ANNUNCIATION ORTHODOX SCHOOL
Our Mission
Annunciation Orthodox School, having grown from a ministry of the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Cathedral, celebrates the diverse and individual qualities of all children and their families.
AOS provides a superior education in a secure and stimulating Christian environment which encourages the individual child to achieve academic, spiritual, emotional, social and physical excellence, and to become a responsible member of our society.
From the Head of School
Faculty & Staff Years of Service
AOS Retirees
Welcome, Ashley Mejia!
A Legacy of Love: Nikkie Kyriasoglou
Butterfly Garden Memorial
On the Theology of Orthodox Christian Iconography
A Year in Review: Special Events
Graduate Speeches
8th Grade Advice
Congratulations, Class of 2024!
End of Year Awards
Greece Trip
Celebrating 20 Years of LitMag
Alumni Spotlight: Olivia De Salve Villedieu ’05
Class of 2020 College Matriculation
Alumni Class Notes
Teacher Feature: Taking AOS to New Heights
Front Cover: Eclipse 2024 Dharam Johl ‘28 and Adam Dajani ‘28
LETTER FROM THE HEAD OF SCHOOL
Dear AOS Community,
In this fall’s Delphian Magazine, I invite you to immerse yourself in the heartwarming tributes found in our commencement speeches. Our student speakers eloquently highlighted the special aspects of AOS that have crafted enduring memories for themselves and their classmates. Notably, Ethan Ou ’24 concluded his speech by reminding us that it is the people in our lives who create the cherished moments we hold dear. He poignantly captured this sentiment with a selfie of the entire Cathedral, filled with friends, families, and teachers who made his time at AOS so memorable—a lasting memory, indeed.
I would like to draw special attention to the incredible individuals who support and shape Annunciation Orthodox School. Every member of the AOS family plays a vital role in our school’s success and the longevity of our close-knit community.
Our dedicated faculty and staff work tirelessly to provide the best learning environment for our students. In this issue, we honor their milestone years of service and celebrate our largest group of retirees to date. With over 125 years of collective service, these seven remarkable individuals will be greatly missed. We also take a moment to remember those we
From the Editor
have lost, including our beloved Mrs. Nikkie, whose immeasurable impact on AOS endures in our hearts.
Our recent graduates, now embarking on their journeys as alumni, share words of wisdom, influencing younger students, particularly their Chapel Buddies. Our parents generously contribute their time and talents, organizing events, supporting faculty and staff, and preserving cherished traditions. This year, two parents received the Triantafilou and Silver Pillar Awards, and you will also see many parents and grandparents featured in our Special Events section. Finally, our alumni carry the legacy of AOS far and wide, achieving remarkable accomplishments in college and beyond. It’s always delightful to read through our Alumni Notes and to see those who return to AOS as parents!
Everywhere you look, the commitment to excellence within the AOS community shines brightly. Without each and every one of our members, these precious memories would not exist. I hope this issue of the Delphian Magazine resonates with you as you flip through its pages and experience the true spirit of AOS.
Dr. Samuel V. Fragomeni Head of School
This issue is filled with a year of many firsts, and we waste no time sharing these moments as our cover features our students’ first total solar eclipse! As you continue to peruse the Magazine, you will read about our new Head of Early Childhood and Lower School who is now beginning her first days as an AOS Dolphin. We are so excited to welcome her to the family! Additionally, for the first time in AOS history, 13 students traveled to Greece where they learned so much about the culture that is woven throughout the fabric of our school. Finally, I won’t spoil the ending of this “book,” but one wildly brave teacher accomplished an incredible personal first! AOS YES!
Penny Angelo Communications & Content Manager
FACULTY & STAFF YEARS OF SERVICE
5
Connie Hinojosa ‘26 and Maria Bejarano
AOS RETIREES
This incredible group collectively dedicated 125 years of service to our school. We honor their commitment to the AOS mission and the immeasurable impact they have made on the lives of our students.
To read the full interviews, visit aoshouston.org/retirees
MARY DANIELL BRYANT
Is there a particular lesson you always look forward to teaching each year?
I like to teach about the human body, geography, and history because children enjoy these topics and ask very interesting questions. Most teachers think that children are too little or young for such topics, but this is definitely not true. Mostly, adults think these topics are boring, therefore, they do not want to broach them with children. I have had many parents tell me that they learned things about these topics from their prekindergarten friends who were so proud to impart this knowledge to their parents.
Tell us why this was the place you chose to call home for many years.
I have been trying to learn my alphabet and numbers all of these years which is why I never left prekindergarten to go to kindergarten.
What initially inspired your interest education?
I loved playing at schools as a child. Then, I loved being at school as a student! I wanted to go to school even when I was sick!
What makes an administrator position special at AOS?
I believe that all educators are in the relationship business! When you have a strong relationship with your students, your job is much easier as you have established trust and connection. The same is true as an administrator, but now you have even more relationships to nurture — students, parents, and teachers. As an administrator, it is important to grow relationships and to know what is important so that you always prioritize the right things.
LUCY DINUNZIO
What do you love most about the Delphi age group, specifically? Curiosity. They are so curious at that young age and ask so many questions. It is a joy to feed the little hungry minds!
Tell us why this was the place you chose to call home for many years.
I am a part of the Greek community, and primarily because of this, I wanted my daughter to be at AOS, and she was. I became interested in becoming a teacher here when I saw the great education she was receiving at a wonderful school. AOS has a nurturing, family environment, and the Jones Center teachers have a strong camaraderie that made it so easy for me to enjoy coming to work each day.
Who inspired your interest in education?
