SAN MARCOS ACADEMY
San Marcos Academy celebrates Homecoming
San Marcos Academy celebrated their annual homecoming with events throughout last week culminating with the big football game against the Veritas Defenders on Sept. 27 and an alumni reunion the following day. San Marcos Academy won their homecoming game over the Defenders 44-14.
Seniors Lauren Hurst of San Marcos and Shawn Joey of Houston were crowned as San Marcos Academy’s Homecoming Queen and King during the festivities. Joining Lauren as Homecoming Queen Nominees were: Emma Scull of San Marcos, Blue Furstenfeld of San Marcos and Jesilyn Reyes-Darley of Wimberley. King nominees joining Shawn were: Aidan Nolan of San Marcos, Evan Donoso of Dripping Springs and Cash Miller of Buda. Underclassmen who were elected as representatives to the court were: juniors Ella Gomez of San Marcos, Angelina Vasquez of San Marcos and Bayliegh Lewis of San Marcos; sophomores Katheleen Shell of San Marcos and Ireland Gunder of New Braunfels; and freshmen Adrianna Smith of New Braunfels and Allie Ann Rettele of Seguin.
Prior to the homecoming game, the San Marcos Academy Alumni Association awarded their annual scholarship. This scholarship, in honor of Jeannette Tippit Caldwell — San Marcos Baptist Academy Class of 1925, was given by her son Clifton Caldwell, who also attended the academy, and by other friends and alumni. It is awarded based upon excellence in academics, character and leadership. Scholarship recipients must have completed at least one semester at the academy and be a legacy student. The 2024 scholarship recipients were: first grader Alex Moreno of San Marcos, eighth grader Adeline Smith of San Marcos, freshman MJ Gutierrez of San Marcos, freshman Major Howard of San Marcos, sophomore Ireland Gunder of New Braunfels, junior Angelina Vasquez of San Marcos and senior Lauren Hurst of San Marcos.
Above, Christy Guenther and Brian Guenther of San Marcos Academy; Keith Hurst, father of SMA Homecoming Queen; Shawn Joey, SMA Homecoming King; Lauren Hurst, SMA Homecoming Queen; Citlali Moreno, 2023 SMA Homecoming Queen; and Emelyn Gomez, SMA Middle School Student Council President pose for a picture following the crowning of Lauren Hurst. Below, SMA Alumni Council, represented by Kayla Abshire (left) and Cal Downey (right), present scholarships to (left to right) Lauren Hurst, Angelina Vasquez, Ireland Gunder, Adeline Smith, Alex Moreno, MJ Gutierrez and Major Howard (not pictured). Photos courtesy of San Marcos Academy
On Sept. 28, San Marcos Academy welcomed home 150 alumni for class reunions and awards. This year, over 50 members of the class of 1974 celebrated their Golden Anniversary. The class of 1964 celebrated their 60th anniversary and the class of 1999 celebrated their 25th anniversary. In addition to class reunions, alumni gathered to honor the recipients of the Captain Paul Pena Outstanding Alumni award and the Katherine Shultz Character award. Receiving the Paul Pena award posthumously this year was Chance Noble. The Katherine Shultz Character award was given to Kacey McCarty. Also part of the day’s festivities was the dedication of a tree on campus in honor of David Theis, class of 1984.
San Marcos Academy is a fully-accredited private Christian school committed to educating young men and women within a nurturing environment based upon Christian values. The Academy offers a unique co-educational experience for both boarding and day students in grades 6th through 12th and day student opportunities for PreK 3 through 5th grade. Founded in 1907, the Academy is in its 117th school year. For more information about San Marcos Academy or to inquire about enrolling your student, please visit smabears.org
