kids program for at-risk kids. Teddy is an advanced black belt karate instructor, and he advanced

1971

picture taken with Chuck Norris, the founder of Kick Start

K AT H RY N M I L L E R A N D E R S O N

for Kids. Norris is Teddy’s boss and mentor. “It was a strange

zjmiller1513@gmail.com

feeling when my daughter, after greeting and hugging the gentleman, proceeded to introduce me to him.”

Meador family vacation in Belize in the summer of 2016: Emily Meador ’00 (second from right) and Dee Meador ’70 Peter Polk “finally and officially retired and is living in

(fourth from the left)

Bedford, Texas, which is still the DFW Metromess, but a lot

John McFarland and Clarke Heidrick still battle for

1970

truth and justice in Austin, Texas, which is no longer

ELLEN JOCKUSCH

the sleepy town he arrived in during the fall of 1965.

ejockusch@gmail.com

“Yesterday was the anniversary of MLK’s death, which took me back to this time in 1968. Jill and I have

Dee Meador wrote that after 42 years working in

‘downsized’ into a smaller house, but still have a garage

information technology in Texas state agencies, he

full of stuff that somehow won’t cooperate with our

retired in October 2016. His wife of 20 years, Jennifer,

plans. We still have room for those passing through who

also retired from her job as a nurse at The University

would like a place to stay.”

of Texas. They have both slipped rather easily into retirement and are staying pretty busy. One day a week

Tony Tichenor still practices and is trying to find other

they take care of their two Austin granddaughters, Tati

things to do as well. He was one of the producers of a

and Charlie. “It is a highlight of every week, and we

movie entitled “The Comedian” with Robert DeNiro and

often take them other times as well. Their one grandson,

also of “Yellow Birds” with Jennifer Aniston and Alden Ehrenreich, who will play the young Han Solo in the next “Star Wars” movie. It won best cinematography at Nancy Scanlan ’59 and Betty (Bachman) Osborne ‘62 Molly Dougherty is still involved with ASAPROSAR, the Salvadoran Association for Rural Health. In August, she and her brother, Chrys Dougherty ’69, went to Japan to visit his son John Dougherty ’05, who is a lawyer there. Her precious little cat Tracy died earlier this year. She misses her terribly but is grateful for the wonderful 11 years she was with them. Otherwise, she is enjoying life in Austin, going to movies and watching “The Americans” with hubby Kip, playing tennis and reading.

of the school in December. Pictured are Mike Moreman ’78 and Diego Taylor ’94 with Clayton Smith, assistant director of admission

better than other parts. Being a Verger at St. Alban's (at

1972

the Theatre) in Arlington, Texas, can be interesting. Theatre

MARGOT CLARKE

Mike Peters retired on April 28th after more than 22

because it was the only small town hospital in Kansas

Arlington is just finishing a run of ‘To Kill a Mockingbird,’

margotclarke@austin.rr.com

years at his job. He and his wife, Suzie, plan to garden,

that was owned by a larger corporation, which she

read, travel, cook and enjoy each other's company. He

thought would give her protection from closure. She was

thus the set on stage will change while they prepare ‘Legally Blonde.’ The recent visit and festival Mass with the presiding

L I Z F O S T E R LU C Z Y C K I

also plans to hear an alarm clock as infrequently as

wrong; her hospital and clinic closed about two years

Bishop, Michael Curry, went very well and we had a great

lfoster9026@gmail.com

possible. Mike wishes peace and sends love to you and

after she started. She was NOT the reason it closed. Now

to all his former schoolmates.

she works at the hospital in the next town over and loves

time. The visit took place on Saturday, April 8. The sermon can be found at www.youtube.com/watch?v=AeHuxH5Juhk.

1973

her job. She is still married to the same wonderful man.

Rudy Green has almost completely recovered from his third

DOUG ANDERSON

1975

hip replacement surgery (no, he does not have three hips;

dlalaw@hotmail.com

M A RY B R A N D T

mary.l.brandt@gmail.com

one surgery was a redo). He and Joyce celebrated their 22nd wedding anniversary in April by spending a wonderful weekend on Providenciales, one of the Turks and Caicos

1974

islands. Their son, Andrew Green ’07 just celebrated his

ANN RHODES MCMEANS

fifth anniversary working for Suntory in Tokyo, Japan (recall

armcmeans@gmail.com

mention in "Lost in Translation"). He always seems to be

Sundance, and distribution is in progress.

