St. Martin’s names its 26th Martin de Tours recipient
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Libby Pedrick Sartain, of the Class of 1972, is the 2023-24 recipient of St. Martin’s Episcopal School’s Martin de Tours Award. The award is given each school year to an alum who is an outstanding citizen, consistently serving the community and demonstrating a commitment to the highest standards in his/her chosen field of endeavor. Sartain is St. Martin’s 26th recipient of the Martin de Tours award.
Upon receiving the news from Head of School Whitney Samuel Drennan ’94, Sartain responded, “I am deeply honored to receive the Martin de Tours Award for 2024. My journey since graduating in 1972 has been enriched by the values instilled in me during my time at St. Martin’s. From the strong foundation of faith, scholarship, and service, to the enduring friendships cultivated within those walls, I have been blessed with opportunities to carry forward the lessons learned into a lifetime of meaningful contribution. It is a privilege to maintain connections to both my alma mater and the vibrant spirit of New Orleans, nurturing friendships that have endured nearly six decades. I am grateful for the continued support and inspiration from my school community, guiding me on a path of purpose and fulfillment.”
Sartain will be recognized at the award ceremony on the school’s campus in April. Students, faculty, staff, members of St. Martin’s Board of Trustees, and special guests of Sartain will be in attendance.
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The Junior class celebrates Ring Day
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Chike Ozah ’96 delivers inspiring Ring Day Speech
Juniors of the Class of 2025 received their class rings on March 14 in the Dan and Frances White Chapel. In his comments, St. Martin’s alumnus and Ring Day speaker, Chike Ozah ’96 told those gathered that he found his passion for art at St. Martin’s. Now, Ozah is a director, screenwriter, cinematographer, producer, and half of directing duo Coodie & Chike. He encouraged students to find their own passion. “If you don’t know what your passion is, figure out what is the thing that you would do for free... then find a way to fuel that passion... Find what you love and then connect that with faith. Connect your passion, faith, and goals together.” Ozah referenced the faith foundation that is at the heart of St. Martin’s mission and encouraged students to lean in to their faith as they face struggles in life.
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"The Music Man, Jr." takes the stage
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Congratulations to the cast and crew of "The Music Man, Jr.," who transformed the Solomon Theater into River City, Iowa the weekend of March 22-24. From the set to lighting design to costumes to direction to choreography, and more, it was an outstanding it was an outstanding production. This month’s presentation of Meredith Willson’s classic featured an all-school cast of students from second through twelfth grades. The final performance, a Sunday matinee, was an emotional one for our very talented group of senior thespians, who said their goodbyes to the StM stage. We are so excited to see what the future holds for these gifted performers!
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Notably, the cast and crew were full of children of StM alumni, including: Will Adriance ’26 (Muffin Adriance ’96); Bay Bowes ’29 (Ann Wootten Bowes ’85 and David Bowes ’85); Ella Bozeman ’25 (Ashley Woods Bozeman ’85); Bennett Buckley ’34 (James Buckley ’01); Brittan Comer ’28, MaryAlice Comer ’27, Vivienne Comer ’30 (Christina Vial Comer ’91); Emma Dunn ’33 (Sam Dunn ’91); Emory Farber ’24 (Guy Farber ’82); Aidan Molaison ’26, Marigny Molaison ’28 (Alicia Vial ’89); Corbin Nicoladis ’26 (Michael Nicoladis ’78); and Cooper Odom ’24 (Michael Odom ’92). | |
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Boys' Basketball wraps up history-making season as State Runners-Up
Led by Coach Mike Odom ’92, the varsity boys’ basketball team had an unprecedented run of success, even though the season did not end the way they had hoped. For the first time in St. Martin’s Episcopal School’s history, the varsity boys’ basketball team advanced to the state title game after downing Hamilton Christian Academy, 62-33. The Saints faced Crescent City in the state championship game on Saturday. The state championship runner-up boys’ varsity basketball team was celebrated with an all-school assembly after returning from the “Marsh Madness” State Basketball Tournament in Lake Charles earlier this month. St. Martin’s is exceedingly proud of the team and coaches for their amazing, history-making season!
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Winter sports athletes recognized in LHSAA All-Academic Award Program
Several St. Martin’s athletes have been recognized by the Louisiana High School Athletic Association (LHSAA) for their academic achievements. The LHSAA All-Academic Award Program recognizes the academic excellence of senior student-athletes who have attained a 3.5 grade point average or higher by placing them on the Composite All-Academic Team or Class All-Academic Team. Read more.
