Nota Bene: January 13, 2020
From the President
From the Alumni Advisory Council President
Dear Fellow Saint Mary's Hall Alumni,
I am very excited for the opportunity to serve as the President of the Alumni Advisory Council. I have participated in the council since I moved back to Texas in 2013 and I have found the experience to be interesting and rewarding.
Saint Mary’s Hall as an institution has been evolving and adapting since its founding. It continues to do so today. But as many things change, many stay the same. As alumni, we can assist the school in maintaining its core values and ensuring that future graduates go into the world with the same excellent education and opportunities.
It is my hope to have more alumni engaged than ever before. The faculty and staff are always happy to hear from you and it is our goal to find more affinity groups to come back to campus in addition to or in conjunction with the annual Alumni Reunion. This year's reunion will take place on Saturday, May 16, 2020. Invites will be sent early this year. If you fondly remember your theater group, JV basketball team, or Spanish class, and have an interest in catching up with your friends, please let us know.
Sincerely,
Kenneth Bethune (Class of 2001, Capers)
President, Saint Mary’s Hall Alumni Advisory Council
2019-2020 Alumni Advisory Council Members
Caroline Barnes (Class of 2001)
Kenneth Bethune (Class of 2001)
Lindsay Bolner (Class of 2001)
John Boyan (Class of 2013)
Caleb Campaigne (Class of 1999)
Patty Cisneros (Class of 1995)
Alexandra Flaherty (Class of 2015)
Anna Gold (Class of 2013)
Luci Leykum (Class of 1989)
Claire C. McNab (Class of 2009)
Kristina Mistry (Class of 1991)
Allison Reyes (Class of 2006)
Jessica Serna (Class of 1990)
Around the Hall
Around the Hall
Head of School Wish List
Supporting the Head of School’s Wish List is instrumental in creating a new tradition of giving at our school. The Head of School’s Wish List was created to provide additional opportunities for growth and exploration in our classrooms, fine arts studios, and on our athletic fields. On this year's wish list, you will find underwriting options that will support the mission of Saint Mary's Hall and help our students excel in their current areas of interest while developing new ones. Please take a moment to review the Head of School’s Wish List and consider underwriting an item that will help our students strengthen their love of learning, performing, and competing. If you have any questions or would like to underwrite an item on the Head of School’s Wish List, please contact Head of Community Engagement Camilla Hannah at channah@smhall.org or (210) 483-9241.
Head of School Search Update
Please visit the dedicated head of school search web page for a detailed look at the progress of of the head of school search. Click on this link, or go to www.smhall.org, click on About Us, and Head of School Search.
Donor Honor Roll 2018-2019
Achieving the mission of our school is something we cannot do alone. View our Donor Honor Roll 2018-2019 to see the names of alumni who have generously given to support Saint Mary's Hall during the 2018-2019 school year. We are thankful for your belief in our school, and for helping us to plant the seeds for current and future students.
Capers vs. Elliott Alumni Giving Challenge
Like last year, your gift to our school is your continued participation in a beloved Saint Mary’s Hall tradition: the intramural competition between the Capers and Elliott teams. Once again, every gift made to The SMH Fund between September 1, 2019 and April 1, 2020 earns one point for the team you designate. Show your team spirit! Help your team earn bragging rights and have your team name engraved on the Alumni Bishops’ Cup. To donate to The 2019-2020 SMH Fund, please click here. Thank you for considering this investment in the future of our students and our beloved alma mater. Who will win and be awarded the Alumni Bishops’ Cup at the 2020 Alumni Reunion on Saturday, May 16, 2020?
Alumni News
Alumni News
SMH Celebrates Founders’ Day
Founders’ Day celebrates a person or family whose faith, vision, and determination have made a lasting impact on Saint Mary’s Hall, and who meet the following criteria:
- They have a long-standing, multi-generational supportive relationship with Saint Mary’s Hall.
- They have been such a remarkable and generous friend of our school that simply said, we are a vastly different, better place because of their partnership and support.
- They are someone our community proudly holds up as an exemplar of our core values at Saint Mary’s Hall.
Introduced in 1998, the Founders’ Day Award is the highest honor given to the school’s benefactors, and is our way of saying “thank you” to our most devoted friends for their ongoing dedication, care, involvement, and support. On October 29, Ruth (Ruthie) Bowman Russell (Class of 1966) was presented the 2019 Founders’ Day Award by Head of School Jonathan Eades. Ruthie and her family have an extensive legacy with Saint Mary’s Hall and have repeatedly demonstrated their commitment to Saint Mary’s Hall. Several facilities bare their name including the Extended Care Building, Middle/Upper School Library, and the Bell Tower. Ruthie’s mother, Ruth McLean Bowman Bowers, graduated from SMH in 1938 and was honored with the same award in 2003. Ruthie received the Distinguished Alumni Award in 2012, has served as a Board of Trustees member, and currently embraces her role of SMH grandparent.