Kathryn McWilliams, mother of Chloe McWilliams ’19 (a 10th grade boarder from Del Rio), hosted a lovely event on behalf

S Y LV I A M C I N T Y R E - C R O O K

sycrook1@cox.net

1976

living in the future. Rudy is developing a retirement plan that

Paul Talbot still practices law in Dallas with no

We are in need of a Class Representative. If interested,

could soon have them returning to Austin from Miami.

retirement in sight. No grandkids contemplated any

please contact Nolu McIlraith at nmcilraith@sstx.org.

time soon. His daughter, Catherine, graduated from

Join the Facebook Page “St. Stephen's Episcopal School

Lou Porter Bailey reported that she and Scott Bailey ’70

the University of Denver in June with her psychology

Class of 1976”

really enjoy living in Austin and seeing more of their Austin

and theater double major in hand. His daughter, Anne,

friends. They miss Buda from where they moved last July

graduated from high school in May and will begin at

and still miss Houston from 17 years ago. Lou even misses

either the University of North Texas or St. Mary’s College

1977

Durham, N.C., from 42 years ago!

in California this fall. His son, Christopher, finished

R O B E RT E T T I N G E R

10th grade at Episcopal School of Dallas with a very

robert@ettlaw.com

Claire McKay left Leander ISD and her school psychology

active and challenging academic, athletic (rowing and

job in June in order to focus on her private practice. She

wrestling), and artistic (choir and theater) schedule.

Annie Douglas Hogsett gave up engineering and made

is looking forward to significantly less stress in her life and

They travel to Austin fairly regularly to check in on Paul’s

her dream of being a physician come true. At 47, she

1969

Sally Harrison ’71 and Gwin Steph ’71 spent a wonderful

more time to spend with her daughter, Suzanne King ’98,

mom, who lives at Westminster Manor, and his wife

was not the oldest ever to go to medical school, but it

JOSH HARRISON

afternoon together in Seattle in April! Close friends in 10th grade, they had not seen each other since soon after!

who is having a baby in August! She is so excited to be a

Laura’s mom, who lives not far from St. Stephen’s.

felt like it. She finished her residency in Internal Med in

JHarrisonLaw@aol.com

St. Stephen’s Episcopal School

So happy to be reunited!

grandparent and is grateful to have more time to enjoy it!

2013, and she and her family moved to a small town in southeast Kansas. They picked the town and hospital

Important 2017–18 Admission Dates 2017

SEPTEMBER 1 Class Visit Dates Available on the School Website OCTOBER 1 Family Interviews Begin

CALENDAR

Duncan E. Osborne ’62

to the next level black belt. Lauren and Teddy had their

NOVEMBER 1 Financial Aid Application Available on the School Website DECEMBER 1 Financial Aid Deadline for Returning Families DECEMBER 3 Open House for Prospective Students

2018

JANUARY 25 Application Deadline and Financial Aid Deadline for New Families

sstx.org

ALUMN I N EWS

Summer 2017

Spartan Magazine

Their two kids are grown and gone. Her elderly parents

1980

Johnson, Erica Peters, Caitlyn Robson, Martha Louise

have moved in with them. Mom has dementia and Dad is

MILES WRIGHT

Armstrong, Chris Caselli ’82 and herself. Everyone

frail and opinionated. Then again, who of us is not? She

miles@xanofi.com

had a great time seeing each other. She is busy in

asks the members of the Class of 1977 to please write in. She would love to know that each of you is alive and kicking.

1978 MARK TUCKER

1981

jhockema@mac.com

They specialize in luxury residential properties in the

1999

Westlake area, but they also do sell properties all the

CHARLOTTE STUCKEY BRIGHAM

way from Round Rock to Buda. They are affiliated with

charlotteesbrigham@yahoo.com

Mayfair International Realty, and she is a member of

E R I C A P E T E R S S TA F F O R D

Who's Who in Luxury Real Estate.

BECKY HOLLIS DIFFEN

Becky@beckyanddaniel.com Don't forget to join the Class of ’99’s Facebook group.

