Please note that the first physician mentioned in the article about alumni doctors is Vance Renshaw, Class of 1976. His name was erroneously given as Scott Renshaw, who is his brother, when this newsletter was sent earlier this morning. Apologies for the error.
May 2020
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TVS Honors Class of 2020
One of the most gut-wrenching aspects of the pandemic has been its effect on students everywhere. No group is more impacted than a school’s senior class, and Trinity Valley’s is no exception. From spring milestones to prom to all the “lasts” and more, the full senior experience is quite simply impossible for these 92 young people. Though there is nothing that will make up for the missed opportunities and time together, TVS has given the Class of 2020 lots of TLC and some special touches to show them how important they are and how much we are rooting for them, despite not being able to do so in person.
Enjoy these senior celebrations!
- Class of 2020 Yard Sign Delivery
- Ian Craig’s song to seniors
- Trojan Pride, Trojans Unified
- Class of 2020 Guess the Senior
- TVS Lights the Campus for the Class of 2020 (On Thursday, April 16, campus lights shone at 20.20h [8:20pm] for 20 minutes to celebrate the Class of 2020.)
- Social Media Senior Showcase
Additionally, on Friday, May 1, faculty members visited each senior’s home to deliver the student’s cap and gown. Look for coverage of that special day in next month’s alumni newsletter.
These graduates will be the next alumni of Trinity Valley School, and we will be lucky to count them among us!
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Alumni Doctors on the Front Line
Many TVS alumni are members of the medical community and are moving mountains to care for all patients, those suffering from COVID-19 or any other illnesses, at a time when the safety of all medical professionals is at high risk. We are grateful to all front-line workers, and especially proud of our graduates who make caring for others their passion. THANK YOU, one and all, for your selfless service.
In the last newsletter, alumni medical personnel were asked to share their COVID-19 experiences. Please note that these responses arrived in April.
Vance Renshaw, MD ’76, an emergency medicine physician, reports, “I am currently practicing not far from TVS at ER Near Me on South Hulen. It is a free-standing ER specializing in concierge care. We do have the rapid COVID-19 tests as well as the more accurate nasopharyngeal swabs (which are sent out to labs and take 4-7 days for results). [As of early April,] we have seen a slight up-tick in patients wanting to be tested but we have not been overwhelmed. I believe the practices of social distancing, voluntary isolation, hand washing and not touching your face are really helping. Medical professionals are touting the efficacy of hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) but no one talks about its biologic function with zinc. It is zinc that interferes with replicase, the intracellular enzyme produced by the virus which allows it to make more of itself. Zinc is an ion which cannot cross the cell wall by itself. HCQ is an ionophore which opens a door in the cell wall allowing zinc to enter. The greater the concentration of zinc in your body, the more effective HCQ is. Zinc will not prevent you from getting sick but for those of us at high risk of contact or those with pre-existing co-morbidities, taking a zinc supplement will do no harm and may do a world of good if one becomes ill enough to require HCQ.”
Ben Zivney, MD ’80, an OB/Gyn hospitalist in Bryan/College Station, TX, was deployed by the US Army on 4/16/2020 in the effort against COVID-19. Godspeed, Ben, and thank you for your service!
Ben Zivney ’80
Dan Noltkamper, MD ’82 is an emergency medicine physician in Columbia, SC. He reported in early April, “Right now it feels like the calm before the storm. The Drive Thru testing is easing the Emergency Department volume with regards to the minimally symptomatic and asymptomatic. Hopefully social distancing will help, but because we are not as hard hit yet as other locations, people are still treating this lightly here. Cover your cough with your elbow, wear face covering, wash your hands lots. Gloves only protect you if you use them correctly and most people I see wearing them don’t. You can put hand sanitizer on your gloves or wash them with soap and water before you take them off. Then wash your hands or use sanitizer again before taking your face covering off.”
Dani Shewmake Mathisen ’14 is in medical school at UT Southwestern in Dallas. She says, “My class got put on a 3-month research block so we will all be researching and studying from home until June or July. I’ve been able to volunteer most mornings at the hospitals by screening patients and employees for COVID-19. I’m also very active on Instagram (@Dani.mathisen11) to help share info regarding the illness and how people can help.”
Dani Shewmake Mathisen ’14
Dani also reports on her mother, Karen Grant-Roberts, MD ’84, a family practice physician in Fort Worth. “My mom has been going to work every day with a smile under her N95 mask. Her office has a very efficient and effective system running to keep patients and staff safe. When she comes home, she has a process as well to keep my dad and sister safe.”
