Epistle II SUMMER
2018
For alumni, friends and family of St. Paul’s Episcopal School - Mobile, Alabama. Know What Matters.
Summer 2018 | 1
ON OUR COVER Every year the Spring Show cast delights audiences with an incredible performance, and this year was no exception. The award winning Joseph and His Coat of Many Colors was brought back again after a 10 year hiatus.
06
FEATURES
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05
Our Newest Alumni
12
Art Around the World
18
Legotopia
21
Student Commons Building
See where the Class of 2018 is headed!
St. Paul’s takes its fine arts program seriously and it shows.
Read about our STEAM partnership with Prichard Preparatory School.
We are nearing completion of our Student Commons Building.
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Epistle II MAGAZINE
ST. PAUL’S EPISCOPAL SCHOOL SUMMER 2018 • WWW.STPAULSMOBILE.NET
TABLE OF CONTENTS
04
From The Head of School
10
Grandparents Day
14
High School Athletics
17
Service to Our Community
20
Father & Son Night
22
Saints’ Fund
23
Saints’ Night Out
24
Alumni Activities
26
Faculty Spotlight
27
Alumni Spotlight
28
What’s News
OUR MISSION St. Paul’s Episcopal School in Mobile, Alabama is committed to providing the highest quality college preparatory education in a Christian environment. Through a variety of experiences and activities, we encourage individual growth and achievement. By example, the St. Paul’s community fosters respect, integrity, responsibility, service, tolerance and the highest moral standards to prepare the whole person for a changing and challenging future. OUR BRAND You can know everything in the world, but if you don’t know what matters, then nothing does. At St. Paul’s Episcopal School, we know what matters. Our academic program is outstanding. Just as important, though, are the values we teach: character, scholarship, creativity, and above all, love. Saints know what matters. OUR PRAYER Heavenly Father, help us in St. Paul’s School to live together in love and peace, patient with each other’s faults, mindful of each other’s needs, gentle in words and helpful in deeds. And may this school be as a field which Thou hast blessed so that all that is true, pure, lovely, and of good report may grow here, filling our hearts with joy, and our hands with usefulness, through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.
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The Epistle II is published by St. Paul’s Episcopal School. 161 Dogwood Lane • Mobile, Alabama 36608 For more information about St. Paul’s please call 251-342-6700 or visit our website at stpaulsmobile.net.
Summer 2018 | 3
FROM THE
head of school Dear Saints Family, Over my career, I have come to realize that schools are like living organisms; they must evolve over time and adapt to the changing environment in which they operate, or else lose relevance and face extinction. Good schools seek to stay abreast of educational trends. Great schools seek to lead in the shaping of education based on brain and learning research, and are relentless in following best practice methodologies. Extraordinary schools do the same, but never lose sight of their ultimate values – those principles which provide the bedrock to anchor them to what truly matters and against which all decision-making is tested. I am completely confident that St. Paul’s falls within that rare category. St. Paul’s does a better job in truly living its mission statement than any school I’ve ever seen. The Four Pillars approach to education – a carefully balanced mix of academics, arts, athletics, and spirituality/service – helps to create complete human beings. If the Class of 2018 is any indication, the St. Paul’s approach yields incredible results – they were some of the most mature, thoughtful, and quality young men and women I have ever worked for, and reflect the very best of our aspirations for our graduates. I am fortunate that I was able to be a small part of their story, but I wish that I had more time with them. You are likely wondering how St. Paul’s has evolved over the past year and what’s going on here this summer. While a complete answer would take many pages, I am delighted to hit at least the highlights: • Marty Lester’s departure created a need for leadership at the head of school position, and Dr. Mark Foley stepped into the role as interim head, serving with terrific grace and effectiveness while the search for the permanent head was undertaken. Now (with God’s grace and any luck on my part!) the leadership puzzle has been solved for many years to come. • We are also committed to being a data-driven, researchbased school. An important part of my first year was to collect data in a wide variety of areas in all major schools areas – programs, operations, and advancement. The Parent Survey sent at the end of the year was a highly valuable part of that data collection. The results of this background work will help to shape our focal areas in the years ahead. • Programmatically, the data helped to highlight areas of strength and areas where we can and should seek further progress. We have committed to a “curriculum review cycle” which will unfold over the next several years and which will result in continued upgrading of the school’s curriculum.
