The Anchor, Fall 2022

Some 600 people attended GSL’s 75th Anniversary event on August 20.

ABOUT THE COVER This cover celebrates these - and all 600+ - attendees of GSL's 75th Anniversary Celebration! Top row: Katelyn Nichols ’05, Beth Hesser Nichols, Tina Gault, Jack Nichols, and Michael Barzizza; Allison and Andy Cates and Nicki Soulé; middle row: Jennifer Isom and Kynis Douglas; Debbie Callahan, Bryan Callahan ’01, and Eden Callahan; Wes Phillips ’98 and Hannah Phillips; bottom row: Logan Taylor ‘95 and Jennifer Smith ’89; Phillip Sims ’93; Piper Bell ’12, Emma Johnson ’11, Claire Sentilles ’11, Mary Peyton Bell ’11; Franklin and Tara Barton; cheering students: Callie Sanders ’25 and Ellie Barksdale ’25

Head of School Dr. Andy Surber

BOARD OF TRUSTEES

Paul Morris, President Ben Barksdale, Vice-President Katrina Sanford, Secretary Kathleen Behnke, Assistant Secretary Sharon Shipley, Treasurer Lauren Taylor, Assistant Treasurer

Margaret McLean Luis Orbegoso Zach Pretzer Paula Sappington Staci Somerville Simon Wadsworth Photography Ellen Hendry Kirsten Horton Lee Schaffler Jeff White Marci Woodmansee

Dr. Andy Surber, Head of School

The Reverend Ollie V. Rencher, Rector

The Anchor is a biannual publication of Grace-St. Luke’s Episcopal School. Articles are published at the discretion of the school. Comments and questions should be directed to Marci Woodmansee, Managing Editor and Associate Director of Communications, at mwoodmansee@gslschool.org.

LETTER FROM THE HEAD OF SCHOOL

Dr. Andy Surber

Dear GSL Community,

As Coach Scully, Father Ollie, and I took the stage on a warm Friday evening in August, it was easy to see from the crowd gathered to celebrate the school's 75th anniversary just how valued Grace-St. Luke’s Episcopal School is to so many people. Heartfelt expressions of appreciation, togetherness, support, and community were shared from the stage about this school that everyone loves. Being newly re-introduced to this community, I was moved by the opportunity to play a role in something much larger than myself or any individual. GSL is a lifechanging institution and what happens here matters. It matters for everyone connected to our community, and this is especially true for our current students, families, faculty, and staff.

A top goal since joining GSL in July has been building relationships with people in the community. Spending time and having conversations with others has been so very helpful. Many of these connections have taken place in my office; others have been in coffee shops, restaurants, and even on walks around the neighborhood. I value this time as I get to learn, as well as share, a bit about why GSL is so very special. I continue to hold up these cornerstones of our program: our amazing faculty and staff, strong academic program, opportunities for participation in extracurricular activities, and personal development in areas that include social-emotional learning and leadership.

As you read this issue of The Anchor, you will see examples of the dynamic learning environment at GSL. It's been fun to celebrate the early successes of our sports teams, see the Jungle Book KIDS performances in October, experience pep rallies, participate in some super Friday Celebrations, and be impressed by our 8th Grade Chapel Talks. It is easy to see the pride our students have in our school through all the exciting events taking place.

Of course, we will just be approaching the midpoint of the school year when you read this, so there is much more to come! As we look forward, please hold April 23, 2023 on your calendars, the date of the annual GSL Anchor Auction. It is this night when our adult community gathers together, celebrates all that is good at GSL, and raises funds to help the school continue to provide amazing experiences for all our students, from Little Lukers to our 8th graders. You won’t want to miss this special event!

Until then, thank you for helping us maintain the excitement and momentum of our 75th Anniversary Celebration by putting your love for GSL into action. Put out a yard sign, share our social media, and talk about us with your friends and other families who are looking at schools! The best way to honor our 75 years in existence is by working now to plan for our future! Please know that we value your continued support and appreciate the trust you place in us as your school of choice. I look forward to seeing you soon – whether it be on campus, at the fields, or in the community.

Go, Saints!

Andy Surber, Ed.D Head of School

Father Ollie Rencher, Honorary Event Chair Nick Scully, and Dr. Andy Surber

LETTER FROM THE BOARD PRESIDENT

Paul Morris

Dear GSL Community,

Many of you were able to attend our block party in August celebrating our 75th anniversary. I agree with the attendee who said:

“What other elementary school in Memphis can throw down like GSL and get 600+ people to show up? Not a single one. GSL rocks!”

GSL rocks because of you – our community – including our students, alumni, parents, grandparents, teachers, staff, administration, board, GSL Church members, and others who are connected to our school. And once you’ve ever been connected to our school, you are invited to be a “Luker for Life.” All it takes to be a Luker for Life is to join our community and stay committed to it. This is your community – you belong here.

Our students benefit tremendously from growing up in our unique community. We are looking out for each other’s children, and helping them learn and mature. Raising children, done right, is hard. We all need help to do it right. Belonging to a community means we are not alone. The GSL community is here to support each other as we fulfill our mission to prepare boys and girls to become creative problem solvers, confident lifelong learners, and responsible citizens in their communities and the world.

And the benefits of being a Luker don’t stop at graduation. Our students will benefit for life from being part of this special community. Many lifelong friendships were born at GSL. Many alumni have sent their own children to GSL. Many former teachers, staff, administrators and board members have stayed connected and committed to GSL. And because we’ve been at this for 75 years now, our community is large. There are many stories of Lukers connecting with Lukers throughout their professional and personal lives.

The strength of our community is GSL’s greatest asset. But we can’t take it for granted. We must continue to nurture it. That means we must reach out to each other, especially to newer members of our community, and build friendships. Our teachers instruct our children not to leave anyone out – to seek out those who are feeling alone. That lesson goes for all of us – seek out those members of our community who are being left out. To be true to our values, which are informed by our Episcopal identity, we must make sure everyone feels like they belong here. Building these friendships, especially with those not in your regular group, will strengthen our community and benefit us all.

Paul Morris President, Board of Trustees

Sincerely,

Paul and Mary Morris at GSL’s 75th Celebration

WELCOME

New Saints on Staff

WE ARE PROUD TO INTRODUCE 18 NEW FACULTY & STAFF MEMBERS AT GSL THIS YEAR!

ELIZABETH BAYZIE

Lower School Innovation Lab, Science and Technology Teacher

Hometown: Germantown, Tenn.

Family: Husband John, our sons John Wyatt ’28 and James Dylan ’34, and Lenny, our retriever/ lab mix

First Job: Hostess at a restaurant

Favorite Children's Book: Pippi Longstocking by Astrid Lindgren

Favorite Movie: Harry Potter series

Favorite Band: Dave Matthews

Best Moment Since Joining GSL: I taught here before, so the best moment was getting welcomed back to GSL with kind words, cheery smiles, and open arms!

VICTORIA

BLACKWELL

Pre-Kindergarten Teacher (Playful Peacocks)

Hometown: Memphis

Family: Husband Nick, our son Isaac ’33 (a Terrific Tiger!), and a good dog named Jack

First Job: Babysitter

Favorite Children's Book: Homeless Bird by Gloria Whelan and The Empty Pot by Demi

Favorite Movie: The Nightmare Before Christmas

Favorite Band: Fall Out Boy

Best Moment Since Joining GSL: I have two moments I love! On my first day, I walked into Miss Lee's with my son and took him to his new classroom, one of my favorite things we get to do together. And at Back-to-School Night, I confidently spoke to my families about our classroom, our curriculum, and why I love being a teacher!

EMMA BOEHME

Little Lukers Assistant Teacher (Gifted Grizzlies)

Hometown: Houston

First Job: Intern at an art consultant firm

Favorite Children's Book: Le Petit

Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry

Favorite Movie: Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind

Favorite Band: I love anything Japanese Breakfast or Weyes Blood makes.

Funniest Moment Since Joining

GSL: Having a child dance fanatically while singing “Hound Dog” – she does this regularly, and it brightens my day every time!

JANELLE CALZIA School Nurse

Hometown: Fort Worth, Tex., but my father is a minister so we moved around a lot. My husband and children and I just moved here from the Nashville area, which has been home for the longest in my life!

Family: Husband Anthony who works at GSL Church as the Director of Children and Family Ministries and our children Ali ’28, Eli ’30, and Sophie ’31. We also have an 8-month-old chocolate lab named Mirabel (our family loves the movie Encanto).

First Job: Shaved ice stand – it was a lot of fun!

Favorite Children's Book: Old Turtle and the Broken Truth by Douglas Wood

Favorite Movie: Anything in the rom-com genre!

Favorite Song or Band: Anything by Lauren Daigle, Norah Jones, Colbie Callait, Adele...etc!

Best Moment Since Joining GSL: Attending the school picnic the night before we started at the school. It was so fun! My children and I felt so loved and welcomed.

REV. NOAH CAMPBELL

6th Grade Bible Teacher

Hometown: St. Louis

Family: Wife Allyson (GSL math teacher and basketball coach) and sons Leo ’17 and Felix ’18

First Job: Video store clerk

Favorite Children's Book: Mike Mulligan and His Steam Shovel by Virginia Lee Burton

Favorite Movie: The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou

Favorite Song or Band: “Go to Sleep” by The Avett Brothers

Funniest Moment Since Joining GSL: One student asked me why I wear a collar. Another student answered, "To remind us you're more important than the rest of us." Oh dear! Lol.

ELIZABETH BAYZIE

VICTORIA BLACKWELL

EMMA BOEHME

REV. NOAH CAMPBELL

JANELLE CALZIA

ANNA CHAHAL ’00

Lower School Art Teacher (SK and 2nd)

Hometown: Memphis (Midtown)

Family: Husband Sumeet Chahal, daughters Ayla ’31 and Gene ’33, and our dogs Dillinger (a shepherd coyote mix) and Bindhi (35 lbs. of pure Memphis street dog)

First Job: Errand girl at Hatley's Garage (now the location of Tamboli's Pizza)

Favorite Children's Book: Maybe by Kobi Yamada

Favorite Movie: Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark

Favorite Song or Band: Depending on my mood, “Paint it Black” by the Rolling Stones or “Watershed” by the Indigo Girls

Best Moment Since Joining GSL: It's hard to decide – being here is such a surreal treat for me. It’s like living in a time capsule of my fondest memories since this is where I spent my PK-8th grade years!

AMANDA COILE

Little Lukers Assistant Teacher (Cheerful Cheetahs)

Hometown: Nesbit, Miss.

Family: My husband, our beautiful daughter, and one fur baby

First Job: Apparel associate for Academy Sports + Outdoors

Favorite Children's Book: I Ain’t Gonna Paint No More! by Karen Beaumont

Favorite Movie: The Goonies

Favorite Song or Band: “Echo” (feat. Tauren Wells) by Elevation Worship

Best Moment Since Joining GSL: Getting to see all the kids enjoy All-School Chapel from Little Lukers to 8th grade – the experience for the Little Lukers was something you had to be there to see – they truly did an amazing job!

AMANDA HAMILTON

Senior Kindergarten Assistant Teacher (Witty Whales)

Hometown: Ortonville, Mich.

Family: My mom, stepdad, brother, sister, and my blue heeler Bleu

First Job: Hostess at Jim’s Place Grille

Favorite Children's Book: The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle

Favorite Movie: Alice in Wonderland

Favorite Song or Band: Pearl Jam

Best Moment Since Joining GSL: I wasn’t at school on my 22nd birthday but I received a Zoom call from the current 4th grade class, throwing a party for me in After School Care! It made my birthday so special to think the kids were thinking of me even when I was absent. I came back to cards that I still have to this day!

ANTONIO T. HINTON

Director of Auxiliary Programs

Hometown: Memphis

First Job: Cashier at Family Dollar

Favorite Children's Book: Hair Love by Matthew A. Cherry

Favorite Movie: Batman (1989)

Favorite Song: “My Hero” by the Foo Fighters

Best Moment Since Joining GSL: The 75th Anniversary Celebration party

ATHALIE HUTSON

Pre-Kindergarten Assistant Teacher (Ready Rabbits)

Hometown: Lebanon, Tenn.

