From the Head of School
26). The plan’s three pillars – Ambitious Academics for Future Ready Students, Strong Community Rooted in Wellbeing, and Long Term Operational Success – outline concrete goals to support your children’s holistic growth and long-term experience while at
And because the School was founded as a mission of River Oaks Baptist Church, we are excited to honor ROBC’s 75th anniversary and celebrate all that is to come for the ROB community (page 22). The relationship between River Oaks Baptist Church and School is very special. We maintain a close relationship because we are doing God’s work in both places. So much of our why involves the moral and character development of students, and we are grateful for the support of the ROBC community as we strive to educate another generation of students to live lives modeled on the faith of Jesus Christ and Christian principles.
Finally, I want to highlight Jeff Reynolds, who, in 39 years at ROBS, has never forgotten his why. Ask any alum from the last 35 years to name a ROBS teacher who impacted their life, and Mr. Reynolds is sure to be on that list. At his essence, Jeff is not a teacher of social studies – he’s a teacher of children. Two generations of ROBS students – they were his why. I hope you enjoy the walk down memory lane on page 40 as we celebrate Mr. Reynolds and his well-deserved retirement.
As you read these pages, I hope it’s clear how our why – educating the minds and hearts of your children – motivates everything we do here at ROBS, from the classroom to the playground. Thank you for another year of sharing your why with us.
RESPONSIVE CLASSROOM
Real Results
In fall 2024, all faculty and staff were trained in Responsive Classroom –a research-based approach to teaching, learning, and growing.
At ROBS, we often say the work we do is more than just shaping a child’s mind – we care about the heart, too. In fact, our mission prioritizes the balanced growth of all the interdependent aspects of human nature – intellectual, physical, spiritual, moral, and social. We believe in the profound impact of educating the whole child. Responsive Classroom, a research-based approach to teaching that integrates social-emotional development with engaging academics, helps us make this belief actionable in every corner of our school.
At the beginning of the 2024-25 school year, we recommitted to the Responsive Classroom approach school-wide. All members of our faculty and staff participated in Responsive Classroom training, equipping them with strategies to create safe, joyful and engaging environments across campus – from the classroom to the cafeteria. Research supports this holistic approach. Students with strong social-emotional skills demonstrate stronger engagement and improved academic performance across disciplines. This affirms what we’ve seen on the ROBS campus this year – when students feel respected, connected, and empowered, they’re more engaged, confident, and ready to learn.
The four domains of Responsive Classroom – positive community, engaging academics, effective management, and developmentally responsive teaching – set the tone for the student experience. And these principles remain relevant throughout a child’s time at ROBS. Consistent structure, similar language and processes, stable behavioral and learning expectations – this school-wide, all-in approach gives our students the stability and strategies they need to thrive at all grade levels.
POSITIVE COMMUNITY ENGAGING ACADEMICS EFFECTIVE MANAGEMENT
POSITIVE COMMUNITY
Leading with our core values – love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control – we build community at ROBS through every interaction with another teacher, staff member, or student. Inspired by Responsive Classroom, our teachers facilitate specific community-building activities within their classrooms.
Morning Meetings
DEVELOPMENTALLY RESPONSIVE TEACHING
This might look like a casual morning catch-up for our Lower School students, but these meetings set the tone for the day. Daily time together to greet your neighbors and share your highs (and lows) supports a sense of recognition and belonging. It also offers our students a dedicated time to practice hospitality and friendliness and demonstrate compassion and understanding, core competencies involved in social-emotional growth.
Advisory Time
Middle School Advisory is the extension of the morning meeting experience. The Advisory, typically 10-12 students and a faculty member, is designed to continue developing strong peer-to-peer relationships, building safe, trusting spaces for sharing, and fostering community within a grade level.
Meeting Key Components:
EFFECTIVE MANAGEMENT
The key ingredient for effective management? Positive, respectful relationships between students and between students and teachers. How do we build these relationships? Through our interactions…and our words. The way we talk to children matters. Following the principles of Responsive Classroom, we use three types of language to speak to our students. The result? A classroom and school climate where students choose appropriate behavior out of respect for the teacher and one another. And when they don’t….logical consequences help stop negative behavior and re-establish positive behavior, helping us maintain an orderly classroom where all students can do their best learning. Through logical consequences, students internalize the rules, learn to take responsibility for their actions, and develop self-regulation – all key elements to success within the school environment and beyond.
Three Types of Language for
Envisioning language….inspires students to imagine their success
What does this sound like in Lower School? "When we gather on the rug, I want you to imagine how we can all sit so that everyone can see and hear the story. What does that look like?"
In Middle School? “In a few minutes we are going to transition to independent work. Think about what you will need to do to get ready. What materials do you need? Where should you go to get started?”
Reinforcing language…acknowledges positive actions
What does this sound like in Lower School? “It is clear that you worked really hard on this project. I can see how much work you put into it."
In Middle School? “You all transitioned so quietly and effectively. Because of that, we have extra time for our activity today.”
Reminding language…helps students course-correct without feeling judged
What does this sound like in Lower School? "Remember when you are feeling upset, you can take a few deep breaths to help you calm down."
In Middle School? “Remember our expectation is that everyone is focused on their independent reading during this time. What’s your next step to get back on track?”
Every Wednesday, Advisory includes an extension activity, covering a relevant social-emotional topic for our Middle Schoolers. This might include brainstorming what a support system is, identifying positive responses for feeling stressed, anxious, frustrated, or angry, or talking about ways to reach out to a friend in need. Each advisory activity ends with a simple statement:
Remember…take care of yourselves, take care of each other, take care of our school!
ENGAGING ACADEMICS
In traditional models of education, teachers are often viewed as “fillers of vessels.” We want education to be active, not passive. In this way, we’re less dispensers of knowledge and more igniters of learning. Sparking curiosity, offering opportunities for collaboration and discussion, and letting students lead the way – that’s active learning.
In action, this looks like this year’s Fourth Grade “Super Bowl Skills Showdown” – a championship-level day of math and language arts challenges! Students moved through six different rotations, making real-world connections and applying their skills in engaging, gamelike scenarios. Who knew fractions, logic puzzles, and non-fiction reading strategies could be so fun?
Keys to Developmentally Responsive Teaching:
1. Knowing all students – Learning about each student individually, culturally, and developmentally allows teachers to best meet students where they are and stretch them to their fullest potential.
DEVELOPMENTALLY RESPONSIVE TEACHING
Just like we wouldn’t ask a Kindergartener to read The Giver, the same principle applies to all interdependent aspects of a child’s growth, from their social-emotional regulation to their executive functioning skills. Basing decisions for teaching, management, and discipline on research and understanding of students’ social, emotional, physical, and cognitive development creates a school environment where children are thriving at every stage.
2. Differentiation & building upon strengths –Structuring appropriately challenging lessons helps students make connections in their learning and extend their understanding. Within a lesson, opportunities for both extension and remediation ensure all students are experiencing high-level learning.
3. Parents as Partners – We want our parents to be involved! Involving parents in school life and learning highlights the importance of a community united by a common goal – the kids.
With strong teacher and student buy-in, the Responsive Classroom approach is already shaping the way we teach, learn, and connect at ROBS. By investing in Responsive Classroom, and committing additional resources toward ongoing training of new faculty members, we’re building an environment where students feel safe, known, and supported – well-primed for academic success at ROBS and beyond.
As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.
Proverbs 27:17
Nature by Design
First grade artists teamed up to paint larger-than-life nature scenes using bold acrylics on oversized paper. Each group was assigned a nature theme ranging from land and sea to fruits, vegetables, and even outer space. With plenty of teamwork, creativity, and color, students brainstormed, assigned roles, and collaborated to bring their vibrant nature masterpieces to life.
Artwork by Arthur Kennard, Skye Ly, Eli Rogers, and Tessa Shelton, First Grade
More than the Right Answer:
Building Math Minds
Get out your pencil…and explore how your child is learning to think like a mathematician
If you've ever looked at your child's math homework and thought, "This isn’t how I learned it!"—you’re not alone. But what might look unfamiliar is actually very intentional. At ROBS, we use research-based curriculum that focuses on deep conceptual understanding, not just rote memorization. The goal? For students to become confident, flexible problem solvers—whether they’re equally sharing a box of cookies at recess, helping you calculate a tip at a restaurant, solving for x, or eventually engineering a bridge or maximizing a profit.
