Archways 20 – Fall 2014

GAZING THROUGH ARCHWAYS

An archway is a passage or series of passages beneath

the support and strength of an arch. This issue of Archways focuses on St. Andrew’s world-class faculty and the outstanding support they provide to students pursuing the many paths and opportunities open to them at St. Andrew’s.

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LEADING THE LOWER SCHOOL

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FROM COLLEGE BOUND TO COLLEGE FOUND

St. Andrew’s students at every grade level learn under ded-

icated professionals who have been called not only to teach, but also to inspire. Teachers reach beyond the textbooks, encouraging each student to discover and explore his or her

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MENTORS INSIDE AND OUTSIDE THE CLASSROOM

unique interests and gifts. At St. Andrew’s, students find more than just experts in subject matter. They find mentors ready to help them reach their best not only at St. Andrew’s, but

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DUTY, HONOR, COUNTRY

also in the years to come.

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A TOO-SHORT LIFE, A LONG-STANDING LEGACY

On the Cover Learning facilitator Lynda Morse provided learning strategies and organizational tips that helped sophomore Meredith Goings excel in the classroom.

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ALUMNI UPDATES

contents 3

Introducing Andy

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Graduation 2014

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Building a World Class Faculty

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On their Merits

Small Change Equals Big Changes

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It’s Never Too Soon to Start

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Saints Spring Sports Records

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Ready for Kick-Off

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Upping their Game

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Follow the Yellow Brick Road Meet St. Andrew’s New Trustees The Class of 1974

Eye on Alumni

The Ties that Bind

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Looking Back/ Looking Forward

Editor Patrick Taylor ’93

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Archways Staff

and Contributors

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All Alumni Weekend 2014

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Contributing Editors Elizabeth Buyan ’97 Stephanie Garriga Marlo Kirkpatrick Designer Alecia Porch Photographers Robby Followell Patrick Taylor ’93 If you have a story idea or comment for Archways, please contact Patrick Taylor, editor, at taylorp@gosaints.org.

WWW.GOSAINTS.ORG

Teaming Up

INTRODUCING

ANDY

WHILE CLEANING UP THE SOUTH CAMPUS AFTER THE 2014 MAY DAY CELEBRATION, a member of the St. Andrew’s maintenance crew made an unexpected discovery. The worker followed the sound of whimpering to the woods near the old band hall, where he found an abandoned St. Bernard puppy. Members of the St. Andrew’s administrative staff have fostered the foundling ever since, and are pleased to report that the puppy has grown into a healthy, handsome dog, and along the way, has become the school’s biggest cheerleader. • Following a vote

by St. Andrew’s students and alumni, this lovable St. Bernard was given a name that pays tribute to the place he was found and now calls home. • Introducing St. Andrew’s Episcopal School’s spirited new mascot, Andy.

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ANNA HUDSON AND FIKAYO IDOWU PROCESS WITH THE CLASS OF 2014.

GRADUATION 2014 MAY 23, 2014 WAS A DAY FOR LAUGHTER, TEARS, HUGS, AND CELEBRATION AS THE 83 MEMBERS OF THE CLASS OF 2014 GATHERED AT LAKE SHERWOOD WISE TO MARK THEIR COMMENCEMENT FROM ST. ANDREW’S EPISCOPAL SCHOOL.

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LEFT: LAUREN FRIEDRICH RIGHT: DR. GEORGE PENICK AND ALEX WEISSER

“IN THE CLASS OF 2014, we have many different types of students. We have football fanatics, cheerleaders, dancing divas, sassy swimmers, baseball batters, lacrosse lovers, basketball boys and girls, soccer stars, chess team champs, quiz bowl competitors, speech and debaters, thespians, music stars, and students participating in many other activities. I feel honored to have attended high school with a group as diverse and as talented as this one.

“But in this class sitting in front of me, I [also] see 83 students willing to lend a hand to each other and provide somebody to lean on…I truly believe that this group of students will stay connected through our next four years of college and through the rest of our lives. Whether we are on the east coast or the west coast or somewhere in between, we will have 83 friends ready to be that person for us to lean on...

We all learned a great deal inside the classroom, but many of the most important lessons were learned outside the classroom…The Class of 2014 has certainly learned the value of friendship.”

“TAKE IT FROM ME, someone who has attended seven different schools for his pre-college education, that what we have here at St. Andrew’s—the course of learning that we have all just completed—is nearly unparalleled anywhere else in this country.

“Before we begin celebrating our accomplishments, I’d like to present you with a counter thought. President Kennedy once paraphrased a quote from the book of Luke saying, “To whom much is given, much is expected.”

And therein lies our challenge, classmates. From our births, we have been given the most creative tool known to man, our brains. And with our St. Andrew’s education, we have polished and refined our neurons’ capabilities to the utmost. Now, the task that lies ahead of us is to implement those skills where they will provide the most benefit to our world and to our community. It’s hard to think of a group of young people who have been given more opportunities than we have. And what this means for us, as we prepare to move forward with our lives, is that we should do so with confidence, because we have such a strong and sure foundation on which to build.”

Excerpted from a speech by Lauren Friedrich, 2014 recipient of the Trustee’s Medal for Academic Achievement

Excerpted from a speech by Alex Weisser, 2014 recipient of the Adele Franks Medal

AND THE AWARD GOES TO...

The outstanding achievements of St. Andrew’s students were recognized on Honors Day 2014. Among all the accomplished students three stand out, meriting special recognition as the recipients of the school’s highest awards.

THE TRUSTEES’ MEDAL FOR ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT Presented to the senior who has maintained the highest GPA over four years, as well as a mature, responsible attitude toward learning — Lauren Friedrich

tiative, and creative thinking exemplified in the lifelong achievements of St. Andrew’s founding headmistress, Mrs. Adele Franks — Alex Weisser SAINTS’ MEDAL FOR UNSELFISH SERVICE Presented to the student who views his or her work in terms of where that service will do the most good for the most people within St. Andrew’s and not in terms of personal gain or recognition — Caroline Speetjens

THE ADELE FRANKS MEDAL Presented to the senior who, in the view of the faculty, has demonstrated the same qualities of leadership, ini-

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GRADS GOING PLACES THE MEMBERS OF THE ST. ANDREW’S EPISCOPAL SCHOOL CLASS OF 2014 ARE PURSUING HIGHER EDUCATION AND LIFE-CHANGING EXPERIENCES NATIONWIDE.

Appalachian State University – 1 Auburn University – 1 Barnard College – 2 Birmingham–Southern College – 1 Carnegie Mellon University – 1 Claremont–McKenna College – 1 Colorado State University – 1 Emerson College – 1 Florida Atlantic University – 1 Fordham University – 1 George Washington University – 1 Georgia Institute of Technology – 1 Harvard University – 1 Howard University – 1 Liberty University – 1 Louisiana State University – 4 Loyola Marymount University – 2 Millsaps College – 2 Mississippi State University – 7 Shackouls Honors College – 3 New York University – 1 Occidental College – 1 Ohio State University – 1 Rhodes College – 2 Sewanee: The University of the South – 3

Southeastern University – 1 Spring Hill College – 1 Stanford University – 1 Trinity University – 1 Tulane University – 1 United States Military Academy at West Point – 2 University of Alabama – 5 University of Alabama at Birmingham – 1 University of California at Davis – 1 University of Central Florida – 1 University of Colorado at Boulder – 1 University of Mississippi – 16 Barksdale Honors College – 2 Center for Manufacturing Excellence – 1 Croft Institute for International Studies – 1 University of Notre Dame – 1 University of Southern California – 1 University of Southern Mississippi – 1

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Vanderbilt University – 3 Washington University in St. Louis – 3 Wheaton College – 1 St. Andrew’s students were also accepted at more than 85 other prestigious universities nationwide, including: Brown University Dartmouth College Davidson College Duke University Emory University Georgetown University Northwestern University Rice University University of California at Berkeley University of Chicago University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill University of Pennsylvania University of Texas at Austin University of Virginia Yale University

Building a WORLD CLASS Faculty “Of all the things I’m asked by parents and trustees, participate in this interview via Skype. the most common question is, ‘How do you choose Top applicants typically are interviewed a second your faculty?’” says George Penick, St. Andrew’s head time, and then narrowed to a small number of finalof school. “My answer is that we’re building the best ists. The final candidates then visit St. Andrew’s for a possible faculty from the largest, most diverse, and best series of in-depth meetings with the search commitpossible pool of candidates.” tee, other faculty and staff members, To find those candidates, St. Andrew’s and students. During this on-campus BY THE NUMBERS developed a rigorous, multiphase hirvisit, the top candidates are asked to ing process based on National Associteach a class, conduct a workshop, or ation of Independent Schools (NAIS) otherwise demonstrate their expertise best practices. in their fields. The search committee AVERAGE NUMBER When a position opens or is crethen makes a recommendation to the OF APPLICANTS FOR AN ated, St. Andrew’s first step is to form head of school, who decides whether OPENING AT ST. ANDREW’S a multi-member search committee, to extend an offer to a finalist or to conincluding the appropriate division head tinue the search. and department chair and other repre Every person considered for a fullFACULTY POSITIONS sentatives of the faculty and administime faculty or staff position, including FILLED DURING THE tration. Search committees typically internal candidates already employed 2013-14 SCHOOL YEAR include five members, who together

by St. Andrew’s, completes the same write the position description and overbasic process. see the interview process.

“This process thoroughly vets peo “Including different viewpoints helps ple who are promoted from within, NUMBER OF THOSE POSITIONS St. Andrew’s make better decisions, removing possible impressions of FILLED FROM WITHIN THE and also helps build an even stronger favoritism,” says Chris Harth, direcST. ANDREW’S COMMUNITY sense of community,” Penick says. tor of the St. Andrew’s Institute for Next, positions are posted internally, Learning, Teaching, and Engagement, nationally, and depending upon the position, interna- who helped develop the hiring process. “If a position is tionally, through NAIS and other educational organi- awarded to someone from within the St. Andrew’s comzations and job placement firms. This year, the aver- munity, it is because that person was the best candidate age number of applicants for a position at St. Andrew’s for the job.” was 40. Each member of the search committee individ- St. Andrew’s thorough hiring process not only creates ually reviews and rates the applicants, with the high- a larger and more diverse pool of applicants for each est-ranking applicants invited to visit St. Andrew’s for position and ensures the best possible hire for St. Andrew’s, a preliminary interview with the search committee or, but also results in more involvement and deeper engagedepending on the applicant’s geographic location, to ment from the existing faculty and staff members.

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“OUR STUDENTS DESERVE A WORLD CLASS FACULTY. IT’S OUR JOB TO FIND THOSE FOLKS AND BRING THEM TO ST. ANDREW’S.” — George Penick 8

That’s not to say the process doesn’t have its drawbacks. The competition for the best candidates is steep; applicants St. Andrew’s feels are ideal are often also pursued by other prestigious schools with more resources and higher salary budgets. The in-depth hiring process also requires a significant investment of staff time and school resources.

“Our new process may be more time consuming and expensive, but it’s an investment in the faculty and in the future of the school,” Harth says. “The search committees and all those involved are making an investment to hire the best people, keep them here, and help them grow.”

“Our students deserve a world class faculty,” Penick says. “It’s our job to find those folks and bring them to St. Andrew’s.”

CHRIS HARTH, LEANNA RANGE OWENS, GEORGE PENICK, AND TIM ALFORD

ADAM MANGANA, former director of diversity and student life, dean of Middle School students, and assistant football coach, was named St. Andrew’s head football coach. Mangana will continue to serve as director of student life and dean of Middle School students. For more on Adam Mangana’s new role, see page 60.

LEANNA RANGE OWENS, formerly the head of the Lower School, was named director of global studies, diversity, and multicultural education. Former St. Andrew’s faculty member TIM ALFORD returns to St. Andrew’s to serve as the new head of the Lower School.

“Because I love St. Andrew’s and am anchored by the Episcopal faith, I wanted to stretch myself to do more for the school and to help the school continue to stretch itself in important areas such as diversity, multicultural education, and global citizenship,” Owens says. “Continuing and expanding partnerships in our community and the world are a few of the responsibilities I am most excited about.

“I received a faculty travel grant to China and experienced first-hand the importance of our international school partners. For two years, my son and I have hosted a guest from China, and I’ve witnessed a friendship emerge between two teenagers that barely spoke each other’s language,” Owens continues. “I’m looking forward to broadening St. Andrew’s ability to help other people feel the same sense of community and comfort, and helping our community engage in meaningful conversations about who we are, what we value, and our roles in different communities.”

FOLLOW THE LEADERS The 2014 school year brought several changes to the St. Andrew’s senior leadership team, including the creation of new positions designed to meet St. Andrew’s evolving needs and better fulfill the school’s mission. Of four significant changes in key leadership positions, three were filled from within.

“This internal restructuring allowed several existing faculty members to move into new areas that matched not only their skills, but also their passions for St. Andrew’s,” Penick says. “Our students will benefit from the passion these people bring to the job.”

CHRIS HARTH, formerly director of global studies, was named director of the St. Andrew’s Institute for Learning, Teaching, and Engagement. The newly created Institute will focus on promoting and supporting educational excellence at St. Andrew’s, expanding collaboration with other schools and organizations, and helping St. Andrew’s serve as an educational resource for the greater community.

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Building a WORLD CLASS Faculty

In addition to being an outstanding teacher, Przemek Tokarski is also an avid student.

Already fluent in Polish, English, German, and Spanish, he is now fulfilling his desire to speak an “exotic” language by teaching himself Mandarin.

Tokarski indulged another of his passions, cooking, by completing a summer internship in food presentation at Jackson’s Bravo! restaurant.

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MALAGA to MISSISSIPPI Przemek Tokarski’s 4,717-Mile Career Move

PRZEMEK TOKARSKI NEVER IMAGINED him- conferencing tool. Tokarski created a presentation comself living in the United States’ Deep South, but the St. paring lifestyles in Malaga to those in Jackson. He did Andrew’s hiring process brought Tokarski from Malaga, more than just lecture, involving both his roommates Spain, to Jackson, Mississippi. in Spain and the students at St. Andrew’s in an animated A native of Poland with an interest in German cul- class discussion and analysis. ture, Tokarski graduated from the University of Munich “It was one of the most effective classes I’ve ever with undergraduate and master’s degrees in German lan- observed,” says Harth. guage, German literature, and German history. As part “Apparently, it worked,” Tokarski says. of his studies, Tokarski was required to spend one year He was offered the position at St. Andrew’s and abroad teaching German in an English-speaking coun- accepted – all without ever setting foot in Mississippi. try. He fulfilled that requirement at Miami University in When he made his first visit to the state in June of 2009, Ohio, where he was later hired as a fullTokarski realized his Ohio friends time German instructor. were right about one thing – the sum While teaching in Ohio, Tokarski mer heat. It also took Tokarski, a con“PEOPLE THINK began studying Spanish, eventually firmed urban dweller accustomed it’s a promotion to earning a second master’s degree in to walking from his home to restaugo from teaching the language. In 2008, he left Miami rants, shops, and entertainment venhigh school to University to spend a year living in ues, some time to adjust to a city with Spain. As his time there was drawing sprawling suburbs and no single center teaching college, to a close, Tokarski posted his credenactivity. but I did the reverse, of “Mississippi tials on educational job search websites. was such a different turf. and St. Andrew’s “I had begun wondering, ‘Where will I was anxious and wondered how well home be?’ I was looking at positions I would fit in,” Tokarski says. “But the has been a great worldwide, but thought I would probschool, St. Andrew’s, has made it all match for me.” ably return to Europe,” Tokarski says. worthwhile. I have thrived here. I have Those plans changed when Tokarski been nurtured here. You accept other received an email from Dr. Chris Harth, then director of things because you love what you’re doing, and I love global studies at St. Andrew’s Episcopal School, inviting my job. St. Andrew’s has kept me here. him to apply for a position as a Spanish teacher. Many of “I was so blessed that my first high school teaching Tokarski’s friends from Ohio discouraged him from pur- experience happened at St. Andrew’s,” Tokarski continsuing the position, warning that Mississippi’s physical cli- ues. “People think it’s a promotion to go from teaching mate would be too hot and that the state’s social climate high school to teaching college, but I did the reverse, and might be too conservative to suit him. But after a series St. Andrew’s has been a great match for me.” of telephone and Skype interviews with the St. Andrew’s Tokarski has flourished at St. Andrew’s. In addition search committee, Tokarski found himself intrigued by to teaching Spanish, he also teaches German, and has the idea of teaching at St. Andrew’s. had the opportunity to lead students on exchange trips “During the interview process, I remember Dr. Penick to both Spain and Germany. While he’s had to adjust to saying, ‘You’ve always taught at the college level. Why some differences in lifestyle and learn to survive the sumdo you think you would be suited to teach Middle School mer thermometer, Tokarski feels his experiences and the and Upper School students?’” Tokarski recalls. “My reply relationships he’s built at St. Andrew’s have been well was that while I had no experience teaching high school, worth the effort.

I was confident I could do it because when I taught at “I keep growing and every year here is different. St. Miami, my students were always telling me, ‘I wish I’d Andrew’s has given me a great opportunity for profeshad a teacher like you when I was in high school.’ And sional growth and I am so grateful. I look back over while some educators might have thought moving from my five years here and see that I’ve accomplished a lot,” college to high school was a step down, I really wanted Tokarski says. “The time I’ve spent building relationto teach at that level.” ships with my students is the most important thing to As a part of the interview process, Tokarski was asked me. My students and my St. Andrew’s colleagues have to teach a St. Andrew’s class from Spain using a video become my family here.”

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LEADING THE LOWER SCHOOL Q&A WITH TIM ALFORD, ST. ANDREW’S EPISCOPAL SCHOOL’S NEW HEAD OF LOWER SCHOOL

IN 2014, ST. ANDREW’S WELCOMED Tim Alford as the new head of the Lower School. A native of Kosciusko, Alford holds a bachelor’s degree in English and religion from Sewanee–the University of the South, as well as master’s degrees in theology, literature, and religion from Harvard Divinity School and in leadership and organizational performance from Vanderbilt University.

While Alford is new to the Lower School, he’s no stranger to St. Andrew’s. From 2009 to 2012, Alford taught history and English and coached speech and debate, football, and basketball at the St. Andrew’s Middle and Upper Schools.

Alford talked with Archways about what brought him back to St. Andrew’s, the future of the Lower School, St. Andrew’s role in the greater community, and how to escape from a charging grizzly bear.

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LEADING THE LOWER SCHOOL

HOW DID YOU FIND YOUR WAY TO ST. ANDREW’S THE FIRST TIME AROUND?

school trip to Israel. It was invigorating to be involved in all of those activities and to build relationships with so many students and constituents of St. Andrew’s.

