GSL’S NEW & IMPROVED WEBSITE MEET OUR NEW SAINTS ON STAFF 2024 STRATEGIC PLAN UNVEILED
Little Luker Ana Lucia McEnerney enjoys a Mempop at the 100-Minute Birthday Bash celebrating Miss Lee’s in September.
About the Cover
WeputMissLee’sontheCentralGardensannualHome&Garden TourthisyearANDthrewa100-MinuteBirthdayBashforthe whole community to celebrate the centennial anniversary of the historicPreschoolcampus.ThefutureatGSLisbright!Helpingus celebrate on the front lawn of Miss Lee’s are Little Lukers Miles SimsandHenryMartinwithPre-KindergartnersAliceFranklin, Divya Bhakta, and Booker Bartosch. Photo by Jeff White
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
2024-25
Ben Barksdale, President
Natalie Davis, Vice-President
Katrina Sanford, Secretary
Jackie Butts, Assistant Secretary
Simon Wadsworth, Treasurer
Lauren Taylor, Assistant Treasurer
Kathleen Behnke Zach Pretzer
Jennifer Hagerman Paula Sappington
Allison King
Simone Meeks
Andy Nix
Staci Somerville
Teresa Sweeney
Kate Williamson
Andy Surber, Head of School
The Reverend Ollie V. Rencher, Rector
The Right Reverend Phoebe Roaf, Bishop, The Episcopal Diocese of West Tennessee
Hallie Peyton, Senior Warden
Anna Blair, Parents’ Association President
Head of School
Dr. Andy Surber
Editor
Brenda Berry
Managing Editor
Marci Woodmansee
Contributors & Photographers
Anna Blair
Mackay Lee
Kate Shelton
Jeff White
LETTER FROM THE HEAD OF SCHOOL
Dr. Andy Surber
Dear GSL Community,
GSL owns a very rich history here on the corner of Peabody and Belvedere. We celebrated the school’s opening in 1947 –beginning with a few kindergarten classrooms in the church’s parish hall and basement! – at our 75th anniversary in 2022. Those humble beginnings led to great things – the addition of multiple grade levels, the eventual construction of our Primary Building, Morton Hall, Bratton Hall, the Evans Building linking Church and School, and finally the Anchor Center, all of which now support outstanding academic learning and extracurriculars for some 480+ students today!
And we haven’t even mentioned Miss Lee’s! Founded as a separate educational institution in 1924, Miss Lee’s had a long and proud tradition of elementary education by the time it closed in 1986, at which time GSL acquired the campus. How lucky were we to get to build upon that foundation and celebrate the Miss Lee’s Centennial this year at our 100-Minute Birthday Bash in September? There has been active learning and growth taking place on the overall GSL campus for more than 100 years!
With a history going back that many years, GSL is fortunate to have many time-honored traditions and customs, including chapel services, pep rallies, awards ceremonies, birthday bell ringing, theater performances, athletic events, our iconic red and white school bus, and much more.
Our traditions are important as they bond us to the core identity of GSL, one that is rooted in thoughtfulness, connection, and community. These elements create continuity and a shared legacy of what being a Luker really means. We care about each other. We take pride in our school. And you can see our talents and skills on display in classrooms, on the stage, in church, on the playing fields, and on the court.
Our community has created lasting memories this year as we have celebrated our rich legacy. The 100th anniversary of Miss Lee’s Preschool is a significant milestone for all of us. As guests on campus toured the building and joined us in commemorating the occasion this fall, it was easy to imagine the many, many students who have walked the halls – all the way back to 1924! – learning in a way that resonates with our whole-child approach today. Though the building now features bright colors and modern conveniences, its history and purpose remain abundantly clear.
As you read this issue of The Anchor, know that GSL's positive impact on students, families, and the Memphis community endures. We are a community incredibly proud of our school and are excited to see how our actions today will continue to build on the lasting legacy of GSL.
Go, Saints!
Andy Surber, Ed.D. Head of School
LETTER FROM THE BOARD PRESIDENT
Ben Barksdale
Dear GSL Community,
As we continue another amazing school year, I’m grateful to highlight and provide thanks for some very exciting developments we’ve made this calendar year. In tandem with Dr. Andy Surber’s vision and leadership, these things are possible thanks to the widespread GSL support from students, families, Trustees, and the dedicated and experienced faculty and staff team on campus.
New Little Saints Program
Approximately one year ago, Dr. Surber and the Leadership Team provided the GSL Board of Trustees an exciting proposal to create an 18-month-old program within our Preschool model. This addition has been a huge success. Families have been overwhelmingly responsive, and 24 Little Saints began their GSL journey in August! Thank you to all for making this wonderful addition to our Preschool a reality!
Junior Kindergarten Move to Lower School
Based on demand at the Preschool, and to more deeply engage our junior kindergarten students with their eventual Lower School experience, the decision was made to relocate the JK classes to the former SK rooms. There was no shortage of effort involved in this move – with logistics to plan, rooms to remodel, bathrooms to update, and more! For all the positivity surrounding this move, our teachers deserve the most thanks – they have provided an incredible balance in retaining the importance of the Preschool experience, while also helping these young students prepare for their journeys in SK and beyond.
New GSL 5-Year Strategic Plan
Early this year, the Leadership Team and Board of Trustees embarked on a strategic planning process. Led by Board Member and Strategic Planning Committee Chair Lauren Taylor, and thanks to countless hours from other GSL stakeholder groups, the plan was completed this fall. I’m extremely proud of GSL’s vision for the future. At its highest level, our priorities will remain focused on academics, community, our caring environment, and financial stability. With this new road map, our entire community will continue to adapt and grow, while retaining the uniqueness and spirit that make GSL such a beloved place.
GSL Reaccreditation Process
In many ways overlapping our strategic planning process, we also recently completed a new reaccreditation cycle with the Southern Association of Independent Schools (SAIS). Chaired by Assistant Head of Lower School Juan Roncal, this process included a significant amount of preparation and review over the past 12 months, culminating in a 4-day on-site visit this fall from an SAIS accreditation team. The team held meetings with leadership, Trustees, teachers, students, GSL alumni, and families. Their visit was then followed by a multi-week evaluation that was recently shared in a final visit report. Though no surprise, but still great validation for all, the outside team’s remarks and final report were glowing, and we are happy to report that we have received full accreditation!
As your GSL Board President, and on behalf of the Board of Trustees, I cannot stress enough how grateful I remain for you all. As a community, we’ve created a massive amount of momentum for many years to come.
Thank you again for your ongoing support! In the words of Dr. Surber: “Go, Saints!”
Sincerely,
Ben Barksdale President, Board of Trustees
2024 STRATEGIC PLAN: INVESTING IN GSL
By Brenda Berry, Director of Advancement
STRATEGIC PLAN INVESTING IN GSL 2024
GSL EARNS ACCREDITATION FROM SAIS
In September, Grace-St. Luke’s published its 2024 Strategic Plan: Investing in GSL. With the school mission at the forefront of this work, GSL is committed to investing in the GSL Learning Experience, the GSL Community, the GSL Learning Environment, and GSL’s Financial Stability, all with a goal of ensuring GSL’s success today and for years to come.
The outcomes of this Strategic Plan will position GSL as an academically innovative school that is uniquely qualified in preparing children for high school and beyond. GSL will continue to foster a community where all feel a sense of belonging. The successful implementation of this plan will also help GSL secure its financial sustainability through optimized enrollment, strategic financial practices, and a strong culture of philanthropy. Guided by this plan, GSL will continue to deliver its promise of remaining for all An Anchor for Life.
STRATEGIC PLAN GOALS
The GSL Learning Experience
GSL will build on the delivery, enhancement, and promotion of our outstanding academic program that results in our students being equipped and uniquely qualified to excel in top-ranked high schools, colleges, universities, and beyond.
The GSL Community
GSL will define and share what it means to be a Luker in both our internal and external community, communicating to our varied stakeholders the deep sense of belonging and enrichment that comes from being a part of the GSL family.
The GSL Environment
GSL will prioritize campus-wide spaces to support educational and programmatic needs inspiring curiosity, creativity, learning, and engagement with our community.
GSL’s Financial Stability
GSL will build on our legacy and further our longterm sustainability through a number of strategic enrollment, financial, and philanthropic initiatives.
View the full strategic plan at gslschool.org/ about-gsl/strategic-plan.
This fall, GSL successfully earned accreditation from the Southern Association of Independent Schools (SAIS). To achieve this full accreditation, GSL completed a self-study, provided evidence that the school continues to meet all standards outlined by SAIS, and demonstrated how the school’s work continues to affirm its mission. In September, this work was reviewed by a visiting team of education professionals from peer SAIS schools. The visiting team confirmed that Grace-St. Luke’s is in compliance with the accreditation standards, earning GSL the accreditation status for a five-year period.
To learn more about the accreditation process, visit sais.org/accreditation/what-is-accreditation/.
Delicious Desserts
Little Saint Shivansh Dhital tries some watermelon at a fruit-tasting station in the Bright Bees room, along with classmates Beatrice Bordson-Bozzo and Bridget Rosencrans.
Imagination Time
Junior Kindergartners Bonnie Wunderlich, Jacob McCarty, Elliott Perkins, and Hazel Hewgley create shapes with manipulatives at the light table during Tinker Lab.
Let's Do Lunch!
Leo Sousa Swailes and his Little Luker classmates get excited to gather for lunch in the Jolly Giraffes classroom.
An Apple a Day
Pre-Kindergartner
Reyaan Williams learns all about apples during a science and math unit in the Playful Peacocks classroom.
and white to show their Saints pride on Homecoming Day.
We’ve Got Spirit, Yes We Do! Preschoolers wear red
Reading Workshops
Assistant Head of Lower School Juan Roncal works with Senior Kindergartners Whit Harrigan, Alana Lanfranco, and Oliver Higgins as they practice reading and writing sight words.
A Writer’s Life
Fourth Grader Liam Mutchler and Teacher Jane Williams talk about a writing assignment during language arts.
Happy 100th, Miss Lee’s!
Three Cheers for the All-School Picnic
Second Graders Noah DeRenzo and Key Sells
First Graders Andrew Pishko and Anderson Murphy
Third Graders Tia Sanford, Ryann Simelton, Londyn Funzie, Anya Douglas, and Fifth Grader Bennett Jancelewicz
Second Graders Eleanor Hildebrand, Mica Lanfranco, Magnolia Williams, Grey Sullivan, and Senior Kindergartner Carter Sullivan
First Grader John Wilson Owen, Fourth Graders Jack Sweeney Hannock and Campbell Lowe, former GSL student Thomas Bryndziar, and Fourth Grader Miles Phillips
Adventure Is Out There!
Middle Schoolers went to St. Columba for ziplining and more during their class retreats. Front row: Sixth Graders Oscar Pyron-Price and Jack McKee; back row: Fifth Graders Hasten Fisher, Luca Federico, Seventh Grader Jack Irvine, Sixth Graders Julia Martin, Drake Shehan, and Jordyn Coleman
Let's
Go, Saints!
Middle School started a new tradition this year by appointing eighth grade team captains to foster school spirit and help spearhead all the red and white team challenges leading up to Field Day in the spring. Boys Captains are Sam Shipley (white) and Ronan Keough (red); Girls Captains are Tehani Kuo (red) and Eloise West (white).
Math Mini-Me’s
Fifth Grade girls dress like one of their favorites, Math Teacher Allyson Campbell, during Middle School Spirit Week: Caroline Bowden, Waverly McKenna, Celia Sanders, Daniela Sacoto, Ali Calzia, and Wimberly McMillon.
Exploring Cultures
Seventh Graders Gabe Ratton, Aristen Polk, Matilda Blair, Julia Laizure, Alice Moore, Cameron Gibbs, Charlie Johns, and Joseph Howard enjoyed a Kosher meal together as part of their study of Judaism in 7th Grade World Religions.
2 Cool 4 School Middle School Math Teacher Ellyse Woolard and Seventh Grader Ethan Huynh share a laugh on yearbook signing day.
WELCOME
New Saints on Staff
We are proud to introduce you (or re-introduce you!) to eight new faculty and one longtime former teacher who joined our full-time faculty this year. Read below to learn a little something interesting about each of them – we are so happy to have these new Saints in our community!
JILLIAN AVERY
Little Lukers Assistant Teacher
Hometown: Arlington, Tenn.
Family: Two sweet parents, 6 sisters, 3 brothers, and 11 nieces and nephews!
First Job: Nanny
Favorite Children’s Book: Any Amelia Bedelia book by Peggy Parish
Favorite Movie: Mamma Mia!
Favorite Song or Band: “Life Is Good” by Forrest Frank
Favorite Grizzlies player (past or present): Desmond Bane
Favorite College or Pro Sports Team: Grizzlies
Best Moment Since Joining GSL: Pancake PJ party with the Little Lukers!
MALLORY COOK
Fourth Grade Teacher
Hometown: Memphis
Family: Husband Brand and daughters
Brindley (10) and Lyla (7)
First Job: Assistant to the producer for Reveille Productions in Los Angeles
Favorite Children’s Book: Corduroy by Don Freeman; The Three Trees folk tale
Favorite Movie: The Fox and the Hound; Steel Magnolias
Favorite Song or Band: “Here Comes the Sun” by the Beatles
Favorite Grizzlies player (past or present): Tony Allen
Favorite College or Pro Sports Team: University of Memphis
Tigers Basketball
Funniest School Moment Since Joining GSL: Getting lost twice in one day during the first week of school!
ALAINA HOLT
Little Saints Assistant Teacher
Hometown: Jackson, Tenn.
Family: Mom, dad, brother, sister and a goldendoodle named Dolly
First Job: This is my first job!
