The Shield Pope Saint John Paul II Preparatory School
Summer 2026
The Power of Faith and Reason
The Shield Summer 2026 Editor, Writer & Layout Design Jennifer Smith
Director of Marketing & Communications
Contributors
Michelle Barber
Director of Advancement
Emily Clavin ‘09
Community Development Manager, Copy Editor
Mason Denning
Website & Social Media Manager, Photography
Mark Griffith
Mark Griffith Photography
Jill Hobbs
Jill Hobbs Photography
Gavin Richardson
GavoPhoto Photography
How to Reach Us
The Shield Magazine Pope Saint John Paul II Preparatory School 117 Caldwell Drive Hendersonville, Tennessee 37075 Email: jennifer.smith@jp2prep.org Facebook & Instagram: @jpiiknights
Our Mission
Inspired by Faith, Pope Saint John Paul II Preparatory School prepares students to be strong in mind, body, character, and spirit for lives of learning and service, according to the Gospel.
On the Cover
STEM Day Middle School DNA Study (See related story on page 14.) Photo by Mason Denning
On this Page
JPII Color Run (See related story on page 24.) Photo by Mason Denning
www.jp2prep.org
in this issue 6 14 18 20 24 30 38 48
KNIGHT NEWS & NOTABLE MOMENTS THE POWER OF FAITH AND REASON Q & A WITH FATHER GROSSHEIM A JOURNEY WORTH REMEMBERING COMMUNITY FORMED BY LOVE ADVANCEMENT NEWS ALUMNI UPDATES 2024-2025 GRATITUDE REPORT
from the office of the
PRESIDENT
Christ - Above All Things! Dear JPII Community, It has been a great honor to lead JPII for the past three years. Not only have I been able to be a part of tremendous institutional advancement, I have also been able to watch four of my own children grow in mind, body character and spirit, and this year I am delighted to have another upcoming 6th grader. A great school must have a unifying vision that holds it together – a single idea or hypothesis that orients the entire institution. Our single focus is the person of Christ, knowing that as we present him to the students, and they freely accept him in their hearts, their lives will be full of meaning and purpose. For these three years, we have been working to intentionally and systematically make certain that Christ is above all things at JPII. This focus has driven our decision making process as a leadership team and has occupied much of our time in our strategic planning process. The Vision 2028 Strategic Plan document created in 2023 has been the roadmap to institutional advancement as we have found success in 19 of our 20 initiatives during the first five quarters. In fact, the work that we did, led by Principal Dye and Father Ohanaka, of making sure that we defined our school’s charisms on the beautiful life of Saint John Paul II has been nationally recognized, and the story was featured in the National Catholic Education Association’s publication Momentum. Developing the charisms of JPII was an initiative
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for four separate quarters, and we developed an implementation plan for the Seven Charisms of JPII: Love, Mercy, Solidarity, Courage, Creativity, Wisdom, and Hope. This same strategic process has guided us as we have crafted a vision statement, which defines what we do: Form young people who love God, self, and neighbor, seek truth, serve others, and lead courageously. This allows us all to know why we sacrifice for JPII: in the end, we are sacrificing to form young people animated by love and living courageously, anchored in the truths of the Gospel as they serve their neighbor. This is our gift to the world: we send out scores of graduates who will make the world better. Their foundation is sound and their goals are clear, no matter the path that they choose. Again the strategic process has guided our Campus Master Plan as we have already improved the overall grounds, renovated bathrooms, upgraded the tennis facilities, and made several improvements to the Carell Athletic Complex. We are continuing to move forward as we refine plans for upgrades to the chapel, science lab, athletics facilities, bathrooms, and a new student study area. As we continue to move forward, I remain thankful and indebted to our leadership team, and the faculty and staff who animate the mission and vision of JPII. We
have done significant work to the internal operations of JPII that are already having an impact on the formation of our students and the external beauty of our campus. Although we are pleased with the progress, we are not satisfied, will continue to put Christ above all things, and remain disciplined in the execution of strategic objectives. I will end with good news: we are having a banner year in admissions, allowing us to continue inviting JPII students into a deep relationship with the God who loves them more than they can possibly imagine. Peace and All Good,
Erick Chittle, Ph.D. President
Read more and watch a video update about the JPII Strategic Plan Vision 2028, Campus Master Plan, and Cor Ad Cor (Charisms) on our website. www.jp2prep.org/about/strategic-plan
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from the Board of Trustees
PRESIDENT Dear JPII Community, This year marks an important milestone. Twenty-five years ago, JPII opened as a new Catholic high school in Sumner County. The plans for the new school community came to life as students and faculty filled the hallways, classrooms, and sports fields. Everyone felt a sense of responsibility for making the school a success, helping it realize the highest of standards in every aspect of school life. We were the first stewards of this remarkable blessing that came to be, as a result of the time, talent, treasure and prayers of so many people. As with many new endeavors, anything and everything seemed possible.
JPII BOARD OF TRUSTEES Mr. Edward Pearson Jr. President
Ms. Karen Phillips
Vice President & Chair of Academics and Mission Committee
Mr. Jonathan Langlois
Secretary/Treasurer & Chair of Finance, Building, and Grounds Committee
Mr. Jim Galvin
Chair of Development Committee
Mr. Cameron Goss Chair of Admissions & Marketing Committee
Father John Sims Baker Mr. Hogan Bryant ‘12 Mr. Roy Cantillano Mr. Chris Meffe Mr. Zach Pelka ‘13 Dr. Stewart Stowers Mr. Travis King Mrs. Angie Robinson Mr. Bill Whalen Mr. Alex Isaacson ‘10 Father Austin Gilstrap
A quarter of a century later there is a resurgence of energy and excitement about this school and the community of students, families, faculty and staff. Surely the Holy Spirit is present and at work moving hearts, minds and souls to action. Our dear patron, Pope Saint John Paul II, must also be interceding on our behalf. His charisms are now positioned squarely in view of our students to study and emulate — the first being Love. We’ve also experienced a spiritual influence on how the details of our Campus Master Plan have been revealed through the work and prayers of so many. Much has been accomplished, but there is work ahead for us all. There is so much for which we must pause and be thankful. Thanks to faculty and staff who give so much of themselves in the most important work of the school, forming the young people entrusted to this school. Thanks to our school leadership who have charted an ambitious course for us. Thanks to our students and their families who have given so much and so beautifully responded to every call to volunteer and contribute to make the life of the school so rich. Lastly, thanks be to the living God from whom all things flow, and may our response always contribute to His glory and honor. God bless,
J. Edward Pearson Jr. President, JPII Board of Trustees
Ex officio
For more information about registration for the JPII 25th Anniversary Events listed on the right page, please visit our website. www.jp2prep.org/about/25-year-anniversary
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This year, JPII celebrates twenty five years of forming saints of the new millennium, twenty five years of students growing strong in mind, body, character, and spirit, and twenty five years of a community built on faith. We have a full year of celebrations ahead, honoring this milestone, bringing our community together, and giving thanks to our namesake and patron, Saint John Paul II, whose words still guide us: “The future starts today, not tomorrow.” Join us throughout the year as we look back with gratitude and forward with hope, celebrating twenty five years at the shining city on the hill, JPII. Our first event is Homecoming on September 18. See the back cover for details.
Knight FINE ARTS BOOSTER CLUB PRESENTS
OF SONG
FAB SONGWRITERS NIGHT features JPII alumni and Nashville songwriters, celebrating 25 years of excellence in JPII Fine Arts.
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, 2026 IN THE JPII CIE
The Solemnity of Saint John Paul II October 22, 2026 All-School Mass & Reception
Celebration 2026
25th Anniversary Gala at historic Rock Castle Saturday, November 7, 2026
Presented by
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KNIGHT NEWS & notable moments
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July 2025
Voices uKnighted Album Release: Chapter Five, Always You This six song album for our very own Voices uKnighted and alumni Alex Zubillaga ‘22 features covers of some of the country’s top songs. Golden Tate Skills Camp (1) JPII alumni and Super Bowl champion Golden Tate ‘07 returned to JPII to host his annual Golden Tate Skills Camp. Campers converged on JPII to improve their speed, agility, and focus through training focused on skill development and teamwork.
August 2025
Freshman Retreat (2) The freshman class kicked off their high school journey with an unforgettable Freshman Retreat at Camp Marymount. The class bonded over their faith, thrilling cardboard boat races, and team work activities. Senior Sunrise and Senior Blessing (3) The Class of 2026 began their senior year together on the JPII football field enjoying breakfast and their classmates’ company as the sun rose on their first day of senior year. Before beginning their day, the seniors met in the courtyard with traditional balloons and backpacks for a blessing from Father O. Charism of JPII: Love JPII launched the new Cor Ad Cor Charism program with the first year-long focus on a JPII Charism: Love. The 6 The Shield • Summer 2026
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charism of love was a guiding principle for our advisories, assemblies, and activities throughout the year. West Point March (4) As a 2018 United States Military Academy West Point alum, JPII teacher Ryan Moshak was invited to participate in the twelve-mile “March Back” from Lake Frederick to West Point with recent JPII graduates Zander Palmer ‘25 and Andrew Connow ‘25 as they successfully completed Cadet Basic Training.
September 2025
Junior Knights at the Knight Walk Our newest addition to the JPII Knight community, Junior Knights (K-5th grade students), joined in the JPII football tradition of the Knight Walk, leading the football team to the field. College Fair (7) Students explored their post-secondary plans at the JPII College Fair. Over 100 college and university representatives lined the main gym for students to sign mailing lists, pick up materials, and ask questions to begin their next steps in their higher education and career planning. 9/11 Memorial Tradition Dylan Anderson ‘28 continued the tradition started by alumni Brady Green ‘25 of planting 300 American flags on our campus to remember the nearly 3000 lives lost on September 11, 2001. National Merit Competition Semifinalists Priscilla Park ’26 and Sophia Woronzoff-Dashkoff ‘26
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earned recognition in the National Merit Competition as National Merit Scholarship Semifinalists. Both would later become finalists, and Priscilla Park was named a National Merit Scholarship Winner.
October 2025
Fall Break International Travel (5) Students enjoyed the culture and sites of three European countries, Italy, Switzerland, and France, in a week-long fall break adventure through Europe. Hispanic Heritage Month Spanish Mass We held a beautiful celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month at our Hispanic Heritage Month Spanish Mass. This beautiful celebration reminded us that no matter the language, we are all united in worship through the Mass. Business Incubation Pickleball Fundraiser Business Incubation students Price Fowler ‘26, Ross Johnson ‘26, and Merrick Wermus ‘26 partnered with the JPII Blue Man Group to organize a pickleball tournament to raise funds for more opportunities outside of school hours for students to meet for JPII events. Pope Week (6) The annual celebration of our namesake’s feast day included daily JPII trivia, a JPII-themed assembly, an all-school Mass celebrated by Bishop Spalding, house competitions, and a Eucharistic procession and adoration with the whole student body.
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A Night to Remember (9) During our annual Pope week celebration, JPII was honored to welcome back three former heads of school: Hans Broekman, Faustin Weber, and Karen Phillips. Their visit included talking with students about the foundations of JPII and participating in a panel discussion that included former Board of Trustees President Russell Marino and JPII President Erick Chittle about the history of the school and the exciting future that awaits JPII. Homecoming Court (8) Kylee Carman ‘26, escorted by Mark Linville ‘26, was crowned Homecoming Queen. Members of the court include McKay Dulany ‘26, escorted by Osby Cavin ‘26; Lauren Gafney ‘26, escorted by Joseph Montalbano ‘26; Abbie Pitt ‘26, escorted by Matt Sikes ‘26; Molly Abbondanza ‘27, escorted by Brayden Dyer ‘27; Emmie Sylvester ‘27, escorted by Austin Stephens ‘27; Melina Garza ‘28, escorted by Matthew Morris ‘28; and Kennedy Newberry ‘29, escorted by Josiah Bell ‘29.
November 2025
Golden Tate Coat Drive and Field Naming We were excited to welcome back JPII alumnus Golden Tate ‘07, to the shining city on the hill for the Golden Tate Coat Drive. At the half of a JPII football game, we announced the naming of the JPII football field as the Elise and Golden Tate Family Field in honor of the Tate family’s contributions to our community.
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knight news & notable moments
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JPII Celebration & Fundraiser Celebration ‘25 took place on November 8 under the stars in the JPII courtyard. It was a fantastic evening with incredible support for the JPII mission from all guests who came to our largest fundraiser of the year.
Father Ohanaka’s Advent Series During Advent, Father Ohanaka produced weekly Advent video reflections to share with the community on the JPII YouTube channel.
Junior/Senior Service & Faith Retreat Junior and senior students traveled to local partner nonprofit organizations and the Catholic Pastoral Center to grow in their faith, give back through service, and foster long-lasting relationships with their classmates. National Honor Society Induction (1) Twenty-seven new students were inducted into the National Honor Society after meeting the grade criteria and displaying the four pillars of leadership, service, scholarship, and character. Fall Play (4) The JPII Theatre Department presented three performances of Macbeth: Wasteland as the fall production. Brooke Dyer 1000 Points (2) Women’s basketball player Brooke Dyer ‘27 joined the 1000 point club. Fall Athletic Signing The following members of the class of 2026 and men’s basketball team signed to continue their sport at the collegiate level: Trey Pearson and Osby Cavin.
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December 2025
Osby Cavin 1000 Points (3) Men’s basketball player Osby Cavin ‘26 joined the 1000 point club. Santa Visits the Junior Knights (5) Santa took time out of his busy schedule to visit with the JPII Junior Knights. After a photo with Santa, the young Knights decorated cards, cookies, and a special picture frame as they enjoyed the magic of the Christmas season during this favorite Junior Knight event. Christmas Concerts (6) The JPII Instrumental and Choral concerts took place during the Christmas season, showcasing the talents of all middle and high school bands and choirs in celebration of the holidays. Reconciliation The Advent Reconciliation services brought many diocesan priests and Bishop Spalding to campus to offer the Sacrament of Reconciliation to students. Middle School Faith and Service Retreat During exam week, middle school students spent their time after exams enjoying fellowship with each other as during their faith and service retreat on campus.
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Inaugural JPII Knights Wrestling Duals Tournament The JPII Knight wrestling team hosted their inaugural JPII Knights Duals Tournament, welcoming five teams from across the Nashville community to JPII to compete.
January 2026
Dr. Peter Kilpatrick visits JPII (8) We welcomed Dr. Peter Kilpatrick, President of The Catholic University of America, to JPII to speak with high school students about the transition to college. He encouraged students to stay faithful to God’s plan, even when the path forward feels challenging. The Bible in 30 Minutes The JPII Honors Acting Class presented the Bible in 30 Minutes or Less to JPII community members. The highenergy play compressed epic stories, famous characters, and centuries of theology into a laugh-out-loud theatrical sprint.
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Father O. Breaks the Internet, Again! (10) Father Ohanaka took to half court during the men’s basketball game vs Father Ryan, hitting a dance from NSYNC’s famous ‘Bye,Bye,Bye’. After being shared to social media, Father O.’s video was seen by an estimated 15 - 20 million people worldwide, including appearances on ESPN, Sportscenter, Good Morning America, Nightline, and an interview with an Australian morning T.V. show.
February 2026
Coming Home Court (7) Braxton Castleman ‘26, escorted by Georgia Dielbling ‘26, was crowned Coming Home King. Other members of the court included Gabriel Nardone ‘26, escorted by Emily Herzer; Max Milliken ‘26, escorted by Ashley Torr ‘26, Caden Do ‘27, escorted by Kayla Anderson ‘27; Griffin Lloyd ‘27, escorted by Amilyn Turner ‘27; Brooks Richardson ‘28, escorted by Gabby Cordero ‘28; and freshman Greg Jenkins ‘29, escorted by Lucia Linville ‘29.
Community Knight and KAC Chili Cook Off (9) The annual KAC Chili Cook Off took place on the same evening as Community Knight, bringing current and future Knights together for an evening of basketball and delicious food. Congratulations to parents of the cheer, football, basketball, and wrestling teams for walking away with the awards of the evening.
Trey Pearson All-Time Leading Scorer (10) Trey Pearson ‘26 became JPII men’s basketball All-Time Leading Scorer surpassing over 1500 career points.