My first experience with St. Andrew’s was right before I started college at Sewanee. My grandmother and grandfather, Jackson folks, arranged for me to have lunch with a St. Andrew’s alumnus named Andrew McLarty, who was set to enter Sewanee in the same class as I. Andrew introduced me to another St. Andrew’s grad named Richard Palmer. As I grew to know both of them, I realized just how different their high school experiences had been from mine. They had a cultural awareness, in movies and art in particular, that I lacked. Richard was the quirkiest intellectual I’d ever met; he spent a semester of school trying to learn the language Tolkien used in Lord of the Rings. I saw that he and Andrew loved learning for learning’s sake. That was my first introduction to what it meant to be a St. Andrew’s student.

After graduating from Sewanee and spending some time teaching in Boston, I started thinking about returning to the South. My sister, Leah Hendrix, was teaching seventh grade science at St. Andrew’s at the time, and she knew there was a position open for a seventh grade history teacher. That class revolved around world religions and cultures, a perfect fit for me at the time. I interviewed with Julia Chadwick over the phone, loved her, and soon thereafter did a Skype interview with some students. They asked great questions, and they apparently approved of my answers. I joined the St. Andrew’s faculty in 2009 and taught at St. Andrew’s for the next three years.

My last year at St. Andrew’s, I taught classes, coached speech and debate, football, and basketball, and led a

HOW HAVE YOU SPENT YOUR TIME BETWEEN LEAVING ST. ANDREW’S AS A MIDDLE AND UPPER SCHOOL TEACHER AND COACH AND RETURNING AS HEAD OF THE LOWER SCHOOL? I spent the last two years studying leadership and organizational performance at Peabody College of Vanderbilt.

I spent my last year there shadowing school heads and observing classes in independent schools around Nashville, including University School of Nashville, Harding Academy, David Lipscomb Academy, and Ensworth.

At those great schools, I asked teachers for their advice about what sort of qualities I should strive for. I shadowed division and school heads to see how they navigated budgets and finite resources to maximize results.

WHAT DREW YOU BACK TO ST. ANDREW’S? The people. Having been at St. Andrew’s for three years, I knew well the quality of the faculty. I knew how supportive and generous the parents were as partners in the educational process. Most of all, I knew what kind of students I’d get to work with. When I arrived at St. Andrew’s, I was blown away by the quality of the students, the types of questions they asked, the diversity of the classes that so enriched the learning opportunities.

All of those things pulled me back.

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JACK OF ALL TRADES TIM ALFORD PUT HIMSELF THROUGH GRADUATE SCHOOL BY WORKING AS A GHOSTWRITER. ALFORD PENNED BIOGRAPHIES FOR AN NFL PLAYER, A REAL ESTATE MOGUL, A NON-PROFIT CONSULTANT, AND A MALE EXOTIC DANCER.

WHAT ASPECTS OF YOUR NEW ROLE MOST EXCITE OR CHALLENGE YOU?

Finally, I’m looking forward to continuing a timeless conversation about St. Andrew’s obligation as an independent school operating for a public purpose.

The quality of the Lower School faculty is simply amaz- St. Andrew’s produces talented students and critical ing. No other place in Mississippi has so many experts thinkers. Many leave Mississippi and don’t come back. in early childhood and elementary education. The vet- We don’t begrudge them that opportunity, but it does eran teachers, of which there are plenty, are a priceless affect the value we provide to our state. One of the critresource. In addition, many of our newer faculty mem- icisms of private and independent schools is that they bers bring a contagious enthusiasm and exciting new draw some of the most talented students and involved ideas. Put those two things together, and you can do parents. I think we need to be conscious of what role we’re playing in the larger community and what we’re powerful things.

I’m excited about potential enhancements to our giving back. early childhood learning program. St. Andrew’s early childhood programming is excellent, and we’re now TELL US A LITTLE ABOUT YOUR FAMILY. looking at ways to enhance the space that houses those programs to better support our teaching. That’s an I met my wife, Mary Bruce Gray, at the most beautiexciting process that I’m happy to play a role in, along ful place on earth – Sewanee. She was from the horse with our pre-K and Kindergarten teachers and other country of Lexington, Kentucky. It took me a while to earn her interest, but I worked diligently at it! We’ve administrators.

I’m also excited about the challenges posed by all of been married for seven years and have a two-year-old the global forces outside of Mississippi. We need to be son, Gray. Gray keeps us constantly on our toes and is at aware of the broad trends our Kindergarteners, our first that stage where every day reveals some new skill, new graders, will face when they enter the world of employ- word, or development. ment. As the jobs of yesterday are automated one after the other, we have to ask ourselves at St. Andrew’s some WHAT IS SOMETHING PEOPLE WOULD BE questions. Are we doing all we can to foster creativity SURPRISED TO FIND OUT ABOUT YOU? and ingenuity? Are our students flexible and able to collaborate with others?

During a 47-day canoeing and hiking trip to Alaska, I How do we best develop resilience and grit to dig into was charged by a grizzly bear. He came within about 50 vexing problems and to handle setbacks? Are the skills yards before backing down. I’m not sure which is the bigand competencies that worked for previous graduates ger challenge, facing down a grizzly bear or leading the applicable to a more global and tech-driven economy?

Lower School, but I’m looking forward to finding out.

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LEADING THE LOWER SCHOOL

THE SECOND

TEACHER

THE IMPORTANCE OF ENVIRONMENT TO EARLY CHILDHOOD LEARNING

First grader Gia Ngo received her early childhood education at St. Andrew’s, beginning in pre-K3.

This fall, Gia’s brother, Jett, follows in his sister’s footsteps as a member of the new pre-K3 class.

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HOW IMPORTANT IS NATURAL LIGHT TO LEARNING THE ABCs? WHICH IS BETTER – SOOTHING GRAYS OR COLORFUL RAINBOWS? HOW MANY KINDERGARTENERS CAN REALLY FIT INTO A TYPICAL CLASSROOM? “Particularly at the early childhood that were serene and calm, while others level, the environment is a critical comliked bright colors and rainbows.” ponent of a child’s education,” says All of the committee members exCandy Coker, who just began her thirtypressed their desire for a space in which first year as a St. Andrew’s Kindergarten all of St. Andrew’s pre-K and Kinderteacher. “Very young children need the garten classes could share space, fosterright amount of space to explore and in ing greater opportunities for collaborawhich to operate. If little ones are too tion among the early childhood teachers. close together in a space that’s poorly Other wish list items include designated designed, the result is chaos. The right spaces in this age group for activities like environment, on the other hand, prolanguage instruction, music, art, and scimotes the kind of learning and behavence; interior spaces with plenty of natior teachers are trying to instill. In that ural light; and outdoor play areas with case, the space almost becomes a sec- “JUST BEING ASKED TO earth for a garden and sidewalks for ridond teacher.” ing tricycles. Coker also envisions space IMAGINE WHAT KIND Realizing the key role architectural that could serve the greater community OF ENVIRONMENT WE’D and interior design play, St. Andrew’s by hosting teacher training conferences, LIKE TO OFFER OUR formed the Early Childhood Architecparenting classes, and other events open YOUNGEST CHILDREN tural Exploratory Committee to study to those outside St. Andrew’s. options for enhancing the physical envi- GETS ALL OF US EXCITED.” “It’s been so inspiring to see what other CANDY COKER ronment of the school’s early childhood schools did when they had the opportuprogram. In addition to Coker, the committee includes nity to create something new and fresh. It’s also been a teachers from pre-K3, pre-K4, and Kindergarten, as well blessing to collaborate with my pre-K colleagues on this as members of the St. Andrew’s administration. The research. Just being asked to imagine what kind of enviECC members’ research has included consultations with ronment we’d like to offer our youngest children gets all learning specialists and architects, Internet study, and of us excited.” visits to early childhood learning centers at schools in When Coker began teaching at St. Andrew’s, the Kinother states. Coker was part of a group that visited Ursu- dergarten met in a renovated house across the street line Academy, St. Paul’s Episcopal School, and Metairie from the Lower School. Her classes have since moved Country Day School, all New Orleans-area schools built twice, first to a then-new preschool wing and next to or renovated after Hurricane Katrina. their current location in the Kindergarten building.

“These schools’ physical environments were totally “Every improvement in our environment has different from one another, but there was something we seemed like a dream come true at the time, and I’m could learn or take away from each one,” Coker says. “I just as excited now about what our space could look loved the bright, open, studio-style space at Ursuline, and like in the future,” Coker says. “I would love to see the small clapboard houses that were home to the Metai- St. Andrew’s create an early childhood learning space rie program were an interesting concept. Of course, hav- that makes the children’s and their parents’ jaws drop. ing a diverse committee also means a diversity of opin- Everyone wants the ‘wow’ factor, but what I would ions. Some committee members were drawn to spaces like to see is the magical factor.”

THE EARLY CHILDHOOD ARCHITECTURAL EXPLORATORY COMMITTEE INCLUDES TEACHERS FROM PRE-K3, PRE-K4, AND KINDERGARTEN, AS WELL AS MEMBERS OF THE ST. ANDREW’S ADMINISTRATION.

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“IT’S REWARDING TO SEE A STUDENT IN THE NINTH OR TENTH GRADE BEGIN TO EXPLORE WHAT HE OR SHE WANTS PAST HIGH SCHOOL IN TERMS OF HIGHER EDUCATION AND A POTENTIAL CAREER PATH.”

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COLIN DUNNIGAN IS READY TO HELP ST. ANDREW’S STUDENTS MAKE THE TRIP.

“College counseling is an incredibly rewarding posi- record to St. Andrew’s. A native of Dallas, Dunnigan tion, as you’re working with and advocating for stu- graduated from Austin College in Sherman, Texas, predents during a very exciting time in their lives,” says pared to pursue his longtime goal of becoming an eduColin Dunnigan, St. Andrew’s Episcator. Dunnigan’s first position was as SIGNING BONUS copal School’s new director of cola Spanish teacher and house parent COLIN DUNNIGAN’S FIRST lege counseling. Dunnigan took the at Christ School, an Episcopal school TEACHING POSITION AT college counseling reins from Mimi for boys near Asheville, North CarBradley, who retired after more than CHRIST SCHOOL IN ASHEVILLE, olina. He spent the next three years 41 years at St. Andrew’s. introducing students to Spanish lanNORTH CAROLINA, CAME “I realize the importance of getguage, culture, and literature, as well WITH AN UNEXPECTED ting to know St. Andrew’s students BONUS. DUNNIGAN MARRIED as coaching football and basketball, quickly and serving as a strong advobefore moving to a position in Christ THE HEAD OF SCHOOL’S cate for them, even as a counselor School’s admission office and eventuDAUGHTER. “MY FATHER who’s new to the school,” Dunnigan ally serving as director of admission HIRED COLIN, AND THEN says. “Mimi Bradley and Scott Albert and financial aid. His next position ENCOURAGED ME TO GO Johnson [associate director of college took Dunnigan to the Carlisle School OVER AND ‘HELP THE NEW counseling] have done great work in Martinsville, Virginia, where he SPANISH TEACHER SETTLE IN,’” that allowed me to pick up and start served as the director of the upper LAURA DUNNIGAN RECALLS immediately.” school and college counselor. DunniWITH A WRY SMILE. In addition to a reassuring manner gan continued in the role of college “EVER SINCE THEN, MY DAD and a ready sense of humor sure to counselor at the Miami Valley School put college-bound students at ease, HAS JOKED THAT HE HAD TO in Ohio, where he also served as the Dunnigan brings an impressive track director of development.

FIND ME A NICE GUY.” 19

MORGAN, COLIN, LAURA, AND CONNOR DUNNIGAN

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“AS A COLLEGE COUNSELOR, I’LL BE IN A POSITION TO REALLY GET TO KNOW THE STUDENTS. I’VE ENJOYED MY ROLES IN ADMINISTRATION, BUT THE OPPORTUNITY TO CONNECT WITH THE STUDENTS IS THE REASON I WENT INTO EDUCATION IN THE FIRST PLACE.”

unnigan originally visited the St. Andrew’s campus as part of a 1996 tour of schools completed while working at Christ School. St. Andrew’s left a favorable impression on Dunnigan; when the position of director of college counseling opened at St. Andrew’s, he didn’t hesitate to apply.

His new position fulfills not only Dunnigan’s desire to return to the South, but also a desire to focus on the area of student development he most enjoyed.

“College counseling is not a one-time event or decision, it’s a process,” Dunnigan says. “It’s rewarding to see a student in the ninth or tenth grade begin to explore what he or she wants past high school in terms of higher education and a potential career path. As a college counselor, I get to see that process of maturation, of students exploring the many possibilities open to them and questioning why they are attracted to certain schools or locations. Being a part of that multi-year process – and perhaps having an opportunity to reduce the nerves involved for students and their parents – is something I enjoy.

“As a college counselor, I’ll be in a position to really get to know the students,” Dunnigan continues. “I’ve enjoyed my roles in administration, but the opportunity to connect with the students is the reason I went into education in the first place.”

Dunnigan’s wife, Laura, and their children are also excited about the move to Mississippi and to St. Andrew’s.

The Dunnigan’s daughter, Morgan, is a sophomore, and their son, Connor, is a fourth grader. Connor – who rated St. Andrew’s a “9.9 out of 10” on his first visit to campus – has been drawn to the athletic and visual arts programs at St. Andrew’s. Morgan, a theatre and speech and debate enthusiast who was previously enrolled in a school with more than 2,900 students, looks forward to making new friends and “actually knowing the people who will be sitting next to me at graduation.”

While Colin and Laura Dunnigan look forward to the many opportunities awaiting their family at St. Andrew’s, they are also excited about another aspect of the move.

“I won’t have to wear my winter clothes as often,” Colin Dunnigan says. “And we sold our snow shovel.”

STANDING ON HER OWN TWO FEET

When she was just six years old, complications from a benign tumor on her spinal cord left Morgan Dunnigan paralyzed from the neck down.

“Morgan was on a ventilator, unable to breathe on her own,” the St. Andrew’s sophomore’s mother, Laura Dunnigan, says. “Doctors warned us that she might never be able to eat or to speak, let alone walk.”

But those doctors hadn’t realized that Morgan had a sense of determination far beyond her six years. Just two months after that dire prognosis, the little girl took her first steps. Over the following weeks, months, and years, Morgan pushed her way through a series of grueling physical therapy sessions, graduating from a walker to crutches. Today, though she sometimes uses a wheelchair to help navigate the St. Andrew’s campus in a more timely fashion, Morgan is able to walk on her own.

“Morgan never let this injury define her,” Laura Dunnigan says. “Instead, Morgan’s spirit has defined this situation. Her therapists and doctors were amazed by the maturity and determination she showed as a six-year-old in rehab, and we’ve had to keep people from underestimating her ability to work ever since. Whatever is asked of her, whether it’s her physical therapy or her schoolwork, Morgan doesn’t complain. She just gets it done.”

Morgan has little memory of her life before the injury and wastes no time asking, “Why me?” She has instead used her own story to inspire and encourage others. As a sixth grader, Morgan raised more than $6,000 to send other children to Camp Victory Junction, an outdoor adventure camp serving children with disabilities. When completing her admission application to St. Andrew’s, Morgan was asked to write about a challenge she had overcome. It never occurred to Morgan to write about learning to walk again; instead, she described her experiences in mock trial competition.

“You can’t change what’s happened in the past. You can only move forward,” Morgan says. “I don’t give up often. And even though there have been obstacles, I’ve been able to come so far. I’m thankful every day.”

“I always tell her how fortunate I feel that I got to see her take her first steps twice,” Laura Dunnigan says.

“The second time, in some ways, was even better, because those steps were so hard-won.”

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Men�ors INSIDE AND OUTSIDE THE CLASSROOM

At St. Andrew’s, teachers aren’t limited to passing on information found in textbooks. Instead, they have the unique opportunity to craft the learning experience to the individual student. Teachers engage their students in lively discussions and creative projects, and are available outside of class to work with students who might need a little extra help with a challenging subject or who are interested in pursuing additional independent study or research. Perhaps most importantly, St. Andrew’s students at every grade level learn from teachers who are not only passionate about their subjects, but who genuinely care about each of their students as individuals.

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WHILE LAUREN FRIEDRICH ’14 ALWAYS HAD A NATURAL APTITUDE FOR SCIENCE, THE CLASSES SHE TOOK UNDER DR. ROSCOE STRIBLING HELPED HER BRING THAT TALENT TO A NEW LEVEL. “I HAD NO IDEA that I would grow to love chemistry,” Friedrich says. “Dr. Stribling is passionate about the subject, and he’s the type of teacher who keeps his students on the edge of their seats, telling stories to introduce lecture topics and always keeping it interesting.”

“The level of classes I’m teaching now at St. Andrew’s is a higher level than I’ve ever taught anywhere, including at the college level,” says Dr. Stribling, who has been teaching at St. Andrew’s for 12 years. “I’ve always been fortunate to have motivated students at every school where I’ve taught, but at St. Andrew’s, it’s a little more intimate environment.”

Friedrich completed Dr. Striblings’ classes in honors chemistry, AP chemistry, and cloning, transgenics, and bioethics. The AP chemistry class was small, intimate,

and lab-oriented, with the teacher-student relationship transitioning to more of what Dr. Stribling describes as a “lab colleagues” structure and students taking on more responsibility for their own learning, a challenge in which Friedrich excelled.

“Lauren was very curious and self-motivated. She was both a leader and a key contributor to the class,” Dr. Stribling says. “I think she made an A in the class, but she was more concerned about learning for learning’s sake.”

A highlight of the class was a complex, weeks-long experiment on a specific scientific concept that Dr. Stribling had studied for some 30 years.

“This lab experiment was extremely meaningful to me,” says Friedrich. “Dr. Stribling was just as invested, if not more, than all of us were. I spent a lot of time out24

LAB PARTNER AND LIFE COACH Lauren Friedrich and Roscoe Stribling

side of class thinking about the experjunior year, I overloaded my academic “I think Lauren iment, and he did as well. He would schedule and was ballet dancing many made an A in the always have a new idea or theory to hours outside of school as well. Dr. Stribshare with us in class. Being in such an class, but she was ling helped me realize that it was okay to exhilarating classroom and lab environtake one fewer academic class because it more concerned ment is what showed me that I have a meant I would be a healthier, saner perabout learning for son. In Dr. Stribling, I had a teacher who passion for research.”

This fall, following a summer research cared about my life inside and outside learning’s sake.” fellowship she completed at the Univerthe classroom.”

