4700 Spring/Summer 2026

4700

T H E O F F I C IA L M AG A Z I N E O F F R A N K L I N ROA D AC A D E M Y

O N WA R D & U P WA R D Celebrating the members and achievements of the class of 2026

ENGINEERING ALUMNI VELOCITY GRANTS

A Letter from the Head of School Dear FRA Community, As we close another school year and look ahead to the next, I find myself filled with a deep sense of gratitude and excitement. It is an exhilarating time to be at Franklin Road Academy, and this latest edition of 4700 captures so much of what makes our community special.

I am grateful for the members of the class of 2026 and the many ways they have led our school community. With commencement, senior awards, the 12-Year Club, and the individual stories of students who have grown up on this campus, we celebrate a remarkable group of graduates who now carry the FRA story into the world beyond 4700 Franklin Road.

I am grateful for the daily life of our school, where meaningful moments happen in every division. In these pages, you will see students learning, serving, performing, competing, creating, and growing together. Lower school concerts, Panther Pals, Spiritual Emphasis Week, Interim trips, the Entrepreneurial Leadership final pitch competition, robotics, FBLA, Youth in Government, and remarkable classroom experiences that spark curiosity are but a few examples. This issue reflects the breadth of an FRA education.

I am grateful for the people who make this community strong. Our faculty continue to inspire, encourage, and nurture our students with great care and purpose. Our alumni remind us that the impact of an FRA education extends far beyond graduation, and our families and supporters continue to create ambitious opportunities possible for current and future Panthers.

You will also read about continued growth across campus, including the new lower school play structure, the work supported through Velocity Grants, and the many small details that reflect the generosity, creativity, and commitment of the FRAmily. These stories are a reminder that schools are built through relationships, shared purpose, and a community willing to invest in something bigger than itself.

I am confident you will share in my amazement at the depth and breadth of experiences taking place on our campus throughout the school year and beyond. At FRA, we provide a challenging educational experience in an inclusive Christian community. That mission is alive across our campus, and I am thankful for the many ways it continues to shape our students’ lives. I hope you sense the joy, momentum, and gratitude that define this season at FRA. My family is blessed to be a part of this remarkable community. Thank you for all you do to support our students, our faculty, and the future of Franklin Road Academy.

I hope to see you on campus soon,

Sean R. Casey, Head of School

TA BLE OF

CONTENTS 07 14 2025-26 BOARD OF TRUSTEES Jared Allen Penny Austermiller Tommy Axford Victor Berrios Jaz Boon Jessica Bracken Boyd ’00 Sara Elizabeth Bradford Karla Calderon Matt Cassel Randy Chase - Board Chair Florence Chassaignac ’95 Matthew Denmark Gina Latendresse Richard McRae Shaka Mitchell Rosemary Plorin Jaimie Robinson Andrew Sohr ’07 Will Trapp Gabrielle Wesley Jason Zachariah

LEADERSHIP Sean Casey, Head of School Ryan Harris, Assistant Head of School for External A!airs

EDITORIAL TEAM Editor: Adam Norris Art Director: Faith Boccarossa Contributing Designer and Editor: Anna Pardoe Photo credits: Anna Pardoe, Faith Boccarossa, Blake Clifton, Bobby Rhodes, and Evan Brown

COPYRIGHTED 2026 BY FRANKLIN ROAD ACADEMY. Franklin Road Academy does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, nationality, religion, or ethnic origin, or the administration of its educational and admission policies, scholarships, athletic, and other school-administered programs. Franklin Road Academy is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools and the Southern Association of Independent Schools. 4700 is a biannual publication of the communications office.

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IN FRAME

Vibrant images from a spring semester filled with school traditions and community events

CLASS OF 2026

Baccalaureate & Commencement List of Graduates Acceptances and Matriculations Senior Awards 12-Year Club Senior Spotlights

ACADEMICS

FBLA State Conference Robotics Team Math Olympiad Youth in Government Entrepreneurial Leadership Final Pitch Faculty Spotlights

FEATURES

Alumni Excel in Engineering Interim 2026 Spiritual Emphasis Week

ARTS

Play and Musicals Jazz Café Artist Recognition Creative Showcases

ATHLETICS

Varsity Boys Lacrosse Plays Inaugural Season Milestones and State Championships Winter/Spring Accolades

ALUMNI

Class Notes Marriage and Birth Announcements

PHILANTHROPY

New Lower School Play Structure Velocity Grants

WELCOMING OUR NEWEST

TRUSTEES

We are thrilled to welcome the newest members of the Franklin Road Academy Board of Trustees.

Each of them shares a passion for FRA’s mission and a commitment to shaping its future.

PERRY MOULDS

Dr. Moulds is an experienced higher education leader who serves as president of Bethel University, a private institution in McKenzie, TN. Since becoming president in 2024, he has worked closely with the board of trustees and university community to shape Bethel’s future, overseeing the university’s academic and administrative operations, including strategic planning, budgeting, and institutional leadership. Prior to joining Bethel, Dr. Moulds worked at Belmont University, serving as senior assistant to the president for philanthropic initiatives, as well as vice president for advancement. He helped lead a fundraising campaign that raised more than $336 million and significantly increased the university’s endowment.

IN ME

STUDENT LIFE & COMMUNITY EVENTS

Dr. Moulds and his wife, Kimberly, are the parents to Kinsley, who is a member of the FRA class of 2026. He serves on the Advancement Committee.

MEG SANDMAN

Ms. Sandman is an investor and operations leader with deep expertise scaling early-stage and high-growth technology companies. She has held senior leadership roles including vice president of operations at UpCounsel. She has also led operations and partnerships at startups such as 2nd Address. Ms. Sandman holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Yale University. She brings a strong blend of analytical, technical, and operational expertise to the board. She is particularly engaged in FRA’s strategic initiatives and longterm planning e$orts.

Ms. Sandman and her husband, Blake Matheny, are the parents to James ’37, Maggie ’39, and Ellie. She previously served on the Strategic Plan Committee and currently serves on the Master Plan Committee.

ANDREW SCARLETT ’97

Mr. Scarlett is an FRA alumnus and former chair of the FRA Board of Trustees. He is a seasoned hospitality entrepreneur and co-founder of Scarlett Hotel Group, a hotel investment, development, and management company with a portfolio of properties across the country. He leads the firm’s strategic growth initiatives, overseeing acquisitions, development, and operational performance while working closely with partners and investors to maximize long-term value. Mr. Scarlett holds a bachelor’s degree in hospitality management from Purdue University and serves on several nonprofit and civic boards, including the Beacon Center of Tennessee and the Scarlett Family Foundation.

Mr. Scarlett and his wife, Jenny, are the parents to Andrew ’30, Alison ’33, and Brady ’37.

He currently serves on the Master Plan Committee.

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Lower school students give it their best shot during Field Day on The Hill 7

Alphas root for their teammates during a May Day tug of war against the Omegas

An FRA education is an active one. Middle school students cheer on their color teams during Fun Day. The Pre-K and Kindergarten Fun Run raises money for Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital. Students go all out at the Fourth Grade Winter Olympics and Pre-K Water Day. Upper schoolers celebrate memories made with a yearbook dedication.

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Students across divisions create connections and channel their inner entrepreneur. Third graders sell their products at the Business Expo.

Fifth-grade technology students fill 3D printed orders as part of the FRActory project. FRA’s youngest learners run the Pre-K Café. Third and seventh graders collaborate on a squid dissection in science class. Upper school students in Business Case Studies listen to a guest lecturer.

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Service and community are at the heart of the FRA experience. Volunteers wrap 50,000 diapers for Nashville Diaper Connection on Service Saturday. Lower school and middle school students participate in service activities with local nonprofits, as part of Spiritual Emphasis Week. Panther Pals join students across divisions for engaging activities. Women’s History Month brings to campus entrepreneur Mikaila Ulmer, founder of Me & the Bees Lemonade. The Lipscomb Gospel Choir, with Nick Edgerson and Pastor Orlando Vick, lead worship for a Black History Month celebration.

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BACCALAUREATE

CLASS OF 2026 COM MENCEM EN T, AWAR D S, SPO TL I G H TS

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The members of the class of 2026 selected Ryan Harris, assistant head of school for external affairs, as their baccalaureate speaker. His remarks focused on the concept of choice. “Whether your story is full of dramatic detours or quiet, faithful steps, Deuteronomy says this: ‘I have set before you life and death … now choose life.’ Not find life. Not wait for life. Choose it. That choice is not a once-and-forall decision; it is made every minute, of every day, for the rest of your life. There is power in your choice.”

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COMMENCEMENT

In his commencement remarks to the 95 graduates, head of school Sean Casey told them that they were a remarkable graduating class. “What has defined the class of 2026 is the way you have led with courage, spirit, enthusiasm, and commitment to one another,” Casey said. Commencement was scheduled to be held for the first time on the new Bracken Green, but it was moved indoors to Brentwood United Methodist Church due to inclement weather.

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The CLASS of 2026 is headed to...

