TMI Episcopal Panthercast

This week Dr. LePort sits down with Panther football offensive line's Heath Bryant, Jaylen Gardner, Armon Gardner, Warren Oliver, and Colin "Barrons" Behrens to discuss highlights from past games and what they're expecting for the rest of the season. This episode was recorded and edited by Panther Senior Aidyn Neiman. 

This week on the Panther Sportscast, Dr. LePort sits down with TMI football's defensive line! JC Arosemena, Bernie Elizando, Gunnar Goff, Connor Lafreeda, and Warren Oliver talk about what their expectations for the season are and how they view their positions as the "wall" of TMI football.

This week, Brian LePort sits down with the Panther offensive line! Join us as we talk to Patrick Miggins, Emilio Saucedo, Diego Saucedo, Hunter Cummings, JC Arosemena, and Alden Stratton as they discuss how the "big guys upfront" are planning to handle the season.

This week, Dr. LePort interviews Panther football's Alex Bellucci, Jaylen Gardner, Lance Kah, and Warren Oliver before they face off against Austin's Liberal Arts and Science Academy. Arly Tchou goes onto the sidelines to interview coaches, players, and staff before the big game!

Dr. Brian LePort talks with TMI Panthers coach Ray Purifoy on his hopes and expectations for the 2021-2022 Panther football season!

Part 3 of TMI's Parent Education Series, "Challenged. Cherished. Known.," featuring Lisa Condrey, School Counselor and Humanities Teacher; Stacy Smith, School Nurse and Healthcare Coordinator; Troy Griffith, Math Teacher; and Sarah Murphy, Director of College Counseling, hosted by TMI Dean of Community and Wellness Tracy Carter.   

Part 2 of TMI's 3-part Parent Education Series, "Challenged. Cherished. Known.," featuring Paul Kim, Equity Task Force Interim Chair and Humanities Teacher; Sherry Brown, Dean of Students and English Teacher; Troy Eason, Dean of Students and Math Teacher; and Fr. Nate Bostian, Head Chaplain, hosted by TMI Dean of Community and Wellness Tracy Carter. Parents, check your email for a link to RSVP for Part 3 coming up on December 2, 2020.

In today's Community Update, Head of School Fr. Scott Brown shares an update on COVID and quarantines by breaking down the numbers. He also outlines the plan for staying the course and keeping Wednesday Community days through the third quarter. At the end of this week's update, Fr. Scott shares some of the good news in the community including our athletic teams, the Corps of Cadets, academic successes, the opening of the Walker Innovation Center, and more. With just one more week of school before the Thanksgiving break, let’s continue to wear our masks and social distance so that we can stay safe and stay on campus.

Part 1 of TMI's 3-part Parent Education Series, "Challenged. Cherished. Known.," featuring Anne Schaefer-Salinas, Associate Head of School, and Justin Kutscherousky, Dean of Innovation, hosted by TMI Dean of Community and Wellness Tracy Carter. Parents, check your email for a link to RSVP for Part 2 coming up on November 18, 2020.

In today's Community Update, Head of School Fr. Scott Brown talks about the end of the semester, a change to semester exams, a reminder about selecting in-person or remote instruction for another three weeks (Nov. 2-20), and the importance of continuing to social distance and wear masks as we go into the holiday season.

In today's Community Update, TMI's School Nurse and Healthcare Coordinator, Stacy Smith, shares important reminders and information from the Health Center, including the importance of continuing what we're doing and what happens if someone on our campus tests positive. Following Nurse Stacy is TMI's Director of Safety & Security, Michael Call, who shares important changes to the drop-off and pick-up procedures that will begin on Monday. Our students' health and safety is a priority at TMI; we are grateful to have the students back on campus and are committed to doing everything we can to keep them on campus.

In today's Community Update video, Head of School Fr. Scott Brown talks in detail about what to expect next week when all students are back on campus together starting Monday, October 5. He also shares an update on our athletic programs and what our fall and winter teams can expect. As a reminder, it is time for our families that would like to continue with remote instruction to make another selection for the time period of Oct.9-30 using the Remote Instruction Request Form. 

In today's Community Update, Head of School Fr. Scott Brown takes a look back at the first full week of hybrid instruction and emphasizes the importance of every member in our community following the protocols and procedures we have for being on campus. Abiding by the rules and being disciplined while we are both on and off campus will allow us to stay on campus.   We also value your feedback during this transition to hybrid instruction. Please take a few minutes and complete the short, open-ended survey here to let us know how your (or your child's) first week of hybrid instruction went – all students, parents, faculty and staff members are invited to complete the survey (the deadline is 11:59 p.m. on Wednesday, September 30).

