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4 What Have We Learned? 20 Legacy of Light 44 Conference Champions
& BRANCH A publication of River Oaks Baptist School
Summer 2021
Cover Art: “Foreshortened Fall Trees” Artist: Thea Popovic, grade 6 2
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RIVER OAKS BAPTIST SCHOOL
What Have We Learned? Adapting & Innovating What’s Behind the Mask Full Steam Ahead Lions, Tigers, and Bears Legacy of Light What Lifts You Remote Volunteering Portrait of a Graduate Class of 2016 Honors and Awards Class Notes Celebration of Service Conference Champions Faculty & Staff Milestones Our Team
be the example SUMMER 2020
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“And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.” Hebrews 10:24-25
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what have we learned? What have we learned? This is a great question in a variety of contexts, especially in education. We ask our students to answer this question by way of final assessments. We ask our children to answer it after a misstep. And we routinely ask our academic leaders to examine this question as they refine programming. In a year when we adapted nearly every aspect of school life, a question like this one is fundamental to our future. So what did we learn through the difficulty of conducting school during a pandemic? As you might imagine, we learned new ways to connect with our community using digital tools. Virtual offerings, while not ideal, enhanced accessibility to school events and activities for families. I observed this firsthand as an eighth grade advisor, meeting parents for the first time during conferences over Zoom. In fact, conference attendance by both parents was higher this past year than any other. Event recordings provided flexibility for busy parents who could tune in to things like the gradelevel Parent Association meeting at their convenience. In Preschool chapel, even grandparents were among the weekly guests, logging on to participate via the livestream. “Adapting and Innovating” on page 6 highlights some of these examples, as well as ways faculty used digital tools to enhance lessons. On page 28 you’ll see parents who somehow coordinated—from their own
dining rooms—an all-school volunteer event. I was awestruck time and again by the recurring examples of human ingenuity and persistence. It was miraculous. And … it was really hard. In addition to the operational challenges, this year was one of tremendous loss. Loss of normalcy. Loss of routine personal encounters in the lunchroom or hallway. Of singing and stomping together in chapel. Of holding hands in prayer. And more painfully, loss of dear, dear loved ones. These are the hardest lessons of all. The book of Job is an iconic story of godly patience through suffering. The story of Job speaks to me personally because it shifts the focus from the WHY of suffering to the WHAT: what is God trying to teach me? Lessons of suffering are hard to understand, but here is what I now know. We belong together. Virtual offerings can never replace the transformative power of learning in community. ROBS is more than a place to learn math facts and grammar rules. Any computer program can teach that. We are a community with a soul, and we’ve learned the hard way that it must be nourished. Sharing meals, worshipping in chapel, collaborating on strategic initiatives, serving our neighbors side-by-side…we need to feed the soul of the ROBS community. By his grace alone,
Leanne B. Reynolds Head of School
“Lessons of suffering are hard to understand, but here is what I now know. We belong together.” —Leanne Reynolds
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Adapting and Innovating
THE WIZARD OF OZ Digital art students designed the set backdrops for the Middle School musical production, The Wizard of Oz, which was filmed using a green screen instead of performing live.
FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL ROBS was the first private school of its peers to open for in-person instruction in August 2020. Lower School and Middle School opened in hybrid models with half of the students on campus and half virtual, alternating daily (LS) and weekly (MS). All Preschoolers attended on campus in reduced class sizes. With ROBS as the example, Houston-area peer schools opened their campuses in the weeks that followed.
The 2020-21 school year confirmed, above all, that school is a human endeavor requiring human contact and connection. Platforms like Zoom helped bridge the distance, but they’ll never replace the joyful learning that occurs through shared experiences in shared spaces.
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School during an uncontained pandemic demanded shapeshifting – hybrid classrooms, lessons transmitted through a screen, virtual musicals. It was like a prolonged exercise in creative abrasion—the process of simulating friction within a work group to generate new ideas. Because challenging circumstances can breed innovation, many organizations practice creative abrasion on purpose! We wouldn’t ask for another year of COVID, but it’s worth reflecting on the innovations that emerged from an impossible situation.
READING WORKSHOP During first grade readers workshop Greyson Myers reads to his classmate Luke Williams using a tripod and the class iPad. Remote learners logged in to daily lessons via Zoom following the same lessons and schedule as their classmates. Preserving opportunities to communicate and collaborate was a cornerstone of planning.
OUTDOOR LEARNING Reflecting the School’s strategic initiative to promote health and wellness, Middle School students enjoyed frequent, scheduled outdoor breaks for physical movement and social connection on the terraces of the new Mosing building. Because they were cohorted by grade level, Middle School students were able to mix and mingle with all friends in the grade.
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What’s Staying •
Parent-teacher conference virtual option
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Virtually accessible chapel services
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Option to attend back-to-school night virtually
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Distribution of Parent Association meeting recordings
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Optional at-home projects for the All-school Day of Service on MLK Jr. holiday weekend
SECOND GRADE MUSICAL Second graders filmed scenes for their annual Christmas play in different locations around campus since parents could not attend a live performance. The recorded format meant parents, grandparents, and other loved ones could “attend” the play regardless of distance or calendar conflicts. And the outdoor set and costume changes for filming added panache for the budding thespians.
PRESCHOOL CHAPEL In lieu of in-person services in the sanctuary, Preschool chapel was livestreamed to parents who could attend virtually while their children participated from their classrooms. Lower School and Middle School chapel links were posted weekly on the ROBS web portal so families could worship together when their schedules allowed. The virtual formats of community traditions like chapel enhanced accessibility for parents and caregivers who typically cannot attend these events in person.
Even with some unconventional approaches to learning (i.e., hybrid models, sporadic quarantines, cohorts, etc.), school happened. And without a single instance of on-campus COVID transmission. Thank you to our parents for jumping through hoops to make this year a success. Your support made all the difference.
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ADMISSION With visitor restrictions in place, the Admission Office launched an online virtual tour of ROBS for applicant families. The virtual tour will continue to live on the website, and the office will incorporate more virtual events and activities for prospective families who value the convenience of the virtual option.
ROBS DAY OF SERVICE More than 300 ROBS students, parents, and teachers participated in the annual All-school Day of Service—from their homes! With some extra work on the front end, parent volunteers were able to deliver materials and supplies to families’ homes so parents and children could serve together. Families completed their projects over the MLK Jr. weekend, allowing parents who typically work on the MLK Jr. holiday to participate in the community-building event.
PARENTS SATISFIED WITH THE ACADEMICS
87%
PARENTS SATISFIED WITH ROBS’ CHARACTER AND SPIRITUAL EDUCATION
89%
PARENTS BELIEVE ROBS IS AN EXCELLENT EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTION
88%
PARENTS SATISFIED WITH THE QUALITY OF THEIR CHILD’S TEACHERS
88%
SAY ROBS’ APPROACH TO WELLNESS MEETS THEIR CHILD’S NEEDS
HAD A GOOD UNDERSTANDING OF THE SCHOOL’S COVID PROTOCOLS AND PROCEDURES
84%
94%
HAPPY
WHAT’S BEHIND
KIDS!
THE MASK?