ROSCOE STRIBLING sity of Mississippi Medical Center, Fried When Friedrich was selected as a rich is pursuing studies at Vanderbilt University geared Mississippi STAR student, she invited Dr. Stribling to toward a career in medical research. While Dr. Stribling accompany her to the STAR luncheon as the teacher helped Friedrich explore her interest in science, what she who had most inspired her. remembers most about her chemistry teacher is his con- “Dr. Stribling told me that out of all of the awards cern for his students outside of the lab. he’s received, being selected as a STAR Teacher was one “Dr. Stribling took an interest in me as a person,” of the most important to him. I realized that day just Friedrich says. “I could talk to him about struggles I was how much his students mean to him,” Friedrich says. having in other classes, or a project that I was working “Dr. Stribling is a great science teacher, but what’s most on. I could also always go to him for advice. During my important is that he genuinely cares about his students.”

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HELPING LEARNERS BECOME LEADERS Meredith Goings and Lynda Morse

ST. ANDREW’S SOPHOMORE MEREDITH GOINGS HAS NEVER BEEN ONE TO BACK DOWN FROM A CHALLENGE. FIVE YEARS AGO, WHEN GOINGS FOUND THE TRANSITION TO MIDDLE SCHOOL DIFFICULT, SHE SOUGHT HELP FROM LYNDA MORSE, ONE OF ST. ANDREW’S LEARNING FACILITATORS. “I HAD TROUBLE GETTING ORGANIZED and keeping up with the faster pace,” Goings recalls. “I felt like everyone else was moving ahead and I was being left behind. That was a feeling I hated. I always want to finish out strong and do as close a job to perfect as I can.”

“Smart people know when they need help and they aren’t shy about asking for it,” Morse says. “Even as a fifth grader, Meredith took responsibility for her own learning. Many students consider ‘doing well’ getting a B or C in a challenging class. But Meredith sought help because she wanted to excel. She didn’t want to settle for a B when she thought she could earn an A.” Morse provided Goings with learning strategies and organizational and study tips that helped her work her

way through the transition and shine in the classroom.

“Mrs. Morse was someone I always knew I could go to,” Goings says. “She made me feel very comfortable and boosted my confidence. I also realized I wasn’t the only one who occasionally needed some extra help.

I found what I’d learned so helpful, and I wanted to help other people, too. I started sharing the tips I’d learned from Mrs. Morse with my friends, and they’d say, ‘Whoa, how did you think of that?’ It was such a positive experience.”

Over the next three years, Goings continued to consult Morse when she faced new challenges, revealing a work ethic and determination that Morse describes as “unbelievable.”

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“Meredith’s work ethic is unparalleled grade in the class, I know I tried my “Meredith’s work and her motivation is like no other. She hardest and gave it my best. And everyethic is unparalleled one always has room for improvement.” gives it 500 percent with unbelievable follow through and effort,” Morse says. and her motivation is “Meredith will excel in anything she “Meredith is on the dance team, and the like no other. She gives chooses to do in life,” Morse says. “Her energy and determination I see her put attitude is always, ‘It might be a chalit 500 percent with into dance is the same energy and deterlenge, but that just means I’ll work unbelievable follow mination she brings to the classroom and harder. I know I can do it.’ Meredith will to any challenge she faces.” through and effort.” have unbelievable opportunities in life Today, Goings uses the strategies she because of that work ethic.”

LYNDA MORSE learned from Morse to manage an even Morse also praises Goings as a leader busier schedule that includes her school work, perform- who stepped up to offer her classmates the same help ing on the St. Andrew’s dance team, independent study and guidance she had received. of ballet three to four days per week, and an occasional “Meredith thinks not only of herself, but also of her game of tennis. classmates and her community. She is always there to “I’m so glad I started working with Mrs. Morse early support her fellow students,” Morse says. “Meredith was because I’ve been able to build on what she taught me willing not only to receive guidance, but also to offer it. ever since,” Goings says. “Sometimes I have to work That is the sign of a true learner and a true leader. I have harder than some of my friends might, but that just the utmost respect for her. In my mind, Meredith Goings makes me more determined. Even if I don’t get the best represents the model St. Andrew’s student.”

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GRACE TEAL, RUTH HOLMES, AND, CARRIE STALLINGS

CARRIE STALLINGS AND GRACE TEAL HONED THEIR WRITING SKILLS IN RUTH HOLMES’ AP ENGLISH 11, BUT BOTH PLACE AN EVEN HIGHER VALUE ON THE LIFE LESSONS THEY LEARNED. HOLMES’ CLASS FOCUSES ON all the ways in which St. Andrew’s students and all Americans are different – race, gender, religion, political views – then also looks at the common experiences they share.

“High school students are searching for meaning, for ways to belong while at the same time separating themselves from their parents and their peers as they move from adolescence into the first stages of adulthood,” says Holmes. “I try to make this class a place where students can freely discuss how they feel about these issues. My goal is to acknowledge that our society is and always will be imperfect, while at the same time, cultivating in the students a desire to engage in a lifelong attempt to make it better anyway.”

Each student in the class wrote a final research paper on the American identity. Teal’s paper, titled “The American Family Portrait,” concluded with a paragraph relating how she found her place as a new student in the St. Andrew’s community.

Teal wrote that she came to St. Andrew’s from her old school expecting to be alienated, and “thus assumed the

role of immigrant who refuses to assimilate. But when I came to St. Andrew’s, miraculously I was welcomed for my individualistic qualities, and I realized there is nothing wrong with the fact that I am different. I have developed not only a sense of belonging to St. Andrew’s, but also to America, because all of my differences are essential in a nation that strives for harmony between independence and indivisibility. I am not just American where my beliefs, culture, and upbringing intersect. I am American in that I will not let my differences crop me out of the American portrait.”

“What I learned in Ms. Holmes’ class will resonate with me forever,” Teal says. “The overlying message of the class, to me, was that I am a valuable part of the whole. Ms. Holmes said that we as Americans can’t feel like a part of something if we don’t know what we all have in common. Once I developed a sense of belonging to St. Andrew’s, I found it much easier to find a connection between myself and America. Her class helped me seek out the fact that, in spite of all my differences, I am indivisible from my country. Thanks 28

A LESSON DEEPER THAN WORDS Carrie Stallings, Grace Teal, and Ruth Holmes

to this course, I have developed it down, and I found that to be true.”

“My goal is to not only a sense of belonging to St. Both Teal and Stallings describe acknowledge that our Holmes’ class as the hardest they Andrew’s, but also to my country.”

Malone Scholar Carrie Stallings is have ever taken, but also as the most society is and always outgoing and unafraid to speak her rewarding. Both young women also mind, traits that have endeared her to describe Ruth Holmes not only as an will be imperfect, her fellow students. In a class discusexcellent teacher, but also as a friend. sion related to the American identity, while at the same time, “One of the biggest differences Stallings, who is biracial, entertained between St. Andrew’s and my old cultivating in the the class with a humorous retelling of school is that the teachers actually students a desire to her experience in applying for a drivwant to be here,” Stallings says with a er’s license. Stallings was forced to smile. “And Mrs. Holmes is more than engage in a lifelong check either the box reading “white” just a great teacher. She’s like my BFF.” or the box reading “black” by a clerk “Mrs. Holmes made me stop in the attempt to make it who asked her, “Don’t you think it’s midst of what I catch myself thinkbetter anyway.” time for you to choose?” ing is important – like making good “Ms. Holmes’ class made me realgrades and getting myself to look RUTH HOLMES ize that employee wasn’t unkind, he good on paper for college – and just was just unknowing. He was not aware of my unique fall in love with what I’m reading, writing, and learnexperiences,” Stalling says. “Those were the kinds of ing at that moment. She set the bar so high for me that I things we discussed in Ms. Holmes’ class – things that couldn’t get over it unless I also stumbled across the love were relevant to more than just English. We discussed of language and great writing,” Teal says. “Ms. Holmes things that I found relevant to myself and my life out- is a role model, an advisor, and a great friend to me. side of school. Ms. Holmes told us that we really didn’t She’s just too personal, too spiritual to ever be considknow what we thought about something until we wrote ered a ‘typical teacher.’”

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COACHING FOR THE GAME OF LIFE Savannah Thomas, Caitlyn Ross, and Coach Burney King

“BASKETBALL IS A METAPHOR FOR WHAT’S TO COME IN LIFE,” SAYS COACH BURNEY KING, WHO JUST BEGAN HIS TWENTY-THIRD YEAR AT ST. ANDREW’S AND HIS TWENTY-FIRST AS THE GIRLS BASKETBALL COACH. “WHEN THE ODDS ARE AGAINST YOU, you coach by making it clear that quitting is not an option. The least you can do every day is hustle. That’s what you’re going to have to do in life. That’s why you play the game.”

Two players who learned that lesson are Savannah Thomas ’14 and Caitlyn Ross ’14, who played basketball under Coach King throughout their high school careers.

Both young women enjoyed the game, but saw King as much as a life skills coach as a basketball coach.

“Coach King taught me a lot about hard work and perseverance,” Thomas says. “No matter how tough the competition was, Coach King would continue to motivate us and encourage us to do our best. Even if we lost the game, we could be proud of ourselves knowing that we gave it our all. Coach King never focused on the out30

come of the game as much as seeing us do our best.

“The lessons Coach King taught me also paid off in the classroom,” Thomas says. “His coaching about hard work and perseverance helped me push myself to new limits in class. I set goals the way Coach King taught me to, and my GPA got better and better. I also started challenging myself with more honors and Advanced Placement courses. Without Coach King, my success in school might not have been possible.”

“To improve my skills as a player, Coach King always told me to ‘make mistakes, but make them going forward,’” Ross says. “That advice applies to more than just basketball. Through the years I played for Coach King, I became a lot stronger mentally. I learned to make decisions with more confidence.

SAVANNAH THOMAS, CAITLYN ROSS, AND COACH BURNEY KING

“Coach King always said that his job “Over my career, I’ve lifelong commitment. And when they was to make sure we left high school leave St. Andrew’s, I tell them they’ll gone from a hardwith as few regrets as possible,” Ross always have a place on the bench, anycontinues. “That inspired me to live time they want to come back.” nosed coach to a guy in the moment and to not allow fear Many of Coach King’s former playor uncertainty to keep me from doing who is willing to meet ers have taken him up on that offer, something new. Coach King taught me returning to campus to attend games, kids where they are.” catch to step out of my comfort zone, and up with their former coach, and that advice gave me the freedom to try thank him for the advice that still matCOACH BURNEY KING new things and be creative.” tered to them years after their last high “Over my career, I’ve gone from a hard-nosed coach school game buzzer sounded. One of Coach King’s to a guy who is willing to meet kids where they are,” proudest moments was winning the Christian AlexanCoach King says. “That’s been the biggest change in der Allenburger, IV Faculty Award. me. The most important lesson a school coach can learn “That award was recognition that I am a teacher,” is that it’s not about you. It’s always about the kids. I Coach King says. “If all my players learn from me is recently won my 300th game, and I’m proud of that. basketball, I have failed them as an educator. We all But while I can’t tell you all my own coaching stats, I want to win and I’m thrilled when we do, but in the can tell you about the kids I’ve coached. My responsi- process of coaching, I’ve found a lot more treasures bility to my players doesn’t last for just the season. It’s a than just Ws.” 31

TWO FAITHS, ONE JOURNEY Kovi Katz ’14 and The Rev. Kirk LaFon

KOVI KATZ WAS ALWAYS PROUD OF HIS JEWISH FAITH, BUT AN ACT HE WITNESSED DURING A TRIP TO ISRAEL INSTILLED IN HIM A HEIGHTENED DESIRE TO SHARE HIS FAITH WITH OTHERS. “I WAS STANDING AT THE WESTERN WALL, thinking, ‘It’s just some rocks,’ when an elderly, Orthodox man walked up to the wall and kissed it. I was thinking, ‘Why did a man just kiss a wall?’ when it hit me. This was the one spot where all of the Jews throughout history had come to pray. It was a powerful moment. One moment it was just a wall, the next it was a holy place.

“I came back from that trip with a desire to create an understanding of my faith at St. Andrew’s and to help other Jewish people at St. Andrew’s feel comfortable in sharing their faith,” Katz continues. “I thought if I wanted to look for more ways to share my faith, what better way to address that than to serve on the Chapel Council?”

The Chapel Council is a group of students who pro-

vide input on St. Andrew’s chapel services to Upper School Chaplain The Rev. Kirk LaFon. As a member of the council, Katz made suggestions for incorporating acceptance of other faiths into the chapel program.

When Fr. LaFon opened the chapel service to input from students. Katz read a poem he had written about accepting people and accepting religious differences.

“Kovi has a real sense of compassion and connection to other people,” Fr. LaFon says. “Kovi and I shared a closeness and a mutual respect. I like to think our relationship speaks to the culture of St. Andrew’s.

“The Episcopal faith is very open and inclusive, and I liked that Kovi welcomed conversations about his faith,” Fr. LaFon continues. “Serving students of different faiths makes my job more rewarding. I love this 32

type of environment where we’re not all “Kovi and I shared as a counselor at Camp Dream Street, coming from the same place. Learning a summer camp for children with disa closeness and a abilities. Katz also spent a semester livfrom others about where they’re coming from challenges me to better articulate ing, studying, and serving on a kibbutz mutual respect. my own faith. Many people find exposure outside Jerusalem.

I like to think our “When I think of Judaism, I think to other faiths threatening, but I think it helps to be better informed. Sharing with of all it has taught me,” Katz says. “I’ve relationship speaks also one another is how we all come together learned from the Episcopal faith. to learn and to serve.”

The Episcopal faith has taught me that to the culture of Katz and Fr. LaFon also shared converknowledge leads to acceptance. The St. Andrew’s.” sations about the things their faiths had in more I learned about the Episcopal common. faith, the more I accepted my Episcopal THE REV. KIRK LAFON “Kovi and I talked a lot about his travfriends’ faith and their beliefs. I think els and experiences in Israel, and what that place means that’s true of any faith. If I talk about my faith and to both of our respective faiths,” says Fr. LaFon. share, people will be more willing to accept my beliefs.

Another trait common to both Judaism and the All knowledge is knowledge. Knowledge in math, sciEpiscopal faith is an emphasis on service. As Katz puts ence, or English is equal to the knowledge you learn it, “Judaism is service. Many Jews say, ‘before prayer from your religion. It’s the way you choose to use that comes service.’” For several summers, Katz served knowledge that matters.”

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THE LIGHT BULB MOMENT Dickson Ray, Allen Lyle ’05, and Lee Waterhouse

WHEN EIGHTH GRADE HISTORY TEACHER ALLEN LYLE ‘05 AND EIGHTH GRADE ENGLISH TEACHER LEE WATERHOUSE NOTED THAT SOME OF THEIR STUDENTS WANTED MORE INDIVIDUALIZED WRITING INSTRUCTION THAN THEY COULD PROVIDE DURING THE SCHOOL DAY, THE TWO TEAMED UP TO OFFER A SERIES OF WINTER WRITERS’ WORKSHOPS. THE WORKSHOPS WERE HELD to what they had read. Each semi“Seeing a student on three Saturday mornings and limnar ended with Lyle and Waterhouse ited to 18 students, ensuring person- have a moment where ordering pizzas to reward the students alized attention that actually made for their hard work. For eighth grader something clicks, or the students excited about coming to Dickson Ray, attending the seminar where all of the pieces was a turning point. school on a Saturday.

“We made it clear form the begin“Before the seminar, I didn’t underfinally fall into place, ning that we didn’t expect students stand what an argumentative essay is tremendously to be experts, and that it was okay to really was,” Ray says. “I was just taking ‘mess up,’” Lyle says. “Writing, after all, facts and putting them down on paper. rewarding for me.” is a lot like playing on a sports team, The seminar helped me see that I was LEE WATERHOUSE learning a new piece of music, or pertrying to make an argument, and that I forming on stage. One improves with practice.” didn’t need to try to argue unless I knew the point I was Students in the workshop read an entertaining essay, trying to make. My papers are better now, and I enjoy then crafted an original thesis statement in response writing them more now that they’re not as painful.”

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“I never had a student whose ‘light bulb moment’ activities are totally worthwhile.” was as expressive as Dickson’s,” Lyle says. “His writing “The success of the workshop reminded me why I noticeably improved and he displayed an increased level love teaching,” Lyle says. “Even though teaching eighth of self-confidence in his writing.” grade adolescents can be challenging at times, I’m “Seeing a student have a moment where something always grateful to work at a school that supports its facclicks, or where all of the pieces finally fall into place, ulty’s desire to excite students about learning. I think any is tremendously rewarding for me,” Waterhouse says. teacher would agree that it’s gratifying to realize you’ve “We spend a lot of time and energy trying to come up played a role in helping a student grow, but honestly, it’s with ways for students to connect, and when it does, all in a day’s work. I love what I do, and I’m dedicated to the late nights and weekends spent on lesson plans and my students.”

TEACHERS WHO NEVER STOP LEARNING Many St. Andrew’s instructors hold master’s degrees and several have earned doctoral degrees. Beginning in fourth grade, teachers are dedicated to a particular subject, allowing students to benefit not only from in-depth expertise and knowledge, but also from the teacher’s personal enthusiasm for the subject. • A strong professional development program ensures that teachers and staff members remain abreast of the latest advancements and the most effective methods of teaching in their fields. Each year, approximately half of the St. Andrew’s faculty and staff participate in hands-on professional development programs held throughout the United States and internationally. • The St. Andrew’s environment is an ideal match for these outstanding instructors’ professional expertise and desire for lifelong learning. Teachers’ commitment to St. Andrew’s is reflected in their average tenure of 10 years.

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IN RAND RAJU, FIFTH GRADE HISTORY TEACHER ANN MARSHALL DISCOVERED NOT ONLY A STAR PUPIL, BUT ALSO A PERSONAL INSPIRATION. “I LOVE TO LEARN ABOUT THE WORLD IN which we live through traveling and reading,” Marshall says. “I feel that my job as an ancient history teacher is the most wonderful job in the world, and having a student like Rand makes teaching and learning new facts so exciting. His enthusiasm for history and thirst for knowledge enhanced my desire to give more to every student in my class.”

“I like studying geography and history because my family comes from all over the world,” Rand says. “Mrs. Marshall made it fun to learn. She gave us projects that were fun to work on and read us cool things about the places we studied. We also did role-playing, where we pretended to be people from history.”

“In our fifth grade history class, we traveled back to the beginnings of human society, the Fertile Crescent, ancient Egypt and Nubia, ancient India, ancient China, ancient Greece, and ancient Rome,” Marshall says. “Rand was truly every history teacher’s dream. He became totally immersed in each culture we studied. He was so attentive, and gained the respect of his peers with his knowledge and insight into the impact made by each civilization on our present society. It wasn’t uncommon for him to bring in additional information and videos to share with the class. When Rand made comments, the other students listened.”