work has begun to better align them with our needs. Of course that includes the new Student Commons building, which will be absolutely transformative for St. Paul’s in many ways. The “freed up” existing spaces will also be renovated to push the benefits even further. All this requires a major investment of school resources, and we are grateful for the number of Saints who have recognized the value and invested in the campaign. It remains our hope that everyone participates in “owning” the building, and we are happy to relate that the percentage of participants increases with each passing day. I hope you are on that list! • While the campus is quieter over the summer without students and teachers filling the classrooms, it’s NOT a rest phase. This summer is actually a busy time as we meet staffing needs, conduct professional development, plan the upcoming year, identify areas of special focus, complete projects that need uninterrupted attention, and conduct cleaning, maintenance, and upgrades around campus. It is my goal that each fall you notice significant positive changes to our physical plant. I think you will find them clearly evident in August. A true partnership between families and school is essential to student success. As a firm believer in that truth, I will provide regular, ongoing communications as to our vision for the school, the work we undertake in support of those aspirations, and its results in the years ahead. I need and seek your feedback in helping to shape that vision and earnestly solicit both your input and your partnership as St. Paul’s continues to evolve as a school of excellence. Sincerely,
• We recognize that the school’s facilities do not presently match the quality of what occurs within them, and a great deal of N. Blair Fisher Head of School 4 | Epistle II
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Congratulations Class
of
2018\
Summer 2018 | 5
Our Newest Alumni Ana Frances Abrams Herndon Akridge Katie Albrecht Cole Amberger Zyahn Archibald Jalyn Armour-Davis Daniel Beard Wilson Beaverstock Mary Dann Betbeze Jackson Bowers Caroline Bowers Leah Brown Mary Stirling Brown Eloise Bullis Emily Burrowes Zackery Carmichael Celeste Case Jane Castle Emily Caten Elliot Cherniak Kyle Cornelius Aspen Crawford Dillard Doggett Hayes D’Olive Cameron Drum Faith Dyas Jarrett Eaton 6 | Epistle II
The University of Alabama University of South Alabama The University of Alabama Auburn University Morehouse College The University of Alabama Princeton University The University of Alabama at Birmingham College of Charleston Auburn University Auburn University Clemson University Samford University College of Charleston Jacksonville State University University of Mississippi The University of Alabama The University of Alabama Auburn University Auburn University Troy University Spring Hill College Auburn University Auburn University University of Kentucky Auburn University Auburn University
Will Eiland University of South Alabama Clayton Elder Auburn University Lacey Evans FIDM in Los Angeles Rhein Farnell University of South Alabama Caroline Fontenot The University of Alabama Richard Graham Auburn University Joseph Hand Auburn University Joseph Hantouche University of South Alabama Morgan Harrington The University of Alabama at Birmingham James Harrison Samford University Sara Margaret Helmsing Belmont University Kennedy Hendryx United States Navy Saja Hijaz University of South Alabama Kelly Honkanen University of Georgia Christopher Horst University of South Alabama Jackson Howes Samford University Miles Ingram The University of Alabama Anna Ivey Rhodes College Abigail Jernigan Southeastern University Mary Steele Johnson The University of Alabama Tyler Kendall Samford University Ryan Kennedy The University of Alabama Carnes Kirby Auburn University Lee Kraus The University of Alabama Wilson Kraus The University of Alabama Lindsay Laycock Auburn University Edward Leatherbury The University of Alabama www.stpaulsmobile.net
Class of 2018 Jack LeDoux Swift Lyle Jimmy Mackin Gordon Mathers Tori McCown Will McFadden Mary Gayle Mitchell Robert Morgan Wright Mullins Harry Myers Lily Myers Sibley Myers Avery Nobles Holden O’Gwynn Jody Parker Will Parker Camille Perry Victoria Pitruzzello Eve Pogue Sarah Posey Andrew Prescott Brandon Quinnelly Callie Radcliff Carson Richey Jake Richey Chris Richie Katie Ritchie
Vanderbilt University Georgia State University Auburn University Coastal Alabama Community College University of Mississippi Troy University Auburn University Mississippi State University Auburn University The University of Alabama Southern Methodist University The University of Alabama at Birmingham Auburn University Auburn University Samford University Auburn University Auburn University Southern Methodist University University of Southern Mississippi Savannah College of Art and Design University of South Alabama The University of Alabama The University of Alabama University of Mississippi University of Mississippi Oklahoma City University Auburn University
Luckett Robinson Jack Robinson Jack Rubisch Lawler Russell Barbara Salas Bria Scott Paul Scott Ann Grace Singleton Jalyn Sirmans Addison Smith William Spaht Lydia Stimpson Katie Sullivan Sage Taylor Todd Terreson Gabriella Tropeano Childress Walthall Anna Weber Casi Weinacker Warner Wiggins Jalen Williams Laurel Williamson Oliver Willman Wilder Wing Margaret Winters Ryan Wood
Southern Methodist University Rhodes College Auburn University The University of Alabama Iowa State University Howard University Southern Methodist University The University of Alabama University of South Alabama Furman University Auburn University The University of Alabama The University of Alabama The University of Alabama Baylor University Academy of Art University Appalachian State University Southern Methodist University The University of Alabama The University of Alabama Samford University Case Western Reserve University The University of Alabama Auburn University The University of Alabama University of Central Florida
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CLASS OF 2018 AWARDS
The A.S. Mitchell Valedictory Award
The Ben C. Stimpson Salutatory Award
EDWARD LUCKETT ROBINSON, III
MARY STIRLING BROWN
Presented to the graduating senior who has displayed the highest academic achievement during the four high school years in English, Mathematics, Social Studies, World Languages and Science.
Presented to the graduating senior who has displayed the second highest academic achievement during the four high school years in English, Mathematics, Social Studies, World Languages and Science.
The William Stillwell Mann Award
St. Paul’s Alumni Award
ADDISON EDWARD SMITH
WILLIAM STOVA MCFADDEN, JR.
Presented to the graduating senior who, in the opinion of the faculty, best displays the characteristics of the model St. Paulian.
The St. Paul’s Alumni Award is given to a student, who in the eyes of the senior class, represents a model St. Paulian.
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Baccalaureate MAY 13, 2018 • ST. PAUL’S EPISCOPAL CHURCH
Graduation Ceremony MAY 19, 2018 • SPRING HILL COLLEGE
Summer 2018 | 9
St. Paul’s grandparents are an important part of our family of Saints. Each spring, our kindergarteners and seniors honor their grandparents. Our kindergarten students invited their grandparents to a patriotic performance in the Church and a lively reception afterwards in the Parish Hall. The seniors (Class of 2018) hosted a reception in Saints’ Square and attended chapel with their grandparents. Each event was a fun way to show our grandparents a glimpse of life at St. Paul’s as well as a special way to thank each grandparent for their love and support from kindergarten through senior year. We love our Grandparents!
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Summer 2018 | 11
Art Around the World
St. Paul’s takes its fine arts program seriously and it shows. Our students and faculty are winning awards on the local, state and even national level. They even perform for international audiences.