Full STEAM Ahead! Interdisciplinary, multi-sensory learning is the heart of the Preschool experience at ROBS. This was apparent in January when our Prekindergarten students joyfully embarked on an exploration of the single most essential molecule in our lives – water.
Students learned vocabulary words like condensation, precipitation, and saturation, and experimented with surface tension by using their fine-motor skills and a pipette to collect water droplets on a penny.
Students were captivated by the Rain Cloud in a Jar experiment, where they observed food coloring saturate shaving cream “clouds,” creating rain.
Will it sink or float? That was the question for Prekindergarten students who constructed aluminum foil boats and then tested their buoyancy in a STEM lesson on water.
Students wrapped up the unit by creating their own depiction of a waterfall, using layered painting techniques to capture the many colors and aspects of water.
“With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation.” Isaiah 12:3
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“Create in me a pure heart, O God…”
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COMMUNITY HEART ART
Psalm 51:10
When we began the year in a hybrid model, Lower School students were divided into A and B groups, alternating days on and off campus to minimize close contacts between students. Pre-recorded, asynchronous specials lessons allowed students in grades one through four to watch the Community Heart Art lesson remotely. Guided virtually by Mrs. Moseley and Mrs. Davis, students created a paper mosaic heart with a patterned background on their days at home. After completing their projects, students turned them in when their cohort was at School. The hearts were proudly displayed throughout the Lower School, brightening our unusually quiet and bare hallways. The Community Heart Art project brought our community together, even when the pandemic was keeping us apart.
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Lions, tigers, and bears…oh my! Research projects in first grade are interdisciplinary mashups of language arts, science, social studies, library, Bible, and art.
First graders put their research skills to work during a sixweek long interdisciplinary unit on animals. Students began by conducting preliminary research on various animals; they eventually selected the one that interested them the most, and began in-depth research. Students combed through print, online, and multimedia sources, searching for more information on their animal and learning how to separate their findings into categories – habitats, predators, and physical appearance to name a few. The project culminated with the publication of books, authored and illustrated by each student, that presented the information students had collected during the unit.
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Prayers from a Different Point of View Students spent time during the unit writing a prayer from their animal’s perspective, allowing them to practice the key social, emotional, and intellectual skill of perspective taking. All hearts, even animals, can seek God!
In art first graders were challenged to use their animal knowledge and draw BIG. Students turned drawings of their chosen animal into paintings by adding both watercolors and tempera cake paints. With some creative paper stuffing, the animals transformed into an immersive 3D zoo. The project strengthened students’ observation and hand-eye coordination skills, all while developing their patience, creativity, and love of research!
STEP-BY-STEP: 1. Look at a reference photo – draw a BIG animal in pencil! 2. Sharpie over your pencil lines. 3. Color animal in with crayon. 4. Watercolor over crayon. 5. Paint background with tempera paint. 6. Staple on paper backing and stuff with paper.
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UNITY QUILT Inspired by modern quiltmaker and artist Libs Elliot, each art student contributed a single quilt square to the life-size art installation. The students used a shared key for colors and shapes to express their individual qualities and interests (i.e., orange for athletic, pink for outgoing). The repetition of geometric shapes, diagonals, and colors highlights similarities among the students while preserving each’s individuality.
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Legacy of Light Charlie Raymond, ROBS kindergarten student and youngest child of the Raymond family, and Kathy Hogan, beloved and brilliant teacher of teachers, went to be with their Lord and Savior this past winter. Though Charlie and Kathy were associated with ROBS in different ways, their legacies are woven through our community with similar threads. One an energetic 5-year-old, the other a veteran educator; both cancer warriors of uncommon strength. Charlie’s joyous smile and Kathy’s knowing countenance hinted of deeper wisdom. “And those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the sky above; and those who turn many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever.” (Daniel 12:3) God’s light shone through every step of their journeys, their stardust forever altering the ROBS universe.
Charlie Raymond Big heart. Old soul. Fun-loving spirit. Warrior with a captivating smile. Charlie’s teachers and friends describe him as all of these things. In his honor, they designed a bench for the Lower School playground. Like Charlie, the bench is many things – a sturdy bearing amidst the excitement of recess, a launching pad for adventurers, a welcome seat for friends, a bright spot during play time. Above all, it’s a happy reminder of their friend. River Oaks Baptist School has named its annual fall fair in Charlie’s honor. The smiling faces and shouts of delight from students at the Charlie Raymond Fall Fair will forever be a reminder of his brief, yet joyful, life.
“Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy.” 1 Peter 1:8
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Kathy Hogan After a long and prolific career in public education, Kathy described her final years at ROBS as dessert because she enjoyed them so much. She accrued many distinguished titles over the years: education specialist, Doctor of Philosophy in Curriculum and Instruction, curriculum coordinator, instructional coach, teacher of teachers, and notably, Texas Teacher of the Year. But the title that most aptly captures her love and delight for her students’ natural curiosity and joy is the one she gave herself: “radically and profoundly pro-kid.”
HOGAN FELLOWS Inspired by the School’s intentional focus on diversity and by the story of Kathy’s commitment to developing and training young teachers, an anonymous donor created the Kathy Hogan Fellowship Program. The teacher training program will fund two faculty positions—one in the Lower School and one in the Middle School—for aspiring young teachers of color. The program allows ROBS to identify and recruit raw talent, mold young teachers consistent with its standard of excellence, and diversify our teaching pool. In essence, it will train teachers how to be “radically and profoundly pro-kid.” How fitting that it bear Kathy’s name.
“For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that Day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing.” 2 Timothy 4:6-8 SUMMER 2021
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#whatliftsyou In fifth grade visual art, students studied contemporary graffiti & street art, focusing on the growing popularity of this form of artmaking because of its accessibility and uplifting messages. Studying the visual characteristics of graffiti, students created their own graffiti-style font and then used it to design their name. Throughout the creative process of their name design, students learned about different contemporary street artists by watching a miniseries called “Street Art Stories.” This series illuminated the ways artists from varying backgrounds and cultures use street art to communicate messages of encouragement and positivity to their audience. Finally, the unit culminated with each fifth grader designing a monochromatic feather for a collaborative & interactive mural that was displayed as “street art” on the fifth grade floor. The angel wings are inspired by street artist Kelsey Montague, whose interactive murals inspire people to think about #whatliftsyou.
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Every fifth grade student created a feather for the angel wing art mural inspired by street artist Kelsey Montague and on display in the Mosing building’s first floor.
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Remote Volunteering The volunteers weren’t on campus, but they were still busy. Parents staffed more than 25 volunteer committees, completely reimagining how to execute traditional volunteer duties with new solutions.
LOST & FOUND The lost & found closet, a heap of abandoned sweatshirts, water bottles, shoes, and athletic gear, was transplanted to homes of volunteers. Lost & Found committee volunteers organized, labeled, and identified each item on an interactive spreadsheet where parents could claim their children’s belongings. Once claimed, the item labeled by number was delivered to the student’s classroom. Left: Keegan Thompson sorts and folds lost Preschool items in her dining room.
COMMUNITY CLOSET Instead of periodic popup sales for gently used uniforms on campus, the Community Closet became a virtual operation. Shoppers submitted order forms, which were collected and fulfilled by volunteers like Tami Wall, pictured here with her daughter, kindergartener Julianna Wall.
