Window 2015

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IN THIS ISSUEPRESBYTERIAN SCHOOL 5300 Main Street Houston, Texas 77004 www.pshouston.org BOARD OF TRUSTEES Kim Clark Lisa Coleman, Secretary Nora Dobin Julie Harris Sharon Henry, Treasurer Laura Higley Ace Holley Brock Hudson Jane Joplin Mary Knapp Bill Lee Lea Aden Lueck Andrew McFarland Sam Murray, Vice Chairman Adam Peakes Taylor Reid Jamey Rootes Judy Stanley Claudia Stewart, Chairman Patrick Trask Tim Williamson Ex-Officio Members Reverend Dr. Jim Birchfield, FPC Pastor Dr. Mark Carleton, Headmaster ACADEMIC LEADERSHIP Dr. Mark Carleton, Headmaster Janet Fox, Academic Dean Christy Heno, Philip Cannon, Head of Middle School THE WINDOW Editor: Andrea Lawless Design: Lizzie Voss

Contributors: Frances Boswell Cristina Cox A special thank you to the alumni and parents who contributed to this magazine. We have made every effort to ensure the accuracy of the printed information. Please send alumni updates or corrections to Lizzie Voss, Communications & Development Associate, at 713.620.6354 or [email protected].

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FAMILY, SCHOOL AND CHURCH

UNITED IN THE EDUCATION AND SUPPORT

OF EACH CHILD.

Head of Early Childhood/Lower School

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OUR VISION OF TOMORROWIn this year’s Window, we focus on Presbyterian School’s Strategic Vision for the Future through the lens of our graduates’ diverse stories of accomplishment. There really is no better way to share the School’s exciting plans than in the context of the lives of our talented alumni because the PS experience is so much more than what happens through the eighth grade; it’s about what happens through a lifetime. In the pages of this magazine, you’ll read about some of those lifetimes and about how the mission, mantra, and values of this good place continue to shape the stories, the choices, and the character of our students into high school, college, and beyond.

On some of these pages, you’ll encounter young people engaged with the world and how it functions. Undaunted by difficult questions, PS graduates use words like confidence and curiosity over and over again to describe how our school prepared them to interact with a dynamic and interesting world. These two qualities, prized at every grade level at PS, set our graduates up for lives of inquiry, promise, and fulfillment.

Other pages here will recount how our teachers help their students to recognize and develop God-given talents on their journeys toward identifying the vocation to which God is calling them. What better evidence of this vocational emphasis than the stories our graduates tell about the impact their teachers here have had on their lives. These talented professionals—literally, the School’s greatest assets—are modeling the sort of passion and meaning that inspire our students to achieve while living good lives rather than merely making good livings.

Finally, you’ll read compelling accounts of how a PS education can be transformational in students’ lives. Empowered by the Holy Spirit, young people should leave us emboldened to be Christ’s hands and feet in the world, working with others for justice, freedom, and peace. This year’s Window is replete with stories of just these sorts of activities. From gap years in Africa to teaching English in Chile to working at a day center for adults with Alzheimer’s, our graduates are serving our Core Values in bold and lasting ways.

Since its founding twenty-six years ago, Presbyterian School has promoted an education that values information and inquiry, that encourages each student’s personal best, and that nurtures servant leadership. Our Strategic Vision for the Future, laid out in the pages that follow, focuses on further developing these elements of our program to ensure the best possible future for our graduates. However, as the stories in this year’s Window also tell us, it is the more fundamental work of guiding our students’ souls that matters most to them . . . especially as they move with confidence and curiosity into their own communities throughout the world. Dr. Mark Carleton Headmaster

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HOW HAS OUR VISION DEVELOPED?

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Our mission at Presbyterian School is countercultural. We truly believe that the partnership among Family, School, and Church is foundational and that collaborative “support and education of each child” can be transformational as well. While the world around us doesn’t always support this belief, the proof of its power and impact rests in our students—past and present—who live out our Core Values in lasting and meaningful ways and who consistently embody our mantra of “Confidence in every Child.”

Upon this foundation have been built the hallmarks of Presbyterian School: we are dedicated to knowing, loving, and challenging each child in our midst, and we are committed to recognizing and cultivating confidence in those children as individuals. For the last two years, we have been considering the following three essential questions as we have planned for the exciting future of our school:

• What makes Presbyterian School exceptional? • What will Presbyterian School need to do in the coming years to make absolutely sure that our youngest students entering today will be well-prepared to learn and lead upon their graduation in more than a decade? • How can Presbyterian School continue to thrive in the midst of constant and disruptive change that seems to characterize our culture and particularly the educational milieu?

With these questions in mind, members of every constituency of the School have collaborated with national consultants who helped us think strategically and comprehensively about our mission, our program, our place, and our future. We are proud to share the results of these collaborations as we present our Strategic Vision for the Future in this magazine. The pages that follow highlight the four main sections of this Vision:

(1) Mission in Action (2) Our Urban Campus (3) Strategic Expansion (4) Sustaining our Future

As we have developed our Strategic Vision, one reality emerged as a critical and distinguishing theme for our School. What sets Presbyterian School apart are not merely our high standards of intellectual inquiry and the resultant achievement of our students, but also the School’s firm and distinct Christian foundation and the accompanying moral probity of our graduates. The Leadership of the School celebrates the consensus within our community not only to preserve and protect these foundational elements of our identity, but also to extend them into our promising and limitless future.

IN THE HEART OF HOUSTON, WE ARE THE DESTINATION FOR FAMILIES WHO SEEK A CHRIST-CENTERED COMMUNITY THAT INSPIRES PERSEVERANT LEADERS AND SERVANTS TO GROW IN BELIEF AND UNDERSTANDING, WISDOM BEYOND KNOWLEDGE, CHARACTER ABOVE ACCOMPLISHMENT, AND

CONFIDENCE TO LAST A LIFETIME.

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WHAT ARE OUR OPPORTUNITIES TO ADVANCE THE HEART OF OUR VISION, OUR MISSION, AND OUR CORE VALUES?

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BROOKE JENKINS Presbyterian School: 2008 - 2011Houston Christian High School: 2011 - 2015Samford University: 2015

Presbyterian School will welcome families who seek active involvement in a singularly transformative community where Family, School, and Church are united in the education and support of each Child.

Strategic Branding Process We will intentionally and proactively build the

PS Brand. We have developed a distinctive position in the marketplace that is characterized by our Core Values. Since brands are built from the inside out, we will enhance our brand strength by consistently demonstrating our values through the habits of our people. Leading edge research tools will help us gain a deeper understanding of the specific wants, needs and expectations of our key audiences. With this understanding, we will deliver on a promise that creates brand advocates in the community and that encourages brand advocate behaviors among all constituencies. All of our communications, through a variety of vehicles, will reflect our core principles, unique advantages and commitment to excellence.

Servant Leadership We will continue to promote leadership, core

values, and service through a program that integrates Scriptural truths, research from child development, and ideas from literature and history. Active partnerships with neighborhood institutions such as First Presbyterian Church (FPC), the Nehemiah Center, the Emergency Aid Coalition, Star of Hope, Main Street Ministries, and more, will allow us to fortify the hearts and minds of our children by reminding them that they are Christ’s hands and feet in a needy world.

PS/FPC Family University In partnership with First Presbyterian

Church, we will explore the feasibility of creating a coordinated, in-house counseling and referral center that offers parents information and resources to enhance the education and support of families and children. Family University will attract leading scholars, teachers, and researchers to our campus in the areas of parenting, family systems, family and school connections, progressive education, and other topics.

1A defining moment in Brooke’s life came the summer before her junior year. She was selected to be a part of Elevate, Gordon College’s leadership lab program, which develops high school juniors and seniors into future leaders by having them address social problems. Brooke worked on a project plan for Agape Development Ministries in Houston to help kids in the Third Ward realize a successful future through better education. As one of Elevate’s top five plans Brooke received a financial grant for Agape. Through Elevate Brooke had the opportunity to learn from many of the nation’s current leaders and shares, “this was a great experience to work with a group of people to develop leadership skills while solving real world problems.”

In addition to her experience at Elevate, Brooke attributes PS for developing her leadership skills. “PS taught me how to communicate with adult leaders and peers… And did a great job of making sure I was ready to go off into something new.” At Houston Christian, Brooke was instrumental in beginning the first chapter of Young Life. Brooke was also a Student Ambassador and the Chaplain for both her basketball team and Young Life organization.

Brooke’s influence has extended beyond HCHS to several mission trips, including two this year to Latvia and Nicaragua. In Latvia, she coordinated Vacation Bible School and in Nicaragua she led and facilitated activities for her HCHS classmates. Both trips taught her that leadership is about action and not position. Brooke is motivated to be a servant leader and shares, “I know that God has called me to help lead younger people to Christ and I love knowing that through me God is working.”

Brooke’s advice to current PS students: “Enjoy every moment of your next few years. Try new things and take opportunities that come your way. Middle school and high school will fly by, so enjoy these moments while they last.”

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HOW DO WE TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE NUMEROUS COMMUNITY RESOURCES THAT SURROUND US?

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Presbyterian School, rooted at First Presbyterian Church will embrace and engage preeminent and culturally diverse neighboring institutions on an urban campus that promotes transformative learning.

Neighborhood Partnership Initiative We will continue to seek out ways to leverage our

unique location and mission as we establish academic and service partners, define key relationships, prioritize and assign development of these relationships, and execute our priorities with sustainable intent over time.

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A TRANSFORMATIVE EXPERIENCEAt Presbyterian School, we partner with world-renowned institutions to give our students a first person perspective of the world around them. Our students are immersed with opportunities to engage in stimulating and meaningful experiences on our campus and in our Museum District neighborhood. Instead of hopping on a plane for a twelve-hour flight to Germany, students simply walk across the street to the Holocaust Museum to hear a personal testimony. Experiences like this have transformed our students experience with schooling and their expectations for learning. Now more than ever, our alumni have a keen desire to be in the world and to experience life first-hand. This past year two PS alumni, Sophia Skelly and Foster Corrigan, took a gap year to travel and work overseas to learn and gain more perspective. They’ve taken time to share their adventures with us.

SOPHIA SKELLYPresbyterian School: 2005 - 2010Kinkaid School: 2010 - 2014Colorado College: 2015

What inspired you to take a gap year?In my family taking a gap year is a norm. Both my older brothers took a year off before college. My grandma loves to tell the story of my dad heading off to Ireland right after high school graduation. As his friends headed to the beach; my dad hopped on a flight to Ireland, carrying a change of clothes

and his beloved bicycle. My mom lived in Africa for two years and has done a fair share of traveling herself. Taking a year to travel and explore the world around me (as well as within me) felt very natural. What have you done during your gap year? Last summer, I backpacked through Europe with three friends and traveled to seven different countries. We stayed in hostels and with family friends, visited lots of museums and explored many a city on bike.