Family: My two cats, Trudy and Carrot

First Job: Little Caesars

Favorite Children's Book: Last Stop on Market Street by Matt de la Peña

Favorite Song: “She Wants My Money” by Dominic Fike

Funniest Moment Since Joining GSL: Probably the day I fell UP the stairs, lol!

JESSICA MULLER

First Grade Teacher

Hometown: Memphis

Family: Husband Will, our son Nate ’31, and our twins Dex ’34 and Evie ’34

First Job: Receptionist at a hair salon

Favorite Children's Book: Charlotte’s Web by E.B. White

Favorite Movie: I love all the Marvel movies

Favorite Band: Red Hot Chili Peppers

Best Moment Since Joining GSL: Having the entire school present at the first Celebration Chapel! It was so awesome to see the whole community in the same place!

KATIE SEARLE

Fourth Grade Teacher

Hometown: St. Louis, but I was raised in Cape Town, South Africa (which is objectively MUCH cooler, so I claim that as home)

Family: I'm married to the wonderful Kevin Searle and we have a very fluffy, rambunctious goldendoodle named Margo. First Job: I'm the oldest girl of five siblings, so babysitting :)

Favorite Children's Book: I had a lot of favorites growing up, but The Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis stays a classic even as an adult.

Favorite Movie: About Time

Favorite Band: Coldplay

Best Moment Since Joining GSL: On Friday afternoons, each member of my class gets three attempts to land a free throw in my Brandon Clarke basketball hoop, all in an attempt to score themselves some extra Dojo Points. We cheer for each other, we celebrate each basket sunk, and sometimes we even softly chant, “Be like Ja Morant” (which definitely helps!). It's one of my favorite parts of the week!

AMANDA COILE

JESSICA MULLER

ANTONIO T. HINTON

AMANDA HAMILTON

KATIE SEARLE

ANNA CHAHAL ’00

ATHALIE HUTSON

KEVIN SEARLE

Associate Director of ACE: After School Care

Hometown: Mundelein, Ill.

Family: My lovely wife Katie

First Job: Groundskeeper for a suburban Chicago school district

Favorite Children's Book: House at Pooh Corner by A.A. Milne or any Calvin & Hobbes by Bill Waterston

Favorite Movie: The Apartment

Favorite Band: Chance the Rapper or Passenger or any singer/ songwriter from the ’60s

Best Moment Since Joining GSL: Walking around the French Quarter during the 6th Grade New Orleans trip and seeing otherwise "too cool for school" and fearless 6th graders hover close to me, knowing that they were out of their league amidst the true street life of New Orleans!

MARLENE SOTO

Little Lukers Teacher (Gifted Grizzlies)

Hometown: San Diego

Family: My mom, dad, younger brother, and my border collie mix, Dallas

First Job: Starbucks barista

Favorite Children's Book: I Like Myself! by Karen Beaumont

Favorite Movie: Any and all ’90s rom-coms

Favorite Song or Band: “Don't You (Forget About Me)” by Simple Minds Best Moment Since Joining GSL: When I finally finished decorating my classroom and welcomed all of my students on the first day of school. Our “Gwizzlies,” as my 2- and 3-year-old friends say!

ANDY

SURBER

Head of School

Hometown: Milledgeville, Ill.

Family: Wife Mary and our sons Keenan ’17 and Logan ’19

First Job: De-tasseling corn on farms all over Carroll County, Ill.

Favorite Children's Book: Charlotte’s Web by E.B. White

Favorite Movie: Back to the Future

Favorite Song: Anything by Al Green or with Memphis roots

Best Moment Since Joining GSL: Celebrating the profound history of this school at GSL’s 75th anniversary party.

KELSEY TUTEN

Pre-Kindergarten Assistant Teacher (Terrific Tigers)

Hometown: Huazhou, Guangdong

Family: Husband and a brand new baby boy

First Job: Yankee Candle Company

Favorite Children's Book: The Empty Pot by Demi

Favorite Movie: Legally Blonde

Favorite Band: Boston

Best Moment Since Joining GSL: Just being part of an amazing team.

KAT VINTON

Senior Kindergarten Assistant Teacher (Peppy Pandas)

Hometown: Memphis

Family: A cat named Freddie (after Freddie Mercury); I have also nannied for the past three years for the Balk family at GSL, who are essentially family to me.

First Job: Malco Paradiso

Favorite Children's Book: Bubba The Cowboy Prince: A Fractured Texas Tale by Helen Ketteman

Favorite Movie: The Lord of the Rings Trilogy

Favorite Band: Talking Heads

Best Moment Since Joining GSL: I love sitting and talking to my students or the Middle Schoolers that I coach – they keep me laughing and on my toes.

ROBERT WARD

Preschool Fun & Fitness Teacher

Hometown: Memphis

Family: My nephew Aiden Williams ’31 and goddaughter, McKenzie Dentley ’25

First Job: Target

Favorite Children's Book: If You Give a Mouse a Cookie by Laura Numeroff

Favorite Movie: The Parent Trap

Favorite Band: Mint Condition

Best Moment Since Joining GSL: Middle School class trips and the First Grade Hip Hop Celebrations

MARLENE SOTO

ANDY SURBER

KAT VINTON

KELSEY TUTEN

ROBERT WARD

KEVIN SEARLE

Three cheers for GSL: Senior Kindergarten teachers Abby Hensley, Kat Vinton, and Amanda Hamilton express their Saints spirit at the 75th Anniversary event.

CAMPUS LIFE

PRESCHOOL

Cookie Break

Pre-Kindergartners

Happy Birthday, GSL!

Students received commemorative stickers during the first week of school to celebrate GSL’s anniversary. The Pre-Kindergarten Terrific Tigers took a birthday photo, too! Front row, Jude Wells, Walter Goodman; middle row, Astrid Proveaux, Barrett Umiker, Genevieve Hinkle, May Adrian, Quay Dowdy; back row, Assistant Teacher Kelsey Tuten, Son Sights, Virginia Robinson, Isaac Blackwell,

PRESCHOOL

An Artist’s Life Little Luker Wolf Shelton creates a painting in the Zippy Zebras classroom.

Joshua Laizure and William Pontius sit down for snack time in the Ready Rabbits classroom.

and Teacher Blair Connor.

Pretty in Pink Junior Kindergartner Eliza Park practices writing letters of the alphabet.

Construction Zone

Junior Kindergartners Andrew Pishko and Thomas Bryndziar collaborate on a building project in the Lucky Llamas room.

1…2…3… Go, Saints! We had a busy fall at GSL with extra celebrations surrounding our 75th anniversary this year! The long-awaited return of the school picnic in September was extra exciting, thanks to some drone photography we implemented to commemorate our anniversary.

LOWER SCHOOL

LOWER SCHOOL

Made in the Shade

On really hot days, sometimes you even need a break from recess! From left, First Graders Lalin Tas and Maggie Maddox, Second Graders Andy Balk and Lukas Proveaux, and First Graders Will Riederer, Tia Sanford, Londyn Funzie, and Katherine Robinson.

Best Friends Forever

Two of these students are new to GSL, but you’d never know which! Sweet friendships form quickly but last long at GSL! From left, Peppy

Reading Workshop

He’s Got Their Number

I-Lab Collab

Third Graders Alison Morris and Michael Scullark work together on a sound vibration experiment in the Innovation Lab.

Second Graders are ready to scramble around Athletic Director Rick Kohlhof as he prepares to call the next number during the clump game − a favorite P.E. activity.

Panda Senior Kindergartners Ayla Chahal, Mica Lanfranco, Katherine Cobb Schneider, Ivy Aleman, and Maren Lamanna.

Head of School Dr. Surber pays a visit to Fourth Grade Teacher Jane Williams’ room as she leads a small group discussion of a guided reading book with Ella Grace Billings, Isabella Fundo, Jonathan Young, and Elizabeth Robinson.

MIDDLE SCHOOL

MIDDLE SCHOOL

Artists at Work

Fifth Graders Cameron Gibbs and Sebi Sacoto enjoy the fall weather as they practice newly-developed contour drawing skills for their arts block class.

Becoming Crystal Clear Science Teacher Julie Binder explains the water cycle and how water is naturally purified on Earth, as Sixth Graders Deklin Fundo, Matheo Ibled, and Morgan Lambert create their own mini-filtration systems in the lab.

THE KVANDE CLASSROOMS

Leaders in the Making

Ten

Middle School students ran for elected offices in student government this fall. All are serving on the Student Council, either as officers or representatives for the class. Front row, Sixth Graders Ellie Barksdale and Scarlet Malone and Seventh Graders Lucian Hanson, Edward Scrugham, Emerson Callahan, and Lucy Unglesby; back row, Eighth Graders J.W. Curry, Andrew Strickland, Anna Ratton, and Joan Terhune.

GSL celebrated Former Head of School Thor Kvande for his 18 years of service to the school during the final Celebration Chapel on Friday, May 13. Preschool students sang GSL’s Preschool song, Lower School students shared what they have learned from the Formative Five traits, and Middle School theater students sang a beautiful song from Once On This Island Jr. with adapted lyrics about GSL written by Performing Arts Teacher Leslie Reddick and MishMash Medley cast members.

In addition to other gifts, Mr. Kvande learned that the two newest Middle School classrooms were officially being renamed “The Kvande Classrooms” in honor of his hard work to secure this space. He was given a mini-replica of the plaques that now hang outside these classrooms.

Fun at the Field Eighth Graders Martha Mitchell (left) and Margaret Fore (right) with Seventh Graders Zoey High, Corinne Richardson, Poppy Schnacke, and Sarah Jordan Houseal at the annual All-School Picnic in September.

Getting to Know Head of School Dr. Andy Surber

By Brenda Berry

With a year of celebration at GSL comes what some are calling a homecoming for Dr. Andy Surber, who started as GSL’s new Head of School in July. Surber served as GSL’s Head of Lower School from 2009-2013, and he is thrilled to return to the school he continued to love for nine years while working at Laguna Blanca School in California. I recently sat down with Dr. Surber to learn how things are going in his new role, what he loves about GSL, and what he has planned for the future. (And pizza. I learned a lot about pizza. More to come on that…)

Education's Early Impact

Growing up in a rural farm town in Illinois, life for Surber was always tied to his school. It’s like a scene from a movie: Friday night football games, close friendships with the same classmates for more than 13 years, and attending the school’s musicals, games, and gatherings. And then it was time for him to decide what’s next in life. The obvious answer for Surber? Education.

“My entire childhood and social life revolved around school,” he says. “When I think back, I can honestly say that I truly enjoyed all of my time in school growing up.”

In college, Surber pursued a degree in education. In the summer months, he worked at Camp Emmaus, a church camp in Illinois. These experiences reaffirmed that he was on the right path in life.

“Working at a church camp allowed me to see educators and other adults who really cared about youth formation,” he says. “I was inspired by how they truly engaged with children and encouraged them to embrace their talents and creativity. I knew that was what I wanted to do with my life.”

That’s not his only transformative experience from college. He also met his wife Mary. As Surber explains, they had many classes together, as both were pursuing child development majors. Throughout their college years, Andy and Mary shared their time and talents by volunteering in schools and after-school programs.

After college, Surber did his student teaching in a first grade classroom. Next, he taught third grade for about nine years. In addition to spending many years coaching football, basketball, and track and field, Surber held roles such as middle school tech coordinator, assistant head of middle school, and interim head of middle school.

Then, in 2009, former GSL Headmaster Tom Beazley recruited Surber to Grace-St. Luke’s to be the Head of Lower School. He, along with Mary and their sons Keenan ’17 and Logan ’19, came to Memphis and quickly embraced GSL as their home. Though Surber left GSL in 2013 to accept a position at Laguna Blanca School in California, he always held on to hope that he would one day return.

“In the nine years that I was working in California, I always kept up with GSL,” he says. “I loved my time at GSL as the Head of Lower School. Our boys had four incredible years here, and I felt that it would be a dream to one day return should the right position become available.”

And in the fall of 2021, it did.

“A few of my Memphis-based friends reached out to me when the Head of School position was posted,” Surber says. “They wanted to make sure it was on my radar. My friends knew how much I loved GSL and Memphis, and when the position was open, I decided it was worth it to see if my talents were aligned with what the school needed in its next leader.”

