SPIRIT
Welcome Back alumni spotlights
Head of School
Peter Klekamp
Middle School Head
Amy Vernon
Lower School Head
Brenda Hagen
Director of Early Learning
Michele Proctor
Director of Finance
Lorie Frederick
Director of Technology
Paul Fitzgerald
Director of Advancement
Ida Thompson
Athletic Director
Jeremy Barlow
Director of Admissions
Nena Martinez
Director of Human Resources
Janet Parrish
Director of Extended Day
Chelsi Blankenship
Director of Buildings and Grounds
Charlie Williams
Director of Communications and Marketing/Editor
Vanessa Culpepper ‘02
A Letter from the Head of School
Dear Holy Comforter Parents,
“Quick! Company is coming!” was a phrase, or direct order, that sometimes rang throughout our house when I was a child. This announcement led to clothes, toys, and anything else on your bedroom floor, being immediately stowed under your bed or tossed in the closet. It was as if an air raid horn was blasting from my mother’s vocal cords, and we were all falling in line to greet whoever decided to stop by to a “presentable” house as perspiration dripped from the foreheads of my seven siblings and my own.
In early February we invited ten educators from across the southeast as part of the FCIS/SAIS accreditation team to research (through the self-study that we submitted) and evaluate our school in the span of three days. It was not an impromptu, “Quick! Company is coming!” but rather a process that allowed for reflection, evaluation, and challenging ourselves to continue to create a school for the future. The results of the visit? Insight from team members who look through individual lenses and offer ideas to our essential questions in areas we wish to grow. This fresh perspective will strengthen what we do as we continue to prepare our children to reach their full potential. We also received affirmation for educating our children in the Holy Comforter mission-driven way with a focus on the whole child as we nourish spirit, challenge the mind, and strengthen the body.
In addition, this past fall we invited former students to share their current experiences in the fields of social media marketing, medicine, perseverance, and science. During this “Welcome Back Series” we provided an opportunity for alumni to interact with current students, sharing the impact HCES had on them. The accreditation process is critically important, but stories shared by our alumni allow us to continuously evaluate our day-to-day mission so that we can offer the best current program for our children. Our students may graduate in eighth grade, but it is our hope that they are Crusaders for life by remaining connected to our school family and valuable members of the communities they are a part of in the future.
I hope you enjoy this edition of the Spirit as you learn about all the exciting activities our students are involved in as they live out our mission. It is our constant prayer that they are inspired to be the difference in our world both today and all the days that follow.
Sincerely,
Peter Klekamp Head of School
Key Dates for the 2023-24 School Year
March
Spring Break* | March 11th - 15th
High School Alumni Spirit Night | March 26th
Alumni & Alumni Family Social Hour (21+) | March 27th
April
Easter Holidays* | March 29th & April 1st
Middle School Sport Banquet | April 16th
Faculty / Staff Appreciation | April 22nd - 26th
Middle School Musical “Matilda” | April 26th & 27th
Senior Alumni Chapel & Reunion | April 29th
May
Conference Day* | May 1st
Spring Music Concert | May 6th
8th Grade Graduation | May 20th
Last Day of School | May 22nd
* No school for students
If you would like to make a gift to the HCES Annual Fund, please scan the QR code.
Making the Difference
In this issue, we take a look at several HCES alumni and the incredible difference they are making in the world around them as they look back on the impact HCES has had on their path.
Meet the Munasifi sisters - Dina, Nadia and Sana. A long-time Tallahassee family, Drs. Nola and Faisal Munasifi established roots in Tallahassee and raised their daughters here in the late 80’s and 90’s attending Holy Comforter Episcopal School on the Miccosukee Road campus. All three daughters are now grown with their own families and are all very successful attorneys! Yet all three tie some of their fondest memories and life inspirations back to their experiences on the little HCES campus behind the hospital.
Dina Munasifi, the oldest Munasifi sister, graduated from the HCES 5th grade in 1990 and later from Leon High School in 1997. She went on to attend Emory University for her undergraduate and then graduated from the Florida State University College of Law. She married Aaron George from Tallahassee and they reside in the Washington, DC area with their 3 children, Summer, Rami, and Layla. Dina is an attorney practicing commercial real estate law.
Dina adored attending HCES and her fondest memories include chapel services and the May Day tradition - which all grade levels danced in back then! One particular chapel service resonated and stuck with her into adult life - it focused on “gratefulness every day,” which Dina lives by. She also loved her 5th grade Smokies trip and the beloved school musicals. Dina can also remember all of her teachers, including Harriette McCarter (one of the founders of our school), Ellen Lloyd, Patty Munroe, Shirley Ellis, and Juanita Thiel.
When Dina and Aaron decided to look for a private education for their children in the DC area, they used HCES as the measuring stick. They wanted their children to love their school, just asDina loved HCES. It was a tall order to fill, but one Dina thought was very important. Based on her experience with HCES and her success and values, she feels the elementary - PK to 8th grade education is the MOST important and one that should be nurtured for a solid personal and academic foundation.
Ansley Collins Brown and Dina Munasifi, HCES friends at their 20th year Leon High School Reunion. Read more about Ansley on page 7.
