Bond of Brothers magazine, Year in Review 2015-16

Bond Brothers OF

YEAR IN REVIEW, 2015–2016

THE OFFICIAL MAGAZINE FOR SAN ANTONIO ACADEMY OF TEXAS

Bo oks+ Beyond EXPLORE, BUILD, CONNECT & COLLABORATE While encouraging the love of reading, The

Bondurant Library has

added another dimension— a creative space for

boys to explore, build,

connect and collaborate.

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The Tex Hill Scholarship Program SAN ANTONIO ACADEMY

The Tex Hill Scholarship Program provides tuition, fees, textbooks and uniforms to two fifth grade boys who will attend San Antonio Academy during their 6th, 7th and 8th grade years.

sa-academy.org 210.733.7331 San Antonio Academy admits students of all race, color, and national or ethnic origin. Accredited by the Independent Schools Association of the Southwest. Member of the National Association of Independent Schools.

BE HONEST. BE KIND. BE THE BEST YOU CAN BE.

®

accepting applications october 1, 2016–january 7

The Tex Hill Scholarship Winners San Antonio Academy proudly announces this year’s winners of The Tex Hill Scholarship: Chaz and Noah Bregman.

In 2007, San Antonio Academy announced The Tex Hill Scholarship Program, which provides tuition, fees, textbooks and uniforms to two fifth grade boys attending San Antonio Academy during their 6th, 7th and 8th grade years. The three-year Tex Hill Scholarship is valued at more than $60,000.

The purpose of the program is to seek outstanding young men who have demonstrated excellence in scholarship, citizenship and participation in activities and who demonstrate the potential to become leaders in the school community.

Applications were accepted from students new to The Academy and also from boys currently enrolled at SAA. The final decisions were made by the Tex Hill Scholarship Committee which consisted of members of the school community who do not work at SAA or have a child enrolled at The Academy.

Bond Brothers OF

In this issue

EDITOR

FROM THE HEAD OF SCHOOL 4 STUDENT OUTCOMES 5 CHAPEL: CREATING A CULTURE OF CHARACTER 10 FEATURE: THE BONDURANT LIBRARY 12 CURRICULUM 16 IN THE CLASSROOM 44 COMMUNITY OUTREACH 46 AROUND CAMPUS 49 ATHLETICS 53 ACADEMY COMMUNITY & SUPPORT 61 ENRICHMENT 64 ALUMNI 65 COMMENCEMENT 75

CO-EDITOR

Becky Shimek, Director of Communications

Virginia Beeler, Associate Head of School/Academics

CONTRIBUTORS Ruth Berg Natalie Bock, Wildcat Sports Mary Shrader Julie Smith Elizabeth Snow Valerie Tamez John Webster Paw Print Staff

PHOTOGRAPHY Natalie Bock Mary Candee Dana Parish Priscilla Power Haley Royer Becky Shimek Elizabeth Snow Julie Smith Kim Stanage

BOARD OF TRUSTEES

San Antonio Academy of Texas offers prekindergarten through eighth grade boys an exceptional academic program that features small classes, a family-like atmosphere, the development of a positive self-image and a foundation for life based upon the love of God and country, integrity and respect for each other.

San Antonio Academy admits students of any race, color, and national or ethnic origin.

San Antonio Academy of Texas 117 East French Place San Antonio, Texas 78212-5899 (210) 733-7331 voice (210) 734-0711 fax sa-academy.org

BE HONEST. BE KIND. BE THE BEST YOU CAN BE.®

Christopher Allison Sergio Alvarado David Angulo Bruce Bowen Steve Chiscano, Chair Jennifer Hall Elizabeth Hart Mark Johnson Oliver Lee Molly McAdams, Vice Chair James Oliver, Treasurer Lane Riggs Victoria Roca Carson Rubey Rob Sabom Kelly Satel, Secretary Greg Seay Tricia Smith Polly Spencer Denny Ware Tina York

®

FROM THE HEAD OF SCHOOL

A Common Bond Every morning, when I arrive on campus, I look forward to seeing the little guys. Our youngest boys (Pre-K, K, 1st, 2nd) come bounding into Ellison Hall, ready for another action-packed school day. This is the age of wonder, discovery, and adventure.

Every day is new, and there is so much to see…to learn…to do. I feel like I’m in Pre-K all over again! The little guys’ energy, enthusiasm and joy inspire me. I hope that you and I never forget what it’s like to see the world through the eyes of a child.

Then, right before chapel begins, the older boys enter Ellison Hall, and our little guys jump out of their skin to get a high five from their heroes—the older boys. The little guys want to follow in the footsteps of their heroes. Our youngest boys can’t wait to become 8th graders, so that they, too, can be role models.

And, from my perspective, it seems like the little guys go from Pre-K to 8th graders—from boys to young men—in the blinking of an eye.

And…along the way, lots of good things happen.

Every day in chapel our boys learn the importance of The Code: “Be honest. Be kind. Be the best you can be.” They also learn that you don’t deposit The Code in Ellison Hall. The Code follows you through the day, as you practice it at drill. Our faculty teaches The Code in the classroom, and it is reinforced in the dining hall. During after-school activities, The Code is at work. You don’t leave The Code on campus when you go home for the day/weekend. “Be honest. Be kind. Be the best you can be” becomes part of who you are and guides you as you make the decisions that will shape your life.

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San Antonio Academy of Texas

San Antonio Academy’s culture is strong. There is ENERGY… ENTHUSIASM…PRIDE…and most of all there is JOY. Our boys love to come to school, and they love to learn. I know that if our boys love school, everything else will fall into place.

There is magic here.

Mary West Traylor said it well when she spoke at the Grandparents’ Luncheon last November: “Where else do little boys come in as 4 and 5 year-olds and they’re allowed to be… encouraged to be little boys, and by the time they walk across the stage, they understand what it takes to be young men of character.”

I love this school!

STUDENT OUTCOMES

ROBOTICS

MATH Our MATHCOUNTS team FINISHED 4TH in the Region, ahead of all private schools that entered the competition.

One student qualified for State.

The Academy’s robotics squad, Team Infinity, WON the Regional Championship, thereby qualifying for the International Championships in St. Louis.

CLASS OF 2015

87% (33/38) of 6th graders have QUALIFIED to take the SAT in 2016–2017.

Last year’s graduates, the Class of 2015, turned in a STRONG PERFORMANCE on their year-end high school report cards: High School GPA: 3.41

LANGUAGE SAA’s students performed well on the National Spanish Exam, which is administered to thousands of middle school students across the nation.

Three 8th graders scored in the TOP 5% NATIONWIDE. Six 7th and 8th graders scored in the TOP 10% NATIONWIDE.

PATRIOTISM On April 10, The Academy’s Choir SANG the national anthem in front of almost 19,000 fans at the Spurs vs.

Warriors game, while the SAA Color Guard presented the colors.

TWO Academy eighth graders were AWARDED scholarships: one to Central Catholic High School, one to The McCallie School.

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of our 7th graders (almost 50%) were STATE-RECOGNIZED on the SAT under the aegis of the Duke TIPS program. Two students were NationallyRecognized, bringing to five the number of Academy boys who have attained National Recognition on the SAT in the past two years.

ATHLETICS SAA’s athletic teams posted an aggregate 40-9 record, WINNING 82% of their contests, including two League Championships in Soccer and Lacrosse.

Most important, 96% of all boys participated in after-school athletic activities.

LAWS OF LIFE Several SAA boys were RECOGNIZED in the Better Business Bureau’s Laws of Life essay contest including a second and fourth place recognition.

TESTING Our 3rd through 8th grade boys performed very well on the CTP 4, as they OUTSCORED the COMPETITION on 38/42 subtests and tied the norm groups on two subtests.

SCIENCE An eighth grader WON first place in the Regional Science Fair, Environmental Category, qualifying for the State Science Fair.

He is currently at the top 300 level of national competition.

ART The Academy’s Art Show included 227 works of art submitted by 149 boys in grades 1st-8th.

That means that 52% of the boys in grades 1-8 PARTICIPATED in the Art Show.

SPEECH San Antonio Academy took FIRST PLACE in the annual Incarnate Word Speech Tournament

FIVE Academy grads EXCELLED in the National Merit Scholarship program, including a National Merit Winner.

POETRY Eight Academy 1st–4th graders WON awards for their performance in the AATSP San Antonio de Bejar Chapter Spanish Poetry contest.

SAA’s eight contestants won two Gold medals, two Silver medals, three Bronze medals and one Honorable Mention medal for their recitations of Spanish poetry.

Year in Review, 2015–2016

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STUDENT OUTCOMES

Leadership Positions During High School During the past 11 years, over 89 Academy boys have been elected or appointed to more than 175 leadership positions at their high schools. In addition, more than 40 Academy grads have been recognized as Eagle Scouts during the past three years. Below, the following list reflects the last five years. For a full list, please visit sa-academy.org/studentoutcomes.

Dalton Banks ’11 Sebastian Bathie ’11 Dustin Brownlow ’11 Ford Douglass ’11 Jonathan Gottsman ’11 Isaac Moody ’11 Harrison Richter ’11 Grant Sechler ’11 Marshall Thurmond ’11

Student Council Vice President at AHHS National Honor Society; Marianist Society at Central Catholic Student Council Historian at AHHS Sports Council at SMH National Honor Society at Central Catholic Undergraduate Honor Society; National Honor Society at Churchill Sergeant at Arms of Sophomore Class; Treasurer, Junior Class; Treasurer, Senior Class; Newspaper Co-Editor at AHHS Spanish National Honor Society Sergeant at Arms at AHHS; Future Business Leaders, Social Chairman

Raul Aguilar ’12

Guidon Bearer; Academic All State in TAPPS at Central Catholic

GW Bodden ’12

Battalion Executive Officer at TMI

Saad Eshan ’12 Tom Bugg ’12

Battalion Commander at TMI Fine Arts Council at SMH

Russell Freed ’12

Community Service Council at SMH

Mohan Iyengar ’12

National Honor Society at Keystone

Dustin Smith ’12 Marshall Webb ’12 Jack Wright ’12 Robert Allison ’13 Marshall Beldon ’13 Walt Buzzini ’13 Alexander Johnson ’13 Andrew Lemke ’13

TEPS: Sophomore Leadership Honorary; National Honor Society at McCallie; Resident Advisor Honor Council Representative at SMH Sports Council at SMH; Spanish National Honor Society Student Council at AHHS Sophomore Class President at Churchill TEPS: Sophomore Leadership Honorary; Dorm Council; Biblical Ethics Award; Junior Class Student Council President at McCallie National Honor Society; Sophomore Class Representative; Student Body Treasurer; Squad Leader; Color Guard; Saber Guard; Admission Ambassador at TMI; United World College Summer Leadership Forum Student Shadow Ambassador at SMH

Daniel Guerra ’14

Freshman Class President at Central Catholic; Sophomore Officer Student Council; Platoon Sergeant JROTC

Daniel Lemke ’14

Class Representative at SMH

Reed Sechler ’14

Treasurer, Freshman Class and Sophomore Class at AHHS; Spanish National Honor Society; JV Basketball Team Captain

Emory Scott ’15

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National Honor Society; Spanish National Honor Society; Varsity Football Captain at AHHS

Sports Council at SMH

San Antonio Academy of Texas

Year in Review, 2015–2016

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2015–2016

SAA

Leadership Positions

BATTALION STAFF Commander Billy Conn Executive Officer Jake Bentley Adjutant Aidan Campbell Aide De Camp Ben Weis Operations Officer Drew Stewart Inspector General Shane Rybacki Public Relations Officer Parker Worley

COLOR GUARD Commander Chase Holley Executive Officer Jack Osterhage Troy Cervantes Joshua Cross Anish Padala

DRUM CORPS Commander Spence Baldwin Executive Officer Donny Duggan Angelo Huff Chazz Hunter Ben Metersky Walker Noble Sam Riggs Niko Chiscano Ethan Feinstein Ty Osterhage Ben Rios Edward Snyder Daniel Wang

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San Antonio Academy of Texas

STUDENT OUTCOMES

COMPANY D Commander Curtis Gunn Executive Officer Isaac Miller Platoon Leader Mac Northington

COMPANY A

COMPANY B

COMPANY C

Commander Joseph Notzon

Commander Wendell Snow

Commander Elias Hansen

Executive Officer Campbell Seay

Executive Officer Seth Meade

Executive Officer Justin Pisano

Platoon Leader Jamie Johnson

Platoon Leader Gage Casey

Platoon Leader Ethan Dziczkowski

Platoon Leader Jordan Sampson

Platoon Leader Jay Welder

Platoon Leader Dillon McManus

Training Officer Browning Shemwell

Training Officer Zachery Powell

Training Officer James Forgason

Sergio Alvarado Alex Alvarez Zach Alvarez Chase Austin Traylor Azar Sammy Barr Sawyer Barr Steven Benke Hutton Campbell Harry Crawford Juddy Crawford Max Dabbous Tradd Embrey Cole Finney Jordan Garza Jatin Gurrala Thomas Gutierrez Edward Hart Max Hart Christopher Hunter Blake Johnson Parker Johnson Brandon Lozano Deandre Marshall Luke Martinez Nate Mayo Steven Nguyen Aidan Notzon Ethan Parkhurst Sammy Penner Alexander Roca Henry Satel Arthur Seay Andrew Seay Reed Shemwell Patrick Snyder Beau Taber John Paul Tucker Luke Tucker Calvin Walls Alex Weis Matthew Ybarra

Bram Benshetler Gavin Boyle Jack Casey Christopher Chan Cameron Chan Cole Dudley Jackson Duffin Oliver Duffin Cole Dunn Griffin Erwin Roan Erwin Kaden Fenno Bailey Fletcher Anthony Fletcher Griffin Freiling George Hale Matthew Jackson Abe Kirkpatrick Michael May T.J. McFarland Ekam Mehat Ethan Met Vishal Nair Warren Oliver John Paul Ortiz Benjamin Powell Alex Pruitt Henry Ramirez Aidan Rasor Christian Rasor Isaiah Rettig William Riggs Cullen Runnels Forrest Runnels Garrett Scott Lee Smith Morgan Smith Tristan Tamez Hudson Taylor Mason Traylor Samuel Velez Tristan Villafranca Michael Wagner Chance Walker John York

Chaz Bregman Noah Bregman Hill Britton Spencer Britton Caleb Browning Jeb Brysacz Walker Carrington Tucker Conlin Connor Davis Michael Delvacchio Nico Diaz Ben Espy Robert Gulley Mason Gutierrez Harry Hassmann James Hawes Emory Hill Rod Hunter Ryan Jourdan Zachary Liu Arjun Mahesh Clark Mandigo IV Andres Martinez Jack Martinez Matthew McCutcheon Connor McGrath Asher Menick Sam Nye Wesley Nye Peyton Randolph Pierce Rhodes Henry Robison Cole Roos Dylan Rybacki James Schnoebelen Mark Schnoebelen Hayden Smith Marc Thiltgen Jack Travis Joseph Turner Jackson Uhr Clark Webb Nicholas Wheeler Gray Woodson Liam Wray

Platoon Leader Razik Rehman Training Officer John Miller Chip Anderson Gavin Anderson Bennett Angulo Eshanth Beeram Vivek Beeram Jake Bentley Timothy Blymyer Ojani Bowen Richard Cage Jonathan Duperier Joseph Duperier Chase Holley Max Huddleston Luke Hunter James Jacob Quinten Jones Raed Khan John Kohl McAdams Reaves Miller Diego Morales Mateo Morales Walker Noble Mac Northington Anish Padala Ankith Padala Isaac Parkhurst Kyle Peavy J.C. Pena Robbie Pena Erik Peterson Magnus Peterson Razik Rehman Jackson Rogers Drake Rowland John Saad Teel Sabom Mark Sechler Ishan Shah Keaton Shindler Nathaniel Shriner Matthew Silva Arun Simha Drew Stewart Hugh Stone Parker Thill Preston Thill Luke Thomas Wells Walker Daniel Wang Miles Wright Omer Zafar

Year in Review, 2015–2016

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Chapel

Creating a Culture of Character ❷

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San Antonio Academy of Texas

❸

❶

OF ALLEGIANCE: Eighth ❶ PLEDGE grade cadet, Justin Pisano, leads the student body during the Pledge of Allegiance. Justin served as Officer of the Day for a Grandparents Chapel held last fall, with over 100 grandparents in attendance.