In the fall, I went to India. I visited ten different cities in the northern part of the country. My travels included a four day hike in the foothills of the Himalayas, a week long stay in an ashram along the Ganga in Rishikesh where I did yoga, meditated, and learned a lot about the Yogic Path and a few days at Deer Park Institute learning about Buddhism. My time in India concluded with ten days at the Dharmalaya Institute for compassionate living where I learned about sustainability and permaculture. In the spring, I spent two months in Costa Rica volunteering for Costas Verdes, a reforestation project. Following that, I went to Nicaragua and took Spanish classes for a month at La Universidad Centroamericana. Share a highlight from your gap year.One of the biggest highlights has been a growing awareness of the world outside West University and the humility and gratitude that have bloomed from that awareness. My sense of gratitude deepens with each new place I travel to, each new person I meet. I feel dumbfounded at the luxury of my life . . . the luxury of choices. Just the other day I talked to a student in Managua about her responsibilities

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and aspirations, which often seem to clash. She just spent four years studying international relations, only to find out that it’s virtually impossible to work in foreign policy if your family isn’t already involved in government. She also expressed interest in working abroad, but quickly admitted it wasn’t a possibility because she was the eldest daughter, and she was responsible for taking care of her parents. I nodded and took a sip of my coffee, feeling ashamed of myself. I have the ability to be or become anything or anyone I wish. My country and my parents have provided me with all the tools I could possibly need. And for that I am incredibly grateful, every day.

What have you learned? In America, we are so far removed from the effects of our consumption. When I was growing up, I never thought twice about our waste. Every Tuesday

morning we put a few black bags in front of our house, and every afternoon they would be gone. I didn’t see anything wrong with the mass amount of waste we created daily; I considered it normal. In India, I came face to face with the reality of trash: it doesn’t go away. As I wandered the streets of Calcutta, I walked straight through

clouds of acrid smoke from the piles of burning trash. It was then that I realized how permanent all the plastic and packaging is. Whether it’s choking our water-ways or our children’s airways… it’s doing harm. Although the lessons I’ve learned during my year of travel are endless, the one that has affected me on a very deep level is the urgent need for a societal change when it comes to waste.

Looking back, how did Presbyterian School prepare you?I had a lot of awesome teachers at Presbyterian that encouraged my curiosity and supported me when I had trouble with certain topics. Presbyterian gave me confidence and curiosity; two characteristics essential for traveling.

Do you have any advice for current PS students? I read this quote in a New York Times article. “How can I match my intrinsic talent with one of the world’s deep needs?” Everyone has something to contribute. Don’t worry about what you want to do in the future. I’m a strong believer that if you’re curious and hardworking, opportunities will open up for you. Matching your natural talents to a job is a lot easier than trying to change to fit someone else’s expectations.

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FOSTER CORRIGANPresbyterian School: 2007 - 2010Strake Jesuit: 2010 - 2014University of Texas at Dallas: 2015

What inspired you to take a gap year?I wanted to see the world and mature a bit before I headed off to choose what I was going to do for the rest of my life. I felt I needed perspective on the world before I made that jump into a university. I decided to go to Lilongwe, Malawi, a small sliver of a country in

between Zambia and Mozambique. I have been working in Lilongwe at a pediatric HIV clinic. During my past year here in Malawi I have created a program and curriculum that teaches computer literacy courses to both kids and staff who go to the clinic.

What have you learned?I have really enjoyed seeing the result of my work here in Africa. It is amazing to be able to see the seeds that you personally sow come to fruition. I have grown exponentially more independent and confident. With this experience under my belt, I feel like I can take on the world.

What are your future aspirations?Through my time in Africa, I’ve discovered that I am interested in working with a non-governmental organization (NGO) in the future. I know I want to do something related to service. In the fall, I plan to attend University of Texas in Dallas. I have not figured out a specific avenue of study yet, but my work has definitely helped me discover a direction that I want to pursue. Whatever I end up doing, whatever major I end up choosing in college, I know that I want to use my knowledge and skill set to help those in need. That, for now at least, is all the direction I need to keep me moving forward.

Looking back, how did Presbyterian School prepare you?Presbyterian had a big emphasis on service to others and that was a large reason why I chose to attend the School. I think that Presbyterian really helped me realize that I can actually do something to change this world for the better. PS prepared me well for the world and helped me gain independence.

Do you have any advice for current PS students?The world is a giant place full of amazing places. Don’t be afraid to explore it.

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Comprehensive Campus Master Plan Working in close partnership with First

Presbyterian Church and the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, we will conduct a campus needs assessment and planning study of our Main Campus and Outdoor Education Campus for these purposes: (1) to realize a compelling campus master plan as well as attractive, state-of-the art facilities to achieve our program goals and promote our mission (2) to insure that the School has adequate partnering opportunities with First Presbyterian Church and the Museum of Fine Arts. Our campus master plan will consider space for new STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics) initiatives with local museums and universities; collaborative gallery and performance spaces for student and community artists; and new innovation and design labs to promote critical and creative thinking among all students. Working with a variety of partners, we will assess the readiness and resources required to realize our strategic thinking, with careful attention to cost and value.

Capital Campaign Feasibility Study We will explore the feasibility to fund and

sustain the campus developments and expansion detailed in the campus master plan.

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IN THE HEART OF THE CITY

The School forms part of an archipelago of the arts and academia in the heart of Houston’s vibrant Museum District. These institutions (and more) serve as partners and resources for the School to offer an unparalleled independent school education to each student.

The Alley Theatre The Asia Society The Children’s Museum Contemporary Arts Museum The Emergency Aid Coalition The Glassell School of Art Harris County Courthouse The Health Museum Hermann Park Hobby Center for the Performing Arts The Holocaust Museum The Houston Aquarium Houston Center for Contemporary Craft Houston Center for Photography Houston City Hall Houston Grand Opera The Houston Museum of Natural Science

The Houston Zoo Jesse H. Jones Hall for the Performing ArtsThe Jung Center Lawndale Art CenterMacGregor Elementary School Main Street Theater The Medical Center The Menil Collection The Miller Outdoor Theatre The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston Musiqa The Nehemiah Center NRG Center & Stadium Rice University Rothko ChapelUniversity of St. ThomasWortham Theater CenterWriters in the Schools

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WHAT IS THE RIGHT ENROLLMENT SIZE, LOCATION AND SHAPE OF OUR CAMPUS TO CARRY OUT OUR MISSION?

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Presbyterian School, a Christ-centered learning community focused on the mind, body, heart, and soul of each child, will cultivate confident, critical, and creative thinkers who serve, lead, and learn within and beyond the walls of the School

Strategic Enrollment Plan We will plan campus needs from a data-driven perspective. As

part of this planning exercise, we will establish a series of benchmarks to accommodate growth over the next five years, considering museum construction, Church programming, and planned school growth. While our current class sizes in Early Childhood and Lower School are aligned with peer schools, we recognize that PS is known for being a more “high-touch” and intimate program where our teachers know, love, and challenge their students. With this understanding we seek to add classes over the course of the succeeding three years in an effort to accommodate current demand for our program. These additional sections will allow us to shrink class sizes, giving our teachers even more opportunities to connect with our eager learners.

Grade Level and Divisional Re-Alignment We will investigate realigning the School along three new

divisions to allow our learners to move seamlessly on a continuum, beginning with deep and rich learning of foundational academic skills and culminating with independent creation of new knowledge and understandings. Each division will have its own leadership, faculty and staff, and space, ensuring that our culture of intimate challenge and confidence in every child characterizes each family’s experience.

Beta - Grade 2: Foundational Skills Three sections at each grade level will be immersed in the core skills of reading, writing, mathematics and problem solving. Basic foundational skills will be emphasized utilizing many vital and engaging tools of learning. Grades 3 - 5: Project-Based Learning Creative and cutting-edge project-based learning will build on the core foundations promoted in the earlier grade levels. More intentional connections with technology and neighborhood partners will encourage project-based assessments and allow students to own their learning more actively. Grades 6 - 8: Life Prep Preparing students for the discipline of high school and fostering personal growth and independence, challenging core area classes will be complemented by integrated electives and compelling works of individual research that prepare students for high school, college, and beyond.

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PS ExtensionsWith community input, we will design and provide high-impact and valuable services beyond the school day that are unique

and fulfill a need for PS families before and after school.

Teacher DevelopmentWe will intentionally invest in every teacher, every year by promoting a culture of continuous learning that affords our

teachers autonomy and accountability while challenging them to seek mastery and purpose. We will explore opportunities to enhance our professional learning communities including: (1) attracting experts in various fields to join staff on an adjunct basis (2) encouraging PS teachers to seek creative challenges that yield demonstrable changes to their teaching (3) exploring the feasibility of establishing a global partnership in school planting that will be an extension of our servant leadership vision and expand PS teachers’ and students’ understanding of the world

ANNE HEREFORD Presbyterian School Teacher 1990 - 1991, 1992 - 1995, 1998 - present

Students are not the only ones who have to learn how to trust and take risks. Teachers are confronted with this day in and day out. Do they follow the path of educators who have gone before

them or do they forge a new path for a new generation? Are the tools that served the last decade of education the same tools to use in the next ten years of education?

These questions and more are ones that fourth grade Language Arts teacher, Ms. Anne Hereford, wrestled with for several years. As one of Presbyterian

School’s founding faculty members, Ms. Hereford has watched education evolve over the past twenty-five years.

When she first began as an early childhood teacher, Ms. Hereford received much of her direction from Head of School, Betty Baxter, who had a tremendous knowledge of early childhood development and best practices. Knowledge was passed down from the Head of School to the teacher to the student. As a young educator, Ms. Hereford envisioned her role as a teacher with a clipboard checking off items on a list. There was a formula for education, and students could be fit into that formula. Classrooms were arranged with rows of desks facing a chalkboard. The teacher’s desk was “sacred” space . . . backed into a corner of the room where students, only with permission, were allowed to enter. Lesson plans were a to-do list, and there was pressure to complete every task just as it was planned and written. If something on the teaching

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list wasn’t accomplished, the class was getting “behind.” As Ms. Hereford moved from teaching early childhood to first grade to fourth grade, the collection of novel ideas were stacking up on an ever-growing list of “Things I Wish I Could Do.”

As the pile of “other” ideas soon outnumbered her “current” ideas, Ms. Hereford was confronted with making a choice. Keep doing the same things in her classroom or make a change. Headmaster, Dr. Mark Carleton, and Head of Lower School, Christy Heno, encouraged Ms. Hereford to trust herself, her instincts, her years of experience with children and take a leap of faith. And so she did.

In 2011, Ms. Hereford completely redesigned her classroom, changed the tools she used and shifted the way she interacted with her students.

