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Nonprofit Organization U.S. Postage PAID Houston, Texas Permit No. 9081

Houston, Texas 77019-5897

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UPDATE

ALUMNI ASSOCIATION 2401 Claremont Lane

J O H N ’ S

Volume 85

Alumni Awards • Embracing Service Learning • Alumni Events

Upper School Winter Play — “Sherwood Forest”

Spring 2025

The Alumni Magazine of St. John’s School

Join us

713.850.0222

alumni@sjs.org

Head of School DANIEL J. ALIG

Director of Advancement DAWSEY ROMERO

Volume 85 Spring 2025 Editor SUSAN CHAMBERLIN MUNSON ’97 Writers & Contributors LISA ARAGÓN-STOKES PHILIP CANNON ’85 STEPHANIE CROWL BAILEY DUNCAN TESS GEE SARAH MCLAUGHLIN

APRIL 25-26, 2025 FRIDAY

SATURDAY

6:00 - 7:30 p.m. Spring Fling & Upper School Campus Tours

10:30 - 11:30 a.m. Upper School Campus Tours

WHO AM I? HELP US IDENTIF Y THESE “MYSTERY ALUMNI” If you know who these students are, please contact alumni@sjs.org. Thank you!

11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. Alumni Awards Luncheon:

MICHELLE ROBERTS RICHARD STILL MARTY THOMPSON ’91 CHARLES TSANG ALEX WILL CATHERINE WILLIFORD Senior Designer JIM CUNNINGHAM Jim Cunningham Design Template Design ELLEN PEEPLES CREGAN ’81 Cregan Design

Welcoming All Alumni & Honoring the Class of 1975

Lifelong Learning Panel: Today’s Students, Tomorrow’s Alumni Immediately following the luncheon

Special thanks to the numerous parents, alumni, students, faculty, and staff who contributed to this issue.

t. John’s is an independent, co-educational day school presenting a 13-year sequence of college preparatory training. A non-profit institution, it was founded in 1946 to provide the community with a school of exacting standards in the development of individual, spiritual, ethical, intellectual, social, and physical growth. While the means to achieve that purpose may change, it remains the basic mission of the School.

Please Note: In an ongoing effort to be good stewards of the School’s and Earth’s resources, we have reduced the number of Update magazines printed and now offer an electronic version. Please let us know if you would like to update your email address in the School’s database in order to receive an electronic copy, or if you would prefer not to receive a hard copy of the magazine.

Our Mission Statement

CLAIRE NUCHTURN ’11

The School seeks to develop the whole person in preparation for a lifetime of personal fulfillment and contribution to society. In particular, it is dedicated to the enhancement and the expansion of future leadership for Houston and the country. The School offers talented, motivated, and energetic students a genuine challenge for academic accomplishment and for development of a sense of self-worth and of personal responsibility. The School in turn holds itself responsible for providing that challenge.

WHO AM I - FALL 2024 Left to right: ROBIN RICKS ’01, DARLA CHOW ’01, JACKIE DAVIS ’01, KALANI HAWKS ’00, JILL CRAWFORD ’00, KRISTIN FISHER FOREHAND ’01, JAMIE HARDY ’01, and ANNE HONG GOTTSCHALL ’00 Identified by DARLA CHOW ’01, SARA CHILDRESS FALLON ’01, ANDREW EDELMAN ’01, and MS English teacher Michael Seckman

The St. John’s School Update is published by the School’s Advancement Office and is available for alumni, parents, and friends of St. John’s School. For more information, or to report an email or mailing address change, please contact 713.850.0222 ext. 223.

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UPDATE Letter from Dan Alig, Head of School..................................................................2

FeatureStories 2025 Alumni Award Recipients ..........................................................................3 • Distinguished Alumna – Tracey Doss Brown ’75 • Maverick Award – Bach Mai ’07 • Lamp of Knowledge – Doug Elliott • Honorary Alumnus – Joe Dilg Experiential Education at St. John’s..................................................................9 Embracing Service Learning..............................................................................14

AroundCampus Family Picnic & Kinkaid Football Game........................................................16 Class 6 Grandparents & Special Friends Day................................................18 Mav Literary Fest..................................................................................................19 Construction Update ..........................................................................................20 Breakfast on the Deck ........................................................................................21 Fine Arts & Athletics Coverage ........................................................................22 Chidsey Society......................................................................................................24

AlumniNews Letter from Rebecca Linn Hughes ’06, Alumni Board President ................26 NextGen Event ......................................................................................................28 College-Age Alumni Tea......................................................................................28 The St. John’s Network Social Recap..............................................................30

InMemoriam Remembering Mike Cullinan, Faculty Emeritus..........................................31

Alumni Association Mission Statement: The mission of the St. John’s School Alumni Association is to enhance relationships among St. John’s alumni and between the alumni and the School, to perpetuate the School’s ideals and goals, and to sustain its strong foundations. 1

LETTER FROM DANIEL J. ALIG, HEAD OF SCHOOL

Dear St. John’s Alumni, 2024-2025 St. John’s School Board of Trustees William Gentry Lee, Jr. ’90 Chair Christopher B. Johnson ’86 Vice Chair Camilo E. Muñoz Treasurer Elizabeth N. Stepanian Secretary August Al-Uqdah Laura Arnold Jean-Pierre Baizan ’86 Scott Bender ’71 Kathy Britton Alan Christensen Holbrook Dorn Angela Fullen Kate Hobby Gibson ’83

pring has already sprung, and it is a busy time at St. John’s. If you have visited or passed by campus, you have undoubtedly noticed construction in progress. Our new Blanton Family Tennis Center is, quite literally, in full swing, and the softball complex is near completion as the new turf takes hold. Both projects on the Taub Campus have laid the groundwork for a transformation of the Brown (South) Campus and future location of our new Lower School building.

Since the last publication of this magazine in the fall, the School received a landmark, historic gift of $20,000,000 from Courtney and CHRISTOPHER ’82 SAROFIM and the Sarofim Foundation. It doubles the largest gift in the School’s history and is a testament to the Sarofims’ faith in and support of St. John’s—our mission’s impact on individual students and the School’s importance to Houston and Texas. A number of other leadership donors have likewise come forward. Two years ago, Randa and K. C. ’72 WEINER donated $10,000,000 to the School, and over the summer, the Brown Foundation followed suit, donating another $10,000,000. To date, the School has received roughly 50 major gifts, many of them between $1,000,000 and $10,000,000. In terms of planning, this incredible generosity has accelerated our timeline for the new Lower School. City of Houston willing, we will break ground on that project in February 2026. We are just getting started. The Sarofim, Weiner, and Brown gifts have raised our sights to include construction of a new Middle School, first envisioned as a 2030s project, now to follow right on the heels of the Lower School’s completion—before decade’s end. These plans are ambitious, likely doubling our last campaign’s capital investment. The Advancement staff’s hard work seeking leadership gifts will continue, and I look forward to providing updates on their progress and our timeline, particularly as we launch the campaign officially.

Will Giraud ’98 Lacey Fluor Goossen ’02 David Harvey Tola Laniyan

I am grateful to our pacesetting donors; to our Board Chair, GENTRY LEE ’90, and Board members Liz Stepanian and ANDREW MCCULLOUGH ’86 for leading our philanthropic outreach; and to our Director of Advancement, Dawsey Romero, and her team for orchestrating these monumental gifts.