IT ALL BEGAN: Academy ❷ WHERE 8th graders attended chapel on May 28 for their very last time as SAA cadets, marking the memorable moment by sitting in the ‘little guy benches’ just as they had when they first began as primary boys in blue shorts. Over the span of their Academy career, they have heard 1,700 devotionals of John Webster teaching: “Be honest. Be kind. Be the best you can be.”

MISSION: San Antonio Academy begins each morning with a schoolwide convocation where stories, film, the Pledge of Allegiance, announcements and shared experiences reinforce the school’s mission and promote the strong sense of family that is very much a part of The Academy’s culture.

From silly skits including a dancing zebra and a machine that “Anyone Can Look Better” (ACLB), to more somber moments with cadets saluting our nation’s flag and John Webster delivering a final devotional to the graduating class, the 2015–16 school year of daily chapels were the perfect beginning to start our day.

❹

CAN LOOK BETTER: ❸ ANYONE After being placed in the infamous “Anyone Can Look Better” (ACLB) machine, faculty member Brendan Moore, questions the student body about his new (and improved?) appearance. The jury is still out.

ZEBRA: Mimicking ❹ DANCING a YouTube viral video, SAA’s own “Dancing Zebra” made an appearance in chapel to demonstrate how to do the ‘running man’ so that the boys were prepared for the upcoming dance that evening.

BEING BOYS: SAA’s ❺ BOYS youngest guys react to Friday skits.

❺

Year in Review, 2015–2016

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Bo oks

+

Beyond

Explore, Build, Connect

+Collaborate

Among the walls of books that encase the open space, hang three portraits of men whose life-long mission for San Antonio Academy was to foster a love of lifetime learning in boys. Fast forward almost half a century later, and you’ll find The Bondurant Family’s vision alive and well (read).

Today, there are many dimensions to the Library, highlighted in four categories:

Collaborate with Teachers

Resources to Students

Create

Challenge

Using Imagination & Inspiration

Connect

Students to Think Critically Year in Review, 2015–2016

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BONDURANT LIBRARY

Collaborate with Teachers

Connect Resources to Students

Book Bundles that connect with a theme or unit of study are carried to teachers’ classrooms and often returned by students.

Author Visits connect students to books to help them better understand the process of conceiving an idea and bringing it to print. Susan Crummel had second and 3rd graders assume the roles of characters in her book, Little Red Pen.

Battle of the Books is a competition to test students’ knowledge on the books read from the Texas Bluebonnet list.

Last year 4th and 5th graders competed against St. Anthony’s School.

SAA Museum, located in the mezzanine level of the Bondurant Library, showcases the school’s rich history and provides a living record of The Academy’s relationship to alumni, families and institutions through its diverse historical exhibits that provide a vivid glimpse into the past.

Book Swap encourages reading for pleasure and is an inexpensive way for our boys to exchange books and learn about new authors.

Sixth Grade Reading Club is a fun way for the older boys to connect through books. Studies have shown that reading aloud is a great way to build listening, vocabulary, memory and language skills in kids.

One Book One Community united SAA with the book Wonder, whose tale, told through the eyes of a fifth grader, moved The Academy community to “choose kindness” through messages displayed around campus, classroom book discussions, and Wellness activities centered around the topic.

Book Tastings are designed to give the boys ”a taste” of different genres. The menu for each book includes the appetizer, main course, and dessert. For each course the boys comment on the cover, read three pages, and note any challenging words. At completion they have compiled a list of books they can’t wait to read.

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San Antonio Academy of Texas

BONDURANT LIBRARY

Create

Using Imagination & Inspiration

Challenge Students to Think Critically

Selecting a book is based on readability and interest levels to ensure comprehension, appropriateness, and a joy of reading.

Storytelling grabs the attention of kinder boys, especially when told by the older guys. A 7th grader shares his version of Grimm’s fairy tale, The Mouse, the Bird and the Sausage.

Center-Driven Activities are often a focus of library lessons.

Third graders are using a library database to research books about the topic of friendship.

Makerspace provides a physical space to share resources and knowledge and network and build, while encouraging creative thinking and student-led learning. The interaction among students fosters a collaborative learning environment, promoting team effort and peer support. Materials can include items such as cardboard construction, pipe cleaners, Origami, building circuits, KEVA contraptions, LEGOs, magnets, and computer coding.

LEGOs, a popular option on Clubs Day, offers another opportunity for boys to problem solve, be creative, build their self-confidence, collaborate and have fun.

Year in Review, 2015–2016

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Math ACADEMY STUDENTS EXCEL IN PREP COURSE

Math Creates Problem Solvers

The PREP program, a mathematics-based academic enrichment program offered over the course of three summers, enrolls over 1300 students each year. The following students successfully completed the course this past summer: Anthony Fletcher Vishal Nair Erik Peterson Arun Simha

MISSION: Mathematics education at San Antonio Academy provides a challenging and stimulating environment which emphasizes mathematics as a language, producing competent thinkers and effective learners with lifelong problem-solving capabilities.

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San Antonio Academy of Texas

MATHCOUNTS Team Places 5th at Regionals Seventeen 7th and 8th graders competed against over 30 top teams from some of the best area schools at the annual MATHCOUNTS competition. Coach Hansen’s team of Jake Bentley, Troy Cervantes, Isaac Miller and Drew Stewart won 4th place team honors with Drew placing 10th as an individual, earning him an invitation to compete at State. The SAA mathletes included: 7TH GRADERS Vivek Beeram Jeb Brysacz Anthony Fletcher Max Hart Raed Khan Zachary Liu Ethan Parkhurst Erik Peterson James Schnoebelen Arun Simha

8TH GRADERS Jake Bentley Troy Cervantes Isaac Miller Anish Padala Razik Rehman Shane Rybacki Drew Stewart

CURRICULUM

Geometers Are First to Open the Doors

Geometry Takes Students Beyond Theorems & Concepts

Sixteen 8th graders took advantage of the opportunity to complete a high school level geometry course instructed by Mike Hansen. Students who score A’s in the class often receive high school credit. This elective class met weekly, Monday through Thursday mornings from 7:00–7:50. The students who completed the course were:

Instructor Mike Hansen required last year’s geometers to relay in writing to someone of their choice some of what they learned in their Geometry course.

Jake Bentley Spence Baldwin Aidan Campbell Troy Cervantes Billy Conn Angelo Huff Dillon McManus Isaac Miller

Jack Osterhage Anish Padala Razik Rehman Shane Rybacki Campbell Seay Wendell Snow Drew Stewart Jay Welder

Jack Osterhage wrote to his grandfather, Mark White, State Representative, 83rd Legislative District, Nashville, Tennessee. The response Jack received spoke to life values which Rep. White believed resulted from Jack having taken the course. Excerpts included: I am really impressed with your understanding of inductive and deductive reasoning. First of all, these skills are necessary as we each mature through life; we learn that if we continue to do the same action we will get the same result. This protects us from harm in so many ways.

Representative White also made another observation upon reading his grandson’s letter. What I am also most impressed with is your ability to write and communicate your thoughts.

Being able to tell others what you know and think with clarity is a valuable tool….

SECOND GRADERS DEMONSTRATE THE MEANING OF SYMMETRY The objective of Kathleen Hill’s and J.J. Cornwell’s lesson was to guide students as they found lines of symmetry in objects and completed drawings to create symmetrical shapes. After understanding the meaning of symmetry, the boys divided shapes into equal parts, located the line of symmetry and created symmetrical shapes.

Year in Review, 2015–2016

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English S-P-E-L-L-I-N-G BEE Eighth grader Isaac Miller won the schoolwide Spelling Bee after a close battle in the final round with classmate Vivek Beeram who was runner-up. The contest included 12 rounds and 77 words.

Other contestants that qualified to participate in the Spelling Bee were: Troy Cervantes, Jatin Gurrala, Abe Kirkpatrick, Diego Morales, Erik Peterson, Henry Robison, Matthew Silva, and Daniel Wang.

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San Antonio Academy of Texas

English Department Encourages Writing MISSION: The English Department provides students with the skills to enable them to become proficient communicators in regards to writing and speaking with clarity and precision.

Humanitarian Essay Wins Recognition Each year when SAA’s Alumni Council sponsors the Col. W.T. Bondurant Oratorical Contest, four seventh and eighth graders and one sixth grader present their essays to members of the Council. The students are instructed to write about a person who has had a major impact on their lives, how they learned an important lesson, or the impact of values on their lives. Finalists were Troy Cervantes, Jack Osterhage, Emory Hill, Walker Noble, and Peyton Randolph.

The 2016 Humanitarian Award Essay Winner was Jack Osterhage whose essay was on empathy and how it affected his life. In his essay, he reflects on the time he spent in Panama seeing firsthand the poor living conditions for so many families there.

CURRICULUM

Players Reflect on the True Meaning of Strength Coach Leon McNeil had his football players respond in writing to quotes such as “Strength does not come from winning.

Your struggles develop your strengths. When you go through hardships and decide not to surrender, that is strength.” The players were asked if they agreed or disagreed and to explain in a paragraph with supporting details how it related to their fitness workouts.

1st Place in Incarnate Word Speech Tournament In a close contest, Academy boys took 1st place overall at the Incarnate Word Speech Tournament. Only the top eight competitors in each even advanced to the finals round.

Academy boys took the following medal or trophy positions: PUBLIC SPEAKING Jack Osterhage........................................ 1st John Kohl McAdams............................... 2nd Elias Hansen............................................ 3rd Zachery Powell........................................ 4th Jay Welder.............................................. 5th Bennett Angulo....................................... 6th James Forgason....................................... 7th IMPROMPTU Troy Cervantes........................................ 1st Sammy Barr............................................ 4th POETRY Ty Osterhage........................................... 3rd Josh Cross............................................... 4th James Hawes.......................................... 6th Joseph Notzon........................................ 7th

Academy Boys Excel in 2016 Laws of Life Contest Out of 173 entries, 11 finalists were recognized for their Laws of Life essays. All five Academy boys whose essays were entered were chosen as finalists. In their essays, the boys shared their own values based on experiences and people in their lives that exemplified those values. The results and topics chosen follow: 2ND PLACE ��������������������� Walker Noble (7th grade) Grasping Gratitude 4TH PLACE ��������������������� Troy Cervantes (8th grade) Determination CERTIFICATE OF MERIT ����� Griffin Erwin (6th grade) Appreciation

Emory Hill (7th grade) Be the Difference; Have Courage

Jack Osterhage (8th grade) Empathy

Fifth Graders Leave Their Print

PROSE Jack Osterhage........................................ 1st John Kohl McAdams............................... 2nd Ty Osterhage........................................... 3rd Justin Pisano........................................... 5th

Spearheaded by 4th grade English teacher, Siomha Moore, the Paw Print, in its eighth year, is the school’s newspaper. The staff met weekly after school to produce news-worthy issues which included articles and photos. The boys were also contributors to this Bond of Brothers publication. The Paw Print staff included:

DUET ACTING Jay Welder/James Forgason..................... 2nd Browning Shemwell/Zachery Powell......... 4th Griffin Erwin/Roan Erwin......................... 4th

Sawyer Barr Eshanth Beeram Chaz Bregman Noah Bregman Jatin Gurrala Ethan Met

Sponsors Melinda Biehl, Priscilla Power, and Brendan Moore worked with the boys whose hard work and effort were demonstrated.

Alex Pruitt Henry Ramirez Henry Robison Nathaniel Shriner Tristan Tamez

Year in Review, 2015–2016

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CURRICULUM Said is Dead: Sixth Graders Focus on Word Choice After Melinda Biehl explained to her 6th graders the importance of using more descriptive words than said in their writing, a couple of her students made it official when presenting her with a coffin they designed in which said could rest in peace. In addition, they gave her a magician’s cap, symbolic of the Magic 3, a technique wherein students deliberately repeat a particular sentence structure to establish a grammatical rhythm which gives cadence to their sentences.

First Graders Are “Hungry” Lindsay Kramme’s and Tanya Weis’ 1st graders played a Hungry Hippos game that had something of a twist. Divided into four teams, the boys were instructed to gather as many balls from the middle of the field that they could. Each ball had a word on it. For the first round, they sorted the balls by nouns, verbs and adjectives, and in the second round they created properly structured sentences that included a noun, verb and adjective.

Poems Reveal “Where I’m From” When reading the poem “Niagra, Bridal Veil,” Melinda Biehl’s 6th graders observed details, inferred what the poet implied, and drew conclusions. This led them to write their own poems that are connected to their own experiences.

WHERE I’M FROM I am from black and yellow labs, From leather basketballs and metal baseball bats Steak sizzling, dogs barking.

I am from the parsley where the caterpillars feast, The gnarly pecan tree, Where the birds live and the squirrels chow.

I’m from Thanksgiving turkey and the great outdoors, From Melinda and Ed. I’m from church on Sunday and boring chores around the house, And from hard work and being honest.

I’m from Easter Bunnies and Santa’s Sleigh, And my mom’s wake up calls “Up and at em!”

I’m from my great uncle’s South Texas ranch on Thanksgiving.

I’m from San Antonio, Texas and the United States of America.

Third Graders Produce Newspapers After bringing pictures of themselves to school, Terry Collier’s students began their newspapers. They wrote about an important event in their life, their hero, a mini review of their favorite book, an ad for their favorite movie, and some facts about themselves. Sharing the finished products with an audience of their peers was especially fun!

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San Antonio Academy of Texas

I’m from juicy steak and freshly killed venison, From my grandfather, Who I never knew.

Encouraging me, In my heart, Forever and always.

—Edward Hart, May 2016

CURRICULUM

SAN ANTONIO ACADEMY RECOGNIZED FOR YEARBOOK EXCELLENCE Balfour Publishing recognized San Antonio Academy yearbook staff and sponsors, Priscilla Power and Natalie Bock, with an Honorable Mention Certificate of Recognition for their outstanding contribution to scholastic journalism. Balfour honors about 13% of yearbook staffs with this distinction.

Integrating Art into Writing Fourth graders in Siomha Moore’s English class experienced a colorful and creative way to tackle an assignment to communicate their personal feelings through paint. The students were to choose an object that reminded them of a certain memory, then tell the story of that memory with words and represent the memory using color in their painting. The painter chooses his or her colors deliberately to create certain feelings in the viewer, and in the same way, writers should choose words deliberately to help the reader understand the experience.

Fourth grader Richard Cage said the following: During the experience I wrote about (receiving from my mother a gift of mammoth tusks), I felt important. In my painting, I used blue to represent this emotion because it makes me feel like I am going to know a lot about animals. Blue makes me feel proud because to me this light and bright color seems happy and confident.

“Big Brothers” Help Pre-K Write to Santa Older boys served as scribes when the little guys shared their wish lists and thoughts for old Saint Nick. Before mailing them to the North Pole, the Pre-K boys decorated and colored their letters.

Year in Review, 2015–2016

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CURRICULUM

Reading PRIMARY WEAR CRAZY SOCKS IN CELEBRATION OF DR. SEUSS’S BIRTHDAY To celebrate the work of this iconic author, who would have been 112 years old on March 2, 1904, Kinder and First graders donned their best “wacky socks”.

Reading Program Bucks National Trend MISSION: SAA’s reading program provides skills that enable boys to become proficient, critical and enthusiastic readers.

The Academy instills purpose and meaning to reading through a variety of genres, texts, and cross-curricular connections. A love for reading is fostered in each child, creating a culture of lifelong readers.

One Book, One Community Initiative Embraced Schoolwide In an effort to promote lifelong reading, foster a sense of community, and emphasize a social conscience for kindness, librarian Elizabeth Snow chose the book, Wonder by R.J. Palacio to kick off the initiative of One Book, One Community. The book is about a young boy named Auggie with a different face, who, after being home-schooled, is finally going to attend fifth grade in a regular school, where he faces bullying. The book reinforces The Academy’s motto and values and was integrated in a variety of ways into the curriculum, including precepts written on the windows of Ellison Hall and the library; students, faculty and staff pledged to Choose Kindness by signing their names to the Choose Kind Wall; precepts were used in Spanish to explain idiomatic expressions and vocabulary.

