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The Spring Choir Concert at Second Baptist School was a heartfelt celebration of dedication, growth and the lasting impact of student leadership. From middle school choir to the senior showcase, the evening reflected the growth that comes from dedication.

A highlight of the evening was the recognition of six outstanding senior choir members for their contributions to the choir program:

• National School Choral Award: Given to top choir students nationwide for exemplary musicianship and leadership, this year’s recipients were Ella Farias and Olivia Shoemaker.
• Director’s Award: Honoring consistency, participation and a love for music, this award was presented to Gray Gilbert, Jacqueline Lunsford and Anastasia Rowlen.
• Outstanding Senior Boy and Girl: This award recognizes seniors who are strong leaders and accomplished musicians, including members of the TMEA All-State Choir. This year’s recipients were Brayden Harrison, Olivia Shoemaker and Ella Farias.

“These six students have all made great contributions to the success of our choir.  They are leaving big shoes to fill for the next group of seniors,” shared Choir Director Becky Martin. 

The evening’s program featured a wide range of music performed by all choir levels. Highlights included Amazing by the Middle School Choir, featuring multiple soloists; Defying Gravity performed by the Women’s Choir with a solo by Tessa Garcia ‘26; and Found/Tonight by the combined 10–12 choirs, featuring soloist Bennett Lane ‘27.

The Senior Showcase closed the night with memorable solo performances from graduating seniors. Selections like What I Did for Love by Ella Farias, Place in This World by Brayden Harrison, and For Good by Olivia Shoemaker and Jacqueline Lunsford offered a touching farewell to a talented senior class.

From solos to full ensemble pieces, the Spring Choir Concert was a testament to the joy and discipline of music education at Second Baptist School.
 

Led by Head Golf Coach Jenny Murdock, the five-member team—Carson Elder ‘25, Matthew Elder ‘25, Jake Miers ‘25, Christopher Torn ‘26 and William Carlson ‘28—entered the tournament determined to finish what they started. Just weeks earlier, they narrowly lost to The Woodlands Christian Academy at regionals by one stroke. In the state championship, they hoped to flip the script.

“It wasn’t losing that motivated us—it was only losing by one,” said Coach Murdock. “In the past, TWCA has blown the field away by 20 strokes. This year, our team believed they could win.”
The championship, held in Waco, was defined by rain delays and uncertainty. Intermittent storms disrupted the schedule, threatening to shorten the tournament and testing the mental toughness of every competitor.

“The delays were frustrating,” admitted Murdock. “I reminded our boys that the wet course could affect other teams more than us. All five of our players are long hitters and mentally tough—they didn’t let the weather throw them off.”

The team stayed loose and focused through the interruptions, watching sports, playing games and keeping conversation light to distract from the chaos around them. For many, the rain became a surprising source of peace.

“It reminded me that the tournament was in God’s hands,” said Matthew Elder ‘25. “It actually helped calm my mind.”

When play resumed Tuesday for the final nine holes, the Eagles trailed TWCA by two strokes. “We told the boys we didn’t need spectacular—we just needed steady,” said Murdock.

Freshman William Carlson ’28 set the tone early with a strong round of 73. Carson Elder ‘25 drained back-to-back birdies on his final two holes. Christopher Torn ‘26 closed with two par-saving putts from six and nine feet. Under immense pressure on the final hole, senior Matthew Elder ‘25 stuck his tee shot just off the green and calmly made a four-footer to save par.
“As I stood on the 18th tee, I heard the roar when Carson made his putt,” said Torn. “That’s when I knew—we had a chance.”

With each stroke, the energy shifted. Coach Murdock watched the live scoring, realizing the title was within reach. “Every player made every putt from 10 feet and in,” she recalled. “That never happens.”

With grit and precision, the Eagles edged out the competition by a single stroke to win the TAPPS state golf championship.

“These boys have been a team in every sense of the word,” she said. “Every single one of them had the lowest individual score at a tournament this year. They picked each other up, stayed locked in, and believed to the very end.”

For seniors Carson, Matthew and Jake, the championship was the culmination of years of hard work and shared history—many of them have been playing together since middle school.

“I’ll always remember the clutch moments—Torn’s putt, Matthew’s final par, and the look on everyone’s faces when we realized we won,” said Jake Miers ‘25.

Murdock, who has coached these seniors since they were in seventh grade, also celebrated a personal milestone—her first state title as a coach.

“I hadn’t really thought about how I’d feel,” she said. “But this week has been incredible. I’m proud of our boys, proud of this program, and grateful for our coaching staff—especially Coach Charlotta Wharton, who has been a steady presence of support throughout the season”

With talent, tenacity, and teamwork, the Eagles made school history—one shot at a time.
 

