Summer Eagle 2011

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From thE hEAd oF SchooLA great education begins with relationships that open doors for opportunities.

cAmpuS NEwS A summary of the latest news, events, achievements and highlights at Second Baptist School.

EAGLEFEStOur traditional spring celebration, EagleFest, draws the SBS communitytogether for a day of competition and fun.

thE LASt wordAs his youngest daughter graduates, Cedric Burgher reflects on thedecision to enroll his children at SBS.

12 outStANdiNG SENiorSThe power of positive role models lives on with the Class of 2011.

iNtErim tErm 2011A photo essay highlights the Interim Term experience.

ALumNi updAtESA collection of alumni news from the 1980’s, 1990’s and 2000’s.

whErE ArE thEy Now?Brittany and Annie Zeleskey pursue their entrepreneurial aspirationsin Oxford, Mississippi.

ALumNi LuNch ANd LEArNAubrey Hunsaker and Kathrine Zeren spoke to Upper School studentsabout their careers in fashion design.

25 yEArS oF muSicALS At SEcoNd BAptiSt SchooLFormer stars returned to the stage to celebrate this silver anniversary.

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Second BaptiSt School6410 Woodway Drive, Houston, Texas 77057www.secondbaptistschool.org

Established in 1946, SBS provides a world-class education for the leaders of tomorrow. SBS is a learning community for over 1,000 students (PK-12) who enjoy a breadth of educational opportunities – from customized learning experiences to travel exposure to technological advancement. Nurtured by a Christ-centered community that edifies the soul and an academically rigorous environment that enriches the mind, SBS graduates are armed with the character, confidence and capability needed to succeed in the world they confront in the 21st century.

The Eagle is published by the Office of Advancement in the fall, winter/spring and summer and is mailed free of charge to students, parents, faculty, alumni and friends of Second Baptist School. For more information call (713) 365-2310 or visit our website at www.secondbaptistschool.org.

disclaimer: Second Baptist School makes every effort to ensure that all names and listings are accurate and complete. If a name has been omitted, misspelled or listed incorrectly, please accept our sincerest apologies.

2 Eagle Summer 2011 3

rELATIONSHIPSThe first thing in the Bible that God describes as “not good” was that man was alone (Genesis 2:18). Man was without human relationship, and God knew he would need companionship. Second Baptist School is a community of great relationships. I do exit interviews with each of the seniors throughout the year, and the number one response to what they have valued most at SBS has been the relationships: friends, teachers, coaches, mentors. They tell me that missing these relationships are the hardest part about leaving SBS. However, the most celebrated relationship at SBS is that with Christ, “the way, the truth, and the life” (John 14:6). relationships are not created overnight but develop over the years with moments of both joy and crisis. The SBS faculty is devoted to this journey. They know students, who are out of relationship with Christ and others, will miss the opportunity for a great education.

OPPOrTUNITIESStrong relationships open the door for many opportunities. Second Baptist School academics, fine arts, athletics, grandparent programs, Harkness, clubs and technology are all opportunities worth celebrating. However, teachers, parents and students collaborate daily to create remarkable experiences beyond the classroom. Student interest and initiative drive the creation of new clubs and community service projects, and with teacher and parent encouragement and support, their ideas come to life: SBTV, student contributions to the Weekly Eagle, and special interest clubs like Sailing Club, Knotty Knitters, and Environmental Club. Field trips and Interim Term expand classroom academics:

Galveston, Ireland, Costa rica and Washington, D.C. And notable speakers inspire students with their personal experiences such as an election judge, authors, venture capitalist, entrepreneurs, missionaries, and holocaust survivor. These daily opportunities for students take an excellent education, and make it outstanding.

GrEAT EDUCATIONHow do you define a great education? Is it the overall GPA or test scores of the senior class; the schools graduates attend; the sum of their accomplishments and awards? Many different philosophies define a great education. At Second Baptist School, a great education is the culmination of many smaller events that often go unnoticed. Day-by-day and year after year, we develop strong relationships and share opportunities that bind our community and serve to undergird our students’ educational foundation at SBS. We seek to train students to be prepared to enter a world that is forever changing. Students must be able to think, collaborate and problem solve. They must understand the importance of imagination, creativity and innovation. They must know Christ as their personal savior and seek His calling for their lives.

We celebrate the culmination of these minor accomplishments, and we celebrate the community that often goes unnoticed yet works tirelessly to create those experiences critical to developing an outstanding education. May we never lose sight of the value of the daily grind that establishes the foundations of this great institution.

CWE LOVE TO CELEBrATE; anniversaries, birthdays, weddings, graduations, performances and accomplishments. What I find interesting is that the events we often celebrate are a culmination of many smaller activities that often go unnoticed. Known as the daily grind, these smaller activities which seem to fade in importance, ultimately lay the foundation, if you will, for what we do and who we become. There are many day-to-day endeavors that lead me to celebrate SBS, but three foundational ones truly resonate with me. I celebrate relationships, opportunities and a great education.

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anchorS aweigh: freShman BeginS SBS Sailing cluBThe Class of 2014 chartered the first SBS Sailing Club this year when freshman Clay Broussard began recruiting a crew to race in the Cressy Cup qualifier. During lunch each Wednesday, the crew met, and Clay taught them the basic rigging and parts of the 420 sailboat and sailing maneuvers to prepare them for hands-on practice at the Lakewood Yacht Club in Seabrook. One of the bonuses for our student sailors is that colleges sail 420’s in competition and allow high school students to visit and sail with their college teams. Clay Broussard, Kayley Looney, Hayward Hildreth and Harper McGee traveled to Galveston and sailed with the Texas A&M at Galveston sailing team. What a great experience for our freshmen.


the bus and watched a movie on their way back to SBS. The next week, Kindergartners participated in their shell show during class. Each student wrote about their favorite shell explaining why it was their favorite. One thing is certain – Kindergartners certainly do know a lot of shell names.

First graders relished their integrated weather unit this spring, which culminated in a visit to the Houston Arboretum and Nature Center. Students rotated through stations and engaged in experiments centered on wind/air, weather instruments, temperature, and the water cycle. One favorite activity was looking for indications of weather on a nature walk. The trip was both educational and fun.

In April, the second grade class visited the George Bush Library in College Station. Each class divided into groups with a tour guide to look at all the documents, artifacts, and interesting information on Former President George Bush. The students learned many fascinating facts from his birth through WWII and what life looks like for him today. The kids were especially interested in the footage of Bush being rescued during the war. The identical model of the Oval Office allowed students to visualize the life of a president. Second graders appreciated the exhibit showing the unusual and exotic gifts traditionally exchanged between Presidents and other dignitaries. They made a quilt square using American and presidential symbols to take home as a souvenir. What a successful and factual second grade field trip. After a study of the planets in science class, the third graders were eager to visit the planetarium at the Houston Museum of Natural Science and see a super 180-degree movie about planets. During their adventure to the museum, students had the opportunity to visit the Cockrell Butterfly Exhibit as well as watch the IMAX movie on The

lower School StudentS enjoy field tripSThe pre-Kindergarten classes visited the Children’s Museum of Houston this spring. The students visited five different galleries, and everyone enjoyed their time at the museum. The children’s experiences varied from seeing what life is like in a small Mexican village to making their own race cars, rockets and airplanes. They surfed and snowboarded by following along with a movie that had them racing over fresh powder or catching a big wave. They used their muscles to lift themselves by pulling on a rope attached to a pulley system or climbing on the rock wall. A favorite stop of many of the students was Kidtropolis where the students could work in a grocery store, a restaurant, or a vet clinic. The last stop was the three-story climbing structure where the students used both their brains and their muscles to find the quickest path to the top. All PK students agree it was the “BEST field trip EVEr” and want to return soon.

The Kindergarten students took an annual trip to Galveston where they collected shells and enjoyed a picnic on the beach. The students had a great time while finding some fabulous shells to bring back to school. They then grabbed their picnic blankets and enjoyed lunch. To wrap up the day, they loaded

Each team also participated in a business simulation, in which they pretended to be the CEO’s of companies and sought to build the best revenue from their product. Each quarter (for a total of six quarters) the teams sent in their project numbers, and for six consecutive quarters the Purple Team received first place, sweeping the contest for the first time in camp history. The Orange Team, however, was not without victory as they won the annual talent show. Also the team leader for the Orange, Adam Hammer, was nominated for Camper of the Year.

Before the weekend was over, the campers had made close friends with the other members of their teams and enjoyed the team-building exercises, ice-cream/pizza socials and the relaxing hayride through the wilderness. All in all, Camp Enterprise was a fabulous experience that one will not soon forget. The lessons learned will have a lasting impact on the lives of the campers and help them toward whatever career they may choose.

The rotary Club of Houston created the camp experience to educate high school juniors about the business world and help improve their leadership abilities. Camp Enterprise activities include team-building exercises, guest speakers and a business simulation contest. On first arriving at Camp Allen in Navasota, the campers were split into groups. Sam joined the Purple Team, and Adam joined the Orange Team. For their first challenge, the students wore blindfolds and maneuvered their way off the buses to the interior of the camp as a team building/trust experience. Throughout the three days, the campers heard from many important figures in the business world, and each had an interesting story to share. The first speaker was last year’s Camper of the Year, William McMichael, who gave a wonderful speech about how much the experience meant to him last year. In all, the campers heard from over ten different speakers ranging from an ex-football player to a highly successful real-estate developer.

Galapagos Islands. Part of the third grade curriculum includes a research project on marine animals of the Galapagos. This fun and educational outing enhanced the third grade classroom studies by bringing them to life.

The fourth grade experienced an adventurous field trip to the Battleship Texas and San Jacinto Monument. Students enjoyed the museum, rode the elevator to the top of the monument, viewed a detailed slideshow about the Texas revolution, and toured the Battleship Texas as they completed a scavenger hunt. Talk about a Texas history review.

youth againSt cancer raiSeS fundS In the Upper School’s Youth Against Cancer (YAC) club this year, students found various ways to contribute to local cancer societies. When the club held their second annual Walk for Cancer in Memorial Park, students received donations from friends and family for the Texas Children’s Hospital and local chapter of the ronald McDonald House. Through t-shirt sales and donations, YAC raised approximately $2,300, and with the funds, the club hopes to make the lives of children affected by cancer brighter.

juniorS attend BuSineSS leaderShip campby Sam Mannetti ‘12In April, two Second Baptist School students, Adam Hammer and Sam Mannetti attended the prestigious Camp Enterprise sponsored by The rotary Club of Houston. After being nominated by the SBS faculty, Adam and Sam applied for a position at Camp Enterprise along with applicants from all over the Houston area. The rotary Club reviews hundreds of applications and selects the best students to attend.

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SeniorS tour federal reServeUpper School economics classes toured the Federal reserve, located on Allen Parkway, near downtown Houston, earlier this semester. Social Studies Department Chair, Mrs. Clare Towery recognizes how the tour brings the meaning of economics to life for the seniors. Students were amazed at the many functions of The Fed and the great influence it has on our economy–from the printing and distribution of currency to the ensuring of the health of our country’s monetary policy.

Although created by Congress as the central bank of the United States, the Federal reserve is an independent organization that works to keep our financial system healthy. Alex Cooper said that in spite of being established by the federal government, “I had no idea that the Federal reserve Bank was not built with tax dollars and it was not a government branch.” In a lesson prior to the tour, students learned more about the theoretical concepts of economic policy. Ladonna Bunnell said, “I really like the lesson we had before the tour. I learned that money is backed by nothing, and that the money system is possible only because of the people’s belief in it.”

During the tour, students saw many parts of the new Federal reserve building, which opened in 2005. The building was designed to house all of the functions of The Fed: banking offices, check processing facilities, and the second largest currency vault in the Federal reserve system. Lauren Weber enjoyed the architectural aspects of the building, “What I thought was interesting about the Federal reserve was that the different rooms are named after the rivers in Texas and the Bayou.”

Mr. rothrock commented on the students he had spoken with, “Carole Crawford teaches the world’s nicest and surely smartest kids with ideas and ambition. I’m glad she shared them with me. The world will be a better place when they matriculate.”

During seventh period, Mr. rothrock gave a presentation to a larger group of students and teachers about how venture capital firms and entrepreneurs work together. Entrepreneurs come to venture capitalists like Mr. rothrock with an idea, and then, he decides whether to invest money in that idea. He told us that entrepreneurs and venture capitalists must be optimistic people to succeed, and it was obvious that Mr. rothrock is an optimistic person. His successes and failures in his business have taught him that hard work is rewarded. All the students and teachers who had the opportunity to hear him were thankful that he took time out of his busy schedule to talk to us.

Speaker on campuS – ray rothrockby Danielle Cope ‘11During April, sophomores, juniors and seniors had the special opportunity to learn from an influential person. Mrs. Crawford, my AP Chemistry teacher, invited her friend ray rothrock to SBS to speak to us the about his work. Currently living in California, Mr. rothrock majored in nuclear engineering at Texas A&M University, then received his masters at MIT and his MBA at Harvard before becoming a respected partner at Venrock, a venture capital firm. Proof of his success can be found on his profile on Forbes.com.

In a small-group setting during sixth period, Mr. rothrock answered questions from the AP Chemistry and AP Physics classes about his work with nuclear energy and his belief in the future of nuclear power in our world. He told us about his time spent in Washington, D.C., speaking to our nation’s leaders about our energy crisis. He also entertained us with funny stories about lessons he had learned in his early jobs.

The intriguing announcement brought students in, as they met during lunch for Speedbooking. Most impressive for Upper School Librarian, Julia Beddingfield was the confidence with which they spoke as they talked about their books.

Middle School Librarian Grace Littlefield set up tables in a horseshoe in the library for MS Speedbooking. Each seat had a

US students were asked to pick a book they really loved and be prepared to talk about it with their peers. The SBTV announcement stated, ”Do you like to read? Are you persuasive? We have just the thing for you... Speedbooking... you know – like speed dating. You have three minutes to make someone fall in love with you ... I mean your book. Stop by the library for more details.”

mS and uS StudentS participate in SpeedBookingMiddle and Upper School Students recently participated in a fun reading promotion called “Speedbooking.” The event was set up differently for the school levels, but the end result was the same – students left excited about a new book to read.

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Twenty-nine juniors went through a rigorous application and interview process to be considered for the seven prefect positions for their senior year. The new prefects are: Head Prefect: Emily Harvin; Academic Prefect: Adam Hammer; Admissions Prefect: Emma Raymond; Publicity Prefect: Ashley Petkas; Service Prefect: Joshua Kee; Student Life Prefect: Molly Tollett; Unity Prefect: Kayla Chambers. Over the summer, the prefects will take a hiking trip in Colorado as a team-building experience. Through this trip and in preparation for their senior year, they will learn to rely on each other and unify as a group.

