Eagle Magazine | Winter 2021

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Conversations

Second Baptist School 6410 Woodway Drive Houston, Texas 77057 secondbaptistschool.org

Established in 1946, SBS provides a world-class education for the leaders of tomorrow. SBS is a learning community for over 1,000 students (PK-12) who enjoy a breadth of educational opportunities – from customized learning experiences to travel exposure to technological advancement. Nurtured by a Christcentered community that edifies the soul and an academically rigorous environment that enriches the mind, SBS graduates are armed with the character, confidence and capability needed to succeed in the world they confront in the 21st century.

Our Mission

The mission of Second Baptist School is to equip students to think critically, live biblically and lead courageously to impact the world for Jesus Christ.

Our Passion

Our passion is to bring every student into a personal relationship with Jesus Christ while equipping them to do with excellence that which God has called them to do.

Honor Code

As a member of the Second Baptist School community, I will not lie, cheat or steal; I will do my best to exemplify Christlike integrity in my academic and personal endeavors and encourage others to act accordingly.

The Eagle is published by the Office of Communications and is mailed free of charge to students, parents, faculty, alumni and friends of Second Baptist School. For more information call (713) 365-2310 or visit our website at secondbaptistschool.org.

Disclaimer: Second Baptist School makes every effort to ensure that all names and listings are accurate and complete. If a name has been omitted, misspelled or listed incorrectly, please accept our sincerest apologies.

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E A G L E THINK LIVE LEAD

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1946 - 2021

75th Anniversary Celebrate with us!

OCTOBER 15, 2021 — HOMECOMING APRIL 22-23, 2022 — 75th ANNIVERSARY WEEKEND CELEBRATION If you’re interested in helping with the 75th Anniversary Celebration, email anniversary@secondbaptistschool.org today.

We’d love your help!

Start gathering your favorite SBS photos, uniforms, t-shirts, letter jackets and more!

We can’t wait to welcome you back to your Second Home!

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CONTENT

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02 10 30 52 SBS 75th Anniversary

Campus News

Conversations with God

#CreateInspireBuild

06 20 38 58 Letter from Head of School

Arts News

Conversations with Self

Alumni

08 26 44 72 Letter from The Editor

Athletics News

Conversations with Others

20 Conversation Starters

Conversation.

My journey to Second Baptist began with a single conversation. And I came to know and love this community through hundreds, if not thousands, of conversations with alumni, parents, students and coworkers.

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Letter from Head of School

Dear SBS Family, At the heart of a Christ-centered and caring community is the willingness to engage in genuine conversations based in truth, understanding and respect. Each conversation shapes the person we become and the influence we have. In this issue of the Eagle, members of our community highlight the importance of conversations with God, with self and with others.

Our most important relationship begins through a simple conversation with God.

Our most important relationship begins through a simple conversation with God when we answer the Holy Spirit’s call and accept Jesus Christ as our Savior. From that moment of salvation, we develop a relationship with Jesus Christ through a two-way conversation of praying and listening to God through church, Bible study and meditation.

The second most important conversation we will ever have is with ourselves. Our internal conversation shapes the person we become. Proverbs 23:7 says, “as a man thinks in his heart, so is he.” In his recent book, Survive The Day, author Dr. Ben Young said, “All of us have a running conversation going on in our minds… what we tell ourselves daily, or even hourly, affects us physically, emotionally, and psychologically.” If our internal conversation is that consequential, what should we do to ensure it has a positive impact on our lives? Be mindful of your inner voice and work to keep your inner conversation positive, productive and Christ-centered, “for out of the overflow of the heart, the mouth speaks,” (Luke 6:45).

Relationships are the bedrock of our caring community and are built through conversations. It is through authentic conversation that we learn to appreciate our similarities and differences and gain new perspectives and a greater understanding of the world. When we lean into sincere and Christ-centered conversations, the truth of what we share leads to building stronger relationships and shapes our community for the honor and glory of Jesus Christ.

One conversation can change your life; from hearing the plan of salvation to accepting that dream job offer.

My journey to Second Baptist began with a single conversation. And I came to know and love this community through hundreds, if not thousands, of conversations with alumni, parents, students and coworkers.

Our lives are shaped and enriched by conversations. In this world of distractions, self-doubt and division, I encourage us all to invest in authentic conversations with our God, ourselves and each other.

Dr. Don Davis Head of School

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Letter from the Editor

WORDS—

so innocent and powerless as they are, as standing in a dictionary, how potent for good and evil they become, in the hands of one who knows how to combine them!

– Nathaniel Hawthorne

To be perfectly honest, I struggled to write this letter. No matter how hard I tried, I could not find the right words for this edition of the Eagle. Then I decided to be transparent and tell you about words that have profoundly affected me.

Keep reading — you might relate.

For most of my adult life, I have heard a consistent word whispered in my ear, subtly injected into my thoughts or sometimes plastered on the proverbial billboard. Surrender. It’s the word I hear when I frantically attempt to grab back control of a situation I’ve already handed over to God. Surrender… ah, there it is again. And there God is again, gently, but firmly, reminding me to loosen my grip and let go.

There’s another word that is most often spoken to me by those who know me best. Courage. When thoughts of self-doubt steadily creep into my world and surround me in a tangled grip, there they are: my husband and daughter. Just like spectators on the sidelines of a race, I visualize Brant and Hailie holding up hand-drawn posters of the word Courage, cheering me on. These two see me more clearly than I see myself, and they know what I can do when I don’t believe I can.

Perhaps my favorite word of all is the one I try to speak to others. Love. Hang around me long enough and you will probably hear me say, “I just love you so much!!” And I mean every word! Interestingly enough, research shows that the desire to love others is just as strong as our desire to be loved. Loving others is a natural outpouring of feeling loved. So, let’s love each other a lot more!

Amidst our regular features in this edition of the Eagle, you will hear from members of our Second Baptist community explore different conversations — conversations with God, with self and with others. Bestselling author Gary Thomas discusses the different pathways we take to connect with God. Junior Cameron Kelley explores conversations we have with ourselves and how biblically rooted selftalk can transform. And finally, SBS mom and staff member Laura Pickett writes about conversations with others and how the way we communicate affects those we interact with every day.

I hope you enjoy this edition –

Shari Durrett Director of Communications Second Baptist School

Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer. Psalm 19:14

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CAMPUS ARTS AT H L E T I C S NEWS

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First Day of School – Times Three!

After 161 days away from campus, students returned for an unprecedented start to the school year.

Second Baptist School experienced the first day of school as it never has before – three times! Each division had its own special first day of school, with lower school opening Wednesday, August 19, followed by middle school on Thursday and upper school on Friday. Each division opening was met with cheerful balloons and an abundance of school spirit by faculty, coaches and staff from around the school. It was impossible not to notice the big smiles behind the face coverings as students reunited with their classmates and were welcomed back to campus with energy and cheer. Following carefully laid out protocols, safety was a top priority for the first week of school, but joy was the focus! Students clearly felt the love and support of their Second Baptist School community as they started this one of a kind school year.

“I am so proud of each member of our Second Baptist School faculty and staff and their courage, insights and efforts with planning and preparation to bring our students back to campus. It truly is a blessing to hear laughter in the hallways and learning taking place in classrooms. Our faculty are the real heroes of this story.

Let’s all thank them for helping us accomplish the mission of SBS in the hearts and minds of our children. Second Baptist School is leading the way and shining our light throughout Houston. God is good all the time; all the time, God is good!”

Dr. Don Davis, Head of School

A blessing to hear laughter in the hallways

“I have been so impressed with our students, families and teachers during these first few days. Teachers have been flexible and creative as they adjust to virtual and in-person students. Our families have been gracious and patient, and our students have excelled at wearing their face coverings and practicing social-distancing. These kids really want to be at school, and you can tell by their diligence. I am so thankful to be back working in person with my kindergartners. While the adjustments can be challenging at times, anything is worth it to be back with our kiddos!”

Mary Paige Harris ’13, Kindergarten Teacher

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“It has been an exciting journey these last few weeks getting ready for our students to return to campus, and the first day was truly a joyous blessing of God’s faithfulness. Seeing our students, getting to start those new relationships and once again being able to share Christ’s love with them has made any frustration from the last six months absolutely worth it.”

Geoffrey Brooks, Upper School Teacher “Walking together. Even though we were six feet apart, it felt so incredible to return to campus. The safety talk and Convocation ceremony were well-received. As strange as this current time is, Convocation brought a sense of normalcy, and for that I am thankful. My classes went well as teachers explained their expectations and safety guidelines.

Even though there is much space between the desks, I could still feel the sense of community in the classroom.

Overall, I am truly grateful for the incredible faculty and staff who have made in-person learning possible for my peers and me.”

Danielle Tackett ’22

“The first day of school came with emotion, joy and jitters, and was welcomed as a long-awaited reunion with our Second Baptist School community and friends!”

Jane Jackson, LPC, Lower School Counselor “It’s so great to be back on campus with students! I love having them in my classroom, and the OWL camera allows for virtual students to be with us too. After distance learning, this was the best first day ever!”

Michelle Alderfer, Middle School Teacher “I took my students on a socially distanced field trip exploring what Bible class is like. For example, we went to the weight room to remind us we are training in godliness.

It was so good to be with them in person and virtually. We even took our virtual friends via the iPad!” Loren Hopf, Middle School Teacher “I am so thankful that Second Baptist School students returned to campus, and I am thrilled to have students in my classroom again. The bustling hallway is music to my ears! It’s time for the SBS community to reunite and continue to grow in God’s Word and in academics, arts and athletics. Let’s go – from a distance, of course!”

Laura Towne, Upper School Teacher

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Convocation 2020 Walking Together, United in Christ

Led by Head of School Dr. Don Davis and Head Prefect Connor Claypool, upper school students, together with Second Baptist School faculty and staff, ushered in a momentous new school year.

Joining the celebratory occasion, lower and middle school students watched the live feed from their classrooms.

Head of School Dr. Don Davis launched Convocation by expressing gratitude for the tireless efforts of administrators, teachers, Second Baptist Church and the commitment to Christian education by all in the Second Baptist School community. Students, parents and teachers were commended for their courage and faithfulness in these unprecedented times. Upper school senior Caroline Bolling’s vocal performance of “Walk by Faith” stirred the audience with the beautiful assurance of God’s faithfulness. Accordingly, Dr. Davis reminded us all, “in the midst of this uncertain time, we can have confidence because we serve an unchanging, ever-faithful, all-knowing God who loves us and has good things planned for us this year.”

If you want to walk far, walk together

Head Prefect Connor Claypool inspired us with his candid vulnerability regarding the many challenges our world is facing today, encouraging us to unite, serve and invest in one another and our school. “This year marks a new beginning as the year of 2020-2021 has given us, the school community of SBS, the chance to redefine our normal.” Connor continued, “If we unite as a student body, if we serve others, and if we invest back into our school, we can ultimately create a better normal than we had before.”

Finally, Dr. Davis connected Connor’s message of unification and service with our school’s mission to think critically, live biblically and lead courageously. Our Second Baptist School theme for 2020-2021 is Walk Together.

An African proverb, quoted by Dr. Davis, says, “If you want to walk fast, walk alone. If you want to walk far, walk together.” As Christians, we know, “a cord of three strands is not quickly broken,” Ecclesiastes 4:12, and together as we walk with Christ and one another in joy, we can walk in kindness, compassion and forgiveness.

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Leading Courageously in the Classroom It’s up to our whole community, students as well as teachers, to keep our school connected, virtually and in-person.

We see students lead courageously as they take initiative, unprompted, to engage back and forth with their virtual classmates just as if they are in the classroom together.

Junior Joanie Darnall has demonstrated leadership in partner projects with her virtual classmates. In her U.S. History class, for example, Joanie was designated the point person for moving the tripod and iPad to ensure their class’ virtual students could participate actively during their recent partner project. Upper school teacher Andrea Spence was impressed with Joanie’s positive attitude and leadership, saying, “Joanie is definitely willing to support her virtual classmates!”

