The Anchor, Fall 2020

GRACE-ST. LUKE’S EPISCOPAL SCHOOL | FALL 2020

SAINTS STAYING STRONG

Using optimism and determination to face the pandemic together ALSO INSIDE: 2019-20 ANNUAL REPORT

GSL

SK student Ruby Fisher shows just how resilient children have been throughout this pandemic.

IN THIS ISSUE

PAGES

2 3 4 5 7 8 16

18 20 24 25 26 28 About the Cover In reopening school during a global pandemic, we’ve done everything we can this year to keep moving forward. Even in masks, and at a distance, students are happy to be back in school. Above, fifth grader Campbell McLean heads from his Anchor Center advisory over to Morton Hall for class.

Photo by Wendy Adams

LETTER FROM THE HEAD OF SCHOOL LETTER FROM THE BOARD PRESIDENT NEW SAINTS ON STAFF GIVING WITH GRACE: 2020-21 ANNUAL FUND CLASS OF 2016 STARTS NEW CHAPTER SAINTS STAYING STRONG HONORING RETIREES JENNIFER ATKINS AND LAYNE WILSON P.A. CONNECTION: MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT 2019-20 ANNUAL REPORT IN MEMORIAM ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT: SUSAN HILL PFAU ’76 ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT: REESE MCMULLEN ’17 ALUMNI NEWS

BOARD OF TRUSTEES

2020 Liz Keough, President

Head of School Thor A. Kvande

Paul Morris, Vice-President

Editor Brenda Berry

Lauren Taylor, Assistant Secretary

Managing Editor Marci Woodmansee

Ryan Gibbs, Assistant Treasurer

Copy Editors Sherry Emerson Kate Shelton

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Photography Wendy Adams Brenda Berry Kelsey Beagle Jeff White Marci Woodmansee

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.

Scott Crosby, Secretary Sharon Shipley, Treasurer

Ben Barksdale

Lauri Prather

Emily Callahan

Katrina Sanford

Margaret McLean

Paula Sappington

Luis Orbegoso

Anneliese Watts

Ruth Patton

Ken Woodmansee

Thor A. Kvande, Head of School The Reverend Ollie V. Rencher, Rector Simon Wadsworth, Senior Warden Mary Evelyn Fore, Parents’ Association President

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Dressed as our mascot, Mr. Kvande visits Julie Binder’s advisory students in the science lab during the first week of school.

LETTER FROM THE HEAD OF SCHOOL

Thor A. Kvande

Dear GSL Families, It has been the start of a school year like no other, but I am proud to say GSL continues to prioritize educational excellence even in the midst of a pandemic.

Back in March, prior to Spring Break, we met as a faculty and talked about different points in GSL’s history when we faced challenges. Then, in mid-March, we transitioned to remote learning in a short period of time, which represented a challenge none of us had ever faced previously. I talked about my experience years ago as a camp counselor, teaching my campers how to successfully paddle a canoe down river. For those of you who’ve been canoeing, you know the secret: Both people in the canoe must have their paddle strokes perfectly synchronized to ensure the canoe travels straight. It takes the paddler in the bow communicating clearly with the person in the stern about rocks and other obstacles downriver, so that the paddler in the stern can safely steer the canoe away from danger and towards the safe path. In discussing the challenges facing us, we resolved to get in the canoe together and work to keep GSL moving forward, straight and true.

Not only have teachers “jumped into the canoe,” they have also continued to innovate programmatically and are working diligently to ensure that a GSL education remains engaging and relevant in the midst of COVID-19.

Over the summer, GSL faculty embarked on a journey of professional development and planning in preparation for the 2020-2021 school year. From learning new technologies and software to implementing new curriculum and programs, our faculty dug in with both optimism and grit to launch an unprecedented school year.

Fast forward to fall 2020, and across our campus—from Preschool to Lower School to Middle School—you will see countless examples of our teachers’ and students’ determination to persevere.

There are masks in Preschool, true, but there is also student artwork on the walls again, reflecting our youngest Lukers’ indomitable creativity, imagination, and spirit.

Lower School students are delving into the new language arts curriculum, eagerly devouring a range of literature as they learn to think critically and write creatively, while also making sense of desks with shields, and finding ways to connect with friends who are remotely learning from home. Our Middle Schoolers are living into a new block schedule and began the year in cohorts that necessitated switching off, week-by-week, from remote to on-campus learning. And despite all this, our resilient eighth graders chose “universally connected” as the theme for their class banner, showing amazing strength in the face of this isolating pandemic.

None of this has been easy. And yet … I am delighted to report that I see our community not only working to survive the pandemic, but to thrive—with incredible faculty members continually seeking to innovate, learn, and grow as educators for the benefit of our amazing students. In this issue of The Anchor, you will read more about the ways we Saints are staying strong—delivering an outstanding curriculum and experience to our students— even in the face of all the challenges brought on by COVID-19.

I couldn’t be prouder.

Thor A. Kvande, Head of School 2

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FALL 2020 Fourth grader Ronan Keough and his mom Liz at morning drop-off.

LETTER FROM THE BOARD PRESIDENT

Liz Keough Dear GSL Families, As an independent private school, GSL is run by our Head of School and leadership team and is governed by our Board of Trustees. In a time like this, that level of self-reliance can be challenging, but it is ultimately liberating and has provided our GSL family with the blessing of self-determination under these challenging and ever-changing circumstances.

GSL can make choices that are right for GSL. In all of the scenarios, flow charts, committee meetings, and difficult decision-making, Thor Kvande and his team of thoughtful and incredibly hard-working staff and teachers have focused on the priority of in-person, high-quality education for our children. Thor’s favorite analogy for his team is that they are all in the canoe, paddling together. He emphasizes the need for teamwork, timing, and rhythm. Although each person has a separate and different job, when everyone is paddling together and in sync, the canoe moves through the water in a smooth and efficient motion.

We can honor their efforts best by exercising the Formative Five values our kids are taught every day: empathy, selfcontrol, integrity, embracing diversity and grit.

Empathy is recognizing we are all in this together. Selfcontrol means remembering that without fuel, a brushfire will stop. Integrity means not casting aspersions on others to combat our own fears and uncertainties. Embracing diversity means recognizing that each of us has our own challenges and hardships—and they aren’t always apparent to others. And grit—we’ve been gritting our teeth for months—but really, exercising grit means living our lives with joy and determination, and focusing on what we have, not what we are missing. We have all had to show such an enormous amount of flexibility, it feels as if one day we will just break, but we won’t. Despite all of it, as Mr. Kvande always says, “It’s a great day to be alive – AND IT’S A GREAT DAY TO BE A SAINT!”

We are all traveling in uncharted waters these days.

Schools and teachers have been asked to be the canaries in the coal mines; torch bearers for the entire economy.

Liz Keough, Board President

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WELCOME LAURA F. GETTYS Associate Rector at GSL Church and 6th Grade Bible Teacher Hometown: Memphis Family: Sons Foster ’25 and Joseph ’27; husband Josh; two dogs, one fish, a snail, and a frog living peacefully together (at the moment) First Job: Swim Team Coach Favorite Children’s Book: The Hello, Goodbye Window by Norton Juster Favorite School Subject: English Last Book Read: Wade in the Water: Poems

by Tracy K. Smith Favorite Quote: Currently, because I always have a few favorites: “New beginnings are often disguised as painful endings.” -Lao Tzu Best New Thing You Tried During the Pandemic: Pickleball!

Favorite GSL Moment Thus Far: Gathering for Back-to-School Chapel and helping everyone relax as we all lived into spaced-out chapel and masks.

BRADEN JENSEN Lower School Music Teacher Hometown: Germantown, Tenn.

Family: My mother, father, and sister First Job: Summer Music Camp Counselor Favorite Children’s Book: The Giving Tree

by Shel Silverstein Favorite School Subject: Music Last Book Read: Hyperion by Dan Simmons Favorite Quote: “Be the change you wish to see in the world.” -Mahatma Gandhi Best New Thing You Tried During the Pandemic: Learned how to play the accordion Favorite GSL Moment Thus Far: Meeting all of my wonderful new colleagues!

AMANDA MEYER 4th Grade Teacher Hometown: Jackson, Miss.

Family: My husband Chad, our 1-year-old Mills, and our Australian Shepherd Izzie First Job: Swim Team Coach Favorite Children’s Book: I Want My Hat Back by Jon Klassen Favorite School Subject: Reading Last Book Read: Teaching in Magenta

by James Alan Sturtevant Favorite Quote: “If you can't beat fear, just do it scared.” -Glennon Doyle Melton Best New Thing You Tried During the Pandemic: Creating new recipes and attempting to bake. It was fun getting creative with all the bulk items we purchased at Costco!

Favorite GSL Moment Thus Far: Making connections with my 4th graders and getting to know them. If you’ve spent any time with 9- and 10-year-olds, you know it’s impossible to pick just one funny moment! They keep me laughing and smiling every single day!

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NEW SAINTS ON

STAFF These Saints joined the GSL faculty and staff community this year!

LEE SCHAFFLER Middle School Art Teacher Hometown: Shreveport, La. Family: Husband Brian ’84 and our children Gus ’19 and Lanie ’21 First Job: The summer after eighth grade, I worked for my horse trainer.

Favorite Children’s Book: Pajama Time! by Sandra Boynton Favorite School Subject: Art – what else?

Last Book Read: Why Are All the Black Kids Sitting Together in the Cafeteria? And Other Conversations About Race by Beverly Daniel Tatum Favorite Quote: “Every child is an artist.”

-Pablo Picasso Best New Thing You Tried During the Pandemic: I learned to make kumihimo, a Japanese form of cord weaving, and look forward to teaching it to my students.

Favorite GSL Moment Thus Far: Since I’ve been a GSL parent since 2008, there are too many wonderful moments to count. However, I have to say that nothing compares to the electric school spirit that fills the gym during Saints basketball and volleyball games.

HARMONY SWENSON 2nd Grade Teacher Hometown: Memphis Family: Husband Chris, daughter Jules and tuxedo cat Clover First Job: TCBY Favorite Children’s Book: Whoever You Are by Mem Fox Favorite School Subject: Reading Last Book Read: The Dutch House by Ann Patchett Favorite Quote: “All you need is love.”

-The Beatles Best New Thing You Tried During the Pandemic: Yoga videos Favorite GSL Moment Thus Far: The first day of school when I got to meet all of my sweet students for the first time. Nothing beats that!!!

FRANCES WILLIAMS Middle School Math Teacher Hometown: Memphis (since July 2019) Family: Three daughters and five grandchildren, two of whom attend GSL: Callie Sanders ’25 and Celia Sanders ’28. Also a dachshund named Sophie.