The Surber Family: Mary, Andy, Keenan ’17 and Logan ’19

You’re the New Head of School. Now What?

Taking on the role of Head of School requires a lot of time, energy, and learning. For Surber, having previous experience at GSL is a bonus, but he doesn’t assume that things are the same after nine years.

“It certainly helps that I spent four years working at Grace-St. Luke’s, but as with any school, I know GSL has changed and grown over the years,” says Surber. “I continue to focus on remaining open-minded to learn about GSL today.”

Surber said five characteristics have stood out to him since becoming Head of School:

• The incredibly dedicated and professional faculty and staff

• The joyous, engaged students

• How so many former families and alumni hold GSL close to their hearts

• The collective sense of hope from all stakeholders

• The importance of our Episcopal identity and the connection between the school and church

As Surber continues to learn and lead in his first year, he isn’t interested in change for the sake of change. He is digging deep, having conversations, and listening to what the community has to say. One way Surber is doing this is through what he has named his

“Listening Tour.” As of the publication of this issue, Surber has met with more than 100 constituents, asking the same five questions in each conversation:

What’s your favorite restaurant in Memphis?

Who has the best barbecue in Memphis?

What is the best thing about GSL? What does good teaching mean to you?

Is there anything you want to share with me about GSL?

“I wanted to start building relationships with people, and in a unique way, food unites us all,” Surber says. “These conversations are also helping me identify the positive attributes of GSL that we all appreciate. They are also helping me identify the strengths of the school as well as the things that need more attention.”

Through his Listening Tours, meetings, and conversations, Surber has witnessed firsthand why GSL’s community continues to be its most special characteristic.

“GSL is rooted in strong relationships,” Surber says. “The community spirit is alive and well, and I am excited to build on that this year and in the years to come. I am so impressed with the faculty and staff, and together we are

going to enhance the academic experience, re-establish our closeknit community with COVID somewhat behind us, better connect our divisions, and position Grace-St. Luke’s as the school of choice in Memphis.”

Perhaps most importantly, Surber made it clear that he wants to be a leader who honors the past while keeping an eye on the future.

“I want to be a change agent with intention,” he says. “This year, I am focusing on relationship building. Working alongside the leadership team, faculty, and staff, and with the support of the Board of Trustees, I am committed to making sure students are at the core of our decision-making in all that we do.”

Surber is also fully embracing GSL’s Episcopal identity and its call to respect the dignity of every human being. “This is foundational to our work and this community,” he says. “It is critical that we make sure every child feels a true sense of belonging at GSL. That, paired with a commitment to meeting the learning needs of each individual student, is what will continue to make Grace-St. Luke’s stand out from other schools, and I am honored to be a part of our great work.”

So…What About Pizza?

With his trademark bowties, unique socks, and love of food, Surber brings a fun, energetic personality to Grace-St. Luke’s.

So, not surprisingly, when asked to share something about himself that no one knows, he didn’t share anything about a special adventure or hidden talent. Instead, he talked about his pizza research project.

“When I was in Santa Barbara, I was doing pizza research just for fun,” he says. “My goal was to have a slice of Neapolitan pizza from every pizza place in the area. With each slice, I would rate its performance in areas like quality of ingredients, presentation appeal, and flavor. The data would ultimately determine which pizza place had the best Neapolitan pizza offering.”

Unfortunately, COVID interrupted his research, and he left California with the project incomplete. So the next time you’re at a local restaurant or pizza joint, don’t be surprised if you see him there. And if he’s eating pizza with an unusually intense focus, he’s probably just continuing his “just-for-fun” pizza project.

What does his pizza research project have to do with his role as Head of School? Nothing! But it does illustrate how committed and passionate he is about things he loves.

“I love restaurants like I love schools,” he says. “Both provide fun, energetic environments where you get to know people in meaningful ways.”

Just as he dug into what makes the best pizza, Surber is eager to examine the academic experience at GSL, and to dig deep into what it takes to elevate that experience to ensure academic excellence from preschool through eighth grade.

Everyone Loves a Laugh

The story of Dr. Surber wouldn’t be complete without sharing his "joke of the day" tradition, which started during lunch back when he was GSL’s Head of Lower School.

“I can’t recall the details, but something funny happened, so I shared it with students,” he says. “After that, I started telling a joke every week at lunch. This year, it’s been fun to continue this tradition by sharing a joke or two with all students on Fridays during Celebration Chapel.

“The best part is that students know that if the joke is great, awful, or somewhere in-between, there is only one acceptable response: a collective, single ‘HA.’”

You can’t help but smile on Friday mornings when you hear the giggles after Surber’s joke of the day. Just one piece of advice, Dr. Surber: Leave the dad jokes at home.

One, two, three: “HA!”

Message from the 2022-23 Celebrating 75 Years Annual Fund Co-Chairs

Dear GSL Community, As we celebrate the 75th anniversary of Grace-St. Luke’s Episcopal School, it’s natural to take a walk down memory lane and think about some of your favorite times at GSL. Capturing your child’s photo at the anchor on the first day of school. Class trips. Donkey basketball. Ringing the birthday bell at Miss Lee’s. Watching the Anchor Center construction. First grade hip-hop performances. Eighth grade internships. Pep rallies. Celebration Chapel. The tunnel of students after a basketball game. Riding in the Bullet. Meeting a lifelong friend. The list goes on and on… While everyone has different memories of GSL, one thing is the same for us all: We discovered a community where our family, children, grandchildren, friends, neighbors, and classmates all belong. Not despite our differences, but rather because of them. That’s what makes Grace-St. Luke’s so special. People are celebrated, respected, and valued for their unique contributions to our school.

For 75 years, GSL has provided students with a strong academic foundation, exposure to the arts and athletics, and opportunities to participate in a variety of other extracurricular activities. We are grateful to Founding Headmistress Mrs. Lorena Webber Walker for starting this school that has become an anchor to us all as well as the Memphis community. As we proudly celebrate the first 75 years of Grace-St. Luke’s Episcopal School, we are also committed to paving the way for the next 75 years with our largest-ever annual fund goal of $750,000. We hope you will join us in reaching this goal with a gift to this year’s Celebrating 75 Years Annual Fund. For your convenience, you may send in your donation using the envelope inserted into this magazine. You may also make a one-time, or recurring, gift online at gslschool.org/give. Pledges are also appreciated and may be submitted online or via the donation envelope. To commemorate this milestone year, consider giving in honor or memory of your favorite GSL experience or teacher. Or, perhaps you want to give a gift to support the continued growth of our academic program. Whatever inspires you to give, please know that each and every gift is deeply appreciated and will help ensure that GSL remains an anchor to you and our community for another 75+ years. Thank you for choosing, supporting, and being a cherished part of GSL.

In celebration, Jenn & Ryan Gibbs Annual Fund Co-Chairs Parents of Cameron ’26 & Brennan ’28

Lauren & Justin Taylor ’92 Annual Fund Co-Chairs Parents of Maggie ’22 & Parker ’25

Grace-St. Luke's Episcopal School | 246 S. Belvedere Blvd. | Memphis, TN 38104 | gslschool.org | 901.278.0200

Meet the Chairs

JENN AND RYAN GIBBS

Jenn and Ryan Gibbs, parents of Cameron ’26 and Brennan ’28, have been GSL parents since 2014.

Originally from just outside Philadelphia, high school sweethearts Jenn and Ryan lived in Washington D.C. for six years before choosing Memphis in 2012 as their home. Jenn attended University of Delaware for her undergraduate degree, then earned a Master’s in Education degree from West Chester University in secondary school counseling. While in D.C., she worked as a school counselor for the area’s independent schools. Ryan obtained his undergraduate degree from — and played college soccer at — University of Virginia. He then earned his J.D. and M.B.A. from Villanova University. Today, he is a partner at Gerber Taylor in Memphis.

The Gibbs family loves to travel and explore new places. They also enjoy playing and watching sports, especially soccer. Jenn and Ryan are active members of Grace-St. Luke’s Episcopal Church and are involved with many local organizations, including MIFA, Dorothy Day House, and ArtsMemphis. Ryan served on GSL’s Board of Trustees from 2015-2021. He is currently the chair of the KIPP Memphis Board of Trustees. Jenn has served the GSL community for years and has held a variety of roles with our Parents’ Association, including room parent, spirit wear chair, and her current role, Lower School Vice President.

AND JUSTIN TAYLOR ’92

Lauren and Justin Taylor ’92 are the parents of Maggie ’22 (a freshman at St. Mary’s Episcopal School) and Parker ’25 and have been GSL parents since 2012.

Justin is a native Memphian who attended GSL from kindergarten through ninth grade (still in place at GSL at that time). Lauren grew up on Long Island (N.Y.) and in Vermont. The two met in college, when they participated in the Sea Education Association (SEA) oceanfocused study abroad program, sailing from Woods Hole, Mass. to St. Croix. After SEA, the two lived and worked in the Santa Elena Cloud Forest Reserve in Costa Rica. They received undergraduate degrees from Lewis & Clark College (Justin) and Smith College (Lauren). Lauren completed the University of Pennsylvania’s Executive Program in Social Impact Strategy and is currently finishing Penn’s M.S. in Nonprofit Leadership.

After graduating from college, the couple settled down in Memphis. Justin’s business, Finishing Memphis, specializes in custom finishes including Italian plasters, faux finishes, and mural work. Additionally, he has owned and operated the Mid-South Maze, the corn maze at the Agricenter, since its inception in 2001. Lauren is Vice President of Programs and Learning at the Hyde Family Foundation, where she has worked since 2005.

The Taylor family travels as much as possible, and loves to visit state and national parks, snow ski, hike, watch/play basketball, and try new restaurants. Lauren currently serves on GSL’s Board of Trustees, the City Parks Alliance Board of Directors, and First Horizon Bank’s CRA Corporate Advisory Board. She was a founding board member of the Overton Park Conservancy and the Memphis Farmers Market. Justin has coached GSL girls and boys basketball and baseball/softball since 2005.

Sidenote: Just how important is GSL to Justin? When Lauren and Justin first met in college, he raved about GSL — his friends, teachers, the entire community! When Lauren visited Memphis for the first time, GSL was one of the first places Justin wanted to show her. Their children were, undoubtedly, destined to be Lukers for Life.

LAUREN

Anchor

Carlos Clardy ’92 and Will Hudson ’92

Julie Binder, Ashley High, and Lauren Scrugham ’92

Partygoers enjoy looking through old yearbooks, news clippings, and other memorabilia in the Anchor Library during the event.

Happy75th,

GSL!

Crowd Gathers for Anniversary Event

By Marci Woodmansee ’83

Members of the Grace-St. Luke’s Episcopal School community – past and present – gathered on campus in August for a festive event that served as both reunion and celebration of the school’s founding in 1947. Some 600 attendees from 14 states came together to commemorate this special milestone. Lemaster Avenue was blocked off street-party style and strung with lights for the event, which featured music by the local band Shufflegrit, a beer garden, and the school’s iconic, red-and-white Bullet bus serving as a photo booth. (See related Bullet story, page 22.)

Flanked by Grace-St. Luke’s Episcopal Church on the west and the school’s Anchor Center multi-purpose building on the east, young and old alumni mingled with parents, grandparents, and former teachers to share memories of GSL and enjoy reconnecting with former classmates. A wide range of memorabilia items – including yearbooks, press clippings, photos, a vintage letter jacket, and ’70s and ’80s cheerleading uniforms – were on display in the school’s Anchor Center Library, while class composites dating back to the 1970s were available for viewing in the building’s Alumni Lobby.

Attendees also had the chance to tour the church to reminisce about school

chapel services. Many also took the opportunity to revisit the Middle School activities building and Saints Gym in Morton Hall, where all P.E. classes, pep rallies, and home volleyball and basketball games were held from 1970-2010.

The mood at the party was jubilant and attendees were all smiles, with the commonly overheard refrain being, “We should do this every year!”

The school received proclamations from the offices of both City of Memphis Mayor Jim Strickland and Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris commemorating August 20 as “Grace-St. Luke’s Episcopal School 75th Anniversary Celebration Day.” Event remarks included a reading of the mayoral proclamation by the Rev. Ollie V. Rencher, Rector of Grace-St. Luke’s Church; a welcome from GSL’s new Head of School Dr. Andy Surber; and comments from Honorary Event Chair and former longtime faculty member Nick Scully. Themes of community, connection, and engagement were shared, and enthusiastic attendees made their love and appreciation for GSL abundantly clear.

