Recovery

Many people in Texas and Florida are still in great pain from the tragedies and disruptions caused by the recent hurricanes. Yet, even in communities devastated by the storms, recovery is underway.

Last Thursday, 84% of our students were able to return to school. On Monday, we are back to 98% enrollment, which is normal. Teachers and students are engaged in the important and meaningful work of education. The Swim & Dive Team and Football Team had competitions on Saturday. All activities go into full swing this week. The efforts and professionalism of faculty and staff to get our lives back on track was outstanding.

Over the weekend, many of our Shorecrest students performed at The Palladium in “Webb’s City: The Musical, A Concert Version” which was written by faculty member, Bill Leavengood ‘78. Recently retired music teacher, Lee Ahlin, wrote the music and lyrics. Lead roles were played by Senna Prasatthong-osoth, a junior; Shorecrest alum, current parent, and Trustee Charles Reynolds ‘81; and alum Mitch Marois ‘10. Current Upper School students Will Hess, Oliver Hess, Reilly O’Neill, Ari Weiss, Erin Wilson and Shannon Wright were cast members. Other Shorecrest community members who contributed to the amazing production include: students Ryan Healy, Hunter Holland, and Campbell Savage; parents Anne Dowling and Renee Savage; and current/retired faculty members: Brad Miller, Ethan Updike, and Tom Glaister. The show was fabulous!

Also, this past weekend, in partnership with Jack and Jill of America Inc., Shorecrest hosted a college fair for Historically Black Colleges and Universities. Thirty (30) colleges, universities, fraternities, and sororities visited with four hundred (400) interested students and families. Shorecrest Director of College Counseling, Tiffany Blessing, provided a presentation on the college admissions and financial aid processes. Eight (8) current college students formed a panel and gave first hand insight to participants. Shorecrest parent, Toni Fort, and our Director of Diversity and Inclusion, Roderick Fludd, were instrumental in bringing the event to Shorecrest. Rachel Barrett from Marketing, Jean Spencer Carnes from Admissions, and Dave Sharlow from Operations and Facilities played key roles in the hosting of this very successful college fair.

Finally, over the past week Shorecrest parent Sean Merritt organized a group of fathers that I named, “Sean’s Squadron.” The group provided members of the faculty and staff with supplies and services to help take some of the stress off of teachers and staff who returned to serving and educating our students on Thursday and Friday of last week. The generous and talented group of men cleaned yards, repaired fences, cleaned laundry and provided food and ice. I know that members of this community reached out to neighbors, visited power line workers, and people who suffered loss and disruptions during the storm. The acts of compassion model one of our school core values. Many Thanks to the following and many other thoughtful and generous parents: Andrew Salamone, Blaise Lipan, Ron Gillis, Bill Mantooth, Ross and Samantha Nevins, Cory Gaffney, Michael White, Lee Hudson, Jason Green, Eduardo Niebles, Dennis and Kristin Leary, Joe Healy, Jonathan Hoefer, Chris Rafter, Jeremy Tatelbaum, Matt Frey and John Vigue. 

Thank you and Cheers!

Mike