Alumni

SPARTANS LEADING THE WAY

Just as King Leonidas of Sparta (c. 530-480 B.C.) led his great Spartan warriors into battle, our Sayre Spartans of today have been leading the way in their communities and nationwide. It is with great pride and excitement we spotlight the following Sayre Spartan leaders. To lead; as a noun, it is an initiative in an action, an example for others to follow. As a verb, to be a route or means of access to a particular place or in a particular direction.

These Sayre Spartans are leading the way in government, sports, military, theatre, and real estate. Now, let us raise our shields to these Spartans and celebrate their amazing contributions in Leading the Way.

Alexine Carr ’15

Alexine Carr ’15 is a current analyst at the Human Rights Violator Law Division, a legal and intelligence research team within the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. In her role, she works with an interagency team at the Human Rights Violators and War Crimes Center, which aims to prevent the U.S. from becoming a safe haven for individuals who engage in the commission of war crimes, genocide, torture, and other forms of serious human rights abuses from conflicts around the globe. Alexine entered federal service as a Presidential Management Fellow with the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), where she worked with the Community Relations Service to prevent and respond to alleged hate crimes and bias incidents. She holds a Master of Public Policy with specializations in National Security, International Relations, and Dispute Resolution from Pepperdine School of Public Policy and a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy with a double major in Politics and International Affairs from Wake Forest University. Alexine lives in the greater Washington, D.C. area with her husband Caleb and their energetic Siberian Husky mix, Luna.

In your opinion, what does it take to be a successful leader? I think being a successful leader is contingent upon three things: humility, awareness, and rapport. Sometimes, I think leadership is often confused with being in charge or being the most qualified person in the room. Especially as a young person building a career, I find that leadership requires the humility to differentiate when you should take the initiative to figure things out on your own, and when you should ask for help or delegate tasks to others. Similarly, leadership requires an acute awareness of the individual skills of your team members, as well as an understanding of how to pair those skills with the needs of your organization. Last, I am a

huge believer in taking the time to get to know people and building professional rapport. When your team works well together, it reflects positively on you as the leader.

In your opinion, what does it take to be a successful entrepreneur? Create a business that is known in the industry as a company that provides a great customer experience and has a reputation for being fair and doing what is right without cutting corners.

How did you get started on your career path? At Wake Forest University, I majored in Politics, International Affairs, and Philosophy with the intent of pursuing a career in public service. Immediately after undergrad, I attended Pepperdine’s School of Public Policy on a full-tuition merit scholarship, where I studied national security, international relations, and dispute resolution while working as a research assistant at Pepperdine Caruso School of Law. While in my second year at Pepperdine, I applied to the Presidential Management Fellowship (PMF) program, which is a leadership development program designed to bring “the next generation of leaders into federal service careers.” I was selected as a PMF finalist and ultimately landed a job with the U.S. Department of Justice, which brought me from Malibu, CA, to Washington, D.C. At the DOJ, I began my career with a small component called the Community Relations Service, which works to prevent and respond to alleged hate crimes and bias incidents under the authority of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act of 2009.

Tell me about a proud moment in your career? In June, I was selected for a detail assignment to the Human Rights Violator Law Division, a legal and intelligence research team under the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. In this capacity, I work with an interagency team at the Human Rights Violators and War Crimes Center, which is the only government entity focused completely on investigating global atrocities and the perpetrators of human rights violations and war crimes. The opportunity to work alongside individuals who have dedicated their careers to achieving justice for the victims of egregious crimes is both humbling and incredibly motivating. It is heavy work, but it also comes with a huge sense of purpose and responsibility.

Who has been your greatest inspiration? It’s hard to narrow it down to one person, but there are several people who are inspirational to me. My grandmother spent her entire career working for the federal government and instilled in me the value of public service. Similarly, my father served in the Marine Corps and helped me to see conflict and policy challenges through a global lens, even as a kid. My sister Tia ’17 continually inspires me— she graduated from Loyola Marymount University at the top of her class and landed a competitive public policy position at the United Nations World Food Program USA, which is the biggest humanitarian organization in the world. Tell us something unexpected about yourself ? Somehow, even after years of school and a job that requires extensive reading, I have maintained a love of reading for fun. This summer, I read a total of 32 books, with my favorite being The Daughters of Kobani by Gayle Tzemach Lemmon.

On a different note, I participated in two 48-hour film projects this year: one in Washington, D.C. and one in Baltimore. I had never been on a film set before, but I learned a ton about what goes into producing a short film on an unusually tight deadline. It was also fun to see people with more traditional “D.C.” careers in a totally different, creative environment.

Sometimes leading the way takes you out of the Bluegrass. Where is your favorite non-Kentucky travel destination? Currently, I’ve lived in seven states and Vienna, Austria, where I studied abroad in college. Internationally, I would love to return to Vienna—there is so much history and always something to do, whether it is watching horses

at the Spanish Riding School or touring art museums. Stateside, I am a huge fan of the California desert and enjoy spending time in Joshua Tree.

What is your favorite Sayre School memory? As a student, I always enjoyed attending the Kentucky Youth Assembly with the Sayre delegation. My experience at KYA really solidified my interest in pursuing a career in public service. Whether I worked with my classmates to draft bills on issues we were passionate about or explored how the Kentucky judicial system functions, this was an experience I looked forward to every year. More broadly, several Sayre School teachers had positive impacts on me and helped set me up for success later on. I never knew I could draw prior to taking an art class with Mr. Berryman, and art continues to be a creative outlet for me. Mr. Bebensee and Mr. Leer piqued my interest in philosophy, which ended up being my college major. I can recall countless visits to Mrs. Bilberry and Mr. Mills’ offices to narrow down my college decision, and I am grateful for their guidance. Mr. Bator’s statistics class gave me a solid foundation for many college and graduate school research methods classes to come.

