Nota Bene: July 15, 2019

This is my last Nota Bene as president of the Saint Mary’s Hall Alumni Advisory Council. 

It has been an honor and pleasure to serve in this role. I entered Saint Mary’s Hall in the fall of 1982.  Whether as a student, young alumna, or parent, I have watched our school’s evolution for nearly 40 years. I can confidently say that the Saint Mary’s Hall of today is the best version of itself.

Part of our school’s strength comes from the excellence of its facilities. In 2019, we celebrated the 50^th anniversary of our Starcrest Campus. Although many alumnae did not attend school at 9401 Starcrest Drive, this campus is home for us all. Our school’s greatest strength, however, is its people. From the leadership of the board of trustees and administration, through the dedication of the faculty and staff, to the energy of the students and families, Barons — and the relationships we share—make Saint Mary’s Hall extraordinary.

It is no secret that the 1987 decision to make our Upper School community fully co-educational was not welcomed by everyone at the time. Today, I cannot imagine our student body without the fine young men that make up half our family. The boys that challenged me in the classroom and leavened my time in the courtyard then have become the men that are among my most valued contacts and treasured friends today.

Saint Mary’s Hall has been graduating men for almost thirty years. As students, these men were integral to the life of the school. As alumni, they are integral to the school’s continued success. In this vein, I am proud and excited to announce that our next president of the Alumni Advisory Council is Kenneth Bethune (Class of 2001). Kenneth is the founder and managing partner of the Beeville law firm, Bethune Enright PLLC. He also is the founder and owner of Coastal Bend Distilling, Co. Kenneth is an active alumnus and generous supporter of the school. I cannot imagine a better individual to serve as the first male president of the Alumni Advisory Council.

On May 24, a total of 106 graduates from the Class of 2019 came together on the Saint Mary's Hall campus to take part in the school's Commencement Ceremony.

This year's graduates were admitted to 198 institutions in 38 states and will attend 56 different colleges and universities, including two universities in England and Scotland.  The outstanding group earned nearly $11.3 million in merit scholarships. Collectively, the class completed an impressive 16,589 community service hours, and seven student-athletes will play a sport at the collegiate level, two of which are bound for Division I play.

Other notable accomplishments include: 

• 56% of the graduates were admitted to their top-choice university or college
• U.S. Presidential Scholar semi-finalist
• 6 National Merit Scholars
• 8 National Hispanic Scholars
• 32 "Lifers," or students who have attended Saint Mary's Hall for 12 or more years.

Several alumni participated in this year’s Commencement by presenting academic and extracurricular medals:

• Pamela (Pam) Wagner Lewis (Class of 1981) – English Award
• Gabriella (Gabby) Feuillet (Class of 2016) - Performing Arts, Visual Arts, and Media Arts Awards
• Carla Walker Touliatos (Class of 1982) - World Languages & Cultures Award
• Claire Benson (Class of 2018) - History and Social Sciences Award
• Dr. Nora Walker (Class of 1978) - Science Award
• Justin Tibbs (Class of 2018) – Female Athlete of the Year Award and Male Athlete of the Year Award

If you missed the ceremony, you can watch it on our SMH Livestream channel.

We are so proud of our graduates and look forward to hearing from each of you – congratulations Class of 2019!

As the school year drew to a close, we were honored to recognize and celebrate the retirements of seven beloved faculty and staff members. Carol Brown, Kay Dahle, Amy Hetrick, and Susan Legan were inducted into the Legacy Society at the closing All-Staff Meeting on May 22.  Employees are inducted into the Saint Mary’s Hall Legacy Society when they retire with 25 or more years of service to our school.  They also have a day named in their honor.

Upper School Chemistry Teacher Carol Brown (pictured right) retired after teaching for 45 years.  Carol spent 43 years teaching chemistry/physics (including honors and AP chemistry), one year teaching elementary science, and one year teaching religion.  We honored her with Carol Brown Day on May 10 to celebrate her 30 years of service to Saint Mary’s Hall. Outside the halls of SMH, Carol loves to travel, and she has been to some fascinating places with a long list of other destinations she wishes to visit. She is an avid reader, likes to garden, and is active in her church.

Form 3 Teacher Amy Hetrick (pictured right) will be remembered for her dedication to the education of our students and legacy at Saint Mary's Hall.  Amy is retiring after a remarkable 38 years of service to SMH, and a total of 41 years teaching.  As the daughter of a military family, she has lived many places, but claims San Antonio as home.  Outside the halls of SMH, her passions include her church and family.

Student Service Coordinator Kay Dahle (pictured left) has called Saint Mary’s Hall home for the last 36 years.  Her 48.5-year career has taken her to teach children in Minnesota, Iowa, Delaware, Colorado, and Texas.  In Kay’s words, “teaching is not a job, it is a vocation.”  Kay leaves a strong legacy as an impactful educator, serving in multiple roles over the years for SMH.  Kay was a great teammate and beloved and loyal friend.  We celebrated and honored Kay and Amy on May 7 with Kay Dahle and Amy Hetrick Day. Looking forward to retirement, Kay is excited about quilting with her friends at church, taking classes at NEISD Center Citizens with some of her fellow SMH retirees, and reading a few good books … and that’s just for starters.

As the Director and founder of Extended Care, and as an alumna of SMH Class of 1975, Susan Legan’s (pictured middle) legacy will long endure. Working in education for 29 years, Susan started at SMH in 1991. She spent one year as a substitute teacher and room mom for SMH Montessori.  She earned a Montessori World Educational Institute Pre-Primary Diploma in 1991. Her passions outside of SMH include her family, watching old Westerns with her Mom, playing with her rescued cat and four pups, reading, working in the yard, and quilting.  May 17 was declared Susan Legan Day. 

Carol, Amy, Kay, and Susan - thanks for your love and care and welcome to the Legacy Society!

Lower School Spanish Teacher Mary Ann Blue enriched young students with her inspiring and engaging teaching style. Mary Ann taught for 44 years, with 11 of those years at SMH. She began her career teaching high school Spanish, but 39 years ago she bartered Spanish lessons for tuition for her daughter at a private Kindergarten.  “I rescued my puppet Pancho from a box of unwanted puppets (Yes, Pancho is a rescue puppet!), and I have been in pre-school, Lower School, and a brief time in Middle School ever since.” Outside the halls of SMH, traveling is one of her passions. She and her husband are making plans to visit their nine grandchildren, but are also planning some international travel as well. Mary Ann will continue to pursue her passion for storytelling. She plans to include presenting workshops on storytelling at storytelling festivals and performing her own stories as well.

Upper School Physics Teacher Jane Kaestner is stepping out of the classroom on a full-time basis, and moving on to other challenges and adventures. Jane was at SMH for 22 years, where she was a dedicated and successful teacher, incredible colleague, and strong advisor. Jane is excited about her glass and jewelry making venture becoming a full-time focus for her.  Thank you Jane for molding future scientists! 

Form 8 Mathematics Teacher Katharine Kerr taught for 32 years, with 23 years of service to SMH.  Her dedication to Saint Mary’s Hall and her warm teaching style are an inspiration to us all. Though originally from San Antonio, she spent more than 20 years living in the Dallas area, where she taught high school for nine years. Outside of her school life, her passions include her family, friends, Texas history, the arts, travel, and the outdoors. 

Thank you all for being a dedicated and integral part of our great school.  You will be missed, but will always be a part of the SMH family. 

Once a Baron, Always a Baron! 

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