GRANDPARENTS & SPECIAL FRIENDS DAY In lieu of Grandparents & Special Friends Day, students created an individualized gift such as a poem, painting, or heartfelt note for their grandparents. Volunteers collected, packaged, addressed, and mailed the items to the grandparents and special friends listed for each student. Far left: Michelle Hsia; Left: Alex Heins 24
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PAYING IT FORWARD
SPORTING CLAYS Fifth grader Gavin Yue and his mom Kate Li (above) and Marina Krasny (left) wrap gifts for attendees of the biennial sporting clays fundraiser, Pull for the Future.
A special thank you to the class of 2020 who donated the money from their class fundraiser to support the opening of School in the fall. Traditionally the funds raised are directed toward eighth grade graduation events and activities. With the cancellation of all school activities in the spring of 2020, including graduation, the class of 2020 directed the funds to support the purchase of essential supplies like sanitizing materials, disposable face masks, and infrared thermometers. Please accept our sincere gratitude for making the 2020-21 school year a reality.
Kindergartener Cameron Watkins assembles toiletry bags for Star of Hope and CCSC.
Seventh grader Kyle Murphy delivers supplies so families can complete the service project at home.
ROBS DAY OF SERVICE We weren’t able to gather in-person for our annual All-school Day of Service, but we still managed to celebrate Martin Luther King, Jr. Day as #ADayOnNotADayOff. Parent volunteers delivered supplies to ROBS families, who then created packages of necessities for neighbors served by local nonprofits. Families put together toiletry kits and snack bags for Star of Hope residents and Christian Community Service Center; they made lunch sacks for KidsMeals recipients and treat bags for the pets of the homebound (Animeals); and they assembled and delivered care packages for first responders across the city. All told, over 300 ROBS volunteers served 3,010 neighbors and 760 furry friends.
LaTasha Bell prepares supply bugs for ROBS families participating in the All-school Day of Service.
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ARE YOU FOLLOWING ALONG?
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SAFE TO PLAY
@ROBSHOUSTON
The winter season saw the return of sports, and although students were required to wear masks and no spectators were allowed, our ROBS athletes were thrilled to be competing again. In fact, the eighth grade boys soccer team advanced to the conference championship for the first time since 2012!
“Even though the outcome was not what we hoped, our ROBS team gave it everything they had and left it all out on the field. We are proud of these boys!” – Jesse Martin, Athletic Director SUMMER 2021
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GIVE IT A WHIRL!
Seventh grade makerspace students Will Giesler, Andy Hao, Daniel Krasny, Craig Ringwald, Gray Sullivan, and Aiden Wu were finalists in the Texas Computer Education Association’s 2020-21 virtual robotics contest Whirli-bots: Motion Commotion. They entered the contest with their spin on a whirligig – a model of a turbo fan airplane engine, which they named the Whirly Bot.
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PORTRAIT OF A GRADUATE This year’s graduates will head to 13 high schools from downtown Houston to Deerfield, Massachusetts. Congratulations to the ROBS Class of 2021!
AWTY INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL CHALLENGE EARLY COLLEGE HIGH SCHOOL DEERFIELD ACADEMY (MASSACHUSETTS)
KINDER HIGH SCHOOL FOR THE PERFORMING AND VISUAL ARTS THE KINKAID SCHOOL THE POST OAK SCHOOL ST. AGNES ACADEMY
EPISCOPAL HIGH SCHOOL ST. JOHN’S SCHOOL GREEN FARMS ACADEMY (CONNECTICUT) HOUSTON CHRISTIAN HIGH SCHOOL
STRAKE JESUIT COLLEGE PREPARATORY ST. THOMAS HIGH SCHOOL
CLASS OF 2016
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Celia Adams
Berkeley Baird
Christina Betti
Drake Bhatia
St. John’s School Williams College
Episcopal High School University of Southern California
Episcopal High School Texas A&M
Episcopal High School Texas A&M
Wesley Alexander
Rollins Bell
Meredith Betti
Alexandra Blake
Episcopal High School Tulane University
Episcopal High School Texas A&M
Episcopal High School Auburn University
The Kinkaid School Washington University in St. Louis
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ORGANIZATION, CLUB, & CHARACTER AWARDS
EAGLE SCOUTS
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PRESIDENT’S VOLUNTEER SERVICE AWARDS
VARSITY TEAM CAPTAINS
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CLASS OF
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MEMBERSHIPS IN NATIONAL HONOR SOCIETIES
STUDENT LEADERSHIP POSITIONS
We delight in the accomplishments of our kids, even after they leave ROBS. Check out what students from the class of 2016 achieved in high school and where they are now.
Sophie Bowers
Barclay Briggs
Gregory Curran
Noah Daniel
Episcopal High School St. John’s College
Strake Jesuit College Preparatory Davidson College
Episcopal High School University of Texas
Strake Jesuit College Preparatory University of Texas
Charlie Brennig
Daniel Chavez-Golden
Elliott Curry
Joshua Davis
The Kinkaid School Texas Christian University
Taft School Tulane University
Episcopal High School Eckerd College
Strake Jesuit College Preparatory Texas A&M
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CLASS OF 2016
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WHERE ARE THEY NOW? CLASS OF 2016
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Thomas Donnell
Audrey Epley
Henry Fleming
Kevin Flores
Strake Jesuit College Preparatory Purdue University
Memorial High School Texas Christian University
Strake Jesuit College Preparatory University of Texas
Strake Jesuit College Preparatory The University of Chicago
Avery Edens
Adam Farris
Callan Flood
Margy Girard
Episcopal High School Texas Christian University
Memorial High School University of Arkansas
Episcopal High School University of Colorado
Portsmouth Abbey School Southern Methodist University
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Washington, D.C.
