EHS Pillars - Spring 2016

Episcopal High School was founded in 1983 as a four-year coeducational day school within the Episcopal Diocese of Texas. 

ACCREDITATION 

Independent Schools Association of the Southwest 

MEMBERSHIPS 

National Association of Independent Schools 

National Association of Episcopal Schools 

Council for the Advancement and Support of Education 

Educational Records Bureau 

College Board 

National Association for College Admission Counseling 

Texas Association for College Admission Counseling 

Southwest Preparatory Conference 

MISSION 

Episcopal High School is an institution of the Episcopal Diocese of Texas established for the purpose of providing a superior 

education in preparation for college and a significant life thereafter. Through a rich offering of academic, spiritual, artistic, and 

athletic programs, the School provides an opportunity for each student to reach his or her maximum spiritual, intellectual, 

social, and ethical potential. Operating as a Christian community within the beliefs and traditions of the Episcopal Church, EHS 

in its teaching philosophy emphasizes understanding and responding to the individual needs and capabilities of each student. 

In an effort to reflect the community we serve, EHS strives to maintain a student body that is diverse in its social, economic, 

ethnic, and academic backgrounds. 

ADMISSION 

Episcopal High School admits students of all races, colors, and national/ethnic origins to all the rights, privileges, programs, and 

activities accorded or made available to students at the School. The School does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, or 

national/ethnic origin in the administration of its educational and admission policies, scholarship and loan programs, or athletic 

and other school-administered programs. 

ALUMNI 

Please share your news with the EHS Alumni Association. Send information to: 

Margaret Young 

myoung@ehshouston.org 

713-512-3600 

Kendall McCord '03 

kmccord@ehshouston.org 

713-512-3478 

Episcopal High School 

P. O. Box 271299 

Houston, TX 77277-1299 

b facebook.com/groups/EHSHoustonAlumni 

x instagram.com/ehs_alumni 

j linkedin.com/grps/Episcopal-High-School-Houston-Alumni-1029617 

This publication is printed on FSC certified paper with soy-based inks.

The Episcopal High School Magazine

IN THIS ISSUE 

From the Head of School 04 

News at EHS 06 

Capital Campaign Update 08 

Founder Evelyn Howell 10 

Interim Term Expands the Map 12 

Bright Knights 18 

3D Printing 22 

Alumni Weekend 26 

Pop Quiz 31 

Class Notes 44 

The Last Word 49 

ON THE COVER 

EHS's 3D printer adds a new dimension of technology 

to the classroom. Students Rohan Asthana '19, Brooke 

Doyle '17, and Austin McGinnis '18 create a Knights 

coaster using the 3D printer. Photo by Ashleigh Teel.

SAVE THE DATE 

Commencement 05-22-16 

Alumni Leadership Day 10-19-16 

Auction Gala 02-24-17 

Alumni Weekend 2016 award winners Andrew Hawthorn '91, Karen Foster, 

Sharifa Rhodes-Pitts '96, and Julie Rollins. Photo by Chris Bailey Photography.

FROM THE 

HEAD OF SCHOOL 

Dear EHS Family, 

At its heart, Episcopal High School is about people, and in particular, students. If you 

read nothing else in this issue of Pillars, read "Bright Knights" on pages 18 to 21 featuring 

two of this year's graduating seniors Izzy Haugh and Gilbert Giles-Sosa. As different as 

their passions are, these students embody the best of EHS as they approach their lives 

with energy and enthusiasm, as well as with humility. In her profile, Izzy states that at EHS, 

"I also learned from not having the outcome I wanted." Gilbert, for his part, finds that, "In 

life, no outcome is guaranteed; all we can do is our best." That two of our most talented 

seniors, justifiably proud of their accomplishments, approach their lives with such humility 

reminds us that our founders' mission continues to inspire today's students to lives of 

significance through all Four Pillars. 

From "Bright Knights" move either forward or backward and marvel at the 

accomplishments of other current students, faculty, and alumni in service to that mission. 

Read about Austin McGinnis and his team of sophomores who are designing a car with 

a 3D printer. Learn about our theater students' Interim Term trip across the Deep South, 

studying the civil rights era and performing A Piece of My Heart and Godspell led by 

teachers Brad Telford, George Brock, and Jay Berckley. Or discover the work that alum 

Andrew Patterson '06 is doing using nanotechnology to make medical tests "smart." 

It is such a blessing to lead Episcopal High School and to witness the good that the 

EHS community does in the world every day. This ethos of service inspired the founders 

to launch the School. It led them to connect with others, or in Jack Trotter's words, as 

recounted by founder Evelyn Howell on page 11, "to look them in the eyes and say, 'I 

hope you will join me.'" 

As we prepare to send the Class of 2016 into the world, we are confident that they will 

continue this mission, leading their communities in ways both large and small. 

Go Knights! 

Kind regards, 

Ned Smith 

Head of School

Head of School Ned Smith teamed up with EHS father Jonas Georgsson and history teacher 

Alan Bradshaw '99 at the 23rd Annual Dads Club Golf Tournament, which raises funds to 

support student activities, programs, and service projects. Photo by Mauro Gomez.

NEWS AT EHS 

Score One for 

Boys Soccer 

The EHS Boys Soccer team claimed 

its first title in more than two decades 

at the SPC Winter Championships 

in February, beating St. John's 3-1. 

Carlos Valdez scored two goals, 

and midfielder Hall Sasnett scored 

one goal in the highly competitive 

championship match. 

According to head coach Travis Smith, 

"We finished fourth, third, and second 

in SPC in the last three years, so it 

feels incredible to finally get first place." 

Smith adds that the team is the first 

to win from the South Zone since the 

mid-1990s. The School's last soccer 

championship happened in 1992. 

Smith says that Valdez, who scored four 

goals over the three-day competition, 

was a standout and a great leader all 

season. The team had an outstanding 

defense too, including a defense 

senior Holden Zisman, junior Cristian 

Arias, sophomore Chris Short, 

freshman Humberto Leal, and All-SPC 

goalkeeper Giancarlo Ayanegui, who 

surrendered only eight goals all season. 

Daily Chapel: It's 

All the Talk 

When the students and faculty gather 

for daily Chapel each morning, the 

20-minute gathering provides time in 

the day to reflect, pray, sing, and feed 

the soul. 

Those minutes can also be rich in food 

for thought. This year's Senior Homilists, 

such as Bryanna Dalco, Mackie 

Gilchrist, and George Buckley, have 

shared positive messages about 

being true to yourself, trusting in God, 

and appreciating all the blessings at 

Episcopal High School. 

Alumni have visited throughout the year, 

recounting what EHS was like when 

they attended, and proving that there 

are many paths that lead to fulfilling 

lives and careers. 

Priests from the Episcopal Diocese 

of Texas—Rev. Jimmy Grace '94, Rev. 

Kai Ryan, Rev. Barkley Thompson, 

and Rev. Eileen O'Brien—have also 

addressed the students, bringing a new 

perspective to readings and Gospel 

messages. 

"Godspell" Garners 

11 Tommy Tune 

Nominations 

EHS Onstage's production of Godspell, 

which played to packed houses in 

Underwood Theatre in March, has been 

nominated for 11 Tommy Tune Awards. 

Created by TUTS in 2002, the annual 

Tommy Tune Awards recognize and 

reward excellence in the production of 

high school musical theatre. 

Nominations for Godspell include Best 

Musical, Best Direction, Best Musical 

Direction, Best Ensemble/Chorus, Best 

Scenic Design, Best Lighting Design, 

Best Stage Crew and Technical, and 

Best Choreography. In addition, three 

students were nominated: Sultan 

Abboushi for Best Lead Actor, Sofia 

Staartjes for Best Supporting Actress, 

and Jillian Branch for Best Featured 

Performance. 

For more news from our Athletics Pillar, 

please see page 17. 

In March, nationally renowned speakers 

Dr. Timothy Benson from Harvard and 

former NASA astronaut Nicole Stott met 

with students, igniting conversations 

about the rewards of a balanced 

education, the importance of dedication 

and hard work, and the lessons learned 

from failure. 

Parents are always welcome to attend 

daily Chapel, and those who cannot 

attend can stream the services at 

www.livestream.com/ehs.

News at EHS 

Seven Students 

Earn Scholastic 

Writing Awards 

Seven Episcopal High School students 

earned recognition for their writing in 

the Scholastic Arts and Writing Awards, 

a national program meant to identify 

and celebrate "the vision, ingenuity, and 

talent of our nation's youth." By earning 

Honorable Mention and Silver Keys in 

the 2016 contest, Episcopal students 

join an accomplished group of creative 

writers; alumni of the award include 

notable writers Joyce Carol Oates, 

Bernard Malamud, Truman Capote, and 

Sylvia Plath. 

Congratulations to the Regional Silver 

Key award winners: Miranda Appedole, 

Dre Guthrie, Amanda Monteith, and 

Marvin Wilson. 

Congratulations also to those students 

awarded Regional Honorable Mention: 

Adam Brown, Dre Guthrie, Sara 

Koch, Amanda Monteith, and Alexia 

Tsiropoulos. 

Episcopal High School Artists Win 

29 Scholastic Art Awards 

The Harris County Department of Education has released the 2015-2016 Regional 

Scholastic Art Gold Key, Silver Key, and Honorable Mention award notifications, and 

24 EHS Art students walked away with 29 awards this year. 

The Scholastic Art Awards program is a national visual arts competition for junior 

high and high school students sponsored by the Alliance for Young Artists & 

Writers. Regional Gold Key works are then judged nationally by an impressive panel 

of creative-industry experts to receive Gold, Silver, American Visions & Voices, 

Portfolio Silver with Distinction, or Portfolio Gold Medals. Gold Key works advance 

to the national competition in New York City. 

This year, nearly 18,000 Gold Key works qualified for national judging, and only 

2,400 national medals were awarded. Sophomore Isabella Goodman received a 

National Silver Key Medal for her photograph, Lord of the Streets. 

Congratulations to our Regional Gold Key winners: Isabella Goodman, Tamiana 

Lankford-Bravo, Sarah Vanderbloemen, and Mackie Gilchrist for Photography; 

Gilberto Giles-Sosa for Film and Animation; and Molly Meeks and Jenny Wang 

for Drawing and Illustration. 

Congratulations to the Regional Silver Key award recipients: Mackie Gilchrist, 

Jorge Tapia, Sara Kooshair, and Sarah Vanderbloemen for Photography; Devin 

Gohel for Digital Art; Mark Enyart for Film and Animation; Caroline Murphy for 

Mixed Media; and Helen Davies for Drawing and Illustration. 

Congratulations to those students awarded Regional Honorable Mention: Miranda 

Greenwalt, Bronwyn Walsh, Mackie Gilchrist, John Goodman, Gigi Hanna, 

Katie McCulloch, and Jorge Tapia for Photography; Jamie Woolley and Ian 

Holloway for Digital Art; Gwyneth Bryan for Film and Animation; and Alanna 

Flores, Dre Guthrie, and Jackson 

Schaeffer for Drawing and 

Illustration. 

