Webb ALUMNI BULLETIN
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FALL / WINTER 2023
Elevating the vision As the school embarks on a new strategic plan, Webb President Ansel Sanders and Webb Board of Trustees Chair, Jonathan Johnson ’93, discuss how they see their leadership roles intersecting in moving the school forward.
CONVOCATION 2023
THE PROCESSION OF SCHOOL BANNERS, MUSICAL PERFORMANCES,
FRONT COVER PHOTO by Morgan Nowland
speakers’ presentations, and the presence of multiple new members of the Webb School family, including Webb President Dr. Ansel Sanders, all reflected a spirit of new beginnings and highlighted the school’s culture of community, connection and care at Convocation 2023 in August. Read more at: webbschool.org/news.
Contents
F E AT U R E S
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Message from Webb's Alumni Association Board
14 Elevating the Vision As the school embarks on a new strategic plan, Webb President Ansel Sanders and Webb Board of Trustees Chair, Jonathan Johnson ’93, discuss how they see their leadership dynamically intersecting in moving the school forward.
26 FUTURES Webb athletics initiative offers Lower Schoolers healthy competition, opportunity to explore different sports under mentorship of Spartan coaches, athletes.
D E PA R TM E NT S AROUND THE GREEN
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GO SPARTANS!
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FOCUS ON FACULTY
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ALWAYS A SPARTAN
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CLASS NOTES HIGHLIGHTS ..............38
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Alumni Bulletin
FALL/WINTER 2023 3
Webb Alumni Association Board 2023-2024 Allison Lacy Lederer ’95 President Amy Carnathan Moody ’90 President-Elect Whitfield Bailey ’97 Cindy McCallen Cassity ’86 Annie Haslam Colquitt ’05 Meg Keally Counts ’97 Jenny Broome Greer ’00 Deb Kile Hotchkiss ’66 Ellie Johnson ’10 Dorn Kile ’68 Fletcher Lee ’95 Julie McWhorter ’94 Russ Powell ’87
WEBB SCHOOL PRESIDENT Ansel Sanders
DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT Hugh Nystrom ’85
UPPER SCHOOL HEAD Matt Macdonald
ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT Joy Edwards
MIDDLE SCHOOL HEAD Jennifer Phillips LOWER SCHOOL HEAD Kristi Wofford DIRECTOR OF ADMISSIONS & ENROLLMENT MANAGEMENT Christy Widener
DEVELOPMENT DATABASE ADMINISTRATOR Rachel Williams
COMMUNICATIONS & SOCIAL MEDIA COORDINATOR TBA ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS Cathy Dowhos-O'Gorman
Mollie Tucker Turner ’03
Webb School Board of Trustees 2023-2024 Jonathan Johnson ’93 Board Chair F. Whitfield Addicks ’92 Patrick Baird ’07
CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER Jennifer Cookston
Christopher S. Cameron Philip Darby Campbell ’71 Jill Carroll Amy Cathey Annie Haslam Colquitt ’05 Meg Keally Counts ’97
ALUMNI BULLETIN FALL/WINTER 202 3
Creative Design/Editor Cathy Dowhos-O'Gorman Co-Editors Joy Edwards Rachel Williams Alumni Bulletin Writers/Photographers/ Contributors Danny Dunlap Joy Edwards Elicia Ferrer Dan Gill
Laura Kile Jonathan Johnson ’93 Allison Lacy Lederer ’95 Ricky Norris Susie Norris Hugh Nystrom ’85 Pro Photo Eliza Roberts ’24 Leah Roberts Ansel Sanders Aaron Teffeteller Ann Baker Tolsma ’24 John Tolsma
Rob Frost ’86 Robert E. Hill Jr. ’79 Matthew R. Kaye Allison Lacy Lederer ’95 Misty Mayes, Past Board Chair Amy Carnathan Moody ’90 Tommy Nguyen ’08 Stephanie Ogden ’76 James W. Paddon ’83 Carey Parker Howard Pollock Ayaz M. Rahman ’98 Lisa Stinnett Mark D. Taylor Donovan Whiteside ’10
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Kristin Williams
Dear Webb Community, The fall/winter season is here, and with the changing leaves and cooler weather, I find myself excited, probably more than ever, about what is happening on the Webb School campus. Under the leadership of our new school president, Dr. Ansel Sanders, I could not be more thrilled for our school, faculty, staff, and students, as Dr. Sanders brings a positive vibe and an irresistible energy to our campus. His enthusiasm about learning from, listening to and embracing our community is second to none and will provide the thoughtful leadership that we need as we forge ahead. Working with Dr. Sanders has been a joy, and I know those who have had the opportunity to meet him agree that he is the perfect fit for our school. He and his wife, Helen, have three wonderful daughters who also now call Webb their home. We are truly blessed that life led the Sanders family to our campus, and we are so excited for the future of Webb School. As communicated earlier this year, we have embarked on our new strategic planning process and have engaged the services of Ian Symmonds & Associates to guide us as we take a deep dive into not only Webb School, but also education as a whole. This endeavor, coupled with our new president’s arrival, gives rise to questions such as, “who are we as a school, what is our vision, and how do we advance the mission of the school?” We recognize that education is changing, so we must keep up and ensure that our students are getting the very best educational experience while also upholding our deep roots, traditions and history. Webb trustee and parent Mark Taylor and I are the co-chairs of the school’s Strategic Planning Steering Committee and have asked tactical partners, including Webb faculty, administration, staff, alumni, parents, and trustees, to join us in the planning process. We are all committed to ensure that we are intentional with the process and that we get it right. In fact, a schoolwide survey was sent out in early fall and we had almost 700 responses, which tells us that we all care! In alumni-related news, we recently named Amy Moody ’90 as our president-elect for Webb’s Alumni Association, and could not be happier about having her lead our group. The Alumni Association also hosted a golf tournament in May for all Webb community members, and we had a terrific turnout. We're looking forward to next year’s tournament, so remember to register early. Proceeds from the event support Webb’s Alumni Scholars Fund. Our second annual all-alumni party during Spartan Alumni Weekend was also a hit, with Spartan alumni from multiple classes reconnecting. Connection is a primary goal of our Alumni Association; not only for our older alumni, but also for our more recent grads. Our commitment to serving our alumni and strengthening their ties with the school and with each other is vital. Now, more than ever, we want our alumni to be a part of the school in some way, and I invite you to come visit and see all the great things happening on campus. Reflecting on my final year as president of Webb’s Alumni Association, I wanted to share that it has been both an honor and privilege to serve. Thank you all for the opportunity! I loved my time at Webb as a student; now that my children attend Webb School, I see that experience through a different lens. The love and care the faculty, administration and coaches provide students is unmatched. I am so thankful that we sent our children to Webb School, as I know they will be prepared for college and for life. As Coach Meske used to say, “Once a Spartan, always a Spartan.” So, let’s remember that and stay connected!
Message from Webb's Alumni Association Board
Allison Lacy Lederer ’95 President, Webb School of Knoxville Alumni Association Board, Parent of Parks ’28 & Devon ’29 Alumni Bulletin
FALL/WINTER 2023 5
Graduation
2023
2023 COMMENCEMENT R E C A P
VALEDICTORIAN
Noah Thomasson SALUTATORIAN
Dmitri Kalinin MARGARET & LEONHARD SCHEUERMANN TROPHY RECIPIENT
Carly Galbreth DR. S.J. CHAPMAN MEMORIAL AWARD RECIPIENT
Clayton Ailshie ROBERT WEBB SERVICE AWARD RECIPIENT
Terri Tarvin Ward ’75
Class of 2023 graduates matriculated at 66 colleges and universities in 24 states and 1 other country
551 offers of admission from 195 unique institutions 16 alumni legacy graduates 32 “Ever Green” grads (entered Webb as kindergartners)
2 National Merit Scholars 4 National Merit Finalists 7 National Merit Commended Students Alumni Bulletin
FALL/WINTER 2023 7
around THE GREEN
Empowering the next generation of innovators Inaugural CEO Camp for Young Women fosters leadership, builds entrepreneurial skillset A group of female students in middle school spent a week of summer vacation learning about entrepreneurship from business leaders and showcasing their own ideas at Camp Webb’s CEO Camp for Young Women. The camp brought together girls from across Knoxville to the Webb School campus, including Camp Webb attendees and a group of young leaders from Emerald Academy. Together, they forged connections within greater Knoxville and the business community as they explored the principles of entrepreneurship. “Collaboration among local schools, like the CEO camp, exemplifies the importance of working together to create opportunities for our students,” said Webb President Ansel Sanders. “By reaching out and partnering with the greater community in different ways, we can provide an enriched educational experience for all involved. This focus on uplifting young women aligns with our mission of equipping students with the skills for lifelong success.” The idea for the camp was sparked by Webb senior Ann Baker Tolsma, who has been inspired by generations of women leaders in her own family. Tolsma, president of Webb’s House Council, drove the design of the inaugural program. “I was excited to see a passion of mine bring girls together from different backgrounds and empower the next generation of female leaders,” Tolsma said. “At Webb, I’ve experienced firsthand the power of mentorship, education and community in unlocking the potential of students. Through this camp, our goal was to demonstrate how much we can impact the world if we collaborate and support each other.” 8 Webb School of Knoxville
(above) CEO Camp for Young Women co-director John Tolsma (left) asks questions during the Camp's Shark Tank-style pitch event, where the girls presented their proposals and detailed how they would build their ideas into a viable business. (right) Webb alum Dee Haslam ’72, founder of Knoxville’s RIVR Media and co-owner of the Cleveland Browns, joins CEO Camp co-director Ann Baker Tolsma ’24 for a Q & A session in Webb's Upper School visualization lab.
Throughout the week, participants studied what it takes to form and run a company. They delved into all phases of entrepreneurship, including ideation, planning, budgeting, and creating, selling and scaling an idea successfully. The solution-driven curriculum encouraged campers to think creatively about a company challenge and discover their passions, which could lead to future economic innovation. The girls were inspired by the participation of local female business leaders such as Webb alum Dee Haslam ’72, founder of Knoxville’s RIVR Media and co-owner of the Cleveland Browns; Lisa Stinnett, managing partner and co-founder of Greater Sum Ventures; Heidi Shafer Shuler, co-founder of the start-up Vol Mama Love; and Lee Ann Tolsma, President/ CEO of Furrow Automotive Group. “Engaging young people, especially women, in business education is paramount to fostering a future of innovation and leadership,” Haslam said. “By supporting
initiatives like the CEO camp, we're investing in the potential of these students. One day, they will be the ones shaping our community, using the tools and lessons they learned early in their education.” To wrap up the program and put the lessons into practice, students demonstrated what they learned in a Shark Tank-style pitch event. The CEO camp is a collaboration between the school’s summer day camp program, Camp Webb, and Webb's Entrepreneurship Program. A pillar of Webb’s strategic plan, the Entrepreneurship Program, now in its fourth year, focuses on courses and experiences to propel a new generation of ‘solutionaries’ that can solve real-world problems. “This is a natural extension of our focus on entrepreneurship at Webb,” Sanders noted. “As the father of three young girls, I’m thrilled that our school is able to lead innovation in education and create new pathways to allow more women to excel in the real world.”
Webb School of Knoxville designated an Apple Distinguished School Recognized for commitment to continuous innovation using technology
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ebb School is pleased to announce it has been recognized as an Apple Distinguished School for the 2023-2026 program term. Webb was selected for this distinction based on its commitment to continuous innovation in education and using Apple products to create exemplary learning practices. “Webb School is honored to be an Apple Distinguished School,” says Webb School President Ansel Sanders. “This recognition is a reflection of our faculty’s collective commitment to utilizing Apple technology to support, enhance and unlock new instructional
practices that ultimately yield deeper, more engaged learning for our students. We are eager to continue this effort at Webb School, and particularly now as we learn from and with our fellow Apple Distinguished Schools.” Apple Distinguished Schools are recognized as some of the most innovative in the world. They’re centers of leadership and educational excellence, with a clear vision for how technology-rich environments support learning goals. In Apple Distinguished Schools, forward-thinking leaders and their communities work to inspire, imagine and impact teaching and learning, and they have documented results of academic accomplishments. Schools all over the world are using iPad and Mac to transform learning. As teachers incorporate technology into their lessons, they empower students to lead, learn and thrive, to discover new opportunities, and to make their world a better place.
