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By Communications Fellow Isabella Ventura ‘23

“We are each given 86,400 seconds in a day. That is 86,400 moments.” 

Thursday morning, November 17, Head of School Dr. Don Davis spoke to SBS students, parents, and over 400 visiting grandparents at the annual Thanksgiving Praise Service. The gathering kicked off with impassioned worship as a team of students, faculty members and church staff offered their voices to melodies of praise. Afterwards, the audience remained charged with this contagious energy and sat eager to hear Dr. Davis’ words.

After delivering the enlightening statistic above, Dr. Davis emphasized this year’s theme of #SBSmoments. This communal goal presented to the school involves being present every second and seizing every opportunity—embracing each moment. Then, Dr. Davis took his message a step further, challenging listeners with the questions, “What are we to fill our time with?” and “What should we do with the moments of our lives?”

The inquiry he presented was complex, yet he offered a memorable response. Referencing I Thessalonians 5:16-18, he asserted that God mentions three things that should fill every moment of our lives: “Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”

Dr. Davis emphasized his understanding of the difficulty of decision-making; he acknowledged seniors making a college decision, or parents seeking a career change. He stressed that, as recorded in Scripture, “God tells us His will for our lives and what He expects of us each moment of our lives.”

God has told us to fill our moments with:

• Joy–we should rejoice always.
• Prayer–we should pray continually
• Gratitude—we should give thanks in all circumstances.

This Thanksgiving season, it is crucial to remember these words when visiting family and friends, enjoying the cooling weather and (for many students) catching up on sleep. As Dr. Davis highlighted, in every moment of our lives, we should remember to “choose joy always, pray continually and give thanks in everything.”

It was a great day for Second Baptist School Athletics and a memorable one for six senior athletes and their families. Set up in the E Gym, the stands filled with family members, friends, teammates, teachers and coaches who poured into the lives of these students and have shown their continuous support. 

Director of Athletics Mike Walker welcomed the audience and athletes to Signing Day. “We are so proud of you,” he said to the athletes, “We know that you will take your leadership, your experience and your work ethic to your respective universities and be a light for Christ. God has given you a gift, not only the light of talent, but of opportunity. Our prayer is to see you shine brightly for God.” With sincerity, he thanked the many individuals in the audience who sacrificed and partnered with these students to get them where they are today. Finally, Coach Walker emphasized, “Well done all of you; thank you for all your hard work. You are always welcome back at SBS. Always an Eagle.”

VYPE Media covered SBS Signing Day.

Second Baptist School Signs Six Athletes To Compete At The Next Level

By Matt Malatesta for VYPE Houston 

It was a celebration of hard work and sacrifice Wednesday [November 9, 2022] as six Second Baptist School athletes signed their National Letters of Intent.

Three members of the 2022 TAPPS Division II State Championship baseball team made commitments. Luke Pettitte ‘23 signed with Dallas Baptist University; Ty Baker ‘23 will head to Texas A&M and Grayson Willey ‘23 pledged to the University of St. Thomas.

“This has been a dream of mine since I was a little kid, and my father had the same dream when he was my age,” Pettitte said. “My brother played at Dallas Baptist University when they went to a Super Regional and I spent a lot of time there. I just fell in love with the school. It’s a great program, and it feels like family.”

Baker is a national recruit and will head to College Station. “I hope I can make the Aggie fans proud like I think I have done at Second Baptist,” Baker said. “The Aggies are in my home state and in the best conference (SEC) in the nation. We are going back to Omaha.”

Emily Rogers ‘23, a gifted student athlete who is an all-state softball player and happens to own the school record in the 100m track event for SBS, will take her bat and glove to Colorado School of Mines to play softball.

CJ Hobbs ‘23, who owns three SBS distance running records, will run long distance for Dallas Baptist's cross country and track and field programs. “To realize my dream of running at the collegiate level is amazing,” Hobbs said. “It’s a great way to wrap up my high school career. The DBU program had a strong sense of camaraderie, and I feel like the coaches are going to help me continue to progress in my career.”

Zeke Bullington ‘23, a veteran guard on the #1 ranked (5A, TAPPS) varsity basketball team at SBS, will play basketball for St. Edward’s University.

