Triangle Spring 2015

TRIANGLE Brent wood Academy Magaz ine | Spri Bre ntwood Acade my Magazine | Spng r ing2015 20 15

BA Robotics receives world-wide award full story on page 12

inside TRIANGLE

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Remembering Cindy Tripp

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Not Just a BA Eagle

Dean of Faculty

BA Eagle Scouts

Boys’ & Girls’ Basketball State Champions

cynthia b. tripp 1950 - 2015

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From the Headmaster

I want to thank all of you in the BA family and community for the way that you care for one another during hard times. God’s work is evident in how we love one another, and over the past few months, I have witnessed that love in action as you have cared for Cindy Tripp’s family and for one another as we have mourned the loss of our colleague, friend, teacher, mother, grandmother, and wife.

In recent years in her classroom, Cindy Tripp was fond of asking her students, “For what reason are we doing this?”

She would plague her 7th grade students with that question as they were learning another piece of grammar or diagramming a sentence. “For what reason are we doing this?” She would ask it with kind of a crazed excitement, “For what reason are we doing this?!” And she would expect an answer; she wanted them to think about the purpose for which they were doing this. What is this all about?

As you reflect on Cindy’s life, and as you read about some of the memories shared in this publication, ask yourself, “For what reason all this?” What’s God doing with this in your life and mine right now? Because God positioned Cindy Tripp to leave fingerprints on so many lives in all these amazing roles, there is evidence that God intends for us to look for His purpose and His hand at work.

Most of you knew Mrs. Tripp as a thinker, a reader, a writer, and an avid learner. You know of her formal accomplishments and degrees—a bachelor’s and master’s of arts, master’s of education from Lipscomb; she was in the classroom, grade chair, department chair, and dean of faculty. But if you just stopped there to see her as an amazing teacher, or an amazing leader, or somebody who worked tirelessly behind the scenes, you would miss the main point of the story. Each of those amazing characteristics was an expression of God’s gifting and God’s power at work, God’s positioning her to have eternal influence, not just grammatical influence, or organizational influence, not just helping us develop handbooks and web pages. No, God positioned her to point you to her Savior.

When someone asks you, “What was Mrs. Tripp all about?,” you can say, “God was at work in her; God impacted my life because of her.” And you know the beauty of seeing God working through somebody—when God is changing someone’s life, it gives you the hope that God can change your life too. And when you are able to say to somebody, “I know God can change your life, because He’s changing mine,” —what a testimony! And that was Cindy Tripp’s testimony.

Curt Masters,

Headmaster

Brentwood Academy Mission

Brentwood Academy is a co-educational, independent college preparatory school dedicated to nurturing and challenging each whole person­— body, mind, and spirit—to the glory of God. 2

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Table of Contents 4

Remembering Cindy Tripp

TRIANGLE THE BRENTWOOD ACADEMY MAGAZINE | SPRING 2015

HEADMASTER Curtis G. Masters HEADMASTER EMERITUS William B. Brown, Jr. 2014-2015 TRUSTEE CHAIR John Roberson 2014-2015 ALUMNI COUNCIL CO-PRESIDENTS Dick Cole ‘84 Destin Tompkins ‘95 2014-2015 BA PARENTS ASSOCIATION PRESIDENT Terri Vafiades EDITORS Leah Hoskins Susan Shafer

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Iron Eagles Robotics Goes Global

STAFF WRITERS Lulu Luton Clark ‘76 Leah Hoskins Susan Shafer

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4 Questions

CONTRIBUTING WRITER Katherine Nesbitt ‘17

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Author Author

GRAPHIC DESIGN Phil Goodman

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Not Just a BA Eagle

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State Champs X 2

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Fine Arts Update

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Valuable Traditions

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Alumni News

PHOTOGRAPHY Andy Collignon Wylie Franks Phil Goodman Barry Robbins Jennifer Vickery Smith The Triangle Magazine is published twice annually under the direction of the Brentwood Academy communications department and is distributed without charge to family and friends of the school.

Brentwood Academy 219 Granny White Pike, Brentwood, TN 37027 615-373-0611

brentwoodacademy.com facebook.com/brentwoodacademy twitter.com/baeagles

2014-2015 Theme Verse For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago. Ephesians 2:10 (NLT)

ON THE COVER “To Aid in the Flourishing of Others” (quote and artwork by Dana Tanamachi).

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Remembering Cindy Tripp C i n dy ’s Bl o g January 12, 2013

One of my realizations has been that I want 2013 to be more others-focused than self-focused. That’s when I found an image in a blog I read. The topic of the post was New Year’s resolutions, and I was struck by this one from Dana Tanamachi: “To Aid in the Flourishing of Others.”

Aid means help of a practical nature, support in the achievement of something.

Isn’t flourishing a lovely word? It means growth or development in a healthy, vigorous way as a result of a particularly favorable environment.

Oh, my.

I want to aid in the flourishing of my husband and my marriage, in the flourishing of my girls and my granddaughter, Abigail. I want to aid in the flourishing of my mother and mother by marriage, in my brother and sister and my brother and sisters by marriage, and my family and family by marriage. I want to aid in the flourishing of my dear friends, who have been sisters of my heart, and in the flourishing of my colleagues, who are as dear to me as the closest of friends. I want to aid in the flourishing of my students and of the students whom I know but have not taught. I want to aid in the flourishing of my school, whose mission is “…to nurture and challenge the whole person—body, mind, and spirit— to the glory of God,” and of my school and church community.

I want to aid in the flourishing of others and not be a stumbling block.

Maybe if I am occupied with aiding in the flourishing of others, I will have less time to focus on myself and my struggles. Maybe if I am occupied with aiding in the flourishing of others, I will then be less overwhelmed and fearful and lost.

Then in the midst of confusion I will find peace because in the midst of confusion I will see the Lord.

But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as from the Lord, the Spirit. 2 Corinthians 3:18, NASB

Read other posts from Cindy’s blog at cindytripp.wordpress.com

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COVER STO RY

Remembering Cindy Tripp

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ynthia Breath Tripp passed away peacefully on the morning of March 19. She said, in her final days, that she always imagined she would die in the spring, so she waited with her family at home until the daffodils began to bloom in her own front yard.

She was a lover of language. She had a gift for bringing out the best in people while loving them exactly as they were. She found beauty and meaning in the people and things most others overlooked. She cherished handwritten letters and filling the space of a room with love and antique knick-knacks. She favored her granddaughter, Abigail, more than anything or anyone.

Cindy’s home away from home was Brentwood Academy, where she found her life’s calling, which was to aid in the flourishing of others.

She began this walk in 1973, as a young, newly married, college graduate (B.A., M.A. University of Louisiana at Monroe) who taught English. She was at the beginning of her teaching career and Brentwood Academy was still in its infancy. Mr. Bill Brown, founding headmaster/headmaster emeritus, remembers her as competent to any task, which was done with high energy and careful consideration.

“When someone asks you, ‘What was Mrs. Tripp all about?’ you can say, ‘God was at work in her; God impacted my life because of her.’”

- Headmaster Curt Masters

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Over the years, she taught legions of seventh graders the basics of English grammar and writing. She, for a time, was known as “the lemon lady” because of an assignment students had of “adopting” a lemon, dressing it, being with the lemon 24/7, and writing a journal about his/her own lemon. Additionally, she sponsored fledgling publications of the student newspaper, The Talon, and the student yearbook, The Aerie.

Cindy’s family always held special priority in her life and, when daughters, Sarah James ‘02 and Emily ‘03, arrived, she took a hiatus from teaching to be wife to James, mom, Bible scholar, freelance editor, and friend.

Cindy with Mason

She returned to Brentwood Academy in 1996; and, during the next years, served as seventh grade chair, English department chair, and dean of faculty. She led the school’s

She walked in deep, hard places and shared appropriately with me; but, she was always more concerned about me. Her fears did not immobilize her…and that is what a brave person does.

– Ray Mullican ‘80 She taught me the difference between being too hard and being too soft. She had that ability to get it right in the middle…she helped me more than I helped her.

– Carlton Flatt

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Graham ‘08

No one has impacted Mason’s life any more powerfully than Cindy Tripp. As a squirrelly middle schooler with more than the usual dose of angst, energy and emotional over-reaction, Cindy believed in Mason.

Always patient and kind, always encouraging and supportive, always with the dependable boundaries that he needed for security. When I was at the end of my rope with this child of mine, Cindy was always confident of his true self and helped me keep the faith, knowing God had him right where he wanted him.

– Katy Graham

In the years that Cindy and I have worked together, I have realized that she is, to quote an early Bee Gees album, something “rare, precious, and beautiful.” When I had the opportunity to sit in on her grammar classes, I was dumbfounded by the enthusiasm she could bring to squiggles such as commas. Her true delight, however, was in her students, and she told me that being with them was the one thing she would miss as her role at school expanded.

– David Sawyer

accreditation process with the Southern Association of Independent Schools and found time to earn an M.Ed. from Lipscomb University. She was a member of the Brentwood Academy 40-year history book team, spearheading the editorial process.

Each fall, she took the seventh graders on a “tour” of the school, introducing them to the Duncan Library, showing them all of the class composites (where some found photos of mom or dad), teaching them the alma mater, and making certain they understood the mission of Brentwood Academy.

Mrs. Tripp was the most loving, supportive, encouraging, compassionate, and demanding teacher I have ever had. Mrs. Tripp embodied everything that I hope my children’s teachers will embody. She stood up for me. She believed in me. She called me out when I needed it. She taught me in the most effective way for me. She fed me more Oreos and milk than I could have ever asked for. She was my counsel and my encouragement during my tumultuous adolescence. Rest in peace Mrs. Tripp. Thank you for challenging me to be the man you felt I was called to be.

– Graham Schuler ‘13

I loved her words. I loved the way she spoke blessings over our lives. I loved how she saw things in us that no one else saw. I loved my last time with her… she just patted my arm and said “Nancy, it’s going to be okay.”

– Nancy Simpkins Brasher ‘73 She is one of the smartest people I’ve ever known; she’s one of the hardest working people I’ve ever known; and Cindy Tripp was one of the most caring people I have ever known.