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shared the student’s honors and activities over the last three years. The ceremony was followed by a reception in the Atrium and a luncheon for the juniors in the Deacons Parlor. A committee of junior mothers, who had beautifully decorated the parlor in white, hosted the luncheon. On the tables, the place cards were framed photographs of each junior as a small child. A big thank you goes to the mothers on the committee for all their hard work: Beth Lee, chairman, Lisa Garrett, Susan Lewis, Darlene rankin and Wanda Tollett.

model un attendS houSton conferenceSecond Baptist School Model UN has been soaring this year with new recruits and new experiences. Over 40 schools and more than 800 students participated in the Houston Area Model United Nations (HAMUN) conference at the University of Houston in February. The SBS delegation had 33 students with 12 freshmen as the largest class represented. The delegates spent the previous months doing background research and preparing papers on the countries they were representing: Belgium, Belarus and Brazil. Several of the students won awards for their participation in HAMUN. Sam Mannetti and Joshua Kee both won Honorable Mention awards for their participation in their respective committees. William McMichael served as the Chief Justice and with a second judge on the panel, cross-examined one of the delegates in Spanish. William also won the award for Best Judge. Great adventures await the SBS delegation in future years as they become more heavily involved. Both Adam Hammer and William McMichael were asked by the HAMUN directors to apply for director positions for the 2012 HAMUN conference. They were among the delegates earlier in the year who attended the Chicago

stack of three books in front of it. As the students came in, they were asked to take a seat. They had three minutes to read the book summaries. They continued to rotate seats until they found a book they liked and wanted to check out. The books were replenished as the kids picked them up.

i Scream, you Scream, we all Scream for ice creamby Lucy Tomforde ‘16Earlier this spring, I went to the exciting SBS ice cream contest with a bunch of great friends in Middle School. When we got there, we saw lots of different tables with ice cream and special decorations. From Mrs. Young in her secret agent outfit serving her team’s ice cream to Mrs. Kellam yelling, “I scream, you scream, we all scream for seventh grade ice cream.” Of course, my friends and I went through all of the lines to taste the delicious ice cream. I had a great time with Lindsey, Parker, and many other friends as we tried to decide whose was the best of the tasty ice creams. Even though I thought the seventh grade ice cream was the best, the sixth grade ended up winning but only with a slight lead. I thought this was an exciting and successful after-school event. This also brought our Middle School together, and we had a very fun time.

juniorS recognized at preSentation ceremonyThe tradition of the Junior Presentation Ceremony continued with the Class of 2012 with a special day set aside to recognize the juniors, their contributions to the school and their individual accomplishments. The morning began with the Junior Presentation Ceremony when Nathan Barber welcomed the Junior Class and their parents in the Sanctuary and encouraged them as rising seniors in their roles as the future leaders of the school. Then the junior faculty introduced each student and

campus news

The fourth graders presented “Jesus Freak” for their classmates, parents and grandparents during April, teaching them what it means to be sold-out for Jesus. Due to the large number of fourth graders, the program was updated with many new musical numbers, including students dressed as grapes singing “Heard It Through The Grapevine” and “I’m A Believer” sung by students dressed as bees. With a set redesign and additional characters, the fourth graders put on a show-stopping performance. The audience loved the new program.

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the principles that NHS represents. Jeannene Simonton, the NHS faculty sponsor, greeted the new members as they signed the NHS registry. Finally, President Alexander Chae had the inductees rise and take the oath of membership. The ceremony was followed by a reception for the new members and their families.

Congratulations to the new members:Sophie Adickes, Billy Arendt, Taylor Barnett, Addie Brandfield-Harvey, Sara Bresser, Kayla Chambers, Yuann Chang, Daniel Cho, Matthew Cox, Victoria DeBerry, Preston Dow, Josh Dunegan, Elyse Elsenbrook, Ally Finken, Cody Garrett, Bethannie Greco, Will Hale, Adam Hammer, Emily Harvin, ruth Anne Holiday, Nick Howard, Joshua Kee, Christine Kharkevitch, Sara Grace Lee, Jerry Leung, Courtney Lewis, Kendall Looney, Meagan Lyons, Nick Madole, Sam Mannetti, Michaela Maxwell, Brandi Miller, Sam Miller, Bryce Muras, Grace Peacock, Emma raymond, Megan rogers, Annie Samuelson, Molly Tollett, Drew Tolson, John Van Anglen, Eddie Visnaw, Faith Walker and Jessica Zhang.

middle School Service dayTeachers and students from SBS Middle School spent the day giving back to the City of Houston during the annual MS Service Day.

Picking up litter at memorial park, the fifth grade class was in for a day of hard work. Fortunately, the weather was beautiful as they filled trash bags to help out the City of Houston. During the day, they took breaks, and the fifth grade teachers led the class in teambuilding games where they had the opportunity to learn more about one another and have fun serving together.

International Model United Nations. Next year the team is looking forward to going to New York for the International Model United Nations conference.

SBS environmental cluB plantS over 200 treeSDigging in the dirt and helping the community, the SBS Environmental Club planted more than 200 trees on Houston’s Arbor Day – and then came back to SBS and planted a new tree on campus. As part of Project LEAF, SBS students joined forces with Green Team America and the City of Houston in January for Arbor Day. The city wanted 25,000 trees planted, and GTA’s goal was to plant 2,500 of those trees. Arriving at school at 7:15 a.m. in 30-degree weather, eight dedicated SBS students were up to the task.

Their goal was to plant 100 trees, which was reached by 9:30 a.m. SBS students planted a total of 207 trees. All together, GTA planted more than 3,500 trees. As a gift for participating in Project LEAF, the Environmental Club received a dogwood tree, which they planted in the prayer garden at school.

Environmental Club members include: Nina Garcia, Mae Bunch, Erica Burton-White, Yuann Chang, Ian Jiles, Alyssa Mellilo, Matt rankin and Jericha Smith. Bethany Hildebrand is their sponsor.

national honor Society inductS new memBerSThe National Honor Society inducted 44 new members this year in a traditional ceremony celebrating the students’ scholarship, diligence and integrity. Vice President, Zach Wallace, welcomed the new inductees, and then Danielle Cope, Jason Blades, Ben riggle and Ellen Geis spoke of the importance of scholarship, leadership, service and character as

and excitement as cowboys and cowgirls from the classes galloped into the gymnasium on stick horses. Singing Texas-theme songs, square dancing, saying their Bible verse (John 3:16) and reciting facts about Texas were all part of the activities the students were able to present to their grandparents, parents and special friends during their program.

The Bridge students had a special opportunity to shine during the Hoedown, when each child stepped up to the microphone to say a fact about Texas. They began practicing in Mrs. Jennings’ classroom a month before the program so they could show that they are “Texas Proud!”

“This year’s Hoedown was a rip-roarin’ good time with all the students doing a great job singing, dancing and speaking. ‘God blessed Texas’ and all those in attendance at this great event,” Mrs. Nancy Jennings, Bridge teacher, said.

A special part of this year’s Hoedown was the fourth graders’ attendance during the performance. The fourth graders are prayer partners with the Pre-Kindergarten and Bridge students and wrote them “boots of encouragement” to wish them luck at the program.

Sixth grade spent the day at the Salvation Army, which is a tradition for each sixth grade class. They served lunch to the men who came for a hot meal, and visited with them while they ate. Up to 350 men spend the night at the Salvation Army each night. Following lunch, the sixth graders led the chapel service, which all of the men staying there are required to attend. The students shared personal testimonies and led worship. It was a meaningful day not only for the Salvation Army, but also for the sixth grade students. Seventh graders spent their day of service at the houston Food Bank. They were extremely busy preparing food to distribute throughout Houston. One group of students spent their time readying rice for distribution. They assembled rice boxes, and then separated the rice into servings for each box. They had to complete ten pallets worth of rice, which consisted of 48 boxes. It was a big task, but our seventh graders did it with a smile. The second group of seventh graders prepared all of the Bank’s donated food for distribution. They strategically packed boxes of canned food and soft food to bless the hungry. Working hard on their hands and knees, eighth graders worked at the Star of hope. They cleaned floors, scrubbed walls and cleaned up the dorms where the residents sleep. These hard workers also scrubbed beds, cleaned the bed frames of the bunk beds and put fresh sheets on each of the beds. Eighth graders also took time to write encouraging notes to leave on the resident’s pillows.

texaS pride on diSplay at the hoedownFrom the “Cowpoke Promenade” to the singing of “Happy Trails!” the PK/Bridge Hoedown was a thrilling event for SBS families and special guests. The mood was full of anticipation

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concentration camp, he felt fortunate to be assigned to peeling potatoes because he could eat the peelings. Mr. Kase said that the hardest thing to survive in the concentration camps was starvation. When the war ended and the Nazi soldiers left, he and several others walked out of the camp. They had heard about the liberation and knew it was truly happening when they saw tanks with American soldiers on the roads. As one of the tanks approached their group, a young American soldier jumped off and ran towards the teenage Mr. Kase and with tears in his eyes asked, “How could a human being do this to another human being?” Not having any other food to offer him but a Hershey bar, the soldier handed it to Mr. Kase. To this day he loves Hershey candy bars. Mr. Kase and his father were then taken to a hospital where his father died a month later from malnutrition. He described to us how it took three months to recover from his time in the five different concentration camps. He was only 15 years old. Later, he was reunited with his mother, but he said she never recovered mentally and only lived for three years after the liberation. Mr. Kase came to the United States as a teenager, eventually became a successful businessman and retired when he was 59 years old. He spoke to us about loving our parents and appreciating the sacrifices they make for us each day. Encouraging us and challenging us to be kind to others, he talked of bullying, hate, and prejudice. As we left the room, many of us hugged him and many of us were in tears. Thank you, Mr. Kase for opening our eyes to a terrible time of horror in this world’s history.

Speaker on campuS – holocauSt Survivor: mr. walter kaSeby Sarah Kreston ‘15recently, the eighth grade class had the privilege of hearing the dramatic story of Mr. Walter Kase, a holocaust survivor. Mr. Kase, now 81 years old and living in Houston, is originally from Poland where he lived with his parents and little sister.

He described the story of his family being taken by the Nazi Army from his home when he was only eleven years old. After living in a Nazi ghetto for two years with little or no food, he and his family were sent by train to a concentration camp. It was at this time that he saw his eight-year-old sister shot because she was under the age of twelve. Mr. Kase survived because his father made him stand on a brick to appear taller and older than his actual age.

Through all of this he would ask his father over and over again, “Why are they doing this to us?” He described the train ride on the way to the concentration camps and how for four days there was no food, no water, and no restrooms. When people died on the train, they stacked the bodies to one side to make more room for the survivors because they were packed in the train car so tightly. After the train ride, he was immediately separated from his mother as she was taken to one concentration camp while he and his father were sent to another. One of his jobs in the camp was to remove the gold or silver teeth, jewelry, and other valuables from the deceased prisoners. Mr. Kase was ordered to remove the items from the bodies with soap and water, if he could not remove the jewelry from their fingers, he had to cut the finger off. At another

As a second grade teacher, I now have an even stronger connection with this program because I remember so clearly my participation in it many years ago. I enjoyed helping students add some fun ideas to spice up their speeches as my mom had helped me. In 1994, we sang the famous President’s song, which I still can sing today along with my students.

For two months, we studied the Presidents and their many accomplishments in all the

reflectionS on the preSidentS’ day programby Leah Terrell ‘05The second grade program was a huge success this year. Back in 1994, I was Martha Washington in the Parade of Presidents. I still remember being the first girl on stage in my beautiful blue dress to say my speech. “I’m Martha Washington, the FIrST First Lady.” I am not a shy girl, and I loved being on the stage.

disciplines. The students really enjoyed incorporating their President or First Lady into art, social studies, writing and reading. Even after the program, second graders researched more detailed information on their President or First Lady.

What a joy it has been to teach these wonderful second graders about the United States Presidents, especially since my roots started here at Second Baptist, in the second grade.

Second Baptist School is proud of the 37 Lower School students who read more than one million words this year as part of the Accelerated Reader Program. This is more than double the number of millionaires that we had last year, and SBS is thrilled that students are sharing the excitement of reading with their classmates. The students are pictured at their Millionaire Party at the end of the school year. Congratulations, millionaires.

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South Pacific, Upper SCHOOL SprinG MUSiCAL

createS great memorieS for SeniorS by Jason Blades ‘11

I will always cherish the memory of standing on the Zilkha Hall stage at The Hobby Center for the last time as the curtain came down to the tune of roaring applause. It seems like just yesterday that our cast was nervously preparing for our auditions just outside the Terrace Room, and now months later the whole experience has run its course. While I never thought I’d admit it, I may actually miss all the fine arts next year when I go off to college. Who knows, if given the opportunity, maybe I’ll jump into some college ensemble. I think many of my fellow seniors may find themselves missing the labor of the theatre as well, especially in a year when we can come back and see the next musical. When talking to musical graduates from years past, they always reminisce about rehearsals, performances, and more often than not specific songs, dance numbers, or lines that they still recall. The musicals at Second Baptist School are a phenomenal tradition. It astounds me to think that there are memories and musicals to recall over the past 25 years. I can only imagine what awaits the musicals in the future, as every class seems to bring something new and unique to the stage. I remember being inspired by the Upper School musicals as a Lower School student at Second. The past musicals such as Music Man, Oklahoma, etc. seem to have reached a legendary status in my mind because when I saw them, the productions were outstanding, larger than life masterpieces. At least that is what I believed, and now my friends and I are in these productions and it’s hard for me to compare myself to the legends I recall. I can only hope that our production of South Pacific this year brought joy, satisfaction, and maybe a little inspiration to the younger generations of Second Baptist students.


Congratulations to the Cast of South Pacific on their outstanding performanCes.caSt:micah adickesSophie adickesthomas andersonchris Beaversjason Bladescaroline Boydcaroline BollingSara Bresserdanielle copematt coxBeth dodson

joshua duneganjohn durieelyse elsenbrookdaniel garzaSarah geisellen geisBethannie grecokristen gunnethan hackettwill haleadam hammerkyle hendrickkatherine herringtonhannah huguenardjoshua keekatharine kimmel

kendall looneymeagan maloneySam mannettihaley mathiselizabeth mayesharper mcgeewilliam mcmichaelalli motleymoriah odermanmia pastelBen pfefferannie pitneremma raymondpatrick rinerkatherine ann rushannie Samuelson

charlie Schwingerkasey SissonScott terrellmolly tollettapril van anglenlauren whitakerBailey wilkerson

a big thanks to the outstanding Crew for all of their hard work behind the sCenes of South Pacific.crew:george Beauchampmaggie Britven

Sarah hamiltonemily harvinmckinzie joneskaitlyn kellammargaret maureralyssa melillochriston nicholskeeler portermathew rankinjericha Smithmary paige Stevensonzach wallaceBreanna wardendavian wilson

Summer 2011 2120 Eagle


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doubled in size from last year growing to 18 for this school year. Mr. Lewis said, “The fifth and sixth grade band students this year really worked hard to achieve the success that they did. They performed a program that consisted of four different styles of music and did an excellent job.” Following the Fifth and Sixth Grade Band, the Upper School Eagle Band performed three pieces arranged by Mr. Lewis. Mr. Lewis commended the Eagle Band saying, “The students persevered through the musical and AP exams to really bring it together for the concert.”

Following the concert, Mr. Lewis presented the Band awards.