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San Antonio Academy of Texas

CURRICULUM Students Connect to the Precepts Tyna Powers discussed specific precepts with her 4th graders in social studies when applied to something they were studying (How could things have changed if people chose kind over being right?) Melinda Biehl incorporated Wonder by completing a Precept booklet in which students made personal and textual connections to those precepts.

They completed a literary analysis of the novel reflecting on questions such as, “To which character did you connect the closest and why?“ The boys also crafted original poems about forms of kindness.

Approach Whets an Appetite for Debate After reading two short stories, War and The Sniper Priscilla Power’s 7th graders researched various wars and battles. As a class, videos were viewed, critiqued and connected to the short stories. The subject of war was discussed as a prelude to their classroom debate topic, Cruelty is a necessary ingredient in war. The format varied somewhat from what the boys will experience in eighth grade, but it prepared them well for their debut in a more public setting.

No Huffing & Puffing through Kinder’s Activity

Students Experience Point of View & Perspective Maree Longoria’s culminating activity for Wonder focused on point of view or the perspective from which the story is told. After being given a paper with the outline of an eye, each 4th grader was instructed to choose a character from the book that he was comfortable becoming, which meant he would be using the first person point of view. After identifying the character by name, the students were to draw items that related to the persons they had become. Fifth graders were given a drawing of a face and were to identify traits of the character chosen and give text evidence to support each.

Brendan Moore used the book with his 8th graders in his Friday Read Alouds focusing at another level on perspective and point of view.

Kinder boys in Kristin Railsback’s and Anne Trevathan’s may not have realized they were building comprehension skills when engaged in a sorting activity. After reading The Three Little Pigs, along with The Three Little Pigs and the Somewhat Bad Wolf by Mark Teague, the boys sorted objects from both versions into a Venn diagram (giant hoola hoops). Items from the classic version included a brick, soup pot, sticks, and straw while some items belonging to the other version were a bag of chips, “sody pop,” and a sponge. The boys had a blast sorting the items for comparing and contrasting and engaged in meaningful conversations to support their placement of each object.

The activity led to retelling and text-totext analysis.

First Graders Serve Up Reading Orders To help the boys practice and improve their reading skills, 1st grade teachers Tanya Weis and Lindsay Kramme set up a Reading Restaurant in their classrooms.

Parents and family members of the students were invited to the classroom restaurant, where they were greeted by their 1st grade waiter and given a four-course menu of book titles. Guests ordered one of two books for each course, which the waiter “served” them by reading the selected book aloud.

For the special dessert course, the boys chose two of their favorite jokes from the Laugh-Out-Loud Jokes for Kids book that they shared with their guests to end the “meal” on a funny note.

Analysis of Visual Images Strengthens Reading & Writing Brendan Moore had his 8th graders do analysis of Richard Caton Woodville’s War News from Mexico and Picasso’s The Family Saltimbanques. Brendan had the boys study the paintings for a couple of minutes before allowing them to tell what they saw, down to the details of lighting and color. The exercise helped them realize that skimming for plot as opposed to an in-depth familiarity with the text undermines a greater understanding of it.

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CURRICULUM

History Middle East Tasting 7TH GRADE

Texas Festival KINDER

Greek Festival 2ND GRADE

AT A GLANCE Australia PRE-K

Bill of Rights 4TH GRADE

Ellis Island (Europe) 1ST GRADE

Lewis and Clark 5TH GRADE

Day at the Museum 3RD GRADE

History Comes Alive!

MISSION: SAA’s Social Studies/History Department provides students with the skills that enable them to understand how the past affects the present and how to make informed decisions to participate in a culturally diverse, democratic society in an interdependent world.

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San Antonio Academy of Texas

CURRICULUM Student Transformations

Investigating SAA Museum Artifacts Inspired from their unit “Age of Exploration,” 4th graders in Tyna Powers’ class took a trip to the Bondurant Library where The Academy houses its very own museum. Established in 2007, the SAA Museum is filled with diverse exhibits that provide a glimpse into the past—a perfect place for boys to discover unique objects. The boys were instructed to select an artifact, conduct research and write a paper about their findings.

Artifacts that were selected included the “Supply Powder Horn” from the McCombs Collection, the “Winchester Model 1886,” a replica of the original rifle that Geronimo used during the same year SAA was founded, and the “P-40 Warhawk” flown by Academy alumnus, Brigadier General David Lee “Tex” Hill ’28.

After studying the history of the acquisition of Texas, Laura Douglass had her 5th graders view the Alamo diorama in the museum. The boys then sketched a military strategy of the Alamo in 1836 using the diorama.

From the novel The Watsons Go to Birmingham, Melinda Biehl’s 6th graders transformed the outline of the Buster Brown shoe that Joetta wore to church the morning of the civil rights bombing. The same instructions applied including a requirement that the transformation be realistic and in perspective.

Seventh Grader Wins Geography Bee Students from grades four through eight qualified to compete in the schoolwide Geography Bee. They included: Timothy Blymyer, Gavin Boyle, Anthony Fletcher, Max Hart, Diego Morales, Erik Peterson, Justin Pisano, Shane Rybacki, Campbell Seay, Morgan Smith, and Miles Wright. Alternates were Jake Bentley, Juddy Crawford, Donny Duggan, Cole Dudley, Robert Gulley, and Ryan Jourdan. Max Hart won first place with 7th grader Erik Peterson as the runner-up. Max qualified for the State Bee and finished in the top third of the top 100 in Texas.

Students Focus on History in the Making Kathryn Dehlinger’s 7th grade World Cultures students stay current with today’s happenings using a variety of resources.

In discussing the demographics of the Middle East, her students go to the CIA website rather than use dated textbook information. They discussed demographics of SAA and the Supreme Court with the recent vacancy created by Justice Scalia’s death. The class identified and discussed the five themes of geography through a new Weather Channel resource. The boys consistently focused on current events as they relate to content, character development and for this year the election.

They also exercise their ability to use higher level thinking skills with their analysis of political cartoons.

Transformations Promote Thinking Outside the Box Barry Bradley got the creative juices flowing when directing his 6th and 8th grade students to transform an outline of a country, region or state into a completely different object without changing or hiding the original lines.

Outlines included the Louisiana Purchase, India, and Africa, all studied either in Contemporary World Cultures or American History.

Pre-K Rodeo Round-Up In the spirit of celebrating cowboy culture and preparing for a field trip to the San Antonio Rodeo, the Pre-K boys participated in their very own Rodeo Round-up. Led by Pre-K teachers, Connie Haiduk and Trisha Sinclair, the boys were divided into two teams and faced off in three challenges: a stick horse race, cowboy boot and hat race, and “roping the steer.” The friendly competition had the little guys cheering on their classmates as they took turns running down the field on their stick horse, putting on oversized boots and a hat, and tossing a hula hoop around a cone.

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Science Scientists Investigate Their World MISSION: The SAA Science Department uses a hands-on approach to teach students to think critically and creatively, communicate effectively, problem solve and use the scientific method to investigate the world around them.

Science Fair Participants Advance to Regionals Seventh graders again participated in a school Science Fair under the direction of James Pellman. The student-constructed displays were a culmination of months of research, planning and experimenting using the scientific method. Students recorded observations in a data table and created a graph demonstrating their results. During the Fair, six judges canvassed each display, while students showcased their projects through oral presentations. The top five projects and Honorable Mentions had an opportunity to compete in the Alamo Regional Science and Engineering Fair at St. Mary’s University. They were: 1ST PLACE ���������������������� Vishal Nair, Does the Amount and Type of Solute in a Solution Affect the Refraction of Light?

2ND PLACE ��������������������� Vivek Beram, How Does Radiation Affect the Freshness of Produce?

3RD PLACE ��������������������� Reed Shemwell, Charting Atmospheric Change and Light Levels with an LED Photometer 4TH PLACE ��������������������� James Schnoebelen, Does the Age of a House Affect the Lead Content of its Tap Water?

5TH PLACE ���������������������� Chazz Hunter, What Will Happen to Different Types of Plants if Exposed To an Imbalance of UV and IR Light?

HONORABLE MENTION ���� Jeb Brysacz, Does the Color of a Towel Affect Bacterial Growth?

Mark Sechler, Does Music Affect Memory?

Eighth grader Josh Cross’s project was also entered in the Regional Fair where he won 1st place in the Environmental Category, qualifying for the Broadcom MASTERS competition. As of September 2016, Josh has progressed as a semifinalist, and is currently at the top 300 level of national competition.

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CURRICULUM Fourth Graders Engage in Mini Science Fair Cathy Baumgardner’s 4th graders demonstrated their science skills while participating in their own “Mini Science Fair.” The boys followed the scientific method as they set up small experiments to determine the answer to a widelyperplexing question: “Which pen is the best when you’re a fourth grader?” Results indicated that the inexpensive ball point pens often beat the pricey gel pen in many of the tests.

Sweet Idea Results from Experiment Fifth graders in Kim Stanage’s science class conducted various experiments with dry ice.

The boys observed how it reacted when placed in both hot and cold water (with and without soap) and when metal was pressed against it. Mrs. Stanage noted that many of the boys were “not expecting a screaming sound when the spoon was placed on the dry ice.” Interest peaked with the idea of taking these lab lessons home, believing that dry ice could be used to make homemade ice cream.

PRE-K BOYS LEARN HOW THE HUMAN BODY WORKS

Eighth Graders Explore Biodiversity on Campus While studying a unit on biodiversity 8th graders in James Pellman’s science class moved from the classroom to the great outdoors. The biodiversity unit, which follows the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) encouraged the boys to understand how diverse populations can be, even in urban settings; to explore ideas on the benefits of biodiversity; and to examine the problems with limiting biodiversity in an ecosystem. The unit involved using critical thinking skills to create and design possible solutions to maintain biodiversity.

Mr. Pellman’s class completed a scavenger hunt around campus to explore its own biodiversity.

ExploraVision Projects Empower Students to Be “Makers” of Great Things to Come For the second year, Cathy Baumgardner’s 4th graders participated in the ExploraVision Competition, the world’s largest K-12 science competition. The boys participated in small groups to develop an idea/innovation/invention. Each team presented their abstract and web pages to an audience of parents at their “Engineering Expo.” The team of Connor Davis, Quinn Jones, and Diego Morales were recognized by the Toshiba and NSTA for their Exo Brainstorm. To accomplish the goal of helping paraplegics walk again, the team set out to improve an existing exoskeleton that would send brain waves using an earpiece.

Cathy Cummins pointed out the heart, lungs, liver, stomach, intestines, and kidneys on the Anatomy Apron, explaining or demonstrating how each organ functions.

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Robotics Robotics Team Infinity Takes 1st Place in Regionals, Advances to Championship During Spring Break, SAA’s robotics’ Team Infinity competed in the FIRST LEGO League Alamo Regional Championship at the Henry B.Gonzalez Convention Center, after winning the 2nd place Champions Award at the Corbett JHS Qualifier in January. They earned First Place at Regionals, allowing them and just one other team in the area to advance to the 2016 FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) Championship competition in St. Louis in late April. The Championship meet spanned four days and hosted 900 teams (20,000 youth from 39 different countries).

SAA competed in the FIRST LEGO League program for grades 4-8 against 108 teams. The Academy’s team of uniquely talented boys from grades six through eight, coached by Cathy Baumgardner and Tyna Powers, included: TEAM INFINITY Cameron Chan Emory Hill Michael Delvacchio Isaac Miller Donny Duggan Erik Peterson

Shane Rybacki Morgan Smith Daniel Wang

Team Infinity Innovates Pizza Delivery Pizza Classics piloted Team Infinity’s innovative project using a banana leaf to line pizza boxes. Having researched that 1.4 billion pizza boxes are sold and thrown away in America each year, the team wondered how they could affect that waste stream. They discovered, as did Mr. Robert Constantin, owner of Pizza Classics and father of SAA alumnus, Steven ’10, the liner will prevent grease from seeping into the cardboard, allowing the pizza box to be recycled. Mr. Constantin enthusiastically helped the team and even gave his customers information about the banana leaf project.

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CURRICULUM

Robotics Unit Incorporated into Science Class Leads to GEAR Competition Robotics Coordinator, Cathy Baumgardner, teamed up with science teacher Kim Stanage, to teach a robotics unit to the 5th graders. The resulting enthusiasm prompted more than half of the 5th graders to sign up for After-School Robotics. For the first year, the group participated in the GEAR (Getting Excited About Robotics) competition whose theme was “Timewarp.”

Participants included:

RoBuccaneers Recognized at Regionals The RoBuccaneers Team advanced to the Regional Championship comprised of 61 teams from the south Texas area. The theme this year was “Trash Trek,” prompting the RoBuccaneers to create a re-usable bag with a QR code on it that, when scanned, took users to a fact page containing information on plastic bags and their negative effects on the environment. The RoBuccaneers received an award in Project for Presentation, recognizing a team that effectively communicates the problem they have identified and their proposed solution to both the judges and other potential supporters. In addition, the team scored exceptional on Core Values across the board.

The team and coaches Cathy Baumgardner and Tyna Powers represented SAA well. Team members included: ROBUCCANEERS Vivek Beeram Andres Martinez T.J. McFarland

Walker Noble Robbie Pena Isaiah Rettig

Reed Shemwell Edward Snyder Gray Woodson

THE SPACE CATS

THE TIME TURTLES

Steven Benke Chaz Bregman Juddy Crawford Jatin Gurrala Max Huddleston Christopher Hunter Matthew McCutcheon Dylan Rybacki Nathaniel Shriner Omer Zafar

Sergio Alvarado Eshanth Beeram Noah Bregman Cole Finney John Paul Ortiz Mark Schnoebelen Garrett Scott Ishan Shah Parker Thill

GEAR COMPETITORS GO HOME WINNERS The Time Turtles took home an award for Most Elegant Robot in the Elementary Division while The Space Cats advanced to semi-finals, and then onto finals where they took the 2nd Place Trophy in the Elementary Division.

Congratulations to the first-time competitors and their amazing sponsors, Cathy Baumgardner and Tyna Powers.

Team caricatures drawn by Robbie Peña and Walker Noble.

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Wellness Forums & Book Study Focus on Debbie Silver’s Fall Down 7 Times, Get Up 8 Counselor Theresa Moore chose Silver’s book as the source of her topics for both Parent Forums and her Book Study. She considers it an excellent resource in understanding how to foster and encourage motivation in our children.

The Parent Forums offered a small slice of the author’s thinking and teaching about what we as educators, which includes parents, can learn to do to change the course of our children’s self-motivation.

Her Book Study went into more depth in an effort to fine-tune the relationship parents have with their children. Topics included self-motivation, self-regulation, attribution theory and mindset.

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Dimensions of Wellness MISSION: The purpose of the Dimensions of Wellness program is to give SAA boys a more comprehensive perspective of who they are in mind, body, and spirit while striving to teach them to live a healthy life.

Schoolwide Health Fair Covers Range of Topics Together with representatives from H.E.B, SuperGoop and Britton Orthodontics, the Wellness Department hosted SAA’s 3rd Health Fair. Academy parent, Kate Rogers, mother of Carson and Jackson, was instrumental in securing the H.E.B team who brought their expertise to the Fair. The goal of the fair, as stated by Jenny Ligon, SAA’s Wellness Coordinator, was “to teach our boys healthy habits.” Every grade level rotated through all seven stations of the Health Fair which was held in the gym.

Ranging in topics from exercise and healthy eating to sun damage and dental hygiene, the stations offered a well-rounded learning experience about the various aspects of health and the body. Stations included Make-and-take trail mix, sugar myth busting, dental hygiene, proper hand washing/sanitation, spin to-to-win healthy snacks, sun/ UV protection and an obstacle course.