– Paul Compton

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If My Boundary Stops Here

By Ruth Whitman

If my boundary stops here I have daughters to draw new maps on the world They will draw the lines of my face They will draw with my gestures, my voice They will speak my words thinking they have invented them They will invent them They will invent me I will be planted again and again I will wake in the eyes of their children’s children They will speak my words from Cindy’s memorial service program

(1997)

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An important task she undertook each academic year was that of “orientation leader” to new faculty, many of whom comment that her introduction to Brentwood Academy allowed them a smooth transition into school life.

She was recognized for her accomplishments as she received the Clyde Swift Faculty Award in 1981 and 2003. Given each year during graduation ceremonies, this award recognizes outstanding work in the classroom, with students, and in supporting and furthering the

mission of the school. The Tennessee Association of Independent Schools (TAIS) honored Cindy by awarding her the Hubert Smothers Award in 2014.

The recipient must teach at a TAIS member school, have more than 20 years of experience, be a lifelong learner, have made an impact on students both in the classroom and in extracurricular activities, and evidenced a deep commitment to the teaching profession.

Accomplishments aside, she will be remembered as being an encourager of students, faculty, and parents; of putting the feelings and needs of others before those of her own; and for her close walk with the Lord.

She is survived by her husband of 44 years, James Ellison Tripp III; daughters, Sarah James (Jacob) Myatt ‘02 and Emily Lorraine Tripp ‘03; granddaughter, Abigail Kate Myatt; brother, David (Linda) Breath; sister, Diane (Bernard) Porter; aunt, Ilona (Kenneth) Matar; foster daughters, Amber Neeley ‘11 and Megan Neeley; and many more who were a part of her spiritual family.

Thanks to Mrs. Tripp, I am compelled to include proper grammar and punctuation, even in my text messages. Also, I can fiercely diagram a sentence. Rest in peace. #grammarguilttripp‬‬

–Kelli McCollum Rodgers ’84

She was such a special lady and one of the reasons that I became a teacher!‬ –Beth Holder Throckmorton ‘84

She always did such a brilliant job of communicating the mission of the school. As a young person that was so impactful to me. ‬

–Lindsay Fowlkes ‘86

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Noah Franks ‘16, Peter Richards ‘15, and Olivia Cook ‘16 of team 9364

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FEATURE STO RY

Brentwood Academy Robotics Receives World-Wide Recognition, Capturing the Overall Design Award & Engineering Division Title

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epresenting the state of Tennessee at the 2015 VEX World Robotics Competition in Louisville, KY, Brentwood Academy’s robotics team, the Iron Eagles, captured the Engineering Division title and the prestigious Design Award following a four-day competition in April.

The competition drew 450 qualifying teams from 23 countries around the world. After winning a series of regional competitions as well as the Tennessee state competition, the BA Iron Eagles qualified two teams to compete this year—teams 9364 and 9364B. Both teams persevered through 10 qualification matches at Worlds to make it to the competition’s quarterfinals (top eight alliance teams in each division). Team 9364 competed in the Engineering Division, and team 9364B competed in the Arts Division. Ultimately, team 9364 partnered with two alliance teams (one from Shanghai, China, and another from La Canada,

CA) to win the Engineering Division title. There are five divisions in the world competition—Science, Technology, Engineering, Math, and Arts. Each division includes 90 qualifying teams to compete from around the world.

Perhaps an even higher honor was winning the coveted Design Award for the entire competition. Out of 450 teams in the world, BA’s robot was judged to have the highest quality design. The Design Award is presented to a team that demonstrates a solid approach to the design process, project management, time management, and team organization. Teams present their Engineering Notebook to the judges and, during an interview, explain the design process they followed during the current season. Only teams that won a Design/Excellence Award at a local, regional, or national event prior to April 1 are eligible to be interviewed.

EVENT SPONSORS

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Out of 450 teams in the world, BA’s robot was judged to have the highest quality design.

Team member and coding guru Noah Franks ’16 says he was confident the team had the best robot at the competition, but some of the early qualifying matches had him a little nervous.

“This experience proves that if you put in the work and you believe you can do something, then you absolutely can succeed,” Noah explains. “There is no way any of us could have done this by ourselves. Everyone on the team contributed to our success. The process involves research, coding, scouting, building, driving the robot, and working on the Engineering Notebook. We spent a crazy amount of time over the last year­—on weekends, snow days, and most school days for more than five hours a day.”

Coaches Wendy Stallings, BA’s physics faculty member, and Chris Allen, BA’s IT director, were integral to the learning process over the past year as teams engineered their robots.

Mr. Allen says he is amazed by the teamwork of this group. “Their attitudes and perseverance are remarkable. I’m catching a glimpse of these kids’ futures, and what I see is spectacular.”

Ross Kennedy ‘17, a member of 9364B, says the experience has only confirmed his desire to go into engineering when he goes into college. Noah also aspires to continue in robotics at the college level and has dreams of going to MIT. “Our teams’ accomplishments at Worlds reflect the commitment, time, and talent invested by these students,” said Mrs. Stallings.

“These achievements go way beyond a trophy. Our students are applying STEM principles beyond classrooms and tests.”

(Top) Parents, BA faculty members, and middle school robotics team members erupt into cheers as 9364 is announced as the Engineering Division champions. (Left to right) Robot 9364 achieved the top prize for design in the world; Peter Richards ’15 confers with alliance team members from China and California; Coach Wendy Stallings helps Noah Franks ‘16 and Peter with last-minute adjustments; Team 9364 (Noah, Peter, and Olivia Cook ’16) in the heat of battle.

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Parents, many of whom volunteered throughout the season and attended Worlds, are equally enthusiastic about how the BA Robotics program is preparing their children for the next level.

“Noah’s robotics coach kept telling us that Noah had written the best code in the world, but we just couldn’t believe him,” explains Wylie Franks, Noah’s mom. “Well, guess what? He DID write the best code in the world.”

“These achievements go way beyond a trophy. Our students are applying STEM principles beyond classrooms and tests.”

-Wendy Stallings, BA Faculty The student body got in on the action this year, packing the upper school gym for the first-ever BA Robotics pep rally before sending the teams off on April 15. Teams demonstrated their robots and hosted a “Mr. Roboto” dance contest. Congratulations to dance champ Jake Keller ‘15.

After last year’s inaugural season for BA Robotics, more than 40 middle and upper school students joined for the 2014-15 school year. BA fielded three upper school teams and three middle school teams for this season, and each team was highly competitive at local and regional competitions. Although only upper school teams competed at Worlds, 11 middle school robotics students traveled to the competition to assist in research by watching other teams compete and analyzing prospects for team alliances.

(Opposite page) Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam greets BA Robotics team members after their incredible experience at Worlds; BA Robotics competes on a global scale at the Kentucky Exposition Center’s Freedom Hall in Louisville; (Top) Team 9364 competes in the final round of competition; (bottom) Team 9364B competes in the quarterfinals.

The VEX Robotics Competition, presented by the Robotics Education & Competition Foundation, is the ultimate STEM activity for middle school and high school students (ages 11-18).

Each year, an engineering challenge is presented in the form of a game. Students, with guidance from their teachers and mentors, use the VEX Robotics Design System to build innovative robots designed to score the most points possible in qualification matches, elimination matches, and Skills Challenges. This year’s challenge, “Skyrise” was played on a 12’x12’ square field. Two alliances­—one “red” and one “blue”—composed of two teams each, compete in matches consisting of a 15-second autonomous period followed by one minute and forty-five seconds of driver-controlled play. The complex scoring system is based not only on skill and coding, but also on strategy.

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QUESTIONS

Wendy Stallings

Why do you teach?

I teach because I love it. That has not always been the case. In fact, I almost left the teaching profession about five years ago. I’m really glad I didn’t though. As I have grown professionally, my love for the job and the students has really exploded.

What is the one thing you want your students to know when they leave your class at the end of the year?

I want to leave them with a sense of curiosity and wonder about the world around them.

Position

Physics Teacher Started teaching at BA in 2004

Family

Seven-year-old son Emmett James Stallings V (Quinn)

Hometown Lilburn, Georgia

Education

Vanderbilt University B.A. Physics and Math Oxford University M.St. Science and Religion

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You are very involved with the BA robotics program. How did you get interested in it, and why are you so passionate about it?

I originally incorporated robotics as part of a “hands-on” physics class I taught as a science elective for seniors. Later, I had a few students interested in building robots for a competition. They ended up winning state, and I suppose the rest is history. I particularly love the VEX program because of its emphasis on the engineering process and the incorporation of teamwork and game strategy. They do a great job of making the learning process fun.

What is one thing your students do not know about you?

I love to write.

Jon Billington What first drew your family to BA? The values that BA teaches drew us to BA. We were not planning to send our children to private school. However, we kept noticing there was a distinct difference in kids who were students at BA. We noticed those same kids returning from college and the type of young adults they had become. We wanted that same experience for our children. We love the combination of great academics, great athletics, and the core values that BA instills in our students. Any school can teach academics, but very few can successfully instill values that will last a lifetime.

What do you hope to accomplish during your term as Trustee Chair?

Position

Incoming Chair of the BA Board of Trustees

Family

Wife Dena Libby ’13, Avery ’17, Jon Mason ‘20 (Libby is at Baylor University)

Hometown

Murray, Kentucky

Education

Murray State University B.S. in Accounting

We have an amazing faculty and a fantastic headmaster with Curt Masters. The average parent has no idea how much our faculty pour their lives into the lives of our children. As such, I don’t feel the need to drive an “agenda” as board chair. I love the way our board operates to oversee/protect the overall mission and vision of the school without getting into the day-to-day operations of the school. I will work closely with Mr. Masters as he continues to refine our long-term strategy and our marketing/development efforts to position BA for continued success.

What is your favorite family activity?

We have a wide variety of activities—hard to pin down one favorite activity! We love the beach and we choose going to the beach each summer with groups of our closest friends over other trips we could take. On a day-to-day basis, we are very involved at Brentwood Baptist Church and many of our family activities revolve around our church activities.

When not serving BA, tell us about your career.

I am the America’s Region Chief Financial Officer for Asurion Corporation. I have been with Asurion for six years and oversee approximately 200 finance and accounting employees across the U.S. and in the Philippines. I started my career with Word Records and Publishing in Waco, TX. I spent six years with Word in Waco and Dallas and then spent a combined 16 years in Nashville as an audit and consulting partner with Arthur Andersen and Ernst & Young. BA played a MAJOR role in my career when we were contemplating a relocation to Charlotte, NC. We decided to stay in Nashville with a major reason being that our kids could grow up at BA!

