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Breakfast with the Titans

In second annual event, supporters come together to celebrate and bolster Trinity’s dynamic academic community
On March 1st, nearly 200 supporters gathered for the second annual “Breakfast with the TITANS.” This free, one-hour fundraising breakfast showcased the school’s mission while inviting the community to help invest in Trinity’s financial sustainability. The Breakfast brings together Trinity’s philanthropic community to steward and build passionate and sustaining supporters.  

Twenty volunteers served as table hosts by personally inviting guests who came from all circles of the Trinity community: founding families, alumni, current and past parents, trustees and faculty and staff. Guests were welcomed into the Estes Athletic Center early in the morning where the one-hour program showcased the many facets of Trinity’s community, beginning with the premier of a new showcase video, “This is Trinity!” Afterwhich, student emcees Sarah Burris ’24 and Katey Loker ’24 kicked off the program by sharing their enriching and character-building Trinity experiences — everything from IB essays to falling in a creek during history class. The TriTones, Trinity’s acapella group, led by Sadie Hollaway ’24, regaled the audience with their stirring version of the national anthem which they have performed this year at multiple basketball games for both VCU and the University of Richmond. After Sarah gave the invocation, guests enjoyed a continental breakfast and the opportunity to visit with other guests. 

The voices of our youngest alumni were heard in a video that captured their answers to the question: “How has Trinity enriched your life?” Rob Short, Head of School, following the video, remarked how proud he was that “When each of those young alums were asked to reflect on Trinity — about its impact on their lives — they didn’t immediately speak of their chosen path — their college acceptances or scholarships or areas of study — they spoke of the dynamic academic community at Trinity. In fact, every one of them spoke of community.” The theme of dynamic academic community continued  throughout the testimonials from alums Lorin Johnson ’16 and Tyler Johnson ’14 who shared their incredible journeys at Trinity and since. 

“Being a part of the Trinity community has enriched my life in more ways than one,” shared Lorin, now the Director of Graduate Support for Anna Julia Cooper School.  “I was empowered to try and try again. Through these experiences, I developed relationships with people who have vastly different backgrounds from me. I developed a work ethic that helped me personally and professionally. I was given support and encouragement from people who just wanted the best for me. I can still walk through these halls and speak to several staff members across different departments, staff members who continue to congratulate me on my road to success. Thank you, Trinity, for the love and support; I’m truly proud to be a Titan!”

Tyler Johnson, a retired professional baseball player now seeking a master’s degree in public health, also reflected on his time at Trinity with gratitude, recalling the words his father told him when he was dropped off on the first day of school: “Don’t look back on your time here wishing you did more.” 

“I lived by that academically and athletically,” said Tyler. “And if you piece together all I have done over the past 14 years, you’ll see that work… From student leadership, clubs, extracurricular involvement, athletics to the facilities and amenities, Trinity provides ample opportunity to ‘Discover your Path,’ as they say. I was able to transfer this into my involvement in several clubs here and at South Carolina as well as into collegiate leadership positions, and professional leadership positions. And this practice allowed me to excel in the classroom and on the athletic field.”

Guests enjoyed additional music performances by the orchestra trio: Sylvie Dow ’25, harp, Elizabeth Ray ’25, violin,  and Erin Flynn, cello and a rousing finale, “The Time is Now!”  by Trinity’s jazz ensemble, led by Collin Hennessey ’24. At the conclusion of the program, Kelly O’Keefe, Trinity parent (’06, ’03, ’01) and former trustee, invited guests to support the mission of the school through one-time gifts and multi-year pledges in support of the Trailblazer Fund (annual giving). Nearly $100,000 was raised in new gifts and three-year pledges. 

Special thanks to all of the Trinity Parent Association volunteers who made the event a success as well as to Breakfast Sponsors Lara and Chase Hill ’98 for underwriting the costs of the Breakfast.
For more information about being a Table Host, guest or sponsor at next year's Breakfast, contact Alyssa McBride, Director of Development at alyssamcbride@trinityes.org or 804.327.3154.
 
The 2024 Table Hosts
Lisa Acquaye — Trustee, Trinity Parent (’18, ’24)
Tom & Kae Aycock — Former Head of School, Trinity Parents (’94, ’99)
Maria Bartz — English Teacher / Student Services Coordinator
James & Karen Dameron — Trinity Parent (’28)
Chris Ellis ’81 — Chair, Board of Trustees
Lauren Flood — Trinity Parent (‘17, ’19, ’23)
Braxton Hill — Trustee, Trinity Parent (’23, ’23, ‘28)
Elizabeth Kelley — Science Teacher / IB Coordinator, Trinity Parent (’19, ’21, ‘25)
Tad & Liz Meyer — Trinity Parent (’26)
Sam Mickens — Leadership Gifts Officer/Head Football Coach
Joe & Diane Monaco ’81 — Dir. Business Operations & Math Teacher, Trinity Parents (’22)
Annie McDade — ­ Trinity Parent (’27)
Jana McQuaid — Trustee, Trinity Parent (’23)
Clay Reynolds — Trustee, Trinity Parent (’25)
Ann Roberts ‘80 — Trustee
Rob Short — Head of School
Jennifer Smith-Slabaugh — Trinity Parent (’22)
Trinity Parents Association: Faith Cranston ‘92, Trinity Parent (’24, ‘26)
Tia Walker — Trustee, Trinity Parent (’23, ’24)
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