2015 spring usj magazine

Spring 2015

e Magazine University school of Jackson

On the Lower School Community Service ..........................3 ................4 inside … Technology Middle School ..........................5-7 ...................4, 13

Fine Arts ..................................2 Math-A-Thon........................2-3

Athletics..............................6-8 Athletics ...........................11-14

Holiday Mart .........................20 .........................14

Achievements Faculty and Staff..............15-17 .........................9

Annual Report Summer Camps.....................21 ................16-23

Faculty and Staff Achievements .................18-19 ............10-12

Alumni&News Boots Bowties....................22 ..................24-27

UpperArts Fine School ............................8-10 ....................5, 13

Parent Groups Building & Grounds .................14-15 ...............19

USJ Board Alumni News .............................27 ...................23-28

USJ, The Magazine is published by University School of Jackson. The next issue is Fall 2015.

232/240 McClellan Rd. Jackson, TN 38305 731.664.0812 usjbruins.org Stuart Hirstein, Head of School Ben Murphy, Upper School Director Courtney Burnette, Middle School Director Debbie Ford, Lower School Director Kay Shearin, Director of Admissions, 731.660.1692 Mary Reed, Editor and Designer, mary@reedmarketing.com

On the cover: Fifth grader Brynlee Butler helps Cub Eden Perkins count candy hearts during USJ’s Math-A-Thon.

‘Everybody at St. Jude

Lower School students, including Zoe Sievers and Berkley Bledsoe, above left, spread out across classroom floors to do math.

indergarten students danced and cheered while counting to 100, their voices rising with each set of 10. “Thirty! Forty! Fifty!”

Nearby, Cubs counted and sorted candy hearts with help from their reading buddies in fourth grade.

Chatter filled the halls.

This was the big day — the day the students got to wear their pajamas to school and play games with math while helping other kids their age who are sick.

The excitement was shared by every class in Lower School, from Junior Cubs through fifth grade, as students broke a new fundraising record for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital during the USJ Math-AThon.

“We dedicated the whole day to having fun and doing math and trying to raise as much money as we

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could,” said Lower School Guidance Counselor Laura Moore.

The fundraising goal was an ambitious $40,000, but when the last math problem was solved, USJ had collected more than $78,000.

“USJ is one of the absolute best schools we work with in the country,” said Chris Carkeet, Associate Director of Youth Development Programs at ALSAC St. Jude. “We’re just so thrilled to see the kids doing what they’re doing to help the kids at St. Jude.”

Carkeet traveled to USJ with a team from St. Jude on February 6 to witness the event. USJ made waves in 2013 by raising more than $66,000 — the most in St. Jude’s Math-A-Thon history at the time. USJ has been one of the top Math-A-Thon donators in the country for the last few years.

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knows USJ’

From left, doing math activities are Cate Hays, Eldridge Davis, and Max Roe.

“We’re honored to be here,” Carkeet said. “We love USJ, and we love all the kids here. Everybody at St. Jude is just very proud of them. This school forever will hold a place in our hearts. Everybody at St. Jude knows USJ.” While students worked hard collecting donations and solving math problems, the mission of St. Jude remained a focus. They knew their efforts would benefit children who were stricken with cancer. Moore said the students were impacted by what they learned about St. Jude.

“I think it’s an eye-opening experience for our kids,” Moore said.

“It’s important to teach them to care and help others.”

The Math-A-Thon is a fundraiser that the Lower School holds every other year. The theme this year was “Dreaming of a Cure,” and students wore pajamas to relax and have fun.

They also completed a math fun book from St.

From left, Madeline Eldridge, Dylan Counce, and Lorelai Ballentine have fun at USJ’s Math-A-Thon.

Jude and several other fun math projects throughout the day.

Reading buddies from the higher grades in Lower School helped their younger schoolmates solve problems. At top, Rheagan Hicks and Caroline White For the first time, have fun with math, while, above, Mary Blake students in grades two Ferguson and Ella Hall Eldridge set up a lemonade stand to raise money for St. Jude. through five had the Lower School Guidance Counselor Laura option to create their own websites at school Moore sits with them. to collect donations. These students had their own URL, which could be searched using the student’s first and last name on the USJ Math-A-Thon website.

“Our students worked so hard, and it is such a rewarding experience for them to raise money for such a wonderful cause,” Moore said.

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COMMUNiTy SERviCE

RIFA benefits when USJ students volunteer trip to New York City can be a life-changing experience, but for USJ’s eighth-graders who opt out of the weeklong fieldtrip, another life-changing experience awaits.

Students who stay behind have the opportunity to volunteer from Monday to Wednesday with Regional Inter-Faith Association (RIFA) — a Jackson nonprofit that helps the needy. Students arrive at school at 8 a.m., take the activity bus to RIFA, and work until 2 p.m. with an hour-long lunch at 11 a.m.

“We used to spend the week entertaining them, but based on the idea of one of our parents, we decided to change our direction to community service,” said Middle School Director Courtney Burnette. “We have found it’s a more meaningful week for them if we allow them to do a community service project like this. They have the opportunity to experience some real, hands-on, communityservice.”

At RIFA, they help unpack boxes, organize donations, and perform office duties. “Whatever they need is what our kids do,” she said.

USJ sends anywhere from five to 15 students to RIFA to help with community service activities on any given year. This year, the

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school will send 10 students. Burnette said students are appreciative of the opportunity to help, and RIFA appreciates the help given to their program.

“It has been an eye-opening experience because many of our students are surprised at the needs that exist right here in their own hometown,” she said. “It’s an experience that sticks with them.”

As a bonus, the students can apply a few community service hours to their Upper School graduation requirement.

USJ and RIFA have a strong history as students and parents often volunteer with the organization. The school’s Key Service Club has led the effort to collect canned goods in the annual USJTrinity Food Drive Challenge. The USJ community donated more than 30,000 pounds of food in each of the last two competitions.

Burnette said RIFA plays a significant role in the well-being of the Jackson community, and USJ benefits from its relationship with the organization. The experience for these student volunteers during the field trip week is priceless.

“The kids may come back to school tired, but they have a really good time doing something worthwhile for someone else.”

Mu Alpha Theta, Middle School play Santa Claus at Christmas he Mu Alpha Theta Club and Middle School students completed separate toy drives before the holidays for the Exchange Club Carl Perkins Center for the Prevention of Child Abuse.

The Mu Alpha Theta Club, pictured above left, donated almost $500 worth of toys. Middle School Student council officers and spon-

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sors, above right, get ready to deliver the many toys donated by Middle School students in their annual Christmas toy drive. Pictured, from left, back row, are Sponsor Mary Ellen Vaughan, students Michelle Nnaji and Ashley Carter, and Sponsor Laura Stack; front row, students Macy Scott and J.D. Jaggers.

Download a form, give to the Annual Fund, find out sports scores, check the calendar, and just stay on top of everything USJ: www.usjbruins.org.

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TECHNOLOGy

USJ participates in international Hour of Code

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SJ joined the international mission to introduce 100 million students to computer science during the movement known as the Hour of Code.

Lower School Technology Teacher Heidi McDaniel and Computer Programming and Robotics Teacher Jan Wilms led USJ’s participation in the initiative. Wilms’ AP Computer Class students kicked off USJ’s first hour-long session on December 8 when they introduced first-grade students to computer programming in the Lower School Computer Lab. The first graders learned how to use blocks of code to find their way through obstacles. The purpose was to demystify code and show that anybody can learn the basics, McDaniel said.

“Computers are everywhere, but fewer schools teach computer science than 10 years ago,” McDaniel said. “Girls and minori-

Sophomore Michael Villarreal teaches Barrett Shelton how to code. Laura Kate Prater is in the foreground. ties are severely underrepresented. The good news is we’re on our way to change this.”

USJ held multiple Hour of Code sessions between December 8 and 14, joining schools in more than 180 countries that held 57,000 similar events throughout the week. By the end of the week, about 350 Lower School students were introduced to computer code.

In one week in 2013, 15 million students tried computer science. The movement grew to almost 100 million students in 2014.

“The Hour of Code is a statement that today’s students are ready to learn critical skills for 21st century success,” McDaniel said. “That’s why USJ students joined the largest learning event in history.”

plete standardized ERB tests this year.

Middle School students used laptops to key in answers, while students in fourth and fifth grades used iPads. The experience was more cost-effective and time-efficient, and USJ’s IT staff was around to handle any glitches, Anton said. “It seemed to me like it was a fairly easy transition. We were very pleased.”

A testing program managed the time while displaying one question on the screen, which helped prevent students from accidentally skipping a line. “The kids just took to it pretty easily,” Anton said.

By abandoning the penciling-in-ovals for-

mat of old, the results from the tests were immediate and more accurate. “It was great,” Moore said. “I was able to get the reports back to teachers the next day.”

Results from the old format could take as long as a month to come back. With faster results, teachers can make faster changes in their classrooms to adjust their planning and curriculum as needed to help students succeed.

Anton said the new process was embraced by faculty and students, and the ERB plans to phase out all paper and pencil testing in the coming years.

“It just makes the whole experience more user-friendly and useful,” Anton said.

Lower, Middle students take ERB tests online

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hrough the efforts of guidance counselors Laura Moore and Debbie Anton, Lower and Middle School students turned to technology to comMichelle Nnaji uses her computer to take a test.

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TECHNOLOGy

Middle School teachers, students embrace technology hen USJ purchased laptops for students in sixth through 12th grade last year, Middle School teachers embraced the opportunity to integrate them into the classroom.

Students use them in many ways in all of their classes for typing, vocabulary, test taking, presentations, videos, extra practice, and study materials.