"Lord of the Streets" by 

Isabella Goodman '18.

LEAD THE WAY 

A Capital Campaign Update 

EHS Onstage's spring musical performance of Godspell 

earned raved reviews from audiences as well as 11 Tommy 

Tune nominations (see page 6). The talent of the students— 

whether acting on the stage or behind the scenes building 

sets and lighting sequences—was extraordinary. The song 

"Beautiful City" performed by Anthony Buzbee '17, who played 

the role of Jesus, expresses what a community can achieve 

when focused on a strong mission. 

We can build a beautiful city 

Not a city of angels, 

But we can build a city of man 

We may not reach the ending, 

But we can start 

Slowly but surely mending, 

Brick by brick, heart by heart 

Now, maybe now 

We start learning how 

We can build a beautiful city 

Yes, we can; yes, we can 

In the early 1980s, Founding Bishop Ben Benitez, Founding 

Headmaster Dr. Jess Borg, other founders, and early faculty 

and staff had a vision not only for Episcopal High School at 

that time, but of all that it would become. Episcopal High 

School was their "city" that they dreamed of building for our 

community and for generations of youth in Houston. 

Fast forward to today. It is inspiring to walk around the 

campus of Episcopal High School and see what that vision 

has become. But the School is not finished. The School is still 

building, "brick by brick" and "heart by heart." 

Thanks to the generous support of the Board and other 

members of the EHS community, the School has successfully 

raised funds for the new Athletic Center, and pledges are in 

place to fully fund the project. The project is on schedule and 

on budget, and crews will soon be framing the structure. 

The Capital Campaign Committee now looks ahead to the 

remaining phases of the campus master plan (see sidebar on 

opposite page). In the coming months, the School is hosting 

a series of gatherings to share additional details for the plan. 

It will take the united effort of every member of the EHS 

community to bring about the transformation of our campus. 

Brick by brick, heart by heart... We can build a beautiful city. 

—Peggy Haney, Director of Advancement

Capital Campaign Update 

History Hall 

Weight Room 

Over the next several years, 

Episcopal High School will: 

Build a new Student Center, 

which will provide additional 

space for students to gather 

for study, fellowship, meals, 

meetings, and extracurricular 

activities. 

Build a Visual and Performing 

Arts Center. 

Rebuild and expand the 

Benitez Chapel. 

Alumni Room 

Renovate several athletic fields.

FOUNDER 

EVELYN HOWELL 

Heart and Soul 

Photo by Ashleigh Teel.

The Legacy Project 

velyn Howell, who served with her husband as one of 

the founders of EHS, visited with Pillars magazine to 

reminisce about her involvement in the early days of 

Episcopal High School. Howell and her husband, Paul, met 

Maurice "Ben" Benitez and his wife, Joanne, in the late 1960s, 

when both couples were starting their families and Benitez 

was the rector at Christ Church in San Antonio. In 1973, the 

Howells transferred to Houston, and the following year, Ben 

Benitez accepted a position as rector at St. John the Divine 

Episcopal Church on River Oaks Boulevard. 

When a movement grew to establish a school at the site 

of the former Marion High School in the early 1980s, Ben 

Benitez, recently named bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of 

Texas, reached out to the Howells, as well other educationminded 

young couples, to set a plan for founding EHS. 

Today, Howell lives in Houston and enjoys being involved 

with her church and family, especially time spent with her 

18 grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren. She returns 

to Episcopal High School each year for traditions such as 

Founders Day and Grandparents Day. 

What inspired you to play such an important role in the 

founding of EHS? And how was the mission shaped? 

My first tour of EHS was just heart-wrenching. There were 

fires that had been started in the Chapel, and rats were 

running in stagnant water in the theatre. Windows were 

broken. But the main buildings were good, the location was 

great. The bones were here. 

The goal was to have a school that offered the best education, 

not just in terms of books, but a school that offered strong 

arts programs and a faith-based education for life. 

Bishop Benitez was a visionary leader, and he involved a 

dynamic group, who had not only the financial means, but 

they had the heart and they had the commitment. It was 

difficult to raise money in the early 80s. Interest rates were at 

20 percent! 

The founders were committed, and they could sell others on 

the need for Episcopal High School. 

One of the most instrumental founders was Jack Trotter. He 

was unique and brilliant, the best tax attorney in the business. 

People listened to Jack Trotter. My husband Paul, chair of 

the finance committee for 13 years, held weekly financial 

meetings at River Oaks Country Club. There, Jack advised 

all the fundraisers, "Don't just write a letter asking for money, 

look them in the eyes and say 'I hope you will join me.'" 

The initial fundraising took dedication and a fine core of 

people who genuinely wanted to make the school happen. 

They believed the school was good for the students and good 

for the community. 

What brings you back to the School each year? 

The students keep me coming back. When I see all these 

students, such as the ones in Chapel this morning, I know 

that the future of our country is bright. 

The Four Pillars curriculum is a success—and the School 

has never veered from that. When I was observing my three 

grandsons here, I knew that they enjoyed going to school and 

that they received a wonderful education and placed out of 

their freshman classes in college. 

This is a rarefied atmosphere that raises students' 

expectations. The School changes students, and thereby 

changes families for the better. It's good for teenagers to 

establish moral patterns during these impressionable years. 

When I read the donor lists and see alumni names I feel so 

proud. I hope that many students will always feel that they 

want to give back to the place that has given them so much. 

What are some of your memories of the first head of 

school, Dr. Borg? 

He was the right person at the right time. And I feel that the 

following two headmasters have also been the right people 

at the right time. I've also been impressed with the incredible 

faculty and staff. I think of staff members such as Sukey 

Fenoglio (EHS's former Director of Advancement) who was 

such a go-getter and believed in the School's mission, and 

she inspired others to believe as well. 

Then there are longtime faculty members such as John 

Flanagan—who I worked with on the display of Joanne 

Benitez's rock and gem collection in the Trotter Academic 

Building—who are dedicated, enthusiastic, and capable. 

Do you see any challenges for the future of the School? 

I see Christianity being threatened, so we need to maintain 

the principle belief of being guided by a holy being. I 

also think it will be challenging to pick which advances 

in technology or curriculum should be brought in to the 

classroom, and which should be left behind. Episcopal 

was one of the first high schools to have laptops, and that's 

one example of embracing a technology that improves the 

classroom experience. 

What has been the most rewarding aspect of your 

involvement in Episcopal High School? 

Well, I have great-grandchildren in line to attend school here, 

and it is rewarding to see that the School is booming with 

plans for construction and renovations, enrollment is full 

with talented students, the parents are very engaged, and 

Episcopal High School will survive and thrive for generations.

INTERIM TERM 

EXPANDS THE MAP 

The 2016 Curriculum Featured Both 

Campus-Based and Travel Opportunities 

Interim Term provides students at EHS a unique opportunity to add depth and value to their high school 

experience through the inquiry of diverse topics unavailable during the regular curriculum. General courses 

include contemporary topics such as 3D Printing, The Art of Graffiti, and A History of Rock. 

In addition to these courses, the Interim Term Grade Level Learning (GLL) classes educate students in areas 

that will lead them to greater success in high school and beyond. Director Toshla Guthrie explains the GLL 

program, "During the first two weeks in January, freshmen took courses such as Communication and Online 

Etiquette; sophomores focused on the Choices program with courses on Stress Management and Decision 

Making; and juniors enjoyed in-depth presentations from College Counseling on Essay Writing and Test 

Taking Strategies. All the students participated in Community Time, where they broke off in Blue or White 

groups each day for team-building exercises and fun." 

This year, besides the abundant offerings on campus, four trips were featured: Imagineering at Disney World; 

Close Up in Washington, DC; Cultural Immersion in China; and The Freedom Tour, where Arts Pillar students 

traveled the South performing in historic venues and visiting landmarks from the Civil Rights Movement. 

Explore the following pages for English teacher Emma Lyders' synopses of each Interim Term trip.

China: EHS Finds Cultural 

Explosion in the Middle Kingdom 

Chaperoned by faculty members Morrie Bogrand, Alice 

Davidson, and Kate Liang, EHS students flew across the 

ocean to spend 12 days in China. The itinerary included 

Beijing, Xi'an, and Yangshuo. In Beijing, students got a 

close-up view of Chinese culture. They enjoyed a lunch in 

the home of a Beijing family and were taught the fine art 

of paper cutting. Students also saw what a 700-year-old 

home looked like and played hackysack with locals. At a 

restaurant, students happened upon a face changer—a 

type of Chinese dramatic opera performer who wears 

colored masks and changes from one face to another with 

the swipe of a fan. 

Students visited a jade cutting factory and discovered the 

different qualities of jade and how to cut. At a silk park, they 

observed how silk is produced—how it gets cocooned, 

wound into thread, stretched, and made into comforters. 

A family who had been in the pearl market for 300 years 

showed the students how they grade, string, and knot pearls. 

Each student designed his or her own pearl necklace, and 

workers made the necklace in front of them as they watched. 

After Bejing, students rode a bullet train to Xi'An, and there 

they went to a terracotta warrior factory and saw how these 

tiny miniatures are made. Xi'An is also the home of the oldest 

and biggest mosque in China. Shopping proved fascinating 

on a local street, where students and faculty got to see street 

food being sold—a deep-fried whole crab on a stick and 

a fried scorpion, for example. No trip to China is complete 

without a lesson in making dumplings, and students also 

learned how to fold and stretch Chinese noodles. 

Yangshuo is surrounded by mountain peaks and bordered 

by the Li River, and often depicted in traditional Chinese 

paintings. Students had a lesson with a Tai Chi master, and 

a painting class from a local artist in his home. They then 

climbed 

900 steps to the 

top of Moon Hill. Here, in this rural area, students experienced 

what many local Chinese families live without: central heat 

and air-conditioning, private bathrooms, and running water. 

They understood what it was to eat with chopsticks in tiny, 

local venues. And they even rode bicycles through rice patties 

and down country roads, some students riding tandem for 

the first time. 

Davidson sums up the cultural experience as learning to 

appreciate differences: "Learning didn't just take place in a 

classroom, but in a person's home. Students saw both the 

wealth of Beijing, where they stayed in a four-star hotel, and 

the poverty of the smaller town, where they stayed in the 

countryside. Our students saw the daily life of Chinese: how 

things are similar and so different—different but not wrong, 

and also really beautiful and unique." 

Photo submitted by Alice Davidson. 

Washington, DC: Close Up with Politics 

EHS students, led by teachers Shelly Edmonds and Kary 

Kemble, joined a group of more than 300 from around the 

world for a unique educational experience in Washington, DC. 

