EHS Pillars - Fall 2019

SPC Champions• Community & Inclusion • Freshman Retreat

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, founded and guided by the Diocese of Texas, is an inclusive and joyful Christian community where
students discover and develop their individual talents through the Four Pillars – academics, arts, athletics, religion – preparing
for meaningful lives in service to others.
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
Ashley Long
along@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.
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The Episcopal High School Magazine, Fall 2019

IN THIS ISSUE
From the Head of School 04
#KnightsStandOut 06
Teacher Study Grants 12
Bright Knights 14
Community & Inclusion 20
Alumni Leadership Day 26
Pop Quiz 30
The Last Word 34
ON THE COVER
Head Football Coach Steve Leisz
after secretly dressing as the school
mascot for a Fall pep rally.
Photo by Scott Cunningham.

SAVE THE DATE
Blue Knight Masquerade Auction 02-21-20
Alumni Weekend 04-03-20
Commencement 05-17-20
EHS Cheerleading after performing at Texans Halftime show
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FROM THE
HEAD OF SCHOOL
Dear EHS Family,
In this issue of Pillars, you’ll read that our arts faculty recently incorporated a new
technique, raku, into the advanced ceramics curriculum (page 8). Raku means “happy
accident” in Japanese, and, for potters, it is an incredibly exciting technique. With raku
firing, there is always an element of the unexpected, the possibility of the happy accident.
There is likewise an element of the happy accident in the Episcopal High School
experience. Like the potter, we faculty and staff thoughtfully shape our top-notch material,
our students, in our founders’ vision. EHS invites the full range of students in our diverse
city to come together in an inclusive and joyful Christian community where students are
encouraged to stand out, to find their inner genius, and to develop their talents through
the Four Pillars, preparing for meaningful lives in service to others. We do not limit
ourselves by focusing on one Pillar only or by admitting a narrow set of students from a
carefully proscribed community.
This inclusive approach lies at the root of our mission and allows for the many happy
accidents exemplified in the wrap-up of the fall season by Athletic Director Jason Grove
on page 10 or in the tales told by alumni at Alumni Leadership Day, highlighted on pages
26-29. Senior Justin Broadfoot’s experience (pages 14-15) offers another version of
the happy accident as does senior Anna Moise’s profile (pages 16-17). And none of it
is possible without the expertise and artistry of our faculty and staff like those featured
in “Pop Quiz” on pages 30-33, and “Teachers on the Move,” describing our study grant
program (pages 12-13). These articles illustrate the incredible support of our faculty and
staff by our generous community of alumni and parents.
Science teacher Eric Avera, in his essay on page 34, speaks directly to the experience of
a happy accident as one of our faculty leaders attending Freshman Retreat. This accident
leads him to conclude that at EHS, “we are fortunate to be connected by relationships
that encourage each of us not merely to cope but to flourish. Our community supports us,
even when the ground is nowhere near our feet and we feel vulnerable and afraid…It’s a
powerful way to grow.”
Like the potter with his raku kiln, we at EHS work hard on what is ours to control, all the
while remaining open to the happy accident: the near fall on the ropes course; the student
who demonstrates surprising or unexpected talent; the class that marches into and then
tames new and unfamiliar material; and the community that inspires unexpected but
welcome conversation. It is a powerful way to grow. It is EHS.
Have a wonderful close to 2019 and Go Knights!
Ned Smith
Head of School
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5