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ACADEMIC S P OT L I G H T

Lynda Fadler

B

rentwood Academy Latin teacher Mrs. Lynda Fadler remembers distinctly how her first published book, So That You Will Know, was inspired.

BA Author

I was in chapel [at Brentwood Academy] the Wednesday following Thanksgiving, when our Spiritual Life director reminded each of us that there were more than 100 prophecies concerning Jesus’ first coming. I had heard that premise made many times, but on that particular day, the Holy Spirit began convicting me, challenging me, and encouraging me to delve into God’s Word and uncover those prophecies.

Linda spent several months researching and found more than 150 prophecies pertaining to the Messiah’s first coming. She recorded those findings in her book with the hope and prayer that the words would deepen the faith of the reader as well as leading others to Christ.

She dedicated the book to her grandmother, Lillias Estelle Hutchins Ashbury, because “through her wisdom, I learned about Jesus; through her love, I saw Him.” Linda is presently considering another Biblical research project regarding the many prophecies of the second coming of Jesus Christ.

Linda has taught at Brentwood Academy for 13 years, and she and husband, Jeff, have been parents of BA students for 16 years. The “last of the Fadlers” will graduate this year when younger son, Sam ‘15, receives his BA diploma.

Linda holds an undergraduate degree from the University of Kentucky, where she majored in Latin and history, and a master’s degree from Regent University. Currently, she teaches middle school Latin. Besides teaching at BA, she has taught in Christian schools in Dallas and Orlando. She has taught both Bible studies and Sunday School classes for children and adults.

Her book is available online from Christianbook.com.

The Fadlers: Jeff, Courtney ‘12, Sam ‘15, Katey ‘05, Amy ‘08, Matthew and Lynda.

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Maria Arnold ‘18

By Katherine Nesbitt ‘17

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n the summer of 2014, the world of professional literature opened up for Maria Arnold ‘18, who wrote and published her very first novel. This has been a dream of Maria’s for a long time. Beginning at age three, her desire to create stories was first cultivated. Several years later, when Maria was in the fifth grade, she passionately began writing.

The process to write this novel began right in the heart of Brentwood Academy. At the end of Maria’s eighth grade year at the “Going to College” meeting, Maria approached Ms. Shelley Miller, one of the college counselors at BA, and told her about her big writing dreams and goals. She asked about opportunities to gain experience with writing so that she would be prepared to pursue her goals in college. With the help of Ms. Miller and other mentors, Maria found out about a four-week-long summer camp called “A Novel Idea.” At this camp, students of all ages travel to Cheekwood in Nashville to learn about the process of writing and publishing. Students spend time learning the basic rules and processes of writing, different writing techniques, and the process of publishing. Campers also learn about the “roller coaster” of a story. Campers learn how to use this roller coaster illustration to plan out the major events in their novels. Students use the summer to plan out their stories, and they submit their final drafts on October 31 to be printed, bound, and published.

BA Author

This novel is just the start for Maria. She plans to major in English in college. Her dream is to write for a living and to become a well-known author. However, she is already immensely successful. This has been a great learning experience for Maria. Not only did she have a chance to learn about the process of writing, but she also learned something about herself. About her experience, Maria said, “I think that it’s really cool that I got this opportunity at 13 years old. The best part for me was knowing that I can actually do it. If you have an idea, you can write it if you just put your mind to it. My one regret was not realizing that I wanted to write earlier.”

Needless to say, Maria put a lot of hard work and dedication into her novel, and at age 14, her first book was published. Such a huge accomplishment mandates celebration, of course. Soon after the publication, a “Conferring Ceremony” was held at Parnassus Books in Green Hills. At the ceremony, the students whose stories were published received a copy of their printed story. Acclaimed writer Ann Patchett, publisher Laura Hollingsworth, and Becky Sharp attended the ceremony with great congratulations for the successful young authors. Each camper also received a letter of congratulations from Tennessee’s first lady, Chrissy Haslam. On that December night, Maria first held a copy of her novel, The Unnamed Must Fall.

The Unnamed Must Fall tells the story of a 20-year-old army recruit. The story is told from the young man’s perspective, and it is set in the future. A terrorist group has fought and conquered the world, with the exception of the United States. The young man is drafted, and proceeds to document his experiences in the army.

The Unnamed Must Fall is the first in a four-part series that Maria intends to write in the near future.

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Not Just a BA Eagle THE TITLE OF EAGLE SCOUT REFLECTS YEARS OF HARD WORK AND SERVICE

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or more than a century, the Boy Scouts of America has helped build the future leaders of this country by combining educational activities and lifelong values. For many scouts, the crowning achievement is to reach the rank of Eagle Scout before their 18th birthday.

There’s no question that the title of “Eagle Scout” carries some prestige, but it is one that is well earned through years of commitment and hard work. Just ask one of the six Eagle Scouts at Brentwood Academy who have already achieved the rank and completed the “project” that has become synonymous with this milestone.

Christian DiLucchio ‘15 says that scouting has taught him the value of finishing what you start, “even if it’s not fun.”

He completed his Eagle project just before his 18th birthday.

Because he is involved in wrestling and soccer, he took brief periods off, but was intent on completing his project of extending BA’s cross country trail.

(Back row) Josh Friday ‘15, Brendan Finucane ‘15, and Andrew Long ‘18; (front row) Reece Bennett ‘16, Christian DiLucchio ‘15; (not pictured—Grant Decker ‘16)

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Eagle Scout Qualifications

(Below) Grant Decker ‘16 stands by the cross in the outdoor sanctuary at BA, where he helped clear the space and build benches; (bottom, left) Christian DiLucchio ‘15 and (bottom, right)

• Progress through the ranks in the following order: Tenderfoot, Second Class, First Class, Star, Life, Eagle • Earn 21 merit badges • Serve 6 months in a troop leadership position • Plan, develop, and give leadership to a service project for any religious organization or any school or community • Take part in a Scoutmaster conference • Successfully complete an Eagle Scout board of review

Andrew Long ’18, the youngest BA Eagle Scout, also worked on the Thurman cross country trail at BA for his project. He organized the installation of 480 square feet of gravel and 324 square feet of mulch.

With the help of Coach Charlie Harper, he also helped place trail markers along the route. Andrew, a runner himself, recruited his cross country teammates and his fellow troop members to assist in the weekend project.

Grant Decker ’16 also selected a BA campus project to help earn an Eagle Scout title. He cleared, cleaned, and restructured the outdoor sanctuary and refinished all the benches. The space is now frequented by students and faculty and can even be used as an outdoor classroom.

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Andrew Long ‘18 coordinated the extension and surfacing of the new Thurman Cross Country Trail at BA.

“Hard work gets you through anything.”

-Brendan Finucane ‘15

Part of the overall Eagle Scout project requirements is to research, plan, and present a detailed outline of how the project will be funded and executed.

According to most of the scouts, that process can take up to a few months.

When Josh Friday ’15 decided to build picnic tables and benches for Bellevue Gardens, he had to go before the city council to get approval for his plans. “My presentation included a slide show and hand-outs. I was very nervous, but it was a great experience.”

In fact, Josh says the most valuable aspect of scouting has been the opportunity to develop leadership skills. He served as senior patrol leader under the direction of his scoutmaster and earned his full trust. He says he learned a lot about how to manage conflict among team members.

Brendan Finucane ’15 says the most valuable lesson he has learned from scouting and the Eagle Scout experience is that “hard work gets you through anything.”

Brendan built tables and benches for Daystar Counseling Ministry’s outdoor pavilion.

Reece Bennett ’16, like many scouts, says he started scouting at a very young age because he wanted to hang out with his friends. Over time, the experience evolved into one where he could see the value in the greater life lessons he was learning and how those could benefit others.

Reece chose to host a donation drive for an organization called RBI that serves inner city youth by providing baseball equipment and parks. Through his involvement with the Franklin Baseball Club, he set aside a Saturday and set up tents and collected bats, balls, helmets, and other equipment to donate to RBI.

(Top) Brendan Finucane ‘15 built tables and benches for Daystar Counseling Ministry’s outdoor pavilion; (left) Reece Bennett ‘16, a baseball enthusiast, organized a baseball equipment donation drive for inner city youth ball clubs.

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Grandparents’ Day 2015 FEBRUARY 6, 2015 • SPIRITUAL EMPHASIS WEEK Grandparents of current Brentwood Academy students were invited on campus to be a part of the annual Spiritual Emphasis Week. After enjoying refreshments in the dining hall, more than 350 grandparents met with their grandchildren to hear a presentation

by AXIS, a Christian organization from Colorado, dedicated to teen ministry. A special thanks to the dozens of parent volunteers who helped make the day a special one.

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STUDENT S P OT L I G H T

Editor’s Note: The following speech was delivered by senior Nathan Dale at the November National Honor Society Induction luncheon.

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e are here today to celebrate the excellence of students in the fields of character, scholarship, leadership, and service.

I want to talk about the one characteristic that makes up the most exclusive aspect of this club: scholarship. Academic prowess is a characteristic that all the students in this room possess, and it is evident by your grades and scores. You have sacrificed much, as have all scholars throughout history. For knowledge does not come without a price, a price in which there is no monetary value, although some of the parents in the room might disagree. But for you students the price is in effort: in blood, sweat, and tears if you will. You stay up into the wee hours of the morning huddled over a text book, and create pow-wow like circles in the hallways of our school in the mornings to cram that last piece of knowledge into your heads. You have read dozens of books, worked countless math problems, and have a greater sense over the causes of the Hundred Years War than any sane human should. You have fought for your success, and all of you in this room have won. So congratulations to all of you. You have reached a milestone in your academic journey.

In truth, though, very few of us in here, if any at all, are real scholars. Many of us in this room have a skewed sense of what scholarship really is. It is not marked by the grades on your report card, nor the facts that are filed in your brain. Test scores are not a measure of wisdom and many of the world’s most brilliant scholars never spent much time in a schoolhouse, let alone an institution of higher learning. While yes, academic success is typically a byproduct of scholarship; it is far from scholarship itself. Instead, I challenge you to look at scholarship like James Russell Lowell, a prominent poet and diplomat, who stated, “True scholarship consists in knowing not what things exist, but what they mean; it is not memory, but judgment.” When one looks at it in this light, a grim realization hits all who consider themselves “smart”: none of us, no earthly human, in fact, is truly a scholar.