In today's Community Update, Head of School Fr. Scott Brown takes you on a tour of campus, highlighting the safety procedures and protocols for coming back to campus. He shares details for coming onto campus, drop-off and pick-up locations, how the classrooms will look (including for students in remote instruction), plans for lunch, and more. We look forward to seeing you all soon. Go Panthers! Pick-up & Drop-off Procedures 4-Week Calendar (9/14 - 10/9)

In today's Community Update, Head of School Fr. Scott Brown gives a detailed overview of the path leading up to September 21. He also answers some of the common questions around finances, expectations for coming back to campus, and reminds parents about making the decision for remote vs in-person instruction for the first quarter. We look forward to seeing everyone soon!

In today's Community Update, Head of School Fr. Scott Brown gives an overview of the plans for returning to campus on September 21. In addition, Athletic Director Brandon Palomo gives an update on fall athletics and outlines the plans and scenarios for football, cheerleading, cross country and volleyball. We look forward to the next few weeks as we prepare and count down to September 21. We will see you back on campus very soon. Go Panthers! Hybrid Instruction Schedules TMI Episcopal Return to Campus Document Remote Instruction Request Form

In today's Community Update, Head of School Fr. Scott Brown shares a few short reminders as we prepare to start off the 2020-2021 school year next week! Listen as he shares exciting news about the Community Engagement Council's new online TMI spirit store and mask store and reminders about our back-to-school boxes, New Family Orientation, and more.     We look forward to seeing you in the virtual events coming up in the next few weeks and then back on campus very, very soon. Go Panthers!

In this first community update of the summer, Fr. Scott talks about the behind-the-scenes planning that's continuing to happen to ensure a safe return to school. "We’re mapping the course. We’re preparing the way. And we’re expecting to be surprised. But no matter what comes our way, we’ll be ready," and we look forward to coming back on campus together!

Hear Science Department Chair Rob Friedrich and Dean of Innovation Justin Kutscherousky talk about design thinking and innovation at TMI...it's not just STEM! Head of School Fr. Scott will also be leading us on a tour of the Walker Innovation Center construction site.

Inspired by John Krasinski’s "Some Good News" (SGN), we’ve decided to shine a light on SGN...TMI style! Enjoy our second episode of Some Good News - TMI Edition here or watch the full video on our YouTube Channel at https://www.youtube.com/user/TMIEpiscopalSchool

Inspired by John Krasinski’s "Some Good News" (SGN), we’ve decided to shine a light on SGN...TMI style! Enjoy our first episode of Some Good News - TMI Edition here or watch the full video on our YouTube Channel at https://www.youtube.com/user/TMIEpiscopalSchool

In today’s episode, TMI Head Chaplain Fr. Nate Bostian reflects on what it’s been like to take Daily Chapel online, shares a recommendation for dividing the day into five segments (work, play, reflection, connection, and sleep), and offers advice for getting through challenging times during social distancing. Fr. Nate encourages the community to remember that we were made by an infinite love and although we are separated right now, we are all connected. References for Easter Sunday services in the episode and how to reach Fr. Nate:http://gracechurchsa.org/http://saintgeorgechurch.org/ Fr. Nate Bostian, TMI Head Chaplain, n.bostian@tmi-sa.orgTMI Live Daily Chapel: www.tmi-sa.org/live Past Daily Chapel recordings and Senior Chapel Talks: https://www.youtube.com/user/TMIEpiscopalSchool/

In today’s episode, TMI’s Personal and College Counselor, Lisa Condrey, shares her knowledge and expertise in reducing stress and anxiety during social distancing and remote instruction. Below are some recommended tools and resources that she shares during the interview: Tips for managing stress and feeling overwhelmed: Remind ourselves of what is truly important:  Big Rocks Covey PDF Be as compassionate to ourselves as we are to others, recognizing that our uncertainty & anxiety affects our usual ability to accomplish things & cut ourselves some slack Take a breath to recenter & get going again:  what's ONE thing you can do right now? Remember what you love about each family member & show that love: a hug, a comment, a smile  Tips and ideas to separate work life and home life: Establish a schedule, especially if you have to share resources & spaces. Have work apart & work together times, especially with younger children Reduce/eliminate disruptions to your work apart time by establishing how kids can get in touch with you if they really need to instead of coming in & yelling your name:  text you their request/question & you answer it on the same time scale as you would if you were at work. Ways to help younger children understand what's happening: Older students can talk to parents to agree on how much & what to tell younger siblings  Emphasize that "stay at home" is temporary, but we need to be patient in the meantime How can our families bring Tranquil Tuesdays into their homes during social distancing: Practice the 5-4-3-2-1 Grounding Technique together: COPING SKILL SPOTLIGHT: 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 GROUNDING TECHNIQUE Do a guided meditation together.  There are tons on YouTube. Here are a couple that are kid-focused:Guided Mindfulness for Beginners, Kids and Families: Love & Happiness Wishes 3 Minutes Body Scan Meditation - Mindfulness For Kids And Adults For older kids & adults: Mindful Meditation (Body Scan) - Integrative Health and Wellbeing    

Science Teacher Mark Philippi and English Teacher Courtney Duke share their insights and perspectives about remote instruction this past week. They give tips for both students and parents in navigating this new environment and share their love and how much they miss our students and community.

