37 minute read
Alumni News
Celebration for the Class of 2020 Alumni Connect
The Class of 2020 was celebrated in a special Chapel program followed by dinner in the dining hall on Saturday, Aug. 7, 2021. The Chapel ceremony was led by Upper School Chaplain Adam Varner ’03, and the names of the graduates were read by Kim Garey, head of Upper School. It was wonderful to see so many Class of 2020 alumni on campus.
PHOTO CLOCKWISE FROM TOP: (top) Ami Ginor, Katie Shepard, Sophie Johnson, Kate Goodman, Miriam Kessler, Jordan Mendelson, Kamdyn Lyon (bottom) Leila Tilin, Stella FitzGerald, Sarah DeGrasse, Aubrey Johnson and Lillian Sims; Jinho Rhee, Phillip Doig, Yui Cao, Minjoo Kang, Rachel Huo, Natalie Kwon and Christopher Colvin; Ali Sait, Sophie Johnson, Anya Ganne, Addie McLish and Jake Chappelear; Chris Breckwoldt ‘86, Patrick Kennedy, Braeden Johnson, George Breckwoldt, Nathan Arimilli, Liam Archacki and Gregory Pacitti
Reunion Weekend 2022
We are excited to invite alumni back to The Hill for an in-person celebration this year. Reunion
Weekend celebrates being together and this year will honor the classes ending in 2s and 7s. Reunion co-chairs
Shannon Powers Flahive ’96 and Alice Nazro Nezzer ’87 are making plans for an amazing weekend.
Please join us. It will be filled with fun and engaging activities for alumni to connect with friends, classmates and faculty members. Look for additional details about the weekend in your email inbox, on the Spartan Alumni Network (spartanalumninetwork.com) and various alumni social media channels.
REUNION
TWENTY TWENTY-TWO
Nevi Owens ’94 and Leilani Geitz Valdes ’91
On Campus Local Alumni Events*
Winter Games 2021 On Dec. 16, 2021, the school community gathered for the annual Winter Games, which provides an opportunity for alumni athletes to return to campus and participate in Spartan sports. For the 2021 event, the Spartan Alumni Association hosted a holiday reception in the courtyard between the two gyms. Community members gathered for hot cocoa and holiday cheer. On Jan. 4, alumni returned to the field to play the girls’ and boys’ varsity soccer teams. More than 30 alumni came out for the event. Spartan Alumni Fans in the Stands Alumni Fans in the Stands
opportunity for alumni to come back to campus to cheer on current student athletes. Last fall alumni who played field hockey and basketball were invited to come out and cheer on our Spartans to victory. Look for additional Fans in the Stands events this spring and during Reunion Weekend 2022.
Mallory Boyle ’04, Chris Gunnin and Thomas Frakes ’05
Alan Fenton, Jenny Jordan Shepherd ’87, and Haidar Khazen ’87 at the 1980s Lunch on the Hill event
Lunch on The Hill 2022 The Spartan Alumni Association will host two Lunch on the Hill events in February. Join your classmates and friends in the Student Center Boardroom for a conversation with Head of School Chris Gunnin. Learn about what is happening on campus and reconnect with alumni from your decade. Both events also will be available by Zoom. To sign up, go to https://forms.gle/6zMpGYvBDT3Eksno6 or email Michelle Geo Olmstead at molmstead@sstx.org.
Lunch on The Hill: Classes of the 1980s and 1990s Tuesday, Feb. 8, 12 p.m.
Lunch on The Hill: Classes of the 2000s Tuesday, Feb. 15, 12 p.m.
John Cooper, Barbette Cooper '75 and former teacher Lawrence Becker at Sense and Sensibility
Arts at St. Stephen’s Alumni gathered for a reception in the Helm Fine Arts Center before a special matinee of the Upper School Theatre’s performance of Jane Austen’s “Sense and Sensibility” on Sunday, Dec. 5, 2021.
On Tour Regional Alumni Events
Spartans in the Big Apple On Sept. 23, 2021, Spartans in and around New York City gathered for an Alumni Regional Event. The evening was hosted by International Program Director Sarah Todd, International Office Assistant Liza Ayres ’14 and Director of Alumni Relations Michelle Geo Olmstead.
Despite a downpour that brought traffic to a halt, 27 St. Stephen’s alumni attended the event at Porchlight in the Hudson Yards area of the city. Spartans traveled from as far as Washington, D.C., and Philadelphia to reconnect with school members. The event included three special guests: Trustee Michael Ybarra ’98, Spartan Alumni Association President Patricia Henna Rowe ’89 and her spouse, Mark Rowe ’88, all of whom flew into the Big Apple from Austin. Special thanks go to our Spartan Alumni Association Representative for New York City, James Carter ’13, for picking the perfect venue for the evening.
New York Spartans, mark your calendars for our next Alumni Regional Event in September!
Spartans in Dallas and at the SPC Fall Championships 2021
In early November 2021, the St. Stephen’s Field Hockey, Boys’ Volleyball and Girls’ Volleyball teams headed to Dallas for the fall 2021 SPC Championships. Alumni were invited to cheer on the Spartans at their games, as well as attend an Alumni Regional Dinner on Friday, Nov. 5.