Andrew D. McCullough, Jr. ’86 LeRoy Melcher ’78 Ba Nguyen ’92 Leslie Elkins Sasser Jonathan Sloan ’03 Jing Zhou

I hope that you will join us for Reunion Weekend, especially at the Alumni Awards Luncheon on Saturday, April 26, as we celebrate this year’s alumni-award recipients: TRACEY DOSS BROWN ’75 (Distinguished Alumna), Joe Dilg (Honorary Alumnus), BACH MAI ’07 (Maverick Award), and Doug Elliott (Lamp of Knowledge). We are also excited to honor LESLIE ELKINS SASSER with the Paul D. Chapman ’71 Distinguished Service Award. I look forward to seeing you back on Claremont Lane soon. With gratitude,

DANIEL J. ALIG, Head of School

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The Alumni Board is pleased to announce the following Alumni Award recipients for 2025 2025 DISTINGUISHED ALUMNA Tracey Doss Brown ’75

hen talking about her inspiration, Tracey Doss Brown ’75 immediately thinks of her father. “My dad is someone I looked to as a model of hard work and perseverance.” A management consultant who retired at 84, Tracey’s father found joy in helping people. “He gave me the view that work doesn’t have to be drudgery. It can be bucket-filling and joy-giving.” After 20 years at Amazing Place, Tracey has certainly found a career where she finds joy in helping others.

Born in Chicago, Tracey moved from the Winnetka suburb to Houston when she was young. She attended public middle school before her parents asked her to apply to St. John’s for high school. Tracey had always wanted to go to Lee High School (Wisdom High School) with her friends and remembers being disappointed when her mom called

to say she’d been accepted to St. John’s. Today, Tracey is proud of her SJS diploma saying, “It’s the finest educational institution in the city— no question about it.” She believes that her time at SJS was the first time she’d been challenged academically. It was surprising for her to see how the faculty worked together to connect with students individually to engage them and find their passions. Tracey credits SJS for instilling her with resilience and a stronger work ethic, “It was a unique experience and I am better for having been there.” She is also grateful for the many lifelong friendships she made while at SJS. TOMMY SMITH ’75 says of Tracey, “She is a loyal SJS alum; a tribute to the character and values of our school.”

After graduating from St. John’s, Tracey attended The University of Texas. After a brief stint in New York working for an advertising agency, Tracey moved to Dallas for over 20 years, starting her family, engaging in non-profit volunteerism and earning her real estate license. After remarrying, Tracey moved to Houston and began her search for a career that would ignite her. Through friends, Tracey ended up interviewing at The Seniors Place, what is now Amazing Place. Amazing Place provides daily dementia programming, family caregiver support, and brain health education in the greater Houston area. Tracey was hired as the first Community Liaison, tasked with communicating their mission broadly and helping to grow their community. With not even a desk for her — Continued on next page

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2025 MAVERICK AWARD Bach Mai ’07

computer, Tracey got to work. “Every day I’ve been trying to make the most of it and reach as many people so we can serve them.” After Tracey’s first year, Executive Director Margaret Bandy decided to retire. Tracey’s colleagues encouraged her to apply for the job. Twenty years later, Tracey has led Amazing Place through exponential growth. What was once two classrooms housed within St. Luke’s United Methodist Church, Amazing Place now serves almost 8,000 Houstonians each year with its own standalone building. A second location— Amazing Place West—in Katy will open soon as well. Tracey not only led the $7M campaign for the first building, but is now spearheading the current $20M campaign for the expansion of the Houston location, as well as building the Katy location. Tracey manages a staff of 42 and a volunteer army of almost 400. SJS classmate and former coworker BRENDA BLAND WILLSON ’75 says, “As the number of adults facing the challenges of dementia grows in our community, Tracey is leading Amazing Place to assist with a renowned program.” Just like her father, Tracey says of her career, “When you do something you love, and I love coming to work here, to make a hands-on difference, it really doesn’t feel like work.” Today, Tracey and husband Frank share five children in their blended family with eight grandchildren. “We’re a big, messy family that is lots of fun,” says Tracey.

ach Mai '07 has always known he was destined for fashion. Long before his designs were seen on red carpets and in the halls of Neiman Marcus and Bergdorf Goodman, he was sketching couture gowns in AP Physics and Chemistry at St. John’s School. His passion for fashion was evident to his classmates, including KALETA BLAFFER JOHNSON ’07, who recalls him designing her Cotillion dress. “Bach was always sketching the most beautiful dress designs and showing me the latest couture shows on the runways in Paris,” she remembers. ALLISON BLAND FLICK ’07 shares a similar sentiment: “Bach brought joy, creativity, and color to our class— I will never forget walking in his high school fashion show.”

Mai’s journey to becoming one of America’s most exciting young couturiers took him from Houston to New York and Paris. After graduating from St. John’s, he earned a BFA in Fashion Design from Parsons School of Design and a BA in Liberal Arts from Eugene Lang College, followed by a master’s degree from L’Institut Français de la Mode. While studying, he worked at Oscar de la Renta, assisting during the season that John Galliano designed a capsule collection. That experience led him to a coveted position as Galliano’s first assistant at Maison Margiela, an opportunity that would deeply influence his career. “I fell in love with couture at a really young age because of John,” Mai told Vogue in 2021. “And it was always my dream to come back and be an American designer.” Mai launched his eponymous label with the support of the prestigious French textile house Hurel, granting him access to materials “that young designers could only dream of.” His work draws from the artistry of Galliano and the sculptural elegance of Cristobal Balenciaga, as well as the iconic midcentury photography of Irving Penn and Richard Avedon. Yet, his inspirations are not limited to high fashion—he cites the pink frock Carrie Bradshaw wore in Sex and the City as an early influence. His pieces range from breathtaking couture

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2025 LAMP OF KNOWLEDGE Doug Elliott

gowns, like his ombré paillette fringe gown worn by Amal Clooney, to off-the-rack sculptural designs imbued with his signature craftsmanship. His Houston roots remain central to his identity. He fondly recalls making dresses for his friends as a teenager and credits his father, an engineer, for teaching him the meticulous art of construction. “My dad’s an engineer,” he told Vogue. “I learned from him how to break apart how things work. That’s why I’m so fascinated by construction and how to put things together.” Mai remains deeply grateful for his time at St. John’s, which he describes as a place that nurtured independent thinking and intellectual creativity. “It created a safe space not only to find your voice but also to learn how to articulate your message to the world,” he reflects. With his Midtown Manhattan atelier as a base, Mai is building his brand with an eye on the future. His designs—whether seen in couture salons, on the red carpet, or in the pages of Vogue—are a testament to his relentless pursuit of beauty and craftsmanship. As he steps forward, he carries with him the spirit of St. John’s, where his dreams first took shape.

oug Elliott’s journey into teaching was a fortuitous one, shaped by a series of unexpected yet pivotal moments. Born and raised in Harvey, IL, near the south side of Chicago, Doug’s early life involved a move south to New Orleans before settling back up north in the St. Louis metropolitan area. He went on to attend Millikin University in Decatur, IL, where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Biology.

