Sharon Sparlin, ssparlin@sstx.org or 512.327.1213 x 158
PHOTOS
COVER: Lifted high, Kimberly Kyles ’27 plays Sodapop Curtis in a pivotal rumble between the Greasers and the Socs in the Upper School play “The Outsiders.”
TOP TO BOTTOM: Architectural rendering of the future Science and Technology Center; Bishop Michael Curry was the keynote speaker for MLK Day 2026; Ben Chan ’95 in Mongolia
FROM THE HEAD OF SCHOOL
When we began planning for this school year and the celebration of St. Stephen’s 75th anniversary, the faculty and staff committed to three worthy goals: honoring and remembering our school’s first 75 years, serving today’s Spartans better than ever and building the foundation for the school’s continued growth and success for the next 75 years. As we find ourselves more than halfway through the academic year, I am pleased to share that we have had great success and found real joy in each of these endeavors.
Our school’s history is remarkable and sacred. As I speak with alumni, veteran faculty and staff, parents of alumni, former employees, and friends of the school, I delight in the memories and powerful legacy of a community that began as a bold experiment and has grown into an institution of global reach and notable impact. St. Stephen’s was founded on the principles that a strong education, rooted in the Episcopal belief of the inherent dignity of all people, is necessary to heal a broken world. Our founders believed not only that students who develop sharp minds, compassionate hearts and fierce spirits will go on to live lives of purpose and meaning but also that these kinds of leaders are necessary for the recovery of humans. Our founders believed that welcoming and loving children from all walks of life and building a diverse community founded on Christian values is essential and sacred work.
We are the beneficiaries and stewards of rich traditions, deeply held core values and a sacred mission that is as relevant and meaningful as ever. It is our privilege each year to walk alongside our 700 students as they explore their passions and interests and to support them as they begin to imagine and fulfill their greatest dreams.
The school is making great strides in preparing for our next 75 years. We have launched Lasting Impact: The Campaign for St. Stephen’s, a bold, comprehensive campaign that will enhance every aspect of community life and position future Spartans for success. While there is more work to be done, I am inspired by our community’s deep love for St. Stephen’s and the generous support of our vision for the school’s future. Thank you for investing in our students, faculty and staff.
As you read this issue of Spartan Magazine, I hope you will enjoy learning about the ways we are celebrating our school’s vibrant history, finding new ways to support today’s Spartans and building the foundation for an even stronger St. Stephen’s in the future.
All my best,
Chris Gunnin Head of School
PHOTO Spartans connect on the back deck of the new St. Stephen’s Aquatic Center
ST. STEPHEN’S LAUNCHES
THE BOLDEST COMPREHENSIVE FUNDRAISING EFFORT IN ITS 75-YEAR HISTORY
ON MAY 9, 2025, the St. Stephen’s Board of Trustees voted to approve a three-year, $85 million comprehensive campaign to enhance campus facilities, increase endowment funding for the school’s programs and people, and bolster annual giving that helps define the Spartan experience. Lasting Impact: The Campaign for St. Stephen’s exemplifies the brave vision the school’s founders embraced and executed.
One of the campaign’s primary objectives is to ensure that the quality of facilities matches the caliber of the school’s programming. The building projects include the fully funded and completed St. Stephen’s Aquatic Center and Spartan Loop road, the new Student Support Center, the expansion and renovation of the historic Chapel, and the new Science and Technology Center.
ABOVE: Located near the center of campus, the new Student Support Center will be a wellness hub.
LEFT: The Chapel expansion will add 3,800 square feet, expanding the side wings, entry space, clergy room and balcony, increasing seating from 430 to 715.
Student Support Center
Chapel Expansion and Renovation
Campaign Priorities
CAPITAL PROJECTS
$55 million goal
Science and Technology Center
$23 million goal
Chapel Expansion and Renovation
$5 million goal
Student Support Center
$5 million goal
Aquatic Center — funded
Spartan Loop — funded
$85 million goal
ENDOWMENT GROWTH
$18 million goal
Financial Aid and Scholarships
$10 million goal
Faculty Support
$4 million goal
Programs and General
$3 million goal
Equity and Inclusion
$1 million goal
ANNUAL FUND
$12 million goal
As an independent school, we rely on philanthropy to fund a meaningful portion of our operating budget each year. The Annual Fund powers the dayto-day life of the school, sustaining the people, programs and possibilities that define a St. Stephen’s education.
LEFT: The new Science and Technology Center will create space for active inquiry, collaboration and innovation.
Lasting Impact
THE CAMPAIGN FOR ST. STEPHEN’S
INSPIRES SPARTAN GENEROSITY
Alumni, parents and friends share their personal ethos of giving and why they feel led to pay it forward
BY CATENYA MCHENRY
ABOVE: The Chapel expansion and renovation will provide additional seating and improve comfort with air-conditioning and heating, audiovisual equipment, two balcony staircases and reconfigured access through a central entranceway.
BECOMING A PHILANTHROPIST
— whether through giving time or money — is a deliberate decision that often begins with reflection, thoughtful conversations and an intrinsic connection to the cause or organization.
“St. Stephen’s builds great human beings. We give because we believe in this important work,” says Meredith McDaniel ’92, P ’30, ’28. She and her husband, Patrick Chang P ’30, ’28, contributed to the future Science and Technology Center.
The gift Jane and Hani Talebi, Ph.D., P ’31, ’29, ’27, made to the future Science and Technology Center is their family’s way of giving St. Stephen’s a strong push into the future.
“The greatest gifts we can contribute today are the ones that result in positive outcomes for the students and families we will never have the opportunity to meet,” says Dr. Talebi. “This is about taking the gratitude we feel now and crafting something meaningful with it for the St. Stephen’s community of tomorrow. We hope this center — alongside the Student Support Center and other campus updates — lowers barriers to learning, widens access to advanced coursework and equips teachers with flexible spaces and tools that adapt to new ideas. If future Spartans feel more seen, more supported and more capable of shaping their world, then the impact will have been worth it.”
JP Bryan ’58 considers the Chapel to be a sacred space that holds a special place in his heart and is his reason for giving to support its expansion and renovation.
“I was motivated to make the gift to help restore the Chapel because of my love for the building and what it represents in my life. It’s the thing that defines St. Stephen’s,” says Bryan.
Robert Roth ’29, Elizabeth Roth ’29, Trish Smith GP ’29, ’29, ’29, Dodie Sampson, Alex Roth ’29 and Marty Sampson GP ’29, ’29, ’29
According to psychologists who study the science of generosity, giving often fulfills people’s sense of purpose in life.
Marlone Henderson, Ph.D., professor of psychology at The University of Texas at Austin, says that many donors intentionally put great emphasis on whether a campaign or a cause is congruent with their values.
“When potential donors are thinking about giving to something that will materialize in the far-off future or giving to beneficiaries in geographically distant locations, they likely think more abstractly and care more about whether the cause aligns with their values,” says Henderson. “Usually when donors make big gifts, they are imagining their gifts lasting through the ages.”
“Lasting through the ages” is what Matt Miller ’02 and his wife, Kim Hicks ’02, had in mind when they decided to make a transformational gift to the future Science and Technology Center.
“When I think back to my time in physics and robotics and all those kinds of classes, it was primitive by comparison to what we’re doing for students today,” says Miller. “But then it’s in exactly the same facility that we were in 20 years ago and that I think people were probably in 20 years before that — that was when it clicked. We were just wanting to do something for the school, but also seeing the need of having the facilities that match the quality of the curriculum.”
“We’d honestly been looking for something that felt like a really good fit for us, where we felt like we were actually making an impact. And as we talked about different things, this was one of the initial things that really resonated,” says Hicks.
Several years later, Smith and Sampson’s triplet grandchildren, Alex ’29, Elizabeth ’29 and Robert Roth ’29, enrolled in St. Stephen’s Middle School.
“We fell more in love with the community as we learned about the special opportunities granted to their student body, especially since we were now on the mailing list for the Spartan [Magazine] publication! We are confident that our contributions will enable students globally to meet St. Stephen’s mission ‘to inspire a lasting love of learning and spirit of service so that each of our students lives a life of meaning and enriches the world,’” says Smith.
“This is about taking the gratitude we feel now and crafting something meaningful with it for the St. Stephen’s community of tomorrow.”
— HANI TALEBI, Ph.D., P ’31, ’29, ’27
Miller and Hicks first met as students at St. Stephen’s. After moving back to Austin, the couple found themselves drawn to campus again as active volunteers. Through their gift, they hope to give future students the same experience of deep connection and a supportive community that, as Hicks notes, they both treasure and never take for granted.
Generosity has come full circle and is what prompted Trish Smith GP ’29, ’29, ’29 and her husband, Marty Sampson GP ’29, ’29, ’29, to make regular leadership gifts to the Annual Fund and a multiyear gift to the future Science and Technology Center.
“Our original inspiration to give modestly to St. Stephen’s came in 2013, when we first moved to Austin,” says Smith. “We began contributing to the school because they graciously let me hike their campus.”
The act of giving matters today and forever, and the generosity of Lasting Impact donors will be felt for generations to come.
“We believe a well-rounded education requires contemporary tools and an environment that spurs engagement,” says Dr. Talebi. “Today’s learners thrive when spaces are purpose-built for inquiry, collaboration and creativity — where a student can move from a whiteboard sketch to prototyping to testing in a single afternoon. St. Stephen’s has the vision and culture to make those moments happen every day, and we wanted to help accelerate that. Our gift is simply a vote of confidence in the school’s ability to prepare students to think deeply, work ethically and build solutions that matter.”
“We know our gifts will be used wisely by the St. Stephen’s leadership, who provide such wonderful learning opportunities to their diverse student body and foster leaders during their St. Stephen’s education and beyond,” says Smith.
