Marsha Acock, who has served as St. Stephen’s Head of School for six years, welcomes the new Head of School Will Webber.
This year’s St. Stephen’s Episcopal School’s annual Extravaganza event not only helped raise funds for the school, it was a backdrop to honor retiring Head of School Marsha Acock’s six years of service and welcome Will Webber as the school’s new leader to begin in July.
Acock was surprised with a gift at the end of the silent auction. Typically, the All-School Art Project is paramount to a successful Extravaganza silent auction, but this year it was secretly gifted to Acock through contributions from guests who donated funds in her honor. This year’s project was a quilt of each student’s art work depicting hands and hearts along with love-filled quotes. Studio art teacher Leslie Williams designed and laid out the quilt, and her mother, Florence Duncan, added her quilting magic. Even the stitching was a heart or hand design.
Incoming Head of School Will Webber brings over 30 years of teaching and administrative experience as teacher, technology specialist, department head, Gifted & Talented teacher, assistant principal, and principal — at both Negley Elementary in Kyle and Bonham Academy in San Antonio. Webber has a BA from Southwest Texas State University and an MEd from Trinity University. Webber’s official start date is July 1st – the first day of the school’s next fiscal year.
An additional highlight of the event was the Paddles Up effort. Traditionally, this fundraising element has supported a single program for St. Stephen’s School that otherwise may not have been able to fit into the school’s budget. Past efforts have helped fund the all-school iPad program, the Dancing Drum® “Drumming Up Character!" program and Wonder Workshop’s Dot and Dash robotics program. This year’s Paddles Up effort rallied donations for the installation of a garden of three sound sculptures for the school’s outdoor learning space. More than $6,000 was raised for this initiative that focuses on music’s ability to promote cognitive development, creativity and self-expression.
“I’m so thankful for all those who worked so hard planning this event – especially school parent and first-time committee chair Renee Sanchez and her team of volunteers – and for all who provided goods, services, financial partnerships, auction donations – and to all who attended this important event,” Acock said. “And it was such a touching surprise to be given such a special parting gift. I have admired that beautiful quilt from the moment I saw it.”