After completing his degree, Doug initially pursued other paths, unaware that teaching would become his long-term vocation. However, after a friend encouraged him to try substitute teaching at a local school, Doug, though uncertain about the role, gave it a shot. He jokingly claims he was “competent enough” for the position, not realizing that this serendipitous decision would set him on a rewarding career path. When Doug and his family first moved to Houston the I. Weiner Jewish Secondary School (now known as The Emery/Weiner School) offered him yet another teaching opportunity. He credits everything to this role as it ultimately led to his discovery of St. John’s. “It was a Class 6-8 school. Each year I would watch my best and favorite students move on to places like St. John’s. I thought to myself, maybe I should look into this place?” Doug would go on to teach at I. Weiner for several years before joining St. John’s School, where he taught Biology for years to come. Along the way, Doug’s life was enriched by the support of his wife, Jaci, who also dedicated her career to education as a music teacher with over 30 years of experience in Houston’s school districts. Doug often reflects on how the schoolteacher schedule was a blessing for his family life. The flexibility of vacations during school breaks allowed the Elliott family to take memorable trips, including family camping adventures to Nova Scotia and Alaska—experiences that remain cherished in Doug’s memory. At one point early in his career, Doug briefly left the classroom to work in the scientific field at Purina as a chemist. But just as his career seemed to have shifted, another serendipitous moment occurred. He received a call from a local school asking if he would return to teaching. He answered the call, once again embracing his role as an educator, — Continued on next page

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2025 HONORARY ALUMNUS Joe Dilg

where his passion and expertise would continue to shape young minds. As for what kept him in the teaching field? Seeing the success and the eyes in the kids fill with light. “It’s hard to fall into a rut when teaching because no two kids are the same. Every day was new.” Doug’s dedication to hands-on, experiential learning was a key part of what made his time at St. John’s so special. “The fact that I was surrounded by some of the brightest, most eager kids you can imagine, made my time at St. John’s all the more enjoyable.” He credits the School’s commitment to experiential education for giving him the opportunity to engage with students outside the classroom. For 23 years, Doug assisted on the annual trip to Big Bend, a destination he grew such an admiration for that he has visited time and time again. Doug’s teaching journey stands as a testament to the way unexpected opportunities can shape a fulfilling career, and to the way a dedicated educator can make an impact on both students and the community around them. His friendships with colleagues at St. John’s continue to be some of the most cherished of his life. “The best friends that I have are the people that I met through St. John’s School.”

oe Dilg has been a fixture in the St. John’s community since he and his wife, Susie, arrived as new Kindergarten parents in 1982. Watching his two daughters, LANE ’95 and MARY S. ’00 thrive as they made their way through SJS inspired Joe to serve as a Trustee on two separate occasions over the years, lending his calm, steady leadership during periods of evolution and growth of the School. Today, in addition to being parents of alumni, Joe and Susie are current SJS grandparents three times over. JOE DAWSON ’30, NINA DAWSON ’33, and BIZZIE DAWSON ’35 are all active and happy Mavericks, and they will keep Susie and Joe in attendance at SJS athletics and arts events for years to come. Going forward, in recognition of and appreciation for his lifetime of dedication to the School, it is fitting that Joe will join the alumni ranks of his daughters and son-in-law JACK DAWSON ’99 as the 2025 St. John’s School Honorary Alumnus.

As a child, Joe grew up in the town of Grapevine, TX. His father worked in Ft. Worth for a while and later took a job in Dallas. His mother, who received her MBA from The University of Texas in 1936, had a long career in the energy industry in Dallas. Home in Grapevine, nestled between the larger two cities, offered the best of each of them and a strong sense of community, which made for a wonderful place to grow up. Once he was old enough, Joe had the run of town as he was able to walk to everywhere he needed or wanted to go, unless someone saw him walking and offered to give him a ride instead. People in Grapevine were neighbors. They knew each other and looked out for each other as well. This community spirit and the strong relationships that defined it made a lifelong impact on Joe. Joe attended school in Grapevine all the way through high school, where he was a member of the 1969 Fighting Mustang Football Team, a close-knit group. Joe met most of these teammates by sixth grade; at least one of them he met by the age of three. Several of them still gather a couple of times a year to fish and spend time together. Growing up together, Joe’s high school class numbered just around 100, so students got involved in everything, not unlike at St. John’s. Consistent with the community, the teachers in Grapevine were committed to their students, who knew that they were on their side and responded accordingly. In fact, the relationships and sense of community Joe observed as a parent at St. John’s reminded him of his own upbringing in Grapevine.

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After graduating from high school, Joe attended SMU. It was not too far from home, and the campus size and community there likewise fostered strong student relationships. Ultimately graduating from SMU with a degree in Economics, Joe took the LSAT and soon moved to Austin to attend The University of Texas School of Law. It was during his time in law school that Joe and Susie, who were married by this time, decided to move to Houston after he secured a summer internship at Vinson & Elkins, a move that proved to be life-changing for them and fortuitous for St. John’s School. Focusing on business and transactions in the energy sector, Joe enjoyed all aspects of the complex industry, from the corporate perspective to the innovative technology to the international scope. All told, Joe went on to spend 38 years at Vinson & Elkins, including a 10-year term as managing partner. Being relatively new to Houston in the early ’80s, Joe and Susie didn’t know a lot about St. John’s. They had heard good things from friends who were alumni, and they were living nearby in the Highland Village area, so they applied their daughter Lane for Kindergarten. She started at SJS in the fall of 1982 and, according to Joe it was a spectacular fit. Her sister, Mary S., joined the SJS

Kindergarten class five years later and loved school as well, making her parents happy and appreciative for the learning and community experiences of their daughters. Joe’s first role at St. John’s School was as parent, along with Susie. He would go on to do much more. As Susie and Joe watched their daughters grow through the years, they spent more time in and around St. John’s. Given the relatively close-knit community feel of the School and those involved with it, they made some of their best friends through St. John’s affiliations. As Joe’s appreciation of St. John’s grew, so did his involvement. He began his first run as a Trustee in 1990, serving in this capacity in successive terms through 1999. In later years, as St. John’s navigated Covid and a leadership transition, the School called on Joe again to serve as a Trustee from 2020 through 2023. In the two decades between these two Trustee runs, Joe was also called on repeatedly to join Board Committees formed to advance the School through some of its more challenging periods of transition and growth. A fully attuned listener and master consensus-builder, Joe served on the following Board Committees over the years, among others: the Ad Hoc Committee on Spirituality

(’96-’98), the Long Range Strategic Planning Committee (’96-’98, ’01’02, ’21-’23), the Mascot Selection Committee (’04), and the Committee on Community (’16-’18, ’20-’21). While the work and outcomes of many of these committees met some resistance from various corners of the community, Joe and his colleagues worked to ensure diverse perspectives were heard as they moved to promote student growth, learning, and leadership in the spirit of the School’s mission. St. John’s School is in a better place institutionally as a result of the collective work of Joe and his fellow volunteers in these efforts. Acknowledging the many opportunities that Houston has offered him over the years, Joe has felt an obligation to give back wherever he can, and he has done so selflessly in many different ways. While Joe’s involvement at St. John’s spans decades, he has also shared his time and gifts more widely, throughout the City of Houston. Joe sees Houston’s diversity as a great strength, and he has volunteered his skills and time to many initiatives and causes that benefit all Houstonians, strengthening the city as a whole. Three organizations that he has served with to this end include the Houston Zoo, the Houston Parks Board, and the Houston Endowment. — Continued on next page