John T. Palmer ’84

Rear Admiral John T. Palmer is a native of Lexington and a graduate of The Citadel with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration. He is also a graduate of the Naval Postgraduate School with a Master of Science in Systems Management (Acquisition and Contract Management) and the Columbia University Graduate School of Business Senior Executive Program. He served as commander of Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) Land & Maritime overseeing the end-to-end integration of the land and maritime supply chains delivering repair parts to all military services. He directed the efforts of more than 2,500 associates at 37 locations worldwide, to include three DLA depot level repairable detachments and four detachments supporting U.S. Naval Shipyards. DLA Land and Maritime’s core functions include purchasing material, monitoring inventory levels, maintaining technical data, and assuring quality conformance of approximately two million spare and repair parts utilized by more than 19,000 military units and federal and civilian agencies. In 2018, DLA Land and Maritime procured $5.7 billion in parts. His previous flag officer tour was at U.S. Pacific Fleet as director of Logistics, Fleet Supply and Ordnance. Palmer is proud to have served nearly nine years at sea in various operational assignments, including supply officer, USS Harry S. Truman; principal assistant for logistics, USS George Washington; supply officer, USS Boone; and material division officer and aviation support division officer, USS Guam.

His other command assignments include commanding officer, Naval Supply Systems Command (NAVSUP) Fleet Logistics Center San Diego; commander, Defense Distribution Mapping Activity (DDMA); and commander, Defense Distribution Depot Richmond, Virginia (DDRV).

Other duty ashore includes tours at NAVSUP Headquarters, Navy Personnel Command, Naval Air Systems Command, DLA Aviation (formerly Defense Supply Center Richmond), and Navy Supply Corps School.

Palmer’s qualifications include Naval Aviation Supply Officer, Surface Warfare Supply Corps Officer, Defense Acquisition Workforce Improvement Act (DAWIA) Level III (Contracting), joint qualified officer and membership in the Defense Acquisition Corps. He is a Certified Professional Contracts Manager (CPCM) by the National Contract Management Association. He is entitled to wear various other personal, unit, and service awards including the Legion of Merit and Combat Action Ribbon.

In your opinion, what does it take to be a successful leader? First, leaders need a clear understanding of the mission or goal. Second, purity of motive in pursuit of the mission is critical. Team success has to be preeminent over the leader’s accolades. Third, a willingness to lead by example. Get out in the field or workspaces with the team, understand the processes, clear barriers, and add value to the team’s efforts. Fourth, accountability. This is where leaders establish good order and discipline, set the standard, and implement pulsepoints & red-lines for performance, so they can adjust team activity. Finally, leaders have to care about their people. They have to help them achieve a level of pace and balance to permit success at work and a healthy family life at home. How did you get started on your career path? From a naval officer perspective, I had to select a Reserve Officer Training Corps when entering The Citadel in Charleston in 1984. My family’s military history had been all-Army going back to the 1800s to include my brother, father, and several uncles. So, I picked the Navy to make dad mad, and it worked. I was subsequently offered a three-year Navy scholarship after my freshman year, and that resulted in a 32-year career.

Tell me about a proud moment in your career? When serving in the Navy, I reflect fondly upon returning from deployments and bringing everyone home safely that was under my charge. There was also the added thrill of being reunited with my wife and children after these tours at sea that typically spanned six or eight months away from the U.S.

After the Navy: I am pleased to have written a book of sufficient quality to attract a publisher. The title is From Bluegrass to Blue Water – Lessons in Farm Philosophy and Navy Leadership. The publisher is Fidelis Publishing in Nashville, and we’re due for release on October 26, 2022.

Who has been your greatest inspiration? As a child, it was my parents who implemented a system for me and my siblings with three foundational priorities: farm, faith, and education. As a Naval Officer, the stable of superb mentors I had are too numerous to mention, but I was blessed to be led and supported by the very best in the U.S. Navy and Joint Forces. At home, my wife Brooks of 33 years kept the family functioning when I was away during my nearly nine years of sea duty, and she managed all aspects of our home by herself. My kids showed amazing resilience handling moves every two years. The future–Brooks and I are blessed with four grandchildren with one more on the way in March!

Tell us something unexpected about yourself? I picked up a case of wanderlust while in the Navy. I didn’t mind the moves, and I really like seeing new places. Now that I am working in the corporate world and more closely tethered to one spot, I’ll have to find a way to scratch that travel itch.

Sometimes leading the way takes you out of the Bluegrass. Where is your favorite non-Kentucky travel destination? Overseas: Germany is my favorite location—along the Rhine. I love the people, food, climate,

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Nicholas B. Graves (Nick) ’06

After spending 10 years at Dynamo Swim Club in Atlanta, GA, Nick Graves ’06 returned to Lexington to be the Lakeside Swim Team Assistant Coach. He also serves as the Age Group Chair and Open Water Chair for the Southern Zone and sits on the Board of Directors for Kentucky Swimming. At Dynamo, Nick coached all levels of the program and served as the head age group coach from 2015 - 2021. Nick has coached numerous Georgia State Champions, Georgia State Record Holders, as well as USA Swimming Top 10 times, and USA Swimming All-Time top 100 times. He has coached athletes at all levels of the sport from beginners to Summer Juniors and Olympic Trials Qualifiers. Nick also coached U.S. Open and World Record holder and 2020 U.S. Paralympic Gold Medalist Gia Pergolini. Nick served on the Georgia Age Group Committee from 2014 - 2021. He was the Georgia Open Water Chair from 2015 - 2017 and was the Head Open Water Zone Coach for Georgia from 2016 - 2019. Prior to coaching at Dynamo, Nick spent a year coaching at the Maclay Northside Dolphins in Tallahassee, Florida.