First job: Babysitting Favorite Children’s Book: The Three Questions by Jon J. Muth Favorite School Subject: MATH! Last book read: Ellen Hendry gave me Yardsticks by Chip Wood and The First Days of School by Harry and Rosemary Wong which I enjoyed.

Favorite Quote: "You only have one chance to make a first impression."

-Stephanie Perkins Favorite GSL Moment Thus Far: Watching my advisory play BucketBall.

MARCI WOODMANSEE ’83 Associate Director of Communications Hometown: Memphis Family: Lots of GSL alumni – husband Ken ’81, children Mary ’14 and Will ’16, sister Amy Deshaies Sharp ’85, brother-in-law Scott Woodmansee ’79, and five nieces! I’ll also claim Coach Lass, our former athletic director, who is my brotherin-law. And I’m lucky enough to have Saints family here now – my niece Lily Woodmansee ’24 and cousins Madison McCarty ’28 and Miles McCarty ’28.

First Job: Seessel’s Bakery Department Favorite Children’s Book: The Westing Game

by Ellen Raskin Favorite School Subject: English Last Book Read: All the Devils are Here by Louise Penny Favorite Quote: “Be kind whenever possible.

It is always possible.” - Dalai Lama Best New Thing You Tried During the Pandemic: I subscribed to Disney Plus and finally got to see Hamilton! I’ve watched it five times now and counting…

Favorite GSL Moment Thus Far: Laughing with my hilarious Advancement teammates and reconnecting with so many friends from when I worked here before. (Being a Luker for Life is a real thing!)

2020-21 ANNUAL FUND:

THE YEAR FOR GIVING WITH GRACE

by Brenda Berry

R

aising money can be an intimidating job in normal times.

Raising money during a pandemic? Frightful.

Yet if you know the Behnkes, it will come as no surprise that they accepted the role of this year’s annual fund chairs with open arms.

GSL parents Kathleen and Schorr Behnke have been actively involved at GSL since their daughter Harper ’22 entered PK in 2011. The couple also has twin daughters at GSL, Libby ’27 and Louise ’27.

A native Memphian, Kathleen went on to Colgate University in Hamilton, N.Y. for her undergraduate degree, where she met Schorr. He was also attending Colgate for an undergraduate degree after graduating from Country Day School in St. Louis. After Colgate, Kathleen and Schorr lived in New York City, San Francisco, and Denver. Together, the young couple decided to settle down in Memphis as they pursued medical and nursing school at University of Tennessee Health Science Center. Today, Kathleen is a nurse practitioner for the Engbretson Center for Women, and Schorr is a pediatric radiologist with Memphis Radiological Professional Corporation, which staffs the Methodist Hospital Systems.

The Behnke Family, from left, Louise ’27, Kathleen, Harper ’22, Schorr, and Libby ’27

The Behnkes chose GSL for many reasons that align with what they want for their daughters, but Kathleen had her eye on GSL for many years before becoming a mom.

“As a student at White Station High School, I watched several GSL kids matriculate into the 9th grade class and jump right into academic and leadership roles,” she said. “It always stuck with me that these were confident, socially-aware bridge builders, and I admired the strong peer relationships they had with each other.”

WHAT GIVING WITH GRACE MEANS TO US Giving with Grace means giving with your heart, with tolerance and with patience.

It means giving because you want to see something that you love thrive. Now more than ever, in this COVID era, we feel it is important to be kind and to show grace, patience, and compassion.

We hope that everyone will consider Giving with Grace to Grace-St. Luke’s this year.

-Kathleen and Schorr Behnke

In a non-pandemic world, the Behnke family loves to ski, travel, hike, fly fish, camp, and explore. In addition to these activities, the Behnke family is involved with several local organizations including Church Health, Levitt Shell, Overton Park Conservancy, and New Ballet Ensemble. Schorr is currently on the MetroCare Board, and Kathleen has been a member of the LeBonheur Club for more than 10 years. She has also actively served the GSL Parents’ Association (P.A.) for several years as a room parent, fall fundraiser chair, trivia night chair, and as the 2018-19 P.A. President.

The Behnkes shared that “as a family, we have found that the more we put into our school, the more reward and connection we feel to our GSL community.”

Which brings us back to their involvement as this year’s annual fund chairs.

2020-21 FUNDRAISING GOAL $255,000

While some might see fundraising during a pandemic as an added challenge, the Behnkes, in their forever-optimistic outlook on life, see it as an opportunity.

“GSL has consistently been a source of strength for our children in a time of great uncertainty,” Kathleen and Schorr said. “Our hope is that the GSL community will value the gift that GSL is to all of our families, and join us as we work toward making GSL an even better, brighter place."

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Fifth graders Edward Scrugham, Ethan Dockery, and Santi Orbegoso enjoy lunch outside.

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Congratulations,

Class of 2016!

Congratulations to GSL’s Class of 2016! Our hearts go out to these students whose high school graduations were very different than expected after a year that was cut short by the pandemic.

We know they will be stronger for having faced this challenge, and we wish them all the best as they begin their next chapter. Go, Saints!

Abigail Apple

Loyola University Chicago

Graham Arkle

Rhodes College

Olivia Berntson

Washington and Lee University

Henry Brand

University of Tennessee, Knoxville

Ben Brandon

The Savannah College of Art and Design

Anna Margaret Burnett

University of Arkansas

Clay Busby

Millsaps College

Isabel Campos

Vanderbilt University

Maura Cliff

North Carolina State University

Tyler Comes

gap year

Caroline Couch

New York University

Cate Daniels

Auburn University

Anna Deason

College of Charleston

Cole Donnelly

undecided

Claire Epperson

Kenyon College

Livie Glazier

The College of Wooster

Addison Harris

Tulane University

Avery Hastings

Southwest Tennessee Community College

John Henley

University of Colorado Boulder

J.D. Huber

gap year

Molly Huggins

Auburn University

Mia Jones

University of Arkansas

Robert Jungklas

Drexel University

Will Lamb

The University of Mississippi

Evans Lawson

Sewanee: The University of the South

Andrew McBride

Seattle Central College

Duncan McLean

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Jacob Messer

Volunteer State Community College

Mary Chapman Morrow University of Tennessee, Knoxville Michael Neal

Rhodes College

Whit Overstreet

Rhodes College

Ellie Sappington

University of South Carolina

Caroline Seamons

New York University

Isabelle Sharp

University of Arkansas

Madison Smith

University of Arkansas

Harris Tennyson

University of Tennessee, Knoxville

Colleen Touchstone

University of Tennessee, Knoxville

Bennett Vaughan

University of Denver

Thomas Walk

University of Memphis

Lilly West

The University of Virginia

Sydney Claire Williams

University of Tennessee, Knoxville

Will Woodmansee

The University of Mississippi

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PK student Isabella Thomas knows playing in the mud is always allowed in the Preschool’s outdoor classroom.

SAINTS STAYING

STRONG

Using optimism and determination, students and faculty face the pandemic together to make this school year a success.

By Marci Woodmansee ’83

PRESCHOOL Still Rockin’ and Rollin’

A

year like no other. It’s a phrase we used countless times this summer, as school leaders and faculty and staff calculated, and considered, and envisioned, and prepared

for what this school year would and could look like.

By definition, “like no other” signifies that things are different than before. That has indeed been the case. Plans were made. Changed. Rearranged.

Local guidelines were watched, monitored, and implemented. And finally, GSL determined it was critical to be bold and reopen…with many, many new measures in place to do so safely. Airplane arms—our way of showing how to be 6 feet apart—is now a term every preschooler understands. Smiling eyes are critical to show that we are okay behind our masks.

Grace, patience, good humor, and flexibility have been a daily requirement. In this feature, we show how we are doing this, and share some thoughts from our division heads as they embrace leading, and teaching, at GSL, during a pandemic.

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“Will our youngest students really be able to wear masks all day?”

The thought was on every Preschool teacher’s mind as planning began for being on campus this school year. As Head of Preschool Cynthia Burnett describes, that was just one of many unknowns.

Federal and local protocols mandated that children age 2 and younger would not have to wear masks, while age 3 and above—the bulk of our PK and JK students—would. And thus began pandemic life at Miss Lee’s. There were no August visits by families to meet teachers.

Faculty members redesigned classrooms, reconfigured schedules, created individual activity carts, learned how to use an electrostatic sanitizer, and much, much more.

Yet as Burnett likes to say with her usual optimism, Preschool is rockin’ and rollin’.

“We had a task force over the summer that hashed through every single detail we could think of,” Burnett recalls with a smile. “What’s this going to look like? How will we do that? And what about that?”

While there were countless concerns for the adults to consider—from proper distancing, to figuring out masks, to implementing a carpool line rather than a walk-in dropoff—one thing it turns out they didn’t need to worry about as much? How the students would handle it.

“I think we ALL were surprised at how well the children have done,” Burnett says. “It’s phenomenal how well they’ve been keeping on their masks. It’s not required for the 2-year-olds, but some of them come in wearing masks anyway! Some kids even grasp that after a certain amount of time playing with one friend, they have to move and play with someone else. And the carpool? One parent recently told me, ‘I am loving the carpool line. My daughter just hops out, and I take off!’”

Burnett says it all goes back to collaboration. She credits both teachers’ ingenuity and diligence in figuring out their new normal, and parents’ patience and willingness to embrace the modifications and heightened precautions to help make it all work. And as Burnett explains, children are happy in large part because they are back in their routines.

“Kids love a routine, knowing what’s happening next—that makes things go smoother,” Burnett says. “It was different this year explaining to kids that there's a terrible germ out there, and we don’t want to get it, so we’re going to do all these things to make it better for us. But they understand it and are so happy to be back at school. Their capacity level is so huge… and they are so resilient.”

Teachers put an enormous amount of thought and creativity into setting up their classrooms over the summer to best serve their students. “They really took time to look at their square footage and figure out how far apart things could go, so that they were still able to teach and keep everyone safe,” Burnett says. “They have all set up in uniquely different ways—everybody!—but in a way that works for their classrooms.”

still need to work on restoring our mud-kitchen and weaving loom, and we have plans to build a tepee.”

Preschool teachers have also made great use of communication tools that were already in place such as Kaymbu, early education software that helps bring the classroom to parents during this time when they can’t walk children in and see it for themselves. Digital tools have become more important than ever to showcase students’ work and classroom activities.

"Teachers are using photos and videos to help parents feel connected," Burnett says. "Our focus is keeping the kids healthy and happy, and continuing our work to support their social/emotional growth."

And so, Preschool keeps going, with its play-based mission and an even greater reliance on mindfulness and outdoor education during COVID-19. While everyone knows that oak trees stand strong, Burnett is reminding her team that in a strong wind, oak trees can break. So there is value and importance in being able to bend like a willow.

