Pillars Magazine Fall 2023

The Beating Heart • Celebrating 40 Years • EHS Alumni Return to Serve

Episcopal High School was founded in 1983 as a four‑year coeducational day school within the Episcopal Diocese of Texas.

ACCREDITATION Independent Schools Association of the Southwest MEMBERSHIPS National Association of Independent Schools National Association of Episcopal Schools Council for the Advancement and Support of Education Educational Records Bureau College Board National Association for College Admission Counseling Texas Association for College Admission Counseling Southwest Preparatory Conference MISSION Episcopal High School, founded and guided by the Diocese of Texas, is an inclusive and joyful Christian community where students discover and develop their individual talents through the Four Pillars – academics, arts, athletics, religion – preparing for meaningful lives in service to others.

ADMISSION Episcopal High School admits students of all races, colors, and national/ethnic origins to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities accorded or made available to students at the School. The School does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, or national/ethnic origin in the administration of its educational and admission policies, scholarship and loan programs, or athletic and other school‑administered programs.

ALUMNI Please share your news with EHS. Send information to: Director of Alumni Affairs Colleen Kearns ckearns@ehshouston.org 713‑512‑3478

Director of Parent Programs Steve Leisz sleisz@ehshouston.org 713-512-3673

facebook.com/groups/EHSHoustonAlumni instagram.com/ehs_alumni

This publication is printed on FSC certified paper with soy‑based inks.

The Episcopal High School Magazine, Fall 2023

IN THIS ISSUE From the Head of School 04 The Beating Heart 06 Bright Knights 08 Did You Know? 14 Knights Stand Out 16 Celebrating 40 Years 18 Founders Day 22 EHS Alumni Return to Serve 24 Pop Quiz 28 The Last Word 34

ON THE COVER Shortly before the School opened, Founders Larry Neuhaus and Rick McCord, at the urging of Bishop Benitez, undertook a project to retrieve the cross, which originally hung at the old Marian High School and was stored in the yard of the Catholic Diocese property on Yoakum Blvd. They located the cross with one of its arms protruding through the chain link fence into the yard of the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church next door. About to retrieve a cross originally hung at a Catholic school, now extending into a Greek Orthodox property, and hang it at the newly founded Episcopal High School, the two Founders affectionately dubbed it “the ecumenical cross,” and regarded it as a symbol not only of the light of Christ but of the welcoming spirit the School would represent in the city. Proudly displayed on the entrance to the new Glassell Hall 40 years later, the cross continues to represent that light and spirit.

The Knights’ spirit remains strong through the years. Go Knights!

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FROM THE HEAD OF SCHOOL Dear EHS Family, Forty years ago, Episcopal High School opened its doors as a college preparatory school different from all the other schools in Houston, a flagship Episcopal school where students could grow as well-rounded people through the Four Pillars preparing for meaningful lives in service to others. This foundation remains today even as the School meets the challenges and the opportunities of the moment and as it seeks to build strength on strength for the future.

This issue of Pillars captures the thrill of our founding, the excitement of the present, and the hope for the future of EHS and our city. It captures it all by juxtaposing the past with the present in images, in words, and in ideas. It captures this hope in images from the 80’s of the former Marian High School renovation in preparation for the first day of class at the newly formed EHS. It captures this excitement in the words of those like Karen Foster who lived that founding moment and who are still present and active today. And it captures the hope for the future for which our current campus buildout and strategic plan prepare.

The two students featured within agree. Breylan Thompson ’24 speaks of paying it forward as President of the Student Council when he says, “EHS has helped me hone leadership skills I’ve felt like I’ve had from a young age, and I want to return the favor of all the School has invested in me.” Sarah Yates ’24, Prime Minister of Students of Service, sums it up, saying, “Being a Knight is the willingness to do anything you set your mind to. The ability to tackle any problem with an open mind and a sense of wanting to accomplish something together.”

Our faculty likewise agree. Teacher Kylee Welch, also featured within, speaks of EHS students holding themselves to a higher standard, saying, “When students put their EHS polo on, it gives them a sense of pride, unlike that of any other community.

They understand that those three letters carry weight and serve as a reminder that character is just as important as academics.”

The EHS Computer Science program, highlighted within, illustrates our future focus. Twelve years ago, we had only one computer science instructor, splitting his time between computer science and mathematics. Today, there are 162 students taking computer science across 12 sections of four courses with three full-time instructors.

What a privilege it is to continue the Founders’ work today. Thank you for that privilege and for all that you do to sustain EHS. Go Knights,

Ned Smith

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THE BEATING HEART The Rev. Tyler Montgomery, Associate Head of School for Academics and Student Life One of the refrains of Episcopal High School that attracted me here is that “Chapel is the beating heart of our community.” This refrain articulates one of the most distinctive and valuable aspects of Episcopal High School. Few schools are willing to set aside time to gather as a community to worship each day. Time is so precious during the school day; it is like treasure, and there are always competing claims for our time. If we remember Jesus’ words, “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Matthew 6:21), then our discipline of setting aside time for daily worship allows Episcopal High School to proclaim with integrity that the Chapel is indeed its beating heart. The heart is both the beginning and end point of the blood’s circulation through the body. In like manner, the Chapel provides both a foundation and a destination for education at Episcopal High School.

