Pinpoints Fall 2024

Fall 2024

NON-PROFIT ORG. U.S. POSTAGE

1050 Lane Allen Road Lexington, KY 40504-2018 859-278-0501 www.thelexingtonschool.org Return Service Requested

The Lexington School admits students of any race, religion, color, sex, national, or ethnic origin.

| HISTORICALLYSPEAKING |

Coach Terry Justice’s 2004 Central Kentucky Lacrosse Association Championship Team Top Row: Dennis Van Den Broeck ’04, Chris Lyons ’04, Brendan Draper ’04, Jonathan Rogers ’04, Michael Lyons ’04, Adam Woomer ’04, Bobby Dobson ’04, Joe Woomer ’04, Dan Waldman ’05, Coach Terry Justice Front Row: Joseph Guthrie’ 04, David Fogg ’04, Hughes Congleton ’04, Philip Carson ’05, Kegan Burgess ’05, Henry Bradley ’04, Shelby Justice, daughter of Coach Justice

PAID

MARIETTA, GA PERMIT NO. 215

A PUBLICATION OF

THE LEXINGTON SCHOOL

22 Ms. MacCarthy and friends give high fives at the Little Kentucky Derby.

4

| HEADLINES |

Una MacCarthy Head of School

10 Editor Lucy J. McKinstry ’66 Copy Editor Ann Eames

NTENTS

Design Steve Parker Design Photography David Coyle Caitlin Hall Chris Johnson ’89 Kelly Mitchell Greg Robinson

14

Grace and Lilly, daughters of Porter McRoberts ’86, enjoy the last sunset on the bow of Ibis as their family heads west from Tahiti to Fiji, with a squall on the western horizon.

38

22

C

When she was a young woman, Ms. Josephine Abercrombie (H’00), our school’s founder, was given a challenge by her father. He said, “You have been blessed in your life, and it is time to decide how to give back.” As the story goes, after thinking for a bit, Ms. Abercrombie developed a dream to build a school of national emulation. Ms. A told her father, “Education is the most important thing you can give to a child,” and 65 years ago, she started The Lexington School.

This year we opened with the school’s largest enrollment in our 65 years, 612 students.

At our opening day assembly, under the trees of Scarlet Gate, I challenged the children to think about Ms. A. and the impact her dream has had on those of us gathered and all the people over the 65 years who came before us. I asked, “What can we all do this year to give back? What will be our impact? What will we build this year to continue the dream of Ms. A.?”

In the pages to follow, you will read stories of our alumni who answered that same challenge Ms. A received more than 65 years ago.

TLS builds futures, piece by piece, moment by moment. It starts with our youngest acorns brave enough to get out of the car by themselves, and it continues at every grade and age until finally, in eighth grade, that grown-up bravery is seen traversing Lambs Knob, hooked to a belay harness in Zion National Park. Story by story, bit by bit, masterly woven by our teachers, the foundation is laid to leave 1050 Lane Allen Road ready to impact the world just as Ms. Abercrombie did so many years ago.

Proud to be a TLSer,

THE BUILDERS

38

ACADEMICS

40

ATHLETICS

44

ALUMNI

53

Cover photo: The Builders! Thumbs up after conquering the hardest climbing route of the day on SW24. Photo by Chris Johnson ’89. Please address comments to lmckinstry@thelexingtonschool.org.

1

22 Ms. MacCarthy and friends give high fives at the Little Kentucky Derby.

4

| HEADLINES |

Una MacCarthy Head of School

10 Editor Lucy J. McKinstry ’66 Copy Editor Ann Eames

NTENTS

Design Steve Parker Design Photography David Coyle Caitlin Hall Chris Johnson ’89 Kelly Mitchell Greg Robinson

14

Grace and Lilly, daughters of Porter McRoberts ’86, enjoy the last sunset on the bow of Ibis as their family heads west from Tahiti to Fiji, with a squall on the western horizon.

38

22

C

When she was a young woman, Ms. Josephine Abercrombie (H’00), our school’s founder, was given a challenge by her father. He said, “You have been blessed in your life, and it is time to decide how to give back.” As the story goes, after thinking for a bit, Ms. Abercrombie developed a dream to build a school of national emulation. Ms. A told her father, “Education is the most important thing you can give to a child,” and 65 years ago, she started The Lexington School.

This year we opened with the school’s largest enrollment in our 65 years, 612 students.

At our opening day assembly, under the trees of Scarlet Gate, I challenged the children to think about Ms. A. and the impact her dream has had on those of us gathered and all the people over the 65 years who came before us. I asked, “What can we all do this year to give back? What will be our impact? What will we build this year to continue the dream of Ms. A.?”

In the pages to follow, you will read stories of our alumni who answered that same challenge Ms. A received more than 65 years ago.

TLS builds futures, piece by piece, moment by moment. It starts with our youngest acorns brave enough to get out of the car by themselves, and it continues at every grade and age until finally, in eighth grade, that grown-up bravery is seen traversing Lambs Knob, hooked to a belay harness in Zion National Park. Story by story, bit by bit, masterly woven by our teachers, the foundation is laid to leave 1050 Lane Allen Road ready to impact the world just as Ms. Abercrombie did so many years ago.

Proud to be a TLSer,

THE BUILDERS

38

ACADEMICS

40

ATHLETICS

44

ALUMNI

53

Cover photo: The Builders! Thumbs up after conquering the hardest climbing route of the day on SW24. Photo by Chris Johnson ’89. Please address comments to lmckinstry@thelexingtonschool.org.

1

THE CLASS OF 2024

Row 1: Wells Pfister, Carmen Sanchez, Stella Croce, Lucy King, Harper Ward, Bishop Arvin, Gia Mannella, Lida Nicol, Scarlett Ochs, Britt Banks, Bella Mims, Eliza Quinn Row 2: Lucy Heinrich, Eleanor Clay, Kathleen Langston, Madeline Dawson, Aubrey Jenkins, Emeline Offutt, Sydney Jenkins, Alyson Taylor, Amelie Longbottom, Gratz Huber, Paige Langston Row 3: Camden Stout, Sam Jones, Joshua Phillips, Jack O’Connor, Emory Vaughan, Cannon Vaughan, Alex Chalothorn, Taj Saha, Jack Mooney, Webb Rosenthal, Wakefield Hutchinson, Amanuel Arms Row 4: Reece Garrison, Noah Webber, Paxton Wadams, Will Luftman, Levi Murry, Max Parks, Gavin Moore, AJ Humphress, Grayson Webber, Sawyer Wiglesworth, Caden Shively, Jordan Backers Row 5: Aidan Addington, Tyler Banks, Reid Graham, Jonathan Lynch, Tate Ashmun, Graham Kobak, Isaac Van Meter, Finley Baehler, Alexander Young, Jake Morita, Tag Gudeman, Pierse Hammond

THE CLASS OF 2024

Row 1: Wells Pfister, Carmen Sanchez, Stella Croce, Lucy King, Harper Ward, Bishop Arvin, Gia Mannella, Lida Nicol, Scarlett Ochs, Britt Banks, Bella Mims, Eliza Quinn Row 2: Lucy Heinrich, Eleanor Clay, Kathleen Langston, Madeline Dawson, Aubrey Jenkins, Emeline Offutt, Sydney Jenkins, Alyson Taylor, Amelie Longbottom, Gratz Huber, Paige Langston Row 3: Camden Stout, Sam Jones, Joshua Phillips, Jack O’Connor, Emory Vaughan, Cannon Vaughan, Alex Chalothorn, Taj Saha, Jack Mooney, Webb Rosenthal, Wakefield Hutchinson, Amanuel Arms Row 4: Reece Garrison, Noah Webber, Paxton Wadams, Will Luftman, Levi Murry, Max Parks, Gavin Moore, AJ Humphress, Grayson Webber, Sawyer Wiglesworth, Caden Shively, Jordan Backers Row 5: Aidan Addington, Tyler Banks, Reid Graham, Jonathan Lynch, Tate Ashmun, Graham Kobak, Isaac Van Meter, Finley Baehler, Alexander Young, Jake Morita, Tag Gudeman, Pierse Hammond

To the Class of 2024, Beckett Fogg ’03 began her commencement remarks saying, “What I remember are experiences and people – my friends, my teachers, and the community here at The Lexington School. I remember it almost like a narrative comprised of many themes. Each year, each teacher, was a new adventure.” From the revered Miss Cowling, who is retiring, and all the others before and now and to come, “the teachers at TLS are not just teachers – they are the characters and personalities that make this school as special as it is.”

As it’s been for 65 Years,

Celebrating 65 years since the founding of The Lexington School in 1959, Head of School Una MacCarthy focused on the people as well, as she spoke about the Southwest Trip, “A favorite tradition on our trips is the nightly campfires. At the end of the campfire, shoutouts are given. I love this part because it is a time when you get to recognize someone publicly for something wonderful they did or a character trait in a friend you admire.” It’s the people.

King Offutt, outgoing president of the Board of Trustees, continued with the theme as well, offering timeless advice, “Hold onto the friendships you have made thus far, and look forward to the new ones to come, then hold onto those as you move through each stage of life. It’s always a good idea to check in with an old friend.” It’s the people.

Britt, Bella, and Eliza hasten to line up for their commencement procession.

As founder of the fashion brand AREA, whose “signature style is multi-faceted; witty, inherently glamorous, playfully decadent, and injected with a pop energy,” Ms. Fogg brought New York City to Scarlet Gate. She explained, “If you sneak behind the curtain at a runway show you will find chaos – there may be thirty models walking the runway, but there are hundreds of people backstage, and this is where the passion, creativity, and dedication lives. Backstage it’s real – a celebration of process and teamwork that cannot be captured on camera.” It’s the people.

IT’S THE PEOPLE

9 LEGACY STUDENTS Bishop Arvin - Will Arvin ’82 and Shannon Bishop Arvin ’90 Eleanor Clay - Case Clay ’89 Tag Gudeman - Tanner Gudeman ’94 Gratz Huber - Tallee Walker Huber ’90 Gavin Moore - Andrew Moore ’92 Levi Murry - Shelton May Murry ’91 Lida Nicol - B. Nicol ’91 Taj Saha - Shubin Saha ’92 Alexander Young - Chris Young ’90 and grandfather Bill Young ’63 King Offutt presents daughter Emeline with her diploma.

4

55

To the Class of 2024, Beckett Fogg ’03 began her commencement remarks saying, “What I remember are experiences and people – my friends, my teachers, and the community here at The Lexington School. I remember it almost like a narrative comprised of many themes. Each year, each teacher, was a new adventure.” From the revered Miss Cowling, who is retiring, and all the others before and now and to come, “the teachers at TLS are not just teachers – they are the characters and personalities that make this school as special as it is.”

As it’s been for 65 Years,

Celebrating 65 years since the founding of The Lexington School in 1959, Head of School Una MacCarthy focused on the people as well, as she spoke about the Southwest Trip, “A favorite tradition on our trips is the nightly campfires. At the end of the campfire, shoutouts are given. I love this part because it is a time when you get to recognize someone publicly for something wonderful they did or a character trait in a friend you admire.” It’s the people.

King Offutt, outgoing president of the Board of Trustees, continued with the theme as well, offering timeless advice, “Hold onto the friendships you have made thus far, and look forward to the new ones to come, then hold onto those as you move through each stage of life. It’s always a good idea to check in with an old friend.” It’s the people.

Britt, Bella, and Eliza hasten to line up for their commencement procession.

As founder of the fashion brand AREA, whose “signature style is multi-faceted; witty, inherently glamorous, playfully decadent, and injected with a pop energy,” Ms. Fogg brought New York City to Scarlet Gate. She explained, “If you sneak behind the curtain at a runway show you will find chaos – there may be thirty models walking the runway, but there are hundreds of people backstage, and this is where the passion, creativity, and dedication lives. Backstage it’s real – a celebration of process and teamwork that cannot be captured on camera.” It’s the people.

IT’S THE PEOPLE

9 LEGACY STUDENTS Bishop Arvin - Will Arvin ’82 and Shannon Bishop Arvin ’90 Eleanor Clay - Case Clay ’89 Tag Gudeman - Tanner Gudeman ’94 Gratz Huber - Tallee Walker Huber ’90 Gavin Moore - Andrew Moore ’92 Levi Murry - Shelton May Murry ’91 Lida Nicol - B. Nicol ’91 Taj Saha - Shubin Saha ’92 Alexander Young - Chris Young ’90 and grandfather Bill Young ’63 King Offutt presents daughter Emeline with her diploma.

4

55

AIDAN SW24: As I got on the bike, I struggled to find my balance … my front tire then hit a rock … next thing I knew I was on the trail road. I haven’t usually been a risktaker, but this trip helped me learn to take a few more.

CLASS LEADERS...

PIERSE TLS teachers: They find the right book for the right student, know where each student is in the lab, and push them to go a bit further.

TAG My favorite memory was probably winning the LAX Championship against Woodford. I’ll remember that lacrosse team as a family.

PAIGE I’ve been in The Learning Center six years. We wrote This I Believe essays sharing memorable experiences.

We’re going to high school, so it was a great time to think about our belief systems. I wrote about the spirit of relationships.

KNOW THE WAY. GO THE WAY. SHOW THE WAY.

CARMEN At the swim meet: I got to the block and took deep breaths. “BEEP,” the whistle blew. I dove in and everything melted away. I swam as fast as I could. The water and I became one again.

LUCY I believe in cameras. Not any specific type of camera, just one that captures a small moment in the form of a picture, one that holds memories of times past.

Ms. Shama Hinard and Aidan, Amanuel, Bishop (partially hidden), Tate, Jordan, and Finley soak in the excitement of the day.

Class of 2024 High School

MATRICULATIONS Aidan Addington.................................................................... Sayre School Amanuel Arms....................................................................... Sayre School Bishop Arvin................................................Lexington Catholic High School Tate Ashmun......................................................................... Sayre School Jordan Backers...................................................................... Sayre School Finley Baehler..............................................Lexington Catholic High School Britt Banks..................................................Lexington Catholic High School Tyler Banks...............................................Lexington Catholic High School – Exemplar Scholars MST Program Alex Chalothorn..................................................................... Sayre School Eleanor Clay................................................Lexington Catholic High School Stella Croce........................................................................... Sayre School Madeline Dawson...................................................Henry Clay High School Reece Garrison............................................Lexington Catholic High School Reid Graham......................................................................... Sayre School Tag Gudeman...................................................... Woodberry Forest School Pierse Hammond....................................................Henry Clay High School Lucy Heinrich............................................Lexington Catholic High School – Exemplar Scholars MST Program Gratz Huber.................................................Lexington Catholic High School AJ Humphress.............................................Lexington Catholic High School Wakefield Hutchinson..............................................Henry Clay High School Aubrey Jenkins......................................Paul Laurence Dunbar High School Sydney Jenkins......................................Paul Laurence Dunbar High School Sam Jones......................Lafayette High School – Pre-Engineering Program Lucy King.............................................................................. Sayre School Graham Kobak....................................................................... Sayre School Kathleen Langston.......................................Lexington Catholic High School Paige Langston............................................Lexington Catholic High School Amelie Longbottom......................... St. Teresa’s School, Effingham, England Will Luftman...........................................................Henry Clay High School Jonathan Lynch...........................................Lexington Catholic High School

Gia Mannella..........................................................Henry Clay High School Bella Mims......................................................East Jessamine High School Jack Mooney......................................................................... Sayre School Gavin Moore................................................Lexington Catholic High School Jake Morita........................................................................... Sayre School Levi Murry...................................................Lexington Catholic High School Lida Nicol.................................................Lexington Catholic High School – Exemplar Scholars MST Program Scarlett Ochs.......................Henry Clay High School – Liberal Arts Academy Jack O’Connor....................................................................... Sayre School Emeline Offutt........................................................................ Sayre School Max Parks............................................................................. Sayre School Wells Pfister................................................Lexington Catholic High School Joshua Phillips.............................................Lexington Catholic High School Eliza Quinn..................................................Lexington Catholic High School Webb Rosenthal..................................................................... Sayre School Taj Saha...................................................Lexington Catholic High School – Exemplar Scholars MST Program Carmen Sanchez.................................................................... Sayre School Caden Shively..............................................Lexington Catholic High School Camden Stout.................................................West Jessamine High School Alyson Taylor...............................................Lexington Catholic High School Isaac Van Meter...........................................Lexington Catholic High School Cannon Vaughan.................................................................... Sayre School Emory Vaughan...................................................................... Sayre School Paxton Wadams..................................................................... Sayre School Harper Ward................................................Lexington Catholic High School Grayson Webber..............Lafayette High School – Pre-Engineering Program Noah Webber...................Lafayette High School – Pre-Engineering Program Sawyer Wiglesworth.............Henry Clay High School – Liberal Arts Academy Alexander Young.....................................................Henry Clay High School

AIDAN SW24: As I got on the bike, I struggled to find my balance … my front tire then hit a rock … next thing I knew I was on the trail road. I haven’t usually been a risktaker, but this trip helped me learn to take a few more.

CLASS LEADERS...

PIERSE TLS teachers: They find the right book for the right student, know where each student is in the lab, and push them to go a bit further.

TAG My favorite memory was probably winning the LAX Championship against Woodford. I’ll remember that lacrosse team as a family.

PAIGE I’ve been in The Learning Center six years. We wrote This I Believe essays sharing memorable experiences.

We’re going to high school, so it was a great time to think about our belief systems. I wrote about the spirit of relationships.

KNOW THE WAY. GO THE WAY. SHOW THE WAY.

CARMEN At the swim meet: I got to the block and took deep breaths. “BEEP,” the whistle blew. I dove in and everything melted away. I swam as fast as I could. The water and I became one again.

LUCY I believe in cameras. Not any specific type of camera, just one that captures a small moment in the form of a picture, one that holds memories of times past.

Ms. Shama Hinard and Aidan, Amanuel, Bishop (partially hidden), Tate, Jordan, and Finley soak in the excitement of the day.

Class of 2024 High School

MATRICULATIONS Aidan Addington.................................................................... Sayre School Amanuel Arms....................................................................... Sayre School Bishop Arvin................................................Lexington Catholic High School Tate Ashmun......................................................................... Sayre School Jordan Backers...................................................................... Sayre School Finley Baehler..............................................Lexington Catholic High School Britt Banks..................................................Lexington Catholic High School Tyler Banks...............................................Lexington Catholic High School – Exemplar Scholars MST Program Alex Chalothorn..................................................................... Sayre School Eleanor Clay................................................Lexington Catholic High School Stella Croce........................................................................... Sayre School Madeline Dawson...................................................Henry Clay High School Reece Garrison............................................Lexington Catholic High School Reid Graham......................................................................... Sayre School Tag Gudeman...................................................... Woodberry Forest School Pierse Hammond....................................................Henry Clay High School Lucy Heinrich............................................Lexington Catholic High School – Exemplar Scholars MST Program Gratz Huber.................................................Lexington Catholic High School AJ Humphress.............................................Lexington Catholic High School Wakefield Hutchinson..............................................Henry Clay High School Aubrey Jenkins......................................Paul Laurence Dunbar High School Sydney Jenkins......................................Paul Laurence Dunbar High School Sam Jones......................Lafayette High School – Pre-Engineering Program Lucy King.............................................................................. Sayre School Graham Kobak....................................................................... Sayre School Kathleen Langston.......................................Lexington Catholic High School Paige Langston............................................Lexington Catholic High School Amelie Longbottom......................... St. Teresa’s School, Effingham, England Will Luftman...........................................................Henry Clay High School Jonathan Lynch...........................................Lexington Catholic High School

Gia Mannella..........................................................Henry Clay High School Bella Mims......................................................East Jessamine High School Jack Mooney......................................................................... Sayre School Gavin Moore................................................Lexington Catholic High School Jake Morita........................................................................... Sayre School Levi Murry...................................................Lexington Catholic High School Lida Nicol.................................................Lexington Catholic High School – Exemplar Scholars MST Program Scarlett Ochs.......................Henry Clay High School – Liberal Arts Academy Jack O’Connor....................................................................... Sayre School Emeline Offutt........................................................................ Sayre School Max Parks............................................................................. Sayre School Wells Pfister................................................Lexington Catholic High School Joshua Phillips.............................................Lexington Catholic High School Eliza Quinn..................................................Lexington Catholic High School Webb Rosenthal..................................................................... Sayre School Taj Saha...................................................Lexington Catholic High School – Exemplar Scholars MST Program Carmen Sanchez.................................................................... Sayre School Caden Shively..............................................Lexington Catholic High School Camden Stout.................................................West Jessamine High School Alyson Taylor...............................................Lexington Catholic High School Isaac Van Meter...........................................Lexington Catholic High School Cannon Vaughan.................................................................... Sayre School Emory Vaughan...................................................................... Sayre School Paxton Wadams..................................................................... Sayre School Harper Ward................................................Lexington Catholic High School Grayson Webber..............Lafayette High School – Pre-Engineering Program Noah Webber...................Lafayette High School – Pre-Engineering Program Sawyer Wiglesworth.............Henry Clay High School – Liberal Arts Academy Alexander Young.....................................................Henry Clay High School

CELEBRATING

TLS COMMENCEMENT!

