Knightly News

As Episcopal marks 60 years of preparing students for lives of purpose, the anniversary seemed like a great opportunity to reconnect with former faculty/staff. Nearly 50 former members of the faculty/staff returned for a special luncheon to catch up with old friends and learn more about Episcopal today. Student Body President Valerie O’Connor welcomed the group and offered a student perspective on life at Episcopal. Read her comments below.

I know I’m not the first to say this, but Welcome back to campus!!! I'm thrilled and honored to be here on behalf of the student body! I hope you are already reminiscing, but if you haven’t yet, you’re about to.

Picture this. The air is brisk and chilled. It’s around 7:20 on a Friday and as you drive past the front lawn, you hear a sound that can only be described as rejuvenating.

*Cue Tech 1 played by the Episcopal Drum Corps*

It’s game day. And looking around campus that morning, you feel the rush. Everyone is cheerful, no one is without spirit. There is a widespread epidemic of chatter about the pep rally or the game. This is, to me, what the upper school is all about. We set the tone.

Just like teachers set the tone for the classroom, all of the extra, student-run bits and pieces are what can make, or break a day. This year, I have felt an overabundance of spirit: it's like the drum corps is playing all of the time.

I really noticed this morale surge in August at our Club Fair. Club booths were lining the walkways of Perkins, The AC, all the way down to the Library and Penniman, and even in the Student Center. Everyone started a club, and even better, everyone signed up for multiple clubs, and even BETTER, Everyone showed up. There was a huge showing at the new Karaoke Club, Grill Club had an awesome grill for Homecoming, we are anticipating a Halloween Bake Sale from Bake Club. We have a 3-on-3 basketball club, a Kitchen Club, and a French and Spanish Club. I will proudly brag: The high school really outdid itself this year. The only thing missing is a drum corps club.

Our service clubs, however, are not missing. A drive sponsored by the GIVE Club for Catholic Charities is happening as we speak. In addition, I am creating this year’s school-wide service initiative. Right now, the middle school is making collection bins that will be put in each division’s office to gather goods needed at the IRIS shelter. In a few weeks, we will start having quarterly drives. My goal is for the upper school to  extend its excitement and generosity towards this project and participate as much as possible. 

Knight Fight is also back and better than ever! For those of you who are unfamiliar with Knight Fight: There are two teams, Navy and Gold,  and each member of our community is assigned a team at random. Teams earn points by winning announcements games, being named fan or faculty of the week by fan club, or being a badge hero! I cherish Knight Fight as it contains fun, friendly competition but is also an outlet for making meaningful inter-grade level connections. At the end of the year, we’ll see if Navy can defend its title, or if Gold will take the belt.

Upper School is a very special division. We are still young enough to need mentors like all of you to guide us, but also old enough to create, bring people together, take initiative, and have fun on our own. I take pride in all of the things we do as students. I hope that you remember our school this way and see at least one example of it while you are here: and definitely stop by the pep rally on your tour. After all, the drum corps will be playing.

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.