Fine Arts ..................................2

Lower School ..........................3

Middle School ...................4, 13

Upper School ....................5, 13

Athletics..............................6-8

Achievements .........................9

Faculty and Staff ............10-12

Parent Groups .................14-15

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

Annual Report ................16-23

Alumni News ..................24-27

USJ Board .............................27

On theinside …

Math-A-Thon........................2-3Community Service . ...............4

Technology ..........................5-7Fine Arts ............................8-10

Athletics ...........................11-14

Faculty and Staff..............15-17

Achievements .................18-19

Building & Grounds ...............19

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

Summer Camps.....................21

Boots & Bowties....................22

Alumni News ...................23-28

e Magazine University school of Jackson

Spring2015

USJ, The Magazine is published by UniversitySchool of Jackson. Thenext issue is Fall 2015.

232/240 McClellan Rd.Jackson, TN 38305

731.664.0812usjbruins.org

Stuart Hirstein, Head of School

Ben Murphy, Upper School Director

Courtney Burnette, Middle School Director

Debbie Ford, Lower School Director

Kay Shearin, Director ofAdmissions, 731.660.1692

Mary Reed, Editor and Designer, mary@reedmarketing.com

2

On the cover:Fifth grader Brynlee

Butler helps Cub Eden

Perkins count candy

hearts during USJ’s

Math-A-Thon.

COUNT ON

Copiers wPrinters wScanners wSoftwarePrinting and Document Management

Penny Smith 731w697w7890

Kindergarten students danced and cheeredwhile counting to 100, their voices risingwith each set of 10. “Thirty! Forty! Fifty!”

Nearby, Cubs counted and sorted candy hearts withhelp from their reading buddies in fourth grade. Chatter filled the halls.

This was the big day — the day the students gotto wear their pajamas to school and play games withmath while helping other kids their age who are sick.The excitement was shared by every class in LowerSchool, from Junior Cubs through fifth grade, as stu-dents broke a new fundraising record for St. JudeChildren’s Research Hospital during the USJ Math-A-Thon.

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

could,” said Lower School Guidance CounselorLaura Moore.

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

“USJ is one of the absolute best schools we workwith in the country,” said Chris Carkeet, AssociateDirector of Youth Development Programs at ALSACSt. Jude. “We’re just so thrilled to see the kids doingwhat they’re doing to help the kids at St. Jude.”

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

‘Everybody at St. Jude

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

3

“We’re honored to be here,” Carkeet said. “We love USJ, and welove all the kids here. Everybody at St. Jude is just very proud ofthem. This school forever will hold a place in our hearts. Every-body at St. Jude knows USJ.”

While students worked hard collecting donations and solvingmath problems, the mission of St. Jude remained a focus. Theyknew their efforts would benefit children who were stricken withcancer. Moore said the students were impacted by what theylearned about St. Jude.

“I think it’s an eye-opening experience for our kids,” Moore said.“It’s important to teach them to care and help others.”

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

They also completed a math fun book from St.

Jude and several otherfun math projectsthroughout the day.

Reading buddiesfrom the higher gradesin Lower School helpedtheir younger school-mates solve problems.

For the first time,students in grades twothrough five had theoption to create theirown websites at school

to collect donations. These students had their ownURL, which could be searched using the

student’s first and last name on theUSJ Math-A-Thon website.

“Our students worked so hard,and it is such a rewarding experi-

ence for them to raise money forsuch a wonderful cause,”

Moore said.

knows USJ’

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

At top, Rheagan Hicks and Caroline Whitehave fun with math, while, above, Mary BlakeFerguson and Ella Hall Eldridge set up alemonade stand to raise money for St. Jude.Lower School Guidance Counselor LauraMoore sits with them.

From left, MadelineEldridge, Dylan Counce,and Lorelai Ballentinehave fun at USJ’sMath-A-Thon.

4

COMMUNiTy SERviCE

Atrip to New York City can be a life-changing experience,but for USJ’s eighth-graders who opt out of the weeklongfieldtrip, another life-changing experience awaits.

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

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

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

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

school will send 10 students. Burnette said students are apprecia-tive of the opportunity to help, and RIFA appreciates the help givento their program.

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

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

USJ and RIFA have a strong history as students and parentsoften volunteer with the organization. The school’s Key ServiceClub has led the effort to collect canned goods in the annual USJ-Trinity Food Drive Challenge. The USJ community donated morethan 30,000 pounds of food in each of the last two competitions.

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

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

RIFA benefits when USJ students volunteer

The Mu Alpha Theta Club and Middle School students completedseparate toy drives before the holidays for the Exchange Club Carl

Perkins Center for the Prevention of Child Abuse. The Mu Alpha Theta Club, pictured above left, donated almost

$500 worth of toys. Middle School Student council officers and spon-

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

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

Mu Alpha Theta, Middle School play Santa Claus at Christmas

5

TECHNOLOGy

USJ participates ininternationalHour of Code

USJ joined the international mis-sion to introduce 100 million stu-dents to computer science during

the movement known as the Hour of Code. Lower School Technology Teacher

Heidi McDaniel and Computer Program-ming and Robotics Teacher Jan Wilms ledUSJ’s participation in the initiative. Wilms’AP Computer Class students kicked offUSJ’s first hour-long session on December 8when they introduced first-grade students tocomputer programming in the LowerSchool Computer Lab.

