Top, the San Marcos Academy Corps of Cadets Color Guard-SMA Bear Battalion presents the colors during Homecoming. Above, former SMA President John Garrison recalls how the academy came into being.
Daily Record photos by Celeste Cook
Clockwise, from left, a plaque at the tree is dedicated to Rev. Judd Brooks Holt, a founder of the San Marcos Academy. Rev. Judd B. Holt’s great-great grandchildren, Landon and Lainey Phillips closed the ceremony by reading a prayer. On Saturday, the San Marcos Academy dedicated this tree in honor of Rev. Holt. The alumni events began in the school's Memory Room, which contains historic memorabilia reflecting the school’s 116 years.
Daily Record photos by Celeste Cook
STRONG BRANCHES
School dedicates tree as part of Homecoming celebration in October
San Marcos Academy honored its many graduates with an all-day alumni celebration as part of the SMA Homecoming events this past weekend.
A highlight of the celebration was a Tree Dedication Ceremony in memory of Hill Country pastor and San Marcos Baptist Academy co-founder, Reverend Judd B. Holt.
The tree dedication opened with the Presentation of Colors by the San Marcos Academy Color Guard, followed by a prayer led by SMA president, Dr. Brian Guenther.
Directly following, former SMA president Dr. John Garrison spoke about Rev. Holt and his role in establishing San Marcos Baptist Academy.
Judd Brooks Holt was born July 26, 1877. He spent his formative years in Ft. Davis, Texas, where he attended public school.
He attended Baylor University in 1894 to study for the ministry. In December 1905, Rev. Holt addressed a gathering of Baptists in Lockhart, where he met San Marcos pastor M. E.
Hudson, who suggested that a local faith-based school should be the congregation’s priority.
In less than a year, a plan moved forward to build the school in San Marcos. Established in 1907 by the Texas Baptists, SMA is now one of the oldest boarding schools in Texas.
Dr. Garrison continued the address by introducing the members of the Holt-Garrison family, including Carol Holt Garrison, Academy teacher, member of the SMA Board of Trustees and granddaughter of Rev. Holt.
The tree is dedicated in honor of the five generations of the Holt family who have been involved in the San Marcos Academy, including Carol Holt Garrison, John H. Garrison, Ryan Holt Garrison and Mindy Garrison Phillips.
“It’s a special tree here in the heart of the campus,” Garrison said.
The dedication ceremony concluded with a closing prayer read by Lainey and Landon Phillips, the great-great grandchildren of Rev. Holt.
The SMA Alumni HoCo events also included the special presentations of the Pena Outstanding Alumni Award, the Katherine Shultz Award, the J. M. Carroll Award, the Athletic Hall of Fame and Golden Diplomas to members of the Class of 1973.
