Fall 2012 Anchor Magazine

Grace - St. Luke’s Episcopal school fall 2012

special feature: ALUMNA SLOANE METCALF’S MALAWI INTERNSHIP

plus: CROP DIVERSITY WARRIOR DR. CARY FOWLER PROFILE: FATHER JOSEPH wallace-williams NEW saints on STAFF gsl’s CLASS OF 08: COLLEGE-BOUND!

london calling Just call this the international issue!

GSL ‘04 ALUM WILLIAM MCGEHEE BEGINS CAREER LIFE ABROAD

from the head of school: So what is a typical day at Grace-St. Luke’s Episcopal School like? There’s a lot of what I think of as “purposeful play” going on around campus.

Walking through Miss Lee’s the other day, I observed one PK class working on letters and numbers with iPads. There was a real sense of discovery as they first traced the letters and then began to form them independently.

A JK classroom was busy using gingerbread men to measure each other, and they invited me to take part. I now know how tall I am in gingerbread men! Playful and play-filled experiences, to be sure, but ones designed to help students make sense of the world they live in.

I stepped into a fourth grade classroom later that week and saw our students with wooden sticks attached to their wrists and various fingers taped together. Faced with these difficulties, students were challenged to manipulate small items into various shapes or containers—an ordinary task suddenly turned daunting when a strict limitation was imposed. A vibrant, lively conversation filled the classroom as students worked to figure out how to work around the limitation, all the while discovering how the human skeleton is connected and how it functions.

The students were playing but also learning at the same time.

A recent Middle School science lab was also full of fun and play. Students had several different types of paper airplanes and spent a good bit of time throwing them back and forth, experimenting with technique to see which one would go the farthest. Yet there was purpose to the play as well, as students were required to record their measurements, identify and test a hypothesis, and create elaborate charts and graphs to illustrate the data and help formulate a conclusion.

Good science is, in one sense, a sophisticated form of play. The rules are elaborate and consistent, but the basic question of “What happens if I do this?” is still being tested.

In fact, I think a lot of good learning comes from a willingness to ask questions, to experiment, and to see how ideas and things are connected. We’ve remained a PK-8th grade school precisely so we can capture this sense of play and harness it in the pursuit of learning. It’s this unique combination of play and academic rigor that enables our graduates to pursue their dreams, whether they choose to study abroad or remain close to home. Our graduates are truly able to go where their dreams lead, remaining “anchored” in their experiences here at GSL.

Alumnus William McGehee visited GSL this summer before heading to London where he will be working for the next two years (see story page 4).

Thor A. Kvande Head of School

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Father Joseph WallaceWilliams Joins GSL William McGehee Begins Life in London

Sloane Metcalf’s Life-Changing Trip to Africa New Speaker Series Takes Off Biodiversity Warrior & GSL Alumnus Dr. Cary Fowler New Saints on Staff Alumni Updates Saints Superlatives News from the P.A.

College-Bound! Class of 2008

About the Cover: GSL is proud to profile a number of outstanding alumni in this issue. Our cover feature, William McGehee is one student whose GSL experience proved the perfect springboard for a smooth transition into high school, early acceptance into college abroad, and now the start of a career in London.

Then there’s Sloane Metcalf, an ’04 GSL graduate like William whose perseverance and ambition at school helped earn her the opportunity to join a team of UNC doctors in Africa this summer on a life-changing internship.

Finally, there is Dr. Cary Fowler, nothing less than a global leader in the effort to preserve the world’s agricultural heritage for future generations of mankind. We are awestruck by what he has accomplished and tremendously proud to call him a GSL alum.

Editor: Marci Woodmansee Contributors: Denise DuBois Taylor and Kimberly White Cover photograph: Craig Thompson Magazine layout by Disciple Design (www.discipledesign.com) The Anchor is a publication of GraceSt. Luke’s Episcopal School. Articles are published at the discretion of the school.

To contribute Alumni News, email mwoodmansee@gslschool.org.

Grace-St. Luke’s’ mission is to prepare boys and girls to become creative problem solvers, confident lifelong learners, and responsible citizens in their communities and the world.

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Meet the Annual Giving Chairs

901.278.0200 www.gslschool.org

An Interview with Father Joseph Wallace-Williams

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When Father Joseph Wallace-Williams was a child, he had a powerful dream. “True story!” he says quietly before sharing his tale. “As a little boy, growing up in the projects of New Orleans, before I ever stepped foot in an Episcopal church, I had a dream. In that dream, there was a man behind this long, brown table. The man was wearing a green dress and behind his head were these little things that looked like burning fingertips. The man had a round disk that he held up to the sky, and light hit it and shot out all across the room. And then I woke up. I was about eight years old at the time.

“Two weeks later, I walked into an Episcopal church for the first time, and there was a man, behind what I now know is an altar, wearing a dress, which I now know is a robe, and he held up a disk, which I now know is the Eucharist,” he says. “And light really did shine through the stained glass windows. The only difference between the dream and the reality is that it was my little brown hands! So that dream was the start of my journey.”

Fast forward to this June: Father Joseph was ordained as an Episcopal priest at his home church, Trinity in New Orleans, and began preparing for the move to Memphis to become not only GSL’s new associate rector, but also its first AfricanAmerican priest. Father Joseph joins GSL’s rector Richard Lawson and other associate rector Gayle McCarty to round out the staff clergy at GSL with specific responsibilities that include overseeing the church welcoming committee, leading the 20-30 group, and serving as a liaison to the church marketing committee. Most importantly for GSL School, he also has primary responsibility for preaching in school chapel services two to three times per week for Lower and Middle School and once a week for Miss Lee’s.

With his outgoing personality and great big smile, Father Joseph has been a hit with the students at GSL. Whether it’s his dancing at pep rallies or singing with teachers and little kids, his contagious laugh and energy have attracted many fans.

