 The final buzzer sounds, and the girls basketball team has done it again! The Knights are all smiles and the crowd roars their appreciation for a great team effort. This season, the Episcopal girls basketball team has earned wins against 5A schools Walker High and St. Joseph’s Academy. They’ve bested St. Michael and St. Scholastica. They have come together as a team and it’s exciting to watch. Like most teams, this group of girls runs drills together, lifts weights together and spends hours practicing on the court. But it’s the behind the scenes focus on service that tells a bigger story. These athletes volunteered at a church youth camp and at the Shepherd’s Market Food Pantry gather the supplies they needed for their homes. For Christmas, the team wrapped gifts they donated to the Samaritan’s Purse Operation Christmas Child program. They have even attended Episcopal Lower School girls basketball games where they cheered on the mini Knights with enthusiasm and spirit. Why would a group of high school students dedicate so many hours to service? “God gave us the talent of athleticism,” says senior forward Sydney Summerville. “God allows us to play on the court as a team. Service is our way to thank Him for that.” This is a powerful reminder of why service is as much a part of life at Episcopal as academics, arts and athletics. Service examples can be found throughout every division. For example, a fifth grade lesson on the cultures of Africa, Asia, Europe and the Americas led to the creation of the global marketplace. Students sold handmade items to generate funds, which were donated to Heifer International to purchase livestock for residents in poverty-stricken nations. Middle School project-based lessons have benefitted Friends of the Animals, Catholic Charities and Support Our War Heroes. Ninth graders began this school year with a service learning retreat in August. Students volunteered at the Greater Baton Rouge Food Bank, Melrose Elementary, the Knock Knock Children’s Museum, Front Yard Bikes and the Louisiana School for the Visually Impaired.
While service learning is required in Upper School, many students participate in the projects simply because they want to help. Coach Taylor Mims says the girls basketball team made a commitment to service this season. “We want to think outside of us,” she says. “We are fortunate to be here and this is our norm, but we must think about what we can do for others.” This commitment to service runs throughout Upper School. To empower students and encourage participation, there is a student service learning team. This group of students meets monthly to discuss potential projects and how to make them enjoyable for the Upper School community. “As co-president of the center for service learning, I’ve tried to advertise service as a fun activity, not as a graduation requirement,” says senior Ryan Whaley. “By pushing groups of friends to complete service together and by working with administrators to find fun new service projects, I think that our team has done a great job branding service as a ‘fun activity.’” Collectively, the Episcopal community can do tremendous good. In November, members of the community donated more than 3,000 pounds of food to the Shepherd’s Market Food Pantry. More than 3,000 pounds! Each year, members of the Episcopal community participate in a school supply drive benefiting our partner school Melrose Elementary. When Hurricane Harvey devastated Houston and surrounding areas, members of the community donated supplies to help residents recover. Next week, there are numerous opportunities for Episcopal students and staff to serve, including the 2020 MLK Fest presented by the Walls Project, City Year’s Day of Service and the Front Yard Bikes effort to refurbish their outdoor spaces. Beginning February 1st, Episcopal volunteers will once again work alongside a new homeowner to build a home through Habitat for Humanity. Summerville, who is great at the three point line, says the basketball team has plans to work a Habitat shift together. Episcopal students and staff have participated in the student Habitat build for nearly 20 years. It is often said that those who serve others reap more benefits than the people they are serving. In an educational setting, service learning helps students connect what they learn in the classroom to real world issues. It helps spark innovation and imagination as they explore and work toward meaningful solutions. It also fosters empathy for others that will hopefully generate understanding, a willingness to help and a desire to make the world a better place. Thank you to everyone who makes service a priority, especially our student volunteers. The Episcopal 2020-2021 application is now available! For more information on the application process, to schedule a tour, or learn more about the school, contact us at enrollment@ehsbr.org or 755-2684.
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  In 2006, Assistant Athletic Director Jimmy Williams ’97 was in the middle of spring workouts with the Seattle Seahawks when he got word that he was to be inducted into the Episcopal Athletic Hall of Fame. He remembers his coach instantly advising him to return home for the ceremony. He recalls his teammates congratulating him and telling him that being selected to your school’s Hall of Fame is truly an honor. They said Hall of Fame recognition means people remember your contribution and you have left a lasting legacy. The Episcopal Hall of Fame celebrates the legacy of outstanding athletes and non-athletes who have provided significant support to Episcopal athletics. There are currently 23 Knights among this elite group. Some of the high school standouts have gone on to become professional athletes. Meghan O’Leary ’03 is a World Cup medalist, a National Selection Regatta Champion and an Olympic rower. Williams and fellow 2006 inductee Van Hiles ’93 both went on to play football in the NFL. Episcopal Hall of Fame inductees, such as Dr. Rubin Patel ’90, have earned athletic scholarships to top-tier universities. These Knights are leaders in their communities. They are ambassadors for their school. “This is a prestigious honor,” says Episcopal Athletic Director Randy Richard. “It means you were one of the best and you continue to represent Episcopal well.” Being a student athlete can be challenging. Richard says students spend a full day at school, attend practice for as long as three hours a day and then return home to complete homework and prepare for exams. During the summer, many athletes dedicate themselves to the strength and conditioning program, as well as summer leagues to continue to hone their skills. "The planning and communication that a student has to commit to is multiplied when a student participates in multiple activities,” says Richard. A spot in the Episcopal Hall of Fame is a way to recognize the hours and the effort. “It validates all the work,” says Williams. “For me it was bigger than winning a state championship.”
