University Student Life Archives • St. Luke's School

International Europe Trips

Shelby Stevens — Tue, 01 Apr 2025 14:11:40 +0000

Wildcats Invade Europe.

At St. Luke's, international trips provide students with an incredible opportunity to explore the world while enriching their academic experiences. Open to students who are in advanced history classes, these tours take place annually during Mardi Gras break, minimizing missed class time while maximizing cultural immersion. To ensure a seamless and well-organized experience, St. Luke’s uses Explorica, a trusted travel company that reserves spots, plans detailed itineraries, and provides professional tour guides. Due to limited availability, priority is given to Juniors and Seniors, with invitations extended to qualified Sophomores if space permits.

International study trips allow students to learn beyond the classroom, experiencing history, art, and culture firsthand. Many students may never have the chance to travel abroad otherwise, making these trips a life-changing opportunity. Walking the streets of Paris, standing before the ruins of Pompeii, or admiring the artwork of Michelangelo brings historical and cultural lessons to life in a way textbooks cannot.

For many years, Mr. Box and Coach Russell, both history teachers at St. Luke’s, have led these international trips with passion and dedication. Their leadership, along with faculty chaperones and a designated medical professional, ensures student safety and well-being throughout the journey. Dr. Lisa McDonough has been a valuable part of these trips for the past three years, providing medical support when needed.

In February 2023, students embarked on a 10-day journey through London and France, guided by a knowledgeable and enthusiastic tour guide named Freddy. He had been a world traveler and had great interest in history and geography. Some of the highlights of landmarks seen in London were Buckingham Palace, Big Ben, Tower Bridge, and St. Paul’s Cathedral. Students traveled to Paris by train and were able to visit the Louvre Museum, Arc de Triomphe, Eiffel Tower, Les Invalides, Versailles Palace, and Opera House. A moving experience was the visit to the Normandy D-Day landing beaches and the German Battery at Longue-sur-Mer.

The February 2024 trip took students through the heart of Italy, guided by Stefano Calcagni, whose expertise and inside knowledge made the trip unforgettable. Florence offered sightseeing tours at Palazzo Vecchio, Piazza della Signoria, Leather Workshop, Gates of Paradise and more. Next, in Venice, students marveled at the Piazza delle Erbe, which is the Romeo and Juliet balcony, St. Mark’s Square and the Grand Canal, and a Glass blowing demonstration. A highlight of the trip was an authentic gondola ride, offering a beautiful view of Venice from the water. The journey continued to Rome where they visited St. Francis of Assisi Basilica, Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel, St. Peter’s Basilica, and other places. A guided excursion to Pompeii allowed students to witness firsthand the preserved ruins of the ancient city, providing a haunting and fascinating glimpse into the history that took place there. This trip concluded with an excursion to Capri and Blue Grotto, where students saw stunning caves and sailed through the shimmering blue waters. A few students decided to take an icy plunge and swim in the water.

February of 2025 offered a trip to Austria, Germany, and Switzerland guided by Johnny and Machieck. Switzerland offered the Sound of Music tour, St. Stephen’s Cathedral, and Albertine Museum. In Germany, students were guided through the Dachau Concentration Camp & Memorial Visit which offered valuable reflection time. Coach Russell led willing participants to run through the 1972 Olympic Park in Munich. The BMW Welt showroom was an interesting visit as well. Switzerland had several castles, covered bridges, and beautiful alps mountains to explore as well.

These international tours offer students an incredible mix of education, adventure, and cultural immersion. Whether visiting the historic streets of London, the artistic treasures of Florence, or the ancient ruins of Pompeii, each trip creates lifelong memories and valuable learning experiences.

As students step beyond their classrooms and into the world, they gain more than just knowledge—they develop a global perspective, newfound independence, and a deeper appreciation for history and culture. These tours continue to be a transformative experience, preparing students for a future filled with exploration and discovery.

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A Night to Remember: St. Luke’s 2025 Prom

Megan McDonough — Wed, 26 Mar 2025 18:58:35 +0000

Prom 2025.

O
ver the weekend, our students attended our school's annual formal dance, which this year was held at the Mobile Carnival Museum. With the appropriate theme of Masquerade, every single Wildcat attended with pride. Our Seniors and Juniors all looked pristine as they entered the front doors at eight o’clock. For our Juniors, it was an overwhelming experience for the harsh reality of growing up, and for our Seniors, it was a comfort as thier last dance as a St. Luke’s student. The museum was decorated beautifully with Mardi Gras inspired streamers and balloons. Our committee, full of volunteers, did an amazing job preparing this venue for our students.