In today's Panthercast Community Update, we take a look at some of the classroom projects happening in art, geography, and history as well as some of our student and team accomplishments.  A few key dates coming up: March 3, 2020 – Latin students to arrive at school at 8am March 3-5, 2020 – Earth Science Coast Trip March 6, 2020 – No school for students March 9-13, 2020 – Spring Break March 18, 2020 – Medical School Forum March 20, 2020 – $5 Intercultural Dress Down Day March 21, 2020 – Intercultural Festival Sneak Peek: On March 4, Fr. Scott and Tracy Carter will be shadowing students to get a first-hand look at what it's like to be a TMI student. They'll be joining me on the podcast after their experiences to share some insights and what they'll do with the information next!

In today's episode, we invite you into Daily Chapel with us as an opportunity to experience this part our community first-hand. You'll be hearing Father Nate's sermon from last Monday on love. What is love? How do we live into love? Fr. Nate asks these questions and shares the importance of love in our lives. Featured clips in this podcast: 10 Signs You Have a Toxic Friendhttps://youtu.be/XET6Kdn7qS0 Love Takes Action | :60 Commercial | New York Life Insurancehttps://youtu.be/-3LTR32dMgI Don't forget to share your feedback with us; email us at: panthercast@tmi-sa.org

In today's episode, we're launching a new format for the Panthercast episodes. This bi-weekly community update will bring you into our classrooms by highlighting individual projects and updating you on achievements, upcoming events, and campus updates.  Today, we take a look at Mrs. Claudia Clark's 6th grade culture projects and Mrs. Kate Faulk's CPR, AED, and First Aid Training as part of her Anatomy and Physiology class. Upcoming reminders are included for course registration, team spirit orders (baseball and golf), new Summer At TMI camps, and Upper School student government changes for 2020-2021.  Finally, we give you a an update on the Walker Innovation Center; the foundation is scheduled to be completed in mid- to late-March and the steel beams will begin to go up immediately after. We ask for your continued cooperation and understanding during and around the construction site to prevent delays and keep everybody safe.

Today's episode features the audio from the Annual Holiday Concert of the TMI Bands and Choir on December 12, 2019. Have a Merry Christmas and a joyous holiday season!

In today's episode, TMI parents Alissa Moya and Roxanne Bond share the parent perspective on the TMI Fund. The talk about the importance of the fund, what it means to them, and why they chose to serve as this year's co-chairs.

In today's episode, Dean of Community and Wellness Tracy Carter talks in depth about some of the new initiatives this year designed to care for the heart of our school. She shares what's in store for the Parent Education Labs, the new iCare form for students, and Social Emotional Learning at TMI.

In today’s episode, Associate Head of School Anne Shaefer-Salinas talks about academics here at TMI. She shares her love of education, why she became a passionate advocate for students with different learning styles, and why it’s so important for our teachers to continually evolve and collaborate as they prepare our students for a constantly-changing world.

In today’s episode, Justin Kutscherousky talks in depth about innovation and design here at TMI. He shares some of the student projects that are happening in the classroom and how the design thinking mindset guides them throughout the process. We also touch on the new Walker Innovation Center coming to TMI and how it will serve as a hub for the community from science to the arts. Justin also shares what ideas he hopes his students will carry with them for life and what inspires him to teach.

Today's episode features the audio from our fall Head of School Social on Wednesday, October 2, 2019. TMI Head of School, The Rev. Scott J. Brown, dives deep into budgets, planning, and what lies ahead for our community.  Fr. Scott talks in depth about many of the campus updates taking place, from capital improvements and new vehicles to the groundbreaking of the Walker Innovation Center. He introduces some of the new positions of our faculty and staff this year and highlights how the focus on our students' wellness is supportive of the excellent educational program that TMI offers. In addition to academics and wellness, Fr. Scott covers some new student-focused policies for the Corps of Cadets and athletics and also introduces the new German American Partnership Program that TMI is participating in this year.  For questions or suggestions, email us at panthercast@tmi-sa.org  