PART OF WEBB SCHOOL’S APPLICATION TO BECOME AN APPLE DISTINGUISHED SCHOOL INCLUDED SUBMITTING THREE 90-SECOND-OR-LESS VIDEOS THAT SHOWED HOW APPLE’S “INSPIRE, IMAGINE, IMPACT” RUBRIC, WHICH DEFINES THE WORK OF APPLE DISTINGUISHED SCHOOLS, FRAMES WEBB’S COMMITMENT TO CONTINUOUS INNOVATION IN TEACHING AND LEARNING. STUDENTS IN WEBB’S UPPER SCHOOL MEDIA PRODUCTION CLASS TOOK ON THE PROJECT. WORKING OFF OF A STORYBOARD, THE STUDENTS USED THEIR IPHONES TO RECORD INTERVIEWS AND CAMPUS FOOTAGE. THEY THEN BROUGHT WHAT THEY HAD RECORDED INTO THE SCHOOL’S BROADCASTING STUDIO FOR FINAL PRODUCTION AND EDITING.
INSPIRE
IMAGINE
Taking a look at Webb’s seventh grade Engineering Design class and the students’ yearlong teamcentered project – the design and building of an ROV (remotely operated vehicle) – the video illustrates how Webb enables students to leverage technology in taking an active role in choosing, demonstrating and achieving their learning goals, while practicing skills, habits and creative mindsets that will help them navigate more independent learning experiences and critical thinking challenges. Highlighting the use of technology in the classroom and the fifth graders’ Creative Genius Initiative, the video shows Lower School students taking ownership of and sharing their learning, exercising their curiosity and adding their own unique voices to their education journeys under the tutelage of expert teachers.
IMPACT
Focusing on Webb’s student-driven W.O.W. Network and the school’s robotics program, the video highlights how the use of technology helps support all learners and promotes positive and personalized learning experiences that inspire and contribute to student success beyond Webb School.
Alumni Bulletin
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around THE GREEN
GEARED FOR SUCCESS Following top-ranked showings at the 2023 FIRST Smoky Mountains and Rocket City Regionals, Webb’s FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC) Team #1466 qualified for the international FIRST Championships, capping off a stellar season that also including winning a Quality Award at the Smoky Mountains Regional for their robot's robustness in concept and fabrication. In addition, Emily Ford ’24 was selected for the prestigious FRC Dean’s List Finalist Award and was the only Finalist to represent Tennessee at the FIRST world championships. Over its 20-plus-year history, Webb robotics has boasted six Dean’s List Finalists.
Student documentary pays tribute to Julie Webb
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n Mr. Callaway's eighth grade Design, Inquiry and Investigation Encore elective class, Webb students use an inquiry-based approach to build a deeper understanding of a particular area of scientific study, engineering design or broadcast media. At the end of the year, they present their independent study projects at an Exhibition of Art & Learning for the Webb community. For their independent study project, Eleanor Bookstaff ’27 and Shifa Jamani ’27, under the tutelage of former Webb parent Kristen Dye, premiered their documentary about Julie Webb, wife of Webb School founder, Robert Webb, at this year’s May event. Titled Julie: The Life and Legacy of Julie Webb, the film focused on Julie Webb’s role in the formation of Webb School and how her personal passion for reading shaped the lives of both Webb students and those in the wider Knoxville community.
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(above) This past May's eighth grade Exhibition of Art & Learning in the Middle School Governor's Center for Innovation included the screening of Eleanor Bookstaff ’27 and Shifa Jamani's ’27 independent study project – a documentary about Julie Webb. (right) Bookstaff and Jamani with mentor Kristen Dye (center). Dye is now senior media producer at the Savannah College of Art and Design.
Senior's film spotlights local refugees' lives, selected for world film festival Aditi Singh’s film, directed by Webb alum Jacob Hale ’19, highlights the stories of refugees living in Knoxville A documentary film produced by Webb School senior Aditi Singh was selected for this past June’ s 2023 Student World Impact Film Festival (SWIFF). According to its website, SWIFF is the premier online platform for showcasing the artistic talent of student filmmakers from around the world. Serving 18,000 artists from 120 countries each year, SWIFF offers young filmmakers the opportunity to elevate their careers and gain exposure in the entertainment world. Singh’s 17-minute documentary, named a SWIFF 2023 Official (above) Aditi Singh Selection and produced in partnership with University of Tennessee graduate and Spartan alum Jacob Hale ’19, follows the stories of several refugees from countries such as the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Iraq, Syria, and Ukraine who now live in Knoxville. “In the city of Knoxville, Tennessee, most people do not know about the refugees living there,” Singh wrote in her synopsis of the film, published on the SWIFF website, adding that the refugees’ stories all come together to illustrate the importance of home and the idea of starting over. Singh was featured in a News Sentinel Shopper News article this summer. The article quoted the following film segment that Singh narrated on camera: “While the rest of us have gone about our lives, these people and so many more have faced constant obstacles and have been placed in unimaginable situations. Yet they overcame everything, and they continue to keep doing so.” Singh described in the Shopper News article how her experiences as a student at Webb School fueled her interest in shedding light on the lives of refugees. As a younger student, she learned about longtime Webb maintenance worker Moeun Morn’s journey as a child, fleeing Cambodia's repressive and brutal Khmer Rouge regime. A Middle School cross-disciplinary unit based on bestselling author and Webb alum (Class of 1990) Alan Gratz’s book, Refugee, and more recently, the refugee crises in Afghanistan and Ukraine elevated Singh’s desire to turn her interest into action in raising awareness and getting others involved in the community. This included her working with Hale, a skilled cinematographer, who directed the documentary.
WRITERS ON WRITING: Guest authors inspire creativity, build confidence
Dusti Bowling held writing presentations and workshops for Lower, Middle and Upper School students, highlighting the writing process and her career.
Phil Kaye of Project VOICE delivered an interactive and engaging writing and performance workshop for students and presented a sampling of his poetry during Middle School assembly.
Bestselling author Sharon Cameron spoke at Middle and Upper School assemblies and shared her perspectives with the Upper School Creative Writing class and Middle School Book Club.
NATIONAL MEDALIST Webb junior Amelia Tharp (top) is a 2023 national medalist in the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards. She received a national Silver Medal for her poetry entry, Graffiti. More than 100,000 students across the United States, its territories and Canada submitted over 260,000 works of art and writing to the 2023 Scholastic Art & Writing Awards – the nation’s longest-running and most prestigious recognition program for creative teens in grades 7-12. With less than 2,000 works winning a national medal, Tharp’s poem placed in the top one percent of all submissions. Tharp was one of 10 Webb Middle and Upper School student artists and writers to receive high praise at the 2023 Southeast Region-At-Large Scholastic Art & Writing Awards. Tharp, along with Nehemiah Franklin ’23, Kate Lyke ’27 and classmate Radhika Ramchandren, were all named Gold Key winners – one of the most celebrated awards – and earned automatic consideration for national-level recognition. Alumni Bulletin
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KEEPING COUNT
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Fifteen Spartan seniors earned National Merit Scholarship recognition for 2024. Nine members of Webb’s Class of 2024 are among the less than one percent of the nation’s seniors who took the 2022 PSAT/ NMSQT their junior year to be named National Merit Semifinalists and are eligible to continue in the competition for some 7,140 Merit Scholarship awards. In addition, six other members of Webb’s senior class received National Merit Commended Student distinction for 2024.
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Webb seniors Brook Bush, Kevon Carroll and Brittany Jean-Mary, and junior Gail Mnzava were inducted into the Knoxville Area Urban League’s National Achievers Society. Established to identify and motivate academically achieving minority high school students and increase the pool of students who are prepared, motivated and qualified for higher education, the National Achievers honor society is open to high school sophomores, juniors and seniors, particularly youth of color, who have attained a 3.0 or higher cumulative GPA and who serve as positive role models for their peers and leaders in their communities.
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Over 100 Webb Upper School students earned AP Scholar praise for their outstanding performance on the AP exams. Thirty-four Spartans earned AP Scholar with Distinction honors, 28 received AP Scholar with Honor recognition and 39 were named AP Scholars. Eighty-five percent of Webb’s AP students recorded scores of 3 or higher.
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Lessons on global citizenship Members of the Middle School Model United Nations (UN) Club and students selected to Webb’s National Junior Honor Society (NJHS) chapter were treated to a special lesson on global citizenship when they had the opportunity to connect with Sebron “CB” Toney, Management Officer at the American Embassy in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso. Thanks to Spartan Upper School student Andrew Konomos ’25, who proposed, coordinated and facilitated the virtual lunch discussion, the Middle School students gained key insight from Toney into the workings of the United States Department of State and particularly the Foreign Service. According to Konomos, the meeting was an opportunity for him to share with Middle School students his passion for educating others on the issues and conflicts affecting countries around the globe, especially those that have not been in the public eye. “I also wanted the students to learn more about diplomacy and how it really does have a massive effect on politics,” Konomos added. Through a cousin, who is a State Department official, Konomos contacted Toney, who happily agreed to speak with Webb students about his involvement in global affairs, career opportunities at the State Department and Foreign Service, and how the Middle Schoolers could start, even now, to become globally active. With the support of Middle School Head, Jennifer Phillips, and Upper School Head Librarian, Kate Lewallen, Konomos arranged for the virtual discussion in the Upper School Visualization Lab, emailed the Model UN and NJHS students about the meeting and appeared at Middle School morning assembly to remind students of the event. Phillips commended Konomos for reaching out and giving back to the Middle School by coordinating the virtual visit. “Andrew recognized the importance of giving our students the opportunity to think deeply about world affairs and envision themselves as part of global solutions,” Phillips said. “He demonstrates the citizenship and student leadership we nurture here at Webb.” Phillips added that the Model UN and NJHS members were inspired by Ambassador Toney's work and asked him incisive questions about global collaboration and the cross section of people and agencies that work together to solve complex global issues. “Their enthusiasm is indicative of our students’ desire to expand their classroom walls and apply their knowledge to real-world work,” she said. “Hearing directly from Mr. Toney about how he is helping to solve pressing issues also gave our Middle Schoolers a dose of optimism, given the negative news cycles they often consume through social media.” For Konomos, spearheading the virtual conversation with Toney aligned with his life mission to help better the world by educating people about the struggles of others. “My hope was for the Middle School students to begin to understand the difficulties of people around the world,” he said. “But instead of just talking about those problems, I hope this experience provided a spark for them to want to change the world and make it better through areas of work like diplomacy.” Efforts like Konomos’ exemplify the school’s global ethos in supporting student learning, according to Phillips. “At Webb, we are always seeking different ways to engage students and model a life of learning,” Phillips said. “This special opportunity was just one of the many ways we intentionally work to expand students’ views of themselves, other people and the world.”
SNAPSHOTS
(left & below) Webb Dance Academy and Fly Dance Performance Group held their annual spring 2023 show in the Bishop Center. Performers ranged from the Pre-K Junior Spartans to Webb seniors.
Moments from some of Webb’s stage productions over the past year.
The Middle School's Spartans on Stage presented The Spartan Story Spectacular, an evening celebrating musical and non-musical mythology.
The Lower School Drama Academy performed an adaptation of author, singer-songwriter and Webb parent Erick Baker’s book, Willie the Weed. The production featured a live orchestra that included three Spartan student violinists.
(left & pictured) So, Pablo Picasso and Albert Einstein walk into a bar . . . That’s the premise of Steve Martin’s Picasso at the Lapin Agile, which was staged by the Upper School drama department this fall.
Alumni Bulletin
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around the THE GREEN
Inspiring future doctors in tackling rural healthcare
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ach spring, a group of Webb high schoolers heads to West Virginia to serve at remote area health clinics and with home care visits in providing basic medical attention. Under the direction of Science Department Chair, Laura Kile, the weeklong program gives students first-hand experience in addressing the healthcare needs of underserved communities.
Concentrating their efforts in Mingo County, students, during home visits and at senior living centers, check vital signs such as blood pressure, BMI, A1C, and pulse/respiratory rates for those people with conditions like COPD, hypertension and diabetes. Just as important is taking the time to simply talk with patients and listen to their stories. The students – most are Webb MD Club members and all have an interest in medicine – also speak at elementary schools and daycare centers, engaging children in lessons on proper hygiene and healthy habits. Visits to rehab centers and outpatient programs have been especially impactful, as the high schoolers come to realize the disproportionate effect the opioid crisis has had on this rural community. Engaging with local healthcare professionals and learning about their careers and the needs of the area round out the students’ unique service journey.