INTERNATIONAL The band and choral groups once again toured Europe. These students participated in the London International Choral Festival and the London New Year’s Day Parade this year. NATIONAL Katie Albrecht (Class of 2018), daughter of renowned teacher Julie Albrecht, was recognized nationally for her photography. She will represent the First Congressional District of Alabama and her photograph will hang in the corridor between the House of Representatives and the Capitol. Her entry was selected from 75 other entries from our district. SOUTHEAST Rising senior Jackson Fowler’s drawing “The Hill” will be featured in the 2018-19 Southern Teachers Academic Year Art Calendar, which is distributed to over 2,000 independent schools around the country. STATE Our Chamber Singers and Men’s Chorus received straight superior ratings in the State Choral Contest, Chris Richie (Class of 2018) was selected as the Alabama Vocal Association’s District Male Outstanding Choral Student and 22 choral members were selected for All-State choirs. Not to be outdone, our visual artists also won at the state level at the Alabama State Council on the Arts. Our students, Suzie McCall, Claire Tatum, Sarah Posey, and Gabriella Tropeano won four state awards and two of the five scholarships awarded. The awards were for photography, mixed media, print making, painting, and 3D crafts. For the second year in a row, Upper School art teacher, Felicia Olds, won the Visual Arts Achievement Program Teachers Award. Our strings program has more than doubled in size in six years from 42 students enrolled in 2013 for grades 5-12 to 90 enrolled in 2018. Annually these strings performers represent St. Paul’s at the Alabama All-State Orchestra Festival and Mobile Youth Symphony Orchestra. AT HOME Every year the Spring Show cast delights the audiences with an incredible performance. This year was no different. The award winning Joseph and His Coat of Many Colors was brought back again after a 10 year hiatus. Over 50 students were in the cast and certainly entertained many. Bravo to our performers, tech support crew, and all who helped make this year’s Spring Show a success.
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The Band and Choral Groups participate in the London New Year’s Day Parade
Katie Albrecht’s winning piece
State art award winners
Students performing in Spring Show
Jackson Fowler’s winning piece Summer 2018 | 13
HIGH SCHOOL
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nnnn n Athletics7 nnnn mm mm mm HIGHLIGHTS
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BOYS GOLF STATE CHAMPIONS
2018 was a great year for Saints’ Golf. There was much anticipation surrounding the team as Will McFadden, Kyle Cornelius, Matthew Hunt, Blake Bahos and Bill Johnson all returned from last year’s state championship. Week after week the team battled against the state’s premiere programs and consistently showed that they were among the very best. Over the course of the season, the Saints beat the 3A, 4A, and 6A State Champions along with all of their gulf coast competitors. Will McFadden also had a banner year, making the All-Tournament Team at The Fairhope Invitational, Bradley Johnson Memorial, and West Alabama Classic while also winning the Sportsmanship Award at the David Miller Invitational. The low rounds for the year were Will McFadden 67, Kyle Cornelius 68, Blake Bahos 72, Matthew Hunt 74 and Bill Johnson with a 75. The team was also excited as they watched both Will McFadden and Kyle Cornelius sign NCAA Division 1 Golf Scholarships. As the regular season came to a close, the Saints saved their best golf for when it mattered most. The post season was kicked off with a sectional team victory that saw Will McFadden take home the medalist honors. The following week the team won again at the Sub-State Tournament in Dothan, Alabama. The season ended at the State Tournament at The Shoals Golf Club in Muscle Shoals. For the third week in a row, the Saints won by a healthy margin giving second year coach Zac Lambrecht his second state championship and the school its 12th.
GIRLS OUTDOOR TRACK STATE CHAMPIONS
GIRLS INDOOR TRACK STATE CHAMPIONS
Once again our Varsity Girls’ Track & Field team were amazing, winning our 25th team championship and our 11th in the past 14 years! Competing against 35 schools, our girls won by 46 points over the second place team. Most impressively, the team scored 55 points on the last day, with nine of our fifteen student athletes scoring during the meet.
The Girls Indoor Track team competed in the combined 4A5A State meet and had a considerable lead to win, beating the second place team by 37 ½ points and beating 29 scoring schools in the division. The team’s win reflected our program’s emphasis on technique and distance training as its foundation.
During the season, the team won four of the eleven meets and finished second in three others. While the team loses two outstanding seniors, Callie Radcliff and Emily Burrows, 13 of our 15 state meet participants will be returning next season. Special thanks to our coaching staff and team parents as well to Emily and Callie, both multi-state champions and significant contributors to our championship teams for the past five years.
Our two graduating seniors accounted for over 30% of our team’s scoring and their point production will not be replaced next year. However, we do return the majority of our team for the next two years, so the future looks bright! Much credit goes to our coaches who worked tirelessly and effectively to prepare our team for this season. Our parents also gave us great support throughout the season to enable us to succeed. Summer 2018 | 15
2018
ST. PAUL’S SIGNEDPSAINTS
HERNDON AKRIDGE BASEBALL UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH ALABAMA
JALYN ARMOUR-DAVIS FOOTBALL THE UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA
DANIEL BEARD FOOTBALL PRINCETON UNIVERSITY
WILSON BEAVERSTOCK FOOTBALL UAB
KYLE CORNELIUS GOLF TROY UNIVERSITY
JARRETT EATON BASEBALL AUBURN UNIVERSITY
WILL EILAND FOOTBALL UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH ALABAMA
SWIFT LYLE FOOTBALL GEORGIA STATE UNIVERSITY
WILL MCFADDEN GOLF TROY UNIVERSITY
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Service Community
It was an incredible year for our Community Service program! A total of 26,574 service hours were reported for grades PreK-12th! According to the Independent Sector, the estimated value of our service hours comes to a grand total of $582,502.08.