The first Panthercast episode of the 2019-2020 school year is out today! We kick off with a Padrecast episode with Fr. Scott Brown, Head of School, who shares his theme and goals for the year ahead. Opening with 484 students, TMI is celebrating its highest enrollment in history. We invite our TMI parents to come learn more about what lies ahead for TMI by attending the upcoming Head of School Social on September 11.  2019-2020 Theme: See the Light in Each Other Head of School Social: Wednesday, September 11, 20196:00 pmTMI Campus, Alkek RefectoryRSVP To Attend

In his #SeniorChapelTalk, Kyle Nevitt reflected on the many accomplishments of his grandfather–his hero–ranging from pole vaulting to becoming a Navy Seal, and shared the wisdom he passed down. “The real heroes,” his grandfather told him, “are those who spend time getting an education and use that education to make the world a better place.” Education is a platform for making a long and lasting impact. Help one or help many, but leave the world better than you found it. “Use your education,” Kyle encouraged his peers, “and be a hero.” In her #SeniorChapelTalk, Annie Notzon spoke about how iron sharpens iron…how members of a community–family–can strengthen one another. Through childhood memories, she painted the picture of her own family and how they work together as a team. But, outside of that, she was afraid to open up and be vulnerable. It wasn’t until a close friend needed her that she realized friends always see the best in you. Letting people help you is what makes you strong, she said. “Our community, constantly sharpening each other, is our strength…open up when you are hurting and be there for someone that is.” In the final #SeniorChapelTalk of the year, Manaal Salman spoke about the power of the brain and the importance of learning–how we are constantly learning, everywhere and every day. She shared why we must never take an opportunity to learn for granted and why we need to share the knowledge we have; teaching others and leading by example. “The great power that you possess is the ability to learn,” she said. “Use it to it’s full potential…Live as if you were to die tomorrow, but learn as if you were to live forever.”

Listen to last week’s Head of School Spring Social on today’s podcast episode. Head of School, Fr. Scott Brown, talks about everything from Annual Giving to Innovation and Design. Fr. Scott updates the community on the TMI Fund goal, Stars Over TMI, the pillars of our school (Academics, Athletics, Military, Spirituality), personnel, and capital improvements that will happen this summer. He also introduces both the Corps of Cadets and our TMI school video that were just created by The Film Guys. As we work to incorporate innovation and design thinking into our entire curriculum, starting in the 6th grade, the faculty and staff will be reading LAUNCH: Using Design Thinking to Boost Creativity and Bring Out the Maker in Every Student this summer. If you want to read it with us, grab a copy of the book by John Spencer and A.J. Juliani and give it a read this summer!

In her #SeniorChapelTalk, Jia “Jenny” Qi spoke about her experience as an international boarding student, thrust into a new culture and feeling lonely, missing her family back home. Misunderstanding the lack of communication from her parents, she began to feel isolated. But when she returned home the next summer, she realized just how much her family missed her and loved her in return. “Now I realize no matter who you are and where you are, your family is your biggest support.” I am thankful for my family, she said, “because without their teachings, I would not have become the person who I am now.” In his #SeniorChapelTalk, Ben Hirsch shared a story about kayaking down the Guadalupe River with his friend, when they spotted a calf stuck on a ledge. Buzzards were already circling, waiting. Not able to ignore it, they set out to save the calf. In order to help it, they had to push it into the water and then hold up its head as it swam to shore. Much like the calf, sometimes in life, we don’t realize when we need help. Let others help you in times of trouble and always keep fighting.

In this episode, TMI’s Head Lacrosse Coach and Summer Programs Coordinator, Blake Skinner, is back to talk about the Summer At TMI activities. Blake introduces a few of our new academic offerings for Upper School students that will give them a chance to get ahead and free up their schedules during the year for more electives and flexibility in their schedules. He also talks about the courses for incoming Middle School students that are available to help them transition and prepare for their first year at TMI. In addition to the academic camps, Summer At TMI has a variety of athletic, activity, and adventure camps. There are a couple of new overnight robotics camps that we’ll be offering this summer, as well as a wide variety of STEM and robotics day camps. Athletic camps for soccer, basketball, and football are available along with a new sports performance camp. Many of the activity, athletic, adventure, and marksmanship camps fill up quickly, so be sure to register early. There is also a discount available (use FAMILY4) for families that sign up for four or more camps this summer. Complete details and course descriptions are available on the website at www.SummerAtTMI.com. Summer At TMI www.SummerAtTMI.com Registration open nowCamps run June-JulyAges 5-18 Open to the public