Joanie shares more about how virtual students are being included in the classroom and cooperative learning. “We include virtual students in class by connecting with them via Zoom; when they are on Zoom, they are able to see and listen to everything that is going on. If we are having

a discussion, for instance, they can chime in anytime.”

Joanie continues, “Personally I have taken initiative with the online students by doing projects with them. In history, Dariush Boujabadi ’22 and I did a project together over Reconstruction. Everyday Mrs. Spence would let me have the iPad, connected to Dariush over Zoom, so I could converse with him about the project. In Bible class, one of my group members for a project was Schuyler Clark ’22, another virtual student. When we worked on our project, I would send a Zoom link to Schuyler so that he could participate in our on-campus group virtually.” As virtual learning becomes integrated with on-campus learning, we continue to see growth and leadership opportunities for all SBS students, turning challenges into positive outcomes.

SBS students like Joanie are walking together and leading courageously in this unique learning environment. The boldness and resilience of our students and teachers cannot be undersold.

For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. Ephesians 2:10

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Counselor Vision: Together Everyone Accomplishes More

Upper School Counselor Christine Oliphant, LPC, Middle School Counselor Cat Chapman, LPC-S, and Lower School Counselor Jane Jackson, LPC, share their vision for the 2020-2021 school year, using the acronym TEAM: Together Everyone Accomplishes More. Walking together, we seek to meet the needs of our students in all areas, including social-emotional wellbeing. An overarching goal is to “help students replace fear with faith, and panic with peace, guiding students to equip themselves with positive coping skills.” Building in self-care practices and cultivating resilience are additional objectives shared by Cat Chapman, recognizing that self-care is essential in stress reduction during trying times.

This year, we face the unique challenge of having one school in two locations: Second Baptist School campus and the homes of our virtual families. “Now more than ever, we need to be paying attention to how we’re doing, and how those around us are doing,” emphasizes Jane Jackson. Even apart, we can walk together, united in faith as a strong school community. Our school counselors are integral in connecting us, saying, “This school year is different in so many ways, but the key components of a caring, loving atmosphere are the same.”

Self-care is essential to stress reduction

Jane Jackson said one of her top goals this year is to connect with virtual students, and she is working on creative ways to maximize her contact with them and their families this year.

Counselors and teachers work together not only to encourage our students but each other, knowing we are all facing unique challenges we haven’t seen before. Teachers are encouraged to be cautious, not fearful, remembering and reminding students that God is in control. To support our whole community, counselors visit classrooms in each division level to check in on social-emotional health and offer practical, targeted strategies for both students and teachers based on needs that arise.

To conclude, Jane Jackson says, “Our time spent together is vital to sustaining a healthy sense of community. God designed us to dwell together, walk together and to be a support for one another. As counselors, we can model what this looks like to both our students and our teachers. We are so thankful to have students back at Second Baptist School, both virtually and on campus.”

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Virtual Learning – Bridging the Gap Academically, virtual students receive support for optimal learning opportunities, just like their in-person counterparts. Virtual students are encouraged to speak and act as if they were present in person; group work always includes virtual learners, and technology is utilized in creative ways to optimize participation and achieve learning community goals. OWL technology allows virtual students to interact as if they were in the classroom, and Zoom screen-sharing makes teacher presentations presentable to all. Additionally, each virtual student has access to a virtual learning support specialist who provides care, accountability and structure for virtual learners.

Teachers like Loren Hopf are planning virtual field trips and discussions on video conferencing platforms. PK4 parent, Brenda Blair, says her daughter has enjoyed her PK4 virtual lessons so much and has “already learned how to better write her letters and numbers.” From the youngest to the oldest, it is exciting to see teachers and students working in innovative ways to bridge the gap between virtual and oncampus learners and meet the needs of all our families.

Hope for SBS Moms On the first day of September, Second Baptist School moms gathered together in the comfort of the Sanctuary to hear a message of hope and encouragement. Nina Hendee, alumni parent, current SBS grandparent and longtime Second Baptist Church member, shared her personal testimony of God’s faithfulness during all seasons of life.

Nina spoke from the heart, and the audience was captured by her faithful spirit and vulnerability. She reminded us that we are all a family, and Second Baptist School is a special place in our lives and hearts. She shared the incredible blessing of SBS, saying, “This is not a perfect place; this is an amazing place that focuses on the one thing that matters most: Jesus Christ.”

“God shows up every single day. God knows your needs wherever you are in your life, in joy or pain. God is God, and He shows up. Whatever you are going through today, God is in it. He is our hope, in good times, in bad times, in joy and sorrow, in all of life.”

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First Annual Distinguished Speaker Dinner

Early Sunday, November 1, the hard-working staff of Taste of Texas began preparations for a new and exciting event. Because of COVID-19, the SBS community was faced with limitations for its annual Distinguished Speaker Luncheon. However, thanks to the innovation of this year’s chairs and the Advancement Team, the event continued in an unprecedented form.

This year, individuals in the Second Baptist School community served as the hosts for the event. Small groups and families gathered together in homes to enjoy a delicious dinner generously donated by the Hendee family, SBS alumni parents and owners of Taste of Texas.

Thanks to SBS faculty and staff, these meals were safely delivered directly to host homes.

Those participating in this event were eager to view the highly anticipated Distinguished Speaker video featuring Head of School Dr. Don Davis, our Distinguished Speaker Dinner chairs Kimberly and Ryan Roth and Lisa and Eric Elder, Distinguished Alumna Carlie Zumwalt ’04, Distinguished Alumni Parents Kelly and Michael Boyd and our Distinguished Speaker Willie Robertson.

Over 700 people took part in this outstanding event.

Many of which appreciated this year’s Duck Dynasty

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theme, either decorating their tables with large amounts of camouflage or adorning themselves with Willie Robertson’s red, white and blue bandanas. The spirit of the SBS community thrived as host families and their guests enjoyed sharing in this creative dining experience.

Donations continue to come in, but the event has already raised over $305,000! Thank you, SBS community, for engaging in this new and noteworthy event. Thank you also for continuing to prioritize and bless our incredible teachers and staff, who are the backbone of Second Baptist School. We have them to thank for keeping our students together, educated and loved both on-campus and virtually. All proceeds from this event go toward financially blessing them this Christmas season and for salary increases in the next school year.

Scan this QR code to view a short video featuring our students as they share about the heart of SBS. 2020 has certainly brought new challenges for everyone, but we are grateful for and blessed by a community that continues to prioritize excellence, tradition and giving.

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Middle School Goes to the EXTREME! A year in the SBS middle school is not complete without a day of extremes! Extreme Eagle is a day to celebrate fall sports and show off your most extreme school spirit. Even virtually, our students decked themselves out in blue and gold to show their support for our Eagles.

To ensure the safety of our students, the Extreme Eagle pep rally was divided into two groups. The fifth and sixth graders filled the E Gym with cheers and excitement in the morning, while the seventh and eighth graders did the same in the afternoon. The seventh and eighth grade cross country, volleyball and football teams all received recognition, while middle school Spirit led the event and entertained audiences with their impressive dance and spirited cheers.

The entire day was filled with celebrations from start to finish. As students entered WWV and the E Gym, showing off their blue/gold adornments, they were greeted with balloon arches and high spirits from middle school teachers and administrators. The fun continued all day long as teachers joined in on the fun and participated in the extreme apparel as well.

Dream Big – Virtually!

Lower school released their very first virtual grade level program, Dream Big – What I Want to be When I Grow Up! Our fabulous team of faculty and staff put together a one-of-a-kind video program that was sent to parents, grandparents and special friends.

SBS first graders were well-prepared and articulate; while acting their parts, they appeared all grown up. Even from a young age, our students are learning to lead courageously, performing and directing their own show. Following tradition, each student dressed up to reflect his or her dream career, with everything from veterinarians to baseball players. Even our virtual students dressed up at home and participated with their own video clips. Through the song performance of “God Has a Plan for Me,” students demonstrated their understanding of trusting God with their dreams; He has a plan for their lives!

Scan this code to view the program!

Head of Lower School Evette Haberman shared, “Showcasing the Class of 2032 and their amazing teachers made for a wonderful celebration!” Walking together, we are finding new and creative ways to continue old traditions. Thanks for inspiring us to dream big, first grade!

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SBS Homecoming 2020 By: Communications Fellow Cameron Kelley ’22 Colorful costumes flood the hallways, sentiments of school pride fill the air, and blue and gold streamers are visible everywhere. Students vote on the homecoming court, meticulously circling their favorite candidates. SBS cheerleaders and Golden Girls lead students in a game day rally before the night’s big game. These are all signs of homecoming happening at SBS! Spirit-Filled Week Second Baptist School’s homecoming week kick-started Monday, October 19, as upper school students arrived on campus in their best neon attire!

The tradition of themed days was welcomed back to campus and upper school students eagerly donned their favorite styles, paying homage to the predetermined themes of Aloha, Out of this World, Class Colors and Disney.

Faculty in middle and upper school also joined in the spirit-filled fun!

Feeling inspired and excited, students decorated their cars with blue and gold streamers, and football players, cheerleaders and Golden Girls worked tirelessly in preparation for the biggest day of the week, Friday. When it finally arrived, senior athletes arrived at school early to energetically greet students and families in morning carpool. The day was off to a great start!

Later on, the homecoming game day rally went old school by hosting the event outside on the football field, a flashback to the early 2000s at SBS. As upper school students spread out across the bleachers, they geared up for the typical Houston heat to cheer

on the Eagles. Cheer and Golden Girls performed routines and students participated in socially distanced pep rally games. The rally ended in class yells with a triumphant senior class!

Afterward, the seniors enjoyed a special Cabo Bob’s lunch that included exciting games and celebration, hosted by the junior class and the Advancement Fellows, Grace Lunsford ’22 and Naomi Konuma ’22.

Blue and Gold – Go Eagles!

As fans entered the stadium for the homecoming game, the excitement was palpable. Many students, parents, friends and teachers walked onto the football field for the first time this school year.

Homecoming traditions were honored although modified with masks and a little more hand sanitizer. And in true Houston fashion, a brisk cool front blew in, making the atmosphere alive with the spirit of competition!

Football players made their dramatic exit out of a giant inflatable eagle as the fight song played and the SBS Vision Choir opened the game with the singing of the national anthem for the first time this school year. The SBS community was flooded with a sense of normalcy as they greeted each other and sat down to cheer on their Eagles. The game was off to a strong start with several touchdowns as the band played; the crowd yelled, and the cheer team shook their poms. Halftime was filled with impressive dance routines and gravitydefying flips along with the presentation of the 2020 Homecoming Court. This year’s king and queen were crowned as

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the football team gathered in the locker room discussing their strategy for the second half of the game. The Eagles continued to add touchdowns and decisively beat Lutheran South with a final score of 49-0.

The 2020 Homecoming Court Queen: Leyla Ertan King: Prince Adeyemi Junior Princess: Autumn Malone Junior Prince: Eli Smith Sophomore Princess: Kate Marshall Sophomore Prince: Max Flessner Freshman Princess: Morgan Warren Freshman Prince: J.D. Booth A True Homecoming Although many alumni were not able to travel home, a memorable dinner was hosted for the recently graduated class of 2020 at Local Foods before the game. Kendall Pennington ’20 shared, “I was so happy to come home and see my old teachers and classmates again!

Even though it wasn’t a traditional homecoming, I loved getting to catch up and share new experiences with my high school friends.”

A spirit-filled week ended as football players, cheerleaders and Golden Girls gathered on the field and led the crowd in the SBS Fight Song. Homecoming week this year celebrated more than just school pride; it represented a community uniting together and leading courageously even through confusing times. With great enthusiasm, great spirit and great pride in our Eagles, our community cheered our team to victory.

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Fall Drama 2020 | One-Acts

Second Baptist School Theatre Company (STC) delivered comic relief with their witty and wildly entertaining performances of two one-act plays: The Importance of Being Earnest and Bernice Bobs Her Hair. Audience members were transported to the roaring twenties and 19th century England with punchy music, fast-paced dance numbers and an abundance of wit.

gentlemen who quickly found themselves in a comedy of errors with their respective romantic interests. The dancing maids were another high point, making scene changes all the more amusing. The final scene brought a sense of satisfaction for the audience as the characters revealed the dramatic plot twist – John Worthing was in fact Earnest after all!