At the pre-Candlelight luncheon are Sydney, Emeline, Margaret Cowling ’64 (H’24), Alexander, Caden, Reid, and Jack.

The McLean-Offutt Family

The Young Family

The Class of 2024 Twins Have It: Aubrey and Sydney, Kathleen and Paige, Cannon and Emory, Grayson and Noah.

The Jenkins Family and Friends

The Bishop-Arvin Family

Preschool competitors Jake, Bodhi, Remi, and Maks get enthusiastic support from eighth graders Jordan, Aidan, Tyler, and Taj.

The Van Meter Family

The Ashmun Family

8

Cannon signs the yearbook for Lida.

9

CELEBRATING

TLS COMMENCEMENT!

At the pre-Candlelight luncheon are Sydney, Emeline, Margaret Cowling ’64 (H’24), Alexander, Caden, Reid, and Jack.

The McLean-Offutt Family

The Young Family

The Class of 2024 Twins Have It: Aubrey and Sydney, Kathleen and Paige, Cannon and Emory, Grayson and Noah.

The Jenkins Family and Friends

The Bishop-Arvin Family

Preschool competitors Jake, Bodhi, Remi, and Maks get enthusiastic support from eighth graders Jordan, Aidan, Tyler, and Taj.

The Van Meter Family

The Ashmun Family

8

Cannon signs the yearbook for Lida.

9

SW ’24

Max is in control as he rappels down the canyon wall on a canyoneering trip.

Amelie prepares to take the first step over the edge on the longest rappel on a canyoneering trip.

Isaac, Levi, and Tag are packed up and headed back to the trailhead after climbing outside Zion National Park.

The Twenty-Sixth Year of the Southwest Trip:

Harper makes her way past the overhangs while rock climbing outside Zion National Park.

BUILT FOR MEMORIES

Joshua takes a leap into Sand Hollow Lake on the final activity before flying back home to Lexington.

10

11

SW ’24

Max is in control as he rappels down the canyon wall on a canyoneering trip.

Amelie prepares to take the first step over the edge on the longest rappel on a canyoneering trip.

Isaac, Levi, and Tag are packed up and headed back to the trailhead after climbing outside Zion National Park.

The Twenty-Sixth Year of the Southwest Trip:

Harper makes her way past the overhangs while rock climbing outside Zion National Park.

BUILT FOR MEMORIES

Joshua takes a leap into Sand Hollow Lake on the final activity before flying back home to Lexington.

10

11

CLASS OF 2020 COLLEGE MATRICULATIONS Natalie Absher...................................................................... University of Kentucky Isaac Ammerman............................................................... Miami University of Ohio Lily Beck...................................................................................... Brown University Lillian Beiting............................................................................... Boston University Jack Bernard..................................................................................Kenyon College Chas Boden............................................................. Washington and Lee University Miles Buchart....................................................................... University of Kentucky Chase Butler......................................................................... University of Kentucky Alex Castle.......................................................................The Ohio State University John Circeo.................................................... Sewanee: The University of the South Will Claggett......................................................................... University of Kentucky Caroline Anne Clay........................................................... Texas Christian University Ella Cline.................................................Bluegrass Community & Technical College Ela Congleton...................................................................... University of Cincinnati Cate Conklin................................................................. University of South Carolina Samantha Coppedge.....................................................................Montreat College Freddie Duignan....................................................University College Dublin, Ireland Dominic Fannin..................................................................... University of Kentucky Coco Farish...............................................................Southern Methodist University Perle Fayida...................................................................................... Berea College James Owen Fenwick............................................ The University of Texas at Austin Madi Fortune.....................................................................University of Washington Olivia Gaines..............................................................Southern Methodist University Peek Garlington.........................................................Southern Methodist University Ricardo Gedaly..................................................................... University of Kentucky Veronica Hancock.......................................................... University of North Georgia Gist Heinrich....................................................................................Boston College Akiva Himelhoch.....................................................................University of Chicago Yusuf Kahloon............................................................................. Harvard University Aubrey Kearns................................................................ Morehead State University Caroline Leach............................................................. Western Kentucky University

CLASS OF 2020

Jared Lockhart.........................................Bluegrass Community & Technical College Juliette Longbottom................................Oxford Brookes University, United Kingdom Lauren Miller .....................................................................University of Mississippi Owen Murphy.........................................................................Graduating Next Year Wilkes Offutt...................................................................... Miami University of Ohio Josha Partin......................................................................University of Washington Luke Pennington ....................................................................Graduating Next Year Calvin Perez................................................................Appalachian State University Ryder Pergrem............................................................. Eastern Kentucky University Jack Pund............................................................................Transylvania University Fletcher Reed..................................................................University of Rhode Island Morgan Reeder...................................................... The University of Texas at Austin Ian Reesor............................................................................Transylvania University Claire Robbins........................................................................University of Chicago Brody Rogers........................................................................Transylvania University Abby Rubin........................................................................... University of Michigan Charlie Slabaugh.....................................................................Graduating Next Year Connor Smith....................................................................... University of Kentucky Paul Stanley........................................................................ University of Cincinnati Lauren Stigers...............................................................Gap Year – Dancing in NYC Will Taylor............................................................................. University of Kentucky Mia Telechbush.............................................................University of Illinois Chicago Gracie Templeman........................................................ Eastern Kentucky University John Henry Trimble...............................................................Binghamton University Sarah Vanemon.................................................................University of Washington Caleb Walker ............................................................................Marshall University Price Watts........................................................................... University of Kentucky Greer Webb............................................................. Washington and Lee University Miller Williams...................................................................... University of Kentucky Miya Yoshida........................................................................Georgetown University

CANDLELIGHT CEREMONY 12 4

Traditions – even those that didn’t occur – have a warm place in the hearts of Lexington School students.

This year, Candlelight Ceremony 2024, originally planned for eighth and fifth graders, included twelfth grade alums. The Class of 2020, unable to celebrate their final TLS months together because of COVID, made up for lost time this spring.

Invited back for the last day of school by Ms. MacCarthy, the students arrived in time to visit their former classrooms, hug teachers, roam familiar hallways, have lunch in the dining hall, and catch up with friends. Many had not seen each other throughout their four years of high school. In TLS

fashion, parents, grandparents, and siblings were also part of the reunion.

Mrs. Sallye Staley used her artistic talents to create a bulletin board showcasing archival photos at the T, which was a popular gathering spot. As the high school seniors knew it was TLS dress-up day, girls wore special finery and boys retrieved their greenand-blue TLS ties from their closets. Sporting their new Class of 2020 army green TLS hats with the pin oak leaf added to the graduates’ fashion statement.

The famous Candlelight Hug Line of students, faculty, and staff was extra robust– with more hugs, more smiles, more laughs, and, yes, more tears. TLS traditions only get better as the years go on.

Above: Miller, Jack, Charlie, Jack Left: Lauren, Olivia, Greer, Abby, Caroline Anne

13

CLASS OF 2020 COLLEGE MATRICULATIONS Natalie Absher...................................................................... University of Kentucky Isaac Ammerman............................................................... Miami University of Ohio Lily Beck...................................................................................... Brown University Lillian Beiting............................................................................... Boston University Jack Bernard..................................................................................Kenyon College Chas Boden............................................................. Washington and Lee University Miles Buchart....................................................................... University of Kentucky Chase Butler......................................................................... University of Kentucky Alex Castle.......................................................................The Ohio State University John Circeo.................................................... Sewanee: The University of the South Will Claggett......................................................................... University of Kentucky Caroline Anne Clay........................................................... Texas Christian University Ella Cline.................................................Bluegrass Community & Technical College Ela Congleton...................................................................... University of Cincinnati Cate Conklin................................................................. University of South Carolina Samantha Coppedge.....................................................................Montreat College Freddie Duignan....................................................University College Dublin, Ireland Dominic Fannin..................................................................... University of Kentucky Coco Farish...............................................................Southern Methodist University Perle Fayida...................................................................................... Berea College James Owen Fenwick............................................ The University of Texas at Austin Madi Fortune.....................................................................University of Washington Olivia Gaines..............................................................Southern Methodist University Peek Garlington.........................................................Southern Methodist University Ricardo Gedaly..................................................................... University of Kentucky Veronica Hancock.......................................................... University of North Georgia Gist Heinrich....................................................................................Boston College Akiva Himelhoch.....................................................................University of Chicago Yusuf Kahloon............................................................................. Harvard University Aubrey Kearns................................................................ Morehead State University Caroline Leach............................................................. Western Kentucky University

CLASS OF 2020

Jared Lockhart.........................................Bluegrass Community & Technical College Juliette Longbottom................................Oxford Brookes University, United Kingdom Lauren Miller .....................................................................University of Mississippi Owen Murphy.........................................................................Graduating Next Year Wilkes Offutt...................................................................... Miami University of Ohio Josha Partin......................................................................University of Washington Luke Pennington ....................................................................Graduating Next Year Calvin Perez................................................................Appalachian State University Ryder Pergrem............................................................. Eastern Kentucky University Jack Pund............................................................................Transylvania University Fletcher Reed..................................................................University of Rhode Island Morgan Reeder...................................................... The University of Texas at Austin Ian Reesor............................................................................Transylvania University Claire Robbins........................................................................University of Chicago Brody Rogers........................................................................Transylvania University Abby Rubin........................................................................... University of Michigan Charlie Slabaugh.....................................................................Graduating Next Year Connor Smith....................................................................... University of Kentucky Paul Stanley........................................................................ University of Cincinnati Lauren Stigers...............................................................Gap Year – Dancing in NYC Will Taylor............................................................................. University of Kentucky Mia Telechbush.............................................................University of Illinois Chicago Gracie Templeman........................................................ Eastern Kentucky University John Henry Trimble...............................................................Binghamton University Sarah Vanemon.................................................................University of Washington Caleb Walker ............................................................................Marshall University Price Watts........................................................................... University of Kentucky Greer Webb............................................................. Washington and Lee University Miller Williams...................................................................... University of Kentucky Miya Yoshida........................................................................Georgetown University

CANDLELIGHT CEREMONY 12 4

Traditions – even those that didn’t occur – have a warm place in the hearts of Lexington School students.

This year, Candlelight Ceremony 2024, originally planned for eighth and fifth graders, included twelfth grade alums. The Class of 2020, unable to celebrate their final TLS months together because of COVID, made up for lost time this spring.

Invited back for the last day of school by Ms. MacCarthy, the students arrived in time to visit their former classrooms, hug teachers, roam familiar hallways, have lunch in the dining hall, and catch up with friends. Many had not seen each other throughout their four years of high school. In TLS

fashion, parents, grandparents, and siblings were also part of the reunion.

Mrs. Sallye Staley used her artistic talents to create a bulletin board showcasing archival photos at the T, which was a popular gathering spot. As the high school seniors knew it was TLS dress-up day, girls wore special finery and boys retrieved their greenand-blue TLS ties from their closets. Sporting their new Class of 2020 army green TLS hats with the pin oak leaf added to the graduates’ fashion statement.

The famous Candlelight Hug Line of students, faculty, and staff was extra robust– with more hugs, more smiles, more laughs, and, yes, more tears. TLS traditions only get better as the years go on.

Above: Miller, Jack, Charlie, Jack Left: Lauren, Olivia, Greer, Abby, Caroline Anne

13

DID I START OUT T BE A TEACHER? NEVER.

tree, standing uncertainly under its mystical boughs.

Was I right to try this “teaching” for a year? Should I have stayed in New York? Was it unreasonable to expect to rekindle the light of my childhood at TLS? The branches billowed and whispered, and I heard the challenge and truth of the moment. But would it be enough to last for a whole year?

The answer is that it was more than enough for forty-nine years. Each day was a new adventure, a fresh challenge, an inspiring exchange of views, and a time to listen with open ears and heart. I never worked harder or laughed more. I never had colleagues I loved, trusted, and respected more than my fellow faculty. I relished the discussions with students about motives behind a leader’s actions. I loved seeing them develop their own opinions and learn to articulate their views with clarity, precision, and insight. There were some who did not think I could see the carefully folded note, detect the whispered word, or unravel the mystery of the secret candy supply. And then some of these very same, much-loved “weasels” would ask a question or offer a perception of such profundity that my heart would sing with joy. There were also those whose resilience and determination would leave me humbled and awestruck. There were those whose eyes would mist

over at the death of a favorite king or those who became incensed at the callous betrayal of a beloved leader. They had done more than take in the facts.

They had truly thought about the events and the emotional toll of leadership. Watching my students grow in depth and independence was to see the future take shape before me. It is no wonder that every single one of my students earned a special place in my heart.

So, no matter how unswerving you think your career path may be – know that there are always new adventures and unexpected pathways to explore. All the skills you have will be put to use in ways you may never have imagined, and applying those skills to a myriad of events is one of life’s greatest and most unending challenges.

I hope I have served the school, my students, and my colleagues with honor and love.

AND now as I begin new adventures, please keep me informed of your new chapters!

Happy Trails to One and All! Aidan, Student Board president, presented Miss Cowling with her own diploma as an Honorary Member of the Class of 2024.

Margaret Cowling ’64 (H’24)

By Margaret Cowling ’64 (H’24)

Miss Cowling offers a toast at her Scarlet Gate British Tea Party.

I was always very purposeful in my life’s direction. I was going to be an actress like Judi Dench or Maggie Smith and play a range of roles that drew people into captivating stories and explored unexpected, complicated characters. But life is full of surprising adventures, and sometimes careers choose you.

49 years at TLS. 49 years of a career that was never just a job. It opened my mind, challenged my spirit, and filled my heart.

I was living in New York, finishing a season at the New Jersey Shakespeare Festival, and then one day, there were people on the street selling leaves. Selling.

Leaves. . . . Yes. And it struck me hard. Memories of my childhood in Lexington rose before me with a beckoning pull. I called Bud Pritchett, still Headmaster at TLS. This was in August of 1975, and it was not likely they would have any openings at that late date.

It was also not likely that he would still remember me when I had been a student in his math class. Then fate intervened. There was an opening. A person who

— Margaret Cowling ’64 (H’24)

14 4

was going to teach drama and history had suddenly resigned. Could I step into that position? Of Course! I thought to myself it would only be for a year, a change of scenery, a time to find renewal in a town that had always been a special part of my heart. So I went.

The first place I visited upon my return was Ashland, the home of Henry Clay. It was a magical place then and it still is today. As a child, my friends and I climbed most of the trees, capered across the top of the brick garden wall, and let our imaginations soar. I sought my favorite climbing

15

DID I START OUT T BE A TEACHER? NEVER.

tree, standing uncertainly under its mystical boughs.

Was I right to try this “teaching” for a year? Should I have stayed in New York? Was it unreasonable to expect to rekindle the light of my childhood at TLS? The branches billowed and whispered, and I heard the challenge and truth of the moment. But would it be enough to last for a whole year?

The answer is that it was more than enough for forty-nine years. Each day was a new adventure, a fresh challenge, an inspiring exchange of views, and a time to listen with open ears and heart. I never worked harder or laughed more. I never had colleagues I loved, trusted, and respected more than my fellow faculty. I relished the discussions with students about motives behind a leader’s actions. I loved seeing them develop their own opinions and learn to articulate their views with clarity, precision, and insight. There were some who did not think I could see the carefully folded note, detect the whispered word, or unravel the mystery of the secret candy supply. And then some of these very same, much-loved “weasels” would ask a question or offer a perception of such profundity that my heart would sing with joy. There were also those whose resilience and determination would leave me humbled and awestruck. There were those whose eyes would mist

over at the death of a favorite king or those who became incensed at the callous betrayal of a beloved leader. They had done more than take in the facts.

They had truly thought about the events and the emotional toll of leadership. Watching my students grow in depth and independence was to see the future take shape before me. It is no wonder that every single one of my students earned a special place in my heart.

So, no matter how unswerving you think your career path may be – know that there are always new adventures and unexpected pathways to explore. All the skills you have will be put to use in ways you may never have imagined, and applying those skills to a myriad of events is one of life’s greatest and most unending challenges.

I hope I have served the school, my students, and my colleagues with honor and love.

AND now as I begin new adventures, please keep me informed of your new chapters!

Happy Trails to One and All! Aidan, Student Board president, presented Miss Cowling with her own diploma as an Honorary Member of the Class of 2024.

Margaret Cowling ’64 (H’24)

By Margaret Cowling ’64 (H’24)

Miss Cowling offers a toast at her Scarlet Gate British Tea Party.

I was always very purposeful in my life’s direction. I was going to be an actress like Judi Dench or Maggie Smith and play a range of roles that drew people into captivating stories and explored unexpected, complicated characters. But life is full of surprising adventures, and sometimes careers choose you.

49 years at TLS. 49 years of a career that was never just a job. It opened my mind, challenged my spirit, and filled my heart.

I was living in New York, finishing a season at the New Jersey Shakespeare Festival, and then one day, there were people on the street selling leaves. Selling.

Leaves. . . . Yes. And it struck me hard. Memories of my childhood in Lexington rose before me with a beckoning pull. I called Bud Pritchett, still Headmaster at TLS. This was in August of 1975, and it was not likely they would have any openings at that late date.

It was also not likely that he would still remember me when I had been a student in his math class. Then fate intervened. There was an opening. A person who

— Margaret Cowling ’64 (H’24)

14 4

was going to teach drama and history had suddenly resigned. Could I step into that position? Of Course! I thought to myself it would only be for a year, a change of scenery, a time to find renewal in a town that had always been a special part of my heart. So I went.

The first place I visited upon my return was Ashland, the home of Henry Clay. It was a magical place then and it still is today. As a child, my friends and I climbed most of the trees, capered across the top of the brick garden wall, and let our imaginations soar. I sought my favorite climbing

15

THE PATH...

Remembrances from alumni travels inspired by unforgettable and captivating classroom stories told by Margaret Cowling ’64 (H’24)

At Miss Cowling’s Scarlet Gate British Tea Party to celebrate her retirement, Una MacCarthy read words penned by Congressman Andy Barr ’89 from the May 28, 2024, United States Congressional Record, Proceedings and Debates of the 118th Congress, First Session, a portion of which is below. Congressman Barr also sent a crisply-folded American flag that had flown over the United States Capitol in honor of Miss Cowling.

“I am a great admirer of Miss Cowling as I was fortunate to be one of her many students. She instilled in me a strong passion for history. She taught me about Vikings, Egyptians, Ancient Greeks, Alexander the Great, medieval times, and so much more.

Miss Cowling had high expectations for all her students. An excellent storyteller, she made history come alive. Miss Cowling exemplified a love of learning that has stayed with me over the years.

“I have been impacted by many excellent teachers in my life, but Miss Cowling stands out as my favorite. It is my honor to acknowledge my friend and my teacher for her educational excellence, her enthusiasm for learning, and the impact she has had on me and thousands of other students over her 49-year career.

“Thank you, Mister Speaker, I yield back the remaining balance of my time.”

FROM CONGRESSMAN ANDY BARR ’89

MORE TRAVELED! ia ’20, ible gift for Oliv What an incred Margaret d me to have ha John ’23, and r during to en m d acher an Cowling as a te all of us a She instilled in our TLS careers. at informs th y love of histor d an r fo t ec sp re n our to this day. Whe and inspires us any last itt Br d an dy rman family visited No to see ay t out of our w summer, we wen nnected co e er w sites that many historical ly recreated argaret so vivid to the figures M rial site of including the bu and described, ux Tapestry, ye Ba ueror, the William the Conq here, built illard, pictured and Chateau Ga 96 during a Lionheart in 11

by Richard the ultaneously sim Richard was ch hi w in d rio pe rmandy. In and Duke of No King of England e. is the River Sein the background

16 4

M FROM THO

AS GAINES

’83:

I had the incr edible opport unity to visit Greece the su mmer after si xth grade – an I was the rock d star of the trip . When we visited a templ e or location I remembered from class, I di dn’t just nam e a battle that took plac e, I w play-by-play ac ould give an animated count of an ep ic clash of civilizations.

That family tr ip was a com plete dream for me. It brou ght to life ever ything I had learned in Mis s Cowling’s cl ass the year prior. I read Th e Iliad and Th e Odyssey on that trip or rig ht after. My lo ve of fantasy translated pe rfectly into Gre ek mythology !