The Episcopal Hall of Fame is about more than records and championships. For an athletic program to truly be successful there must be a community of supporters who may never wear a blue and gold uniform, but nonetheless have a tremendous impact. The Hall of Fame committee recognizes these contributions and includes noteworthy supporters. One example is former Episcopal math teacher Kay Fenton, who was chosen for the Hall of Fame in 2009. While she was not an athlete or a coach, the athletics staff recognized the tremendous support Fenton provided to student athletes. “She wasn’t a coach, but she might as well have been,” says Williams. “She was special.” Williams says students always knew that Fenton would be in attendance when they took the field or the court. “It means a lot when faculty are there in the stands,” he says. “I don’t think they realize how much it means to our students.” Richard says Fenton was also recognized because she understood the challenges that student athletes face when juggling athletics and academics. “She was dedicated to making sure our athletes succeeded the right way in the classroom,” he says. Another inductee who did not play for the Knights is longtime Episcopal supporter LaRon Phillips. Richard says Phillips has been an overwhelming source of support for Episcopal athletics over the years and he continues that commitment even now with his support of the new field house. In addition, Richard says last year’s inductee, Althea “Chinkie” Cointment, was recognized for her efforts in bolstering female athletics at Episcopal. She was also a key catalyst in establishing a successful girls Middle School athletics program. Like inductees in years past, this year’s honoree will be invited to speak at the spring athletic ceremony in May. This is a special occasion for those being honored and the students who get to spend time with them. “The Hall of Fame serves as a compass that points to people who were successful in the past,” says Williams. “It also provides a way to merge the athletes of the past with the next generation.” Williams says it makes an impression on the young athletes when a professional offers them words of advice and wisdom. It is especially meaningful when those words are coming from someone who worked out in the same locker rooms or played in the same gym. “It makes it tangible and gives students a sense of history,” he says.
Williams wants his fellow inductees to know that they are serving as an example for today’s students. He regularly fields questions from students about the people listed on the honorary plaques in the gym. “It gives them a bar to work toward,” he says. Richard hopes student athletes gain inspiration from past successes. “I hope they think about the future and continuing to represent Episcopal,” he says. “I hope they reflect on the influence they have on future generations with what they are accomplishing today.” We invite you to recognize someone who has made a significant contribution to Episcopal athletics by nominating them for the Hall of Fame. You can submit your nomination online by clicking here and scrolling to the nomination form. Completing the form is quick and easy. The deadline to submit your nomination is Friday, February 28th. Whose contributions will you recognize?Congratulations to members of the Episcopal Athletic Hall of Fame 2019 – Althea “Chinkie” Cointment 2018 – April Brown ’95 2017 – P. Holden Spaht Jr. ’92 2016 – Andrew G. Loupe ’07 2015 – Shelby Seger Vickers '83 2014 – Meghan O’Leary ’03 2013 – Joseph Finley Clark '78 2012 –Charles Sentrell Kennon Jr. '88 Robert Louis Sindelar II '86 2011 – Neil Abramson '85 2009 – Kay Fenton N. LaRon Phillips 2008 – David Abramson '84 Mark Elliott '84 Nikki Seger '80 2007 – Stephen Underwood '94 Rubin Patel ’90 Baker Vinci '80 2006 – Frances Compton Fran Teeter Flory '80 Van Hiles ’93 Jennifer Meade McCarthy '94 Jimmy Williams ’97 The Episcopal 2020-2021 application is now available! For more information on the application process, to schedule a tour, or learn more about the school, contact us at enrollment@ehsbr.org or 755-2684.