She began to see her students as individuals, each one with a unique array of abilities, styles, personalities and talents. The burning question in her classroom evolved from “How do I get things done?” to “How do I reach each student? What am I not seeing? How does this student learn?” The focus of her teaching moved from her own agenda to the individual student. Desks were removed, table sizes varied and alternative seating including yoga balls, bean bags, hokki stools and floor seating, became an option. Students could sit under desks, on the floor, sprawled out, with shoes on or off. The teacher’s desk moved into the flow of the room and became easily accessible.

Ms. Hereford shares, “I wanted kids to feel comfortable and be themselves. I didn’t want my room to feel like a ‘classroom’ so kids would take more chances and risks.” This natural and

flexible approach to learning influenced the way students began to work and think. There was no longer only one way to do things. An increase of creativity, ideas, collaboration and flexibility emerged and students learned how to work in different environments. Instead of being the sole conveyor of knowledge, Ms. Hereford became the muse, guide, mediator and coach to her students. “I really want to help kids develop their ideas and instincts and to help them trust themselves and their capabilities. It’s amazing watching the kids realize that they can do something on their own.”

Ms. Hereford and the fourth grade teaching team no longer feel constrained to work within the confines of a certain space or schedule. Their project-based approach to teaching gives them the freedom to reinforce important skills either in one or multiple projects depending upon the class and their interests. Ms. Hereford has embraced the fact that learning is not left solely to pencil, paper and structured subjects. Learning takes place when the kids are actively doing something, thinking critically, and being involved with each other as they react and collaborate with one another’s thoughts and ideas.

Ms. Hereford’s future dream classroom includes a completely flexible space where things can move around in seconds and be completely reconfigured. Why do kids need this? Ms. Hereford asserts, “If you don’t give kids this space and blank canvas to work in, you are limiting their potential and what they could be doing.”

Ms. Hereford’s advice to other teachers: “Be flexible. Don’t be afraid to change your plans in the moment. Give students the opportunity to try something and perhaps fail.”

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SUMAN ATLURI Presbyterian School: 2004 - 2012St. John’s School: 2012 - present

Suman Atluri found his confidence at Presbyterian School. He credits the School for nurturing him to be a more socially minded individual. Suman shares, “I started Presbyterian in the second grade and I got to know everyone at PS very well because of the size of the School. It was easy for me to connect with everyone.” The “high-touch” intimate program of PS helped Suman reach his full potential.

After graduating from PS, Suman

carried his confidence to St. John’s where he quickly met everyone in his grade, students in other grades, teachers and administrators. It soon became apparent that Suman had a passion to lead. “I love to lead. I think that there’s something really special about being able to rally a crowd or a group of people toward one purpose.” Suman was nominated for and attended the Junior National Young Leader’s Conference in Washington D.C., the People to People Leadership Summit at Harvard University, and the Student Diversity Leadership Conference in Washington D.C. Throughout high school, Suman has assumed numerous

positions of leadership. Next year as a senior, he will be the Co-Chair of the Unity Council (Diversity Council), the Co-Chair of Tour Guild (Admissions Association), Co-President of South Asian Affinity Group, and Acolyte Chair of Chapel Guild. Suman is able to lead students in the mission of each of these groups.

Suman is not only accomplished at leading, but also well versed in the arts. He is a member of the St. John’s Chorale, the Upper School’s mixed chorus, as well as Kantorei, the Upper School’s select a cappella chorus. Suman has sung around the world, and has performed at Carnegie Hall in New York City, St. Mark’s Basilica in Venice, St. Peter’s Basilica in The Vatican, and The La Luz Chapel in Taichung, Taiwan, to name a few of the venues. Suman has performed for dignitaries and celebrities including Former First Lady Laura Bush, Annise Parker (Mayor of Houston), and George W. Bush. He has been featured in the Houston Thanksgiving Day Parade as well as briefly on CBS’ The Early Show. Suman has also played piano for ten years, and has given recitals both locally and internationally.

When Suman is not leading or learning, he is serving. Suman found his passion to serve during his time at PS where he was able to volunteer from

High School of the Future Think TankWe will seek out the brightest minds in the local, regional, and national communities to research the ideal design and

characteristics of the future’s most interesting model for high school education. The purposes for this investigation are:

(1) to insure that Presbyterian School’s graduates are receiving the best possible preparation to thrive and lead in the high school programs of tomorrow (2) to assess the necessity and/or feasibility of designing and building our own distinct high school program in the future

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a young age. “At PS I got to see how powerful it was to help someone else who was less fortunate than I was. In fifth grade, we went to the Nehemiah Center about once every month, and I got to form a great relationship with a lot of the kids there. I had so many volunteer opportunities at Presbyterian - Nehemiah, Star of Hope, Bearing Gifts… just to name a few.”

Suman continues to be an avid participant in community service and can always be counted on to serve others. He enjoys his school’s service projects including this year’s project which involved painting and renovating a home for a disabled elderly woman. Next year Suman will serve as the Concession Stand Manager. The Concessions Stand is student-run and all proceeds go to the St. John’s Community Service Program. This summer Suman and five of classmates will participate in the St. John’s Service Trip to Bolivia to teach English to kids at an orphanage.

Outside of school, Suman volunteers at the Veterans Affairs (VA) Hospital. Suman shares, “The VA is really unique

because it only serves veterans. I love working there because everyone that comes has served our country, and they truly do deserve the best care.” Suman has worked over 600 hours in the Eye Clinic and the Operating Room at the VA Hospital over the last three summers. This past year, Suman started his own non-profit organization called Swasthya. The organization sends students to India to help at-risk youth in the country learn about the benefits of living a healthy life. Suman’s organization provides free, interactive, fun, and informative

sessions to kids in grades 6-12. Go to www.creatingahealthierindia.org for more information on his non profit organization. With Suman’s many talents and accomplishments, it is no surprise that he has received high praise at St. John’s. In this year’s Upper School Awards Ceremony, Suman received the 2015 Maverick Award. This is a significant award for St. John’s as it is given to a student who best exemplifies the Precepts and Principles of the St. John’s Family including Care, Courtesy and Consideration, Honesty, Loyalty, Spirited Devotion and Dignity.

After high school, Suman has aspirations to pursue an undergraduate degree in the humanities or business followed by medical school and a Masters in Public Health. He hopes to eventually be a practicing Internist.

Suman’s advice to current PS students: “Get to know your classmates and teachers very well. Unlike a lot of other schools, PS is comfortably small. The size lets you converse with everyone. The friends you make at PS can last the rest of your life. Make sure you make connections with everyone in your grade and also with the faculty. They’re all awesome!”

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WHAT DOES REALIZING OUR FUTURE GOALS AND AMBITIONS MEAN FOR OUR “BUSINESS MODEL?”

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Presbyterian School will promote a culture of engagement, giving, and service in parents, faculty, students, and alumni to ensure that the School has the resources to further its mission and goals.

Strategic Financial PlanningWe will re-envision our long-range financial plan

in order to secure future financial strength and achieve institutional excellence in the midst of a fluid economy. The new plan will be elastic enough to meet the demands of future challenges, demographics, and un-predictabilities and will guarantee the sensible use of capital and annual funds while preserving supervision and growth of the Investment Fund to make the most of its performance.

Develop and Embrace a Culture of PhilanthropyThe need grows for the School to attract additional

revenues to fund its programs. We will connect our discussions of leadership, core values, and service to an overarching definition of philanthropy

for our students and our families through programs that integrate this definition into the curriculum and that recognize, communicate, and elevate servant leadership in students and alumni. We will clearly communicate the funding needs and goals of the School as well as the resources needed to achieve the School’s vision for the future. We will also elevate the Board’s role in creating/leveraging philanthropic opportunities within the greater Houston community.

Enhance, Enlarge, and Engage a Robust Alumni Program

We will continue to mine and mentor our group of alumni not only for the development of future leaders for the School, but also to provide authentic opportunities for graduates to return to and serve the School in rich and lasting ways.

JACK ROGERSPresbyterian School: 2003 - 2011Strake Jesuit: 2011 - 2015Bucknell University: 2015

Jack Rogers’ future began to take shape when he moved to Houston at the age of five. It was a hot summer and all he could think about was getting into the water. Jack’s parents signed him up for a summer swim league at the Briar Club with PS classmates, Dewey Gonsoulin and Peter Cordill. Since that day thirteen years ago, Jack has not stopped swimming, nor has he slowed down in the water.

Year after year Jack has swum faster and faster. As a freshman at Strake, Jack earned MVP, then became a Finalist at 5A Regionals his sophomore, junior and

senior years, while also receiving Strake’s Most Outstanding Swimmer award as a senior. Also in his senior year, Jack won the 200 free at the district meet and broke three Strake records in the 200 free, 400 free relay and 200 medley relay. All three Strake records were over twenty years old!

Jack’s proven agility and speed have earned him national recognition. He competed at the NCSA Junior Nationals in Indianapolis and Orlando and was signed to swim Division 1 Swimming at Bucknell University. He is motivated more than ever to do his best and continue improving his swim times. His drive to succeed has spilled over into the academic arena where he maintains his membership in the National Honor Society.

How does he do it all? Jack shares, “I was very prepared for high school after graduation from PS. I was ahead in Spanish and math. I found I was better prepared for the workload than some of my friends from other schools.” Jack’s future is certainly bright. He plans to study mechanical engineering at Bucknell as well as pursue a business degree.

Jack’s advice to current PS students: “Do not stress out about where you go to high school. You can excel and make friends wherever you go. If you enjoy a certain sport, try to continue in high school. It’s a good way to make friends.”

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WHAT IS YOUR BEST MEMORY FROM YOUR TIME AT PS?

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HOW HAS PS SHAPED WHO YOU ARE TODAY?

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Megan Finkel (Pre-K) My best memory at PS was building a model Globe Theatre in third grade. It was one of the

most fun team construction projects I have yet to partake in. Since then, my fascination with Shakespeare has advanced. PS has shaped me into an independent and creative thinker and a well-rounded individual who loves to learn.

Hallie Krudy (K) One memory that stands out from my years at PS is being part of the fine arts class, Course Through

the Museum District. I love the arts and the class was very interesting. As part of the class we also got to eat at food trucks. Presbyterian has given me a chance to reflect on my opportunities and has taught me core values and life lessons while opening my eyes to worlds outside of the typical middle-class life.

Alexander Landowski (Beta) Without question, the teachers and faculty are the best at PS! All my teachers in each grade

genuinely cared about my education, helped me achieve my goals, pushed me to reach higher, and then at the end were just as happy as I was when I accomplished a seemingly unreachable task. Today, my rewards come from accepting a challenge and succeeding.

Nearly a third of the Class of 2015 are Presbyterian School Lifers… students who have attended the School since their early childhood to kindergarten years.

For many of our Lifers, PS is the only school they have known. They have matured from toddlers to young teenagers in our classrooms and on our playing fields. Their identity and who they are today has been greatly impacted by their time at PS.