Nick graduated from Florida State University (FSU) in 2011 with a degree in history. Nick was a fouryear member of the FSU swim team. He was a member of the 2007 team that won Florida State’s first and only Men’s ACC Team Title. He was a 2008 Olympic Trials Qualifier and an NCAA All-American.

Nick is originally from Lexington and grew up swimming at Wildcat Aquatics for Coach John Brucato.

In your opinion, what does it take to be a successful leader? It’s all about the athlete. Servant leadership athletes have to feel cared for, and catered to, by being serviced by your leadership. You have to maintain high standards if you want to be successful.

How did you get started on your career path? Swimming was a natural progression in my life. I grew up swimming every day. I swam in college at FSU. I stayed in Tallahassee for another year and coached a local swim team.

Tell me about a proud moment in your career? I had the opportunity, while living in Atlanta, to coach American Swimmer Gia Pergolini for four years. In 2020, Gia made the Paralympic team. She broke two world records and won a gold medal for the 100-meter backstroke! This was one of my proudest moments.

Who has been your greatest inspiration? I get my inspiration from the athletes I coach. Watching the swimmers achieve their goals, watching their confidence grow, and believing in themselves inspires me.

Tell us something unexpected about yourself? I wake up at 3:00am. I enjoy cooking when I get home in the afternoon. I really enjoy grilling; it helps me unwind and process after a long day.

Sometimes leading the way takes you out of the Bluegrass. Where is your favorite non-Kentucky travel destination? I have two. I love Atlanta after living there for 10 years. I also like to visit Charleston, SC.

What is your favorite Sayre School memory? I enjoyed my history 9 class in Old Sayre. At that time, Sayre was building the Lucy VanMeter Upper School. Ms. Morrish’s class was on the third floor of Old Sayre where she made classical history come to life. It was so enjoyable. I looked forward to that class every day. Thanks to Ms. Morrish, I was a history major in college, with a classical history studies minor.

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architecture, and speed on the autobahn.

In the States: Lexington is a great hometown, and my wife and I met in lovely Charleston, SC, when we were students at cross-town colleges. In the Navy, we were blessed to live in a dozen states and in fantastic cities such as Monterey, CA, Pearl Harbor, HI, Athens, GA, and Mayport, FL, but our all-time favorite place to live is San Diego, CA. Our kids had left home/graduated college, and we lived with two dogs in a high-rise in Little Italy overlooking the harbor. As Brooks used to say, “Every day is like a vacation in San Diego.”

What is your favorite Sayre School memory? As one might expect—great friends and classmates. Beyond class cohorts, it was the quality of instruction. Many of the teachers at Sayre were the equal of my best professors in undergraduate and graduate school. I love history and Sayre’s Upper School exposed me to my first adult-level seminars in this discipline. Although their titles have changed, our Headmaster (Mr. William Williams) and Fourth-Form Head (the late Mr. Tom Grunwald) were outstanding in this regard. I also enjoyed Ms. Evelyn Kikuchi’s physics class so much, I signed on for an extra year as a senior. In balance, I was well prepared for college and beyond. Thanks Sayre!

Rose Buckner ’75

Rusty Underwood ’05

Rose Buckner is an actor, writer, oral historian, and teacher who has worked professionally for 30 years. Her new solo play, Bluegrass Belle, is based on the true story of a Kentucky woman who defied social expectations (and risked death threats) to marry a Japanese man in 1903. Artist and Medical Ethicist Kevin Reid described Belle as “a theatrical featherbed to fall on as people of all ages - negotiate personal and socially relevant existential challenges.” Theatre Director Luigi Salerni has called Buckner a “consummate actress.” Buckner has conducted hundreds of oral history interviews, created and performed solo shows based on historical figures such as Eleanor Roosevelt and poet Sara Teasdale, taught arts and humanities to young offenders, and presented to hundreds of audiences from all backgrounds and ages. She has performed her solo comedy show, Save the Ducks and other Stories of Courage, Dignity, Embarrassment and Total Cowardice at venues in Chicago and throughout Illinois. She is the recipient of the Peter Lisagor Award for journalism, Helen and Martin Schwartz Prize for Public Humanities in the Community, and Lawrence W. Towner Award for Best Humanities Project.

In your opinion, what does it take to be a successful leader? I immediately think of Donn D. Hollingsworth. He was someone who was not always popular, but as a leader, he took risks from his beliefs and values. He had a quality of being willing to take risks and be in the forefront of things. I ran my theatre company (The Great American People Show) and acted for 15 years. I did the work because I believed in it. The theatre was funded by grants from the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH), Illinois Humanities Council (IHC), and Illinois Arts Council (IAC).

How did you get started on your career path? I started theatre at the age of nine at the Lexington Children’s Theatre. Theatre was my life after school. I was not cast at first; however, I received the lead role in the second show and for years after that. I will be performing my new show Bluegrass Belle at the Lexington Public Library March 11-20, 2023 during Women’s History Month.