“Some of my favorite places we studied class were India, which I really liked because my dad is Indian,” 36

MAKING HISTORY TOGETHER Rand Raju and Ann Marshall

Rand says.“But my favorite was Egypt commented on his good manners and “Rand’s kind because of the Royals.” helpful nature.” disposition and good “Rand was especially helpful to me That kindness is another trait that when we studied ancient India,” Marmanners are noted Rand and Marshall share. shall says. “I’ve never been to India, and “What Mrs. Marshall hates the most by everyone around is when people hurt other people’s feelRand taught me so much more than was offered in our textbook. I always referred ings,” Rand says. “She says she won’t tolhim.

He bends over to Rand for pronunciations and clarificaerate it. I really like that about her.” tions of ideas presented in the book.”

“It’s been stated that ‘history is the backwards to help While their shared love of history consequences of our actions,’” Marshall other people.” made Rand a joy to teach, Marshall notes says. “I can assure you that by the time that his character is what truly made Rand is an adult, he will be able to relate ANN MARSHALL him a favorite student. every current event to something in the “Rand’s kind disposition and good manners are noted past. He will be able to tell you why it is happening in by everyone around him. He bends over backwards to the present, and all the events that led up to it. I predict help other people,” Marshall says. “He is a model citi- that Rand will have many exciting career opportunities zen. On a recent service-learning field trip to the Mis- in the future, both here and globally. I feel privileged to sissippi Food Network, the director singled him out and have been a small part of Rand’s educational journey.”

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ALICE HARPER KNEW SHE HAD A STAR PUPIL IN IAN ESPY BEFORE HE EVER JOINED HER SEVENTH GRADE SCIENCE CLASS. “I MET IAN AT THE END OF HIS fifth grade year,” Harper recalls. “I was working late one afternoon tending the classroom aquaria and animals when he and his mother came by to introduce themselves. He told me about his love for science and that he was looking forward to working with me. I couldn’t wait to be his teacher! It was disappointing to have to wait another year.”

Once he reached Harper’s class, Ian proved to be a star student.

“I didn’t have to encourage Ian. He is most certainly self-motivated,” Harper says. “It was so much fun being his teacher. He always had interesting information to 38

share and all the students enjoyed working with him. At times I would ask Ian to be prepared to lead the discussion on a particular topic the next day. He seemed to enjoy doing that and it was well received by his classmates.”

In addition to excelling in his class, Ian asked Harper for help staging an additional research project outside of class time. Harper, Science Department Chair Sandra Hindsman, and Head of Middle School Ruthie Hollis teamed together to form a game plan that would satisfy Ian’s research interest. They arranged for Ian to spend a few hours each week in Dr. Claudia Bhagat’s Upper School research class, working on many of the

STAYING AFTER SCHOOL Ian Espy and Alice Harper

same projects the Upper School stu- “At times I would ask Ian Ian says. “She knew I wanted to do dents were researching. When Ian something extra and she helped me to be prepared to lead the developed an interest in the regenset everything up and make it haperative abilities of flatworms called discussion on a particular pen. Once I got started, it was fun.” planaria, Harper helped him set Ian’s independent research projtopic the next day. He up a space in the back of the sevect earned first place in both the enth grade lab where he conducted Regional and State Science Fair seemed to enjoy doing that Competitions. a controlled study of the effects of current on the regenerative pro“I am so proud of Ian’s initiative and it was well received cesses of the invertebrate. and his work,” Harper says. “Thanks by his classmates.”

“This was not part of Ian’s class to Ian, other students became interwork,” Harper says. “Most of the ested in the research process and are ALICE HARPER time spent on his research was after planning on a project of their own school. He and I would work separately, but I was avail- next year. He is a leader. As a teacher, it’s such a gift to able to brainstorm and help as needed.” me to be a part of the lives of young people and to see “Mrs. Harper helped me a lot just by encouraging me,” where their interests take them.”

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DUTY

HONOR COUNTRY MOLLIE SHEPARD ’14 AND ALEX WEISSER ’14 ACCEPT COMMISSIONS TO THE UNITED STATES MILITARY ACADEMY AT WEST POINT

Charged with training the next generation of American leaders, the United States Military Academy at West Point accepts only the best of the best. When the 2014 corps of cadet candidates reported to West Point for basic training in July, St. Andrew’s alumni Mollie Shepard and Alex Weisser were among that elite group.

“West Point looks for candidates who present the whole package of high academic qualifications, excellent community service experience and leadership skills, and physical fitness and athletic ability,” says Mimi Bradley, St. Andrew’s recently retired college counselor, who worked with Weisser and Shepard on their applications. “In addition to being a stellar student, Mollie is an athlete who provided leadership on the swim team. Alex is an extrovert and a born leader, one of the most talented student leaders I encountered during my career at St. Andrew's. As Americans, we’re fortunate that such fine young adults as Mollie and Alex are planning to serve this country. Attending West Point is the first step in that journey.”

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THE WEST POINT MISSION THE UNITED STATES MILITARY ACADEMY'S MISSION IS TO EDUCATE, TRAIN AND INSPIRE THE CORPS OF CADETS SO THAT EACH GRADUATE IS A COMMISSIONED LEADER OF CHARACTER COMMITTED TO THE VALUES OF DUTY, HONOR, COUNTRY.

LOCATED ON A SCENIC HIGH GROUND IN WEST POINT, NEW YORK, the Military Academy provides an outstanding four-year college education combined with military and physical training that prepares its graduates for careers as officers in the United States Army. West Point cadets receive tuition, room and board, and a small stipend (“not to mention a free haircut every week,” Weisser adds), in exchange for their commitment to serve a minimum of five years in the Army. The value of a West Point education is estimated at $400,000.

“Since West Point is investing a significant amount of Just because you’re a woman doesn’t mean you can’t do time, energy, and resources to educate and train the stu- just as well or even better than the guys. You may have to dents they accept, the admission requirements are strin- give up some things that may seem important to young gent,” Bradley says. women, but in the end, it’s worth those few sacrifices.”

In addition to bringing proven histories of academic Weisser has wanted to serve in the military for as long achievement, service, leadership, and as he can remember; family photos OTHER SAINTS IN SERVICE high character, applicants must be show a young Alex posing in his father’s Mollie Shepard and Alex Weisser nominated by a U.S. Congressman; Army Kevlar helmet. Weisser applied are not the only members of the Congressman Gregg Harper nomito all five military academies, includnated both Shepard and Weisser. Of the ing the Naval Academy, Air Force AcadClass of 2014 who chose to serve 10,000 candidates who apply to West emy, Coast Guard Academy, and the their country. Ryan Abusaa and Point each year, some 4,000 receive a Zach Travis received ROTC (Reserve U.S. Merchant Marines Academy. Durnomination, and only 1,200 receive ing a visit to the West Point, Weisser’s Officers’ Training Corps) merit-based a commission. Approximately 1,000 conversations with a professor moved scholarships. Abusaa will apply his the Military Academy to the top of his cadets graduate from the demanding program, earning the rank of 2nd lieu- ROTC scholarship to his education acceptance wish list. at the University of California tenant in the United States Army.

“The professor said, ‘Go to the Air Shepard is the first St. Andrew’s Davis, while Travis will complete his Force Academy, and you’ll become a female graduate to receive an appoint- ROTC program and studies at the leader who is technically minded and ment to a military academy. can fly planes,’” Weisser recalls. “‘Go to University of Mississippi.

“I know I can handle it and I’m never the Navy, and you’ll become a leader someone to quit, so any hesitations I had about apply- who is engineering minded and can drive boats. But ing soon went away,” Shepard says. “I attended summer if you go to West Point, you will become a leader of camp at West Point, which is a preview of what life will leaders.’ That was when getting accepted to West Point be like as a cadet, and I saw I could keep up with the boys. became my goal.”

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Shepard and Weisser both credit St. Andrew’s with helping prepare them to be the best possible candidates for admission. “‘Well-roundedness’ is my biggest claim to fame,” Weisser says. “St. Andrew’s is such a mix of people.

We have scholars, athletes, actors, and we also have the opportunity to be all of those things. St. Andrew’s encouraged me to try new things. I played football and participated in theatre at St. Andrew’s for the first time, as well as serving as student body vice president and maintaining a good GPA. Because I was able to participate in so many activities, St. Andrew’s taught me time management and self-discipline. My experiences at St. Andrew’s made me confident that if I work hard, I can attain my goals.”

“The extremely challenging academic courses, as well as the variety of sports offered at St. Andrew’s, prepared me to be a good candidate,” Shepard says. “Swimming throughout my high school career and serving as the captain of the school swim team probably helped my application stand out. Enrolling in challenging courses and taking several AP classes probably helped a lot too.”

Shepard and Weisser also avoided any activities that could create a negative impression.

“You have to keep your grades up during senior year while your application is being considered, or you can in effect get kicked out before you get there,” Weisser says.

“And you have to stay away from crazy things in your leisure time.”

“I made a point of not quitting anything,” Shepard says.

“They never want to see that you quit something on the application.”

Weisser and Shepard reported to West Point on July 2 for cadet basic training, a grueling, seven-week physical training program ominously known as “Beast Barracks.”

Their first day at West Point began with exactly 90 seconds to say good-bye to the their families; eight hours later, they were marching in their first military parade.

On Acceptance Day in mid-August, Shepard and Weisser were formally sworn in as West Point cadets.

By choosing the path of military education and service, Shepard and Weisser will forgo some of the typical college life experiences their former classmates are now enjoying, but it’s a sacrifice they consider worth it.

“We’ll miss out on a lot of the social activities associated with college,” Weisser says. “And where our classmates are making a four-year commitment to a college, we are making a nine year commitment – four years to West Point, then another five years to the Army. A nine-

year commitment is a long one for an 18-year-old to make. But that commitment is all the more reason for Americans to stand behind our troops.”

Shepard and Weisser have advice for other St. Andrew’s student who might want to follow them into a life of service to country.

“Be sure this is something you want to do,” Weisser says. “Then don’t quit.”

“You have to push yourself really hard,” Shepard says, “but you’re pushing yourself to be the best you that you can be.”

CONTINUING A FAMILY TRADITION

Both Mollie Shepard and Alex Weisser come from military families who instilled in them a desire to serve their country. Shepard’s father, St. Andrew’s swim coach Col. Thatch Shepard, is a 1986 graduate of West Point who served in the Army for 27 years. Shepard’s uncle, grandfather, and two greatgrandfathers also served in the military.

“Early on, we thought that West Point would be a great fit for Mollie,” Thatch Shepard says. “But when she got the call from Congressman Harper’s office, I got weak in the knees. We were excited, but there was the reality of the challenge she would face. I remember thinking, ‘It’s actually coming true. My daughter is going to West Point.’ I confess it was hard to hold back tears. Mollie will be the fourth generation of the Shepard family to wear the U.S. Army uniform.”

Alex Weisser’s father, Col. Roland “Bud” Weisser, retired from a lifelong military career that included service as an Army doctor in a MASH unit in Korea.

“Alex has been working very diligently for two years for this commission,” Bud Weisser says. “Our family is thrilled, proud, and we can’t wait to go to the Army vs. Navy football game.”

“I think I’d like to be career Army,” Alex Weisser says. “After all, I can’t let my dad one-up me.”

“There will be challenges ahead, but Alex and I have talked about it quite a bit,” Bud Weisser says.

“You get through it as much with your stomach as you do with your mind. When it gets tough, you just gut it out. I just hope I last long enough to pin on Alex’s bars.”

A SHINING STUDENT Mollie Shepard’s father, St. Andrew’s swim coach Col. Thatch Shepard, is a 1986 graduate of West Point. Thatch Shepard has many memories from his years at the Military Academy, some more pleasant than others. “The relationship with your fellow cadets is amazing. I can’t think of a place where the camaraderie means more than it does at West Point,” Shepard says. “The biggest challenges I remember were Beast Barracks and the rigorous academic program. I also needed to work on shining shoes. I was reminded of that on many occasions. Today, I can shine any pair of shoes. Fast.”

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CARA KEYSER AND IAN STONESTREET

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ON THEIR MERITS The St. Andrew’s Merit Scholarship Program includes the Malone Scholarship and the Arches to Excellence Scholarship, both offered to academically gifted students with financial need. As their senior year at St. Andrew’s drew to a close, Malone Scholar Cara Keyser ’14 and Arches to Excellence recipient Ian Stonestreet ’14 reflected on how their scholarships to St. Andrew’s changed not only their high school experiences, but also the course of their lives.

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ara Keyser has always loved flowing, mul- by Keyser as the “saucy” roles), won awards for her acttihued scarves and novels set in magical ing, and learned that “a cast is like a small, temporary worlds populated by fairies. A gifted art- family.” St. Andrew’s also helped Keyser discover a new ist, Keyser was known for her creative talent and latent passion for international languages. drawings, sometimes even illustrating her “I was waiting for my ride one day when it started to test papers. But Keyser’s flamboyant style and eclectic rain, so I went to Miss Pei’s classroom to wait,” Keyser taste weren’t always appreciated by the students at her recalls. “I saw some Chinese characters on the board former school. and wrote them down. Miss Pei saw “I’VE HAD “I never had an easy time,” Keyser my interest and suggested I start taksays. “Other children didn’t have the ing Mandarin.”

OPPORTUNITIES same interests I did. I was more aca- at St. Andrew’s I would not Keyser quickly realized she had an demically focused and I dressed differintuitive gift for learning the language have had anywhere else. ently. If I read books about magic, stuand an interest in Chinese history and Without St. Andrew’s, I dents would say they were ‘evil’ and culture, both of which left her longpick on me about it. If I drew a picing to “touch the country.” In 2013, she wouldn’t have realized ture of a pretty girl, they made fun of received a St. Andrew’s Guillot Travel I had any special talents. me. I think this happens to a lot of chilGrant that allowed her to realize her I don’t think I would have dren – if they’re the slightest bit differdream of visiting China. Her advenany passion if I’d gone to ent, they end up being shunned.” tures included touring Beijing, tutorschool somewhere else.

For Keyser, all of that changed when ing English at a university in Kaili, she transferred to St. Andrew’s in the My only regret is lost sleep, repairing a schoolhouse roof in the seventh grade. small village of Baibi, and building a and that’s a good trade “St. Andrew’s is filled with people rice paddy for a disabled family. who love artistic and intellectual things, for knowing what I want Her experiences at St. Andrew’s and to do with my life.” people you can have a well-informed in China helped Keyser define her colconversation with,” Keyser says. “My lege and career paths. This fall, KeyCara Keyser ’14 classmates at St. Andrew’s recomser began the Chinese language promended books, artists, TV shows, movies, and music gram at the University of Mississippi’s Croft Institute they thought I might be interested in. It was a whole dif- for International Studies with the goal of becoming a ferent attitude and a whole new world. I think most peo- Chinese translator. ple don’t like to show that they care about things, because “I had opportunities at St. Andrew’s I would not have if you show you care, other people might make fun of had anywhere else,” Keyser says. “Without St. Andrew’s, you. People at St. Andrew’s aren’t afraid to care. At St. I never would have acted on stage. I never would have Andrew’s, I finally found someplace I could be.” developed a love of languages. I wouldn’t have realized St. Andrew’s provided an environment in which Key- I had any special talents. I don’t think I would have any ser felt comfortable exploring her interests and cultivat- passion if I’d gone to school somewhere else. ing her own creativity. She participated in the Latin Club “My only regret is lost sleep,” Keyser says with a smile. and sketched the design for the club t-shirts. She per- “And that’s a good trade for knowing what I want to do formed key roles in virtually every school play (described with my life.”

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ON THEIR MERITS

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an Stonestreet transferred to St. Andrew’s as a Stonestreet also formed a lasting bond with his Scotsophomore, exchanging a virtually guaranteed tish host family and their son, Callum, who was also a role as his former school’s valedictorian for the part of the three-country exchange program. Stonestreet more challenging curriculum and diverse oppor- spent an extra two weeks in Scotland with his host famtunities available at St. Andrew’s. ily when the school-sponsored trip ended, and his gradu “I was one of the top students at my old school, but ation present from his mother was a ticket to Mexico to I was also sleeping through class,” Stonestreet says. “At join his Scottish host family on their summer vacation.

St. Andrew’s, I was run of the mill, average, but that “Through St. Andrew’s, I made friends from other was okay with me. The classes I took were harder, but countries and my high school experience was different they were based on actually learning, not just teaching because I had the opportunity to interact with them. for a test. I was exposed to so many different materials, That’s why I’m on Facebook – to keep up with my cultures, and ideas. Before, I might have been valedic- friends around the world.” torian. At St. Andrew’s, I was in the top 25 percent of Stonestreet also stayed in touch with his old friends the class. But I’ve learned so much more and I have to at his former high school. When his former classmates think I’ll be so much better prepared for college. It was graduated, he was there in the audience to cheer them definitely worth it.” on. Yet, he has never regretted his decision to trans The more challenging course load didn’t prevent fer to St. Andrew’s, noting that his high school experiStonestreet from having a full high ence was about much more than just school experience. At St. Andrew’s “SOMEDAY WHEN the classes and new skills he mastered he played football, scoring the winand the opportunity to explore other I’M ABLE TO, ning touchdown against his former countries.

I’d like to fund another school’s team. Stonestreet also played “People at St. Andrew’s are a lot easstudent’s education on the bowling team, ran track and ier to talk to and confide in. My advisor field, joined the theatre tech crew, and was Mrs. Woolverton, and if I needed through St. Andrew’s. I served as a Saints summer camp coun- would never have been able anything, she was there for me. My selor – all while working a part time teachers and the staff took a genuine to do the things I’ve done job and commuting to St. Andrew’s interest in me and really cared about an hour each way, every day from his or have the experiences I’ve me. I just don’t think you get that at had if someone else hadn’t other places.” home in Star, Mississippi.

Another highlight was the opportu- done that for me. I’d like to Stonestreet received enough college nity to participate in an international scholarship offers to stuff four milk do the same thing for some service trip to Scotland and Rwanda. crates, ultimately choosing to study other student, because Stonestreet, who had never before travchemical engineering at Mississippi I know better than eled outside the United States, received State University. a Guillot Travel Grant to help fund his anyone what it’s worth.” “What will I miss the most about trip. The experiences he shared with St. Andrew’s? Not the schoolwork,” Ian Stonestreet ’14 his St. Andrew’s classmates and stuStonestreet says with a laugh. “It will dents from St. Andrew’s partner school in Scotland were be the people. In college, I’ll have to find my group at a life altering. large four-year university, the people I like and the peo “It was a very emotional experience for all of us, espe- ple who’ll care about me. At St. Andrew’s, that group cially when we visited historic sites in Rwanda and heard has been everyone.” survivors giving their testimonies from the genocide,” Stonestreet notes that his St. Andrew’s experience Stonestreet says. “It was a life-changing experience for has left him with long-term goals that reach beyond me, and sharing it with my classmates brought us all his own future. closer. I didn’t know the other people from St. Andrew’s “Someday when I’m able to, I’d like to fund another really well before the trip, but we all bonded. It’s so hard student’s education through St. Andrew’s,” Stonestreet to describe when someone asks you, ‘how was the trip?’ says. “I would never have been able to do the things I’ve You get so close to everyone. Your classmates see a dif- done or have the experiences I’ve had if someone else ferent side of you than they see at home. I know that hadn’t done that for me. I’d like to do the same thing for I could reach out to those people anytime and talk to some other student, because I know better than anyone them about anything.” what it’s worth.”

