Winter 2016-17

THE GLORIOUS QUEST 26

SCHOLARS

Cum Laude inducts 20 2

SCULPTURES

Artists complete creature creations

22

SPORTS Basketball: 5 players score All-Region 32

Man of La Mancha inspires sold-out crowds

From the Top

Cum Laude Society Inducts 20

Twenty Owls were inducted into the Cum Laude Society during a chapel ceremony February 17. Membership in the society, which is modeled on Phi Beta Kappa, is the highest academic honor students in a secondary school can receive. Guest speaker Dr. Steve Gadbois, instructor in mathematics, addressed the reasons

parents send their sons to MUS, many of which related to Cum Laude.

“Among the obvious reasons you are here are the acquisition of knowledge and the development of skills,” Gadbois said. “On the other hand, perhaps the most important reasons schools like MUS exist are building strong moral character and acquiring the noblest values.”

As expressed in the society’s motto, “Areté (Excellence), Diké (Justice), Timé (Honor),” eligibility in the Cum Laude Society demands students meet the highest standards in academic performance, character, and personal conduct.

Mrs. Sally Askew, Charlie Evans, Mrs. Blair Evans, Mr. Lin Askew, and Mrs. Elizabeth Crosby

Mrs. Fujin Lu, Chang Yu, and Mr. Xinhua Yu

Cum Laude inducted 11 students from the Class of 2018 and 9 students from the Class of 2017 during a ceremony February 17. They joined 11 current members from last year's induction.

The inductees from the Class of 2018 are Charlie Evans, Benjamin Freeman, Jackson Howell, Jeremy Jacobs, Liam Kaltenborn, Brad Kerkhof, Barry Klug, Jackson Moody, Bobby Wade, Matthew Temple, and Chang Yu

The inductees from the Class of 2017

are Marcus Gronauer, Grady Hecht, Alex Hyde, Cade Klawinski, Ravi Lipman, Ogonna Oraedu, Will Schneider, Alex Wolf, and Ray Zhou

Current members, inducted last year, are seniors Philip Deaton, Andrew Douglass, Brooks Eikner, Kian Ghodoussi, Ammaar Kazi,

Rahul

,

,

, Jacob

, Henry Trammell, and Tom Wells

Students, faculty, and family celebrated at a reception in the Dining Hall when the induction concluded.

Dr. Kimberly Freeman, Benjamin Freeman, and Dr. John Freeman

Headmaster Ellis Haguewood addresses the new Cum Laude inductees.

Mrs. Helen Gronauer, Marcus Gronauer, Mr. Rudi Scheidt, and Mrs. Helen Scheidt

Mrs. Helen Wade, Bobby Wade, and Mr. Bobby Wade ’84

Dr. Kingsley Oraedu, Ogonna Oraedu, and Dr. Linda Oraedu

Mrs. Karen Wolf, Alex Wolf, and Dr. Greg Wolf

Dr. Laurie Moody, Jackson Moody, and Mr. David Moody

Mehra

Aneesh Ram

Ramiz Somjee

Suppiah

Mathcounts Team Takes Second

Eighth-graders Samy Paul and Ryan Peng and seventh-graders Forest Rudd and George Zhang, as part of the Mathcounts team, earned a second-place finish in the highly competitive West Tennessee Regional Mathcounts competition held at Southwest Tennessee Community College in early February. Zhang took first place in the individual category.

This year marks a significant achievement for the Lower School Owls; the last time a team placed in the medal category was 2014.

On a Know-Bowl Roll

The Quiz Bowl Team picked up momentum throughout the season, with consecutive wins against Evangelical Christian School, Hutchison School, Christian Brothers High School, Mississippi's Oxford High School, and White Station High School. Before falling to Lausanne Collegiate School in the WREG Knowledge Bowl finals, each member secured a $2,500 scholarship.

10th Consecutive State LatinVictory

Forty-four Owls represented MUS against 36 other schools at the Tennessee Junior Classical League State Convention in early April, securing a 10th consecutive state win. Two of the three Certamen teams advanced to first-place finishes, as did the chariot team. The Owls collected a total of 1,510 points, and individuals earning 50 or more of those points included senior Brooks Eikner (84 points); juniors

Jackson Howell (54) and Jackson Moody (63); sophomores Ethan Hurst (70), Loyd Templeton (60), and Ty Williams (63); freshmen Reid Chandler (60), Kyle Koester (72), Rob McFadden (99), and Arjun Puri (63); and eighth grader Max Shackelford (54). To read details about individual and team performances, go to our website news feed.

Mathcounts Owls, kneeling, from left, Samy Paul, Samuel Lim, Cooper Grinspun, Ryan Peng; standing, George Zhang, Alex Li, Mark Hieatt, Kerry Zhao, Noah Emmert, Forest Rudd, and Coach Meredith McFarlin

TJCL team members, front row, from left, eighth graders Fisher Marks and Cooper Grinspun, freshman Gregory Guo, junior Jackson Howell; back row, sophomores Brandan Roachell, Ethan Hurst, and Loyd Templeton, freshman Kyle Koester, eighth grader Max Shackelford, freshmen Ben Cramer and Reid Chandler, senior Brooks Eikner, and junior Jackson Moody

Knowledge Bowl Team members, from left, seniors Aneesh Ram and Brooks Eikner, and juniors Omkar Hosad, Chang Yu, and Jackson Howell

Robotics Owls Take Second

Anine-man robotics team earned second place in the FIRST Tech Challenge competition held at Southeast Missouri State University at the end of January. Sophomore Owls Tareq Alyousef, Sonny Charbonnet, Kyle Gan, Ethan Lam, Hudson Miller, Brandan Roachell, Jet Tan, Loyd Templeton, and Ammon Wood competed against 47 other teams and made it all the way to the finals. They are coached by Instructor in Science Lee Loden.

RoboBuzzards At State

The VEX robotics team of eighth graders Omar Alyousef, Cooper Grinspun, Cullen Lonergan, and seventh graders Will Chandler, Scott Ledbetter, West Loden, and Kerry Zhao traveled to Brentwood for the state championship in early March and placed 17 out of 38.

The team was in good position throughout the qualification rounds as they headed into the advanced level where teams volunteer to pair off as alliances.

“The boys performed excellently for their first year in VEX; they showed great enthusiasm and sportsmanship," Coach Garrett Smithson said. "We were disappointed when their bot was overlooked for an alliance. But it showed the boys that marketing themselves and networking with other teams should be a stronger focus in future years.”

This event was the RoboBuzzards’ third and final event in their first full year of VEX competitions. Because of student dedication and parent support, the VEX program will grow next year with the addition of a freshman team.

Battle of Brains Team Takes Aim at Gunshot Wounds

Sophomore Kyle Gan and a small squadron of science soldiers went to white-matter war and won first place during the STEM-focused Battle of the Brains, a project hosted in early February by the Germantown Education Commission.

Gan and his White Station High School teammates – his sister Karen Gan, and friends Shridhar Athinarayanan, and Kriti Bomb – competed with a dozen teams using math and science to solve contemporary issues in robotics, clean energy, the refugee crises, cyber security, and more. Professors from the University of Memphis judged the submissions.

“My mom learned about the contest and suggested that my sister and I enter,” Gan said.

He and his team tackled the problem of healing gunshot wounds. Using many branches of study, they designed a device to improve wound healing by applying chitin-string bandages and hydrogel sheets.

It all began by finding the area of a curve.

“It was fun to apply what we’ve learned in class,” he said. “For example, we used calculus to find the area of a wound and physics to map the motion of bullets. We used programming to automate the healing process and biology to

determine the optimum materials to use for treating wounds.”

The Gans, who play in the Germantown Youth Symphony Orchestra, recruited two fellow musicians for the competition. The teammates’ names will be engraved on the city’s Einstein Trophy displayed at Germantown City Hall.

Kyle Gan, center, and teammates, from left, Shridhar Athinarayanan, Kriti Bomb, and Karen Gan

From left, Hudson Miller, Ethan Lam, Ammon Wood, Sonny Charbonnet, Jet Tan, Loyd Templeton, Kyle Gan, Brandan Roachell, and Tareq Alyousef

Photo by ftcstlouis

Cooper Grinspun congratulates another competitor during an early round at the VEX State Championship.

Mock Trial, Genuine Experience

Mrs. Crosby celebrates 2017 Mock Trial team and a host of volunteers

Editor’s note: Mock Trial Advisor Elizabeth Crosby, chair of the English Department, presented these words in chapel February 21.

In late February after both of our Mock Trial teams had lost in the quarterfinal round of competition, the students huddled up with our legal coaches – two of them MUS alumni. Erim Sarinoglu ’07 and Preston Battle ’07 were, for good reason, very proud of the boys and were telling them this.

Finally, one of them, looking at the

discouraged students, said, “Look. I know you’re upset. Believe me. We understand! We’ve literally been in your shoes – right here in this hallway! We lost on Thursday night the year we were seniors, too. We hated it.”

They both laughed at the memory, though, and what they didn’t say, because they’re too humble, is this –

“But look at us now! You’re going to be more than fine and even better for the experience you’ve had with this team.”