Hosted by Hayden Blood, director of major gifts, and Michelle Geo Olmstead, director of alumni relations, the events gave alumni in Dallas a chance to connect with other Spartans in the area.
The Spartan Alumni Association would like to thank alumni couple Mallory Boyle ’04 and Thomas Frakes ’05 for cheering on the Spartans during all the SPC games. Their cheers and support were appreciated by student-athletes and coaches alike. Boyle currently serves on the Spartan Alumni Association Board as Alumni Regional Representative for Texas.
Virtual events also were held in Boston and Chicago. Alumni in those cities were treated to a conversation with Yvonne Adams, director of equity and inclusion.
Alumni in Fort Worth, Los Angeles, Houston and Denver: Look for the Spartan Tour to head your way this spring! Check out the Spartan Alumni Network (spartanalumninetwork.com) for details.
PHOTOS TOP TO BOTTOM: Spartans in the Big Apple; Watson Tao ’21 and Anouk Martin-Gachot ’21; James Carter ’13 and Sarah Todd; Campbell Chupik ’14, Liza Ayres ’14 and Madeline Renbarger ’14; Huy Nguyen ’12 and Jerry Hua ’15
Spotlight Christina Lowery ’89
Christina Lowery ’89 arrived on campus as a 6th grader. Lowery is passionate about narrative storytelling as an engine of social awareness. Her passion for storytelling is founded upon decades of work experience in documentary film and television production. In 2009, Lowery helped found the film production company Girl Rising. As the CEO she is responsible for the strategy and execution of Girl Rising’s expanding work around the globe.
What is your favorite memory from your time on campus?
I have so many wonderful memories from my time at St. Stephen's. Many of my most vivid memories have to do with performances— helping backstage with “The Diary of Anne Frank,” performing in “Godspell” and “A Midsummer Night's Dream,” and singing as a Madrigal in the Festival of Lessons and Carols. What I remember and treasure most about St. Stephen’s is deeper than any single activity. I remember St. Stephen’s as a joyful place, a place where I was known, supported, cared for and challenged.
Can you tell us a little bit about Girl Rising and your experience in film production and nonprofit management?
When I stumbled on documentary film production in my late 20s, I was smitten. I loved how every part of the process required something different—researching, interviewing, filming, editing and then putting a film into the world. It was so fun to have an excuse to dig into different topics, talk to experts in that field, put every last ounce of energy into a film and then, when it was done, move on and do it all over again but with a different topic.
It was about a decade ago that I was working at a small documentary production company in New York City. Our company was approached by a funder to research a film project on how to end global poverty. That very small subject! After talking to experts across the development spectrum, we learned that the best investment the world can make if we want to end poverty and create a safer, more stable and prosperous world, is to educate girls. Thus, Girl Rising was born.
We saw that the power of girls’ education to change the world was a compelling, true and transformative story. And we believed if we could tell that story well, people would be inspired to care and to act. So we made the film “Girl Rising,” which tells the stories of nine girls from different countries, each written by a local female writer and then voiced by incredible talents like Meryl Streep, Alicia Keys, Priyanka Chopra and others. While we started as a film production company, today we are a nonprofit organization that uses storytelling to change the way the world values girls and their educations.
We work with more than 120 partners across 11 countries, more than 200,000 students and 10,000 teachers a year. I love what I do. I get to continue producing films and stories but also dig deep into how to put those films in the world to bring real, measurable change.
What advice can you share with fellow Spartan alumni and current students of St. Stephen's?
My advice to students is to not worry so much about what you think your final destination is. I desperately wanted a clear picture of that when I graduated, and I was at times quite distraught that I did not know where I was headed. I was interested in so many things and had no idea how to choose. In the end, I followed my curiosities. I dabbled in things I thought were interesting and seized opportunities as they came my way. This led to all kinds of work and life situations I never could have planned for or imagined. So my advice is this: Follow your curiosities. Really live into them, and they will lead you on a wonderfully interesting path. Enjoy those twists and turns.
—louise mcnutt brazitis ’07, chair, alumni recognition, spartan alumni association board
Class Notes
1957
Bob Turpin had shoulder surgery and has finished therapy. He is doing as well as can be expected. For the past 18 years, he has been involved in a prison ministry. He used to go to the prisons and visit certain inmates, but now he only writes letters. He said he is too old to do things that he really wants to do like coach boys’ baseball and play senior softball. He hopes all Spartans are staying safe.
1960
Nancy Jo Parkinson recently sold her house in Austin and moved into a 55+ apartment.
1966
The latest book from Helen Thompson, “Santa Fe Modern,” was released on Oct 26, 2021. The book is the third in the “Modern” trilogy. It's the first survey of modernist and contemporary architecture and interiors in Santa Fe.
Mary Bachman Burke ’69 and Alan Fenton
1969
Mary Bachman Burke was happy to report that she and her husband, Alan Fenton, are both retired. She is still involved in teaching and training aspects of her professional organization, both in Texas and nationally, and she reported that it continues to feel good. She does miss the clinical piece, but had scaled back so she and Fenton could travel. Then COVID-19 hit. Burke dislikes working on Zoom, so she has not wished to resurrect her practice. She is hopeful that they will be able to travel again, hopefully abroad, and has a lot of faith in the vaccine. The couple stayed in during the worst of the pandemic, but are now meeting family and a few friends in person and allowing hugs and contact while still trying to be circumspect in terms of minimizing exposure to the outer world. She reported that they traveled twice this summer to Colorado for two separate family weekends. She said it felt almost normal!