Trey Pearson McDonald’s All American Nominee Trey Pearson became the first JPII men’s basketball player to be nominated for the McDonald’s All-American team, a collection of the 24 best high school boys and girls from across the United States.
Brooke Dyer All-Time Leading Scorer Brooke Dyer ‘27 became JPII women’s basketball All-Time Leading Scorer as a junior.
All School Mass at Catholic Pastoral Center (12) JPII was proudly represented by a group of students at the All-Schools Mass at the Catholic Pastoral Center.
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knight news & notable moments
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Jarron Talley 1000 Points Men’s basketball player Jarron Talley ‘26 joined the 1000 point club. Men’s Basketball Wins Region Championship (1) The JPII men’s basketball team won the DII-AA Middle Region Championship against Lipscomb Academy. Diocesan Science Fair JPII students participated in the Diocese of Nashville’s first Diocesan Science Fair, earning two Grand Champion awards and 26 top-three placements. Black History Month Field Trip (2) The Imago Dei Club explored local eateries and historic African American sites in Nashville in honor of Black History Month. Locations included St. Vincent de Paul Church and School, Fisk University, and Slim and Husky’s Pizzeria. JPII Wrestling State Tournament Nine JPII wrestlers earned their way into the TSSAA Individual State Tournament held at MBA. Three Knights earned top-ten finishes: Jordan Crouch ‘26 finished third, Brooks Kopp ‘26 finished fourth, and Alex Asack ‘27 finished sixth. Sister Mary Rebekah, OP Sister Mary Rebekah gave a talk about the Charism of Love during an all-school assembly. She shared her story of how God guided her through His love to live her life in His name. After sharing her message, Sister Mary grabbed her guitar and led us through the song that 10 The Shield • Summer 2026
solidified her decision to live for Christ during her time at Texas A&M University. Spring Musical (3) Igniting major Gen X nostalgia, the JPII Theater Department presented three performances of Schoolhouse Rock, Live! as the spring production. Winter Athletic Signing Day The following members of the class of 2026 signed to continue their sport at the collegiate level: Ashley Torr (cross country/track), Isaiah Batten (football), Sam Bowers (football), Kyrin Coleman (football), and Carter Taylor (football).
March 2026
International Fair (4) JPII World Language students organized an International Fair in the commons during school lunch periods. The fair celebrated the various cultures represented by JPII students with food, games, and music. 7th Grade Trip (5) 7th grade students traveled to Cedar Crest Camp to participate in activities that helped build their confidence, grow in their faith, and connect more with their classmates. 8th Grade Trip (6) 8th grade students traveled to Boston, Massachusetts to adventure and learn more about one of America’s oldest cities.
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Penance Services Father Ohanaka and diocesan priests offered the Sacrament of Reconciliation to our community during Lent. World Down Syndrome Day The JPII community wore crazy socks around JPII to bring awareness to Down Syndrome. Stephen Cherian Participated at Regional Spelling Bee (8) Stephen Cherian ‘32 earned his spot on the regional stage by out-spelling his JPII peers, other diocesan students at the Diocesan Spelling Bee, and advancing all the way to the fourth round of the Tennessee Titans Regional Spelling Bee. Thomas Wyble Received Honorable Mention (9) Thomas Wyble ‘32 earned honorable mention for his artwork depicting St. Patrick in a comic style piece in the Sons of Eric Foundation Art Contest within the Nashville Diocese. He received a St. Patrick prayer card and rosary. Men’s Basketball Goes to State Championship The JPII men’s basketball team made their first TSSAA State Championship game appearance in school history and left as the TSSAA State DII-AA Runner Up.
April 2026
JPII Grandparents Day Celebration (7) JPII Grandparents joined the community for a celebration in their honor, following the Stations of the Cross presented by Campus Ministry students.
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Freshman and Sophomore Faith and Service Retreat Alternating days, freshmen and sophomore students served meals, sorted hygiene products, and tackled hands-on projects to support nonprofits in Middle Tennessee communities. Students then grew in faith by coming together as classes to discuss their faith journey and goals. Caldwell in Color (11) Lila Thigpen ‘28 and other JPII students organized the annual Caldwell in Color 5K in support of the Jason Foundation. Middle School Theatre Production (12) The JPII Theater Department put on two performances of The Little Mermaid Jr. as the middle school musical performance. This was the first time the middle school theatre students performed an evening show for the entire community. Spring Confirmations (10) In addition to the 8th graders who received the Sacrament of Confirmation in April, four members of the JPII community were confirmed by Father Ohanaka during an all-school Mass: Dr. Charles Wade, Reagan May ‘26, Kathryn Swan ‘27, and Matthew Morris ‘28. STEM Day & House Games Students presented research and business proposals, explored STEM projects, and solved challenges during the morning STEM Day. In the afternoon, all six houses competed in various games to earn points towards the prestigious House Cup. Summer 2026 • The Shield 11
knight news & notable moments
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Monthaven Arts Show JPII visual art students’ artwork was recognized at the Monthaven Arts Show, including Hudson Nitsch ‘26, Maya Briggs ‘26, Emma Johannes ‘26, Karen Duehmig ‘26, Maddi Perer ‘27, Meg Orendorff ‘30, Mason Ritzhaupt ‘31, Lydia Lyons ‘31, and Tai Carman ‘32. Carmen Shick Selected to All-State Choir (2) Carmen Shick ‘27 performed in the Tennessee All State SSAA Honor Choir at the TN Music Educators Conference. Sydney Glasco Earned Teen of Impact Award (3) Sydney Glasco ‘27 earned the Teen of Impact Award through the American Heart Association. Spring Athletic Signing The following members of the class of 2026 signed to continue their sport at the collegiate level: Jordan Crouch (wrestling), Brooks Kopp (wrestling), Jamie Gleason (soccer), Trevi Ferranti (swim), Reagan May (swim), and Reese Thompson (swim). Junior Ring Mass (1) The juniors enjoyed one of our favorite JPII traditions when they celebrated Junior Ring Mass together, which marked the beginning of their leadership as rising seniors.
May 2026
Samantha Swan Excelled in Archery (4) By May, Samantha Swan ‘30 accumulated many firstplace finishes in a row for women’s bare-bow, including 12 The Shield • Summer 2026
Southwest TN Archers, Camp Hazelwood, 5 or Better, Tim’s Ford State Park, and Tennessee’s Triple Threat. Swan earned a hard fought 2nd place finish at the S3DA Eastern 3D National Championship, a first for JPII! Most Inspirational Teacher and Coaches Several teachers and coaches were recognized as “most inspirational” through student voting at the end of the year. Mr. Chris Ginn - Most Inspirational Middle School Coach; Mrs. Arrione Galvin - Most Inspirational Middle School Teacher; Mr. Kyle Reynolds - Most Inspirational High School Coach; and Mr. Steven Whitaker - Most Inspirational High School Teacher. Natalie Frisbie Wins State Championship (5) Natalie Frisbie ‘29 won the TSSAA Women’s Tennis Individual State Championship held in Chattanooga. Excellence in Teaching Awards & Retirements (6) Each year, faculty members vote to recognize their peers for excellence. This year, the JPII Pillar of Support Award - Registrar Mrs. Karen Brown; The Green Apple Award (less than five years experience) - middle school fine arts teacher Ms. Caitlin del Casino; Excellence in Teaching middle school world languages teacher Mrs. Veronica Del Valle and high school math teacher and department chair Mrs. Kim Childress; The Spirit of JPII - Dr. Becky Savage and Mrs. Emily Clavin. Mrs. Karen Brown, Mrs. Veronica Del Valle, and Mrs. Kim deMarigny officially retired from JPII at the end of this school year.
Congratulations to the JPII Class of 2026!
The 108 students in the JPII Class of 2026 have been accepted to 129 colleges and universities (listed below) in 33 different states. They will be attending 36 colleges and universities (in bold) in 15 states. The JPII Class of 2026 includes 14 scholar-athletes who have signed to play their sport at the collegiate level. In addition, the members of the Class of 2026 volunteered over 10,000 hours of service to communities in Sumner and surrounding counties. Congratulations to the Pope Saint John Paul II Preparatory School Class of 2026!
Appalachian State University Auburn University Austin Peay State University Bellarmine University Belmont Abbey College Belmont University Benedictine College Bethune-Cookman University Boston College Brevard College Butler University Carson-Newman University Catholic University of America Centre College Clemson University Coastal Carolina University College of Charleston Colorado School of Mines Cumberland University DePaul University Duke University East Tennessee State University Eastern Kentucky University Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (Prescott) Ferris State University Florida Atlantic University Florida International University Florida State University Galen College of Nursing (ARH) George Washington University
Georgetown University Ohio University (Main Campus) SUNY College at Cortland Georgia Southern University Oklahoma City University SUNY University at Buffalo High Point University Oregon State University Tennessee Technological Indiana University Oxford College of Emory University University (Bloomington) Penn State University Texas A&M University (Texarkana) James Madison University (University Park) Texas Christian University Kentucky Wesleyan College Presbyterian College The Ohio State University LeMoyne-Owen College Purdue University The University of Alabama Lenoir-Rhyne University Randolph-Macon College The University of Tennessee Lincoln Memorial University Rhodes College (Chattanooga) Lipscomb University Rollins College The University of Tennessee Long Island University (Post) Rose-Hulman Institute (Knoxville) Louisiana State University of Technology Thomas More University Loyola Marymount University Saint Joseph’s University Trevecca Nazarene University Loyola University Chicago Saint Louis University Union University Marquette University Samford University University of Arkansas Marymount Manhattan College Savannah College University of California Miami University (Oxford) of Art and Design (Los Angeles) Michigan State University Sewanee: The University University of Central Florida Middle Tennessee State of the South University of Colorado Denver University Simmons College of Kentucky University of Denver Millikin University Slippery Rock University University of Evansville Mississippi State University of Pennsylvania University of Florida Molloy University Stephens College University of Georgia Montana State University Stetson University University of Indianapolis Morehead State University Stony Brook University University of Kansas Muskingum University University of Kentucky Nazareth University University of Lynchburg New York University University of Maine Niagara University University of Massachusetts Oakland University (Dartmouth)
117 Caldwell Drive
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Hendersonville, Tennessee
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University of Miami University of Mississippi University of Montevallo University of New England University of New Hampshire (Main Campus) University of North Alabama University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill University of North Carolina at Greensboro University of North Florida University of Notre Dame University of Rhode Island University of South Carolina University of South Florida (Main Campus) University of Virginia (Main Campus) University of Wyoming Valparaiso University Villanova University Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University Volunteer State Community College Wake Forest University Western Kentucky University Wheaton College - IL Xavier University
615-822-2375
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The Power of Faith and Reason
“Faith and reason are like two wings on which the human spirit rises to the contemplation of truth; and God has placed in the human heart a desire to know the truth . . .” – Saint John Paul II
“A
t JPII, we don’t ask students to leave their faith at the classroom door or their reason at the chapel door.” That’s how Principal Jennifer Dye explained Catholic education to a group of new families during an open house last spring. Her seemingly simple explanation highlights a pivotal belief of the Catholic faith, one that the Church has been engaging for over two thousand years: that faith and reason belong together, not as competing claims on the human person, but as two essential ways of understanding Truth.
The first came from space. During NASA’s Artemis II mission, commander Reid Wiseman found himself so overwhelmed by what he had witnessed that he asked for a chaplain he had never met before in his life. “I saw the cross on his collar and I broke down in tears,” he said, a scientist reaching past science for something more.
The second came from Rome, where Pope Leo XIV published his first encyclical, Magnifica Humanitas, addressing the AI revolution and reflecting the relationship between “At JPII, we don’t Since our beginning, JPII has promised human and machine, much like to educate the whole child, evidenced ask students to leave in Pope Leo XII’s Rerum Novarum by the words carved above the pillars during the Industrial Revolution. The their faith at the in the courtyard entrance to the school: Magisterium (the official teaching Fides Et Sapientia – Faith and Wisdom. authority of the Catholic Church) has classroom door or Humanity has long grappled with never retreated from the pressing their reason at the understanding the duality of the human questions of its time, and in Magnifica person, both material and spiritual. Humanitas, Pope Leo XIV described Chapel door.” In recent months, our world seems the Church’s Social Doctrine as a to be exploring discoveries brought “legacy of wisdom,” grounded in by human’s ability to reason but longing for an Scripture and Tradition and in “engagement with the explanation that reveals God’s truth that can only be sciences.” discovered through faith. 14 The Shield • Summer 2026
The Vision of Our Namesake It seems fitting that in 1998, when the first benefactors of our school were inspired to create an educational institution for youth in Nashville, our namesake Saint John Paul II seemed to fortuitously know the purpose of our institution at the dawn of the digital age, when he wrote Fides et Ratio: This time of rapid and complex change can leave especially the younger generation, to whom the future belongs and on whom it depends, with a sense that they have no valid points of reference. . .One of the most significant aspects of our current situation is the ‘crisis of meaning.’ Perspectives on life and the world, often of a scientific temper, have so proliferated that we face an increasing fragmentation of knowledge. This makes the search for meaning difficult and often fruitless. JPII has now lived through a quarter century of technological transformation. From Palm Pilots to laptops to iPads to AI, each wave has brought new tools, new temptations, and new questions about how to use them wisely. Curriculum at JPII has also been on the forefront of pedagogical practice, such as physics first and project-based learning, and throughout the past twenty-five years, students have been challenged to seek truth as they used reason to examine and analyze scientific theories, cultural and social dogmas, literary movements, and mathematical principles. Through all of it, our foundation has remained solid, and our Vision 2028 strategic plan has remained focused. Each new tool and idea passes through the lens of the Catholic worldview: not just how can we use this? but is it good, true and beautiful and what does it mean for the human person? JPII is the Church’s educational mission made concrete, as we carry that same tradition into classrooms, labs, and hallways. We have always turned to the wisdom of Saint John Paul II as we guide the formation of young people. In his address to American Bishops, he stated, “The greatest challenge to Catholic education in the United States today, and the greatest contribution that authentically Catholic education can make to American culture, is to restore to that culture the conviction that human beings can grasp the truth of things, and in grasping that truth can know their duties to God, to themselves and their neighbors.”
JPII Academic Philosophy: Formation of Faith and Reason As part of the JPII Vision 2028 strategic initiative to create a Culture of Excellence and developed under the direction of Principal Jennifer Dye, JPII’s Academic Philosophy reflects the Church’s balance of faith and reason in the pursuit of truth. The philosophy’s overview states in part, “Every classroom is a place where wonder is cultivated and truth is pursued with rigor and humility, where students come to understand that the pursuit of truth and the pursuit of God are never fully separate.” You can see that formation in students like Teagan Boyle ‘27, whose fascination with biology led her to a research internship in a Vanderbilt University lab, and who says her purpose in pursuing science, and eventually nursing, grew out of her faith, her desire to serve others, and this year’s Charism of Love. You can hear it in what Board President Eddie Pearson said after judging our STEM Day Shark Tank competition, that the program exists to send out “moral and ethical business leaders of the future.” And you can find it in a middle school geography classroom, where students study Abraham’s Covenant as both a historical and spiritual event, tracing his journey on a map while sitting with themes of promise, faithfulness, and relationship with God. (continued on next page)
“Shark Tank”
STEM Day invites students in the Business Incubation class to present business plans to the “sharks,” guest judges who offer feedback and determine which business would get funding.
Research Presentations
Members of the JPII science department, along with guest judges who work in STEMrelated fields, visit student presenters who answer questions about their research projects on STEM Day.