You see, Sarinoglu is a public defender in Memphis, and Preston Battle is an associate with Baker Donelson, one of the finest law firms in town.

Both young men had been working with our teams because, they tell me, their experience a decade ago on the MUS Mock Trial team was a formative life experience.

I can see why. The skills that the boys on this team must sharpen are important ones and applicable not only to a legal career but also to any work they will do in the future that involves critical thinking, writing, public speaking, individual mastery of complicated material, and teamwork.

Mrs. Michelle Crews and I are proud to say that our team is student-led, not adult-led. Our captains, senior Kanha Mishra, senior Joey Rodriguez, and junior William Miller, ran tryouts, planned practices, and made critical decisions all along about everything from assigning witness roles to deciding case theories and themes.

Our attorneys wrote their own material – direct and cross examinations, opening statements, and closing arguments. They were also mature about basic but important skills, including arriving early to practice; carting their own case material, exhibits, and stands around; and cleaning up after themselves at school and in the courtrooms. This was an independent and self-sufficient bunch, thanks to the leadership of those captains.

Team attorneys this year were seniors Matthew Horton, Kanha Mishra, Ohm Patel, and Joey Rodriguez; and juniors Chris Kerkhof, William Miller, Stan Smythe, and Jon Staffel

Mock Trial competitors, from left, Joey Rodriguez, Matthew Horton, William Miller, Oyama Hampton, Chris Kerkhof, Omkar Hosad, Kanha Mishra, Stan Smythe, and AJ Varner

Attorney Nick Bragorgos presides over a trial during one of the practices.

Attorney Erim Sarinoglu ’07 takes notes during a practice session.

Best Attorney Awards were presented during the week to Chris, Joey, Kanha, Stan, and William.

Team witnesses were senior Darius Cowan; juniors

Smith Duncan, Oyama Hampton, Omkar Hosad, Barry Klug, Peter Raves, and AJ Varner; sophomores Henry Duncan and Ty Williams; and freshmen

Jeffrey Shulkin and James Smythe.

Best Witness Awards were earned by Henry, James, Jeffrey, Omkar, and Smith.

Freshman Daniel Lim was our able and trusty bailiff at all of our practice scrimmages and in competition.

We were very fortunate to have a dedicated and skilled team of real-life attorneys who coached the boys on the law and courtroom procedure. Head Coach Rhea Clift, an assistant district attorney, spent countless hours here on campus with the teams throughout their preparation in December, January, and February.

In addition to coaching the teams herself, Mrs. Clift arranged to have the teams scrimmage before her father, Judge Raymond Clift, and her friends, Judge Chris Craft ’69, Judge Jim Robinson ’68, Judge John Campbell, and Mr. Nick Bragorgos (MUS parent and an attorney at McNabb, Bragorgos, Burgess & Sorin.) Judge Phyllis Gardner (also an MUS parent) was kind enough to offer her courtroom to us for practice several times.

Our own Mr. Tim Greer [instructor in English and director of theater] also made his mark on our teams, working regularly with the witnesses as they formed and rehearsed their characters. All of our judges in competition noted how polished, prepared, and refreshingly entertaining our witnesses were.

Mrs. Crews and I want to thank all the boys on the team, the coaches, Mr. Greer, and all of the talented alumni and friends of the school who encouraged the boys this year.

Paul Proves Preeminent in Memphis Bee

Eighth grader Samy Paul stood as spoliator after the final phase of the Greater Memphis Spelling Bee – a lengthy and contentious brawl in February in which three finalists went head-to-head-to-head for 19 rounds. Paul’s meticulosity of study has earned him a place later this year at the Scripps National Spelling Bee in Washington, DC.

Now in its 90th year, the Memphis bee opened the 2017 event with 130 spellers, ages 8-15. When the field narrowed to 25, the competitors faced a vocabulary test. Only 10 spellers survived. Back on stage this number quickly reduced to three contestants, who remained gridlocked for 15 rounds. With Paul’s submission for the word epistolary, the battle spilled off the stage and onto the judges table, where two of them believed that Paul had misspoken, and two held firm that he had not.

The judges listened to a playback several times and discussed their

interpretations for nearly 10 minutes but remained deadlocked. The rules dictated that a deadlock neither helped nor hindered Paul, so the competition proceeded. After spelling the likes of rejoneador, Voortrekker, and pentalogy, Paul secured the victory with cinephile

According to a 2013 article by Ms. Katy Steinmetz on Time magazine’s website, writers voiced dissatisfaction after a 1913 bee presided over by no less than President Woodrow Wilson. The bee, held at the New Willard Hotel in Washington, DC, pitted newspaper reporters and members of Congress against one another to determine “the best speller in the United States.”

After Ohio congressman and history professor Frank B. Willis bested 27 of his peers, cheeky critics from the New-York Tribune complained that some of the words were too obscure, writing:

“We say of caoutchouc, as we say of the rest of the words by which Mr. Willis triumphed, that we don’t know how to spell it and are proud of the fact. Furthermore, we hope we never will know how, and we view with distrust anybody who does.”

Photo by The Commercial Appeal

The 2017 Greater Memphis Spelling Bee is not the first spelldown to erupt in controversy.

Samy Paul competing at the 2017 Greater Memphis Spelling Bee

Wordsmith Competitors Make Their Mark

Dr. Eric Dalle, English and French instructor, took eight students to the 2017 WordSmith competition in February, and five Owls placed for their essay work. Freshman Robert Ayotte

won a silver medal overall for his grade, and MUS won a ninth-grade first-place trophy overall.

Each contest was separated by school year as well as length of essay. In the

Cowan Earns QuestBridge Scholarship to Vanderbilt University

QuestBridge, a national nonprofit that connects the country’s most exceptional, underserved youth with top-tier colleges and universities, has awarded senior Darius Cowan a full, four-year scholarship to attend Vanderbilt University. Out of a record-high 14,491 applicants in 2016, QuestBridge chose 5,338 finalists for its prestigious National College Match program. Cowan is one of 767 exceptional students who were matched with the program’s 38 college partners, and among a group of only 22 who will attend Vanderbilt.

“QuestBridge links the nation’s brightest underserved youth to leading institutions of higher education,” Director of College Counseling Brian K. Smith said. “Darius’s selection as a QuestBridge Scholar supports what we know about him at MUS – he is an outstanding student with immense potential.”

Cowan’s honors include earning gold medals on the National Latin Exam for

the past four years, serving as editor of the school’s literary magazine, and receiving a National Council of Teachers of English Superior Writing Award in 2016. He is a top student who also achieved the AP Scholar with Honor distinction last year. Cowan was happy and grateful to learn about his QuestBridge award.

“Everyone else was scrambling to get their applications in, and I realized, I’m in college, for free!” he said. “I was excited. My mom was very excited.”

Cowan’s wide-ranging interests include literature, classical studies, computer science, and performing arts. He has also demonstrated leadership outside the classroom through participation in Bridge Builders, a program that empowers youth to reach across racial and socioeconomic divides and engage in civic affairs in their communities.

Cowan said Vanderbilt was always a top choice because of its reputation and opportunities. “It just seems like a

400-Word Main Event, Ayotte took third place, as did eighth grader Tamaz Young in the 120-Word Dash. In the 80-Word Dash, Ayotte, freshman Parth Dahima, and senior Joey Rodriguez earned second, third, and honorable mention, respectively, in their grades. Ayotte struck again in the 40-Word Dash, taking second place, followed by senior Darius Cowan in third place for the seniors. Each writer had to craft his submission under a specific time limit and for a specific topic or prompt, and their compositions were judged by clarity of content, power of expression, and demonstration of a strong command of vocabulary.

nicefit. The academics are a big driving point, and its renown. They also have the Melodores, an a cappella group. I’m in Beg to Differ, and we do a lot of their songs, so it will be cool to see them [perform].”

Smith says the enthusiasm and intellectual curiosity Cowan has exhibited throughout his studies at MUS will help him continue to excel.

“He is an extremely talented young man who seizes each and every opportunity to do his best work. He will be a great addition to the college community.”

Darius Cowan

WordSmithers, from left, Dr. Eric Dalle, eighth grader Matthew Phillips, seniors Darius Cowan and Joey Rodriguez, seventh graders William Gooch and Edward Grinder, eighth grader Tamaz Young, and freshman Robert Ayotte

MUS HONOR ROLLS

First Semester 2016-17 School Year

Dean’s Scholars

Students who have earned 90 or above in every regular and honors course and 80 or above in every honors accelerated and AP course are designated Dean’s Scholars.