“This pandemic is helping us understand that we as educators have to be flexible in all we do, too,” Burnett says. “We might have been doing things a certain way for

Pandemic set-up required daily modifications like putting mats head-to-toe at naptime, rather than side-by-side, and new classroom items like the small lap desks Burnett procured before the start of school.

Teachers were worried about having to rotate students through multiple snack times to space children apart at their classroom tables; with the lap desks, everyone can eat at the same time, physically distanced in their own safe space. Individualized activity baskets and pencil pouches have also helped students keep their hands and their belongings to themselves.

Burnett also ordered floor stickers with each classroom character for hallways and walkways to designate six feet of space. These were replicated inside classrooms to help children learn the right way to spread out when sitting on the floor. “Now you might hear, ‘go sit on a dinosaur,’ or ‘find your giraffe!’” Burnett explains.

Cleaning protocols, while always in place, were enhanced in a number of ways to battle COVID-19. Along with the daily temperature checks and frequent handwashing, the playground equipment is now sanitized more frequently.

Burnett walks through the building every day to help sanitize high-touch areas inside and outside, like sinks and soap dispensers, as well as the classroom toys. Children themselves are moving inside and outside more frequently too, spending nearly three hours outside each day.

Having both a playground and an outdoor classroom has been a huge help. A P.A. Volunteer Day in October helped spruce up areas in need of enhancement. “Teachers are enjoying the pergola and picnic tables with their classes,” Burnett says. “Students play in the music area and enjoy the water table, the painting easel, and the sitting cocoons. We

On a visit to the Zippy Zebras room, Library Services Director Jan Willis reads Grumpy Bird to a rapt Jordan Braddy-Haney ’32 and her Little Luker classmates.

a while; now we’ve had to rethink everything, and in some ways, I think that’s a positive. We all get in ruts, but when you have to reset like this, it gives you time to reflect on what you bring to education, and what you want to do.

Sometimes it’s good to stop and think, 'Is this the best method, or do I need to try something different?' This has made us do that.

“And we might even find new practices and things we decide to keep along the way!”

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Second graders spread out on the side steps to the Administrative Office for an outdoor snack and mask break. Front row, from left: Luca Flechas, George Sells; middle: Ella Grace Billings, Tac Cannon; back: Julia Martin, Austin Williams, and Jennings Callahan

LOWER SCHOOL

All Heart, All In, All Day “Classrooms might be a little louder this year,” Head of Lower School Marti McCloud says with a laugh in describing Lower School. “And that’s okay!”

Yes, students are in masks, but they are still interacting, only from a safe distance of six feet apart, and in many rooms, behind plexiglass shields. So sometimes, it’s necessary to raise your voice a bit! They’re also doing a lot of interacting online to stay connected with classmates who have elected to stay remote for the time being. So McCloud is not about to squelch the enthusiastic and collaborative learning going on in her division. As she says, learning resonates the most when it encompasses both discovery and joy. Her priority this year is keeping that going during a pandemic.

To that end, desks with shields are being turned to face each other for certain projects, so kids can work as toe-totoe partners. Classes have their designated outdoor spots around Lower School where they can assemble for snack

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and masks breaks. Students have their own individualized activity carts and kits. Recess and P.E. classes involve socially-distanced games and exercises. Outdoor time has increased, and inside group projects are sometimes smaller to allow for spacing.

And yet, in the face of all this, morning meetings have been introduced, where teachers start the day off with some time to teach students how to mindfully connect in these strange times, and respect each other’s uniqueness.

And nothing going on in the outside world is stopping Lower School’s implementation of the new Fountas & Pinnell language arts curriculum, readers workshops, and more focused literacy development.

Academic excellence is what GSL is all about, and as McCloud says, “Language arts is the basis for everything!”

The new curriculum approaches reading in three ways— thinking within the text, thinking beyond the text, and thinking about the text—and is complemented by a multi-sensory spelling and phonics program.

“We can now present engaging non-fiction works that provide snapshots of the world outside us and are

appropriately complex, but easier to get into and out of than longer chapter books,” she explains. “There is joy in reading and writing because of what the kids are learning and discovering in the texts. And it’s all accessible online for our students who are remote.”

A more extensive language arts focus is only a part of any day in Lower School, of course. Special subject teachers like Spanish Teacher Cynthia Goodfellow travel room-to-room, bringing language instruction safely to each grade. Lower School Music Teacher Braden Jensen has been teaching body percussion and multicultural dances in student classrooms. Library Services Director Jan Willis has set up a library branch in the Lower School, allowing him greater access and insight into reading interests of students in SK-4th grade. And Science and Technology Teacher Amie Plumley is bringing STEM learning and her iLab to students with fun science experiments in the classroom and outside.

Mrs. McCloud and SK student Kate Pishko visit with a Funky Foxes classmate learning remotely at home.

Third grader Crosby High and classmates have desks with plexiglass shields as an added precaution during the pandemic.

The delivery may be slightly different than before, but the drive for excellence has remained a constant.

“Everything this year has required a pivot,” McCloud says. “But what I’ve been most impressed with is how our teachers are thinking differently, together. They are coming up with collaborative solutions that have been really remarkable. It can seem like there are no good answers in times like these, but our teachers are taking things in stride and moving forward beyond the challenges in a way I greatly admire. There’s joy in teaching and learning, even in a pandemic, and being back here in the classroom is something we value very much.”

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MIDDLE SCHOOL

Physically Distanced, Yet Socially Connected Middle School looked undeniably different at the start of this school year–the biggest change being the division of grades 5-8 into Lukers and Saints cohorts that rotated a week on and a week off at school, to allow for proper distancing and safety as school began. There were other changes to adjust to as well. Small and welcome things, like students being allowed to wear shorts the first trimester, along with bigger, more difficult things, like the loss of the fall sports season. There was even a transition from the daily class rotation of the past to a block schedule, to allow fewer class changes with less mingling of grade levels, and facilitate deeper learning with more dedicated time.

“Because why waste a good pandemic by not implementing even more change?” Head of Middle School Ellen Hendry says with a smile. “When we came back in August, I told teachers that our most important school supplies would be flexibility, patience, grit, and a sense of humor.”

And that’s exactly what they brought.

“The way we all adapted is so in line with who we are– creative problem solvers,” Hendry says. “We dig deep and figure out how to make things work. Teachers are modeling lifelong learning every day.”

Daily temperature checks in the morning quickly became routine this year, and necessity, as always, was the mother of invention. How to hold Student Council Campaign week? Instead of posters and candy, the TikTok generation candidates easily created campaign videos. What about Eighth Grade Chapel Talks? Along with Celebration, GSL began livestreaming the events to the school, with recordings sent later to family members who couldn’t attend in person. The Middle School Leadership retreat?

It was conducted online with a local physician as guest presenter who spoke honestly and openly about what it takes to be a leader during a crisis.

“Our amazing faculty jumped in and have been very creative,” Hendry says. “Long-tenured instructors like Middle School Dean Kimberly White have been wonderful helping fellow teachers and new faculty members. And it’s been that way since we had to go off campus in March, when we did all we could to preserve our spring traditions."

But Hendry readily admits it has not been easy. “Teaching students who are at home while engaging with the students in your classroom is incredibly difficult. Our teachers have come up with great ideas and shared tips to make the experience as good as it can possibly be for students. And the kids are being so resilient and positive. I know teachers have felt like we are behind the 8-ball. I like to say we are just 8-ball adjacent!”

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One silver lining to the pandemic has been this: GSL students are receiving an important lesson that teachers may not have realized they were going to teach. They are learning how to adjust expectations when facing a challenge and persist in pressing forward.

And the best news of all? After fall break, cohorts were eliminated and most Middle School students were back on campus full time. While there are still some fully-remote learners, it’s a welcome step in the right direction.

Head of School Thor Kvande has tried to take the long view during this time of unprecedented change. “While so much is different, it’s important to remember what is the same—our mission.

That’s the anchor that steadies us,” he says. “And students are watching us to see how we respond to challenge and adversity. It’s definitely a time for grace on all fronts.”

As he repeated throughout the fall, we are in it together … and change isn’t always a terrible thing.

“Traditions may look different,” he said on the first day of school in August. “But they will still resonate.”

Eighth grader Paige Fernandez unveils the Class of 2021 Banner at All-School Chapel at the beginning of the school year.

Sixth graders Lockard Richardson and Andrew Strickland sign yearbooks.

Eighth graders Mariah Hall and Anna Haley set up a science experiment behind the Anchor Center.

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Need updated Caption for this photo JK students Tia Sanford and Teddy Segars enjoy picking out books for reading time!

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Jennifer Atkins and colleagues Sara Ralston (left) and Jane Williams (right) await instructions during a teacher service day at the GSL Church Food Pantry.

JENNIFER ATKINS CHECKS RETIREMENT OFF HER LIST In her signature Lilly Pulitzer dresses, with a wide smile and her hair neatly pulled back in a bow, First Grade Teacher Jennifer Atkins was always hard to miss. Small in stature with a big personality, Atkins made first grade fun for hundreds of students since she started teaching at GSL in 1994. But after 26 years, she decided it was time to retire.

Organized, efficient, neat, orderly, and punctual, Atkins had an impressive work ethic that established her as a role model for both her peers and her students. Her classroom routine was predictable, so that students felt comfortable and were able to succeed. She was always readily able to identify both strengths and weaknesses in her students, bolstering the areas that needed support and further developing the areas that were strong. With struggling students, she was always willing to work closely with parents (and grandparents) to help students be successful.

She was also well-known for teaching etiquette and proper manners through a summer camp and to fourth graders, which they enjoyed putting to the test at dinner during their first-ever overnight class trip. The manners she taught were part and parcel of the expectations she required daily of the students in her classroom.

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With a great sense of humor, Atkins was a fabulous storyteller. She could be animated and hilarious with both children and adults. Her friend and fellow first grade teacher Martha Young, with whom she taught for most of her GSL career, remembers the many little girls who would arrive at school with bows and ponytails like their teacher. She describes Jennifer as a role model for organization and work ethic. “Daily she exhibited the importance of neatness and order for her students," Young says. "Her famous Manners Camp every summer was an example of her Southern style, but she taught manners every day in her classroom.

Her students strived to be like her.�

Other iconic characteristics of Atkins include healthy eating, her love of Alabama football, and her reliance on lists.

Her legacy at GSL will not be forgotten, and with luck, future first graders will get a glimpse of her sunny personality and style whenever she comes back to visit.

FINAL CURTAIN CALL FOR LAYNE WILSON “How did she get the kids to DO that?!” was a common refrain among Lower School parents streaming out of McClure Hall after yet another fantastic Layne Wilson production. It’s a testament to her gifts that even after her 20 years at GSL, the question remains difficult to answer. What was it, exactly, that made her classroom musicals so magical?

