the Bell SPRING 2013 For the Alumni, Families and Friends of St. Martin’s Episcopal School 1 Message from the Head of School 2 Message from the Chairman of the Board of Trustees 3 Dorothy Porter Service Award 6 Innovation and Design at StM 9 Campus Spirit 16 National Honor Society Tapping 18 Message from the Development Office 19 The Legacy Society 20 Endowments and Special Funds 21 Message from the Alumni Board President 22 Alumni Spotlight 23 Martin de Tours Award 26 Scattered Saints Our Mission 2012-13 Board of Visitors We prepare students to thrive in Michael C. Odom, President college and in life through faith, Herschel L. Abbott, Jr. scholarship, and service. Judy Fremaux Adams ’64 Richard C. Adkerson Campus Spirit Page 9 Dr. Robert Arensman Brian C. Bossier ’78 Alan G. Brackett Gary H. Brewster ’71 Joella Burlingame Message from the Lynn S. Coatney Chairman of the Board of Trustees BG James Cobb ’54 Page 2 Beth Hughes DePass ’79 The Rev. David DuPlantier Dr. W. Brooks Emory ’60 Michael A. Flick The Bell is a publication of The Rev. Susan Gaumer St. Martin’s Episcopal School Dr. Tejas T. Godiwala 225 Green Acres Road 2012 Martin de Tours John J. Graham Metairie, Louisiana 70003 Award Recipient Scattered Saints James O. Gundlach ’54 (504) 733-0353 Page 23 Page 25 Peter Labouisse III ’60 Editor Donna Bethune Lewis Anne Dunlap Honeywell ’83 Core Operating Principles Brenda Manard Graphic Designer These Core Operating Principles have 2012-13 BOARD OF TRUSTEES Robert W. Merrick ’62 Rebecca Fullilove Choate ’82, been adopted by St. Martin’s Episcopal Michael F. Nicoladis ’78, Chair Jesse B. Morgan III ’66 RBCDesign.net School, and they drive our decisions The Rev. Fred Devall ’87, Past Chair Robert E. Peyton Head of School at every level from daily operations to Stephen Huber ’89, Vice-Chair Becky Ramelli Merry Sorrells strategic planning. Charlee Williamson ’89, Secretary Janet Rigdon 1. An intellectually rigorous academic Jeffrey A. Meckstroth ’77, Treasurer Dr. Fred Rodriguez ’68 Director of Advancement & Admission environment Patrick Costello Mary Sue Nelson Roniger ’60 Lisa Newman Sibal ’77 2. The intentional integration of faith Sandra DeMartini Jerry L. Saporito Photography and learning John Girault ’55 Margaret Schuber Wally Porter ’76, Parker Waters, Anne 3. A community-based approach to Betsy Kaston ’72 Howard Smith, Jr. ’60 Honeywell ’83, Ken Redler and faculty, learning Brian Melius ’74 Gary N. Solomon, Sr. parent and alumni submissions 4. A collaborative philosophy which David Reeves Karen Sullivan focuses on personal relationships, not Walker Saik ’02 George R. Sumner On the cover: power of authority Dr. Peter Stedman ’71 Edie Wilson An original painting by Isabella 5. A balanced preparation for life Cliff Sutter ’70 John M. Wilson Figueroa, a Kindergarten student at 6. An emphasis on life-long learning The Rt. Rev. Morris Thompson, Merry Sorrells, Ex-officio St. Martin’s 7. Student-led servant leadership Ex-officio Rev. Fred D. Devall IV ’87, Ex-officio Message from the Head of School Merry Sorrells “Education is what remains after one has forgotten what one has learned in school.” Albert Einstein Einstein was, well...Einstein!, when he us all to pause in our busy lunch preparations and conversations made the declaration above. Learning the to listen for these earnest young voices offering their thanks. It facts, formulas and procedures in school is warms us and always leaves us smiling. essential. But what remains after the book Patriotism is another focus for our students across grade facts are forgotten is true education, and true levels. We have placed flags in every classroom and recite the education is where St. Martin’s excels. pledge at all of our gatherings. In one of the Monday Memos this Excellence happens when strong teach- year, I wrote about one of our two-year-olds who captivated a ing aligns with powerful programs and curious room full of strangers when he spotted a flag posted on a store students. And, excellence is our standard. bulletin board. He immediately drew himself to attention, placed My first year as Head of School at St. Merry Sorrells his hand over his heart and recited the Pledge of Allegiance for all Martin’s has been a great experience. As May to hear. One mother shed some tears. Her son is serving in Iraq drew to a close, I realized that I had finally sampled every tradi- and she was so grateful that our students are learning patriotism tion. And, there is an impressive number of them! My husband, at St. Martin’s. Our hope is that these lessons of faith and grati- Kim, and I moved into the Van Slate House at the end of May tude will anchor them throughout their lives. 