Knightly News

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 [email protected] or 225-755-2685.