 Basketball Boys 5 and 0! That’s how the boys basketball team has started this year’s run. Head Coach Chris Beckman says he’s very pleased with the Knights’ performance in the early contests. This year’s squad has a big goal – get to the semifinals for the fourth year in a row. If they accomplish this feat the group of five close-knit seniors will be the first to go to the semis every year of Upper School. Those seniors include Thomas Besselman, Kaplan McMains, DJ Morgan, Jack Ter Haar and Ricky Volland. Coach Beckman says the group has a special chemistry this year after having played together for so many years. In fact, Volland, McMains and Ter Haar have played together since Middle School. Also having a tremendous impact on the team this year is sophomore starter Stewart Bonnecaze. The Knights have already proven their skills with victories against 4A schools Nelville and Broadmoor. Coach Beckman says playing the larger teams only helps the Knights improve as they prepare for upcoming district play. Mark your calendar for these key contests: January 23 at 5:30 pm: Jehovah-Jireh at Istrouma High School January 31 at 5:00 pm: Dunham at The Dunham School
Girls Christian, culture, classroom, court and community. These 5C’s represent the team’s mindset. Coach Taylor Mims says the girls squad also has big goals for themselves. One goal has already been checked off the list – beat 5A Walker High School. After years of coming up close, but not earning the victory the Knights were able to best the Wildcats. With a record of 5 and 1 the girls team has also won against other large schools, including St. Michael and St. Scholastica. Another goal for the girls this year is to host the district tournament. Coach Mims says the team with the best power ranking earns the right to host the eight-team tournament where the district champs are ultimately crowned. Coach Mims says home court advantage is important. “The players are more comfortable at home,” she says. “They’re in a routine, in their own locker room and shooting on their own goals.” Episcopal earned hosting duties last year, but came up short on the title. This year’s team hopes to win the title and make it to the final four. The girls team is led by seniors Sydney Summerville, Kennedy Clark, Angel Batarseh and Dariah Deskins. Sophomore starter Izzy Besselman is also a big factor having put up 28 points against St. Michael and 22 against Walker. Coach Mims says the future is bright for girls basketball with a talented freshman class and impressive Middle School players. When they’re not on the court, you can find the girls team making a difference in the community. Coach Mims says the team has a goal of performing community service as a team. Already this year they have participated in Operation Christmas and volunteered at the Shepherd’s Market. They hope to spend time with children at Our Lady of the Lake Children’s Hospital later this month. Mark your calendar for these key games: January 7 at 6:00 pm: St. Joseph’s Academy in the main gym January 11 at 6:00 pm: Northlake Christian in the main gym Soccer
Girls The girls soccer team is young and passionate. The group looks to be competitive as they head into district play which gets underway in January. Look for junior captain Grace Moraes to defend the goal well. In addition, junior Katherine Scarton, freshmen Caroline Chick and Katie Capron, and eighth grader Annaleigh Bruser will have an impact on the backline. Also watch out for Faith Johnston up top. The team hopes to build upon their wins at the Pineville Rebel Cup to catapult them to a successful season. Mark your calendar for these key games: January 14 at 6:00 pm: Pointe Coupee Catholic at home January 18 at 1:00 pm: Runnels at home Boys The Episcopal boys soccer squad is currently ranked number one in the coaches poll! The team is off to an impressive 5-0-1 start, including a victory over top-ranked Newman. The team is looking to win the district title for a third year in a row and earn a playoff berth. The program is led by 10 seniors including Tochi Mbagwu, Jett Turnley, Anders Melton, Jared Levantino, Trevor Heath, Tanner Bodron, Tanner Morales, Casey Rigby, Grant Coffman and Joe Acierno. You can cheer on these seniors at Senior Knight on Wednesday, January 8th when the boys take on UHigh at home. Mark your calendar for these key contests: January 15 at 6:00 pm: Dunham at The Dunham School January 18 at 11 am: Brighton at home January 24 at 6:00 pm: Central in Central January 29 at 6:00 pm: Runnels at Runnels Track and Field
The Episcopal track team is lacing up their spikes for another season. Look for state championship runner James Christian to go the distance and have a significant impact for the Knights. Coach Claney Duplechin says there are numerous additional athletes to watch this season. Oliver Jack – discus and shot put Peyton Pontif – javelin Ethan Hook – hurdles Clayton Braud – high jump, long jump and hurdles Dylan Mehrota – high jump and long jump Ryan Armwood- sprint Dryden Duggins- hurdles Ian Begnaud - pole vault Coach Bill Jones says the girls squad is also comprised of an exciting group of athletes. Francie Oliver – long jump ,triple jump and high jump Paris Auzenne – sprints Tanya Mencer – hurdles, 400 Bethany Reid – hurdles, 400 Mia Pulliam – distance Scarlett Spender – distance Ivy Jiang – distance Izzy Besselman – high jump, long jump and triple jump Coach Dupe, Coach Jones and the rest of the coaching staff, including Kate Cramer, Charlie O’Brien and Ricky Sheldon will have the Knights ready for competition. “Competition is going to be tougher this year,” says Coach Dupe. “Expectations are high.” Coach Dupe says the boys team is facing tougher competitors this year such as Kentwood and Lafayette Christian, but the Knights will be ready. Key dates for the Knights: January 25th – LSU High School Qualifier February 8th – LSU High School Last Chance Qualifier February 22nd – State Championship Meet WrestlingThe Episcopal wrestling squad is a cohesive team of self-motivated athletes. The group is led by seniors Jackson Morris, Wyatt Laiche and Max Reihs. Head coach Charlie O’Brien ’13 has also enlisted the help of last year’s captain and current LSU freshman Taner Morgan ’19. O’Brien says Taner knows the current players and offers good insight on the mat. O’Brien also counts on the advice of former Episcopal wrestling coach Phil Bode who started the program eight years ago. Coach Bode often comes by to give a quick lesson or cheer the team on at a tournament. Coach O’Brien says the team is working to finish matches strong this year. Already, Matthew Mohammadi has celebrated a match victory and Morris and Laiche won matches at the Griffin open. Mark your calendar for these key events: January 19: LA Classic Wrestling at the Lamar Dixon Expo Center January 31 and February 1: Metro Tournament at Catholic High School February 14 and 15: State Championship meet in Bossier City Field House UpdateCheck out the video below for a look inside the new Episcopal Field House. The Episcopal 2020-2021 application is now available! For more information on the application process, to schedule a tour, or learn more about the school, contact us at enrollment@ehsbr.org or 755-2684.