Callouts were truly breathtaking as the parents watched thier children be individually recognized with thier gorgeous dates. As each senior's name was called, the museum boomed with cheers and applause. Demonstrating the love and admiration each classmate and parent had for them. Truly, this felt like walking out in front of a family, no one could hide the joyous emotion that was encapsulating the room! After the callouts and final senior picture was taken, our students could not wait to hit the dance floor.

Prom was a nice way to hang out with friends and make some final memories before graduation.
Hallie Dickinson, Senior

Starting off the night strong, our amazing DJ turned on the Cupid Shuffle. Which got everyone moving on the dance floor. Juniors and seniors diffused into all corners of the dance floor, enjoying each other's company. From Justin Bieber to Chris Stapleton, the dance floor was never empty. If at some point, you found yourself in need of a break, there were plenty of refreshments and snacks provided for us.

After about an hour of conversing, dancing, and laughing, we announced our school's 2025 Prom King and Queen. Prom King and Queen were voted on, organized, and enacted specifically by our Senior class. After days of anticipation, Lottie Perloff and Joseph Tiemann-Mena! They were crowned with gorgeous gold crowns and rejoiced with thier classmates! It was truly a bittersweet night because the moment the clock hit 10:30 PM, prom night had officially ended, and it was time to go home.

Prom was unforgettable. It was one of those nights where everything felt magical, the music was perfect, and the memories will last a lifetime.
Arianna Ori, Senior

This prom was a blast for all who attended, and every one of our Wildcats looked breathtaking. Prom was a complete success for St. Luke’s this year, and next year we plan for it to be even better!

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St. Luke’s Robotics

Joseph Tiemann-Mena — Fri, 15 Nov 2024 20:34:00 +0000

Robotics.

O
ne of the most fun clubs at St. Lukes has always been Robotics. In Robotics, team members work together to construct a robot to market and contest with other robots in a statewide competition known as the “BEST competition.” The robot’s construction is under harsh time constraints. Students must apply concepts from math, engineering, and physics. According to BEST Robotics, the organization that holds these competitions, students also learn skills such as abstract thinking, teamwork, project-management, and leadership. Many students gain an interest in these fields because of Robotics, some even going into related majors after high school. The program is almost entirely student-driven, with mentors there only for supervision and help.

Every year’s contest is themed uniquely, and 2024’s theme is “Low G,” its premise being that “the world is preparing to return to the moon. This time with the intent to stay.” The goal is to “perform critical exploratory tasks and prepare the way for future human habitation.” These tasks include collecting moon rocks, extracting core samples, repairing a collapsed radio antenna, and constructing a habitat site. All this must be done while traversing hilly terrain. These tasks may seem simple on their own, but the subtle differences of each task make building a robot for all of them quite difficult.

The team began with a brainstorming and designing session. How are we going to design a claw using as few servos as possible? Should our wheels include suspension? Can we 3D-print this, or should it be made of wood? Once a rough design was complete, the team moved on to construction. Using a CNC, a device meant to cut complex shapes out of different materials, wheels and gears were carved out of wood and cardboard. A base was made from plywood. The best math students were tasked with calculating each part’s location and the exact blueprint of the robot. Two motors were wired to a control module and battery, before being attached to the wheels. Soon, the robot’s base was fully functional and could be driven with a controller. However, the claw still posed a challenge. One problem encountered was that the design placed too much tension on itself, and the wood frequently snapped. The claw had to be re-made out of a more tensile plastic, and many parts of it were 3D-printed As of the writing of this paper, the robotics team has not yet completed the project, though it is obvious the team’s intellect and creativity will result in an exceptionally competitive robot.

Many students are very passionate about robotics. The team’s captain, Zane West, who first joined robotics in the 6th grade, enjoys the students’ independence at Robotics. “I love the freedom that it gives the students. When students come through the door, they're treated like adults. They’re trusted and valued. They’re given the freedom to understand that what they put in is what they get out.” Ackley Hoffman is also a major component of the team; he spoke about his great appreciation for “the creative environment and the good people who participate.” He has learned a lot since joining too, such as “useful life skills, how to operate machinery, how to cut straight and be a good handyman.” Despite not being an especially prominent or flashy club, robotics is definitely one of the most gratifying.

In conclusion, robotics is not only an educational club but also one of the most fun. Students discover that math and engineering are really not that intimidating when actually applied, and may even go into related fields in their adulthood. They can learn while having a blast. Oliver Lyons described his favorite part of robotics best: “meeting new people, making new friends, building new possibilities.”

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Fall at St. Luke’s

Kiley Hawarah — Tue, 15 Oct 2024 18:08:18 +0000

It's Fall at St. Luke's.