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Massachusetts
1
Maryland
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Scotland
Mackenzie Glanville
Evan Godinich
Caroline Grinstead
Thomas Henn
St. John’s School Georgetown University
The Kinkaid School Tulane University
The Kinkaid School Chapman University
Upper Canada College University of St. Andrews
Ashley Godbold
Emma Grace
Emily Hawes
Max Hightower
St. John’s School Wake Forest University
St. John’s School University of Michigan
Bellaire High School University of Mississippi
Strake Jesuit College Preparatory Trinity University
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Class of 2016 Honors & Awards CELIA ADAMS CUM LAUDE SOCIETY • HONOR ROLL (GRADES 9-12) VOLLEYBALL TEAM CAPTAIN • YEARBOOK EDITOR-INCHIEF • WOMEN’S EMPOWERMENT CLUB LEADER NATIONAL CHARITY LEAGUE CHAPTER PRESIDENT ADVANCED SPANISH AWARD • ALL-SPC VOLLEYBALL PLAYER (2X) • PRESIDENT’S VOLUNTEER SERVICE AWARD VOLLEYBALL COLLEGIATE ATHLETE
CHRISTINA BETTI HONOR ROLL (GRADE 12) • INTERNAL THESPIAN SOCIETY VICE PRESIDENT • VARSITY FIELD HOCKEY PLAYER OF THE WEEK • VARSITY FIELD HOCKEY SPORTSMANSHIP AWARD • OUTSTANDING MEMBER OF MASQUE AWARD THEATER ART STUDENT OF THE MONTH PRESIDENT’S VOLUNTEER SERVICE AWARD MODEL UN OUTSTANDING DELEGATE—HOUSTON
BERKELEY BAIRD NATIONAL HONOR SOCIETY • NATIONAL SPANISH HONOR SOCIETY • MU ALPHA THETA • NATIONAL ENGLISH HONOR SOCIETY • HONOR ROLL (GRADES 9-12) SCIENCE CLUB PRESIDENT • EUCHARISTIC MINISTER CHAPEL LECTOR • EFFORT AWARD • HIGHEST HONOR AWARD (GRADES 9-12) • PHI BETA KAPPA SCHOLARSHIP AP SCHOLARSHIP AWARD • NATIONAL MERIT COMMENDED SCHOLAR • WORLD AFFAIRS DIPLOMAT AWARD • VARSITY TENNIS MOST IMPROVED PLAYER (GRADE 10) • VARSITY TENNIS SPORTSMANSHIP AWARD (GRADE 12) • RELIGION PILLAR MEDALIST (GRADE 12) • OUTSTANDING ENSEMBLE AWARD NOMINEE (GRADE 9)
MEREDITH BETTI TRUE-BLUE SCHOLARSHIP (AUBURN UNIVERSITY) HONOR ROLL (GRADES 9-12) • NATIONAL HONOR SOCIETY • NATIONAL SPANISH HONOR SOCIETY NATIONAL ENGLISH HONOR SOCIETY • MU ALPHA THETA SOCIETY • FIELD HOCKEY TEAM CAPTAIN LACROSSE TEAM CAPTAIN • NATIONAL ACADEMIC SQUAD • VARSITY LACROSSE MOST VALUABLE PLAYER FEMALE ATHLETE OF THE YEAR FINALIST • ALL-SPC ALL-SOUTH ZONE SPC • PRESIDENT’S VOLUNTEER SERVICE AWARD
ROLLINS BELL NATIONAL HONOR SOCIETY • NATIONAL ENGLISH HONOR SOCIETY • HONOR ROLL (GRADES 9-12) TENNIS TEAM CAPTAIN • SPANISH II HONORS EXEMPLARY EFFORT AWARD • PHYSICS HONORS EXEMPLARY EFFORT AWARD • FIELD HOCKEY MOST IMPROVED PLAYER (GRADES 9, 12) • TENNIS MOST IMPROVED PLAYER (GRADE 10) • TENNIS MOST VALUABLE PLAYER (GRADE 12) • PRESIDENT’S VOLUNTEER SERVICE AWARD
DRAKE BHATIA VARSITY FOOTBALL TEAM CAPTAIN • VARSITY TRACK MOST IMPROVED PLAYER (GRADE 10) • CLIMB AWARD ADVANCED CERAMICS HONORABLE MENTION FOOTBALL COLLEGIATE ATHLETE ALEXANDRA BLAKE HONOR ROLL (GRADES 9-12) • NATIONAL SPANISH HONOR SOCIETY • CROSS COUNTRY TEAM CAPTAIN TRACK & FIELD TEAM CAPTAIN • FALL FALCON SPOTLIGHT ATHLETE • CUM LAUDE • ENGLISH III AMERICAN LITERATURE AWARD • PRESIDENT’S VOLUNTEER SERVICE AWARD • COLLEGIATE RUNNER
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Betsy Hook
Nicole Hopwood
Brennan Howell
Douglas Irby
St. John’s School Hillsdale College
Episcopal High School Syracuse University
Episcopal High School University of Texas
Strake Jesuit College Preparatory Georgetown University
Dylan Hoover
Millie Hovnatanian
Elizabeth Hunt
Will Jackson
St. John’s School University of Texas
Episcopal High School Concordia University
Episcopal High School University of Georgia
St. John’s School University of Texas
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A Look Back at the Class of 2016
SOPHIE BOWERS SCHOLASTIC EXCELLENCE SCHOLARSHIP (ST. JOHN’S UNIVERSITY) • NATIONAL ART HONOR SOCIETY CHARLIE BRENNIG HONOR ROLL (GRADES 9-11) • STATE SWIMMING CHAMPION (X3) • ALL STATE (X3) • COLLEGIATE SWIMMER BARCLAY BRIGGS HONOR ROLL (GRADES 9-12) • NATIONAL HONOR SOCIETY • VARSITY FOOTBALL TEAM CAPTAIN VARSITY TRACK & FIELD TEAM CAPTAIN • AP SPANISH AWARD • U.S. GOVERNMENT AWARD • ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY AWARD • IGNATIAN NATION CLUB PRESIDENT • VARSITY FOOTBALL MAGIS AWARD • 2019 TOUCHDOWN CLUB OF HOUSTON SCHOLAR ATHLETE OF THE YEAR • CW 39 HOUSTON ATHLETE OF THE WEEK EAGLE SCOUT • FOOTBALL COLLEGIATE ATHLETE DANIEL CHAVEZ-GOLDEN HONOR ROLL (GRADE 11) • ADMISSIONS COUNCIL HEAD STUDENT • HEAD OF IMPROV • GIRLS AND BOYS CLUB SPEAKER ELLIOTT CURRY DEAN’S SCHOLARSHIP (ECKERD UNIVERSITY) NOAH DANIEL HONOR ROLL (GRADES 9-12) • NATIONAL HONOR SOCIETY • BAND LEADER • BAND MOST IMPROVED JUNIOR • EAGLE SCOUT JOSHUA DAVIS HONOR ROLL (GRADES 10-12) • NATIONAL HONOR SOCIETY • JUNIOR VARSITY LACROSSE TEAM CAPTAIN VARSITY LACROSSE TEAM CAPTAIN • JUNIOR VARSITY LACROSSE MOST VALUABLE PLAYER (GRADE 10) VARSITY LACROSSE MOST IMPROVED PLAYER (GRADE 11)
Alec Jazaeri
Eric Joekel
Alison Krieg
Priscilla Mach
St. John’s School Sewanee: The University of The South
Strake Jesuit College Preparatory Baylor University
Episcopal High School University of Texas
The Kinkaid School Tufts University
Clare Jesulaitis
Bridget Kearney
Lindsey Little
Matthew McCaffrey
Episcopal High School University of Virginia
Crested Butte Community School Auburn University
Episcopal High School University of Arizona
Episcopal High School Tulane University