Ontario spain

The UK

Acceptances & Matriculations

Congratulations: Hayden Lane Alderson Edward Hill Anderson Paige McKinley Arnold Frances Marie Arrieta Elizabeth Sadie Atnip Chase Dakota Auberson Samuel Ethan Beasley Catherine Hedrick Beemer Anaya Lei’Anna Brooks Evan Nicholas Brown Meredith Paige Brunner Keira Jae Bulluck Wyatt Michael Bittles Cain Gracyn Ebright Carlton Chase Hylton Coleman Avery Leigh Cook William Alexander Cook Katherine Mary Cooper Randy Michael Cooper Jr. Athena Valentina Cristofalo Adam Nathan Crocker John Hardegree Davis Amelia Elizabeth Dawkins Jaime de Gracia

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Miguel de Gracia Samantha Jean Dedman Emma McCombs Emrhein Dylan Jeffry Everett Carter Kinsley Floyd Cheyann Lanae Franklin Nicholas Robert Gaunt Romans Merritt Gibbs Ava Rose Gleaves Paige Elizabeth Goldthorpe Olivia Claire Graffeo Sara Beatriz Hackett Smith McLaurin Hagan Emma Leotie Hale Matthew Evan Hames John Paul Hanna Michael Anthony Hassell Jr. Madeline Marie Hill Jacqueline Lee Huddle Jason Mark Huddleston Robert Hunter Humphreys John Henry Isaacs Elsie Rhea Johnson Elsie Marie Jungmichel

Jessica Taylor Kaufman Sophia Elizabeth Kovalcik Garrett Hairston Lee Robert Patrick Lown Alexa Marquez Weston Holt Marwill Thomas Walker Mathias Castor Wyatt Maynard Susan Lynn McCarley Kayla Renee Meng Reagan Lee Militante Madeline Lee Millar Nina Solaris Mills Catherine Elliott Moloney Kinsley Star Moulds James Francis Murphy Jr. Eleanna Marie Nappi Francesca Marguerite Neely Jake Austin Nguyen Alexandra Suttle Norton Justice Anderson O’Brien Wyatt Romaine Onken Sierra Grace Owen Isla Memphis Parker

Lily Pierce Mary Evelyn Pyles Charlotte Marie Rapello Robert Thomas Rhodes Camille Simone Richardson Max Jennings Riggs Jayden Lee Rush Madeline Mae Schneider Christopher James Sigmund Jr. Spencer Daniel Sivley Charlotte Elizabeth Slocum Ren Daniel Spencer Claire Addison Standley Avery Kelley Stokes Savannah Kathryn Sullivan Mya Lynn Thompson Owen Edward Tozer Eva Phuong Tran Paige Halleen Trokey Brielle Simone Wesley Madeline Brook White Morgan Ellis Workman Scarlett Isabel Zullo

American University Appalachian State University Arizona State University Auburn University Austin Peay State University Baldwin Wallace University Barton College Baylor University Belmont University Berry College Boston College Bradley University Butler University California State University, Fullerton Carnegie Mellon University Christopher Newport University Clark Atlanta University Clemson University Coastal Carolina University Colby College Colgate University College of Charleston Colorado College Colorado School of Mines Colorado State University Columbia State Community College Dartmouth College Davidson College DePaul University Drake University East Tennessee State University Eastern Kentucky University Eckerd College Elon University Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University Emory & Henry University Emory University Fisk University Florida Atlantic University Florida State University Fordham University Hampden-Sydney College Hawaii Pacific University

Hollins University Howard University IE University, Madrid Illinois Wesleyan University Indiana University Bloomington Indiana Wesleyan University Iowa State University Jackson State University Lafayette College Lane College Lehigh University LIM College Lipscomb University Long Island University Louisiana State University Loyola Marymount University Loyola University Chicago Lynn University Manhattan University Manhattanville University McGill University McMaster University Miami University, Ohio Middle Tennessee State University Mississippi Delta Community College Mississippi State University Montana State University Montclair State University Muhlenberg College New York Institute of Technology New York University Northeastern University Northwestern University Nova Southeastern University Ohio University Ohio Wesleyan University Pace University Palm Beach Atlantic University Parsons School of Design at The New School Penn State Pepperdine University Purdue University

Rhodes College Rider University Rollins College Roosevelt University Rutgers University Saint Louis University Samford University San Diego State University Savannah College of Art and Design Seton Hall University Skidmore College Southern Methodist University Syracuse University Temple University Tennessee College of Applied Technology Tennessee State University Tennessee Technological University Texas A&M University Texas Christian University Texas State University The American University of Paris The Ohio State University The University of Alabama The University of Arizona The University of Memphis The University of Mississippi The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill The University of North Carolina at Charlotte The University of Tampa The University of Tennessee, Knoxville The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga The University of the South The University of Utah Trevecca Nazarene University Troy University Tufts University Tulane University University of Alabama at Birmingham University of Alberta University of Arkansas

4 COUNTRIES 20 STATES 95 GRADUATES University of Cincinnati University of Colorado, Boulder University of Dayton University of Denver University of Florida University of Georgia University of Kentucky University of Louisville University of Massachusetts, Amherst University of Massachusetts, Boston University of Miami University of Michigan University of Minnesota University of Missouri University of Montana University of Nebraska The University of North Carolina, Asheville University of Notre Dame University of Oklahoma University of Oregon University of Pittsburgh University of Richmond University of San Diego University of San Francisco University of South Carolina University of South Florida University of Southern California University of St. Andrews University of Toronto University of Vermont University of Virginia University of Wisconsin-Madison Vanderbilt University Villanova University Virginia Tech Wake Forest University Western Carolina University Western Kentucky University Wofford College Xavier University

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Valedictorian

Salutatorian

Valedictorian Garrett Lee is one of the top high school mathematicians in the country, as evidenced by his invitation to compete in the USA Mathematical Olympiad this past spring.

But his approach to his speech was decidedly literary. For his oratorical inspiration, he looked to Dr. Seuss and crafted an original poem in the meter of “Oh, the Places You’ll Go.”

In her salutatorian address, Katie Cooper asked her fellow graduates to think about their very first day of school. For her and twin brother, Randy, that was the first day of pre-K at FRA. She said Randy raced into the classroom and never looked back. Katie was more cautious. She encouraged her classmates to approach college with Randy’s enthusiasm.

In the fall, Garrett will attend the University of Toronto and study engineering science. He told his classmates to avoid the waiting trap, closing with this:

Katie will attend Vanderbilt University, where she will study chemistry on the pre-med track. She said the class of 2026 is entering a new chapter of life, for which FRA has prepared them well.

“One thing last you’ll remember: each day will come and go, whether you spend it waiting or seize its joy as your own.

You’re o! to great places!

Today is your day!

Countless joys are waiting, So … get on your way!”

“The true value of our time here lies in the relationships we’ve built—teachers who truly know us, not just our names; coaches who pushed us to be better athletes and even better people; and friends who have become like family. These bonds have provided a foundation of support, teaching us that we can do the hard things.”

ALUMNI AWARD

Club

Nineteen graduates in the class of 2026 are also members of another esteemed group: the 12-Year Club. These students have attended FRA for a minimum of 12 years, serving as cornerstones of this graduating class and catalysts for the bonds of friendship and community to be built around them.

SENIOR AWARD WINNERS

FOUNDERS AWARD

12-YEAR

BILLY L. BRADSHAW AWARD

Lizzie Atnip, Ethan Beasley, Keira Bulluck, Gracyn Carlton, Katie Cooper, Randy Cooper, Dylan Everett, Merritt Gibbs, Paige Goldthorpe, Matthew Hames, John Hanna, Jason Huddleston, Elsie Jungmichel, Weston Marwill, Kayla Meng, Kinsley Moulds, Jake Nguyen, Claire Standley, Avery Stokes

J A C K D AV I S

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JA I M E DE G R AC IA C H E YA N N F R A N K L I N

GARRETT LEE 12-YEAR CLUB

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Command Performance Considering her passion for theatre and performing, it was not surprising that Elle Wesley chose to frame her 2025 Preview Day remarks in cinematic terms. The student body president addressed a standing room-only audience in November in the Scarlett Family chapel at FRA’s annual fall open house for prospective families and students.

She said every great movie starts with an opening scene.

“Mine started in fifth grade: new setting, new characters, and absolutely no idea what my role was supposed to be. Moving from a different state felt like being dropped onto a brand-new film set without a script. I didn’t know who the characters were yet—the teachers, coaches, or classmates who would eventually shape my story.”

Elle said she was immediately welcomed by middle school faculty members like Michelle Nelson whose infectious enthusiasm made Elle forget that she was the new kid. She said in middle school she tried a little bit of everything: soccer, volleyball, track, lacrosse, student council, culture council, choir, guitar and her beloved theater. As a fifth grader, she portrayed the Genie in the production of Aladdin, allowing her to forge lifelong friendships with her seventh and eighth grade castmates.

“Middle school was my rehearsal. It helped me build the foundation for who I wanted to become— a preview of the character I’d soon step into once the high school curtain rose,” she said.

In high school, Elle took 15 honors and AP courses and played on the varsity soccer team for four years. She singled out math teacher Christina Theodoru for her persistent encouragement and varsity soccer coach Becky Knight for imparting lessons that extended beyond the field.

“Coach Knight says she strives to build women of integrity, courage, and excellence,” Elle said.

“As I go into the world, leaving soccer and high school behind, I am proud to say that I am a woman of integrity, courage, and excellence ready to strive for greatness for the glory of God.” Elle said her friends were the best castmates and Panther Pals were her favorite supporting characters. Panther Pals is the FRA program that pairs upper school and middle school advisories with lower school students to participate in a variety of activities.