I have always loved school, as a student and as a teacher. I had a 4th-grade math teacher named Mrs. Hopper in elementary school. One day, I got in trouble during math class. She made me stay after school. (Back then, teachers could do that!) My “punishment” was to make a bulletin board for her. With that, she had me! I’d do anything she asked! From there, school just became a joy, and I knew what my profession would be from there on! Thank you, Mrs. Hopper! It’s been a great ride!
What advice would you give to the next generation of Kindergarten teachers at AOS?
The Kindergarten teachers we have at AOS are truly incredible! All I can say or wish for them is to continue the excellent learning experiences they have been providing and have loads of fun with their students.
PAT
ELAM
Tell us about your favorite topic to teach to elementary school children.
I love geography, so any social studies lesson is always fun, and I always learn something new, too. I enjoy writing stories, and my favorite lesson is when I connect the book The Mouse and the Motorcycle to a nonfiction text “Mouse Views” and have my students write their own story about a mouse that escapes from a classroom at AOS. They love it, as they have been inspired by the novel, and they get to use their own imagination about the rodent that would explore the school they work in every day.
How do you plan to spend those first few months of retirement? I’m heading to the UK and Portugal. I am going to Wimbledon for the first time. I love tennis, so it is the first thing I am crossing off my long bucket list. I will be able to travel to Scotland more often and not be restricted to school vacations and hopefully travel on some cheaper flights.
PATRICIA MCKENZIE
When did you fall in love with theater?
I fell in love with the theater in high school. I always loved going to speech tournaments and debating. I actually planned on going to law school after college and won a scholarship in debate, but once I walked into the theater in college I knew that’s where I wanted to be! I ended up going to college on all scholarships in theater. Once I graduated from Stephens College in Missouri, I moved back to Houston and started acting and dancing with Patsy Swayze. Her son, Patrick, and his sisters danced there, too. I eventually branched out and started performing with TUTS and other theaters until I moved to New York City in 1983.
Tell us about your own experiences as a performer. I’ve performed in operas as a dancer, in musicals as a chorus boy, and as a leading player in both musicals and plays. I’ve directed plays and choreographed musicals, and I’ve even costumed and done set design, too. I’ve danced, acted, and sung in Florida, Missouri, Indiana, New York, Ohio, Texas, and Venezuela, and everything I’ve done has always been different which is why I love doing theater. You never do the same thing ever, even when you repeat shows! I always love the show that I’m doing at the moment the most! I start a new show on May 20, and it opens on my birthday on June 12 called Fancy Nancy, the Musical. It’s going to be so fun! This fall, I'll direct two more shows! As the director, I get to design the whole show and how it all comes together. It’s hard to have a favorite when you have so many shows playing out in your head all at once!
JIMMY PHILLIPS
Is there a particular “aha” moment you love to see athletes discover each year?
Helping athletes learn how to cope with adversity and success throughout the course of a season or during their middle school career is probably one of the most important things a coach can do. Sometimes, you do not achieve your goals as an individual or as a team, even though you have done everything “right.” Life isn’t always fair. Understanding that we will fail often and learning how to develop the grit to turn it into a positive is what I feel is my most important role as a coach. Additionally, learning how to be gracious in victory and understanding what it “takes” to win a championship is paramount to my mission as a coach.
What is it about AOS that makes this place special?
Having had all three of my children pass through AOS at some point, I knew the school was a special place, at first, from a parent’s perspective. I knew many faculty and coaches from my many years at St. John’s, and gained valuable insight from competing against AOS on the athletic fields. I admired how hard the kids competed and how dedicated their coaches and teachers were. When I had the opportunity to not only work with them, but also coach and spend time with my youngest son, Walker, I made the easy decision to come to AOS.
GEORGE TURLEY
Welcome!
ASHLEY MEJIA
Head of Early Childhood and Lower School
Ashley Mejia has joined the AOS family as the new Head of Early Childhood and Lower School. With 20 years in education under her belt, Ashley is an experienced teacher, administrator, and coach.
Ashley holds a bachelor’s degree from Southern Methodist University, as well as a master’s degree focusing on educational technology and gifted and talented instruction. She also holds her Principal Certification from the University of St. Thomas. After teaching in a Catholic school in Dallas, she relocated to Houston to be with family. Ashley spent the last 14 years at River Oaks Baptist School, serving as a third-grade teacher, Assistant Head of Lower School, Assistant Head of Preschool, and most recently Assistant Director of Admission & Enrollment Management. She committed to and learned from each role she’s held, and her varied experience makes her well-suited for the Head of Early Childhood and Lower School position at AOS.
Not only does Ashley have extensive professional experience in faith-based private schools, she’s also the product of them. Ashley credits her own schooling to her deep faith, which has guided every aspect of her life. She sees her own faith and belief system reflected in the mission and values of AOS – especially the commitment to nurturing our students’ academic, spiritual, emotional, social, and physical growth. She firmly believes that God has a unique plan for each of us, and that He placed this opportunity at AOS in her path (Jeremiah 29:11).
Ashley’s exuberant energy, perseverance, and collaborative spirit will prove invaluable in her new role. She is committed to a growth mindset in students, differentiated instruction and curriculum alignment, and individual student support. Above all, Ashley is passionate about cultivating relationships with families, faculty, staff, and students, and she is excited to get to know the AOS community.
Outside of school, Ashley enjoys spending time with her family – her husband Andy, daughters Dottie and Poppie, and pup Archie. On the weekends, you can often find her at sporting events with her family, usually coaching or cheering on her daughters. As an avid sports fan, Ashley can’t wait to cheer on the Dolphins and experience the AOS Olympics!
That’s Greek for “Good Appetite!”