“True scholarship consists in knowing not what things exist, but what they mean...”

Certainly some of us are more scholarly than others, but we all fall short of the one true Scholar, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, the only man to truly be all knowing. Now this is no excuse to not search out knowledge on Earth, for Christ often places lessons of all kinds in the arts and sciences for us students to pick up on, but our journey for scholarship will never finish on this Earth. Every one of the liberal arts and every one of the earthly sciences benefits us as we progress on our scholarly journey, but let us not forget that the largest vein of scholarship is not found in any classroom or textbook, but in a relationship...a relationship with the wisest of wise, whose knowledge spans over all eternity...a relationship with the one true scholar.

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True Scholarship

The officers of the R. O. Beauchamp chapter of the National Honor Society are pictured at the annual New Member Induction Luncheon. From left: Nathan Dale ‘15, Ellie Lovell ‘15, chapter sponsor Mrs. Barbara Stewart, Allyson Collins ‘15, and Andrew Rankin ‘15.

Mission Work in Haiti One of the many Winterim programs that left a lasting impact on students and chaperones was the trip to Haiti. This year’s team included 35 students and four faculty members who served in impoverished areas by building a house and working with local children. Allyson Collins ’15 shared her impressions on her blog, “Breaths of Love,” challenging readers to step out of their comfort zones. Allyson is the recipient of this year’s Joe Campbell Service Award.

From Allyson’s Blog: January 19, 2015 Serving is hard.

Having a sore back from doing laundry by hand is hard.

Smelling like urine from unpotty-trained children is hard.

Trying to break down language barriers is hard.

Mixing cement and stacking blocks is hard.

And trying to keep a smile while doing it is even harder.

But, friend – Your brothers are out there.

Your sisters are out there.

And they need you.

You have the ability to move hearts, change lives, speak love into the lives of people around the world. They are not foreigners in an out-of-reach country. They are not their poverty. They are not unreachable. They are your brothers and sisters in Christ and they need you. They need your love.

They need your botched attempts to speak their language.

They need your sore back and “I haven’t showered the past three nights” grime. Because dirt under your fingernails is just proof of God furthering His kingdom. There is a whole world beyond your city limits that is worshipping the same God you do. Go meet them. Serve the people who are also serving your God and make disciples of those who are not.

Welcome them into the family.

let me tell you, that’s where the magic happens. Pray. Ask. Be brave. If you can’t get on a plane, get in a car. Drive down the street. Drive a few hours. Walk down the stairs in your own home. Be the hands and feet of Jesus. And know that it may be uncomfortable. It may be scary. And it will be hard. But no life is won at an easy price. Jesus gave his blood. You can give your hands and feet. You can give your love.

Boldness does not come naturally for most of us. Obedience takes courage. But know that you will make a difference. God does not call you to where He will not be. If you need to just dip your toes in, do it. Start the ripple. Then, when you’re ready, jump in. Make the splash and start the waves. Rock the boat of doubt and then walk on the water with your mighty God. He will be there and He will call you farther away from your comfort zone until you fall sloppily in His arms and give Him the chance to clean up your mess.

Your brothers and sisters are out there. Go to them.

Expect tribulation.

Go to them anyway.

Go watch the orphans dance. Dance with them.

Go watch the widows praise. Praise with them.

Go stacks bricks and mix cement. Watch the Lord provide.

Be ready for delays.

Go out and look your brothers and sisters in the eyes to tell them that God is good. Make yourself uncomfortable.

Tell your story. Look back and remind yourself of your Savior who walked among prostitutes and tax collectors.

Remember the sacrifice of Jesus and yell it from the mountains.

Worship with them anyway.

Service will take you outside your comfort zone. It will put you in the dirt and in awkward situations. But it is necessary. You need to see your brothers and sisters: how they live, how they struggle, how they worship, how they love, how they are just like you. Vulnerability is scary, but,

Go where feet may fail.

Support them anyway.

Don’t be surprised by discomfort.

And be ready to learn more from your brothers than they do from you.

It will be hard but, trust me, the holes in your heart will be filled.

Just. Go. They need you.

And you need them.

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LOOKING BACK

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1982 Doug Edwards ’82 and Teresa Neely White ’83 are pictured in front of open lockers back in 1982. Fortunately, open lockers remain a vital tradition at Brentwood Academy, with locker “cleanup” every afternoon.

The inset photo shows what lockers in the senior hall look like now, after the upper school interior renovation three years ago.

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B

AA

The Brentwood Academy Lady Eagles cruised to their second straight Division II-AA state title with a 63-41 win against Briarcrest Christian School of Memphis. BA, which has made three consecutive state championship appearances, closed out its season with a 29-1 record after winning 27 games in a row.

“This group has bought-in the whole season,” said BA Head Coach Rhonda Brown. “We’re really young, which is a testament to them and their commitment. I demand a lot out of them, but for days like this, it’s worth it.”

Freshman guard Sydni Harvey was named the DII-AA tournament MVP. She and her teammates, Bria Dial ‘17, India Hall ‘15, and Bre Jackson ‘16 were also named to the Tennessee Sports Writers Association Div-II AA All-State Basketball Team.

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VARSITY GIRLS & BOYS

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STATE CHAMPIONS The Brentwood Academy Eagles faced overwhelming odds in the finals of the BlueCross Division II-AA state championship against Christian Brothers of Memphis. After trailing by 17 points close to midway through the third quarter, the Eagles utilized multiple scoring runs and a scrappy defense to rally for a 58-55 win.

“Our kids just played with unbelievable effort,” said Head Coach Hubie Smith.

This is the fifth overall state title for the boys’ team, and the first gold ball since 2006.

Sophomore Jeremiah Oatsvall was named the DII-AA tournament MVP. He and his teammates, Darius Garland ‘18 and Camron Johnson ‘18, were also named to the Div-II AA All-State Basketball Team.

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they have had several athletes complete the program. I walked out of Vandy with a MSN and as a Family Nurse Practitioner.

Coach Rhonda Brown

My senior year, I met Parke (my husband), and we were married during Christmas the next year. He has a tree company called The Parke Company, so that kept me here. I love Nashville!

What are the biggest joys coaching a high school basketball team and teaching this age group at Brentwood Academy?

The biggest joy for me is having the chance to impact the young ladies’ lives in a positive way and point them to Christ. Basketball and coaching are simply platforms to challenge the players I work with to do more than they could ever think they can do. I embrace the joy in seeing them push through hard situations, learn to love their teammates well and compete for something bigger than themselves. I love having new players every year and the challenge of getting them to play for each other. We talk a lot about how the “WE” is greater than the “me.”

How many times has BA won the girls’ basketball state championship during your tenure?

BA has won the girls’ basketball state championship three times, all three during my tenure. They won in 2006, 2014 and 2015, and they were runners-up in 2005, 2007, and 2013.

C

oach Rhonda Blades Brown has been investing in the lives of young girls in Brentwood for more than a decade. Spend a few minutes with this girls’ basketball coach at Brentwood Academy, and you’ll hear her talk about the ladies on her team who work hard, are determined and disciplined. In the very next breath, she remarks about how proud she is to see these girls excel both on and off the court. Brown, who teaches anatomy in addition to her BA coaching duties, played point guard at Vanderbilt University and was a member of the only Commodore’s team to reach the women’s Final Four in 1993.

Following college, she played for the WNBA. Rhonda Brown has been coaching girls’ basketball at Brentwood Academy for 13 years.

What led you from small-town Missouri to Vanderbilt, and what about Nashville kept you here after graduation?

I was attracted to Vanderbilt University by the chance to play at an SEC-level program with some of the best academics in the nation.

My teammates were 6-foot, 10-inch Heidi Gillingham (tallest in the nation) and Misty Lamb, USA Today player of the year. Julie Powell led the nation in three-point shooting percentage. They all made me look really good, and as a point guard, it didn’t get any better than those ladies. I was the first student athlete at VU to attempt the Vanderbilt University School of Nursing and play a sport. I did my undergraduate in three years and completed the VUSN graduate bridge program the last two years. It was wild my senior year, playing and traveling all over the nation, while fitting in clinicals at the VU Hospital. The VUSN staff was amazing, and now

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What advice do you have for parents and kids wanting a college athletic scholarship?

Pray. Is it God’s plan for your child to play at the next level or yours? Does the player really love the sport enough to work that hard at the level required in college? What are they willing to give up to get there?

Everyone these days is caught up in his or her child getting an athletic scholarship. About two percent of high school athletes receive an athletic scholarship. Sports needs to be more about playing something you love, working hard to improve and learning

some great life lessons about setbacks and success, as opposed to spending thousands on private lessons and traveling all over the nation to be seen. Is it really worth it?

A lot of things have to go right for a player to live up to their potential.

Life happens. Players get injured, family situations change, sometimes things just don’t go as planned. Study hard and make sure the child is academically ready for college and can get an academic or leadership scholarship, just in case.

Can you spot a superstar at a young age, or is there a big change in middle school and beyond?

Superstar might be too strong of a word. A lot can change from middle school to high school. Yes, you can see a very gifted middle school player and predict that they will do well. Many things have to go right for a player to live up to their potential, though.

Has your coaching style changed any since having kids yourself?

I’m sure it has changed over the years a lot. I try to treat my players the way I would want someone to treat my kids. Be tough with them, but love them, too. Raise the bar for them, but get to know them and love them as people, not just basketball players. I would hope my players say I am about them or our team.

I think it is important to have my own children around them, so they can see me interact with them. I think it’s good for them to know I am human, too, and mess up just like them.

Do you have a motto or saying that you have leaned on or you are known to say?

My dad has been my biggest supporter. He has always said to me to “say you can.” I was a small kid coming from a small town in Missouri, but I had big dreams. He was one of the few growing up that really believed in me and constantly told me to “say you can.” He always said don’t worry what people say you can’t do … just work hard to get where you want to go. So I did.

SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE! ATHLETICS ACADEMICS FINE ARTS OVER 40 DIFFERENT CAMPS TO CHOOSE FROM! REGISTER ONLINE AT

BRENTWOODACADEMY.COM/CAMPS

After a particularly hard day, how do you unwind?

I love to work out. Strangely, even when I am tired, I love to go run or work out especially with my daughter, Millie, or one of my close friends. We love to play pickup basketball, so Millie, Blades (her son), our neighbor’s boys, and I play lots of full-court basketball in our backyard.