Kim Hicks ’02 and Matt Miller ’02
Meredith McDaniel ’92, P ’30, ’28, and Patrick Chang P ’30, ’28
In Their Own Words SPARTANS ENVISION LASTING IMPACT’S
POSITIVE OUTCOME
“The PIRL [Project and Idea Realization Lab] is a gathering place for all of our students who want to come and make their amazing projects — and imagine if it was the centerpiece of an amazing building.”
— TROY LANIER, ROBOTICS INSTRUCTOR AND PIRL DIRECTOR
ABOVE: Opening as early as 2028, the new Science and Technology Center will feature flexible laboratory-lecture classrooms for all Upper School science and computer science programs, along with a new PIRL.
BELOW: Troy Lanier and Shanruo “Lilian” Liu ’25 work on a project in the PIRL.
Science and Technology Center
“Even though I have really appreciated working in the PIRL, there have definitely been some limitations as far as where we can put our things and day-today activities. It would be nice to expand the program.”
— ZACH PRAGER ’25
“Broadening the types of people who can come to St. Stephen’s and getting a lot of new people who wouldn’t have been able to come here is a huge piece. The Chapel is definitely an important [project]. I have heard a lot of people ask for that, so the school was definitely listening to the students.”
— CAROLINE CLOYD ’26
at aspeckewer@sstx.org or
ABOVE:
ABOVE: The new Student Support Center will include an infirmary, counseling offices, health education classroom, telehealth booths, and meeting and gathering spaces.
Student Support Center
Chapel Expansion and Renovation
Celebrating 75 Years
The 2026 year carries forward our celebration of St. Stephen’s remarkable 75-year history. Here’s a look at the ways we’re honoring our past, present and future. We invite you to join us on campus for upcoming events as we experience this milestone together.
Aug. 19, 2025
First day of classes and kickoff of the 75th anniversary year.
Sept. 19, 2025
The Spartan community celebrated the Aquatic Center and Spartan Loop ribbon cuttings and openings as well as the annual block party.
October 2025
Head of School Chris Gunnin, Director of Advancement
April Speck-Ewer, Director of the International Program
Sarah Todd and Associate Director of the International Program Hai Zheng Olefsky traveled to Taiwan, Hong Kong, Shanghai and Beijing to connect and celebrate with international students, families and alumni.
Oct. 30, 2025
The Rt. Rev. Kai Ryan, Bishop Suffragan of the Episcopal Diocese of Texas and chair of the St. Stephen’s Board of Trustees, spent a day on campus visiting classrooms, connecting with current students and delivering a chapel talk.
Dec. 8, 2025
The Rt. Rev. C. Andrew Doyle, Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Texas, visited campus and spoke to Spartans in chapel.
Dec. 13--14, 2025
The Festival of Lessons and Carols also marked 52 years of The Madrigals. Former members along with alumni, faculty and staff participated in the traditional service by lending their voices to one of the nine hymns, honoring the significant milestone.
Jan. 8, 2026
The annual Spartan Alumni New Year Party brought together alumni and past and present faculty and staff members in celebration of 2026.
Jan. 19, 2026
On Martin Luther King Jr. Day, we were honored to welcome our keynote speaker, the Rt. Rev. Michael Curry, the 27th presiding bishop of the Episcopal Church. Clarke Heidrick ’68 and John McFarland ’68, who created the MLK Scholarship, joined a special panel with Rudy Green ’71, the first MLK Scholar, and his brother, Ricky Green ’86, also an MLK Scholar.
April
17--19, 2026
All alumni, parents of alumni, and current and former faculty and staff are invited to join us for an unforgettable Reunion Weekend 2026.
May
23,
2026
We will celebrate our Spartan seniors at the 76th Graduation Ceremony.
Scan to watch a video about the school’s 75-year history.
sstx.org/75-years
Historic Journey to Asia Strengthens International Relationships
BY CATENYA MCHENRY
If the epic trip across Asia could be summed up in one word, it would be gratitude. In Chinese, the word doesn’t translate exactly as it does in English, but guanxi — the concept of relationships and connections — captures the spirit and purpose of the journey, which was 18 months in the making.
As part of St. Stephen’s 75th anniversary celebration and in recognition of the school’s 40-year-old International Program, Head of School Chris Gunnin, Director of the International Program Sarah Todd, Associate Director of the International Program Hai Zheng Olefsky and Director of Advancement April Speck-Ewer visited Taiwan, Hong Kong, Shanghai and Beijing.
“In a year when we’re celebrating the school’s history, it didn’t feel appropriate to stay put in Austin,” said Gunnin. “We believe in how important our international families and students are to our community. It was necessary and worthy and beautiful.”
The group met individually with nearly 60 St. Stephen’s current parents, parents of alumni and alumni families, and visited with more than 150 members of the Spartan community at receptions in each city. From families hosting small gatherings to alumni traveling long distances to attend events, the group shared one common goal: celebrating their connection to St. Stephen’s through stories, memories and hopes for the future.
“I feel very honored and privileged to be part of this Asia trip team, and it was a memorable experience to engage with and renew bonds among the wonderful St. Stephen’s communities in those four cities,” said Zheng Olefsky. “Mrs. Todd has been going for years, but what I really admired on this trip was how much she cared — and her commitment over the past 30 years to build up these relationships and friendships.”
Todd, who has traveled to Asia for the school for three decades, said the trip felt especially meaningful.
“We were celebrating the achievements of people who’ve been here,” Todd said. “Besides gratitude, we want the families to know how important it was to us that they came and gave their time, their energy, their thoughts, their resources. For me, there was a whole new level of positive energy.”
The historic trip represents years of intentional work to build relationships and create a campus that welcomes students from diverse cultures and backgrounds.
“I was so touched by the level of appreciation and gratitude,” said Gunnin. “Part of my job was to convey our school’s gratitude for them taking this leap of faith and sharing their children with us. I truly believe we can’t be the school we aspire to be without a significant number of our students coming to Austin from other countries. There is a real level of sacrifice that these parents and students make.”
In the end, the trip was not only memorable and deeply meaningful — it also offered unmistakable evidence of the mutual gratitude that continues to strengthen long-lasting relationships.
“Every person we met with asked us to express their deep gratitude to the faculty, staff, host parents and members of the greater St. Stephen’s family for helping our international students feel so at home on The Hill,” said Speck-Ewer. “Our international alumni consistently thank the school for equipping them for college and career success and for helping them establish lifelong friendships and global connections.”
Creating Harmonious Music in the Midst of Conflict
From The Hill to a War Zone: St. Stephen’s
Orchestra Director John Moon Conducts the ‘Symphony of Freedom’ in Ukraine
BY ERIN RYDQUIST
John Moon, St. Stephen’s orchestra director for 28 years, found himself in the middle of hours-long air raids and the chaos of Ukrainians hurriedly seeking refuge in bomb shelters on the night of July 3, 2025, in Lviv, Ukraine. Moon was on a mission to bring music to the region, but the emergency forced him to make a difficult choice: Stay in the war zone or return home to safety in the United States. He decided to stay and shelter in his hotel room that night.
“I’m committed to music and to the Ukrainian people — and to my career as a conductor,” said Moon. His assignment in Ukraine was one of the most important in his musical career. Moon was invited by the Lviv National Symphony Orchestra to conduct a concert called “Symphony of Freedom.”
The Lviv National Symphony Orchestra is one of the largest in Ukraine and is well known beyond its borders. Moon landed the prestigious gig a few years earlier while attending a conductor workshop and festival in Lviv, before the war began. That is when he was first introduced to the group of highly skilled musicians who play together each week. They were finally reuniting for their freedom concert.
The next morning’s sunrise gave Moon a surge of excitement, anticipation and nervous energy as he arrived at Lviv Philharmonic Hall. He was ready.
“A big part of being a great conductor is having a tremendous amount of confidence, which comes with being well prepared and knowing the score inside and out before you step on the podium to start conducting,” said Moon.
In the months leading up to the big day, Moon selected the music and spent countless hours studying scores with his mentor, Peter Bay, music director and conductor of the Austin Symphony Orchestra.
While Moon was training in Austin, the orchestra members were practicing and fine-tuning their parts. A week before the concert, Moon arrived in Ukraine and led four lengthy rehearsals with the orchestra — and then it was showtime.
As he lifted his thin, lightweight baton, Moon felt his mother’s presence. She had died just weeks earlier, yet it was as if she were
Scan to enjoy a video from the performance.
right there with him, cheering him on — just as she had when she took him to his first piano lesson at age 5.
“I dedicated the concert to my mom — I was depending on her,” said Moon.
Rossini’s “William Tell Overture” was the first piece the orchestra performed. The work tells the story of the Swiss hero who was forced to shoot an apple off his son’s head as part of his fight for his people’s freedom. The second selection was “Violin Concerto” by American composer Samuel Barber, featuring an expressive, passionate solo by Ukrainian violinist Oksana Hretchyn. For the final number, the orchestra played “Symphony No. 7” by Antonín Dvorák, a sweeping work that lifted the voice of the Czech people and their desire for a national identity.
At the end of the performance, the audience rose to its feet in a lengthy standing ovation and synchronized clap — a unifying European expression of appreciation.
“They wanted me to come out three times after the concert just to receive the clap,” Moon said. “It was thrilling. I really felt supported, and I think they really felt my support for them as a people.”
Moon’s conductor stint in Ukraine marked his fifth professional symphony orchestra performance, an accomplishment he said would not have been possible without support from St. Stephen’s. That support has included investments in his professional growth through conductor workshops and training, which he said have made him a stronger instructor on The Hill.
“I love these kids, and I love this orchestra,” said Moon. “And I feel like being here at St. Stephen’s has helped me grow as a conductor and helped me refine my conducting skills and experiences.”
Moon plans to travel back to Europe in the spring of 2026 with the St. Stephen’s orchestra. They are scheduled to perform four concerts in Italy over spring break. In the future, Moon plans to return to Ukraine to lead his second performance with the Lviv National Symphony Orchestra and his first performance with the Ukraine National Symphony in Kyiv.