Close Up is held year round and gives high school students 

the opportunity to become more politically aware. Participants 

stay in the same hotel and are partnered with students 

from other schools and then grouped by partnerships. Not 

only are EHS students given a chance to know their fellow 

EHS students in a different way off campus, they also have 

the chance to meet students from other schools and forge 

long-lasting 

friendships. 

EHS 

students, 

along with 

their fellow 

participants, 

toured 

symbolic

national sites and then discussed what they saw. Close Up 

encouraged them to connect places with history, history 

with politics, and national identity with personal identity. 

Students visited the Jefferson, FDR, and MLK memorials and 

discussed the size and power of different types of government 

associated with these national landmarks—Jeffersonian 

ideals, The New Deal, and civil rights. They toured the 

Pentagon 9/11 Memorial and looked at that day in history 

and how it impacted U.S. foreign policy. In examining war, 

and in conjunction with a tour of the World War II, Vietnam, 

and Korean memorials, students thought about soldiers and 

what they did for their country as well as what they gave the 

country in the name of peace. This conversation continued 

with a visit to the U.S. Marine Corps Memorial and how we, 

as a nation, honor those who serve our country. 

Their hands-on learning included lively discussion amongst 

themselves. Students engaged in nightly debates and had the 

chance to articulate their political views with their peers. They 

asked questions, became more politically aware, and gained 

a true understanding of their national history. The connection 

between landscape and conversation allowed students to 

relate history to current events and see how history truly 

influences what happens today. 

As Edmonds noted, "After Close Up, students are more 

comfortable talking about politics. They know how to express 

their views, be confident in them, and have their opinions 

feel more valuable. Because the program split us from the 

students, we, as teachers, got to have our own professional 

development, and we learned new things, too. We met other 

teachers and made professional relationships, and I was able 

to experience things I never thought I'd see, like a Supreme 

Court hearing, the National Archives, and the Library of 

Congress. As a history buff, I couldn't get enough of it." 

Photo submitted by Mollie Hanna '18. 

Disney World: Physics and 

Rollercoasters Do Mix 

During the second week of Interim Term, 16 

students, accompanied by teachers Isaiah 

Coleman and Patricia Michaels, visited Disney 

World as a follow-up to Assistant Academic 

Dean Eric Lerch's Imagineering course. 

Through Disney's Youth Education Series, 

EHS students learned about the impact of 

physics on certain rides. Their first handson 

experiment involved potential and kinetic 

energy, something made real for them in 

a preliminary lab involving marbles on tiny 

rollercoasters. Would the marble stay at 

the bottom? Would it have enough potential 

energy to make it over the peak and through the 

loop? 

In a later course that focused on energy and light 

waves, students saw how Disney made Mickey's 

Haunted Mansion come to life. EHS also visited the 

Animal Kingdom, where students learned about sustainable 

practices and wildlife conservation. In one activity, students 

worked in groups to experience the true art of collaboration. 

Each group was given a ring with a rope tied around it, 

and it became evident early on that each participant was 

essential to keep the ring from falling. Through this practice, 

students learned that everyone has to work together to keep 

an ecosystem from collapsing. What happens if a species 

encroaches on another species' environment? What happens 

when things in harmony become disharmonious? One facet 

can throw off an entire environment. 

A visit 

to the Tower of Terror 

explored gravity in action. Students built their own models 

and saw how the ride concept became a reality. "Magnets 

are used on Disney's roller coasters to pull them up, creating 

potential energy that converts into kinetic energy with a push 

and pulley system," Coleman explains. "In another ride, the 

Rock 'n' Roller Coaster, a magnet launches riders with such 

power your head will slam back if you're leaning forward."

Finally, on the last day of the trip, leadership training was 

held at Epcot Center that focused on the business side of 

the theme park: financial results, employee excellence, and 

customer satisfaction. Students learned about the Disney 

strategy, training, and mindset that succeed in providing a 

powerful overall experience for customers and tourists. 

The students didn't just benefit from a behind-the-scenes 

look at the science of Disney. They also rode rides, enjoyed 

bonding together at group meals, and took in a laser light 

show and parade on their last night in Orlando. 

Photo submitted by Pat Michael. 

The Freedom Tour: The Art of Travel 

The inaugural Freedom Tour took the casts of A Piece of 

My Heart and Godspell, as well as George Brock's Masque 

students, on the road. "The tour's theatrical goals were 

simple: to allow the cast the opportunity to perform the show 

as many times as possible, and to give them the experience 

of what it's like to rehearse a show while working on another 

show. They got that and so much more," explains English 

teacher Dr. Brad Telford, one of the trip chaperones. 

The musical's cast rehearsed Godspell in hotel conference 

rooms, suites, and buses. Masque students performed free 

improv theatre at St. Louis Cathedral in the middle of the 

street. The cast of A Piece of My Heart performed the oneact 

show twice—at Indian Springs School in Birmingham, 

Alabama, and Episcopal School in Covington, Louisiana. 

They learned what it was like to tour a show, unload it from a 

truck, and break it down. Students who had performed only 

in town discovered what it was like to find a new space and 

have to figure out how to customize it to the play in a twohour 

rehearsal and make it work. "They learned how theatre 

really works," Telford adds. "The EHS theatre season isn't that 

long. They rehearse for three months, and perform the show 

on weekends for a two-week run. This experience gave them 

a deeper understanding of the play, both of the historical 

material and a how 

theatre really 

works. 

There's 

beauty and joy in 

mindful repetition. 

Theatre is an 

artistic practice, 

and that became 

really clear to 

them. Every cast 

member had major 

breakthroughs on 

the tour. They were 

able to trade in their fear 

and anxiety for bountiful results 

in confidence, spirit, and greater artistic craft." 

Outside of rehearsing and performing, senior students 

also created, envisioned, planned, and implemented their 

own service projects, all while traveling. Two projects were 

organized at local animal shelters, another was carried out at 

an assisted living residence. Students sang for senior citizens, 

listened to their stories, and asked questions about their lives, 

something these residents deeply needed. 

In addition to performing, the students connected with the 

Civil Rights Movement in a way they never had before. They 

traveled to the most important sites of the movement—the 

16th Street Baptist Church in Birmingham where four girls 

were killed in a bombing, the Edmund Pettus Bridge where 

protesters marched from Selma to Montgomery, the steps 

of the capitol where marchers addressed the governor, and 

the Rosa Parks Museum in Montgomery. "These kids," Dr. 

Telford adds, "learned and put themselves in the position of 

the young people who were clubbed, beaten, and bloodied 

in the name of freedom. They saw the film Selma for the 

first time. They learned what Martin Luther King Jr. was 

doing, what Selma meant, what the march amounted to. The 

movement was difficult and costly in terms of human life, 

and the students were able to acknowledge how little they 

understood before this visit. There were tears. I got to watch 

the lights turn on for each individual. They really got it, and 

that was wonderful to see." 

Photos submitted by George Brock.

EHS SCORES WINNING YEAR 

The Athletics Pillar enjoyed a successful winter season as six 

teams placed in the top five at the SPC championships. 

Our girls soccer squad earned the #4 seed in the south zone. 

The team fell to eventual champion Episcopal School of Dallas 

4-0 in the quarterfinals and lost to St. John's 1-0 to finish sixth 

in the SPC. Look for big things from this group next season. 

The girls basketball team earned the #2 seed with thrilling 

wins over 2015 champion St. Stephen's and Houston 

Christian. The Knights lost to Trinity Valley in the quarterfinals 

but rallied to defeat Houston Christian and place fifth. 

The girls and boys swim teams continue to rewrite the EHS 

record books. The girls team was in contention throughout 

the day at the SPC championships before finishing fifth 

overall. The boys team finished fifth and broke both team and 

personal records throughout the season. 

The boys basketball team competed in the championship 

game for the third time in four years, finishing second to St. 

Stephen's. The team was known for their up-tempo offense 

and unselfish play. This team graduates several outstanding 

seniors, but many underclassmen will lead in 2016-2017. 

The wrestling team welcomed a strong group of new 

wrestlers this season. Although young, the Knights had two 

SPC champions, earned fourth place as a team, and sent four 

wrestlers to Prep Nationals in Pennsylvania. 

The boys soccer team ended a 24-year title drought and 

defeated St. John's 3-1 to capture the SPC championship. 

This team played an exciting version of soccer featuring 

both individual skill and unselfish play. Although the Knights 

graduate several strong seniors, the nucleus of the team will 

return to defend their title. 

Three seniors made college commitments at the conclusion of 

the winter season. Isabelle Haugh will play softball at Harvard, 

Lizzy Fallon will attend Columbia to play field hockey, and 

Gio Pancotti will play football for Texas Tech. These three join 

classmates Emma Cate Graham (Wake Forest, field hockey), 

Quatera Limbrick (University of Houston, basketball), Matthew 

Mitchell (St. Edward's, baseball) and Kobi Owen (Tulane, 

baseball) in making their college decisions. Best wishes to all 

our seniors, and go Knights! 

—Jason Grove, Director of Athletics 

Photo by Mauro Gomez.

Bright Knights 

ISABELLE HAUGH '16 

A Champion On and Off the Field 

Varsity Softball Coach Kim Randolph ranks Isabelle "Izzy" Haugh among an elite group of 

student-athletes he has coached who possess a rare combination of talent, passion, tireless 

work ethic, and leadership—as well as a burning desire to be a champion. 

The short stop's stats bear it out: In three seasons Haugh has a .406 batting average and a 

.490 on-base average, accumulating 106 hits in 260 at-bats, of which 48 of the 106 were extra 

base hits, "an outstanding feat for a lead-off batter," says Randolph. In addition, she added 

76 RBI's and scored 110 times. "Considering she had more runs than hits, Izzy scored almost 

every time she got on base," Randolph notes. 

Haugh, who will play at Harvard University next year, credits her parents for much of her 

achievements as an athlete. "Growing up, I admired an older cousin who played softball and 

was a pitcher. When I asked to start playing softball, my dad volunteered to coach, so that 

made it a fun activity for our family," she explains. "Both of my parents have been so supportive 

and have driven to countless tournaments and games all over the country. I couldn't have 

reached this level of success in the game without them." 

Because of her strength in both athletics and academics, as well as her poise and confidence, 

Haugh was named president of the Admissions Council and volunteers for Admissions events 

such as student tours and Knight Celebration, where she encourages middle school students 

to enroll at Episcopal High School. "I have loved my time here," she says, "and I think it is 

important for all our students to realize the value of EHS and the variety of opportunities we 

have. The faculty are thoroughly supportive of the Four Pillars mission, and that support 

motivates students to explore activities and leadership opportunities throughout academics, 

arts, athletics, and religion. That positive exploration of ideas and activities creates a unique 

high school experience." 

"At EHS I learned to take risks and challenge myself," she adds. "I had never been a cheerleader, 

but I ended up cheering and really liked it and became a captain of the varsity squad." 