His chapel talks resonate with students because he talks about issues they understand, like standing up for each other rather than being posers, and above all, how important it is for them to remember that they are all loved by God. “I like doing chapel!” he says. “One of my mentors told me that if you can’t preach the gospel in less than three to five minutes, you’re not doing your job. I think people, especially kids, want

First All-School Chapel: Seve nth grade acolytes Edward Henley, Mary Woodmansee Caroline Ciaramitaro, Katie , Pritchard, and Margaret App erson get some support from Father Joseph at this year ’s first all-school chapel serv ice.

their priest to be real. I’m excited about Jesus and I want to spread that in a real way. When I was a kid, people made God tangible and real to me, and that really set me off on the right path. You can listen to scripture being read and it doesn’t always make sense. Some readings are hard. So our students need to hear the scripture, but then they need to hear a priest answer the question, ‘What does that mean to me? What role does God have in my life?’ That’s what I try to do in chapel, to say, ‘This is what we can do, this is how it applies to me.’

“I think we rob kids, or set them up for failure, when we make God too simple,” he adds. “Jesus was a real man who walked the earth and talked to real people in their language. Kids understand what a poser is and what is ‘legit.’ They hear about bullying a lot, but how about a concrete example of how Jesus would have stood up to people? My job is to plant these seeds for them; I let God and families do the rest.”

Without a doubt, the families of GSL have much to look forward to in getting to know Father Joseph in the coming years.

“I fell in love with GSL when I first visited, but it was still a tough decision where to answer the call because I was fortunate enough to receive other offers as well,” he adds. “But it came down to where was I going to be able to grow, and Father Richard just seemed like the right mentor. I believed he would let me try things and be patient and kind when I made mistakes. And that was it. GSL just seemed like the right fit. I’m looking forward to years of having fun, and crying and laughing and praying together, and having people touch my life in ways I never thought possible.”

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london calling With college behind him and a world of possibilities ahead, William McGehee proves that a GSL foundation can take you anywhere.

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By M a r c i W o o d ma n s e e , Director of Communications

GSL teachers are always exceptionally proud to watch a class of students graduate, and it is the custom in this tight-knit community for faculty members to stay in touch with alumni and follow their successes and accolades as they make their way through high school and college.

Class of ’04 alum William McGehee was no exception.

After a stellar high school career at MUS, McGehee headed off to college but traveled a little farther away than most of GSL’s grads, enrolling at the University of St. Andrews in Scotland. After four exciting years abroad, he graduated in June and accepted a two-year position as a private client tax advisor at Smith & Williamson in London, where he will reside. His educational journey began here in preschool at GSL, and while his foundation in academics, athletics, and extracurricular endeavors helped lead to his success in high school and college, the enduring friendships he made have been equally important.

As McGehee recalls, he was an enthusiastic participant in life at GSL, both in and out of the classroom. “Acting was big!” he says. “I did a lot of Ms. Reddick’s plays. I also played basketball. Coach Carpenter was great; we had team lunches in the history classroom and watched game tapes. And other Middle School teachers like Mr. Phil, Ms. Gault, Ms. Glueck, and Ms. Freitag were so important, and gosh, I loved Ms. Forsyth. Of course I also still remember teachers from Preschool and Lower School like Mrs. Moore and Mrs. Stevens. At GSL, everyone is really enthusiastic about whatever they’re involved in, and they really get you interested in things. My teachers here were just fantastic.”

After leaving GSL, McGehee attended high school at MUS where he ended up earning numerous accolades and honors by the time he graduated. He received the prestigious Eugene Thorn Award at

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commencement and was a member of the National Honor Society, the Quill & Scroll society (for work on the newspaper and literary magazine), and the Red and Blue Society (honoring students for leadership and service). He also served as captain of the wrestling team. But it was early in his high school years, thanks to his family’s travels and a great experience on the GSL Europe trip with former Headmaster Tom Beazley, that he began to think seriously about the possibilities of college abroad.

“One of the MUS guidance counselors was big into St. Andrews, so we ended up visiting,” McGehee explains. “It was really pretty and I liked the atmosphere, so I ended up applying early admission in September of my senior year. I got accepted in October and was the first one in my class to know! It had been four years since anyone from MUS had gone there.”

So off he went. After briefly considering a double major in English and economics, McGehee settled on economics and fully immersed himself into life at St. Andrews.

You don’t know everything you’re getting into, of course, when you make a decision to go so far from home,” he says. “But I had a fantastic time. The first year is always a little hard because you’re away from home, but I very quickly became comfortable. Being in Europe is incredible. Travel is very cheap there, so you can visit lots of different countries and meet great people. Plus, there were lots of Americans; so I didn’t feel very alone in that respect.”

Acting also began to pull at him again, and McGehee quickly realized that his GSL foundation had been extremely important. “About a

Opposite page: Long-time GSL friends Alexander Fones (left) and Jack Montgomery (right) helped William celebrate his graduation from St. Andrew’s with a summer trip through London and Spain.

Left: William points out his tile in an artistic tribute produced by his first grade class in celebration of GSL’s 50th birthday in 1997.

Right, Top: William McGehee prepares to receive his diploma at commencement.

Right, Bottom: A very happy McGehee family moment!

year after getting settled, I finally decided to attempt theater again,” he explains. “My first show was Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar. I got called back twice to read for Brutus, which was pretty incredible, because everyone was mind-bogglingly talented! I didn’t end up getting Brutus but did get a smaller part as a senator, and just getting cast was very cool. Over the next years I did Ferdinand in The Tempest, and started getting other lead roles; I was in Proof and The Talented Mr. Ripley, and cast as Stanley in A Streetcar Named Desire. I don’t think I ever would have been picked if I didn’t have my GSL background. Most of what I know about theater I learned from Ms. Reddick in Middle School at GSL.” GSL’s educational aim of developing the whole child seems to have served McGehee well. As described in the school’s mission statement, GSL’s goal is to build creative problem solvers, confident lifelong learners, and responsible citizens. That philosophy provides a strong foundation that allows students like McGehee to leave GSL wellequipped to explore new places, problem solve in difficult situations, think critically, and learn enthusiastically.