Our foundation consists of claims that are indefensible without faith. First, we claim that every member of our community is a child of God, possessing infinite value and dignity through Christ’s sacrifice on the cross. Second, we claim that “the good life” consists of loving God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength and loving our neighbor as ourselves (Mark 12:30-31). These claims are incomprehensible to the world, but we believe that they animate a life of faith, hope, and love. Our destination, consequently, is to cultivate and expose every member of our community to a life of abundant faith, hope, and love received through service to God and neighbor. Just like the heart, the Chapel articulates both our starting point and our end point: our Alpha and our Omega.

Religious formation at its best cultivates habits of being rather than systems of thought, focusing on practice rather than ideas alone. EHS Chapel provides every student with an opportunity to see what human faces look like when they are engaged in worship, irrespective of their faith traditions. Exposure to the human fact of religiousness and religious worship through a committed Christian tradition is a courageous attempt to capture the full breadth and depth of human being, without which the heart of education goes missing. May our heart continue to beat. I am grateful to be a part of it.

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Bright Knights

UNITING OTHERS THROUGH LEADERSHIP Breylan Thompson ’24 In balancing a full schedule of honors and AP courses and football and basketball commitments and leading our community as Student Body President, Breylan Thompson makes excellence look easy.

Stunningly, Breylan has received 24 offers to play football at D1 colleges, including offers from all eight Ivy League schools, eventually committing to grow his educational and athletic skills at Yale University in fall 2024. It is important, though, to recognize Breylan as more than a talented athlete; he is a scholar and a leader, too. He says that in coming to EHS, he had his sights set solely on playing sports, but during his time here, he has been able to realize just how much he is capable of. And moreover, it was the fervor of the EHS community that inspired him to branch out into student leadership: “Seeing how everyone came together on Friday nights for football was really special; it’s what made me want to be more part of the School and inspired me to run for Student Body President.”

Math teacher Johnny Kwok says of Breylan’s studentship: “Breylan has a natural ability for grasping concepts in the classroom. He has been able to comprehend topics that posed challenges for other students. His leadership qualities were evident as he willingly extended help to his classmates, assisting with the notes and preparing for tests.”

Connection matters to Breylan in all spaces. He says, “A Knight is a leader, a leader who’s committed to doing the right thing even when nobody is watching.” Coach Moynahan sees this very quality in Breylan, noting that when a teammate needed to improve his fitness level during football season, Breylan ran an extra mile with him after practices for encouragement. Coach Moynahan also notes that though Breylan took an internship with a judge in Fort Bend County last summer that caused him to miss weightlifting sessions with the team, Breylan drove to campus each morning before his internship to ensure he got his reps in. His athletic ability speaks for itself; it is Breylan’s investment in the holistic strength of his overall team—football or basketball—that speaks to his true character.

“Breylan is a true renaissance man. Breylan has the unique ability to navigate spaces with the skills that set him apart from others.”

– Wayne Jones, Director of Diversity, Community, and Inclusion Though our community is used to celebrating Breylan’s success in all Four Pillars, he initially struggled to navigate the transition from public to private school, especially as a freshman during Covid. It was through playing basketball that he eventually found football, and through football that he felt inspired to become a leader on campus. And now as an established leader, Breylan has his sights set on how he can give back to EHS in his last few months as a Knight, saying, “EHS has helped me hone leadership skills I’ve felt like I’ve had from a young age, and I want to return the favor of all the School has invested in me.” It is his dedication to persevere toward excellence and his servantheart that distinguish Breylan beyond his accomplishments.

It is Breylan’s penchant for organic connection that has made him a uniting force for the ’24 senior class and the larger EHS community. History teacher Travis Smith notes, “His infectious personality and keen intellect brought our classroom discussions to another level,” a sentiment that history teacher and Director of Diversity, Community, and Inclusion Wayne Jones echoes in saying that Breylan uses his gift for speaking to unite people, a trait that will surely take him far.

On the field, in the classroom, and at the speaking podium, Breylan leads with the heart and exemplifies the core values of the Four Pillars. Reflecting on his growth at EHS, Breylan says, “Episcopal has taught me to have an open mind, which has led me to make meaningful connections.” As an athlete, scholar, and leader, Breylan has left his mark on our community in beautiful, impactful ways.

