Limitless Newsletter - Winter 2018

Campaign Update

The Gene E. Phillips Activity Center – IN ACTION! Students explore art, academics and athletics in new multipurpose center

NEXT

FOR PARISH

A new Performance & Community Center

IN THIS ISSUE Spring 2018

$3 MILLION CHALLENGE From Nancy Ann and Ray Hunt

IMAGINE THE POSSIBILITIES Of unfettered creativity

FACES OF GIVING Meet those taking the lead

STANDING OVATION Parish embraces new center

Exploring the possibilities

Academics • Arts • Athletics • Community

Stretching and flexing When Parish Episcopal School opened the new Gene E. Phillips Activity Center this fall, the School’s capacity for action significantly expanded – by 24,000 square feet, to be exact. This school year, our community has been getting a feel for how far it can stretch.

“The effect of the new Phillips Activity Center goes far beyond its walls. Thanks to greater scheduling flexibility, we are removing limits on time and exploring more possibilities for multidimensional and passion-based learning essential to preparing students for today’s evolving college environment and tomorrow’s global society.”

— Michelle Lyon

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Assistant Head of School

In addition to more room for on-campus sports practices and events – and a raucous Homecoming Pep Rally – the Phillips Activity Center has made it possible for Parish to reach into the community to host a robotics competition and service projects like Feed My Starving Children.

We are so grateful to the Phillips family and other leadership donors who got on board the campaign early and launched us toward realizing the vision for a Limitless future for our students.

And, as we continue the Limitless campaign to build a Performance & Community Center, we’ve made the most of a more spacious setting for performers and audiences to enjoy music, dance and theatre.

Family Fitness NIght

24,000 sq. ft. of flexible space

50+ hours of weekly program time

Holds 1,237 people with seating for 450

ParishEpiscopal.org/Limitless

Why they believe These donors were among the first to get on board, making leadership gifts to the Limitless campaign.

Vicki & Mike Eastland

FORMER FACULTY

Vicki taught and helped build the theatre program during her 26 years at Parish.

The power of performance “Live performance is the common thread through all my Parish years. It was always a labor of love! With facility limitations, the Hillcrest library and gym became our makeshift stages in the early days. Next came the Midway campus chapel before we had our current Black Box Theater. Working tirelessly together, teachers and students have formed forever bonds of memories in these spaces. Mike and I can’t wait to see what students can do in a big, professional space. Break a leg, Parish performers!”– Vicki

Ann Stuart & Bill Kling

ALUMNI PARENTS

The buildings The Gene E. Phillips Activity Center Opened Fall 2017

Performance & Community Center Targeted groundbreaking 2020

Their daughter, Shelby, came to Parish at age 3 and graduated in 2011 as a Lifer.

Discovering student strengths “I once heard Dave Monaco say every student is a jewel box waiting to be opened, with a treasure of strengths and passions to discover. That was certainly the case for Shelby at Parish. We believe in the Parish experience and will always do our part to help more students stretch and grow.” – Bill

Mona & Gus Charif

CURRENT PARENTS

Their son, Jad, is a senior, and their daughter, Dalia, is a sophomore.

The benefits More opportunities for cross-discipline, passionbased learning

Bringing the world to Parish “Parish is a school that embraces the world – something Mona and I appreciate as emigrants from Lebanon.

With new spaces for hosting speakers, performances and diverse experiences, the School can build on that tradition. Innovating and having a global perspective prepares our children for the future and makes a better, more connected world.” – Gus

Patty & Marty Weiland

GRANDPARENTS

The Weilands’ granddaughter Sydney Phillips is in 6th grade.

Transformational growth “These buildings are so much more than brick and mortar. It’s about what you can do with them, how they make it possible for faculty to engage students in a transformational way. We are investing in making that available for our granddaughter.” – Marty

Enhanced student exploration of the arts More high-caliber speakers and performances than ever before Expanded on-campus athletic, competition and activity spaces New, larger spaces for community-building and cross-campus events No limits to how far our children can go

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PERFORMANCE & COMMUNITY CENTER

Hunts make $3M giving leadership challenge Nancy Ann & Ray L. Hunt have played a part in many major milestones at Parish Episcopal School – from expanding to the Midway campus to establishing an endowment. Now, the Parish grandparents and community leaders have encouraged our community to get on board as leadership givers to the Limitless campaign, making a challenge grant of $3 million.

The couple is matching every leadership gift or pledge of $25,000 or more made during the 2017-18 school year. Their generous commitment takes the School halfway to its one-year pacing goal of $6 million – and further along the path of the multi-year Limitless campaign.

Nancy Ann and Ray L. Hunt

“We are grateful to the Hunts for this very tangible encouragement to Parish families and to our School,” said Dave Monaco, Allen Meyer Family Head of School.

The leaders of tomorrow “As long as Nancy Ann and I have supported Parish Episcopal School, it has been a place where students are grounded in community and values, and encouraged to think creatively, exploring the world around them.