After spending nearly a decade within our black and white tiled halls, our Lifers have collected many fond memories. They have taken a moment to share their favorite PS experiences and how Presbyterian School has shaped them to be who they are today. Here are their thoughts and reflections.

CLASS OF 2015 LIFERS

Cabot Barton (K) The best thing about Presbyterian School are the great friends and the great teachers you have.

My favorite memory at PS is my first football game, because even though we lost I was playing with my friends. I will also always remember when I first started PS and Ms. Christou and Ms. Babers taught me how to read. Since then, the School has shaped me into a young adult by teaching me to learn from my mistakes.


Olivia Holley (Alpha) For twelve years, PS has been a second home, and I would not be the person I am today

without my teachers’ guidance and continual belief in me. From alpha to eighth grade I have grown and matured as a person. I have learned to overcome challenges and to never lose sight of my goals. I learned the importance of perseverance and staying true to myself. Presbyterian has prepared me well for the things that lie beyond my education.

Will Keenan (Alpha) My favorite things about PS were the class trips and playing football. The class trips let everyone

get to know each other better outside of school. My favorite year of football was 8th grade because we were all friends and it was our last year together. Presbyterian School has made me a better person both intellectually and spiritually.

Rachel Koch (Beta) My favorite thing about PS is the opportunities that it has provided. My favorite memory was

Cinderella, my very first school musical I watched in Grand Hall. I remember being fascinated with the lights and sets and I couldn’t wait until it was my turn to take part in the musical. From photography class to the musical, PS has shown me different varieties of art and creativity and taught me how to work hard to achieve my goals.

Landon Lueck (Alpha) My favorite thing about PS is the learning style and how much fun we have. The teachers

care about our personal growth. They take time to help and answer questions one-on-one. I will always remember the Globe Theater Project with Mrs. Henricks. PS has taught me to be a person of compassion. The culture of the School teaches you to be nice to everyone by emphasizing core values and service projects.

Emily Moak (Alpha) Presbyterian School’s small size enables everyone to come together and gives us a

sense of closeness and love. The coaches and teachers are so encouraging and have always tried to help me reach my full potential. The School has influenced me to be a strong, loving, perseverant, and self-confident person. Because of my twelve years at PS, I am prepared to be successful in life beyond this school.

Mekaela Murphy (K) PS has shaped me into who I am today through the School’s core values of Respect, Integrity,

Perseverance, Compassion, Courage, and Gratitude. They have brought to light the key to being a fully rounded person - within myself and in my relationships with others. PS has also taught me what it is to be a team player; we celebrate each other when we win together, but more importantly, we uplift each other when we lose together. We are PS.

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Gray Watson (Beta) Presbyterian School helped to uncover my talents and start my singing career. Lower

School Music teacher, Ms. Robertson, showed an interest in my voice and got me to join the OAKE Honor Choir. Following that, Middle School Music teacher, Mrs. Howard, helped me grow my music skills and eventually led to me to join the Houston Boychoir. Without these influential teachers, I would not have become a confident singer.

Jackson Williams (Pre-K) I have always felt accepted and welcomed by my friends and teachers at Presbyterian

School. My best memory was portraying Neil Armstrong in the third grade production of Great Moments in History. I am proud of the courage it took to complete and present the project. PS has helped me to become a confident person and has taught me many life lessons.

Hannah Windle (Pre-K) Community is what makes Presbyterian School so special. There are so many people who

make Presbyterian such an amazing community. My teachers and peers have made my 10 years at Presbyterian exceptional. I have gained more than just an education. I have gained great, quality friendships that will last a lifetime and memories, that no matter how much time passes, I will never ever forget.

Jane Murray (Alpha) I am very thankful for the relationships I have built with my friends and teachers at PS. I have

been blessed with lifelong, supportive friends and also many teachers who have become like friends to me. The School has given me the nudge I need to grow spiritually and be the better person that I am now.

Andrew Pickens (Beta) From eating chocolate in Ms. Hereford’s class, to singing in the choir, to hearing Mrs. Leever’s

“happy” morning greetings in middle school, to walking with the llamas on our Colorado class trip, there have been so many great memories of PS. My homeroom teachers and advisors have all been great and I even got to have Ms. Babers twice! I’ve gotten to experience the best of everything, like being and having a kindergarten buddy.

Gaby Sagel (Pre-K) I will always remember the lower school playground. The playground was the

central place where my friendships were formed. My friends and I were gymnasts and the monkey bars were our gym. We would climb on top of the monkey bars, tell all of our stories, and stay there all of recess. My friends are a great group of people who are always with me, and some friendships I have today started on that playground many years ago.


Grace Wolfe (Alpha) Presbyterian School has shaped me to be who I am today by challenging me. I love the teachers

at the School because they encourage me to try new things, work outside my comfort zone, and reach out to help the community. PS has shown me what compassion means by giving me the opportunity to serve our surrounding community. With the rigorous academics and support from teachers, PS has helped strengthen my confidence.

Pierce Zylman (Alpha) My favorite thing at PS was having a great dean in the fifth grade, Mrs. Stuckey. I will never

forget after I had graduated from fifth grade, Mrs. Stuckey wrote me a letter and told me about the 409 solution. She was referring to that as a fresh start because the brand, 409, is a stain remover. I really related to this and she made me feel great inside. She is the one person that really stands out to me at PS.

David Southerland (Alpha) I remember clearly the first day of second grade, where I met some of my best

friends ever - Joseph Eaton and Edward Clarke. I love PS because you grow with your classmates throughout the years and there is always a sense of family here. PS has enriched my character by giving me experiences from which I can grow.

Cullen Stewart (K) Presbyterian has shaped me and educated me to be a smarter individual. My favorite thing about

PS is the friends that I have made and the time I have gotten to spend with them. The School’s size is small so you get to be in class, play sports and go on overnight trips with all your friends. My best memory is going on the eighth grade trip to Colorado.

Patrick Trask (K) My best memory from PS was the 8th grade class trip. I enjoyed bonding with my

classmates. I love the friends I have made and the teachers I have had over the years. PS has helped me develop my confidence and leadership potential by giving me many hands-on experiences. Most recently, I was able to organize my group for the 8th grade STEAM Museum and our project was very successful.

Houston Schools Awty International School Carnegie Vanguard High School DeBakey High School for Health Professions Duchesne Academy of the Sacred Heart The Emery/Weiner School Episcopal High School The High School for the Performing and Visual Arts Houston Christian High School Incarnate Word Academy The Kinkaid School The Post Oak School Second Baptist School St. Agnes Academy St. John’s School

CLASS OF 2015 HIGH SCHOOL ACCEPTANCES

St. Pius X High School St. Thomas’ Episcopal School St. Thomas High School Strake Jesuit College Preparatory Boarding Schools The Hill School (PA) The Hotchkiss School (CT) The Kent School (CT) Mercersburg Academy (PA) Middlesex School (MA) Northfield Mount Hermon School (MA) Pomfret School (CT) Proctor Academy (NH) The Taft School (CT) Tabor Academy (MA) Vermont Academy (VT)

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THROUGH THE YEARS 2003.2015

“My favorite thing about PS is its philosophy: respect yourselves, each other, and the environment. I believe that respect is a key element in any functional relationship, and the School enforces it constantly.” - Megan Finkel

“PS is always focused on the aspects of God’s love and how He is guiding us throughout our lives. He helps me do all things and I can embrace that now and in the future.” - Olivia Holley

“Everyone is so open-minded and accepting.”

- Mekaela Murphy


“PS has always been filled with kindness and compassion and over the years I have witnessed that trait enough to see many positive outcomes.” - Alexander Landowski

“PS has a strong sense of community. All of the students are close, and I feel so comfortable being

myself.” - Emily Moak

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Hannah Beckman, Class of 2010

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Alumni Class Notes 31

Daniel Kilbride (Episcopal ‘05, Hampden-Sydney ‘09, University of Houston MBA ‘15) is currently working towards his MBA and will graduate this summer.

Amanda Sterling (HSPVA ‘06, NYU ‘10) is in her second year of NYU Law School and will work for Paul,Weiss in Washington and New York this summer.

2003Hannah Chesser (St. Agnes ’07, University of Texas ’11, UTSA School of Medicine ‘15) received undergraduate degrees in psychology and Plan II Honors. Hannah will graduate with a Doctor of Medicine from UTSA this May and will complete her residency in pediatrics at the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill. Ben Clemenceau (Episcopal ’07, Millsaps College ’11) double majored in business administration and

communication studies and has been working in market research for Cameron. In his spare time he enjoys meeting people and seeing new parts of Houston with fundraising/young professional groups. Ben also enjoys volunteering with the group Houston+Acumen, a philanthropic organization focused on economic development. Last Christmas he visited a theme park for the first time in his life, Universal Studios.

Griselda Gallardo (Chinquapin ’07, St. Edward’s ’11, University of Houston MBA ’14) graduated last May with an MBA from the University of Houston.

Will Joyce (St. John’s ’07, Stanford ’11) majored in political science at Stanford and is currently an MBA candidate at the Yale School of Management. Will was recently named content chair for the 2016 Yale Education Leadership Conference, which attracts 750 attendees annually. This summer he will be an Education Pioneers Graduate School Fellow in Houston.

Eddie Millard (Kinkaid ’07, Denison ’11) majored in geoscience and moved to Santiago, Chile to begin teaching

English in 2014. He hopes to make a quick visit to Houston later this year.

Ambhar Miranda (Wheatley ’07, University of Houston ’12) graduated from the University of Houston with a bachelor’s degree in hotel and restaurant management. She is currently working in Houston as a manager for Pappas Bar-B-Q.

Katy Odom (Episcopal ’07, University of Texas ’11, University of Houston Law ’14) graduated with a JD last summer, passed the Texas State Bar exam last November and is now a practicing real estate attorney with Wilson, Cribbs & Goren. She is also getting married in May.

Alexandra Pons (St. Agnes ’07, Colgate ’11, University of Oxford MSc ’14) is a graduate student in the School of Geography and the Environment at the University of Oxford in the UK. She completed her Master of Science in nature, society and environmental policy last summer and was accepted to continue as an MPhil student. She is currently writing her dissertation and will be graduating this fall.

IMAGINE WHAT YOUR FUTURE HOLDS . . . Ask Presbyterian School students what they want to be when they get older and you’ll hear many different dreams . . . a teacher, a scientist, an actor, a professional baseball player, an author, a social advocate . . . and the list goes on.

Great dreams begin at Presbyterian School and they take flight upon graduation. Our alumni are pursuing their passions and realizing their dreams. Do you aspire to play professional sports? Do you desire to help people and make a difference? Do you want to start your own business? Do you want to experience other cultures? Go for it! PS graduates certainly have and their achievements are a testimony that dreams really can come true. In the following pages, alumni from our twelve graduating classes share updates on their life after PS.

