News | Episcopal High School

Advanced American Studies students visited Roosevelt Island to experience the ancestral lands of the Nacotchtank Indians firsthand, connecting their classroom research and monument designs to the physical spaces once inhabited by the indigenous people of the D.C. area.

NFL veteran and Washington Commanders Senior Director of Alumni Relations Tim Hightower '04 returned to campus for McCain-Ravenel Day, challenging students to "dream big; it's worth it." Hightower shared his journey through success, injury, and faith, while 17 other alumni led breakout sessions discussing ambitious goals and career paths with students.

Capping off the season with spirit and reflection, the Spring Athletics Banquet celebrated not only the accomplishments of Episcopal’s athletes, but also the deep sense of camaraderie and connection that comes from training, competing, and living alongside teammates.

At the annual AmeriMUNC conference at American University, 15 Episcopal students embraced the challenge of diplomacy—engaging in high-level debate, navigating complex global issues, and building confidence and collaboration as part of a dynamic, student-led Model UN experience.

As the school year comes to a close, Episcopal proudly celebrates the election of its 2025–26 student leaders, with Callaway Chapel erupting in cheers as Charles Fischer ’26 was named Head Monitor, pledging to uphold and exceed the School’s core values through his leadership.

Each year, the J. Walker Symposium honors John Luther Walker Jr. ’54 through the power of live music—and this year’s collaboration between the National Chamber Players and Episcopal’s advanced arts students transformed the tradition into a breathtaking fusion of sound and visual storytelling that left a lasting impression on all who witnessed it.

With humor, heart, and a whole lot of spooky charm, EHS Theater’s production of The Addams Family brought students together to create more than just a show — they built a family on and off the stage.

Junior Coever Dixon ’26 empowered freshmen with tools to navigate misinformation during her “News Smarts” presentation, sharing research tips and resources to help them become thoughtful, digitally literate citizens.

Episcopal continues its long tradition of civic engagement with thoughtful, nonpartisan programming around the 2024 Presidential election and upcoming inauguration, offering students opportunities for learning, respectful dialogue, and direct participation in the democratic process.

Head of School Charley Stillwell opened the 2024–25 school year at Vespers with a Chapel Talk on curiosity, encouraging the Episcopal community to embrace one another’s stories beyond “us” and “them” divisions—highlighting how curiosity fosters understanding, unlikely friendships, and deeper relationships that enrich both individuals and the School community.

At the final Chapel service of the year, Austin deButts ’12 and senior Ava Sawi ’24 reflected on resilience, legacy, and gratitude—highlighting the lifelong impact of Episcopal’s values and community.

Episcopal commissioned local potter Julia Walther to create four nature-inspired communion sets for Callaway Chapel, beautifully blending artistry and ritual in a celebration of seasonality, renewal, and sacred tradition.

Episcopal proudly announced the 2024–25 student leaders—highlighted by Head Monitor Brunson Wickham ’25 and committee heads Sophia Appiah ’25 and Luca McGhee Chavez ’25—during a joyful Vespers service in Callaway Chapel.

Episcopal celebrated the winter athletics season at the annual banquet, honoring standout performances—including Ava Sawi’s leadership on the championship girls’ basketball team—and recognizing student-athletes across 17 teams for their dedication, improvement, and excellence.

Episcopal’s Young Republicans Club met with presidential candidate Nikki Haley backstage before the Virginia primary, gaining insight into the political process firsthand.

During Episcopal’s Veterans Day Chapel, Navy veteran Ingrid Boyum shared stories from her military service and reminded students that every act of service — big or small — is a chance to lead, uplift others, and show gratitude for the freedoms we enjoy.

Episcopal’s College Counseling Office celebrated a successful year supporting the Class of 2023 through a deeply personalized admissions journey, with students earning acceptances at 250+ colleges and enrolling at 76 institutions across 26 states and Scotland.
 

Episcopal capped off a standout spring athletics season with its annual banquet, honoring championship runs, state-level accolades, and the dedication of student-athletes and coaches across every team.
 

April Flexperiences included attending a Supreme Court hearing, briefing Pentagon officials on a foreign policy scenario, and exploring biblical allusions in Kendrick Lamar’s DAMN at the Museum of the Bible.
 

