CAVALIER CONNECTION
THOMAS JEFFERSON INDEPENDENT DAY SCHOOL’S ALUMNI MAGAZINE
Letter from the Director of Development & Alumni Engagement
Dear TJ Alumni & Alumni Families,
With TJ entering its 32nd year of operation, a lot may have changed since you last roamed the halls on campus, attended an all-school picnic, or performed your heart out under Mr. Atteberry’s direction, but you can guarantee that many of TJ’s most foundational tenets- a warm community, adherence to our Honor Code, and a world-class education- remain unchanged.
When working through ideas on fun and effective ways to communicate with our alumni community, we knew we wanted to feature the incredible things our alumni are doing in the world, bring visibility to our alumni engagement events, and provide meaningful TJ updates as we remain dedicated to our Mission. Thus, we present you with the first issue of The Cavalier Connection.
We invite you to reflect on your own time spent on Newman Road while learning more about some of your fellow Cavaliers. This academic year, TJ will celebrate two significant milestones: the first being the largestever graduating class with 29 students; and the second will be reaching over 500 alumni!
Thank you for being a part of our community. We are so proud of your unique journeys and accomplishments, and we hope this magazine helps to strengthen your connections, both to the school, as well as one another.
GO CAVALIERS!
Warmly,
Lauden Baker Director of Development & Alumni Engagement
ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT:
Ms. Jaden Moore – TJ Class of 2020
Jaden Moore has had a full-circle year with TJ! At the start of the 2024-2025 school year, Jaden returned to her alma mater to join Ms. Stephanie Myers as a Pre-Kindergarten teacher, as well as our Assistant Cross Country Coach.
Jaden started at TJ as a Kindergartener in 2007, joining Ms. Dunker and Mrs. Beard’s class. In Upper School, she participated in track, cross country, basketball, vocal ensemble, National Honor Society, and Student Council. After graduating TJ in 2020, Jaden would go on to earn her Bachelor of Science degree in early childhood education and special education as an Honors College graduate with a 4.0 GPA from Grand Canyon University.
Jaden shared, “I deeply enjoyed my time as a TJ student. This place has always felt like home and provided a consistent environment for me to flourish in as I grew up. I feel honored to return as a teacher this year and am realizing more and more what a special place Thomas Jefferson is. I love this community and am so excited to teach AND learn from others in the years to come!”
Jaden- TJ is honored to have you back on campus working with a new generation of Cavaliers!
TJ Alumni Advisory Council Steering Committee
• Jacob Gutwillig, Class of 2005 – President
• Kathy Liu, Class of 2000
• Bradley Knapp, Class of 2001
• Doniqua Colbert, Class of 2002
• Cabal Culp, Class of 2005
• Angie Scott, Class of 2005
• Anne Hershewe, Class of 2006
• Mary McDonald, Class of 2008
• Sanjay Jenkins, Class of 2014
• Noah Wells, Class of 2016
Interested in joining the Alumni Advisory Council? Email alumni@tjeffschool.org for more information.
“I am always so happy to hear from our alumni. Knowing about your successes and experiences, helps us provide the best education to our current students. On a personal note, hearing from you brings back so many great memories of past years at our great school.”
—Mr. John Atteberry
NEWS FROM NEWMAN ROAD
received AP Platinum Designation which is College Board’s highest distinction! Factors considered when evaluating school programs include number of AP courses offered, student performance/ pass rate on AP exams, number of students earning AP Scholar distinction, and faculty credentials and overall expertise in their discipline. The AP School Honor Roll recognizes schools whose AP programs are delivering results for students while broadening access. Schools can earn this recognition annually based on criteria that reflect a commitment to increasing college-going culture, providing opportunities for students to earn college credit, and maximizing college readiness.