Raised in a family of builders and developers, Rusty Underwood is an expert in the building, selling, and purchasing of residential and commercial property. His main objective is to understand clients’ financial goals and determine a holistic real estate strategy that benefits them both personally and financially. Partnering with his wife and licensed Realtor® (Rachel Underwood), their pledge is to deliver informed real estate advice, creative solutions, and flawless execution in order to build relationships that last a lifetime. Some of Rusty’s recognitions include: • #1 producing Realtor® for Fayette

County (2016-2021) • National Association of Realtors’

Class of 30 Under 30 (2016) • KY Real Estate Commission Good

Neighbor Award (2016) • Bluegrass Realtors Good Neighbor

Award (2016) • Top Producers Club Lifetime Member

In your opinion, what does it take to be a successful leader? You need to have a vision and be willing to work to make it a reality. It is easy to get bogged down in the daily grind of your work, whatever that work may be, but keeping your head up and staying focused on the bigger picture and goals for your team has led to the best outcomes for

Tell me about a proud moment in your career? I’m proud to have received a journalism award, the Peter Lisagor Award for Journalism in Chicago for a theatre and humanities project. The plays were performed in a women’s prison for teenagers. I taught lessons on interviewing, writing, and acting. They performed a play that was aired on Chicago public radio. I also won two other awards for that one project.

Who has been your greatest inspiration? I was inspired by three individuals. The first two are Donn D. Hollingsworth and Andrea Brownstein, both from Sayre. Andrea really helped me with writing and nurtured me as a creative person. They both validated that I was just Rose Buckner, taught me to think and ask questions. Eleanor Roosevelt has been a great inspiration to me. She did good deeds in trying to bring people together; she also paid attention to the disenfranchised people that had no voice. “You must do the thing you think you cannot do.”

Tell us something unexpected about yourself? I like to throw a Nerf football, and I’m one-quarter Japanese.

Sometimes leading the way takes you out of the Bluegrass. Where is your favorite non-Kentucky travel destination?

Sedona, AZ! A deeply spiritual place, it has the kind of energy that is palpable, that’s healing, and it has the most beautiful scenery you can imagine.

What is your favorite Sayre School memory? I was elected Vice President of Student Council for my class. I remember giving a speech in the C.V. Whitney Gymnasium on self-discipline, “if we want to be treated like adults, we have to take responsibility for our own actions and act like adults.” At the end of the speech there was a standing ovation, and a football player was clapping. That’s when I knew I had done something amazing.

me in leadership positions. Just as important is ensuring you maintain a positive and interactive culture where your team can collaborate and be a part of the process so that the victories are shared. I always hear people say, “work smarter, not harder,” but in reality, the best leaders do both.

How did you get started on your career path? I grew up working in and around construction and development. A mentor talked me out of pursuing law school and getting into real estate when I was studying at the University of Kentucky. With my background in building and experiences working in fields where you interact with the public, it was a perfect fit. Tell me about a proud moment in your career? Being sworn in as president of our realtor association (elected by our 4500 realtor membership from 30 counties) by my wife and business partner Rachel.

Who has been your greatest inspiration? My aunt, the late Lisa Underwood ’77.

Tell us something unexpected about yourself? I had a tremendous fear of public speaking when I was in high school, but now, I do so daily. Sometimes leading the way takes you out of the Bluegrass. Where is your favorite non-Kentucky travel destination? Naples, FL.

What is your favorite Sayre School memory? My favorite memories are the little daily moments that now seem inconsequential. Just spending time with my classmates, so many of whom are still my closest friends and with whom I have been so lucky to share my life.

ALUMNI EVENTS

THE SAYRE GOLF SCRAMBLE 2022

The 2022 Thomas A. Grunwald Sayre Golf Scramble was held at Houston Oaks in Paris on September 22. A special thank you to the Prewitt family (Buck ’74, Terri, Allen ’13, W.K. ’11, and his wife Jackie) for sponsoring the event. Alumni, current parents, past parents, and friends of Sayre enjoyed the beautiful fall day while raising funds to benefit Sayre School. Once again we filled every golf cart with teams at Houston Oaks. The competition was incredibly tight, but Matt Whitman, Bennett Clark, JP Newsome, and Chuck Berkeley squeaked out the win with a score of 54. Our exuberant Middle School team - Andrew Turner, Anna Cook, DeeDee Wheeler, and Nick Miller - proudly brought up the rear and accepted the last place prize (lessons provided by our own Golf Head Coach Peyton Tierney!). Many thanks to the 2022 Golf Scramble committee (Kelly Bradley, Cindy Eason, Rob Goodman ’89, Ben Graves ’85, Leslie Isaacs ’69, Stephanie Johnson ’91, Brad Nahra ’98, and Shelley Slabaugh), Piper Stockham, the Advancement Office, Houston Oaks Golf Course, all of our teams, and our generous sponsors. Please save the date - Thursday, September, 21, 2023 - for next year!

1.Al Nahra, Tyler Nahra ’93, Brad Nahra ’98, Ted Rutkowski ’90 2.Bryce Lazaro, Amanda Bryant, Eric Bryant, Hunter Bryant 3.Chris LeMaster ’00, Devin Tweed '02, Robert Rush '03, Hock Parrish 4.Dan Graves ’87, Bill Howell ’86, Ted Hardwick, Ford Stanley ’87 5.Judy Grunwald, Ben Graves ’85, Stephen Manella, Andrew Grunwald ’89 6.Anna Cook, Nick Miller, Andrew Turner, Dee Dee Wheeler ’18 7.Team Gram Arena: Cooper Caison ’15, Bedell Conboy, Gary Hilliard ’02, Kate Hilliard 8.Tim Clark, George Dickson ’94, Tom Stephens ’94 9.Winning Team: JP Newsome, Glen Davidson, Matt Whitman, and Chuck Berkeley

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ALL SCHOOL ALUMNI REUNION 2022

Sayre’s Alumni Reunion took place on October 22 this year, and we were excited to return to campus for this much-anticipated event! The festivities kicked off with a cocktail hour in the parlours of Old Sayre and ended with a feast in the Thomas A. Grunwald Buttery. Between the drinks, excellent food, and camaraderie of old friends, we celebrated two landmarks in Sayre School history. We first witnessed the dedication of the Donn D. Hollingsworth Path to Excellence, Learning, and Opportunity in the Front Circle, which acknowledges the vision and dedication of this former Headmaster.