No matter the ages of the musicians in front of him, Moon said the goal is always the same: to make beautiful music that has an emotional impact on both the performers and the audience.
27 Faculty and Staff Picks
What Spartans Are Reading
In their spare time,
St. Stephen’s faculty and staff love to dive into a good story. These are books that have recently challenged, entertained and inspired them.
A Game of Thrones by George R.R. Martin
David Allen ’19, Alumni Engagement Officer
How to Solve Your Own Murder by Kristen Perrin
Michelle Andrews, Librarian
Empire of the Summer Moon by S.C. Gwynne
John Branch, Guitar Instructor
Troubling Love by Elena Farrante
Margaret Clark, Latin Instructor
The Cemetery of Untold Stories by Julia Alvarez
Ann Craig, Ph.D., Spanish Instructor
Declare by Tim Powers
Henry Colangelo ’18, International Program Assistant and Allen House
Dorm Parent
For Small Creatures Such as We by Sasha Sagan
Ace Furman, Ph.D. ’12, Physics Instructor
A Walk in the Woods by Bill Bryson
Rebecca Gibbs, Mathematics Instructor
Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver
Chris Gunnin, Head of School
Before the Coffee Gets Cold by Toshikazu Kawaguchi
Millicent Green, Executive Assistant to the Head of School and the Board of Trustees
Wild Tongues Can’t Be Tamed by Saraciea J. Fennell
Jennie Kim, Upper School Counselor
The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle by Haruki Murakami
Kendra Lipman, Choir Director and Freeman Dorm Parent
Heartwood by Amity Gaige
Melissa Livsey, Chemistry Instructor
Killers of a Certain Age by Deanna Raybourn
Catenya McHenry, Chief Officer of Marketing and Communications
It Always Rains on Wednesday by R. Douglas Hackney
Jamal Middlebrooks, History Instructor
We Begin at the End by Chris Whitaker
Ana Ortega, Piano Instructor
One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel Garcia Marquez
Julie Ronquillo, World Languages Department Chair
Out of the Ashes by Sallie Crotty ’84
Erin Rydquist, Director of Communications
The Housemaid by Freida McFadden
Dhvani Sethi, Mathematics Teacher
My Friends by Frederik Backman
Theana Snyder, Mathematics Instructor
Run for the Hills by Kevin Wilson
April Speck-Ewer, Director of Advancement
Atmosphere by Taylor Jenkins Reid
Cecelia Stewart, Middle School Administrator and Marshall Dorm Head
What Will People Think? by Sara Hamdan
Sara Tahir, Assistant Director of Admissions
Understanding the Role of Effective Communication in Liberia’s Healthcare System by Augustine Senyon Tatus
Rev. Ed Thompson, Middle School Chaplain
Amsterdam by Russell Shorto
Sarah Todd, International Program Director
The Faculty Lounge by Jennifer Mathieu
Hannah True-Yates, Residential Library Assistant
The Spellshop by Sarah Beth Durst
Bethany Williams, Head Librarian
Meet the New Trustees
Jonathan Quander ’89
serves as executive chair of the board of trustees and is a Lasting Impact campaign committee member. As an attorney and a global risk strategist with nearly 30 years of experience, he has worked at Dell Technologies and ExxonMobil and practiced labor and employment law. Quander graduated from The University of Texas School of Law and earned a bachelor’s degree in government from Harvard University. He served on the St. Stephen’s Board of Trustees from 2016 to 2022 and on the Spartan Alumni Association Board and as Alumni Regional Representative (Houston). He volunteers with the Harvard College Fund and has also volunteered with The University of Texas School of Law Alumni Association, Houston Volunteer Lawyers and the Houston Urban League. Quander lives in Houston with his wife, Bethel, and their two children, Jack and Katie.
Judge Lora Livingston
Elise Jones P ’27, ’24
is the current president of the St. Stephen’s Parents’ Association. Consulting with the head of school and designated administration members to promote the association’s purposes, Jones coordinates its projects and communitywide initiatives. Her work includes presiding over the PA board and membership meetings, serving on the board of trustees, and working with class representatives and committee chairs. Jones and the PA were instrumental in the execution of the 2025 Campus Block Party and the dedications of the Spartan Loop and the Aquatic Center. She is a communications consultant and executive coach and the parent to two Spartans: Maddie ’27 and Caroline ’24. In her role as PA president, Jones serves on the Advancement Committee.
is a native of Los Angeles, and a graduate of UCLA and the UCLA School of Law. Her distinguished legal career began at the Legal Aid Society of Central Texas and in private practice before she began her judicial service. From 1999 to 2022, she served as judge of the 261st District Court in Travis County, making history as the first African American woman to serve on a Travis County district court. Livingston has dedicated her time to numerous boards, including Trinity Episcopal School, Ann Richards School for Young Women Leaders, Seminary of the Southwest, Capital Area Food Bank, Austin Tenants Council, Central East Austin Community Organization, YMCA, Austin Area Urban League, El Buen Samaritano and now St. Stephen’s Episcopal School, where she serves on the Campus Committee. Livingston and her husband live in Austin.
Matt Miller ’02
is an Austin native, a proud alum of the St. Stephen’s Class of 2002 and a graduate of The University of Texas at Austin. Since January 2024, Miller has served as an angel investor and adviser, working with tech startups in the cybersecurity and medical industries. Miller spent 11 years at IT Freedom, an Austin-based IT services company, where he held various engineering and leadership roles. Miller later transitioned to a head of product role at Liongard, where he spent five years. A loyal member of the St. Stephen’s community, Miller is an avid volunteer, specifically supporting students through career mentoring and feedback on tech projects. Miller and his wife, Kim Hicks ’02, also serve on the Lasting Impact campaign committee.
Parents Create Belonging on The Hill
The St. Stephen’s Parents’ Association plays an invaluable role in strengthening the Spartan community. From raising essential support for the Annual Fund to serving as grade-level representatives, communicating with families and hosting beloved campus events, PA volunteers are the heart of our campus spirit on The Hill. We extend our deepest gratitude for all parents who support our students, faculty and families.
PHOTOS
1 Bruckie Girma P ’27, ’26 and Ted Manasa P ’28, ’28 volunteer at the PA Back-to-School Event.
2 Spartans de-stress during fall exams at Bunnies on The Hill.
3 PA President Elise Jones P ’27, ’24 and PresidentElect Avani Vije P ’31, ’28 enjoy the Fall Fiesta parent social.
4 A student receives a henna tattoo during the PAorganized Diwali celebration.
5 Brandi and Koushik Shaw P ’31 get a lesson in physics at the Science and Technology Lantern Series parent session in November.
6 Jennifer Griffin P ’28, ’23 and Kristen Ahrens P ’28 hand out sweet treats at Bunnies on The Hill.
SPORTS ARTS
Spartan Summer Camp at St. Stephen’s is fun, engaging and just around the corner, during the entire month of June. Mark your calendar because spots fill fast. Campers ages 6 to 18 can enjoy half- or full-day and residential camps that o er endless opportunities through sports, arts and enrichment. Make new friends, build new skills and — most important — have fun!
SSTX LIFE
Making History on The Hill
Spartan spirit and community pride filled the air on Sept. 19, 2025 — a historic day when the entire community honored the school’s first 75 years and the next 75 by dedicating the new St. Stephen’s Aquatic Center and Spartan Loop roadway. Community events of the day included the fall pep rally, the annual block party and evening athletic matchups.
Paulina Clark ’26 competes at the inaugural swim meet on Dec. 6, 2025, in the new Aquatic Center
St. Stephen’s Aquatic Center and Spartan Loop Dedications
and Block Party
Bomb pops passed out by parent volunteers
on Sept. 19 in Austin Food truck options at the block party
1 Charlotte Perkins ’27 sports Spartan pride at the fall pep rally.
2 Chris Gunnin delivers remarks at the dedication ceremony for the St. Stephen’s Aquatic Center.
3 Apollo Percussion brought the beat during all festivities on Sept. 19, 2025.
4 Ribbon cutting for the Aquatic Center by members of the board, the construction team and St. Stephen’s employees.
5 The inaugural procession heads up the new Spartan Loop.
6 Students tour the new Aquatic Center for the first time.
7 Isabelle Richter ’31, Sofia Simcoe ’31 and Nehali Chexal ’31 enjoy popsicles passed out by parent volunteers.
8 Jeremy Sweetlamb goes down in the dunking booth at the block party.
9 Middle School girls strike a pose at the block party.
10 The McCage family enjoys frozen treats at the block party.
11 Upper School students enjoy pizza at the block party.
12 Liam Askwith ’31 gets his face painted at the block party.
Happenings on The Hill
Spartans shined on stage in outstanding fall performances. Middle School students
impressed audiences with the musical “Cats.” Upper School students brought The Outsiders novel to life in the Helm Fine Arts Center.
Unique costumes and face paintings were created by students for “Cats.”
Orchestra Students Earn Coveted Spots
These Texas Music Educators Association 2025 All-Region Orchestra members performed in November at the Lake Travis Performing Arts Center.
The play was dedicated to all English instructors, including Vicki Woodruff, who taught the novel for 25 years in her 6th grade class.
Spartans earned spots in the TMEA All-Region Orchestra
Middle School All-Region performers
Sophie Lee ’30 (viola)
Elias Ferng ’31 (violin)
Charlotte Elwell ’30 (violin)
Upper School All-Region performers
Caden Chen ’29 (violin)
Mia Ip ’27 (cello)
Scott Ma ’27 (violin)
Sophie Chiu ’29 (violin)
Anwyn Wang ’28 (violin)
Sophia Holland ’28 (violin)
(L to R) Madeleine Bischke ’31 and Lucia Shen ’31 portraying Mungojerrie and Rumpleteazer in “Cats”
Upper School theatre students perform in “The Outsiders”
Congratulations to these fall Spartan athletes recognized beyond The Hill for their performance, competitive spirit, discipline, sportsmanship, responsibility, integrity and leadership.