L to R: Dina, Sana and Nadia
Nadia Munasifi Sand graduated from the HCES 5th grade in 1992 and later from Leon High School in 1999. She also attended Emory for her undergraduate and went on to Vanderbilt Law. Nadia resides in Atlanta, Georgia with her husband and 2 sons, Constan and Laith. Nadia is a partner at a law firm where she practices trademark and copyright law. Nadia feels so lucky to have had the opportunity to attend a school such as HCES. It was such a warm and loving environment where children could grow and learn through play, arts, sports, and strong academic classes. Leadership, friendship, and kindness were always encouraged and celebrated (like Fantastic Friends) at HCES. HCES was such a happy place from the minute you left your car in the morning and the cheerful 5th grade car patrol yelled to your parents to “buckle up and have a nice day”!
Sana, the youngest Munasifi daughter, graduated from the HCES 5th grade in 1995 and later from Leon High School in 2002. She attended Georgetown University undergraduate, and received her J.D. from Berkley Law. Sana lives in Washington, D.C. with her husband Kamen and her six month old son Faris. She practices national security law at the Department of Justice. Sana has fond memories of HCES. It provided not just an excellent academic education, but also educated the whole person. At HCES, she learned to love art and music. She especially loved their yearly musicals with Mrs. Whitney—what a legend! HCES also instilled in Sana the values of kindness and love for our neighbors. She remembers her teachers with great fondness, including Mrs. Stivers, Mrs. Ellis and Mrs. Thiel. HCES, and its alumni, hold a special place in her heart, no matter how far she travels from home.
BRIAN HUANG ‘11 Georgia Tech Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering
Tell us about what you are doing and how you are making a difference in the world around you.
I am a Ph.D. student at the Georgia Institute of Technology in the School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering. My research focuses on developing strategies to reprogram bacteria from the gut microbiome for therapeutic applications. Because the microbiome is so important to our health, having the ability to engineer its function will pave the way for new therapies and medical interventions.
What has been your favorite experience so far?
My favorite experience from graduate school has been traveling around the country for conferences and meeting other young, motivated scientists.
What do you love most about what you do?
I love being able to ask questions about biology and make new discoveries. Most of the time your original theory is incorrect, but it’s exciting to eventually prove a hypothesis after doing the right experiments. What motivates and inspires you?
I am most motivated by my mentors who have taught me how to be a thoughtful scientist. I’m always inspired to push myself to be a better researcher when I think of the incredible work that others have done before me.
What have you learned from your experiences/job?
I have learned how to be an independent thinker as well as a leader and mentor to others. Research often requires working with diverse teams of people, so it’s important to be able to stay organized and communicate effectively.
What advice would you give to students looking to follow in your footsteps? My advice to young students is to stay curious, and always ask questions! It’s ok to try new things and fail. Failure is an important part of the process and is often the first step to take on the path to success.
Gordon Research Conference
Dina at the HCES Smokies Trip
Dina, Nadia and Sana
Dina and Sana at HCES
CAROLINE BORDERS ‘03 Digital Brand Stylist & Social Media Content Curator
Caroline Campbell Borders skillfully translates brand stories of designers, artists and retailers into captivating social media marketing campaign designs. Content curation across digital marketing is instrumental in helping business owners build intentional and compelling brands with the goal of converting sales and fostering brand awareness with their audience.
How did you get to where you are today?
In 2013, I graduated from The University of Alabama with a degree in interior design. My career path has been a journey, spanning advertising, graphic design, and interior design, as I’ve consistently honed my skills to meet evolving needs. Initially, I delved into client services and styling at an advertising agency, then found my stride as a graphic designer at a luxury wedding planning firm. In 2020, I shifted gears to pursue interior design, dedicating three fruitful years to the field. Today, I excel in translating the narratives of designers, artists, and retailers into compelling social media marketing designs. While I thrive on helping others amplify their brands, I also relish collaborating with fellow tastemakers, nurturing my own platform, and leaving my mark on the creative landscape.
What do you love most about your job?
Being able to collaborate with others, visually depict a brand’s story to drive sales and engagement, and soak up new knowledge daily –that’s the magic. There is a particular thrill of knowing that you’re in control of your own limits with no ceiling. Every day brings fresh challenges, keeping me on my toes and sparking my creativity and analytical skills.
What motivates and inspires you?
My daughter. Becoming a mom has unexpectedly boosted my confidence, igniting a fresh wave of creativity and determination in both my personal and professional endeavors. Additionally, I’m grateful to be part of a circle of female entrepreneurs who not only inspire me but also serve as my go-to support system through life’s highs and lows.
What have you learned from your experiences/job?
So many things. Before venturing out on your own, gaining experience by working for others is crucial. Your network holds immense value – every person you encounter is a potential connection. Nurture those relationships, because you never know how they might shape your path or when you might rely on them. Remember, if you’re in the room, you belong there. The question is: what will you do with that opportunity? Lastly, regardless of your industry, your demeanor and selfrepresentation define your brand.
What advice would you give to students looking to follow in your footsteps?
Keep an open mind and be ready to adapt. In today’s dynamic environment, being able to evolve is key, no matter your industry. Embrace opportunities, even if you’re uncertain or feel like you’re not an expert, and then tackle them head-on. You might just stumble upon the next big thing and gain valuable insights along the way. Don’t forget the importance of having mentors to guide you. Always ask for help— the worst that can happen is a “no,” but more often than not, people are willing to lend a hand or cheer you on towards success.
How did HCES prepare you for your future?