– Tennessee Sipe, Communications Faculty Liaison

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Bright Knights

STEWARDSHIP THROUGH SERVICE Sarah Yates ’24 As an integral part of many campus activities, including Students of Service, Yearbook, Academic Team, Science Club, Quiz Bowl, and a plethora of honor societies, Sarah Yates has found her passion in leadership. It was through her tremendous course load, stacked with honors and AP classes, that Sarah became organically involved in EHS campus life, finding her way into athletic training through a challenging Sports Medicine class, and joining the Academic Team as a way of honoring her studies. But what makes Sarah the proudest of her time at EHS is service.

Sarah shines in the classroom, too. Whether it was making considerable strides in Dr. P’s freshman Algebra II Honors class virtually during Covid or maintaining a near-perfect APUSH quiz average, for which her class held an impromptu funeral when she got her first question wrong, Sarah strives to learn and not just collect accolades or grades. Coming from a Montessori middle school without much structure, Sarah was excited to find at EHS an atmosphere in which she could challenge herself, so it is no wonder she has taken almost every opportunity for growth she’s been presented. AP Bio teacher Katie Samson admires Sarah’s enthusiasm for learning, noting, “Sarah approaches learning as a process rather than a product. She is extremely curious about the world around her.”

“I like to joke that I’m involved in every pillar but in the least conventional way possible.” – Sarah Yates The Rev. Beth Holden says, “Sarah has really left her footprint here through her dedication to service. She has inspired her friends and peers to look beyond their own needs to the needs of their neighbors.” As Prime Minister of Students of Service, Sarah has completed the Service Achievement Program each year it was offered, devoting countless hours to the needs of the greater community while encouraging her peers to take part.

Sarah notes, “With my peers, I am able to make a much larger impact than I ever could on my own.” A service project close to her heart has been handing out over one hundred Valentine’s Day cards at the West U Senior Center, where Sarah has been able to build relationships with residents for the last three years.

“Through service,” Sarah wrote recently for the Religion Pillar Newsletter, “many students gain perspective and a newfound respect for their surroundings while simultaneously uplifting others around them.” She leads by example and encourages those around her to operate at their max capacity in order to honor their fullest potential, not as a way to show off, but as a way to Stand Out.

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Sarah loves that her days at EHS are always different; if she’s not helping to direct her yearbook staff leading up to a deadline, she’s writing speeches for SOS or organizing tests for the Academic Team. Sarah says, “I’m grateful to EHS for introducing me to unique opportunities. Last March, I did a 14-hour math competition. We wrote a 25-page math paper, and I had no idea that existed!”

While Sarah prepares for college and all that lies ahead, she takes a sense of cooperation, encouragement, and pride with her from her time at EHS. When asked what being an Episcopal Knight means to her, Sarah says, “Being a Knight is the willingness to do anything you set your mind to. The ability to tackle any problem with an open mind and a sense of wanting to accomplish something together.”

– Tennessee Sipe, Communications Faculty Liaison

DID YOU KNOW

Head Girls Golf Coach Meghan Moake racks up amateur golfing accolades outside of coaching and teaching duties.

• Qualified for the 2023 Texas Cup to be held at Fields Ranch in Frisco. This is the new PGA headquarters.

• Medalist at the 2023 USGA women’s mid-amateur qualifier at Houston Country Club — went on to play at the USGA women’s mid-amateur tournament at Stonewall Country Club in Pennsylvania — only the top 132 women age 25 and older qualify and play in this event, although thousands of women try to qualify.

• At the mid-amateur qualifier, EHS senior Georgia Junell ’24 was Coach Moake’s caddie.

• 2nd place finish at the Houston City Amateur held at Sugar Creek — lost by just one stroke.

From one part-time computer science instructor, teaching both computer science and math, when Alan Duncan joined the EHS faculty 12 years ago, the program has grown to three full-time teachers, with Scotty Johnson and Robert Barham joining Alan, together teaching 12 sections of four courses, including two levels of AP, and one Post-AP. This year, there are 162 students taking computer science courses, including Intro to CS, CS Principles AP, CS AP, and Projects in CS Post-AP.

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Intro to Computer Science 2 sections 18 students 7 girls, 11 boys

Computer Science AP 3 sections 49 students 18 girls, 31 boys

Computer Science Principles AP 6 sections 79 students 29 girls, 50 boys

Projects in Computer Science Post-AP 1 section 16 students 8 girls, 8 boys

Did You Know?

2019 Boys Volleyball Alums Return Stand Out boys volleyball players Clayton Butler, Alexander Haney, Jackson Kelso, and Preston Witt — all EHS Class of 2019 — have returned to assist Coach Kerry Hofmeister in coaching the Boys Volleyball team this year. And what a year it’s been! The team went undefeated all the way to the SPC Championship where they defeated St. Mark's 3-2. This is the first championship for an SPC south zone team.