Erica.Stafford@bvcpa.com

Becky Hollis Diffen was selected the Austin Under 40

Charlotte Brigham had a fabulous 35th Reunion in

1982

the fall of 2016 and enjoyed visits from some folks she

W E N D Y W H I T E NAU G H T O N

had not seen for a long time. In attendance were Mark

wendy.naughton@gmail.com

C A R R O L L L I V E LY R E E S E R

Lively (with his beautiful daughter, Melissa), John

carroll@reeser.net

Gaston, John Bernard, Philip Doig, Holly Broussard, Mary Lynn Pratt, Steve Quander, Mike Liebgold, Todd

JA R E D H O C K E M A

Austin working at her company Brigham Real Estate.

mrtucker@mindspring.com

1979

1998

Profiled in Texas Monthly

Award winner in the Engineering, Energy, Mobility and Systems Sciences category. She enjoyed reconnecting with several St. Stephen’s alumni at various AU40 events, including Suzanne King ‘98 (a finalist in the Technology category) and Hank Ewert ’70.

1983

Ross “Sparky” Kyger and his wife, Ali, welcomed their

L AU R A M E A R S M I R E C K I

first child to the world. Gwenyth Ann Kyger was born

llynnmir@aol.com Becky Diffen ’99 with Hank Ewert ’70, her husband, Daniel Diffen, and classmate Jessica Sager '99 at the Austin 40

1984 S U Z A N N E C A N TA R I N O P F E I F F E R

SuzannePfeiffer@austin.rr.com

Under 40 Award ceremony

libbieansell@gmail.com

cbreckwoldt@sstx.org

1994

MARK ROWE

C AT H E R I N E C O O K W E I S S

Annie Chan is excited to be moving back to Austin this

markrowe@henna.com

cmcook76@aol.com

summer.

1989

1995

We are in need of a Class Representative. If interested,

RHEA BENBOW THOMAS

skiing this winter — if two hours of driving, one hour

please contact Nolu McIlraith at nmcilraith@sstx.org.

rheabt@gmail.com

of negotiating over goggles and sunscreen, 90 minutes

BETH COCKERHAM MACK

of tears, and 10 minutes of sliding downhill count as

semack77@gmail.com

"skiing." Otherwise, they are loving life in Colorado

SETH ALLEY

with their two little girls. They are hoping that they

JOSEPH FRISZ

sethalley@msn.com

get matched this year with a third child through an

friszman@yahoo.com

A N N S T R A U S E R PA L M E R

international adoption agency; fingers crossed and

annstrauser@hotmail.com

stay tuned.

1990

1987 C AT H E R I N E H O E Y R A N DA L L

caterandall@sbcglobal.net

1991 lz.powell@gmail.com

hli3@yahoo.com

IED Barcelona. They expand each year and for 2016 were

1996

as a DJ. This year they moved flats, and he moved

SHANNON POWERS FLAHIVE

studios. If anyone is ever in Barcelona, be sure to get in

giantmonsterprincess@gmail.com

spowers1@austin.rr.com

touch so they can invite you over for a vino on their roof

K AT E H E N R I C H S O N

terrace.

Ryder Henry reported that his son, Baxter, was to Explore: Up Close and Personal with Ryder

the Alumni section of St. Stephen’s website for information about events this fall!

Henry" showed from May to June in Buffalo, N.Y.

malexander@alexanderatty.com

1997 CAMERON BEESLEY

Mark Lively ‘81 with daughter Melissa at the Class of 1981 Reunion last fall

Her little girls are getting bigger and bigger (2 and 6

MONIKA POWE NELSON

Interested in joining us for an alumni event next school year? We could be traveling to a city near you! Visit

Peter Hu ’11, Cosmo Wei ’14 and Sean Cai ’14; Lydia Cash '12 and Annie Clark '12; Alexis Knepp ’03 and friend

listed at number 17 for fashion universities worldwide. years), and her husband is still rocking the dancefloors

born Nov. 30, 2015. His art show "There's More

P H OTOS CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: Jerry Du ’16, Maya Sampleton ’16 and Anique Toscano ’16; Rose Zhang ’12,

Julia Weems continues as fashion school director at

malexander@alexanderatty.com

September. Close to 20 graduates and former faculty joined Associate Director of Admission Martha Black and Coach La-Mont King, who hosted the rooftop event.

made the mistake of taking their 4-year-old daughter

MEGHAN ALEXANDER

1992

St. Stephen’s alumni gathered for a spectacular Spartan social in New York City at City Vineyard last

Tiffany Parcher wrote that she and husband Daniel

H AW K I N S L I

LIZ FLEMING POWELL

Alumni Gather in New York

thru this first phase all the same.”