What books are currently found on your nightstand or e-reader?

I love to read John Maxwell books. One of my all-time favorite books is The Pursuit of God by Tozer. Unbroken is another favorite. (The book is better than the movie!) My Bible. I have several favorites. They travel well.

Name three things you can’t live without (excluding faith, family, and friends).

Basketball (watching it, coaching it or playing it). Nike running shoes for working out. Smoothie King.

Editor’s Note: This article is reprinted from Style Blueprint: http:// styleblueprint.com/williamson-co/

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ATHLETIC

U P DAT E 2014-15

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Look Out, College Athletics, Here Comes BA!

Class of 2015 Fall Athletic Signees Jackson Pittman football US NAVAL ACADEMY Michael Beamon football TYLER JUNIOR COLLEGE (TX) Shon Lumpkin football GEORGETOWN COLLEGE Aaquil Annoor football FURMAN UNIVERSITY Justin Becci wrestling AIR FORCE ACADEMY Maycie McKay soccer LIPSCOMB UNIVERSITY Megan Meadow track & field SAMFORD UNIVERSITY India Hall basketball UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH ALABAMA Camille Caldwell track & field SAMFORD UNIVERSITY

Class of 2015 Spring Athletic Signees Shawn Brashers football BETHEL COLLEGE Jacob Cretin football WHEATON COLLEGE Dawson Knox football UNIVERSITY OF MISSISSIPPI Vance Lipsey wrestling BETHANY COLLEGE Reid Huddleston football SAMFORD UNIVERSITY Tysen Terrell football UNIVERSITY OF MEMPHIS Jordan James football GEORGETOWN COLLEGE Ryan Victory baseball CARSON NEWMAN COLLEGE Clay Morrison baseball WHEATON COLLEGE Will Boling cross-country & track UNIVERSITY OF TENNESSEE Griffin Cole cheerleading HARDING ACADEMY Mackenzie Phillips tennis WASHI NGTON UNIVERSITY (St. Louis) Jenna Langdon track BELMONT UNIVERSITY

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Fall/Winter Athletic Recap BASKETBALL Varsity Boys’ and Girls’ Basketball Teams Win State Championship Seven Varsity Basketball Players named All-State 6th Grade Boys’ Basketball Wins MCAC Championship Middle School Girls’ Varsity Basketball Wins HVAC/TNT State Championships Darius Garland ‘18 and Sydni Harvey ’18 Named Mr. and Miss Basketball Finalists FOOTBALL 6th, 7th, and 8th Grade Football Finish Season Undefeated Nine Varsity Football Players Voted to the 2014 Division II AA All-State Football Team Jackson Pittman ‘15 Named Mr. Football Finalist Carson King ’15 Named All-Region Academic MVP CHEERLEADING Varsity Cheerleaders Finish 8th in the Nation SOCCER Varsity Girls’ Soccer Makes State Semi-Finals Maycie McKay ‘15 and Katherine Tyner ‘18 Named All-State Soccer CROSS COUNTRY Varsity Boys’ Cross Country Wins State; Girls Place Second Marshall Smith ‘92 Named Cross Country Coach of the Year Ten Cross Country Runners Named All Mid-State Will Boling ’15 Named Cross Country Runner of the Year WRESTLING Middle School Wrestling Wins HVAC Title Varsity State Tournament medalers: Justin Becci ‘15, Hunter Anderson ‘17, Max Mullen ‘16, Jacob Cretin ‘15 GOLF MS Girls’ and Boys’ Golf Place Second in HVAC

Coach Charlie Harper Inducted into the TSSAA Hall of Fame

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WINTER BLAST 2015 It was a February to remember when ice covered Brentwood Academy. Students and faculty had five snow days but learning continued via email and internet assignments! Of note are the empty parking lots, something that hardly ever happens. Thank you to BA parent Andy Collignon for the great drone photo of the campus.

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Fine Arts

U P DAT E 2014-15

Headed to Nationals

BA Qualifies Six Students to the National Speech & Debate Association’s National Tournament in Dallas, TX The National Speech & Debate Tournament is the largest academic competition in the world. To attend the National Tournament, students must place among the top competitors at one of 110 district tournaments across the country. Qualifiers will compete for college scholarships in one of 11 main events as well as seven consolation and supplemental events.

(Above) Cooper Smith ‘16, Brandon Black ‘17, Emmy Hickman ‘18, Maddie Jarrard ‘16, and Katherine Nesbitt ‘17

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n a district competition held March 7 and 8 at Brentwood Academy, six members of the BA Speech and Debate team qualified for this summer’s National Speech and Debate Tournament which will be held in Dallas, TX. Katherine Nesbitt ‘17 and Brandon Black ‘17 qualified in Duo Interpretation; Maddie Jarrard ‘16 qualified in International Extemporaneous; Emmy Hickman ‘18 qualified in Dramatic Interpretation; and Cooper Smith ‘16 qualified in Humorous Interpretation. Michael Rankin ‘16 qualified as an alternate in Humorous Interpretation. The team also won overall speech team sweepstakes which is the equivalent of “state champions.” The team is coached by Mr. Ryan Hubbard.

BA’s Speech and Debate team has had an unprecedented year of national success. The team placed first at the Wake Forest University national tournament and the Glenbrooks tournament in Chicago, which is the largest high school-run speech and debate tournament in the country.

Additionally, BA has advanced students to the final rounds of competition at every national tournament they have attended including George Mason University, Emory University, and Harvard University. The team also claimed the sweepstakes trophy at the Smoky Mountain Tournament in Gatlinburg. Since the beginning of the season, BA’s team has amassed nearly 100 individual and team awards as they have competed around the country.

Additionally, students have spent hundreds of hours preparing their competition pieces and refining them each week.

Last year, Brentwood Academy qualified nine students for the 2014 National Speech and Debate Tournament. Two of the nine made it to the final round of competition to earn national titles.

State Champs The Brentwood Academy varsity dance team won its third state championship title in a row in the TSSAA competition. The team is coached by Mrs. Robyne Kennedy and Mrs. Erin Nash.

Dearly Departed

The cast of Dearly Departed, the fine arts department’s fall stage production directed by Mrs. Holly Shepherd Urbanowicz, left audiences in stitches with its outrageous characters. The hilarious story of the beleaguered Turpin family who gathered after their father’s death managed to put the “fun” back into funeral.

Performing Arts Showcase at the

F R A N K L I N T H E AT R E

For the third year in a row, the Performing Arts Showcase was held at the historic Franklin Theatre and featured performances by The Academy Singers and members of the award-winning Speech and Debate Team. The Singers performed selections from this year’s CD, available for purchase in the BA bookstore. The Academy Singers are directed by Mrs. Jenny Oldham.

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Middle School Play Anchors Aweigh, this year’s middle school comedy production, featured Captain Creeg aboard the S.S. Flounder. It was sink or swim for the old schooner, as the mysterious owners of the line boarded the old ship to decide her fate. Passengers arrived for the singles’ cruise, including a famous romance novelist looking for inspiration for her next novel, her chronically depressed secretary still pining for a lost love, and a pair of small-time hoods hoping to escape a big-time hood, who of course is also on board in pursuit.

Kayla Williamson Congratulations to Kayla Williamson ‘16, who was honored April 9th at a reception held at O’More College of Art. Her artwork has been recognized by the Williamson County Hospital for its 2015-2016 calendar and will be showcased in the hospital for one year.

FLIGHT

LITERARY MAGAZINE

On March 2, 2015, Brentwood Academy’s literary magazine, Flight, was recognized at the Tennessee High School Press Association Student Media Awards for the following pieces published in its 2014 issue:

“The Smoker” — Christi Graham ‘14, Second Place: Best Illustration/Artwork “Train Station” — Katherine Anderson ‘15, First Place: Best Photograph “The 3rd Circle” — Andrew Wilson ‘14, Third Place: Best Short Story Flight — Third Place: Best Overall Magazine (Editors Ellie Lovell ‘15 and Lexie Harvey ‘14) The contest garnered more than 1,800 individual submissions, in five categories, from across the state of Tennessee. Flight is sponsored by English Department Chair Cameron Phillips.

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Visual Art

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Six Brentwood Academy students received a total of nine awards in the Regional Scholastic Art Competition. For the 24th consecutive year, Cheekwood hosted the regional competition and exhibition for Middle Tennessee. The awards ceremony honoring Gold and Silver Key winners and their art teachers was held in Cheekwood’s Massey Auditorium on January 31. BA art instructors are Mrs. Debbie Dunn, Mrs. Janet Laws, and Mr. Jim Chapman.

Gold Key Award

6

Congratulations to Patricia Jones ‘15 named Gold Key winner for her collage, “Mood” (7).

Other Brentwood Academy students receiving recognition include:

Patricia Jones ‘15: Honorable Mention in Fashion (4) Claire Schaefer ‘15: Silver in Photography (9); Honorable Mention in Painting (8) Maycie McKay ‘15: Honorable Mention in Digital Art (3) Sophia Lauer ‘16: Two Honorable Mention Awards in Painting (2), (5) Kate White ‘20: Silver in Mixed Media (1) McKinley Stiff ‘20: Honorable Mention in Mixed Media (6)

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A Future Fueled by

VALUABLE TRADITIONS

Jill Crosthwait Reynolds ‘00 now with her son, future Eagle Radley (left), and as pictured in the 2000 BA yearbook.

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oyal alumna Jill Crosthwait Reynolds ’00 wrote an entry on her Facebook page that began: I drove past BA today, and, as I was taking a trip down memory lane, it got me thinking of a few things I’ve heard lately about tradition, and I’m just curious about a few things I remember.

Well, Jill, here is a chance to share with you, BA alumni, and others what traditions remain at the heart of Brentwood Academy, along with a few “updates.”

The triangle philosophy still is a hallmark of the educational experience at Brentwood Academy and is a part of the school’s mission statement: Brentwood Academy is a co-educational, independent, college preparatory school dedicated to nurturing and challenging each whole person—body, mind, and spirit—to the glory of God. During an end-of-the-summer senior class retreat, the rising seniors still choose the school’s theme Bible verse for the year. All of the theme verses are in a framed poster and hung in the upper school commons area.

Open lockers still grace the halls of both the middle and upper schools.

