Knightly News

Episcopal faculty and students welcomed Caren Simpson McVicker ’84 and Katie Dawson Green ’04. The women were on campus to share their writing journeys and inspire the next generation of Knights.

A Historic Tale of Family and Romance

Starting a new school in 10th grade can be intimidating, but Caren Simpson McVicker used her Episcopal experience to reinvent herself. “I learned what I was capable of,” she says with a laugh. “It’s why I’m fearless about things. Moving here empowered me.” Even as a newbie, McVicker was active in the school community, crafting pep rally skits inspired by “Saturday Night Live” and performing in the talent show. She found her Episcopal niche among the thespians and was named the Best Thespian of 1984. With zest, she still remembers lines from plays she performed in the school’s cafetorium.

Before she became a full-time author, McVicker left a mark on Episcopal as the Editor of the Stuff ’84 section of that year’s “Accolade.” In those early descriptions of life as an Episcopal student, the reader gets a real sense of the humor and enthusiasm for which McVicker is known. With photos of Mick Jagger, Tom Cruise and Robert Redford, the Stuff section transports members of the Class of 1984 back in time, and McVicker is an engaging guide.

McVicker describes her time at Episcopal as “foundational” and “super impactful.” She remembers feeling supported by the faculty and hopes English teachers Vicki McGuire and Susan Ragan know how much they inspired her. With a love of English, reading and writing, McVicker earned a degree in public relations and advertising. She wrote documentation manuals and was self-employed by the age of 24. “I’ve always been a writer,” she says. “I just didn’t write fiction.” In 2017, that changed when she decided to write a story to explain the tension she always sensed between her beloved great-aunt and grandmother.

The idea for “Henderson House” was a result of McVicker’s frequent visits with relatives in Oklahoma. The novel has been described as a “warm blanket” and the “Ted Lasso of historical fiction.” With the first novel now available, McVicker is busy drafting her second, which will explore her Cherokee heritage. Once again, family is a strong theme as McVicker says family stories can “define us, limit us and ultimately inspire us.”

McVicker was excited to return to her alma mater as a published writer. “It’s an out-of-body experience,” she says of reading her words to current students. She hopes that sharing her creative journey inspires the next generation of writers. “Being a good writer is going to help you no matter what you do,” advised McVicker. “Don’t underestimate what you’re learning in English class.”

A Bright Story of Veggies, Fruit and a Goat Named Gregory

Katie Dawson Green began her Episcopal story in the third grade. In kindergarten, Green participated in a fun run, and by fourth grade, Coach Dupe was recruiting her to compete for the Knights. Running was an outlet for her energy and a passion that the Episcopal coaching staff encouraged. “I loved the competitive aspect of it,” says Green, who ran varsity in seventh grade. A decorated athlete, she ran for LSU, specializing in the mile.

In addition to her love for running, Green discovered a passion for writing while at Episcopal. AP English teacher Grace Oulton and senior year English teacher Kim Thompson inspired this love, and Green found the confidence to become an author. “I always wanted to be a writer,” says Green. Eventually, life provided her with a topic.

Green experienced numerous injuries as a competitive runner and remembers having frequent headaches. During her first year at LSU, she met a holistic practitioner and began focusing on healthy choices. “I experienced what it feels like to eat these special foods so I can run fast,” she told Episcopal Lower School students. Green was so inspired that after graduating with a double major in psychology and advertising, she pursued a Drugless Practitioner Certification through the American Association of Drugless Practitioners. After a decade of study, she opened the Holistic Health Clinic and became a practitioner herself. Once her first son was born, Green realized there was a lack of nutritional advice for new parents. As she rocked her baby, she recognized that he responded to the soothing sounds of her voice, and the idea for a children’s book that combined her love of writing and passion for health was born.

“Gregory’s Digestible Alphabet” offers children healthy eating advice and provides parents with recipes and nutrition tips. The book showcases the immense Episcopal connections that Green has. Illustrator and Episcopal graduate Kade Roybal Tobiasson ’04 brought Gregory and his healthy foods to life. Green’s best friend Melissa Duplechain LaCroix ’04 also influenced the story. Duplechian’s husband’s chicken noodle soup recipe is featured in the book, and Episcopal’s Chef Pat served it to students in honor of Green’s visit.

The creative journeys are just beginning for Green and McVicker, as both plan to continue writing. It was great to have the duo back on campus to reflect on their Episcopal experience. “It was hard but not impossible,” says Green of life as a student. “It was challenging in an effective way.” Episcopal alumni make a difference in the world and accomplish amazing things. It’s incredible to look back at Episcopal’s impact on these two Knights who shared a similar dream two decades apart.

Share a message with Caren and Katie in the comments section below.

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