“At St. Andrews there were certain school breaks throughout the year, and lots of free time during our senior year, which allowed us numerous opportunities to travel throughout Europe,” McGehee says.

“During a trip to visit a friend in Egypt, we actually ended up being in Tahrir Square during the protests that led up to the revolution early last year. That was actually a little tricky; we had planned a camping trip in the desert that we were able to do, but then we had trouble getting back into Cairo. There was a lot of anti-American sentiment, so sometimes we had to pretend to be Canadian, but we did eventually make it back home!”

McGehee’s other college experiences, though perhaps not quite as politically charged, will no doubt prove equally memorable. He had to acclimate to te culture of the nearly 600-year-old institution (“It’s more traditional: lots of balls and formal dances!”), and learn its lore (“You had to be careful not to stand on the initials of the martyr Patrick Hamilton, who was burned at the stake on the grounds of campus in

1528; otherwise you would fail your degree!). He credits his friendships from GSL with keeping him connected and grounded during his time there, and he enjoyed sharing new experiences during his friends’ visits to Scotland.

“My best friends Jack Montgomery and Alexander Fones have been my friends since second grade at GSL,” he says with a laugh. “Skype was a fantastic way to stay in touch, and of course, they visited at different times throughout my years at school. The best part was after graduation: they came for the ceremony and then we did a big trip together, visiting London, Paris, the French Riviera, Barcelona, and finally ending up in Pamplona for the running of the bulls.”

Now that he is settled in London, McGehee has his new job to explore and more learning to do. “In the UK, they have what they call graduate schemes, which is essentially a two-year training program. This is the first step. I studied economics at school, so this is an opportunity to get into one aspect of the field and see if I like it. If I don’t, I can change direction; if I do like it, it’s fantastic.”

McGehee’s advice for current GSL students? “Stay connected to your friends. Mine from GSL are still my best friends. GSL is a fantastic school. You can do so many things, from acting to sports to clubs; you just have to figure out what you’re interested in. It’s such a friendly atmosphere that you can try anything and enjoy it, even if you’re not that great at it.”

It is a tradition for eighth graders at GSL to provide a quote for their page in the yearbook. McGehee’s quote selection in 2004 was: “Things are as hard as you make them.” A fitting choice: although McGehee undoubtedly worked hard to find success in his high school and college endeavors, he also did a fine job of making sure to enjoy all of the meaningful moments along the way.

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Sloane Metcalf with Kristina, a fistula post-op patient (far right), Beatrice Namaleu, Acti a partnership with the Free ng Director of “Joyful Mot dom From Fistula Founda herhood” organization, whic tion (left) and Margaret May h has recently formed nearby villages to educate o, administrative leader of community leaders about Freedom From Fistula (far childbirth/prenatal care and left). The team visited sma obstetric fistula. ll

Life-Changing Internship Malawi visit teaches ’04 alumna Sloane Metcalf lessons she will never forget Dad, Dear Mom and been in Malawi has l ce en ri pe ex y M kfu I am so than amazing and e. m co en able to that I have be blic hospital I visited the pu for the first time ic maternity clin really can’t find I d t this trip an be it. I though ri sc de to ds or the w I to expect before I knew what e eing all of th arrived, but se ering in real life ff poverty and su say the least. The to at was shocking ject Malawi th ro -P C N U e th the part of with is tied to we are working istula Foundation, F m Freedom From nding to perfor fu es id ov pr which who ies for women critical surger (or sometimes e suffer from on s due to prolonged la u st fi ve even two) these women ha ity of n u labor. Most m m co by their eir th been ostracized by ated against and discrimin nds for their ie families and fr … on ti medical condi

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The opportunity to travel to Malawi, Africa this summer as part of a University of North Carolina School of Medicine team was, as Sloane Metcalf describes it, a “matter of serendipity.” Metcalf, a GSL ’04 graduate, was about to complete her degree with a major in Spanish and women’s studies. She also spent her four years at UNC on a premed track, and as such had been paired up earlier with Dr. John Thorp, Professor and Director of Women’s Primary Healthcare in the OB-GYN Department at UNC. “Shortly before graduation, I was still shadowing Dr. Thorp on his rounds and one day he just asked, ‘Sloane, do you want to go to Africa?’,” Metcalf explains. “And I said, I’d love to! I had been working as a volunteer doula (birth coach) for the UNC hospital, and I had taken numerous women’s health courses. Another student had backed out, so they had an extra undergraduate spot, and I got it. His wife Joe Carol Thorp, a home health nurse for UNC’s Horizons Perinatal Substance Abuse Program was also going on the team, along with other med students and grad students. I cannot begin to express my gratitude for their thoughtfulness in allowing me to tag along on this trip.”

Fistula is a devastating childbirth injury that generally happens to mothers in poor countries who undergo prolonged labor, often without any medical assistance.

Essentially, it occurs when a baby’s head repeatedly pushes against a mother’s pelvic bone during labor, creating a fistula or hole between the birth passage and an internal organ.

“I was picturing only rural women suffering because of prolonged labor and not getting to a hospital in time,” Metcalf explains. “But actually, the majority of cases are happening in hospitals, which is more alarming, because they are so understaffed with so few nurses who can monitor patients in between OB-GYN visits. There are just not enough resources or staff, but that’s where Freedom From Fistula came in, by helping pay for a UNC doctor to work there year-round at the clinic. It’s been pretty successful. A lot of these women didn’t even know that there were other women like them. But telling them that it is okay, letting them spend time in a recovery room with other women, and offering that

Left: Metcalf with fistula post-op patients outside Bwaila Maternity

Hospital; she helped do activities with the post-op patients on the

lawn outside the hospital during their two- to three-week recovery.

Middle: Kristina, one of the patients.