Weeks of preparation went into each production, that much is known. But to channel and focus the energy of 30 to 40 kids, per five grade levels, for six to eight weeks of rehearsal, twice a year, every year … how does one teacher do that? Whatever her secret, she will be deeply missed as she announced her retirement at the end of last school year.

From the wiggliest SK student to the coolest fourth grader, the shyest first grader to the most exuberant second or third grader, she got every single child involved in the production in a way that played to his or her strengths. Whether a part of the chorus or a soloist, a rapper or a dancer, a cute little rat or the Pied Piper, everyone got a chance to shine. She had high expectations and a no-nonsense manner of teaching, and year after year, students seemed to recognize that this talented director would guide them safely across the stage and straight into their star turn.

No matter what production, there would be so many soloists, it seemed impossible to believe that everyone could hit their mark. And yet somehow, most of the time, almost everyone did. They danced! They sang!

They moved across the stage like seasoned performers.

Finding a way to bring forth the individual talents of each, Wilson cultivated a promising group of young actors who would soon take their gifts to the next level

in her colleague Leslie Reddick’s Middle School productions and as eighth graders delivering their Chapel Talks.

We are grateful for what she showed the kids, which went far beyond musical instruction. She taught them stage presence. She gave them a chance to be courageous in front of an audience. We won’t soon forget her many creative contributions, like the holiday fun with our Christmas Carol sing-along, and productions like The Littlest Christmas Tree, Christmas Around the World, and It’s Saturday!

We appreciate all she gave to GSL and wish her well in her next chapter!

Music Teacher Layne Wilson helps Head of School Thor Kvande act out the Twelve Days of Christmas during the traditional Christmas Carol sing-along in December.

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P.A. THE

CONNECTION

By Mary Evelyn Fore '91

The 2020-21 P.A. Executive Board, from left, Jenny Rixon, Lindsey Myers, Mary Evelyn Fore, Traci Strickland, and Meghan Barksdale; not pictured, Simone Meeks

On behalf of the 2020-2021 Parents’ Association, I would like to give a warm welcome to all of our new Saints families! I am excited to serve as president of the P.A. Executive Board this year along with my fellow parents Meghan Barksdale, treasurer; Jenny Rixon, secretary; Traci Strickland, Middle School VP; Simone Meeks, Lower School VP; and Lindsey Myers, Preschool VP. Whether you have been a GSL parent for a few months or 12 years (or more!), you are a valuable member of the Parents’ Association. The P.A.’s purpose is to support the school by building community among the parents and raising money through activities such as the Charleston Wrap fall fundraiser, the Anchor Auction, Trivia Night, and Spirit Wear sales. Teacher Appreciation, the Father-Daughter Dance, the 8th Grade Italian Dinner, and the Mother-Son Event are just a few more P.A.-sponsored activities that make our school community feel more like a family.

I want to thank Mandy Chauhan for her hard work as the 2019-2020 P.A. President. Mandy and her Executive Board had many unexpected challenges due to the pandemic, including the cancellation of the Anchor Auction, which is the P.A.’s largest fundraiser. But even with the loss of the auction, the P.A. raised approximately

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$45,000. These funds provided Chromebooks for third graders through eighth graders so all our students would have access to similar technology, whether learning remotely or in the classroom.

Although COVID-19 continues to affect this year’s P.A. gatherings and events, the Pop-Up Spirit Wear Sale in August was a success. With masks and social distancing measures in place, families came to the circle drive to stock up on Spirit Wear, and our clothing sales totaled more than $6,200. Our Charleston Wrap fundraiser followed in September, with all sales online this year.

Prizes were awarded to our top sellers, and our sales total this year was $24,000.

Please visit the P.A. page under the Student Life tab on our website for a complete list of events, their descriptions and chairs, and how you can help. Check the eNews each week to stay informed on events and volunteer needs throughout the year. Our P.A. traditions are very important to us as a school family, and we will do our best to hold as many of these events as possible. In this time of uncertainty, it’s important that we support each event and take every opportunity to show our love for GSL. Thank you for supporting your Parents’ Association.

Go, Saints!

First grader Olivia Bennett walks outside for a mask break with her class. She is carrying a brown lunch bag, which is what students use to store their masks during lunch and breaks.

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2019-20 Grace-St. Luke’s Annual Report This report reflects total, cumulative gifts made by donors to Annual Giving from August 1, 2019 through July 31, 2020. Any payments received after July 31, 2020 will be acknowledged in the 2020-2021 Annual Report. Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of this listing. If any errors or omissions are discovered, please email Brenda Berry at bberry@gslschool.org.

Our sincere appreciation is extended to the following donors: BISHOP’S ALLIANCE A gift of $5,000 or more

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

Anonymous Mr. & Mrs. Robert N. Adrian, Jr. Dr. & Mrs. Schorr Behnke In honor of Libby, Louise, and Harper Wight F. Boggs The Callahans Allison & Andy Cates Community Foundation of Greater Memphis Meg & Scott Crosby Doug & Kristen Duncan In honor of the faculty and staff of GSL Mr. & Mrs. Glenn D. Floyd Mr. & Mrs. Patrick Gilmore Mr. & Mrs. William P. Halliday, III Lisa & Jim Maddox Mr. & Dr. Scott and Shannon Malone Margaret & Alec McLean Lee & Eliot Morris Melanie & Doug Schrank Schwab Charitable Giving Mr. & Mrs. Robert A. Taylor Mrs. Ann Vining In honor of Iris and Elaine Vining Kristen & Richard Vining

Anonymous Archer Custom Builders, Inc. Mr. & Mrs. Thomas Archer Mr. & Mrs. Benjamin Barksdale Matt & Jodi Barron In memory of Leo E. Barron Gail & Eric Berntson Alex & Jenay Boggs Drs. Brian & Lucy Bruijn In honor of Mr. Robert & Mrs. Lu Bucci Frank Byrd & Pung-Pung Huang The Canale Foundation Christian Community Foundation of Memphis & the Mid-South, Inc. Mr. & Mrs. Charles Ciaramitaro Dr. & Mrs. Clair Cox Melanie & Kenneth Cox Jeff & Sherry Emerson Richard & Pamela Flynt In honor of Aideen and Delta Flynt Mr. Robert Goff Emmel & Amy Golden Mr. & Mrs. Michael J. Harris In honor of Jackson and Rowan Halpern Mia & Paul Henley Louis Hettinger Hyde Family Foundation Marilyn C. Kidd Steven & Allison King Mary & Will Maddox Mr. & Mrs. Eric Martin Michelle & Donald McClure Mr. Michael McDonnell In honor of Mike and Hays McDonnell Karen Y. McLaren Mr. & Mrs. John W. McQuiston Jim & Becky Mercer Mr. & Mrs. Luis Orbegoso Lauri & David Prather Raymond James Charitable Giving Lauren & Eddie Robinson Robert H. Schuyler Bob & Libby Shannon In memory of Petie Williams Elaine & Brixey Shelton In honor of Jordyn Shelton Sharon & Josh Shipley Mr. W. H. Smythe, III Stifel Drs. Arzu Onar-Thomas & Fridtjof Thomas

TRUSTEE’S CIRCLE A gift of $2,500 - $4,999 Ameritrade Cindy & Kevin Brewer Dr. & Mrs. Bill Burgess Chirag & Mandy Chauhan Fidelity Charitable Gift Mr. & Mrs. Hugh C. Fraser Ryan & Jennifer Gibbs Mr. & Mrs. C. Stanley Johnson, III In honor of Charlie Johnson Mr. & Mrs. Thor Kvande Drs. Joseph & Judy Mixon Mary & Paul Morris Ruth & Kurt Patton Julie & David Richardson Mr. & Mrs. Tom Stephenson In honor of our children and grandchildren: Tommy Stephenson, Katie Stephenson McDermott, Meg Stephenson Burress, Thomas, Clarke, and Wise Stephenson, and Margo McDermott Lauren & Justin Taylor Mr. Edward C. Vining Mr. & Mrs. William A. Watts

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Col. (Ret.) Jim Thompson In honor of Henry and Marin Thompson and in memory of Lydia Anne Thompson Vanguard Bill & Kristie Warner In honor of Chloe and Claire Warner Casey & Ashley West William & Carole West In honor of William and Mary James Morris Larry White Bruce & Jane Williams Gib & Nancy Wilson In honor of Collin Buckner ORDER OF THE ANCHOR A gift of $750 - $999 Dr. & Mrs. Russell Bell First Horizon Foundation Debbie & Jim Flaherty Laura & Josh Gettys Ms. Melanee Hannock & Ms. Teresa Sweeney Hetta & Jesse Heath Kroger Mr. & Mrs. Jimmy McElroy In honor of Clara Porter Hutsell and Anna James Hutsell Matt & Kelley Morice In honor of Christopher Morice Bob & Kelli Ratton Gary & Glenda Shorb In honor of Jack and Will Hagerman Traci & Mark Strickland Jeff Thompson & Dawn Scott Ms. Tanja L. Thompson Clifton & Amanda Wilson ‘47 SOCIETY A gift of $500 - $749 Eric Barnes Chris & Gina Beagle Tom & Thaler Beasley Tom & Kappi Beazley In honor of the McGlasson family Brenda & Jason Berry Mr. & Ms. Daniel Breen Karen & Tyson Bridge Tiger & Glennys Bryant Cynthia Burnett Sara & Patrick Burnett In honor of Rebecca Burnett Mr. & Mrs. Ronald M. Byrnes, IV Mr. George Callow & Dr. Marsha V. Lee

Rev. & Mrs. Noah Campbell Alex & Lyndal Canale Mr. & Mrs. Jack Cantrell, Jr. Stephanie Cheney Community Foundation of Greater Atlanta Drs. Alex & Trudy Dunlap Karen & George Early Wendy & Porter Feild Kathy & Ted Ferguson Megan & Steele Ford In honor of Gretchen Riem Mr. & Mrs. Tim Frizzell In honor of Zoe and Jonas Pretzer The Fundo Family Mr. & Mrs. Paxton Griffin Paul & Jennifer Hagerman David Hanson & Christina Ross In honor of Mrs. Williams and Mr. Roncal Ann & Henry Herrod In honor of Harper, Libby, and Louise Behnke Kenny & Margaret Jabbour Dr. & Mrs. Tim Jancelewicz Jewish Foundation of Memphis Mrs. Judy Johnson In honor of Levi and Beklin Johnson Dr. & Mrs. Zachary Johnston Terry & Elaine Kerr Mr. & Mrs. Rick A. Kohlhof Thomas Kvande Casey & Joanna Laizure Tom Leitzell & Heather Conklin Jeni & Jamie Linkous Gina & Dick Lodge In honor of E.B. Tally Dickson & Julie Logan Mr. & Mrs. Andrew Massengale Mr. & Mrs. Nicholas J. Maurette Mr. & Mrs. McNeal B. McDonnell Medtronic The Park Family Drs. Stephen Pishko & Whitney Sanders Niel & Sarah Prosser The Reverend Ollie V. Rencher Mr. & Mrs. Alan Renken Jenny & Rob Robertson Anne & Epes Robinson John & Harriet Ross Brian & Lee Schaffler Dr. & Mrs. W. Winslow Schrank In honor of Colton, Isabel, Oakley, and Vivian Schrank John & Christy Sharp Dr. & Mrs. G.W. Sorrells, III