Missionpalooza
Orbits EHS
# KNIGHTS STAND OUT
Each July, the Episcopal Diocese of
Texas sponsors 100 or more youth and
adult volunteers from 15 parishes in a
program called Missionpalooza. Most
frequently, the goal is to help victims
rebuild their homes and lives after
natural disasters such as floods, fires,
and hurricanes. The group provides
basic carpentry and materials such as
sheetrock, paint, and flooring. When
called for, teams have set up food
banks, organized summer camps,
painted murals, and listened to many
stories of survival.
For more than a decade,
Missionpalooza has been led by Bay
City resident Kathy Westmoreland.
Westmoreland shares that her favorite
part of Missionpalooza is seeing the
youth realize their own value as they
make a difference in these communities.
"I love watching them strengthen
their faith and learn more about the
sacrifices they are able to give to those
in need," says Westmoreland. "Many
students in our diocese volunteer year
after year, building a foundation of love
of service."
In previous summers, the volunteer
corps has served in Baton Rouge,
Beaumont, Mississippi, and Bastrop.
Last summer, Missionpalooza focused
on helping the forgotten victims of
Hurricane Harvey. Episcopal High
School hosted these service-centered
volunteers as they dedicated a week's
vacation to improving the lives of our
Houston-area neighbors. Volunteers
set up “camp” in Alkek Gym, and the
School also arranged to have breakfast
served each day.
At the end of the week, more than 20
homes in Pearland, north Houston,
and "Little Cambodia" in Rosharon
were renovated. In Rosharon, the
volunteers built greenhouses to help
the agricultural community return to
their livelihood of farming and growing
produce.
John F. Austin III, Life Trustee and recipient
of this year's Edward C. Becker Humanitarian
Award, stands with his family and friends in
Benitez Chapel on Founders Day 2019
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#KnightsStandOut
A Great Success For First
Arts Day EHS On-Campus
Katie Koestner
Shares Her Story,
Moves Community
On Tuesday, October 22, Katie
Koestner, national expert on healthy
relationships and campus student
safety, visited the EHS community.
On Wednesday, October 16, the entire
freshman class participated in Arts Day
EHS, an exciting annual event. During
the half-day schedule, students rotated
through several different arts courses
on campus, including ceramics, music,
film, dance, painting, and photography.
No previous experience was necessary,
and no matter what background in arts
the students had, the event unlocked
creative potential and encouraged
students to explore a new passion.
Says Dean of Arts Jay Berckley, Ph.D.,
"Arts Day was a success for many
reasons: The community was able
to celebrate a variety of creative and
ambitious artistic initiatives from the
entire class of 2023; it was a bold plan,
executed brilliantly by the Arts Pillar
faculty; and most of all, we had a total
blast!”
In 1990, Ms. Koestner appeared on
the cover of TIME Magazine as the
first woman to speak out publicly as
a victim of date rape. She has shared
her personal story with over 5 million
students. She addresses respect,
consent, healthy decision-making,
sexual assault, and the impact of
alcohol, while inspiring students to
become active bystanders in their
communities. Presented by Community
and Inclusion, including the Consent,
Advocacy, and Refusal Skills Education
Initiative (CARE), and Choices program,
Ms. Koestner met with the students,
faculty, and staff during Chapel and
Advisory. Afterward, she conducted a
Lunch-and-Learn with parents at noon
in the Alumni Room on the third floor of
the Hildebrand Athletic Center.
Varsity Field Hockey Coach Shelley Edmonds registers for the blood
stem cell donor registry at October’s Homecoming game. The DKMS
mobile cheek swab station was run by the EHS Cheerleading program
as part of their effort to raise awareness for pediatric cancer.
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# KNIGHTS STAND OUT
8
Ruth Steinfeld &
Leadership Launch
Holocaust survivor Ruth Steinfeld
keynoted October’s Leadership Launch
Day during Chapel, educating students
about the dangers of prejudice and
apathy.
Steinfeld and her family were victims
of the Nazi Kristallnacht purge of
neighborhoods on November 9, 1938,
in Sinsheim, Germany. She and her
sister, Lea, were separated from their
parents and sheltered by a French-
Jewish philanthropic organization called
the Children's Aid Society, who saved
their lives. When WWII ended, they
emigrated with their grandfather to the
United States, and eventually landed in
Houston where they married and raised
families.
Steinfeld is a sought-after speaker
who feels a responsibility to tell her
Holocaust story in honor of millions
of Jewish children who did not
survive Nazi genocide. And while her
childhood was marked with tragedy,
Steinfeld preaches that one of the most
important lessons she's learned is to
"forgive those who did such harm."
Following Chapel, 65 student leaders
representing all EHS grade levels,
sports, and extracurricular activities,
gathered in Scurlock Gym for in-depth
inclusion training by national student
trainer Patrick Maurer of San Diego.
Explains Student Activities Director
Courtney Lindloff, "The first half of
training featured team-building and
skill-building that focused more on
the 'welcoming' side of inclusion. The
second part of the day focused on
bigger levels of inclusion and the
importance of creating inclusive
opportunities for others through
empathy, communication, and
connection."
National Merit
Program Recognizes
Academic Talent
This fall, the National Merit Scholarship
program announced the index scores
for the 2020 competition, and several
EHS seniors received recognition.
The School’s National Merit Semifinalist,
scoring among the top 1 percent in
the state, is Quinn Ogle. Ogle’s index
score enables her to compete for
National Merit Scholarships that will be
announced this spring.
Of the approximately 34,000 students
nationwide who receive Commended
letters, EHS recipients include Will
Arntzen, Pola Aronowski, Berkeley
Baird, Rosalind Coats, Noah Cook,
Claire Henry, Amelia Heymach, Ethan
McAlpin, Sophia Pamphilis, Derrick
Perillo, and Aidan Stewart.
In addition, the National Merit Program
designated three seniors as 2020
National Hispanic Scholars: Alexandra
Halfon, Amelia Heymach, and Sophia
Pamphilis.
Mr. Trauba Throws
Pots with Raku
Students in advanced ceramics
classes will have a new technique at
their fingertips: raku firing. Raku, which
means "happy accident" in Japanese,
differs from traditional firing techniques
in that it is fired faster and produces
more immediate results—which can
bring out a few surprises.
Instructor David Trauba is excited to
offer raku to his experienced students.
"My classes are going to love it. The
results are hands-on and immediate.
With traditional ceramics, we often
wait two to three days to see the final
product. With raku, students will be
able to see their efforts unfold during a
block class."
Trauba explains that the raku kiln can
be fired up to 1850 degrees in one
hour. When the glaze turns glossy, the
hot ceramic piece is placed in a metal
barrel or container that holds organic
materials like paper or sawdust. After
closing the container, the material
burns, producing carbon, and begins a
reduction process that spurs a variety
of effects and textures. Students will be
able to observe the results in under two
hours.
During the 1500s, Zen Buddhist monks
favored the technique for its simplicity
and the fact that it employs the four
elements of earth, fire, air, and water.
Trauba is betting that 21st century
teenagers will also be fans of raku.