In her #SeniorChapelTalk, Kristina Samuel described a typical day as her 7-year-old self and her ability to see the beauty in everything. During adolescence, however, her competitive drive led to anxiety and doubt. But, a summer experience as a volunteer at Camp CAMP reshaped her view. It’s a place where anything is doable and dreamable. “I now find myself more often being inspired, not threatened, by others’ intelligence and passions…Success is having enough confidence, courage, and willpower to go after your passions without being tempted to measure yourself with things that don’t align with this.” Sometimes, life is about realizing who you were from the very beginning. In her #SeniorChapelTalk, August Schmidt shared the recipe for Pad Thai–explaining how the ingredients, which seem so different, create something amazing when combined. It’s also how she views her life; appreciating the fact that every moment, good or bad, is part of what makes her who she is. There will always be ups and downs in life, she said, but it’s the balance between the good, bad, and mundane that keeps life interesting. Live your life to the fullest, “there is so much joy and light in the world to be found.” In his #SeniorChapelTalk, Andres Thrailkill told the story of how a close friend encouraged him to join the cross country team and gave him both support and motivation when he was struggling early on. He grew to love the cross country team; it strengthened his leadership skills, gave him a chance to disconnect and de-stress, and was a community that supported one another. My friend didn’t know that he would show me something I loved, but spent the time and effort anyway,” he said. “I challenge everyone to try and be the friend who cares deeply enough that you push someone to strive for greatness.” In her #SeniorChapelTalk, Mia Jamison spoke about her future self–that she is terrified of her. She shared her struggles in making decisions, always worried that the wrong one will veer her off course. “We all have self doubt,” she said, but the truth is, most of our daily choices don’t affect us in the long run. Have faith in yourself, she told the community, and trust that your future self can handle the situation when it is time. For now, “trust yourself to perform well…trust yourself to make it through the next day, week, and month. Give yourself some credit, it might all work out in the end.”

Today’s guest is TMI’s Personal & College Counselor and Psychology Teacher, Lisa Condrey. Lisa earned her Bachelor’s of Art in Psychology & Social Work from the University of Texas at Austin and her Master of Social Work from Florida State University. Before coming to TMI in 2005, she was a counselor at St. Thomas' Episcopal School in Houston and, prior to that, she worked at the International School of Aberdeen in Scotland and the International School of Duesseldorf in Germany. In this episode, Lisa talks about her role as TMI’s Personal & College counselor and the support she is available to offer to both students and parents. She talks about how she began teaching, her teaching philosophy, and the key lessons she hopes her students will carry with them for life. As we approach the end of the school year, she encourages students to look ahead and schedule small chunks of time to review for finals and finish assignments, planning out a few weeks at a time. In addition to that, she encourages scheduling in things that are enjoyable! Parents can help their students in this process, by helping them to find the right cycle for them to do their work well and also play and have fun. You’ll also learn a few new things about Lisa, like how she starts her day and why she includes humor in her morning. www.gocomics.comwww.wumo.com  

In her #SeniorChapelTalk, Annie Masterson shared her competitive drive with the TMI community. But, unlike others who could simply shake off not winning, she would spiral downward–viewing defeat as complete failure. Over time, she began to view this combination differently; her competitiveness was really a passion without fear. Though she still struggles to reign in her emotions at times, she’s learned that failures do not define her. “I will always have my friends, my family, and God to embrace me and my imperfections.” In his #SeniorChapelTalk, Will Oliver spoke about the love he has for his family–not just blood relatives, but the friends and communities who have come into his life and become his extended family. From his coaches here at TMI and his teammates to his teachers and classmates (old and new), family is made up of the people who are always there; through good times and bad, play after play. “I’ve been able to find my family, make sure you find yours.” During his #SeniorChapelTalk, Colby Guillory spoke about his guiding forces from deep within. He shared a few humorous stories of what was clearly destined to be–from winning a bet playing rock, paper, scissors to being chosen for the Punt, Pass, and Kick contest at a football game…and losing. In a moment of clarity, he realized that everything up to this point had happened for a reason…even if the purpose was still yet unknown, “and I can only pray that for whatever moment I was put on this earth to participate in, I have the eyes to recognize it.” Viewing his entire life as a competition, Eric Lull shared in his #SeniorChapelTalk how this mindset, paired with a crippling fear of failure, created a war-like environment in his head. He tried to achieve balance by setting attainable goals, but still found he felt like a failure. But the summer before his junior year at Camp Capers, one message resonated with him–when we do things out of love, we find happiness, meaning, and success. He realized his previous struggles were because he had fallen out of love with the process of perfection. Discovering this, he created three rules to live his life by: love yourself, love others and the world around you, and live for love. In his #SeniorChapelTalk, Sucheng "Sam" Shi spoke about option bias. From choosing to accept a ride from an unsafe driver because it is the only transportation available to telling ourselves we can get by with less work when we succeed on a test we didn’t prepare for, our subconscious uses overly-optimistic thoughts to guide many of our decisions. But, no matter what actions we take, we are responsible for the consequences and “by being responsible for our own actions, we’re also keeping possible dangers and unforeseen accidents from people around us–especially for those who we love and care.”