“They are learning to communicate with each other through technology in order to create and share products, which adults use Eighth-grade students use their laptops as Ryan Wernquist teaches American History. in everyday working life,” said have been a wonderful addition to her curriculum. She uses them Sixth Grade English and Literature Teacher Laura Stack. “The lapfor online vocabulary and writing programs in class. tops are preparing our students for that future.”

“Perhaps the best use of the laptop is for writing research papers Seventh Grade English Teacher Dana Simmons said her stuand essays,” Morrison said. “By having the laptops in class, I am dents use them almost every day. She uses Google Forms, and stuable to critique the students’ writings by standing over their shouldents open their laptops and visit her teacher website to submit ders. Now when my students turn in papers to me, I do not have to responses for each day’s lesson. “They love them,” she said. worry about the MLA format because we set it up in class together.”

The 1:1 laptop program was implemented by USJ to incorpoBy embracing the 1:1 laptop program and further integrating rate more technology and enhance learning. Each student in Midcomputers into the curriculum, Middle School teachers are prepardle and Upper School is given a MacBook Air as part of their ing students for the work they’ll face in Upper School and college. tuition.

Middle School Director Courtney Burnette said teachers have The school installed multiple Wi-Fi access points after the start of the school year to cope with the new demand. Simmons said the done a great job with the new technology. “I could not be more pleased with them and their enthusiasm for integrating technology experience with laptops has gone well since then. into their daily teaching strategies.”

“I think it takes a little bit of time to

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transition, but the laptops make things easier,” Simmons said.

Ruth Ann Morrison, who teaches eighth-grade English, said the laptops

Middle School students use their laptops to work on assignments. At left and then above, they are, from left, Lauren Krasner, Brianna Allen, Morgan Royer, Sarah Beth Brauss, Jenna Lee Sammons, and Braden Sallee.

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Lower School easily adapts to using iPads in class ower School teachers in each class “A good portion of our testing this year have jumped at the opportunity to has been on iPads,” Hollman said. enhance the learning experience for Taking tests with iPads allows for immetheir students with iPads. diate results and feedback, which helps the After a $50,000 donation from the Parstudents learn. ents Club before school started this year, USJ They are also useful for research. For exwas able to purchase 120 new iPads — ample, during a discussion about the solar enough to put a few in each classroom. Stusystem, students visited NASA’s website to dents use the tablets for research, science, enhance the lesson. “They could get spemath, and social studies. Older Lower School cific, real-time information about what’s students also incorporate them in the Readgoing on around the world,” Hollman said. ing Buddies program with younger students.

“It does make education for them so “I love it,” said Lower School Director Debbie Ford. “Teachers across the board have embraced these opportunities.”

It has not been difficult for students to learn how to use them, said Fourth Grade Teacher Patsy Hollman. “They pick them up very easily.”

Classrooms in the fourth grade are now equipped with six iPads and two computers. Students share the tablets or work in groups during lessons, but they also borrow them from other classes for tests.

Tarik Anki works on an iPad in his classroom.

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much more relevant.”

Another time, during a lesson about civil rights, Hollman’s class discussed the first African-American Major League Baseball players and the role they played in the movement. Then they took a virtual field trip to Cooperstown, New York, and the National Baseball Hall of Fame.

The iPads allow the students to visit places they wouldn’t have access to otherwise, but they also provide a valuable lesson about sources. Students are learning to determine which websites are reliable.

Learning about technology and the resources of the Internet at a young age is an important lesson that they’ll use as they advance through USJ and graduate.

“It’s essential,” Hollman said. “You can’t function in society or be trained for a job without it. The fact that they’re actually learning this in the fourth grade prepares them for what’s expected of them in middle school, high school, and beyond.”

Online assessment profile helps juniors learn about themselves

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he College Advising Office partnered with YouScience to offer an online assessment profile for the Class of 2016.

The tool provides insights about students’ professional strengths, and it helps them determine which major and career path they could pursue in college.

“This profile gives us great insight into the questions that often give USJ students the most anxiety when considering college,” said Director of College Advising Carol Ryan. “YouScience measures students’ aptitudes and interests and then matches them to majors and careers that fit them best.”

Students took the 2.5-hour assessment during the week of January 12. The profile took them through 14 key aptitudes utilized in the professional world and offered suggestions about the environments where they could succeed. It covered possible careers

that matched their skills and interests, as well as majors that lead to those careers.

In addition, YouScience offered students a list of adjectives and suggestions on how to describe their strengths and how they work best. “It’s a great list to have as they write college essays and provides information they’ll want to access later as they prepare for job interviews,” Ryan said.

After developing their profile, students met with USJ’s college advisors to analyze the results.

Although many prestigious independent schools use YouScience profiles, USJ is the first in West Tennessee to adopt the program.“We were impressed with the quality of the feedback that this profile provides,” Ryan said. “It gets rave reviews from students, teachers, and college advisors.”

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FiNE ARTS

Daughter, father star in Mary Poppins

ierra Glosson, a USJ senior, caught the theater bug in second grade when she played a peasant girl in the USJ production of Beauty and the Beast. This spring, Sierra carried the lead role in her 20th show, Mary Poppins, as she acted alongside her father, Jimmy, who starred as Bert.

With two Middle School productions and two Upper School productions every year, USJ has offered Sierra numerous opportunities to do what she loves. “In Middle School, I realized that this is what I really want to do,” Sierra said.

The importance of fine arts is emphasized both at home and at school, she said. Her father and her mom, Julie, took her to the Orpheum in Memphis and the Tennessee Performing Arts Center in Nashville numerous times. Les Miserables is her favorite musical.

Her parents also supported Sierra in her numerous performances at USJ. Two years ago, Sierra was able to be on stage with both of her parents during the Jackson Theatre Guild production of Hairspray.

“Dr. Tammy Grant (who directs USJ’s musicals) convinced my dad to be in a play a few years ago, and ever since he has been hooked,” said Sierra. “My parents are my biggest supporters.”

It was during Sierra’s eighth-grade trip to New York City that she saw her first Broadway musical, Wicked. “That was when I discovered that doing musical theater was my dream,” she said.

Over the next few years, Sierra took piano lessons, music, and chorus at USJ and participated in every USJ production.

One of her favorite classes was AP Music Theory with Dr. Grant. “Music theory was an amazing class, and I understand so much more,” she said.

Sierra is one of four graduating seniors from USJ this year to receive the six-year trophy at the All-Northwest Honor Choir. She began competing in the seventh grade and was aided in her preparation by Dr. Grant and choral instructor Dian Eddleman.

Sierra was offered early acceptance into the highly competitive fine arts program at Viterbo University in La Crosse, Wisconsin.

She won one of only four coveted spots for female students after auditioning on campus in December. The university auditions about 300 students for the bachelor of fine arts, with less than a 2 percent acceptance rate for female applicants. Sierra will pursue her degree in musical theater and minor in dance and vocal performance on an academic merit scholarship.

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Sierra and Jimmy Glosson sang and danced across the USJ stage as Mary and Bert in “Mary Poppins.”

Mary Poppins was her last USJ performance and, she said, her most challenging. “There are so many difficult songs and dances.

But the whole cast has worked so hard, and everyone was very determined. It’s been fun to work with my dad and several teachers who were in the production.”

Sierra’s favorite song in Mary Poppins has been “Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious;” however, she also sang a duet with Bert, which she said will be particularly memorable.

“This production of Mary Poppins is special to me for many reasons,” said Glosson, chairman of USJ’s Upper School Foreign Language Department.

“Not only do I get to share the stage with my daughter, but the show also marks the end of a journey for us at USJ. When I began teaching at USJ, Sierra was 6 weeks old, so I have always been able to gauge how long I have been here by her age. USJ, especially the fine arts program, has left an indelible mark on my entire family.”

Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious!

How else can you describe USJ’s production of Mary Poppins? tudents, faculty, and parents worked hard to prepare the Broadway version of Mary Poppins.

For three months, 90 of USJ’s students in grades six through 12 sang, danced, and rehearsed orchestral instruments in preparation for the show. Besides students, USJ had seven faculty members and seven parents partici-

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pating in this beloved family production.

Show times were February 27, February 28, and March 1.

“One of the great perks about seeing a musical at USJ is a live orchestra,” said Dr. Tammy Grant, Upper School Chorus and AP Music Theory Teacher and Director of Mary Poppins. “This orchestra consisted of some of USJ’s very talented student musicians, two faculty members, and one former student.”

Tom Grant was the orchestra director, and accompanist Lisa Powell led the ensemble. The show was choreographed by Theater Teacher Erica Davidson.

ZFX Flying Company supplied and trained faculty From left, Parker Lewis, Caroline Miller, Meg Miller, and Ethan members and parents to use equipment to fly characters Schlegel, play George, Winifred, Jane, and Michael Banks.

Senior Walker Laird plays in the orchestra. across the stage.

“The show had some wonderful effects that left audience members breathless,” Dr. Grant said. “One occurred when a character was suspended upside down from the ceiling of the proscenium wall.”

The musical had many other great moments. “It was a monumental show with superb singing and toe-tapping dancing that made people want to get out of their seats and join the cast on stage,” Grant said.

Art students learn from Parthenon sculptor

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pper School Art Teacher Libby Lynch led a field trip to Nashville to visit the Parthenon and meet the sculptor who created a famous part of the attraction.

Students met renowned sculptor Alan LeQuire, who won the commission to recreate the Athena Parthenos in 1982 — one of the most ambitious public art commissions ever conceived.