Right: Metcalf with a post-op fistula patient (immediate right) and the

team’s translator, Charity Chisale, who works for the Freedom From

Fistula Foundation (far right).

kind of group therapy was important in terms of healing. I got to observe some of the surgeries, but mostly just spent time with the women, interviewing them, doing activities like tie-dying, and taking them outside to get them moving and talking.”

As Metcalf explains, UNC professor Dr. Jeffrey Wilkinson and his wife, Dr. Sumera Hayat, moved to Lilongwe with their two teenage children this past August and have been working to eradicate obstetric fistula in Malawi ever since. While Dr. Wilkinson, a urogynecologist, performs the life-saving surgeries, Dr. Hayat serves as the medical educator for obstetric emergencies for the hospital staff.

“Dr. Wilkinson is the one with gifted hands and the specialist in this surgery,” Metcalf says. “You wouldn’t learn how to fix this in the U.S. because women here don’t have it; it almost never happens. He has to think on his feet and come up with creative ways to fix it, and more than likely the patient will have other complications because she hasn’t had good care. He’s providing an incredible service that was not there before. I was really impressed

by Dr. Wilkinson and his team. They are so compassionate and happy and motivated despite what’s happening around them, just helping one woman at a time. Inside the operating room, you wouldn’t know you were in a developing country. The way he treats his staff and patients, it could be at UNC, and I think they appreciate him all the more for that because these women never get talked to or treated that way. That’s why he has such a great relationship with the women he’s helped.”

Metcalf is now back in Chapel Hill, working as a certified nursing assistant and establishing residency this year so she can begin medical school there next fall.

“I now know, more than ever, that I want to pursue a profession in medicine and improve women’s health on a global scale. If I am ever as talented as these doctors, I would love to specialize like this. If not, then I’d be perfectly happy doing something not quite as specialized, like basic women’s health care. After completing medical school and residency, I would like to return to Malawi or work on another women’s health project at the international level.

It has been life-changing. This experience has shown me that with truly gifted, committed and altruistic people who want to make a difference in a person’s life, anything is possible and hope is not lost. After all, if you were to talk to any of these women, they will tell you how much this surgical procedure has helped them in a way nothing else could; it has given them their lives back.”

This has made me feel extremely thankful for the opportunities that I have ha had to worry about where d in my life...I’ve never my next meal was com ing from, or whether or not my parents would inves t in my education, or wh ether or not I could go to the doctor when I felt sick, or whether or not I would be taken care of fin and support from my fam ancially and provided love ily no matter what...all things which these wome n have been faced with their entire lives. It breaks your heart, but it also ma you all the more motiv ated to help them in an kes y way possible. Though I sometimes have felt a lit tle helpless so far since I don’t have any specializ ed medical skills, I know that fundraising will be critical to keep this pr oject going …. I have lea rned so much in the past 48 hours, and I know tha t if I continue to keep an open mind and heart, I will continue to learn from this trip for the rest of my life. I cannot wait to tell you more about wh at we experience the rest of thi s week.

Take care, Sloane If you would like to support the work Sloane Metcalf participated in this summer by contributing to the Freedom From Fistula Foundation, visit: malawimaternalhealth.org/donate-fistula-maternal-health-project/

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Middle School Speakers Shed Light on Leadership ad of Middle n Gritti, and He tball coach Da foo es od Rh of, ool year. ach Rick Kohlh tation of the sch GSL football co r Series presen ke ea Sp t firs yer at the School Mike Bo

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Middle School students have something new to look forward to this school year: the first ever Middle School Speaker Series launched this fall by Head of Middle School Mike Boyer.

hand at coaching and doing something meaningful that he would love. Equally interesting were the colorful stories of Memphis historian Jimmy Ogle.

“My goal with this initiative is to bring transformational leaders in the greater Memphis community onto the GSL campus to share some of their insights with our students,” Boyer explains. “I want to bring in speakers who represent a wide range of careers and who hopefully will have words of wisdom that resonate with 5th-8th graders in a variety of different ways.”

“I’m really looking forward to seeing how our students engage with these speakers, and the types of questions they ask,” said Boyer. “We have a strong lineup with some possible additions down the road. I hope this is something that everyone will look forward to and enjoy.”

By all accounts, the series is off to a good start. Dan Gritti, Head Coach of the Rhodes College football team was this year’s first speaker. Students were fascinated by the story of how he ended up in Memphis, leaving a lucrative career as a New York attorney shortly after 9/11, and eventually winding his way here to try his

Each session includes a 20-30 minute presentation followed by about 15 minutes for questions and answers. The presentations are held between 8:00-9:00 am on selected Mondays in GSL church and are open and free of charge to all members of the GSL community.

2012-2013 Remaining Presenters October 22: Toney Armstrong, Director of the Memphis Police Department October 29: Dan Conaway, Writer and public relations professional November TBA: Steve Cohen, U.S. Rep for Tennessee’s 9th Congressional District December 10: Rabbi Micah Greenstein, Senior Rabbi at Temple Israel January 7: Taylor Berger, Founder/Owner of YoLo January 28: Sally Jones Heinz, Executive Director of the Metropolitan Interfaith Association (MIFA) February 4: Susan Stephenson, CEO and co-founder of Independent Bank

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Left: GSL Head of School Thor Kvande and GSL alum Dr. Cary Fowler, executive director of the Global Crop Diversity Trust.

Right: Dr. Cary Fowler takes a multitude of questions from middle school students at GSL.

Global Agriculturalist & GSL Alum Dr. Cary Fowler During a special visit to GSL, Fowler talks to students about his important work preserving global crop diversity

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By M a r c i W o o d ma n s e e , GSL Class of ‘83

It’s not every day that GSL students have the opportunity to meet someone whose work is literally benefiting the world, but this fall, the fourth- through eighth-graders had that chance when Dr. Cary Fowler visited campus.

Dr. Fowler is not only the executive director of the Global Crop Diversity Trust based in Rome, he is also an alumnus of GSL. The former Memphian and self-described “Tennessee farm boy” attended Grace-St. Luke’s Episcopal Day School from kindergarten through fourth grade in the late 1950s. He returns to Memphis periodically to visit family, and was kind enough to make time to speak to students at GSL during a trip home in September for his father’s 90th birthday.