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ON THEIR MERITS

“OUR MERIT SCHOLARS BRING ANOTHER PERSPECTIVE TO OUR SCHOOL. They bring an honesty and an excitement that helps the rest of us appreciate what we have here at St. Andrew’s, and seeing students from a different background that are comfortable in who they are helps all of our students. Students like Cara and Ian help ground us in what is truly important. They’ve given us more than we’ve given them.” — Julia Chadwick, Head of Upper School RECIPIENTS OF 2014–15 MERIT SCHOLARSHIPS ARE (CLOCKWISE FROM LEFT) SUSANNAH BLOUNT, DALTON DEAR, KHALIL JACKSON, MOLLY SPENCER, HAYES WAYCASTER, AND PHOEBE XU.

participating schools to offer advanced subjects taught by A SELECT GROUP In 2005, St. Andrew’s Episcopal School was selected as experts from around the country without adding to their the recipient of a $2 million grant from the Malone Fam- fulltime teaching staffs or requiring a minimum number ily Foundation to provide scholarships to gifted students of students to sign up in order to offer the class. Schools with financial need. At that time, there were only nine equip a classroom with camera and screens that conother Malone schools in the United States. This year, nect students with a teacher in another location, as well the Malone Family Foundation added its 49th and final as with their peers in the other Malone schools. Expert school to the list. St. Andrew’s is the only school in Mis- instructors come from participating Malone schools, as well as from Stanford University. Initial courses include sissippi to receive this prestigious grant. advanced computer programming, mathematics, and chemistry classes, meteorology, language and humanities offerings, and other courses not typically included in THE MALONE SCHOOLS ONLINE NETWORK As a recipient of the Malone Family Foundation’s schol- a secondary school curriculum. Students do not have to arship endowment, St. Andrew’s is also a member of the be Malone Scholars to participate; the classes are offered Malone Schools Online Network. The network allows to all St. Andrew’s students.

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A TOOSHORT LIFE, A LONGSTANDING

Legacy

THE CHRISTIAN ALEXANDER ALLENBURGER, IV HONOR SCHOLARSHIP AND THE THE CHRISTIAN ALEXANDER ALLENBURGER, IV FACULTY AWARD

CHRIS ALLENBURGER WAS AN ENERGETIC, WITTY boy who enjoyed hunting, drawing, and hanging out with his friends, and dreamed of becoming an architect when he grew up. Sadly, Chris never got that chance. The St. Andrew’s student died of leukemia when he was just 14 years old.

To honor Chris’s memory and support the school he loved, Chris’s parents, Susan and Alex, and his sisters, Emily ’94 and Catherine ’93, established the Christian Alexander Allenburger, IV Honor Scholarship and the Christian Alexander Allenburger, IV Faculty Award. Presented annually since 1986, the awards honoring Chris have been in existence for twice as long as the number of Chris’s years on earth. The Allenburger Honor Scholarship is the longest-standing merit award in St. Andrew’s Episcopal School history.

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ALEX AND SUSAN ALLENBURGER WITH THEIR GRANDCHILDREN (FROM LEFT) BRETT ASHY, CHRIS AND ANDREW GORDON, AND SUSANNA ASHY

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The scholarship and faculty award are not the Allenburger family’s only connections to St. Andrew’s.

Emily Allenburger Gordon’s and Catherine Allenburger Ashy’s own children – the nieces and nephews Chris never met – are now St. Andrew’s students.

“It’s an honor to see Chris’s name listed among the other fine awards that have been established at St. Andrew’s,” says Alex Allenburger, Chris’s father.

“We hear news from our former scholarship recipients from time to time, and we can’t help but feel a bit of pride knowing that Chris’s name will forever be linked with them. Chris would probably be a bit surprised at what this award has become. But he had such a love for the school, his friends, and his teachers, that we think he would be pleased. To have his name associated with all of these well-deserving recipients would have made Chris very proud.”

“Chris died when I was 10,” says Emily Allenburger Gordon, who recently joined the St. Andrew’s staff as the alumni relations and communications coordinator.

“When I was a student, I remember feeling very proud of the award. Every year when my family stood to present it, I knew it was a special time for the person receiving it, but it was also special as a sort of private remembrance for the four of us standing together.”

The scholarship is given to a rising sophomore – the grade level Chris had reached at the time of his death – who demonstrates academic achievement, leadership, strong moral character, and service to St. Andrew’s and to the community.

“At awards day, I remember hearing the phrase, “And the Christian Alexander Allenburger, IV Honor Scholarship goes to...” and I was thrilled to hear that sentence completed with my own name,” says recipient Erik Raucher ’14. “Receiving the Allenburger Scholarship inspired me to look at how I could help others. The whole idea of giving back became embedded in me. The Allenburger family gives the scholarship expecting nothing in return, and I think that kind of attitude resonates with selflessness. I felt that if I gave anything less than my best during my time at St. Andrew’s, I would be sacrificing the purpose behind receiving the scholarship.”

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“AS A STUDENT, I WAS HAPPY AND PROUD TO HAVE THE SCHOLARSHIP AND FACULTY AWARD IN CHRIS’S NAME AT ST. ANDREW’S. TODAY, I FEEL THAT CHRIS HAS A PERMANENT LEGACY AND I KNOW THAT HE WILL NOT BE FORGOTTEN. I’M ESPECIALLY TOUCHED WHEN A FACULTY MEMBER WHO TAUGHT ME WINS THE ALLENBURGER FACULTY AWARD. THAT MAKES IT EVEN MORE SPECIAL.” Catherine Allenburger Ashy ’93

IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO ESTABLISH A SCHOLARSHIP OR AN AWARD IN HONOR OR MEMORY OF A FAMILY MEMBER, FRIEND, OR LOVED ONE, PLEASE CONTACT STEPHANIE GARRIGA, DIRECTOR OF INSTITUTIONAL ADVANCEMENT, AT 601.853.6029 OR GARRIGAS@GOSAINTS.ORG.

The scholarship and faculty award are not the Allenburger family’s only connections to St. Andrew’s. Emily Allenburger Gordon’s and Catherine Allenburger Ashy’s own children – the nieces and nephews Chris never met – are now St. Andrew’s students.

“St. Andrew’s is still like a small family, with some of Chris’s, Catherine’s, and Emily’s teachers now teaching our grandchildren, Brett, Susanna, Andrew, and Chris,” Alex Allenburger says. “There are children in our grandchildren’s classes whose parents knew Chris. Our connection to St. Andrew’s runs deep and strong.

“We’re so pleased that our four grandchildren all attend St Andrew’s,” Allenburger continues. “We’ve watched St. Andrew’s grow into one of the finest schools in the nation, and we know that Brett, Susanna, Andrew, and Chris are experiencing education at its best. They are also very proud to have this scholarship at their school in memory of their Uncle Chris. They are beginning to understand the long connection our entire Allenburger family has with St. Andrew’s.”

HONORING THE STUDENT-TEACHER RELATIONSHIP

The Allenburger family established the Christian Alexander Allenburger, IV Faculty Award as a tribute to Chris’s close relationships with his teachers at St. Andrew’s. “Good teaching is built on sustaining relationships among students, teachers, and administrators. St. Andrew’s has fostered a uniquely open and supportive atmosphere that encourages all of us to learn together,” says Beth Graham, chair of the English Department, who received the 2014 Allenburger Faculty Award. “Receiving the Allenburger Award encourages me to carry forward the high standards of teaching it represents.”

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Small Change

EQUALS

BIG CHANGES ..................................................

2014 – 2015 St. Andrew’s Annual Fund

EVEN IF YOU THINK,

“It’s only pocket change,” YOUR GIFT TO THE ST. ANDREW ’S ANNUAL FUND MAKES A DIFFERENCE. THE ANNUAL FUND supports enhancements not covered by tuition, including classroom furniture and equipment, new athletic facilities, professional development programs, and more. To provide those enhancements, St. Andrew’s must be resourceful, counting not just every dollar, but every last nickel, dime, and penny.

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either campus as a parent, I see things like the touch tank, new playground equipment, new computer lab, and many more enhancements that were once ‘wish list’ items, but thanks to the Annual Fund, have become reality. I am so very appreciative of the parents and supporters of the Annual Fund who came before us and made these things possible.

“What I learned from working at St. Andrew’s with Annual Fund dollars was that the need always outweighed the funding,” Viola continues. “I also became acutely aware that no amount given is too small. What often gets lost in fund-raising is the truth that it’s not the amount you give, but the giving itself that matters.”

JONATHAN, MIRREN, GILLIAN, AND, WILLIAM VIOLA

STRANGERS ON A TRAIN Gillian Viola was born in Scotland, studied in England, and relocated to Hong Kong to work in interior architecture. She was in Manhattan leading a design project for her Hong Kong-based architectural firm when a two-hour train ride put her life on a new track.

“I took a train to upstate New York for a weekend break from the city,” Viola recalls. “At the last stop I met Jonathan, a ‘born, bread, and buttered’ New Yorker. He started with the cringingly awful opening line ‘what’s a girl like you doing in a place like this?’ I confess I fell for it. Two months later, I packed up my apartment in Hong Kong and moved to New York, and five months from the day we met, Jonathan was standing in front of my father asking for my hand in marriage.”

That fateful train ride was 21 years and two children – William, a St. Andrew’s junior, and Mirren, a seventh grader – ago. There’s much more to the Violas’ story, but hearing it comes with a price.

“If you care to know how we got from there to here, in Mississippi,” Gillian Viola says, “it will cost you a donation to the Annual Fund.”

JONATHAN AND GILLIAN VIOLA, co-chairs of the 2014-15 Annual Fund, want St. Andrew’s supporters to know that every gift, no matter how large or how small, makes a difference to St. Andrew’s financially and also helps foster St. Andrew’s strong sense of community.

“The Annual Fund is as much about participation as it is about the amount raised,” Jonathan Viola says. “When you contribute any amount to the Annual Fund, you’re saying, ‘I’m buying into the St. Andrew’s experience.’”

As St. Andrew’s former director of facilities from 2005 to 2010, Gillian Viola has seen first-hand the difference the Annual Fund makes to the St. Andrew’s experience.

“The stimulating environments, programs, and equipment we see our students use, enjoy, and learn from wouldn’t be possible without the dollars from the Annual Fund,” Gillian Viola says. “Today, when I visit

INTRODUCING ELIZABETH ALLEY, St. Andrew’s Director of Annual Giving Elizabeth Hagood Alley joins the St. Andrew’s staff as director of annual giving.

Alley is a St. Andrew’s parent, former co-chair of Arts on the Green, and tireless volunteer. With a background in architecture, Alley has consulted for and worked with a number of nonprofits in Jackson, helping them to raise both funds and their public profiles. She and her husband, Warwick ’88, have two children, Ivy, a second grader, and Warwick, who is in pre-K4. Alley succeeds France Jean Neely, who retired earlier this year. • “Over the past few years, I’ve had the pleasure of collaborating with many St. Andrew’s parents, staff, faculty members, administrators, alumni, and students,” Alley says. “The people at St. Andrew’s are inspiring and energizing. How could anyone pass up the opportunity to spend every day engaged with this wonderfully vibrant community? I feel very fortunate to be here and look forward to building on Frances Jean Neely’s incredible legacy.”

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PONTUS ANDERSSON ‘13

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IT’S NEVER TOO SOON TO START AMONG ST. ANDREW’S STRONGEST SUPPORTERS are the school’s alumni, who express their appreciation and gratitude to St. Andrew’s by faithfully supporting their alma mater.

St. Andrew’s is especially pleased to see recent graduates – those still in college or just starting out in their careers – stepping up to support the Annual Fund. While they might not yet be in a position to make substantial donations, each of these young alumni realizes that participation in the Annual Fund at any level is a show of support for St. Andrew’s.

“As I often tell myself, it’s all about the little things,” says Pontus Andersson ’13, a student at the Sally McDonnell Barksdale Honors College at the University of Mississippi. “While I might not be able to donate as much now as I will later when life finds me more ‘established,’ it’s the thought that counts. I may not be giving much relatively speaking – hey, I’m a broke college student, help me! – but I think investing in the Annual Fund in any amount is a big step forward. Giving shows the way I perceive St. Andrew’s now, being on the other side of an even bigger sidewalk, and also shows my hope that my class will carry our valuable experience at St. Andrew’s forward.”

“THERE IS NO SINGLE BIGGEST ADVANTAGE TO ATTENDING ST. ANDREW’S. It’s a combination of everything and everyone that is St. Andrew’s that makes a St. Andrew’s education so valuable. It’s what drives everyone there to push forward and persevere, not just individually, but as a community. Every St. Andrew’s alum has an advantage or opportunity that he or she gained, but that’s not what we should be selling. Instead, step back and take a look at the people standing behind that person sharing his or her advantage.

Each and every one of them is a supporter of the other, and each one is a member of St. Andrew’s.” — Pontus Andersson ‘13

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ALUMNI WHO HAVE GIVEN TO THE 2013-14 ANNUAL FUND INCLUDE: 341 ALUMNI – OR 14.8 PERCENT – DONATED TO THE ST. ANDREW’S 2013-14 ANNUAL FUND, CONTRIBUTING A GRAND TOTAL OF $131,242. THAT’S UP MORE THAN $25,000 OVER ALUMNI GIVING FOR THE PREVIOUS YEAR. THE AVERAGE GIFT WAS $386.

Betsy Wise Copeland

Jim Phillips* Anne Bower Travis*

1958

1978 – 7%

1957

Tippy Reimers Lyell*

1960 June Wilkinson Evans

Hannah Kitchings King Beth Wilson Peterson Dan Roach**

1965 Elta Posey Johnston Jim Johnston

1980 – 15%

Leslie Bear Kendall Blake Maury Fontaine Lutin*

Rob Farr* John Reimers

Stephen Garner Jon Langford John Wiener Ren Wilkes

1969

1981 – 9%

1968

Jay Fontaine

1970 Jerry Scott Goodwin Betty Brown Spencer

1971 Susan Roberts

1973 Eddie Guillot*

1974 – 29% Second most funds raised Tom Hudson* Vaughan McRae* Sallie Roper Moseley Karen Crenshaw Swenson

1975 – 7% Cal Hull Susan McEuen Lawler

1976 – 13% Carl Menist Frances Rone Morrison* Jim Newkirk

1977 – 11% Clay Lambert Davidson

1985 – 13% Joy Brashears Amerson Paul Catherwood* Emma Sartin Downey Jennifer Patterson Peters Christy Bennett Ponder Wes Williams

1979 – 15% Freddy Duggan Buff Neill Bert Rubinsky Chris Scott* Stephanie Quiriconi Scott* Ben Wynne

1963

Paul King Louise Lyell Lampton Charles Lyle Joanna Miller Storey Louis Watson

1986 – 8% Missy Donaldson John Hawkins Pat Scanlon Kevin Stone

1987 – 11% Leslie Martin Carter Jay Hannon Sara Tyson Hannon Dorothy Allen Hawkins John Green Robinson Karel Speetjens* John Teal

Emily Mosby Curran Wilson Lyle* Amanda Reed Elizabeth Black Smithson

1982 – 20% Jane Clover Alexander Paul Buckley Hank Holman* David McMullan September Moore John Robinson Stewart Speed* Stacy Robinson Sullivan

1988 – 16% Warwick Alley Toby Coleman Lionel Fraser Scott Johnson** Tad McCraney Ravi Raju* ** Arjun Srinivasan

1983 – 36%

1989 – 13%

Tied for highest percentage of participation Trent Allen** Lorna Lyell Chain* ** Bethany Shofner Gaillet Michael Jaques Bruce Kirkland* Sara Miller Rasmussen Laurie’ Blackwood Sanders Bradley Wilson

Honey East* Paige Ford Fisher* Peter Fisher* Pam Franklin Jenny King Cathy Jones Schulz

1990 – 9% Susan Margaret Barrett John Ditto Kenny Graeber Cab Green David Stewart

1984 – 28% Richard Aplenc Coyt Bailey Martha Campbell Cooke* 56

1991 – 10% Shelly Mott Bass John Briggs Derek Jumper Margie Ditto Van Meter Jason Watkins* **

1992 – 8% Third most funds raised Katie Greene Gallivan Jason Greener* Leigh Ann Millwood Longwitz Keturah Thurmond Maraska Marcy Bryan Croft Vick*

1993 – 16% John D. Adams* Catherine Allenburger Ashy DeMatt Harkins Brent McKay Anna Ditto Peterson Julie Graves Powell Arun Raju Ken Sones* ** Patrick Taylor Josh Trapp*

1994 – 19% Mary Catherine Papa Blackwell Caroline De Beukelaer Mike Ferber Jamie Fougerousse Emily Allenburger Gordon Aleathia Hoster Robert Ireland Brannan Johnston Priscilla Almond Jolly* Frank Kossen* ** Alexandra Markov McCumber Jim Perry Alex Purvis* **

1995 – 13% Scott Adams Sara Katherine Ott Beckett Buck Cooper Saramel Evans Katie Krooss Jones J.R. Lander Elisabeth Malphurs

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1996 – 18% Jack Allin Louis Britton Price Chadwick Hiatt Collins Herwig De Beukelaer Jason Gates Greg Graeber Barrett Hathcock Josh Manchester Andrew Neely Caroline Ranck Newkirk Chris Robertson John Stewart

1997 – 21% Elizabeth Buyan* Natalie Jones Davis Martin Ditto John Paul Fougerousse Adam Friedman Ethan Goldberg Les Hegwood Kathy Harrell Knight Rachel Baird Newman Michelle Purdy Anne Taite Austin Vogeleer

1998 – 18% Andrew Chatham* Meg Sones Clapton Frances Patterson Croft Justin Croft Alison Fielder Aileen Hanlon Devin Cox Headley* Sean Marshall Erin Powell McCain Sarah Benton Walker Taylor Wofford