Back for our 10th Padrecast episode is TMI Head of School, Fr. Scott Brown! In today’s show, Fr. Scott recaps our “Walk & Talk” events we introduced last month in February to give parents a chance to walk around campus and visit with Fr. Scott, bringing any question or conversation topic they wanted to hear about directly from him. We are excited to be offering two more opportunities for parents to participate in the “Walk & Talk” events in April on: Wednesday, April 17, at 5:30 pmThursday, April 18, at 8:00 am Parents can visit the school’s website calendar to view the events and RSVP. We also talk about a few upcoming events that will be happening in the next couple of weeks, starting tonight: Wednesday, March 20, at 6:00 pmRansomed Life Parent PresentationSusan Burkholder will be on campus to talk with parents (students will hear the same presentation/program on Monday, March 25) and share a youth program designed to equip students and parents to avoid the tricks, traps, and lures of trafficking. Friday, March 22, at 3:30 pmNHS Huntington’s Disease Awareness WalkStudents are invited to participate in a $5 dress-down day to wear blue on Friday in support of Huntington’s Disease awareness. Their dress-down donation also serves as their entry fee to the walk on Stars Lawn immediately after school. Parents, siblings, and grandparents are all invited to join the walk and participate as well for $5. Saturday, March 30, at 6:00 pmAnnual Intercultural Dinner The Annual Intercultural Dinner will be held in the Alkek Refectory. The event is free, thanks to the proceeds raised during the $5 Intercultural Dress-Down Day that will be held the day before on Friday, March 29! There will be food and entertainment from all around the globe; families are also invited to bring a dish to share and represent their country or culture. Please RSVP to c.hamilton@tmi-sa.org to help us get a head count. Saturday, April 6, at 5:30 pmStars Over TMICelebrating the school’s 125th anniversary!Invitations have been mailed and the entire TMI community is invited to join us for an evening of dancing, live auction, entertainment, and celebrating our school. The Spazmatics will provide after-party entertainment. To purchase tickets or table sponsorships, visit www.tmi-sa.org/stars Want to send us feedback or ask Fr. Scott a fun question for the next Padrecast episode, email us at padrecast@tmi-sa.org  

In her #SeniorChapelTalk, Trinity Walker shared her struggles during her six years here at TMI and how they shaped her view of failure and the value of people around her. She recalled one experience of running hill repeats with the cross country team. Realizing she was far behind her team members, the pride and accomplishment she’d felt moments ago, vanished…until her team captain congratulated her and gave her a few encouraging words. “Failure is an inevitable part of life,” she said. But, we have to learn how to deal with failure in a way that doesn’t make us give up and instead gives us a new level of energy to push us to our goals. Everyone is struggling and it’s the responsibility of each of us to be an encouragement and remind each other that, “you’ve got this.”  In her #SeniorChapelTalk, Eun Bi “Kelly” Jung spoke about love–it’s complexity and what it is to live a life of love. From simple gestures of showing someone you care to loving yourself and being vulnerable, love spurs growth, hope, happiness, passion, and beauty. As she described love through her experiences here at school, she said simply, “love is TMI,” and reminded the community that it surrounds us here. In his #SeniorChapelTalk, Alec Neiman shared his grandmother’s struggles with bipolar disorder. He described in detail her breaking point, the moment that she fired shots at her husband then fled to their home. His grandmother, like many others who suffer with mental illness, felt embarrassed and tried to hide her illness from the world. But, mental illness needs to be addressed. “I want people to hear my pain and feel the suffering my family has gone through and know that mental illness is nothing to be ashamed of,” he said. “Never hesitate to ask for help…treasure your loved ones…be the support that others seek; you may just save a life.”

In this episode, Bridget Lynch '19 and Sebastian Martinez-Sotomayor '20 talk all about the TMI chapter of the National Honor Society and share their experiences as members of the organization.  Bridget and Sebastian talk about membership, what NHS has taught them, community service, and the various projects the chapter has led this year. They also announce their upcoming Huntington's Disease Awareness Walk scheduled for later this month on March 22. TMI NHS Huntington's Disease Awareness WalkMarch 22, 2019$5 dress down day (wear blue) for students (includes entry to the walk)9:40 Guest Speaker from Huntington's Disease Society of America during Daily Chapel3:30 Awareness Walk on Stars Lawn (in front of Frost Athletic Center)Food trucks will be on site More about NHS:The National Honor Society is the nation’s premier organization established to recognize outstanding high school students. More than just an honor roll, NHS serves to recognize those students who have demonstrated excellence in the areas of scholarship, service, leadership, and character. These characteristics have been associated with membership in the organization since its beginning in 1921. Four main purposes have guided chapters of NHS from the beginning: to create enthusiasm for scholarship; to stimulate a desire to render service; to promote leadership; and to develop character in the students of secondary schools. These purposes also translate into the criteria used for membership selection in each local chapter.   Huntington's Disease Society of Americahttps://hdsa.org/ National Honor Societyhttps://www.nhs.us/about/ 