Because of an upper school renovation program several summers ago, the lockers now have a wood finish and each student has two lockers, one on top of the other. (See the Looking Back feature on p. 30.) The reason? Students now have more classes than in years past so the number of books and notebooks for each student has increased. Oh, and a messy locker will still get you Saturday School, which remains a “tradition!”

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OPEN LOCKERS 1974 & 2015

THANKSGIVING SERVICE 1999 & 2014 The 24-hour rule is still in effect, with both students and their parents signing a contract with the school each year at enrollment time.

The alma mater, written in the early years of the school by Tina Dillingham Messamore ‘73, a member of the first graduating class, is still sung with great gusto at pep rallies and athletic events and, yes, that last line is shouted out loud and strong! However, when the alma mater is sung at the end of each graduation ceremony, the last line is sung almost reverently.

About that big, blue triangle—made of cast iron and a gift from the

Open lockers still grace the halls of both the middle and upper schools...they now have a wood finish and each student has two lockers, one on top of the other.

YOUTH IN GOVERNMENT 1995 & 2015

Class of ’75—the triangle served the school well for years before the rust won. Plans are underway to refinish the triangle for display on campus. Currently, a giant iron statue of an eagle in flight graces the front of the school, standing on a stone platform which displays a Bible verse special to all BA students: But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; they shall walk, and not faint.

Isaiah 40:31.

Cleanup is still a part of every school day, with every student having a cleanup assignment during the last 15 minutes before PE. Cleaning bathrooms is the only chore that has been eliminated.

SPIRITUAL EMPHASIS WEEK 2000 & 2015

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The Thanksgiving Service takes place on the Tuesday before Thanksgiving and gives students, faculty, and parents time for reflection on our many blessings. For the first time this year, a video of students giving thanks was included. Now that we are a school of more than 750 students (1,500 parents), the lunch has morphed into a reception where people can gather for fellowship.

CLEANUP 2000 & 2015

Spiritual Emphasis Week is an event of winter quarter, with special speakers and activities, along with a Joe Campbell Service Day, when all 750+ students go out into the community to work at schools, parks, nursing homes, nonprofits, shelters, food banks, etc. A Service Day is also held during the fall semester.

The handbook test is but a memory but the middle school teachers spend time with students reviewing the handbook along with helping students learn the alma mater and the mission statement.

BA TRADITION AIRS ON

NBC NIGHTLY NEWS BA school cleanup teaches students valuable life lessions

BACK TO SCHOOL PICNIC 2004 & 2014

On April 9, producers from NBC Nightly News in New York visited campus to experience BA’s student cleanup in action. Students, administrators, and parents were interviewed for the segment that aired nationwide on April 12. This BA tradition was inspired by Bill Brown’s experiences at Camp Hy-Lake.

You can watch the segment on the BA media gallery at:

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Everybody still participates in PE or a team sport at the end of every school day.

School level retreats are still held with the middle schoolers taking a day in January to retreat and the upper school students having both a fall and spring retreat. Some are day retreats and some are overnighters. Parents still help plan the food and serve the students.

Devotions in first period class are held every day with middle and upper school Chapel meeting once a week.

WINTERIM 1985 & 2015

JOE CAMPBELL SERVICE DAY 1995 & 2015 Youth in Government is still a strong activity with 60-70 upper school students and about 25 middle school students participating each spring.

Mrs. Barbara Stewart still sponsors the upper school group, which always wins numerous offices and awards. Marshall Smith ‘92 sponsors the middle school group.

The spring musical (this year it was Annie) is an unbroken tradition, with four sold-out performances the norm. It is a senior tradition for many seniors to be a part of the cast and crew.

Cleanup is still a part of every school day, with every student having a cleanup assignment. The last 15 minutes of the day are still cleanup time just as in the past.

MIDDLE SCHOOL RETREAT 2005 & 2015

The senior class trip to Florida still happens each May, right before graduation. Graduation is always held on Memorial Day, 10:30 AM, Brentwood Baptist Church. (We have outgrown the gym.) Alumni are always invited to attend.

Though some things have changed or been slightly adjusted, the foundational Brentwood Academy traditions are still in place and are still impacting students and families.

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Thank You CU R R E N T BA PA R E N TS We reached our goal of 90% participation in this year’s annual fund, resulting in an extra $350,000 in challenge gifts pledged by our generous donors.

Special thanks to our anonymous challenge givers!

Annual Fund Parent Volunteers Sterling and Beth Ambrose 2014-15 Annual Fund Chairs

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TOTAL CHALLENGE GIFTS GIVEN

$350,000

All School

+$75,000

All Upper School

+$50,000

6th grade

Robert and Amy Butler

12th Grade

+$25,000

7th grade

Jimmy and Angie Stiff

11th Grade

+$25,000

8th grade

Scott and Amy Farrow

10th Grade

+$25,000

9th grade

Jon and Nancy Kay

9th Grade

+$25,000

10th grade

Brad and Sharon Greer

All Middle School

+$50,000

11th grade

Brent and Kay Neal

8th Grade

+$25,000

12th grade

Trey and Lisa Crabb

7th Grade

+$25,000

6th Grade

+$25,000

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A LUM N I

EASTER

EGG

HUNT 2015

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ALUMNI NEWS 70 Tom Giddens ’74 is a software sales manager for Southeastern Enterprise Business Unit at IBM, in the greater Nashville area. For the past 12 years, he has led and managed an IBM cross brand enterprise software sales team. During his 31-year IBM career, he has developed trusted C-level client relationships across the healthcare, financial services, retail, and telecommunications industries. Tom was a member of the U.S. Army for 12 years.

Valerie Battle Kienzle ‘76 has published another book. In December, Arcadia Publishing of Charleston, SC, released Columbia, the book she wrote with The State Historical Society of Missouri. Through words and historic images, the book provides the story of Columbia, MO, focusing on the people, places, and things that have earned it the nickname Collegetown, U.S.A. The book is available at amazon.com, barnesandnoble.com, arcadiapublishing. com, shsmo.umsystem.edu, and through some Missouri book stores.

improving patient outcomes through the development of healthcare organizations’ greatest asset: their people. Robin received her M.B.A. in marketing and research from the Owen School of Management at Vanderbilt University.

Robin Rose ’76 is vice president of client services at HealthStream in Nashville. HealthStream is dedicated to

Lauren Charles ’08 Lauren Charles ’08, a fourth year audiology student at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, has been selected to receive the Judith Gravel Fellowship in pediatric audiology for the 2015-2016 academic year. The fellowship is awarded to an outstanding fourth year audiology student in collaboration with the Department of Otolaryngology at the University of North Carolina.

The recipient of the fellowship has the opportunity to gain valuable practical experience in dealing with hearing loss in babies and infants by working with specialists at the UNC-Chapel Hill School of Medicine and the UNC Medical Center.

Scott Bomar ’94 and Paul Duncan ‘94 have launched a new podcast called Songcraft: Spotlight on Songwriters, featuring interviews with great songwriters about their influences, the stories behind their songs, their thoughts on the creative process, and more. Recent guests included Jim Peterik (“Eye of the Tiger”), Brandy Clark (“Follow Your Arrow”), Spooner Oldham (“I’m Your Puppet”), Jeff Silbar (“Wind Beneath My Wings”), Bobby Braddock (“He Stopped Loving Her Today”), Bill Gaither (“Because He Lives”), Melissa Manchester (“Whenever I Call You Friend”), Bill Anderson (“Tips of My Fingers”), and John Oates (“You Make My Dreams”). Listeners may subscribe for free via iTunes, or stream episodes at www.songcraftshow.com. Additionally, Bomar was nominated for a Grammy for Best Album Notes at the 2015 Grammy awards.

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Lauren is a graduate of the University of Tennessee, where she was named a Torchbearer her senior year as well as a member of Mortar Board and the Chancellor’s Honors Program. Learn more about the program and the award at www. hear-me-world.com

Nell Ann Crowe ’84 currently serves as director of community relations at Morning Pointe Assisted Living in Brentwood.

Sharon Wade Kinser ’86 has a new job with iRide Nashville, giving Segway tours in downtown Nashville.

Tour members ride Segways and get a tourist’s view of Nashville. Learn more at iridenashville.com

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Sam Fadler ’15 received the Christopher Dowdle ‘97 Senior Golfer Award. The award is given each year in memory of Chris, who captained the BA golf team as a senior. Sam is pictured with Chris’ parents, Doug

Ken Taylor ’92 is a regional sales representative at TUV Rheinland Industrial Solutions based out of the Birmingham, AL area. He and his wife, Evie, live in Mountain Brook, AL.

and Anita Dowdle, and Headmaster Curt Masters. The Strokes and Streams Golf Tournament, played each June at Brentwood Country Club, also honors his memory as well as raising funds for both the University of Tennessee Scholarship Fund and Brentwood Academy.

Cathy Cantrell Bauer ’77 celebrated her 30th anniversary working for Primerica Inc. She currently supports mainframe internal data security applications and IT programmer tools.

Cathy has been a member of Oakhurst Baptist Church since 1996 and served as treasurer for seven years, which included a building campaign and the creation of the Oakhurst Recovery Program Inc, a 501(c)(3) non-profit that runs a 10-bed residential program for homeless men in recovery. She has served on their board of directors for 13 years.

80 Mark Dodson, M.D. ’81 was installed as president of the Louisiana Orthopaedic Association in February, 2015. Dr. Dodson practices at Mid-State Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine in Alexandria, LA. He received his medical degree from the University of Tennessee in Memphis and completed his orthopaedic residency at the Alton Ochsner Medical Foundation in New Orleans. Since 2001, he has served as a clinical assistant professor for the Tulane University Department of

Orthopaedic Surgery. Mark and his wife, Toya, have been married for 28 years and have three children: Carrie, Evan, and Christopher.

Justin Peters ’81 has written several songs that have been featured in movies lately. His song, “Be With You,” was used in the opening scene and was also used in the closing scene of the movie Ragamuffin, which is based on the life of Rich Mullins. Justin co-wrote, with the legendary Jimmy Fortune, the opening song “Virginia Dreams,” for the documentary Earl Hamner Storyteller.

Earl was the creator/writer/Hollywood legend behind such major shows as The Waltons, Falcon Crest, The Twilight Zone, and others. The same week Justin attended the premiere in Los Angeles, he got to sneak a quick jam session of a new R & B song on the Jimmy Kimmel Show with Jimmy’s house band. The song entitled, “Somethin’ Funky Goin’ On” was written earlier that week by Justin and Prince’s keyboard player of 20 years, Morris Hayes. Jimmy mentioned the song in his dialogue and the cameras got a shot of Justin for a quick cameo appearance.