Jane Dryden Louis became a grandmother again! Her daughter gave birth to her first child in June of 2020 in Manhattan at the height of the pandemic. She has traveled to the city nine times since then. She said that New York was an absolute ghost town at the time, but she has been a witness to it gradually coming back to life, albeit a shadow of its former self. As a busy grandma, she cannot claim to have been isolated, as she spent quite a bit of time during the pandemic with her other five kids who live in Dallas and Fort Worth. She currently serves as the secretary of the Spartan Alumni Association and said she has enjoyed being part of the group and looks forward to the next two years of service. She feels that she was obviously chosen to represent the dinosaur era, but that is not actually the case, as she brings so much youthful energy and a witty sense of humor that she is often the star of the quarterly meetings. The experience, she said, has been a real gift. She has had the opportunity to get to know younger alumni and find common threads of experiences and devotion to the school. She has discovered they all consider their years on The Hill a life-changing, transformative experience that echoes her own. This year, she has been joined by Claire McKay ’71, Hank Ewert ’70 and Ellen Jockusch ’70, so good times will roll!
Hank Ewert ’70, Jim Garrison, Scott Bailey ’70 and Larry Anderson at a Round Rock Express game last summer.
Sarah Johnson Entenmann said that considering the following reports from David Loiseaux and Stephen Hearn, there are at least three reasons to visit the Twin Cities. Entenmann lives in the college town of Northfield, which is about half an hour from David’s new home. She has been writing, gardening, volunteering, making soup, knitting and, of course, reading. She is glad to have done a lot of international traveling earlier, including seven trips to China and six to Europe! She said she really cannot complain. In lieu of grandchildren, Entenmann and her husband, Bob, have a 9-year-old rescue beagle, Rudy. Their son lives four blocks from them, and their daughter has been teaching college in New York City from an apartment in Minneapolis during the pandemic. She sends her best wishes to all.
Josh and Vicky Harrison are continuing to run back and forth between his office in The Woodlands and their home in College Station, with occasional trips to New Mexico to escape the heat. They feel fortunate to have dodged the COVID-19 bullet and been healthy enough to take some trips. The couple was relieved to receive their vaccinations earlier this year, which enabled them to gain entry into and through Germany in late July. For those who were comfortable traveling, this proved to be a very good time to visit Europe. They mostly encountered European tourists on vacation, so it was not as crowded as usual. Josh reported that there were mask requirements on the plane and indoors throughout Europe, but this did not seem to deter anyone. One evening while walking after dinner, they encountered an outdoor concert by a Simon and Garfunkel tribute band in Rothenberg. They thought it was a treat to see the Germans dancing to and singing the English lyrics. Josh and Vicky were very uneasy about the requirement to
Class of 1971 Gathering (top row) Rudy Green ’71 and Tom Tuohy ’71 (second row) Margot Clarke ’72, Fred Myers ’71 and Kathryn Miller Anderson ’71
have a COVID test within 72 hours of their return flight to the U.S., but this turned out to be very easy.
Speaking of Minnesota, Stephen Hearn and his wife, Diana, also live in the Minneapolis/St. Paul area and are surrounded by family. Three of Stephen’s siblings and their families are all in the area. After some cautious months, they have begun spending unmasked time together again. The couple’s daughter, Kathryn, lives in the Twin Cities, too, but their son, Aaron, lives in Tokyo with his wife, Saori, and their three granddaughters. The newest granddaughter arrived last fall, but with Japan's current restrictions on travel, they have not been able to get back to Tokyo to visit. Hearn will retire from the University of Minnesota Libraries at the end of 2021. He plans to get back into studying Japanese. He took some beginning courses at the university a few years ago, but it proved to be too much while working full time. He reported that other than his atrophied academic muscles, they are in good shape.
David Loiseaux and his wife, Karen, spent from March 2020 through March 2021 at home, for the most part, only going out for grocery pick-ups and prescriptions. The couple missed in-person Christmas with their family for the first time in more than 20 years, but had virtual gatherings over Zoom and FaceTime. Their daughter flew down to Atlanta this year for Karen's birthday in May and discussed selling the house and moving to Minnesota for their third such move in 20 years. Two hours later they heard a pitch from a local realtor and decided to list the house. The house went on the market at the end of June, and they received an offer over the Fourth of July weekend. The couple closed on their house and flew back to the Twin Cities at the end of August. This fall they moved into a downsized home in Eagan, Minn., just 1.2 miles from their daughter. The couple’s twin grandsons are sophomores at the University of Minnesota this year and are happy to attend classes in person. It was interesting to help them move into their apartments, as it took Loiseaux back to his days as a resident assistant at UC‒Santa Barbara, as he watched all the other parents and grandparents helping their children move in.
