EHS Pillars - Spring 2018

Interim Term • Creative Knights • College Counseling

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.
2

The Episcopal High School Magazine, Spring 2018

IN THIS ISSUE
From the Head of School 04
#KnightsStandOut 06
Bright Knights 10
Heart and Hustle 16
Interim Term 20
Creative Knights 32
College Counseling 36
Pop Quiz 40
Class Notes 44
The Last Word 50
ON THE COVER
Performing Arts Chair Garmon Ashby leads the chorale
at evening Mass in the Chapel of the Incarnate Word
in San Antonio, Texas. Photo by Ashleigh Teel.

SAVE THE DATE
Commencement 05‐20‐18
Alumni Leadership Day 10‐23‐18
Auction Gala 02‐22‐19
Each year at Alumni Leadership Day, the medical panel is a
favorite among students. Photo by Ashleigh Teel.
3

FROM THE
HEAD OF SCHOOL
Dear EHS Family,
"Talent and intelligence are universal, opportunities and resources are not," proclaimed
Devon Cash '14 at this year's Auction. While some might quarrel with the assertion that
talent and intelligence are universal, we at EHS believe in every student's innate talent
and intelligence; we pride ourselves in guiding each of our students to find their particular
inner genius. And we do it very well.
At times, our role in the life of a student is to nurture and develop capacities that are
clearly identifiable in them before they ever set foot on campus—see current senior
TayJon Martin's profile on page 13 for one such story or the profile of Ben Estus '09 on
page 32 for another. More common, however, is the student who arrives on campus with
only a vague sense of identity and direction. What we do, across all Four Pillars, is inspire
our students to explore themselves and their world, to find, with our instruction and
support, their unique inner genius. Senior Mary Helen Kennedy recounts this incredible
process on page 10 and Marlo Cobb Saucedo '87 details her journey on page 33.
Of course, none of this would be possible for our students without our talented and
inspiring faculty and staff. Several are profiled within, but let me draw your attention to the
feature on Episcopal's food service staff, a team that embodies the important role that our
non‐teaching staff members play in the lives of the school, students and teachers alike.
It is amazing to think of the impact our food service staff has had on generations of EHS
students—faith, love, and our mission enlivened through food. Jordan Lang '18 captures
it when she states that every day, "they greet me with smiles on their faces, which puts
a smile on mine." What a wonderful thing that Denman Kane '18 can recall the love he
witnessed as a child while on campus to visit his older brothers, and that Sonny Reil '03
still makes a point of stopping by to say hello and thank you when he returns to EHS.
If you haven't visited campus recently, be sure to do so when you are next in the
neighborhood. There are beautiful new buildings and facilities, but rest assured that the
love, learning, and mentoring are just as you remember—as we help our students find
their inner genius so that they will be equipped to live a life in service to others.
Have a wonderful summer, and Go Knights!
Ned Smith
Head of School
4

Head of School Ned Smith addresses the Auction guests and thanks them
for dreaming big in support of EHS. Photo by Chris Bailey Photography.
5

# KNIGHTS STAND OUT
Artists Bring
Home Accolades
Our student‐artists are standing
out in local and statewide arenas.
Results from the highly competitive
South by Southwest Film Festival
(SXSW) and the Texas Art Education
Association's Visual Arts Scholastic
Event (VASE) showcase the talent,
effort, and potential unleased at EHS.
Weston Bering was nominated to
the SXSW Texas High School Shorts
Moviemaking Program. Bering is one of
only 20 students from Texas to receive
this honor. He recently learned that his
music video "Loveless" won Best U.S.
Music Video at the prestigious Lovett
High School Film Festival in Atlanta,
Georgia, and was screened in front of
650 people.
EHS students Teagan Ashworth,
Madeleine Berckley, Miranda
Greenwalt, Helen Hecht, Mary Helen
Kennedy, Nora Lawless, Parker
Nickerson, Dailey Nottingham,
Natalie Peterson, Ryan Rassoli, River
Reinertsen‐Forehand, and Sam
Wilson received honors at the regional
level of the VASE competition for their
media and studio arts submissions.
VASE artists that advance to State
include Teagan Ashworth, Madeleine
Berckley, Nora Lawless, and Ryan
Rassoli.
Guest Speakers
Enlighten Students
In addition to the guest homilists who
speak in Chapel, the School often
welcomes outside experts to address
issues relevant to the curriculum or
current events.
In February, the Underwood Library
hosted Baylor College of Medicine
pediatric genetics counselor Haley
Streff for a day‐long series of seminars
on the latest advances in genetics
testing. Streff engaged the students by
sharing photos of popular celebrities
who have inherited health conditions,
such as "Game of Thrones" actor Peter
Dinklage (dwarfism), Selena Gomez
(lupus), and Angelina Jolie (BRCA
gene). "Genetic information can be
empowering," Streff asserts, and she
enjoys counseling and advocating
for her young patients. Streff and the
students discussed the pros and cons
of genetic testing and the implications
for employment and families.
In March, the Choices program invited
Houstonian Maureen Wittels to be this
year's Distinguished Speaker. Wittels
explained that her son, Harris, a rising
star in comedy writing, had been a
popular and brilliant student, but after
he suffered a back injury in his 20s, he
developed an addiction that led to his
death in 2015 at age 30. "Addiction
does not discriminate," she says. "It
affects all demographics."
Eight Students
Named National
Merit Finalists
By taking the 2017 Preliminary SAT/
National Merit Scholarship Qualifying
Test and meeting the required Selection
Index of 212 or above, eight EHS
students have shown outstanding
academic potential and have been
entered into the 2019 National
Merit Scholarship Program. From
approximately 1.6 million entrants,
these students are among the 50,000
highest‐scoring participants who will be
recognized in the fall.
From the 50,000 high scorers
nationwide, about 16,000 will be named
National Merit Program Semifinalists,
representing the top scorers in each
state. The other 34,000 students
will be commended for their PSAT/
NMSQT performance. Semifinalists
will be the only students to continue in
the competition for about 7,500 Merit
Scholarship awards to be offered in
September 2019.
Congratulations to our EHS finalists:
Daniel Cai, Brett Hauser, Carter
Kardesch, Claire Kardesch, Anna
McLauchlin, Ellie Ragiel, James
Henry Ray, and Gabrielle Small.
After her son's death, Wittels embarked
on a mission to prevent other families
from similar tragedy. She travels
throughout the country educating
audiences about opioid addiction and
effective recovery programs. Wittels
believes that a key to prevention is
to encourage self‐care and stress
management in families, schools, and
workplaces.
6

#KnightsStandOut
NHS Welcomes
58 Students
From the Athletics Director:
Knights Unleash Success Early in 2018
More than 50 students were inducted
to the National Honor Society at the
April ceremony. The nationwide society
recognizes students who stand out
in areas of scholarship, leadership,
service, and character. In addition to a
minimum grade‐point average, students
are required to complete a monthly
requirement of service hours.
Congratulations to our newest NHS
members: Mea Ayers, Elizabeth
Barringer, Emeline Birdwell, Lauren
Bordelon, Clayton Butler, Sophia
Casetta, Ashley Chandler, Lilly Cone,
Katherine Davidson, Tyler Donovan,
Abigail Flame, Anna Giesler, Ellie
Gilchrist, Carolyn Hammond,
Alexander Haney, Sophia Haugh,
Brett Hauser, Alexandra Herrera,
Harrison Holmes, Harris Inoff, Alyssa
Kapusta, Carter Kardesch, Claire
Kardesch, Jackson Kelso, Rachel
Koch, Sadie Jensen, Anabelle
Maples, Molly McGreevy, Anna
McLauchlin, Macy Miller, Finty
Milton, Mekaela Murphy, Gaby Murra,
Julia Nasser, Delaney Newsome,
Mark Nylund, Elyse Pedrick, Vincent
Perryman, Lauren Porter, Eleanor
Ragiel, James Henry Ray, Claire
Schwarze, Amiri Scrutchin, Isabella
Shin, Sofia Siegel, Story Sinex,
Gabrielle Small, Camille Spence,
Lillyana Stefanakis, Jamie Tatum,
Kathryn Taylor, Sophie Thomas,
Cameron Anne Trainer, Isabelle
Vobbe, Emily West, and Hannah
Windle.
The new year launched successfully for the Athletics Pillar as the Knights enjoyed
outstanding results at February's winter SPC tournament. The boys soccer team
led the charge as they defeated Cistercian (1‐0), St. Mark's (4‐0), and Casady
(2‐0) to capture their third consecutive SPC championship. The Knights finished
the season with a 13‐0‐1 record and ranked #33 in national top‐50 polls. The
boys basketball team competed in their fourth consecutive SPC championship
game and lost a hotly contested match to Houston Christian. The wrestling team
parlayed an incredible performance in the early rounds of the SPC championships
to earn second place in the conference. Both girls soccer and girls basketball each
earned two impressive wins in the tournament to place fifth overall. Girls and boys
swimming competed very well in the championship meet as the girls finished sixth
and the boys eighth.
The spring season is now upon us, and the Knights have enjoyed a strong run in
non‐SPC play. The softball team is having a season for the ages as the Knights
sport a 22‐1 record (at press time) and a #14 national ranking! The team is poised to
hold on to the SPC championship trophy for another year. The baseball team also
looks to match last season's championship success, and the early results are very
promising. The Knights are ranked #1 in the state private school baseball polls and
earned a big 6‐3 win over nationally‐ranked and defending UIL 6A champ Cy‐Ranch
in early March.
Several students will continue sports at the collegiate level, and on May 1, our
seniors will announce college commits. Spring SPC kicks off May 3; all results will
be posted on the EHS website. Go Knights!
—Jason Grove, Athletics Director
The boys soccer team set a school
record with their third consecutive
championship at the winter
SPC tournament.
7

