Honoring the class of 2024, their accomplishments, and where they’re off to next!
Saint Life Highlights
The Little Mermaid Jr., Bishop and Rev. Dr. Gaula visit ESK, Class of 2020 ClapOut
Saints Circle: You’re Already In!
Class of 2024 Graduation
Spring 2024 Saint Life Highlights
Farewell, Fr. Matthew Farr
Adieu to You, Anna
Dear ESK Families & Friends,
As we wind down the celebration of our 25th year of academic service, I remain in awe of the spirit of community that flows in strength across the campus. Evident in the happiness of our current families, as well as in the stories retold by our founding friends, this spirit is truly a blessing and will see us through to our next chapter of the school’s journey.
Today, we give thanks to the many wonderful accomplishments of all of our ESK graduates. From our Class of 2024 who crossed the stage last May, to the Class of 2020 who returned to campus for their ceremonial clap-out to the college years, our kids are very special and give us hope that the future is indeed bright. As I recognized in the commencement address this year, the accomplishments of an ESK graduate are grounded in genuine care, service, and confidence to make a difference in our world. We couldn’t be more proud of you all.
In looking to the future of ESK, I am excited to forecast a continuation of growth in our school. The record number of applications and the addition of new grade sections have launched a new design for our master campus plan. We will have more to report on that in our next edition of Scribe. Until then, please enjoy the relaxing summer days and know that we are grateful for your amazing spirit of support.
Dr. Jack Talmadge Head of School
Saints Circle:
You’re already in!
So much of who we are can be observed through the smiles brought upon each of our faces every time we walk on campus. Whether that be for a quick swap of your child’s uniform because they just can’t seem to stop growing, or finding a good parking spot for the Spring Festival in March, it’s nearly guaranteed you’ll feel a sense of community during your visit. Much of this sensation, or magic as we often refer to it, is pulled together by our sometimes silent, but ever-present and supporting, Saints Circle.
Familiar Faces of
Saints Circle
Rachel Kinney Co-President
Katie Ogle Co-President
Joanna Toole Support Chair
The Saints Circle is ESK’s version of the ‘PTA’, building our community up and creating ties to the school in fun, engaging, and innovative ways. Just as any other school volunteer association would, these ‘Saints’ are fostering the connections between our educators and school staff, students, parents, extended family, alumni, and the wider community all in an effort to support our students.
In the many years since its formation, the Saints Circle has presented our school with numerous educational gifts to further enrich our academic opportunities, supported our faculty and student families through both the bad times and the good, and boy, they know how to throw a good party!
This long-standing group is always evolving and growing, just as our children do, leaving opportunity for new ideas and hands to throw into the mix. Should you be a new family to ESK or old friends, there is no time like the present to engage and become involved. In fact, as a part of the ESK community, you are already in this saintly group of paracletes! There are no expectations on any parent or friend volunteer, as any amount of time given will always be well received. There are a variety of ways to get involved, from engaging with social media activity, attending Saints Circle meetings and get-togethers, or through volunteering at events. Even donating baked goods, a monetary gift, or suggesting brilliant ideas are ways of getting involved.
This schools’ gratitude for this group is boundless, and regardless of what your niche for ESK advocacy and support looks like, we look forward to sharing a cup of coffee with you at our next meeting. Don’t forget your halo!
The mission of the Saints Circle is to cultivate a loving, inclusive, and family-centered community at The Episcopal School of Knoxville.
Aidan Aljadir Knoxville Catholic High School
Samuel Atchley ** *+^ Webb School of Knoxville
Walker Baker Knoxville Catholic High School
Austin Baker *^ Knoxville Catholic High School
Archer Bentley Knoxville Catholic High School
Mary Grace Bishop ** *^ Webb School of Knoxville
Lily Bostick **+ Knoxville Catholic High School
Sabine Bostick **+ Knoxville Catholic High School
Jane Perry Collins St. Paul’s School
Silas Collins St. Paul’s School
Grant Cook Hardin Valley Academy
Audrey Dobbs *^ Knoxville Catholic High School
George Melton Webb School of Knoxville
Coleman Miller**^ West High School
Alexcia Miske West High School
Anna McLean*^ Farragut High School
+ With Distinguished Service:
Students who graduate “with distinguished service” have demonstrated an exemplary commitment to community service by completing triple or more their required service hours. This distinction reinforces our Episcopal identity and mission to help students “realize their potential as children of God and citizens of the world.”