Be inspired and get ready for your own flight!

EARLY YEARS

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Kristen Winship (Episcopal ’07, University of Houston ‘12) graduated with a liberal arts degree and is currently pursuing a second degree in nursing at the medical center in Houston. This semester she was in the OB/GYN rotation and really enjoyed working with new mothers and babies. She recently attended PS alumni Doni Pleason’s wedding with PS classmates, Rachel Berry Smith and Bernice Beasley. Kristen is also engaged to be married in August.

2004Blair Bradford (Episcopal ‘08, University of Texas ‘12, University of Chicago Law ‘15) will graduate from law school in June. She recently took a trip to Cuba as part of an International Immersion Program sponsored by the University of Chicago Law School to learn about the Cuban legal system and economic development.

Ian Herbert (Kinkaid ’08, University of Texas ’12) has been working at Search Party Music in New York City for the past year and a half as a music coordinator and assistant producer. Search Party is a small company that deals with music supervision for films/television/advertising and Ian coordinates the licensing process for music in films. On the advertisement side, Ian also matches bands with brands and works with composers on original music and negotiating fees. He loves living in New York, but misses Texas.

David King (Strake Jesuit ’08, Oklahoma ’12) is in his second year with the NFL Seattle Seahawks. It was another great year for David as the Seahawks went all the way to the Super Bowl. He said it was an experience he will never forget. Pictured is David (70) celebrating his first NFL career sack in a game against the Arizona Cardinals.

Stephanie Pons (St. Agnes ’08, Middlebury ’12) is currently working towards her Masters in Public Health at Brown University. Stephanie will be doing fieldwork for her thesis in Cape Town, South Africa this summer.

Andrew Sterling (Episcopal ’08, Dickinson ’12) has wrapped up his two year career playing professional baseball in the independent leagues and is working for Wisdom Tree, an asset management company in New York.

Julia Wood (Kinkaid ’08, Texas A&M ’12) is working as the Purchasing Manager for Sewell Automotive Companies Audi North Houston dealership. When she’s not buying cars she spends her time at Aggie and Houston sporting events and serving as a member of the Junior League of Houston and the Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo’s Breeders Greeters Committee. She has also enjoyed quite a bit of traveling this past year with friends and family.

2005Brittany Ellis (St. Pius X ’09, Academy of Art ’13) is a full time employee at Fredric H. Rubel Jewelers and a part time visual merchandiser at Pottery Barn. At Rubel Jewelers, Brittany is in charge of documenting new jewelry products received from high-end designers such as David Yurman,

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Roberto Coin, Penny Preville and Rolex. Brittany puts her artistic eye to work by overseeing the Pottery Barn window displays. In her free time Brittany is creating commissioned art pieces for Not Jus’ Donuts bakery in Houston and working on a new art series exploring the exaggerated narration leading to a pop cultural icons demise. Through a variety of media, Brittany is examining what happens when perfect suddenly becomes imperfect and what happens when you strip away materialistic items, and peer into the soul of who a person truly is. This past fall Brittany married Ian Saterdalen. Her wedding party included PS classmate, Blaire Honoré.

Blaire Honoré-Byrd (Lamar ’09, HCC ‘14) graduated with an Associate of Science from HCC. She is currently working towards a Bachelor of Science in biology at St. Thomas University. This year she started working with the Texas Wildlife Center in the rehabilitation of animals. She has also begun a pre vet studies program and looks forward to beginning veterinarian school. Last fall Blaire married Christopher Byrd. Her wedding party included PS classmate, Brittany Ellis.

Tim Frazier (Strake ’09, Penn State ’14) plays in the NBA and was picked up by the Portland Trail Blazers at the end of March after his brief contract with the Philadelphia 76ers. He was recently named 2015 NBA Development League MVP and Rookie of the Year.

2006Laura Brill (St. John’s ‘10, Nebraska Wesleyan ‘15) has found a way to combine her interests in theatre and physics through acoustical engineering at Nebraska Wesleyan University. Laura began research at her university’s theatre in order to make

recommendations for changes that could enhance the sounds an audience hears. Following her research last summer at the Peter Kiewit Institute in Omaha, the Acoustical Society of America in Indianapolis, Indiana accepted Brill to their 168th meeting, where she spent a week presenting her research and consulting with other acoustical engineering scientists. Laura plans to attend graduate school for theatre design, focusing on optimized sound.

Mary Ashleigh Boles (St. John’s ‘10, Washington and Lee ‘15) majored in business administration and Spanish and was the captain of the volleyball team at Washington and Lee. During her time in college Mary Ashleigh studied abroad four times and interned internationally. After graduation she will work at the investment bank, Tudor, Pickering, Holt & Company in Houston.

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Hector Chavez (Episcopal ’10, Texas A&M Galveston ’15) graduates from Texas A&M in Galveston.

Jack Knaus (Episcopal ’10, Hofstra University ’15) graduates with a Bachelor of Arts in finance/entrepreneurial studies. He is co-founder of bettr.io, a social media management platform.

Alek Rockrise (Episcopal ’10, University of North Carolina at Wilmington ’14) graduated in December from the University of North Carolina at Wilmington, where he was captain of the surf team. Alek also won the East Coast Collegiate Surfing Championships last spring. He will teach surfing this summer in California and then will head to Australia in the fall to compete internationally. Troy Rockrise (Episcopal ’10, University of Colorado ’14) graduated last December. He is studying for the LSAT and will be applying to law school. Troy is currently interning at Colorado Legal Aid in Denver and provides assistance to low-income people with legal problems. Last summer he interned for a criminal court judge in Houston.

Andrew Rosales (St. Thomas ’10, Fairfield University ‘14) was president of the tennis club and a member of the

division one rowing team at Fairfield. Andrew has been a DJ and producer for six years and has played in New York City. He is currently on tour with High School Nation, which travels to various high schools across the West Coast. He is also certified as a food handling manager in Florida. In Houston he is working as the regional trade marketing coordinator for Barcel USA.

Chloe Stoller (Benjamin Franklin ’10, University of Oregon ‘14) graduated with a degree in advertising at the University of Oregon. She currently lives in Austin and works as a Profile Manager for Main Street Hub.

Andrew Tharp (Episcopal ’10, Texas A&M ’14) graduated with a Bachelor of Business Administration in finance and began immediately working towards a Master of Science in finance. Following an internship with Structure, an energy, trading & risk management consulting firm that has since been acquired by Accenture, Andrew is on a co-op internship at GDF Suez Energy Resources North America in their retail power division. This summer he will intern with Cheniere, the first company in the country to begin exporting

liquefied natural gas from the United States. Following these internships, Andrew will return to College Station and finish a final semester of master’s work in order to graduate in December.

Palmer Wilson (Episcopal ’10, Texas A&M ’14) graduated with a degree in finance last May and is currently pursuing a Master of Real Estate at the Mays Business School at Texas A&M. He will be interning with Trammell Crow Residential in Houston this summer.

Chris Winters (Strake Jesuit ‘10, Wake Forest University ’14) graduated college last May and moved back to Texas to pursue a career in commercial real estate. Chris accepted a position as a Leasing Representative with a Texas based REIT named AmREIT, which has since been acquired by Edens, a private REIT based in Washington D.C. Edens owns class-A shopping centers through the East Coast and now in Texas. Chris helps to source new clients for these shopping centers. He is currently living in Dallas and enjoying his first year out in the work force.

Will Young (St. John’s ‘10, Trinity University ‘15) has broken the Trinity University men’s basketball record for career assists. Will, a senior guard, is the Trinity Tigers’ all-time assist leader, with 360 assists. He set the single season record with 120 assists in 2012-2013.

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2007Ryan Blackwell (Strake Jesuit ’11, Emory University ‘15) is graduating with a Bachelor of Science in biology. Last summer he studied German in Vienna, Austria.

Ben Cooper (Strake Jesuit ’11, Samford University ’15) has served in many leadership positions including Chair of the Interfraternity Judiciary Board. During his four years at Samford he traveled to China, Germany, Scotland, Great Britain and Costa Rica. Ben also provided counseling to teenagers and children at the Birmingham Crisis Center and Camp Fire Alabama. After graduation Ben will head to Syracuse University College of Law where he hopes to specialize in national security and terrorism law.

Clark Jacobs (Episcopal ’11, Vanderbilt ’15) is looking forward to backpacking through Europe for six weeks with a few college friends after graduation this summer. Clark will start work at Bain & Company in Dallas as an Associate Consultant in the fall. Mary Jacobs (Episcopal ’11, University of Texas ’15) has enjoyed her experience at the University of Texas and looks forward to graduation. This fall she will start her Master of Social Work at Columbia University.

Kaitlyn Kennedy (St. Agnes ‘11, University of Texas ‘15) was among twelve graduating seniors to be named Dean’s Distinguished Graduates. Each year the College of Liberal Arts honors twelve seniors with the Dean’s Distinguished Graduate Award for their leadership, scholarly achievements and service to the community. Kaitlyn majored in German (Special Honors), Spanish and Latin American studies.

Meredith Miles (Nightingale-Bamford ’11, Bates College ’15) is finishing her senior honors thesis looking at the evolution of bird song in the chilling sparrow and will be spending two months in Barrow, Alaska working with endangered waterfowl and their natural predators, including snowy owls and jaegers.

Taylor Miller (St. John’s ‘11, SMU ‘15) graduated with a degree in marketing and is focusing full time on her jewelry company, Hazen LLC. Miller was nine years old and in third grade at Presbyterian School when she started designing jewelry, twelve years old when she first went to market and now ten plus years later, she has managed to make Hazen a thriving and profitable company. Miller credits her marketing courses for helping grow her company. Her professor noted her

ability to “successfully run a company with a clear vision while maintaining an excellent academic record.” Miller is currently focused on the first steps of implementing her five year business plan. Check out her website at www.hazenjewelry.com.

Cameron Neal (St. John’s ’11) is a redshirt junior and outfielder on the Duke University baseball team.

Brenda Salvador (Chinquapin ’11, University of Houston ‘15) majors in accounting at the University of Houston and is very passionate about being involved in student organizations. She feels it is a great way to make friends, give back to the community and network. This spring she was a national representative for the student organization, HBSA (Hispanic Business Student Association) and was in charge of planning the logistics of their annual convention. Prior to this Brenda was secretary for BWS (Bauer Women Society) and council of clubs chairman for ALPFA (Association of Latino Professionals for America). Thanks to HBSA Brenda received an accounting internship with Direct Energy this summer.

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Michael Wakeland (Strake Jesuit ’11, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign ’15) was commissioned as an ensign in the U.S. Navy this May. Michael is an active member of the Triangle Fraternity.

