Saint Stephen's Episcopal School Alumni Association

The Alumni Office at SSES continues to pray for all in our extended community impacted by Hurricanes Milton and Helene. If you are able, please join us for our Homecoming festivities on Friday evening, October 25. There is nothing like the smiles of students, some exciting football and half-time traditions to soothe the soul, if only for a few hours. Please register today at www.saintstephens.org/homecoming24 with the # in your party, to aid in our tent picnic planning. Go Falcons!

“The passion of my AP chemistry teacher inspired my love of the subject and led me down the path of pursuing it as a career. Without the dedication Saint Stephen's puts into choosing staff that have a love for teaching and passion to develop students, I don’t think I would have ended up where I am now.” - Dr. Janelle Coutts, NASA Analytical Lab Branch Technical Lead

“The years I spent at Saint Stephen’s were the most formative of my life. The impact the teachers had on me is incalculable and the friendships I made still endure as the greatest I have ever had.”
- Jason Kaplan, FBI Deputy Assistant Director

He sure is fierce! Yesterday, we unveiled our brand new SSES athletics logo! The new falcon is one tough bird and he's now the face of all of our Saint Stephen's athletic teams!

We enjoyed hosting 3 talented alumni yesterday who came and spoke at our Upper School Mini-Career Day. Dr. Whitney VanWinkle '01, owner of Gulf Coast Equine Veterinary Services in SRQ, discussed her path to becoming a V.M.D. at the University of Pennsylvania and her biology undergrad experience at Perdue. Dr. Joseph Schneider '15 talked about his career as a physical therapist and his current role at FYZICAL in Bradenton; Joe is an alumnus of UF and USF's Morsani College of Medicine. Will Pearce '89 captured the students' attention discussing his work as a technology leader who's held Manager, Director & CTO roles in science, engineering, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity and IT modernization areas, among many others. Bravo, brilliant alumni! Icing on the cake, beloved current faculty members Jamie Moore & Dave Johnson told students about their journeys to becoming highly respected educators...fortunate for all, they teach and make a difference at a school they love!

Alumni Friends: We would love to add more alumni to the roster of generous donors to a facility that is going change the lives of students in a myriad of amazing ways. Many of you helped make dramatic productions a reality over the years...in the gymnasium, and despite the obstacles! Others longed for a space to showcase their art creations and science projects, and a venue where dances, academic competitions, and even graduation festivities could be held on campus. The S.T.E.A.M. Center will allow for all of these things and so much more. Enjoy viewing this progress report and give what you can today - to keep Saint Stephen's among the finest schools in Florida, and throughout the nation!

STEAM.Center.Update Flipsnack is a digital catalog maker that makes it easy to create, publish and share html5 flipbooks. Upload a PDF or design from scratch flyers, magazines, books and more.

Nothing to add to the fabulous information appearing on the accompanying poster about this Saturday night, March 2, other than "Be there or be square!" This inaugural concert features the best of rock 'n roll with Heart & Boston Cover bands Brigade and Amanda. Family-friendly, but dancing is de rigueur! Visit rockthemac.com today and grab your tickets!

Do we have your current address, SSES alums? We'd love to mail the school magazine to you 2x each year, so you can keep up with alumni news and stay on top of reunions, upcoming events & exciting happenings on campus! Please update your information here today: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSf9WVX5-J4zlksCRJz2ni6ccAGhWhcwS3NRyhs8k9DniXQUDg/viewform

2023.SSES.Fall.Winter.Magazine.v3 Flipsnack is a digital catalog maker that makes it easy to create, publish and share html5 flipbooks. Upload a PDF or design from scratch flyers, magazines, books and more.

The Alumni Office hosted 11 outstanding alumni panelists on 1/4/24, back to discuss their college experiences with our Upper School students. All are still in college and represent the 2020, '21, '22, & '23 classes. The group offered terrific advice related to their studies, extracurricular activities and social experiences, tempered with some comic relief that had the crowd roaring. Big thanks to 2020 classmates Cam Vining (UCF), Dylan Davis (University of Illinois) and Alex Sket (Denison University); 2021 alums Noelle Bencie (University of Michigan) and Peter Balos (Ursinus College); Jake Conner '22 (University of Florida); and 2023 graduates Leo Li (Colgate University), Jonathan Lipman (Skidmore College), Julia Craig (University of Miami), and Florida State University freshmen Paige Liebel & Lauren Schindler.

The Saint Stephen's Alumni Soccer Game is a treasured tradition here on campus. This year's 12/26/23 gathering was once again a terrific homecoming for a great group of former players, friends and coaches. Bravo, players and fans alike!