Favorite Children’s Book: Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown
Favorite Movie: The Holiday
Favorite Song/Artist/Band: Zach Bryan
Favorite Grizzlies player (past or present): Mike Conley
Favorite College or Pro Sports Team: Tennessee Vols
Best Moment Since Joining GSL: The school picnic
PHOEBE JARVIS
Little Lukers Assistant Teacher
Hometown: Memphis
Family: Two parents, one brother, five dogs and a cat
First Job: Hostess at Tug’s
Favorite Children’s Book: Skippyjon Jones by Judy Schachner
Favorite Movie: Titanic
Favorite Song or Band: “All I Ask” by Adele
Favorite Grizzlies player (past or present): Brandon Clark
Favorite College or Pro Sports Team: Green Bay Packers
Best Moment Since Joining GSL: The first day of school
GUS KRAUS
5th Grade History and 5th/6th Grade
Latin Teacher
Hometown: Memphis
Family: My fiancée, Melanie, and our cat, Rune
First Job: Maintenance for a summer at St. Dominic School for Boys here in Memphis
Favorite Children’s Book: The Warriors series by Erin Hunter
Favorite Movie: The Prestige
Favorite Music: Alcest, Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov, Miles Davis, and Molchat Doma
Best Moment Since Joining GSL: The 5th Grade retreat
BRIANA MOORE
Little Saints Teacher
Hometown: Born and raised Memphian
Family: My mom and older brother, and my doggies who are like my children
First Job: Babysitting and helping out at church, then a part-time job at a candy shop
Favorite Children’s Book: Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak
Favorite Movie: That's way too hard of a question… I love romantic comedies.
Favorite Song or Band: I’m an all-around music lover! I can be listening to jazz and blues one minute and then rap and R&B the next.
Favorite Grizzlies player (past or present): I love my Grizzlies and currently am a big fan of Jaren Jackson, Jr.
Favorite College or Pro Sports Team: Memphis Tigers, Grizzlies, and Tennessee Titans
Best Moment Since Joining GSL: Everyone has been so welcoming, kind, and helpful, and I am very grateful and happy to be here. I can't wait to make many great memories!
ANNE REMMERS PHILLIPS
Preschool Administrative Assistant
Hometown: Memphis, and I have lived in Midtown most of my life. I first came to GSL as a Preschool teacher in January of 1987 and taught there for nine years, then taught first grade for four years.
Family: My daughter Elizabeth ’96 and son Wes ’98 graduated from GSL; my grandchildren Miles ’29 and Clara ’33 attend here now.
First Job: Bluff City Broom Corn Company downtown, where I sold drapery and upholstery fabric.
Favorite Children's Book: The Cherry Tree by Daisuka Ikeda, illustrated by Brian Wildsmith
Favorite Movie: Arsenic and Old Lace
Favorite Band: Dixie Chicks
Best Moment Since Joining GSL: Seeing some of my former students all grown up and walking in with their children who now attend GSL!
SARAH HUNTER SIMANSON
6th Grade English Teacher
Hometown: Memphis
Family: Children Addison ’33 and Emerson ’34; two dogs
First Job: Working in a bookstore
Favorite Children’s Book: The Lorax by Dr. Seuss
Favorite Movie: Anything by Nora Ephron Favorite Song or Band: Taylor Swift (I'm an unabashed Swiftie) Favorite College or Pro Sports Team: The Chiefs (entirely because I'm a Swiftie, and it's the first time in my life I've followed a sports team of any kind)
Best Moment Since Joining GSL: I love being on faculty and getting to sit with my daughter during Celebration Chapel!
AIDA SULFRIDGE
Little Saints Teacher
Hometown: Recife - Pernambuco BRAZIL!
Family: Husband Clayton and son Charlie ’35
First Job: Preschool teacher (2015) back in my home country
Favorite Children’s Book: Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown
Favorite Movie: Interstellar
Favorite Song or Band: Paramore/Taylor Swift
Favorite Grizzlies player (past or present): Zach Randolph Favorite College or Pro Sports Team: Memphis Tigers
Best Moment Since Joining GSL: My favorite moment so far was definitely the first day when our little ones in the Bright Bees classroom transitioned from playing on the porch to finally enjoying the playground. Seeing their happy and proud faces as they showed us what they were capable of doing, just like the big kids, was priceless. I also felt at home during the school picnic! It was so nice seeing all the kids playing, and the families gathering together. It really made me feel like I belonged to such a wonderful community!
to Marti McCloud
After the press date for our Spring 2024 issue of The Anchor, we learned that Head of Lower School Marti McCloud would be leaving GSL to accept an exciting new career opportunity in education. She finished her tenure at GSL in July and became the Head of School at Laurel Hall School in North Hollywood, Calif., in August.
During her five years with us, Marti focused on elevating the academic experience in Lower School. She helped transform our program by guiding curriculum updates in math and language arts, reinforcing social-emotional well-being through new daily class meetings and an emphasis on the Formative Five, and making small group instruction a focus in every classroom. She also spearheaded a new Lower School tradition and leadership opportunity that benefits our whole community – an annual Advent/Christmas Evening Chapel service.
Stepping up to the helm this year as Interim Head of Lower School is Mary Margaret Snow, who ably served as Marti’s second-in-command during the past five years as Instructional Support Specialist and School Counselor. GSL also named Middle School English Teacher (and former GSL Fourth Grade Teacher) Juan Roncal as Assistant Head of Lower School for this year. They have done a fine job guiding the Lower School program this fall, and an official search is now underway for the next Head of Lower School.
Farewell
CELEBRATION & COMMUNITY AT THE HEART
OF THE 2024-25 ANCHOR FUND
By Brenda Berry, Director of Advancement
Celebrations and community go hand-in-hand at Grace-St. Luke’s. There is so much to celebrate this year, and at the heart of every GSL celebration is our special school community. One of many areas we are celebrating this year is the GSL community’s commitment to giving to GSL. And we are grateful to the two families who have volunteered to lead the efforts of encouraging giving throughout the GSL community: Ann ’94 & Zach Pretzer and Allison & Steven King.
Meet the Anchor Fund Co-Chairs
Ann ’94 and Zach Pretzer
The Pretzers (Ann ’94, Zach, Zoe ’25, and Jonas ’28) have been a GSL family since 2014.
Native Memphian Ann attended GSL through 5th grade, followed by St. Mary’s and White Station High School. She attended Oberlin College in Ohio, which is where she met classmate Zach, who grew up in Ohio. Both went on to earn master’s degrees from UT-Knoxville before returning to Ohio to work for their alma mater. In 2010, they moved to Memphis where they planted roots and started their family.
Ann currently works at St. Mary’s Episcopal School as an Assistant Director of College Counseling. She served as the GSL Parents’ Association Treasurer for a number of years and continues to volunteer in GSL’s library as often as possible. Ann also enjoys teaching violin and playing violin with the Memphis Symphony Orchestra! Zach is the President of the Methodist Healthcare Foundation. In his free time, he enjoys playing and coaching sports and also writing/playing music with his band The City Fathers. Zach has coached sports at both GSL Church and for the GSL Middle School for more than a decade and also currently coaches AAU girls basketball for The Way. Zach is in his third year serving on the school’s Board of Trustees.
The Pretzer family absolutely loves attending sporting events together, both as participants and spectators!
The Kings (Allison, Steven, Hazel, and John ’30) have been a GSL family since 2019.
Native Memphian Steven attended Germantown High School. Allison was raised in Searcy, Ark. Both attended Ole Miss and were introduced by a mutual friend in 2002. They married in 2005 and remained in Oxford until Steven graduated from law school in 2006. They then moved to Nashville for Allison to attend graduate school at Vanderbilt. They moved to Memphis in 2008 and soon became members of Grace-St. Luke’s Church.
Allison is a Nurse Practitioner at Mid-South Dermatology. She is also an adjunct faculty member with Thrive AP, an educational program for new graduate nurse practitioners and physician assistants throughout the country. Steven serves as General Counsel at Trout Unlimited. Steven and Allison have served as Vestry members for Grace-St. Luke’s Church, with Steven also serving as both Clerk and Junior Warden. Steven is the current church Chancellor and a member of the endowment committee for The Episcopal Diocese of West Tennessee. He also enjoys coaching church sports teams. Allison serves on the school’s Board of Trustees and volunteers on the Children’s and Family Ministries Team at the church.
The King family enjoys traveling and outdoor hobbies. They spend as much time as possible on the Little Red River in Arkansas and look forward to snow skiing trips out west.
Allison and Steven King
GSL Community Inspires Giving
As we celebrate the 100th anniversary of Miss Lee’s Preschool, the new Little Saints program, and the first class of Little Lukers graduating in 2025, it is clear that these celebrations are possible thanks to GSL’s strong and unique community.
“When I attended GSL in the 1980s and 1990s, the school was such a special place to my family and me,” says Ann Pretzer. “Fast forward to today, and it’s incredible how my own children are having many of the same experiences, all rooted in GSL’s unmatched community.”
What makes GSL special? It’s a combination of lifelong friendships, legacy families, fond memories of the many “firsts” children experience here, beloved teachers, and community gatherings. From school-wide Celebration Chapels to weekly All-School Chapels, students know and recognize each other. Serving as role models for younger peers is a unique experience not only for eighth graders, but also for students as young as eight and nine years old, who regularly read to preschoolers and serve as Chapel buddies for younger lower schoolers.
“GSL makes it a point to celebrate differences and find common bonds,” says Allison King. “Teachers and staff know students individually and celebrate the qualities that each child brings to the school. Students participate in academic competitions, arts, sports, and other extracurricular activities, all while being supported, and celebrated, by the GSL community.”
Steven agrees, adding that what GSL offers students is something that will be with them for life.
“We believe that GSL provides an anchor of community, values, and education that will sustain students for a lifetime,” he says. “And it’s important to note that the ongoing success of this work relies on support from everyone in our community.”
The Pretzers and Kings are working hard this year to encourage everyone in the GSL community to support the Anchor Fund, GSL's primary fundraising priority.
“The Anchor Fund allows the school to continue to provide the outstanding education our families have come to expect,” says Zach Pretzer. “Every donation to the Anchor Fund demonstrates the unity and strength of the GSL community. Gifts of all amounts are appreciated and contribute to the success of Grace-St. Luke’s. Your contributions to our school community—as families, grandparents, alumni, alumni parents, trustees, faculty and staff, and friends—ensure that all Lukers will have GSL as An Anchor for Life.”
To help GSL continue its mission-focused work, please consider making either a one-time donation or recurring gift by going to our new website at gslschool.org/give. Pledges can also be made on this site and then paid at a later date.
The Anchor Fund Co-Chairs are committed to raising as much money as possible for GSL. They proudly support the Grace-St. Luke’s Anchor Fund and invite everyone to join them so that, together, the community can continue to help GSL be a wonderful place for children to learn and thrive.
YEARS! Celebrating
By Marci Woodmansee
Director of Communications
Creating a School
GSL'S PRESCHOOL AT HISTORIC MISS LEE'S
We had history on our minds this year, and a deep appreciation for the difference one determined educator can make, as we celebrated a major milestone this fall at GSL – the 100th anniversary of the founding of the original Miss Lee’s.
“You talk about legacy, and a foundation of educational excellence – that’s what we have been celebrating this year in honoring what a dedicated teacher created 100 years ago, while also reflecting on our own future as an essential educational institution in Memphis,” says Dr. Andy Surber, Head of School. Miss Lee’s School of Childhood was launched in 1924 by Memphis teacher Eva Lee, with a school curriculum focused on the “three R’s” – as well as music, the arts, and manners – for elementary-age girls and boys.
The school was originally Eva Lee’s home. She hired noted local architect George Mahan to convert it into a school building, and a news article at the time described the plans as follows: “It has physical and architectural beauty, and is surrounded by a beautiful lawn and towering trees. The building will consist of three large and welllighted classrooms, which can be thrown together for an auditorium, and a covered court for open air school.”
In the context of the neighborhood, it was referred to by some as “the little white schoolhouse on the hill.” The 1760 Peabody address situated it just east of what was then St. Luke’s Episcopal Church at 1720 Peabody. St. Luke’s Rector the Rev. Bartow B. Ramage had himself started a school at St. Luke’s in 1919, but after his death, his daughter closed the school in 1924, the same year Eva Lee was planning her launch of Miss Lee’s. (St. Luke’s would eventually merge
with Grace Episcopal in 1940, and Grace-St. Luke’s School would get its official start when teacher Lorena Webber Walker launched a kindergarten on the newly merged property in 1947.)
Eva Lee’s launch of the little white schoolhouse in 1924 was a success, and her small independent school not only survived, but thrived. Holding steady through both the Great Depression and a second World War, it would grow over the ensuing 50 years, expanding by several grades and reaching its greatest enrollment of approximately 90 students in the 1970s.
Acquiring Miss Lee’s
Unfortunately, decreasing enrollment in the 1980s led to Miss Lee’s eventually closing its doors at the end of the school year in May 1986. At that time, Grace-St. Luke’s School had recently launched a pre-kindergarten program
’83,
Pre-Kindergartners Charlotte Nichol and Aasha Hanumaiah at Miss Lee’s Birthday Bash
and was desperately in need of more space for students. So GSL’s Board of Trustees quickly acted to acquire the property, renovating and reopening the campus that same year.
JK Assistant Teacher Jeanette Walton had just begun working at GSL when the school took over the property and became one of the first teachers to work at Miss Lee’s. She helped teach a mixedage classroom of 3- to 5-year-olds in the property’s backhouse while GSL renovated the main Miss Lee’s building. After 39 years on the Preschool faculty roster, Walton is the only GSL teacher to have witnessed the full evolution of the property, from the acquisition of the original campus and playground structure through all the subsequent renovations that allowed it to grow.
As part of the school’s centennial celebrations, Miss Lee’s was a featured stop on the 2024 Central Gardens Home & Garden Tour on September 8. Display boards highlighting Miss Lee’s history were created and placed around the building, press releases, artifacts, and original photos were brought out for viewing, and eight school staff and alumni volunteers gave tours to some 200 visitors who came through.