# KNIGHTS STAND OUT
"Lead the Way"
Capital Campaign
Seeks Support
for Next Phase
The skyline at the EHS campus reveals
signs of progress as the walls come up
for the 25,700‐square‐foot Underwood
Student Center. Key features of this
building will include: a large dining hall
and server with double the seating
capacity of our former space, two
state‐of‐the art innovation classrooms,
a performance stage, a coffee bar, and
an art gallery. The construction project,
which is funded through generous
donations to the school, is on budget
and will open in Fall 2018.
This building is the second building of
an $80 million multi‐phased campus
master plan which includes the
Hildebrand Athletic Center, the new
Underwood Student Center, a new
Visual and Performing Arts Building,
a new Benitez Chapel, and field
improvements.
Just over 50 percent of our ambitious
goal has been raised to date;
fundraising is ongoing for this important
effort. For more information, contact
Peggy Haney, Director of Advancement,
at 713‐512‐3436 or via email at
phaney@ehshouston.org.
Scholastic
Awards Celebrate
Creative Minds
Episcopal High School marked a stellar
year in the Scholastic Art and Writing
Awards, with 32 students recognized
by the program locally, and one writer
and 11 artists earning Gold Key awards,
which advanced their work to the
national competition. National winners
will be recognized at Carnegie Hall in
New York City on June 8.
Congratulations to our Gold Key
winners: Rohan Asthana, Kelsey
Barker, Weston Bering, Rosalind
Coats, Uday Dhillon, Mollie Hanna,
Nicole Hopwood, Elliott Jones, Mary
Helen Kennedy, Cade Williams, and
Annmarie Youtt in the arts categories,
and Ellie Gilchrist in the Poetry
category.
Congratulations to the Silver Key
recipients: Merrie Afseth, Rosalind
Coats, Anna Layton Debes, Parker
Forque, Miranda Greenwalt, Nicole
Hopwood, Sadie Jensen, Nora
Lawless, Elaina Manalac, Morgan
McKee, Sophia Pamphilis, and
Annmarie Youtt for their arts entries,
and Anna Moise for three writing
entries. Seniors Mollie Hanna and
Mary Helen Kennedy were each
awarded two Silver Keys for works
submitted in the arts categories.
Hexagon Yearbook
Named One of
Nation's Best
In March, the American yearbook
manufacturer Jostens announced that
the 2016 ‐ 2017 Hexagon will be featured
in the Jostens Look Book.
The largest publication of its type,
Jostens' Look Book features 296 pages
of design, coverage, photojournalism,
and themes reproduced from
outstanding yearbooks created by
Jostens customers. The Hexagon made
the cut for outstanding design.
"Of all the honors The Hexagon and its
staffs have received over the years, this
one is the most special," says yearbook
faculty sponsor David Framel. "With
our appearance in such an exclusive
publication like the Jostens Look
Book, graphic artists and yearbook
professionals recognize our team as
unique innovators. This is a big pat
on the back for every student in the
publications program."
Congrats to those awarded Honorable
Mention: Sam Birdwell, Holt Johnson,
Blair Lovoi, Judy Roberts, Keith
Sill, Sarah Vanderbloemen, and
Sam Wilson for their arts entries, and
Catherine Andrews, Ellie Gilchrist,
Rachel Hallett, and Claire Kardesch
for their writing entries. Two arts
submissions by Catherine Cohn and
three by Mary Helen Kennedy were
also awarded Honorable Mention.
8

#KnightsStandOut
EHS Office of
Communications
Strikes Gold
California Dreaming: A Knight
on the Golden Coast Made
Our Dreams Come True
The Episcopal High School
Communications team recently earned
six awards at the CASE District IV
conference in Fort Worth. CASE
District IV includes universities and
independent schools from a five‐state
region that includes Texas, Louisiana,
Arkansas, New Mexico, and Oklahoma.
Advancement departments and
communications offices submit their
best brochures, magazines, websites,
and photography for the competition
each year. EHS is proud to compete
against some of the largest universities
in the United States and be judged the
best of the best.
The EHS Office of Communications
received the following awards this
year: Gold in the Website Homepage
category; Gold in Viewbook Design;
Gold in Admission, Recruitment, and
Promotional Literature Design; and
Silver in the Design Improvement
category.
Additionally, Graphic Designer and
Communications Associate Ashleigh
Teel was awarded Silver in the Athletics
Photography category, and Webmaster
Mauro Gomez took home Bronze
in the Digital or Computer Enhanced
Images category.
On Friday, February 23, 2018, the EHS community headed to "Palm Springs" to
celebrate and support Episcopal High School at California Dreaming: A Knight
on the Golden Coast in our new Hildebrand Athletic Center. Co‐chairs Tammy
Barringer and Molly Shaffer, along with countless volunteers and generous
donors, raised an astounding $1.3 million for the School's operating budget.
Decorations Chairs Allyson Connelly and Gretchen Hilyard worked with
Swift + Company to transform Alkek Gym into an unforgettable evening in California.
Upon arrival, guests were greeted by two classic retro vehicles, palm trees, and
a replica of the iconic Parker Hotel breeze bricks. Frank Sinatra played in the
background as attendees sipped on California sparklers and bid on silent auction
items. After a gourmet dinner, guests raised their paddles high for the outstanding
Live Auction. We finished the evening with brandy freezes and a throwback DJ at
the after‐party—all while "dreaming big" for EHS.
During the Paddles Up portion of the Live Auction, EHS alumnus Devon Cash '14
discussed the impact EHS and the financial aid program had on his life. "Because
I was fortunate enough to study at such a great high school without financial
impediments, I was able to focus all of my efforts on simply being a student. The
ultimate result is that eight years after starting my journey here, I have been
positioned to embark on a career that has already allowed me to begin paying it
forward. Talent and intelligence are universal, opportunities and resources are not."
Devon's heartfelt testimony combined with the generous donations of the EHS
community raised over $200,000 for the financial aid program at Episcopal.
With our California road trip complete, the
EHS is gearing up for Auction 2019
"Derby Knight." Co‐chairs Sabrina
Espinoza, Patricia Hammond,
and Lyria O'Brien promise
an unforgettable evening
at "Churchill Downs" that
can't be missed!
For the latest "Derby
Knight" news and
updates, check the
School's website
and weekly Windows
eNewsletter. If you
would like to get involved,
contact Debbie Kelley at
dkelley@ehshouston.org
or Kendall McCord '03 at
kmccord@ehshouston.org.
9

Bright Knights
MARY HELEN
KENNEDY '18
An Eye for Design
Mary Helen Kennedy has always been interested in art, but through EHS's robust Arts Pillar she's learned
that she also likes design. "I never really thought my artistic abilities would translate into a career, but through
knowledge and encouragement I found I was interested in architecture," she says, and now she's looking to
further her study of architecture in college.
What she appreciates most about Episcopal is how the school is such a tight‐knit community, with each
of the Four Pillars working in sync to develop the whole person. "A lot of times in math I've looked at
proportions, how the eye moves, and I try to figure out how that relates to what I'm learning in physics or
biology," says Kennedy. "Even learning about history can help my research in art projects. This school really
lends itself to relating my different classes together."
The faculty and structure of the arts program have made Kennedy the artist she is today. Arts teacher
Sharon Wilcutts has been an inspiration to her during her four years at EHS and helped broaden her artistic
interests. "We did a project together called 'Color Theory Matching' that really interested me. Mrs. Willcutts
is good at encouraging me to keep exploring new things." Kennedy appreciates how Episcopal weaves
arts electives into the schedule and makes creativity a priority. "We have so many opportunities within the
Arts Pillar. We're encouraged to take a class every semester, not just once in four years," she explains. "The
variety of options, not to mention after‐school opportunities and workshops, allows you to explore many
areas. Even if you're not in a class, you're always welcome in the Art Wing of the Convent."
The turning point for her, where art became not just a hobby or a pastime but something she would explore
the rest of her life, was a project called "Grief and Relief." "I was working with more design in painting. That
was the moment where I solidified my interest in design. It wasn't so much the actual painting but the
experience that led to it. Although it was a simple piece with bubbles and cloth, I was working with shapes
and placement and contrast, incorporating all these concepts that I'd never used before," she explains. "The
prompt was about the Seven Deadly Sins. I made it relatable to my life at that time—stress—and ended up
winning a citywide competition."
The EHS arts program focuses a lot on the creative process, and Kennedy has not only improved her artistic
skills but also the ability to take risks and problem solve. "We've worked on projects that are challenging and
call us to do more than what's expected in a typical art class. These courses incorporate the students' ideas,
not just, 'I'll show you what to do, now do it,' but 'we'll figure out which process to take, and how we are
going to formulate that together.'"
10
—Emma Tsai

11

12

Bright Knights
TAYJON MARTIN '18
The Power of Patience
August 2005. That's when 5‐year‐old TayJon Martin began to comprehend the grace and power of patience.
Hurricane Katrina destroyed his family's New Orleans home and pitched him, his mom, brothers, and sister
into a nomad's life of bunking with relatives, starting new schools, and bouncing from Oklahoma to Georgia,
before landing in Houston in 2007. The moves were tough, but Martin taught himself to be patient and to
believe that things happen for a reason. He knew he would do better than simply survive in life—he would
thrive.
During middle school in the Cy‐Fair district, Martin's athletic prowess lit up the football field and basketball
court, and he quickly realized that those talents could lead to a college scholarship.
To reach his full potential as a scholar‐athlete, Martin researched area coaches and high schools. "Coach
Jones and Coach Leisz are known for bringing out the best in their athletes," he explains. "My goal was to
transfer to Episcopal, so I could achieve my full potential both athletically and academically."
Martin left the 3,600‐student Cy‐Falls High School after sophomore year to transfer to EHS. His instincts
were spot‐on. "I love a small school where you know almost everyone in your grade. The teachers here listen,
and I have been fortunate to build relationships with coaches and faculty like Ms. Nancy Eisenberg and
Mr. Eric Lerch. I also appreciate daily Chapel," he continues, "because it provides a break from the rigor of
classes. Hearing personal stories of student homilists helped me build connections and make friends here."
The qualities of patience and good instincts made Martin a standout cornerback in the SPC. "I'm fast, but
the key is to not act too soon or a receiver can fake a route," he says. "I wait, read the route, then go for the
burst and tackle." Coach Leisz concurs, adding, "TayJon stays with a play better than any athlete I've seen.
He never gives up, and in every game he makes a touchdown‐saving tackle on the other side of the field."
When college scouts came calling, Martin evaluated his opportunities and trusted his gut to determine which
program would be the best fit. "I'd like a chance at both a stint in the NFL and a career on Wall Street," he
asserts. "I want to play Division I, but have the support of a small school environment." With that wish list in
mind, he signed with the Lafayette Leopards in Pennsylvania, where he will play in the Patriot League.
Lafayette's Head Football Coach John Garrett told Martin he will start freshman year, and so he heads to
Pennsylvania for practice and conditioning in June. "I'm not eager to leave home, but at the same time I am
excited to join the Leopards, start college, and see what the future brings."
Equipped with patience, self‐awareness, and faith in the future, it's a good bet that Martin will not only
survive his next steps, he will thrive.
—Claire C. Fletcher
13

MOMENTS
Fairy tale characters came to life when EHS Onstage
journeyed "Into the Woods" for a spectacular
spring musical. Photo by Ashleigh Teel.