“Panther Pals is an example of what makes being at a pre-K through 12 so special,” she said. “We get to interact with all the students at FRA. The little kids have an impact on big kids, just as much as the big kids have on the little ones.”

Elle said it feels strange to think that her FRA experience is nearing the closing credits, but she is excited about what’s ahead. She will study musical theatre at the University of Michigan, where she will carry the fingerprints of the FRA community with her.

“So, to the families here today, wondering if FRA might be the right place for your child — I can tell you this: FRA doesn’t just prepare you for the next chapter; it helps you write it,” she said.

“It’s not just a school. It’s a studio where every student gets the chance to direct their own story — with teachers, coaches, and friends who believe in them every step of the way.”

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SENIOR SPOTLIGHT

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SENIOR SPOTLIGHT

When deciding whether he should try something new in school, Jack Davis came back to a simple Latin question. Cur non? Translation: Why not? This natural curiosity was a central theme during his time at Franklin Road Academy. It inspired him to pursue a number of different interests: athletics, arts, service, clubs, Honor Council, Student Ambassadors, and more.

That approach began in fifth grade when his family moved to Nashville and he enrolled at FRA. He says he was nervous about making friends but that fear was short-lived. He met people through football, baseball, soccer, band, and geography club.

“During middle school, I tried lots of new things and developed my interests, both academically and extracurriculars,” Jack says. “Thanks to the support of teachers, I also built very important study habits that helped me tremendously later on in high school.”

Heading into his freshman year, he attended summer football practice, where he discovered he was the smallest player on the field. At that point, he had no inkling that, as a senior, he would win the DII-AA Middle Region Scholar Athlete of the Year and the Charles W. Hawkins III Scholar-Athlete Award from the National Football Foundation.

“The next four years of football, baseball, and weightlifting taught me the discipline that I have brought to the rest of my life,” Jack says.

Off the field and the diamond, he exercised other muscles. He took 22 Honors and Advanced Placement classes. He participated in Youth in Government, Model United Nations, and Future Business Leaders of America. He cites history teacher and FBLA adviser Tom Gilroy as an especially influential faculty member.

“Every morning, before school, his classroom is a lively space where students chose to convene and talk,” Jack says. “His teaching style has motivated me to be curious beyond the AP curriculum and to bring what I learn outside the classroom to everyday discussion. Through his leadership in FBLA, I have discovered a love of finance and consulting, which have guided my future career plans.”

Jack says his FRA education extended beyond the borders of campus. At the end of his junior year, he was selected as a Turner Fellow, and was paired with the local nonprofit Shower the People, which provides mobile showers and hygiene products to people experiencing homelessness in Nashville.

VIRTUOSITY FUELED

BY CURIOSITY 24

“It opened my eyes to the lack of humanity that homeless people experience,” Jack says. “I especially loved befriending these people and understanding their own unique stories. Since last summer, I have shared my experience with the upper school, the lower school, and at a fundraising event for the organization. I also dedicated my AP Drawing portfolio to my experience, and the struggles and triumphs that I witnessed.”

Jack took as many advanced level math and social science courses as he could, sparking a passion for bringing mathematical concepts into history classes and a knack for spotting the overlap between statistics and government. He will continue that multifaceted learning as a quantitative social science major at Dartmouth College.

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ACADEMICS FBLA, ROBOTICS, ENTREPRENEURIAL LEADERSHIP

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FBLA CHAPTER SHINES AT STATE CONFERENCE 39 STUDENTS QUALIFY FOR NATIONALS In only its second year of existence, the Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) chapter at Franklin Road Academy excelled at the 2026 State Leadership Conference, picking up major awards and qualifying 39 students for nationals.

The FBLA State Leadership Conference, held April 6-9 in Chattanooga, is the premier event for future business leaders across the state. The conference brings together students, advisers, and industry partners for competitive events, leadership development, and career exploration.

A total of 57 FRA students took part in the competitive events and six students were named state champions in different events.

Additionally, Oliver Jackson ’27 was elected state treasurer, a prestigious leadership post for the statewide FBLA organization, and faculty member Tom Gilroy was named State Adviser of the Year.

“This success speaks volumes about the quality of our students,” Gilroy said. “They are motivated, coachable, and willing to put in the time required to succeed. What impressed me most was not just their results, but their growth throughout the process, their ability to take feedback, refine their work, and ultimately perform with confidence in high-pressure situations.”

the National Leadership Conference in San Antonio, TX June 29July 2. FRA faculty advisers are Tom Gilroy, Christina Theodoru, and David Gallagher.

These FRA students were state champions in the following events: Johnny Isaacs ’26: Insurance and Risk Management Merritt Gibbs ’26: Securities and Investment Charlotte Cooper ’27: Job Interview Jaime de Gracia ’26, Miguel de Gracia ’26, Alex Cook ’26: Sports & Entertainment Management FBLA competitive events recognize and reward excellence in a broad range of business and career-related areas, providing opportunities to apply classroom concepts in a workforcesimulated competitive environment and receive feedback from business professionals.

“Overall, this year reinforces that we have something special,” Gilroy said. “The foundation is strong, and more importantly, the culture is firmly established—centered on leadership, preparation, and excellence. We are excited to see the continued heights we can reach as a chapter.”

The 39 students who finished in the top four in the state competition are national qualifiers and are eligible to take part in

BOTS BEHAVING BRILLIANTLY ROBOTICS TEAM WINS AWARD AT WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP The Franklin Road Robotics team of Beckett Fleming ’27, John Hanna ’26, Maddie White ’26, and Eva Tran ’26 won a prestigious award at the 2026 Vex Robotics World Championship held in St. Louis from April 21-24. It is the first time an FRA robotics team has brought home hardware from worlds in nearly a decade.

In its division, Team Up the Ante won the Create Award, which recognizes a team that demonstrates a creative, innovative engineering design solution to the game’s challenges. It rewards a team that uses an ambitious, unique approach in their robot design, backed by a strong engineering notebook, effective communication, and a student-centered ethos.

Faculty coaches Jay Bernheisel and Matthew Bounds accompanied the students to the world championship. More than 850 high school teams from more than 40 countries across the globe competed in St. Louis.

The last time an FRA robotics team earned an award at the world championship was 2017, when the team brought home the Think Award.

(FROM LEFT) Team Up the Ante members Eva Tran, Maddie White, John Hanna, and Beckett Fleming

(FROM LEFT) Miguel de Gracia, Jaime de Gracia, and Alex Cook work on a role play response during the Sports & Entertainment Management event at the FBLA State Leadership Conference. Photograph by Christy Zhuang Photography 28

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FRA Breaks School Records at Tennessee Youth in Government Capitol Conference

FRA Senior Competes in Prestigious National Mathematics Competition

Thirty Franklin Road Academy upper school students participated in the Tennessee Youth in Government Capitol Conference, with more students earning awards and winning leadership positions than ever before.

The 2026 Capitol Conference took place February 26-March 1 at the State Capitol in Nashville. The Tennessee Youth in Government program offers more than 2,500 students from across the state a hands-on experience with state government.

They serve as state senators and representatives, crafting mock legislation and learning to debate issues in committees and House and Senate sessions. Students also serve as Tennessee Supreme Court attorneys and justices, executive branch commissioners, lobbyists, and press corps members.

Franklin Road Academy senior Garrett Lee competed in the USA Mathematical Olympiad (USAMO), one of the most prestigious mathematics competitions in the nation.

Only about 250 students are invited each year. Lee is FRA’s first student to ever take part in this elite event.

The USAMO is a two-day, nine-hour proof-based examination that requires students to write rigorous mathematical arguments, rather than simply complete problems procedurally. It is widely regarded as the highest level high-school mathematics competition in the country, and serves as part of the selection process for the U.S. International Olympiad team.

“Being invited to the USAMO places Garrett among the top high school mathematicians in the country,” says upper school mathematics teacher Christina Theodoru.

“This is truly an extraordinary academic accomplishment.

It reflects years of sustained work beyond his course load and a deep dedication to advanced math.”

Barrett DeYoung ’27, Genevieve Bays ’28, Grace Robb ’28, and Rylen Militante ’29 won Outstanding Delegate awards. Randy Cooper ’26, Avery Stokes ’26, and Jimmy Murphy ’26 won Outstanding Bill awards.

“Being invited to the USAMO places Garrett among the top high school mathematicians in the country. This is truly an extraordinary academic accomplishment. It reflects years of sustained work beyond his course load and a deep dedication to

Select students from across the state also serve in elected o&cer positions, which are voted on by their peers during conferences. These students take on elevated leadership roles. The different colors represent different grade levels. The following FRA students earned positions at next year’s conference:

Fletcher Fox ’27, Red Lieutenant Governor Michael Walsh ’28, Gold Speaker of the House Kaylee McRae ’27, Blue House Chief Clerk Each year, the YMCA Center for Civic Engagement hosts a leadership conference for all statewide o&cers to further their leadership and character development and learn more about their positions and responsibilities.

“The growth of our program over the past four years has exceeded every expectation,” said Cassie Gatlin, faculty advisor and history department chair. “This year, students stepped beyond participation and into leadership, applying for roles as lobbyists, pursuing positions outside the delegation, and even running for statewide o&ces, including governor. Their ambition and confidence reflect how much the program has matured. We also celebrated a record-breaking year of achievement.