After the tour, the real party began, as GSL hosted a 100-Minute Birthday Bash open to the public on Anchor Hill. The fun-filled, picnic-style celebration featured Mempops for every visitor and music provided by GSL’s longtime ACE instructor and Fun & Fitness teacher Robert Ward. More than 150 neighbors, families, and alumni turned out to celebrate. Everyone sang Happy Birthday to Miss Lee’s, and the event wrapped up with a ceremonial ringing of the Preschool Birthday Bell by Head of School Andy Surber and Head of Preschool Cynthia Hill.
An Eye on the Future
The centennial celebration comes on the heels of growth at GSL’s Preschool. Last November, the school announced the addition of Little Saints, an 18- to 23-month-old class, which launched in August. This new grade level is an expansion on the school’s previous Age 2 - Grade 8 model. The two inaugural classrooms filled quickly and are off to a great start.
With the 100th anniversary and continuing strong enrollment demand, the time was right to consider adding a younger grade level, according to Dr. Surber.
“We saw this as a critical strategic move for maximizing the Preschool’s potential, and it gives us the opportunity to serve more families of young children throughout the Memphis area,” Surber says.
Cynthia Hill and her team spent the spring and summer retooling current Preschool rooms and planning the program for the new younger grade level at Miss Lee’s. They also organized the move of junior kindergarten (4-year-old) classrooms over to the Lower School campus to both elevate the JK experience and also allow space for the Little Saints to join the existing complement of 2-year-old and 3-year-old classrooms at Miss Lee’s.
“Our Preschool has long been noted for the loving and inclusive coed atmosphere, and also for our philosophy of play with a purpose,” Hill says. “We are excited about growing to serve this community and couldn’t be prouder to celebrate the 100th anniversary of this historic campus!”
1924 in America (and Memphis)
• Calvin Coolidge was the President of the United States.
• The first Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade was held.
• Charles and Dorothy were the most popular baby names.
• The most popular car was the Ford Model T, which cost just under $300 and was the first automobile to be mass-produced on an assembly line.
• The population of Memphis was just over 227,000.
• Memphis is known as the largest inland cotton market and largest hardwood lumber market in the world.
• The “Hotel Peabody,” expected to become Memphis’ finest hotel, was under construction and scheduled to open in February 1925.
• Construction was beginning for Rhodes College, then known as Southwestern and located in Clarksville, some 200 miles northeast.
• A new marketing innovation – the country’s first self-service grocery store, Piggly Wiggly – was launched in Memphis just a few years earlier.
• The nation was 4 years into Prohibition.
• The 19th Amendment giving women the right to vote had recently been ratified.
Scan the QR code for more interesting facts on Memphis 100 years ago from the booklet Memphis: The City of Opportunity, published by the Chamber of Commerce in 1924.
Alumni of the original Miss Lee’s! Siblings Sandra Tigrett Brawner '49 and Charles Tigrett '54 visited during the Central Gardens Home Tour.
Looking North on Main Street in Memphis, circa 1924
LAUNCH OF LITTLE SAINTS AT GSL
The best educators know that a dynamic educational institution must anticipate change and continually evolve to remain sustainable. At GSL, that means upholding best practices and important traditions, while also adapting for the future, especially when a community need is identified. The demand for spaces in our Preschool presented such a need, and our response in launching a new grade level for 18- to 23-month-olds required both resourcefulness and determination, according to Head of School Andy Surber.
“Doing something as big as adding an entirely new grade level requires a leap of faith,” Surber says. “But in seeing where our enrollment demand was greatest, we realized we needed to give families a chance to become part of the GSL experience at an earlier entry point.”
Welcoming 24 new students into the Little Saints program in August was an exciting opportunity to add new families, as well as new teachers, to the GSL community. Briana Moore leads the Bouncing Bunnies classroom with Assistant Teacher Chunda Summerall, while Aida Sulfridge leads the Bright Bees with Assistant Teacher Alaina Holt.
“Even though the program is new, it already feels like it belongs at GSL,” Sulfridge says. “The children are really doing well. There’s so much joy and excitement in the classroom, and you can see them growing every day. Since I’m new to GSL too, it’s been nice to see how the program helps create a warm and caring community. Everyone works together, and that makes it a special place.”
Moore echoes those sentiments.
“Being able to help create this new program from scratch has been amazing!” says Moore. “It’s like a family here. I feel blessed to be part of this.”
The welcoming Little Saints classrooms are places of exploration and learning where students enjoy making art, singing, looking at books, playing with manipulatives, and much more. Plenty of fresh air and outdoor play are
an essential part of every Little Saint’s day. They also have their own age-appropriate indoor play area to enjoy when the weather keeps them inside.
“We couldn’t be more pleased with the launch of this new grade level,” says Head of Preschool Cynthia Hill. “Our new families seem really happy to be here, and it’s been a breath of fresh air to welcome a younger cohort to our halls. They toddle in daily with excitement and smiles and have really adapted to Preschool life! But what really makes this program special are the four outstanding teachers who have embraced the program and helped develop a curriculum that’s both engaging and fun.
“We launched the Little Lukers two-year-old program more than 10 years ago,” Hill adds. “And those very first Little Lukers are now eighth graders here, which is really special. We look forward to providing these new Little Saints with a safe, loving, outstanding formative experience, just like those first Little Lukers had. We can’t wait to see how they learn and grow!”
From left to right: Aria Thompson plays with manipulatives in the Bouncing Bunnies Room. Bridget Rosencrans and Beatrice Bordson-Bozzo try out the slide at Miss Lee’s. Two stuffed animal friends went along with Bright Bee Aarvi Chourasia for recess on the patio porch at Miss Lee’s. Little Saint Jacob Vance plays with a fire truck on the playground at Miss Lee’s.
From left to right: Julien Casey is excited about getting a first day of school photo. Little Saints Nara Castelo Branco and Owen Bond have fun playing with bubbles.
JUNIOR KINDERGARTEN RELOCATES TO PRIMARY BUILDING
In planning for the launch of the new Little Saints grade level last fall, school leaders had to think outside the box in ascertaining the best way to make room for younger children at Miss Lee’s, and still provide all GSL’s preschoolers with an excellent, age-appropriate educational experience. Fortunately, Lower School’s configuration, comprising the original Primary Building and Bratton Hall, offered the perfect solution. Empty classrooms upstairs were available, making it possible to shift senior kindergarten and first grade classrooms just enough to allow Junior Kindergartners to take over the existing Senior Kindergarten wing. With its three classrooms with cubbies, right-sized bathrooms, and hallways doors, the wing works perfectly as a safe and contained area for the oldest Preschool students.
“It was a neat way to solve the space issue that we really felt would be a win-win for everyone,” Surber says. “Making room at Preschool allowed the Little Saints to move into classrooms that were virtually ready for them with the cohorts of Little Lukers and Pre-Kindergartners near their age range. And our Junior Kindergartners, already the ‘big kids’ of Preschool, could get an early peek at all that is in store in Lower School by moving there a year early, while still cocooning, in many respects, in their own special area. Best of both worlds!”
And the move was not without precedent, after all: Junior Kindergarten at GSL got its start in the Lower School buildings, before the school acquired Miss Lee’s. Moving a room is never the easiest task for teachers to add to their list, but after spring months of thoughtful planning and troubleshooting, a coffee with parents, and a prekindergarten visit to see the Lower School space, summer brought the move of the Creative Caterpillar and Lucky Llama classrooms down the street, along with the creation of a third classroom, the Awesome Alligators.
And despite some nervous jitters (on all sides!), the launch of JK at Lower School was accomplished, just like that.
“I think it’s gone very well – the kids have transitioned really seamlessly,” says JK Teacher Mimmie Fisher. “There was an acclimation period the first weeks just because it was an unknown, but they rocked it.”
Much of the routine is the same as before: JKers still go to the Library, and to the Preschool for Tinker Lab and Outdoor Classroom time, and to the After School Care room in the Anchor Center for Chapel and Fun & Fitness.
“They have a lot of autonomy on this hall, and I think that’s been really good to promote independence,” Fisher adds. “They love the opportunity to be able to walk to all their special subjects now.”
JK Teacher Liz Awsumb seconds that assessment. “We are loving that JK is both part of the Preschool – with regular trips to Miss Lee’s – and that we are also finding new ways to be connected to the Lower School,” Awsumb explains. “We’re using what we’ve named the ‘courtyard space’ (between the Lower School playground and the church) for extra outdoor play, with our new water table, a block center, hula hoops, and sidewalk chalk. Each class is finding different ways to use this space. The Llamas set up a fossil dig, the Caterpillars brought loose parts play outside, and the Alligators have done several science experiments. And two classes had a picnic together in the Circle Drive!
“It is also so much easier to see our second grade reading buddies,” she adds. “We pass them in the halls or on Peabody Avenue several times a day. As teachers, we love watching our former students thrive in the Lower School.”
The JKers’ acclimation has gone so well, they may even be growing up faster than teachers anticipated. “When we go over to the Preschool now, sometimes they say, ‘Oh, this is where the BABIES are!’ Fisher laughs. “We hear that about once a week these days, and I have to remind them, ‘Hey, we’re still part of Preschool!’ They love being able to go back there and feel like the big kids!”
From left to right: Every JKer enjoys regular visits to Preschool for special subjects like Tinker Lab, and Wesley Rihner is excited to unpack the building kit. Junior Kindergartners have fun at their water table (purchased with P.A. Wish List funds!) in the courtyard area next to their new classrooms. Emersyn Annable, Dex Muller, and Jude Wells play together in the new Awesome Alligators classroom in the Primary Building.
Eva Lee
1914
Celebrating 100 Years
1924
Miss Lee decides to convert her home at 1760 Peabody Ave. into an educational establishment, hiring noted Memphis architect George Mahan.
Teacher Eva Lee comes to Memphis. Born in Como, TN, she was educated at General Peabody College in Nashville and Fairmont and Washington University in Washington.
September 22, 1924
Miss Lee’s School of Childhood opens.
This undated photo may be from the 1924 founding year of Miss Lee’s. Memphian B.T. Hunt, born in 1918, is pictured in the center in dark blazer and tie; his grandchildren and great-grandchildren would also attend GSL and Miss Lee’s. Miss Lee and early teachers are gathered in the upper right corner of the photo.
1930s - 1950s
In its early decades, Miss Lee’s grows and thrives.
1960s - 1970s
In October 1960, Eva Lee dies after a brief illness at the home of her niece, Eva May Atwood, in Florida. Her obituary in the Commercial Appeal estimated that she taught more than 5,000 children during her long career.
The school continues to grow, reaching a peak enrollment of some 90 students in the 1970s. Unfortunately, diminishing enrollment in the ‘80s leads the school to close its doors in 1986.
at Miss Lee’s! 1924-2024
January – February 1987
The completion of the front house at the Miss Lee’s campus is targeted for January, and a dedication ceremony is held February 15, 1987.
August 19, 1996
Newly constructed Preschool building opens with space enough to house 90 3- and 4-year-olds. The new building includes a reception area, director’s office, multipurpose room, faculty lounge, and conference room, plus little sinks and facilities in every classroom.
Summer
2009
GSL opens new program for 2-year-olds at Miss Lee’s, called Little Lukers. GSL is one of the first area private schools to open this grade level.
Summer 2024
GSL launches new program for 18- to 23-month-old students at Miss Lee’s, called Little Saints, and Junior Kindergarten moves to the Lower School building. Total Preschool enrollment is 170, with nearly 120 children housed at Miss Lee’s.
Summer 1986
GSL School’s Board of Trustees acquires Miss Lee’s School of Childhood from Miss Lee’s estate, answering a critical need for space in the GSL Pre-Kindergarten program, which had been in existence for three years.
December 1995
Additional renovations to Miss Lee’s are accomplished during the summer to expand the Preschool campus, adding two new classrooms and office space in a beautiful new “west wing” right across from the top level of the new Anchor Center building that was also under construction. This allowed for a new west side entrance and the opening of a fourth Pre-Kindergarten classroom. Plans by Hnedak Bobo and construction by Montgomery Martin
Groundbreaking ceremonies are held to add a new building to the Preschool, designed by Hnedak Bobo Firm Architects. Preschool classrooms move into the Middle School for one semester.
CELEBRATING 100 YEARS
ALMA MATER
Dear Miss Lee's
We'll always love you, Old yet ever new. May the truths You seek to teach us Shine our whole lives through: Love of learning, Love of country, Love of God and man. Firm upon these strong foundations May you ever stand.
From a
1982 Miss Lee’s Viewbook
Undated Miss Lee’s photo of the Rhythm Band on front lawn of school, possibly 1940s
Pre-Kindergartners Louise McDermott and Charlie Parrott enjoy the Birthday Bash.
Class of 1973 at Miss Lee’s
Home Tour Volunteers Carmen Navarro, Anne Phillips, and Ariel Laws
Debbie Callahan, retired teacher Karen McLaren, and former Head of School Tom Beazley visit Miss Lee’s during the Home Tour.
Head of Preschool Cynthia Hill at the Home Tour
Andy Surber power washes the front of Miss Lee’s before the Home Tour.
Bryan Edmunson with Little Luker David at the Birthday Bash
Cynthia Hill and Andy Surber ring the bell at Miss Lee’s after the Birthday Bash.
SAINTS SUPERLATIVES
SPECTACULAR STUDENTS
Boys Tennis: Shelby League Division A Champions
Hayes Smith ’25 won the singles title; Sam Shipley ’25 and Matheo Ibled ’25 won the doubles title.
7/8 Volleyball: Shelby 7/8 League Champions
Front row: Mary Elizabeth Fisher ’26, McKenzie Dentley ’25, Chandler Somerville ’25, Lily Jane Robertson ’25; back row: Coach Ross Larson ’05, Morgan Lambert ’25, Ella Smith ’25, Journey Rounds ’26, Julia Laizure ’26, Virginia Irvine ’26, Margaret Colley ’25, Alice Moore ’26, Coach Meg Burress ’05
FANTASTIC FACULTY
SK-6th Grade Music Teacher Braden Jensen received his Master's of Music degree with a concentration in Orff-Schulwerk in May.