Andy MacLellan reported to have had minimal disruption during the past 18 months. He has been in the hotel management hospitality business for most of his career. Thankfully, none of his crew has been sick. MacLellan and his wife, June, have even had their boosters. He is glad that they finally agreed that if you are old, you should get it! He said they walked in to a pharmacy, said “we are old,” and they said “which arm?” MacLellan has been traveling for business throughout the time of the pandemic, albeit very carefully. MacLellan said that he believes the airlines and hotels are doing a wonderful job with the cleaning protocols. Business wise, the travel industry has been severely impacted. Despite this, he said that they have done pretty well and picked up some new deals in the process, but generally it has been a really bad scene for a lot of hotels, restaurants, the meeting industry and airlines.
Terry Seelinger said that he has weathered the past year-and-a-half fairly well in Durham, N.C., with a few ventures out and around. A few months into the pandemic his son, Ari, and his then-fiancé, Caryssa, decided to join the COVID-19 mini-wedding movement, so Seelinger and his wife, Nancy, drove to Philadelphia to be on hand for a lovely gathering of nine, plus their young dog, on the back steps of one of the historic buildings in the block adjacent to Independence Hall. Passersby joined in the applause when the vows were concluded! Meanwhile, the couple’s daughter, Lani, has been married for a couple of years now to a wonderful Finnish gentleman, Jussi, and they live in Helsinki. Lani is currently in a Ph.D. program at the University of Helsinki, studying political science and focusing on the intersection of populism and social media. Seelinger said that if he tried to explain further, he would just be making it up.
Class of 1969 Representative Josh Harrison said he remembers their 8th-grade class of ’16 in 1964, when he had just moved from Fort Worth to Austin to be a day student, and Terry Seelinger and his mother, Cleo, were so welcoming.
1970
Hank Ewert and Claire McKay ’71 are serving as the Alumni Co-Chairs of the St. Stephen’s Annual Fund. As part of this role, the couple serves on the Spartan Alumni Association board.
Boys of Summer baseball fans Hank Ewert, Jim Garrison (husband of Ellen Jockusch), Scott Bailey and Larry Anderson (husband of Kathryn Miller Anderson ’71) cheered on the Round Rock Express this summer.
Ellen Jockusch is serving as the Pioneer Spartan Representative on the Spartan Alumni Association Board. In this role, she represents the classes of 1951 to 1972, and helps coordinate the Spartan Pioneer dinner at Reunion and Crackers and Milk events.
1971
Walter Adams has been in Guatemala, tending to his 92-year-old mother, whom a physician recently called “an oak tree.” Adams is in the third semester of a foursemester master’s degree in public health (no rocking chair yet) and teaching six Maya students quantitative methods as they study the importance of midwives in rural areas. He also has been working on two books and overseeing the publication of his late sister’s book, “How Chronic Violence Affects Human Development, Social Relations and the Practice of Citizenship,” initially published in English by the Wilson Center; posthumously, in Spanish, which is now in the final stage of publication.
Mike Petry has been recovering from hip replacement surgery. He wishes all Spartans well and would love to be in touch with alumni in the Dallas area.
Class of ’71 and friends gathered at the home of Fred and Jennifer Myers in lieu of the group’s yearly trip to the Myers’ home in Hunt. The group included Rudy Green and Tom Tuohy, Margot Clarke ’72, Fred Myers, Ginger Borron and Kathryn Miller Anderson. The class has been meeting regularly through Zoom since the pandemic began, and they are often joined by our former teachers and friends, Don Roth and Phil and Lynn Hadley. The class is still mourning the losses of their dear classmates who have died, most recently the sweet, funny and smart Lou Porter Bailey. “She is always in our hearts.” [Editor’s note: She remains in the hearts of our campus community as well! We miss our Lou-baby!]
1976
After 65 years in Midland, Christopher Rutter moved to central Texas to play on the lake and the ranch.
Grace Greig '97, Lawrence Sampleton and Emilia Alton '20
1977
After 35 years at M.D. Anderson Cancer Center as a radiotherapy medical physicist, David Followill stepped into the world of retirement. He reported that things have been great and that he really enjoys the stress-free days. Now that COVID-19 restrictions have eased a bit, Followill and his wife plan to travel to visit their daughter.
1982
Class Representative Wendy Naughton has been leading the effort to plan the Class of 1982 party for their 30-Year Reunion. To learn more, please reach out to her!
1989
Patricia Henna Rowe and spouse Mark Rowe ’88 traveled to New York City for the Spartan Tour: New York regional alumni event for Spartans in the New York City area. She is in her second year of serving as president of the Spartan Alumni Association.
1985
Jennifer Stayton recently was honored as the first emeritus member of the Spartan Alumni Association board. Jennifer and Tom Herbert gathered their classmates in November for a virtual get-together to reconnect and play some trivia.
Congratulations to Will Wilson, who has been named CEO and secretary general of U.S. Soccer Federation.
1992
Congratulations to Gordon Stott! Connect Homes, the company that he co-founded, won three awards at San Francisco Design Week. He received the Architecture Award for Mar Vista Connect 11, Honorable Mention for Santa Ynez Connect 4 and the Connect Shelter System, which also won the Social Impact Award for providing supportive interim housing for people experiencing homelessness.