Later in the evening, the Sayre Alumni Association recognized the retirement of teacher, staff member, and alumna Leslie Parrish Isaacs ’69. There has been an emptiness on campus since her last day in the summer of 2022, although she remains a committed volunteer with her newly-discovered free time! Alumni of all ages were happy to celebrate this bittersweet occasion with her.

The Alumni and Advancement Office looks forward to welcoming all Sayre graduates back to campus. Whether you attended Sayre in the 2000s, 1990s, 1980s, or before, there is a kinship among graduates due to our shared experience on campus. Please plan on joining us on Saturday, October 21, 2023!

1.Kristin Hundley-Reeves ’83, Jennie Brown ’84, Brad Pelfrey, Elllen Morgan ’85 2.Karen Bailey, Maxine Lowenthal Shapiro ’70, Donna Quillin Johnson ’70, 3.Charlie Rowland ’06 (far left),Cassie Rowland (far right) 4.Kristin Hundley-Reeves ’83, Jayne Kissling Tannenbaum ’82 , Shelia Shaw Sanders ’72, Jonathan ’82 and Mary Otis 5.Ben Graves ’85, Kathryn Graves ’09, Dan Graves ’87 6.Tom and Polly Ruff ’76 Peel 7.Charles ’78 and Patricia Shely, Anne McCombs Wégiel ’77 8. Rob Goodman ’89 unveils the portrait awarded to Leslie Isaacs ’69 9.Bruce Isaacs ’70, Mike Wilson ’72 10.Jay Hollingsworth ’72, Bob Johnson ’71 11.Susan Swinford Bullard ’70, Sarah Carolyn Asbury ’72 12.Jane Grunwald, Buck Prewitt ’74, Leslie Isaacs ’69, Andrew Grunwald ’89 13. John Hackworth, Stephen Manella, Carolyn Hackworth 14. Leslie Isaacs ’69, Barb Milosch 15. Buck Prewitt ’74, Leslie Isaacs ’69 , Ben Graves ’85 16.Rebecca Price ’09, Leslie Isaacs ’69, Kathryn Graves ’09 17.Dan Graves ’87, John and Carolyn Hackworth, Ben Graves ’85 18. John and Carolyn Hackworth 19.FRONT: Kelly Woods Shirley ’94. MIDDLE ROW, L to R: Tom Stephens ’94, Amy Duncliffe ’94, Molly Haggerty Jones ’94, Sarah McCready Boston ’94, Kerie Wilkins Archer ’94. BACK ROW, L to R: Mark Smith ’94, George Dickson ’94, Joe Palumbo ’94, Chris Darmand ’94 20.Tim Bailey ’70 and Carson Asbury ’73

ALUMNI CLASS NOTES

Dorothy Dowling Fish ’38

When Nancy Fish Hanna was a child growing up in Raleigh, North Carolina and Milford, Pennsylvania, she had what some might call a magical childhood filled with travel — trips to art museums, the local ballet, music, and her personal favorite, the theatre. Hanna has a true appreciation and love for all areas of the arts, and she credits her mother, Dorothy, with exposing her siblings and her at a very young age to a variety of experiences and ideas that proved to be an integral part of their cultural upbringing. In honor of her mother, Hanna has established the Dorothy Dowling Fish Scholarship Fund, an endowed undergraduate scholarship that benefits students in the University of Kentucky College of Fine Arts. The scholarship will be rotated among students in the four academic units within the college in recognition of her mother’s multidisciplinary passion for the arts, including the Department of Arts Administration, the School of Art and Visual Studies, the School of Music, and the Department of Theatre and Dance. The first scholarship was awarded to an arts administration student at the University of Kentucky’s 2022 graduation. Maxine Lowenthal Shapiro ’70

Maxine’s husband, Bernie, retired after being a Circuit Court Judge in Dade County Florida for 34 years. He plans to continue working as a Senior Judge. They have recently moved from Miami to Ocala, Florida. Maxine has been working at American Airlines for the past 31 years and still enjoys it!!!

Ben Kesling ’98

Ben is a former Marine Corps infantry officer and published his new book, Bravo Company: An Afghanistan Deployment and Its Aftermath, in early November. Ben discussed his new book in observance and recognition of Veterans Day at the Pritzker Military Museum & Library in Chicago on November 10. Congratulations Ben, and thank you for your service.

Adrienne O’Rourke ’06

Adrienne and Corey Birch were married on October 29, 2022 at Saxony Farm. It was a beautiful fall day and a stunning wedding. Congratulations to both of them! Philip O’Rourke ’12

Philip was named Principal of St. Germaine Catholic School (3-year-old PreschoolEighth Grade) in Oak Lawn, IL on July 5, 2022. “Being in education has always felt right. My passion stems from helping students grow, and I’m inspired and motivated by our faculty. If I can support our teachers and allow them to better focus on their instruction, I’ve done my job correctly.” Congratulations, Philip!