“We are grateful for our history on this beautiful corner of Central Gardens, and excited about what the future holds for GSL!” Surber said.

Kim Caldwell and Tom Beazley

All the Ways We Love GSL

Testimonials and Comments from Event Attendees

“Katie and I had a blast. I hadn't been in the old Middle School in over a decade, and it’s shocking how powerfully the smell of a place can trigger so many memories. I was very wistful walking through the gym, snack bar, stairwells, recounting stories to my wife. I remember how when I arrived from Mississippi I thought GSL was the most urban, sophisticated place I'd ever seen – complete with elevators AND a science lab – and lots of wonderful teachers and smart students. That school meant the world to me and remains such an important part of my education.”

- Marshall Bartlett ’03

"I came to see all the teachers and my friends. I love that all of my favorite teachers showed up and EVERY SINGLE ONE REMEMBERED ME. That means something.”

- Hannah Meacham ’12

“I thought the party was such a special event – the atmosphere was awesome, and it was so nice to see so many people there. Thank you again! This is just another great reminder of why our family and many others are so happy to be a part of the GSL community.”

- Ben Barksdale,

GSL Parent & Board of Trustees Vice-President

“I thought the 75th reunion celebration was a huge success! I got to see a lot of old friends. It was a great idea to block off the street. It went beyond my expectations. Keep up the good work.”

- Kenny Jabbour ’79

"Wowzer! The 75th reunion was an amazing event! Reconnecting with past staff & classmates was a joyous homecoming celebration indeed."

- Loyd Foner ’79

"What other elementary school in Memphis can throw down like GSL and get 600+ people to show up? Not a single one. GSL rocks!"

- Abby Huber ’10

"It was great seeing so many generations mingling, all with GSL as the common thread."

- Daniel Fundo, GSL Parent & Director of Finance & Operations

"The thing I heard most often at the event was 'GSL is my home, and will always be my home.' This is proof that there is no place like GSL."

- Ellen Hendry

GSL Grandparent, Alumni Parent & Head of Middle School

Price Smith Peacock ’03, Ainsley Ayres Beasley ’03, and Kirkland Bible; Nick Scully;

Honorary Event Chair Nick Scully,

Chris and Gina Roberts, Kathleen Behnke, Nina Callan, Jeni and Jamie Linkous, Courtney and Charlie Ciaramitaro

Amy Deshaies Sharp ’85 and Robert Sharp, Janey and George Newton ’80;

Matt Morice, Cindy Brewer, Kevin Brewer, Kelly Morice, Andrew and Cynthia Saatkamp, and Anna McQuiston ’85

Carey Pontius, Teresa Sweeney, x, Sally Clark ’10, McKenna Kohlhof ’10, and Abby Huber ’10

Morgan and Wil Slatery

SPECIAL SPONSORS CONTRIBUTE TO 75TH SPIRIT

DILLARD DOOR SPONSORS BEER GARDEN AT 75TH CELEBRATION

Dillard Door President and GSL Alumni Parent

Chris Bird was excited to see Grace-St. Luke’s celebrating its 75th anniversary. After all, his company, Dillard Door, is also celebrating 75 years! Bird reached out to GSL in the spring to learn how Dillard Door could help in this year of celebration.

At the 75th Anniversary Celebration on August 20, GSL was proud to offer guests access to a Beer Garden, sponsored by Dillard Door. The Beer Garden was located on the Lemaster Playground and featured yard games, comfortable outdoor seating, and lots of space for guests to mingle!

About Dillard Door

First established as a door company in the 1940s, Dillard Door has grown into one of the most successful security system providers in Tennessee today. With a reputation for integrity, reliability and ingenuity, Dillard Door helps companies develop complete security solutions, installing everything from entrance gates to security cameras to complete Access Control Systems, allowing companies to focus on running their businesses.

Learn more about Dillard Door at dillarddoor.com, or by calling 901-775-2143.

CLAY SMYTHE ’ 82 HONORS TEACHER WITH PHOTO BOOTH SPONSORSHIP

We are grateful to GSL alumnus Clay Smythe ’82 for sponsoring one of the 75th event’s most popular attractions – our Bullet bus photo booth – in memory of a special former GSL teacher, Gladys Q. Griffin (pictured here). Señora Griffin was a beloved Spanish, Bible, & Art Instructor at GSL from 1975-1981. Griffin passed away in 2020, and her obituary tribute described her in a way that would resonate with her former GSL students: “Her personality was one-of-a-kind, and if you met her, you would never forget her.”

Memorializing a past teacher was perfectly in keeping with the spirit of the 75th Celebration. Many thanks to Clay (our 1982 Student Council President, Athlete of the Year, and “Mr. GSL”) for these special contributions to the school’s 75th Anniversary.

Unexpected Surprise

About a month before GSL’s 75th anniversary event, Clay Smythe ’82 reached out with a generous offer. He had designed a retro pinstripe, red-and-white baseball jersey, with “Saints” in old-school script on the front and “75” on the back – mimicking the 1970s GSL uniforms. He wanted to donate 100 of these shirts for GSL to sell the night of the event as a spirit-building fundraising item.

Then, post-pandemic reality set in: Supply chain issues meant the shirts could not be produced in time to reach Memphis by the event date.

But in September, the sample jersey finally arrived! Smythe promptly gifted it to the school for our permanent archives. New Head of School Andy Surber was excited to try it on, and even sported the shirt during our annual All-School Picnic in September, when we celebrated the 75th as a school community.

Important Moments in GSL’s History

Latin Club field trip to Gatlinburg, Tenn., 1976

Fall 1976 Boys Soccer Team on the roof of a previously existing Lemaster bungalow.

Early school classroom in one of the basement floor rooms at GraceSt. Luke’s Church, probably third grade, approximately 1958-59.

Acolytes and students assemble for the dedication of the new Day School Building, 1960.

School assembly on the steps of Grace-St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, circa 1958-59, featuring Father Richard MacDonald (upper left) and school founder Lorena Webber Walker (end of fifth row, far right).

Although GSL's official founding year is 1947, the school’s earliest origins on this site in the heart of Midtown’s beautiful and historic Central Gardens neighborhood actually date back to 1919. That year, the Rev. Bartow B. Ramage, rector of St. Luke's Church, began a small parochial school for the neighborhood in the red clapboard parish house adjacent to the church, on the present site of Trezevant Hall. His wife was the teacher, and their daughter joined them on staff in 1923. But after Rev. Ramage's retirement the following year, the school closed in 1924.

Years passed and in 1940, Grace Church merged with St. Luke's to create Grace-St. Luke's Episcopal Church, which celebrated its first service that year on Thanksgiving Day. In 1947, former St. Mary’s kindergarten teacher Lorena Webber Walker approached the Reverend Dr. Charles Stuart Hale, the second rector of the newly-merged church, to see if she could rent space to begin operating a kindergarten. A scholarly man himself and firm believer in the importance of a Christian education, he agreed.

From humble beginnings in the church’s Parish Hall, a thriving day school was formed. Grades were added each year, and the school was issued its first charter in 1959, with groundbreaking on a new Primary Building. The school expanded and grew, adding Morton Hall (1971) for Middle School and above, and Bratton Hall (1973) for senior kindergarten through grade five. By the mid-1970s, GSL

was graduating several high school classes. But space constraints led the school to right-size into a kindergarten through ninth-grade configuration in 1979, allowing GSL to focus on developing students in preschool through middle school. This ultimately evolved into the two-year-old to eighth-grade model the school enjoys today.

Major improvements over the years included the acquisition of Snowden Field (1986), which helped raise the level of the school's Middle School athletic offerings, and the purchase of Miss Lee’s School of Childhood, which was founded in 1924 but had closed in 1986. GSL’s reopening of Miss Lee’s in 1987 allowed the school to expand its preschool offerings. In 1990, the church and school collaborated to link the church, the school administrative offices, the middle school, and the Saints Gym via an addition known as the Evans Building. In 2010, the Anchor Center opened on Lemaster between Linden and Peabody, across from Morton Hall and the Church, and featured a new gym, cafeteria, library, music and art rooms, science labs, dedicated space for After School Care, and a greenhouse. In 2013, the Little Lukers program was added, expanding the preschool program to include two-year-old children. GSL was one of the first schools in Memphis to add such a program.

We are thriving today, excited about the future, and proud of our history on this beautiful corner in Central Gardens!

Beloved Bullet Finds New Home

By Denise DuBois Taylor

If only wheels could talk, what stories GSL’s legendary red-and-white Bullet bus could tell! From long trips and misadventures to neighborhood jaunts, the Bullet faithfully served GSL students for 39 years. (Is that something like 273 in bus years?) But what does one do with an ancient and really big machine that everyone loves, but that no longer rolls quite as well as it did? This was the quandary facing school administrators, many of whom had been passengers on the old gal themselves. This decision was as sentimental as it was problematic.

“I know how it got its name,” explained Marilyn Kidd, GSL’s equally faithful Bookkeeper of 43 (human) years. “Coaches Nick Scully and Rick Kohlhof used to drive it pretty fast, and the teams on board would say, ‘We’re driving like a bullet!’, so it was actually named by the students.”

In addition to the usual brief excursions from the school campus to Snowden Field, the Bullet made some longer

on several trips to Mississippi, but she remembers one trip,

“I hosted the fifth grade class at my home in Hardeman County,” Glueck recalls. “Some of the parents came along in their own cars. Of course, I drove the Bullet with all the kids. My pet lab came, too! We had a picnic and a day full of fun, but there was a school dance that night, so we packed up in the afternoon. I loaded the students back onto the bus – but it wouldn’t start. And all the parents had already gone. My niece worked for a Ford dealership in Boliver that supplied a couple of vans, but it took about two hours, and we still had an hour-and-a-half drive to Memphis. We barely made it back in time for that dance!”

And as the Bullet aged, dear thing, it was prone to increasingly frequent breakdowns. This led to several “face lifts” – new paint, which, sadly (to some), also removed some popular graffiti – and a new engine.

Still, it was time for this loyal Luker to graduate, and it has now, literally, been put out to pasture. Home Places Pastures, to be exact.

Marshall Bartlett ’03 accepted the request to keep the beloved Bullet in the family. A Dartmouth grad with a degree in environmental studies and anthropology, Bartlett came back from college to his home in Como, Miss., and repurposed the five-generation family crop farm into an environmentally sustainable, free-range livestock operation that includes a USDA-processing facility, retail outlet, restaurant, special events, and monthly farm tours.

“I rode on the Bullet many times when I was on the football team,” he said. “Fond memories. I’ll use it for farm tours primarily, but I have some other ideas as well. I love that I can give the Bullet a purposeful semi-retirement –and my fellow Lukers can come down for a literal drive down memory lane.”

Editor’s Note: Saints of a certain age believe this Bullet that was just retired is actually the second Bullet, and that the previous red-and-white bus acquired in the late ’70s was the first to (unofficially) earn the Bullet moniker. We'll have to wait and see if our remaining red-and-white school bus will eventually be deemed Bullet 3!

Marshall Bartlett at the wheel of the Bullet in its new home in Como, Miss.

Ellen Hendry and Margaret McLean

Mary Jones, Sherry Emerson, Stan Jones, Tess Emerson ’14, William Franklin, and Kendall Jones Franklin ’04

Lorie and Porter Cavette '79

Director of Technology and Shufflegrit guitar player Jeff White sported a vintage GSL basketball jersey while playing the show.

Chris McComic ’81 and Amy Amonette Huber ’81

Patrick Whitlock ’92, Carlos Clardy ’92, Libby Shannon, and Justin Taylor ’92

Wallace Ann Sorrells ’07 and Dub Sorrells ’11

Tiffany Shelton, Shonda Sargent, and Jeanna Johnson

Libby Drake Lancaster ’78 and Carol Lawson Clark ’79

Katherine Vergos Riederer, Anna Vergos Blair, and David Upton ’80

Carson Claybrook ’96 and Brad Trotter

Simone Meeks and Bill and Caroline Willson Doug and Marti McCloud

THE IMPACT OF READING Discovering Joy in Reading Led One Student to Give Back

By Bianca Divito-Brown, Communications Intern

With GSL’s strong emphasis on books and early literacy, it is common for students here to find joy in reading. What is unique is that fifth grader Joseph Howard has taken the joy he’s found in reading and transformed it into a giving opportunity.

