In a return to an on-campus, outdoor event, TMI Episcopal held its 123rd graduation ceremony Thursday, May 20, on the school's Howell Field — the first time it was held there since 2010. Under sunset skies, 81 seniors were welcomed as TMI’s newest alumni.
The student speaker, chosen by the faculty, was Dylan Pegg ‘21, shown below, who was editor-in-chief of The Muse literary magazine and will be attending Rochester Institute in the fall to study Game Design and Development.
“Even though we are, and always will be, bonded together as Panthers,” Dylan said, “we cannot forget that above all else, this school has prepared us to be servant-leaders. We can continue to see the light in everyone around us, whether it’s a new professor, a friend or a food-service worker. Likewise, we must continue loving our neighbors, regardless of if that love is reciprocated. The class of 2021 has had no trouble doing these things before, so I’m confident we’ll continue to bring love and continue to serve no matter where we are.”
Their diplomas were presented by the Rev. Scott Brown, head of school (and father of Parker ‘21), and senior awards were presented by Dean of Students Sherry Brown (wife of Ernest L. Brown IV ‘80 and mother of Tyler ‘10, Ernest V ‘12 and Conor ‘13).
Father Scott also presented awards. Yu "Nikki" Fang ‘21, below, was the recipient of the Bishop's Cup, presented to the student who has demonstrated the finest qualities of Christian citizenship and has shown due regard to the rights and needs of others. She was a company officer in the Texas Military Institute Corps of Cadets, communications officer in TMI's chapter of the National Honor Society and leader of the Spanish Club's fundraiser for the Border Ministry of the Episcopal Diocese of West Texas, who will be attending Carnegie Mellon University. The Bishop’s Cup is presented as a memorial to Charles F. Turbiville, given by his family, including Richard Turbiville ‘63 and Tom Turbiville ‘66.
Joshua Thayil ‘21, below, was the recipient of the Founder's Award, which honors the Rt. Rev. James S. Johnston, who founded the school in 1893, and is presented to the student who best embodies the mission of TMI -- a student who is dedicated to excellence, cares deeply for others and is motivated to be a servant leader. He was battalion commander of the Corps, a National Merit Commended Scholar, Honor Council member and an Academic All-State swimmer, who will be going to Baylor University.
Chloe Harthan ‘21 (sister of Chad ‘17 and Claire ‘24) was the recipient of the Burleson Award for the best senior chapel talk. She is the winner of multiple Scholastic Gold Key art awards and a member of the National Latin Honor Society, who will be attending the School of the Art Institute of Chicago.
Members of the TMI class of 2021 were offered a total of $10,120,235 in scholarship funds for all four years of their college education. In state, they will attend colleges and universities including Baylor, Southern Methodist University, Southwestern, Texas A&M University at College Station, Trinity and the University of Texas at Austin. Out of state, TMI graduates will matriculate at colleges and universities including Arizona State at Tempe, Boston University, Brandeis, California Institute of Technology (Cal Tech), Carnegie Mellon, Cornell, Harvard, Howard, Louisiana State University, Purdue University, the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, the U.S. Air Force Academy, the University of Colorado at Boulder, the University of Pennsylvania, the University of Southern California; and internationally at Tecnológico de Monterrey and the University of Chester (UK).
Of this year's graduates, 22 were designated Alpha Omegas (shown below) for having attended TMI from sixth through 12th grade. Another 32 qualified as members of the National Honor Society
Class of 2021 graduates Jonathan Adams, Rachel Davis, Anthony Fletcher, Charles “Teddy” Lopez, Erik Peterson and Josh Thayil also were represented as National Merit Commended Scholars, Advanced Placement Scholars and in the National African American and National Hispanic recognition programs (some of whom are shown here as they were honored during daily chapel).
Five TMI alumni have committed to play college sports as follows: Christian Cuellar plans to play tennis for the University of the Incarnate Word; Patricio Parra, soccer at Cornell; Sydney Serratos, soccer, Cal Tech; Tristan Smith, soccer, University of Chester (UK); and Pato Wray, baseball at Hardin-Simmons.
Congratulations to all our new alumni as they begin the next chapter of their lives!
Photo by Allan Rupe ‘80 (father of Simon Rupe ‘21)