1997
While visiting Mexico City for the Admission Office, Lawrence Sampleton, associate head of school for enrollment management and financial aid, caught up with Grace Greig and Emilia Alton ’20.
1998
Trustee Michael Ybarra was visiting New York City for a wedding in September and attended the Spartan Alumni Regional Reception on Sept. 23.
2003
This fall, Megan Watkins returned to The Hill to teach math.
2004
Mallory Boyle and Thomas Frakes ’05 traveled from San Antonio to Dallas to support the Spartans at the SPCs.
2005
While visiting Bar Harbor, Katherine Bailey Brown ran into Anne Moultrie Johnson ’69.
Anne Moultrie Johnson ’69, Katherine Bailey Brown ’05 and John Field Brown in Maine
Natalie Kuo ’12 and Garett Jester Sarafina Nance ’11
2011
Sarafina Nance has dreamt of going to space ever since she was a little girl. Despite the constant doubt, naysayers, and fear of not being good enough, she was elated to share that she has taken a giant step toward that goal. Last spring, she was selected for the Hawaii Space Exploration Analog and Simulation (HI-SEAS), a Mars Analog Astronaut simulation on Mauna Loa, Hawaii. Located at 8,200 feet above sea level, the HI-SEAS habitat replicates the Martian habitat. As part of a crew of six, Nance lived for two weeks as though she was on Mars. They went on spacewalks, experienced a Martian “time delay” of 20 minutes for all communications, and conducted astronomical and geological research. And if that wasn’t out of this world enough, her children’s book, “Little Leo’s Fascinating World of Astronomy,” hit book shelves on Sept. 7, 2021. To check out her amazing adventure go to https://www.facebook. com/sarafina.nance.
2013
Natalie Kuo '12 and Garett Jester were married on Oct. 16, 2021, at Pecan Springs Ranch. Former St. Stephen’s faculty member Johnny Wilson officiated the ceremony. The two met as lab partners in Wilson’s class. Several St. Stephen’s alumni and school members were in attendance to watch the two Spartans tie the knot as Wilson pronounced them "lab partners for life!"
In Memoriam
Bob Herlocker ’52 Bob Herlocker passed away in early 2019. After graduating from St. Stephen’s, this Pioneer Spartan attended the University of the South for one year before studying at The University of Texas. He graduated with a B.A. in business administration in 1956 and then joined the U.S. Navy, serving as a journalist on the U.S.S. Hancock aircraft carrier in the Pacific. After a year, Herlocker transferred to the U.S. Naval Training Center in San Diego, where he worked as a journalist in the Public Information Office until his honorable discharge in June of 1958. After returning to Texas, Herlocker met Peggy Felmet, and the couple was married in February 1959. They would eventually welcome five children. In 1963, Herlocker entered St. Luke’s seminary at the University of the South in Sewanee, Tenn., and graduated in 1967. The family then moved to Anchorage, Alaska, where he was ordained. After two years at All Saints Episcopal Church in downtown Anchorage, the family moved to Winnipeg, Manitoba, on a mission. Herlocker later served congregations in Winnemucca, Nevada, Ukiah, California and Oregon. While in Oregon, he served as diocesan fiscal officer and vicar of the Redmond and Sisters congregations. In 1979, he moved to the Diocese of Idaho and served as diocesan administrator under several bishops. He retired in 1997 after serving the diocese for 19 years. Throughout his life, Herlocker was an active community member and volunteer. In retirement, he and Peggy spent much of their time traveling around the country in their motorhome.
Bill Jagoda ’53 Last April Bill Jagoda passed peacefully, knowing he was loved and appreciated. After graduating from St. Stephen's, he attended Sewanee College and later graduated from The University of Texas at Dallas. His adventures included living in Mexico City, where he was immersed in photography and local culture; working as a professional gardener in the Bay Area; working at Doubleday Books; inspiring others in activism for Zero Population Growth and other environmental causes; and studying a breathtaking diversity of topics, from Eastern philosophies to geology, astronomy, the stock market, history and all kinds of literature. Jagoda never liked being the center of attention, but those who knew him well experienced his razor-sharp wit and deep thinking. He was a devoted husband, stepfather and grandfather. He and Jo Kurth were married at the Unitarian Church in Berkeley in 1967—Jagoda clad in a velvet Nehru jacket and Kurth in a silk Emilio Pucci dress. The family moved to Dallas in 1969, creating an art- and music-filled home. For more than 50 years, his wife was the focus of his life and attention, and their relationship was loving to the end. He is survived by his wife, Jo Kurth Jagoda ’53; daughters Vivian Pyle and Sasha Pyle; and grandchildren Sasha Anemone, Bob Anemone, and Travis and Isabel Gibson.
Keith Dunbar Hollins ’55 Keith Dunbar Hollins passed away on July 13, 2021. Hollins was known for her contagious positive attitude, a passion for fashion and decorating, a love of friendship, and a sincere devotion to the well-being of others. She never met a stranger and loved traveling all over the world. She loved Florence, Italy, where she lived for a time as a child and where she later returned with friends and family for extended visits. She also spent many summers in Mexico with her three sons and, in later years, would share that adventure with friends and grandchildren. She is survived by many family members and close friends.