 Photo provided by KnightPix. Story update: The Knights football team will host a first round playoff game this Friday, November 15th at 7 pm! The team finished the regular season with an 8 and 2 record after a win over Port Allen last Friday. Congratulations to the Middle School boys cross country team! The team won their division at the St. Michael's Cross Country meet. The varsity boys and girls teams were runners up. Senior James Christian was the first place finisher in the varsity race. Next up - the state meet in Natchitoches on Monday, November 18th. Friday night the Episcopal home crowd had one last regular season opportunity to cheer on senior members of the football team, as well as the cheerleaders, dance ensemble dancers, and drum corps musicians. Senior Knight at Episcopal is a special time for these students and their families as they celebrate the last regular season home game in an athletic career that may have lasted one season or numerous years. Students also had the opportunity to attend the Squires Club's Friday Knight Live. To learn more about what it's like to be an Episcopal athlete click here. Seniors Sara Be, James Christian and Nick Johannesson share their thoughts on athletics and academics. Episcopal student athletes of all ages have already had a great fall. Lower School students enjoyed an exciting flag football season. Fifth graders teamed up with sixth graders to play on the navy or gold flag football teams. Lower School students will also have the opportunity to compete in volleyball, which takes place in the spring.
This fall, the Middle School Knights competed in cross country, swimming, football and softball with tremendous results. The Middle School boys and girls cross country teams each won the Episcopal Round Table Run with four girls in the top 10 and three in the top five, and six boys in the top 15 and four in the top 10. At the West Feliciana Relays, the Middle School boys broke the course record by 1:04 and recently they earned the metro championship title for their performance at Highland Road Park. The Middle School swim team earned a title of their own as they won the city championships and were named Division 2 champions. There were numerous individual and relay champions, including Lucy Cramer, Ella Kate Johnston, Faith Johnston, Jack McConnell, Olivia Melancon, Ryann Richard, Rylee Simoneaux and Charlie Williams. In the opening meet, Middle School swimmer Olivia Melancon was an individual double winner. Three swimmers won their events – Olivia Melancon, Faith Johnston and Matt VanDeMaele. Rylee Simoneaux, Baylen Sims, Ryann Richard, Ella Stephens and Charlie Williams also placed in the top five in their individual events. The Middle School football team is well on their way to playing on Friday nights with an enthusiastic and engaged home crowd. The squad had a great season with big wins including a dominating victory over Dunham. The softball girls fielded a sixth grade team and a combined seventh/ eighth grade team this season. The teams fought hard all season with exciting contests against Dunham, Parkview, UHigh and Central. It will be exciting to see how these Middle School athletes continue to grow as they transition to Upper School sports. Senior members of the Knights football team can be proud of the 8 and 2 season they put together. The squad won their Homecoming contest against Catholic High of Pointe Coupee and there have been numerous high scoring games in which the Knights simply ran away with the game. Junior Ryan Armwood’s name has been called throughout the season for scoring touchdowns for the Knights. Two Knights, RB Ryan Armwood and QB Dylan Mehrotra, were nominated for WBRZ Player of the Week honors. The first round of high school football playoffs gets underway this Friday, November 15th with the Knights hosting the game. In what has become a tradition, the Knights cross country team is prepared for a trip to the state championship meet on November 18th in Natchitoches. Look for senior captain James Christian to make a big impact at the meet. James was recently the top boys runner at the St. Michael's meet. He also placed 5th in the Metro Meet and the Catholic High Invitational. Over the course of his senior year, he has put up personal bests and arrived at the line among the top six finishers at each event. However, James is much more than just a great athlete. Coach Dupe says James truly is a leader, staying after practice or meets to help pack up and really pitching in wherever he is needed. The varsity swimmers will make their way west for the state swim meet on November 20th and 21st. Both the boys and girls teams finished in third place in the recent Capital City Swim League City Meet. At that meet, sophomores Eugene Jiang and Alexa Ryon Bennett earned individual wins and the 200 medley relay team of Ben Naquin, Evan Jurkovic, Nick Johannessen and Eugene Jiang broke a 16 year old Episcopal record by one-hundredth of a second. The volleyball Knights made it to the first round of the playoffs! They faced Thomas Jefferson High School in the bi-district round earlier this week. The team put together an exciting season with big district wins against Capitol and Northeast and a fourth place finish in the Northeast tournament in September. They finished the regular season against Parkview Baptist for the Cox Game of the Week. We hope you will support your Knights whether they are in Lower, Middle or Upper School. Mark your calendars now for upcoming winter sports dates. Go Knights! The Episcopal 2020-2021 application is now available! For more information on the application process, to schedule a tour, or learn more about the school, contact us at enrollment@ehsbr.org or 755-2684.