Most importantly, we are seeing students develop their voices, their leadership skills, and a genuine commitment to civic engagement.”

Thirty-one fifth through eighth grade students also participated in the Youth in Government Middle School Conference at the State Capitol on May 1.

Raif Nash ’30, Oliver Tanner ’30, Felix English ’30, and Quinn Fisher ’33 were named Outstanding States Person. Lucy Herald ’32, Henry Sadler ’30, and Brooks Turner ’30 won Outstanding Bill awards.

advanced math.”

-CHRISTINA THEODORU UPPER SCHOOL MATHEMATICS TEACHER

Students qualify for the USAMO through a series of national exams and only the highest scorers are invited each year. The 2026 competition, presented by the Mathematical Association of America, took place in March at 31 institutions around the U.S. and Canada.

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Entrepreneurial Leadership Students Dazzle at Annual Pitch Competition A student-led business that offers engaging activities to people living with Alzheimer’s took first place in Franklin Road Academy’s annual Incubator Pitch Competition in April.

Held at the National Museum of African American Music, the culminating event is a showcase for FRA’s Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership.

Upper school student teams enrolled in Entrepreneurial Leadership I spend the entire school year developing and refining their startup ideas, shaping their products and services into viable business concepts. The teams are supported by external business experts and entrepreneurs who serve as mentors. By the end of the class, each student leaves with the knowledge of a Business Model Canvas, competitive analysis, financial model, minimum viable product, pitch deck, communications plan, and future funding strategy.

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At this year’s Incubator Pitch Competition, nine teams presented their products and services in front of an audience in a Shark Tank-style environment and fielded questions from an expert panel of judges. The level of preparation, product knowledge, and business acumen was impressive and apparent.

“To the students, I want you to carry forward, not just the product you built, but the resilience, creativity, teamwork, and the grit you discovered along the way. Those are the real tools that will shape whatever you choose to do next,” said Dr. Stacey Banks-Houston, director of entrepreneurial leadership.

“Congratulations on everything you’ve accomplished. I’m very proud of you, not just for what you pitched today, but what you’ve become in the process.”

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F A C U LT Y S P O T L I G H T S

In addition to the pitch competition, students in the accelerator class—the next level of entrepreneurial leadership students—showcased their products and services in the lobby of the museum and provided updates on their growth of their businesses. Last year, they were the ones on stage participating in the Incubator Pitch Competition.

Here are the award winners of the 2026 Incubator Pitch Competition.

First Place: The Calm Collective creates thoughtfully curated boxes filled with fidget tools and engaging activities designed to support individuals living with Alzheimer’s. Team members are Margie Clark ’28, Mekhi Emery ’28, Landon Lucas ’27, Caroline Sillay ’28, and Madding Southall ’27.

Second Place: AthlEAT is an all-in-one performancefueling platform for high school athletics. Team members are Cam Glenn ’27, Vivi Richardson ’28, and Berrin Zenner ’27.

Third Place: Pure Step is a premium shoe care system crafted for those who invest in exceptional footwear. Team members are Kenzi Bulluck ’28, Xavier Crymes ’28, Taylor Olson ’27, Trevor Perrine ’27, and Annie Thurman ’28.

Instructor Awards Influence and Impact Award, recognizing the team that created buzz, sparked engagement, and made their presence felt beyond the pitch: The Calm Collective Team Synergy Award, recognizing the team whose collaboration, chemistry, and execution truly stood out: Food Filter is a personalized dining app designed to make eating out safer and easier for anyone with dietary restrictions. Team members are Dexter Kinder ’28, Cole Thornton ’28, Landon Willis ’28, and Ellis Workman ’26.

The competition was judged by Aiyda Cobb, patent attorney; Paul Urbanek, private advisor and managing director at Rockefeller Global Family O&ce; Rob Bellenfant, founder and CEO of TechnologyAdvice; Mignon Francois, best-selling author, entrepreneur, and baker; and Danny Pippin, director of programs at the Nashville Entrepreneur Center.

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Sarah Cady Named Tennessee Educator of the Month

Bob Chandler Is Nashville Jazz Educator of the Year

In her fourth year at FRA, first grade teacher Sarah Cady was selected the April Educator of the Month for the state of Tennessee by the Tennessee Lottery. She was originally named Educator of the Week, based on the nomination of an FRA parent.

“Sarah is the epitome of an excellent educator,” says Dr. Rick West, head of the lower school. “She leads her students and her colleagues in ways that bring out the best in each of them to reach their potential as lifelong learners.”

Cady is a Massachusetts native who earned a bachelor’s degree in early childhood education and teaching from Auburn University.

After teaching for a year at a school in Colorado, she was eager to return to the South and to a faith-based school that reminded her of the one she attended as a child.

Esteemed Franklin Road Academy music teacher Bob Chandler was named the 2026 High School Jazz Educator of the Year by the Nashville Youth Jazz Ensemble. Chandler, the director of instrumental music, has taught at FRA for nearly three decades.

The award is given by the Nashville Youth Jazz Ensemble Advisory Council, a group of 30 area music educators. It is bestowed upon a music educator who directs an exemplary school jazz band, demonstrates a passion for jazz education, and contributes significantly to the nurturing of jazz in the larger community.

“I’m really honored to receive the Jazz Educator of the Year award,” Chandler says. “It means a lot coming from fellow music educators who share the same love for teaching and keeping jazz alive in the Nashville area.”

Chandler teaches fifth and sixth grade beginner bands, middle school advanced band, the FRA Jazz Ensemble, music production, and introductory guitar. He also directs the Blue Thunder drumline.

Cady says she values her faculty colleagues, the school’s parent community, and—most notably—the bonds that she forges with her first graders throughout the school year. She believes one of her strengths is helping to build self-confidence in her students.

“Having that foundation of believing in yourself is special,” Cady says. “I love to instill that with positive reinforcement. Like ‘you guys can do hard things and we can do it together.’”

F A C U LT Y A W A R D S

William L. Campbell Award for Excellence in Teaching: Allison Kaufman

Service Above Self Awards

Recognizes a faculty member in any division who demonstrates exceptional teaching, leadership, and a deep commitment to student success.

Middle School: Arthur D’Angelo

William B. and Gretchen Akin Award: Tom Gilroy Presented to a faculty member who embodies the spirit of excellence in education and makes a meaningful difference in the lives of students.

Lower School: Amy Beth Jones Upper School: Clifton Kaiser It is not difficult to find those with a servant’s heart in this school community. However, being a true servant involves so much more than the act of simply being willing to do something for someone else.

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Engineers solve real-world problems to improve our quality of life. Here we introduce you to four FRA graduates who are making an impact in their engineering disciplines.

For someone who has not yet celebrated his 30th birthday, Chad Stearns has a lot of responsibility. As chief of sta! for an executive fleet program at Boeing, he has to make sure that the entire operation stays on track. Prior to that, he ran a multi-hundredmillion-dollar heavy maintenance program at Boeing. Stearns’ role is one that marries his business and engineering education.

‘DOING COOL THINGS’

BY ADAM NORRIS

After graduating from FRA in 2015, he earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona Beach, FL. During college, he interned twice at Boeing, the global aerospace corporation that specializes in commercial jetliners, defense systems, and space technology.

That led to him securing a full-time position with Boeing.

Then he went back to school to earn a master’s in systems engineering from Embry-Riddle to help prepare him to lead engineering teams. With each new role, he has excelled and taken on progressively more responsibility. Perhaps his ascent is not completely surprising, given his upper school experience at FRA. “Where FRA really prepared me was through leadership opportunities,” Stearns says. “FRA is where I was taught and given the opportunity to come out of my shell and shine in leadership. I graduated as student body president of FRA which, in turn, helped me become president of the Student Government Association in college, which, in turn, helped with my career. In short, it all started at FRA.” Stearns is also an adjunct professor for Embry-Riddle’s worldwide and online campus. He teaches project management for engineered systems. He frequently interacts with students, both as an instructor and recruiter for Boeing. Some of his best career advice for students is rather simple.

“You should be able to be part of a team, you should be able to lead a team, and if you say you’re going to do something, do it,” Stearns says.

Stearns credits his rise at Boeing to being visible, dependable, and willing to take on new duties that were outside of his job description. He says a lot of young people may prefer a remote work environment because it provides more flexibility, but he advises against virtual roles, particularly for early-career professionals.

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A L U M N I F E AT U R E

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“If you want to grow, you want to grow your career, it’s going be really hard to do that if you’re not face-to-face,” Stearns says. “So, being able for people to see you, for those leaders to see you, that’s critical.”

At FRA, Stearns was an athlete who participated in choir, student council, and theatre. He was not just one kind of student.

Being well-rounded, he says, will pay dividends personally and professionally beyond high school.

“I was extremely busy, but all of those extracurricular activities taught me to be successful in the core job, which was to be a good student. But then I would add activities. And I think that’s also a valuable experience from FRA that helps me today. And I hope students are continuing to do the same and be very involved.”