15

16

HEART AND
HUSTLE
EHS Food Service Dishes
"Awesomeness" Every Day
From the first shift at 5:00 a.m. to after‐hours concessions or campus events,
the Episcopal High School Food Service team delivers the fuel that powers the
Four Pillars.
As the school expands and the new Underwood Student Center undergoes
construction, a determined team of cooks and crew presses forward, rolling
steaming trays of scratch‐made meals from the kitchen, across the sidewalk,
to the temporary dining hall in Crum Gym. This daily choreography unfolds with
dedication, cheer, and a commitment to excellence.
But the team's mission incorporates more than lunch. Because the students
interact with Food Service every day for four years, many Knights develop
friendships with the staff. Class of 2003's Sonny Reil makes a point to visit
the group every time he returns to campus for meetings or athletics. "The
friendship with the cafeteria staff is just one more example of the unique
connections students make during their time at EHS," explains Reil.
Junior Mia Carrabba concurs. "I look forward to lunch because I'm hungry,"
she says, "but more importantly because I get to interact with people like Ms.
Darlene, Ms. Karen, and the staff. Every one of them has genuine care and
concern for the students."
Macy Miller '19 says, "I love coming to get a
sandwich and visit with the staff. They are always so
happy and funny, and it brightens my day."
Food Service Director Susana Borges‐Pasini leads with a combination of
precision, unparalleled work ethic, and compassion that brings out the best
in her team, and her respect for them is clear. "This group puts their heart
and soul into getting here at the crack of dawn, preparing meals, transporting
food back and forth from the kitchen to Crum, delivering catered meals to the
Trustee Room or Alumni Center, catering special events like Knight Celebration
and Open House, and going above and beyond to better serve everyone
seamlessly," she states.
17

"With the challenges a temporary dining facility brings, this year has been tough
for our department," she adds, "but I am so proud of our team."
Besides providing a wholesome rotation of menus, Borges‐Pasini and her
team are intentional about ambiance and information, decorating the serving
areas with seasonal themes or spirit swag, and labeling gluten‐free and vegan
options. Each month, Borges‐Pasini sends a monthly nutrition newsletter to
students and faculty that highlights fun trivia about vegetables such as snow
peas or cuisine from countries like Venezuela.
Next school year, Food Service moves to the re‐imagined Underwood Student
Center, complete with plenty of natural light, seating for 500, and a coffee
bar. While stunning architecture and amenities will certainly elevate the dining
experience, senior Denman Kane says the camaraderie among students and
cafeteria staff is the tradition that endures. "I will be sure to come back and
visit the Food Service staff after I graduate," he promises. "They have meant so
much to me and to EHS."
—Claire C. Fletcher
More Than Lunch: Beloved Food Service
Team Impacts Students' Daily Lives
"They not only provide great food, they are also hospitable and funny," Mia
Carrabba '19 shares. "The staff never fails to put a smile on my face, no matter
how stressed or tired I am."
Senior Denman Kane '18 is a long-time fan of EHS Food Service. "The Food
Staff is awesome. I've been coming to the cafeteria since I was a little kid when
my brothers were in school here. They know exactly what I want each day and
that means a lot. I will be sad to leave them, but I will make sure to come back
and visit because they have meant so much to me and to EHS."
"Whenever I am on campus, I make an effort to visit the Food Service team,
many who have worked here since I was in school," says alum Sonny Reil '03.
"Not only is the food delicious, it gives the students the fuel necessary to
participate in all the extracurricular activities available throughout the Four
Pillars."
"Mrs. Maria and Ms. Karen are two of happiest faces on campus," adds Jordan
Lang '18. "Every day I get the same sandwich, and now they know my order
by heart. When I walk up to the serving line, they greet me with smiles on their
faces, which puts a smile on mine!"
18

Meet the Team
Darlene Alexander
Entrée line and catering
Maria Arias
Sandwiches, salads, and fruit
Gvahn, Nancy, Karen, Maria, and Darlene.
Olga Benavides
Prep and dish room
Silvia, Olga, Adrian, Blanca, and Susana.
Susana Borges‐Pasini
Director of Food Service
Karen Rogers Broussard
Sandwiches and entrée sides
Nancy Hastings
Grill and prep
Gvahn Nelson
Main cook
Adrian Rodriguez
Catering, prep, and dish room
Blanca Villescaz
Entrée line and prep
Silvia Warren
Desserts, bakery, and dish room
19

INTERIM TERM:
A WORLD OF
IDEAS
Interim Term, a two‐week period at the
start of each spring semester, gives students
the opportunity to broaden their high school
experience through courses not offered in the
standard curriculum. Diverse topics range
from fashion to film, and magic to med
school. Three travel opportunities
were also available this year,
featuring trips to Costa Rica,
Walt Disney World, and
Washington, D.C.
20

MINI MED SCHOOL
Calling Doogie Howser, MD! Mini Med School, taught by Erin
Russe and Cade Slepitza, introduced the basics of terminology
and testing skills needed to help students formally diagnose a
fictitious patient and present their findings. Students completed
CPR and First Aid certification, met with doctors and medical
school students, analyzed popular medical TV shows for their
accuracy, and experienced a taste of life as a med student.
This course opened my eyes about the stamina and
perseverance needed to pursue a career in medicine.
I really enjoyed the hands‐on experiences. We visited
the UT McGovern campus, practiced suturing
techniques, learned CPR, and even worked with a
laparoscopy machine.
—Clayton Butler '19
21

COSTA RICA
Travelers to this verdant
destination returned with
tales of exotic adventures and
attitudes of pura vida. Led
by faculty chaperones Krystal
Davis, Kerry Hofmeister, and
Amira Kamal, students explored
Costa Rica's culture, history,
and way of life.
We immersed ourselves in the style of pura vida, the
"live and let live" philosophy of Costa Rica. We enjoyed
so many amazing experiences: zip‐lining, hiking through
national parks, seeing monkeys swing in trees, watching
sea turtles hatch and crawl in to the ocean. I can't wait
to go back!
—Brooke Braniff '19
22

Interim Term
23

WADING INTO THE
COSMIC OCEAN
Created by science teacher Justin Hickey,
this course fostered an appreciation,
understanding, and ongoing curiosity
about the mysterious, intense, and
magnificent Universe. Students learned
about astronomy in a historical
context, understanding its relevance
in ancient and modern times alike,
and hypothesized about what
impact astronomy will have on
the future of the human race.
I loved this class, especially learning about
constellations and black holes. We each made
constellation spheres and mapped out our
favorites like Orion, Ursa Major, and Cygna.
You could say my experience with this course
was... out of this world!
—Catherine Andrews '20
24

Interim Term
25

FROM PRINCESSES TO
KARDASHIANS: WOMEN IN
POPULAR MEDIA
Via Disney movies and other popular media, English
teacher Emily Barron led students to examine the messages
that entertainment conveys about the norms and cultural
expectations of women in modern American society.
Why was Snow White cleaning
up after the Seven Dwarves?
This Interim Term class taught
us to spot cues about how
women are represented in all
forms of media. I consider
myself a passionate feminist and
enjoyed hearing other students'
perspectives about the changing
roles of women in society.
—Rachel Koch '19
26

Interim Term
27

Interim Term
28

HIP‐HOP
From "breaking" to "krumping," dance instructor Kristina Burgess
and her Interim Term students choreographed urban dance
styles, investigated the evolution of hip‐hop, and performed body
movements to improve balance and coordination.
Hip‐hop is all about expressing feelings. Though the
moves are the same, each choreographer's style is
unique. It's amazing that this 1970s dance genre began
on the streets and is so mainstream today.
—Noah Prophet '19
29

SPORTS AND NATIONALISM
In Yugoslavia, brothers and basketball teammates are torn apart as
they find themselves on opposites side of a war. In India, Cricket
is a matter of life or death. In Columbia, drugs and soccer prove
to be a fatal mix. Guided by documentaries, students and history
teacher Travis Smith examined how sports explain the political
and social makeup of a country.
People all over the world connect
their identities with their sports
teams. If a World Cup team loses
in Italy, some fans can hardly
crawl out of bed the next day.
Documentaries about a famous
cricket player and other superstars
showed us both the joy and the
burden young athletes feel when
the stakes are so high.
—Connor Baily '21
30

