Celebrating the Class of 2025

St. Stephen’s Episcopal School celebrated its 75th commencement on Saturday, May 24.

Parents, grandparents, friends and special guests convened on The Hill and virtually to celebrate a myriad of accomplishments. This year’s class of 123 graduates is a diverse representation of cultures that are reflected in students from the Austin area and eight cities across Texas; six U.S. states; and seven foreign countries — China, Korea, Mexico, Netherlands, Nigeria, Saudi Arabia and Taiwan.

From The Hill to the world, the entire St. Stephen’s community is excited to see what these graduates will accomplish in the next chapter of their lives.

Learn what’s next for the Class of 2025 on pages 10 and 11.

THE BISHOP JOHN E. HINES MEDAL was awarded to Annabel Furlong. The Rt. Rev. Hines, founder of St. Stephen’s Episcopal School, was a man of extraordinary vision and bold action. He started the school with the idea that the St. Stephen’s education would be used as “an enduring basis for moral decisions and would equip the student with content and satisfaction in both his or her academic and devotional life.” Furlong was described as a student whose consistent academic excellence is expressed in all facets of learning.

The William Brewster Medal and a Velberta Asher Towner Award in Performing Arts were presented to Casey Maina. The Brewster award was established in honor of the school’s founding headmaster in the 1960s. Brewster wanted a school where students learned by studying and by living in a community grounded in a Christian tradition of respect and concern for others. Each year a faculty committee chooses a recipient who, in the eyes of the committee, has made the greatest total contribution to the life of the school. Head of School Chris Gunnin said that Maina’s leadership “has touched many parts of our campus throughout her high school career, giving back to those both within our community and beyond. On campus, she has given her time, energy and leadership skills to help shape inclusive spaces. As a member and co-leader of the student affinity group Unapologetic, Maina helped implement the first Girls Day Out for members of the group. She has quietly carried on the legacy of former Equity and Inclusion Director Yvonne Adams, standing up for equity, inclusion and belonging in all she does.”

A Velberta Asher Towner Award in the Performing Arts was also awarded to Audrey Wan, who has been performing since age three and is dedicated to the music and to the process, read Fine Arts Department Chair Liz Moon. The award is given in memory of Velberta Towner, a St. Stephen’s faculty member from 1958 to 1984. Known to the campus community as Bert, she was a longtime Fine Arts Department chair who built a program in which students could explore and excel in the arts. Wan was described as someone who offers a thrilling, high-level performance and someone who has plenty of musical things to say and “delivers every time.”

The Dobbie Leverton Fenton Medal was awarded to Rebecca Cole, who was described by Director of College Counseling Claire Fenton ’93, Leverton

The Bishop John E. Hines Medal

Annabel Furlong

The William Brewster Medal and the Velberta Asher Towner Award in the Performing Arts

Casey Maina

The Velberta Asher Towner Award in the Performing Arts

Audrey Wan

The Dobbie Leverton Fenton Medal

Rebecca Cole

Fenton’s daughter, as a “tireless activist, advocate, scholar and a force of nature, combining boundless enthusiasm with a deep commitment to making the world a better place.”

Inspired by the beloved teacher, advisor and friend who lived a life of compassionate service, the Fenton Medal was established in 2001. Leverton Fenton came to St. Stephen’s as an 8th grade boarding student and graduated in 1963. She returned to St. Stephen’s in 1968 to begin what would become a 33-year career at the school, teaching English and serving as a college counselor and mentor to hundreds of students. She also had a boundless belief in the ability of individuals to change the world for the better.

Fenton describes Cole as someone who “lives life in that same way — promoting the values of social justice.” Her energy is infectious, and she works to create an inclusive environment and to foster positive change. Whether she’s elbow deep in compost or discussing politics, culture and policy, she takes a hands-on approach to everything she does. “She leads by example,” read Fenton. “In so many ways, she strives to make the present and the future, at St. Stephen’s and beyond, better for everyone.”

Diplomas With High Honors

Alexander Agrawal

Emmett Brewer

Rebecca Cole

Annabel Furlong

Charlie Hubbard

Ella Kim

Lainey Leslie

Joshua Natinsky

Isabela Whiteley Bermeo

Diplomas With Honors

Susannah Alter

Marygrace Beinke

Alina Bunch

Dawson Burrell

Cameron Carper

Jordan Carson

Chris Chang

Vivian Chatterjee

Miyako Chen

Julia Conkling

Kieran Desireddi

Vishal Dhruva

Felix Eugene

Lily Felger

Jackie Ge

Bryson Gibbs

Sophia Gong

Thomas Guan

Hana Hassibi