USJ Magazine -Ethos (Winter 2024)

University School of Jackson

ETHOS 1

UNIVERSITY SCHOOL of JACKSON

232/240 McClellan Road Jackson, TN 38305 731.664.0812 • usjbruins.org

USJ’s Mission

We instill a passion for academic, artistic, and athletic excellence, while committing to personal integrity, mutual respect, and lifelong learning.

Identity Statement

USJ is a non-denominational, non-sectarian, college preparatory school dedicated to academic excellence and to our founding principles of faith, service, and scholarship. Based on a heritage grounded in Judeo-Christian values, we provide an educational environment where students of all ethnic, cultural, and religious backgrounds are valued and respected. The faculty, administration, and students are empowered to nurture and embrace the Judeo-Christian values and our operating principles. Through the fulfillment of our mission and adherence to these core principles and values, we prepare our graduates to be responsible and informed world citizens.

WINTER 2024

CONTENTS Academics....................... 04 Faculty............................. 16 Athletics.......................... 22 Arts................................... 26 Development. . ................ 29 Parents Club..................... 30 Alumni. . ............................ 32

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BOARD OF TRUSTEES Geoffrey Lindley, Chair Matt Fite, Vice-Chair Jennifer Craig Will Dement Brian Dougan Stephen Hammond Meredith Maroney Preston Miller Whitney Overton Ajay Patel Henry Smith Todd Smith Trey Teague Kathryn Tucker Sara Jane Via Jeff Watlington ADMINISTRATION Don Roe Head of School Jim Hardegree Associate Head of School Dean of Students David Suber Upper School Director Margaret Livingston Middle School Director Courtney Burnette Lower School Director Hayley Wilkerson Early Childhood Director Laura Moore Director of Admissions

Dear USJ Family: Not having had the opportunity to attend USJ as a student, I was adopted into the Bruin family when my son, Jacob, enrolled in the junior cubs program in August 2012. My daughter, Olivia, followed her brother as a junior cub in August 2014. And on July 1, 2014, I was elected as a member of the USJ Board of Trustees, a role in which I will serve through the end of this school year when I will roll off following my second and last year as Board Chair. So, at this time of year, while I consider the sense of new beginnings that arrive with the fall academic calendar, including a new school year, new classes, new athletic teams, new artistic endeavors, and the opportunity to welcome new Bruin teachers, students, and administrators, I also cannot help but reflect on the blessings and accomplishments here at the University School of Jackson over the past decade.

From 2014 to the present, I have had a front row seat for the following blessings experienced by our school. · The Board of Trustees adopted a campus master plan to govern any future campus building and improvements. · The campus master plan gave rise to the IMAGINE More Capital Campaign, which has now brought in more than $8.6 million, all of which has gone directly to campus improvements, some of which are: o new playgrounds; o a Lady Bruins athletic building; o new tennis courts; o a golf & tennis center; o campus fencing, gates & signage; o football and baseball stadium improvements; o soccer & softball press boxes; o canopies and outdoor dining areas; o an outdoor classroom; o a redesigned and updated upper school/middle school library; and o sidewalks and parking improvements. · The Board of Trustees developed, and the administration implemented two 5-year strategic plans which have emphasized: o recruiting, retaining, and developing mission-driven faculty, staff, and administrators who provide an exceptional learning environment for our students; o fostering robust academic curriculum to equip our students to meet the challenges of today and tomorrow; o inspiring a culture of character that promotes leadership and community engagement; and o ensuring the financial stability of the school and the growth of its financial resources. · The school added an infant and toddler program to serve existing and future USJ families. · The school launched the Jones Academic Center. · The school’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic made it the first, and for a time, the only school in the area that went back to full-time on-campus, in-person learning. · The school has added upgrades to its security personnel and infrastructure. · Students have participated in and won multiple academic and athletic championships as well as participated in numerous visual arts, music, and theatrical programs and performances.

I have also had the pleasure to serve under and learn from four Board Chairs: Richard Ayers, John New, James Kirkland, and John Whybrew, while also serving with past Board Chairs Charlie Garrett, Anita Hamilton, Steve Maroney, and Dale Thomas. Additionally, during my tenure on the Board, I have had the opportunity to work with two Heads of School, Stu Hirstein and our current Head of School Don Roe. While working as part of the Board committee that recommended the hiring of Don to the full Board, it became apparent to me how special he is. Not only did he have the educational experience and leadership abilities to lead our school, but his love for USJ is unparalleled. And he is a West Tennessee native. His tenure as Head of School overlaps most of the blessings and accomplishments noted above, and I look forward to continuing to observe his leadership of USJ. In conclusion, thank you for allowing me to serve on your USJ Board of Trustees since 2014 and as your Board Chair these past two school years. The past decade has provided me many friendships and further enhanced my love for this special place.

God bless, and Go Bruins!

Geoffrey A. Lindley Chair, Board of Trustees

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ACADEMIC NEWS

Middle School Students Compete in Science Bowl For years, Upper School science students at USJ have traveled to Martin, TN, for the Regional Science Bowl. They enjoyed it so much that they came up with the idea to host a Science Bowl for Middle School students, so now each spring, members of the Science National Honor Society (SNHS) set up and run the event. Typically, the eighth-grade science teacher determines the top 16 science students. These students are then randomly divided into four groups.

One SNHS member acts as coach for each team and comes up with a name for the team. This past year, the teams were the Mighty-chondrias, the Darwinners, the Invincible Ions, and the Rocketships. Coaches contact their team members before the competition, putting up flyers to pump them up and even putting candy in their lockers.

On the day of the Science Bowl—held April 12, 2023—competitors came to the library where they competed by answering questions about earth science, life science, and physical science. They buzzed in to answer the questions and were awarded points for each correct answer. SNHS students read the questions, operated the buzzer system, and kept score. Two teams competed, then the other teams competed, and finally the winners of the preliminary rounds met in the championship. This past year, the winning team received trophies.

“The students love it,” said Upper School Science Department Chair Jane Ramer. “It’s a fun time for all and a chance to celebrate academic achievement!”

Members of the winning team were Eli Freeman, Joshua O’Neal, Andrew Simeon, and Josie Carney. Runners-up were Jack Bergman, Brianna Smith, Deuce Davenport, and Reese Scott.

Brasfield and Welch Scholarships Awarded The Dr. Michelle Welch Brasfield Scholarship for $1,000 was awarded to USJ senior Autumn Hanna in honor of Dr. Michelle Welch Brasfield, sponsored by Joseph M. Welch.

Autumn is currently attending the University of Memphis at Lambuth.

The Judith Marbury Welch Scholarship for $1,000 has been awarded to USJ senior Paul Jones in honor of Judith Marbury Welch, sponsored by Joseph M. Welch, and administered by the University School of Jackson. Paul is a freshman at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga.

Representing the Welch family, USJ lower school students Kayler Grace and Drew Hopkins assisted in the scholarship presentation.

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Yearbook Receives Prestigious Award from Publisher School yearbooks are artifacts that record the memorable moments of each school year. Students look forward to their release each spring, and graduates will thumb through their pages for decades to come. They are keepsakes, but they are also the product of a lot of time and energy. The 2023 USJ Upper School yearbook was recognized for its place as a top publication by its publisher Walsworth Yearbook, a feat that serves as a great compliment to the USJ yearbook staff.

“The Gallery of Excellence award is presented each year to the top 2% of yearbooks that we publish,” said Walsworth Yearbook representative Johnny Cole. “They are books that represent the best in theme development, cover design, layout design, and overall continuity of carrying out the theme and providing its viewers with readers’ services that record the history of the school year.”

The annual creation of a yearbook is no small task for USJ students. Yearbook editors are chosen each year once the staff has been selected. This usually happens around January or February. In April, the editors attend a yearbook creativity workshop where they brainstorm cover and theme ideas. At that point, yearbook design begins and does not end until the next March.

Lower School Book Editors for 2022-23: · Claire Whybrew · Ellie Belle Weaver · Julia Roy Upper School Editors for 2022-23: · Zainab Baba · Madeline Miller · Mimi Campbell

Business Managers: · Mary Payton Redden · Jacie Lin Staff Members: · Carley Hays · Josie Dougan · Sydney Benton · Alivia Newman · Sydney Burke

It is the job of the editors to determine the theme for the yearbook. USJ has two books with two different sets of editors each year. This year, the Lower School’s book theme was ‘‘Adventures as a Bruin,” while the Upper School’s book theme was ‘‘Instilling a Passion.” Once a theme is chosen, the cover is designed and the book is planned. Much thought and effort go into designing each yearbook—everything from template design, colors, and fonts to copy and caption writing.

Editors create and manage everything yearbook-related, including assigning staff responsibilities. Under the leadership of the yearbook advisor and the planning of the yearbook editors, the entire staff works together to create a meaningful memento of the school year.

“The editors take great pride in creating this piece of history, and it is evident that the USJ community and students enjoy shuffling through its pages to reminisce their school memories,” said Hillary Dalton, Upper School English teacher and Yearbook Advisor. “Receiving this recognition from Walsworth only adds to the pride we take in our yearbook.”

Students Participate in American Legion Girls & Boys State The American Legion Volunteer Girls State Delegate program is a non-partisan, non-political opportunity to teach and encourage civic responsibility. Rising seniors are selected on the following qualities: high moral character, outstanding leadership, academic excellence, and community participation. This year’s delegates selected were Eady Davenport, Ela Golden, Mia Powell, and Corinne Sullivan.

American Legion Volunteer Boys State Delegates are selected on academic excellence, courage, leadership, and service. This year’s delegates selected were Chester Evans and Anderson Preston.

These students are leaders and high achieving academically. They are voted by faculty to attend Girls and Boys State. It is an honor to be selected to represent USJ! The students attend their sessions at the end of May and beginning of June.

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Bruins Shine at TMTA Math Contest Prior to 1957 several independent (and limited) contests in high school mathematics were held in various localities in Tennessee. The Tennessee Mathematics Teachers’ Association effected a merger of these contests in 1957 and began to sponsor a contest open to all public, private, and parochial high schools in Tennessee. This association conducts a statewide contest each year as one of its major projects.

The contest is conducted as an academic festival where students represent their school in competition with others at a nearby Testing Center. These specially selected school representatives compete with others for preeminence in their region and in the state.

Each exam lasts 80 minutes and consists of 40 multiple choice questions. Calculators without symbolic manipulation are allowed on all six contest exams.

Below are the results of how our Bruins ranked.