Recap of the 2023-24 School Year Academic Highlights:
Class of 2024: 18 graduates
Average ACT: 29
2 National Merit Finalists, 3 National Merit Commended Scholars College matriculations: Rice University, University of Missouri Honors College, Washington UniversitySt. Louis, Truman State University, Elon University, Bowdoin College, Rogers State University, Georgia Institute of Technology, University of Nebraska,
University of Missouri-Kansas City 6-Year BS/ MD Program, Syracuse University-College of the Performing Arts, Babson College, Saint Louis University, Missouri State University, Rockhurst University
Athletic Highlights:
• Cross Country had 4 All-District State Qualifiers
• Our US Soccer program returned with 3 named to the Class 1 District 7 All-District Team
• Lady Cavs Swim had 2 athletes compete at State Lady Cavs Basketball dominated:
• Class 1 District 3 Champions
• First time at Sectionals in over 20 years
• Undefeated Ozark 7 Conference Champions
• Class 1 District 3 Player of the Year
• 1 student named to the Class 1 District 3 All-District Team
• Class 1 District 3 Coach of the Year
Arts Highlights:
• Upper School Vocal Ensemble -Exemplary Rating at the MSHSAA Large Ensemble Festival
• 1 student named to All-state Choir
• Upper School Orchestra -Exemplary Rating at the MSHSAA Large Ensemble Festival
• 1 student name to All-state Orchestra
• Upper School Musical: “Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella”
• Middle School Musical: “Beauty & the Beast”
• Lower School Musical: “Roald Dahl’s Willy Wonka Kids”
• Ozark 7 Art Competition 4 first prizes
ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT:
Mr. Avery Barnett – TJ Cass of 2001 Avery Barnett started his Thomas Jefferson journey as a seventh grader in 1995. In Upper School he would participate in Basketball before graduating with the Class of 2001, leaving TJ inspired by his amazing teachers who openly shared their breadth of experience.
Avery would go on to attend and graduate from the United States Military Academy at West Point in 2005, earning his Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering Psychology. Afterward, Avery served in the United States Army on Active Duty for five years and eighteen months Reserve.
Now, Avery works in Manufacturing Support at TAMKO Building Products. He and his wife Rachel will be celebrating their 20-year wedding anniversary next summer; and he is also the father to two children, Kai and Kenna.
We were excited to be visited by Avery as he gave a special talk at our Upper School Assembly on Wednesday, September 11. Avery spoke about his path from TJ, to West Point, to the United States Army, to working in Manufacturing Support at TAMKO Building Products, as well as how the TJ Honor Code has proven vital to the various aspects of his life. Students engaged Avery in conversation and asked great questions both in the TJ Concert Hall, as well as the Upper School Library during a post-talk reception.
CAVALIERS IN KC!
On Friday, June 29, nearly thirty members of our TJ Community enjoyed a satellite Alumni event in Kansas City as Sporting KC played Austin FC!
In addition to celebrating Sporting KC’s victory, TJ got two specific shoutouts on the jumbotron, and our entire group got to go out on the field after the game for a special firework show.
Thank you to our Alumni, representing a nearly 20-year span of Cavaliers, and the rest of our TJ Community for making the event so fun and meaningful!
Distinguished Alumnus 2024
Dr. Tyler Fraum TJ Class of 2004
Dr. Tyler Fraum joined TJ as a third grader in the fall of 1994, the school’s second year in operation. Mr. John Atteberry shared, “Tyler was an exemplary student. He worked very hard to achieve high grades and high standardized test scores. His goal was admittance to an elite college, med school, and a successful career in medicine. He seemed to have this plan from a very early age, and he worked his plan diligently as a Middle and Upper School student. Tyler was also a talented musician, playing guitar at a very high level, and a four-year member of the Upper School Vocal Ensemble. He and several other TJ students formed an awesome band that got a lot of gigs in the area.”
During his time at TJ, Tyler helped the Academic Bowl team accomplish back-to-back State Championships in 2002 and 2003. Tyler held the highest GPA in his class all four years of Upper School. He received the Mel Hancock Rising Junior and Rising Senior Awards, achieved distinction as an AP Scholar, and was a National Merit Finalist. Tyler received his high school diploma in 2004 and crossed the TJ stage as Valedictorian. Tyler reflected on the impact of his Upper School English teacher stating, “Dr. John Boots, my English teacher for several years in high school, taught me to read critically and to write persuasively. I often recall his lessons while writing a research manuscript or reviewing a medical journal article.”
claiming his Bachelor of Arts degree in Biological Sciences in 2008. Next, Tyler would be inducted into Alpha Omega Alpha, the medical academic honor society, at Duke University where he would ultimately obtain his Medical Degree in 2012.
Tyler started his longstanding relationship with Washington University School of Medicine by completing an Internal Medicine Internship in 2013. Tyler would go on to complete a Diagnostic Radiology Residency in 2017, a Body MRI Fellowship in 2018, and a Nuclear Medicine Fellowship in 2019. During his academic career at Washington University School of Medicine, Tyler was a two-time recipient of the RSNA Roentgen Resident/Fellow Award in 2017 and 2019, and the Mallinckrodt Institute of Radiology Fellow of the Year in 2018.