A LEGACY OF LOVE
By Kelley Elliott
On October 12, 2023, AOS lost our beloved Mrs. Nikkie and Heaven gained another angel. So often in our community we refer to the Greek word for love, agape, and the many ways it shows up, but if you ask anyone who knew her, Mrs. Nikkie was the definition of agape. Love radiated from her — her infectious smile and playful laughter could brighten anyone’s day, and there was not a single community member she could not greet by name. She truly took the time to get to know everyone who crossed her path, and she was everyone’s Yiayia.
She shared her joy for cooking with all of us at the annual Spaghetti Dinner, an event that will now forever be known as Mrs. Nikkie’s Spaghetti Dinner. Her recipe has remained unmatched for over 35 years, but we all know her secret ingredient was love. It is safe to say that every member of our family experienced Mrs. Nikkie’s incredible, authentic kindness at some point throughout their time at AOS. Her kindness, her unconditional love, and her embodiment of AGAPE are the legacy she left for all of her beloved AOS “babies.” May her memory be eternal.
• 3 tbsp olive oil
• 1 large onion, diced
• 2 cloves of garlic, minced
• 1 ½ lbs ground beef
• 2 tsp salt
• 1 tsp pepper
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tbsp dried oregano
• 1 14 oz. can diced tomatoes
• 1 8 oz. can tomato sauce
• 1 8 oz. can water
• 1 tsp sugar
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 1 cup red wine
In hot oil, saute onion until tender. Add garlic, stir a couple of times, then add ground beef. Add all spices except sugar and cinnamon. Cook until the meat is brown and mixture is dry, stirring frequently. Add diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, and one can of water, stirring and mixing well. Add sugar, cinnamon, and wine. Simmer, covered, stirring occasionally for approximately 2-3 hours. Cook your spaghetti as directed on the package.
Serve and enjoy!
Mrs. Nikkie’s Famous Greek Spaghetti Sauce
BUTTERFLY GARDEN MEMORIAL
This past spring, our community dedicated a space within our rooftop garden to honor the memory of our loved ones who passed during their time at AOS. Each butterfly commemorates an individual AOS trustee, student, faculty, or staff member. May their memory be eternal.
ON THE THEOLOGY OF ORTHODOX
CHRISTIAN ICONOGRAPHY
A Brief Q&A with Fr. Efstratios
What are icons, and where do we first see them in Christianity?
Icons are paintings or carvings of Jesus Christ, His mother the Virgin Mary, the Saints, Prophets, and lessons from the Holy Bible. The first icon was actually created with the blessing of the Virgin Mary by St. Luke the Evangelist, one of the 70 Apostles! Many of his icons still exist today in monasteries throughout Greece and Cyprus.
Why is iconography important in the Orthodox Church? What is the Theology of iconography? Iconography is important because,“The Word became flesh and dwelt among us,” as St. John the Evangelist writes (John 1:14). Worship in the Church is to God alone; icons show honor and respect to the saint or saints depicted. Since they live in Heaven with Christ, we ask that they pray with us and for us to God. As they pray to God for us, we are reminded of the Lord’s Prayer, “On Earth as it is in Heaven.” In the early Church, most people were illiterate, thus iconography served as a method of teaching about the life of Christ and the Saints. This is why St. Basil the Great teaches, “What the Gospel is to the ear, the icon is to the eye.”
What is being installed this summer? What is coming in the future?
All of the iconography that will fill the dome of the Cathedral is being completed and installed this summer. Theologically, the ceiling of the Church is symbolic of Heaven, with the dome being the highest point, and the floor of the Nave, Earth. Christ is depicted as the Pantocrator, the Ruler of All. The dome is designed so that we see Christ, and how He bent the heavens and the laws of nature, and was born of a virgin and became man. Also, the dome, the icon of Christ the Pantocrator,
“What the Gospel is to the ear, the icon is to the eye.”
St. Basil
the Great
can be seen from anywhere in the Cathedral without obstruction. God is always watching over us. God is eternal — He has no beginning and no end. In Byzantine architecture, you will find domes and arches, which form circles (no beginning and no end) which preaches God’s eternity.
From the dome that is symbolic of Heaven, we descend chronologically:
1. Christ Center of the Dome
2. Angels Encircling Christ
3. Prophets Between the windows in the Dome
4. Forefathers/Genealogy of Christ and Prophets The band at the base of the Dome
5. The Life of Christ The Ceiling of the Cathedral
6. The Evangelists, Disciples, and Apostles The Pendentives
7. The Saints The walls of the Cathedral which will be installed in the coming years
How do we use icons at AOS?
Every week, we gather for Chapel in our Cathedral. The iconography that fills our Cathedral is used to create those visual connections with Holy Scripture while creating a distinct atmosphere of worship and prayer that transports us to a place where we do not know if we are in Heaven or on earth!
Who is working on the iconography?
Our iconographer, Manoli Kavallaris, and his team are from Greece and they are working out of the Holy Archangels Greek Orthodox Monastery, outside of San Antonio.