MATH WITH MEANING
Traditionally, math students are taught one way to solve a problem, then asked to repeat it – over and over again. While this works for some, this approach certainly does not leave all students feeling successful in the classroom. At ROBS, students are encouraged to explore multiple strategies as they approach different problems. Instead of teaching kids to do – we want to teach kids to think. That doesn’t mean we skip fluency. Quite the opposite: we build fluency by developing number sense, pattern recognition, and mental math. And this multiple strategy approach means that each student finds the way that makes the most sense to them – and if they find multiple ways, that’s just a bonus!
Try it: Mental Math Minute!
Solve 49+36 in your head. How did you do it?
❏ I added 50 + 36 and subtracted 1.
❏ I added 40 + 30, then added 9 + 6.
❏ I used a calculator. (We won't tell.)
WHAT IS NUMBER SENSE?
It’s the ability to understand numbers, see patterns, estimate, and reason logically. It’s what allows a child to look at 399 + 401 and say, “That’s just 800!” without grabbing a pencil. It’s also what helps them later solve complex equations and real-world problems.
FROM MULITIPLICATION TO ALGEBRA
One strategy that often puzzles parents—but builds powerful understanding— is the box method of multiplication.
Lower School: Multiplication
Instead of only using the traditional algorithm for multiplication (stacking numbers and carrying digits), students might use a method like this:
Try it: Multiplication with Boxes
Solve 23 × 45 using the box method.
THE POWER OF EFFECTIVE STRATEGIES
At its essence, multiplication, just repeated addition, isn’t all that complex. Numbers and variables aside, a strong grasp of place value and distribution is the key factor to success. Effective, long-term strategies, like the box method, break down multiplication and can be applied across concepts. For example, in early grades, the box helps build number sense and place value. A few years later, it supports algebraic reasoning and area modeling. Later still, it becomes a launching pad for factoring and polynomial work. Each encounter is more sophisticated than the last, but grounded in something familiar. Confidence grows, retention improves, and students develop a mental toolbox that’s flexible, not fragile. This is the way learning should be – layered, connected, and enduring.
BENEFITS OF A SPIRAL CURRICULUM
Problem Solving
We know it can be hard when the math worksheets in your child’s folder don’t look familiar. But the next time you see a box – or another unfamiliar strategy – ask your child to explain it to you. You might be surprised how much sense it makes—and how much your child understands.
Both Everyday Mathematics, the primary resource used by our Lower School teachers, and Big Ideas, its Middle School counterpart, follow a spiral approach, meaning key concepts are introduced, revisited, and deepened over time. Instead of learning a topic once and moving on, students cycle back through important ideas in increasing depth and complexity – throughout an academic year and across grade levels.
The benefits are clear:
• Students retain more because they revisit ideas frequently.
Middle School: Algebra
Add up all the partial products: ___ + ___ + ___ + ___
Students learn place value, decomposition, and partial products. These are foundational skills—not just for math class, but for everyday problem-solving.
Fast forward a few years, and that same box structure shows up again—this time as a visual model for algebraic expressions.
Try it: Algebra in a Box
Use the box method to multiply (3x + 2)(x + 5):
20 3X 3X2 40 X 5 5 800 3 2 +
Add the terms: ___x²
The same structure that helped a third grader multiply 23 × 45 now helps a seventh grader multiply binomials—a key step toward algebraic understanding.
• Confidence grows as children see familiar patterns and strategies.
• Repeated exposure to content engages all students – those still working through the concept along with those ready to deepen their understanding with extensions and applications.
This approach isn’t accidental—it’s based on how brains learn best. Our curriculum spirals with purpose – to strengthen skills, forge connections, and build a strong foundation for future learning.
Try it: From Area to Volume
While mastering the many applications of multiplication, our fifth graders practice calculating the area of 2D shapes in early fall. Later in the school year, they return to those same concepts as they tackle volume – essentially, repeated area.
Think about a rectangular prism, like the example on the right.
1. Find the area of the base: Length × Width = _____ cm x ______cm = ______ cm2
2. Now make it 6 cm tall. What’s the volume?
Area of base × Height = _____ cm2 × 6cm = _____ cm³
That’s volume: stacking area over and over again.
For students, this isn’t just about substituting numbers into a formula. They’ve already seen area. Now they’re seeing how it extends into three dimensions. By the time they encounter surface area and volume, they’re not learning something “new,” they’re revisiting and building – their skills and their confidence.
THE LONG VIEW
At ROBS, math isn’t just tricks or shortcuts. Math means equipping students to analyze, model, predict, and solve — skills they’ll need in high school and beyond. And looking at our graduates’ performance beyond ROBS, it’s clear this approach works. 88% of ROBS graduates* placed into advanced math tracks in high school. Yes, math might look different from the way you learned it, but that’s because we’re not just teaching students to solve a problem. We’re teaching them how to solve any problem
PreK Takes Center Stage
Each year, our PreK students take the stage to perform short musicals inspired by well-known Bible stories. But these performances are more than angelic voices and welldelivered lines. As students rehearse their lines and learn the songs, they’re also building confidence, sharpening their communication skills, and discovering the joy of collaboration. But to understand the full scope of their learning, you have to look beyond the performers…to the backdrops. As part of an interdisciplinary approach to the fine arts curriculum, PreK students create the artwork that serves as the set for their show.
The PreK art curriculum is inspired by the techniques and masterpieces of artists from the pre-Columbian age to the present. Students study artists from places like Australia, Egypt, Japan, and Holland. Creativity takes flight as students experiment with open-ended process art that emphasizes the joy of creating instead of the finished product. And since making connections between content areas is a research-backed approach to facilitating longterm learning, music is an integral component of Preschool art classes.
GOLDEN MANES
A part of their study on lines in art, PreK students admired Gustav Klimt’s Tree of Life, identifying the spirals, swirls, and curves. Delving deeper into Klimt’s work, students discovered paintings adorned with gold leaf, like The Woman in Gold. While listening to The Blue Danube by Johann Strauss, the quintessential waltz from Klimt’s Vienna, students created their own Klimt-inspired art using gold paint and black paper. These masterpieces became the golden manes that adorned the stage during the Barrios-Luna class production of “Daniel in the Lions' Den,” as well as the sparkling stars behind the Herauf-Ruy class during “The Nativity.”
SELF-PORTRAITS
While listening to the exotic melody of The Nile River by Brandon Fiechter, PreK artists created self-portraits inspired by ancient Egyptian art. The creations came to life with oil pastels and jewel embellishments. These selfportraits provided a sparkly backdrop for the Fisher-Chavez class production of “Baby Moses in a Basket.”
GYOTAKU
Students explored the ancient Japanese method of fish printing, Gyotaku, while listening to the Southeast Asian-inspired piano piece Woodcuts, L.100 Pagoda by French composer Claude Debussy. The students painted fish and then pressed paper on top of their painting, resulting in a print detailing the textural parts of a fish, like the fins, gills, and scales. Seventy-one colorful Japaneseinspired fish decorated the background during the Zook-Schadel class performance of “Noah’s Ark.”
(Photo on left page)
Scan here to watch the complete PreK musical performances from the
Artwork by Wyatt Thompson
Artwork by Lara Ajibade
year.
Rejoicing in 75 Years of Ministry
On June 6, 1950, the first River Oaks Baptist Church service was held in the River Oaks Garden Center and Forum of Civics with 58 members in attendance. Through prayer and God’s providence, the church building on Willowick Road opened in December 1953. And in 1955, River Oaks Baptist School opened as a mission of the church. In May 2025, the Church held a special worship service and luncheon celebrating their 75 years of ministry.
In the 75 years since its inception, River Oaks Baptist Church has offered a sacred space for worship in the bustling heart of Houston, impacting generations of families through its ministry. In 1955, the Church voted to open a “day school,” with two teachers and 30 Kindergarten students enrolled. As demand grew for a school offering a strong academic foundation rooted in Christian principles, so did River Oaks Baptist School. In the decades that followed, the School, with the Church’s support, emerged as one of the leading independent schools in Houston. Today, the School serves 930 students ages three through eighth grade and is recognized as a premier institution for Christian education in the city.