Congratulations athletes, and GO EAGLES!

Ty Baker ‘23 - Texas A&M University (Baseball) 

Zeke Bullington ‘23 - St. Edward's University (Basketball) 

CJ Hobbs ‘23 - Dallas Baptist University (Cross Country) 

Luke Pettitte ‘23 - Dallas Baptist University (Baseball) 

Emily Rogers ‘23 - Colorado School of Mines (Softball)

Grayson Willey ‘23 - University of St. Thomas (Baseball)

In a fun-filled performance of High School Musical, Jr. seventh and eighth graders had the audience smiling and applauding throughout their high-energy show! Upbeat ensemble numbers with cheerleaders, basketball players, brainiacs and thespians showcased great personality and musical talent. 

Discoveries
In the musical’s prologue, actors highlighted the discoveries made during the production of the show. 

This show is about discovery. Discovery of who you are and who you want to be. Discovery of the path the Lord has laid out for you and how that may differ from your friends’. 

Narrator Meyer Petersen ‘28 added, “As crazy as it may seem, [putting on this show] really did bring us all together as a middle school. The different gifts God has blessed us with made us a better team.” Director Caroline Patterson ‘08 agreed, “This year’s show proved we are ‘all in this together!’” She explained, “Regardless of how much they had in common before rehearsals began, these students united our cast through their individual giftings and spheres of influence. I am so proud of the cast of High School Musical, Jr.!”

Oliver Dawley ‘27, who played Ryan Evans, said the theme of the show “resembles what really happens in middle school. Being myself is way better than being in a clique where you have to follow everyone else’s plans for you.”

Leadership
Caroline Patterson ‘08 said her favorite part of the season was watching students grow into leaders. “By pulling from their own unique talents and experiences, our student leaders elevated the entire company’s performance.” 

Prime examples, “Eighth graders Will Goolsby, Andie Patterson and Mia Murray embodied leadership for our cast,” said Mrs. Patterson. “Each one willingly took on extra responsibilities by choreographing dances and setting a tone of excellence throughout the production.”

She also praised the servant-leadership of Caroline Carl ‘27 and Micah Nini ‘27, who “sought out ways to serve castmates” and “created a culture of support backstage.” Similarly, Carson Patterson ‘27 not only danced well on stage but also “quietly served her peers by encouraging her castmates and cleaning up backstage.”

Lizzie Baker ‘27, who played lead Gabriella Montez, said the highlight of her experience was “getting ready backstage before each performance and helping each other.” She learned it takes everyone working together to put on a show. “It’s not about relying on one person, but what everyone does in the background that makes the whole show work.”

As the song says, “We’re all in this together!” Thank you, cast and crew, for sharing your talent and discoveries with us!

Photos from High School Musical, Jr.

In Loving Memory
Friday evening's performance held special meaning for the cast, crew and directors, as it was dedicated to the loving memory of alumnus Garrett Luce '11, who played Troy Bolton in the 2006 premier performance of High School Musical. Members of the 2006 cast attended the show in love and support. 

Music Director Liza Brown shared, “The Luces are like family to the Browns, and Garrett was like an older brother to both of my sons. When High School Musical was originally performed, we were all on the front row cheering him on. Honoring Garrett on Friday evening was a sweet reminder of that night and the young man we loved so much.”

Garrett’s mother, Janell Luce said of the gesture, “We were truly touched by the arts department’s decision to remember and honor Garrett in such a loving way. We were so moved that Garrett’s dearest lifelong friends stood on stage regaling the memories and joining us in missing our dear son. Thank you for honoring his memory.”

Second Baptist School’s 17th Annual Distinguished Speaker Luncheon was a slam dunk with Scott Drew, head coach of the National Championship-Winning Baylor Men’s Basketball Team. Coach Drew fired up the crowd of nearly 900 at the Hilton Americas on Tuesday, November 1, with words of faith and stories of perseverance. He was as lively on stage, speaking to the SBS community as he is on the court sidelines coaching his team. Director of Advancement Dyanne Kimmel concurred, “Scott Drew enthusiastically challenged us all to live a life centered on J.O.Y.-Jesus, Others, Yourself.” 