FROM BEC

KET T FOG

G ’03:

17

THE PATH...

Remembrances from alumni travels inspired by unforgettable and captivating classroom stories told by Margaret Cowling ’64 (H’24)

At Miss Cowling’s Scarlet Gate British Tea Party to celebrate her retirement, Una MacCarthy read words penned by Congressman Andy Barr ’89 from the May 28, 2024, United States Congressional Record, Proceedings and Debates of the 118th Congress, First Session, a portion of which is below. Congressman Barr also sent a crisply-folded American flag that had flown over the United States Capitol in honor of Miss Cowling.

“I am a great admirer of Miss Cowling as I was fortunate to be one of her many students. She instilled in me a strong passion for history. She taught me about Vikings, Egyptians, Ancient Greeks, Alexander the Great, medieval times, and so much more.

Miss Cowling had high expectations for all her students. An excellent storyteller, she made history come alive. Miss Cowling exemplified a love of learning that has stayed with me over the years.

“I have been impacted by many excellent teachers in my life, but Miss Cowling stands out as my favorite. It is my honor to acknowledge my friend and my teacher for her educational excellence, her enthusiasm for learning, and the impact she has had on me and thousands of other students over her 49-year career.

“Thank you, Mister Speaker, I yield back the remaining balance of my time.”

FROM CONGRESSMAN ANDY BARR ’89

MORE TRAVELED! ia ’20, ible gift for Oliv What an incred Margaret d me to have ha John ’23, and r during to en m d acher an Cowling as a te all of us a She instilled in our TLS careers. at informs th y love of histor d an r fo t ec sp re n our to this day. Whe and inspires us any last itt Br d an dy rman family visited No to see ay t out of our w summer, we wen nnected co e er w sites that many historical ly recreated argaret so vivid to the figures M rial site of including the bu and described, ux Tapestry, ye Ba ueror, the William the Conq here, built illard, pictured and Chateau Ga 96 during a Lionheart in 11

by Richard the ultaneously sim Richard was ch hi w in d rio pe rmandy. In and Duke of No King of England e. is the River Sein the background

16 4

M FROM THO

AS GAINES

’83:

I had the incr edible opport unity to visit Greece the su mmer after si xth grade – an I was the rock d star of the trip . When we visited a templ e or location I remembered from class, I di dn’t just nam e a battle that took plac e, I w play-by-play ac ould give an animated count of an ep ic clash of civilizations.

That family tr ip was a com plete dream for me. It brou ght to life ever ything I had learned in Mis s Cowling’s cl ass the year prior. I read Th e Iliad and Th e Odyssey on that trip or rig ht after. My lo ve of fantasy translated pe rfectly into Gre ek mythology !

FROM BEC

KET T FOG

G ’03:

17

To be taught by Miss Cowling is to have walked throug h years of hist ory with your firmly on the gr feet ound – wheth er as a Sparta soldier during n the Battle of Th ermopylae, a firsthand witn ess to Lee’s su rrender at Appomattox Co urt House, or one of Caesar men crossing ’s the Rubicon. Si mply put, Miss Cowling teaches her st udents to love history. This pa ssion not only deepens our understanding of ourselves bu t also how we can make the world a better place. Although her teaching st yle might have led to hand cramps, it was a small price to pay for the wealth of know ledge she impa rted to every student who w alked into her classroom.

Like many who came before an d majored in hist ory because of after me, I Miss Cowling.

trip to joyed her 2019 Miss Cowling en than she and Mr. Jona England, when With Miss p. ou eroned a gr Herrington chap left, are at e, id gu h r Britis Cowling and thei Katherine, , er ey, Olivia, Fletch Samantha, Audr h. ra , Madi, and Sa Gigi, Mimi, Lucy

FROM GRIF FIN

Miss Cowlin g joins Elliot t Miller ’97 and Griffin M iller at Getty sburg

ND 2019: FROM ENGLA

FROM WICK HALLOS ’15 (LEFT):

One last (short) essay for Miss Cowling!

Visiting the ruins of Philippi with Alex and Hart, I’m sure there was one moment of everyone quietly thinking: Wouldn’t it be great if Miss Cowling gave us a quick lecture, here? With her teaching, we had been enchanted and delighted by world history almost every school day of the past year, and that made an impression. I remember leaving class, and about ten minutes later (the time it took for one writing hand to recover), wishing I could take it again.

18 4

FROM ALEX MILLS ’15 (CENTER):

HART HALLOS ’15 (RIGHT):

FROM ALEX MILLS ’15 (CENTER):

FROM WICK HALLOS ’15 (LEFT):

When I first moved from Greece and enrolled at TLS in sixth grade, being able to share my interest in Greek mythology with Miss Cowling not only deepened my fascination with the subject but also made me feel more included and welcomed in the community. She had a unique ability to transform detailed historical facts – be it the mummification practices of the Ancient Egyptians or the grim realities of the Battle of Gettysburg – into vivid, sensory-rich stories, making her lessons captivating, and revealing her profound love for history.

Artistic from an early age and enthusiastic at TLS with creations from a wide variety of media, rising seventh grader Hart Hallos made the colorful poster to honor Miss Cowling. Photo taken from Fall 2013 Pinpoints.

From adventure in the classroom to adventure overseas, Miss Cowling was all about exploring history. Her recall of historical facts and knowledge was always what stuck out to me the most. Everyone who took her history classes knew how she progressed from verbal lectures coupled with note-taking on the white board eventually to only verbally-taught lectures which challenged the student to focus and be a diligent, perhaps strategic, note-taker.

Beyond her recall, Miss Cowling’s passion for history made listening to her and conversing with her all the more enjoyable.

Photo taken at dinner in Edinburgh, Scotland, in September, 2018.

MILLER ’07:

FROM LUCAS LILLELUND ’13, in postgraduate studies at the University of Copenhagen:

19

To be taught by Miss Cowling is to have walked throug h years of hist ory with your firmly on the gr feet ound – wheth er as a Sparta soldier during n the Battle of Th ermopylae, a firsthand witn ess to Lee’s su rrender at Appomattox Co urt House, or one of Caesar men crossing ’s the Rubicon. Si mply put, Miss Cowling teaches her st udents to love history. This pa ssion not only deepens our understanding of ourselves bu t also how we can make the world a better place. Although her teaching st yle might have led to hand cramps, it was a small price to pay for the wealth of know ledge she impa rted to every student who w alked into her classroom.

Like many who came before an d majored in hist ory because of after me, I Miss Cowling.

trip to joyed her 2019 Miss Cowling en than she and Mr. Jona England, when With Miss p. ou eroned a gr Herrington chap left, are at e, id gu h r Britis Cowling and thei Katherine, , er ey, Olivia, Fletch Samantha, Audr h. ra , Madi, and Sa Gigi, Mimi, Lucy

FROM GRIF FIN

Miss Cowlin g joins Elliot t Miller ’97 and Griffin M iller at Getty sburg

ND 2019: FROM ENGLA

FROM WICK HALLOS ’15 (LEFT):

One last (short) essay for Miss Cowling!

Visiting the ruins of Philippi with Alex and Hart, I’m sure there was one moment of everyone quietly thinking: Wouldn’t it be great if Miss Cowling gave us a quick lecture, here? With her teaching, we had been enchanted and delighted by world history almost every school day of the past year, and that made an impression. I remember leaving class, and about ten minutes later (the time it took for one writing hand to recover), wishing I could take it again.

18 4

FROM ALEX MILLS ’15 (CENTER):

HART HALLOS ’15 (RIGHT):

FROM ALEX MILLS ’15 (CENTER):

FROM WICK HALLOS ’15 (LEFT):

When I first moved from Greece and enrolled at TLS in sixth grade, being able to share my interest in Greek mythology with Miss Cowling not only deepened my fascination with the subject but also made me feel more included and welcomed in the community. She had a unique ability to transform detailed historical facts – be it the mummification practices of the Ancient Egyptians or the grim realities of the Battle of Gettysburg – into vivid, sensory-rich stories, making her lessons captivating, and revealing her profound love for history.

Artistic from an early age and enthusiastic at TLS with creations from a wide variety of media, rising seventh grader Hart Hallos made the colorful poster to honor Miss Cowling. Photo taken from Fall 2013 Pinpoints.

From adventure in the classroom to adventure overseas, Miss Cowling was all about exploring history. Her recall of historical facts and knowledge was always what stuck out to me the most. Everyone who took her history classes knew how she progressed from verbal lectures coupled with note-taking on the white board eventually to only verbally-taught lectures which challenged the student to focus and be a diligent, perhaps strategic, note-taker.

Beyond her recall, Miss Cowling’s passion for history made listening to her and conversing with her all the more enjoyable.

Photo taken at dinner in Edinburgh, Scotland, in September, 2018.

MILLER ’07:

FROM LUCAS LILLELUND ’13, in postgraduate studies at the University of Copenhagen:

19

ADDED. VA L U E

Math Teacher Whitney Neuman Ward ’91 Retires

KLASSE

ACT

Whitney Neuman Ward ’91 loves everything about The Learning Center, where she has taught since 2014: the small class size, the one-on-one instruction, and the specifically crafted, differentiated instruction she has brought to each individual student. She says, “When I was a TLS student, I could have benefitted strongly from The Learning Center, ironically, in math, which is what I have taught my whole career here.”

RETIRING

To know Janet Roden is to know firsthand the depth and significance of The Lexington School relationships. In 2007, when she began teaching at TLS, her KinderKlasse teammate was Emily Ryan ’99, now Emily Ryan Taylor ’99, also a new TLS teacher that year.

With 17 years in the classroom together, the two women are dearest of friends. Mrs. Roden says, with warmest sentiment, “Emily is like a daughter to me; she’s the daughter I never had. She’s a year older than the older of my two sons.” That first day, Mrs. Roden already had 12 years’ experience teaching preschool. Ms. Ryan had 12 years’ experience as a TLS student from Montessori through ninth grade. Each brought her talents to the table; they were a perfect blend from the get-go.

With many families, KinderKlasse for three-year-olds is their first introduction to The Lexington School. At graduations over the years, parents and eighth graders often seek out Mrs. Roden and Mrs. Taylor to give hugs and thanks, saying, “It all started with you. It all began in

Top: With Mrs. Roden, Isla, Henry, and Amelia perform a song at the Kinderklasse annual tea party.

Bottom: Clay Monohan ’19 popped by to visit with his favorite KinderKlasse teachers.

20

your classroom.” Mrs. Roden has taught so many siblings, some families with three, four, or five children, that she has lost count.

She smiles remembering the mom at conference time who said there were struggles with tooth brushing. The next day, Mrs. Roden took her own toothbrush out of the cabinet and brushed “so my teeth would be clean after I’d had a piece of candy.” The mom sent a message, “I don’t know what you did, but all of a sudden tooth brushing is no longer an issue at our house.”

As Mrs. Roden says, “Teachers can sometimes create miracles.”

Decades from now, undoubtedly, her third and fourth graders will still recite some of her 12 chants and poems that began her class every day. The rhyming and the rhythm, along with arm gestures and whole-body movements, reinforced skills for adding and subtracting, multiplying and dividing, greater than and less than, fractions, for every math operation.

Mrs. Ward says, “I had high expectations and the students rose to them. I knew what they could produce, even if they didn’t yet realize it themselves.

I intentionally made them work for it, and I made it hard because I knew they could do it. That is the blessing of The Learning Center. We get to know our students. There’s a great deal of intuition that comes with it, knowing how far to go and when to pull back.

The Learning Center gave me the opportunity to practice that intuitive teaching skill.”

Her children, Harrison, Miles, and Clay, will continue to benefit from her lessons at home.

In 2014, as a new TLS teacher, Mrs. Ward smiles with her students, Ryder, Shawn, Price, Jackson, Leah, and Maggie.

ADDED. VA L U E

Math Teacher Whitney Neuman Ward ’91 Retires

KLASSE

ACT

Whitney Neuman Ward ’91 loves everything about The Learning Center, where she has taught since 2014: the small class size, the one-on-one instruction, and the specifically crafted, differentiated instruction she has brought to each individual student. She says, “When I was a TLS student, I could have benefitted strongly from The Learning Center, ironically, in math, which is what I have taught my whole career here.”

RETIRING

To know Janet Roden is to know firsthand the depth and significance of The Lexington School relationships. In 2007, when she began teaching at TLS, her KinderKlasse teammate was Emily Ryan ’99, now Emily Ryan Taylor ’99, also a new TLS teacher that year.

With 17 years in the classroom together, the two women are dearest of friends. Mrs. Roden says, with warmest sentiment, “Emily is like a daughter to me; she’s the daughter I never had. She’s a year older than the older of my two sons.” That first day, Mrs. Roden already had 12 years’ experience teaching preschool. Ms. Ryan had 12 years’ experience as a TLS student from Montessori through ninth grade. Each brought her talents to the table; they were a perfect blend from the get-go.

With many families, KinderKlasse for three-year-olds is their first introduction to The Lexington School. At graduations over the years, parents and eighth graders often seek out Mrs. Roden and Mrs. Taylor to give hugs and thanks, saying, “It all started with you. It all began in

Top: With Mrs. Roden, Isla, Henry, and Amelia perform a song at the Kinderklasse annual tea party.

Bottom: Clay Monohan ’19 popped by to visit with his favorite KinderKlasse teachers.

20

your classroom.” Mrs. Roden has taught so many siblings, some families with three, four, or five children, that she has lost count.

She smiles remembering the mom at conference time who said there were struggles with tooth brushing. The next day, Mrs. Roden took her own toothbrush out of the cabinet and brushed “so my teeth would be clean after I’d had a piece of candy.” The mom sent a message, “I don’t know what you did, but all of a sudden tooth brushing is no longer an issue at our house.”

As Mrs. Roden says, “Teachers can sometimes create miracles.”

Decades from now, undoubtedly, her third and fourth graders will still recite some of her 12 chants and poems that began her class every day. The rhyming and the rhythm, along with arm gestures and whole-body movements, reinforced skills for adding and subtracting, multiplying and dividing, greater than and less than, fractions, for every math operation.

Mrs. Ward says, “I had high expectations and the students rose to them. I knew what they could produce, even if they didn’t yet realize it themselves.

I intentionally made them work for it, and I made it hard because I knew they could do it. That is the blessing of The Learning Center. We get to know our students. There’s a great deal of intuition that comes with it, knowing how far to go and when to pull back.

The Learning Center gave me the opportunity to practice that intuitive teaching skill.”

Her children, Harrison, Miles, and Clay, will continue to benefit from her lessons at home.

In 2014, as a new TLS teacher, Mrs. Ward smiles with her students, Ryder, Shawn, Price, Jackson, Leah, and Maggie.

By Porter McRoberts ’86

STUCK ON MY SAILBOAT OUT ON THE OCEAN, ALONE WITH MY FAMILY AND A BROKEN ENGINE,

I HAD TO DO WHAT I ALMOST NEVER DID IN THE STATES: FIX IT MYSELF. SPINE SURGEON, RESEARCHER, DIRECTOR OF A MEDICAL GROUP, EVEN A STUDENT OF ANTHROPOLOGY, I HAD A BODY OF KNOWLEDGE THAT I NEEDED TO TURN TO. BUT THERE WAS STILL A HUGE LEARNING CURVE I HAD TO SIMPLY FIGURE OUT.

Built with Resilience At anchor near the south pass of Fakarava, Tuamotus, French Polynesia

23

By Porter McRoberts ’86

STUCK ON MY SAILBOAT OUT ON THE OCEAN, ALONE WITH MY FAMILY AND A BROKEN ENGINE,

I HAD TO DO WHAT I ALMOST NEVER DID IN THE STATES: FIX IT MYSELF. SPINE SURGEON, RESEARCHER, DIRECTOR OF A MEDICAL GROUP, EVEN A STUDENT OF ANTHROPOLOGY, I HAD A BODY OF KNOWLEDGE THAT I NEEDED TO TURN TO. BUT THERE WAS STILL A HUGE LEARNING CURVE I HAD TO SIMPLY FIGURE OUT.

Built with Resilience At anchor near the south pass of Fakarava, Tuamotus, French Polynesia

23

This was the life my wife, Helen, and daughters Grace, 15, and Lilly, 11, built when we bought a sailboat, Ibis, in Martinique, moved into it, and sailed back to the United States. After some adventure-filled trial runs around the Bahamas and Cuba, we sold our house, our cars – everything, and continued on a years-long trajectory that took us eventually through the Panama Canal, the vast Pacific Ocean, New Zealand, and beyond.

Prior to our grand adventure, we lived on the Intracoastal Waterway in Fort Lauderdale. I was in my forties when I found myself writing papers and book chapters and with six prospective FDA trials in process.

I was increasingly working weekends and the girls were growing up fast. When Helen and I returned from the gym at 7:00 A.M., we would catch alluring glimpses of people traveling south in their sailboats, none

way to up my medical license. I removed a tumor on someone’s hand, fixed a broken bone, patched up folks here and there.

We’d already had a broken bone ourselves, and something almost took off the rudder, but we persisted, learning the boat and learning how to fix things. We tried to respect the adage that the difference between adventure and adversity was attitude, and we chose adventure.

Throughout our sailboat years, we homeschooled Grace and Lilly learning all there was to know about pumps, electrical systems, the physics of sailing, and navigation.

The girls assured us they were absolutely enjoying the journey saying, “Every morning is like waking up in a treehouse.”

month challenging “adventure.” This was 2019, and, with a new engine, we headed west from Panama to the Galapagos, through the Gambier Islands and French Polynesia, 3,200 miles of open-ocean sailing with twenty days of no land.

We were a tiny, tiny, tiny speck. We were a 54-foot strip of American soil. The only laws out there were the laws of physics.

I would even say religious – experience, having overcome incredibly challenging times and achieving something that only we knew. We looked at each other over dinner that night and realized that we’d endured the storms, the massive seas, the broken equipment, the broken boat, the broken fingers, and the engine that failed, but now, together, we were in this holy place.

Toward the end of 2019, I had to return Stateside to keep my medical license active, and we left Ibis in New Zealand. COVID came, and we missed the last flight back to Ibis by twelve hours. Our boat was trapped in New Zealand, and she held our girls’ birth certificates. Everything of meaning to us was on that small ketch. We finally negotiated a release, and they put the sailboat on a boat to Tahiti where we met it. What a huge, emotional reunion with

Dr. McRoberts is an interventional spine and pain specialist, alumnus of The Lexington School, Henry Clay High School, Centre College, the University of Kentucky Anthropology Graduate Program, and University of Kentucky College of Medicine. He served his internship and residency at Loma Linda University Medical Center, and fellowship at Emory University School of Medicine. He has performed more than 55,000 spine and pain surgeries, and is Director of the Spine and Pain Medicine Program at Holy Cross Medical Group in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

“We are given two lives. We live our first life. Once we realize we have only one life, our second life begins.”

Left to right: At anchor at Cook’s Bay, Mo’orea, French Polynesia Just beneath the Lighthouse where Captain Cook observed the Transit of Venus across the Sun in 1769, to calculate the Earth’s distance from the Sun – his first expedition to the Pacific, the McRoberts family’s as well

—Ruminations on Building a Life, by Porter McRoberts ’86 looking stressed by ever-present pagers and beepers. We speculated on a change.

A friend asked us if we’d counted the number of weekends we had before Grace left for college. It wasn’t many. Life was slipping through our fingers. Helen and I agreed it was time for a Plan B, which soon became Plan A. We found sailing easy, but lots of things broke, and fixing the boat in places with no options made for MacGyver situations. We discovered other families doing what we were, creating a new community for us. In our year sailing the Caribbean, down to Bonaire, just north of Venezuela, I practiced medicine along the

Helen scouting for “coral Bommies” in Tahanea, Tuamotus Boat School, halfway between Fiji and Australia

24 4

Two roads diverged At the Y on Bonaire, north of Venezuela, most sailing families returned to the United States following the trade winds – a safe path. Continuing downwind would take us to Panama, which meant going through the Canal and, after massive effort, to New Zealand. We were anchored in Bonaire Marine Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site, directly above the reef, where National Geographic was filming right under our boat. With that perspective, we unanimously accepted the risk to go through the Panama Canal and into the Pacific Ocean.

Of course, as we made our way through the Canal, the engine light came on, providing us with an eight-

In the middle of this journey, I mentioned we were 1,700 miles from nearest land. Grace corrected me, “No, we’re only two miles from land. It’s just two miles below us.” I guess homeschooling was working.

We were surrounded by history, which we studied together, and we read Thor Heyerdahl’s Kon-Tiki with appreciation for our unique situation.