The sculpture, which is almost 42 feet tall, is a replica of the statue that once stood in the Parthenon in Athens, Greece.

LeQuire’s work was finished and unveiled in the Nashville Parthenon in 1990.

After discussing the project with the artist, students visited LeQuire’s studio and ate a picnic lunch in Centennial Park. They wrapped up their trip with a visit to the Frist Center for Visual Arts to see the

Sculptor Alan LeQuire talks to USJ students in his studio, above, and in front of the Athena Parthenos, which he created for the Parthenon in Nashville.

(Photos are by Neeley Atkins.)

Kandinsky exhibit.

“This was an exciting opportunity for our students to actually meet and visit the studio of a nationally recognized sculptor and hear about the history and mythology

related to the Athena from the artist who researched it for his recreation,” Lynch said.

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FiNE ARTS

Student-written play explores the effects of family violence

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SJ students wrote and acted in a play about a family in an abusive home. The play was written in collaboration with the Wo/Men’s Resource Seth Weiss, center, plays an abusive husband. His wife, Molly Maroney, and children and Rape Assistance Program (WRAP), and all proceeds Sydney Phelan and Ethan Schlegel react to his behavior at the dinner table. from ticket sales and donations went to WRAP. Evans, Parker Lewis, Lauren Hailey, Alexander Peftoulidis, Meg HowA Ripple in the Pond follows the actions of children who witness ell, Gehrig Rabon, and Sydney Lofton. their father physically abusing their mother. The sixth-grade son beKayla Bircher and Clara Mariencheck were stage managers, Hangins to hit other students and to disrespect his teacher, and the daughnah Adams did makeup, and Aditya Thota led the tech crew. Playter, who is a senior, remains in an mentally abusive relationship with wrights included Davidson and students Amanda Holloway, Madison her boyfriend.

“This play was different because we did monologues for each char- Perchik, Clare Robertson, Rebekah Sears, and Adam Sills.

Daryl Chansuthus, Executive Director of WRAP, said, “A Ripple in acter, from the teacher to the abusive husband,” Upper School Theater the Pond illustrates the damage of an abusive relationship and how it Teacher Erica Davidson said. “They gave us a peek into their motives impacts an entire household. It also illustrates how and feelings.” family members can change the pattern of abuse Then the students replayed the same scenes and end the spread of violence before it trickles bewith certain characters reacting differently — yond the home and into the community.” from taking a stand to helping a victim with the She thanked Davidson and her students for exright words. “The ending is much different this ploring the subject of family violence in an original time around than the first,” Davidson said. play. “WRAP appreciates their creativity and supThe play, directed by Davidson, starred port. We are fortunate to have this talented group of Molly Maroney and Seth Weiss as the parents.

Sydney Lofton was a concerned teacher students working with WRAP to share this imporOther cast members were Sydney Phelan, in the play. tant information with the community.”

Ethan Schlegel, Sydney Kwasigroh, Aaron

Six students win blue ribbons at Color of Music ix USJ students won blue ribbons in the Jackson Symphony’s

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Color of Music contest. They are Elizabeth Sue Barnes, kindergarten, sixth graders Abby Porter and Rachel Hellums, seventh

graders Anika Mahajan and Gabrielle Evans, and eighth grader Ansley Hirstein. Lower School student Keeley Thompson won an honorable mention.

Middle School Art Teacher Anna McPeake received an award for having the highest percentage of winning entries in her age group.

The Color of Music is an art competition and educational project for kindergarten through eighth-grade students in the region. Students listen to music and visually interpret what they hear. Entries are judged by the Symphony League.

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Kindergarten student Elizabeth Sue Barnes painted “Boy at Sunrise,” above, while listening to music by Sibelius.

Eric Whisenant plans to continue swimming in college.

Swimmers work hard to improve personal times

s representatives of USJ, Anjali Mathan 6 feet tall, and hajan and Eric Whisenant both though he did play bascompeted in the recent Tennessee ketball one year, his first High School Championship Swim Meet. love is swimming.

Anjali, a freshman, and Eric, a sophoShannon Whisenant, more, have been swimming together for who is also USJ’s assismany years, practicing at 5 a.m. before tant director of college school, after school, and on the weekends. advising, said that USJ Eric Whisenant and Anjali Mahajan “You definitely have to be dedicated,” said was always their first Anjali. “If you just miss a week, it takes a long choice when looking for a school. As an eduthat have been important to both families. time to get back where you were.” cator, she said that finding a school with the “USJ challenges the children and has Natasha Mahajan, Anjali’s mother, most challenging curriculum was an importaught them how to be independent,” said pointed out that many times, Eric and Anjali tant priority.

Natasha Mahajan. have had to give up social events in order to “We knew that USJ was ahead of other Anjali, who has competitively swam since practice or travel to a meet. However, both of schools academically, and that Eric would be she was 6, said that the high school champithem have maintained a high level of commit- pushed and challenged.” onship was probably the highlight of her ment to the sport they love.

Eric plans to swim in college and is conswimming career so far.

Whisenant sidering majoring in From across the state, 129 schools combegan swimming pre-med. peted in the championship. Eric not only beat when he was in first For both the his personal best times in the 200-yard grade. His mother, Whisenants and the freestyle and 100-yard backstroke, but he also Shannon, said that Mahajans, swimplaced seventh in the state. Anjali also beat he always had a natming is like a parther personal best time. ural swimming abiltime job, but Doing that was the most important goal, ity. academics always Mahajan said. “Swimming is mainly compet“Many kids had come first. ing against your own time. If there aren’t trouble getting to Even though many people competing then you might win, the other side of the USJ has no swimso it’s more important to keep trying to beat pool at their first ming program, the your own time.” meet, but Eric was decision to send She said that 1,600 swimmers made the always able to do their children to cut in the last Olympics, but only a handful that even at a young USJ has given their advanced to compete in the Olympics. age,” she said. children an educa“Trying to beat the best is not the goal,” Anjali Mahajan practices in the pool at the Lift in Eric is now more tion and life skills said Mahajan. “Trying to beat your best is.” downtown Jackson.

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ATHLETiCS

Pictured, from left, front row, are Corben and Abigail Howard, Gabriella and Dexter Simmons, Rhett Peel, Rhylee Hicks, and Lilly and Everette Teague; and back row, are Phoebe Larkins, Jada and Jeremiah Greer, Savannah Tabor, Rhian Hicks, Ansley Hirstein, and Rheagan Hicks.

Professional athletes: Part of the USJ family

ne of the hallmarks of USJ is excellence in athletics. Students often earn individual and team recognition, and many have played at higher levels after graduation, including the pros.

We are equally proud of the following athletes — veterans of professional sports teams — who have decided to educate their children and grandchildren at USJ. w Don Coffey, USJ grandparent and former USJ Head of School, played wide receiver for the Denver Broncos. His granddaughter, Victoria Farnsworth, is a 2008 USJ graduate, and a younger granddaughter, Savannah Tabor, is in sixth grade. w Ronnie Giddens, a USJ alumni parent, was inducted into the Union University Baseball Hall of Fame in 2008. In 1983, Giddens was drafted by the Cincinnati Reds. His children, Aly and Anna Katherine, graduated from USJ in 2009 and 2011, respectively. w Jabari Greer, a USJ parent, is a former NFL football cornerback who played for 12

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the Buffalo Bills. He went on to play for the New Orleans Saints and was a member of the team when it won Super Bowl XLIV. He has two children at USJ: Jeremiah, fifth grade, and Jada, sixth grade. w Artis Hicks, a USJ parent, received the Jackson-Madison County Sports Hall of Fame honor for his football career. Hicks began his 11-year NFL career in 2002 with the Philadelphia Eagles. He played in Superbowl XXXIX against the New England Patriots and retired in 2012 with the Miami Dolphins. He has three childen at USJ: Rhian is in second grade, Rheagan is in first grade, and Rhylee is a Jr. Cub. w Stu Hirstein, USJ Head of School, was a minor league left-fielder for the Boise Hawks. His daughters, Ansley Hirstein and Phoebe Larkins, are in the eighth grade. w Ben Howard, a USJ parent, was a major league baseball pitcher for the San Diego Padres and the Florida Marlins. His son, Corben, is a USJ second grader, and his daughter, Abigail, is a Jr. Cub.

w Jack Peel, USJ Facilities Director and Varsity Baseball Coach, is a former University of Memphis baseball standout. He also played baseball for the Chicago White Sox and later for the Texas Rangers. His son, Rhett, is a sophomore. w Oliver Simmons, USJ parent and Varsity Basketball Coach, was a member of the University of Kentucky 1996 NCAA championship basketball team under coach Rick Pitino. He went on to play in Sweden and Holland in the International Basketball Federation and later in the International Basketball League in the United States. His son, Dexter, is a USJ Cub, and his daughter, Gabriella is a Jr. Cub. w Trey Teague, a USJ parent and 1993 USJ graduate, was an offensive lineman for the University of Tennessee football team.

He was drafted in 1998 by the Denver Broncos; he also played for the Buffalo Bills and the New York Jets. His daughter, Lilly, is in kindergarten, and his son, Everette, is a Cub.

Seven seniors leave their mark on girls soccer

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hile USJ soccer has always been competitive, in the last few years, the girls soccer program has reached a whole new level.

Much of that success is attributed to seven seniors who have played together on the varsity team since they were freshmen.

Rachel Giampapa, Emily Mitchell, Madison Perchik, Sarah Pierce, and Shelby Williams joined the team as eighth graders. Lauren Pitcairn and Mary Alex Richards joined them in ninth grade.

