Episcopal Knightly News

Gratitude and Nostalgia at the Final All-School Eucharist

Fri, 01 May 2026 04:00:00 +0000

The final All-School Eucharist of the 2025/2026 school year overflowed with community, joy, gratitude and nostalgia. Father Patrick reminded everyone gathered that this was the last time this configuration of the Episcopal school community would be together. He encouraged everyone to remember that the present moment is the opportunity to make a positive and lasting impact. With seniors and their kindergarten buddies sitting front and center, he advised seniors to cherish this time and the gift they’ve been given to make a difference in the lives of their buddies.

PreK/K All the Way

The occasion also recognized 19 graduating seniors and their families who began their Episcopal journey in PreK or kindergarten. Over the course of that time, students achieved countless milestones, and Head of School Dr. Carrie Steakley expressed gratitude for the opportunity to be part of those life moments.

Inaugural Outstanding Educator Award Recipient

The last All-School Eucharist was also an opportunity to recognize a beloved faculty member with the inaugural Outstanding Educator Award. Dr. Steakley introduced this new tradition to honor a faculty member who demonstrates exceptional teaching and mentorship, making a lasting impact on students. Recipients are honored for their strong commitment to student success, active contributions to campus and community, and dedication to leadership and lifelong learning.

The 2025/2026 Outstanding Educator Award honoree is James Moroney.

Below is Dr. Steakley’s description of Moroney’s impact on the school community.

This year’s inaugural recipient…

Balances high-level academic rigor with high levels of student engagement and support.
The recipient is among the first to step up for “the extras” – serving as a coach, club sponsor, Student Council Sponsor, Thesis Advisor, prom chaperone, and so much more.
The recipient is involved at some level in all divisions of the school having served as both Middle School and Upper School faculty member, Middle School coach, and Lower School parent and champion of the Lower School Mu Alpha Theta tournament.
His coaching history includes being the Middle School soccer coach to this year’s senior girls who saw two state finals and two state semi-finals during their varsity years, and he has continued supporting these soccer players through Upper School by regularly serving as the announcer for their varsity home games.
This recipient is a Senior Class Favorite: Has taught many of our seniors multiple times from 8th grade through senior year as he moved from being a Middle School faculty member to an Upper School faculty member. He was also selected by the current senior class to be their Junior Ring Day speaker last spring, and finally, he received an overwhelming number of individual recognitions at this year’s Teacher Appreciation Nights, a direct reflection of the respect and admiration the Class of 2026 holds for him.
A deeply invested stakeholder in the school, this year’s recipient of the Outstanding Educator Award is Mr. James Moroney.

In a year focused on building and celebrating community, the final All-School Eucharist did that and much more. Congratulations to Mr. Moroney and all of the PreK/K All the Way members of the Class of 2026. Share a message with them in the comments section below.

The Episcopal School of Baton Rouge 2025-2026 application is now available! For more information on the application process, to schedule a tour, or learn more about the private school, contact us at enrollment@ehsbr.org or 225-755-2685.

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Annual Mums of Alums Luncheon Celebrates Community

Thu, 30 Apr 2026 04:00:00 +0000

The annual Mums of Alums luncheon drew an enthusiastic crowd of Episcopal mums eager to catch up and spend time together. Development Director Katie Thompson says this year’s attendees seemed to truly appreciate the opportunity to gather. Alumni Relations Coordinator Lindsay Turner ’97 enjoyed seeing the multi-generational group gather to celebrate a shared love of the next generation and the school that connects them all. Head of School Dr. Carrie Steakley thanked those in attendance for their lasting impact and reminded them of their important role in student success.

Mums of Alums showcases the strength and love of the Episcopal community in a year where the school is focused on community. Thank you to all of the mums who make Episcopal such a special place. A special thank you to Jenny Civello for hosting this year’s gathering.

As we approach Mother’s Day, Episcopal wishes our mums everywhere a happy and restful day.

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Episcopal Educator Sets Sail for Fellowship of a Lifetime

Thu, 30 Apr 2026 04:00:00 +0000

Photo credit: Angela Thomas

As a young girl, Upper School English teacher Melissa Easley dreamed of studying oceanography. Curious and conservation-minded, she envisioned life aboard a boat exploring the sea and everything in it. Fast forward to the summer of 2026, and Easley will realize her childhood dream as a Grosvenor Teacher Fellow aboard the National Geographic Endurance.

