Spotlight scholarship funds established
spend his high school years. The Ivy League institution had one answer for the Letchers: in between the Mississippi and the Rockies, there’s only one option — St. Mark’s School of Texas. The St. Mark’s experience had begun for the Letchers. St. Mark’s immediately took its hold on John. Out of the gate, he connected with Headmaster Robert Iglehart, an educator who would leave an indelible mark on the young man. As John excelled at St. Mark’s, Iglehart added STEMbased courses that kept him from complacency,
The theme of the 2022 Marksmen yearbook, “You Never
pushing him to his full potential. John felt trusted by the faculty; educators like Iglehart gave him
Really Leave,” rings true for all who experience St. Mark’s
the freedom to pursue what really interested and
culture. For former faculty members, alumni and parents
challenged him. Classes like mechanical drawing
of alumni, the lasting impact of one’s time at 10600 Preston
provided him tools that he would use throughout
Road is particularly meaningful. Now, many are drawn
his professional career.
back to the School, inspired to support the institution that
By the end of the year, John had completed two
had such a positive impact on their development as men.
grades in the span of a single school year. He felt accepted at the School; truly seen and looked after.
Letcher Brothers Scholarship Fund The impact of St. Mark’s has stood the test of time for the Letcher brothers, whose profound experience with the School has led to a lifetime of
John describes his single year at St. Mark’s as the most important factor in his education.
“In that one year, St. Mark’s changed my
generous support for the School. Their firm belief
life,” John Letcher said. “I am convinced
in St. Mark’s mission inspired them to help ensure
that I was extremely fortunate at where
every boy has the opportunity for a first-class
I landed in my schooling.”
educational experience.
Next in line was Frank Letcher ’59. Frank spent Easily qualified as a St. Mark’s dynasty, the
the entirety of his high school career at St. Mark’s.
Letchers’ journey to St. Mark’s started when
As part of the Class of 1959, Frank took a different
their father moved from the East Coast to the
path through the School than his brother John,
South, settling in Miami, OK. The oldest of his
following a route more focused on humanities.
four sons, Scott, enjoyed the school system until
Finally came Bill Letcher ’67. He explored East
his high school years. When the family saw
Coast schools, but it was clear that St. Mark’s was
Scott’s experience with the secondary education
the right choice, as nothing else compared in Bill’s
in Miami, their East Coast roots kicked back in.
school search. St. Mark’s was his first glimpse into
Letcher made a call to his alma mater, Yale, to
the power of an independent school education.
figure out where his next son, John ’53, should
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Spotlight | THE PRIDE
St. Mark’s School of Texas