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WEBB THE WEBB SCHOOL

MAGAZINE

WEBB TODAY AND YESTERDAY: Celebrating 140 years

A season to reap: Passion for music fuels second career for Alexander Charles Alexander ‘68 is most known for his work as an editor at TIME Magazine and his outspoken views on the environment, but this distinguished Webb alumnus has another side that until recent years escaped popular notice.

Girls’ friendship crosses cultural borders

Graduation 2010: Webb produces 53 ‘accurate scholars’

They may be from two different countries and entirely different backgrounds, but that didn’t stop Tram Nguyen and Mary Kathryn Menck from becoming best friends.

The Webb School celebrated its core mission on Friday, May 28, when 53 of its students received the traditional Bible containing their Webb diplomas.

Reunion 2010: Where are they now?

A Note from the Head of School: Looking forward

3 4 19

Webb Kudos: Theatre program invited to Fringe Fest

Traditions: Senior Survival

Alumni Spotlight: Alumnus tackles ‘Strolling Jim’

to an exciting new school year

Hazelwood to lead Webb development team Profile in Giving: New plaza, sign mark entrance to The Webb School

support a puppet replica of school founder W.R. “Sawney” Webb. See related story on Page 5.

14 30

Summer 2010

On Cover: Students and art instructor Mike Quinn

A NOTE FROM THE HEAD OF SCHOOL

Looking forward to an exciting new school year Dear Webb Community,

The Webb School Magazine

The class of 2010 celebrated their commencement exercises on May 28. As the school finished its 140th year, this class left behind many memories as well as many accomplishments. The 53 graduates and one post-graduate of the class of 2010 received offers of more than $1.1 million in merit-based scholarships. We wish the class the best of luck at their new schools and we look forward to hearing about how they are doing this fall.

I am delighted that Claudia Hazelwood will be joining us this summer as our new director of Alumni and Development (See article Page 4). Ms. Hazelwood brings a wealth of experience from the Vanderbilt University development office where she has worked for the past 26 years in a variety of positions. Additionally, Ms. Hazelwood has a keen understanding of Webb, as her daughter, Whitney, is an alumna (1999). At an enthusiastic meeting in April of the Webb Board of Trustees we identified

MAGAZINE

Raymond S. Broadhead Head of School

It is with a great deal of excitement that my wife, Leone, and I begin our time at Webb. We are honored to join a school with such a storied history and a longstanding reputation for producing tireless workers, who are successful academically and vocationally, but even more importantly have strong moral characters and integrity. I am indebted to Gordon Bondurant who has served as interim head of school for the past year. Mr. Bondurant has done an outstanding job bringing much experience and talent to Webb and he has also helped me immensely over the past several months to make this transition as smooth as possible. We wish him well in the years ahead and we hope that he will visit often!

WEBB THE WEBB SCHOOL

Joe Iorio Assistant Head of School and CFO

WEBB COMMUNICATIONS EDITOR: Sara Withrow Director of Marketing and Communications DESIGN & LAYOUT: Gayle McClanahan Graphic Design and Communications Assistant Matt Anderson Director of Operations in Admissions Raymond S. Broadhead

several projects for the immediate future. We also hired Kathy Hanson of Marts and Lundy as a consultant for three months to help us shape a longterm vision for The Webb School. This vision and a resulting strategic plan will be designed to respect the rich history of the school while securing its future. I look forward to meeting all the members of the Webb family in the years ahead. I want to learn all that I can about this special place. I would love to hear your stories about Webb. Please feel free to email me at any time if you have a question, an anecdote to share, or an opinion. Through strong communication we can make better decisions. Leone and I can’t wait to begin this exciting new year! Best Regards, Raymond S. Broadhead Head of School rbroadhead@webbschool.com

Claudia Hazelwood Director of Alumni & Development

CONTRIBUTORS Alyce Allen Database Coordinator Dorothy Elkins Alumni Research Assistant Sandi Jobe ‘95 Director of Alumni Relations and Annual Giving Jonathan Waldrop ‘02 The Webb School Magazine is published biannually in the summer and winter by The Webb School, 319 Webb Road East, Bell Buckle, Tenn. The Webb School is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization: 62-0401875. The school complies with all applicable anti-discrimination laws and does not discriminate on the basis of gender, race, color, religion, ethnic or national origin in the administration of its educational policies and programs, admissions processes, scholarship and loan programs, employment practices, athletic and other school administrative programs.

WEBB KUDOS

Theatre program invited to Fringe Fest The Webb School’s theatre program is gaining national recognition. The school was recently selected to participate in the 2011 Fringe Festival in Edinburgh, Scotland in conjunction with the American High School Theatre Festival (AHSTF). Touted as the “biggest arts festival in the world,” the Fringe Festival is a venue for theatre productions, as well as comedy, music, dance and other exhibitions. The AHSTF annually hosts high school students from across the nation for three weeks of rehearsal and performance at the international event. According to Webb Theatre Director Ruth Cordell, high schools are nominated to apply to participate by individuals representing state, regional, or national theatre associations, college theatre directors or AHSTF alumni. “The programs are identified based on their

most recent bodies of work, honors, awards, technical ability, community involvement, philosophies and recommendations,” Cordell said. A competitive process, nominees are selected based on an involved application that details their programs, past productions and curricula. No more than 100 schools are selected each year to participate. “The nomination (and selection) presents us with an opportunity to define our program as one of excellence, to reinforce to the students

Newman receives grant Jonathan Newman, English instructor, was awarded The Webb School’s 2010 Frere Faculty Enhancement Grant earlier this year.

Named in honor of former headmaster, A. Jon Frere (1989-2005), the grant is funded annually by donations from the Webb Board of Trustees to assist faculty in the area of professional development.

“Professor John Ernest (who is teaching The American Renaissance) is one of the leading scholars of 19th century American litera-

“This year my students really enjoyed our study of the Transcendentalist movement led by Emerson and Thoreau … I have no doubt that the discussions from this summer will be immediately applicable to the discussions I lead in my classroom.”

“This is a huge compliment. It’s a once in a lifetime opportunity for the students to be placed in an international performance forum and experience as a performer a festival of this magnitude.”

Students participate in a Webb summer Shakespeare camp production of ‘Macbeth.’

Cordell traveled to Scotland in early August to gather more information about the festival and to perform a feasibility study. Should The Webb School decide to participate, more information will be forthcoming. Check the Web site for developing details: www. thewebbschool.com. For more information about the festival visit www.ahstf.com.

Newman said the writing pedagogy course would also be a great asset to him. “As the English teacher for all of the juniors at Webb, I feel that I have a great obligation to prepare my students for college writing. I focus my teaching almost entirely on the type of analytical writing that students can expect to do in college. ... This course on writing pedagogy will most certainly help me to be an even more effective teacher of writing.” Faculty are invited each year to apply for the Frere grant, based on available funds.

To see all of the 2009-2010 award winners go to www.thewebbschool/parents

Summer 2010

Newman is pursuJonathan Newman ing a master’s degree in English at the Sewanee School of Letters via a summer program tailored for English teachers. He used the $2,200 grant award toward his summer courses, which included English 513, Writing Pedagogy: Teaching Writing Creatively, and English 577, The American Renaissance.

ture,” Newman said. “I took a class from him last summer that focused on portrayals of slavery in American literature, and that was one of the most rewarding classes I have ever had.

and to ourselves that what we are doing here is a valuable educational tool,” Cordell said.

Hazelwood to lead Webb development team By Sara Withrow

Director of Marketing and Communications

Coming to The Webb School is like coming home for Claudia M. Hazelwood, the school’s new director of alumni and development. A graduate of a K-12 private school located in New Orleans, and a former schoolteacher at University School Nashville (USN), Hazelwood is familiar with independent education. As the mother of Webb graduate, Whitney Hazelwood Brough (Class of 1999), she has a history with the school as well. And, the Bell Buckle campus is much closer geographically to Hazelwood’s restored Normandy, Tenn. farm home than her employer for the past 26 years, Vanderbilt University in Nashville.

The Webb School Magazine

Claudia and David Hazelwood are pictured above with their dog, Lane.

“People have been asking me what I’m going to do with the extra two hours I’ll have on my hands,” she said, referring to the shorter commute. “I’ve decided I’m going to have chickens again.” Hazelwood and her husband, David, came to enjoy chickens when their daughter, Whitney, was young and still living at home. “We got them for Whitney so she could have an egg business,” she explained. “David thought it would be good for her and would teach her business sense … the chickens were fascinating to watch.” Apparently the plan worked. Whitney no longer has chickens, but is a practicing speech therapist in Asheville, N.C. where she lives with her husband, Jock Brough, and their new daughter, Addison, 6 months. Following her Webb education, Whitney earned a degree in psychology from Vanderbilt Uni-

versity and a master’s degree in communication disorders from Appalachian State University. “We’re very proud of the fact that she utilizes her education to enrich her life and the lives of others,” Hazelwood said. It was Whitney’s connection to The Webb School that influenced her mother’s recent decision to leave her longtime career in development at Vanderbilt University. “She (Whitney) holds Webb as a very important experience in her life and we hold it the same way. Her positive experience is a key reason why I’m headed there now,” Hazelwood said shortly after accepting the Webb position. According to Head of School Raymond Broadhead, Webb is fortunate to have Hazelwood leading its alumni and development team. “Through her time at Vanderbilt Claudia brings to The Webb School a wealth of experience and a high degree of professionalism,” he said. “In addition, she has a strong knowledge of Webb through her involvement as a parent (of Whitney) … She will be a tremendous asset to our school.”

Getting to know Claudia Favorite book: “The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time,” by Mark Haddon On her love of history: “Dinnertime was always a sacred time in our family. It was where we heard stories from my father about the war and about our family. We had a set of Compton Encyclopedias and if a topic came up that he wanted to expand upon, he’d go get one off the shelf. It gave me a good sense of and an interest in what came before.”