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Former SJS Board Chair ANN BARNETT STERN ’75 knows Joe well and has worked closely with him in her current role as President of the Houston Endowment. She shared about Joe’s selfless involvement as a [Houston Endowment] Board member, including a term as Chair, “Joe has an unwavering commitment to making Houston a place of opportunity for everyone. He brings incredible judgment and a deep sense of service to our Board table. While others look to him during Board deliberations, with Joe, it is never ever about Joe. He continually lifts up others, whether his fellow board members, the Houston Endowment staff, or our amazing partners who are doing critical work across the community.” While Joe completed his latest term on the St. John’s School Board of Trustees in 2023 and he rolled off of the Houston Parks Board last summer after 10 celebrated years of service with them, he continues

to stay involved and give back. In addition to serving as a Board member on the Houston Endowment, he continues to support the Houston Zoo as a mayor-appointed member of the Houston Zoo Development Corporation. Joe is also a very enthusiastic member of the Executive Council of the Kay Bailey Hutchison Energy Center at The University of Texas. A collaboration between the business, law, engineering, and geosciences schools at The University of Texas, the program brings an interdisciplinary approach to exploring ideas and issues in the energy industry and promotes the education of future leaders in the field. Given this energy nexus of disciplines, Joe’s nearly 40 years of corporate legal experience in industry make him a perfect fit for this organization on the rise. Even as Joe steps back from some of his service committments, the sense of community spirit and strong relationships he first learned

in Grapevine endures, and his legacy of giving back continues to grow. While we may not see him in the St. John’s Boardroom anytime soon, he and Susie will be in different areas of the campus supporting and encouraging their grandchildren as they make their own ways through SJS and, as always, being willing to help SJS in any way they can. St. John’s today has grown and evolved over time through the efforts of Joe Dilg and the many volunteers who joined him. Reflecting on Joe’s enduring impact on the School, current Board Chair GENTRY LEE ’90 opined, “Joe Dilg has been a wonderful SJS Board member, lending wise counsel, sage advice, and detailed knowledge of our community to the School. It is a testament to his value that the Board recruited him back for a second tour of duty. As such, it is fitting that this father of two graduates deserves to be an honorary alumnus!”

The Luncheon will include a special presentation by Head of School Dan Alig of the PAUL D. CHAPMAN ’71 DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARD to LESLIE ELKINS SASSER for her exceptional service to the School.

Class trips support the School’s mission to educate the whole child.

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Experiential Education at St. John’s BY MARTY THOMPSON ’91

or nearly 50 years, class trips have been an integral part of a St. John’s education. While each grade-level experience is unique and age-appropriate, the overall philosophy behind taking a class trip remains the same. These excursions create shared, technology-free time with classmates and teachers far away from the routines and rhythms of school and family life. They provide unique learning opportunities that stretch students’ boundaries and, occasionally, push them beyond their comfort zones. In addition, these journeys help students gain the self-confidence that comes from facing authentic challenges and obstacles, whether physical, social or emotional, and overcoming them while surrounded by caring classmates and teachers. Whether spending the

night outdoors in a tent for the first time, climbing and jumping off the Mo Pole, or hiking a challenging 10-mile trail, grade-level trips offer myriad challenges and opportunities for growth for young and old alike. In short, they are central to supporting the School’s mission to educate the whole child. When asked for highlights from their time as students, many St. John’s alumni share stories from their gradelevel trips. Some mention the importance of the YO Ranch/Mo Ranch trip in helping them make new friends upon entering Middle School, when half of the class is new. Some reflect fondly on the Texas Heritage Tour, led — Continued on next page

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BIG BEND SOUTH RIM

Class trips clear time and space for play, for exploration, for laughter and growth.

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B I G B E N D E R N S T T I N A JA CA M P

by the legendary former Middle School history teacher Jack Mitchell, and the chance to explore such Central Texas destinations as Presidio La Bahia, the Alamo, and the State Capitol. Others share memories from their Washington, D.C. trip and visits to the wonderful museums and monuments in our nation’s capital. Most, not surprisingly, point to the Class 8 Big Bend camping trip as a highlight. Whether re-telling stories about conquering the infamous 14-mile Blue Creek/South Rim hike or battling the javelinas trying to steal food from coolers in the Rio Grande Village campground, memories of these trips remain fresh in their minds. Other memories range from joining work groups for sandwich-making sessions to scrubbing pots and pans until Mr. Seckman gave his cleanliness stamp of approval or from triple-digit hiking days to winter storm fronts bringing in ice and snow and knocking tents down. Described as Type 2 Fun (miserable while it’s happening, but fun in retrospect), a week outdoors sleeping on the ground in the Chihuahuan Desert inspired memories for generations of St. John’s alumni.

Historically for Middle School-aged students only, in the past decade these grade-level excursions have expanded to include younger and older students as well. This April, Class 5 students will celebrate the end of their Lower School journey with a 3-day, 2-night trip with classmates and teachers to T Bar M Ranch in New Braunfels. For some, sleeping away from home for the first time or navigating dietary restrictions or food allergies independently presents authentic challenges. For others, rafting down the Guadalupe River or doing the Flying Squirrel high ropes activity forces them into their stretch zones and exposes them to new experiences. Not to be left out, freshmen also now have a grade level trip at the beginning of their Upper School journey. This past August, just before the start of academic classes, members of the Class of 2028 traveled to Camp Cullen on Lake Livingston for our 10th annual Class 9 Retreat. When the decision was made in 2015 to expand Upper School classes to 175 students, we knew that 30% of our incoming Upper School students

Class trips provide unique learning opportunities that stretch students’ boundaries and, occasionally push them beyond their comfort zones.

would now be new to the School. Leaning on what we knew worked well integrating new students at the Middle School level, we created the Class 9 Retreat. Over the past decade, this new St. John’s experience has grown roots, with the 2024 version including more than 50 Class 12 Senior Counselors and 30+ Class 9 faculty advisors and administrators, in addition to the entire Class 9 student body. Sharing meals, cabins, and competing in House contests, culminating in the highly competitive House Relay Race (which inevitably leads to an initial conversation about the SJS Honor Code), this hot August weekend has quickly become a new St. John’s tradition. — Continued on next page

Class trips help strengthen the bonds that make St. John’s a special community. S P R I N G 2 0 2 1 S K I P L E E CA M P I N G

Just as some new grade-level trips have emerged over time, some traditional ones have evolved. The week after our return from the School’s 43rd annual Big Bend trip in March 2020, the arrival of the Covid pandemic turned the world upside down. Social distancing, masking, and the wait for vaccine development brought a temporary pause to student travel. The Class of 2024 entered Upper School with a virtual Class 9 Retreat, while other fall Middle School trips (Class 6 to Mo Ranch and Class 7 to Utah at the time) were canceled. While the wait for vaccines continued, the School’s Medical Advisory Team gave the green light to an on-campus retreat/ camping adventure for the Class of 2025, this year’s seniors, in the spring of 2021. Class 8 students and teachers pitched tents on Skip Lee Field for several nights and enjoyed various outdoor excursions around town including kayaking, ropes courses, and green space hikes and games. While not quite the same as Big Bend, given the isolation and screen-centered world created by the pandemic, this shared time together outside was just what the doctor ordered! Despite some lingering Covid disruptions, the 2021-22 school year saw the return of class trips. Class 7 students traveled to southern Utah in October, while Class 6 and Class 9

students experienced delayed Mo Ranch and Class 9 Retreats in November and December, respectively. In hopes of sustaining the long tradition of Class 8 students camping at Big Bend in the spring, we reached out to park leadership, only to learn that group size restrictions would prevent us from obtaining a permit. What seemed at first to be a temporary setback had turned into a permanent shift in park policy, essentially putting an end to St. John’s students camping as a class in Big Bend National Park. Because Class 8 students had missed their Utah trip the previous year, we contacted Park Rangers at Coral Pink Sand Dune State Park outside Kanab, UT, and secured campground reservations for early May. That spring, students and teachers loaded camping gear and trip food into two moving trucks (driven 2,500 miles round-trip by Doug Elliott, Kim Keany, Michael Seckman, and MARTY THOMPSON ’91 before hopping on a flight to Las Vegas, approximately 3.5 hours south of their campground. For the 2022-23 school year, after a successful Class 8 Utah camping trip the previous spring, we decided to bring the Class 7 trip back home to Texas and create a revamped, new Texas Tour, visiting historical sites, museums, and parks in and around San Antonio, Austin, and the Hill Country. This shift enabled us to move