Grade 12

Webster Austin

Brooks Eikner

Kian Ghodoussi

Marcus Gronauer

Davis Harano

Grady Hecht

Alex Hyde

Nelson Kaye

Parker Kaye

Ammaar Kazi

Cade Klawinski

Jamie Lindy

Ravi Lipman

Jack McCaghren

Rahul Mehra

Ogonna Oraedu

Aneesh Ram

Alex Robinson

Joey Rodriguez

Will Schneider

Sloan Schneiter

Evan Smith

Ramiz Somjee

Henry Trammell

Joshua Tyler

Tom Wells

Alex Wolf

Linhao Zheng

Grade 11

Mack Bethell

Josiah Crutchfield

Charlie Evans

Benjamin Freeman

Ryan Gorman

Jackson Howell

Jeremy Jacobs

Liam Kaltenborn

Brad Kerkhof

Barry Klug

Jackson Moody

Tyler Rakers

Rick Reinhard

Jon Staffel

Matthew Temple

Leon Vo

Bobby Wade

Jason Wang

Jacob Webb

Mason Williams

Chang Yu

Grade 10

Joshua Blackburn

James Blatchford

Jonathan Douglass

Call Ford

Ethan Hurst

Bailey Keel

Ethan Lam

John Mann

Ev Nichol

Houston Pate

William Quinlen

Sellers Shy

Zuhair Somjee

Jet Tan

Loyd Templeton

Warren Turner

Henry Wood

Philip Wunderlich

Grant Young

Grade 9

Wasif Abdullah

Churchill Akhigbe

Vaught Benge

Reid Chandler

Arnab Das

Cameron Evans

Vijdan Gill

Jonathan Huang

Kyle Koester

Evans Lawson

Ben Lindy

Rob McFadden

Will Portera

Arjun Puri

Will Woodmansee

Grade 8

Warren Barry

Drew Burnett

Harmon Colvett

Hart Gowen

Zachary Herman

Akbar Latif

Cullen Lonergan

Fisher Marks

Watts Miller

Fawwaz Omer

Samy Paul

Henry Robinson

Edwin Shy

Grade 7

James Allen

Collin Craft

McRae Dickinson

Noah Emmert

Edward Grinder

Mark Hieatt

Will Jenks

Alex Li

Matthew Mellone

Shuja Mirza

Forest Rudd

Garner Uhlhorn

Coleman Whitehead

Hayes Wilkinson

Christopher Yarbro

George Zhang

Kerry Zhao

Dean’s List

Students who have earned a weighted semester GPA of at least 3.25 with no semester grade below 80 are placed on the Dean’s List.

Grade 12

Mackey Alexander

Chris Barksdale

Christian Berry

Carson Boucek

Eli Christenbury

Will Collier

Jack Crosby

Philip Deaton

Andrew Douglass

Reeves Eddins

Hill Fulmer

Henry George

Kobe Gibson

Charlie Gilliland

David Graber

Jack Heathcott

Henry Holmes

Andrew Hopkins

Andre Johnson

Charlie Jones

Josh Karchmer

Zachary Klinke

Jalon Love

Mayur Patil

Jacob Rotter

Mason Rudolph

Trent Scull

Harrison Tabor

Whit Waggoner

Timothy White

Luke Wilfong

Ray Zhou

Grade 11

Tate Bailey

Bennett Barousse

Graham Boswell

William Dellinger

Jack Eason

Benton Ferebee

Sean Fitzhenry

Matt Fogelman

Alexander Goodwin

Miller Grissinger

Eli Gruen

Carlo Guinocor

Edward Henley

Alex Humphreys

David Jones

Marshall Jones

Chris Kerkhof

John McBride

Bo McEwan

Hastings McEwan

William Miller

Jimmy Morrow

Peter Raves

Ryan Seamons

Javan Smith

Hayden Stark

Mylan Taylor

Trey Thomas

Bays Webb

Jake Wilbourn

Rucker Wilkinson

Jonathan Williams

Cameron Wyatt

Grade 10

Louis Allen

Tareq Alyousef

David Byrd

Sonny Charbonnet

Jack Dabov

JoJo Fogarty

Kyle Gan

Ben Gilliland

Stuart Grow

Nicholas Guerra

Clay Harrison

Nicholas Hurley

J.J. Johnson

Grayson Kendall

Lee Linkous

Emerson Manley

Smith McWaters

Jory Meyers

Sloan Miles

Thomas Mirth

Kayhan Mirza

Robbie Musicante

Richard Neff

Sam Nelson

Caleb Riggs

Brandan Roachell

Matthew Rogers

Josh Tanenbaum

Weston Touliatos

Ty Williams

Philip Zanone

Grade 9

Robert Ayotte

Stratton Barousse

Henry Bridgforth

Tucker Caldwell

Gus Carter

Jacob Curlin

Parth Dahima

Robert Dickinson

Sam Gallop

Gregory Guo

Clay Hancock

Sterling Hollabaugh

J.D. Huber

Yusuf Kazi

Samuel Kilgore

Daniel Lucke

Devin Malone

Duncan McLean

Daniel Meskin

Jerry Peters

Edwin Rawson

Seth Richey

Thomas Rogers

Cole Saenz

Jeffrey Shulkin

James Smythe

Zane Snead

Sean-Marc Taylor

Jim Thomas

Loi Vuong

Alex Warr

Benjamin White

McKee Whittemore

Inam Zafar

Grade 8

Omar Alyousef

Jack Beard

Evan Boswell

Ben Burkhart

Walker Burks

Wesley Butler

Doug Curtis

Luke Donovan

Judson Fair

Michael Gallagher

Elijah Graham

Cooper Grinspun

Ben Hernandez

Jack Jabbour

Will Jarratt

McKnight Johnston

Colin McCown

Hud McGehee

Everett Miller

Gavin Murrey

Henry Nickey

Holden Pate

Ryan Peng

Matthew Phillips

Jacob Rickels

Aidan Saunders

Will Schuessler

Max Shackelford

Carrigan Sulcer

Haneef Usmani

Wes Vanderslice

J.P. Wood

Michael Wylie

Tamaz Young

Grade 7

James Barton

Turner Bishop

Will Chandler

William Gooch

Kyler Herring

Dex Jack

Loro Lado

Cole Latkovic

Samuel Lim

West Loden

Will Pittman

Jace Ra

Clarkson Shoaf

Kevlar Singh

Jack Varner

Porter Webber

Henry Weeks

Kollin White

National Honor Society WELCOMES NEW MEMBERS

In a ceremony that highlighted the characteristics of scholarship, leadership, character, and service, current members of the National Honor Society inducted 10 seniors and 33 juniors as new members to the organization, which recognizes outstanding high school students.

New inductees from the senior class:

Mackey Alexander

Keith Burks

Darius Cowan

Parker Ford

Charlie Gilliland

Alex Robinson

Jacob Rotter

Alex Salazar

Harrison Tabor

Whit Waggoner

New inductees from the junior class:

Tate Bailey

Mack Bethell

Graham Boswell

Josiah Crutchfield

Charlie Evans

Benjamin Freeman

Alexander Goodwin

Miller Grissinger

Eli Gruen

Carlo Guinocor

Jackson Howell

Jeremy Jacobs

Marshall Jones

Brad Kerkhof

Chris Kerkhof

Barry Klug

John McBride

Hastings McEwan

William Miller

Jackson Moody

Jimmy Morrow

Peter Raves

Javan Smith

Stan Smythe

Landon Springfield

John Ross Swaim

Matthew Temple

Leon Vo

Bobby Wade

Jason Wang

Jacob Webb

Cameron Wyatt

Chang Yu

From above, senior Jamie Lindy discusses the importance of character, senior Josh Karchmer lights the candle of leadership, and senior Brooks Eikner discusses the topic of scholarship.

From left, Dr. Richard Colditz, Mrs. Beverly Colditz, Mr. Lloyd Grissinger, Miller Grissinger, and Mrs. Cindy Grissinger

Alex Robinson and Mackey Alexander

National Honor Society inductees, from left, Alex Salazar, Chris Kerkhof, Brad Kerkhof, Peter Raves, Darius Cowan, Jeremy Jacobs, John McBride, Javon Smith, and John Ross Swaim. Membership in the NHS is one of the highest honors a high school student can attain.

Mrs. Kirstin Ford, Parker Ford, and Mr. Mark Ford

Mr. Chad Gilliland, Charlie Gilliland, and Mrs. Leigh Gilliland

Mrs. Robin Crutchfield, Josiah Crutchfield, and Mr. Lynord Crutchfield

Harrison Tabor and Mr. Lin Askew

HANDS-ON SCIENCE

Freshmen Knox McQuillen and Michael Gayoso dissect a flower.

Ninth graders in Laura McCormick’s Honors Biology class dissect flowers to learn the anatomy and function of the blossoms. Clockwise, from left, are Landon Ford, Cody Hopkins, McKee Whittemore, Hooper Mattis, Alex Warr, and Jonah Wexler.

Eighth-grade engineers John Parker Hogan, Judson Fair, and Walker Burks let their Skittles fly in a catapult competition.

Eighth grader Banks Benitone cheers as classmates TR Santos, Matthew Phillips, and J.P. Wood prepare another salvo.

Freshman Vijdan Gill ponders the biology of a daffodil.

Senior Alex Wolf, center (in red tie), created and organized the catapult contest to promote engineering among eighth graders.

Campus News

Junior Cameron Wyatt shows a 3-D-printed wheel at Oak Ridge.

Junior Matthew Strock examines a device created on a 3-D printer during a Materials Science field trip to Oak Ridge National Laboratory.

In Materials Science class junior Peter Raves pulls his raku pottery project from the kiln after glaze-firing it as Instructor Analice Sowell supervises.

Juniors Charlie Evans and Graham Boswell display their final raku projects.

Junior Javan Smith holds his raku volcano, and Trey Thomas photo bombs.