My time at HCES shaped me in ways I’ll always treasure. It’s where I learned the value of striving for excellence, maintaining a faith-based perspective, and embracing collaborative teamwork. The friendships I formed at Holy Comforter run deep, and I’m incredibly grateful for them.
Tell us about you!
I’m currently based in Birmingham, Alabama, where I live with my husband, Brett, our one-year-old daughter, Pearce, and our beloved dog, Jake. Alabama has been my home for the past ten years, and I’m grateful for the vibrant creative and personal connections we’ve built here. When we’re not in Birmingham, you’ll often find us visiting my family in Tallahassee or escaping to the beach, which continues to be my favorite home away from home. It’s a running joke that my hobbies have a funny way of morphing into “work” – a common trait for many of us with creative passions. Yet, these pursuits never truly feel like work. Traveling and trying new restaurants are favorite pastimes that spark joy and inspiration.
Meet our new Athletic Director learn about her vision for the program
Welcome Back HCES Alumni Speaker Series
On Friday, September 22nd, we kicked off our first ever Welcome Back Alumni Speaker Series via Zoom, with Ansley Collins Brown ‘90, Manager of the International Space Station Payload and Commercial Facilities Branch at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas. Ansley leads a team of engineers who manage the research equipment astronauts and scientists use to conduct research onboard the Space Station. She shared her path to NASA and many incredible details of her adventures over the years with the 5th and 6th grade students. Ansley truly inspired our students as her dream began right here at HCES when she selected Neil Armstrong as her Famous American for the 2nd grade biography project telling them “dreams really do come true!” At the end, students had the opportunity to ask questions and learn more about her career.
Throughout the fall, we hosted three other speakers in the series, with alums, Stuart Drew ’07, Cale Cummings ‘10 and Brian Huang ‘11 (read about Brian on pg. 5). Stuart, the Director of Social Media at the Miami Dolphins, shared her story and some really neat tidbits with our 6th grade students. From her beginnings with Auburn football and athletics to a look at her office overlooking Hard Rock Stadium, to traveling with the team on their private team plane and being on the field, live posting at games, the content creation, planning, and reviewing and reviewing again with her team of content editors. Stuart shared so many real life insights into her job and also how the technology and social media world is ever-changing. She shared useful internet safety protocols for the students and answered questions from the class. Stuart even shared her elementary school teachers and some of her favorite HCES memories - hello, Smokies and Washington DC!
Cale ’10 who is currently in medical school at the Medical University of South Carolina, talked to the 8th grade students about his path and importance of perseverance and never giving up. Medical school wasn’t always in the cards for Cale, but he worked hard and persisted and plans to practice Hematology and Oncology. Cale answered questions from students and offered insight on what it takes to be successful, from HCES to now. It was such an important and meaningful message for our 8th graders!
All of these stories can be found on the HCES YouTube channel - www.youtube.com/holycomforterschool. If you or your alumni would like to share their alumni story, contact Ida Thompson at ithompson@hces.org.
Ansley Collins Brown ‘90
Cale Cummings ‘10
Stuart Drew ‘07
HCES and Westminister Oaks Partnership
This fall, we had the incredible opportunity to kick off a partnership with Westminster Oaks, an independent and assisted living facility right around the corner. The partership came about as a way to partner and work with our “neighbors” and offer learning opportunities and cross-generational experiences to our both our HCES family and the Westminster community. In September, members of Middle School Glee Chorus, led my Mrs. Jessica Applegate-Ogden performed for residents in the Memory Care unit. The students loved the opportunity so much, that they returned in December sharing Christmas music, joy, and cheer, singing carols for residents. In addition, our 5th grade students, with the help of the homeroom moms and teachers, made ornaments with special handwritten Christmas messages that now adorn a tree for all of the residents to enjoy each year. Through the partnership, we enjoyed such a special time with our neighbors and friends at Westminster Oaks. Thank you, parents, teachers, and staff at Westminster Oaks for making these opportunities possible for our students and the Crusader community.
The partnership is continuing this spring with residents and HCES church members reading to our students. For more information on how to participate, please contact Ida Thompson at ithompson@hces.org.
Scan the QR code to watch the WTXL news story.
Reaccreditation
In February, we went through a Reaccreditation Visit as part of a comprehensive six-year review. The reaccreditation team, comprised of independent school educators from all over the region, made observations and met with several members of our HCES community.
The visit served as the combined reaccreditation for the Florida Council of Independent Schools (FCIS), the Southern Association of Independent Schools (SAIS) and Cognia.
We received a summary of the report, commendations, and recommendations that will be submitted to the FCIS Accreditation Commission. The team was very pleased to recommend a full reaccreditation. The full report will be reviewed and voted upon at their board meeting in April and will be shared with HCES. Below are a few highlights and commendations from the report that were shared with our faculty and staff by the Reaccreditation Team.
• “Holy Comforter Episcopal School is to be commended for the caring and loving culture that you have instilled into your school community. There is authentic joy felt among faculty, students, and parents alike for being a part of Holy Comforter.”
• “Holy Comforter instills a strong sense of Christian values through its TARGET program, chapel, and daily devotions and prayer.”
• “HCES is to be commended for its efforts to mentor its students in their character development which was evident in their interactions with the accreditation team and their respect for their fellow classmates. I was amazed walking around.”
• “The HCES faculty is to be commended for their commitment and love for their school. We heard that over and over again”.