Susanna Lee White ’13

During the fourth-grade theatre project, Susanna virtually visited to share her experience as a musical theatre actress and voice/ drama coach in New York City.

Sam Perez ’18

Sam was a published author before she graduated from college! Deviate from Denial: Erasing the Stigma of Addiction and Recovery Through Inspirational Stories was published in September. “Currently, I am working in Columbia, SC, as a television reporter for WLTX News 19. In May 2022, I graduated from the University of Georgia with degrees in journalism and Spanish.” Check out how Sam is making her mark on Sayre’s website.

SPECIAL AWARDS

In honor of Brucie Glenn Rowe ’77, the Brucie Glenn Rowe Student Government Award was established by her parents, friends, and the school and is given for service, leadership, and devotion to the spirit of the school. This year’s recipient was TY BUCK ’22, who is attending the University of Kentucky. The Marc Goldenberg Science Award is given to a junior or senior who has demonstrated a high interest in science. This year’s award was presented to AIDAN SMITH ’22, who is attending the University of Alabama. The recipient of the Todd O’Neill Award was ANNIKA BARNSLEYBYRNES ’26. This award is presented to a rising ninth grader who is distinguished in the areas of scholarship, athletics, citizenship, and service to the school and consists of an engraved julep cup and $1,000 scholarship.

ALUMNI BLUE-GOLD AWARD

The Karl E. Knapp Excellence in the Study of Environmental Resource Conservation Award was awarded to SOPHIA LEE ’23. Dr.Knapp ’77, a Stanford University student and subsequent faculty member, devoted his professional career to science, and earned numerous awards and patents. Dr. Knapp attributed his passion for science to his studies at Sayre and Science Department Chair Libby Kikuchi.

The Sayre Alumni Blue-Gold Award is presented annually to a senior or seniors who have demonstrated leadership, community service, and good citizenship at Sayre. Created by the Alumni Council in 1984, it is the highest and oldest award given by the Sayre Alumni to a graduating senior. The award is presented to individuals who have served the school and their classmates and are deserving of recognition for their many quiet efforts. This year’s recipients were SAMUEL THOMAS (SAMMY) SLABAUGH ’22, son of Tommy and Shelley Slabaugh and JANE BARINGER STILZ ’22, daughter of Barry ’81 and Ann Stilz. Currently, Sammy attends Beloit College and is a member of the lacrosse team. Jane attends the University of the South-Sewanee and is a member of the golf team.

IN MEMORIUM 2022

EMILY PARALEE ELAM WILLIAMS ’43 of Louisville passed away April 12, 2022. She was the daughter of the late Dr. Arthur Matthew and Clotilde (Bonta) Elam. Emily was a 1947 graduate of Georgetown College. Emily was married to Reverend Joe Priest Williams for 60 years and was the beloved pastor’s wife at Baptist Tabernacle. She was a member of Crescent Hill Baptist Church and a long-time member of the Art Club of Seminary Wives. She is survived by her sons; Joseph David (Debra), Mark Elam (Suzanne), and Stephen Fredrick (Joy) and her grandsons, Joel Williams and Payton Williams (Ashley), and one great grandchild, Owen Williams; and her dear sisterin-law Laura Marquess. She was predeceased by her husband and her grandson S. Clayton Williams.

JANE RACHEL GRAVES BLACKFORD ’48 died on July 11, 2022. She was the only daughter of the late Jacob Hughes Graves II and Eran Blackwell Graves. She was the wife of William Bledsoe Blackford for 48 years. She was a member of Macedonia Christian Church, the Fayette County Woman’s Club, and the Lexington Country Club. During the 1960s and 70s, she was an active member of the Sayre School Parents Club and worked continuously in fundraising and building efforts for Sayre. Jane is survived by her dearly loved children and daughterin-law, William Bledsoe Blackford, Jr. (Bill) and his wife Nancy Ossman Blackford, Elizabeth E. Blackford (Betsy), and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. Besides Jane’s husband, their daughter Rebecca Jane Blackford, her brother Jacob H. Graves III, and his wife Glenna Ritchie Graves, and her brother James Blackwell Graves, and his wife Nancy Milwee Graves preceded her in death.

JAMES ANTHONY ‘TONY’ ROSE ’73 passed away on August 2, 2022, at the age of 67. He is survived by his wife, Darrilyn Parrigin Rose; his sons, Patrick Rose and Eric Rose (Samantha); his grandchildren Patrick Rose, Jr., Elijah Joe Rose, Zion Luka Rose, Ryan Jacob Rose, Myla Anastasia Rose, Ethan Edward Little and Elizabeth Kay Rose, and his brothers Marty Frazer and Carroll Crouch.

KEVIN HENRY OTIS ’74 died at his home in Paris, Kentucky on March 6, 2022. Kevin was the son of Marquita Jean Sivis Otis and the late William Henry Otis, Jr. His two sisters, Pam (David) Blackburn and Melanie Otis, and his brother Jonathan (Mary) Otis; one nephew Billy (Rosemary) Foster; two nieces Stephanie (Jason) Terry and Sara Otis; and eight great nieces and nephews survive him. In addition to his father, his brother Timothy D. Otis predeceased him.