2017-2018
44
TO OUR
PREK • 218 Hours
Kindness to Animals
K • 268 Hours
Community Helpers
1ST • 638 Hours
2ND • 812 Hours
3RD • 200 Hours
The Environment
4TH • 425 Hours
Hearing & Visually Impaired
5TH • 285 Hours
The Elderly
6TH • 927.5 Hours
The Homeless & Hungry
7TH • 834 Hours
8TH • 390 Hours
9TH • 2830 Hours
10TH • 2723.5 Hours
Veterans & Active Military
Mentally / Physically Challenged
11TH • 2427.5 Hours
Veterans & Active Military
Families in Crisis
The Elderly
Children
12TH • 5009 Hours
Senior Choice
The Environment
LOCAL ORGANIZATIONS SERVED
Alabama State Veterans Cemetery Allentown Elementary School American Red Cross Augusta Evans School Camp Rap A Hope Caritas de Puerto Rico Connie Hudson Senior Center Community Gardens of Mobile Dixie Rear Detachment Ella Grant Elementary School Feeding the Gulf Coast Food Bank Friends of the Library Habitat for Humanity Kate Shepard Elementary Keep Mobile Beautiful L’Arche First Light Marathon Light of the Village McKemie Place Mobile Baykeeper Mobile Fire Stations Mobile Police Departments Mobile Police Department Mounted Unit Mobile SPCA Mobile Veterans Clinic Mulherin Custodial Home Murray House Prichard Preparatory School Raise the Roof Ransom Ministries Regional School for Deaf & Blind Ronald McDonald House Salvation Army Special Olympics Springhill Manor Nursing Home St. Elmo Elementary School St. Thomas Episcopal School Taylor Park The Joseph Project Veterans Day Clean Up Victory Teaching Farm Volunteers of America William F. Green Nursing Home Wilmer Elementary School Wilmer Hall
TO P I A Imagine students from different schools working together to create, learn, and collaborate, all in a fun and uplifting environment. That partnership is just what has happened with St. Paul’s fourth graders and Prichard Preparatory School’s third and fourth graders the past two years. Thanks to the generosity of Alan Franco ’80, Lego Education WeDo 2.0 kits were purchased last year for both schools and used to create a common STEAM experience. This innovative robotic program makes elementary science come to life through hands-on tasks, real world projects and relevant technology that engages students. Upon receiving the WeDo 2.0 kits. Leslie Suffich ’86, Director of Technology, immediately began developing a plan for collaboration between the two schools. Susan Newby ‘84, Dean for grades 3-5, knew that her faculty would enjoy this creative way of learning. St. Paul’s intermediate school math and science teachers, Bethany Benton ’98 and Nancy Starr began using the Lego kits with their students and then worked on descriptive writing assignments using the step-bystep genre learned in our Writer’s Stylus program. These were sent to the Prichard Prep students for tips and tricks using the robots. Prichard Prep students
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responded as a part of a word processing lesson for their technology class. In preparation for the common STEAM experience, Prichard Prep faculty visited our campus to collaborate. Lessons were designed to complement the science curriculum and included research, art, engineering and computer programming. Over two days this spring, the Prichard Prep 3rd and 4th graders came to visit our campus and were placed in groups with St. Paul’s students. Icebreakers were a great way to help the 122 students get to know each other. Each group was given a unique challenge to rescue an animal whose habitat had been destroyed by natural or man-made events. To complete the task, students had to research their endangered animal to design and build a new habitat. The students also had to build and program a robot to rescue their animal. There were four different courses used to transport the animals to a sanctuary, changing, speed and direction allowed students to experiment with variables in programming. As a final challenge, each student wrote about their animals and their experiences throughout the day. This collaboration was a great experience for all, and we look forward to this unique partnership for years to come.
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THE KEY CLUB PRESENTS
FATHER & SON NIGHT
Father & Son Night took place on Sunday, April 22nd at the E.E. Delaney Memorial Stadium. The evening included dinner, bow tag, a corn hole tournament, a home run derby, 9 Square, and some great father/son bonding. All fathers and sons from PreK to 12th grade were invited. Dinner was provided by the Ransom Ministries Food Truck.
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SOMETHING DIFFERENT SOMETHING
MORE C A M PA I G N
T
rucks blocking the carpool line, parking in random fields, the ground shaking and noises so loud they rattled windows. Yes, that is progress in the name of the new Student Commons building. Weather permitting, our students and faculty will occupy this transformative space in January 2019. The view from the cafeteria is amazing and will be a tremendous improvement from its current space. Of course, the enhanced academic venues will be enjoyed by hundreds of students every day, as well. This project would not be possible without the generosity of our parents, grandparents, past parents, alumni, and several local charitable foundations who all understand the impact St. Paul’s has on both our students and the greater Mobile community. The project is still ongoing, with approximately $751,000 more to be raised to be move in ready. Please consider joining other friends of St. Paul’s by supporting this important moment for our future. Every donor will be recognized with a brick on an exterior plaza, and those giving $10,000 and more will be honored on the Donor Wall in the commons area. Parents, alumni, and others before us supported St. Paul’s by purchasing the land and Mann Building on our Upper Campus. Years later, others helped expand the campus with the Bedsole Building, Moorer Theatre, our Fine Arts Department and other teaching areas. Then, about ten years ago, many of you helped build the lower school gymnasium and classrooms. The time has come again to build for our future. This building is a great and much needed investment that will support future generations of students. Please join us.
“We are raising support for this transformational building that will truly be a student-centered place to learn and grow, and will allow enhanced academic venues, a writing center, an innovations lab, an extended community service space, a spirituality suite, meeting space for school clubs and professional development, an expanded dining area with an outside patio, and office space for counseling, admissions, and other student services.”