Head Boys Volleyball Coach Kerry Hofmeister says: “Having the four guys from the class of 2019 back to help with the [Boys Volleyball] program embodies the best of what Episcopal has to offer. On the court, they are the class that laid the groundwork for turning this program around, and seeing them return when we are among the best teams in the state is tremendous. Off the court, they are great guys to be around and an incredible example for the boys coming up through the program. We talked a lot in the fall of 2018 about leaving the legacy in this program, but what they are doing now to give back goes well beyond anything I could have imagined.”

Speech and Debate Students Sharpen their Skills The Speech and Debate program, organized by coach Avis Yen, started the year off strong as students embarked on weekend competitions across the area. The team prepared each week by stockpiling articles of evidence, engaging in frequent practice debate, and learning how to best support each other in the competition environment.

seems to expedite this growth: “Iron sharpens iron after all, and competition exposes students to sharper and newer iron each tournament.”

Coach Yen says that students not only improve their analytical and critical-thinking skills, but that the competition environment

Go Knights!

– Tennessee Sipe, Communications Faculty Liaison

Students are already qualifying for major statewide tournaments with surely many more to come.

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KNIGHTS STAND OUT | ATHLETICS Knights Win Four SPC Championships In what was certainly an exciting SPC Championship run for the EHS Athletic Pillar, the Knights earned SPC Championships in Boys Volleyball, Football, and both Girls and Boys Cross Country.

In addition to the four championships, the Girls Volleyball team finished as 4A runners-up while the Field Hockey team earned their highest finish (3rd) in decades. This wrapped up an incredibly hard-fought season for the Knights!

With two Houston schools meeting for the 4A football crown, the decision was made to move the game from Fort Worth to TDECU Stadium on the campus of the University of Houston.

The Knights used explosive plays to take an early 14-0 lead and comfortable 21-6 lead over Kinkaid at halftime. Both Kinkaid and the Knights traded huge second-half plays with the Knights securing the 35-25 victory with a late interception.

Championship weekend began with the Girls and Boys Cross Country races at the AP Performance Ranch in Fort Worth.

The girls team left little doubt as they cruised to a fifty-sevenpoint win over second-place Hockaday to capture their third consecutive championship. Madison Morgan ’25 and Olivia Kiefer ’27 finished first and second overall while Georgia Bass ’26, Shepherd Gregg ’24, and Asher Luengas ’25 each finished in the top 15. In the boys 4A race, the Knights used an incredible late push to earn a two-point win over rival St. John’s. Seniors Evan Ringwald and Sam Marino finished first and second overall with Will Pacey ’26 (7th), Constantine Mathews ’24 (22nd), and Shivam Albee ’26 (30th) rounding out the top five.

The SPC Championship win over Kinkaid marked the final game for EHS Head Football Coach Steve Leisz as he announced his retirement from football to the team after the game. Leisz ends his illustrious head coaching career with well over 100 wins and five SPC Championships. We look forward to celebrating Coach Leisz and his many accomplishments later this school year.

The Boys Volleyball team earned their first SPC Championship, and the first for an SPC south zone team, with a thrilling 3-2 win over St. Mark’s in the final match. The Knights earned 3-0 wins over Casady and Greenhill on their way back to the finals for the second consecutive year. The Knights dropped the first set before rallying to win sets two and three. A close loss in set four forced the Knights to the decisive fifth set where they earned a 15-13 win over the perennial SPC favorites. And that’s how history was made!

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Congratulations to our students and coaches on an outstanding fall season!

– Jason Grove, Athletic Director

Knights Stand Out

Photo by: Jessica Ferdinand

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CELEBRATING 40 YEARS

“Our Founders believed that EHS was needed for the Houston community. As committed Christians, they enthusiastically supported the creation of what they hoped would be an excellent college preparatory school where all students could grow in their talents and as well-rounded people through the Four Pillars.” – Richard A. Howell ’01, Executive Chair, EHS Board of Trustees

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Title Here

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Celebrating 40 Years

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FOUNDERS DAY 40 years of living out the vision and commitment of our Founders Our beloved Ms. Foster delivered the Founders Day homily. In part, she said, “Don’t let the task and the to-do list get in the way of fulfilling a dream. You will experience obstacles in your life. You don’t have to write the perfect paper, but give your best effort. If a test grade isn’t like you want it, study differently the next time. If you don’t make that varsity sports team, try out again. Dreams, vision, commitment, and perseverance were made possible and will continue to be made possible by faith and trust in the one that is greater than us all.”

An excerpt from The General Thanksgiving prayer from the Book of Common Prayer.

“And, we pray, give us such an awareness of your mercies, that with truly thankful hearts we may show forth your praise, not only with our lips, but in our lives, by giving up ourselves to your service, and by walking before you in holiness and righteousness all our days.”