1999 – 17% Jonathon Bissette Anna Rose Poole Carlson Sean Cupit Taylor Morse Davis Jessica McNaughton Delaney Anna Purvis Frame Josh Hailey Kathryn McWhorter Post Katy Morgan Neely Pulvere Jennifer Smith Welch

2000 – 22% Congratulations on raising the most funds Sidney Allen Anne Bryant Meredith Moore Cheng Amit Goel

Emily Jones** Nicole Jumper Sara Jane Doby McCrary Marsh Nippes Cameron Billups Peden Rebecca Perry Posey William Ray David Smith Kyle Wallace Chester Yarbrough

Jordan Hailey Bryan** Sarah Scott Clark Lauren Cohen Odiri Dafe* Candace Deer William Drinkwater Woods Drinkwater Adam Griffin Curt Griffin Ashley Wells Hullender Elizabeth Leake Keckler Marty Hitt Kelly Maria Poole Madden Drew Mallette Jack Neill Joey Odom Robert Penick Mary Robinson Andrew Rueff Claire Patrick Strange Jenny Taylor Nancy Winkelmann

2001 – 31% Third highest percentage of participation Sarah Hensley Ware Abbott Candice April Mason Tara Melinchuk Blazona Chase Bryan Todd Chatham Nicholas Clark John Eley Robert Farr John Fontaine William Hunter RaShard Johnson Andrew McLarty Swayze Chadwick McNiff Taylor Neely** Ashley Mallinson O’Neil Montgomery Davis Roach Carrie Smith Jay Songcharoen Jonathan Stricker Zach Taylor Beth Thomas Trey Wofford

2004 – 7% Melanie Smith Crawford Carrie Menist Grunkemeyer Douglas McRae Vignesh Shettar Olivia Ware Terenzio

2005 – 36% Tied for highest percentage of participation Julie Armstrong Jessica Blair David Drake Katherine Dunbar-Smith Will Fontaine Catherine Schmidt Gray Claire Harkey Kathleen Johnson Rebecca Lee Allen Lyle Neil Maneck Evan McCarley Nathan McLarty Jonny Orlansky Betsy Peterson Will Randolph Brent Smith Stacey Stater Ruthie Craig Taylor Le’Spencer Walker Sarah Catherine Robinson Wallace

2002 – 22% Emily Almas Allie Beach Chelsea Taylor Freeman Tina Heitmann** Mackin Johnson* Land Jones* Jonathan Lee Katie Lightsey Heather Moore Susannah Morse Abram Orlansky Michael Puckett Cathy Southwick Meriwether Wofford Truckner Thomas Watson Caroline Morrison White

2003 – 35%

2006 – 4%

Second highest level of participation Rachel Allen Brad Baskin Carl Boschert

Leslie Wells Baskin Margaret Anne McGuire Alden Marie Wofford Raulston 57

2007 – 7%

Natalie Clericuzio David Marsh Selby McRae William Patrick Emily Anne Scott Rubina Sood Sethi

2008 – 12%

Chandler Anthony Divya Baliga Oliver Galicki** Trevor Hanlon Greg McMillin Elizabeth Morrison Lee Morrison Sandesh Shettar John Spann

2009 – 1%

Lee Gabardi

2010 – 2%

Shruti Jaishankar Will Sneed

2011 – 1%

William Chism

2012 – 3%

Salem Chism Malika Shettar

2013 – 27%

Vineet Aggarwal Pontus Andersson Bridget Bey Elizabeth Biddle Aritra Biswas Meredith Blanchard Susannah Burrell Parks Douglass Jordan Gasc Kate Hamlin Ben Henry Nathaniel Johnson Brynne Kelsey Tanner Menist Baylor Obert Dallas Prater Isabella Rand Eve Rodenmeyer Aumbriel Schwirian Christopher Steere Chloe Sumrall Adam Travis Winn Walker Alexis Wallace Nelson White Elizabeth Zhang *1947 Society Member ($1,000+) **Fundraising volunteer

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SAINTS SPRING SPORTS RECORDS CONGRATULATIONS TO THE MEMBERS OF THE ST. ANDREW’S TENNIS TEAM, WHO BROUGHT HOME THE STATE CHAMPIONSHIP IN THEIR SPORT. IT WAS THE 12TH STRAIGHT STATE TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP FOR ST. ANDREW’S TENNIS. Tennis, Team State Champions, 4 of 5 Individual State Champions • Archery, State Top 20 Baseball, 22-9, Division Champions • Fast Pitch Softball, 6-13 • Boys Golf, 3rd in State • Lacrosse, 4-1 Boys Track and Field, 10th in State • Girls Track and Field, State Champion Runner-Up, South State Champions

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Ready for

KICK-OFF

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WHEN THE SAINTS TAKE THE FIELD FOR THE 2014 FOOTBALL SEASON, FANS WILL SEE TWO FAMILIAR FACES FILLING NEW ROLES ON THE SIDELINES. FORMER ASSISTANT COACH ADAM MANGANA HAS BEEN PROMOTED TO HEAD FOOTBALL COACH. ONE OF MANGANA’S FIRST DECISIONS AS HEAD COACH WAS TO BRING FORMER HEAD COACH AND DIRECTOR OF ATHLETICS, DAVID BRADBERRY, BACK TO ST. ANDREW’S. BRADBERRY RETURNS AS THE SAINTS OFFENSIVE COORDINATOR.

“I’m not the conventional foot“Adam didn’t have to court ball coach, but I don’t think St. me very hard,” Bradberry says.

“NO ONE WILL Andrew’s wants conventional,” “He gave me an opportunity I’m COMPROMISE THE Mangana says. “There are a lot of excited about. I had a great time at ACADEMICS AT things I feel I can contribute, and St. Andrew’s earlier and I’m lookI’m looking forward to this new ing forward to being back on camST. ANDREW’S, opportunity to serve the school.” pus. Hopefully, I can be a positive NOR SHOULD THEY. Mangana played football at for St. Andrew’s. ” Academics are critical to Warwick High School in Newport Bradberry had no reservations St. Andrew’s identity. But News, Virginia, and also played for about leaving St. Andrew’s as a we will not compromise Brown University. His previous head coach and returning as an on athletics either. In positions at high schools in Florida assistant. and Illinois included coaching foot“Adam will be a very successfact, I would have to say ball, as well as teaching and servful coach,” Bradberry says. “He’s a that St. Andrew’s is not ing in the schools’ administrations. hard worker and the kids love him.” willing to compromise Mangana joined the St. Andrew’s “David is a gift. He is a guy who excellence in anything.” faculty in 2012 as a history teacher, could be coaching successfully anyeventually becoming the schools’ where, and he chooses to be at St. director of diversity, director of Andrew’s,” Mangana says. “He ADAM MANGANA, ST. ANDREW’S student life, and dean of Middle knows the game and he knows our HEAD FOOTBALL COACH School students, as well as servkind of player, and those are assets ing two years as an assistant footto our program. But what make ball coach. In addition to acting as head coach, Mangana David Bradberry so special are his humility and his brilwill continue in his former roles as director of student liance as a human being. He is a master teacher and he life and dean of Middle School students. is humble. David would be disappointed if the attention Mangana’s first victory as head coach came off the was on him and not on the rest of the coaching staff.” field, when he persuaded David Bradberry to return That Saints coaching staff includes others with impresto St. Andrew’s. One of the school’s most success- sive track records, such as former Ole Miss standout and ful, respected, and beloved coaches, Bradberry left St. NFL player Mike Espy, expert trainer Deon Hodges, forAndrew’s in 2009 to become the assistant director of the mer St. Andrew’s and Harvard kicker Scott Albert JohnMississippi High School Activities Association. His next son ’88, and longtime St. Andrew’s coach, teacher, and role was as head football coach at Tupelo High School, dean of upper school students, alumnus Dan Roach ’78. where he served for three seasons before retiring in 2013. “The St. Andrew’s community can be incredibly “I called David and asked if I could take him to lunch proud of the staff we’ve assembled on their behalf,” just to pick his brain, but I had designs on him,” Man- Mangana says. gana says with a smile. “As John Wooden, one of the Mangana believes the key to a successful season lies ‘winningest’ coaches in collegiate basketball said, ‘If in focusing on the St. Andrew’s players’ unique assets. you’re going to coach, you’d better find guys smarter “We all know the competition in 3A is tough, but it’s than you are who will argue with you.’ I know I got that not insurmountable,” Mangana says. “Rather than outfirst part right.” athlete the opposition, we need to out-execute them.

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DAVID BRADBERRY AND ADAM MANGANA

“As John Wooden, one of the ‘winningest’ coaches in collegiate basketball said, ‘If you’re going to coach, you’d better find guys smarter than you are who will argue with you.’ I know I got the first part right.”

— ADAM MANGANA, ST. ANDREW’S HEAD FOOTBALL COACH

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his students did report to class, Mangana had to call the police and have one of them arrested. During his tenure there, one of Mangana’s students was murdered; countless others lost friends and relatives to random violence.

“Teaching there was a humbling, profound experience for me,” Mangana says. “I grew up in a lowincome area, but I came to understand that being from the ‘inner-city’ was relative. My experience in Miami was a lesson in how blessed I had been to have had the opportunities I’d been offered.”

A determined Mangana found ways to reach his students, awarding tokens for attendance and allowing the students to use them to purchase coveted, basic toiletries he bought by the cartload at the local Target. Miami Northwestern also offered Mangana his first opportunity to coach football.

“I saw that I could help provide students with some hope and excitement based around the football proTHE ADAM MANGANA HIGHLIGHT REEL gram,” Mangana says.

A native of Newport News, Virginia, Adam Man- When his commitment ended, Mangana and his gana played tight end and defensive end for Warwick wife relocated to Boston, where he worked for an eduHigh School, an inner-city institution known as a “foot- cational consulting firm, then to Illinois, where he served ball factory,” where the majority of the starting play- in administration and coached football at Northshore ers went on to play Division I college ball. A stand- Country Day School, a prestigious private school outout student and National Merit Finalist as well as a side Chicago. During Mangana’s two-year tenure there, star athlete, Mangana was recruited by Harvard, Yale, he took the Northshore football team from a two-win Wake Forest, and Colgate. He ultimately suited up season to an 11-2 record and a berth in the state playoffs. for Brown University, where the scholarships were The Manganas relocated to Jackson in 2012, when based on academic merit and Sophy Mangana accepted a posifinancial need as well as on athtion as assistant professor of radiaA STANDOUT STUDENT letic ability. Mangana also landed tion oncology at the University of AND NATIONAL MERIT an unexpected signing bonus; he Mississippi Medical Center.

FINALIST AS WELL met his future wife, Sophy, on his “Her other choices were Hawaii, first visit to Brown. He confesses, Phoenix, or Tampa, and she chose AS A STAR ATHLETE, “I told the coach I was going to Jackson,” Mangana says with a wry MANGANA WAS Brown because I’d met the girl I smile. “I kept asking, ‘Are you sure?

RECRUITED BY HARVARD, was going to marry there.”

What happened to Hawaii?’ But YALE, WAKE FOREST, Following his graduation, Manshe had a great feeling about JackAND COLGATE. gana worked briefly in financial son, and it ended up being the right services before making a two-year choice. Ever since we’ve been here, commitment to Teach for America, an organization I’ve been very much at peace with this decision because that sends high-achieving professionals to teach in pub- I know God is in it.” lic schools in low-income areas. Mangana was assigned Through he’s still young, Mangana brings a rich colto a special education class at Miami Northwestern High lection of life experiences to his new role as St. Andrew’s School, a school in inner-city Miami, Florida, with more head football coach. than 4,400 students, limited resources, and a climate of “Because of everything I’ve been privileged to do and apathy and violence. The neighborhoods surrounding the choices I’ve been privileged to have, I will always the school were marked by burning cars, chickens and be drawn to service,” Mangana says. “I see this coachgoats in the streets, and the fallout of the crack cocaine ing opportunity as a way to serve. It’s not about me. It’s epidemic. The first few days of class, few of the stu- about what I can bring to the football program and what dents bothered to show up. The first day the majority of that can mean to our students.”

Our kids are smart and we’re going to design a program that optimizes their strengths. We have to out-work and out-execute and overachieve in the weight room and on the field the same way we do in the classroom.”

While he’d like nothing more than to lead the Saints to the playoffs, Mangana never loses sight of his real objective as a coach.

“Football is a tool,” Mangana says. “If the best time of these kids’ lives is playing high school football, I’ve failed them as a coach. They have to learn to be leaders in the boardroom, courtroom, operating room, and other places in this world. My real hope is that the lessons of the game will be valuable to them there.”

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TEAM {sports}

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ING UP

ST. ANDREW’S SPORTS

PARTICIPATION IS REACHING NEW RECORDS

ST. ANDREW’S HAS LONG PRIDED ITSELF on the number of its students who choose to play sports. More than 75 percent of students in grades seven through 12 participate in at least one of the school’s sports programs, and in 2014, that number was on the rise.

“Our goal is an 80 percent participation rate, and we’re getting very close to reaching it,” says DeWayne Cupples, St. Andrew’s director of athletics. “It makes me so happy to see our students venture out and try new activities. Discovering a new sport is the same kind of exciting experience as discovering something new in the classroom. It’s huge for our kids.”

Cupples attributes at least some of the increase in sports participation to the health and wellness pro-

gram initiated during the 2013 school year. The program, which includes classroom instruction on wellness and active classes in a number of lifetime sports, led to greater student interest in general fitness and prompted some students who had never before played competitive sports to join a school team.

“Students who hadn’t previously played on a sports team began playing and working out with St. Andrew’s student athletes during the physical fitness classes,” Cupples says. “Some of them were surprised not only by how much they enjoyed it, but also by how good they were.

Students who had never before considered themselves ‘athletes’ realized they actually had the skills they needed to compete as part of a team.”

A cross section of Saints student athletes includes (clockwise from left) Yesenia Davis, Holland Townes, Shikha Shrestha, Sam and Matt Mills, Graham Grogan, Kenny Bryson, Charlotte Dunbar, Saffron Quinn, Madeline Claire Hughes, and Isabelle Speed.

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ST. ANDREW’S EPISCOPAL SCHOOL FIELDS TEAMS IN: ARCHERY BASEBALL BASKETBALL BOWLING CHEERLEADING CROSS COUNTRY

DANCE TEAM FAST-PITCH SOFTBALL FOOTBALL GOLF LACROSSE

POWERLIFTING SOCCER SWIMMING TENNIS TRACK AND FIELD VOLLEYBALL

MADELINE CLAIRE HUGHES, SAFFRON QUINN, AND MATT MILLS

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St. Andrew’s also offers intramural basketball for Lower School students and a variety of sports for fourth, fifth, and sixth grade students.

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The increase in participation hasn’t been limited to any specific sport, but is reflected across all 25 girls and boys sports offered at St. Andrew’s. With participation on the rise, the St. Andrew’s athletic department and administration have begun considering options for enhancing the school’s athletic facilities, with the ultimate goal of offering a stronger sports and fitness program not only to St. Andrew’s student athletes, but to every St. Andrew’s student.

“Playing sports in school is a chance you have only once. You’re not going to get it back,” Cupples says. “I don’t ever want a student to come back here years from now and say, ‘Why didn’t I try that sport when I was at St. Andrew’s?’ If they even the slightest interest, I want them to have every opportunity to play.”

YOU WANT MUSTARD ON THAT? As a high school student, St. Andrew’s Director of Athletics DeWayne Cupples played football, baseball, basketball, and tennis, and recalls that his favorite sport was “whatever was in season.” • Today, Cupples finds staying active more important than ever, especially considering the rigors of his job, which include attending ten straight months of St. Andrew’s sporting events. • “It makes staying in shape a challenge,” Cupples says, “From August to May, all I eat is concession stand food.”

A CHAMPIONSHIP SEASON: Three State Championships

• Four District Championships — St. Andrew’s fielded strong teams in multiple sports during the 2013-14 season. • The Saints boys cross country, girls swimming, and tennis teams all brought home the State Championships. The tennis team continued its dominance, logging its 12th straight State Championship. The boys and girls soccer teams, girls track and field team, and baseball teams were all District Champions, and the girls track and field team was the State Champion runner-up. • St. Andrew’s stands apart from most area private and independent schools by competing in Class 3A of the Mississippi High School Activities Association (MHSAA), an organization comprised primarily of public schools. Membership in MHSAA ensures that St. Andrew’s athletes compete at the highest levels of Mississippi high school sports and make the school’s numerous championships even more impressive.

15 IN A ROW St. Andrew’s continues its domination of the All-Sports Award.

IN 2014, St. Andrew’s won its 15th consecutive ClarionLedger All-Sports Award. Overall, St. Andrew’s has won the All-Sports Award 20 times in the last 22 years.

The All-Sports Award honors the top school in each of the six Mississippi High School Activities Association (MHSAA) classes based on performances and state championships in 22 sports. In an article announcing the All-Sports Award winners, the Clarion-Ledger noted, “St. Andrew’s continued its domination of 3A [and] won championships in boys cross country, girls swimming and tennis. After dominating 2A for years, St. Andrew’s moved up to 3A in 2009 and has won five straight titles.”

Congratulations to St. Andrew’s student athletes, their coaches, and their fans, and best wishes for another strong showing during the 2014-15 season.

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UPPING THEIR

IVY PAINTER, FIKAYO IDOWU, MARK MCMILLIN, AND KATIE LAI

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SEVERAL STUDENT ATHLETES FROM THE ST. ANDREW’S CLASS OF 2014 CONTINUE TO SHINE ON THE COURTS AND FIELDS OF THEIR UNIVERSITIES. KATIE LAI PLAYS TENNIS AT CARNEGIE MELLON UNIVERSITY, FIKAYO IDOWU TAKES THE SOCCER FIELD AT OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY, MARK MCMILLIN PLAYS FOOTBALL FOR WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY, AND IVY PAINTER PLAYS SOCCER AT BIRMINGHAMSOUTHERN COLLEGE. WHAT ALL FOUR HAVE IN COMMON IS A BACKGROUND AT ST. ANDREW’S THAT PREPARED THEM FOR COLLEGE PLAY. “CARNEGIE MELLON is one of the top universities, with an excellent academic reputation,” says Lai. “My involvement in varsity tennis at St. Andrew’s prepared me to manage my time effectively and taught me how to balance rigorous academic coursework with a competitive sports training regimen.”

As a St. Andrew’s student-athlete, Fikayo Idowu played soccer, football, and tennis, as well as competing in track and field. Idowu joined the Ohio State soccer team as a walk on.

“During high school, I managed a challenging school schedule while balancing varsity sports and select soccer practice and games year round,” Idowu says. “St. Andrew’s helped prepare me for the rigor I will face as a collegiate student athlete.”