CURRICULUM

SPEAKERS ADDRESS WELLNESS TOPICS Amanda Koplin, a local therapist who works with children and adolescents, spoke on anti-bullying to 3rd, 4th and 5th graders. She talked about the types of bullying, facts to justify the effectiveness of early adult intervention, and what individuals can do as either victims or bystanders to stop bullying.

She concluded by saying that “Anyone can be a hero. Remember that the power of kindness can save and change lives.”

For a number of years, Dr. Nancy Rector-Finney, Academy mother of 6th grader Cole, has taken the time to talk with our 7th and 8th graders on maturation and human sexuality, a component of the Wellness program. Her knowledge and expertise are always appreciated and well-received.

Dr. Shaylon Rettig, Academy father of Isaiah and Aaron, and

Think & Reflect Before Acting First through 8th graders took part in various handson activities, orchestrated

by Jenny Ligon, which really “stuck” with them when bullying was addressed.

Third graders teamed up for a toothpaste lesson where boys took turns squeezing out a tube of toothpaste and then tried to put the toothpaste back into the tube. The analogy was to demonstrate that once they have said or done something that action is out there to stay and can’t be taken back, just like the toothpaste can’t be put back in the tube.

The next lesson incorporated glitter to show the boys how their actions stay with them and affect their reputation.

During the activity, boys lined up in two rows and took turns pouring a handful of glitter into the hands of the person next to them until that same handful of glitter made it to the end of the rows. The experiment was a tangible reminder that, just like the glitter sticking to their hands, it takes time to repair a reputation, and ultimately, how people will remember them.

To leave a lasting impression, Jenny offered a “sticky note” activity which combined the efforts of boys in all grade levels. Each student was to write down how he wanted to be remembered. The messages were then posted to form a Sticky Note Wall and displayed outside the Main Office as a reminder for the boys to live up to those words.

Tom Langston spoke to the 7th and 8th graders on substance abuse. They drew from their experience with patients and medical treatment administered in the ER while focusing on the detrimental impact these drugs can have on the human body.

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Technology Technology Integrated Into Every Classroom MISSION: The Technology Department prepares students to become lifelong learners and contributing members of an ever-changing information-based society through an integrated computer curriculum that builds key technology skills.

STUDENTS PARTICIPATE IN HOUR OF CODE Alan Gielen’s computer classes in Pre-K–6th grade participated in the week-long Hour of Code event.

Alan used several coding products for iPads and desktops: Kodable, Scratch, Codecademy, KhanAcademy,

Technology Reboots More Classrooms The Academy has utilized resources, including Chromebooks and Google Drive for 3rd through 8th graders. Chromebooks are issued to 6th, 7th and 8th graders for classroom use and at home for remote access to their school work. Although not issued to them to take home, 3rd, 4th and 5th graders use them in the classroom.

Each primary classroom has its own set of iPads. First through 4th graders used iPads for the CPT4 achievement testing. Technology Director, Alan Gielen, says that Google Drive is an important component of our technology program. Students use Google Docs and Google Drive to write papers, create spreadsheets, and collaborate on projects. Teachers also use an online console, Hapara Teacher Dashboard, to access student accounts for sharing files, sending documents, monitoring work and activity and editing work.

Lightbot, to expose our boys to

3D Model & Design Elective Class

programming, a possible pathway

Technology Facilitator, Linda Gielen, offered a 7th grade elective in which students worked AutoDesk Tinkercad to learn how to create their own 3D models.

They were assigned projects to teach them how to use the simple, online 3D design and 3D printing tool. Then they created their own models, which were printed on the school’s 3D printer.

to their future. It also teaches problem solving, analytical thinking, creativity and communication skills, all of which enhance every aspect of a student’s life.

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Stage Academy Boys Take the Stage MISSION: At San Antonio Academy boys learn to demonstrate poise and confidence and express themselves clearly and expressively as a result of the numerous opportunities they have to perform in front of an audience.

Eighth Graders Impressive in The Tempest Performance The 8th grade boys took to the stage to perform in the original language an abridged version of The Tempest. Colorful stage lights in red and blue were incorporated in specific scenes to enhance settings, such as the shipwreck that opened the play. Performers captivated the viewers with their exchanges of witty, but eloquent Shakespearean lines, and elaborate costumes and makeup, especially the select few playing female roles! Every 8th grader had a key role, emphasizing the importance of public speaking as part of the academic curriculum, and for building confidence and poise in the young men. Brendan Moore, SAA English Department Chair, revealed, “To young readers, even Shakespeare will seem dry on the page, but when you add in voice, movement and color in rehearsals, the students rapidly begin to see how incredibly dynamic and vibrant the plays are. I think that lesson transfers to their perception of classic literature.” He also pointed out the high level of teamwork necessary to producing the play.

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CURRICULUM Kinder Boys Give More Than a “Hoot”

PRE-K PERFORMS ANNUAL PLAYS The Giving Tree by Trisha Sinclair’s Polars The Little Red Hen Makes a Pizza by Connie Haiduk’s Grizzlies

The Kinder boys demonstrated that they had enhanced their public speaking skills when appearing in their first annual plays in front of an audience of parents, Academy students and teachers and staff. The two plays, Give a Hoot Don’t Pollute and The Great Kapok Tree centered around topics related to Earth Day and environmental issues. Kinder teachers Kristin Railsback and Anne Trevathan spent the weeks prior to the performance teaching the boys about the environment and culminating in plays emphasizing the importance of recycling and the harms of deforestation on animals and their habitats.

A special thank you goes to the kindergarten moms who, with the help of art teacher Elizabeth Eversberg, created the beautiful background and props for the play.

Eighth Graders Debate Topic: Core Values in Today’s Society Two teams of Brendan Moore’s 8th graders debated the topic, Honesty, respect and excellence—mainstays of the culture at San Antonio Academy—are fading virtues in America today.

The boys exhibited eloquence and poise as they made charge and countercharge in defense of their positions, skillfully dissecting relevant studies and articles, parrying attacks by their opponents. The alternates paid careful attention to all of the speeches and provided a ready supply of rebuttals for their teammates to use. In the end of a closely called debate, the judges, Barry Bradley, Karl Graf, and James Pellman, determined that the wining group was the team proposing the motion that these qualities are fading in the U.S. Members of the debate teams were: TEAM PROPOSING

TEAM OPPOSING

Fifth Grade Produces Don Quixote

Elias Hansen (Captain) Isaac Miller Donny Duggan Justin Pisano Billy Conn (Alternate)

Jack Osterhage (Captain) Troy Cervantes Courtlandt Buzzini Joseph Notzon Curtis Gunn (Alternate)

For the seventh year in a row, the 5th grade Spanish classes presented a play entirely in Spanish, with this year’s performance being a six-scene play from Don Quixote de la Mancha.

Voted Top Debater was Elias Hansen and Top Public Speaker over the entire speech unit and the debate was Jack Osterhage.

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CURRICULUM

Language Emphasis on Communication Skills

SAA BOYS EXCEL IN SPANISH POETRY CONTEST

MISSION: The Spanish Department generates enthusiasm for the language and its culture by providing students with challenging and engaging opportunities to develop the skills necessary to use Spanish in their daily lives.

Natalie Bock, and Luisa Bolen proudly accompanied them. The

First Graders Know Their Campus (in Spanish) First graders toured the campus with their Spanish teacher Sra. Hieger pointing out buildings to them—la biblioteca, pateo de recrea, oficina, edificios grandes, el campo, la bandera, el gimnásio, baño. She asked questions such as ¿Aquí? ¿Allí? ¿Dentro? The boys readily responded, demonstrating that they knew their school campus and more importantly, they could understand and respond in Spanish to Sra. Hieger’s questions about it. The entire tour was given in Spanish. Vamos a entrar en Taylor Hall. Calladitos. No hablamos mucho. ¿Qué ves? ¿Cuántos clases?

Eight 1st through 4th graders represented SAA in the AATSP City-wide Spanish Poetry Contest. Spanish teachers Iliana Hieger, boys presented to a panel of judges for the elementary school level of the contest. The boys walked away with lots of accolades, as well as the experience of public speaking. The results were: NATIVE CATEGORY (ELEMENTARY) GOLD: Patrick Snyder (3rd grade) SILVER: Phillip Stone (2nd grade) BRONZE: Antonio Serna (1st grade) NON-NATIVE CATEGORY (ELEMENTARY) GOLD: Wayne Bock (1st grade) SILVER: Alexander Roca (3rd grade) BRONZE: Daniel Nelson (1st grade HONORABLE MENTION: Asher Menick (3rd grade) NON-NATIVE CATEGORY (UPPER ELEMENTARY) BRONZE: Max Dabbous (4th grade) Year in Review, 2015–2016

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CURRICULUM

SECOND GRADERS SHINE Since it is believed that poetry is the window to the soul of language and culture, it wasn’t surprising that Señora Hieger’s 2nd graders recited Spanish poems in front of an audience of parents. With props in hand relative to the poem’s subject, the boys showed poise and confidence when reciting such poems as La Corazón, El Sol, La Primavera, and Rosa.

SAA Students Excel on National Spanish Exam

FIFTH GRADERS GET IN THE GROOVE WITH VERBS Natalie Bock’s students creatively demonstrated their comprehension of how Spanish verb conjugation

With over 180,000 students participating, the following Academy boys earned Premio de Oro medals (top 5% in the nation):

and assigned a common regular or irregular verb

8TH GRADERS Aidan Campbell Mac Northington Jack Osterhage

infinitive to conjugate in the present tense. Each

Premio de Plata winners (top 10% in the nation) were:

chose a familiar song—some went classical, some

8TH GRADERS

7TH GRADERS

chose nursery rhymes, and some elected to use songs

Andres Martinez

and conjugated verbs in lyrical context. Costumed in

Billy Conn Donny Duggan James Forgason Angelo Huff Dillon McManus Justin Pisano

Spurs jerseys and pink tutus, one group danced their

Premio de Bronce winners (top 15% in the nation) were:

way through a lively multimedia rendition of Taylor

8TH GRADERS

7TH GRADERS

Spence Baldwin Elias Hansen Shane Rybacki Browning Shemwell Drew Stewart

Sammy Barr Gavin Boyle Rodney Hunter Erik Peterson Reed Shemwell

really works. The boys were divided into small groups

off the contemporary pop charts, and rewrote the lyrics in a way that would correctly match pronouns

Swift’s “Shake it Off”, aptly renamed “Ser to Be” in a memorable and catchy explanation of how to use forms of ser to describe people’s personality and appearance.

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San Antonio Academy of Texas

Music EIGHTH GRADE PIANIST RECEIVES STANDING OVATION

Notes from the Music Department

Elias Hansen, virtuoso pianist,

MISSION: SAA’s Music Program offers broad, hands-on musical experiences, with training and live performance opportunities in voice, movement and instruments. Our goal is to make music learning fun, practical and stimulating as we seek to develop each boy’s abilities, enjoyment, knowledge and appreciation of music.

reprised his award-winning performance of Debussy’s Le Petit Noir in front of an audience of more than 100 grandparents, along with The Academy student body, faculty and staff,

Garage Band Rocks Chapel

receiving a standing ovation.

Under the direction of Owen Duggan, Garage Band is a hands-on music learning and creating experience offered as a 6th grade elective. Boys are introduced to the rhythm, harmony, sound and style of roots American music including blues, jazz, country and rock and roll. After a semester-long instruction incorporating guitar, keyboard and drums, songs are played for the student body in chapel. Students sing and play the instruments with which they are most comfortable, with a little help occasionally from special guests, such as a visiting bagpiper for, “It’s a Long Way to the Top if You Want to Rock and Roll.”

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CURRICULUM SAA Night with the Spurs San Antonio Academy’s Color Guard presented the colors, while the SAA Choir sang the National Anthem at the Spurs vs. Golden State Warriors game on April 10, 2016.

Musical Mondays Showcase SAA’s Talent After an audition, students were invited by the Music Department to share their talents during the time of silence after the blessing in the lunch room.

Performers included: William Abad Chip Anderson Robert Conn Philippe Jones Matthew McCutcheon

Aidan Notzon Dylan Rybacki Shane Rybacki Antonio Serna Daniel Wang

Symphony Players Tune Up

INTERNATIONALLY RECOGNIZED OBOIST VISITS SAA MUSIC CLASS Jennifer Berg, San Antonio Symphony English horn/oboe professional, demonstrated the art of reed making to 4th grade music classes, showing them the tools and techniques she uses to slice, scrape and finely tune a circular tube of cane into a usable oboe reed. Jennifer was the featured oboe soloist during the Youth Orchestra of San Antonio’s European Tour this past summer, performing an oboe concerto for audiences in Prague, Vienna, Gyor and Budapest. Jennifer just happens to also be the daughter of SAA’s Music Department Chair, Ruth Berg.

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To enhance and enrich understanding of the unique characteristics of their musical instruments, San Antonio Symphony players were invited to perform for the student body during chapel time. Featured were the cello, clarinet, bassoon, and viola. Academy parent, Holly Thaggard, entertained the audience when she played and explained the harp. The Academy thanks the Nancy Jean Newman Memorial Music Endowment for this enrichment opportunity.

CURRICULUM

Grandparents’ Day Concert

Holiday Concert Hand Bells

Primary Mother’s Day Concert

Holiday Concert Recorders

Upper Holiday Concert

CELEBRATING & SHARING SONG

Upper Holiday Concert

Primary Holiday Concert

Primary Holiday Concert

Mother’s Day Concert Choir

Grandparents’ Day Concert

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Art 16TH ANNUAL ART SHOW: THE ACADEMY’S BIGGEST & BEST YET Ellison Hall was again transformed into an art gallery displaying 227 framed paintings, drawings and photographs. The artists ranged from 1st graders to 8th graders with 149 individual boys participating.

Art teacher Cary Gates began the tradition in 2001. Dana Parish’s sixth grade art students and Natalie Bock’s photography students also contributed to the display.

See pages 42 and 43 for mini-gallery.

Art Encourages Creativity MISSION: The Art Program is dedicated to bringing out the very best in each student’s abilities, as well as promoting and fostering confidence and creative thinking. SAA art students learn the fundamental skills in a variety of media, while enhancing their awareness and understanding of art as a means of personal and social expression.

Art Workshop Opens New Dimensions Multi-media artist Ryan Scott Webster treated the 6th, 7th and 8th grade art elective students to a fun and informative workshop. Ryan began teaching air brush technique in 1990 and has since branched out to several other art mediums. The workshop involved a demonstration using Copic markers which are high quality drawing tools that are widely used by professional illustrators and graphic artists. Dana Parish, art elective instructor, said that the vibrant array of colors and multiple uses the marker allows will add a new dimension to their artwork.

Artist Rick Dentinger visited the art elective classes to discuss his paintings and techniques in watercolor.

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San Antonio Academy of Texas

CURRICULUM

THIRD GRADER RECOGNIZED FOR ART ENTRY Caleb Browning was presented the Grand Prize by the Education Coordinator of the Edwards Aquifer Authority for his entry in their art contest.

Third Graders “Paint to Music” Winners Announced Third graders participated in the “Paint to Music” contest where student-produced artwork is inspired through symphony music. This year’s selections were: The Cuckoo, The Swan, and The Aquarium, thus each painting was depicted by a bird or water scene. Sudie Holshouser guided the boys through the process. The top three winners, Luke Tucker, Drake Rowland and Caleb Browning had their art projected on the screen during the symphony’s performance of “Carnival of the Animals.”

PRE-K & KINDER BOYS’ ART DISPLAYED IN SECOND ANNUAL SHOW Under the direction of Pre-K/ Kinder Art teacher, Elizabeth

In celebration of “Kodomo no hi,” Children’s Day in Japan, Elizabeth Eversberg had her Pre-K and Kinder boys decorate koinobori, Japanese carp streamers (above).

Eversberg, The Academy’s youngest guys created beautiful pieces of art inspired by the works and styles of famous artists, including Pablo Picasso, Henri Matisse, Claude Monet, Paul Klee, Andy Warhol, and Wassily Kandinsky.