PAT FRAZER Campaign Co-Chair
For additional information please contact Katie Courtney in the St. Paul’s Development Office at 251.340.0408 ext. 25 or kcourtney@stpaulsmobile.net.
Summer 2018 | 21
W H AT A D I F F E R E N C E
OPPORTUNITY MAKES
THANK YOU! For the sixth year in a row, our Saints’ Fund goal not only was achieved, it was also exceeded. You helped raise over $500,000 in restricted and unrestricted gifts this year! With 1107 donors and the help of 84 volunteers, funds were raised to help supplement our operating budget and provide the extras that make the St. Paul’s experience so special. Adrienne and John LeDoux ’91 led a team of chairs who wrote letters, made calls, and provided much enthusiasm for supporting Saints’ Fund. Thank you to the Ledouxs, grandparent chairs Joyce and Bob Baker, new parent chairs Haley and Bragg Van Antwerp, past parent chairs Sallly and Skip Wilson ‘79, and alumni chair Graysi Gartman Ethridge ‘07. For the 11th year in a row we had 100% participation from our faculty and staff and Board of Trustees. Not all schools have this incredible participation. Clearly our faculty truly feel the calling of being a part of the family of Saints. Your gift provided, among other things: • • • • • • • • • •
Additional faculty and staff in Lower School, Intermediate School, and AIP Expansion of our parenting seminars Enhanced college admissions programming Addition of a Middle School theatre class and after school program Renovations to the Dr. Monte L. Moorer Theatre Upgrades, HVAC unit, and renovations to our gyms and locker rooms Software programs for football and basketball teams Renovations in the Mann Building classrooms, Head of School office, and conference room Surfacing and drainage for the Lower School playground New buses
Our school would not be the extraordinary community it is without the support of all of our families, alumni, and grandparents. YOUR SUPPORT MATTERS!
Saints’ Fund 22 | Epistle II
ST. PAUL’S EPISCOPAL SCHOOL
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saints’ night out ST. PAUL’S EPISCOPAL SCHOOL
Saints’ Night Out was a huge success again this year! The event was held on March 9th at The Steeple. With the leadership of Catherine Tubbs, and the SNO committee, the event generated over $122,000 in net proceeds to benefit the school. SNO is the largest parent driven fundraiser for St. Paul’s, and the school is extremely grateful for our hardworking committee members, generous sponsors, and the St. Paul’s community who support this event.
Thank you to our corporate sponsors! TITLE SPONSOR:
Alabama Orthopaedic Clinic, P.C. Allison Horner - State Farm Aull & Monroe Inc. Investment Management Azalea City Physicians for Women, P.C. Bay Area Physicians for Woman Bay Mortgage Corporation Budweiser-Busch Distributing Co., Inc. Chad and Catherine Tubbs Clark’s Kitchen Conwell’s Pharmacy, LLC Cornerstone Investment Management Donaghey Orthodontics Dr. & Mrs. Eniola Fagbongbe Dr. Eniola Fagbongbe Mr. Oluwafunmiso Fagbongbe Hancock Bank Industrial Valve Joe Bullard Automotive LLB&B Lyon Fry Cadden
Master Boat Builders, Inc. McConnell Automotive Mena and Henry Morgan Mitchell McLeod Pugh & Williams Nations Roof Oakworth Capital Bank Old Shell Trolley Club Premier Medical Group R. Benjamin Coale, Financial Advisor - Morgan Stanley Regions Bank Russell Thompson Butler & Houston, LLP - CPAs ServisFirst Bank Sign-a-rama Spring Hill Manor Springhill Medical Center The Everette Agency The Orthopaedic Group, P.C. Vallas Realty, Inc. Walter P. Vickers Jr., DMD, PC
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ALUMNI ST. PAUL’S EPISCOPAL SCHOOL
Alumni and their families enjoyed our annual Alumni Mardi Gras Party, which was held on January 26th in Washington Square. Guests enjoyed food and drinks while being entertained by the Excelsior Band, who also led everyone in a secondline to the parade. Special thanks to MCG Contracting, Century Bank J.O. Acree Company, Inc., and ITAC Solutions for sponsoring this event. Please save the date for next year’s party: Friday, February 15, 2019.