Today, his mission involves nothing less than protecting and preserving the world’s agricultural heritage for future generations of mankind.

As head of the Crop Diversity Trust, he is in charge of the Svalbard Global Seed Vault located near the Arctic Circle that serves as a backup storage bank for hundreds of thousands of seed varieties from around the world. His vault preserves seeds for apples, beans, rice, potatoes, wheat and more—samples of every kind of seed needed to continue to feed the world’s population.

He has been called the world’s seed banker, a biodiversity warrior, and was described in a recent article as the man who saved the world. Now living in Rome, he travels about four times a year to the seed vault in Norway, whose inventory he oversees.

“Very few people are closely involved in this field of work, so there are not many individuals who realize how close we come on a regular basis to having a global food crisis,” he said. “At any given time, there are problems with one or more crops, and scientists are always in a race to find a gene for resistance to disease or insects and get it into a seed variety that will thrive in the field.

“For example, wheat is a crop in real trouble right now because of a disease called stem rust,” he explains. “There is very little resistance to it in wheat crops in fields anywhere in the world. This is an example of why we try to conserve seed diversity, so we can find genes for resistance and breeders can try to get that into marketable varieties.”

Dr. Fowler came to visit GSL on Homecoming and told students all about his work and why preserving crop diversity is critical to our future. After his presentation, students peppered him with dozens of questions. They learned that the main two crops in trouble right now are wheat and bananas and that climate change is agriculture’s biggest issue today. They heard about how the seed vault was built into the side of a mountain very close to the North Pole and how Dr. Fowler has to watch out for polar bears when he is going in or coming out.

They found out that it is very cold even inside the vault because that’s important for preserving the seed samples.

They learned that it is important to save as many seed varieties as possible, because it is impossible to predict what kind of varieties will be needed in the future and what disease or insect or weather challenge any particular crop will face. They even saw his pictures of reindeer outside the entrance to the vault, and Dr. Fowler assured some of the younger students that Santa Claus lives just north of his facility.

After giving him a standing ovation, students departed with a surer sense of the real possibility that one person can make a difference, that a single person can do something that may benefit multitudes of people, and that making the global leap could start right at someone’s doorstep. And most importantly, they saw that a GSL alum can change the world!

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New Saints on Staff GSL was delighted to welcome four new employees to campus for the 2012-13 school year. These fun facts gathered by Anchor magazine staffers should help you get to know them all a little better!

Christi André

Senior Kindergarten Assistant Teacher (Marvelous Meerkats) Degrees: B.A. in Journalism from the University of Mississippi; M.A.T. from Christian Brothers University (Dec. 2012) Hometown: Clarksdale, Mississippi Family: Husband Carroll, an Assistant United States Attorney; sons Austin (a junior at ECS) and Alex (seventh grade at ECS) First job: Working at Gilbert Tate Pardue, an advertising agency here in Memphis Fun fact: I went to 10 schools from kindergarten to high school!

Last book read: Heaven is for Real with my son Favorite entertainment: Spending time with my family and exercising Before GSL: For the past nine years I have been a substitute teacher at private schools in Memphis Favorite thing about GSL: I love seeing children walk and ride their bikes to school. GSL is a wonderfully friendly neighborhood school! It is Memphis’ secret gem.

Courtney Ciaramitaro School Counselor

Degrees/Schools Attended: B.A. in Social Work, University of Memphis; M.S. in Social Work, University of Tennessee Hometown: Memphis, Tennessee Family: Husband Charlie; daughters Caroline, Grace, and Cate First job: Baskin-Robbins Worst job: Shoney’s!

Fun fact: In high school I interviewed Justin Timberlake for my high school TV station.

Last book read: Why Gender Matters by Leonard Sax Favorite entertainment: Watching the Memphis Tigers or Grizzlies Before joining GSL I was: in private practice Favorite thing about GSL: The people

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Katie Longoria

Junior Kindergarten Assistant Teacher (Playful Pups) Degrees/Schools Attended: B.A. in Elementary Education from University of Mississippi, M.S. in Early Childhood Education from University of Memphis (Dec. 2012) Hometown: Memphis, Tennessee Family: I have two brothers, a sister-in-law, a nephew, and another nephew on the way, who will be born in November! One brother lives in Portland, OR; the other brother and his family live in Ohio.

First job: Nanny/babysitter Fun fact: I have swum with dolphins.

Last book read: Calm My Anxious Heart by Linda Dillow Favorite entertainment: I love going back to the Grove in Oxford, Mississippi, especially in the fall to tailgate for the football games!

Before joining GSL I was: working on my masters at the UofM after graduating from Ole Miss.

Favorite thing about GSL: Everything! Hard to choose just one thing.

Shelly McGuire

Director of Enrollment Schools Attended: Christian Brothers University, Touro University, BS in Health Science Hometown: Los Angeles, California; moved to Memphis in 1968 (the same year that Martin Luther King was assassinated).

Family and/or pets: Daughter, Savannah; son-in-law, Jack; grandog, Jake ☺ First job: The first Chick-fil-A in Memphis (located in the Southland Mall in Whitehaven) Worst job: The first Chick-fil-A in Memphis!

Fun fact: My son-in-law’s mother is married to Miss Meg’s brother.

I cannot tell you how many people I meet who, when they find out that I work at GSL, ask, “Do you know Miss Meg?!?”

Last book read: The Rules of Civility by Amor Towles Favorite entertainment: Anything that includes Savannah, Jack and/or Jake.

Before joining GSL I was: Admissions Director for eight years for a private school in Manhattan.

Favorite thing about GSL: I have a favorite place: the library in the Anchor Center. It makes me happy just to step inside of that space, and if I have the additional pleasure of spending even a couple of moments speaking to our librarian, Jan Willis, my day instantly becomes brighter.