A
s the cooler weather begins to emerge, the arrival of the wonderful fall season is on everyone's mind. To me, fall embodies a collection of comforting and exciting experiences: pumpkin spice everything, cozy sweaters, the excitement of football season, and, of course, the fun of Halloween. Although fall technically starts on September 22nd, in Mobile, Alabama—where I live—fall doesn't truly begin until the temperatures drop, usually toward the end of October. On campus, I personally define the start of fall as the time when we can comfortably wear our jackets or blazers all day without needing to take them off as soon as we step outside the classroom.

During the fall months, high school students, including myself, spend our Friday nights cheering on our Wildcat football teams with an abundance of school spirit. One of my favorite parts is dressing up in theme and taking cute pictures beneath the stadium lights. While my outfits may seem a bit dainty, I’m always fully immersed in the game, cheering loudly and blowing my horn after every touchdown, incredible pass, or game-changing tackle. Win or lose, our Wildcat pride never diminishes. In this tight-knit community, Wildcats always support each other, and that sense of pride is what makes our school so special.

The fall season also brings two major holidays, each filled with wonderful memories. The first, of course, is Halloween. Finding the perfect costume is always an adventure, and everyone approaches it differently. Some people aim for cute costumes, others prefer spooky looks, and some go for humorous outfits that guarantee a good laugh. Personally, I enjoy creating funny costumes—something unique that no one else is likely to wear. My costumes might be a little difficult to move in or even slightly embarrassing to some, but I love making people laugh. Last year, despite Halloween falling on a school night, my friends and I couldn’t resist staying out late to go trick-or-treating. At St. Luke’s, we have some fantastic Halloween traditions, like trunk-or-treat and an out-of-uniform day where everyone gets to dress up in costumes.

The second big holiday in the fall is Thanksgiving. For me, Thanksgiving is all about enjoying a delicious home-cooked meal and spending quality time with family. The break from school during Thanksgiving week is a much-appreciated bonus. My family usually stays in town to celebrate, gathering with loved ones to enjoy the holiday meal, but I know others who take advantage of the time off to travel and visit extended family. Both of these holidays perfectly capture the essence of fall, representing a season of fun, laughter, and meaningful time spent with family and friends.

I recently had the opportunity to speak with a few St. Luke’s students who experienced the fall on the Japonica campus and were eager to share their fond memories. Presley Jackson recalled her favorite fall activity: carving and painting pumpkins. She loved that her parents were able to join her on campus and spend time together while they carved pumpkins as a family. Another student, Ahja Wilder, spoke about the excitement of participating in the campus’s haunted house tradition. Each year, the 5th graders would design a haunted house, and during the fall festival, students and parents alike would walk through and enjoy the spooky experience. Ahja vividly remembered her 5th-grade year when they created a Harry Potter-themed haunted house, complete with representations of the various Hogwarts houses. Lily mentioned how much she cherished the annual Thanksgiving Feast tradition. The students would dress up as either Native Americans or Pilgrims and share a Thanksgiving meal with their parents, creating lasting memories.

Though it's not fall in Stars Hollow, fall at St. Luke's in Mobile holds just as many fun traditions and beautiful weather. St. Luke's hits its stride in fall, leaves and all.

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April Reign: Bentley Wins 2nd State Title

aabel — Sun, 28 Apr 2024 16:34:06 +0000

St. Luke's sophomore, Ella Bentley, wins her second consecutive AHSAA 1A/3A title in women's singles.

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HOCO ’23: Day 5 – Pep Rally

Isabella Edmondson — Fri, 27 Oct 2023 15:53:29 +0000

Homecoming Week Wrap Up.

H
omecoming week has been so much fun! Monday was decades day. We sixth graders dressed as the 50’s! On Tuesday we got to wear our cozy pj’s and just literally roll out of bed. Wednesday was fun because it was the first time I’ve performed with the band at Chapel, on the stage! On the University campus, some students wore white shirts with a “little white lie”, like my friend Bronx, who wrote on his shirt, “I’m like 5’11”. And if you know my friend Bronx, he is very much not 5’ 11”. Thursday was dress as your favorite childhood toy so I dressed up as my favorite tiger stuffy. I wore tiger ears, gloves, and a tail.

Homecoming on the Upper Campus has been the most awesome and fun week this semester. I love it up here! This week I have mostly enjoyed being out of uniform and getting to use my imagination to choose what I wear everyday.

I think St. Luke’s hosts these fun days for Homecoming so that we can use our creative minds! We get to remember what it was like when we were younger and that it is still ok to be silly. I love homecoming week and each day makes me feel creative and free to let my imagination go wild!