#KnightsStandOut
New Performing and Visual
Arts Complex Planned
“Lead the Way: Our Campaign for the
Four Pillars” has launched fundraising
efforts for the new Performing and
Visual Arts Complex at EHS. This
$25 million project will include 40,000
square feet of new construction
space and over 20,000 square feet of
renovated space in the existing Fine
Arts Building. The art deco exterior
along Bissonnet Street will continue
uninterrupted with the new addition,
creating a cohesive image with our
iconic Convent building.
Highlights include three performance
venues, 14 classrooms and studios,
two dance studios, seven practice
and recording rooms, along with office
suites and meeting rooms. The building
will have an abundance of natural light
and common areas with college-style
student lounge seating to promote the
EHS sense of community.
The 365-seat theater pictured below
will include orchestra and balcony
seating, a proscenium stage, lighting
catwalks over audience chamber for
lighting and follow spot, a 50-foot fly
loft for sets, teaching-sized control
booth for lighting and sound, a dance
surface, and a portable orchestra shell
for music and choir performances. In
addition to dance, acting, and musical
performances, this theater will be
used for parent education, grade-level
meetings, debate tournaments, and
more.
To support this important effort, contact
Peggy Haney at
phaney@ehshouston.org.
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# KNIGHTS STAND OUT
Athletic Director’s Fall Wrap-Up
The girls volleyball team completed
an outstanding season with a 3-0 win
over Episcopal School of Dallas in the
SPC championship game in front of
a large and spirited group of fans in
Alkek Gym. The Knights earned their
spot in the championship game with
earlier tournament wins over Houston
Christian (3-0) and St. John's (3-0). The
win marks the Knights second SPC
title in three years and gave the team
an impressive 35-4 record this season.
Both JV teams had strong seasons
as the JV Blue team finished the
season with a record of 13-5 while JV
completed the season at 9-6.
The EHS football team captured
their first SPC title in five years with
a thrilling 42-21 win over Kinkaid at
Butler Stadium. The Knights used an
overpowering running game, led by
Quon Marion's 270 yards rushing and
three touchdowns, to complete the
season sweep of the Falcons. Adrian
Cormier's 119 yards rushing and two
touchdowns gave the Knights two
running backs who eclipsed the century
mark on the ground. The Knights'
defense held the Falcons to 21 points
and stifled the Falcon offense in the
fourth quarter. The Knights finished
the season with an impressive 9-1
record while the JV team completed
the season with a record of 5-3. The JV
White team finished with a very strong
record of 6-1.
The girls cross country team ran one of
their best races of the season at Spring
Creek Park in Tomball and took home
their second consecutive SPC Runner-
Up trophy. The Knights were led by
All-SPC runners Katarzyna Kwiatkowski,
Kate Freeman, and Ella Newman. Alena
Haney, Lucy Holden, and Elizabeth
McLauchlin each ran fantastic races to
help the Knights reach the podium. The
EHS boys cross country team finished
twelfth in a very competitive SPC field.
The field hockey team capped
an outstanding weekend with an
impressive 3-1 win over Greenhill to
take fifth place in the SPC. The finish
marks the highest finish for the Knights
in more than 10 years. The Knights
began tournament play with a thrilling
1-0 overtime win over Hockaday and
gave North Zone #1 seed Trinity Valley
all they could handle before falling 1-0
in overtime in the quarterfinal matchup.
The Knights finished the season with a
record of 12-10-1 and the JV completed
their season with an 8-3 record.
The boys volleyball team overcame
a tough 3-2 loss to Greenhill in the
quarterfinals and defeated St. Andrew’s
3-0 to place fifth in the SPC. The
Knights finished an outstanding season
with a record of 22-12, capturing the
SPC south zone championship with a
conference record of 8-2. The young JV
team rallied from some tough earlyseason
losses and finished the year
with a 7-14 record.
All three EHS cheer teams have thrilled
crowds throughout the fall season with
their pep rally and halftime routines.
The three teams capped their seasons
by dominating the field in the NCA
Lonestar Classic at NRG Arena in
mid-November. Both the varsity and
JV squads took home first place. The
freshman squad also performed well
and finished as runners-up in their
division. In addition to the competition
success, the entire EHS cheer program
was recognized with the Go Be Great
Award for their outstanding outreach
efforts in the community.
And finally, to add an exclamation point
to the great start of the year in athletics,
we had six students commit to play
at the next level: D’Avian Houston -
College of Charleston basketball;
Jahari Long - Seton Hall basketball;
DJ Nussbaum – Virginia Military
Institute basketball; Laney Pieper - Lee
University lacrosse; Trinity Watts -
Liberty University volleyball; and Tanner
Witt – University of Texas baseball.
Go Knights!
—Jason Grove, Director of Athletics
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#KnightsStandOut
Photos by Mauro Gomez
Photos by Mauro Gomez
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TEACHERS ON THE MOVE
Each summer, for the past three years, a handful of Episcopal faculty have traveled
throughout the United States and abroad to enrich their knowledge via our Study Grant
Program. The teachers move beyond walls and textbooks to design extraordinary
experiences they can share with their diverse and globally minded students. Below are the
grant recipients from the summer of 2019, generously funded by EHS Annual Giving.
Pejman Milani
ETV Instructor
Studio Experience in Los Angeles
Where did you travel for your study grant?
Los Angeles, California.
Why did you pursue this study?
The main goal of my trip was to visit the heart of the film
industry and to get a pulse on what’s been happening in the
industry since I went to film school. If a student is serious
about wanting to work in film, they will generally have to live
in L.A. (at least to get established). I focused my trip mainly
on visiting the Big Four studios, Sony, Paramount, Universal,
Warner Bros., while at the same time, reconnecting with EHS
alumni who are currently working in the industry.
How will this enrich your classroom teaching?
This was easily one of the most rewarding, relevant, and
meaningful experiences I’ve had as a teacher. It was helpful to
see how the professional studios crafted their sound stages,
foley studios, and set designs. I also visited the Gnomon
School of Visual Effects, Games, and Animation, which
gave some key insights to the design of moviemaking and
animation classroom spaces. The trip gave a strong sense
of direction of where we should
take the EHS filmmaking
and animation programs
in the next several
years. Most important,
the experience of
reconnecting with
alumni reinvigorated
and reinforced my
sense of purpose in the
classroom. I sometimes
get lost in the weeds of the
day-to-day grind, but seeing
the impact that resonated with
students who graduated over a decade ago was a powerful
reminder that what we say and do every day with our students
truly matters.
Jessica Adams
12th Grade Dean, English Teacher
A Journey into the Hearts and Minds of the Irish
Literary Greats
Where did you travel for your study grant?
I traveled to Ireland, beginning in Galway and the surrounding
area, then moving onto Sligo in the Northwest, and finally,
Dublin.
Why did you pursue this study?
The primary goal of this study was to gain a better
understanding of the works and lives of Irish literary giants,
W.B. Yeats and James Joyce, by literally following in their
footsteps and experiencing the
landscapes of Ireland as they
once did. Many consider
Ireland to be one of the
literary capitals of the
world, as the island is
home to prolific writers
(Shaw, Heaney, Joyce,
Yeats, Wilde, Swift,
Beckett, Stoker, etc.)
and boasts four Nobel
Laureates in literature. In
college, I developed a love of
Irish literature, in particular a love of
Yeats. It was a privilege to experience some of my favorite
literature in a new way.
How will this enrich your classroom teaching?
Studying abroad has expanded my content knowledge and
has inspired me to incorporate some of the texts I studied into
my own curriculum. By incorporating pictures and storytelling
about my trip into lessons on Irish poetry and short stories,
I’m better able to engage my students and instill a greater
passion for the texts. I’m looking forward to other possibilities,
such as teaching an Irish Literature senior elective or taking
students on an Interim Trip to Ireland.
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Erin Russe
Science Teacher
Science in South Africa
Where did you travel for your study grant?
South Africa.
Why did you pursue this study?
A safari through the African savanna has always been a
“bucket list” dream for me. South Africa offered a wide
variety of activities and excursions that match my interests
and courses I teach – Environmental Science, Biology, and
Geology. I approached the study grant as an opportunity for
field experience, professional development, and personal
growth. It did not disappoint!
How will this enrich your
classroom teaching?
This experience has
already enriched my
classroom teaching
by providing me with
experiences to make
personal connections
with the material and
to share stories that
engage my students. It
adds relevancy and context to
the content and has given me ideas to be more creative and
globally minded in my teaching. Talking to my students about
this trip and everything I got to do allows me to model what it
means to be a lifelong learner and hopefully inspires others to
get out and explore.
Kate Liang
Chinese Teacher
Tracing the Silk Road in China
Where did you travel for your study grant?
I explored the Ancient Silk Road and some other modern
cities: Shanghai, Xi’an, Zhangye,
Jiayuguan, Urumqi, Kashgar,
Beijing, and Hong Kong.
Why did you pursue
this study?
I wanted to visit famous
historic places from
ancient China by
traveling through western
China on the Silk Road,
one of the most influential
and important trade routes in
Chinese and world history. My goal as
a teacher is to be the connection, like the Silk Road was to so
many, in bringing China to my students, and encourage them
to visit China one day and find their own path to the future.
How will this enrich your classroom teaching?
Throughout the whole trip I learned about many Chinese
minority groups and their clothing, food, musical instruments,
architecture, and religions. I gained so much new knowledge
of the history of the western Chinese people and their
interactions with Central Asians. Each day, I share what I have
learned from my trip with my students. I’ve introduced them
to the geography and function of the old Silk Road, and the
history of each temple we visited. In classes, we’ve discussed
the quick development in the big cities, and how different the
culture is between China and America. I am so grateful for the
study grant and this trip, the trip of a lifetime.
Past Study Grant Recipients:
Summer 2016: George Brock -Washington, DC — Shakespeare and Early American Theatre; Kate Philbrick - Marfa, Texas
— In-depth Exploration of Alternative Process Photography; Toshla Guthrie - From Berlin to Budapest — The Role of Eastern
Europe in World History. Summer 2017: Alice Davidson - South Korea – Past and Present; Beth Holden - Egypt, Jordan, and
Israel — The Biblical Route of the Exodus. Summer 2018: Matt Fox - Cambodia, Thailand, and Vietnam — War in Southeast
Asia from Multiple Perspectives; Eric Avera - STEM institute at the Singapore School for Science and Technology.
13