Joseph, age 10, has been a part of the GSL community since he was a Little Luker. He loves everything about GSL and hopes to stay all the way through 8th grade. His favorite thing about the school? The library.

“The library provides a quiet and relaxing place to read and work,” Joseph says. “And, it has most of my favorite books – long, nonfiction.”

Like other students at GSL, in first grade Joseph started participating in Accelerated Reading (AR), a program at GSL and other schools that rewards students with points and awards for their reading accomplishments.

With time and help from Director of Library Services Jan Willis, Joseph started to get better and faster at reading. Mr. Willis taught him that reading could be fun and exciting. Eventually, he was able to read up to five books a month. Year after year he has racked up AR points, winning awards two years in a row.

Joseph felt a great sense of accomplishment and pride after winning these awards. The pure enjoyment of his favorite hobby got him thinking that other students should enjoy the same feeling.

How did this translate into giving back? It started with a plan.

Joseph wanted to honor Mr. Willis for helping him discover his love of reading. After talking with his parents, he decided to create his own special award for Mr. Willis. And with the help of his parents, he constructed a plan to support the library in a very unique way.

“My parents and I decided that I would earn $1 for every AR point,” Joseph says. “Then, twice a year, I would take that money and donate it to the library.”

Since May 2021, Joseph has earned a total of 387.70 AR points and has donated $387.70 to the library.

“We are very proud of Joseph’s commitment to reading and to giving back,” says Arleen Hill, Joseph’s mom. “He is learning a great lesson about philanthropy, in that it isn’t about the size of a gift, but rather the spirit of giving that is most important.”

“In my 41 years as a librarian, I have never had a student donate like this,” says Mr. Willis. “That’s just Joseph. He always immediately thinks about others.”

It’s a true win-win situation. The library receives thoughtful donations, and Joseph sees the impact of his gifts.

“Joseph’s donations have allowed us to purchase so many new books in different genres,” Willis says. “Students come and check them out all the time.”

Joseph, in his shy yet confident way, exudes a sense of pride knowing that he is helping to make a difference.

“It feels good to know that I am helping the library get new books all the time,” Joseph says. “I hope my donations help other students learn to love reading like I have.”

In May 2021, Joseph Howard showed his appreciation for Mr. Willis by presenting him with this custom award.

Joseph Howard presented his second donation to Director of Library Services Jan Willis and Director of Advancement Brenda Berry last December.

It feels good to know that I am helping the library get new books all the time,” Joseph says. “I hope my donations help other students learn to love reading like I have.”

“

What Is Accelerated Reader?

2021-22 ANNUAL FUND RECAP

By Brenda Berry

2021-22 Better Together Annual Fund Yields

$361,530

for GSL

Last school year, as GSL worked to find that delicate balance between the “6-feet-apart COVID days” and a new normal, our community came together and helped the school exceed its $350,000 fundraising goal for the year, donating $361,530.

Accelerated Reader (AR) is a program that helps teachers and librarians monitor children’s independent reading practice. Students pick books at their own level and read at their own pace. When finished they take a short quiz on the computer. (Passing the quiz is an indication that the student understood what was read.) AR provides feedback based on the quiz results, which the teacher and librarian can use to help set goals and direct ongoing reading practice.

By choosing their own books to read, rather than having books assigned to them, children often find reading a much more enjoyable experience, as they can choose books that fit their unique interests.

AR, which starts in First Grade at GSL, is a nice complement to the Lower School’s robust Fountas and Pinnell language arts curriculum.

What Are AR Points?

Every book that has an Accelerated Reader Reading Practice Quiz has a point value based on the difficulty and length of the book. Students earn points, or a portion of a book’s points, depending on how well they do on the Reading Practice Quiz.

Students at GSL look forward to the final Celebration in May, when Mr. Willis recognizes the top readers with the highest point totals for the year.

Source: https://www.renaissance. com/2016/09/09/parents-guiderenaissance-accelerated-reader-360/

Of this amount, GSL received $245,680 in unrestricted gifts, which supports things like faculty and staff compensation, academic program materials, and other operating needs. A total of $115,850 was given as restricted, or designated, gifts. Specifically, $60,000 was raised to fund the new Head of School search, $49,465 was donated to the Scholarship Endowment Fund, $5,000 was given to financial aid, and $1,385 was donated to the library. (See opposite page for a special story about one student’s gifts to the library.)

This success is thanks to our many wonderful donors! A special thank you is also extended to the 2021-22 Annual Fund Co-Chairs Kathleen & Schorr Behnke and Jenn & Ryan Gibbs. In the first year of having two families serve as co-chairs, they proved that GSL is, and always will be, Better Together!

A LOOK AT WHO GAVE TO THE 2021-22 BETTER TOGETHER ANNUAL FUND

CURRENT PARENTS

BOARD OF TRUSTEES

2021-22 GRACE-ST. LUKE’S GIVING REPORT

This report reflects cumulative gifts made by donors to Grace-St. Luke’s from August 1, 2021 through July 31, 2022. Any gifts received after July 31, 2022 will be acknowledged in the 2022-23 Giving Report. Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of this listing. If any errors or omissions are discovered, please email Director of Advancement Brenda Berry at bberry@gslschool.org. Our sincere appreciation is extended to the donors on the following pages.

What’s a Lead Donor?

A Lead Donor is any individual or family who donates $500 or more to GSL each school year (August 1 - July 31). A Lead Donor Party is held each year to celebrate and thank all Lead Donors for their role in helping GSL raise money during the previous school year. You can become a GSL Lead Donor today by submitting your gift or pledge of $500 or more!

Our Saints spirit has been going strong for many years! GSL’s junior high cheerleading squad of 1976 pictured here in the Saints Gym. Members were Heather Dunn, Elizabeth Haynes, Cathy Calandruccio, Ginger Menzies, Amy Lawrie, Christine Haynes, Laurie Hall, and Captain Dara Patterson.

LEAD DONORS

BISHOP’S ALLIANCE A gift of $5,000 or more

Mr. & Mrs. Robert N. Adrian, Jr.

Mr. & Mrs. Benjamin Barksdale

Dr. & Mrs. Schorr Behnke

The Callahans Community Foundation of Greater Memphis

Meg & Scott Crosby

Doug & Kristen Duncan Jennifer & Ryan Gibbs Melanee Hannock & Teresa Sweeney Drs. James & Ann Jarratt

TRUSTEE’S CIRCLE A gift of $2,500-$4,999

Rusty & Jamie Bell

Dr. & Mrs. Bill Burgess Kirby & Glenn Floyd Mr. & Mrs. William A. Hudson

Liz & Kevin Keough Eric & Kelly Martin Karen Y. McLaren Simone & Logan Meeks

HEADMASTER’S GUILD A gift of $1,000-$2,499

Anonymous

Mr. & Mrs. Scott S. Adams

Mr. & Mrs. Thomas E. Adams, Jr.

Patrick & Lauri Balk

Eric Barnes

Tom & Thaler Beasley

Kappi & Tom Beazley

Ernest Behnke

In honor of Harper, Libby, and Louise Behnke

The Benevity Community Impact Fund

Brenda & Jason Berry

The Blackbaud Giving Fund

Mr. & Mrs. Alex Boggs

Ms. Wight F. Boggs

The Canale Foundation

Cantrell Custom Pools Jack & Savannah Cantrell Christian Community Foundation

Mr. & Mrs. Charles Ciaramitaro

Mrs. Clair E. Cox

Jeff & Sherry Emerson Kathy & Ted Ferguson Fidelity Charitable

First Horizon Foundation Mr. John T. Fisher

Debbie & Jim Flaherty

Richard & Pamela Flynt

In honor of Aideen and Delta Flynt

Mr. & Mrs. Hugh C. Fraser Sarah & Matt Gallagher Mrs. Lucia Gilliland

Mr. Robert Goff, Jr. Mr. & Mrs. Emmel B. Golden, III Goldman Sachs Matching Gift Program

Susan & Matt Hale

In memory of Rob Hale Mr. & Mrs. William P. Halliday, III Mr. & Mrs. Michael J. Harris In honor of Jackson and Rowan Halpern

ORDER OF THE ANCHOR A gift of $750-$999

Debbie Callahan

Mike & Natalie Davis Frontstream Connect

Matt & Jodi Barron

Lara & Daniel Breen

Ginny & Mel Bresee

Cindy & Kevin Brewer

Drs. Brian & Lucy Bruijn

In honor of Robert and Lu Bucci

Mr. & Mrs. Samuel Buckner

Thomas & Karen Buckner

In honor of Annie and Jack Buckner

Rev. & Mrs. Noah Campbell

Charities Aid Foundation, America

Mr. & Mrs. Chase

Mrs. Stephanie Cheney

Joe & Vickie Clark

Ron & Jan Coleman

The Fundo Family

David Hanson & Christina Ross James & Joy Hoffman

Mr. & Mrs. Thor Kvande Margaret & Alec McLean Monogram Loves Kids Foundation Mary & Paul Morris Mr. & Mrs. Luis Orbegoso

The Mixon Family Eliot & Lee Morris Kurt & Ruth Patton Raymond James Charitable

Mr. & Mrs. Jesse B. Heath, Jr. Dr. & Mrs. Henry Herrod, III

In honor of the Behnke girls Mr. Louis Hettinger

Hyde Family Foundation Tim & Erica Jancelewicz

Mr. & Mrs. Ernest Kelly Mrs. Marilyn C. Kidd

In memory of Hulette A. Kidd Steven & Allison King

In honor of Abby Hensley and Caroline Canon

Kroger

Mr. & Mrs. Bob Langston Stephen & Kathryn Lewis Mr. & Mrs. Jamie Linkous Scott and Shannon Malone Nicole McCarty

Michelle & Donald McClure Medtronic

Jim & Becky Mercer

Mr. & Mrs. David Nanney Drs. Arzu Onar-Thomas &

Mrs. Judy Johnson

In honor of Levi and Beklin Johnson

Community Foundation of Greater Atlanta

Chris & Jennifer Cothern

Nicola da Roza & Josh Cunningham

Megan & Steele Ford

In honor of Merrill and Lydia Ford

Paxton & Annie Gerber Griffin

Cara & Rick Hechinger

Ellen & Ian Hendry

Cynthia Burnett Hill

Mr. & Mrs. Derek Horton

In honor of Cash Horton

Dr. Amy Huber

In memory of Robert Jordan, Class of 1981

Darin & Jennifer Isom

In memory of D'Jean Isom

Kenny Jabbour

Terry & Elaine Kerr

Rick & Andrea Kohlhof

Rev. Raymond M. Kvande

Drs. Casey & Joanna Laizure

Amy & Jae Lee

Heather Conklin & Tom Leitzell

Merilyn Mangum

Marti & Doug McCloud

Shelly McGuire

Mr. & Mrs. Charles F. Morrow

Landon & Lindsey Myers

Sophie & Mat Parker

Drs. Stephen Pishko & Whitney Sanders

Harriet & Stephen Roberts

Mr. & Mrs. Karl Schledwitz

Lauren & Justin Taylor

Mr. & Mrs. R. Andrew Taylor Simon & Jill Wadsworth

Lauren & Eddie Robinson

Schwab Charitable Sharon & Josh Shipley Susan & Tom Stephenson

Fridtjof Thomas

Mr. & Mrs. Scott Plunkett

Lauri & David Prather

The Reverend Ollie V. Rencher

Bob & Libby Shannon

John & Christy Sharp

Dr. & Mrs. Brixey R. Shelton

Glenda & Gary Shorb

Dr. & Mrs. G.W. Sorrells, III Stifel

Sara & John Thatcher

James D. Thompson

Lydia Anne Thompson

Mr. Larry J. White

Bruce & Jane Williams

Jan & Laura Willis

Kent & Kay Schaffer Wills Gib & Nancy Wilson

The Owen Family John & Harriet Ross Marci & Ken Woodmansee

Crady & Brad Schneider

Nick & Patty Scully

Ben & Amie Sheffer

Kate & James Shelton

Margaret Barrett Shirley Bernadette G. Smith

Molly & Russell Smith

Mr. & Mrs. W. Howard Stovall

Denise & Sledge Taylor

In honor of the Advancement team and Dr. Andy Surber

Emilie & Lewis Unglesby

Dr. Jennifer Vest

Drs. Benton M. Wheeler & Aimee M. Christian

Anna Kathryn & Hank Word YourCause Corporate Giving Programs

SAINTS’ CHAIN

A gift of $250-$499

Tracy Adkisson & Brad Terhune

Ms. Pat Anderson

Mr. Larry R. Barron

Mr. & Mrs. Franklin G. Barton, IV

Linda & Dan Breen

In honor of Jake Breen

Dr. George & Alice Burruss

Harry Carloss

In honor of Lillian Hardison

Mr. & Mrs. Blas Catalani, II

In honor of Dr. & Mrs. Blas S. Catalani, III

Apryl Childs-Potter & Jason Potter

Margaret & Bill Craddock

Jim Curry

Brian & Kacey Hickey Davies

In honor of Dr. & Mrs. H. David Hickey

Phil & Evelyn Dowdle

In honor of Josie Burgess

Dr. & Mrs. Dan Fore

In memory of Elliott Max Bryant

Drs. John & Tonia Gardner

In honor of Alex Gardner

Tom & Jean Marie Harrison

In honor of my grandchildren

Mr. & Mrs. Ronald R. Hawkins

Mia & Paul Henley

Andy & Ashley High

Arleen Hill & Michael Howard

Pete & Alice Hirschey

Joseph Howard ’26

Mr. & Mrs. John T. Lawrence, Jr.