Baylor & Howard Stovall Mr. & Mrs. W. Sledge Taylor, III In honor of the Advancement team, Will Taylor ’06 & wife Rachel, and in memory of Dean C. DuBois, Jr. Bill & Nan Thompson In honor of Kai and Ana Thompson Dr. & Mrs. Todd Tobias Emilie & Lewis Unglesby Charles & Beth Walker Mr. & Mrs. A. C. Wharton André & Monica Wharton In honor of Andrew C. Wharton Benton M. Wheeler & Aimee M. Christian Mr. & Mrs. Richard T. Wood, III Marci & Ken Woodmansee In memory of Lisa Lassandrello and Dennis Cain Anna Kathryn & Hank Word SAINTS’ CHAIN A gift of $250-$499 Anonymous Fontaine & John Albritton Mr. & Mrs. Franklin G. Barton, IV Mr. & Mrs. Tyler Benitone Linda & Dan Breen In honor of Jake Breen Mr. & Mrs. Tom Buckner In honor of Anne and Jack Buckner Mr. & Mrs. Mark Busse Debbie Callahan In memory of Lisa Lassandrello Blas & Georganne Catalani In honor of Dr. & Mrs. Blas Catalani, III Derrick & Shannon Choo Margaret & Bill Craddock Jim Curry Kacey Hickey Davies and Brian Davies In honor of Sidney and David Hickey Frontstream Connect Christa George & Chris Wood Mr. & Mrs. Ronald R. Hawkins Mr. & Mrs. Pete Hirschey Walter & Mary Ellen Hoehn Joy & James Hoffman Anna & Tod Holtzclaw In honor of the Class of 2020 John, Davis, and Farrah Lou Hudson Darin & Jennifer Isom Drs. James Jones & Sara Cross Les & Leah Jones In honor of Marylin West Dr. Lisa Kennedy Drew & Tia Kofahl Ms. Lauriann Lines In honor of James and Andy Balk Dr. & Mrs. Ernest Lowe, Jr. In honor of Campbell Lowe Peggy & Don McClure, Jr. Shelly McGuire

Simone & Logan Meeks Katherine & Andrew Mickelson Jane Morris Drs. Vaishnavi & Mannu Nayyar Sara & Bruce Ralston Mr. & Mrs. Chris Roberts Dr. & Mrs. Jay Saenz Kate & James Shelton Mr. & Mrs. Bill Smith Mr. & Mrs. Dewey Smith Mr. & Mrs. Gilbert P. Smith In honor of Mary Clara Smith Mr. & Mrs. Thomas Russell Smith Mr. & Mrs. Bruce C. Taylor Russ Thompson Mr. & Mrs. Kelly Truitt In honor of Connor and Callan Truitt Vulcan Materials Company Ms. Stacie Martin Waddell In honor of Saylor M. Waddell Chris & Kim Warner Susan Weber Dr. & Mrs. Brad Wilkinson Harriet & Alan Word LUKE’S LEGION A gift of $100-$249 Mr. & Mrs. Michael Alberson, Jr. AmazonSmile Foundation Mr. & Mrs. Richard Avant In honor of Louis Avant Henry & Janet Bartosch Dr. Allen O. Battle, III In memory of Barry Creson Kelsey Beagle Ernest C. Behnke Sara & Bob Berendt Anna & Angus Blair Bert & Bonnie Bonanno In honor of Sterling and Davis Scott Jimmie & Margaret Bradley In honor of Henrik and Mattias Clauson Phineas & Laura Bresee Beverly Brown In honor of Noland Brown Angie & Kaleb Brown In honor of Knox Brown Thomas & Donna Brown In honor of Eric Alexander Wilds Lisa Buckner & Kiersten Schnacke Mr. & Mrs. Samuel R. Buckner In honor of Mimmie Fisher, Hayley Howard, Liz Awsumb, and Deborah Lowe Jennifer Burgess Nina Callan Joe & Lea Carney In honor of Catherine Carney Joe Carney Ruth O. Carr In honor of Hunt Durbin Rachel & Blas Catalani, III Mr. & Mrs. Adam Cohen Mr. Mark Compton & Ms. Maria Smith In honor of Thomas Stephenson Chris & Jennifer Cothern

Maxine Coven Mr. & Mrs. Robert M. Danner, Jr. In honor of Palmer and Betsy Halliday Mimi Danosky Mary Kay Davis In honor of Maren Lamanna Dr. & Mrs. Phil Dowdle Mr. Hung Du & Mrs. Jie Lin Donna & Andy Duck In honor of Holt Duck Mrs. Sharon Dunbar In honor of Tessa and Kiley Gilbertson Mrs. Rosemary Earp In honor of Ben Clark Tom & Sara Federico Mr. & Mrs. Jonathan T. Flynt Mr. & Mrs. Daniel Fundo, Sr. Mr. & Mrs. Patrick Galphin Jacque & Stacy Gardner Tina Gault Mr. & Mrs. Mark Gilbertson Jerry & Elizabeth Gilless Diane Glueck Nancy & Sonny Golden Mr. & Mrs. W. Henry Grosvenor Dr. & Mrs. Ramesh C. Gupta Tom & Jean Marie Harrison In honor of Cate Ciaramitaro Sarah Stegall Haygood Walker Hays In honor of Hays Prather Ian & Ellen Hendry Mr. & Mrs. M. Taylor Hewgley Sidney & David Hickey In honor of Kacey Davies and Jon-Paul Hickey Camille Maddox Hieronymus Andy & Ashley High Stacey Hollingsworth In honor of Raphael Brunotte Michael Howard & Arleen Hill Brenda Allen Huff In honor of Sherry Prewitt and Sara Kate, Anna, and Gabe Ratton Mr. & Mrs. Michael Hutsell Mr. & Ms. Eric Incitti John & Lynda Irvine In honor of Virginia and Jack Irvine Mr. & Mrs. C. Stanley Johnson, Jr. James S. & Sandra S. Jones, Jr. In honor of Ellen Jones Mrs. Peggy Jones Dr. Sonya Jones In honor of Ellen Olivia Jones Lauren Kenworthy Tricia & Chuck Kerwin Nancy & Eugene King In honor of Charlie and Margaret Willson Ms. Ariel L. Laws In memory of my beautiful mom Gail Laws Amy Lee Terry & Lucy Leitzell Felicity Letsou

Julie Markham & Brent Orr Pat Massengill Amy Mayne & Frankie Haley Anita & Mike McCarty In honor of Madison and Miles McCarty Mr. & Mrs. Doug McCloud Brondelyn McGee Cecily & Peter McLean In honor of Virginia and Campbell McLean Jeanne Myrick McMillen Martin & Carole Michael In honor of Charlie Johnson Michael & Diana Mickelson Martha Mitchell Barry & Janet Musick In memory of Jane Keltner Mr. & Mrs. Charles E. Nelson, Jr. Mr. & Mrs. Tommy Oates In memory of James B. New Meg & Clyde Patton, III In honor of Johnny Collier, IV Drs. Donna & Landon Pendergrass The Plumley Family Zach & Ann Pretzer Mr. Sudhanand R. Pulusani Sarah Ranson & Mike Martin Leslie J. Reddick Daniel & Katherine Riederer Gretchen Riem Becky Robinson Bill & Penny Roen In honor of Clayton Roen Mr. Juan Roncal Mr. & Mrs. Michael E. Rowland Rosalind & Gary Scott In honor of Marin and Henry Thompson Martin & Brooke Shannon In honor of Layne Wilson and Robert Ward Donnie & Mary Margaret Snow Jim & Jane Stranch In honor of Victoria Stranch Roland Taylor Mr. & Mrs. Carroll Todd In memory of Dean DuBois Elizabeth Tual Clara S. Waddell In honor of Saylor Waddell Mr. David Waddell Dorsey & John Wade In honor of Cooper Deason Mrs. Jeanette Walton Tia Watkins Dr. Kimberly Weber & Mr. Jon Weber Bill & Cathy Whitaker Mr. & Mrs. Jeffrey M. White Mr. & Mrs. Charles L. Williams, III Mr. & Mrs. Forrest Wilson George & Millie Wood In honor of Zoe Wood Stewart & Angie Young YourCause Corporate Giving Partners

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GSL SAINT A gift of $1-$99 Mr. N. Blake Anderson Jennifer Atkins Liz Awsumb Terecille Basa-Ong Ms. Janice S. Bell In memory of James B. New Benevity Community Impact Fund Ken & Julie Binder Herb & Kay Bland In honor of Rebecca Burnett David & Susie Boshers Carol Buchman Ms. Anna Margaret Burnett Ms. Sara Katherine Burnett Meg & Austin Burress Lakesha Carver Annie Chisholm Leonard & Lisa Cohen In honor of Seth and Ava Cohen Mr. & Mrs. Mark Comes Gordon Conaway Mr. & Mrs. George Connor Michael & Natalie Davis Doris J. Douglas Kynis P. Douglas In honor of Kylie J. Jackson, GSL Class of 2019 Kate & Hunter Durbin Ms. Margaret Eldridge In memory of James B. New Eric Elms Claire Epperson Jennifer Evanko Allison Fones In memory of Clint Crabtree Lyn Forsyth In honor of the GSL students Kendall Franklin Miss Freitag & Mr. Carpenter Cynthia Goodfellow Ms. Mary A. Graham In memory of James B. New Paula Greenberg Anden Hamilton Lataria Hardaway Andrew Harris Mr. & Mrs. Derek Horton Hayley Howard Mr. Tai Huang & Mrs. Bor-Jlin Mao Abby Huber Kylie Jackson Woody & Fran Jones Mallory Key The Kuo Family Ms. Anna Mercedes Lachica Mr. Emilio M. R. Lachica Dr. Roberto Lachica & Dr. Judith Ruiz In honor of Mr. Robert Mr. Greg Lambert Russell & Sandra Langley In honor of Sam and Norah Shipley Lilly Linkous Katie Longoria Mr. & Mrs. Keith Lowe, Sr. In honor of Destiny, Zoe, Thomas, and Tia Lowe