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Considering the Future of Technology Now that same lens is turning toward what comes next. As a STEM-focused, faith-based school, JPII is spending this year building a philosophy and policy for the use of AI, one that considers the consequences of these tools for the dignity of the human person, especially for the young people who depend on us during the most formative years of their lives. While we stay focused on the power of faith and reason for understanding, we are drawing not only on the knowledge of local experts, but more importantly on the Magisterium, which has published six documents on this subject over the past six years. The latest and most essential to us is Pope Leo’s Magnifica Humanitas. President Dr. Erick Chittle keeps our leadership team focused on a single question: how do we protect the dignity of the human person and our role as an institution dedicated to human flourishing? Pope Leo has already given us language for that task. In Magnifica Humanitas, he challenges educators to “protect young people from the promise of the perfect machine” (¶140), and he reminds us that students today “struggle to find direction in their lives, partly due to an inability to connect information with deeper knowledge or maintain a sense of purpose” (¶146– 147). Catholic schools, he writes, exist so that students may “seek and love the truth, to reflect on the meaning of life and to recognize the dignity of every person” (¶146–147). Our Executive Leadership Team, the Board of Trustees, and faculty members will spend this next year working to understand these new tools and the effects on the lives of our students. We know that AI will become an integral part of our students’ professional lives, and we embrace our responsibility to help them so that they might “truly develop their God given skills and capacities to reason, to think critically and commit knowledge to memory, thus preparing them to shape responsibly the world to come” (Magnifica Humanitas, ¶245).
STEM ACTIVITIES
Each academic department creates hands-on activities for STEM Day and other special days throughout the school year so that students can practice meeting challenges with critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
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from the JPII
PRINCIPAL
In the fall of 2025, Principal Jennifer Dye and STEM teacher Autumn Edwards led the TN STEM School Designation re-accreditation process, which led to JPII not only receiving the STEM designation for a second time, but also to being recognized as a “model” STEM school. Below, we have included excerpts from a letter Mrs. Dye wrote to JPII families, highlighting the significance of the partnership between faith and reason at JPII and examples of the practical applications of the practice.
Why Reason Matters in Catholic Education Some might wonder: why emphasize rigorous scientific reasoning in a faith-based school? The answer lies at the heart of our Catholic intellectual tradition. From the medieval universities to the development of the scientific method by Catholic scholars, the Church has always championed the disciplined use of reason as a way to understand God’s creation. When students learn to think critically, analyze evidence, construct logical arguments, and revise their understanding based on new information, they’re not abandoning faith—they’re strengthening it. They’re learning to distinguish between genuine knowledge and mere opinion, between careful reasoning and careless thinking. These are not just academic skills; they’re essential for living wisely and faithfully in a complex world . . . What This Looks Like: Our STEM and Science Programs In middle school, our students begin with OpenSciEd, a curriculum that starts each unit with something puzzling and observable—a phenomenon that makes students wonder. Why do storms develop? How did marine fossils end up on mountaintops? These aren’t questions with simple answers handed down from a textbook. Students must observe carefully, ask questions, gather evidence, and construct explanations. This approach teaches students that seeking understanding requires patience, humility, and collaboration. They learn that their first explanation might not be correct—and that revising their thinking based on evidence is a sign of intellectual growth, not weakness. These are deeply Catholic virtues applied to the study of the natural world. In high school, our science sequence begins with physics, moves to chemistry, and culminates in biology. This isn’t the traditional order, but it reflects
how the natural world is actually structured—from fundamental principles to increasingly complex systems. We use modeling instruction, a research-based approach developed at Arizona State University’s American Modeling Teachers Association. Rather than lecturing and testing, our teachers guide students in constructing, testing, and refining scientific models through collaborative investigation. Students work together at whiteboards, articulating their reasoning, questioning each other’s assumptions, and reaching consensus based on evidence. Why does this matter for Catholic education? Because it teaches students that truth is discovered through disciplined inquiry, honest dialogue, and openness to correction. It cultivates intellectual humility— recognizing that our understanding is always incomplete—and respect for others’ perspectives. These habits of mind serve students not only in science class but in every area of their lives. Our STEM program extends beyond the classroom through robotics and student independent research projects. In robotics, students face authentic engineering challenges: designing, building, testing, failing, and redesigning. They learn that meaningful achievement requires persistence through difficulty—a lesson applicable to any worthwhile endeavor. Through independent research projects, students investigate questions they genuinely care about: environmental issues in our community, engineering solutions for real problems, scientific questions that puzzle them. They learn that knowledge isn’t just something to be consumed from experts but something they themselves can contribute to. These experiences teach students to see themselves as active participants in understanding and stewarding God’s creation, not passive recipients of information. Summer 2026 • The Shield
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Q&A with Father Grossheim Getting to Know JPII’s New Chaplain Father James M. Grossheim grew up in Columbia, TN in a big Catholic family. His childhood was filled with hiking, camping, karate, pick up ultimate frisbee and football, video games, and Nerf wars. He was home schooled through elementary and middle school, so he met most of his friends at his church’s youth group and Fraternus chapter. He attended Spring Hill High School, where he was active in student council, various clubs, and the theatre program. He graduated in 2018, and after a year studying at Columbia State Community College, he transferred to St. Joseph Seminary College in Louisiana as a Seminarian for the Diocese of Nashville. He graduated from St. Joseph in 2022 and completed his graduate studies at Notre Dame Seminary in New Orleans in 2025 and then served St. Matthew parish as a deacon. Assigned to become JPII Chaplain by Bishop Spalding last spring, Deacon Grossheim completed his preparation for Holy Orders and was ordained to the priesthood in June 2026. He has a great devotion to St. Dominic Savio, his confirmation saint, as well as St. John Bosco, his spiritual father, who have both been guiding him for longer than he was aware of it. To help our JPII community get to know Father Grossheim as he joins us this summer, we asked him a few questions. Here’s what he shared:
What were some of the pivotal moments or experiences in your journey to the vocation of priesthood? I first thought about being a priest in third grade, after my catechist gifted me a book to help me follow along at Mass. As I became more familiar with what was going on at Mass, I became more and more interested in going to Mass. When I started to serve at the Altar, I found I had a desire to be a priest, so that I could always have a place at the Altar. That desire was strengthened by being a teacher’s aide in my parish’s First Communion class for several years. The desire never went away, even though I later tried to repress it and pursue other interests and possible career paths. So when I graduated from high school, I knew I had to find out if that desire for the priesthood came from God or from myself. After participating in the Exodus 90 spiritual exercise, I knew that God at least wanted me to ask that question in the context of the seminary, so I applied and was accepted as a seminarian in 2019.
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What was your role at St. Matthew as a deacon? As a deacon at St. Matthew, I had a variety of responsibilities that in many ways imitated the responsibilities of an associate pastor. I baptized infants, officiated funerals and blessings, preached periodically, and assisted the priests at Mass. I also served on the youth group’s CORE team, as one of the main assistants to the youth minister. I gave talks to adults and to the youth. I was also involved in St. Matthew School, visiting classrooms and engaging with the students at lunch, recess, and after school. Will you tell us about your ordination experience? My ordination was filled with so many graces. I had the opportunity to lay down everything I had before the Altar of God, and in return Jesus gave me a share in his own Priesthood. I’m still getting used to being a priest, but He’s still with me every step of the way.
The following few days were filled with receptions, gatherings with family and friends, and rest after the marathon of the ordination. One of the first things I did as a priest, just a few days after the ordination, was go camping with my dad in the mountains of Colorado and Wyoming. This quality time with him served as a great pause, between wrapping up my work at St. Matthew and beginning my new assignment as a priest. What has been your experience working with youth? I like to say that I’ve been doing youth ministry since I was in youth ministry. When I was in elementary school, one of my older brothers became my youth minister, and he remained in that position for several years. This meant that I was always at youth group, and often was involved in the hidden preparations for events and meetings, as well as conversations about the ministry’s strategy and execution. I served as the interim youth minister myself for a few months before beginning seminary formation, and throughout my time in seminary as well, I always made it a point to involve myself in youth ministry in some capacity, including teaching catechesis to middle school and high school students, whether voluntarily, or as part of an assignment. What do you look forward to during your first year as the JPII Chaplain? I can’t wait to get to know the students and faculty and provide them with what they need to sustain and grow their faith and their relationships with God. But since this is also my first assignment as a priest, I’m also looking forward to learning how to be a priest at JPII. You learn so much in seminary, but it’s definitely different once you’re in real situations with real people. I can’t wait to practice what I’ve learned, learn what I don’t know now, and see what full time priesthood is really like. I’m glad I get to grow (and make hopefully-small mistakes and then learn from them) here at JPII.
Ordination
Bishop Spalding ordained Father Grossheim to the priesthood at the Cathedral of the Incarnation in June 2026.
The “Great Pause”
After ordination, Father Grossheim traveled to Colorado and Wyoming with his father before his assignment as JPII Chaplain began in July.
What does it mean to you to be at a school named for Saint John Paul II? Saint John Paul II had a massive impact on the Church in our day. He brought clarity of mission and identity, renewed vigor, solidly orthodox teaching, and excitement about the Catholic Faith and evangelization to the life of the Church. Many of the priests who formed and taught me in the seminary were highly influenced by his papacy, and that definitely trickled down to me in my formation. I think Saint John Paul II continues to represent in many minds the renewal the Church needed in the modern day, and this school is a part of that renewal. I’m grateful to be a part of the school that bears his name and which was founded in response to his pastoral guidance. I ask for his prayers, that my ministry here will be filled with the same Spirit that filled his pastoral heart, and will continue the authentic renewal of the Church which he inspired. Summer 2026 • The Shield 19
A Journey Worth Remembering A Season of Faith and Formation for JPII Men’s Basketball
The JPII Men’s Basketball team capped their season with a historic run, not only winning the region but also securing he first state championship final appearance in school history. But ask the coaches what they’ll remember most, and it’s not the wins on the court. The victories off the court made it a journey worth remembering.
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W
hen Coach Charles Wade sat down to reflect on this year’s Men’s Varsity Basketball season, he did not start with the wins. He started with the journey. It is a fitting place to begin, because this was a season defined less by any single moment and more by the steady, faithful climb of a team, a coach, and a community toward something greater than a trophy.
Seniors Who Led the Way Coach Wade speaks about this senior class with the pride of someone who watched boys become young men. “The senior players all took ownership of the team,” he said. “They decided where we wanted to go. They were just as demanding in practice as the coaches were with the younger players.”
That ownership showed up in small ways that added The coaching staff intentionally built up to something much bigger. a demanding schedule this year, one Players who once grumbled about “The senior players designed with the state finals in mind. mandatory community service work The payoff came when they clinched grew into young men who embraced all took ownership the region championship. But ask it, bonding through their shared of the team. They Coach Wade what made the season commitment to others. For the fourth special, and he will tell you it was year running, the team served at decided where we not just the run to the championship Room at the Inn and partnered with wanted to go.” game. It was watching a group of First Baptist Church in Gallatin on seniors take full ownership of who the Unlimited Potential Mobile Food they were, on and off the court, and Pantry (photo below), with players it was the way a JPII student manager named Nick organizing food drives and serving meals to families became a meaningful part of the team. And, in a in need. They ran basketball clinics and camps for journey culminating in a grace-filled moment, it was younger kids; senior guard Trey Pearson even traveled the season in which Coach Wade himself was received to West Tennessee to help lead a camp there. into the Catholic Church (photo below). The same transformation happened in the chapel. “I saw them complain about Mass when they were younger,” Coach Wade said, “and now it’s just the culture of the team. They embraced the opportunity to be together in that way.” What began as an obligation became, by senior year, a source of unity. The team exemplified the steady work of formation, the kind that supports the JPII mission, and this team grew for the better because of it. Nick Finds a Team No story from this season captures the heart of the Knights quite like the story of Nick LaGanke. A HIHO student, Nick first got involved by helping the JV team at practice. It did not take long before he was a fixture with varsity as well, at practices and at games. The team claimed him as one of their own, inviting him to sit on the bench alongside them during the game. Nick was there through it all, including the region championship, a moment the whole team celebrated together. His place among the Knights is a living picture of what JPII means when it says every student carries dignity and belongs to the community. Kim Shaver, who works tirelessly to include HIHO students across campus life, helped make that bond possible, and the team’s embrace of Nick reflected something (continued on next page)
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the coaching staff has tried to build for years: a program where every young man, regardless of his role, is family.
exactly the right time, and from the region tournament through the state championship game, every senior seemed to find his moment.
A Season Full of Storybook Moments Ask anyone who followed the Knights this year, and a handful of games will come up again and again. Senior Osby Cavin set a new single season scoring record with 45 points in a win over Whites Creek. Then there was the comeback in South Carolina: down twelve or thirteen points at halftime, Osby caught fire, and the crowd came alive with him. They started calling him “Popcorn” because of the way he kept popping up to score.
Coach Wade remembers the small details of the run as vividly as the scoreboards: the bus ride to Austin Peay with the community cheering the team on, pulling into Clarksville to see the arena for the first time, the pregame meals at ChicFilA, and a meal together at Johnny’s Big Burger in Clarksville, their final postgame meal as a team. “To see the joy on everyone’s face when we realized we were going to play in the state championship,” he said, “that’s something I will never forget.”
Trey put together back-to-back triple doubles, points, rebounds, and assists, against Lipscomb and BA, the two teams the Knights were chasing in the region standings. JPII beat them both by double digits.
The day before the championship game brought its own kind of grace. It was the team’s final practice together, and for the first time, everyone knew it. “We were all taking it in,” Coach Wade said, “and it was a really fun practice.”
Perhaps the most emotional moment of the year came when Jarron Talley returned to the lineup midseason after time away. His homecoming was more than a basketball story. “Getting Jarron back in the middle of the season was special,” Coach Wade said. “We had the opportunity to finish what they started, and he made the group complete.” When Jarron returned to face MBA, he gave what may have been a career high performance. “It was a storybook game for him,” Coach Wade said. Back to CPA, All the Way to the Finals The region tournament carried its own sense of destiny. It was held at Christ Presbyterian Academy, the same campus where the Knights had won a region title two years earlier. “We picked back up where we were two years ago,” Coach Wade said. Senior Noah Wagner began playing his best basketball of the season at
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Two moments from the season will stay with Coach Wade for the rest of his life. His daughter Mia, who served as a team manager all season, gave him a hug he will never forget. And Trey gave him a framed photo with a handwritten note attached. Both gifts, small as they were, captured what this season was really about: relationships strengthened through years of shared purpose. A Model of Dedication and Work Coach Wade is quick to credit the assistant coaches who have walked this road with him, including Coaches Ricky Lang ‘15, Ethan Abner, and Derrick Radney. Coach Lang holds a particularly meaningful place in that group. A JPII alumnus and former player himself, Lang was on the floor with Coach Wade in the earliest days of building the program, and this season he returned to coach alongside him once again.
“It was a blessing to be able to be a part of such a great team, especially being an alumnus. Of course, I wanted to win, but the memories that led up to the state championship game were the most important part of the journey. Making it to the state championship is not an easy task; it takes elite talent, deep team chemistry, relentless work ethic, and faith in God and each other. Without the leadership from the young men on our team, the legendary run would not have been possible,” reflected Coach Ricky Lang. Longtime coach Vince Wehby also returned to campus this season, watching from the stands as the program he helped build years ago made its run to the state finals. A Season That Deepened a Coach’s Faith For Coach Wade, this season carried a significance that went beyond basketball. In the same year the Knights made their historic run, he was confirmed into the Catholic Church. “It was God’s timing,” he said. He and his wife Cara, who is Catholic along with their daughters, had been discussing his conversion for nearly a decade. It was Father Ohanaka’s helpful counsel and willingness to listen that helped Coach Wade finally make the decision. He had been attending Mass for more than twenty years before he was received into full communion with the Church. “Coaching basketball here has really helped me grow in my faith,” Coach Wade said, “because of the presence and culture, the intentionality of building young men, not just athletes, who will grow in faith and grow in love of helping the community. It opened my eyes and validated my choice to come into the Church.”
In May, Coach Wade, along with three JPII students, was confirmed not only in front of his team, but also in the presence of the entire JPII student body, a fitting reflection of what JPII hopes every coach, teacher, and mentor experiences here: that forming young people in mind, body, character, and spirit is not one way traffic. The community forms us too. A Community That Showed Up Coach Wade was quick to point to the community that carried the team all season long, from families who helped fund the cost of the bus to Kyle Reynolds, the team’s longtime announcer, who helped rally support at every turn. “It was fun to look up at the state tournament and see that we had the biggest crowd each time,” Coach Wade said. “It says a lot about our community and their support.” Alumni came back to watch. Former players reached out to tell the current team how proud they were. Former employees showed up to games. It was, in every sense, a JPII family effort, and Coach Wade’s own family sacrificed alongside him every step of the way, sharing in both the lows and the highs. This was a season of records broken, games won in storybook fashion, and a state championship game reached. But at JPII, the real story is always the one about formation and focus on mission: seniors who grew into leaders, a HIHO student who found his place on the team, and a coach whose journey to the Church progressed alongside his players’ journey to the state finals. Watch Kyle Reynolds’ end of season interview with Coach Wade on our YouTube channel @JP2KnightsMedia.
