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The Episcopal Writing Center is a special place where fellows form lifelong bonds. In keeping with tradition, this year's underclassmen wrote Senior Tributes highlighting the graduating fellows and the impact they've had on the program.  Louise Andreeff Georgetown University Major: International Political Economy and Business You could always find Senior Writing Fellow Louise Andreeff hard at work at the sun-lit table beside the window in the Writing Center. Her positive energy was ever present, as well. Louise made the choice to become a part of our community after attending her first appointment, as she realized just how helpful the Writing Center is to students. Louise wanted to be a resource for others, which is just one example among many of what makes Louise such an inspiration. Being a part of our community, as said by Louise, has helped her learn that “age doesn’t matter,” that anybody can benefit from learning from others, regardless of his or her grade, which is an important lesson for us all. Louise says, “The Writing Center is the only service you can get on campus in which the helper gets as much out of the experience as the other person.” Needless to say, Louise has helped the Writing Center grow in innumerable ways. Whether she was leading a Spooky Waffle Workshop or helping students tying their papers’ content back to their main claims, Louise was always making a positive contribution to our school community at large. As for current and future Writing Fellows, Louise says to always try to form a relationship with the student you are tutoring. “Try to say hi if you see them around,” she says because it’s always nice to know someone new on campus. While Louise is leaving our community next year, her lasting impact on our Writing Center will always remain. -- By Olivia Grice  Elliott Kellam Duke University Major: Psychology with a focus on Innovation and Entrepreneurship Elliott Kellam has contributed to numerous Episcopal groups and teams, an important one being the Writing Center. I was able to experience his exceptional skills prior to knowing him as a Writing Fellow. I met Elliott on the swim team during my freshman year. As a freshman, I was intimidated to be on a team on which I frequently practiced with upperclassmen. Fortunately, Elliott warmly welcomed me. He helped introduce me to my teammates and taught me about how the Episcopal swim team worked. I quickly adapted to the atmosphere of the swim team and felt completely comfortable in no time. As a junior, and especially as a senior, Elliott was an obvious leader of the swim team. He was able to keep everyone accountable of their work and made sure that everyone was having fun no matter how hard the practice. The physical and mental challenges of the sport just made us closer. My experiences on the swim team with Elliott may seem irrelevant in a piece about the Writing Center, but I find the experiences similar. Elliott also acted as a leader in the Writing Center. He introduced me to how the Writing Center worked and answered any questions I had about how I should interact with students that I tutored. I am confident that he has been successful in making the students that he tutored fully comfortable, just as he made me feel as a freshman. In a recent conversation, he gave me advice that I will use in my fast approaching years as an upperclassman. He told me that the main purpose of being a Writing Fellow is to give back to Episcopal. Episcopal has given me the gift of skills and knowledge of writing. As a writing fellow, I can spread knowledge and teach others lifelong skills. Elliott also advised me to be a strong leader for all. I have learned from him that a good leader will be stern, but will also be kind and spread positiveness. He told me of the importance of speaking the truth, and being okay with not knowing the answer. I will not only apply these skills in the Writing Center but in my life. When I become an upperclassman, I will remember the kindness that Elliott showed me, and spread that kindness to the future underclassmen who look up to me. -- By Sara Be  Rachel Posner Princeton University Major: Undecided Rachel Posner: one of the sweetest, most down-to-earth gals I know. Whether she is helping her friends with papers, visiting the Writing Center, or organizing waffle workshops, Rachel can be described as a “ray of sunshine.” She began her journey as a Writing Fellow during her sophomore year. She distinctly remembers her first session. She was paired with a senior, adding to her nervousness, but through this, she was able to grow more confidence in herself as a tutor and a writer. Besides her growth in confidence, Rachel also stated that through working in the Writing Center, she has been able to expand her writing skills through collaboration with