Saints in Action, Fall/Winter 24-25
SAINTS IN ACTION
AUGUST MOON ’24 WINS NATIONAL ART AWARD
In June 2024, August Moon ’24 received the Gold Medal Portfolio Award in the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards. This esteemed award, presented by the Alliance for Young Artists & Writers, recognizes portfolios that best exemplify originality, skill, and the emergence of a personal vision or voice. August’s outstanding achievement includes a $12,500 scholarship.
The Alliance for Young Artists & Writers, which oversees the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards, announced the 101st class of National Medalists, recognizing over 110,000 teens from across the United States, U.S. territories, and Canada. Among the nearly 10,000 portfolios submitted, only 16 received the coveted Gold Medal Portfolio Award.
The award-winning portfolio, titled “Transformation Masks,” features a captivating collection of works across various media, including sculpture, photography, video, and performance art. August’s “Home Mask,” explores the concept of home as a state of mind rather than a place. “The ‘Home Mask’ makes internal feelings and ideas external,” says August. This mask also features prominently in August’s short film “Home Town,” which depicts scenes of isolation and misunderstanding, reflecting his experiences as a trans person.
The portfolio continues to delve into themes of identity and transformation. “The ‘Chrysalis’ mask uses yarn, found objects, and movement to invoke memories of childhood and the peaceful yet vulnerable nature of metamorphosis,” August notes. In contrast, the “Alien” mask “embodies the moments right after a bug hatches from a chrysalis,” representing the struggle and grappling with change.
August’s art teacher, Sean Riley, expressed his admiration for the work: “I am thrilled that August’s portfolio has been awarded the prestigious Gold Medal by Scholastic Art & Writing. This honor is a testament to August’s exceptional talent and dedication. His material instincts combined with a willingness to take risks in the studio, have consistently led to successful and innovative works. Each piece reflects August’s unique vision and ability to communicate deeply personal and profound subjects in a playful and engaging manner.
A selection of four works from August’s portfolio was selected for an exhibition at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City.
The MET exhibit showcased the work of the teens earning top honors in the 2024 Scholastic Art & Writing Awards, including the Gold and Silver Portfolio Awards, The Herblock Award for Editorial Cartoon, the New York Life Award, and the Gold Medal Award. Presented by the Alliance for Young Artists & Writers, the Scholastic Awards are the longest-running and most prestigious recognition program for creative teens in the United States.
Selected through a rigorous process, these works highlight originality, skill, and personal vision, inviting viewers to see the world through young artists’ eyes.
CELEBRATING VETERANS DAY WITH LINDSEY ELLISON ’18
“St Stephen’s and St Agnes encourages students to give back to the community. A life of service starts here. It doesn’t have to be the military. Today, I challenge you to serve someone in the community.”
~Lindsey Ellison ’18
The Upper School was honored to welcome alumna USMC First Lieutenant Lindsey Ellison ’18 as the Veterans Day Assembly speaker.
Lindsey attended the United States Naval Academy, where she played two years of lacrosse, held key leadership roles including plebe summer Battalion Commander and the Spring Semester Brigade Commander. First Lieutenant Ellison graduated from the United States Naval Academy with a Bachelor of Science in Operations Research. She was commissioned into the United States Marine Corps upon graduation in 2022.
Following completion of The Basic School and Marine Artillery Officer Basic Course in 2023, Lindsey was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 10th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division where she serves as a High Mobility Artillery Rocket System platoon commander in Fox Battery. Lindsey led her platoon during Training Exercises in Twentynine Palms, Calif., and Camp Lejeune, N.C.
In April 2024, Lindsey deployed to Okinawa, Japan, as a platoon commander where she participated in Orient Shield 24. Her platoon was the first Marine Corps unit to be involved in the Joint Bilateral live fire exercise with the Japan Ground Self Defense Force. After the conclusion of Orient Shield, her platoon was the first unit to participate in exercise Resolute Dragon in Hijyudai.
Lindsey currently leads a Marine Corps platoon specializing in artillery operations.