our Class 8 camping trip permanently to southern Utah. Proximity to Bryce Canyon and Zion National Parks, as well as slot canyons near Escalante Staircase National Monument and generally cool, dry weather in late spring made this spot an ideal location for the trip’s new home. May 2025 will mark our third year camping with Class 8 students and teachers in Utah. While the location has changed, the DNA and organization of the trip has stayed the same, with students in work groups preparing nearly 2,000 meals, scrubbing pots and pans, and participating in the shared work required around base camp, just like before at Big Bend. As cell phones, computer screens, and technology continue to command an increasing amount of our time and attention, now more than ever there is increasing value in these class trips. They provide students opportunities to unplug, to look up, and to interact with classmates and teachers in meaningful ways, all while exposing them to unique challenges and experiences. They clear time and space for play, for exploration, for laughter and growth. They help strengthen the bonds that make St. John’s such a special community, with teachers sharing these adventures alongside their students, helping each other overcome adversity while creating memories that will last a lifetime.

Class trips provide students opportunities to unplug, to look up, and to interact with classmates and teachers in meaningful ways, all while exposing them to unique challenges and experiences.

2 0 2 2 U TA H B R YC E H I K E G R O U P

FeatureStories BY CLAIRE NUCHTERN ’11

Embracing Service Learning

n fall 2023, I was honored to rejoin the St. John’s community as the new Upper School Service Learning Coordinator. From 2004 to 2011, St. John’s had been my intellectual and social home as a Middle and Upper School student. I loved the feeling of being academically challenged here and also being surrounded by loving and caring friends. In Upper School, I became a community service officer and found my footing as someone who was devoted to using my opportunities to provide more opportunities for others. While in upper school, I volunteered as a Saturday school teacher with Breakthrough Houston, an amazing organization that allows high school students to learn how to become effective teachers while also providing extra academic support to local middle schoolers. After graduating, I attended Princeton University and UMass Boston for my Master’s in teaching. I spent seven years teaching across the Northeast in a diverse range of communities. The students I taught in Newark, New Jersey were just as talented as the ones I taught in the West Village of New York. Their opportunities to succeed however were clearly influenced by what community they happened to be raised in. When I saw that there was an opening to return to SJS in this role, I jumped at the chance. When I was in upper school, I always looked up to Marci Bahr and how she inspired students to take action based on their passions and community needs. I was really curious about what I could contribute and how I could push students to reach outside the St. John’s bubble and get more invested in the larger Houston community. I was absolutely thrilled

when I got the call that I had been selected to be the Upper School Service Learning Coordinator. At this point in the article, you may be wondering, “What do you mean by service learning? I thought it was called Community Service (or sometimes CommServe) at St. John’s?” It’s a great question, and I’d love to explain more. “Service learning” is the act of connecting our service work to our educational program. This can be done more formally through full service learning classes or more informally with smaller units in different departments. This year, at SJS, we launched our first ever service learning class, Advanced Spanish with Service Learning. This class, taught by Raquel Gaytán, is a collaboration between St. John’s School and St. Austin Center in the East End. Students spend their usual class time learning about Central America, reading memoirs of immigrants, and learning more about immigration policy. Then they volunteer on Saturday mornings at St. Austin Center, playing with the children who have recently arrived to the US and working on their literacy skills with them. Our students get the chance to practice their Spanish in an authentic way while also supporting the educational goals of the children at the center. Students write reflections in Spanish about what they are learning from their service work and how it is furthering their own understanding of the language. Students have told me how powerful it feels to combine their passion for service with their academic pursuits.

SERVICE WORK

FeatureStories

Service learning is the act of connecting our service work to our educational program.

In addition to this class, we have also incorporated service learning into smaller units of other classes. For example, Class 9 students have an annual trip to the Houston Food Bank in the fall. This year, for the first time, students spent a day in their social studies classes learning more about food insecurity, what government policies affect food banks, and how different neighborhoods in Houston have different access to high quality grocery stores. Students also learned about how the end of a Covid-era program boosting the amount families could spend with food stamps meant that food insecurity rates had increased dramatically in Houston in the past year. This lesson educated students deeper on the issue which allowed them to invest more fully in the Food Bank volunteer day. Many students remarked in their reflections that until that lesson, they had had no idea how widespread food insecurity was in Houston and how learning about this made them more motivated to serve. Our goal is to continue to find these moments to deepen our students’ understanding of the context behind the service and show them how their academic skills can translate to the real world problem solving our community needs. I have also been very impressed by our students’ humility in learning that they need to understand a community and an issue better before jumping too quickly into action. That time spent in preparation, learning, and partnership building always leads to more rigorous, more sustainable service programming.

E D U CAT I O N A L P R O G R A M

AroundCampus FA M I LY P I C N I C

he weeks leading up to the Varsity Football game against Kinkaid are always filled with fun on campus! From Halloween costumes at the LS parade, to the LS pizza party, and the Cookie Monster cheer at the All School pep rally on Skip Lee Field, the campus was filled with electric energy and school spirit. Our K-12 community members gathered together and enjoyed music, food, and game day festivities at our largest community event on Friday, November 1 at Rice Stadium. Students and faculty participated in “Maverick Madness Spirit Day” the day of the game and enjoyed glitter face stickers, light up necklaces and airbrush face painting (a new addition!) at the Picnic. Students posed together in a 360 photobooth, while dancing to hit songs played by the DJ and the Drum Corp and JV cheerleaders fired up the crowd with a mini pep rally! Families dined together underneath the tent, and enjoyed delicious hamburgers, chicken sandwiches, veggie burgers, and festive SJS cookies and brownies, provided by Beck’s Prime. Inside the stadium, the Mavs came close to beating the Falcons but wound up short in their 21-19 loss to Kinkaid. We are proud of our Mavericks for ending the season 7-3.

AroundCampus

CLASS 6 GRANDPARENTS & SPECIAL FRIENDS DAY

e were delighted to welcome over 150 Class 6 grandparents and special friends on campus for a Valentine’s Day themed celebration on Friday, February 14! Guests enjoyed breakfast followed by remarks from Associate Head of School Chris Curran and wonderful singing and dancing performed from the 2025 Cantatores Pop Show: “Will You Be My Valentine?” The featured love songs spanned generations, including “All You Need is Love,” “Love Story,” “Love is an Open Door,”and “Love Shack” to name a few. Following the performance, guests and Class 6 students participated in the photo booth— with Valentine’s themed props—and enjoyed a walking tour of the first floor of the Middle School.

AroundCampus

M AV L I T E R A R Y F E S T

ower School students enjoyed a fun morning filled with literary activities at this year’s Mav Literary Fest! Judy Peterson and NIKI MALANI SHUKLA '05, the Mav Literary Fest Co-Chairs, planned an interactive morning for our Lower School students, featuring seven activity stations and a “book nook” again this year. The students spent the morning in the courtyard participating in various activities designed by the Co-Chairs and inspired by Greg Pizzoli’s and Hena Khan’s books: “Watermelon Pin Wheel,” “Book Hog Races,” “Crescent Moon Bracelets,” and “Cozy Coupe Races” to name a few. The chapel chums especially enjoyed driving the Kindergarten and Class 1 students in the crazy coupe races. Most students, along with many parent volunteers, arrived dressed as their favorite book characters.