1988

1986 CHRIS BRECKWOLDT

and measuring 19.5" long. “She is perfect in every way! Momma is not getting much sleep, but we are powering

1985 L I B B I E WA L K E R A N S E L L

March 14 at 11:55 a.m. in Houston, weighing 8.0 lbs

1993

2000 We are in need of a Class Representative. If interested, please contact Nolu McIlraith at nmcilraith@sstx.org.

leardsfool@gmail.com

DAV I S B A L D W I N

rdbaldwin@mac.com

St. Stephen’s Episcopal School

sstx.org

ALUMN I N EWS

Summer 2017

Spartan Magazine

I N M E M OR I A M

2005 R A C H E L K AT Z

Chuck Cooper, Former Staff Member, died on Dec. 4,

rpk228@gmail.com

2016. Cooper worked at St. Stephen's, beginning in the late '90s, for seven years as director of Scanlan Gallery.

2006

During his time at the school, he designed and curated

SELINA STRASBURGER

exhibitions that received both local and national atten-

selina.strasburger@gmail.com

tion. One of his proudest professional accomplishments

SARAH CROMWELL

was working with former trustee Rudy Green ’71 to create

sarahhcromwell@gmail.com

a 10-year series of exhibitions exploring diversity in the arts. The inaugural show of this series featured work of

Michael Sands ‘02 and Trudy Fraser welcomed their

2007

second daughter, Brennan Mhairi Fraser Sands, to the rest of their wonderful family in March

frerking@gmail.com

Paul Heberling and his wife, Katie, welcomed their son, William David Richard Heberling, on May 5.

Spartans at Harvard attended a welcome breakfast for St. Stephen’s seniors who will be incoming freshman at Harvard

anne.buckthal@gmail.com

this fall. Thanks to Nathan Goldberg ’14 for hosting this event!

cole.arledge@gmail.com New Spartan baby Colton Roberts at 4 months

Julian Frachtman is getting married in September; she lives in East Austin. Megan Watkins Phillips and husband Benjamin welcomed

2002

ANNE BUCKTHAL

their first baby on March 18. His name is Nolan.

KEAN TONETTI

Marth Cox wrote that she got engaged to Wil Crothers, also an architect. They met at Rice University in Houston, where she was finishing up her B.Arch. degree and he his M.Arch. Once he finished his master’s they moved to Seattle together, where they have been living for about 2.5 years. In December 2016 she completed all the requirements and exams and is now a licensed architect in Washington state. “It's been a very exciting year!”

stonetti@gmail.com

Michael Sands and wife Trudy Fraser welcomed a

2008

second daughter, Brennan Mhairi Fraser Sands, in March.

A M A N DA K U S H N E R

They live in Greenpoint, Brooklyn, N.Y.

amandakkushner@gmail.com St. Stephen's Class of 2008.

went out, a few classmates’ odysseys have finally

Sanmi Ogunmola was recently named in the Forbes 30 under 30 Retail category for his recently founded company, All Shades Covered. Sanmi, alongside his cofounder and team, aims to be the premium destination for all beauty needs for Afro-Caribbeans in Europe. The company is currently located in London, England, and operates in all parts of Europe.

brought them back to Austin: Anna Schlechter, Martha Todd, Monica Santis and herself. Several classmates celebrated nuptials, including Robert Heidrick, Ross Butschek, Andrew Crosby, Lane Stafford and Lance Coplin. And last but certainly not least, the class also has some new arrivals! Congratulations to Rachel Herring, Samantha Thayer-Osborne, Shrinidi Mani, Maria Murphy-Mayberry (#2!), Emily Sullivan Foon

Nolan, son of Megan Watkins Phillips ‘03 and Nolan Phillips

(#2!), Logan and Lauren White Motloch (#2!), and Michael Sands and Trudy Fraser (#2!) Kean hopes to see everyone at their 15th reunion (ermagerd!) this fall (Sept. 15-17).

