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The highly anticipated Soaring Eagle Invitational kicked off early on Saturday, September 28, on the beautiful grounds of the Second Baptist Church West Campus. As this meet is an annual event, it holds special significance for the team, who eagerly looks forward to it each year.

Head Coach Jim Stevens shared his excitement, saying, “There is always a heightened level of energy when a team hosts a home meet. I believe our student athletes felt an extra push to perform their best on home turf.”

This was evident in the outstanding performances of many Second Baptist School runners, highlighted by Sara Griffin’s ‘27 impressive ninth-place finish, followed closely by Taylor Zimmerman ‘27 in tenth. Four personal records were set by first-year and returning cross country runners, contributing to the varsity women’s team's fourth-place overall finish.

The varsity men’s race also saw remarkable results, with personal records achieved by Warren Osowski ‘28, Carter Kimble ‘27 and Owen Rancher ‘27. Captain Sara Griffin expressed her satisfaction, saying, “The race couldn’t have gone better. I was hoping for a confidence boost and increased team spirit from this meet, and both hopes were realized.” She added that she’s proud of the team’s progress and believes they are becoming “the runners I know they can be.”

Coach Stevens echoed this sentiment, noting, “SBS runners are expected to compete with great effort and strive for personal improvement every day. Under the leadership of junior captains Sara Griffin, Carson Ford ‘26 , Sophia Tarazona ‘26 and Owen Osowski ‘26, our runners are seeing the results of their dedication and hard work.”

Director of Athletics Mike Walker reflected on the success of the event, saying, “The Soaring Eagle Invitational is especially rewarding because of the unique nature of cross country. Athletes, families and teams arrived as early as 6:30 a.m., and the event runs until noon. The competition featured athletes ranging from varsity runners with state championship ambitions to middle school students participating in the one-mile open race for the first time.” He continued, “The SBS cross country program is a dedicated group of hard-working athletes with a strong bond. They train daily to set personal records and contribute to the team’s success. 

A big thank you to the athletes, coaches and families who helped make the 2024 Soaring Eagle Invitational an amazing event.”

Soaring Eagle Invitational Photos

Exploring Future Possibilities

At Second Baptist School, we believe in preparing students for the next chapter of their lives—and College Day was a milestone in that journey. Our campus was filled with energy and excitement as students engaged with university representatives, eager to learn more about what lies ahead. 

As College Guidance Fellow Ella Allen ‘25 shared, “College Day is so important for our school because it allows students to interact with college representatives, ask real questions, and learn more about academic programs, scholarships and the application process.” Whether students are just starting to explore their options or making final decisions, this event never fails to spark meaningful conversations about where God is calling them to go next.

College Guidance Fellow Bridget Roth ‘25 reflected on the value of the day, saying, “College Day gives students, whether in eighth grade or senior year, the opportunity to explore all different college options. We often hear about the bigger, more popular schools, but through SBS College Day, we can discover and learn about wonderful, smaller schools all around the country.”

A True Community Effort

The success of College Day doesn’t happen overnight. It is the result of countless hours of work from our Office of College Guidance to bring together an impressive range of universities, ensuring each student has access to schools that match their unique talents and interests. 

Director of College Guidance Amy St. Denis captured the heart of the event when she said, “This year, we welcomed over 100 universities to our campus for a college fair. Our students can connect with representatives to learn about programs and opportunities at national and international institutions. More importantly, our students have a chance to step forward, think critically about their futures, and represent our school in the best way possible as they live and lead with purpose.” Our student leadership also played a key role in preparing the campus, welcoming university representatives into the gym, helping students stay organized with a schedule, and praying over the event. 

The feedback from the university representatives was overwhelmingly positive. One Arizona State University representative remarked, “I have never been around a more impressive, respectful and thoughtful group of students at any college fairs I attend year to year. Second Baptist School students are top of the top!” 

Looking Ahead

SBS is committed to helping each student discover his/her potential spiritually and academically. Our mission remains unchanged: to equip each student to think critically, live biblically and lead courageously. College Day is just one of the many ways we equip them to face the future with confidence as they discover their God-given potential and prepare to impact the world for Jesus Christ wherever they go.

Check out the most interesting college facts in this tiny mic with Brooke!

Check out photos from College Day here.

Most school mornings, the Woodway campus remains quiet at 7:15 a.m., with the buzz of lower school drop-off and student parking chaos still on the horizon. However, the early hours of Wednesday, September 26, offered a different scene. The blended hum of prayer gently replaced the usual stillness as small groups of faculty, students, and parents gathered near the flagpoles and rock fountain.

"See You at the Pole," which began in 1990, takes place every year on the fourth Wednesday of September. It is a global movement where students gather at their schools to pray and worship. Second Baptist is one of thousands of schools that participate each year.

Senior Brayden Harrison, alongside SBC youth worship leader Brett Russell, led the group in song and worship. Afterward, eighth-grader Andrew Geiger read 1 John 1:5-7 aloud, followed by a message from SBC youth leader Caden Francis, who encouraged those in attendance to find their identity in Christ and actively demonstrate their love for Him.