Sometimes a grade or a game didn't work out as planned, but she smiles and admits, "I also 

learned from not having the outcome I wanted!" 

In April, the softball team participates in another SPC race for the championship and a possible 

three-peat. While Haugh won't promise a trophy, she confidently asserts, "I think we'll go far." 

—Claire C. Fletcher

Bright Knights 

GILBERT GILES-SOSA '16 

Both Sides of the Lens 

Senior Gilbert Giles-Sosa has experienced life from both sides of the lens: public schools and private 

schools, failure and success, homes in and out of the U.S., family with a father and without, work in 

front of the camera and behind it. The varied perspectives have helped him develop what Martin Luther 

King Jr. termed, "tough mindedness and tenderheartedness," the balance of opposites necessary for 

strong character. 

When Sosa was only 6 years old, his father was shot and killed in Mexico during a random act of 

violence, and his mother, Margarita, moved the family back to Houston and began working two jobs 

to educate and support her three sons. Sosa grew up fast, tackling adult responsibilities such as 

preparing dinner for his two brothers when he was 10 years old and working at a restaurant to cover his 

entertainment and transportation costs when he became a teenager. 

Sosa transferred to EHS during his junior year, after two years at Robert E. Lee High School in 

southwest Houston. While one of the top students at Lee High School and a leader in the journalism 

program, when he transferred in 11th grade, he met adversity. "I wasn't prepared academically, and I 

found it challenging to balance schoolwork and extracurriculars with a part-time job," he admits. "The 

temptation to be social and make friends overtook my focus. Fortunately, EHS faculty guided and 

supported me. In particular, Rev. Adam Greene sat me down and gave me a reality check. He showed 

me how to ask for help." 

With renewed effort, Sosa discovered his voice through the ETV program, and in March his short film 

Endeavor was showcased at the SXSW Film Festival. The film features local rapper and Sudanese 

refugee Daniel Vango, a.k.a. DoubleDve, a senior at Lee High School. "I tried acting in middle school, 

but I feel more comfortable behind the lens as a director," Sosa explains. In college, he plans to 

study communications or political science and continue making films about subjects that interest him, 

exploring different genres such as mystery or fantasy. "Characters and themes can be examined in 

a variety of ways, and I'd like to expand my experience." His favorite directors include J. J. Abrams, 

Christopher Nolan, and Michael Wolfe, artists who have experimented with various mediums and 

genres. 

ETV sponsor Pejman Milani has mentored Sosa at EHS, teaching him camera techniques and 

storytelling. Even as Sosa achieved an impressive list of festival selections with Endeavor—SXSW, 

Albuquerque Film Fest, Boomtown Film Fest, and L.A.'s Cinefest—Milani advised Sosa "to stay humble 

and work to get better." 

Sosa is grateful for the maturity and opportunities he has gained at Episcopal, a blessed community 

where students may not fully understand that many children in our society have burdens. "Tough 

situations that they didn't cause but were born into," Sosa observes, whether it be poverty, domestic 

violence, drug-addicted parents, or immigration issues. 

"Experience has taught me to approach people with equal respect—we're all humans," says Sosa. 

He has also learned that while a director controls a plot's twists and turns, "In life, no outcome is 

guaranteed; all we can do is our best." 


3D PRINTING 

Delivers New Dimension of 

Technology to the Classroom 

Episcopal High School continues to find unique and 

innovative ways to bring technology into the classroom, and 

the recent purchase of a 3D printer has only strengthened this 

focus. A 3D printer allows users to make three-dimensional 

objects through a computer model. Students can select items 

they wish to print, then sign up online to use it. To encourage 

collaboration, EHS's Technology Department has set up an 

Office 365 site that allows students and faculty to share ideas 

and promote 3D printing. 

David Lankford, EHS Director of Technology, explains: "The 

printer works just like a traditional paper printer. You send 

a document and the printer prints on the horizontal axis. A 

3D printer, using points assigned on both a vertical and 

horizontal axis, extrudes layers of hot plastic filament. Once 

several layers high, the object being printed is revealed." 

Having a 3D printer at school gives students self-confidence

Students create a coaster to thank the 

EHS Dads Club for the 3D printer. 

and critical thinking skills, and also encourages creativity. 

Thinking of ways to use the printer and make it work the 

way they want it to demands that students be creative. If 

the printing fails, they must think critically to understand 

why. The students then make corrections and repeat the 

process, taking note of what went wrong and explore ways 

to correct each error. The student practices persistence and 

determination in refining their approach. Observation and self 

correction are the keys for 3D printing success. 

The introduction of 3D printing also applies to STEAM learning 

in a preparatory school setting, according to Lankford. "The 

printer pushes students to visualize the end goal to make 

it work. In addition, such printing challenges them to own 

the processes of creation, production, and design. All 

three involve some aspect of STEAM: science, technology, 

engineering, and math. STEAM includes the aesthetic beauty 

of the arts as well as the science. Imagine a flying buttress. If 

you research buildings in Paris, you'll find that Renaissance 

church design includes that architectural feature. By printing 

a model of the building, students can study the benefits of a 

flying buttress to the design." 

Since October, when the 3D printer was furnished by the EHS 

Dads Club, the Technology Department has explored ways 

to incorporate its use into the curriculum. Teachers now have 

the opportunity to ask students to make a three-dimensional 

object that represents or manifests qualities common to those 

being studied in class. "The printer is addictive," Lankford 

admits. "Once they start, the students want to continue to 

tinker and innovate. The passion for an academic subject is 

ignited by and through technology." 

The first application of 3D printing in the classroom was 

Lankford's 3D Printing Interim Term course in January. 

Students printed fly fishing reels, carbon-fiber kite gussets,

and planetary gear assemblies. They were placed into teams 

of four, and each team was tasked to create three items per 

person. The first assignment was a simple 3D object such as 

a column or pyramid. The second allowed for angles greater 

than 60 degrees or an inverted pyramid design that required 

scaffolding. The third assignment featured interlocking parts 

or several printed parts that required assembly; the original 

object was scanned using a 3D scanner, or created using a 

CAD program. 

The students' training for using the 3D printer included 

discussion on the thermal properties of extruded materials 

used by the machine. Students also explored CAD programs 

like TinkerCAD to look at a more sophisticated use of the 

printer. "Trial and error—theorizing a solution and trying 

iteratively until successful—was the thread that drove the 

class," Lankford explains. 

Austin McGinnis '18, who participated in Lankford's Interim 

Term class, was inspired by the course to organize a group of 

sophomores to design a vehicle using the printer. McGinnis 

has been enthralled by automobile design since middle 

school, and he has built traditional go-karts in his garage at 

home. After the 3D Printer Interim Term course, he thought it 

would be fun to build a vehicle with the printer. 

"We are currently in phase two of the design draft," he 

explains. "We believe we have a cool idea, and a steering 

mechanism called 'Prone' that could be patented." The 

concept features handle-bars used for steering that allow a 

driver to lie flat and feel the road while navigating turns safely. 

McGinnis finds creative inspiration for design in both high end 

and more modestly priced automobiles such as the Pagani 

Huayra and Toyota Scion. "Those are two gorgeous examples 

of combining form and function," he says. 

Since Interim Term, the number of individual class projects 

utilizing 3D printing is growing. Religion Department teacher 

Katheryn Schaeffer Ray '89 created a board game to help 

students review content before the mid-semester test. The 

game pieces were printed on the 3D printer, and each piece 

was selected for its intrinsic value to the class's curriculum: a 

statue of the Virgin Mary, for example. Another student used 

the printer to create a legislative building for his history class. 

Students are also enjoying making miniatures. Freshman 

Rohan Asthana brought his 3D printer to use for the Interim 

Term class. He has found personal use for it in addition 

to academic applications. Asthana has fashioned parts to 

enhance his 3D printer, as well as a Star Wars keepsake and 

a cookbook stand for his mother. 

"The potential for the printer in the curriculum is unlimited," 

adds Lankford. "EHS is excited about adding this unique 

innovation to its technology-integrated classroom." 

—Emma Lyders

My first project was a keychain, 

and from then on I realized 

that the sky is the limit for 

3D printing. I also had the 

opportunity to work with the 

computer to design my own 

projects, and it was amazing to 

see the physical product in my 

hand 20 minutes after I had 

created it on the computer. I 

learned a lot about trial and 

error, and the project was a great 

hands-on learning experience. 

Brooke Doyle '17

ALUMNI WEEKEND 2016 

BRINGS ALUMNI, FAMILIES, 

AND FRIENDS TO CAMPUS 

Friday evening's music was provided by Katie Stuckey Rushing '98 with the 

band Grand Old Grizzly featuring Will Thomas '97 and Chris Lewis '96. 

piscopal High School launched its second annual 

Alumni Weekend on Friday, April 1, as alumni, friends, 

faculty, and family gathered to celebrate the Bishops 

Alumni Award recipients, Andrew Hawthorn '91 and Sharifa 

Rhodes-Pitts '96, along with Hexagon Distinguished Faculty 

and Staff Award recipients, Karen Foster and Julie Rollins. 

In Chapel on Friday, the student body was able to take in 

two incredibly compelling talks by Hawthorn, a product 

marketing senior consultant at Dell Computers, and nonfiction 

writer Rhodes-Pitts, author of the critically acclaimed 

2011 book, Harlem is Nowhere: A Journey to the Mecca of 

Black America. Hawthorn spoke of the profound impact that 

Episcopal High School had on shaping who he is today and 

also the lives of his brother and sister-in-law who are alumni. 

He said that the faculty and staff helped him to identify 

talents that he continued to explore in college as well as his 

career. Addressing the seniors, Hawthorn encouraged them 

not to forget EHS and to use the moral compass provided to 

them during their high school years to make the most of the 

next stages in their lives. He reminded the underclassmen 

that they are in a special place where they will learn many 

life lessons beyond those lessons in taught in textbooks or 

classroom lectures. 

Rhodes-Pitts reflected on the many hours she spent in the 

Chapel and how participation in community service such as 

Student of Service (SOS), helps to foster a greater community 

beyond the walls of EHS. She challenged the students 

to think about the wider connections in their lives and to 

consider those who came before them as they embark upon 

the future. Rhodes-Pitts, currently living in Haiti researching 

her second book, shared that Haiti and the United States 

have a significant connection, and had it not been for the 

Haitian revolution, the Louisiana Purchase never would have 

transpired. Her historical references demonstrated that even 

though events occurred in years past, their impact is still 

significant today. 

Friday evening found Crum Field House filled with alumni, 

families, and friends to honor Hawthorn, Rhodes-Pitts, Foster, 

and Rollins. A special thank you is due to Jennifer Collins 

McCormick '94 who chaired the all-alumni gathering. To kick 

off the evening, Assistant Head of School Nancy Eisenberg 

proudly introduced the alumni award winners and shared an 

inspiring overview of their lives and careers after Episcopal 

High School. Her remarks reflected the lives of significance 

led by both Hawthorn and Rhodes-Pitts.