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Ms. Piper Martin Susan & Drew Mascolino Ms. Angela Merideth Will & Emily Merrell Mr. & Mrs. James Holley Moore, Jr. In memory of List Underwood Matt & Allison Musick Coleman & Jenna O'Keeffe Mr. & Mrs. Douglas Paine In memory of James B. New Mr. Wilson Phillips Lee Russell In honor of Jordyn Shelton Cynthia & Andrew Saatkamp Jay Sansing Mr. David A. Scharff In honor of the Adams family Mrs. Morgan Slatery Ms. Katherine Slatten Streater Spencer In honor of Johnny Collier Stepherson's Food Stores/ Superlo Foods Carter Stovall Quint Stovall Sara & John Thatcher Ms. Lily Thompson Charles Umiker Jeremie Upshaw In memory of Lisa Lassandrello Mr. Loi Vuong & Ms. Tonga Nguyen Janet Webster Jan Willis Laura Lemly Willis THE BULLET CLUB GSL Alumni Donors Blake Anderson '06 Allen Battle '79 Alex Boggs '02 Jennifer Palazola Brunson '88 Tiger Bryant '85 Anna Margaret Burnett '16 Sara Katherine Burnett '18 Meg Stephenson Burress '05 Alex Canale '95 Meg Patterson Comes '80 Gordon Conaway '00 Kacey Hickey Davies '86 Hunter Durbin '98 Eric Elms '88 Claire Epperson '16 Allison Fones '89 Mary Evelyn Stevens Fore '91 Kendall Jones Franklin '04 Tim Frizzell '96 Annie Gerber Griffin '98 Henry Grosvenor '83 Andrew Harris '18 Sarah Stegall Haygood '90 Camille Maddox Hieronymus '02 Abby Huber '10 Will Hudson '92 Susanna Liu Incitti '99 Kenny Jabbour '79 Kylie Jackson ‘19 Stanley Johnson '92 Thomas Kvande '18 Ariel Laws '03 Lilly Linkous '18 Will Maddox '00

Eric Martin '84 Kelly Gault Martin '92 Donald McClure '02 Jeanne Myrick McMillen '76 Wilson Phillips '00 Ann Frizzell Pretzer '94 Jay Sansing '91 Brian Schaffler '84 Robert Schuyler '76 Libby Shannon '65 Martin Shannon '95 Carter Stovall '13 Quint Stovall '15 Justin Taylor '92 Kelly Truitt '79 Elizabeth Tual '00 Jeremie Upshaw '87 Will Watts '80 Charles Williams '89 Forrest Wilson '87 Ken Woodmansee '81 Marci Deshaies Woodmansee '83 GIVING BY CLASS OF 2020 Fontaine & John Albritton Cindy & Kevin Brewer Angie & Kaleb Brown Tiger & Glennys Bryant Sara & Patrick Burnett Mr. & Mrs. Ronald M. Byrnes, IV Nina Callan Mr. & Mrs. Adam Cohen Doug & Kristen Duncan Karen & George Early Wendy & Porter Feild Mia & Paul Henley Mr. & Mrs. McNeal B. McDonnell Lauri & David Prather Julie & David Richardson Mr. & Mrs. Chris Roberts Mr. & Mrs. Michael E. Rowland Cynthia & Andrew Saatkamp Martin & Brooke Shannon John & Christy Sharp Mr. David Waddell Ms. Stacie Martin Waddell André & Monica Wharton Mr. & Mrs. Jeffrey M. White GIVING BY CLASS OF 2021 Matt & Jodi Barron Chris & Gina Beagle Gail & Eric Berntson Cindy & Kevin Brewer Drs. Alex & Trudy Dunlap Mr. & Mrs. Glenn D. Floyd Megan & Steele Ford Mr. & Mrs. Mark Gilbertson Paul & Jennifer Hagerman Frankie Haley & Amy Mayne Mr. & Mrs. William P. Halliday, III Les & Leah Jones Drew & Tia Kofahl Drs. Roberto Lachica & Judith Ruiz Mr. Greg Lambert Jeni & Jamie Linkous Mr. & Dr. Scott & Shannon Malone Mr. & Mrs. Nicholas J. Maurette Mr. & Mrs. McNeal B. McDonnell Brondelyn McGee Margaret & Alec McLean Matt & Kelley Morice

Mike Martin & Sarah Ranson Dr. & Mrs. Jay Saenz Brian & Lee Schaffler Dr. & Mrs. Todd Tobias Emilie & Lewis Unglesby Kristen & Richard Vining Chris & Kim Warner Casey & Ashley West GIVING BY CLASS OF 2022 Dr. & Mrs. Schorr Behnke Joe Carney Derrick & Shannon Choo Mr. & Mrs. Charles Ciaramitaro Mr. & Mrs. Adam Cohen Meg & Scott Crosby Michael & Natalie Davis Mr. & Mrs. Patrick Gilmore Mr. & Mrs. William P. Halliday, III Walter & Mary Ellen Hoehn The Kuo Family Julie Markham & Brent Orr Susan & Drew Mascolino Katherine & Andrew Mickelson Mr. & Mrs. Luis Orbegoso Ruth & Kurt Patton The Plumley Family Jenny & Rob Robertson Lauren & Justin Taylor Jeff Thompson & Dawn Scott Ms. Tanja L. Thompson Mr. Loi Vuong & Ms. Tonga Nguyen Clifton & Amanda Wilson GIVING BY CLASS OF 2023 Matt & Jodi Barron Ken & Julie Binder Phineas & Laura Bresee Mr. & Mrs. Ronald M. Byrnes, IV Chris & Jennifer Cothern Melanie & Kenneth Cox Jim Curry Mimi Danosky Kathy & Ted Ferguson Joy & James Hoffman Lauren Kenworthy Tom Leitzell & Heather Conklin Mr. & Mrs. Doug McCloud Martha Mitchell Julie & David Richardson Mr. & Mrs. Chris Roberts Mr. & Mrs. Dewey Smith Traci & Mark Strickland Kristen & Richard Vining Tia Watkins Stewart & Angie Young GIVING BY CLASS OF 2024 Mr. & Mrs. Tyler Benitone Lisa Buckner & Kiersten Schnacke The Callahans Chirag & Mandy Chauhan David Hanson & Christina Ross Andy & Ashley High Mr. & Mrs. Michael Hutsell Mr. & Mrs. Eric Martin Margaret & Alec McLean Will & Emily Merrell Drs. Joseph & Judy Mixon Lee & Eliot Morris Mary & Paul Morris Mr. & Mrs. Luis Orbegoso

The Park Family Drs. Arzu Onar-Thomas & Fridtjof Thomas Emilie & Lewis Unglesby Charles & Beth Walker Anna Kathryn & Hank Word GIVING BY CLASS OF 2025 Mr. & Mrs. Benjamin Barksdale Mr. & Mrs. Tyler Benitone Mr. & Mrs. Glenn D. Floyd The Fundo Family Laura & Josh Gettys Paul & Jennifer Hagerman Walter & Mary Ellen Hoehn John, Davis, and Farrah Lou Hudson Dr. & Mrs. Tim Jancelewicz Amanda & Stanley Johnson Dr. & Mrs. Zachary Johnston Liz & Kevin Keough The Kuo Family Mr. Greg Lambert Mr. & Dr. Scott & Shannon Malone Zach & Ann Pretzer Jenny & Rob Robertson Melanie & Doug Schrank Sharon & Josh Shipley Mr. & Mrs. Dewey Smith Mr. & Mrs. Thomas Russell Smith Lauren & Justin Taylor Chris & Kim Warner Casey & Ashley West Dr. & Mrs. Brad Wilkinson GIVING BY CLASS OF 2026 Anna & Angus Blair Phineas & Laura Bresee Chirag & Mandy Chauhan Michael & Natalie Davis Mimmie & Brian Fisher Ryan & Jennifer Gibbs Andy & Ashley High Michael Howard & Arleen Hill John, Davis, and Farrah Lou Hudson Mr. & Mrs. Michael Hutsell Casey & Joanna Laizure Julie Markham & Brent Orr Lee & Eliot Morris Martin & Brooke Shannon Mr. & Mrs. William A. Watts GIVING BY CLASS OF 2027 Mr. & Mrs. Franklin G. Barton, IV Tom & Thaler Beasley Dr. & Mrs. Schorr Behnke Mr. & Ms. Daniel Breen The Callahans Mr. & Mrs. Glenn D. Floyd Mr. & Mrs. Jonathan T. Flynt The Fundo Family Laura & Josh Gettys Mr. & Mrs. W. Henry Grosvenor John, Davis, and Farrah Lou Hudson Dr. & Mrs. Zachary Johnston Dickson & Julie Logan Mary & Will Maddox Mr. & Mrs. Eric Martin Simone & Logan Meeks Melanie & Doug Schrank Mr. & Mrs. Thomas Russell Smith Sara & John Thatcher Stewart & Angie Young

GIVING BY CLASS OF 2028 Mr. & Mrs. Benjamin Barksdale Tom & Thaler Beasley Anna & Angus Blair Karen & Tyson Bridge Jennifer Burgess Alex & Lyndal Canale Mr. Hung Du & Mrs. Jie Lin Tom & Sara Federico Mimmie & Brian Fisher Jacque & Stacy Gardner Ryan & Jennifer Gibbs Mr. & Mrs. Mark Gilbertson Joy & James Hoffman Dr. & Mrs. Tim Jancelewicz Mary & Paul Morris Zach & Ann Pretzer Kate & James Shelton Sharon & Josh Shipley GIVING BY CLASS OF 2029 Mr. & Mrs. Michael Alberson, Jr. Mr. & Mrs. Samuel R. Buckner Mr. & Mrs. Jack Cantrell, Jr. Mimmie & Brian Fisher Mr. & Mrs. Patrick Galphin Christa George & Chris Wood Ms. Melanee Hannock & Ms. Teresa Sweeney Drs. James Jones & Sara Cross Will & Emily Merrell Matt & Allison Musick Drs. Stephen Pishko & Whitney Sanders Melanie & Doug Schrank Donnie & Mary Margaret Snow Dr. Kimberly Weber & Mr. Jon Weber GIVING BY CLASS OF 2030 Mr. & Mrs. Michael Alberson, Jr. Mr. & Mrs. Samuel R. Buckner Kate & Hunter Durbin Mr. & Mrs. Jonathan T. Flynt Jerry & Elizabeth Gilless Dr. & Mrs. Tim Jancelewicz Steven & Allison King Mary & Will Maddox Daniel & Katherine Riederer