Mark McMillin played football, baseball, and basketball at St Andrew’s, and now takes the football field as a member of the Washington University Bears.

“I’m really looking forward to playing at the next level and going up against even stronger competition,” McMillin says. “I’m especially excited to play with and against individuals who are focused first on academics and then on athletics. I think playing college sports is a great way to grow athletically, but at the same time, keep our priorities straight.”

“The soccer program at Birmingham-Southern is great, but academics is the main reason I chose this school,” says Painter. “St. Andrew’s taught me how to handle the level of commitment required by a collegiate sport. Just like in my classes I took at St. Andrew’s, I know that I’ll only improve and succeed in college if I put in the work and the time.”

“As a St. Andrew’s tennis player, I learned what it takes to be a good teammate, to get along with my teammates from all walks of life, and to exhibit good sportsmanship on and off court,” Lai adds. “Being recruited by the tennis coach helped me finalize my choice to attend Carnegie Melon. The chance to continue to refine my technique and the prospect of playing on a bigger stage is what I’m most excited about.”

THE REAL GOAL Ivy Painter’s favorite St. Andrew’s soccer memory isn’t of a winning goal, an amazing save, or a stunning victory.

Instead, Painter’s fondest memory is one of teammates and rivals coming together to support a friend. One month after St. Andrew’s soccer player Robert Gaillet was critically injured in a car accident, the St. Andrew’s boys and girls soccer teams played against Madison Central. “After the games, all four teams from both schools, including the coaches, stood in a circle on the field and prayed for Robert,” Painter says. “This was a touching experience I will never forget. It showed me that it doesn’t matter what team you’re on, because we are all rooting for each other.”

ADVANTAGE: ST. ANDREW’S Katie Lai was born and raised on Guam, an island territory of the United States in the western Pacific Ocean. Prior to her sophomore year in high school, Lai completed a scholarship-based, eight-month boarding program at the International Tennis Federation training center in Fiji. The program inspired Lai to continue competing in tennis at a higher level than what was offered on Guam. Lai’s grandmother lived in Mississippi, prompting Lai and her parents to begin researching the top schools with the top tennis programs in the state. Lai spent her last three years of high school at St. Andrew’s in Mississippi, while her parents remained on Guam. • “The Southern division is one of the more competitive divisions within the United States Tennis Association, with access to top tournaments and players,” Lai explains. “When I began considering schools in the area, St. Andrew’s was the school most highly recommended. The school’s academic reputation was undisputed, and my family and I felt the school had a more diverse student population than others we visited. The deal was cinched when I learned that the St. Andrew’s tennis team was the reigning State Champion.”

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Follow the MAY DAY • 2014

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The St. Andrew’s Lower School’s annual May Day celebration paid homage to the beloved classic, “The Wizard of Oz.” Lower School students traveled the famed yellow brick road as they affirmed, “There’s No Place Like St. Andrew’s.”

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�eet

ST. ANDREW’S NEW TRUSTEES

ANDREW MALLINSON St. Andrew’s welcomes Andrew Mallinson back to the board of trustees. Mallinson is the CEO of Multicraft International. In addition to holding a CPA designation in the United States, he is a chartered accountant in the United Kingdom and Canada. He earned degrees in sociology and economics from Loughborough University in his native England. Mallinson has served on the St. Andrew’s board periodically for some 18 years, including service as finance chair and chairman of the board. He has also served in volunteer leadership positions or on the boards of the Walker Companies, Mississippi Manufacturers Association, World Presidents Organization, New Stage Theater, Jackson Futbol Club, Century Club Charities, and Caledonian Society. Mallinson and his wife, Barbara, a former North Campus librarian, have two children, Ashley ’01 and Jamie ’04, both of whom are Alpha Omega graduates of St. Andrew’s. In his spare time, Mallinson enjoys hitting the open road on his Harley Davidson.

PAUL MCNEILL A native of Oxford, England, Paul McNeill relocated to the United States at the age of 13, then lived and worked in London following his graduation from Millsaps College. He is currently the resident director and senior vice president of wealth management at Merrill Lynch, where his career has spanned more than 20 years. McNeill is a past co-chair of the St. Andrew’s Annual Fund and served on the steering committee of the Campaign for Science and Art. He has also served on the boards of Mississippi Children’s Home Services, the Alabama/Mississippi Chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, Millsaps College, Mississippi Food Network, and the Community Foundation of Greater Jackson. McNeill has two daughters, Brenna ’12, and Emma, a member of the class of 2016. In his much younger days, McNeill attended an otherwise allgirls convent school in England.

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World War Z. Sones is an Alpha-Omega graduate of St. Andrew’s and was the president of his senior class. In 1991, he started and performed at the inaugural Rockfest, now a St. Andrew’s tradition. Sones is grateful that no bootleg copies of his performance are in existence.

JIM SHELSON Jim Shelson is a graduate of Michigan State University and Dickinson School of Law. Shelson has been an attorney since 1993 and has practiced with Phelps Dunbar’s Jackson office since 1997, where he is the practice group coordinator for the general litigation group. He and his wife, Sandra, are the parents of Carlisle ’14 and Tucker, a member of the Class of 2019. Shelson has volunteered his time and expertise to St. Andrew’s as a speech and debate judge and as coach of the mock trial team. He is a former president of the Jackson Futbol Club. Shelson served our country in the United States Army, including four years as an infantry officer.

SEETHA SRINAVASAN Seetha Srinivasan is director emerita of the University Press of Mississippi. Throughout her publishing career, Srinivasan was active in the Association of American University Presses, serving as president of the association and receiving the group’s Constituency Award for her outstanding service to the university press community. Upon her retirement from University Press of Mississippi, the Mississippi Legislature passed a resolution commending her career and her contributions to the state. A longtime Jackson resident, Srinivasan has headed civic and arts organizations, serves on the boards of the Foundation for Mississippi Public Broadcasting and ProLiteracy, and writes occasional columns for Jackson’s Clarion-Ledger. She is a former chair of the Women’s Foundation of Mississippi and was recognized as one of the state’s 10 Women of Vision. She is married to Asoka Srinivasan, director of the Jackson Heart Study’s Undergraduate Training Center at Tougaloo College. The Srinivasans’ sons, Arjun ’88 and Gautam ’91, are graduates of St. Andrew’s.

JAY SONES ’92 St. Andrew’s alumnus Jay Sones graduated from Reed College in Portland, Oregon, with a degree in studio art.

Sones operated his own website design business for several years in Jackson before relocating to New York in 2004 to accept a position with Random House, one of the world’s most respected publishers. He is now the director of marketing for the Crown, Hogarth, Broadway, and Tim Duggan Books imprints at Penguin Random House, Inc. Sones has worked on projects ranging from the memoirs of President Obama and President Bush to the recent fictional bestsellers Gone Girl and

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DENNIS GRAHAM, KIM ALLISTON BRAKE, KAREN CRENSHAW SWENSON, AND DAVE DAVIS ARE 4 OF THE 11 GRADUATING SENIORS IN THE CLASS ON 1974.

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1974 THE CL ASS OF

ST. ANDREW’S FIRST GRADUATING SENIOR CLASS ON LASTING FRIENDSHIPS, A CONFESSION OR TWO, AND WHY THEY STILL LOVE THEIR ALMA MATER THE OSCAR FOR BEST PICTURE went to “The that still prompts Kim Alliston Brake ’74 to marvel, “I Godfather II,” and the #1 song on the Billboard chart can’t believe they let us do it.” was John Denver’s “Sunshine on My Shoulders.” People In the early 1970s, St. Andrew’s was just beginning tuned in to watch “MASH,” and “All in the Family,” and to build its sports program and everyone was expected trusted major life decisions to their Magic 8 Balls. to play. The St. Andrew’s baseball team hit the diamond But 1974 stands out for more than just for the first time, the football team cel“ST. ANDREW’S long hair and leisure suits. It was the first ebrated its first winning season, and St. IS INCREDIBLE. year that St. Andrew’s Episcopal School Andrew’s fielded the first high school socLOOK AT THE PEOPLE had a class of graduating seniors. As their cer team in Mississippi.

GRADUATING AND 40th reunion approached, the 11 mem“There was a very real expectation that WHERE THEY’RE GOING. bers of the Class of ’74 shared their fondeveryone would play sports – not that we LOOK AT THE ALUMNI est memories of that groundbreaking year. were all necessarily great athletes,” Davis AND WHAT THEY’RE “Everything felt new and a little expersays. “Even back then, St. Andrew’s was DOING. ST. ANDREW’S imental,” says Dave Davis ’74. “There were known for its tennis team. We had 11 IS NOT JUST A COLLEGE no established traditions, so it was up great players on that team, plus me. My PREP SCHOOL, IT’S A to us to create them. Some things that real role was carrying the towels for the rest LIFE PREP SCHOOL.” were new that year have continued at St. of them.”

Kyle Hendrix, Class of ‘74 Andrew’s to this day.”

All 11 classmates made the first senior Highlights of that first senior year included sharing trip to Point Clear, Alabama, chaperoned by English breakfast daily during French class; a daylong Olympic teacher Bee Donley and Coach Mike Barkett. While no event in which the faculty competed as the team from one is naming names, class members do confess that the “Erehwon” (“nowhere” spelled backwards); and the first popular 1974 pastime of streaking might have been on and last senior play, an “irreverent” collection of skits the trip itinerary.

ST. ANDREW’S WISHES A HAPPY 40TH REUNION TO THE 11 MEMBERS OF THE CLASS OF ’74, THE FIRST GRADUATING SENIOR CLASS OF ST. ANDREW’S EPISCOPAL SCHOOL. KIM ALLISTON BRAKE • ANN COE • KAREN RUSHING CRAWFORD • DAVE DAVIS • DENNIS GRAHAM LULU LE MASTER HEINEY • KYLE HENDRIX • AL HORTON • REM MACNEALY • JACK STRIPLING • KAREN CRENSHAW SWENSON

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1974 THE FIRST ST. ANDREW’S GRADUATION CEREMONY WAS HELD AT ST. ANDREW’S CATHEDRAL, WITH THE ENTIRE UPPER SCHOOL IN ATTENDANCE. THERE WERE NO CAPS AND GOWNS; INSTEAD THE GIRLS WORE WHITE DRESSES AND THE BOYS WORE TUXES. And for those who might still be wonand mentor who pushed me through dering who spray painted a bright blue the laborious application process. St. “Saints of ’74” across the school driveway, Andrew’s is also where I met my best Karen Crenshaw Swenson ’74 confesses LENDING A LENTEN HAND friends. You could draw a circle and all of that she and Ann Coe ’74 were behind “I DIDN’T COME FROM AN my best memories involve those people. I that shocking act of vandalism. live a mile from the South Campus today EPISCOPAL BACKGROUND, St. Andrew’s had worked its way up [where the entire school was housed in AND IT TOOK ME AWHILE to having a senior class by adding a grade 1974], and every time I drive past it, I realTO CATCH ON TO SOME each year. Along with several of his classize all my memories are there.”

OF THE TRADITIONS,” mates, Davis transferred to St. Andrew’s As the years have passed, the memDAVE DAVIS ’74 SAYS. “I as a sophomore the first year the school ONCE ‘HELPED’ A FELLOW bers of the Class of ’74 have only become offered a tenth grade, and went on to more proud of their standing as St. STUDENT BY WIPING WHAT become a member of the school’s first Andrew’s first graduates.

I THOUGHT WAS A SMUDGE junior and senior classes.

“As the first graduating senior class, the OFF OF HER FOREHEAD ON “Our class was different,” says Davis.

11 of us really did feel it was up to us to ASH WEDNESDAY. BUT I “Most of us had transferred in as high reflect St. Andrew’s high standards,” HenREALLY DID MY PART OUR school students, so no one had any long, drix says. “Today, I think it’s safe to say we SENIOR YEAR, WHEN MOST shared history before St. Andrew’s. That absolutely revere the school. St. Andrew’s OF MY CLASSMATES GAVE only made us closer.” has grown so much in status and is truly UP DESSERTS FOR LENT. I Kyle Hendrix ’74 also recalls a class that recognized as one of the finest schools in was unusually close. Today, Hendrix lives HELPED THEM BY EATING ALL the country.” and works in northern California, but still OF THOSE DESSERTS. I LIKE “The school’s academic standards are so keeps in touch with many of his former TO THINK I SACRIFICED MY impressive,” Karen Crenshaw Swenson classmates, who became lifelong friends. ’74 says. “I’m also impressed by the diverBODY FOR THE OTHERS.” “Everyone liked and knew each other. sity of students from so many walks of It wasn’t about cliques and groups,” Hendrix says. life, and by all of the sports programs, arts programs, and “Everybody knew everybody’s business, but it was all other activities St. Andrew’s offers. The recognition and good business.” accolades the school has received, not just in Mississippi, “When I think of St. Andrew’s, what comes to mind but also nationally, are amazing. The closeness of the stuare friendship, memories, and loyalty,” says Brake. “For dent body was what I truly loved about St. Andrew’s, and me, it was all about the people – not only my 10 fellow from everything I’ve read and heard about St. Andrew’s seniors, but also the faculty and staff, and all the people today, that hasn’t changed. All of those things make me who were so involved in getting us to graduate. Many very proud to say I’m a St. Andrew’s graduate.” of my former teachers still help me today in my job as a While they’re impressed with their alma mater’s guidance counselor.” ever-growing national reputation, the members of “Bee Donley was like a mother to all of us. She the Class of ’74 remember St. Andrew’s as a place instilled discipline in us,” Davis says. “And Barbara where expectations were always high and the vision Adams, who was serving as both a teacher and a guid- was always far-reaching. ance counselor, fought for us and helped us all pre- “The words that still best describe St. Andrew’s for pare for college. I was accepted to the Air Force Acad- me are initiative, drive, and camaraderie,” Hendrix says. emy because Barbara was there to serve as the coach “You can’t go to St. Andrew’s and not succeed. The school

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1974

1974 A YEAR OF FIRSTS First Graduating Class 11 Members

First Mr. and Miss St. Andrew’s Kyle Hendrix and Kim Alliston Brake First Senior Trip Point Clear, Alabama

First Commencement Ceremony St. Andrew’s Cathedral

First Headmaster of St. Andrew’s Episcopal School for Pre-K through Seniors Dr. Allen Becker

First Student Council President Rem MacNealy

First High School Soccer Team in Mississippi Coached by Mike Barkett

First Senior Class President Dave Davis

First St. Andrew’s High School Baseball Team Coached by Mike Barkett

won’t let you. You understand the differences the school offers. You understand that you are not just encouraged, but expected to go somewhere with your life.

“St. Andrew’s is incredible,” Hendrix continues. “I find it hard to believe anyone would not want to get into that school. Look at the people graduating and where they’re going. Look at the alumni and what they’re doing. St. Andrew’s is not just a college prep school, it’s a life prep school.”

“There is absolutely no question that St. Andrew’s sets the strong academic standard,” Davis says. “I think

that vision and that standard goes all the way back to the school’s founding in 1947. There was no real standard for academic excellence in Mississippi then. St. Andrew’s founders envisioned early on that they would set and maintain that standard. Their vision was always that St. Andrew’s would someday be recognized not just as the best in Mississippi, but as one of the best on a national level. Those founders established the vision that St. Andrew’s fulfills today. I’m proud of how far we’ve come since 1974, but I’m also excited when I imagine where St. Andrew’s will be 10 years from now.”

“TO CANTERBURY THEY WENDE…” As a part of their study of The Canterbury Tales, the members of the Class of ’74 held a Canterbury party at the home of Kyle Hendrix ’74, with all members of the class required to attend in full costume as one of Chaucer’s famous characters.  On their way to the party, Al Horton ’74 and Dennis Graham ’74 ran a stop sign and were pulled over by the police. In a comical scene that would have made Chaucer proud, the two managed not only to explain why they were driving the streets of Jackson in full medieval garb, but also to talk their way out of the ticket.

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EMILY ALLENBURGER GORDON ’94 AN ALPHA OMEGA GRADUATE AND ST. ANDREW’S NEW ALUMNI RELATIONS AND COMMUNICATIONS COORDINATOR, IS EXCITED ABOUT BOTH PLANNING AND ATTENDING THE FUN-FILLED FAMILY EVENT.

Many thanks to the St. Andrew’s Student Alumni Leadership Team, whose members play an integral part in planning All Alumni Weekend and whose volunteer efforts are sure to make the event another success in 2014.

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ALL ALUMNI WEEKEND 2014 October 3-5

MARK YOUR CALENDARS for the third annual St. Andrew’s All Alumni Weekend, the event that brings all St. Andrew’s graduates and former students together to “remember the time.”

Last year, more than 200 members of the St Andrew’s community attended All Alumni Weekend, including alumni, their parents, spouses, and children, as well as former faculty and staff members. Popular activities from the 2013 event, including the pre-game barbecue with live music, campus tours, a 5K Fun Run, tennis time, reunion parties, and children’s activities, are on tap again for 2014.

Emily Allenburger Gordon ’94, an Alpha Omega graduate and St. Andrew’s new alumni relations and communications coordinator, is excited about both planning and attending the fun-filled family event.

“All Alumni Weekend brings back so many memories and also gives alumni a chance to introduce their extended families to St. Andrew’s,” Gordon says. “It’s a once-a-year opportunity to gather with alumni from every class year to share memories and make new ones.

We hope to see all of our alumni back on campus to reconnect with old friends, make new friends, and see how much St. Andrew’s has grown.”

ALL ALUMNI WEEKEND • PARTIAL SCHEDULE OF EVENTS FRIDAY, OCTOBER 3

Morning: • Homecoming pep rally

Evening: • All alumni family barbecue with live music, followed by the Homecoming football game against McLaurin

•

Mid-Morning: Family friendly gathering and tours of the North Campus, followed by lunch with former faculty members.

Parents of alumni are welcome.

• Kid Corral featuring a bounce house, games, face painting, and other activities for children. Every child will also receive a St. Andrew’s goody bag.

Evening: • Individual reunion classes’ gatherings at various off-campus locations

• Individual reunion classes’ gatherings at various off-campus locations SATURDAY, OCTOBER 4

Morning: • Tennis time with current St. Andrew’s students

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 5

Mid-Morning: • Chapel service and tour at the Lower School

• 5K Fun Run

All registrants will receive an All Alumni Weekend souvenir cup, St. Andrew’s Frisbees, pens, stickers, and more, all in a St. Andrew’s tote bag REGISTER FOR INDIVIDUAL CLASS REUNIONS AND OTHER WEEKEND EVENTS AT WWW.GOSAINTS.ORG/ALLALUMNIWEEKEND MEET EMILY ALLENBURGER GORDON ’94 • St. Andrew’s Alumni Relations and Communications Coordinator St. Andrew’s alumna and parent Emily Allenburger Gordon ’94 is reconnecting with old friends and making new ones as St. Andrew’s new alumni relations and communications coordinator. A trained counselor and therapist, Gordon has served as a former co-chair of the St. Andrew’s Alumni Board and has remained engaged in the school and its activities ever since graduating. Gordon has two children at St. Andrew’s, Andrew, a second grader, and Chris, a pre-K4 student. Gordon succeeds Elizabeth Buyan ’97, who has assumed other responsibilities in the Office of Institutional Advancement. • “As an alumna and a parent, I have always cherished being a part of the St. Andrew’s family,” Gordon says. “I’m so grateful and excited to be working at this special place. St. Andrew’s feels like home.”