Rhodes-Pitts challenged the students to think about the wider connections in their lives 

and to consider those who came before them as they embark upon the future. 

Anne Louise Conway '03, president of the Alumni Directors 

Council, recognized Science Department faculty member 

Foster and Director of College Counseling Rollins for their 

decades-long commitment to fostering the minds and 

spirits of Episcopal High School students. Both Foster and 

Rollins were greeted with overwhelming applause when they 

received their awards on stage. EHS is proud to have them as 

our very own! 

Saturday's campus tours found alumni and their families 

marveling at the state-of-art classrooms and science labs in 

the Jack T. Trotter Academic & Sciences Building, recalling 

that their classrooms where much simpler. Upon entering the 

Convent, Dance Studio, Chapel, and Alkek Gym, alumni were 

immediately greeted by the familiar settings where each had 

spent a significant amount of time. As the tours concluded, 

the consensus was that everything at Episcopal was the 

same, yet different. 

Saturday evening was full of class parties for the reunion 

years. Alumni were able to spend a fabulous Houston evening 

outside at various venues as they shared stories, memories, 

and current updates of where they have been and where 

they are now. In addition, teachers and coaches were able to 

make the reunions for part of the evening and participate in 

the many conversations that lasted well into the night. 

For more Alumni Weekend reunion photos, turn to page 34. 

—Margaret Young 

Save the date for Alumni Weekend 2017, on April 7-8!

MOMENTS 

Faculty and staff offered their helping hands in the EHS 

ceramics studio to create pieces for the Houston Food 

Bank's Empty Bowls Project. Photo by Ashleigh Teel.

ROYAL KNIGHTS 

AUCTION DECLARED A 

SMASHING SUCCESS 

On Friday, February 26, 2016, the EHS community gathered 

to celebrate Episcopal High School at Royal Knights: A 

British Invasion! Co-chairs Julie Bayouth, Bonny Edwards, 

and Heather Herrold, along with countless volunteers and 

generous donors, raised an astounding $1.3 million net for the 

School's operating budget. 

During the Paddles Up portion of the Live Auction, EHS 

alumnae Vanessa Ramirez '02, founder of the nonprofit Eight 

Million Stories, discussed the impact EHS and the financial aid 

program had on her life. "I am incredibly honored to play a role 

in supporting the EHS Financial Aid Program as it was your 

open doors, open arms, and open hearts that empowered me 

to become the change agent my community so desperately 

needs and provided me the 'now you know what you didn't 

know' experiences that inspired me to start my own nonprofit, 

Eight Million Stories, whose mission is to aggressively 

disrupt the school to prison pipeline." Vanessa's heartfelt 

testimony combined with the generous giving of the 

EHS community raised more than $250,000 for 

the financial aid program at Episcopal. 

As we depart from London, the Auction Office is gearing 

up for A Knight on the Orient Express: A Grand Tour! Cochairs 

Catharine Faulconer, Kim Martin, and Kimberly Miller 

promise a luxurious "ride" through Europe that cannot be 

missed. Mark your calendars for February 24, 2017, to join the 

festivities. 

For the latest "Orient Express" news and updates, check 

the School's website and weekly Windows e-newsletter. If 

you'd like to get involved, please contact Auction Coordinator 

Debbie Kelley at dkelley@ehshouston.org or Special Events 

and Volunteer Coordinator Kendall Buckalew McCord '03 at 

kmccord@ehshouston.org. 

Article by Kendall Buckalew McCord '03. Photo by Chris 

Bailey Photography. 

Decorations Chairs Allyson Connelly and 

Gretchen Hilyard transformed River 

Oaks Country Club into a party fit 

for the Royals with British soldiers 

and Buckingham Palace gates 

at the entrance of the club, and 

hydrangeas and British flags 

placed throughout the salon and 

dining area. Guests enjoyed 

Piccadilly Punch, a classic 

British meal, an outstanding 

Live Auction, and then finished 

the evening with mini Beef 

Wellingtons in the Knight Cap 

Pub, all while supporting EHS.

Q+A 

with EHS 

Teachers 

Pop Quiz turns the table on teachers and asks them 

to respond to 13 quick questions. Their enthusiastic 

responses reveal the values, quirks, and interests that 

make them so effective in leading EHS students.

ERIC LERCH 

Assistant Dean of Academics, Teacher, and Coach 

Eric Lerch grew up in Southern California, where he attended Lutheran 

High School of Orange County. He then headed northeast to 

Dartmouth College in Hanover, New Hampshire, where he also 

played football. After graduation, he moved to Texas and spent 

one year at SPC rival St. Mark's in Dallas before arriving at 

the correct location in Houston at Episcopal. Currently in 

his 13th year at EHS, he serves as the Assistant Dean of 

Academics, working primarily with members of the 9th and 

10th grade classes in academic support. He also teaches 

world history and is an assistant varsity football coach. 

Eric and his wife, Courtney, have been married for nine 

years. They have three children: William, age 6, an avid 

golfer; Catherine, age 3, a passionate and independent 

young spirit; and John, age 1, who spends all day either 

laughing or eating. 

What's on your playlist right now? Otis Redding, The Beatles, 

Johnny Cash, CCR, Journey, U2, Garth Brooks. What was the first 

concert you attended? The main one that stands out was seeing Neil Diamond at 

the Toyota Center a few years ago. If you weren't a teacher, what would you pick for a career? Follow the 

Craig Kilborne/Josh Elliot career path of Sportscenter host parlayed into a national talk show host gig. What 

is your proudest accomplishment? In 2013, I was honored to receive the Mark F. Adler Faculty Award 

here at EHS. I came to Episcopal with only one year of teaching under my belt, so achieving something 

like this was only possible through the incredible support and professional development offered by this 

community. To be recognized among such an outstanding group of faculty was an amazing and humbling 

experience. Do you have a favorite app or tech gadget? Clash of Clans... Me and this army! Which pro or 

college sports team do you cheer for? I am first and foremost a fan of my beloved Los Angeles Dodgers. 

Growing up going to games at Chavez Ravine, I still have vivid memories of our magical run in 1988 with Orel 

Hershiser's scoreless innings streak and Kirk Gibson's home run in Game 1 of the World Series. I will be up 

late this year listening to Vin Scully, the greatest announcer of all time, calling games from the West Coast 

for his final season. And of course, I have to give a shout out to the 2015 Ivy League Football champions, 

the Big Green from Dartmouth. I also root for the Anaheim Ducks, Dallas Cowboys, Phoenix Suns, and 

Arizona State Sun Devils. Did you have a mentor growing up who inspired your career? I have had too 

many teachers to name here who have inspired me, but I especially think about my 3rd grade teacher Mrs. 

Hazelwood, my middle school homeroom teacher Lynn Mohr, my high school football coach Jim Kunau, and 

my Greek history professor Dr. Paul Christesen. But the teacher who had the biggest influence on me was 

my mom. Mrs. Lerch taught middle school for two decades, and it was a treat to bring her in to my Interim 

Term class to give a lesson on the Walt Disney Corporation, since she now works at Disneyland. What's 

your favorite city abroad? Barcelona has everything you could want in a great city. Amazing food, unique 

architecture, rich history, and the greatest football team on the planet. Barca—més que un club! If you could 

travel back in time, what period would you choose? Pax Romana. Ancient Rome had indoor plumbing 

and a functioning legal system, so that's a good start. What trait do you most admire in your colleagues? 

Supportive. Our teachers are incredibly sympathetic and encouraging, and they go above and beyond to 

help our students. What trait do you most admire in your students? My favorite part of teaching is the 

conversation with students, and the quality of that exchange is driven by their participation. I love when 

students put themselves out there to engage with the material. Read any good books recently? I just 

finished Allen Drury's classic political novel Advise and Consent, and now I am working my way through 

Susan Wise Bauer's The History of the Ancient World. If you could eat only one meal this week, what 

would it be? Tons of deli meat and cheese stuffed between two slices of fresh bread. Miss you, Mama Tina!

AMIRA KAMAL 

Spanish Teacher 

This is Amira Kamal's fifth year teaching and third year at EHS. She 

graduated from the University of Houston and then attended la 

Fundación José Ortega y Gasset-Gregorio Marañón in Madrid, 

Spain. She grew up in Sugar Land and began her career at 

Fort Bend ISD before joining EHS. 

Kamal teaches Spanish I and Spanish II and works in 

the library. She also serves on the Honor Council and 

sponsors La Sociedad Honoraria Hispánica, National 

Honor Society, DIA, the cooking club, and Arabic club. 

Kamal has four older sisters and one younger brother, 

seven nieces and nephews, and two more on the way. "We 

are extremely close," says Kamal, "and I am so lucky to have 

the majority of my relatives in Houston." Besides spending 

time with family, she likes to cross-train, box, and play the piano. 

What's on your playlist right now? I love all genres of music, but 

I've recently been listening to Sia, Florence and the Machine, Coldplay, 

J. Cole, Chambao, and this incredible pianist named Chilly Gonzales. What was 

the first concert you attended? When I was younger, my sister dragged me to see Enrique Iglesias. At 

the time, Enrique was only well known to the Latino and Hispanic population. Although I really didn't know 

who he was when I went to the concert, I had a blast and that experience was pivotal in developing a true 

passion for the Spanish culture. If you weren't a teacher, what would you pick for a career? I would want 

to pursue a career that helped me apply and develop my love of language. I've always had an interest in 

international fashion, and it would be incredible to travel the world discovering fabrics and design, and have 

the chance to collaborate globally with creative people. What is your proudest accomplishment? I am 

proud to have stepped out of my comfort zone and fulfilled a lifelong dream to travel the world. I have always 

been deeply fascinated by history and the world's cultures, and to date, I have had the opportunity to visit 

over 40 countries. Traveling is a humbling and enriching experience, and I always look forward to that next 

stamp on my passport. Do you have a favorite app or tech gadget? Words With Friends! I am OBSESSED. 