It is that kind of well-rounded, forward-thinking education that will give wings to the leaders of tomorrow.” – Ray Hunt

Help us secure $3 million in matching dollars this school year!

ON OUR WAY

TO DATE: > 80% TO 2017–18 GOAL * THANK YOU!

* As of 3/5/18

Each plane piloted by a Parish

IMAGINE THE POSSIBILITIES Student talent exceeds the capacity of today’s Black Box Theater.

A vision for Parish performances

A permanent proscenium stage and professional-grade technical equipment will bring performances to life.

REIMAGINING “THE MUSIC MAN” We sat down recently with Jessica Barnett (Middle School Theatre) and Dru Stine (Dance & Drill Team), who directed Middle School students in “The Music Man, Jr.” this fall, and asked them: how would it have been different in the future Performance & Community Center?

The Parish community knows our students’ talents exceed the capacity of the current Black Box Theater, which was created in what was once a loading dock. But even we were surprised by some of the limitations they currently face and just how transformational the new facility will be.

TODAY

THE FUTURE

Perform on platforms so students don’t collide

Plenty of room and flying leaps

Crowded curtain calls

Seeing every child, even in the back row

One set backdrop and loud prop changes

A fly system for seamless set changes

Wait for cues in the hall

Wait in the wings

Change clothes in conference rooms

Get ready in the dressing rooms

Rehearse in the Great Hall

Rehearse on stage or in the dance studio

Build sets in the parking lot

Build sets in the set shop

Few tickets. Primarily for performer families.

More tickets. A community experience.

Retractable seating for 600, including a balcony, will allow the greater Parish community to enjoy performances in the new PACC.

An open lobby will invite the world in to see Parish’s talent, not only on stage, but also in the gallery hall where students’ artwork will be on display.

Learn more about the PACC @ ParishEpiscopal.org/Limitless

family propels us closer to our campaign goal of breaking ground on the Performance & Community Center by 2020.

2017–18 LEADERSHIP GIVING GOAL: 120 PLANES 1 PLANE = $25,000 OR $5,000 OVER 5 YEARS

ONLY 23 PLANES NEEDED TO MEET OUR $3 MILLION MATCH.

Community Givin g Taking Flight Soon

MEET THE CAMPAIGN STEERING COMMITTEE Get to know members of the Parish community whose leadership has been critical to giving the Limitless campaign flight.

Andrea & Ron Denheyer

Upper School Chairs & 2018 Senior Class Gift Co-Chairs Parish family members since 2002 Children Jonathan (12th grade), Emma (9th grade), Andrew (age 12) Occupation Andrea: Stay-at-home mom Ron: Chief Financial Officer, Systemware, Inc. Other recent involvement Parish Fund – Grade Level Captains Andrea: Senior Committee/Senior Dinner – Co-Chair

Gala – Past Chair Parents’ Association – VP Fellowship Ron: Board of Trustees Endowment Board Chair Budget & Finance Committee

Chey & Rob Fleming Parent Ambassador Representatives Parish family members since 2003 Children Morgan (12th grade), Reece (10th grade) Other recent involvement Chey: Parent Ambassadors – President Homecoming 2017 – Co-Chair Gala Bingo Committee Rob: Booster Club – President

Favorite activities in school were Andrea: Reading and English Ron: Math and sports

“There are several families in the last 40 years who made today’s facilities possible. To stay competitive, we have to change and develop. We owe it to the children of the future, even if it does not directly benefit our children.” – Ron Andrea, Emma, Andrew, Jonathan and Ron Denheyer

Chey, Reece, Morgan and Rob

Ashley Glover Strategy Team Member

Andrea, Emma, Andrew, Jonathan and Ron

Parish family members since 2012

Michele & Andy Gough

Lower School Chairs

Parish family members since 2009 Children Mason (4th grade), Sawyer (2nd grade) Occupation Michele: Vice President, Transition Services, AmerisourceBergen Andy: Program Manager, Southwest Airlines

Other recent involvement Buddy Family Parish Fund Michele: Board of Trustees Budget and Finance Committee Favorite activities in school were Michele: German and Frisbee club Andy: Lacrosse and writing for the school newspaper

“We are very excited about the Limitless campaign making the vision of Reimagine School possible.

The ‘practice’ days for Reimagine School last year were some of my boys’ favorites.” – Michele Michele, Sawyer, Mason and Andy

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Spouse Kristopher Glover Children Rivers (7th grade), Autumn (4th grade), John Foster (3rd grade) Occupation Chief Operating Officer, RealPage, Inc. Other recent involvement Advancement Committee Parents’ Association – VP Activities Favorite activities in school were Math and debate

Kristopher, John Foster, Rivers, Ashley and Autumn

ParishEpiscopal.org/Limitless

Terri & Brad Phillips Middle School Chairs Parish family members since 2008

club

Arts Representatives

Children Grant (10th grade), Riley Jayne (7th grade)

Parish family members since 2006 Children Abby (8th grade), Meghan (4th grade), Hollis (3rd grade)

Occupation Terri: “COO of the Phillips Family” Brad: President & CEO, Liberty Bankers Life Insurance Group

