A Night of Inspiration: Distinguished Speaker Dinner 2024

Second Baptist School welcomed alumni, families and friends to the nineteenth annual Distinguished Speaker Dinner, held at the Hilton Americas in downtown Houston. This year’s event featured Olympic gold medalist Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone and her husband, former NFL player Andre Levrone Jr., who inspired guests with their stories of resilience and faith.

Welcome and Reflection
Dinner Chairs Trinecia and Jason Pernell, along with Amanda and Terry Boffone, guided the evening with warmth and gratitude. The Pernells opened the event, welcoming everyone and setting the stage for a meaningful night. The evening began with a beautiful rendition of "Amazing Grace," performed by the Second Baptist School Reflection Choir under the direction of Ms. Becky Martin. Following the choir, Mr. Jon Konzelman, assistant head of school, led a heartfelt invocation, underscoring the school’s mission to bring every student into a relationship with Jesus Christ and recognizing the dedicated educators who inspire students daily.

Honoring Legacy and Service
Interim Head of School John Card presented the Distinguished Alumnus and Distinguished Alumni Parents awards, honoring those who embody the school’s mission and values. The Distinguished Alumnus Award was presented to Mr. Peyton Millinor, a 1994 graduate who has dedicated his life to serving others. After a pivotal moment in 2009, Peyton’s journey led him to co-found HOPE Coffee, a business-as-missions venture that uses its profits to spread the gospel through community projects. Today, he continues to lead mission trips to Honduras, sharing God’s love in action and inspiring others to live purposefully.

Judy and Matthew Ramsey were celebrated as Distinguished Alumni Parents, having been deeply rooted in the Second Baptist community since 1986. They embraced the SBS family, fully investing in school and church life for over 14 years. Their involvement touched nearly every aspect of the community, from supporting athletics and the arts to volunteering in classrooms and serving as presidents of the Parents Association. Matt often says, “It wasn’t us serving the church and the school—it was the church and the school serving us.” 

An Engaging Conversation with Sydney and Andre Levrone
Dr. Ben Young introduced the evening’s keynote speakers, Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone and Andre Levrone, who were welcomed with eager anticipation. Known for her historic accomplishments and unwavering faith, Sydney spoke with humility and depth about her athletic journey, her dedication to her faith, and the resilience that has guided her.  In a question-and-answer session led by Ben, Sydney and Andre shared their candid insights on faith, perseverance and identity, offering a window into their lives as individuals, partners and believers. 

Sydney’s heartfelt testimony of resilience and trust in God resonated deeply with the audience, while Andre shared his perspective on supporting Sydney's journey and their shared commitment to a life anchored in faith. Their candid, authentic stories resonated with the audience, highlighting the strength they draw from each other, their beliefs and the support of those they hold dear through life’s joys and trials.

Closing and Gratitude
Amanda and Terry Boffone delivered closing remarks, expressing gratitude to the attendees, honorees and speakers whose presence made the evening exceptional. 

The 2024 Distinguished Speaker Dinner left an indelible mark, reinforcing Second Baptist School’s commitment to nurturing leaders of character, courage and faith in all they pursue.

Distinguished Speaker Dinner Photos