• “The HCES parent community is active, involved, and supportive of the mission and vision, both now and into the future. And that is critical for your success.”
• “The campus and facilities are well-kept and cared for, demonstrating the admiration the community has for its facilities and its future growth.”
We are incredibly proud of our school community and the report we received. It is quite an honor to be recognized by such a distinguished team comprised of heads of school, division heads, and faculty members.
“You have an incredible school and you have done an amazing job with your self-study. It reflects what we saw in and out of the school day, the learning that was taking place, the character development... all of those things. You truly are living and breathing your mission and that is no small feat and one in which you should be so proud.”
- Dr. Spencer Taintor, Chair
“A huge thank you and shout-out to our incredible teachers and our staff for all they do as they pour into our students and classrooms every day, making HCES the special place that it is. Thank you, parents, for your continued support and for entrusting your children to us, each day!” - Peter Klekamp, Head of School
In February, our 8th graders took their annual trip to Washington, D.C. For 25 years now, our students have traveled to our nation’s capitol for hands-on history and civics lessons and of course, tons of fun. For four days, the students toured the city from sun up to sun down and explored many of the capitol’s most treasured places. Each year, the visits change slightly, but several stops remain the same. They visited the Capitol, the Supreme Court, Ford’s Theatre, many of the monuments including the Lincoln Memorial, many Smithsonian museums, Mount Vernon, and Arlington National Cemetery - where they had the opportunity to see the changing of the guard and four students laid a wreath. They ice skated, took in a play and so much more! It is a treasured memory each year and a favorite for our 8th grade students.
25 years of Washington DC!
6th and 7th Grade Visit Magic Kingdom
6th and 7th grade students enjoyed a day trip to Magic Kingdom as part of their annual field trip. The students loaded buses in the early morning hours and arrived at the park shortly after it opened. They spent the full day in the park exploring and riding the rides before eating dinner and loading onto the bus for the return trip home. The students enjoyed the day with friends, making memories together!
5th Grade Symphony
In December, 5th graders took a trip to Ruby Diamond Concert Hall to see The Tallahassee Symphony Orchestra’s presentation of Holiday Magic! with special guest Cirque de la Symphonie! In April, they will embarq on the beloved Smokies field trip to the Tremont Institute for four days.
2nd Grade Visits the Capitol
2nd graders enjoy “Celebrate America” day with a trip to the Capitol. The students visited both the House and Senate to learn all about our legislative branch. The students had the opportunity to recommend bills, learn how those bills become laws and debate and amend the bill. Fellow “senators” could ask questions and then vote on the bill.
LOWER SCHOOL Field Trips
Field trips across all grade levels are an important part of the curriculum as a hands on way to tie the concepts learned in the classroom into tangible learning experiences outside of the classroom. There are many field trips throughout the lower school years, several that have been a tradition and hallmark of each grade level. Here are a few trips we’ve taken this year!
1st Grade & the Tallahassee Museum
1st graders visited the Tallahassee Museum to learn about life long ago. Students toured the old farm, visited animals, and the school house to imagine what it would have been like to be a child back then!
4th Grade Visits Mission San
3rd Grade Caverns
3rd graders made the trip to the Florida Caverns State Park in Marianna to explore the caves, and study the visual array of mystifying stalactites, stalagmites, flowstones and more!
Luis 4th graders took a trip back in time to Mission San Luis, Florida’s Apalachee-Spanish Living History Museum. Mission San Luis was one of over 100 mission settlements established in Spanish Florida between the 1560s and 1690s and was designated as a National Historic Landmark in 1960. Today Mission San Luis is the only reconstructed Spanish mission in Florida.
Meet in the Middle A 5th Grade Jump-up Day
Each year, our 5th graders jump up to middle school for a sneak peek at next year. The day is packed with fun and they end the day ready to cross the courtyard!
On January 13th, 5th graders spent the day in middle school looking forward to all next year has to offer. Students started the day with team building exercises focused on the middle school experience, then visited middle school classes and asked questions of our middle school panel. Afterwards, the 5th graders shared their experiences over lunch in our Commons Cafe and then enjoyed a peek into our elective classes, a pep rally, and an afternoon basketball game!
HCES Welcomes Alex Willan Author of
“Elves are the Worst!”
In September, we welcomed author Alex Willan as he shared his new book, Elves are the Worst, the 4th book in his popular collection featuring Gilbert the Goblin. He read the book aloud to our PK4 through 1st graders, shared a bit about his writing process, answered questions and led the students in a guided drawing featuring Gilbert! A huge thank you to Midtown Reader for bringing such incredible authors and opportunities to the HCES community!
Middle School Bridge Building
In Middle School Science, students worked together in teams using the Engineering Design Process to build a bridge that could hold as much weight as possible. Bridges were made out of popsicle sticks and glue and once complete, textbooks were stacked on top of the bridges to see how many it could hold before the bridge failed. Each book weighs about 1.3 pounds and the winning group stacked 54 books!
A Labor of Love and a Piece of History
With the help, generous gifts and talents of several in our community, we now have beautiful trophy cases filled with memorabilia from over the years.