Ms. Ariel L. Laws

The Leslie Family Felicity Letsou

Ms. Lauriann Lines

Dr. & Mrs. Ernest B. Lowe, Jr.

Lee & Cindi Marshall

Peggy & Don McClure, Jr.

Katherine & Andrew Mickelson

Drs. Antony & Teresa Mukkada

Mr. & Mrs. Charles Nanney

Philip & Carey Pontius

Zach & Ann Pretzer

Bishop Phoebe Roaf

Jenny & Rob Robertson

Donald & Paula Sappington

Lee & Brian Schaffler

Mr. Roland Taylor

Tanja Thompson & Lew Wardlaw

William & Nan Thompson

Mr. & Mrs. John L. Wardlaw, Sr.

Ms. Laura B. Wardlaw

Ellen Whitten & Vince Harrigan

Chris Wood & Christa George

Elizabeth Wofford Woodard

LUKE’S LEGION

A gift of $100-$249

Anonymous

Kathy & Ben Adams

AmazonSmile Foundation

Richard & Becky Avant

In honor of Rebecca Louis Avant

Henry & Janet Bartosch

Kelsey Beagle

Shannon & Tyler Benitone

Mr. & Mrs. Bob Berendt

Julie & Ken Binder

Kristen Bounds

Ray & Dana Brandon

Mr. & Mrs. Andrew C. Branham

Mr. Bryan Callahan

Joe Carney

Umi & Bhaji Chahal

Mr. & Mrs. Ambrose Chisholm Mr. & Mrs. Adam Cohen

Mr. Mark Compton & Ms. Maria Smith

Andra DeVincenzo

In honor of Mrs. Deborah Lowe

Jason & Whitney Dowdy

Drs. Alex & Trudy Dunlap

In honor of Will and Hannah Dunlap, Class of 2021

Rose Dunlap

Mr. & Ms. Michael East, Jr. Doug Eddie Susan & Eric Epperson

In honor of Jake and Claire Epperson

Thomas & Sara Federico Linda K. Flowers

In honor of Miles McCarty

Stefanie Smith Fortune

In honor of Thomas Smith Fisher, Class of 2017

Mr. & Mrs. Daniel Fundo, Sr.

Mr. & Mrs. Patrick Galphin

Dr. & Mrs. Harvey Gardner

Kathryn Daws Gardner

In honor of Drs. Jay & Tonia Gardner, and Alex Gardner Drs. Jerry & Elizabeth Gilless

Nancy & Sonny Golden

In honor of Billy and Celeta Golden

Mr. George T. Henley Mr. James E. Henley Mr. John E. Henley Sidney & David Hickey Stacey Hollingsworth

In honor of Raphael Brunotte Betsy, Jason, Meredith, & Griffin Hood

Abby Huber

In memory of Doug McClew Mrs. Billie Jeanne Johnson In honor of Charlie Johnson Ellen Johnston

In honor of Grace and Cate Johnston

Ken & Vivian Jones

Lauren Kenworthy

Tricia & Chuck Kerwin

In honor of Ross Kerwin Mallory Key

Bryan & Angelina Kuo

Russell & Sandra Langley

Allan & Kathleen Lips

Wilma Mansfield

Mr. Anthony F. Marr Dr. Mike Martin Jamie & Janet McGehee

Ms. Sharon M. McIntosh

Cecily & Peter McLean

Rev. Chuck & Jeanne McMillen

Michael & Diana Mickelson

Laurie & Brooks Monypeny

Ansley Murphy & Toby Sells

Patrick & Kristen Murphy

Mr. & Mrs. Barron Musick

Carmen Navarro

In memory of Jesus Navarro Leon Brent Orr & Julie Markham

Jenny Pratt Niel & Sarah Prosser

Ms. Sarah Ranson

Ms. Leslie J. Reddick

Becky Robinson Bill & Penny Roen Mr. Juan Roncal

Mr. & Mrs. Michael E. Rowland

Dr. & Mrs. Thomas A. Russell Rosalind & Gary Scott Donnie & Mary Margaret Snow Streater Spencer

Jim & Jane Stranch

Ms. Margaret C. Strickland Andy & Mary Surber

Mr. & Mrs. Bruce C. Taylor Mr. & Mrs. N. Gordon Thompson Russ Thompson

Mr. & Ms. Douglas M. Weissinger

Mr. & Mrs. Charles L. Williams, III Mr. & Mrs. M. Cliff Wilson

George & Millie Wood Harriet & Alan Word Stewart & Angie Young

GSL SAINT

A gift of $1-$99

Anonymous

Mr. & Mrs. Robert N. Adrian, III Debbie Nelson Aleman

In honor of Reid Aleman

Christine Anes

Benjamin Brewer

In honor of Henry Duncan George Brewer

In honor of Tony Posner Carol Buchman

Mr. & Mrs. C. Austin Burress Chris & Martha Freitag Carpenter

In honor of Debbie Callahan Sam Carr Beth Clark

Gordon Conaway Linda M. Conklin

In honor of Calvin Leitzell Blair Connor

In honor of the Terrific Tigers Katherine Consola Kynis P. Douglas

In honor of Kylie J. Jackson, GSL Class of 2019 Mary & Ron Dumas Mr. Omari Dunigan

George & Karen Early Mr. Luke Early

Eric Elms

Ms. Paige J. Fernandez

Lyn Forsyth

In honor of all my students Tessa Gilbertson and Family Ms. Laura Greer

Cynthia Ryan Groom Anden Hamilton Andrew Harris

Kylie Jackson

Mr. & Mrs. Quintus L. Jackson

Mr. & Mrs. Alan Krug

In honor of Ruth Wendy Krug-Fingerhut

Mr. Alejandro R. Lachica

Ms. Anna Mercedes Lachica

Mr. Emilio M. R. Lachica

Roberto Lachica & Judith Ruiz

Mr. & Mrs. Lawrence M. Lewis

Katie Longoria

Ms. Piper Martin Drew & Susan Mascolino

Ms. Rachel McCool

Becca & Jeff McGoff

Virginia McLean

Ms. Angela Merideth Mr. & Mrs. Merrell

Ms. Allison Musick

Mr. & Mrs. L.B. Myhr, Jr. Mary Tucker Nowak

Coleman & Jenna O'Keeffe

The Plumley Family Sara & Bruce Ralston

Larry & Shari Ray

Charles P. Rowland

Morgan Slatery

Ms. Brittany Smith

Stepherson's Food Stores/ Superlo Foods

Mr. John Stewart

Ms. Harmony Swenson

Caroline & Bill Willson

Ellyse Woolard

THE BULLET CLUB

GSL Alumni Donors

Nelson Adrian ’96

Alex Boggs ’02

Benjamin Brewer ’20 George Brewer ’21 Meg Stephenson Burress ’05

Bryan Callahan ’01 Sam Carr ’99

Gordon Conaway ’00

Kacey Hickey Davies ’86

Luke Early ’20

Eric Elms ’88

Paige Fernandez ’21

Mary Evelyn Fore ’91

Tessa Gilbertson ’21

Robert Goff ’01

Laura Rowe Greer ’76

Annie Gerber Griffin ’98

Matt Hale ’83

Andrew Harris ’18

Edward Henley ’14 George Henley ’20 John Henley ’16 Abby Huber ’10 Amy Huber ’81 Will Hudson ’92

Kenny Jabbour ’79

Kylie Jackson ’19 Ken Jones ’82

Alejandro R. Lachica ’21

Anna Mercedes Lachica ’15

Emilio M. Lachica ’17

Ariel Laws ’03

Anthony F. Marr ’78

Eric Martin ’84

Kelly Gault Martin ’92

Donald McClure ’02

Virginia McLean ’21

Jeanne Myrick McMillen ’76 Mat Parker ’84

Sophie Askew Parker ’91

Philip H. Pontius ’99

Jason Potter ’93

Ann Frizzell Pretzer ’94

Charles P. Rowland ’20

Brian Schaffler ’84

Mrs. Elizabeth Shannon ’65

Justin Taylor ’92

Lew Wardlaw ’85

Charles L. Williams, III ’89

Kay Schaffer Wills ’78

Kent Wills ’78

Elizabeth Wofford Woodard ’76

Ken Woodmansee ’81

Marci Deshaies Woodmansee ’83

GIVING BY CLASS OF 2022

Anonymous

Dr. & Mrs. Schorr Behnke

Joe Carney

Mr. & Mrs. Charles Ciaramitaro

Joe & Vickie Clark

Mr. & Mrs. Scott Crosby

Mike & Natalie Davis

Mr. & Mrs. William P. Halliday, III

Bryan & Angelina Kuo

Drew & Susan Mascolino

Becca & Jeff McGoff

Katherine & Andrew Mickelson

Mr. & Mrs. Luis Orbegoso

Brent Orr & Julie Markham

Kurt & Ruth Patton

The Plumley Family

Jenny & Rob Robertson

Lauren & Justin Taylor

Mr. & Mrs. John L. Wardlaw, Sr.