As part of its mission focus, ROBC has also assisted in the formation of six other Baptist churches in the Houston area, including the River Oaks Chinese Baptist Church in 1982.
As Senior Pastor Dr. Steve Laufer shares, River Oaks Baptist strives to be a community where people who believe in God and who love Jesus can share life together, raising their families and growing in their faith. Because where people are gathered in His name, God is surely there with them.
Congratulations to ROBC on 75 faithful years of service to God’s people. May the next 75 be as wonderfully blessed!
“River Oaks Baptist Church has always been more than just a place to worship – it’s a second home. It’s where generations of our family have gathered to praise God, growing together in faith and love.”
-Jennifer Wise Martinez ’87 and Katie Wise Stanton ’90
“River
Oaks Baptist is a mission-oriented
church. That’s the very heart of the Gospel.”
—Rev. Martus Miley, ROBC Former Pastor
Happy 75th, ROBC!
“The relationship between River Oaks Baptist Church and School is very special. We maintain a close relationship because we are doing God’s work in both places.”
—Leanne Reynolds, Head of River
School
Church members, members of the ROBS administration, and ROBC Senior Pastor Dr. Steve Laufer gathered at the Junior League of Houston to celebrate the Church’s 75th anniversary.
Oaks Baptist
Katie Wise Stanton ’90, Jeannette Baker Masraff, Ann Baker Wise, Bess Baker Wilson, and Jennifer Wise Martinez ’87
Art & Carol DuBose
Keith & Leanne Reynolds
Back row: Lois & John Smitherman, Mary Nell & Bill Browning. Front row: Alston Edwards White ’06 with daughters Emory ’35 and Finley
Tracy Livingston, Jenny Oates, Patti Poff, and Stephanie Wilson Back row: Richard & Patty Legler, Larry & Carolyn McConathy, Anne Good Front row: Sharon Mattox, Yurda Gemici, and Scott Good
Martus Miley, Elizabeth Lee, Joshua Lee, and Steve Laufer
Mastering Matisse: Printmaking with Heart
Inspired by Henri Matisse’s resilience and love of organic shapes, fourth graders explored the art of printmaking. Using compressed styrofoam plates, brayers, and block printing ink, students designed and printed their images on paper backgrounds. The vibrant results reflect both creativity and determination—just like Matisse himself.
Artwork by Pasha Umatiya, Fourth Grade
STRATEGIC PLAN 2024-2029
Rooted in a Firm Foundation, Growing in Excellence
As a mission of River Oaks Baptist Church, River Oaks Baptist School opened its doors in 1955 with two teachers, 30 children, and the goal to provide both an academic and spiritual education for its students. While our campus footprint and size have changed since then, our mission has remained steadfast: to prepare students to lead tomorrow’s world through a superior educational program undergirded by faith in Jesus Christ and Christian principles. In January 2024, at the direction of the Board of the Trustees, the School began a new strategic planning cycle to set an aspirational vision for the School through 2029.
Rooted in a Firm Foundation, Growing in Excellence was formally adopted as River Oaks Baptist School’s new strategic plan in fall 2024. The plan is built around three key pillars that will help the School advance its mission in the coming years:
1. Ambitious Academics for Future Ready Students
2. Strong Community Rooted in Wellbeing
3. Long Term Operational Success
Each pillar is accompanied by more specific goals and action items, as well as a five-year timeline for implementation. With one year of work toward these ambitious goals in the books, we’re already looking forward to the successes year two will bring. As we look toward the future, we are confident our students are prepared to lead – and thrive – in tomorrow’s world.
YEAR 1 PRIoRITIES
INCLudEd:
• Analyze and assess curriculum for areas to enhance and enrich the student experience, focusing on English Language Arts, Bible, and Music in Year 1.
• Identify relevant professional development opportunities that support future-ready skill development for children.
• Implement Responsive Classroom school-wide to promote continuity of expectations across campus. See page 6 for more about our approach to Responsive Classroom.
• Analyze staff evaluation practices to ensure the process is constructive and supports professional growth.
• Begin updating the Master Campus Plan to incorporate the recently acquired property along Westheimer.
We are committed to providing our students with a differentiated learning journey that supports their future-ready skill development, grows their global perspective, and enables them to lead tomorrow’s world, while celebrating their unique qualities and gifts created by God.
Academic Achievements
Motivated by our mission, we endeavor to offer ambitious academics rooted in a foundation of abiding Christian values. How do we measure ambitious academics? Above all else, we look at our students. ROBS students are consistently recognized across platforms for their outstanding work.
Scholastic Art & Writing Awards
For 100 years the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards program has been regarded as the most prestigious recognition program for young artists in the United States. Notable past recipients have included Ken Burns, Stephen King, Robert Redford, and Andy Warhol. Six Scholastic Keys were award to ROBS students this year.
Regional Gold Key
Sofia Hanna
Allegra Johnson
Regional Silver Key
Maddox Morris
Lola Prpa*
Ava Wood
*Lola Prpa received two silver key awards for two different submissions.
MATH KANGAROO
Math Kangaroo USA is a national nonprofit organization with a mission of helping students love math. For 26 years, Math Kangaroo has organized an annual international mathematical competition for thousands of students in grades K-12. Seventh grader Noah Chan ranked first nationally in the grade 7 competition.
Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established.
Proverbs 16:3
Raiders’ Road to Victory
Students in grades 6-8 compete against middle school teams in the Houston Junior Preparatory conference. ROBS is the only school in HJPC to field sixth, seventh, and eighth grade teams in every sport we offer. A record nine HJPC championships made 2025-26 the winningest year in school history.
Conference Champions
Cross Country (Girls 7/8)
Cross Country (Boys 7/8)
Cross Country (Girls 6)
Football (Boys 8)
Volleyball (Boys 8)
Lacrosse (Girls 8)
Tennis (Boys 8)
Track and Field (Boys 8)
Track and Field (Girls 6)
Finalist Teams
(second place):
Volleyball (Girls 8)
Lacrosse (Boys 8)
Track & Field (Girls 8)
Track & Field (Boys 7)
EIGHTH GRADE BOYS REACH NEW HEIGHTS
Our eighth grade boys took home five conference championships this year – Cross Country, Football, Volleyball, Tennis, and Track & Field. Congrats to these stellar athletes!
“With nine conference championships, this is the winningest year in ROBS athletic history. Thank you to our outstanding eighth grade class, great coaches, and all the support from our fans and parents throughout the seasons. We give all the glory to God for this exciting season!”
HOUSTON JUNIOR PREPARATORY CONFERENCE SCHOOLS
Duchesne
-Jesse Martin, ROBS Athletic Director
Eighth grader Asher Gurr capped off a stellar Cross Country and Track & Field career at ROBS with an invitation to compete in the Brooks PR Meet in Seattle, WA, in June. Asher will run among the nation’s fastest middle school athletes at this invitation-only meet.
Sixth graders Elisabeth Johnson, Melissa Carroll, Cassidy Chervanick, and Sloan Easterling celebrate their first place victory.
The eighth grade girls dominated the field this lacrosse season, soundly defeating Kinkaid 12-6 to bring home the championship. Seventh graders Frances Harper and Emma Sudduth, pictured with Coach Neighbors, were part of the cross country champion team.
The eighth grade football team crushed Annunciation Orthodox School 36-6 in front of a very large home crowd to claim the HJPC title.
Our eighth grade boys volleyball team entered the HJPC tournament as the top seed and dominated Kinkaid for a straight set win to take home the trophy.
Our eighth grade boys brought home ROBS’ first ever conference championship in tennis.
Boys 7/8 cross country runners pictured with Coach Brooke Dawson.
Character Award Recipients
2024-25
What does it mean to live out strong character? At ROBS, we believe it starts with clearly defining it –and then intentionally cultivating it. Rooted in our core values – the biblical “fruit of the Spirit" –character formation is integrated throughout the ROBS experience: in Bible class, social-emotional learning, daily devotionals, prayer, and weekly Chapel. Each month, one Middle School student from each grade is honored with a character award, recognizing their consistent display of these Christ-like virtues in both words and actions.