14

Bright Knights
A CHINESE LESSON
CHANGES A LIFE
Justin Broadfoot ’20
Sometimes a high school course is fascinating, and if you are really fortunate, the class is
transformational. Such was the case for Justin Broadfoot after he enrolled in Chinese I during
freshman year. Having taken Spanish at Trafton Middle School, he was ready to try a new world
language in high school. Three years later, the 6-foot-3-inch volleyball player would be marching
with Houston’s Taiwanese community in HEB’s Thanksgiving Parade, studying abroad for a
summer in Beijing, taking Chinese IV Honors, and planning to major in Asian Studies in college.
“The minute you walk into class with Mrs. Liang, her enthusiasm for the Chinese language is
infectious,” says Broadfoot. Like all great teachers, Liang believes her subject matter is essential
and relevant, so the students feel it’s important to learn.
“Mrs. Liang hooks you in with stories about the history, myths, and traditions of Chinese culture,”
Broadfoot explains. “She organizes field trips to Houston’s Chinatown and celebrates holidays with
traditional tea ceremonies in the classroom.”
Although a challenge to grasp, Broadfoot says that Chinese calligraphy intrigues him, especially the
way the characters evolved from illustrations. “It’s just a more creative way to express ideas,” he
says.
When he was studying with Middlebury Interactive Languages last summer, the program asked
students to sign a pledge to speak only in Chinese. “Our program was full immersion, and I was
able to gain an ear for dialects by the end of four weeks.”
The highlight of his summer abroad was touring the Great Wall of China, especially the ancient
Badaling section built with quarried rock during the Ming Dynasty in 1505. “For centuries, China
was closed off from the world, and so visitors experience a culture that’s truly unique. The
architecture is beautiful, the food is delicious, and the street life is vibrant, with surprises like
alleyways called hutongs, lit with red lanterns.”
While he loves Chinese culture, he admits that the government’s censorship made him uneasy.
“We were told to not speak about Tiananmen Square, President Xi, or Hong Kong. Another thing I
observed was the lack of birds in the city, even pigeons, due to pollution,” he says.
Next year, he hopes to study at a college with a strong Asian Studies department, such as the
University of Oregon, NYU, or University of Texas. His career goal is to work in international
business as a liaison between China and the United States. In a complex, interconnected world,
business leaders will need a multicultural mindset to navigate local and global environments,
Broadfoot predicts.
A famous Chinese proverb reads: “Teachers open the door; you enter by yourself.” Motivated by his
teacher’s knowledge and enthusiasm, this senior’s ready to take the next step.
—Claire C. Fletcher
15