Photographs of SA Zoo Animals Generate Social Media Buzz As a culminating activity to their Photojournalism elective, Natalie Bock’s 8th graders headed to the San Antonio Zoo to put their new skills to work. They practiced what they’d studied about creating unique photo composition, exploring lighting techniques, employing technical camera settings, and integrating post-shoot editing to capture stunning images of hippos, giraffes, tropical birds, reptiles, bears, primates and lions. The students were tasked with supposing they had been hired by the marketing department to produce unique images of a quality professional enough to be considered for the park’s promotional campaigns. Their goal came to fruition when the zoo’s Marketing Director posted some of their best images to their social media sites.

Year in Review, 2015–2016

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Year in Review, 2015–2016

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IN THE CLASSROOM

Parents & Extended Academy Family Bring Their Expertise on Campus On Being a Heart Surgeon After creating a PowerPoint project on being a surgeon as his career computer project, John Saad invited his father to come and speak to the class about being a surgeon.

Dr. Bob Saad talked to the class about how the heart is fueled, how he opens any clogged fuel lines (arteries), use of the defibrillator, and the importance of taking care of the heart by eating well, exercising and never smoking.

On Whales

On Dental Health & Good Nutrition Edie Britton, mother of Spencer and Hill, manned one of the stations at the Health Fair, emphasizing the importance of healthy eating and good dental hygiene.

On Dangers of Exposure to the Sun Holly Thaggard, mother of third grader Will, shared her knowledge and SuperGoop products that provide UV protection from skin damage that can be caused by the sun’s rays. Holly founded the company soon after her close friend was diagnosed with melanoma. After learning that skin cancer is the most common cancer in the United States, and that more than 90% of the signs of aging are caused by the sun, she set out to raise awareness. The Academy boys walked away from the Health Fair with invaluable knowledge about the dangers of exposure to the sun and products to use to protect them from its rays.

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San Antonio Academy of Texas

SAA grandmother, Gayle Runnels, shared with 3rd graders her enthusiasm of whales while introducing them to Amigo, the Friendly Gray Whale, a book she and her sister wrote and illustrated. She read parts of the book, shared fun and interesting facts, had the boys use a rope to show the length of a whale, and brought items like a baleen for the boys to view and touch. She also carved a whale tooth out of soap for each third grader to personalize with scrimshaw designs.

On Celebrating Santa Lucia Landon Balldin’s mother, Dominique Balldin, and grandfather, Dr. Ulf Balldin, introduced the 1st grade classes to their family’s tradition commemorating Saint Lucia Day celebrated on December 13 in Sweden and other Scandinavian countries.

After sharing the history of his home country, Landon’s grandfather brought gingersnap cookies to share with the 1st graders, another taste of his family’s holiday tradition.

IN THE CLASSROOM

Special Events & Guest Leadership Speakers ON BEING AN ILLUSTRATOR George O’Connor, author of the Captain Awesome series, offered a fun learning experience for 4th, 5th, and 6th graders. He guided the boys through the process of making their own comic page which included pictures, characters, panels and a setting. He explained how the panel size chosen can help depict an action like falling.

On Being an Author Lisa Wheeler, author of the Dino Sports series and The Pet Project, entertained the Pre-K and Kinder boys when she presented “I Met an Author,” performing songs and hand-plays and reading some of her favorite books. The first through third graders enjoyed her “Visit with the Author” program in which she introduced them to several aspects of her writing, including what every writer keeps in their invisible toolbox and what three things every story needs.

On Weaponry Used in the Pacific Theater Mr. Richard Koone, the WWII Nimitz Director of Education, brought history to life for 7th graders by discussing various artifacts, equipment and vintage weaponry used in the Pacific during the war. He displayed a Tommy gun and a soldier’s uniform, including gear that could weigh up to 70 pounds.

He surprised the boys with the variety of uses he gave for the helmet, the cartridge belt, and he noted the food rations available to soldiers.

ON THE MINDS OF BOYS The Parents Club brought renowned speaker and author Michael Gurian to San Antonio Academy to talk with parents about best practices for raising boys. How do they learn? How much screen time should we give them?

What motivates them? Why is single gender education so important? His talk was based on his book, The Mind of Boys.

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COMMUNITY OUTREACH

Making a Difference WITH SCHOOLWIDE DRIVES San Antonio Youth Literacy Following the Book Swap held in the library, about 250 books were given to the San Antonio Literacy Center.

Annual Food Drive Academy boys collected about 1,500 pounds of food during the 2015 Annual Food Drive.

Pennies for Patients SAA participates annually in the program benefitting The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. This past year the school collected $3,046 which brings our total contributions to $22,948.

Thanksgiving Gratitude Kinder boys sang festive songs and gave out handwritten cards at Thanksgiving for residents at Chandler Nursing Home.

Second Graders Assist at the San Antonio Assistance League After filling hygiene kits to be given to children in need, Kathleen Hill’s and J.J. Cornwell’s 2nd graders received a personal safety lesson entitled “I’m in Charge.”

End-of-Year School Supplies Drive

Fifth Graders Lend a Hand at CAM

SAA faculty and staff donated boxes and boxes of school supplies to Avance, a non-profit organization that provides free parenting and early childhood programs to low-income families with young children.

Special thanks go to Yulanee McKnight, Summer At The Academy Registrar, for coordinating these efforts.

After touring the Christian Assistance Ministry (CAM) facilities, Academy 5th graders pitched in to help sort donations, sweep staging areas and pick up trash as community service outreach.

They first became aware of CAM’s mission, offering temporary assistance to individuals and families in crisis situations, when the class donated toys for CAM’s Christmas store.

End-of the Year Binder/Backpack Donations

First Graders Seed Gardens

Backpacks and binders were donated to the Christian Assistance Ministry for their Back to School drive. School supplies each child needs for their specific grade and school are placed in the backpacks as a way of helping meet the basic needs of those who find themselves in difficult situations.

Cork Recycling SAA recycled 33,450 corks this past year, equating to $1,338 in donations to the Ready or Not Foundation dedicated to raise money for pediatric brain cancer.

Since 2009,The Academy has recycled approximately 154,741 corks that donated $6184.64 to research.

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With Community Outreach Projects

San Antonio Academy of Texas

First graders traveled to Phil Hardberger Park to assist naturalists there. After taking a short nature walk led by Parks and Recreation staff, the boys assisted in making seed balls. They compacted mud and covered the resulting spheres in seeds. The highlight of the trip was throwing the freshly made seed balls into the butterfly garden so that Indian Blanket would flourish in the spring.

Haven for Hope Touched Hearts & Minds After touring Haven for Hope, Melinda Biehl’s 6th graders returned to school and reflected on what they had seen. They wrote diamante poetry contrasting being homeless to having a safe home.

COMMUNITY OUTREACH

With Service Projects The entire 2015 school year was filled with the spirit of giving, as our boys spread goodwill throughout our community and around the world. Students were encouraged to earn money or use a portion of their allowance when contributing monetarily to a project.

PREKINDERGARTEN

KINDERGARTEN

Sonny Melendrez made his annual stop to the Pre-K cottage to collect toys to be distributed through his Foundation to assist the area’s underserved children.

students collected school supplies for the Children’s Bereavement Center of South Texas.

SECOND GRADE

FIRST GRADERS

students collected children’s books for the San Antonio Assistance League “Toys for Tots” program.

collected pet supplies for the San Antonio Humane Society.

FOURTH GRADERS collected food items to help children at Stafford Elementary (Edgewood ISD), who without this assistance might go hungry over the holidays.

THIRD GRADERS collected gently-used or new books to donate to San Antonio’s Children Shelter.

FIFTH GRADERS

SIXTH GRADE

collected baby items, sports items, lotions, jewelry, socks, scarves, gloves, hats, and new toys for children at CAM’s (Christian Assistance Ministry) Christmas Store.

boys collected new socks and underwear and new or gently-used coats to benefit the homeless served by the San Antonio Catholic Worker House.

SEVENTH GRADERS collected $1,044 for World Vision, an international organization that builds a better world for children and helps struggling families survive.

EIGHTH GRADERS collected $1,643 to help the underprivileged children living in Los Quinchos in Nicaragua.

Year in Review, 2015–2016

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COMMUNITY OUTREACH

With Intergenerational Programs Living Legacy Program Initiated by Cathy Cummins and now in its twenty-eighth year, the Living Legacy program at the Chandler Nursing Home continues to impact the lives of Academy boys and their senior friends.

Academy 6th, 7th, and 8th graders each visit and interview a senior “buddy.”

The boys write acrostic poems about the residents, highlighting qualities and details of their lives. Framed copies of the “living legacies” are read and presented to the senior participants at the May evening celebration. Thanks go to the sponsor, Virginia Beeler, and to this year’s participants.

6TH GRADERS Cole Dudley Ethan Feinstein Robert Gulley Edward Hart John Kohl McAdams Connor McGrath Peyton Randolph John Saad Edward Snyder 7TH GRADERS Anthony Fletcher Rodney Hunter T.J. McFarland Vishal Nair Andrew Seay Mark Sechler Arun Simha Clark Webb 8TH GRADERS Ethan Dziczkowski Anish Padala Jordan Sampson

SAA boys presented a birthday card to SAA Alumnus, Light T. Cummins, who turned 100.

LIGHT CUMMINS L efty is his nickname I s the oldest living San Antonio Academy alumni G lad he attended Baylor and the University of Texas H ad three children and a son who was stationed in Vietnam T he telephone was his favorite invention.

C elebrated his 100th birthday on February 15, 2016 U nforgettable first airplane ride from Ft. Worth to New York M et his wife, a mechanical engineer during WWII in New York M an he most admired was President Harry Truman I nto sports including baseball, football, basketball, and track N o current interest in politics S uccessful career as an oral surgeon.

—Robert Gulley & John Kohl McAdams, May 4, 2016

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San Antonio Academy of Texas

AROUND CAMPUS

Celebrating

years of

Service Each year, faculty and staff are recognized for their years of service at San Antonio Academy. Thank you for your dedication!

Karl Graf 25 YEARS

Amalia “Molly” Aguilar 30 YEARS

Jane Kernaghan 25 YEARS

Brendan Moore 25 YEARS

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AROUND CAMPUS

Celebrating

15 years of

Service

Catherine “Cathy” Baumgardner

James Pellman

Alan Gielen

Becky Shimek

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San Antonio Academy of Texas

Jan Fry

Priscilla Power

Tanya Weis

AROUND CAMPUS

Celebrating 10 years of Service

Dr. Patrick Atkerson

Refugio “Freddie” Cedillo, Jr.

Kim Stanage

Celebrating 5 years of Service

Melinda Biehl

Jennifer Colglazier

Marc Garza

Kathleen Hill

Lindsay Kramme

Margaret Rodriguez

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AROUND CAMPUS

Faculty & Staff Shine New Faculty & Recognitions SAA’s piano accompanist, Faith DeBow, played for an Austin choir, Conspirare, whose latest CD was one of 5 nominated for Best Choral Performance at the Grammys. She also played for a choir whose acapella Russian CD won the Grammy in 2015.

Our own Counselor, Theresa Moore, was selected as one of the professionals in the community to head up a breakout sessions at The Winston Learning Symposium. Her session on “Personality Variables and Social Development” was a follow-up to the overall theme of Grit: Passion, Perseverance and Purpose.

James Pellman presented a workshop to teachers and administrators at the FlipCon16 Conference this summer. His topic was how to introduce, engage and excite parents into what a flipped classroom is and could be. During the conference, he was also asked to serve as a moderator for teachers looking to create and publish videos.

Terry Collier joined SAA’s 3rd grade team as a Language Arts and Social Studies teacher.

Prior to coming to SAA, Terry taught 4th grade at Northwood Elementary in North East ISD. She graduated from Texas A&M University with a degree in Elementary Education and a specialization in Reading.

Her enthusiasm, energy and passion for teaching made her a good fit for our school and our boys.

Lexi Dutch joined The Academy family as a member of our Technology Department working with our Director of Technology Support. She is a technology specialist and was employed

by Karl Kamin and Associates prior to coming to The Academy. We are pleased to have Lexi’s talents and expertise as our latest technology upgrade.

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San Antonio Academy of Texas

Amy Girardeau and Ruth Berg (pictured with Faith Debow) served as “Lead Teachers” this past year for the San Antonio Symphony’s Link Up professional development workshop for area teachers. It was noted that “the impact of their experience and expertise in presenting the program to other teachers has been a tremendously valuable resource.”

Teacher and Coach Mike Hansen has taken 32 teams over the course of the MATHCOUNTS competition’s 33 years to chapter meets and has also taken teams or individuals to the State competition 25 times, including seven times with Academy winners. He believes, “The program provides a place for students who think math is cool to learn and who practice math skills that will help them in future math courses as well as in life. Mathletes learn perseverance, determination, grit and competitive spirit, as well as team and cooperation skills.”

Wildcat Year in Review, 2015–2016

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ATHLETICS

Endurance, Grit Lead to an Array of Personal Victories

“By far the most important part of running in a cross country meet is pushing yourself. Crossing the finish line with too much energy left in the tank is the worst feeling in the world.”

— ELIAS HANSEN

the Guadalupe River, our young team members posted some remarkable times.

Despite their best efforts, any chance of victory looked slim as dozens of strong runners poured in between Wildcat finishers. What the Cats didn’t know as they crossed the finish line was that eighth graders in their race were to be scored in a different division from the younger runners. That was great news for the young Cats, who didn’t even have enough seniors on the roster that day to field a complete 8th grade team of five.

Every experienced cross country runner knows and builds goals around his racing mile pace. At their final meet of a wildly successful five-meet season, on a challenging two-mile course around McAllister Park, top Wildcats Gray Woodson, Jonathan Duperier, Ben Weis, Elias Hansen, and Browning Shemwell posted a composite average of 6:23 per mile, making their mark as one of SAA’s fastest Top Five in recent history.

In his first season as a Wildcat distance runner, Woodson quickly found himself routinely finishing as one of the team’s top three. “I realized I had to push myself far beyond my comfort level,” he said. “Once I did that, it became more obvious that I was really going to be competitive.”

Newcomers and incoming fifth graders did an excellent job filling the gaps left by graduating eighth graders from the previous season. “I knew we had a 54

San Antonio Academy of Texas

talented crop of newcomers this year when, even before our season officially commenced, four fifth graders eagerly represented SAA at a city-wide distance relay race at the San Antonio Zoo, and they finished second in their age group,” recalled Coach Natalie Bock.

From the first shot of the starting gun of the season, lined up alongside several hundred other middle-schoolers at the FEAST Invitational, Wildcat runners focused on personal record-breaking all season long. Each focused on “beating himself” with each finish as the season unfolded. And in the final meet, more than half of the 30-man team walked away with posting one more personal record for the season.

Perhaps the most exciting moment was at the Seguin Matador Invitational, a huge October meet drawing more than a 1000 athletes through the twelfth grade. In the packed middle school race alongside a picturesque stretch of

When the dust settled, the Wildcats didn’t just win the race…they won by a landslide. In a sport where low score wins, the closest any of the dozen competitors came to SAA’s impressive 36-point total was a distant 87. Not only that, but SAA’s own Jonathan Duperier and Cameron Chan finished in first and second place, respectively, in the younger division.

Reflecting on his four years on the team, Varsity letterman Elias Hansen said, “By far the most important part of running in a cross country meet is pushing yourself.

Crossing the finish line with too much energy left in the tank is the worst feeling in the world.”

Thanks to their efforts on the course, that’s not a feeling any Wildcat runner had much experience with in 2015. * Gavin Boyle, 2015–16 SAA Yearbook staff member, contributed to this article.

ATHLETICS It was rumored that Team MVP Campbell Seay never faced a defender against whom he couldn’t score. Veterans Wendell Snow, Joseph Notzon, and John Miller were instrumental in rallying the team and setting examples for tough play.

“Sometimes I would get tired just watching how hard they worked on the field,” Coach laughed.

Newcomer James Schnoebelen started every game as Attackman, and impressed his teammates by coming through on many a big play. And perhaps the biggest surprise to the team was new goalie Anthony Fletcher, whom the team credits with a huge portion of their success. “To come in with no experience at goal and do some of the things he did was just incredible,” Gutierrez said.