Varsity Boys Cross Country
Second-place team finish at the SPC 4A Championship
Meet Oscar Whiteley Bermeo ’27 becomes the SPC 4A Champion
Spartan Water Polo Team Makes a Splash During Inaugural Season
In October 2025, St. Stephen’s newly formed varsity water polo team placed third in the Private School State Tournament. The coed program is led by Tom Andrew, head coach of Longhorn Aquatics and The University of Texas at Austin water polo team.
All SPC-Award Recipients
Spartans earned All-SPC Honors for their performance at the SPC Championships 7
Elise Bowman ’27
Girls Volleyball
Eleanor Evarts ’26
Field Hockey
Jadyn Houston ’27
Field Hockey
Josh Mugo ’27
Boys Volleyball
Ben Oehler ’26
Boys Cross Country
Smithson Sorrick ’26
Boys Volleyball
Oscar Whiteley Bermeo ’27
Boys Cross Country
PHOTOS COURTESY OF KATY ROTH
Girls Volleyball Champions
The Grade 7/8 Girls Red volleyball team defeated St. Andrew’s Episcopal School to claim the AIPL Championship.
Fall National Signing Day
A bold new era for the Spartan
Football Program
The Spartan football program kicked off a bold new era, transitioning from six-man to 11-man football last fall. Led by Head Coach Jay Patterson, the varsity team finished the season with an impressive 7-1 record. The school also fielded its first junior varsity team, laying the foundation for an exciting future under the Friday night lights.
The first varsity swim meet at the St. Stephen’s Aquatic Center was held Dec. 6, 2025. Spartan swimmers competed with intensity as six teams took part. Go Spartans!
Eleanor Evarts ’26 Northwestern University, Field Hockey
Sophie Fox ’26 University of Washington, Rowing
Russ Glenn, Middle School science instructor, also serves as a volunteer NASA Ambassador. In the fall, he shared his celestial enthusiasm, science knowledge and space do-it-yourself craftsmanship with more than 2,000 visitors at the Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum’s Free First Sunday event.
Miriam Murtuza, Ph.D., was promoted to Middle School dean of students ahead of the 2025–26 academic year. During her 27 years at St. Stephen’s, Murtuza has served in a variety of roles, most notably as an English instructor at both the Middle and Upper School levels.
The John D. Gerhart ’61 Endowed Teaching Chair was established in memory of John Gerhart, whose life and work championed social and economic development, equality and environmental stewardship. It was first awarded in 2009 and is held for up to four years.
2025 John D. Gerhart ’61
Endowed Teaching Chair
For more than a decade, Lindsay Brustein has advanced equity and inclusion at St. Stephen’s, earning praise for her thoughtful classroom leadership and commitment to ensuring every student is seen and heard. A longtime leader of the Alliance of White Anti-Racist Employees, she coordinates monthly discussions on current issues and community values. Her leadership also includes work in the residential community, service on the Head’s Advisory Council and collaboration in the Fine Arts Department.
Russ Glenn (center) featured on CBS Austin to promote the Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum’s Free First Sunday event
Lindsay Brustein Fine Arts Instructor and Theatre Focus Director
Advancing the Admissions Arena
The Enrollment Management Association honored Lawrence Sampleton, associate head of school for enrollment management and financial aid, with the William B. Bretnall Award. The annual award is given to educational leaders who have made significant contributions to the admissions field.
“The work we do matters; every campus tour, every family we guide — it all shapes futures. Let’s continue to lead with empathy, innovate with courage and remember the heart of admission is, and always will be, about people.”
— LAWRENCE SAMPLETON, ASSOCIATE HEAD OF SCHOOL FOR ENROLLMENT MANAGEMENT AND FINANCIAL AID
Celebrating MLK Day: Unity Through Love
On MLK Day, the Rt. Rev. Michael Curry delivered powerful chapel talks. His charge to the community was to love God, love your neighbor and love yourself. Bishop Curry also engaged in student programming that included small groups, musical and dance performances, and an alumni panel composed of people who experienced segregation and desegregation in the 1960s.
Panelists included Clarke Heidrick ’68 and John McFarland ’68, who started the St. Stephen’s MLK Scholarship, along with brothers and two of the first MLK Scholarship recipients: Rudy Green ’71 and Ricky Green ’86. Moderator Marsha Elliott, director of equity and inclusion, asked them to explain the emotions they felt and the school’s atmosphere when the first Black students were admitted to St. Stephen’s.
Scan to watch videos from our MLK Day celebration.
Lawrence Sampleton accepting his award at the EMA conference in Austin in September
Students gather to meet Bishop Curry after his chapel talk
MLK Scholarship Alumni Panel
RushTopFish
Students sing and dance with the Christopher Spivey & Co. gospel choir
Celebrating 75 Years
REUNION WEEKEND 2026
Friday, APRil 17
4 p.m. | Student Panel
Becker Library
Learn about the current student experience 75 years into the St. Stephen’s experiment
Student Art Show
Scanlan Gallery
Open all weekend
5 p.m. | Donor Reception
Scanlan Gallery
Celebrating the generosity of alumni supporters of Lasting Impact: The Campaign for St. Stephen’s and the Spartan Legacy Society
6 p.m. | Alumni Games
Gyms and Fields
Friendly alumni vs. alumni competition
6 p.m. | Pioneer Dinner
Bowen Arts Studios
Celebrating the Classes of 1951–1976
7 p.m. | Student
Performance: Modern Voices
Helm Fine Arts Center
Join students, parents and the broader St. Stephen’s community for a student vocal showcase
Saturday, APRil 18
10 a.m. | Spartan Alumni Awards and Leadership
Brunch
Buddy Temple ’60 Dining Hall
Celebrating alumni volunteers and presenting the 2026 Alumni Honorees
Noon | State of the School and Spartan Alumni Association Annual Meeting
Buddy Temple ’60 Dining Hall
1 p.m. | Campus Tours
Meet at Chapel
Join staff for a guided tour of the new St. Stephen’s Aquatic Center and upcoming campus improvements — or explore the campus on your own
Classes Without Quizzes
2 p.m. | Constitutional Law
Brewster 6B
Shelley Sallee, Ph.D., History Department Chair and Instructor
3 p.m. | LEDs, Circuits and Color (beginners welcome)
Becker Library, PIRL (Floor 1)
Troy Lanier, PIRL Director and Science Instructor
3 p.m. | Theology Brewster 4
Jim Woodruff, Retired Theology Department Chair and Instructor; Wyatt Harris, Ph.D., Interim Theology Department Chair and Instructor
Sunday, APRil 19
8 a.m. | Hike The Hill/Gulch Meet at the Chapel
9:30 a.m. | Alumni Service
Project
Meet in Becker Library
Join the Spartan community for a campus service project
11 a.m. | Alumni Chapel
The Chapel
Join the alumni and residential communities for a special 75th anniversary chapel service, with a homily by Tad Bird ’79
Noon | Alumni Brunch
Buddy Temple ’60 Dining Hall
4 p.m. | Theatre Focus: Celebrating 25 Years
Bowen Arts Studios
Lindsay Hearn Brustein, M.F.A, Director of Theatre Focus; Mike Dolan, M.F.A., Associate Director of Theatre Focus and Film Instructor; Clay Nichols, M.F.A., Founder and Former Director of Theatre Focus and Leadership Giving Officer
4:30 p.m. | Current and Former Faculty and Staff Reception Clayton Gym Breezeway
5 p.m. | Decades Happy Hour Clayton Gym Breezeway
5 p.m. | Parents of Alumni Reception Spartan Fitness & Wellness Center Deck
6 p.m. | Taste of Austin Clayton Gym Circle and Breezeway
Join alumni for dinner celebrating St. Stephen’s 75year history; enjoy Austin food trucks, drinks and live music by alumni band The Trahan Brothers featuring Lee Trahan ’19, Elliott Trahan ’17 and Josh Mosier ’15
8 p.m. | Trivia Stream With Gus Davis ’99 Location TBA
Rudy Green ’71 Founders Award for Distinguished Service
John Harrison ’65 Spartan Impact Award
Ellen Osborne Ray ’86 Spartan Impact Award
Ricky Green ’86 Spartan Alumni Leadership Award
Sophie Foreman Mann ’06 Spartan Young Alumni Achievement Award
Spartan Spotlight When Curiosity Is Your Compass
From The Hill to the World
“EXPLORATION IS A TWO-WAY STREET,” says Ben Chan ’95, reflecting on a life defined by curiosity, discovery and a courageous willingness to embrace the unknown. Chan has visited close to 30 countries and territories around the globe. From the trails of St. Stephen’s to the wide-open steppes of Mongolia, shark tagging in the Bahamas and an epic archaeological dig in the United States, Chan has sought exploratory experiences that challenge him and broaden his understanding of the world and its people and those that preserve and protect cultural and familial stories of humanity in the world around him.
“To explore is to say yes to uncertainty — to allow discomfort to become my compass and to lean into the vastness of not actually knowing,” says Chan.
Chan’s scientific curiosity began long before his globe-trotting days — sparked in a place that elicits organic and uninhibited curiosity: the 370 acres of the St. Stephen’s campus. For Chan, “both the
people and the place shaped [him].”
Chan fondly remembers hiking, mountain biking and wandering the trails around campus with classmates. “We just wandered and found ourselves on [Loop] 360,” he says. The school’s environmental club, led by science instructor Troy Lanier, helped connect his curiosity with the study of nature.