The first graders learned how to useblocks of code to find their way through ob-stacles. The purpose was to demystify codeand show that anybody can learn the basics,McDaniel said.

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

ties are severely underrepresented. The goodnews is we’re on our way to change this.”

USJ held multiple Hour of Code ses-sions between December 8 and 14, joiningschools in more than 180 countries thatheld 57,000 similar events throughout theweek. By the end of the week, about 350Lower School students were introduced tocomputer code.

In one week in 2013, 15 million stu-dents tried computer science. The move-ment grew to almost 100 million studentsin 2014.

“The Hour of Code is a statement thattoday’s students are ready to learn criticalskills for 21st century success,” McDanielsaid. “That’s why USJ students joined thelargest learning event in history.”

Through the efforts of guidancecounselors Laura Moore and Deb-bie Anton, Lower and Middle

School students turnedto technology to com-

plete standardized ERB tests this year.Middle School students used laptops to

key in answers, while students in fourth andfifth grades used iPads. The experience wasmore cost-effective and time-efficient, andUSJ’s IT staff was around to handle anyglitches, Anton said. “It seemed to me like it

was a fairly easy transition. We werevery pleased.”

A testing program managed thetime while displaying one question

on the screen, which helped preventstudents from accidentally skipping

a line. “The kids just took to itpretty easily,” Anton said.

By abandoning the penciling-in-ovals for-

mat of old, the results from the tests were im-mediate and more accurate. “It was great,”Moore said. “I was able to get the reportsback to teachers the next day.”

Results from the old format could take aslong as a month to come back. With faster re-sults, teachers can make faster changes intheir classrooms to adjust their planning andcurriculum as needed to help students suc-ceed.

Anton said the new process was embracedby faculty and students, and the ERB plans tophase out all paper and pencil testing in thecoming years.

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

Sophomore Michael Villarreal teaches Barrett Shelton how to code. Laura Kate Prater is in theforeground.

Lower, Middle students take ERB tests online

Michelle Nnajiuses her computerto take a test.

When USJ purchasedlaptops for studentsin sixth through 12th

grade last year, Middle Schoolteachers embraced the opportu-nity to integrate them into theclassroom.

Students use them in manyways in all of their classes for typ-ing, vocabulary, test taking, pre-sentations, videos, extra practice,and study materials.

“They are learning to commu-nicate with each other throughtechnology in order to create andshare products, which adults usein everyday working life,” saidSixth Grade English and Literature Teacher Laura Stack. “The lap-tops are preparing our students for that future.”

Seventh Grade English Teacher Dana Simmons said her stu-dents use them almost every day. She uses Google Forms, and stu-dents open their laptops and visit her teacher website to submitresponses for each day’s lesson. “They love them,” she said.

The 1:1 laptop program was implemented by USJ to incorpo-rate more technology and enhance learning. Each student in Mid-dle and Upper School is given a MacBook Air as part of theirtuition.

The school installed multiple Wi-Fi access points after the startof the school year to cope with the new demand. Simmons said theexperience with laptops has gone well since then.

“I think it takes a little bit of time totransition, but the laptops make thingseasier,” Simmons said.

Ruth Ann Morrison, who teacheseighth-grade English, said the laptops

have been a wonderful addition to her curriculum. She uses themfor online vocabulary and writing programs in class.

“Perhaps the best use of the laptop is for writing research papersand essays,” Morrison said. “By having the laptops in class, I amable to critique the students’ writings by standing over their shoul-ders. Now when my students turn in papers to me, I do not have toworry about the MLA format because we set it up in class together.”

By embracing the 1:1 laptop program and further integratingcomputers into the curriculum, Middle School teachers are prepar-ing students for the work they’ll face in Upper School and college.

Middle School Director Courtney Burnette said teachers havedone a great job with the new technology. “I could not be morepleased with them and their enthusiasm for integrating technologyinto their daily teaching strategies.”

6

TECHNOLOGy

Middle School teachers, students embrace technology

Eighth-grade students use their laptops as Ryan Wernquist teaches American History.

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

7

Lower School teachers in each classhave jumped at the opportunity toenhance the learning experience for

their students with iPads.After a $50,000 donation from the Par-

ents Club before school started this year, USJwas able to purchase 120 new iPads —enough to put a few in each classroom. Stu-dents use the tablets for research, science,math, and social studies. Older Lower Schoolstudents also incorporate them in the Read-ing Buddies program with younger students.

“I love it,” said Lower SchoolDirector Debbie Ford. “Teach-ers across the board have em-braced these opportunities.”

It has not been difficult forstudents to learn how to usethem, said Fourth GradeTeacher Patsy Hollman. “Theypick them up very easily.”