Bernice Bobs Her Hair Lights came up to the jaunty tunes of the 1920’s and a stage alive with swing dance. In fact, the entire one-act play took place on a country club dance floor; the storyline came to life with the pleasant rhythms of dance, authentic period costumes and a steady stream of humor and cheek. It was hard to believe that these gifted actors were upper school students. The play focused on the secrets of popularity amongst a young generation of Americans. Bernice’s famous line, expertly delivered by Caroline Bolling ’21, says, “You’ve either got to amuse people, feed ’em or shock ’em.”

Bernice, we were definitely amused!

Putting on a show is always full of twists, turns and lastminute pivots, yet doing a show during a pandemic involves more flexibility than ever before! Senior Caroline Bolling shares, “With COVID regulations in place, I had no idea what to expect with the show, but Mrs. Blades and Mrs. Westmoreland were so creative with everything, making sure that we had the best experience we could with the current situation!” The directors were also proud of the amazing student crew, run by stage manager Eliza Dixon ’21, that led courageously to put on the fall drama alongside the talented actors and actresses.

The Importance of Being Earnest Following the first brilliant one-act performance, the scene shifted to a new setting – London in 1895. Michael DiCecco ’21 and Zac Decker ’21 acted with great enthusiasm, playing John Worthing and Algernon Moncreif, two English

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Before the final dress rehearsal, Director Cindy Blades prayed for the cast, crew and volunteers, saying, “We are grateful to God we get to do a show this year.” Likewise, the SBS community was thankful for the opportunity to enjoy such outstanding performances that brought a welcome escape into the world of comedy.

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Second Theatre Company competed with their performance of The Importance of Being Earnest at the One Act Play TAPPS Competition at Concordia High School, placing second overall and winning many individual awards. Arts Fellow Becky Gray ’22 describes, “With joyful hearts, the students established themselves as worthy actors; with humility, the students recognized the much more vital importance of establishing themselves as kind, respectful and thankful to an impressive group.”

TAPPS One Act Play Competition Awards for The Importance of Being Earnest DISTRICT RUNNER UP BEST ACTOR Michael DiCecco ’21 BEST ACTRESS Charlotte Walker ’24 ALL STAR CAST Kelsie Burns ’22, Zac Decker ’21 and Promise Facciponte ’22 BEST TECH Eliza Dixon ’21 HONORABLE MENTION ALL-STAR CAST Becky Gray ’22, Jackson Bishop ’21 and all of the maids and butlers including Audrey Bishop ’21, Caroline Bolling ’21, Caroline Lane ’24, Lauren Schweers ’23, Reagan Yarborough ’23, Stone Heaton ’21, Daniel Klein ’22 and Jack Prothro ’22

“There is nothing in the world so irresistibly contagious as laughter and good humor.” –Charles Dickens EAGLE

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Scan these codes to view the shows.

Middle School

A Virtual Art Show: Aspiring to Inspire

By Arts Fellows Zac Decker ’21 and Becky Gray ’22

Second Baptist School Arts Department creates the very first Virtual Fall Art Show to inspire the community! This exciting event kicked off with middle school art presented in video form. Viewers were able to not only enjoy the expressions of creativity visually, but they heard from the artists themselves about their creative processes. Peyton Walsh ’26 wisely asserted, “It’s not about what you see, but how you feel.”

Upper School

The upper school art show featured a diverse group of projects that included digital art, a study into color, vision board projects, a branding exploration and even the participation of some students in creating the set for the middle school musical, Disney’s Frozen Jr. Upper school students greatly appreciate and thoroughly enjoy the “opportunity to put any stress or feelings into artwork” (Emily Hardin ’21). In upper school honors and AP art classes, students receive more freedom to form their art around their own ideas and values. The honors and AP virtual art show showcased their inquiries, capturing each individual student’s essence.

Upper School Honors & AP

Fall Concert with SBS Choir and Band The Second Baptist School community enjoyed an evening of beautiful music, showcasing all three upper school choirs as well as the entire SBS band in a collaborative concert, featuring impressive music, moving solo vocal performances and incredible instrumental talent. Director of Choral Music Becky Martin and Director of Instrumental Music Kendel Hickenbottom were thrilled with the collaboration of their programs.

Thanks to a livestream offering, in-person and virtual audience members alike enjoyed musical performances from the freshman choir, TMEA Ensemble, Concert Choir, Vision Choir and band. Kendel Hickenbottom wowed the crowd with his talented directing and his own musical gifts; he joined the band by playing three different instruments while simultaneously directing their performances.

The breathtaking finale of the show was a collaboration of all choirs and band, performing “Together,” by For King and Country.

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Disney’s Frozen, Jr.

Second Baptist School middle schoolers released their outstanding musical production of Disney’s Frozen Jr. as a scheduled stream for the community to view on a virtual opening night Saturday, November 14.

A nearly empty C Gym Theatre was filled with both nerves and excitement, and a small audience of cast and crew, as middle schoolers prepared to take the stage for their performance debut. Director Sam Brown and Music Director Liza Brown moved seamlessly from one place to the next, cueing students in and out of scenes and conducting vocals. Through trials and changes, these young actors proved resilient and determined.

According to Director Sam Brown, “Going to Arendelle was something that everyone was excited about at the beginning of the year. We started off not knowing what the ultimate outcome would be, but our continued faith and trust in God enabled us to forge ahead with telling this beautiful story of love and the power of family.”

An abundance of vocal talents, swift scene changes, impressive choreography and character chemistry made up yet another outstanding middle school musical.

Every student in this production served a critical role in executing a great and memorable show.

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Sam Brown continued by saying, “From wearing masks and shields during every rehearsal and the performance, to losing the in-person performances, the students overcame a lot. However, they handled the entire process with grace, and they put together a performance with an artistry truly representative of their gifts.”

Among the many unique circumstances of this year, our students for the first time ever performed the show to be recorded and then waited for the official opening night over a week later. The excitement and anticipation was great as the performers sat gathered around their TVs with family members, ready to enjoy an unforgettable performance. Grace Kell ’25, who played Ana, said she, “watched the musical at home with her older sister and really enjoyed watching it back.”

Gavin Lewis ’25, who played Kristoff, shared, “The adjustments made because of COVID were challenging, but my favorite part was definitely hanging out with the cast and recording the final show.”

Through many challenges, these students pulled off an outstanding show. Mr. Brown concluded by saying, “We couldn’t be prouder both of their work and of their love and encouragement for one another.”

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Fall Sports Recap

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Student athletes and coaches alike demonstrated resilience, determination and grit during the 2020 fall sports season.

“At Second Baptist School, we recognize the tremendous value that sports play in the lives of young people. By the grace of

FOOTBALL Season Record 7 wins, 2 losses

Charley Schwinger ’22 – Offense Austin Courtney ’22 – Defense

District Record 4 wins, 0 loss

Superlatives Bryce Ganious ’21 – District MVP Karson Chambers ’23 – Newcomer of the Year Hudson Toon ’24 – Freshman of the Year

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Awards/Honors District Champions State Semi-Finalist All-District Individual Awards First Team Bryce Ganious ’21 – Offense and Defense Bryce Calloway ’21 – Offense and Defense Ellis Conklin ’21 – Offense and Defense Eli Smith ’22 – Offense Everett Skillern ’22 – Offense and Defense Grayson Kim ’22 – Offense Hank Harris ’22 – Offense Kyle Kollmorgan ’23 – Defense Karsten Chambers ’23 – Defense Hank Huthnance ’22 – Defense Second Team Reid Cordell ’22 – Offense Karston Chambers ’23 – Offense Finn Nicholson ’21 – Offense Colin Hedges ’22 – Defense Honorable Mention Colin Hedges ’22 – Offense

God, we successfully navigated the fall season, and I am so thankful for the cooperation of our Head of School Dr. Davis as well as the coaches, athletes and families,” says Director of Athletics Mike Walker. “We had exciting games, district championships and even a state runner-up in cross country.”

Academic All-State Reid Cordell ’22 – Offense Eli Smith ’22 – Offense Grayson Kim ’22 – Offense Finn Nicholson ’21 – Offense VOLLEYBALL Season Record 2 wins, 8 losses

Touchdown Club Finalist Bryce Ganious ’21 – Ironman of the Year Winner Bryce Calloway ’21 – Lineman of the Year Finalist Ellis Conklin ’21 – Ironman of the Year Finalist Finn Nicholson ’21 – Offensive Player of the Year Finalist

All-District Individual Awards Second Team Julia Sauvageau ’22 Morgan Warren ’24 Alexis Gill ’22

All-State Individual Awards First Team Bryce Ganious ’21 – Defense Eli Smith ’22 – Offense Everett Skillern ’22 – Defense

“I am very proud of our volleyball players for never giving up. They fought hard every match. The players were hard working, positive and very enjoyable to coach,” said Head Volleyball Coach Sue Berg.

Second Team Bryce Ganious ’21 – Offense Everett Skillern ’22 – Offense Bryce Calloway ’21 – Defense Honorable Mention Bryce Calloway ’21 – Offense Grayson Kim ’22 – Offense Hank Harris ’22 – Offense Ellis Conklin ’21 – Defense Kyle Kollmorgan ’23 – Defense Karsten Chambers ’23 – Defense Hank Huthnance ’21 – Defense

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Honorable Mention Bailey Ireland ’21 Luella Bakker-Barrink ’22

CROSS COUNTRY Medalists at District Women: Lauren Baker ’24 – 1st, District Champion Victoria Smith ’21 – 9th Men: Isaac Baker ’21 – 7th Jacob Skyles ’21 – 8th Leighton Chapman ’23 – 10th

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State Lauren Baker ’24 – 2nd “The highlight of the season was freshman Lauren Baker placing second overall in the TAPPS 5A Women’s 3200m race,” said Head Coach Roxanne Worley.

CHEER “Despite the circumstances in this past season of life, the varsity cheer team continued to show spirit each day!

We were blessed to have the opportunity to cheer for our amazing athletic teams in person,” said Head Coach Andrea Spence. “Our practices, workouts and games are constantly filled with encouraging words, actions and love toward our teammates and school.”

Captain Emma Gunn ’21 shared, “Adapting our Homecoming routine was a great bonding experience for all of us and made me realize the strength and determination of our team. I love my team, and moments like that one will define our season.”

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Freshman Takes State Lauren Baker ’24 pulled out all the stops at the TAPPS Cross Country State Meet, placing second overall in the 5A women’s 3200m race. After posting a time of 12:02.3 in her first-ever state meet, Lauren celebrated her victory with a hot fudge sundae from Dairy Queen.

In the top 10, Baker was one of just three freshmen to finish in that grouping and the only one to stand atop the podium. “I was about a mile and a half in, and I realized I had a good lead on the third person,” Baker said. “I knew I could push it. I thought I could pass first, but with 400 meters left, I knew I would hold second.”

Cross Country Coach Worley shares, “Lauren Baker is such a hard worker and all around great student. We are extremely proud of her.” Lauren also placed first at the TAPPS 5A District Meet with a time of 12:08, so she beat her time at state by 6 seconds.

“It feels unreal,” Baker said. “I started cross country in middle school and I was in the top 10, but I was not in the top three runners. This year I’ve progressed and worked hard to get here.” Baker continues, “This definitely boosts my confidence. I know I am going to get faster every year, but this showed me that I can definitely compete with the older athletes. I’m excited to see what my time is next year.”

With only three cross country meets under her belt, did Baker ever think that this would be possible?

“I would have never thought that I would be able to be second at state,” she answers. “My brother, Isaac ’21, is a runner as well and he always told me about the state meet. I never expected to be in the top 10.”

The only freshman to stand atop the podium

As a mere freshman, Lauren Baker said the sky’s the limit from here on out. The Eagles celebrate Lauren’s victory and look forward to following the rest of her running career!