JK Assistant Teacher Kelsey Tuten and family welcomed McKynleigh Tuten on May 16.
5/6 Volleyball Girls: Shelby 5/6 League Champions
Front row: Leah Perry Butler ’27, Ella Grace Billings ’27, Notley Maddox ’27; back row: Jordyn Coleman ’27, Ka’Myla Butler-Rhyan ’27, Julia Martin ’27, Coach Lily Davis ’15, Lyda Scrugham ’27, and Mimi Beasley ’27
Girls Soccer: Shelby 7/8 League Division A Champions
Front row: Louise Behnke ’27, Matilda Blair ’26, Eloise West ’25, Eleanor Fore ’25, Beklin Johnson ’25, Libby Behnke ’27; back row: Coach Tony Posner, Clara Smith ’27, Elizabeth Robinson ’27, Karrington Gardner ’28, Mila Shaw ’28, Waverly McKenna ’28, Mays Meeks ’27, Sage McKenna ’27, Emelia Willig ’27, Lillian Hardison ’27, Coach Katie Longoria
Saints’ Stories Spring Thespian Award Winners
Ella Hulett ’26, Jack McKee ’27, and Semmes Schneider ’27
Fall Spirit Award Winners
Ellie Barksdale ’25 and Zachary Moore ’25
Class of 2020 Congratulations,
We are very proud of GSL’s Class of 2020, and we wish these Saints all the best in their next adventures!
Kai Barnes, Auburn University
Zoey Brady, Undecided
Benjamin Brewer, Clemson University
Knox Brown, University of Tennessee, Knoxville
Noland Brown, Samford University
Mathis Bryant, University of Connecticut
Rebecca Burnett, Louisiana State University
Ron Byrnes, Mississippi State University
Khaki Callan, University of Arkansas
Samuel Callan, Georgetown University
Trinity Carroll, Undecided
Zelia Cedeño-Avila, Vanderbilt University
Seth Cohen, Indiana University
Cooper Deason, DePaul University
Henry Duncan, Tufts University
Luke Early, Auburn University
Harry Feild, Tulane University
Carlos Gonzalez, University of Mississippi
George Henley, University of Mississippi
Astrid Karl-Wilson, Undecided
Lily Karnes, Harvard University
Destiny Lowe, University of Memphis
Mike McDonnell, University of Denver
Parker Paschal, Lyon College
Hays Prather, University of Tennessee, Knoxville
Edens Richardson, University of Colorado, Boulder
Emmy Roberts, Auburn University
Charles Rowland, University of Memphis
Bronwyn Saatkamp, George Mason University
Jackson Saatkamp, University of Tennessee, Knoxville
Cooper Shannon, University of Tennessee, Knoxville
Owen Sharp, University of Mississippi
Lucy Sheffield, University of Mississippi
Anna Smith, Sewanee: The University of the South
Jack Taylor, Middle Tennessee State University
Saylor Waddell, St. Andrews University
Andrew Wharton, Hampton University
Marley White, Miami University
Jayla Williams, Xavier University
It was great seeing these Saints on campus for GSL’s annual college send-off lunch in August.
Front row: Zelia Cedeño-Avila, Seth Cohen, George Henley, Hays Prather, and Noland Brown; back row: Astrid Karl-Wilson, Eddie Feild, Cooper Shannon, Kai Barnes, Charles Rowland, Owen Sharp, Henry Duncan, Benjamin Brewer, Rebecca Burnett, Khaki Callan, Emmy Roberts, Samuel Callan, Lucy Sheffield, Jackson Saatkamp, Bronwyn Saatkamp, Marley White, Mathis Bryant, and Luke Early
REDESIGNED WEBSITE SHOWCASES GSL
By Marci Woodmansee ’83, Director of Communications
GSL kicked off the school year by launching a newly rebranded and retooled school website, www.gslschool.org, to offer an improved user experience for current families as well as for prospective parents trying to learn more about the school. Redesigned by the school’s website team, the new site was built by Finalsite, one of the premier school website developers in the K-12 education realm.
“In our ongoing efforts to better showcase our school and what makes GSL so special, our intent was to elevate the overall feel of the site,” says Andy Surber, Head of School. “We wanted to make it more usable and aesthetically pleasing and engaging for visitors and current families alike. We hope you will agree that it looks terrific!”
NEW FEATURES INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING:
Follow Us:
Social media icons are easily visible, and our Instagram feed posts are on display at the bottom of the home page to help tell the GSL story.
Please take a moment to explore the new site and let us know what you think. We hope you will feel immense pride in GSL as you familiarize yourself with the site and see this great visual representation of what makes our school such a special place!
Under News (upper left corner), you can find our current and past weekly eNews posts and issues of The Anchor magazine.
My GSL (upper right corner): The former Parent Portal was renamed My GSL and can still be found in the upper right corner of the site. This takes parents into the Blackbaud Student Information System GSL introduced last year, where they can find the most up-to-date school directories as well as Piccadilly lunch service information, important forms, parent handbooks, uniform requirements, and more.
Our Sticky Tabs: Inquire, Apply, and Give (at far right of screen) are easy to access from the right-hand side of the home page, no matter how far down you scroll.
Our Voices: This is a great place to see testimonials from faculty and alumni about our school. Parent and student testimonials are coming soon! (If you’d like to contribute a testimonial, please email communications@ gslschool.org today.)
New Admissions Module: Under “Your big future awaits…” prospective families can easily enter their child’s birthday and quickly see what grade they are eligible to apply for at GSL. Please share this feature with your friends who are looking for schools for their children!
2023-24 ANCHOR FUND RECAP
By Brenda Berry, Director of Advancement
The first year of the newly named Anchor Fund was a huge success! Under the leadership of Co-Chairs Lauren & Justin ’92 Taylor and Ann ’94 & Zach Pretzer, we raised a record $425,640 for GSL! Here is a breakdown of the donations received:
Unrestricted Donations:
$282,713
These donations benefit every aspect of life at GSL and support the school’s annual operating budget, including tuition assistance, technology upgrades, professional development for teachers and staff, and facility maintenance and repairs.
Restricted Donations: $142,927
These donations support a specific area of the school as requested by the donor. Last school year’s restricted donations include $54,390 for security enhancements, $50,000 for the renovation of McClure Hall, $29,595 for tuition assistance, $4,375 for new paint and repairs to GSL’s bus, $1,127 for the library, $1,000 for Preschool water barrels, $915 for the Preschool Outdoor Classroom, $550 for Anchor Center heat exchangers, $475 for Lower School classroom furniture, $200 for the art department, $200 for the performing arts department, and $100 for the athletic department.
Thank you to our Co-Chairs, the 2023-24 Anchor Fund Grade Level Representatives, and to the hundreds of generous donors who supported GSL and helped us raise much-needed funds for our special school!
2023-24 ANCHOR FUND
Contributions by Constituency
LEADERSHIP DONORS
Every fall we hold a special party to thank all donors who give at the leadership level to GSL. This year, GSL parents Heather and Henry ’83 Grosvenor hosted our party celebrating those donors who gave a gift of $750 or more to the 2023-24 Anchor Fund. Many thanks to all these individuals for their philanthropic gifts to our school!
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
ALUMNI PARENTS
ALUMNI
FACULTY & STAFF
Scott & Elizabeth Warren
Kristen & Patrick Murphy
Henry ’83 and Heather Grosvenor
Ian & Ellen Hendry
Austin & Meg ’05 Burress
Mary & Andy Surber
Jan & Ron Coleman
Kevin & Liz Keough; Lauren & Justin ’92 Taylor
Ben & Meghan Barksdale
Paula & Haley Annable
Andrea & Rick Kohlhof
Dan & Price ’03 Peacock
Steven & Allison King
Teresa Sweeney & Melanee Hannock
Kimberly & Jeff White
Jack & Savannah Cantrell; Jenn & Ryan Gibbs
Allyson & Noah Campbell; John T. Fisher
Mary Catherine & Zack Moore
2023-24 GRACE-ST. LUKE’S GIVING REPORT
This report reflects total cumulative gifts made by donors to Grace-St. Luke’s from August 1, 2023 through July 31, 2024. Any payments received after July 31, 2024 will be acknowledged in the 2024-25 Giving Report. Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of this listing. If any errors or omissions are discovered, please email Director of Advancement Brenda Berry at bberry@gslschool.org.
Our sincere appreciation is extended to the following donors:
LEAD DONOR SOCIETY
HEAD OF SCHOOL HEROES A gift
of
Anonymous
Corinne & Bob Adrian
Mr. & Mrs. Benjamin Barksdale
The Catherine H. DeWeese Memorial Trust
ANCHOR ALLIES
A gift of $6,000-$9,999
Meg & Scott Crosby
Lauren & Justin Taylor
LUKER LEADERS
A gift of $3,000-$5,999
Mr. & Mrs. Scott S. Adams
Kathleen & Schorr Behnke
The Callahans
Mr. & Mrs. Andrew F. Cates
Dr. Kristen Duncan & Mr. Doug Duncan
Mr. & Mrs. Ryan E. Gibbs
Ms. Melanee Hannock & Ms. Teresa Sweeney
Albert & Trinh Johnson
Liz & Kevin Keough
Jeni & Jamie Linkous
Mary & Will Maddox
Mr. & Mrs. Alec McLean
In honor of GSL Faculty & Staff
Frances & Cooper Morrison
Mr. & Mrs. Eddie Robinson
Mary & Andy Surber
Mr. & Mrs. Richard W. Treharne
Jill & Simon Wadsworth
SAINT SUPPORTERS
A gift of $1,500-$2,999
Mr. & Mrs. Thomas E. Adams Jr.
Tom & Mandy Archer
In honor of Elliot, Blair, and Jack Bagwell
Mr. Eric Barnes
Kappi & Tom Beazley
Mr. & Mrs. Alex Boggs
Ms. Wight F. Boggs
The Butts Family
Jack & Savannah Cantrell and Cantrell Custom Pools
Mr. & Mrs. Charles B. Dudley III
Debbie & Jim Flaherty
Mr. & Mrs. Emmel B. Golden III
RED & WHITE CLUB
A gift of $350-749
Anonymous
Tom & Sue Balk
Mr. & Mrs. Franklin G. Barton
Ernest C. Behnke
In honor of Libby and Louise Behnke
A special thank you to these lead donors who donated $750 or more to GSL's 2023–24 Annual Fund.
$10,000 or more
Katie Gore
Mr. & Mrs. James Maddox
Mary & Paul Morris
Dr. & Mrs. Benjamin Sheffer
Heather, Henry, and Beau Grosvenor
Mr. & Mrs. William P. Halliday III
Ann & Henry Herrod
Hyde Family Foundation
Judy Johnson
In memory of Kim Johnson
Steven & Allison King
Bob & Laurie Langston
In memory of Dr. Jeffrey Scrugham
Eric & Kelly Martin
Anita & Mike McCarty
In honor of Madison and Miles McCarty
Michelle & Donald McClure
Mr. & Mrs. Logan E. Meeks
Memphis Blues Soccer Club
Mr. & Mrs. Jim Mercer
Drs. Arzu Onar-Thomas & Fridtjof Thomas
Price & Dan Peacock
Bob & Libby Shannon
Sharon & Josh Shipley
Mr. & Mrs. Gary Shorb
In honor of Will Hagerman
Dr. & Mrs. G.W. Sorrells III
Sara & John Thatcher
Lee & Mary Linda Wardlaw
In honor of Jack Wardlaw, Kai Thompson, Ana Thompson, and Cullen Wardlaw Weeden
Elizabeth & Scott Warren
Casey & Ashley West
GRACE GIVERS
A gift of $750-$1,499
Anonymous
Mrs. Haley Annable & Mrs. Paula Annable
Dr. Lauri Balk & Mr. Patrick Balk
Preston & Allie Battle
The Bayzie Family
In honor of John Wyatt and James Dylan Bayzie
Charles & Michelle Bolton
Mr. & Mrs. J. Daniel Breen
In honor of Jake Breen
Lara & Daniel Breen
Karen & Tyson Bridge
Meg & Austin Burress
Tony & Sherri Calzia
Noah & Allyson Campbell
Mr. & Mrs. Napoleon Cassibry
Tom & Susan Stephenson
In honor of our children Tommy ’01, Katie ’03, and Meg ’05, and our grandchildren Thomas ’31, Margo ’33, Porter ’34, Wise ’34, Emersyn ’34, Hudson ’35, Louise ’35, and Laura James ’35
Dr. & Mrs. Thomas Beasley
Brenda & Jason Berry
Dave & Nancy Blalock
Mr. & Mrs. Kevin Brewer
Dr. Lucy L. Bruijn
In honor of Isaac Bruijn ’31 and Mr. Robert Bucci & Mrs. Lu Bucci
Tom & Karen Buckner
Debbie J. Callahan
In memory of Lisa Lassandrello
The Canale Foundation
Blas & Georganne Catalani
In honor of Dr. Blas S. Catalani III
Anna Chahal
Ron & Jan Coleman
Sherry & Jeff Emerson
Ed & Farley Ezekiel
In honor of Teddy Ezekiel
Mr. John T. Fisher
Brandon & Ellen Flechas
Melanie & David French
The Fundo Family
Mr. Robert Goff
David Hanson & Christina Ross
In honor of Sherry Emerson and Chunda Summerall
Mr. & Mrs. Jesse B. Heath
In honor of Beau Grosvenor
Mr. & Mrs. Ian B. Hendry
Mrs. Cynthia L. Hill
Antonio T. Hinton
James & Joy Hoffman
Amy & Dave Howe
In honor of Teddy Ezekiel
Jolie & Trae Hughes
Tim & Erica Jancelewicz
Lisa & Louis Jehl
In honor of August Mathewes
Marilyn C. Kidd
In memory of Hulette A. Kidd
Rick & Andrea Kohlhof
Kroger
Joanna Hudson Laizure & Casey Laizure
Mr. & Mrs. Robert Chase
Courtney & Charlie Ciaramitaro
In honor of Jane Williams
Mr. Joshua Cunningham &
Ms. Nicola da Roza
Mr. Jim Curry
Natalie & Mike Davis
Thomas & Sara Federico
Mr. Tom Leitzell & Dr. Heather Conklin
Lauriann Lines
In honor of James and Andy Balk
Julian & Erin Malone
Mr. & Mrs. Grant McDermott
Medtronic
Prentiss Mitchell
Mr. & Mrs. Zack Moore
Chapman & Chip Morrow
Patrick & Kristen Murphy
Lindsey & Landon Myers
Sally, Ashley, and William Pace
Drs. Kurt & Ruth Patton
Ms. Anne R. Phillips
In honor of Rowlett Scott
Hannah & Wes Phillips
Zach & Ann Pretzer
Father Ollie Rencher, Rector
Andrew & Melanie Rock
Bilqis Rock & Isaac Howley
Harriet & John Ross
Lauren Scrugham
In memory of Dr. Jeffrey Scrugham
Nick & Patty Scully
In memory of Susan Benson and Nelda Marr
Mr. & Mrs. John M. Sharp
Dr. Heather W. Sheppard
In memory of Gloria Mize
Mr. & Mrs. James M. Silk Sr.