MAXIMIZING THE COLLEGE SEARCH JOURNEY
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In addition to gaining direct medical experience, students develop a deeper understanding of the importance of empathy and service to others, says Kile. “They also see how vital public health is,” she added, noting that while there are medical service programs overseas, “we also need to remember that we have the same problems in our own backyard.” For Webb alum Aashi Vora ’23, a Quillen Honors Scholar at ETSU, the West Virginia trip was so much more than learning about medicine and healthcare issues. “It demonstrated for me the value of relationships in patient care and the resilience of rural healthcare workers,” Vora stated. “I’ve been inspired to pursue a career in rural healthcare because of the work I was exposed to in Williamson, West Virginia.” Webb’s Development Office has now established a fund in honor of former Webb president Michael McBrien to support student participation in the West Virginia service trip.
As part of its personalized, fouryear college counseling program, Webb’s College Counseling Office hosts numerous events to educate both students and parents about the college search and application process, and to help each student find a college or university that will best match their goals, abilities and interests. This fall’s College Fair for all Upper School students (far left) and the Ready, Set, Go! senior session (upper left), as well as the spring 2023 College Counseling Retreat for juniors with Spartan alumni panel members Todd Kelly Jr. ’14, Ellie Johnson ’10 and Catherine Carter ’15 (left) are just a sampling of our counselors’ efforts this past year to ensure the success and happiness of each student in their college search journey.
Spartan Stats
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A by-the-numbers glimpse at recent school highlights
#1
Number of new additions to Webb’s Spartan athletics program. Webb now sports teams in Middle School softball and boys’ lacrosse, as well as girls’ Upper School lacrosse. In all, Webb School offers nearly 80 Middle and Upper School sports teams.
Webb School's ranking for best private K-12 school, best high school for STEM, best private high school, and best college prep private high school in Knox County by Niche.com for 2024. Webb was also ranked among the top four best high schools for athletes in Knox County and earned a No. 6 distinction for best private K-12 school in Tennessee.
60
Total number of pairs of sneakers involved in our fifth graders’ SmartLab project to create a presentation in Google Slides on tying shoelaces. They used their projects to work with Webb’s Junior Spartans and kindergartners in practicing the steps for mastering the perfect bow.
38+ (above) One of Rick Griggs’ paintings on wood featured at rickgriggs.com.
With the arrival of Webb’s fall 2023 visiting artist, Rick Griggs, a former pastry chef now painter, Webb’s fine arts program will have hosted over 38 professional artists from across the country since its Artist-In-Residence program was launched in 2001.
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Through Webb’s international programming, including its partnership with Rotary Exchange and Faces & Our Cultures, Spartan students have either visited or hosted students from nearly 10 countries this past year, including Japan, Italy, Guatemala, France, Greece, and Australia.
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Hours of service Webb parent and Upper School student volunteers contributed at this year’s “totally tubular” salute to the ’80s WebbFest. Parents and students filled over 400 volunteer roles at this fall’s community event.
3,377
Final count for the number of books donated by Webb sixth through eighth graders as part of the Middle School Interact Club’s “Webb LOVES Little Libraries” two-week book drive to support free little libraries in some of the most underserved neighborhoods in Knoxville.
Alumni Bulletin
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elevating THE
Vision
a
S WEBB SCHOOL EMBARKS ON A NEW STRATEGIC PLAN, WEBB PRESIDENT ANSEL SANDERS AND WEBB BOARD OF TRUSTEES CHAIR AND SPARTAN ALUM, JONATHAN JOHNSON ’93, SAT DOWN TO ANSWER QUESTIONS ABOUT EACH
OTHER’S BACKGROUND AND EXPERIENCES AND HOW THEY SEE THEIR LEADERSHIP STYLES AND ROLES DYNAMICALLY INTERSECTING IN MOVING THE SCHOOL FORWARD. (top) Webb President Ansel Sanders. (right) Webb Board of Trustees Chair, Jonathan Johnson ’93.
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Can you touch on what drew you to Webb School, whether that be from a student, school president, board chair/member, or parent perspective? How would you characterize the spirit of Webb School? JONATHAN JOHNSON: I go back to my own experiences from when I was a student at Webb and how much I loved it and what it meant to me. Also, the friendships that I formed are still the greatest friendships I have. I had so many amazing experiences at Webb, and I ask myself why those were able to happen. The answer lies with the unbelievable faculty and staff. That ranges from the teachers, to the person in the lunchroom, to the custodians, to the maintenance personnel. Everybody has a role in creating an environment in a special community that allows you as a kid, just growing up and going through all the different changes that happen when you’re a teenager, to have a safe space and explore different outlets. So then as a parent, and as I was looking at where I wanted to send our kids, I saw that Webb was still that and had that environment. Again, that’s due to the faculty and staff. Whether your child enjoys robotics, athletics or the arts, Webb provides an environment where your child can try things and find out what they’re good at or interested in, and they’re encouraged. There’s an undercurrent at Webb, where there’s an expectation of excellence; an expectation to push beyond average. And I like that. I like for my child to be pushed and for that teacher to spend time and figure out what makes my kid tick and to get them there. ANSEL SANDERS: I love that. For me, the first conversations I had about Webb School were with three people: George Krisle, Webb Class of 1962, and those who were running the school president search – John Tolsma and Mark Taylor. Both of them are not Webb alumni, but they are Webb parents. The conversations with the three of them put words to the experience that you just described. For someone like me who looks at school and faculty and coaches as truly transformational, it was wonderful to learn about George’s experiences back in the early ’60s all the way to Mark and John’s experiences as both volunteers and parents here. So, when I started talking with them about what the spirit and soul of Webb School are, it was hard not to be super-compelled by a place that’s described as a community of real care and connection grounded in pursuits of excellence. I got excited as an educator to be part of something like that. It’s hard not to. The same goes for being a dad. Helen and I have three daughters, all of whom are at Webb. When we asked ourselves about sending our children to this school, the answer was resoundingly “yes.” And it started with those conversations with George, John and Mark.
Since starting here at Webb, I’ve seen so many examples of the school’s impact on students. I was at a football game, talking to a parent who said, “My son has come out of his shell and he is a more authentic version of himself.” That is really powerful stuff. That’s our mission in action. So, when you talk about the spirit and soul of this place, it’s for all the reasons that you mentioned. In regard to this young man who is coming into his own, the school is setting him on a positive trajectory toward adulthood. I’m excited to be part of that effort.
How do you view the partnership between the school president and the board chair in the decision-making process? JOHNSON: This one’s a softball for me. First, it’s a partnership and we’re a team. Second, the board is part of that team and with the board, everybody has a role. You just need to know what your role is. As a board, we’re strategic; we don’t get involved in the day-to-day business. We have one employee, and that’s the president. So, I think you have clear, defined roles, and as long as everybody understands their roles, then that's how that partnership will work. SANDERS: I totally agree and I’m grateful for that perspective and understanding, because it certainly can be a challenge sometimes in a situation where everyone’s eager to contribute to and support the great things going on here. Thus, the partnership is super important. At the same time, while maintaining a separation between strategic and operational is key, I also appreciate having a thought partner to speak with and seek feedback. Yes, this could involve operational topics, and I'm not seeking permission, necessarily; just a different perspective. That’s been really helpful to me. As a new president, as a new leader in a new place and not from Knoxville or Webb . . . to be able to tap into your experience and perspective and just listen has been invaluable.
What are the components of building a strong president-board relationship? JOHNSON: For me, this again goes back to working together as a team. But communication is also key in so many things. Typically, when something is not going well or there’s an issue, it’s because there’s a lack of communication somewhere and someone perceives something a different way or something gets misconstrued. As long as there’s an open dialogue, then I think you can steer clear of those issues. Also, like you said, having the board chair serve as a sounding board enables you as president to sort of talk things through and figure out Alumni Bulletin
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the best way forward. Another is just having humility and knowing that we don’t have all the right answers. Nobody does. Just because the both of us are in leadership positions does not mean that we know everything. We need to be aware of that. It’s critical that one does not try to exert influence over the other. We just need to do the best we can and work hard at it. And for you, Ansel, making your decisions within the context of “Is this the right thing to do?” and considering how that decision will affect your students, employees and the long-term viability of the school . . . if you have that perspective on things, then whatever the decision is, you’ll be fine.
SANDERS: Communication is key to a strong president-board relationship, and I would also add coherence and alignment. That doesn’t mean that everybody has to agree all the time, but I think if you align yourself with what’s essential to our mission, then you have a tight thread between the board, president and school. I also see a strong president-board relationship from a strategic standpoint. A strong board isn’t just a tactical entity. We don’t go into a board meeting and just provide updates. Rather, we recognize that we’re in a great spot and consider what could be. Let’s put out some ideas. Let’s dream a little bit. Let’s talk candidly about where we are and what we could be. That positions the board as a kind of think tank, generating ideas and doing it in a space where you can discuss what’s possible and what could be challenging. Overall, that makes for a fun, energizing boardroom. JOHNSON: You’re right. We’ve got excellent people on our board who have great skill sets. And they love Webb and are excited about the school. Like you said, they’re not just showing up to a meeting; they’re active and looking ahead, and they’re asking, “What can we do?”
Briefly describe your leadership styles, touching on your backgrounds. SANDERS: I think my leadership style is one where I do like a shared responsibility, distributed leadership approach. To use the Jim Collins kind of language . . . you want the right people on the bus and they’re in the right seat on the bus. When you have the right people on the bus and in the right seat, you need to create the conditions by which they can flourish. So, I like to roll up my sleeves and get in the work. I’m a teacher at heart; I want to be there and be engaged. I certainly am not interested in nor want to get into the business of micromanaging. But I want to create the conditions by which people can thrive – kids and adults. 18 Webb School of Knoxville
My approach to leadership is building and being part of a successful team, where folks have the freedom to do their jobs and do them really well; and they feel connected to others around them in doing something greater than the individual can. I think that was forged through my own schooling experiences. It’s the notion of being in service to a team and goal; aspiring toward something bigger, greater and more significant. That ethos, from a professional standpoint, also started in the classroom where I really learned and saw that if I could create that kind of team environment, then that’s a condition for learning and growth in which the kids will thrive. Then I tried to take that approach and ask, “Okay, what could that look like at the school level?” I think I've been able to use that general posture and model it in the various education experiences I’ve had throughout my career. It’s something I’ve tried to start doing at Webb as well.
JOHNSON: My leadership style was shaped through team sports, starting here at Webb where I played football, basketball and soccer. You just figure out that you’ve got to work with people, and if you want to reach the ultimate success, you’re putting your needs aside for other people. You’ve got to work with others and everybody has to know and do their roles. My time at West Point also had an impact. One of their core tenets is leadership. So, you’re constantly being evaluated on leadership and trained on leadership. Then, when you get into the military, you’re put in a leadership position from day one. I was made a platoon leader in charge 30 people – a 22-year-old
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I don’t think strategic plans are ever finished; they’re always evolving. We need to be looking at this every two, three, four
years, because the environment changes, the factors on the ground change. So, it’s a good thing to take a step back, evaluate and really stay intentional on what we want to do.
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And then lean forward.
– Jonathan Johnson
From where you sit in the governance of the school, why is it necessary to move forward now with a new strategic plan?
guy who had no experience and in charge of others who had been in the military for years. You have to understand, again, the whole teamwork aspect of that. Also, I was exposed to different types of leadership styles. You have people who lead by fear or by just standing behind whatever rank or title they have or their position. I’ve tried to model in a way where I put aside my own desires and focus on what’s best for the team, for that unit that I’m leading; concentrating on building this thing together. The goal is to inspire others to follow, not because I just happen to be the one in charge or in a certain position; rather, they're following because they want to serve that ultimate goal. So, in regard to you, Ansel, you care about Webb School and I’m in a role that helps facilitate that.
SANDERS: I couldn’t agree with you more. As I reflect back on my own experiences – whether it’s playing collegiate lacrosse, joining Teach for America and teaching in Baltimore City Public Schools, opening a couple of schools in Greenville, South Carolina, or serving schools like Woodberry Forest School and now Webb School – all of these endeavors have audacious, aspirational goals that are not just about success but also about significant impact and service toward larger things. I’m always drawn to opportunities that move the needle. That’s in our mission here at Webb School, and we try to live into that on a daily basis. But it can’t be done, nor should it be attempted to be done, in a singular fashion.