“I really like that I get to represent Second Baptist School. I love how I am someone who is going to be in the record books for my school.” – Lauren Baker ’21

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Conversations with

GOD SELF OTHERS

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Conversations with God

BY GARY THOMAS

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Sacred Pathways: Nine Ways to Connect with God Ellen has been married to Bob for 15 years. She has her suspicions about Bob’s love for God, however, because she notices he never really seems to be fully engaged in the worship time at their church. Yet Bob is the first to sign up for any opportunity to paint a widow’s house or work on reclamation crews following a storm.

Ellen makes the mistake of assuming that because Bob isn’t musically inclined, he’s not worshipful, but some people just don’t engage as well with God by singing worship choruses. When Ellen the enthusiast understands that Bob is a caregiver, she can begin to appreciate her husband rather than judge him.

Jim’s a classic intellectual. He has an impressive library of Christian reference books, most of them underlined, and enjoys studying Scripture. His wife Anne is a typical contemplative. She loves to journal, she writes poetry to God, and though she’s faithful to attend weekly Bible study, she places more emphasis on “connecting” with God than on learning new things about Him. Jim believes that a “true” quiet time leaves you with something to apply. If you haven’t learned a new lesson, he thinks you haven’t really met with God. Anne enjoys just spending time with God. Sometimes she comes away with a new thought or perspective, but for her, worship is about adoring God and reconnecting with Him. When Jim asks her how she will apply what she learned that

day, Anne wants to reply, “What good is all that head knowledge if it never changes your heart?”

Imani is single and feels guilty because the traditional quiet time—a little bit of personal worship, some Bible reading, followed by a short time of intercessory prayer—increasingly feels more like a chore than a delight. More and more, she’s inclined to find an excuse to avoid her quiet time rather than do it.

What all these people have in common is that they are assuming there’s one style of personal devotion to God. What about you?

Are you increasingly frustrated by a “one size fits all spirituality” that most definitely does not fit you? Don’t despair; scripture and the history of Christian tradition reveal a remarkable diversity of personal devotional styles.

Sacred Pathways: Nine Ways to Connect with God explores nine different ways that Christians have, over the centuries, practiced personal devotion. The impetus behind the pathways is that if we can discover a form of personal devotion that we enjoy, we’ll be far more likely to engage in it. Hopefully, every believer will seek to make the Word a daily part of his or her life; will spend time praying to God; will spend time worshipping God; and will spend time serving God. That should be a given. What’s different is how we pray, how we worship, and how we interact with God’s word.

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Let’s briefly summarize these nine pathways.

The Naturalist Naturalists are those believers whose hearts best soar toward God when they get outside and are surrounded by all that He has made. There’s something about being surrounded by God’s creation, the beauty of nature, that bends them toward worship and adoration. Trying to pray inside a room, with their heads bowed and eyes closed, would be one of the least effective prayer styles for them.

In Psalm 19:1, David extols nature’s ability to awaken our cold hearts to God’s warm presence: “The heavens declare the glory of God and the firmament shows His handiwork.” The apostle Paul spoke of a similar reality in Romans 1:20 when he wrote, “For since the creation of the world, His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made.” Both writers testify to the reality experienced by naturalists—being out of doors does something to awaken our hearts to God. Most of God’s appearances in Scripture occurred in the outdoors—Hagar in the desert, Jacob beside a river, and Moses on a mountain. In fact, the very picture of heaven on earth was the Garden of Eden—not a cathedral! Not a Starbucks. And certainly not a shopping mall. Adam and Eve enjoyed a close walk with God in a garden.

If you find that you can’t sit still at your desk without falling asleep; or that you’re bored by trying to comb through devotional books while lying on your bed, consider getting outside and using nature to awaken your heart.

The Sensate The best avenues for some believers to commune with God are the five senses: taste, touch, hearing, seeing, and even smelling. Just as naturalists are spiritually awakened while walking through a forest, so sensates become spiritually attuned when their senses are brought into play. Majestic music, symbolic architecture, outstanding art, or the sensory experience of communion are dear friends and powerful spiritual aids.

We’re not angels or ethereal beings floating around in the air. God created us with bodies, and it shouldn’t surprise us that He can use those bodies to awaken our souls to His presence. This is especially true for those believers we can call “sensates.”

If you find that you can’t sit still at your desk without falling asleep; or that you’re bored by trying to comb through devotional books while lying on your bed, consider getting outside and using nature to awaken your heart.

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The books of Ezekiel and Revelation reveal a God who comes in a very sense-oriented way: there are loud sounds, flashing lights, even sweet tastes. Eastern Orthodox worship, with its bright colors, intense smells, and frequent touching (even occasional kissing!) recognizes the importance of bringing our senses into play.

The books of Ezekiel and Revelation reveal a God who comes in a very sense-oriented way: there are loud sounds, flashing lights, even sweet tastes. Eastern Orthodox worship, with its bright colors, intense smells, and frequent touching (even occasional kissing!) recognizes the importance of bringing our senses into play.

The Traditionalist For traditionalists, religion is not a dirty word—it is an outgrowth of their relationship with God. These believers appreciate the role of ritual, which builds on the power of reinforced behavior.

There is something profound to them in worshipping God according to set patterns—their own, or history’s. They may organize their life around scheduled times of prayer, and may even choose to carefully observe the Christian calendar, aligning themselves with centuries of faith. According to Acts, both Peter and John had set times for prayer. And Paul followed the custom of praying by the riverside on the Sabbath.

In addition to establishing rituals, traditionalists often make good use of Christian symbols. We tend to quickly forget even convicting insights and soul-searing truth. Carefully chosen symbols help to remind us of those truths we want to live by.

Routine can be boring to some and put others to sleep, but for the traditionalist, familiar patterns of worship can function like a high-powered battery, ushering them into a delightful sense of God’s presence.

The Ascetic When you think of an ascetic, think of a monk or nun. Ascetics meet God internally—they don’t want the distractions of a museum or a group meeting, as they prefer to shut out the world and meet God in solitude and austerity. For them, the best environment for personal worship is silence, without any noisy or colorful stimulants.

Accordingly, ascetics usually need to get alone on a regular basis. They may prefer solitary retreats, or at least a quiet place with a rather orderly environment. They are often advocates of all night prayer vigils and many of the classical disciplines, such as fasting and meditation.

Routine can be boring to some and put others to sleep, but for the traditionalist, familiar patterns of worship can function like a high-powered battery, ushering them into a delightful sense of God’s presence.

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The Activist Activists love to meet God in the vortex of confrontation. They want to fight God’s battles. For them, church is primarily a place to collect signatures and sign up volunteers for the “real work” of the Gospel that takes place outside the church building.

Activists constitute the movers and shakers of the Christian community. They may take a political bent or adopt an evangelistic emphasis, but what marks them as an activist is that they feel most alive spiritually when they are in the midst of God’s active (often confrontational) work. That’s when God seems most real, most immanent, and most exciting. Such meetings to them are more than service—they feel like worship.

The Caregiver Caregivers love God by loving others. Providing care and meeting needs in Jesus’ name spiritually energizes them and draws them ever closer to the Lord. For caregivers, caregiving isn’t an obligation as much as it is a threshold to intimacy with God. Caregiving extends beyond nursing sick people; it could include fixing a widow’s car, serving as a volunteer firefighter, or researching a cure for a disease. A caregiver is comforted by Jesus’ words, “Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.” (Matthew 25:40) To a caregiver, God seems nearest when they are looking at him through the eyes of a sick child or hurting friend.

The Enthusiast An enthusiast loves the excitement and celebration of their faith. They tend to be more relational, and therefore favor group worship. They feed off the excitement of other believers praising God. Enthusiasts also revel in God’s mystery and supernatural power. They like to take spiritual risks, and wake up hoping God will do something new and fresh. Enthusiasts don’t want to just know Scriptural concepts, they want to experience and be moved by them. Their exuberance tends to lead them to embrace things like dancing, music, drawing, singing, and other creative forms of worship.

Whereas the traditionalist is comforted by routine, the enthusiast wakes up hoping that God will move in a fresh way that they’ve never seen Him move in before.

Caregivers love God by loving others. Providing care and meeting needs in Jesus’ name spiritually energizes them and draws them ever closer to the Lord.

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The Contemplative Contemplatives are marked by an emotional attachment and even abandonment to God. They are God’s lovers, and they want to spend their time in God’s presence, adoring him, listening to him, enjoying him. Intellectuals want to understand new things about God; activists want to fight God’s battles; but contemplatives want to adore God and to know him better.

These Christians resemble ascetics in that their passion for God often leads them into solitude, where they can just sit still and enjoy being in God’s presence. Their watchwords are desire and relationship, as affirmed by Jesus in John 15:15: “I no longer call you servants… Instead I have called you friends.”

Contemplatives enjoy doing the things that couples like to do: demonstrating their love for God through secret acts of devotion, giving gifts to God like the gift of a poem, or an anonymous act of charity. They often favor the discipline of journal writing, where they can explore their heart’s devotion.

The Intellectual In this context, “intellectual” doesn’t necessarily mean “smart,” but rather, a heart that is most often awakened when they understand new concepts about God. Their minds are very active, and new intellectual understanding literally births affection; it creates respect for the creator, which leads to worship.

Intellectuals are usually the ones stressing Bible study as the mainstay of their devotion. But some may also have curious minds in areas beyond the Bible—biology, astronomy, even physics. The more they understand about truth and God’s universe, the more in awe of God—and therefore in love with Him—they become.

Just as the naturalist can’t wait to get out of doors; the sensate is eager to visit the cathedral; the ascetic scurries off into his inner world; so the intellectual seeks God in the pages of a book, an inspiring lecture or sermon, or the vast ruminations of their minds.

Contemplatives enjoy demonstrating their love for God through secret acts of devotion, giving gifts to God like the gift of a poem, or an anonymous act of charity. They often favor the discipline of journal writing, where they can explore their heart’s devotion.

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Every pathway needs to remember, however, that there are four elements essential to personal devotion: adoration, communication with God, building the mind with God’s Word, and service.

Do you see yourself in any of the above categories? Don’t feel that you have to choose just one; most of us are blends, and many of us will move in and out of certain temperaments as we age.

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Most of Us Are Blends The important thing is not to find the right “label,” but to understand how you best connect with God so that you can more deliberately and consciously cultivate an increasing affection for your creator.

God made you with a specific design. You will certainly bear similarities to certain other believers, but you most celebrate the creative quality of God when you give yourself permission to seek his face in a way that honors his creative design—beginning with your own spiritual makeup.

The book Sacred Pathways goes into each temperament far more thoroughly, with tests and warnings for the particular temptations of each temperament. Just as much as the pathways may unlock new windows of spiritual delight for you personally, they’re also useful to help families encourage each other to grow closer to God.

It’s a Family Affair Two key attitudes will help couples and parents get the fullest benefit from understanding different styles of personal devotion.

First, instead of judging your spouse’s devotional style, seek to understand and learn from them. God is such an immense God, with a breathtaking creativity, that we can expect one of the reasons He calls us to become a church is because no one individual can adequately represent what it means to relate to God. Contemplatives need intellectuals; caregivers should work with activists, rather than fight over which one is being more faithful. Perhaps God has given you family members with a very different pathway in part to increase your own understanding of worship.

Second, make an effort to encourage your spouse and children to pursue God according to their personal bent. If you’re married to a naturalist, you’ve got to give them freedom to get outdoors. They may want to spend lunchtime walking through a park, or take a detour on the way home from work to reconnect with God before coming home. If you’re married to an ascetic, he or she is going to need some time alone. Don’t take it personally. Ascetics need their space, and quiet, to connect with God. They’re not rejecting you—they’re pursuing Jesus.

Every pathway needs to remember, however, that there are four elements essential to personal devotion: adoration, communication with God, building the mind with God’s Word, and service. Just because the intellectual enjoys study, and the activist enjoys confrontational ministry, doesn’t mean they don’t need to spend time adoring God and praying. And just because the enthusiast can sing for hours doesn’t mean she can mature without spending time in God’s word.