Cats Come from Behind to Post an Undefeated Season The sport of lacrosse has taken off with astounding popularity in San Antonio, but still, few schools can boast a program with a history as winning as The Academy. Back on the field in 2016, intent on following up last year’s undefeated season with yet another one, the Cats knew they had their work cut out for them—especially against their toughest competition, Alamo Heights.

defeat, though, “The boys came out of halftime with an intensity that I hadn’t seen before,” Gutierrez said. With that, the Cats found a way to shut out the Mules in the second half, winning the game by two goals. Not a month later, on the same turf, the Wildcats came back to repeat their come-from-behind victory over Alamo Heights, rounding out a perfect season.

Spoiler Alert: In their 2016 season, the Wildcats did indeed go 6-0, undefeated yet again. But first, they had to defeat the Mules. Twice. No easy task, against a program everyone knows is tough to beat.

“They showed true resilience on the field,” Gutierrez said. “I lost my voice from shouting so much, but with everything I had left, I tried to tell the boys how proud I was.”

New Head Coach Michael Gutierrez recalled that his players were bursting with confidence after big wins against TMI and SMH when they jogged onto the field for their first match-up with the Mules. But the Mules clearly came to play, and SAA was down 5-2 at halftime on their biggest rival’s home field. Rather than giving into a sense of impeding

The short schedule was loaded with tough duels against other powerhouses including Reagan, Smithson Valley, and Boerne, but with the skill of many experienced veterans, and the surprise assistance of some exceptional newcomers, the ‘Cats had little trouble keeping their place on top.

Fletcher volunteered for the job when the season got underway and it became apparent that there was no goalie.

Having played middlie the year before, he was motivated by the risk a goalie takes on. “I used my soccer experience to deflect some shots with my feet,” he said, “and sometimes I’d put my whole body in front of the ball to save a shot on goal. There’s a lot of contact in lacrosse, and it’s fun to engage in a real physical game.”

With the likes of confident returning players like Fletcher and Schnoebelen, accompanied by some of the 50 or more younger Academy boys who participated in Wildcat lacrosse clinics throughout the year, Wildcat Lacrosse still looks strong to defend its legacy in the seasons to come.

“…sometimes I’d put my whole body in front of the ball to save a shot on goal. There’s a lot of contact in lacrosse, and it’s fun to engage in a real physical game.”

—ANTHONY FLETCHER Year in Review, 2015–2016

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ATHLETICS

Winter Ball Heats Up with Sizzling Young Talent Wrapping up its second year competing in a winter league in January 2016, the Wildcat soccer team was proud to bring home its second league championship in as many years.

The key to the long-standing success of The Academy soccer program, according to veteran Coach Brittany Schrader, is depth and team-play. “Though we lost a couple of talented players (from the previous season), it’s the depth on our bench that’s so important,” said Schrader. Returning veterans including Joseph Notzon, Justin Pisano, and Angelo Huff provided the leadership that kept the younger players grounded, and the sixth and seventh graders brought much to the table that made the 2016 squad a truly elite team, she said.

In fact, soccer at The Academy, due in no small part to the weeks of clinics offered on campus to all students in grades Pre-K-5, is flourishing in popularity. So much so that this year’s developmental team of 6th-8th graders boasted a roster so robust and strong that Schrader is flirting with the idea of entering a second team in the local soccer league in the future.

“The most important thing is to give the boys an opportunity to taste the excitement and fun of the game,” Schrader said. “The developmental team (and primary clinics) does just that. The developmental games are so fun to coach because of the boys’ energy and excitement to come out and play a game.”

Though eventual league champs, the varsity team this year was not exempt from loss. In one heartbreaking mid-season game against KIPP, the Cats tasted the painful reality of defeat when they fell to the league powerhouse.

“The team took it hard,” Schrader recalled, “but we used it as an opportunity to learn and improve.” And so they did. No other school posted a win against the Cats for the remainder of the season, and SAA finished with a record of 9-1.

“It was my favorite… because it exhibited all of the strengths, improvements, and hard work the boys had put in throughout the season” —COACH BRITTANY SCHRADER Of course, the greatest victory was the league championship match-off, where SAA once again found itself staring down the tournament favorite KIPP players. A well-fought game drew to a most favorable close seconds before the final whistle when the ball soared off the foot of sixth-grader Connor McGrath and swooshed resolutely into the back of the net. With a score of 2-0, the Cats marched off the field, redeemed, victorious, and in possession of the league trophy Schrader said this game will go down in her memory as the best of the season, but not for the reasons one might think.

“It was my favorite; not because of the win or because it was the championship, but because it exhibited all of the strengths, improvements, and hard work the boys had put in throughout the season,” she said. “Everyone was alive and eager to do their part. The energy was electric!”

Congratulations to Coach Brittany Schrader, who recently earned a National Youth Soccer License (Y License) through the U.S. Youth Soccer Association.

The Y License is considered the highest coaching license in youth soccer. Brittany was also one of two South Texas coaches invited to assist legendary U.S. Olympic Coach Abby Wambach.

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San Antonio Academy of Texas

ATHLETICS

“It’s not always about winning or losing, it’s about what we learned about ourselves during the rough times.”

—JUSTIN PISANO

While victories seemed to come easily for the undefeated seventh grade “A” team, the eighth-grade varsity squad found themselves fighting hard for a break-even season of 5-5. With a predominantly public-school schedule, the Cats were still adjusting to facing bigger, more athletic, and tougher opponents than in previous years.

Brotherhood Strengthened through Adversity There was that incredible moment when Justin Pisano caught an alley-oop pass and scored a game-winning layup.

Or the time when Anish Padala made a prophet out of Coach Heineman by sinking a game-tying shot from downtown just moments before the buzzer, and just moments after Coach told Padala that he absolutely had to make a three to send the game into overtime.

It’s not the record, or the play-by-play of entire games that will endure. It will be moments like these that will be

forever etched into the minds of the 2016 basketball players. After years of growing alongside each other as students and athletes, this year’s eighthgraders grew especially close as they compelled each other on during their final, challenging season as Wildcats.

The seventh grade “A” team also relished in several such memorable moments, topped off nicely by a record of 10-0. “The entire team worked as hard as they could, and if you look at the record, it shows,” said forward Jeb Brysacz.

Still, Heineman said, the seniors had a ball on the court. “We preached team play as we always do, and we encouraged them to just have fun. They knew any game they won was a victory in itself,” he said.

Billy Conn, who excelled as a top athlete in sports across the board at SAA, remembered his final basketball season with particular fondness. “It was a season where it was our house, our life, our game, our everything, no matter what the record board says,” he commented.

“It’s not always about winning or losing, it’s about what we learned about ourselves during the rough times,” added his teammate, stand-out senior Justin Pisano. “And, we definitely had fun!” * Max Rosenbloom, 2015-16 SAA Yearbook staff member, contributed to this article.

Year in Review, 2015–2016

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ATHLETICS

Running Down a Dream

Distance runners like Cameron Chan made huge strides with their performances. “He strolled across the finish line in first place in the 400m, 800m, and mile more than once,” said Coach Schrader, with admiration. “It takes real grit to mentally push yourself to get across that finish line.” Hurdles and field events are also exciting to watch, she said, because each athlete makes drastic improvements during the short season. But her favorite groups to watch, she confessed, are Coach McNeil’s relay teams.

“Track is thought of as an individual sport, but watching the boys come together to win makes you remember we are a team,” she said.

“Track is thought of as an individual sport, but watching the boys smoothly come together to win makes you remember we are a team.”

— COACH LEON MCNEIL Glued to the Summer Olympics, young minds might start to wander. How does it feel to launch your entire body up into the air and clear, head first, a horizontal bar that’s five, six feet off the ground?

If baton hand-offs are as difficult as everyone says, how do those Olympians make it look so easy? What would it take to run a mile in under six minutes? How awesome—or frightening—would it be to leap over ten menacing hurdles in front of a screaming crowd and cross the finish line in first place?

The 2016 Wildcat track season, short and sweet as it was, provided Academy athletes in the fifth grade and up the opportunity to discover first-hand the answers to these questions and more as the boys poured all their energy into

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their three scheduled meets. The team itself was also on the small side this year, lacking eighth grade participation due to scheduling conflicts. Still, this year’s young team performed solidly in their three showings: one meet at Saint Mary’s Hall, and two at San Antonio Christian Schools (SACS).

In fact, the young fifth and sixth grade squad finished in first place overall at one of the SACS meet and a very respectable fourth out of 20 in the final meet of the season. “They competed with drive and determination, and fared very well considering their youth,” remarked Coach Brittany Schrader, who together with Coach Leon McNeil, once again shared the responsibilities of leading this program.

A mainstay in SAA’s 4x400m race, John York agreed that relays provide a special kind of reward. “I’ve won events in both individual and team events, and by far the most fun were the relays.” He said that after working together all season, and even over the course of several years, a victory for one is a victory for all. “The first relay we won, I actually ran out and tackled (our anchor) Rodney Hunter as soon as he crossed the finish line.”

Due to the size of the campus, SAA lacks many of the facilities and equipment used in an official track meet, but this impeded neither practice nor success at the meets.

The coaches used the practices as a way to fine-tune the athletes’ mechanics, creatively simulating events to focus on in fundamentals and technique. They relied, too, on the upperclassmen to help train the younger athletes. “I enjoyed the opportunity to coach the younger guys,” York said. “When they messed up, they would get all down, and then we’d teach them, and they’d do it right. The smiles were priceless.”

Many of 2016’s young participants are expected back on the squad next year, bringing more experience and age to the program. The coaches predict that with the upcoming talent and athleticism this season’s underclassmen are bringing to the sport, it’s just a matter of time before some of The Academy’s longest-standing track records give way to the next generation.

ATHLETICS

“We had to be honest.

Honest with ourselves and with our opponents. If that meant we had to call a shot in the other guy’s favor, that’s what we did.”

— MAX DABBOUS

Building Character While Rebuilding the Roster In what some might call a “rebuilding” year, Coach Bobby Zander’s very young tennis team pulled out inspiring wins of all kinds in 2016—and not just on the scoreboard.

The youngest and smallest team Coach Zander has led in almost two decades did not allow their lack of stature or experience to hold them back. “While we did not have a lot of experience—only five of the 12 team members had played varsity before— we made up for it in hustle,” Zander said.

Throughout their seven-match season, the Cats held their own against squads from across the city that were rumored to be performing at their highest levels in years. Despite walking onto the court as the underdogs, the Cats fought their way to a winning season with a record of 4-3, including many wins in the 2016 ISAL Tournament, with some advancing all the way to semifinals.

Coach Zander viewed the youth of his team as a coaching advantage, because there is much to teach.

Not only did his practices focus on skills and game strategy, but he also worked to instill a strong sense of sportsmanship in his impressionable young players.

“Learning to put the best effort you have on the court and win or lose with grace can be difficult and requires strong character,” he said, adding, “That’s what we are about here at SAA.” Indeed, there is much to look forward to next year, since some of this season’s top performers were very young. Seventhgrader Reed Shemwell defeated strong opponents from Geneva and TMI to advance to the tournament semi-finals, and fourth grade doubles partners Max Dabbous and Blake Johnson made it all the way to the consolation match after defeating even some of their own upperclassmen teammates.

“Coach taught me a lot of great tennis skills this year, like how to hit top spin and how to poach,” Dabbous said. But the number one lesson Max recalled was that of honor. “We had to be honest. Honest with ourselves and with our opponents.

If that meant we had to call a shot in the other guy’s favor, that’s what we did.”

In addition to utmost integrity, focus is what Coach Zander said sets the Wildcats apart. “Our guys have the ability to walk on the court and focus on the match.”

Just like so many Academy boys, the tennis players were busy all spring with an array of extracurricular activities outside of tennis, he said. “But when the time comes to go and play a tennis match, they are all in.

Simply put, our guys love to compete.” * Gavin Boyle, 2015-16 SAA Yearbook staff member, contributed to this article.

Year in Review, 2015–2016

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ATHLETICS

“At the beginning of the season, we had a bunch of individuals trying to come together and make a football team. They bought into our philosophy: the one-team concept.”

— LEON MCNEIL

able to outsmart their opponents, when out-sizing or out-muscling the opposite line is often not an option.

Teamwork Makes the Dream Work When the lights went down on the final game of the exciting 2015 football season, both the Blue and White teams marched off the field with pride, both having emerged victorious in nearly every game of the season.

Once again led by long-time coaches Mike Heineman and Leon McNeil, the formidable Cats grew stronger as a squad with each game as they learned to focus on the Team. At season’s end, the Blue Team finished 6-1, and the younger “White” squad posted an impressive record of 5-1.

Coach McNeil said that adopting an all-for-one mentality contributed to the Cats’ success.

“At the beginning of the season, we had a bunch of individuals trying to come together and make a football team,” McNeil said. But then, he said, “they bought into our philosophy: the oneteam concept.”

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Key victories for both teams came against Lavernia, a strong program that tested the Wildcats’ strength and skill. With final scores of 16-6 and 28-6 for Blue and White, respectively, that afternoon proved that San Antonio Academy had cemented itself in a position among the best in San Antonio.

Each player will have his own favorite memories from the season. With a season-high of fifteen tackles in a single game, eighth-grade lineman Curtis Gunn will not soon forget the game against Saenz. His success on the line, he said, is due in no small part to the team’s commitment to the coaches’ rigorous training regimen.

“Coach Heineman and Coach McNeil do a fantastic job of going over every play, making sure everyone knows what he is doing,” Gunn said. He added that as serious students of the game, the Wildcats had the advantage of being

But, as they say, all good things must come to an end. And that’s what happened on one cool October evening when this group of close friends and teammates took the field for the last time. After weeks of win upon win, the final game of the season pitted the Wildcats’ Blue team against the Medina Valley Panthers, a powerhouse squad which wound up being the proverbial straw that broke the camel’s back.

Gunn remembered the sting of that singular loss with mixed emotions. “We came off the field sad we had just lost our last Academy game, but also happy that we had a great season and football careers at SAA,” he said. Not that that game didn’t have its finer points. One of the most memorable plays of the season emerged from that ill-fated night.

Though things were looking bad, Joseph Notzon’s trick-play pass to Billy Conn for a touchdown had everyone on their feet and heads held high in team pride.

“Everyone did their part,” McNeil said.

“In the end, we were a much better team than we started out as in the beginning.” * Gavin Boyle, 2015-16 SAA Yearbook staff member, contributed to this article.

ACADEMY COMMUNITY & SUPPORT

Your Gift is the Glue that Keeps SAA Together!

Whether you are working on a project or craft at home, school or the office, there will come a time when you will need to stick something together with glue. Glue binds things together.

Every day, SAA donors fulfill that same purpose in the lives of 351 boys at San Antonio Academy through support of the Annual Fund. Our generous supporters keep SAA’s mission strong, and ensure its continued success.

CIRCLE OF EXCELLENCE Every fall semester, donors who are members of the Circle of Excellence receive an invitation to attend an annual donor recognition dinner. Members of the Circle of Excellence make a cumulative gift of $1,000 or more to The Academy during the previous fiscal year.

This year’s event was held on November 5 at the home of SAA grandparents, Dianne & Richard Azar. The event began with cocktails and special remarks from Annual Fund Chairs, Sydney & Kevin Fenno, Board Chair, Steve Chiscano, and Head of School, John Webster, followed by an elegant dinner.

SAA is very grateful for the annual support of close to 700 donors. The Academy surpassed its Annual Giving goal of $600,000 during the 2015-2016 school year, reaching $669,670 to help build a stronger school for our boys. Annual gifts enable the Academy to attract and retain the very best teachers and keep the school small, ensuring that each boy is known, understood and valued.

For the 7th consecutive year, 100% of Academy parents supported the Annual Fund, joining our board of trustees and our faculty and staff who also reached 100% participation. Only 3% of the nation’s private schools achieve this goal.

Other groups who make a difference through their annual support are alumni, grandparents, parents and grandparents of alumni and friends of San Antonio Academy. SAA relies on support from the entire Academy family to keep our school the best it can be for students.