In the classroom, retired instructor and former chair of the theology department Jim Woodruff — who taught that education is about mind, body and spirit — sparked Chan’s interest in metaphysics and spirituality. Chan also remembers St. Stephen’s art instructor Katie Graham telling students that “art is made to disturb” and encouraging him to embrace uncertainty and creativity. And during his senior year at the Independent Schools Association of the Southwest Arts Festival, the theme “Explore the Edge” reinforced his belief that growth happens when you step beyond your comfort zone.
“You don’t just discover. You’re here to translate, interpret and share the wonders you find — and hopefully spark that sense of wonder in others,” says Chan.
As an avid expeditionist, a National Park Service professional and a board member of the Washington, D.C., chapter of the Explorers Club, an international society founded in 1904 that promotes scientific exploration, Chan approaches each journey not simply as travel but also
as an opportunity to connect, reflect and inspire.
Chan’s adventure in Mongolia involved living in seminomadic herding communities, documenting traditional land-use practices and recording oral histories to help preserve a disappearing livelihood. He also assisted with wildlife surveys in the Gobi Desert, working alongside local conservationists to monitor endangered species and study the impact of climate change on fragile ecosystems.
Closer to home, Chan was a researcher on the Sugarland Ethno-History Project in Maryland. Its objective is uncovering the histories of post-Civil War African American communities and preserving narratives of resilience that might otherwise have been lost and forgotten. In the Bahamas, he tagged sharks to study their migration patterns, gaining insights into these majestic creatures while contributing to conservation efforts. No matter the location, whether through archaeology, marine biology or community research, Chan sees exploration as a way to understand humanity’s shared story.
Chan says his expeditions are a reminder that curiosity can open doors to every kind of journey, whether around the world or just beyond your backyard. His advice is simple: “Explore and say yes to new opportunities that cross your path.”
Education
Bachelor’s from The University of Texas at Austin, master’s from UT Austin’s LBJ School of Public Affairs
Global Focus
Pursued graduate studies at Johns Hopkins University, the East-West Center and the University of San Diego’s School of Global Policy
Public Service
Started federal service in 2007 as an intern with the Office of Management and Budget
Current Role
Branch manager at the National Park Service, combining passions for discovery, preservation and public service
Personal Lives just outside Washington, D.C., with his wife, Joan, their two children, Helena and Lexi, and their poodle, Teddy.
for
Learn more here: > explorers.org > sugarlandproject.org > isasw.org/arts-festival
Chan searching
fossils in Mongolia
Chan and expedition mates tagging sharks in the Bahamas
Watercolor sketch by Chan of the Oosh mountain range
Chan explores the Gobi Desert
How Alumni Are Celebrating
St. Stephen’s is marking its 75th anniversary with a yearlong series of events. From our humble beginnings in 1950 to a legacy of academic excellence, we invite you back to campus as we celebrate our history and the global impact of our community. We hope you’ll join us for Reunion Weekend 2026, April 17–19.
NEW FACULTY LECTURE SERIES LAUNCHES AT THE BLANTON
In mid-October 2025, St. Stephen’s Art History Instructor and Dean of Faculty Wallis Goodman guided a group of Spartans through the Blanton Art Museum at The University of Texas at Austin, providing a glimpse into a school field trip experience outside the classroom. Find more opportunities to learn from current and former faculty during Reunion Weekend (full schedule on page 29).
ANNIVERSARY FESTIVITIES KICKED OFF in September 2025 with the dedication of the new St. Stephen’s Aquatic Center and Spartan Loop, followed by the annual block party. Alumni gathered at our first-ever alumni tent to grab Spartan swag and cool drinks and to reconnect with classmates. Read more about the dedications on page 20–21.
1 Alumni at the block party
2 Alumni at the Faculty Lecture Series
3 New York City regional event
4 Washington, D.C., regional event
5 Class of 1975 party in November
6 Alumni with Liz Moon, fine arts chair, at the Madrigals 52nd Anniversary Reception before The Festival of Lessons and Carols service in December
7 Current and former Madrigals directors at the reception; (L to R) former Director Rick Gabrillo, Current Director Kendra Lipman and former Director Shearon Horton
8 Alumni from St. Stephen’s and St. Andrew’s at The Tavern in Austin in November
9 Alumni at the Austin Creative Reuse service project in November
REGIONAL ALUMNI EVENTS
The Spartan Alumni Association kicked off the 75th celebration with two East Coast gatherings. The annual event in New York City drew 60 alumni, and 20 alumni attended the Washington, D.C., event. We are grateful to volunteer leaders Madeline Renbarger ’14, alumni regional representative in New York City, and Ben Chan ’95, alumni regional representative in Washington, D.C., for their work and leadership in making both events a success.
ALUMNI SERVICE PROJECT: AUSTIN CREATIVE REUSE
Honoring St. Stephen’s mission to inspire a “spirit of service” in our community, alumni joined forces in November 2025 to serve a local nonprofit, Austin Creative Reuse. Led by Indigo Giles ’20, chair of alumni service for the Spartan Alumni Association Board, their efforts helped keep Austin’s landfills clear of reusable arts and crafts materials.
Spartan Alumni Association Board 2025–26
Shannon Powers Flahive ’96, P ’31
President
Louise McNutt Brazitis ’07
Vice President
Jane Dryden Louis ’69
Secretary
Liza Ayres ’14
Co-Chair, Reunion Weekend 2026
Amy Bieberdorf ’87
Alumni Regional Representative — Austin
Mallory Boyle ’04
Alumni Regional Representative — San Antonio; Co-chair, Reunion Weekend 2026
Benjamin Chan ’95
Alumni Regional Representative — Washington, D.C.
Laura Scanlan Cho ’89
Alumni Chair, Spartans Engage
Hank Ewert ’70, P ’05, ’98
Former Faculty Representative
Indigo Giles ’20 Chair, Alumni Service
Amanda Kushner ’08
Alumni Regional Representative — Dallas
Claire McKay ’71
Parent of Alumni Representative
Alice Nazro Nezzer ’87 Chair, Alumni Recognition
Maddie Renbarger ’14
Alumni Regional Representative — New York City
EMERITUS
Jonathan Quander ’89
Patricia Henna Rowe ’89, P ’23, ’19, ’16
Jennifer Stayton ’85
STAFF
Michelle Geo Olmstead Director of Alumni Relations
David Allen ’19
Alumni Engagement Officer
Winter Games
Alumni, the young and the young at heart competed in the annual alumni basketball, field hockey and soccer games over winter break. Thank you to Coaches Lamont King, Chris Breckwoldt ’86, Andy Aceves, Chelsea Richards and Andy Lopez ’14 for their dedication, enthusiasm and leadership in these cherished traditions.
Happy New Year
Spartans toasted to 2026 and the school’s 75th anniversary at the annual New Year Party on Jan. 8. The event was held at Colton House Hotel in south Austin. The Spartan Alumni Association is grateful to Colton House co-owners Jon Michelson ’89 and Marty Quander ’92 for hosting and to Austin Alumni Representative Amy Bieberdorf ’87 for helping make this happen.
Soccer
Field Hockey Basketball
Class Notes
We love to know what our graduates are up to and encourage alumni to share personal updates and accomplishments using the various methods outlined below.
1950s
Nancy Wilson Scanlan ’59 was inducted into the Austin Arts Hall of Fame on Sept. 13, 2025, for her significant and lasting contributions to the city’s culture. Selected alongside nine other Austinites by a panel of 10 previous Hall of Famers, Nancy was praised for her “keen eye” and “open hand.” The Austin American-Statesman wrote of her photography: “When she’s looking through a camera lens, Nancy Scanlan has a way of capturing the world in images that draw our attention.” One Hall of Famer commented on her philanthropy, saying, “Nancy has supported Austin’s varied arts scene financially and in person consistently for years! Her name is listed on almost every event I attend, and she is always in the audience. An absolute yes.”
1960s
Sara Armstrong ’68 writes that her husband, Bob, has semiretired. Their son, Kyle Armstrong ’97, now oversees the oil and gas side of the family business, while Bob continues to manage the ranches. After 49 years in their building, Sara and Bob will be moving soon. Per Sara, “It is going to be nuts! My life has gotten even busier working with an Alzheimer’s group and prison ministries while traveling as much as I can, as long as I can. This year, we’ve been to Greece, Italy and New York. And I was able to see lots of St. Stephen’s alumni in Santa Fe! Love to see anyone who comes through Santa Fe or Roswell.”
Molly Dougherty ’68 has three new family members! She recently welcomed two adorable kittens, Amber and Santi, into her home and now also welcomes Natasha, her late husband Kip’s primary caregiver and a refugee from Rwanda. Molly writes that all three are helping her immeasurably with her sadness after the loss of her dear Kip.
SHARE YOUR NOTES
Online at sstx.org/alumni, select the “Stay Connected” box, or email your class rep (found on page 43), molmstead@sstx.org or dallen@sstx.org
Please include:
• A 50-to-100-word blurb
A high-resolution photograph, if necessary, JPG format preferred
Full names and class years of everyone mentioned
Spartan Magazine editors may edit or omit submitted information as necessary.
Steve Goodson ’68 hosted a small reunion for the Class of 1968 at his ranch near Clifton, Texas, in mid-November 2025.
Margaret Halcomb ’68 and her daughter are knee-deep in raising two boys, ages 9 and 14. This past summer, mother and daughter took the boys on a cruise to Norway and Edinburgh, Scotland, then spent several days in London with Margaret’s son and his wife. “What a blast!” Margaret says. “The boys did not want to leave.” She adds that she and Rick are doing well. “We have our share of aches and pains, but nothing that really holds us down. With that said, we aren’t hiking
and biking like we used to, but we do stay busy. We have always tried to pack a lot of foreign and domestic traveling into our lives, but now, with the boys in school, we can’t always travel together. Overall, life is good.”