Band AwardsPatrick Gilmore Award – Joshua DuneganDirector’s Award – Christon NicholsOutstanding 8th Grade Band Member – Jason TurnageOutstanding 7th Grade Band Member – Harrison CoonsOutstanding 6th Grade Band Member – Ben ApplegateOutstanding 5th Grade Band Member– Callie Jardine

announcing the new upper School choral directorSecond Baptist School is proud to welcome the new Upper School Choral Director Mrs. Tammy Patterson to the SBS family. She holds a bachelor’s degree in music education as well as a masters in conducting, and for the last fourteen years, Mrs. Patterson has served as Coordinator of Secondary Music for the Cypress-Fairbanks Independent School District. At the welcome reception held in her honor, Mrs. Patterson spoke to the group about her passion for choral directing and her vision for the SBS choral program. She explained her reason for coming to SBS, “The classroom is where my passion lies.

choirS end year with outStanding concertThe Ninth Grade Choir, led by Director Grace Littlefield, opened the Spring Choral Concert with a “mash-up” (medley) of Broadway tunes and featured a backdrop of the original Broadway posters from each musical. Adding lights and a screen with graphics, the choir gave a multi-sensory performance. Mrs. Littlefield added several other new dimensions to the concert including a piano interlude by senior Danielle Cope.

The seniors were recognized at the end of the program with a single rose, which each then shared with his or her mother in the audience. Then the choir recognized one additional “Graduating Senior,” Mr. Jim Sparks. The senior production after the intermission included several soloists, a women’s quintet as well as instrumental performances, and all the seniors closed out the concert with “Hallelujah” from the movie Shrek.

choral AwardsNational School Choral Award – William McMichaelVision Award – Scott TerrellGood Shepherd Award – Joshua Kee

SBS BandS end year on a high notePerforming a variety of musical selections, two of which were arranged by Band Director Mark Lewis, the Fifth and Sixth Grade Band opened the Spring Instrumental Concert and Awards Ceremony. The band has almost

FASHION DESIGN, PrODUCT, AND JEWELrY DESIGN2nd: Caroline Gouldin PHOTOGrAPHY-CrEATIVE AND EXPErIMENTAL1st: Ellen Geis3rd: Matthew Cox

PHOTOGrAPHY UNALTErED2nd: Matthew Cox PHOTOGrAPHY ALTErED3rd: Sa’Misty Utley SENIOr POrTFOLIO2nd: Margaret Britven

Even as I worked with young choral directors, I always considered them my students. I am very excited about returning to the classroom, and working in a Christian school. The choir will be able to pray together and even perform songs about Jesus at Christmas concerts.” Prior to working in Cy-Fair, Mrs. Patterson spent ten years as the Head Choral Director at Jersey Village where her choirs won sweepstakes awards in the UIL Concert and Sight-reading Competition every year between 1982 and 1997. Mrs. Patterson often serves as a workshop presenter for the TMEA convention and for the Texas Choral Directors Convention. She serves as adjudicator for UIL choral competitions as well as for TMEA All-State competitions and American Classics and Choir Events Music Festivals. Currently, she performs with the Texas Master Chorale. We look forward to the expertise and commitment Mrs. Patterson will bring to the SBS Fine Arts Department.

artiStS continue tradition of winningThe TAPPS State Art Meet in Austin was a continuation of a longstanding tradition for SBS. For the past ten years, the SBS Art students have placed either first or second in the state meet, and this year was no different. The SBS team came in second overall with nine of the students winning medals and ribbons.

MIXED MEDIA-2D AND rELIEF1st: Erica Burton-White

PrINTMAKING2nd: Caroline Wallace5th: Mitzy Ayala

FABrICATION, POTTErY, CErAMICS2nd: Sarah HallHonorable Mention: Margaret Britven


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BaSeBall: Setting new recordS Shattering SBS records, personal records and coaching records, the Varsity Baseball Team had a tremendous season, finishing as the TAPPS 4A State Runner Up. They ended the season with a record of 33-6, which is a school record for most wins in a season. Throughout the post-season, the offense outscored opponents 40-6, winning the bi-district, regional, and state semi-final rounds.

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athletic news

unable to capitalize and push more runs across. Starting pitcher Drew Tolson was very efficient and poised on the mound scattering 9 hits, striking out 7 and giving up 1 earned run in 6 2/3 innings. The Eagle offense collected hits from Garrett Luce 2-4, Billy Arendt 3-4, Will Zimmerman 1-4, Evan Brown 1-2, Carter Brown 1-3 and Drew Tolson 2-4.

Despite the difficult ending the team had an outstanding season of great accomplishments on and off the field garnering state and national credibility. No doubt one of the keys to success this year was the incredible team unity that developed throughout the season. The combination of ability, maturity and unselfish play allowed this group of young men to flourish on the field. This year, the team graduates four seniors who did an excellent job leading – David Buckley, Jay Calhoun, Garrett Luce and Trey Soape.

Numerous players contributed to the team success, which is evidenced by outstanding team offensive and pitching stats. Assistant Coaches David Dixon and rayner Noble fine tuned an offense that finished with a Team Batting Average .360 / Hits 361 / runs 330 / Homeruns 33 / rBI’s 279.

Offensive leaders included 2B Jay Calhoun (397 Avg / 48 Hits / 7 Hr / 46 rBI’s), C Garrett Luce (455 Avg / 50 Hits / 31 rBI’s), SS Billy Arendt (416 Avg / 52 Hits / 56 runs / 7 Hr), 1B Trey Soape (385 Avg / 47 Hits / 11 Hr / 50 rBI’s), 2B Drew Tolson (419 / 49 Hits / 56 runs / 2 Hr), 3B Jordan Stading (366 Avg / 34 Hits / 20BB / 20 rBI’s).

Under the direction of veteran Pitching Coach Jeff Calhoun the pitchers collectively had one of the most successful seasons in school history with a team ErA of 2.00 and 446 strikeouts in 235 innings pitched. Some of the outstanding pitching performers were Jay Calhoun (11-3 / 1.68 ErA / 129 K), Drew Tolson (7-2 / 2.18 ErA / 89 K),

In the state championship game vs. Corpus Christi John Paul II, the Eagles out played the Centurions in every phase of the game and were one out away from victory but were unable to hold the lead and suffered a 2-3 heartbreaking loss in the bottom of the 7th inning. SBS banged out 12 hits and had numerous runners on but were

The 400th victory was especially memorable because it happened when SBS beat St. Thomas, the reigning TAPPS 5A state champs, coached by Craig Biggio, future MLB Hall of Fame member and former Houston Astros second baseman. As a beloved coach at SBS, Schroeder continues to produce outstanding baseball teams, proven by this year’s state runner-up title for the 2011 Varsity Baseball Team. His goal each season is to create an environment that allows for a team of committed players and coaches to have a great experience together.

“I think when you can learn to put others first, there is an opportunity to accomplish so much more,” Schroeder said. “Coaches have an opportunity to influence kids for Christ like no other profession. My prayer is that we are always moving in that direction at Second Baptist School.”

Although Schroeder says SBS took a “big risk” in 1989 when they gave him his first head baseball coaching opportunity, the reward has been eternal for the numerous players, families and coaches who have been under his servant leadership. Congratulations Coach Schroeder on 400 wins.

Daniel rankin (8-0 / 2.44 ErA / 64 K), Trey Soape (3-0 / 2.56 ErA / 29 K), Billy Arendt (3-0-1 / 14 K).

coach Schroeder celeBrateS 400 winSJeff Schroeder, Athletic Director and long-time SBS Head Baseball Coach, hit a milestone in his coaching career this season with his 400th win.

“reflecting on all of the great teams, players and coaches, this 400th win reminds me how fortunate our family has been and the wonderful experiences that we have had with so many families at SBS,” Coach Schroeder said.

SBS hired Coach Schroeder in 1989, and appointed him Head Baseball Coach. Growing up as the son of an athletic director and spending his childhood traveling across country with his dad’s teams, Schroeder’s love for sports came at an early age. He played many sports growing up, and especially loved basketball and baseball, which he played in high school and college. After college graduation, he played two years of semi-professional baseball and traveled with Athletes in Action to Europe in 1987. His coaching career began at his alma mater – Spring Lake Park High School – in 1988.

With a coaching career spanning 23 years, he undoubtedly has significant victories under his belt. Schroeder said that it’s hard to narrow down his most memorable win, but winning his first state championship in 2002 is one of the first that comes to mind.

“We were down 5 runs in the first inning and ultimately came back and scored the winning run in the bottom of the 7th when Willie Bedford drilled a double scoring Chris Seckinger, and the rest is history,” Schroeder said. “That ultimate feeling of team accomplishment is something I wish every coach and player could experience together at some point.”

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second in the district, a stunning blow and edged them out 6-5 to claim the last slot in the playoffs. The team had several outstanding players this year. Savannah Wilkinson led the team in hitting with a season batting average of 563 and 28 rBI’s. Several of the seniors also made great contributions to the team: Victoria DeBerry, Maddie Farace, Jayme Klingenberg and Emmy Plezia had a combined batting average of over .340. Victoria DeBerry, who played centerfield, had 6 assists and no errors for the season; Maddie Farace had 30 runs and led the team in stolen bases with 18. Coach Jay Klingenberg was highly complimentary of the team saying they had really come together. Looking forward to next season, Coach Klingenberg said “Although they are a very young team, mostly freshmen and sophomores with only three juniors returning, there is some great talent on the team and we are looking forward to next year.”

SBS runnerS compete at StateThe Varsity Track Team had great results during their 2011 season. After an impressive showing at the district meet, seven athletes qualified to compete at the regional Meet and two qualified for State.

The 4x200 Girls relay team (Kennedy Nabors, Meredith Ammerman, Addie Brandfield-Harvey, and anchor, Erica Burton-White) placed fourth in district, just a tenth of a second away from beating last year’s district time and placed fifth at the regional track meet. At the district meet, junior Sam Miller placed fourth in the 110-meter hurdles, and junior Camden Joubert placed third in the 400-meter run. Sophomore Tarik Tyler impressively placed first in the 800-meter run and placed in the top four of the 400-meter run. At the regional meet, Tarik finished 1st in the 800 and 3rd in the 400. Camden

athletic department adoptS academic adviSing programIt was a home run for coaches, teachers and especially for the students, as Laura Kates and Clare Towery served as Academic Advisors for the Upper School student athletes this year. Acting as liaisons between the academic and athletic communities, Mrs. Kates and Mrs. Towery oversaw the Upper School student athletes’ academic progress and traveled with the teams for all away games requiring two or more days of absence. While they were on the road, the advisors held daily mandatory study sessions for the athletes. Teachers were able to send class assignments as well as quizzes and tests with the advisors who tutored as necessary and monitored the quizzes and tests. rather than face a load of make-up work, athletes were able to return to class with their assignments up-to-date. One of the real tests for the Academic Advisors came the week before finals when the Varsity Basketball team had the opportunity to participate in the racing To The rim Showcase in Lexington, Kentucky. Mrs. Laura Kates traveled with the team to the tournament and held four and a half hours of mandatory study hall. Charles Allen assured Mrs. Kates, “I’m pretty sure we are studying way more on this trip than we would be if we were at home.” The rest of the team agreed with Charles’s comment. Modeled on college athletic advisory programs, this new SBS design for handling academics helped the athletes maintain a better balance of their academic and sport obligations.

finished 4th in the 400. Sam finished 5th in the 110 high hurdles. Tarik and Camden both qualified for the state meet in their events. Camden finished seventh in the 400 and Tarik placed sixth in the 400 and second in the 800, earning him Second Team All-State Honors.

leaderS on the courSe: varSity golf team enjoyS winning SeaSonThe Varsity Golf Team had another impressive season on the course. They won district for the fourth consecutive year, came in second at regionals and third overall in state. Senior Will Oliver captured the state championship crown for 2011, placing three strokes ahead of second place.

On the first day of the state tournament, the team turned in a score of 353 putting them in 6th place and Will Oliver led the tournament with a score of 74. With another windy day and under the leadership of Scott Terrell, the team moved all the way up to earn a 3rd place finish with a team score of 321 for an 18 hole score just 4 strokes out of 2nd place. What a comeback.

“The seniors this year have taken the SBS Golf program to another level of play. They have been instrumental in the golf team’s going to the state tournament over the last four years and never finishing lower than 5th place at the state tournament,” Johnnie Butterfield, Varsity Golf Coach, said. “With the younger players coming up next year, our goals will be set high, and we will reload for another run at the state tournament.”

The team consisted of seniors Alex Chae, Travis Krhovjak, Will Oliver and Scott Terrell; junior Megan rogers; sophomores Parker Eliff, Garrett Gunter, Travis McNear and Collin Whalen; freshmen Connor Bryant, Charlie Frizzell, Mitchell Latinkic, Timmy Streller and Grant Hinds.

tenniS team ShineS in diStrict The 2011 tennis team had an outstanding season. Coaches Derik and Susy Crosser worked hand in hand with the players making this year very successful. On April 11 and 12, the Varsity team had the TAPPS District Tournament at Memorial Park. The boys doubles team consisting of Adam Hammer and Tanner Crake, won the District Championship, and Shreve Pratt and Mike Hartley won the consolation round. Christine Kharkevitch, last year’s TAPPS State Champion, was able to play three

matches, but because of an injury, she was not

able to go on to the district tournament.

Freshman Carolyn Treneer finished the district tournament in fifth place, winning the consolation round. Adam and Tanner moved on to the State

Tournament.

SoftBall team finiSheS SeaSon in playoffSFor the tenth year in

a row Varsity Softball made it into the TAPPS

playoffs. The team was 9-7 in district play, and at the end of the

season they were battling Westbury Christian for a slot in the playoffs. In one of their last games of the regular season, the Eagles dealt Concordia Lutheran High School, ranked

Summer 2011 29

30 Eagle

athletic news

Both athletes received Second Team All-District recognition from TAPPS during their senior year outstanding defensive play.

“I’m very proud of these young men, and I am confident that they will do an outstanding job playing football in college. They’ll be a great representation of SBS and their families,” Mike Sneed, Head Football Coach, said.

two SeniorS choSen for private School all-Star BaSketBall gamerepresenting the best of the best from private schools in the city of Houston, two Second Baptist School basketball stars were selected to play in the Greater Houston Private School All-Star Basketball Game in March. The selection committee based their decisions on the athletes’ demonstrated outstanding sportsmanship, character, and conduct, as well as superior basketball ability, throughout the season and chose Maddie Peveto and Victoria DeBerry to be on the team.

The girls had one last opportunity to play basketball as teammates with Coach Boettcher directing them from the sidelines. The game was held at Westbury Christian, where the girls played on the West team and defeated the East team 69-48. Maddie led the scoring with 29 points and won the MVP award for the game. Victoria, who had just returned from her Interim Term trip to France, said, “I was still a little jet-lagged and a little out of shape.” She went on to say it was wonderful because, “there were no strings attached; nothing to lose; and it was great having Coach Boettcher with us and getting to play with Maddie one last time.”

new men’S BaSketBall coacheS appointedSecond Baptist School is pleased to announce the appointment of new Men’s Head Basketball Coach, Kevin Mouton and Varsity Assistant Coach, Marland Lowe.

“We are extremely excited about the future of our basketball program, with these two men leading the way,” Jeff Schroeder, Athletic Director, said. “They bring with them a wealth of knowledge, vast experience, and an enthusiasm to work with our young men and develop them not only as athletes, but as men of character.”

With an extensive background coaching division one college basketball, Mouton has held previous coaching positions at Butler University, University of Nebraska, Oregon State University and most recently at rice University. He played basketball in college at the University of Oregon and University of San Francisco, where he was the team captain and named the team MVP.