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Alumni Spotlight - Christina Vial Comer ’91
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- Attended 8th - 12th Grade
- Voted “Friendliest” her Senior Year
- Mother of Mary Alice ’27, Brittan ’28, and Vivienne ’30
- University of the South, BA
- San Francisco Conservatory of Music, Masters of Music
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In March, Christina Vial Comer, class of ’91, stepped into the role of Musical Director for this spring's rendition of “The Music Man, Jr.” Yet, her storied journey in performance traces far back to her 8th-grade debut in “The Pirates of Penzance” at St. Martin's. Following her passion, Christina ventured to the University of the South for her undergraduate studies, then further refined her artistry with a master's of music and postgraduate diploma in operatic performance from the San Francisco Conservatory of Music. Christina is a lyric soprano who has performed numerous operatic roles such as Susanna in “Le Nozze di Figaro” and Musetta in “La Boheme.” She has also been a featured soloist in the great oratorio works of Handel’s “Messiah” at San Francisco’s Davies Symphony Hall and in masterpieces like Mozart's “Requiem.” Now, as the Choir Director for the middle and upper schools since the fall of 2022, she shapes the voices of not just her three children who attend St. Martin's but also those of her nieces, nephews, and numerous students, continuing a family legacy intertwined with the school's musical tradition.
Talk about some of your favorite classes and teachers from your time at St. Martin’s
Eileen Beckman really left a mark on me. College was of course challenging, but not in my English courses, and I credit that to her! I will never forget Senior Leadership Day when I got to teach 8th-grade English about “Romeo and Juliet,” stepping into her role for a bit. The course that was a life changer for me at StM was the Humanities class taught by a team of upper school teachers. This course really opened my eyes to how music, literature, history, philosophy and art are all connected and are a reflection of the politics and culture of their time. Dr. Mooney, one of the Humanities teachers also played a big part, by pushing me towards Sewanee and seeing a future for me in music before I saw it myself, telling me I was at my best when singing. And I can't forget Pedro Perez, Dr. Rosenbaum, and Dr. Aguilar.
Were you a student in the performing arts?
Music was always a big part of my life growing up. We all took piano lessons and I played trumpet throughout elementary and middle school. However, it wasn’t until my first year at St. Martin’s in 8th grade where I got one of the lead roles in the musical that I learned I could sing. It kicked off my deep dive into performing arts at St. Martin’s. I ended up being in choir and pretty much every musical the school put on, and participated yearly in All State Honor choir.
What attracted you to Sewanee, and what did you pursue there?
Growing up on 48 acres in Luling, I've always loved being outside, something that St. Martin's really encouraged with its Outdoor Education program. We'd go canoeing, hiking or rock climbing monthly and even spent a whole month hiking in California. Sewanee is an Episcopal University with a campus of 10,000 acres, so between the outdoorsy feel of the campus and my family's Episcopal faith it seemed the perfect fit. I began Sewanee as a premed student following in the footsteps of many of my family members, but by my second year of college, I realized my heart was in music.
What brought you back to StM? Why St. Martin’s?
St. Martin’s always felt like home to me, and I wanted my children to grow up being challenged in the same nurturing, academic environment that I had as a student. Also being a life long Episcopalian, it's really special to keep living out that tradition here at my old school, now leading the choir. It's like everything's come full circle.
Talk about your role as music director working with the cast of “The Music Man, Jr.,” as well as the MS/US Choir
Opera has been my focus for the past thirty years, but I’ve always loved classic musical theater so I was really excited to dive into the musical intricacies of “The Music Man, Jr,” with the students. It was also incredibly fulfilling to challenge some of the Upper School boys by adding the barber shop quartet piece, “Lida Rose” as our show opener. We all worked countless hours on a very successful production and as a result I was able to spend many afternoons with my family and my students, as well as collaborate with our incredibly talented theater director, Lynne Bordelon. I’m proud to say the Middle and Upper school choirs have been blossoming the past two years. The kids are not only singing incredibly well but they’re learning lifelong skills. In choir, it's not just about singing. I teach them how to breathe properly to support the sound, project their voices, as well as sing in multiple languages. They’re learning to speak up, stand tall, and own their space, which boosts their confidence. We even opened for the Rockettes in New York City last November, and now we're prepping for a big recital in May.