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Community Formed by Love JPII student leaders practice the Charism of Love by creating opportunities for building community and serving others.
L
ast school year, JPII officially began our Charism program, a yearly focus on one of the seven Charisms inspired by our namesake, building on the cornerstone of how we live our mission and vision as a school community. This first year was the Charism of Love, and in true JPII fashion, our students took the lead in surprising ways as they lived out love, as they “willed the good of the other” in surprising ways. Bella Chittle ‘27, Kate Joseph ‘27, Sydney Glasco ’27, and Lila Thigpen ’28 started or carried forward clubs this year that turned prayer, service, health, and tradition into a shared mission for the community and reflected the Charism of Love.
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Leading with Purpose Each club began with a need one student refused to look past as they contemplated the Charism of Love. Bella Chittle started the Right to Life Club this spring after seeing a gap in support for mothers facing difficult decisions, working with Director of Student Activities Dr. Savage and Assistant to Student Life Mrs. Kelley to get the club off the ground. The group launched in April with a Rosary for Life and chose Saint Gianna, the patron saint of mothers, as its patron saint. Bella hopes the club will continue to grow, even spreading beyond campus. “I hope that it grows and becomes a more prominent club at JPII,” she said, “not just at school, but also in the community of Hendersonville.”
Heart Club
Kate Joseph founded the Service Club with a similar hope of building community, wanting it to be active and fun while echoing the school’s mission. “It’s a club that reaches a lot of people with a real, significant impact,” Kate said of the vision she had from the start, one built around service hours, faith, and simply showing up for one another to support members of the community in many different ways. Sydney Glasco saw a different kind of gap. Drawn to medicine, she started the Heart Club under the guidance of Science Department Chair Mrs. Kelly Smelcer to spread awareness of heart health, modeling it after a chapter of the American Heart Association and focusing on cardiovascular disease, the number one cause of death among women. “I have grown a lot in high school,” Sydney said. “Putting myself out there has been so rewarding because of the community effort.” For Lila Thigpen, forming a group of students with purpose meant refusing to let an existing tradition disappear. When she saw the annual Color Run in danger of ending, she gathered a committee of sophomore friends, leaned on the National Honor Society and parent volunteers for technical and financial help, and stepped in to keep the tradition alive. “The tradition related to this event means a lot to me,” Lila said. “I didn’t want it to stop, so I decided we could keep going if I helped.” Highlights of the Year Once each club found its footing, the activities followed. The Right to Life Club has set aside time
The members of the Heart Club not only raised funds for the American Heart Association, but also took time to spread love at the holidays as they created handmade cards for a local nursing home.
to pray for the unborn and to support Mulier Care, a local ministry that helps women navigate difficult pregnancy decisions. “This is such an important issue for our society and our faith,” Bella said. “It’s a way to reach out to people who are struggling.” The Service Club kept a full calendar this year, writing cards filled with prayers, messages, and Bible verses for residents of a local nursing home, hosting a plant sale with the Master Gardeners nonprofit, and cleaning up the school campus. The club also traveled to the Appalachian Service Project headquarters led by Mac Anderson to support cleaner, safer homes for families affected by tornadoes. Kate was supported by a leadership team this year, including Vice President Elisa Hiett ‘27, Secretary Gabby Cordero ‘28, and Social Media Manager Madi King ’27, and credits theology teachers Ms. Heisserer and Mr. Killackey for helping the club find service opportunities. “I’m not a natural born leader,” Kate admitted, “but this has been good for my development. It’s taught me organizational skills and time management, and it forces you to speak up, share your opinion, and decide what’s best for people.” (continued on next page) JPII Color Run
The JPII Color Run helps to not only build community but also support an important mission by raising funds for The Jason Foundation. Started by long-time JPII teacher Mrs. Veronica Del Valle who retired this spring, the Color Run was handed over to student leaders, who will continue organizing the event that has become a JPII favorite tradition over the years.
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The Heart Club, led by Syndey, alongside Vice President Teagan Boyle ‘27, Secretary Ansley Kirby ‘27, and Treasurer Marin Morris ‘27, held walking days to promote heart healthy habits, sent Christmas cards to a local nursing home, and helped raise more than $3,700 for the American Heart Association through club donations. Sydney was also recognized as a Teen of Impact for her independent fundraising efforts, after Director of Counseling Mrs. Caine encouraged her to get involved. “It’s brought students together and made friendships through the club,” she said. “I feel proud that I created something students can come to and feel welcome.”
Kate hopes the Service Club becomes a lasting fixture of student life and service learning. “I want people to find community here, a judge free zone with purpose,” she said. “It helps with the high school and college resume, but more than that, it builds faith and helps you find community.”
For Lila and the Color Run committee, the highlight was watching a tradition come together again, from runner bags to t shirts to a race day theme, Live. Love. Run., that tied directly into the school’s Charism of Love. “The whole race is really about the love of neighbor we are called to as children of God,” Lila said. “All of the participants came together to support a cause that supports the mental health of others,” referring to the Jason Foundation, the suicide prevention organization the run benefits. Standing to give her speech before the race, Lila looked out and saw everyone who had shown up. “Knowing how much hard work went into it, and seeing everyone wearing their shirts and having fun together was the moment it all felt worth it,” she said.
And Lila hopes more students will discover the Color Run and see, as she did, that keeping a good tradition alive is worth the effort. “If you see something that’s important to the community, step up,” she said. “Sometimes it’s up to students to keep it going, which shows the independence and confidence JPII has taught us.”
Hope for the Future These student leaders see their effort as something meant to outlast her own time at JPII. Bella hopes the Right to Life Club will keep growing, with plans for a clothing drive, a fundraiser, and a trip to the March for Life in Washington, D.C., along with a connection to the 40 Days for Life closing ceremony at the Cathedral. Service Trip
Students in the Service Club traveled to participate in the Appalachian Service Project to help provide cleaner, safer homes for people affected by tornadoes.
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Sydney is already looking toward new ways to extend the Heart Club’s reach, including an idea for a healthy food drive that would carry the club’s mission into the wider Hendersonville community. “I hope we can add more members,” she said, “and become more active as a service club.”
A Community Shaped by Love Four different clubs, four different missions, one shared thread. Bella, Kate, Sydney, and Lila each saw a need and answered it, choosing to build something that will outlast their own four years at JPII. Their leadership reflects exactly what the school hopes to form in every student: young people who love God, self, and neighbor, and who are not afraid to lead. Through prayer, service, health, and community, these four Knights are living proof that when students take ownership of the mission, love leads them beyond themselves and brings them closer to living like Christ, just as Saint John Paul II promised.
graduating with honors
CLASS OF 2026
2026 HONOR GRADUATES Mya Palsgrove, Joseph Montalbano, Devarti Patel, Hudson Nitsch, Abbie Pitt, Ben Frisbie, Priscilla Park, Sophia Woronzoff-Dashkoff, Savannah Hurst, Aubrey Willard, Gabriela Siodlarz, (not pictured - Teddy Orendorff)
TOP HONOR GRADUATES (top left)
Priscilla Park, Valedictorian & National Merit Scholarship Winner Sophia Woronzoff-Dashkoff, Salutatorian & National Merit Finalist
BISHOP KMIEC AWARDS (top right)
Hudson Nitsch & Savannah Hurst, pictured with Bishop Spalding
HANS BROEKMAN CHRISTIAN SERVICE AWARD (bottom left)
Priscilla Park, pictured with JPII Service Coordinator Tommy Killackey
SCHOLAR-ATHLETE AWARD (bottom right)
Hudson Curlee & Trevi Ferranti, pictured with High School Athletic Director Amanda Schneller Visit the JPII website to read more about the Class of 2026: www.jp2prep.org/community-life/ class-of-2026
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CLASS OF 2026
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O
CLASS OF 2026 ATHLETIC SIGNINGS
ne of the most exciting moments in the life of a student-athlete is signing day. Years of hard work have led up to this moment, and since only 7% of high school athletes (about 1 in 13) have the opportunity to play at the next level, this is quite an achievement. In three separate signing days during the 2025-26 school year, 14 student-athletes at JPII signed their letters-of-intent with 11 different colleges and universities to continue their athletic careers. Congratulations to these student-athletes. Go, Knights!
Isaiah Batten
Presbyterian College Football
Jordan Crouch
Bellarmine University Wrestling
Reagan May
Sewanee: The University of the South Swim
Sam Bowers
Morehead State University Football
Trevi Ferranti
Saint Louis University Swim
Trey Pearson
High Point University Basketball
Reese Thompson University of Southern Indiana Swim
Osby Cavin
Auburn University at Montgomery Basketball
Jamie Gleason
Belmont Abbey College Soccer
Jarron Talley
University of North Alabama Basketball
Kyrin Coleman
Carson-Newman University Football
Brooks Kopp
Bellarmine University Wrestling
Carter Taylor
Morehead State University Football
Ashley Torr
University of Tennessee Chattanooga Cross Country/Track and Field
Summer 2026 • The Shield 29
from the office of
ADVANCEMENT by Michelle Barber, Director of Advancement
Paying It Forward, Paying It Back: JPII FFE
T
he Fund For Excellence (aka the FFE) is the school’s annual fund and serves as the foundation of the school’s fundraising efforts. Through the generosity of our JPII community, the annual fund supports every aspect of daily life at Pope Saint John Paul II Preparatory School including academics, arts, athletics, and campus ministry by bridging the gap between tuition revenue and the actual cost of delivering the JPII experience. Every student, teacher, and coach benefits directly from FFE donations. Each year, the FFE is sustained by our generous community of current and alumni parents, alumni, faculty and staff, grandparents, foundations, and friends of JPII, who are asked to donate annually to the school. Each donation is needed, appreciated, and recognized in the Annual Gratitude Report publication. We launched the 2025-2026 campaign with a festive FFE Kick-Off, hosted by our House Parents and attended by current parents, alumni, and alumni parents from all six houses! Our JPII Overall FFE Chairs, Dr. Stephen and Catherine Strickland (Stephen ’22, Genevieve ’25, Benjamin ’31, and Siena ‘33), reminded donors that JPII is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit – making all donations tax-deductible eligible. The Stricklands also thanked those early donors who, since 2002, have been vital to our mission. Early supporters donated to “pay it forward,” and today’s alumni and alumni families “pay it back” in appreciation, while current parents and friends are now helping to ensure the JPII experience for future generations of Knights. “We are most appreciative to everyone who supports JPII in His name,” said Michelle Barber, Director of Advancement. JPII is blessed by so many who give of their time, talents, and treasure. We are especially appreciative of the 2025-2026 FFE House Parents for their leadership.
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2025-2026 FFE House Parents House of Clement: Stephen and Catherine Strickland House of Gregory: Dan Burval and Roxanne Valentino House of John: Bryan and April Lapinski, and Jayson and Mary Beth Tabor House of Leo: Mathews and Asha Joseph House of Peter: Sean and Lisa Stevison, and Brenda Goss House of Pius: Luke and Sarah Dalske, and Teresa Frisbie The FFE is now accepting donations. Visit www.jp2prep.org/give/annual-fund. All donors are recognized in our annual Gratitude Report.
ADVANCEMENT
A Legacy of Paying It Back The Tate Family Summer & Fall 2025
G
olden ’07 and Elise Tate, long-time supporters of JPII, host the annual Tate Athletic Skills Clinic and fund need-based financial aid initiatives at JPII. Through the Golden Future Foundation, the Tates also host an annual coat drive on campus in collaboration with the Advancement Office, Student Life, and the JPII House Council, which inspires the entire community to provide coats, hats, and gloves to local children in need. In appreciation of the Tate’s partnership and ongoing commitment to the Tate Scholars Fund, the JPII football turf will be named in their honor. Golden and Elise, along with their three children, Londyn, Golden, and Isaiah, were present for the announcement. We look forward to dedicating and blessing the turf during the 2026 football season. Thank you, Tate Family, for all you do in His name for the JPII community.
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ADVANCEMENT
A Knight of Song
Fine Arts Booster Fundraiser Fall 2025
A
Knight of Song 2025 hit a high note last August with superior songwriters taking the stage, providing an entertaining evening for all! Parker Diffie, son of country legend Joe Diffie, is a rising Nashville songwriter making his own mark with heartfelt country songs and authentic stories. He played some of his dad’s music, complete with all the feels that only old songs can conjure. Pete Sallis is also a Nashville hit songwriter with cuts like “Who Are You When I’m Not Looking” (Blake Shelton) and songs recorded by Ronnie Dunn, Maddie & Tae, and Keb’ Mo’. Jacob Martin, a country-rock singer and songwriter from Sioux City, Iowa, known for heartfelt, relatable songs about faith and love, provided comedic flair with his funnier, tongue-in-cheek songs, blending country storytelling with a rock edge and sharp humor. Our very own JPII parents shared their talents on stage, too! Matt Maher, a Canadian Catholic contemporary Christian artist, songwriter, and worship leader based in Hendersonville, TN, is known worldwide to audiences and fans. His performance of his original, “Lord, I Need You!” stirred the audience to join in a moving faith-filled moment at the event. Then, Liz Byler Shea, who currently portrays Naomi Judd in a touring show called “Here Come the Judds, A Tribute” performed an original rousing song, “Nita” which had everyone tapping their feet while singing along! A new feature at A Knight of Song 2025 was the addition of JPII alumni singer/songwriters! We welcomed home the talented Juan Alonzo ‘08, Michael Simpson ‘15, Josh Humphries ‘19 and his wife Rion Paige, and Ryder Smith ‘21. Special guest Sean Laflin of Dang Lucky Records joined us straight from Scottsdale, Arizona, to share his latest award-winning tune, ”When Angels Cry.” The event is hosted annually by the Fine Arts Booster (FAB), with all proceeds supporting the JPII Fine Arts Department.
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ADVANCEMENT
Celebration 2025
Presented by Servpro Summer & Fall 2025
C
elebration 2025: A Knight Under the Stars, presented by SERVPRO, took place at the JPII courtyard in tents supplied by JPII grandparents Dan and Bea Smith and JPII parent Jack Roek, owner of Tent & Events Tennessee. Balloon decor was provided by alumnae Alexis Valera ‘17. After Bishop Spalding’s remarks and prayer, guests enjoyed a lively evening complete with dinner catered by St. Charles Catering, a successful auction led by JPII parent/auctioneer Stephen Aleman, music by DJ Stacy J & Co., and an arcade complete with retro gaming including the original PAC MAN! A very special thank you to everyone who supported the event with sponsorships, auction item contributions, and purchases, which combined to raise over $200,000! Please mark your calendars and plan to attend our Celebration 2026: The 25th Anniversary Gala at historic Rock Castle on the evening of Saturday, November 7, 2026 – if needed, book your sitter now! The Celebration Committee (pictured below): Jason Allman, Ryan Kroser, Sarah Ritzhaupt, Lisa Stevison, Celebration Chair Susan Alfieri, Director of Advancement Michelle Barber, Kristin Herr, Katie Coker, Colleen Mooy, Brenda Goss, Mendy Koerkenmier, and Noelle Staley (not pictured: Michelle Amlicke, Teresa Frisbie, and Annette Hollis)
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ADVANCEMENT
A Night to Remember
Reflecting on the History of JPII Fall 2025
O
n October 23, 2025, the shining city on the hill was beaming as the JPII community gathered for A Night to Remember, where the school’s strategic campus expansion plan was unveiled in front of a packed house. The program featured a panel of former heads of school—Hans Broekman, Faustin Weber, and Karen Phillips—alongside former Board of Trustees President Russell Marino and current JPII President Erick Chittle.
