On the morning of August 21, Saint Stephen’s students walked to the gymnasium for the opening chapel of the 2015-2016 year, welcomed by the noise of Earth digging machines. These machines are working on a new member to the Saint Stephen’s community: the Marine Science building. The addition of the Marine Science building is just one of the many changes that are occurring this school year. These extra changes include faculty and administration changes, physical, and faculty changes. With all these adjustments being implemented, and all the new things to come, this school year truly will be a year of #change.

The marine science building is a very exciting addition for the science department and the entire school. Mrs. Shields, science department chair said,”The new Marine Science Center will provide our SSES students with a more direct connection with the ocean and ocean organisms.  Its location next to the bayou and close to the dock will make exploring the ocean environment a daily event.  Students will be able to capitalize on the easy access to the water for both planned field studies as well as spur of the moment investigation.” The building will have a state of the art wet lab as well as three indoor classrooms, and a covered outdoor classroom. Shields added,” The outdoor classroom will provide an area where students who have just come in from a kayak trip or field studies on boats provided by Freedom Boat Club can examine specimens.” The building also features a ocean basin map on the floor where the students will be able to, “walk the currents” while they study ocean circulation. The building is supposed to teach students the connection between the marine environment and everyone on Earth.

Another change in the Upper School is the welcoming of a new Student Council president, Curtis Stump. “I am the main bridge between the students and the faculty.” Being this bridge is an important role that he is excited to take on. Last year Curtis, ran unopposed for the position of student council president. This year Curtis has the important role of running spirit week, all spirit events, winter formal, and is the head of the student council staff. The staff is made up of 11 students who were elected by their peers, two representatives for each grade, a secretary, treasurer, vice president, and then president. Last year’s student council president Andrew Zandomenago did a great job keeping the year fun and spirited, but Curtis wants to take the spirit to a new level. Stump says, “I’m not only pumped up and enthusiastic about events but I will try to the best of my ability to pump others up as well.”

One of the other adjustments, was the addition of new teachers in the high school. Ms. Jessica Broaddus (english department), Ms. Alexandra Roberts (science department), and Ms. Cristiane Skey (Marine biology), are all wonderful additions to the SSES faculty. They are already meshing well with the existing faculty and bringing new energy to the table. Ms. Broaddus is filling the large shoes Mr. Flanigan left behind. The energy and enthusiasm he used to have are well matched by Ms. Broaddus’ spirit and love for teaching. Ms. Roberts was added on as another chemistry teacher. And Ms. Skey is here to replace Mrs. Allison Misiewicz whilst she is on maternity leave. Overall these three teachers are welcomed warmly to the Saint Stephen’s community.

Homecoming arrives early which is due to less home football games. Homecoming week is the week of the 14th-19th of September with the last day being the dance. In past years, spirit week has been a few weeks later. This lack of time to prepare has proven to be difficult for not only the classes preparing their events, but also for the student council president and his staff. Stump describes his new routine:”Increasing my caffeine intake and decreasing the amount of sleep because I have been jam packed with work. First I finish my homework, then I work on college apps, and then I do STUCO work. So it has been fine; it just means I need to do more work in a short amount of time.” Curtis is the right man for the job though, as everyone is really excited for what this spirit week has in store.

Every year at Saint Stephens is full of changes and improvements to the school. Every year Dr. Pullen and the administration aim to make the school better and with this year’s theme, she seems to be embracing this idea. #Change is something Dr. Pullen introduced and has taken stride ever since. The faculty and the students seem to enjoy the idea of accepting change and with the impending changes we are about to experience as we enter college very soon, having this acceptance will be useful: the addition of the marine science building, new teachers, and the loss of familiar faces. These things will help this year be one we wont forget, and as Stump puts it, “Cracking a good joke every once in a while helps too.”