JOHNSON: The easy answer is, we’re going through an accreditation and it’s time. But putting that aside, we now have new people and new leadership positions. I want to compliment our past leaders; thanks to them, Webb is operating from a position of strength. Our past president, Michael McBrien, the past board chairs and board members over the last few terms, and then the faculty and staff – all of these people have put Webb in a really solid spot. So, we have a great opportunity to take a step back, consider what our different stakeholders are thinking, get their feedback, and see where we want to go. I think it’s a great time to evaluate that. We’re also at the tail end of our previous strategic plan, so it’s time to revisit that plan and ask, “Where do we want to go next?” I don’t think strategic plans are ever finished; they’re always evolving. We need to be looking at this every two, three, four years, because the environment changes, the factors on the ground change. So, it’s a good thing to take a step back, evaluate and really stay intentional on what we want to do. And then lean forward. Webb School has a very significant position here in the Knoxville community. Sometimes people just think about us as, you know, a private school and the leading school in Knoxville; but we have an important mission in Knoxville as well. We have corporations moving to the area, for example, so there’s the question of where those employees will send their kids; or parents may be looking for something better than their current choice. So, we have a responsibility.
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We’re also feeding leaders back into this community. As a whole, we’re continuing in helping to move Knoxville forward. Webb has a vital role in that, and that’s why I think we can’t be complacent. We need to be leaning forward all the time.
SANDERS: First and foremost, we are in a position of strength because of those who came before us. I think that’s a really good point. It should never be forgotten that we’re standing on the shoulders of others. And I’m grateful for that. There’s an intersection of a lot of things right now that I think have set us up well to engage in strategic planning. It’s both necessary and timely given our accreditation and where the previous strategic plan is. But then, like you said, in addition to new leadership at the school and on the board, Knoxville is in this growth stage and there’s a lot of interest in the area. There’s also a real sense of school pride at Webb on a day-to day basis, as well as an energy for what could be. It’s just palpable on campus, when you talk to folks and see how energized they are about both where we are and where we could go. So, to capture that through the strategic plan is a fantastic opportunity. In a lot of ways, we’re in this beautiful and enviable state of operating from a position of strength without complacency. And that’s where you want to be as you go into strategic planning.
What are you looking to build on through the new strategic plan? SANDERS: First and most importantly, we’ve got a culture that is defined by being a community that fosters deep connections and relationships. We care about one another. You talked about excellence earlier; that permeates through everything here. It’s cool and expected here to engage and be curious and ask questions and try things and strive. That’s a culture that you can build on and continue to breathe life into in various ways. So, that is a component that is core and foundational. The second piece is our tremendous faculty and staff. That part is very much alive and well here, and I want to build on that. I want to find and support and retain the absolute best teachers, coaches and staff – not just locally, but also regionally, statewide and nationally. Then I want to build on this concept of noncomplacency and eagerness to actually ask, “What else could we lead in doing?” That could take the form of a lot of different things. And then “What haven’t we explored that could fit really well and is mission aligned and culturally appropriate for us to continue to do?”
20 Webb School of Knoxville
JOHNSON: I have similar perspectives. In regard to our faculty and staff, they are a major strength at Webb and building on that component is exactly right. They shape our school environment and they’re the engine that runs through so many other parts of the school. Look at enrollment; that’s influenced by good teachers and positive experiences. There’s also the fundraising piece. Going back to the story that you told about the Webb parent. If they’re saying that their child has blossomed at Webb and is being supported, encouraged and pushed, then they’re more willing to support the school and its mission financially Our school endowment is another example of asking, “What next?” Our recent endowment meeting was exciting in that we discussed the fact that we’re at a crossroads on how we could really build the endowment while focusing on the long-range implications of it continuing to grow. It’s exciting, but we’ve got to be patient and intentional. If we commit to its longrange goals, then that gives the school so many more options in pushing forward.
SANDERS: I think about Webb as a gift that we’ve been given and it’s an amazing gift to receive. The responsibility, then, is to steward that gift and nurture it and be able to pass it on to those who will come after us. One way to do that is through the endowment. I also think of this new strategic plan and how we are incredibly fortunate to have this amazing campus; a really good physical plant. So, shifting our focus to a more people/programs perspective . . . how do we really build on that? That also points to an endowment question. How can the endowment offer financial resources to really zero in on people and programs? I think people are excited about that. JOHNSON: I think so too. It’s building on this already strong foundation, but taking it to the next level. The same goes for our graduates and what we want for them. Part of that includes this entrepreneurship kind of spirit here at Webb. We need to continue to expand that throughout all levels, because our graduates need to be able to communicate, they need to be competitive, they need to be able to collaborate with different people, and they need to be able to present themselves, no matter what field they’re in. I think Webb does a really good job of cultivating those skills, so through our new strategic plan, we need to continue to develop that entrepreneurial mindset and make it even stronger.
crowd; but then at the end, when the students got ready to go on to the field, you were giving them fist bumps. It’s building that connection and our students all respond to it. They see it and they feel it. It’s not fake; it’s genuine. I think that all comes back to the core person you are, but also having experienced ‘the team’ and buying into that team. I would have definitely enjoyed coaching you because you also love to have fun. You probably loved the locker room atmosphere with all the different guys and the stuff that went on, as well as working together toward a common goal. I think with all of that, we would have both thrived.
SANDERS: So, what you’re describing, and we’ve talked about this a lot, is a question of, “What is the profile of a Webb graduate?” What are the mindsets, dispositions, characteristics, and skills that we are going to focus on developing in our students during their time here – from Lower to Middle to Upper School, both curricularly and extracurricularly? And if we can define that and articulate that, then that will help characterize the Webb experience and position our kids for life beyond Webb. It will also allow us to focus on what matters and where we need to spend our time, energy and resources.
You both are former collegiate lacrosse players and have served as high school lacrosse coaches. Given your respective coaching styles and what you were like as players, do you think you could have coached the other back in the day? JOHNSON: Ansel, you were a two-time All-American goalie. So, I think anybody would want to coach you. With that, my short answer is yes, I could have coached you back in the day. However, I do want to touch on a couple things. First, from what I’ve seen so far, you, from day one, have been all about ‘the team,’ all about relationships and getting in front of people. That makes sense given your lacrosse experience, because the goalie is the last man standing. And if your team in front of you doesn’t do their job, you’re getting pelted; so everybody has to work together. You’ve been out in the classroom; you’re out visiting the kids. And the kids have grown to love you in a very short period of time. During our meetings, your daughter comes in with friends to say hello during lunch . . . that doesn't happen if you don’t have that type of personality and leadership and just aura about you. At a recent football game, you were mingling with the
SANDERS: I agree with this notion of team, along with taking the work seriously but not taking yourself too seriously. I think that’s why I would have loved to have played with you, as well as have you as a coach. It would have been a ton of fun! Playing a sport is great, but you also have purpose. And that has always stuck with me. Yes, I had a strong collegiate lacrosse experience, but that was only because I had coaches and teammates who expected much of me and provided the requisite kind of support – not just for skill development but also from a human development standpoint. I was also expected to play outside my comfort zone. Getting comfortable with that discomfort, dealing with wins and losses . . . that’s where I learned so much about leadership. And I think that’s why it would have been really fun to have been coached by you, because I think you’re cut from the same cloth.
Both of your resumés reflect a strong commitment to servant leadership. How have those experiences enhanced your leadership roles at the school? SANDERS: I think if you’re in education and you really care about this work, then you have to have a level of servant leadership and humility. As a teacher, as a coach, as a director of a play, there’s an ingrained part of you that’s driven by something bigger. That’s service over self. That’s one of the reasons why we have such incredible faculty and staff here at Webb. The operating principle of service over self is a cultural norm here. I feel I mesh well with that. I see that all the time and I try to embody that. And you’re right; it’s intentional. I’m out and about across campus because I want to be visible and I want to listen and learn. But it’s also just natural, I guess; it’s what I want to do. It’s hard for me to pinpoint one single example of my commitment to servant leadership; there’s just a consistency of showing up and helping a cause that resonates.
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“I measure success by how many weddings I get invited to by my JOHNSON: I might have a little different approach to this question. I think we’re all here to serve other people. That kind former players.” How awesome is that? And that is what we’re of goes back to some of my faith views. We’re here to serve trying to do. Coach Mahoney’s answer is an example of others. We have all different types of people in our community significance, not just success. Of course we want to win, but he and it’s important to serve our community and make it a better was articulating something bigger. That was his expression of place. And everybody has a different role in that. I’ll give a servant leadership and it’s spot on. couple examples of what I’ve experienced and the servant leaders I’ve known. One individual was at Webb when I was If you had the opportunity to sit down with Robert here. We had a changeover on the defensive side of our football Webb, our school founder, what would you want to say? team. A guy named Bill Kurek, who was head of the business JOHNSON: First, I would like to thank him for laying down office, took over. This is someone who probably didn’t say five words to anyone; most folks didn’t know him. He was this big the vision and foundation for this school. That quote from Mr. guy and he had actually tried out for the Colts. He was older and Webb – “I want to start a school that educates young people in kind of gruff and never smiled. He took over our defense, then extraordinary ways” – well, he did that. He laid that foundation, specifically the linebackers, and picked three or four of us and and a lot of good people have taken that baton and passed it on. just poured into us. He would meet us What he created has impacted our in the mornings before school to work community and thousands of lives. We are in this fortunate, exciting out. He gave us reading assignments So, I would want to again thank him position, where we’re eager to and then followed up with us on what for that vision and leadership and those books meant. He touched base foundation. And then I’d like to just continue to live into and enhance with all of us throughout the year. And listen to him and ask for his advice the opportunity to create an it was all in a quiet, behind-the-scenes and what he would like to convey. way. We really excelled as people extraordinary educational because of him. That to me was a SANDERS: I’m not sure what I experience for the kids, parents, servant leader. He was all about would say other than express words building us up as people and then of gratitude. I would want to listen, teachers, and staff who are all because of that, we also performed however. I would love for Mr. Webb part of this incredible community. better on the field. He was fantastic. to articulate his vision of an
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– Ansel Sanders
extraordinary experience in education. And as he attempted to create a reality for that vision, what were the ups and the downs? Also, how do those compare to what we’re continuing to strive to do? How are those challenges and opportunities similar and different?
Another example comes from my role as a Scoutmaster for Boys Scouts at Webb. We had a really great troop, but there were so many other people who worked behind the scenes and pitched in. I might have been the one up front, but they were the ones who made the whole thing click. And gosh, that’s a labor of love, because so much goes on. I actually had this conversation with the current Scoutmaster. He was preparing to take the boys to the Olympic Peninsula out in Washington and he was a bit stressed. People just have no idea about all the stuff that needs to take place behind the scenes. I told him I knew exactly how he was feeling, but what will be so rewarding is that in maybe four or five years, those boys will look back on that trip and remember how great it was. Just having those memories, you know, with their dads and with each other.
I would want to use that conversation as a case study in school leadership. I’d be curious about hearing his stories of successes, failures, challenges, and opportunities. Sitting in my position today, I would love to learn more about the early years and the transitions that he experienced, and to use those as a way to frame where we are now. Finally, I’d also hope to visit with and learn from Mrs. Webb who, like her husband, had a splendid instinct and was such an inspiration for generations of students.
SANDERS: You talked about how we measure impact, how do we measure success? When I was interviewing Coach Mahoney, I asked what success looks like for him. Some people may talk about wins and losses – those kinds of measures – but he said,
We are in this fortunate, exciting position, where we’re eager to continue to live into and enhance the opportunity to create an extraordinary educational experience for the kids, parents, teachers, and staff who are all part of this incredible community. W
22 Webb School of Knoxville
Project Scope & Timeline OF WEBB SCHOOL’S STRATEGIC PLANNING PROCESS In creating a new strategic plan for Webb School, Webb’s Strategic Planning Steering Committee has enlisted the services of Ian Symmonds & Associates, the premier strategy consultants for independent schools in the country. Ian Symmonds & Associates is helping to guide the process with their unique and collaborative methodology, distinct knowledge of independent schools and a global perspective toward education.
Planning to Plan/ Fall 2023 > Consultant, head of school, planning chair, and other key stakeholders engage in initial discussions on developing a planning process that is inclusive yet directed. > Consultant provides counsel on orchestrating steering committees, subcommittees and necessary leadership for the planning process. > Determine how to effectively communicate progress of strategic planning to internal and external constituents. > Establish timeline and set dates for meetings and key benchmarks.
Discovery & Gathering Information/Fall 2023 > Collect data on the current operating environment, including competitors for students, historic demand and core audience identification.