Hazelwood began her career as a teacher and tennis coach at Peabody Demonstration School, a K-12 school associated with the Peabody College of Education (now under the Vanderbilt umbrella). The demonstration school was privatized one year after Hazelwood began working there and became the University School of Nashville (USN). She taught American and British Literature, creative writing and European History at USN for six and a-half years before leaving to give birth to and raise Whitney. Returning to the workforce in 1984, Hazelwood took an administrative position at her alma mater (Vanderbilt). Over the next 26 years she worked in positions of increasing importance for the university’s alumni relations and development offices. During this time she participated in two capital campaigns including the current $1.75 billion Shape the Future Campaign (2004-10) and a Parent’s Campaign that raised $12.4 million in gifts for 2009. Hazelwood hopes to utilize this experience in her role as Webb’s director of alumni and development. “I look forward to partnering with incoming Head of School Ray Broadhead, faculty and staff, the Board of Trustees and our alumni and parents to continue Webb’s progress and make the next leap forward,” she said. Hazelwood holds a master’s degree in teaching and a bachelor’s degree in history from Vanderbilt and a teaching certificate from Peabody College of Education. She and her husband, David, own and operate the Parish Patch Farm & Inn, Cortner Mill Restaurant and Whitney Chapel in Normandy, Tenn. David is the general manager and also has his own consulting business (providing strategic planning for nonprofits, independent schools and churches). Hazelwood can be contacted via email at chazelwood@webbschool.com.

Sawney Lives!

Artists, students breathe life into Webb founder By Sara Withrow

Director of Marketing and Communications

Ingenuity, art and design came together to breathe life into Webb history during The Webb School’s celebration of Fine Arts Week, May 10-20. In honor of the school’s140th anniversary, art instructor Mike Quinn and professional artist and puppeteer Wayne White created a largerthan-life size replica of The Webb School’s founder W.R. “Sawney” Webb, with assistance from Webb students. White, who is known for his work on the Emmy-award winning “Pee Wee’s Playhouse” and Jim Henson’s “The Muppet Show,” made several puppets this past year. In March, he visited Watkins College of Art and Design in Nashville and worked with students there to create an interactive puppet head of their school’s founder. And, in September/October 2009 he completed and displayed an automated 23-foot-long puppet head resembling country singer/entertainer George Jones at Rice University’s art gallery in Houston, Texas.

But White and Quinn, didn’t stop with Sawney’s head, they built the school founder legs, arms, hands and feet so he could “stroll” the beautiful Bell Buckle campus – and they did it all in just two and a-half days. Art students at Webb helped with the puppet’s construction during their regular class periods, but White and Quinn did the lion’s share of the labor, which included fashion and design. “I’ve never done one quite like this,” White said. According to Quinn, the 40-pound, 20-foot-tall puppet was fashioned entirely from cardboard, foam core, bamboo, paint and wire. “It was all stuff we had laying around the art room,” he said. At the unveiling on T h u r s d a y, May 13, the puppet sported a fine

wardrobe, although probably not one Sawney would have worn in the late-1800s and early 1900s when he was headmaster at the school. “The jacket is made of 12 T-shirts hot glued together,” Quinn said. Sawney’s pants were a satin rainbow-patterned fabric with peace symbols reminiscent of the 1960s and 70s. Webb freshman Hayden Cliche said he was surprised to the see the size of the puppet, which required five people to support it with bamboo poles (one person for each appendage and one to support the core). “I think Sawney would like it,” Cliche said. “I would like it if someone would make a big puppet out of me.” White said he was motivated by the project because of his close friendship with Quinn. The two worked on puppets together as students at Middle Tennessee State University more than 30 years ago. “And, my motivation is watching it just now,” he added, while observing the puppet parading around campus. “If you can do something like this it’s irresistible. I do it because I can do it.” White is a native of Chattanooga now residing in Los Angeles, Calif. He has visited Webb before as a guest artist/lecturer for Quinn’s classes.

Pictured are Mike Quinn, left, and Wayne White.

Summer 2010

A SEASON TO REAP: Passion for music fuels second career for Alexander By Sara Withrow

Director of Marketing and Communications

Charles Alexander ‘68 is most known for his work as an editor at TIME Magazine and his outspoken views on the environment, but this distinguished Webb alumnus has another side that until recent years escaped popular notice.

“I had never written about the arts, but I didn’t let that stop me,” he recalled. “I wanted to meet my childhood heroes.” Songwriter, keyboardist and backup singer for the Four Seasons, Bob Gaudio, was among those Alexander scheduled to interview.

Alexander is a huge fan of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons. His one-man fandom of the group started in 1962 – the year the Four Seasons had their first “hit” and two years before Alexander began boarding at The Webb School.

In this 2006 photo Charles Alexander, far left, stands outside the August Wilson Theatre on Broadway with, left to right, Bob Gaudio, David Randall (a fan of The Four Seasons from Tasmania), and Charles Calello, the music arranger for many of the Four Seasons’ biggest hits. (Submitted photo)

“I used to drive the people in Rand (dormitory) crazy playing Four Seasons records,” Alexander said. “My roommate would flee.”

The Webb School Magazine

According to Alexander, when he came to Webb in 1964 the Four Seasons were in their “prime,” but their popularity cooled a bit with the start of the British Invasion.

“Most Webb students switched their allegiance to bands like The Beatles, Kinks and Bob Dylan, but none of these newer acts took the place of the Four Seasons as my number one group,” he said. Alexander’s father died when he was young, leaving his mother to raise him and his brother, Brent (a 1971 Webb graduate), on her own in Shelbyville, Tenn. “We didn’t have a lot of money … my mother had to work constantly,” he recalled.

Coming to Webb at a time when the average boarding student was the child of a wealthy two-parent family, Alexander admitted he felt a tad out of place. His passion for Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons became an outlet of sorts. “A lot of their songs were about social class differences,” Alexander said. “I really related to those working class songs.” His loyalty for the group didn’t stop after high school. While attending Harvard and Columbia universities in Massachusetts and New York, he got to see them in concert, and continued to follow their career highs and lows. Led by his desire to meet Valli and the Four Seasons, when Alexander became the business editor at TIME (1980s) he sought to interview the group - even though he wasn’t certain he could find a business angle for the story.

Gaudio admitted he was taken aback when he learned of Alexander’s business emphasis.

“When I first got the (TIME) request from our office, I thought surely this is the music editor I will be speaking with,” Gaudio said in an electronic communication earlier this year. In the end, Alexander uncovered a most unusual lifetime business compact between lead singer Frankie Valli and Gaudio, and he detailed that agreement in “A Handshake for All Seasons,” published on May 11, 1987 in TIME Magazine. “They agreed to share everything fiftyfifty,” Alexander explained. To this day, the duo split their earnings down the middle, distributing one-half to the other partner. “In New Jersey, where your word is your bond, a deal on a handshake was not a big deal,” Gaudio said of the partnership.

The TIME article proved to be the start of an ongoing personal and professional relationship for Alexander with the members of the Four Seasons Partnership. Since retiring in 2001 from TIME, he has become the official biographer for Frankie Valli; author of the liner notes for the CD-DVD box set (released in 2007), “Jersey Beat: The Music of Frankie Valli & the Four Seasons” (for which he also served as associate producer), as well as the Grammy award winning Original Broadway Cast Album of the Tonywinning musical, “Jersey Boys, the Story of Frankie Valli & the Four Seasons.” Alexander also authored the forward and discography in the “Jersey Boys” companion book, and inadvertently contributed to the success of the highly acclaimed musical, which continues to tour today. According to Alexander, Rick Elice, cowriter of the theatre production, once stated that the TIME article describing the partnership between Gaudio and Valli was a key inspiration for

the “Jersey Boys” play, which features the unusual business agreement.

and a vindication for anyone who kept The Four Seasons in their CD file.”

“Does that translate into royalties for me, ‘No,’ but that’s OK, it’s still kind of cool,” Alexander added.

Alexander’s teenage fandom has definitely been vindicated. “It’s been a labor of love,” he said.

“Jersey Boys” opened on Broadway in 2005 and has toured nationally, as well as in London, Canada and Australia. The play first debuted in 2004 in La Jolla, Calif., and Alexander was there.

A member of The Webb School Board of Trustees, Alexander and his wife, Cathy, reside in Brooklyn, N.Y. and have two adult sons. An independent writer since retiring from TIME, Alexander’s latest project involves compiling a collection of Gaudio’s songs, as produced by the Four Seasons as well as numerous other artists and groups.

“It was a revelation to people,” Alexander said. “No one knew that the Four Seasons had such a rough background, because they cleaned themselves up and wore suits all the time … it’s a rags to riches to figurative rags again story.” Gaudio calls the Broadway musical’s success “a Doug Flutie Hail Mary experience

Summer 2010

Girls’ friendship By Sara Withrow

crosses cultural borders

The Webb School Magazine

Director of Marketing and Communications

They may be from two different countries and entirely different backgrounds, but that didn’t stop Tram Nguyen and Mary Kathryn Menck from becoming best friends. Both boarding students at The Webb School, the girls met in August 2007 when they were paired up as roommates in Rand Dormitory. A citizen of Vietnam, Tram was a returning sophomore and Mary Kathryn was an incoming freshman from Nashville. “Tram was my first friend,” Mary Kathryn recalled. “She comforted me and took care of me, and showed me around the school my first couple of weeks.”

For Tram, who had attended Webb since the middle of her eighthgrade year, Mary Kathryn was someone in whom she could confide. “(At the time) I didn’t have a lot of people I talked to,” Tram said. The girls’ roommate relationship evolved into something much more after Mary Kathryn, a five-day boarder, learned at the end of her freshman year that Tram’s family could no longer afford to send her to Webb. Tram’s younger sister, Nikki, had come of age to attend an American school and the cost of having two children board full-time at Webb was simply too much.

“She told me she wasn’t going to be able to come back,” Mary Kathryn said. “I started crying, which made her start crying. I called my parents and they actually drove down and took us to dinner to try to calm me down.”

said. “At one point I looked up and saw holes in the rock and light from the sun was coming through. I said (to Tram), ‘How pretty, how did they do that?’ and Tram said, ‘You all did it, with bombs (during the Vietnam War).’”

The next morning, Tram and Mary Kathryn presented their families with a win-win solution. Tram and Nikki could be five-day boarders, shearing dollars off their room and board expenses; and the Nguyen sisters could stay with the Menck family on the weekends.

The Mencks created a blog of their trip, which can be viewed at: http:// menckfamilyinvietnam.blogspot.com/.