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THOMAS DONNELL HONOR ROLL (GRADES 9-12) • NATIONAL HONOR SOCIETY • MIXED CHORUS SECTION LEADER OUTSTANDING FRESHMAN, SOPHOMORE, JUNIOR, AND SENIOR IN CHOIR • STATE CHOIR • EAGLE SCOUT AVERY EDENS HONOR ROLL (GRADES 9-12) • VARSITY CHEER CAPTAIN VARSITY CHEER MOST VALUABLE PLAYER • SPIRIT CLUB PRESIDENT • SCHOLASTIC SILVER KEY FOR SHORT STORY ACOLYTE HENRY FLEMING HONOR ROLL (GRADES 9-12) • NATIONAL HONOR SOCIETY • KEY CLUB OFFICER • WEBMASTER FRESHMAN SOCCER TEAM CAPTAIN • JUNIOR VARSITY LACROSSE TEAM CAPTAIN KEVIN FLORES ODYSSEY SCHOLARSHIP (THE UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO) HONOR ROLL (GRADES 9-12) • NATIONAL HONOR SOCIETY • SEEKING OUT SCRIPTURE (SOS) PRESIDENT AND FOUNDER • THEOLOGY II AWARD • THEOLOGY III AWARD • PHYSICS I AWARDS • CRUSADERARTS COMPETITION BEST IN MEDIUM, BEST IN CATEGORY, AND HONORABLE MENTION (DRAWING) MACKENZIE GLANVILLE BIBLE STUDY LEADER • COMMUNITY SERVICE OFFICER • TOUR GUILD CO-CHAIR • STUDENT ALUMNI AMBASSADOR • PRESIDENT’S VOLUNTEER SERVICE AWARD • COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD ASHLEY GODBOLD HONOR ROLL (GRADES 9-12) • SELF DEFENSE CLUB PRESIDENT • STUDENTS THINKING ABOUT CAREERS (STAC) CLUB VICE PRESIDENT • SENIOR AWARD FOR MANAGING BOY’S VOLLEYBALL • BEST IN DANCE ENSEMBLE AWARD • PRESIDENT’S VOLUNTEER SERVICE AWARD
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EVAN GODINICH ALTMAN PROGRAM SCHOLARSHIP (TULANE UNIVERSITY) • HONOR ROLL (GRADE 9) • FOUNDER’S AWARD EMMA GRACE HONOR ROLL (GRADES 9-12) • VARSITY BOYS’ VOLLEYBALL TEAM MANAGER • VARSITY GIRLS’ BASKETBALL TEAM MANAGER • LEADER, READING BUDDIES • FOUNDER, SMART GIRL’S TUTORING FRESHMAN PEER LEADER • HOUSTON FOOD BANK STUDENT HERO • ECOS CLUB STUDENT TEAM LEADER NATIONAL MERIT COMMENDED SCHOLAR • PRESIDENT’S VOLUNTEER SERVICE AWARD CAROLINE GRINSTEAD NATIONAL HONOR SOCIETY FOR DANCE ARTS • SELF LOVE CLUB SECRETARY EMILY HAWES PROVOST SCHOLAR (UNIVERSITY OF MISSISSIPPI) HONOR ROLL (GRADES 9-12) • NATIONAL HONOR SOCIETY • VARSITY VOLLEYBALL TEAM CAPTAIN (GRADES 11-12) • FELLOWSHIP OF CHRISTIAN ATHLETES OFFICER (GRADES 9-12) • SOUTHERN CULINARY CLUB FOUNDER AND PRESIDENT • HISD CLASS ACT AWARD • ALL-DISTRICT VOLLEYBALL • COLLEGIATE VOLLEYBALL PLAYER MAX HIGHTOWER PRESIDENT’S SCHOLARSHIP (TRINITY UNIVERSITY) HONOR ROLL (GRADES 9-12) • TENNIS TEAM COCAPTAIN (GRADE 11) • TENNIS TEAM CAPTAIN (GRADE 12) ALL-DISTRICT TENNIS DYLAN HOOVER HONOR ROLL (GRADES 9-12)
Jesse McMillan
Caroline Melody
Ashley Moore
Adam Nelson
Strake Jesuit College Preparatory Chapman University
Episcopal High School University of Texas
Episcopal High School Louisiana State University
St. John’s School Rice University
Drake Meiss
Austin Miller
Mason Morris
Garrett Noteboom
St. John’s School Southern Methodist University
Strake Jesuit College Preparatory Belmont University
Episcopal High School Austin Community College
Strake Jesuit College Preparatory Drexel University
VINE & BRANCH
NICOLE HOPWOOD HONOR ROLL (GRADES 9-12) • NATIONAL HONOR SOCIETY • NATIONAL SPANISH HONOR SOCIETY DISCIPLINE COUNCIL CO-CHAIR • DIVERSITY IN ACTION SECRETARY • EXCELLENCE IN CHEMISTRY AWARD EXCELLENCE IN ENGLISH AWARD • JUNIOR VARSITY VOLLEYBALL LEADERSHIP AWARD (X2) • SCHOLASTIC GOLD KEY FOR PHOTOGRAPHY • SCHOLASTIC SILVER KEY FOR PHOTOGRAPHY (X2) BRENNAN HOWELL HONOR ROLL (GRADES 9-12) • NATIONAL HONOR SOCIETY PRESIDENT • NATIONAL SPANISH HONOR SOCIETY • VARSITY VOLLEYBALL TEAM CAPTAIN FELLOWSHIP OF CHRISTIAN ATHLETES PRESIDENT SOPHOMORE CLASS VICE PRESIDENT • JUNIOR CLASS VICE PRESIDENT • STUDENTS OF SERVICE EXECUTIVE CABINET MEMBER • STUDENT SENATE PRESIDENT OF MEDIA • BASEBALL TEAM MANAGER • EXEMPLARY EFFORT IN ENGLISH AWARD • EXEMPLARY EFFORT IN RELIGION AWARD • LEADERSHIP AWARD IN VOLLEYBALL (GRADES 11-12) • ALL SPC VOLLEYBALL • SCHOLASTIC GOLD KEY FOR PHOTOGRAPHY • TRACY CLARKE AWARD FOR SERVICE TO OTHERS ELIZABETH HUNT HONOR ROLL (GRADES 9-12) • NATIONAL HONOR SOCIETY • NATIONAL MATH HONOR SOCIETY VARSITY FIELD HOCKEY TEAM CAPTAIN • VARSITY LACROSSE TEAM CAPTAIN • BOOK CLUB PRESIDENT EARTH CLUB PRESIDENT • ADMISSION COUNCIL MEMBER • DIVERSITY IN ACTION COUNCIL MEMBER FEMALE ATHLETE OF THE YEAR MEDALIST • NATIONAL ACADEMIC SQUAD FOR VARSITY FIELD HOCKEY • MOST IMPROVED PLAYER FOR VARSITY LACROSSE (GRADE 11) • MOST VALUABLE PLAYER FOR VARSITY LACROSSE (GRADE 12) • MIXED MEDIA STUDENT OF THE MONTH MIXED MEDIA STUDENT OF THE YEAR
DOUGLAS IRBY HONOR ROLL (GRADES 9-12) • NATIONAL HONOR SOCIETY • LACROSSE TEAM CAPTAIN • WEIGHTLIFTING CLUB FOUNDER • FIRST HONORS • PRINCIPAL’S HONORS EAGLE SCOUT WILL JACKSON HONOR ROLL (GRADES 9-12) • NATIONAL MERIT SCHOLAR • STUDENT COUNCIL REPRESENTATIVE (GRADES 10-11) • STUDENT COUNCIL PREFECT (GRADE 12) INVESTMENT CLUB • PERSONAL FINANCE CLUB GEOGRAPHY CLUB • SCHOLASTIC GOLD KEY PRESIDENT’S VOLUNTEER SERVICE AWARD (GRADES 9-12) ALEC JAZAERI ECCEE QUAM BONUM AWARD (SEWANEE) • VARSITY SOCCER TEAM CAPTAIN • NORTH AFRICA-MIDDLE EAST AFFINITY GROUP CO-FOUNDER • “NOT WITHOUT HONOR” ATHLETIC AWARD (GRADES 10-11) • COLLEGIATE LACROSSE ATHLETE ERIC JOEKEL PRESIDENT’S GOLD SCHOLARSHIP (BAYLOR UNIVERSITY) HONOR ROLL (GRADES 9-12) • NATIONAL HONOR SOCIETY BRIDGET KEARNEY ACADEMIC HERITAGE SCHOLARSHIP (AUBURN UNIVERSITY) • HONOR ROLL (GRADES 9-12) • NATIONAL HONOR SOCIETY • NATIONAL MATH HONOR SOCIETY MU ALPHA THETA • MOST IMPROVED PLAYER FOR JUNIOR VARSITY CHEER • THEATER AWARD PRESIDENT’S VOLUNTEER SERVICE AWARD (GRADES 9-10) ALISON KRIEG HONOR ROLL (GRADES 9-12) • NATIONAL HONOR SOCIETY • NATIONAL ENGLISH HONOR SOCIETY • MU ALPHA THETA • VOLLEYBALL TEAM CAPTAIN • JUNIOR VARSITY LACROSSE TEAM CAPTAIN • STUDENT SENATE MEMBER • STUDENTS OF SERVICE LEADER • ACOLYTE VOLLEYBALL EFFORT AWARD • VOLLEYBALL MOST IMPROVED AWARD