9th Grade Honors Algebra 1 Matt Allen Rheagan Hicks Noah Martin Devin Wagner Chase Wimer

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Juniors Participate in Local Leadership Program

9th Grade Honors Algebra 2 Kipi Golden Diego Montoya Jack Morris Avani Prasad Charlie Redden

1st Place - Team 1st – Diego Montoya 3rd – Charlie Redden 8th – Jack Morris 8th – Avani Prasad

10th Grade Honors Geometry Max Kilburn Lidiah Mahalati Harry Morris Dhruv Patel Jane Claire Ragon

1st Place - Team 1st – Jane Claire Ragon 2nd – Lidiah Mahalati 4th – Dhruv Patel 7th – Harry Morris 8th – Max Kilburn

11th Grade Honors Precalculus Chester Evans Amelia Freeman Tripp Hooper Corinne Sullivan Ellie Belle Weaver

1st Place - Team 1st – Tripp Hooper 1st – Corinne Sullivan 4th – Amelia Freeman 8th – Chester Evans

12 Grade AP Calculus Zainab Baba Cassidy Bruno Molly Nichols Ijeoma Oleru Reed Sullivan Lilly Kate Varino

1st Place - Team 2nd – Ijeoma Oleru 3rd – Cassidy Bruno 5th – Reed Sullivan 6th – Lilly Kate Varino 7th – Zainab Baba 9th – Molly Nichols

Each year, the Jackson Chamber hosts Leadership University, a youth leadership development program for Jackson-Madison County that is made up of a diverse group of high school juniors that demonstrates leadership potential. Started in 1999 as a team class project of Leadership Jackson, LU prepares participants to become responsible, ethical leaders who make a positive difference in others by creating awareness in all aspects of the community.

Through interactive programming, Leadership University teaches about all aspects of the local community, as well as prepares participants to be leaders, equipping them with skills and information to be successful. It has developed into the premier youth leadership program in Jackson.

USJ students selected to participate this year are Ellen Driver, Ava Jerman, Vaidehi Prasad, Jane Claire Ragon, and Olivia Welch.

Berry Awarded Distinguished Tennessean Scholarship to UTK Miller Represents USJ at Governor’s School Senior Bailey Miller attended the Governor’s School for Science and Engineering (GSSE) at the University of Tennessee at Knoxville this past June. Not only did she spend the month taking STEM and chemistry classes to prepare herself for her future college major, but she also lived on campus with a roommate and resident assistants.

“I was fortunate enough to have friend groups in every setting I walked into, and I think that is what genuinely made my experience at GSSE so amazing,” says Bailey. “You’re surrounded by like-minded students and professors who want nothing more than to teach you everything you are passionate about. There is truly no experience like it.”

Some of Bailey’s favorite moments were spent in the chemistry lab developing much needed skills for her future and participating in afternoon programs that were carefully planned by RAs each day.

The University of Tennessee at Knoxville’s Distinguished Tennessean program recognizes students with exceptional academic performance and demonstrated engagement in their community.

A student from each of the 95 Tennessee counties is awarded a tuition and mandatory fees scholarship, which is renewable for four years.

Abbey Berry was this year’s Haywood County recipient. She is the daughter of Lee & Casey Berry and is majoring in political science. While a student at USJ, Abbey was passionate about her interests in and out of school: ballet with Ballet Arts, golf, tennis, and SGA leadership as the vice president.

“Abbey made great grades, and her can-do attitude made it easy for her teachers and counselor to sing her praises in her college recommendation letters,” said College Advising Director Carol Ryan. “All facets of her application came together to reveal a student who would make a great Vol.”

“Undoubtedly, the most beneficial part of the GSSE experience was learning about myself,” says Bailey.

“You get to learn which elements of college are most important to you. I want a campus where I can walk to class each day. I want a place where my peers are just as passionate about my interests as I am.

Governor’s School taught me about connection, with both the people and the college itself, and that is so valuable when deciding where to learn for the next few years of my life.”

Bailey, having taken both AP Chemistry and Honors Chemistry here at the U, had a packet of advanced notes to reference, a strong work ethic, and familiarity with college-level concepts.

“My position as lab assistant at USJ this year is even more amazing, as I get to put my new lab skills into practice every day,” says Bailey. “USJ prepared me for GSSE, and GSSE has prepared me for what to expect from college. I am so grateful for the opportunity to participate in something so memorable, because without USJ, so much about this experience would be different.”

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Empowering Future Innovators: The Bruinauts Robotics Club In the ever-evolving landscape of education, extracurricular activities play a pivotal role in nurturing young minds. The Bruinauts Robotics Club, an after-school initiative, has been a shining example of how these programs can inspire and empower students to reach for the stars, quite literally.

The genesis of the club was rooted in a desire to provide more than just classroom learning. Lower School STEAM teacher Heidi McDaniel noticed untapped potential in a group of tech-savvy fifth-grade girls and set out to channel their enthusiasm and creativity. Armed with Dash robots, the students embarked on a thrilling journey of coding and robotics through the Wonder League Robotics Competition.

Each year, this competition presents exciting challenges that encourage teams to push their boundaries. For the Bruinauts, one of the most memorable missions involved navigating the solar system, perfectly aligning with their chosen name, a fusion of ‘‘Bruin’’ and ‘‘Astronauts.’’ The final mission posed a formidable task: simulate the treacherous asteroid belt. They ingeniously employed Ozobots as asteroids, meticulously coding their movements to test Dash’s ability to navigate the cosmic obstacle course.

Beyond coding, the club fostered invaluable life skills. Teamwork became the cornerstone of their success as students relied on each other’s unique strengths. They learned the art of meticulous planning, time management, and collaboration to meet the competition’s rigorous criteria.

Looking to the future, the club envisions growth and mentorship opportunities. The goal is to involve more students and create a self-sustaining environment where experienced members mentor newcomers, taking ownership of the club’s legacy.

For aspiring young roboticists, the message is clear: seize opportunities and never stop learning. The Bruinauts serve as a testament to the potential that lies within every student. With dedication, innovation, and a passion for exploration, the sky is not the limit—it’s just the beginning.

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Lower School Field Trips Ignite Imaginations When it comes to learning, there’s nothing quite like hands-on experience to make classroom concepts come to life.

USJ helps students practice “learning by doing” by taking field trips throughout the school year including the secondgrade field trip to Memphis Botanic Gardens and the third-grade field trip to Lone Oaks Farm.

Memphis Botanic Gardens In the spring, second-grade students at USJ embarked on a field trip to the Memphis Botanic Gardens that exemplified the impact of experiential learning.

Lone Oaks Farm On a third-grade field trip to Lone Oaks Farm in Middleton, Tenn., students were able to apply scientific concepts from the classroom directly to nature through exploration.

Students dissected an owl pellet, dug for grubs, and explored the wetlands ecosystem. As they carefully sorted through bones and fur, the students discovered the dietary habits of owls, shedding light on both how owls eat and what they eat. The thrill of finding small rodent skulls within the pellets added an extra layer of excitement to the learning process.

One activity that captured the students’ imaginations was the ‘‘Life Under a Log’’ program. As investigators of nature, the students donned their entomologist hats and ventured into the woods. Under the guidance of instructors, they explored the hidden world beneath decomposing logs, where a multitude of insects thrive. Armed with curiosity, small nets, and microscopes, they had the chance to observe these insects up close.

Another activity was the excavation of decomposers in the forest ecosystem. Armed with shovels, the students delved into the forest floor, unearthing rollie-pollies, grubs, and worms. Through this exploration, they grasped the essential role that even the tiniest organisms play in shaping ecosystems. They learned about scavengers and decomposers, understanding how these organisms help break down organic matter and provide vital nutrients for plant life.

Pond exploration was yet another highlight of the day.

Observing dragonflies, butterflies, turtles, fish, and lily pads in their natural habitat allowed the students to witness the intricate web of life within a wetlands ecosystem. They discovered that lily pads not only provide food and shelter, but also contribute to the ecosystem by purifying the air.

Students were also able to study metamorphosis and water quality. They collected samples from Lone Oaks Farm’s ponds using aquatic nets and specialized instruments. After identifying each insect using description sheets and making observations, the students determined the health of the pond based on their findings. This exploration of water quality connected classroom knowledge with real-world applications.

This field trip allowed students to apply knowledge gained in class to real-life situations, fostering a deeper connection to and appreciation for the environment.

Rather than simply reading about ecosystems and wildlife in textbooks, students were able to engage directly with the natural world.

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Exploring Diversity and Culture: The Middle School Multicultural Club The Multicultural Club has quickly become one of USJ’s most popular clubs among Middle School students with nearly 50 members. The club meets every Wednesday.

The club is in its second year and was formed by boys’ basketball coach Jeff Jones.

“I felt that it was important and necessary that our students gain knowledge of different cultures and learn to respect each other’s differences,” said Jones. “This year we have more students that are interested in the Multicultural Club. We have some amazing students that have strong leadership skills and have the desire to make a difference in our community.”

Seventh-grade student Rachel Rivera said, “I joined the club to discover new things and have enjoyed learning about other cultures’ religions, legends, food, and traditions.”

For the 2022-2023 school year, the club attended the Jackson International Food & Arts Festival and took a field trip to Memphis to visit the National Civil Rights Museum and Lorraine Motel.

“The field trip to the National Civil Rights Museum in Memphis was an eye-opening experience for some of our students here at USJ. The museum was a visual platform that showed the struggles & strategies for basic human rights,” said Jones. “Students also learned more about how the United States economy was driven by the slave population with cotton being the #1 export and tobacco the #2 export in America. Several of today’s millionaires, Fortune 500 companies, and inventions came from slaves/slavery.”

During Black History Month, the club asked Lane College President Dr. Logan Hampton to be a guest speaker for the entire Middle School student body. Dr. Hampton spoke about Lane College Founder Bishop Issac Lane and several other individuals who have made an impact on the history of Madison County. Other speakers that the club has coordinated include Fabiola Escobar and several USJ staff members.

This school year, the club coordinated a Hispanic heritage program during Hispanic Heritage Month in October. “This program was meaningful to me because of my Hispanic ancestry. It’s a part of me I’ve felt rather disconnected from, so being able to embrace it was eye-opening for me,” said Rivera.

The club also attended the Northwest Tennessee Native American Powwow in Union City at Discovery Park of America. On Fridays, the club has a “Friday Music Jam” in the cafeteria to recognize various cultures through music.

The club plans to explore more cultures in the future. Seventh grade student Hannah Nwazue said, “There are also many other diversity-themed months to explore, and the opportunity to learn about new things is limitless.”

As the Multicultural Club grows, it will empower students to think globally, practice empathy, and embrace diversity. These efforts will continue to enrich the entire school community.

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Embracing Abilities: Student is Inspired by Volunteer Experience to Seek Joy in Everyday Moments As part of graduation requirements, USJ students are required to complete 50 or more hours of school and community service. At least half of these hours must come from outside-of-school events and cover a variety of opportunities including volunteering at camps, and/or working with non-profits, or with religious organizations.

This commitment to community service not only fulfills academic requirements, but also plays a vital role in shaping well-rounded individuals. Eady Davenport, a senior at USJ, has provided a compelling example of how community service has impacted her life.

“In the spring of 2021, I was invited to volunteer to be a high school ‘buddy’ at a ministry in Jackson called Young Life Capernaum (Young Life’s branch for high school-age students with intellectual and physical disabilities). My role was to build one-on-one relationships with the students and to ensure that by the end of the night, each student knew that they were loved, seen, and heard.