John Wilson Price ’57 John Wilson Price passed away on Aug. 5, 2021, in Houston. Price was born in Corpus Christi on Nov. 24, 1938. After studying at The University of Texas (Plan II) and earning his B.A in 1961, Price received a master of divinity degree from Virginia Theological Seminary in Alexandria, Va., in 1964. He was ordained an Episcopal priest in 1965 and served at Trinity Episcopal and St. Mark’s Episcopal churches in San Antonio. On Sunday evenings he hosted the radio program “Theological and Religious Patterns in Sacred Music” on San Antonio’s only FM station. He also served in the Texas Army National Guard and did military service simultaneously with parish work for 30 years, retiring as the state area command chaplain and colonel in 1995. Throughout his life, he was active in the Episcopal community. He served as rector of St. George’s Episcopal Church in Austin for 20 years. In 1984, he secured a HUD grant and founded St. George’s Court in Austin, a 60-unit apartment community for low-income seniors and the disabled. Price was also known for holding the door open for others. He hired the first female Episcopal priest in Austin and welcomed members of the gay and lesbian community as an active and open part of St. George’s. He also made time for his alma mater, serving as a member of the St. Stephen’s Board of Trustees from 1984 to 1989. After 32 years in parish ministry, Price found a new calling as a hospital chaplain at St. Luke’s Episcopal Hospital in the Texas Medical Center, ministering to patients on the transplant floor. Even in retirement, Price found ways to serve. He assisted with services at Palmer Memorial Episcopal Church and served as chaplain to Palmer Boy Scout Troops 511 and 1511, a new Boy Scouts of America troop for girls. This work led to him to receive the St. George’s Award of the Episcopal Church and the Inclusive Scouting Award. He served as chaplain for the Federal Bureau of Investigation, which “paid” him in shooting range time with agents. Price was also a sailor and used his retirement to expand his love of sailing from inland lakes to charter sailing in the U.S. and British Islands and the Adriatic. He was known to be an energetic storyteller who injected humor at every opportunity. Price is survived by his wife of 55 years, Arlene Bruchmiller; son Robert Price and his wife, Pansy; son Rick Price; daughter Catherine Beebe and her husband, Mark; and grandchildren Alexander, Geoffrey, Kate, Mina, Sawyer, William, Helen and Lucy.
Jack Curlee Jr. ’61 Jack Curlee Jr. passed away on Sept. 10, 2021, following a brief illness. He studied at York College then began a career in graphic design. Curlee created many wellknown logos, all drawn by hand. Many are still used today for numerous businesses. Before his retirement, he switched professions and owned and managed Biowerk USA Inc. The company invented the Tour Belt and FlexSupreme, as well as other various orthopedic back support designs. His back-support belts were worn all over the world, providing great relief to many, including professional golfers, NFL players and thousands of industrial workers. Curlee was known for his passion for helping others. He also was a gourmet chef and loved sharing his creations with friends and family. Many will miss his holiday chocolates. He enjoyed classical music, was a champion tennis player in his day and moved on to golf later in life. He is survived by his wife of 44 years, Sandra, their son, Kyle Curlee Mooney, and his wife, Anita.
Harriette “Paige” Burns Matthiessen '78 Harriette “Paige” Burns Matthiessen passed away on July 9, 2021. After graduating from St. Stephen’s, she went on to study at Tulane University, where she earned a degree in geology. She then moved to Roanoke, Va., and taught science to at-risk students and found success in real estate at Long & Foster. Although busy with both careers, she recalled that her most cherished memory was raising her two sons, Denton and Jamie. After returning to Texas, she met Jack Matthiessen, and the two were married in 2008. The couple lived on the outskirts of San Antonio and enjoyed playing golf, decorating and cooking. She also enjoyed spending time with her rescue dog, Baby Girl. Matthiessen adored her family and shared her love of history by planning family vacations centered around that passion. She was a member of the Daughters of the Republic of Texas and a member of the Military Civilian Club. She will be remembered for her warm heart and endearing smile. She is survived by her husband, Jack Matthiessen; son James Burns Willis; son David Denton Willis and his wife, Lauren; granddaughters Wren Elizabeth Willis and Lillian Harriette Willis; brother James “Mack” McKinstry Burns and his wife, Vivian; as well as her sister, Laurel Burns Stuckey ’79.
Kurt Potter '86 Kurt Potter passed away on Aug. 13, 2021. After graduating from St. Stephen’s he went on to study at The University of Texas at Austin, where he received a B.B.A. in finance. While at U.T., he was in the Phi Gamma Delta fraternity and a member of the Silver Spurs. His work with the Silver Spurs continued after graduation in the organization’s philanthropic endeavors and scholarship program. Potter remembered his time on The Hill and at U.T. fondly. He made wonderful friendships on both campuses. After college, he went on to earn an M.B.A. from Texas State University.