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Founders Day

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“I HOPE YOU WILL JOIN ME” EHS Alumni Return to Serve “It all comes full circle.” For the first time in our 40-year history, eight alumni are serving on the Episcopal High School Board of Trustees. And in another first, alumnus Richard A. Howell ’01 is the Executive Chair. Richard’s grandparents, Paul and Evelyn Howell, with Bishop Maurice Benitez, were leaders of those early conversations: “Why does Houston need a school like Episcopal High School, and how can we make this school a reality?” *Alumni Trustees pictured: Richard A. Howell ’01, Andrew B. Hawthorn ’91, Duncan Underwood ’89, Katie Barnes ’92, Dr. Ramsi (Bethany) Taylor ’98, and Courtney (Lanier) Sarofim ’88 *Not pictured: Morrow B. Evans ’94 and Eloise (Fay) Novotny ’94

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EHS Alumni Return to Serve

In his own words, Richard shares why he felt called to return to the School that shaped him, to the halls that have seen many facelifts over the years, and to the foundation that remains today.

EHS: Why have you stayed so connected to EHS? RH: My grandparents—Paul and Evelyn—worked with Bishop Benitez and other Founders on a shared vision to launch EHS. They visited local Episcopal churches to gain momentum for the School, and Grandad served as chair of the finance committee for the School’s first 13 years.

All of the Founders believed that EHS was needed for the Houston community. As committed Christians, they enthusiastically supported the creation of what they hoped would be an excellent college preparatory school where all students could grow in their talents and as well-rounded people through the Four Pillars and hear the Good News in a happy and welcoming environment.

EHS: What is your EHS story?

RH: I am the youngest of three boys. Growing up, I was always thrilled to come to EHS to see my brothers—Matt ’95 and Mark ’97—at EHS activities and performances. I also distinctly remember the dedication of the new Chapel windows and graduation ceremonies on the Ellipse.

During my time at EHS, I loved the freedom EHS provided to try many different things—from singing in the choir and serving as an acolyte to photo and ceramics classes to rigorous honors and AP courses. Basketball was a constant throughout my time at EHS and formed some long-time friendships. EHS helped prepare my brothers and me well for college and for life as adults. I firmly believe that EHS’s caring teachers and its daily Chapel program play a meaningful role for all students.

EHS: Why did you return to serve?

RH: After we graduated law school, my wife Julie and I moved back to Houston. A few years later, I was nominated and elected to the EHS Alumni Directors’ Council. I was thrilled to see how EHS had grown and adapted, while maintaining its essential character and spirit. I later served as President of the Directors’ Council.

After my time on the council ended, I was asked if I would attend the Board of Trustees’ Advancement Committee meetings, and I later joined the board as a trustee in 2020. During my time as a trustee, I have been fortunate to be able to contribute to school policy issues, including the board’s strategic statement for diversity and community. That statement, which is published on the School website, describes the board’s commitment to meet the Mission’s dedication to an “inclusive and joyful Christian community” through faith-based principles.

Over the past four decades, EHS has been well-served by its Executive Chairs of the board. I am so grateful to Haag Sherman for his wisdom and sound leadership of the board from 2020-23, and I was humbled to be asked to serve in this role. We have a wonderful Board of Trustees – with a wide range of backgrounds and connections to the School – and each trustee helps to make EHS better. I love working with all of our trustees, Head of School Ned Smith, other school leaders and faculty members, and parents who care so much about making EHS the best it can be.

EHS: What are you most looking forward to in your tenure as Executive Chair?

RH: In the immediate future, we will have an exciting opportunity through the Stand for EHS campaign to complete our campus master plan, strengthen our Arts Pillar through the new Visual and Performing Arts Center, and build a magnificent Benitez Chapel that will fit our full community and serve as a center of Christian teaching and worship.

Further, Julie and I have three children – ages 2, 10, and 13 – and we have a niece and nephew who are current EHS students. As Executive Chair, I think about how EHS can best achieve its Mission and improve the education in the Four Pillars for all current students, as well as ensuring that it will still fulfill its Mission and honor its founding values in 2040 when my youngest child may be in the graduating class.

Founder Jack Trotter used to say, “I hope you will join me” in supporting EHS and working for its improvement. All who shared in that enterprise for the first 40 years of the School’s history helped to build a flagship school in our state. Our students now have a phenomenal opportunity to grow in knowledge and skills and to develop their talents and their free will guided by moral discernment.

As we consider the future of the School, we can carry forward Jack’s, my grandparents’, and the other Founders’ spirit of faith, fellowship, and optimism in writing EHS’s next chapter. I hope you will join me in pursuing our worthy Mission with boldness and humility.

Howell Family photos provided by Richard A. Howell ’01

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Photo by: Kate Philbrick

Photos by: Sophia Shin ’24

Freshmen and their advisors traveled to Camp Allen for a day of team building, bonding, and deepening their advisory connections.

A spooktacular time was had at the annual Hauntcert.

Q+A with EHS Teachers

Pop Quiz turns the table on teachers and asks them to respond to a list of quick questions. Their enthusiastic responses reveal the values, quirks, and interests that make them so effective in teaching EHS students.

