Director for Memorial Assistance Ministries, a local faith-based non-profit in Spring Branch. From 2003 to 2009, Marilu served as a regional bilingual consultant for textbook publishers Houghton Mifflin and Harcourt. She began her career in 1978 as a first grade bilingual teacher at Wharton Elementary in Houston, eventually advancing to become an assistant to former HISD Superintendent Billy Reagan. She is an active member of the Association of Fundraising Professionals and VICTORY, a fundraising branch of the American Cancer Society.

This year’s Gala, Chinquapinopoly, honored Chinhui and Eddie Allen and introduced our 330 guests to both Laura and this year’s outstanding senior class, all of whom have already been accepted to four-year colleges, including some of the finest schools in the country. We will have our first Chinquapin graduates attending Harvard, MIT, and Bryn Mawr (2), and two others following their predecessors to Rice and Smith.

As I prepare for my second retirement from Chinquapin, I am confident that the school is in great hands with its new leadership and development team, an excellent faculty and supporting staff, a strong board, and another outstanding rising senior class. I have always felt that it is a privilege to work at a place like Chinquapin where almost every day one experiences confirmation that in a supportive environment where hard work, rigorous academics, and high character are expected, young people rise to the challenge. I also know that none of these breakthroughs would be possible without your generous and faithful support, for which we are forever grateful.

Bill Heinzerling Interim Director

GAZETTESPRING 2013

It has been an exciting winter and spring at Chinquapin Prep, including the hiring of both a new School Director and Director of Development, as well as another successful Gala that highlighted the college acceptances of this year’s outstanding senior class. After a seven-month national search and rigorous application and interview process under the guidance of the Board Search Committee headed by Kate Kirkland, Jen Pickering, and Rick Cruz-Tomp, we found Chinquapin’s new leader very close to home. With over twenty years of experience in education, Dr. Laura Henry began work as Chinquapin’s Incoming Director in January and will take the helm as Director in July. A graduate of Rice, Laura began her career as a high school social studies teacher in La Porte, Texas, and later served as a principal for six years in both the Pearland and Goose Creek school districts before quitting to spend more time with her newborn daughter. For the past seven years, Laura contracted with Texas Teachers Alternative Certification Program as an instructional coach and trainer. During this time she also served as an adjunct professor for the University of St. Thomas, teaching aspiring educational administrators in their School of Education. Laura’s volunteer work with the Service League of Baytown first introduced her to Chinquapin. She also had the good fortune of having several Chinquapin teachers in her master’s level courses, which fact further stoked her desire to become more involved with the school. In her first three months on campus, Laura has already endeared herself to all of Chinquapin’s stakeholders with her energy, wisdom, warmth, leadership, and understanding of the school’s unique mission.

Marilu Garza, our new Director of Development, came on board in March and arrives at Chinquapin with a wealth of development experience, enthusiasm, and dedication to improving the educational opportunities for Houston’s underserved communities. Most recently, she served as Development Director for Houston A+ Challenge, a local educational non-profit that trains and coaches local middle school teachers and administrators. She also worked as the Development

Williams W. Heinzerling Interim Director

Laura Henry, Ed. D.Incoming Director

David BartholomeInterim Assistant Director

Marilu GarzaDirector Of Development

2012-13 Executive Board

Guadalupe NavarroPresident

Jennifer S. PickeringFirst Vice President

Byron L. WillefordVice President, Audit

Barbara M. Collie Vice President, Board Development

Barton R. BentleyVice President, Buildings & Grounds

Sarah Callahan BakerVice President, Student Recruitment

Payson E. TuckerVice President, College & Career Mentoring

Mary Peterson Secretary

Robert C. Christy, Jr.Treasurer

Leon M. Payne, Jr. Immediate Past President

William N. MathisDevelopment Committee Chair

Gardner H. DudleyEvaluation Committee Chair

Kate S. KirklandExecutive Advisor

C h i n q u a p i n P r e p a r a t o r y S c h o o l | 2 61 5 E . W a l l i s v i l l e R d . H i g h l a n d s , T X 7 7 5 6 2 | ( 2 8 1 ) 4 2 6 - 5 5 51 | w w w . c h i n q u a p i n . o r g

DIRECTOR’S REPORT

Photo: Albert Villegas, Baytown Sun Photographer/Reporter

Meet our New Director,

Laura Henry

?