Interim Term
31

CREATIVE KNIGHTS
Julia Jiao '08: Telling Stories in 3D
"Nothing beats a design that tells a story," declares Julia
Jiao '08. After leaving the Rhode Island School of Design
in 2012 with a degree in Industrial Design, Jiao landed an
internship at Puma. Within a few months she became a
major player on the All‐Star design team at Converse. Jiao
felt happy and inspired at Converse, creating the next line
of women's footwear, but something was missing. Jiao, a
typical creative, admits she is always antsy and seeking
innovation. She explored other areas of product design
to further her visual language and started experimenting
with 3D modeling and printing. Jiao joined a design team
building prototypes, proofs, and concepts for start‐ups,
where she gained valuable business skills, but the team was
small and the opportunities were limited.
Via networking, Jiao met two engineers, Wombi Rose and
John Wise, who launched Lovepop out of the Harvard
Innovation Lab in late 2014. The two were named to the
2015 Techstars class, nominated for "50 on Fire" by BostInno,
and gained the confidence of investors all over the world
by building custom‐made, 3D greeting cards. After meeting
the Lovepop founders, Julia joined the fledgling firm of 15
to become their 16th card builder, creating intricately cut
3D paper sculptures that are engineered on software and
handcrafted in the "kirigami" art form.
Jiao says she has found her niche at Lovepop, where she can
combine her knowledge of business with 3D modeling. Now
two years into the gig, she is the lead designer of the wedding
products team, working alongside sales and production,
and helping to build one of the fastest‐growing start‐ups in
the industry. Recently, the team worked with HBO to create
"Game of Thrones" cards, and the five‐piece set is just the
beginning of what Lovepop calls "an intriguing relationship we
are building in the mysterious continent of Westeros."
Jiao plans to stay in Boston for a few more years. "I love the
company and team I'm with and can see myself growing
within
it," she
explains. "At
the same time, I would like to give back to the communities
that helped me along the way. One of my interests concerns
young designers or those invested in a creative field. Creative
fields include the most empathic and versatile groups of
people, important to many organizations, but they are often
light on resources and tools. I am interested in learning how I
can help young designers navigate the industry."
Reflecting on her high school years, Julia says her passion for
design was ignited by the variety of art classes she was able
to take at Episcopal. "The classes were relevant to the trends
of the time and taught collaboration and risk‐taking—two
qualities important in creative fields. And the digital programs
boosted me a few years ahead of my peers in college," she
says. "The benefits gained at EHS keep bubbling up in my
career and personal life in so many amazing ways."
—Sharon Willcutts
Ben Estus '09: Enjoying Every Step
"Giving life to stories and characters—that's what I love to
do," says actor Ben Estus '09. He gets to share that passion
almost daily, as he continues his fifth season in Broadway's
"The Book of Mormon," written by television "South Park"
creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone. Estus, one of EHS
Onstage's high‐profile alumni, brings his trifecta of acting,
singing, and dancing skills to the musical satire, playing a
wholesome Mormon who travels door to door to recruit
converts. The show is a rare box office smash, and Estus
feels blessed to have a steady job and perform with top
talent—a dream for most actors.
Besides delivering memorable leads in "Dracula" and "Pippin"
while at Episcopal, Estus won a prestigious Tommy Tune
32

Award for his role as Tommy in the musical "Urinetown." Estus
says that citywide accolade helped him gain auditions during
the first years of his career.
After graduating from Episcopal, Estus headed to
Northwestern University to complete his B.A. in Theatre, with
a Musical Theatre Certificate. At Northwestern he balanced
rigorous academics and performed in many productions,
such as "Rent," "The Pajama Game," and "42nd Street."
While EHS Onstage prepared him for his dream career, he
says that joining the Knights wrestling team—where he was
named State Champion and All‐American—provided equal
benefits. "Wrestling re‐defined hard work and taught me
teamwork and discipline," he explains. "George Brock and
Steve Leisz toiled tirelessly with my schedule to ensure I
could participate in both theatre and wrestling in high school,
and I think that kind of collaboration is pretty rare."
As with most live theatre productions, his role in "Book"
requires eight performances a week. "You have to be healthy
and in great shape, so a background in athletics is terrific."
Besides Broadway, Estus has performed in regional theatre,
film, and movies—and at only age 26, his future looks bright.
"If students love acting
and know it's something
they want to do, they
just have to go for
it," he advises. "As in
every field, there are
plenty of naysayers,
but the ability to handle
rejection is especially
important in theater. You
have to love auditioning—
see it as your chance to perform
for the day. There's a lot of nonsense
that comes along with the 'business' but if you still love the
acting and the art it encompasses, it's worth it," he says.
"Read a lot, do good work in class, don't be afraid to fail, and
find ways to enjoy every step of the process. Everyone's road
to success in this field is completely different. Keep hustling
down your own road and don't pay attention or compare
yourself to anyone else. If you work hard, know your lines,
and show up on time, good things will always happen. And
when they do—it's so awesome!"
—Claire C. Fletcher
Marlo Cobb Saucedo '87: Distance, Up Close
Marlo Cobb Saucedo '87 was introduced to art long before
high school through summer classes at MFAH's Glassell
School. Art was a passion, but not a career goal. After
graduating from EHS, Saucedo attended Davidson College,
writing for The Davidsonian and majoring in psychology with a
concentration in Spanish and French.
Her first job took her to Washington, D.C., where she assisted
with the resettlement of Vietnamese‐American
war babies in her work for the International
Catholic Migration Commission. She
left that position to earn an M.B.A. in
entrepreneurship from the University
of Texas, all the while taking art
classes in Austin. When creative
friends began dropping out of
the M.B.A. program at a fast
clip, she was inspired to create
a handwriting‐to‐line visual
diary of the experience called
"Escaping."
Returning to Houston with her
M.B.A. and working as an HTML
coder, Saucedo continued to feel
pulled toward visual art. After she and
her husband, Alex, bought their first home
in Bayou Lofts among the storied buildings of Houston's early
downtown, Saucedo developed an interest in the architecture
and history of Houston. She revisited handwriting‐to‐line
techniques in depictions of the Houston skyline. Each work
noted the building's height, architect, address, and year
completed, and she sold the pieces to lawyers and architects
with downtown offices.
Today her medium extends to collage on canvas and
board, using acrylic mixed with high‐end latex. The works
feature words in English, Spanish, or French that allude to
history, poetry, and opinion. Saucedo calls her style "visual
art narrative." She's interested in exploring the internal and
external, mind and matter, and presenting interiors at a close
distance, "like the stories we hold within ourselves," she says.
Having a studio in The Silos on Sawyer since 2016 has
escalated her productivity and focus. "You never want to be
the smartest person in the room," she says. "I'm fortunate to
have talent all around me at Sawyer Yards. We collaborate,
discuss our work, and bounce ideas off each other."
As for the future, "I'll keep focusing on what I enjoy—color,
shape, writing, and collaboration," she says. "Thinking bigger
is better," she believes, "and failure is better than never trying."
—Margaret Young
33

ALUMNI
WEEKEND
Old and New Friendships
Shine at "Stars at Knight"
Knights from far and wide returned to campus for Alumni Weekend
2018, eager to revisit the familiar and take in the new. A packed
weekend of events provided alumni an opportunity to be on campus,
explore the city of Houston, and even hit the golf course.
In Friday's Chapel service, our EHS students were able to hear from
both of the Alumni Weekend award recipients. Katheryn Shaffer
Ray '89 and Eric Avera, gave heartfelt talks regarding their years at
EHS and how they continue to look forward to each new school year,
their students, and the many a‐ha moments that occur each year.
The highlight of Friday's "Stars at Knight" celebration saw Ray and
Avera both receiving their Alumni Weekend awards. In addition,
the evening featured a special tribute and toast to retiring history
instructor Ray Balch. Alumni from decades of class years joined
in the festivities and enjoyed fabulous spirits and food pairings
hosted by Nick Adair '05 and his latest bistro‐style restaurant, Eloise
Nichols Bar and Grill.
Saturday brought campus tours, a Kid's Zone for alumni children,
lunch in the new Alkek Gym, and not‐to‐be‐missed class reunions.
Capping a fun‐filled weekend was Monday's Dads Club and Alumni
Golf Tournament.
This year's host committee did a stellar job coordinating all the
details and preparations. Attendees look forward to next year's
party and reunions.
—Margaret Young
Save the date for Alumni Weekend 2019, on April 5‐6!
34

Photos by Chris Bailey Photography.
35

COLLEGE COUNSELING
Helping Students Find the Best Fit
SAT and ACT scores, extracurricular activities, service hours,
honors and AP classes, rigorous academic courses—it's no
wonder that the college selection process can be stressful.
"The college counseling program at EHS not only takes some
of the guesswork out of college preparation but uses a
comprehensive method to find the best fit for each student,"
says Director of College Counseling Julie Rollins.
"We really get to know our kids," adds Patricia Houser, college
counselor, "and that not only helps identify meaningful ways
for students to get involved and pursue their passions, but it
also leads to them discovering themselves."
Ultimately, what the Episcopal High
School College Counseling office seeks
to accomplish for each student is a great
college match socially, academically, and
financially.
EHS college counselors go beyond helping students build
a resumé or complete a college application. Instead, they
create a comprehensive persona for each student that gives
them the space to fail or grow out of certain activities and
interests. "We have an open‐door policy that's unique," says
Rachel Lopez, college counselor. "A ninth grader can roll
in and talk to us any time, however briefly. We make time
to touch base, and it alleviates some of that anxiety around
going to college."
EHS has a holistic college selection process that takes into
account the unique qualities of each individual student. "The
end game is not to get into the most prestigious school,"
Houser says, "but for the student to know him or herself well
enough to identify and thrive and grow." Lopez adds, "We
really have the freedom to find the option that's best for the
student. Our program uses a collaborative approach that's
unique and draws upon the knowledge of five people, not just
one individual counselor."
"Because of the size of our team, we carry a workable student
load, and that frees up time to travel and network with
colleges, so they know what an Episcopal student is and
what that will add to a campus," Houser adds. "To get better
acquainted with the students, I often pick up projects on
campus, such as getting involved in the annual chili cook‐off
or attending arts and athletic events."
A Four‐Year Journey
What differentiates the EHS college counseling
program is the extent to which our counselors
help students develop self‐awareness and
confidence. The process begins freshman
year, when the college counselors meet with
students in large groups. Individual meetings
are welcome but not required. A foundation
is built as counselors discuss academic rigor,
GPA trajectory, extracurricular involvement,
and areas of interest. Sophomore year, the
College Counseling Department strongly
encourages an individual conference with
a particular counselor, which parents are
welcome to attend. That conference digs into
details about the rigor of a student's schedule,
extracurricular activities, testing (PSAT), and
leadership opportunities. Though the counselors
do not pull a college list together at this point, their
goal is to ensure that students will have multiple college
options down the road.
36