By the time we reached the Marquesas Islands, we’d sailed 5,000 miles, about the distance from New York to Istanbul. Perhaps that contributed to our moment of awe coming into Fatu Hiva, our first anchorage. It was about six o’clock in the morning, and the sun was rising through the clouds. It was like sailing into a massive cathedral. Volcanic walls jutted up from the ocean through the clouds. The clouds parted and huge beams of sunlight came down through the parapets into the anchorage. It was then it became crystal clear to all of us why we were doing this. This reward was a profound – and

our home. With COVID in full swing, we sailed the Pacific a second time, all the way to Fiji and down to Australia.

We brought Ibis back to the U.S. at the end of summer 2022 and sold her to a nice couple. I had bled in every corner of that boat. Helen lost her finger at one point, and we sewed it back on. She had a broken rib. We had all kinds of trials and tribulations, and many joys: getting to know the ways of the people of the ancient Guna Yala tribe in northeast Panama, diving in the remote lagoons of the Tuamotu Archipelago where we saw the world as Eden may have been, some areas where the last person there was Captain James Cook who died in 1779. Through all this, Ibis had been like a mother who took care of the four of us, and we took care of one another – all experiences that have given us a depth of understanding of our family and the world that will continue to grow even more over time.

25

This was the life my wife, Helen, and daughters Grace, 15, and Lilly, 11, built when we bought a sailboat, Ibis, in Martinique, moved into it, and sailed back to the United States. After some adventure-filled trial runs around the Bahamas and Cuba, we sold our house, our cars – everything, and continued on a years-long trajectory that took us eventually through the Panama Canal, the vast Pacific Ocean, New Zealand, and beyond.

Prior to our grand adventure, we lived on the Intracoastal Waterway in Fort Lauderdale. I was in my forties when I found myself writing papers and book chapters and with six prospective FDA trials in process.

I was increasingly working weekends and the girls were growing up fast. When Helen and I returned from the gym at 7:00 A.M., we would catch alluring glimpses of people traveling south in their sailboats, none

way to up my medical license. I removed a tumor on someone’s hand, fixed a broken bone, patched up folks here and there.

We’d already had a broken bone ourselves, and something almost took off the rudder, but we persisted, learning the boat and learning how to fix things. We tried to respect the adage that the difference between adventure and adversity was attitude, and we chose adventure.

Throughout our sailboat years, we homeschooled Grace and Lilly learning all there was to know about pumps, electrical systems, the physics of sailing, and navigation.

The girls assured us they were absolutely enjoying the journey saying, “Every morning is like waking up in a treehouse.”

month challenging “adventure.” This was 2019, and, with a new engine, we headed west from Panama to the Galapagos, through the Gambier Islands and French Polynesia, 3,200 miles of open-ocean sailing with twenty days of no land.

We were a tiny, tiny, tiny speck. We were a 54-foot strip of American soil. The only laws out there were the laws of physics.

I would even say religious – experience, having overcome incredibly challenging times and achieving something that only we knew. We looked at each other over dinner that night and realized that we’d endured the storms, the massive seas, the broken equipment, the broken boat, the broken fingers, and the engine that failed, but now, together, we were in this holy place.

Toward the end of 2019, I had to return Stateside to keep my medical license active, and we left Ibis in New Zealand. COVID came, and we missed the last flight back to Ibis by twelve hours. Our boat was trapped in New Zealand, and she held our girls’ birth certificates. Everything of meaning to us was on that small ketch. We finally negotiated a release, and they put the sailboat on a boat to Tahiti where we met it. What a huge, emotional reunion with

Dr. McRoberts is an interventional spine and pain specialist, alumnus of The Lexington School, Henry Clay High School, Centre College, the University of Kentucky Anthropology Graduate Program, and University of Kentucky College of Medicine. He served his internship and residency at Loma Linda University Medical Center, and fellowship at Emory University School of Medicine. He has performed more than 55,000 spine and pain surgeries, and is Director of the Spine and Pain Medicine Program at Holy Cross Medical Group in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

“We are given two lives. We live our first life. Once we realize we have only one life, our second life begins.”

Left to right: At anchor at Cook’s Bay, Mo’orea, French Polynesia Just beneath the Lighthouse where Captain Cook observed the Transit of Venus across the Sun in 1769, to calculate the Earth’s distance from the Sun – his first expedition to the Pacific, the McRoberts family’s as well

—Ruminations on Building a Life, by Porter McRoberts ’86 looking stressed by ever-present pagers and beepers. We speculated on a change.

A friend asked us if we’d counted the number of weekends we had before Grace left for college. It wasn’t many. Life was slipping through our fingers. Helen and I agreed it was time for a Plan B, which soon became Plan A. We found sailing easy, but lots of things broke, and fixing the boat in places with no options made for MacGyver situations. We discovered other families doing what we were, creating a new community for us. In our year sailing the Caribbean, down to Bonaire, just north of Venezuela, I practiced medicine along the

Helen scouting for “coral Bommies” in Tahanea, Tuamotus Boat School, halfway between Fiji and Australia

24 4

Two roads diverged At the Y on Bonaire, north of Venezuela, most sailing families returned to the United States following the trade winds – a safe path. Continuing downwind would take us to Panama, which meant going through the Canal and, after massive effort, to New Zealand. We were anchored in Bonaire Marine Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site, directly above the reef, where National Geographic was filming right under our boat. With that perspective, we unanimously accepted the risk to go through the Panama Canal and into the Pacific Ocean.

Of course, as we made our way through the Canal, the engine light came on, providing us with an eight-

In the middle of this journey, I mentioned we were 1,700 miles from nearest land. Grace corrected me, “No, we’re only two miles from land. It’s just two miles below us.” I guess homeschooling was working.

We were surrounded by history, which we studied together, and we read Thor Heyerdahl’s Kon-Tiki with appreciation for our unique situation.

By the time we reached the Marquesas Islands, we’d sailed 5,000 miles, about the distance from New York to Istanbul. Perhaps that contributed to our moment of awe coming into Fatu Hiva, our first anchorage. It was about six o’clock in the morning, and the sun was rising through the clouds. It was like sailing into a massive cathedral. Volcanic walls jutted up from the ocean through the clouds. The clouds parted and huge beams of sunlight came down through the parapets into the anchorage. It was then it became crystal clear to all of us why we were doing this. This reward was a profound – and

our home. With COVID in full swing, we sailed the Pacific a second time, all the way to Fiji and down to Australia.

We brought Ibis back to the U.S. at the end of summer 2022 and sold her to a nice couple. I had bled in every corner of that boat. Helen lost her finger at one point, and we sewed it back on. She had a broken rib. We had all kinds of trials and tribulations, and many joys: getting to know the ways of the people of the ancient Guna Yala tribe in northeast Panama, diving in the remote lagoons of the Tuamotu Archipelago where we saw the world as Eden may have been, some areas where the last person there was Captain James Cook who died in 1779. Through all this, Ibis had been like a mother who took care of the four of us, and we took care of one another – all experiences that have given us a depth of understanding of our family and the world that will continue to grow even more over time.

25

ALWAYS

DELIVER MORE THAN EXPECTED Built for Reliability Since Amazon was founded on July 5, 1994, the colossal company has changed the way people go about their lives worldwide. Calhoun Clifton ’99 knows that people are the heart of the success of her company, the heart of all companies. She says, “If I can teach anything to someone entering a corporate environment, it is that earning the trust of your people will propel you further than anything you think your own individual talents will get you. Your knowledge and gifts will get you only so far. Your people – your teammates, coworkers, colleagues, leaders – will push you over the edge toward success…. I teach my leaders all the time. It’s respectful.”

Calhoun Clifton ’99 on tarmac in front of Amazon Prime Air airplane

6

27

ALWAYS

DELIVER MORE THAN EXPECTED Built for Reliability Since Amazon was founded on July 5, 1994, the colossal company has changed the way people go about their lives worldwide. Calhoun Clifton ’99 knows that people are the heart of the success of her company, the heart of all companies. She says, “If I can teach anything to someone entering a corporate environment, it is that earning the trust of your people will propel you further than anything you think your own individual talents will get you. Your knowledge and gifts will get you only so far. Your people – your teammates, coworkers, colleagues, leaders – will push you over the edge toward success…. I teach my leaders all the time. It’s respectful.”

Calhoun Clifton ’99 on tarmac in front of Amazon Prime Air airplane

6

27

As Cargo Operations Manager, Ms. Clifton has been with Amazon four years, beginning as COVID was changing and challenging the world in uncountable ways. The company had recruited her before the pandemic, when her dreams and plans were in a different direction. With a strong background in luxury retail development, she was more than knee-deep then in beginning her own business close to home in central Kentucky, a wedding venue, where revenue was, naturally, generated by people being together. She had studied bricks-and-mortar and the psychology behind the customer’s tactile shopping, touching the fabrics, enjoying the experience, relishing the moment.

COVID was a frightening time for her. She knew enough to realize that the industry she loved and felt comfortable with might not survive years of shutdown.

Amazon was not anything she was looking for. Its what-you-need-now-and-how-you-can-get-it-ASAP priority was the outright opposite of Ms. Clifton’s previous focus. With further consideration, she saw in Amazon a different way to view the future – both the industry’s and her own. She contemplated the kind of industry that could survive in what might be the end of business as we know it.

As COVID’s impact grew and more people stayed home, so too did the demand grow for Amazon’s capabilities. Amazon workers transitioned into frontline workers – not healthcare professionals, but those who fulfilled basic needs, shipping PPE, tests, masks, toilet paper, paper towels, hand sanitizer, items unavailable

Kip Clifton ’96, Barrett Clifton ’04, Beth Hipp Clifton, Hayne Clifton ’01, Ray Clifton, Calhoun Clifton ’99, Calhoun’s fiancé, Paul Baker

28

at grocery stores for some people. Amazon grew exponentially during those several years. Ms. Clifton was not familiar with that type of business – fulfillment, industrial, customer-focused on filling basic needs.

“I never thought this was on my Bingo card,” she says. “I think about my time at Amazon and how much I’ve learned, how much I’ve grown as a professional, as a person, as a female leader in a male-dominated industry.”

Now on the aviation side of Amazon, more maledominated than the other Amazon network, Ms. Clifton is part of a team that runs the North American Air Hub near Cincinnati. Amazon has purchased approximately 968 acres around the CVG Airport. They have grown, and will expand more. Their first plane arrived on August 6, 2021. Today, there are 33 parking spots for 737s, 767s, and 747-230s. The planes have gotten larger. In phase one of a four-phase, ten-year plan, Amazon employs 4,500 associates and leaders in Northern Kentucky.

The $2.8-billion facility is 3/10 of a mile long, with the final build-out to be one-mile long, wall-to-wall, and to include 125 aircraft parking spaces.

An individual contributor, without direct reports, Ms. Clifton says, “I continue to impact my previous teams; I influence 2,000 associates. Amazon has a sortation building, the ramp (the taxiway and aircraft parking spots), and air traffic control, where I’ve been since we launched the building. We balance aircraft flow and the equipment outside. I am the last leader from the building’s launch, and have a solid amount of knowledge that I teach new leaders or those transferring from the sort side of the business to the ramp side.

Though we have books and manuals, to learn it and speak it, you need to be out there, working with the people and with the planes.”

In all areas, Amazon’s customer promise is to shorten the time between an order and delivery. As packages arrive at the airport, workers download or upload the planes for sortation before transporting them to the proper aircraft to depart for the destination.

Ms. Clifton explains, “I learn and then teach what our customers want, what they need, what we ship.

There is no limit to what Amazon will ship. Among countless other items, we ship pharmaceuticals, aquariums, and, eventually, livestock. Our limitation is that we load our own packages. Amazon orders are shipped in containers. Some customers don’t want shipping containers. They want to ship on pallets with nets over them, for instance. That’s new for us, so I

Clockwise from top left: Ms. Clifton with boxes; Ms. Clifton with mentees at the first annual Women in Aviation Allyship Summit; Ms. Clifton and mentee during Peak 2023

create a standard that is scalable – it can be small or large – and safe for all our teams. We ask ourselves the question: How do we continue to grow in this space?

I create the work standard, going through safety-risk analyses for every new process we introduce, getting those approved by the various stakeholders.

“I am passionate about the development of my people. I feel a tremendous sense of responsibility to my people. Getting them where they want to be and helping them is something that I’ve found can sometimes be lost in a large, corporate environment.

I’m a big believer that, no matter what business you

are in, people work for people. I am receptive to the person. Going that extra mile, getting that extra push out of people, they have to believe in you, and you have to show up for them. You have to deliver on what you say. It doesn’t mean you always get it right. When you get it wrong, you go back to your team and say, ‘Hey guys, I know I said we were going to do XYZ, and I tried. What I learned is that that isn’t the best way. I was wrong.’ You will find the more you admit you’re wrong, the more people trust you. It makes them stand behind you when you’re right. Building the trust of your people is invaluable.”

29

As Cargo Operations Manager, Ms. Clifton has been with Amazon four years, beginning as COVID was changing and challenging the world in uncountable ways. The company had recruited her before the pandemic, when her dreams and plans were in a different direction. With a strong background in luxury retail development, she was more than knee-deep then in beginning her own business close to home in central Kentucky, a wedding venue, where revenue was, naturally, generated by people being together. She had studied bricks-and-mortar and the psychology behind the customer’s tactile shopping, touching the fabrics, enjoying the experience, relishing the moment.

COVID was a frightening time for her. She knew enough to realize that the industry she loved and felt comfortable with might not survive years of shutdown.

Amazon was not anything she was looking for. Its what-you-need-now-and-how-you-can-get-it-ASAP priority was the outright opposite of Ms. Clifton’s previous focus. With further consideration, she saw in Amazon a different way to view the future – both the industry’s and her own. She contemplated the kind of industry that could survive in what might be the end of business as we know it.

As COVID’s impact grew and more people stayed home, so too did the demand grow for Amazon’s capabilities. Amazon workers transitioned into frontline workers – not healthcare professionals, but those who fulfilled basic needs, shipping PPE, tests, masks, toilet paper, paper towels, hand sanitizer, items unavailable

Kip Clifton ’96, Barrett Clifton ’04, Beth Hipp Clifton, Hayne Clifton ’01, Ray Clifton, Calhoun Clifton ’99, Calhoun’s fiancé, Paul Baker

28

at grocery stores for some people. Amazon grew exponentially during those several years. Ms. Clifton was not familiar with that type of business – fulfillment, industrial, customer-focused on filling basic needs.

“I never thought this was on my Bingo card,” she says. “I think about my time at Amazon and how much I’ve learned, how much I’ve grown as a professional, as a person, as a female leader in a male-dominated industry.”

Now on the aviation side of Amazon, more maledominated than the other Amazon network, Ms. Clifton is part of a team that runs the North American Air Hub near Cincinnati. Amazon has purchased approximately 968 acres around the CVG Airport. They have grown, and will expand more. Their first plane arrived on August 6, 2021. Today, there are 33 parking spots for 737s, 767s, and 747-230s. The planes have gotten larger. In phase one of a four-phase, ten-year plan, Amazon employs 4,500 associates and leaders in Northern Kentucky.

The $2.8-billion facility is 3/10 of a mile long, with the final build-out to be one-mile long, wall-to-wall, and to include 125 aircraft parking spaces.

An individual contributor, without direct reports, Ms. Clifton says, “I continue to impact my previous teams; I influence 2,000 associates. Amazon has a sortation building, the ramp (the taxiway and aircraft parking spots), and air traffic control, where I’ve been since we launched the building. We balance aircraft flow and the equipment outside. I am the last leader from the building’s launch, and have a solid amount of knowledge that I teach new leaders or those transferring from the sort side of the business to the ramp side.

Though we have books and manuals, to learn it and speak it, you need to be out there, working with the people and with the planes.”

In all areas, Amazon’s customer promise is to shorten the time between an order and delivery. As packages arrive at the airport, workers download or upload the planes for sortation before transporting them to the proper aircraft to depart for the destination.

Ms. Clifton explains, “I learn and then teach what our customers want, what they need, what we ship.

There is no limit to what Amazon will ship. Among countless other items, we ship pharmaceuticals, aquariums, and, eventually, livestock. Our limitation is that we load our own packages. Amazon orders are shipped in containers. Some customers don’t want shipping containers. They want to ship on pallets with nets over them, for instance. That’s new for us, so I

Clockwise from top left: Ms. Clifton with boxes; Ms. Clifton with mentees at the first annual Women in Aviation Allyship Summit; Ms. Clifton and mentee during Peak 2023

create a standard that is scalable – it can be small or large – and safe for all our teams. We ask ourselves the question: How do we continue to grow in this space?

I create the work standard, going through safety-risk analyses for every new process we introduce, getting those approved by the various stakeholders.

“I am passionate about the development of my people. I feel a tremendous sense of responsibility to my people. Getting them where they want to be and helping them is something that I’ve found can sometimes be lost in a large, corporate environment.

I’m a big believer that, no matter what business you

are in, people work for people. I am receptive to the person. Going that extra mile, getting that extra push out of people, they have to believe in you, and you have to show up for them. You have to deliver on what you say. It doesn’t mean you always get it right. When you get it wrong, you go back to your team and say, ‘Hey guys, I know I said we were going to do XYZ, and I tried. What I learned is that that isn’t the best way. I was wrong.’ You will find the more you admit you’re wrong, the more people trust you. It makes them stand behind you when you’re right. Building the trust of your people is invaluable.”

29

Built with Creativity

30

Taylor Swift lives in a totally different world from the one Beckett Fogg ’03 grew up in when she was in first through eighth grades at The Lexington School. These days, though, both women occupy some of the same galaxies. Ms. Fogg’s fashion design studio AREA, which she cofounded with Piotrek Panszczy, became a household name in many circles about ten minutes after Taylor Swift appeared at the 2024 Super Bowl wearing the brand’s crystal-embellished jeans, and that was only after buyers had to research the name of the studio.

31

Built with Creativity

30

Taylor Swift lives in a totally different world from the one Beckett Fogg ’03 grew up in when she was in first through eighth grades at The Lexington School. These days, though, both women occupy some of the same galaxies. Ms. Fogg’s fashion design studio AREA, which she cofounded with Piotrek Panszczy, became a household name in many circles about ten minutes after Taylor Swift appeared at the 2024 Super Bowl wearing the brand’s crystal-embellished jeans, and that was only after buyers had to research the name of the studio.

31

The path to the Super Bowl wasn’t easy.

“Fashion is an extremely tough career choice,” Ms. Fogg says. People think the fashion industry is a glamorous life, being out on the town, attending openings and parties nonstop. According to Ms. Fogg, “I don’t have time for any of that. The business is messy, hard work, and more difficult when you have limited resources and you’re competing with people who have a lot more. But that’s the nature of New York. Tough. Competitive. You have to be a hustler.”

With her architecture degree and a minor in studio art from the University of Virginia, in 2010 Ms. Fogg applied to the Fashion Design Master’s program at Parsons School of Design. Despite having no background in fashion, she was accepted, and was surrounded by people from wildly diverse backgrounds. She loved it. Soon she and fellow student Piotrek Panszczy were drawn to each other’s textiles, creativity, and approach to fashion in general.

As she relays, “We were young and naive and decided to start AREA. We were ambitious, full of ideas, and we saw a gap in the market. It was really about doing something different. In New York, so much fashion tends to be very commercial. Piotrek and I had a more creative approach. We’re a design-led studio. Creativity is the core of everything we do. In business, as well. It’s holistic throughout the company, and always important for us.

Ms. Fogg and her husband, JP Beaulac, on vacation with sons Dodge, two years old, and George, four 32

“We were brainstorming about what to call our business. His name is Piotrek Panszczy and mine is Beckett Fogg, names that don’t mix well. Also, our vision wasn’t about an individual person, but more about our community of supporters, people we worked with, artists and creators – open-ended. Because we weren’t sure where our business would take us, we wanted to keep our name versatile. AREA was the ultimate word, the perfect word: both a gathering place and how we approached textiles. The fabric became the starting point, the foundation of the brand. Our visual identity is closely linked with the textiles.”

The two young designers carved their path through the first years crafting their unique identity. Barneys, the New York department store, was the first high-profile business to take a chance on their brand.

AREA’s big break was their nomination as a 2016 finalist for the CFDA (Council of Fashion Designers of America, Inc.) Vogue Fashion Fund. The nomination gave AREA more visibility and helped leverage its recognition on Instagram. Ms. Fogg remembers, “We used that platform to introduce AREA to an audience, then allowed that audience to dictate where we took the brand. Pulling together a community of supporters was scary. We had an incredible photographer and stylist, and we all came up in the industry together. They remain some of our best friends.