> Conduct a qualitative, web-based survey to all key constituents, such as parents, faculty, staff, students, and board members, to gather input for the strategic planning process. > Complete on-campus listening sessions with various stakeholders to engage key groups in the school priorities for the future. > Engage the Board of Trustees in sessions to better understand their input on priorities for the future of the school. > Execute full educational landscape and competitive analyses, including external and environmental trends, demographic trends, opinion leader research, and enrollment, marketing and demand.
Setting Strategic Goals/ Winter 2023 > Thorough distillation of all research to provide the school a platform for strategic planning assumptions. > Develop shared direction and preferred future for the school to help place the organization in a unique and differentiating space in the educational landscape, as well as guide future strategic planning efforts.
Formulating the Future/ Spring 2024 > Armed with a clear vision for the future and a shared lens from which to operate, Ian Symmonds & Associates will help develop a set of clear strategic goals and initiatives. > Through smaller design teams of stakeholders, further refine goals/ initiatives, determine costs, develop appropriate timelines for implementation, and consider the best metrics to measure future success.
Finalizing a Strategic Plan/ Spring 2024 > Coalesce each of the unit-based plans and their associated strategic goals into a schoolwide plan. > Process will include the development of high-level, schoolwide initiatives, born out of the work of each of the steering committees, and prioritizing each goal.
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go SPARTANS!
NEW LEADERSHIP. SAME STANDARDS. This academic year marks a new chapter in Spartan athletics, with several new coaches and administrators taking over for well-known and beloved names who departed last year. We invite you to learn about three of our new dynamic Spartan leaders who are all key players in strengthening an already thriving and championship athletics program at Webb School.
Dan Gill possesses a proven record of effectively mentoring and developing coaches and student-athletes both on and off the field. Formerly director of athletics at The Episcopal School of Dallas, he provided strategic administrative leadership, DAN GILL direction and oversight of the Director of Athletics school’s athletic and physical education programs for grades kindergarten through 12. Committed to promoting a culture of character, integrity and positive sportsmanship to all constituents, Gill also sat on the school’s senior executive team, working with division heads and department leaders to advance the school’s mission through its athletic programs. His professional career also includes director of athletics at Central Catholic High School in Toledo, Ohio, as well as associate director of athletics at University School at Nova Southeastern University in Davie, Florida, where his duties involved athletics team operations, program development, public relations, marketing, communications, and event management. He also served as athletics director and head boys’ basketball coach at St. Mary’s High School in Lancaster, New York, and led the Lancaster Lancers to 72 wins in four seasons, including two New York Class B state titles. Along the way, Gill was named 2012 Boys Basketball Coach of the Year for Western New York. A graduate of Ohio State University with a Bachelor of Science in Education, Gill also holds both a Master of Science in Sport Administration and a Master of Science in Physical Education from Canisius College. He is an NFHS Certified Interscholastic Coach and an NIAAA Certified Master Athletic Administrator. He also completed the Certified Sports Administrator program offered by The George Washington University School of Business. In 2019, Gill received the Ohio State University College of Education and Human Ecology New Leader Award and the President’s Council on Sports, Fitness and Nutrition Community Leadership Award. “Webb is a very special place where its mission, philosophy and priorities are fully aligned and supported,” says Gill, “and I look forward to continuing to pursue competitive excellence with a dedicated group of student-athletes, coaches and staff.” 24 Webb School of Knoxville
Don Mahoney brings a wealth of experience and expertise to Webb’s football program and Spartan athletics, including 24 years of coaching collegiate football at the Division I level. A seasoned professional, his background features a strong DON MAHONEY association of development Head Varsity Football Coach and depth, having successfully & Associate Director of Student-Athlete Development coached and coordinated multiple positions in the sport of football, as well as establishing strong relationships with coaches, players and families, developing athletes on and off the field, and earning championship bragging rights. An offensive line coach for the Spartans last year, Mahoney began his coaching career as tight ends coach/ travel coordinator for Central Michigan University. He later took over the offensive line for the Central Michigan Chippewas before accepting an offensive line coaching post at Tulane University where he helped steer the Green Wave to victory at the 2002 inaugural Hawaii Bowl. He returned to Central Michigan as offensive line coach, guiding the Chippewas to two MAC Championship titles and a GMAC Bowl Championship trophy. Following a two-year stint as offensive line coach at the University of Cincinnati, where his Bearcats grabbed two Big East co-championships as well as the AutoZone Liberty Bowl Championship, Mahoney spent four seasons as University of Tennessee’s offensive line coach. He guided his Vols offensive line to three straight bowl titles and milestone rushing campaigns while helping several players progress to NFL rosters. An All-Southern Conference selection and three-year starter at offensive guard for the Marshall University Thundering Herd, Mahoney earned his Bachelor of Arts from West Virginia State University. With a proven record as an accomplished leader and communicator, Mahoney says he is committed to guiding student-athletes in a positive manner and teaching them not only the sport of football but also how it relates to life and becoming good citizens. He is a strong proponent of engaging players, faculty and administration in program development to help ensure the athletic, academic and social well-being of student-athletes.
Greg Hernandez offers an impressive resumé of competitive playing and coaching experiences. He spent the last five seasons as the head girls' basketball coach at Seymour High School, where he served as an assistant coach GREG HERNANDEZ for two years before being Head Varsity Girls' promoted in 2018. During his Basketball Coach & Admissions Counselor six-year tenure at Seymour, Hernandez led the Lady Eagles basketball team to the district and regional championships in 2022 and 2023 and produced District Players of the Year in 2021, 2022 and 2023. Before returning to the basketball arena, stateside, Hernandez spent two years playing professionally for the England Basketball League in the United Kingdom in addition to coaching a U18 Boys Basketball team in Wales. There he was named league MVP in 2012 and England Basketball League D1 Final MVP in 2013. While pursuing his Bachelor of Arts degree in business administration from Maryville College, Hernandez achieved accolades playing college basketball for the Scots, picking up All-Great South Athletic Conference honors his sophomore and junior seasons. He was named GSAC Player of the Year in 2009 and earned NABC and D3Hoops.com All-American praise his senior year. After graduating in 2010, he went on to serve as an assistant basketball coach at Maryville College for two seasons. Hernandez expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to lead Webb's Lady Spartans. “I look forward to building relationships with players, coaches and staff,” he added. “Webb's history and track record of success on and off the court is what interested me and ultimately led to my decision to accept this role.” “Greg has an enthusiasm for cultivating relationships, developing student-athletes and helping them excel,” says Webb Athletic Director, Dan Gill. “It was apparent he was the right fit for our program from the moment we first connected. His authenticity, professionalism and passion for the game of basketball was palpable, and I’m confident that he will continue to help us build a highly competitive and deeply connected program aligned with Webb's mission.”
sport report
fall 2023 sports in review UPPER SCHOOL cross country: The Lady Spartans are Division
II-AA state champions for 2023. Senior Colin Eckerman, who signed with Furman University, won the boys’ race, setting a new meet and school record. See full story on this page.
football: The Spartans ended their regular season with a 9-1 record and finished second in the East Region. Webb advanced to the TSSAA Division II-AA state quarterfinal playoff against Franklin Road Academy in post-season play. At press time, Spartan senior Markeis Barrett was named a Tennessee Titans Mr. Football finalist for DII-AA and teammate Cooper Cameron ’24 earned Mr. Football semifinalist kudos. girls’ soccer: The Lady Spartans posted a strong regular season record of 12-4-1.
Webb's Lady Spartans (above) dominated this year’s TSSAA Division II-AA State Cross-Country Championships, grabbing both the girls’ team title and top-10 individual finishes. In addition, senior Spartan running sensation Colin Eckerman (right) won the varsity boys’ race, setting a new meet and school record of 14:51.54. At the 2023 KIL Championships, Webb’s girls successfully defended their team title and Eckerman finished runner-up.
Lady Spartans cruise to state cross-country title, Eckerman sets records with boys’ crosscountry victory Webb School’s Lady Spartan varsity cross-country team dominated this year’s TSSAA Division II-AA State Cross-Country Championships in Hendersonville, Tennessee, grabbing both the girls’ team title and top-10 individual finishes. In addition, senior Spartan running sensation Colin Eckerman won the varsity boys’ race, setting a new meet and school record. Webb’s girls posted a winning team total of 41, well ahead of last year’s state champion Harpeth Hall (62). Four of Webb’s competitors finished in the top 10, led by sophomore Jazzlyn Garmer who placed fourth in a time of 18:05.74. Twin sister Calysta Garmer took seventh (18:19.49), while classmate Carolina Areheart grabbed the eighth-place spot among the 119 competitors in a time of 18:25.26. Kristina Weaver ’25 finished 10th, clocking in a time of 18:53.88, and senior Lauren Davis rounded out the Lady Spartans’ top five finishers with a 12th-place showing (19:18.19). Freshman Ariana Vargas was 17th at the state contest, finishing in a time of 19:33.74, and Ellie Simpson ’24 was 34th (20:29.64). Shattering the school record he set at this year’s Jesse Owens Classic (14:55), where he took fourth, Colin Eckerman, a Furman University signee, crossed the finish line at the 2023 DII-AA boys’ state championship in a winning meet and new school record time of 14:51.54. Zach Vickers ’24 was the Spartans’ second finisher with a 25th-place showing in a time of 16:25.20. Sophomore Cosey Baker was 62nd (18:19.58) out of the 108 runners, while seniors Morgan McNally (19:00.22) and Jackson Anderson (19:03.86) finished 78th and 79th respectively. Freshman Tate Sterrett took 82nd (19:21.80). The Webb boys posted a team total of 245 for their eighth-place finish at state.
golf: The Spartan boys’ team took third in the East
Region. Senior Tate Woodruff won the tournament in a one-hole playoff shot, while Palmer Sykes, a Tennessee Tech signee, finished fifth in the girls’ contest. Woodruff tied for 12th in individual play at the Division II-AA state tournament. Sykes placed 15th.
volleyball: Webb completed the regular season
with a record of 29-6 under varsity head coach Ellen McGill, and finished in the Elite 8 of the TSSAA Division II-AA state tournament.
MIDDLE SCHOOL football: The Middle School Spartans boasted an undefeated season with a 6-0 record! cross country: Both boys’ and girls’ teams
placed seventh in the area championships. Four girls and three boys qualified for state as individuals.
volleyball: The Lady Spartans posted a regular season record of 4-8. In the post-season tournament, they finished fourth. girls’ soccer: Facing large public schools in the
top division of the Goal Soccer League, the Lady Spartans posted a 5-1-2 regular season record and recorded a final 6-2-2 record after post-season play.
softball: Playing against teams from much larger
programs in the area, the Lady Spartans finished their inaugural season with a 14-4 record!
tennis: The tennis program sported nine boys and girls’ teams, with all players improving their skills and experiencing tournament play. Alumni Bulletin
FALL/WINTER 2023 25
go SPARTANS!