Community Foundation of Greater Atlanta Community Foundation of Greater Memphis Fidelity Charitable Gift First Horizon Foundation Frontstream Connect Hyde Family Foundation Jewish Foundation of Memphis Kroger Medtronic Raymond James Charitable Giving Schwab Charitable Giving Stepherson’s Food Stores/ Superlo Foods Stifel Vanguard Vulcan Materials Company Wells Fargo Advisors YourCause Corporate Giving Partners RESTRICTED GIFTS Dr. & Mrs. Schorr Behnke Alex & Jenay Boggs David & Susie Boshers Cindy & Kevin Brewer Laura & Josh Gettys Mr. & Mrs. W. Henry Grosvenor Mr. & Mrs. Michael J. Harris Lisa & Jim Maddox Peggy & Don McClure, Jr. Shelly McGuire Mr. & Mrs. Robert A. Taylor Mr. Jan Willis Laura Lemly Willis LEMASTER PLAYGROUND Mr. & Mrs. Robert N. Adrian, Jr. Wight F. Boggs SCHOLARSHIP ENDOWMENT FUND Allison & Andy Cates Doug & Kristen Duncan Hugh & Margaret Fraser Mrs. Ann Vining

HONORARIUM AND MEMORIAL GIFTS The following gifts were made as additional contributions: Jason & Brenda Berry In memory of Dean DuBois In memory of Tom Nix Cindy & Kevin Brewer In honor of Ms. Forsyth Jeff & Sherry Emerson In honor of Jennifer Atkins In memory of Camille Bennett In honor of Brenda Berry & the Berry family In memory of Ken Crill In memory of Agnes Hendry In memory of James Brokaw New In memory of Tom Nix In honor of Robert Ward Marilyn C. Kidd In memory of Johnny Ciesliga In memory of Dean C. DuBois, Jr. In memory of Wesley Emerson In memory of Terry Wayne Halford In memory of Tom Nix In memory of Heather K. Robb Karen Y. McLaren In memory of Clint Crabtree Margaret & Alec McLean In memory of James B. New Kate & James Shelton In honor of Megan Ford, Kirsten Horton and Cindy Sorrells Mr. & Mrs. Bruce C. Taylor In memory of James B. New Richard & Kristen Vining In honor of Jennifer Atkins Bruce & Jane Williams In honor of Juan Roncal, Carrie Galphin, Christy Alberson, Jenny Evanko and Marti McCloud In honor of my room parents Kelly Martin and Christina Ross In honor of the 4th grade for their amazing work at ALSAC

GIVING BY CLASS OF 2031 Drs. Brian & Lucy Bruijn Frank Byrd & Pung-Pung Huang Rachel & Blas Catalani Emmel & Amy Golden Mr. & Mrs. M. Taylor Hewgley Drs. Vaishnavi & Mannu Nayyar Melanie & Doug Schrank GIFTS-IN-KIND Burke's Book Store Ms. Darla Ives Dr. & Mrs. Charles McCrary Kate & James Shelton OTHER GIFTS AmazonSmile Foundation Ameritrade Archer Custom Builders, Inc. Benevity Community Impact Fund The Canale Foundation Christian Community Foundation of Memphis and the Mid-South, Inc.

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IN MEMORIAM Gladys Quezada Griffin Spanish and Bible Instructor, 1975-1981 June 9, 1925 ~ October 4, 2020 Gladys Griffin of Atiquizaya, El Salvador, died October 4 in Memphis. She was 95. Señora Griffin, as she was known by all of her students at GSL, was part of life at the school in the midSeñora Griffin, 1975 1970s, teaching Spanish, Bible, and art, and even leading a few student trips to El Salvador. Her obituary described her perfectly: “a little, but fierce firecracker; her personality was one-of-a-kind and if you met her, you would never forget her.”

She was a former member of the Salvadorean diplomatic service as a civil attache in Guatemala, before beginning her career in education, where she would end up teaching children from kindergarten age to the university level.

An avid crafter and lover of adventurer, she was also an appreciator of the arts and culture, including the songs of Elvis Presley. She will be dearly missed.

Brian Delloyd Kellett ’84 July 4, 1969 ~ September 13, 2020 Brian Delloyd Kellett, 51, passed away on September 13, at home, surrounded by his family. He was born in Camden, N.J., the son of Carol and Dr. Gary Kellett. When Brian was four, the family moved to Memphis, which he would be forever proud to call home.

Brian was a 1988 graduate of Christian Brothers High School, where he excelled in wrestling and was named to the Memphis All-Metro Wrestling Team for 1987-88. He earned a bachelor's degree from the University of Missouri and a master's degree in hospitality management from the University of Houston.

After college, Brian worked in hotel sales in Chicago, Dallas, and Atlanta, but he returned to Memphis in 1998 to accept a position with Flanagan Instruments, selling neurosurgical microscopes. It was an ideal opportunity to work sideby-side with his dad in the operating room. Medical sales proved to be a perfect fit for him for the rest of his career.

In 2006, he fulfilled an entrepreneurial desire when he started Kellett Medical, LLC. At the time of his death, he was employed by Smith & Nephew as account manager for advanced wound care.

Brian faced difficult experiences throughout his life, beginning as a child. He not only met those challenges, he conquered them, choosing not to use them as excuses but as inspiration to be a better man. Ever since his latest challenge—metastatic melanoma—showed up four years

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ago, Brian fought it courageously and mostly in private, never feeling sorry for himself and always searching for the next answer. He lived each day to the fullest and loved his family, which was everything to him. He and his siblings enjoyed an exceptional bond. He was a husband who exceeded all of wife Jennifer's dreams and, above all else, he loved being a dad to his girls Abby, Catherine, and Elizabeth, the lights of his life.

Brian was preceded in death by his parents, Carol Kellett and Dr. Gary Kellett, and his grandparents. He is survived by his wife and three daughters; stepmother Lisa Barber; brother Gary Kellett, Jr. (’79, 9th); sisters Sidney McWilliams (’77, 6th), and Dr. Jennifer Giles (’77, 4th); a huge fan club of in-laws, extended family, close friends, and colleagues; and 15 nieces and nephews.

Excerpted from Brian's obituary at memorialparkfuneralandcemetery.com/obituaries/Brian-Kellett/

Douglas Harwell McClew ’10 July 28, 1995 ~ August 16, 2020 Douglas Harwell McClew, age 25, passed away August 16, 2020. A native of Memphis, Doug was a jazz drummer and played with the band, ChoppedUp Tulips, while living in New Orleans. He graduated from Memphis University School where he was a Junior Olympic fencer and then attended Loyola University in New Orleans. As stated in his obituary with Neal Funeral Home, he graduated cum laude with a bachelor’s degree in accounting from the University of Memphis, where he was also a founding member of Kappa Sigma Fraternity. His passions were music, including a love for The Beatles, as well as drums and martial arts. He was fluent in Spanish. Doug was a member of Grace-St. Luke’s Episcopal Church and a member of the Charlotte, N.C., Harley Owners Group; he enjoyed riding motorcycles with his grandfather, Daddy Doug.

Several classmates and teachers posted tributes and memories of Doug on Facebook.

Abby Huber '10 posted: “The world lost a total light.

Doug was a human full of sincerity and love. I am absolutely heartbroken that I will never speak to him again. I am so thankful for all that he brought to this world and for always being a true friend to me throughout the years.”

“Doug was a wonderful kid with a bright future and a fantastic spirit. The world is a dimmer place without him in it,” added his English instructor Kimberly White.

Doug is survived by his mother Perry Harwell McClew and sister Hope Harwell McClew (’10, SK). A private graveside service was held at Mimosa Cemetery in Lawrenceburg, Tenn.

ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT

TURNING TRAGEDY INTO ADVOCACY When Susan Hill Pfau graduated from Grace-St. Luke’s in 1976, she thought she would become an artist. A member of the school’s first senior class, she played sports and was president of the 108 Club and coordinator of the 108 Gallery led by Studio Art Instructor Creighton Michael.

“But I quickly realized art was a hobby for me, not a career!” she said.

Pfau did put her creative talents to work, finishing college at the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York and starting a career in retail management and merchandising and buying. She moved to Edina, Minn., 37 years ago and raised three children: Philip, Chace, and Kristine.

Susan Hill Pfau '76 and son Chace

But in October 2011, her world was rocked when son Chace was diagnosed with stage 4 colon cancer at the age of 24 - one week after running the Twin Cities Marathon. “We were shocked,” Pfau said. “There was no cancer in our family, so it wasn’t even on our radar.”

Tragically, after battling for three and a half years and undergoing five surgeries and four chemo drugs, Chace died in January 2015 at the age of 28.

While Chace was in her home for hospice care before his death, Pfau decided she would work to do two things going forward – increase mental health support for families/patients dealing with cancer, and create awareness for early onset of colon cancer. So in January 2015, she left her retail district manager position to pursue a master’s degree in marriage and family therapy with the goal of helping families dealing with cancer.

Today, Pfau is an outpatient therapist at Wilder Foundation in St. Paul, Minn. Along the way, she became a passionate advocate, supporting the Colon Cancer Coalition and joining the Never Too Young advisory board of the Colorectal Cancer Alliance in DC, which financially supports researchers working to find a cure and increases

Pfau’s advocacy work has included sharing her story in ads for the Colon Cancer Coalition.

awareness about early onset of colon cancer. She’s a volunteer leader of a support group for kids whose parents have cancer and parents of young adults with cancer.

“I’ve been interviewed several times on local TV stations about my passion to ensure another mother does not experience what I have – losing a child at age 28, before my parents died,” she said.

Pfau has been married to her second husband for 30 years.

Her oldest son Philip is now 36 with two young children of his own; daughter Kristine, 27, is pursuing a marriage and family therapy degree. Every year in October, Chace’s birth month, the family holds a fundraiser to support colon cancer awareness and research.

Pfau, center back, in 1976 with Studio Art Instructor Creighton Michael and fellow members of the 108 Club.

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DOING HIS BEST TO ACHIEVE SUCCESS An eighth grade Reese McMullen gets airborne for a shot attempt during a battle with Northpoint in the Anchor Gym.

When Reese McMullen ’17 graduated as salutatorian of his eighth grade class three years ago, it was a safe bet that he was going places. His stellar academic experience at GSL had been matched by equally enthusiastic participation in sports – including soccer, football, basketball, baseball, track, and cross country.

The next stop was Christian Brothers High School, where he enjoyed a seamless academic transition and made the varsity basketball team as a freshman. His persistence and strong work ethic continued, earning him accolades on the court along with National Merit Semifinalist status.

His biggest news was relayed to family, friends, and the Twitterverse in August – a commitment to play basketball and study at the University of Pennsylvania next fall.

Reese talked with us in September about that decision and what it took to get to that point.

Anchor: You’ve said that the academic transition from GSL to CBHS was very smooth. Was it the same way with sports?