“USJ soccer has been the highlight of my high school experience,” said Madison. “It is so sad to think I will not wear my USJ jersey again, but I will always cherish the memories of USJ soccer.”

Paul Conway, the girls soccer coach, said that people stared as the young girls stepped onto the field in that first high school game.

The spectators were astonished to find that

Pictured, left to right, below, are Emily Mitchell, Rachel Giampapa, Madison Perchik, Mary Alex Richards, Sarah Pierce, Shelby Williams, and Lauren Pitcairn.

those girls weren’t just there to fill a spot, they made the team better.

“From day one, they all played and contributed,” said Conway. “USJ’s soccer team was strong, but those girls made it stronger.

Their contributions from the first moment that they stepped on the field were important.”

As eighth graders and freshmen, the girls won state championships in 2010 and 2011.

As sophomores, they lost in overtime in the state semifinals to the University School of Nashville.

The following year, they arrived at the state finals again. They played St. George from Memphis. USJ had already beaten St. George twice earlier in the season. The game went into double overtime, but USJ lost 2-1.

Their senior season, Fall 2014, the girls had the opportunity for a rematch against the University School of Nashville. USN only had one shot on goal while USJ had 15, but the Bruins still lost 1-0.

“The cruel part of soccer is that you can outplay a team and still lose,” said Conway.

The seniors have left their mark on the

program, Conway said.

“This region hasn’t seen the game played at this level. These girls raised the quality of play for the whole area.”

Shelby, team co-captain and defender, signed to play Division I soccer at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. Conway said that she has been a committed, core player that leads by example.

Rachel, forward and leading scorer, also signed to play at UTC. “Every team wanted to stop her,” said Conway. “ We had a chance to win every game because of what she was able to do.”

Madison, team co-captain and midfielder, led the team in assists. “Madison is a hard worker and very creative,” said Conway.

Emily, midfielder, made it possible for the team to execute the style of play that the USJ team liked best, said Conway. “We were able to play the way that we wanted to play because of Emily’s intelligence.”

Sarah, defender, is one of the team’s most consistent players, said Conway. “Sarah is someone who we always depended on.”

Continued, next page …

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ATHLETiCS A wrapup of USJ honors in sports Cross Country

volleyball

oth boys and girls teams finished in the top five at the state championships.

Named to All-State teams were Sam Darnall, Jack Goodwin, Gabbie Stevens, Kayla Puzdrakiewicz, and Samantha Sullivan.

Jack and Kayla were both DII-A Regional Champions and All-West first team members. Seniors Samantha and Sam were also named to the All-West first team. Jack was named Cross Country Runner of the Year for West Tennessee.

enior Sara Glassman was named The Jackson Sun’s Volleyball Hitter of the Year. Seniors Paige Sheffield and Molly Hall were named to the All-West Tennessee First Team.

Carrie Cates, Neeley Atkins, Abby Atkins, and Caitlyn Brown received an Honorable Mention. Sara and Paige also were named to the Division II All-State Team.

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Golf

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Basketball ophomore Anna Jones was named a finalist for the TSSAA Division II Miss Basketball Awards.

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Middle School Basketball

enior Chase Harris was named The Jackson Sun’s Male Golfer of the Year. Ray Howard also was named to the All-West first team.

The girls’ team won regionals and were runner-up in the state tournament. The boys’ team was runner-up in regionals.

he Lady Bruins finished their season with a win at the Blue Streak Invitational Tournament in Memphis.

Players selected for the First South Bank All-Star game were Ashley Carter, Kaleigh Kwasigroh, Claire Lewis, Sophie Stallings, and Ella Margaret Terry.

Girls Soccer

Baseball

eniors Rachel Giampapa and Shelby Williams and Junior Addison Dunn were named to the Division II All-State Team.

en Brauss was selected as the 2014 DII-A Player of the Year by the Tennessee Baseball Coaches Association.

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Trey Smith

Football ophomore Trey Smith was one of three finalists for the TSSAA Division II-A Mr. Football Award.

All-State players were Ben Brauss, Michael Taylor, Trey Smith, and Campbell Carlock.

All-District first team members were Easton Underwood, Trey Smith, Hollen Spencer, Michael Taylor, Elijah Moore, and Ben Brauss. Second-team honorees were Mitchell Bodiford, Walker Laird, Holland Hawks, Petyon Taylor, Campbell Carlock, William Jones, and Christian Kramer.

Freshman Charles Campbell was Kicker of the Year for the All-District team.

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Seven seniors leave mark on girls soccer

“Our team has such a close relationship,” said Sarah. “We learned how to work together and play for each other. I was always looking forward to the next season because you got to play the sport you love the most with people who love it just as much as you do.”

Lauren switched from offense to defense for the good of the team. Conway said that her unselfishness and strong defensive partnership with Shelby Williams, resulted in a better USJ soccer team.

With a family full of soccer players, Mary 14

Alex excelled as a goalkeeper, and her improvements over the years were outstanding, Conway said. “We won a lot of games because she was a safe and secure goalkeeper.”

Conway said that it has been a pleasure to coach a group of girls who are competitive and enthusiastic and take great pride in wearing the USJ crest.

Self-motivated both on and off the field, the USJ girls soccer team won the Academic All-American Team Award.

The team was required to have a cumulative 3.5 GPA. The 20 players on the USJ girls

… Continued from page 13

soccer team had a cumulative GPA of 4.1.

“They don’t just win on the field, they win in the classroom, too,” said Conway. Several of the girls have received academic college scholarships.

While the team still has plenty of players who will be key to USJ’s future competitive success, this group of seniors has made an impression on the program that won’t be forgotten, said Conway.

“They are going to be missed. “We are all better for the experience of having had them in our program.”

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ACULTy

“I introduce them to ideas of mathematics, and then we explore and learn together.”

Don Newman: 51 years of teaching math

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or Upper School Math Department Chair Don Newman, the lowed students to do more in-depth studies in the courses in which most rewarding part of the day is working with a group of stu- they were enrolled.”

Now, he said, students’ time is much more structured, leaving little dents who are eager to learn. opportunities to pursue independent investigations.

“I introduce them to ideas of mathematics, and then we explore What has not changed, however, is the consistency of mathematand learn together,” he said. “Rarely a day goes by that I don’t learn ics, Newman added. new insights and approaches from “The mathematics developed the students I teach.”

by Archimedes, Reimann, Newton, Newman has been teaching — and others is just as viable today as and learning — for more than 50 yesterday and equally viable in the years, and he is finishing his 30th future. Consequently, pure matheyear at USJ. For decades, he has matics and the teaching thereof taught his students important condon’t necessarily change with the cepts to prepare them for the work passage of time. Even though more they would face after high school. new mathematics is developed “I take every opportunity, beginevery decade than had been known ning in the 10th grade, to give stufor all previous recorded time, the dents advice on how to prepare for new information stands on the basic college and life,” he said. “I encourtenants as its foundation.” age a goal-oriented outlook on life, Technology has provided more including school. I want them to be ways to more quickly examine reproductive citizens and have respect sults and perform comparative studfor others, regardless of their station ies, Newman said. But the process in life.”

Students know they will be challenged in Don Newman’s classes. of collecting data, formulating hyAs a general rule at USJ, potheses, and justifying them in accordance with established princistudents know from an early age that a challenge awaits them in Upper ples of logic remains the same.

School when they enter Newman’s class. He said they tend to be well That’s one of the many things students learn in his classroom. prepped — primarily due to word of mouth.

“USJ has afforded me the atmosphere in which I get to share with “Students generally come to me with the knowledge and expectainterested students the discoveries I have made in mathematics,” he tion that they will be expected to be attentive, motivated, and have said. “USJ attracts students who want to be challenged and given the good, organized study habits,” he said. opportunity to excel academically.”

Through the years, Newman has seen many changes at USJ. The The academic atmosphere at USJ is palpable, and the school’s biggest have been improved and expanded facilities; expanded course main focus is to provide students with the best possible college-prep offerings, including AP courses; and a highly motivated student popueducation, he said. Classes are taught on a college level with as much lation, he said.

While he said he’s been fortunate to have always had a steady num- responsibility for the learning process placed on the students as reasonable. Students consistently report back that they are well prepared ber of eager, intelligent, and inquisitive students, he’s noticed an infor college and the demands of professional schools. creased demand on their time.

In addition to eager and inquisitive students, Newman said he has “When I first began to teach, the typical student would be engaged been fortunate to be supported by USJ’s administrators and Board of in one sport for one season or one other activity, with the rest of their Trustees throughout his career. time available to pursue their academic schedule,” he said. “The typi“These are some of the reasons that USJ is such a good place to cal student took four academic classes a day — or five with special teach.” permission to pursue a more challenging academic schedule. This al-

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FACULTy, STAFF Teachers, staff honored for reaching milestone years at USJ

Pictured, from left, are Sylvia Bell, Lisa Cates, Karen Morganti, Regina Sills, Sherri Brauss, Phyllis everal teachers reached Gayton, and Linda Yates. important milestones as Bill, have two children, Jeff and Colleen, both USJ graduates. Her employees of USJ this year, and they were recognized for grandson, Cade Gayton, is in kindergarten at USJ. working at USJ for 20, 25, or 30 years. w Sylvia Bell, Lower School Receptionist, has worked for 30 years They were honored at the All-Staff Christmas Luncheon and received fresh leis flown in from Hawaii by Head of School Stu Hirstein. in the Lower School. A graduate of South Side High School, Bell received her bachelor’s degree from Union University. She also did gradBesides being a widely known symbol for “welcome,” leis also mean uate work at the University of Memphis. “honored one,” said Hirstein, who moved to Jackson from Hawaii.