Lowe joins the staff of Second Baptist School with over 10 years of experience as a coach for secondary school teams in Houston and the Nike Team USA. Additionally, Lowe has worked with Nike Coaches Academy as a guest speaker and skills instructor, and he has established several youth basketball programs throughout the Houston area.

SeniorS Sign to play college footBallVarsity football player Thomas Anderson has signed to play football for the Crusaders at the University of Mary-Hardin Baylor in Belton, Texas. Isaiah McDuffie has decided to continue his football career at Hardin Simmons University in Abilene, Texas.

MEN’S BASKETBALLFirst Team All-DistrictCharles AllenAlex CooperLJ Rose

Second Team All-DistrictKendrick MorrisJulien Person

First Team All-StateLJ Rose

Second Team All-StateCharles Allen

Honorable Mention All-StateAlex Cooper

WOMEN’S BASKETBALLFirst Team All-DistrictTaylor BarnettMaddie Peveto

Second Team All-DistrictVictoria DeBerryMegan Milam

First Team All-StateTaylor Barnett

Second Team All-StateMaddie Peveto

Academic All-StateTaylor BarnettMaddie Peveto

BASEBALLFirst Team All-DistrictBilly ArendtJay Calhoun *co-district MVP*Garrett LuceTrey SoapeDrew Tolson

Second Team All-DistrictDaniel RankinJordan Stading

Honorable Mention All-DistrictWill Zimmerman

First Team All-StateJay CalhounDrew Tolson

Second Team All-StateBilly ArendtTrey Soape

Honorable Mention All-StateGarrett Luce

All-State Tournament TeamBilly ArendtJay CalhounTrey SoapeDrew Tolson

Academic All-StateBilly ArendtGarrett LuceDrew Tolson

SOFTBALLFirst Team All-DistrictSavannah Wilkinson

Second Team All-DistrictVictoria DeBerryMaddie FaraceJayme KlingenbergEmmy Plezia

Honorable Mention All-DistrictAlexis LocascioAshley Petkas

First Team All-StateSavannah Wilkinson

TRACK & FIELDSecond Team All-StateTarik Tyler

TAPPS ALL-DISTRICT AND ALL-STATE HONORSCongratulations to the following athletes on their accolades from TAPPS.

Summer 2011 31

college athleteS

The Class of 2011 will be represented in athletics at the following schools:

CHARLES ALLENTrinity UniversityBasketball

THOMAS ANDERSONUniversity of Mary Hardin BaylorFootball

JASON BLADESJohns Hopkins UniversityFootball

JAy CALHOUNDallas Baptist UniversityBaseball

KEVIN CAMPBELLKansas Wesleyan UniversityFootball

ALEx COOPERUniversity of HoustonFootball

VICTORIA DEBERRyIthaca CollegeBasketball

ISAIAH MCDUFFIEHardin-Simmons UniversityFootball

JULIEN PERSONCase Western Reserve UniversityBasketball

SCOTT TERRELL Baylor UniversityGolf


ith sunny skies and a gentle breeze, Friday, April 15 was a perfect day for EagleFest 2011. The day began with the parade; each grade level processed in carrying a flag bearing a name of Christ, and their grade level banner. Symbolizing the beginning and end of the SBS student’s journey, the seniors marched in with Pre-

Kindergarten students at the end of the parade. Once all the students had entered the field, Lori Claypool, EagleFest chairman, gave the signal to let the fun begin. Each grade level competed in field events to determine the ultimate winner of the Blue versus Gold competition. Once again, the BLUE team was victorious.

After the field events had concluded, the picnic lunch began. It was a delightful luncheon on the field complete with entertainment by the cast of South Pacific and Cliff Young’s ’91 ensemble of performers.

Following lunch, the afternoon enjoyment began for students and parents alike. The auction opened with many tempting items: fellowship parties, memory books, vacations, jewelry, and sports memorabilia. While parents were shopping the auction, students enjoyed the carnival. Once again, a favorite booth of students was invisible ink, a product they love spraying all over their friends. They also had a blast playing on the water slide, dunking their favorite adults in the dunking booth, and wrapping up their injuries at the Fake First Aid booth.

Upper School students competed against each other on a different level. Freshmen and sophomores challenged one another in a dodgeball game, which the freshmen proudly won. The juniors and seniors contended in the boys’ volleyball and girls’ powder puff football games. After a very close match, the senior boys defeated the juniors with an unbeatable spike. The highlight of the afternoon was the powder-puff football game of juniors against seniors. The senior girls proudly won the game, drastically outscoring their opponent.

In preparation for EagleFest, the Office of Advancement hosted a Valentine’s Grandparent Breakfast for grandparents and their grandchildren in February. More than 300 guests arrived before school on Friday, February 11 to the cafeteria filled with all sorts of candies and hearts. The breakfast is an annual celebration of EagleFest and provides a way for grandparents to get involved in this event. As grandparents and grandchildren enjoyed their Chick-fil-A donated breakfast, they listened to other SBS students tell why they loved their teachers and EagleFest so much. Also during the breakfast, students and grandparents watched a slideshow presentation with photos from EagleFest 2010. At the conclusion of the breakfast, grandparents had the opportunity to contribute to the fundraising efforts of EagleFest, which supports the B. Jane Hursey Teacher Endowment Fund.

Save the date for EagleFest 2012 on April 20.

EagleFest 2011W

EagleFest 2011



12

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Outstanding Seniors

The Power of Positive role Models at Second Baptist School

B Y J O H A N N A H K E r S E Y

positive role models through their peers in addition to parents, pastors, teachers and coaches. Students do not need to look much further than the walls of SBS to find inspiring athletes, talented musicians, wise politicians, creative artists, entertaining actors, deep thinkers and brilliant inventors. The wealth of knowledge and talent concentrated at SBS is enough to inspire students for generations. There are several advantages to finding role models at school. While students spend a lot of time being

exposed to popular figures through the media, they also spend a significant amount of time in the classroom where they are able to observe their role models. Students witness their real-life role models at SBS struggling with typical hurdles that students face and persevering through challenging life circumstances. Students observe faith in action as their role models turn to Christ for guidance and wisdom. Finally, students are able to establish meaningful relationships with their role models instead of seeing them on the screen or reading about them on the Internet. They are able to walk beside those who influence them.

While there are so many worthy role models in the class of 2011, this article highlights only 12 of them to provide a brief snapshot of what this class has contributed to SBS. It is important to remember that these outstanding seniors, in turn, had their own role models to emulate. SBS students have the privilege of being positively influenced by a host of moral leaders who serve as torchbearers, lighting the way for younger students.

A spirit of unity describes the class of 2011. From bonding at Senior retreat to celebrating on the last day of school, these seniors have found the best in one another and valued their relationships. While the class has diverse interests and talents, they find common ground through their quest for greatness, hunger for knowledge, spirit of fun and commitment to Christian values. The following pages highlight some members of the class of 2011 who have exhibited exceptional character and leadership.

“DON’T LET ANYONE LOOK

DOWN ON YOU BECAUSE

YOU ArE YOUNG, BUT SET

AN EXAMPLE FOr THE

BELIEVErS IN SPEECH,

IN CONDUCT, IN LOVE,

IN FAITH AND IN PUrITY.”

1 t i m o t h y 4 : 1 2

WHAT A DIFFErENCE A rOLE MODEL MAKES. THErE IS TrULY A NEED IN OUr CULTUrE FOr WOrTHY EXEMPLArS FOr OUr YOUTH TO FOLLOW.

s a sign of the times, today’s young person often idealizes professional athletes, celebrities or public personas. While some of these figures may exhibit admirable qualities, they may not always live a lifestyle worthy of emulation. Now that students have even more access to the media world through Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and many other social media outlets, the temptation to turn popular figures into idols is even more tempting. In a way, these figures have become modern day heroes to young people, influencing their mindset and behavior.

While some children and teens may find their role models through the sports and entertainment industries, students at Second Baptist School have the opportunity to seek

MitzyAyalaExplorer

Experiencing life to the fullest comes naturally for Mitzy. Never one to miss out on an opportunity, she thrives on new experiences, people and places. Her strong work ethic and phenomenal organizational skills helped her stay on top of her game as a student. Efficiency has certainly helped Mitzy soar through higher-level classes. Her peers also admire her good sense of humor that keeps others at ease. Most of all, she hopes to be remembered in the halls of SBS for her strong relationship with Christ.

Art has been one of Mitzy’s primary passions during her Upper School experience. She worked her way up to AP Studio Art 2D by her senior year. In fact, she and her SBS classmates won first place in TAPPS State Art three of four years. “I owe so much of my growth in artistic ability to my art teacher, Ms. Parker,” she explains.

When it comes to art, Mitzy has mastered many different media and has come to appreciate the challenges of each one. She finds acrylic paint enjoyable yet time-intensive. While charcoal is the easiest medium for her, she also realizes how one simple smudge can taint the entire picture. With watercolor, she has learned the importance of selecting color carefully. She finds silk screen the most challenging medium by far. “Through art, I have learned that photorealism may produce a work that looks amazingly like the photo being used, but the use of impressionistic or abstract techniques highlights one’s ability to bring more meaning and substance to a picture,” she says.

Mitzy has also participated in educational travel opportunities. Attending the SBS Interim Term trip to China was one of her most enlightening life experiences. Traveling has a way of bringing people together in meaningful ways. “I realized that sometimes I overlook the moments in which I can bond with people who are right next to me,” she says. Having the chance to interact with other SBS students and her host in Chengdu meant a great deal to Mitzy. From walking the street of Jing Li, where Chinese festivals are celebrated, to visiting the Bird’s Nest to observing pandas at the reserve in Chengdu to walking along the Great Wall, Mitzy was blessed with a treasure trove of unforgettable moments.

Lastly, the Bible teachers at SBS have helped Mitzy grow spiritually. During her junior year, she developed a hunger for knowing more about God’s word and his plan for her life. “I am able to learn what many adults do not even know. I am encouraged in my walk with Christ, encouraged not only to be faithful to God but also to have full knowledge of him,” she explains.

In the fall, Mitzy will be attending Texas A&M University.

“Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life.”

Proverbs 13:12

JasonBladesTrailblazer

Jason has mastered just about everything at SBS. He has excelled in a variety of activities while still remaining a strong student and grounded Christian. He encourages students to take advantage of all SBS has to offer. “The School gives you the opportunity to play sports, participate in dramas or musicals, play in band or build robots in science club. The possibilities are endless. I hope to encourage people to do everything they want to do in Upper School because it is a time for exploring,” says Jason.

As a lifer, Jason watched older students thrive in many dimensions of the School. He also wanted to take full advantage of his experience. A gifted athlete, Jason played football, ran cross-country and participated in swimming. Additionally, he performed in the spring musicals and fall dramas every year of Upper School. He also served as class president freshman, sophomore and junior year. “All of these activities shaped who I am today,” he says. With a spirit of fortitude, he gave his best to every endeavor that he undertook.

During an Interim Term trip to China, Jason discovered a passion for East Asia. He has since been to Japan on a trip with his father. Both trips awakened a curiosity and interest in different cultures. In fact, the trips were instrumental in influencing his decision to major in East Asian Studies in college. The culture shock he experienced when he first arrived motivated him to absorb the differences and learn as much as he could about the customs.

At a young age, Jason committed his life to Christ on Easter Sunday at Second Baptist Church. His faith has been strengthened through his time as a student and as a camper at a Christian sports camp. “The greatest advantage to SBS is that praising and honoring God are honored actions among students and teachers,” he explains. When he takes a step back, he realizes just how blessed he has been to attend a Christian school.

To stay focused on Christ, Jason has claimed 1 Timothy 4:8 as his life verse. He has valued the truth in this verse for as long as he can remember. “For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things in the present life and the life to come.” “This verse reminds me not to get caught up in worldly endeavors because my true passion should be for God and His mission for my life,” says Jason.

In the fall, Jason will attend Johns Hopkins University where he will study East Asian studies while pursuing the pre-med track. He hopes at some point his travels will take him back to Japan and China.

“A common mistake people make when trying to design something completely

foolproof is to underestimate the ingenuity of complete fools.” Douglas Adams


TannerCrakeHumorist

MaggieBritvenVisionary

Maggie’s time at SBS has been one of enrichment and achievement. Her courage to try new experiences and stretch herself has inspired others to step out of their comfort zones. Through art and other outlets, she has found many opportunities to grow as a person. She hopes that other students will also make the most of the Second experience by trying new adventures. “I would like people to remember that I was not perfect, but I did my best at everything I attempted, whether athletics, academics or fine arts,” she says. This philosophy of life has brought Maggie great satisfaction and contentment.

A talented artist, Maggie found valuable resources available to her in the Art Department at SBS. Through her pursuit of the visual arts, she has had many opportunities to develop her passion. “I fell in love with sculpture early on, and I made time to do it because it inspired me,” she says. Through her involvement in art, she has learned life skills that will serve her well in college and beyond. “I’ve learned how to problem solve, overcome challenges and work well with other people even if I don’t necessarily agree with them,” she says.

Overall, she values the relationships she has developed at SBS. “I realize now that I would not have become so involved or taken advantage of the many great opportunities if I had attended another school,” she says. In particular, strong relationships with her art teachers have been instrumental in developing Maggie’s passion for sculpture. She remembers one of her art teachers helping her arrange her academic schedule, so she would be able to continue taking art class every semester. Even as an Upper School student, she was able to specialize in an area of interest and really hone that skill.

One of Maggie’s best experiences as a student occurred when she traveled to Aspen, Colorado for Interim Term during her senior year to do an internship at PISMO Fine Arts Glass Gallery. There, she worked alongside multiple glass artists and learned how to run a gallery. It is no surprise that she received an offer to purchase one of her pieces. “This internship solidified my decision to study sculpture in college,” she explains.

Maggie is also grateful for the opportunity to deepen her relationship with Christ before stepping onto the college campus. “It was a lot easier to grow in Christ with people who help you and don’t criticize you. The people at SBS have helped prepare me to know how to defend my faith,” she says.

Maggie will attend Boston University in the fall. She is enrolled in the College of Fine Arts and will major in sculpture. Eventually, she would like to own her own gallery and continue to be a practicing artist.

“If you don’t have time to do it right, when will you have time to do it over?”

John Wooden

Tanner brings dedication, purpose and a sense of humor to all that he pursues. He is known for always having that one comment that sends everyone into laughter. When he first came to SBS as a freshman, he was encouraged by the welcoming community and made friends easily. He appreciated how the Christian atmosphere made it acceptable to be who God intended him to be. He hopes people will remember him for his enthusiasm for soccer and his willingness to help others. “If I understood something, I tried to help those who did not by explaining it in a different way. I just tried to offer another perspective,” he says.

Through athletics, Tanner has exhibited tremendous talent and contributed encouragement to his team members. For the past four years, he has played on the varsity tennis team. He was number two in doubles his freshman year, number one in singles his sophomore year and number one in doubles his senior year. Tanner teamed with Adam Hammer to win the district doubles tournament this past year. He also helped create the men’s soccer team and served as a key leader on the team. He even trained some of the younger players in the techniques of the sport. Through this role, he learned that he cannot always do everything by himself but must rely on his entire team. Tanner received First Team All-District and Most Valuable Player (MVP) in soccer. He also ran cross country in order to get in shape for soccer.

