Martin Luther King Jr. Day
Monday, January 19, 2026
8:30 a.m. – 3 p.m.
St. Stephen's Campus
Martin Luther King Jr. Day is traditionally a day "on" for St. Stephen's students, faculty and staff with active programming and participation focused on this year's theme, Unity Through Love.
On Monday, January 19, 2026, everyone remained on the SSES campus engaging in hands-on activities and learning from guest speakers and performers whose message tied-in to this year‘s theme. The goal is to unify and grow together as we are inspired by the life of The Rev. Dr. King to continue forwarding our school's mission and commitment to honoring and respecting the dignity of all humans.
“We must discover the power of love, the power, the redemptive power of love. And when we discover that we will be able to make of this old world a new world... Love is the only way.”
–The Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.
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St. Stephen's is excited to welcome these guests to The Hill
Bishop Michael Curry
The Rt. Rev. Michael Bruce Curry served as the 27th presiding bishop and primate of The Episcopal Church. Bishop Curry retired in 2024 following more than 40 years of ordained ministry.
Alumni Panel
Students will hear from Clarke Heidrick ’68 and John McFarland ’68, who started the St. Stephen’s MLK Scholarship, along with MLK Scholarship recipients Rudy Green ’71 and Ricky Green ’86.
Christopher Spivey & Co.
Founded in 2023 and led by the talented Christopher D. Spivey, this dynamic local group of singers brings an uplifting experience through their gospel music.
RushTopFish Dance
Austin’s own RushTopFish creates contemporary dance works to process the human experience. They will present "Velvet Shines Heavy," a piece that examines the deep desire to be seen and understood.
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Schedule: Grades 6–9
| Time | Event |
|---|---|
| 8:30–9 a.m. | Small Groups |
| 9:10–10:10 a.m. |
A Case For Love: Bishop Curry (Chapel) |
| 10:20–11:05 a.m. | Chapel Talk Reflection Activity |
|
11:10–11:40 a.m. |
Lunch–Grades 6,7,8 |
| 11:40 a.m.–12:10 p.m. | Lunch–Grade 9 |
| 12:20–1:05 p.m. |
Songs as an Expression of Unity and Love, Christopher Spivey & Co. (Chapel) |
| 1:15–2 p.m. | Alumni Panel: Our School’s History of Unifying Through Love (Helm) |
|
2:10–2:55 p.m. |
Dance as an Expression of Unity and Love, RushTopFish Dance (Helm) |
|
2:55–3 p.m. |
A Case for Love: Wrapping up the Day Reflection |
Schedule: Grades 10–12
| Time | Event |
|---|---|
| 8:30–9 a.m. | Small Groups |
| 9:10–10:05 a.m. | Alumni Panel: Our School’s History of Unifying Through Love (Helm) |
| 10:20–11:05 a.m. | Dance as an Expression of Unity and Love, RushTopFish Dance (Helm) |
| 11:10 a.m.–12:10 p.m. |
A Case for Love: Bishop Curry (Chapel) |
| 12:15–12:45 p.m. | Lunch–Grade 10 |
| 12:45–1:15 p.m. | Lunch–Grades 11, 12 |
|
1:20–2:05 p.m. |
Chapel Talk Reflection Activity |
|
2:10–2:55 p.m. |
Songs as an Expression of Unity and Love, Christopher Spivey & Co. (Chapel) |
|
2:55–3 p.m. |
A Case for Love: Wrapping up the Day Reflection |
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Highlights of MLK Day 2026
Do you have questions about MLK Day?
Please contact Marsha Elliott at melliott@sstx.org or 512.327.1213 x6024