Before working at USJ, Bell taught language arts and was senior w Second Grade Teacher Linda Yates grew up in Memphis and advisor at Medina High School in Gibson County. She and Gerald, earned a degree from the University of Memphis. She joined USJ in 1984. She and her husband, Boyce, have a son, Brian, and twin grand- her husband, have one child, Gerard, who is a graduate of USJ. w Cubs Teacher Karen Morganti has worked at USJ for 22 years. daughters, CeCe and Kaylee, who live in Jackson.

“I have enjoyed all these years at USJ because of the support of the “I want the children to have fun while learning everything they possibly can,” she said. “Every day is an adventure! I cannot imagine not parents and administration, the many friendships I have developed being a teacher. It is my passion!” with colleagues, and the freedom and opportunities to individualize Her degree in early childhood education is from Mississippi State instruction to meet the needs of my students,” she said. w Lisa Cates, Lower School Secretary, graduated from North Side University. She and her husband, Jace, have two sons: Austin, a USJ 2013 graduate and student at Mississippi State, and Tyler, a USJ 2008 High School and attended West Tennessee Business College. She graduate, who is pursuing a degree as a physical therapist assistant. joined USJ as the Upper School Secretary in 1984. w Fourth Grade Teacher Regina Sills has been a Lower School “Being at USJ has been a rewarding experience because of the teacher for 20 years. She has a bachelor’s degree in elementary educaclose relationships with the administration, staff, faculty, parents, and tion from UT Martin. “My teaching philosophy is to teach to the students,” said Cates. “It is always great to see graduates return to USJ child,” she said. “Every child learns differently and at a different pace. with their children, including my own children returning to USJ with You need to learn about your students and teach to the individual.” my grandchildren.”

She and her husband, Eric, have three children who attend USJ. Cates and her husband, Robert, have a daughter, Carrie, who is a Adam is in twelfth grade, Madison is in ninth grade, and Jackson is in junior at USJ. Her daughter, Jennifer Cash Biggs, graduated USJ in fourth grade.

1993 and lives in Pensacola, Florida. Her son, Russ Cash, graduated w Originally from Knoxville, Fifth Grade Teacher Sherri Brauss USJ in 1997 and lives in Jackson. moved to Jackson in 1994 when she married her husband, Chris. w Second Grade Teacher Phyllis Gayton has a 35-year career in She has been teaching at USJ for 20 years. education. She is in her 26th year as a teacher at USJ. “I try to instill a She earned an undergraduate degree from East Tennessee State love for learning in my classroom,” Gayton said. “I feel each child is University and a master’s degree from West Georgia University. Her an individual and should be treated with love and respect.” children are all Bruins. Her son, Daron, is a Class of 2008 graduate.

She has a bachelor’s degree from Nazareth College and a master’s Ben is a senior, Eli is a ninth grader, and Sarah Beth is a sixth grader. in education from the University of Michigan. She and her husband, 16

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NAIS: ‘The pinnacle of professional development for independent school professionals’

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SJ sent a delegation to the 2015 National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS) Annual Conference this February in Boston — and they came back with new ideas for their classrooms.

Attendees included Head of School Stu Hirstein, Upper School Director Ben Murphy, Junior Kindergarten Teacher Vicki Wilson, Fifth Grade Teacher Cindy Bell, Fourth Grade Teacher Elizabeth Orr, Middle School Math Teacher Mary Claire Hancock, Middle School History Teacher Shonda Vargason, Upper School English Teacher Katie Ramer, Upper School Science Teacher Judy Sanderson, Upper and Middle School Librarian Beth Vise, and Chief Financial Officer Mark Burden.

The theme of the conference at the Hynes Convention Center was Design the Revolution: Blended Learning, Leading, and Innovation.

The conference included speakers and workshops led by accomplished education professionals, including past university presidents.

“We went because it gave us a chance to spend three days with 5,000 of our colleagues from around the country learning new things that we can bring back to USJ,” Hirstein said.

“The opportunity for professional development is one of our top priorities, and our national conference is the pinnacle of professional development for independent school professionals.”

“The sessions that I attended at the NAIS really focused on blended learning, incorporating technology into the curriculum, and strategies to help students use higher order thinking skills to solve problems and think outside of the box,” said Orr, a fourthgrade teacher. “I also heard some great motivational speakers who

Pictured, from left, above, are Shonda Vargason, Mary Claire Hancock, Vicki Wilson, Katie Ramer, Beth Vise, Elizabeth Orr, Cindy Bell, and Judy Sanderson. At left, Orr, Wilson, and Bell get a picture of themselves with Boston’s snow outside the window.

challenged us to emphasize the importance of creating a classroom environment where teaching character and respect for others is integrated into the classroom curriculum.”

USJ will continue to focus on professional development because the most critical element in education is the teacher, Hirstein said.

“Professional development is important because we want to ensure that, at USJ, our faculty and administrators continue to strengthen their practice. We also do this because we owe it to the families and students we serve to be the best we can be … every day.”

Learning environment t was a cold winter day when Book Study Seminar students convinced their teacher, Bridget Clark, that the best place to read their current book was in the stacks of the library. “It was the right ambiance,” they told her. The students were reading “19 Minutes”

by Jodi Picoult.

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Achievements …

(Noted achievements announced since the printing of the Fall 2014 school magazine)

Senior High All Northwest TN Honor Choir

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Alan Wilms, Amanda Holloway, and Sam Rickman

National Merit Scholarship Foundation he National Merit Scholarship Foundation recognized three students from the University School of Jackson’s Class of 2015: Alan Wilms, Amanda Holloway, and Sam Rickman.

Alan, the son of Geert Jan and Wallika Wilms, is a National Merit Semifinalist. He will find out this spring whether he is named a finalist and given the opportunity to compete for National Merit Scholarships. He plans to major in computer engineering.

Sam, son of Sam and Leslie Rickman, is a National Merit Commended Student. He plans to major in philosophy and psychology.

Amanda, daughter of Barbara Menzies, is a National Achievement Outstanding Participant. She plans to major in history at Georgetown University in Washington, D.C. The students earned the recognition because of the scores they made on the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test during their junior year. Of the 1.5 million entrants nationwide, only 50,000 scored high enough to receive recognition.

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Tennessee All State Choir lara Mariencheck and Caroline Sammons were selected to the Tennessee All State Choir. Alternates from USJ are Patrick Aherrera, Molly Maroney, Sydney Paris, and Hunter Ross.

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Junior High All Northwest TN Honor Choir ongratulations to the following students for being selected to the Junior High All Northwest Tennessee Honor Choir …

Soprano 1: Abby Vaughn (First Chair), Ashlee Dunn, and Madison Maroney.

Soprano 2: Bailee Norris (Second Chair), Macy Scott, Jordan Henges, and Sophie Stallings.

Alto 1: Lili Mahalati, Meg Howell, Elisa Kapunan, and Nicole New. Alto 2: Ashlee Allison (First Chair) and Brylee Whitsitt.

Tenor 1: Ethan Schlegel (First Chair), John Giampapa (Second Chair), Jake Booher, Keaton Miller, and Kwali Bruton.

Tenor 2: JD Jaggers, Drake Norris, and Vincent Stanfill.

Bass 2: Nick Zerfoss, Brian Bada, and Kavon Bonakdar.

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SJ students who were selected to the extremely competitive 2014 Senior High All Northwest Honor Choir were ….

Soprano 1: Sierra Glosson, Molly Maroney, and Kate Petrinjak.

Soprano 2: Sydney Paris, Rachel Giampapa, Caroline Sammons, Summer Basham, Nicole Sioson, and Addison Dunn.

Alto 1: Caroline Miller.

Alto 2: Clara Mariencheck, Molly Morris, Emily Sanderson, Sydney Kwaisgroh, and Ali Butler.

Tenor 1: Tyler Bruno and Evan Griggs.

Tenor 2: Ethan Baskin, Patrick Aherrera, and Shea Byrum.

Bass 1: Elijah Moore.

Bass 2: Hunter Ross, Walker Teer, Landon Sellers, Parker Lewis, Gray Bigford, Trey Smith, Reese Antwine, and Jack Tygart.

Rachel Giampapa, Sierra Glosson, Sydney Paris, and Walker Teer earned the prestigious recognition of being selected to the All Northwest Honor Choir six years in a row.

Duke Talent identification Program orty-five percent of USJ’s seventh-grade class qualified for the Duke Talent Identification Program. They are: Sidney Askins, Mary Basham, Ian Bates, Caleb Bell, Gabrielle Berry, Adonis Bond, Jake Booher, Madison Bruno, Chloe Burnette, Sarah Callis, Alexia Celarie, Vin Downing, Gabrielle Evans, Maddy Gastador, Evelyn Helms, Alan Henderson, Mary Humphrey, Elisa Kapunan, James Laird, Anika Mahajan, Aliah Mahalati, Madison Maroney, Caleb Martin, Keaton Miller, Felix Nnaji, Nneka Okolo, Adit Patel, William Pucek, Vashwaa Sofat, Ethan Schlegel, Ben Smith, Cody Smith, Hope Smith, Tanner Smith, Seth Spry, Mary Grace Studtmann, and Caleb Watlington.

The Duke Talent Identification Program is a nonprofit organization that provides services beyond what is offered in the classroom to help academically gifted students reach their potential.

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West Tennessee Regional Art Competition everal students had artwork accepted into the West Tennessee Regional Student Juried Art Competition.