2012, and my first official day as Head was July 2. The first sev- I am a believer in teaching what are now referred to in the eral months were spent in individual meetings with faculty, staff, education world as “soft skills.” At St. Martin’s we are becoming administration, parents, students and alumni. It was a wonderful more and more intentional in teaching a cluster of personal quali- way to get to know the school and what we treasure. I learned just ties, habits, attitudes and social graces that are just as important how strong and successful St. Martin’s really is. And, perhaps the in assuring future success in college and the work force as the most important lesson I learned from studying our recent history traditional, more content driven “hard skills.” As they leave St. is that one critical key to keeping St. Martin’s pointed in a forward Martin’s, our students will be expected to be agile, adaptable direction is to preserve and honor the past and all its tradition. St. and creative at solving problems. We are designing curriculum Martin’s is a school rich with values and traditions which under- that will prepare them in these areas. Aligning these skills with pin its success. our rich and rigorous academic program is where a St. Martin’s One focus this year has been emphasizing prayer and education becomes invaluable! patriotism. In addition to our Chapel services and religion classes, As we ready ourselves for the next school year, we are mix- we pause each day at lunchtime to thank God for the many gifts ing and mingling exciting new faculty, administrators and pro- He gives us. This has become a very special moment in the day, grams with our veteran master teachers and traditions. The result especially in the Lower School, where each class takes turns is exciting! Follow us closely as we forge our way forward in the reciting or singing a little prayer. A tinkling bell is the signal for changing world of 21st century education! 1 Message from the Chairman of the Board of Trustees Michael F. Nicoladis ’78 Time flies. It is hard to believe my first St. Martin’s learned a lot from our 10-year accreditation year at the helm of the Board of Trustees visit from the ISAS/SAES committee in January. Its construc- is rapidly approaching the finish line. The tive recommendations are the basis for some of the changes we year’s pace has been swift, yet efficient. I have already set in place this semester. We will continue to work have thoroughly enjoyed this year, and in tirelessly to maintain and enhance St. Martin’s Episcopal School’s particular working with our Head of School, academic rigor, while preserving its commitment to faith, service, Merry Sorrells. Much progress has been and competitive athletics. made this year at St. Martin’s and within I must also take this time to commend the hard work of the Board of Trustees. the Board this year. We are diligently working on the refinement St. Martin’s first female Head of School of St. Martin’s financial model, not only to ensure its continued Michael F. Nicoladis ’78 has evaluated the status of all St. Martin’s strength, but to maintain long-term sustainability in these chal- programs and curriculum and has worked tirelessly to best al- lenging times for all independent schools. We are also refining St. locate staff and resources in every department from the Cottage Martin’s campus master plan to assure that our facilities remain to the Upper School, all within the framework of St. Martin’s mis- mission-appropriate in the decades to come. sion statement, core operating principles, and strategic plan. Her I am looking forward to the coming year as St. Martin’s vision for St. Martin’s is not one of change, but one of enhance- Board Chair. I am also happily anticipating my sons’ third grade ment—taking St. Martin’s from great to greater and making our and kindergarten years at St. Martin’s. As I stated at the start, strengths stronger while keeping our beloved traditions intact. time is flying by. It seems like just yesterday that I was a St. And we, the Board of Trustees, believe she is carving out a path Martin’s Lower School student, yet I just participated in my 35th which will not only allow St. Martin’s to continue to be one of the class reunion. As the Class of 1978 celebrated 35 years since best schools in the metro area, but move us into the national graduation, I took pride in knowing that the St. Martin’s we know forefront of 21st century education. and love is in good hands and moving forward with the times. Members of the Class of 1978 at the Alumni Spirits Party.