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Pop Quiz

SCOTTY JOHNSON

AP Computer Science Teacher, Head Coach - Academic, Quiz Bowl, and CompSci Teams Scotty Johnson, a 42-year teacher, who has taught Computer Science at EHS since 2021-2022, never touched a computer until his second year of teaching! Born in Amarillo, he grew up in Austin attending LBJ High School and earned a B.A. in sociology from the University of Texas at Austin. Determining that his lack of talent would preclude a career in professional baseball, he decided to pursue teaching like his big brother Steve. This year, Scotty teaches Intro to CompSci and CompSci AP along with head coaching the EHS Academic Team, including the Quiz Bowl Team, the CompSci Team, and 19 other subject teams. When he is not at school or prepping for school or tournaments, Scotty loves to spend time with his family. Having been at EHS since 2021, Scotty says he has really come to appreciate the supportive culture. “There is always someone there to help. For students, there are advisors, deans, college counselors, mental health counselors, chaplains, and, of course, extremely dedicated teachers and staff members. But help is here not only for students. As a teacher, I have discovered that there are so many people who care about me and people I can look to for help, advice, and answers to my questions.”

What is on your playlist?

I play music each day as the students arrive to class. It is mostly pop and rock songs from the 70's, 80's, and 90's. I like those tunes because I can sing along – even though my voice is not all that great.

If you could eat only one meal this week, what would it be?

My most favorite meal is my wife’s chicken and sausage gumbo. It is the best. When it is time for fast food, I am usually in the drive-thru line at Whataburger.

What is your favorite EHS food item?

On Fridays, Chef John makes wonderful omelets for breakfast.

What is your favorite family tradition?

When October rolls around and the weather gets cooler, it is the best time. For the next three months, we decorate the yard with Charlie Brown and the gang, and we transition to Thanksgiving and Christmas versions. We take lots of walks together; we listen to lots of holiday music; we watch lots of movies and TV together.

Did you have a mentor growing up who inspired you?

My big brother Steve is the best teacher ever. He has always been my mentor, my role model, and my hero.

If you were not a teacher, what would you choose for a profession?

I thought I would be a baseball player, but…

Hmm. After teaching, in my second career, I think I would enjoy being a gameshow host.

What is your proudest professional accomplishment?

Technically, these were not my accomplishments—I was just at the right place at the right time, but I was really proud that my students won 15 State CompSci Championships and 10 National CompSci Championships. In each case, I knew the kids could be the best, but then I had to convince them to believe they could accomplish extraordinary things. They worked very hard.

It was so cool to see their faces when they realized what they had done.

What do you most respect about your students?

I have very high standards and expectations for each and every student. I know each one can accomplish extraordinary things. I respect my students because they never let me down. In fact, my students always exceed my expectations.

In your time at EHS, what is a favorite moment?

There are very special moments each day during each class. Those little and big moments are all favorites. Hmm. The moment I remember most took place at a Quiz Bowl tournament in October 2022.

Our EHS team was short-handed during most of the day, and our opponents that day were solid, but we never gave up. In the final knockout rounds of the contest, we defeated the top three ranked teams, two of which had beaten us in the early rounds, and we did it in come-from-behind fashion each match. On that day, EHS won its first-ever Quiz Bowl Tournament Championship. That was cool.

What do you hope your students take from you as a teacher?

I hope my students realize that I care for them and that I will always be there for them.

I refuse to ever give up on my students. I hope they realize that it is okay to make mistakes and to learn from those mistakes.

I hope they see the value of hard work and perseverance. I hope taking my class or being on our team was a special, memorable experience for them.

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Pop Quiz

HOPE TOUSSANT

Associate Director of College Counseling Hope Toussant, who has been a college counselor at EHS since the 2021 school year, chose the field because she had amazing people in her life who helped her with the college process and beyond. Her career is her way of saying "thank you" and paying it forward.

Hailing from Dallas (Go Cowboys!), she earned her B.B.A. in accounting from Texas State University. At EHS, in addition to college counseling, she is the test coordinator for the PSAT and AP exams. In her spare time, she loves hanging out with her husband Dorrian and dog Sugarfoot.

What is on your playlist?

On my playlist you will find lots of 80's and 90's R&B, as well as Contemporary Gospel. Artists like New Edition, Prince, Cameo, Travis Greene, Mary J. Blige, Missy Elliot, Erykah Badu, Guy, Chaka Khan, Hezekiah Walker, Janet Jackson, Jill Scott, Kem, and Marvin Sapp.

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Did you have a mentor growing up who inspired you?

I always looked up to my godmother Vergie.

She is the person who named me when I was born. She is so beautiful, smart, and classy.

I emulate her and always want to make her proud of me.

If you could eat only one meal this week, what would it be?

Authentic Mexican food.

If you were not an educator, what would you choose for a profession?

Anything where I could design and shop.

I LOVE to shop.

What is your favorite EHS food item?