“I really enjoyed leading worship because being in an environment where people come to God in community is such a beautiful thing,” Harrison said. “Starting your morning with a time of worship is a great way to get in the right mindset for the rest of the week.”

Ministry Prefect Dylan Jenkins, who helped organize the early morning gathering, echoed the same thought. “It was awesome to see everyone come together earlier than usual to publicly worship and pray with each other,” Jenkins said. “I am so grateful for everyone who took time out of their morning to praise the Lord and help set up the event. My group prayed for the school year and that students at SBS would learn to genuinely walk with the Lord.”

This year’s “See You at the Pole” was a huge success, drawing the largest crowd yet at Second Baptist. Students, teachers, coaches, and parents gathered with one purpose: to worship the Lord and pray as a community.

- Lillian Baker ‘25 | Communications Fellow 

See You at the Pole Gallery

Fathers and Sons Gather to Explore Biblical Manhood

Last week, seventh and eighth-grade boys and their fathers gathered at Second Baptist School for a special time of fellowship and learning. The event, held in The Hall, featured breakfast and meaningful conversation with tables of eight set up to encourage connection. If a father was unable to attend, another male family member stepped in to share this important time.

Kyle Parrish, Married Life Pastor at Second Baptist Church’s Woodway campus, delivered a powerful message centered on Psalm 86:11: “...unite my heart to fear Your name.” He challenged fathers and sons to fully grasp the awe and reverence due to God’s name, emphasizing that recognizing this is the first step toward a heart rightly aligned with Him. Kyle spoke of how biblical leadership flows from this reverence, encouraging men to lead their families with love, wisdom and humility.

The morning wasn’t just about listening; it was a chance for fathers and sons to connect in a meaningful way. Each father or male family member was encouraged to have an intentional discussion with their son about what it means to lead in a God-honoring way. In small group settings, these discussions allowed for honest reflection on the challenges and responsibilities of manhood in today’s world. Rooted in the story of Joshua, Kyle reminded the boys that God created them to be strong and courageous, even when the world’s expectations feel confusing.

The event was a powerful reminder that biblical leadership begins with a heart united in reverence for the Lord, equipping men to love and lead their families well. Fathers and sons left with not only a message to reflect on but also a deeper connection with one another.

Girls Fellowship: Trusting God and Building Community

While the boys gathered with their fathers, the seventh and eighth-grade girls participated in their own time of fellowship designed to strengthen bonds and equip them with biblical tools to face the challenges of middle school. Led by Middle School Counselor Janet Harrison, the girls were placed into small groups with teachers who guided discussions centered on managing stress and leaning on God in times of trouble.

During the session, the girls explored scriptures that spoke directly to the pressures they face, finding comfort in God’s promises of peace and strength. The teachers provided practical advice on how to seek help when overwhelmed, encouraging the girls to rely on their faith and each other when navigating stressful moments.

Janet explained that the goal of these fellowship mornings is to build a Christ-centered caring community where the girls can grow closer to one another and find support in their faith. By encouraging small group discussions, the event created a safe environment for the girls to share their experiences and lean on the wisdom of their teachers. As they left, the girls were reminded that they are never alone in their struggles and that God is always with them, offering guidance and comfort.

Miss Lizzie Wiesen ‘19, a proud alumna of Second Baptist School, is back on campus, but this time, she’s stepping into a different role. After graduating from the University of Texas and teaching at a public school in Austin, Miss Wiesen realized how deeply she missed sharing her faith openly in a Christ-centered environment. “Getting to share the gospel with my students was the main reason I decided to return to Second,” she explains. Her time in public school showed her the value of working in a space where she could fully express her love for Jesus and instill those values in her students.

“I knew I wanted to be a teacher when I was halfway finished with my freshman year at UT,” she recalls. Her passion for working with children became evident early in her college career, leading her to the classroom.

Miss Wiesen’s favorite part of teaching is the dynamic conversations that happen organically with her students. “I love the unplanned conversations between my students and me that range from the silly comments that lead them to fall out of their chairs laughing to the deep conversations about Jesus and how to walk with Him.” These moments make every day feel fresh and exciting for her. “There has never been a dull moment!”

Her return to Second Baptist feels particularly special, as it's a full-circle moment. “It has been a dream to return to Second Baptist, the place that raised me,” she shares. Walking through the halls of the new building, she's amazed by how much has changed, yet one thing that hasn’t changed is the familiar sense of community she grew up with. One of the biggest surprises for her is working under her second-grade teacher, Mrs. Herring, who is now her boss.

As a former “lifer” at Second Baptist, where she spent 14 years as a student, Miss Wiesen brings a unique perspective to her role as a teacher. Having been in the students’ shoes, she knows firsthand the impact of the school’s nurturing environment and is thrilled to be a part of it again, this time as a guide for the next generation.

- Sarah Cela '26 | Communications Fellow