But here’s the key: how we pray, how we worship, how we study God’s word will differ. As long as we are praying, getting into Scripture, spending time adoring God, and serving Him with all our might, our differences are something to be celebrated and embraced. Thank God that your marriage and parenting offers you the opportunity to give a fuller response to God as a family than you ever could as an individual.

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Conversations with Self

BY COMMUNICATIONS FELLOW CAMERON KELLEY ’22

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My thoughts affect my attitude.

My attitude affects the quality of my experiences, and my experiences affect my actions.

Every morning I wake up and find myself standing in front of my mirror with crazy hair, tired, longing to crawl back under the warmth of my covers; however, I decide to begin getting ready for school. A millisecond decision, a blink of an eye, and I’ve already made a choice that will impact me for the rest of my day. I contemplated going back asleep, but I quickly decided school was more important to me, to fulfill my obligations as a student and my responsibility as a sister to drive my siblings to school.

The conversations I have with myself in my mirror at 7 a.m. will set the tone for the rest of my day and shape my outlook on my life, myself and those I’m surrounded by.

A positive exchange with myself in the morning sets me up for a successful day; I am walking into school with a mindset that I will do everything to the best of my ability and meet challenges with joy. I am continually navigating through the winding paths of life and realizing that, at each step, self conversations are essential for growth and the development of creativity, structure and confidence in my role in the world.

As a baby lacking the ability to comprehensively communicate with others, I entertained myself with constant babble. As a

toddler, I tried to make sense of the unknown world around me through the creation of imaginary friends. As a child, I dreamed of my future, planning the steps I would take to reach my goals, and as a teenager, I am forced to hold steadfast to my own identity as I am engulfed in a sea of opinions on who I should or shouldn’t be.

Furthermore, as a young adult, I am faced with endless thoughts of tasks and lists that need to be completed, and one day, perhaps as a parent, I will reassure myself on the work I’m doing, often worry about my family’s well being, and occasionally remark aloud, “Where are my keys?” Reflecting on life in this way provides the perspective that my daily conversations with myself build and shape me in ways I know no one else can because I understand myself best!

I am the only one truly familiar with all my individual strengths and weaknesses. Only I know when I am truly giving my best effort or when I could have pushed a little harder. Only I can hold myself accountable for my actions, choices and words, knowing the motivation that prompted them. Conversations with myself may bring worry, insecurity or frustration, but they also equip me with the unique prospect of increasing my self-esteem, affirming and clinging to my principles and forming a mental headspace where

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Six Conversations You Should Have With Yourself Daily 1

Compare your priorities with your passions.

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What do you love most? Invest your time and thoughts in the things and people you love, get involved in something that you are passionate about.

Seek truth and hold biblical truths close.

Have confidence in your opinions and convictions, do not let them be easily shifted by those of others around you.

Set goals.

Whether your goals are small, daily tasks or your biggest aspiration, have a plan set in place that forces them into fruition.

Practice thankfulness.

What are you thankful for? Think of the little victories of each day, don’t overlook the people and things that have been placed in your life that are blessings to you.

Look for ways to serve others.

How can you help or serve others? Always be looking for ways to serve others; as Christians, this is our calling!

Check-in with yourself.

How are you really doing? What can you do to encourage yourself, pick yourself up, and set yourself up for success? Are the conversations in your head more negative than positive? Change that! You must continually balance your negative thoughts with positive ones until they become the most prevalent.

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I am not subject to the undulating comments of the outside world. Though these may come as the toughest conversations, they are also the most important and the most rewarding. Rather than my spoken and concrete actions, it is the sentiments I whisper to myself that hold the most power because ultimately, they are the driving force of my reactions and temperament in any given circumstance.

Rather than my spoken and concrete actions, it is the sentiments I whisper to myself that hold the most power because ultimately, they are the driving force of my reactions and temperament in any given circumstance.

I live in the digital age, a life surrounded by screens, advertisements, billboards and TV shows, where, without constant discretion and discernment, the culture of today becomes overwhelming and normalized. As a young woman, I am often told how I should act, dress and behave. Though some of these instructions are warranted, others shine a harsh light of comparison that often focuses on negative traits rather than the positive. I have found that the conversations I have with myself must be deeply rooted in biblical truth so that the mirror image I strive to see each morning is one of someone grounded in her own convictions, rather than the convictions of a corrupted culture. Whenever I am struggling to stay rooted in God’s truth, Psalm 23 and Psalm 139:13-14 give me comfort in that God walks with me and ahead of me in all of my trials. These verses allow me to rejoice knowing that my final destination is in Heaven with Him. Moreover, I am reminded that both myself and those I am surrounded by have been fearfully and wonderfully created by God. These principles garner within me a more joyful and hopeful mindset that drives me to love others and myself better.

Every day my inner discussions alter the course of what I accomplish, say or do, and the habits I create by these conversations will transform the course of my life and the future I hope to obtain.

As humans, we must learn to look at ourselves in the mirror the way we look towards the people we love and admire. These reflections in glass confront us with the incredible distinction between a positive or negative view of ourselves. Just like shards of glass that sparkle in the sun, we are all broken and dismantled, but that is what makes us beautiful. We have the option to accept our flaws and appreciate our differences, and this one decision to change the way in which we have our inner dialogue will change our entire life and shift the lens through which we observe the world. So, next time you look at yourself in the mirror or engage that familiar voice inside your head, remember the importance of what you are telling yourself.

I have found that the conversations I have with myself must be deeply rooted in biblical truth so that the mirror image I strive to see each morning is one of someone grounded in her own convictions, rather than the convictions of a corrupted culture. Whenever I am struggling to stay rooted in God’s truth, Psalm 23 and Psalm 139:13-14 give me comfort in that God walks with me and ahead of me in all of my trials. These verses allow me to rejoice knowing that my final destination is in Heaven with Him. Moreover, I am reminded that both myself and those I am surrounded by have been fearfully and wonderfully created by God. These principles garner within me a more joyful and hopeful mindset that drives me to love others and myself better.

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Conversations W I T H T H E C L A S S O F 2 02 2 & 2 02 3

What are the conversations you have with yourself daily?

What is the one thing that you tell yourself the most? Is this healthy?

“I always think about what I am doing during the day, I make a mental checklist and organize my activities alongside the times they need to be completed. I am always looking for the most efficient way to complete a task.”

– Grace Pollock ’22

“I most often need to remind myself to focus.”

– Julia Sauvageau ’22

“I think the conversations I have tried to instill daily are ones of encouragement and challenge towards myself. I constantly tell myself to work hard, find inspiration, and then use that to inspire others. I remind myself that I should act as a role model for those around me, and this forces me to live out my daily life to the best I can.”

– Linley Norris ’23 “I do nightly ‘compassionate thoughts’ where you say at least one thing you love about yourself, two things you are grateful for, three people you love and four small things in the world that make your day better.”

– Raquel Bagwell ’22 “I find myself wondering what I am going to eat for my next meal.” – Julia Sauvageau ’22 “How I have to motivate myself to work hard in order to do well in school” – Eli Smith ’22

“I used to always berate myself and put myself down for being ‘weak’ but now instead of yelling at my brain, I remind myself to be gentle and loving. I tell myself that I am cherished and am doing the best I can.” – Raquel Bagwell ’22

How has talking to yourself helped you through hardship?

“When I am faced with anxiety or stress, self-talk allows me to weigh my options or the specific things I might say from different perspectives, which causes more efficient problem solving and prevents me from being impulsive.”

– Grace Pollock ’22 “Self-talk acts as a reality check for me. It grounds me in the things I know to be true, calming me from the anxiety of the unknown.”

– Julia Sauvageau ’22 “If there’s any time I feel absolutely alone, I will talk to myself and tell myself that I am loved and list all the things I love about the world. This strategy has helped me through so much in life.

You are the only person with yourself 24/7.”

– Raquel Bagwell ’22

“I do nightly ‘compassionate thoughts’ where you say at least one thing you love about yourself, two things you are grateful for, three people you love and four small things in the world that make your day better.” – Raquel Bagwell ’22

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What is your opinion on self-talk? Is it more deprecating or helpful?

“I think the right kind of self-talk can be great.

Matter-of-fact conversations with myself aid against anxiety; however, I believe it can be deprecating if you are constantly in your head, overthinking everything and talking yourself in circles.” – Grace Pollock ’22

How often do you talk to yourself?

“All day, every day – I constantly have things I need to think about and discuss.”

– Grace Pollock ’22 “I feel like boys talk to themselves less than girls do. I don’t feel like I really talk to myself that often.” – Eli Smith ’22

“I think it is all about the way you frame it, but for most people, I would say it is deprecating.”

– Isabella Ventura ’23 “Sometimes I find myself questioning my actions or how I’m being perceived by others. I think I can tear myself down and become insecure when I am focusing too much on what others think. Self-talk for me can be either used as a confidence booster or something that really drags me down.” – Julia Sauvageau ’22 “I think everyone talks to themselves whether they admit to it or not. It’s a double-edged sword; you have to be extremely careful to check whether you are insulting yourself or being kind.”

– Raquel Bagwell ’22 “Self-talk is more helpful for me because it allows me to organize my thoughts and think through situations.” – Eli Smith ’22

“Sometimes I find myself questioning my actions or how I’m being perceived by others.

I think I can tear myself down and become insecure when I am focusing too much on what others think. Self-talk for me can be used either as a confidence booster or something that really drags me down.” – Julia Sauvageau ’22

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Conversations with Others

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“Conversation is the most human—or humanizing—thing that we do.”

MIT PSYCHOLOGIST, PROFESSOR AND RESEARCHER SHERRY TURKLE, PHD, FROM HER BOOK RECLAIMING CONVERSATION.

Have you heard it said, “almost all of communication is nonverbal?” Words carry meaning, but we can all agree that words only make up part of a message. What else influences communication?

This idea that the majority of communication is not actually found in words comes from two famous research studies.¹ Researcher Albert Mehrabian is responsible for a communication model in which words (verbal communication) only make up 7% of a message. The other 93% is made up of vocal communication, including tone of voice, volume and emphasis, and visual communication, encompassing body language, gestures and facial expression.

Let’s break this down. We converse with words, but communication includes so much more. We may be saying more with our body language and tone than we realize, especially if it makes up 93% of our message, as this communication model claims. Some researchers disagree with this model, calling it the “body language myth.” Here’s the kicker though – experts agree that when the words don’t match the behavioral cues like body language and tone, priority is given to the latter. In other words, a person is more likely to pay attention to the way someone says something than what is being said, especially when they don’t align.

What does that mean for us? Ideally, to communicate well, we want all three parts (verbal, vocal and visual) of our message to “say” the same thing. Creating consistency between your intention and both your verbal and nonverbal messages builds trust. As an extreme example, crossing your arms and saying, “I love you,” in a deadpan voice isn’t going to be very convincing. Match up your tone of voice, body language and actual words so your communication is clear. Message received!

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verbal 7%

vocal 38%

visual 55%

conversations with others

As we can see, nonverbal communication is arguably the most critical component in a conversation, with people attributing a large majority of the message to vocal and physical cues over the words themselves. Try noticing your nonverbal cues and be mindful of your behavior. Make eye contact, lean in and be aware of your facial expressions during conversations.

Consider the implications of this communication model when so much of modern-day conversation is digital, arguably removing the 93% of a message we often rely on for understanding. “Electronic communication—via email, text and other forms of instant messaging—can be so challenging and easily misinterpreted precisely because the words used are isolated from any and all of the nonverbal cues that provide essential information and clarification.”² Truly, this is a motivating factor for prioritizing face-to-face conversation in this increasingly digital world.