2023-2024: A Year in Review SPECIAL EVENTS
Back to School Breakfast
Family Tailgate
Book Fair & Spaghetti Dinner
Father/Son Night Out
Golf Tournament
Daddy/Daughter Night Out
Gala
Sporting Clays Tournament
Grandparents and Special Friends Days
Eikon Art Show
AOS Olympics
1) Laura Fyssas, Manoli Fyssas, George Fyssas ’28; 2) Jein Gadson, Michael Gerdes, Demetri Dale 3) Maddie Mousoudakis ’31; 4) Omar Awar, Cameron Awar ’33; 5) Trey McCord, Griffin Haby; 6) Charlotte King ’25; 7) Roslyn Bazzelle Mitchell, Derrick Mitchell; 8) Jason Orsak, Alec Lubrano ’11, Harrison Schmidt ’11; 9) Catherine Dahl, James Brooks III ’33, Mark Dahl; 10) Molly Kate Barrett ’27, Taylor Thompson ’27, Adele Durham ’27; 11) London Johnson ’29, Myergrace Melvin ’29
PARTING THOUGHTS
Do you all remember how middle school started for you? It was the 2020-2021 school year. Covid was on everyone’s mind! There was so much uncertainty about how the year would unfold. All of you were in cohorts with the same 12 or so kids EVERY single day! Do you remember what color cohort you were in? Amelie, Turi, Jaxson, Justin, Eli, Lily, and Lucia were part of the Blue Baby Yodas and spent their days down in the basement. I know I worried about whether or not you were getting enough sunlight spending the whole day in a room with no windows, and I bet your parents were, too! Fortunately, Mr. Dix and the other fifth-grade teachers were there to make sure you learned a lot and to occasionally tell a few jokes to lighten the mood. As crazy as that time was, you made it through, and I hope you learned how resilient, flexible, and adaptable you are! Those traits will serve you well for the rest of your life.
Heather Haas Head of Middle School
The doors that welcome us into the AOS community are more important than any other doors we will enter because inside those doors, we were creating memories that we will carry with us forever. We created memories with Mrs. Bento while playing Little Sally Walker every recess or singing Señor Wooly with Señora Maria in sixth grade. Not a single day went to waste at AOS.
After today, we will walk through the Cathedral doors for the last time. The doors that we walked through every Thursday while holding our Chapel Buddy’s hand. Today, I get the honor of passing through those doors with a community that has grown stronger through the years. A community that welcomed me with open arms in fourth grade. A community that gave me memories with my best friends that I will forever cherish.
Monika Condon ’24
As I think about my time at AOS, I ask myself, “What makes being here special?”
• I s it the Olympics and our competitive drive… even though I’ve never been on a first-place team?
• Was it the musical, playing sports, or winning HJPC in football?
• Or w as it the parents who made me feel a part of the family? You opened your doors and said to me, “Mi Casa es su Casa,” while I raided your pantry and memorized your security codes.
• One thing that mak es AOS so awesome is all the bonus holidays we get… Greek Fest, Holy Wednesday, Greek Easter, Grandparents Day … not to mention the half days. But I’m pretty sure my parents disagree with me on this one.
There are just so many things about AOS that I have loved and I will miss. It’s tough to really figure out what is the best thing about AOS. As I wrote this speech, I realized that what has made AOS the best, is us.
Ethan Ou ’24
As our grade moves on to high school, there are many things that we will leave behind. The culture at AOS makes our school community unique, from Greek traditions to the feeling of Agape that we encounter every day from others. The loving community at AOS is like no other. I truly don’t know where else I would have had the opportunity to participate in creating an Agape speech, playing in our yearly Olympics, and being a role model for my Chapel Buddy.
Looking back, I’m happy I chose to go to school on the days I wanted to skip, not knowing then that those were the moments I would always want more of. We should all appreciate the time we had at AOS; It was time well spent.
Marley Ramm ’24
Class of 2024 WORDS OF ADVICE
“Please, please enjoy the time you have left. Eleven years seemingly flew by, and I wish I hadn’t taken so much for granted.”
Olivia Anaipakos ’24
“Put forth your best effort for everything. It will pay off in the end!”
Nana
Barning ’24
“Life isn’t always easy, but it’s supposed to be that way. Instead of looking back on all your failures, dwell on your successes.”
Lily Parsapour ’24
“Build your memories. AOS is a school where friendships are built and connections are made. Memories that are formed here will last in your mind for the rest of your life.”
Ved Kulkarni ’24
“Don’t stress yourself too much. Live life to the fullest before you enter high school and eventually go to college.”
Michael Kee ’24
“High school may be important, but don’t let it take your attention away from what’s happening right now.”
Griffin Orsak ’24
THE SILVER PILLAR AWARD
Each year, the Silver Pillar Award is given to an outstanding AOS volunteer. First awarded in 1996 to the founders of the school, Father Nick Triantafilou, his wife Presvytera Diane, and to the founding Head of School Katherine Veletsos, The Silver Pillar Award for Outstanding Service is Annunciation Orthodox School’s top volunteer honor.
Erin McMillan, 2024 Recipient
Erin McMillin is the 2024 Silver Pillar Award recipient. Since 2012, Erin has volunteered her time with the AOS community.
Erin has been an active member of the Parent Teacher Club for the past 13 years and served as its president during the 2019-2020 school year. It’s hard to forget how challenging it was to lead any organization in 2020. While we all navigated the unknown, Erin led the PTC with her calm demeanor and wise counsel, bringing a sense of normalcy and consistency to a year that was anything but. She remained positive and focused on upholding our beloved AOS family, and our entire community benefitted from her leadership and care.
Erin has served as a room parent, a member of the Annual Fund committee, and an E Phili Mas grade representative. She has also been an Admission volunteer giving tours to prospective families. Erin has helped with the Art Angels and volunteered her time to track Classical Countdown songs for countless lower school students.
Through the years, Erin has faithfully given her time, talent, and resources and has made a long-lasting impact on AOS in meaningful ways that we will always remember.
THE TRIANTAFILOU AWARD
The Triantafilou Award was introduced in 2021 as part of the school’s 50th Year Anniversary Celebration. This award is given to someone who embodies and promotes the mission of Annunciation Orthodox School. The Triantafilou Award is named in honor of Father Nick Triantafilou and his wife Presvytera Diane, the founders of AOS.