The trophy cases, a gift from Ashley and Chris Chaney (parents to Penelope- 3rd and Charlie- K), were previously located in Andrew’s (Restaurant) Downtown on the corner of Adams and Jefferson Street. When Ashley began the vision for her new restaurant, the Hayward House, she offered the cases to the school. We were thrilled to give them a new home and have the opportunity to own a piece of Tallahassee history. Leo Bonell, dad to Blake (3rd), Maddie (class of 2021), and husband to Mrs. Bonell (4th grade teacher), delicately disassembled, transported, and rebuilt the cases in our Student Center Lobby. The cases fit perfectly and look like they were custom-made for the space.
Parents Katherine Boland (Everett- class of 2022, Eva- 7th and Eliza- 5th) and Gina Coffas (Owen- 5th and Quinn- 3rd) gathered trophies and memorabilia from across campus and thoughtfully filled the cases. The addition of the cases brings a sense of pride and nostalgia to our Student Center Lobby.
Thank you families, for your time, talents, and generous gifts. We are so grateful to have the opportunity to give these beautiful cases new life while showcasing the accomplishments of our students and athletes. Next time you are on campus, stop in to take a look!
100th and 1000th Day of School
PK through 2nd grade students celebrated the 100th day of school. Students spent the day doing several fun activities tied to the number 100 in celebration of the day. From 100 snacks to 100 bead necklaces, they counted the day away! 1st graders once again enjoyed the tradition of dressing up as 100 year olds. 5th graders celebrated 1,000 days of lower school.
The Saint John’s Bible
In November, members of St. John’s Episcopal Church brought a Heritage Edition of the Saint John’s Bible to share with all three of our chapel services. The St. John’s Bible is a hand-written, hand-illuminated Bible, that Saint John’s Abbey and University commissioned renowned calligrapher Donald Jackson to produce. The original Saint John’s Bible took 11 years to create using ancient techniques and is a true work of art. Students learned about the history of the Bible, the process of creating it, and about the incredible illuminations inside. The Heritage Edition shared today is one of only 299 limited editions created of the original Saint John’s Bible and will be at St. John’s Episcopal Church for the year. Thank you St. John’s (and alum parents Corinna Strayer and Mrs. Perkins) for coming to visit and share this very special Bible and work of art with us!
GRAND EVENTS 2023
In the Fall, Holy Comforter Episcopal School hosted our beloved grandparents on campus for two special events. Grandpeople were invited to take part in the annual Book Fair and Grand Lunch. Over 3 days, the visitors came to campus to enjoy lunch and shopping with their grandchildren. The courtyard was packed with visitors each day and students loved welcoming their grandparents to campus for a special time together.
Next, HCES students invited special “grandpeople” to a morning of musical cheer at the annual Grandpeople’s Day program. Over 500 grandpeople joined their grandchildren for a morning of performances and time in the classroom. After the music program, where students sang, grandpeople were invited back to the classroom to visit. Middle school students invited their grandpeople to a lively game of Bingo in The Commons where prizes were awarded to our winners!
Lower School Highlights
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1. Congratulations to our Lower School 4-H Speech winners Isabella - 1st place, Zoey - 2nd place and Tatum - 3rd place! 2. The annual PK3 farm day with bunnies and chickens. 3. Trick or Treat the Colonnade, a favorite Halloween tradition! 4. Teachers dressed as their fave snack cake - can you guess what they are?! 5. Congratulations to our lower school Spelling Bee winners Teddy - 1st place and Parker - 2nd place and Everett - 3rd place. 6. Our PK4 paleontologists worked hard to uncover dinosaur bones for the annual Dino Dig as part of a unit on the letter “D” - one of the favorite PK4 traditions! 7. Happy Thanksgiving from our 1st grade turkeys! 8. The 5th grade Break-feast is a fave tradition for families. 9. 3rd graders performed conjunction surgery! 10. Cheer clinic time! K through 5th grade girls participated in the annual cheer clinic during spirit week. 11. Fourth graders had the honor and privilege of delivering Valentine cards made by Mrs. Carpenter’s 2nd grade class to the memory care unit at The Grove assisted living facility. The students loved the visit and are all asking when they can go back again. 12. All School Eucharist with our entire HCES family, such a special tradition.
2 1 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
1. 8th grade sweatshirts - a favortie rite of passage. 2. Middle School students gathered, prayed and sang together as part of a global day of prayer called “See You At The Pole.” 3. Congratulations to our Middle School Spelling Bee winners: Allie Winsor - first place and James Thielen - runner up! And a special shout out to all of our participants on a job well done. 4. Vivi rings Penny the Bell for after giving her “This I Believe Speech.” 5. Middle school students at the annual pumpkin challenge. 6. Deputy Bragg and K9 Officer Ghost visited Mrs. Bragg’s 8th grade civics classes to talk with them on 4th amendment search warrants as part of the unit on the Bill of Rights. 7. 7th grade religion made Gingerbread Churches as part of their lesson. 8. 6th graders in Mrs. Hatchett’s World Geography classes had a special visitor - Alex Mastromanno! The Florida State punter, who is from Australia, shared a special presentation about his home continent -from his favorite places to visit, wildlife, food and culture, students were able to ask questions and learn first hand. 9. NJHS members completed an on-campus service project. They demolished our overgrown garden beds to clear the space for our middle school play area. 10. 7th grade girls gather outside Smith Hall.
Middle School Highlights
Crusader Athletics
The Crusaders are back and flying around the court and fields with excitement and determination to finish this year out strong! We have had a successful fall and winter season this year! We are now looking to have a great spring season to cap off the 2023-2024 sports year.