Russell & Molly Smith
Mr. & Mrs. Brian S. Sullivan
Mr. & Mrs. Jeffrey M. White
Larry White
In honor of Kimbie & Jeff White
Drs. Brendan Williams & Danielle Harrell
Gib & Nancy Wilson
Marci & Ken Woodmansee
In memory of Dr. Roger Deshaies, Lisa Lassandrello, and Norman S. Woodmansee
Mary Evelyn & Dan Fore
In honor of Evie, Margaret, and Eleanor Fore
Lori & Sandy French
Drs. Jerry & Elizabeth Gilless
Nancy & Sonny Golden
In honor of Billy and Celeta Golden
Mr. & Mrs. Paxton Griffin
Linda Hannock
Mr. & Mrs. Michael J. Harris
Denise & Jimmy Hinson
In honor of Estelle and Helen Graham
Darin & Jennifer Isom
In memory of D’Jean Isom
Dickson & Julie Logan
Ms. Melody McAnally & Mr. John Lawrence
In honor of Jan & Laura Lemly
Willis and the GSL Library
Mr. Frank E. McCarty
Mr. & Mrs. Philip W. McCarty
Marti & Doug McCloud
Peggy & Don McClure Jr.
Shelly McGuire
Karen Y. McLaren
Drs. Antony & Teresa Mukkada
Mr. & Mrs. Nicholas Musashe and The Jander Group, Inc.
In honor of Ezekiel Musashe
Drs. Brent Orr & Julie Markham
Mike & Lauren Parker
Ms. Hallie Peyton
Mr. & Mrs. John H. Pontius
Leigh & Todd Richardson
In honor of Emily Merrell
Drew & Jenny Rixon
Bishop Phoebe Roaf
Jenny & Rob Robertson
Juan Roncal
Mrs. Betty A. Rosenblatt
In honor of Elizabeth Thompson ’24
Dr. Whitney Sanders & Dr. Stephen Pishko
Stefan & Shine Schattgen
Larry & Julie Sefton
In honor of Connor Sefton
Anang & Kavita Shelat
McLean & Marianne Smith
Rusty & Debra Taylor
Amber & Derek Thacker
In memory of Chip Woods
Mr. & Mrs. Wayne Van Deveer
Charles & Allison Vance
Dr. Jennifer Vest
Dr. Benton M. Wheeler III
Scott & Courtney Woodmansee
COMMUNITY CORNER
A gift of $1-349
Anonymous (4)
Mr. & Mrs. Ben Adams
Merdeith Aden & Mason Lowe
Larry & Sheila Alexander
Sydney Alexander & Shannon Toon
Mr. & Mrs. Richard Avant
In honor of Louis Avant
Liz Awsumb
Erik & Sarah Ball
Ms. Sharron Barrett
In memory of Joel Alexander
Mr. & Mrs. Henry Bartosch
Mr. & Mrs. Chris D. Beagle
Ms. Kelsey Beagle
Mr. & Mrs. William M. Bencini
Mr. & Mrs. Bob Berendt
Julie Binder
Mr. & Mrs. Nicholas A. Blackwell
Anna & Angus Blair
Pamela Parker Branham
In memory of Andy Branham
Mel & Ginny Bresee
Ms. Carol Buchman &
Mr. Roy Tamboli
In memory of Joel Alexander
Collin & Sam Buckner
Lisa Buckner & Kiersten Schnacke
George & Alice Burruss
In honor of Jack and Bailey Burruss
Mr. Craig Butler & Mrs. Elayne Perry Butler
Bryan Callahan
In honor of Debbie Callahan
Mr. & Mrs. Anthony W. Calzia Jr.
Mr. & Mrs. Kyle I. Cannon
Dr. & Mrs. Tyler Cannon
Ms. Caroline Canon
Harry & Janie Carloss
In honor of Lillian Hardison
Jon & Linda Casello
In honor of Courtland and Alison Morris
Ms. Frances E. Cates
Ms. Reece Chadwick
Mr. & Mrs. Bhaji S. Chahal
Mr. & Mrs. Ambrose Chisholm
Caroline Ciaramitaro
Ms. Amanda Coile
Andrew & Sarah Colley
Mary Jane Colyer
Mark Compton & Maria Smith
Gordon Conaway
George & Blair Connor
Dr. & Mrs. Robert Connor
In honor of Maggie and Blair Connor
Ms. Katherine M. Consola
Ms. Kim Cook
In honor of Charlie Johns
Mr. & Mrs. Bill Craddock
Kacey Hickey Davies ’86 & Brian Davies*
In honor of Dr. &
Mrs. H. David Hickey Jr.
Judy Deshaies
In memory of
Dr. Roger L. Deshaies
Mrs. Sarah Dietrich & Mrs. Rachel Cohen
Ms. Denise Diodene
Caroline Gardner Donlin
Jason & Whitney Dowdy
Allie & Brown Dudley
Mary & Ron Dumas
The Dunlap Family
Ms. Kate Durbin
Mr. & Mrs. Michael East Jr.
Dr. Cheran Elangovan & Mrs. Shree Gandhirajhu
Mr. Eric Elms
Dennis Elrod & Leigh Ann Blakely
In memory of Pat Blakely
Mr. & Mrs. Dennis Everitt
Mr. Michael Evers & Ms. Kristy Gunn
Josephine Fields Falcone
Dr. & Mrs. William D. Falvey
Mr. & Mrs. Jeff Farmer
Ryan & Krissy Flickinger
Mr. & Mrs. Jonathan T. Flynt
Lyn Forsyth
Mr. & Mrs. C. Bradford Foster III
Collin & Bailey Fountain
Mr. & Mrs. Daniel Fundo Sr.
Mr. & Mrs. Patrick Galphin
Dr. & Mrs. Harvey Gardner
Mr. & Ms. Jacque Gardner
Christa George & Chris Wood
Laura & Josh Gettys
In honor of Foster and Joseph Gettys
Tessa Gilbertson & Family
The Glassman Family
Bethany Goolsby & Scott Blankenship
Morgan & Camille Griswold
Jennifer Hagerman
Anden Hamilton
Mr. & Mrs. Kiran Hanumaiah
Mr. & Mrs. Joseph Hardison
Mr. & Mrs. Thor Harland
Grant & Jessica Harrison
Mr. & Mrs. Bryce M. H. Hendry
Ms. Abby Hensley
Gail Herbert
In memory of Eddy Herbert, Lisa Lassandrello, and Bubba Woodmansee
Mr. & Mrs. M. Taylor Hewgley
Sidney & David Hickey
Dr. Andy & Mrs. Ashley High
Dr. Nathan Hinkle & Mrs. Megan Hinkle
Stacey Hollingsworth
Mr. Courtney Houston-Carter
Michael Howard, Arleen Hill, and Joseph Howard
Billy & Brenda Howell
In memory of Elizabeth Whitlock Haynes
Abby Huber
In memory of Doug McClew
Brenda Allen Huff
Jeff & Annie Hulett
The Ibled Family
Mr. & Mrs. John A. Irvine
In honor of Jack and Virginia Irvine
April Jackson
Mr. & Mrs. C. Brian Jackson
Dr. Jeffrey Jackson & Dr. Ellen Daugherty
Eleanor & Jonathan Jacobs
Braden Jensen
Chantel Johnson
Cindy & Steve Keywood
Bryan & Angelina Kuo
Mr. & Mrs. Brian Lacy
Judy Lamb
Russell & Sandra Langley
In honor of Sam Shipley
Ansley Larsson
In memory of Joel Alexander
John & Charleen Lawrence
Ariel LaShaun Laws
In memory of Gail Laws
Mr. & Mrs. L. Mackay Lee
The Leslie Family
Mrs. Felicity H. Letsou
Mrs. Elyn Lewis
Mr. & Mrs. James M. Lewis
Allan & Kathleen Lips
In honor of Eleanor and Thomas Barksdale
Katie Longoria
Dr. & Mrs. Ernest Lowe
In honor of Campbell Lowe and in memory of Dr. William Aden
Lee & Cindi Marshall
Piper Martin
Susan & Drew Mascolino
Mr. & Mrs. Andrew Mathewes
Madolyn Maupin
Ms. M. Annette McAnally
Ms. Martha McCool &
Mr. Victor Amador
Mr. & Mrs. Joseph McDonald
Dr. & Mrs. J. Lucius McGehee
Ms. Suzanne D. McGehee
Jack & Sandy McKee
Mr. & Mrs. Ryan McKee
The McKenna Family
Angela Merideth
Mr. & Mrs. Will Merrell
Laurie & Brooks Monypeny
In honor of Lillian Hardison
Mr. & Mrs. William N. Muller Sr.
Andrew & Elena Murphy
Ansley Foxwell Murphy & Toby Sells
In memory of Dorothy Atkin
Allison Musick
Barry & Janet Musick
In honor of William Q. Musick
Mr. Matthew R. Musick
Shauna Myers
In honor of Addison Brewer
Mr. & Mrs. Cecil B. Nance III
Carmen Navarro
In memory of Jesus Navarro
Mr. & Mrs. W. L. Nichol IV
In honor of Charlotte Nichol
Kelcye & Bill Nichol
Mrs. Linda L. Niell
Mr. Andy Nix & Ms. Nichole Soulé
Dorothy Northern
In memory of Joel Alexander
Mary Tucker Nowak
Coleman & Jenna O'Keeffe
Mr. & Mrs. John R. Owen Jr.