Will Thompson is working on one of the most exciting projects in astronomy. He is designing and building a telescope that is unique because it is not in a dome, and it aims to provide the light collection area of huge telescope projects at a fraction of the cost. He is the lead mechanical engineer on the Large Fiber Array Spectroscopic Telescope, known as LFAST, at the Steward Observatory in Tucson, AZ. Instead of using one giant mirror like traditional big telescopes, LFAST uses an array of many small telescopes working together. It gathers large amounts of faint light so scientists can study very dim or distant objects in great detail. This makes it ideal for “photon-starved” science—fields where the main challenge is gathering enough light to take a sharp picture. LFAST will be used to tackle some of the biggest questions in astronomy, such as studying atmospheres of Earthlike exoplanets, analyzing cosmic explosions, and understanding the early universe.

“My path to where I am today wasn’t a straight line, but FRA made sure I was built for the detours,” says Thompson, who attended FRA from pre-K through 12th grade. “FRA 38

prepared me by creating an environment where high standards weren’t the exception; they were the expectation. Excellence wasn’t celebrated; it was assumed. That’s a hard thing to unlearn, and it has followed me through every aspect of my life. It is truly an honor to call myself an FRA Panther.”

sn’t “Excellence wa as ce,eb.ated; it w s a ;ard assumed. That’ , and it thing to un,ea.n e thIoug; has fE,lowed m f mT life. eveNy asPecR o noW to call IR is t.uly an hE PantheI.” myself an FRA ON -WILL TaOcde After graduating from FRA in 2014, he earned a bachelor’s degree in biology from the University of Alabama. Convinced by his engineer wife, Chelsea, that he, too, was an engineer at heart, Thompson completed a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering at Purdue University. While finishing up his program, he took a job with a Boston-based company that makes sophisticated 3D printers. He subsequently moved to Tucson, AZ to work at defense contractor Raytheon as a mechanical engineer, and then joined the LFAST project at the University of Arizona.

“The thing I love most about this job is that we are doing something that has never been attempted before,” Thompson says.

“We are slumping, grinding, and polishing our own telescope mirrors, developing our own tracking software, and figuring out how to weatherproof our 20 mirrors in their own capsule to avoid the massive expense of a dome. Astronomy has always been a slow, expensive, calculated, and risk-averse field. We are building the blueprint as we go, taking risks, and innovating quickly. We are breaking all the rules. My FRA peers know I was quite good at that!”

The Thompsons are taking advantage of Will’s status as a University of Arizona employee and are both earning an MBA. They are also thrilled to share with the FRA community that they are expecting their first child at the end of the year.

The pace of technological change is happening faster now than ever before, and Claire Luthy has a front row seat to this rapidly shifting landscape. She is an applications engineer for NXP Semiconductors, a Dutch semiconductor manufacturing and design company that counts Apple, Dell, and Samsung among

its customers. She recently transitioned to a new area within the company—going from working on technology that helps power 5G wireless communication networks to focusing on systems used in industrial and medical settings.

“In my previous role, I supported products that help transmit signals over long distances, like what your phone relies on to stay connected,” Luthy says. “Now, I’m working on technology that takes inputs, like data from sensors, and turns them into information that machines or systems can understand and act on. It’s been an interesting shift from large-scale communication systems to more precise, real-world applications.”

Luthy graduated from FRA in 2018 and majored in engineering physics at Tulane University. During her sophomore year of college, she got involved in research, which sparked her interest in her current field, and helped her land a job at NXP. She says a big part of her job is solving problems through creativity and hard work. She collaborates with colleagues and customers from around the world, so no two days—or time zones—are the same.

“One of the most challenging aspects of my work is the constant need to build new technical expertise,” Luthy says. “I’ve had the opportunity to move between roles relatively quickly, which means regularly stepping into unfamiliar areas and learning new systems, tools, and processes. That often involves tackling problems without having all the answers upfront and figuring things out along the way. While it can be challenging, it’s also what keeps the work engaging and has helped me become more adaptable and confident in approaching new problems.”

Luthy appreciates FRA’s rigorous academic environment, as well as the co-curricular opportunities that were available to her. She made some of her most cherished memories in sports, band, and clubs. She says all of these experiences prepared her for what came next in her life.

“FRA played a big role in shaping how I think and approach problems,” Luthy says. “Beyond building a strong foundation in math and science, it emphasized critical thinking, curiosity, and the ability to communicate ideas clearly. That combination has been especially valuable in my current role, where solving complex technical problems often requires both analytical depth and the ability to explain things simply. Being involved in multiple activities also helped me develop strong time management skills and learn how to balance competing priorities. Overall, FRA pushed me to be more well-rounded, which has carried through into my career.”

Kelton Williamson is not that far removed from his time at Franklin Road Academy. Yet, the 2020 graduate says he already

has ample evidence for how the school has put him on a gratifying professional trajectory. He is a structure and payload design engineer for Boeing, based in Houston.

“As an engineer, my work centers on math, physics, and problem-solving, and FRA gave me a strong foundation in all three,” Williamson says. “The school o!ered great resources, like the Innovation Lab, which introduced me to manufacturing processes and material science.

Courses such as Engineering and Innovations exposed me to computer-aided design (CAD) software, which I now use daily as a design engineer. FRA’s math and science departments also prepared me well for the rigor of college engineering courses and helped me build the problem-solving skills I rely on in my career today.”

Williamson attended FRA for 14 years before enrolling at Auburn University, where he majored in aerospace engineering and minored in mathematics. During his junior year, he was selected for Auburn’s Product Definition Team, a program in which students work on realworld contracts with Boeing. That experience led to him being hired full-time by his manager at Boeing upon graduation.

“I enjoy being able to combine my skills in math and science within an industry that is constantly evolving, like aerospace,” Williamson says. “It’s fulfilling to be challenged every day to think critically and solve new problems. One of Boeing Company’s core behaviors is taking pride in ‘doing cool things.’ I’m constantly reminded of that through the cutting-edge technology we get to work on and the opportunity to help shape the future of aerospace.”

Williamson is currently on a yearlong assignment where he works on the production side of the program, meaning he collaborates with manufacturing and oversees how his aircraft designs are implemented. Sometimes, there is no clear roadmap because they are trying to solve problems that have not yet been solved.

He says this requires a high level of confidence in his work and a willingness to innovate—traits that he honed during his formative years at FRA. “I’d like to thank the FRA faculty for their time, dedication, and genuine investment in each student,” Williamson says. “Their passion and support were incredibly motivating and played a big role in shaping who we’ve become. They’ve empowered me—and so many other FRA alumni—to pursue what we’re passionate about and aim high.”

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RED ROCKS

Miracle LEAGUE OF ARIZONA

BROOKLYN BRIDGE

GLOBAL EXPOSURE

St. Mary, Jamaica

ARC DE TRIOMF

ILLUSION MUSEUM DUBLIN

In an extraordinary week of learning beyond the classroom, upper school students at Franklin Road Academy fanned out across the globe during Interim 2026—immersing themselves in international cultures, exploring the natural world, engaging in service, and deepening their understanding of history, science, and the arts. The school’s ambitious lineup of experiences o!ered students the opportunity to grow as scholars, adventurers, and global citizens.

CATACOMBS

La Fortaleza (FROM TOP TO BOTTOM) Students participating in the Ability 360 trip in Arizona gained firsthand exposure to adaptive athletics and inclusive recreation through hands-on experiences, including time at the Miracle League of Arizona. Another group explored the natural beauty of the American Southwest, taking in the stunning landscapes and towering red rock formations that make Red Rocks such a memorable destination.

In New York City, students sampled world-class arts and culture, with highlights including museum visits, Broadway performances, and a walk across the iconic Brooklyn Bridge. Students in Puerto Rico experienced the island’s rich culture and history, including a visit to La Fortaleza in Old San Juan, while also exploring its natural beauty through outdoor adventures and local excursions.

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(FROM TOP TO BOTTOM) In Jamaica, a missionfocused experience combined hands-on service with cultural immersion as participants partnered with a local ministry and explored the island’s cuisine, traditions, and natural beauty. Students traveling through Ireland journeyed from Dublin to Galway and Dingle, with highlights including the Illusion Museum in Dublin. Students in Spain and Morocco explored vibrant cities and cultural landmarks, including Barcelona’s Arc de Triomf. Another group ventured beneath the streets of Paris to tour the Catacombs, one of the city’s most fascinating historic sites. Each trip offered students memorable opportunities to experience history, culture, and local life firsthand.

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Franklin Road Academy celebrated Spiritual Emphasis Week in February with a focus on “The Real Thing,” accentuating the authentic and enduring love of God. Spiritual Emphasis Week is a cherished campus tradition that brings faith to the forefront through a series of chapels, speakers, and service and communitybuilding activities.

One of the highlights of the week was a panel discussion that featured FRA parents who were elite performers in their fields.

Former Olympic gold medal-winning gymnast Shawn Johnson East, former World Series MVP Ben Zobrist, recording artist Ellie Holcomb, and former NFL players Earl Bennett and Brett Kern shared personal stories of faith amid fame and success.

At age 16, Johnson East won a gold medal on balance beam in the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing. She had reached the pinnacle of her sport, but as she stood on the podium, she felt a void.

“It kind of set me on this bigger journey of finding my own faith,” Johnson East said. “I was raised in a faith-based family, but I felt really lost for a really long time because I was doing the faith thing, but really not living it. Having to go find God myself, I felt so much more fulfilled in that process than I ever did with the medal.”