*K-8 Student **Distinguished Portflio
^National Junior Honors Society
Gavin Groer
Knoxville Catholic High School
Wyatt Gerdes ** +^ West High School
Ella Gilbert Knoxville Catholic High School
Sophia Dunaway Knoxville Catholic High School
Catherine Gullett + West High School
Elliot Heffern* Knoxville Catholic High School
Addison Hershey Knoxville Catholic High School
Rory Hughes Hardin Valley Academy
Jackson King **^ L&N STEM Academy
Jack Koch +^ The McCallie School
Emma Kuhn** Knoxville Catholic High School
Caroline Lovegrove** *+^ Knoxville Catholic High School
Caroline Petree**^ Knoxville Catholic High School
Vincent Urdal*^ Knoxville Catholic High School
Ashlyn Sofia Vander Wert* Knoxville Catholic High School
Pierce Welch^ Knoxville Catholic High School
CONGRATULATIONS
The Harry W. Stowers Award was established in memory of Mr. Stowers who, with his wife, Sarah, actively supported The Episcopal School of Knoxville. Though Mr. Stowers passed in 2007 and Mrs. Stowers in 2021, the Stowers family remain ardent supporters of ESK. Harry Stowers was a person of character. His commitment to service in his community, his strong faith, his intellectual curiosity, his gentle heart, and his compassion for others were evident throughout his life.
The Harry W. Stowers Award recognizes an 8th grade student who most closely exemplifies Mr. Stowers’ character of service, faith, intellectual curiosity, gentleness of heart, and compassion for others.
Winner of the 2024
Harry W. Stowers Award: Audrey Lauren Dobbs
Visit from Bishop Given Gaula and his wife, Rev. Dr. Lilian Gaula
ESK was blessed once again with a visit from our friends, Bishop Given Gaula and
The Little mermaid Jr.
Class of 2020
Led once again by their fearless Director, Mrs. Ashton Gallagher, our middle school actors put on a “fin-tastic” performance of The Little Mermaid Jr. for the 2024 Spring Production.
Among the many special gatherings and celebrations that had to be modified or put on indefinite hiatus during the unusual years of the pandemic, was our ESK Class of 2020’s ClapOut. We proudly welcomed back those students to our campus home this spring to reinvigorate this graduation tradition, in correspondence with their recent high school
“Friends never say Goodbye
Farewell, Fr. Matthew Farr
There are hundreds and hundreds of people who will forever connect Father Matt Farr to their memories of ESK. He has been as recognizable an icon to this school as is the Bell Tower. In the six years that he’s been the ESK chaplain, he has left an indelible mark on this institution and the students who have walked through its halls. A piece of him will stay with us forever, and we are all better for having known him.
They say that good things come to those who wait. Whoever “they” are, they’re not wrong. When ESK found itself in need of a chaplain in 2017, we conducted the typical search process to find someone, looking for the perfect fit. There were some possibilities, but none were exactly what we were looking for. So we waited. And waited. The faculty filled in with chaplain duties for quite a few months as best we could, but Father Matt wasn’t able to join us full-time until August 2018. What a six years it’s been since then.
The spiritual guidance that Father Matt has provided is unparalleled. He maintains a fantastic balance of providing Episcopalian spirituality without being “preachy.” To strike that balance several times a day providing homilies to students of wildly varying age groups is a testament to how adaptable Father Matt is. We will miss his voice, we will miss his perspective, and we will miss, probably most of all, his persona. Let’s not say goodbye. That sounds so final. Let’s go with “until we meet again.” So, until we meet again, Father Matt. You will be
-Written in honor of Fr. Matt Farr by Mr. David Spates
They simply Say ‘See you Soon’.”