Course selection guidance is a priority for sophomore
year as students look ahead to 11th grade,
arguably one of the most important years in
the application and selection process. Junior
year, following Interim Term, each student
schedules a formal conference with a
college counselor. A parent or guardian
is required to attend, during which the
counselor discusses potential areas of
study, the student's course curriculum,
and standardized test scores. EHS
counselors meet the students where
they are—whether the family has
an initial list they're working toward
or they are open and flexible. This
conference begins the conversation
that will work toward a balanced list
of college options. During senior year,
each student has a conference with his
or her individual counselor to finalize that
list. The counselor helps with everything
from the college essay to the resumé,
reaching out to college reps, and exploring
financial aid and scholarships.
Counselor Mark Carter enjoys the breadth of the
relationship that begins with students freshman year. "I
watch them grow throughout the process, from when they
were younger high school students until they become seniors.
I can see a really big change." A number of programs help
support families during the college selection process, such
as advice on teacher recommendation letters, visits from
college representatives, and conversational programs for all
grade‐level
parents. In addition, the counselors host Junior and Senior
Parent Nights, with guest speakers that address topics such
as admission trends and the transition to college life.
College Counseling Advocates for Students
The College Counseling Department's frequent networking
with college representatives benefits the students and can
change the trajectory of people's lives. Reps from more than
200 colleges visit Episcopal each year, resulting in close
relationships with our students and counselors.
Ultimately, what the EHS College Counseling office seeks to
accomplish for each student is a great college match socially,
academically, and financially. "We give our families personal
attention and treat each child as an individual. There's not a
hidden agenda that we have to include certain colleges on
the lists that we report. We have the kids look at places that
will truly work for them," Rollins explains. The collaborative
approach allows the counselors to work off each other, and a
student can consult with a counselor that best fits his or her
personality. "When we go into a junior conference, we'll get
feedback from one another," says Rollins, "and we check to
see if we're missing anything or there's something we should
be looking for."
A large part of the extraordinary work the counselors do is, in
fact, counseling. "It can be disappointing for both the student
and the parent when a student doesn't get into his or her
top choice. On the other hand, most students realize there
are many great options for an excellent college education—a
place where they can grow both academically and socially,"
Rollins explains. A close relationship with their counselor that
includes trust, face‐to‐face meetings, and a bond that begins
freshman year helps students cope with the mixed emotions
of the application process.
"Getting to know our students, helping them discover new
passions, and encouraging them through rigorous academics
and tedious applications brings positive results—and a
college that's a great fit," says Rollins.
—Emma Tsai
37

Inner genius is the spark inside that allows us to become our
best selves. When I'm in the dance studio, pushing myself
as hard as I can, or in my classes where I'm challenged
by my teachers to further my knowledge, that's where I
#FIND INNER GENIUS
—Elyse Pedrick '19, Dance and College Counseling Ambassador
Inner Genius is being able to thrive in an environment
that is constantly forcing you to find creative solutions
to complicated problems. EHS challenges us in every
aspect of the Four Pillars, so whether it's on the court
or in the classroom, students are compelled to
#FIND INNER GENIUS
—Amiri Scrutchin '19, Boys Volleyball
You #FIND INNER GENIUS when
you discover your passion. My passion is musical theatre, and
I love to step out on stage and shine with the people I have
come to call my family.
—Gwendalyn Diaz '21, EHS Onstage and Student Senate
38

I help kids #FIND INNER GENIUS
by facilitating those a-ha moments in their writing, in their
connection to the world, and in themselves. Inner genius
is also revealed when students seize new opportunities on
campus, leading them to discover a little bit more of who
they are and how they want to leave an impact on the world.
—Courtney Goldberg, English Instructor and Director of
Student Activities
To #FIND INNER GENIUS you
have to believe in yourself. We all have special talents
and skills that are unique to us. Even if the skill doesn't
feel unique, the way that you do it will be.
—Preston Witt '19, Baseball and Boys Volleyball
At EHS, we #FIND INNER GENIUS
by allowing our hearts and minds to be shaped by the truest,
most beautiful, and best of things. Thus, we study Einstein, are
moved by Bach, and seek to emulate Mother Teresa.
—Joshua Smith, Religion Instructor
39

Q+A
with EHS
Teachers
Pop Quiz turns the table on teachers and asks them
to respond to 11 quick questions. Their enthusiastic
responses reveal the values, quirks, and interests that
make them so effective in leading EHS students.
40

ALAN DUNCAN
Computer Science Teacher and Coach
Alan Duncan is wrapping up his sixth year at
Episcopal High School but his 20th year as a
full‐time educator. His roles at Episcopal
include teaching computer science,
coaching freshman boys basketball,
and sponsoring the Computer
Science Club.
A proud native Houstonian,
Duncan is a graduate of Lamar
High School. He has been
married to his wife, Tanya, for
five years and they have two
children, Jazzmin and Jacob.
Duncan earned a B.S. in
Applied Mathematics from
Texas A&M University and his
M.S. in Management, Computing,
and Systems from Houston
Baptist University. After graduating
from A&M, he worked for eight years
in the oil and gas industry as a systems
programmer and database administrator.
"My teaching experience began in 1997 when
one of my professors in graduate school offered
me an opportunity to teach courses at the University of
Houston‐Downtown," says Duncan.
He found inspiration and purpose as a teacher and later worked at two HISD high schools and at Strake
Jesuit College Preparatory. Besides teaching, he is passionate about music and plays the trombone. A
career highlight was the chance to combine interests on a mission trip to Jamaica where he and his
student‐volunteers donated more than 75 band instruments, sheet music, and instructional booklets and
held five days of tutorials to start a student band at a Jesuit high school in Kingston.
What's on your playlist right now? Jonathan Batiste, A Tribe Called Quest, and the Brian Blade Fellowship.
What was the first concert you attended? Superfest starring Frankie Beverly and Maze, Guy, Kool
Moe Dee, and MC Hammer. If you weren't a teacher, what would you pick for a career? I would be
a disc jockey. I am fascinated with the various roles music plays in our lives. What is your proudest
accomplishment? Being a parent, husband, and a first generation college graduate. Do you have a
favorite app or tech gadget? My smart watch and Voice AIY (do‐it‐yourself artificial intelligence) that has
me entertaining the idea of artificial intelligence on campus. Did you have a mentor growing up who
inspired your career? My parents were my biggest supporters and mentors. Even though my parents
have not been with me for 20 years, their guidance continues to be most inspirational and enlightening. If
you could travel back in time, what period of history would you choose? Back to the future. What
trait do you most admire in your colleagues? The ability to communicate and share positive, optimistic,
and organized visions with and to young people. What trait do you most admire in your students? The
confidence that comes from practice and preparation. Read any good books recently? The 7 Habits of
Highly Effective People by Stephen Covey. If you could eat only one meal this week, what would it be?
My dad's BBQ and any one of my mother's homemade cakes.
41

MARK MITCHELL
English Teacher and Coach
Mark Mitchell grew up in Atlanta, Georgia, and taught
high school in Raleigh, North Carolina. He also
taught a first‐year writing course at the University
of Texas while attending grad school. Now in
his fourth year at Episcopal, Mitchell teaches
English and debate and coaches the JV
baseball team.
Mitchell took a break from teaching
after grad school to work as a
legislative aide at the Texas Capitol,
both in the House and the Senate.
After that he went to law school
and worked as an attorney. "Once I
realized how much I really hated being
a lawyer," he explains, "I came back to
teaching and joined EHS."
Mark and his wife, Brandie, stay busy
keeping up with their two little girls,
5‐year‐old Ella and 2‐year‐old Kate. But in
those rare moments of spare time, "I still manage
to get to the gym a lot and see a fair number of
concerts in town," he shares.
What's on your playlist right now? Audiobooks! Right now I'm listening to the last book in a trilogy called
The Broken Earth by N.K. Jemisin. If you like science fiction‐ish books, they're worth a read (or a listen).
What was the first concert you attended? I was lucky enough to see Stevie Ray Vaughn the year before
he died. It's still the best show I've ever been to. That guy was electric. If you weren't a teacher, what
would you pick for a career? I'd probably still be a fairly miserable lawyer or staffer at the Capitol. Not
miserable in the sense of being bad at those jobs—they just did not agree with my personality. What is your
proudest accomplishment? I don't have a proudest accomplishment. Once something is done for me, it's
done, and I'm on to the next thing. I try not to spend too much time thinking about the past or resting on
the things I've done. Do you have a favorite app or tech gadget? The Netflix app. When I was a little kid,
I dreamed of someday having a magic television that would have all my favorite shows. Having Netflix on
all my screens pretty much meets that definition. Did you have a mentor growing up who inspired your
career? My geometry teacher really inspired me. No matter how many times I'd go to her for help, she was
always patient, always kind. She never made me feel bad about how truly awful I was at any kind of math.
She was always intentional about identifying our strengths and encouraging us to grow. If you could travel
back in time, what period of history would you choose? I'd probably go back to my 9th grade year to tell
myself it's going to be OK. No matter how weird high school, college, and your early 20s get, it's going to
be OK. I'd probably also tell myself to place a substantial bet on the Atlanta Braves to win the 1991 pennant.
What trait do you most admire in your colleagues? Despite how incredibly busy everyone is, they all
come together whenever help is needed. Whether it's covering for a sick teacher or sharing resources,
everyone has a commitment not just to their students but also to each other. What trait do you most
admire in your students? The sense of humor my students show nearly every day. If I had a job like theirs—
seven different bosses with seven different sets of expectations—I'm not sure I'd show as much grace and
humor as they do. Read any good books recently? Ever since my senior year in college, I re‐read Moby
Dick every winter. I got a late start this year, and finished it in March. If you could eat only one meal this
week, what would it be? Whatever the taco of the month is at Torchy's. That place can do no wrong.
42