Context within relationships is another major component of communication. Conversations with a close friend involve different styles of communication than conversations with a superior or acquaintance. “Context includes what environment the situation is taking place in, the history between the people, and other factors such as each person’s role.” ² When you have a conversation also influences communication. A conversation at the end of a long work day is going to feel and sound a lot different than a conversation on the back porch on a Sunday afternoon. What you don’t say also matters because “sometimes what you don’t say gives a clearer picture of what is going on than what you do say.”³ In the end, “all actions—both intentional and unintentional—communicate certain messages.” Let’s watch what we say and how we say it so our conversations can be consistent and clear.²

Digital Conversations No matter your age, you cannot deny the impact of technology on communication. The further technology advances, the more complex digital communication becomes. Not only is the communication itself more multifaceted, the immediacy and reach have increased dramatically.

What is immediacy? Put simply, how fast can you get a message to another person? The answer today is most likely instantly. Ponder for a moment the fact that in today’s day and age, you can send a message instantaneously almost anywhere in the world. The younger generations take this for granted while more seasoned generations recall the times of snail mail, the innovation of cordless phones and the time it took for a catalogue order to arrive in the mail. Technology has afforded us instant gratification; we can order food to be delivered in a matter of minutes, schedule one-day Amazon deliveries of anything we could want, text a friend and get an immediate response no matter the distance and get the answer to almost any question with a few taps of our fingers.

How has instantaneous communication affected our conversations? It’s hard to pin down the impact in just a few words, but when you consider what you lack in digital communication versus in-person conversation, it sheds considerable light on the issue. As discussed, in face-to-face conversation, the elements of body language and tone of voice play a huge role in understanding.

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The reach of our communication is also increasingly vast. The immediacy of our communications reaches an unprecedented number of people, determined by the number of followers and connections on social media. Our social network is no longer constrained by physical distance, social status or interpersonal connections but by the number of people who have access to the internet.

How has instantaneous communication affected our conversations? It’s hard to pin down the impact in just a few words, but when you consider what you lack in digital communication versus in-person conversation, it sheds considerable light on the issue. As discussed, in face-to-face conversation, the elements of body language and tone of voice play a huge role in understanding.

So here’s the challenge: how do you make digital communication most closely replicate in-person interactions? Creative advances, such as the emoji, video chat applications and photo communication attempt to close the gap.

The Emoji Code Billions of text messages are sent every day, and with them, billions of emojis. Are emojis the “body language of the digital age?”⁴ Arguably, these little pictograms may be, dare we say, the hieroglyphics of the modern world? But, the old adage, “a picture is worth a thousand words,” is worth considering.

Just as our body language and tone can dramatically change the meaning of our words, “in our everyday text messages, emojis imbue our digital speak with nonverbal cues that help spell out what we mean,” says Dr. Vyvyan Evans, author of The Emoji Code.⁴ Dr. Evans continues, saying, “Emojis make our abbreviated digital texts more effective by plugging a gap, leveling the communication playing field,” allowing us to convey emotions, even empathy, through a digital medium.

To strengthen the case of emoji’s impact in language use, listen to this fact. In 2015, the Oxford Dictionary chose an emoji as the word of the year: the laughing with tears emoji or the “LOL emoji.”

“Although emoji have been a staple of texting teens for some time, emoji culture exploded into the global mainstream over the past year,” the Oxford Dictionary’s team wrote in a press release. “Emoji have come to embody a core aspect of living in a digital world that is visually driven, emotionally expressive, and obsessively immediate.”⁵ While text-speak often strips language of nuance, it could be said that the iconic pictograph, the emoji, can help. “In our brave new digital world, we’re all, or nearly all, speaking emoji now.”⁴ Emojis, avatars, gifs and the massively popular “selfie” can be spoken by anyone, to anyone, no matter your native tongue. Despite its limitations, the world of technology connects us, creating universal languages of the digital world and transforming us into an increasingly global village.

Are emojis the “body language of the digital age?” Arguably, these little pictograms may be, dare we say, the hieroglyphics of the modern world? 4

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conversations with others

Conflict and Boundaries in Conversations A Conversation with Diane Van Zandt Chambers

As members of the body of Christ, we are all connected. Diane Van Zandt shares, “The body of Christ is so beautiful because it is so uniquely different, and that draws us together.” When we are walking with Christ, we love others first, despite differences or even conflict. In any conversation, Van Zandt believes humility is key – to realize that none of us can do anything apart from God. “When we know everything about everyone, we forgive everyone for everything,” she shares passionately. “So many times, we just don’t stop to walk in someone else’s shoes.” When you are having a conversation with someone who sees the world differently from you, “go back to listening,” Van Zandt suggests.

We asked Diane Van Zandt, a specialist in dealing with workplace and interpersonal relationships, how do you address conflict in a conversation? “For one thing,” she begins, “We ought to throw a party every time we communicate.” Her biggest suggestion is to feedback what the other person is saying, to clarify understanding. Experts agree that an excellent communication tactic, especially in conflict, is to clarify or summarize what the other person is saying. Often, lines are crossed in communication without either party realizing that what they said was misperceived or misunderstood.

Another helpful tool for resolving conflict in conversations is to get a third party who you trust to help move toward a resolution. “As believers, this is a real responsibility,” since unity under Christ is a biblical goal. It’s okay to agree to disagree to preserve a relationship, Van Zandt concludes.

Moving past conflict, Van Zandt maintains that a sincere intention for resolution is necessary. “To mend a conflict or a friendship, there’s got to be first, the desire to do so.” Be ready to apologize, forgive and redefine the relationship if necessary. Once again, a posture of humility will allow you to ask yourself, “What is my part in this?” As Van Zandt declares, “usually we all have a part in [the conflict] in one way or another.”

Boundaries “Boundaries are essential for a good friendship,” shares Diane Van Zandt. In her job as a consultant, she often finds that when there is conflict, boundaries are unclear. As Christians, we can assert our boundaries in loving, respectful ways, realizing it’s okay to say no.

Van Zandt asserts, “When you say no, be sure you say no right up front,” and this will prevent additional confusion and conflict in the relationship. A helpful line anyone can use is, “I know that you don’t totally agree with me, but I want to thank you ahead of time for your support.” Van Zandt suggests, “You don’t have to force someone to agree with you, but you can thank them for supporting you.” Lastly, she emphasizes that we assert the boundary before any anger sets in; this not only preserves respect but also prevents ongoing conflict.

When you are having a conversation with someone who sees the world differently from you, “go back to listening,” Van Zandt suggests.

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“My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry.” James 1:19

Listening Birkman consultant and counselor Diane Van Zandt weighs in on the most important element of conversation – listening. “Listening is the key,” says Van Zandt, “Listen more and talk less.” She says we need to rethink our communication style if we find ourselves anxiously awaiting the other person to stop talking so we can put in our two cents. She believes the number one barrier to conversation is not listening to the other person talk. Van Zandt suggests focusing on active listening: listening with your eyes, your body, focusing on really comprehending what the other person is saying and not on what you want to say next.

What is Active Listening?

The Chinese symbol for listening is made up of six other words: you, eyes, undivided attention, heart, king and ear. “Combined these words describe what is commonly described in the English language as active listening.”⁶ YOU: You play an active role in a conversation as both a listener and a speaker. As a listener, your body language plays a role in what signals you send the speaker.

EYES: Listen with your eyes through eye contact and by observing the body language of the other person.

UNDIVIDED ATTENTION: Eliminate distractions and focus your attention on the person speaking to show true active listening.

HEART: Listening with your heart means tuning in with compassion and empathy, open to the other person’s perspective and experiences.

KING: In Chinese culture, this element of the listening symbol refers to treating someone like royalty, with the respect and attention they deserve.

EAR: Finally, listen with your ears, to the words, tone of voice and volume, tuning in to all their speech has to say.

“A good listener engages physically and mentally, shares eye contact, and uses positive affirmation to show they are paying attention.” ²

“The most basic of all human needs is the need to understand and be understood. The best way to understand people is to listen to them.” – Ralph Nichols

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conversations with others

Conversations with Young People Believe it or not, the same techniques for positive conversations with adults apply to conversations with children. Children are people too! Listen, lean in, use eyecontact and ask open-ended questions; modeling these types of communication skills with children is how they learn effective communication and develop foundations of listening skills and appropriate social interaction.

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Focus on speaking clearly and concisely, using language children understand.

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Check for understanding by saying, “Does that make sense?” or asking them to repeat back what you said.

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Repeat back what children say to reinforce understanding and model empathy.

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Games, open-ended questions and activities are excellent tools for engaging children in conversation and deepening connection. Some activities are universal, while others are targeted to specific age groups based on development. Read on for practical ideas on sparking conversations with children!

All Ages

Wait-time is key; give children more time to respond to a question or comment than you may give an adult. Given a few extra seconds, they may surprise you with a more thoughtful response.

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Offer choices when conversing with children and give them the chance to make plans or tell a story the way they want to.

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Resist the urge to correct or fact-check when talking with children; it can cause them to shut down or give up on the conversation.

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Normalize their experiences by sharing, “When I was a kid, I felt the same way.” This creates a sense of empathy and cultivates self-compassion.

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Teach communication skills directly by explaining specific actions such as, “When we are talking, we look in each others’ eyes to show we’re listening.”

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How can we engage in conversations with children?

Model good listening skills by putting away distractions and offering undivided attention.

Conversations with children may surprise you; we can learn a lot from our youngest friends. Humans are hard-wired for language from infancy. Babies coo and imitate sounds as they experiment with language and attempt to join the conversation of those around them. Our very instincts draw us into conversation with others. As children grow, our communication must evolve with them.

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Have meals together.

As a bonus, make it a “kid’s choice” night for dinner. Put away screens and aim to connect during meals, even a couple times a week.

Go for a walk.

Walking around the neighborhood or park allows for great conversation with children at any age. Discuss the sights, ask questions and enjoy good conversation as you walk.

Use conversation starters.

Store bought games such as TableTopics are great for getting the conversation going and finding creative topics to discuss. Alternatively, pose a thought-provoking question such as, “If you could be anywhere in the world right now, where would you be and why?”

Share highs and lows.

Find a way to share your highlights and lowlights of the day. Rose, bud and thorn is one clever way to do this. At the end of the day, you and your child can share your rose (highlight), thorn (lowlight) and bud (what you’re looking forward to).

Look at photos.

Family photo albums, or even smartphone albums, are great ways to connect with old memories and spark conversation. Take some time to sit side by side and reminisce as you look through old photos together.

Early Childhood / Elementary

Play guessing games.

“I spy” and “20 questions” are fun games to engage young children in conversation.

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Children are people too! Listen, lean in, use eye-contact and ask open-ended questions; modeling these types of communication skills with children is how they learn effective communication and develop foundations of listening skills and appropriate social interaction.

Grocery store chats.

When running errands or at the grocery store, peoplewatch and observe what’s around you. Engage your child by asking them questions about what they see and what their preferences are.

top 5 conversation

Share your favorites.

Kids love choices and talking about their preferences. Play a game such as “Would you rather” or “This or that.” In “Would you rather,” you pose a question such as, “Would you rather be able to fly or teleport?” In “This or that,” you simply offer two choices and pick your favorite, such as, “Chocolate or vanilla?”

DO’S

1. Listen more, talk less 2. Match your body language to

Pre-teen and Teenage Years

your words

Go for a drive.

A car drive can spark great conversation, especially if you add a playlist to the mix. Let your teenager pick the music!

3 . Eliminate distractions – be present 4. Ask questions and clarify answers

Plan an activity night.

Let your teen or preteen pick an activity, whether it’s a movie night, game night or sporting event. When they choose the activity, they are more likely to engage in conversation and have something to connect with you about later. More memories leads to more conversations.

5. Focus on what brings us together

& DON’TS

Cook together.

Kitchens are always full of conversation, and cooking provides something to do while you talk. Choose a recipe together or learn a family recipe that’s been passed down.

1. Interrupt 2. Criticize

3 . Make assumptions

Volunteer.

Serving others with others connects you. Volunteering with an organization you are passionate about can allow for deeper conversations and meaningful discussions.

4. Keep score 5. Dismiss the opinions or feelings of others

Humans are wired for connection. We are made in the image of an interpersonal God, craving relationships both with God and with one another. Conversations make this happen.