Classrooms in the fourthgrade are now equipped with sixiPads and two computers. Stu-dents share the tablets or workin groups during lessons, butthey also borrow them fromother classes for tests.

“A good portion of our testing this yearhas been on iPads,” Hollman said.

Taking tests with iPads allows for imme-diate results and feedback, which helps thestudents learn.

They are also useful for research. For ex-ample, during a discussion about the solarsystem, students visited NASA’s website toenhance the lesson. “They could get spe-cific, real-time information about what’sgoing on around the world,” Hollman said.

“It does make education for them so

much more relevant.”Another time, during a lesson about civil

rights, Hollman’s class discussed the firstAfrican-American Major League Baseballplayers and the role they played in the move-ment. Then they took a virtual field trip toCooperstown, New York, and the NationalBaseball Hall of Fame.

The iPads allow the students to visitplaces they wouldn’t have access to other-wise, but they also provide a valuable lessonabout sources. Students are learning to deter-

mine which websites are reliable.Learning about technology

and the resources of the Inter-net at a young age is an impor-tant lesson that they’ll use asthey advance through USJ andgraduate.

“It’s essential,” Hollmansaid. “You can’t function in so-ciety or be trained for a jobwithout it. The fact that they’reactually learning this in thefourth grade prepares them forwhat’s expected of them inmiddle school, high school,and beyond.”Tarik Anki works on an iPad in his classroom.

Lower School easily adapts to using iPads in class

Online assessment profile helps juniors learn about themselves

The College Advising Office partnered with YouScience tooffer an online assessment profile for the Class of 2016.The tool provides insights about students’ professional

strengths, and it helps them determine which major and career paththey could pursue in college.

“This profile gives us great insight into the questions that oftengive USJ students the most anxiety when considering college,” saidDirector of College Advising Carol Ryan. “YouScience measuresstudents’ aptitudes and interests and then matches them to majorsand careers that fit them best.”

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

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

In addition, YouScience offered students a list of adjectives andsuggestions on how to describe their strengths and how they workbest. “It’s a great list to have as they write college essays and pro-vides information they’ll want to access later as they prepare for jobinterviews,” Ryan said.

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

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

8

Sierra Glosson, a USJ senior, caught the theater bug in secondgrade when she played a peasant girl in the USJ productionof Beauty and the Beast. This spring, Sierra carried the lead

role in her 20th show, Mary Poppins, as she acted alongside her fa-ther, Jimmy, who starred as Bert.

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

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

Her parents also supported Sierra in her numerous perform-ances at USJ. Two years ago, Sierra was able to be on stage withboth of her parents during the Jackson Theatre Guild production ofHairspray.

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

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

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

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

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

Sierra was offered early acceptance into the highly competitivefine arts program at Viterbo University in La Crosse, Wisconsin.She won one of only four coveted spots for female students afterauditioning on campus in December. The university auditionsabout 300 students for the bachelor of fine arts, with less than a 2percent acceptance rate for female applicants. Sierra will pursue herdegree in musical theater and minor in dance and vocal perform-ance on an academic merit scholarship.

Mary Poppins was her last USJ performance and, she said, hermost challenging. “There are so many difficult songs and dances.But the whole cast has worked so hard, and everyone was very de-termined. It’s been fun to work with my dad and several teacherswho were in the production.”

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

“This production of Mary Poppins is special to me for manyreasons,” said Glosson, chairman of USJ’s Upper School ForeignLanguage Department.

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

FiNE ARTS

Daughter, father starin Mary Poppins

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

9

Students, faculty, and parents workedhard to prepare the Broadway versionof Mary Poppins.

For three months, 90 of USJ’s students ingrades six through 12 sang, danced, and re-hearsed orchestral instruments in preparationfor the show. Besides students, USJ had sevenfaculty members and seven parents partici-

pating in this beloved family production.Show times were February 27, February

28, and March 1.“One of the great perks about seeing a

musical at USJ is a live orchestra,” said Dr.Tammy Grant, Upper School Chorus and APMusic Theory Teacher and Director of MaryPoppins. “This orchestra consisted of some of

USJ’s very talented studentmusicians, two faculty mem-bers, and one former student.”

Tom Grant was the or-chestra director, and accom-panist Lisa Powell led theensemble. The show was cho-reographed by TheaterTeacher Erica Davidson.

ZFX Flying Companysupplied and trained facultymembers and parents to useequipment to fly characters

across the stage.“The show had some wonderful effects

that left audience members breathless,” Dr.Grant said. “One occurred when a characterwas suspended upside down from the ceilingof the proscenium wall.”

The musical had many other great mo-ments. “It was a monumental show with su-perb singing and toe-tapping dancing thatmade people want to get out of their seatsand join the cast on stage,” Grant said.

Upper School Art Teacher LibbyLynch led a field trip toNashville to visit the Parthenon

and meet the sculptor who created a fa-mous part of the attraction.

Students met renowned sculptor AlanLeQuire, who won the commission torecreate the Athena Parthenos in 1982 —one of the most ambitious public art com-missions ever conceived.