IN

D-HALLCHINQUAPINOPOLYCHINQUAPINOPOLYpresents

Eddie and Chinhui Allen were honored at this year’s gala, Chinquapinopoly. Their commitment and generosity have been instrumental in helping countless economically disadvantaged students at Chinquapin. Under the chairmanship of Jen and Dan Pickering, and Sarah and James Baker, the event netted $373,000, an increase of $33,000 from last year.

In light of the theme, a jail was constructed in the corner of Hotel ZaZa’s ballroom. Amidst loud sirens and horns, the school’s senior class “arrested” Bill Heinzerling and Laura

Henry. The guests were told that only their donations could free the two from jail. Once again, Chinquapin’s generous benefactors came through, and $45,000 was raised to release them.

Chinquapin faculty attended in great numbers to advocate for the supplies they needed for their classes. Their Wish Lists raised another $21,000 toward the purchase of computers, lab scales, soccer balls, and many other needed items.

P L E A S E J O I N U S F O R •

CHINQUAPIN PREPARATORY SCHOOL’S •

6t h Annual•

Bocce Ball Tournament•

S AT U R D AY, M AY 1 8 T HPecan Acres Ranch • 12PM - 5PM

•

Come play outside with us! Chinquapin is hosting its 6th annual Bocce Ball Tournament on Saturday, May 18, at Pecan Acres Ranch in Simonton. There will be food, drinks, and prizes, as well as activities for children. The tournament starts at 12 PM and will last the afternoon. Contact Elizabeth Suman at esuman@chinquapin.org or Marilu Garza at mgarza@chinquapin.org if you are interested in more information. Start practicing!

UPCOMING EVENTSMay 4 Visitor’s DayMay 18 Bocce Ball TournamentMay 24 8th grade Commencement, 5:30 PMMay 31 Graduation, 7:00 PM

STANDING: Melissa Valdez: Chinquapin provided a challenging learning foundation which I know I will appreciate throughout my college career. I have been accepted to the University of Texas at San Antonio.

Destiny Davis: Chinquapin is an extraordinary place for extraordinary people and attending it is a special experience for only a lucky few. I plan to be a Rice Owl in the fall.

Angelica Jaimes: Chinquapin has been my greatest challenge. It has pushed me to go further into my education as well as learning who I am and who I’ve grown to be. I plan to attend St. Edward’s University next fall.

Jasmine Rangel: Chinquapin has not only become my second home but the birthplace of many new and unforgettable friendships. I am still undecided between Penn State and Bryn Mawr.

Theo Daniel: Chinquapin has been my father. It has taught me responsibility as well as respect for others. I plan to attend Montana State.

Rahsaan King: Chinquapin uprooted me from my past disappointments and replanted me on a positive path. I look forward to the adventures and challenges that I will face at Harvard next fall.

Jessica Bernal: Chinquapin has been more than a school to me; it’s been my home and family, and I’ve met the most amazing teachers. In the fall, I will be attending Bryn Mawr College as a Posse Scholar.

Fatima Morfin: Chinquapin’s atmosphere and rigorous academics have contributed to my academic achievements and personal goals. I

have been accepted to Ithaca College and Pace University in New York; I am waiting on my financial aid package to determine my decision.

Victoria German: The Chinquapin community has provided us with a great education and amazing opportunities. This school has helped us in so many ways for which we are truly grateful. I will attend Texas Tech next year.