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2023 English Textbooks

aabel — Fri, 26 May 2023 02:19:00 +0000

Upper School English textbooks for the 2023-24 academic year.

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St. Luke’s Goes Abroad

St. Luke's Staff Writers — Fri, 03 Mar 2023 23:04:40 +0000

St. Luke's Abroad.

S
t. Luke’s hosted its first abroad trip during Mardi Gras break. A group of sophomores, juniors, and seniors with Mr. Box, Mrs. Box, Coach Russell, and Mrs. Jackson embarked on a ten-day trip to England and France to explore new places, cultures, cuisines, traditions, and ways of living!

Our first adventure was in England. To enjoy all of what London had to offer, we first had to learn more about London’s best-known public transportation services. It took us a while to fully grasp the ”tube,” which is the underground railway system that services the London metropolitan area. We were lucky to also use a very new line of transportation, (which opened in May 2022) The Elizabeth. The Elizabeth was recently built to serve more than 200 million people a year, it connects to more places, allows for shorter journey times, and is more comfortable and spacious. And, of course, you can’t visit London without experiencing the iconic double-decker buses!

Our tour took us to the Tower of London, Big Ben, Westminster Abbey, 10 Downing Street - the UK White House, Covent Garden, National Gallery Museum, Tower Bridge, St. Paul’s Cathedral, and Buckingham Palace for the changing of the guard. One of our favorite stops was
Camden Market, which is one of the main tourist attractions in London due to its alternative style.

To fully experience British dining, our first bloody delicious traditional meal was fish and chips! We couldn’t leave London without experiencing another integral part of British life, their pub culture. We felt like true Brits while socializing, relaxing, and eating at a local pub. After such a fun British experience (and still suffering from jet lag), we were “knackered!”

For the next leg of the trip, the Eurostar train took us to the French capital….Paris! The Eurostar is a high-speed passenger train that links the 305-mile trip from London to Paris in about 2 hours and 20 minutes. During our city tour, we visited almost every landmark: the Opera, the Louvre, Notre Dame, Versailles, Arc de Triomphe, Les Invalides (where Napoleon is buried), and the perfume factory.

Next, we went northwest towards Normandy to visit the batteries de Longues - German defense positions during WW2 and paid our respects to the brave US soldiers at the American War Cemetery. We then traveled further west to Brittany and visited the beautiful St. Malo (also known as the Pirate City!). There we saw one of the top tourist attractions in France, Mont St. Michel, which is a monastery on top of a rock surrounded by the sea. Stunning!

Next, we went southeast and visited the Loire Valley with quaint little towns and beautiful castles. One castle was Chenonceaux, the second most visited castle in France after Versailles. We also visited Chartres, the biggest and best-preserved medieval cathedral in France.

Besides feasting on every flavor of macaron, beautiful pastries, croissants, and baguettes, we also dined on CousCous and galettes (buckwheat pancakes). For our final meal in France, we had a unique dinner in a crypt of flammekueche!

We made one last stop in Paris to take a Seine River Cruise that started at the foot of the Eiffel Tower. The Eiffel Tower was adorned in beautiful blue for Ukraine. Paris by night was as beautiful as it is in the movies! Au revoir - France!

We were so pleased to share this unique and invaluable life experience as it is from experiences in life that we learn and grow. We learned a lot about other cultures and made lots of memories!

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2022 Halloween Spirit Day Guidelines

aabel — Wed, 26 Oct 2022 14:34:02 +0000

News Flash.

The University Campus Pep Rally will take place on Monday, October 31 at 2:30 pm in the University auditorium.

Students are welcome to dress in costumes for Halloween, but must follow the spirit day guidelines.

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Color the World With the Hispanic Honor Society

aabel — Wed, 07 Sep 2022 20:23:21 +0000

Más que una recaudación de fondos:
Color the World with a Bracelet.

S
ociedad Honoraria Hispanica, the Hispanic Honor Society of St. Luke’s, invites you to participate as a cultural ambassador through their fundraiser, sponsored by the Pulsera Project. This nonprofit organization employs artisans in Nicaragua & Guatemala with Fair Trade jobs and sells their artwork through schools in the U.S.

By purchasing a one of a kind bracelet, you will be helping people from Nicaragua and Guatemala access benefits like scholarships, healthcare, housing, legal services, personal development, an emergency fund, and more!

Each woven bracelet includes a picture and name of the artisan and costs only $10.

Get yours by visiting the booth outside the cafeteria during lunch hours.
You can also pay through VENMO:
@StLukes-EpiscopalSchool
Pin: 398 (Spanish Fund)

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