Robert Henderson ’68 and his wife, Kiki, spent their annual beach week with old friends on the Outer Banks of North Carolina — a respite from the routines of grandkid care, doctors appointments and yard work. Amid beach walks, beautiful sunsets, lovely dinners and the rising of the supermoon over the Atlantic on Oct. 7, 2025, Robert caught up on reading and even wrote a review for an impressive self-published author. He describes The Spy in the City of Books by Stephen O’Connor as “a well-paced, surprisingly funny and entertaining read. I recommend this book for anyone, but for those who enjoy understanding our past — this one is special.”
Robert’s full review reads:
“O’Connor cruises down the historical river from the Second World War with the geopolitical panache of James Bond and the verve of a literary Indiana Jones. Set in the small town of Lowell, Massachusetts, it follows an OSS veteran haunted by sacrifices made supporting the French Resistance and a contemporary police detective doing his job with help from that same old spy. The detective and the OSS vet share a love of classic literature, gracing this thriller with poignant quotes and smatterings of colloquial French and Spanish — which drove me to my cellphone for translation and references. But it also offers insight into the costs of war — while reminding us of the beauty of which humans are capable. O’Connor freshens Faulkner’s ‘The past is never dead. It’s not even past.’ His characters live and breathe, struggle and speak, love and grow, and yes, pass on … or do they? Without extravagance, he details the emotional costs of breaches to civil society that can bring war to the villages of our life. Drawing on classics of literature and philosophy, O’Connor shares timeless insights into his characters, into our character and into those characters we may meet on the way.”
Ellen O’Brien ’68 and her husband, Duane, are getting ready to list their log home in western North Carolina as they prepare to move into a continuing care retirement community in Columbus, North Carolina They write that they “hate leaving the friends we’ve made here in Brevard, as well as the wonderful local restaurants and beautiful scenery, but now is the time.” Their daughter, Char, is still outside
Portland, Oregon, and their son, Keelan, just moved back to Vietnam after a six-year absence. Both are doing well. Ellen has been active in Good Trouble Transylvania, a local branch of Red Wine and Blue. Her new reading recommendations are On Tyranny by Timothy Snyder and Taming the Chaos of Dementia by Barbara J. Huelat and Sharon Pochron.
In 2025, Nancy Pope ’68 completed two book-length projects. The first, a scholarly collection she edited — NLW MS Brogyntyn ii.1: Understanding a Multi-Scribe Manuscript Miscellany — was published in the summer, concluding more than four years of work. Nancy recruited other scholars to contribute original articles, edited their work and wrote both the introduction and one of the essays. She also compiled a contents list for the manuscript, a bibliography for the volume and two indexes. Additionally, Nancy contributed an article to another edited collection, How Medieval Songs Come Down: Essays in Memory of Carter Revard. Both books are aimed primarily at scholars in medieval English, but Nancy encourages her fellow Spartans to read Revard’s poetry. She writes, “Osage himself grew up on the Ponca reservation in Oklahoma, and I feel sure many of his poems would evoke memories of landscapes and people familiar to some of us.” Nancy adds, “In other news, Mike and I have now been to Italy for the first time and are planning to go to France at least twice in the foreseeable future.”
Tony Tichenor ’68 traveled to Banff, Canada, with 75 Princeton classmates, staying at the historic Banff Springs Hotel. Built in the 1880s at the same time as the Canadian Pacific Railroad, the hotel has a long and storied history. Tony reports, “Unfortunately, a couple of people got COVID-19 while there, but not as bad as a few years ago
when two-thirds of the group got it on a trip to the Czech Republic. I write this as I am staying in a hotel in Princeton before the homecoming game tomorrow against Harvard. And the hotel is filled with young men in crimson sweatshirts with a large ‘H’ on them. I hope that I survive!”
1970s
Beloved former English teacher and college counselor Hank Ewert ’70 has launched a new life chapter as an author. His book, Let the Music Speak: Tracking the Sounds That Changed Everything, 1945–1950, was released Sept. 1, 2025. As part of his promotional tour, Hank and his wife, Claire McKay ’71, attended the Louisiana Book Festival, joining fellow Spartans James Dart ’71 and Charles Chamberlain ’83. (Picture 1)
In early October 2025, three-fourths of Dinosaur Victrola traveled to Carrollton, Mississippi, to attend the annual Mississippi John Hurt Homecoming Festival. Tara and Jim Crosby ’70 picked up Barry Gilbert ’70 along the way for a great road trip, and Dee Meador ’70 joined the group after flying to Memphis. Robert George ’71 (the absent 25%) was unable to attend. Rick Urash ’70 had hoped to join from Georgia, but unexpected dental issues kept him home. The group reports that the festival was a lot of fun, with Jim as one of the featured performers! Dee and Barry also played informally with Jim and some of his friends. One attendee treated the audience to music from a selection of 78 rpm phonographs played on an ancient Victrola, and Barry arranged for the Dinos to be photographed with the iconic machine. Celebrate antiquity! (Picture 2)
Dee Meador ’70 reports that the Class of ’70 had a great 55th reunion in April 2025. “Roughly
half of the class showed up, which is pretty impressive given how long ago we all graduated,” he says. Dee and his wife, Jennifer, have been retired for nine years and have enjoyed extensive travel, most recently on a riverboat trip down the Magdalena River in Colombia. Dee plays a lot of golf, makes music with friends and spends plenty of time with his eight grandchildren — all girls except for one boy, Thomas, who lives in France. He closes, “Best regards to all, and I hope to see you at the next reunion.”
Danna Orr ’72 has dedicated 240 acres of her family’s land in Nueces County, Texas to the Aguanita de Chapeño project. The initiative aims to create a wetland that will filter nutrients and improve water quality in Petronila Creek and Baffin Bay. A full article is available through the Corpus Christi Caller-Times, originally published Aug. 15, 2025.
Ann Rhodes McMeans ’74 is enjoying retirement, especially traveling with friends and spending time with family. In July 2025, she went to Cuernavaca, Mexico, with a group of SSES classmates, including Kathryn Miller Anderson ’71, Margaret Miller Pierce ’72, Katherine Brogan Enyart ’73 and Ginger Borron Arizola ’71 Ann reports, “It was a great trip and fun to catch up with these ladies.” She has also welcomed two granddaughters to her brood of two grandsons. Her younger son, Will, and his wife, Maureen, had a baby girl, Faye, in March. Her older son, John, and his wife, Jessie, are fostering baby Junia, the biological sister of their adopted son, Neo, with hopes of adopting her as well. Ann adds, “I am traveling a lot to see all my grands. I am playing more pickleball than should be allowed, but I am loving it! Making new friends and staying fit! I am also doing volunteer work to keep my brain engaged. So all is good!” (Picture 3)
James Dart ’71, Hank Ewert ’70, Claire McKay ’71 and Charles Chamberlain ’83
Dee Meador ’70, Jim Crosby ’70 and Barry Gilbert ’70
Michael Mehaffy ’74 reports that he and his family set off again to run the International Making Cities Livable conference — this time in Potsdam, Germany — with partners including the King’s Foundation, UN-Habitat and the Congress for the New Urbanism. Michael’s daughter, Leslie, and several grandkids will once again crew for them! After that, they will go on a family exploration of Alsace and Switzerland, learning about European history and current geopolitical events. Lucky kids ... and lucky granddad!
Mike Peters ’74 writes, “Welp, I turned 69. Assuming I survive through Saturday, our marriage will turn 39. We’re still in Albuquerque, nestled amidst some of the most beautiful counties in the world. I’m reading, walking, taking pictures, playing hockey and going on little trips. Life is good. It’s better than I have any right to expect. And I hope that’s true for everyone else, too.”
Kathy Gamble Pilugin ’74 is living in St. Paul, Minnesota. She recently published her memoir, Echoes of a Global Life, in the summer of 2025. The book is a memoir, travelogue and history of Kathy’s world of constant change, covering her life from Burma to Russia and beyond. It is available on Amazon, among other online booksellers. Kathy spent October in New Zealand and continues to love traveling and says, “Best to all!”
Kelley Crow Snowden ’74 is still working as a consultant monitoring and evaluating federal grant projects. She reports that the job has become more challenging due to restrictions on language surrounding race and gender. She writes, “All in all, a bit frustrating! But it’s still fun — at least for me.”
In June 2025, Cydney Donnell ’77 began her service as vice chair of Trinity University’s board of trustees. She first joined the board in 2019.
1980s
Jennifer Stayton ’85 was one of the 2025 Williams College Bicentennial Medal recipients. The school says the medal was “established in 1993 on the occasion of the college’s 200th anniversary ... to honor members of the Williams community for distinguished achievement in any field of endeavor.” Jennifer graduated from Williams College in 1989 and has spent nearly 30 years working in public radio. For the past 21 years, she has been the local host of National Public Radio’s “Morning Edition” on KUT 90.5 FM in Austin. (Picture 4)
Laura Scanlan Cho ’89 and her daughter, Callie Cho ’19, received a behind-the-scenes tour of the U.S. Supreme Court from Kate Goodman ’20, who served as a marshal’s aide. (Picture 5)
Jonathan Quander ’89 completed his service on the Spartan Alumni Association Board as Houston regional representative and was honored with a nomination to become an emeritus member. He also began serving as executive chair of the St. Stephen’s Board of Trustees; read more on page 17.
1990s
Christopher Schade ’90 held a solo exhibition of paintings, drawings and scratchboards at The Painting Center in New York City. The exhibit, titled “Strange Land,” included nearly 50 works spanning almost 20 years. The show ran Oct. 28–Nov. 22, 2025. For more information, visit Christopher’s website at christopherschade.com or his Instagram, @christopherschadestudio.
In May 2025, Erin Gottlieb ’91 was profiled in the Austin American-Statesman for her achievements as chief pediatric cardiac anesthesiologist at Dell Children’s Medical Center in Austin. In addition, the newspaper praised Erin’s courage
Actor Daniel Norton ’76 landed a feature role in the Paramount series “1923” starring Harrison Ford, Timothy Dalton and Helen Mirren. He played the butler to Dalton’s character.