Nicholas Wood (Kinkaid ’11, Texas A&M ’15) spent this semester working for Ernst & Young in Houston as an accounting intern. He has accepted a full-time position at their Manhattan office which he will assume after completing his masters graduate program in May of 2016. He and his dog just took a cross-country road trip and now Nicholas is back in College Station enjoying the end of his senior year. As a member of Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity he started a philanthropy called “Clays for a Cause” and won an award with the Tourette’s Association of Texas.

2008Andre Bouillion (Strake Jesuit ’12) took a robotics course at SMU this year and has been quite active in SMU’s innovation gym, which is a maker space for 3D printing, laser scanning and laser

cutting. Outside of class, Andre works at the local movie theater. This past April he competed in the USA Triathlon Collegiate Nationals in Clemson.

Leslie Donoghue (St. Agnes ’12) was inducted into Omicron Delta Kappa, a national leadership honor society, and Order of Omega, a national Greek honor society. Leslie is a chemical and biological engineering student at the University of Alabama.

Alistair Jones (St. Thomas ’12) was accepted to Baylor University’s New York program for spring 2016.

Sophie Molzan (Houston Christian ’12) is attending the University of Houston where she is on the Dean’s List. She is in the Bauer School of Business studying marketing with a minor in sales. She also works at Petite Sweets and helps with their marketing and special events. She will be interning this summer for Feed TX, a company that owns three restaurants in Houston and one in Austin.

Leo Linbeck (St. Thomas ’12) is attending the University of Notre Dame. He is the art director of the Keenan Revue, a show put on at Notre Dame with over 1,300 attendants. Leo created the t-shirt design and show logo. Last summer Leo interned in

Washington D.C. with Congressman Pete Sessions.

Sarah Rohrman (St. Agnes ’12) had the opportunity to live and study in London, England through a study abroad program at Notre Dame. Sarah lived in an apartment on the South Bank near Waterloo Station. In addition to taking classes from Cambridge and King’s College professors, she was able to travel to Scotland, Ireland, the Netherlands, Spain, Austria, Germany, Czech Republic, Poland and Hungary. In the spring Sarah worked on an undergraduate research project on temporal variation of parasites in macaque monkey populations in Singapore. She plans to get her research published this summer. As a junior pre-med student, she will be taking the MCAT and applying to medical school in June. Over the summer Sarah plans to come home to Houston to work at Amazing Place, a day center for adults with Alzheimer’s disease and dementia.


Hayden Sterling (Houston Christian ‘12) is finishing his junior year at Muhlenberg College in Pennsylvania where he is majoring in communications and playing varsity football. Hugh Zabriskie (Episcopal ’12) plays piano for the Harvard Hasty Pudding Theatricals, which has an average of eight shows. He has enjoyed working with this talented group of artists to arrange and orchestrate some of their music. In addition to music, Hugh’s other main interest is computer science. During winter break, he was involved with doing research at MIT and developing a new website for an investment advisory firm in Houston. This summer Hugh plans to intern with Microsoft in Seattle. Hugh will begin working on his first thesis proposal which will hopefully combine his interests in music and computer science.

2009 Walter Cayce (Strake Jesuit ’13) is a student at the University of Kansas.

Adair Cook (Episcopal ’13) is majoring in art history and modern history at the University of St. Andrews in Scotland. This year Adair worked on the committee for DONT WALK, a student charity fashion show made famous by Kate Middleton. The show went off without a hitch and successfully raised funds for the Robin Hood Foundation. Adair also organized the St. Salvator’s Hall Ball for a second year. She has also delved deeper into her love for art history and has begun to volunteer at the university archives where she handles ancient illuminated manuscripts and helps to document them.

Joseph Fisher (Principia ’13) went to boarding school at Principia Upper School in St Louis, Missouri where he was in the upper school jazz band and ran hurdles in the Missouri state track and field finals his senior year. Joe is currently a sophomore at Southwestern University in Georgetown, Texas studying business. He plays the standing bass and electric bass for the Southwestern University jazz band.

Anna Grace Hawkins (St. Agnes ’13)was elected to serve as treasurer on the executive board of Chi Omega at the University of Georgia. In this new position in her sorority, Anna Grace has learned a lot about leadership, responsibility, and teamwork. This summer Anna Grace is looking forward to immersing herself in the Spanish language and culture during a study abroad program in Spain.

Amanda Leavell (St. John’s ‘13) had a great freshman year at Princeton University. She appeared in thirteen lacrosse games and started eleven of them. She finished third on the team in draws, with twenty-three, while adding five caused turnovers and four ground balls.

James Russell (St. Thomas ’13) is serving as the scholarship chair of Sigma Alpha Epsilon at Texas Tech University.

Leah Stevenson (Lamar ’13) is an international studies and Spanish major at the University of Miami. Although she is only in her sophomore year of college, she plans to graduate in the spring of 2016. Leah is currently very involved on campus as the social chair of the honor fraternity, ALD. Off campus, Leah works as a rotation DJ and specialty show host on Miami’s radio station WVUM 90.5 FM and is interning for a radio and talk show in Los Angeles.

Harry Tudor (Lamar ’13) is in his second year at University of Virginia. He is a history major and a member of the Chi Phi fraternity.

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2010Mary Evans Attwell (Houston Christian ’14) is biology major at Westmont College and hopes to go into research. At Westmont, she enjoys getting to know her professors and hearing about their college experiences with the college’s “Take Your Professor to Lunch” program. She is also enjoying living in Santa Barbara with the mountains and beach all within ten minutes of each other.

Hannah Beckman (Episcopal ’14) is a freshman at the University of Texas at Austin. She pledged Kappa Alpha Theta sorority. Hannah jumped out of a helicopter in the Swiss Alps last summer during a backpacking trip through Europe with her friends from EHS.

Justin Bernard (St. John’s ’14) was cast in three plays this year at Rice University. Most recently he played multiple roles in the satirical comedy Bob: A Life in Five Acts.

Foster Corrigan (Strake Jesuit ’14) is taking a gap year and living in Lilongwe, Malawi, a small country in between Zambia and Mozambique. He is working at a pediatric HIV clinic.

During his past year in Malawi Foster has created a program that teaches computer literacy courses to both kids and staff who go to the clinic. Foster plans to attend the University of Texas at Dallas in the fall. See page 12 to read more about Foster.

Kelly Oubre (Findlay Prep ‘14) was a McDonald’s All-American and consensus top-10 recruit. He chose the Kansas Jayhawks with hopes of helping the team to an 11th straight Big 12 title. Kelly studied the team’s playbooks and paid close attention to his older, more experienced teammates which solidified his starting position as the Jayhawks’ wing. Kelly chose Kansas because he wanted to play for a team who held him accountable, demanded perfection and taught professionalism. Kelly finished his year and has decided to pursue a professional basketball career. He is predicted to be in the top ten players picked in the NBA draft.

Maggie Rippeto (Episcopal ’14) is on the Rhodes women’s lacrosse team, which has had an undefeated, winning record this year. Maggie is one of the leading scorers for the team as a starting attacker and made the list of notable performances in the SAA (Southern

Athletic Association) for the game against Birmingham Southern. She was recently named to the All-Conference First Team as an attack and received fourth in scoring in the conference. She is also a Chi Omega at Rhodes and will be a Camp Ozark counselor this coming summer. Sophia Skelly (Kinkaid ’14) is finishing up a gap year before matriculating at Colorado College in the fall. Her blog at https://sskellygapyear.wordpress.com highlights what she has learned from her travels across Europe, India and Central America. Check out her post from March 10, 2015 on why everyone should take a gap year. See page 10 to read more about Sophia.

Maddie Zabriskie (Kinkaid ’14) is a freshman at Harvard University and is a varsity cox for the women’s lightweight crew.

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2011Harrison Bingham (Episcopal ’15) spent six months this year as a senior fellow on the Wendy Davis for Governor Campaign. He is president of the Young Democrats, a grade project leader for Students of Service, and a member of Student Senate and National Honor Society. Harrison will attend Northwestern University in the fall.

Kirby Bowers (Episcopal ’15) was awarded female athlete of the year her junior year and awarded Homecoming Queen her senior year.

Peter Dade (Strake Jesuit ’15) was the president of the FIFA club and was heavily involved with the Athletes in Action organization at Strake. This past Thanksgiving Peter and his family traveled to Chinandega, Nicaragua for a week-long mission trip. They assisted in building a school for children in the

La Chuscada community. This spring Peter worked many Sunday afternoons with the Challenger Baseball division of West University Little League. This summer Peter will be a counselor at Camp Timberlake for Boys in Black Mountain, North Carolina. In the fall Peter will attend Texas Christian University Wylie Geibel (Episcopal ’15) will be heading to Texas Christian University in the fall. His last year at EHS was filled with theatre. Wylie played Marcus Andronicus in Titus, Moon in The Real Inspector Hound and Stewpot in South Pacific, as well as his work in Masque, EHS’ advanced theatre group.

Emmalie George (University of North Carolina School of the Arts ’15) was selected, along with twenty other students, to participate in the re-staging of Sounddance by Merce Cunningham in UNCS’ winter dance concert. Sounddance was created by Merce and his company in 1975. While Sounddance has been re-staged by companies all around the U.S., this is the first time it was re-staged on a university level. Emmalie and her peers were also invited to perform in New York City at the City Center Studios during spring break. She also participated in the school’s Emerging Choreographers (photographed right). This spring Emmalie was casted in

Twyla Tharp’s Sweet Fields, which she performed in UNCS’ spring dance production. Emmalie has been accepted into Hubbard Street Dance’s summer intensive where she will be spending four months training in Chicago. She received acceptance letters to Alonzo King’s LINES training program as well as Dominican University, Boston Conservatory, Purchase College and Marymount Manhattan. Emmalie has chosen to enroll in Purchase College in New York for the fall.

Dewey Gonsoulin (Strake Jesuit ’15) was named the 2014 19-6A All District Outside Linebacker and the 2014 19-6A All District All Purpose Defensive Player. He was also a finalist for the Scholar Athlete Award presented by the Touchdown Club of Houston. A defensive lineman on the Strake Jesuit’s Crusaders football team, Dewey had twenty-nine tackles including three tackles for a loss, three pressures and two pass deflections this year. He also served as a member of the Football Leadership Council. Strake Head Coach, James Clancy, commented, “Dewey embodies the mission of the school. The dedication he provided not

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only to his performance on the field and in the classroom, but to his teammates and coaches, has set a standard for future generation of Crusaders to follow.” Dewey is a representative for Student Council and has served as a counselor at Camp Blessing and worked for Baseball USA. He has plans to work for Faust Distributing Co. this summer as a delivery driver and will attend University of Texas in the fall. Claire Hoffman (Episcopal ‘15) spent two years at St. Agnes and two years at Episcopal. She is graduating with honors and heading to the University of Oklahoma in the fall. She is interested in elementary education or something in the healthcare field. Claire enjoyed playing field hockey and was on both school and competitive cheer squads. She participated in peer support and spirit clubs and has gone every summer on a youth church mission trip doing mostly disaster relief work in the U.S. She has had the opportunity to enjoy some great travel experiences with her family and friends and is very excited to start this next chapter in her life. She has a lot of great memories from Presbyterian School, including a recent student teaching week long internship with the fourth grade.