At my first Capernaum meeting, I was a complete deer in the headlights. I didn’t know how to interact with the students, and I remember feeling so anxious that I would mess up in some way or offend a student! Very soon, I realized that all that mattered at Capernaum was my presence.

In the next months, I learned the correct techniques for handling certain situations, and the most respectful terminology to use.

The students have taught me the importance of showing up for people - for being completely present in the situation that God puts you in. You never know the importance of simply giving your full attention and time to someone, even if it’s just for a few hours every month.

My experience at Capernaum has taught me how to ‘not judge a book by its cover.’ I look at a person not according to their appearance or according to how they can contribute to a certain end goal, but instead, look for a person’s strengths. I try to focus on abilities, not disabilities.

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While I’m not an expert in the disability community, I do have one strong belief about all people with disabilities: I believe that every disabled person that I have met has some sort of ‘superpower.’

One of my nonverbal friends can dance like no one I have seen before! Another one of my friends from Capernaum can recite every actor from any movie that she has watched!

One other lesson that my friends from Capernaum have taught me is how to have joy. I don’t just mean a mediocre kind of joy. My friends at Capernaum exhibit a nothing-held-back kind of joy, for all things! If one of their friends wins a game at our monthly club, there is a beautiful, celebratory kind of joy in the room.

If a friend’s favorite song comes on, there is no hesitation to jump on the dance floor to live out the genuine joy that they are feeling in the moment.

One of our goals is to ensure that students ‘have the best night of their month,’ so as a buddy, my job is to make sure that each student is given the opportunity to have the best night of their month!”

Eady has had several opportunities to build and strengthen her leadership skills through her volunteer work at Capernaum. During her first year with the program, she was responsible for leading games, performing skits, and leading music. During her second year, she was asked to lead all of the high school buddies who participated in the program. This included regular check-ins to make sure they have all of the resources they need to best interact with students at Capernaum. ‘‘Last year, I was also given the opportunity to travel to camp with a few of our girls from Capernaum. In the winter, we attended a weekend camp in North Carolina with two girls, and this past summer, we attended the same camp, only that time, for a week. Being a buddy at camp definitely came with more responsibilities than being a buddy in Jackson, but it was so great. While at camp, I (along with two other adult leaders) was basically

a caretaker to three girls with varying abilities. Throughout the week, we were able to conquer fears and make tons of new friends from different areas of the Southeast. We were able to participate in so many dance parties, play field games, participate in daily Young Life clubs, laugh at the skits, go on a hike, and build deep friendships through our nightly talks around the fire in front of our cabin.”

When asked how this volunteer experience will influence her future endeavors, Eady had the following to say: “Through Capernaum, I have found a meaningful and beautiful place of community. All of the students at Capernaum truly care for one another. I think that they are a living example of what friendship is. Each person in this world was created with specific strengths and abilities, and if we use those strengths in the right way, they all work together to create a beautiful picture of how life was meant to be lived. I think that at Capernaum, I see a picture of that. When one person is missing, the night is just a little bit different.’’ ‘‘Regardless of the career that I end up in, or the area of the world that I end up living in, I know that disability ministry will always be a part of my life. At Capernaum, I have learned what true joy looks like, and one of my goals in life is to exhibit this celebratory, nothing-held-back joy in all circumstances, just like my friends at Capernaum do. When I grow up, I want to be a speech pathologist, and my experience in Capernaum has furthered that desire.”

Upper School Director David Suber said, “We are extremely proud of Eady’s commitment to make a difference in the lives of others and are also inspired by her experience. Her joy for helping others is contagious.”

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College Prep 101 Preparation for college at USJ begins at the Lower and Middle School level with a strong math and literature-based curriculum. Curriculum rigor continues in the Upper School as students participate actively in academics, athletics, and the arts. The goal of our College Advising Team is to provide individualized attention and support to our students as they participate in the college search and selection process. There are many colleges that will be a good ‘fit’ for each student, and we guide our students as they research colleges, meet deadlines, and plan for the future.

USJ is proud that 100 percent of USJ graduates meet college admission requirements. Their USJ education makes them competitive applicants at the most academically selective schools.

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“Take the most challenging curriculum available - this factor makes a difference in test scores as well as the GPA. Also, when you find yourself in close proximity to a college campus while traveling - take a tour!”

College Advisor Carol Ryan

10th Grade m Parents are invited to attend college and coffee meetings to discuss the college process. m Students are encouraged to focus on grades, not college entrance tests. USJ’s curriculum is designed to be test prep at this level. m Students should schedule a college advising meeting with their college advisor. m Students are encouraged to continue utilizing SCOIR for tracking college interests and keeping up with community service.

“No college wants to see a list of activities that a student just signed up for. ‘Passion’ is the key word and it’s definitely quality over quantity. If you are a dancer, give that activity the time it needs for you to be successful. Pursue the activities you love. I have written some great counselor letters for that student who is an avid ‘fan in the stands.’ Loving the Bruins is an activity!”

11th Grade m S tudents take two online assessment tests to identify interests and aptitudes – SCOIR and YouScience. The assessment along with in-person meetings, help staff identify which academic and extracurricular activities might be best suited for a student based on their natural inclinations. m Students

attend an evening program with their parents to establish a timeline and discuss the next steps for the academic year. m S chedule college tours. m I n October, students take the PSAT & ACT at USJ to assist with future test prep. m S tarting in November, students will attend individual meetings with USJ college advisors to discuss college plans including specific college entrance requirements based on the individual’s top schools. College advising will help students set a goal for ACT/SAT scores for specific scholarships. mC ollege advising works with students during their English class and study hall to make sure each student’s Scoir account stays up-to-date with their resume, schools of interest, and career assessments added. m I n late winter, Common App releases the next year’s college essay prompts. Students begin thinking about the prompt they want to write about and draft practice essays during English class. m Students should “The ACT is a completely identify teachers who predictable test, so could potentially write practicing what you miss recommendation raises scores.” letters on their behalf.

College Prep Checklist

9th Grade m Parents are invited to attend college and coffee meetings to discuss the college process. m Students are encouraged to focus on grades, not college entrance tests. USJ’s curriculum is designed to be test prep at this level. m Students should schedule a college advising meeting with their college advisor. Advisors work with students to make sure they are taking the appropriate course selections to meet their goals. m If a student needs additional help in a specific course, all of USJ’s teachers offer tutorials to help students know how to study their subject. m Students are encouraged to join SCOIR, USJ’s online college advising platform.

m S tudents attend a oneday ACT prep course with Dr. Ben Phillips and Jane Ross tutoring. m S tudents are given the opportunity to additional weekend/weeknight ACT prep workshops if needed. m I n April, students take the ACT test with test information release. Once the test is scored, students receive their test booklet, their test day answers, and the correct answers. College advising helps students mark the questions they miss, and students then have the best preparation for their next test date. mD uring the summer, students should continue to focus on areas for improvement identified on the April ACT test, schedule additional college tours, and work toward achieving test goals.

12th Grade m College advising hosts an evening meeting for families to discuss an updated senior year timeline for application and scholarship deadlines as well as federal, state, and institutional financial aid information. m Colleges begin accepting applications on August 1. Students will attend application workshops, prepare, and begin submitting applications. m College Advising works with Tennessee Student Assistance Corporation to ensure students and their families are meeting the “August through December is college deadlines for state and federal financial aid. application season – essays, test m College Advising prepares a highly individualized counselor scores, resumes, applications, and recommendation letter for admissions and scholarships. financial aid! USJ’s college advising m College advising sends transcripts, recommendation letters, and department is here to help with it all.” any required school forms as needed to the college or university. m Students continue to schedule college tours.

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FACULTY NEWS Faculty Spotlight: Ella Engles Please introduce yourself and share some background on your education.

My name is Ella Engles, and I am the 6th-grade math teacher at the University School of Jackson. I’m a proud USJ alumna! After high school, I pursued my bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education and then my master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction at the University of Mississippi. I was fortunate to join USJ as the 6th-grade math teacher in May 2022. It’s been an incredibly rewarding yet challenging journey!

What inspired you to become a teacher?

Teaching was a natural choice for me. My mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother were all educators.

Interestingly enough, my grandmother was also a 6th-grade math teacher, which provided me with valuable insights into working with this age group. My time at Ole Miss allowed me to explore various classrooms, and I quickly realized my passion for working with the “big” kids.

What teaching methods or techniques do you find most effective in engaging your students?

My first year of teaching was an incredible learning experience.

I discovered that fostering an open and honest classroom environment was most effective. Encouraging open discussions throughout the lesson helps students immerse themselves in the material. Instead of simply talking about math, we engage in conversations about it. I encourage questions and comments throughout the lesson. I even encourage students to ask what they might consider ‘‘dumb questions’’ because this shows active engagement and listening. I would rather them close the gaps in their understanding and ask a question to clarify the material than struggle silently.

How do you adapt your teaching style to accommodate different learning styles?

USJ has been incredibly supportive in providing resources to cater to each child’s unique learning style. I use visual and auditory teaching methods daily and embrace student-centered learning.

When a student has a question, I often ask the class to help explain it, which can lead to clearer understanding. Additionally, I offer flexible seating for students who benefit from a change in scenery to stay focused. I’m always on the lookout for new ways to engage my students.

What subject or area do you specialize in, and what fascinates you the most about it?

Teaching math to 10-12-year-olds can be challenging, but it’s also incredibly rewarding. I frequently hear, ‘‘When will we ever use this?’’ My response is always, ‘‘You’ll see one day!’’ What’s most fascinating is that the math they’re learning in 6th grade is preparing them for high school, standardized tests like the ACT and SAT, and their future careers. Teachers can see from an early age who genuinely enjoy that subject. Given that this is only my second year, I am very excited to follow along with my students’ lives and see if my “predictions” about who will be mathematicians remains true!

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Recent Additions & Promotions The University School of Jackson promoted several and welcomed many new faculty and staff members to campus this fall. Each employee was chosen for a unique set of skills that enhances the educational experience that USJ is able to provide. If you see a new face, please say hello, and welcome them to campus.

1

Carrie Cates (‘16)

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Logan Smith

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Janaina McFarlin

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Amber Schultz

5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13

Upper School Spanish Teacher

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5

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Infants & Toddlers Lead Teacher

Hope Duffey (‘15)

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Lower School Art Teacher

Matt Pledger

Upper School History Teacher

Marion Burch

Middle School Spanish Teacher

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Laura Byrd

Middle School English Teacher

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Keli Gooch

Upper & Middle School Conselor

Katie Pritchard

5th Grade Teacher

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Alissa Wells

Middle School Assistant

Jared Heldenbrand

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Upper & Middle School Choir

Paige Potts

Upper School Science Teacher

Cari Dill

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Upper & Middle School Band

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Robert Clyce

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David Smith

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Logan Fortner

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Heather Daniel

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3

Middle School Science Teacher

Upper School English Teacher

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2

4th Grade Teacher

14

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1

14

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Lisa Powell

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Schoolwide Security Team Schoolwide Security Team

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Upper School Spanish Teacher

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Lower School Assistant

Tracy Rasamny

Lower School Assistant

Ethan Baskin

Lower School Assistant

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Mike Schwartz

Middle School History Teacher

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USJ Welcomes New Leadership to Lower School In the spring, USJ announced Courtney Burnette as the new Lower School Director and Hayley Wilkerson as the Early Childhood Director and Lower School Assistant Director.

