Heroes Like You
Who makes our mission possible? Heroes like you.
Being a hero doesn’t require rushing into a burning building to save lives. The definition is a bit broader than that and requires only the selfless attempt (and intent) to benefit others through some amount of personal sacrifice. When you give your assets to support our mission, you become a hero—at least to the students who benefit from an innovative, inclusive, life-changing educational opportunity.
The Lasting Legacy of Bill Gess: A Family’s Commitment to Sayre
William “Bush” Gess Jr., affectionately known as Bill, was more than just a parent, spouse, and grandparent—he was a tireless advocate for Sayre School. His connection to the school was not just a part of his life; it was woven into the very fabric of his family’s story. Bill’s legacy is not one of singular accomplishment, but of generations united by a shared commitment to Sayre and its values.
Bill’s involvement with Sayre spans decades, and his family’s ties to the school are deep-rooted. His daughter, Diane Gess Alverson ’77, and his son, William Bush Gess III ’78, are both proud Sayre alumni. Bill’s influence extended beyond his children to his daughter-in-law, Edie Howard Gess ’77, whose own family had a history at Sayre. Edie’s aunt, Lucy Howard, was a part of Sayre when it was a girls’ boarding school, and her sister Anne Howard Tsamas ’79 also graduated from Sayre. Bill’s grandchildren and great-grandchildren continued this tradition, demonstrating that the Gess family was indeed the definition of a "Sayre lifer."
The Gess family’s ties to the school are multi-generational. Anne Lawrence Gess Smith ’03, Benjamin Alexander Pursley Gess ’06, William Bush Gess IV ’06, and his wife Margaret Barr Gess ’05, were all graduates of Sayre, and their children—William Henning Gess (now in fourth grade), Louise Fauntleroy Gess (now in second grade), and George Standish Gess (now in Kindergarten) carrying on the family tradition of Sayre education.
Bill’s love and dedication to Sayre were clear throughout his life, but his lasting impact on the school was cemented through his visionary gift: the Gess Family Scholarship. This planned gift was Bill’s way of ensuring that future generations of children could experience the same exceptional education that he, his children, and grandchildren had been fortunate to receive.
The Gess Family Scholarship is a testament to Bill’s enduring belief in the power of education and his deep commitment to the values that Sayre embodies. This scholarship will provide crucial financial support to the children of Sayre alumni, allowing them to attend the school that has been such an integral part of Bill’s family history. Through this gift, Bill ensured that the doors to Sayre would remain open to future generations, regardless of financial challenges.
For Bill, this scholarship was more than just a financial donation—it was a promise. It was his way of ensuring that the opportunities he cherished, and that his family had benefited from, would continue to thrive long after he was gone. His legacy lives on in the students who will walk the halls of Sayre, who will learn, grow, and contribute to the school’s rich history.
Bill’s vision for Sayre’s future is now firmly rooted in the hearts of his family, the generations who have come before and those who will come after. The Gess Family Scholarship will continue to touch lives for years to come, a lasting tribute to a man who believed in the power of education and the importance of community. Bill’s legacy, intertwined with the history of Sayre, will forever be remembered as a beacon of commitment, love, and opportunity.