Karen Grant-Roberts ’84
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Alumni Association Thanks Local
Front-Line Workers
On April 16, the TVS Alumni Association said “THANK YOU!” to JPS front-line workers from the OR, ER, and ICU (many TVS alumni among them) by providing breakfast tacos. TVS alumni are inspired by their selflessness and dedication at all times, and especially during this pandemic. Thanks to alum and parent Woei Ming ’01, trauma surgeon, for making this breakfast a reality.
The following week, the Alumni Association showed its appreciation to Baylor All Saints OR staff by giving them a breakfast of Shipley’s Donuts. Alum and current parent George Mills ’90, the hospital’s chief of anesthesiology, made sure these heroes felt the TVS love!
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Press Box Progress
April 22
April 28
April 30
Friday night lights are about to get more exciting at TVS!
Our new stadium press box is going up and scheduled to be ready in August. The box will serve many functions in addition to providing a booth for calling the football games. Four individual rooms will be used for announcing, hosting visiting coaches, meetings, filming, hospitality, media, and other needs. Many different sports teams will benefit from the features of the press box. More information will be available in the spring issue of Trojan Voice, hitting your mailbox in the next few days.
The press box will be named in memory of TVS administrator and coach Dennis Fleming.
Extended thanks to the 180 donors who contributed to this special effort – 75% of whom are TVS alumni!
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TVS Families Display Heritage at Virtual International Fair
For the past many years, the Global Education department has hosted an international fair on campus. This is a time when TVS students and families can share information about their countries of origin, whether they were born there or their families left many generations ago, or about countries they love. Participants wear native clothing, provide delicious food, and share aspects of the culture and traditions of their represented countries. Performances and games are featured for all attendees. The fair is a colorful, rich sight to behold and always a marvelous representation of Trinity Valley’s diversity.
Like everything else this spring, the in-person 2020 international fair was canceled, but Dr. Michael Roemer, who directs Global Education, worked with many wonderful individuals and families to bring the fair to everyone virtually. We want to share this video with you, and encourage you to share your own cultural heritage at the 2021 fair if you are interested. Email Dr. Roemer here.
The presentation is 25 minutes long, so grab your children (count it as part of the day’s curriculum), sit back, and enjoy!
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TVS Supports Its Own: Have You Registered Your Local Business?
One of the many things that makes Trinity Valley an incredible place is its encouraging community. In these uncertain times, it is more important than ever to reach out and support our local businesses. We are compiling a list of TVS family-owned businesses that we can share with the Trinity Valley world. If you would like to submit your business please click here, enter your information, and we will publish the list on the TVS website.
If you have any questions or would like to make changes, please reach out to me at cumpianog@trinityvalleyschool.org, and I will be more than happy to help.
Thank you,
Gerry Cumpiano
Annual Giving Manager
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TVS Spirit Trailer: All Items 50% off!
Need some TVS duds to add to your wardrobe? Whether you’re at home on lockdown or out and about, you can be the best-dressed person you know.
This is a wonderful time to buy from the Spirit Trailer, as all merchandise is discounted 50%. There is a great selection, but it’s going fast, so buy soon!
Spirit Trailer volunteers will pull all orders once they feel it is safe to do so, and then will reach out to purchasers.
Thank you for your support of TVS! Order here.
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Robbie Clark ’05 is starring in the Amazon Prime series Vindication (he first appears in season 1, episode 6). The reviews are incredible, and the show has great buzz. Congrats, Robbie! We are impressed!
The Jackson brothers continue to make us proud with their impressive service in the U.S. Navy. Below is a photo of Naval Aviator Mabry Jackson ’13 after a recent two-hour flight in the Super Hornet F/A-18F model. His grandfather says, “He’s living his dream while serving the country.” Mabry’s brother Paul Jackson ’14 recently reported to his assignment on the USS Columbus, SSN 762, a Los Angeles Class Fast Attack submarine at the shipyard in Norfolk where It is undergoing refurbishing. Paul’s grandfather shares, “He asked for a fast attack and got it so he’s pumped. By the way, he finished top of his class in the nuclear power school and then the extended prototype training that followed. He is going to be a great Navy officer.”
Mabry Jackson ’13
Two graduates of the Class of 2016 are making a positive impact in the fight against COVID-19 by providing support for those on the front line. Read hereto learn what Macie McClung is doing to support community members in Florida.
Another 2016 alumna, Margaret Murray, is working for Feed the Front Line. Margaret is part of a group of young professionals and students who are originally from Texas or have moved here and fallen in love with their new homes. They were inspired to start Feed the Front Line in order to help those in our communities who have been directly (healthcare workers) or indirectly (restaurant workers) affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. They have translated their day-job skills (business analytics, consulting, marketing, PR, finance, epidemiology) to make Feed the Front Line a reality. https://ftfltexas.org/mission
Thank you for helping the helpers, Macie and Margaret!