“I was surprised at how easy it was to get my parents to agree to it,” Mary Kathryn said. According to her mother, Karyn Menck, Tram and Nikki adjusted quickly to life in their Nashville home, and Mary Kathryn’s father, Kevin, and younger sister, Sarah Beth, enjoyed the added company. At the invitation of Tram and Nikki’s parents, Buu and Hanh Nguyen, last summer Karyn, Sarah Beth and Mary Kathryn made the long flight to visit their home and family in Xuan Loc, Vietnam. “It was really good for the girls to see another culture,” Karyn said. “We got to see it not as tourists, but with a family. It was just wonderful.” In addition to meeting the girls’ family, the Mencks were introduced to authentic Vietnamese food, shops and culture. “It was interesting because they (the Nguyens) don’t speak any English and we don’t speak Vietnamese. We each communicated with the girls,” Karyn said. A highlight of the trip was the Nguyen’s parting gift to the Menck ladies. “They got us each a traditional Vietnamese outfit,” Karyn said. “They took us to a seamstress and we each picked out our fabric and the dresses were custom made for us in a matter of days.” For Mary Kathryn, a visit to area caverns was particularly eye opening. “There were carvings in the stone and the caverns had been made into temples,” she

This past May, the Menck family watched as Tram crossed the stage and received her Bible and diploma from The Webb School. While Tram is moving on to the Oxford College at Emory University in Georgia this fall, she still plans to visit the Mencks, and will definitely be keeping in touch with Mary Kathryn. “How can I live with somebody for two years and see them 24-7 and forget them?” Tram said. Despite her departure, the Menck family home will not be idle. Mary Kathryn, now a senior, and Nikki, a junior, will attend Webb as five-day boarders again this year, as will Sarah Beth, an incoming seventh-grader; and the family is welcoming a new member to its fold – Bao Nguyen, the younger brother of Nikki and Tram, who will be an eighthgrade five-day boarder at Webb and spend weekends with the Mencks. “I don’t know how to put it into words,” Karyn said, referring to the impact of the family’s friendship with the Nguyens. “(But) It’s something that we would never have experienced if Mary Kathryn had not gone to Webb.” The Webb School’s enrollment this year includes students from eight different countries including China, Korea, Taiwan, Great Britain, Vietnam, Nigeria, Brazil and Jamaica. Webb’s international students account for approximately 14 percent of its total enrollment. Editor’s note: The five-day boarding program at The Webb School is limited to students who have a blood relative living within a 75-mile radius of the school. The Nguyens have an aunt who lives in Nashville that they also visit on weekends from time-to-time.

Summer 2010

Facing page: Mary Kathryn Menck, left, and Tram Nguyen in Vietnam. (Submitted photo) This page (top to bottom): Mary Kathryn Menck sports a Vietnamese hat (Submitted photo); The Menck family models the traditional Vietnamese outfits given to them by the Nguyens (Submitted photo); Members of the Nguyen family and the Menck family in Vietnam (Submitted photo); Tram Nguyen and Mary Kathryn Menck stand in front of the Junior Room on The Webb School campus this May.

Graduation 2010 Webb produces 53 ‘accurate scholars’

By Sara Withrow

Director of Marketing and Communications The Webb School class of 2010.

The Webb School celebrated its core mission on Friday, May 28, when 53 of its students received the traditional Bible containing their Webb diplomas.

The Webb School Magazine

These “accurate scholars,” “who know how to work effectively,” are aware of and “practice the finer points of morals” and “are always courteous” in their daily living, per The Webb School mission, crossed the stage literally and figuratively from high school to college and careers to the applause of their families and the entire Webb faculty and staff.

Inset: Left to right, graduates Preston Flaherty, Kristy Han and Hunter Walker.

A Baccalaureate service that included the singing of hymns and a sermon by Rev. David Adams of Bell Buckle United Methodist Church preceded commencement exercises and was followed by a lunch/reception in the Grace Follin Dining Hall. Dino Mauricio, class of 1986, was the keynote speaker for the graduation ceremony. A graduate of Dartmouth College and Harvard Business School, Mauricio presently leads Getzler Henrich, a management and financial consulting firm, as managing

director for mergers and acquisitions integration practice in New York City. In his address, Mauricio advised the graduates not to “over-plan” their lives, as chance or fate oftentimes has other plans for them.

“I will always remember this class as a group that set an exceptionally fine example of what Webb is all about....” “When I sat where you are now sitting, I thought I’d be a math or history major and dreamed of climbing a big corporate ladder for a few decades or so …Those predictions were wrong and honestly I’m better off because of it,” he said.

“Instead of one corporate ladder, I’ve worked for six different companies in key roles that largely did not exist during my years at Webb. … The lesson here is simple, don’t be in a rush to choose your life’s work. What you need to do, even if it takes many years, is discover what you really like, explore how you can best apply the talents you possess and learn to savor the preciousness of the moment.” In addition to the presentation of diplomas, the ceremony included the acknowledgement of senior standouts. Ho Jin Kim of Seoul, Korea, received the highest academic honor for the class of

2010—The Anna Landis Hightower Award, which honors the student with the highest grade point average for their four years at The Webb School. He also received The John Hardin Highest Scholarship Award. Caleb Rasnick of Bell Buckle was also honored with a top award. He accepted the prestigious John Lewis Morgan Award, which is presented annually to the student who has maintained a high standard of excellence in his or her academic work and who has demonstrated the highest qualities of good citizenship in the service of the school. Interim Head of School Gordon E. Bondurant said he was impressed with the class of 2010. “I will always remember this class as a group that set an exceptionally fine example of what Webb is all about: honor and integrity, spirited involvement, community service, a joy in learning that matches their joy in being together, and a seriousness of purpose mixed with a healthy sense of humor,” he said. Webb’s graduates were offered more than $1.1 million in collegiate merit scholarships

and committed to attend the following colleges and universities. Auburn University, Bates College, Belmont University, Berry College, Brandeis University, Carson-Newman College, Centre College, Clark University, Davidson College, Emory University, Florida Atlantic University, Franklin College Switzerland, Furman University, Hendrix College, Lee University, Lipscomb University, Middle Tennessee State University, Mississippi State University, Morehouse College, Oakwood College, Oxford College of Emory University, Purdue University, Rhodes College, Rice University, Suffolk University, Syracuse University, Tennessee Technological University, The University of Alabama in Huntsville, The University of Findlay, Transylvania University, Tulane University, University of Colorado at Boulder, University of

San Diego, University of South Carolina, University of Tennessee, Chattanooga, University of Tennessee at Knoxville, University of Tennessee at Martin, University of Wisconsin at Madison, University of Wyoming.

The 2010 Senior Board

Scholarship program celebrates first graduates Recent Webb honors graduate Sarah Steely is thankful. She is thankful to have completed high school and to be moving on to top-rated Davidson College in North Carolina. She’s also thankful for the ongoing support and encouragement of her parents, Daniel and Lisa Steely of Lewisburg, Tenn., and for the donors of The Webb School Annual Fund that made her Webb education possible.

Steely said coming to Webb her freshman year was an “immediate relief.”

cumulative average in English, and was honored with the Schornstein Award, which salutes the “hardest working” student at the school.

Faculty advisor Mary Newman said Steely thrived at the school.

“The merit scholarship gave me opportunities that would not have existed otherwise. I am more thankful for this gift than anyone can imagine,” Steely added.

“Sarah came to Webb as a young lady full of promise and potential and, during her time here, she did not disappoint. She excelled in all aspects of life at Webb, and has left a lasting Sarah Steely impression on the faculty, staff, and her peers,” said Newman. Steely was recognized at graduation for excellence in English IV. She received The Webb Follin Award for having the highest

Sarah Koehler of Cleveland, Miss., another 2010 Webb graduate, also benefited from the Honors Scholarship Program. Koehler received a scholarship that funded one-half of her boarding and tuition expenses for her four years at Webb. She plans to continue her education at Tulane University.

Summer 2010

Steely is the first full recipient of Webb’s Honors Scholarship Program to graduate. Initiated in 2006, the merit-based scholarship offers full tuition, room and board for outstanding students who demonstrate leadership skills, academic excellence, extracurricular involvement, and a commitment to their community.

“Before I discovered Webb, I wasn’t challenged by my public school and didn’t relate to the other students,” she said. “This (Webb) was heaven.”

College Commitments Members of the class of 2010 share their college decisions and the ‘Webb take away’

AURORA MACDOUGALL

Belmont University, Nashville, Tenn. Biochemistry and Molecular Biologies

“Webb has taught me the importance of virtue and how far it will get you if you live by it.”

SHAINA MCMILLAN

PAIGE SPIVEY

Hendrix College, Conway, Ark.

DANIEL SMITH

The University of Colorado, Boulder, Colo. Undeclared Major

“The rigorous system improved my work ethic immensely. Perhaps more importantly, Webb encouraged me to branch out from my core group of friends.”

Biology – Pre-Vet

“I feel that Webb has strongly prepared me academically for college classes, as well as encouraged a strong personal character that has shaped me into a person that I am proud to be.”

Transylvania University, Lexington, Ky. Psychology

BIL CARTER

Clark University, Worcester, Mass. Pre-Law

“The work ethic, honor code, and the sense of respect that everyone has for each other has helped shape me as a person and will stick with me in my future years.”

Being a boarding student, I feel I will be better prepared for living on my own in college than other people.

RION STEELE

MARY PATSIMAS

The Webb School Magazine

University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tenn.

Engineering

Berry College, Mount Berry, Ga.

“Learning to accept other individuals for whoever they are and learning to discipline myself both in behavior and academics impacted me most at Webb.”

“The teachers here strive to inspire young minds. They are the reasons I love Webb.”

GARRETT KING

University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tenn. Undeclared Major

“Webb has given me the ability to understand how to make the right choice, not just the easy choice.”

Pre-Veterinary Medicine

BLAKE WREN

SARAH STEELY

Rhodes College, Memphis, Tenn.

Davidson College, Davidson, N.C.

“At Webb, I learned to be a hard worker and to be committed. I also learned to be dedicated and work to the best of my ability. These are the things I will use in my future.”

“The feeling of family and the safety net of support that I have at The Webb School will remain strong and help me grow into a new family at Davidson.”

Business and Finance

English

Athletic News

Dorsett named Athletic Director One of Webb’s newest coaches, Scott Dorsett, was recently named athletic director for the school. He will continue to coach varsity girls’ softball and girls’ basketball this year, and will also teach personal finance.

and teaching experience. Prior to coming to Webb as a coach in August 2009, he was the head varsity girls’ softball coach and the assistant varsity girls’ basketball coach at Blackman High School in Murfreesboro, Tenn.

Dorsett replaces Jeff Mitchell, who served as athletic director at Webb since 2006-07 and is stepping down to teach math full-time at the school.

Before moving to Murfreesboro in 2005, he coached varsity boys’ baseball and basketball at La Vergne High School, and spent 10 years at Lenoir City High School in East Tennessee coaching girls’ softball and boys’ basketball.

Scott Dorsett

“I’m really excited, it’s going to be a great opportunity,” Dorsett said upon learning of his appointment. “Hopefully, I can build and grow on what Jeff has started.” Dorsett has more than 15 years of coaching

Chief among his goals in his new role are revamping the Physical Education program at Webb (Basics), and growing the overall quality of the athletics program. “Webb may be known for its academics, but students can be strong in academics and also be athletes,” Dorsett said. “Webb can do both.”