Bright Knights
FROM AVID READER
TO AMBITIOUS WRITER
Anna Moise '20
Anna Moise came to EHS from The Village School, a competitive math and science middle school.
There, in the seventh grade, she learned she not only had an interest in creative writing but a talent
for it. Motivated by an English teacher who used creative writing to teach grammar, Moise learned
how to write plot, outline a story, and use more active voice and proper punctuation. “I always liked
to read a lot,” she recalls, “and I remember thinking when I finished a book, ‘Wow, I want to make
people feel like this.’” As a result of writing original material, she became more of a writer and less
of a reader. “I wanted to produce the actual material and not just be a passive spectator."
Although Moise loved writing, she still wanted to focus on math. “I’ve sort of absorbed my parents’
professions,” she confesses, whose mother has a doctoral degree in applied math and whose
father is a doctor. Moise started out in honors Algebra II with Dr. P. and quickly felt pulled into the
world of math at EHS. “Our math club holds competitions, and I was used to those from middle
school, and they were always a lot of fun for me.” She eventually became president of the math
club at EHS as well as Mu Alpha Theta, the math honors society.
When Moise arrived as a freshman at EHS, she was disappointed she couldn’t take creative writing
in 9th grade, but she introduced herself to Mrs. Hillary Houle, EHS’s creative writing teacher and
faculty sponsor of the school’s literary journal, Light and Shadow. Because Moise had submitted to
the Scholastic Awards before, that was her “in”—and she asked Mrs. Houle the requirements and
how to submit writing. That year, she won an honorable mention.
By sophomore year, Moise could register for creative writing and she took it both semesters,
as she did junior year, and this year she’s working on a novel for her independent study. The
Scholastic Art and Writing Contest has always been a foundation of her writing. Her sophomore
year, she won three silver medals, and as a junior last year, she won a gold regional, silver national,
and an honorable mention.
Even in Moise’s college visits, she has managed to stay on course. At Dartmouth, she plans to
sit in on a calculus class and a senior creative writing workshop. “My plan is to major in math and
minor in creative writing. I need to balance the math and analytical side of things. One thing I love
about is writing is that no one can say you’re doing it wrong.”
The novel Moise is working on with Mrs. Houle for her independent study is high fantasy. She
originally proposed spy-based realistic fiction, but one of her biggest supporters, her grandmother,
didn’t like it. “Even though she only speaks Romanian, she likes to read what I’ve written.
My parents will put it through a translator and we’ll communicate that way. I really trust my
grandmother’s feedback.”
It hasn’t been easy to straddle her love of math and her dream of being a writer. “My grandparents
are from Romania and lived through Communist times,” Moise explains. “Because of that, my
parents have always been adamant that I’ll go further in life with a career in math. But, I love to
write, and I think I can make it work.”
—Emma Kate Tsai
16

17

MOMENTS
Toshla Guthrie, Chair of the History & Social Sciences
Department, embraces her son Braden '21 after he
announces to the EHS community that she completed
her final radiation treatment just a few days prior.

19

20
Former teacher John Drexel ’10 surprised the Benitez
Chapel crowd with a visit during Homecoming.

COMMUNITY & INCLUSION AT EHS
What does community and inclusion look like at Episcopal High School? It's the quiet
moments in the hallways and the loud ones in the stands. It's friends under an umbrella
through an unexpected storm. It's swing dancing in the USC and people gathering for a
laugh around your phone. It's raising money to end childhood cancer, a hug in the hallway,
a smile as you turn the corner just before the moment's gone. This is a place where people
remember you, where you walk around new buildings and new faces, when suddenly
someone recognizes you, and they say to you, "Welcome home."
Here at EHS, all are welcomed. All are empowered. Everyone is heard.
—By Scott W. Cunningham
Acolytes serve the community daily.
Student cheer sections stand out.
Varsity Field Hockey celebrates seniors.
Bonds form via games at Field Knight.
21

A teacher helps students create SPC shirts.
Bleachers fill with pink to support cancer patients.
Teacher Meghan Moake '01 and family are true blue.
Friendship is a shared umbrella.
22

Cheerleaders are ambassadors of school spirit.
Daily Chapel joins students together for prayer.
Freshmen gain exposure to photography at Arts Day EHS.
EHS Onstage productions exemplify collaboration.
23

Coffee sales raise money to fight human trafficking.
Spirit dress days unify student body.
Ice cream snacks bring students together.
Guest speakers bring wide berth of career experience.
24

Karen Foster’s DNA sequencing lesson sparks joy.
Laughing with friends in Glassell Hall.
Beautiful weather draws lunch crowd outdoors.
Applauding talent at Coffee House performances.
Follow us on Instagram @EHSHouston for more.
#KnightsStandOut!
25

ALUMNI
LEADERSHIP DAY
On Tuesday, November 5, over 40 alumni returned for Alumni Leadership
Day. They met with students and shared stories about decisions that
impacted their career paths and described daily life in their professions.
Alumni covered a range from 1989 to 2014, which gave the seniors a
chance to hear about careers at a variety of stages.
Keynote speaker, Dr. Stirling Craig, Class of
1997, shared insight about her time as an EHS
student and her journeys in college and medical
school.
The summer before medical school, Craig
accompanied a group of ENT surgeons with
Faith in Practice to Guatemala. Having the
opportunity to witness ear reconstruction
surgery, she found her calling in plastic surgery.
Dedication awarded her a six-year residency
at Yale for Plastic Surgery and then an MD
Anderson Microsurgery Fellowship.
Upon completion of her fellowship, she joined the faculty at MD Anderson
as a Multidisciplinary Breast Team member and authored the chapter
in breast reconstruction in the plastic surgery bible. In addition, she
became a speaker and advocate for breast cancer reconstruction for an
organization called CME Matters, which provides rural hospitals with the
knowledge and tools to offer breast reconstruction to their breast cancer
patients. “I wanted every woman to have the chance to rebuild after
surviving such a difficult time in their life.”
Today, Craig has a Houston practice that specializes in breast
reconstruction, as well as cosmetic procedures. In her words, she is
“making women feel whole again, one way or the other.”
26
—Ashley Long