others. She enjoys seeing the different writing styles she comes across, as well as the new faces she meets while tutoring. Another aspect of the Writing Center that Rachel has always loved is the community and the general space that she has utilized not only for its productive atmosphere but also as a place where she can interact with new people within the writing community. As for her specialties as a writing tutor, because Rachel excels in skills such as clarity and writing solid introductions/conclusions, her favorite writing to work with is historical essays and literary narratives. She leaves with this advice for potential and current Writing Fellows: “Being a part of the Writing Center is a great opportunity to meet new people you would not otherwise associate with. Do not take yourself too seriously and remember you are a student, too.” With that being said, we will miss Rachel greatly, especially her bright smile and positive energy she exudes through all that she does. We wish you the best of luck as you transition into the next chapter of your life at Princeton University -- we know you will kill it! -- By Kylie Madere  Sydney Veazie
Fordham University Major: International Political Economy Never spotted without her sneakers tied particularly tightly or sporting a sweeping smile covered with small brackets from her senior-year braces, Sydney Veazie will be missed by every faculty member and student at Episcopal next year. Any person who has met her even briefly knows that she is someone worth spending a few extra moments with. Being a few minutes late to class is worth it when chatting with Sydney, and you will never leave her feeling unloved. Whether on duty or not, her place is always in the Writing Center. She says “(I) never comprehended the impact such a close-knit community could have on a high school girl, not until just recently.” Her writing stands out, and her voice never goes unnoticed, on or off of the paper. In fact, her presence is a force to be reckoned with… in the best way possible. Whether on the dance floor, backstage, center-stage as Madame Hebert, or sitting in the undisturbed opulence of Episcopal’s Writing Center, Sydney is striking. As she moves on to the next four years, she plans to participate in the Writing Center at Fordham University, where she will major in international political economy studies. Fear not, though, she “will never forget the significance the community of the Writing Center offered her through her high school experience, and [she] cannot express gratification to those who helped her enough.” -- By Morgan Patty
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 From left to right: Louise Andreeff, Caden Dickinson, Graham Frazier, Kelli Hu, Ethan Lawson, Russ St. Romain, John Daniel Davis Members of the Episcopal Class of 2018 have lovingly referred to the school as a second home, a family and a place they will never forget. For seven seniors this is especially true as they are members of the school’s inaugural PreK-4 class so many years ago. After years at Episcopal, they are now moving on to their next chapter prepared for new opportunities and new adventures. Congratulations!  Members of the PreK-4 Class of 2005 celebrate Senior Day 2018. Members of the PreK-4 Class of 2005 who are graduating seniors of the Class of 2018: Louise Andreeff John Daniel Davis Caden Dickinson Graham Frazier Kelli Hu Ethan Lawson Russ St. Romain We asked the students to answer two questions about their Episcopal experience. Read below for what they had to say.
1. Beyond learning the color wheel, the difference between their, they’re, and there, how to find the value of x, perfecting my Spanish accent, finding my voice on stage, that my expertise does not flourish on a volleyball team, mastering kinematics equations, learning how to code, the extraordinary uplifting faculty; beyond embracing my God given talents, Episcopal has taught me to believe in myself. 2. The supportive relationships that I have developed at Episcopal have shaped me to become my best true self. Episcopal’s nurturing spirit has prepared me and will propel me to tackle ambitious challenges, and in my heart, I know that no matter how far life takes me, Episcopal will always be my home. --Louise Andreeff There isn't much needed to be said about Episcopal, all that can be said can be seen just by spending a day within the community. Episcopal is truly something special and I would not trade my time there for anything else. I have met so many wonderful people and gained friendships I believe will last me a lifetime. --John Daniel Davis 1. My overall experience has been great at Episcopal. I was able to participate in different academic, athletic, and artistic events in my time here that I have enjoyed. I’ve met some friends here that will be lifelong friends, and I couldn’t imagine myself anywhere else. 2. This community has shaped me into being a better version of myself ever since I got here. Everyone here has pushed me to where I work hard and do the right thing. I am lucky to have gone to this school my entire life because it has prepared me for just about any obstacle in my way. --Caden Dickinson 1. My journey through Episcopal has been a little unorthodox. I went here from pre-k to sixth grade, and I came back for my senior year. There is just something so unique about the welcoming Episcopal community, and I could not miss out on the opportunity to be a part of it again for my last year of high school. I am so glad I found my way back home, and I realized that there really is no place like Episcopal. 