Golf
Our golf team brought back home the conference championship! For the 14th time in the last 17 seasons your Crusader Golf team claimed the City Championship. The Dynasty continues its name and looks to keep the trophy in the 2024 season led by Coach Ed Young and Courtney Ashburn.
Football
Our football team has continued to grow in numbers and wins! Our football team saw a lot of growth on the field this season. We saw more kids come out for the program than we did in the past. This helped us tremendously with depth and future growth for the program and we ended this season with our first program win over our rival, Maclay, to boost excitement into our 2024 fall season, led by Coach Shane Knipple.
2023 Thielen+ Tax & Business
Consulting
Crusader Cup Golf Tournament at Southwood
The HCES Athletic department hosted the 17th Annual Thielen+ Crusader Cup Golf Tournament on Thursday, November 9th at Southwood Golf Club. It was a beautiful day for friendly competition and fellowship on the course.
Volleyball
Our volleyball program had a successful season this fall. We had 26 girls represent a Varsity and JV team who led our program to a 10 win season and our girls completed their season with a conference championship! With only 5 eighth graders graduating, we look to return a lot of experienced players, coached by Joy Becker.
Congratulations to our Crusader Cup winners: 1st Place & Possession of The Thielen + Crusader Cup: Brett Ewing, Lance Mitchell, Michael Himmel & Dustin McGowan; 2nd Place: Brennan Clayton, Reid Thomas, Ben Kampf & Steve Harrison; 3rd Place: Chris Lowery, John Thompson, Daniel Russell & Derek Hauk.
All proceeds from the event directly support HCES athletics, enabling us to purchase equipment and uniforms, as well as attract quality coaches as we continually strive to improve our athletic program. This year’s event will provide an estimated $20,000 in benefits to student-athletes at Holy Comforter. Thank you to the 2023 sponsors and players for making the event a huge success. And a very special thank you to our tournament chairs, Erik and Melissa Tate.
Title Sponsor
Thielen+ Tax and Business Consulting
Prize Sponsor
Better Living Solutions
Breakfast Reception Sponsor
Canopy Road Cafe
Lunch Sponsor
Hi-Tech System Associates
Bloody Mary Bar Sponsor
Home Instead
Closest to the Pin Contest Sponsor
Cross Country Consulting
Driving Range Sponsor
Lowery Chiropractic
Drink Cart Sponsors
Steve Brown Direct Marketing, McKee Insurance, First Franklin Financial
Hole in One Sponsor
Hobson Chevrolet of Cairo
Hat Sponsor
Brown & Brown Insurance
Cheerleading
Our football and competitive cheerleading teams are coming off their second year. They continued their high spirit and led our fans by continuing to cheer to support our football team andparticipated at local competitions. We look to continue to grow in numbers as we move into our next athletic season, led by Coach Madison Hester.
Boys Soccer
Our boys soccer team brings home the hardwareanother Crusader team with a City Championship! The team finished an amazing season going 8-0-2. No losses - 2 ties..undefeated season for the boys. With a good group returning we look to 3 peat as conference champions! Led by Coach Danny Cruz & Josh Briggs.
Cross Country
Our cross country team continued its dominance this year! We had a roster of 23 runners this year; 13 boys and 10 girls. Our boys team was very competitive all year long, winning 3 races and qualifying for state and finishing 7th for a top 10 finish in the state. Our girls team claimed the City Championship this year, again, and also qualified for State. They had a great showing at state finishing 4th for a top 5 finish in the state! Our cross country team looks to continue its dominance, led by Coach Deanna McVay.
Girls Basketball
Our girls basketball team fed off their improvement from the previous season. We had a full roster and 11 girls will be returning from this team. Our girls team finished with an 8-3 record and was named conference champion! This team showed exactly what it meant to be Crusaders on the court this year! We look to continue the success in 2024 led by Coach Billie Papuchis.
Girls Soccer
Our girls soccer season had a competitive year. The team looks to continue on an upward trajectory as we plan to bring back 14 returners from last year’s team! - led by Coach Maddy Gomes and Caitlyn Miller.
Boys Basketball
Our boys basketball team just completed one of the most impressive middle school basketball seasons I have seen in quite some time, maybe the best I have seen, ever. What a fun year for the boys program. We graduated 13 eighth graders and will look to fill those shoes with our very talented young group of players. This team finished the season 11-1, being named conference champion with an average win total of 17 points! - led by Coach Mike McGrotha and Sam Striplin.
We look forward to a great spring season to finish up the athletics calendar year before we head into our summer break! Go Crusaders!
Father Daughter Dance A Family Favorite Tradition
The annual daddy daughter dance welcomed dads and daughters to an evening at the Oscars in Old Hollywood! Glam was the name and the attendees rose to the occasion. Thank you to chairs, Mary Kathryn Malphurs and Jessica Potts for a night to remember! From treats to a classic car to tunes fit for the evening, dads and daughters danced the night away in style!
This year, chairs Lindsey Farrell & Katie Blevins led our annual Mother Son Night in an Olympic-themed event! The committee hosted an evening of olympic games complete with medals and competitions on the HCES athletic fields. It was an awesome evening for our Mother Son tradition!
