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Performed at The Hobby Center’s Zilkha Hall, actors and theatre-goers alike experienced the thrill of being in Houston’s Theater District as they embarked on the high-energy journey from New York City to Havana, Cuba and back again in the upper school musical Guys and Dolls. 

With toe-tapping songs and memorable characters, Guys and Dolls did not disappoint! Both seniors and underclassmen acted with talent beyond their years, and vocalists hit high notes that earned zealous applause. The show was full of punchy lines, upbeat ensemble dances and a spirit of camaraderie. Realistic sets and costumes added additional flair and professionalism to the audience experience that had the crowd cheering with standing ovations at every show.

Behind the scenes, a biblical worldview backed the experience of each theatre student. “Our hope and prayer as directors is always for our students to share their God-given talents with the audiences who attend the shows, becoming lights to a dark world,” shared Director Cindy Blades. “They shone like stars in every show they performed. Not only was this group of students talented, but they prioritized Bible study every day.”

Senior leadership abounded with 21 seniors on cast, 7 senior crew members and 8 Lifers altogether. Many of these students began acting in middle school or younger, the SBS theatre program investing in them over the years. Reading senior bios in the musical program, student after student thanked their directors Cindy Blades and Claire Westmoreland for their impact and investment.

Elaine Adams ‘23 said, “Being able to interact with all grade levels and learn from Mrs. Blades and Mrs. Westmoreland were my favorite parts of the musical. It’s a great environment to grow as a participant and as a person.”

Assistant Stage Manager Will Adcox ‘23 said he would like to thank the directors for “providing a welcoming and endearing environment to all that ensured that everyone, no matter one’s experience, created cherished memories together and inevitably felt part of a loving family.”

Emily Bolling ‘23 thanked the directors for giving her “wisdom, grace, encouragement and correction” throughout her time in theatre. “They taught me how to speak publicly, be presentable, take corrective criticism, fail and grow, respect authority and put my God-given talents to use for His mission.” 

Alek Moya ‘23 said, “I would like to thank Mrs. Blades and Mrs. Westmoreland for always being there for me and for having a major impact on my Christian faith and walk.”

Theatre students truly live biblically and lead courageously through the upper school musical experience, from first rehearsal to final performance. Mrs. Blades concluded, “We are proud and thankful for the students’ growth as leaders and as a cast and crew. They developed into a strong ensemble creating characterizations on every role level.”

Bravo, Second Theatre Company!

Photos from Guys and Dolls

This winter, Second Baptist School had many victories including number-one ranked teams, state championship performances, next level commitments and walk-off victories, but there was so much more to celebrate behind the scenes as our coaches executed the mission of Second Baptist School in the lives of student athletes. 

Director of Athletics Mike Walker described the positive culture pervasive in athletics. “As I stood on the sidelines and watched athletes interact with one another and their coaches, I was grateful for the culture of camaraderie that exists at SBS. Caring community is one of our core values and in athletics, we describe community as a ‘we is greater than me’ mentality. I consistently observed this theme as I watched our winter athletes give tremendous effort in practice and competition.”

Congratulations winter coaches and athletes on another incredible season of SBS athletics!

Men’s Basketball
Head coach Kevin Mouton shared, “Our 2022-2023 season exemplified hard work, growth, a team first mentality, trust and the ability to encourage one another in winning and losing. Looking back, as freshmen, this group won 3 games and as now as seniors, this group won 27 games – a special group of young men.”

Team Highlights: Varsity men’s basketball completed the season with a strong district record of 12-2 and a high-scoring season with 27 overall wins as regional finalists. The JV team was undefeated in district with a total of 22 season wins.

Women’s Basketball
The women’s basketball team blazed their way back to the TAPPS Division II final four semi-finals for the sixth year in a row, competing in the state championship and securing their fourth consecutive state runner-up title. With three unstoppable seniors, the team had an impressive record this season with their undefeated district record of 12 wins to earn the District Championship and an overall season record of 26 wins and only 4 losses. Senior Liv Walker said, “I am proud of what we were able to accomplish, not only this year, but over the past four years together. I greatly appreciate our coaches and the time and love they invested in us, consistently pushing us to be the best version of ourselves both on and off the court.”