The sculpture, which is almost 42 feettall, is a replica of the statue that once stoodin the Parthenon in Athens, Greece.LeQuire’s work was finished and unveiledin the Nashville Parthenon in 1990.

After discussing the project with theartist, students visited LeQuire’s studio andate a picnic lunch in Centennial Park. Theywrapped up their trip with a visit to theFrist Center for Visual Arts to see the

Kandinsky exhibit.“This was an exciting opportunity for

our students to actually meet and visit thestudio of a nationally recognized sculptorand hear about the history and mythology

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

Art students learn from Parthenon sculptor

From left, Parker Lewis, Caroline Miller, Meg Miller, and EthanSchlegel, play George, Winifred, Jane, and Michael Banks.

Senior Walker Laird plays in the orchestra.

Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious!How else can you describe USJ’s production of Mary Poppins?

Sculptor Alan LeQuire talks to USJ students in hisstudio, above, and in front of the Athena Parthenos,which he created for the Parthenon in Nashville.(Photos are by Neeley Atkins.)

10

FiNE ARTS

USJ students wrote and acted in a play about afamily in an abusive home. The play was writtenin collaboration with the Wo/Men’s Resource

and Rape Assistance Program (WRAP), and all proceedsfrom ticket sales and donations went to WRAP.

A Ripple in the Pond follows the actions of children who witnesstheir father physically abusing their mother. The sixth-grade son be-gins to hit other students and to disrespect his teacher, and the daugh-ter, who is a senior, remains in an mentally abusive relationship withher boyfriend.

“This play was different because we did monologues for each char-acter, from the teacher to the abusive husband,” Upper School TheaterTeacher Erica Davidson said. “They gave us a peek into their motivesand feelings.”

Then the students replayed the same sceneswith certain characters reacting differently —from taking a stand to helping a victim with theright words. “The ending is much different thistime around than the first,” Davidson said.

The play, directed by Davidson, starredMolly Maroney and Seth Weiss as the parents.Other cast members were Sydney Phelan,Ethan Schlegel, Sydney Kwasigroh, Aaron

Evans, Parker Lewis, Lauren Hailey, Alexander Peftoulidis, Meg How-ell, Gehrig Rabon, and Sydney Lofton.

Kayla Bircher and Clara Mariencheck were stage managers, Han-nah Adams did makeup, and Aditya Thota led the tech crew. Play-wrights included Davidson and students Amanda Holloway, MadisonPerchik, Clare Robertson, Rebekah Sears, and Adam Sills.

Daryl Chansuthus, Executive Director of WRAP, said, “A Ripple inthe Pond illustrates the damage of an abusive relationship and how it

impacts an entire household. It also illustrates howfamily members can change the pattern of abuseand end the spread of violence before it trickles be-yond the home and into the community.”

She thanked Davidson and her students for ex-ploring the subject of family violence in an originalplay. “WRAP appreciates their creativity and sup-port. We are fortunate to have this talented group ofstudents working with WRAP to share this impor-tant information with the community.”

Student-written playexplores the effectsof family violence

Seth Weiss, center, plays an abusive husband. His wife, Molly Maroney, and childrenSydney Phelan and Ethan Schlegel react to his behavior at the dinner table.

Sydney Lofton was a concerned teacherin the play.

Six USJ students won blue ribbons in the Jackson Symphony’sColor of Music contest. They are Elizabeth Sue Barnes, kinder-garten, sixth graders Abby Porter and Rachel Hellums, seventh

graders Anika Mahajan and Gabrielle Evans, and eighth grader AnsleyHirstein. Lower School student Keeley Thompson won an honorablemention.

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

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

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

Six students win blue ribbons at Color of Music

11

As representatives of USJ, Anjali Ma-hajan and Eric Whisenant bothcompeted in the recent Tennessee

High School Championship Swim Meet.Anjali, a freshman, and Eric, a sopho-

more, have been swimming together formany years, practicing at 5 a.m. beforeschool, after school, and on the weekends.

“You definitely have to be dedicated,” saidAnjali. “If you just miss a week, it takes a longtime to get back where you were.”

Natasha Mahajan, Anjali’s mother,pointed out that many times, Eric and Anjalihave had to give up social events in order topractice or travel to a meet. However, both ofthem have maintained a high level of commit-ment to the sport they love.

Whisenantbegan swimmingwhen he was in firstgrade. His mother,Shannon, said thathe always had a nat-ural swimming abil-ity.

“Many kids hadtrouble getting tothe other side of thepool at their firstmeet, but Eric wasalways able to dothat even at a youngage,” she said.

Eric is now more

than 6 feet tall, andthough he did play bas-ketball one year, his firstlove is swimming.

Shannon Whisenant,who is also USJ’s assis-tant director of collegeadvising, said that USJwas always their firstchoice when looking for a school. As an edu-cator, she said that finding a school with themost challenging curriculum was an impor-tant priority.

“We knew that USJ was ahead of otherschools academically, and that Eric would bepushed and challenged.”

Eric plans to swim in college and is con-sidering majoring inpre-med.