2. Episcopal has helped me develop lifelong friendships, while also providing me with an environment that fosters personal growth and learning. The school’s balance of spiritual, social, academic, artistic and athletic life has pushed me to try new things and have new experiences. I come to school every day knowing that I will be challenged to be the best student I can be in and outside of the classroom, which is an amazing feeling to have. Episcopal has also given me opportunities and connections that I would not have had otherwise. I am so grateful for everything that the school has helped me to accomplish, and I would like to thank my friends, teachers, coaches, and everyone at Episcopal who have supported and guided me throughout the years. Even though I am sad that my time here is coming to an end, it gives me a peace of mind knowing that I will always have the Episcopal community to come back to. --Kelli Hu 1. My overall Episcopal experience has been fun. I have met a lot of awesome people and made memories that I will never forget. 2. This community has given me a lot of opportunities that I would not have had anywhere else. I have learned a lot from the people I have met during my time here. --Russ St. Romain
The Episcopal Writing Center is a special place. Fellows form lifelong bonds. In keeping with tradition, this year’s underclassmen wrote Senior Tributes highlighting the graduating fellows and the impact they’ve had on the program.  Erin Alpandinar George Washington University Major: Political Science Having dedicated her time and effort to the helping others in the Episcopal Writing Center, Erin Alpandinar is always there to greet students with a smile. Erin was inspired to become a Writing Fellow during sophomore year because she enjoys helping others become more confident in their writing skills. Erin’s motivations as a Writing Fellow are very admirable, and any students who have worked with her are surely grateful for her dedication and her goal to help writers gain confidence in writing. Her favorite papers to work on with students are research papers and papers for history classes. In addition to her flexibility to work with different types of papers, Erin’s strengths lie in her ability to organize and help students find a major claim so that they can successfully plant it throughout the paper. Erin’s experience as a Writing Fellow has given her many valuable opportunities, and among these, she has been able to make unexpected friendships and develop skills that she will use in her future. These skills will not only enhance her writing, but also her ability to communicate, reflect, and tutor. During her time as a writing fellow, some of Erin’s best memories come from the retreat days that happen every year in August that combine all the new Writing Fellows and returning ones. At these annual gatherings, she has been able to hang out with the other returning Writing Fellows, and also make connections with the new Fellows. When asked what advice she would give to new writing fellows or students who are thinking about applying to the Writing Center, she said: “Don’t be intimidated if you are tutoring someone older than you, and utilize the space because it is cozy and good for studying, even if you are not a Writing Fellow.” Erin, we appreciate your contributions to the Writing Center and all of your devotion and time spent helping students develop lifelong writing skills. --by Maia Adams  Charles Barksdale Texas A&M University Major: Mechanical Engineering/MBA Originally, Charles Barksdale joined the Writing Fellows program in order to emulate the success his sister Mary Beth had in the Writing Center during her high school career. Nonetheless, as Charles discusses in his thesis entitled The Argument for Taking Risks: A New Approach to Adolescent Risk-Taking, practicing taking healthy risks is beneficial to the teen mind, and becoming a fellow certainly is a nerve-racking risk, one that pushes its members’ boundaries socially and academically. However, as time progressed, Charles became comfortable with being a Fellow and excelled in advancing the outreach