Lawrence hits 1,000 mark Elizabeth Lawrence, a rising Webb senior, scored her 1,000th career point in February at what proved to be the varsity Lady Feet’s final game for the 2009-2010 season. Coach Scott Dorsett said Lawrence’s 1,000th point was the highlight of the day. “As a junior, I have to give her credit,” he said. “It’s rare for a junior to reach the 1,000 point mark.”

Elizabeth Lawrence

The 1,000th point came quickly – Lawrence sank a

“My favorite shot is the corner shot,” she said in an interview shortly after the achievement. Despite a strong effort put forth by the Lady Feet, the game ended 47-29 in favor of SAS.

The year 2010 marked an historical moment for Webb Athletics. For the first time ever, the varsity boys’ basketball team advanced to state competition. It wasn’t easy, but a Division II-A sub-state win against Lausanne Collegiate School (3736) on Feb. 27 sent the Feet to Final Four competition in Nashville. “I am really happy for the boys on this team, as they competed in the sub-state the previous two years and did not make it to the next level,” said Head Coach Jeff Mitchell following the sub-state win. “This team is really heavy with seniors (seven) and I think they thought about this being their last chance to make a run in the state tournament, and they pulled together to make it happen.” Unfortunately, Webb lost its bid for the championship when it fell 20-35 to University School of Nashville at the first state match-up held at Lipscomb University in Nashville on March 4. It’s rumored that the most significant achievement for the Webb boys’ varsity basketball team (prior to this year) was in the 1970s when the team made it to the district playoffs. Webb placed third in its 2009-2010 regular season with a league record of 9 wins and 2 losses and ended with a 20-9 record overall.

Lawrence began playing basketball in a recreation league in the third grade, and progressed to Junior Pro in the fifth grade. A self-professed “gym rat,” Lawrence played for Webb’s Middle School team for three years; she advanced to varsity at the end of her eighth-grade season - during regional tournament play. Already looking forward to her senior year, she said, “My goal next year is to have a successful winning season.” Lawrence is the daughter of Libby Christmas and Kenneth Lawrence of Shelbyville.

For athletic news updates

www.thewebbschool.com

Summer 2010

The Shelbyville resident, who has attended Webb since the sixth grade, had 999 career points going into the Division II-A East/Middle Region tournament game against St. Andrew’s-Sewanee (SAS).

three-pointer from the corner in the first quarter putting Webb on the scoreboard at the same time.

Boys varsity basketball makes history

n o n ui

Re The Webb School Magazine

WHERE ARE THEY NOW?

2010

CLASS OF 1950

CLASS OF 1960

CLASS OF 1970

WILLIAM B. GREGORY, JR. “Cowpoke”

HENRY O. WHITESIDE

FRED ALEXANDER

Current residence: Glen Rose, Texas Hometown: Dallas, Texas

Current residence: Salt Lake City, Utah

Current residence: Decaturville, Tenn.

Hometown: St. Louis, Mo.

Hometown: Decaturville, Tenn.

Colleges attended: Southern Methodist University, University of Maryland, Southwest Texas State University (B.S.), Texas A&M University (Master’s degree and Ph.D.)

Colleges attended: Princeton University (A.B. degree), Stanford University (M.A.) Career: Teaching, historic preservation, policy analyst, real estate development, fundraising, training Family: Wife, Karol L. Kumpfer; and daughter, Jane Gamble

College attended: Lambuth University (completed B.S. in 1973 - in three years)

Career:

USAF Pilot, 20 years and 3 days (Retired November 1973 as Lt. Col.); Second career as Professor, Exercise Physiologist until August 2002.

Family:

Wife, Patricia S. Gregory; and children: Angela Hansen, Anne Marie, William III (Webb Class of 1983), and Glenn.

Webb Impact: “The (Webb) Honor Code has influenced my life for 60 years.”

Webb Impact: “It (The Webb School) showed me I could …”

For more pictures and video visit the alumni page on the Web site! www.thewebbschool.com

Career: Family:

Sales for many years; Corrections Corporation of America (largest private manager of prison facilities in the country) Wife, Gayle; and daughter, Shelley of Chester County, Tenn.

Webb Impact: “I would not trade anything for my experiences at The Webb School. Sitting at my office, I have two Webb stickers and a Webb hat. The friend- ships I made, the great teachers I had over the years; the trust, loyalty and respect at Webb is what I value and remember most about the school.”

CLASS OF 1980

CLASS OF 1990

CLASS OF 2000

MARY HUDDLESTON EARTHMAN

E. CANNON LOUGHRY III

TRYON FOURNIER

Current residence: Nashville, Tenn.

Current residence: Murfreesboro, Tenn.

Hometown: Murfreesboro, Tenn.

Hometown: Kent, Wash.

College attended: Vanderbilt University

College attended: Middle Tennessee State University (B.B.A. Computer Information Systems)

College attended: Presbyterian College (two years); University of Tennessee at Knoxville (B.S.)

Career: Technology Strategist, Microsoft Corporation

Career: Realtor in Murfreesboro/Nashville

Career: Advanced Systems Engineer for EDS for almost 16 years. Now I’m a happy homemaker! Family:

Husband, John Earthman (Class of 1978); and daughter, Anne, 9

Webb Impact: “I met the love of my life at Webb. We had one date (for his Final Dance) and then he graduated the next day. Over 18 years from that first date, we married in November 1996. He pro posed in the Webb Chapel, where he asked me out on that first date. With out Webb, I may have never met my soul-mate!”

Family:

Wife, Beth; and children: Chase, 9; Brady, 7; Andy, 4; and Abby, 4

Webb Impact: “Having attended a public high school my freshman year and transferring to Webb my sophomore year, the greatest impact Webb had on me was the amount of time and attention the faculty gave to me. Second, would be the focus Webb placed on my personal character development.”

Senior Board significance Reprint of Alumni Bulletin Vol. II No. 2, December 1940 on its top with a jack-knife. At the end of each year this top is to be removed, hung on the wall in the Big Room, and a new top provided. The carved signatures of the class of 1940 now adorn the back of the Big Room wall…. In a quarter of a century – barring German or Jap(anese) bombs – there will be an interesting record on the Big Room wall.”

Wife, Lindsey Fournier (Class of 2001); daughter, Amelia, 2 ½ years, and another child on the way.

Webb Impact: “I had gone to a public middle school and two different public high schools before coming to Webb. The Webb setting and the teachers actually caring about me got me very well prepared for college and for coping with life and work.”

APRIL 29 & 30

REUNION 2011

Summer 2010

“The prohibition against mutilating the shrubs and trees, against carving on the buildings and furniture, and against general vandalism has long been a part of The Webb School tradition. But for the Seniors there has been an outlet devised for that whittling urge. In 1940 a table was placed in the Senior Room, and every Senior was granted the privilege of carving his name

Family:

Elkins honored for distinguished service If ‘dedication’ had a name it would be Dorothy Elkins. Elkins, 83, has dedicated 53-plus years of her life to The Webb School in Bell Buckle. As a secretary, she reported directly to six former headmasters of The Webb School; and as a secretary/assistant in the Alumni and Development office, she has worked for four different development directors. The Bell Buckle native received the Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE) Support Staff Distinguished Service Award on Jan. 25 at the annual CASE conference held in New York City. John Holtz, senior awards program coordinator for CASE, said the judges were touched by Elkins’ dedication to the school, but also by the students’ dedication to her. “It was impressive to the judges that students come back as alumni to share a lunch with her, and that over the course of 53 years she is still connecting on a personal level with the students, some of whom are children of alumni that she well remembers,” he said.

In light of Elkins’ national recognition, Webb alumni and staff gathered on Saturday, April 24 for a brunch in her honor. Several alumni praised Elkins during the program at Reunion, which included a video highlighting her contributions. Alumnus Stephen Peters ‘73 of Indianapolis, Ind. summed up Elkins’ impact on the school. Dorothy Elkins dines in New York City with Webb trustees and friends. Pictured, left to

“She never taught science right, seated, George Pine, Charles Alexander, Elkins, Steve Graham; standing, Phil or geography, but what Coop and Tony Keevan. she did teach she taught by example: how to be a of Webb students and that through your professional, how to live a life, how to be a daily kindnesses, you’ve influenced the world friend, and how to be a thoughtful, caring far beyond Bell Buckle, Tennessee.” and compassionate person,” he said. Elkins continues to work on a part-time basis Addressing Elkins, Peters concluded, “Please in the Webb Alumni and Development office. know that you are much loved by generations Contact her at delkins@webbschool.com.

Hardin Service Award presented to Rice

The Webb School Magazine

The Webb School Alumni Board honored Director of Studies Bill Rice with the esteemed John B. Hardin Service Award during the 2010 Reunion celebration.

The Webb Alumni Board presents the award annually Bill Rice to alumni and/or members of the Webb community who have consistently contributed an exceptional amount of time and talent to the school and whose efforts benefit students, enhance campus life and reaffirm a commitment to the school. “It’s kind of humbling,” said Rice of the honor.

Throughout his 24 years of service to Webb, Rice has been an advocate for students and education and a “Jack of all trades” on the Bell Buckle campus. For example, seeing a need for advanced level science curricula, he created the AP Chemistry Program in 1987-88; he also established The Webb School Choir in the 1980s, and was the choir director for 10 years – in addition to teaching and dorm duties. Not one to do anything half-way, Rice took the music program and ran with it, holding choir meetings during lunch periods, teaching music appreciation classes and even organizing a spring show. “We didn’t have a music teacher, we had me,” he said.

Rice came to Webb in the fall of 1986 as a physical science and physics teacher. Since that time the Nashville native has worn a variety of hats. He was a dorm advisor at Chambliss and then dorm supervisor for 15 years. He was also the campus activities director (1995-99), the Science Department chair, as well as interim and then permanent director of residential life (2005-08). Two years ago, Rice gave up the department chair position to become director of studies. He has also been active in Webb Athletics and with the Outerlimits Program. Rice holds a bachelor’s degree with a double major in secondary education and chemistry from Tennessee Technological University in Cookeville, Tenn., and a master’s degree in curriculum instruction from Middle Tennessee State University.

Two graduates saluted Two Webb alumni were honored on Friday, April 23 at a special ceremony held during the Reunion celebration.

Stephens was inducted into the Webb Legacy Donor Society in 2008, in recognition of his philanthropy.