Kevin Cokinos, 2024 Recipient
Kevin Cokinos is the 2024 Triantafilou Award recipient. Kevin has given so much to AOS over the past 11 years. He has served on the Board of Trustees since 2017 and has chaired the Master Planning Committee and Advancement Committee and been a member of the Endowment, Facilities, and Nominating committees. He is currently serving on the Light the Way Capital Campaign Committee. He is an avid supporter of all things AOS including the Olympics, Book Fair, and Dads Club, and has even done his time as a former UCAL coach. Although his AOS resume is impressive, it is what he does behind the scenes that is most remarkable. Through the years, Kevin has been known to be the very last parent to help AOS staff at the end of an event.
This year, after most people had left Spaghetti Dinner, Kevin stayed well after dark to help put up chairs and pick up trash left behind. In March, after the Gala, Kevin helped the Advancement team take art off the walls, load cars with items that needed to be returned to school, and helped clean up long after the band stopped playing. These are just a few instances of his humility and kindness, but there are many.
It is safe to say that we have all been touched by Kevin’s incredible, authentic kindness and unending generosity at some point throughout our time at AOS. Always an eternal optimist, Kevin has a way of bringing out the best in others. His selfless service has been a constant presence at our school, and he truly embodies the mission of AOS.
GREECE
NEXT 7TH GRADE TRIP
MAY 27 - JUNE 4, 2025
Contact Meredith Wise
Noelle DiNardo ’25, MP Stukenberg ’25, Eli Mensing ’24, Nadia Taldykin ’25, John Maxwell ’24, Meredith Wise, Max Bera ’25, Fares Doumani ’25, Ava Wise ’25, Anita Thrash ’25, Adam Georgandis, Esha Chilakapati ’25, Jean-Luc Theroux ’25, Aydin Manal ’25, Aman Mehta ’25, Maria Milios
Our First Trip to Greece 2024
“This trip was an eye-opening experience that taught me independence and social skills that an adult could not have taught me. Definitely a trip to remember!”
Esha Chilakapati ’25
“This trip to Greece was such a milestone for me. It helped me become closer to my religion…The amount of history in Greece was truly mind blowing… It felt like walking through a time machine, and I will carry these memories forever.”
Nadia Taldykin ’25
“I feel like you really bond with everyone there, you make new friends and have so many fun experiences! A really good part was the food, not going to lie. I’m so happy I went!”
MP Stukenberg ’25
CELEBRATING 20 YEARS OF LITMAG
By Joan Lange & Marian Rosse
Like a camera focusing on a scene, creative writing engages our thoughts and imagination, inviting readers to build empathy and expand perspectives. One way that AOS promotes student voices, creativity, and imagination is through the literary magazine, Caught in the Pages, which showcases some of the best student writing and art. As we celebrate the literary magazine’s 20th anniversary by taking a nostalgic look back, we also reflect on the continuing importance of encouraging young writers.
History of the LitMag
The idea for a school literary magazine was first suggested by a student, Rosalind Casey ’04. Teacher Marian Rosse and ten eighthgrade language arts students created the first edition of Caught in the Pages. With the help of librarian Dorcas Hand, Marian Rosse guided students through the publication process.
Twenty years later, our dedicated seventh- and eighth-grade student editors collaborated to bring this milestone edition to life in 2024.
Building Valuable Skills
The literary magazine involves project-based learning at its best. Today, creative writing teachers Marian Rosse and Joan Lange support this student-driven publication process. Student editors promote submissions through contests, videos, and posters; evaluate and select submissions with a writing rubric; and use Adobe Photoshop and InDesign to prep and lay out pieces. The 2024 cover design demonstrates how combined efforts make a successful magazine. Abby Seaberg ’24 envisioned, contributed drawings, and led a group of students to produce the striking front and back covers, which showcase the magazine’s writing themes: nature and indelible moments. These student editors benefit from teamwork as they develop graphic design, promotion, and communication skills-advantageous skills for their high school years and beyond.
Recognition of Excellence
During the past five years, Caught in the Pages has garnered two “excellent” and three “superior” awards from NCTE’s REALM program, which recognizes the best studentproduced literary magazines. Students have also won awards from The Scholastic Writing Contest. The 2024 LitMag features writing by several Scholastic Award winners:
• Four Gold Keys: Sylvie Caputo ’24, Monika Condon ’24, Zoya Johl ’25, and Abby Seaberg ’24
• One Silver Key: Olivia Anaipakos ’24
• Three Honorable Mentions: Lauren Ivan ’24, Casper Norwood ’24, and Ella Vogelsang ’24
• Two National Awards: – Abby Seaberg ’24, Silver Key, Science Fiction/Fantasy, “Zebras” – Zoya Johl ’25, Gold Key, Poem, “I Never Forget My Jamaica.”
In addition, Sylvie Caputo’s ’24 personal essay received a first class award from NCTE’s Promising Young Writers.
Celebrate 20 Years of Litmag
Celebrate with us as you enjoy viewing the 2024 LitMag. Students bring their close observation of the world and transform it through heartfelt and perceptive writing.
A River Run Dry
Sylvie Caputo ’24
A coming quarrel of a river run dry
The basin on which seven states rely
A craggy, cracked channel soon to be empty Used to be a source of plenty
The futile fight for conservation Is an endless conversation
Aridification of the West: Overuse of water on human’s request
The carver of a canyon grand Now barren bones atop the land
(Sylvie Caputo’s poem was part of an awardwinning essay, NCTE Promising Young Writers.)
Explore previous issues of LitMag
Hidden Away in Our Own Little World
Olivia Anaipakos ’24
Inspired by the school year during COVID. Students were grouped in classroom cohorts.