Students also received a “Reading Passport” with activities related to the visiting authors and had an opportunity to complete a basketball I Spy activity, a journalism Mad Lib, A, B, C’s of pizza toppings, word searches, and much more in the book nook. Middle School students participated in reading-themed activity classes and enjoyed “drop everything and read” (DEAR) time. In addition, parent volunteers assisted with a book swap outside of the Lower School, donating the remaining books to Books Between Kids. Our SJS families ordered 837 bookplates, surpassing last year’s total, and raised over $20,000 for our libraries to purchase books!

AroundCampus

C O N S T R U CT I O N U P DAT E

he Blanton Family Tennis Center opened successfully in February, and our student athletes took to the courts with excitement and enthusiasm, welcoming tennis courts back to the SJS campus after more than 30 years. Located just next to the tennis center on the Taub Campus, the new softball complex has been completed but we continue to wait for the new turf to take hold. Estimating an April debut on their new digs, the softball program continues to practice (and play games if needed) on its usual field located on the southernmost part of the Brown Campus. Meanwhile, the new Angie Kensinger Pavilion and new Facilities Center—both adjacent to Caven Field—are well underway and are on schedule for construction completion by fall 2025. The Angie Kensinger Pavilion will replace the former one-story structure on Scottland Yard, and adjacent to the Finnegan and Caven Fields, the new Facility Center will help to relocate the current Facilities shop that is along the Lower and Middle School carpool chute. These two ongoing projects—in addition to the Blanton Family Tennis Center and softball complex—represent our first steps in the transformation of the Brown (South) Campus and completion of these projects lays the groundwork for next steps. Most recently, the largest gift made to the School, along with several significant philanthropic gifts, has pushed our timeline ahead for the new Lower School. The projected groundbreaking for that project is February 2026. The Lower School construction project will span 20 months and then will also enable two other large future projects: a Middle School green replacing the parking lot between the current Middle School and the VST Fine Arts Center as well a new Middle School situated where the current Lower School sits along Westheimer Road.

ANGIE KENSINGER PAVILION UNDERWAY

LOW E R S C H O O L R E N D E R I N G

AroundCampus

T H E B L A N TO N FA M I LY T E N N I S C E N T E R

B R E A K FA S T O N T H E D E C K

NEW SOFTBALL FIELD

EDDY ’73 and Kelli BLANTON, Head of School Dan Alig, Leslie and JACK BLANTON, JR. ’71

n a bright December morning, softball and tennis families gathered for a breakfast atop Taub Parking Garage, where they were treated to a special preview of the new softball complex and Blanton Family Tennis Center. This new development marks a significant milestone for the tennis program, as it will be the first time in over 30 years that St. John’s has reintroduced tennis courts to campus. Additionally, the softball field has been thoughtfully designed with the players in mind, including positioning the batter away from the setting sun. Both facilities will enhance convenience and scheduling flexibility, offering exciting opportunities for students involved in these athletic programs. Head of School Dan Alig, Director of Athletics David Cohn, and Assistant Director of Athletics and Head Softball Coach Isis Amao expressed their enthusiasm for the upcoming spring season and the new facilities. Parents and faculty eagerly took in the view of the nearly completed complex opening this spring.

M S & U S FA L L B A N D C O N C E R T

U S O N E ACT S P L AY - “ GA L L I M A U P H R Y ”

PHOTOS FROM THE STAGE AND FIELD

VA R S I T Y F I E L D H O C K E Y SOUTHWEST PREPARATORY CONFERENCE CHAMPIONS

B OY S C R O S S C O U N T R Y SOUTHWEST PREPARATORY CONFERENCE CHAMPIONS

CLASS 8 FIELD HOCKEY HOUSTON JUNIOR PREPARATORY CONFERENCE CHAMPIONS

M S M U S I CA L - “ L E GA L LY B LO N D E , J R . ”

M S & U S FA L L O R C H E S T R A C O N C E R T

Chidsey Society

n 1993, the Trustees of St. John’s School established the Alan Lake Chidsey Society to honor those special individuals who have included the School in their estate plans. From the beginning, estate gifts have played a crucial role in the remarkable growth and success of St. John’s. A special thanks to each of our Chidsey Society members for carrying on this important tradition – your foresight will leave a legacy for generations of students to come and ensure our ability to plan for the future. Be sure to let St. John’s know if you have included the School in your estate plans. It allows us to thank you for the plans you have made, ensure that we are able to carry out your wishes, and it may even inspire generosity in others.

AroundCampus

Anonymous

Mr. Lindsay Hall, Jr. ’62†

Mr. Jonathan S. Avery ’80

Mr. Matthew Reagan Helm

Mr. Barry H. Margolis ’63 & Mrs. Rosalyn Margolis

Mr. Mark G. Avery ’76 & Mrs. Nissa Avery

The Honorable Reagan C. Helm ’59† & Mrs. Cathy Helm

Mr. Joseph M. Mayhew ’54† & Mrs. Joseph M. Mayhew

David Hendricks & Lorraine McKenna-Hendricks

Dr. Sally E. Miller

Mr. Jerome C. Axelrod ’59 Marci & Bill Bahr Mr. John H. Beebe ’60† Mr. E. P. Cannon & Mrs. Maurie Ankenman Cannon ’61

Mr. Edwin H. Higgins & Mrs. Page K. Higgins†

Mr. John S. Moody ’67 & Mrs. Eileen A. Moody Mr. Hugo V. Neuhaus, Jr.†

Mrs. Josephine Emilie Cannon†

Mr. C. Marks Hinton, Jr. ’60† & Mrs. Barbara Hinton

Mr. Charles R. Peissel ’67

Mr. & Mrs. Chris Carpenter

Mr. Marks Hinton, Sr.†

Mr. Louis R. Pizzolatto†

Mr. & Mrs. Albert Chao

Mr. & Mrs. William J. Hitzhusen

Dr. Dwight L. Raulston ’71 & Mrs. Elva Raulston

Mr. Ollye H. Christopher† Mrs. Theodore W. Cooper, Sr.†

Mr. Paul W. Hobby ’78 & Mrs. Janet Hobby

Mrs. Sarah Rabinow Pesikoff ’86†

Mr. Vincent M. Reyes ’24

Mr. Bruce G. Crawford ’74 & Ms. Laura Rowe ’83

Ms. Molly T. Ivins ’62† Tom† & Rebecca Jay

Dr. George E. Rupp & Mrs. Nancy F. Rupp

Mr. & Mrs. Samuel S. Crocker

Ann & Johnny ’63 Johnson

Dr. Herbert H. Schaumburg ’52

Mrs. Mary Woodson Crowell ’57†

Mr. Lewis Avery Jones ’59†

Mr. & Mrs. David G. Schmidt

Mr. & Mrs. John Dorian Curtin, Jr.†

& Mrs. Judith G. Jones

Dr. David J. Schmoll ’70†

Ms. Alice E. Davidson ’62

Mr. James J. Jump, Sr.