Following her speech, Lindsey took questions from the community:
How did the values and mission from our school align with what you learned at the Naval Academy?
SSSAS encourages living a life of service. The military is not the only way to give back to others, but I chose to attend the Naval Academy for similar reasons. From the moment you are inducted as a plebe during the first day, you are no longer focused on yourself. Everything is centered on preparing to lead others upon graduation. Our actions need to be worthy of that on a daily basis.
I also think that my experience at SSSAS taught me the value of hard work, setting high goals, and asking for help when you need it. The SSSAS and Naval Academy faculty cultures are very similar, with small classes and instructors who are dedicated to helping their students succeed. When I transferred to SSSAS I had to work hard to catch up with my peers, especially in math. Ms. Elise Canfield met with me multiple times a week to help me. During my senior year Ms. Sarah Oakes did the same to help me with AP Chemistry. Because I was unafraid to ask for help, I had a very similar experience at USNA and even had standing weekly EI (extra instruction) sessions for some of my more challenging classes.
Looking back, how did your time at SSSAS help shape the person you are today?
The largest impact SSSAS had on me was understanding that there really aren’t any limits if you are passionate enough about accomplishing something. There is always a way to get something done if you work hard enough, and teamwork is essential. SSSAS emphasizes the power of working together and community. I still am in touch with friends from SSSAS and definitely built some of the closest relationships in my life there. It is fun to watch my friends succeed and have a similar passions for service. Two of my closest classmates are doing amazing things to give back to people around them. Carroll Phillips is attending Veterinary school and Charlotte Fontham is a teacher in North Carolina. Both of them have worked extremely hard and are dedicated to making the world a better place.
What advice would you give to current students considering a military career?
Find people to talk to who are in the community you are interested in! Don’t be intimidated by all the requirements. If you’re passionate about serving others, traveling, or meeting people from all walks of life, the military could be a great avenue for you. There are so many different jobs and communities. My cousin is an aerospace engineer in the Air Force and is working in a research lab. One of my friends helps write articles and make videos to tell the world what the Marine Corps is doing. I have had Marines that never thought college was an option and are now asking me to write letters of recommendations for them to use their GI Bill to help pay for school. There is no better feeling than helping someone realize they are capable of achieving more than they ever thought. And that is what being a leader is about. The military will challenge you and it is not an easy path. However, sometimes the harder paths can be the most rewarding. If you are nervous, that is okay. Find a mentor and ask the questions!
EMPOWERED TO BELONG
SSSAS organized and hosted its 10th Annual Middle School Diversity Conference, “Enter Here: Bringing All of Me; Accepting All of You.” More than 100 students from across the Mid-Atlantic region came together to explore diversity, inclusion, and belonging from a middle school perspective.
The event featured 25 SSSAS Upper School student facilitators, who guided participants through meaningful discussions and shared insights. The conference included The Lion’s Den—a Filipina-founded, DMV-based dance and wellness community that creates empowering spaces for free self-expression. Believing that how you move in your body shapes how you move in the world, they provided an inspiring experience for all.
SPOTLIGHT ON LEARNING
Our kindergarten classes recently hosted their “K Spotlight on Learning,” a special event where parents joined the classroom to actively participate in their child’s educational journey. This session focused on Schema: Activating Background Knowledge, led by our Lower School Librarian & Interdisciplinary Curriculum Coordinator Julie Esanu. By connecting new information to what they already know, our young learners are building skills to better understand and engage with books and other texts. It was a joyful and insightful event of collaboration, learning, and connection for students, parents, and teachers alike!
RHYTHM, MOVEMENT, CULTURE
Our Lower School was recently treated to an unforgettable performance by Step Afrika! As the first professional dance company dedicated to the tradition of stepping, Step Afrika! shook the floor with their incredible energy and artistry. Using their bodies as instruments, the performers combined footsteps, claps, and spoken words to create captivating rhythms.
Students not only learned the history and culture of stepping—an American art form created by African-American college students—but also discovered how dance unites people and cultures. With lessons in teamwork, discipline, and commitment, Step Afrika! left our Saints inspired and ready to move!