Ms. Gvahn’s Sweet Potato Pie.

What is your proudest accomplishment?

Being a mother to my daughter.

What is your favorite family tradition?

Family gathering on Christmas Eve.

What do you most respect about your students?

The students are willing to be open and learn more about themselves through the college application journey. And they are really sweet and have great manners. I’m old school so that goes a long way with me.

In your time at EHS, what is a favorite moment?

All my favorite moments involve working with parents who are sending their first child to college. I am not sure if it is because I have been through what they are going through. I can connect to their concerns and fears and help them embrace this new chapter in their child’s life and theirs.

What do you hope your students take from you as a college counselor?

I hope students see me as someone who exudes calm, encourages them to stay true to themselves, and appreciates me as a reliable resource for their college application process.

Pop Quiz

KYLEE WELCH

Science Teacher, Interim Term Director Born and raised in Houston, Kylee earned a B.A. in Food Science from Texas A&M University. After spending a summer in an R&D lab at a beverage company with minimal people interaction, she decided to pursue a different career path. The daughter of a teacher, she began to explore education, and after an intro education class and observing a College Station high school class weekly, she was hooked on teaching. The rest is history! Kylee began teaching at EHS in the fall of 2021 and currently teaches Chemistry 1 and Chemistry Honors. She is also a junior advisor, director of interim term, and a freshman advisory mentor program assistant. In her spare time, she watches college football with her husband and six-month-old son Grayson; snowboards in Park City, Utah; drinks coffee and walks with friends; bakes; and serves in the newlywed ministry at church.

What is on your playlist?

Country, Ben Rector, or Jake Scott.

If you could eat only one meal this week, what would it be?

Chicken fajitas with double rice from El Tiempo!

What is your favorite EHS food item?

Buffalo Mac n Cheese or Southwest Bowl.

What is your favorite family tradition?

For the last ten or so years, my whole family runs the 5k Turkey Trot in the Woodlands on Thanksgiving morning.

Afterward, we all get hot chocolate and head home to start cooking lunch and turn on the Thanksgiving Day parade!

Did you have a mentor growing up who inspired you?

Definitely my mom! She’s an incredible wife, mother, daughter, and teacher, and I had the privilege of growing up to see her be an example of each of those things firsthand. She’s really helped guide and challenge me through all the ups and downs of life, and I appreciate her even more so now that I’m a mom myself with the new set of challenges and joys that go along with that!

If you were not a teacher, what would you choose for a profession?

I have always wanted to own my own coffee shop and bakery. I love spending time with friends at coffee shops around the city, and the idea of creating a space for others to enjoy that as well sounds like a dream. I mean, who doesn’t love a good scone with a vanilla iced coffee?!

What is your proudest accomplishment?

Becoming a mom! That sounds a bit odd as it’s not necessarily an accomplishment, but for as long as I can remember, being a mom is what I’ve wanted to be “when I grew up.” Now that I have my own little one, it’s been the most purposeful and fulfilling stage of my life – I wouldn’t trade it for the world!

What do you most respect about your students?

One of my favorite things about my students is their ability and commitment to hold themselves to a higher standard. I truly believe that when students put their EHS polo on, it gives them a sense of pride, unlike that of any other community.

They understand that those three letters carry weight and serve as a reminder that character is just as important as academics.

In your time at EHS, what is a favorite moment?

By far my favorite moment at EHS happened last spring. The day before I went on maternity leave, my advisory completely surprised me by throwing a baby shower for me. They brought gifts, wrote notes, we ate donuts, and continued the debate of why my future son’s middle name should be Jack (half of the boys in my advisory are named Jack!). I have 11 of the best kids on campus in my advisory, and it goes to show just how connected and caring the EHS community is.

What do you hope your students take from you as a teacher?

My biggest hope is that my students can walk into my classroom every day and feel they can be their authentic selves while also feeling encouraged to take a step out of their comfort zones and challenge themselves to strive to be great in every aspect of their lives!

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Fall production of “Nevermore! Edgar Allan Poe the Final Mystery”

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LAST WORD

Paul Revaz, Dean of Arts I consider myself extremely fortunate.

In high school, I auditioned for the school musical. My high school was very small and did only one show a year and that year it was Grease.

Knowing—maybe erroneously—that I could sing, I belted out a song and then was called on to read a scene. I was absolutely clueless. We got halfway through before the director stopped me to explain what was going on. I nodded vehemently, not having heard, let alone processed, the words spoken to me, and then delivered the exact same vacuous rendition of the scene. Yet somehow, I was hooked. I had found something that I felt I connected with on so foundational a level that I really never wanted to be anywhere else.

I tried. I really did. As a good child of the 80's, I headed off to college as a business major. Nope.

After a few trial-and-error semesters, I settled on English and thrived. I didn’t know what I wanted to do with my life, but English was a reasonably fulfilling pastime. There hadn’t been any theatre in my life since graduation from high school, but that seemed a normal part of getting into adult life.