CLASS REUNION INFORMATION
piscopal School St. Paul’s E
CLASS OF 1983 • 35 YEAR REUNION Member of this class? We need YOU to help us plan! Questions: Blair Gewin at bgewin@stpaulsmobile.net CLASS OF 1988 • 30 YEAR REUNION Member of this class? We need YOU to help us plan! Questions: Blair Gewin at bgewin@stpaulsmobile.net CLASS OF 1993 • 25 YEAR REUNION Questions: Ross Frazer at rossfrazer324@gmail.com CLASS OF 1998 • 20 YEAR REUNION September 22 • Cedar Street Social Club, Downtown Mobile Questions: Erin Schwant at erin@stpaulseec.com CLASS OF 2003 • 15 YEAR REUNION December 22 • Cedar Street Social Club, Downtown Mobile Questions: Emily Arendall at earendall@stpaulsmobile.net CLASS OF 2008 • 10 YEAR REUNION December 22 • The Athelston Club, Downtown Mobile Questions: Mae Dennis at maestimpsondennis@gmail.com CLASS OF 2013 • 5 YEAR REUNION September 22 • TBD Questions: Katelanne Whitehead at kwhitehead@mobile.org 24 | Epistle II
Tennis Tournament 2018
Save the Date! October 11, 2018 www.stpaulsmobile.net
SPRING GOLF
TOURNAMENT
Special thanks to alumni, parents, committee members, and sponsors who supported the 2018 St. Paul’s Spring Golf Tournament presented by Hancock Whitney Bank held on April 22nd at Azalea City Golf Course. Golfers enjoyed a variety of games along the course, great prizes, and lunch provided by Wintzell’s Oyster House. With generous sponsors and a packed course of 130 golfers, the tournament generated over $20,000 in net revenue which will benefit the St. Paul’s girls and boys varsity golf teams, alumni activities, and other St. Paul’s student programs. Thank you to our Corporate Sponsors:
Hancock Whitney Bank Century Bank Coastal Patio & Home Delaney Development, Inc. DEX Imaging Helmsing Leach, P.C., Attorneys at Law Hub International Lamar Advertising Springhill Medical Center McConnell Automotive Wintzell’s Oyster House
Save the Date! THURSDAY, APRIL 18, 2019 For more information about sponsoring or playing in the Spring 2019 Tournament, or if you would like to be on the Golf Tournament committee, please contact Blair Gewin in the Advancement Office at 380-0408 ext. 24 or bgewin@stpaulsmobile.net. In addition to alumni, we welcome anyone who would like to be on the committee or play. www.stpaulsmobile.net/alumni Summer 2018 | 25
LINDA GARVER Faculty Spotlight Written By: Allison Castle As Linda and I sat in her classroom to discuss this article, James Harrison ’18 came in to say his last goodbyes after graduation. James hugged Linda and told her how much he was going to miss her. It was obvious to me that Linda had made an impression in James’ life, just as she has made a difference at St. Paul’s for 32 years. Linda began teaching in 1973, and was voted the “hardest teacher” by the first graduating class of 1974. In 1976, Linda decided to be a stay at home mom to her three children and St. Paul’s graduates, Mary Michael ’96, Myles ’05, and Mallory ‘07. Linda returned to St. Paul’s in 1989 and currently teaches English 9. Linda knew she wanted to be a teacher when she was five years old and taught her two-year old sister the 66 books of the Bible in order. She graduated from Samford University in Birmingham with a major in Spanish and a minor in English. She also holds a Masters degree in English. Linda taught in Birmingham for four years before moving to Mobile and was hired at St. Paul’s to teach Spanish. She taught Spanish I, II and III and then she was given the opportunity to teach her passion, English. She has taught English 9, 10, 12, English 9 AIP, English 10 AIP, Reading 6, Science 6, and Computer 8. Linda has also sponsored many student clubs and has served on several administration committees. Presently, she is the freshman grade level chair. She co-directed the first St. Paul’s Upper School play with Karen Williams – Arsenic and Old Lace. Linda co-sponsored the first ever St. Paul’s international trip when she and Marie O’Connor took a busload of upper school students from Mobile to Mexico City during spring break of 1975. She also chaperoned numerous international trips to Europe. In her 32 years at St. Paul’s, Linda has taught literally thousands of students, including children of past students and many present day St. Paul’s employees. She has actually had the privilege of teaching all six of Linda Steadman’s children. Linda was also instrumental in introducing new technologies to St. Paul’s; she helped bring the first Scantron machine to St. Paul’s and introduced the school to Turnitin.com. Linda finds passion in connecting with her students. She considers her classroom her sanctuary and cannot believe she actually gets paid to teach literature. When asked if she ever considers retirement, Linda said, “not yet.” She has asked several co-workers to please tell her if and when she has stayed too long but as of present, she still believes she can make a difference in students’ lives. As James Harrison’s visit demonstrated so clearly, it is obvious that she does.
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ALEX PAPPAS Alumni Spotlight Written By: Lou Courie O, lucky man! Indeed this St. Paul’s grad (2005) has been fortunate—and blessed as well, with innate talent and knowing from an early age his career goals: writing, reporting, publishing and learning more and more about politics and current events. Even at 12 years of age, while living in Midtown Mobile, Alex created and published a newspaper—of sorts—and sold it for 25 cents. I have no idea how much he made, or lost, but that’s not the point. He wrote, edited and published at an age when most kids were just doing “kid things.” And he read—yes—real books. His special interest (one I share): biographies. Not a fad, or simply a phase. Alex continued his interest in news and political views. In Middle School (a 14-year St. Paulian) he edited that division’s newspaper, a Pinkie Cherniak project, then went on to edit The Epistle under Liz Ferguson’s tutelage. His interest in government and all things Washington increased on the annual 8th grade trip to D. C. and in his Junior year when he got to be a Congressional page. A fortunate meeting with an Episcopal priest led to his being accepted to the School of Public Service (a summer program) at St. Albans boarding school in Washington. In attendance at Albans was Tim Russert’s son, Luke. Ultimately, the famous journalist himself came to town, and added to the Public Service program by allowing the attendees to view a live taping of Meet the Press. Alex met the man, and grabbed a paid internship at NBC’s Meet the Press. Russert, who sadly died 10 years ago, was, of course, a legend. Alex verifies the icon’s affable, good-humored nature and says that, although they were certainly not close, Russert would often greet him with, “Hey, Sewanee!” Then, at Sewanee, Alex served as editor-in-chief of the Sewanee Purple, met his future wife, earned a degree in Political Science, and continued his good luck by getting to work with many newspapers and media outlets after graduation. He covered crime, courts and corruption for The Mobile Press-Register and other local papers. This gig, he says, taught him a great deal about reporting and newspapers in general. Editors, he says, “ripped him to pieces.” (That brought him to remember the time I apparently “ripped” his college application essays “to pieces.”) After his local work, Alex then moved to the D.C. area, where he worked as a political reporter for The Daily Caller before joining the Washington Examiner as White House correspondent. He’s covered Congress from Capitol Hill and reported from battleground states during four election cycles. Alex has also appeared on CNN, CNBC, Fox News and Fox Business. He’s conducted interviews with and profiled a variety of newsmakers, including presidential candidates, lawmakers, governors, and other important political figures. Today, Alex contributes regularly to the Fox digital website. He and his wife Nancy are happy in D.C. and are expecting their first child in November. Was it all luck? Well, you know what they say about luck: work hard, greet people, have a passion and eventually what is often seems good fortune is just the result of good character. Alex proudly acknowledges the influence of his St. Paul’s education and the path we set him on. We proudly acknowledge his achievements. Well done, you “lucky” man!