Love
Morayo Idowu (5)
Demi Xie (6)
George Hermes (7)
Wynn Regan (8)
Joy Peace
Giorgiana Denenburg (5)
Langley Buckingham (6)
Allie Solcher (7)
Whitten Hess (8)
Haden McDowell (5)
Peyton Ho (6)
Margaret Saibi (7)
Arhaan Makanojiya (8)
Patience Kindness Goodness
Autumn Hebenstreit & Olivia Hebenstreit (5)
Rishi Nayar (6)
Janie Patterson (7)
Valentina Marks (8)
John William Donovan (5)
Christopher Rider (6)
Holden McKenney (7)
Hadley Pennington (8)
Faithfulness Gentleness
Henley Hudacek (5)
Gemma Cox (6)
Mae Bomar (7)
Vivienne Fertitta (8)
Piper Newton (5)
Rebeca Leal (6)
Hunter Moon (7)
Pierce Russell (8)
Molly Cook (5)
Gigi Sanders (6)
Kiya Patel (7)
Ava Wood (8)
Self-Control
Christopher Jeter (5)
Isa Umatiya (6)
Houston Russell (7)
London Wu (8)
Everything you can imagine is real.
-Pablo Picasso
Pop Art with a Pop!
While exploring the vibrant world of Pop Art, third grade artists drew inspiration from iconic creators Wayne Thiebaud, Claes Oldenburg, and Andy Warhol. Motivated by the movement's bold celebration of everyday objects, students chose familiar, popular items as the focus of their own creations. Each piece quite literally "pops" off the page thanks to a clever folding technique that adds dimension and visual surprise. Using watercolor pencils, imaginative design, and plenty of perseverance, students brought their playful Pop Art visions to life in 3D form.
Artwork by Stella Oren, Third Grade
Faculty Distinctions
MILESTONE YEARS OF SERVICE
At ROBS, we believe God faithfully provides the right people at the right time to help fulfill our mission. Each faculty and staff member plays a vital role in shaping the hearts and minds of our students, and we are especially grateful for those who have walked alongside us for many years. This year, we honor a remarkable group of individuals who together have given a combined 265 years of faithful service to our school community. Their dedication, wisdom, and steadfast presence are daily reminders of God’s goodness and provision.
10 YEARS
Lindsee Eddy
Maria Garcia Torres
Kealey Johnson
Sarah Larzelere
Abraham Marino
Ashley Moseley
Betty Pineda
Michelle Ritter
Austin Rogers
Alexis Schadel
15 YEARS 20 YEARS
Deborah Harper
Brenda Martinez
Tomasa Saqui
Rachel Aden
Teresa Grovas
Dana Thomas-Fisher
Jessica Thompson
Lauren Turnham
25 YEARS
Aaron King
Arturo Zamora
Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.
– 1 Corinthians 15:58
Our ROBS community feels like a family, and that’s by design. We actively cultivate a culture where everyone feels at home – and no one wants to leave! The bonds formed here last a lifetime and, for some, become woven into the fabric of their own families. For the McDaniels, ROBS has been part of their family since 1980, when Susan McDaniel joined our faculty as a Preschool teacher. Her daughters Martha ’91 and Mallary ’01, both alums, returned to ROBS as faculty members in 2001 and 2018, respectively. Susan retired in 2020.
For four students from the class of 2025, the notion of the ROBS family takes on a new meaning. Mattie Kincannon, Pierce Russell, Cici Sanders, and Sam Stanton were the first group of students to experience what they like to call the "McDaniel
– they were taught by all three McDaniels during their time at ROBS. These students and teachers recreated a photo taken during the 2018-19 school year after this year’s Celebration of Service, honoring the special bond in this small corner of the ROBS family.
LIFELONG LEARNERS
P.E. Department Head Alex Eddington received a master’s degree in Kinesiology from the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley.
Learning new skills and ideas keeps teachers at the top of their game. ROBS faculty and staff actively seek opportunities to grow as educators and, by extension, improve the experiences for all of our students.
Middle School Dean of Students Mary Kate Springmann completed a master’s degree in Educational Leadership at Baylor University.
Head of Lower School Tara Currin and Director of Marketing & Communications Kara Neumann completed Leadership Partners’ Executive Education Academy through the Jones Graduate School of Business at Rice University.
hat trick"
Alex Eddington
Tara Currin
Kara Neumann
Celebrating Jeff Reynolds: A Legacy of History and Heart
If River Oaks Baptist School had a hall of fame, Jeff Reynolds would be voted in unanimously on the first ballot. Hired fresh out of college as the fifthand sixth-grade social studies teacher, he devoted 39 years—and the lion’s share of his big heart—to the School. Jeff knew little about ROBS before arriving, but he quickly discovered colleagues who welcomed him like long-lost family and abundant opportunities for professional growth. What he originally saw as a steppingstone to teaching high school history became his lifelong calling.
Today, Jeff is a beloved cornerstone of the ROBS community. Over his tenure, he taught every level of middle school social studies—American History, World History, Western Civilization, and Texas History— captivating students with his deep knowledge, vivid storytelling, and infectious enthusiasm. His classroom wasn’t a place for rote memorization of names and dates; it was a stage where history came alive. With Jeff, two generations of ROBS students became time travelers to the scientific discoveries of the Renaissance, the honor code of feudal Japan, the hope of Ellis Island, and the sacrifice and triumph of World War II.
Jeff also left a lasting mark on ROBS athletics, coaching tennis, basketball, and cross country with a focus on character and teamwork over competition. Always willing to experiment and innovate, he introduced the technique of running shoeless on the final cool-down lap of practice. This did more than improve foot strength and balance; it fostered camaraderie as kids jogged and laughed side by side without worrying about the clock. At meets, when Jeff saw the slowest runners struggling to finish, he would join them at the back of the pack. Whatever their pace—even if it meant walking—he stayed with them to the finish line. On Jeff’s team, everyone mattered. In addition to his quiet, everyday leadership, Jeff took on formal leadership roles at ROBS, including Dean of Students, Assistant Head of Middle School, and Associate Head of School for Student Support. He handled disciplinary matters with a masterful blend of accountability and grace, earning the trust and respect of students and parents alike. Jeff even embraced thankless tasks—like redesigning carpool procedures or developing a faculty dress code—as opportunities for collaboration and relationship-building. He was at his unflappable best when the unexpected occurred, as
it often did on field trips. (Think erupting volcano in Costa Rica or a blizzard in Washington, D.C.) Longtime sixth-grade science teacher Margaret Brewer recalled, “With Jeff, you just knew everything was going to be okay.”
But Jeff’s influence extended far beyond academics, athletics, and administration. Jeff believes in teaching children. He knew that genuine connection is foundational to learning, so he was deliberate about building relationships with each of his students. His intentionality showed in small gestures, like playing Uno with students during his free time or patiently teaching a huddle of boys how to tie a necktie before the sixth-grade storytelling festival. It’s no wonder that if you ask any alum to name a teacher who impacted their life, Jeff’s name is sure to come up. He is living proof that relationships matter most.
Through it all, Jeff’s work and life have been shaped by his deep Christian faith. His devotion to God infused his teaching, leadership, and daily interactions, because he saw every student, parent, and colleague as created in God’s image. True to the biblical fruit of the Spirit, his gentle and faithful leadership became the hallmark of his service to the School. Sixth-grade English teacher Sarah Larzelere said, “Jeff’s way of being in the world is an outpouring of his love for Christ.”
Without exaggeration, Jeff leaves ROBS with the admiration and affection of thousands of students, parents, and colleagues. His legacy is one of wisdom, humility, and a servant’s heart. As he prepares to retire, Jeff reflects with immense gratitude: “I learned more from my students than they learned from me. I’m in awe of the parents who entrusted me to teach their children and who gave their time and treasure to support the
Jeff and his fellow chaperones pose on the 2008 Washington & Williamsburg trip. Back row: Ron Dickey, Rick Grothe, Judy Adams, Todd Deveau, Jeff Reynolds, Barbara Luengas Front row: Maria Franshaw, Rachel Merren, Gay Lee Pearce, Kate Jeter, Rebecca Craft, Janet Atkins
Mr. Reynolds pictured with former students Leslie Farish Cammuso ’97, Jarrett Roberts ’93, Melanie Malone Roberts ’93, George Farish ’94, Knox Nunnally ’93, and Logan Moncrief ’96 at his on-campus retirement reception.