Photos by Marc Nathan
27

Alumni Leadership Day
# FIND INNER GENIUS
Carroll Cartwright
Class of 2010
Banking, Finance, and Accounting Panel
The University of Texas, Bachelor of Arts, Economics
and Business
Cartwright is currently an Assistant Vice President in the
Energy Group at Wells Fargo. Over the past two years, she
has managed various distressed companies and advised
companies on restructuring solutions. Prior to that role, she
has worked in various divisions of the Wells Fargo Energy
Group, including: Upstream Oil & Gas, Oilfield Services,
and the Investment Grade Group. Cartwright is focused on
business writing and evaluation around structural elements for
several credit facilities.
Cartwright’s advice to the Class of 2020: “Stay positive
and really work hard, even in troubled environments. It can
be difficult to find a job today, but if you prove that you are
a diligent and driven worker during college, opportunities
will arise that you never even expected. I believe that EHS
prepared me for the work I do today, so I would encourage
you to take what you have learned and apply that throughout
your daily life.”
Dr. Ramsi Bethany Taylor
Class of 1998
Healthcare and Medicine Panel
Howard University, Bachelor of Science in Pre-
Pharmacy Studies
Howard University, Doctor of Pharmacy
After attending Howard University on a track scholarship,
Dr. Taylor completed her residency in Houston at Kelsey
Seybold and the University of Houston. In 2007, she worked
at Baylor St. Luke’s and was promoted to Clinical Specialist in
2011. Currently she is the Clinical Specialist for Professional
Development and Policy Management and Internal Medicine
and the Director of PGY1 pharmacy residency program.
Dr. Taylor spoke to our seniors during Alumni Chapel. Her
inspiring comments challenged the EHS community to write a
personal mission statement. Her advice to the Class of 2020:
“Always remember, you have been afforded an awesome
opportunity to sit in these seats. Your parents, teachers,
coaches, and mentors deliberately pour into you and your
future and are expecting great things from you. Remember,
it is not enough for you to gather all of this education and
experience and then hold your talents to yourself. I challenge
you to be bold and stand out as you step out into this world,
knowing that you are equipped to succeed.”
28

Alumni Leadership Day
Kate McLean
Class of 2003
Arts & Entertainment Panel
University of Colorado at Boulder, Bachelor of Arts in
Business Marketing
McLean was the executive chef at Tony’s for three years
and now runs popular chef collaborative events. McLean
currently co-hosts and produces a podcast, Pre-Shift with
Kate and Brossa. It is a Houston specific restaurant industry
podcast that covers the perspective of someone working in
that industry, while touching on important issues like women’s
health, mental health, and bullying. Additionally, McLean is
a freelance journalist and a reporter. She writes investigative
pieces, covers breaking news, as well as events in the
restaurant and bar scene.
McLean’s advice to the Class of 2020: “As a senior in high
school, it’s hard to know exactly what you want to do
professionally. Sometimes, even after years on one path, you
may get the urge to change to another, which means starting
at the bottom. What is important is a strong work ethic,
directed toward a goal that you’re passionate about. Failure
is inevitable, and it’s how we learn. Learning how to fail with
integrity by taking ownership and pushing forward will set you
apart from others. Make sure to have fun along the way, too.”
Jerrien Johnson
Class of 2009
Business & Entrepreneurship Panel
University of Texas at Dallas, Bachelor of Science in
Finance and Business Administration
Johnson is the Operations Manager at Charbonneau
Industries. In his role, he manages the receiving, inventory,
and prep for shipment and shipping departments for one
of the largest privately-owned master valve distributors in
the United States. He coordinates priorities with project
managers to ensure Plains AA, Enterprise, Energy Transfer,
Targa, Buckeye, and other large pipeline players have
the materials they require. In addition to his duties at
Charbonneau Industries, Johnson is overseeing his new startup,
Third Coast Industrial Solutions, and serves as president.
Johnson's advice to the Class of 2020: “Episcopal prepared
me for academic and life challenges that I did not expect, but
still navigated with precision. Work hard. Know your strengths
and understand your weaknesses. In this business, no matter
how much you plan, you always have to be prepared to make
a tough decision, call an audible, and tackle a new priority.
You have to be flexible, analytical, show empathy, but don’t
be afraid to hold others accountable and to those same
standards.”
29

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.
30

KAREN FOSTER
Science Teacher
Karen Foster grew up in Beaumont, Texas, and
moved to Houston for her first teaching job at
St. Mark’s Episcopal School. She received
her Bachelor of Education from Texas
A&M University and a Master of
Education from the University of
Houston. She’s taught anatomy
and physiology as well as biology
for the past 30 years. Foster has
served on many committees
and is currently co-director
of the mentoring program,
which supports new teachers
during their first two years at
EHS. She and her husband,
Pat Foster, have been married
for 30 years and have two
children: Kimberly, EHS Class
of 2010, and Kyle, EHS Class of
2014.
What’s on your playlist?
On my “high school” playlist I
have America, Boz Scaggs, and
the Eagles. And of course on
game day – the Aggie Band!
What was the first concert you
attended?
I saw the Commodores in
Beaumont, Texas, at the
Montagne Center.
If you weren’t a teacher, what
would you pick for a career?
I would be a physical therapist,
but my dream career would be a
professional tennis player.
What is your proudest
accomplishment?
I am most proud when former
students reach out to me to tell
me something about themselves
or something they remember
from my class. If I have made
an impact on a student I feel a
sense of accomplishment and
know that learning has taken
place beyond just the subject.
Do
you
have a
favorite app or
tech gadget?
Alexa – I love the question of the
day.
Did you have a mentor
growing up who inspired your
career?
My parents were probably my
biggest supporters. They taught
me the value of hard work and
giving back to others.
If you could travel back in
time, what period of history
would you choose?
I would go back to the 1930s.
In 1939 A&M won the National
Football Championship, and it
might never happen again.
What do you most respect
about your colleagues?
My colleagues are life-long
learners and continue to strive
for excellence in all they do for
our students, not only in the
classroom but with time spent
with extracurricular activities.
What do you most respect
about your students?
Their genuine gratefulness and
kindness. Even on days when
they are feeling exhausted, they
say thank you when leaving the
classroom.
Read any good books
recently?
“Where the Crawdads Sing.”
If you could eat only one meal
this week, what would it be?
Chips and queso.
31