Spartan basketball court dedicated in memory of Shane Webb ’85 In September, Webb’s Development Office hosted a special ceremony to dedicate the school’s Lee Athletic Center basketball court in memory of Webb Class of 1985 graduate Shane Webb. Members of Shane Webb’s family, including his mother, Joyce Webb, Spartan alumni, friends, and former faculty returned to campus for the ceremony and presentation of the Shane Webb Court plaque that now hangs in the Lee Athletic Center lobby. A multi-sport athlete, scholar and friend to many during his Webb School days, Shane Webb went on to attend Vanderbilt University where he made the Commodores’ basketball team as a walk-on. Tragically, he passed away in an automobile accident his sophomore year while driving back to Knoxville to see his family. Webb’s parents, Carlos and Joyce Webb, along with his Spartan classmates, established the school’s Shane Webb Award in 1987. In recognition of academic and athletic excellence, the award is given to a Spartan senior who is committed to the ideals of hard work, the importance of higher academic training and a career of service to others. Presented each year during Webb’s Upper School Special Awards Day, the Shane Webb Award includes a financial grant for after college to help cover the cost of the recipient’s advanced education in the field of medicine, including physical therapy, medicine, veterinary medicine, dentistry, psychiatry, or psychology. According to Webb Director of Development and Class of 1985 alum, Hugh Nystrom, Shane Webb was a friend to everyone in his class. “Shane was a top scholar and one of our best athletes,” Nystrom said during his remarks at the dedication ceremony. “His hard work and example made all of us
26 Webb School of Knoxville
(above) Family, friends, Spartan alumni, and former faculty returned to campus for the dedication of Webb's Shane Webb Court and the presentation of the Shane Webb Court plaque (right) that now hangs in the Lee Athletic Center lobby. (below, right) Webb Class of 2019 Shane Webb Award recipient, Jahlil Jefferson, with Shane Webb's mother, Joyce Webb, at September's dedication ceremony in the Lee Athletic Center.
better. I’m grateful that we will always remember him and what he stood for through the naming of this court.” Webb graduate Jahlil Jefferson, who received the Shane Webb Award in 2019, attended the ceremony and extended his appreciation for the award and to Joyce Webb for her generosity in enabling him to pursue a career in physical therapy. Jefferson is a graduate of the University of Virginia's College at Wise with a Bachelor of Arts in exercise science, and is applying to physical therapy schools. “I’m very grateful to receive this scholarship and I am honored to be a part of the Shane Webb legacy,” Jefferson said. “With this award, I am another step closer to reaching my goal of becoming a physical therapist.” For Webb School President Ansel Sanders, the recent dedication ceremony was reflective of Webb’s community; one that is grounded in a culture of care and deep connection. “Everything about this moment – dedicating this court to Shane Webb,
gathering as classmates, friends and family of Shane, celebrating his life, and paying it forward through the Shane Webb scholarship established by Mr. and Mrs. Webb – reflects our Webb School culture,” Sanders told the event’s guests. “It’s a reminder, too, that while Webb’s campus has undergone significant changes since Shane’s time here,” Sanders added, “the Webb School spirit is a strong bond that continues to span across years and generations. We’re grateful for the Webb family and for Shane, and are proud to dedicate our basketball court as the Shane Webb Court.”
Webb track & field athletes showcase gold medal performances at state
T
op five finishes, gold-medal performances and shattered school records spotlighted Webb's appearance at the 2023 TSSAA Division II-AA Track & Field Championships. Completing a gold-medal trifecta, Lennox Langham ’25 won the girls’ triple jump state title for the third straight year, recording a distance of 39-01. An All-State track & field and volleyball athlete, Langham also finished state runner-up in the long jump with a PR of 18-04.50. Carolina Areheart ’26 took first in the girls’ 1600 in a time of 5:06.45 and teamed up with Kristina Weaver ’25 and sisters Calysta ’26 and Jazzlyn ’26 (above) Lennox Langham Garmer to bring home gold and set a new school record in the girls’ 4 x 800m relay (9:23.37). Jazzlyn (2:19.94) and Calysta (2:20.90) Garmer also grabbed second and third place, respectively, in the 800 meters. Michael Conley ’24 posted a PR and new school record in the boys’ long jump at state, with a bronze medal leap of 22-06.25. Classmate Ari Klasky PR’d in the boys’ discus with a fourth-place and new school record distance of 158-09. Webb’s outstanding showing at this year’s state championship marked a fitting conclusion to an exemplary season that included multiple medal-winning efforts. Read more at: webbschool.org/athletics/news.
>>
SPARTAN SHOUTOUT Lacy Young ’28 proved to be a triple threat at the 2023 Knox County Middle School Track & Field Championships. Young brought home gold in the girls’ 100 (12.44), 200 (25.93) and 400-meter (59.95) sprints – setting PRs in all three and a new school record in the 400 – and led her Lady Spartans to a bronze medal finish. At the championships, she was voted Girls’ Sprints MVP and Overall Girls’ MVP of the Meet by area coaches.
Both Webb Middle School boys’ and girls’ “A” basketball teams swept the 2023 KISL Basketball Division 1 Championships. The Spartans defeated Emerald Academy to claim the boys’ title while the Lady Spartans won 35-27 over The King’s Academy for the KISL crown. In addition, the girls’ “B” squad finished runner-up in the JV Girls Basketball Division 1 Tournament.
Photos by Brennan Checkalski, Maryville College; Ruth White, Knoxville News Sentinel; Clay Shaw, Women's Running Stories; Pro Photo
THEY'VE GOT GAME
S P A R T A N S P O R T S S H O R T S
BASKETBALL Spartan shooting guard Lukas Walls ’23 was named 2023 Mr. Basketball for Division II-AA. The Samford University signee helped propel his Spartans to the 2023 DII-AA state semifinals. Walls is a two-time TSWA All-State player and averaged 22 points per game his senior season. He also recorded an average of 6 rebounds and 3 assists per game and held a three-point percentage of 45 percent and an 81 percent mark from the free-throw line. He is the second TSSAA Mr. Basketball winner in Spartan basketball program history. Webb alum Dwight Tarwater ’10 received the award in 2010 for Division II-A .
TRACK & FIELD .
.
Lady Spartan cross country and track & field phenoms Peighton Meske ’15 and Amber Zimmerman ’10 have both met the qualifying standards for the United States Olympic Marathon Trials for Paris 2024. Meske clocked a qualifying time of 2:36.33 at the Carmel Marathon in Carmel, Indiana, in April 2023, while Zimmerman’s winning time of 2:31.35 at the November 2022 AACR Philadelphia Marathon earned her a berth to the Olympic Trials.
BASKETBALL
Myles Rasnick ’18 signed with the Polish pro basketball club Miasto Szkła Krosno. Rasnick graduated from Maryville College where he was a three-time All-Conference First Team selection and led the Scots to their third straight regular-season conference title. He is also a Division III All-American. Rasnick says that he is extremely grateful for this latest career opportunity. “Not many people get to play their favorite sport as their profession and travel around the world while doing so,” he said. “I’m also thankful for the coaches, mentors and friends who have helped me along my basketball journey.” Alumni Bulletin
FALL/WINTER 2023 27
WEBB ATHLETICS INITIATIVE OFFERS LOWER SCHOOLERS HEALTHY COMPETITION, OPPORTUNITY TO EXPLORE DIFFERENT SPORTS UNDER MENTORSHIP OF SPARTAN COACHES, ATHLETES AS WEBB’S STUDENT SECTION AND cheerleaders formed the traditional student tunnel at the Webb vs. Silverdale home varsity football game, this past September, and the huge Webb Spartans banner was raised for player introductions, a group of ‘FUTURE’ Spartans excitedly lined up to take the field with the Men in Green. Bursting through the banner and to the cheers of the Spartan crowd ran 25-plus Lower School boys and girls – all participants of Webb’s newest athletics initiative, FUTURES. Introduced for fall 2023 for both flag football and volleyball, FUTURES allows for Webb Lower School students to explore and sample different sports under the tutelage 28 Webb School of Knoxville
of Spartan varsity and Middle School coaches and athletes. Participants are provided the opportunity to try something new alongside their peers in a fun, low stress environment, while the older players take on the role of mentors and leaders. The result is a win-win that helps forge connections and a sense of community for all involved. FUTURES was able to get off the ground this past summer through its membership in the KISL (Knoxville Independent School League). Word about the program spread quickly and by late August, a total of 40-plus young athletes could be seen “going long” at David Meske Stadium or learning to set, serve and spike in Webb’s Lee Athletic Center.
According to Ricky Norris, Webb Assistant Athletic Director and Head Varsity Boys’ Basketball Coach, the genesis of the FUTURES program was born out of a desire to “build an early connection between our middle and high school teams and the Lower School students and families here on campus,” says Norris. “Our goal is to offer quality instruction and at the same time, have some fun while developing meaningful relationships within our community.” For Dodie Montgomery, Webb Lower School physical education teacher and FUTURES League Coordinator, the program adeptly aligns with Webb’s athletic department’s vision and the mission of
(far left) Participants in FUTURES’ flag football league experience the thrill of running through the Webb Spartans banner at the Spartans vs. Silverdale Seahawks varsity football game, September 1, at David Meske Stadium. (left) Webb Middle School volleyball team member Halle Kickliter ’28 gives a lesson on volleying at a FUTURES volleyball practice. (below) At the Webb vs. Silverdale game, FUTURES flag football players were invited to join the varsity football team in the Spartans’ locker room for a pregame message from head football coach, Don Mahoney.
MEET THE
FUTURES CORE TEAM
DODIE MONTGOMERY Webb Lower School P.E. Teacher FUTURES League Coordinator DON MAHONEY Webb Head Varsity Football Coach Associate Director of Student-Athlete Development FUTURES Football Coach ELLEN MCGILL Webb Head Varsity Volleyball Coach FUTURES Volleyball Coach
Webb School. “The FUTURES program now serves as the foundational structure of the athletic experience at Webb School,” says Montgomery. “Lower School participants learn the core principles of competition under the mentorship of experienced Webb athletes. It provides opportunities for character building within the structure of Webb’s established athletic model. “Through this program, young studentathletes are exposed to an environment where they will be learning the fundamentals of healthy competition. As a Lower School physical education instructor, I have already
witnessed the students’ enthusiasm. So, I’m especially excited to be a part of bringing FUTURES to our community.” Response to FUTURES has been overwhelmingly positive (see page 28) and FUTURES teams in both girls’ and boys’ basketball have been added to the program. Plus, conversations are taking place with Spartan coaches about implementing FUTURES leagues in other Webb sports in the months ahead. Go Spartans!
KRISTIN KICKLITER Webb Head Middle School Volleyball Coach FUTURES Volleyball Coach DAN GILL Webb Athletic Director RICKY NORRIS Webb Assistant Athletic Director LEAH ROBERTS Webb Athletics Administrative Assistant
Alumni Bulletin
FALL/WINTER 2023 29
What they’re saying . . .
“
We are so excited to take advantage of the FUTURES volleyball program at Webb! This new offering has enabled Caroline to sample volleyball and explore whether it is something she would like to pursue. She enjoys learning the fundamentals alongside friends and absolutely loves that Upper School students assist with coaching. It is low-key, low stakes and low stress while giving a chance for students to have fun with peers while trying something new. There are many athletic opportunities to choose from at Webb, and the FUTURES program is a great way to explore a sport so your child can decide if it is something they would like to continue as they approach middle school.” Jim & Lauren Curtis FUTURES volleyball parents
“
It’s been awesome to give back to an athletic community that has helped me out so much. It’s the best feeling to help the kids have fun and compete and learn to love a sport that means so much to me. Whether they stick with football or not, these kids are the foundation for Webb’s athletic future.” Cooper Cameron ’24 Spartan varsity football player/FUTURES coach
“
We want to grow the game of volleyball on campus. FUTURES provides opportunities for older players to mentor, while younger kids get to discover the sport of volleyball and experience healthy competition. This program helps develop future leaders and will promote a sense of community within the volleyball program.” Ellen McGill Webb Head Varsity Volleyball Coach/ FUTURES volleyball coach
30 Webb School of Knoxville
“
It’s great that Webb has developed this program so that kids can try different sports at a young age. FUTURES is so meaningful to me, because I have the opportunity to work with the girls and help them improve on their volleyball skills. I’ve loved coaching at volleyball camps in the summer and now, FUTURES allows me to continue that work throughout the school year.” Landyn Langham ’24 Lady Spartan varsity volleyball player/ FUTURES coach
“
For us, the FUTURES program has reached far beyond simply introducing basketball and football concepts to Connor. It has demonstrated to us a strong commitment from coaches and varsity players to build excitement and energy for sports within the youngest Spartans. The varsity coaches have shown such involvement and commitment to kids, and Connor absolutely loves the interaction with those players. They have generously shared their knowledge and time with him and his teammates. Bravo FUTURES program!” David & Gina Farmer FUTURES football/basketball parents
Learn more about Webb’s FUTURES clinics and leagues at: webbschool.org/futures.
focus on FACULTY David Meske inducted into TSSAA Hall of Fame
Denia Kirk drops her latest Sketch Eclectic video (left) Album cover for Sketch Eclectic's first album in 2020.
Retired Spartan head football coach and athletic director, David Meske, was inducted into the TSSAA Hall of Fame for 2023. He was one of nine inductees to be honored at the annual TSSAA luncheon in Murfreesboro in April 2023. A Greater Knoxville Sports Hall of Fame inductee, Meske has won multiple coach of the year and athletic director awards at the local and state levels, including: PrepXtra and KIL Coach of the Year honors, the Amateur Football Award presented by the East Tennessee National Football Foundation Hall of Fame, and an A.F. Bridges Athletic Director Award. In addition, he was a finalist for the NFL High School Coach of the Year
and is a TSSAA Distinguished Service Award winner.