For both theWhisenants and theMahajans, swim-ming is like a part-time job, butacademics alwayscome first.

Even thoughUSJ has no swim-ming program, thedecision to sendtheir children toUSJ has given theirchildren an educa-tion and life skills

that have been important to both families. “USJ challenges the children and has

taught them how to be independent,” saidNatasha Mahajan.

Anjali, who has competitively swam sinceshe was 6, said that the high school champi-onship was probably the highlight of herswimming career so far.

From across the state, 129 schools com-peted in the championship. Eric not only beathis personal best times in the 200-yardfreestyle and 100-yard backstroke, but he alsoplaced seventh in the state. Anjali also beather personal best time.

Doing that was the most important goal,Mahajan said. “Swimming is mainly compet-ing against your own time. If there aren’tmany people competing then you might win,so it’s more important to keep trying to beatyour own time.”

She said that 1,600 swimmers made thecut in the last Olympics, but only a handfuladvanced to compete in the Olympics.

“Trying to beat the best is not the goal,”said Mahajan. “Trying to beat your best is.”

Eric Whisenant and Anjali Mahajan

Swimmers work hard toimprove personal times

Eric Whisenant plans to continue swimming in college.

Anjali Mahajan practices in the pool at the Lift indowntown Jackson.

12

One of the hallmarks of USJ is ex-cellence in athletics. Studentsoften earn individual and team

recognition, and many have played at higherlevels after graduation, including the pros.

We are equally proud of the followingathletes — veterans of professional sportsteams — who have decided to educate theirchildren and grandchildren at USJ.

w Don Coffey, USJ grandparent and for-mer USJ Head of School, played wide re-ceiver for the Denver Broncos. Hisgranddaughter, Victoria Farnsworth, is a2008 USJ graduate, and a younger grand-daughter, Savannah Tabor, is in sixth grade.

w Ronnie Giddens, a USJ alumni par-ent, was inducted into the Union UniversityBaseball Hall of Fame in 2008. In 1983,Giddens was drafted by the CincinnatiReds. His children, Aly and Anna Kather-ine, graduated from USJ in 2009 and 2011,respectively.

w Jabari Greer, a USJ parent, is a formerNFL football cornerback who played for

the Buffalo Bills. He went on to play for theNew Orleans Saints and was a member ofthe team when it won Super Bowl XLIV. Hehas two children at USJ: Jeremiah, fifthgrade, and Jada, sixth grade.

w Artis Hicks, a USJ parent, receivedthe Jackson-Madison County Sports Hallof Fame honor for his football career. Hicksbegan his 11-year NFL career in 2002 withthe Philadelphia Eagles. He played in Su-perbowl XXXIX against the New EnglandPatriots and retired in 2012 with the MiamiDolphins. He has three childen at USJ:Rhian is in second grade, Rheagan is in firstgrade, and Rhylee is a Jr. Cub.

w Stu Hirstein, USJ Head of School,was a minor league left-fielder for the BoiseHawks. His daughters, Ansley Hirstein andPhoebe Larkins, are in the eighth grade.

w Ben Howard, a USJ parent, was amajor league baseball pitcher for the SanDiego Padres and the Florida Marlins. Hisson, Corben, is a USJ second grader, and hisdaughter, Abigail, is a Jr. Cub.

w Jack Peel, USJ Facilities Director andVarsity Baseball Coach, is a former Univer-sity of Memphis baseball standout. He alsoplayed baseball for the Chicago White Soxand later for the Texas Rangers. His son,Rhett, is a sophomore.

w Oliver Simmons, USJ parent and Var-sity Basketball Coach, was a member of theUniversity of Kentucky 1996 NCAA cham-pionship basketball team under coach RickPitino. He went on to play in Sweden andHolland in the International BasketballFederation and later in the InternationalBasketball League in the United States. Hisson, Dexter, is a USJ Cub, and his daughter,Gabriella is a Jr. Cub.

w Trey Teague, a USJ parent and 1993USJ graduate, was an offensive lineman forthe University of Tennessee football team.He was drafted in 1998 by the DenverBroncos; he also played for the Buffalo Billsand the New York Jets. His daughter, Lilly,is in kindergarten, and his son, Everette, is aCub.

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

Professional athletes: Part of the USJ family

ATHLETiCS

13

Seven seniors leave their mark on girls soccer

W hile USJ soccer has alwaysbeen competitive, in the lastfew years, the girls soccer pro-

gram has reached a whole new level. Much of that success is attributed to

seven seniors who have played together onthe varsity team since they were freshmen.Rachel Giampapa, Emily Mitchell, MadisonPerchik, Sarah Pierce, and Shelby Williamsjoined the team as eighth graders. Lauren Pit-cairn and Mary Alex Richards joined them inninth grade.

“USJ soccer has been the highlight of myhigh school experience,” said Madison. “It isso sad to think I will not wear my USJ jerseyagain, but I will always cherish the memoriesof USJ soccer.”