Which pro or college sports team do you cheer for? None! I did not grow up following sports. In fact, my 

first football game was here at EHS. Go Knights! Did you have a mentor growing up who inspired your 

career? I had a PALS (Peer Assistance and Leadership) teacher in high school who was someone that I 

deeply admire to this day. Her positive attitude, kindness, and genuine care for her students is an illustration 

of the type of person I strive to become, both in and out of the classroom. What's your favorite city 

abroad? I love Barcelona—it's magical! Barcelona has the perfect mix of art, history, individuality, culture, 

and fun! If you haven't had a chance to visit, just imagine that Tim Burton and Dr. Seuss came together to 

design a city. If you could travel back in time, what period would you choose? I would head to the 3rd 

century BC, to visit the Library of Alexandria. Just imagine all of the marvelous discoveries of the ancients, 

and how much of it has been lost to time. It's hard to envision the amount of knowledge stored within those 

walls, and let's not forget the incredible people you might run into! What trait do you most admire in your 

colleagues? Their unceasing dedication. I feel fortunate to work with people who are wholly focused on 

bettering our students and reminding our kids of their importance and purpose. What trait do you most 

admire in your students? I admire my students' persistent determination to excel. Being a student can be 

tough, and yet their resolve and thirst to succeed is unyielding. We can all learn something from them. Read 

any good books recently? I am currently reading Cutting for Stone by Abraham Verghese. The book is 

filled with striking imagery, clever wordplay, and some fun twists. If you could eat only one meal this week, 

what would it be? Easy. Who doesn't love pizza? The best pizza I've ever had was in Naples. It was crisp, 

gooey, and cooked with an egg on top. Delicious!

1991 CLASS REUNION 

An intimate gathering gave those from the Class of 1991 time to reconnect and celebrate Bishops 

Alumni Award recipient Andrew Hawthorn. Teachers Alice Davidson and John Flanagan visited with 

members of the Class of 1991, and everyone had a great time reminiscing about their time at EHS. 

Photos by Marc Nathan Photography.


Lauren Levicki Courville kicked off the evening with a toast welcoming over 70 attendees to the 

Class of 1996 reunion. It was a fabulous Houston evening under live oaks and strung lights that 

carried into the after party at The Owl Bar. It was great catching up with this group of alumni! 



Over 30 alumni from the Class of 2006 gathered at The Owl Bar to celebrate their 10-year reunion. 

As they reminisced with old friends, guests enjoyed sliders, chips and queso, and sweet treats 

catered by the bar and Charlie's & Co. Many of our 2006 alumni are establishing their careers and 

celebrating weddings. In fact, Rachel Doherty Aiello '06 was married on the evening of the reunion! 



Alumni from the Class of 2011 enjoyed a beautiful spring night on the porch of The Owl 

Bar for their five-year reunion. Guests came from as far as New York City to see their 

classmates and friends. Many attendees are settling in to their first jobs, while others 

are pursing graduate degrees. The Class of 2011 is thriving in their post-college life. 


FALL KNIGHT OUT 

Back for its second year, the EHS-Kinkaid-St. John's mixer at Saint Arnold Brewing 

Company brought over 200 alumni together for a fun night. There was lots of 

excitement as alumni from all three schools saw each other and reconnected! 

Top Row – Allison McConnell Monroe '06, Price Monroe '05; Megan Kaldis '05, Casey Wright '05; 

Bottom Row – Michelle Caldwell, Kellan Caldwell '03; Greg Kaldis '07, Jennifer Hobson Kaldis '07.

HOLIDAY LUNCH 

Once again, alumni from near and far gather for the annual EHS Holiday Lunch. Each year, we 

look forward to seeing alumni, meeting their children and hearing all the many updates. In 

addition, the fajitas and queso help with the holiday cheer! Mark your calendars for the next 

Holiday Lunch on Saturday, December 17. We would love to see you and your family! 

Top Row – Jill Buja, Max Buja '91; Whitney Jackson '00, Kelsey Goodwin; 

Bottom Row – Ashley Parker Pope '03, John Pope; David Nwabuisi '08, Spencer Evans '05.

AUSTIN, TEXAS 

With the fall SPC championship in Austin, EHS alumni gathered at Moonshine for an evening on 

the patio. We saw everyone from UT college freshman to alumni that have been settled in Austin for 

some time. Word is that SPC will be back in Austin next fall, so we'll see you again this November! 

Top Row – Joseph Presley, Betsy Myers Presley '05; Ashley Brown '12, Stephen Pitt '12, Isa Hetherington '12, Meagan 

Meeks '12, Mary Alex Knight '12, Julie Nini '12, Stewart Cartwright '12, Drew Galtney '12, Will Fraser '12, Carter Mizell '12; 

Bottom Row – Emily Roeser Wehring '95, Maisie Scharold '93; Daniel Berra, Darby Taylor Berra '98, John Colello.

NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK 

Heather Skidmore Howard '87, COO of Anya Hindmarch, graciously arranged for EHS to 

host an alumni event at the Madison Avenue flagship store. Former faculty members Martha 

Newport and Clinton Carbon joined the fun. We loved hearing about everyone's experiences 

in the Big Apple! To all of our NYC alums, be sure to visit campus when you're in Houston! 

Top Row – Martha Newport, John Colello, Clinton Carbon; Kendall Buckalew McCord '03, Katie Stevens '06; 

Bottom Row – Mason Smajstrla '12, Emily Garibaldi '11; Justin Humphries '01, Laura Hixon Hsu '02.

KNIGHT ARRIVALS 

Walker Raymond 

Born February 18, 2014 to Mary 

(McDaniel) '01 and Weston O'Black 

Aubrey Rose 

Born June 3, 2015 to Tracy 

and Paul Lehman '01 

Annie 

Born August 8, 2015 to Julie (Antill) '01 

and Ryan Bergeron '01 

Mary Lucille "Lucy" 

Born October 21, 2014 to 

Mary and Will Harper '94 

Channing 

Born June 18, 2015 to Gina 

(Groman) '96 and TJ Cooley 

Dante 

Born August 22, 2015 to Meagan 

(Hyde) '98 and Damien De Clerck 

Brooks Kiel 

Born December 17, 2014 to Christie 

(Peeler) '01 and Kiel Garella 

Larsen Michael and Finn Ryan 

Born July 1, 2015 to Ingrid 

(Tellepsen) '01 and Michael Cribbs 

Preston 

Born August 27, 2015 to 

Piasha VanTho '05 

Glen Wallace 

Born February 14, 2015 to 

Kimberly and Jeff Raben '92 

Isabelle Louise 

Born July 4, 2015 to Kristin (Jacobs) '00 

and David Thomas '94 

Georgia Collins 

Born August 29, 2015 to Katie 

and Forrest Andrews '00 

Sofia Marianne 

Born March 15, 2015 to Lizzie 

and Anthony Krajcer '94 

Evelyn Lee 

Born July 11, 2015 to Kathleen 

(Lee) '98 and Philip McDaniel 

2) Mary Francis 

Born August 31, 2015 to Tany 

and Chaz Klaes '05 

Josephine Juhree 

Born April 10, 2015 to Deanna 

and Steven Packard '94 

5) Weston Kemble 

Born July 15, 2015 to Lauren 

and Bryan Athon '04 

Anna Ebersole "Ebby" 

Born September 5, 2015 to Katherine 

(Lane) '04 and Ryan Allen 

Lila Beth 

Born May 4, 2015 to Jennifer 

and Brad Tashenberg '89 

Hannah Elizabeth 

Born July 21, 2015 to Kortney 

(Caldwell) '04 and Kirk Oliver 

Ainsley Savannah 

Born September 7, 2015 to Sarah 

(Swann) '02 and Matt Warren 

Lucy 

Born May 5, 2015 to Henley 

(MacIntyre) '99 and Carter Old 

Annie 

Born July 22, 2015 to Katie 

(Macintyre) '03 and Matthew Wold 

Wyatt Allen 

Born September 18, 2015 to 

Mary and Seth Reiser '99 

Lilian 

Born May 13, 2015 to Meg 

(Greenwood) '02 and Philip Rife 

Keeland James 

Born July 27, 2015 to Betsy Gray 

(Keeland) '00 and Javier Lemaster 

Luke Randolph 

Born October 7, 2015 to Lauren 

and Rand Lionberger '02 

Jake Edward and Beau Thomas 

Born May 21, 2015 to Laura 

and Chris Hutcheson '96 

Scarlett Leigh 

Born July 29, 2015 to Jennifer 

and Daniel Loper '00 

Allison Braley 

Born October 12, 2015 to Melissa 

(Millin) '04 and Connor Cook 

1 

2 3 4

Oliver James 

Born October 26, 2015 to Heather 

(Williamson) '92 and Michael Tonan 

Peter William 

Born December 14, 2015 to Jessica 

(Miranda) '03 and Howard Haryanto '03 

John Emmott V 

Born January 24, 2016 to Lisa 

and John Emmott '97 

Cassidy Joan 

Born October 29, 2015 to 

Lauren and Brad Geary '00 

Eleanor "Ellie" Francis 

Born December 21, 2015 to Laura 

(Hixson) '02 and Geoffrey Hsu 

6) Henry Ryan 

Born January 26, 2016 to Sandra 

and Ryan Mendez '01 

Kate Golden 

Born November 9, 2015 to Elaine 

(Golden) '00 and Russ Webster 

Leigh Carter 

Born December 21, 2015 to Amanda 

(Hobson) '04 and Ryan Savoie 

Alessandra Michelle 

Born February 1, 2016 to Amanda 

(Reed) '96 and Armand Bonvicino 

7) Eve Alexandra 

Born November 15, 2015 to Becca 

(Heilman) '03 and Daniel Davison 

Adeline Kadriye 

Born December 23, 2015 to 

Kadriye and Avery Alcorn '06 

Lucy Caroline 

Born February 2, 2016 to Leigh 

(Nelson) '04 and Jeff Williams '05 

Hannah Grace 

Born November 18, 2015 to 

Katie and Will Miller '98 

Elijah Aleksander 

Born December 24, 2015 to 

Angie and Julio Veliz '04 

Harrison Bennett 

Born February 10, 2016 to Robin 

(Jones) '99 and Jason Begnaud 

Graham Taylor 

Born November 20, 2015 to Kelly 

(Dalio) '02 and Adam Tepper 

Audrey Elizabeth 

Born December 28, 2015 to Virginia 

(Skelton) '06 and Micah O'Hare 

Charlotte Brooke 

Born February 11, 2016 to 

Megan and Matt Lewis '99 

4) Davis Mitchell and Ford Gilchrist 


Emily and Scott Jackson '98 

William James 

Born January 10, 2016 to Jessica 

(Wolff) '03 and Ben Perry 

Ruby La Verne 

Born February 12, 2016 to Elizabeth 

(Kugler) '00 and Rocky Harris 

Josephine Calamity 

Born November 26, 2015 to Bette 

(Bentley) '04 and Brian Santa Maria 

1) Robert Wells 

Born January 20, 2016 to Sarah 

(Brown) '98 and Robert Bailey 

Alex Dylan 

Born February 18, 2016 to Alysha 

(Kahn) '97 and Blake Frieden 

Camden Andrew 


Lindsey and Thurston Webb '01 

Thomas Norwood 

Born January 20, 2016 to Elizabeth 

(Frierson) '05 and Brett Taaffe 

Nelson Michael 

Born February 20, 2016 to Joi 

(Motley) '95 and Garrett Jones 

William Barton 

Born November 30, 2015 to Lauren 

(Timbrook) '99 and Andy Ross 

Benjamin 

Born January 21, 2016 to Leslie 

(Lloyd) '04 and Jonathan Greene 

Riggan Archer 

Born February 24, 2016 to Jenny 

(Campo) '00 and Rusty Rogers 

3) William Kraege 

Born December 5, 2015 to Mary 

(Oates) '00 and Parker Polan 

Greer Merrel 

Born January 21, 2016 to 

Margot and John Athon '01 

As of February 29, 2016. 