SHELLY EDMONDS
History Teacher and Coach
"Field hockey shaped me into the person I am today," says Shelly
Edmonds, history teacher and field hockey coach. Edmonds
started playing the sport when she was in 3rd grade and
continued through college at the University of Virginia.
"In high school, I played for a very competitive school
and club team. My coach didn't accept anything other
than your best. It forced me to push myself mentally
and physically—more than I ever thought I was
capable of," she explains. "As a result, I developed
discipline and resilience. Overall the sport made me
a stronger person, and I realized how much I am
capable of even in the most difficult situations."
Edmonds grew up near Philadelphia in Emmaus,
Pennsylvania, where her parents still live. She is the
third child of four, and during holiday breaks she enjoys
traveling back home or visiting her siblings who live in San
Diego and London. She does have one sibling nearby, an
older sister who lives in Houston.
And though she left Charlottesville over five years ago, Edmonds bleeds
Jefferson Blue, even through NCAA upsets. "UVA was awesome and I will always be a University of Virginia
basketball fan—through the good and the bad!"
What's on your playlist right now? A little bit of everything: Creedence Clearwater, Jack Johnson, Taylor
Swift, The Band, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, Shania Twain, Dixie Chicks, and Turnpike Troubadours.
What was the first concert you attended? I was a junior in high school, and I saw O.A.R. If you weren't
a teacher, what would you pick for a career? I'd be a yoga instructor on a beach in Mexico. What is your
proudest accomplishment? My junior year in college we beat University of North Carolina to go to the ACC
championship. We ended up losing the championship and later losing to UNC in the Final Four. As much of a
rivalry as I feel toward UNC, that game and that season were my proudest accomplishments. We worked so
hard to build our field hockey team from barely making the NCAA tournament my freshman year to making
it to the Final Four. Do you have a favorite app or tech gadget? I recently made a Pinterest account. Now
I understand what people mean when they say they love and hate Pinterest at the same time. I downloaded
the app for some ideas on how to decorate my apartment for Christmas, and it ended with me trying to
make DIY projects for 10 hours! It was a huge time sucker, but my apartment looked fantastic! Did you have
a mentor growing up who inspired your career? My high school AP U.S. teacher, Mr. Haja. He loved
U.S. history. He made it seem like a story but challenged us to think about how that day's lesson affected or
shaped our lives. I had never worked so hard in a class in my life, and it felt good to put effort in and gain so
much from it. If you could travel back in time, what period of history would you choose? I am interested
in many eras. I would either travel back in time to West Africa during the rise of the trans‐Saharan trade
route in the 1000s‐1200s, or land in Ancient Egypt. What trait do you most admire in your colleagues?
Their willingness to collaborate. If I am looking for a new way to approach an event or time period, there is
always someone willing to share their unique strategy. What trait do you most admire in your students?
Their curiosity. Our students always want to know more about a specific topic or how an event shaped
a current topic. Read any good books recently? Right now I am reading Nudge by Richard Thaler and
Cass Sunstein. It is not a history book, but it is a great book about decision‐making. If you could eat only
one meal this week, what would it be? I am not Polish, but I am Pennsylvania Dutch, and I used to eat
pierogies all the time growing up. If I could have one meal for a whole week, it would probably be homemade
pierogies sautéed with onions.
43

CLASS NOTES
Send your updates to Director of Alumni and Annual Giving
Margaret Young at myoung@ehshouston.org so that you can be
featured here in the next issue of Pillars magazine!
87
Tiny Marshall married Sarah
Hartsough Callahan on November
25, 2017, in Naples, Florida. Mark
Williams and Mark Chehlaoui were in
attendance. Tiny is the owner of Mac in
a Snap, a Kentucky‐based IT services
company focusing on Macintosh
computer repair and support. The
company was recently recognized
as Louisville's most trusted on‐site
computer repair company for Apple
products.
Marlo Cobb Saucedo was featured
in the "Villager Vignette" section of the
Houston Chronicle for her work as a
local artist.
88
Artist Libbie Masterson (pictured
above with Amanda Whitehead
Johnson '87) recently hosted an open
house at her beautiful Houston studio.
Clint Miller is a software architect
working for Convey in Austin, Texas.
This spring, he will complete eight years
as a youth baseball and soccer coach.
89
Katherine Alexander recently
became the morning briefer to Dana
White, Assistant to the Secretary of
Defense for Public Affairs. Katherine
is responsible for briefing Dana, a key
member of Secretary of Defense James
Mattis' staff, on crucial international
defense issues. Katherine has served
a variety of assignments during her
20 years with the U.S. Department of
Defense, including deployments to
Afghanistan and Saudi Arabia, as well
as temporary assignments in Florida,
Hawaii, Europe, and the Middle East.
On July 22, 2017, Jennifer and Brad
Tashenberg (pictured below with fellow
alum DJ Johnson) announced the
arrival of Colette Christine.
90
Ken Blair recently took a job as
the lead systems administrator for
Memorial Hermann Health System.
Ken's job ensures that new technology
is implemented according to the
company's technical, legal, and security
standards.
Josh Roman and Andrew
Hawthorn '91 (pictured below)
both serve as volunteer firefighters.
After learning about the impact of
Hurricane Harvey on their respective
fire departments, Andrew and his
team donated two brush trucks and a
Ford Excursion to the Meyersville Fire
Department, where Josh serves, in the
greater Brenham area.
92
Natalie Cronfel Aide and husband
Michael welcomed daughter Elizabeth
Grace Vivian on October 24, 2017.
Chadrick Cross (pictured right with
son James) returned to campus to film
a video about his time at EHS and his
path to becoming a cardiothoracic
surgeon. Look for the video on the
alumni page of the Episcopal High
School website.
Research from neuroscientist Dena
Dubal was highlighted in a recent
San Francisco Chronicle article titled
"Scientists Aim to Wipe Out Dementia
and Other Diseases of Aging." Dena
treats patients with strokes, seizures,
dementia, and other cognitive problems.
44

Hillary Brooks Houle and EHS physics
instructor Eric Avera participated
in Brazos Bookstore's "Writers on
Remembrance" reading. Hillary's work
has been featured in USA Today and
Poet Lore, America's oldest poetry
journal.
While working at the same hospital,
fellow Knights Heather Schwab
Sambilay and Chidi Achilefu '04
(pictured above) discovered that they
are both EHS graduates!
Eric Santamaria (pictured right
with EHS science instructor Beverly
Rutledge) returned to campus to kick
off Alumni Leadership Day with a
Chapel talk. He shared what it's like
working at the Tesla headquarters and
the importance of believing in yourself.
93
Arden O'Donnell is living outside of
Boston with her partner, Liz Berges,
and three beautiful daughters. She
works as a palliative care social worker
and is currently pursuing her Ph.D. in
social work at Boston University.
95
Michael Eisenberg was the lead
author of a recent report on paternal
age. He serves as the director of male
reproductive medicine and surgery
as well as the associate professor of
urology at Stanford University Medical
Center. A New York Times article, "New
Fathers Are Older Than Ever," features
Michael's research.
Brad Kirklin and wife Natalie
welcomed Bradley "Mac" McMahon
Kirklin II on December 19, 2016.
Rachel Rosen Wyatt now serves
as the creative director for Elisabeth
Christian Public Relations. Rachel's
business, Wyatt Brand, was recently
acquired by the PR company.
96
On October 24, 2017, Jenny Harris
Kelly and husband Chris welcomed
new addition Quinn McIver.
Kara and David Kirsten welcomed twin
girls Bayla Sarah and Shoshanna Ruth
on June 2, 2017.
Dominique Newton Kohl recently
received a grant to start her nonprofit,
Upside Down Paper Crown, which
focuses on empowering students in the
learning process by connecting their
mind, body, and spirit. Dominique's
work was featured in The Huffington
Post, and she recently presented at the
We Are Girls Conference in Houston,
Texas. Alexandra Ortiz '05 was the
volunteer assigned to Dominique's
conference workshop.
Megan McGraw MacIntyre '03 and
Shaw MacIntyre proudly announced
the arrival of Robert "Robbie" Shaw
MacIntyre IV on November 13, 2017.
For the past seven years, Marshall
Pengra has served as the gospel
community pastor at Sojourn Heights
Church. He recently accepted a new
role within the church as the pastor of
care and counseling.
97
Jarred King joined the EHS community
for daily Chapel where he gave a
heartfelt talk about the medical
volunteer group Faith in Practice and
their missions in Guatemala.
Elizabeth and Brett Monroe became
the proud parents of a baby boy,
George Theodore, born May 9, 2017.
98
Marcia and Michael Laas announced
the arrival of their son, Jake Martinez,
on November 2, 2017.
On October 9, 2017, Louise Plumb
Paez and husband Gabe welcomed a
baby girl, Stella Thomas.
Lauren Blaylock Teare and husband
Sean welcomed their fourth child, Sadie,
on November 18, 2017.
Jamie Eidman Waldrep and husband
Jordan are the proud parents of Parker
Cayce, born January 22, 2018.
99
Christina Pickett Blackwell and
husband Bart welcomed daughter
Vivian on November 1, 2017.
45

Class Notes
Ollison and husband Christopher
announced the arrival of Theodore
"Theo" Fitzgerald.
Megan and Jay Cohen welcomed baby
girl Caroline Lila on October 31, 2017.
Sarah and B.W. Crain had a baby boy,
Bluford "Ford" Walter V, on May 9, 2017.
Sarah Lodowski Kitchen and husband
Benjamin announced the birth of
Frederick Cameron (pictured left with
older brother Benjamin) on July 22,
2017.
Jenny Jackson Miller and husband
Steve had a baby boy, Bodhi Sai, on
May 27, 2017.
Suzanne Burdett Howley and
husband Justin welcomed baby boy
Harrison on August 24, 2017.
Kasey Morton Marshall and husband
Chad became the proud parents of Ali
Grace on January 27, 2017.
On August 23, 2017, Kittie and Wilson
Mayfield proudly announced the birth
of Ralph "Will" Wilson Jr.
Riley Sharman started a new job
with Marcus & Millichap as a retail
investment sales associate.
Sandra and Ryan Mendez announced
the birth of their daughter, Ava Delilah,
on March 24, 2018.
On August 12, 2016, Nealey Levi
Stapleton and husband John had a
baby boy, Mason Wild.
Beth Stockwell Vanderkolk and
husband Ryan have two beautiful
children. Their son, Reed, was born
on June 11, 2015, and the couple
welcomed their second child, Skye, on
April 21, 2017 (pictured below).
On May 24, 2017, Allison Holmes
Spayd and husband Mike welcomed
new addition Scott Morgan into the
world.
00
John Baker serves as design director,
founding member, and board member
of the Houston‐based Dirt Dogs
Theatre Company.
Courtney and Wells Brown became
the proud parents of Avery Rose on
January 22, 2018.
Shenna and Jeffrey Brown welcomed
a baby girl, Shannon Giselle, on May
23, 2017.
Collier Crouch moved to Washington,
D.C., from Yokohama, Japan. He is
currently a lieutenant commander in the
U.S. Navy and is part of the Joint Staff
at the Pentagon.
Philip Storey recently completed
an ophthalmology residency at the
University of Southern California. He
is currently at Wills Eye Hospital in
Philadelphia for a fellowship in retina
surgery.
Melanie and Anthony Thomas became
the proud parents of Malcolm Davon on
December 10, 2017.
02
On November 10, 2016, Emma
Simmons Anselmi and husband
Michael became the proud parents to a
baby boy, Elias Simmons.
Christine and Hunter Blackwell had a
baby girl, Margaret "Margot" Rose, on
May 18, 2017.
Kristina and Houston Braly welcomed
daughter Harper Lee into the world on
November 9, 2017.
Caroline Wray married Daniel Fox on
August 19, 2017. They currently reside
in Winston‐Salem, North Carolina,
where she works as a patent litigation
associate at Kilpatrick Townsend &
Stockton LLP.
03
Lindsay Evans Black and husband
Jeremy announced the arrival of
Charles Douglas on February 1, 2018.
Melissa and Logan Moncrief became
the proud parents of Charlotte Elise on
November 6, 2017.
01
On January 16, 2018, Amanda Sirota
On June 10, 2016, Gina von Sternberg
Free and husband Collins proudly
announced the birth of William
Anderson.
Courtney Evans Henke and husband
Andrew welcomed Adeline Patricia on
January 4, 2018.
Anne Louise Conway married
Brett Blanchard (pictured right) on
September 30, 2017. Caroline Conway
Lipscomb '05 served as matron of
honor. Bridesmaids included Diana
Dunlap Bridger, Kendall Buckalew
McCord, Elizabeth Schlotzhauer
Putnam, and Ashley Forgason Willis.
46

