From serving up three meals a day in the dining hall to deicing walkways and roads — thank you to those who chipped in on The Hill!

“I am so grateful for our community members and their efforts to jump in and help whenever needed!” said Cindy Stadulis, associate head of school for finance and operations.

Like the sheets of ice, unity and kindness spread throughout campus during the three days of winter weather throughout Central Texas. Although the campus was technically closed, nearly 180 boarding students, and dozens of residential faculty and staff living on campus stepped up in big ways keeping students safe, fed, warm and even entertained.

Stadulis commended Kory Turney, executive chef of SAGE Dining Services for cooking miracles in the dining hall over the weekend. With road conditions too dangerous for the rest of the weekend dining team to drive to campus, Turney took on the solo task of “heroically” maintaining the same dining schedule, making three meals a day on Saturday and Sunday.

While he focused first on food preparation and delivery, the following students and adults literally rolled up their sleeves to wash dishes in the dining hall with smiles and cheerfulness: Cindy Yang ’26, Izzy Steibel ’26, Niel Wu ’26, Jeremy Sweetlamb, Andy Aceves, Crystal Guerrero and Head of School Chris Gunnin.

Additional kindhearted heroes included residential member and Campus Store Manager Lee Stewart. Stewart made special arrangements to open for business Monday and Tuesday so that students could grab snacks, drinks and a change of scenery from their dorm rooms.

“I got a lot of customers,” said Stewart, who regularly stocks the shelves with a few treats from other countries. “They bought snacks and had a great time — it’s just a little piece of home.”

Trekking to the dining hall was also challenging on the slick, icy sidewalks, so Spartans jumped in to help the Director of Facilities LM Butler spread ice melt and chipped away at icy sidewalks clearing safe passageways.  

“This might be the worst ice I've ever experienced in the 28 years I've been part of the school,” said Butler. 

Stadulis, her husband and Guerrero helped throw sand and dirt on the steep hills so vehicles could access campus. Others grabbed shovels and cleared ice around the dorms and residential homes. 

On Wednesday morning as campus re-opened and the rest of the community returned, it was all hands on deck for Butler’s hardworking team of maintenance and grounds crew members. Team members arrived early to place safety cones, turn the water back on in academic buildings and offices, and spread sand to several walkways that refroze overnight.

“The team has come together and understands, to a degree, the magnitude of Mother Nature, when she unleashes her fury,” said Butler with gentle calmness.

Last but not least, Director of Residential Life and Student Activities Gene “GP” Phillips rolled out a plan while the campus was closed to open the gym, weight room and Becker Library for students. Thank you to the residential faculty and staff members who took turns being in these spaces for students to utilize.