2003 WYNN MYERS

wynnmyers@gmail.com

Kevan Murphy Roberts reported that she and husband Jeff welcomed a healthy baby boy on Nov. 23, 2016. His name is Colton Roberts. Hope all is well with you!

St. Stephen’s Episcopal School

C A R L O T TA G A R Z A

carlotta.garza@gmail.com O M A R YA G H I

omaryaghi2@gmail.com RYA N N Y O U N G

rhy9@cornell.edu

Maxine Olefsky received her M.S. in biostatistics from the UT School of Public Health. She then for Biostatistics in AIDS Research at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health in Boston, Mass.

2004 BRIAN KAUFMAN

brian.r.kaufman@gmail.com

Sam Sargent works at Capital Metro in Austin as a community and government relations coordinator. He was recently appointed to the City of Austin’s Airport Advisory Commission and continues to live happily in Austin with his wife, Orsi.

L I N D S AY R E D M A N

JA M E S C A RT E R

carter@rice.edu LISA NORDHAUSER

lisa.nordhauser@gmail.com

Alexa Haverlah graduated from Tulane in May and has been awarded a Fulbright scholarship for study and research in Mexico next year.

G R AY T W O M B LY

Twombly.Gray@gmail.com H E N RY S I K E S

WHSikes1@gmail.com

2014 JA C LY N H O RT O N NAT H A N G O L D B E R G

nathangoldberg@college.harvard.edu

love for St. Stephen's, his passion for the arts, his vast encyclopedic knowledge, and his devotion to friends. He championed emerging artists throughout his life, in his own contemporary AIR gallery, in his work at St. Stephen’s, and in association with members of the local, regional and national arts communities. A memorial service was held in early 2017. Jack R. Crosby, Former Trustee, passed away peacefully his family and was visited in his final days by loyal friends from decades of entrepreneurship and civic involvement. Born in Del Rio, Texas, on August 4, 1926, Crosby was the son of Raymond Murray Crosby and Elizabeth Rust Crosby. He attended Del Rio schools and graduated at age 16 from high school as salutatorian of the class of 1943. He attended The University of Texas at Austin,

2015 JIM OLD

jamesold1@mac.com

where his business studies were interrupted by a twoyear stint in the U.S. Naval Air Corps. Following military service, he graduated from UT with a B.B.A. in January 1949. Crosby married his college sweetheart, Joanne Sharp, in Dallas on March 26 the same year. The couple

A L I A YA H G I

2016 NICK GOLDREYER

2012

Road, and more. Those who remember Cooper recall his

on Dec. 30, 2016, in Austin, Texas. He was surrounded by

llredman@go.olemiss.edu

ayaghi@stanford.edu

Alyssa Posey McDermott and her husband, Sean McDermott, welcomed their second child in April, a baby boy named Carter Alexander McDermott.

2013

jaclynlhorton@gmail.com

2011

the country. Subsequent exhibitions examined women development of the American West, art along the Silk

started a new job as a biostatistician at the Center

Amanda has set up a Facebook group for the class called

Kean Tonetti wrote since the last alumni newsletter

Haggerty Stephens, Kathleen Joyce Allen, Cat

2010

ing two-day symposium drew participants from across artists, artists of Mexico, diversity of artistic life in the

COLE ARLEDGE

2001 JULIET FRERKING

artists from the African Diaspora, and the accompany-

jamesold1@mac.com

settled in his hometown of Del Rio, where he joined his father and uncle in the family appliance business, Crosby and Rust. In 1955 he contracted for the installation of a 300 foot antenna to receive television signals from San

HELEN ELIZABETH OLD

Antonio, Texas. This was among the first cable television

helenelizabeth1@me.com

systems in the world. Two years later he constructed the

CAROLINE PRINGLE

second private microwave network in the United States

johannbboth@gmail.com

caroline.pringle@yale.edu

to transmit television signal between Del Rio and San

C H A N TA L S T R A S B U R G E R

JA K E P O L I T T E

Antonio. In subsequent years, he was instrumental in the

chantal.strasburger@gmail.com

jake.politte@rocketmail.com

development of seven major cable television systems in

Y O S UA H U S O D O

the United States and abroad. After moving his family to

yosua.adiyasa@hotmail.com

Austin in 1966, Crosby launched Rust Capital and Rust

2009 J. J. B O T H A

Ventures. Soon after, he founded Rust Properties, which

Former Spartan teammates Claire Zagrodzky ’16, Ashley Ybarra ’16 and Mallika Rao ’16 reunited on the field in April when Rhodes College played Hendrix College in lacrosse

developed One American Center, Austin's tallest office building at completion, and Texas Commerce Plaza in Corpus Christi.