Paul Conway, the girls soccer coach, saidthat people stared as the young girls steppedonto the field in that first high school game.The spectators were astonished to find that

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

“From day one, they all played and con-tributed,” said Conway. “USJ’s soccer teamwas strong, but those girls made it stronger.Their contributions from the first momentthat they stepped on the field were impor-tant.”

As eighth graders and freshmen, the girlswon state championships in 2010 and 2011.As sophomores, they lost in overtime in thestate semifinals to the University School ofNashville.

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

Their senior season, Fall 2014, the girlshad the opportunity for a rematch against theUniversity School of Nashville. USN onlyhad one shot on goal while USJ had 15, butthe Bruins still lost 1-0.

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

The seniors have left their mark on the

program, Conway said. “This region hasn’t seen the game played

at this level. These girls raised the quality ofplay for the whole area.”

Shelby, team co-captain and defender,signed to play Division I soccer at the Univer-sity of Tennessee at Chattanooga. Conwaysaid that she has been a committed, coreplayer that leads by example.

Rachel, forward and leading scorer, alsosigned to play at UTC.

“Every team wanted to stop her,” saidConway. “ We had a chance to win everygame because of what she was able to do.”

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

Emily, midfielder, made it possible for theteam to execute the style of play that the USJteam liked best, said Conway. “We were ableto play the way that we wanted to play be-cause of Emily’s intelligence.”

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

Pictured, left to right, below, are EmilyMitchell, Rachel Giampapa, Madison Perchik,Mary Alex Richards, Sarah Pierce, ShelbyWilliams, and Lauren Pitcairn.  Continued, next page …

14

“Our team has such a close relationship,”said Sarah. “We learned how to work to-gether and play for each other. I was alwayslooking forward to the next season becauseyou got to play the sport you love the mostwith people who love it just as much as youdo.”

Lauren switched from offense to defensefor the good of the team. Conway said thather unselfishness and strong defensive part-nership with Shelby Williams, resulted in abetter USJ soccer team.

With a family full of soccer players, Mary

Alex excelled as a goalkeeper, and her im-provements over the years were outstanding,Conway said. “We won a lot of games be-cause she was a safe and secure goalkeeper.”

Conway said that it has been a pleasure tocoach a group of girls who are competitiveand enthusiastic and take great pride in wear-ing the USJ crest.

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

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

soccer team had a cumulative GPA of 4.1. “They don’t just win on the field, they

win in the classroom, too,” said Conway. Sev-eral of the girls have received academic col-lege scholarships.

While the team still has plenty of playerswho will be key to USJ’s future competitivesuccess, this group of seniors has made an im-pression on the program that won’t be forgot-ten, said Conway.

“They are going to be missed. “We are allbetter for the experience of having had themin our program.”

Seven seniors leave mark on girls soccer … Continued from page 13

Cross Country

Both boys and girls teams finished in thetop five at the state championships.

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

Jack and Kayla were both DII-A Re-gional Champions and All-West first teammembers. Seniors Samantha and Sam werealso named to the All-West first team. Jackwas named Cross Country Runner of theYear for West Tennessee.

Golf

Senior Chase Harris was named The Jack-son Sun’s Male Golfer of the Year. Ray

Howard also was named to the All-West firstteam.

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

Girls Soccer

Seniors Rachel Giampapa and ShelbyWilliams and Junior Addison Dunn were

named to the Division II All-State Team.

volleyball

Senior Sara Glassman was named TheJackson Sun’s Volleyball Hitter of the

Year. Seniors Paige Sheffield and Molly Hallwere named to the All-West Tennessee FirstTeam.

Carrie Cates, Neeley Atkins, Abby Atkins,and Caitlyn Brown received an HonorableMention. Sara and Paige also were named tothe Division II All-State Team.

Basketball

Sophomore Anna Jones was named a final-ist for the TSSAA Division II Miss Bas-

ketball Awards.

Middle School Basketball

The Lady Bruins finished their seasonwith a win at the Blue Streak Invita-

tional Tournament in Memphis. Players selected for the First South Bank

All-Star game were Ashley Carter, KaleighKwasigroh, Claire Lewis, Sophie Stallings,and Ella Margaret Terry.

Baseball

Ben Brauss was selected as the 2014 DII-APlayer of the Year by the Tennessee Base-

ball Coaches Association.

Football

Sophomore Trey Smith was one of threefinalists for the TSSAA Division II-A Mr.

Football Award. All-State players were Ben Brauss,

Michael Taylor, Trey Smith, and CampbellCarlock.

All-District first team members were Eas-ton Underwood, Trey Smith, HollenSpencer, Michael Taylor, Elijah Moore, andBen Brauss. Second-team honorees wereMitchell Bodiford, Walker Laird, HollandHawks, Petyon Taylor, Campbell Carlock,William Jones, and Christian Kramer.

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

ATHLETiCS

A wrapup of USJ honors in sports

Trey Smith

15

FACULTy

For Upper School Math Department Chair Don Newman, themost rewarding part of the day is working with a group of stu-dents who are eager to learn.

“I introduce them to ideas of mathematics, and then we exploreand learn together,” he said. “Rarely a day goes by that I don’t learnnew insights and approaches fromthe students I teach.”