Students in Mrs. Analice Sowell’s Materials Science class gather at Oak Ridge National Laboratory. Pictured, from left, are juniors Trey Thomas, Bo McEwan, Mylan Taylor, Jimmy Morrow, Mack Bethell, Cameron Wyatt, Tate Bailey, Charlie Evans, Javan Smith, William Dellinger, Graham Boswell, Alexander Goodwin, Matthew Strock, Bennett Barousse, Peter Raves, and Stan Smythe.

Campus News

Juniors Macon Orr and John Keegan identify, classify, and count benthic macroinvertebrates in water on campus to make predictions about water quality as part of a Water Quality Index Assessment.

Juniors Daniel Shumake and Rucker Wilkinson use a spoon to scoop organisms from the water.

Freshman Ben Lindy reacts to the taste of homemade root beer in Ms. Laura McCormick’s Biology class.

A few of the students in Biology class raised their hands when asked if they enjoyed the taste of the fermented soda.

Freshman Hugh Bourland samples home-brewed root beer.

In Mrs. Shauna Miller’s Honors Environmental Science class, juniors Mathon Parker and Jesse Homan, and senior Alec Scott identify benthic macroinvertebrates from the creek on campus.

From left, seniors Aneesh Ram and Ishan Biswas, take a physics test in Mr. Wayne Mullins' class. At this station, they answered questions related to harmonic oscillators. Mullins gives hands-on tests like this because they require students to measure their information before doing the math.

Mrs. Shauna Miller demonstrates the importance of handwashing by showing seventh grader Charlie Anderson and other students the germs on their hands.

Juniors William Dellinger and Jimmy Morrow practice bending and fire-polishing glass as part of the ceramics and glass unit in Materials Science class.

In Mrs. Analice Sowell’s optics lab, junior Bo McEwan inspects 3-D lenses provided by guest speaker Dr. John Varriano, Physics Department chair at Christian Brothers University.

Lower School DANCE was a HIT

The 2017 Lower School Dance January 14 was an epic success and has set the bar for years to come. I had the pleasure of leading the Student Council’s dance preparations. Although it did involve some work, I was very passionate about my leadership position and ready for any obstacle that came my way. From assigning committee positions, to selling T-shirts for the big night to the ladies at St. Mary’s and Hutchison, things couldn’t have turned out any better. We sold four times as many shirts as in the previous year. We had approximately

600 attendees – astonishing! DJ Z was phenomenal as well as the special guest performance by NOTTHATDEION. I received many comments after the dance: “Best night of my life!” “When is the next one?!” and “Lit.”

I would like to thank all our chaperones, teachers, and especially Mr. [Clay] Smythe [’85] for giving me the responsibility and trusting me to make the dance a highlight of our year. I look forward to planning or aiding in special events for the rest of my career as an MUS student.

By Eighth-Grade Student Council

Dancers packed the Dining Hall during the 2017 Lower School Dance January 14.

Photos by Alan Howell

Light and fog machines added to the atmosphere.

Students crowd the stage as DJ Z and NOTTHATDEION entertain.

Studying Sports Writing

Instructor in English Jonas Holdeman recently arranged for students in his Sports Writing and Reporting class to interview freelance journalist Christopher Solomon about his career as a writer. The seniors, along with juniors from Holdeman’s AP English course, talked to Solomon via Skype about his work, which has included pieces for Outside, National Geographic, and The New York Times Magazine, among other publications.

A former reporter for The Seattle Times, Solomon shared advice from Hemingway, who recommended that every writer work as a newspaper reporter for a year, and talked about how fortunate he feels to get paid to travel around the world and interview interesting people. “I think writing is the best job ever!” Solomon said.

Holdeman says Solomon’s interview was very instructive for students. A substantial part of the Sports Writing course curriculum is devoted to studying the style of individual writers. Students also learn how to handle basic research and writing tasks, including game reports, interviews, short columns, and

long-form pieces. Holdeman says the course is one of his favorites to teach, because students enjoy it and greatly improve their writing in the process. “It has lived up to my vision for creating a vehicle to help student writers develop a

unique, confident, compelling voice.”

Holdeman will teach a senior elective course similar to this one in the fall that centers on the study and creation of personal essays and travel, science, and nature articles.

MUS offers a wide variety of academic, artistic, athletic, and leadership opportunities for boys entering Grades 3-12 (plus essay workshops for both boys and girls).

■ Sports camps include baseball, basketball, football, lacrosse, soccer, and wrestling.

■ Techie and art offerings include Digital Filmmaking, Minecraft Mechanisms, Java with Minecraft, NXT Robotics, Video Game Creation, and Introduction to Recording Arts and Music Engineering.

■ Drum Corps Camp teaches the fundamentals of drumming, reading music, and proper technique.

■ Math camps introduce students to pre-algebra, algebra, or geometry.

■ The essay workshops reinforce the writing fundamentals necessary for students to be successful at the high school level.

See full lineup of camps and register at musowls.org/summer

Mr. Jonas Holdeman’s AP English and Sports Writing and Reporting classes talked to freelance journalist Christopher Solomon via Skype. Pictured clockwise, from left, are seniors Cole Middlebrook, Matt Silver, Joseph Threlkeld, Jake Meskin, David Jordan, Mr. Jonas Holdeman, Jack McCaghren, and Jack Heathcott.

History Larger Than Life

Mr. Jonathan Large leads History Club and faculty through Shiloh park and battlefields

Civil War and Shelby Foote scholar

Mr. Jonathan Large provided rich color and context to the History Club’s February visit to Shiloh National Military Park and several important sites of the battle in Shiloh and Corinth, MS.

Organized by the club president, junior Barry Klug, the trip included juniors Jackson Howell, Will Huffman, Matthew Strock; sophomore Bailey Keel; and faculty members and their families. History Department Chair Jonathan Jones explained the value of taking students to a site now over 150 years old:

“It’s remarkable to see the site where one of the deadliest battles in U.S. history took place. The geography of the battlefield is unlike any other park in the nation,” Jones said. “Unlike the battles of Bull Run or Gettysburg, it is nearly impossible to understand the two-day battle at Shiloh unless you are on foot seeing it for yourself.”

Large served as tour guide as the group began at the museum, learning about weapons and the ordnance launched by cannons on display. Strolling and by car, the group visited the Union soldiers cemetery, the Daughters of Confederate Veterans monument to the Confederate soldiers, and important battle sites including the Sunken Road,

the Hornet’s Nest, Shiloh Methodist Church, the Peach Orchard, and the Bloody Pond.

“Mr. Large’s knowledge along with the lyrical quality of Shelby Foote’s writing combine to paint a vivid image of this awesome battle early in the Civil War,” Jones said.

In addition to Jones and Large, the History Department was well represented. Mr. Davis Smith and Mr. Patrick McCarroll ’92 and his family joined the group, along with math instructor Mr. Phillip Stalls and his two sons.

From left, Barry Klug, Will Huffman, Matthew Strock, Jackson Howell, Mr. Davis Smith, and Mr. Jonathan Large

The Confederate Monument erected by the United Daughters of the Confederacy in 1917

Marker at the original Shiloh Meeting House; "Shiloh" ironically means "Place of Peace."

The Tennessee State Memorial stands along Sherman Road on the western side of Shiloh park.

Cedric Bobo Speaks at Rogers Forum

Investor and philanthropist Cedric Bobo was the featured speaker at the 2017 Rogers Leadership Forum February 24. Bobo spoke to students and faculty about challenges he has faced in his life and the importance of perseverance. He also met with students in a breakout session to speak in depth about his philanthropic work, including Project Destined, a program to get Detroit high school students involved in a real-world commercial real estate project. Bobo hopes to launch a similar effort in Memphis in the future.

“You’ve got to announce who you are through your actions,” he said. “Actions require courage, and so you have to use that to make a statement about who [you] are. To me, that’s what leaders ultimately do – they find that purpose and then they execute.”

A native Memphian and graduate of Central High School, Bobo received an MBA from Harvard University as well as a degree in mechanical engineering (summa cum laude) from the University of Tennessee. He has spent over 18 years in investment banking and private equity including 10 years at The Carlyle Group where he invested in a range of industrial and transportation companies in the United States, Europe, China and Australia. Based in Washington, he currently invests in power and infrastructure internationally.

The Rogers Leadership Forum is made possible by the King and Judy Rogers Endowment for Leadership Development. Judy and King Rogers, parents of King W. Rogers IV ’98, provided this endowment in 2000 to fund annual leadership development

programs for MUS students. The income from the fund provides the resources to bring a renowned speaker to campus and sponsor additional leadership programs.

Spring Break Spanish Immersion

Eight Spanish I freshmen, Lucio Blanco-Rosa, Reid Chandler, Ben Cramer, Cameron Evans, Jack Fernandez, Rob McFadden, Jeffrey Shulkin, and Edward Smith, spent Spring Break in Miami, FL, with Mrs. Jenny Pratt, instructor in Spanish and French, and Mr. Brian K. Smith, director of college counseling, experiencing a Spanish-language immersion program. Students took immersion language classes, explored Little Havana, enjoyed the Latin food, culture, and music, toured the University of Miami, and participated in many outdoor activities.