What does it mean to be an Episcopal athlete? We asked Episcopal senior athletes to share more about their experience. “Athletes at Episcopal must learn to have mental stamina, being able to truly balance academics with sports, pushing themselves in multiple areas of their lives to be the best they can be, sometimes exhausting but always fulfilling,” says swimmer Sara Be. “The thing I most enjoy about being an Episcopal athlete is the community that comes from being on a team,” says swimmer Nick Johannessen. “It has always been good to know that I had friends across all grades due to the friendships I made through the swim team.” “The aspect that I enjoy most about being an Episcopal athlete is the comradery that comes from being a part of a team,” says runner James Christian. “Every day, the team creates an atmosphere that is different than any other. You are surrounded by people who go through many of the same difficulties as you. When you are around these people, you can relax and just be free with others who understand if you are having a tough time.”
Academics Matter.Academics are important for all three of these athletes. “Coach reminds us that academics are more important than athletics,” says James. “Coach Dupe teaches us every year of what he believes to be the priorities in life: First is God, second is Family, third is school/work, fourth is sports/extracurricular activities and last is social. To him, academics should be above cross country. This is what helps me juggle the two. I realize I need to prioritize school.” Academics are equally important for Sara and Nick who are National Merit Semifinalists. Nick says while it is challenging to juggle the rigorous academic program at Episcopal while competing, it’s not impossible. “I learned to be more efficient with my time and listen to my body,” he says. “I also made sure to use my study halls and office hours to their maximum potential, meeting with teachers, and doing homework during these times. Staying ahead on homework helps minimize some of the stress caused by the time crunch of practice and schoolwork.” Opportunities Abound.Episcopal truly does provide students the opportunity to explore a diverse array of interests. “Being an athlete at Episcopal is not a label, it does not limit any individual,” says Sara. “The swim team has three students participating in drum corps, attending morning swim practice and nighttime football games on Fridays. The football team this year includes three boys who race to select choir after practice on Mondays. This diversity of talent and character within the athletics department is priceless; sports teams gather a spectrum of types of students, forming seemingly unlikely connections and relationships that end up possessing enormous value.” Students gain a range of important life skills from their participation in sports. “From my athletic experiences, I have learned the values of competition, leadership, teamwork, and hard work,” says Nick. “From competition with teammates in practice to actual swim meets, competitiveness is a crucial component of swimming. Teammates are always pushing each other to improve and be better at practice. Swim meets are the chance for all that hard work to shine, where you can prove to yourself and others what all that hard work has done.” “Hard work beats talent when talent doesn’t work hard.” Coach Dupe. “This is a quote that we hear every year, and it represents one of the most important lessons I have learned from my Cross-Country experience,” says James. “It is always important to be willing to put in the hard work. No matter how good you might be at something, it is hard work and dedication that will get you the farthest in life.” Team is Everything.Putting together a successful team and a championship season, truly is a team effort. “As a member of relays, races made of teams of four, I have also learned the value of teamwork,” says Nick. “A relay would not work with only three people. It takes everyone on the relay to make it work. Relays are my favorite races to swim because there are other people to celebrate your team's success. It takes the hard work of all four swimmers for a relay to be successful, and it is a fantastic feeling when it works.” “Being on a team also brings you closer to people you might not have ever known,” says James. “Those people can become some of your closest friends.” Sara points out that even those who are not officially on the team contribute to success in meaningful ways. “To be invested and engaged with Episcopal athletics doesn’t necessarily mean enrollment in a sports team,” she says. “Positive energy radiates through the stands when students of all grades gather together to cheer on the football team. In this nature, students build networks of support, elevating the school spirit and overall quality of life at Episcopal through athletics. In other words, sports at Episcopal facilitate mutual support from students, people lifting each other up when they need it the most.” Congratulations to all of the Episcopal athletes who are accomplishing great things in the classroom and in competition. Go Knights! The Episcopal 2020-2021 application is now available! For more information on the application process, to schedule a tour, or learn more about the school, contact us at enrollment@ehsbr.org or 755-2684.