One of the many things Tanner appreciates about SBS is that each student is able to know every person in the grade. Having Christian friends in a community where individuality is accepted made Tanner’s academic experience meaningful. He also appreciates what he learned from the advanced classes, which provided him with a strong foundation for college. In particular, he enjoyed Mrs. Wood’s dual credit calculus class. Her humor and knowledge of the subject made the class extraordinary.

When Tanner was a freshman, he wishes a senior would have told him “to work hard and be more active at SBS.” He now sees the benefit of giving the School your best because the rewards are so great.

Some of his best memories at SBS involve bonding with his classmates. He vividly remembers when he and some friends did a NSYNC vs. Backstreet Boys dance off for the senior retreat talent show. “I was able to show a different side of myself and have a good time with a different group of people,” he says. Memories like this one made his senior experience one to cherish.

Tanner will attend Texas A&M University and pursue a liberal arts degree in economics.

“Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved a workman who does not

need to be ashamed, but correctly handles the word of truth.” II Timothy 2:15


ReganFuerstEnthusiast

VictoriaDeBerryPacesetter

Arriving at SBS her freshman year, Victoria had no idea what amazing experiences awaited her. A well-rounded athlete, Victoria jumped in with both feet and played volleyball, basketball and softball during her freshman year. She continued playing basketball and softball through her senior year. She hopes that her hard work and tenacity in athletics will inspire younger students to pursue their dreams. Never one to shy away from challenges, she set her goals high and leaves large footprints for other students to fill.

Playing sports at SBS was a bellwether experience. In particular, Victoria values the lessons learned on the softball field and basketball court. “Playing basketball has humbled me. Not every player is going to start. I had to work at it.” Yet, Victoria welcomed the challenge and rose to the occasion. She was amazed to see how hard work pays dividends. Most importantly, she was inspired by how much her team achieved through following a common vision.

At the beginning of the season, the team claimed Habakkuk 1:5 as its verse: “Look at the nations and watch – and be utterly amazed. For I am going to do something in your days that you would not believe, even if you were told.” When the team claimed the promise found in this verse, it achieved more than anyone thought possible. Several valuable players had graduated, but the remaining players did not lose heart. Instead, they pushed themselves to new heights and made it to regionals. Victoria looks back on her experience with pure joy. “I’d do anything to have that experience back again. I’ve never had so much fun on a team before,” she says.

During her time at SBS, Victoria is especially grateful for the opportunities to grow as a person. In particular, she values the college guidance resources. “Mrs. Larkin has been amazing. She encouraged me to attend the seminar Colleges that Change Lives where I found the college of my dreams,” she says.

Victoria’s faith has been strengthened through the Bible, daily devotional, prayer, church, and Bible classes. She is grateful for the knowledge of the Lord she has gained from her teachers. “I have received some of the best teaching and developed a hunger for God during my time at SBS,” she explains.

Gaining self-respect is what she hopes all students will obtain by the time they graduate. “If you don’t love or respect yourself, you can’t do that for others. Your relationship with Christ is the only thing that matters. Instead of trying to impress others, why not help them and be yourself? Insecurity is the source of destruction,” she says.

Victoria will attend Ithaca College where she hopes to return to the basketball court. She is impressed by the strong work ethic displayed at this college.

“It matters not how strait the gate, How charged with punishments the scroll.

I am the master of my fate: I am the captain of my soul.” From “Invictus”

by William Ernest Henley

regan has truly optimized the Second experience through full involvement in a myriad of activities that have shaped her into the leader she is today. When regan reflects back on her life at SBS, she realizes the importance of gaining knowledge. She has lived by the motto, “Knowledge is good.” She hopes to encourage underclassmen not to take school for granted but to realize the important role knowledge plays in their future.

Athletically, regan has excelled in softball. She played on the varsity softball team and was the starting baseman. She helped her team achieve tremendous success. Individually, she won the team’s Silver Slugger award. The healthy spirit of competition learned from playing this sport has helped regan in her other pursuits.

regan has been involved in a wide variety of interests outside of the classroom. She is co-founder and co-president of the Young Politicians Club. She served as a discussion leader, which required her to become knowledgeable about a broad range of current events. Her passion for this political club has led her to study political science in college. During her senior year, she also served as president of the Science Olympiad Academic Team.

Academically, regan has been grateful for the small class sizes where she has had the ability to focus on and master the material. “The smaller classes foster meaningful relationships between the students and teachers. I looked forward to going to class everyday to learn and talk with my classmates and teachers,” she says. In particular, regan has thrived in AP Government and AP American History where Mrs. Towery had a significant influence by encouraging regan to pursue her passion for history and politics. “She asks challenging questions during class and expects thoughtful responses,” says regan.

On a spiritual level, regan appreciates how “the School always puts faith first.” As a lifer, she has enjoyed the daily Bible classes and Christian teachers. “I wouldn’t have this same foundation if I had attended another school,” she remarks. She has also enjoyed the Christian fellowship with her classmates. One of her best memories is attending the Senior retreat. It was here that “we came together as a family and became leaders. Everyone accepted one another. We realized that we no longer had to be followers, but we could take up the challenge to lead,” she says.

regan will attend Washington and Lee University. She plans to major in political science and suspects that law school may be just the place for her after college.

“People create their own questions because they are afraid to look straight.

All you have to do is look straight and see the road, and when you see it,

don’t sit looking at it – walk.” Ayn Rand, author of Atlas Shrugged


EllenGeisBridge Builder

SarahHamiltonTeam Leader

A legacy of greatness is what Ellen hopes to leave behind for other students to model. Ellen’s concept of greatness far exceeds a temporal view. She sees the ideal of greatness as glorifying God and achieving things for other people. “I worked hard during my time at SBS, but it wasn’t about me,” she says. With a giving heart, Ellen has poured herself out for her peers and empowered them to succeed.

Ellen is a big fan of the class of 2011. She raves about the great athletes, musicians, and students. She sees so much talent and potential in every person and feels truly honored to be a team member in this class. As a lifer, Ellen has embraced her lifetime friends while welcoming new friends with open arms. In many ways, Ellen has built bridges during her time at SBS, bringing people together and creating cohesion in her class.

As an Upper School student, Ellen played varsity soccer. She appreciates her soccer team and Coach Brooks who set a high bar of excellence for the players. One of the most important lessons that she will take away from soccer is good sportsmanship. “We learned to play like a team should, and Coach Brooks taught us to glorify God through the process.” In addition, Ellen learned how to communicate with her teammates and trust others.

Another dimension of Ellen’s Upper School experience was serving on the Jump Team, the worship team for first through fourth graders at Second Baptist Church. During her senior year, she was captain. This leadership role made Ellen even more aware of her position as a role model. She was able to be a positive light in the children’s lives. “I realized that these kids were watching my life and could see me anywhere. It is a big responsibility to lead young children. Feeling the weight of this role affects how you live” she says.

Ellen cherishes the rich knowledge of theBible that she has obtained through SBS. “I know so much about Old Testament history. I’m grateful for a great foundation,” she says. She also realizes that “your faith can’t be grown for you.” Through personal steps, she has come into a deep understanding of Christ. The truth that God is our refuge and strength has helped Ellen remain grounded. “Whenever things get tough, I realize I can’t do life on my own,” she explains.

In the fall, Ellen will attend Texas A&M University where she will study mechanical engineering. Her passion for this field was fueled through her involvement in science club. She competed in Science Olympiad and helped build a prize-winning project in the “Mission Possible” event.

“In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds

and glorify your Father in heaven.”Matthew 5:16

Being authentic comes naturally for Sarah. Her refreshingly honest approach to life and grounded perspective make her a pillar of strength for others. She would like to encourage younger classmates to adopt a mentality of originality. “I would have wanted a senior to tell me to be myself and not hide for fear of being disliked,” she explains. The legacy she hopes to leave behind at SBS is one that “echoes who I am as an independent thinker and accepting person.” She recognizes that it is so easy to spend all your time worrying about being “the best” instead of learning to enjoy the present.

A standout soccer player, Sarah began playing the sport in fifth grade. She has served as captain of the varsity team for two years. She considers playing on the SBS soccer team as one of her best experiences. “The girls on the soccer team are amazing and their friendship over the years has defined my experience at SBS. I will miss bonding with my team,” she says.

Another interest for her is helping others. With a stroke of creativity and compassion, she founded the club Knotty Knitters, a knitting club composed of girls who knit hats for various charities like Pink ribbon. Through this outlet, she has enjoyed meeting students that she would not have had the chance to know otherwise.

Traveling to Ireland for Interim Term was another highlight for Sarah during her time at SBS. In addition to meeting such fascinating people, she also enjoyed learning more about the culture as she absorbed the landscape, architecture, food and sites. “Attending this trip is a great example of how SBS has allowed me to do more than I would have been able to do at any other school,” she says.

Sarah has also embraced the SBS community and experience. “Attending this School has given me a variety of opportunities. I have played on a varsity sports team all four years of Upper School, started a club, and participated in student council,” she says. She also appreciates the investment teachers make in the students’ lives. Some of the teachers have served as mentors to her along the way and helped her achieve her dreams. Indeed, Sarah’s faith in Christ has been strengthened as she has set out to know the God that she serves.

Sarah will attend Davidson College. She is interested in studying psychology. Whatever she decides to do with her life, she will certainly always be helping and empowering others. This summer, she will travel to Honduras as a volunteer.

“I’d rather be a lightning rod than a seismograph.” Ken Kesey


MargaretMaurerMotivator

GarrettLuceMaximizer

Always remaining above reproach has been Garrett’s mantra during his senior year. Standing behind the values of the School, he did his part to make the School thrive. The Lord has provided Garrett with a platform for leadership over the past year. Garrett’s life shows that one never knows how God will decide to use us.

As a captain of the baseball team, Garrett used this position to encourage others and pick them up when they were literally on the bench. He reminded his fellow players that “we are out here on this field by the grace of God. We aren’t guaranteed anything.” With kindness and humility, Garrett shows others how to pick themselves up and stay in the game.

Being a role model doesn’t come without its trials. Garrett describes his life as an easy walk with the Lord up until senior year when he experienced a series of injuries. After having elbow surgery, he endured a six-month recovery. Then, he battled three additional injuries and rehabilitations. Through all these hardships, he learned a powerful lesson in patience, a lesson that he will apply to other challenges in life. “I had the strength of my teammates, family and most importantly, the Lord’s comfort. I couldn’t have done it without that base,” Garrett says.

Despite these injuries, Garrett had the best season of his life...lights out. He was able to fully realize the fruits of his labor. He achieved a batting average of .455 and 31 rBI’s. He also enjoyed the powerful team chemistry that helped propel the team to state. “We were playing for one another and not for ourselves,” he says. Garrett first walked onto the field when he was six years old and hasn’t stopped playing since. He credits his coaches for making him into the player he is today. Coach Dixon has been Garrett’s hitting coach since he was 12. “He molded me not only as a player but also as a Christian,” he says. “Coach Schroeder, our head coach, has focused on character development and shaped us into better people.”

Off the field, Garrett has excelled academically and musically. Singing has been a major part of his life since he was young. He particularly enjoyed the “collective experience” found in choir where students step away from the regular classroom and unite in one voice. He also applied himself diligently in choir and received All-State status as a tenor.

Garrett also found time to have some fun and bond with his class members. In particular, Garrett will always remember the last day of senior year. The tradition is for seniors to jump in the fountain. However, the seniors watched with disappointment as rain poured. Finally, they had a brief window to jump in the fountain and color the water orange, the class of 2011’s class color. Then, they ran outside on the baseball field and had a huge slip and slide extravaganza before being chased off the field. “We went out with a bang!” says Garrett.

“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you

and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11

Everyone needs a role model who lives on the positive side of life and inspires greatness in others. Margaret is that kind of leader. Through her endeavors, she has contributed a spirit of enthusiasm and excitement to the SBS community. She advises younger students to take advantage of all the opportunities that the School offers. Most importantly, she encourages others to do things they love and that bring fulfillment.

It is no surprise that cheerleading was Margaret’s favorite extracurricular activity. Starting in the eighth grade on the Middle School squad, she quickly rose through the ranks and spent three years on Varsity, serving as captain during her senior year. “I loved everything about cheerleading, from the excitement while cheering for football touchdowns, to the school spirit during pep rallies, to the hilarious bonding experiences during cheerleading camp,” she says. Her spiritual influence on the squad provided a sense of cohesion and established a culture of mutual respect.

In addition to cheerleading, Margaret also loved being in the SBS musicals. Beginning her freshman year, she worked on the stage crew. After learning the ropes, she tried out for the musical and made the chorus. “I loved performing the big dance numbers and watching the excitement on everyone’s faces during opening night,” she says. During her senior year, she worked in the makeup department back stage. “The musical is an incredible experience and the absolute best way to see how the talented and serving heart of SBS manifests itself in front of the public eye as well as behind the scenes.”

For Margaret, the greatest advantage of attending SBS has been her close relationships with the teachers. She saw them as role models, exhibiting a spirit of compassion. Having the ability to ask them questions after class enriched her academic experience. “The teachers are more than teachers. They are counselors, surrogate parents and role models,” she says.

The emphasis on faith at SBS has helped Margaret see God’s plan for her life unfold. She still remembers an important lesson she learned from her second grade Bible teacher, Mrs. Bambrick. She taught her students “to pick up their crosses daily.” Margaret has carried this truth with her ever since hearing these words. “We are to always remember what Christ did for us on the cross and the exceptional redemption and forgiveness He displayed and bring that to everyone and every situation we encounter,” she explains.

Margaret has claimed Ecclesiastics 3:1-8 as a guiding passage for her life. reading these verses reminds her that God’s plan supersedes anything she could imagine. When deciding where to attend college, she relied on the wisdom found in these verses.

Margaret plans to attend the University of Oklahoma and major in professional writing in the Gaylord College of Journalism.

“Just when the caterpillar thought the world was over, he became a butterfly.”

–Anonymous


Sa’MistyUtleyCaptivator

ZachWallaceDream Catcher

For Sa’Misty, life is a great adventure. During her time at SBS, she has conquered her dreams while enjoying the journey at the same time. Through her passion for the Lord and others, she captivates the worthy experiences in life. She has learned the importance of not striving for perfection but instead establishing priorities and living with balance. Ultimately, she understands that finding God’s plan for our lives is most important. She urges students to turn to God in times of need.

A role model for younger students, Sa’Misty also had an important student role model to follow during her freshman year. She looked up to ross Seaton ’08, student body president, Valedictorian and also an outstanding senior highlighted in the Eagle magazine. “He knew everybody’s name and made everyone feel special. ross glowed in Christ’s light. I strive everyday to be my own version of ross. I want others to see me and say, ‘Wow! I can see Christ walking and working through her,’” she says. Being around so many strong Christians has helped fortify Sa’Misty’s faith.

Sa’Misty hopes that other students will understand the concept of “Que será, será,” which is Spanish for “whatever will be, will be.” She encourages her younger peers not to become consumed by grades and test scores. At one point, Sa’Misty reevaluated her attitude towards school. She started focusing on learning the material instead of simply memorizing it. “Now I live knowing that if I give all I can to studying and learning, God will put me on the path that I need to take,” she says.