that the Writing Center has to date. Unconventional compared to most Fellows, Charles spent most of his writing journey at Episcopal outside of the actual Writing Center, gaining experience in ways outside of formal appointments. As a member at large of the football team, Charles spread his knowledge of and enthusiasm for writing to fellow team members. Eventually, after becoming a Fellow, Charles was booked consistently throughout the years by freshmen football players who were otherwise hesitant to make appointments in the Writing Center with other students. As for future Writing Fellows, Charles recommends that they strive to be comfortable in themselves: it will make both them and the people they tutor feel like they gained viable information from their appointments. Additionally, Fellows should not be afraid to take on a piece of writing that is in a genre they don’t come into contact with frequently. Charles admires the fact that the Writing Center welcomes just about any type of writing. -- By Mason LaFerney  Morgan Bernard Louisiana State University - Honors College Major: Biology Morgan Bernard is exemplary of the Writing Fellow program to everyone around her. Even on her worst day, she could still devote time, care, and attention to every tutoring opportunity, while also maintaining a strong academic work ethic. For several years, students could always find her in the Writing Center, doing homework on the couch, talking to friends, or helping a student. She was good at her work because she believed that writing brought out the best in her and she wanted to share that with other people. Morgan especially liked to revise creative writing projects and argumentative essays. She was always incredibly calm with her clients and made sure they felt in control. Morgan was aware of her responsibilities as a Writing Fellow and made sure that she wasn’t concerned with the final grade that any paper received but rather with the progress the writer showed. The skill that Morgan displayed also benefitted her by making her better able to explain writing concepts and techniques. She was also a very organized fellow. Her most distinct memory, in fact, was a conversation between Alyssa Macaluso, Hallie Sternberg, Mrs. Spaht, and her about which planners are best and why. Morgan’s skill at her work and her enjoyment at its completion strongly reinforced her commitment to the position. Though being a Fellow is a lot of work, Morgan advises people who are familiar with its challenges to try it. She always believes that her job was rewarding and thinks that others will feel the same as long as they take the job seriously. Thank you for being a part of the writing community at Episcopal. You made a lasting impact on the quality of writing at our school. -- By Thomas Hugenroth  Elizabeth Kharoba
Louisiana State University Major: Undecided Nearing the end of her freshman year, Elizabeth Kharoba pondered whether to become a Writing Fellow. She had always loved to help others improve themselves, and wanted to improve her writing, as well. The decision was an easy one, and she has been a Writing Fellow ever since. She assisted her peers with their writing assignments, and especially loved working with creative writing or literary analyses. She worked best at helping with thought organization and idea development, and ensuring that clients felt welcomed and comfortable. All throughout high school, she developed friendships with her clients and other Writing Fellows, and enhanced her people skills along the way. The Writing Center opened many doors for her, providing a comfortable place, new friends to mingle with, and the ability to learn more about herself. This year, Elizabeth loved tutoring the seventh graders with short stories and getting a chance to see all the potential talent the Upper School can look forward to while preparing these students for high school level writing. She is hopeful that this early introduction to the Writing Center will inspire some of them to seek information about how it works and apply to be Fellows themselves, just as she inspired me. I remember talking to Elizabeth at cheer practice for advice on becoming a Fellow. I was scared that I would not be a good tutor or would not get the position. She told me, “Just do it, I know you can!”, and proceeded to describe all about her experiences and encounters there. She likewise faced a fear of applying, but has since had no regrets of proceeding with the process. I am so thankful to you, Elizabeth, for pushing me to believe in myself. Thank you for helping me through it all. Thank you for your varied contributions. Thank you for being a Writing Fellow, for being yourself, and for being my friend. -- By Sarah Collier We are excited to celebrate members of the Class of 2018 as they make their college enrollment decisions. Congratulations!