 “It was such a privilege to cheer for Episcopal athletics in high school, and I am thrilled to continue to be a cheerleader for the school by supporting the new Field House.” Carolyn Moore Wood ’82Winning the game. Finishing the race. Giving it your all. Inspiring your peers. Setting new records. Breaking old ones. Learning that teamwork, health, wellness, and physical activity are essential parts of life. Athletic experiences open new paths to understanding in the classroom and new opportunities for college and beyond. The athletic and physical education programs at Episcopal are offered to all students and create lifelong memories.  The 1986 Episcopal Knights football team won Episcopal’s very first district championship. “Some of my best memories at Episcopal were on Friday nights or even during summer football workouts.” Paul Garrett ’89Episcopal’s athletic program has grown over the years. What began as basic offerings of football, basketball, track, cheerleading, and volleyball has blossomed into 62 varsity and sub-varsity teams in Upper and Middle School. With 80% of the student body participating in athletics, it is only natural that our students have memories of both their athletic experiences and the camaraderie that follows. Generations of Knights have won state titles, beaten fierce rivals, and crafted their own Legacies through these programs.  Beginning in Pre-K 3, Episcopal students participate in Physical Education and Wellness Programs. Coach Heidi Hebert states, “With the advances in technology and the video game generation, daily physical education is more valuable than ever.”As the school has grown, so has the Physical Education and Wellness Programs that begin with our youngest Knights. On any given day, Lower School students can be found learning how to exercise like an astronaut, train for a triathlon, compete in Nursery Rhyme Olympics, or practice Yoga with their classmates. Episcopal offers physical education classes five days a week for all three divisions through ninth grade. Students have the opportunity to be active every day and explore team sports in a non-competitive environment. This comprehensive, early focus on health, wellness, and athletics develops the whole child for years to come.  The 1980-1981 girls volleyball team was supposed to have a year of re-building. Instead, the team hosted the district tournament in Episcopal’s new Gym Annex and became district champions! They went on to win the State Title for the third time.Very soon we will celebrate the opening of our new Field House. The Field House will mark the first major athletic facility constructed on Episcopal’s campus since the pool was installed in 1997 and the first athletic building since the 1982 addition of the Annslee Laura Phillips ’00 Memorial Gym. It was designed with ALL students and coaches in mind. While the inside of The Field House is certainly impressive - cardiovascular and strength training equipment, collaborative workspaces, flexible areas for wellness programs, updated locker rooms, and dedicated space for the coaches - the outside is just as special. The expansive terrace and new concession stand will quickly become THE gathering place for all Knights to celebrate as a community, remember the legacies of those who came before them, and celebrate future champions for years to come. This is truly a Field House for everyone.  Lower School Field Day is now a tradition. Coaches, teachers, and other faculty members come together for a full day of physical activity and creative games to celebrate the end of the school year.We are pleased to announce that you have the opportunity to commemorate you or your child’s Episcopal memories by choosing a paver on The Terrace to tell their story. A commemorative paver is also a great way to honor a coach, memorialize a teammate, or remember a win. The possibilities are endless. Naming options on The Terrace are now available and start at $5,000. Write your story on one of the concrete or granite pavers that line the entryway and encircle The Terrace. Sponsor a locker, weight, or aerobic exercise station, starting at $1,000. Cement your legacy at Episcopal for years to come.  Richard Chauvin ’72 is inviting fellow classmates to join him in memorializing three former teammates. Chauvin ’72 states, "David Castillo, Richard Dardenne, and Larry Grantham were unselfish, hard-working, positive people whose qualities fostered strong bonds of trust and friendship that I learned are the immeasurable rewards of striving together toward a common goal. These men went on to greater success in sports and life, and I believe our experiences in Episcopal basketball played a part in who we became as adults."Many Episcopal alumni are hard at work organizing team gifts to commemorate their Legacy and honor their past. “The Field House presents a perfect opportunity to pull my teammates and high school friends together to remember three men who personified the type of student-athlete that made my experience in high school sports so rewarding and memorable,” said Chauvin ’72. Carolyn Moore Wood ’82, Paul Garrett ’89, and Sean Reilly ’79 are also organizing team gifts to tell their story on The Terrace. “I want future students to create and enjoy those same memories in a first class facility,” adds Garrett ’89.  The 1979 Episcopal boys cross country team won the school’s first State Championship Title, setting the pace for our 2019 Knights to be in the running for Episcopal’s 36th State Championship Title. Coach Claney Duplechin has been a coach at Episcopal for over 40 years and has been a part of its athletic legacy. “The Field House will provide an invaluable training space for our athletes and students. The growth of Episcopal’s athletic programs are tremendous and this new facility will be an unbelievable asset to our program, campus, and student body,” says Coach Duplechin.What will you remember? An individual accomplishment. Your family’s Legacy. The team’s big win. We are ready to help you finalize your gift. Please contact Lindsay Lamont Turner ’97 in Episcopal’s Development Office to learn more about team gifts. Additionally, if you would like to reserve a space for an individual achievement or family gift you can CLICK HERE to see the many opportunities available. Or visit the Spirit · Mind · Body website to learn about the naming opportunities still available at The Field House.  Let’s line The Terrace with memories of your Legacy at Episcopal.The Episcopal 2020-2021 application is now available! For more information on the application process, to schedule a tour, or learn more about the school, contact us at enrollment@ehsbr.org or 755-2684.