Former faculty and staff members Audrey Moses, Susan McDaniel, Judy Adams, Rick Grothe, Barbara Luengas, Kay MacIntyre, Margaret Brewer, Gail Hancock, Melanie Hightower, Victor Pulich, Mike Petrizzo, Sally Hilliard, and Anne Good joined us on campus to congratulate Jeff on his retirement.
Longtime science teacher Margaret Brewer joins Jeff and current sixth grade English teacher Sarah Larzelere for a photo during Japanese Festival.
School. To my colleagues who have become my second family, you have fed me intellectually, emotionally, and spiritually. It has been the greatest privilege of my life to work with all of you.”
Mr. Reynolds helps Mary Cate Connelly ’17 with an assignment.
Mr. Reynolds emerges from the voting booth after casting his vote.
Beyond the Bell
1. For those who aren’t familiar with Prime Time, how would you describe it? What makes this after-school experience unique to ROBS?
Prime Time is a fun and flexible environment where students can wind down, connect with friends they may not see during the school day, and continue exploring everything they love about ROBS, including their relationship with Jesus. It’s a joyful extension of the school day that reflects our values and community spirit.
2. What does a typical afternoon look like once the school day ends? What are kids doing until 6:00 p.m.?
After school, students enjoy a delicious snack before diving into homework or curling up with an exciting book. Our Prime Time staff supports their learning beyond the school day. And when their homework is complete…that’s when the fun really begins! We offer a variety of indoor activities like arts and crafts, trivia, and games, followed by outdoor fun, from flying kites and playing football, to joining in a game of kickball on the playground. There really is something for everyone!
3. No wonder I’ve heard students don’t want to leave at pick-up! What do you think keeps them so engaged even after a full day of school?
I think it’s the combination of being with friends, the variety of engaging activities, and of course…snack time! We create an environment that feels both relaxed and enriching, which keeps students excited to stay and play.
4. Are there enrichment opportunities, like STEM, arts, sports or music, offered during the Prime Time hours?
"One afternoon, I attempted to pick up my children from Prime Time at 4:00 p.m., but neither of them wanted to leave. My daughter wanted to stay for the first grade popsicle party, and my son couldn’t bear to miss the mini–Middle School Field Day. I ran some errands and came back for them at 6:00 p.m.!”
In
Absolutely! Our staff facilitates hands-on science experiments, creative art projects, and opportunities for students to invent their own games or even choreograph a song and dance with friends. Our classes also include nature-focused projects that help children learn more about the world around them. Students are also welcome to enroll in the after-school enrichment activities offered by third-party providers on our campus, like dance, musical theater, chess, or Tae Kwon Do. I’m always looking for new and creative classes to provide the most enriching afterschool experience for our students.
-Suzanne
Buchanan, ROBS Parent and Staff Member
5. It must take a special group of people to keep this program running smoothly. Tell me about your team.
My team is awesome – they are a very special group of individuals! I’m incredibly proud of them, they are some of the hardest-working people on campus. After a full school day, they welcome students with energy, compassion, and creativity. Though we come from different backgrounds
At ROBS, the fun and learning extend well beyond the school day. Until 6:00 p.m. every day, the Prime Time team is hard at work keeping our students engaged and excited after hours.
this interview, Director of After-School Programs Emily Ross talks about why –even at 6:00 p.m. – many of our Prime Time kiddos just don’t want to go home!
Science exploration meets literacy in Kindergarten Prime Time as students create caterpillar name plates.
Austin Sergo and Ford Wilhide bake up lots of fun in Preschool Prime Time.
and experiences, we’re united by a shared commitment to our faith and to creating a joyful, Christ-centered space for every child.
6. How do you create a consistent, nurturing environment for kids in those after-school hours?
We want Prime Time to feel like an extension of the ROBS school day. Just like their classroom teacher, students have a specific Prime Time teacher they stay with all year. This model allows our Prime Time students and faculty to form deep, meaningful bonds – even after school. And we plan our schedule and activities to be developmentally appropriate for students in all three divisions.
7. What kind of feedback do you get from families about Prime Time?
Parents often tell us how much they value the balance we offer – providing time for homework and reading, while also keeping students engaged in creative and meaningful
Laissez les bon temps rouler! Mrs. Ross and her team celebrate Mardi Gras with Prime Time students.
GRADUATE of a PORTRAIT CLASS OF 2025 HIGH SCHOOLS CHOSEN
RIVER OAKS BAPTIST SCHOOL PROVIDES STUDENTS THE FOUNDATION TO PERFORM WITH DISTINCTION AT THE HIGH SCHOOL LEVEL AND BEYOND, BY PREPARING GRADUATES:
To think CRITICALLY, CREATIVELY, and ANALYTICALLY, with CURIOSITY and a GROWTH MINDSET
To ACCESS, EVALUATE, SYNTHESIZE, and COMMUNICATE INFORMATION EFFECTIVELY
To lead HEALTHY LIVES, EMBRACING MENTAL, PHYSICAL, and SOCIAL WELLBEING, of self and others
To develop ROBUST INTERPERSONAL SKILLS including EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE, EMPATHY, APPRECIATION FOR HUMAN DIFFERENCES, and COLLABORATIVE WORK HABITS
To UNDERSTAND THE CHRISTIAN FAITH, EXHIBIT STRONG MORAL CHARACTER, LEAD WITH A SERVANT’S HEART, and MODEL THEIR LIVES ON CHRISTIAN PRINCIPLES
THIS YEAR’S GRADUATES WILL HEAD TO 15 SCHOOLS FROM DOWNTOWN HOUSTON TO MIDDLETOWN, RHODE ISLAND. CONGRATULATIONS TO THE CLASS OF 2025!
The Awty International School
Bellaire High School
Challenge Early College High School
Duchesne Academy
Episcopal High School
Houston Christian High School
Kinder High School for the Performing and Visual Arts
The Kinkaid School
Phillips Academy Andover (Massachusetts)
Second Baptist School
St. Agnes Academy
St. George’s School (Rhode Island)
St. John’s School
St. Thomas High School
Strake Jesuit College Preparatory
Let everything that has breath praise the Lord! Praise the Lord!
Psalm 150:6
CATCHING UP WITH THE CLASS OF 2020
ROBS prepares its students to perform with distinction at the high school level, which is exactly what these students have done. With pride, we share these achievements of ROBS graduates from the Class of 2020.
WHERE ARE THEY NOW?