Ellie Holcomb is a singer-songwriter and best-selling author whose pursuit of her faith began in earnest in high school after getting her heart broken.

“Life is a roller coaster,” Holcomb said. “I mean, successes, joys, and victories, and failures—your own—and brokenness and loss, 42

over and over again. I just point to these low places, and those stories, and those are actually the times that I have known the nearness of God the most.”

Earl Bennett’s faith also deepened when he was in high school.

The former NFL receiver and current executive general manager of athletics at Vanderbilt University, su!ered a severe knee injury that made him question if he’d ever play football again. He sought out a relationship with Jesus that would withstand the peaks and valleys of life.

“Knowing who you are and being rooted and grounded in that faith-based mindset helps you to make decisions that are going to impact not just yourself, but your family for generations,” Bennett said.

Ben Zobrist is a two-time World Series winner and the MVP of the 2016 World Series, helping lead the Chicago Cubs to their first World Series title since 1908. He said those achievements were thrilling but fleeting.

“As an athlete, there’s a decline, and you have to start to put your hope in something that is just better,” Zobrist said. “It’s better in the long run. And (having a relationship with God) gives you a sense of peace and contentment that (athletic success) can’t ever give you.”

Punter Brett Kern spent 15 seasons in the NFL and was a threetime Pro Bowler. He retired in 2023 as the Tennessee Titans franchise leader in punting. He said his faith was rejuvenated by reading the Bible.

“There’s nothing that can separate us from the love of God,” Kern said. “Absolutely nothing. So, rooting who you are in scripture, I feel like that’s helped me through those really good moments and then in the moments that weren’t so great.”

During chapels, Brandon Albright, FRA director of spiritual life, showed a series of real and fake videos to underscore how difficult it can be to determine what is authentic. He made the same point with a taste-test exercise where he asked student volunteers to try to identify name-brand snacks versus the o!-brand variety.

In the Scarlett Family Chapel, professional illusionist Harris III appeared to move a wooden table using only his mind, much to the delighted disbelief of his audience. Even though it looked like magic, Harris III reiterated that it was only carefully choreographed deception. It was not real.

Throughout Spiritual Emphasis Week, students formed bonds across divisions through All School Lunch and Panther Pals, with upper and middle school students engaging in activities with lower school students. To close out the week, students in all grades participated in service activities, both on- and o!-campus, with local nonprofit partners.

“For us to know the real thing, I think it’s important for us to be pointed toward Jesus, to grow in Christ, to understand him more,” Albright said. “God gives us scripture so that we can get to know the real God through scripture, through prayer, and through community with each other.”

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ARTS TH EATRE, MUSI C, V I SUAL ARTS

PURE IMAGINATION // MIDDLE SCHOOL MUSICAL FRA presented “Roald Dahl’s Willy Wonka Jr.” for the middle school musical. Directed by Sarah Jackson-Zanotti, the production is based on “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory,” first published in 1964 and adapted into popular movies starting in 1971. The whimsical tale showcases beauty, mystery, and the wonder found in the imaginations of children.

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The upper school presented “Watership Down,” a dramatic fantasy based on the 1972 novel by Richard Adams.

Directed by Ross Bolen, the play explores the theme of home as a source of identity and cultural memory.

Directed by Amy Beth Jones, the lower school musical, “The Fabulous Fifties,” highlighted the good-time music of the 1950s.

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ARTISTS TAKE

CENTER STAGE FRA students are recognized for their creative excellence

JAZZ CAFÉ

- ELIZABETH WEAVER ’27 and CHARLOTTE HEFFERAN ’28 were accepted into the Tennessee Governor’s School for the Arts for the summer 2026 session. They will both participate in the visual arts program. The TGSFTA provides high-quality arts education for gifted and talented high school students.

The pre-professional summer curriculum includes individual and group instruction designed to help each rising 11th and 12th grade student explore and develop talents in music, ballet, theatre, filmmaking, or visual art.

- KATE MCGUIRE ’27 and AVA DINKEL ’27 will take part in Carnegie Mellon University’s pre-college drama program this summer. Kate was accepted into the acting track. Ava was accepted into the design, production tech, and management track. Pre-college drama is a six-week residential program for high school juniors and seniors that offers training and preparation for college auditions and interviews within an acclaimed drama conservatory.

- Artwork by MORGAN CHAPMAN ’29 and CAROLINE KUCK ’32 was selected for the 18th Annual Middle Tennessee Regional Start Exhibit. The exhibit took place at the Parthenon from Jan. 22-Feb. 28.

The competition—a collaboration of the Parthenon and Tennessee Art Education Association—is open to students in grades 6-12 who attend public, private, and home schools in the counties of Middle Tennessee.

- JULIANNE VESSEL ’28 and AVA ROSE HARPER ’30 represented FRA at the 2025-26 Spotlight Awards on May 24 at TPAC’s Jackson Hall. FRA participated in the Show Review Track, which allows the Academy to send a student from its upper school musical and middle school musical to the Encore Ensemble. Julianne was the representative from the upper school musical “Grease,” and Ava Rose was the representative from the middle school musical “Willy Wonka Jr.”

Middle school and upper school music students delighted the audience at the first-ever Jazz Café held on the Bracken Green on May 2.

Directed by Bob Chandler, they displayed their impressive musicianship by performing songs from the past 60 years.

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CREATIVE SHOWCASES

Evening with the Arts

Spring Choral Concert and Fifth and Sixth Grade Spring Band Concert Pre-K Through Alumni Art Show

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athletics BOYS LA C ROS S E , M I LE S T ON E S , A C C OL AD ES

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YE ARS IN T H E MA K I NG ,

Minutes to Make History

BY A DA M N O R R I S

VARSITY BOYS LACROSSE TEAM VICTORIOUS IN INAUGURAL GAME The dawn of a new era is not always heralded by clear skies and abundant sunshine. Sometimes it is cold, windy, and wet. Such were the conditions on a weeknight in late February, as pockets of shivering fans huddled together under umbrellas to watch the first game of the Franklin Road Academy varsity boys lacrosse program. The weather dished out plenty of misery on the Hill.

Undaunted, the Panthers made history and delivered a victory.

Sophomore midfielder JC Aguilar took the first-ever opening face-off. Minutes later, junior attackman Sammy Boylan sprinted toward goal, absorbed contact from a defender, and rifled home the first goal in program history. As the rain grew more intense, the Panthers continued to pour it on. They added nine more goals, including five from sophomore attackman Jack Nimitz, and defeated Independence High School 10-5 in a soggy inaugural game.

The program’s first win did not materialize overnight. It was the culmination of a multiyear project to bring varsity boys lacrosse to the Hill. Discussions about adding the sport began about five years ago, according to Kris Palmerton, FRA director of athletics.

“We felt that in order to be a complete, well-rounded athletic department, we needed to add boys lacrosse,” Palmerton says.

“This also makes us more attractive in the Nashville independent school market to families whose sons want to play lacrosse.”

The last sport FRA added was girls lacrosse—first a JV team in 2017 and a varsity squad in 2022. The girls team has found early success. In 2025, they advanced to the state semifinals for the first time. FRA has also adopted a staged approach to the boys program, first starting a middle school lacrosse team—now in its third season—to build a pipeline of talent. In 2024, it formed a cooperative program with University School of Nashville, to give high schoolers an opportunity to compete until it had enough players to field its own full-fledged team.

In the spring of 2023, FRA hired Sean Orr to serve as its boys lacrosse coach. Orr, who played collegiately at Birmingham Southern, previously coached at Mountain Brook High School in Alabama and Nolensville High School.

“Over the past two years, I have been coaching the middle school program and setting the foundation for the longevity of our program,” Orr says. “The past two years have been a huge learning experience for me to make sure we are sustainable for the years ahead, while also cultivating the love of the game.”

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Orr said he has been charged with developing players and creating a culture of hard work and excellence. In addition to improving the skills of the players, he also prioritizes molding young men of faith and character.

“We use the Greek word ‘parakletos’ to describe how we want to walk alongside one another,” Orr says. “‘Parakletos’ means to walk alongside one another and to help and to encourage each other. My hope is that all of the young men who play at FRA, both middle school and high school, feel that and know that we do this together, and that it is not the outcome we are striving for, but the journey to get there.”

As a fledgling program, the Panthers had a range of grade and experience levels on the varsity squad. Defenseman Chip Sigmund is the lone senior.

“It means a lot to be part of the inaugural season, especially as a senior,” Sigmund says. “Being able to play with younger guys and mentor them has been a special experience. I am grateful that our coaches and athletic department have worked so hard for this, and now it’s come to fruition.”

M I L E STO N E S A N D

State Championships TE NNIS PHE NOM FRANKLIN

WINS STATE TITLE Franklin Road Academy sophomore Brooke Franklin ran her three-year undefeated streak to 50 matches and claimed the TSSAA Division II Class A girls singles tennis state championship. Brooke defeated Lausanne’s Ivana Petkova 6-2, 6-1 in the title match in Chattanooga to cap off a spotless singles record that started when she was an eighth grader. The team captain did not drop a set in the state tournament en route to her first singles title.

Brooke was an equally dominant doubles player. As an eighth grader and a freshman, she won back-to-back state doubles titles with her older sister, Shelby, who graduated in 2025. Her career doubles record is 49-0.