“These two ladies bring with them a wealth of knowledge and experience, and I look forward to working with them as they continue to grow our students through the direction of our mission statement,” said Head of School Don Roe. Many of you may remember Courtney Burnette as the USJ Middle School Director from 2009-2016. Since that time, she served as the Head of School at Fayette Academy, where she was responsible for overseeing the day-to-day operations of all three divisions of the school. Under her direction, Fayette Academy saw the largest enrollment growth it had experienced in over a decade. Her career in education spans over 28 years, during which she has maintained a drive for high academic standards for faculty, students, and parents in each of the schools which she served.

“Courtney has been a trusted colleague for years, and she will bring positive energy and proven leadership skills to this very important division as we move forward with our new strategic plan,” said Roe. “I could not be more pleased to have her back on campus and to lead alongside her at USJ.” Hayley Wilkerson served on our Middle School administrative team as the assistant to the Middle School Director. She is a USJ Class of ‘94 alumna and current parent with more than 12 years of early childhood experience. She has previously held the position of director at both Christ Community Day School in Bells, Tenn., and ​​Bright Ideas Enrichment Center in Jackson, Tenn, as well as having served as an early childhood specialist with Southwest Tennessee Child Care Resource and Referral.

“Hayley brings with her a caring, can-do attitude to our early childhood program. A lifelong Bruin, she knows our school and families well, and I am confident her professionalism and experience will continue to elevate our excellent program,” said Roe.

Retirements 1

Kay Thomson

2

Darlene Tanner

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Tom Grant

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Judy Sanderson

5

Dian Eddleman

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1

24 Years of Service 23 Years of Service 21 Years of Service

2

3

15 Years of Service

4

14 Years of Service

Debbie Anton

12 Years of Service

5

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Rachel Tucker Joins USJ as Director of After School and Camp Bruins In July 2023, the University School of Jackson announced the appointment of Rachel Tucker as the new Director of After School and Camp Bruins. With an impressive background in coordinating child care and customer service, Rachel brings a wealth of experience and a genuine passion for nurturing and supporting our students.

Having previously worked at the University School of Jackson as an After School Care Worker under the direction of Faith Dixon, Rachel is familiar with the school’s values and commitment to student well-being. During her tenure, she managed a classroom of first to fifth graders, ensuring a conducive and safe environment. Rachel’s dedication to student growth and effective communication with parents resulted in a positive after-school experience for all participants.

Most recently, Rachel served as an Economic Development Coordinator at the Greater Jackson Chamber of Commerce in Jackson, Tenn. In this role, she excelled in responding to requests for information, conducting research, and customer communication. Rachel’s strong organizational skills were evident in her coordination of events and meetings for existing industries, industrial prospects, and workforce development initiatives that contributed to the recruitment process of bringing new industrial manufacturers like 6K Energy to Jackson.

Rachel also gained valuable experience as a Management Trainee at Enterprise Holdings in Memphis, after receiving her degree in Business Administration from Union University in May of 2020. In this position, she consistently provided exceptional customer service, ensuring the satisfaction of clients and fostering positive relationships with surrounding businesses. Rachel’s ability to develop effective strategies for branch growth and employee development showcased her leadership potential and commitment to success.

Rachel’s passion for education extends beyond traditional school settings. She also served as a 2nd Grade Teacher at World Overcomers Summer Dream Camp in Memphis. Her exceptional classroom management skills, tailored tutoring strategies, and creativity in designing engaging games and events enhanced the camp experience for all students involved.

In addition to her professional achievements, Rachel Tucker is actively involved in volunteer work. She currently coordinates childcare activities at Northside Assembly of God in Jackson, TN, during Sunday and Wednesday services. ‘‘We are thrilled to welcome Rachel Tucker as the Director of After School Care at the University School of Jackson,’’ said Lower School Director Courtney Burnette. ‘‘Her extensive experience in education, child care, and project management, combined with her genuine dedication to the well-being of students, make her the ideal candidate for this role. We are confident that Rachel will lead our After Care program to new heights of excellence, creating a nurturing and engaging environment for all students.’’

As the Director of After School, Rachel Tucker will work closely with administration, parents, and the broader school community to ensure the after-school program aligns with USJ’s mission of providing comprehensive educational experiences.

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Robert Rhodes Platt 1983-2023

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In Memory of Beloved USJ Teacher Rob Platt Robert Rhodes Platt of Jackson, Tenn. was born on January 22, 1983, to William Rhodes and Jenny Platt and passed away of natural causes in his sleep on the morning of April 3, 2023. Raised in Selmer, Tenn., he attended McNairy Central High School where he was a true “student athlete.” Rob was a student government officer, baseball player, and football player all while being in the top 10 of his class, a chosen member of their Hall of Fame, and was named Mr. MCHS 2001.

After graduating from MCHS, he attended University of Memphis and was Vice President of Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity. He later went on to get his Master’s in Education and was pursuing his PhD. Rob’s passion for learning, sports, and literature shaped his career. He pursued teaching and coaching at MCHS and Smyrna High School before spending his last 12 years at the University School of Jackson (USJ). He helped coach football and baseball at USJ for many years, but his real passion was teaching and building relationships with his students.

Rob married the love of his life, Jessica Ramer Platt, on March 14, 2015. They raised two beautiful children together, Noah (11) and Etta Jane (6). Not only was Rob okay with Jessica’s love for animal rescue, he was just as passionate about loving the once unloved. Rob was a member of Jackson First United Methodist Church, where his favorite act of service was being an usher.

Rob’s favorite pastimes were music, movies, grilling, a good ballgame, and reading. He loved teaching his students the great southern authors like Twain, Faulkner, and Williams and often incorporated his love for music (and Bob Ross) in his lessons. He attended countless music festivals and concerts and loved every kind of music from British rock to bluegrass.

Rob had a fantastic way of connecting with people and seemed to find commonality with everyone he met. He had a large circle of friends that were like the brothers he never had. He had a tender heart and put all the ladies in his life (Nana, Grandmother, Mama, aunts, his sisters, his wife and mother-in-law, and his daughter) on a pedestal. That caring spirit drove him to volunteer many summers at Camp Joy, a camp for adults with special needs at Lakeshore Camp and Retreat Center.

Rob is survived by his wife Jessica; children Noah and Etta Jane; parents Rhodes and Jenny Platt (Selmer, TN); mother-in-law Jane Ramer; sister Rachel Platt Eyres and husband Jonathan (Brentwood, Tenn); sister Becca Platt and fiancé Justin Sutton (Clarksville, Tenn.), brother-in law Justin Ramer and wife Katie (Paducah, Ky.); his three nephews Jack, Ellis, and Desmond and two nieces Callie Rose and Nova; and many aunts and uncles who loved him like a son.

He is preceded in death by his grandparents, Jim and Sallye English and Bill and Paula Platt.

A celebration of Rob’s life was held on Monday, April 10, at First United Methodist Church in Jackson, Tenn.

Attendees were encouraged to wear something tie-dye or clothing representing their favorite music group or sports team in Rob’s honor.

“Good friends, good books, and a sleepy conscience; this is the ideal life.”

Mark Twain

Rob Platt Scholarship The USJ community was shocked and saddened by the sudden passing of Rob Platt. Now friends of the former sophomore English teacher are establishing a scholarship fund in his memory.

The scholarship will recognize an outstanding English student annually. As Bailey Landreth, a lifelong friend of Rob’s stated, “Rob Platt had a true passion for education and took pride in cultivating his students in an unconventional manner that they seemingly loved. It is fitting that we continue and honor his legacy by recognizing and supporting current USJ students as they follow their dreams, just as Rob would have encouraged them to do.”

The USJ Robert Rhodes Platt Memorial Scholarship will become an annual award beginning in the Spring of 2024. The $1,000 scholarship will go to the Upper School student who most represents excellence in grammar, language arts and literature.

The student’s love of music and understanding of the meaning and beauty music brings to our lives will be taken into consideration as well.

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ATHLETIC NEWS A Day in the Life of a Student-Athlete The life of any student-athlete is busy as they juggle the logistics of daily student life and physically demanding practices. For USJ student-athletes, the extra time spent on the court or field on top of rigorous academics requires an abundance of focus and time management skills to make it all happen. Add other extracurriculars to the mix, and students have their hands (and their calendars) more than full.

How do they do it? And maybe more importantly, why do they want to? Senior Lexi Krenis shares how she makes it all happen.

Lexi, who has attended USJ for 15 years, has played volleyball year-round since 8th grade. She has been a member of Jackson Mayor Scott Conger’s Youth Council since 2022 and has served as Student Government Association Secretary since the spring of 2023. She has also run a small dog sitting business since the summer of 2019.

Over the years, she has seen a lot of successes. She was selected to the all-district and all-region volleyball team her senior year, at which time the Lady Bruin volleyball team finished first in the district for the first time in over 10 years. She did it all while maintaining an over 4.5 GPA throughout high school.

She sees a lot of value in having a full plate. “Keeping myself busy has helped me form good time management habits and has kept me engaged in my school and community. Mastering time management is difficult, but once I figured it out, my stress was significantly reduced.

Time management is a long-term skill that everyone should learn how to incorporate into their lives.”

She has also learned a lot about other concepts, such as teamwork. “As a former team captain, it became evident that teamwork is not always equally distributed amongst a group of people. Most of the time there is a leader who creates an initiative or bond amongst the team, and from that, teams can work and grow together.”

Discipline was also a major focus for her. “With discipline comes maturity, and true discipline is self-inflicted. The sooner you begin to discipline yourself instead of only being disciplined by others, the quicker you will begin to see personal growth.”

Sportsmanship was another area where she learned many lessons. “While having a competitive spirit is important when playing a team sport, it is equally important to have respect for not only your teammates and coaches, but for the opposing players, coaches, and officials as well.

Respect and personal accountability are two of the most important qualities in being a good sport.”

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Lexi admits that her schedule is sometimes overwhelming, leading her stress levels to rise, but it’s something that she feels has prepared her well for the years ahead. “I have learned that when I feel myself getting overwhelmed, I have to take control.”

Her suggestion? Make a checklist of the things you need to do, but add in a couple of things you have already done and mark them off so that you can see for yourself that you can accomplish the tasks at hand.

