Speak Up, Speak Out

For the first time in school history, St. Stephen’s hosted the “Speak Up, Speak Out” Austin Regional Civics Fair sponsored by the Annette Strauss Institute for Civic Life at The University of Texas at Austin. Spartans also competed in the competition for the first time, thanks to Middle School history instructor Drew Smith. Two Middle School teams advanced to the UT State Civics Fair in April, with one team earning the Community Engagement Award for their “RAFT Tutoring” program concept, which pairs older students with younger students in underprivileged schools to offer free tutoring across a range of subjects.

Still Water Foundation Aquatic Center Opening Fall 2025

The Still Water Foundation Aquatic Center at St. Stephen’s is on track to become a premier swimming facility for Spartans and competitive swimmers. The Olympic-sized pool and aquatic center is perched on the highest point of campus, near the tennis courts, overlooking Lake Austin, and was made possible by an extraordinary $17 million gift — the largest in school history — from the Still Water Foundation.

1 Aquatic center under construction. Credit: RogersO’Brien Construction

2 Varsity Spartan swimmers signing the side of the pool

3 Aquatic center interior progress as of June 2025

8th Grade

Big Bend Trip

Spartans embark on the unforgettable 8th grade camping trip to Big Bend National Park, where they explore the natural beauty of West Texas and the Chisos mountain range. Hiking, stargazing and team activities allow them to gain a deeper appreciation for nature, independence and camaraderie.

PHOTOS

1 A group of 8th graders pause while taking in the beauty of Big Bend

2 Finley Wilson ’29 paddling on the Rio Grande

3 8th grade boys in front of Balanced Rock in Big Bend National Park

4 8th grade girls hanging out in the tent they set up themselves

Miles hiked, collectively

Hours with no cellphones

$1.8MILLION GOAL EXCEEDED

$1,867,877

TOTAL RAISED AS OF JUNE 11

$111,900

INCREASE IN ALUMNI GIVING

THANK YOU 2024-25 VOLUNTEERS:

ANNUAL FUND PARENT CHAIRS

Hasmita and Sapan Shahani P ’30

PARENT CLASS CAPTAINS

Class of 2025

Charlie Cole and Sarah Garcia

Class of 2026

Rebecca Krauss and Lou Mabley ’86

Class of 2027

Greg McCaskill and Kate Thome

Class of 2028

Tavia Conkling and Alex Schoenbaum

Class of 2029

Ashley Bartram and Subu Jayaram

Class of 2030

Faiza Khan and Swati Nath

Class of 2031

Jeni Lowry and Avani Vije

GRANDPARENT CHAIRS

Dr. Eugene P. and Dianne Dies Schoch GP ’25

ALUMNI CHAIRS

Katherine Bailey Brown ’05 and T. J. Brown ’99

FACULTY AND STAFF CHAIRS

LaMont King P ’22 and Melissa Livsey P ’11, ’08, ’05

BOARD OF TRUSTEES ADVANCEMENT COMMITTEE CHAIR

Debbie Gonzalez P ’24, ’21, ’20

1 Charles Stephens ’86, Joyce Christian, Ricky Green ’86, John Smither ’86 and Jonathan Quander ’89

2 Spartans competing in the padel tournament

3 Spartan author panelists: Jennifer Stayton ’85 (moderator), Madeline Rensbarger ’14, Nikhil Prabala ’15, Sallie Smither Crotty ’84 and Billy Magnuson ’00

4 English instructors Dr. Colleen Hynes and Jenneken Van Keppel at Classes Without Quizzes

5 Alumni Co-Chairs Liza Ayres ’14 and Louise McNutt Brazitis ’07 (missing Mallory Boyle ’04)

6 Jim Crosby ’70 singing in the annual Alumni Chapel

7 Jeannette Schaleben Cook ’58, J.P. Bryan ’58 and Glo Hemby Doll ’58

8 Head of School Chris Gunnin presenting the State of the School at the annual meeting of the Spartan Alumni Association

NEARLY 400 PEOPLE attended Reunion Weekend 2025, an annual three-day event hosted by the Spartan Alumni Association. Attendees spanned the classes of 1951 to 2024, and celebrations were planned for alumni with class years ending in zeroes and fives.

Big hit events included the parents of alumni reception, the former faculty reception and a classroom activity called Classes Without Quizzes led by current faculty.

For the first time, parents of the classes of 2015 to 2025 alumni attended a reception in the Helm Fine Arts Center lobby. Simultaneously, alumni gathered in Bowen for the Decades Happy Hour and the Taste of Austin event where local food trucks served pizza, burgers and ice cream.

Clarke Heidrick, Jr. ’68, P ’02, ’05, ’10, with wife, Catherine Heidrick; Louis Henna, Jr. ’64, P ’87, ’89, GP ’23, ’19, ’16 (2024 Founders honoree) and Marci Henna

The Founders Award for Distinguished Service honors an alum whose lifelong contributions to St. Stephen’s have been exemplary.

CLARKE HEIDRICK, JR. ’68 has served on the board of trustees, co-chaired the Frame the Future campaign and currently serves on the Chapel Committee for St. Stephen’s comprehensive campaign. He and John McFarland ’68 established the Martin Luther King, Jr. Scholarship in 1968, and Heidrick was the recipient of the Brewster Award his senior year. A partner at McGinnis Lochridge, Heidrick has also led numerous organizations, including the Episcopal Seminary of the Southwest, the Shivers Cancer Foundation and the Austin Geriatric Center. His leadership extends to past roles as chair of both Central Health and the Greater Austin Chamber of Commerce. Heidrick’s service has earned him numerous accolades, including Austinite of the Year and the ADL’s Jurisprudence Award.