Please send 

your Knight Arrivals to 

Margaret Young at 

myoung@ehshouston.org, 

and be sure to share your 

own photos on Facebook 

and Instagram! 

5 6 7

CLASS NOTES 

Send your updates to Kendall Buckalew McCord '03 at kmccord@ehshouston.org so that you can 

be featured here in the next issue of Pillars magazine! You can also keep up with your fellow alumni 

by joining the EHS alumni Facebook page. 

88 

Todd Frazier is creating worldclass 

musical programming for 

Houston Methodist Hospital's lobby 

performances; composing an opera 

based on a heart transplant performed 

by his father. He is also writing a 

symphony, Thomas Jefferson: The 

Making of America. 

89 

Courtney Key Tardy works at the Rice 

Design Alliance at Rice University's 

School of Architecture, where she 

oversees membership and fundraising 

for RDA. RDA is a program dedicated 

to the advancement of architecture, 

urban design, and the built environment 

in Houston. Courtney has a master's 

degree in Architectural History from 

the University of Virginia. She and her 

husband, Philip, have three children: 

Winifred, age 13; Harry, age 11; and 

Cecily, age 7. 

Lisa Papademetriou is an author 

whose latest book, A Tale of Highly 

Unusual Magic, was released in 

October 2015. Goodreads says of the 

book "Bestseller and author of the 

popular series Confectionately Yours 

Lisa Papademetriou is back with a 

magical, page-turning adventure for 

readers of all ages—a touching tale 

about destiny and the invisible threads 

that link us all, ultimately, to one 

another." Not one to sit idle, Lisa also 

has an engaging and comical video 

personality as the grammar diva Ivana 

Correctya. Ivana provides tips on the 

many nuances of the English language. 

Check out www.ivanacorrectya.com. 

91 

Hether Flanigan, her husband Randy 

Agee, and three sons now reside in 

Salado, Texas. 

92 

Featured in the Wall Street Journal, 

Tom Covington's San Franciscobased 

analytics startup tag.bio created 

software to analyze information before 

a soccer game to determine how the 

opposing team is expected to perform. 

95 

In October 2015, the Los Angeles 

Dodgers hired Andrew Friedman 

as the team's director of baseball 

operations. 

96 

The band Grand Old Grizzly featuring 

Chris Lewis and Will Thomas '97 

released a new album "Cosmonada" in 

February 2015. 

Jayson Seidman is building a new 

boutique hotel in the Montrose area of 

Houston, Texas. 

97 

Clayton Katz and Lauren Blaylock 

Teare '98 received the Houston 

Association of Realtors Top 20 Realtors 

Under 40 Award for 2015. 

John Thomas-Kobos wed Krystie Ruth 

Davila on October 17, 2015, in Corpus 

Christi, Texas. 

Will Thomas is a partner in the new 

Raven Tower. The Tower was originally 

built in the 1970s as a metal fabrication 

shop with a bachelor pad on the top 

floor. Now, it is an amazing bar and 

venue for live music. 

98 

Katie Stuckey Rushing wrote, starred 

in, and directed her first play entitled 

Wake Up, Mama to sold out audiences 

in Houston in the fall of 2015. Wake 

Up, Mama is the story of a woman 

who finds herself overwhelmed with 

the transition into motherhood. Feeling 

lost, void of purpose, and disconnected 

from herself and God, she sets out 

on a mission to discover who she 

is and what she is meant to do with 

her life. The cast included four actors 

playing multiple characters. For more 

information on the production, visit 

www.wakeupmamatheplay.com. 

99 

Riley Sharman married Lee-Taylor 

Evans on February 27, 2016, in Fort 

Worth, Texas. Stephen Ebaugh served 

as one of the groomsmen, and Eddy 

Blanton and Craig Peterson were 

ushers. 

00 

On July 18, 2015, Collier Crouch 

wed Denise Bajgrowicz in Lake Tahoe, 

California.

Jenny McKinney married Austin Moore 

on January 30, 2016, in Houston, Texas. 

01 

Laura Denson is now a Financial 

Recruitment Manager with The 

Rowland Group located in Houston, 

Texas. 

02 

Jenny Childers graduated with honors 

from the Bauer College of Business at 

the University of Houston in May 2015. 

She was named one of the Top Five 

Outstanding Students in her graduating 

class. 

03 

Caroline Dudley Bean received the 

2015 Rookie of the Year Award and 

was named a Top Producer for 2015 at 

Greenwood King Properties. 

Anne Louise Conway was named 2015 

Commercial Sales Top Producer at Old 

Republic Title. 

Class Notes 

HEATHER SKIDMORE 

HOWARD '87 

From the Runway 

When Heather Skidmore Howard graduated from Washington College with a degree in sociology, she 

returned to Houston in pursuit of a career in social work. During her search for a degree-related job, Howard 

began working for a friend who had recently started a screen-printing t-shirt company. Suddenly, Heather 

found herself part of a three-person company, and it was there that she learned how to build various 

departments such as customer service, inventory management, and credit and collections. 

With this newfound experience under her belt, Howard decided it was time to leave Houston and head 

to San Francisco. After her tenure at two companies, Howard landed at the iconic company, Gap Inc., as 

director of operations and then as director of production. During this time in San Francisco, Heather married 

and had her twin daughters, Taylor and Addison. Although she was managing work and family life well, 

Howard and her husband, Chris, were eager for more of an adventure. 

With London in mind, both Howard and her husband began interviewing for positions that would allow them 

the opportunity to live in Europe. She met the English designer Anya Hindmarch and was hired as director of 

product development and production of Anya Hindmarch London. During the London Fashion Week shows, 

Anya Hindmarch is the only accessories brand to produce a full on-schedule show. Initially, the company 

employed 40 people, but now the main office has grown to 100 employees. In Heather's first five years, the 

scope of her job expanded to also include not only product development and production 

but also shipping and warehousing, and in 2015, she was promoted to chief operating 

officer. In this new role, Howard runs the supply chain and the processes around 

them—design, product development, sales, production, and quality control. 

In discussing her success, Howard says that EHS is "one of the best things 

that could have happened to me. My best friends today are the women 

I met in 1984. The freedom and foundation from EHS were the building 

blocks of what has carried me through my life and career today." 

—Margaret Young

Megan McGraw married Shaw 

MacIntyre '96 on August 22, 2015, in 

Ojai Valley, California. Caroline Dudley 

Bean served as matron of honor and 

Katie Lucia served as maid of honor. 

Bridesmaids included Lytch Turnow 

Gutmann, Shannon MacIntyre '00, 

and Kendall Buckalew McCord. 

Adriana Banks, Anne Louise 

Conway, and Elizabeth Schlotzhauer 

Putnam were in the house party. John 

Nicholson '96 and Carter Malone '96 

served as best men. Groomsmen 

included Scott Gordon '94 and Matt 

Herring '96. Andrew Bean '04 and 

Drew Evans '94 were ushers. 

Elizabeth Schlotzhauer married Buck 

Putnam on April 23, 2016, in Houston, 

Texas. Kendall Buckalew McCord 

served as matron of honor. Bridesmaids 

included Diana Dunlap Bridger, 

Caroline Dudley Bean, Anne Louise 

Conway, Megan McGraw MacIntyre, 

and Ashley Forgason Willis. Tobin 

Summers served as a reader in the 

ceremony. 

04 

Kelsey McDowell wed Guillermo 

Machado on December 12, 2015, in 

Playa del Carmen, Mexico. Bridesmaids 

included Meredith Clote, Melissa 

Millin Cook, Sarah Harrison Ford, 

Leanne Reeves Gotcher, Amanda 

Hobson Savoie, Kelly Boss Shields, 

and Caroline Brantley Williams. Andy 

McDowell '00 served as a groomsman. 

Mary Catherine Ziegler married Jay 

Birk on April 18, 2015, in Houston, 

Texas. 

05 

Sean Knecht and Sammy Lampe '07 

appeared on ABC's Shark Tank, 

where they presented their company, 

PrideBites Pet Products, to the judges. 

On June 13, 2015, Melissa Matteson 

married Travis Jenkins in Houston. 

Abbey Matteson Ames '06 and Emily 

Matteson '10, sisters of the bride, 

served as matron of honor and maid of 

honor. Courtney Somerville Becker, 

Katy Pyburn Dunlap, and Elizabeth 

Taaffe were bridesmaids. The house 

party included Betsy Myers Presley. 

Jordan Owens married Lindsay Nichols 

on Saturday, November 14, 2015, in 

Midland, Texas. Groomsmen included 

Robert Buckwalter and Rogers Crain. 

John Scully and Michael Weekley 

served as ushers. Sister of the groom, 

Leigh Owens Fitzgerald, served as a 

bridesmaid. 

On November 14, 2015, Liz Webster 

wed Cullen Kappler. Lindsey Webster 

Amiralai '99 served her sister as 

matron of honor. Shaden Abboushi, 

Adriana Banks '03, Georgia Carter, 

Molly Carter, Addie D'Agostino, Katie 

Lucia '03, Annina Stefanelli '04, 

Sarah Downie Zahoryin were 

bridesmaids. Jordan Emmott '00 

served as a groomsman. 

06 

Tommy Chernosky married Lindsay 

Carey on July 18, 2015, in Houston, 

Texas. Tommy is currently working 

as a project engineer with Plains All 

American Pipeline. 

In May 2016, Alanna Dorsett will 

receive her MFA in Directing from the 

Actor's Studio Drama School at Pace 

University in New York City. 

Meghan Grisell works as the 

Development Manager at the American 

Lung Association in Houston. 

Josh Tobin plays Leo in "4000 Miles" in 

a sterling production from Center Stage 

in Baltimore. 

07 

Neat Clark married Anna Chae on 

August 29, 2015, in Houston, Texas. 

Anderson Clark '14 served his brother 

as best man. Groomsmen included 

Carter Johnson and Peter McLean. 

Steven Klimczak wed Amber Maddox 

on June 6, 2015, in Dallas, Texas. 

Madison Klimczak '12 served as a 

bridesmaid. Neal Brown and Sammy 

Lampe were groomsmen. 

08 

On November 14, 2015, Ajay Brivic 

married Chloe Goodman in The 

Woodlands, Texas. Dakota Klaes 

served as a groomsman. 