She also learned that sometimes, you don’t get what you want, but you must get back up and try again. Her junior year, she wasn’t selected for Leadership University and was disappointed, but she didn’t let that stop her. She applied for the Mayor’s Youth Council and was selected.

Lexi is not sure where she will attend college yet, but she plans to major in business and minor in Spanish on a prelaw track. She says she will look back fondly on all things Lady Bruin volleyball in the years to come.

She also acknowledges that she would not be who she is today without the help of her parents.

“I would not have had a successful high school experience if not for my parents. Both have gone above and beyond to make sure I’ve had countless opportunities for success and growth both in and out of the classroom. I have so much love and respect for them, and I hope that I can instill in my children what they have instilled in me.”

Bruins are Track State Champions The 2023 outdoor track and field season saw the Bruins continue to build on their culture. This enabled them to have a productive season that culminated with the team having the most student-athletes qualify for the TSSAA State Championships during Coach Arthur Priddy’s tenure as Head Coach thus far.

At the State Championships, they had several great performances, with a couple of the highlights being crowned DII-A State Champions in both the girls 3200 meter relay (4 X 800) and the boys 3200 meter relay (4 X 800).

“While we graduated several seniors who were great contributors to the program, we’re excited about the opportunity for some of our underclassmen to step up and fill those roles,” says Coach Priddy.

Tennis State Champs Jack Wilkerson and Preston Miller were the individual doubles State Champions in tennis with a 6-4, 6-2 victory against Lausanne.

Madeline Craig and Zainab Baba finished as runners-up in the individual TSSAA DII A State doubles tournament. The girls’ team is the TSSAA DII A Girls Team State Champion for the third year in a row and plans to secure that title for the fourth year, too.

“This team had so much great momentum,” says Coach Ted Measley. “They built on work done the year before and continued to show off on the courts. I can’t wait to see what they serve up next season.”

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Bruins Take the Stage at Jackson-Madison County Sports Hall of Fame USJ had a major presence at this year’s Jackson-Madison County Sports Hall of Fame banquet in March. Four members of the Class of 2023 were recognized, as well as an alumnus. Morgan English and Berkeley Pettigrew were selected to represent USJ as Male and Female Athletes of the Year, while Stella Spencer and Maddux Rabun were chosen as scholarship recipients. Football alumnus Lee Mayhall was inducted into the Hall of Fame Class of 2023 for his career at USJ as well as his time on the field at the University of North Alabama.

USJ alumnus, parent, and Jackson-Madison County Sports Hall of Fame board member Trey Teague was pleased to see such a turnout for the Bruins. “I know firsthand what it means to be a student-athlete at USJ,” said Trey. “These students have worked hard and deserve this recognition, and to have Lee recognized as one of our alumni is really something to celebrate.”

To become a “Friend of the Hall,” one can make a contribution of $50 or more on an annual basis. The dollars received go toward scholarships.

“The Hall of Fame exists only because of the generous support of inductees, their families, and the community,” says Trey. “We hope that members of the Bruin community will join us in this effort to continue to strengthen the Jackson-Madison County Sports Hall of Fame.”

USJ Sport Shooting Team Shines at SCTP Regionals & State Championships, Makes Debut at Nationals In June, the USJ Sport Shooting Team competed in the SCTP Regional and State Championships with many of our athletes achieving personal best scores.

Notably, Lorelai Ballentine secured 2nd place in the Ladies Junior Varsity Trap State Championship with an impressive 96/100. She clinched 2nd place with a flawless 10/10 score in a 2nd/3rd place shoot-off.

Next, the team geared up for their debut at the SCTP National Championship in Marengo, OH, marking a significant milestone since the teams formation in 2019. The 2023 SCTP season resulted in growth for each of our athletes and the USJ program.

For more information about the SCTP program at USJ contact usjsportshootingteam@gmail.com.

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An Interview with New Athletic Director Derrick Pritchard On February 15, USJ announced the hiring of Derrick Pritchard as the new athletic director and head football coach for the Bruins. A welcome ceremony for Derrick Pritchard took place on February 15 at the Blankenship Theater. Players and their families were able to attend the meet and greet.

Give us a summary of your career before coming to USJ. I started out at Union City from 2007-08, where I was the Assistant Football and Baseball Coach. Then from 2008-11, I served as the Defensive Coordinator/Offensive Coordinator and Assistant Baseball Coach at Trinity Christian Academy. I moved on to Chester County from 2011-14, where I was the Defensive Coordinator, Offensive Coordinator, and Associate Head Coach. I left West Tennessee and went to Ensworth School in Nashville, working as the Assistant Athletic Director, CoDefensive Coordinator, and Assistant Baseball Coach from 2014-16.

I spent one year at Battle Ground Academy as the Director of Athletic Operations, Assistant Athletic Director, Defensive Coordinator, and Assistant Baseball Coach before returning to Ensworth as the Associate Athletic Director, Associate Head Coach, Defensive Coordinator, and Head Softball Coach until coming to USJ this year.

How did you find out about this role with the Bruins?

My wife and I had always talked about an opportunity to move back closer to home. USJ is really the only school that fit into what we were looking for in a school for our family. When the opportunity came, it was a no-brainer for us to look into the situation here and see if it was a move that we were ready to make.

What or who has made the biggest impression on you thus far at the U? Definitely the kids! I love seeing how much they support each other and care about being great at whatever they do.

As educators and coaches, we are in the people business—at the end of the day, our job is to grow people. When you have student-athletes who hold themselves to a high standard and want to be coached and pushed, it makes our job as teachers and coaches that much easier.

What are the top three goals that come to mind when you are asked about what you hope to accomplish at USJ? I want to leave the school better than I found it, whether that is 10 years from now or 30 years from now. USJ has a rich history of success. My job as the Athletic Director is to make sure that we not only continue that success, but we build off of it as well so that we can continue to improve in every area.

I also want to advance our mission. At every independent school, the Mission Statement is what the school should be about. Part of my job is to ensure that we as an Athletic Department are holding true to the Mission Statement and what the school truly values. We strive for excellence in everything that we do. We want to make sure that we leave no stone unturned so that every student-athlete has the best possible experience—no matter what sport they play.

I also want every student-athlete who leaves my program to be the best version of themselves. I hope each one has maxed out their growth in every area and is as prepared as possible for whatever the next step is in their life. Everyone is not going on to play college athletics, but everyone is going on to be a college student, spouse, parent, community member, etc. My goal is to prepare everyone who is under my influence to be great at whatever lies ahead of them in life.

Name three of your favorite athletes.

I grew up a huge Dolphins fan, and Dan Marino was my favorite player. I am a fan of Jalen Hurts because of his competitiveness and his commitment to winning over individual accomplishments, and I am also a huge Chicago Cubs fan and cheer for anyone who has played for the Cubs.

Tell us five short things about yourself that have nothing at all to do with athletics.

- I have three daughters: Brinley, age 8; Blakely, age 6; and Brylee, age 1.

- I married a Jackson Christian School graduate (Katie).

- I am from a small town (Parsons) and grew up in the country.

- I don’t watch a lot of TV. - I love to travel!

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ARTS NEWS USJ Concert Choir Competes at Choral Performance Assessment The USJ Concert Choir competed in the 2023 West Tennessee Vocal Music Education Association Choral Performance Assessment on April 5th, earning a Superior rating in Performance and Sightreading. This resulted in a Sweepstakes Award. The pieces performed included “We Remember Them” by Susan LaBarr and “Jabberwocky” by Sam Pottle.

2023 Pops Concert - Lights! Camera! Action!

The annual USJ Pops Concert was held April 29th. This year’s theme was Lights, Camera, Action, which included musical numbers from iconic movies. Well-known company ensemble numbers included “Ghostbusters,” “My Heart Will Go On” from Titanic, “Take My Breath Away,” from Top Gun, “Man of Constant Sorrow,” “Joyful, Joyful,” from Sister Act Two, “Footloose,” and “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough” from Remember the Titans. Solo and duet numbers included “I Have Nothing” from The Bodyguard, “Unchained Melody” from Ghost, “Suspicious Minds” from the Elvis movie, and “I’ve Had the Time of My Life” from Dirty Dancing. Famous scenes from these movies were included during each number.

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Lower School Prioritizes Performing Arts for Student Development The Lower School provides students with the chance to dance and sing each year through a variety of productions.

Not only do these performances bring synergy to our Lower School students and community, but they also facilitate and build the following: 1. Public speaking skills 2. Music skills (singing, choreography) 3. Stepping outside comfort zones/facing fears (and conquering them!)

4. Working as a team to reach a goal 5. Working together for the greater good 6. Building others up/encouraging those around them 7. Having fun (and so much more!)

These skills build on the work done the year before with each performance. By the time students reach 5th grade, they exhibit many of these wonderful skills they have learned and acquired throughout their years in the Lower School arts.

“Our performing arts at the Lower School sets us apart from any other school in our area, and we are so proud to offer these opportunities to our Bruins families,” said Leslie Scott, Lower School Music Teacher.

Lower School Musical Dates for 2023-24 School Year · Dec. 7th - 3rd grade musical “Lights! Camera! Christmas!” · Dec. 12th - 1st grade musical “The Littlest Reindeer” · January 25th - 2nd Grade musical “Go West!” · February 8th - Kindergarten Musical “Lemonade” · April 11th - 5th grade musical “Destination Rock ‘n’ Roll” · April 25th - 4th grade musical “Summer Camp” · May 4th - Jr. Kindergarten Musical “Pajama Party” Other annual opportunities to support Lower School Performing Arts: · Halftime Show at a Middle School football game (K-5th grade event) · The Jr. Bruin Choir (comprised of 5th grade students who auditioned) performs the National Anthem at a Memphis Grizzlies game and also performs at The Pops Concert in conjunction with USJ’s Upper School Choir.

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Lower & Middle School Students Receive Awards in Color of Music Contest The Color of Music Contest is an interpretive art contest sponsored by The Jackson Symphony League for young people in West Tennessee from Kindergarten through 8th grade. This contest was first held in 1997 and was inspired by League member, Lynne White. In October 2017 it was announced that LeBonheur Children’s Hospital and Outpatient Center had partnered with The Jackson Symphony League to hold this project annually.

Every year LeBonheur displays the winning four art pieces in their Jackson, TN, lobby throughout the year for many to admire.

Now in its 25th year, this project has been conducted in classrooms in Crockett, Gibson, and Madison counties in West Tennessee including public, private, and home school groups. Normally more than 2,500 students listen to and visually interpret the two musical selections annually. Each school selects their best entries to be sent to the Symphony League for final judging. From these finalist entries, four top awards, 5 Blue Ribbon per grade and Honorable Mention winners are selected.

On Saturday, March 11, 2023, a Reception and Award Ceremony was held at The NED Performing Arts Center to honor the participants and distribute the awards listed. All the art submitted to the Jackson Symphony League was displayed at The NED for several days to be admired by concert goers of the symphony’s classical concert also held the evening of March 11th.