GIVING BY CLASS OF 2023

Tracy Adkisson & Brad Terhune

Matt & Jodi Barron

Julie & Ken Binder

Heather Conklin & Tom Leitzell

Chris & Jennifer Cothern

Jim Curry

Kathy & Ted Ferguson

Dr. & Mrs. Dan Fore

James & Joy Hoffman

Lauren Kenworthy

Marti & Doug McCloud

Mr. & Mrs. David Nanney

Stewart & Angie Young

GIVING BY CLASS OF 2024

Shannon & Tyler Benitone

The Callahans

David Hanson & Christina Ross

Andy & Ashley High

The Leslie Family

Eric & Kelly Martin

Margaret & Alec McLean

Mr. & Mrs. Merrell

The Mixon Family

Eliot & Lee Morris

Mary & Paul Morris

Mr. & Mrs. Luis Orbegoso

Drs. Arzu Onar-Thomas & Fridtjof Thomas

Emilie & Lewis Unglesby Anna Kathryn & Hank Word

GIVING BY CLASS OF 2025

Mr. & Mrs. Benjamin Barksdale

Shannon & Tyler Benitone

Kirby & Glenn Floyd

Dr. & Mrs. Dan Fore

The Fundo Family

Mr. & Mrs. William A. Hudson

Tim & Erica Jancelewicz

Liz & Kevin Keough

Bryan & Angelina Kuo

Scott and Shannon Malone

Zach & Ann Pretzer

Sharon & Josh Shipley

Molly & Russell Smith

Lauren & Justin Taylor

GIVING BY CLASS OF 2026

Mike & Natalie Davis

Mimmie & Brian Fisher

Jennifer & Ryan Gibbs

Andy & Ashley High

Arleen Hill & Michael Howard

Mr. & Mrs. William A. Hudson

Drs. Casey & Joanna Laizure

Eliot & Lee Morris

Brent Orr & Julie Markham

GIVING BY CLASS OF 2027

Mr. & Mrs. Franklin G. Barton, IV

Tom & Thaler Beasley

Dr. & Mrs. Schorr Behnke

Lara & Daniel Breen

The Callahans

Apryl Childs-Potter & Jason Potter

Kirby & Glenn Floyd

The Fundo Family

Mr. & Mrs. William A. Hudson

Eric & Kelly Martin

Simone & Logan Meeks

Ansley Murphy & Toby Sells

Crady & Brad Schneider

Molly & Russell Smith

Sara & John Thatcher Caroline & Bill Willson Stewart & Angie Young

GIVING BY CLASS OF 2028

Patrick & Lauri Balk

Mr. & Mrs. Benjamin Barksdale

Tom & Thaler Beasley

Thomas & Sara Federico

Mimmie & Brian Fisher

Jennifer & Ryan Gibbs

James & Joy Hoffman

Tim & Erica Jancelewicz

Nicole McCarty

Mary & Paul Morris

The Owen Family

Zach & Ann Pretzer

Ben & Amie Sheffer

Kate & James Shelton Sharon & Josh Shipley

GIVING BY CLASS OF 2029

Patrick & Lauri Balk

Mr. & Mrs. Samuel Buckner Jack & Savannah Cantrell Mimmie & Brian Fisher

Sarah & Matt Gallagher

Mr. & Mrs. Patrick Galphin Drs. John & Tonia Gardner Melanee Hannock & Teresa Sweeney

Mr. & Mrs. Merrell

Ms. Allison Musick Landon & Lindsey Myers

Drs. Stephen Pishko & Whitney Sanders

Philip & Carey Pontius Donnie & Mary Margaret Snow Chris Wood & Christa George

GIVING BY CLASS OF 2030

Mr. & Ms. Michael East, Jr. Drs. Jerry & Elizabeth Gilless Tim & Erica Jancelewicz

Steven & Allison King Ben & Amie Sheffer Caroline & Bill Willson

GIVING BY CLASS OF 2031

Mr. & Mrs. Scott S. Adams

Mr. & Mrs. Robert N. Adrian, III Drs. Brian & Lucy Bruijn Mr. & Mrs. Samuel Buckner

Mr. & Mrs. C. Austin Burress

Heather Conklin & Tom Leitzell

Rose Dunlap

Mr. & Mrs. Emmel B. Golden, III Landon & Lindsey Myers Sophie & Mat Parker Crady & Brad Schneider Ansley Murphy & Toby Sells

GIVING BY CLASS OF 2032

Christine Anes

Nicola da Roza & Josh Cunningham Mr. & Mrs. Derek Horton Patrick & Kristen Murphy The Owen Family Drs. Stephen Pishko & Whitney Sanders Mr. & Ms. Douglas M. Weissinger

GIVING BY CLASS OF 2033

Mr. & Mrs. Robert N. Adrian, III Mr. & Mrs. C. Austin Burress Jason & Whitney Dowdy Mr. & Mrs. Emmel B. Golden, III Drs. Casey & Joanna Laizure Stephen & Kathryn Lewis Philip & Carey Pontius Ellen Whitten & Vince Harrigan

DESIGNATED GIFTS

HEAD OF SCHOOL SEARCH

Mr. & Mrs. Benjamin Barksdale The Callahans Meg & Scott Crosby Margaret & Alec McLean Mary & Paul Morris Mr. & Mrs. Luis Orbegoso Lauren & Justin Taylor Simon & Jill Wadsworth

GSL LIBRARY Arleen Hill & Michael Howard Joseph Howard ’26 Mr. & Mrs. Michael E. Rowland Jan & Laura Willis

FINANCIAL AID Mr. & Mrs. R. Andrew Taylor

SCHOLARSHIP ENDOWMENT FUND Mr. & Mrs. William A. Hudson Monogram Loves Kids Foundation Mr. & Mrs. Karl Schledwitz

HONORARIUM AND MEMORIAL GIFTS

IN HONOR OF Kathleen and Schorr Behnke

Brenda & Jason Berry

The Emerson Family Kate and James Shelton

Carrie Galphin, Marti McCloud, and Amanda Meyer

Mr. and Mrs. Bruce E.

Williams

Jenn and Ryan Gibbs Brenda & Jason Berry

Amy Golden

Mr. & Mrs. Robert N. Adrian, III

Paul Morris’ Leadership

Mr. and Mrs. Jeff Emerson

Room Parents Emily Halpern and Katie Owen

Mr. and Mrs. Bruce Ralston

Room Parents Arleen Hill and Katie Ratton

Mr. and Mrs. Bruce E. Williams

IN MEMORY OF Frankie Davis

Mr. and Mrs. Jeff Emerson

Brian K. Emerson

Brenda & Jason Berry

Mrs. Marilyn C. Kidd

Dr. Belinda Joyce Madison

Dr. and Mrs. E. Schorr Behnke

Brenda & Jason Berry

Mr. and Mrs. Jeff Emerson

Anna Manson

Mr. and Mrs. Jeff Emerson

John Rauscher

Brian & Kacey Hickey Davies

Mary Ann Scifres

Brenda & Jason Berry

Mr. and Mrs. Jeff Emerson

W. Hamilton Smythe, III Mrs. Marilyn C. Kidd

SCHOLARSHIP ENDOWMENT

FUND GIFTS IN HONOR OF THOR KVANDE

Anonymous Mr. & Mrs. Benjamin Barksdale

Tom & Thaler Beasley

Dr. & Mrs. Schorr Behnke

Brenda & Jason Berry

Ray & Dana Brandon

Debbie Callahan

Meg & Scott Crosby

Andra DeVincenzo

Jennifer & Ryan Gibbs

David Hanson & Christina Ross

Betsy, Jason, Meredith, & Griffin Hood

Mr. & Mrs. Ernest Kelly

Mrs. Marilyn C. Kidd

Amy & Jae Lee

Felicity Letsou

Drew & Susan Mascolino

Peggy & Don McClure, Jr.

Margaret & Alec McLean

Simone & Logan Meeks

Mary & Paul Morris

Drs. Stephen Pishko & Whitney Sanders

Lauri & David Prather

Bishop Phoebe Roaf

Tanja Thompson & Lew Wardlaw

Simon & Jill Wadsworth

Bruce & Jane Williams Kent & Kay Schaffer Wills Marci & Ken Woodmansee

Class of 2018 Congratulations,

We are so proud of GSL’s Class of 2018 and wish them the best of luck in their next adventures!

We invited the Class of 2018 to campus for a College Sendoff Lunch in August. Pictured front row, from left: Warner Davidson, Andrew Berntson, Rowan Renken, William Halliday, Felix Campbell, Chris Bird, Addison Wilson, Lilly Linkous, Carter Strickland, Sara Kate Burnett, Rachel McAfee, Ava Vining, Claire Wallace; back row: Nash Kaye, Evans Culpepper, Jack Sullivan (moved to Chattanooga in 2016), Thomas Kvande, Lawson Vaughan, Max Grove, Ethan Cupples, Andrew Kerr, Mary Claire Carney, and Chloe Schwartz.

Andrew Berntson, Auburn University

Chris Bird, Cornell University

Sara Kate Burnett, University of Missouri

Felix Campbell, Sewanee: The University of the South Mary Claire Carney, University of South Carolina

Evans Culpepper, University of Mississippi

Ethan Cupples, Loyola University New Orleans

Warner Davidson, Wake Forest University

Lillian Deason, American University

Vanessa Fan, University of Maryland

Merrill Ford, University of Georgia

Will Fraser, University of Colorado Boulder

Abby Gaskill, Auburn University

Max Grove, Columbia College Chicago

Holden Guibao, University of Pittsburgh

William Halliday, Auburn University

Andrew Harris, Elon University

Miller Hastings, University of Alabama

Lucy Hettinger, Elon University

Thomas Johnson, Undecided

Laura Johnston, Mississippi State University

Maeve Karnes, Loyola University New Orleans

Nash Kaye, Butler University

Andrew Kerr, Hendrix College

Thomas Kvande, Millikin University

Lilly Linkous, University of Georgia

Cris Loa, Middle Tennessee State University

Rachel McAfee, University of Tennessee at Chattanooga

Mallory Miller, Indiana University

Analise Murphy, United States Naval Academy

Rowan Renken, Sewanee: The University of the South Jake Ryan, University of Arkansas

Chloe Schwartz, University of Denver

Baron Scifres, University of Arkansas

Ellie Smith, University of Georgia

Carter Strickland, University of Oklahoma

Chloe Tong, Virginia Commonwealth University

Lawson Vaughan, Sewanee - The University of the South Ava Vining, Texas Christian University

Eli Walker, University of Mississippi

Claire Wallace, University of Arkansas

Sam Wallace, Belmont University

Jack Wardlaw, University of Arkansas

Addison Wilson, University of Tennessee, Knoxville

THE P.A. CONNECTION

By Meghan Barksdale, P.A. President

On behalf of the 2022-23 Parents’ Association (P.A.), I would like to welcome our entire GSL community to what is an exciting 75th year! I am grateful to serve as President of the P.A. this year, along with fellow Executive Board officers and parents Ann Pretzer, Treasurer; Allison Musick, Secretary; Trinh Johnson, Middle School VP; Anna Blair, Lower School VP; and Amy Golden, Preschool VP.

All GSL parents are a part of the Parents’ Association, where our purpose is twofold. First, we want to create a strong bond amongst our parent community that aligns with our school’s mission. Second, we aim to raise money through key activities and events such as Charleston Wrap, the Anchor Auction, our Trivia Event, and Spirit Wear sales. Additionally, we sponsor other events that have become traditions here at GSL – including Teacher Appreciation Day, the Father-Daughter Dance, the 8th Grade Italian Dinner, and the Mother-Son Event.

Many thanks are due to Laura Davis, the 2021-22 P.A. President; under her leadership the P.A. raised more than $82,000 last year! These funds help to fill teacher wish list items, which directly benefit instruction and student experiences in the classroom. Select items the P.A. has been able to provide in past years include SMARTboards, library books, Chromebooks, musical instruments, and enhancements for outdoor spaces.

This fall, I am excited to report we had total sales of nearly $13,000 at our Back-to-School Night and School Picnic Spirit Wear sales. Future Spirit Wear sales will

be announced in the weekly eNews, so please watch for additional opportunities to participate. Our Charleston Wrap fundraiser, which concluded in September, earned just over $22,000.

Please visit the P.A. webpage under the Student Life tab on the GSL website for a complete list of events, their descriptions and chairs, and how you can help. Our parent volunteers are vital to the GSL community, and our P.A. traditions help make the GSL family what it is today.

Thank you so much for supporting the Parents’ Association. Go, Saints!

2022-23 Parents’ Association Executive Board: Middle School VP Trinh Johnson, Treasurer Ann Pretzer, President Meghan Barksdale, Preschool VP Amy Golden, Secretary Allison Musick, and Lower School VP Anna Blair

Senior Kindergartner Jack Buckner enjoys the new SMARTboard in the Peppy Pandas classroom, courtesy of the P.A.

The P.A.’s annual Trivia Event always draws an enthusiastic crowd! From left, Elizabeth Gilless, Kiersten Schnacke, Lisa Buckner, Caley Spotts, Amber Thacker, Shelby Roberts, Jim Silk, and Jennie Silk.

SAINTS SUPERLATIVES

SUPERSTAR STUDENTS

Winter 2021 Spirit Awards were awarded in the spring to Cate Ciaramitaro ’22 and Frank Plumley ’22

FANTASTIC FACULTY

Seventh Grade English & History Teacher Juan Roncal received his M.Ed degree in Independent School Leadership from Peabody College at Vanderbilt University this August. His work included new research on Board-Head relational trust formation during K-8 independent school leadership transitions. “I met a remarkable group of independent school practitioners, and the best part was learning from classmates, just like at GSL!”