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Michelle Barber, Director of Advancement, welcomed guests and set the stage for the evening noting that “whenever an institution plans a move forward, it must first look back at its beginnings to ensure the threads of founding principles are being woven into the fabric of a new tapestry. It’s our responsibility as today’s stakeholders to maintain what the JPII experience meant to our founders and means to our alumni while also evolving to serve current and future students.”
ADVANCEMENT
What followed was a rare and meaningful stroll down memory lane. Panelists reflected on pivotal moments that shaped the school’s identity, culture, and mission. Stories shared during the panel highlighted defining chapters in the school’s history: Hans Broekman recounted Ann and Monroe Carell’s transformational meeting with Pope John Paul II in Rome, which inspired their founding gift to build JPII. The couple’s commitment to Catholic school accessibility was made further evident when they established the school’s first endowed scholarship fund for need-based financial aid. Attendees Bill Gavigan and daughter Jeanne ‘08 were recognized by Hans Broekman when he shared that the creation of the JPII Hand In Hand program was championed by Bill and his late wife, Molly. What began as an effort to address a local need to expand Catholic education for all who sought it, the JPII HIHO program is now nationally recognized and being emulated across the country. Faustin Weber introduced Eily Carell Nicholson, her husband, Charles, and their son, Austin, before recollecting about his friendship with Eily’s father, the late James “Jim” Carell, whose generosity enhanced the landscape of the JPII athletic complex, ensuring outstanding athletic facilities for all JPII students.
Our inaugural Dean of Studies, Karen Phillips, who also served as interim Head of School (2022-2023), remembered the foundational faculty and staff by highlighting the contributions of Jj Ebelhar, Mike McLaren, Betty Mayberry, Jennifer Dye, Richard Stephenson, and so many others whose academic vision remains woven into today’s curriculum.
Looking Ahead With Hope President Erick Chittle closed the program with the presentation of the future campus renderings. The architectural firm, Anecdote, paid special attention to honoring the original design, including the symbolic courtyard modeled after Bernini’s Plaza. “The coming together of our community as we share the new master plan is reminiscent of those early days,” Michelle Barber reflected. “This moment, in many ways, echoes the late 1990s, when JPII existed only as an idea—and families and benefactors stepped forward to build a school they themselves would never use, simply because they believed future generations needed it. We thank all those who are joining us on this journey and pray for all those who are good to JPII in His name for the benefit of providing a Catholic education to all who seek it.” Watch the video of the panel discussion from A Night to Remember on our YouTube channel @JP2KnightsMedia.
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ADVANCEMENT
Grandparent Celebration
& Stations of the Cross Spring 2026
O
ur hearts were bursting on Grandparents Day 2026 when a full house of grandparents and their grandchildren alike enjoyed a “picture-perfect day” together, making memories to be recalled for a lifetime. It’s not every day that one carves out time to celebrate the special role our grandparents play in family life and particularly in the lives of their grandchildren. Our JPII grandparents brought remembrances in the form of old snapshots to share with their grandchildren, which spurred many funny stories, fond memories, and the recounting of special occasions. JPII alumni parents and current JPII grandparents to Grace ’26, Autumn ’29, and Harper ’30 Fair, Mr. David and Mrs. Paula Krebs, spoke to the crowd in appreciation for all that JPII means to their family. The Krebs shared examples of the impact of the Catholic education JPII provides to all in our community and inspired all grandparents to support the mission and vision of the school by staying involved at JPII. The event included a beautiful Stations of the Cross prayer service hosted by the JPII Ministry Class and concluded with refreshments and a photo booth experience.
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alumni
FOCUS
Alexis Cook ‘13
Living the Mission: A Life of Learning & Service
A
lexis Cook ‘13 recently graduated with her MBA from Stanford University’s Graduate School of Business, where she also served as Student Body President. Alexis is known for combining entrepreneurial thinking with a deep commitment to serving vulnerable communities. Immediately following graduation from JPII, Alexis took the opportunity to intern at five nonprofits across five countries to learn about systematic vulnerability from those experiencing it firsthand. After her gap year, while attending Vanderbilt University as an undergraduate, Alexis co-founded Unlocked (renamed Resera), a social enterprise jewelry company that employs and empowers women transitioning out of homelessness and domestic violence. Alexis explains that “each product is handcrafted by one of our employees.” Resera provides wages, housing, job training, counseling, and a community, ultimately providing each employee a sustainable pathway out of poverty. In 2024, Resera was acquired by a mission-aligned brand and continues to employ marginalized people today.
“We are so proud of our JPII alumni,” said Michelle Barber, Director of Advancement. “It’s a joy to witness God’s grace and the Holy Spirit at work through the impact our alumni are making in their communities every day in big and small ways.” Congratulations to Alexis! We wish her continued success in all her endeavors, bringing the face of Christ to those in marginalized communities. Alexis is the daughter of Stephen and Shannon Cook.
Based on her work with Resera, Alexis shifted her focus from providing pathways out of homelessness to upstream prevention of human trafficking as the Fund Manager at Solving Human Trafficking, a donor-advised fund. She collaborates with NGOs, entrepreneurs, policymakers, and legal advocates to break the business of trafficking by strategically disrupting supply and demand. To learn more about Alexis’ work, please visit solving.org/ trafficking. Alexis believes that “the most powerful thing one can do with opportunity is to use it to empower others.” Her compassionate leadership and commitment to helping people in vulnerable communities is not only commendable but also led to her recently receiving the prestigious Stanford Impact Leader prize, a $20,000 grant awarded to five outstanding Stanford Graduate School of Business graduating students who are committed to joining an existing high-impact organization in the next chapter of their careers.
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alumni
UPDATES
— 2005 — Erica Tachoir is the new owner of The Bar Method Williamsburg, a barre fitness studio in her neighborhood of Brooklyn. She and her husband, Ryan, recently celebrated their daughter Zoe’s fourth birthday. Erica continues to pursue screenwriting alongside small business ownership.
— 2006 — Ashley Nuestro-Bowker works as an ICU nurse and has done so for fifteen years. She has two children, Tara (6) and Tobias (3). Jack Gaughn currently serves as the President of Greater Nashville Realtors with 6,500 members, one of the largest in Tennessee. During his 14 years of serving clients across Middle Tennessee, he’s been recognized as one of the Top Agents under 40 by REMAX nationally for the 6th year in a row.
Gina Calvo Sander and her husband, Adam, are proud parents of 4-yearold Cyrus. Gina has been practicing veterinary medicine for the last 12 years in private practice and is currently working on her honey bee veterinary certification. She owns one hive and works with her husband’s high school’s apiary and the local county keepers. Erin Stubbs has served as the Specialty Courts Magistrate for the Sumner County Juvenile Court since June 2024. She hears cases for children in foster care, Safe Baby Court, and the Juvenile Mental Health Court. She is the current President of the Sumner County Bar Association.
— 2007 — Jennifer Zellem Reed and her husband, Ryan, along with their children Aurora (9), Freja (8), and Ronin (5), recently moved to their 5-acre Castalian Springs property to live the country life as amateur homesteaders. Ryan is a Lead Pilot with TDOT, and currently flies Heads of State, members of TEMA, and various other state officials.
— 2008 — Topher Miller-Hooper and wife Jasmine have two children Frances (1.25 yo) and Astrid (4.25 yo). Topher currently works as a software engineer for General Motors’ self-driving division, and Jasmine plies her trade as a civil rights attorney for juvenile justice. Hailey Robison Jacobsen currently lives in Paris, France, where she serves as an Episcopal priest at a cathedral. Hailey and her spouse Devin welcomed son Charlie in March 2026, pictured here with a drawing given to him by the daughter of Ashley Nuestro-Bowker ‘06. Jean-Yves Haiti Joseph and his wife are doing well, enjoying being parents to their children. Jordan Rippy and her husband, Ryan, are happy to have welcomed their daughter, Rowan Alleyne Baugh, in February 2026.
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Cassie Missimer McDowell and her husband, along with their two daughters and a golden retriever, live in Nashville, Tennessee. Cassie serves our nation’s veterans as a PA-C at the VA. During the summer, Cassie and her family enjoy being near the water, and in the fall, they are cheering on their favorite sports teams ~ Go Vols!
Jacob Thomas resides in Austin, Texas, serving as Chief Content Officer at Oni Studios, the production company behind SypherPK, one of YouTube’s largest gaming and entertainment creators with over 14 million subscribers and billions of lifetime views. He has grown the company from the ground up, building and leading the teams behind a portfolio of YouTube channels. Jacob is engaged to Silke. Jacob is forever grateful for the foundation JPII gave him and sends his love to the Class of 2008! Alyse Berry West works at the Tennessee Library for Accessible Books and Media, helping those with low or no vision and those who are unable to read a print book. She is passionate about ensuring access to library services for all. In November 2025, she welcomed her first child, a daughter named Alice West.
— 2009 —
— 2011 —
Emily Mills Clavin has been married to fellow JPII alum Kevin Clavin ‘11 for six years. They have one son, Jack, and are expecting their second son in September 2026. Emily just completed her eighth season of coaching lacrosse at JPII and is taking a break to raise her boys, but looks forward to coaching again in the future. Let’s go Knights!
— 2010 —
Briana Keightley Franklin is an OB/GYN specializing in NaProTechnology, which focuses on restorative treatment for endometriosis, PCOS, and other complex infertility concerns. She and her husband are expecting their second child and enjoy spending time outdoors, especially exploring nature and visiting the local parks in Minnesota with their toddler.
Mary Leonard and her husband, Jonathan, welcomed their first daughter, Eloise Elizabeth Joyce, in October 2024 and are happy to announce that their second daughter, Sophia Marie Joyce, will arrive in June 2026. Kaley Stinnett Ferro and her husband, Guy, are thrilled to announce the birth of their daughter, Anna Danielle Ferro, in September 2025.
Taylor Hinson Marshall and her husband, Elliot, are awaiting the arrival of their daughter, Ryan Elliott Marshall, in June 2026.
Allegra Harpootlian lived in D.C. for nearly 10 years, and she and her husband moved to New York City, where she works as a senior communications strategist for the American Civil Liberties Union, working to protect individuals’ constitutional rights against government abuses of power.
— 2012 —
Katherine Roy Ketter and her husband, Robert, welcomed their daughter, Mabel Fox Ketter, in October 2025.
Matthew and Mary Kate Yates Catignani enjoy a mini farm together with their five children. Matthew works for HCA and also enjoys coaching his son’s baseball team as well as offering hitting and fielding lessons. Mary Kate is the Director of Religious Education at St. Michael Mission in Cedar Hill and is also a founding owner of north Nashville’s only Catholic hybrid school. They are expanding their family by two feet with a new baby expected this summer! Cailin Harris Vanderburg played Division I SEC Soccer and graduated from the University of Kentucky with a Bachelor of Science in Pharmaceutical Sciences before pursuing her Doctor of Pharmacy, PharmD, from Belmont University. Cailin currently works for CVS as a pharmacist. She and her husband, Jake, have two little girls, Jocelynn and Serena.
Falynn Norman works for TikTok USDS as a lead Content Moderator. She bought her first home five years ago where she lives with her six-year-old son, Rhett, and dog Padfoot. Falynn enjoys writing poetry and playing the guitar.
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alumni
UPDATES
— 2013 — Robert Davis flies the C17 and is a Captain in the U.S. Air Force. He married Emily, and the newlyweds recently moved to New Jersey. After his last assignment in the U.S. Air Force, Robert plans to pilot for a commercial airline. Aidan Leonard and Caroline Graves Leonard ‘14 welcomed their first son, Lincoln Bennett Leonard, in April 2026. Mitchell and Maddie Bologa Nelson welcomed their third child, a son, Henry Thomas, in February. Mitchell is an Army Officer who serves as an instructor at the Maneuver Captain Career Course in Ft. Benning, GA. The Nelsons will move in the summer of 2027 to Monterey, California, where Mitchell will attend the Naval Postgraduate School. They welcome any and all JPII alum service members to reach out if they find themselves at Ft. Benning this next year! Megan Ward serves on the Board of Trustees for Clarksville Community Theatre, a non-profit community building organization that will launch its inaugural show, Tina Howe’s Museum, on July 31 August 2, 2026.
— 2015 — Tally Bevis graduated from Belmont University before serving as Miss Tennessee 2021 with the Miss America Organization. Professionally, she launched and grew a marketing agency, Electrofy, while attending the University College London School of Management, where she received a Master of Science in Entrepreneurship. Tally now splits her time between Nashville and London as Electrofy serves clients across the US and the UK. Tally credits Mrs. Ebelhar and Mr. O’Neill as having made a meaningful impact on her, along with the many fellow then students (now alums) with whom she sang alongside in the JPII choir program, sending this sentiment, “because I knew you, I have been changed for good!” Happy 25 years, JPII!
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Marissa Edwards Bruce and her husband, Jacob, reside in Bowling Green, Kentucky. Marissa is employed on Western Kentucky University’s campus supporting high school juniors and seniors as they adjust to the challenges of college-level coursework at The Gatton Academy of Math and Science. Marissa will be graduating in December 2026 with a Master of Arts in Organizational Leadership.
Rachel Leonard Zuckett and her husband, Joey, welcomed their son, Leo James Zuckett, in July 2024 and their daughter, Margot Kathleen Zuckett in June 2025.
— 2016 — Christian Cook and his wife, Mandy, recently celebrated their son Blaise’s first birthday. Christian works at an AI startup company, Pavus AI. Tyler Dorr received his Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from Vanderbilt Law School, passed the bar, and accepted a job with Metro Nashville’s Department of Law. He is engaged to Emma, a public defender, and the two are currently braving Nashville’s real estate market. Tyler recently served on the planning committee for the Class of 2015’s ten-year reunion and is looking forward to the next gathering! Benjamin Ennis will begin his fifth year of teaching in the Metro Nashville Public School System this fall. He holds a Master of Arts in Education from David Lipscomb University, where he is currently in the process of completing the Doctor of Education (Ed.D).
Phillip Baker teaches at Holy Rosary Academy where he also serves as Director of the Drama Department. His students performed Bernadette of Lourdes, which Phillip had the pleasure of performing in while a student at JPII in 2014 under the direction of Zac Campbell. Phillip is in the process of completing the Catholic Educator Formation Credential program with the Institute for Catholic Liberal Education and will soon help to begin a mentorship program at Holy Rosary Academy. Izabelle Barnett graduated from Ole Miss in 2020 with a Bachelor of Science in Geological Engineering and now works as a lead Project Engineer for Kiewit Foundations Co., supporting mass construction projects across Denver, Austin, San Diego, and Portland. Outside of work, she travels extensively and enjoys the Oregon outdoors—skiing, golfing, playing softball, and spending time with good friends and her boyfriend, Ethan. Alexandra Galley resides in Cologne, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. She received a Master of Arts in North American Studies at the University of Cologne, graduating with top honors and a perfect academic record. Alexandra plans to pursue opportunities in international project management and hopes to contribute to strengthening transatlantic relations through meaningful cross-cultural collaboration.
She credits her time in the United States and specifically her high school experience at JPII as key components in shaping her personal values, academic path, and professional interests. Jamie Galvin is an advocate for persons with special needs. She volunteers with the Best Buddies Program and supports their Emerging Leaders Program (ELP) initiatives. Jamie will deliver the lead speech at the Best Buddies ELP meeting in June and will then attend the Best Buddies Leadership Conference at Indiana University in July. In her free time, Jamie travels to Florida, where she enjoys the beach with her family! Riley and Alyssa Rentuza Southard live in Hendersonville, Tennessee, and are parishioners at Our Lady of the Lake. Alyssa works as an epidemiologist at the Tennessee Department of Health, creating resources and using analytics to improve Tennesseans’ health outcomes. She is also in her second semester of serving as the Capstone Director for Trevecca Nazarene University’s Master of Public Health program. Outside the office, you can find her rooting for the Celtics and enjoying one of her many workout classes! Riley works in Middle Tennessee as a civil engineer in land development. He assists clients in taking land from concept to full buildout; some of his notable projects include the JPII Master Plan and Half Batch Brewery, as well as other local developments. When he’s not working, Riley is playing men’s league hockey at Centennial Sportsplex, cutting his lawn, enjoying his wife’s cooking, and plugging into the community as a new member of the Hendersonville Rotary Club.