The goals for the project are: · To provide an opportunity for listening to and visually interpreting classical music · To increase awareness of the Jackson Symphony · To encourage appreciation of symphonic music by young people “I have been participating in this contest since coming to USJ 24 years ago,” said Middle School Art Teacher Anna McPeake. “It’s a valuable opportunity that encourages students to be creative and builds an appreciation for the selected works of music. Students are encouraged to use different elements and principles of art (ex. color, texture, movement, rhythm, etc.) to illustrate the meaning and mood of the music. This competition is also valuable because it encourages creativity in addition to artistic abilities.”

In the past, USJ has had several top winners in the competition. Last year, 7th grader Reese Ann Sikes won the top award in the 6th-8th grade division, and 8th grader Mariyam Batool was the top overall winner.

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DEVELOPMENT NEWS USJ Breaks Ground on Gratitude Garden As a result of the IMAGINE More campaign, the USJ campus has undergone a remarkable transformation in recent years.

A pivotal force behind this has been the Arbor Project, a visionary initiative that has introduced more than 400 trees to our expansive 126-acre canvas.

As a testament to the USJ community’s collective appreciation, USJ’s student chapter of the National Science Honor Society (NSHS), organized a spirited student fundraiser. Classrooms engaged in friendly competition, encouraging students to contribute $5 to ‘‘grow a plant,’’ $15 to ‘‘nurture a flower,’’ or $25 to ‘‘welcome a butterfly.’’ The response was nothing short of astounding, with students from Junior Kindergarten to Senior year rallying together to raise an impressive total exceeding $21,500! These funds have been earmarked for the ongoing development of the Gratitude Garden, ensuring an even more vibrant future with the addition of plants and flowers.

Nestled on the Great Lawn, east of the main campus entrance, the Gratitude Garden emerges as a living tribute to the spirit of gratitude. With each bud and bloom, it serves as a gentle reminder to the USJ community to practice gratitude in their daily lives.

As the garden flourishes, it will continue to inspire generations, reminding them of the power they hold to shape their environment and create a legacy of gratitude that will endure for years to come.

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PARENTS CLUB

Beyond Bake Sales: Discover the Vibrant Community of USJ’s Parents Club and Why One Should Get Involved The USJ Mothers Club was created in 1970 to foster relationships and volunteerism among USJ families. The club exists to: (1) promote and enrich the academic life of the school, (2) provide an avenue for parents to become involved in the school, (3) volunteer time and talents as needed, (4) raise funds for tools for a quality education, and (5) promote the school in the community.

In 2013, the USJ Board voted to change the name to the Parents Club to reflect that all parents are members of the club.

Neila Scott is the current president of the USJ Parents Club. She and her husband, Jason, have a son in the 5th grade at USJ, Malcolm. Scott said, “My involvement with the Parents Club has allowed me to see firsthand how important the activities of the club are to our children and the school. I love seeing what comes from the hard work and dedication of the club.”

The Parents Club is an advocate for supporting teachers and showing appreciation for their efforts. In August, the club hosts a breakfast to welcome teachers back to school. In December, the Parents Club celebrates faculty and staff at a holiday luncheon. In the spring, the club coordinates a week-long teacher appreciation event complete with catered breakfasts, lunches, and small gifts.

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Throughout the school year, grade representatives and room moms will coordinate with faculty and staff to plan special events for students, including grade wide celebrations like Cubs Teddy Bear Tea, Jr. K Fairy Tale Parade & Reception, 2nd Grade Book Awards, 3rd Grade Willy Wonka Day, Field Days, etc. The club also hosted a successful Lower School Tailgate before a football game in September that was attended by more than 400 students and their families.

Proceeds raised by the Parents Club at fundraising events like Fall Festival and Holiday Mart are donated back to the school to support a variety of causes including USJ’s Annual Fund, USJ’s Technology Fund, USJ Arts Guild, Boys and Girls State, USJ Capital Campaign, Lower School playgrounds, Upper School Library, Lower School Library, and many other areas.

The school year wraps up with the club hosting a senior mom’s luncheon to commemorate a milestone for not only the graduate, but for the parents as well.

Scott, who enrolled her son in USJ in January of 2021, also said, “As a parent who came to the school during such a difficult time for everyone, I consider every effort that we have made in the past few years a positive outcome.

The Parents Club missed an entire year of Holiday Mart, but we were able to rally and put on a successful event the following year. We’ve also launched new events to bring joy to our school community like the Lower School Tailgate.”

Parents Club Officers

How to Get Involved Would you like to volunteer with the USJ Parents Club? Email us at info@usjbruins.org for more information about our current area of greatest need.

Parents Club Board This group of parent volunteers serve as the governing body and planning team for all the Parents Club activities and events. Committee positions are set each spring for the following year.

The president works closely with the board to ensure that families are aware of special events and campus life activities throughout the year. The Board meets the second Tuesday of each month at 8:15 a.m. in the Middle School conference room. Please refer to the school calendar to verify meeting date, time, and location.

Class Representatives Each year, the Parents Club Board appoints parent volunteers to represent each grade level. These individuals attend Parents Club Board meetings and are the direct liaison between each room parent, parents, and the Board. The class representatives work with the Board to organize and plan schoo-wide events and to communicate the Board’s goals and plans to all parents.

Room Parents Each class, from infants to 12th Grade, have room parents that work closely with the teacher(s) to meet the needs of the classroom. Examples of Lower School activities include holiday parties and events, reading with younger students, special art/ music projects, teacher birthday celebrations, teacher appreciation week, fall festival/special friends and grandparents’ day, and coordinating volunteers for Holiday Mart. Middle and Upper School room parents assist with activities including class trips, field trips, teacher birthdays, teacher appreciation week, prom, special events, end-of-the-year events, and graduation. The room parent(s) work with the class teacher and student parents to plan and organize class events throughout the school year.

Project Chairs For every special event, such as the Holiday Mart, there are special people ‘‘behind the scenes’’ to help. Project coordinators or chairpersons work to organize areas of the events and create teams of wonderful parent volunteers to help plan and work the event.

President: Neila Scott Treasurer: Julie Martin Recording Secretary Rachel Morris Corresponding Secretary: Nancy Piercey Chaplain: Molly Richardson Teacher Liaison: Summer Ferguson Caring Liaison: Betsy Little New Family Coordinator: Andrea Driggers- LS Molly Roy- US Hospitality: Katie Seabrook Brittany Harris RiCha Buchner Holiday Mart: Megan Moore Magen Kisner Andrea Driggers Molly Richardson Auction Coordinator: Anna English

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ALUMNI NEWS Weddings Carlee Workman (‘14) and Whitson Smith (‘14) were married on September 4, 2021, in Spring Hill, TN, at Allenbrooke Farms, where the reception was also held.

Mr. & Mrs. Smith traveled to St. Lucia afterward for their honeymoon.

They recently purchased their first home in Knoxville.. Carlee is a Physician Assistant at Oak Ridge Gastroenterology Associates, and Whitson is an attorney at McDonald, Levy & Taylor, PLLC. Carlee and Whitson are happy to reside in the same city as Carlee’s sister, Carrie Beth Workman Cahoon (‘18) and her new husband, Chris. Go Vols!

Carrie Beth Workman (‘18) and Chris Cahoon met and graduated from The University of Tennessee.

They were married on June 24, 2023, in Knoxville, TN at the scenic Quarry Venue. Mr. & Mrs. Cahoon then traveled to the Caribbean island of Antigua for their honeymoon. They just bought their first house in Knoxville where Carrie Beth is a supply chain data analyst for Nissan North America, and Chris is an accountant for Pilot Flying J Headquarters. Carrie Beth’s sister Carlee (‘14) and her husband Whitson (‘14) also have moved to Knoxville, so the two of them are so happy to be in the same city again!

Adam Glassman (‘13) and Roni Webber were married on May 6, 2023, at The Church on Main in Chattanooga, TN. The couple traveled to Greece for their honeymoon. They reside in Chattanooga, where Adam is an Industrial Engineer with Kroger, and Roni is a Physical Therapist with Benchmark Physical Therapy.

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Zuzanna Wojtas (‘12) and Weston Barrix (‘12) were married on May 6, 2023, at Madison Downs Venue in Jackson, TN. A beautiful reception immediately followed at the same location. The couple traveled to the Caribbean island of St. Martin for their honeymoon. They now reside in Jackson with their daughter Aurelia Rose (Lia for short), a 3rd grader at USJ, and two fur babies: a beagle named Ace and a lab/pit mix named Jager. Weston is the Vice President of his family business, Wade Electric Co., and Zuzanna is a loan processor/ assistant for The Bank of Jackson.

Abby Nolen (‘13) and Brennan Alexander were married on May 13, 2023, at Battle Mountain Farm near Nashville, TN, followed by a dinner and reception.

They traveled to Sandals Ochi Resort in Jamaica for their honeymoon. They currently reside in Murfreesboro, TN. Abby is an orthopedic nurse at Centennial Medical Center in downtown Nashville and is finishing her last semester in a Family Nurse Practitioner program. Brennan is a project manager for a mechanical engineering team that conducts hospital equipment and power systems at Echo Power Engineering.

Jack Edwards (‘18) and Averi Alexander were married on September 2, 2023, at the Alexander home in Murfreesboro, TN, followed by dinner and dancing.

The couple traveled to Guanacaste, Costa Rica, for their honeymoon.

They now reside in Memphis, TN, where Jack attends UTHSC Dental School, and Averi works for Compassion International’s marketing department.

Grace Woodside (‘13) and Colman Johnson were married on April 15, 2023, at Carillon Beach, FL, on the beach. A seated dinner and reception followed the ceremony, and Grace and Colman honeymooned in Italy. The couple now reside in Nashville where Grace is the executive assistant to the CEO at Sony Music Publishing, and Colman is Senior Vice President of Sales at Nolan Transportation Group.

Madison Perchik (‘15) and Will Cobb (‘14) were married on April 22, 2023, at The Kent in Memphis, TN. The couple traveled to Greece for their honeymoon. They reside in Salt Lake City, UT, where Madison is a resident at the Moran Eye Center in ophthalmology, and Will is a software engineer with Google.

Powers Spencer (’13) and Christine Higgins were married amongst their beloved family and friends on July 8, 2023, at Twin Oaks in Humboldt, TN, after which the newlyweds explored Puerto Rico for their honeymoon. Powers works in finance, and Christine has devoted her life to being a registered nurse. The couple currently resides in Nashville, where they enjoy cooking and trying new food, being outdoors, and building ships in a bottle.

Bentlee Clarkson (’17) and JD Fuzzell met at Union University and were married on July 29, 2023, at The Venue at Twin Oaks in Humboldt, TN. The couple traveled to Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, for their honeymoon. They now reside in Jackson, where Bentlee is a Sales Account Manager for Master Medical Equipment, and JD is in sales and distribution for Central Distributors, Inc.