Our SSES Holiday Party featuring 2013 & 2018 Class Reunions held on 12/23/23 at Motorworks was fabulous fun. Alums from all over the country (and even an alumna studying across the pond) came to reminisce and kick off the holidays. This event continues to grow, and having newly retired Head of School Dr. Jan Pullen, former AD Carlos Boothby & faculty member Bernie Yanelli on hand made the evening extra special for our alumni guests!

All Alumni From All Years - Please join old friends & former faculty at our annual Holiday Gathering at Motorworks on Saturday, December 23 (5:00-8:00 p.m.) Stop for a bit in between shopping and wrapping. Cash Bar/Pizza Provided. Please register today at www.saintstephens.org/holidayparty

SSES Alumni are cordially invited back to campus for Homecoming on Friday, September 29, 2024, for fabulous football & food trucks. Yes, you heard right! New this year, there will be food trucks and each alumna/us will receive a food voucher compliments of your alma mater. Half-time will feature traditions like the presentation of the dazzling Homecoming Court. Please register today at saintstephens.org/homecoming23 and bring your Falcon spirit along for a great evening of nostalgia!

Fabulous news for one phenomenal Saint Stephen's teacher, Mr. Patrick Whelan. All who have sat in his classroom or conversed with him about history recognize the sparkle in his eye when he is doing what he loves. His dedication is deeply appreciated by generations of students and colleagues alike.

Dear Patrick,
Congratulations! You have been selected as the 2023 Florida History Teacher of the Year.
A panel of teachers, administrators, and scholars from your state selected you for your achievements in American history education and we at the Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History thank you for your outstanding work and dedication.

Our SSES Alumni gave Dr. Pullen a beautiful send-off to retirement on Friday eve - a night she'll treasure always. Mike Kokolis '09, his sister Julie & the rest of the staff at the Gulf Drive Cafe on Bradenton Beach were superb in every way. From all of us, Dr. Pullen: "May you be proud of the work you have done, the person you are, and the difference you have made." You will be missed!

Hope to see our alumni out in full force this evening!

The Big Day is Almost Here, Falcon Alumni! This Friday, June 9th, alumni will gather as we celebrate Dr. Pullen's retirement one last time at our SSES Alumni Happy Hour in her honor. We'll gather at the Gulf Drive Cafe's tiki hut on Bradenton Beach from 5:30 - 7:30 for drinks and light bites. Don't miss this great evening of SSES camaraderie. Please R.S.V.P. today with the number in your party to Laurie McFeeley in the Alumni Office: [email protected]

Celebrating our current families where one or both parents (and even a grandparent, in our first 3-generation Falcon family) was a blast at our 2nd annual Legacy Family Breakfast on 4/21. We also welcomed some of our faculty who are graduates for this meaningful event. Alumni entrusting their children to their alma mater for their education - there is no higher compliment! The number of legacy families grows with each new school year...so exciting!

The National High School Strength Coaches Association has named Erik Schulz, Saint Stephen's Class of '11 and the School's Director of Strength and Conditioning, the NHSSCA's Florida Coach of the Year! We're so proud of Coach Schultz, as is the entire extended SSEs family.

Our Mini-Career Day Alumni speakers discussed finance (Justin Weinkle '04), marketing & strategic communications (Natalie Marciniak '13), entrepreneurship (Rany Bochi '08) and legal careers (Brooke Kernan '04 & Kennedy "KB" Legler '04) with all of the Upper School classes last Wednesday. Simply stellar in their fields, they were a huge hit with the students and the school is so thankful for their giving back in this meaningful way. Bravo, alums!

Seven stellar seniors signing on to be incredible college athletes next year! Congratulations to all!

Nick Bollettieri touched the lives of many SSES alumni for decades- he will be missed!

The entire Saint Stephen's community is saddened to hear of the passing of our amazing friend, Mr. Nick Bollettieri. Nick was so instrumental in the early years of our school, as we partnered with his growing tennis academy to provide an academic program for his students. And Nick continued to be a dedicated and enthusiastic Saint Stephen's supporter throughout his lifetime. Our thoughts and prayers are with Cindi, the boys, and the entire Bollettieri family.

BIG success for the 2022 Falcon Football Team! So proud of our tenacious and talented players and coaches!

Giving Week kicks off today at Saint Stephen's and runs through Tuesday, Nov. 8. It's 100% true that annual Alumni gifts of any size are needed & deeply appreciated. But, with this year Dr. Pullen's last as Head of School, your gift will also serve as a lovely tribute and thank-you to her for the 35 amazing years she's devoted to making SSES a remarkable place for generations of students. Please join me in making a gift at this very special time in the life of both Dr. Pullen and your alma mater! https://www.saintstephens.org/givingweek