Historically, lacrosse has been a regional sport with hotbeds in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic. But Orr says that’s changing. Several dozen private schools, as well as a number of public schools, in Tennessee now offer boys lacrosse.

“Lacrosse is booming in middle Tennessee,” Orr says. “I grew up here in Brentwood, played at Brentwood Middle and Brentwood High School, and I have never seen more teams and more kids wanting to play lacrosse. More and more schools are picking up, not just middle school programs, but also high school varsity programs. It is really exciting.”

The Panthers finished their inaugural season with a record of 6-7 and qualified for the state tournament—no small feat for a first-year team. Just as it took a number of years to establish the program, Palmerton is taking the long view when it comes to judging the success of FRA’s newest program. He hopes the players will remember that rainy February night on the Hill with fondness.

“I hope this inaugural team takes pride in being pioneers,” Palmerton says. “They have the unique opportunity to create traditions, define expectations, and leave a lasting legacy. Years from now, future players will look back and say, ‘That first team set the standard.’”

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GIRLS TRACK & FIELD WINS STATE FO R S E C O N D T IM E IN T H R E E Y E ARS

Powered by two individual state champions and an unbeatable relay team, the Franklin Road Academy girls track and field team captured the 2026 TSSAA Division II Class A state title for the second time in three years. With 97 total points, the Panthers outdistanced second place Harding Academy of Memphis, which finished with 90 points. The meet was held at Tom Black Track on the campus of the University of Tennessee, Knoxville.

SIGNING TO THE NEX T LEVE L

College Commitments

Keira Bulluck ’26 won the 100 meters with a school-record time of 11.96 seconds. She was the state runner-up and set another school record in the 200 meters with a time of 25.38 seconds. Keira and teammates Kenzi Bulluck ’28, Savannah Sullivan ’26, and Zuri Settles ’29 claimed the state title in the 4 x 100 meter relay. Additionally, Caroline Pfeffer ’29 was a state champion in the pole vault, successfully clearing 10’6”.

The girls squad was bolstered by state runner-up performances from Lucy Schmoke ’28 in the long jump and 300-meter hurdles and Annabelle Bradford ’27 in the triple jump.

1000 1000 Coach Drew Matthews was named TSSAA Division II Class A Coach of the Year.

Two Sophomores Eclipse 1,000 Career Points

AVA ZENNER

Franklin Road Academy basketball standouts Ava Zenner and Ella Johnson both eclipsed 1,000 career points as sophomores.

Zenner, a 5-foot-7 guard, has played three years of varsity basketball.

She crossed the 1,000-point mark on December 5, 2025 with a 39-point outburst against district rival Columbia Academy. She reached the 1,000-point milestone in 72 varsity games with an average of 13.9 points in those games.

Johnson is a 5-foot-7 guard who has played three years of varsity basketball at FRA. She surpassed the 1,000 point threshold on November 25, 2025 against region opponent Donelson Christian Academy. She reached the milestone in just 70 varsity games, with an average of 14.3 points per game during that stretch.

Both players were named to the All-District team and Zenner made All-State.

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ELLA JOHNSON

Michael Hassell

Reagan Militante

Max Riggs

Jaden Rush

FOOTBALL, EAST TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY

CHEER, UNIVERSITY OF GEORGIA

BASEBALL, COLUMBIA STATE

FOOTBALL, UNIVERSITY OF TENNESSEE AT CHATTANOOGA

ACE PITCHER PARDUE BREAKS SCHOOL STRIKEOUT RECORD FRA junior Millie Pardue broke the school’s career strikeout record that had stood for more than two decades. On April 10, Millie registered her 721st strikeout against Battle Ground Academy, surpassing the previous mark set by Adriene Roberts in 2002. Millie totaled 10 strikeouts in that game alone.

The Panthers’ ace has played varsity softball since she was in eighth grade. The record-breaking strike was caught by her sister, Harper, who is an eighth grader and her battery mate.

The Middle Tennessee State University commit was named district Pitcher of the Year for the second straight season. It was a completely dominant season in the circle for Millie, finishing with 11 shutouts, an ERA of 0.78, and 312 strikeouts, bringing her career total to 859.

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W INTE R & S P RIN G

Accolades Girls Basketball Ava Zenner, All-District, All-District Tournament, All-State Ella Johnson, All-District Ella Olson, All-District Tournament

SPIRO DARSINOS

BRENDAN HESS

Boys Basketball Spiro Darsinos, All-District, All-District Tournament Lucas Kinnard, All-District Earl Bennett Jr., All-District

Boys Lacrosse

AVA ZENNER

Brendan Hess, All-Region, All-State Jack Nimitz, All-Region Chip Sigmund, All-Region Sean Orr, Division II-A Coach of the Year

Girls Lacrosse

CHIP SIGMUND

JACKIE HUDDLE

Jackie Huddle, All-Region Madison Ruggieri, All-Region, All-State Avery Sturdivant, All-Region

Boys Soccer Archer O’Brien, All-District Logan Pearse, All-District

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ARCHER O’BRIEN

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Girls Tennis Brooke Franklin, Singles State Champion

Softball 2026 DIVISION II-A DISTRICT 3 RUNNER-UP Millie Pardue, District Pitcher of the Year Ella Gadsey, All-District Harper Pardue, All-District

Baseball Michael Hassell, All-District Max Riggs, All-District

Dance 2026 UDA NATIONAL DANCE TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP Fourth place in Jazz Seventh place in Pom

MILLIE PARDUE

MICHAEL HASSELL

BROOKE FRANKLIN 62

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Track & Field GIRLS 2026 DIVISION II-A STATE CHAMPIONS Division II-A Coach of the Year: Drew Matthews Keira Bulluck, 100m State Champion, 200m State Runner-Up Caroline Pfeffer, Pole Vault State Champion Keira Bulluck, Kenzi Bulluck, Savannah Sullivan, Zuri Settles, 4 x 100m Relay State Champions Annabelle Bradford, Triple Jump State Runner-Up Lucy Schmoke, Long Jump State Runner-Up,

300m Hurdles State Runner-Up

LUCY SCHMOKE

BOYS Keilan Neal, Shot Put State Champion Omarii Sanders, High Jump State Champion, Long Jump State Runner-Up Landon Lucas, 400m State Runner-Up

OMARII SANDERS

KEIRA BULLUCK, KENZI BULLUCK 64

KEILAN NEAL 65

ALUMNI CLASS NO TES AN D AN N O UN CEMEN TS

ALUMNI

1970’s

CLASS NOTES

Tom Woodard ’79 has a new advertising agency, which was featured in Fast Company. The agency, The Ability Machine, is run by a team of creatives with intellectual disabilities and has already completed brand work for Mercedes-Benz and Kind Company.

1980’s

2000’s

Yance Wyatt ’00 published his first novel, “The Watersmith,” through Regal House Publishing. Yance studied fiction at the University of Southern California, where he now an associate professor of writing.

His stories have appeared in dozens of nationally circulated literary journals and received multiple Pushcart Prize nominations.

in the premium sales division. A lifelong soccer fan, Ryan has traveled across the country to help ensure these events are memorable for everyone who attends.

Diane (Jacques) Les Becquets ’82 wrote her sixth book, “Where The Water Meets The Sky,” published by Simon & Schuster.

Her author event at Parnassus Books in Nashville on May 14 was attended by many of her fellow FRA classmates.

Julia Mondelli ’18 was honored with the 2025 President’s Club award for her work at ImprimisRx. A key account manager, Julia connects with doctors and pharmacists around the country on the newest cutting-edge developments in medicine.

David Dark ’88 released a revised edition of his book “Everyday Apocalypse: Art, Empire, and the End of the World,” through Vanderbilt University Press.

Originally published over 20 years ago, the book has become a deeply influential text among two generations of intellectual evangelical Christians.

Jessie Jo Dillon ’05 was named the Academy of Country Music’s Songwriter of the Year for a third year in a row, making her the first person to ever earn this honor three consecutive years. She continues to shape the sound of country music with hits for artists including Megan Moroney, Kelsea Ballerini, Jon Pardi, and others.

2010’s

2020’s

Kaila Scott ’21 accepted a summer internship with Judge Asha White at the Massachusetts Superior Court. As a student at the New England Law School in Boston, this opportunity will give Kaila experience in legal research and understanding of the intricacies of the judicial branch.

Jacob Jezioro ’13 released his second

1990’s

Clif Tant ’94 was recently named to the “In

Team captain Carter Simons ’24 led his Auburn University team to victory at the 2026 VEX U Robotics World Championships, the largest student robotics competition in the world.

Carter is a rising junior majoring in accounting.

Charge Leaders 2026,” list by the Nashville Post. Clif is Nashville market president of Old National Bank and active with a number of Nashville nonprofits.

album, “Blue Adrift,” in February on the Green Box Music label. The jazz bassist and composer recorded the album in Nashville with several studio musicians who are good friends. The Indiana University alumnus is based in Brooklyn, NY.

Ryan Madondo ’17 has joined the FIFA World Cup 2026 sales team as a leader

Photograph by Robotics Education & Competition Foundation 66

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Amelia Keese ’22 was recently inducted

Clifton Tant ’23 launched CT3

into the Phi Beta Kappa chapter at Union College. Amelia is majoring in English with a minor in environmental science & policy and German & comparative literature.