Adieu to you, Mrs. Anna
Calhoun
The fruits of the Spirit are love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self control. Those are the perfect words to describe Mrs. Anna Calhoun. In her ten years at ESK, Mrs. Calhoun has brought a profound love for the beauty of art. Her patience with her students is legendary. Everyone is treated with kindness and gentleness-- even while finishing up the 4th grade Appalachian Animal Heads.
Mrs. Calhoun assumed the reins of the Art Program from founding art teacher Mrs. Marie Gibson, and has lovingly preserved the art traditions begun during Gibson’s time here. We have been making clay piggies in 1st Grade, animal heads in 4th grade, paper macheing hats for 2nd Grade’s Mother’s Day Tea, and decorating a tree for The Fantasy of Trees for decades!
Her bulletin boards, like her heart, are legendary; each one bringing love, joy, and peace to our community. Many afternoons in the Lower School, parents, students, and guests are seen gazing in wonder at the creations of our students.
Mrs. Calhoun, we wish you all the best in your retirement! Please visit us often!
-Written in honor of Mrs. Anna Calhoun by Dr. Deborah Sousa
Junior Kindergarten ART: Creating Their Stories
This year in JK Art we explored what it means to be an artist by experimenting with different media and flexing our artistic license. An artistic license is our own sense of vision and interpretation of the world around us.
Our overarching theme this year was to change the story. If your creation does not match what is in your mind’s eye or if some accident occurs, do not give up and quit: just “change the story.” As artists, our artistic license empowers us to shift our perspective and see the possibility of imperfections or accidents as being assets within our own creations. Our JK students began to understand that, as creators, they have the power over both their work and the story it tells.
In JK art class, we strive to provide the space for students to safely express themselves and explore new concepts in a visual way that is conducive to growth.
Flexible, critical thinking occurs when a learned concept or skill can be used in a new and very different way.
The visual arts program at ESK supports all other areas of the curriculum. It incorporates math, science, composition, vocabulary, comprehension, reading, communication, problem solving, fine motor skills, and so much more. It is special also because it allows each student to reflect on their place in the world and have the confidence not only to communicate their vision but also to take pride in their work sharing that vision. Documenting the students’ beautiful growth and discovery, the visual arts spaces at ESK, including the display boards in the halls, are in constant use during the school year.
Mrs. Toni Mealor ESK Art Instructor
BARNS SCRIBE KINDNESS VOLUNTEERS
LOOK FOR THE HIDDEN WORDS LISTED BELOW:
CHAPEL
EPISCOPAL FLIK STERCHI
SAINTS GROW LOVELY SUMMER CAMP
Welcome to the family, Kunekune Piglets!
We think it’s safe to say that we are total animal lovers here at ESK. Just ask neighbors, Carl and Darth Vadar, our 1st grade hedgehog and tarantula. This year alone our halls have homed more than 525 animals, but we definitely have room for two more!
With a pigpin constructed and ready to be filled with cuteness, we are so excited to welcome two new pals, a pair of Kunekune piglets! Thank you to the Dobbs family for gifting us two of our newest friends.
2023-2024 Board of Trustees: Rev. Dr. Jerry W. Askew- Chair of Board, Mrs. Rachel Hacker- Vice Chair of Board, Mrs. Stella Sudderth- Secretary, Mrs. Nicole Underwood- Treasurer, Mr. John Mayo- Bishop’s Representative, Mr. Glenn Bowden - Secretary, Mr. Joshua Bishop, Mrs. Jan Brown, Ms. Katharine Pearson Criss, Ms. Anna Graham, Ms. Venice Peek, Mrs. Beth Townsend, Dr. Angela Smithey, Ms. Anne Sprouse, Mr. Chad Vander Wert
Scribe Summer 2024 : : Editing Staff : Dr. Jack Talmadge, Ms. Beth Sterchi, Mrs. Mary Lovely : : Design/Production : Mrs. Avery Massey : : Printed by : Smoky Mountain Printworks
The mission of The Episcopal School of Knoxville is to prepare students for higher education and a lifetime of learning within the context of a loving, inclusive and family-centered community. We enrich our students’ intellectual, physical, cultural and spiritual growth so that they may realize their potential as children of God and citizens of the world.