— 2018 — Reanna McNair Moyer and her high school sweetheart, Cody Moyer ’17, attended Western Kentucky University for their undergraduate degrees, married in October 2023, and welcomed their first child, Maeve, in May 2025. Reanna received a Master of Science in Applied Behavior Analysis from Ball State University in July 2024 and works as a Board-Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) in a clinical setting serving autistic children and teens. Cody works for Sports Turf Solutions, installing turf fields for Metro Nashville Schools and the Titans!
William Pacwa relocated to New York City to join Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft as an Associate in their Capital Markets Department. The firm is currently preparing for its merger with Hogan Lovells, a combination projected to create one of the world’s largest and most influential law firms by revenue, with more than 3,000 lawyers globally and approximately $3.6 billion in annual revenue. In parallel with his civilian career, William was commissioned as an officer in the United States Army Reserve Judge Advocate General’s Corps. He recently graduated from U.S. Army Air Assault School, an intensive leadership and combat aviation program focused on air assault operations, rappelling, and sling-load missions. Maxwell Stansell recently graduated from the University of Memphis School of Law and plans to work for the Shelby County District Attorney’s Office, where he interned as a 3L in their Domestic Violence Unit.
— 2019 — Audrey Barber recently moved back to Nashville, Tennessee, and is a District Manager for ADP, a cloud-based software and service platform that handles employee pay, tax compliance, benefits, and HR administration for businesses of all sizes. Malachy O’Connell is a news producer at News Channel Nine, an ABC and Fox-affiliated station in Chattanooga, Tennessee. In his role, he writes, edits, and directs newscasts for the southeast region. He says, “I still keep up with singing, although I could use a refresher from Mr. O’Neill’s class. I’ve also met the love of my life, who brings out the best in me!”
— 2020 —
— 2021 — Marra Becker received a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education and Special Education from Bellarmine University in 2025. She lives in Louisville, Kentucky, where she teaches 4th grade. Her undergraduate honors thesis, entitled “The Bluey Effect: Using the Children’s Cartoon to Connect Social-Emotional Learning and Core Content in the Classroom,” will be featured in a book set to be released in 2029. Emily Gibbons graduated Magna Cum Laude from Flagler College, receiving a Bachelor of Arts in English with a concentration in creative writing and a minor in Sociology. She was involved in the English honors society, Sigma Tau Delta, and held the positions of secretary and vice president. Emily is currently employed at Catholic University of America, where she is also pursuing a Master of Arts in Library and Information Science and enjoys volunteering at the nearby National Archives in Washington, D.C. Hannah Grubbs graduated Summa Cum Laude from Belmont University and was named the 2024-2025 Undergraduate Outstanding Student of the Year. She works as an account coordinator at MP&F in downtown Nashville, Tennessee, and was recently promoted to Assistant Account Executive. She enjoys connecting with clients, growing her PR skills, and learning more about her profession every day. Isabella Forrester-Kent works for Smart Art at Opry Mills and plays music and dances while co-facilitating drum circles with her father at the DSAMT and Move Inclusive Dance. She enjoys patronizing the MPdP at the Sportsplex for fun and games with friends while happily living at home with her family and two cats!
Madeline Hartlage works as a software engineer at Optum Tech in the healthcare industry. She is fortunate to have nurtured a wonderful work friend community and plays on a local competitive soccer team. Outside of work, she enjoys mentoring early careers and playing video games, board games, and participating in casual sports activities. Summer 2026 • The Shield
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alumni
UPDATES
— 2021, cont. —
Matthew Shipley graduated from Vanderbilt University with a Bachelor of Arts in Economics, Mathematics, and Political Science. He credits the JPII AP program with helping him earn enough credits so that he could earn degrees in multiple majors in the four years at VU. Callie Keightley Sims graduated from the University of Miami with a Bachelor of Design in Graphic Design. She and her husband, Luke, have recently traveled abroad extensively, enjoying hiking in Peru to skiing in Canada, and now call Minnesota home. Callie and Luke are excited to welcome their first baby at the end of May 2026.
Shelby Cavalli graduated from the University of Denver with a Bachelor of Science in BioChemistry and minors in both Biology and Art History. In the fall, she will be attending the University of Glasgow Veterinary School, a 5-year graduate program in veterinary medicine.
Kate Barber graduated Magna Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Science in Communication – Journalism and Electronic Media from the University of Tennessee Knoxville, where in her senior year she was invited to the Alan and Wendy Wilson Communication & Leadership Academy, recognized as a Volunteer of Distinction and awarded the East Tennessee Society of Professional Journalists 2025 Golden Press Card Award for Continuing Coverage: Keeping Campus Safe. She will relocate to Nashville this summer, where she will begin her career as the Press Assistant for a senator in the United States Senate. Kate credits her JPII media class and leadership experiences with forging her interest in journalism, and she is honored to serve the great state of Tennessee.
Angelique Miller received a Bachelor of Science in Aviation Management from Ohio University, where she was a member of Tau Beta Sigma, the Marching 110, and Women in Aviation. She will relocate to Tennessee and pursue a Master of Science in Aviation Management at Middle Tennessee State University. Katelyn O’Neill graduated from Southern Wesleyan University and just started the Doctor of Physical Therapy program at Western Kentucky University. Allie Rice earned a Bachelor of Science in Marketing with a minor in Hispanic Studies and a collateral (9 credit hours) in International Business from the University of Tennessee Knoxville. She will relocate to Nashville this summer to work at Dell Technology. McKenzie Sonnier graduated Magna Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting from the University of Tennessee Knoxville, where she will continue to pursue a Master of Accountancy – Accounting in the fall.
— 2022 — Shelby Akin graduated from the University of Cincinnati, where she was the equipment manager for the women’s basketball team. She is currently working as a Team Attendant for the Indiana Fever.
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Max Galvin graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology from Centre College, where he was also a member of the Centre Swim and Dive Team. This fall, Max will be attending Baptist University’s College of Osteopathic Medicine (BUCOM) in Memphis, Tennessee. Professionally, he hopes to practice pediatric or family medicine.
Ava Bentley graduated Magna Cum Laude from the University of Tennessee Knoxville with a Bachelor of Science in Business Management including a minor in advertising and public relations. Ava will relocate to Hendersonville, Tennessee, and intern with Universal Music Group in their Capitol Christian Music division, where she will coordinate artist events and assist in the management of their social media platforms.
Natalie Welch graduated Summa Cum Laude from the University of Alabama with a Bachelor of Science in Communications, Advertising and Public Relations. She will continue her education there, pursuing a Master of Science in Advertising and Public Relations. Natalie works at the Tuscaloosa Downtown Merchants Association as the Director of Operations.
Andrew Williams received a Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting from the University of Tennessee Knoxville, where he will continue to pursue a Master of Accountancy – Accounting in the fall. Andrew will work for Latimore, Black, Morgan, and Cain, PC on their audit team this summer as an intern.
— 2023 — Justin Cline II recently graduated from North American Lineman Training Center and is working for Mastec in Nashville, Tennessee. Drue Holzen will be studying at Harvard University this summer, as she was accepted into the Harvard summer program, where she will be taking intro to epidemiology and genetic medicine, as well as human evolution, working with the Harvard bone collective. Drue also hopes to intern with Harvard Med while in Boston. Jenna McMurry graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and Communication from the University of Kentucky, where she will continue her education in the fall, pursuing a Master of Arts in Applied Behavioral Analysis.
at The University of Tennessee Knoxville. He plans to make tax law his area of emphasis.
— 2024 — Mary Barber studies Construction Management at the University of Tennessee Knoxville, where she serves as an officer in the Women in Construction professional organization. She works at Messer Construction Knoxville as a project engineer co-op intern working on the Knoxville Airport Terminal expansion. Mary is a member of the Alpha Delta Pi sorority. Chelsea Herauf attends Western Kentucky University, where she made the Dean’s List and is studying Civil Engineering. She is an active member of the Women in Science and Engineering (WISE) program and recently took part in designing a bridge in 3D. Chelsea is also a member of the Spanish Club and attends Mass at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Center. She and her parents are thankful for their JPII experience.
William Ottman attends the University of Tampa pursuing a degree in Sports Management while working with the Athletics Department as a Facilities Assistant and Photographer. He recently helped manage event operations and logistics as the Facilities Coordinator for the NCAA South Regional Volleyball Tournament. William is also working toward earning his captain’s license, continues to grow his sports photography portfolio, and serves as Vice President of Administration for his fraternity.
Scotlen Reynolds attends Belmont University and studied abroad at Harlaxton College in England during this past spring semester as part of Belmont’s Global Honors Program. She enjoyed the connections between her studies in England to her AP English experiences in high school. Jacob Sullivan, a sophomore at the University of Tennessee Knoxville, is studying civil engineering and is looking forward to his brother, Ian ‘26, joining him at UTK next semester. Having found a great course of study, Jacob also enjoys backpacking and recently started making videos about his trips.
Annslee Ware attends Kalamazoo University and studied abroad in Rome, Italy during this past fall semester. She traveled to London, England; Athens, Greece; Madrid, Spain; Budapest, Hungary; and many other Italian cities during her time in Europe. Noah Young graduated Summa Cum Laude from David Lipscomb University with a Bachelor of Science in Accounting and will continue his education by attending the Winston College of Law
Sean Meffe loves Auburn University, where he is a member of the Honors College and was recently inducted into the Moot Court, a law club at Auburn that competes on the national circuit. He attributes his moot court skills to his JPII Youth in Government training and competitive experiences. To further his interest in legal affairs, Sean will intern at Hospital Corporation of America (HCA) in two different law departments this summer. Summer 2026 • The Shield
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alumni
CONNECTIONS Homecoming 2025 October 24, 2025
T
he Homecoming 2025 Alumni Tent and Tailgate, sponsored by Joe McGrath ’11 and Hattie B’s Hot Chicken, was buzzing with alumKnights and future Knights galore! This year, for the first time in school history, JPII hosted four milestone reunions for the Classes of 2005 (20-year), 2010 (15-year), 2015 (10-year), and 2020 (5-year). AlumKnights and their families filled the stands in the Jim Carell Athletic Complex to cheer on their Knights! Halftime festivities began with the Class of 2005 senior football players – Matt Blackman ’05, Zach Madden ’05, Stevie Molnar ’05, Billy Vaughn ’05 and Chuck Woosley ’05 - leading the school’s first graduating class onto the field to be recognized for their twentieth reunion in memory of classmates Kyle Bagwell ’05 and Michael Staley ’05. Then, all alumni joined current and former JPII faculty and staff for a dessert reception at the Knights Athletic Portico before heading to The Rudder for continued festivities!
44 The Shield • Summer 2026
Class of 2005
Twenty-Year Reunion
T
he Class of 2005, the school’s first graduating class, celebrated their twentieth-year reunion on Saturday, October 25th at Von Elrod’s Beer Hall & Kitchen, Nashville. Thanks to the leadership of classmates Billy Vaughn ’05, Andrew Holt ’05, and Lauren West Anderson ’05 (left photo), all in attendance enjoyed their time together browsing yearbooks, reconnecting with old friends, and meeting one another’s spouses and families!
Class of 2010
Fifteen-Year Reunion
L
ast summer, the Class of 2010 met at The Bourbon Room in Peg Leg Porker Restaurant, Nashville, to celebrate their fifteen-year reunion, which was well attended by both the class of 2010 and several JPII current and former faculty. We appreciate the outreach of planning committee members Melissa MacConnell Adams ‘10, Samantha Kincaid ‘10, Cecilia Lavoie ’10, Falynn Norman ‘10, Caroline Walker Wigger ‘10, and Carly Young Witt ’10.
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Class of 2015 Ten-Year Reunion
T
he Thanksgiving holiday weekend provided the perfect opportunity for the Class of 2015 to reunite at Half Batch Brewing, Hendersonville, to commemorate their tenth-year reunion! Thanks to those who made this special gathering happen, including Zach Abdo ’15, Amanda Bates Barber ‘15, Christian Cook ‘15, Tyler Dorr ’15, Ellen Gerstner ’15, Jovani Martinez ‘15, and Macayla Dowdy Woods ’15.
Class of 2020 Five-Year Reunion
I
t was great to have the Class of 2020 in the stands cheering on the Knights at the Homecoming Football game while also celebrating their five-year reunion! Attending one’s first reunion is a milestone moment, no doubt! After the Knights secured a win, the Class of 2020 took their party on over to The Rudder for continued good times.
Upcoming JPII Reunions - We want to hear from you! The following classes will celebrate milestone reunions sometime during the 2026-2027 school year. Please use the QR code below to update your contact information as we begin preparing for these special milestone celebrations!
Class of 2006
(20-Year Reunion)
46 The Shield • Summer 2026
Class of 2011
(15-Year Reunion)
Class of 2016
(10-Year Reunion)
Class of 2021
(5-Year Reunion)
Junior Knights
J
PII Alumni and their families, as well as other community members, are invited to two special holiday events each year: Visit with Santa and the Easter Egg Hunt. In addition, many JPII alumni children participate in the Summer Camp at JPII program. We love seeing alumni bring their children back to experience life at JPII! We invite all alumni children to join the Junior Knights program to hear about the many events we have for children at JPII throughout the year: www.jp2prep.org/ admissions/jr-knights
JPII Alumni Service Members - Call for Submissions At the suggestion of alumni Sgt. Michael Nelson ‘10 and Mrs. Maddie Bologa Nelson ‘10, we are on a quest to locate and connect with all alumni military service members. “It is our hope that once we reconnect, we will create a JPII military service member community where we can support one another,” said Maddie. We suspect that our JPII alumni service members are serving the USA in posts worldwide. In honor of our country’s 250th anniversary and JPII’s 25th, it is our privilege to establish this outreach initiative in honor of our alumni military service members. Please register for the JPII Alumni Military Service Connection Community using the QR code below.
Summer 2026 • The Shield 47
2024-2025
GRATITUDE REPORT
T
he JPII community once again demonstrated remarkable generosity throughout the 2024–25 fiscal year, offering gifts of time, talent, and treasure in service of something far greater than any one of us. Every student, parent, alumKnight, alumni parent, grandparent, faculty and staff member, and friend who chose to give this year is a living expression of what it means to belong to a mission, not merely a school. The annual commitments of our donor mission partners reach into every classroom, every program, and every corner of the JPII experience, ensuring that what happens here continues to form young people who are strong in mind, body, character, and spirit for generations of Knights yet to come. As Saint John Paul II reminded us, “The future starts today, not tomorrow.” Because of your faithfulness, that future is already taking shape in the students who walk these halls, in the lives being formed for service and love, and in the Knights who will carry this mission into a world that needs them. We pray for our benefactors daily in gratitude for being generous to JPII in His name.
THE POPE SAINT JOHN PAUL II LEGACY SOCIETY JPII honors and thanks donors who have made permanent provisions for JPII in their estate plans.
Anonymous Mr. Clark Baker and Dr. Carolyn Baker The Monsignor William Bevington Estate The Bishop Edward U. Kmiec Estate Mr. Thomas McCarthy and Mrs. Marcia McCarthy Mr. Michael Shea and Mrs. Nita Shea The Monsignor Philip Thoni Estate The Mrs. Elizabeth Wehby Estate THE SHINING CITY ON THE HILL SOCIETY - ($100,000.00 +) Anonymous Mr. J. Edward Pearson and Mrs. Kathleen Pearson ^ THE SHIELD SOCIETY - ($25,000.00 + ) Mr. Chad Beahm and Mrs. Allison Isaacson-Beahm ‘08 ^ The John L. and Margaret Clendenin Foundation Mr. Cameron Goss and Mrs. Brenda Goss/Cross Driven Consulting Mr. Alex Isaacson ‘10 and Mrs. Bridgett Isaacson ^ Mr. Christian Isaacson Mr. Michael Isaacson ‘05 and Mrs. Katherine Isaacson ^
^Indicates our gratitude for those who have given to JPII for ten or more years.