Drs. Donna & Landon Pendergrass
Lee & Penny Phillips
The Pontius Family
The Proveaux Family
Sara & Bruce Ralston
Ms. Sarah Ranson
Reem Rassoul
Leslie J. Reddick
In memory of D.C. & Rosa Reddick, Carl Reddick, and Stevie Reddick
Daniel & Katherine Riederer
Ward & Brittan Robinson
Mr. & Dr. Andrew B. Sanders
Mr. & Mrs. Tony Sanford
Mr. Jay Sansing
Donnie & Paula Sappington
Lee & Brian Schaffler
Mrs. Jordan Schieffler
Dr. & Mrs. Schneider
Mr. & Mrs. R. Alexander Scott
Katie & Kevin Searle
Eric & Lauren Sefton
Coleton & Rainey Segars
In honor of Jeanette Walton
Jeb Shehan & Alex Nowlin
Kate & James Shelton
Mr. Rashad Simelton
Mr. & Mrs. Wil Slatery
Felicitas Sloves
In memory of Joel Alexander
Stacy & Dewey Smith
Mr. & Mrs. Bill Smith
In honor of Ella Smith
Donnie & Mary Margaret Snow
Ms. Staci Somerville
Mr. & Mrs. Daniel Speights In honor of Avery and Chase Gross
Mr. & Mrs. William P. Steele III
Stepherson's Food Stores/ Superlo Foods
Mr. & Mrs. W. Howard Stovall
Ms. Chunda Summerall
Mrs. Harmony Swenson
Denise & Sledge Taylor
Maggie Taylor ’22
Lily Thompson
Ms. Mary Nell Thompson
Mr. Russ Thompson
Ms. Judy C. Toler
Ms. Kelsey Tuten
Lucy Underwood
Victoria C. Walk
In honor of Madison and Thomas Walk
Mrs. Brie Wallace & Mrs. Barbara Radebaugh
Mr. Steven A. Wallace
Gregory & Jeanette Walton
In memory of Rodney Blanks (Jr.) Walton
Xiaojing Wang & Jinhong Zou
Lex Ward
Lyle Wardlaw & John Weeden
Ms. Kiwana Watson
Lang & Isabel Whitaker
Mrs. W. Reid Whitaker
Marley White ’20
Max White ’17
Ellen Whitten & Vince Harrigan
Mike & Pamela Wigen
In honor of Zadie Casey
Arnita Williams
Jane & Bruce Williams
Mr. Evan Williams & Dr. Parul Rai
Mr. & Mrs. Greg C. Willig
Jan Willis & Laura Lemly Willis
Bill & Caroline Willson
In honor of Allyson Campbell and Annie Chisholm
Mary Woodmansee
In honor of Marci Woodmansee
Ellyse & Austin Woolard
Abigail Wright
Mr. & Mrs. Stewart Young
Leah & Mark Zamir
The Zamir/Moinester Family
THE BULLET CLUB
GSL Alumni Donors
Alex Boggs ’02
Meg Stephenson Burress ’05
Bryan Callahan ’01
Frances Cates ’17
Anna Branham Chahal ’00
Caroline Ciaramitaro ’14
Gordon Conaway ’00
Kacey Hickey Davies ’86
Caroline Gardner Donlin ’97
Eric Elms ’88
Josephine Fields Trimble Falcone ’84
Mary Evelyn Stevens Fore ’91
Tessa Gilbertson ’21
Robert Goff ’01
Annie Gerber Griffin ’98
Henry Grosvenor ’83
Ashlee Rivalto Hendry ’01
Bryce Hendry ’02
Courtney Houston-Carter ’00
Abby Huber ’10
Eleanor White Jacobs ’93
Albert Johnson ’89
Ariel Laws ’03
Will Maddox ’00
Eric Martin ’84
Kelly Gault Martin ’92
Piper Martin ’05
Donald McClure ’02
Katie Stephenson McDermott ’03
Suzanne McGehee ’11
Sally Sprott Pace ’89
Mike Parker ’85
Price Smith Peacock ’03
Wesley Phillips ’98
Philip H. Pontius ’99
Ann Frizzell Pretzer ’94
Ward Robinson ’96
Jay Sansing ’91
Brian Schaffler ’84
Jordan Upton Schieffler ’08
Lauren Langston Scrugham ’92
Libby Shannon ’65
Justin Taylor ’92
Maggie Taylor ’22
Lucy Pontius Underwood ’62
Lex Ward ’79
Lyle Wardlaw ’89
Marley White ’20
Max White ’17
Bruce Williams ’58
Ken Woodmansee ’81
Marci Deshaies Woodmansee ’83
Mary Woodmansee ’14
Scott Woodmansee ’79
FACULTY & STAFF
Liz Awsumb
Elizabeth Bayzie
Gina Beagle
Kelsey Beagle
Jenna Bencini
Brenda Berry
Julie Binder
Victoria Blackwell
Carol Buchman
Meg Burress ’05
Debbie Callahan
Janelle Calzia
Allyson Campbell
Noah Campbell
Caroline Canon
Reece Chadwick
Anna Chahal ’00
Annie Chisholm
Courtney Ciaramitaro
Amanda Coile
Blair Connor
Allie Dudley
Mimmie Fisher
Lyn Forsyth
Daniel Fundo
Jenn Futrell
Carrie Galphin
Anden Hamilton
Ellen Hendry
Abby Hensley
Cynthia Hill
Antonio Hinton
Darin Isom
Braden Jensen
Rick Kohlhof
Ariel Laws ’03
Mackay Lee
Felicity Letsou
Katie Longoria
Piper Martin ’05
Marti McCloud
Suzanne McGehee ’11
Shelly McGuire
Angela Merideth
Emily Merrell
Mary Catherine Moore
Jessica Muller
Carmen Navarro
Sara Ralston
Sarah Ranson
Reem Rassoul
Leslie Reddick
Juan Roncal
Jay Sansing ’91
Lee Schaffler
Katie Searle
Kate Shelton
Morgan Slatery
Mary Margaret Snow
Cindy Sorrells
Andy Surber
Harmony Swenson
Chunda Summerall
Lily Thompson
Russ Thompson
Kelsey Tuten
Jeanette Walton
Jeff White
Kimberly White
Jan Willis
Laura Lemly Willis
Marci Woodmansee ’83
Ellyse Woolard
Abigail Wright
GIVING BY THE CLASS OF 2024
Lisa Buckner & Kiersten Schnacke
The Callahans
Mr. Michael Evers & Ms. Kristy Gunn
David Hanson & Christina Ross
Dr. Andy & Mrs. Ashley High
Dr. Jeffrey Jackson & Dr. Ellen Daugherty
April Jackson
Eleanor & Jonathan Jacobs
Albert & Trinh Johnson
The Leslie Family
Eric & Kelly Martin
Mr. & Mrs. Alec McLean
Mr. & Mrs. Will Merrell
Mary & Paul Morris
Drs. Arzu Onar-Thomas & Fridtjof Thomas
Leigh & Todd Richardson
Mr. & Mrs. Tony Sanford
Mrs. Lauren L. Scrugham
Ms. Judy C. Toler
Scott & Courtney Woodmansee
GIVING BY THE CLASS OF 2025
Mr. & Mrs. Benjamin Barksdale
Andrew & Sarah Colley
Mary Evelyn & Dan Fore
The Fundo Family
Laura & Josh Gettys
The Glassman Family
Jennifer Hagerman
The Ibled Family
Tim & Erica Jancelewicz
Albert & Trinh Johnson
Liz & Kevin Keough
Bryan & Angelina Kuo
Mr. & Mrs. Zack Moore
Zach & Ann Pretzer
Drew & Jenny Rixon
Jenny & Rob Robertson
Mr. & Dr. Andrew B. Sanders
Dr. Heather W. Sheppard
Sharon & Josh Shipley
Russell & Molly Smith
Ms. Staci Somerville
Lauren & Justin Taylor
Lyle Wardlaw & John Weeden
Casey & Ashley West
Arnita Williams
GIVING BY THE CLASS OF 2026
Anna & Angus Blair
Mr. & Mrs. Kyle I. Cannon
Natalie & Mike Davis
Mimmie & Brian Fisher
Mr. & Mrs. Ryan E. Gibbs
The Glassman Family
Bethany Goolsby & Scott Blankenship
Dr. Andy & Mrs. Ashley High
Michael Howard, Arleen Hill, and Joseph Howard
Jeff & Annie Hulett
Mandy & Jason Johns
Joanna Hudson Laizure & Casey Laizure
Mr. & Mrs. Zack Moore
Drs. Brent Orr & Julie Markham
GIVING BY THE CLASS OF 2027
Anonymous
Mr. & Mrs. Franklin G. Barton
Dr. & Mrs. Thomas Beasley
Kathleen & Schorr Behnke
Mr. & Ms. Daniel Breen
Mr. Craig Butler & Mrs. Elayne Perry Butler
The Callahans
Dr. & Mrs. Tyler Cannon
Brandon & Ellen Flechas
Mr. & Mrs. Jonathan T. Flynt
The Fundo Family
Laura & Josh Gettys
Heather, Henry, and Beau Grosvenor
Mr. & Mrs. Joseph Hardison
Mr. & Mrs. Thor Harland
The Ibled Family
Mr. & Mrs. C. Brian Jackson
Dickson & Julie Logan
Mary & Will Maddox
Eric & Kelly Martin
Madolyn Maupin
Ms. Melody McAnally & Mr. John Lawrence
Mr. & Mrs. Ryan McKee
The McKenna Family
Mr. & Mrs. Logan E. Meeks
Ansley Foxwell Murphy & Toby Sells
Sally, Ashley, and William Pace
Drew & Jenny Rixon
Mr. & Mrs. Ward D. Robinson
Dr. & Mrs. Schneider
Mrs. Lauren L. Scrugham
Mr. Rashad Simelton
Russell & Molly Smith
Sara & John Thatcher
Charles & Allison Vance
Ms. Kiwana Watson
Lang & Isabel Whitaker
Mr. & Mrs. Greg C. Willig
Bill & Caroline Willson
Mr. & Mrs. Stewart Young
GIVING BY THE CLASS OF 2028
Dr. Lauri Balk & Mr. Patrick Balk
Mr. & Mrs. Benjamin Barksdale
The Bayzie Family
Dr. & Mrs. Thomas Beasley
Anna & Angus Blair
Karen & Tyson Bridge
Mr. & Mrs. Anthony W. Calzia Jr.
Thomas & Sara Federico
Mimmie & Brian Fisher
Mr. & Ms. Jacque Gardner
Mr. & Mrs. Ryan E. Gibbs
James & Joy Hoffman
Tim & Erica Jancelewicz
Mr. & Mrs. Philip W. McCarty
Mr. Frank E. McCarty
The McKenna Family
Mary & Paul Morris
Mr. & Mrs. John R. Owen Jr.
Zach & Ann Pretzer
Mr. & Dr. Andrew B. Sanders
Dr. & Mrs. Benjamin Sheffer
GIVING BY THE CLASS OF 2029
Meredith Aden & Mason Lowe
Dr. Lauri Balk & Mr. Patrick Balk
Collin & Sam Buckner
The Butts Family
Jack & Savannah Cantrell
Mr. & Mrs. Jeff Farmer
Mimmie & Brian Fisher
Mr. & Mrs. Patrick Galphin
Christa George & Chris Wood
Ms. Melanee Hannock & Ms. Teresa Sweeney
Jeff & Annie Hulett
Dr. Jeffrey Jackson & Dr. Ellen Daugherty
Mr. & Mrs. Will Merrell
Mr. Matthew R. Musick
Allison Musick
Lindsey & Landon Myers
Hannah & Wes Phillips
The Pontius Family
The Proveaux Family
Dr. Whitney Sanders & Dr. Stephen Pishko
Donnie & Mary Margaret Snow
Xiaojing Wang & Jinhong Zou
GIVING BY THE CLASS OF 2030
Mr. & Mrs. Anthony W. Calzia Jr.
Ms. Kate Durbin
Mr. & Mrs. Michael East Jr.
Mr. & Mrs. Jonathan T. Flynt
Drs. Jerry & Elizabeth Gilless
The Ibled Family
Chantel Johnson
Steven & Allison King
Mary & Will Maddox
Ms. Martha McCool & Mr. Victor Amador
The McKenna Family
Daniel & Katherine Riederer
Mr. & Mrs. Ward D. Robinson
Mr. & Mrs. Tony Sanford
Coleton & Rainey Segars
Dr. & Mrs. Benjamin Sheffer
Jeb Shehan & Alex Nowlin
Mr. & Mrs. James M. Silk Sr.
Mr. Rashad Simelton
Amber & Derek Thacker
Ms. Kiwana Watson
Bill & Caroline Willson
GIVING BY THE CLASS OF 2031
Mr. & Mrs. Scott S. Adams
Sydney Alexander & Shannon Toon
Mr. & Mrs. William M. Bencini
Dr. Lucy L. Bruijn
Collin & Sam Buckner
Mr. & Mrs. Anthony W. Calzia Jr.
Dr. & Mrs. Tyler Cannon
Anna Chahal
The Dunlap Family
Brandon & Ellen Flechas
Mr. & Mrs. Emmel B. Golden III
Mr. & Mrs. M. Taylor Hewgley
Mr. Tom Leitzell & Dr. Heather Conklin
Mr. & Mrs. William N. Muller Sr.
Ansley Foxwell Murphy & Toby Sells
Lindsey & Landon Myers
Dr. & Mrs. Schneider
Eric & Lauren Sefton
Anang & Kavita Shelat
Mr. & Mrs. Brian S. Sullivan
Drs. Brendan Williams & Danielle Harrell
GIVING BY THE CLASS OF 2032
Mr. & Mrs. Alex Boggs
Karen & Tyson Bridge
Mr. Joshua Cunningham & Ms. Nicola da Roza
Allie & Brown Dudley
Mr. & Mrs. Jeff Farmer
Ryan & Krissy Flickinger
Grant & Jessica Harrison
Dr. Nathan Hinkle & Mrs. Megan Hinkle
Julian & Erin Malone
Patrick & Kristen Murphy
Andrew & Elena Murphy
Mr. & Mrs. John R. Owen Jr.
Daniel & Katherine Riederer
Dr. Whitney Sanders & Dr. Stephen Pishko
GIVING BY THE CLASS OF 2033
Mr. & Mrs. William M. Bencini
Mr. & Mrs. Nicholas A. Blackwell
The Butts Family
Anna Chahal
Jason & Whitney Dowdy
Melanie & David French
Jonathan & Jennifer Futrell
Morgan & Camille Griswold
Dr. Nathan Hinkle & Mrs. Megan Hinkle
Joanna Hudson Laizure & Casey Laizure
Mr. & Mrs. L. Mackay Lee
Mr. & Mrs. Grant McDermott
Prentiss Mitchell
Hannah & Wes Phillips
The Pontius Family
The Proveaux Family
Mr. & Mrs. Ward D. Robinson
Stefan & Shine Schattgen
Mr. & Mrs. R. Alexander Scott
Mr. & Mrs. Brian S. Sullivan
Ellen Whitten & Vince Harrigan
GIVING BY THE CLASS OF 2034
Mr. & Mrs. Scott S. Adams
Mrs. Haley Annable & Mrs. Paula Annable
Erik & Sarah Ball
The Bayzie Family
Meg & Austin Burress
Mr. & Mrs. Ambrose Chisholm
George & Blair Connor
Dr. Cheran Elangovan & Mrs. Shree Gandhirajhu
Mr. & Mrs. Emmel B. Golden III
Mr. & Mrs. Bryce M. H. Hendry
Mr. & Mrs. M. Taylor Hewgley
Mr. & Mrs. William N. Muller Sr.
Price & Dan Peacock
Mr. & Mrs. Tony Sanford
McLean & Marianne Smith
Mrs. Brie Wallace &
Mrs. Barbara Radebaugh
Elizabeth & Scott Warren
Ellyse & Austin Woolard
The Zamir/Moinester Family
GIVING BY THE CLASS OF 2035
Mrs. Haley Annable & Mrs. Paula Annable
Preston & Allie Battle
Collin & Sam Buckner
Mrs. Sarah Dietrich & Mrs. Rachel Cohen
Jason & Whitney Dowdy
Ed & Farley Ezekiel
Collin & Bailey Fountain
Melanie & David French
Katie Gore
Mr. & Mrs. Kiran Hanumaiah
Mr. & Mrs. Bryce M. H. Hendry
Jolie & Trae Hughes
Mary & Will Maddox
Mr. & Mrs. Andrew Mathewes
Mr. & Mrs. Grant McDermott
Patrick & Kristen Murphy
Kelcye & Bill Nichol
Bilqis Rock & Isaac Howley
Stefan & Shine Schattgen
Mr. & Mrs. Wil Slatery
Donnie & Mary Margaret Snow
Mr. & Mrs. William P. Steele III
Mr. Evan Williams & Dr. Parul Rai
DONOR-DRIVEN GIVING
THROUGH FOUNDATIONS AND MATCHING GIFTS
American Endowment Fund
Benevity Community Impact Fund
Christian Community Foundation of Memphis & the Mid-South, Inc.
