StM News

Several members of St. Martin’s faculty and staff received awards and recognition during the end-of-the-year chapel for personnel on May 31. During a worship service led by Fr. Jeff Millican in the Dan and Frances White Chapel, Acting Head of School Michael Kuhn acknowledged and thanked faculty and staff for their service and talents. 

Service Awards

Robby Stanley, Marcella Fink, Betsy Gayle Fox ’82, Esther Frempong, Frank Gendusa, Gene Hernandez, Jordan Hill, Melissa Howell, Megan Laird, Stephanie Ohlmeyer, Doris Ramirez-Gomez, and Adrian Van Young were recognized for five years of service to the school. For ten years of service, Tiffany DuSaules, Laurie Stewart, Jenny Velasquez, and Heather Wiltshire were presented with a pin. Mary Brown, Jenny Collins, Stephanie Gaspard, and Wally Porter ’76 were recognized for their 15 years of service to St. Martin’s. Pam Brierre, Leslie Gamble, Stephen Martinez, Natalie Ott, and Phillip Warren were honored for 20 years of service to the school. Ashley Bozeman ’85 and Denise Callahan were recognized for 25 years at StM. Tootie Conway was applauded for an amazing 40 years working at St. Martin’s. 

Long-time employee Danielle Calamia is retiring after 28 years of service to the school and was recognized during the service. She started in 2005 as the Upper School Administrative Assistant before moving to the Admissions Department. For the last several years she has worked with the infants in the George Cottage.  Danielle has been a part of multiple performing arts productions and volunteered at community events such as the Alumni Easter Egg Hunt. She is a valued member of the StM family. 

Two volunteers were acknowledged during the service. During this school year, Christina Comer ’91 has served as the Director of Choral Music. Among other contributions, she has directed several beautiful concerts, taught students, and participated in the Alumni Chapel. During the months of April and May Aimee Hyatt ’02 returned to serve as an Advancement Associate, working extensively with social media and other communications. Fr. Kuhn noted that their volunteerism was much appreciated. 

Barbara Ryan Leadership Award

The Barbara Ryan Leadership Award was presented. Named for long-time StM administrator and former interim Head of School Barbara Ryan, this award is presented to a staff member who displays devotion to the school and leadership qualities. The 2023 recipient was Cynthia Hill.

Cynthia is described by her peers as “an essential part of the Lower School family” who is “always willing to give a helping hand,” even with “last-minute requests.”  She is “as organized and efficient as she is cheerful” and “lets nothing fall through the cracks.” She has consistently remained a source of positivity and support in our community, especially in the Lower School.

The J. Gordon and Lou Ann Reische Outstanding Teacher Award

Finally, the 2023 award was presented to Ashley Bozeman ’85.  In their letter of nomination, her colleagues said, “She has extensive knowledge of the most effective teaching methods and first grade curriculum. Ashley finds individual strengths and gifts in each of her students. Ashley is patient and understanding of the various academic and ability levels of her students. She provides opportunities for her students to learn from each other, develop their leadership skills, and improve their self-esteem. She has a way of making every student feel cared about and special.”

In addition to many other positive qualities, it was noted that “Ashley is not only an example for her students, but her coworkers, as well. She is always upbeat and positive and she is a role model for how to treat others with kindness and respect. She is always willing to share ideas, provide support, and spend time helping other faculty members. She sees the good in others and regularly tells those around her how much she appreciates them.” 

In 1988, the Reische Award was conceived and endowed by Mr. and Mrs. J. Gordon Reische in honor of their daughters Julie Reische Gray ’74, Susan Reische ’76, and Kathy Reische Habluetzel ’80, with the express purpose of recognizing and rewarding outstanding teaching at St. Martin’s Episcopal School. It is hoped that this award will serve both as a reminder of those faculty members whose considerable enthusiasm, empathy, expertise, and dedication made St. Martin's the revered institution it has become, and as an incentive to current faculty to strive, to excel, and to constantly grow as teachers.

The Fr. Michael Kuhn Award for Faith and Service

At the baccalaureate service last week Bishop Shannon Duckworth announced the creation of a new award, The Reverend Dr. Michael Kuhn Award for Faith and Service. Fr. Kuhn has been a part of the St. Martin’s community for many years. He began as a parent nearly twenty years ago when his first child entered Upper School. Both his daughters graduated from St. Martin’s, Hallie in 2008, and Sophie in 2011. He returned in 2013 to serve as a school chaplain and then as Assistant Head of School. He has twice served as acting Head of School for St. Martin’s. Additionally, he has shown his commitment to Episcopal education by serving as Head of School at St. James Episcopal School in Baton Rouge. Before coming to StM, Kuhn spent more than two decades at Trinity Episcopal School in New Orleans, where he served for seven years as chaplain and 13 years as headmaster.

The Reverend Dr. Michael Kuhn Faith and Service Award recognizes the profound impact that Fr. Kuhn, a revered professional and pastoral leader, has made on the lives of countless faculty, staff, students, and parents at St. Martin’s through his unwavering commitment to fostering a sense of community, his calm and selfless leadership, his unwavering integrity, his spiritual grounding, and his boundless compassion. As a symbol of his enduring legacy, the award will be bestowed annually, beginning in May 2024, on a rising senior who embodies these same attributes. 

All personnel enjoyed a catered reception in Saints Hall after the recognition ceremony.