48 The Shield • Summer 2026
KNIGHT’S COURT SOCIETY - ($10,000.00 + ) Mr. Ralph Birchmeier and Mrs. Dawn Birchmeier Boyle Family Foundation Mr. Stephen C. Cook and Mrs. Shannon Cook ^ Mr. Daniel J. Dugan and Mrs. Karen Dugan ^ Mr. James Galvin and Mrs. Kathy Galvin ^ Mr. Greg Garretson and Mrs. Mary Garretson ^ Mr. William Michael Hannold and Mrs. Tanna Hannold Mr. Frederick Heagarty and Mrs. Kristin Heagarty ^ Mr. Russell Marino and Mrs. Charlotte Marino ^ Mr. Thomas McCarthy and Mrs. Marcia McCarthy ^ Nashville Catholic Business Women’s League ^ Mr. Shay Oliphant and Mrs. Julie Oliphant Mr. Michael Shea and Mrs. Nita Shea ^ Smile Solutions ^ Mr. John Sooker and Mrs. Colleen Sooker ^ Dr. Stewart Stowers and Mrs. Samantha Stowers Mr. Golden Tate ‘07 and Mrs. Elise Tate ^ Transco Lines ^ Mr. Eric Wood and Mrs. Kristina Wood Wood Motor Co. Inc. Wood Personnel Services ^
LORDS & LADIES SOCIETY - ($5,000.00 + ) Mr. Mike Abbondanza and Mrs. Karen Abbondanza Anonymous ^ Mr. Larry Borders and Mrs. Terri Borders ^ CarSmart ^ Castleman Inc. Mr. Matthew Clausen and Mrs. Evelyn Clausen ^ Mr. Mark Deffendall and Mrs. Patti Deffendall ^ Diocese of Nashville ^ Mr. Mark Griffith and Mrs. Louise Griffith Hand in Hand Options Inc. Mr. Mike Honious and Mrs. Susanne P. Honious ^ Hunt Brothers Pizza/DBH Distributing, LLC Mr. Bruce Hurst and Mrs. Julie Hurst Mr. David Krebs and Mrs. Paula Krebs ^ Mr. James McLeod and Mrs. Sarah McLeod ^ Mr. James Niedermeyer and Mrs. Mary Niedermeyer Dr. John Shea and Mrs. Jennifer Shea ^ Southern Aesthetics Dr. Stephen A. Strickland and Mrs. Catherine Strickland Wood Financial Group Mr. William Wood and Mrs. Jennifer Wood ^ Mr. Michael Zolnierowicz and Mrs. Barret Zolnierowicz PAGE & SQUIRE SOCIETY - ($2,500.00 + ) Bagsby Ranch Mr. Michael Boyle and Mrs. Crystal Boyle Mr. Scott Bryant and Mrs. Christine Bryant ^ Mr. John P. Donnelly and Mrs. Chris Donnelly Mr. Bryan Edwards and Mrs. Sharon Edwards ^ Mr. Brent Frisbie Dr. Clayton Fulks and Mrs. Jennifer Fulks Mr. Scott Gettelfinger and Mrs. Lori Gettelfinger ^ Mr. James Harrison and Mrs. Leslie Harrison ^ Hattie B’s Hot Chicken Mr. Jeffery W. Hite and Mrs. Amanda Hite Dr. Mathews Joseph and Dr. Asha Joseph Dr. Bryan Lapinski and Mrs. April Lapinski Mr. Kevin McNatt and Mrs. Kathleen McNatt ^ Modern Construction Corporation ^ NovaTech ^ Our Lady of the Lake Church ^ Mr. Allen Ramsey and Mrs. Tricia Ramsey Mr. Kyle Reynolds and Mrs. Sara Reynolds Mr. Gavin Richardson and Mrs. Erin Richardson Mr. Raymond Runyon and Mrs. Julie Runyon Mr. Allen Schemmel and Mrs. Drena Schemmel State Farm Companies Foundation ^ The Nancy M. & Victor S. Johnson, Jr. Foundation, Inc. TNLAX, LLC Window World Middle TN Mr. David Wood and Mrs. Angie Wood CABALLARIUS SOCIETY - ($1,500.00 + ) Anonymous Mr. Matt Anderson and Mrs. Vanessa Anderson Mr. Clark Baker and Dr. Carolyn Baker ^ Bill Mace Homes Mr. Marco Bogni Mr. Tod Bushman and Mrs. Rosanne Bushman Mr. Terry Calonge and Mrs. Sheri Calonge Mr. Reed Goodchild and Mrs. Mikele Goodchild Mr. Jeff Holt and Mrs. Rhonda Holt ^
Mr. J. Terry Hunter Josten’s Inc. ^ Ladies of Charity of Nashville Mr. Chris Mesecher and Mrs. Kim Mesecher Mr. Connor Runyon ‘25 Dr. Jayson Tabor and Dr. Mary Beth Tabor Mr. Matthew Thigpen and Mrs. Laura Thigpen ^ Mr. Jon Verlinde Mr. Timothy Kirk Whittington and Mrs. Julie Whittington ^ COAT OF ARMS SOCIETY - ($1,000.00 + ) Mr. Allen Arender and Mrs. Laura Arender Mr. Scott Bagwell and Mrs. DeAna Bagwell ^ Mr. Thomas P. Brennan and Mrs. Zaneta T. Brennan Mr. Zac Campbell and Mrs. Tara Campbell ^ Caterpillar Foundation Matching Gift Dr. Erick Chittle and Mrs. Kimberly Chittle Creative Dining Services Mr. Don Ellis and Mrs. Kathy Ellis Ms. Janice L. Fields Mr. Al Foster and Mrs. Barbara Foster Mr. Michael Gaughan and Mrs. Lindy Gaughan Golden for Mayor Mr. Joseph Hobbs and Mrs. Elizabeth Hobbs Holladay Properties Mr. Chris Kelley and Mrs. Connie Kelley Mr. Mark Kiracofe and Mrs. Melita Rippy Dr. Walter Koscienski and Dr. Christine Foster Ms. Amanda Kush Mr. Tracy McMurtry and Mrs. Catherine McMurtry Mr. Darrell Montgomery and Mrs. Mekesha Montgomery Dr. J. Richard Morris and Mrs. Deirdre Morris Mr. Richard Musacchio and Mrs. Karen Musacchio ^ Father Chukwunonso Ohanaka Pella Tennessee, LLC Dr. Brad R. Peper and Mrs. Amanda R. Peper ^ Ms. Karen Phillips ^ Mr. Kerry Rogers and Mrs. Kimberly Rogers Mr. Michael Schaefer and Mrs. Christine Schaefer Mr. Joseph Smith and Mrs. Una Smith SportsTurf Stiles Impressions LLC/DBA GradPro TN Mr. Mike Thompson and Mrs. Renee Thompson Mr. Michael Twilbeck ‘08 Dr. C. J. Vaughn and Dr. P. L. Myrick Mr. Kurt D. Woodruff and Mrs. Judy M. Woodruff BLUE & GOLD SOCIETY - ($1.00 + ) Anonymous Mr. Ethan Abner Mr. David Adams and Mrs. Emily Adams Mr. Josh Adams and Mrs. Laura Adams Ms. Julie Aden Mr. Delando Davis and Ms. Shirlethia Adkinson Mr. Stephen Aleman and Mrs. Jennifer Aleman Ms. Stacy Alessio Mr. Sean Alexander and Mrs. Sarah Alexander Mr. Guy Alfieri and Mrs. Susan Alfieri ^ Mr. Jason Allman and Mrs. Tiffany Allman Mr. Guillermo J. Alonzo and Mrs. Amelia Alonzo Ms. Anita Anderson Mrs. Lauren West Anderson ‘05 and Mr. Patrick Anderson Mr. Jose Angel and Mrs. Claudia Quintero
Summer 2026 • The Shield
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Apex Building Services, LLC Ms. Mary Bacigalupo and Mr. James Beata Dr. Jon Backstrom and Dr. Maureen Gannon Mr. Justin Bahorik and Mrs. Kari Bahorik Father John S. Baker Mr. Marcus Baldini and Mrs. Shannon Baldini Ms. Harriet Baltz Ms. Eva Bangert Mr. Kevin A. Barber and Mrs. Michelle L. Barber ^ Mr. Joe Bartlett and Mrs. Doris Bartlett Mr. William Bass and Mrs. Mary Bass Mr. Eric Beasley and Mrs. Danielle Beasley Ms. Lisa Beasley Mr. Danny Beecham and Mrs. Heidi Beecham Mr. Nathan Berry and Mrs. Amy Berry Mr. Jason Mark Berwanger and Mrs. Meredith Berwanger Mr. Philip Best and Mrs. Erika Best Mr. Steve Black and Mrs. Tracy Black Mr. Kevin Blaser and Mrs. Tracie Blaser Ms. Kathy Borum Mr. Jack Bound and Mrs. Molly Bound Mr. Todd Bracht and Mrs. Amanda Bracht Mr. Matthew Bramer Mr. Ricardo Brandt and Mrs. Illeana Brandt Mr. Coleman Braun and Mrs. Elise Braun Ms. Donna B. Bressinck Mr. Rene Bressinck and Ms. Diane Allen Mr. Tyrus Briggs and Mrs. Marina Jelic-Briggs Mr. Jonathan Britt Mr. Aristo C. Brizzolara, IV Mr. John Paul Brizzolara and Mrs. Abigail Brizzolara Mr. Mike Brown and Mrs. Karen Brown ^ Dr. Matt Browning and Mrs. Melissa Browning Mr. Hogan Bryant ‘12 and Mrs. Mary Katherine Bryant ^ Reverend Andrew J. Bulso ‘05 ^ Mr. Wilhelm Bunjor ‘11 Mr. Kenneth Burian and Mrs. Jean Burian Ms. Jennifer K. Burke Dr. Dan Burval and Dr. Roxanne Valentino Mr. Jeffrey D. Cain and Mrs. Linda Cain Dr. Stefan Calloway Mr. Ryan Calonge Mr. Roy Cantillano and Mrs. Evelin Solorzano Mr. Josh Carman and Mrs. Brooke Carman Ms. Tiffany L. Carta CARTI Cancer Center Mr. Rick Cash and Mrs. Amy Cash Mr. James Childers Mr. Paul Childress and Mrs. Kim Childress ^ Ms. Emilianna Chittle ‘25 Mr. Jonathan W. Clark Mr. Kevin Clavin ‘11 and Mrs. Emily Mills Clavin ‘09 Dr. Steven A. Clift Mr. Bill Cohen and Mrs. Melinda Cohen Mr. Benjamin Coleman and Dr. Christine Coleman Mr. Patrick Connolly and Mrs. Diane Connolly ^ Mr. Christian Cook ‘15 Mr. Daniel S. Cook Mr. J. Brian Crawford and Mrs. Michelle Crawford Mr. Brent Crouch and Mrs. Priscilla Crouch Mr. Christopher Curran and Mrs. Nisha Curran
50 The Shield • Summer 2026
Mr. Robert B. Curren and Mrs. Patricia A. Curren Dr. Nicholas Currlin and Dr. Tuzdy Currlin Mr. Michael W. Dale Mr. Luke Dalske and Mrs. Sarah Dalske Mr. Kevin Daniel and Mrs. Beth Daniel Mr. Brian Davis and Mrs. Celeste Davis Mr. William Dean and Mrs. Colleen Dean Mr. Shane F. Lyons and Mrs. Veronica Del Valle ^ Mrs. Kim DeMarigny Mr. Roy DePue and Mrs. Pat DePue Mr. Luke Diamond and Reverend Amanda Diamond ^ Mr. Charlie Dickerson and Mrs. Karen Dickerson Mr. Haskell L. Dickinson and Mrs. Peggy Dickinson Mr. Daniel Dion Mr. Philip Disser Mr. Anhminh Do and Mrs. Tran Tran Mrs. Victoria Vicente Douglas ‘08 Mr. John Drewnowski and Mrs. Mary Drewnowski Mr. Keach Driver and Mrs. Tandy Driver Mr. Matthew DuBois and Mrs. Beverly DuBois Mr. Mark Duehmig and Mrs. Cindi Duehmig Mr. Chad Durham and Mrs. Selena Baltz Mr. Kevin Dye and Mrs. Jennifer Dye ^ Mr. Tony Earley and Mrs. Sarah Bell Earley Mr. Scott Easter and Mrs. Ingrid Easter ^ Mr. Doug Ebelhar and Mrs. Jeannette Ebelhar ^ Mr. John Edwards and Mrs. Sally Edwards Mr. Chris Egan and Mrs. Allison Egan Mr. Jim Elfers and Mrs. Elizabeth Elfers Mr. Steve Elliott and Mrs. Jennifer Elliott Ms. Rachel Ernst Mr. Terence N. Fails Mr. Brad Fair and Mrs. Laura Fair Ms. Donna Fair Mr. Glenn Farris and Mrs. Lisa Farris Dr. Cheryl Ann Fassler Mr. Jason Faulk and Mrs. Shanna Faulk Werrbach Mr. Edwin Feagins and Dr. Shindana Feagins Mr. Thomas Ferranti and Dr. Lori Ferranti Ms. Jane D. Fink Ms. Alice Finn Mrs. Jewell Forester Ms. Ashley Fox ‘09 Ms. Phyllis Francis Mr. Eddie Freeman and Mrs. Manie Freeman Mr. Richard Frietsche Mr. Douglas Gafney and Mrs. Julie Gafney Mr. Mark Gagliardi and Mrs. Olga Gagliardi Ms. Kris Gasser Mr. Mondray Gee Mr. Cal Gentry and Mrs. Lisa Gentry Mr. David Gilliam and Mrs. Brooke Gilliam Mr. Ron Girten and Mrs. Faye Girten ^ Mr. Chris Glasco and Mrs. Jinny Glasco Ms. Christian L. Glaser Mr. Rob Gleason and Mrs. Lori Gleason Mr. Gerald Goertz and Mrs. Virginia Goertz Mr. Wes Golden and Mrs. Sara Golden Ms. Rachel Gordon ^ Ms. Stephanie A. Graznak Greater Nashville Funding
Mr. Robert Gregor and Mrs. Catherine Gregor Mr. Charlie J. Guerry and Mrs. Caroline Guerry ^ Dr. A. D. Hall and Mrs. Victoria Hall Mr. Jeff Hall and Dr. Liz Hall Ms. Guihua Han Mr. Joshua Hankins and Mrs. Amy Hankins Mr. Thomas Harding and Mrs. Candace Harding Mr. Derek Harris and Mrs. Michelle Harris Mrs. Michelle Harris Mr. Neal Harris and Mrs. Jennifer Harris Mr. Michael Hartman and Mrs. Nayeli Hartman Mr. Banning Hatchett and Mrs. Alicia Hatchett Mr. Robert Hays and Mrs. Jan Hays Ms. Onnessia Head Ms. Alleyxa Heisserer Mr. Brian Hill Mr. William Hilleary and Mrs. Meredith Hilleary Mr. David Hobbs and Mrs. Jill Hobbs Mr. Brian Hock and Mrs. Jeanne Hock Ms. Kelly Hogan Mr. Mark Holleman Mr. Dan Hollis and Mrs. Annette Hollis Mr. Andy Hollman and Mrs. Jami Hollman Mr. Michael B. Holt and Mrs. Melissa B. Holt Mr. Chris Holzen Mr. Jason Holzen and Dr. Jennifer Holzen Home Pros LLC Mr. Rob Hutcherson and Mrs. Jancy Hutcherson Mr. Joshua Isble and Dr. Jenny Isble Ms. Clair Ivanov Mr. Ivan Ivanov Dr. Chris Jackson and Mrs. Amy Jackson Mr. Mark Jackson Mr. Tyler Jacobs and Mrs. Kara Jacobs Mr. Daniel Jennings and Mrs. Lillian Jennings Mr. Robert Johannes and Mrs. Isabel Johannes Ms. Dot Johns Mr. Josh Johnson and Mrs. Crystal Johnstone Johnson ‘05 Mr. Gerald Johnson and Mrs. Jennifer Johnson Dr. Marshall Johnson and Mrs. Anne Johnson Reverend Jeff Jones and Mrs. Lori Jones ^ Mr. Michael Karp Ms. Cecilia Keith Mr. Steven Kennard and Mrs. Tasha Kennard Mr. Patrick Kennedy and Mrs. Kate Kennedy Mr. Eugene King and Mrs. Damaris King Mr. David Brugman and Mrs. Brandie King-Brugman Mr. Shane Kirby and Mrs. Amy Kirby Mr. Antonio Knox and Mrs. April Knox Mr. Thomas Koen ‘11 Mr. Clint Koerkenmeier and Mrs. Melinda Koerkenmeier Mr. Patrick Kopf and Mrs. Allison Kopf Mr. Steven Kopp and Mrs. Lynn Kopp Mr. William Krispin and Mrs. Barbara Krispin ^ Mr. Jason Kumm and Mrs. Michelle Sonnichsen-Kumm Mr. Kyriakos Kyriakidis and Dr. Patricia H. Kyriakidis Mr. Miaomiao Lai Mr. Sam Lamberth and Mrs. Jennifer Lamberth Mr. Richard W. Lampkin and Mrs. W. S. Lampkin Mr. Tim D. Langford and Mrs. Terri L. Langford Mr. Jonathan Langlois and Mrs. Beth Langlois