DAN BINDER
Religion Teacher
Dan Binder joined the Religion Department at EHS in
2008, after completing his undergraduate degree at
Columbia and a Master of Divinity at Yale.
He currently serves as the chair of the
Religion Department, as well as a lay
assistant chaplain and a junior advisor.
He and his wife, Alyssa Farmer, have
two small children, and Alyssa works in
admissions at Duchesne Academy.
What’s on your playlist?
The last album I bought was
Houston’s own The Suffers, who
are leading the charge in Gulf
Coast Soul. But now, thanks
to my daughter, it’s mostly
“Moana,” “Trolls,” and “Frozen”
on endless loop.
What was the first concert you
attended?
David Bowie’s 50th birthday
concert at Madison Square
Garden in NYC. I was 13 years
old, went with my dad, and was
far too young to fully appreciate
it.
If you weren’t a teacher, what
would you pick for a career?
Lounge singer/cult leader/
dharma bum.
What is your proudest
accomplishment?
Aside from my family and my
professional success, probably
my beard.
Do you have a favorite app or
tech gadget?
The app Forest helps me limit
my phone usage by growing
plants, on screen and in the real
world.
Did
you
have a
mentor
growing up
who inspired
your career?
My junior-year AP
European History teacher, Mr.
Maguire, challenged me to
think like no other teacher I’d
had, while showing me that
challenging classes can be the
most rewarding. He also proved
that teachers can use the same
jokes for decades and still be
funny.
If you could travel back in
time, what period of history
would you choose?
Any time between the discovery
of penicillin and the invention of
the smartphone would be fine
with me.
What do you most respect
about your colleagues?
The dedication to the mission of
the school and to the needs of
our students.
What do you most respect
about your students?
The wonder and curiosity that
they bring with them—their
thirsts for achievement, for
knowledge, and for wisdom.
Read any good books
recently?
I generally stick to the tried-andtrue—the
Bible, the Stoics, epic
poetry, the Bhagavad-Gita, and
classic board books.
If you could eat only one meal
this week, what would it be?
EHS cafeteria mac and cheese,
with three servings of Miss
Darlene’s bread pudding.
32

ASHLEY SAUNDERS
History Teacher
Ashley Saunders was born in Silver Springs, Maryland, but
moved as quickly as possible to Texas, where she grew
up in Pearland with her three younger siblings. She
earned her bachelor’s in history and education
at Dallas Baptist University where she played
soccer. This is her fourth year at EHS and her
eighth year as a teacher, having previously
taught in Fort Bend ISD. Saunders teaches
World History II and is the assistant grade
level dean for 9th and 10th grade. When
she is not in the classroom or meeting with
students, she can be found on the athletic
field, serving as head coach for the girls JV
soccer team.
What’s on your playlist?
I’m listening to an audiobook
called “Bonhoeffer: Pastor,
Martyr, Prophet Spy” and
my current playlist is one my
younger brother created with a
little bit of everything.
What was the first concert you
attended?
Backstreet Boys Into the
Millennium Tour.
If you weren’t a teacher, what
would you pick for a career?
I think it would be interesting to
be a costume or set designer for
movies.
What is your proudest
accomplishment?
My proudest accomplishment
will be finishing my master’s
degree in Instruction and
Curriculum in Social Studies.
Since I graduated during the
recession it would have been
easy to go straight into a
graduate program, but I waited
until I figured out what in
education and/or history I was
really interested in. It’s been a
lot of work, but I have learned
information that has helped me
become a better teacher.
Do you
have a
favorite
app or tech
gadget?
Skyscanner
and Hopper. I love
to travel so when I am
planning a trip I use those two
apps regularly.
Did you have a mentor
growing up who inspired your
career?
My 7th grade Texas history
teacher, Mrs. White. She had
the ability to make history come
alive, and I loved going to her
class. She was the first teacher
that I had where I knew she
not only loved her students,
but she loved history and was
authentically herself.
If you could travel back in
time, what period of history
would you choose?
I would travel back to the
height of the Roman Empire
or to New York during the
Harlem Renaissance to witness
the cultural explosion of
individuals like Madam C.J.
Walker, Langston Hughes, Duke
Ellington, and Josephine Baker.
What do you most respect
about your colleagues?
Their commitment to their
students and to each other.
What do you most respect
about your students?
I love their curiosity and
willingness to ask hard
questions when interested in a
specific topic.
Read any good books
recently?
I just finished the “Red Rising”
series, a great science-fiction
story that my entire family ended
up reading.
If you could eat only one meal
this week, what would it be?
Baltimore-style crab cakes. They
are mostly crab meat with just
enough breadcrumbs or crushed
saltine crackers to give it shape.
33