Sa’Misty has pursued a range of extracurricular activities. “Through dance, choir, photography and various clubs, I have had the opportunity to release each aspect of my creativity. SBS has allowed me to sing to my heart’s delight, dance until the world and all the worries in it melted away, and capture moments on film.” Additionally, she has worked in a group called U-Prep, a non-profit organization that gives high-performing students from low-performing schools opportunities in private schools. For the past six years, she has been volunteering in different capacities.

One of the most valuable skills Sa’Misty has learned academically is the art of writing. Through research papers, she feels that she has mastered this valuable skill. “We have to be able to communicate our message, and what we write lives on after us,” she says.

Sa’Misty will attend Knox College up in Galesburg, Illinois, this fall. She plans to major in psychology and minor in sociology. After that, she plans to earn a Ph.D. in psychology and work as a clinical psychologist.

“If nothing else, one day I can look someone straight in the eyes and say, ‘But I lived

through it and it made me who I am today.” –Anonymous

Zach possesses a wealth of understanding about other cultures and has a heart for helping others around the world. His ability to see life from many angles distinguishes him. Before coming to Second Baptist School, he attended the American School in Doha, Qatar. Zach rose to the occasion and made his dreams come true as a student, athlete and musician. “Coming to SBS from an international school in Qatar was challenging, but really helped me to embrace change,” he says.

During the two years he spent at Second Baptist School, Zach has appreciated the way SBS has prepared him for college. In particular, he credits the College Guidance Department for making the application process as stress free as possible. As evidence, he would like to warn younger students about the dangers of procrastination and the importance of staying on top of your school commitments.

Zach also appreciates what he has learned from English classes at SBS. He has had the opportunity to develop good writing skills. One of his favorite classes was AP English with Mrs. Dale. “Her class taught me to think on a new level. I began to take lessons and ideas from literature and apply them to my own life,” he says. In particular, reading King lear impacted Zach. “Shakespeare really hammered home the idea that some good can come out of hardship. I realized that if a person can persevere through difficulties, he is likely to come out a stronger and more enlightened person. I think about this now every time I go through a trial,” he says.

Having a heart for service has always been important for Zach. He has worked on service projects in Nepal and Bolivia. Before going to Nepal, Zach and his classmates raised money and collected supplies for an orphanage in Kathmandu. Then, they flew to Nepal and spent time playing with the kids, teaching them lessons and helping with chores at the orphanage. “While I had helped raise money for charities before this trip, this was the first time I actually saw where all the money and supplies were going. It was a great experience to see our hard work actually impacting people in need,” he says.

Music is a passion for Zach. He plays guitar in a band with friends. While he appreciates many genres, he especially enjoys playing the blues. “I think music is an important medium of self-expression. It can convey a thought or feeling in a way that is more widely understood,” he explains.

Zach has appreciated being reminded of God’s love each day at SBS. He has noticed the influence of Christ through the teachers and students. The daily exposure to God’s Word has helped him zero in on his relationship with Christ. Knowing that God is always going to be there for him has motivated him to work hard and leave the rest up to God. He hopes that other students will remember him as a loving person who did his best to encourage others to be authentic.

In the fall, Zach will attend the University of Denver. Since he has lived and studied overseas and developed an interest in other cultures, he will major in international business. After college, he hopes that his career will give him the opportunity to work overseas and continue experiencing new parts of the world.

“Hold on to your dreams until someone beats them out of you.” –Anonymous


Claudia Catherine Mills University of Mississippi

Taylor Danielle Odum University of Houston

William Hansen Oliver Texas Christian University

Julien Franck Sébastien PersonCase Western Reserve University

Madison Paige PevetoTexas A&M University

Benjamin Hardy PfefferDavidson College

Emilee Anne PleziaUniversity of Colorado

Ryan Walker PoolUniversity of Texas

William Russell RamseyUniversity of Arkansas

James Clark RickawayAuburn University

Benjamin Lee RiggleTexas A&M University

Charles Wesley Allen III Trinity University

Thomas Joseph Anderson University of Mary Hardin-Baylor

Ana Isabel Appedole Saint Louis University

Mitzy Leticia AyalaTexas A&M University

George Robert BeauchampBaylor University

Jason Jeko BladesJohns Hopkins University

Margaret Emily BritvenBoston University

David Barnett BuckleyUniversity of Oklahoma

Ladonna Maria BunnellTexas Christian University

Abigail Anne BurgherUniversity of Texas

Erica Briana Burton-WhiteBaylor University

Jay William Calhoun Dallas Baptist University

Kevin Le’Roy Campbell Jr. Kansas Wesleyan University

Cory Benjamin Caron Texas A&M University

Alexander Carl Chae Jr.University of Georgia

Winsett Alexander Cooper II University of Houston

Danielle Marie CopeTexas A&M University

Tanner Wilfred CrakeTexas A&M University

Joseph Connor DanielsUniversity of Oklahoma

Victoria Paula DeBerryIthaca College

Bethany Noelle DodsonWake Forest University

Jacob Harrison Doty Texas Christian University

John Pate Durie IIUniversity of Texas

Madelyn Rose FaraceTexas Christian University

Regan Leigh FuerstWashington and Lee University

Daniel Harrison GarzaLouisiana State University

Ellen Renee GeisTexas A&M University

Kristen Victoria GunnUniversity of Virginia

Sarah Christina Hall Baylor University

Sarah Elizabeth HamiltonDavidson College

Ruth Anne HolidayBaylor University

Lauren Michelle HowellSamford University

McKinzie Ellyn JonesTexas A&M University

Nicholas Chapman JonesTexas Christian University

Kaitlyn Paige Kellam Texas A&M University

Jayme Lynn Klingenberg Houston Baptist University

Travis Clay Krhovjak Texas Christian University

Katie Lauren LakenmacherUniversity of Texas

Garrett Cole LuceUndecided

John Nadra MaakarounUndecided

Haley Nicole MathisBaylor University

Margaret Ruth MaurerUniversity of Oklahoma

Heather Brooke MaxcyTexas A&M University

Ashley Tarin McDonaldRhodes College

Isaiah Harvie McDuffie Hardin-Simmons University

Matthew Phillip McKellarUniversity of Texas at San Antonio

William Edward McMichaelUniversity of Texas

Jason BladesLadonna Bunnell

Cory CaronJacob Doty

Regan FuerstEllen Geis

Lauren HowellMcKinzie Jones

Nick Jones

Kaitlyn KellamGarrett Luce

Brooke MaxcyWilliam McMichael

Ben PfefferRyan Pool

Ben RiggleTrey Soape

Scott Terrell

Photograph: Blackburn Studios

Patrick Russell Riner University of New Mexico

Gerald Dean Soape III University of Mississippi

Scott Jackson TerrellBaylor University

Sa’Misty Alexia UtleyKnox College

Vanessa Brittany VandenwormUniversity of Texas

Kyle Jordan Voegele Undecided

Faith Margaret WalkerTexas Christian University

Kimber Shepard Walker Texas Christian University

Caroline Collier WallaceUniversity of Texas Jacob James WallaceAustin Community College

Zachary Nicholas WallaceUniversity of Denver

Lauren Elizabeth WeberUniversity of Alabama

Lifers

SBS Class of 2011

SECond BAptiSt SChoolClASS oF 2011



The Golden Eagle Award is presented to a senior girl and boy athlete that best exemplifies a Christian athlete. This is the highest award that an athlete at Second Baptist School can obtain. It is presented on the basis of Christian leadership, team work, fair play and courage. The selection of the male and female recipient of this award is made by the coaches.

Maddie Peveto and Jason Blades

The Soaring Eagle Award is presented to the senior boy and girl that have deeply enriched the Fine Arts Department and the Second Baptist School community with their God-given talents. Over their four year Upper School career, these students have been artistically and successfully involved in multiple areas of the fine arts.

Maggie Britven and William McMichael

Sa’Misty Utley has become Second Baptist School’s first recipient of the George and Mary Josephine Hamman Foundation Scholarship. Under the direction of Mary Josephine Hamman, the Foundation was formed on May 20, 1954, in part to give assistance to students in the pursuit of higher education through scholarships. The Foundation has given $49.6 million in grants and scholarships over its 53 years of service to the community. Competition for the scholarship includes students from eight Texas counties in the Houston area. Having completed a stringent application, Sa’Misty, as a finalist in the competition, then was invited for a personal interview. A member of the National Honor Society and a summa cum laude member of the Class of 2011, Sa’Misty plans to attend Knox College in Galesburg, Illinois in the fall.

The yearly honor roll is the highest academic honor given to a student at Second Baptist School. It is presented to the students who have made the Honor Roll each grading period of the school year. To qualify, the student must be taking 6 of more graded courses and earn a 4.0 GPA or better.

Mitzy AyalaAlexander ChaeDanielle CopeTanner CrakeJoey DanielsRegan FuerstEllen GeisKristen GunnSarah HamiltonBen PfefferEmmy PleziaCaroline WallaceZachary Wallace

Golden Eagle Award

Soaring Eagle Award

Scholarship Award

honor Roll

Class of 2011 A c a d e m i c a n d S e r v i c e A w a r d s

Each year the American Legion and the Ladies Auxiliary sponsor summer programs to instill in young men and women the ideals and objectives of American government. Schools may nominate a limited number of students to attend the Boys or Girls State programs. For one week, these students develop a working knowledge of the principles of democracy by establishing and running a complete state government.

David BuckleyCory CaronAlexander ChaeJacob DotyGarrett LuceMatthew McKellarWilliam McMichael

The Servant Award is unique because it’s the only award given that is not voted on by faculty or a committee, but by the students themselves. The Servant Award is given to the young man and young woman in each grade level that is truly exhibiting the character of Christ in their daily lives. These students are living the Christ-life on the field, on the stage and in the classroom.

Danielle Cope and Ben Riggle

The National Merit Scholarship Program identifies academically outstanding students through the administration of the PSAT each year. Of the 1.4 million students who take the PSAT, 34,000 Commended students whose scores are slightly below those required for semifinalist standing are recognized for their efforts.

nAtionAl MERit CoMMEndEd StudEntS Sarah HamiltonBen PfefferRyan Pool

The next level of award in the National Merit Scholarship Competition is that of Semi–finalist. Of the 1.5 million students who took the PSAT, approximately one percent were named semi-finalists. Semi-finalists continue on the scholarship competition and may advance to Finalists by submitting a detailed scholarship application documenting their academic performance.

nAtionAl MERitS FinAliStS Danielle CopeJoey DanielsBethany DodsonEllen GeisKristen Gunn

College Board’s National Hispanic Recognition Program identifies academically outstanding Hispanic high school students. They must have scored in the top 2% of all Hispanic students and have a minimum of 3.5 GPA. Of the 200,000 Hispanic students who took the PSAT this year, approximately 2% of the highest scoring students are designated as Scholars.

nAtionAl MERitS FinAliStS Mitzy Ayala

Boys/Girls State

Senior Servant Award

national Merit


Interim Terma p h o t o e s s a y

IrelandFrom picturesque fields of sheep to castles and dramatic seaside cliffs, Ireland has many places to visit, and SBS students saw several stunning landscapes during their Interim Term journey. Beginning in Dublin, they explored museums, attended a play, and became excellent navigators of Temple Bar, an area in the city which boasts of unique restaurants and unusual shops on narrow cobbled streets running between the Bank of Ireland and Christ Church Cathedral. Then traveling to Galway, the students visited ancient monasteries. A favorite, Ireland’s rocky coastline, provided amazing views. One of the group’s most enjoyed memories was going to the Aran Islands and touring Inishmore.


Las Brisas Community Center and Nueva Esperanza Orphanage


Summer 2011 61

China was an unforgettable experience for the students as they had the opportunity to immerse themselves into the daily life of a Chinese student in Chengdu. Staying in host homes and attending classes at the local high school, SBS students learned many things from their Chinese host students, including Tai Chi, calligraphy, and Mah-Jong (a board game). Following Chengdu, the students headed to Beijing to see the Great Wall, Tiananmen Square, Forbidden City and Summer Palace, and a Chinese acrobatics show. A visit to Shanghai, opened their eyes to how ancient China meets modern China, and the students loved its beautiful gardens and architecture.

60 Eagle

China

Summer 2011 63

France

Complete with cathedrals, palaces, swords, and daggers, the Interim Term trip to France was quite the adventure. Students began their journey in Paris, where they toured the Eiffel Tower, the Musée du Louvre, Notre Dame Cathedral, Saint Chapelle, Maison de Victor Hugo, Pere-Lachaise Cemetery, and Basilique du Sacré-Cœur. To relax, the students sailed along the Seine River getting a different perspective of Paris. Other destinations in France included the Château de Chambord, Mont Saint-Michel, Rouen, the Catacombs, Leonardo Da Vinci’s home, the beaches of Normandy – including the sights of WWII in France. For a little more adventure, the group rented bicycles after they explored the Palace of Versailles. Having many opportunities during their trip to see things they had previously only read about was an unforgettable experience for the student travelers.

62 Eagle

California College TourStudents on the California College Tour all agreed they loved the golden State. After spending the week visiting uClA, uSC, university of San Diego, Claremont McKenna College, Pepperdine University, Azusa Pacific University and Biola university, students enjoyed catching up with SBS alums who were able to give unique perspectives into their colleges. Aside from touring beautiful campuses, the students made the most of their free time at Disneyland, Santa Monica Pier, and a visit to Hollywood.


learning about southern architecturein louisiana was a favorite trip for this group of upper School girls. From creole cottages and colonial era homes to shotgun houses and greek revival plantations, this group absorbed all that the South had to offer while traveling from Baton rouge down river Road into New Orleans. Enjoying a crawfish boil, delicious turtle soup, fluffy beignets and homemade pralines, the highlight of this trip included spending the night at the Bocage Plantation in Darrow, louisiana.


Second Serving, a philanthropy project held during the first week of Interim Term, contributed thousands of hours of service in Houston and across the globe, as our students committed the week to various types of community service.

NEw iN iNtErim tErm 2011: Second Serving“During Second

Serving, I learned a lot about what it means to be

God’s hands and feet in our world. From digging up weeds to painting the fingernails of

the elderly, we all had the privilege of serving.”

MARGARET HARTMAN sophomore

“Despite residing within the same city limits,

an enormous gap separates my world from those I served

at the Joy Mission Center in Houston. yet, we are all God’s children and He loves us equally. Interacting with the people showed me that even though

we may not speak the same language, we still share a

good deal of the same values.”

ALLISON GUNN sophomore

“Through participating in Second Serving, I

earned a greater understanding of the difficulties, yet

perseverance, that men and women in my hometown

go through each and every day.”

BEN TOUR sophomore

Summer 2011 69

Alumni updAtes

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1985C L A S S A G E N T S––––––––––––––––––––

EvE PhElPs [email protected]

BEth Brock [email protected]

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1986C L A S S A G E N T S––––––––––––––––––––

kimBErly Arnold [email protected]

michEllE [email protected]

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1987C L A S S A G E N T––––––––––––––––––––

dAWn WilliAms [email protected]

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1988C L A S S A G E N T––––––––––––––––––––

kimBErly [email protected]

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1982C L A S S A G E N T––––––––––––––––––––

crAiG [email protected]

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1983C L A S S A G E N T––––––––––––––––––––

trishA [email protected]

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1984C L A S S A G E N T S––––––––––––––––––––

chArlEs [email protected]

hElEn [email protected]

Are you receiving the monthly alumni email? If interested, send

your contact information to [email protected].

