Gratitude and Service on St. Andrew's Day
Celebrating our patron saint, dedicated faculty and volunteers on St. Andrew’s Day is a feat that would likely impress Saint Andrew himself. In the first few hours of the morning, the entire K-12 student body, faculty, parents, and friends joined together for an all-school chapel service to honor those who have shaped St. Andrew’s for the better. See the St. Andrew’s Day photos here.
The Reverend Danielle Tumminio served as preacher for the service, providing an encouraging message to “do the right thing, even when it is difficult.” As author of God and Harry Potter at Yale, her textual references were relatable to even our youngest students. St. Andrew’s own Upper School chaplain, The Reverend Whitney Kirby, served as celebrant and led the community in prayer, song, and the holy eucharist. The Upper School choirs and bands joined forces to provide a spine-tingling musical accompaniment.
Head of School Sean Murphy took a moment to acknowledge former head of school Lucy Nazro in attendance, noting her decades of dedication to the school, before beginning the awards ceremony.
Margie Cowden was bestowed the Charles Alan Wright Excellence Award, St. Andrew’s highest honor for a life distinguished by service to others. Not only has Margie been a stalwart supporter of St. Andrew’s--as as a parent, trustee, Board chair, donor, and advocate--her work serving others extends into the greater local and national communities. For the last 22 years, Margie has worked as a mediator and also sits on the Board at a dispute resolution center. Sean remarked, “She has been a calm, patient presence during calm and turbulent times at the school, always advocating for us in the outside community and standing as a wise, reassuring presence when we have most needed a friend.”
Alumna and parent Mary Ann Frishman ‘79 received the Jeannine and John C. Miller Volunteer Service Award for her years of volunteer service to the school. Says Sean, “With a servant’s heart, she has always said ‘yes’” to enhancing students’ experiences by serving on planning and fundraising committees, co-leading St. Andrew’s 60th anniversary commemoration, even organizing the Upper School’s Cross Country team. As Head Cross Country Coach Gilbert Tuhabonye attests, “She clearly cares about the school.”
St. Andrew’s also honored three special faculty members for their service to St. Andrew’s. Upper School Biology Teacher and Sustainability Coordinator Dina Tucker won the Lucy C. Nazro Faculty Service Award for her “relentless service to students,” reimagining her curriculum and leading campus sustainability efforts. “Whether encouraging students or making the extra effort to become more educated herself, this teacher is devoted to environmental advocacy and it shows.” The St. Andrew’s Day lunch was completely compostable thanks in part to Dina’s leadership.
Lower School Music Teacher Lucy Bourland and Upper School History Teacher Gustavo Garza were awarded Outstanding Teacher Awards. Lucy for her “passion for teaching and growing...she inspires the best in all of us and is a model of character, exceptional teaching and positive influence.” Gustavo for his professionalism, courage, and commitment to continuous improvement, “He is often noted by his students as one of the toughest teachers on campus and they love and respect him greatly.”
St. Andrew’s honored four faculty/staff members for their 15 years of service to the school: Lower School Percussion Teacher Darrel Mayers, Middle School Latin Teacher Greg Mele, Upper School Art History Teacher Marsha Russell, and Facilities Manager Marvin Shelton. St. Andrew’s also acknowledged choral director Michael Rosensteel for his nine years of service cultivating our talented vocalists. We bid him a fond farewell as he transitions to a new position as the Director of Music at First United Methodist Church of Round Rock.
Then, over 1,000 people burst onto the Nazro Green for a community lunch--an apropos St. Andrew’s Day feat of feeding the masses! SAGE Dining Services did not disappoint: They provided a proper feast that included 800 pounds of brisket, 350 pounds of sausage, 100 pounds of coleslaw, 130 pounds of macaroni-and-cheese, 1,800 rolls and 3,000 cookies.
Musical entertainment by students in the Upper School rock and jazz bands had our younger students dancing along enthusiastically with parents and classmates alike. The celebratory energy carried into the afternoon, with the focus shifting towards the greater Austin community. While the seniors and first graders departed for their traditional bowling outing, the remaining grades participated in various community service projects.
Lower School students returned to campus to collaborate with Middle Schoolers on letters and artwork for local charities. The second and sixth grades paired up to write holiday letters to soldiers and veterans through the A Million Thanks program. Third and seventh grades teamed up, as well as fourth and eighth grades, to make holiday notes and crafts to include in meals delivered by Meals on Wheels. MS Student Services Coordinator Annie Sykes remarked, "It was fun! The kids seemed to enjoy being helping hands in the community and spending some time together." Upper School students organized and loaded food items into a large truck for El Buen Samaritano’s “Hands for Hope” project. St. Andrew’s continues to uphold this tradition of providing over 1,000 local families a Thanksgiving meal.
Lower School students returned to campus to collaborate with Middle Schoolers on letters and artwork for local charities. The second and sixth grades paired up to write holiday letters to soldiers and veterans through the A Million Thanks program. Third and seventh grades teamed up, as well as fourth and eighth grades, to make holiday notes and crafts to include in meals delivered by Meals on Wheels. MS Student Services Coordinator Annie Sykes remarked, "It was fun! The kids seemed to enjoy being helping hands in the community and spending some time together."
St. Andrew’s Day remains a wonderful reflection and reminder of our spirit and strength as a school community. Many thanks to The Rev. Danielle Tumminio for her impactful sermon, Bagpiper Michael Olsen, Altar Guild volunteers Kelly Barnhill, Erin Donoghue, Kathy Jourdan, Jane Shepperd, and Christy Werner, St. Andrew’s Day Chair Sahar Askew, and the many assisting clergy and parent volunteers who devoted their time and talent on this special day.