Anchors Away ‘76

Dr. Linda Smiley of The West Clinic was recognized as a “Top Doctor” in gynecologic oncology in Memphis Magazine’s annual Top Doctors issue in July.

‘77

Mitch Graves was named CBU’s 2012 Distinguished Alumnus.

Graves is President and CEO of Methodist Healthcares’s Affiliated Services Division. He graduated from CBU in 1983.

‘05

Kelly Truitt, president of CB Richard Ellis, was profiled in the Sept/Oct 2012 issue of Memphis Business Quarterly.

Katelyn Nichols participated in an Alvin Ailey Dance Theater workshop in New York this summer and enjoyed a quick visit with Ms. Reddick who was there for a summer workshop at Juilliard.

‘01

Ivy Bryant, a middle school teacher at Hutchison, received the Judith Calvert Warren Outstanding New Teacher Award from the Shelby Memphis Council of Teachers of English. She was recognized in the Commercial Appeal in April 2012.

‘06

Daniel Wood, a third-year computer science/physics major at Rhodes, and Will Taylor, a third-year physics major at Princeton, visited Mrs. Forsyth’s class at the beginning of the school year to talk about science and math with her sixth grade students.

‘02

Louise Smythe received her BFA in illustration from Washington University in St. Louis in 2010 and is working on a second BFA in character animation at California Institute of the Arts to be completed in 2014.

This summer she secured an exciting internship in storyboarding at Pixar Animation Studios in California.

‘03

Austin Nauert is working on his master’s degree in Digital Media Management at St. Edward’s University in Austin, Texas. His focus is on the business side of the entertainment industry with primary focus in music and movies. He recently completed an internship in L.A. with a music licensing firm.

McCauley Williams graduated from UVA and is now in law school at Ole Miss.

‘04

Stuart McClure is an analyst at UT Le Bonheur Pediatric Specialists, a private practice group under the partnership of UT Health and Science Center and Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital. He graduated from Furman University in May. Jack Montgomery graduated from Yale in May and has joined the Boston-based consulting firm Altman Vilandrie and Company. AV&Co. specializes in the communications, media, clean tech and related technology sectors.

Matt Haltom graduated from the University of Arkansas and is a first-year med student at UTHSC in Memphis.

Emmett Montgomery is in his third year at Georgetown University.

He was recently elevated to “Grillmaster” with his beloved GU Grilling Society. This past spring, he interned with a business coalition based in D.C. called Business Forward.

Travis Nauert is a junior majoring in business at the University of Alabama. He studied this summer at the prestigious London School of Economics.

Mitchell Thompson is a junior at Washington & Lee University and a starter on the school’s football team. He completed a summer internship in the athletic department at the University of Memphis and is interested in sports law and sports management.

Austin Magruder is an architecture major in his junior year at Alabama. Austin worked for his dad this summer and will be the third generation of Magruder architects.

‘07

Philip Overton, Dabney Powell, and McCulloch Cline were recognized in the Commercial Appeal in July for organizing the second annual Le Bonheuroo concert fundraiser.

‘08

Will Long was valedictorian of the CBHS Class of 2012 and is now a freshman at Vanderbilt. Jim Alrutz was the class salutatorian and is now at Northwestern University. They were both winners of National Merit college-sponsored scholarships. Will McGee received the Dr. Ralph G. Hale Award for excellence in music. Will Long was named best jazz musician. Reed Laycook received the Captain Charles Harrison Award from the CBHS Historic Band.

Davis Baker is a Rose-Hulman Merit Scholar studying Mechanical Engineering and completing the German Technology Translation Program.

(continued on page 12)

fall

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Morgan Bennett and Will Thinnes visited GSL’s campus in the

At St. Mary’s School’s senior luncheon, Julia DeVincenzo, Jordan Upton, and Hannah Morehead staged a recreation of a picture from their GSL senior kindergarten Mother‘s Day lunch 12 years ago!

spring and talked to Middle School students about cyberbullying.

Lukers at (and in!) Sweeney Todd at Christian Brothers High School in April: Garner Howell ‘11, David Rhea, Katie Ayres ‘10, Sally Clark ‘10, Hannah Jacuzzi ‘09, and Caela Rhea ‘09.

‘09

Hannah Jones attended the five-week Boston University Summer Theatre program for high school students interested in theater. She chronicled the adventure on her blog at: Bostoncalling.blogspot.com.

‘11

Jack Mullins was inducted into the Latin Honor Society at MUS. Baker Ball was nominated for a 2012 Orpheum High School Musical

‘10

In April, James Bedwell and Drew Flaherty were inducted into the Sociedad Honoraria Hispánica at MUS. Sally Clark attended a three-week summer program at North Carolina School of the Arts.

Sophie Starks recently received honors at St. Andrew’sSewanee School for serving as an ambassador and for participating in the school’s radio program. Sophie was a cast member in the theatre productions of Oliver! and Seussical, and was also nominated by the faculty to head the Honor Council next year.

Award in the category Outstanding Featured Actor, in honor of his role as Mr. Marks in The Producers at MUS. Augie Vandeveer also appeared in The Producers, and Doug McClew ‘10 was a techie.

Suzanne McGehee performed one of her songs in the Hutchison Heart and Soul talent show fundraiser this past spring, and was a 9th grade contender in the UofM annual Wordsmith competition. She received the Swim Team’s 110% Award for her determination and improvement this past season.

Randon Dupont made the tennis team at St. Benedict at Auburndale, and he also was named its “Boy Rookie of the Year.”

‘12

Alex Mansour was featured in the April issue of Health & Fitness magazine as a Fit Kid.

Saints Tie the Knot!

‘85

Christopher Gray married Mariah Schieske in Missoula, Montana on September 8.

They were married on a 100-year-old farm they recently purchased and are renovating.

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‘96

Nelson Adrian married Tricia Everitt on May 26 in Monteagle, TN. Needless to say the Adrian brothers and a slew of fellow alumni were present!