Occupation Alyson: Owner, Iris Paper Goods Grant: Director, Associate Portfolio Manager, Invesco

Other recent involvement Terri: Parents’ Association – Fellowship Volunteer Brad: Board of Trustees Budget & Finance Committee Favorite activities in school were Terri: Science and cheerleading Brad: Cross country, basketball and debate

Alyson & Grant Jackson

Grant, Terri, Riley Jayne and Brad

“For me and Brad, our kids are the most important part of our lives. I want to ensure they have adequate exposure to all aspects of academics, spirituality, athletics, creative arts and performing arts so they can make informed decisions on the directions they would like to go in their futures. Expanding their horizons by creating more halls of knowledge is the best gift we can give to them and future students at Parish.” – Terri

Other recent involvement Alyson: Board of Trustees Trusteeship Committee – Vice Chair The Arts People – Board Gala – Committee Parent Ambassadors Grant: Endowment Board Favorite activities in school were Alyson: Cheerleading/gymnastics, student council, tennis Grant: Golf, basketball, science/ physics competitions

Mary Ann & Heather Bob Marshall Hunt Grandparent Chairs

Alumni Chair

Parish family members since 2010

Parish family members since 1979

Grandchildren Ryland (8th grade), Avery (6th grade)

Children Annemarie (7th grade), Christopher (5th grade), Cooper (age 9)

Occupation Mary Ann: Housewife Bob: President, MarCon & Associates, Inc.

Occupation Consultant

Other recent involvement Parish Fund – Grandparent Co-Chairs Bob: Board of Trustees Advancement Committee Budget & Finance Committee IT Committee

Other recent involvement Soccer Coach Boy Scouts – Assistant Den Leader Favorite activities in school were English and soccer Hollis, Alyson, Abby, Grant and Meghan

Favorite activities in school were Mary Ann: Music and languages Bob: Math and basketball

“I look forward to the opportunity for our kids to be able to perform on campus, and I hope it will allow the teachers more time to focus on teaching instead of logistical planning.” – Alyson Mary Ann and Bob with granddaughters Ryland and Avery

Annemarie, Cooper, Heather and Christopher

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STEERING COMMITTEE (Cont.)

Rachel & Randy Polka

Limitless Campaign Chairs

Dee & Trey Velvin 2018 Senior Class Gift Co-Chairs Parish family members since 1999

Parish family members since 2003

Children Will (12th grade), Sarah Kay (Class of 2014), Andrew (Class of 2012)

Children Triplets Carly, Chloe and Cole (6th grade), Luke (age 13), Kyle (Class of 2017)

Occupation Dee: Community volunteer Trey: Investments

Occupation Rachel: Stay-at-home mom Randy: Private investor

Other recent involvement Past Annual Fund Chairs

Other recent involvement Rachel: Room mom Gala – Past Co-Chair Parents’ Association – Fellowship Committee Randy: Board of Trustees Strategic Steering Committee, Remarkable Realities endowment campaign Strategic Marketing Committee Parents’ Association – Fellowship Team Coach

Dee: Senior Committee – Co-Chair Gala – Past Co-Chair (40th Anniversary) Parents’ Association – Fellowship Volunteer Board of Trustees (former member) Rachel and Randy with their children, Carly, Chloe, Cole, Luke and Kyle

Favorite activities in school were Rachel: Math, tennis and riding horses Randy: Math, history, football and baseball

Trey: Board of Trustees – Secretary ISAS Accreditation Committee Endowment Board Favorite activities in school were Dee: Geometry, Spanish and dance Trey: History, chemistry and student council

“Parish is an amazing place – it’s our second family. Supporting the Limitless campaign is so important so our kids can thrive in their passions. Our children deserve it!” – Rachel

Jay Riven

Faculty & Staff Representative Parish family member since 2010 Spouse Jenn Riven

Dee and Trey, with their children, Will, Sarah Kay and Andrew

Children Hailey (7th grade), Zach (5th grade) Occupation Head of Middle School, Parish Episcopal School Favorite subjects in school were Latin, theatre and ice hockey Jenn, Hailey, Zach and Jay

“At Parish, there is consistently valuable learning going on outside the classroom. The new spaces can be great equalizers. For instance, we can have a student’s robotics or public speaking presentation in front of a sizeable audience, putting it on par with an awards ceremony or play.” – Jay

“We will continue to believe in Parish and its plans and dreams for the future, even after our kids have all graduated. It is exciting to see the completed, beautiful Phillips Activity Center being used by everyone of all ages, for curricular and extracurricular activities. And, I personally can’t wait to see the first musical put on in the Performance & Community Center when it is built.” – Dee

Champion the Possibilities For information about how to get involved in creating a Limitless future for Parish students, contact: Marci McLean Chief Advancement Officer 972.852.8750 mmclean@parishepiscopal.org

Amanda Meter Associate Director of Development & Campaign Coordinator 972.852.8757 ameter@parishepiscopal.org

ParishEpiscopal.org/Limitless