Newman has been teaching —and learning — for more than 50years, and he is finishing his 30thyear at USJ. For decades, he hastaught his students important con-cepts to prepare them for the workthey would face after high school.

“I take every opportunity, begin-ning in the 10th grade, to give stu-dents advice on how to prepare forcollege and life,” he said. “I encour-age a goal-oriented outlook on life,including school. I want them to beproductive citizens and have respectfor others, regardless of their stationin life.”

As a general rule at USJ, students know from an early age that a challenge awaits them in UpperSchool when they enter Newman’s class. He said they tend to be wellprepped — primarily due to word of mouth.

“Students generally come to me with the knowledge and expecta-tion that they will be expected to be attentive, motivated, and havegood, organized study habits,” he said.

Through the years, Newman has seen many changes at USJ. Thebiggest have been improved and expanded facilities; expanded courseofferings, including AP courses; and a highly motivated student popu-lation, he said.

While he said he’s been fortunate to have always had a steady num-ber of eager, intelligent, and inquisitive students, he’s noticed an in-creased demand on their time.

“When I first began to teach, the typical student would be engagedin one sport for one season or one other activity, with the rest of theirtime available to pursue their academic schedule,” he said. “The typi-cal student took four academic classes a day — or five with specialpermission to pursue a more challenging academic schedule. This al-

lowed students to do more in-depth studies in the courses in whichthey were enrolled.”

Now, he said, students’ time is much more structured, leaving littleopportunities to pursue independent investigations.

What has not changed, however, is the consistency of mathemat-ics, Newman added.

“The mathematics developedby Archimedes, Reimann, Newton,and others is just as viable today asyesterday and equally viable in thefuture. Consequently, pure mathe-matics and the teaching thereofdon’t necessarily change with thepassage of time. Even though morenew mathematics is developedevery decade than had been knownfor all previous recorded time, thenew information stands on the basictenants as its foundation.”

Technology has provided moreways to more quickly examine re-sults and perform comparative stud-ies, Newman said. But the processof collecting data, formulating hy-

potheses, and justifying them in accordance with established princi-ples of logic remains the same.

That’s one of the many things students learn in his classroom. “USJ has afforded me the atmosphere in which I get to share with

interested students the discoveries I have made in mathematics,” hesaid. “USJ attracts students who want to be challenged and given theopportunity to excel academically.”

The academic atmosphere at USJ is palpable, and the school’smain focus is to provide students with the best possible college-prepeducation, he said. Classes are taught on a college level with as muchresponsibility for the learning process placed on the students as rea-sonable. Students consistently report back that they are well preparedfor college and the demands of professional schools.

In addition to eager and inquisitive students, Newman said he hasbeen fortunate to be supported by USJ’s administrators and Board ofTrustees throughout his career.

“These are some of the reasons that USJ is such a good place toteach.”

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

Don Newman: 51 years of teaching math

Students know they will be challenged in Don Newman’s classes.

1616

Several teachers reachedimportant milestones asemployees of USJ this year, and they were recognized for

working at USJ for 20, 25, or 30 years.They were honored at the All-Staff Christmas Luncheon and re-

ceived fresh leis flown in from Hawaii by Head of School Stu Hirstein.Besides being a widely known symbol for “welcome,” leis also mean“honored one,” said Hirstein, who moved to Jackson from Hawaii.

w Second Grade Teacher Linda Yates grew up in Memphis andearned a degree from the University of Memphis. She joined USJ in1984. She and her husband, Boyce, have a son, Brian, and twin grand-daughters, CeCe and Kaylee, who live in Jackson.

“I have enjoyed all these years at USJ because of the support of theparents and administration, the many friendships I have developedwith colleagues, and the freedom and opportunities to individualizeinstruction to meet the needs of my students,” she said.

w Lisa Cates, Lower School Secretary, graduated from North SideHigh School and attended West Tennessee Business College. Shejoined USJ as the Upper School Secretary in 1984.

“Being at USJ has been a rewarding experience because of theclose relationships with the administration, staff, faculty, parents, andstudents,” said Cates. “It is always great to see graduates return to USJwith their children, including my own children returning to USJ withmy grandchildren.”

Cates and her husband, Robert, have a daughter, Carrie, who is ajunior at USJ. Her daughter, Jennifer Cash Biggs, graduated USJ in1993 and lives in Pensacola, Florida. Her son, Russ Cash, graduatedUSJ in 1997 and lives in Jackson.

w Second Grade Teacher Phyllis Gayton has a 35-year career ineducation. She is in her 26th year as a teacher at USJ. “I try to instill alove for learning in my classroom,” Gayton said. “I feel each child isan individual and should be treated with love and respect.”

She has a bachelor’s degree from Nazareth College and a master’sin education from the University of Michigan. She and her husband,

Bill, have two children, Jeff and Colleen, both USJ graduates. Hergrandson, Cade Gayton, is in kindergarten at USJ.

w Sylvia Bell, Lower School Receptionist, has worked for 30 yearsin the Lower School. A graduate of South Side High School, Bell re-ceived her bachelor’s degree from Union University. She also did grad-uate work at the University of Memphis.