“We were nervous going through the entire process of the Vogue Fashion Fund, trying to present this totallyput-together appearance. Vogue editor-in-chief, Anna Wintour, was doing a studio visit, which was crazy.

She rang our buzzer, and our elevator was broken. She climbed five flights of stairs to see us work.”

Post college, Ms. Fogg worked for Calvin Klein.

Despite this, she says, “When AREA began, Piotrek and I had to learn for ourselves how to do it. Fabric is expensive, and when you’re developing designs, you have to buy small amounts. It’s very expensive to buy less of something. You have to be creative. You have to be a little scrappy to approach business in a way that could work.

“We had to figure out creative ways to make our mark, to do a runway show without a budget, which we’ve had to do several times, or to put a collection together when we had no money. How could we reinterpret last season’s collection? That’s why crystal is great for us. You use it one season, break it down, use it again, build it back up, and it becomes something different.”

AREA gained more exposure as stores bought into their denim, T-shirts, and cocktail dresses. Some celebrities and VIPs with whom they had formed relationships promoted the brand. “It’s all come to this place now,” Ms. Fogg says, “where we have a great deal of brand momentum.

Taylor Swift wearing our jeans at the Super Bowl provided a major building block for us.

“I’ve been a huge fan of hers for a large part of my life. She connects with so many different types of people. People see themselves in her because she’s very real, and they want to be part of that. Right, now with the impact she has, you can’t even compare it to anyone on the planet.”

Ms. Fogg’s TLS teachers recognized signs of dyslexia early as she wrote backwards and had difficulty reading. She says, “I remember writing on sandpaper with my finger as a step toward learning to read. My whole world opened, and I grew to love reading. I was obsessed with Harry Potter. I think I read the first book 38 times for the fun and the challenge. Dyslexia is an incredible gift. I think differently for sure, and it can have a positive outcome. I 100% credit TLS for recognizing my dyslexia when I was so young.

“Miss Cowling taught us riveting stories in history class that challenged us to listen acutely and to take notes feverishly. We learned how to digest and process information. She was not only a history teacher, but she also taught critical thinking. I feel like TLS loves the challenge; it’s integral in every grade. That’s why TLS is the school it is today.

“My career choice has definitely been a huge risk.

I think risk taking was kind of ingrained in me, like I had to go for the challenge. In some ways, seeking the challenge has been natural.”

33

The path to the Super Bowl wasn’t easy.

“Fashion is an extremely tough career choice,” Ms. Fogg says. People think the fashion industry is a glamorous life, being out on the town, attending openings and parties nonstop. According to Ms. Fogg, “I don’t have time for any of that. The business is messy, hard work, and more difficult when you have limited resources and you’re competing with people who have a lot more. But that’s the nature of New York. Tough. Competitive. You have to be a hustler.”

With her architecture degree and a minor in studio art from the University of Virginia, in 2010 Ms. Fogg applied to the Fashion Design Master’s program at Parsons School of Design. Despite having no background in fashion, she was accepted, and was surrounded by people from wildly diverse backgrounds. She loved it. Soon she and fellow student Piotrek Panszczy were drawn to each other’s textiles, creativity, and approach to fashion in general.

As she relays, “We were young and naive and decided to start AREA. We were ambitious, full of ideas, and we saw a gap in the market. It was really about doing something different. In New York, so much fashion tends to be very commercial. Piotrek and I had a more creative approach. We’re a design-led studio. Creativity is the core of everything we do. In business, as well. It’s holistic throughout the company, and always important for us.

Ms. Fogg and her husband, JP Beaulac, on vacation with sons Dodge, two years old, and George, four 32

“We were brainstorming about what to call our business. His name is Piotrek Panszczy and mine is Beckett Fogg, names that don’t mix well. Also, our vision wasn’t about an individual person, but more about our community of supporters, people we worked with, artists and creators – open-ended. Because we weren’t sure where our business would take us, we wanted to keep our name versatile. AREA was the ultimate word, the perfect word: both a gathering place and how we approached textiles. The fabric became the starting point, the foundation of the brand. Our visual identity is closely linked with the textiles.”

The two young designers carved their path through the first years crafting their unique identity. Barneys, the New York department store, was the first high-profile business to take a chance on their brand.

AREA’s big break was their nomination as a 2016 finalist for the CFDA (Council of Fashion Designers of America, Inc.) Vogue Fashion Fund. The nomination gave AREA more visibility and helped leverage its recognition on Instagram. Ms. Fogg remembers, “We used that platform to introduce AREA to an audience, then allowed that audience to dictate where we took the brand. Pulling together a community of supporters was scary. We had an incredible photographer and stylist, and we all came up in the industry together. They remain some of our best friends.

“We were nervous going through the entire process of the Vogue Fashion Fund, trying to present this totallyput-together appearance. Vogue editor-in-chief, Anna Wintour, was doing a studio visit, which was crazy.

She rang our buzzer, and our elevator was broken. She climbed five flights of stairs to see us work.”

Post college, Ms. Fogg worked for Calvin Klein.

Despite this, she says, “When AREA began, Piotrek and I had to learn for ourselves how to do it. Fabric is expensive, and when you’re developing designs, you have to buy small amounts. It’s very expensive to buy less of something. You have to be creative. You have to be a little scrappy to approach business in a way that could work.

“We had to figure out creative ways to make our mark, to do a runway show without a budget, which we’ve had to do several times, or to put a collection together when we had no money. How could we reinterpret last season’s collection? That’s why crystal is great for us. You use it one season, break it down, use it again, build it back up, and it becomes something different.”

AREA gained more exposure as stores bought into their denim, T-shirts, and cocktail dresses. Some celebrities and VIPs with whom they had formed relationships promoted the brand. “It’s all come to this place now,” Ms. Fogg says, “where we have a great deal of brand momentum.

Taylor Swift wearing our jeans at the Super Bowl provided a major building block for us.

“I’ve been a huge fan of hers for a large part of my life. She connects with so many different types of people. People see themselves in her because she’s very real, and they want to be part of that. Right, now with the impact she has, you can’t even compare it to anyone on the planet.”

Ms. Fogg’s TLS teachers recognized signs of dyslexia early as she wrote backwards and had difficulty reading. She says, “I remember writing on sandpaper with my finger as a step toward learning to read. My whole world opened, and I grew to love reading. I was obsessed with Harry Potter. I think I read the first book 38 times for the fun and the challenge. Dyslexia is an incredible gift. I think differently for sure, and it can have a positive outcome. I 100% credit TLS for recognizing my dyslexia when I was so young.

“Miss Cowling taught us riveting stories in history class that challenged us to listen acutely and to take notes feverishly. We learned how to digest and process information. She was not only a history teacher, but she also taught critical thinking. I feel like TLS loves the challenge; it’s integral in every grade. That’s why TLS is the school it is today.

“My career choice has definitely been a huge risk.

I think risk taking was kind of ingrained in me, like I had to go for the challenge. In some ways, seeking the challenge has been natural.”

33

Built with Craftsmanship

In the school shop, where the thermometer pegged out at 130, Alex works at the power hammer, making a spring die for a project.

Alex Irwin ’15 developed life skills from an early age. With dyslexia as a constant and grand teacher, he has forged his own path, oftentimes the one of most resistance.

35

Built with Craftsmanship

In the school shop, where the thermometer pegged out at 130, Alex works at the power hammer, making a spring die for a project.

Alex Irwin ’15 developed life skills from an early age. With dyslexia as a constant and grand teacher, he has forged his own path, oftentimes the one of most resistance.

35

A

lex has always loved to create with his hands, build things, take stuff apart, rebuild it, just to see how it all worked. He likes the problem-solving side of things. He was inspired by his warm and loving maternal grandmother, Mrs. Judith Plucker – Mamama – in Greenville, Tennessee. She was an artist of many media, including paints, pottery, jewelry, and metal. In summer, he couldn’t get to her studio fast enough. “We’d spend all night in her studio, whatever project she had. Working with her, when you got into that creative flow, time stops. You just went for it, and neither one of us would realize what time it was.

When we finally looked at a clock, it’d be late at night, early in the morning, or the sun was coming up.”

After being homeschooled for a year after elementary school, entering The Learning Center in sixth grade was a big adjustment for Alex. He learned to take it one day at a time, to work through the struggle: “You watch other people doing fine with everything, and you’re however many steps behind, wondering why is this so hard? The Learning Center helped me with confidence and with creative problem-solving. It felt like two separate things with traditional learning and then the creative side. They helped me use my creativity as an advantage in the traditional school system. The Learning Center gave me tools I needed to become confident in those situations.

“When young guys and girls are struggling at the moment, it helps to see somebody who

has gone through it and come out on the other side. It’s difficult to look at it this way, but those of us with dyslexia have a big advantage because of how hard we have to try. We are used to putting in more effort every single day.

That compounds, and by the end of years, we’ve put in much more work than everybody else, in school, after school, every opportunity, really. A good way to think about it is that no experience is a bad experience if you learn something. If you’re uncomfortable, out of your comfort zone in a situation, odds are that you’ll probably learn something. It’s good to have a strong work ethic, and it’s a good thing to be stubborn sometimes. I’ve been pretty stubborn through many of my experiences. It has paid off for the better.”

Right after TLS, Alex found a beginner blacksmithing class at the community college in Berea. He was hooked. Even though he was the youngest person there, he took another class. For Christmas and his birthday, his parents gave him a forge and anvil and tools. Soon, he was in the garage, banging away throughout high school, learning every moment and loving every moment.

The American College of the Building Arts in Charleston was a strong fit for Alex. He forged through the unimaginable heat. Early on, he befriended a senior, who gave solid advice: “Like with anything, but with this in particular, you get out of it exactly what you put into it.”

That statement resonated with Alex, and he says, “I was fortunate to get that advice

“I got into the blacksmith’s shop that first day, and they got the forges going. The thermometer pegged out at 130. It was probably higher, but that was as high as it went.”

36

early. So, I decided I was going to put in as much as I could. I had four years. By the end of that, I wanted to look back and say that I didn’t think I could have done anything better. That I got everything out of it I could.

So that’s what I did. I was in the shop before everybody else, and I left after everybody else.”

Alex firmly believes his determined work ethic from the beginning of school opened opportunities in his later years with the program. His hard work and perseverance led to his taking part in large projects outside school, for the city, for larger organizations, and traveling abroad to the 2023 World Forging Championship.

From over 300 entries, Alex, his classmate Paul Reilly, and their professor Matthew Garton, earned an invitation to the Biennale Europea d’Arte Fabbrile di Stia in Stia, Italy, a small mountain town in Tuscany, an hour from Florence. Alex competed in both the team and the single event. Keeping with the competition’s Connections theme, the team made a bottle opener with many connected parts, an instant crowd-pleaser when they shook up a beer can and the top flew off!

Alex’s individual entry was a small sculpture with impressive joinery.

Stateside, Alex’s first large project, with Paul again, was for the Gibbes Museum of Art in Charleston. It was a collaboration with Fred Wilson, a nationally acclaimed artist of sculpture, painting, photography, collage, and printmaking. As part of Charleston’s Spoleto Festival USA, Mr. Wilson designed a handforged iron sculpture. OMNISCIENCE is a replica of a pair of Charleston gates, which he fashioned into a cage to hold a facsimile of a book by Omar Ibn Said, an enslaved Islamic scholar. The book is the only known Arabic-language autobiography penned by an enslaved African in the United States.

Alex says, “That was a big forging project for me, and one I was fortunate to be part of.

Paul and I worked on this in addition to our regular classwork. I think all the effort I put in beforehand at school had a direct impact on my getting that opportunity.”

Clockwise from top right: Alex, in his grandmother’s studio.

Matthew Garton, Alex’s professor; Fred Wilson, OMNISCIENCE designer; Paul Reilly, Alex’s classmate and collaborator; Alex, creator with Paul of the iron sculpture. At TLS graduation with Mrs. Jean Ezell, a favorite Learning Center teacher

To learn more about Alex, click https://www. alexirwiniron.com/about

The American College of the Building Arts’s senior-year Capstone Project, the culmination of four years of knowledge and experience gained, showcases student work. Alex explains, “I did a project for my uncle in Lynchburg, Virginia, who had just built a Craftsman-style house and wanted a chandelier. I built a chandelier, entry table, and fire screen for him. It was a lot of hours and hard work, but it was all worth it. I enjoyed pretty much every minute of it.”

At graduation, Alex received the distinguished Philip Simmons Award, given to the graduate who has been an outstanding blacksmithing artisan throughout the fouryear program. The widely known and greatly esteemed Mr. Simmons, often referred to as “Dean of Charleston’s blacksmiths” and “Keeper of the Gate,” created a vast amount of the ironwork renaissance throughout Charleston during his 77 years in the ironworking trade.

Now, post-grad, in Asheville, North Carolina, Alex is a journeyman, gaining experience as he travels to different places and works for different shops for various amounts of time. As he says, “You learn so much just by being in a space with somebody.”

Alex Irwin, with his gentle, reverent approach to life and his iron-clad work ethic, forges ahead on his artistic and his human journey.

37

A

lex has always loved to create with his hands, build things, take stuff apart, rebuild it, just to see how it all worked. He likes the problem-solving side of things. He was inspired by his warm and loving maternal grandmother, Mrs. Judith Plucker – Mamama – in Greenville, Tennessee. She was an artist of many media, including paints, pottery, jewelry, and metal. In summer, he couldn’t get to her studio fast enough. “We’d spend all night in her studio, whatever project she had. Working with her, when you got into that creative flow, time stops. You just went for it, and neither one of us would realize what time it was.

When we finally looked at a clock, it’d be late at night, early in the morning, or the sun was coming up.”

After being homeschooled for a year after elementary school, entering The Learning Center in sixth grade was a big adjustment for Alex. He learned to take it one day at a time, to work through the struggle: “You watch other people doing fine with everything, and you’re however many steps behind, wondering why is this so hard? The Learning Center helped me with confidence and with creative problem-solving. It felt like two separate things with traditional learning and then the creative side. They helped me use my creativity as an advantage in the traditional school system. The Learning Center gave me tools I needed to become confident in those situations.

“When young guys and girls are struggling at the moment, it helps to see somebody who

has gone through it and come out on the other side. It’s difficult to look at it this way, but those of us with dyslexia have a big advantage because of how hard we have to try. We are used to putting in more effort every single day.

That compounds, and by the end of years, we’ve put in much more work than everybody else, in school, after school, every opportunity, really. A good way to think about it is that no experience is a bad experience if you learn something. If you’re uncomfortable, out of your comfort zone in a situation, odds are that you’ll probably learn something. It’s good to have a strong work ethic, and it’s a good thing to be stubborn sometimes. I’ve been pretty stubborn through many of my experiences. It has paid off for the better.”

Right after TLS, Alex found a beginner blacksmithing class at the community college in Berea. He was hooked. Even though he was the youngest person there, he took another class. For Christmas and his birthday, his parents gave him a forge and anvil and tools. Soon, he was in the garage, banging away throughout high school, learning every moment and loving every moment.

The American College of the Building Arts in Charleston was a strong fit for Alex. He forged through the unimaginable heat. Early on, he befriended a senior, who gave solid advice: “Like with anything, but with this in particular, you get out of it exactly what you put into it.”

That statement resonated with Alex, and he says, “I was fortunate to get that advice

“I got into the blacksmith’s shop that first day, and they got the forges going. The thermometer pegged out at 130. It was probably higher, but that was as high as it went.”

36

early. So, I decided I was going to put in as much as I could. I had four years. By the end of that, I wanted to look back and say that I didn’t think I could have done anything better. That I got everything out of it I could.

So that’s what I did. I was in the shop before everybody else, and I left after everybody else.”

Alex firmly believes his determined work ethic from the beginning of school opened opportunities in his later years with the program. His hard work and perseverance led to his taking part in large projects outside school, for the city, for larger organizations, and traveling abroad to the 2023 World Forging Championship.

From over 300 entries, Alex, his classmate Paul Reilly, and their professor Matthew Garton, earned an invitation to the Biennale Europea d’Arte Fabbrile di Stia in Stia, Italy, a small mountain town in Tuscany, an hour from Florence. Alex competed in both the team and the single event. Keeping with the competition’s Connections theme, the team made a bottle opener with many connected parts, an instant crowd-pleaser when they shook up a beer can and the top flew off!

Alex’s individual entry was a small sculpture with impressive joinery.

Stateside, Alex’s first large project, with Paul again, was for the Gibbes Museum of Art in Charleston. It was a collaboration with Fred Wilson, a nationally acclaimed artist of sculpture, painting, photography, collage, and printmaking. As part of Charleston’s Spoleto Festival USA, Mr. Wilson designed a handforged iron sculpture. OMNISCIENCE is a replica of a pair of Charleston gates, which he fashioned into a cage to hold a facsimile of a book by Omar Ibn Said, an enslaved Islamic scholar. The book is the only known Arabic-language autobiography penned by an enslaved African in the United States.

Alex says, “That was a big forging project for me, and one I was fortunate to be part of.

Paul and I worked on this in addition to our regular classwork. I think all the effort I put in beforehand at school had a direct impact on my getting that opportunity.”

Clockwise from top right: Alex, in his grandmother’s studio.

Matthew Garton, Alex’s professor; Fred Wilson, OMNISCIENCE designer; Paul Reilly, Alex’s classmate and collaborator; Alex, creator with Paul of the iron sculpture. At TLS graduation with Mrs. Jean Ezell, a favorite Learning Center teacher

To learn more about Alex, click https://www. alexirwiniron.com/about

The American College of the Building Arts’s senior-year Capstone Project, the culmination of four years of knowledge and experience gained, showcases student work. Alex explains, “I did a project for my uncle in Lynchburg, Virginia, who had just built a Craftsman-style house and wanted a chandelier. I built a chandelier, entry table, and fire screen for him. It was a lot of hours and hard work, but it was all worth it. I enjoyed pretty much every minute of it.”

At graduation, Alex received the distinguished Philip Simmons Award, given to the graduate who has been an outstanding blacksmithing artisan throughout the fouryear program. The widely known and greatly esteemed Mr. Simmons, often referred to as “Dean of Charleston’s blacksmiths” and “Keeper of the Gate,” created a vast amount of the ironwork renaissance throughout Charleston during his 77 years in the ironworking trade.

Now, post-grad, in Asheville, North Carolina, Alex is a journeyman, gaining experience as he travels to different places and works for different shops for various amounts of time. As he says, “You learn so much just by being in a space with somebody.”

Alex Irwin, with his gentle, reverent approach to life and his iron-clad work ethic, forges ahead on his artistic and his human journey.

37

Carter, Gloria, Evan, and David celebrate winning the Outstanding Country Sign for South Africa.

ACADEMICS ATHLETICS ALUMNI

building a better

W RLD

By Molly Anderson and Dr. Lauren de Beer

TLS students are interested in questions of equity and inclusion, be it access to clean water across the world, ensuring that girls have the same educational opportunities as boys, or mitigating the impact of climate change.

Participants were: Eighth graders; Madeline, Jack, Sawyer. Seventh graders; Ezra, Ismail, Kate. Sixth graders; David, Carter, Avery, Emmy, Campbell, George, King, Ella, Hadley, Evan, Gloria, Mateo.

The Kentucky United Nations Assembly (KUNA), a three-day conference in Louisville, hosts middle schools from around the state to represent different countries in a United Nations simulation. Students learn about current global issues and offer creative solutions through the lens of a particular country.

38

After defending ideas to other delegations, they vote to pass or reject proposed resolutions. Last spring, advisors Molly Anderson, Dr. Lauren de Beer, and James Cox mentored 18 students who represented the countries of Qatar on issues of equal rights for migrants, and South Africa on ways to reduce the high rate of crime in the country.

The TLS delegations were excellent ambassadors for their countries and our school, and they were recognized for their creative country displays, thoughtful proposals, and strong public speaking skills with these awards: • Passage of Qatar’s resolution focused on rights of migrant workers • Secretary General’s Endorsement for Qatar’s resolution on migrant workers • Advisor Award for seventh grader Kate • Receiving Outstanding Speaker Awards for sixth grader George and seventh graders Ezra, Ismail • Outstanding Country Sign for South Africa • And the highlight - Outstanding Delegation for the school with the best overall World Expo display, quality of resolutions and debate, and delegates displaying compassion, teamwork, responsibility, and ethics.

“Competitions are crazy! You get one minute to perform as a team. Sometimes you have to switch off control, then repair or augment your robot. For the next three minutes, you get back in line to perform again. The tasks are complicated.

Think of a mini-Amazon warehouse. You have to move all the boxes from one side to the other and move around seven other things. You might fix one problem and create three more.” That whirlwind narration from Dr. Jason Hurst, co-coach with Megan Conley of the Robotics Team, gives a sharp synopsis of what some TLS students absolutely adore.