Back row (l to r): Emory Strother ’96, John Pontius ’96, Taliaferro Oates ’96; front row: Joe Woodward ’95, Duncan Adrian ’02, Ward Robinson ’96, Nelson Adrian ’96, Tim Frizzell ’96, Carson Claybrook ’96, Patrick Wood ’96, and John Adrian ’98.

‘97

Taylor Grisham married Jim Bland on June 16 at Heartwood Hall in Piperton TN. She is working in Memphis as an account manager at Oden.

‘97

Michael McLaren married Courtney Clothier on Sept 17, 2011 at Idlewild in Memphis. Michael is an associate in the commercial litigation group at Butler, Snow, O’Mara, Stevens & Cannada in Memphis.

Saints S uperlatives Student and faculty accomplishments outside the classroom.

Special Student Achievements DI Champs: Grace-St. Luke’s School’s 7th grade Destination ImagiNation Team won first place in the Project Outreach Middle Level at the state competition in Nashville. The winning seventh grade team members: (back row) Caroline Jones, Tomas Alsenas, Roane Waring; (front row) Francie Sentilles, Camille King, and Georgia Edwards.

S Books to RC GSL Donates owie: Dear Mrs. H

dents at all of the stu nt On behalf of School, I wa on Catholic r fo h uc Resurrecti m o s thank you to write and cience to collect s ts . or ff e ur yo r our school nd books fo in g in materials a z s were ama r school Your student – their books saved ou als e ns The materi their respo much money. o s put g s in ilie m be ted are and our fa bove at you dona a th e nt th e m re ip and equ Please sha . is s ba ur ily Yo da nts. to use on a grade) stude S the (now 6th d by the RC h it re w be os m e ot ph be rem ys a lw a ill w y generosit in! hank you aga community. T Sincerely,

derson ol Stephanie An atholic Scho urrection C s e R l, a ip c Prin

Doing the Right Thing: Raymond Williams and Alexander Carayiannis celebrated their 13th birthdays together this summer and in lieu of gifts, asked their guests to bring donations to the First United Methodist Church Carpenter’s Table Food Pantry.

Young Hoops Stars: Also this past spring, the 3rd/4th grade boys team coached in GSL’s Church League

by Bruce Williams won the PAA League 2012 Championship.

Service-Minded Entrepreneur: Sydney Claire Williams came up with the idea to make dog treats that would benefit the Humane Society. She created “Soul Pups,” making more than 300 peanut butter dog treats in the shapes of fish and dog bones, and selling them at the Cooper-Young Festival. Her brother Raymond and seventh-grade classmate Jay Lattimore offered sales support during the festival, and they ended up raising $215 for the Humane Society through sales and donations.

Faculty in Action Reading is Fun!: This summer, Laura Lemly and Jan Willis established a Little Free Library to serve the children of the Central Gardens neighborhood at 1628 Carr.

World Traveler: In March, Jennifer Vest spent her spring break in Dublin, Ireland where she enjoyed the St. Patrick’s Day Parade. In June, she spent a week in Cuba as part of a partnership development team from Idlewild Presbyterian Church. Finally in July, Jennifer spent 10 days in Bali at a women’s surf and yoga retreat.

Leslie Reddick at Juilliard Workshop ‘98

Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet was the focus during a week-long directing workshop that GSL performing arts instructor Leslie Reddick attended this summer at New York’s prestigious Juilliard School.

Reddick was delighted to be accepted as one of 15 participants in this workshop for theater educators.

John Adrian married Elizabeth Newman in Hattiesburg, MS on June 23.

‘02 ‘99

Kate Lassandrello married Jack Letson on June 16 at IC in Memphis.

Donald McClure married Michelle Bernard on July 7 in Easton, MD. Donald is an analyst in the Investment Banking Division at Raymond James, formerly Morgan Keegan.

“I was the only attendant from a Middle School; it was mostly high schools and some colleges,” Reddick explains. “Two Memphis theater colleagues also attended, and I just love New York anyway, so for me it was a fantastic opportunity.”

Reddick says the main thing she took away from the workshop was the importance of allowing her actors to play. “I need to let them be a part of the creative process more fully before I tell them what they need to do. It holds true for the classroom, too—taking more of a ‘coach approach’ to directing and to teaching. I’m grateful to GSL for supporting our professional development in ways like this; it was a great experience.”

s p rfianlg l

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thePA

connection

I

By A m y H u b e r , 2012-13 P.A. President

I am so delighted to be starting another wonderful school year at GSL. It is always great to welcome old friends back to campus and equally exciting to see so many new families become a part of this special community. Our first school-wide event this year was Back-to-School night, and I hope that our P.A. slideshow gave you a little glimpse of the fun that is in store this year for every parent who wants to become fully involved at GSL. The new 2012-13 Spirit Wear line is full of great items, and you can shop the Spirit Wear Store in its new location in Lass Hall any Friday morning from 7:45 – 8:15. We are also in the midst of launching a new fall fundraiser, Original Works, that will feature your own child’s artwork on items you can order for Christmas and birthday gifts for friends and family.

Aside from that, we have a long list of fun events that will take us through the rest of the year (see box at right). Also this school year, you will want to save the date for our Spring Fundraiser, the Anchor Auction 2013, to be held at Bridges and chaired for the second year in a row by extraordinary party planners Anna Holtzclaw and Shantih Smythe. Their committee is already at work, and it is sure to be another great GSL event.

Please remember that every parent at GSL is a member of the Parents’ Association, and we encourage you all to join us as a volunteer or supporter of these great events that we plan each year for the GSL community. P.A. officers are listed here as well, and we mean it when we say please feel free to contact us if you have a question that we may be able to answer!

GO SAINTS!