Callie Cho ’19, Kate Goodman ’20 and Laura Scanlan Cho ’89 5
Margaret Miller Pierce ’72, Ann Rhodes McMeans ’74, Katherine Brogan Enyart ’73, Kathryn Miller Anderson ’71 and Ginger Borron Arizola ’71
Jennifer Stayton ’85
and the reassurance she provides to the children and families in her care. Read the full article, “How Dell Children’s Dr. Erin Gottlieb Sees the Sickest Patients Through Heart Surgery,” on the Statesman’s website.
Rhea Benbow Thomas ’95 published her first book, a magical realism short story collection titled Let Birds Fly, and held a launch event in September 2025 at Birdhouse Books in Austin.
Two hotels owned and operated by Jayson Seidman ’97, along with one hotel he owns in partnership with local Austinite Liz Lambert, received the 2025 Michelin Key, recognizing them among the Michelin Guide’s most outstanding hotels in the country: the Hotel Henrietta, Hotel Saint Vincent and Columns in New Orleans. (Picture 6)
2000s
The audiobook Buckeye, written by Patrick Ryan and narrated by Michael Crouch ’03, was named one of Barnes & Noble Reads’ “Best Audiobooks of 2025.”
Jocelyn Tau ’03 was promoted to chief of staff for U.S. Rep. Lloyd Doggett, who represents Texas’ 37th Congressional District.
Leslie King ’05 celebrated her wedding in Arnhem, Netherlands, with friends and family, including Spartans Kate MacLauchlan ’05, Sam Bremen ’04, Claire McKay ’71 and Hank Ewert ’70. (Picture 7)
Ryan Neely ’07 was in the original cast for the world premiere of Ken Ludwig’s “Death on the Nile” at Arena Stage. He next appeared in the U.S. premiere of a smaller play called “The One Good Thing.” In between productions, Ryan continues teaching children and adults, mostly through the Shakespeare Theatre Co., from 6- to 11-year-olds performing “Hamlet” to working professionals seeking to improve their public speaking and other soft skills.
Miriam Conner ’08 was elected president of Preservation Austin, a citywide nonprofit whose vision is to “create a future where historic places play a meaningful role in everyone’s life, inspiring all Austinites to become advocates for preservation.”
2010s
Sarafina Nance, Ph.D. ’11, was awarded the 2025 Outstanding Young Texas Ex Award by the Texas Exes.
Saara Hassoun ’14 was named president of the Minnesota Aurora FC, the state’s preprofessional women’s soccer team in the USL W league. (Picture 8)
Mary Moore ’14 married Sergio Perez in McAllen, Texas, on Aug. 9, 2025. (Picture 9)
On Sept. 12, 2025, Noah Murphy ’15 ran the Run Rabbit Run 100 Mile Race in Steamboat Springs, Colorado. He covered 103 miles and 17,000 feet of elevation gain, finishing in 32 hours, 40 minutes.
Andrew Rowe ’16 married Annie Coaty in Copper Mountain, Colorado, on July 5, 2025. Spartans in attendance included his parents, Mark Rowe ’88 and Patricia Henna Rowe ’89; his aunt Elizabeth Henna ’87; his sister Elizabeth Rowe ’19; his brother Matthew Rowe ’23; groomsmen Hunter Kirkland ’16, Ben Price ’16, Blake Reissig ’16 and Harrison Garber ’16; and guests Wyatt Richards ’16 and Emily Danuser ’17, as well as St. Stephen’s Director of Alumni Relations Michelle Geo Olmstead. (Picture 10)
Blossom Maduafokwa ’18 spoke on a panel about African creativity at the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity in June 2025 at the festival’s first-ever African Creators Mixer. She also received the Prince Claus SEED Award, a grant awarded to 100 emerging creatives
Mary Moore ’14 and Sergio Perez
Sam Bremen ’04, Hank Ewert ’70, Leslie King ’05, Kate MacLauchlan ’05 and Claire McKay ’71
Saara Hassoun ’14
worldwide with a socially engaged practice. According to the Prince Claus Fund website, Blossom “champions racial justice through music.” (Picture 11)
2020s
Kendall Hieber ’20 graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy and received a placement on nuclear submarines. (Picture 12)
Ivy Fan ’22 reports that her startup, Spice-ABowl, won second place at the Freed Family Pitch Competition and received $10,000 in funding this past fall. The competition was hosted by the Herb Kelleher Entrepreneurship Center at The University of Texas at Austin McCombs School of Business. (Picture 13)
Lucille Hancock ’22 was honored with the Joseph E. Nettles Scholarship in Journalism by the University of Richmond. The scholarship was established in 1982 as a memorial to the Richmond journalism program’s founder and 30year faculty member, Joseph E. Nettles.
Chris Chang ’25 and his team won first place at Columbia University’s $1,500 Dedalus Labs Hackathon in October 2025.
West Point cadet Felix Eugene ’25 traveled to Colorado Springs, Colorado, to cheer for Army at the annual Army-Air Force football game. He met with fellow Spartan alumni Tyra Lovell ’24 and Alexander Agrawal ’25, both cadets at the U.S. Air Force Academy. (Picture 14)
Last year’s Rudolph H. Green Art Award recipient, Leela Weisser ’25, and her mother, Greta Weisser ’86, gathered in the home of Rudy Green ’71 and Joyce Christian in August 2025. Joined by Ricky Green ’86, the group viewed and discussed Rudy and Joyce’s art collection. With 54 years between Rudy and Leela’s time at St. Stephen’s, Ricky declared it “a great Spartan celebration of art!” (Picture 15)
Kendall Hieber ’20 12
Tyra Lovell ’24, Felix Eugene ’25 and Alexander Agrawal ’25
Leela Weisser ’25, Ricky Green ’86, Greta Weisser ’86, Rudy Green ’71 and Joyce Christian
15
Ivy Fan ’22 13
Spartans gather at the Rowe wedding in July 2025
Blossom Maduafokwa ’18
Charles Chamberlain ’83
Carolyn Cohagan ’90
Prosser
Stirling ’73
Spartan Author Series
Four writers connected with the global St. Stephen’s alumni community — to share their creative journeys and their views on artificial intelligence.
St. Stephen’s alumni often credit the school’s strong English program for sharpening their writing skills. For some, that foundation became a lifelong calling they now share with readers far beyond The Hill, and four of them, who are now published authors, recently returned to campus virtually to share their writing experience.
The Spartan Alumni Association sponsored its annual Spartan Authors Series. The series further reinforces the school’s mission: to inspire a lasting love of learning and spirit of service so that each of its students lives a life of meaning and enriches the world. One of the ways the association accomplishes this is by building closer relationships among its members and between the association and the school.
“The success of a school can be measured by the lives of its alumni, and this series is a way for us not only to continue fostering the strong relationship with our alumni community but also to create opportunities for our community members to share knowledge with each other,” said David Allen ’19, alumni engagement officer.
The author series began in 2024, but this is the first time the department hosted a virtual panel, as it wanted to expand the opportunity for more alumni who are not in Austin. The panel featured Charles Chamberlain ’83, Carolyn Cohagan ’90, Hank Ewert ’70, P ’05, ’98, and Prosser Stirling ’73 and was moderated by Clay Nichols P ’22, ’19, ’16, leadership giving officer, author and playwright.
“It’s a point of pride seeing so many authors with connections to St. Stephen’s,” said Nichols. “This is
a school that has a long tradition of honoring and encouraging kids toward self-expression.”
Alumni nationwide joined the Zoom discussion as panelists, two of whom joined the call from Europe, reflected on their writing journeys, how they developed their voices and the growing role of artificial intelligence in storytelling.
Charles Chamberlain ’83, a professor at the University of New Orleans, recently released his second book, New Orleans: A Concise History of an Exceptional City. He said his love of reading, music and performance at St. Stephen’s first sparked his interest in writing, crediting Dobbie Leverton Fenton ’63’s transformative African literature course. Fenton taught English and served as school counselor for 33 years at St. Stephen’s.
Adapted from his dissertation on mobilizing the American South during World War II, Chamberlain published his first book in 2003 and is already working on a third book, about the history of New Orleans music. He aims to engage readers from a wide range of backgrounds and experiences.
“I love getting in that zone where everything flows,” said Chamberlain. “In terms of my voice, I try to write as though I’m speaking to a tour group or class.”
Carolyn Cohagan ’90 has published five novels. Her debut, The Lost Children, was released by Simon & Schuster in 2010 and was later featured in the Scholastic Book Club. Her Time Zero young adult trilogy earned more than 10 literary honors. Her most recent novel, Drowning Song, is an adult mystery set in the Texas Hill Country.
Cohagan said St. Stephen’s emphasis on student choice in reading helped shape her literary voice and her discovery of improv on The Hill. During summer workshops she offers to young writers, she tells them being a big talker, like she was as a teenager, is an asset to finding your own voice.
“Have you ever been in school and your teachers are telling you to stop talking? Do your parents tell you to stop talking?” said Cohagen. “When you’re writing, no one can tell you to stop talking.”
Former St. Stephen’s English instructor and music lover Hank Ewert ’70, P ’05, ’98 published his first book, Let the Music Speak, in 2025. He said becoming an author was never his goal but something he was passionate to learn more about and explore.
“This was a personal project — to get more information about stuff that interests me,” said Ewert.
Award-winning poet Prosser Stirling ’73 said his writing path required patience and trust. “Are poets born or do poets become? That will be the lifelong question for me,” said Stirling.
Stirling, who attended St. Stephen’s as a boarding student, said he has long kept a notebook of words
and ideas. A poetry workshop eventually helped him realize he was a poet. “I see the world in metaphor and simile,” said Stirling.