1 – Mehrabian & Wiener, 1967, and Mehrabian & Ferris, 1967 2 – psychologytoday.com 3 – habitsforwellbeing.com 4 – The Emoji Code, by Dr. Evans Vyvyan 5 – time.com 6 – rwwleadership.wordpress.com 7 – Conversation Peace, by Mary Kassian

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#CreateInspireBuild With zeal, I step into a new role,

with ingenuity I develop my vision, and with passion, I aim to inspire my community.

Hello SBS! I am Cameron Kelley ’22, a current junior in upper school, varsity cheerleader, varsity soccer player, honors choir member, big sister, pasta lover and the Communications Fellow for this school year! I enjoy reading, writing, creating and challenging myself. I entered Second Baptist School as a wide-eyed sixth grader in my new uniform, and will graduate in the spring of 2022 with the hope that I used my position this year to capture the essence of life at SBS, utilizing media to create unity, inspire passion and build spirit! #CreateInspireBuild I applied for the Communications Fellow position because I felt driven to make a difference in my SBS community; I want to make a lasting impact on my school that will cascade down to future generations. Growing up in a digital age instilled in me a natural savviness in cybernated sources such as Instagram and provided me with a comprehensive knowledge of graphic design. Through my position as Communications Fellow, I plan to expound on my passion for the SBS community, hone in my creative writing expertise under the mentorship of the SBS communications team and inspire involvement and fervor for our school.

By: Communications Fellow Cameron Kelley ’22

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I believe, done well, social media has the potential to provide an incredible space to encourage, uplift, promote and share.

Motivational Monday

Collaborating with the communications team has offered me the opportunity to make several key changes to the @secondbaptistschool Instagram recently, creating an online presence reflective of the core beliefs SBS represents and showcasing our Christcentered community. My first priority is transforming Motivational Monday posts to have a more meaningful impact, attempting to reach a broader audience through the creation of weekly 60-second devotional videos. Within the short video, a follower can witness a friend, student, teacher or administrator share an uplifting message, verse and challenge for the rest of the week based on the theme of the month. Themes this year include love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness, thankfulness and self-control. Through interactive Instagram stories, including questions and polls, we emphasize the specific theme of the month and elicit viewers to think deeper on that subject, hoping to motivate them to focus on the portrayal of this trait in their everyday lives. This interaction ultimately inspires more unity, passion and spirit for our school.

Student Spotlight Another initiative I developed through my role is the #StudentSpotlight Instagram takeover. I envisioned the concept as a fun opportunity for students to promote their various endeavors and, in return, acknowledge them for their connectivity within our school. I hoped this could be a tool to ingratiate younger students

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with upperclassmen, giving underclassmen a sense of familiarity with leaders in our student body, making them more likely to reach out and interact! My fundamental goal was to evoke a smile in spectators and highlight the average, yet extraordinary day of a student at Second Baptist School, celebrating the individual student as a collective student body.

Already, these takeover posts have led to increased engagement on our @secondbaptistschool Instagram.

Social Media Excellence I believe, done well, social media has the potential to provide an incredible space to encourage, uplift, promote and share. My goal is to use the school’s social media to bring together the Second Baptist School community. Through posts tailored toward students and student life, I am attempting to elicit more involvement and excitement about happenings at school. In the wake of a global pandemic, the utilization of media is necessary to connect with those who may not be able to attend events or school in person, allowing everyone in our community to have a superb experience, whether on- or off-campus.

I look forward to the inspiration yet to come, the memories yet to be made, and the embracing of new challenges and opportunities we are yet to face.

Together we will create unity and build spirit, and together we will inspire passion. I love my school and I cannot wait to see all that we accomplish together this year. I view the Office of Communications as a group of wonderful people with the unique opportunity to champion Second Baptist School as a modern and technologically advanced school that remains current and accessible to future generations of students. I am overjoyed and grateful to drive this movement.

follow us

@secondbaptistschool

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Second Baptist School

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A L U M N I REME MB E R TO FO LLOW US ON FACE B O O K A ND INSTAGR A M @S B S A LUMNI TO STAY CO NNECTE D A ND LE A R N A B OU T UPCO MING E VE NTS A ND O N- CA MPUS H A PPE NINGS! MOVE D? MA R R IE D? NE W E MA IL A DDR E S S ?

E MA IL S B S A LUMNI@S ECO NDB A PTISTS CH O O L.O RG TO S E ND A NY CH A NGE S. WE WA NT TO STAY IN TOUCH!

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Alumni Notes 1993 KAMRON MASSUMI ’93 resides in Laredo, Texas, where he works as a real estate attorney with Killam Development, a privately-held real estate development company. Kamron loves the diverse culture in Laredo and being involved in exciting projects that benefit the communities his company serves.

1999 CARRIE JOBE BOWDEN ’99 is the lower school principal of grades PK3 - Grade 2 at Houston’s First Baptist Academy. Carrie received her Masters in Bilingual Education from UT Rio Grande Valley and has worked in education for 17 years. From teaching overseas in Nicaragua as a Peace Corps volunteer, founding and teaching Chispa, a Spanish speaking children’s Bible study class at SBC, working nine years in public school, Carrie started at First Baptist Academy in 2016 as the technology integration specialist. Then, after spending two years as the lower school assistant principal, Carrie began her new role as principal this school year.

2001 JULIE DANVERS BAUGHMAN ’01 and her husband, Matthew, welcomed Hunter Graham Baughman on July 21, 2020. Julie and Matthew recently celebrated their second wedding anniversary and live in Houston, where Matthew is an estate planning attorney, and Julie practices investor relations.

2003 Alongside a fellow teacher, MARY MARGARET PORTER BROLLIER ’03 recently started Scribbled Designs, a business created by two educators who wanted to help out parents with at-home learning. Mary Margaret and her co-creator are not only passionate about helping children grow as learners but helping parents with ideas and tips. They offer educational tools for parents to use with kiddos as well as lots of fun designs for the whole family including gift tags and stationery. Follow along on Instagram @scribbled_designs.

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2003 Courtney and DAVID TAUBER ’03 welcomed daughter, Charlotte Rebekah Tauber, on March 21, 2020. David is executive vice president of Tauber Oil Company, and Courtney works as the advancement event coordinator at SBS.

2004 JORDAN KATES BOWLING ’04 and husband, Warren, welcomed their third child, Callie Counce, on October 14, 2020. Big brother, Cooper, and big sister, Olivia, love giving her kisses and helping with bath time.

Liz and RUSSELL DIXON ’04 and big brother, David, welcomed Drew Thomas Dixon on October 16, 2020. Drew means “brave” or “courageous,” and the middle name Thomas is named after the Dixons’ “big brother” and long-time SBC staff member, Thomas Smith! Russell serves as the young marrieds and evangelism pastor at Second Baptist Church.

2006 JODI HATTON CAUSEY ’06, husband, Derek, and big brother, David, welcomed Scout Marie Causey on May 22, 2020. Scout shares a middle name with her aunt, JESSICA HATTON COHEN ’04. Jodi shares, “I sent a picture of myself in a hospital gown and mask to my SBS group chat and shocked everyone with the news. We weren’t expecting Scout for three more weeks! We are so thrilled she came early as she is truly the brightest part of our year!”

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Alumni Notes 2006 SELIECE DODDS MORROW ’06 and husband, Josh, welcomed their second son, Michael Garland, in September 2020, just 13 months after having their first child, Keith. In addition to a full life at home with two boys under two, Seliece works as an advanced practice nurse at MD Anderson.

2007 MARSHALL KERNS ’07 met Dakota Lea Hart at Watermark Church in Ft. Worth and married in Rochester, Michigan, on September 19, 2020.

MATT PRICE ’07 and RYAN LOHSE ’07 served as groomsmen on the big day! The Kerns reside in Ft. Worth, where Marshall works as the marketing director for Escalante Golf.

JAMES MALONE ’07 works as a teacher and offensive line football coach at Magnolia West High School. During his time as a junior and senior at SBS, James played football under Coach Jon Guthrie and baseball under Coach Jeff Schroeder.

Morgan Taylor Pruet and TRIPP PRUET ’07 welcomed their first child, Turner Burton Pruet, on September 21, 2020. The Pruets reside in Houston, where Tripp works in commercial real estate.

KATHRYN WORSHAM HUMPHRIES ’07 is co-creator of All You Need Method, a PR and marketing resource for small business owners and solopreneurs. They provide advice and tips through their blog and Instagram (@allyouneedmethod). Their first digital course, the PR Starter Kit, launched this fall. Follow their business at allyouneedmethod.com.

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2009 SARAH MAYES ’09 and HARRIS HUGUENARD ’09 welcomed daughter, Madeline Ruth, on July 27, 2020. In the words of Sarah, “We pray that she will grow to know how truly loved she is by us and our Lord.” (Ephesians 3:14-19) Sarah works as a genetic counselor at Baylor College of Medicine, and Harris is a real estate and commercial trial attorney with Jackson Walker LLP. STALEY TOMFORDE ’09 married Noah Buck on October 31, 2020.

The couple leaned in to a Halloween theme with costumes encouraged.

Officiating pastor, Chris French, dressed up as Elvis, and several adoring SBS alumni from the class of 2009 drove by for the celebration: SARAH MAYES and HARRIS HUGUENARD, JENNIFER GRAVES SULLIVAN, JENNIFER GURNEY MORGAN and HAILIE DURRETT.

2010 Kennedy and JEFF PRICE ’10 welcomed son, Shepherd Locke Price, on July 21, 2020. The Prices live in Houston, where Jeff works in the financial services industry.

2011 SARAH HALL CHANCE ’11 graduated from Baylor in 2015 and joined international law firm Kirkland & Ellis in 2019 to lead their Business Development group in their newly-opened Dallas office. She married David Chance in 2017 and recently started Chance Design Co., a paper goods and graphic design company that she works on in her spare time.

Check out her work at chancedesignco.com.

BROOKE MAXCY MCGHEE ’11 and husband, Hayden, welcomed their second child, Shepherd Lee, on August 8, 2020. Big sister, Clare, is thrilled having a little brother and will be joining the Eagle family in Pre-K3 this fall. Brooke works in data and volunteer relations for the SBS Office of Advancement.

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Alumni Notes 2011

KAITLYN KELLAM MEYERS ’11 married Matthew Meyers at Christ Evangelical Presbyterian Church on June 27, 2020. Alumnus and Kaitlyn’s brother-in-law, TAYLOR INCE ’97, officiated the ceremony and ROBIN KELLAM INCE ’00 served her sister as matron of honor. Kaitlyn and Matthew live in Dallas.

COVID-19 forced SCOTT TERRELL ’11 and new bride, Linda, to push back their wedding, but they held a family ceremony at Second Baptist Church on their original date, May 24, 2020. Their larger wedding celebration with friends and family took place in Vail, Colorado, on October 17, 2020.

2012 JOSH DUNEGAN ’12 married Elizabeth Petersen on September 19, 2020, at Second Baptist Church. Josh and Elizabeth originally met as SBC soccer teammates in 1998, and 22 years later, married in the church Sanctuary. WILLIAM MCMICHAEL ’11 served Josh as one of his groomsmen. The couple reside in Houston, where Josh works as an attorney with Baker Botts.

2013 KENDALL TILLMAN CARAMEROS ’13 co-founded NuTiliti Inc., a digital solution that manages all of a consumer’s utility needs from utility setup, account management and bill splitting. To learn more, visit nutiliti.com.

PAIGE PLATO NASSAB ’13 married Jack Nassab on November 23, 2019, the couple’s seven-year anniversary. Along with their new sweet puppy, Macie, the Nassabs reside in Houston, where Paige works as a wedding planner at Keely Thorne Events.

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2014 Eagle Sweethearts, CAROLYN TRENEER ’14 and JAKE MILLER ’14, married on July 18, 2020, at Brennan’s of Houston, surrounded by a wedding party full of 2014 SBS alumni. Bridesmaids included MIA PASTEL DOW, TORREY TOWNSEND, MEREDITH AMMERMAN BLACKBURN, MATTIE DAVIS and Jake’s younger sister SYDNEY MILLER ’19. SBS groomsmen were RYAN WILSON and SAMUEL WORSHAM.