Quinn Ogle
Austin Reppert
Andrew Sall
Emily Schaffer
Episcopal High School Georgetown University
Episcopal High School Syracuse University
St. John’s School University of Texas
St. John’s School The University of Chicago
Laney Pieper
Clay Rothwell
Charlotte Schaeffer
Stone Shannon
Episcopal High School Lee University
St. John’s School Texas A&M
Episcopal High School Louisiana State University
Episcopal High School Auburn University
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PRISCILLA MACH FINE ARTS LEADERSHIP BOARD PRESIDENT • STUDENT DIVERSITY LEADERSHIP BOARD MEMBER • MENTAL HEALTH CLUB VICE PRESIDENT • IMPROV CLUB PRESIDENT • NEST GIRLS’ SPACE • NATIONAL SPANISH EXAM GOLD AWARD • TOMMY TUNE NOMINATION FOR BEST FEATURED ACTRESS MATTHEW MCCAFFREY MERIT SCHOLARSHIP (TULANE UNIVERSITY) • HONOR ROLL (GRADES 10-12) JESSE MCMILLAN DEAN’S SCHOLARSHIP (CHAPMAN UNIVERSITY) HONOR ROLL (GRADES 9-12) • NATIONAL HONOR SOCIETY • WHIFFLE BALL CLUB PRESIDENT CAROLINE MELODY HONOR ROLL (GRADES 9-12) • NATIONAL HONOR SOCIETY • STUDENTS OF SERVICE LEADER • LACROSSE TEAM CAPTAIN • ADMISSION COUNCIL MEMBER LIGHT & SHADOW ART CONTEST WINNER (GRADES 11-12) AUSTIN MILLER HONOR ROLL (GRADES 9-12) • NATIONAL HONOR SOCIETY • TENOR SECTION LEADER • DOUBLE-TRIPLE TRIO MEMBER • OUTSTANDING SOPHOMORE, JUNIOR, AND SENIOR IN MIXED CHORUS ADAM NELSON HONOR ROLL (GRADES 9-12) • GOLF TEAM CAPTAIN (GRADES 11-12) • SUMMER EXPRESS LEADER • GOLF CLUB FOUNDER • MATH DEPARTMENT AWARD FINALIST GOLF CAPTAIN’S AWARD (GRADES 11-12) • MOST IMPROVED AWARD FOR GOLF • SPORTSMANSHIP AWARD FOR GOLF • SCHOLASTIC SILVER KEY IN WRITING • PRESIDENT’S VOLUNTEER SERVICE AWARD (GRADES 10-11)
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QUINN OGLE HONOR ROLL (GRADES 9-12) • NATIONAL MERIT SCHOLAR • NATIONAL HONOR SOCIETY • NATIONAL ENGLISH HONOR SOCIETY • MU ALPHA THETA INTERNATIONAL THESPIAN SOCIETY • ADMISSION COUNCIL PRESIDENT • INTERNATIONAL THESPIAN SOCIETY HISTORIAN • CHAPEL COMMITTEE SENIOR OFFICER • BEST FEMALE PERFORMANCE FOR 12 ANGRY JURORS • BEST SUPPORTING PERFORMANCE FOR INTO THE WOODS • OUTSTANDING SERVICE IN MIDNIGHT BLUES • MEDAL OF DISTINCTION IN THEATER OUTSTANDING VOLUNTEER AT THE RIVER LANEY PIEPER PRESIDENTIAL SCHOLARSHIP (LEE UNIVERSITY) ENGLISH HONORS SOCIETY • VARSITY LACROSSE TEAM CAPTAIN • ATHLETIC PILLAR LEADER • COLLEGIATE LACROSSE PLAYER CLAY ROTHWELL HONOR ROLL (GRADES 9-12) • WILDLIFE CONSERVATION CLUB PRESIDENT ANDREW SALL HONOR ROLL (GRADES 9-12) • TENNIS TEAM CAPTAIN POLITICAL EDUCATION CLUB OFFICER • EXCELLENCE IN ADVANCED SPANISH AWARD • NATIONAL HISPANIC RECOGNITION PROGRAM SCHOLAR • AP SCHOLAR WITH HONOR • ALL SPC (X2) • MOST VALUABLE PLAYER IN TENNIS (X3) • PRESIDENT’S VOLUNTEER SERVICE AWARD EMILY SCHAFFER YEARBOOK CO-EDITOR • YEARBOOK SPORTS EDITOR STONE SHANNON BOY SCOUT EAGLE SCOUT SCHOLARSHIP (AUBURN UNIVERSITY) • HONOR ROLL (GRADE 12) • MOST IMPROVED PLAYER IN JUNIOR VARSITY LACROSSE EAGLE SCOUT
Laura Shepherd
Madison Stanke
Amelia Traylor
Ella Welch
Memorial High School University of Texas
Episcopal High School Texas A&M
Episcopal High School University of Texas
The Hotchkiss School Wake Forest University
Wilson Sherrill
Knox Suman
Alex Vermeil
Griffin Wheeler
St. John’s School University of Colorado
St. John’s School Texas A&M
Episcopal High School Colorado State University
Strake Jesuit College Preparatory Entrepreneur
VINE & BRANCH
MADISON STANKE HONOR ROLL (GRADES 9-12) • NATIONAL HONOR SOCIETY • NATIONAL SPANISH HONOR SOCIETY NATIONAL ENGLISH HONOR SOCIETY • VARSITY LACROSSE TEAM CAPTAIN • NEHEMIAH CENTER VOLUNTEER • PHOTO JOURNALISM EDITOR • ACOLYTE OFFICER • AP SCHOLAR WITH HONOR • VARSITY LACROSSE LEADERSHIP AWARD • SCHOLASTIC ART HONORABLE MENTION AWARD • PRESIDENT’S VOLUNTEER SERVICE AWARD (GRADES 9-10) ALEX VERMEIL HONOR ROLL (GRADE 10) • SPORTSMANSHIP AWARD IN TENNIS
A Look Back at the Class of 2016
LAURA SHEPHERD HONOR ROLL (GRADES 10-11) • NATIONAL HONOR SOCIETY • DISTINGUISHED HONOR ROLL • STUDENT COUNCIL REPRESENTATIVE • EDITOR FOR BROADCASTING AND PRODUCTION JUNIOR VARSITY FIELD HOCKEY TEAM CAPTAIN HELPING HANDS CLUB HISTORIAN • ST. JOHN THE DIVINE EPISCOPAL CHURCH ACOLYTE TEAM CAPTAIN YOUNG LIFE SENIOR LEADER • LEUKEMIA AND LYMPHOMA SOCIETY WINNING TEAM FOR STUDENT OF THE YEAR CAMPAIGN • LUKEMIA AND LYMPHOMA SOCIETY DISTINGUISHED FUNDRAISING EFFORTS HARDEST WORKER AWARD IN BROADCASTING CAMP LONGHORN MARINA AWARD
ELLA WELCH HONOR ROLL (GRADES 9-12) • HUMAN DEVELOPMENT TEACHING ASSISTANT • GIRLS’ DORMITORY PROCTOR JUNIOR VARSITY SOCCER COACHES’ AWARD JOSHUA WILSON HONOR ROLL (GRADES 9-12) • NATIONAL HONOR SOCIETY • PHOTOGRAPHY CLUB PRESIDENT CRUSADERARTS COMPETITION HONORABLE MENTION (PHOTOGRAPHY) • EAGLE SCOUT
Joshua Wilson
Helen Xiu
Strake Jesuit College Preparatory Baylor University
Phillips Exeter Academy Bryn Mawr College
Laine Woelfel Episcopal High School Texas Tech University