Mrs. Conley brought VEX Robotics to TLS, and, going into its sixth year, it has been a compelling offering for grades three through eight. She says, “My main goal for after-school enrichment was for students to build robots on their own.” Following prescribed guidelines, beginners are introduced to building robots, which take weeks to complete. Advanced students modify and are more creative. Problemsolving plays a major role at every step of the process.

Coding, too, is a favorite part of the program, as students code robots to go through a maze or pick up specific blocks and rearrange them. Adding to the excitement, these robots are controlled remotely.

Mrs. Conley points out, “The true aspect of robotics is to understand how we use them in society, in our industries today. That’s another aspect of what the students learn, especially when they code. For instance, they consider how we use tractors along an apple orchard to pick apples and how the robot on Mars right now communicates with people all the way back here on Earth.”

Lower and Middle Schoolers savor their competitions with pulse-quickening gusto. In addition to the mechanical aspect, interpersonal skills play a large part in the day’s final scores. Each team has an engineering notebook – filled with designs, redesigns, detailed drawings – which is presented to the judge, who interviews each competitor. Mrs. Conley and Dr. Hurst ensure their students are well prepared for the interview. Strong eye contact, firm handshakes, solid poise, and thorough preparation are key points, as well as important lifelong traits. TLS Robotics blends the best of humans and robots.

Graham and Jude determine their best strategy.

Inset: Graham, Jude, Cruz, and Vala ensure their robots are ready for competition.

39

Carter, Gloria, Evan, and David celebrate winning the Outstanding Country Sign for South Africa.

ACADEMICS ATHLETICS ALUMNI

building a better

W RLD

By Molly Anderson and Dr. Lauren de Beer

TLS students are interested in questions of equity and inclusion, be it access to clean water across the world, ensuring that girls have the same educational opportunities as boys, or mitigating the impact of climate change.

Participants were: Eighth graders; Madeline, Jack, Sawyer. Seventh graders; Ezra, Ismail, Kate. Sixth graders; David, Carter, Avery, Emmy, Campbell, George, King, Ella, Hadley, Evan, Gloria, Mateo.

The Kentucky United Nations Assembly (KUNA), a three-day conference in Louisville, hosts middle schools from around the state to represent different countries in a United Nations simulation. Students learn about current global issues and offer creative solutions through the lens of a particular country.

38

After defending ideas to other delegations, they vote to pass or reject proposed resolutions. Last spring, advisors Molly Anderson, Dr. Lauren de Beer, and James Cox mentored 18 students who represented the countries of Qatar on issues of equal rights for migrants, and South Africa on ways to reduce the high rate of crime in the country.

The TLS delegations were excellent ambassadors for their countries and our school, and they were recognized for their creative country displays, thoughtful proposals, and strong public speaking skills with these awards: • Passage of Qatar’s resolution focused on rights of migrant workers • Secretary General’s Endorsement for Qatar’s resolution on migrant workers • Advisor Award for seventh grader Kate • Receiving Outstanding Speaker Awards for sixth grader George and seventh graders Ezra, Ismail • Outstanding Country Sign for South Africa • And the highlight - Outstanding Delegation for the school with the best overall World Expo display, quality of resolutions and debate, and delegates displaying compassion, teamwork, responsibility, and ethics.

“Competitions are crazy! You get one minute to perform as a team. Sometimes you have to switch off control, then repair or augment your robot. For the next three minutes, you get back in line to perform again. The tasks are complicated.

Think of a mini-Amazon warehouse. You have to move all the boxes from one side to the other and move around seven other things. You might fix one problem and create three more.” That whirlwind narration from Dr. Jason Hurst, co-coach with Megan Conley of the Robotics Team, gives a sharp synopsis of what some TLS students absolutely adore.

Mrs. Conley brought VEX Robotics to TLS, and, going into its sixth year, it has been a compelling offering for grades three through eight. She says, “My main goal for after-school enrichment was for students to build robots on their own.” Following prescribed guidelines, beginners are introduced to building robots, which take weeks to complete. Advanced students modify and are more creative. Problemsolving plays a major role at every step of the process.

Coding, too, is a favorite part of the program, as students code robots to go through a maze or pick up specific blocks and rearrange them. Adding to the excitement, these robots are controlled remotely.

Mrs. Conley points out, “The true aspect of robotics is to understand how we use them in society, in our industries today. That’s another aspect of what the students learn, especially when they code. For instance, they consider how we use tractors along an apple orchard to pick apples and how the robot on Mars right now communicates with people all the way back here on Earth.”

Lower and Middle Schoolers savor their competitions with pulse-quickening gusto. In addition to the mechanical aspect, interpersonal skills play a large part in the day’s final scores. Each team has an engineering notebook – filled with designs, redesigns, detailed drawings – which is presented to the judge, who interviews each competitor. Mrs. Conley and Dr. Hurst ensure their students are well prepared for the interview. Strong eye contact, firm handshakes, solid poise, and thorough preparation are key points, as well as important lifelong traits. TLS Robotics blends the best of humans and robots.

Graham and Jude determine their best strategy.

Inset: Graham, Jude, Cruz, and Vala ensure their robots are ready for competition.

39

Below, left: Hawkins Schnabel ’16 handles the ball with precision.

Opposite page: Seventh grader Poppy outpaces a Morton Middle School player.

ACADEMICS ATHLETICS ALUMNI

AND THEY WILL COME “I was driving to get my mom some milk one Sunday afternoon.” In 1979, teenager Terry Justice lived on Fallon Road, a lacrosse throw from The Lexington School. He saw several older boys playing some kind of sport on the TLS field. Curious, he climbed over the fence. The players welcomed him, put a stick in his hand, and introduced him to the game of lacrosse. Mr. Justice says now, “I never did bring the milk home.” Soon, he’d go over to TLS after school and throw against the side of the building where the gym parking lot is now. “That’s where I learned to throw and catch lacrosse.”

Turn the clock forward to the late 1990s. Tom VanMeter, father of Field VanMeter ’94, Griffin VanMeter ’96, and Will-B VanMeter ’99, recalls, “At the very beginning, there was no organized lacrosse in Lexington of any sort, no schools, clubs, anything.” He, several non-TLS dads, and Reiley McDonald, his business partner and a former Cornell All-American LAX player, were about to change that. They began a club, the Lexington Lizards, and practiced at TLS. Then they got a coach, Terry Justice, who knew the neighborhood and knew the sport. “It blossomed from there,” Dr. VanMeter says, giving credit to Mr. McDonald, Coach Justice, and Kathy Waldman, mother of Matthew Waldman ’01, deceased; Caleigh Waldman Dillon ’03; and Dan Waldman ’05. “They were the real pioneers.

They got us organized, and Una MacCarthy [then Middle School Head, now Head of School] was encouraging at every turn.”

40

Mr. McDonald helped Dr. VanMeter and the others coach at TLS while he coached the beginning of Lexington’s lacrosse varsity recreational league, which eventually morphed into high school teams across the city. He is quick to underscore, “Tom is really the guy behind getting these kids started. They were good kids who needed fundamentals, which is what we taught them at The Lexington School.”

America’s oldest team sport, dating to 1100, had its beginnings with Native Americans, as Will-B VanMeter mentions, “Kentucky has Native American roots, even the name ‘Kentucky’ itself. It was only a matter of time before the sport caught on here and became part of the school.” Will-B got his first taste of lacrosse at Woodberry Forest Sports Camp, and says, “It was something we kids were attracted to. Maybe soccer or basketball isn’t your thing, and lacrosse offers a good alternative.”

Kathy Waldman knew TLS wanted a coach and called Mr. Justice in 2000. He says, “The opportunity to start the first team in Lexington means a lot to me.” Those first years Coach Justice lined up teams to compete with in Cincinnati and Louisville, and “those other teams looked like giants,” he said with a chuckle. The TLS schedule appeared daunting; many thought they had no chance . . . until they won their 41

Below, left: Hawkins Schnabel ’16 handles the ball with precision.

Opposite page: Seventh grader Poppy outpaces a Morton Middle School player.

ACADEMICS ATHLETICS ALUMNI

AND THEY WILL COME “I was driving to get my mom some milk one Sunday afternoon.” In 1979, teenager Terry Justice lived on Fallon Road, a lacrosse throw from The Lexington School. He saw several older boys playing some kind of sport on the TLS field. Curious, he climbed over the fence. The players welcomed him, put a stick in his hand, and introduced him to the game of lacrosse. Mr. Justice says now, “I never did bring the milk home.” Soon, he’d go over to TLS after school and throw against the side of the building where the gym parking lot is now. “That’s where I learned to throw and catch lacrosse.”

Turn the clock forward to the late 1990s. Tom VanMeter, father of Field VanMeter ’94, Griffin VanMeter ’96, and Will-B VanMeter ’99, recalls, “At the very beginning, there was no organized lacrosse in Lexington of any sort, no schools, clubs, anything.” He, several non-TLS dads, and Reiley McDonald, his business partner and a former Cornell All-American LAX player, were about to change that. They began a club, the Lexington Lizards, and practiced at TLS. Then they got a coach, Terry Justice, who knew the neighborhood and knew the sport. “It blossomed from there,” Dr. VanMeter says, giving credit to Mr. McDonald, Coach Justice, and Kathy Waldman, mother of Matthew Waldman ’01, deceased; Caleigh Waldman Dillon ’03; and Dan Waldman ’05. “They were the real pioneers.

They got us organized, and Una MacCarthy [then Middle School Head, now Head of School] was encouraging at every turn.”

40

Mr. McDonald helped Dr. VanMeter and the others coach at TLS while he coached the beginning of Lexington’s lacrosse varsity recreational league, which eventually morphed into high school teams across the city. He is quick to underscore, “Tom is really the guy behind getting these kids started. They were good kids who needed fundamentals, which is what we taught them at The Lexington School.”

America’s oldest team sport, dating to 1100, had its beginnings with Native Americans, as Will-B VanMeter mentions, “Kentucky has Native American roots, even the name ‘Kentucky’ itself. It was only a matter of time before the sport caught on here and became part of the school.” Will-B got his first taste of lacrosse at Woodberry Forest Sports Camp, and says, “It was something we kids were attracted to. Maybe soccer or basketball isn’t your thing, and lacrosse offers a good alternative.”

Kathy Waldman knew TLS wanted a coach and called Mr. Justice in 2000. He says, “The opportunity to start the first team in Lexington means a lot to me.” Those first years Coach Justice lined up teams to compete with in Cincinnati and Louisville, and “those other teams looked like giants,” he said with a chuckle. The TLS schedule appeared daunting; many thought they had no chance . . . until they won their 41

inaugural State Championship, then the second, then the third, then the fourth, 2002 - 2005. Coach Justice reflects, “I think back fondly on all those TLS players, all those young men. They were so eager to play.” With a number of coaching jobs along the way, in 2021, Mr. Justice, Kentucky Lacrosse Hall-of-Famer, retired from active lacrosse as the Head Coach at Transylvania University. Their first lacrosse coach, his teams scored 93 wins over 45 losses with a 39-3 record in regularseason conference play, as well as four consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances.

“If it weren’t for The Lexington School, lacrosse would not be as strong in Lexington as it is today.”

— Coach Terry Justice

The Championship banner which hangs in the gym speaks loudly for itself.

42

In addition to calling Mr. Justice, Ms. Waldman called USA Lacrosse, ordered a rule book, and sought names of others within the wide area who could help build upon the foundation Dr. VanMeter and Mr. McDonald had laid. “It was a lot of pavement pounding, but it was a happy convergence.” Soon girls took part, and Ms. Waldman and Patty Grossman, mother of Meg Grossman Sutton ’03 and Annie Grossman ’04, were coaches. As Ms. Waldman recounts, “My kids, all these kids, they said, ‘Please, please, please; we want to play lacrosse!’” She also emphasizes, “Many of these kids went on to play in college, and some have coached at college and at other levels. It’s passing it forward. Lacrosse has changed lives.

We never know where steps are going to lead.”

One who attests to lacrosse changing her life is Mrs. Sutton, avid TLS player and TLS coach from 2014 - 2018, undefeated all but the first year. She met Kyle Sutton, her future husband, while she coached at Ohio Wesleyan. “Lacrosse gave me the life I have now,” Mrs. Sutton says. “TLS has always been a catalyst for girls lacrosse in particular, the growth of that sport in Lexington, from the start.” TLS made their field space accessible, hosted other teams on campus, and generated excitement for the sport. “Win or lose, we were out there to learn and have fun. TLS has had a strong history, and it continues to have a strong presence in the world of girls lacrosse and Lexington.”

Another alum coach and a stalwart player at TLS is Greg Ladd ’01, who smiles when his players still call him “Coach.” He’s proud of his players, a number of whom are now in graduate school or law school, where he was when he coached them. No surprise, his son, Gregory, rising fifth grader, has loved lacrosse for years, played on the third-through-fifth grade team as a first grader, and he even scored some goals. The father-son duo has

participated in every TLS LAX offering, from the first team, to coaching at both JV and varsity levels, to the Fiddlesticks program, to the elementary team. “It warms my heart that the original intent of creating the program, exposing kids to lacrosse, and getting everyone access to play is still very much alive. Joe Conley, Jason Hurst, Ryan Bowers, and Tom Parlanti have been great stewards of that original vision from Dr. VanMeter and Reiley McDonald, building a program that is both competitive and accessible to everyone.”

In 2009, when Joe Conley arrived at TLS to teach middle school Spanish, he was soon assisting Trey Adams, middle school science and math teacher and lacrosse coach, out on the field. Logan Otto, who succeeded Mr. Adams, illustrates the close connections within the lacrosse community, which, truly, is family in many respects. As Mr. Otto coached at TLS where Mr. Justice had been the first coach, it was Mr. Otto who succeeded him, who has continued Transylvania lacrosse dominance, and who was chosen Heartland Collegiate Lacrosse Conference 2024 Coach of the Year.

Mr. Conley continued coaching the Lower Schoolers, then later, he added the JV. Jason Hurst, middle school science teacher, took the varsity helm in 2012, with Coach Conley as assistant. The team earned a State Championship that year, and another in 2014 with many star players being the younger brothers of the 2012 teammates.

When Coach Conley, TLS’s current coach, took over in 2019, TLS continued the tremendous success with Regional and State Championships three more times. Dr. Hurst mentions he was head coach with Mr. Conley his assistant, then roles reversed. “During those 13 years, we’ve probably only lost a dozen or so games.”

He continues, “We only have about 75 boys to choose from each year for our varsity team. At one point, every middle school boy except about five was on the team. It’s impressive to know that 60% to 80% of the boys in our school play lacrosse or have played lacrosse at one time or another. We begin at third grade now.”

learning life skills. It’s the spirit of the game and the honor of playing it.”

Katie Farmwald, Athletic Trainer and Athletic Director, speaks of last spring’s lacrosse season: “We had almost 50 boys on our middle school team who won the Central Kentucky Lacrosse Association Championship. We brought back girls lacrosse. For a few years, we didn’t have the numbers. Last spring, they lost only one game. We also now have youth girls lacrosse for the first time in third through fifth grades, as we’ve had youth boys for a while. Close to 100 of our students participated in lacrosse last spring, which builds on the solid beginning from 25 years ago.” Mrs. Farmwald also points out that “some of our high school kids who played lacrosse here came back to help with our middle school boys team, which we appreciated.”

Tom Parlanti, former Head of the Athletic Department, looks back 25 years when he says, “I am proud of our steadfast devotion to beginning something that immediately served our students. I couldn’t be certain what would happen after that because I simply had no idea what the impact would be both locally and more broadly within our state. It was the right decision for TLS, and the benefit that time has provided is one of immense growth of the sport within our state. I am proud that time has shown it to be the best practice for TLS and we’ve planted the seed in many other programs around the state. It was the proverbial pebble dropped into the pond, and the resulting ripple effect created larger and larger opportunities for our students and families, and for many others.”

ACADEMICS ATHLETICS ALUMNI

Opposite page, from left: Representing her teammates, Bella Baldecchi ’17 receives the 2017 trophy for the Lexington Girls Middle School League Championship. Jake Falcone ’15 anticipates his next move.

Left: Central Kentucky Lacrosse Association 2019 Champion Varsity Team; Joe Conley, Coach; All from the Class of 2019 Front Row: Jake Nahra Middle Row: Charlie Jefferson, Reed Applegate, Ben Pund with trophy, Teague Roth Back Row: Carter Ashmun, Buntaro Yoshida, George Freeman, Alex Baldecchi

“It all started with Terry Justice, and we have been carrying his torch. We’ve had this winning pedigree that went on to new levels.”

— Coach Jason Hurst Coach Conley speaks with his signature fervor when he says, “Athletics are extremely important to kids, physically and mentally both. The kids and I talk about the importance of developing relationships and friendships, of team-building, character-building, of

43

inaugural State Championship, then the second, then the third, then the fourth, 2002 - 2005. Coach Justice reflects, “I think back fondly on all those TLS players, all those young men. They were so eager to play.” With a number of coaching jobs along the way, in 2021, Mr. Justice, Kentucky Lacrosse Hall-of-Famer, retired from active lacrosse as the Head Coach at Transylvania University. Their first lacrosse coach, his teams scored 93 wins over 45 losses with a 39-3 record in regularseason conference play, as well as four consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances.

“If it weren’t for The Lexington School, lacrosse would not be as strong in Lexington as it is today.”

— Coach Terry Justice

The Championship banner which hangs in the gym speaks loudly for itself.

42

In addition to calling Mr. Justice, Ms. Waldman called USA Lacrosse, ordered a rule book, and sought names of others within the wide area who could help build upon the foundation Dr. VanMeter and Mr. McDonald had laid. “It was a lot of pavement pounding, but it was a happy convergence.” Soon girls took part, and Ms. Waldman and Patty Grossman, mother of Meg Grossman Sutton ’03 and Annie Grossman ’04, were coaches. As Ms. Waldman recounts, “My kids, all these kids, they said, ‘Please, please, please; we want to play lacrosse!’” She also emphasizes, “Many of these kids went on to play in college, and some have coached at college and at other levels. It’s passing it forward. Lacrosse has changed lives.

We never know where steps are going to lead.”

One who attests to lacrosse changing her life is Mrs. Sutton, avid TLS player and TLS coach from 2014 - 2018, undefeated all but the first year. She met Kyle Sutton, her future husband, while she coached at Ohio Wesleyan. “Lacrosse gave me the life I have now,” Mrs. Sutton says. “TLS has always been a catalyst for girls lacrosse in particular, the growth of that sport in Lexington, from the start.” TLS made their field space accessible, hosted other teams on campus, and generated excitement for the sport. “Win or lose, we were out there to learn and have fun. TLS has had a strong history, and it continues to have a strong presence in the world of girls lacrosse and Lexington.”

Another alum coach and a stalwart player at TLS is Greg Ladd ’01, who smiles when his players still call him “Coach.” He’s proud of his players, a number of whom are now in graduate school or law school, where he was when he coached them. No surprise, his son, Gregory, rising fifth grader, has loved lacrosse for years, played on the third-through-fifth grade team as a first grader, and he even scored some goals. The father-son duo has

participated in every TLS LAX offering, from the first team, to coaching at both JV and varsity levels, to the Fiddlesticks program, to the elementary team. “It warms my heart that the original intent of creating the program, exposing kids to lacrosse, and getting everyone access to play is still very much alive. Joe Conley, Jason Hurst, Ryan Bowers, and Tom Parlanti have been great stewards of that original vision from Dr. VanMeter and Reiley McDonald, building a program that is both competitive and accessible to everyone.”

In 2009, when Joe Conley arrived at TLS to teach middle school Spanish, he was soon assisting Trey Adams, middle school science and math teacher and lacrosse coach, out on the field. Logan Otto, who succeeded Mr. Adams, illustrates the close connections within the lacrosse community, which, truly, is family in many respects. As Mr. Otto coached at TLS where Mr. Justice had been the first coach, it was Mr. Otto who succeeded him, who has continued Transylvania lacrosse dominance, and who was chosen Heartland Collegiate Lacrosse Conference 2024 Coach of the Year.

Mr. Conley continued coaching the Lower Schoolers, then later, he added the JV. Jason Hurst, middle school science teacher, took the varsity helm in 2012, with Coach Conley as assistant. The team earned a State Championship that year, and another in 2014 with many star players being the younger brothers of the 2012 teammates.

When Coach Conley, TLS’s current coach, took over in 2019, TLS continued the tremendous success with Regional and State Championships three more times. Dr. Hurst mentions he was head coach with Mr. Conley his assistant, then roles reversed. “During those 13 years, we’ve probably only lost a dozen or so games.”