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WHAT’S NEWS > CLASS NOTES 1974 David Gauld ‘74 was the architect for the Bass Museum in Miami Beach, Florida. Check it out at www.davidgauldarchitect.com. 1987 Audrey McDonald Atkins ‘87 published a book titled “They Call Me Orange Juice” which is a collection of essays about growing up and living in the South. It’s currently available at amazon.com and barnesandnoble.com. 1995 Margaret Sue Helmsing Browning ‘95 and husband, John, welcomed the birth of their daughter, Katherine Jane Browning, on June 14th, 2018. Katherine joins big sister, Margaret. The Brownings reside in Mobile, Alabama. 1997 Marshall Clay ‘97 and wife, Daily, welcomed the birth of their son, Charles Paul Clay, on May 22, 2018. The Clays reside in Mountain Brook, Alabama.
2000 Nancy Oppenhiemer Wood ‘00 and husband, Staples, welcomed the birth of their daughter, Nancy Kimbrough Wood, on January 21, 2018. Nancy joins big brother, William. The Woods reside in Mobile, Alabama. Michelle Walton ‘00 received a Master of Business Administration and a Master of Science in Management of Information Technology from the University of Oklahoma. She is currently working at Tinker Air Force Base in the Civil Engineering Directorate as an Environmental Engineer.
Will Sirmon ‘02 and wife, Lisa, welcomed the birth of their daughter, Harper Sirmon, on February 5, 2018. Harper joins big brother, Preston. The Sirmons reside in Pearland, Texas. Erin Killion Cowart ‘02 and husband, BJ, welcomed the birth of their son, James Michael Cowart, on February 12, 2018. James Michael joins big sister, Olivia, and big brothers, Killion and Trey. The Cowarts reside in Mobile, Alabama.
2001 Ryan Briley ‘01 and wife, Melissa, welcomed the birth of their daughter, Madison Eve Briley, on January 15th, 2018. Madison joins big brother, Hayden. The Brileys reside in Atlanta, Georgia. Earle Dawson ‘01 married Fay Phillips on January 6, 2018 at Spring Hill Presbyterian Church with a reception following at The County Club of Mobile. The Dawsons reside in Mobile, Alabama. 2003 Tyler Lenn ‘03 has retired from the Navy. He and his wife reside in Lawrenceville, Georgia.
Meghan Sturges-Knapp ‘97 and wife, Shannon, welcomed a son, Benton Henry Sturges-Knapp. The Sturges-Knapps live in Brooklyn, NY.
Kori Saucier Crawley ’03 and husband, Judson ’02, welcomed the birth of their son, Carson Chad Crawley, on March 10, 2018. The Crawleys reside in Mobile, Alabama.
1999 Justin Bullen ‘99 and wife, Stacey, welcomed the birth of their son, Joseph “Brooks” Bullen, on January 17, 2018. Brooks joins big sister, Ann Margaret. The Bullens reside in Mobile, Alabama.
2002 Alice Sharp Johnson ‘02 and husband, Austen ‘01, welcomed the birth of their daughter, Sally Hart Johnson, on January 30, 2018. Sally joins big brothers Thomas and James. The Johnsons reside in Mobile, Alabama. Parker Pennington ‘03, postdoctoral researcher at The San Diego Zoo, assisted in the success of artificial insemination to impregnate a southern white rhino. Tommy Jensen ‘03, and wife, Tracy, welcomed the birth of their daughter, Abigail Grey Jensen “Abby”, on May 29, 2018. The Jensens reside in Nashville, Tennessee.
Lauren Kuehnle Rachel ‘99 and husband, Nick, welcomed the birth of their son, Howard Joseph Rachel, on May 10, 2018. Howard joins big brother, Byrnes, and big sister, Helen. The Rachels reside in Mobile, Alabama. Radcliff Davis ’02 and wife, Allison, welcomed the birth of their baby boy, James Edwin Davis (Jed), on May 14, 2018. Jed joins big sister, Beth. The Davis family resides in Mobile, Alabama.
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Alan Friedrick Murphy ‘02 and husband, Patrick 03’, welcomed the birth of their daughter, Elizabeth Joy Murphy (Bethy), on April 25, 2018. Bethy joins big sister, Sloane. The Murphys reside in Mobile, Alabama.
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WHAT’S NEWS > CLASS NOTES Sarah Webster Moore ‘03 and husband, Tim, welcomed the birth of their son, Logan Penn Moore, on May 9, 2018. The Moores reside in Jacksonville, Florida.
Leigh Holliman Misso ’06 and husband, Kevin, welcomed the birth of their son, Kevin Wesley Misso, Jr., on June 7, 2018. The Missos reside in Birmingham, Alabama.
Tyler Mathis ‘08 and wife, Jordan, welcomed the birth of their son, Turner James Mathis, on May 4, 2018. The Mathis family resides in Mobile, Alabama.
Tyler Smith 06’ and wife, Jordan, welcomed the birth of their son, Tyler Smith, Jr. “TJ”, on May 4th, 2018. The Smiths reside in Saraland, Alabama. Mike Marshall ‘06 graduated from the University of South Alabama Medical School on May 5, 2018 and will be doing his residency at the University of South Alabama Hospitals in Psychiatry. 2007 Demetri Papastefan ‘07 married Emily Gavalas on May 19, 2018. The Papastefans reside in Memphis, Tennessee.