Mr. Cedric Bobo was the guest speaker during the 2017 Rogers Leadership Forum.

Top photo, Spanish I students, in front, from left, Edward Smith, Reid Chandler, Cameron Evans, Ben Cramer; behind, Rob McFadden, Jack Fernandez, Jeffrey Shulkin, and Lucio Blanco-Rosa, enjoyed a host of outdoor activities while in Miami.

From left, Edward Smith, Jeffrey Shulkin, Ben Cramer, and Jack Fernandez enjoy a game of dominoes before dinner.

Semester Service Recap

Among the many Civic Service Organization accomplishments for the semester, the annual food drive collected a total of 7,370 pounds of canned goods for the Mid-South Food Bank in January. Mr. Jonathan Large’s homeroom maintained their position as reigning champions. Students also presented a Wish Bowl check in January for $1,400

to Ms. MarySusan Asters, development coordinator for MakeA-Wish Mid-South. Approximately 80 people from the student body and MUS community participated in this year’s Wish Bowl. In February, CSO volunteers assisted in a Greenline cleanup and in Grace-St. Luke’s More Than A Meal, serving hot meals to homeless and fooddeprived Memphians.

SOWish Bowlers, from left, juniors John McBride, Jimmy Morrow, William Dellinger, Trey Thomas, Miller Grissinger, and Bays Webb

Juniors, from left, Benjamin Freeman, Edward Henley, Foster Ligon, Marshall Jones, and Bennett Barousse at the Wish Bowl

Congratulating Mr. Jonathan Large, center, are seniors Joshua Tyler and Kian Ghodoussi.

Senior Grady Hecht presents a Wish Bowl check to Ms. MarySusan Asters, development coordinator for Make-A-Wish Mid-South.

From left, seniors Parker Kaye and Henry Trammell pose with Mid-South Food Bank donations.

Ducks Unlimited Chapter Earns National Recognition

Four members of the MUS Ducks Unlimited Varsity Chapter – juniors Wyatt Berry, Jordan Hays, Mathon Parker, and Mac Robinson – drove to Franklin in mid-February to volunteer at the Ducks Unlimited State Convention. They went to serve, but as it turns out, they also went to receive a national honor. They just didn’t know it yet.

Led last year by Berry and John Kakales ’16, the chapter was a relatively new, but highly competitive one. They had completed a successful dinner and tailgate party in 2016. Between the two events, they raised approximately $64,000. After expenses, they were able to contribute over 70 percent of that total to Ducks Unlimited for conservation projects.

“We worked really hard and knew we had done well,” said Berry, who founded the chapter as a freshman. “But the totals weren’t tallied until they closed the books in January. We probably called them 900 times

asking who had raised the most money. Our regional director always said he didn’t know.”

They were discouraged by what they heard. When the subject came up yet again at the state convention, the manager of youth and education programs, Mr. Mark Horobetz, had this sobering advice: “Don’t get your hopes up.”

Regional Director Jimbo Robinson said the final numbers were released on the Friday before the state convention, but he knew the boys were the top fundraisers long before that.

“They worked extremely hard in 2016,” Robinson said. “But I wanted the anticipation to build so they could experience the rush of all their dedication and hard work paying off. I acted like it was too close to call.”

The team was understandably surprised, therefore, when Horobetz called them to the stage and awarded the trophy for the top varsity chapter in the state. They celebrated with

a few handshakes and headed offstage. But Horobetz had another surprise in store.

“Could we get you guys to turn around?” he said. “Do you want the good news or the bad news?”

Had there been a mistake? Were they taking the trophy back? The guys returned stunned and confused.

“The bad news is that you guys have raised an incredibly difficult bar for next year,” Horobetz continued. “The good news is that you are also the No. 1 varsity chapter in the NATION.”

On top of this prestigious honor, Berry and Kakales earned Tennessee Area Chairman of the Year awards.

This is the first time that Robinson or Horobetz had heard of a high school chapter chairman winning this honor in any state.

“I wanted it to be a big deal for the boys at the state convention,” Robinson said. “The timing of the final numbers could not have worked out any better.”

Ducks Unlimited Chapter members, from left, juniors John Ross Swaim, Mac Robinson, Mathon Parker, Jordan Hays, Wyatt Berry, Bobby Wade, and Jack Eason

Critter Creations

In Mr. Jim Buchman’s art class, seventh graders completed three-dimensional sculptures that expressed a wide range of interests – mostly involving the animal kingdom. The process of creating heads, swords, and winged, horned, or fanged creatures began when the students designed and built corrugated cardboard forms, which they covered with layers of wire mesh, plaster cloth, and putty. The final step was applying stain and/or a layer of shellac.

From left, Jacob Milan, William Gooch, and Owen Fussell

Scott Ledbetter, Nelson Saenz, and Andrew Doggett

Cobra by Shuja Mirza

Talal Siddiq

Arts

From top, left to right, 1-Clayton Nearn and John Nelson; 2-Kyler Herring, Porter Webber, Jeb Losch, and Mac Owen; 3-Jack Ryan, Patrick Gavin, Reece Needham, Hayes Wilkinson, and Mark Hieatt; 4-Samuel Lim, Matthew Mellone, McRae Dickinson, and Will Camp; 5-Will Jenks, Collin Craft, and Forest Rudd; 6-Johnathan Ray, Hays Hurdle, and Webb Daniel;

7-James Allen, James Barton, and Kevlar Singh

Printmaking Portraits

Mr. Grant Burke’s Printmaking art class created woodcut portraits this semester. Working from photographs, students reduced their images to basic shapes, hand-carving them into

wood blocks, then covering them in water-based ink. Then they transferred the ink to paper and repeated the process with three other colors, resulting in 12-inch-square, fourcolor, reduction portraits.

New Music Classes This Fall

Director of Music

Matt Tutor ’91 announces new courses and an expanded orchestra. Students should express interest when they register for classes.

MUS Orchestra - The Concert Band will be expanded to become the MUS Orchestra. It will continue to include both beginner and advanced sections but will be open to all MUS students, in both Upper and Lower schools.

Music Theory I: Basic Theory - This one-semester course, available to juniors and seniors, takes students from basic theory of notes, staves, clefs, etc., through seventh chords and the beginnings of advanced music theory. It is a prerequisite for all other music theory courses, including AP Music Theory.

Music Theory II: Functional Theory - This one-semester course, available to juniors and seniors, focuses on introducing students to the most common aspects of music theory regularly used by professional musicians. It guides students through chord extensions, chord substitutions, number systems, basic arranging, and major and minor modes, among other topics. Students must have successfully completed Music Theory I, or passed a proficiency exam to register for this class.

Musicology - With its celebrated Southern lineage, American music remains one of our nation’s most significant and enduring contributions to the arts. This one-semester seminar, available to juniors and seniors, is designed to deepen appreciation for music by analyzing the origins and evolution of blues, jazz, country, gospel, rock, and more. With considerable concentration on the roles of Memphis, New Orleans, the Delta, and the Piedmont, students will examine songs and biographies of pioneering artists essential to the creation of American roots music as well as the writings of scholars working to place their art in its proper cultural and historical contexts.

Junior John Bolton carves his image into a wood block.

Senior Andrew Douglass reveals the first layer in the ink-to-paper process of his portrait.

Senior McLean Todd prepares to begin a second layer of color for his portrait.

Students Perform in

All-West Tennessee Band and Orchestra

Eighth-grade trombone player Braxton Hart, left, joined eighth-grade violinist Ryan Peng, and seventh-grade violinist Samuel Lim, in successfully winning a place in the All-West Tennessee Band and Orchestra. Hart, earning sixth chair, played in the All-West Tennessee Junior Blue Band, and Peng and Lim performed in honor ensembles during the All-West Tennessee Music Convention at the Cannon Center in mid-February.

BTD Regales Holiday Shoppers

Beg To Differ performed for Regalia Shopping Center patrons in December. From left are Director of Music Matt Tutor ’91, junior Stan Smythe, sophomore Emerson Manley, junior William Miller, senior Louis Wittenberg, junior Tyler

Rakers, senior Darius Cowan, sophomores Eli Nations, Scott Burnett, and Ty Williams, freshman David Wassef, junior Sam Payne, freshman Jonathan Johnson, senior Harrison Tabor, and sophomore Joshua Blackburn.

The Impossible, Realized

A play-within-a-play, Man of La Mancha is based on Miguel de Cervantes’ novel Don Quixote – the story of a dying man possessed by an impossible quest. The musical opens by introducing Cervantes (Brooks Eikner) and his servant (Olivia Wilkinson, Hutchison) into a prison full of unsavory characters. The Spanish Inquisition will soon put Cervantes and his servant on trial – but first they must undergo a trial by their peers.

To win over his fellow prisoners, Cervantes begins to tell the story of Alonzo Quijana, a man who dreams of becoming the knight-errant Don Quixote de la Mancha. The knight seeks to restore the age of chivalry and win the admiration of a fair maiden. As Cervantes unfolds his story and dons the persona of Quixote, he enlists inmates as fellow players.

