Nota Bene: May 11, 2020
From the Head of School
From the Head of School Jonathan Eades
Dear Saint Mary's Hall Alumni,
The fact that our alumni stay in touch with each other and with us is one of the aspects about Saint Mary’s Hall that I cherish most.
During their time at Saint Mary’s Hall, our students develop relationships with each other, their teachers, coaches, and administrators that truly last a lifetime. It means so very much to the faculty, staff, and me when our alumni return to campus and when they email us updates with photos. We celebrate your successes, and we’re here for you during challenging times, too. Our faculty remain mentors and supporters of our students, long after they walk the graduation stage.
Traditionally, we are celebrating with you, our alumni, at this time of the year – Senior Alumni Mentor Day, the Distinguished Alumni and Momentum Award Luncheon, our 50th Anniversary Memories and Mimosas Brunch, All-School Alumni Reunion, and welcoming back past award winners to present subject awards at Commencement. We miss you.
Distance learning continues to go well. Our faculty and staff are truly heroes, and we are receiving many positive notes from parents and grandparents. We remain committed to providing a robust learning experience online, while placing great emphasis on student wellness and connection for the rest of this school year. There is much blessing all around us, and we, as a school, as a city, as a state, and as a country will emerge stronger from this pandemic.
Please send us your stories or updates – tell us what you are doing during these unprecedented times. We would love to share your stories with other alumni in The Shield.
When the Saint Mary’s Hall gates are open again, please accept my invitation to come knock on our door and reconnect! SMH will always be your home.
Sincerely,
Jonathan Eades
Head of School
Around the Hall
Around the Hall
Spring Events Update
Due to the circumstances of COVID-19 and out of an abundance of caution to ensure the health and safety of our SMH Community, some of our Spring events have either been cancelled or postponed.
SMH Alumni Reunion 2020 Cancelled
We will miss you so much this year! Unfortunately, the SMH Alumni Reunion 2020, originally scheduled for May 16, has been cancelled. Although we are unable to gather in person this year, we look forward to welcoming you to campus in May of 2021!
The 2020 Ben McMurray Golf Classic Postponed
The Ben McMurray Golf Classic, our biennial event to raise funds for SMH athletics and the Ben McMurray scholarship, is a beloved tradition at Saint Mary's Hall. Fortunately, the fun will only have to be postponed! Our 2020 Ben McMurray Golf Classic has been postponed until Saturday, September 26. For more information on becoming a sponsor or entering a team, please visit our website at www.smhall.org/bmgc
Head of School Update
As announced in January, Saint Mary’s Hall is pleased to welcome Len Miller as our next head of school, beginning July 1 for the 2020-2021 school year. Read more about incoming head of school Len Miller in the Spring 2020 issue of The Shield. If you would like to learn more about the head of school search process, visit the Head of School Search web page.
Capers Win Alumni Bishops’ Cup
No fooling! For the third year in a row, the Capers emerged victorious in the Capers vs. Elliott Alumni Giving Challenge! We are so grateful for each of you who made your gift to The SMH Fund and participated in this beloved Saint Mary’s Hall tradition, the intramural competition between the Capers and Elliott teams. Thank you for your investment in the future of our students and your beloved alma mater. The Alumni Bishops’ Cup is always on display in the Office of Community Engagement, and we look forward to adding the Capers 2020 plaque to the trophy this year. Congratulations Capers!
Alumni News
Alumni News
2020 Distinguished Alumni Award & 2020 Momentum Award
Congratulations to our 2020 Distinguished Alumna Dr. Emily Benson (Class of 1991) and our 2020 Momentum Award winners Francisco Pergola (Class of 2012) and Tomas Pergola (Class of 2013) - our first joint award. Traditionally celebrated in May, we will recognize all of them at an official luncheon in November this year.
Distinguished Alumni Award
The Distinguished Alumni Award recognizes an alumna or alumnus who has made significant contributions to Saint Mary’s Hall, the community, and his or her profession.
Dr. Emily Benson
Dr. Emily Benson (Class of 1991) is an orthopedic trauma surgeon who specializes in complex long bone and peri-articular fractures. She obtained her undergraduate degree at Brown University and her Doctor of Medicine at Boston University. She completed her internship and orthopedic surgery residency at the University of Massachusetts. After finishing her orthopedic residency, she completed an additional orthopedic trauma fellowship with San Diego Orthopedic Trauma and Fracture Specialists. She is currently serving as director of the Orthopedic Surgery Department at the Ventura County Medical Center and associate program director for the Community Memorial Hospital Orthopedic Residency Program. In 2018 ,she developed a non-profit organization called Viet Cal, which is an orthopedic exchange program between the United States and Vietnam. Each year, she takes a team of orthopedic surgeons and residents to remote areas of Vietnam to collaborate with local orthopedic surgeons on challenging cases. Her hobbies include surfing, triathlons, and spending time with her family.
Momentum Award
The Momentum Award recognizes an alumna or alumnus, 35 years old or younger, whose professional achievements have set a standard of excellence worthy of recognition by Saint Mary’s Hall.