Performance Coaching LLC in the fall of 2025. A business administration student at Belmont University, he creates specialized 12-, 24-, or 52-week systems for men and women to maximize their physical and mental health.

Addie Vaughn ’22 has finished her nursing degree at Texas Christian University and accepted a position as a nurse resident on the Neonatal Intensive Care StepDown Unit (NICU) at Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt University Medical Center. She is excited to return home and work at such a distinguished hospital in her first major role as a nurse.

Ella Brown ’24 has landed a summer internship with Tennessee Congresswoman Diana Harshbarger in the U.S. House of Representatives in Washington D.C. Focusing on public policy and government relations, she is looking forward to her time on Capitol Hill and serving her home state at the same time.

MARRIAGE & BIR TH

ANNOUNCEMENTS The lower school playground was a big hit at our Alumni Easter Egg Hunt in March.

Families enjoyed beautiful spring weather and the kids left with full baskets.

FRA alumni gathered at Stout NYC in New York City in March for a cocktail hour.

It was great to catch up with so many grads who are thriving in the Big Apple.

FROM LEFT TO RIGHT | Bella Anderson ’15 married Alex Leko on April 24, 2026; Will Elliott ’17 married Ella Monarch on May 16, 2026; Analise Gibbs ’22 married Nick Bell on April 4, 2026; Nicole West ’18 married Nathan Inserra on February 14, 2026

future

panthers

Graham Pave ’23 is joining Goldman Sachs as a 2026 asset management summer analyst in the Dallas office. Graham is an honors finance & business analytics student at Indiana University’s Kelley School of Business.

Stay in touch with us!

Follow us on Facebook and LinkedIn to keep up with all things alumni. Share your exciting news with the FRA community by submitting a Class Note below.

In Memory: Lance Arnold ’90 passed away peacefully on December 30, 2025. A Nashville native and proud FRA alumnus, he earned a degree in art history from Southern Methodist University and worked at the Richard York Gallery in New York City before returning to Nashville in 2001.

David North ’83 of Metuchen, NJ, died on February 5, 2026. He graduated from Belmont University and completed a summer leadership program at Vanderbilt.

He entered dental practice management, where he thrived for 38 years.

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TOP, FROM LEFT TO RIGHT | Jessica (Bracken) Boyd ’00 and Charles welcomed Marigold Ruth on March 25, 2026; ANDIE (RICE) DAVIS ’11 and Bobby welcomed Lily on September 9, 2025; ANNA (CANADY) HUTCHISON ’15 and Aston welcomed Jasper Ray on May 8, 2026 BOTTOM, FROM LEFT TO RIGHT | TY ROOP ’17 and Jules welcomed Violet Renee on April 23, 2026; RILEY SPEED ’19 and Kate welcomed Richard Banks on March 25, 2026; AMELIA (YOUNG) WINGO ’13 and Matt welcomed Theodore Rudy on January 27, 2026

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PHILANTHROPY NEW PLAY STRUCTURE, VELOCITY GRANTS

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BIG PLAY ABILITY New Structure Transforms Outdoor Learning

When FRA’s massive new play structure opened at the beginning of the 2025-26 school year, it represented a landmark investment in outdoor learning, movement, and play. In addition to its grandeur—the main structure is 64-feet tall and 80-feet wide, with a total play area of more than 20,000-square-feet—it is purpose-built to serve the developmental, social, and physical needs of FRA’s youngest learners. It has everything—slides, climbing structures, swings, an 8-person rocker, an interactive sensory panel, a STEM play station, and more.

“We know that play is not a break from learning—it is learning. This structure, and all of the new opportunities it affords, has greatly enhanced the experience of our lower school students,” says Ryan Harris, assistant head of school for external affairs. “We are so grateful to the donors who helped make this possible. Their commitment to FRA will bring joy and excitement to our students for many years to come.”

64 FT TALL

80 FT WIDE

20,000

SQ FT OF PLAY!

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G AI N I NG

“Her writing is powerful because it’s honest and emotional. She writes in a way that helps readers truly understand how hope and strength can grow over time,” said Julia Collignon, the fifth-grade teacher who made the visit possible by securing a Velocity Grant.

The plot of “Inside Out & Back Again” follows 10-year-old Há Kim and her family as they flee Saigon on a Navy ship to Guam and are sheltered in a refugee camp. Há, her mother, and eight siblings eventually settle in Montgomery, Alabama, which is a total shock to the system for a fourth-grade girl who speaks no English.

Velocity Grants are specialized funding initiatives supported by the FRA Fund, designed to boost existing programmatic growth and enhance the student experience across campus. Here is how three such grants were implemented during the 2025-26 school year.

Lower School Teachers Complete Harvard Course on ‘Visible Thinking’ A group of five Franklin Road Academy lower school teachers completed a Harvard graduate course on student thinking routines, with the goal of cultivating students’ thinking skills and deepening content learning.

Anna De, Erica Williams, Amanda Phelan, Paris Woolsey, and EnaShea Kohler received the training from Project Zero, a Harvard Graduate School of Education research center. The professional development was made possible through a Velocity Grant.

The course focused on visible thinking routines, which encourage students to verbalize and demonstrate their thought processes by speaking, writing, or drawing their ideas.

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without the teacher giving them the answer. I love when they see a phrase or word and try to arrive at a rule as to what it means and why it is like that.”

The FRA teachers who participated say the experience refreshed and refocused their purpose in the classroom, putting the students back in the driver’s seat of their learning.

“I have intentionally created more opportunities for students to work through productive struggle and using questioning techniques to extend their thinking, rather than swooping in with answers,” Anna De said.

Author Shares Her Child Refugee Story, the Basis of Award-Winning Novel

“The course highlights how creating a strong culture of thinking in the classroom supports deeper understanding, student voice, and equity by giving all learners a way to participate,” Amanda Phelan said. “Overall, the focus is on teaching students how to think, not just what to think, and using their thinking to guide instruction.”

Thanhha Lai’s story of fleeing to America from war-torn Vietnam as a 10-year-old is the basis of her award-winning novel “Inside Out & Back Again.” As part of Franklin Road Academy’s celebration of Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, middle school students heard Lai recount those memories first-hand, and asked the author questions about her life and her work.

The visible thinking approach is one that can be applied across different subject areas and grade levels. Lower school Spanish teacher Erica Williams says the course emphasized that teachers should save time for students to verbalize how they arrived at an answer or conclusion.

Fifth-grade students read the book and created projects based on their own reflections of the material. They painted watercolors that were inspired by a selected stanza from the novel. In addition to the author presentation and Q&A, several fifth graders presented those projects to Lai in the Scarlett Family Chapel.

“It really helped me reinforce the ways I have already been teaching Spanish,” Williams said. “I teach in a way that puts a heavy load on students to break down grammar or vocabulary

“Inside Out & Back Again” is a free verse novel and the 2011 winner of the National Book Award for Young People’s Literature.

It is based on the author’s first year living in the United States in 1975.

“Refugees flee. Immigrants plan their departure. Learning English was about survival. It was an emergency,” Lai said in outlining the difference between refugees and immigrants. “I experienced the most bullying on the playground. I knew I had to learn English really fast. When you have to do it quick, you do it.”

Lai showed family photos from her life in Saigon, as well as Alabama and, eventually, Texas. Her father was a missing-inaction soldier back in Vietnam. She said nearly three decades passed between the time she fled her homeland and when she started writing the novel.

“What happens to you in those 30 years, is you have so much life,” Lai said. “It’s almost like remembering another person. All the hard parts. To me, it’s almost like it happened to someone else.”

AP 3D Art Students Get Pro Tips in Glassblowing at Nashville Studio A group of Franklin Road Academy upper school AP 3D art students felt the heat of the furnace and the exhilaration of creating their own glass sculptures during a visit to Nashville Glasshaüs in April. Founded and owned by FRA alumnus Wyatt Maxwell, Nashville Glasshaüs is the city’s first glassblowing studio.

The experience made possible by a Velocity Grant.

Students were introduced to the process and elements of glassblowing. They each created a sculptural glass piece—rolling the glass, selecting and adding color, pulling the heated glass to create a design, and picking a shape of their sculpture. They received a tour of the Maxwell Gallery, a glass-focused gallery located inside of Nashville Glasshaüs, and were introduced to different artistic styles of glassblowing.

After lunch, students worked on adding strips of colored glass to create two sculptural pieces that were donated to FRA. The students got help in the glassblowing process of these two pieces from the studio’s professionals.

(TOP, FROM LEFT) Lower school teachers EnaShea Kohler, Erica Williams, Paris Woolsey, Amanda Phelan, and Anna De (MIDDLE) Thanhha Lai signs a copy of her award-winning novel (BOTTOM) FRA senior Alexa Marquez is shown how to manipulate heated glass by Nashville Glasshaüs artisan and FRA alumnus Paul Nelson 75

Stars & Guitars 76

The JW Marriott Nashville was transformed into “A Night in the Secret Garden” on February 26 for FRA’s largest annual fundraiser.

With Stars and Guitars co-chairs Jenny Scarlett and Candace Peppers at the helm, the 2026 edition was a lively and sophisticated affair that helped strengthen the bonds of community and generate essential support for the Academy.

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little moments

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small details

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FRANKLIN ROAD ACADEMY

4700 Franklin Pike Nashville, TN 37220

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