Carolyn shares, “I could not be more grateful for the lifetime friendships we made at SBS, and I am eternally thankful for meeting my husband in English class our freshman year!”

2015 CAROLINE CHANCE ’15 married Michael Colvert on July 11, 2020, in Plano, Texas. The Colverts met working as accounting interns at Dell Technologies, and Michael proposed on Thanksgiving day 2019 during the Dallas Turkey Trot. Alumni SARAH HALL CHANCE ’11 and LINDSEY WILLIAMS ’15 served Caroline as bridesmaids. Caroline is currently a tax staff at Ernst & Young, working on finishing her CPA. ANDI PERKINS ’15 graduated from Baylor in May 2019 with a Bachelor of Arts in Professional Writing. Currently, Andi is working as the marketing and brand manager for Second Baptist Church’s Writer in Residence Gary Thomas. Andi says, “It has been a great experience to interact with his publishing team, spearhead a few marketing projects of my own and gain a deeper sense of the publishing industry.”

2016 Congratulations to MEREDITH KIM ’16 for receiving her white coat for UT Southwestern Medical School during the virtual ceremony on October 7, 2020.

LAUREN PARK ’16 married Adam Maher on July 25, 2020. According to Lauren, “This day was so far from what we had dreamed and planned, but it was so much sweeter than we could have ever imagined!”

Serving in the bridal party were 2016 alumni: MEREDITH KIM, AVERY NORTHCUTT, COURTNEY WILLIAMS and TAYLOR KOLLMORGEN. The Mahers live in Dallas, where Lauren works as a project manager at Texas AirSystems.

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alumni feature

CONVERSATIONS

LASTING year after year

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DOING LIFE WITH AND SHARING DAILY CONVERSATIONS WITH CLASSMATES AT THE LUNCH TABLE, ON THE FIELD OR IN CLASS YEAR AFTER YEAR OFTEN LEADS TO LASTING RELATIONSHIPS AND CONVERSATIONS THAT CONTINUE AND STRENGTHEN FAR BEYOND GRADUATION NIGHT. THERE ARE COUNTLESS STORIES OF SBS ALUMNI WHOSE DEEPEST FRIENDSHIPS STARTED HERE. RECENTLY, WE KINDLY INTERRUPTED A FEW OF THESE CONVERSATIONS, ASKING IF WE COULD SHARE A BIT OF THEIR ONGOING STORY WITH YOU.

Class of 2004 Around the same time that the movie, Footloose, and the first Macintosh computer were released, class of 2004 alumni Russell Dixon, Jonathan McKenzie, Alex Monzon and David Reeves became friends. At six years old, these friends played alongside each other as teammates in the church basketball league, and today – 30 years later – their friendships are stronger than ever.

With regard to their conversations during and beyond high school, Russell states, “In high school, we were always looking for how we could have the most fun without getting into trouble. On a more serious note though, we really talked about everything – sports, relationships, grades and faith. You name it – we covered it!” Today, as husbands and fathers, kids, work and faith are the “big 3.” David adds, “Our priorities have definitely changed from when we were young and invincible to now. The consistency in our conversations,

however, has been our faith in Jesus and His unfailing love. We’ve had moments of rejoicing, and we’ve had moments of sadness. We’ve held each other accountable and continued to show up for each other for the big and small moments of our lives.”

And show up, they have. These men have been groomsmen in each others’ weddings, helped each other move in and out of their college and postcollege apartments, shown up at the hospital for the arrival of their first-born children, taken spontaneous road trips and been present when one of them simply needs prayer. Although their monthly pancake breakfast has turned into more like once a quarter, their conversations don’t ever stop. Russell laughs saying, “Our group text blows up pretty often by one or all of us.” All four men remain thankful to SBS making them life-long best friends.

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alumni feature funny memories

SWEET CONVERSATIONS

Class of 2006 Friends from the close-knit class of 2006! Whitney Conkling, Stacy Buckalew, Taylor Kingshill Brady, Seliece Dodds Morrow, Christina Greene McAllen, Jodi Hatton Causey, Rachel Tyler Duncan, Jenny Long Blades and former student Lizzy Greene Smith met at different stages of childhood, some even as toddlers in the former mother’s day out program we called “Treasure Island.” The sweet conversations between them are still going strong.

Jodi Causey shares, “These women are incredible people who I love so much. It’s such a privilege watching them start businesses, have babies, pursue their dreams and so much more.”

Rachel Duncan adds, “There is something so unique about the bonds and friendships I made at SBS. I found friends who I knew would be in my life forever. We keep up with each other through a group text where we share big news, prayer requests, life updates and discuss funny memories!”

These friends love getting together every couple of months to see what’s new in their lives. When COVID-19 sent the world into quarantine during spring 2020, the girls initiated a Zoom call to connect with everyone near and far. They shared support and encouragement during the strange uncertain times. Rachel adds, “This year has been unlike any other and, more than ever, I am incredibly thankful to do life with these friends.”

Many of these friends are in the same life stage – having children and leaning on each other as they settle into motherhood and find the balance within their new normal. The depth of their bond allows them to share real, authentic conversation and stay close in the midst of any craziness life throws their way. Simply put, even though they are different in many ways, they continue sharing conversation and cheering each other on.

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CONTINUING humor and good fun

Class of 2017 These buddies, most of whom are Lifers, include 2017 alumni: Jason Daniels, Jake Little, Austin Strozier, Michael Cecil, John Hildreth, Jaret Prothro, Paul Rush, Trench Caruth and Hayden Grobleben. Whether they played sports, did theatre together or simply met in class, they go so far back, they really can’t remember the first day they met.

When they reunite, they talk a lot about the memories they share from SBS, which Jason says includes quite a bit of humor and good fun. Jake adds that they “haven’t changed much, just a little more mature. Our current conversations often lean more towards discussing our faith, personal goals and how we can improve ourselves.” Furthermore, Jason shares, “It’s important to look back and see how God has changed us while also making sure we can laugh about some of the mistakes we’ve made along the way.”

The group has been there for each other in good and bad times. The blessing for all of them is how they just understand each other and relate to one another so well. As Jason explains, “I feel understood and appreciated when I’m around these guys.” The entire group agrees that their conversations always leave them feeling thankful and refreshed.

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CONVERSATIONS

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Life Changing Conversations EAGLE

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alumni feature Carlie Zumwalt ’04 SBS DISTINGUISHED ALUMNA 2020

When I look back at the sequence of events that eventually led to my career as an aerospace engineer, I can trace it back to one, course-defining conversation with my high school physics teacher, Ms. Warden. As a result, 18 years later, I am fortunate to live out the exhilarating job of landing spacecraft on another planet through my job at NASA. Ms. Warden brought physics to life in her classroom.

She made the subject fun and relatable in a way that I had not experienced prior to taking her class. I remember the day like it was yesterday – the day Ms. Warden asked my classmates and me what we wanted to do with the rest of our lives. When she got to me, I immediately pointed to her screen, which was a picture of the International Space Station projecting from her laptop. While pointing, I emphatically stated, “Whatever that is, I want to do that!” Simply put, I wanted to build things and explore the universe! Ms. Warden responded, “So, you want to be an aerospace engineer.”

And, so the conversation began.

After school, Ms. Warden called me into her office. Having heard what she did during class that day, she said to me, “Carlie, there is an opportunity that will require a lot of work, but if it is something you are truly passionate about, you will make it happen.” Then, she handed me an application to apply for a summer internship at NASA. The only caveat? It was due the next day.

Within 24 hours, I needed several letters of recommendation, a transcript, essays and an appointment from a United States senator. Without missing a beat, Ms. Warden offered to help any way she could, starting with a strong letter of recommendation. From her office, I ran to catch people before they left for the day – begging the teachers I hoped would write me a glowing review. Thankfully, each of them was willing to help. Every teacher and administrator I approached and invited into the conversation recognized the importance of this opportunity for me and went out of their way to do their part in making it happen. After several desperate phone calls to a senator, I was able to complete the application on time and experienced the thrill of my life when I received my acceptance in the mail a few weeks later.

The conversation I had with Ms. Warden that day during my junior year at Second Baptist School opened the door to the internship, which led to my first research opportunity in college, which led to a full-time job with NASA and eventually the opportunity to land my first (but not last) spacecraft on the surface of Mars! I will forever be grateful to Ms. Warden for taking time out of her busy schedule to encourage me to pursue an opportunity that has led to the fulfillment of a lifelong dream. And, finally, I will be forever grateful for a school staff who rallied around me and joined the conversation that day.

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ALUMNI

CONVERSATIONS & CONNECTION CONTINUE

At SBS, parents volunteer, sit shoulder-to-shoulder at athletic and arts events, chat in the carpool line while waiting to pick up their child, pray together during Gatekeepers and share life over a Second Cup coffee after dropping off their kids. There are daily opportunities to meet and start conversations on campus. As it is often said, “There are friends, and there is family. And, then there are friends who become family.”

Fast forward to graduation day when students leave with their diplomas, and parents leave with their new title as “alumni parent.” Almost overnight, conversations become harder to maintain. The reasons families have to come up to campus weekly immediately disappear.

Alumni parent conversations had an opportunity to pick up where they left off when alumni moms from the classes of 2015-2020 were invited to Coffee and Encouragement at the home of Cara Berkman, alumni and current parent. Event attendees heard from mother/daughter duo (and former SBS students) Lisa Turner Taylor and Morgan Taylor Pruet, M.A., LPC-I, about the next stage with their adult children. It was the perfect mix of reunion, conversation and encouragement.

At SBS, we have reason to boast! We have great parents and love seeing the conversations and connection continue between them on the other side of their student’s graduation day! November 13 was a gift, and we look forward to the future opportunities we’ll have to help foster those relationships through alumni relations events.

Mother/daughter duo (and former SBS students) Lisa Turner Taylor and Morgan Taylor Pruet, M.A., LPC-I

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“I can’t tell you how blessed I was by attending the alumni mom event. I loved walking into such a warm atmosphere with other SBS moms I have known for so long. Not only did I enjoy catching up with everybody, but I also learned a lot from our wonderful speakers and have been implementing many of the things they talked about! It really did feel like being with family.”

– Holly Spurlin

“My husband and I are now empty nesters after having spent 18 wonderful years in the Second Baptist School community. I had no idea how much I missed the SBS community of moms until I saw so many of them gathered at the coffee.

Encouragement was just what my heart needed, and being with these women who I had done life with for so long at SBS buoyed my spirits so much. I can’t wait for the next opportunity to gather with these moms again!”

– Julie Wiesen

“What a joy it was to gather together, face-to-face, with SBS alumni moms for a meaningful time of fellowship, reconnection and encouragement. I appreciate the school’s vision and intentionality in organizing, Cara Berkman and the hostess committee for creating such a warm and inviting environment, and Lisa and Morgan for sharing their hearts and Godly wisdom so genuinely. I’ve repeated the quote Lisa shared numerous times: ‘There is no way to be a perfect parent, but a million ways to be a good one!’”

– Shelley Steelman

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Conversation Starters

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PARENTS OF ALUMNI: If this magazine is addressed to a graduate who no longer maintains a permanent address at your home, notify the Office of Alumni Relations at sbsalumni@secondbaptistschool.org. Please forward this edition of the Eagle on to your SBS graduate. Thank you.

Important dates for the 2021-2022* school year.

August 18, 2021 – First Day of School (Early Dismissal) September 6, 2021 – Labor Day Holiday October 11, 2021 – Fall Holiday October 15, 2021 – Homecoming November 22-26, 2021 – Thanksgiving Holiday December 17, 2021 – Early Dismissal for Christmas Holidays January 4, 2022 – Spring Semester Begins January 17, 2022 – Winter Holiday for Students; Professional Development for Staff March 14-18, 2022 – Spring Break April 15, 2022 – Easter Holiday April 18, 2022 – Easter Holiday/Make-up Day May 20, 2022 – Class of 2022 Graduation May 26, 2022 – Last Day of School *All dates are subject to change.

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