Merrell ’24 and his brother Sammy Merrell ’29 recently wrote and illustrated a book of jokes called 50 Nifty Jokes for Kids. They submitted it to Amazon this summer, and it was accepted for publishing and listing on their site. Scan the QR code to find it today!

Fall 2022 Spirit Awards were awarded this fall to Bear Danosky ’23 and Anna Ratton ’23.

Fiddler on the Roof Techie and Actor awards were given this spring to Shaniah Tucker ’24, Ellie Barksdale ’25, Beatrix Jackson ’24, Talat Thomas ’24, and Ethan Choo ’22

Newly elected Student Council officers this year are Presidents J.W. Curry ’23 and Anna Ratton ’23, Vice Presidents Emerson Callahan ’24 and Lucian Hanson ’24, and Secretary/Treasurer Ellie Barksdale ’25. (shown below). Class representatives are: Andrew Strickland ’23 and Joan Terhune ’23, Lucy Unglesby ’24 and Edward Scrugham ’24, and Scarlet Malone ’25, Zoe Pretzer ’25, and Zachary Moore ’25. (not pictured)

Ty

History repeats itself: Our 7/8 Varsity volleyball team went undefeated for the season AND captured the Shelby League Division A Championship! Back-to-back SHIPS! Front row, Margaret Fore '23, Corinne Richardson '24, Emerson Callahan '24, Stella Dyer '23, Anna Ratton '23, Bella McAdams '23, Sarah Jordan Houseal '24, Poppy Schnacke '24, Coach Ross Larson '05; back row; Coach Meg Burress '05, Martha Mitchell '23, Caroline Byrnes '23, Zoey High '24, Elizabeth Thompson '24

The 5/6 Volleyball team coached by Emily Drake and alumna Ashley Lowe '11 won the PAA Championship.

row, Ella Kate Schwager ’25, McKenzie Dentley

, Morgan Lambert ’25, Eloise West ’25, Olivia Benitone ’25; back row, Coach Drake, Zoe Pretzer ’25, Scarlet Malone ’25, Claire Warner ’25, Lyla Rixon ’25, Coach Lowe

ALUMNI NEWS

LUKERS FOR LIFE ALUMNI NEWS

’50s Cary Fowler, a world expert in crop diversity and seed preservation, was appointed U.S. Special Envoy for Global Food Security in the State Department this spring. In a May 9 article, the Daily Memphian described his job as curbing the rocketing rate of hunger and food insecurity on the earth. Photo courtesy of Daily Memphian

’78 Skip Howard is celebrating his 25th year working at FedEx, and has been the WHQ Conference Center Coordinator for Transportation & Logistics since 2004. He is also serving as the chair of the LGBT & Friends Network. Outside of work, he is the church archivist for First Baptist Church, was named to the Judge’s Panel for the Memphis theater community’s annual Ostrander Awards in 2015, and was appointed to the Shelby County Historical Commission in July 2022.

’82 Brian Braganza has lived in Phoenix since 2002. He is the founder of architecture and interior design firm Ajanta Design. He’s pictured here with his wife, Debbie, who teaches Dance for Parkinson’s at Ballet Arizona and Mesa Arts Center.

’83 Waring Porter traveled to Tanzania in July to hike Mt. Kilimanjaro with his son Drew ’19: “We did a seven-day backpacking trip on Kilimanjaro, with the peak being at 19,300' (highest point in Africa). When we came down, we did a one-day safari. Overall, the trip was awesome! We had a blast.”

’92 Carlos Clardy became a full-time faculty member in the Doctor of Physical Therapy program at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center in June. He is currently working on his doctorate in education at the University of Memphis.

’97 Noah Towery lives in Memphis with his blue heeler, Tina. He is a painter and publisher, and just started a salt business. Find him on Instagram @noahmtown and @energeticpeppersalt.

’79 Memphis Light, Gas and Water Board Chairman Mitch Graves was appointed acting president and CEO of the utility company in mid-October.

Photo by Mark Weber/Daily Memphian

’85 Miriam Braganza has just started enjoying retirement after working for many years as a finance director at the Art Institute of Chicago. She is excited about being able to travel more in the future.

’85

Kevin Ogilby is living in Austin, Tex. and working as the

’84 In October Robbie Johnson Weinberg and her daughter Fannie ’13 opened a unique retail shop called Paradox at PeCo, located next door to the Weinbergs’ Eclectic Eye optometry practice and retail store on Cooper Ave.

’89 Aimee Riggs Say lives in Nashville, Tenn. with her husband Randy and two children: Addie (16) and Charlie (14). She is a senior marketing manager for Workwear Outfitters.

’99

’98 John Adrian was promoted to senior director of business operations for the University of Mississippi this spring. Before joining the university in 2016 he served as GSL’s director of finance and operations for six years. Adrian earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of Mississippi and also holds a graduate certificate in Organizational Behavior. He and his wife, Elizabeth, have two children, Jack and Betsy.

’98

Ann Burruss Prascher and husband Will Prascher ’01 welcomed a daughter, Virginia Wright, on July 20, 2022.

Evie Maddox Wood lives in Birmingham, Ala., where she started her career in retail in 2008. She’s been a buyer for a multi-store retail chain, ran her own retail business, and now works in wholesale managing a key account for Under Armour athletics, combining her retail experience with her passion for exercise. She has completed multiple halfmarathons and marathons and is a spinning instructor. She and her husband Lane have a 3-year-old daughter, Alice.

senior managing director of CrowdOut Capital.

LUKERS FOR LIFE ALUMNI NEWS

’02 Alex Boggs and wife Jenay welcomed their second child, Henry Leland Boggs, on July 1, 2022.

’03 In May Marshall Bartlett, founder of Home Place Pastures and long-time founding member of Sweet Cheeks BBQ team, celebrated the team’s 3rd place finish at the Memphis in May World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest. Bartlett is also the new owner of our recently decommissioned GSL Bullet (see story on page 22).

’13

John McBride married Jordan Faulkner in Boswell, Ark., on August 6, 2022. His brother Andrew ’16 served as a groomsman. The couple resides in Memphis. John is working remotely as an account coordinator for Merritt Group, a public relations and marketing firm based in D.C. He focuses mostly on cybersecurity and emerging technology practices.

’03

Ben Lemly and wife Annie welcomed a daughter, Emerson Anne Lemly, on June 16, 2022. The family lives in Nashville.

’06

Fulton Boggs is premiering Fulton's Exhibit in West Hollywood, Calif. His immersive, interactive art exhibit provides visitors the opportunity to view and interact with his art pieces in over 15 flavorful food-themed rooms and cubbies. To find out more, visit fultonboggs.com

’06 Will Taylor completed his Ph.D. degree this year at Brown University.

’09

’14 Lil Bird graduated magna cum laude from the University of Memphis with a degree in business economics. She has accepted a job as a product coordinator for Ducks Unlimited’s national headquarters in Memphis.

This spring Jesse Wilcox and his band Daykisser released a song and video titled "It’s Just What We Talked About,” which was filmed at GSL (“A place near and dear to my heart after attending school there from kindergarten through the eighth grade.”) You can see it on his Facebook page.

’10 Ian Reddick started law school at the University of Memphis this fall. He participated in the T.I.P. (Tennessee Institute of Prelaw) this summer and was one of the top five students in the class.

’14 Connor Anderson graduated cum laude in May with a B.S. in Information Technology Services from Mississippi State University. He worked at Philmont Scout Ranch this past summer as an IT Specialist, and returned to Mississippi State University this fall to begin a master’s program in Informational Systems, while working as a graduate assistant on campus.

’14 Benjamin Freeman graduated magna cum laude from Davidson College with a double major in Political Science and Economics. He is moving to Houston to work as an associate consultant with LEK Consulting.

’14

Alexander Carayiannis graduated from the University of Alabama with a 4.0 and entered the Church Health Scholars program this past summer. The Church Health Scholars program is a gap-year, service-learning fellowship for recent four-year college graduates interested in serving underserved populations and exploring the intersection of faith and health.

’14

Joshua Crawford graduated from Prairie View A&M University with a B.A. in Communications. He will be attending Syracuse University for graduate school in their competitive Broadcast Journalism program.

LUKERS FOR LIFE ALUMNI NEWS

Continued

’14

Elsie Morrow graduated from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville with a B.S. in Biomedical Engineering. She’s pictured here with her Senior Design group project, an At Home Tympanometry device.

’14 Savannah Hall was named a 2022 Torchbearer at the University of Tennessee. This is the highest student honor conferred by the university. She is now enrolled in the University of Tennessee, College of Law as a Tennessee Law Scholar.

’17 After a stellar freshman year as a walk-on for George Washington University’s women’s basketball and earning a starting position, Maxine Engel was awarded a full scholarship in June.

’14 Vivian Gray graduated in May from the USC School of Cinematic Arts, where she created the short film Tape 23, which was a part of a showcase at the 2021 Indie Memphis Film Festival and is now streaming on AspireTV. Vivian was the recipient of the John Huston Scholarship for Directing, and in her final semester, directed the pilot episode of USC TV Dramatic Series Provenance. She is currently living in Memphis (“Excited to be back home!”) and working as an art department production assistant on season three of the “Young Rock” series.

’18 Mallory Miller graduated from St. Mary’s Episcopal School and is attending Indiana University’s Luddy School of Informatics, Computing, and Engineering. She plans to pursue her interest in computer science.

’18 Christopher Bird graduated with honors from MUS in May of 2022. He is attending Cornell University’s Peter and Stephanie Nolan School of Hotel Administration, which has been ranked #1 in the nation by CEOWORLD Magazine for 2022.

’18 Max Grove is attending Columbia College, Chicago and is the recipient of the Dean's Scholarship.

Crosstown High School senior Caleb Isom completed his junior year with a 4.4 GPA and is very active at school as a student ambassador and president of the Honor Council, in addition to being a member of student government, cross-country, and the National Honor Society. He also participates in the UTHSC Diversity in Dentistry Program. Outside of school, Caleb is involved with the Memphis Ambassadors Program through the city of Memphis. He was nominated and received the Memphis Business Journal’s “Young Men Who Matter” 2021 Student Award, and he has his own after-school tutoring business in addition to a part-time job. After graduating next May, he plans to attend a 4-year college or university and major in either Biology (pre-dentistry) or Aero Engineering.

’18

Lucy Hettinger was nominated for Best Featured Actress in the Orpheum Theatre’s High School Musical Theatre Awards for her role as Lurch in The Addams Family at Hutchison, and is pictured here with Sara Kate Burnett and Middle School Performing Arts Teacher Leslie Reddick

’18 Rachel McAfee is attending the University of Tennessee, Chattanooga this fall.

’18 Repping their new schools on college t-shirt day in May at Hutchison School: Miller Hastings, Sara Kate Burnett, Lucy Hettinger, and Vanessa Fan.

’19

’19 Spencer Norris is a senior at Memphis University School, where he is a member of the varsity soccer team, Mu Alpha Theta, and the Sociedad Honoraria Hispánica.

’19

Berklee Scifres, Emery Brown, Emma Couch, Angela Jacobs, Gloria Bird, Avery Arkle, Ella Woodmansee, Isabelle Mansour, and Mary Faith Sharp got a Lukers photo at Hutchison’s rising seniors luncheon in the spring.

LUKERS FOR LIFE ALUMNI NEWS Continued

’19 St. Mary’s senior Aislinn Choo was accepted to the Governor’s School for the Arts this summer at Middle Tennessee State University.

’20

’19 Isabelle Mansour attended Governor’s School this summer in International Studies at the University of Memphis.

Luke Early was invited to attend STEM Camps to learn about engineering concepts at the Air Force and Naval Academies this summer.

’22

Preston Norris is enjoying his freshman year at Memphis University School.

’21

Simone Guyton was one of two students from Harding Academy selected to participate in the opening and closing numbers of the Orpheum Theatre’s High School Musical Theatre Awards ceremony. She's pictured here with Middle School Performing Arts Teacher Leslie Reddick.

’22 Carter Wyatt was accepted to the U.S. Naval Academy Summer STEM Program.

*Alumni are listed by the year of the class with which they would have graduated from GSL, even if they left before their final year.

CONTINUING THE SAINTS TRADITION

S. Belvedere Blvd. Memphis, TN 38104 gslschool.org

Grace-St. Luke's Episcopal School 246