 Middle School athletes have already had a great fall season. Here are highlights of recent action. Click here to access the Middle School athletic calendar and make plans to cheer on your Middle School Knights! Cross CountryThe boys and girls had a great showing at the recent Catholic High Invitational. Pearson Spender led the way with a first place finish in 11:11 in the boys two mile. For the first time, Scarlett Spender and Ivy Jiang ran in the varsity three mile race, with Spender putting up a time of 19 minutes. In the Middle School race, Anna Kate Yale led the way for the Knights with a great two mile time of 13:29. The Middle School boys had a dominating win at the St. Joseph’s Invitational. Eighth grader Abram Johnston finished second. The girls squad placed second overall in the meet. Eighth grader Ivy Jiang placed fourth and Rebekah Reid and Anna Kate Yale were among the top 10 finishers.
FootballThe seventh/eighth grade team recently had a huge victory against Dunham with a final score of 40 to 16. This was the team's second win against Dunham this season. This week, the students faced pouring rain in a hard fought home contest versus Our Lady of Mercy. The football Knights will play their final game of the season here at Episcopal on Tuesday, October 22nd at 6:30PM.
SoftballThe softball Knights are playing great this season. The sixth grade team has had nice wins over Dunham and U-High. The seventh/eighth grade team had two wins versus Parkview and fought hard against U-High and Central. The athletes have shown significant progress this season.
SwimmingMiddle School is making a splash. The boys and girls teams recently placed first in the 200-medley relay. Relay team members include Olivia Melancon (backstroke), Ryann Richard (breaststroke), Lucy Cramer (butterfly) and Rylee Simoneaux (freestyle). Olivia Melancon and Rylee Simoneaux each qualified for high school state swimming cuts in the 100 freestyle and Olivia was the 50 backstroke champion, while Rylee Simoneaux was 50 backstroke runner-up and Matt VanDeMaele was the 50 breastroke boys runner-up.
 The Episcopal 2020-2021 application is now available! For more information on the application process, to schedule a tour, or learn more about the school, contact us at enrollment@ehsbr.org or 755-2684.
 It was a fun-filled week on Episcopal’s campus as students celebrated Homecoming. All three divisions displayed school spirit with theme dress days, pep rallies and campus decorating. Everything culminated with the Knights' Homecoming victory over Catholic Pointe Coupee. Congratulations to the 2019 Episcopal Homecoming King and Queen - Griff Strain and Sarah Collier! Alumni also got in on the celebration with a Cochon De Lait in the alumni tent. We hope the classes of 1979 and 1989 enjoyed their time back on campus. Go Knights! The Episcopal 2020-2021 application is now available! For more information on the application process, to schedule a tour, or learn more about the school, contact us at enrollment@ehsbr.org or 755-2684.
 Congratulations to the 2019 Episcopal Homecoming Court! Top Row: Griff Strain, Sara Be, Tochi Mbagwu, Maia Adams, Logan LeBlanc, Landry Litel, Annslee Bourgeois, Kolin Bilbrew Bottom Row: Thomas Lee, Sarah Collier, Andrew Clark, Chloe Carmouche, Robert Xing, Rachel Nichols, Lewis Ward, Grace Alexander, James Be, Anna Katherine Harrell Mark your calendar now for the Homecoming game next Friday, October 4th at 7 pm. The Knights take on Catholic of Pointe Coupee. Check out the remaining football schedule here. Go Knights! Seniors
 Juniors Logan LeBlanc Landry Litel Robert Xing Annslee Bourgeois
Calling All Episcopal Alumni!Homecoming is a special time for alumni. Don’t miss out on the following activities. 6:30 pm Alumni tent featuring a Cochon De Lait Look for the tent on the track near the north end zone. Game time is set for 7 pm. Wear your Episcopal gear and show your school spirit! Welcome back to the classes of 1979 and 1989! We hope you have a great reunion weekend.  The Episcopal 2020-2021 application is now available! For more information on the application process, to schedule a tour, or learn more about the school, contact us at enrollment@ehsbr.org or 755-2684.
 The Episcopal girls and boys earned state championship titles last year. Photos provided by KNIGHTPIX. STORY UPDATE:After an exciting weekend of fall sports here are the results.