Hidden away In a dark drawer. Collecting dust
As most forgotten things must, Awaiting the return of sunlight.
Through fun and failure, Faith and friendships, There we stayed. Hidden away.
Hidden away, In our own little world.
Our own little world. Where anything is possible, Any obstacle is crossable, And we are unstoppable.
Our own little world. Just ours. Only ours.
Hidden away, In our own little world.
Bryn Bartley’s art and Olivia Anaipakos’s poem won Gold Keys, Scholastic Art & Writing Awards.
Bryn Bartley ’24
ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT
OLIVIA DE SALVE VILLEDIEU ’05
Independent Designer & Art Director | oliviadesalve.com
Designer of the First AOS LitMag Cover 2004
Tell us about your work as a graphic designer. I work for myself and am hired by different clients to do all sorts of projects. Graphic design is a really fun career. In a single day, you could be working on an exhibition about puppets, a website for an artist, packaging for a razor company, and an illustration for the New York Times! In general, the kinds of things I work on tend to touch art and cultural institutions.
In the last few years, I have been doing a lot more exhibition design. I do a lot of work with museums like MoMA and the Museum of the City of New York! Graphic design for exhibitions is interesting because you get to create and inform physical spaces. When you go to a museum exhibit, there is, of course, the art and artifacts, and then there is the text, information, and visuals that surround these
objects. Sometimes, they are in the form of a title wall, an arrangement of images, a text panel, a label, the wall color, or even interactive. Making the decisions about how this information is presented in a museum or gallery is what exhibition designing is.
Who or what inspired you to pursue a career in this field?
My sister, Cara, is 17 1/2 years older than me and was an artist and filmmaker when I was younger. I followed her footsteps in many ways. We both went to HSPVA and Cooper Union to study art. My parents were also very supportive of both of us. They always believed in what we were trying to do and supported us every step of the way. It is hard to pinpoint what drove me to graphic design specifically, but it was always something that I was very drawn to. I am a form maker at heart and
have always been pretty obsessed with graphic shapes and bold colors. I think I first realized that graphic design was a career towards the end of middle school. I had big dreams of being in a band at that time, but I had no rhythm or musical talent. I was trying to think about ways to be involved with music without actually having to play it, and then it came to me — I could just make the album art instead! I have designed a few records now.
The AOS LitMag turned 20 years old this year! Has your creative contribution for the first edition manifested in other parts of your upbringing and career?
Wow! This is wild and great to look back on. I made the cover for the first LitMag when I was 13. Now, I am 33 and still making books and book covers today! It is really amazing how sometimes these things are just ingrained in us and really do come full circle. Maybe this is a great example of trusting your gut, being yourself, and always working towards the things that interest and inspire you. I feel so lucky to have had the support of my teachers, friends, and family to be able to pursue my interests (even if in that moment, they were maybe not so apparent to me).
How has an AOS education shaped who you are today?
Middle school is a very informative time in a young person’s life. You go through many changes at this time and really start to learn who you are and what you’re interested in. Middle school can be kind of a hard time for a kid, but I think AOS taught us so many things and provided a great structure to start to figure out who we wanted to be. I remember all of our teachers were so wonderful and supportive, and it was great to have such a tight-knit class and community.
What are your favorite memories from AOS?
No surprise here, but I really loved Mrs. McCarten’s art class. The things I remember most clearly from AOS were the friendships I made. I remember a lot of very fun sleepovers with John Pyburn, Camille Tallichet, and Liz Furlow.
What is your greatest professional accomplishment thus far?
This is a really hard one. I love working with big museums and cultural institutions. Also,
getting to be my own boss and work for myself is pretty cool.
What is one professional goal you hope to accomplish next?
I have been working as an independent designer for a while now and running my own little studio of one. I am really lucky to collaborate with my friends on projects pretty regularly, so I hope that we can shape our collaborations into a more substantial studio structure soon. I want to start a design studio that is bigger than just me!
What advice do you have for the next generation of AOS students who might be interested in graphic design?
Sometimes, choosing a career in the arts can be intimidating because it does not always feel like the most financially prudent choice, but if you do what you love, work hard, and believe in yourself, the rest will fall into place.