Memorial Trust Community Foundation of Greater Memphis
Dr. Kristen Duncan &
Mr. Doug Duncan
Fleetwood Foundation Inc.
Mr. & Mrs. William P. Halliday III
Mr. & Mrs. George T. Johnson
Jim & Lisa Maddox
Mrs. Marion McClure & Dr. James G. McClure*
Mary & Paul Morris
Mr. David Rebholz
Mrs. C. Alexander Saunders
Tom & Susan Stephenson
Mr. & Mrs. Andy Taylor
Valerie & Henry Valk
James Vining* & Ann Vining
Benton M. Wheeler
CONSECUTIVE GIVING SOCIETY
GSL’s Consecutive Giving Society recognizes donors who renew their support every year, regardless of gift amount or purpose.
20+ Years
Kappi & Tom Beazley
Ms. Carol Buchman & Mr. Roy Tamboli
Debbie J. Callahan
Sherry & Jeff Emerson
Lyn Forsyth
Mr. & Mrs. Ian B. Hendry
Marilyn C. Kidd
Rick Kohlhof
Karen Y. McLaren
Mr. & Mrs. Alec McLean
Sara & Bruce Ralston
Leslie J. Reddick
Bob & Libby Shannon
Dr. & Mrs. G.W. Sorrells III
Denise & Sledge Taylor
Dr. Benton M. Wheeler III
Mr. & Mrs. Bruce E. Williams
Mrs. Laura Lemly Willis
Marci & Ken Woodmansee
2ND ANNUAL EMERITUS SOCIETY EVENT
15-19 Years
Mr. & Mrs. Kevin Brewer
Courtney & Charlie Ciaramitaro
Mr. & Mrs. Patrick Galphin
Sidney & David Hickey
Jeni & Jamie Linkous
Susan & Drew Mascolino
Mr. & Mrs. Jim Mercer
Lee & Brian Schaffler
Mr. & Mrs. John M. Sharp
10-14 Years
Mr. Ernest C. Behnke
Kathleen & Schorr Behnke
Noah & Allyson Campbell
Meg & Scott Crosby
Mr. Jim Curry
Mrs. Kacey Hickey Davies
Dr. Kristen Duncan & Mr. Doug Duncan
Mr. Eric Elms
Mr. & Mrs. Ryan E. Gibbs
Mr. & Mrs. William P. Halliday III
David Hanson & Christina Ross
James & Joy Hoffman
Mr. Michael Howard & Dr. Arleen Hill
Liz & Kevin Keough
Joanna Hudson Laizure & Casey Laizure
Katie Longoria
Michelle & Donald McClure
Shelly McGuire
Mr. & Mrs. Will Merrell
Drs. Brent Orr & Julie Markham
Drs. Kurt & Ruth Patton
Zach & Ann Pretzer
Ms. Sarah Ranson
Kate & James Shelton
Sharon & Josh Shipley
Lauren & Justin Taylor
Larry White
Jan Willis
Gib & Nancy Wilson
* In Memoriam
GSL hosted its 2nd Annual Emeritus Society gathering on April 23, 2024 in celebration and appreciation of all current and former Trustees of Grace-St. Luke's Episcopal School. This year's gathering included Trustees who served in 1980 through the present day and was a great demonstration of the special community and unique connections formed at GSL.
Grace-St. Luke’s is grateful for the following supporters of our Parents’ Association (P.A.), Athletic Booster Club, and Performing Arts Booster Club during the 2023-24 school year:
PARENTS’ ASSOCIATION BOARD
President: Jenn Gibbs
Middle School VP: Julie Markham
Lower School VP: Hannah Phillips
Preschool VP: Ashley Park
Secretary: Tricia Adrian
Treasurer: Carey Pontius
2024 ANCHOR AUCTION
SPONSORS
Cantrell Custom Pools
CES Power
Dobbs Management
Duncan Eye
Gerber Taylor
Grinder Taber Grinder
Independent Bank
Indigo
Jeff Hullett PR
Jim Keras Subaru
Lexus of Memphis
NFC Investments, LLC
Raymond James
Revival Restoration
Sherry & Jeff Emerson
TD Capital
Tina & Walter Edge
Victory Bicycle Studio
2024 ANCHOR AUCTION DONORS
Amelia Gene's
Amy Threadgill Photography
Anonymous
Jamie Bell
BettsMade LLC/Boujee Bounce
Blo Blow Dry Bar
Sophie Bracewell
Brown Dog Lodge
Jocelyn & Denis Brunotte
Carol Buchman
Buff City Soap
Meg Burress
Anna Chahal Family
Chelsea Fly Art
Chêne Gear
Children's Museum of Memphis
Annie Chisholm, Emily Merrell & Abigail Wright
City Silo
Collected by Elizabeth Malmo
Core Collective Broad
Cotton Tails
Dorothy Collier Art
Eden Spa & Laser LLC
Enjoy AM Restaurant Group
Fire Museum of Memphis
Tricia Franklin
Frost Bake Shop
G Brady
Garner Framing Company
Glo Medical Aesthetics
Goetze Art & Design
Amy Birdsong Golden
GSL families who donated to the class baskets
GSL Spirit Wear
Heather Howle Art
Ashlee Hendry
Ian Hendry
Tealy Hewgley
Independent Bank: Susan & Tom Stephenson
Indigo
James Gattas Jewelers
Jimpsie Ayres
Mary & Stan Jones
Joseph
Kittie Kyle
Rick Kohlhof
Deborah & David Lawrence
Levy Dermatology
Lisa Mallory Interior Design
Katie Longoria & Reece Chadwick
J. Lowery
Maggie Clarke Interiors
Marianne Smith Landscape Design
Alice & Johnny Maxwell
Marti McCloud & Angela Meredith
McEwen's
Memphis Botanic Garden
Memphis Drum Shop
Memphis Pizza Cafe
Mempho Presents
Mid-South Dermatology
Midtown Bramble & Bloom
Mind/Body HAUS Studio
Lindsey & Landon Myers
Oak Hall of Memphis
Overton Park Shell
Chef Zach Parks
Proveaux Vintage Shop, Clothing and Costumes
Public Bistro
Rachel's Flowers & Gifts
Rendezvous
RSVP Stationers
Rumble Boxing
RVC Outdoor Destinations
Ryan Patrick Salon
Salsa Cocina Mexicana
Savana Grace Photography
Shelby Dental
Andrew Sichting
Sign Soiree
S.O.B Hospitality Group
Sophie Edwards Design
Soul Fish
Spruce
St. Columba Episcopal Camp & Retreat Center
Stones & Pearls
Stovall Collection by Jody Geary
Sunrise Memphis
Dr. Andy Surber
Sweet LaLa's Bakery
The Art Project
The Beauty Shop
The Methodist Healthcare Foundation, Zach Pretzer
The Peabody Hotel
Tops BBQ
Tsunami
University Club of Memphis
Wallace Ann Sorrells Designs
We Are Memphis Brand
Wendy Adams Photography
Wings Gymnastics
Young Avenue Deli
P.A. CASH DONATIONS
Haley Annable
Lake Brooks
Tyler Cannon
Whitney Kilroy
Rachel Lawrence
Shine Schattgen
Marianne Smith
Teresa Sweeney
Anna Wohrman
Jinhong Zou
ATHLETIC BOOSTER CLUB
Chairs: Mary Evelyn Fore, Jennifer Gibbs, Margaret McLean, Ashley West
Treasurer: Mary Catherine Moore
MEMBERS
The Barksdale Family
The Barton Family
The Beasley Family
The Behnke Family
Candace Billings & Family
The Blair Family
The Butler Family
The Callahan Family
The Cannon Family
The Colley Family
Margaret & Bill Craddock
The Fisher Family
The Flechas Family
The Flynt Family
The Fontenot Family
The Fore Family
Martha & Kip Frizzell
Janna & Daniel Fundo
The Fundo Family
Tina Gault & David McCullum
The Gettys Family
The Gibbs Family
The Glassman Family
Bethany Goolsby, Scott
Blankenship & Family
The Grosvenor Family
Jennifer Hagerman & Family
The Harland Family
Ann & Hank Herrod
The High Family
Arleen Hill, Michael Howard & Family
The Ibled Family
The Irvine Family
The Johnson Family
The Keough Family
Kathleen & Allan Lips
Terri & Bill McKenzie
Andrea & Rick Kohlhof
The Kuo Family
The Laizure Family
Lisa & Jim Maddox
The Maddox Family
Julie Markham, Brent Orr & Family
The Martin Family
Melody McAnally, John Lawrence & Family
The McKenna Family
The McLean Family
The Meeks Family
The Moore Family
The Morris Family
The Pace Family
The Pretzer Family
The Reardon Family
The Rixon Family
The Robertson Family
The Robinson Family
Christina Ross, David Hanson & Family
Lauren Scrugham, Brad Trotter & Family
The Shipley Family
Peggy Sichveland
Katy Smith, Bryan Smith & Family
Molly Smith, Russell Smith & Family
Carolyn & Robert Somerville
Staci Somerville & Family
Evelyn & John Stevens
The Taylor Family
The Thatcher Family
Mary Nell Thompson & Lynn Dirbold
The Unglesby Family
Lyle Wardlaw, John Weeden & Family
The Warner Family
Debbie & Carlos Webb
The West Family
The Woodmansee Family
PERFORMING ARTS BOOSTER CLUB
President: Ellen Daugherty
Treasurer: Raven Bledsoe-Douglas
Officers: Anna Blair, Annie Hulett, Elza McKenna
MEMBERS
The Barksdale Family
Anna & Angus Blair
Bernard & Janice Bledsoe
Karen & Tyson Bridge
Shannon Carter
Jon & Linda Casello
Ellen Daugherty & Jeff Jackson
The Fundo Family
Heather, Henry, and Beau Grosvenor
Jeff & Annie Hulett
Judy Jackson
Allan & Kathleen Lips
Julie Markham & Brent Orr
Kelly Martin
Susan McCord
Liz & Ryan McKee
Elza & Mike McKenna
Oma & Doc McKenna
Mary & Paul Morris
Arzu Onar-Thomas
Judy Toler
Bruce & Jane Williams
Mr. & Mrs. Stewart Young
LUKERS FOR LIFE ALUMNI NEWS
’79
’50s Cary Fowler was named a World Food Prize Laureate in May at a ceremony in Washington, D.C. He and colleague Geoffrey Hawtin, founders of the Global Crop Diversity Trust, were chosen by the World Food Prize Laureate Selection Committee for their long-term contribution to seed conservation and crop biodiversity. Since 2022, Fowler has served as the Special Envoy for Global Food Security in the U.S. State Department.
Kenny Jabbour, with his wife and another local business partner, recently purchased Judy Pound Cakes, the cakebaking business founded by former GSL teacher and alumni parent Judy Douglass (mom of Lane ’94, Gene ’98, and Scott ’98).
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New Ballet’s founding CEO/Artistic Director Katie Smythe was named one of Memphis Business Journal's 2024 Super Women in Business.
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Brian Mallory lives in Memphis with wife Michele and works as a broker with Hobson Realtor. He is the proud dad of son Luke, who attends Columbia University and is studying Economics.
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Courtney Michelle Munson married Jeff Norrid on May 25, 2024 at the Junior League of Memphis surrounded by family and friends, including GSL alumni Patrick Munson ’97 and Kelly Munson Ellenburg ’04 Courtney and Jeff reside in Durham, N.C., where Jeff is an assistant football coach at Duke University.
(Photo Credit: The Warmth Around You)
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Audrey Webster Darrohn and husband Spencer welcomed their first child, Oliver “Ollie” Thomas Darrohn, on August 17, 2024.
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Ross Larson, Tanner Baker, Elizabeth Hutton Ricks, and Audrey Webster Darrohn reminisced at Miss Lee’s during the 2024 Central Gardens Home Tour.
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Coaches Meg Stephenson Burress and Ross Larson led their GSL 7/8 Varsity Volleyball team to win the Shelby 7/8 League Tournament (see photo page 19).
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Ross Larson is engaged to Palmer Kyle. He proposed at Versailles, a place Ross first visited as a GSL student, declaring it her favorite stop on the 8th Grade Europe Trip.
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Bobby Bell is assistant manager at Alchemy in Memphis.
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Catherine Knight Tarsi and husband Andrew welcomed their first child, Maggie Suzanne Tarsi, on May 17, 2024.
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Katie Bell is marketing director for Corder Real Estate in Tuscaloosa, Ala.
GSL Fourth Grade Teacher Jane Williams was happy to run into some of her former Wizards in Midtown this fall: Jordan Upton Schieffler ’08, Piper Bell ’12, and James Upton ’07
’09
Lauren Bell earned her professional engineering license from the state of North Carolina this spring.
’09 Richard Grambergs graduated from UTHSC Medical School this spring and has started his residency there in psychiatry.
’10 Cal Edge married Emily Oakhill on July 27, 2024 in Bentonville, Ark. The couple resides in Memphis.
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Hannah Walker and Jacob Loshchinskey were married in May. The celebration at Lafayette's Music Room was attended by several GSL alumni, including Camille King ’13, Margo Huber ’13, Elizabeth Elrod ’13, Tomas Alsenas ’13, Whitney Ziegenhorn ’14, and Hannah’s brother Eli Walker ’18. Hannah earned her degree from UT-Chattanooga in Business Administration and Marketing and is currently a communications specialist at MIFA. Pictured here are wedding party members Eli, Hannah and Tomas and guests Camille and Margo.
Bennett Barousse is a medical student at the Tulane School of Medicine.