STUDENTS FROM THE ROBS CLASS OF 2020 JUST COMPLETED THEIR FIRST YEAR OF COLLEGE
Class of 2020
Mackenzie Allen
Episcopal High School
Vassar College
Camron Baldwin
The Kinkaid School
University of Pennsylvania
Elizabeth Black
Lamar High School University of Texas
Julia Bragg
Episcopal High School Auburn University
David Capobianco The Kinkaid School
Emma Chang
St. John's School New York University
Nhu Chu
St. John's School
Rice University
Cate Crane
Episcopal High School
Sewanee: The University of the South
Isabel Curran
Phillips Academy Andover University of Texas
Emma Dabney
Episcopal High School
Southern Methodist University
Jonathan Daniel
Strake Jesuit College Preparatory
Texas A&M University
Brooks Danile
St. John's School
Wesleyan University
Alden Davenport
St. John's School
Millsaps College
Chloe Davis
St. John's School
Rhodes College
Adam Deutsch
Episcopal High School Texas Christian University
Charles Donnell
Strake Jesuit College Preparatory Villanova University
Fletcher Dowell Lamar High School University of Texas
Danielle Earles
Houston Christian High School Xavier University
Angelina Fertitta
Episcopal High School
Texas Christian University
Stephen Gill
St. John's School Trinity University
Harrison Goytia
Episcopal High School University of Texas
Logan Graham Strake Jesuit College Preparatory University of Oklahoma
Annika Haug
Episcopal High School Pepperdine University
Jackson Herauf
Houston Christian High School
Samford University
Sarah Margaret Hill
Episcopal High School University of Virginia
Hudson Holthouse The Kinkaid School Texas Christian University
Abby Hou
St. Agnes Academy
Northwestern University
Austin Howes
The Kinkaid School University of Virginia
Mason Howes The Kinkaid School University of Virginia
Sophia Hung St. John's School University of Texas
Caroline Huth
Episcopal High School
Baylor University
Lillian Jones
St. Agnes Academy Tulane University
Georgia Junell
Episcopal High School University of Texas
Lucy Katz
Episcopal High School University of Texas
Eloise Klaasmeyer The Kinkaid School
University of Virginia
Thomson Knight Taft School University of Texas
Andrew Konar
Webb School of Knoxville Rice University
George Kugle
The Kinkaid School
Texas A&M University
Wiley Lippincott
Episcopal High School
Texas Christian University
Tori Livingstone
The Kinkaid School
University of Florida
Evelyn Mach
The Kinkaid School
Berklee College of Music
Lilly Mach
Episcopal High School
Northeastern University
Simon Marquez
Army and Navy Academy
Texas A&M University
Joseph Marshall St. John's School
Vanderbilt University
Mary Pete Martinez
Lamar High School
University of Houston
Adam Miller
Strake Jesuit College Preparatory
Baylor University
Christopher Miller
Strake Jesuit College Preparatory
Dartmouth College
Serena Moore
Episcopal High School
Connecticut College
Catherine Moursund
The Kinkaid School
Wake Forest University
Farris Murchison
St. Francis Episcopal School
Michael Murphy
St. John's School
Harvard University
Ellie Musslewhite
Second Baptist School
Southern Methodist University
Michael Nguyen
Strake Jesuit College Preparatory
Texas A&M University
Amelia Novotny
Episcopal High School
Vanderbilt University
Jack Oren
Episcopal High School
Austin Community College
Grant Pacheco
St. Thomas High School
University of Mississippi
Grant Petersen
The Kinkaid School
University of Texas
John William Puckett
Lamar High School
Austin Community College
Brady Reed
Episcopal High School
University of Mississippi
Zeke Rivera
Strake Jesuit College Preparatory
University of Colorado Boulder
Corbin Robinson
St. John's School
Vanderbilt University
Holman Rorschach
Episcopal High School
University of Texas
Walt Rorschach
Strake Jesuit College Preparatory
Texas A&M University
Sawyer Ross
Episcopal High School
University of Colorado Boulder
Halle Roy
The Woodlands High School
Mary Shepherd
Memorial High School
University of Texas
Julia Sherman
Episcopal High School
University of Texas
Lauren Shu
The Kinkaid School
University of Chicago
Ava Sklar
Choate Rosemary Hall
Bucknell University
Mary Caroline Sudduth
St. John's School
University of Texas
Scarlett Suffel
St. John's School
Baylor University
Patrick Sullivan
Strake Jesuit College Preparatory
United States Military Academy at West Point
Lea Voytovych
St. Francis Episcopal School
Olin College of Engineering
Mary Louise Wareing
Episcopal High School
University of Georgia
Billy Wheless
Episcopal High School
Brown University
Ben Who
The Hotchkiss School
Harvard University
Ava Winn
The Kinkaid School
Spelman College
Jack Wise
Strake Jesuit College Preparatory
Austin Community College
Nelson Wong
St. John's School
University of California, Irvine
Ella Yu
The Hotchkiss School
Georgetown University
Class Notes
1981
Michael Soper of Legacy Funeral Group was honored as Texas Christian University’s 2024 Valuable Alumni Award recipient for his outstanding commitment and support for the university’s mission.
1984
Todd Frazier is a Juilliard-educated composer and director of the Center for Performing Arts Medicine at Houston Methodist Hospital where specialists collaborate on the health care needs specific to artists. In June 2024 he debuted an opera whose music he wrote, Breath of Life: The Story of a Heart Transplant, An Opera in Two Acts, in Houston. He also built a retreat named The Conservatory on the pristine 750-acre farm and ranch his family has owned for three generations near Stephenville, Texas.
1988
Rev. Michael Earthman is serving the parish of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church as its pastor.
2000
Patrick Yarborough and wife Lauren welcomed baby girl Mary Leigh on August 22, 2024. (1)
2001
Georgia Carter Fox and husband Stephen welcomed baby girl Marigold Ann on February 3, 2025. (2)
2003
Riley Mundinger Landry and husband Beau welcomed baby girl Betty on August 25, 2024.
2004
Camille Moughon married Jerry Miller on February 10, 2024. She is also co-founder of The Essential Market.
Katie Romero just bought her first home and is working her dream job in marketing, graphic design, and social media strategy.
Whitney Easterling Sharman, Joe Sharman ’01, and big sister Scotty welcomed baby boy Jimmy (James) on November 5, 2024. (3)
2005
Catherine Cohen appeared in Season 4 of the hit television show Only Murders in the Building.
2006
Sean Long and wife Lura welcomed baby girl Sage Elodie Alessandra on November 18, 2024. (4)
2007
Beck DeSpain and wife Hailey welcomed baby boy Denver Bishop on August 20, 2024. (5)
Lauren Rothwell Dwyer and husband Jay welcomed baby boy Wells Claiborne on March 13, 2025. (6)
2008
Anna Grace Thompson Rohr and husband Andrew welcomed baby boy Thompson Michael on January 30, 2025. (7)
2009
Madison Claer DeSpain Chapman and husband Jason welcomed baby girl Fields Elizabeth on August 30, 2024. (8)
Courtnay Buaas married Alex Gorham on March 11, 2023, in Houston, Texas.
Elise Foote completed her Ph.D. in English from the University of Virginia a year early after accepting a tenure-track Assistant Professorship in English and Chicana/o Studies at UCLA. In fall 2024, she began her second year as an Assistant Professor.
Luke Harper earned a Bachelor of Arts at the University of Texas at Austin in 2017 in History and English with a minor in Art History. He then ventured to New York to pursue a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in
Animation from the School of Visual Arts (SVA) in 2023.
Timothy Pierce married April Montgomery on April 5, 2025. (9)
2011
Ava Leigh Bryan and Ross Pellegrin are engaged.
Charlie Cooper married Lindsey Anne Casanova on June 22, 2024, in Whitefish, Montana. (10)
William Donnell married Mackenzie Mott on November 2, 2024, in Charlotte, North Carolina. (11)
Sydney Holt is working for the Head of Live Action at Disney-branded television.
Lexie Spalding became engaged to Nick Heidenreiter on September 8, 2024. (15)
May 3, 2025, in Houston, Texas. (12)
Nicholas Wilson graduated from the University of Texas School of Law in May 2025.
2013
Henry Clark married Emily Herbst on March 15, 2025, in Houston, Texas. (13)
John McMillan graduated from Baylor University School of Law and is the Assistant District Attorney in Tarrant County.
Ava Wilson graduated from UT Southwestern Medical School in May 2023 and began her residency in internal medicine at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania in July 2023.
2012
Emily Boswell married Jack Talkington on March 1, 2025, in Houston, Texas.
Frances Graham married Andrew Donaldson on July 13, 2024, in Houston,
Rebecca Noel moved to Charlotte, North Carolina, where she is the Education Reporter for the Charlotte Observer newspaper.
Hanna Stocks is completing a Master's degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Santa Clara University. She has worked with the Dean and Accommodations Center at Austin College to support students who have difficulty advocating for themselves or communicating effectively.
2014
David Dickerson was selected to serve in the 75th Ranger Regiment. (14)
Kelsey Womack graduated from Dedman School of Law at Southern Methodist University in May 2025.
2015
Aidan Hill married Ariel Jolly on April 27, 2025, in Montgomery, Texas. (16)
2016
Jesse McMillan is engaged to Juliet Caine. Jesse was named Scholar Male Athlete of the year at Chapman University, where he placed second in the nation for pole vaulting at the indoor championship meet (NCAA D3). He competed at the NCAA D3 outdoor championships this spring and graduated with a double major in business administration and accounting.