Stay connected @ SBS.

Second Serving continued... Buffalo Bayou cleanup

One of the most innovative service projects during Second Serving was the

Buffalo Bayou Cleanup. Fifteen seniors and their sponsors trekked daily down the bayou cleaning trash along the way. The group worked their way farther each day, filling up dozens of trash bags as they paddled in their canoes. Our students worked with houston’s Bayou preservation Association

to help pull shopping carts and other heavy debris from the confluence of Buffalo Bayou and

Bering Ditch. The Buffalo Bayou Preservation Association was so impressed with their

efforts and asked SBS sponsors to consider making the bayou cleanup

a regular Interim Term course.

68 Eagle


A l u m n i u p d A t e sA l u m n i u p d A t e s

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1989C L A S S A G E N T S––––––––––––––––––––

lEsliE [email protected]

sABrinA morGAn [email protected]

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1990C L A S S A G E N T S––––––––––––––––––––donny Ford

[email protected]

tishA hArPEr [email protected]

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1991C L A S S A G E N T S––––––––––––––––––––

lEsliE stivEr [email protected]

Jill mosEs [email protected]

Caedmon’s Call members cliFF younG and dAniEllE GlEnn younG (Class of 1994) recently recorded a new album Raising Up the Dead, which can be purchased on their website: www.caedmonscall.com.

for the Pilates Sports Center of Los Angeles, California, and she owns and operates Pilates and More, LLC in Panama City, Florida. They have one son, John, who is six-years-old and a recent kindergarten graduate. [email protected]

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1994C L A S S A G E N T S––––––––––––––––––––

luciAn [email protected]

PEyton [email protected]

kEith [email protected]

thomAs [email protected]

mArilyn vAn zAndt [email protected]

chris [email protected]

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1992C L A S S A G E N T S––––––––––––––––––––

kristin Johnson [email protected]

lisA rudE [email protected]

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1993C L A S S A G E N T S––––––––––––––––––––

AnnE munGEr FrEEmAn

mErEdith JollEy [email protected]

AmAndA kArEs koch currently lives in Panama City Beach, Florida, where her husband, Travis, is a F-22 pilot stationed at Tyndall Air Force Base. Amanda is a Master Trainer

Alumni Reconnect at Networking Lunches

It was a great season of reconnecting with SBS Alumni. Combined, nearly forty alumni attended both the Houston and Dallas Alumni Lunches this semester.

The Houston Alumni Lunch was held at the Taste of Texas on Thursday, March 31, where alumna lisA hEndEE BlAckArd is now the Executive Chef. Alumni in attendance spanned graduating classes 1994 to 2005, with the greatest representation from the class of 1999. After a blessing by Jeannene Simonton, beloved Bible teacher and mentor to many graduates, alums enjoyed catching up with one another.

rEAGAn o’rEilly (‘97) is enjoying his job with Continental Airlines as a pilot. He stays busy at home with his children, as well as with the planning of a new restaurant endeavor in College Station. kirk crAiG (‘96) works with Agape Ministries, which is located in the Third Ward. He is excited about the blessing of a new building to house the ministry. dEB (‘99) and mikE turnEr (‘98) love life as they balance their photography business with caring for their daughter, Annie. If you see them around, ask to see pictures of Annie in her red chair.

Josh hAllmAn (‘04) is a member of the band Brother of Pearl and just recently finished a full-length album with producer and alumni Josh moorE (‘01). He recently played at the House

of Blues in Houston for the band’s CD release show. Austin FAthErEE (‘96) is busy at work as a Senior Developer at Aqumin, Eric hArtlEy (‘94) is an architect, and ABdul BArAzi (‘99) is a project manager at Ryko Development. Abdul’s younger sister nour BArAzi (‘01) also works with Ryko doing marketing and communications. Their older sister, nisrEEn BArAzi (‘95), resides overseas in Abu Dhabi, with her husband.

The Dallas Alumni Lunch was held at Blue Mesa Grill (Lincoln Park) on Friday, April 8. The first alumnus to stop by was BriAn olEy (‘94), who is currently running for Dallas City Council. Brian couldn’t stay for long, but it was great to catch up. stEPhAniE knAPP dEAn (‘99) is busy with her two boys and lily BAmBrick riEmEr (‘02) with her daughter. Erin lArkin WAtkins (‘00), who is working as an attorney at Haynes and Boone, is also pregnant. tom BroWninG, dAn FinnEll, And rAchEl WAGnEr koPPA (all from the class of ‘96) enjoyed catching up. Tom and Dan stayed for a while as they spoke about their careers. Tom works for the federal government, and Dan is an architect. We almost had a visit from Nurse Fonda Hiers and Coach Mike Hall – hopefully next time.

Lives and careers may change, but one thing stays the same – the connection

each alumni has with Second Baptist School. We love our alumni and will continue to pray for blessings on each family. Special thanks to Becky Larkin, Carol Ware, Christine Oliphant and Jeannene Simonton for your support and investment in our alumni. to connect with the office of Alumni relations please e-mail [email protected].

houston alumni in attendance: Eric Hartley ’94, Austin Fatheree ’96, Kirk Craig ’96, Reagan Fincher ’97, Reagan O’Reilly ’97, Jason Kates ’97, Mike Turner ‘98, Deb Westbrook Turner ’99, Kimberly McInturff Cima ’99, Abdul Barazi ’99, Will Bradley ’99, Jayne Jennings ’99, Carrie Jobe Bowden ’99, Nicole Giraudin Martinez ’99, Ashley Sleeth Walker ’99, Alex Monzon ’99, Nora Ashkar ’02, Lauren Ashkar Baker ’02, Amy Danvers ’03, Adam Selwyn ’03, Joe Blades ’03, Josh Ault ’03, Ashlea Moore Taylor ’03, Josh Hallman ’04, Jonathan McKenzie ’04, Leah Terrell ’05 and Cale Dowell ’05.

dallas alumni in attendance: Brian Oley ’94, Tom Browning ’96, Dan Finnell ’96, Rachel Wagner Koppa ’96, Stephanie Knapp Dean ’99, Erin Larkin Watkins ’00, Lily Bambrick Riemer ’02, Lauren Ashkar Baker ’02 and Melissa Back ’02.



Where Are They Now?

The May/June issue of Southern Lady featured college towns and among them was Oxford, Mississippi, home to The Z, a new bed and breakfast owned by SBS alumni Brittany (‘05) and Annie (‘06) Zeleskey. Soon to be highlighted in VIP Magazine, The Z opened in July of 2010.

“The hardest thing about starting the B&B was having the courage to actually just go for it. We both love Oxford, but we also love Texas so making the decision to stay in Mississippi tore at our hearts. We were in Houston during March 2010 with graduation approaching, and every family dinner discussion revolved around ‘So, what’s next?’” Annie said. “We were all sitting in front of the fireplace at home just watching a game on TV. I was playing on my laptop, and within an hour, I had created a homepage for The Z.”

Ole Miss and B&B’s are Zeleskey family traditions. Brittany and Annie fell in love with Oxford years before when they visited a cousin who was attending Ole Miss. “We could not have been any happier with our decision to attend Ole Miss. So, I guess it was an easy choice for our little sister, Mary Kelley ’09, who is going to be a junior at Ole Miss next year.”

Growing up, the Zeleskey family loved staying in B&B’s, and Annie always said that she wanted to open one–she just never thought it would happen this soon. However, since their parents, Kelley and Lou, recently purchased a cottage in Oxford, the dream seemed much closer to coming true.

In the spring of 2010, Brittany was finishing her masters in accounting, and Annie was finishing her degree in hospitality management. It was the perfect educational match for opening a bed and breakfast. On July 24, 2010, Brittany and Annie opened the doors of The Z to their first clients, a couple celebrating their wedding night.

As good entrepreneurs, the Zeleskey sisters work hard to distinguish their product and go above and beyond to make sure every guest has a memorable experience at

The Z.

“We try our best to greet each new guest personally as they are checking in, and we always have a fresh pitcher of sweet tea with mint from our garden ready for them upon arrival,” Annie said. “Everything we make is from scratch. Our cake tray is never empty, whether it is full of homemade cookies or a lemon ice-box pie. We provide hors d’oeuvres in the evenings as well as a full homemade breakfast. We also do turndown every night and place lavender on each pillow accompanied with a square of white chocolate.”

Brittany and Annie loved SBS. Brittany especially enjoyed being on the very first soccer team at SBS and playing from her first year as a sophomore until her senior year when she was captain. Annie’s favorite memories of SBS were her Interim Term trip to Italy and every Friday night spent cheering at an SBS sporting event plus all of the fun pep rallies. The girls also appreciated the close attention to detail that goes into everything and the love the teachers have for every single student.

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1995C L A S S A G E N T––––––––––––––––––––

mArissA mArinEr [email protected]

kAylAn FindlEy cABAllEro and her husband, Robert, had their first baby on March 10, 2011. His name is Robert Michael Findley Caballero and they will call him Findley.

misty sEssions cloW has been happily married for nine years to Jason Clow and they have two amazing daughters together, Kennedy Grace, who is seven and Addison Faith, who is four. In addition, they opened the doors to their own business, Couture House Rentals, in the summer of 2010 and are celebrating their one-year anniversary this summer. The business has been thriving and they recently wrapped up filming with ABC for a special that will air on their showroom on the Live Well Network this summer. www.couturehouserentals.com

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1996C L A S S A G E N T––––––––––––––––––––

Allison moody [email protected]

the class of 1996 will hold their 15-year reunion on Saturday,

july 23, 2011, in houston. they will have a kid-friendly

luncheon and then an evening event. locations to be determined.

contact allison moody Ballfor details. [email protected]

JAmiE mArtin lumsdEn was married on March 27, 2010, to Joey Lumsden. They just celebrated their first anniversary. They live in Houston where Jamie works for Pfizer pharmaceuticals and Joey is in commercial real estate at Newquest Properties.

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1997C L A S S A G E N T S––––––––––––––––––––

rEAGAn [email protected]

kAty [email protected]

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1998C L A S S A G E N T S––––––––––––––––––––

kElly clAnton [email protected]

mEGhAn [email protected]

rAnd zumWAlt opened his own law practice, Zumwalt Law Group, in October 2010. The firm is based in Austin, Texas and focuses on business and nonprofit law. Rand and his wife, Angela, are celebrating their five-year anniversary this July and are excited about commemorating the event with the expected arrival of a baby boy. Their two-year-old daughter, Ava, is looking forward to welcoming her little brother into the family, but demands that mom and dad bring home a little sister next time.


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1999C L A S S A G E N T S––––––––––––––––––––

lori smith [email protected]

AmAndA skElton [email protected]

BEth [email protected]

mErEdith BruyErE littlE and her husband, Jeff, had their daughter Celia Mae Little on April 30, 2011. She was 7 pounds, 15 ounces and 19 inches. Their two-year-old son Jeffrey loves his new baby sister. Recently, Meredith earned her CPA license, and they are currently living in Madison, Wisconsin.

AnnE ElizABEth EkBlAd completed her B.S. in Cognitive Studies and Child Development from Vanderbilt University’s Peabody College, Magna Cum Laude, in 2003. She received her Master of Library Science (MLS) degree from Texas Woman’s University in 2007 with an emphasis in corporate librarianship. She happily celebrates

five years of employment with ExxonMobil’s Upstream Research Company this June, where she is a Research Librarian in Houston. Outside work, Anne enjoys her role on the young professionals planning committee of Houston Audubon Society, the Night Owls. She is also an active member of the MFAH Art Crowd. She is an art collector, enthusiast of natural health and wellness, and member of St. John the Divine Church.

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2000C L A S S A G E N T S––––––––––––––––––––

christEn BrinGhurst [email protected]

Erin lArkin [email protected]

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2001C L A S S A G E N T S––––––––––––––––––––

rory [email protected]

PEtEr [email protected]

tEn yEAr rEunionThe Class of 2001 held their 10-year reunion in May in Houston. They had a memorable evening of fun that included a fajita dinner, country dancing and a mechanical bull. The following alumni made it out to the reunion, and everyone had a great time.AndrEA littlE GEntlE, JEnniFEr colquitt, John BroWn, kristEn FrizzEll, lindsAy BridGEn cAllison, stEPhAniE PAi FlEck, tAryn hunt

ProlEr, tAylor mcdAniEl, kEEly orr scott, courtnEy knox, hEidi kAshAni, JuliE dAnvErs, lAurA clAnton sEEliG, lizzy liGon, nour BArAzi ABdEEn, PEtEr WArdEn, rory BrEWton, tEmPlE rAmminG, Amy mAlonE, christinA WhitE thomPson, douG WEBstEr, drEW JAckson, John BruyErE, Josh moorE, lAurEn BlAckWood WuErtz, PrEston mundt, rAndi stAnFord, WilliAm PEEPlEs, AnnA BrAdlEy FErGuson, BrAdlEy tAlBErt, cArolyn sAour mohsEnzAdEh, dEBorAh hotzE mcinnEs, Erin JoBE roGErs, GlEn oskin, kAty roArk AdAms, mAry louisE BurchArd BErry, hEAthEr WoBBE And mArGArEt mAGEE dorion.

John BruyErE and his wife Rachel welcomed their first child into the world. Holland William Bruyere was born December 29, 2010, weighing 11 pounds 0.4 ounces. He is a wonderful blessing and a huge bundle of joy. John and Rachel will be moving back to Texas this fall. John has been stationed in Delaware flying C-17’s in the Air Force, but will be transferred to Laughlin AFB in Del Rio, Texas in November. Laughlin AFB is a pilot training base and John will be a flying instructor there, teaching new Air Force officers and the next generation of Air Force pilots. They are looking forward to being closer to home and seeing family and friends more often.


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2002C L A S S A G E N T S––––––––––––––––––––

kristin [email protected]

JAckiE [email protected]

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2003C L A S S A G E N T S––––––––––––––––––––

BrAdlEy [email protected]

mAry mArGArEt [email protected]

lAurEn GoddArd lEvriEr and timmy lEvriEr are anxiously awaiting the arrival of their triplets. Londyn, Layton, and Lance will be here at the end of July. The LeVriers live in Cinco Ranch where Lauren taught elementary school until now, and Tim does Business Development for Weatherford. They are excited for this crazy journey God has blessed them with.

mErEdith simonton is engaged to Matthew Johnson. Matthew is an attorney in the land department at Anadarko Petroleum Corporation. He graduated from Texas A&M University. Meredith is a UT alumna and currently works as Executive Director at The Citizen Leader Alliance. Meredith and Matthew met through volunteer work with Rodeo Houston. Their wedding is January 14.

Did you know that more than 30 SBS students are children of SBS Alumni? During the fourth annual Second Generation Breakfast, alumni brought their children – who are current SBS students – to enjoy a breakfast and time of fellowship together before the school day began. Many of the second generation children are in the same grade together and had lots to talk about – including the excitement of their upcoming fourth grade program. The alumni enjoyed catching up as well, as they recalled their days as a young student at SBS. They even had the opportunity to visit with some of their beloved former teachers – Carol Ware and Donna Sims.