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Tess Emerson married Johnny Tobe on June 15, 2024 at Dixon Gallery & Gardens. Lukers in attendance included Webb Emerson ’08, Kendall Jones Franklin ’04, Hannah Jones ’09, Pierce Jones ’11, Mary Woodmansee ’14, Will Woodmansee ’16, and Marci ’83 & Ken Woodmansee ’81
Coach Lily Davis led her 5/6 GSL Volleyball team to win the Shelby 5/6 League tournament (see photo page 19).
’15 Connor Homayouni started a new position as research assistant in the High Performance Embedded Systems Lab at Oakland University School of Engineering and Computer Science in Michigan. He also recently presented his first publication with the lab at an industry conference.
’16 Will Woodmansee is a first-year law student at Charleston School of Law.
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’16 After graduating from the University of South Carolina, Ellie Sappington moved to Charleston, S.C., where she is working as an assistant underwriter at RT Specialty Insurance.
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’18 Carter Strickland served as the Conference Commissioner for the University of Oklahoma SGA Exchange Team.
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Kylie Jackson is a sophomore journalism student at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, and an anchor/reporter with the student run media outlet, VolNewsTV. She is a 2024 Orientation leader and participates in the Black Student Union and the Multicultural Mentoring program.
Hutchison graduate Zelia Cedeño-Avila received a full scholarship to Vanderbilt University, where she is studying engineering.
Madison Smith is completing her final year at the University of Arkansas and majoring in architecture with a minor in interior design. This summer she had the unique opportunity to study furniture and textile design in Copenhagen, where she designed and built a chair as part of her studies. She is spending her last semester in Italy through the university’s Rome Program.
’16 Mary Chapman Morrow graduated from the University of Tennessee with a degree in Sports Management, and is a ticket sales associate with the Nashville Predators hockey team.
’20 The following alumni were honored at Memphis University School’s Senior Academic Awards ceremony in the spring: Kai Barnes, Distinguished Community Service Award Samuel Callan, Spanish Award Cooper Shannon, H. Jerry Peters History Award
Marley White, French Award
’20 MUS athletes Noland Brown and Owen Sharp won individual DIIAA titles at the TSSAA State Track and Field Championships in May. Brown took the 110-meter hurdles title with a time 14.64, and Sharp captured the high jump title by clearing 6’4”. Sharp was also named to the Commercial Appeal’s All-Metro Track Team.
’20 Henry Duncan was a recipient of the Award of Excellence for Sportsmanship, Ethics, and Integrity presented by the TSSAA and the National Federation of State High School Associations.
’20 At MUS Graduation this spring, Cooper Shannon received the D. Eugene Thorn Award and Henry Duncan and Hays Prather were named recipients of the Ross McCain Lynn Award.
’21
St. Mary’s Junior Prom in the spring: Virginia McLean, Mary Clara Smith, Evie Fore, Lydia Ford, Ella Riley, Violet Renken, Christopher Morice, George Brewer, Townes Jones, Foster Houseal, Thomas Davis, Maggie Linkous, and Langston Scrugham
’21 The following alumni were recently inducted into CBHS's Brother J. Stephen O'Malley Chapter of the National Honor Society: Gregory New, George Brewer, Will Dunlap, and Christopher Morice; not pictured but also inducted: Gavin Jellow, Charlie Kofahl, and Benjamin Berntson
’20 Hutchison’s College T-shirt Day in May: Emmy Roberts, Becca Burnett, and Zelia Cedeño-Avila
’20
MUS defeated Briarcrest at the lacrosse state tournament semifinals in May, thanks to great performances by GSL alumni Thomas Davis ’21, Knox Brown '20, and Hays Prather '20 Henry Duncan '20 and Logan Taylor ’95 were on hand to cheer them on. The team went on to defeat McCallie in the TSLA State Championship.
Hays Prather was named state player of the year by the National Interscholastic Lacrosse Coaches Association. He also received a Silver Key in the Personal Essay & Memoir category in the Scholastic Art and Writing Awards competition.
’21 Charlie Kofahl was named a National Merit Semifinalist at CBHS. (Photo courtesy of CBHS)
’21 Representing the Volunteer Conference, Lausanne senior Liam Martin is one of three youth governors from Tennessee. He spent a week in Washington, D.C. this summer for the 2024 Youth Governors Conference, which gathered students from Youth in Government programs across the country for learning, service, and networking.
’21 In September CBHS recognized senior Gregory New for best exemplifying Christian Brothers Lasallian Virtue for the month - encouragement. They said: “Greg is always among the first to welcome new players on his rugby team, uplifts all his teammates, embraces fresh ideas in class, and inspires those in his circle to lean towards optimism in tough situations.” (Photo courtesy of CBHS)
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GSL alumnae, now seniors, gathered for photos on their first day of school this fall.
At Hutchison, front row: Ella Lambert, Virginia Unglesby, Millie Malone; back: Sara Kate Ratton, Hannah Dunlap, Haley Floyd, Chloe Warner, and Anna Haley
At St. Mary’s: Langston Scrugham, Mary Clara Smith, Virginia McLean, Violet Renken, Lydia Ford, Evie Fore, and Maggie Linkous
Lydia Ford '21 and Lily Karnes '20 performed at Celebration in the spring as members of St. Mary’s choral ensemble. Lydia was recently inducted into St. Mary's Cum Laude Society and honored with the Washington and Lee University Book Award. Lily graduated and is at Harvard this fall, where she is studying government and public policy.
saw
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Glover Patton received the Rhodes College Book Award in the spring at MUS’s Special Awards ceremony. He and Tom Crosby were also recipients of the President’s Volunteer Service Award.
’23 Eddie Ferguson is a sophomore at Lausanne Collegiate School, where he participates in Modern Band, Model UN, and Youth in Government. He is a drummer and a member of the house band at School of Rock Memphis. He can be found on the weekends playing different venues around town with his band, The Contradictions, who were nominated for the Memphis Flyer’s Best of Memphis 2024 awards.
Levi Johnson and Campbell McLean stopped by this year's annual All-School Picnic at Snowden Field.
50 YEARS AT GSL
At the Athletic Banquet in May, Rick Kohlhof and Debbie Callahan recognized the Woodmansee family for a special milestone – 50 consecutive years of involvement at GSL. Their contributions to GSL’s athletic program date back to the 1970s and include helping found the Athletic Booster Club and helping create and coach the first football team, in addition to working here and sending children and grandchildren through GSL.
’21
Millie Malone performed this spring with the Hutchison dance team and was named a Universal Dance Association All-American, which allows her to perform at special events. This fall, she received a National Voter Registration Day event mini-grant of $250 from the Tennessee Nonprofit Network. This assisted in funding a voter registration drive, alongside the League of Women Voters, at Hutchison School as part of her senior capstone project.
’23 Hutchison’s
’24
CBHS Back-to-School Dance: Ty Merrell, Grant Barger, Poppy Schnacke, Corinne Richardson, Lily Woodmansee, Milo Jacobs, Sarah Jordan Houseal, Lucy Unglesby, and Zoey High
Front row: Former GSL Athletic Director Jim Lassandrello (1976-1996), Gail Woodmansee Herbert, former Board Member Billy Woodmansee (1975-1979), Linda Woodmansee; back row: Mary Woodmansee ’14, Ken Woodmansee ’81, Marci Woodmansee ’83, Jamie Lassandrello ’01, David Woodmansee ’78*, Scott Woodmansee ’76*, Lily Woodmansee ’24, Courtney Woodmansee, Jenny Lassandrello Valentine ’96, Liz Woodmansee, Jesse Valentine ’97, Elise Woodmansee, and Mark Woodmansee ’80 (*Final year at GSL)
Leslie Reddick
Michael Davis ’22 and Lucy Cothern ’23 on stage at CBHS in She Loves Me in the spring.
Sting Fling: Bella McAdams, Jackson Halpern, J.W. Curry, Anna Ratton, Stella Dyer, Stephan Binder, Caroline Byrnes, and Eliza Roberts
FROM THE ALUMNI DESK
By Kate Shelton, Advancement Associate
We are excited to share this update on alumni happenings at GSL and we remind our alumni readers that you can stay involved by joining the Alumni Association Board. The Alumni Board helps keep alumni connected through various events each year. If you are interested in joining, please contact us at the school or reach out to Chair Ross Larson ’05.
In August, GSL welcomed the Class of 2020 back on campus for a special College Send-off Lunch. This group of alumni spent much of the afternoon visiting old classrooms, participating in their own “memory walk,” and catching up with faculty members. For a list of where these Saints are attending college, check out pages 20 and 21.
The entire GSL community was invited to gather on September 8 to celebrate Miss Lee’s Preschool as it turned 100 years old. Those in attendance celebrated with a picnic party on Anchor Hill after the historic building was featured as a stop on the Central Gardens Home & Garden Tour. Alumni of Miss Lee’s came out to share pictures and memories of the program — and the teachers — that made such an impact on their education, which is still true of our inspiring faculty today.
The school has launched a redesigned GSL website with revisions to the alumni area. Under the Alumni tab, you’ll find the alumni update form (or just scan the QR code at right) to
GSL alumni parents with children and recent alumni, left to right: Caroline Covington Skees ’01, Price Smith Peacock ’03, Nelson Adrian ’96, Gates Whitt ’23, Ashley Adams Park ’02, Kendall Jones Franklin ’04, Meg Stephenson Burress ’05, Katie Stephenson McDermott ’03, Matt Sights ’01, Jenny Towery Decker ’99, Wes Phillips ’98, Levi Johnson ’84, Albert Johnson ’89, Thomas Johnson ’87, Mary Evelyn Fore ’91, Phil Sims ’93, Eric Martin ’84, Porter Martin ’24, Campbell McLean ’24, Karter Ambrose ’24
keep GSL informed of your academic or professional successes, ways you are making a difference in your community, marriages, births, and other noteworthy life events. You can also find information on how to purchase alumni plaques in the new Alumni Alcove, ways to give to GSL, and a list of current Alumni Board members (see box at right).
Also on the new home page are GSL alumni testimonials; we would love to get yours if you are willing to share a quote about what GSL means to you! Email lukerforlife@gslschool.org with your inspiring words. Want to show your school spirit? The link to the Spirit Wear store for Saints swag is there, too; our merchandise can be purchased year-round (and shipped nationwide).
We also celebrated all alumni families who currently have children attending GSL at our All-School Picnic – see photo above! Looking ahead, GSL Middle School coaches will convene the 2nd annual young alumni basketball game on the last day of school before Winter Break (December 20). After the new year, we will hold an Alumni Meet & Greet for alumni age 21 and over. Continue to follow us for all alumni news and events on GSL’s social media accounts on Facebook (via the school or alumni page), Instagram, X, and LinkedIn.
Go, Saints!
2024-2025 Board List
1978 Kay Wills
1979 John Gary
1979 Mitch Graves
1979 Scott Woodmansee
1981 Herb Cochrane
1984 Brian Schaffler
1985 Virginia Sharp
1991 John Houseal
1998 Mark Griffin
2000 Will Maddox
2001 Chad Cunningham
2001 Matt Sights
2002 Alex Boggs
2003 Sisco Larson
2003 Katie Stephenson McDermott
2004 Kendall Jones Franklin
2005 Ross Larson*
2005 Audrey Webster Darrohn
2006 Ellen Wills Ball
2006 Travis Nauert
2008 Mitchell Bennett
2010 Cal Edge
2010 Abby Huber
2011 Claire Sentilles
* Alumni Board Chair Scan here to submit an update!
P.A. PLANNING FOR GREAT 2024-25
By Anna Blair, Parents’ Association President
Did you know that every parent/guardian at GSL is automatically a member of the Parents’ Association? It’s true! And each and every one of you help make this community what it is, through your enthusiasm, your positive word-of-mouth, your philanthropic gifts, and your participation in our events. We are so much stronger together, and we invite you all to join in this year to make the most of the GSL traditions and events that make our community so special.
What We Do
The P.A. sponsors a variety of community building and fundraising events throughout the school year. Funds raised support the school in so many meaningful ways, including funding classroom enhancements, new curriculum, and teacher wish list items that directly benefit the students’ learning experiences.
Last year, under the guidance of P.A. President Jenn Gibbs, we raised more than $100,000, which was poured directly back into the school for a number of incredible tools, including iPads, enhancements for the Outdoor Classroom, STEM learning equipment, smartboards and smart televisions.
A Strong Start
P.A. fundraising is already underway this year through Spirit Wear sales (visit our online store to purchase Saints swag anytime via the link on the GSL website) and Charleston Wrap.
Coming Soon
Visit our P.A. page under the Community Life tab on the GSL website for a complete list of events, descriptions, and chairs, and please save the date now for a slew of fun events in 2025! First up is the Italian Dinner - a 50+ year tradition organized by 8th grade students and families for the entire community to attend. Then families in 4th-8th grades will have the annual Sweetheart Dance and SonDay Fun Day events to enjoy. Preschool and Lower School students can look forward to grabbing some great free books at the spring Book Swap. And the entire community is invited to our biggest annual fundraiser, the Anchor Auction, on April 4!
So please plan to join in the fun, and thank you so much for supporting your Parents’ Association. Go, Saints!
P.A. Executive Board members Elizabeth Warren, Preschool VP; Crady Schneider, Lower School VP; Anna Blair, President; Andy High, Middle School VP; and Allison Musick, Treasurer (not pictured, Caroline Willson, Secretary)
Trivia Event Co-Chairs Sharon Shipley and Hannah Phillips
Little Luker Room Parents Kelcie Zapatos and Cristina Jabbour McEnerney
Left: Spirit Wear Chairs Alyson Perkins, Kristen Murphy, and Tara Barton
Below: Auction Co-Chair Thaler Beasley
246 S. Belvedere Blvd. Memphis, TN 38104 gslschool.org
The Miss Lee’s 100-Minute Birthday Bash brought out more than 150 attendees – parents, neighborhood friends, alumni, and students - including plenty of Middle Schoolers like Fifth Grader Brennan Gibbs, who enjoyed having the chance to revisit the Preschool swingset!