Dr. Tyler Fraum with his wife, Dr. Karishma Furtado and their daughters, Anina and Zara
Since 2019, Tyler has worked as the Assistant Professor of Diagnostic Radiology & Nuclear Medicine within the Mallinckrodt Institute of Radiology at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis where he covers clinical services in the Abdominal Imaging section and Nuclear Medicine division, as well as teaches fellows, residents, and medical students. He is also an attending Radiologist at six different hospitals, the Clinical Associate Director of the Center for Clinical Imaging Research and is appointed to eight different committees. Additionally, Tyler has been invited to over twenty Professorships and Lectureships across the country from Hawaii to California to New York and everywhere in between.
Tyler’s next stop would be the University of Chicago where he was inducted into Phi Beta Kappa, the academic honor society, and would be awarded the “Best Honors Thesis in the Biological Sciences” before
A few of Tyler’s most notable accomplishments include: three-time recipient of the Distinguished Teacher Award selected by Diagnostic Radiology Residents in 2021, 2022, and 2023; induction into the Academy of Educators at Washington School of Medicine in 2023; Distinguished Reviewer Awards from publications like Radiology, RadioGraphics, and American Journal of Roentgenology; appointment to Assistant Editor for American Journal of
Roentgenology; and Primary Investigator or Coinvestigator status on multiple grants from industry and National Institutes of Health.
Dr. Tyler Fraum speaking at the 2024 TJ Commencement ceremony.
The “BEST” TJ Alumni Class is. . .
In addition to his professional accomplishments, Tyler has built a meaningful personal life with his wife Dr. Karishma Furtado and his two daughters: six-year-old Zara and two-year-old Anina. In his spare time, Tyler enjoys playing guitar, live music, traveling, reading, and hiking. Tyler’s parents, Dr. and Mrs. Lee and Stephana Fraum, who were both passionate supporters of TJ during their time in Joplin, have lived in St. Louis since 2018, only two blocks away from Tyler and Karishma. They continue to play big roles in their lives – and Tyler admits that the free ondemand babysitting services can’t be beaten! There is no denying that Tyler has lived out the Thomas Jefferson Mission by seeking out challenge, testing new capacities, practicing self-discipline, and finding joy in learning, and we are proud to have named him Thomas Jefferson Independent Day School’s Distinguished Alumnus 2024.
You can enjoy Tyler’s 2024 Commencement Address HERE.
Do you feel like you have the best TJ Alumni class? During this year’s Annual Giving Campaign “More Than Just A Number” the Alumni class with the highest percentage of giving participation in October (gifts of ANY size count) will be featured in the next issue of The Cavalier Connection and on social media as TJ’s BEST Alumni class!
At TJ, tuition only covers about 75% of our general expenses with private philanthropy making up the additional 25%. The Annual Giving Campaign is our largest community-wide fundraising effort to bridge that gap to funds that allow us to invest in our students, faculty, programs, and campus.
Our goal is to raise $330,000 as a community by October 31st! You can give by scanning the QR code below or by visiting: www.tjeffschool.org/AGC2024.
Upcoming Alumni Events
Saturday, 11/23 at TJ (Exact Times TBA)
Alumni Reception at the Fall Upper School Musical, Alice by Heart. Alumni, Alumni Parents, and their guests are invited to enjoy complimentary tickets to enjoy this year’s Fall Upper School Musical, Alice by Heart, as well as a special reception before and during intermission of the show. Please RSVP by Friday, November 15 by emailing alumni@tjeffschool.org with your name and desired number of tickets.
Friday, 12/27 at TJ (Exact Times TBA) Basket-Bowl!
Alumni are invited back to TJ for special pick-up Basketball games and Quiz Bowl matches. More details TBA.
Friday, 01/10 at TJ (Exact Times TBA) Homecoming – Alumni Reception
Alumni and Alumni Families are invited back to campus for a special barbecue reception during the Boys and Lady Cavs Homecoming Basketball games. Grab your purple and gold and get ready to cheer on our Cavs!
Have a special career update? Engagement or wedding announcement?
Celebrating a newborn? Please email alumni@tjeffschool.org or fill out this brief form HERE to be celebrated in our next issue of The Cavalier Connection.
Stay In Touch
Need to update your email, mailing address, or other contact information? Please email alumni@tjeffschool.org with your updates.
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