There was plenty of excitement in the Deacons Parlor during the breakfast, especially when the children opened up their gift bags from the SBS Alumni Office. The children love knowing that they go to the same school that their mom or dad once attended, and they are proud to be second generation students.

SBS Alumni with SBS students in attendance included: David Bolling ‘83, Mary White ‘83, Charles Beall ‘84, Charles Durrett ‘86, Laurie Carl ‘88, Kimberly Thode ‘88, Doug Daniels ‘89, Becca Schwinger ‘89, Scott Sage ‘90, Carrie Holcomb ‘92, Heather Congdon ‘94, and Kirk Craig ‘96.

Alumni Gather at Second Generation Breakfast



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2004C L A S S A G E N T S––––––––––––––––––––

cAsEy [email protected]

rEBEccA [email protected]

dAvid WAdE is a Second Lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps. He applied to Officer Candidate School after graduating from LSU and obtained a specialty in infantry. David has been deployed and is currently in Afghanistan with his men. He has spent the last nine months training his men for the task that has been set for them. David and his wife, Ally, were married this past December. They would both appreciate prayers that cover David and his entire platoon.

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2005C L A S S A G E N T S––––––––––––––––––––roBErt doty

[email protected]

ElizABEth [email protected]

kristinA cArrillo BucArAm was recently seen on Great Day Houston with host Debra Duncan. She talked about the importance of eating whole, fresh, ripe, raw and living foods. Check out her company website: www.rawfullyorganic.com

stEFAniE currEy litzlEr married John Litzler on May 29, 2011, at Briscoe Manor in Richmond, Texas. SBS Alumni in attendance included JEnniFEr currEy (1999), nAthAn dElAno (2004), PAtrick cAddou (2004), AnniE WilliAms (2005), lEAh tErrEll (2005), ElizABEth suFFiEld (2005), and scott tErrEll (2011). The cake was beautifully designed in the shape of the UT Tower, standing 4 feet tall, and had the delicious flavor of burnt orange velvet. After the wedding, Stefanie and John headed off to Hawaii for their honeymoon.

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2006C L A S S A G E N T S––––––––––––––––––––JEnny lonG

[email protected]

Brooks [email protected]

sEliEcE [email protected]

hAylEy cAlhoun and JAck BEAuchAmP are engaged to be married on Saturday, November 26, 2011. Both are 2010 Baylor University graduates. Jack is employed at Salesforce.com in San Francisco and Hayley is employed as an Assistant Buyer for Women’s Athletic Apparel at Academy in Houston. After they marry, the couple will live in San Francisco.

Over 30 current SBS students gathered together for an Alumni “Lunch and Learn” about fashion and design. AuBrEy hunsAkEr and kAthrinE zErEn, both graduates from the Class of 2004, flew in to address the students. During lunch, Aubrey and Kathrine took turns talking about the path that led each of them to a career in fashion. Upon graduation from SBS, Aubrey moved to Missouri to attend Washington University in St. Louis, where she studied Fashion and Apparel Design. While in college, she actively pursued a variety of internships, one of which was in New york City for the fashion line Milly. She is now a Concept Designer at Fossil Inc. in Dallas. Her position involves researching current trends and looking for future ones. Styling for web photography, finding vintage items to promote and sell, and updating the creative Fossil blog are additional perks to her job. Kathrine Zeren studied Apparel Design at Rhode Island School of Design. She, too, took part in many internship opportunities, two in New york City, one in Istanbul and another in Philadelphia, which led to her current career. As Associate Designer at Abercrombie & Fitch, Kathrine oversees the design and product development of classic and fashion shirting. She also researches trends and has been sent to Round Top and Boston to do so. In addition, she has taken trips to Hong Kong to look for new fabrics and visit the factories that make her designs. One of her designs has already been featured in a national fashion magazine. Currently, Kathrine lives in Columbus, Ohio. “I enjoyed hearing about all the jobs that exist in the fashion industry. It’s not just about the designers, but there’s an entire team of people involved in the design process. Hearing Aubrey and Kathrine inspired me to look into the business side of the fashion industry,” said Junior Emily Harvin. Both Aubrey and Kathrine thanked Ms. Parker for all she taught them during their time as art students, and especially for her help with their college portfolios. After lunch, they enjoyed catching up with other teachers on campus including Mitzi Sisk, Becky Larkin, Carol Ware, and Christine Oliphant. “It was great for our students to meet two amazing alums who, through hard work and dedication, landed jobs they love and still maintained their friendship. It was a blessing to have them back on campus,” said Nora Ashkar (‘02), Upper School Art and Photography Teacher.

Alumni “Fashion & Design” Lunch and Learn



rAquEl rEEs recently graduated from Texas A&M University and currently works at Heartlight Ministries in Hallsville, Texas. Heartlight is a year round residential treatment facility for troubled teenagers, ages 13-18. Raquel lives in a cabin with 17 teenage girls dealing with self-harm, depression, suicide ideation, drug abuse, attachment disorders, social problems, and defiance disorders. The girls receive onsite counseling once a week and are involved in campus activities every day with all residents on campus. It is a Christ-centered facility, and the staff at Heartlight is there because of their love for Christ and teenagers. It is Heartlight’s hope that because of the love of Jesus the teenage girls see in the staff members, they will come to know Christ’s love for themselves.

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lExy BEnnEtt, University of Texas first baseman, is among the 25 finalists for the USA Softball Collegiate Player of the year. Lexy leads the Big 12 with a .465 batting average.

dAniElE WhitE is currently a nursing student at Texas A&M University and went on a summer mission trip to Bolivia, where she assisted with medical relief to indigent Indians.

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AnnABEl FoWlEr has made history at Cornell University as the first woman to be elected as Senior Class President. Recently, Annabel was also publicly recognized as one of 18 Cornell women – including faculty, administration, and students – for Outstanding Work to Advance Women in honor of the 100th Anniversary of International Women’s Day.

BrAdlEy hAvArd was chosen by the President of The University of Texas at Dallas as one of the five students to speak at the commencement ceremonies. Bradley received his Bachelor of Science in Computer Science from the Erik

Jonsson School of Engineering and Computer Science and is a software development engineer with Microsoft living in Seattle.

cAitlin hErrinG is currently attending the Fashion Institute of Technology in New york City. She was featured in a segment on The Nate Berkus Show on January 7, which toured her New york City apartment that she decorated completely on her own. Caitlin will be interning at High Fashion Home in Houston this summer.

lAurEn o’donnEl graduated from The University of Texas at Austin McCombs School of Business with a Bachelor of Business Administration in Marketing. She is currently working at Apex Systems, Inc. as a Recruiter Management Trainee.

lEsliE hErrinG studied journalism, writing, health and exercise science at The University of Oklahoma. She has worked as an editorial intern for The Brides of Oklahoma magazine and is currently working in New york City for The Knot, doing research and writing for the “Real Weddings” section.



On Thursday, April 21, alumni, former directors, parents, faculty, and fans gathered to celebrate 25 years of musical memories at Second Baptist School.

The evening was a remarkable one – great food, great fellowship and, of course, great entertainment.

The program kicked off with alumnus GrEG loosEr (1987), who started it all as Professor

Harold Hill in the School’s first musical production of

Music Man in 1986. The Hankamer Chapel was where it all began with a small but talented cast. Not long after, the musicals moved to the gym (aka the theater), then on to The Hobby Center’s Zilkha Hall. After a look back at some of the posters, programs and people that made SBS musical history, Looser introduced seven alums to the stage to re-live seven magical moments from their time at SBS.

The first distinguished alumnus was non-other than cliFF younG (1991), who performed in Bye Bye Birdie, Oklahoma and South Pacific. young asked Cindy Blades to join him on the stage and informed the audience that Blades introduced him and his wife, dAniEllE GlEnn younG (1994), through the musical Bye Bye Birdie. young chose to sing, “Put on a Happy Face” to Blades, the same song he sang to Danielle when she was only in the seventh grade.

BEccA kirk schWinGEr (1989) took the stage next, stepping back into her role as Rosie Alvarez to sing “Spanish Rose” from Bye Bye Birdie. Schwinger also performed in Music Man, Sound of Music and Oliver. Her son, Charley Schwinger, a current Kindergarten student at SBS, made his acting debut this year in South Pacific.

Josh hAllmAn (2004) is no stranger to the stage. Hallman has been playing his fiddle for all types of audiences since he was young. While at SBS, Hallman performed in Annie Get Your Gun, Bye Bye Birdie, Oklahoma and Fiddler on the Roof. To start things off, he played his fiddle and then sang “If I Were A Rich Man,” a song he sang as the main character, Tevye, in Fiddler on the Roof.

ABdul BArAzi (1999), known best for his role as Don Lockwood in Singing in the Rain, brought smiles to the faces of everyone in the audience as he re-lived that memorable moment when rain (yes, rain) appeared on the stage while he sang, “Singing in the Rain.” Barazi performed in six musicals while at SBS: The King and I, Guys and Dolls, Li’l Abner, Crazy for You, Godspell and Singing in the Rain.

drEW JAckson (2001) amazed audiences as the lead male in two of his four musicals at SBS. He was Professor Harold Hill from Music Man and Frank Butler from Annie Get Your Gun. His beautiful female counterparts were ElizABEth JEnsEn (2001), who played Marian Paroo, and kEEly orr scott (2001), who played Annie Oakley. Jackson took the audience back to the evening on the bridge when he serenaded Jensen with “Till There Was you.”

cAlE doWEll (2005) was a fan favorite. During his time at SBS, he performed in Bye Bye Birdie, Oklahoma, Fiddler on the Roof and 42nd Street. Dowell came a long way from his role as Angry Child #2 in Bye Bye Birdie and Mountain Man in Oklahoma. He ended his musical career as Motel in Fiddler on the Roof and then Bert Barry in 42nd Street. Dowell chose to perform “Miracle of Miracles” from his Fiddler on the Roof days.

lAurA GoldmAn BEnEdict (1992) traveled all the way from Dallas, leaving her husband with their five girls, to be at the celebration. Benedict was the lead female in both South Pacific and My Fair Lady. She took the audience back to her time as Eliza Doolittle with a beautiful rendition of “Wouldn’t It Be Loverly.”

Of course, none of the productions at SBS would have ever made it to the stage without the direction of some very talented people. A big “THANK yOU” to all the directors, choreographers, set designers, prop organizers, costume creators, dinner providers, hair stylists, make-up helpers and everyone else that poured blood, sweat and tears into each and every show. Special guests included: Donnie Page, Amy Stockwell, Cindy Blades, Jason Mangels, Jim Sparks, David and Dianna Bolling, Claire Westmoreland, Linda Evans and Amanda Raska Thorin.

A special tribute for Jim Sparks honored his 10 years with SBS. During his time, Sparks inspired many students, pouring his heart and soul into everything he did. Sparks truly loved his students and his students loved him back. The evening was more special because it was also his birthday. As Sparks stood at the front of the stage, the audience sang “Happy Birthday” to him.

The evening ended with a sneak peek of the 2011 musical, South Pacific.

alumni children perform in SouTh PaCifiC The Second Baptist School musical production at the Hobby Center brought the SBS musical tradition full circle as two children of SBS musical and drama alumni made their stage debuts. Caroline Bolling and Charley Schwinger carried on their families’ dramatic and musical traditions as the children of Emile De Becque in South Pacific. Cindy Blades, director of South Pacific, also directed Caroline’s and Charley’s parents David Bolling and Becca Schwinger in multiple plays and musicals when they attended Second Baptist School.

“Having these children in this 25th anniversary year is particularly special. These children reflect our past and represent what the future holds for this school,” Mrs. Blades said.

dAvid BollinG performed in some of the first SBS productions as an upper school student: Our Town, Cheaper by the Dozen and The Wizard of Oz, and his wife, Dianna who taught at SBS has been highly involved in several productions as vocal coach. She enjoyed the opportunity to coach their daughter. Caroline, who just completed second grade at SBS, played Ngana.

BEccA schWinGEr, who played the role of Eulalie MacKechnie Shin in Music Man, was delighted to see her SBS Kindergarten son Charley play the role of Jerome.

“It is amazing to me to see how far this program in our school has come over the years. I am thrilled that my son gets to be involved in this show, and I hope it is the birth of a love for theater and music for him. To have him work with Cindy Blades and be a part of this show is so special for me,” Becca said.

SBS Celebrates 25 Years of Musicals

82 Eagle

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the last wordby SBS parent, Cedric Burgher

ith our fourth (and last) child transitioning from SBS to college this year, it is time for a little reflection and celebration in the Burgher family. We must certainly celebrate the fact that each of our children was well prepared for the academic rigors facing them in college. Worth more than that are the great friendships that we all made with like-minded Christians at SBS. But probably the greatest blessings for us are the spiritual nuggets and underpinnings that came as part of Second Baptist School’s Christ-centered approach to education. Why would we want a Christ-centered education for our children? Weren’t Daniel and Moses educated in pagan schools? As readers of the Eagle, you may have asked these questions and have come to the same conclusions we did. Nevertheless, allow me to take a minute to explain why we chose SBS for our family nine years ago.

Second Baptist School’s mission is to train students in areas of knowledge that will allow them to understand clearly, to think deeply, to judge wisely, and to have the courage to live their lives on the great principles and convictions of biblical truth as they engage an innovative and digitally-based global community. I understand that our biblical mandate as parents is to teach our children in the instruction of the Lord. I also believe that all truth is God’s truth, meaning there is no other source for truth that is not already more perfectly known by God. It therefore follows that academic training is in essence an attempt to convey a better understanding of God’s creation to the next generation, and further, that it is best accomplished if God and His revealed Word are at the foundation of and woven into all classes and activities.

Our hope, prayer and belief when we came to SBS was that it would help us train our children in the ways of the Lord by providing a Christ-centered education. SBS has many, many fine attributes, but its attempt to integrate biblical truth and learning is what sets it apart from almost every other school we considered. This is without a doubt Second Baptist School’s greatest distinctive and at the core of why we chose it for our family.

While intellectual development pales in comparison to spiritual training, it is nevertheless very important. I’ve always heard the academic end product is more about the student than the teacher but I’m not sure how accurate that is. Regardless, our first-hand experience is the following: All four of our kids were/are able to attend excellent colleges (Vanderbilt, Georgia, TCU and Texas). We now have two college graduates (Ced – SBS class of ’05 and Jack – SBS class of ’06), and they both graduated in four years with excellent marks. Claire (SBS class of ’09) just completed her sophomore year at TCU majoring in nursing and is still receiving academic scholarship money. Abby (SBS class of ’11) will attend UT this fall, and we are confident that she will thrive in her studies there. While all have not yet crossed the academic finish line, we obviously now have good visibility into the results. SBS did an outstanding job helping our kids get entrance into great schools and equipping them to succeed once they got there.

On behalf of the Burgher family, we are forever grateful to the wonderful Christian teachers, coaches and administration at SBS. May God richly bless this school for generations to come.

“Choose this day whom you will serve... but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” Joshua 24:15o

Seniors 2011

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Parents of AlumniIf this magazine is addressed to a graduate who no longer maintains a permanent address at your home, please notify the SBS Alumni Office by fax (713) 365-2355, phone (713) 365-2310 or email [email protected]. Please forward this edition of the Eagle on to your SBS graduate. Thank you.

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Summer Eagle 2011