Sayre School Alumni Class Notes Thank you to all our alumni who have submitted notes for this magazine. Please continue to submit your news and photos to alumni@sayreschool.org or mail them to the Office of Advancement.
1961
Sarah Nancy Hall ’61 has retired from the University of Kentucky where she worked in IT. Recently, Sarah came across a photo from her second grade play where she played a shepherd. In this photo, she is the third shepherd from stage left standing just behind Mary. She lived across the street from the Sayre campus as a child and continues to live downtown today.
1973
Ike Lawrence ’73 writes that his family is doing great. Oldest son Brad (25) is attending Harvard’s M.B.A. program; daughter, Shelby (22) graduated from Washington and Lee University and has a job in Atlanta; youngest son, Evan (18) won the top G.P.A. award for the 4th year in a row and is college bound. Ike still manages rental property in Lexington.
1975
Brynn Gallaher ’75 writes from Florida that she is doing well. Brynn co-taught Becoming Conflict Competency courses at the Center for Conflict Dynamics at Eckerd College and is doing independent conflict consulting as well. She says that…“life is full, rich, and highly textured! I am so grateful to have made it to 54 and be in a place where I can appreciate and savor my past. And, I am thankful for everyone who has accompanied me on this journey.”
1976
Peggy Rose Wheeler, RN, ’76 has organized the Central Baptist Hospital’s Breast Cancer Empowerment Series. Peggy helps “navigate” breast cancer patients through the sometimes confusing healthcare system of pathology reports, surgery, and follow-up treatments. She puts medical speak into understandable terms and offers an open door if patients need to ask questions. The series of seminars answers questions thanks to a grant from Susan G. Komen for the Cure and a partnership with Bluegrass Health Psychology. The programs are free.
1989
Taylor Miles Ward ’89 was married to Whitney Celeste Neuman on March 31, 2012, at the Walnut Hill Presbyterian Church. Serving as Taylor’s best man was his son, Harrison Miles Ward. The couple resides in Lexington.
1991
Louis Terah Haggin Gaver ’91 and Vicki Mouchet were married on April 28, 2012, at the First Presbyterian Church in Lexington. John M. Gaver III, brother of the groom, served as best man and William N. Offutt ’91 served as groomsman. Thomas David Dean ’88, Scott P. Dean ’90, John E. Johnson ’90, William M. Arvin, Jr. ’85, and Joseph B. Murphy ’87 all served as ushers. The couple resides in Lexington.
1992
Clifford M. Denny, Jr. ’92 and Corie Denny were married on December 24, 2011, in Negril, Jamaica.
1997
Lyndy Franklin Smith ’97 and her husband Jeromy are the proud parents of John Bennett Smith born on November 27, 2011. Ben weighed 4 lbs. 1 oz. and was 18 inches long. Lyndy and Jeromy moved back to Paris, Kentucky, from New York and are the Executive Directors of the Town and Village School of Dance. They also teach at the University of Kentucky in the theatre department.
1998
Ben Kesling ’98 received the Deborah Orin Scholarship Award at the annual Dinner of the White House Correspondents Association on April 28, 2012, in Washington, D.C. Ben received his recognition from President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama. The scholarship benefits qualified students who show exceptional interest and potential in the field of journalism at the Medill School of Journalism, Northwestern University, Chicago. This summer, Ben had an internship for the Dow Jones Wall Street Journal in Chicago.
1999
Melissa Smith White ’99 graduated from the University of the Cumberlands with her Master of Arts in Teaching in August 2011. She graduated with a Master of Arts in Christian Studies from the University of the Cumberlands in December 2012.
2001
Laura Sims Graham ’01 and Jamey Henderson Holt were married on January 14, 2012, at Windjammer Landing Resort in St. Lucia, British West Indies. The bride was presented by her cousin, William Hunter Simms ’03. The maid of honor was Elizabeth Whitney Simms ’05, cousin of the bride. The couple resides in Birmingham, Alabama.
2002
John Hansford Thomas IV ’02 and Mary Emily Powell were married on December 10, 2011, at Second Presbyterian Church. Zachary Davies Thomas ’04, brother of the groom, served as the best man. Serving as groomsmen were Gunner de la Cour ’02 and Gary Edwards Hilliard ’02. John graduated from Rhodes College and the University of Kentucky College of Law and is employed with the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department. The bride is a graduate of Samford University and is a Registered Nurse with the Neonatal Transport Team at Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital in Nashville, Tennessee.
2004
Sarah Gay Barnett ’04 and James Stewart Boswell were married on June 23, 2012, at the Midway Presbyterian Church. Sarah Gay received her undergraduate degree from Wake Forest University and recently earned her M.Ed. from Peabody College at Vanderbilt University. Mr. Boswell is a graduate of Woodberry Forest School and Davidson College. He attends the Owen Graduate School of Management at Vanderbilt University.
2011
Conrad Bandoroff ’11 was inducted into the Order of the Gownsmen at the University of the South during Sewanee’s fall semester convocation. To become a member of this honorary student organization, founded in 1873, students must achieve a superior grade-point average. Conrad invited Charlie Dalton, Sayre ’98 and Sewanee ’02, his AP Spanish teacher at Sayre to present him with his gown during the ceremony. Charlie Dalton said, “ It was an honor to present him with his gown. I am proud of his academic accomplishments while at Sayre and I am humbled that he asked me to take part in this great Sewanee tradition which is evidence that he has continued to do what he does best, excel.” Last year, Charlie Dalton presented a gown to Nick Klus, ’10 during his induction to the Order of the Gownsmen. Nick Klus ’10, and Conrad Bandoroff ’11 pose for a picture with Charlie Dalton ’98
Jessica Lynn Martin ’04 married William Allen Gwatney on August 18, 2012.
2006
John-Michael Lorton ’06 and wife Kimberly are the proud parents of Samuel Michael Lorton born on July 31, 2011. Samuel weighed 6 lb. and 15 oz. All are doing well in the family.
2009
The Bluegrass Charity Ball celebrated its 50th anniversary on December 29, 2012, in the ballroom of the Lexington Convention Center. Fourteen debutantes were presented at the Ball including Courtney Baughman ’09, Caroline Langley ’09, Kathryn Graves ’09, Elise DeCamp ’09, Eliza Purcell van Dissel ’09, Mary Hood Paulson ’09, and Lauren Virginia Albert ’09.
In Memoriam: Thomas Burks Kessinger died on May 2, 2012. Mr. Kessinger attended Sayre and graduated from Henry Clay High School and the University of Kentucky Law School before entering the investment business. He served in World War II in the U.S. Air Corps in the Pacific theater of operations. Mr. Kessinger served on the Sayre Board of Trustees from 1973 to 1980.
Arnold William Steinbrenner, Jr. ’70 died on May 28, 2012, in New Orleans, LA. Following his graduation from Sayre, Arnie attended Western Kentucky University and Tulane University. He worked for the City of New Orleans in the Revenue and Finance Departments. A memorial reception was held in New Orleans with his ashes spread in Kentucky.
John Starks Burgin ’69 passed away on Monday, July 2, 2012. After graduating from Sayre, he received his B.A. at Transylvania University and his law degree from the University of Kentucky College of Law. He was one of the original sixteen attorneys who founded the law firm, Ogletree Deakins, Labor and Employment Law.
Mary Bridgforth Oldham Betz ’84 died on November 22, 2011. Mary attended St. Catherine’s School in Richmond, VA, and graduated from Sayre. She earned her electrical engineering degree from the University of Texas and worked on the Galileo Project for NASA. A memorial service was held at Ascension Episcopal Church in Mt. Sterling.
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