Special thanks to Sydney & Kevin Fenno, parents of Kaden Fenno, 3rd grade, for hosting an important event that honors the many people who support SAA.

Thank You to the Annual Fund leadership, Chairs Sydney & Kevin Fenno, Co-Chairs Erin & Harry Wolff, Alumni Chairs Miguel Dilley ’95 and Jamey Steen ‘03, Grandparents’ Chair Martita Seeligson, Faculty/Staff Chair Anne Trevathan and to the 600+ participants who made a gift to SAA this year.

The Annual Fund kicked off in October with a social media campaign encouraging faculty, staff, parents, alumni, grandparents and friends

THANK YOU to Dianne & Richard

of SAA to show their support by taking a

Azar, SAA Grandparents to Traylor

photo with their annual fund box and then

Azar, 5th grade, for opening their

posting it with the #YourGiftIsTheGlue.

beautiful home for the event.

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ACADEMY COMMUNITY & SUPPORT

Parents Club Committee Brings Best Selling Author to SAA A new Parents Club initiative, the “Parent Education Committee,” was formed during the 2015-16 school year and kicked off its efforts in a big way by hosting a two-day much-anticipated visit by author Michael Gurian on November 12 & 13. Gurian’s visit included three events: the Book Club at the Embrey's; SAA Lecture after chapel; and the Luncheon at La Fonda. The events were well attended and filled with lively conversations between parents and the 'boyhood psychology expert.' A special thank you to the Parent Education Committee, who worked tirelessly to create and coordinate all of the many logistics to bring Mr. Gurian to San Antonio Academy.

SAA Grandparents are SPECIAL TO US! SAA’s Grandparents and Grandfriends warm our hearts with their love and support. They support our students in many ways—helping parents with carpool, attending school performances and joining their grandsons for lunch. Other grandparents serve as volunteers, provide leadership on the Grandparents’ Council or support SAA with an annual gift.

Indeed, SAA grandparents are special to our school!

THANKS PARENT VOLUNTEERS! On any given day you can find a parent volunteer giving their time and talents as class representatives, manning snack sales and the Cat Shack store, serving as dance chaperones and decorating committee, making sure our cadets are hydrated during the Alamo guard shift, providing breakfast and lunch treats to SAA’s faculty & staff, and so much more. SAA is GRATEFUL for your dedication!

To find out how you can get involved as a parent, please visit sa-academy.org/parentsclub.

During Grandparents’ Chapel on September 30 and February 24, grandparents got a glimpse of how their grandsons begin their school day.

One of SAA’s most treasured days of the year is Grandparents’ & Grandfriends’ Day. Held on November 20, the event began with a special luncheon for grandparents at Club Giraud, hosted by Mrs. Helen K. Groves and Mr. & Mrs. Richard C. Traylor. Luncheon attendees were entertained by the 45+ member SAA Choir, who performed Set Down, Servant, Ose Shalom and Our America.

Following the luncheon, grandparents and grandfriends joined The Academy's family on campus to enjoy a musical performance by the primary students, whose program included singing, dancing and playing musical instruments, a Pass In Review Parade by the upper schools boys and student-led tours of the campus. More than 500 guests were in attendance.

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First graders’ personal narratives were proudly hung in Taylor Hall to place a spotlight on grandparents during their special day at SAA.

ACADEMY COMMUNITY & SUPPORT

2015 Fall Family Fair: One Team/One Dream Over 1,400 parents, alumni, boys and girls, grandparents, faculty, staff and friends gathered together for an evening of oldfashioned family fun on the campus of SAA on Saturday, October 17. For 30 years, the Fair has invited the entire Academy family to celebrate all things SAA. Event Chairs Katy & James Oliver led a team of 42 committee chairs who planned and prepared 26 different games, 11 delicious food options, over 150 auction items, 5 fabulous raffle prizes and 60 Drop in the Bucket prizes.

The Academy had 34 alumni return to campus to volunteer in the beverage booths, 350 donors contribute supplies, cash underwriting, auction items, prizes, cakes and food, and 180 dedicated parents work one-hour (or more) shifts.

THANK YOU to everyone who made this year’s Fall Family Fair a HUGE success!

2016 Blue & White Unite: Celebrating Generations of the SAA Family High winds and a cool-front didn’t keep anyone away from the 2nd annual Blue & White Unite. The event was moved indoors and The Academy gym was transformed with glowing lights and drapes for a spectacular evening of re-uniting Academy friends and family. Greeted by Academy cadets in blue uniform, 320 guests shared their memories about the 130-yearold school and what The Academy has meant for them, their families and for the San Antonio community. Joseph Shields, Class of ’05, opened the gala with remarks and, later, led the entire crowd in the S-A-A cheer. The 2nd annual Blue & White Unite is an annual event where parents, parents of alumni, grandparents, alumni, faculty and friends come together to celebrate the values and traditions that will keep San Antonio Academy strong for another 130 years.

Over 150 businesses and individuals contributed fabulous live and silent auction items. Tom “T Bone” Bounds and Mike Osterhage had the crowd rolling in laughter during the live auction and kept their spirits high for SAA. Five Academy pianists played delightful music while guests enjoyed one another’s company and shopped the silent auction on their mobile phones during cocktail hour before dinner. The Academy’s Advisory Council, a team of professional leaders in San Antonio who have been advising SAA’s Head of School for over 25 years, was recognized for their service and commitment. A video of Academy boys interviewing three of the council members—Edith McAllister, Tom Frost and Red McCombs— captivated guests. Personalized event programs with snapshots of photographs and stories from yearbooks of the 1920s and 1930s gave guests

something to chat about as they walked down memory lane.

Event Chairs, Shannon & Sam Davis and Gi & Carlos Morales, lovingly created an evening of memories, camaraderie and future-thinking for a school that works diligently at helping young boys grow up to be men of character who make a difference in the world.

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ENRICHMENT

CHECKMATE! SAA BOYS IMPRESS AT RACKSPACE CHESS TOURNAMENT On April 30, five SAA boys (Kinder-2nd grade) from Alex Weinberg’s afterschool Enrichment Chess Class made their impressive debut at Rackspace’s annual chess tournament by winning the team trophy in both the Sprout and the Primary sections!

2016 Summer At The Academy SAA Teachers, Coaches & Summer At The Academy Team Provide Top-Notch Program

Did you know that among the 70+ instructors who teach during the summer program, over 15% of SAA’s teachers and coaches instruct one or more of those classes offered?

That, in addition to the combined efforts of the directors, registrars, counselors and runners, Summer At The Academy provides a top-notch experience for both kids and parents.

But don’t take our word for it. Here’s what parents had to say:

Out of 28 participants in the Primary section, Noah Davis (Kinder) and Michael Davis (2nd Grade) tied for 1st place, and Aaron Rettig (1st Grade) captured 5th place. In the Sprout section, Henry Taylor (Kinder) won 2nd place while Peter Upton (1st Grade) placed 7th.

In addition to teaching an enrichment chess class at SAA, Alex Weinberg also instructs the Rackspace tournaments, now in its fourth year. Alex is a national master with the U.S. Chess Federation (and a two-time San Antonio City Chess Champion), who was selected at age 7 to receive formal training at the National Chess School in Moscow before moving to the U.S. as a teenager.

Summer At The Academy was recognized by the San Antonio Current as one of the 2016 “TOP 10 SUMMER CAMPS” in the city.

“This camp is so organized, wonderful teachers, awesome activities. Beautiful campus! We will be back next summer!”

“It is the best summer camp in the city. My boys go to school there all year and they still want to go to SAA all summer...Went to almost every session.”

“The courses were wonderful, the teachers were stupendous, but what really impressed us just as much were the kind gentlemen who were directing traffic every single morning, they were the best hosts, always extremely welcoming and helpful–what a wonderful first experience to the Academy they provided us every single morning throughout the entire summer. “ “I thought everyone I came in contact with from teachers to grounds keepers to volunteers to admin staff were absolutely great, friendly, helpful and courteous!”

Summer 2017 is just around the corner.

Visit sa-academy.org/summerattheacademy for updates.

FREE PARENT LECTURES FOCUS ON AUTHORS IN THE EDUCATION FIELD Enrichment Director, Cathy Cummins, continues to inspire and educate parents and educators by offering lectures that are free to the community. The 2015-16 school year was packed with topics ranging from the latest brain research in “Teaching the Male Brain” by Dr. Abigail Norfleet James, to “The Organized Student” by Donna Goldberg, which provides information to parents that will help children make the most effective use of their time.

Visit sa-academy.org/enrichment to view the schedule and register for the upcoming Free Parent Lectures Series.

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ALUMNI

2016 Colonel W.T. Bondurant, Sr. Distinguished Humanitarian Award Recipient Honored “We are here nominally to celebrate me—and I am exceedingly honored by this—but we are really here to celebrate and support this great school. This school where boys are taught to see clearly, to be honest about the gifts they have, to be kind, to be the best they can be. These boys are the ones who will lead this city, this state and this nation in the future—and they will work to make this world a better place.

They will all be humanitarians who will work to make the lives of others better,” said Judge Spencer.

The Alumni Council of San Antonio Academy of Texas honored Judge Polly Jackson Spencer as the 2016 recipient of the Colonel W.T. Bondurant, Sr. Distinguished Humanitarian Award.

The celebrations began in morning chapel on Tuesday, February 9, where Judge Spencer delivered an inspiring speech to students about the importance of service, helping others and doing your best in life. “You all have many gifts and talents and God expects you to use them to help your neighbor and to glorify him. We are each better if we are all better,” said Judge Spencer to the student body.

Since Judge Spencer’s sons could not attend in person to help honor their mom, George Spencer ’96 and Warren Spencer ’04 were able to communicate their appreciation through a video clip shown during chapel. Afterwards, Judge Spencer viewed the formal Pass in Review—on a picture-perfect morning—giving her ‘thumbs up’ for their performance. Later that afternoon, 140 guests that included SAA alumni, parents, grandparents, parents of alumni, staff, friends, family and colleagues of Judge Spencer, celebrated her service and achievements at an award luncheon at The Bright Shawl. Proceeds from the event benefited the Colonel W. T. Bondurant, Jr. Scholarship Endowment, a need-based scholarship fund for boys attending San Antonio Academy.

The Honorable Polly Jackson Spencer retired in 2014 after twenty-four years as Bexar County Probate Judge. Throughout her life, she has exemplified extraordinary volunteer service and support in the community with organizations including The Rotary Club, Trinity University, Deaf Education & Hearing Science Council, Chamber Music Society, Morningside Ministries, Center for Health Care Service and San Antonio Academy. Judge Spencer is a speaker and instructor for several professional associations, workshops and organizations in her field.

Front Row: Charles Noble ’43, Polly Jackson Spencer, Tom Semmes ’56; Middle Row: Blair Labatt ‘61, Mark Biegler ’99, Brad Kaufman ’99, Adam Reed ’99, Brandon Grossman ’92, Andres Roman ’98 Back Row: Ben Jackson ’68, Corbin Snow ’77, Jacob Leibowitz ’99, Chris McKnight ’88, Joseph Shields ’05, Sam Noble ’79, Don Noble ’71, Eric Duxstad ’79; Alumni in attendance not in the photo: Ed Bondurant ‘54, Don Frost ‘72, Drew Kennedy, Honorary Alumnus, Chico Newman ‘61, Brian Steward ‘79, John Webster, Honorary Alumnus.

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ALUMNI

Alumni Homecoming Weekend Festivities began on October 16 with Alumni Day serving as the kickoff event for the special weekend as Dr. Arturo Bonilla, Class of 1976, was recognized as the 2015 Col. W.T. Bondurant, Jr. Distinguished Alumnus Award Recipient.

SAVE THE DATE 2017 Col. W.T. Bondurant, Sr. Distinguished Humanitarian Award Luncheon February 7, 2017 11:30 a.m.

Lunch & Program Witte Museum $75 Individual Reservations Required Tables & Sponsorships available We are pleased to announce that Shannon Sedgwick Davis will be honored with the 37th Col. W. T. Bondurant, Sr. Humanitarian Award.

The prestigious award, bestowed by the San Antonio Academy Alumni Council, honors an individual who exemplifies the school’s most cherished values: honesty, respect, pride in achievement and service to others.

FOR MORE DETAILS CALL (210) 733-7331 ext. 268 VISIT sa-academy.org Proceeds from the luncheon benefit the San Antonio Academy Col. W.T. Bondurant, Jr. Scholarship fund.

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Since 2007, the Alumni Council presents accomplished graduates with the Distinguished Alumnus Award for their professional achievements, contributions to society and loyalty to The Academy. The primary function of the award is to honor SAA alumni whose lives exemplify the highest values, traditions, and ideals of San Antonio Academy.

Dr. Bonilla is a Pediatric Microtia Surgeon who has treated thousands of children with ear deformities.

Since 1996, he has developed the largest exclusive Pediatric Microtia Center in the U.S. called the Microtia-Congenital Ear Deformity Institute.

Following the award presentation and alumni muster in chapel, the Battalion performed their first Pass In Review of the school year on Frost Field in honor of Dr. Bonilla and The Academy’s alumni.

Homecoming Weekend concluded with Fall Family Fair on Saturday, October 17, where over 50 alumni volunteered at the alumni beverage booths or stopped by the Alumni Pavilion to visit with friends, flip through old yearbooks and view photos on the Alumni Wall.

Thanks to all the alumni who made this year’s Homecoming Weekend a success! Special thanks to the 2015 Homecoming Weekend Chairmen, Brad Kaufman ’99 and Sean Knoll ’02, and to members of SAA’s Alumni Council who helped organize and promote the event.

Compliments of SAA’s Alumni Council, alumni who attended the 2015 Homecoming Weekend received a commemorative Academy alumni T-shirt.

ALUMNI

Alumni Connect with Students Through Sportmanship

Tug-of-War Challenge SAA alumni returned to campus to challenge the 8th grade students in a game of tug-of-war on April 8 during the Upper School Field Day. Held in the Verna McLean gym and hosted by the Alumni Council, this was The Academy’s second annual Alumni vs. 8th Grade Tug-of-War Challenge.

After losing to students at last year’s event, SAA alumni came back strong for a victory over the 8th graders in both rounds.

Win or lose, it was a fun time for all participants and fans.

THANK YOU to all of the alumni who participated this year.

The alumni team included Robert Bentley, Rowe Blount, Michael Blaess, George Bodden, G.W. Bodden, Luisa Bolen, Jose Bonilla, Barry Bradley, Jay Buzzini, Larry Conn, Jonathan Delmer, Jose Luis Espinosa, Brandon Grossman, Ash Hollis, Brad Kaufman, Sean Knoll, Jacob Leibowitz, Pedro Martinez, Gary Marvin, Adam Reed, Javier Rocha, Andrew Simms, Brian Steward, Lex Stewart, William Tucker, Mikey Vaughan, John White IV, James Willmann and Michael Wilson.

Alumni vs. 8th Grade Basketball Game The Annual Alumni vs. 8th Grade Basketball Game, held on November 11, was a fun spectacle of camaraderie and sportsmanship. Thank you to the alumni who came out to support and participate this year, making this much-anticipated match a memorable time for alumni, students, parents, faculty, staff and friends of SAA. Myron Jones ’96 (above) returned to SAA to show his support with a full-court press during the Alumni vs. 8th Grade Game.

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ALUMNI

ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT: William Negley, Class of 1998 an idea that I believed would help,” he says. After William developed the original concept for Sound Off, he initiated the incorporation process while sitting in Afghanistan in 2013.

The lacrosse field, drill, polishing shoes, five-paragraph essay formats, 8th grade and the lunch room are some of the memories that William Negley ’98 remembers when reflecting on the ten years that he spent attending grades Pre-K through eighth at San Antonio Academy.

With a foundation based upon love of God, country and service, William graduated from The Academy in 1998.

“The Academy was instrumental in convincing me of the ‘requirement’ that I strive to do great things. The combination of being told repeatedly that you as an individual have strength and talent, an ethic tied to country and God, and the nurturing that comes from The Academy have been a defining component of my life,” says William.