Team Highlights: Advancing to the TAPPS state final four game for the sixth consecutive year, the Eagles dominated on the court with a 70-42 win over St. Mary’s Hall of San Antonio, eventually going on to win state runner-up in the championship game.

Men’s Soccer
Winning more games than the previous year, men's soccer continued their three-season trajectory of improvement. Defensively, goals against decreased by 50% from the previous season, showcasing the team’s positive momentum, felt by the crowd energy and strong fan base the soccer team built this season. “This year, the team set a new bar for excellence. With many memorable moments, the team exceeded expectations with seniors leaving behind a lasting legacy and strong foundation for a bright future,” said Head Coach Doug Walker.

Team Highlight: The men’s soccer team increased their district record by 20%, ending the season with a winning record record of 10 wins, 2 ties and 24 goals.

Women’s Soccer
Women’s soccer came away from their winter season with notable highlights. Senior Emily Rogers reflected, “Playing soccer at SBS was a great opportunity that allowed me to build friendships that lasted on and off the field. I only played my junior and senior years, but I wished I played all four years because of the wonderful memories we made.”

Team Highlights: At the annual Jingle Bell Classic, SBS women’s soccer dominated a close match with a penalty kick tie-breaker. At senior night, their last game of the season, Isabella Ventura ‘23 scored two goals to help the Eagles win 2-0. 

Swimming
Director of Athletics Mike Walker shared, “This season was especially successful for our men’s team, and we are proud of our experienced swimmers’ leadership and the newcomers’ progress.” Winning big at the TAPPS Division II State Swim Championship, two-time state champion Leighton Chapman ‘23 secured gold medals in the men’s 200-free and the 500-free to become the 2023 TAPPS Division II State Champion in both events. Leighton was also recognized as the Regional Swimmer of the Meet and blew away the competition with the top times in his events. Read more.

Team Highlights: At the TAPPS Division II State Championship, not only did Leighton Chapman win two gold medals, but the men’s team also came away with second place in the men’s 400-Free relay and third place overall in the meet.

Golden Girls
In the culmination of their outstanding competition season, Golden Girls not only won Overall Grand Champion at Crowd Pleasers but also earned Best in Class for lyrical, novelty and pom dances, competing against teams of all sizes from both independent and public schools. Moreover, they won the Crowd Pleaser Award for their team novelty, an award given to only four teams. Soloists Emily Ann Haynes '24, Cate Calderon '23, Kendalyn Firenza '23 and Emily Bolling '23 all scored platinum or high platinum in their individual routines. Head Coach Madelyn Whitehead “could not be prouder of this team and all they accomplished” during this highly competitive season. Read more.

Team Highlight: Lieutenant and senior Cate Calderon said one of the highlights of her four years on the team was the Crowd Pleasers competition. “As a senior, winning our second consecutive overall grand championship was the perfect way to end my last competition season.”

Middle School Sports
Our middle school teams continue to achieve in the Houston area and build strong reputations. “We all can make an impact and have a positive influence,” said Director of Middle School Athletics Jeff Schroeder. “With the combination of quality kids and coaches in middle school athletics, we experienced a successful winter season with team and individual development.”

Highlights: Two HJPC runner-up titles were achieved by SBS middle school teams this winter season: eighth grade boy’s basketball and seventh and eighth grade girl’s soccer. Swim team members also set many personal records in the HJPC meet. 

When a group of youngsters begins a program with “Howdy, partner!” you can bet your bottom dollar you’re at the annual SBS Hoedown. Texas pride and rodeo spirit swelled at the treasured 30-year tradition presented by PK4 and Bridge students. Little buckaroos donned in jeans and denim skirts, cowboy hats, boots and bandanas galloped into the E Gym to perform  Texas-themed songs, square dances and recite Texas fun facts for an audience of parents, grandparents and special guests alike. The E Gym was filled with SBS legacy -- of the 76 students in PK4 and Bridge, 25 of them are children of SBS alumni or former SBS students. 

Head of School Dr. Don Davis welcomed the audience of proud parent wranglers. “Thank you to our parents and grandparents who have paved the way and laid a foundation of a biblical worldview to our children, as we instill Judeo-Christian values at Second Baptist School from generation to generation.”