While the authors talked about their work for much of the conversation, the topic of AI and its prevalence, accessibility and usefulness in the writing process was hard to ignore. Some panelists acknowledged AI’s relevance in the editing phase but they agreed it becomes problematic when used to replace human originality and creativity.
“The idea that now you can say, “Write me an entire novel in the style of Carolyn Cohagan,” said Cohagan. “I mean, as a writer all I’ve got is my voice, right? All I’ve got is my individual voice.”
Have you written a book — or know a Spartan alum who has? Email David Allen ’19, alumni engagement officer, at dallen@sstx.org. We want to make sure it’s on the shelves in Becker Library.
Scan to watch the virtual panel recording, and stay tuned for details on the next Spartan Alumni Author Series.
David Hachett ’53 died May 4, 2025. A proud Spartan, he captained the basketball and baseball teams and played on the school’s first undefeated football team. David earned a degree in economics from the University of the South in Sewanee, Tennessee in 1957, lettering in football and track, and later served as a U.S. Marine Corps officer. David had a successful career in the energy industry, including leadership roles at Butler Drilling and Mitchell Energy, cofounding several oil and gas ventures and working as a petroleum landman at Shorthorn Resources. In 1964, he married Mary Montague, and together they built a life of adventure while raising their son and living in Texas, Florida, Colorado and Virginia. A lifelong sportsman and mentor, David coached youth and high school football with passion and pride.
John Collin Whitehurst ’60 died Feb. 15, 2025. A St. Stephen’s student and Abilene High School graduate, he earned degrees from Whittier College and Texas State University. He began in accounting but earned a master’s degree in social work from Our Lady of the Lake University and dedicated his career to health care, primarily in dialysis. After retiring in the late 1990s, John lived in San Antonio, where he was active in The Episcopal Church of the Holy Spirit. He loved railroading and traveling to visit family. John will be remembered at a service on Feb. 24.
George “Louis” Allen ’61 died April 30, 2025, in Austin. Louis graduated from St. Stephen’s and earned a business degree from The University of Texas at Austin. He married Wanda Karen Bodiford in 1967, and they raised three daughters. Louis worked in research and institutional sales, earned an MBA from North Texas State University, became a CPA and earned a doctorate in accounting. He taught at Texas
State University, formerly known as Southwest Texas State University, and the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor, publishing research that improved accounting practices. In retirement, Louis enjoyed golf, bridge, travel and volunteering. A graveside service was held May 9, 2025, in Weatherford, Texas.
Robert “Bobby” Tamminga ’67 died Sept. 5, 2025, of pneumonia. At St. Stephen’s, he excelled in multiple sports and choir, later studying at Sewanee and The University of Texas at Austin. During the 1960s, Bobby marched for human and environmental rights, traveled extensively throughout Latin America and built a successful career as a contractor and business owner. He loved gardens, museums, books, films and music and was a devoted Texas Longhorns and Dallas Cowboys fan. A virtual memorial service was held Oct. 23.
Evelyn Brantly Garrett ’68 died June 8, 2025, at her home in Durham, North Carolina. Born in Winchester, Virginia, she lived a life of service
by Chris Caselli ’82
and friendship and had a love of animals and the culinary arts — sparked by her studies in Paris. While on The Hill, Evelyn was active in drama club, French club, Alter Guild and yearbook and was a library assistant. She earned a degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and worked in investment banking in Dallas before returning to Durham in 1983. She is survived by her husband of 35 years, John Hartwell Garrett, and extended family. A graveside memorial was held June 12 in Kittrell, North Carolina.
Alden Hurst ’11 died unexpectedly May 17, 2025, in Houston. He attended St. Francis Episcopal Day School, Spring Branch Middle School, Memorial High School in Houston, St. Stephen’s, Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles and Pepperdine Law School, where he formed lasting relationships and deepened his love for learning. Alden had a respected legal career and loved basketball, hiking, skiing, chess, music, travel and fantasy football. Known for his warmth, intellect and humor, he was beloved by family and friends. A celebration of life was held June 14 at The Houston Racquet Club.
Henry Shore ’25 died unexpectedly in early December 2025. He came to St. Stephen’s as a junior in 2023 and was an active Spartan and an inspiring force in both the residential community and the Soccer Academy. After graduation, Henry began his collegiate career at LeTourneau University in Longview, Texas. As a first-year student he was thriving in the classroom and on the soccer field. Current students, faculty and staff attended his memorial service in Longview, where Henry’s father spoke about being in awe of his son’s big heart and the compassion he showed others.
Cordelia Ross, Ph.D., died on Aug. 19, 2025, after a 14-month battle with cancer. The St. Stephen’s community journeyed with Cordelia and her husband, Wayne, through her diagnosis and the emergency birth of their daughter, Viola. The former St. Stephen’s English instructor and caving coach grew up in New Mexico and began teaching on The Hill in 2022. She later joined the school’s Devil’s Canyon Adventure Program. Cordelia earned a bachelor’s degree in English from Dartmouth College and a doctorate from the University of California, Davis. Combining her formal education with extensive caving experience and technical cave search-and-rescue training, she was eager to merge her passions in her work. Though her time at St. Stephen’s was brief, Cordelia’s impact on the community is deeply felt.
Photo
Alumni Class Representatives
Will Brewster ’51 brewsterwilliam34@gmail.com
Michael Hines ’54 poppyhines@msn.com
Colin Phipps ’55 colin@phippsfarm.com
Ruth Wilson Witten ’57 ruthwitten@aol.com
J.P. Bryan ’58 bryanj@teai.com
Tom Romberg ’59 tromberg@me.com
Pat Fatter Black ’60 ggpat77@gmail.com
Steve Jolly ’61 stevejolly@mindspring.com
David Sanders ’62 rdavidsanders@msn.com
Julia Cauthorn ’63 julia@texancapital.com
Arthur Wright ’64 arthur.wright@tklaw.com
Dianne Duncan Tucker ’65 ddtuck@aol.com
Randy Parten ’67 jrparten@parten.com
Robert Henderson ’68 rehenderson@nvcc.edu
Josh Harrison ’69 jharrisonlaw@aol.com
Dee Meador ’70 meadortx@yahoo.com
Kathryn Miller Anderson ’71 zjmiller1513@gmail.com
Darrell David ’72 darrell.s.david@gmail.com
Douglass Anderson ’73 dlalaw@hotmail.com
Ann Rhodes McMeans ’74 armcmeans@gmail.com
Dr. Mary L. Brandt ’75 mary.l.brandt@gmail.com
Dan Norton ’76 daniel@danielnorton.com
Robert Ettinger ’77 robert@ettlaw.com
Mark Tucker ’78 mrtucker@mindspring.com
Carroll Lively Reeser ’79 carroll@reeser.net
Peter Larkam ’80 peter@peterlarkam.com
Charlotte Stuckey Brigham ’81 charbrigham@gmail.com
Thomas Groff-Barragan ’24 groffthomasusa@gmail.com
Charlie Hubbard ’25 charliehubbardjr@gmail.com
Casey Maina ’25 caseymaina@gmail.com
The classes of 1966, 2003 and 2004 are seeking class representatives. If you are interested, please contact Michelle Geo Olmstead, director of alumni relations, at molmstead@sstx.org.
Get Social!
Connect with St. Stephen’s and your classmates online
LinkedIn Group
St. Stephen’s Episcopal School Alumni
Private Alumni Facebook Group facebook.com/Groups/StStephensAlumniGroup
Follow St. Stephen’s on:
Facebook facebook.com/sstx.org
Instagram @SSTX_OnTheHill
YouTube @StStephensAustin
If you have not received emails from the Alumni Office recently, we may not have your current email address. Please send your information to dallen@sstx.org so you do not miss invitations to events and news about your classmates!
Origins of the Land
St. Stephen’s land was home to the Jumanos and Coahuiltecan people before becoming the territory of the Tonkawa, who were displaced by the expansion of the Comanche (Numunuu), who were later displaced by European settlers. Largely of Scottish and Irish descent, the Cedar Choppers — who made their living by harvesting juniper trees (mistakenly referred to as cedar) — were the first group of people to move into the area after the annexation of Texas by the United States. Its isolation and relative protection from the natural cycle of Texas Hill Country wildfires allowed the land to evolve into a unique habitat, more densely wooded than the surrounding area. The school’s land was later used as an overgrazed goat ranch and carved out of parcels of Rob Roy’s ranch before becoming home to the Spartans.
— CHARLTON PERRY DIRECTOR OF OUTDOOR EDUCATION AND LAND MANAGEMENT
1 Cofounder and first head of school, the Rev. William Brewster, surveys the land.
2 Distinguished by a series of travertine waterfalls and dense vegetation, this area on campus, at the foot of a trail that starts at the baseball field, is often referred to as the Gulch and more formally named Devil’s Canyon. Legend says it was called Devil’s Canyon on maps before St. Stephen’s existed.
3 St. Stephen’s campus is nestled in the northwest corner of a large bend in the Colorado River, historically referred to as “the peninsula,” photo circa 1893.
Thank you to our 2025–26 parent volunteers for sharing the importance of the Annual Fund with our community!
Keep the Annual Fund Momentum Going!
The Annual Fund is the engine that powers a truly transformative education. As a key component of Lasting Impact: The Campaign for St. Stephen’s, your Annual Fund gift supports the school’s day-to-day needs: faculty development and salaries, academic and cocurricular programs, athletics, arts, campus sustainability, and financial aid and scholarships. Help us reach and surpass our 2025–26 $1.8 million goal.
Make a Lasting Impact with your gift to the Annual Fund.
sstx.org/givenow
6500 St. Stephen’s Drive Austin, TX 78746
St. Stephen’s 75th anniversary celebration continues this spring. We hope to see you at Reunion Weekend, Grand Day, graduation and more!
sstx.org/75-years
PARTING SHOT
Upper School students enjoy the Spartan Loop and Aquatic Center dedications. Read more on page 21.