Excellence in Geographic Education

Easley was selected as one of 36 educators nationwide to be a 2026 Grosvenor Teacher Fellow through Lindblad Expeditions and the National Geographic Society. The program is named in honor of Gilbert M. Grosvenor, chairman emeritus of the National Geographic Society. According to the partnership, the fellowship “is a professional learning opportunity for pre-K-12 educators who will embark on expeditions around the world. Through this extraordinary travel experience, the Fellows will deepen their geographic knowledge through immersive, field-based experiences they will bring back to their classrooms, communities and professional networks to ignite curiosity around the world. They will also take on a two-year commitment to support National Geographic’s education initiatives and may be asked to conduct webinars, co-design resources, participate in meetups, and mentor other educators.”

Easley’s field-based experience is an expedition to southeast Greenland, a first for National Geographic- Lindblad Expeditions. Easley, along with three other Teacher Fellows and a group of explorers, will embark on the ship in Iceland, cross the Denmark Strait and take in coastal Southeast Greenland. The trip includes hiking, kayaking and wildlife viewing. Easley is particularly eager to see the Arctic Fox. After exploring the remote, uninhabited region, the team will return to Iceland for departure.

Photo credit: Michael S. Nolan

Wonder and Appreciation for the Natural World

After this tremendous learning opportunity, Easley looks forward to returning to the classroom to inspire Episcopal students to connect with nature. “People need to feel connected to a place to want to protect it,” she says. She points out that the goal of expeditions such as this is to foster a mindset of wonder and appreciation for the natural world, and the hope is that teachers convey that passion to students.

Easley already educates Episcopal students on environmental issues through her English IV: Literature of the Mississippi River class. A tour of the Water Institute’s Mississippi River model motivated Easley to create an English class that uses a storytelling lens to engage students with the local environment. “I have a lot of knowledge of other places, but that was personally missing for me a little bit,” she recalls of her own educational experience. In English IV, students read "Rising Tide" and "James" as core texts. In addition to the typical reading, writing and researching students expect in an English course, they also participate in activities, including field trips. Students tour the Water Institute and plant trees in Bayou Bienvenue. “We want the students to make connections between our classes, and this course bridges numerous disciplines,” says Easley. She believes the course is an ideal example of the whole child learning for which Episcopal is known.

Professional Development with a Tremendous Student Impact

Easley says the summer expedition will certainly inform how she approaches teaching going forward. For now, she’s keeping an open mind about how this professional development opportunity will positively impact students. The thought of connecting Louisiana’s wetlands to the Greenland fjords through exploration and learning is a dream come true and one she can’t wait to share with the Episcopal community and beyond.

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Lauren Bradford to Play Soccer for Rhodes College

Thu, 30 Apr 2026 04:00:00 +0000

“I’ve been playing soccer since I was 4 years old, and I have loved it since I was playing in bows with my dad as my coach!” Lauren Bradford ’26

From bows to gold and navy, and now to the Rhodes College Lynx, Lauren Bradford is thrilled to continue playing the game she loves at the next level. “I love it as a way to expend my energy and stress, and it’s the best way to challenge myself outside of the classroom, mentally and physically,” she says.

Lauren says Rhodes was the perfect fit, not only for the soccer opportunities, but also because she can realize her college dreams of Greek life, studying abroad and earning a great education. “It is also in our region, so I can stay relatively close to both my family, friends, and comfortable southern culture!” she says. “I am so excited to have this opportunity because it is allowing me to continue everything I love from high school while expanding what I do with so much added freedom. With running and soccer, I am involved in three sports that require so much both mentally and physically, and I am beyond proud that the work I’ve done, while having so much fun, has paid off!”

At the recent signing, head girls soccer coach Lynn Bradley praised Lauren’s ability to successfully manage academics, athletics and life. “She’s an all around student athlete,” Bradley said. Bradley also complimented Lauren’s strong work ethic and said Rhodes is fortunate to have Lauren join their team.