Directed by Mr. Flip Eikner ’77, Man of La Mancha ran March 24-28, with two days of matinée and evening shows. The staging allowed for a more intimate experience, putting packed audiences face-to-face with the actors. Mr. Tim Greer produced the show and

choreographed stage combat, Mrs. Kim Justis Eikner and Mr. Ted Fockler ’10 assisted with performance coaching, and Mr. Robert Fudge directed the technical aspects of the production.

Muleteers, from left, Chris Kerkhof, Ben Cramer, James Blatchford, Dylan Riggs, Brad Kerkhof, Witt Miesse, and Ty Williams, surround Aldonza (Mykal Bayne) in the play-within-a-play.

“Man of La Mancha” sells out shows, wins over audiences.

Kneeling, front and center, the barber, Aidan Saunders, loses his shaving basin to Don Quixote (Brooks Eikner) who insists it is the Golden Helmet of Mambrino.

Prisoners , clockwise, from top left, Eli Nations, Darius Cowan, Vijdan Gill, Sam Payne, and Rachel Adkins, discuss the fate of Cervantes' manuscript.

CAST

Rachel Adkins WAILING PRISONER / MARIA

Henry Duncan CAPTAIN OF THE INQUISITION

Jon Staffel GUARD / KNIGHT’S ATTENDANT

Joshua Blackburn MONK / KNIGHT’S ATTENDANT

Smith McWaters GUARD / KNIGHT’S ATTENDANT

James Smythe MONK / KNIGHT’S ATTENDANT

Darius Cowan GOVERNOR OF THE PRISONERS / INNKEEPER

Stan Smythe DUKE / DR. CARRASCO

Olivia Wilkinson SERVANT / SANCHO PANZA

Brooks Eikner CERVANTES / ALONSO QUIJANA / DON QUIXOTE

Bizzy Walker PRISONER / HORSE / GYPSY

Lucy Nassif PRISONER / BURRO / FERMINA

Mykal Bayne PRISONER / ALDONZA

Brad Kerkhof PRISONER / MULETEER (Anselmo)

Ben Cramer PRISONER / MULETEER (Jose)

Ty Williams PRISONER / MULETEER (Juan)

Chris Kerkhof PRISONER / MULETEER (Pablo)

Dylan Riggs PRISONER / MULETEER (Paco) / GUITAR PLAYER

Witt Miesse PRISONER / MULETEER (Pedro)

James Blatchford PRISONER / MULETEER (Tenorio)

Lauren Ledger PRISONER / ANTONIA

Emma Nair PRISONER / HOUSEKEEPER

Matthew Horton

Aidan Saunders

Nora James Eikner

Eli Nations

Callie Oehmler

Sam Payne

Vijdan Gill

CREW

Props - Riane Bayne

Lights - Alexander Goodwin

Sound - Eli Gruen

Light/Sound Programmer -

Sophie Fernandez

Stage Management

Matthew Strock

Cameron Wyatt

Chris Padilla

Afternoon Stage Crew

Tate Bailey

Parth Dahima

Baugh Doster

John William Farris

Jack Fernandez

Michael Gayoso

Alexander Goodwin

Stuart Grow

Eli Gruen

Fox Harris

Yusuf Kazi

McCall Knowlton

Carson Lakin

Jory Meyers

William Miller

Matthew Strock

Nalin Verma

Leon Vo

PRISONER / PADRE

PRISONER / BARBER

PRISONER / HORSE

PRISONER / GYPSY

PRISONER / GYPSY

PRISONER / GYPSY

PRISONER / GYPSY

Josh Karchmer .................................................................... PRISONER

Harry White

Jonathan Williams

Cameron Wyatt

Theater Production Class

Burch Baine

Richard Bragorgos

Sonny Charbonnet

Josue Vela

Cameron Wyatt

Cast and crew members of Man of La Mancha

Gypsy dancers, from left, Eli Nations, Bizzy Walker, and Sam Payne

In front, Sancho (Olivia Wilkinson) tells Don Quixote that what they and their trusty burro (Lucy Nassif) see is an inn, not a castle.

From left, Alonso Quijana's niece, Antonia (Lauren Ledger) and housekeeper (Emma Nair) assure Padre (Matthew Horton) that they are only thinking of Quijana's welfare.

Swimmers Give Everything at State

After winning the 2016 state championship, the varsity swimmers knew that they had a new role this season. They were no longer the team stalking a title but the team being stalked. Instead of fearing this role, they were motivated by it. Though they fell just short of a second consecutive championship, the Owls proved to be an elite team with an outstanding year.

Coach Bryan Parker’s swimmers prepared for the postseason with seven regular-season meets, and they won five of them, finishing second in the other two. That momentum led them into the county championships, and the Owls did not disappoint, easily claiming a ninth consecutive county title, beating second-place Collierville by over 100 points. They were ready for state.

At the state championships in Knoxville, the squad performed very well. The 200-yard medley relay team – comprising seniors Christian Berry, Parker Kaye, Jack McCaghren, and Alex Robinson

– easily won the event by swimming one of the best times nationally this year, 1:28.58, to win by over two seconds. These four were the foundation of the team, and they all swam particularly well this meet. Berry also finished second in the 50yard freestyle and second in the 100-yard freestyle, and he swam anchor for the secondplace 400yard freestyle team. Kaye had two individual second-place finishes, in the 200-yard individual medley and 100-yard breaststroke, and he anchored the 200-yard freestyle relay team that claimed third. McCaghren finished second in the 100-yard butterfly and the 100-yard backstroke, and he swam third-leg in

The team prepares to leave for the state championship. Kneeling, from left, Assistant Coach Drayton Carlisle, Jack McCaghren, Christian Berry; middle row, Ethan Hurst, Benton Ferebee, Rick Reinhard, Alex Robinson, Bobby Wade, Ryan Gorman, Liam Kaltenborn, Jackson Hays; back row, Coach Bryan Parker, Warren Turner, Parker Kaye, Ev Nichol, Lukas Jakstas, and Crews Wellford ’12

Warren Turner

Louis Allen Jackson Hays

the 400-yard freestyle relay. Robinson claimed fourth in the 200-yard freestyle and fourth in the 100-yard backstroke, and he swam the first leg of the 400-yard freestyle team.

Junior Rick Reinhard had an outstanding meet, finishing third in the 500-yard freestyle and fifth in the 200-yard freestyle, and swimming on the third-place 200-yard freestyle team and the runner-up 400-yard freestyle team. Other Owls who swam well at the state meet included juniors Benton Ferebee, Ryan Gorman, Liam Kaltenborn, and Bobby Wade; and sophomores

Jackson Hays, Ethan Hurst, Lukas Jakstas, Ev Nichol, and Warren Turner

Despite these performances, the Owls fell just short of their second straight title, falling to Baylor, 377-308. Parker was extremely proud of the season and the team’s effort.

“The boys gave everything they had at the championship. I believe that when they look back on this season it will be with pride,” he said. “They swam not just for themselves, but also for one another. That’s something they will never forget.”

Other members of the varsity swimming team included juniors Graham Boswell, John Keegan, Aidan Lonergan, and Hastings McEwan; sophomores Louis Allen, Clay Harrison, Bailey Keel, Justin Martin, and William Quinlen; and freshmen

Ben DiMento, Jack Gorman, and Harris Tennyson. Though the team will lose some of the most decorated high-school swimmers in the school’s history, those who return will have a great deal of experience and a high expectation of excellence from this season.

LOWER SCHOOL

Coach: Drayton Carlisle

Record: 2-2, County Championship Winners

Roster: Eighth graders Ben Burkhart, Wesley Butler, Elijah Graham, Robert King, Benjamin Klemis, Caleb Littlejohn, Cullen Lonergan, Thomas Lusk, Fisher Marks, Davis McGhee, Fawwaz Omer; seventh graders Collin Craft, Noah Emmert, William Gooch, Jackson Harding, Alex Li, Devin Meyers, Gryffin Ostner, Nelson Saenz, Clarkson Shoaf, Kollin White, Christopher Yarbro, George Zhang

Lower School County Championship Winners

Parker Kaye

Aidan Lonergan

Hastings McEwan

Ben DiMento

Bowlers Meet Their Match in State Semifinals

Continuing to gain popularity, the bowling program had another outstanding season. With emphasis on practice, particularly in the offseason, Owl bowlers took their sport very seriously, and the team flourished, becoming one of the most consistent in the state.

This year the team improved as the season transpired, and they bowled well in the postseason. Led by six seniors and five juniors, their experience was an asset for Coach David Jackson and Coach Jenny Pratt

The Owls had to overcome a rough early season, dropping two of their first three matches with losses to Christian Brothers and St. Benedict. The team would lose all three regular-season team matches to these rivals, who ultimately were the state tournament finalists. But with one exception, the Owls won the rest of their regularseason matches, defeating Briarcrest, Harding, and Lausanne. MUS finished the regular season at 8-7, good for third in the division.

Six seniors – Reeves Eddins, Hill Fulmer, Andrew Hopkins, Nelson Kaye, Zachary Klinke, and Cole Wilder – adroitly led the team, with several playing key roles in the biggest matches of the year.

A talented junior class – including William Dellinger, Jackson Moody, Jimmy Morrow, Macon Orr, and Hayden Stark – encourages the coaches about next year’s prospects. John Mann, whom the coaches report has a great deal of potential, was the team’s lone sophomore.