Ariana Lisbeth Zarse ’19 Ari Zarse passed away on Oct. 10, 2021, in Athens, Ga., where she was a junior at the University of Georgia. Zarse attended St. Stephen's as a day student from 9th to 12th grade and graduated with honors while taking an advanced course of study. Her teachers remember her as “a determined student, a positive contributor to discussions and a cheerful helper to other students who were struggling.” They also noted that she always had creative ideas for projects and assessments and that her positive and friendly demeanor made class time a joy. Zarse brought a willingness to listen to others and join in conversations with interest and alacrity. She balanced her challenging academic course load with an incredibly full extracurricular life. She played club volleyball and was a valuable member of the St. Stephen’s varsity volleyball team. She was also a gifted photographer who honed her skills in photography classes on The Hill. In addition, she volunteered as a Breakthrough mentor, tutoring students in the Austin Independent School District. Zarse described this volunteer work as “a powerful and humbling” experience that reinforced her gratitude for the many opportunities she enjoyed in life.
Making a Planned Gift Is Simple
When I was 11 years old, my mom told me that she and my dad had decided to send me to St. Stephen’s. I knew that my parents and two aunts had attended the school, but I did not know much about it and had little idea of what to expect.
I had no idea how much a part of me St. Stephen’s would become.
I did not know … that I would make lifelong friends with fellow students
… that I would learn from some of the best teachers I would ever have in an academic career filled with many great teachers
… that I would develop a deep attachment to, and sense of belonging in, the beautiful Chapel and campus grounds.
I did not know any of those things then, but I know now that my St. Stephen’s education is one of the best experiences of my life.
It makes me happy that when I no longer need my savings, some of it will go to St. Stephen’s and enable the school to continue to offer that same kind of meaningful experience to future generations of students.”
—elizabeth henna, class of 1987
Making a meaningful planned gift to St. Stephen’s is simple. It’s as easy as naming the school as a beneficiary of a retirement plan, investment or bank account, or a life insurance policy.
Please join Elizabeth Henna ’87 and the other members of the St. Stephen’s Legacy Council, who have pledged to support the school with a planned gift, by making one of your own today. Thank you.
To discuss your many options, please send an email to Melody Harman, director of planned giving, at mharman@sstx.org.
Alumni Class Representatives
Will Brewster ’51 brewsterwilliam34@gmail.com Fred Heldenfels ’52 fheldenfels@gmail.com Edna Noel Heldenfels ’53 fheldenfels@gmail.com Michael Hines ’54 poppyhines@msn.com Colin Phipps ’55 colin@phippsfarm.com Ellen McCorquodale Martin ’56 ellenk.martin@aol.com Ruth Wilson Witten ’57 ruthwitten@aol.com J.P. Bryan ’58 BryanJ@teai.com Tom Romberg ’59 tromberg@me.com Pat Fatter Black ’60 ggpat77@gmail.com Steve Jolly ’61 stevejolly@mindspring.com David Sanders ’62 rdavidsanders@msn.com Julia Cauthorn ’63 julia@texancapital.com Joiner Cartwright ’64 joiner.cartwright@gmail.com Arthur Wright ’64 arthur.wright@tklaw.com Dianne Duncan Tucker ’65 ddtuck@aol.com Randy Parten ’67 jrparten@parten.com Robert Henderson ’68 rehenderson@nvcc.edu Josh Harrison ’69 JHarrisonLaw@aol.com Dee Meador ’70 meadortx@yahoo.com Kathryn Miller Anderson ’71 zjmiller1513@gmail.com Darrell David ’72 darrell.s.david@gmail.com Douglass Anderson ’73 dlalaw@hotmail.com Ann Rhodes McMeans ’74 armcmeans@gmail.com Dr. Mary L. Brandt ’75 mary.l.brandt@gmail.com Sylvia McIntyre-Crook ’75 sycrook1@cox.net Dan Norton ’76 daniel@danielnorton.com Robert Ettinger ’77 robert@ettlaw.com Mark Tucker ’78 mrtucker@mindspring.com Carroll Lively Reeser ’79 carroll@reeser.net Peter Larkham ’80 peter@peterlarkam.com Erica Peters Stafford ’81 Erica.Stafford@bvcpa.com Charlotte Stuckey Brigham ’81 charbrigham@gmail.com Wendy White Naughton ’82 wendy.naughton@gmail.com Laura Mears Mirecki ’83 Lauralynn787@gmail.com Suzanne Cantarino Pfeiffer ’84 SuzannePfeiffer@austin.rr.com Libbie Walker Ansell ’85 libbieansell@gmail.com Chris Breckwoldt ’86 cbreckwoldt@sstx.org Catherine Hoey Randall ’87 caterandall@sbcglobal.net Mark Rowe ’88 markrowe@henna.com Jonathan Quander ’89 jdquander70@gmail.com Joe Frisz ’90 joe.frisz@enovapay.com Liz Fleming Powell ’91 lz.powell@gmail.com Monika Powe Nelson ’92 giantmonsterprincess@gmail.com Davis Baldwin ’93 rdbaldwin@mac.com Catherine Cook Weiss ’94 cmcook76@aol.com Seth Alley ’95 sethalley@msn.com