Mother Son Night of Fun Olympics 2023
Fall Festival A Family Favorite
“In Our Fall Era” Fall Fest 2023 - we kicked off the afternoon with the Episcopal Schools Celebration in the outdoor chapel featuring our 5th grade choir. Families and friends moved into the courtyard for fun and fellowship making it, yet again, one of the most treasured events of the school year. Many months of planning and hard work go into organizing this special event and HCES parents, Lauren Carpenter and Dana Giove were our fearless leaders. Families enjoyed bounce houses, crafts, a petting zoo, a hayride with Mr. Williams, the ever-popular cake walk, lego room and even a Harry Potter Haunted Hallway built by our talented parents! Thank you to @primemeridianbank, our sponsor for this year’s Fall Festival, for joining us and hosting the “Fun” ATM!
Fall Book Fair
Lower School
NEW! 5th Grade Band
New this year, 5th graders had the opportunity to try several musical instruments and select one as part of the 5th grade band. Dr. Spengler has been working with the students as a group and individually to develop their talents. They were able to showcase all they have learned in a concert for families.
Music
Our 2nd grade feathered friends, 3rd grade cowgirls and cowboys, and 4th grade glowing students took us on a special adventures this fall in three separate musicals. Students performed the musical “Wing it,” “Way Out West” and “Let Your Light Shine” for families and fellow students in several showings as part of their annual music program and curriculum.
In the Community
Second Harvest of the Big Bend
Members of our Middle School National Junior Honor Society presented a $500 check to Second Harvest of the Big Bend. NJHS coordinated 5 candy sales throughout the fall and chose Second Harvest as the charity to receive ALL of the proceeds from the sales. We are so proud of our students for their service, commitment, and support of the Tallahassee community.
Feed a Family & Holy Comforter Food Bank
Our school community came out in full force collecting cans and food for those in need in our Tallahassee community. Our lower school students collected cans for the Holy Comforter Church food pantry. The middle school students packaged meal bags for the Feed a Family project. Each bag could feed a family of four for a week.
Service is at the heart of our mission.
Our outreach program gives students opportunities to experience faith in action as we partner with local organizations to support others in need. The Lower School Leadership Team, Middle School Student Council and Middle School National Junior Honor Society help to organize and facilitate the projects.
Christmas Traditions
A Christmas classic & special service project
Guardian ad Litem Christmas Outreach
Our community came together supporting the Guardian ad Litem program, one of our very favorite outreach projects each year. Lower School classes and Middle School TARGET groups donated gifts to provide Christmas for several local children. The gifts were packaged and loaded on the truck by our NJHS members and the support was simply overwhelming. Thank you, families, for helping us give so much to those in need in the Tallahassee community.
From the blessing of the tree to the annual 1st Grade Nativity and Christmas parties, the Christmas season is always a magical time on campus.
Alumni Events
Legacy Breakfast
Holy Comforter Episcopal School celebrated our HCES legacies with the annual Legacy Breakfast. Families were welcomed into The Commons and enjoyed food, fellowship and time together. 10% of our HCES parent population are alumni of the school with legacies. There are 40 alumni parents with 57 legacies currently enrolled at HCES!
March 26: High School Alumni Night
4:00 - 6:00pm on the athletic fields
March 27: Alumni and Alumni Family
Social Hour (21+)
5:30 - 7:30 in The Commons
April 29: High School Senior Alumni Chapel
6:00pm in the Church, Reception to follow
Alumni Class Notes
Ben Hodges ‘96 graduated from Nova Southeastern University and is a STEM teacher at Corbett Preparatory School.
Carson Steinmetz ‘10 is in his 3rd year of medical school at Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine (VCOM). He is currently doing his rotation in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. He was recenty engaged to Olyvia Granja, also a fellow medical student in her third year at Geisinger Medical School.
Allie (Pass) and Daniel McNair ’02 welcomed daughter Lily Alexandra McNair on Jan 29, 2024. She joins big brother Jackson who will be attending HCES next year!
Lexi Panteleon ‘12 is engaged to Tony Guerra.
Congratulations, alumni, from your proud HCES family!
We love visitors!
Tom Collins, dad to Ansley Collins Brown ‘91 stopped by HCES for a quick visit while he was in town. Tom served on the HCES Board of Trustees in the late 90’s when the school was relocating to Fleischmann Road. We love to see familiar faces, so stop by to say hello if you are in the area!
L to R: Abby Munroe Kinch ‘83, Tom and MaryAnn Yohner (Both Abby and MaryAnn work on the HCES Business Office). Meghan Melton Wilson ‘95 (HCES Registrar) and Tom.
Sarah Allison Proctor ‘13 graduated from the Emory School of Nursing in December and will work as a NICU nurse.
Helen Smith ‘16 is a senior at Florida State University pursuing a Computational Biology major and a minor in the Classics. She is an undergraduate research assistant in Dr. Julia Sheffler’s Lab at the FSU College of Medicine where she is also working on her own research project about how childhood rural residence can lead to a decline in executive functioning with aging. Helen is a member of the Gamma Chapter of Chi Omega sorority, the Garnet and Gold Key Vice President of Administration, and the Senior Class Council Secretary.
Brennan Reyes ‘16 attended Holy Comforter Episcopal School from 2006 until 2016. He graduated from Leon High School and is currently attending Florida State University. He will be graduating with a BS in STEM Entrepreneurship with minors in General Business and Innovation in the the summer of 2024. Brennan has accepted a position as a sales producer at Foundation Risk Partners, and will be studying Food and Wine in Tuscany through the FSU International Programs.