Lower School art teacher, Denia Kirk, and her husband Darin Starr, head up the power rock band, Sketch Eclectic (@SketchEclecticBand). They dropped their latest song and music video, titled The War Inside You, in September 2023. Sketch Eclectic released their first original album, Search and Recovery, in 2020 and have been going strong ever since. Teaming up with music producer and former Webb parent Travis Wyrick, Sketch Eclectic has released multiple videos and sound tracks. The band now has it own video production business, Sketchy Studios, and is busy producing their new releases and working on promotions with other artists.
(above) Webb alum Mary Johnson ’12 during a Dark Shadows podcast.
Alum Mary Johnson ’12 voices McCray’s Dark Shadows audiobooks
Following his 2021 bestseller, The Dark Shadows Daybook, Patrick McCray, Webb Upper School drama teacher and creator and author of the award-winning website, The Collinsport Historical Society, released The Dark Shadows Daybook Unbound on Amazon in July 2023, and it is now available as an audiobook. Webb alum Mary Johnson ’12 volunteered to serve as a reader for both the Dark Shadows Daybook and Dark Shadows Daybook Unbound audio versions. Johnson was asked to join McCray on a Dark Shadows podcast to pr0vide her perspectives about the iconic Gothic soap opera of the late ’60s/early ’70s and to describe her experience in developing the audiobook editions.
BREAKING THE ICE As an Upper School French and Spanish teacher and assistant Spartan cross-country/track coach, Samantha Haase has had to wear multiple hats. Now, she has added one more hat – or rather helmet – to her resumé: coaching the Knoxville area’s first all-girls youth hockey team. Harkening back to her childhood roots in Wisconsin where she played hockey, Haase, who also competed in Division III women’s hockey at Middlebury College, is helping to lead the Smoky Mountain Lady Wild, comprised of girls ages 12 and under, including five Webb students. The team has played several games and tournaments, including a scrimmage with the Greenville Warrior Princesses from South Carolina (pictured with Haase at far right and her Lady Wild team). The Lady Wild also hosted a Southern Girls Hockey League tournament and another is scheduled for February with squads from Florida, North and South Carolina, Georgia, and Nashville. Alumni Bulletin
FALL/WINTER 2023 31
always a SPARTAN
(right) Bill Arbo ’75, holding his Greater Knoxville Sports Hall of Fame award, poses with family members following the GKSHF Dinner & Induction Ceremony at the Knoxville Convention Center.
Spartan football legend, UT Vol Bill Arbo ’75 inducted into Greater Knox Sports Hall of Fame Boys & Girls Clubs of the Tennessee Valley continued its tradition of honoring the area’s finest athletes at the 42nd Annual Greater Knoxville Sports Hall of Fame (GKSHF) Dinner & Induction Ceremony in August. Webb Class of 1975 alum Bill Arbo, a Webb Spartan and University of Tennessee Vol football standout, and now a pastor in Jacksboro, Tennessee, was among the inductees to be celebrated. Each year, ten local individuals are inducted into the GKSHF for their achievements in athletics, coaching, sports administration, or officiating. Considered one of the most prestigious sports recognition ceremonies in the nation, the event also serves to benefit Boys & Girls Clubs of the Tennessee Valley. Regarded as one of Knoxville’s most decorated high school athletes of the 1970s era, Bill Arbo built an illustrious athletic career at Webb School that included success in multiple sports like football, basketball, track & field, and baseball. As a sophomore, he earned KIL All-Star Team alternate kudos in football and was selected to the All-KIL Boys’ Basketball Second Team. The following year, playing quarterback for the Spartans, Arbo was the Knoxville Football League’s (KFL) third-leading scorer with 17 touchdowns and propelled Webb to a seventh-place ranking in the state A division, picking up All-KFL honors along the way. He also received an All-KIL Tournament team nod in basketball and brought home gold as a member of the Spartans’ 880 relay team that took first in the KIL track & field championships. As a member of Webb’s inaugural baseball team his junior season, Arbo garnered All-County, All-District and All-KIL player accolades and was named Most Valuable Player in KIL. The fall of 1974 proved to be Arbo and his Spartan football team’s breakout season with a record of 9-1 in regular season play and a fifth-place ranking in the Tennessee AP high school poll. The senior quarterback grabbed AP Top ‘A’ Player in the state recognition, made the All-East Tennessee and All-State teams, and was voted the KFL’s Player of the Year. He also earned high school All-American distinction and was considered one of the top college football prospects in Tennessee. Arbo finished out his Webb high school athletic career with All-KIL, All-KIL Tournament team and All-State Honorable Mention praise for his play on the basketball court, while in baseball, he was named All-KIL. He went on to play as a wide receiver for the UT Vols from 1976 to 1978,
32 Webb School of Knoxville
(left) Bill Arbo with his Spartan football teammates (l to r) Steve Arnett ’77, Jamie Johnson ’77, Kenan Smith ’76, Rob Morris ’75, Dean Smith ’75, Mark Dore ’75, and Mark Vesser ’76 following the GKSHF Dinner & Induction Ceremony, August 31.
posting a collegiate career total of 664 receiving yards and three touchdowns in 33 games. While athletics has played a major role in his life, Arbo has looked to his faith as the cornerstone of his professional and personal career. After graduating from UT, Arbo spent several years in business before deciding to devote himself to ministry. For nine years, he and his wife, Cheryl, worked as missionaries in the southernmost parts of Brazil. Arbo is serving his ninth term as lead pastor for Jacksboro’s First Baptist Church. Several of the church’s members are the founders of the first Tennessee chapter (Knoxville Northwest) of Sleep in Heavenly Peace (SHP), a national nonprofit that builds beds and provides bedding for children in need. Bill Thompson, a First Baptist member, is chapter president of SHP in the Knoxville area. Last year, Webb’s Middle School Interact Club hosted a bake sale to provide funds for the Knoxville SHP branch. Together with a $500 matching gift from Rotary Club of Knoxville, the Middle School Spartans presented a check for $1,625 to Thompson to support SHP’s volunteer efforts. Bill and Cheryl Arbo have two sons, Matthew and Patrick, and seven grandchildren. Arbo is the latest among a distinguished group of Webb School of Knoxville community members to be inducted into the GKSHF, including Vance Link ’67, David Meske, Chad Pennington ’95, Elliott Stroupe, and Davis Tarwater ’02.
Acclaimed author, historian, Pulitzer Prize finalist Victoria Johnson ’87 honored with Distinguished Alumni Award
S
partan Class of 1987 graduate, American historian, acclaimed author, and Pulitzer Prize finalist, Victoria Johnson is the recipient of Webb School's Distinguished Alumni Award for 2023. Considered one of the highest awards conferred upon a member of Webb School’s alumni body, the Distinguished Alumni Award is presented annually to an alum whose business or professional accomplishments and service to others exemplify the goals of Webb School in the spirit of its motto, Principes Non Homines – Leaders Not Men. Johnson is Professor of Urban Policy and Planning at Hunter College of the City University of New York where she teaches on philanthropy, nonprofits, art management, and the history of New York City. After earning her Bachelor of Arts in philosophy from Yale University where she also studied music and art history, Johnson moved to Germany to spend a year at the Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin. She completed her Ph.D. in sociology from Columbia University. Her dissertation, titled Backstage at the Revolution: How the Royal Paris Opera Survived the End of the Old Regime, was published by The University of Chicago Press in 2008. Johnson went on to teach at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, becoming a tenured associate professor. After returning to New York City in 2015 to join Hunter College, she was named a Birkelund Fellow at the Cullman Center for Scholars and Writers of the New
York Public Library and completed the book, American Eden: David Hosack, Botany, and Medicine in the Garden of the Early Republic, a biography of the charismatic and brilliant doctor, David Hosack, who served at the Hamilton-Burr duel in 1804. When American Eden was published in 2018, it received rave reviews in the national media and led to an ongoing book tour for Johnson that has so far included over 150 appearances in the United States and United Kingdom. Named a New York Times Notable Book of 2018, American Eden was also a finalist for the 2018 National Book Award in Nonfiction and the 2018 Los Angeles Times Book Prize in Biography. It was also one of just two finalists for the 2019 Pulitzer Prize in History. Johnson also received a Guggenheim Fellowship for Biography in support of her current book project, a biography of the painter, landscape architect and environmentalist Frederic Edwin Church. While Johnson was unable to return to the Webb campus to accept her Distinguished Alumni Award in September, she provided a special video message that was shared with Webb students. The following are some highlights from her presentation about her experiences at Webb and how they shaped her career and life. Johnson expressed her gratitude for having adults around her at Webb School who modeled enthusiasm. “Throughout my four years at Webb, I was surrounded by teachers who showed their passion for teaching and learning, and took my budding passions for literature and writing seriously,” she said. Former Upper School English teachers Warren Heiser and Ginna Mashburn, in particular, pushed Johnson to be a better writer. “Not a day goes by in my life as a professional writer
when I don’t use something they taught me. And I so often think of them with undying gratitude for their care, their brilliance and their enthusiasm,” she added. Johnson’s teachers at Webb made her feel valuable. “They made me feel I was worth their time and effort,” she recalled. “They took care in grading my papers and they took my budding love of writing seriously, and they challenged me.” Johnson noted that as a professor, she strives to hold her students to the same standards and to let them know that they are valued. “And that part of my teaching is a legacy of my time at Webb,” she stated. Johnson used the rest of her message to share her thoughts about enthusiasm, contending that “being enthusiastic about something or more than one thing is the surest way to wake up happy every day,” she said. “Especially if you can figure out a way to do it for your job.” That happiness is also affected by the people around you, according to Johnson. “If you’re enthusiastic about something and other people mock you for it, then find other people,” she advised. “If you can’t get away from the negativity, try to listen to the people who support you; who are excited for your success or just your perseverance.” As for enthusiasm in one’s work, Johnson harkened back to the time when she struggled to finish her first book, which she started in graduate school. “I had so many struggles; I thought I couldn’t finish," she admitted. However, she powered through and finished her book and Ph.D. Johnson encouraged Webb’s students to find ways to persevere and to practice and learn. Doing so will give rise to a true, deep enthusiasm that will help shape a rich and fulfilling life, she noted, adding, “that rich and fulling life, that enthusiasm, those great people around you, that hard work, and that sense of achievement and bliss . . . that is what I wish for you.” Alumni Bulletin
FALL/WINTER 2023 33
always a SPARTAN
SPARTAN ALUMNI WEEKEND SEPTEMBER 21-23 • 2023 Webb School’s all-alumni party was one of the highlights of this year’s Spartan Alumni Weekend. It was great to have so many Webb graduates come together on campus to reconnect and enjoy wonderful food, drink and company. The event also included a “Night at the Museum” archives tour. Old class and department banners and Princeps yearbooks representing all alumni classes were put on display for guests to peruse in Webb’s Central Building Multipurpose Room. 34 Webb School of Knoxville
The Spartan classes of 2003 and 2013 also used the evening to host happy hour get-togethers for classmates in Webb's Upper School Commons and the Middle School Governor's Center for Innovation. Other highlights of Spartan Alumni Weekend 2023 included recognition of Webb's Distinguished Alumni Award recipient, Victoria Johnson ’87 (page 31), and Webb's Alumni Achievement Awards luncheon (page 34).
MORE TO CELEBRATE: The Webb classes of 1993 (above), 1983 (far right), and 1978 (right) gathered on September 22 to celebrate their 30th, 40th and 45th reunions, respectively, during Spartan Alumni Weekend. Alumni Bulletin
FALL/WINTER 2023 35
ALUMNI ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS WEBB SCHOOL OF KNOXVILLE’S ALUMNI ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS ARE PRESENTED
1
3
5
2
4
6
ANNUALLY TO THOSE ALUMNI WHO HAVE DISTINGUISHED THEMSELVES IN THEIR RESPECTIVE CAREERS AND HAVE ACHIEVED OUTSTANDING SUCCESS IN THEIR CHOSEN PROFESSIONS WHILE UPHOLDING THE MISSION OF WEBB SCHOOL. For Webb School's annual Alumni Achievement Awards luncheon, September 22, 2023, during Spartan Alumni Weekend, 12 Spartan alumni, nominated by their classmates and representing the reunion classes of 1963, 1968, 1973, 1978, 1983,
1
1988, 1993, 1998, 2003, 2008, 2013, and 2018 were honored. We are pleased to present this year's Alumni Achievement Award recipients. 36 Webb School of Knoxville
2
Steve Koella ’63
3
Dorn Kile ’68
4
Insurance Agent, Vietnam Veteran Herron-Connell Insurance Group
Former Teacher & Coach Webb School of Knoxville
Molly Leach Pratt ’73
5 Carole Patterson Zoom ’83
Bill Snodgrass ’78
6
Partner Pratt Government Strategies, Inc.