Charles “Pick” Stephens ‘56 of Atlanta, Ga. and Bob F. Thompson ‘65 of Nashville, Tenn. were inducted into Webb’s Distinguished Alumni Society.

Stephens has been an active member of the Board of Trustees since 1979, except for one year when he served as a member emeritus. He is currently serving on the board and is a member of the Development Committee and the Governance and Nominating Committee.

The award is bestowed annually by the Webb Alumni Board to honor graduates whose personal and professional accomplishments reflect highly upon themselves and their alma mater; and who have demonstrated a strong interest in supporting The Webb School while making significant contributions in their chosen professions.

Charles “Pick” Stephens The executive vice president of Norman W. Paschall Company, Inc. and a director for Winn-Dixie Stores, Inc., Stephens said he was honored and surprised to learn of the award. “I never have thought too much about what I do,” he said. “You just kind of get up in the morning and thank the Lord for letting you put two feet on the ground.”

“I started working in the warehouse when I was about 12 or 13-years-old,” he said. A longtime supporter of The Webb School,

Asked why he continues to support Webb, he responded, “It’s the mission, the integrity, the academic excellence – everything that Webb stands for.” Stephens and his wife have two adult sons, Austin, who resides in Atlanta, Ga., and is a partner in a private client group at Merrill Lynch, and Scott, who runs a cattle/timber operation in Lake Panasoffkee, Fla.

Bob F. Thompson Bob F. Thompson is likewise a stalwart supporter of The Webb School, and is an accomplished attorney. A partner at the Nashville law firm Bass, Berry & Sims, Thompson is listed in “The Best Lawyers in America®,” and has been named one of the best banking lawyers since 2004 by the

“Nashville Business Journal.” He is also listed in the “Lawdragon 3000 Leading Lawyers in America” and “Mid-South Super Lawyers (2006-2009).” A member of Webb’s Board of Trustees for 19 years, Thompson chaired the Executive Committee from 1994 to 1998 and served as Chairman of the Board from 1998 to 2002. In 1988, he led the Search Committee to find a new headmaster for Webb. “I was sort of a young trustee for that process, only in my second year on the board,” he said. “We were able to find Jon Frere and I’m quite proud of that. He is our longest serving head in recent years.” While he is proud of his professional success, Thompson said his achievements for the school are among his greatest. While chairing the Webb Board of Trustees, Thompson was instrumental in making the new Barton Gymnasium a reality. “It took us an excruciating amount of time to get it designed, the necessary funds raised, and the job completed,” Thompson said. “But it was worth it. It was our last great, big project.” Thompson’s profession is integrally linked to Webb as well. The lawyer has represented the school for most of his legal career. “Most alumni have only their alumni relationship when they leave Webb, some have an alumni relationship and a trustee relationship. In addition to these, I’ve had a long term, ongoing relationship as the school’s lawyer,” he explained. “It definitely gives you a different perception of the school, but representing Webb has been fun.” A native of Columbia, Miss., Thompson earned an A.B. degree from Princeton University and a Juris Doctor degree from Harvard University. He and his wife, Mary, have three adult children, Catherine and W. Benjamin Thompson, both residents of Chapel Hill, N.C., and Paul, who resides in Nashville.

Summer 2010

A graduate of Tusculum College, Stephens made his career in the textile fibers and by-products (waste) industry, following in the footsteps of his father, Robert L. “Bob” Stephens, who founded R.L. Stephens Company, Inc. The company eventually merged with Norman W. Paschall Company, based in Peachtree City, Ga.

After marrying his wife, Sandra, in 1965, he extended his family involvement with Webb to his father-in-law, the late-Milton Austin Davis. In addition to supporting operating needs at the school, contributions from the M. Austin Davis Foundation, Inc. helped build the Davis Dormitory and the Austin Davis-Bryant Woosley Computer/ Science Building on campus. Stephens is the President of the foundation.

n o n i u Re 2010

Marker dedication honors history of home, Sain, Shaker’s Shocker By Sara Withrow

Director of Marketing and Communications Pictured far right, E.F. “Betty” Sain and Shaker’s Shocker after winning the 1966 World Grand Championship. (Submitted photo)

The Webb School, in partnership with the Bedford County Historical Society, celebrated on Saturday, April 24 the history of a Bell Buckle home, a famous horse and his rider. A Bedford County Historical Society marker noting the history of the home and property located at 309 Webb Road East was unveiled following a short ceremony. For officials at The Webb School, the event was a homecoming of sorts; it signified the return of a 1.18-acre property, once owned by school founder W.R. “Sawney” Webb, to the larger campus. Webb purchased the 1913-era home in the fall of 2009. “The Webb School is most fortunate in being able to reclaim a part of its history, and it is a just cause for reflection and celebration,” said Bedford County Historical Society President Al Simmons.

The Webb School Magazine

E.F. “Betty” Sain stands next to the new historical marker.

More importantly, the ceremony (and marker) commemorated the home’s former residents, Henry Pearl and Virginia Wright Sain, their daughter Elizabeth F. “Betty”

Sain, and the 1966 World Grand Champion Tennessee Walking Horse she owned, rode and trained, Shaker’s Shocker. The highlight of the marker ceremony was an address by Betty Sain’s nephew, Rick Sain of Murfreesboro, Tenn. Speaking on behalf of himself, his family and his Aunt Betty, Rick said, “This house has a lot of memories good and bad. The bad is my grandfather passed away in this house in 1968. … in 1996, my grandmother died in this house as well, in the same room.” Rick also spoke of happy times at his grandparents’ home, including finding a go-cart in a barn on the property one Christmas morning, because “Santa Claus could not get it down the chimney” of his parents’ house. Rick choked back tears while reading a poem penned by his aunt shortly after the death of her beloved Shocker in 1981. “You were bigger than life itself. … You were the impossible dream come true. … You reached the unreachable stars. … You climbed the highest mountains. … You had a purpose. … You touched so many lives. … You left your name in the record books forever.” While she was unable to attend the ceremony, Betty visited the home and viewed the marker in early June. In a letter addressed to The Webb School and the Bell Buckle and greater Bedford County communities, she expressed her gratitude.

She wrote, “Thank you, for Henry Pearl Sain and for Virginia Wright Sain, and for Shaker’s Shocker, and for myself – E.F. Sain. To be remembered in the town’s history in such a special way, is an honor we very much appreciate … I am humbled by your tribute.” At the young age of 23, Betty entered Shaker’s Shocker, a 4-year-old stallion, in the championship class at the 1966 Celebration in Shelbyville, Tenn. According to her nephew, Betty entered the competition just five minutes before the deadline. In so doing, she effectively challenged the walking horse establishment, which generally believed in the 1960s that women belonged in the stands cheering, not in the ring. “I’ve had many people come to me over the years, especially women, and tell me how Betty changed their lives,” Rick said. “She was a trendsetter for women.” Betty also led the way as an advocate against soring, the industry practice of injuring a horse to make it step higher. Soring became illegal in 1970.

PROFILE IN GIVING

New plaza, sign mark entrance to The Webb School By Jonathan Waldrop ‘02 Thanks to a generous donation from a former trustee, The Webb School has a grand new entrance on Highway 82 in Bell Buckle. Construction of a plaza in the 300 block of Webb Road East (Highway 82) that features a brick and cast concrete sign and bench marking the western-most boundary of the school was completed in April. “The new plaza provides a visual indication to visitors that they have arrived at our campus, and a welcome place for students to congregate between campus and downtown Bell Buckle,” said Webb Board Chair Phil Coop.

“I think first impressions are huge,” said Jones, who served on the Webb Board for six years. “I just felt like it would make such a statement to have an entrance plaza like this as you approach the school.”

According to Iorio, the plaza offers a natural gathering place for students and members of the community, and alerts drivers that they are entering a school zone. “It should be very clear now that you are entering a school campus and that students are present,” Iorio said.

Alison and Sutton Jones stand in front of the new entrance sign.

A dedication ceremony for the plaza is planned for the fall.

Jones’ two children, Alison and Sutton, who graduated from Webb in 2006 and 2009, respectively, were the primary factor in her decision to fund the project. “I just decided that this was something I (my family) could do, both to thank the board (members) for the opportunity I had to serve with each of them, as well as to do something for the school to honor the role Webb played in my children’s lives,” Jones said.

Summer 2010

According to Assistant Head of School Joe Iorio, when an old home occupied by the school’s Alumni and Development Office was torn down in the fall of 2008, The Webb School Board of Trustees began discussing ideas for the property. A donation from former Webb trustee and parent of Webb alumni, Kathy Jones, made the plaza a reality.

“The new plaza provides a visual indication to visitors that they have arrived at our campus.”

Senior SURVIVAL

TRADITIONS

What do a backpack, a bedroll, iodine, the Appalachian Trail and scarce food rations have in common?

They are all components of The Webb School’s Senior Survival backpacking trip. Webb alumni of all ages remember well the week-long excursion that ends the day before graduation. The trip brings the Webb high school experience full-circle and serves to cement students’ relationships with their classmates – oftentimes for life.

The Webb School Magazine

This year was no exception, as evidenced by student journal entries made throughout the trip.

May 26: Sarah Koehler ‘10 writes: “This trip was a really eye opening experience just because most people weren’t used to the conditions and needed endurance, yet we all pulled through to conquer the 25 miles. We also managed to go over not one, but two mountains in a single day. It was hard, but most definitely worth the pain and lack of breath. … We had lots of laughs, tears, and minor injuries as a class – but we can all look back and ultimately conclude that we can get through anything.” May 23: Bil Carter ‘10 writes, “The scenery on our trip was pretty awesome. When we reached Albert Mountain

for lunch, we all went up in the tower. Just being able to look down on all that land was amazing! It was the best natural sight that I’ve seen all trip.” May 25: Garrett King ‘10 writes, “We used the last of our Mac and Cheese today. It’s not easy being cheesy. The dirt, bugs and blood are building up and taking their toll. I feel disgusting. I haven’t taken a shower in four days! Though I feel like we have been on the trail forever, we are actually making good time.” May 27: Mary Patsimas ‘10 writes: “I wish I could just implant my emotions from this trip into this (journal) instead of writing. It was the most memorable and enriching experience I have ever had at Webb.” May 22: Young Gun Chung ‘10 writes, “Today was the best day during the trip, and will be. I woke up in the morning with the rest of my class in the same cabin. It could sound a little bit weird, but I think one of the best ways to improve friendship is by spending the night together.” May 25: Sarah Steely ‘10 writes, “Today we climbed Big Butt and Albert (Mountain). We scrambled over rocks and roots for miles over Big Butt, but that was nothing compared to Albert. With nails bleeding and flies swarming around our three-day buildup of dirt, sweat, and blood, we clawed our way up the rock face of the mountain … At camp that night, we laughed and played cards just to keep from crying. The trauma has hit a new level.”