Sean Gonzalez ‘20 won Best & Brightest at Lincoln High School.
Walter Haber, Davis Wagnon, Will Winsor ‘20 are finalists for National Merit Scholarship.
Being the Difference
On February 17, the Leon High School Dance Marathon, hosted the annual HS Dance Marathon event in the Student Center at HCES. Due to the Leon gym undergoing construction this school year, the DM executive team were in need of a place to host the much anticipated yearly event. Several HCES alums serve on the Dance Marathon committee each year and this year was no different. The alums reached out last fall and we were honored at the opportunity and privilege to host this group of young leader(s) supporting a cause that has touched so many. The 2024 Leon High School Dance Marathon event raised over $181,000, the most on record for the school. We are so proud of the executive team and all of our alumni for their work, leadership and dedication! And we were honored to be a small part of their incredible success!
HCES Alums and Leon High School Dance Marathon Executive Members and Chairs Executive Directors, Ava McKown and Helen Conn; Fundraising Co-Chair, Campbell Pridgeon; Dancer Relations Chair, Meghan Roper; Publicity Merchandise Chair, Gillian Tran; Marathon Events Co-Chair, Annabelle Kirk; Online publicity chair, Mila Mullin; Business Sponsorship Chair, Bella Cayer
Bringing it full circle, the Leon Dance Marathon was started in 2015 by Elyse Thompson ‘12 and Anne Marshall Criser, also a HCES elementary student. The two childhood friends set out with a goal after seeing the success of the FSU and UF Dance Marathons and wanted to bring the service event to the high school level. That first year, Leon and Maclay hosted a joint marathon in the Leon High School gym and the rest is history. In the past few years, since 2015, the area high schools have contributed over $250,000 annually to the overall FSU DM Goal, a great accomplishment begun by HCES students in Tallahassee, Florida.
We are excited to announce Gulf Winds Track Club (GWTC) has selected HCES and our new 8-lane collegiate track as one of two not-for-profit beneficiaries of the 2024 Springtime Tallahassee Races. On Saturday morning, April 6, 2024, GWTC will run 3 different length races as part of the annual Springtime Tallahassee events. All three races run through the beautiful downtown of our Capital City. The ongoing partnership between GWTC and HCES will also welcome GWTC members to use our 8-lane collegiate-level track, built with stateof-the-art track materials.
We encourage our HCES community to run in the race or come and cheer on our HCES participants. We plan to have a HCES track and cross country team, led by our cross country and track coaches - Deanna McVay, Lindsay Cheesborough, and Carl Jean-Pierre. Families can run or walk the 1 mile together and of course, individuals can run the longer races. HCES will have a tent with fruit and water at the end to celebrate our HCES racers. The track was made possible by an extremely generous gift by Elyse and John Gallegos and family. Elyse, John, and their family will be in attendance on Saturday, April 6 coming from Huntsville, Alabama to run and support our new track. Join us and show your support by running, walking, or cheering. Every entry will result in a gift to the HCES track.
races will be help on April 6, 7:30am 5K and 10K, 1 mile, 8:00 am. Visit www.springtime10k.com to register.
Alumni L to R: Annabelle Kirk, Campbell Pridgeon, Bella Cayer, Helen Conn, Ava McKown, Gillian Tran, Meghan Roper, Mila Mullin
HCES & Gulf Winds Track Club Team up for Springtime Races
Anne Marshall Criser and Elyse Thompson - 2015
Mark your calendar - our 70th anniversary is approaching! More information and dates to come.
Celebrating 70 YEARS
In honor of our upcoming 70th Anniversary and the thousands of alumni who have walked the halls of HCES on the Fleischmann Road and Miccosukee Road campuses, the school is offering naming opportunities that previously were only offered during Capital Campaigns. The 70th anniversary naming opportunities offer our current families, alumni and alumni families a chance to create a lifetime legacy with a column plaque in honor of a loved one or by naming a classroom or office for a beloved teacher, administrator or family member, as well as other opportunities.
We will also offer perpetual naming opportunities on lower school buildings that are not named such as the Media Center, Student Center, and outdoor Chapel pews as well as athletic venues, including the tennis courts, baseball and softball fields, beach volleyball courts and fields for soccer and football. Students love to see their name and their family name on various sections of the campus and are proud when they walk by “their” column, classroom or named space.
If you are interested, or for more information about Capital Naming Opportunities in honor of HCES 70th Anniversary, 2025, please contact Ida Thompson at ithompson@hces.org.
Ida, our Advancement Director, is the proud mom of two HCES alumni, Carter ‘10 and Elyse ‘12. During her time as a parent at HCES, Ida served in several capacities such as Gala chair, PA president and more. Ida shares the deep love and commitment to HCES for the foundation it provided to not only her children, but the thousands of HCES alumni that have walked these halls. We are excited to kick-off 70 years and look forward to welcoming you back!
Do you know any of these familiar faces?
If you or a loved one or friend is in these photographs, reach out to us! Email Ida Thompson at ithompson@hces.org.
Emily’s beloved pup, Lady
2001 Fleischmann Road
Tallahassee, FL 32308
Parents of Alumni: Please Forward this Publication
If your son or daughter no longer maintains a permanent address at your home, please notify the Advancement Office (850.383.1007) of the new address, email and phone number
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Piper Rippee rings “Penny the Bell” on the 100th Day of School.