Caroline Dudley Bean and Megan
McGraw MacIntyre were in the house
party. Tim Conway '09 served as a
groomsman.
Kappler '05, Katie Lucia Rottet,
Megan McGraw MacIntyre, Ariel
Reed Spagnoletti '02, and Annina
Stefanelli Emmott '04.
Throckmorton Jackson and Jeff
Jackson welcomed a son, Charlton
Henry (pictured below).
Becca Heilman Davison and husband
Daniel had a baby girl, Hadley Gray, on
September 24, 2017.
Tobin Summers married Michael
Moeller on April 29, 2017, in Brooklyn,
New York.
Caroline Keeland Harrison and
husband Andy Harrison welcomed
Hunter Watts on May 14, 2017.
On July 8, 2017, Kendall Buckalew
McCord and husband Trey became
the proud parents of James Richard
McCord IV (pictured above).
Kate McLean was featured in the
Houston Chronicle with her article, "The
#MeToo Movement and the Restaurant
Industry."
Jose Molina started at South Texas
College of Law in Houston.
Adriana Banks married Mark
Monroe on March 25, 2017. Honorary
attendants included Liz Webster
Hunter Wakefield married Elizabeth
Cleveland on September 9, 2017, in
Fort Worth, Texas. Ralph Abenshein,
Stephen Fox, and Lloyd French were
groomsmen, and Rogers Crain '05
served as an usher.
04
Julie von Sternberg Andrews and
husband Will welcomed a baby boy,
Charlie Sackett, into the world on
August 17, 2016.
Jessica Ahrens Bingaman and
husband Conor welcomed twins, Phillip
Wright and May Towns, on May 18,
2017.
Liz McCormick obtained her Master
of Science in Architecture Studies
from the Massachusetts Institute
of Technology. She will be serving a
fellowship in building technology with
a New Orleans architectural firm and
acting as a guest lecturer at Tulane
University.
05
On July 18, 2017, Elizabeth Matthews
Dickson and husband Colin became
the proud parents of daughter Riley
McKenzie.
Amanda and Juan Martinez welcomed
daughter Ava Marie into the world on
July 3, 2017.
On October 23, 2017, Maggie Rose
Loper Page and husband Corey
became the proud parents of Jack
Edward.
Joe Sharman married Whitney
Easterling on November 11, 2017.
Groomsmen included Cooper
Morris, Jeff Jackson, Justin Dzik,
Price Monroe, Nick Adair, Rogers
Crain, and Jeff Williams. Simon
Feinsilver '06 served as an usher.
On January 9, 2018, Leigh Owens
Fitzgerald and husband Nicholas
announced the arrival of their son,
Michael Charles Fitzgerald (pictured
right).
On July 27, 2017, Tany and Chaz Klaes
had a baby boy, Charles "Charlie"
Thomas.
On October 19, 2017, Taylor
06
JohnPaul Colello received awards
at the South Texas College of Law's
Appellate Advocacy Moot Court
competition. He was awarded
Outstanding Advocate and placed first
for his brief.
47

Class Notes
On October 30, 2017, Lauren Bricker
Hodge and husband Jeffrey welcomed
a baby boy, George Henry.
On September 30, 2017, John
Kerns wed Sydney Mafrige in Aspen,
Colorado. Emily Vidor '08 served as
maid of honor. Simon Feinsilver, Eric
Jaschke, and Tolar Hamblen were
best men, and Mitchell Malone was a
groomsman.
Gina and Vu Nguyen proudly
announced the birth of their son,
Maddox Kai Moore, on June 29, 2017.
In 2016, sisters Sarina Rapini
Peterson and Brianna Rapini created
a science curriculum around their
YouTube channel, the "Amoeba Sisters."
Last year, they earned enough revenue
to leave their day jobs and pursue the
business full‐time.
William Turner married Kathleen Long
on November 4, 2017. Harrison Glover
and Walton Leavell were groomsmen.
07
Molly and Travis Adams welcomed
their son Phillip William into the world
on December 5, 2017.
William Baker is a professional tennis
player who works for former University
of Houston and nationally‐ranked player,
Jim Rombeau.
On September 12, 2017, Katelin and
Binford Halverson welcomed their
baby girl, Walker Kate (pictured below).
On November 18, 2017, Caroline and
Peter McLean welcomed their son,
James Johnson.
On December 22, 2016, Kristen
Winship Ross and husband John
welcomed baby girl Alaina Ann.
08
In October 2017, Katia Mazzone
Basley and her catering company, La
Petite Dominique, were featured in the
"Inspiring Stories" section of Voyage
Houston magazine.
On January 29, 2018, Maria Tapia
Cavanaugh and husband John
welcomed daughter Julieta Avery.
Vivian Heard wed Byron Langford in
Houston on April 22, 2016. Catherine
Heard Riewoldt '06 served as matron
of honor. Bridesmaids included Anne
Giles Langford '10, Laura Murphy,
Meagan O'Shaughnessy, Emily
Briansky Tamlyn, and Linden Utt.
Jordan Jones '10 was in the house
party, and Denman Heard '12 served
as a groomsman.
Amy Engler and her colleagues
(pictured left) recently presented their
research, "Empowering Underserved
Youth: An Adolescent Mental Health
Initiative Serving Urban Middle
Schoolers," at a Baylor College of
Medicine symposium. Their research
centered on an educational intervention
at Navarro Middle School.
Last fall, Jay Magness joined the EHS
community for Chapel where he shared
his poignant story of recovery.
John Wooldridge received awards
at the South Texas College of Law's
Appellate Advocacy Moot Court
competition. He was awarded
Outstanding Advocate and placed third
for his brief.
10
David Gow's production "Where Has
Tommy Flowers Gone?" had an exciting
run at New York City's WorkShop
Theater last winter. The production
met with positive reviews. Broadway
Radio's Peter Filichia said of David, "He
is astonishing. For an actor to memorize
this would be so difficult, but he does it.
It's a showcase for him."
Christian Lane is working at Cars.com,
one of Chicago's first tech start‐ups. He
was recently promoted to senior sales
consultant and asked to manage their
largest market in New York City. He will
be moving to NYC in May 2018 to join
the team.
Sarah Thomas Merritt and husband
Chance welcomed a baby girl, Peyton
Mary Elizabeth, on July 18, 2017.
48
Andrew Sterling recently moved
to Nashville to pursue his MBA at
Vanderbilt University.
09
At an Astros game in June 2016,
James Burke threw out the first pitch
representing the Epilepsy Foundation
of Texas.
Charlie Strauss joined HFF as a
real estate analyst on the investment
advisory team.
Stephanie Styles will appear as a
regular on the sitcom "Three Rivers."
Stephanie returned to campus last fall
to serve as an Alumni Leadership Day
Arts and Entertainment panelist. When
asked to give career advice, the actress
impressed upon EHS seniors the

importance of being genuine and the
power of a good reputation.
On February 3, 2018, Katherine Egner
married Trevor Brown '11 (pictured
below). The couple wed in Benitez
Chapel on the Episcopal High School
campus.
14
Devon Cash (pictured right) recently
returned to campus to kick off the
Paddles Up portion of the EHS Auction
in support of our financial aid program.
After he graduates from Stanford
University in May 2018, Devon will move
to New York City and begin his job with
Goldman Sachs.
11
On February 16, 2018, Travis Ryan
(pictured below) completed pilot
training with the U.S. Air Force. He will
be moving to Dover, Delaware, to fly the
C‐17 Globemaster III.
13
In May 2017, Claremont‐Mudd‐Scripps
lacrosse midfielder Cara Cancelmo
earned a place on the All‐SCIAC First
Team. She was also named to the
IWLCA All‐West Region First Team.
In May 2017, Olivia Landry graduated
from the University of Texas at Austin
with a Bachelor of Arts in English and
a minor in dance. She is now enrolled
as a student at the University of Texas
School of Law.
The University of Missouri honors 39
seniors every year for their academic
achievement, leadership, and service
to the school and the community. Out
of thousands of nominees, Falyn Page
(pictured below) has been selected for
the 2018 Class of Mizzou '39.
15
Hayley Donnelly, a lacrosse player at
Southwestern University, was named to
the All‐IWLS Second Team.
17
In June 2017, Trei Cruz was drafted in
the 35th round by the Houston Astros.
Walker Little was named Co‐Freshman
Offensive Player of the Year in the
Pac 12. He was the first freshman at
Stanford to start on the offensive line in
over 18 years. He was also selected for
ESPN's All‐America Freshman Team.
In September 2017, Jordan Pytosh, a
freshman at Northwestern University,
had his editorial published in The Daily
Northwestern. Jordan will continue to
be a contributing writer for the student
paper.
Jackson Henry was published in the
February 2018 issue of the Journal of
Applied Physics.
On April 7, 2018, Kendall Plank and the
Texas A&M University Women's Polo
Team rode away with the title at the
National Intercollegiate Championship
Finals, held at the Santa Barbara Polo
Club in Carpinteria, California. The
team won 14‐5 over former champs
University of Virginia, garnering their
third national title after a 23‐year dry
spell. Kendall was also named a 2018
NIC Women's All‐Star player.
Maggie Rippeto, who plays lacrosse
at Rhodes University in Tennessee,
was named to the SAA All‐Conference
Second Team.
49