We also celebrated with Upper School Social Studies Teacher Adrian Viccellio, Middle School English Teacher Deborah McInerney, Lower School Science Teacher Bitsy Mayberry, and Middle School Art Teacher BJ Pyrc as they were named SMH Master Teachers and awarded $10,000 each in appreciation of their contributions to the school and the impact they have had on students’ lives.
If you missed the ceremony, we invite you watch the Livestream of this special event and experience the joy and excitement of the morning.
Alumna Serves as Blue Tie Ceremony Speaker
Erin Cusenbary (Class of 2011) served as this year’s Blue Tie Ceremony speaker. Erin was a “Lifer” at SMH, attended Trinity University where she was captain and All-American for the Tiger volleyball team, and graduated Magna Cum Laude. A graduate of The University of Texas School of Law, she now works as a corporate finance attorney for Vinson and Elkins in Houston.
Save the Date: Saturday, May 16 for Alumni Reunion 2020
Be sure to save the date for the Alumni Reunion on Saturday, May 16, 2020 in the Peggy Pitman Mays Dining Hall! Enjoy time with your friends and reconnect! Invites will be sent early this year.
Student Named a National Award Winner Based on National Spanish Examination
Laura Kayata (Class of 2019) was named a National Award Winner based on her National Spanish Examination score from 2019. As a result, Laura was named as a 2nd place recipient of the 2019 Senior Scholarship and received $1,000 toward her fees and tuition at George Washington University. Congratulations to Laura and her AP Spanish Language Teacher from last year, Denise Diaz.
Welcome Back Barons Luncheon
Smiles and hugs abounded as we welcomed back the largest group of young alumni we have had yet for the Welcome Back Barons luncheon on December 17. Members from the SMH Classes of 2016, 2017, 2018, and 2019 enjoyed SAGE Dining Service's yummy Mexican food lunch in the Peggy Pitman Mays Dining Hall, then walked around campus and visited with former teachers and friends.
The following young alumni met with our Form 8 students to give them insight to college life:
- Emily Zeller (Class of 2019) Vanderbilt University
- Ben Zeller (Class of 2019) Georgetown University
- Alex Jimenez (Class of 2019) New York University
- Kaitlynn Cooper (Class of 2019) Carnegie Mellon University
- Maggie Kelleher (Class of 2017) Southern Methodist University
- Lindsey Rochelle (Class of 2017) Washington and Lee University
- Sallie Rochelle (Class of 2017) Sewanee: University of the South
- Aamu Karla (Class of 2016) Trinity University
- Dante Jarrett-Izzi (Class of 2019) Air Force Academy
- Rachel Maurer (Class of 2017) Wofford University
- John Janes (Class of 2017) Southern Methodist University
Keep In Touch
Keep In Touch
Share Your Story
Do you have great news to share with your fellow SMH alumni? Maybe you landed your dream job, got married, had a baby, or went on an amazing vacation.
Tell us about it! Fill out this online form with your name, class year, latest news, and even upload photos. Your story may be highlighted in an upcoming issue of the Alumni Class Notes section of The Shield.
Contact Alumni Relations
Rhonda Vasbinder
Director of Philanthropic Engagement
alumni@smhall.org
(210) 483-9243
Laird Loomis
Assistant Director of Alumni Relations
alumni@smhall.org
(210) 483-9243
Do you receive The Shield?
The Fall 2019 edition of The Shield focused on our athletics (read our digital edition). If you are not receiving The Shield and would like a printed copy or the digital edition, email us at editor@smhall.org.
Connect with SMH on Social Media
Get Involved
Get Involved
Help with Alumni Reunion 2020
Each year, we seek alumni volunteers to help coordinate class attendance at Alumni Reunion. Would you like to help with Alumni Reunion 2020?
Alumni are needed from the classes of 1970 and 1995. If you are interested in reconnecting with your classmates and helping with this year’s reunion, please email us at alumni@smhall.org.
Class Representatives:
- 1970 OPEN
- 1980 M’Lissa Meyer Gravelle
- 1990 Jessica Serna
- 1995 OPEN
- 2000 Stacey Grossman Boger
- 2010 OPEN
In Memoriam
In Memoriam
Alumni
Mrs. Peter W. Keating, Jr.
nee Edelene Jean Gaddis
Class of 1944
February 24, 2019
Mrs. Frank L. Dickson
nee Ellen Maverick
Class of 1947
October 20, 2019
Mrs. Laura Avery
nee Laura M. Graves
Class of 1951
September 1, 2019
Mrs. Gladys Lee
nee Gladys Randolph Bondurant
Class of 1951
November 1, 2019
Mrs. Elizabeth Murphey von Frankenberg
Class of 1951
October 18, 2019
Mrs. Jane Benesch
nee Roberta Jane Bickham
Class of 1953
December 12, 2019
Mrs. Clifton T. Birchman
nee Katharine Gwendolyn Hornaday
Class of 1954
August 8, 2019
Mrs. Elizabeth Bedrosian
nee Elizabeth (Betsy) Pennell
Class of 1964
September 17, 2019
Mrs. Carolynn J. Stampley
nee Carolynn Jane Little
Class of 1968
September 17, 2019
Mrs. Scott Musick
nee Jamie Elizabeth Black
Class of 1972
September 23, 2019
Mr. James Laurence Sheerin, Jr.