The Last Word
STEPPING
OUTSIDE:
A TALE FROM
FRESHMAN
RETREAT
“Step outside of the box.” The Camp Allen staffer’s words
nudged me forward, and before I realized what I’d agreed
to do I was donning the lattice of straps that would serve
as my safety harness. It was an August afternoon, right
after lunch spent with the freshman advisory group I was
looking after during Freshman Retreat. How could I ask these
nervous 14-year-olds who had yet to see the inside of their
first freshman classroom to do something I wasn’t willing to
do myself?
Now it was my turn to shuffle anxiously as I waited with our
new art teacher Lauren Cunningham to ascend a tight spiral
staircase 40 feet or so to the “Adventure Summit” challenge
course. We would be the final pair to cross its 10 elements
before our large group headed off to the next rotation. At last
we were waved upward. A little winded by the steep climb, I
lamented my lack of physical conditioning for this… but not
enough to reconsider my decision. Some freshmen had done
just that, wending up the spiral staircase only to return right
back down. There is no shame in that. Each step outside the
comfort zone we take is a step into a new state of being and
awareness, unlike anything we’ve experienced before. That’s
the point, isn’t it? To safely explore such scary, vulnerable
spaces.
The elements, created from rope, planks, beams, and cable,
increased in difficulty as you progressed through them. Some,
like the first, were easy to skitter across. Earlier, watching
students glide through the harder ones zipline-style had lulled
me into thinking I could do this without too much difficulty.
I had failed to factor in the effects of the muggy August
heat, which were sapping us of energy and moisture by the
minute, or how my lack of physical stamina could present
some serious problems for me that were not evident at the
beginning. Crossing the deceptively easy first element, we
were informed that this was our last opportunity to turn back.
We chose to move forward. We were in it for the duration.
I came to the last two sections breathing hard, but without
any real misgivings. About halfway across the second beam
of the ninth element, I slipped, and found myself straddling
the beam, shaking with spent muscles, unable to get up
again. I found new strength in the steady encouragement
from Lauren, who was following me along the course with a
grace that had abandoned me several elements back. Finally,
I was able to work one leg under myself so that I could use
the cable to climb back into a standing position. I made it
to the last of the little platforms that allow you to catch your
breath and recuperate between each element. I could tell as
I stood panting on this final ledge that I had reached my limit.
But there was no way to go but forward. I devised a strategy
to cross this element’s series of swinging planks, a daunting
disconnected foot bridge. I wrapped my arms around the
cables, two swings at a time, stepping forward across them
once stabilized. I had engineered a solution, even if it wasn’t
pretty! My strategy ran afoul when I reached two planks that
were tangled together. I tried with my flagging strength to
unhook them with my foot, but instead I slipped again and
spun, ending up laying supine across several of these swings.
I could hear consternation in the Camp Allen staff’s voices as
they joined Lauren and others from the ground in coaxing me
to do what was necessary to make it the final 15 feet to the
platform.
The thing was, I couldn’t do it. I couldn’t sit up again, let
alone stand and struggle back to safety. My breathing
became ragged, and the sun seemed intent on melting me
onto the swaying planks. In the end I had to be dragged
unceremoniously back to the platform, plank by plank. I was
later told that this was only a “Level One” situation, and that
it happened fairly often; but my dignity had been a casualty
up there. Dehydrated, deflated, downright embarrassed, I
34

The Last Word
humbly accepted the concern and aid offered generously to
me by so many I cannot name them all: cups of cold water, a
place to sit, bandages for my raw fingers, words of comfort.
All I could think of was how I must have worried the students,
of how it had been folly for someone of my age and fitness
level to have attempted this thing in the first place.
Despite all, the Freshman Retreat was wonderful and fun. At
the end of that long day, easing past the dazzle of excited
parents collecting their tired but no-longer-nervous charges,
I returned home to share my tale of aerial humiliation with
my wife, Zeba. “You shouldn’t be embarrassed,” she told
me. “You should be proud.” In one sense, I was proud: proud
to have taken that step “outside the box” into uncertainty,
even though it stretched me as far as I could go and beyond.
But I wasn’t proud that others had seen me struggle. It took
me several days to realize that this was my ego talking, not
my colleagues. On the contrary: adults and students alike
had been the ones to support, encourage, even cheer me on
through those difficulties. I have witnessed this time and again
in struggles faced by members of our community, myself
included. We are fortunate to be connected by relationships
that encourage each of us not merely to cope but to flourish.
Our community supports us, even when the ground is
nowhere near our feet and we feel vulnerable and afraid.
Truly, there is no shame in that. It’s a powerful way to grow.
—Eric Avera, Science Teacher and Leader of the Advisory
Program
35

36 Liam Griffin '20 after Fall SPC Cross Country Championships

2019 ‐ 2020
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Chairman
The Rt. Rev. C. Andrew Doyle
Executive Chair
Randa Duncan Williams
Frances Alexander, Henrietta K. Alexander, J. Craig Chandler, W. Craig Childers, Rod Cutsinger, William A. Edens Sr., J. Todd
Frazier ‘88, Emerson K. Hankamer Sr., Terri Havens, Elizabeth K. Howley, Jenna Junell, Alecia Lawyer, Clay Manley, George O.
McDaniel III, Laurie N. Morian, Townes G. Pressler Jr., William Randall, A. Haag Sherman, Ned Smith, Trey Snider, The Very Rev.
Barkley Thompson, Duncan K. Underwood ‘89, John Weinzierl, James Whitehead ‘94, Julius Young Jr.
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
J. Craig Chandler, W. Craig Childers, The Rt. Rev. C. Andrew Doyle, William F. Galtney Jr., Melinda Budinger Hildebrand, Victor,
A. Kormeier Jr., Clay Manley, George O. McDaniel III, A. Haag Sherman, Ned Smith, Lynda Knapp Underwood, Randa Duncan
Williams
LEADERSHIP
Head of School
Ned Smith
Associate Head of School
Nancy Laufe Eisenberg
Director of Finance
and Operations
Evelyn Cambria
Principal
Kim Randolph
Dean of Faculty
Nguyet Xuan Pham
Director of Advancement
Peggy Haney
Dean of Spiritual Life
The Rev. Beth Holden
Dean of Arts and
Innovation
Jay Berckley
Director of Athletics
Jason Grove
PILLARS MAGAZINE TEAM
Director of Communications
Claire Fletcher
Photography & Graphic Design
Scott Cunningham
Contributors
Eric Avera
Claire Fletcher
Peggy Haney
Ashley Long
Mauro Gomez
Emma Tsai
Margaret Young
37

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