President: 278-1356 Amy Huber aahuber44@comcast.net Middle School VP: 274-7008 Betsy Hood edhood@bellsouth.net Lower School VP: Gina Roberts Miss Lee’s VP:

662-893-0376 gina.roberts@comcast.net

728-5674

Eleanor Halliday eleanorhalliday@yahoo.com Secretary: 725-1458

JoAnn Jones jojj63@hotmail.com Treasurer:

Vivian Jones

681-9216 joneskenvivian@bellsouth.net

Upcoming P.A. Events Teacher Appreciation Day Oct. 16 Book Fair @ Booksellers at Laurelwood Nov. 18 Book Swap Jan. 29-31 Italian Dinner Jan. 31 Teacher Appreciation Luncheon Feb. 7 Father-Daughter Dance Feb. 22 Mother-Son Event Feb. 24 Teacher Appreciation Day March 26 Anchor Auction April 13 Uniform Exchange Days May 20-21 Uniform Exchange Sale May 23

GSL Offers New Story Time Events for Toddlers

’s librarian Jan New story time offerings from GSL ar-old children. In the Willis are perfect for 2- and 3-ye open to the public.

Anchor Center Library; free and RSVP to enroll@gslschool.org.

Glad Monster/Sad Monster y

by Anne Miranda and Ed Emberle am.

Wed., Oct 31, 9:00-9:30 Costumes welcome!

Pete the Cat Saves Christmas

by James Dean and Eric Litwin Wed., Dec. 12, 9:00-9:30 am.

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2012

Lisa Lassan drello 5K R emembranc e Race Saturday,

January 26 , 2013 9:00 Grace-St. L am u k e ’s E p is In memory o copal Scho ol f long-time G SL employee Lisa Lassand Benefiting G rello.

SL and St. A gnes Academ St. Dominic ySchool. Run or walk, all ar e welcome.

Register now at www.races online.com.

The Ledger

from the Development Department

By D e n i s e D u B o i s T a y l o r , Director of Development

Introducing GSL’s Annual Giving Chairs for 2012-2013 The Development Department takes pleasure in announcing the chairs of this year’s Annual Giving Campaign: Mary & Jock Wright, parents of James (grade 5), Sam (grade 7) and recent GSL graduate Anna (now a freshman at St. Agnes.)

Thanks to

The Wrights moved to Memphis from the Boston area in 2006. They are active volunteers in the Memphis community, especially at GSL School and at Idlewild Presbyterian Church, where Jock is a deacon. In addition to GSL, Mary devotes much of her spare time to MIFA and Memphis City Schools.

Betsy & Jason Hood!

While chairing

Our goal for the 2010-2011 campaign is $220,000, which will be used to purchase additional iPads and other learning technologies, as well as for advancedlevel training for faculty, financial aid, and an outreach for greater student diversity.

Campaign for two

Remember, all donations to the Annual Fund are tax-deductible! There are two easy ways to give:

consecutive years,

the Annual Giving

• You may pledge or pay online (click on the “Giving” tab at the top of the GSL website)

the Hoods helped

•Y ou may make your commitment by returning the pledge envelope recently mailed to your home.

raise a grand total

Donors have until July 2013 to pay off their pledges. Installment payments are welcome.

of $475,055.30!

Large or small, every gift counts. We need your support!

Class of 2008 Update Congratulations to our newest high school graduates, GSL’s Class of 2008! We are proud of you and wish you well this year in work and in school!

Jim Alrutz

Northwestern Univ.

Frances Jones

Univ. of Al., Tuscaloosa

Scott Shannon

Univ.of Ark., Fayetteville

Davis Baker

Rose-Hulman Inst. of Tech.

Jordan Keplinger

Univ. of Mississippi

Emma Sharp

Univ. of Tulsa

Katie Bell

Univ. of Al., Tuscaloosa

Reed Laycook

Univ. of Tenn., Chattanooga

Cidney Simmons Univ. of Mississippi

Mitchell Bennett

Christian Brothers Univ.

Will Long

Vanderbilt Univ.

Dallas Threadgill Univ. of Tenn., Chattanooga

Julia DeVincenzo

Texas Christian Univ.

Laura Mathews

Duquesne Univ.

Jordan Upton

Univ. of Ark., Fayetteville

Webb Emerson

Mississippi State Univ.

Emily McBride

Univ. of Mississippi

Henry Valk

Wake Forest Univ.

Ethan Glazier

W. Kentucky Univ.

Will McGee

Belmont Univ., Nashville

Kristen Ward

Ozarka Comm. College

A.J. Whitelow

Gap Year

Alexander Grambergs Christian Brothers Univ.

Matthew McIntosh Gap Year

Amanda Haltom

Univ. of Ark., Fayetteville

Colin Rafferty

Ark. State Univ., Jonesboro

Kristen Haltom

Univ. of Ark., Fayetteville

Tunkie Saunders

Univ. of Colorado, Boulder

Matthew Haynes

W. Carolina Univ.

Johnny Schuetz

Univ. of Memphis fall

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Grace-St. Luke’s Episcopal School 246 S. Belvedere Memphis, TN 38104 www.gslschool.org Change Service Requested

Non-Profit U.S. Postage

PA I D Permit No. 927 Memphis, TN

Double the Fun: Then & Now Double-check the math if you must: Grace-St. Luke’s Episcopal School has 15 sets of twins on campus this year, making all of our school days twice as nice!

(First row): Thomas and Jack Garrett Bland, Henry and Marin Thompson, Eliot and Owen Axt; (second row) Owens and Virginia Unglesby, Ruby Martin, Will Dunlap, John Bush, Liam Martin, Henry Bush, Hannah Dunlap; (third row) Mary Gara Nix, Khaki and Samuel Callan, Brownyn and Jackson Saatkamp, Gray Nix, Macy and Miller Pisahl; (back row): Sophie and Hannah Goodfellow, Adam and Ben Nathan, Stephen and Frances Cates, Isabel and Elena Campos.

Eight years ago, we did a similar shot featuring 10 sets of twins who were then enrolled. This photo made the Commercial Appeal in September 2004.

The only two in both photos are the Goodfellow girls (center front), now 8th graders at GSL!