Over the last decade, William has spent his career serving his country and helping others as a Directorate of Operations in the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), and Founder & President of Sound Off, an ITbased non-profit that is reforming the way U.S. military veterans seek mental health support.

The mission of Sound Off, an organization he has been developing since 2013, is to help military veterans access the mental health services and support they need, with anonymity, consistency, and quality.

Sound Off connects veterans with certified mental health specialists anonymously by phone, online or via a mobile app. “My inspiration came from a combination of working with veterans, with colleagues who themselves struggled, the constant news coverage, and ultimately just having

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With eight years of executive and legislative government experience supporting US national security interests, William is a former Intelligence Officer with the National Clandestine Service of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA).

His work at the CIA included significant time in Afghanistan and managing a wide range of counterterrorism, counterintelligence, foreign intelligence and covert action efforts worldwide with a particular focus on South Asia. He was awarded the CIA Exceptional Performance Award & the Meritorious Unit Citation.

From 2008-2009, William worked in Washington, D.C. as a Legislative Aide to U.S. Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison on national security issues drafting legislation that provided benefits to civilian federal employees serving in war zones.

Selected as one of 20 emerging leaders from a wide array of backgrounds, including the executive branch, Capitol Hill, the military, think tanks and the private sector, William participated in the 2015 Next Generation National Security Leaders program through the Center for a New American Security (CNAS).

During the CNAS Next Gen fellowship, he traveled to Taiwan and met with national security leaders.

In April 2016, William left the CIA to focus on Sound Off and serve as its Chief Executive Officer. “I know that I can best continue to serve my country by supporting the men and women of the Armed Forces, and the Intelligence Community, returning home. I will value the experience at the Agency for the rest of my life,” says William.

William was a speaker earlier this year at The South by Southwest® (SXSW®), a conference and festival in Austin that celebrates the convergence of the interactive, film, and music industries. He

was invited to speak about Sound Off and presented a session entitled, “Support on their terms—using tech to help vets.”

After 15 years living out of state, William and his wife, Kelly, now reside in Austin.

“While my desire to serve kept me away far longer than I ever anticipated, it is wonderful to come home and return to a community and way of life that I missed greatly.”

When William is not working, he enjoys rowing—a sport in which he excelled during college where he was a four-year Varsity rower and Assistant Coach for the Men’s Rowing Program. He also enjoys hunting and real estate investing. William holds a MA in International Relations and a BA in Political Science and History, both from the University of San Diego. He has been accepted to, and will be pursuing the University of Texas’s MBA program beginning this fall.

“After spending the last decade or so in national security and foreign policy, I am looking forward to developing some hard financial skills—and bringing those to bear with Sound Off and elsewhere,” he says.

Playing on the lacrosse team and polishing his shoes for Friday’s inspections may be a part of his former school days at SAA, but today, William remains involved at The Academy as an active SAA alumnus and donor. “The first and final organization I will continue to support, beyond my own, is San Antonio Academy. As The Academy continues to instill the ideals, beliefs and ethics it did in me, and do so in a caring, nurturing, and supportive way—I will do what I can.”

In the 1998 Bluebonnet yearbook, the words: “To be happy and successful” revealed William’s young ambitions.

Eighteen years later, it’s evident that he has accomplished those goals through all that he has done, and is continuing to do, both in his personal and professional life. William’s advice to current Academy students, he says, is to “Believe that you can do anything in the world, and you will.”

ALUMNI

Alumni Welcome 8th Graders

Blue Bonnet Legacy Families Inducted

On May 4, SAA Alumni gathered at La Fonda on Main to carry on the tradition of welcoming the graduating class to the Alumni Association. Members from the Alumni Council presented each 8th grader at the luncheon with an Academy Alumni gold pin as a symbol of their entry into the SAA alumni ranks.

San Antonio Academy of Texas, founded in 1886, is rich in history. Generations of families who have attended SAA help to make our school what it is today—a place where young men are taught to be honest, to be kind and to be the best they can be. Formed by Col. Bondurant, Jr. in 2009, The Blue Bonnet Legacy Society recognizes families who have sent four or more generations of boys to San Antonio Academy.

On March 8 a reception was held in the Bondurant Library at San Antonio Academy to induct the Herff Family and Parish Family into SAA’s Blue Bonnet Legacy Society.

The previously inducted Legacy families are Altgelt, Downie/Armstrong, Frost, Munson/Snow, Steves, White, and Womack.

During the reception, John Webster, SAA Head of School, spoke about The Academy’s history, and the impact that the Legacy families have had on the 130-year institution. To commemorate the moment, Jim Yancy, Class of 1966, made a toast in honor of the families and guests in attendance were treated to an encore presentation of “Day at the Museum” by members of the 3rd grade class. SAA alumni who returned to campus for this special event included: Miguel Dilley, Cody Herff, Christopher Parish, Wilson Parish, Wilson Parish, Jr., Edward Steves, Charles Turnbull, Robert Turnbull and Jim Yancy.

With a packed room of over 80 guests in attendance, Gardner Peavy, Class of 1989, shared remarks about his education and career in commercial real estate. Gardner is a Partner with Peloton Commercial Real Estate.

The Alumni Council concluded the event by encouraging students to stay connected with SAA after graduation, and showed them a 2-minute video highlighting the many ways that alumni are involved at SAA.

The four generations of Academy students in the Herff family include: Dr. John B. Herff (Class of 1892), Adolph Herff (Class of 1899), Ferdinand Herff (Class of 1900), Dr. August Ferdinand Herff (Class of 1917), the late August Ferdinand “Fritz” Herff III (Class of 1974, Cody Herff (Class of 2003), Robert Turnbull (Class of 1998), and Charles Turnbull (Class of 2001).

THANK YOU to Academy alumni and friends who made a contribution toward the luncheon. We also extend our gratitude to Suzy & Cappy Lawton at La Fonda on Main for their generous and continued support of SAA. Wendell Snow, 8th grader, and his father, Corbin Snow III ’77, who are part of a fourgeneration family of Academy men, stop to pose together for a photo at the luncheon.

The four generations of Academy students in the Parish family include: Charles Wesley Parish (Class of 1927), George Russell “Bub” Parish (Class of 1928), George Russell Parish Jr. (Class of 1957), Edwin Parish (Class of 1959), Robert “Wilson” Parish (Class of 1960), Charles W. Parish (SAA 1945-1949), Henry “Jim” Parish (SAA 1958-1961) Christopher Parish (SAA 1986-1988), John Hinkebein (SAA 1986-1988), Robert Wilson Parish, Jr. (SAA 1984-1988), Charles Thaddeus (Class of 2003) and Max Huddleston (Class of 2019).

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ALUMNI

Relive, Remember, Reconnect Reunion Recap 2016 On May 26, the eve of Commencement, alumni of all ages returned to campus to relive, remember and reconnect with fellow classmates and former teachers at the 5th Annual Gather Under the Oak Tree reception underneath the iconic oak tree in front of the steps of Taylor Hall.

While yearbooks were on hand to ignite fond memories, alumni gathered to reminisce about their former school days at San Antonio Academy and to catch up on their lives today.

For alumni from the Classes of 1966, 1991 and 2006, the festivities continued throughout the evening as each class held reunion dinners off campus. Special thanks to Jim Yancy ’66, Edward Steves ’66, Jeremiah Leibowitz ’91, Javier Rocha ’91, Spencer Lewis ’06 and Matthew McLaughlin ’06 who helped SAA coordinate outreach efforts

Members from the Class of 1991 made a stop into Mr. Webster’s office during their campus tour to reminisce about their time spent at SAA. Alumni reunited during the 5th annual Gather Under the Oak Tree held in May.

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ALUMNI

Tom Frost '41 celebrates his 75th year anniversary as SAA alumnus. with their classmates for the 10th, 25th, 50th and 75th class reunion. The following day after Gather under the Oak Tree, alumni enjoyed a special breakfast, served as field marshals during the Pass In Review parade on Frost Field, and received milestone anniversary medals during the Commencement ceremony.

Past SAA Battalion Commanders gather together for a special reunion at the 2016 Commencement. (Left to Right): Jacob Leibowitz ’99, Alberto Arredondo ’86, Jeremiah Leibowitz ’91, Don Noble ’71, Darrell Willerson, Jr. ’55, Douglas McNeel ’66, Tom Frost ’41, Will Alston Beinhorn ’65, Dalton Banks ’11, Billy Conn ’16, Wes Yancy ’08, Joseph Shields ’05, Ethan Ausburn ’10, Pedro Martinez ’97, Tyler Richard ’06, Eduardo Arredondo ’83 and Corbin Snow III ’77.

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ALUMNI

Class Notes Eric Duxstad ’79 is a Fee Appraiser for Ryoak Real Estate Group in San Antonio, Texas. He previously worked for over 19 years in the Appraisal Services Department at Frost Bank.

JB Marshall ‘13 was selected as the 2016-17 Venturing President for the Boy Scouts of America’s Southern Region Area 3, which encompasses all of the South, Southwest, Southeast, and Central Texas zones. He will oversee the Boy Scouts of America’s Venturing Program for nine councils, with over 5,000 venturers, which is a role typically held by a college-aged venturer. JB is currently a senior at Saint Mary’s Hall, where he is a Campbell Scholar, Captain of the Men’s Track Team, and plays Men’s Volleyball. (above)

James Reed Taylor ‘13, currently a senior at Alamo Heights High School, was recognized as the Harvard Book Prize recipient, which is awarded to a high school junior selected by the faculty based on academic excellence, significant contribution to the school and/or community, and exceptional personal qualities. (above)

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Mike Wilson ‘69 and his wife, Betsy, welcomed granddaughter Emma Florine Vinton into their family on April 8, 2016. Baby Emma arrived weighing 7 lb. and was 19.5 inches long.

Jack Renaud ‘14 is an honors student at The Woodlands High School, where he is involved in the National Science Honor Society, the Debate Club, the Rotary Club, and leads the National English Honor Society as Vice President. Jack is also a co-founder of the The Roman Forum Club, in addition to playing on the Varsity Lacrosse team.

To celebrate SAA’s oldest-living alumnus, Dr. Light T. Cummins ’29, SAA sang “Happy Birthday” during chapel in honor of his milestone. Later that day, accompanied by a handful of SAA boys, John Webster surprised Dr. Cummins with a student-made birthday card and “Happy Birthday” video on February 16.

In 2012, Light was named San Antonio Academy’s Col. W.T. Bondurant, Jr. Distinguished Alumnus. (above)

Andrew Hieger ‘15 was named a recipient of the Oppenheimer Merit Scholarship at TMI. This scholarship is awarded to “an outstanding member of the Corps of Cadets in the rising sophomore class who has demonstrated high academic achievement and leadership potential and who has contributed significantly to the TMI community.”

Daniel Covert ’15 was awarded the prestigious Gold Key award in the National Scholastic Art and Writing Awards Competition for his essay entitled, “A Sheep Among Wolves.” Daniel and his twin brother, Jack Covert ’15, are the #1 doubles team on the varsity tennis team at Keystone School. Both young men attended Duke University’s Summer College for High School Students. Daniel was also elected as Senior Patrol Leader at Troop 59 at Alamo Heights United Methodist Church; he is currently a Life Scout. Jack is Assistant Senior Patrol leader and is waiting to also be awarded Life Scout status.

On October 20, 2015, Adam Reed ’99 and his wife, Crista, welcomed a 7 lb.

6 oz. baby girl, Taylor Everleigh, into their family. Adam was also promoted to partner at the architectural firm, Ford, Powell & Carson (FPC), making him the youngest in company history to serve that position. (above) Accomplished pianist, Ethan Fish ‘15 performed in a trio during the Advanced Chamber/Duets recital at the HOTSO Suzuki Workshop. Ethan, along with a violinist and cellist, performed “Rondo all Ongarese from Trio in G, Hob. XV:25” by Franz Joseph Haydn.

ALUMNI Warren Spencer ‘04 and his bride, Ruth, were married on October 17, 2015. (below)

During his junior year at Central Catholic High School, Ramon Aguilar ‘13, made TAPPS “All District First Team” and “All State Division 1 Football First Team” as a defensive lineman. Ramon is now a senior at CC. (below)

Michael Galo III ‘13 won a top place in the National Skeet Shooting Association’s World Championships, a week-long event that took place in San Antonio last September. Galo earned “Fifth Place High All-Around” after breaking 546 out of 550 targets.

Dustin Smith ‘12, was elected to KeoKio, The McCallie School’s foremost leadership organization, which recognizes students for their leadership, service and loyalty to the school’s values.

Dustin was also announced as a National Merit Scholarship Semifinalist.

After two semesters of attending Highland Park High School, Colton Wingrove ’12 was elected by the 6A student body to be one of five Scotsmen at the Dallas school. (below)

Spring Break moment: Last March, brothers Sam (4th grade) and Wesley (3rd grade) got to meet Tom Turbiville ’62 at the Aggie baseball game vs. the Longhorns in College Station. “We recognized him from his alumni photo that hung in Ellison Hall,” says their mom, Lea Nye, who shared this fun snapshot. (above) On October 23, 2015, Samantha and Clinton C. Hamilton ’99 welcomed a 6 lb. 15 oz. baby boy, Hartley Miller Hamilton, into their family. Proud grandfather, SAA teacher Allen Hamilton, welcomes Hartley with a hug.

Last September Academy alumni Gabriel Fernandez ‘13, Daniel Guerra ’14 and Joshua Uviedo ’15, visited campus to speak with eighth graders about the benefits of a Central Catholic High School education. (below)

During his senior year at Saint Mary’s Hall, Marshall Webb ’12, was recognized as the William Woods Tate, Jr. “National Student of the Year.” The annual award “recognizes one student out of more than 150,000 members who best embodies the organization’s Code of Honor: integrity, humility, respect, leadership, and service. Nominees must also demonstrate strong academic credentials and a commitment to the speech and debate community.”

Marshall also was the National RunnerUp in Domestic Extemporaneous Speaking at the tournament held last June in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Class of 2012’s David Shelter and Lowry Mays do their best ‘air guitar’ as fellow classmate, Tom Kellogg, laughs and watches them being broadcast on the Jumbo Tron at the AT&T Center during the Spurs vs. Warriors game last April.

Year in Review, 2015–2016

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Following Chapel on March 4,

IN MEMORIAM

members of the SAA Faculty

Bryan P. Cartall ’63 Milford D. Conn ‘48 Robert S. Kline ‘39 Marvin Lebman ‘40 Jeremiah Martin ‘88 Fred H. Maupin ‘46 Joe Mounger ‘59 Steven Palans (attended ‘68–’71) Herbie Phillips ‘80

& Staff, Alumni and Parents of Alumni from the Class of 2003 gathered near the flagpole at San Antonio Academy for a special dedication of a live oak tree in memory of Charles M. Elrod ’03.

SAVE THE DATE 6th Annual Gather Under The Oak Tree Thursday, May 25, 2017

74

San Antonio Academy of Texas

Congratulations CLASS OF 2016

ALUMNI

On May 29, 36 young Academy men passed through the Bondurant Gate, accompanying their classmates for the very last time. From the Salutatory Address by ISAAC MILLER to JACK OSTERHAGE’S Valedictory Address, to closing comments from Honorary Scholar, AIDAN CAMPBELL, the 130th Commencement was marked with memorable moments. We wish our graduates the very best!

San Antonio Academy of Texas 117 East French Place San Antonio, Texas 78212-5899 Address Service Requested

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Beloved Head of School, John Webster, Announces Retirement at End of 2016–17 School Year “I am proud of what our Academy family has

my tenure at San Antonio Academy. So many trustees,

accomplished. Together, we have created a school where

teachers, staff members, grandparents and friends have

we teach boys how important it is to: ‘Be honest. Be kind.

helped SAA and me. Words cannot express my gratitude.

Be the best you can be!’ SAA begins every day focusing on

For thirty-two years, San Antonio Academy has defined

God, country, character, leadership, pride in achievement

my professional life. I love coming to school each morning,

and brotherhood. We are united by shared values,

as our guys energize and inspire me. At heart, I shall

traditions and goals. It is with gratitude that I reflect on

always be an Academy boy…probably a Pre-K student.”