First LitMag Cover
Class of 2020 College Choices
OH, THE PLACES YOU’LL GO
Auburn University
Jack Conner
Macy Mogas
Brown University
Alexandra Madrid
Case Western Reserve University
Rowan Matorin
Tennis
Clark University
Merry Griffin
Softball
College of Charleston
Zoe Loving
College of William & Mary
Ellison Albright
Davidson College
Kate Sullo
Eckerd College
Nathaniel Hilton
Florida State University
Sebastian Fefer
Fordham University
Sophia Shin
Fordham Tuition Award
Franklin & Marshal College
Cooper Tully
William Tully
George Mason University
Justin Begg
Basketball
Athletic Scholarship
Goldsmiths University
Eleni Georgiou
Indiana University
Dylan Ramm
Lewis & Clark College
Lily Stankowski
Louisiana State University
Cape Echols
Loyola University Chicago
Kathryn McCarthy
United Kingdom
Muhlenberg College
Owen Zoeller Soccer
Academic Scholarship
New York University
Owen Leung
Nadiya Naehr
Northeastern University
Chisom Nwabudike
Occidental College
Rhys Lloyd
Purdue University
Remy Brejon
Rhodes College
Lizzy Randall
Rice University
Daniel Rosenstrauch
Ryohn Sen
Samford University
Yianni Rokas Crossland Scholarship Davis Scholarship School of Music Scholarship
San Diego State University
Ava Baum
Santa Clara University
Sean Ahlgren
Southeastern University
Ada Kate Moore
Southern Methodist University
John Platis
Southwestern University
William Suell Golf Ruter Scholar
Elizabeth Wade
Sarofim Fine Art Scholarship
Merit Based Scholarship
St. Edward’s University
Eli Gebhard
Texas A&M University
Noah Chang
Bridget Lokker
Logan Phillips
Texas Christian University
Eva Rockecharlie
Tulane University
Meredith Frasier
United States Air Force Academy
Robert Wise
University of Colorado
Sophia Maragos
Axel Minard
University of Georgia
Emerson Rippstein
University of Houston
Michael Kanakidis
University of Kansas
Murphy Vogelsang
University of Michigan
Daniel Benz
University of Mississippi
Nick Gebhard
Carolina Moss
University of New Mexico
Allie Williams Softball Athletic Scholarship
University of North Texas
Ellie Hetherington
University of Oklahoma
Sophia Foye
Kara Lewis Academic Achievement Award
Pathfinder Award
Sam Powell
University of Southern California
Mia Basu
USC Presidential Scholarship
National Merit
USC Scholarship
University of Tennessee
William Stovall
Tennessee Vol Academic Scholarship
Uni versity of Texas
Dimi Bernitsas
Eleanor Brown
Jamie DeGeorge
Lara Ibrahim
Brynn LeGrand
Constantine Mathews
Sloane Merideth
Franco O’Malley
Nolan Sanders
Sarah Tang
Janie Tsigos
University of Texas, Arlington Kamiya Bell
University of Virginia
Dylan Bentsen
Rugby
Francesca Wood
Vanderbilt University
Wade McGee
Ella Sablatura
Wakeforest University
Henry Lane
Washington & Lee University
Caroline Weber
Camilla Wood
Washington University in St. Louis
Ryan Allen
Yale University
Ella Piper Claffy
THE LITHOS SOCIETY
Planned giving provides donors with the opportunity to make a more substantial gift than would otherwise be possible and to create a long-lasting legacy at AOS.
Annunciation Orthodox School has a rich tradition of generous philanthropic support. One way to show your support for our school is through a planned gift.
The Lithos Society was created to recognize and express gratitude to alumni, parents, grandparents, and friends who have established a charitable gift for AOS in their estate plans. Planned gifts provide critical funds to strengthen and sustain the school’s future. By including AOS in your long-term planning, you become part of setting the lithos (foundation) for the school’s future generations.
Examples of planned gifts include naming AOS in your will or as a beneficiary on a life insurance policy, pension, IRA, 401(k) plan, or charitable remainder trust. If you have already included AOS in your estate plans, please let us know so we can appropriately acknowledge and thank you for your gift!
If you are interested in learning more about the Lithos Society and how you can give a gift to AOS that will last a lifetime, please contact Jill Buja, Director of Advancement, at jbuja@aoshouston. org for more information.
The word lithos means stone, but throughout time its connotation has evolved into a broader meaning. Most commonly, lithos is used to refer to the foundation of new construction. In the Orthodox Christian language, the word lithos is used to describe Christ as the founder of the Church.
ALUMNI CLASS NOTES
Charlsie (Neutzler) Nickerson ’06 and Chase Nickerson welcomed Wesley Ryan Nickerson on August 23, 2023.
Courtney
Demeris-Frazier
’10 married her high school sweetheart, Brandt Frazier, on January 20, 2024 at Annunciation Greek Orthodox Cathedral. Courtney graduated from the University of Texas at Austin in 2018 and received her JD from the University of Houston Law Center in 2022. She was admitted to the Texas Bar in October 2022 and is now an attorney at Frazier & Frazier, focusing on estate planning and probate.
Thirteen AOS alumni from the Class of 2020 graduated from Strake Jesuit on May 26, 2024. Dylan Bentsen, Ryan Allen and Dimi Bernitsas graduated with Highest Honors. Back row: Owen Leung, Dylan Bentsen, Noah Chang, Ryan Allen, Dimi Bernitsas, and Franco O’Malley. Front row: William Suell, Sean Ahlgren, Cooper Tully, William Tully, Ryohn Sen, Ali Husain, and Owen Zoeller.
Eva Morales ’31, daughter to Javier Morales ’95, just completed first grade in Jessica (Wimberley) Solcher’s ’10 class! Javier was so excited to have his daughter enter AOS as a Kindergarten student, and he enjoys hearing all about her friends, the wonderful staff, and the new things she is learning every day. After the loss of their beloved 14-year-old dog, Bishop, the family recently adopted Cheeto, an orange tabby cat.
Jessica (Wimberley) Solcher ’10 and Matthew Solcher are thrilled to announce the birth of their baby boy, Brooks Lyle Solcher, on January 7, 2024 weighing 6lbs 7oz.
In November 2023, Arabella (di Bagno Guidi) Hibbert ’98 decided to combine her love for Mahjong, marketing, and people and founded Marchesa Mahjong (marchesamahjong. com). On January 30, 2024, she taught Mahjong to a group of AOS parents, some of which are alumni, too! Top row: Jennifer Stillman, Noopur Shah, Kelli Lillienstern ’96 Bottom row: Faria Dhamani, Jackie (Neutzler) Crow ’99, Katherine (Koinis) Monk ’01
Kyriaki Postolos ’21 was elected student body president for the 2024-2025 school year at Episcopal High School.
Solé siblings Camille ’19, Charlie ’19, Sophia ’13, and AnaClare ’15 visited Greece this summer and experienced all the history and culture that they learned so much about during their time at AOS. Since then, Sophia and AnaClare moved in together in San Francisco with their puppy Melí, Camille started at the University of Southern California where she studies Music Industry, and Charlie started at the University of Chicago where he studies Economics.