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Class Notes
1987
Meredith McCord won the 2021 Grand Champion Ladies Tarpon Fly Fishing Tournament in Islamorada, Florida. McCord leads fly fishing trips all over the globe for friends and clients, including a trip to Mexico last year with Jennifer Matsu ’91.
1989
Bailey Hall Kinney joins Lemonade Day Houston, a youth entrepreneurship program, as its new executive director.
2001
Molly Carter Black and husband Chris welcomed son Jackson on February 11, 2021. Georgia Carter Fox, husband Steven, and big brother Emmett welcomed Ingrid Frey on December 21, 2021.
2004
Dakota Klaes married Joanna Coco at his parent’s house on December 12, 2020. His sister, Kit Klaes ’09, served as the officiant and a bridesmaid. The wedding party also included his brother, Chaz Klaes ’01, niece Mary Frances Klaes ’30, and nephew Charlie Klaes ‘32. Katherine “Kat” Turnham married Graham Brown on July 18, 2020 in Austin, Texas. The wedding party included her brother, Adrian Turnham ’01, Molly Schubert McDonald, and Camille Moughon.
2006
Cameron Fox and wife Leah welcomed Hallie Kathryn Klein on August 25, 2020.
Joe Sharman is pursuing his MBA at Rice University. Adrian Turnham, wife Lauren, and big brother Walker welcomed Hayes Reynolds on October 15, 2020. Addie D’Agostino Teague, husband Dustin, and big brother George welcomed June Bella on July 9, 2020.
Alston Edwards White and husband Jordan welcomed Emory Leigh on February 6, 2021. Lacey Rybarczyk married Evan Meehan on February 1, 2021. Her sisters, Robby and Jody, served as bridesmaids.
2007
Travis Gauntt and wife Lizzy welcomed Evelyn “Wiley” on June 29, 2020. Beck DeSpain and Hailey Bishop married on June 27, 2020, in Austin, Texas.
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2008
Julia Johnson married Wilson Craig on June 6, 2021, at Jefferson’s Montalto in Virginia. ROBS classmate Emily Rice was a reader during the ceremony and a member of the House Party.
Charles Rhett Baker married Lillian Johnson MacDonald on May 29, 2021, at Cannon Hill Farm in Virginia. Following graduation from Washington and Lee University and the University of Texas McCombs School of Business, Rhett works as a consultant at KPMG.
Skyler Quine August 30, 2020.
Kate Wasden will be starting at Harvard Medical School t his fall.
2015
Elizabeth Hoskins will pursue a master’s in museum studies at NYU this fall.
2009
2011
2012
Nick Wilson will attend the University of Texas School of Law this fall.
2017
Jake Giesler, Max Finkelstein, and Jack McGreevy all earned the BSA Eagle Scout rank.
2018
Sophia Black earned the Girl Scout Gold Award. married
Savannah
Shrivanek
on
Merritt Baker married Alexandra Wilkinson on October 17, 2020, at St. Thomas More Catholic Church in Norman, Oklahoma. Following graduation from Washington and Lee University where he majored in history, Merritt entered the University of Oklahoma School of Law and Alexandra began graduate studies in the School of Architecture. Left to right: Carter Scott, John McMillan, Catherine Coselli, Rhett Baker ’09, Merritt Baker, Joe Cantu, Harrison Poe, Skyler Quine, Preston Quine.
Alex Finkelstein earned the BSA Eagle Scout rank. Elise Shu and her sister Lauren ’20 received the President’s Volunteer Service Award (gold level).
2019
John Greeley and Vilmos Lo received the Pritzker Engineering Early Distinction Award from the Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering at the University of Chicago. The program focuses on societal problems primed for new solutions in areas such as quantum engineering, biotechnology, immuno-engineering, and more. Attached to the award is a $100,000 scholarship should John and Vilmos choose to attend the school after graduation. Estefania Lopez-Salas broke three school records on the Episcopal High School swim team. Ben Who was elected class president at The Hotchkiss School. SUMMER 2021
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Celebration of Service ROBS BIDS ADIEU TO DISTINGUISHED FACULTY Though the Lord has provided for River Oaks Baptist School in a multitude of ways in its 65-year history, it is difficult to find a better example of His providence than the people He brings through our doors. Where students, families, and faculty and staff gather, He is with us. Although we say goodbye to seven of our longest tenured faculty members this year, we are grateful for their tremendous dedication and service to ROBS. After a collective 204 years at ROBS, the contributions these women have made to the School are innumerable.
ADONICA ASTON, 20 YEARS Adonica Aston retires after 20 years in the ROBS library. Our Preschool students will surely miss her magic glitter wand and talking monkey, and Christa Pryor and Shelia Potter will miss her constant support and strong work ethic. “She is truly the backbone of the library,” Pryor says, “and when she’s reading to students, she has them completely transfixed.” Aston has not only passed on her love of reading to two decades of ROBS students, but has also consistently supported our Preschool teachers’ efforts to bring quality literature into their classrooms. Aston believes in the power of books to open the minds and hearts of our students, and it would be impossible to count how many minds and hearts were opened through her work in the library.