Cross CountryThe Episcopal cross country team is ready for competition. The group has been working out since June in preparation for the upcoming season which gets underway Saturday, September 7th at 7 am with the West Feliciana Relays. The Knights are coming off of another big year after they brought home state titles in both the boys and girls division last year. Head Coach Claney Duplechin says after several seniors graduated in May, other athletes will have an opportunity to shine. So far that is exactly what they are doing as Coach Dupe says the students are making the most of the opportunity and practices have been quite productive. “Now is their time,” says Coach Dupe. “If practices are any indication, I’ll be very pleased this season,” he says. As the team works toward another state title, Coach Dupe is as enthusiastic as ever. “My first year in cross country I fell in love with the kids,” he says. “It’s rewarding. I maybe making a difference in their lives, but they’re making a difference in mine. They keep me young and healthy.” This year’s distance runners are led by seniors James Christian and Ella Kimbrough. Coach Dupe is joined by assistant coaches Amy Claire Whitehurst, Clayton Counts, John Harris and Alison Seals. As he looks to the future, Coach Dupe says the program is positioned well with several talented Middle School runners. He says there is even a chance that members of the Middle School boys and girls teams may run with the varsity squad this season. To see upcoming cross country dates click here.  Photo provided by KNIGHTPIX. FootballKnights fans have five opportunities to catch the football team in action at home this year. That first opportunity is set for tonight versus St. Michael. In addition to the home field contests, Head Coach Travis Bourgeois hopes Knights fans will travel with the team and take in a few away games. “This is the biggest senior/junior class combination in a long time,” says Bourgeois. He says the team’s experience will give them some depth that will no doubt be a factor in games down the road. “Competition will bring out the best in the team,” he says. When the Knights take the field, they will be led by senior captains Ethan Amedee, Kolin Bilbrew, Lane Grisby and Griff Strain. Fans can also expect senior leaders Jamieson Bell and Alex Wilson to be factors in the game. Bourgeois says the Knights are in a good position going forward with 22 eighth grade players who are playing well and having a positive Middle School football experience. This bodes well for the program’s future. Bourgeois says his coaching staff including Bill Jones, Charlie O’Brien, Wally Stevens and Jimmy Williams are another key to the program’s success. “We have different strengths and philosophies,” he says. “We feed off of each other.” The Knights certainly feed off of crowd support, so don’t miss your opportunity to cheer them on this season. Mark your calendar for the following important contests: Friday, September 6th St. Michael Friday, September 13th St. Thomas Aquinas Friday, October 4th Catholic Pointe Coupee Homecoming Game Thursday, October 17th at Dunham Friday, October 25th Northeast Friday, November 8th Port Allen Senior Knight  SwimmingEpiscopal begins the swimming season with a new head coach. Kate Cramer returns to the Knights after previously coaching the swim team from 2007 to 2010. Kate describes herself as high energy. She can often be found on the deck whistling and coaching the students on their strokes. She says as a coach she uses a lot of speed training and interval and aerobics training to help swimmers build their endurance and boost their speed. Her goal is simple. “We want to qualify as many swimmers as we can and the rest will take care of itself,” she says. This year’s team hopes to build on their third place finish in last year’s state championship meet. The group will be led by seniors Maia Adams, Sara Be, Valerie Beggs, Nick Johannessen and Megan Nguyen. Don’t miss your opportunity to catch the Episcopal swimmers in action this season. Click here for upcoming swimming dates. The team enters the pool for competition for the first time on Saturday, September 7th at the LHSCA All Star Swim Meet in Lutcher. All lanes will lead to the varsity swimming city championship finals on Sunday, November 3rd at Crawfish Aquatics. City championship preliminaries will take place Saturday, November 2nd. Athletes will cap off the year at the varsity swimming state championship meet on Thursday, November 21st in Sulphur.  Photo provided by KNIGHTPIX. VolleyballThere is excitement in Head Coach Madeline Gugich’s voice as she discusses the upcoming volleyball season. “We’re a young team,” she says of her squad that includes four seniors. “Our bench is engaged and our kids have found a love of the game.” That love of the game is evident from the support that team members provide each other as they enter or exit the court. “We have nothing to fear,” says Gugich. She expects the team to have a few good losses in which they gain experience and learn to respond to the tempo of the game. She also expects the team to give area competitors a run for their money. This year’s team is led by seniors Grace Cullens, Makenzie Daughtery, Celia Kiesel and Halle Roman. The group will serve up their first game during the annual Episcopal Invitational on Saturday, September 7th. Don’t miss your opportunity to catch the team in action. Click here to see upcoming volleyball dates. September home contests include games against McKinley, Woodlawn, Walker and Denham Springs. In October, Port Allen, Dunham, Capital and Northeast come to Woodland Ridge for district games. Lower and Middle SchoolIn addition to the Upper School action underway, Knights fans don’t want to miss the Lower and Middle School excitement. Members of the fifth/sixth grade flag football and seventh/eighth grade football teams are preparing for the season with regular practice. The sixth grade and seventh/eighth grade softball teams and sixth through eighth grade swimming teams are also gearing up. Click here to view the Middle School sports calendar. All fall sports participants, including cross country, swimming, Middle School softball, football and flag football, will be recognized at this Friday’s football home opener. We hope to see you there. Go Knights!  The Episcopal 2020-2021 application is now available! For more information on the application process, to schedule a tour, or learn more about the school, contact us at enrollment@ehsbr.org or 755-2684.
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