Congratulations to Middle School students Olivia Clarke, Patrick Evans, and Felix Nnaji; and Upper School students, Harrison Baker, Deborah Lee Day, Mary Helen English, Loukas Georgio, Hope Magee, Ally McFarland, Sarah Pierce, Kayla Puzdrakiewicz, Jordan Stewart, Maddie Studtmann, Samantha Sullivan, Lydia Woods, and Alannah Yellen.

Samantha and Patrick won First-Place Awards in their categories, and Olivia earned an Honorable Mention. Deborah Lee also won Best Video, “Zero is Not a Size.”

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Governor’s School hree students were selected to attend the Tennessee Governor’s School for the Arts this summer. They are sophomores Sarah Carraher and Riley Koerner and junior Allyson McFarland.

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Committee focuses on campus improvements he USJ Building and Grounds Committee has a strategic plan for the future. Over the last few years, improvements have been made to buildings, lawn areas, fences, and roofs.

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Senior Cameron Tinker fields a ball in front of the new baseball fence in the outfield.

The committee plans to continue improving the USJ campus as part of the school’s overall commitment to excellence.

“Our goal is to address issues before they happen,” said Charlie Garrett, Building and Grounds Committee chairman. “We forecast projects for which we will need to budget one, two, even five years from now. This gives the finance committee time to plan and, hopefully, prevents dealing with projects in an emergency setting.”

The committee includes Richard Ayers, Lee Driver, Joe Grace, Josh Hayes, Stu Hirstein, Jack Peel, Jason Sammons, and Jeff Watlington. The group frequently meets to forecast upcoming expenditures and discuss ongoing projects.

Here are updates on several projects … w Last summer, the committee initiated painting the exterior of the Upper School because the old paint had begun to peel and look worn. The project, done over several weeks, has greatly improved the appearance of the Upper School building, Garrett said. w The Bruins Club funded the replacement of the baseball fence. The new, black-

vinyl chain-link fence is strategically covered with padding to ensure safety for the outfielders. The fence is 4 feet high on the sides and 6 feet high in the foul corners. Centerfield boasts a 10-foot by 80-foot “batter’s eye,” which creates a dark background to make the baseball easier for batters to see. w The football fieldhouse got a new roof in January. Over time, several leaks had developed, creating problems in various areas, particularly in the weight room. w Problems with erosion on the grounds also are being addressed. The site drainage locations are barely noticeable, but could potentially cause future problems if they are not reconciled, said Garrett. Concrete and other materials have been poured to shore up the culverts where storm water had caused valleys and pockets in some of the culverts and grassy swells. This project will continue in the late spring and into the summer.

“The goal for all of USJ’s Building and Grounds’ projects is to maintain an environment that everyone can be proud of,” said Garrett. “It is all about creating the best learning environment possible for our children.”

Achievements, cont. …

Mid-South Scholastic Art Competition

Spelling Bee

SJ students submitted outstanding artwork to the Mid-South Scholastic Art Competition this year. Twenty-one winning entries were recognized, including one Gold Key, four Silver Keys, and 16 Honorable Mentions.

Congratulations to the following students: Sarah Pierce, Gold Key; Callie Cantrell, two Silver Keys and two Honorable Mentions; Rachel Hooper, Silver Key and four Honorable Mentions; Kayla Puzdrakiewicz, Silver Key; Neeley Atkins, two Honorable Mentions; Deborah Lee Day, Honorable Mention; Loukas Georgio, Honorable Mention; Jack Goodwin, Honorable Mention; Laura Mantooth, Kimono by Sara Pierce two Honorable Mentions; Clare Robertson, Honorable Mention; Carson Rogers, Honorable Mention; and Brylee Whitsitt, Honorable Mention.

ighth grader Xavier Hawkins, at right, won the Middle School Spelling Bee and represented USJ in The Jackson Sun’s Regional Spelling Bee. Alan Henderson came in second place, and Elisa Kapunan finished third.

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Art teacher honored pper School Art Instructor Libby Lynch won a Sterling Award, naming her one of the 20 most influential women in West Tennessee for 2015. The award is given by the Jackson Area Business and Professional Women.

Lynch also was selected as a facilitator for the 2015 Tennessee Arts Academy in the Upper Middle/Secondary — Visual Art area.

A program of the state Department of Education, the arts academy trains more than 275 K-12 teachers and administrators, who impact more than 100,000 students in Tennessee classrooms.

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HOLiDAy MART 2014 Holiday Mart breaks a few records

he 2014 Holiday Merchants, above, filled the Mart had recordCarl Perkins Civic Center high ticket sales, with thousands of gift ideas. netting the school more The 2014 mart chairmen, than $150,000 — thanks, in from left, were Leanne a large part, to the many parRichardson, Kim Rainey, ent volunteers.

Anne Short, and Hayley The festivities for the Wilkerson.

44th annual mart began on Thursday night at the Precasserole, coffee, and desserts all three days where the Dad’s Grill forview Party where guests leisurely examined and purchased the mermerly was located. chants’ wares before the weekend crowd of shoppers. The ticket sales “We are always improving to make the Holiday Mart experience for the Preview Party were up from last year, said Anne Short, one of better,” said Leanne Richardson, one of the mart the four mart chairmen.

The 2015 Holiday chairmen.

The mart depends on parent volunteers, parMart will be Friday, Hayley Wilkerson and Kim Rainey also were ticularly with events such as the bakeshop, which November 20, through chairmen with Short and Richardson. Since they is 100 percent profit for USJ. Because of the volSunday, November 22. had also been chairmen for the 2013 mart, their unteers, many events were extremely successful. chairmen duties are over. Nikki Watlington and TarOn Friday night, the Jingle Bell Mingle sold twice sha Basham will chair the 2015 mart with Short and Richardson. as many tickets as the year before, Short said. Women gathered under Richardson graduated from USJ in 1987. Short was a student at the Southern-style, Christmas-themed decorations to socialize and Old Hickory Academy in 1970, the year it opened. She remembers shop. Many merchants reported record sales during the Friday night her parents going to meetings to start the independent school. Both event, she added. women later sent their own children to The Friday Tea Room and My Doll USJ. and Me, which had two sessions on With Watlington and Basham on Saturday, also sold out and were exboard, the four chairman are in the pretremely successful. liminary planning stages for the 2015 In an effort to make the Holiday mart. New for next year may be a chilMart experience more efficient for the dren’s event on Sunday. shopper, online ticket sales were introThe Holiday Mart is the Parents duced for the first time. Plans are to exClub’s largest fundraiser each year. pand and offer online ticket sales again “As an alum and a parent, I know next year. the importance of the mart for our Another first was the Bruins Bistro, school,” Short said. “We would love to Volunteering at the Friday Tea Room were alums Katherine a luncheon place that served salads, Tucker and Ashley Teague and alumni parent Carol Kirkland. have all parents involved.” chicken salad on a croissant, chicken 20

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Join us for a summer of fun …

Art • Theater • Sports • Academics • Day Camp • Robotics & More USJ summer camp registration opens March 31 at www.usjbruins.org/camps All Summer

w Camp Bruins: 2, 3, or 5 days a week, 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., 2 year olds through rising 5th graders w Lower School Summer Library: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesdays in June and July except for July 28. Special program at 10 a.m. Free

Week One: May 26-29 (Tues-Fri)

w Girls Basketball: Rising 2nd-8th, $100 w Boys P.E. Games with Coach Dunn: Rising 7th-9th, $100

Week Two: June 1-5

w ACT English Prep: Rising 10th-12th, $150 w Best of the West Soccer Camp: Rising 1st12th, $120 w Guided Summer Reading (Tues/Thurs) Week 1 of 4: Rising 6th-9th, $125 total w LEGO Programming and Robotics: Rising 5th-9th, $175 w Little Bruins yoga: 3 to 6 year olds, $80 (*See box)

Week Three: June 8-12

w ACT MATH Prep: Rising 10th-12th, $150 w Boys Basketball: Rising K-2nd, $100; Rising 3rd-8th, $120 w Guided Summer Reading (Tues/Thurs) Week 2 of 4 w Little Bruins Gymnastics: 3 to 6 year olds, $80 (*See box)

Week Four: June 15-19

w Art-rageous Art Camp: Rising 1st-7th, $150 one session/$225 for both w Baseball Camp (Mon to Thurs): Rising 1st4th, $100; Rising 5th-8th, $125 w Driver’s Ed: Must be age 15 by June 1, $395 w Guided Summer Reading (Tues/Thurs) Week 3 of 4 w Jackson National Golf Academy: Rising 1st-5th, $130 w Little Bruins Art Camp: 3 to 6 year olds, $90 (*See box) w Tennis Camp with Don Newman: Rising 3rd-8th, $90

Week Five: June 22-26

w Jackson National Golf Academy: Rising 6th-12th, $130 w SCRATCH intro to Computer Programming: Rising 2nd-6th, $150 w Guided Summer Reading (Tues/Thurs) Week 4 of 4 w Little Bruins Adventure Camp: 3 to 6 year olds, $150 (*See box) w Tennis Camp with Ted Measley: Rising K2nd, $100; Rising 3rd-12th, $150

Week Six: June 29-July 3: NO CAMPS

Summer Camp Details

w More details about each camp will be online at www.usjbruins.org/camps March 31. w Camps and classes, including Camp Bruins, are open to everyone, not just USJ students. w * Extended care available after each Little Bruins camp, 10:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m., lunch included, $75 a week, $20 a day.