Walker Laird (‘15) married Addie Funderburg on August 19, 2023, at St. Peter Catholic Church with an afternoon reception at the Cadre Building. The couple honeymooned at Blackberry Farm in East Tennessee. Walker graduated from medical school and was promoted to Captain in the United States Air Force in May 2023. Walker and Addie moved to Norfolk, VA, following their wedding where Walker is stationed at Langley Air Force Base as a pediatrics resident at the Naval Medical Center Portsmouth. Addie is a professional violist and will obtain her Doctoral degree in Musical Arts in Viola Performance in December 2023.

Cameron Tinker (‘15) and Sarah Gray were married on July 29th, 2023, at White Woods Venue in Milan, TN, with a dinner reception to follow. The couple traveled to Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, for their honeymoon. They reside in Medina, TN, where they both work for Physicians Surgery Center, which is where they met.

Mary Helen English (‘18) and Evan Holt were married on July 22, 2023, at First Presbyterian Church in Jackson, TN, with a reception following at the New Southern Hotel. The couple traveled to Playa Mujeres, Mexico, for their honeymoon. They now reside in Knoxville, TN, where Mary Helen works for the University of Tennessee, and Evan is pursuing his PhD in Chemistry.

Savannah Street (‘17) and Andrew Schuchardt were married on April 2, 2022, in St. Louis, MO. The couple traveled to Hawaii for their honeymoon. They now reside in St. Louis, MO, where they both hold positions in Marketing.

Ally McFarland (‘16) and Chase Henderson were married on August 12, 2023, at The Graystone Quarry in Franklin, TN. Due to the devastating Maui wildfires, the couple made last-minute plans and traveled to Destin, FL, for their honeymoon. They now reside in Mount Juliet, TN. Ally and Chase are both senior accountants with Deloitte and Touche and Ernst & Young, respectively.

Michael McDaniel (‘09) and Jessica Askew married on August 26, 2023, in a ceremony surrounded by family and friends. Michael and Jessica first met when Jessica was a student in his mom’s 1st-grade class. They met again and renewed their friendship in the spring of 2023 and were engaged shortly thereafter.

Michael’s son Matthew, a 1st-grade student at USJ, served as ‘‘Ring Security’’ for the event. Jessica’s daughter Madelyn, a Cub at USJ, was the flower girl, and her son TJ walked his mother down the aisle.

Michael and Jessica live and work in Jackson, TN.

Births John Richard Patterson (‘08) and his wife Lisa welcomed their third child, Ivy Kate Patterson, on May 9, 2023. Ivy Kate entered this world weighing 6 lbs., 8 oz., and measured 17 inches. She is the little sister to Asher James, 5, and Emerson Grace, 2. Lisa is a former teacher, and John Richard is a professional engineer and works at Kimley-Horn and Associates Engineering Firm in Franklin, TN. Jay Michael Patterson (‘10) and his wife Ali Roberson Patterson welcomed their first child, Charles Rowan Patterson, on August 30, 2023. He weighed 6 lbs., 1 oz. and measured 19.5 inches. This sweet family lives in Houston, Texas, where Jay Michael and Ali are both attorneys.

It’s a girl! Ali Graham Patterson (‘14) and husband Joseph Patterson (‘14) chose to have a surprise gender reveal enter into their world on June 17, 2023. Mary Alice Patterson was born at 12:10 pm, weighed 8 lbs., and measured 20 inches long. Ali, Joseph, and Mary Alice live in Jackson where Ali is an occupational therapist with West Tennessee Bone & Joint, and Joseph is an attorney with Patterson Law Firm.

Mark Carson Harris (‘11) and his wife Melissa welcomed their son, Webb, on November 1, 2022, weighing 7 lbs, 4 oz and measuring 21 inches long.

The Harris family is living in Memphis, TN, with Mark working as a sports writer for OutKick.com and Melissa as a medical sales representative for CCSI.

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Chase Harris (‘15) and his wife Dominica welcomed their first child, Walter Chase “Wally” Harris, on December 26, 2022.

Grandmother is former USJ Lower School faculty member Karen Harris. This cute family lives in Memphis where Chase is the Head Golf Professional at Chickasaw Country Club in East Memphis and continues to compete as often as time allows. Dominica is a first-grade teacher and cheer team coach at St. Ann Catholic School in Bartlett, which is also the site of their wedding in 2021.

Chase Hensley (‘13) and wife Grayson welcomed their first child, Nova Day Hensley, on April 5, 2023.

Nova came into the world weighing 7 lbs., 15.9 oz, and measuring 21” long.

She was born at St. Thomas Hospital in Nashville, TN. Chase and Grayson live in Franklin, TN, where Chase and Grayson own a marketing company selling digital real estate resources and website templates for REALTORS. George Tucker Cozort was born on March 6, 2023, to Lauryn Brooke Tabor Cozort (‘11) and her husband Tucker. George Tucker weighed 7 pounds, 15 ounces, and measured 21 inches long. Lauryn Brooke and Tucker live in Newbern, TN, where Lauryn Brooke works at RFW Construction Group, and Tucker works at the Tucker Cozort Farmers Insurance Agency.

Lindsay Smith Stover (‘13) and husband Barrett Stover welcomed their first child, Graham Barrett Stover, on June 8, 2023, in Orlando, FL. Graham came into the world weighing 6 lbs., 14 oz. and measured 20 inches long.

Lindsay recently left her career in healthcare to work with Barrett at the sports performance facility they own, Revolution Sports Performance.

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Shelby Jordan Harper (’12) and husband Brayden welcomed their first child, Jackson Jordan Harper, after a long labor of love on June 25, 2023, in Salt Lake City, Utah. Jackson arrived weighing 5 lbs and measuring 18 inches long. The family lives in Salt Lake City, where both work for Harper Companies. Shelby is a Project Manager for the commercial steel division, and Brayden is a Superintendent for Equipment and Precast.

Matthew Giampapa (‘11) and wife Elizabeth gave birth to a baby boy in Murfreesboro, TN, on the morning of June 26, 2023.

Beckett “Beck” Alexander Giampapa entered this world weighing 6 lbs., 7 oz., and measuring 19 inches.

This sweet family lives in Murfreesboro where Matt and Elizabeth both work for Home Depot Corporate Office - Matt as a Finance Manager in IT and Elizabeth as a Talent Acquisition Strategy Manager.

Beck is the grandson of Lower School Nurse Mary Ann Giampapa.

Tyler Hardin (‘13) and wife Ashlee welcomed their third child and first girl, Eden Marie Hardin, on July 5, 2023, in Paducah, KY. She weighed 8.5 lbs and measured 21 inches long. Eden is little sister to big brothers Brady (4) and Hayes (3). Tyler leads a Campus Ministry at Murray State University, and Ashlee works at Kingdom Kids Learning Center in Murray.

Brittney Teel Churchill (‘10), her husband Brandon Churchill, along with big sister, Palmer (3), joyfully welcomed another baby girl to their family on March 25, 2023. Stella Scott Churchill weighed 6lb., 6oz., and measured 18” long. Brandon is a physician with UT Family Medicine, and Brittney is a nurse with West Tennessee Healthcare.

Class of 2023 Leaves a Mark on Campus with Bruin Statue The USJ Class of 2023 wanted to leave a memorable gift to the school that would be appreciated for years to come.

“Our class wanted to be different with our impact,” said Owen Stonecipher, Senior Class Vice President. “At other schools in Jackson and across the country, statues are prominent figures. We lacked one and thought it would make a great addition to the campus.”

The process went through several layers before it was approved. Students began with conversations with different members of school administration before moving on to the Board of Trustees for their approval.

“The whole process was fairly intensive, but the leadership and initiative of the senior class officers made it all possible,” said David Suber, Upper School Director.

The students located someone who could make a Bruin statue like they were envisioning in China. This led to research into the legitimacy of the company, education in wiring money, and a lot of logistical work before the craftsmen started their design process. They made a life-sized clay model that they used to cast the bronze statue.

The statue was shipped on a boat from China to Memphis. Once on a truck, the Bruin was delivered to the school, and Stonecipher unloaded it with a tractor he drove to campus from his home. Brian Dougan was also an instrumental part of the process, setting up the base and welding plates onto the bottom to make sure the foundation was secure.

He also facilitated the Bruin’s plaque.

“It was an idea and execution from the senior class along with the support and aid of faculty,” said Stonecipher. “We wanted to do something that would leave a legacy for our class. The reception of the statue has been phenomenal, and the Bruin will be a significant marker on campus for years to come.”

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In Memoriam Sara (Sally) Jean Roland Wallace, age 75, died on Friday, May 26, 2023, at her home with her husband by her side.

Born on April 25th, 1948, in Henderson, TN, she was the daughter of William Levi and Dorothy Austin Roland.

She graduated from North Side High School in 1966 where she served as the Senior Class President, being the first female to serve as class president at North Side.

She attended Lambuth College from 1966-1970, receiving her B.S. degree in elementary education. While there, she was a member of Sigma Kappa Sorority and was crowned Tennessee State Fairest of the Fair, Miss Lambuth, and Lambuth Homecoming Queen. In 1967, she married James (Jimmy) Hal Wallace, Jr. From 1970-1978, she taught various elementary grades at the former Old Hickory Academy. Returning to Lambuth from 1978-1980, she received her degree in interior design and practiced as a commercial interior designer. Also a general contractor, she was co-owner of The Wallace Company.

Active in the community, Sally was a member of several clubs and organizations, such as the Jackson Cotillion Club, Junior Women’s Club, Jackson-Madison County Homebuilders Association, and Madison County Republican Women. She also served on the board of directors for the West Tennessee Healthcare Foundation, Hollywood Cemetery Association, and Poplar Corner Cemetery Association. She was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Jackson.

Gardening and decorating the cabin on her farm were her hobbies. Her favorite pastime was spending time with her grandchildren and going on trips and adventures with them. She also enjoyed traveling with friends.

Sally is survived by her husband, Jimmy, of Beech Bluff, TN; her daughter, Lee Driver (Todd), of Jackson TN, and grandchildren, Blair Driver (USJ ‘22), and current USJ students Ellen Driver and Wallace Driver.

Other than her parents, she was preceded in death by her brother William Levi Roland, Jr., and her sister, Dianne Kail.

Our USJ family was deeply affected by the loss of sophomore English teacher Robert Rhodes Platt. Please see page 20 for Rob’s memorial.

Jo Ann Mays Latimore, former lower school Kindergarten assistant, age 79 of Humboldt, passed away peacefully on her birthday, July 23, 2023. It is thought that God gives you a mission on your birth date and when you die on your date of birth your spiritual earthly mission is complete.

Jo Ann was born on July 23, 1944, in Sikeston, MO to the late William Robert Mays and Sarah Ann Baker Noiseworthy. She was a devout Christian who had a fierce love for the Lord and put Him first in all things. She loved every member of her family and always interceded in prayer for them daily.