He continues, “We only have about 75 boys to choose from each year for our varsity team. At one point, every middle school boy except about five was on the team. It’s impressive to know that 60% to 80% of the boys in our school play lacrosse or have played lacrosse at one time or another. We begin at third grade now.”

learning life skills. It’s the spirit of the game and the honor of playing it.”

Katie Farmwald, Athletic Trainer and Athletic Director, speaks of last spring’s lacrosse season: “We had almost 50 boys on our middle school team who won the Central Kentucky Lacrosse Association Championship. We brought back girls lacrosse. For a few years, we didn’t have the numbers. Last spring, they lost only one game. We also now have youth girls lacrosse for the first time in third through fifth grades, as we’ve had youth boys for a while. Close to 100 of our students participated in lacrosse last spring, which builds on the solid beginning from 25 years ago.” Mrs. Farmwald also points out that “some of our high school kids who played lacrosse here came back to help with our middle school boys team, which we appreciated.”

Tom Parlanti, former Head of the Athletic Department, looks back 25 years when he says, “I am proud of our steadfast devotion to beginning something that immediately served our students. I couldn’t be certain what would happen after that because I simply had no idea what the impact would be both locally and more broadly within our state. It was the right decision for TLS, and the benefit that time has provided is one of immense growth of the sport within our state. I am proud that time has shown it to be the best practice for TLS and we’ve planted the seed in many other programs around the state. It was the proverbial pebble dropped into the pond, and the resulting ripple effect created larger and larger opportunities for our students and families, and for many others.”

ACADEMICS ATHLETICS ALUMNI

Opposite page, from left: Representing her teammates, Bella Baldecchi ’17 receives the 2017 trophy for the Lexington Girls Middle School League Championship. Jake Falcone ’15 anticipates his next move.

Left: Central Kentucky Lacrosse Association 2019 Champion Varsity Team; Joe Conley, Coach; All from the Class of 2019 Front Row: Jake Nahra Middle Row: Charlie Jefferson, Reed Applegate, Ben Pund with trophy, Teague Roth Back Row: Carter Ashmun, Buntaro Yoshida, George Freeman, Alex Baldecchi

“It all started with Terry Justice, and we have been carrying his torch. We’ve had this winning pedigree that went on to new levels.”

— Coach Jason Hurst Coach Conley speaks with his signature fervor when he says, “Athletics are extremely important to kids, physically and mentally both. The kids and I talk about the importance of developing relationships and friendships, of team-building, character-building, of

43

ACADEMICS ATHLETICS ALUMNI

Ricky & Other Love Stories (Sarabande) is the second book from Whitney Martin Collins ’88. Released in June 2024, these stories follow her first collection, BIG BAD (Sarabande, 2021), which won the Mary McCarthy Prize, a Bronze INDIES, and a Gold IPPY. Whitney is also a recipient of a Best American Short Stories Distinguished Story nod, a Pushcart Prize, and the American Short(er) Fiction Prize. She lives in Kentucky with her sons, where she teaches Creative Writing and Publishing at Midway University.

Book description: From Whitney Collins, the awardwinning author of BIG BAD, come 23 new dark, derelict (and hilarious) tales about love … and the stories we tell ourselves about it. Among the wacky, tacky, lovesick, and lovelorn characters are: Ilona, the misanthropic mother and unhappy fiancé, who is increasingly transfixed by a rash of local shark attacks; Imogen, the sperm bank client, who cultivates the love she madly desires inside herself; and Aurora Flood, the coma survivor on a mission to plant a sacred seed from the Olive Garden. Blending elements of southern gothic, speculative fiction, and horror, Ricky & Other Love Stories is political and personal, bitter and sweet: ultimately a lot like love.

“BRILLIANT, TENDER, AND TRUE.” —Dana Vachon co-author with Jim Carrey of Memoirs and Misinformation “IT’S HARD TO THINK OF ANY OTHER WRITER DOING ANYTHING QUITE LIKE HER.” —Andrew Bertaina author of One Person Away from You “…A FIERCELY IMAGINATIVE AND DEVASTATINGLY ASTUTE WRITER.” —Hannah Pittard author of We Are Too Many

44

On June 9, 2024, Eli Scarr ’91 and his father, Mark Scarr, former fourth grade TLS teacher, attended the presentation at Lexington Public Library of Translator for Peace, produced and edited by Eli. The documentary premiered in 2023 at Louisville’s International Festival of Film. It details the life of United Nations translator Tracy Ansell, whose professional career led her from the UN Operation in the Congo (1960) to the UN Economic Commission for Africa in Ethiopia and the UN Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean’s headquarters in Chile. Eli looks forward to an opportunity to present Translator for Peace later this year at Lexington Public Library Marksbury Family Branch.

The documentary poster design is by Robert Beatty.

Eli says, “Through his prolific work, Robert has helped bring international music and graphic art appreciation to the Lexington arts community. His continued support of local artists and musicians is inspiring and a healthy reminder to me that encouragement can mean so much to young artists attempting to develop their respective artforms. I consider Robert’s contribution to this particular documentary endeavor a blessing, especially being a fan of his artistic oeuvre that includes album cover art for musicians gracing the soundtrack.”

[Editor’s Note] Eli sent his alumni news while he was oceanside in South Carolina. As he received thanks for doing TLS homework on vacation, he replied, “My initial TLS homework was practicing my cursive letters while vacationing here on Pawleys Island as an incoming third grader. Thankful to note that I recall Judy Apple’s classroom fondly.”

Johanna R. Thomas ’97 is a practicing attorney in the communications, internet, and technology industries. Currently, Johanna works for the U.S. House of Representatives’ Committee on Energy and Commerce where she is a Democratic Counsel to the Subcommittee on Communications and Technology.

Prior to arriving at the Committee, Johanna was a Partner at Jenner & Block in the law firm’s Communications, Internet, and Technology practice group. Johanna has also worked at the Federal Communications Commission and Arnold & Porter.

Outside of work, Johanna will soon be the Secretary for the Federal Communications Bar Association. She also serves as Class Secretary for Dartmouth College’s Class of 2004 and is Vice-President of the Washington (DC) Chapter of the Links, Inc. In addition, she loves when she can play tennis and golf, practice yoga, travel, and spend time with her family and friends in the Washington, DC, area. This Spring, Johanna was home for Derby, which made her remember the fun years she spent celebrating Derby weekend at TLS through the tricycle-racing competitions and the annual carnivals. She always looked forward to Derby weekend as a kid not only because her parents’ friends and her family came into town, but also because TLS knew how to kick off Derby celebrations in the best way possible.

Additionally, she will never forget all the goldfish she won at the various carnival games!

Laura and John Brooks ’02 are thrilled to announce the arrival of their second daughter, Liza, born on December 28, 2023. Liza came into the world healthy and happy, bringing immense joy to the family. Her big sister, Virginia Adair, is already embracing her new role with love and enthusiasm, showering Liza with affection and care. John and Laura are cherishing these precious moments with their two little girls, grateful for their growing family. John, especially, looks forward to the day when both his daughters will attend TLS as he did, continuing a cherished family tradition.

45

ACADEMICS ATHLETICS ALUMNI

Ricky & Other Love Stories (Sarabande) is the second book from Whitney Martin Collins ’88. Released in June 2024, these stories follow her first collection, BIG BAD (Sarabande, 2021), which won the Mary McCarthy Prize, a Bronze INDIES, and a Gold IPPY. Whitney is also a recipient of a Best American Short Stories Distinguished Story nod, a Pushcart Prize, and the American Short(er) Fiction Prize. She lives in Kentucky with her sons, where she teaches Creative Writing and Publishing at Midway University.

Book description: From Whitney Collins, the awardwinning author of BIG BAD, come 23 new dark, derelict (and hilarious) tales about love … and the stories we tell ourselves about it. Among the wacky, tacky, lovesick, and lovelorn characters are: Ilona, the misanthropic mother and unhappy fiancé, who is increasingly transfixed by a rash of local shark attacks; Imogen, the sperm bank client, who cultivates the love she madly desires inside herself; and Aurora Flood, the coma survivor on a mission to plant a sacred seed from the Olive Garden. Blending elements of southern gothic, speculative fiction, and horror, Ricky & Other Love Stories is political and personal, bitter and sweet: ultimately a lot like love.

“BRILLIANT, TENDER, AND TRUE.” —Dana Vachon co-author with Jim Carrey of Memoirs and Misinformation “IT’S HARD TO THINK OF ANY OTHER WRITER DOING ANYTHING QUITE LIKE HER.” —Andrew Bertaina author of One Person Away from You “…A FIERCELY IMAGINATIVE AND DEVASTATINGLY ASTUTE WRITER.” —Hannah Pittard author of We Are Too Many

44

On June 9, 2024, Eli Scarr ’91 and his father, Mark Scarr, former fourth grade TLS teacher, attended the presentation at Lexington Public Library of Translator for Peace, produced and edited by Eli. The documentary premiered in 2023 at Louisville’s International Festival of Film. It details the life of United Nations translator Tracy Ansell, whose professional career led her from the UN Operation in the Congo (1960) to the UN Economic Commission for Africa in Ethiopia and the UN Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean’s headquarters in Chile. Eli looks forward to an opportunity to present Translator for Peace later this year at Lexington Public Library Marksbury Family Branch.

The documentary poster design is by Robert Beatty.

Eli says, “Through his prolific work, Robert has helped bring international music and graphic art appreciation to the Lexington arts community. His continued support of local artists and musicians is inspiring and a healthy reminder to me that encouragement can mean so much to young artists attempting to develop their respective artforms. I consider Robert’s contribution to this particular documentary endeavor a blessing, especially being a fan of his artistic oeuvre that includes album cover art for musicians gracing the soundtrack.”

[Editor’s Note] Eli sent his alumni news while he was oceanside in South Carolina. As he received thanks for doing TLS homework on vacation, he replied, “My initial TLS homework was practicing my cursive letters while vacationing here on Pawleys Island as an incoming third grader. Thankful to note that I recall Judy Apple’s classroom fondly.”

Johanna R. Thomas ’97 is a practicing attorney in the communications, internet, and technology industries. Currently, Johanna works for the U.S. House of Representatives’ Committee on Energy and Commerce where she is a Democratic Counsel to the Subcommittee on Communications and Technology.

Prior to arriving at the Committee, Johanna was a Partner at Jenner & Block in the law firm’s Communications, Internet, and Technology practice group. Johanna has also worked at the Federal Communications Commission and Arnold & Porter.

Outside of work, Johanna will soon be the Secretary for the Federal Communications Bar Association. She also serves as Class Secretary for Dartmouth College’s Class of 2004 and is Vice-President of the Washington (DC) Chapter of the Links, Inc. In addition, she loves when she can play tennis and golf, practice yoga, travel, and spend time with her family and friends in the Washington, DC, area. This Spring, Johanna was home for Derby, which made her remember the fun years she spent celebrating Derby weekend at TLS through the tricycle-racing competitions and the annual carnivals. She always looked forward to Derby weekend as a kid not only because her parents’ friends and her family came into town, but also because TLS knew how to kick off Derby celebrations in the best way possible.

Additionally, she will never forget all the goldfish she won at the various carnival games!

Laura and John Brooks ’02 are thrilled to announce the arrival of their second daughter, Liza, born on December 28, 2023. Liza came into the world healthy and happy, bringing immense joy to the family. Her big sister, Virginia Adair, is already embracing her new role with love and enthusiasm, showering Liza with affection and care. John and Laura are cherishing these precious moments with their two little girls, grateful for their growing family. John, especially, looks forward to the day when both his daughters will attend TLS as he did, continuing a cherished family tradition.

45

ACADEMICS ATHLETICS ALUMNI

In Charleston, SC, Brooke Baker ’03 is Momma to sweet Loreley, nicknamed Lou, born July 27, 2022.

They enjoy exploring the great outdoors together, especially camping, perhaps inspired by those TLS trips. The photo of them was taken when they visited Brooke’s brother, Thomas Baker ’08, who lives in San Diego.

Thomas and his fiancé Rachel Geil were recently engaged, and are super excited. She was born and raised in Lexington, and despite having many mutual friends, the two didn’t meet until they both lived in Chicago. They moved from Chicago to San Diego a little over a year ago, and they love it for now, though they’ll likely move back closer to Lexington after a couple of years.

Like Brooke and Lou, Thomas and Rachel spend lots of time outdoors. Running and playing volleyball keeps them fit. Thomas is Head of Software Engineering at Obie, a tech startup in the insurance space. He was the company’s first employee, and they’ve grown to over 100 so far. He says, “It’s been quite a ride! It’s an exciting job where every day is different.”

As he thinks back to his TLS days, Thomas says, “Learning to play volleyball from Mr. Parlanti has certainly come in handy. I never had to write tougher, or more fun, papers than the ones we wrote in Mrs. Bonzo-Sims’s class, and I really loved all the hands-on lessons in our science classes, like robotic cars with Mr. Johnson!”

Thomas Baker ’08 and Rachel Geil

46

From Maggie Wilson-Knox ’06: Hello TLS family!

On April 14, 2024, Kyndall Lanter and Marshall English ’05, son of Susan and Vic English ’74, were married in a sunset beach ceremony in Vero Beach, Florida, with the reception at Quail Valley River Club. Among those in the wedding party were best man Jordan English ’02 and Ellee English ’09, as well as flower girls Noelle, rising first grader, and June, rising Prekindergartner, daughters of Jordan and his wife, Meredith English.

Marshall and Kyndall live in Lexington with their two Labrador Retrievers and two cats.

Kyndall graduated from the University of Southern Mississippi and began working for Valvoline the morning after the couple returned from their Grenada honeymoon. Marshall works for Rock Star Home Systems and is a member of the Jordan English Band.

Marshall has many wonderful memories of his TLS days, and he treasures the friendships he made during his nine years. He also loves hearing the stories his two nieces share about the fun they currently have at TLS.

Although I graduated from TLS in 2006, it feels like just yesterday when I was walking through those beloved halls. I have since graduated from Georgetown College in 2014 and the University of Kentucky Physician Assistant program in 2018.

I’m so grateful for my TLS teachers who fostered my interest in the sciences. It all started in Ms. Zimmerman’s fourth grade science class! Thank goodness Ms. Lounsbury taught us all the bones – I had an advantage going into my orthopedic surgery PA residency in Chicago!

My husband, Conor Knox, and I are now settled in Cincinnati. I work at an orthopedics practice here, focusing primarily on spine disorders. My family has been growing, and being a mom is my favorite accomplishment yet! Cosie, our older daughter, is two years old, and we welcomed Kit, our second baby girl, in March.

Thank you to the TLS community for continued encouragement.

Sending best wishes to everyone!

Jack Totty ’09 founded Antigua Threads, offering handmade belts and leather goods, in 2022 after a number of trips to Antigua, Guatemala, the ancient seat of the Mayan Empire, filled with cobblestone streets, old churches, and a vibrant culture.

The business aims to empower local Guatemalan artisans with high-paying, skilled jobs and to produce the highest-quality belts on the market. Antigua belts are vibrant yet vintage and come from a rich, 2,000-year-old craft of weaving on a foot loom.

Unfortunately, the craft has been declining with the younger generations, which is why Antigua Threads aims to keep this craft alive by increasing awareness and demand for these beautiful Guatemalan woven goods.

“Everything we do at Antigua Threads is to support the people and the place where our products come from. It is such a special place to us, and the people are the friendliest, some of the most talented craftspeople in the world. We want to share and spread that,” Totty said.

Antigua Threads is working on some bigger projects, including collaborations with up-andcoming musician Daniel Donato and Lexington’s own Keeneland.

“I would not have started this business and been so entrepreneurial without the influence of my time at The Lexington School; I am sure of that,” Totty added.

47

ACADEMICS ATHLETICS ALUMNI

In Charleston, SC, Brooke Baker ’03 is Momma to sweet Loreley, nicknamed Lou, born July 27, 2022.

They enjoy exploring the great outdoors together, especially camping, perhaps inspired by those TLS trips. The photo of them was taken when they visited Brooke’s brother, Thomas Baker ’08, who lives in San Diego.

Thomas and his fiancé Rachel Geil were recently engaged, and are super excited. She was born and raised in Lexington, and despite having many mutual friends, the two didn’t meet until they both lived in Chicago. They moved from Chicago to San Diego a little over a year ago, and they love it for now, though they’ll likely move back closer to Lexington after a couple of years.

Like Brooke and Lou, Thomas and Rachel spend lots of time outdoors. Running and playing volleyball keeps them fit. Thomas is Head of Software Engineering at Obie, a tech startup in the insurance space. He was the company’s first employee, and they’ve grown to over 100 so far. He says, “It’s been quite a ride! It’s an exciting job where every day is different.”

As he thinks back to his TLS days, Thomas says, “Learning to play volleyball from Mr. Parlanti has certainly come in handy. I never had to write tougher, or more fun, papers than the ones we wrote in Mrs. Bonzo-Sims’s class, and I really loved all the hands-on lessons in our science classes, like robotic cars with Mr. Johnson!”

Thomas Baker ’08 and Rachel Geil

46

From Maggie Wilson-Knox ’06: Hello TLS family!

On April 14, 2024, Kyndall Lanter and Marshall English ’05, son of Susan and Vic English ’74, were married in a sunset beach ceremony in Vero Beach, Florida, with the reception at Quail Valley River Club. Among those in the wedding party were best man Jordan English ’02 and Ellee English ’09, as well as flower girls Noelle, rising first grader, and June, rising Prekindergartner, daughters of Jordan and his wife, Meredith English.

Marshall and Kyndall live in Lexington with their two Labrador Retrievers and two cats.

Kyndall graduated from the University of Southern Mississippi and began working for Valvoline the morning after the couple returned from their Grenada honeymoon. Marshall works for Rock Star Home Systems and is a member of the Jordan English Band.

Marshall has many wonderful memories of his TLS days, and he treasures the friendships he made during his nine years. He also loves hearing the stories his two nieces share about the fun they currently have at TLS.

Although I graduated from TLS in 2006, it feels like just yesterday when I was walking through those beloved halls. I have since graduated from Georgetown College in 2014 and the University of Kentucky Physician Assistant program in 2018.

I’m so grateful for my TLS teachers who fostered my interest in the sciences. It all started in Ms. Zimmerman’s fourth grade science class! Thank goodness Ms. Lounsbury taught us all the bones – I had an advantage going into my orthopedic surgery PA residency in Chicago!

My husband, Conor Knox, and I are now settled in Cincinnati. I work at an orthopedics practice here, focusing primarily on spine disorders. My family has been growing, and being a mom is my favorite accomplishment yet! Cosie, our older daughter, is two years old, and we welcomed Kit, our second baby girl, in March.

Thank you to the TLS community for continued encouragement.

Sending best wishes to everyone!

Jack Totty ’09 founded Antigua Threads, offering handmade belts and leather goods, in 2022 after a number of trips to Antigua, Guatemala, the ancient seat of the Mayan Empire, filled with cobblestone streets, old churches, and a vibrant culture.

The business aims to empower local Guatemalan artisans with high-paying, skilled jobs and to produce the highest-quality belts on the market. Antigua belts are vibrant yet vintage and come from a rich, 2,000-year-old craft of weaving on a foot loom.

Unfortunately, the craft has been declining with the younger generations, which is why Antigua Threads aims to keep this craft alive by increasing awareness and demand for these beautiful Guatemalan woven goods.

“Everything we do at Antigua Threads is to support the people and the place where our products come from. It is such a special place to us, and the people are the friendliest, some of the most talented craftspeople in the world. We want to share and spread that,” Totty said.

Antigua Threads is working on some bigger projects, including collaborations with up-andcoming musician Daniel Donato and Lexington’s own Keeneland.

“I would not have started this business and been so entrepreneurial without the influence of my time at The Lexington School; I am sure of that,” Totty added.

47

Carolyn and Bud Pritchett are photographed at home in Brevard, North Carolina.

Their dear friend Claire Macfarlane (H’79) took the picture.

In Memoriam

ACADEMICS ATHLETICS ALUMNI

Larry Pritchett ’72

by Susan Pritchett, His Wife

For the delight of all ages, Dave Fishback drives his tractor, pulling a hay wagon, on the TLS campus.

The Lexington School offers warm condolences to the family of Dr. Dave Fishback ’63, father of Leslie Fishback Cutchins ’92 and Sarah Fishback ’03. He was a member of TLS’s first graduating class, a former trustee, and a dependable and tireless alum volunteer throughout the decades.

A lifelong Woodford County farmer, Dr. Fishback was a highly regarded veterinarian at Woodford Veterinary Clinic and at Hagyard Equine Medical Institute. He was equally respected and admired throughout the community for his gentle kindness and his soft-spoken humility.