San Antonio brothers Francisco and Tomas Pergola both possess strong entrepreneurial spirits. Together they dreamed of creating the perfect snack. Their kitchen became their second home as they hand rolled batch after batch of crackers. Their company, Cheddies, was founded in 2016, and is the result of trial and error, hard work, and real ingredients. Cheddies is an all-natural high protein cheese cracker whose main ingredient is real cheddar cheese. Originally a healthy snack for diabetics and dialysis patients in the San Antonio area, Cheddies are now available on Amazon and over 700 retail stores nationwide, including all H-E-B stores in Texas.
Francisco Pergola and Tomas Pergola
Francisco Jose Pergola (Class of 2012) is an experienced designer with a Master of Architecture and Industrial Design from Kansas State University. As the co-founder of Cheddies, his role of chief executive officer has strengthened his leadership skills and enabled him to create a clear plan of action for bringing healthier snacking options to an ever growing market. Before becoming the CEO in 2015, Francisco worked as an intern in concept and research development at Overland Partners.
Tomas Ezequiel Pergola (Class of 2013) is a San Antonio native and the proud co-founder of Cheddies. His journey with Cheddies started in March of 2016 while he was completing his Bachelor of Arts in Corporate Communications and Business Administration from Baylor University. Immediately after graduating in 2017, Tomas and his brother Francisco, committed themselves full time to growing Cheddies.
Congratulations Emily, Francisco and Tomas! We look forward to honoring you and celebrating with you this fall.
To nominate an alumna or alumnus for either the Distinguished Alumni Award or the Momentum Award, click the Make a Nomination button below. Nominations must be received by December 18, 2020 to be considered for the 2021 awards.
The Distinguished Alumni Award has been bestowed since 1979 and the first Momentum Award was presented in 2007. We invite you to take a look at the past recipients.
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 Spring 2020 edition of The Shield focused on our faculty and staff (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
In Memoriam
In Memoriam
Mrs. Mary Reed Daugette
nee Mary Reed Simpson
Class of 1951
March 31, 2020
Mrs. Karyn Kay Bartels
nee Karyn Kay Johnson
Class of 1975
February 12, 2020
Mrs. John D. Light
nee Karen Michelle Turner
Class of 1990
March 3, 2020
Ms. Marrs McLean Bowman
Class of 1996
February 21, 2020
Mr. Neel Parag Patel
Class of 2015
March 9, 2020
Dr. Ronald K. Calgaard
Trustee Emeritus
April 10, 2020
*This list contains information received February 12, 2020 – April 22, 2020.
Sympathy To
Sympathy To
Peggy Pitman Mays ‘53, Kathryn (Kathy) Johnson ‘78, Linda McCaul ‘80, Lowry Mays ‘16, Margot Mays ‘17, and Nicole Mays (Form 10)
on the loss of their brother, uncle and great-uncle, Benjamin Franklin (Pody) Pitman III
Katherine (Sandy) S. Lawrence ‘56 and Sharon L. Sadd ‘88
on the loss of their husband and father, Dr. Leslie J. Lawrence
Joan Collins Wyatt ‘81, William R. (Richey) Wyatt ‘87, Henry C. Wyatt ‘18 and William (Taylor) Wyatt (Form 11)
on the loss of their mother, mother-in-law, and grandmother Alice Ann Lynch
Beverly Ann Bowes ‘84
on the loss of her father, Harrison N. Bowes
Michael M. Mewborne, Esq. ‘95, Josie (Form 2) and Nora (Kindergarten)
on the loss of their father and grandfather, Edward (Bruce) Mewborne, Jr., MD
Jeanne (Price) Agah ‘96, Robert (Roby) W. Latimer, Jr. ‘97, Alexandra (Alex) L. Baldwin ‘04, and Sarah L. Hager ‘02
on the loss of their grandmother, Jeanne (Jean) W. Latimer
Stephen M. Gose IV '98, Marianna H. Gose ’00, and Philip E. Gose '07
on the loss of their grandmother, Margaret Hastey Gose
Monica A. Ramos '99, Andrea M. Smith '01, Dr. Steven Ramos '05, and Claire R. Ramos '19
on the loss of their grandmother, Pilar (Penny) Ramos
Sarah C. Kates ‘02
on the loss of her father, John E. Cozad
Cosmo Mathew Guido ‘04
on the loss of his grandfather, Cosmo Frank Guido
Melissa J. Schuessler ‘04
on the loss of her grandfather, Paul E. Maurer
Jorden M. Benedict ‘07 and Madison K. Benedict ‘08
on the loss of their grandmother, Carol L. Benedict Price
Roy (Wesley) Gonzalez ‘11 and Samuel (Sam) W. Gonzalez ‘14
on the loss of their grandmother, Emilie Kyle Chenault
Samantha N. Rodriguez ‘11, Sabrina (Bean) B. Rodriguez ’15, and Maxwell (Max) J. Marshall ‘18
on the loss of their grandfather, Dr. Vernon S. Bishop
Jessica L. Janes ‘14, John W. Janes ‘17, and Christopher (Chris) Janes ‘17
on the loss of their grandfather, Harry Hammet Brusenhan
Sydney K. Watt ‘14 and Philip T. Watt ‘18
on the loss of their grandmother, Wanda Kaye (Kaye) Hoermann
*This list contains information received February 12, 2020 – April 22, 2020.