CLUBS GALORE!
There was an incredible turnout at this year’s Club Fairs at the Middle and Upper Schools. Thirty-eight Middle School students stepped up to start and lead clubs with a dedicated faculty advisor to guide them. Our Upper School was also buzzing with activity, offering 60+ clubs for students to explore. From academics and the arts to service and leadership, there’s something for everyone.
SAINTS SING
In October, choir students from all three campuses came together to build bridges across divisions and spend a harmonious “Saints Sing” day, filling our Chapel and Performing Arts Center with beautiful music. Guest clinician Michele Fowlin, artistic director of the Washington Performing Arts Children of the Gospel Choir and Associate Director of Music for Contemporary Worship at the National Cathedral, worked with our singers and taught them a special piece to perform at our all-school Thanksgiving Service. Lower and Middle School students enjoyed the chance to learn alongside the Upper School choir and connecting across ages creates opportunities for our older students to lead and mentor others.
CHALKING UP 100 YEARS
In celebration of our school’s centennial year, Middle School Art Teacher Kati Towle guided her seventh-grade students in creating a vibrant sidewalk chalk “mural”! Each student designed a unique letter on paper and then brought it to life in chalk, adding their own creativity to the collaborative piece. The final message read:
Happy Centennial Birthday, SSSAS!
Celebrating 100 Years of Learning & Growing
St. Stephen’s and St. Agnes School
1924-2024
DEMOCRACY IN FOCUS
Prior to the November election, our Upper School students had the opportunity to dive into a fascinating election education discussion led by AP Government and Politics teacher Bud Garikes. Over lunch, Mr. Garikes shared his passion for all things electoral, political, and constitutional, guiding students through topics like the upcoming election, the Electoral College, and our complex election system. It was a great chance for students to engage in a non-partisan conversation and learn more about the systems that shape our democracy. The event took place in the beautiful new Chiaramonte Seminar Room, one of the many amazing spaces in our new building.
GIVING THANKS
Each year our community looks forward to the beloved annual Thanksgiving service, that includes cherished Saints traditions—the seniors escorting their kindergartners in and giving them their angel pins. As always, the service was filled with prayers of thanks and beautiful music performed by our student musicians, but this year was particularly special. Senior Tate Commission debuted the exquisite orchestral piece he wrote in commemoration of the Centennial. Before the service, new friendships were made as Lower School Saints teamed up with Upper School buddies for a service-learning activity in our beautiful new student commons and dining hall areas. For many Lower School students, it was their first time exploring these exciting new spaces!
SHAPES TELL STORIES
Our Early Saints (age 3) have been exploring what it means to be an illustrator. They have discovered how shapes and colors tell stories, learned about basic shapes like circles and squares, and even explored new ones like trapezoids and hexagons.
Inspired by book illustrations with cut-outs, they were especially excited to use a new classroom tool—shape-hole punchers—to bring their own creative ideas to life. Hole punchers support fine motor skills as the Early Saints worked to slide the paper (or leaf!) in. It also strengthens gross motor skills by pressing down with their hands and arms. What an amazing journey into the world of art and storytelling!
GEARING UP: LOWER SCHOOL ROBOTICS
Our fifth graders took a deep dive into the exciting world of robotics! Using LEGO Spike Prime kits, they’ve been learning how to build and program robots, while mastering key concepts like angles. Then they took it to the next level by incorporating sensors like force, distance, color, and gyro to make their robots even more interactive. Through hands-on challenges inspired by the FIRST LEGO League, our students are building robotic arm attachments, programming their creations to navigate obstacles, and tackling fun tasks that put their problem-solving skills to the test.
ON THE STAGE: “THE SERVANT OF TWO MASTERS”
In November, Stage One presented three performances of Carlo Goldoni’s comic masterpiece, “The Servant of Two Masters.” Set in 18th-century Venice, the play was filled with headstrong lovers, feuding fathers, sassy servants, and sitcom chaos.