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EYE ON

ALUMNI

IF YOU’RE HOSTING OR WOULD LIKE TO HOST A ST. ANDREW’S ALUMNI GATHERING IN YOUR AREA, THE ALUMNI OFFICE WOULD BE HAPPY TO HELP. CONTACT EMILY ALLENBURGER GORDON ’94 AT GORDONE@GOSAINTS.ORG.

CENTRAL PARK, NEW YORK CITY

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SOME 30 ST. ANDREW’S ALUMNI LIVING OR VISITING IN THE BIG APPLE attended the 35th Annual Mississippi Picnic in New York’s Central Park. A team from St. Andrew’s Office of Institutional Advancement and Admissions Office was on hand at the June 14th event to help alumni celebrate their Mississippi roots and their St. Andrew’s connections.

ALUMNI IN MEMPHIS GATHERED AT WISEACRE BREWING COMPANY on March 27 for an evening of socializing and Memphis barbecue. On hand for the gathering were Elizabeth Buyan ‘97 of the Office of Institutional Advancement and alumni board member Frank Kossen ’94.

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1. Alums gathered after the picnic in New York. • 2. Jay Sones ‘92 and Malcom White • 3. Sandesh Shettar ‘08, Kate Ma ‘08, and Nitisha Shrestha ‘08 4. Trevor Hanlon ’08, Galen Reeves-Darby ’07, and Edward Hanlon ‘02 • 5. Selby McRae ’07 and Kevin Graepel • 6. Mississippi Picnic in Central Park 7. Tripp and Ashley Wells Hullender ‘03 • 8. Memphis Alumni • 9. Natalie Jones Davis ’97 and Mike Davis • 10. Carlyle White ’97 and Renee Wills

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C

lass

notes

Please e-mail future Class Notes to Emily Allenburger Gordon ’94 at gordone@gosaints.org.

She is also certified by the American Riding Instructors Asso1974 Kyle Hendrix lives in Marin County, California, just across ciation and teaches lessons at the Stevens’ Snow Hill Farm. the Golden Gate Bridge from San Francisco. Hendrix works 1984 in interior and exterior design, furniture and home accesE. Barney Robinson III practices commercial litigation sory design, and lighting design. A proponent of green and alternative energy, including LED lighting, Hendrix pur- with Butler Snow LLP’s Ridgeland, Mississippi office. He chased a small lighting company three years ago (www. also holds the rank of Lieutenant Colonel in the Mississippi focalor.com) and will launch his own line of pendant light- Army National Guard, having served six months on active ing designs early next year. He also plans to open a retail duty for Hurricane Katrina in 2005 and 2006 and a tour in showroom called “UpCYcle” in Marin in 2014. Hendrix’s Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2009. Robretail website, www.RelevanceHome.com, donates a large inson lives in rural Yazoo County, in the unincorporated percentage of proceeds to the Wounded Warrior Project. community of Anding, Mississippi. He is a 1988 graduate of Washington and Lee University (B.A.), a 1991 graduate Karen Crenshaw Swenson received the Spirit Award from of the University of Mississippi School of Law ( J.D.), and the Atlanta-Fulton Public Library System for embodying a 1992 graduate of the University of Cambridge, Magdathe spirit of “service, support, and enthusiasm” in her job lene College (LL.M.). as reference librarian/volunteer coordinator at the North1987 east/Spruill Oaks Library in Johns Creek, Georgia. Swenson and her husband, Dale, live in Suwanee, Georgia, just André Conway celebrated his first anniversary at Youth Villages as community relations manager. Youth Villages is northeast of Atlanta. a nonprofit organization that helps troubled children and their families live successfully through intensive, in-home 1980 Jon Langford, Catherine Gray Clark, and John Wiener therapy, foster care, adoption and a transitional living program for youth aging out of the foster care system. celebrated their 30th Duke University reunion last April.

1982 Catherine McNease Stevens lives in southern Virginia with her husband, Nelson, and son, Henry (14). Stevens is the institutional effectiveness specialist for the Southern Virginia Higher Education Center in South Boston, Virginia.

Kyle Hendrix

Everett McKinley married Tracy Butchee, also a native of Jackson. McKinley and Butchee met while attending Millsaps College, lost touch for almost 20 years, then reacquainted as 40-somethings who reluctantly joined Facebook.

McKinley is the manager of manufacturing and R&D at

Jon Langford, Catherine Clark, and John Wiener

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E. Barney Robinson III

André Conway

Insys Therapeutics’ manufacturing facility in Round Rock, Texas. His current project is overseeing the design and construction of a 53,000-square foot pharmaceutical manufacturing facility. Tracy is global director of learning and development for Towers Watson, a professional services and human resource management firm. The couple lives in Austin, Texas.

She is a marketing manager for Philips Healthcare. Her husband is a graduate of the University of Southern Mississippi and is the owner of TRAK, LLC in Ridgeland.

1999 Sarah Rivlin is engaged to Michael Cottingham ’98. They live in Houston, Texas, where she is a teacher planning to start her own school and he is a professor at the University of Houston.

John Teal passed the PEP (Psychopharmacology Exam for Psychologists), the major requirement for becoming a licensed medical psychologist in Louisiana. Teal works as a clinical psychologist in Mississippi, Louisiana, and several other states. His daughter, Anna Grace Teal, is a senior at St. Andrew’s.

Jennifer Smith Welch completed a bucket list item when she hiked the Salkantay Trail from the Sacred Valley to Machu Picchu with local shamans, professional hikers and cowboys, and 13 other women from the U.S. and Canada.

All 14 women climbed to the top of Huayna Picchu, considered one of the 20 most dangerous hikes in the world.

1991 Allison Lightwine and her family moved from Paris, France, to Basel, Switzerland, in December of 2012 for her role as head of internal communications at Novartis. Lightwine and her husband, Benoit, and daughters, Sophie (8) and Charlotte (6), are learning to love all things ski-related and are slowly but surely becoming trilingual with the addition of German.

2001 Chase Bryan is product manager of PERCS, C Spire’s Rewards Program.

Sherwood Colette was inducted into the Holmes Community College Athletic Hall of Fame. As a freshman baseball player, Colette was a part of the nationally ranked 1993 team, and he hit .300 during his sophomore year. He was Ben Everett was promoted to senior field director of med- also named to the 1st-team All-MACJC team, 1st-team All ical affairs for Amarin Corp, a biopharmaceutical company NJCAA team, the MACJC Baseball State Championship Allfocused on the commercialization and development of Tournament team, and the Academic All-American team therapeutics to improve cardiovascular health. his sophomore year. Colette continued his education at Millsaps College and received a bachelor’s degree in biol1996 ogy in 2006. While playing baseball at Millsaps, Colette was NaCola James received her master’s degree in public a member of the 2005 Southern Collegiate Athletic Conadministration from Belhaven University. Following her ference Championship Team. In 2010, he received his J.D. graduation, NaCola traveled Europe, visiting England, Aus- from MC Law. Colette served as law clerk to the Honorable tria, Germany, Italy, Switzerland, and France.

James E. Graves, Jr. at the Mississippi Supreme Court and the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit in New Orleans, Louisiana. He is now an associate attorney 1998 Crystal Dione Buie married Alphonse Raymond “Trey” at John M. Colette and Associates of Jackson.

Taylor III on August 16, 2014 in Jackson, Mississippi. She is a graduate of Vanderbilt University and an MBA graduate Robert Farr and his wife, Bethany, welcomed a son and of Belmont University, both located in Nashville, Tennessee. future Saint, Robert Earle Farr IV, on April 17.

Everett McKinley

Jennifer Smith Welch

Sherwood Colette

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Robert Earle Farr IV

Richard Huntpalmer

Ashley Mallinson O’Neil

Whitney-Lehr Ray Flynn

2004 Whitney-Lehr Ray Flynn and her husband, Chris, purchased their first home in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Flynn was promoted to sales operations analyst/inside sales representative at International Decision Systems, where she has worked for two years. She traveled to Paris this summer to cheer on her husband, who was selected to present a paper at the International Medieval Society’s 11th Annual Symposium, Charlemagne after Charlemagne, held at the University of Paris.

Richard Huntpalmer moved to the Oregon coast with his wife, Bryn, and their daughter, Adelaide. On August 1, 2013 they welcomed a son, Darwin. Huntpalmer is licensed as an attorney by the State of Oregon, and joined a general practice firm in January 2014. His wife is the director of development at a local community college.

Ashley Mallinson O’Neil married Tom O’Neil in Rosemary Beach, Florida, on October 4, 2013. The expected arrival of tropical storm Karen on October 5 meant moving the ceremony forward one day. After completing her MBA at the Anderson School at UCLA, O’Neil will join Microsoft in Seattle, Washington, this fall.

Cooper Morrison and Marion Lyle Morrison ’05 moved to Charlotte, North Carolina, from Birmingham, Alabama, in 2013. Cooper joined Crescent Communities as a senior finance associate and Marion works for the Gaston County School System as a school nurse at Hunter Huss High School. Their chocolate lab, Molly, enjoys the cooler weather and exploring her new backyard.

2003 John Brandon is a banking and financial services headhunter and is happy to assist any St. Andrew’s alumni working in the financial services industry. Brandon married Sarah Karp Brandon on September 21, 2013.

ALUMNA ON THE SILVER SCREEN Janeen Best Damian ’79 attended St. Andrew’s for two years before moving to New York City at the age of 14 with a full scholarship to dance with the School of American Ballet. Damian then moved to Los Angeles, where she was cast as one of the lead dancers on the TV series, “Solid Gold.” She went on to marry Michael Damian, who is famous for playing Danny Romalotti for 18 years on “The Young and the Restless” and the lead role of Joseph in the Broadway production of “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dream Coat.” • Janeen Damian has written and produced nine films and a television show, including “The Sweeter Side of Life,” which aired on the Hallmark Channel in 2013, and “A Princess for Christmas,” the Hallmark Channel’s number one film of 2012. She also served as writer and producer on the film “Moondance Alexander,” which won Best Screenplay honors at the Los Angeles Femme Film Festival.

Her other dancing credits include performing at the Grammys, the Academy Awards, and the American Music Awards, as well as in Michael Jackson’s “Captain E-O,” which was directed by Francis Ford Coppola.

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Lindsay Van Landeghem

Allison Oswalt

Meredith Ury

2005 Betsy Peterson received the Lisa Lee Mullins Reading Award from the University of Mississippi. She is completing work on her master’s degree while teaching at St. Andrew’s.

Bud Sheppard

Sigma Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority. Milton plans to become an obstetrician gynecologist, and has been accepted into the Early Medical School Selection Program at Boston University’s School of Medicine. The program allowed Milton to spend six weeks in Boston this summer; she will spend eight weeks next summer and her entire senior year in Boston. Milton will take both Boston undergraduate and medical school courses, and upon receiving a satisfactory MCAT (Medical College Admission Test) score, she will automatically be accepted to finish medical school at Boston University.

2006 Nell Knox and William Goodman ’99 were married on June 1, 2014. The couple lives in Jackson, Mississippi.

2007 Lindsay Van Landeghem is based in Nairobi, Kenya, where she provides business development and investment readiness support to small- and medium-sized energy enterprises in Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, and Uganda.

Bud Sheppard was elected the student body president of Loyola University New Orleans as a sophomore, making him the youngest student body president in SGA history.

The former Mr. St. Andrew’s is a business management major and a classical studies minor.

2009 Allison Oswalt graduated from Virginia Tech in May with a bachelor’s degree in ocean engineering and a minor in naval engineering. She is a naval architect at Newport News Shipbuilding, a subset of Huntington Ingalls Industries, where she works with the new Gerald Ford class aircraft carriers.

Before starting her job in mid-July, Oswalt spent the month of June in Mossel Bay, South Africa, as an intern with White Shark Africa. She spent the month swimming with breaching great white sharks, as well as tagging other shark species. Her African adventures also included encounters with cheetahs, white tigers, lemurs, and other African wildlife.

Seth Ury plays soccer at Asbury University and has been recruited to play on the university’s first intercollegiate lacrosse team in its inaugural 2014 season. Ury learned the fine points of lacrosse at St. Andrew’s.

IN MEMORIAM David Brownstein ’90 died May 21, 2014, at the age of 42.

He was the son of Ben Brownstein of Ridgeland, Mississippi, and the son and stepson of Jean and Lamar Nesbit of Jackson, Mississippi. He is survived by his brother, Todd Brownstein ’89, of Birmingham, Alabama. A native of Oklahoma City, Brownstein was educated at St. Andrew’s Episcopal School, in the Jackson Public Schools, the University of Southern Mississippi, and the University of Texas at Austin. He was a freelance musician and professional chef and enjoyed travel and living a free-spirited life in several areas of the United States, Canada, Central America, and Mexico.

Brownstein’s gentle nature and keen intellect will be greatly missed by all who knew, loved, and appreciated him.

2011 Meredith Ury plays soccer for Asbury University. The former Miss St. Andrew’s was named Kentucky Player of the Year for the 2013-14 season and honorable mention All American.

2012 Da’brianna Renee Milton received a full scholarship to Clark Atlanta University in Atlanta, Georgia, where she has maintained a 3.8 grade point average. She is a member of Clark’s Isabella T. Jenkins Honor Society and the

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THE TIES THAT BIND

Amelia Andersson and Pontus Andersson ’13

Michelle Alexander (Patron Saint) and Claire Sykes Alexander

Sarah McLean Archer and Lorna Doone Hector Archer ’83

Brecken Ballard ’10 and Lacey Ballard. Not pictured is Ashton Ballard ’07

Sarah Gresham Barr and Bennett Barr ’12

Katie Parker Bell ’05, Benton Parker, and Meredith Parker ’10 Not pictured is Miriam Parker ’12

Carl Black (Patron Saint), Ann Smithson, Betty Black Smithson ’81, and Carl Black ’89

Phillip Burnett ’13 and John Grady Burnett

Riley Cooper and Mary Hannah Cooper ’12

Dana Dobel and Matthew Dobel ’08

Palmer Duckworth and Margaret Palmer ’84

David Dulske ’12 and Luke Dulske

Erin Fowler ’13 and Kirsten Fowler

Alice Harper (faculty) and Angus Harper

Tom Hudson ’74, Anna Hudson, Terri Hudson (Patron Saint), and Marion Hudson ’13

Kovi Katz and Asher Katz ’12

Will Kennedy and Beth Byler Kennedy ’78

Daniyal Khawaja and Muzamil Khawaja ’11

Brandon Kotfila and Suzanne Kotfila (Patron Saint)

Greg McMillin ’08, Lauren McMillin ’10, Mark McMillin, and Lyn McMillin (Patron Saint)

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THE CLASS OF 2014 INCLUDED 46 MEMBERS WITH SIBLINGS OR PARENTS WHO ARE ALUMNI OR CURRENT MEMBERS OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES, PATRON SAINTS (OR FORMER TRUSTEES), CORPORATION, OR FACULTY AND STAFF. 55 PERCENT OF THE CLASS CLAIMS A TIE TO ST. ANDREW’S.

Amanda Murff and Lucia Murff ’10. Not pictured is Parker Murff ’09

Elizabeth Wilkes Parry and Wilson Parry ’83

Ivy Pei ’13 and Patrick Pei

Royce Reeves-Darby ’11, Vonda Reeves-Darby (Patron Saint), Peryn Reeves-Darby, Jaren Reeves-Darby ’12, and Galen Reeves-Darby ’07

Caitlyn Ross and Caleb Ross ’11

Michael Sanderson and Mary Sanderson ’13

Amelia Senter ’10, Bruce Senter, and Corbett Senter ’08

Samantha Shepard ’09, Mollie Shepard, and Thatch Shepard (faculty)

Carlisle Shelson and Jim Shelson (Trustee)

Will Simmons ’11, Seth Simmons, and William Simmons ’09

Harrison Smith and Beth Magee Smith (Patron Saint)

Caroline Speetjens and Karel Speetjens ’87

Adam Travis ’13, Anne Travis ’77 (Patron Saint), and Zach Travis

Katherine Wells ’02, Eleanor Wells, Olivia Wells ’08, and Ashley Wells ’04. Not pictured is Katherine Rone Wells ’74 (Patron Saint)

Buchanan Westover ’11 and Paige Westover.

Not pictured is Sam Westover ’12

Davis Woodall ’10 and Connor Woodall

NOT PICTURED: Ryan Abusaa and Sarah Abusaa ’12; Jack Cooke and Martha Campbell Cooke ’84 (Patron Saint); Margie Funches and Macharia Funches ’10; Katie May and Julian May ’09; Helena Qu and Phillip Qu ’12; Patrick Scanlon and Pat Scanlon ’86; Jackalyn Schwartz and Ida Lee Schwartz ’11; Mercedes Smith, Chardo Smith ’88, Tony Smith ’90, Emory Smith ’92, Marci Songcharoen ’91, Jennifer Smith Welch ’99, David Smith ’00, Kimmie Smith ’05, Andria Smith ’08, and Victoria Smith ’11; and Alex Wedderstrand and Nick Wedderstrand ’09.

Chris Woolverton ’13 and Lucy Woolverton

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WHO ARE THOSE SAINTS UP ON THAT HILL

By Darby Parker St. Andrew’s Episcopal School Class of 2015 Recipient of the Arches to Excellence Scholarship We are a city upon a hill A fortification A castle Buttressed by our faculty Our administrators Our teachers Mortared with an honor code Our entrants Our alumni Each student a stone in the wall We have a foundation so strong Through faith Through education So strong as to sustain our successors And theirs And those after That when we may spread our wings As ambassadors As future saints With us we will carry our city We are a covenant Crusaders Devotees Bound by our oath and our creed For honor For determination All eyes are upon us Some to beat us Some to be us Openly we accept all those of this world We must be a shining example Be world leaders Be the cutting edge To keep our city To forge it To polish it We must forge ourselves to par We are our city Our city is us Therefore let us live up to our place upon this Hill.

Darby Parker credits the sermon, “A Model of Christian Charity” by John Winthrop as the inspiration for this poem.

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