Morrow had one of the best seasons in the program’s history, averaging 201 for the year, so he represented the Owls in the individual competition at the state tournament in Smyrna.

On day one Morrow bowled four games to determine seeding for the next day. After a 168, his last three games were above 200, giving him the top seed for day two, when he finished second. The team competition followed, and the Owls drew Donelson Christian Academy, the sixth seed out of the East/

Middle Division, in the quarterfinals. The team bowled well to advance with an 18-9 victory.

In the semifinals, the Owls’ nemesis St. Benedict was too strong, defeating them, 20-7. Morrow bowled the Owls’ best game during the match, rolling a 246 in Game 1. Other points came from Dellinger, Eddins, and Klinke.

Despite the semifinal-match setback, Jackson and Pratt were proud of the team.

“The strength of our team this season was evident in the final matches of the year, because they battled back from early losses to advance again to the state tournament,” said Jackson. “With a renewed commitment to practicing in the offseason, we expect even greater results next year under the leadership of the veterans returning for another season of competition.”

Morrow concurs and is looking forward to next year.

“I think the season went well,” he said. “But we’ll do better next year.”

Bowling Team members, from left, Andrew Hopkins, Macon Orr, Hill Fulmer, Cole Wilder, Zachary Klinke, Reeves Eddins, Hayden Stark, Nelson Kaye, Jimmy Morrow, Jackson Moody, John Mann, and William Dellinger

All bowling photos by photoeffect.com

Hayden Stark

Macon Orr

Jimmy Morrow

John Mann

Cole Wilder

Reeves Eddins

Hill Fulmer

Nelson Kaye

Andrew Hopkins

Jackson Moody

William Dellinger

Zachary Klinke

Varsity Roundballers End Season with 21 Wins and Five All-Region Players

Twenty-one wins and five all-region players highlighted the 2016-17 varsity basketball season with the Owls playing some good basketball against some highquality competition.

Coach Matt Bakke’s squad had a great start to the year winning nine of its first 11 games, including wins over traditional powers Ripley, Melrose, Whitehaven, and Lausanne. Other highlights of the year included defeating Canadian power British Columbia Christian Academy, 61-57, in an early non-conference game. The Owls also traveled back to Carbondale, IL, this season for the annual Christmas tournament, going 2-2 with wins over Collins Academy, IL, and New Madrid, MO. The team ended the calendar year at 14-5.

Upon returning from the holiday break, the Owls entered division play and got off to a good start, defeating St. Benedict, 55-54. The squad also swept Briarcrest in the regular season; however, two close losses to Christian Brothers and a road defeat at St. Benedict left the Owls at 3-3 in the division, earning them the third seed in the playoffs. The Owls could not hold off the Saints at home in the first round of the state tournament, and the season ended at 21-9, 3-3.

This game was the final high school contest for the six seniors: Jack Crosby, Josh Gray, Ogonna Oraedu, Alex Salazar, Joshua Tyler, and Luke Wilfong. But the Owls return a good nucleus, including junior starters John McBride and Zachary Street. Other players who contributed this year included junior Charlie Rhodes; sophomores Jalen Hollimon, Matthew Rogers, Dekari Scott, Sellers Shy, and Josh Tanenbaum; and freshmen Caleb London and Tra Warren.

Coach Bakke is taking the positives from this year and looking forward to building on them next year. He expressed gratitude to assistant coaches Trey Suddarth, Dax Torrey, and Jerry Dover as he reflected on a challenging, but gratifying year:

“We competed against the best teams in Memphis, had a 20-win season for the first time since 2007, finished with a top-five ranking in Division II, and our entire starting five were selected to the All-Region Team,” Bakke said. “The games were extremely competitive, and we had to work hard for every win. My sincere thanks to coaches Suddarth, Dover, and Torrey for their invaluable contributions.”

In front, from left, Davis Harano, Jeremy Jacobs, Benjamin Freeman, Peter Raves, (behind) Smith Duncan and George Crews take off at Shelby Farms Park.

The varsity basketball team, front row, from left, Jalen Hollimon, Charlie Rhodes, Josh Tanenbaum, Jack Crosby, Dekari Scott, Tra Warren; back row, Matthew Rogers, Ogonna Oraedu, Caleb London, Alex Salazar, John McBride, Josh Gray, Luke Wilfong, Zachary Street, and Joshua Tyler

Caleb London skies for a layup against Montgomery Bell Academy.

Alex Salazar shows good technique in warmups.

Eyeing the basket, Josh Tanenbaum looks to the net.

Basketball Roster

JUNIOR VARSITY

Coach: Jerry Dover

Record: 7-10

Roster: Juniors Aedan McKay, Mylan Taylor; sophomores Walker Crosby, Call Ford, Gentry Harwood, Jalen Hollimon, Matthew Rogers, Dekari Scott, Sellers Shy, Philip Wunderlich, Grant Young; freshman Tra Warren

EIGHTH GRADE

Coach: Wes Crump

Record: 19-3, Blue Streak and Shelby League Tournament Champions

Roster: Jack Beard, Drew Burnett, Jack Jabbour, Roderic Lewis, Ayman McGowan, McLean Meeks, Gavin Murrey, Henry Nickey, Chris Parks, William Patteson, Edwin Shy, Jon Van Hoozer, Wes Vanderslice

FRESHMEN

Coach: Joe Abrahams ’96

Record: 8-10

Roster: Alan Applewhite, Robert Ayotte, Vaught Benge, Sam Gallop, Charlie Gilbert, Cody Hopkins, J.D. Huber, Thomas Pitts, Blake Sexton, Charlie Street, Will Woodmansee

SEVENTH GRADE

Coach: Jason Peters ’88

Record: 23-3, Blue Streak Champions, Shelby League Runners Up

Roster: James Allen, James Barton, Kyler Herring, Oscar Marshall, KJ Milan, Mac Owen, Ricky Ransom, Nelson Saenz, Fred Schaeffer, Henry Weeks, Hayes Wilkinson, Duncan Williams

The eighth-grade team celebrates a league championship. Front row, from left, Jack Jabbour, Jack Beard, Drew Burnett, William Patteson, Henry Nickey, McLean Meeks; back row, Coach Austin George, Jon Van Hooser, Ayman McGowan, Edwin Shy, Wes Vanderslice, Gavin Murrey, Roderic Lewis, Chris Parks, and Coach Wes Crump

Peters

Luke Wilfong advances the ball with the pass and takes advantage of the transition opportunity.

Avoiding the charge, Josh Gray prepares to score.

Seventh-grade basketball team members, front row, from left, Ricky Ransom, Hayes Wilkinson, KJ Milan, Nelson Saenz, James Allen, Mac Owen; back row, Fred Schaeffer, Oscar Marshall, James Barton, Kyler Herring, Henry Weeks, Duncan Williams, and Coach Jason

Wrestlers End Season 9th at State, Bid Farewell to Coach Hendricks

The 2016-17 wrestling team took a step forward in growth this year. Head Coach Steve Hendricks and his assistant, James Walker, were proud of the wrestlers’ competitiveness – which ultimately earned the team two individual medals at state and a ninth-place overall team finish. Based on the talent and youth of the roster, the prospects will continue to improve for this group.

This year’s grapplers included only two seniors on the roster. Eli Christenbury and Tom Wells contributed to the program throughout their high school careers, and their loyalty set a good example for the younger wrestlers.

The rest of the roster comprised underclassmen, including juniors Ryan Aghabeg, Carlo Guinocor, Peter Raves, Nick Rezaee, and Erik Richardson; sophomore Stephen Christenbury; and freshmen

Tucker Caldwell, Gus Carter, Jacob Curlin, and Jake Knaff

The JV wrestlers were freshman Jonathan Johnson and eighth graders Torrance Bostick, Hart Gowen, Jeffrey Ince, Hud McGehee, Darren Robinson, Nash Stewart, Harm Thomas, Tamaz Young, and Tylyn Young

The team took on quality competition in regular-season dual matches and did well in several tournaments. Their dual-match schedule included Bartlett, Bolton, Briarcrest, Christian Brothers, Collierville, Cordova, Germantown, Houston, Kingsbury, Millington, Southwind, and St. George’s. The Owls also competed in the Blackhorse Invitational at Houston High School; the Millington Invitational at Millington Central High School; the Bartlett Dual Tournament at Bartlett High School; the Christian County Tournament in Hopkinsville, KY; and the Dawg Fight

Tournament at Briarcrest.

After the regular season came the Division II West Region dual tournament. The Owls had to finish in the top four to advance to the state duals, and they took third.

At State Duals, held at the Williamson County Expo Center in Franklin, the team wrestled hard but ultimately dropped both matches in the tournament, losing to Baylor (70-9) and Montgomery Bell Academy (786). A few individuals shined, however. Against Baylor, Aghabeg won his match in the 120-pound division, and Richardson won by decision at 182 pounds. And against Montgomery Bell Academy, Stephen Christenbury was the Owls’ lone victor, winning at 220 pounds.