Mrs. Rex Shanks, Jr.†

Mrs. Helen Bloxsom Davis ’55†

Mr. Stuart R. Kensinger ’81† & Mrs. Angie Kensinger†

Ms. Katherine Shanks Dodd ’85

Dr. & Mrs. Mark Desjardins Michelle & Mark Dini

Mr. J. David Kirkland, Jr. ’76† & Mrs. Anne A. Kirkland

Mr. John L. Drye ’67

Mr. John A. Kley†

Mr. & Mrs. Brady Sherrod Edwards Mr. & Mrs. John W. Elder† Mr. A. Jennings Ellis, Jr. ’62† Mr. Jesse Byron Flansburg† Mr. L. Henry Gissel, Jr. ’54†

Ms. Margaret A. Kostial ’82 Mr. & Mrs. David M. Kyle Mrs. Sally Lacey Ms. Margo E. Lamb ’52†

Mr. Jonathan L. Sloan ’03 & Mrs. Ashley C. Sloan Mr. A. Theodore Stautberg, Jr. ’64† Mrs. Elizabeth A. Stephens ’63 Mrs. June Gray Stobaugh† Mr. John R. Sult ’77 & Mrs. Susan Sult Mr. Payson Eliot Tucker ’95

Mrs. Brenda Lary

Lt. Colonel Daniel Francis Goodwin ’88 & Mrs. Kathleen P. Goodwin

The Honorable Carl W. Vogt ’54 & Mrs. Margrit W. Vogt

Mr. Laurence Scott Leopold ’86

Mrs. Carnes W. Weaver†

Mr. Timothy L. Goodwin ’60 & Mrs. Virginia N. Goodwin

Mr. Roger Kutnow Lewis ’58†

Mr. & Mrs. Darryl L. Wilson

Mr. Leo Linbeck, Jr.†

Ms. Jocelyn V. Bell Winslow†

William J. Mares ’58†

Mr. James O. Winston, Jr.†

Mr. David F. Gow ’81 & Mrs. Audrey H. Gow

& Christine Hadsel

† Deceased

LETTER FROM REBECCA LINN HUGHES ’06, ALUMNI BOARD PRESIDENT

Dear Alumni, owards the end of 2024, I had the honor of calling our 2025 Alumni Award recipients to let them know of their nominations. In all honesty, I was a bit nervous before making these calls. I thought—what if people didn’t answer a seemingly random call from an unknown number? But after just a little bit of phone tag, I spoke to everyone. This is a compelling group!

Our Distinguished Alumna is TRACEY DOSS BROWN ’75, who has long served as the Executive Director of Amazing Place, a Houston organization that serves individuals with dementia and Alzheimer’s as well as their families. Alumni parent and current grandparent Joe Dilg is our Honorary Alumnus, having provided long-term, impactful leadership as a two-time SJS Trustee. Internationally recognized BACH MAI ’07 has earned the Maverick Award through his collective contribution to the fashion world, including launching his own label in 2021. Lamp of Knowledge recipient Doug Elliott taught Middle and Upper School science to SJS students for over 20 years in the classroom, and he continues to inspire current students in the outdoor environs of class trips today. I had four different conversations with our four very different Alumni Award recipients; however, each displayed the Precepts and Principles of the St. John’s Community during our visit. These Precepts and Principles are care, honesty and integrity, courtesy and consideration, loyalty and spirited devotion, and, lastly, gratitude. What struck me most was that in every conversation, each recipient asked how they could continue to be involved with and contribute to St. John’s. While I had been anxious prior to connecting with these individuals, after the calls I was inspired by these exemplars

of our School. Their enthusiastic loyalty inspired me to encourage each of you to begin—or continue engaging— with our incredible St. John’s community. The impact of our community is incredible, driven by spirited devotion, and will only increase in size and scope as more and more get involved. Here are a few examples of the fine work of the alumni community, where you are always welcome to join in the effort:

Class Agents and Class Reps Keeping up with an alumni population of over 7,000 requires a lot of support. Two key alumni volunteer roles in this effort are Class Agents and Class Reps. Class Agents keep up with classmates, sharing information with the Class and ensuring the lines of communication between alumni and SJS remain open and clear. They also share updates on life events of classmates through the Class Notes section of the Update magazine. If you are interested in serving in this capacity, please reach out to Director of Alumni Engagement PHILIP CANNON ’85 at pcannon@sjs.org or 713-850-4104. Class Reps work with the Advancement Team and other volunteers to encourage alumni participation in the St. John’s Fund. This financial support makes up 10% of the annual operating budget and remains essential to SJS fulfilling its mission. Please contact Annual Fund Associate Nadia Gonzalez at ngonzalez@sjs.org or 713-850-0222, ext. 457 for more information or to join the effort.

AlumniNews

Student Internship Program The SJS Summer Internship Program offers rising SJS Class 12 students the opportunity to experience work internships firsthand for two weeks during the summer before their senior year. SJS alumni make up the vast majority of the sponsors of these experiences representing a wide range of professions and industries. During the summer of 2024, 99 out of 172 students, the majority of the Class of 2025, participated in this program, and demand for the Class of 2026 during summer 2025 is even greater. If you or your organization would be willing to sponsor a SJS student, we can use your help. Please contact Alumni Program Coordinator Catherine Williford at cwilliford@sjs.org or 713-850-0222, ext. 705 for more information.

2025 St. John’s Alumni Board REBECCA LINN HUGHES ’06 President

Matthew Alexander ’02 Edward Aviles ’88 Shiree Berry ’98 Laura Hawkins Chapman ’03 Channing Bosler Davey ’90 Nick Dhesi ’03 John Drye ’67

Reunion Weekend

Bradley Eisemann ’04 John Elkins ’10

Each spring, the SJS community comes together in celebration of our school during Reunion Weekend. This year we will gather on campus on Friday, April 25, and Saturday, April 26, 2025, for events welcoming all alumni. We’ll kick off with Spring Fling on Friday evening on the Great Lawn. On Saturday, we will present Tracy, Joe, Bach, and Doug their awards and honor the Class of 1975 on their 50th reunion during the Alumni Awards Luncheon. This luncheon in Flores Hall is now open to all SJS alumni, so please join us in celebrating our honorees. Immediately after the luncheon, we will host a relatively new event, the Lifelong Learning Panel. This year’s topic is “Today’s Students, Tomorrow’s Alumni.” As a reminder, Classes ending in ’0s and ’5s will also have special milestone events just for their classmates. We hope to see you on campus for any or all of these special gatherings.

Sue Gibson ’91 John Griffin ’06 Grace Hobby Grundy ’08 Jacob Halevy ’10 Nelle Pace Jennings ’85 Sehr Charania Lalani ’03 Courtney Miller ’06 Michael Pipkin ’01 Kathryn Casey Principe ’89 Emily Duncan Rodgers ’98 Nikita Malani Shukla ’05

As a community of gratitude, I offer my sincerest thanks for your hard work, dedication, kindness, and generosity that make our community so special. I look forward to celebrating with you all at Reunion Weekend in April! Best,

Jennifer Trieschman ’16 John Wallace ’79 C.S. “Stobie” Whitmore ’68 Stephanie Herbert Wiegand ’02 Lea Williams ’02 Alex Young ’06 Janie Wilde Zilkha ’10

REBECCA LINN HUGHES ’06 Alumni Board President

PETER CRAIN ’09, JOHN ’09 and Haley Hawkins, MORGAN ALLEN NEAL ’11 and CAMERON NEAL ’11

AINSLEY CONNOR ’24 and ANNIE JONES ’24

C O L L E G E - AG E A LU M N I T E A

JENNA LINDLEY ’10, MARY TAPSCOTT ELKINS ’10, Leah and JACOB ’10 HALEVY bottom:

BRUCE CRAWFORD ’74, PHOEBE MASSEY CHOLNOKY ’09, JOHN ELKINS ’10, CAITLIN MULLEN PICKARD ’01

SJS NEXTGEN PROGRAM e’re excited to relaunch the St. John’s NextGen program, originally established in 2017 through a partnership with the Greater Houston Community Foundation. Thanks to the dedication of our eight-member alumni steering committee, the program is evolving into a continuing education resource for alumni. Our first event, Doing Good While Doing Well, took place on November 20 and explored financial planning and philanthropic impact. A panel of alumni experts in personal finance, wealth management, and estate planning shared insights on making informed financial decisions while giving back to the community.

his December, we welcomed 68 college-age alumni back to campus for a well-earned break after their fall semester. Guests enjoyed classic SJS cafeteria favorites — breakfast tacos, yellow cake, and hot chocolate — while reconnecting with classmates and faculty. It was a warm and relaxed gathering that reinforced the lasting bonds of the SJS community.