Josh Hines: Chinquapin has opened my eyes, my mind, and my heart. Now I strive to do good deeds for the world. I will be attending Texas Tech.

IN THE BUS:Jennifer Hernandez: Chinquapin is not only the place where I’ve attended school for the past seven years, it’s the place that has seen me grow along with my peers. I plan to attend St. Edward’s University.

Michael Webber: Chinquapin understands that students sometimes go through hard times and does not hold that against them. I have been accepted to St. Edward’s University, Ithaca, and Knox and am still weighing my options.

Maria Medellin: I will never be able to say “I never had a chance,” because Chinquapin has opened up never-ending opportunities. I will attend St. Edward’s University in the fall.

ON TOP OF THE BUS:John Nguyen: Chinquapin helped me realize my dream, become who I wanted to be, and gave me the chance to move on in life with my head held high. I plan to attend Drexel University.

Jose Guevara: I was lost in a swarm of people not knowing my purpose, but through Chinquapin I’ve come to the realization that I am someone worth being proud of. I have been accepted to Knox College.

Daniel Medrano: Chinquapin has given me the opportunity to develop both academically and as a person. I’ve made bonds with people that I will never forget and have developed and become more of a person that I have ever hoped to be. I have been accepted to the University of Texas at Dallas.

Nathaly Reyna: Chinquapin has provided a community for me in which I have experienced the greatest awakening of my spiritual, academic, and intellectual powers. I have been accepted to Smith College, which is where I plan to attend in the fall.

Oscar Guevara: Chinquapin made my academic career exciting and fun. As I go off to MIT, I can already tell my future will be bright.

Class of

2013

Baby, It’s Cold Outside!

Many of our seniors will be leaving for parts of the country that TRULY experience a change of the seasons! Since we rarely have the need for “real” winter clothes in Houston, our graduates may be unprepared for that first blast of winter. We would like to provide our seniors with gift cards to Old Navy or Target to help with the costs of winter apparel.

Join our team as we wrap our arms around our kids to keep them warm. Even those who are staying in Texas will need some new clothes for their new lives! Please send donations or cards to: Marilu Garza or Elizabeth Suman Chinquapin Prep 2615 E. Wallisville Road Highlands, TX 77562Please write “Angel Fund” on the check.

Chinquapin Preparatory School2615 E. Wallisville Rd.

Highlands, TX 77562-3199

Phone: 281.426.5551Fax: 281.426.5553

Website: www.chinquapin.org

ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED

For address corrections or to have your name removed from our mailing list, please call 281.426.5467, e-mail mgarza@chinquapin.org, or mail your label with corrections or instructions to the above address.

This semester, I have been living and studying at the School for Ethics and Global Leadership (SEGL). At first, of course, I was very nervous—and then on the first day of classes Noah Bopp, our Director and founder of SEGL, gave us an hour and a half long presentation about how one is not stagnantly “smart.” Instead, he argued, if one works hard, one does well. From then on, I knew I would be fine: because that is every Chinquapin faculty member’s motto, too.

Twenty-four students from all around the nation (and, in this semester, one from China), all with hopes and dreams about changing the world in some way or another. All of us living, eating, and attending school with one another. Sounds dangerous, right? But with such a supportive faculty and students who listen to the other side, it works. We learn. We argue. We learn even more.

But by far the most amazing thing about SEGL is how supportive everyone is. If you find yourself walking or sitting alone, count to five and rest assured that someone will be by your side, ready for a conversation.

The School for Ethics and Global Leadership (SEGL) is a semester-long boarding program in Washington DC. SEGL provides intellectually-motivated high school juniors with the opportunity to study policy challenges that today’s leaders face. The program challenges students to think through how to make responsible, ethical decisions to create positive change in our world.

Student Spotlight - Karely Osorio

NON-PROFIT ORG.U.S. POSTAGE

PAIDHOUSTON, TX

PERMIT NO. 2262