ALUMNI CLASS NOTES
Ten Eagle Scouts from the AOS Class of 2020 earned the Eagle Scout rank with Troop 354 at St. Martin’s Episcopal Church. They all started scouting at AOS in Cub Scout Den 12 (Pack 55), and they just graduated from four different high schools. Former Head of School Mark Kelly was there to celebrate, too! Left to right: Logan Phillips, William Tully, Dimi Bernitsas, Dylan Bentsen, Cooper Tully, Wade McGee, William Suell, Constantine Mathews, Henry Lane, & Former Head of School Mark Kelly. Pictured below: Sean Ahlgren
Ellison Albright
’20 was recently awarded the Girl Scout Gold Award. She partnered with Catholic Charities for her project, which created resources for immigrants and refugees wishing to become U.S. citizens. This included a detailed study guide translated into multiple languages with practice tests for the US Citizenship Test and an interactive map of Houston with resource information.
Janikka Bratton ’00 recently became the presiding judge for La Porte Municipal Court. Jannikka and her mother made history as the first mother and daughter presiding judges in the State of Texas!
Class of 2020 alumni enjoyed their last days of school together as St. Agnes seniors. Top row: Eleni Georgiou, Ella Sablatura, Kamiya Bell, Kathryn McCarthy, Lara Ibrahim Bottom row: Ava Baum, Caroline Weber, Kate Sullo, Sophia Foye Not pictured: Amelia Nelson
Emmy (Davis) Moffett ’05 married Grant Moffett last year in Houston with several of their AOS friends by their side on the big day. The couple recently relocated to Brunei in Southeast Asia, and it’s been an amazing adventure!
Class of 2020 alumni celebrated the end of their senior year in their college shirts at Episcopal High School. Top row: Zoe Loving, Macy Mogas, Allie Williams, Kara Lewis, Meredith Frasier, Carolina Moss, Sam Powell, Daniel Benz, William Stovall, Bottom row: Eli Gebhard, Justin Begg, Nick Gebhard, Jamie DeGeorge, Eleanor Brown, Emerson Rippstein, Elizabeth Randall, Nolan Sanders, Constantine Mathews
The Burgess and Kelly families have grown by four more feet! Christina (Kelly) Burgess ’00 and JT Burgess welcomed baby Michael on April 25, 2024. Michael Kelly ’02 and Sarah Kelly welcomed baby Olivia on July 20, 2023. (Cousins left to right: Maddie Kelly, Olivia Kelly, George Burgess, Alex Burgess, Michael Burgess.)
May Their Memory be Eternal
Rebecca (Hamaker) Bertot ’01 1986-2023
Catherine Dameris, Faculty Writer of the AOS Song 1935-2023
Eyvette Hetherington, AOS Trustee 1971-2023
Nikkie Kyriasoglou, Staff 1955-2023
Dr. Donald S. Lutz, AOS Trustee Writer of the Lutz Memorandum 1943-2024
Jimmy Martin ’00 1985-2023
Adam Will ’02 1987-2024
Annunciation Orthodox School celebrates the lives of and acknowledges the loss of our dear alumni, trustees, faculty, and staff. This list is taken from friends and family who have shared this news with us during the previous school year. Please reach out to AOS Communications (communications@ aoshouston.org) to honor your loved ones in our next issue of the Delphian Magazine.
Teacher Feature
TAKING AOS TO NEW HEIGHTS
Our fifth-grade science teacher, Rebecca Morgan, climbed to the top of Mount Kilimanjaro this summer, and she took a little piece of AOS with her. What an incredible accomplishment!
June 2-20
You already know what makes AOS a unique and special place, and the AOS Admission Team can't wait to see you back on campus!
Applications available now
Deadline: Sunday, December 8
Tour registration begins August 1
Tours run from September 12 - December 12
January 22
Current AOS students
January 29
Returning Camp Families (not currently enrolled at AOS)
July 7-25 2025 registration at 11am
February 5
Open to the public
Top row: Mila Palandjoglou ’27, Isabella Skoulidis ’26, Stella Anaipakos ’26
Bottom row: Andrew Iliescu ’27, Niko Pagiatis ’27, Erik Stehl ’26
Top to bottom: Blair Thomas ’29; Henry Crow ‘34
October
October
THE DELPHIAN FALL 2024
The Delphian is published annually by the Communications Office, with support from the Advancement Office. It is sent to alumni, current parents, grandparents, and friends of the school who wish to receive it. We have made every effort to ensure accuracy in this publication. For information or questions regarding The Delphian, please contact communications@aoshouston.org.
Editor in Chief
Penny Angelo
Contributing Editors
Sarah Dennis
Katherine Koinis Monk ’01
Photography
Jenny Antill Photography, Alan Ross, Penny Angelo, AOS Community Members
Graphic Design
Danielle Garbouchian
Administration Team
Head of School
Dr. Samuel V. Fragomeni
Assistant to the Head of School
Colleen Wade
Head of Early Childhood & Lower School
Ashley Mejia
Assistant Head of Early Childhood & Lower School
Michelle Staller
Head of Middle School
Heather Haas
Assistant Head of Middle School
Johna Rusk
Director of School Life
Kelley Elliott
Director of Admission
Molly Khalil
Director of Advancement
Jill Buja
Director of Communications
Sarah Dennis
Director of Extended Day
Emily Benton
Director of Finance & Operations
Bryant Richardson
Director of Physical Education & Athletics
Ron Robinson
Director of Technology
Patrick Foye
Above: Luke Lenhart ‘24
Andreas Giannakakis ‘33, Sofia Gudovic ‘33