Jon Miller ’93 is a vice president at First Tennessee Bank in Franklin. Jon graduated from Samford University with a degree in business administration.

Travis Simpson ’96, along with his wife, Anita, and their children, Cole (7) and Al (4), is going in June to the city of Joao Pessoa in northeast Brazil for a three-year commitment

Ashlyne Huff Revelette ’04 has a young adult novel called Falling Stars due out May, 2015 It is about Nashville and the music industry and will be sold at secular and Christian bookstores, on Amazon, and in e-book form. She will personalize copies if sold on Ashlyne.co. Two of the songs that she wrote for the book can be found either on Ashlyne.co or iTunes. Both Reba McEntire and Martina McBride have endorsed the book.

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Ginna Claire Mason Moffett ’13 (second from left) is originating the role of Korie Robertson in a new musical called Duck Commander Family Musical, which opened at the Rio Hotel in Las Vegas in April. The musical is based on the book about the “Louisiana bayou family living the American dream as they operate a thriving business while staying true to their family values and lifestyle.” Ginna Claire was performing in the Disney tour of Newsies when she was tapped by Director Jeff Calhoun for this new venture.

to mission work. Their email address is simpsonsservinginBrazil@gmail. com, and support can be sent through gogracechurch.com.

Captain Mark Holyfield ’97, U.S. Marine Corps, is now district injured support coordinator for the U.S. Marine Corps Wounded Warrior Regiment.

His district includes South Carolina and Western North Carolina. He is headquartered in Charleston, SC.

developer at Education Network of America. Laura plans to continue her work in real estate.

00 Kelly Dillon ’03 is teaching at Spalding University in Louisville, KY, as an adjunct professor and is in her fifth year teaching English as a second language in the Jefferson County public schools.

Stephen Lockridge ’97 graduated from the FBI academy on January 30, 2015, and is now a special agent stationed in Nashville.

Ryan Smith ’97 is a vice president at Dougherty Mortgage LLC in Nashville.

His specialty is commercial real estate finance. Ryan graduated from the University of Tennessee with a B.S. in business administration and marketing.

He also holds a M.S. in business administration from the University of Mississippi.

Laura “Fran” Goodwin Zuhl ’98 and husband, Ethan, are making their way back to Tennessee from Michigan.

Ethan started a job as a senior software

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King Dunlap ’03 re-signed with the San Diego Chargers for a four-year contract. The seven-year veteran finished his first complete season of his career in 2014, starting all 16 games. Dunlap’s teammates voted him 2014 Lineman of the Year, as he allowed just three sacks on 625 pass drops.

Beth Gillem ‘04 will receive her master’s degree in marriage and family therapy (M.F.T.) from Trevecca University in May, 2015; after graduation, she will work with Sage Hill Counseling in Nashville’s Melrose area.

Taylor Sturgeon ‘04 completed his CPA and in 2014 graduated summa cum laude from the University of Tennessee Executive MBA program.

He works for HCA and was recently promoted to controller of Tulane Medical Center in New Orleans. In January, he married Elizabeth Hill, who is a medical malpractice attorney. BA alumni Austin Holland ‘04 and J.T. Wash ‘04 were groomsmen in their wedding.

Addison Edmonds ‘05 launched a new company, Gunner Kennels, on March 1. The company promotes building products that keep pets safe and secure.

Trent Caffee ’07 is living and working in Dallas, TX, as a precious metals trader in the foreign markets.

Meg Bowden ’07 graduated from the University of Alabama in 2011, and is living in New York City and working for CDM Advertising.

Daniel Cage ’07 is working at Capital Financial group. His specialty is working on financial planning with families who have children with special needs. He is also currently coaching baseball at BA.

Libby Phillips ’07 is employed by Covenant Surgical Partners in Nashville as the director of managed care. She is a Furman graduate, class of 2011.

Matthew Proctor ’07 graduated magna cum laude from Lipscomb University. He has been accepted into Westminster Theological Seminary.

He served in the U.S. Marine Corps in Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom.

Rachel Rogers ’07 is lead vocalist for an event cover band, “Rachel Rogers & the Real Good Feel Goods,” in Nashville.

Layne Robinson ‘08 is the manager and event coordinator for Oreana Winery in Santa Barbara, CA.

currently a student at Vanderbilt School of Law and was on the Dean’s List last semester.

Andy Lennington ’10 was named third team All American by Louisville Slugger.

He is a senior at Southeast Missouri State University.

Adair Elizabeth Osman ‘10 graduated from Samford University with her B.S. in nursing in December, 2014. She is employed by the University of Alabama Birmingham Hospital in the emergency room.

Lauren Rogers ’10 is working as an editorial coordinator for McGraw – Hill Education in New York City.

John Wesley Sherrill ’10 graduated

Caroline Askew ’09 serves as the programs coordinator for the American Health Lawyers Association in Washington, DC.

10 Alicia Adlerz ’10 graduated magna cum laude from the University of Georgia in May, 2014, with double majors in English and communications. She is

from Tennessee Tech University with a major in the exercise science field, receiving a B.S. in physical education and wellness.

Matthew Keller ’11 is on track to graduate in May, 2015, from Spring Hill College with a B.S. in biology. He is currently vice president of both the Student Government Association and his fraternity. He is a student ambassador, officer for the American Medical Student Association, and a retreat leader for

Taylor Reece ’11 was recently named All Southern Conference Second Team in basketball. She will graduate from Samford University in May with a B.S.N. degree, and has been on the Dean’s List during her years at Samford. She will begin nurse practitioner school at Samford in the fall.

both religious and freshman retreats. He received the Spirit of Spring Hill Award (2013) for his commitment to service and outstanding leadership. He was inducted into the Beta Beta Beta Biological Honors Society, Order of Omega Greek Honors Society, and Alpha Sigma Nu Jesuit Honors Society. He was named most outstanding Sigma Chi in his chapter and won the Alabama Province with the Balfour Award. This past summer he studied abroad in Bologna, Italy. Next fall, he will enroll at St. Louis University Medical School.

Ben Murphy ‘11 graduates in December, 2015, in supply chain management from the University of Tennessee and has accepted a full time position beginning January, 2016, as a procurement specialist with Georgia Pacific in Palatka, FL. Ben is Commodore of the UTK Sailing Club and was trip leader and ship captain of his third trip, sailing two 40’ catamarans from Ft. Lauderdale, FL to Freeport, Bahamas, with 23 passengers/ crew members in March, 2015.

Nicole Hardwick Jones ‘90, her husband Bart, Anna ’18 and future BA Eagle Lilly ‘22 took a mission trip to Costa Rica for spring break painting a local school, sharing Bible stories, doing crafts, and playing games

Jaclyn Helton ’11 is graduating from Eastern University and will begin law school at the University of Richmond in the fall.

with local children.

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In Memory of...

Nathan Renfro ’11, who spent the

Laura Stansell Whitney ’87 Laura Stansell Whitney passed away on December 17, 2014, in Birmingham, AL. She was born on October 21, 1968. While at Brentwood Academy, she was known for her beautiful singing voice, was a member of the Academy Singers, a member of the Student Leadership Team, and appeared in fine arts productions.

She attended Birmingham Southern College.

She is survived by her daughter, Madeleine, aunt and uncle Shirley and Jimmy Stansell, and cousins David ’86 and Gina Stansell, Jake ’94 and Larissa Stansell, and Melissa Stansell.

Shawn Thomas Wilson ‘89

Shawn Thomas Wilson ‘89 passed away on October 23, 2014. At Brentwood Academy, Shawn was a starter on the basketball team as well as a big brother. In 1994, he graduated from the University of Virginia, where he was a member of the varsity men’s basketball team, having participated in three NCAA tournaments and winning the NIT Tournament Championship in 1992. Upon moving to Nashville in 1997, Shawn built a successful career in the medical device sales industry where he was highly regarded throughout the medical community not only for his knowledge, but also for the uplifting spirit he brought to the operating room. He was an avid outdoorsman who enjoyed all things hunting and fishing. Shawn was happiest when coaching or playing with his girls and their friends.

Shawn is survived by his wife, Kerry Katzenbach Wilson; daughters, Chloe Katzenbach and Claire Christina; his mother, Ann Elizabeth Williams (Jim); his brothers, Marc (Shaun) and Trent; and numerous nephews and nieces.

Jon “Brian” Skrivanek ‘96

Jon “Brian” Skrivanek passed away on November 28, 2014. He was a native of Leesburg, FL and lived in Murfreesboro for the past 15 years where he worked for Alliance Metal Products. Brian was preceded in death by his father, Britt Skrivanek.

He is survived by his wife, Courtney; son, Jon Thomas; daughter, Carly; mother, Janelle Peabody; step mother, Patty Skrivanek; brother, Britt Skrivanek, Jr.; and sister, Carrie Keller.

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last four years at the University of Maryland, will transfer to the University of Tennessee for his final year of football eligibility. Renfro averaged more than 41 yards per punt last season for Maryland.

Olivia Meers ‘12 will graduate from Clemson University in May with degrees in language and international health.

Afterward, she will set off to Spain to walk the Camino De Santiago trail until the end of June. She will work for a year as she makes applications to medical school for fall, 2016.

Ohan Missirian-Dill ‘11 has finished his collegiate soccer career as Centre College’s starting goal keeper with the following accolades: Ohan was named SAA Regional Scholar and two-time All

Emily Samuel ‘12 is a senior at

Conference Goal Keeper. He ended the season,

Pepperdine University, where she is currently serving as president of the Panhellenic Council and majoring in psychology. Emily was one of the hosts of the Songfest event this spring where all her Brentwood Academy years of singing, dancing, and acting training were invaluable as she entertained audiences between musical numbers and introduced each act. She had the opportunity to open for Ben Rector at a concert earlier this spring.

for the second consecutive year, as the #1 ranked goalie in the SAA Conference. After four years of play, Ohan finished #2 all time in goalie stats for Centre College goal keeper rankings.

Diamond Stewart ’13 was named All-Conference Honorable Mention for the second year in a row at Sewanee for volleyball. She was also named an All Conference offensive player of the week.