Akshay Jaggi (St. John’s ’15) has helped lead the Student Affairs Council, South Asian Affinity Group, and Ecomarathon at St. John’s. He continues to play soccer and run track. He helped the boys cross country team

to win the 2014 SPC Championship, placing second in the conference. He is looking forward to attending Stanford University, but will miss his families at Presbyterian and St. John’s. Brooke Jenkins (Houston Christian ’15) was on the women’s varsity basketball team and served as the team’s chaplain. Brooke has also been involved in Houston Christian’s Young Life as a student leader and student chaplain. Brooke has chosen to attend Samford University in Birmingham, Alabama in the fall. She plans to major in marketing with a concentration in sports marketing. See page 7 to read more about Brooke.

Emery Larkin (Episcopal ’15) will attend Baylor University in the fall.

Robert Larkin (Episcopal ’15) was editor-in-chief of the Knight Times newspaper, an acolyte and also a member of the varsity football team, which won the 2014 SPC title. Robert was awarded the AP Scholar with Honor award and made Honor Roll. He plans to attend the University of Texas at Austin in the fall and double major in journalism and economics.

Max Machiorlette (St. Thomas ’15) will be attending Princeton University in the fall and will be playing men’s varsity baseball.

Megan McMilllon (Memorial ’15) is an active member at Wheeler Avenue Baptist Church and volunteers regularly at the Nehemiah Center. Megan plans to attend New York University in the fall, majoring in finance.

Nicki McNear (Episcopal ’15) will be attending University of Colorado at Boulder in the fall. Nicki will start her summer with a backpacking trip to Europe with her senior classmates.

Tessa Mudford (Brentwood College School ’15) has had a great academic year at her boarding school in British Columbia, Brentwood College School. She is involved with dance and plays varsity rugby for the school. Tessa plans to attend a Canadian university and her first choice school, Dalhousie University in Nova Scotia, for a Bachelor of Science degree.

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Adam Nunez (Second Baptist ‘15) has committed to play football for the Texas Christian University Horned Frogs. During his senior varsity football season at Second Baptist School, Adam was selected 1st Team All State punter, 1st Team All State kicker, All District Special Teams Player of the Year and Academic All American. He was also honored by the Houston Touchdown Club as a nominee for the Defensive Player of the Year.

Meghan Parsons (Bellaire ‘15) is president of the National Honor Society and a four-year varsity member of the BHS swim team. She keeps busy with school, Dad’s Club swimming and coaching seven to eight year olds on a local swim team. Meghan has decided to attend Bowdoin College next year in Brunswick, Maine where she was named a Class of 2019 Bowdoin Faculty Scholar. She will be a member of the Bowdoin Polar Bears’ swim team and is very excited to get back to snowy winters.

Emmanuel Aruho Bates College

Harrison Bingham Northwestern University

Kirby Bowers University of Oklahoma

Sarah Castaneda Auburn University

Marwan Charafeddine Texas A&M

Ford Collier University of Mississippi

Caroline Colucci University of Mississippi

Elizabeth Copper Texas A&M

Peter Cordill Southern Methodist University

Perry Corrigan Texas A&M

Kirby Cuenod Furman University

Peter Dade Texas Christian University

Ari Druke Johns Hopkins University

Joanna Franco University of Houston

Juliana Ganim Undecided

Wylie Geibel Texas Christian University

Natalie Geisler Trinity University

Emmalie George Purchase College, SUNY

Dewey Gonsoulin University of Texas

Henry Herbert New York University

Isabel Herrick Middlebury College

Claire Hoffman University of Oklahoma

Akshay Jaggi Stanford University

Brooke Jenkins Samford University

Emery Larkin Baylor University

Robert Larkin University of Texas

Sarah Lewis University of Southern California

Jian Liew University of Alabama

Max Machiorlette Princeton University

Claire Mangin Louisiana State University

Kim Martinez University of Houston

Quinn McLean Texas A&M

Megan McMillon New York University

Nicki McNear University of Colorado

Tessa Mudford Dalhousie University

Adam Nunez Texas Christian University

Peter Nyberg Pomona College

Luke Parazynski Baylor University

Meghan Parsons Bowdoin College

Braxton Reese Texas Tech University

Jack Rogers Bucknell University

Alondra Salvador University of Houston

Brenton Smith Undecided

Connor Stone Louisiana State University

Lauren Stubbers Louisiana State University

Katherine Ten Eyck Baylor University

Caroline Thomas Westmont College

Jack Wang Tulane University

George Wilkinson Iowa State University

Grant Williamson Louisiana State University

Shelby Zimmermann Baylor University

Phoebe Zipper Bowdoin College

CLASS OF 2011 COLLEGE DECISIONS

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Jack Rogers (Strake Jesuit ’15) has enjoyed a great, athletic and academic senior year. He broke three school records in swimming: 200 freestyle, 200 medley relay, and the 400 freestyle relay. Jack has committed to swim division one swimming in the Patriot League at Bucknell University where he will be studying Mechanical Engineering. See page 21 to read more about Jack.

Katherine Ten Eyck (St. Agnes ’15) worked as a crew member for St. Agnes’ fall musical. As a class leader on the Dominican Preaching Team, she has led three retreats, sung at masses, and facilitated other campus ministry activities. She is enjoying her fourth year in the SAA/SJ Mixed Chorus with PS classmate Marwan Charafeddine. She attended her sixth consecutive Youthcue Festival of Youth Choirs at Baylor University and participated in the Honor Choir in February. Katherine has loved the community and growth found at St. Agnes and looks forward to her future as a nursing student at Baylor University, where she was recently named a Carr P. Collins Scholar.

2012 Suman Atluri (St. John’s ‘16) and PS classmate, Aubrey Calaway, have recently teamed up to work on a non-profit organization, Swasthya, which was founded by Suman in 2013. Swasthya helps at-risk youth in India understand the importance of living a healthy life. Check out their website at www.creatingahealthierindia.org. See page 18 to read more about Suman. Gentry Barton (Houston Christian ’16) has played on the varsity tennis team for the last three years and has also been the girls tennis chaplain. She is a Diamond Doll for the baseball team and is interested in attending Ole Miss in 2016.

Harrison Barton (Houston Christian ’16) is an offensive lineman and football captain on the HCHS varsity football team. He currently holds football offers from Navy, SMU, Army and “likely letters” from Harvard and Cornell. He loves HCHS and the football recruiting process.

Chris Borders (Currently at Lamar, Westbury Christian ‘16) attended Lamar High School his junior year

where he played running back for the JV football team. Chris also played point guard for Basketball University (AAU) as part of the Adidas Gauntlet program. Outside of sports, Chris volunteers at the Houston SPCA and is a Junior Deacon at his church, Barber’s Memorial MBC. Most notably, Chris has been nominated for the National Youth Leadership Forum (Law/CSI) sponsored by George Mason University this summer. In addition, he will attend Duke University’s summer basketball camp. In the fall Chris will transfer to Westbury Christian to complete his senior year.

Aubrey Calaway (St. Agnes ’16) has been highly active as the president of the SAA Students Against Modern-Day Slavery club. She helps to raise funds and spread awareness about the thirty million victims of the $150 billion human trafficking industry. This year she helped to raise over $2,000 for the Not for Sale Campaign during a twenty-seven hour fast. Aubrey has also been involved around campus as part of the award-winning student council, Junior Statesman of America, and the Film Fatale Production Group. Last summer Aubrey interned for a film, Krisha, which recently won top prizes at the SXSW film festival. This summer Aubrey looks forward to spending six weeks in Cotopaxi, Ecuador as an Amigos de las Américas volunteer. She is thrilled to be part of this Spanish language and service immersion program.

Sam Clark (Strake Jesuit ’16) is on the varsity lacrosse team, a member of the National Honor Society and a junior class representative for Key Club, while maintaining an above 4.0 GPA at Strake. Outside of school, Sam lifeguards at River Oaks Country Club and plays UCAL basketball. He was selected to attend Camp Enterprise.


Ca’Rhonda Evans (Stafford ‘16) participated in the National Art Honor Society, National Technical Honor Society, National Honor Society, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, ASCEND and DECA. She has also been involved in community service/volunteering projects through her school and church.

Daniel Hancock (Episcopal ’16) studied psychology and drama at Jesus College in Cambridge, England. Daniel has won several awards including Best Drama Student award, the ESU EHS School Shakespeare Competition and the ESU Houston Branch Shakespeare Competition. Daniel will now go on to compete in the national ESU Shakespeare Competition at the Lincoln Center in New York City.

Laura Knaus (Aspen High School ’16) is completing her junior year at Aspen High School & plays varsity soccer.

Kyra Link (St. John’s ’16) was in the annual GHNATS (Greater Houston Chapter of the National Association of Teachers of Singing) competition and placed first in the classical competition and second in musical theater for her age group. She was also selected to the Texas Private School Music Educators All-State Choir as a soprano. Kyra was the star in the St. John’s School winter one-act play, Words, Words, Words, by

David Ives. This spring, she played Trix in the St. John’s production of The Drowsy Chaperone. This summer Kyra will again be an intern with Purple Songs Can Fly, a non-profit organization that provides a musical outlet for children being treated for cancer and blood disorders at Texas Children’s Cancer and Hematology Centers.

Luke Morille (Strake Jesuit ’16) is active in debate, theater, mixed chorus and yearbook. He’s been named to the Crusader Chapter of the National Honor Society and has made the President’s Honor Roll again this year. This spring Rock traveled to New York City for a Chorus Tour. He continues to be active in community service and will be traveling to Peru this summer for a community service trip. This summer Rock is excited to be returning to the Houston Museum of Natural Science as a Moran Ecoteen and will also be interning at Baylor College of Medicine focusing on neuroscience, which he is interested in pursuing in college.

Lovell Smajstrla (Episcopal ’16) spent this past year studying abroad in Oxford, England at an international boarding school, St. Clare’s College. This was a decision she made during her sophomore year at Episcopal. She was interested in living and studying with people from all over the world so that she could experience a variety of cultures, religions and nationalities. This has been an amazing, challenging

and transformative experience for her. During her time abroad Lovell has also been able to travel to various places in England, Paris and Lisbon.

Gracey Wallace (Kinkaid ’16) was on Kinkaid’s varsity cross country team which won first in SPC in the fall. Gracey has also won multiple photo awards during ATPI’s fall contest.

2013Julia Calaway (St. Agnes ‘17) started a non-profit, Julia Builds a Playground, to help build play sets and play grounds for underprivileged schools and neighborhoods.