Caroline Melody completed her undergraduate degree and began her Master's in Interior Design at the University of Texas at Austin School of Architecture.
Adam Nelson is a first-year medical
at
award from Northeastern University. The Huntington 100 honors outstanding students for achievements which are commensurate with the university’s mission, ideals, values and Academic Plan. (18)
2019
Jalen Bradley will serve as the 2025-26 Student Body Vice President on the Yale College Council. (19)
2020
David Capobianco was nominated for the Football Touchdown Club of Houston –Offensive Player. (20)
Alden Davenport earned his Eagle Scout with his great-grandfather’s pin. He was interviewed on Houston’s KPRC local news station. He also committed to Millsaps College, where he will play soccer.
2021
Bennett Cooper was nominated for the Football Touchdown Club of Houston –Special Teams Kicker and Punter. (20)
Christian Ellul, Henry Hilliard, Alex Jenks, Bennett Cooper, Caden Brandt, and Henry Chiao earned their Eagle Scout from Troop 55. They all started in Cub Scouts in Den 19 and have stayed together. (21)
Trace Langin was nominated for the Football Touchdown Club of Houston –Lineman. (22)
Marshall Dunahoe committed to Amherst College for track and field.
Zoe Chung completed 80 hours of community service and committed to the University of Arkansas.
2022
Andrew Wright wrote an article in The Buzz magazine: “The ultimate gift: a legacy of service.” Andrew shared how his greatgreat-grandfather inspired him to prioritize service to others. (22)
2023
Suraj Verma was selected to the St. John’s Upper School acapella choir, Kantorei, as one of two sophomores. In addition, Suraj was invited into both the TPSMEA Regional and All-State Choirs for the second year; for All-State, he was selected as 9th chair. He was also selected for the TPSMEA National Honor Choir.
A DAY AT THE BEACH
Artwork by Caroline Otto, Eighth Grade
Alumni Events
November 19, 2024
Alumni were invited to a fall happy hour at Kirby Ice House. Alumni ranging from the Class of 1982 to 2016 attended, and everyone enjoyed this opportunity to reconnect with fellow alumni and make new friends.
ALUMNI LUNCH WITH FACULTY & STAFF
January 6, 2025
All Alumni were invited to campus for lunch in early January. Graduates caught up with their former teachers, including many of our beloved retired faculty members who joined us for the event.
WELCOME BACK TO CAMPUS
CLASS OF 2021
Alumni Chapel
February 5, 2025
We welcomed back the Class of 2021 for a Middle School Chapel service in February. Several of our alumni participated in a panel sharing their high school experiences with the entire Middle School. Alumni also visited with eighth grade advisory groups after Chapel to answer questions in a smaller setting.
April 27, 2025
Alumni with young children were invited to a play date at Pumpkin Park in April. Alumni had fun catching up with friends while their children played.
May 19, 2025
Our eighth graders were joined by their parents on campus for the Almost Alumni Lunch. Head of Middle School Connor Cook, Campus Minister Dawn Hanson, and Director of Spiritual Life Christi DeSpain shared special parting words and presented awards and Bibles to the soon-to-be graduates. This special event gives our eighth grade students and families time to reflect together on their years at ROBS.
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CLASS OF 2021 RECEPTION
May 5, 2025
Every spring, we invite ROBS graduates who are current high school seniors back to campus for a reception before they head to college. Class of 2021 graduates sported their college shirts and enjoyed visiting with each other and former teachers. They also had fun seeing their eighth grade pictures and reading their time capsules. We are excited to see these Raiders soar!
ALUMNI PARK PLAYDATE
ALMOST ALUMNI LUNCH
Members of the Class of 2021
Hardy Johnston, Hashim Saeed, Christi DeSpain, Marshall Dunahoe, Carter Field
Will ’32, Michael ’01, and Austin ’35 Weekley
Ali Lyman, Louise Turner Carter, and Emily Burnett Blessinger, all ’98, with their children
Grant Hall, Paige Martin, and Bill Toomey, all ’85
Codi Fillmore ’14 & Mike Petrizzo
Colorful Candy Creations
In this culminating project in Drawing Intensive, students explored color theory and applied it to their understanding of line, value, and spatial relationships. Students learned to create a variety of color values within the limitations of the color wheel.
Artwork by William Hauser, Seventh Grade
Artwork by Margaret Saibi, Seventh Grade
Many Cultures, One Community in Christ
Each year, the Johnny and Mia Carrabba Fund for Faculty Grants awards a grant to a ROBS teacher, or teachers, after an extensive application process. These grants enable our faculty members to bring ideas from around the world to our school and its students.
Recipients of the 2023 Carrabba Family Grant, Ashleigh Hess, Spanish Department Head, and Erin Tate, Middle School Bible Teacher, traveled to England and Spain in summer 2024 to explore the intersection of language and culture through the lens of God’s perfect creation. These excerpts from their Windows and Mirrors publication, an extensive diary of the trip, highlight their favorite experiences and most important takeaways from their excursion.
London, Land of Stories
By Ashleigh Hess
When I was young, my parents modeled a beautiful work ethic, not only at their jobs, but in the way they selflessly volunteered in the community and welcomed other families into our own. Every chance we got, we piled in the car and drove down Highway 101, stopping to camp along the Oregon Coast, and sometimes driving down to California to visit family. At 16, I got to travel to Zimbabwe and Malawi with my grandfather, and as they say I was bitten with the travel bug From that moment on, I felt like myself most when I was somewhere else, somewhere new, somewhere far away. I know that the beautiful foundation of love my parents set for me gave me faith and trust that everything would always work, and I could always return to their loving arms. I wandered to a lot of unknown or quiet places, and I never considered places like Paris or London, because they seemed overhyped
I remember going to Paris as a young 20 something, considering I’d enjoy the museums, but that it wouldn’t be that big of a deal. Instead, I found magic in the city of lights. Never ending gardens with f owers and picnicking families, winding museum halls that spoke to folklore and inspiration, and the glittering nighttime lights of the Eiffel Tower But I never made my way to London I figured it was an enormous, business minded, dark city (thanks a lot, Charles Dickens).
When submitting for this grant trip, Mrs. Tate and I knew that language and sacred spaces were two major themes we wanted to explore How do languages affect our cultures and how we communicate with one another? How do spaces of faith (and maybe inspirational public spaces) change our understanding of how God works in our life? Traveling to Spain and England made sense, birth places of English and Spanish. And I knew Spain I know Spain. My first fu l time job was as an English teacher in Madrid! It was such a dream to show Mrs Tate all the places I love and to have new experiences together I knew I would enjoy London, but didn’t really know what to expect So, where do I begin?
Popping out of the tube, our first introduction to London was the Italian Gardens at Kensington Park. I immediately thought of the 100 Acre Wood in Winnie the Pooh, tree branches heavy and touching the earth, like great, friendly Heffalumps saying he lo And then I noticed all the puppies, and remembered the opening scenes of the original animated 101 Dalmatians, where all the pups match their owners. Stories upon stories lie here, and it is so easy to see why poets and lyricists and authors landed on London as a place for inspiration.
On the fol owing pages, take a look at some of the stories you might know and love and explore how they came to be treasured classics!
Bibliophiles (people who love books) adore this street for its endless bookshops. If you love children’s stories, you’ll get lost in every corner, reading both classic and modern tales
Statues of beloved writers and characters line the streets, ready to interact with pedestrians From Paddington, whose stories speak of lending a hand to those in faraway lands, to a banquet table prepared for the world’s most endangered species hoping to be protected.
Peter Pan, J.M. Baree
The Taming of the Shrew, Shakespeare
Charles Dickens’ House
The Wild Table of Love by artists Gillie and Marc Paddington, Michael Bond
Profe Hess is obsessed with the library at the British Museum She wanted to read forever in this beautiful hall lined with volume after volume of ancient texts
YOU CAN BLESS YOUR COMMUNITY WITHOUT EVER BEING RECOGNIZED.