WHITNEY (WHIT) DUNLAP CHANDLER ’82 passed suddenly of natural causes on Wednesday, January 12, 2022. His advanced education took place at Transylvania University and the University of Kentucky where he studied architecture. In 2016, he stepped into the role of publisher of The Woodford Sun where he worked happily and successfully in the newspaper business. Whit was predeceased by his grandparents A.B. “Happy” and Mildred Chandler, Whitney and Lady Louise Dunlap, and his father Albert Benjamin Chandler, Jr. He is survived by his wife Dr. Shaoqian Zhang Chandler and their son Gaius Wenbing Chandler. They were the absolute and abiding joy of his life. Other survivors include his mother Lucie Dunlap “Toss” Chandler, his brothers Ben (Jennifer) and Matthew Chandler, his first cousins Erin (Mark) Chandler Thomas, Jeff, Bruce, and Celeste Lewis (Barry Dennis), and his niece and nephews Lucie, Albert, and Branham Chandler, as well as numerous extended family members and dear friends. He leaves behind a community that will miss his everpresent warmth and a family that will forever grieve the loss of his shining spirit, unparalleled wit, and steadfast support. JACK SPENCE ’83 passed peacefully on August 22, 2022 after a long struggle and righteous fight with health complications. He is survived by his mother Ann S. Hollingsworth and his sister Julie Spence.

EMILY RANDALL COLCLOUGH ’10 passed away unexpectedly on February 28, 2022. At Sayre, Emily received a College Board Advanced Placement Scholar Award as a member of The National Honor Society. She also earned a Provost Scholarship to attend the University of Kentucky where she majored in history and economics. Emily was the daughter of Dr. George Watts Colclough and Elizabeth Mehring Colclough. She is survived by her parents, her siblings George Dwight Colclough and his wife Anne McIntyre Colclough, Cari Minette Slatniske and her husband Andrew, Benjamin Mehring Colclough, and Eleanor Catherine Colclough; her maternal aunts Ann Mehring Schoenberg and her husband Lee, Sarah Mehring Higgins and husband Howard, Catherine Mehring Mouney and husband Don, and Barbara Mehring Hagemann and husband George; her paternal aunts Mary Sue Colclough Mann, wife of Dr. Phillip Rogers Mann, and Dr. Anne Colclough Hawes, wife of Dr. Stephen Hawes. Emily was preceded in death by her grandparents George Arthur and Eleanor Ochs Mehring, and George Dewey and Sue Watts Colclough. Emily enthusiastically garnered new friends in whom she always sustained an abiding interest. She was the namesake of Emily Dickinson, who wrote “That it will never come again – is what makes life so sweet unable are the loved to die, for love is immortality.”

ALEXANDRA “ALEX” SIMPSON ’18 died August 27, 2022 after a valiant 10-month battle with recurring childhood cancer. She is survived by her mother Melanie Glasscock Simpson-Conley, stepfather Robert “Bob” Conley, step siblings Katie Conley and Brian (Kati) Conley, and her maternal grandparents Thomas and JoAnn Glasscock. She also leaves behind several special aunts, uncles, cousins, and a host of friends and her best friends Madeline O’Nan Raterman and Liz Cornett, all of whom played very important roles in her life. She was predeceased by her father William Jerome Simpson.

SUMMER SABBATICAL: CARIBBEAN COAST OF COSTA RICA

Lower School science teacher Jackie Gallimore attended a teacher workshop through Ecology Project International in Costa Rica. She stayed at the rustic Pacuare Reserve, where Jackie and fellow K-12 teachers helped scientists with their ongoing research on sea turtles. To enhance their field experience, teachers attended classes daily. The Caribbean coast of Costa Rica is a relatively well-preserved area that is home to one of the few remaining nesting sites for the leatherback sea turtle. Unfortunately, habitats like these are becoming rare due to habitat loss and light pollution. Nevertheless, despite the many challenges, female turtles return to the beach where they were born, dig into the sand, and lay an average clutch size of 110 eggs. After about 60 days, the baby turtles hatch and journey to sea by moonlight. Scientists working in the reserve are doing everything possible to make these hatchlings more successful. First, they collect the eggs as they are laid with a plastic bag held under the laboring mother. Then, the eggs are transferred to a hatchery, where they are cared for by scientists and protected by security guards. When the scientists notice the nest start to “boil,” they know the hatchlings are making their way to the surface. The newly hatched babies are collected, weighed, and measured before returning to the sea. Typically between 7-10 pm, the instructors knocked on the teachers’ cabin doors to alert them of a new nest. It was time to take a short walk through the forest in complete darkness (to avoid confusing the turtles) to the weighing station. Teachers took turns weighing the turtles and measuring the length of their shells. It was tricky trying to use calipers on wiggling baby turtles. With practice, they soon learned how to hold the turtles just right and maneuver the calipers with one hand. Throughout Jackie’s stay, she weighed or measured nearly 100 baby sea turtles!

The experiential moments contributing to the reserves’ research were spliced with more traditional professional development. Using the 5E instructional model, the talented instructors led teachers through lessons on turtle biology, conservation, field camera research, pedagogy, and the importance of environmental education. In addition, teachers were tasked with creating lessons based on the Next Generation Science Standards related to phenomena at the Pacuare Reserve. “Whether learning in the classroom, holding baby sea turtles, or seeing exotic plants in the wild, all of these experiences reinforced my belief in student-centered, inquiry-based science education,” said Jackie. “I hope to use my experiences through this program to enhance animal-based science education in my classroom. My students can use some of the methods the scientists at the reserve use, such as documenting animal activity with field cameras. They can also participate in citizen science projects with data collected at the Pacuare Reserve.”

For more information about Ecology Project International’s programs, visit https://www. ecologyproject.org/.