Emily Brlansky married Connor 

Tamlyn on October 17, 2015, in 

Houston. Bridesmaids included Amy 

Brlansky '11, Vivian Heard, Megan 

O'Shaughnessy, Jenny Tamlyn '11, 

and Emily Vidor. Trevor Tamlyn '08, 

brother of the groom, served as best 

man. James Brooks '05, Robert 

Buckwalter '05, Jordan Owens '05, 

Michael Weekley '05, and Jeffrey 

Williams '05 were groomsmen. 

Ellie Chernosky wed Eric Johnson 

on October 24, 2015, in Houston, 

Texas. Kathryn Sinclair and 

Rebecca Copeland Bajgier served 

as bridesmaids. Brother of the bride, 

Tommy Chernosky '06, served as a 

groomsman. 

Harrison Cullen married Lilly Lewis 

on February 27, 2016 in Jacksonville, 

Florida. 

Lisa Wojnar is a preschool teacher at 

Drumlin Farms Community Preschool 

in Massachusetts where children 

learn through hands-on nature-based 

experiences. 

10 

Emily Matteson teaches kindergarten 

at KIPP Connect in Houston. 

Stephanie Styles plays the lead 

actress in the musical "Newsies." 

Andrew Tharp is an Oil Products 

Trading Analyst at Noble Americas in 

Houston. Noble is one of the largest 

blenders and shippers of retail grade

Class Notes 

gasoline. He completed his Bachelor's 

of Business Administration and Master's 

of Science in Finance at Texas A&M in 

August of 2014 and December of 2015. 

11 

In June 2015, Elon Cornelius 

graduated from Stanford University 

with a B.A. in Sociology and a minor in 

American Studies. 

Travis Gauntt married Lizzy Orr on 

June 7, 2015, in Nashville, Tennessee. 

Tyler Gauntt '13, brother of the groom, 

served as best man. Kevin Hassenflu 

served as a groomsman. Ushers 

included Shea Pierce and Holden 

Hamblen. 

Lauren Hollins graduated from the 

University of Missouri with a bachelor's 

degree in Biological Science and 

Geology in May 2015. 

12 

Alysia Anderson's short film "Geester," 

funded through Kickstarter, was 

selected to screen at the Cannes Film 

Festival in May 2016. 

13 

Mitchell Webber is a sophomore 

defender on Louisiana State University's 

lacrosse team. 

University of South Alabama junior Ken 

Williams made the Third Team All-Sun 

Belt Conference Men's Basketball Team. 

14 

Falyn Page was selected to join the 

University of Missouri's Tour Team. 

Additionally, this summer Falyn will 

travel to Florence, Italy, to attend the 

Florence Arts & Culture Short-Term 

Program. 

15 

Princeton soccer midfielder Jeremy 

Colvin was named "Ivy League Rookie 

of the Week" in October 2015. 

GINNY FUCHS '06 

Fighting Her Way to the Top 

Ginny Fuchs is not your average 28-year-old. Instead of attending office meetings and young professionals 

networking events, her days consist of intense physical training, strict dieting, and sheer focus on her sport: 

boxing. She has her sights set on the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. 

While at Episcopal, Fuchs had never stepped foot into a boxing ring. "I was an athlete, but my focus was 

track and field," she explains. After graduating from EHS in 2006, Fuchs headed east to Louisiana State 

University. It was not until her sophomore year of college that she discovered boxing. "What began as a way 

to stay in shape, soon turned into a passion and a career," says Fuchs. 

After competing in several boxing tournaments, it was clear Fuchs had talent, real talent. She later qualified 

for the 2012 Olympic Trials, but ultimately finished fourth. She did not let this disappointment shatter her 

Olympic dreams. Instead, it motivated her to work harder toward the 2016 Olympics. And 

she is quite close to making this dream a reality. 

In May 2016, Fuchs will have a chance to qualify for the Olympic Games during 

the 2016 Women's World Boxing Championships in Astana, Kazakhstan. If 

she qualifies, Fuchs will be EHS's first alumni member to be an Olympian. 

No matter the outcome, Fuchs manifests the heart of a champion and is a 

true fighter, in every sense of the word. 

—Kendall Buckalew McCord '03

Class Notes 

In November 2015, Georgetown 

University freshman Haddon Hughes 

won an Intercollegiate Sailing 

Association Women's Singlehanded 

National Championship. Haddon is the 

first Georgetown sailor to win the event. 

Cornell University's 2015-2016 Society 

of Women Engineers Corporate 

Relations Liaisons Team. 

Autumn Watt was accepted into 

ANDREW PATERSON '06 

Making Medical Tests "Smart" 

Andrew Paterson, a chemical engineering doctoral student at the University of Houston Cullen College of 

Engineering, won the Young Investigator Award at Affinity 2015, a conference of the International Society for 

Molecular Recognition. 

The award recognized Paterson's ongoing research in rapid medical testing using nanophosphors, lightemitting 

nanoparticles, to detect biomarkers such as viruses, proteins, and bacteria. Paterson has worked 

to improve over-the-counter rapid medical tests since 2012, when he joined the lab of Richard Willson, 

UH Huffington-Woestemeyer Professor of chemical and biomolecular engineering, after completing his 

undergraduate degree at the University of Colorado Boulder. 

"Our goal is to get this diagnostic technology out of the lab and into doctors' offices, and ultimately, we want 

to develop a consumer device sold in drugstores, so people can buy off-the-shelf diagnostic tests for a 

variety of diseases," says Paterson. 

He and UH colleague Balakrishnan Raja have formed a startup, Luminostics, to commercialize the 

diagnostic technology. Their technology features a smartphone-based diagnostic platform that uses a lateral 

flow assay reader and high detectable nanophosphors for sensitive disease detection. Luminostics was 

recently awarded a $50,000 grant from Johns Hopkins University to develop point-of-care tests using the 

smartphone reader platform. 

After many years of research, Paterson is excited to see his concept move one step closer to the consumer. 

"What drives me is the excitement of taking an idea that could change the world and have a positive impact 

on people's lives, and developing that idea into reality," he explains. "By creating technology that enables 

accurate medical diagnostic testing with a smartphone, we hope to empower people to 

take control of their health in unprecedented ways." 

Paterson credits his high school years at Episcopal for teaching him how to 

write. "Although my career is in engineering and science, one of the best 

things I took away from being a student at EHS is a solid foundation in 

writing. From writing scientific papers and patents to developing business 

plans for technology commercialization, the writing skills I developed as a 

student at Episcopal have been indispensable." 


GOLDEN LESSONS 

FROM A SILVER CAR 

by Forrest Pressler '17 

The Last Word 

I am the kid in the old silver car. In 1991, eight years before I was born, my father 

bought a 1985 BMW M6. For as long as I can remember I asked him not to ever sell 

"the silver car." He and I spent a lot of time together cleaning the car and keeping it in 

good shape, and the driver's seat is where I learned to slip a clutch. When I turned 16, 

it became my car. 

Throughout years of keeping the car restored, we became 

good friends with Hans Richter at Texas German Autohaus 

(TGA). Last spring, I asked Hans if I could work for him over 

the summer, and he hired me for two weeks. This was right 

after the Memorial Day floods, and while most of my time 

was spent vacuuming waterlogged carpets, I also was able 

to assist with pulling and replacing an engine on an Audi. 

Working with the porters and mechanics was an invaluable 

experience for me. They all taught me the importance of 

doing a job right and taking pride in my work. No car left TGA 

unless it was running perfectly and did not have a grain of 

sand in the carpet or a water spot on the body. 

Not only did I learn how to take care of equipment, but I also 

learned how important it is to provide an overall pleasant 

experience for a customer. For me, that meant clean 

bathrooms, fresh coffee, clean cars, and a clean uniform. 

For the customer service people at TGA, that meant that the 

customer was always right, and communication was key. 

Who knew that an old car could influence my life so much? It 

was fun to work on the car with my dad, and it taught me the 

value of taking care of things. It also led to a job that taught 

me to take pride in my work no matter what and allowed me 

to see some of the things that make a business successful. 

Forrest Pressler is a junior at EHS. He is on student council 

and the volleyball and swim teams. A version of this article 

first appeared in The Buzz Magazines.

Photo by Ashleigh Teel.

2015 - 2016 

BOARD OF TRUSTEES 

Chairman 

The Rt. Rev. C. Andrew Doyle 

Executive Chair 

Melinda Budinger Hildebrand 

Matthew Baird, Mark H. Barineau, Shelley Torian Barineau, Thomas L. Carter Jr., Ronald P. Cuenod Jr., Thad T. Dameris, Julie 

G. Donaldson, David Ducote, Paige Fertitta, Gregory R. Geib, Laura Gilchrist, The Rev. James M. L. Grace '94, Denman Heard, 

Hank Jones, George V. Kane III, Jeffrey J. McParland, Dis Netland, Townes G. Pressler Jr., Joe Pyne, Ned Smith, Michael O. 

Strode, Bridget Butler Wade '87, James W. Whitehead '94, Randa Duncan Williams 

Life Trustees 

John F. Austin III, Edward C. Becker, The Rt. Rev. Maurice M. Benitez † , Lacy Crain, The Rev. Laurens A. Hall, Victor A. Kormeier, 

Frederick R. McCord † , Laurence B. Neuhaus, The Rt. Rev. Claude E. Payne, Joel I. Shannon, Lynda Knapp Underwood, The Rt. 

Rev. Don A. Wimberly 

Executive Committee 

Merrell Athon, John F. Austin III, John S. Bonner III † , Thomas L. Carter Jr., Jonathan M. Clarkson, The Rt. Rev. C. Andrew Doyle, 

William F. Galtney Jr., Melinda Budinger Hildebrand, Victor A. Kormeier, Laurence B. Neuhaus, Joel I. Shannon, Ned Smith, 

Lynda Knapp Underwood, Thomas M. Wright 

LEADERSHIP 

Head of School 

Ned Smith 

Assistant Head of 

School and Principal 

Nancy Laufe Eisenberg 

Director of Finance 

and Operations 

Evelyn Cambria 

Dean of Faculty 

Nguyet Xuan Pham 

Dean of Spiritual Life 

The Rev. Adam Greene 

Director of Athletics 

Jason Grove 

Dean of Arts 

Jay Berckley 

Director of Advancement 

Peggy Haney 

PILLARS MAGAZINE TEAM 

Director of Communications 

Claire Fletcher 

Graphic Design 

Ashleigh Teel 

Contributors 

Chris Bailey '04 Photography, George Brock, Alice Davidson, 

Jason Grove, Peggy Haney, Mollie Hanna '18, Emma Lyders, 

Kendall Buckalew McCord '03, Pat Michael, Marc Nathan 

Photography, Margaret Young 

Photography 

Claire Fletcher, Mauro Gomez, Ashleigh Teel

4650 Bissonnet • Bellaire, Texas 77401 • 713-512-3400 • 713-512-3606 • www.ehshouston.org 

Non Profit Org. 

U.S. Postage 

PAID 

Houston, TX 

Permit No. 

10468

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