In his book, The Road to J.O.Y., Coach Drew encourages readers to live out their faith. At the luncheon, he shared stories of wins and losses, team statistics, the importance of Christian education and his personal testimony about his relentless pursuit of excellence, on and off the court, with his team and his family. “I’ve got three kids. Now, we know you can’t work your way into heaven. I want them to be successful. I want them to be great disciples of Christ. Most of all, I want to see them in heaven,” he shared.

Coach Drew’s message aligned with the mission of Second Baptist School-to equip students to think critically, live biblically and lead courageously to impact the world for Jesus Christ. It was reflected throughout the program.
 
This year’s Distinguished Alumna award went to Dr. Mary Carol Mazza ‘99, a behavioral scientist and user experience researcher focused on catalyzing social impact and positive human behavior through tech products. Mary Carol’s travels across all 50 states and over 70 countries explain her successes, her passion for people and her love and hope in the Lord.

Laura and Curt Kates, affectionately known as “Mama and Papa Kates”, were honored with the 2022 Distinguished Alumni Parents award for their commitment and contributions to the SBS community, from their three children to their grandchildren who now attend SBS.

“It’s always great seeing so many alumni parents joining our current families and guests at the Distinguished Speaker Luncheon,” continued Kimmel. “The sense of community and the love for our faculty and staff are evident at this event. It says a lot about not only our teachers but about our school.”

It’s the difference between SBS and other schools, good and excellent and the road to joy. 
 

Photos from DSL 2022

SBS middle school athletics wrapped up a spirit-filled fall sports season with great success! 

Director of Middle School Athletics Jeff Schroeder shared, “It was fun to watch the collective efforts of each of our teams and coaches come together over the season.” Come together, they did, setting personal records, playing in competitive semi-final games and winning HJPC championships.

Coach Schroeder continued, “In middle school, we develop athletic fundamentals and enjoy doing that in a team setting. Our coaches are very excited about the foundations we are building and anticipating how these student athletes will contribute to our athletic programs for years to come.” 

Highlights of the fall season included football winning the HJPC championship and eighth-grade volleyball securing second place in HJPC. The future is bright for Second Baptist School athletics!

FALL SPORTS - MIDDLE SCHOOL

Football
Go Eagles! The eighth grade football team won their second consecutive HJPC championship, defeating Kinkaid in the final game 36-20. Seventh grade football also had a strong season. Coach Schroeder emphasizes, “These players worked very hard this year to sharpen their skills. There is a promising future for this group as they continue to develop.” Special thanks to coaches Chris McInturf, Jordan Richards, Cecil Shorts, Derek Astor and Will Hampton for leading our young men. 

• Seventh Grade: 6-1
• Eighth Grade: 5-2
  • HJPC Champions

Cross Country
“Middle school cross country was a blast to coach this past season,” Coach Curtis Scipio shared. “We had all our runners set personal records in the district meet! Every week, we improved our times and kept working hard.” In the Woodlands Christian meet, the girls won second overall, another accomplishment for this season’s cross country team.

Volleyball
Seventh grade volleyball had two teams competing this year and both groups had a great experience and improved on their skills, according to Coach Schroeder. Eighth grade volleyball had an excellent year led by Coach Heather Kelley, culminating in a runner-up final game in the HJPC championship. Coach Kelley shared, “This year’s eighth grade volleyball team is an incredible example of what happens when players work together with tenacity and excellence; keeping the ultimate goal of using their talents to glorify God in focus.” She continued, “They earned each win, finishing conference play with an impressive 12-2 record. As the HJPC runner up, these ladies can hold their heads high as they look back at the hard work and dedication that led to their success.”

• Seventh Grade: 10-3
• Eighth Grade: 14-3
  • HJPC - First round win versus St. Francis
  • HJPC - Semifinals win versus Presbyterian
  • HJPC Championship Runner-up

Spirit
Our combined dance and cheer team, Middle School Spirit, has had a busy fall season cheering on our teams. Coach Schroeder said, “Led by Coach Yarborough, Spirit has been a great support for our teams this fall. We know how hard these girls work behind the scenes, and our teams are very appreciative of their support.”