Julie Valentine '56
Julie Valentine '56 remembers when St. Andrew's was just a small white two-story house on Pearl Street. Though there were only 11 students in her graduating class, Julie says, "It was wonderful. We received an excellent education and made lifelong friends." She came to St. Andrew's because "they didn't have enough girls, so they went to Episcopal churches to spread the word. At the time I was at Wolrich (now Lab School) and I didn't want to leave. My mom said if I didn't like it I could go back. Of course, I loved it!"
Julie remembers her teacher Mrs. Watkins: "I was shy and bookish, and she made me blossom. She piqued my interest in Latin America. I thought it was so interesting and wanted to go there one day." Julie ended up attending O. Henry and Austin High School, then UT Plan II to study Latin American studies. She earned her master's in public affairs and Latin American studies from the LBJ School of Public Affairs. "It was rare for women to be in the workforce at that time," she recalls, "so I got married, went to LBJ, and then worked for the Texas Senate for a while." Julie's daughter Julie Puentes '82 also attended St. Andrew's (grades 1-6), and she now runs non-profit Horse Link providing equine therapy to veterans. When Julie visited us recently, she remarked "My goodness how this school has grown, it's remarkable." We've come a long way from Pearl Street, but we never forget our humble beginnings!
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