sstx.org

ALUMN I N EWS

Summer 2017

Crosby thrived on the excitement of meeting people,

six credit hours away from graduating from Texas State

Alumni are contacted by their class rep several times a year

instilling in them the confidence to realize their visions.

University with a degree in business administration at the

for news and information. For assistance connecting with your

By the mid-1980s he had investments in an estimated

time of death. Moore is survived by his parents, Mary and

class rep or submitting news, please contact Nolu McIlraith,

112 companies. He also was heavily involved in civic

Kevin Moore; sister Alyza Catherine Moore ’15; brother

alumni relations and giving coordinator, at 512.327.1213 x178

activities. In Austin, both he and Joanne served for many

Noah Thomas Moore; grandmothers Barbara L. Gittinger

years as trustees of St. Stephen's Episcopal School,

or nmcilraith@sstx.org. To find your rep online, please visit

and Helen I. Moore; and numerous aunts, uncles, cousins

which his three children and four of his six grandchildren

and friends. A funeral Mass was celebrated on Dec. 19,

our alumni page at www.sstx.org/alumni. If you do not use

attended. Honored by The University of Texas as a

2016, at St. Ignatius Catholic Church.

Distinguished Alumnus in 2009, Crosby served on the

email and would like to get in touch with your reps, please call Nolu McIlraith for their mailing address and phone number.

University Development Board, the Longhorn Foundation

Marilyn Millspaugh West ’66 passed away in Colorado

and Leadership Council, as well as the Advisory

Springs, Colo., with her family by her side on July 9,

Councils of the School of Architecture and the College

2016, after a long battle with Multiple Sclerosis. She

Notes news summary. When you send a high resolution photo,

of Communication. Additional honors include the U.T.

was born on Dec. 17, 1947, in San Antonio, Texas, to

please always identify everyone in the photo, make sure we

McCombs Business School Hall of Fame, the Dewitt Carter

Sidney Sanderson and Dorothy Baker Millspaugh. She

can see all faces clearly, and make sure to send a JPG format

Reddick Award from the U.T. College of Communications,

grew up in a ranching family in Ozona, Texas, with

in the largest size possible (at least 900 pixels;

and induction into the both the Pioneers of Cable

her older sister, Linda, and younger brother, Sid. She

3" wide at 300 dpi).

Television and the Cable Television Hall of Fame.

attended St. Stephen's Episcopal School as a boarding

We welcome high resolution photographs with your Class

student, beginning in 8th grade. She graduated from He is survived by his wife of 67 years, Joanne; children

the University of Colorado with a bachelor's degree in

Chris ’69, Jim ’70 and Clay ’78; and daughters-in-law

psychology and from the University of Denver with a

Tara Sayers Crosby and Ellen Harrington, as well as his

master's degree in psychiatric social work. West worked

grandchildren and loving family and friends. A memorial

at National Jewish Hospital in Denver, a mental health

service was held on Jan. 4, 2017, at Good Shepherd

center for five years in New Jersey and then at Pikes Peak

Episcopal Church in Austin with a reception following

Mental Health Center in Colorado until illness forced her

at Tarry House. Memorial gifts may be made to the

to retire. She is survived by her husband, James West,

Endowment Fund of St. Stephen’s Episcopal School or to

and her two children, Ryan and Jessica.

Printed submissions may be mailed to: Spartan magazine St. Stephen’s Episcopal School 6500 St. Stephen’s Drive Austin, TX 78746

Spartan magazine editors reserve the right to edit or omit any information submitted.

a charity of your choice.

John “Jack” Hamilton Wilkerson ’53 passed away

Richard C. Esler II, Former Faculty Member, passed away

quietly on Dec. 8, 2016, in his Houston home with his

at the age of 78 on Jan. 1, 2017. He was born in Trentum,

beloved wife, Ann, and son Ted at his side. A native

Pa., on January 31, 1938, to Richard and Cherilla (Mulder)

Houstonian, Wilkerson was born to Ellen Hamilton

Esler. He graduated from Muskingum College with a B.A.

