A Living Legacy

Second Baptist School’s 75th Anniversary celebrated our past, our present and our future: our living legacy, from the first graduating Class of 1982 to our current prekindergarten 3, Class of 2036. A reception, program and celebratory dinner, followed by an Arts Festival and a brunch honoring current and former faculty and staff, along with several class reunions. It was a beautiful weekend celebrating the legacy of SBS, with a reunion of many alumni, teachers and students alike, converging with the present community.

Our Past

“The journey to this moment began in 1946. Second Baptist School began as a flicker of hope in the hearts of a small group of Second Baptist Church members,” shared Head of School Dr. Don Davis. “75 years have been filled with mountain top experiences and dark valleys, but God has been present and His Word lights our path each step of the way.” 

“We stand on the shoulders of giants, the men and women who came before us, who allow us to reach for new heights of excellence each day,” added Dr. Davis. Many such men and women were present for the commemorative evening, sharing in reminiscence and reunion, nostalgic joy ringing throughout campus.

Head of Lower School and alumni parent Rita Herring shared, “It was a special blessing for me to see much-loved administrators, teachers and coaches who taught my own children and mentored me as a parent and a teacher. It reminded me once again what a privilege is to shepherd children and watch them grow into Godly men and women.” 

Our Present

Dr. Ed Young emphasized the value of staying on our purpose “ to not only educate another generation in knowledge; we want to be a part of leading every kid who comes here to Jesus Christ and let them know what it means to be a Jesus-follower.” 

Christian worldview is the cornerstone of Second Baptist School. As former SBS Superintendent Dr. B. Jane Hursey said, “What is the secret of success of Second Baptist School? It’s Jesus. That’s it!” 

As Dr. Davis explained, the evening highlighted “how Christ is at the center of all that we do, how each class, each team, each tradition and each program is rooted in the truth of God’s Word and designed to instill important values in the hearts and minds of students.” 

Current students participated in the 75th Anniversary program, showcasing this love of Christ through music and the recitation of Luke 2, a revered SBS tradition and an example of the importance we place on the memorization of God’s word. 

75th Anniversary Co-Chair Becca Schwinger ‘89 remarked, “Prices and politics may have changed since 1946, but our school leadership has remained steadfast in its commitment to honor our school’s foundation while educating and equipping each student to make a difference in the world for Jesus Christ.”

Our Future

Head Pastor Dr. Ed Young and Head of School Dr. Don Davis shared a common message about the future of Second Baptist School – we’ve only just begun. Dr. Young said, “We have not yet begun to fight. We are going to keep the American dream of ‘one nation under God’ alive.”

Dr. Davis echoed that sentiment, saying, “The excellence God inspired at Second Baptist is a result of decades of sacrifice and commitment by faculty, staff, students and parents. We will honor their faithfulness by remaining steadfast in our commitments even as the darkness of this world encircles us.” 

There is a bright future ahead, with expanding Christian education around Houston, a new children’s building, and continual growth of enrollment and excellence on the Woodway campus. “I believe Second Baptist School is poised for its greatest hour!” Dr. Davis emphasized.

Middle School Director of Athletics Jeff Schroeder said it well. “75 years - the history, the richness, the people, the athletes, the families, the change, but we've never wavered about who we are, what we’re about or where we’re going.”

And so, we continue to be Christ-centered, pursuing excellence within a caring community. We build upon the legacy of faith, excellence and family. We are Second Baptist School!

A special thank you to all who made the 75th Anniversary Celebration possible – Dr. Ed Young and Second Baptist Church, Dyanne Kimmel and the Office of Advancement, 75th Anniversary Chairmen Lesha Elsenbrook and Becca Schwinger ‘89 and their planning committee, the many parent and alumni parent volunteers, plus our current and former faculty, staff and students, and this entire SBS family. Thank you!

Click here to see photos of the 75th Anniversary Celebration on Friday, April 22, 2022.

Click here to watch the 75th Anniversary LEGACY video.

Click here to view the Legacy Lights video series and hear more from our living legacy at SBS.