In his #SeniorChapelTalk, Jake Flinn shared the story of his younger brother being born with a rare, life-threatening condition. After many months, surgeries, and medications, Jake's little brother Matt was able to come home from the hospital. There were many challenges and Matt's medical journey wasn't finished, but every time Jake looked at his little brother, he was smiling and happy. Fast forward 16 years later and Matt is 6' tall and in perfect health. "There is no one else in this world I'd rather call my brother," Jake said. "I hope all of you value and are thankful for your siblings and relatives...Matt, you're an amazing friend and brother...you were, and are, a huge blessing to the Flinn family." In her #SeniorChapelTalk, Shufan "Victoria" Yin shared the struggles of her grandfather who, at the age of 16 and the oldest child, took on the responsibility of supporting his family. He lived the history that she only read about in textbooks, Victoria said. In learning to understand his perspective and experiences in life, she began to also understand the differences in opinions between them. "Don't rush to a conclusion and confine others to a category," she told the community, "there are always stories behind their actions." In his #SeniorChapelTalk, Zi Wen "Owen" Guo shared how his pursuit of perfection over the years often prevented him from starting or finishing a project. It was only when he joined the robotics team, that he learned the importance of sometimes implementing an imperfect solution in order to reach the goal. Duck tape and zip ties may not make for a perfect and elegant robot, but they are suitable tools that can serve a purpose to keep a robot functioning during competition or meet a deadline. "Whenever your hard work doesn't translate into your dreamed results," Owen said, "take a step backward, let go of what you have imagined and adapt. That way, you might actually get closer to your goal."  In his #SeniorChapelTalk, Jiyang "John" Chen introduced systems thinking to the community to guide us in looking at the entire world through this lens. From small actions to major events, all things are part of the system. He spoke of the human nature to search for meaning, explaining that meaning itself relies on information. So when you have inefficient systems, they lose information–lose meaning. Circling back to the community, he encouraged everyone to keep an open mind, be courageous in expressing oneself, and be open to information.

Today’s guest is Sergio Martinez, TMI Class of 2000 and owner of Freight Gallery & Studios. If you’ve been to Southtown for a Second Saturday Artwalk or enjoyed a meal at Kimura @ Freight, then you’ve noticed what an impact Freight Gallery & Studios is making in the local community. Sergio’s love for art grew after college when moved to Prague to teach English. After coming back to San Antonio in 2012, he found himself wanting to get involved in the local art scene. Shortly after, he found the property that met his vision for a hub of art and community in Southtown and started creating Freight Gallery & Studios. Sergio talks about his time at TMI; involvement with the Corps, athletics, and the arts; and shares some of his best memories. He also gives a sneak peek at a new young alumni initiative the Advancement Office is starting to help our alumni mentor students. Freight Gallery & Studios1913 S. Flores St.Art gallery and home to 8 artist-run studios, Kimura @ Freight, and Gold Coffee in the Southtown area.The latest exhibit opens on the second Saturday in March.https://freightsatx.com/ https://www.facebook.com/FreightSATX/https://www.instagram.com/freightsatx/  Southtown The Arts Districthttps://southtownsatx.com/  

In her #SeniorChapelTalk, Yiling "Elaine" Qiu spoke about her experience volunteering to teach English in a remote village to students who only spoke Tibetan and couldn't understand her Mandarin. She quickly had to adjust her well-prepared plans and began teaching by cultivating their interest in the language. What she learned in the end, is that it's important to understand where other people are coming from–their situations and experiences in life–and to put yourself in their shoes. Having this understanding gives us empathy; and though it may be hard, it matters. In his #SeniorChapelTalk, Ruiming "Clinton" Ma showed his mind palace to the TMI community–a star-filled night sky. In it, every person and memory in his life is represented by a shining star. These stars remind him that he is loved, that he should give love, and that everyone of us should look upon our own stars and recall the lucky, joyful, and precious moments of our lives.