SES Member & AFMC Director United States Air Force
Executive Director Nā Keiki O Emalia
Clint Brewer ’88
Founder/Principal Imperium Public Strategies
7
8
7
9
11
8
10
12
Kimberly Yatteau Quigley ’93
9
Eric Yang ’98
10 Abhit Bhandari ’08
Founder & CEO Onrise
Founder & CEO Gear Patrol
Ralston Baker ’03
VP of Global Supply Chain GE Healthcare
Assistant Professor, Poli Sci Vanderbilt University
11 Rachel Sapp ’13 Product Manager Bloomberg
12 Will Rice ’18
Manager/Operator Family Dairy Farm
Learn more about our 2023 Alumni Achievement Award winners at: webbalumni.org/awards. Alumni Bulletin
FALL/WINTER 2023 37
always a SPARTAN STRENGTH IN NUMBERS
108+
CONTINUING THE CONNECTION
Three of Webb School’s longest serving employees – David Meske, Lyn Meske and Terri Tarvin Ward ’75 – retired in May 2023. These individuals contributed a combined 108-plus years of service to Webb and have touched the lives of thousands of Spartan graduates. We are so grateful for their enduring legacy and contributions to our school community. David Meske came to Webb School in 1984 and took over the Spartan football program a year later. Coach Meske led his Spartans to seven state football titles. His teams finished state runners-up three times, reached post-season play 28 times, played in 16 state semifinals, and made 10 state championship appearances. Under Meske’s tutelage, 11 Spartans were named Mr. Football finalists and/or winners. His coaching career at Webb also included head wrestling coach, assistant baseball coach and head boys’ and girls’ track coach. During his tenure as athletic director, Meske oversaw the addition of 26 teams to the school’s athletic program. Lyn Meske, an integral and treasured member of the Webb School community for 36 years, formerly served as Secretary to the Dean of College Counseling and then as Executive Assistant to the President for the next 26 years. Lyn Meske was twice presented with Webb’s Donald L. Tarvin Award (2008, 2023) for exceptional leadership and service. Prior to attending Webb School, Terri Tarvin Ward ’75 spent many hours on the school campus with her father, Don Tarvin, whose career at Webb included teacher, coach, camp director, and plant manager. She was a Camp Webb director in the 1970s and later joined Webb’s music department in 1990, where she taught choral classes and AP music theory and co-directed the school musicals. Recipient of Webb’s 2003 Distinguished Alumni Award and the 2023 Robert Webb Service Award, Ward was fine arts department chair until 2005 when she moved up the hill to become Upper School Dean of Faculty and later, Coordinator of Assessment and Student Life.
38 Webb School of Knoxville
(above & right) Members of Webb's Alumni Association and Young Alumni Board gathered for a joint meeting with school administrators earlier this fall to discuss the state of Webb School and the importance of alumni engagement in enriching the school community.
To complement this year’s Spartan Alumni Weekend, Webb’s Alumni Affairs Office hosted an alumni panel during an Upper School Chapel. Spartan graduates (seated, l to r) Ellie Johnson ’10, Todd Kelly Jr. ’14, Julia Cook ’18, and Luke Bibee ’21 were asked to give their perspectives on the importance of perseverance and grit in school and in the workplace, and to recall who at Webb School made a lasting impact on them and their career paths.
Shared bonds:
Additional Spartan alumni happenings this past fall and summer helped to strengthen our graduates’ ties with Webb School and with each other; weaving together shared memories and future connections.
(above & right) W-E-B-B! Former Spartan cheerleaders showed their Spartan Spirit at a reunion during halftime of the Webb vs. Chattanooga Christian football game, September 15.
(right) Clint Graves ’13 returned to the Upper School to speak in Amanda Rowcliffe’s philosophy and Cindy Meyer’s Research Scholars classes in October. Graves is a communications scholar and visiting faculty member in the Department of Interdisciplinary and Communication Studies at Miami University, Oxford. Author of numerous scholarly articles on communication, social cognition, rhetoric, and evaluative discourse, just to name a few, Graves provided insight into the scholarly research process. (far right, top to bottom) Young alumni get-together at Yee Haw Brewing in Knoxville in July; Alumni Thirsty Thursday at Knoxville's Topgolf in June; Spartan alumni meet up in July at Nashville's Bearded Iris Brewing.
Alumni Bulletin
FALL/WINTER 2023 39
class NOTES
Class Notes Highlights ALL CLASS NOTES ARE NOW ONLINE! NOTES ARE REGULARLY UPDATED AND ARE POSTED BY THE MOST RECENT ENTRY.
Read all the latest class news and submit your news by going to https://shorturl.at/abpqT or scanning the above QR code.
’90s For the past five years, Freddie Brabson ’91 has been the lead house organist at the Tennessee Theatre in Knoxville, playing the theater’s Mighty Wurlitzer organ. In connection with the historic theater’s 95th anniversary as a Gay Street landmark and Brabson’s five-year milestone, the musician was the subject of a two-part story about the theater’s two organists, published in the News Sentinel’s Shopper News.
40 Webb School of Knoxville
J.R. Greene ’93 is CEO of Psychiatric Medical Care, one of the largest behavioral healthcare management companies in the United States, with 300 hospital and health system partners across more than 35 states. He is a fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives and a faculty member at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center. He joined the Nashville Health Care Council’s Board of Directors in 2023 and graduated from the council’s Class of Fellows in 2017. That same year, he received the Healthcare Hero Award from the Nashville Business Journal. A graduate of Texas Christian University with a bachelor’s degree in business administration and a master’s in business administration from the University of Tennessee, Greene drew national attention as the “Big Orange Tux Guy” when he led UT’s football team onto the field for the 1999 Fiesta Bowl national championship game. Scan the below QR code to access the full story at espn.com.
Mike Lu ’99 is co-founder and CEO at Triller, the Al-powered music video app that lets users create and share short-form, celebrity-quality videos in seconds.
’00s Community activist www.aftynbehn.com/ Aftyn Behn ’08 (right) of Nashville defeated David Hooven in the general election, September 14, for the House District 51 seat, becoming the first woman to represent Tennessee House District 51 in 50 years. She also earned the distinction of becoming the youngest woman and the only woman representing Nashville to serve in the Tennessee House. The district race was the first political campaign for Behn, who is the campaign director for Rural Organizing, a national organization aimed at mobilizing rural communities around progressive policy issues. She was also an organizer with the Tennessee Justice Center and Indivisible.
’10s Sam Friedlander ’12 (below) is the Senior Manager of Advocacy and Policy for Sesame Workshop’s humanitarian programs, where she works on translating evidence and learnings to advocacy assets. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in linguistics from the University of Pennsylvania and a Master’s in Development Practice from Emory University.
Former Lady Spartan basketball standout Katie Collier Wright ’15 (above) and now head girls’ basketball coach at Soddy Daisy High School was awarded District Coach of the Year. Since taking over the program in 2021, Wright has helped produce the strongest program record for Lady Trojans basketball in over 20 years. Zack Tieng ’19 (left) graduated from the United States Naval Academy with a Bachelor of Science degree in robotics and control engineering, and was commissioned into the U.S. Navy as an Ensign. He has service selected to Naval Aviation. After commissioning, Tieng heads to Pensacola, Florida, to attend flight school to become a Navy pilot.
[ passages] CLASS OF 1995
Wes Carpenter passed away March 3, 2023.
CLASS OF 2003
Adam Allen passed away August 28, 2023.
CLASS OF 2005
Brian Bibee passed away October 29, 2023.
David Pierce, “Brotha Dave,” former Webb Upper School math teacher and founder of Webb's robotics program, passed away November 8, 2023.
SNAPSHOT
A double rainbow, and some say they saw a triple rainbow, broke through the clouds at David Meske Stadium during halftime of the Webb vs. Grace Christian Academy football game, October 6. Perhaps a sign of good fortune for the Spartans who went on to win the game, 42-9.
Alumni Bulletin
FALL/WINTER 2023 41
GIVING BACK
Finbarr Saunders ’62 & Steve Koella ’63 FINBARR SAUNDERS’ life has been intertwined with a commitment to service. After graduating from Transylvania University, Saunders entered the military as a first lieutenant in the U.S. Army and completed a tour in Vietnam. He then returned to Knoxville and began a long and successful career in banking and accounting. He has served in elected office on both the Knox County Commission and the Knoxville City Council. A Leadership Knoxville graduate, Saunders has volunteered for numerous boards and commissions throughout East Tennessee. STEVE KOELLA’s life after Webb has been highlighted by a dedication to service, first in the military, then in the professional and political arenas. After graduating from the University of Tennessee, Koella served as a first lieutenant in the U.S. Army in Vietnam. He went on to work for Rockford Manufacturing and then as an executive in the insurance industry. Koella has participated in multiple political campaigns and was even elected mayor of Rockford, Tennessee.
What is your most memorable/funny Webb moment? SAUNDERS: “Two vivid memories come to mind. One involves Jack Hanna’s Chapel Talk on rabbits and the other is from when we had a flood in our classroom space at Sequoyah Hills Presbyterian Church. My schoolmates and I spent the entire Friday helping to remove the water by bucket brigade.” KOELLA: “My most cherished memories are all from the times I spent in Mr. Webb’s office, because of demerits . . . time and discipline I richly deserved! Another great memory was how my graduating from Webb School drove my uncles and brother crazy, because they had all gone to McCallie!”
Why do you give to Webb School? SAUNDERS: “I met a lot of my lifelong friends at Webb School; Steve Koella being one of them. Webb provided me with a solid grounding for life. I think it is important to support the school so that tradition can continue.” KOELLA: “Some of my best friends are the ones I made at Webb School. I have four grandchildren and numerous nephews, nieces and cousins who graduated from Webb. I hope my gifts will enable current students to have the same experiences and opportunities that Webb provided for me and my family.”
42 Webb School of Knoxville
EVERY SINGLE STUDENT WHO
(above, l to r) Finbarr Saunders and Steve Koella are co-founders of Webb’s Alumni Association.
ATTENDS WEBB SCHOOL IS
(left, l to r) Finbarr Saunders and Steve Koella at Cam Ranh Bay in Vietnam in 1970. Saunders was serving on the general staff at Support Command, while Koella had come to visit from Long Binh Post where he was serving with the 1st Infantry Division.
INSPIRE THEM, PARENTS WHO
ASSISTED BY TEACHERS WHO SUPPORT THEM AND DONORS WHO BELIEVE IN CONTRIBUTING TO WEBB’S MISSION. TO LEARN ABOUT HOW YOU CAN HELP, GO TO: WEBBSCHOOL.ORG/SUPPORT-WEBB.
elements of art
FORTY ARTWORKS BY WEBB MIDDLE AND UPPER SCHOOL STUDENTS WERE SELECTED FOR THE 18TH ANNUAL EAST TENNESSEE REGIONAL STUDENT ART EXHIBITION (ETRSAE) AND SEVERAL RECEIVED AWARDS. OF THE 700-PLUS ENTRIES SUBMITTED FOR THIS YEARS’ SHOW – REPRESENTING 32 EAST TENNESSEE COUNTIES – APPROXIMATELY 350 MADE IT THROUGH THE RIGOROUS JURY PROCESS. BELOW IS A SAMPLING OF OUR WEBB ARTISTS’ WORKS THAT WERE INCLUDED IN THE 2023 ETRSAE AT THE KNOXVILLE MUSEUM OF ART.
ASHTON GARRISON ’28 The Strip Painting
HUXLEY MCCOLLUM ’24 Raining Cats and Dogs Photography
ELIZA ROBERTS ’24 Friday Night Lights Digital Photography
JACKSON WIDENER ’28 Toronto Then and Now Drawing AVERY KRISHNAN ’24 Lost in a Maze Photography
SRISHTY YOGI ’28 Ceramic Cabin Ceramics
MEGHAN ARORA ’28 Depression Square Mixed Media LUCIEN CRANE ’28 Tears of Pele Mixed Media
info (865) 291-3842 • webbschool.org
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SAVE the DATE Be sure to mark your calendar for these upcoming Webb School events.
See you there!
sponsored ArtXtravaganza Art Show & Sale
Grandparents Day
MARCH 1-3
2024
MARCH 28
2024
Golf Tournament
MAY 20
2024