RM: GSL provided a great academic foundation for us to thrive in high school – that’s a testament to the curriculum and the teachers. Sports definitely posed a more difficult transition. I was fortunate enough to play varsity basketball my freshman year, but physically it was hard because I went from playing other guys my age to guys three and four years older than me. My skills were on par, but my physical maturity was not.

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Anchor: What about sports at GSL helped prepare you for high school competition?

RM: GSL sports gave me a lot of confidence. It prepared me for the high school basketball atmosphere. GSL coaches Logan Taylor ’95 and Webster Cannon always stressed fundamentals. Things like shooting left-handed lay-ups, man-to-man defense, and dribbling with your head up were all covered in the GSL basketball program. You would be surprised how many guys get to high school and haven’t mastered the basics.

Anchor: You also played AAU basketball on the side for many years.

RM: Probably since about third grade! I don’t want to understate how that helped my basketball development. Dad always stressed to me, if I wanted to take basketball seriously, that there were a lot of kids in Memphis that were being exposed to higher competition [through AAU]. My dad played basketball in high school in Sparta, Ga. His basketball claim to fame is that he played with the Grant twins – one of whom, Horace, played with Michael Jordan for the Chicago Bulls. And my dad says that he himself was the best on that team! Now there’s no video evidence, so we can’t refute it…

Anchor: How did basketball become your main sport to pursue?

ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT different. The pandemic changed some of the rules. When my Dad and I visited, we weren’t even able to tour the academic/athletic facilities.

Anchor: So how are you staying focused going into this unusual senior season?

RM: For me, it’s a matter of doing what got me here.

When I was at GSL, my dad and I would wake up at 5:30 in the morning and get shots up at a court in Northaven before school. I just try to put in as much work as I can.

The pandemic took away gym access for a period of time, which was tough. My neighbors let me use the court in their backyard while I couldn’t get in a gym.

McMullen revealed his Penn commitment in August with this photo on Twitter.

RM: I played a number of sports at GSL and really enjoyed them all – at the church and for the school. But basketball happened to be the one I enjoyed the most, so I decided to focus all my time and resources towards it. Memphis is a basketball city, so that definitely had an influence on me. I realized Division I basketball was a realistic goal during my eighth grade summer. I was playing in an AAU tournament in Las Vegas, and my coach told me that a school asked about me. Later that summer I received a letter from that school. At that point I knew I could be a DI player.

Anchor: Your achievements to date make it clear that both academics and sports are important to you. How did that inform your decision to commit to Penn?

RM: Penn is everything I want out of a school. Their home gym is The Palestra – it’s known as one of the best arenas in the country. They play a competitive schedule and I feel that I will flourish as a basketball player in their system.

Academically, Penn is in the Ivy League, which speaks for itself. They have the best undergraduate business school in the world, the Wharton School of Business. I have an aunt who attended Wharton, so I had some knowledge of that. Also, I really like Philadelphia. My dad and I visited Philly about three weeks before I committed and I was very comfortable in the city environment. Penn just felt like the place I needed to be.

Anchor: What has the college recruiting process been like?

RM: The recruiting process was an interesting time for me.

I was so excited when I received my first college offer. It’s like that moment when you meet your goals. But then there was a point when that excitement turned into stress. I was recruited by some very good schools, and each brought something unique to the table. I’m very grateful for the time and effort that every school invested into recruiting me. And actually I haven’t met any of the Penn coaches in person yet. Ordinarily as a recruit I would have met players and coaches for real – Zoom recruiting has been very

[CBHS] Coach [Bubba] Luckett has stressed the importance of being responsible off the court. We have a responsibility to the rest of the team to not put ourselves at unnecessary risk for contracting COVID-19. I take that very seriously. We don’t know if we’re going to get to play public schools this year, and out-of-town schools are doing things differently, so our schedule has had to change a lot on the fly. But right now, we’re scheduled to have a season; it’s all just based on how healthy we all are.

So for now, it’s the same as every preseason: We play pickup a lot, go to the weight room three times a week, and do conditioning. And for me personally, I do these 45-minute high intensity workouts with my dad on weekends at the Memphis Jewish Community Center.

Anchor: Tell us a little about players you admire right now – who inspires you on the court?

RM: I don’t have a favorite college player right now. My favorites usually don’t stay in college for more than a year! But my favorite players in the league are [Portland Trail Blazer] CJ McCollum and [Miami Heat player] Tyler Herro. These are guys I model my game after – they’re elite shooters who can create [opportunities] for themselves and others. Also, of course, the Grizzlies’ Ja Morant.

Anchor: How far do you want to push yourself in terms of college sports?

RM: As far as I can. If I can compete academically and athletically like I have in high school, then I will consider my time successful. To me, success is an individualized thing. It means different things to different people. For me, it’s setting a goal and doing my best to achieve that goal.

Even if I don’t reach the goal, if I gave it my all, I consider that success.

Anchor: Any advice for current seventh and eighth graders at GSL who are trying to achieve their goals now, too, whatever their area of interest may be?

RM: For any kid at GSL, if you really want to do something, then put your best foot forward. Be smart about your work, be smart about your preparation, and just try your best. All I’m doing is trying my best. Every time.

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LUKERS FOR LIFE ALUMNI NEWS ’89

Jon Paul Hickey joined Fifth Third Bank in 2019 and has been promoted to commercial middle market team leader and market executive.

’92

Torrie Arnold is the senior talent acquisition partner at Grab, Southeast Asia’s largest mobile technology company. He and his wife Tomomi reside in Seattle.

Carlos Clardy is a physical therapist at Baptist Hospital and an adjunct professor at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center.

’96

Nelson Adrian is a senior attorney at FedEx and current parent at GSL. His daughter Smith ’31 is a Daring Dinosaur.

’00

Kerry Jackson became partner and lead advisor at Fish and Associates, the only all-female financial planning firm in Memphis.

’01

Daniel Williams is a representative for the American Cancer Society’s “Real Men Wear Pink” campaign this year.

’02

Alex Boggs and wife Jenay welcomed their second child Thomas Alexander Boggs on November 21, 2019.

Ross Kerwin was hired as an optimization specialist for TripAdvisor in April. He and his wife Micki live in Hoboken, N.J.

’04

GSL Little Lukers Assistant Teacher Kendall Jones Franklin and her husband William welcomed daughter Alice Marie Franklin on Sunday, September 13. She weighed 6 lbs 11 ounces.

’06

Clayton Furr and his fiancé Tish Chalmers plan to wed on May 29, 2021, with the following Class of 2016 Lukers in the wedding party: Travis Nauert, Blake Anderson, Jack Gerber, Joe Hanthorn, and Mitchell Thompson. The couple resides in Memphis where Clayton manages his father’s ophthalmology practice.

Joe Hanthorn graduated from Tulane University School of Medicine with an additional degree in surgical anatomy. He is currently working as an internal medicine intern at LSU, and will return to Memphis to complete a radiology residency at Baptist Memorial Hospital and MidSouth Imaging.

Emmett Montgomery and wife Abby welcomed their first child Robert Emmett Montgomery V on March 17, 2019, and are expecting their second son in December.

Emmett was recently promoted to director of engineering for his company's product, SHIFT, where he manages a small team of developers working on an emulation and testing platform for disconnected and restricted cloud environments.

’08

’03

Marshall Bartlett - Food & Wine online magazine traveled to all 50 states and selected the best farms in each state.

Marshall's fifth-generation Home Place Pastures in Como was selected best in Mississippi! foodandwine.com/travel/best-farms-america

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Tunkie Saunders graduated from University of Colorado and gave the commencement speech for the Department of Engineering. He was offered a job at Exxon, but decided to follow his dream and go to work for Redwood Materials, a startup founded by the former chief technology officer at Tesla, J.B. Straubel. Now a chemical engineer, Tunkie was pictured in a Wall Street Journal article in August about how Redwood's carbattery recycling operation could help power the electric car revolution. He is shown here monitoring the furnace used to melt down recycled batteries. Photograph by Max Whittaker for The Wall Street Journal

ALUMNI NEWS

Jordan Upton married Jackson Schieffler on March 7, 2020, at The Peabody Hotel. The couple resides in Memphis.

’16

Duncan McLean received the Faculty Cup for General Excellence at MUS Graduation in June. This is the highest honor given to any member of the graduating class.

With outstanding leadership and strength of character, the recipient of the Faculty Cup has earned the highest respect of his peers and teachers for the generous contributions of his time, talent, and energy to the school and its ideals.

’10

Drew Flaherty is finishing his final year of the data science graduate program at Vanderbilt University.

Upon graduation, he will work for Deloitte in Detroit.

’11

Connor Truitt graduated from the University of Arkansas in 2019. He is an investment analyst for PGIM Real Estate in Dallas.

Adele Fish moved to Mexico City in 2019 to improve her Spanish.

She is currently an ESL teacher with the Anglo Mexican Foundation, a top English school in Mexico City.

’12

Matt Flaherty graduated cum laude from Birmingham-Southern College and is in his first year of the data science graduate program at Vanderbilt University.

Wesley Richards was named a Bardsley Scholar at Mississippi State University’s doctor of veterinary medicine (DVM) program.

’13

Meredith Hood will graduate from Boston College in May 2021. She has been accepted into Teach For America, starting in fall 2021. Her placement will be in New York City.

’17

Chip Eason is a senior at MUS where he is the president of the History Club and the Astronomy Club, and co-president of the Video Game Club. He is also on the varsity trap team and is a member of the National Honor Society and the History Honor Society.

Sophie Mansour started the Memphis Medical Awareness Club at Hutchison School. The club was founded to raise awareness of diseases that affect the community. Due to the success of the club, she entered into a pitch competition called the Youth Ignite Competition, which invites youth speakers to deliver a proposal for a project that would benefit Memphis and the Mid-South. She was one of the winners of the competition and was awarded a $500 grant! This summer she launched her website, healthcrib.net.

CBHS senior basketball player Reese McMullen committed to attend the University of Pennsylvania.

(See story page 26.)

’19

Caleb Isom completed his freshman year at Crosstown High School with a 4.0 GPA. He is a member of the cross country team and Student Government Association, and he presented a project at the Crosstown High Exhibition. This summer he participated in Bridge Builders.

WE WANT TO CELEBRATE YOU! Please share your latest news - accomplishments, marriages, new jobs, births of children, and more!

Email your information and photos to Advancement Associate Kate Shelton at kshelton@gslschool.org or email lukerforlife@gslschool.org.

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Grace-St. Luke's Episcopal School 246 S. Belvedere Blvd.

Memphis, TN 38104 gslschool.org

Second graders John Taylor Howell and Grayson Logan enjoy a mask break during recess on Anchor Hill.

Non-Profit U.S. Postage PAID Permit No. 927 Memphis, TN