May 27: Savannah Grace Scarlett ‘10 writes, “Senior Survival has been by far the best part of my whole Webb career … I am very thankful for this opportunity for us to all be together for the last time before we all graduate. I survived Senior Survival and Webb’s hard work, but in the end, it was all worth it.” According to Brian Wofford, coordinator of Webb’s Outerlimits Program, the graduating class of 2010 was the largest group to participate in a Wofford-led Senior Survival trip; 50 students tackled the 25-mile hike, which happened to be Wofford’s 25th “Survival” excursion. “They did bond a lot,” Wofford said of the group. “The hardships they go through together create that common ground.” According to Wofford, the entire Webb experience provides a similar common ground. “Declamations are a hardship that becomes common ground for them; Western Civilization, L.R. (Smith) makes it hard … eighth-grade geography map tests, whatever difficult task they accomplish bonds them together,” he said. “(As a teacher) You’re

looking to produce ingredients (guts, self-reliance, persistence, confidence) that can be pulled out in the future and used again. If you can climb that mountain, you can use that same stuff to climb another mountain or to get you through another tough time in your personal or professional life.” As Wofford’s famous T-shirt proclaims, “When nature is the classroom and experience is the teacher, what you learn is about yourself.” Facing page: Blake Wren stands ready for the 2010 Senior Survival.

Mandy Suttles ‘96 (via Facebook): “I can say that I have one specific moment from Senior Survival that I would classify as my favorite. The whole experience was so overwhelming as we knew that we were about to embark on a different path in our

Survivor Memories

lives. There were lots of emotions and drama that came out of that trip. However, I do have to say that the story I took away from that week is about my dear friend and tentmate on the trip. She had a horrible time – blisters, burned her foot, fell and messed up her knee, among other problems. She did not have fun. After a few years, I found out she was an avid rafter and camper. I guess Senior Survival really did change her!” Lindsey Fournier ‘01: “Senior Survival was one last opportunity to have my classmates all together in one place before we each set off on our own journey.

These classmates had become my family that I cherished and still do, so it was a very emotional and wonderful time for me. This adventure together was the best way to end the amazing experience we each had at Webb. When you’re in the beautiful and peaceful Appalachians or wherever Mr. Wofford may lead the group, it allows you to reflect even more on these people and the times you’ve shared together over the years. Senior Survival is truly a gift that Brian Wofford gives to each senior and I hope that each graduate can have the experience that my friends and I did.”

Summer 2010

Drew Abernathy ‘05: “I remember the group I hiked with the most. I was with all of the avid hikers/outdoorsy people and it made being on the trail with them great. One of the nights we snuck over to another group’s campsite a few miles up the trail and played a midnight prank on them.”

Above: The class of 2010 prepares to load the bus for Senior Survival.

Webb adds equestrian riding program

The Webb School is expanding its cocurricular offerings to include horseback riding, thanks to the efforts this past spring of six dedicated students and 1995 alumna Sandi Jobe. Each Wednesday Jobe accompanied eighthgrader Jessica Avery, freshman Katherine Sisson, sophomore Sallie Carter, juniors Sawyer Bodle and Kimmy Kim, and senior Shaina McMillen to Midland Farms in Bell Buckle, where they were trained in English, Western, and Walking Horse Equitation by nationally-recognized riding coach Faye Lynn Coffey. The program counts as a Basics/ athletics co-curricular class at Webb.

The Webb School Magazine

The director of alumni relations and annual giving at Webb and an horse enthusiast, Jobe said she felt an equestrian program was needed.

“I noticed the lack of a horse-related activity when I was a Webb student, and when I returned to Webb as an employee I decided to try and change that,” she said. “In addition to the benefits of physical exercise, learning to ride horses is a great way to build a child’s independence, confidence, and compassion.” Jobe competed in the mid to late-1990s on the Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU) Equestrian Team in Hunt Seat Equitation while earning a degree in horse science. It was at MTSU that she met and began working with Coffey, a Tullahoma, Tenn. native who competed to National Reserve

Champion on the MTSU Intercollegiate Equestrian Team and went on to coach the team to national successes in both English and Western Equitation. Coffey has also coached numerous Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration Equitation champions. “Faye Lynn is the perfect coach for our Webb team because she’s an excellent equitation coach in all disciplines,” Jobe said. “While the Tennessee Walking Horse industry is the most prominent and accessible industry in our local area, it is important that students who have an interest in riding hunterjumpers, dressage, or western on other breeds of horses have the opportunity to learn these riding styles, practice, and compete.” Jessica Avery, a Webb student who participated in the riding program this past spring, said she valued the coaching she received from Coffey and the variety of horses that were available at Midland Farms. “I enjoy riding different types of horses, learning what they do differently and adapting myself (riding style) to them,” she said. According to Avery, horseback riding is similar to relationship building, and every horse has a different personality. “You don’t know a horse very well until you’ve spent a lot of time with them. They are all individuals,” she said. Another Webb student who has enthusiastically embraced the riding program is rising junior Sallie Carter.

“Ms. Jobe mentioned a show team that should be getting up and going next year,” Carter said. “Right now with the number of high school teams in Tennessee, the teams have to travel to other states to compete. But with one more team, we could stay in Tennessee and compete against each other.” Carter is hoping Webb will be that team. “I’m very excited about what’s coming up (for the program),” she said. Jobe’s goal is to grow participation, so that Webb can become a competing member of the Interscholastic Equestrian Association (IEA). The IEA is a national organization bent on improving the quality of equestrian competition and instruction available to middle and secondary school students. Its mission is to introduce students in private and public middle and secondary schools (primarily ages 11 through 19) to equestrian sports, and provide organized competitive events and additional equine educational opportunities. Students can also earn scholarships toward their college education through IEA. According to Jobe, Webb students do not need to own a horse to participate; all horses and related equipment, with the exception of helmets and show clothing, will be provided by the school or Midland Farms. If you are interested in sponsoring this program, please contact Jobe at sjobe@ webbschool.com.

New graduation requirements to enhance learning The face of academics at The Webb School is changing in order to better prepare students for future education and career challenges.

“At the time we had students we felt could not achieve the higher level of instruction, but that’s not true now,” Rice said.

A different class schedule and more strenuous graduation requirements were initiated in 2009-2010 as components of Webb’s Strategic Academic Plan. The plan is the result of a multi-year faculty-driven process and was approved by the Webb Board of Trustees in February 2009. This past school year inaugurated most of the plan’s changes to curricula.

Beginning with the class of 2012, all Webb students will earn diplomas at the higher academic level and the distinction between the two diplomas will be eliminated.

According to Webb Director of Studies Bill Rice, by the end of 2010-2011, a majority of the proposal’s key elements will be implemented. “The graduating class of 2012 will be the first to feel the plan’s full effects,” he said. One of the largest changes is the elimination of Webb’s two-diploma program. The Webb School created two diploma tracks in 1993-94. Since that time, students have had the option of earning either an honors diploma or a traditional college preparatory diploma.

Enduring Understandings • Integrity is a cornerstone of a flourishing life and community. • Learning is an enjoyable and ongoing process. • Respect for self and others is essential to a harmonious society.

“It is important to note that the ‘honors’ designation does not and has never appeared on the transcript,” Rice commented. “The magna and summa cum laude designations, based on overall averages, will continue to be awarded.” The new graduation requirements are based upon coursework taken during upper school years only (grades 9-12). They are: • English, four years • Math, four years • Science, three years • Foreign language, three years (same language) • History, three years • Fine Arts, two years (one semester per year) • Speech, one semester; Ethics, one semester; Issues in Democracy, one semester • Computer literacy proficiency test “This will really impact very few of our students, as almost all of them are already taking three and four years of language, math and science,” Rice said. Other curricula changes include moving health/wellness to the 8th grade and the addition of a one-semester personal finance elective. The finance course has been added so that students planning to attend Tennessee colleges and universities can fulfill their new admissions requirements (effective 2013).

• Each person shares the responsibility and honor of serving others.

A variation on this timeworn tradition, the Public Performance Program, will replace the

Webb seniors have one more year to adjust to the planned change. The class of 2012 will be the first to launch the senior project. According to Rice, the Public Performance Program is designed to support a more enjoyable learning process and to cultivate each student’s unique gifts – primary goals aligned with the school’s “Enduring Understandings.” (See detail this page) “The new program allows students to learn and study in the context of their own interests and pursuits. The expectation is that with these changes to the declamation, Webb’s public speaking exhibition will be more meaningful to both the student and to the community,” Rice said. Also new is a three-day field study experience. The program will be initiated this fall. Seniors will use the time to job shadow professionals in fields related to their individual interests; juniors will visit colleges and universities; sophomores will participate in local service projects (akin to Webb’s current Service Day program); and freshmen will take part in an interdisciplinary wilderness activity.

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• Each person has unique gifts and capacities and a responsibility to develop them.

The declamation at Webb has also been restructured. Previously declamations (recitations of literary passages/speeches) ranged in length from two-and-a-half to four minutes and each student was required to declaim once annually.

• Self-discipline and autonomy are essential to success.

former requirement. The program is gradespecific: freshman and middle school students will continue to declaim per the existing tradition; sophomores will write and recite their own speech/oration; juniors will identify and develop performance projects, documenting the progress of their “creations” in a journal and eventually transforming their work into a reaction paper and public presentation; seniors will conduct a research project that will absorb the existing senior paper and include a presentation component.

ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT

Alumnus tackles ‘Strolling Jim’ Alan Stimpson likes to run – a lot. The English teacher and 2001 graduate of The Webb School recently displayed his passion for long-distance running in a big way. He competed in his first marathon (26.2 miles) on Valentine’s Day, Feb. 14, 2010, in Birmingham, Ala., and less than three months later participated in the 32nd annual Strolling Jim Ultra-Marathon in Wartrace, Tenn., completing 41.2 miles in 7 hours and 37 minutes. “I wanted to finish it under seven hours, but didn’t do it,” he said. The winner of the race, Valmir Nunes of Santos, Brazil, finished the race in 4 hours, 44 minutes, and 3 seconds.