The 2023 Entrepreneurial Pitches Contest challenged Episcopal seniors to present innovative startup ideas in 60 seconds, with winners including a concierge shuttle service, a shopping bag locker system, and food ordering and delivery apps.
 

March Flexperiences included a political analysis session with a Washington Post reporter, a cultural immersion trip to Chirilagua for Honors Spanish 3, and student-led mock trials in a real D.C. courtroom with practicing attorneys.
 

Warren Quirett, Associate Director of College Counseling and ACCIS DEI co-chair, co-led the planning of a national summit focused on advancing equity and inclusion in independent school college counseling.

Students and faculty ushered in Spring Break with heartfelt performances and personal reflections during the annual Music Vespers service celebrating the power of music.
 

Mitchell Felton, a Virginia Theological Seminary student, spent January at EHS as a seminarian intern, engaging with students and faculty while exploring his future in youth ministry.
 

Rev. Dr. Esau McCaulley, a New York Times writer and Wheaton College professor, chose Episcopal as one of his few 2023 speaking engagements, praising the School’s inquisitive ethos and engaging students during the MLK Symposium with reflections on justice, faith, and Dr. King’s enduring legacy.
 

Addison Rose ’23, recently reelected as D.C. Youth Mayor, received the Emerging Leader Award from the D.C. Office of Human Rights for her impactful advocacy work and dedication to youth issues like mental health, financial literacy, and gun reform.
 

In Dave Collins’s Advanced Engineering class, students put their problem-solving skills to the test by designing and racing cardboard boats—an engaging lesson in buoyancy, teamwork, and learning through failure that turned the EHS pool into a floating classroom of innovation and fun.

Episcopal Latin students achieved outstanding success in the 2022 National Latin Exam and the Classical Association of Virginia Latin Tournament, marking a triumphant year for the program and a fitting finale for beloved teacher Jeff Streed as he retires after 40 years of inspiring excellence in the classics.

In April, Episcopal hosted the second installment of the 2022 Civil Dialogue Project, where students engaged with bipartisan policy experts in respectful, thought-provoking discussions on timely student-driven topics, emphasizing the value of critical thinking, intellectual curiosity, and civil discourse.

April Update: The School History Working Group continues to engage the Episcopal community in conversations about the School’s past, sharing research findings and gathering input as the Board of Trustees considers how best to acknowledge and reflect on the role enslaved individuals played in Episcopal’s history.

Dr. Khalid Kadir, the 2021-22 Ben Geer Keys Scholar in Residence, spent a powerful week at EHS engaging with students and faculty across disciplines and encouraging moral courage, justice, and kindness through both classroom discussions and a moving Chapel talk.
 

Entrepreneurial Studies students returned to the stage for the first Pitch Competition in two years, presenting creative business ideas like Sports Buddy, Fitting Room, O-Mat, and ReBrand, with Cher Wang ’22 winning best overall presentation.

February Update: The School History Working Group continues its research into Episcopal’s pre-Civil War history, engaging national experts and beginning campus and community conversations to guide how the School acknowledges and learns from its past.

Stanford Professor Robert D. Crews spoke with Episcopal’s History Club about using historical context to better understand current events, particularly the Ukraine invasion, encouraging students to critically assess political narratives.
 

Virginia Theological Seminary interns Yaa Addison and Brandon Nonnemaker spent January immersed in Episcopal’s chaplaincy life, gaining hands-on ministry experience, building meaningful connections, and deepening their vocational callings through mentorship and student engagement.
 

The new exhibition Before, During, After: Art Shaping Resilience opened February 14 in the Ainslie Arts Center, showcasing powerful works by nine local artists—including ceramics teacher Liz Vorlicek—that reflect on the shared experiences and emotional impact of the past two years.
 

The boys’ climbing team claimed the WAICL championship title and the girls finished second, capping off standout seasons led by top finishes from Max Yang ’25, Sam Lipschutz ’22, and Anna Scott Arnold ’22.
 

Inspired by her grandfather’s Parkinson’s diagnosis, Susan Wang ’22 channeled her passion for neuroscience and computer science into award-winning research—earning national recognition as a 2022 Regeneron Science Talent Search Scholar

Episcopal honored Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s legacy with a chapel service and its 6th Annual MLK Symposium, themed “King’s Dream, Then and Now,” featuring a keynote by Zachary Wood, workshops, service projects, and conversations focused on love, justice, and civic engagement.