As eighth graders wrapped up their final chapter of middle school during Friday’s promotion ceremony, Mrs. Monique Dippel watched proudly. As the eighth grade Bible and Spiritual and Community Leadership teacher, Mrs. Dippel has spent the year pouring into her students both academically and spiritually, preparing them to take their next step into high school.

“I prepare my students for high school by challenging them to take responsibility for their lives,” she shared. “I teach them to problem-solve, seek answers to their questions, and support them in building confidence in themselves. Most importantly, I want them to walk away from my classroom knowing that they have a Savior who desperately wants a relationship with them.”

Mrs. Dippel’s classroom is built on relationships, joy and meaningful conversations. “When relationships are built, the environment is joyful and students are free to share their dynamic perspectives and insights, keeping the learning lively and rewarding,” she said.

As she celebrated her students' promotion, Mrs. Dippel reflected on the significance of the moment. “Eighth grade promotion is very special to me because I get to witness the culmination of the middle school chapter for my students,” she said. “It's a joy to witness the growth they have made since the beginning of the school year.”

Through every lesson and conversation, Mrs. Dippel reminds her students that they are known, loved, and capable of facing the future with courage. Her steady encouragement leaves a lasting impact long after they leave her classroom.

- Sarah Cela '26 | Communications Fellow

The 2025 Spring Art Show highlighted the God-given creativity of Second Baptist School students from kindergarten through twelfth grade. With a wide range of media and thoughtful visual storytelling, the exhibition culminated in powerful AP 2D Art presentations, where five upper school students explored deeply personal inquiries through their work. Guided by faith and creative discipline, artists used their talents to reflect beauty, express truth and glorify God.

The fifth floor was transformed into a dynamic gallery space filled with ceramics, digital art, sculpture, painting and drawing. Representing students from every grade level, the exhibition showcased individual talent and the creative momentum happening across all divisions at SBS.

A highlight of the show was the unveiling of this year’s AP 2D Art portfolios, presented by five upper school students who spent the year pursuing complex personal inquiry questions. Under the guidance of upper school visual arts teacher Mr. Christopher Lewis, each student developed a body of work that was both conceptually rich and technically strong.

“Each of these students brought depth, originality and thoughtfulness to their work,” Mr. Lewis shared. “They explored meaningful questions through various mediums and expressed their ideas with clarity and conviction. We’re incredibly proud of their growth as artists and individuals.”

Student Portfolios Rooted in Purpose
Kyleigh Fleming ‘25 explored mental health through the lens of cultural identity, drawing from her vibrant Mexican heritage. Using graphite to contrast colorful themes, she explained, “Each piece reflects how emotions feel—not how they look. Even in moments of darkness, God is present. He won’t bring you through something He hasn’t equipped you for.”

Nate King ‘25 conveyed emotion through sports, focusing on celebrations and frustrations without using facial expressions. “I wanted to capture the energy of athletic highs and lows because they reflect the full range of emotions God calls us to walk through in life,” he said.

Jake Miers ‘25 questioned what defines a home, depicting lighthouses, churches, college campuses, and even a blurred structure to symbolize uncertainty. “Home isn’t always a house,”
Jake reflected. “It’s where people find peace—even if it’s temporary.”

Emily Tarasiuk ‘26 examined multiculturalism and identity, creating architectural and floral works that reflect beauty, dissonance and growth. “Culture can be overwhelming and beautiful at the same time,” she shared. “Instead of letting that confusion defeat us, we can learn to coexist with it—trusting God’s design.”

Presley Townsen ‘25 examined the emotional power of music by capturing expressive portraits of musicians. “Music has shaped who I am. I wanted to show how it connects to our emotions and how, through it all, the Lord is with us.”

The Process and the Purpose
The Spring Art Show is not only a celebration of final products but a reflection of the artistic process—one rooted in inquiry, discipline and growth. “Our AP 2D students produce some of the most skilled and insightful work of the year,” shared Mrs. Manners. “This group has demonstrated that art can be deeply personal and a testimony to truth. They’ve used their gifts to reflect the beauty of God and the depth of the human experience.”

Many students credit their growth to the encouragement and mentorship they have received from the SBS art faculty. Kyleigh reflected, “Mrs. Manners has been a constant source of encouragement since freshman year. Her support is one of the reasons I found the confidence to pursue AP Art.”

Art as Worship
At Second Baptist School, the visual arts are more than creative expression—they’re an opportunity for students to think deeply, grow in skill and explore meaningful questions. Whether reflecting on identity, emotion or on personal experience, our artists are encouraged to use their talents with purpose, drawing from the truth of God’s Word and the world around them.

The Spring Art Show reminds us that art can tell stories, spark reflection and point to something greater. As students refine their skills and share their perspectives, we celebrate not only what they’ve made—but also the hearts behind it.

Spring Art Show Photo Album