As Lauren realizes her dream, she has the following advice for classmates with a similar goal. “My advice to other students who want to compete at the next level is to figure out what you want from a school before you look at it for sports, solely,” she says. “The collegiate experience is so much more than just soccer, so I think finding the school that is your fit academically, socially, and athletically is so important!”

Lauren is an active member of the Episcopal community. In addition to sports, she founded and serves as a leader of the Knights for Christ organization. She also serves as the National Honor Society treasurer and coordinated this year’s NHS American Cancer Society Walk/Run. She is a Mu Alpha Theta Tournament Chair and an active member of the Science Club.

At Rhodes, Lauren will study biochemistry on a pre-dental track.

Lauren is sure to make a positive impact at the next level. Please join us in congratulating her on this opportunity. Share a message with her in the comments section below.

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Jacob Hutchinson Johnson to Run for Trinity University

Thu, 30 Apr 2026 04:00:00 +0000

“It has been my goal since my freshman year to compete collegiately and get accepted in a great school.” Jacob Hutchinson Johnson ’26

Jacob Hutchinson Johnson has realized his dream as he recently announced that he will continue running for Trinity University next year. “This opportunity means a lot to me especially since I can compete at a high level while having smaller classes and doing the sport that I love,” he says. “Trinity is the right school for me because I wanted to be at a school that I could challenge myself academically and athletically, just like at Episcopal.”

Jacob has competed in cross country and track for seven years. He told the signing day crowd that deciding to run for the Knights was one of the best decisions he has made. Jacob says he loves the team chemistry the sport creates and “how we encourage each other to compete to the best of our abilities.”

At the signing, coaches Bill Jones and Claney Duplechin both praised Jacob for the consistency and dependability he brings to the team. Coach Dupe advised that Jacob was always determined and because of that determination and never-give-up attitude, Jacob is a key member of the Knights 4X8 relay team that competes for the state title next week.

In addition to athletics, Jacob is an active member of the Episcopal community through Student Vestry and the National Honor Society. Jacob is also a member of ESTAAR or Episcopal Students Take Action in Advanced Research.

Please join us in congratulating Jacob and wishing him well as he brings his talents to the next level. Share a message with him in the comments section below.

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College Announcements 5.1.26

Thu, 30 Apr 2026 04:00:00 +0000

Madison Andrews
Hampton University
Major: Business
Minor: Fashion Design and Marketing

Autumn Baldridge
Louisiana State University
Double Major: Math and Physics
Minor: Art History

Vivi Bennett
University of South Carolina
Major: Public Relations

Bryce Binck
Louisiana State University
Major: Kinesiology

Finn Gray
Louisiana State University
Major: Natural Ecology Resource and Management for Veterinary Medicine for Wildlife and Fisheries

Oliver Grigsby
Southern Methodist University
Major: Engineering

Airi Homma
Waseda University
Major: Civil and Environmental Engineering

Zach Hu
Johns Hopkins University
Major: Moral and Political Economy

Sammy Ismail
Louisiana State University
Major: Biology

Austin Ray
Louisiana State University
Major: Construction Management

Stefan Schexnayder
Louisiana State University
Major: Civil Engineering

Wynn Turner
Louisiana State University
Major: Civil Engineering

John Harper Wilkinson
Loyola University New Orleans
Double Major: Theatre and Finance

Harrison Willett
Southern Methodist University
Major: Business

Riana Yano
University of Melbourne
Major: Psychology

Jackson Young
Millsaps College
Major: Biology

Michael Zhang
Louisiana State University
Major: Biology

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The PreK-4 Butterfly Parade: A Celebration of Early Childhood Learning

Fri, 24 Apr 2026 04:00:00 +0000

My Hopes and Dreams for this Year are:

To learn about turtles
To learn about animals. Really, rhinos.
To learn how to be a doctor
To learn about spider webs
To learn all the big kid things

Nobody says it quite like PreK-4 students, and recently, they showcased the growth they’ve experienced this school year with the annual PreK-4 Butterfly Parade. A year that began with a butterfly release nears the end after significant development for these now big kids.

The butterfly parade featured a slideshow highlighting the year, songs performed by students wearing handcrafted butterfly wings and a colorful display of artwork. Students also shared the “Becoming a Butterfly” book they created as a class, and in a nod to all they’ve learned, the little Knights took turns signing their names in each other’s copies.