2004 Lila Sharp Sanders ‘04 and husband, Richard ‘99, welcomed the birth of their son, Robert Haywood Sanders, on February 16, 2018. Robert joins big sister, Julia, and big brother, Charlie. The Sanders reside in Mobile, Alabama.
2005 Brandon Bodie ‘05 graduated from the UAB School of Medicine on May 15, 2018 and will be doing his residency at Louisiana State University School of Medicine in Internal Medicine. Austin Brown Miller ‘05 and husband Martin, welcomed the birth of their son, Patrick Luce Miller, born on December 27, 2017. Patrick joins big sister Julia. The Millers reside in Jackson, MS. 2006 Theo Middleton ‘06 married Anna McClure on June 2, 2018 at Christ Church Cathedral with a reception following at Fort Whiting. The Middletons reside in Mobile, Alabama.
Angelica Howard ‘07 was selected to be an AmeriCorps Member at Mobile Baykeeper. AmeriCorps members are incredible assets to our country contributing over 1.4 billions hours of service and mobilizing volunteers everywhere they are placed. At Mobile Baykeeper, Angelica leads education efforts with SWAMP: Strategic Watershed Awareness and Monitoring Program. Since September 2017, Angelica has assisted in educating over 4,200 students in Mobile and Baldwin County.
2009 Kimberly Barnett Etherton ‘09 and husband, Guy, welcomed the birth of their daughter, Lillian Etherton, on February 2, 2018. Lillian joins big brother, Lee. The Ethertons reside in Mobile, Alabama.
Lott Brigham ‘07 married Maggie Meacham on May 5, 2018 at St. Joseph’s Roman Catholic Church followed by a reception at the Country Club of Mobile. The Brighams reside in Mobile, Alabama. 2008 Caitlyn Brown Marshall ‘08 graduated from the University of South Alabama Medical School on May 5, 2018 and will be doing her residency at the University of South Alabama Hospital in Pediatrics. Mary Carleton Johnston ‘08 graduated from the UAB School of Medicine on May 15, 2018 and will be doing her residency at the University of Buffalo School of Medicine in Obstetrics-Gynecology.
Joe Cotton ‘09 graduated from Harrison School of Pharmacy from Auburn University. He will be working at Publix pharmacies in the Mobile, Alabama area. Kaleigh Floore ‘09 married Alex Hudson ‘11 on January 13, 2018. The Hudsons reside in Mobile, AL.
Mae Stimpson Dennis ‘08 and husband, Sam, welcomed the birth of their son, Edmund Pendleton Dennis on May 14, 2018. The Dennis family resides in Mobile, Alabama.
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WHAT’S NEWS > CLASS NOTES Katelyn Courtney Barber-Mueller ‘09 and husband, Oliver, welcomed the birth of their son, Jean Paul “Sonny” Barbier-Mueller. The BarbierMuellers reside in Dallas, Texas.
Charlotte Smith ‘10 married Wright Cox on May 26, 2018 at Sacred Heart Chapel in Point Clear, Alabama with a reception following at their family home on Mobile Bay. The Coxs reside in Jackson Hole, Wyoming.
Chelsea Harris ‘09 married Brandon Stovall on June 9, 2018. The Stovalls reside in Birmingham, Alabama.
David Rizk ‘10 graduated from the University of South Alabama School of Medicine on May 5, 2018 and will be doing his residency at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago, Illinois in Psychiatry. David Steadman ‘10 graduated from the University of South Alabama School of Medicine on May 5, 2018 and will be doing his residency at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville, Tennessee in Psychiatry.
2010 Claris-Leigh Feibelman ‘10 married Woodie Perkins on March 17, 2018 at Ashland Place United Methodist Church with a reception following at The Bragg Mitchell Mansion. The Perkins reside in Mobile, Alabama.
2013 Taylor Wood Smillie ‘13 married Christopher James Smillie on June 2, 2018 at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church. The Smillies reside in Nashville, Tennessee. 2015 Caroline Scott ‘15 graduated from Tulane University in May with the degree of Bachelor of Science in Public Health. She is now working for JSI Research & Training Institute, Inc. at their office in Bow, New Hampshire in the domain of public health emergency preparedness. Patrick Myles ‘10 has been promoted to Captain in the United States Army.
2016 Emily Peeler ‘16 is a sophomore at Furman University in South Carolina. She is studying German and Mathematics-Economics and is currently studying abroad in Berlin.
A Saint
REMEMBERED
On December 25, 2017, St. Paul’s lost another beloved family member, Margaret Ellis. She passed away peacefully in Birmingham, Alabama, where she had moved to be closer to her children. Mrs. Ellis was born in Meridian, MS and graduated with honors from Meridian High School in 1943. She attended Mississippi State College for Women and graduated from the University of Mississippi in August of 1946 with a Bachelor of Arts in English and journalism with a minor in math. She was a mother to three children, Leslie Ellis Sharbel (Class of 1976), the late Margaret “Peggy” Ellis Campbell (Class of 1978), and John Ellis (Class of 1982). Mrs. Ellis worked at St. Paul’s for 28 years, from September 1, 1969 to August 13, 1998. She coached five different sports, managed the school newspaper staff, and guided the yearbook staff in publishing 26 editions. Outside of St. Paul’s, Mrs. Ellis led an interesting life as well. She soloed an airplane at the age of twenty. She sang in church choirs for years and was in the chorus for several productions of the Mobile Opera Guild. She directed the resident camp for the Deep South Council of Girl Scouts for four summers. She loved to read and write and self-published a number of books. She is fondly remembered by many of her students at St. Paul’s, and will be missed by her St. Paul’s family and the Mobile community.
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SAVE the DATE
Homecoming 2018 SEPTEMBER 21-22
Summer 2018 | 31
161 Dogwood Lane Mobile, Alabama 36608
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