Derek Barnett ‘14, a student at the Kara Anderson ’13 is a foreign affairs and Middle Eastern languages double major at the University of Virginia. Kara is an assistant researcher for a professor’s Minerva Initiative Project through the Department of Defense, a small group leader for Campus Crusade Christian Fellowship, and a participant in the Blueprint Emerging Leaders Program, the Econ Club Tutoring Chair, and ‘Hoo Crew’s Orange Passport Chair. She will intern in Israel this summer.

Caroline Greene ‘13, a student at

University of Tennessee, was named Freshman All American and third team All SEC in football.

Caitlin Kenney ’14 is a member of the Maryville College Scots soccer team, who won the USA south conference championship and went to the NCAA tournament. Caitlin is a freshman at Maryville.

SEND US YOUR NEWS

Baylor University, will spend the summer interning at Harper Collins Christian Publishing in Nashville. In the fall, she will be studying at the University of St. Andrews in Scotland.

Josh Lester ’13, a member of the basketball team while at BA, is a member of the Belmont Bruins basketball team, who are OVC Champions.

Lulu Clark ‘76, Director of Alumni lulu_clark@brentwoodacademy.com

Scan the QR code with your smart phone to retrieve Lulu’s contact information.

H

R

emembering the 1980’s was the theme for this year’s Homecoming festivities held September 26 at BA. Alumni from the decade were honored at half-time along with this year’s Homecoming court. Sarah Pleasant ‘15 was crowned as this year’s queen.

Prior to kick-off of the varsity football game vs. Science Hill, crowds of alumni and their children, along with parents and parents of alumni, gathered for a pre-game barbeque, complete with games for the little ones.

Children of alumni also had the chance to lead the team out onto the field during the “Little Eagle Spirit Charge.” On Thursday evening, the traditional bonfire was lit with a procession led by senior football players. A new tradition was introduced this year with a pre-bonfire pep rally at the stadium, complete with food trucks and a student vs. faculty tug-of-war contest.

Thanks to all of our alumni and their families for making Homecoming 2014 a success!

HOMECOMING 2014

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MA R R I AGES Tyler Sturgeon ’04 to Elizabeth Hill on January 24, 2015 Kasey Arnold ‘05 to Cortland Carmona on December 6, 2014 Esther Buck ’10 to Greg Swafford on September 12, 2014 Jane Carter ’10 to Cameron Moore on September 6, 2014 John Wesley Sherrill ’10 to Jessica Reel on December 13, 2014 Zach Brown ’10 to Megan Thompson on June 28, 2014 (pictured)

(Pictured left to right): Emmaline Kathleen Jacobs, daughter of Brent ‘01 and Katie Horrell ‘03 Jacobs; Edward Barnes Allen Tortorice, son of Mary Craig Parrish Tortorice ‘01; Ann Hodges Richardson, daughter of Eliza Vaughn Richardson ‘06; Bennett Taylor Brown, son of Russ Brown ‘03.

Send your pictures in!

Please send your wedding picture or your baby picture to lulu_clark@brentwoodacademy.com PLEASE NOTE: Due to space limitations, not all photos sent will be included.

BIRTHS Marshall Smith ‘92 and wife, Tara, a son, Holt Prather, and a daughter, Seneca Grace, born March 13, 2015.

Bill ’94 and Molly McAllester ‘93 Tarpy have adopted two boys, William Lee Tarpy, 5 years old and Jordan Hall Tarpy, 8 years old.

They are in the process of adopting Mary Holland.

Karen High Williams ‘94 and husband, DeWayne, a daughter, Brooke Alexis, born October 16, 2014.

Jason Jarrett ’95 and wife, Lindi, a son, Jude Howell, born September 29, 2014.

Emily Peace Herring ‘96 and husband, Monty, a daughter, Mattie Christine, born February 20, 2015.

Leanne Parker Johnson ‘97 and husband Mark, a son, Palmer Lee, born February 18, 2015.

Alex Taylor ’99 and wife, Kristin, a daughter, Vivian Jane, born, October 30, 2014.

Mary Craig Parrish Tortorice ‘01 and husband, Brandon, a son, Edward Barnes Allen, born February 3, 2015.

Brent ’01 and Katie Horrell ’03 Jacobs, a daughter, Emmaline Kathleen, born January 22, 2015.

Quentin Miller ’02 and wife, Kelly, a son, Luke Jonathan, born March 20, 2015.

Russ Brown ‘03 and wife, Taylor, a son, Bennett Taylor, born January 10, 2015.

Sarah Kenny Wilkinson ’04 and husband, Grant, a daughter, Maklary Mae, born March 4, 2015.

Whitney Tunney Newby ‘04 and husband, Shawn, a daughter, Lane Eliette, born January 8, 2015.

Addison Edmonds ‘05 and wife, Emily, a daughter, Marie Murphy, born March 3, 2015.

Kelsey Tunney Bohler ‘05 and husband, Zach, a son, Elijah Salem, born September 9, 2014.

Courtney Flow Koctar ’05 and husband, Dustin, welcomed Wyatt Koctar to Nashville from Uganda in January, 2015.

Eliza Vaughn Richardson ‘06 and husband, Patrick, a daughter, Ann Hodges, born October 21, 2014.

Chris Besch ‘07 and wife, Katherine, a daughter, Emerson Irene, born October 2, 2015. Chris also adopted Addison Grace, who was born January 24, 2011.

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B R E N T WO O D ACA D E MY L E A D E R S H I P Trustee Board 2014-15

Parents Association Board 2014-15

Parent Ambassadors 2014-15

John Roberson, Chair Jon Billington, Chair-elect Ellen Adams Adam Black ‘92 J.Mac Brown ‘83 Dorothy Bullard Rachel Williams Burgin ‘80 Bill Decker Randy Goodman Mike Helton ‘88 Jeff Moseley David Rogers Paul Rutledge Sharon Sheriff

Terri Vafiades, President Leisha Yost, President-elect Matt Anderson ‘88 Tony Arnold Tara Blue Patsy Brown Shannon Clemmons Scott Cole Jennifer Conder Cathy Jo Elwood Jayme Foster Jill Holmes Sarah Houser Ron Jones Betsy Koch Barbara Prather Ann Rankin Laura Reynolds Christie Smith Joe Taylor ‘86 Callie Fowlkes Victory ‘83 Chris Woodlee

David and Holly Baulch Mike and Lisa Bussard Dick and Becky Cowart Bill and Courtenay Decker Scott and Shannon Drumm Rob and Natasha Freeman Ed and AnnElise Guffee Andy and Carol Hammons Erik and Leslie Henderson Del ‘86 and Mary Page Hickman Jon and Augustine King Ken and LaDonna King Mike and Leigh Ann Marks John and Robin McClellan Paul and Stacey Merrill Kevin and Kathryn Phillips Tim and Michelle Roberson Mark and Terri Schoenwald Ben and Christy Stanga David ‘86 and Gina Stansell Lee and Donna Thompson

Honorary Trustees C. Dan Brown 1983-1986, 1991-1995, 2007-2009 Albert Gasser (deceased) T. P. Kennedy (deceased) Walter Knestrick 1976-1986 Hampton Pitts 1992-1998 Ambassador Joe M. Rodgers (deceased) Ben Rowan 1979-1985 William E. Sheriff 1978-1984 Dr. William Wadlington 1973-1982 Richard Wright 1994 -2005

Administration Curtis G. Masters, Headmaster William B. Brown, Jr., Headmaster Emeritus Ray Mullican ’80, Assistant Head Paul Compton, Upper School Director Nancy Simpkins Brasher ’73, Middle School Director Jason Mathews, Admission Director Andy Bradshaw, Dean of Students Rian Berger, Spiritual Life Director Cody White, Athletic Director Susan Shafer, Communications Director Andi Holbrook, Donor Relations Leah Hoskins, Public Relations/Publications Lulu Luton Clark ’76, Alumni Director Jason Oggs, Business Manager Paula Booten, Registrar Shelley Miller, College Counseling Director Courtney Jones, Assoc. College Counseling Director Jason Beddoe, Security Director

Alumni Council 2014-15 Richmond Williams ‘93, Co-President Emeline Thrash ‘07, Co-President Jeri Campbell Moore ‘73 Dale Cornwell North ’75 Harriet Brown Bailey ‘81 Dick Cole ‘84 Beth Holder Throckmorton ‘84 Andrew Vaughn ‘85 Franye Goad Johnson ‘86 Amy Skaggs Harr ‘95 Destin Tompkins ‘95 Rachel Fletcher Allen ‘97 Jason Rowlett ‘97 Wyatt Allen ‘98 Jake Eaton ‘98 Alicia Hogin Potter ‘00 Meg Gering Wadlington ‘01 Katie Horrell Jacobs ‘03 Bowman Richards ‘03 Hunter Askew ‘06 Libby Ford ‘06 Rachel Brannon ‘07 William Ball ‘09 Cody Taylor ‘09

Student Leadership Team 2014-15 Avery Billington ‘17 Matt Binkley ‘15 Alex Brinkmann ‘16 Sarah Bryant ‘18 Claire Cheeseman ‘17 Chris Clark ‘17 Andrew Comegna ‘17 Katie Conder ‘17 Juliana Fontecha ‘15 Jackson Harvey ‘18 Patricia Jones ‘15 Andrew Long ‘18 Mika Matin Azad ‘15 Maycie McKay ‘15 Bryce Mathews ‘16 Vayle McKay ‘18 Clay Morrison ‘15 Avery Rose Myrick ‘15 Katherine Nesbitt ‘17 Sarah Pleasant ‘15 Madison Reynolds ‘16 Brock Schoenwald ‘16 Sommer Grace Weldon ‘16 Toby Wilson ‘18 Alex Yost ‘15

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17

10:1

37

Student / Teacher Ratio

Advanced Placement Courses

Zip Codes Represented

OUR MISSION

100%

60

Brentwood Academy is a co-educational, independent, college preparatory school dedicated to nurturing and challenging each whole person – body, mind, and spirit – to the glory of God.

College Acceptance Rate

18

Average Class Size Grades 6-12

$2M

Varsity State Championships in 12 sports

65% Faculty w/ Post

Baccalaureate Degrees

Available in Financial Assistance

Brentwood Academy is a Christ-centered, non-denominational school, with families involved in multiple local Christian churches.

JOIN US FOR A

CAMPUS TOUR Tuesdays and Wednesdays at 8:30 AM • Tuesdays only during the summer No reservations required.

brentwoodacademy.com/visit