Ben Chan ’95 eyethump@gmail.com Hawkins Li ’95 hli3@yahoo.com Beth Cockerham Mack ’95 semack77@gmail.com Ann Strauser Palmer ’95 Annstrauserpalmer@gmail.com Rhea Benbow Thomas ’95 rheabt@gmail.com Meghan Alexander ’96 MAlexander@AlexanderAtty.com Shannon Powers Flahive ’96 spowers1@austin.rr.com Gerry DeLeon '96 gerryadeleon@gmail.com Elizabeth Anne Sykes Rains ’96 earains1109@yahoo.com Cam Beesley ’97 leardsfool@gmail.com Jared Hockema ’98 jhockema@mac.com Rebecca Hollis Diffen ’99 bdiffen@mcguirewoods.com Claire Browder ’00 clairebrowder@gmail.com Katharine Bayer ’01 kittybayer@gmail.com Juliet Frerking ’01 frerking@gmail.com Kean Tonetti ’02 stonetti@gmail.com Rachel Katz ’05 rpk228@gmail.com Sarah Cromwell Sheppard ’06 sarahhcromwell@gmail.com Selina Strasburger ’06 selina.strasburger@gmail.com Cole Arledge ’07 cole.arledge@gmail.com Anne Buckthal Chilton ’07 anne.buckthal@gmail.com Amanda Kushner ’08 amandakkushner@gmail.com J.J. Botha ’09 johannbbotha@gmail.com Chantal Strasburger ’09 chantal.strasburger@gmail.com Carlotta Garza ’10 carlotta.garza@gmail.com Omar Yaghi ’10 omaryaghi2@gmail.com Ryann Young ’10 rhy9@cornell.edu Lindsay Redman ’11 llredman93@gmail.com Henry Sikes ’11 WHSikes1@gmail.com Gray Twombly ’11 Twombly.Gray@gmail.com Alia Yaghi ’11 alia.yaghi1@gmail.com Yosua A. Husodo ’12 yosua.adiyasa@hotmail.com Helen Elizabeth Old ’12 helenelizabeth1@me.com Caroline Pringle ’12 carolinepringle93@gmail.com Jake Politte ’12 jake.politte@rocketmail.com James Carter ’13 jamesterelcarter@gmail.com Annie Nordhauser ’13 lisa.nordhauser@gmail.com Nathan Goldberg ’14 nathangoldberg@college.harvard.edu Jaclyn Horton ’14 jaclynlhorton@gmail.com Jim Old ’15 jamesold1@mac.com Nick Goldreyer ’16 nick.goldreyer@gmail.com Allie Goldreyer ’18 allie.goldreyer@gmail.com Blossom Maduafokwa ’18 bdm2140@barnard.edu Andrew Yow ’18 david.andrew.yow@gmail.com Wyatt Gill ’19 Wyatt.gill912@gmail.com Tom Guan ’19 guantomy@gmail.com Greta Kastner ’19 gretakastner@gmail.com Chloe Lawrence ’19 chloelawrence512@gmail.com Lucy Schmidt ’19 lucyschmidt88@gmail.com Lizzy Jones ’20 lizzyjonesatx@gmail.com Sophia Waugh ’20 sophiastoylewaugh@gmail.com
We are seeking Class Representatives for the classes of 1966, 2003 and 2004. If you are interested in serving, please contact Michelle Geo Olmstead at molmstead@sstx.org.
T H E M A G A Z I N E O F S T. S T E P H E N’ S E P I S C O PA L S C H O O L
Winter 2022
Excellence in STEM Programming
Class Notes Submissions
We encourage alumni to share personal updates with us for Class Notes. Spartan alumni are contacted by their Class Reps several times a year for news and information. For assistance contacting your Class Rep or to submit news directly by email, please contact Michelle Geo Olmstead, director of alumni relations, at 512.327.1213 x178 or molmstead@sstx.org.
Class Notes also can be submitted directly online at www.sstx.org/alumni/. Select the “Stay Connected” box.
We welcome high-resolution photographs with your Class Notes submission. Please send a JPG format in the largest size possible (at least 900 pixels; image 3 inches wide at 300 dpi). Please include the full names and class years of everyone pictured.
Spartan magazine editors reserve the right to edit or omit any information submitted.
Get Social! Connect with St. Stephen’s and your classmates online.
Facebook: StStephensAlumni
Instagram: SSTX_OnTheHill
LinkedIn: St. Stephen's Episcopal School Alumni
Spartan Alumni Network spartanalumninetwork.com
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If you have not received emails from the Alumni Office recently, we may not have your current email address. Please send your information to molmstead@sstx.org so you do not miss invitations to events and news about your classmates. Thanks!
Anyone who appreciates exceptional educational offerings, an abundance of creative arts programs, welcoming sports teams and forward-thinking student organizations truly understands that these learning and growth opportunities are both rare and impactful.
Throughout the year ahead, as we gather as members of our global school family—parents and educators, classmates and teammates, alumni and friends—we hope you will delight in the discovery of how one teacher or class, project partner or roommate, student club or coach can impact the life of a Spartan for a lifetime.
Please join us in making a gift to the 2021–22 Annual Fund today!
www.sstx.org/givenow
Thank you.
6500 St. Stephen’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 ecrouch-ponder@sstx.org. Thank you!
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PARTING SHOT Robotics student Carson McCann hacks a sewing machine to create a CNC embroidery machine
NON-PROFIT ORG. U.S. POSTAGE PAID AUSTIN, TEXAS PERMIT NO. 2556