And at the Division II state individual tournament, two Owls finished as medalists. In the 113-pound division, Guinocor placed third, winning three

Varsity and JV wrestlers, front row, kneeling, Jeffrey Ince, Jake Knaff, Tom Wells, Eli Christenbury, Erik Richardson, Nick Rezaee, Stephen Christenbury; standing, Coach Jonathan Jones, Jacob Curlin, Torrance Bostick, Ryan Aghabeg, Carlo Guinocor, Head Coach Steve Hendricks, Gus Carter, Darren Robinson, Tucker Caldwell, Hart Gowen, and Coach James Walker

of his four matches. And at 160 pounds, Wells won two matches and claimed fifth overall – his second-straight medalist honor at state. These results helped to earn the Owls 27 points, enough for ninth as a team.

“I’m really proud of our kids for stepping up and doing their jobs. I really want to thank Coach Walker for doing much of the work this season,” Hendricks said. “I credit him for the success we experienced this year.”

Next season will see a new head coach for the program as Hendricks announced his retirement at the end of the season. Mr. Chris Lewis, CBHS coach for 26 years, will become head of the program. Coach Hendricks has fond memories of his time at MUS.

“After a longtime-coaching career in public schools, I believe it was God’s will to coach at MUS,” Hendricks said. “I thank the school for the opportunity, and I thank God for James Walker and the kids for allowing me these last few extra years coaching.”

LOWER SCHOOL TEAM

Coach: James Walker, Jonathan Jones

Record: 3-0

Roster: Eighth graders Elliot Allen, Torrance Bostick, Hart Gowen, Jeffrey Ince, Baxter Jones, Hud McGehee, Darren Robinson, Nash Stewart, Harm Thomas, Tamaz Young, Tylyn Young; seventh graders Hunter Barnes, Will Crosby, Andrew Doggett, Owen Fussell, Loro Lado, Clayton Nearn, John Nelson, Jack Ryan

Ellis

congratulates, from

after a National Letter of Intent signing event in February. Smith signed with Lafayette College to play football, Love signed with the U.S. Air Force to play football, and Suppiah signed with West Point to play soccer.

Lower School wrestlers, kneeling, from left, Darren Robinson, Tamaz Young, Nash Stewart, Owen Fussell, Tylyn Young, Will Crosby, Jeffrey Ince; standing, Coach Jonathan Jones, Andrew Doggett, Torrance Bostick, Hart Gowen, Hud McGehee, Jack Ryan, Coach James Walker

Basketball Homecoming Court and escorts, from left, Christian Berry, Gracie Meeks, Jack Heathcott, Leah Dunlap, Alex Hyde, Homecoming Queen Halle Garland, Mason Rudolph, Grace Sexton, Mae Harrison, Charlie Jones, Olivia Shawkey, and David Jordan

Headmaster

Haguewood

left, Evan Smith, Jalon Love, and Josiah Crutchfield

Photo by photoeffect.com

Insights

Reach Beyond the Rankings

by Mr. Brian K. Smith, Director of College Counseling

ach year, various news sources publish college rankings in wide-ranging categories – The Most Beautiful College Campuses, The Smartest Students, The Biggest Party Schools, and so on. As college consumers, parents and students are often attracted to these articles, checking to see how their colleges of interest rank.

However, what happens when you don’t see your favorite school on a “best” list or when it shows up on a list touting a negative trait? Does your interest in that particular school change? Are you more likely to view that school differently or to add one you had not considered previously?

As a veteran college counselor, I suggest you reach beyond the rankings to find out more about each institution. Why? Rankings do not tell the whole story. Often the rankings come from surveys completed by college presidents or their designees looking to boost applications to the school. Receiving more applications allows them to deny more students and reduce their overall admit rate – which increases

Ethe school’s cachet in the eyes of prospective students.

So don’t believe the rankings hype. In trying to predict a college’s relevance to your life and your future, you owe it to yourself to learn as much as you can about it. In other words, don’t rely on rankings when creating that list of prospective colleges.

Instead, follow these three tips when deciding if a particular college or university is the right fit for you:

■ Does it offer your major? Yep, seems obvious, but often times students choose a school based on where their friends are planning to attend or where family members have graduated. Another factor to consider: More likely than not, you will change your major, so choose a school that offers programs in one or two other areas that you have contemplated exploring.

■ Does it fit your personality? This is a big one! Each college or university has a culture or feel to it. You must visit to determine which campuses match your personality. Can you see yourself mixing and mingling with the students you encounter? Does the campus have the feel and ambiance that is important to you? For example, if you enjoy exploring, are there places on campus or nearby that are off the beaten path?

If you want a vibrant college scene where students take pride in their school, look for evidence of that spirit in sweatshirts or T-shirts worn around campus. Ask yourself if the students genuinely look happy.

■ What’s the potential ROI? Students rarely contemplate return on investment when choosing a college or university. But guess what? Your parents and college counselors do. One of the questions we frequently ask is, “What do you want to be doing in five or 10 years?” We want to make sure that your prospective colleges will benefit you in the long term. What will be the return on your investment once you graduate? Are students who graduate from that particular college finding gainful employment and/or graduate school opportunities?

These are a few questions one should contemplate when exploring schools. Instead of focusing on the rankings, focus on finding that right-fit school. Finally, don’t be afraid to consider schools your college counselor or parents suggest that may be out of the ordinary. That perfect-for-you school just might be a place you could not have imagined or heard about. You won’t know until you give it a chance.

College Essay Workshop

Learn from an expert what the top colleges and universities look for when reading your college essay. This event is for rising SENIORS.

Mr. John McEachern, director of admission at Boston University, will be on campus August 9-10, 11 a.m. - 1 p.m., to discuss the important details surrounding the college essay. The cost to attend is $30. See the website resource boards or contact the College Counseling Department at (901) 260-1332 to reserve your spot or get more information.

2016-17 Parents’ Association Board

Chairs

Laurie and Jeff Meskin

Secretary Susan and Jay Lindy ’80

Treasurer Helen Gronauer

Communication/Parent Education

Membership

Spirit Coordinators

Arts Coordinators

Grandparents

Fundraising

Admissions

Phonathon

Hospitality

Upper School Hospitality

Lower School Hospitality

Blazer Consignment

Grade 12 Reps

Grade 11 Reps

Grade 10 Reps

Grade 9 Reps

Grade 8 Reps

Grade 7 Reps

Maria and Mike Douglass

Stephanie and Spence Wilson

Stephanie and Jamie White, Julie and Gregg Meeks

Kim and Flip Eikner ’77, Tam and Rollin Riggs ’78

Courtney and Bryan Smith ’91

Susan and John Huffman

Karen and Larry Klawinski

Barbie and Mims Clayton

Beth and Walker Hays ’84

Kristen and Jay Keegan ’88

Jenny and Larry Herman

Ashley and Bert Robinson ’90

Kim and Bryan Jordan

Amy and Bill Rhodes

Melanie and Stilly McFadden ’75

Irene and Ron Ayotte

Amanda and Jason Gowen

Vicki and Kurt Nelson

Parents’ Association Chair Laurie Meskin, center, presents a retirement gift to Mrs. Peggy Haguewood and Headmaster Ellis Haguewood.

Parents’ Association board members, front row, from left, Jenny Herman, Kristen Keegan, Courtney Smith, Laurie Meskin, Irene Ayotte, Karen Klawinski, Amanda Gowen; middle row, Amy Rhodes, Susan Huffman, Ashley Robinson, Stephanie Wilson, Stephanie White, Maria Douglass, Kim Justis Eikner, Helen Gronauer; back row, Melanie McFadden, Kim Jordan, Vicki Nelson, Beth Hays, Julie Meeks, Barbie Clayton, and Susan Lindy

Ellis Haguewood

Headmaster

Barry Ray

Upper School Principal

Clay Smythe

Lower School Principal

Bobby Alston

Director of Athletics

Bonnie Barnes

Director of Hyde Library

Flip Eikner

Academic Dean

Perry Dement

Director of Advancement

Claire Farmer

Director of Annual Fund

Rankin Fowlkes

Director of Business Operations

Joe Abrahams

Director of Counseling Services

Ann Laughlin

Director of Alumni and Parent Programs

Brian K. Smith

Director of College Counseling

Peggy Williamson

Director of Admissions

Liz Copeland

Director of Communications

Marci Woodmansee

Associate Director of Communications

Rebecca H. Greer

Managing Editor, Inside MUS

LeeAnn Christopherson

Creative Director

Sherry Henson

Graphic Designer

THE MUS MISSION: Memphis University School is a college-preparatory school dedicated to academic excellence, cultivation of service and leadership, and the development of wellrounded young men of strong moral character, consistent with the school’s Christian tradition.

On the Cover

Players from the production of Man of La Mancha, front row, from left, Olivia Wilkinson (Servant/Sancho Panza), Brooks Eikner (Cervantes/Alonso Quijana/ Don Quixote), Mykal Bayne (Aldonza); back row, Henry Duncan (Captain of the Inquisition), Dylan Riggs (Muleteer Paco/ Guitar Player), Darius Cowan (Governor of the Prisoners/Innkeeper), Witt Miesse (Muleteer Pedro), Brad Kerkhof (Muleteer Anselmo)

Cover photo by Alan Howell