In Granada, Spain, there is a community of cloistered nuns. They make baked goods that are available for purchase, but you have to know the secret of how to purchase them. It delights the ones who find it.
SLOW DOWN TO SPEED UP. IF YOU TAKE TIME TO PLOT YOUR PATH, YOU WILL GET WHERE YOU ARE GOING SOONER.
In the tourism world, a plane is the fastest mode of transportation, followed by a train, and then a bus or taxi or ride share. Once arriving in Europe, we were so excited about all the incredible train rides. We stayed in the outskirts of Barcelona and popped into town quickly on the train. Then, it was only four quick train hours between Barcelona and Madrid. It felt like living in a movie, quickly traversing from place to place. Yet sometimes, lack of planning led us to realize that a train was not a good option. Sometimes a bus, a friendly taxi driver, or our feet were the most efficient way to arrive at a location. And in the end we learned it was not just about the speed or ease with which we arrived in a place, but rather the journey itself. We found new snacks to try, fellow travelers to meet, and locals who told us tales and historical accounts that we would have never gotten to hear otherwise. The journey is often the destination.
BE A NERD. PEOPLE MAY NOT UNDERSTAND YOU, BUT YOU WILL HAVE THE TIME OF YOUR LIFE.
THERE IS TIME TO REST. IT WILL NOT SLOW DOWN YOUR PROGRESS.
We saw thousands of swallows throughout our journey. We marveled at how quickly they could fly and how they never seemed to land, so we did some reseach. We learned that swallows can fly for 10 months without resting. But the ones that do rest get there just as quickly as those who never stop.
IF YOU CAN’T SEE THE FRUIT, IT MAY SIMPLY NOT BE IN SEASON YET.
Imagery inside La Sagrada Familia cathedral is a buffet of natural elements, light and foliage, plants that lift their eyes to the sky. Hundreds of years under construction, and Gaudi is no longer alive to see the fruits of his labor. But in these modern days, the spires that top the cathedral are being placed, all representations of luscious and ripe fruit. Each of these fruit spires represents the fruit of good deeds. While we might be planting seeds of which we never see the fruit, we can have faith that everything has a purpose and season, and our good deeds represent our faith, which can be passed on to others.
LOOK IN UNEXPECTED PLACES. YOU’LL NEVER KNOW WHAT BEAUTY IS HIDING BEHIND A PLAIN FACADE.
As a tourist it is easy to scope out the map, take the trains, and follow the crowd. However, the wandering and the wondering are when the most treasures are found. We found the best Italian food and family chefs when we had no plan, just a hungry stomach that led the way. We found the most peaceful of moments at the grounds of a church bombed in a war, now overflowing with garden walls and peaceful water features. We found joy in the stories of sculptures in London by walking off the path and running into an artist and her puppy, who shared her wisdom and knowledge. There is beauty in the unexpected, and if you leave space for it, it will make its way to you.
One of our very first purchases was a bag of crayons. We found so many bronze plaques, textured walls, and interesting facades, we just knew we had to take the history and the artistry home with us somehow. Profe Hess has been doing crayon rubbings since she was little, and so in many cities throughout Spain and England, you could find Profe Hess on the ground or reaching high on a building to create a crayon rubbing. Mrs. Tate saved her from many near pedestrian tramples. While we looked like the silliest crew on the block, we made connections with the stories around us, and those stories are forever imprinted on our lives.
CELEBRATION SHOULD BE INVITING. BE VOCAL ABOUT THE VICTORIES, YOURS AND OTHERS. INVITE NEIGHBORS TO CELEBRATE WITH YOU.
We ended our time in Spain in the southern city of Málaga, and the celebrations were endless. In the old city streets, everything is sewn together. A museum connected to a Catholic church, a clothing shop attached to a cafe. Celebration is woven into the tapestry of the everyday. Walking from breakfast, we heard the wedding bells, and walked along the cobble street with the attendees. Heading down towards the coastal street, we found ourselves swept up into bridal parties in their pre-wedding celebrations. On the rooftop balcony of our lodgings, we could see the lights and hear the celebratory shouts when the local team scored a goal. Celebration is communal.
Language Lessons with Mrs. Tate
*With the AidE of 5-year-old Maestra Giulia FRom Madrid
Observations of Multilingual Conversations
Phrasing
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v a r i e s f r o m l a n g u a g e t o l a n g u a g e T r a n s l a t i o n i s n o t t y p i c a y a b o u t w o r d - f o r - w o r d e x c h a n g e s b u t r a t h e r p h r a s e s F o r e x a m p l e w h i l e w e s a y “ H e m a r r e d h e r , ” i n S p a n s h , t h e s a m e p h r a s e w o u l d s a y , “ S e c a s ó c o n e l l a , ” w h i c h l i t e r a y t r a n s a t e s a s “ H e m a r r i e d w i t h h e r ” N o t i c i n g t h e p l a c e m e n t o f a d v e r b s , a d j e c t v e s , a n d p h r a s e s c a n h e l p y o u n a v i g a t e a n e w l a n g u a g e W h e n c o n v e r s i n g a c r o s s a n g u a g e s p a t i e n c e i s r e q u i r e d C o n v e r s a t o n s w i l l t a k e o n g e r V i s u a c u e s o r d i g i t a r e s o u r c e s m a y h e p c l a r y i n t e n t o n s , b u t u l t m a t e l y , y o u w i l l n e e d t o h a v e p a t i e n c e w i t h o t h e r s , a n d m o r e o f t e n t h a n n o t , y o u r c o u n t e r p a r t w i l l b e p a t i e n t w t h y o u a s y o u b o t h a t t e m p t t o b r d g e t h e a n g u a g e g a p .
Location
“Understanding the beauty of other cultures helps us to move back toward God’s desire of living as people who love and value one another.”
Ashleigh Hess & Erin Tate
Scan
A s y o u c o n t i n u e t o p u t e f f o r t i n t o e a r n i n g a a n g u a g e , y o u w f n d t h a t t h e c u l t u r e b e g i n s t o o p e n u p t o y o u . Y o u w i l l b e a b l e t o e n j o y s h o w s , j o k e s , s t o r i e s , a n d m o r e i n a l a n g u a g e i n w h i c h y o u p r e v i o u s y s t r u g g e d t o a s k b a s i c q u e s t o n s E v e n l i s t e n i n g t o t h e c o n v e r s a t o n s h a p p e n n g a r o u n d y o u b e c o m e s
2024-25 Leadership
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Chair
Katie Stanton ’90, Vice Chair
Kristy Bradshaw
Angie Gildea-Mahan
Brandon Holcomb
Terry Huffington, Emerita
Tracy Livingston
Corby Martinez
Emerita
Reagan Wellins
Crystal Wright
Dr. Steve Laufer, River Oaks Baptist Church Pastor
Leanne Reynolds, Head of School
ACCREDITATION
ISAS, ACTABS, Praesidium
PUBLICATIONS
Managing Editor: Kara Neumann
Contributors: Stacy Breckell, Erin Breen, Molly Edington, Marisa Elam, Jenn Harris, Melanie Hightower, Rachel Merren, Kara Neumann, Emily Ross, Elizabeth Smith, Mary Kate
Springmann, Mackenzie Wilhide, Liz Wleczyk
Photographers: Three Smudges Photography, Jan Edwards, Bailey Reynolds, ROBS faculty, staff, and parents C2-Studios, Inc.
We have made every effort to ensure the accuracy of the information contained in the magazine. If we have made an error, please accept our apologies. You may contact Kara Neumann at kneumann@robs.org regarding the publication.
ADMINISTRATIVE TEAM
Head of School
Leanne Reynolds
Associate Head of School for Academics
Amy Womack
Associate Head of School for Advancement
Paige Martin ’85
Associate Head of School for Operations
Paul Mayhew
Associate Head of School for Student Support
Deborah Harper
Head of Preschool
Sarah Graham
Head of Lower School
Tara Currin
Head of Middle School
Connor Cook, Ed.D.
Campus Minister
Dawn Hanson, Ph.D.
Director of Enrollment Management
Kealey Johnson
Director of Development
Tany Klaes
Director of Marketing & Communications
Kara Neumann
Director of Safety & Security
Chris Baltazar
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.