Lauren Childers (St. John’s ’17) entered the Scholastic Art and Writing Awards competition and submitted a portrait she took of her sister. Lauren won a gold medal in the regional division for her photograph.

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Laird George (The Hill School ’17) rode a bicycle across Spain on the El Camino de Santiago with Boy Scout Troop #55 last summer. This year he plans to complete an Eagle Project at the Nehemiah Center where he first served in seventh grade with his Presbyterian School classmates.

Joe Gobillot (St. John’s ’17) pitched 5 1/3 innings of the Senior League World Series championship game in Bangor, Maine where West University won its second World Series title after defeating Pariba, 7-4. While this was the second World Series title for West University Little League, this was the first World Series title for Joe’s All-Star team, many who have been together since they were nine years old. Joe shares, “Being in Bangor to win the championship was even better because some of my best friends were on the team, including Presbyterian classmates, William James, Owen Holt and Mitchell Black.”

Cooper Lueck (St. John’s ’17) continues to swim, both at the varsity level at SJS and with Rice USA swim team. Cooper received All-SPC honors this year and now holds two individual and three relay records at SJS. Cooper also is part of the Chorale and enjoys performing at SJS and community events. He’s traveling to Detroit with a team of SJS students to participate in the Shell Ecomarathon, a competition that challenges high school and university students to design, build, and

test ultra-energy efficient vehicles to see who can go the farthest using the least amount of energy. Cooper received his lifeguard certification and is looking forward to working at the West U Rec Center this summer between the annual summer FPC mission trip and his final year at Camp Longhorn.

Emma McCollum (Episcopal ’17) enjoys performing various piano pieces for EHS events. She is an Acolyte and actively involved in SOS (Students of Service). She leads the Troops for Troops group, which sends care packages to U.S. troops overseas. Emma has made the highest honor roll each semester at EHS while earning academic achievement awards in biology and English. This summer Emma will study Spanish at the Universidad de Salamanca in Spain for eight weeks and also travel to France and Portugal.

Christina Rockrise (Episcopal ’17) continues to receive accolades in various local and state-wide art competitions. She entered an art competition called VASE and received the highest markings on a ceramics piece and a self-portrait. Christina is currently in an advance painting class and will take a portfolio class her senior year. During her junior year Christina will be attending a study abroad program in Viterbo, Italy.

Skyler Taten (Episcopal ’17) has been a starting varsity goalie for the EHS field hockey team in both her freshman and sophomore years. She is also playing club and through USA Field Hockey has year-round training. At Episcopal Skyler serves as an acolyte and is a member of Students of Service, Film Club, and Student Council as a member of the Student Senate. Skyler has been a stage manager for several EHS musicals including Legally Blonde (2014) and South Pacific (2015), as well as the winter one act play. Skyler volunteers at the Houston Zoo as part of their Zoo Crew Teen Volunteer Program.


Marion Watkins (Lamar ’17) runs cross country, pole vaults and plays lacrosse for Lamar. She is proud to have lettered in pole vault as a freshman, earning points for the team at the bi-district meet. Her love is lacrosse where she plays on the varsity squad. She was inducted into the National Honor Society in 2015 and is a member of Leading Ladies, a high school girls service organization. She is an acolyte at St. John the Divine and enjoys participating in their thirty-hour famine each year which raises money for World Vision’s hunger relief program.

Chase West (Strake Jesuit ’17) is currently in his sophomore year at Strake Jesuit. He was selected for membership in the Strake Jesuit chapter of the National Honor Society and is on the Principal’s Honor Roll. He is on Strake’s JV Green Soccer team and plays for Houston Express. Chase is also a member of the Student Council at Strake.

2014Kai Aweau (St. John’s ‘18) played percussion in the St. John’s wind ensemble. He was also on the St. John’s junior varsity basketball and lacrosse teams. In the fall he played for the Houston Youth Lacrosse Hurricanes Team. Kai enjoyed traveling to California over spring break with the Mavericks for a lacrosse tournament. David Brandtner (Episcopal ’18) was on Episcopal’s varsity football team as the place kicker. This was a big personal accomplishment for him. His team went to the SPC championship this year and won.

Allie Brown (St. Agnes ‘18) played field hockey in the fall and recently became a St. Thomas cheerleader. Allie is looking forward to cheering on the Eagles - her dad’s Alma Mater!

Abby Cohan (Emery Weiner ’18) was on the JV volleyball team at Emery Weiner and was awarded MVP at a tournament. Abby also played on a club volleyball team. She is also active on the board of BBYO, an organization for Jewish teens in high school emphasizing youth leadership, and helped to promote Jewish traditions

and plan social action and community service programs. Additionally, Abby is involved with a new nonprofit organization called Bottles of Smiles whose goal is to put smiles on hospital patient’s faces. She was recently selected to be on the board of directors.

Mary Dade (St. Agnes ’18) served as the freshman class Vice President at St. Agnes. She was a Strake Jesuit cheerleader and on the St. Agnes varsity soccer team, receiving Second Team All District. Mary went on a week long mission trip with her family to Chinandega, Nicaragua with Amigos for Christ and helped build a school for the village of La Chuscada.

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Spencer Dearborn (Woodberry Forest School ’18) earned a spot on the JV lacrosse team at Woodberry Forest School and will be taking the AP Physics exam in May.

Grace Graubart (Episcopal ’18) is currently the Vice President of SOS, Students of Service, at EHS.

Mollie Hanna (Episcopal ’18) is playing lacrosse for EHS.

Spencer Huston (Emery Weiner ’18) is sharing his interest in technology with his new classmates at Emery Weiner. He was instrumental in convincing the school to start a new club and offer a new elective class related to the Shell Eco-Marathon. The participating students will design, build and drive a fuel-efficient car, which they’ll enter in a competition sponsored by Shell in the spring of 2016. Sachin Jaggi (St. John’s ’18) has gotten the chance to pitch for the varsity baseball team. He is thinking about running for student council at the end of this year.

Hanna Nyberg (Episcopal ’18) won MVP for basketball at EHS. She was a prefect on Student Council. Hanna was also in the performance of South Pacific at EHS.

Ben Powitzky (St. Thomas ’18) was on the STHS JV soccer team.

Shelby Quinn (Olentangy Liberty ’18) moved to Ohio last summer. At her new high school, she joined the Teen Advocates club. Shelby is working on lesson plans to bring drug awareness to the other schools in her school district and has plans to present to the local elementary schools.

Will Rippeto (St. John’s ’18) starred in the St. John’s School winter one-act play, Words, Words, Words, by David Ives and was one of two freshman to get a leading role in the St. John’s Upper School production of The Drowsy Chaperone. He played a gangster posing as a pastry chef.

Paola Sagel (St. Agnes ’18) played soccer on the ESPN fields in Orlando for a tournament last fall. Her team got second place in the tournament and was invited to go back and play in December.

WANT TO SHARE YOUR NEWS? We would love to hear from you. Email Lizzie Voss, Communications & Development Associate, at [email protected].


• Seek through prayer, study, and reflection to discern the guidance of their Creator in all their real-life situations.

• Embody a positive sense of self-confidence, self-worth, and security so that they believe deeply and take appropriate risks throughout their lives.

• Display a growth mindset, focusing on dedication and hard work, which create a lifelong love of learning and a resilience that is at the heart of great accomplishment.

• Read a write critically, actively synthesizing information and making sense of it for themselves and others.

• Identify and solve problems creatively by analyzing disparate sets of data and then drawing novel conclusions.

• Engage themselves comfortably in communities and their many forms.

PORTRAIT OF A PANTHERGraduates of Presbyterian School have a carefully developed foundation of core values when they leave us. Respect, perseverance, courage, compassion, integrity, and gratitude characterize their shared journey through a challenging curriculum that enriches their minds, an eclectic fine arts program that captivates their spirits, comprehensive athletic and wellness programs that nurture their bodies, and service projects at every grade level that nourish their souls. Presbyterian School students emerge ready for so much more than just high school; they are ready for life!

OUR GRADUATES...

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ALUMNI SUMMER REUNION - AUGUST 7, 2014Top Left: Class of ‘04 alumni, Erica Njoku, Quentin Baxter, Teddy Russell, Julia Wood, Blair Bradford and Kelsey Rodriguez Bottom Left: Class of ‘08 alumni, Andrew Winters, Blaine Williamson, Jean Edwards, Harrison James and Jack Hawkins Top Right: Class of ‘03 alumni, John Hermes and Ben Clemenceau Bottom Right: PS Communications & Development Associate, Lizzie Voss, and Class of ‘03 alumni, Katy Odom and Emma Ebbs

ALUMNI CHRISTMAS REUNION - DECEMBER 19, 2014Top Left: Class of ‘11 alumni, Lauren Stubbers, Nicki McNear, Marwan Charafeddine, Peter Nyberg, Peter Dade, Akshay Jaggi, Adam Nunez, Dewey Gonsoulin, Charlie Russ and Katherine Ten Eyck Bottom Left: Class of ‘13 alumni, Connor Watson, Cooper Lueck and Chase West Top Right: Class of ‘12 alumni, Jackson Cook and Lane Drager Bottom Right: Class of ‘14 alumni, Emma Kallmeyer, Allie Brown, Gabrielle Heal, Paola Sagel, Mary Dade and Grace Castaneda


ALUMNI MOM’S REUNION - APRIL 1, 2015Top Left: Teri Peterson, Lori Smythe and Lori Gobillot Bottom Left: Host, Lisanne Rogers with Krissi Reid, Kathy Thompson and Lisa Powell (Berquist) Top Right: Marilyn Winters and Allison Hay Bottom Right: Tammy Eyring and Gina Luther

P.S. STAY CONNECTEDClass Agents Class of 2015 Hannah Windle [email protected] Jackson Williams [email protected]

Clas s o f 2014 Grace Graubart [email protected] Sachin Jaggi [email protected]

Clas s o f 2013 Julia Calaway [email protected] Cooper Lueck [email protected]

Clas s o f 2012 Aubrey Calaway [email protected] Suman Atluri [email protected]

Clas s o f 2011 Katherine Ten Eyck [email protected] Akshay Jaggi [email protected]

Clas s o f 2010 Kelly Buckner [email protected] Phillip James [email protected] Alumni Board Chris Winters, President [email protected]

Katy Odom, Vice President [email protected]

Blair Bradford, Social Chair [email protected]

Clark Jacobs [email protected]

Ben Clemenceau [email protected] Alumni Portal www.pshouston.org/alumniportal Go to the portal for our alumni directory, ongoing alumni updates and information on upcoming alumni events. All alumni have an individual login to access the portal. Facebook www.facebook.com/PresbyterianSchoolAlumni Like us on Facebook and stay updated on current PS news. Contact Us Presbyterian School 5300 Main Street Houston, Texas 77004 713.520. 0284 www.pshouston.org

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