Capturing the spirit of our rich Texas heritage, students rode stick horses, performed a square dance and sang songs that included “Deep in the Heart of Texas,” “The Lonesome Trail” and “God Bless, Texas!” Learning the pattern of songs, developing large motor skills through dance and gaining self-confidence by performing in front of an audience allows academic, physical, social and spiritual growth for our young cowboys and cowgirls. 

PHOTOS OF HOEDOWN 2023

Finding the right school for your child can be a daunting task. When freshman Langston Davis’ mom began the search before his freshman year, she knew to go to God’s Word. Jesus said, “If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish and it will be given you.” - John 15:7. And, that’s just what she did.

“Second Baptist School’s values align with my family’s core values. When you find a school that also aligns with the fulfillment of your child’s God given abilities, it is an easy decision,” exclaimed Ranessa Davis, Langston’s mother. “We have always maintained a focus of keeping God first in our family. This focus allows for personal relationship with God for anyone who seeks to fulfill his/her purpose in life. SBS presented itself in a manner that posed both God first and a continuous pursuit of excellence from day one.” 

Langston is no stranger to success. This past fall, Langston’s first year at SBS, Fox 26 featured the football team to kick-off the season and their state semi-finals run. It was a victory that made a lasting impression on the entire team.

“The most defining moment for me, as a parent, was Langston’s first touchdown on the varsity football team. Not because of the touchdown itself, but the response from his teammates. They congratulated him with such excitement and as a new student athlete, that sort of excitement meant the world to him.”

The ninth grader from Houston, who started on the junior varsity football team at the start of this school year and moved up to varsity, hopes to play football at the collegiate level. With a heart for Christ and three more years ahead of him at SBS, Langston is well on his way.   

“Langston has always been an extraordinary child with a love for God, a strong sense of self awareness and confidence in his capabilities. As a parent, my responsibility is to foster his development to become a productive member of society and to be the best person he can possibly be. SBS sets him up for success in both of these areas.”

In honor of our U.S. presidents and first ladies, our second grade students participated in a beloved 25-year SBS tradition. The Parade of Presidents program, performed each year, is designed to teach students about our nation’s history and its leaders. Donned in authentic period costumes that include suits, ball gowns, wigs, hats, mustaches, beards and more, second grade students stepped into character and presented before a crowd of excited and proud parents, grandparents and special friends. 

“The Parade of Presidents is a special time to celebrate the men and women who helped lay the foundation of our country,” began Head of School Dr. Don Davis. “Education is more than subjects. Education is more than book knowledge. Education is passing down a way of life. A culture.” 

Following the first ladies’ and presidents’ presentations, second graders paid tribute to U.S. veterans in the audience with their salute to the military. Representing all branches of the military—Army, Navy, Air Force and Marines—students carried flags, singing the theme song for each one. It was a moving experience as grandparents and parents stood at attention when their branch of service was recognized. 

The program for second graders is both fun and educational, from start to finish. Before Christmas break, all the names of presidents and first ladies are put into a hat and each student draws a name to see who they will portray. 

Head of Lower School Rita Herring played an instrumental role in the early years of this program. What started as a classroom project with her fellow second grade teachers 25 years ago has become a full-fledged tribute to America and its leaders. “I hope this experience gives students a love for our country and American history, as well as a respect for our presidents and first ladies. I also hope it gives them confidence in their ability to speak before an audience and memorize their speeches and songs. As teachers, we are committed to equipping our students to think critically, live biblically and lead courageously to impact the world for Jesus Christ. Our second graders are already leading courageously, which is one part of our Portrait of an SBS graduate.”   

The Parade of Presidents concluded with everyone standing to sing, “God Bless the U.S.A.”, a reminder that we are one nation under God, and the leaders of the past are influencing our leaders of the future at Second Baptist School.

Fun facts our kids shared about their historical figures:
  
Did You Know? 

• President George Washington left school at the age of 15 and was the only founding father without a college education. 
• President Abraham Lincoln would walk miles to borrow books. 
• President James Garfield was ambidextrous. 
• President Theodore Roosevelt owned the most pets, including a bear. 
• First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt changed the role of the first lady. 
• President Barack Obama was America’s first African-American president. 
• President Jimmy Carter and his wife Rosalynn are the oldest living president and first lady to date and teach Sunday School at their church in Georgia. 
   

PHOTOS OF PARADE OF PRESIDENTS