Tremendous growth occurs in early childhood. Students develop social/emotional skills and learn to be at school through purposeful play inside and outside of the classroom. They also begin working on the foundations of learning that prepare them for a lifelong love of learning.

Congratulations on a great year, PreK-4! We can’t wait to see how far you soar.

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Future Artists in the Making: Honoring Our College Bound Creatives

Thu, 23 Apr 2026 04:00:00 +0000

This year’s arts signing ceremony featured a spider, a house, flowers, lights, balloons, cakes and school-colored M&Ms. It was a fitting and creative setting to celebrate seven student artists as they announced their continued commitment to arts education.

Arts education is a key component of the Episcopal experience, beginning in PreK-3, and students in all divisions benefit from a range of arts opportunities that encourage creativity and expression. Each year, art faculty members are pleased to recognize students who will continue to develop their talents and explore the arts. This year’s group of students includes students who will major in and/or minor in an artistic field.

Please join us in congratulating this year’s senior student artists as they take the next step in their educational journey. Share a message with them in the comments section below.

Madison Paige Andrews
Hampton University
Minor: Fashion Design & Merchandising

Autumn Baldridge
Louisiana State University
Minor: Art History

Marshall Elliott
Ithaca College
Major: Musical Theatre

Colleen Newton
University of Richmond
Minor: Musical Theatre

Ella Palfi
Louisiana State University
Minor: Theatre/Film Acting

Annie Wilcox
Auburn University
Major: Interior Design
Minor: Music

John Harper Wilkinson
Loyola New Orleans
Double Major: Theatre/Voice

College Announcements 4.24.26

Thu, 23 Apr 2026 04:00:00 +0000

Adam Chittom
Louisiana State University
Major: General Business

Rece Davis
Wake Forest University
Major: Undecided

Maeve Dolan
Amherst College
Major: Psychology

Sammy Gadi
Louisiana State University
Major: Biology

John Hall
University of Arkansas
Major: Finance

Sofia Leo
Texas Christian University
Major: Marketing

Jeremy Mitchell
Loyola University New Orleans
Major: Entrepreneurship

Timothy Namikas
Princeton University
Major: Mechanical Engineering

Mattie Ray
Hollins University
Major: Psychology with a concentration in counseling

Maximo Santana
Texas A&M University
Major: Undecided

Braxton Stacy
University of Louisiana Lafayette
Major: Sports Science/Kinesiology

Grace Waguespack
Wake Forest University
Major: Biochemistry/Molecular Biology

Darren Weng
Cornell University
Major: Chemical Engineering

College Announcements 4.17.26

Thu, 16 Apr 2026 04:00:00 +0000

Regan Danos
University of Georgia
Major: Journalism, Concentration in Sports Media

David Dickerson
Texas Christian University
Major: Biology/Pre-Med

Porter Eglin
University of Mississippi
Major: Accounting

Marshall Elliott
Ithaca College
Major: Musical Theatre

Caroline Frey
Wofford College
Major: Biology/Philosophy

Will Garrett
Auburn University
Major: Civil Engineering

Aiden Grassmann
University of Florida
Major: Cognitive and Behavioral Neuroscience

Reece Hinton
Louisiana State University
Major: Business Accounting

Jacob Hutchinson Johnson
Trinity University
Major: Business

Kate Janney
University of Arkansas
Major: Biology/Pre-Med

Hope Johnson
Louisiana State University
Major: Bioscience/Pre-Med
Minor: Nutrition

Virginia Kirkpatrick
University of Georgia
Major: Public Health

Foster Lambert
Washington and Lee University
Major: Finance

Annabel Laugier
Louisiana State University
Major: Kinesiology

James McIlwain
Louisiana State University
Major: International Trade and Finance

Colleen Newton
University of Richmond
Major: Journalism

Laurel Roberts
University of Mississippi
Major: Public Health

Eloise Tharp
College of Charleston
Major: Undecided

Caroline Watson
Louisiana State University
Major: Chemical Engineering/Pre-Med

Annie Wilcox
Auburn University
Major: Interior Design

Oscar Worrell
Washington University in St. Louis
Major: Undecided