 In my eyes, and in many other students’, Episcopal has been a home over these past few years. For some, maybe just a mere two years, but for others, it has been an ongoing twelve. Now I reference to our educational institution as a “home” because, in reality, we spend more active, engaged time on the Woodland Ridge campus than at the atypical home where our mail and packages are addressed to. We wake up at the crack of dawn to drive to this home and spend seven tireless hours working, playing, eating, discussing, and innovating. For many students, those seven hours turns to eleven once the time spent running on the field, swimming in the pool, or dancing across the stage is taken into account. At my genuine home, I spend around five to six hours conversing with my family and finishing up homework, which pales in comparison to the lively hours spent at Episcopal.  This community created through time and collaboration is what truly molds and shapes the student body that thrives in our home. Like many things in life, Episcopal is a home that will give you just as much as you put into it. It has personally bestowed me with the gift to unravel what’s right for me through endless experiential opportunity. Starting in seventh grade, I traveled to Dallas with the middle school band to participate in a nationwide concert. Fast forward to freshman year, I spent two weeks in Madrid, Spain with a student my age to immerse myself in a foreign culture and sharpen my linguistic skills. And just this year, I traveled to Boston with our school’s Mock Trial team to participate in a workshop hosted by Harvard University. And while all these off-campus opportunities were great, I’ve arguably participated in even more meaningful experiences on campus. Over the past two, I’ve participated in the Honors Diploma program at our school to study my passions and develop a college-level thesis around a topic I wished to pursue. And this is just my personal story. Every other student in the Episcopal family has their stories too, each equally important, diverse, and developed.
Because of this, and on behalf of the graduating senior class, I’d like to think of our experience at Episcopal as one that was both positive, yet transformative. These past years have prepared us for the next stage of our life by teaching us how to work through collaboration. Our educational journey has allowed us to gradually fall off the beaten path and learn what’s genuinely meaningful to us. Maybe that looked like dabbling our toes in theater and realizing it might have not been a good fit for some of us. Or maybe trying out for the track team on a whim and becoming a state champion. Or maybe signing up for a class that changed our future goals and aspirations. Regardless of what the scenario may have been, Episcopal allowed us to experiment with opportunities that one couldn’t imagine.
And this is why I refer to Episcopal as a home, not a school. Many people fall short to the preconceived notion that a school is where students go to fulfill course requirements, graduate, and escape, almost as if education is supposed to be some “prison-like” agenda schedule. While Episcopal is a home where we complete course requirements, it’s also a home where we get to develop a sense of identity along the way. Rather than trying to shove you down the chapel aisle in a hasty four years, it asks that you stop along the way and question who you are. What do you enjoy? Where do you want to go? Rather than slapping a schedule down on our desks, advisors ask us, “What are you interested in and how are you going to pursue that?” I’d like to think that our curriculum’s mission is to make sure that, when us Seniors walk down that aisle next week, each and every one of us will know who we are a little bit more than when we came in. So for rising students, take advantage of this home. Take advantage of the endless opportunity that lingers around our school grounds. Reach out to your family members, whether that be a new teacher or a classmate you’ve never talked to, and learn more about them before your time is up. It won’t be long before your time comes when you’re walking down that chapel aisle, and hopefully, just hopefully, you will know yourself a little bit better. With a little more opportunity and with a little more knowledge.  Elliott KellamElliott Kellam is an Episcopal senior. He has been a Writing Center Fellow since his sophomore year. Elliott swims for the school swim team, is an active member of Model United Nations and Mock Trial, and participates in the Honors Diploma Program. He plans to attend Duke University in the fall to study Psychology with a minor in Entrepreneurship & Innovation. Go Knights! Episcopal athletes and their supporters gathered around the oak on the deck to celebrate members of the Class of 2018 who plan to continue playing sports at the collegiate level. Congratulations to the following Knights.  Caden Dickinson | Rhodes College Football  Cam Dumas | Loyola New Orleans Basketball  Graham Frazier | University of Chicago Cross Country/Track  Christopher Hatzis | Mississippi College Football and Track  Kelli Hu | University of Chicago Tennis  Kenny Schafer | Oberlin Music Conservatory Cross Country  John Hayden Wood | Colgate
Golf We are excited to celebrate members of the Episcopal Class of 2018 as they make their college enrollment decisions.
We are excited to celebrate members of the Episcopal Class of 2018 as they make their college enrollment decisions.
We are excited to celebrate members of the Episcopal Class of 2018 as they make their college enrollment decisions.
We are excited to celebrate members of the Episcopal Class of 2018 as they make their college enrollment decisions!
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