In Padrecast #9, Head of School Fr. Scott talks about the Forum Friday in chapel with students, updates in the strategic planning process, and introduces the new "Walk & Talk with Fr. Scott" events.   Find out more about the wide variety of questions that students submitted for the Forum Friday chapel on Feb. 1–from deep and thoughtful questions to lighthearted and fun ones. At the end of Forum Friday, Fr. Scott extended the invitation to students to continue the conversation and visit with him every Wednesday at noon in the amphitheater to just talk or ask questions about what's happening on campus. Watch the Forum Friday on TMI's YouTube channel at:https://youtu.be/kBC5PcEeDZU Bonus: watch Fr. Nate's follow up on Monday to some spiritual and ethical questions we ran out of time for:https://youtu.be/LvyyQ2lQaKs  In this episode, Fr. Scott also highlights and talks about the new "Walk & Talk" events for parents that were inspired by the Forum Friday with students. Parents are invited to join Fr. Scott and walk and talk with him around campus. Evening Walk & TalkTuesday, Feb. 19, 5:30pm-6:30pmRSVP Online Morning Walk & TalkWednesday, Feb. 20, 8:00am-9:00amRSVP Online Finally, Fr. Scott wraps up this podcast episode with a preview of the Head of School Spring Social, updates on the strategic planning, and some fun thoughts on Valentine's.  

In her #SeniorChapelTalk, Inaara Bhayani shared the ups and downs of living with someone who has bipolar disorder. She spoke about how it affected her own confidence and self-worth, sharing how hard it was to both admit and accept that she needed the help of others to overcome the emotional toll it took. “We all have something we’re struggling with,” she said. Remember that “no problem is too small to talk about.” In her #SeniorChapelTalk, Isabella Castano spoke about how she has grown up to depend upon her friends and family and the critical role they play in her life. While she is grateful that TMI has helped build her independence, she has learned to accept and appreciate the fact that she depends upon the people who are closest to her to be a part of what makes life fulfilling. In her #SeniorChapelTalk, Madeline Miller shared her great grandfather’s journey and the story of how he started Bill Miller Bar-B-Q restaurant. But the road to success wasn’t easy, she said, and told of the struggles the restaurant faced in it’s early days. To keep the restaurant in business, her family began “working together to support one another” and over the years it grew to become the famous chain we know today. Last summer she joined in the tradition and chose to make her first job at the restaurant. Its “success and growth is due to family,” she said, and no matter what the question is, “family is the answer.” During the summer of his junior year, John “Jack” Torpey tore his ACL and was devastated to learn it meant no sports for at least six months. The course of his senior year was radically changed. His recovery was painful, difficult, and frustrating, but the injury taught him that we are not invincible, we are human. This new perspective gave him the mindset to push forward. He reminded the community that the people who support you the most are all around you, and they want you to succeed. We all face challenges, he said, “pain is inevitable, but suffering, that's a choice.”

In this episode, we feature TMI Fine Arts Instructor Hannah Cooper McCauley, who joined the TMI community 2016 and brings her talents of narrative photography to our school. Her own photography has been exhibited in group and solo shows at various venues internationally, including the Ogden Museum of Southern Art, the Vermont Center for Photography, Photo Beijing 2014, the 2014 Pingyao, China International Photography Festival, and has been published in Photo District News as well as Aint-Bad Magazine. She earned her Bachelors of Fine Arts degree at Jacksonville State University and her Masters of Fine Arts degree from Louisiana Tech University. Hannah shares her diagnosis of a degenerative eye condition called Optic Nerve Head Drusen and how it has influenced and shaped much of her art. We also talk about her teaching philosophy, some of her students' favorite projects, and why analog photography continues to be important for students even as technology evolves. Learn more about Hannah and view her art: http://www.hannahcoopermccauley.com/    View Hannah's chapel talk at TMI, "An Artist's Story" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_3vpWq_wOcw 

During his #SeniorChapelTalk, Shangzhi "David" Jiang described a chance meeting of a younger boy while he was home one summer and lifting weights at the gym. Curious at the boy’s excitement in learning that he attended school in the United States, David soon realized this boy didn’t have the opportunity to attend any high school because he had to work full time to help support his family; his dream of becoming a professional soccer player, long forgotten. The stark contrast to his own situation taught David the importance of holding onto his dreams and not letting life strip them away, “protect and cherish your dream…and hold it tight without losing it like the boy.” Silence is awkward, but it can also be stronger than you think, said Wyatt Seal during his #SeniorChapelTalk. He shared how his bond with his mom was strengthened as a young child from all the time she helped him with his homework; while the bond with his dad was strengthened from hours of silence, sitting in a deer blind. “It’s really quite funny how well you get to know someone even when no words are spoken,” he said. He explained how the enjoyment of hunting for him, is not in killing a deer, but rather, “I hunt because I like to sit in a 4x4 box for hours of silence with my dad.” “You have the ability to create and decide your own path,” said Briana Quintanilla in her #SeniorChapelTalk. She talked about the pressure to follow her peers on their paths; realizing the hard way that her path to success was in a different direction. When she learned to embrace her own passions and identify her strengths, she experienced a new kind of stress that motivated her to push through knowing the final result would be rewarding. “You are your own person…have your own judgement and follow it.”