Wilkerson and Edward Albert Wilkerson, M.D., on June

in Spanish. He also attended the National University

30, 1934. He graduated from St. Stephen's Episcopal

Like us on Facebook at:

of Mexico, and Middlebury College, where he earned

School in Austin, Texas, and The University of Texas at

www.facebook.com/StStephensAlumni

an M.A. in Spanish. His esteemed career in education

Austin with a degree in chemical engineering, which

Join our St. Stephen’s Episcopal School Alumni

spanned 45 years as a Spanish teacher, administrator

led to a fulfilling career in the oil and gas industry. He

Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/

and headmaster in independent schools throughout the

is survived by his wife, Ann Wilkerson; sister Neale

groups/8735891587/

United States. He is survived by wife Marion; son Richard

Wilkerson Kempner; and sons John Hamilton Wilkerson

C. Esler III; daughter Frances Fincik; step-children Paul

Jr. and Edward Morris Wilkerson; along with other loving

Chat with us on Twitter at:

Thomas Mielinski, Jennifer Mielinski and Stephanie

family and friends. A memorial service was held on Dec.

https://twitter.com/ststephenschool

Oulton (Kevin); brother Derke Esler; three grandchildren;

14, 2016, at Ascension Episcopal Church in Houston.

SAVE THE DATE

for the

2017 ALUMNI REUNION

and HOMECOMING

[ September 15-17, 2017 ] + Meet Head of School Chris Gunnin! + Participate in Homecoming celebrations! + Enjoy family friendly activities! + Reconnect with friends and classmates! + Mingle over cocktails at your class party!

Join Your Classmates Online Facebook “f ” Logo

CMYK / .eps

Facebook “f ” Logo

CMYK / .eps

Connect with us on LinkedIn at:

and four step-grandchildren. A celebration of his life was held in Springfield, Mass., on Jan. 8, 2017.

Spartan Magazine

Alumni News Submissions

Peter Todd Woolery ’70 died at home of natural causes

www.linkedin.com – St. Stephen’s

at the age of 64 on Oct. 29, 2016. Woolery was born

Episcopal School Alumni

Deborah Jessup ’81 died on Aug. 21, 2016. She had

in Garrettsville, Ohio, on July 23, 1952. He grew up in

ketoacidosis and a heart attack.

northeastern Ohio; Monterrey, Mexico; and Buenos

Check out our YouTube Channel at:

Aires, Argentina, where he graduated from high school

www.youtube.com/user/ststephensaustin

Aaron Patrick Moore ’11 died of an accidental gunshot

after attending St. Stephen’s Episcopal School in

wound on Dec. 12, 2016, as he was celebrating his

Austin. Woolery attended college at U.C. Santa Barbara,

24th birthday. Moore was born on Dec. 12, 1992 in

where he obtained a B.S. in geology. He worked as a

Minneapolis, Minn. He attended Austin Waldorf School

geologist, firefighter, caregiver to handicapped persons,

from kindergarten through 10th grade. He finished high

commercial fisherman and substitute high school

school at St. Stephen's Episcopal School, where he

teacher. Peter is survived by a sister and two brothers,

played football and baseball. He attended the University

and many nephews, nieces, and many grandnephews

of Portland, where he played baseball for two years

and grandnieces.

Have you received any emails from the alumni office recently? If not, we may not have a current email address for you. Please send your current email address to nmcilraith@sstx.org so you won’t miss invitations to fun events and news about your classmates. Thanks!

R E U N I T E . R E C O N N E C T. R E K I N D L E.

REUNION AND HOMECOMING 2017

before transferring to St. Edward’s University. Aaron was

St. Stephen’s Episcopal School

Check out the full schedule of activities at sstx.org/reunion

6500 St. Stephenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Drive Austin, Texas 78746

If you receive multiple copies of this publication or have updated address information to share with us, please send an email to jsarrett@sstx.org. Thank you!

Through with your Spartan magazine? Pass it along to a friend or colleague or recycle.

SNAPSHOT Cade Bandera '17 sees only blue skies following graduation

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