Week Seven: July 6-10

w Football Camp (Mon to Wed): Rising 1st-8th, $100 w Musical Theater Camp (Week 1): Rising 1st9th, $160 w volleyball: Rising 3rd-8th, $100

Week Eight: July 13-17

w July Boys Basketball Camp: Rising 5th-8th, $150 w July Soccer Camp: Rising 1st-8th, $100 w Little Bruins TOT Basketball: 3 to 6 year olds, $80 (*See box) w Musical Theater Camp (Week 2)

Week Nine: July 20-24

w Algebra Academy i: Rising 8th-9th, $150 w Keyboarding for Middle School: Rising 6th-8th, $125 w Kids yoga: Rising 1st-5th, $90 w Tennis Camp with Ted Measley: Rising K-2nd, $100, Rising 3rd-12th, $150

Week Ten: July 27-31

w Math Fundamentals: Rising 6th-8th, $150 w Spanish Academy: Upper School Spanish I & II, $150 w Tennis Camp with Ted Measley: Rising K2nd, $100, Rising 3rd-12th, $150

w For information on camps, registration, or payments: Melissa Zerfoss, Director of Summer Programs, at mzerfoss@usjbruins.org. w For more information about Camp Bruins or Little Bruins Extended Care: Faith Dixon, Director of Camp Bruins, at fdixon@usjbruins.org.

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SJ parents, faculty, staff, alumni, and friends enjoyed an evening at the Dutch Garden Center Conservatory for the second annual Boots

& Bowties fundraiser in January.

The evening featured music from Jessi Alexander, Jon Randall, Randy Montana, and Jonathan Singleton. Patrons enjoyed food prepared by Coyote Blues, beer tasting with Fat Bottom Brewery, wine tasting with Forked Vine Wine & Spirits, and both live and silent auctions.

Corporate sponsors of the event were West Tennessee ENT Clinic — Dr. and Mrs. Karl Studtmann, Jones Family of Companies, and Friends of USJ, a group of alumni.

“Thank you to all who donated auction items, the volunteers, and our sponsors,” said Emily Richards, USJ’s Director of Development.

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Pictured, from left, are Michael Everett, Shay Young, Kay Shearin, Ruth Ann Morrison, Rhonda Klipfel, Debbie Anton, Emily Richards, and Todd and Gina Smith.

Alumni News

Melanie Layden: TV News Producer

elanie Layden, a 2008 USJ graduate, is a TV news producer and weather anchor on Channel 4, WSMV in Nashville.

She mostly took her education at USJ for granted, she said, until she began college. “I wasn’t a straight ‘A’ student at USJ, but I excelled in college. I suddenly realized how great my education was at USJ and how it prepared me so well for Melanie Layden reports on the weather on WSMV TV in Nashville. happy to be back in Tennessee,” she said. my future.”

Layden is also pursuing a masters degree in meteorology Layden had many interests at USJ. She excelled in English, through Mississippi State to become a certified meteorologist. her favorite class was geometry, she took French for seven years, “When I went to college, I wasn’t sure exactly what I would and she ran cross country. do, but I had always been fascinated by weather,” she said.

She found herself drawn to journalism. She decided to major “Growing up in West Tennessee, I saw several tornadoes rip in broadcast journalism and minor in French at Ole Miss. through my hometown. It peaked my interest in learning how to While there, Layden began working for the college television predict these storms and, in turn, possibly save lives.” station. She won the Journalism Excellence award her senior Layden is still settling into her position at WSMV, becoming year, which allowed her to pay for much of her remaining tuition. familiar with the city, and reconnecting with old friends. “I have After graduation, Layden became a producer and morning kept up with a lot of my friends and teachers at USJ.” traffic reporter in Huntsville, Alabama, where she was responsi“Now that I am out of college and working, I have told my ble for choosing stories and writing the newscast. She became involved with Huntsville Young Professionals, an organization that parents that they made a great decision in sending me to USJ. I worked to raise money for children’s charities and local hospitals. totally took it for granted. USJ set me up to excel and become She recently accepted her current job in Nashville. “I’m really who I am today.”

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Homecoming 2015: Friday, October 2 USJ vs. Rossville Christian Academy at 7 p.m.

Alumni Tailgate: 5:45 to 6:45 p.m. Bruin Walk at 6:45 p.m.

Free game tickets for alumni who contact Melissa Zerfoss, Director of Alumni Relations, at mzerfoss@usjbruins.org.

In memoriam

he USJ family sends its sympathy to the families of the following board members … w Dr. James Barker, who died February 20, was an EDS Board member from 1980 to 1985. He and his wife, Anne, have three children: Jim, John, and Elizabeth. All three attended Episcopal Day School. Elizabeth is married to Mark Bennett, a 1990 USJ graduate. Grandson Harris Barker is in the eighth grade at USJ. w Jim Matthews, who died November 30, was an EDS Board member from 1977 to 1981. Jim and his wife, Sharon, have two children: Mary Jane and Jimmy, who both attended EDS. Jimmy graduated from USJ in 1990. w Dorsetta Smith, who died February 10, was a USJ Board member from 2004 to 2009. She and her husband, Henry, have two children, Ashley, a 2009 USJ graduate, and Trey, a sophomore.

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Reunions

ore than 20 classmates and their families attended their 20-year class reunion during the USJ Homecoming weekend. Members of the Class of 1994 met Friday evening at the Homecoming game to watch USJ play Jackson Christian. They also had photos made with the class and families. (Above.)

On Saturday evening the class gathered at the home of Brad Hayes and reminisced with food and drink.

“It’s hard to believe that 20 years has gone by so quickly,” Brad says.

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Classes of 1978-1981 he Old Hickory Academy classes of 1978, 1979, 1980, and 1981 hosted an Old Friends Weekend Reunion in September for all alumni of OHA, Episcopal Day School, and USJ. The event kicked off Friday, September 19, for an 8 p.m. Dutch treat social hour at Flatiron Grill on Vann Drive. The next night, the group gathered for a reunion party at the home of Bobby Bond.

Pictured above left, from left, are Elizabeth Donnell Smith, ’80; Janet McCartney Tankersley, ’80; Bob Bond, ’80; Anne Atkins Short, ’80; and George Boyte, ’80.

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Pictured, above, from left, are Steve Shelton, ’79; Mark Johnson, ’78; Josh Miller; Ron Smith, ’79; Bob Bond; Kimberly Haynes Miller; Chuck Treadway, ’79; Kim Masoud, ’79; Elizabeth Smith; Boyte; Ginger Masoud, ’80; Lee Anne Franks, ’79; Laura Johnson Miller, ’80; Sonja Staples Drews, ’80; and Susan Brummitt Bond, ’81.

Inset: Susan Dunlap Wilson, ’82, and Craig McNatt, ’80.

Class of 1974 hey are 40 years older, so members of the Old Hickory Academy Class of 1974 gathered for a reunion last fall. Pictured, back row, left to right, are Preston Shivley, Ruth Ann Haynes Morrison, Scott Yarbro, Eddy Koonce, Teresa Sanderson O’Neal, and Rick Burrow; and front row, left to right, Max Jordan, Freddie Hill, Andy Allison, and Bill Hymers. “We've got spirit — we’ve got more! We're the class of ’74!”

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Alumni updates 1990-1999

w We extend our sympathy to the family of Jim Vinson, Class of 1994. Jim died December 3, 2014, in Jackson after a brief illness. He was a member of the basketball and baseball teams. He was a 1999 graduate of Union University. Jim was an avid fan of the St. Louis Cardinals baseball team and the University of Tennessee Volunteers.

He is survived by his parents, Fred and Jane Haynes Vinson. w Sarah Barnes Fratesi, Class of 1995, and her husband, Joe, welcomed new baby Leah on July 23, 2014. Leah has two older brothers: Nate, age 6, and Caleb, age 4. Sarah is an optometrist. The family lives in Starkville, Mississippi. w Maria Reese, Class of 1998, married Jeff Zerr August 10, 2014, in Caleb, Leah, and Nate Fratesi Chicago. Maria, who graduated from Stanford University and the University of Southern California Keck School of Medicine, is an attending physician practicing sports medicine at the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago. Her residency and fellowship were in physical medicine and rehabilitation. w Jay Wilson, Class of 1999, and his wife, Becky, welcomed their second child, Sadie Anne, on August 28, 2014. Sadie has a 3-year-old brother, Connor. The family lives in Memphis where Jay is a vice president at Mercer Capital, a national business valuation and financial advisory firm. Jay has also recently co-authored several books, including The Sadie Anne and ESOP Handbook for Banks, The Bank DiConnor Wilson rector’s Valuation Handbook: What Every Director Must Know About Valuation, and Acquiring a Failed Bank: A Guide to Understanding, Valuing, and Accounting for Transactions in a Distressed Environment. w Mary Beth Haltom, Class of 1999, married Daniel Ethan White on November 15 at Second Presbyterian Church in Nashville. The couple lives in Nashville where Mary Beth is a partner with the law firm Lewis, Thomason, King, Krieg, and Waldrop. She graduated summa cum laude from Union University with a bachelor’s degree in Mary Beth and Daniel White history. She was captain of the Union University Lady Bulldogs basketball team and earned Academic All-American honors.