TLS schoolmate and Woodford County neighbor, Todd Trimble Graddy ’64, holds dear their longtime friendship. She recalls, “When we were students, the school was much smaller, and, despite being in different grades, Davey and I were in some of the same classes: English, history, and others. Our teachers often grouped the small number of students of different class years together. More recently, as I have served on the Alumni Council, Davey has been my go-to person as a sounding board, offering solid ideas for reengaging our fellow alums from the ’60s.

He has loved The Lexington School since he was a teenager and has been generous in serving his alma mater in a variety of ways. When listening to fellow aged alums, he supported their ‘old ways’ of connecting … such as no QR-code giving, and appreciating handwritten notes! He was with us through many generations with love and support.”

48

Lawrence Forest Pritchett ’72 passed away on March 20, 2024.

Larry was born in Charlottesville, Virginia, to the late Carolyn Lawrence Pritchett (H’99) and the late Norton “Bud” Goodier Pritchett Jr. (H’81).

Larry loved writing and playing music, cooking and sharing his never-ending supply of gratitude and joy of life with his family and friends. As a voice actor and graphic designer, his ability to work from home allowed him to spend quality time with his wife and sons, which is what he loved most.

Larry is survived by his wife, Susan; his two sons, Adam and Derik; his sister, Jennifer Pritchett ’74; and his nephew, Nash Pritchett. His brother, Chip Pritchett ’69, predeceased him.

Larry and his parents had many sweet and funny stories from their time at The Lexington School. One of Carolyn’s favorites was about the day Larry, at a very young age, came home from school, looked up at her, and said, “Mr. Pritchett says we must not leave our mittens on the bus!”

Growing up in the Pritchett family, Larry learned what it meant to be a strong, loving, and fun husband and father. Some of Adam and Derik’s first memories are of their Dad sitting on their beds playing James Taylor and Beatles songs to them before they went to sleep. Both boys have grown up playing and sharing their dad’s love of music.

As a husband, Larry was always loving, kind, and supportive, but his incredible sense of humor and boisterous laugh were the hallmarks that made life with him full of fun and joy.

Smiling powerhouse Claire Macfarlane (H’79), dynamic and energetic positive thinker, died July 9, 2024.

Mother of Sandy Macfarlane ’69, Lindsay Macfarlane Maurer ’72, Duncan Macfarlane ’75, and Stuart Macfarlane Gesen ’78, she was grandmother, too, of Duncan Macfarlane ’00, Stuart Macfarlane ’03, and Christopher Macfarlane ’06. She also had eight grandchildren and five great-grands who did not attend The Lexington School only because they lived nowhere near Lexington, Kentucky.

Claire and her husband, Dr. Noble Macfarlane (Mac) were vital members of the school family from the beginning, with Sandy as a first-day student the morning TLS opened, September 14, 1959. Claire noted with a smile that he was the first Lexington School student to begin in kindergarten, go all the way through, and graduate from ninth grade. Claire began teaching kindergarten and art in 1961, followed suit as Alumni Secretary, then Alumni Director, retiring in 1980, but never, ever relinquishing her active volunteer role. She was a valued and contributing member of the Alumni Council, with perfect attendance at the meetings.

At Claire’s Celebration of Life in Concord, New Hampshire, where she had moved to be closer to Stuart and her family, one of the first things Lindsay said, was, “Mimi was all about family. We are Mimi’s proudest accomplishment. Our parents were always partners. They raised their four children as a team.”

The Lexington School is a better place because of the one-and-only Claire Macfarlane and her beloved family.

Carolyn Pritchett (H’99)

by Duncan Macfarlane ’75

Warm, compassionate, and ever-present is how so many fondly remember Carolyn Pritchett (H’99), who died on June 5, 2024. At The Lexington School, she was the ever-supportive person behind Norton G. Pritchett Jr. (H’81), the school’s first Headmaster, from 1961 to 1981. As a nurse at The Lexington Clinic, Carolyn’s calming demeanor and warm smile assured patients that everything would be all right.

I had the good fortune to know her as a dear family friend. Aunt Carolyn and my father worked together at The Lexington Clinic; my mother and Uncle Buddy worked together at The Lexington School. Our families shared many holiday dinners with lots of fun and games and always looked forward to that sinful treat, Christmas Torte. Later in retirement, Claire, Mac, Carolyn, and Bud visited each other regularly. If there was a project to tackle, Uncle Buddy and Aunt Carolyn were always willing and able.

Carolyn and Bud Pritchett, her husband of 66 years, raised three children, Chip ’69, Larry ’72, and Jenny ’74, and were active members of the First Presbyterian Church in Lexington as well as the Brevard-Davidson River Presbyterian Church in Brevard, North Carolina, where they retired in 1994. Having met in high school in Charlottesville, Virginia, they both went to the University of Virginia.

Bud Pritchett received his undergraduate and master’s degree in education. Carolyn Pritchett received her degree in nursing. Carolyn was preceded in death by her husband, Bud, and sons, Chip and Larry.

Carolyn is survived by her daughter, Jenny, who lives in Brevard.

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Carolyn and Bud Pritchett are photographed at home in Brevard, North Carolina.

Their dear friend Claire Macfarlane (H’79) took the picture.

In Memoriam

ACADEMICS ATHLETICS ALUMNI

Larry Pritchett ’72

by Susan Pritchett, His Wife

For the delight of all ages, Dave Fishback drives his tractor, pulling a hay wagon, on the TLS campus.

The Lexington School offers warm condolences to the family of Dr. Dave Fishback ’63, father of Leslie Fishback Cutchins ’92 and Sarah Fishback ’03. He was a member of TLS’s first graduating class, a former trustee, and a dependable and tireless alum volunteer throughout the decades.

A lifelong Woodford County farmer, Dr. Fishback was a highly regarded veterinarian at Woodford Veterinary Clinic and at Hagyard Equine Medical Institute. He was equally respected and admired throughout the community for his gentle kindness and his soft-spoken humility.

TLS schoolmate and Woodford County neighbor, Todd Trimble Graddy ’64, holds dear their longtime friendship. She recalls, “When we were students, the school was much smaller, and, despite being in different grades, Davey and I were in some of the same classes: English, history, and others. Our teachers often grouped the small number of students of different class years together. More recently, as I have served on the Alumni Council, Davey has been my go-to person as a sounding board, offering solid ideas for reengaging our fellow alums from the ’60s.

He has loved The Lexington School since he was a teenager and has been generous in serving his alma mater in a variety of ways. When listening to fellow aged alums, he supported their ‘old ways’ of connecting … such as no QR-code giving, and appreciating handwritten notes! He was with us through many generations with love and support.”

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Lawrence Forest Pritchett ’72 passed away on March 20, 2024.

Larry was born in Charlottesville, Virginia, to the late Carolyn Lawrence Pritchett (H’99) and the late Norton “Bud” Goodier Pritchett Jr. (H’81).

Larry loved writing and playing music, cooking and sharing his never-ending supply of gratitude and joy of life with his family and friends. As a voice actor and graphic designer, his ability to work from home allowed him to spend quality time with his wife and sons, which is what he loved most.

Larry is survived by his wife, Susan; his two sons, Adam and Derik; his sister, Jennifer Pritchett ’74; and his nephew, Nash Pritchett. His brother, Chip Pritchett ’69, predeceased him.

Larry and his parents had many sweet and funny stories from their time at The Lexington School. One of Carolyn’s favorites was about the day Larry, at a very young age, came home from school, looked up at her, and said, “Mr. Pritchett says we must not leave our mittens on the bus!”

Growing up in the Pritchett family, Larry learned what it meant to be a strong, loving, and fun husband and father. Some of Adam and Derik’s first memories are of their Dad sitting on their beds playing James Taylor and Beatles songs to them before they went to sleep. Both boys have grown up playing and sharing their dad’s love of music.

As a husband, Larry was always loving, kind, and supportive, but his incredible sense of humor and boisterous laugh were the hallmarks that made life with him full of fun and joy.

Smiling powerhouse Claire Macfarlane (H’79), dynamic and energetic positive thinker, died July 9, 2024.

Mother of Sandy Macfarlane ’69, Lindsay Macfarlane Maurer ’72, Duncan Macfarlane ’75, and Stuart Macfarlane Gesen ’78, she was grandmother, too, of Duncan Macfarlane ’00, Stuart Macfarlane ’03, and Christopher Macfarlane ’06. She also had eight grandchildren and five great-grands who did not attend The Lexington School only because they lived nowhere near Lexington, Kentucky.

Claire and her husband, Dr. Noble Macfarlane (Mac) were vital members of the school family from the beginning, with Sandy as a first-day student the morning TLS opened, September 14, 1959. Claire noted with a smile that he was the first Lexington School student to begin in kindergarten, go all the way through, and graduate from ninth grade. Claire began teaching kindergarten and art in 1961, followed suit as Alumni Secretary, then Alumni Director, retiring in 1980, but never, ever relinquishing her active volunteer role. She was a valued and contributing member of the Alumni Council, with perfect attendance at the meetings.

At Claire’s Celebration of Life in Concord, New Hampshire, where she had moved to be closer to Stuart and her family, one of the first things Lindsay said, was, “Mimi was all about family. We are Mimi’s proudest accomplishment. Our parents were always partners. They raised their four children as a team.”

The Lexington School is a better place because of the one-and-only Claire Macfarlane and her beloved family.

Carolyn Pritchett (H’99)

by Duncan Macfarlane ’75

Warm, compassionate, and ever-present is how so many fondly remember Carolyn Pritchett (H’99), who died on June 5, 2024. At The Lexington School, she was the ever-supportive person behind Norton G. Pritchett Jr. (H’81), the school’s first Headmaster, from 1961 to 1981. As a nurse at The Lexington Clinic, Carolyn’s calming demeanor and warm smile assured patients that everything would be all right.

I had the good fortune to know her as a dear family friend. Aunt Carolyn and my father worked together at The Lexington Clinic; my mother and Uncle Buddy worked together at The Lexington School. Our families shared many holiday dinners with lots of fun and games and always looked forward to that sinful treat, Christmas Torte. Later in retirement, Claire, Mac, Carolyn, and Bud visited each other regularly. If there was a project to tackle, Uncle Buddy and Aunt Carolyn were always willing and able.

Carolyn and Bud Pritchett, her husband of 66 years, raised three children, Chip ’69, Larry ’72, and Jenny ’74, and were active members of the First Presbyterian Church in Lexington as well as the Brevard-Davidson River Presbyterian Church in Brevard, North Carolina, where they retired in 1994. Having met in high school in Charlottesville, Virginia, they both went to the University of Virginia.

Bud Pritchett received his undergraduate and master’s degree in education. Carolyn Pritchett received her degree in nursing. Carolyn was preceded in death by her husband, Bud, and sons, Chip and Larry.

Carolyn is survived by her daughter, Jenny, who lives in Brevard.

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THE 2023-2024 LEXINGTON SCHOOL VOLUNTEER AND DONOR REPORT

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Davey Jones ’84 Fred and Callie Keller Bill Knight ’86 and Colleen Knight Ryan and Amanda Laudenschlager Steve Lawson Matthew Longbottom and Laurence Jobaze Pearce Mayer and Ann Cowden Mayer ’04 Brian and Katherine McCarty Mark and Virginia McDaniel Guinness and Lisa McFadden St. Claire and Robert McIntyre Karen McKee Mark Mehrizi and Fatha David Jervis and Kristi Middleton Chad Miller ’96 and Elise Miller Griffin Miller ’07 and Shawna Miller Jeff Milward ’99 and Amanda Milward Webb Milward ’96 Will Milward ’99 and Lindsay Milward Matthew and Jenna Mitchell Greg and Susan Monohan Richard and Pat Monohan Andrew Moore ’92

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Josh and Tatum Morita Austin Musselman and Janie Douglass Musselman ’89 Andy and Sara Myatt Nick and Susan Nicholson Paul and Erin Nuzzo King and Grandison Offutt Emory Parsons ’10 Spencer Parsons ’13 Carol and Ray Paulick Chad and Robin Pennington Bo Phillips ’10 Travis Powell and Holly Brown Powell ’96 Louise Robinson Mike and Susan Rogers Doug Romaine Gavin and Christy Roth Arthur and Simone Salomon Terry and Jane Samuel Andrew Schwartz ’00 and Krystle Schwartz Patty Scott Bill and Donna Shively Matt Simons and Heidi Simons ’03

Brice and Courtney Stefanick Sandy Stuart ’97 and Alana Stuart Jay Taylor and Christyn Renfroe Melissa Thompson Nick and Lauren Troiani Caroline Van Meter Ike and Jenn Van Meter Linda Van Meter James and Anna Walsh Taylor Ward and Whitney Neuman Ward ’91 Jeremy and Jody Warner Sloan Warner III ’12 Darryl Washington and Melissa Rife Mark and Kristie Watson Haydn White ’10 Christopher Wieting and Thuy Vo Kyle Williams ’11 Chris and Susan Wilson Jeremiah Wolsk ’83

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CELEBRATION Volunteers Décor Michelle Speight, CHAIR Caroline Bromagen Ellidia Dupont Vicki Gaver Laura Hall Sarah Heller Jacque Henley Erin Houchin Susan Kellogg-Bell Haroletha Klausing Amber Lagrew Lindsey Mannella Jennifer Mayer Elizabeth McLaren Brynne Miller Elise Miller Jenny O’Callaghan Rebekah Radtke Katherine Walden Josefine Young Live Auction Alysa Villelli, CHAIR Ashley Coen

Silent Auction Holly Dempsey, CHAIR Annie Anderson Blythe Brown Amy Campbell Maggie Carter Christy Cleveland Laura Codell Ashley Coen Anthony Dempsey Georgia Grigor Amy Gumm Laura Hall Jacque Henley Lindsay Hore Erin Houchin Lorrie Huff Susan Kellogg-Bell Amber Lagrew Sarah Lanham Shilpa Larkin Lindsey Mannella Sarah Matharoo Ann Cowden Mayer ’04 Elizabeth McLaren JeanEllen Melton Amanda Milward Ashton Sawyer Corey Shultz Anupa Trumbo Alysa Villelli Katherine Walden Amy Watts Katie Wilhite Josefine Young Sponsorship and Advertising Jennifer Doerge, CHAIR Mary Bruce Alford ’99 Kacee Cantrell Tiffany Cox Anthony Dempsey Emily Meek Joy Minner Alison Polk

THANK YOU SPONSORS FOR YOUR SUPPORT OF CELEBRATION ’24

Platinum Sponsors

May in Kentucky easily ranks among the most vibrant places in the world as trees and flowers explode with color that punctuate the landscape.

And few places in Kentucky rival the picturesque Scarlet Gate in spring, blanketed by its bluebells, daffodils, redbuds, and dogwoods.

CELEBRATION ’24: TLS in Bloom celebrated both the stunning beauty of our campus as well as the “blooming” of our students, evident each spring as we collectively enjoy musical presentations, art shows, and other myriad culminating experiences that show just how much our children have grown over the past year.

As is our beloved tradition, on the second Friday in May, 400 friends gathered at Scarlet Gate to celebrate and support students, faculty, and staff, and to enhance the sense of community that binds us as a school family.

Our décor team, skillfully led by Décor Chair Michelle Speight, transformed the tent into a rainbow of blooms, inspiring all in attendance to celebrate the promise of each Lexington School student.

Live Auction Chair Alyssa Villelli orchestrated an exciting evening of bidding with exciting new offerings including a private party with a Celebrity Chef and the Coach Mitchell Band, a beachside stay in Costa Rica at Playa Langosta’s Sueno del Mar, and a luxurious getaway to France’s Champagne country with accommodations in a luxury chateau.

Silent Auction Chair Holly Dempsey put together our largest silent auction ever, with 200+ items on display and nearly 2,500 bids placed over the course of CELEBRATION week. Sponsorship Chair Jennifer Doerge ensured that the evening was paid for before the first bid was placed by helping to raise more than $200,000 from Sponsors and Advertisers.

Holly Dempsey Erin Houchin Jen Malmstrom Michelle Speight Katie Wilhite

Gold Sponsors

CELEBRATION ’24

When it was all said and done, our celebrants had raised $400,000 through CELEBRATION ’24, with an additional $70,000 raised for the June Parrish Fellowship Endowment Fund. What an incredible night.

With a history dating back to 1987, CELEBRATION continues to be a beautiful demonstration of the commitment of our Lexington School family. The robust “garden” of volunteers who create a stunning party year after year; the community of sponsors who give generously and who come to the party to bid and to celebrate; the family of parents, grandparents, and friends who choose to spend a Friday evening with us during the hectic month of May – all of you make this event one of the most successful and fun galas in central Kentucky. Thank you.

We are grateful to all those individuals, sponsors, guests, and friends who helped TLS “bloom” through CELEBRATION ’24.

Silver Sponsors:

Apiary Athenian Grill Ball Homes Sutherland Chevrolet Inc. The Lexington Quarry Company Traditional Bank

Bronze Sponsors:

Presented By:

SAVE THE DATE FOR CELEBRATION ’25!

FRIDAY, MAY 9

Banks Veterinary Clinic Bim Group Cecil’s Heating & Air Conditioning Inc. Central Kentucky Endodontics Clark Distributing Co., Inc. Clay Ingels Co. LLC Congleton-Hacker Company Coughtry Enterprises LLC Country Boy Brewing Delk Enterprises Dentistry for Children Doctors Wahle & Chalothorn Orthodontics Gray Construction Isabel Ladd Interiors Keeneland Kentucky Bariatric Institute Marsh McLennan Agency McDonald’s Minner Vines Injury Lawyers More Than A Bakery Newman Digital Strategies Slone Dental Taft Law The Allen Company Wilhite Limited

THANK YOU! Because of your generous support, The Lexington School continues to be the “school of national emulation” envisioned by Josephine Abercrombie 65 years ago.

2023-2024 GIFTS TO TLS

$880,200

$391,375

Annual Fund 2023-2024

CELEBRATION ’24

$122,500

$121,615

Scholarships

Endowment

TOTAL RAISED | $1,516,000

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BY THE NUMBERS

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT Throughout its history, The Lexington School has benefitted from an engaged and talented Board of Trustees who have practiced responsible fiscal oversight and proactive strategic planning. The result is a healthy and transformative school celebrating its 65th birthday this fall.

Through thoughtful planning, our Board sets tuition each year with a goal of funding the needs of students, faculty, and staff while also keeping

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tuition as affordable as possible for families. Like nearly all independent schools, a portion of that budget depends on income from philanthropic gifts in addition to tuition. (The Lexington School is fortunate, too, to have a healthy endowment that provides a third source of income through interest earned. This income also helps to mitigate pressure on tuition.)

As a result, tuition only covers about 78% of the cost of educating each student. The rest of that funding comes from the Annual Fund, CELEBRATION, and the draw from the endowment. Combined, those three revenue streams provide around $3.5 million each year to supplement tuition income.

Healthy fundraising not only helps to meet budgetary requirements, but also demonstrates a high level of confidence to prospective parents and community partners as they make choices about engaging in our community. More importantly, your generosity provides a gift to children that lasts a lifetime.

We know you have many worthy causes to support, and we appreciate your entrusting us with your philanthropic dollars.

Thank you for your support!

Most gifts to The Lexington School are tax-deductible. Please consult your personal tax advisor.

612

students enrolled in 2024-2025 school year

16

after school activities

+

27 athletic teams

#2

acres of campus

national ranking among private elementary schools

by TheBestSchools.org

12

of faculty and staff participate in the annual fund every year

20,966

average class size at TLS

6,360

100%

books in the TLS library collection miles traveled on class trips

1:8

teacher to student ratio

Fall 2024

NON-PROFIT ORG. U.S. POSTAGE

1050 Lane Allen Road Lexington, KY 40504-2018 859-278-0501 www.thelexingtonschool.org Return Service Requested

The Lexington School admits students of any race, religion, color, sex, national, or ethnic origin.

| HISTORICALLYSPEAKING |

Coach Terry Justice’s 2004 Central Kentucky Lacrosse Association Championship Team Top Row: Dennis Van Den Broeck ’04, Chris Lyons ’04, Brendan Draper ’04, Jonathan Rogers ’04, Michael Lyons ’04, Adam Woomer ’04, Bobby Dobson ’04, Joe Woomer ’04, Dan Waldman ’05, Coach Terry Justice Front Row: Joseph Guthrie’ 04, David Fogg ’04, Hughes Congleton ’04, Philip Carson ’05, Kegan Burgess ’05, Henry Bradley ’04, Shelby Justice, daughter of Coach Justice

PAID

MARIETTA, GA PERMIT NO. 215

A PUBLICATION OF

THE LEXINGTON SCHOOL