“I played baseball with a kid (Case) whose dad (Gary Cantrell) founded the race,” said Stimpson, who grew up in nearby Shelbyville. “I always wanted to run it, because the course runs right by my uncle’s house.” Stimpson’s family didn’t pass up the opportunity, to say nothing of the convenience factor, to witness his effort on May 1. “My uncle and parents were all outside his house rooting me on,” he said. Stimpson’s wife, Megan, provided muchneeded assistance throughout the race staging refreshment/snack stations for him along the course.

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Stimpson’s first races were in 2009, when he ran a 5K and then a half-marathon with Megan. Recalling the half-marathon, he said, “I ran as hard as I could for 13 miles, the furthest I’d ever gone before. I finished really fast, in under two hours, but the problem was I felt really bad for the next six to eight hours.”

Stimpson said he likes running because it’s relaxing – and he doesn’t plan to stop anytime soon. His next goal is to run a 50K (30 mile) ultra-marathon. “There’s a certain amount of satisfaction that comes from doing something that is difficult,” he said. “Some things are easy for everyone, running 41 miles is hard for everybody.”

In addition to the limited number of competitors, Stimpson said the ultra-marathon was meaningful to him because of its location.

3 4 5

“I didn’t really like running before,” he said. “My wife (Megan) got me hooked on it.”

“I didn’t feel bad afterward,” he said. “My legs were tired and I had fatigue for about a month, but that’s normal.”

“I really prefer to run by myself, so this was a much smaller group of people than most races,” he said. The Mercedes Marathon in Birmingham, Ala. had roughly 10,000 runners, with 8,000 running the half-marathon and the remaining 2,000 completing the full course.

The Webb faculty member and head of Chambliss Dormitory said running is a relatively new sport/hobby for him.

The ultra-marathon experience was actually easier for Stimpson, because he was better prepared.

The Strolling Jim was attractive to Stimpson for a couple of reasons. First, the race, Alan Stimpson which is named for the first champion of the Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration (1939), is capped at 100 participants.

“For a race like this, you have to train your body to exercise and digest at the same time,” Stimpson said.

Answer submitted by Dr. D. Keith Campbell ‘44 This picture was taken in the original Cecil Sims Gymnasium. Boxing was an after-school intramural activity. 1 - Keith Campbell ‘44 2 - Carroll Johnson ‘44 3 - Charles Bowen ‘44 4 - Robert Hornberger ‘44 5 - David Crawford ‘44 6 - John Flexner ‘44

ALUMNI

Connections 1940s Gilbert Harkey (‘42), Shreveport, La., writes: “For the past 3 years I have been writing a book; time span 1927 through 1985. Includes 1927 flood, growing up during Great Depression, Webb School, military service (Naval Aviator), engineering school, founding member of LA Tech Engineering and Science Foundation, local and state Home Building Association, rising to Vice President of National Association of Home Builders, use of politics to get important things done, long search to find two Navy aviator buddies after 40 years, etc. Hope to publish early 2011 - Class of ‘42 trying not to run out of time!” Bill Goodman (‘46), Jackson, Miss., is one of six attorneys installed in the University of Mississippi Law School Hall of Fame in February 2010. Walter Redden (‘49), Jackson, Miss., writes: “Married to my wife Annette for 50 plus years. No job! Retired 20 years ago. One short story published, write for local newspaper. Attended military reunion in Seattle in October 2009.”

1950s Page Faulk (‘55), St. Simons Island, Ga., writes: “I was awarded an honorary Doctor of Science by The University of the South, Sewanee on Founders’ Day 2008.”

Ed Barker (‘57), Corpus Christi, Texas, writes: “I have three wonderful children – ages 43, 40, 34. They are all married with great spouses – Two daughters and one son. My girls live in Dallas and Houston with their families and my son lives here in Corpus Christi. I have six grandchildren and my eldest grandson leaves for University of Texas in the fall – tried to persuade him to go to University of Tenn., but had no success. I am a trial lawyer defending people and companies that find themselves as defendants in civil trial situations. Where I practice – lower Rio Grande Valley and the Border Counties –being a defense lawyer can be quite challenging, but that is one of the things I love about it – sometimes being able to pull a rabbit out of a hat. I keep up with several close Webb friends: John Chambliss; Pick Stephens; Pat Nesbitt; Raford Hulan; etc. and we are in email contact almost every day. I hope to get back up to Bell Buckle sometime in 2010, but I am not sure just when that will be.”

1960s Walter Manley, II (‘64), Tallahassee, Fla., writes: “The University Press of Florida published professor Manley’s and Canter Brown’s ‘The Supreme Court of Florida, 1917-1972,’ which follows their volume one, ‘The Supreme Court of Florida and Its Predecessor Courts, 1821-1917.’ Volume one was reviewed by the ‘Journal of Southern History’ (Rice University) as ‘the most comprehensive treatment of any state supreme court… groundbreaking research… an important contribution to both Florida and southern history.’ ‘The Journal of Florida Bar Appellate Practice’ described

it as ‘a masterful work…. entertaining and informative…. a must read.’ … Finally, ‘The Florida Historical Quarterly’ opined: ‘a work that deserves a wide audience… any who teach Florida history, constitutional law or the history of the judiciary should consider adopting this book for their course.’”

1980s Lea McLaurin Hamilton (‘86), Greenville, Miss., writes: “I stay busy as a wife, mother and community volunteer. I have recently been installed as President of Junior Auxiliary of Greenville and in July will begin a six-year term of service on the national board of directors for the Mississippi State University Alumni Association. I love keeping up with my Webb friends on Facebook!!” Irv Ashford (‘87), Dallas, Texas, was recently named Senior Vice President, Public Affairs of Comerica Bank in Dallas.

1990s Jerry Martin (‘92), Nashville, Tenn., was recently sworn into office as U.S. Attorney for the Tennessee Middle District. Martin writes: “I am honored to be nominated by the President and confirmed by the Senate to serve as the top federal law enforcement officer in Middle Tennessee. The U.S. Attorneys’ office has the unique ability to prosecute complicated and complex cases involving, for example, institutional fraud and conspiracies that involve violent crimes and drug cartels. I look forward to zealously representing the United States’ interests.” He continues: “I was very lucky to grow up in Bell Buckle and, as a result, have the opportunity to attend Webb. If I hadn’t

Summer 2010

Hugh Hunter Byrd (‘56), Charleston, Mo. writes: “Nelson, Hudson and Sherrill took me out for a birthday dinner. Farm is busy with planting. Starting to plan for 50th reunion at Sewanee in November and the 55th at Webb in ‘11. Winter 2010 included a trip to California with Nelson who was attending a soil conference and tour of vineyards using ‘greener’ farming techniques. Both Nelson and Hudson have taken an active role in

adding technology to our operation. Spring came with several friends celebrating golden wedding anniversaries. May 1st was spent with all four of us in Waco, Texas for a wedding and Sherrill’s birthday in Nashville.”

Life and career updates to keep you connected with your classmates

gone to Webb, I likely would never have become the United States Attorney, because Webb opened my eyes to the larger world and gave me opportunities that I probably wouldn’t have had elsewhere. It was great happenstance and I’m very grateful to Webb and its faculty.” Martin’s appointment became official on May 21, 2010; he will serve a four-year term. Martin received his undergraduate degree from Dartmouth College in Hanover, N.H. and then graduated from Stanford Law School in Palo Alto, Calif. Prior to becoming U.S. Attorney, Martin was a partner at Barrett, Johnston & Parsley in Nashville, where he specialized in complex civil litigation. In his private practice earlier this year, he tried, on behalf of workers in a food processing plant, a significant collective action case under the Fair Labor Standards Act in the Eastern District of Tennessee. The jury returned a verdict in favor of Martin’s clients and also found that the employer had willfully violated the law. The case received national media attention and was widely followed by the employment law bar. Ben Blakeley (‘93), Marietta, Ga., writes: “I’ve been in Atlanta for five years and work in the real estate investment banking group for a private German bank. My wife Rachel and I have two kids, Margaret (9) and William (3).” Sheri Parker Hammonds (‘94), Manchester, Tenn., writes: “I’ve been married to Woody Hammonds for 10 years and we have one daughter, Ashley, who is in the fifth grade. I am working as an RN at River Park Hospital.”

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David Tang (‘94), Washington, D.C., writes: “My wife Elizabeth and I just had a baby girl, Emmaline ‘Emmy’ Tang. Emmy was born in November and is doing great.”

Bricke Murfree (‘96), Murfreesboro, Tenn., was named to the Board of Directors for the Rutherford County Chamber of Commerce. Bricke is a member of Murfree & Murfree, PLLC, Attorneys at Law. In addition to serving on the Chamber of Commerce Board, he serves on the Board of Trustees of The Webb School, the Board of Trustees of Oaklands Historic House and the Board of Trustees of the Rutherford County YMCA.

In 2007, he received the Rutherford County YMCA Volunteer of the Year Award.

School of History where she will be working toward her Doctorate.

Julie Yamamoto Harris (‘95), Bell Buckle, Tenn., and husband, Michael Harris, are happy to announce the arrival of their baby girl, Lily Anne Harris, born on Jan. 5, 2010. The Harris Family is excited about raising their daughter on Webb’s campus in Bell Buckle. Julie still serves as Webb’s Director of Admissions and is a dorm parent for Cooper-Farris and Davis dormitories. She is also the sponsor of Webb’s Mock Trial Team.

Matthew Wells (‘05), Smyrna, Tenn., was recently on the Brevard College cycling team that won the Division II Team National Title during the USA Cycling Collegiate Mountain Bike National Championship in Truckee, Calif.

Chryselle Nazare (‘98), Savannah, Ga., writes: “Still here in Savannah finishing my Internal Medicine residency…one more year to go. Nine months ago gave birth to my first child Lucas Baptiste D’Almeida. Would love to catch up with friends.” Whitney Hazelwood Brough (‘99), Swannanoa, N.C., and her husband, Jock Brough, welcomed their daughter, Addison Marie Brough, on Dec. 22, 2009, weighing 7 lbs. 11oz., and are thoroughly enjoying the new addition to the family.