LILA MAZZONE, 22 YEARS In the ROBS Lower School, there are certain things that are just synonymous with the name Mrs. Mazzone: baking nachos, erupting volcanoes, and a day with the Snake Man are just a few. Mazzone’s passion for science is evident in the deft way she engages with and captures the attention of her students. She has spent 22 years bringing science to life for her students, truly making her a fan favorite ROBS teacher and an integral part of the Lower School experience.
“For where two or three gather in my name, there I am with them.” Matthew 18:20
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CATE EBBS, 24 YEARS For many students, Prime Time is their favorite part of the day, and that is no accident. Cate Ebbs has been the architect of the Prime Time program for 24 years, making sure ROBS students feel at home after school. Ebbs knows each of her Prime Time students by name, along with their favorite snack, activity, sport, hobby…and so much more. Ebbs was always looking for new ways to improve the Prime Time experience. Ebbs’ dedication to and love for her students is abundantly clear in the joy and excitement ROBS students find in Prime Time each day. Prime Time simply will not be the same without Ms. Ebbs.
GAY LEE PEARCE, 27 YEARS Should we call her Mrs. Pearce, or Mrs. Peace? Known for her calm, kind demeanor, Janet Atkins describes Gay Lee Pearce as “a resident angel in our midst.” Many certainly will remember Pearce’s fondness for the annual eighth grade Washington, D.C./ Williamsburg trip (and her penchant for shopping for treasures while there), and others will remember the care and love she exercised when selecting the eighth grade Character Award recipients. But all will remember the kindness and compassion she extended to everyone she encountered in her 27 years at ROBS. With grace and empathy, Pearce has taught the ROBS community the value of gentleness and peace.
KAREN OLIPHANT, 34 YEARS Middle School language arts teacher Karen Oliphant leaves ROBS after 34 years, and countless “Daily Delights.” Her creativity and engaging lessons, including the famous Christmas-themed project about Santa Claus’ ideal suit, have captivated the interest of Middle School students for over three decades. As Oliphant departs ROBS, she leaves a brighter, and more grammatically correct, school in her wake.
MARGARET BREWER, 35 YEARS After 35 years at ROBS, Margaret Brewer has worn nearly as many hats here. She has served ROBS as a science teacher, science department chair, assistant head of middle school, and interim head of middle school. Brewer learned the ins and outs of each new role with ease – proving her commitment to being a life-long learner, as well as an educator. Brewer’s peers say that science comes alive for students in her classroom. Brewer’s work on re-structuring the science curriculum has left an indelible mark on the School, and her vision for science instruction at ROBS will be her legacy for years to come.
PENNY JACKSON, 42 YEARS After having taught Pre-Algebra, Latin, English, English Honors, and English Seminar over the years, Penny Jackson retires after 42 years at ROBS. Jackson, known for her quick wit and deep faith, spent many years forming her ROBS students in academics and faith. She had a natural way of connecting with students, from coming in early to play Minecraft with them to just listening to them when they needed it. Jackson’s heartfelt words and acts of kindness touched both students and colleagues, alike, and contributed greatly to making ROBS, as Jackson herself describes, “a happy, happy place.”
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Conference Champions The 2021 ROBS girls golf team clinches the first golf team championship in ROBS history. Congratulations to (from left) Katie Hodges, Ella Rothwell, Josephine VanHoutan, Aashi Pawar, and Gwen Leach, who won with an impressive 20-stroke lead over the second-place team.
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Faculty & Staff Milestones Congratulations to our faculty and staff who celebrated these milestone anniversaries with ROBS.
10
20
15
YEARS
YEARS
YEARS
Katie Alaniz Dawn Hanson Christa Pryor Kim Sumbera Eleanor Zook
Adonica Aston Martha McDaniel
Jerrod Bain Claudia Barrios Gabriela Flores Irwin Rich Grothe Kate Jeter Rachel Merren
30
35
YEARS
YEARS
Barbara Glass Mike Honn
Margaret Brewer Jeff Reynolds
1/3
MORE THAN
50%
100%
OF FACULTY WITH 10+ YEARS AT ROBS
OF FACULTY WITH ADVANCED DEGREES
OF FACULTY PURSUE EXTRA TRAINING EACH YEAR
“Ultimately, what research shows is that there is no greater influence on student outcomes than teacher quality.” — Neuroteach
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Artist: Natalia Norris Title: What I Hold Dear Grade: 7
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BOARD OF TRUSTEES Jacques Hodges, Chair Jarod Bonine Jaime Casas Jacquelyn Cox Susan Cox Josh Davis Angie Gildea Mignon Gill Scott Hill Terry Huffington, Emeritus Jakeen Johnson, M.D. Mark Jones, Ph.D. Brandt Leibe Tracy Livingston Butch Mach Mike Poe Dax Sanders Katie Stanton ’90 Gail Stewart Jenny Webster ’92 Lois Wright, Emeritus
Ex-officio Leanne Reynolds
ADMINISTRATIVE TEAM Leanne Reynolds Head of School Todd Herauf, Ed.D. Associate Head of School for Academics Deborah Harper Associate Head of School for Advancement Paul Mayhew Associate Head of School for Operations Dawn Hanson, Ph.D. Head of Preschool Amy Womack Head of Lower School Connor Cook, Ed.D. Head of Middle School Brian Mahabee Director of Innovation & Technology Kealey Johnson Director of Admission Melanie Hightower Director of Human Resources
ACCREDITATION ISAS, ACTABS, Praesidium
PUBLICATIONS Managing Editor: Meghan Blanton Writers: Meghan Blanton, Kara Neumann, Caroline Williams Designer: C2-Studios, Inc.
Meghan Blanton Director of Marketing and Communications Paige Martin ’85 Director of Development Chris Baltazar Director of Safety and Security
We have made every effort to ensure the accuracy of the information contained in the magazine. If we have made an inadvertent error, please accept our apologies. You may contact Director of Marketing & Communications Meghan Blanton at mblanton@robs.org regarding ROBS publications.
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River Oaks Baptist School 2300 Willowick Houston, Texas 77027 713.623.6938 www.robs.org
be the example
Ambitious academics rooted in abiding Christian values WATERCOLOR TREE Alight with playful color, the watercolor tree represents the beautiful potential and possibility-filled expanse of a child’s life. ACADEMIC PATH Deliberately engineered, research-based, and comprehensive, the School’s thoughtful academic curriculum builds upon itself from grade-tograde, laying a self-reinforcing foundation for students to be ambitious, courageous, resourceful thinkers. FRUIT BUDS Growing naturally from the academic path, the fruit buds represent the practice-based, immersive character curriculum that permeates every lesson and action at ROBS. The nine fruit buds known as the Fruit of the Spirit nourish children’s lives well beyond their time at ROBS. STYLIZED TREE Fastening together the academic path and the fruit buds, the stylized tree presents a child’s journey through ROBS—the way ROBS guides students toward shaping life direction, forming connections, and preparing them for all that comes next. LAYERED IMAGERY Layering the artistry of the watercolor tree with the technological imagery of the stylized tree signifies the School’s commitment to Science, Technology, Engineering, the Arts, and Math—each a priority in our ongoing curricular enhancements and our new master campus plan.