Dr. Charles Lanning and Mrs. Faye Lanning Ms. Sarah Larkin Mrs. Danielle Latham and Mr. Stacy Latham ^ Mr. Jackson Latham ‘18 Mr. Matt Laughridge Mrs. Jordan MacConnell Lawson ‘08 Mr. Brennon LeCave ‘17 Mr. Jonny Lee and Mrs. Jenny Lee Ms. Julie Lee Mr. Steve Lee and Mrs. Erin Lee Mr. Jason Lekki and Mrs. Patricia Lekki Mr. Ashley Linville and Ms. Beatriz Lopez Mrs. Jaime Rochester Littrell ‘15 Mr. Taylor Holmes ‘10 and Ms. Diandian Liu Mr. Andres Llanos and Mrs. Lien Linero Mr. Mark Lloyd and Mrs. Elizabeth Lloyd Mr. Bruce Long and Mrs. Jill Long ^ LSI (Heartland LLC Landscape Services, Inc) Mr. Charles R. Lyons Ms. Melissa Lyons Mr. Michael Magro and Mrs. Anna Magro Mr. John Manning Mr. Adam Markham and Mrs. Amanda Markham Mr. Charles Marshall and Mrs. Kimberly Marshall Mr. Mike Martini and Mrs. Lori Martini Mr. Michael Marx and Mrs. Natasha Marx Ms. Elsbeth Maurer Mr. Joshua Mauthe and Mrs. Maria Mauthe ^ Ms. Beverly C. Maxwell Mr. Michael May and Mrs. Kelly May Mrs. Cassie McDowell ‘08 Mr. Tim McFadden and Mrs. Lisa McFadden Mr. Owen McGrath ‘18 and Mrs. Saydi Arms McGrath ‘18 Mr. Terrence McGuire and Mrs. Andrea McGuire Mr. Brad McKenzie and Mrs.Toni McKenzie Mr. Jamie McMurry and Mrs. Jennifer McMurry Ms. Marnie McNamara Ms. Tamicha Meadows Ms. Connie Megee Mr. Joseph Melvin and Mrs. Carrie Melvin Dr. Rodney Brandon Mewbourne and Mrs. Jackie Mewbourne Dr. L. K. Mills and Mrs. Victoria Mills Ms. Mitzi Millsaps Mr. Jett Mitchell and Mrs. Sarah M. Mitchell Mr. Joey Montalbano and Mrs. Kristy Montalbano Mr. Phillip Montgomery Mr. Richard N. Moore Mr. Terry Moore and Mrs. Gaynelle Moore Mr. Jeffery Morris and Mrs. Cori Morris Mr. Pat Morrison and Mrs. Ann Morrison Ms. Camden Mosesmann Dr. Shemarlo Moses-Stanton Mr. Ryan Moshak Mr. G. J. Nardone and Mrs. Claudine Nardone Ms. Betty Nash Mrs. Abby Newby ^ Mr. Nick Nitsch and Mrs. Marcie Nitsch Mr. Kai Nitsche Northwestern Mutual Foundation Mr. Daniel Olivas and Mrs. Susan Olivas Mr. Roger Oliver and Ms. Sandy Miles
Summer 2026 • The Shield
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Mr. Greg Orr and Mrs. Andi Orr Mr. Jeff Ottman and Mrs. Julie Ottman Mr. Matthew Ours and Mrs. Jennie Ours Ms. Jodi Owsiany Mr. Robert Page and Mrs. Kate Page ^ Ms. Pam Palmer Mr. James Palsgrove and Mrs. Jennifer Palsgrove Mr. Thomas J. Panozzo and Mrs. Andrea Panozzo Mr. Jason Parizek and Mrs. Crystal Parizek Mr. Andrew Park Mr. Chris Parker and Mrs. Noelle Parker Mr. Scott Parrelli and Mrs. Emily Parrelli Ms. Krupa Patel Mrs. Nita Patel Mr. Anthony Patterson and Mrs. Melinda Patterson Mr. Thomas Patterson and Mrs. Melisa Patterson Mr. Alex Payne and Mrs. Lindsay Payne Dr. Brad R. Peper and Mrs. Amanda R. Peper ^ Mr. Aaron Perer and Mrs. Tara Perer Mr. Eric Pertuit and Mrs. Krystal Pertuit Ms. Betsy Pierpaoli ^ Mr. Kyle Pitt and Mrs. Kristen Pitt Ms. Ewa Poplawska-Pagan Ms. Kelly Postiglione Cook Mr. Scott Potter and Mrs. Daphne Potter Mr. Daryl Price and Mrs. Jennifer Price Mr. Mark Quarles and Mrs. Valorie Quarles Mr. Brooks Quin and Mrs. Marjorie Quin Mr. Brian Raybourne and Mrs. Casey Raybourne ^ Ms. Anna Reding ‘15 Mr. Jordan Remer Mr. Steven H. Remer and Mrs. Esther C. Remer Ms. Yadira Reyes Mr. Grant Rice and Mrs. Shannon Rice Mr. Adam Rieck and Mrs. Maureen Rieck Mr. Greg Ritchie and Mrs. Charlotte Ritchie Mr. Erich Ritzhaupt and Mrs. Sarah Ritzhaupt Mr. Stanley M. Ross Mr. Blake Roth and Mrs. Katie Roth Mr. Michael Rowan and Mrs. Juana X. Rowan Mr. Sean Ruehe and Mrs. Amber Ruehe Mr. Charles Sanger and Mrs. Maureen Sanger Mr. Larry Savage and Dr. Rebecca Savage Mr. William Savage and Mrs. Pamela Savage Mr. James F. Schacht and Mrs. Amber L. Schacht Mr. Nickolas Schimmel and Mrs. Kelly Schimmel Mr. Chris Schubart and Ms. Cindy Schubart Mr. Tim Schwarz and Mrs. Julie Schwarz Mr. Chase Seaver and Ms. Katherine Calvin Mr. Rob Selah and Mrs. Angela Selah Mr. Marty Sexton and Mrs. Wendy Sexton Mr. Lane Shaver and Mrs. Kimberly Shaver ^ Mr. Brandon Shea and Mrs. Elizabeth Shea Mr. Larry Shehane and Mrs. Gwynne Shehane Mr. Michael Shelby and Mrs. Kathleen Shelby Dr. James M. Sheppard and Mrs. Cecile C. Sheppard Mr. Abhay Shetty and Ms. Shivangi Parikh Mr. Adam Shick and Mrs. Stefanie Shick Simmons Bank Mr. Matthew Simonsen and Mrs. Kitti Simonsen Mr. Thomas F. Simpson and Mrs. Margaret Simpson
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Mr. William C. Simpson and Mrs. Bridget Simpson Dr. Christopher Siodlarz and Dr. Jennifer Siodlarz Mr. Jerry Skaggs and Mrs. Melissa Skaggs Mr. George Smelcer and Mrs. Kelly Smelcer Ms. Ivanka Smith Mr. Ron Smith and Mrs. Jennifer Smith ^ Mrs. Susan M. Smith Mr. Travis Smith and Mrs. Mary Smith Ms. Kelly Smits Mr. Phil Sneed Ms. Susan Snyder ^ Ms. Blanca Solis Bishop Joseph M. Spalding Mr. Benjamin Sparks and Ms. Dorothy Winfree Mr. Steve Sparks and Mrs. Mary Ann Sparks Mr. Steve Springer and Mrs. Sonja Springer Ms. Erin Springstead Mr. Todd Staley and Mrs. Ashley Staley Mr. Walt Stallings Mr. Anthony Stephen and Mrs. Amy Stephen Mr. Jason Stephens and Mrs. Meridith Stephens Ms. Patricia Stephenson ‘06 Mr. Sean Stevison and Mrs. Lisa Stevison Mr. David Stiglet and Mrs. Charmaine Stiglet Mr. John C. Stilwell and Mrs. Andrea Stilwell Ms. Sarah-Jo Stimpson Mr. Stephen Strickland ‘22 Dr. Brian Stuart and Dr. Denise Stuart Ms. Jane A. Sullins Mr. John Sullivan and Mrs. Laura Sullivan Dr. Chad Swan and Mrs. Kelly Swan ^ Dr. Bernard Sy and Mrs. Christine Sy Mr. Christopher Szalaj and Mrs. Jennifer Zehnder Mr. Wait Ming Tang and Mrs. YiPing Cui Mr. Jake Taylor Mr. Jason Taylor and Mrs. Stacy Taylor Mr. David Tennessen and Mrs. Amanda Tennessen Mr. Manuel Terzoli The Kind Charities of Tennessee, Inc. The UK Online Giving Foundation Mr. Brian Thomas and Mrs. Brandy Thomas Mr. Craig Thomas and Mrs. Alyson Thomas ^ Mr. Brent Toole and Mrs. Stacie Toole Mr. Sean Torr and Mrs. Denine Torr Mr. William T. Tucker and Mrs. Margaret R. Tucker Mr. Greg S. Tuerff and Mrs. Jayne Tuerff Mr. Jeremy Turner and Mrs. Brandi Turner Mr. David Uyl and Mrs. Kristin Uyl Mr. Bryan T. Vaughn and Mrs. Margaret S. Vaughn Ms. JoAnn Verner Mr. Josh Ford and Mrs. Veronica Vicente Ford ‘08 Dr. Charles Wade and Mrs. Cara Wade Mr. Matthew J. Wallace Mr. Wayne Wantz and Mrs. Chris Wantz ^ Mr. Mark Weakley and Mrs. Jessica Weakley Mr. Justin Webb and Mrs. Jennifer Webb Mr. Donald Weimer and Mrs. Cheryl Weimer Mr. David Wermus and Mrs. Kristin Wermus Mr. Mark D. Werner and Mrs. Donna P. Werner Mr. Steven J. Wesolowski and Mrs. Jean Wesolowski Mr. Eli West and Mrs. Jennifer West
Ms. Roseann West Ms. Stephanie West ‘06 Mr. William J. Whalen and Mrs. Carol A. Whalen ^ Mr. Jason Whitaker and Mrs. Callie Whitaker Mr. Nicholas White and Mrs. Sarah White Ms. LaTonya Wiggins Mr. Kyle Wiley and Mrs. Natalia Wiley Mr. Edgar H. Willard Mr. Zachary Willard and Mrs. Heather Willard Mr. Daniel Williams and Mrs. Angela Williams Mr. Joseph L. Williams and Mrs. Linda Williams Dr. Regina Williams Mr. Tony Williams and Dr. Antoinette Williams Mr. Jeffrey Wilson and Dr. Anabella Wilson Mr. Robert Wingo and Mrs. Amy Wingo Mr. Robert Wingo and Mrs. Judy Wingo Mr. Jeffrey Witte and Mrs. Karen Witte Mr. Jonathan A. Wood ‘09 Wood Financial Group Mr. Darryl Woodcock Mr. Jeremy Wright and Mrs. Keri Wright Mr. Hilarion Woronzoff-Dashkoff and Mrs. Elizabeth WoronzoffDashkoff Mr. Dustin Wright and Mrs. Ashlie Wright Mrs. Bilian Xie Ms. Maria Zuazo Mr. Brian Zuelsdorf and Mrs. Courtney Zuelsdorf
Legacy Giving/Planned Giving
Legacy Giving refers to donations that a donor promises to a nonprofit organization now, but the donation will actually be received by the non-profit organization, such as JPII, at some time in the future, often at the end of the donor’s lifetime. Legacy Giving is also commonly referred to as Planned Giving since a donor “plans out” this type of gift in advance. If a donor has a Will or Trust, the donor may list the intention to make a Legacy/Planned Gift in such documentation. If a donor does not have a Will or Trust, the donor can work with an attorney or financial advisor to make the Legacy/Planned Gift known and documented. In either situation, if you wish to remember JPII with a Legacy/Planned Gift or if you have already done so, please contact Director of Advancement Michelle Barber so she can document your intentions and ensure your wishes are known to JPII. While most Legacy/Planned Gifts are made through a bequest in a donor’s Will and/or Trust, there are many financial tools that allow a donor to make a significant gift during their lifetime and benefit from tax breaks and other financial benefits during the donor’s lifetime. If this is of interest to you, please contact Director of Advancement Michelle Barber to connect with suggested allied partners who will assist you in devising and executing a beneficial plan.
Celebration presented by
Thank you to all of our event sponsors! Barber Cabinet Co/Kevin and Michelle Barber Bill and Carol Whalen Bruce and Julie Hurst Bubba and Chris Donnelly Cameron and Brenda Goss CarSmart/CarCare/Guy and Susan Alfieri Chef’s Market/Jim and Cheryl Hagy Civil Site Engineering/Jim and Leslie Harrison Clausen Group Realtors, LLC/Matt and Evie Clausen David and Michelle Amlicke Diocese of Nashville Eddie and Kathleen Pearson eighteen 92, LLC/Chip and Christina Englander FlynnO’Hara Uniform Company GradPro/Kerry Stiles Home Pros/Bruce and Beth Boling Hunt Brothers Pizza Jeff and Amanda Hite Jet Harbor, Inc./Jeremy and Carrie Weber/Mary and Damian Weber Northwestern Mutual/Joey and Kristy Montablano John Kyle Karen Phillips KIA Murfreesboro/Martin and Kristin Herr LFM Capital/Stephen and Shannon Cook LSI Modern Construction Corporation, LLC/Wayne and Chris Wantz NovaTech/Bryan Winfree Our Lady of the Lake Church Reed and Mikele Goodchild Sam and Jennifer Lamberth Scott Bryant State Farm Insurance/Scott and Christine Bryant SERVPRO/Rick and Kristie Isaacson Southern Aesthetics/Eli and Jennifer West Stephen and Catherine Strickland Stewart and Samantha Stowers sylvan/Jessica Lane-Russell Tent & Events/Jack Roek Terry and Cindy Wallace Tuerff & Sons/Greg and Jayne Tuerff Vaughn Thomas Borum Foundation/Kathy Borum Walter and Jeannette Koscienski Willow Branch Landscapes/Russell and Charlotte Marino Wilson Bank & Trust/Taylor and Katherine Walker Wood Financial Group/Wes and Susannah Wood
Summer 2026 • The Shield
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117 Caldwell Drive Hendersonville, Tennessee 37075 615-822-2375
JPII HOMECOMING 2026 Celebrating 25 Years as JPII Knights FRIDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL, SEPTEMBER 18 Homecoming on the Hill – JPII vs. Goodpasture
Pregame AlumKnight Tailgate @ the Alumni Tent food, beverages, and JPII swag for you and your family - free game admission for all alumni families 7:00 p.m. – Kick Off 8:00 p.m. – Halftime Reception for AlumKnights @ the KAC Room & Midfield Introduction of the JPII Class of 2006 (20th Reunion) 9:00 p.m. – Post-Game Gathering @ The Rudder for all AlumKnights (and a guest) and AlumKnight Parents The Rudder - 126 River Road, Hendersonville
REUNION WEEKENDS COMING SOON!
Classes of 2006, 2011, 2016, and 2021 will have private reunion events planned by the Alumni Office and the Class Agents. See page 46 or visit the JPII alumni webpages to update contact information, register for events, and find reunion information. www.jp2prep.org/community-life/alumni Facebook & Instagram: jp2prep_alumni