2000-2009

w Jenny McDaniel Dennison, Class of 2001, and her husband, Chesley, Class of 2000, welcomed a new baby, Sophie Ella, on January 16, 2014. Chesley is the Manager of the Commercial Telecom Sales Division for

Sophie Ella Dennison

Jackson Energy Authority. Jenny is a stayat-home mom after being a Pharmaceutical Sales Specialist for seven years. w Jennifer Fisher Tachenko, Class of 2000, and her husband, Michael Paul, welcomed new baby Solomon River on January 13, 2015. He has a big Solomon River Tachenko sister, Keziah, who is 5, and a big brother, Reuel, who is 3. w Nicolas Arcuri, Class of 2003, earned his medical degree at Dr. William M. Scholl College of Podiatric Medicine at Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science in Chicago. His surgical residency was at New York Presbyterian-Columbia and New York Community Hospital. He served as chief resident his final year and volunteered at the New York marathon as a podiatry team captain at the finish tent. He is practicing at the Podiatry Clinic of Jackson with Dr. Terry Holt. w Katie Brush Nickey, Class of 2005, and her husband, Donnie, welcomed their second child. Darby Hannah was born on May 26, 2014. She was seven weeks premature, but is healthy and doing well. She has a 3-year-old brother named Trey.

Darby Hannah Nickey w Carrie Brown Smith Campbell, Class of 2007, and her husband, Nick, Class of 2002, welcomed twin girls to their family on August 27, 2014. Smith Kathryn was born one minute before Sarah Wray. The girls have an older brother, Peyton, who is in the third grade at USJ. Campbell twins 2010 ... w Courtney Byrd, Class of 2010, was crowned Miss Mississippi USA last fall in Tunica, Mississippi.

Courtney will participate in the Miss USA pageant in June. w Elizabeth Breeden, Class of 2011, married Brock Sain on December Courtney Byrd 14, 2013, at Calvary Baptist Church in Jackson. Brock proposed to Elizabeth while on a Caribbean cruise with their families. Elizabeth will graduate in May with a degree in broadcast news journalism and a minor in marketing.

The couple currently lives in Cordova, Tennessee, where Brock works for the State of Tennessee. He graduated in 2009 as a forensic chemistry major from the University of Mississippi.

Elizabeth and Brock Sain w Lee Mayhall, Class of 2012, was named to the 2014 Capital One Academic All-America Continued, page 27 …

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Drs. David and Amy Self: Thankful for USJ education t one time, Drs. David and Amy Self had the most chilThe Self family, from left, Josh, Caleb, David, Ethan, Amy, Lauren, Eli, and Ryan dren at USJ. Now, they have only one child who has not graduated. have a heart to educate each individual. We are so thankful for USJ The Selfs are both pediatricians at the Children’s Clinic. When and for the excellent education that has been given to our children.” they moved their family to West Tennessee in 1995, they reLauren was the first of the Self children to graduate from USJ in searched the local schools with the hopes of finding a college 2001. Josh graduated in 2010, Caleb in 2012, and Ethan in 2014. preparatory school with a high commitment to excellence.

Both she and her husband have been particularly impressed with “There was no comparison,” said Amy. “We knew that USJ had the outcome of their children’s college careers, Amy said. the best educational program in the area.”

Ethan, for example, never took an AP class and had few honors Four of the Self ’s six children — Josh, Caleb, Ethan, and Eli — classes while at USJ, but he learned to study well and has excelled began attending USJ when they were in pre-kindergarten, while his first year of college. He told his mother that his studies in coltheir older two children — Ryan and Lauren — began in seventh lege are less rigorous than his classes at USJ. This was exactly what grade and fifth grade, respectively. The Selfs said that they couldn’t the Selfs had hoped. be more pleased with the results of their children’s USJ education.

Another son, Josh, graduated with 40 hours of college credit beWhile the Selfs took advantage of some of the sports and fine arts cause of the AP classes that he was able to take at USJ. programs that USJ had to offer, academics was always the main focus.

The last of the Selfs six children, Eli, is in the ninth grade. The Her children had many opportunities, Amy said, but their favorite most difficult part now is figuring out who will take him to school, part of USJ was the quality education that they received. his mother said.

“I can’t say enough good things about the academics at USJ,” “For more than 10 years we have had a driver in the family. she said. “The teachers at USJ really care about the students and Doing carpool again is new for us.”

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young Alumni Brunch s finals were winding down in December, faculty, staff, and USJ’s youngest alumni enjoyed brunch while reconnecting and sharing stories from college. The annual Young Alum Brunch was held for members of the Classes of 2010 through 2014.

Pictured, clockwise, from top left, are Thomas Butler, Jim Hardegree, Rob Platt, Linda Hawks, Lauren and Lashlee Randolph, Katie Exum, Haley Hall, Bridget Clark, 26

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Leah Margaret Strope, Claire Jaggers, Lindsay Smith, Maggie Rheney, Chloe Meriwether, Shane Vargason , Malea Mullins, Ryan Wernquist, and Adam Boling.

Pictured, above, from left, are members of the 2005 state runner-up basketball team: Dr. Amy Page, Katie Brush Nickey, and Jessie Metcalf McBeth.

Alumni at the game, are from left, Will Wright, ’12; Westin Brantley, ’12; Austin Orr, ’14; Abbey Orr, ’11; and Austin Rogers, ’14.

Basketball Homecoming game honors alumni asketball alumni were honored during the January 23 home games against Rossville Christian Academy. The event capped off Basketball Spirit Week with themed dress-up days and a Friday pep rally.

During halftime of the girls’ game, members of the 2005 state runner-up Lady Bruins team were honored. Jessie Metcalf McBeth, Katie Brush Nickey, and Dr. Amy Page were recognized on the court.

The remaining 2005 Lady Bruin team members include Courtney Alvey, Kacie Fite Butterworth, Anna Fowler Mullins, Katie Harper,

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Mary Haynes, Carrie Beth Henson, Megan Klipfel, Megan Latimer Phillips, Becca Morris, Melissa Morrison, Lauren Smith, Addie Stone Molpus, Audra Taylor, and Rachel Young.

“This year marks the 10th anniversary of their winning season, and we are so happy to have them with us tonight,” said game announcer and Upper School History Department Chair Don Roe. During the halftime of the boys’ game, alumni challenged faculty in a pickup game. Players on the alumni side included Westin Brantley, ’12; Abbey Orr, ’11; Austin Rogers, ’14; and Will Wright, ’12.

Alumni updates … Continued from Page 25 Division II First Team football team by the College Sports Information Directors of America. Lee, who has a 4.0 GPA in industrial chemistry, is the first football player in University of North Alabama school history to be named to the First Team Academic squad. Lee, who was featured on the 2014 Lion football media poster, game day program, and ticket cover, was a top receiver on the team with an 11.5-yard per reception average. Other honors Lee earned this season included All-Gulf South Conference Team and Capital ONE Academic All-District team. w Chase Hensley, Class of 2013, has accepted a scholarship to play baseball his junior and senior years at Middle Tennessee State University. Chase, who excelled in both football and baseball at USJ, had a hard time deciding what sport he wanted to do in

college. He originally committed to Arkansas Tech in football, but changed his mind and decided to play baseball at Jones County Community College in Mississippi.

Chase chose MTSU, an NCAA Division I school, over Louisiana Tech, Delta State and Arkansas-Monticello. w Joseph Patterson, Class of 2014, and Lee Mayhall, Class of 2012, met again on the Lee, left, and Joseph gridiron in September as the former teammates turned to rivals. Joseph plays for Mississippi College, and Lee plays for the University of North Alabama. UAB won the game. w Meredith Maroney, Class of 2014, will compete in the Miss Tennessee Scholarship Pageant this June as Miss Dyersburg. A freshman at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, she is pursuing a double major in

Update your information!

Help us keep you informed about events and reunions by updating your information and preferences at usjbruins.org/alumni. Holiday Mart and Preview Party invitations are not mailed, so include an email address. You may also contact Melissa Zerfoss at mzerfoss@usjbruins.org.

journalism and electronic media and Hispanic studies and a double minor in history and political science. Meredith wants to make a difference through her platform “Making Memories: Building Connections through Alzheimer’s.” She is involved in the Arts & Alzheimer’s organization at UT and is attending community service events for other Alzheimer’s organizations in Tennessee. She is a member of Alpha Omicron Pi sorority and the Knoxville chapter of the Young America’s Foundation.

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USJ Weekend April 17 & 18

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njoy a family weekend on campus April 17-18, 2015. Sponsored by the Alumni

Association, USJ Weekend will offer baseball, softball, and tennis games, a barbecue lunch with inflatables for the younger kids, and an outdoor movie that will open with live music from Upper School students. Alumni and current families may obtain free tickets to any of the games by emailing mzerfoss@usjbruins.org. Free tickets must be reserved in advance.

Friday, April 17

w 4 p.m. Softball doubleheader, USJ vs. ECS. Several former players

will be recognized between games. An alumni hospitality tent will be available. w Families are invited to enjoy live music featuring Upper School students on the football field before the outdoor movie. Music will start as soon as the softball doubleheader ends. w 7:30 p.m. Movie at The U, sponsored by the Student Government Association. A family friendly movie will be shown on the football field for all current families and alumni.

Saturday, April 18 Seniors on the 1999 State Championship baseball team were, above, from left, Roger Cook, Drew Lester, J.R. Dunn, Coach Jimmy Carey, Rob Byrd, Timmy Sikes, and Andrew White. USJ Weekend will honor members of the team and bring back the tradition of gathering with family and old friends on campus.

w 11 a.m. Barbecue at The U. Enjoy lunch just inside the

baseball/softball ticket gate before the varsity baseball game begins.

Inflatables will be available for the younger kids. Free to all current families and alumni. w 12 p.m. USJ vs. Arlington. The 1999 State championship baseball team will be recognized between games. w 2 p.m. JV team vs. Arlington w 3:30 p.m. Tennis match Note: Varsity boys soccer will play at 6 p.m. Saturday at JCS.

West Tennessee’s College Preparatory School www.usjbruins.org University school of Jackson 232 Mcclellan road Jackson, tn 38305 Address Service Requested

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