Class of 1989
October 11, 2019
Mrs. Andrew Robbins
nee Star Bright Harman
Class of 1996
March 9, 2016
Mr. Donald (Trey) Richard Leonard III
Class of 2009
November 16, 2019
Ms. Maria (Lola) Dolores Espinosa Ealy
Class of 2010
December 1, 2019
Mr. Daniel Reese Lemke
Class of 2018
August 14, 2019
Faculty/Staff
Mrs. Catherine J. Passmore
Middle School Administrative Assistant
1996-2007
July 23, 2019
*This list contains information received July 11, 2019 – December 31, 2019.
Sympathy To
Sympathy To
Kathy Killam ’65 and Tracy Killam DiLeo ’71
on the loss of their mother, Sue Spivey Killam
Elena Skinner-Klee ’70 and Susan Skinner-Klee Hartin ’71
on the loss of their mother, Katharine E. Skinner-Klee
Pauline (Paula) Gaddis Keating ’72
on the loss of her mother, Edelene Jean Gaddis ’44
Catharine (Tinka) Rote ’74 and Elizabeth Rote ’81
on the loss of their brother, Tomas C. Rote, Jr.
Sarah Harte ’76
on the loss of her mother, Carolyn Hardig Harte and her father, Houston H. Harte
James P. Robinson III ’83 and Joline (Jingle) Street Robinson ’88
on the loss of their father, James P. Robinson II
Elizabeth (Lisa) I. Spielhagen ’88
on the loss of her mother, Leslie Priddy Spielhagen
Pamela K. Dobie ’93, Monica K. Dobie ’96, and William (Bill) J. Dobie ’99
on the loss of their father, Robert (Bob) A. Dobie
SMH Trustee Emerita Connie McCombs McNab, Carson Rubey IV ’96, Charles H. McNab ’99, Anna S. Turner ’02, Sita S. McNab ’02, Ian M. McNab ’04, Alicia McNab ’05, Chloe Shands ’08, John (Joseph) Shields ’09, Claire C. McNab ’09, Easton N. McNab ’11, Stella C. McNab ’25, Charles (Wylie) McNab ’27, and Ewan W. McNab ’29
on the loss of their mother, grandmother, and great grandmother, Charline Hamblin McCombs
Dr. Joseph (Joe) R. Becker ’97
on the loss of his mother, Mary Clementine Ellison (Bunny) Becker
Emilio B. Nicolas ’98 and Daniel C. Nicolas ’01
on the loss of their grandfather, Emilio Mae Nicolas, Sr.
Layne Elizabeth Schuette ’00
on the loss of her grandmother, Peggy Belcher Blocker
Olivia Wilbert Davis ’01
on the loss of her grandmother, Sibyl Bannowsky
Philip Pauerstein ’04, Benjamin Pauerstein ’08, and Rachel Pauerstein ’11
on the loss of their grandmother, Marie Louise Pauerstein
Alexandra E. Lee ’06 and Zoe T. Lee ’10
on the loss of their grandmother, Mary Williams Lee
Annlyn Osborn Hughes ’07 and Ada Carlotta Osborn ’08
on the loss of their grandfather, Ed Pat Mixon
Nicole Smith ’07 and Erich Langston ’07
on the loss of her mother Tina Louise Booth Smith
Michael J. Broker II ’08 and Jonathan J. Broker ’12
on the loss of their grandfather, Willard R. Rakes
David Lee James ’08, Dominic James Grazioli ’16, and Lauren Leigh Grazioli ’19
on the loss of their grandmother, Loretta Look James
Colt A. Blumenthal ’13, Lexie Blumenthal ’16, and Logan T. Blumenthal ’16
on the loss of their grandfather, I. Bob Blumenthal
Lewis Maverick Clements ’13
on the loss of his grandfather, Sam L. Kelley
Carlos O. Espinosa ’13
on the loss of his sister, Maria (Lola) Dolores Espinosa Ealy ’10
*This list contains information received July 11, 2019 – December 31, 2019.
We will honor our alumni who are no longer with us at a memorial service on May 16, 2020 in the Marrs and Verna McLean Library Complex.