AN INTRIGUING TRIP TO BORDEAUX

Last summer, Middle and Upper School French teacher Andrew Turner had the opportunity to enroll in a program in Bordeaux, France, called France Langue. France Langue is an organization that focuses on education around French as a foreign language (Français langue étrangère – or, FLE). They have a number of different programs that mostly target those who are still learning French. Andrew enrolled in a program specifically tailored to teachers of FLE, called a “stage pédagogique.” “My participation in this program proved extremely invaluable to me for a number of different reasons that can be summarized into three main categories: the expansion of my cultural knowledge, my personal relationship with the language, and resources to enrich my role as a French teacher at Sayre,” said Andrew. Bordeaux is a city whose name is known to many, especially due to its rich historical connection to French wine. The France Langue program’s schedule was uniquely tailored to have built-in time for cultural explorations with the class and as an individual. This allowed Andrew to visit various museums, art expositions, and the surrounding coastal towns.

One of the most rewarding elements of cultural enrichment for Andrew came from the program’s participants. The group included members from the Czech Republic, Croatia, Hungary, Poland, the United States, and a Ukrainian woman who currently lives in Moscow. The culturally enriching exchanges broadened their perspectives as teachers and citizens of the world. It was equally exciting to share the things that made each gasp and to share laughs about similar struggles in the language. Being a part of the European Union, many citizens of France are continental by nature, so learning about some of its neighboring countries’ cultures contextualized the French culture and offered a more global perspective. For many, a second language is similar to other skills in the sense that if you don’t consistently put work into it, your abilities and comfort in it are likely to falter over time. The leading theories in Second Language Acquisition education revolve around the idea of Comprehensible Input and the Communicative Approach,

which can be described as the idea that full immersion is the most effective way to learn a language. Andrew had the opportunity to experience this concept first-hand, and he felt his level of fluidity and confidence in the language rising with each passing day. “My host was an older French gentleman who chatted with me each evening about what I had done that day, insisting on speaking French the entire time,” Andrew recalled. “I spent most of my free time with a range of international people, most of whom did not speak English well enough to converse freely. As a result every interaction was rooted in the lingua franca of our group – French!” Andrew gained a plethora of new resources and techniques from the course sessions. The instructor shared authentic resources based on real-life French situations, such as movie trailers, commercials, music, and other media. Teachers workshopped through the creation of lesson plans based off similar resources. “Many of these different approaches and techniques have already shown their effect in my classes so far this year,” said Andrew. “For one, because of the number of Europeans in the program and the system France uses, the program offered an excellent way to familiarize myself much more with the CEFR Level system that Europe

uses to evaluate language level (and thus the classification of many online sources of lesson ideas). By discussing the direct correlations and comparisons to be made between this system and America’s ACTFL system, a wealth of new resources has become much more accessible to me.

Without the summer sabbatical program at Sayre, this experience would not have been possible. I am extremely grateful for the opportunity and for Sayre’s continued investment in the professional and personal growth of its faculty.”

I am extremely grateful for the (sabbatical) opportunity and for Sayre’s continued investment in the…growth of its faculty.

SPECTACULAR MONTH OF MARCH

For the second year in a row, the Sayre community broke records with their support during the Spectacular Month of March. From your contributions to class baskets to purchasing auction items, volunteering time, and participating in the Day of Giving, the Spartan family banded together to support our school in an emphatic way. Hundreds of volunteer hours and the generosity of donors and bidders turned Spectacular into the single largest fundraising event in Sayre’s history. Then, later in the month, our MCs led us through a Day of Giving that brought about nearly $54,000 from over 360 donors in 24 hours. Altogether, we raised $396,081– funds used throughout campus to enhance students’ experience and support the talented faculty and staff that make this place so unique. Our success would not have been possible without the leadership of Spectacular’s Chair, Shelley Slabaugh, and her team. The evening at the Keene Barn was truly wonderful – the first chance truly to be together in many months. We are grateful for Shelley’s work, along with Sponsorship Co-Chairs Ashley and John ’83 Backer, Live Auction Co-Chairs Michael and Abbie Thornberry, Silent Auction Chair Katie Maftoum, Class Basket Chair Anu Bansal, Senior Spotlight Chair Amy Dunn, Faculty Fun Chair Tiffany Christopher, and Alumni Chair Libby Clay ’07. A big shout out to our MCs who brought so much joy to the Day of Giving - Randy Mills, Courtney Reed, Hope Garlington ’22, and Preston Trout ’25.

Sayre is grateful for the generosity of families, friends, faculty, staff, and alumni all-year round; we give a special thank you for making this March one to remember!

Day of Giving 2022 and Pizza Party

All Sayre, all day long! Sayre’s Day of Giving was held on Tuesday, March 22. Trustee members, administrators, faculty, students, parents, alumni, and friends came together to celebrate and support Sayre. Randy Mills, former College Counselor, Courtney Reed, Lower School parent and Middle School faculty member, Hope Garlington ’22, and Preston Trout ’25 served as the MCs for the day. Powered by Sayre’s social media accounts, the Day of Giving included funny skits, testimonials, and giving challenges. The grade level in each division with the most parental participation won a pizza party. Winners were 2nd, 7th, and 11th grades. Thanks to the generosity and enthusiasm of the entire Spartan community the day was an amazing success! All gifts received on the Day of Giving benefited the Sayre Fund. Day of Giving Highlights:

• 366 gifts received in one day • 100% Board of Trustees participation • Alumni participation doubled from 4% to 8% • Faculty and Staff participation increased from 52% to 73% • Current parent participation increased from 22% to 41%