My “real” job was Underwriting Analyst at Cigna.

I had a cubicle, a good salary, nice benefits, and a chance to grow a career. And I was miserable.

In the meantime, I had wandered back into performing by chance. A friend asked me to join a local musical. Why not? A few months later, I left my comfy underwriting career and took a 40% cut in pay to become the box office manager at a local theatre. I knew nothing about box office management, but I knew I could pick it up. And I knew that I was on a better path. I had reconnected with the thing that made me happy.

I have witnessed this connection, this resonance with the arts in students throughout my career.

Students who would previously traipse through the day lifelessly are suddenly energized to work.

There’s a thirst not only to learn more, but to

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achieve more. A true spark appears. And the passion sparked in the arts has a way of igniting the greater student across all subject areas.

Nowhere have I seen this more profoundly or consistently than I have at EHS. The arts are transformative. The arts help to define and refine our view of the world around us. The arts allow us—at times challenge us—to consider the views of others more directly and personally. The arts reshape our thinking and open new pathways of problem solving.

Aye, there’s the rub—a little Shakespeare for those keeping track. There is no test, no clear metric, that can measure our success at being transformative. Of making someone’s heart sing.

Quantifying the value of arts within education has historically been problematic. Some better, more direct work has been done recently, including a 2019 Brookings Institute study based in our own Houston. Working across the city in 42 target schools, this study supplied districts with a mere $14.67 per student per year over a two-year period for arts enrichment activities. At the end of the study, the subject schools showed an average 3.6% decrease in disciplinary infractions and an average 13% increase in writing test scores.

EHS is an extraordinary institution, a true community. We were founded on the principle that each student’s talents should be recognized and honored, wherever they may lie. We are guided by the Baptismal Covenant, punctuated with the promise to “respect the dignity of every human being.” And we value, in fact we celebrate, the individuality of our students with our slogan, Stand Out. Providing our community with the necessary tools to become their best and greatest selves is no more evident than in our commitment to the arts. EHS is wired to allow students to find their best selves. And I get to help.

I am, indeed, fortunate.

The Last Word

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2023 ‑ 2024 BOARD OF TRUSTEES Chairman The Rt. Rev. C. Andrew Doyle Executive Chair Richard A. Howell ’01 Shelley T. Barineau, Katie Barnes ’92, Edward B. Crain, Jr., Jane J. Dabney, Morrow B. Evans ’94, Carl Giesler, Jr., Curtis Hartman, Andrew B. Hawthorn ’91, Steve W. Herod, Thad Hill, Simmi Jaggi, Jenna B. Junell, George O. McDaniel III, Amy Melton, Joel Moore, Eloise (Fay) Novotny ’94, Charles H. Prioleau, Courtney (Lanier) Sarofim ’88, Ned Smith, The Rev. Dr. R. Leigh Spruill, James E. Taussig, Dr. Ramsi (Bethany) Taylor ’98, Duncan Underwood ’89, Mollie Phelan Wallace Life Trustees John F. Austin III, Edward C. Becker, The Rt. Rev. Maurice M. Benitez †, W. Craig Childers, Lacy Crain, The Rev. Laurens A. Hall, Victor A. Kormeier, Jr., Frederick R. McCord †, Laurence B. Neuhaus, The Rt. Rev. Claude E. Payne, Joel I. Shannon, Lynda Knapp Underwood, The Rt. Rev. Don A. Wimberly Executive Committee W. Craig Childers, Edward B. Crain, Jr., The Rt. Rev. C. Andrew Doyle, Andrew B. Hawthorn ’91, Melinda B. Hildebrand, Richard A. Howell ’01, Joel Moore, Eloise (Fay) Novotny ’94, A. Haag Sherman, Ned Smith, Duncan Underwood ’89, Lynda Knapp Underwood, Randa Duncan Williams

†

deceased

LEADERSHIP Head of School Ned Smith

Director of Athletics Jason Grove

Dean of Faculty Nguyet Xuan Pham

Associate Head of School for Finance & Operations Evelyn Cambria

Dean of Spiritual Life The Rev. Beth Holden

Dean of Arts Paul Revaz

Director of Diversity, Community, and Inclusion Wayne Jones

Chief Development Officer Margaret Young

Associate Head of School for Academics & Student Life The Rev. Tyler Montgomery Principal Dr. Antonio Avalos

Director of Communications Jessica Morales

PILLARS MAGAZINE TEAM Director of Communications Jessica Morales

Webmaster Charles Holt

Communications Faculty Liaison Tennessee Sipe

Senior Graphic Designer Diana Mumford

Website Content Developer Bob Matthews

Editor Nancy Laufe Eisenberg

Photography Contributors Jessica Ferdinand Charles Holt Diana Mumford

Kate Philbrick Sophia Shin ’24 EHS Archives

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