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She was a teacher at Word of Life Academy and also was a devout prayer warrior and spiritual teacher to her young students. In later years, she was a teaching assistant at the University School of Jackson where she enjoyed every child that crossed her path.

In addition to her parents, Jo Ann was preceded in death by her husband, William Lee Latimore and her daughter, Julie Lyn Latimore Payne and two brothers, Bill and Jack Mays.

She is survived by daughter, Sherrie Deaton and Sarah Latimore; grandchildren, Corey Colonna (Jeff), Alison Deaton (Shawn), Will Deaton (Lisa), Jessica Townsend (Josh), Blake Deneen, Tori Deneen (Bryan); and great-grands Jace, Julia, Blake, D.J., Hunter, Jack, Emily, Luke, Carter, Cash, Cooper, and Amiah.

Pauline Laguzzi Brown, former OHA/USJ faculty member, of Jackson, Tennessee, was born on February 20, 1926, to Charles and Josephine Laguzzi in Memphis, Tennessee.

She passed away peacefully on May 31, 2023, at Charter Senior Living in Jackson. She was preceded in death by her husband of 59 years, William T. Brown, Sr., and a grandson, Chandler Brown.

Pauline graduated from Millington High School as the Salutatorian of her class. She received a Bachelors of Arts degree from Rhodes College, Memphis, TN, and a Master’s degree from the University of Mississippi. She also attended the University of Virginia for additional studies.

Pauline had a wonderful, 43-year teaching career. She taught in the Memphis City School System, the Jackson City School System, and at the University School of Jackson, where she retired in 1989. She is survived by two sons, William T. (Bill) Brown, Jr. (Carol) of Hartwell, GA, and Charles C. (Chuck) Brown of Jackson, TN; two grandchildren, Allison Cape (Chris) of Hartwell, GA, and Alex Brown of Ashburn, VA; four great-grandchildren, Olivia and Caroline Rowland, and Porter and Colby Cape, all of Hartwell, GA. Sylvia Johns Bell most recently served as the USJ Lower School’s front desk receptionist. A beloved wife, mother, teacher, and friend, passed away on September 15, 2023, at Jackson-Madison County General Hospital. She was born on June 21, 1942, in Jackson, TN, to Robert Earl Johns and Margaret Childress Johns.

Sylvia had a passion for education and dedicated many years of her life to teaching. She worked tirelessly as a teacher at Medina, going above and beyond to help her students succeed. Her commitment was truly remarkable; she would stay late hours to assist students who needed extra support. In fact, one of her former students recently expressed that without Sylvia’s guidance and influence, he wouldn’t have graduated high school. Her impact on the lives of her students will be remembered for years to come. Later in her career, Sylvia took on the role of receptionist at USJ.

Not only was Sylvia a dedicated educator, but she was also a loving wife and mother. She treasured her family dearly and created a warm and nurturing home for them. Her husband Gerald Bell and son Gerard Bell were fortunate to have her by their side throughout their lives.

Sylvia’s vibrant personality extended far beyond her immediate family. She valued her friendships deeply and cherished the time she spent with her dear friends.

Together they created countless memorable moments filled with laughter and love.

In her free time, Sylvia indulged in various hobbies and interests that brought joy to her life. She adored cats and found comfort in their presence. Sylvia had an insatiable love for reading; her book collection was vast and could captivate any avid reader’s imagination. Additionally, she enjoyed savoring delicious food while dining out with friends. Engaging in intellectual conversations was also a significant source of fulfillment for Sylvia; she delighted in deep and thought-provoking discussions. Furthermore, she had a particular fondness for Halloween DISH scapes, displaying her creative spirit.

Left to cherish her memory is her devoted husband, Gerald Bell; loving son, Gerard Bell; and special friends, Kay Gooch, Josephine Crenshaw, Sue Ward, and Sarah Pate.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Robert Earl Johns and Margaret Childress Johns.

As we mourn the loss of Sylvia Johns Bell, it is important to remember the light she brought into our lives. May her soul find eternal peace, and may we find solace in the beautiful memories she leaves behind.

On July 6, 1963, Lina married Frederick Louis Bowyer Jr. They lived in Memphis and Lonoke, AR, before moving back to Jackson, TN in 1967 to raise a family. Lina was an active member and served as an officer in numerous organizations, including The Mutual Improvement Club, the Jackson Service League, the Episcopal Day School Parents Club, and the Episcopal Church Women at Saint Luke’s Episcopal Church. After raising her children, she taught Latin at the University School of Jackson, Northside High School, and Southside High School. She also attended Lambuth University where she became certified in Library Science.

Lina was an avid horsewoman and loved riding and caring for her horses. After retiring from teaching and horseback riding in 1998, she remained active by taking up yoga, working out at the gym with personal trainers, and eventually joining a Silver Sneakers class. She volunteered her time tutoring children in the after-school program at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church. Lina loved spending summers with her husband, children, and grandchildren at the Monteagle Sunday School Assembly. She also loved spending time with her retired teacher friends, her gym friends, her books and crossword puzzles, her iPad, and her horses, beagles, and cats.

Lina is survived by her husband, Frederick Louis Bowyer Jr., her children Lina Bowyer Ellis (Joe) of Atlanta, GA, and Frederick Louis Bowyer III of Memphis, TN, her grandchildren Matthew Joseph Ellis and Adeline Dawson Ellis of Atlanta, GA, her sister Sara Matthews Holmes of Memphis, TN, her sister-in-law Sharon Brewer Matthews of Columbia, TN, her sister-in-law Jane Harvard Bowyer of Orlando, FL, and many nieces, nephews, grandnieces, and grandnephews. She was preceded in death by her parents and her brother James Shields Matthews III of Jackson, TN.

Former USJ Faculty member Lina Small Matthews Bowyer, age 90, passed away in her sleep on Sunday, October 22, 2023, at home in Jackson, Tennessee. Mrs. Bowyer taught Latin at USJ from 1983-1989.

Born on December 6, 1932, in Jackson, TN to the late Lyna Flowers and James Shields Matthews Jr., she attended Alexander and Pope Elementary Schools, Jackson Junior High School, and graduated from Jackson High School in 1950. She graduated from the University of Tennessee Knoxville in 1954 with a major in History and minors in both English and Latin. After college, she worked at Second National Bank in Jackson, TN and then received a Masters degree in Secondary Education from The University of Memphis. She went on to teach English, History, and Latin at Messick High School in Memphis for six years. Lina was a beloved teacher and remained in contact with many of her former Messick High School students and faculty friends over the years.

Please update your mailing and email address with us! To tell us your latest news or to recieve information about an upcoming reunion, please visit usjbruins.org/alumni or contact Elizabeth Atkins, Director of Alumni Relations at eatkins@usjbruins.org, or call her at 731-300-3687.

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Alumni Spotlight: Carson Nicola Carson Nicola is a USJ graduate and a Jackson, Tenn. native.

He attended USJ from Cubs until he graduated high school in 2019. He remembers his time as a Bruin fondly.

“One of the things I appreciate most about USJ is how the school set me up to be well-rounded,” says Carson. “USJ allowed me to pursue my own interests while giving me the time and resources to fit different activities into my schedule. Getting involved in student government, playing sports, and striving to excel academically pushed me to figure out the truest version of myself and allowed me to learn and grow in a variety of environments.”

After graduation, Carson chose to attend Texas Christian University (TCU), in Fort Worth, Texas, drawn in by the tight-knit community there. He enjoyed having smaller class sizes like he had at USJ. While a student there, he participated in a variety of activities with his friends. He was involved at his church, served with a club on campus called IJM (a global non-profit that advocates against human trafficking and labor exploitation), and was a groundskeeper for the TCU baseball team.

He also saw his USJ roots shining through. In the summer of 2022, Carson had the opportunity to study abroad in Rome, Italy. He was surrounded by history and living in the birthplace of the modern city, and he most enjoyed taking off after class for excursions around town. He believes his time at USJ prepared him to maximize his study abroad experience. While an Upper School student, Carson went to Costa Rica for three weeks on Sr. Jimmy Glosson’s Spanish immersion program. “That trip opened my eyes to the value of interacting with different cultures and being intentional about taking up local norms and rhythms to move beyond being just a tourist,” says Carson. “I won’t deny doing touristy things, but my experiences went much deeper. I think one of the things USJ instilled in me is that it’s important to get outside your comfort zone and experience the diversity of the world around us.”

While Carson was not initially sure of what he wanted to study in college, he discovered a passion for geography through a professor he had during his freshman year at TCU. He double majored in history as well. He was unaware of what he wanted to do with his degree after graduation, but in time and with the support of others, he determined that he could make a career in the field of geography. Carson graduated summa cum laude in May 2023 and moved to Denver, CO to pursue a master’s degree in Geographic Information Science (GISci). He plans to work professionally in urban development, hopefully as a transportation planner or GIS solutions engineer and perhaps teach in the future. He is currently doing a research study on micro-transit challenges in southern Denver.

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Even now, Carson celebrates his teachers at USJ for their impact on his development. “I’m incredibly grateful for many of the teachers and coaches I had at USJ—Jane Ramer, Linda Hawks, Bridgett Clark, and Don Roe, just to name a few. Each of them brought a contagious passion to class that taught me to love learning.”

He was impacted by two teachers in particular: Sr. Glosson and Mary Anne Ward. “Sr. Glosson was my Spanish teacher for all four years of high school. Aside from being just an incredibly fun and animated teacher, Sr. Glosson was excellent at teaching students how to interact with culture.

Not only did his classes give me such an appreciation for Spanish, but they taught me the value of perspective.

Being able to look at a problem or an event through a different lens is so valuable to me. As for Mrs. Ward, I had her for math from sophomore through senior year. I really liked math, but it never came as easily to me as some other subjects. Mrs. Ward’s investment in her students beyond the lesson of the day showed me how much development—not just academic learning—happens in the classroom. Mrs. Ward led weekly Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) lunches, and in AP Calculus, she invited us to her home on Sundays for a bit of extra study help. Her practices of hospitality and faith helped me be a more intentional person with those around me, especially as I’ve stepped into more leadership roles.”

Reunions

Class of ‘83

OHA’s Class of 1976 The Class of 1976 turned 65 years old! On Saturday, October 28, Dr. Molly McLemore Rheney graciously hosted the class’s collective 65th birthday party at her beautiful home in Jackson. The class is especially close and as always, a great time was had by all!

OHA’s Class of 1983 Old Hickory Academy’s Class of 1983 held their 40-year reunion at Rock’n Dough Pizza & Brewery on September 23, 2023.

USJ’s Class of 1998 USJ’s Class of 1998 held their 25-year reunion at Hub City Brewing on September 23, 2023. They had a great turnout, great decorations, and a great time reminiscing about their time as USJ students.

Class of ‘98

USJ’s Class of 2003 USJ’s Class of 2003 held their 20-year reunion at the Reserve Barn on Saturday, September 23, 2023. Pictured are several members from their class who had a fantastic time catching up with one another!

Class of ‘03

Class of ‘76

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