2000s Holly Heffington (‘02), Chattanooga, Tenn., graduated from Chattanooga State School of Nursing, Summa Cum Laude with a perfect 4.0. She plans to stay in the Chattanooga area. Kirk Gilmore (‘04), Nashville, Tenn., recently graduated from Trevecca Nazarene University with M.Ed. degree. He is currently teaching at McGavock Elementary in Nashville. Elizabeth Segroves (‘05), Nashville, Tenn., recently graduated from Oberlin College with a double major in History and Religion. She has accepted a five-year fellowship to the University of Southern California Graduate

Save 2010 - 2011

t h e dat e September 20, 2010

• Lisa Shannon, Follin Speaker

September 24 - 25, 2010 • Parents’ Weekend

November 5, 2010

• Board Meeting • WSPA Dinner and Auction

November 11, 2010 • Veteran’s Day • Sawney’s Birthday • Senior Blazer Day

November 22, 2010

• Jonah Lehrer, Follin Speaker

December 9, 2010 • Lessons and Carols

December 15 - 19, 2010 • Winter Freeze

December 18, 2010

• Christmas/Holiday Break Begins

January 4, 2011 • Classes Resume

January 17, 2011

• Martin Luther King Jr. Day • Visitors’ Day

January 31, 2011

• Elizabeth Alexander, Follin Speaker

Webb mourns loss of beloved alumnus Jac Chambliss, a member of The Webb School Class of 1927, died on Tuesday, June 8 in his hometown of Chattanooga, leaving a huge hole in the heart of the Webb community. Born on Oct. 21, 1910 in Chattanooga, Jac Chambliss was The Webb School’s oldest living pupil and the last surviving student who had studied under the school’s founding headmaster William R. “Sawney” Webb. In honor of his longtime service to Webb, the school celebrated Jac’s birthday – his 99th – this past October, as it has for the last several years. Jac and his son, John Chambliss III, also a Webb alumnus (1957), attended the event, which included a presentation by the elder Chambliss to the entire student body and faculty and a recitation by John of his father’s senior declamation, “The Highwayman,” by Alfred Noyes. “Jac was Webb’s oldest living alumnus, a Life Trustee and the ‘keeper of the flame’ of Webb’s legacy traditions,” said Board Chairman Phil Coop in a note to trustees following the announcement of Jac’s death. “He was able to join us briefly at our winter meeting in Chattanooga this year, which was a rare treat for all of us.” Coop applauded Jac for his efforts to positively influence younger generations, and in particular, students at The Webb School. “In his personal and professional life, Jac Chambliss lives the traits of character, integrity, and intellect that we try to instill in all Webb students,” Coop said following the 2009 celebration of Jac Chambliss Day.

Jac came to Webb at the age of 13 as a boarding student. Three years later he graduated

A writer, storied trial advocate (lawyer), and gunnery officer in the U.S. Navy who served in the South Pacific during World War II, Jac first became a member of the Webb Board of Trustees in 1953. An avid supporter of his alma mater, he and his wife, Bena McVea Chambliss, who preceded him in death, established The Charles McVea/Jac Chambliss Scholarship Fund in 1983, in memory of Bena’s father, Dr. Charles McVea, who attended Webb in 1885-1886. According to his son, John, Jac’s life was fundamentally strengthened by his tenure at Webb. “From 1924 until his last breath, he was a Webb boy, man, scholar, Renaissance Man,” John said. “I know of no one that was the epitome of what Webb can accomplish given a working student. Webb was blessed to have him. Jac felt blessed to have Webb.” In addition to his son, John, of Chattanooga, Jac is survived by two daughters: Ann Lacambra (Jose Maria) of Winter Park, Fla., and Betsy Chambliss McLean of Wenatchee, Wash.; eight grandchildren and 16 greatgrandchildren. Contributions can be made to the McVeaChambliss Scholarship Fund at The Webb School in Bell Buckle or the Reflection Riding Endowment Fund of Chattanooga. Jac was known for opening the spring and fall board meetings with a prayer asking God’s blessing on the board’s work for the school and its students. In 2007, The Webb School published a collection of these in a small booklet. In one such prayer, Jac mentions the “Train of Time that we must all

ride.” It serves here as a fitting eulogy as he joins his maker for a “happy homecoming.” Now in this season of summer’s end, spiced with the dusty fragrance of mown fields, bright with the scarlet and lemon and apricot of the leaves We hear the distant, trundling sound of the Train of Time that we must all ride … Assist us, O God, as we plan for our destination … and help us so to teach the young who are committed to our discipline, that they may have safe passage, a pleasant journey – and a happy home-coming! Amen.

Jac Chambliss answers students’ questions during the 2009 Jac Chambliss Day at Webb.

Summer 2010

“Therefore he is the perfect example to hold up to our current students to emulate and appreciate. He also articulates the impact Webb has on its community better than anyone. Part poet, part lawyer, part teacher, and a life-long learner - what better role model can there be?”

and began his higher education at Virginia Military Institute, later transferring to Southwestern (now Rhodes College in Memphis). He graduated from Cumberland Law School at the age of 21, and promptly began practicing law at his family’s law firm, Sizer, Chambliss & Kefauver.

The Webb School offers sincere sympathy to the families of departed classmates. Following are annotated obituaries of alumni who have passed away. To view the announcements in their entirety, visit www.thewebbschool.com/alumni/alumni-home. The Webb School publishes obituaries as they are received from family and friends of alumni. Please submit notices to a_dwebb@webbschool.com.

Jac Chambliss (‘27) of Chattanooga, Tenn., died Tuesday, June 8, 2010, at the age of 99. He is survived by daughter, Ann Lacambra (José Maria) of Winter Park, Fla.; son, John A. Chambliss, III of Chattanooga; daughter, Betsy Chambliss McLean of Wenatchee, Wash.; and eight grandchildren and 16 greatgrandchildren. James L. A. Webb (‘35) of Austin, Texas, died on Dec. 8, 2009. Dr. Webb is survived by his wife, Jeanne DeHoff Webb; daughters, Mary Jo Hernandez, and Jeanne Moseley; son, James L. A. Webb, Jr.; and six grandchildren.

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Dr. Logan C. Bostian (‘39) of Williamsburg, Va., born on Dec. 26, 1922 in Kansas City, Mo., died April 8, 2010, at Chambrel in Williamsburg, Va. He is survived by his wife, Patricia; sons, William Jolliffe Bostian of Salisbury, Md., and Lawrence Byron Chappell Bostian of Williamsburg, Va.; and daughter, Andrea Elizabeth Nelson of Nashville, Tenn.

Meredith Ezell Flautt (‘41) of Nashville, Tenn., passed away March 8, 2010. He was born June 18, 1923 to the late Meredith and Margery Ezell Flautt. He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Mary Louise Zanone Flautt; daughters, Lucie (Tom) Moucka, and Argie (John) Satterwhite; sons, Meredith E. (Christy) Flautt, Jr., and Joe (Paula) Flautt; sixteen grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

Dr. Robert Oscar Hudgens (‘45), age 81, passed away at his home in Midlothian, Va. on Jan. 16, 2010. He is survived by his wife, Linda Hudgens; sons, Kent Hudgens and wife, Susan, of Norfolk, Va.; and Philip Hudgens of Richmond Va.; stepson, Jon Bernard and wife, Vicki, of Blacksburg, Va.; and two grandchildren, Tyler Hudgens of McLean, Va., and Philip Hudgens of Chapel Hill, N.C. Henry W. Williamson, Sr. (‘48) of Memphis, Tenn., went to be with the Lord on Thursday, March 25, 2010, after a short illness. He is survived by his loving wife of over 56 years, Jean Anthony Williamson; daughter, Lucy Hines (Ashley); and sons, Henry W. Williamson, Jr. (Maria), and John A. Williamson (Suzanne); nine grandchildren, Jacqueline, Henry III, Matthew, and Rachel Williamson; Warren and Margaret Hines; Sophie, John T. and Laurel Williamson; and one great-grandson, Henry IV. Henry was born Jan. 15, 1930 to the late Sue Brodnax and Wilkins Maclin Williamson of Mason, Tenn., and was the youngest of six children. James Watt Kirkpatrick, Jr. (‘49) of Raleigh, N.C., died Nov. 27, 2009 at his home surrounded by his loving family. Jim is survived by his wife, Dean H. Kirkpatrick; daughter, Fran K. Davis; son, Jamie Kirkpatrick and wife, Susan Bates; grandchildren, Ryan and Sean Davis. Daniel R. DuPree (‘65) of Benbrook, Texas, passed away on Aug. 3, 2006.

John Blocker Ware, III (‘67) of Elysian Fields, Texas, passed away Oct. 14, 2009. He is survived by his wife of 34 years, Sue Ann Ware; daughter, Amy Ware and husband, Dr. James Love, of Elysian Fields; son, John Vincent Ware and wife, Jennifer Ware, of Longview, Texas; and daughter, Brooke Ware Harrison and husband, Johnathan Harrison, of Rowlett, Texas; and twin grand-daughters, Carolann Grace Love and Adeline Rose Love of Elysian Fields. He is also survived by his mother, Mary Furrh Cooke, of Elysian Fields. M. Lee Orme (‘75) of Kansas City, Mo., passed away in April 2009. Aldric (Dicky) Arendsz (‘87) of Aruba, West Indies, was killed in a traffic accident on Dec. 19, 2009. David Clay Prescott, Jr. (‘88), age 40, of Murfreesboro, Tenn., died Thursday, Feb. 4, 2010. He is survived by his wife, Charity Oliver Prescott; children, Madison Elizabeth Prescott, Madeline Kay Merritt, Hannah Claire Merritt, and Arden Louise Prescott, all of Murfreesboro; mother, Patricia Ann Prescott, of Carmel, Ind.; father, David Clay Prescott, Sr. of Highlands, N.C.; and sister, Paige Prescott Graham of Carmel, Ind. For current obituaries of Webb classmates visit: www.thewebbschool.com/alumni/ alumni-home

The Webb Fund

Help Sustain the Legacy… of Leadership

Webb Alumni and current students know that Webb is not just a job for their teachers; it’s a way of life. There is no single initiative of greater importance at Webb today than attracting and retaining excellent, versatile, and dedicated teachers who want to commit their lives and talent to Webb and its students. Gifts to The Webb Fund help sustain the necessary growth in salaries and professional development required to meet our teachers’ needs today and in the future.

of Great Faculty

For more than 140 years, The Webb School has excelled at educating young leaders, inspiring in them the timeless values of founder Sawney Webb and becoming a second home during their years before college. Today, the Webb Community calls this experience the Character of Home. More than 30 percent of Webb students receive merit or need-based financial aid each year. Additionally, gifts to The Webb Fund act as a “hidden scholarship” for all Webb students by closing the gap between the actual cost of operating the school and income from tuition and endowment.

Make a tax-deductible gift online at: www.thewebbschool.com; Contact Director of Alumni Relations and Annual Giving Sandi Jobe for more information at: 931-389-5722; or sjobe@webbschool.com. 319 Webb Road East, Bell Buckle, Tenn. 37020

Summer 2010

Invest in the Webb Legacy Today!

The Webb School BELL BUCKLE

Post Office Box 488 Bell Buckle, TN 37020

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