AlumniNews

CHARLOTTE MEANS ’21 and ALEXA THEOFANIDIS ’21

VIKRAM SHAH ’22, BO FARNELL ’22, MATTHEW PEREZ ’22, LINDSAY FRANKFORT ’22, PETE CURTIS ’22

LEAH BEACH ’22 and DANIEL COLSON ’22

NINA VERMA ’21, CAMILLE MCFARLAND ’21, US World Languages Department Chair Aline Means, ISABELLA O’REILLY ’21, NAT LARSEN ’21, BAILEY MAIERSON ’21, MAYA ESTRERA ’21

NORA DOUGHTY ’23, ARIANNA DOSS ’23, SYDNEY HAMMERMAN ’21, US English teacher KIM BROUSSARD ROQUEMORE ’87, NATASHA JANSSENS ’23, SOPHIE DENHAM ’23, MICHELLE SIMON ’22, EDEN ANNE BAUER ’22, JAY LOVE ’23

AlumniNews

S T. J O H N ’ S N E T W O R K S O C I A L

LYNN PHAM ’26, GRACE HOBBY GRUNDY ’08, JOHN GRIFFIN ’06, LUCY JANSSENS ’25

ADDISON VINE ’25, AVERY DINARDO ’26, NICOLE DYER ANDERSON ’01

n November, we welcomed 40 alumni back to campus for an evening of networking with 100 SJS juniors and seniors. The Network Social gives students the chance to connect with alumni working across various industries, gaining first hand insight into potential career paths. While separate from the SJS Summer Internship Program, this event highlights the impact of alumni mentorship.

ANIK BANERJI ’26, LE MELCHER ’78, KHALEEL WALJI ’26, ELLIOT JAZAERI ’26

ELIZABETH PATTON ’26, ANDREA MENDEZ ’26, LULU FLORES ’26, LEA WILLIAMS ’02

MORGAN RAIZNER ’26, DALIA SANDBERG ’26, Natalie Steen (current parent)

InMemoriam

Remembering Mike Cullinan, Faculty Emeritus Comma rules. Two words synonymous with legendary Faculty Emeritus and former Upper School English teacher Mike Cullinan.

The majority of St. John’s alumni who were Mike Cullinan’s English students can still remember the comma rules to this day. Mike joined St. John’s faculty in 1973 and taught Upper School English for 26 years. Remembered fondly by his students, Mike was also known for his strict teaching methods, such as giving students negative mechanics grades on paper assignments while implementing his legendary comma and semicolon rules. Upon being named St. John’s Honorary Alumnus in 2018, Mike reflected that he thought he had finally been “forgiven” and emphasized that he “absolutely loved [his] classes and [had] a wonderful time every single day of [his] life that [he] taught at St. John’s.” Likewise, while his class was indeed rigorous, students remembered him as a fair teacher and laughter was a mainstay of his classroom. — Continued on next page

InMemoriam

As a colleague, Mike is remembered for his welcoming personality and collegial spirit. As reflected by former faculty member Jim Saltzman, “Mike Cullinan was a teacher, colleague, and friend of heroic dimensions. I first met Mike in the spring of 1990, when I had come from Connecticut to Houston to interview for an English position at St. John’s. I remember talking to Mike in the office I would share with him and our dear colleague Harriet Reynolds for six years, six years of joyful daily communion in conversation, fellowship, and laughter. During my interview with Mike, he was so excited he nearly jumped out of his chair with joy that I might join his department. He called me ‘a keeper’ and told me all about the ghost who inhabited the office. Once Nina and I arrived in Houston, we became accustomed to Mike’s hospitality during the gatherings he would host for the English department at his house. Mike’s ready and deep friendship was a major reason why I fell in love with St. John’s and Houston so quickly. I am one of countless people who found joy and comfort and inspiration in the warm embrace of Mike’s generous companionship.” Colleague, teacher, friend, but also father and grandfather. In addition to the scores of students and colleagues he leaves behind, Mike’s legacy includes his two children, Carran and Greg, and several grandchildren. Undoubtedly, Mike left an indelible mark on all lives that he touched and his upbeat and effusive spirit will be missed by all. As shared by one of his former students, JAMIE LIANG ’98, “Mr. Cullinan had such a positive impact on my life. He blessed our group of “Cullinan Journal Network” nonconformists with the creative license and carte blanche to write. He challenged us to be independent thinkers while staying within the confines of proper grammar and punctuation. His unique humor was manifested by his independent clause-t of plaid pants, ties, and dangling participles; and he always laughed at my jokes, whether punny or not. Mr. C, we will C-2 it that your legacy, especially your comma rules, lives on. ‘Its all in you’re mind’.”

InMemoriam ELEANOR SHAW CLAIBORNE ’94 MICHAEL P. CULLINAN faculty emeritus FRANCES A. DIGREGORIO staff emerita MARY JANE “SUZIE” HARMON ’65 ROGER K. LEWIS ’58 NANCY JOHNSON LUCKE ’56 KENNETH C. MCALPIN ’64 SCOTT J. NEAL ’61 THE REV. JON A. SONNEN ’55

InMemoriam

The Alumni Magazine of St. John’s School

Join us

713.850.0222

alumni@sjs.org

Head of School DANIEL J. ALIG

Director of Advancement DAWSEY ROMERO

Volume 85 Spring 2025 Editor SUSAN CHAMBERLIN MUNSON ’97 Writers & Contributors LISA ARAGÓN-STOKES PHILIP CANNON ’85 STEPHANIE CROWL BAILEY DUNCAN TESS GEE SARAH MCLAUGHLIN

APRIL 25-26, 2025 FRIDAY

SATURDAY

6:00 - 7:30 p.m. Spring Fling & Upper School Campus Tours

10:30 - 11:30 a.m. Upper School Campus Tours

WHO AM I? HELP US IDENTIF Y THESE “MYSTERY ALUMNI” If you know who these students are, please contact alumni@sjs.org. Thank you!

11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. Alumni Awards Luncheon:

Welcoming All Alumni & Honoring the Class of 1975

Lifelong Learning Panel: Today’s Students, Tomorrow’s Alumni Immediately following the luncheon

Special thanks to the numerous parents, alumni, students, faculty, and staff who contributed to this issue.

Our Mission Statement

CLAIRE NUCHTURN ’11

S T .

Nonprofit Organization U.S. Postage PAID Houston, Texas Permit No. 9081

Houston, Texas 77019-5897

S C H O O L

UPDATE

ALUMNI ASSOCIATION 2401 Claremont Lane

J O H N ’ S

Volume 85

Alumni Awards • Embracing Service Learning • Alumni Events

Upper School Winter Play — “Sherwood Forest”

Spring 2025