I love introducing students to really great music—the kind of choral music I've been singing for years. There's nothing like seeing their faces light up when everything comes together—the harmony, the melody, the perfect blend. And when they get it, they really get it!! Discovering those who didn't even think they could sing and helping them find their voice is the best part. It's such a joy to uncover that talent. What an incredible gift to give and receive!
What has been special about the StM experience as a parent?
There's a real sweetness to being back at my old school, especially watching my kids sing the same songs I did, including our alma mater and all of the chapel songs I learned. As a parent, I really value how the school blends a strong focus on academics with a solid foundation in faith. St. Martin's is deliberate about teaching kindness and compassion, right alongside aiming for high academic standards. The school works to develop students who are not only smart but also caring and well-rounded. You're encouraged to do your best, but in a way that doesn't make you forget what's really important. Success here isn't just about grades; it's about growing both emotionally and intellectually, and with a little help from me, musically.
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We invite you to share your career triumphs and milestones with us so that we can share them with the community here and on our social media channels. Tag us on Instagram and Facebook, or email alumni@stmsaints.com to submit your news. #AlwaysASaint | |
Chad Cooper ’90 and Dr. Stephanie Eberts ’90 launched the “Financial Hellness” podcast. This pair of high school friends, who today are professionals in the world of mental health professional (Eberts) and finance (Cooper), dive into the various aspects of financial health and its impact on mental wellness. | |
Dorothy Manard Killeen ’91 was awarded the National Jewish Health Humanitarian Award for her leadership in the community and financial industry. Dorothy is managing director and head of origination for Wells Fargo’s Credit Solutions organization. She is an active volunteer with Loaves & Fishes, has served on the board of the Children’s Scholarship Fund, and was a founding board member of the Family Impact Fund. | |
Dr. Rebecca Tuuri ’98, an associate professor of history in The University of Southern Mississippi (USM) School of Humanities, was presented with the 2023 Humanities Scholar Award during the Mississippi Humanities Council’s (MHC) Public Humanities Awards ceremony at the Two Mississippi Museums. | |
From left: Andy Wittich ’89 and Coach Mike Odom ’92 at the Havana Nights Gala on March 16; Jennifer Adams ’92, Ashley Woods Bozeman ’85, and Judy Adams ’64 at the Alumni Easter Egg Hunt on March 23. | |
Each year, the school honors special community members with awards that acknowledge their vast achievements. The Alumni Athletic Hall of Fame (HOF) recognizes individuals and/or teams who were involved in interscholastic athletics as players, coaches, athletic trainers or administrators and who distinguished themselves in any of these capacities while at St. Martin’s. The 2024-25 HOF class will be recognized during a special ceremony over Homecoming weekend in October 2024. Nominations for the 2024-25 Hall of Fame are due May 1. You can find award information, past recipients, and nomination forms here. | |
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Save the Date for Alumni Weekend
Friday, May 10 - Saturday, May 11, 2024
Alumni Chapel • Class Reunion events • Alumni Parent Playdate • Special Cocktail Hour for Reunion Years • Alumni Spirits Party • Dorothy Porter Service Award presentation. More information to come!
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A Prayer for Easter
Selected by Father Fred Devall ’87 from The Book of Common Prayer:
Almighty God, who through your only-begotten Son Jesus Christ overcame death and opened to us the gate of everlasting life: Grant that we, who celebrate with joy the day of the Lord’s resurrection, may be raised from the death of sin by your life-giving Spirit; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
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What are some of your favorite memories from your time at St. Martin's?
Email our Alumni Office to share your memories and photos!
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Performing Arts has always been an amazing part of the student experience at St. Martin’s, from the earliest shows in the Little Gym, to the Chapel stage, to our state-of-the-art Solomon Theater. This spring, our students presented “The Music Man, Jr.,” which had previously been performed by a Summer Theater Camp ensemble in 2000, with senior John Roger Bell, and in 2016, with Nick Arensman ’21 (each as Harold Hill). Here are some photos from those performances, and other theater memories from years past. | |
“The Music Man” Summer 2016 | |
“The Sound of Music” 1988 | |
“Little Shop of Horrors” 2003 | |
“Cinderella Batistella” 1998 | |
“The Robber Bridegroom” 1986 | |
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