LIFE LESSONS
ALONG THE
AMAZON
by Johnny Motley
In the glaring blast of the equatorial sun, I waited
outside an obscure outpost of the Brazilian Bureau of
Indian Affairs for my name to be called by the office's
director. I had been in the Amazon for months—evinced
by my emaciated frame, heavy beard, and darkly‐tanned
skin. A week‐long voyage in a hammock slung up in a cargo
ship—a journey through majestic corridors of towering forest,
mysterious waters populated with pink river dolphins, and
stretches of river so wide that they appeared as actual seas—
had taken me from the Amazonian city of Manaus to the last
non‐indigenous settlement in Brazil, a military base known
as São Gabriel da Cachoeira. Indigenous people consider
this region, straddling the tri‐border of Brazil, Colombia, and
Venezuela, the heart of the Amazon Rainforest.
Those waiting with me outside the outpost reflected the
dazzling ethnic diversity of this region. Among others, I
identified Yanomami, known as the "fierce people" and
isolated to the mountains near Venezuela; Tukano, the
most populous and dominant tribe in the Upper Amazon;
Nadahup, pygmy hunter‐gatherers who were considered the
"Grandfathers of the Forest;" and Quilomberos, descendants
of fugitive enslaved Africans who had established colonies
in the Amazon during the colonial era. Those waiting with
me had likely traveled from their reservations to renew
government documents, and they stared at me with silent
curiosity. As I mentally prepared my pitch to gain permission
to visit the protected indigenous communities further up the
river, I was summoned by the director's secretary.
He was Tukano, but his paunch and doughy face betrayed
the fact that he had lived outside of the traditional villages for
many years. He eyeballed me with suspicion. "So, you're the
gringo who wants to visit the communities?" he asked as he
fished for a proposal I had submitted to his office days earlier.
The proposal spoke to my religious studies course at Harvard
University and my desire to observe traditional rituals among
the Upper Amazon's indigenous groups.
I affirmed that I was the foreigner in question, and he cut me
off before I could finish. "You can forget about these plans. I
won't authorize you even a single day in the protected villages.
What's more, if I find out that you go there anyway, I will send
the military police after you."
Despondent,
I sat with a local friend later that evening on the bank of the
Amazon. He was a Tukano, and we had become fast friends
on the boat ride to São Gabriel da Cachoeira.
He chuckled as he leveled with me. "He wanted a bribe,
brother." Then reassuringly, "Listen, my mother is his cousin,
and I will go to the Indian Bureau tomorrow morning to talk
to him. Vai dar certo—it will all work out." He grinned and
added, "In fact, you'll get along famously with the indigenous
folks on the reservations—you speak the same funny, broken
Portuguese that they do."
The following day, the surly director summoned me back to
his office. When I arrived, he shoved an official document
in my hands: "I'll authorize you one week in the Tukano
reservation. Don't even think about staying a day more. I've
radioed their Captain and they are expecting you."
I trekked to the port in São Gabriel where cargo ships
unloaded their wares and tribes bought supplies to take back
to their reservations. By a stroke of luck, I met a man who
was from the village where I was headed. He agreed to ferry
me on his tiny motorized canoe if I purchased the gasoline.
About an hour after departing São Gabriel, we diverged from
the main trunk of the tea‐colored Amazon and skirted up
a small, serpentine tributary, so narrow that sunlight could
barely reach us through the thick canopy above. We plied
several miles up the tributary until we reached a small, almost
imperceptible clearing on its bank. As we got closer, I realized
there were earthen steps leading up to the forest above. My
guide announced proudly that we had arrived in Comunidade
São Jorge.
50

The Last Word
At the top of the steep river bank, a large clearing in the
forest appeared, containing dozens of thatched‐roofed huts
arranged roughly in a circular formation. The Captain of Sao
Jorge, a solemn Tukano man aged about 50, greeted me
with several elders. He accepted the gifts I had brought of
foodstuffs and tools from São Gabriel and directed me to
a communal meeting building, known as a maloca, where I
was to sling up my hammock. As I walked to the maloca, a
herd of wide‐eyed children followed me, and they shrieked
and scrambled to hide whenever I turned to look at them. I
had been advised to bring a bag of chocolates for the kids,
and as soon as the first treats were distributed, they were
glued to me like my own shadow for the rest of my sojourn
in São Jorge (one even woke me up on a daily basis to get
the first bonbon of the day). An elderly woman, the mother
of the Captain, approached me. "Be welcome here in our
community. We embrace outsiders, as long as they have
something to teach the children."
That week, I rose every day at 5:00 a.m. to join the
community for Mass. Salesian missionaries had established
a presence in the Alto Rio Negro several decades prior, and
although traditional Tukano beliefs and rituals still existed in
Comunidade São Jorge, they were ostensibly Catholic. About
midmorning, I would join the Captain and the other adults
for a breakfast of tapioca‐starch cakes and fish and then
sit in on their daily deliberations, in which they discussed
communal issues in Tukano and patiently translated for me
into Portuguese.
A particularly vocal participant in the morning meetings
was the village medicine man, Seu José. Jose lived in a
hut with his family outside the village, deeper into the forest
and relatively cut off from the other families. His hut was
the simplest of all, merely a thatched roof upheld with poles
and without walls. He had a small garden of chili peppers,
tubers, and medicinal herbs, but the totality of his family's
possessions could have fit into a backpack. José was in his
40s, and he had a twinkling, mischievous smile that bloomed
from beneath a pile of deep wrinkles and scars. The creases
and scars testified to a hard life—he and his kin had been
persecuted by the Colombian guerrilla, and he had lost many
friends and relatives in conflicts. He had fled Colombia for
Brazil, and although he had learned Tukano and Portuguese,
his native language and ethnicity were distinct from the others
in São Jorge. José loved to tell jokes and stories, and we
quickly recognized each other as kindred spirits.
A week after I departed São Jorge, José's youngest child, a
toddler, died tragically when he tipped over a boiling pot of
water onto himself. The child might have survived, but they
were unable to get him to the hospital in São Gabriel quickly
enough. These heart‐wrenching events motivated me to
return to São Jorge a year later with funds for the community
to purchase a motorboat, an acquisition that would allow
them to reach São Gabriel in about half the time in the event
of another emergency.
The young men in the village about my own age took me
hunting for monkeys and to see sacred sites further up the
river. They had a deep knowledge of Tukano mythology
and shamanic practices, and we had fascinating religious
discussions. They explained that Tukano mythology held that
the Great Creator had in fact sent a son to teach their distant
ancestors. What's more, they believed that this mythological
Son of the Great Creator had, in fact, been Christ incarnated
as an indigenous Amazonian.
The young Tukano were curious about my own land, and
they marveled at the pictures of the snow and the ocean
that I showed them. They expressed their desires to learn
about the wider world, but also their concerns that in the
wake of increasing development in the Upper Amazon their
indigenous traditions and languages would not survive for
their children. They told me of the romances, dramas, and
courtships that were unfolding within São Jorge, as well
as crushes and longings for certain young ladies in other
indigenous villages.
What amazed me most during my days in São Jorge was
the amount of common ground that I discovered with its
residents. Many of them, especially the older generation, had
no conception of a city or even life outside of the Amazon.
Some had never seen a person of European ancestry, and
light skin and blonde hair shocked them as much as man
with a third eyeball might shock us. Despite our differences,
we laughed together and managed to cultivate deep and
meaningful conversations in Portuguese, a second language
for both them and me. I realized that our deepest concerns
and dreams were essentially identical: the well‐being of family,
the desire to live responsibly and honorably, and yearnings
for meaning, love, and beauty. They demonstrated to me,
in a similar manner, that Brazilians I had met in favelas and
rustic fishing villages did, that profound richness of life can
be achieved with very few—indeed almost zero—material
possessions.
Most importantly, what I affirmed in São Jorge is that the
human heart is the same across cultures, languages, and
ethnicities. Whether one is born deep in the Amazon or in a
modern, industrialized city, we all seek the same goals, ask
the same questions, and are all created in God's image.
Johnny Motley joined EHS this year to teach in the
Department of Religion and assist with coaching the wrestling
team. He received a Bachelor of Arts in Religious Studies
and a Master in Theology from Harvard. Motley is fluent in
Spanish and Portuguese and has traveled extensively in
Brazil. In his spare time, Motley is working on a proposal to
record the stories and history of the Nadahup, one of the
last remaining hunter‐gatherer tribes in the Amazon. Motley
and his collaborator, a photographer for National Geographic,
hope to produce a photo essay on the Nadahup over the
summer recess.
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52
Photo by Ashleigh Teel.

2017 ‐ 2018
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Chairman
The Rt. Rev. C. Andrew Doyle
Executive Chair
Randa Duncan Williams
Henrietta K. Alexander, Matthew K. Baird, Shelley Torian Barineau, J. Craig Chandler, W. Craig Childers, Gregory S. Curran,
Rod Cutsinger, Julie G. Donaldson, William A. Edens Sr., J. Todd Frazier '88, Susan C. Garwood † , Gregory R. Geib,
The Rev. James M. L. Grace '94, Melinda Budinger Hildebrand, George V. Kane III, George O. McDaniel III, Jeffrey J. McParland,
Dis Netland, Townes G. Pressler Jr., Joe Pyne, A. Haag Sherman, Ned Smith, Trey Snider, Duncan K. Underwood '89
Life Trustees
John F. Austin III, Edward C. Becker, The Rt. Rev. Maurice M. Benitez † , W. Craig Childers, Lacy Crain, The Rev. Laurens A. Hall,
Victor A. Kormeier Jr., 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
The Rt. Rev. C. Andrew Doyle, Julie G. Donaldson, William F. Galtney Jr., Melinda Budinger Hildebrand, Victor A. Kormeier Jr.,
George O. McDaniel III, Jeffrey J. McParland, Dis Netland, Ned Smith, Lynda Knapp Underwood, Randa Duncan Williams,
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
Director of Advancement
Peggy Haney
Dean of Spiritual Life
The Rev. Beth Holden
Dean of Arts
Jay Berckley
Director of Athletics
Jason Grove
PILLARS MAGAZINE TEAM
Director of Communications
Claire Fletcher
Graphic Design
Ashleigh Teel
Contributors
Chris Bailey Photography, Jason Grove, Kendall Buckalew
McCord '03, Johnny Motley, Emma Tsai, Sharon Willcutts,
Margaret Young
Photography
Claire Fletcher, Mauro Gomez, Ashleigh Teel
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