Before working at USJ, Bell taught language arts and was senioradvisor at Medina High School in Gibson County. She and Gerald,her husband, have one child, Gerard, who is a graduate of USJ.

w Cubs Teacher Karen Morganti has worked at USJ for 22 years.“I want the children to have fun while learning everything they possi-bly can,” she said. “Every day is an adventure! I cannot imagine notbeing a teacher. It is my passion!”

Her degree in early childhood education is from Mississippi StateUniversity. She and her husband, Jace, have two sons: Austin, a USJ2013 graduate and student at Mississippi State, and Tyler, a USJ 2008graduate, who is pursuing a degree as a physical therapist assistant.

w Fourth Grade Teacher Regina Sills has been a Lower Schoolteacher for 20 years. She has a bachelor’s degree in elementary educa-tion from UT Martin. “My teaching philosophy is to teach to thechild,” she said. “Every child learns differently and at a different pace.You need to learn about your students and teach to the individual.”

She and her husband, Eric, have three children who attend USJ.Adam is in twelfth grade, Madison is in ninth grade, and Jackson is infourth grade.

w Originally from Knoxville, Fifth Grade Teacher Sherri Braussmoved to Jackson in 1994 when she married her husband, Chris. She has been teaching at USJ for 20 years.

She earned an undergraduate degree from East Tennessee StateUniversity and a master’s degree from West Georgia University. Herchildren are all Bruins. Her son, Daron, is a Class of 2008 graduate.Ben is a senior, Eli is a ninth grader, and Sarah Beth is a sixth grader.

Pictured, from left, are Sylvia Bell, Lisa Cates, Karen Morganti, Regina Sills, Sherri Brauss, PhyllisGayton, and Linda Yates.

Teachers,staff honoredfor reaching

milestoneyears at USJ

FACULTy, STAFF

17

USJ sent a delegation to the 2015 National Association ofIndependent Schools (NAIS) Annual Conference thisFebruary in Boston — and they came back with new

ideas for their classrooms.Attendees included Head of School Stu Hirstein, Upper School

Director Ben Murphy, Junior Kindergarten Teacher Vicki Wilson,Fifth Grade Teacher Cindy Bell, Fourth Grade Teacher ElizabethOrr, Middle School Math Teacher Mary Claire Hancock, MiddleSchool History Teacher Shonda Vargason, Upper School EnglishTeacher Katie Ramer, Upper School Science Teacher Judy Sander-son, Upper and Middle School Librarian Beth Vise, and Chief Fi-nancial Officer Mark Burden.

The theme of the conference at the HynesConvention Center was Design the Revolution:Blended Learning, Leading, and Innovation.The conference included speakers and work-shops led by accomplished education profes-sionals, including past university presidents.

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

“The opportunity for professional develop-ment is one of our top priorities, and our national conference is thepinnacle of professional development for independent school pro-fessionals.”

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

challenged us to emphasize the impor-tance of creating a classroom environ-ment where teaching character and

respect for others is integrated into the classroom curriculum.” USJ will continue to focus on professional development because

the most critical element in education is the teacher, Hirstein said. “Professional development is important because we want to en-

sure that, at USJ, our faculty and administrators continue tostrengthen their practice. We also do this because we owe it to thefamilies and students we serve to be the best we can be … everyday.”

NAIS: ‘The pinnacle of professional developmentfor independent school professionals’

Pictured, from left, above, are ShondaVargason, Mary Claire Hancock, VickiWilson, Katie Ramer, Beth Vise, Eliza-beth Orr, Cindy Bell, and Judy Sander-son. At left, Orr, Wilson, and Bell get apicture of themselves with Boston’s snowoutside the window.

Learning environment

It was a cold winter day when Book Study Seminar students convinced theirteacher, Bridget Clark, that the best place to read their current book was in

the stacks of the library. “Itwas the right ambiance,”they told her. The studentswere reading “19 Minutes”by Jodi Picoult.

1818

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

National Merit Scholarship Foundation

The National Merit Scholarship Foundation recognized threestudents from the University School of Jackson’s Class of

2015: Alan Wilms, Amanda Holloway, and Sam Rickman.Alan, the son of Geert Jan and Wallika Wilms, is a National

Merit Semifinalist. He will find out this spring whether he is nameda finalist and given the opportunity to compete for National MeritScholarships. He plans to major in computer engineering.

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

Amanda, daughter of Barbara Menzies, is a National Achieve-ment Outstanding Participant. She plans to major in history atGeorgetown University in Washington, D.C.

The students earned the recognition because of the scores theymade on the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Quali-fying Test during their junior year. Of the 1.5 million entrants na-tionwide, only 50,000 scored high enough to receive recognition.

Tennessee All State Choir

Clara Mariencheck and Caroline Sammons were selected to theTennessee All State Choir. Alternates from USJ are Patrick

Aherrera, Molly Maroney, Sydney Paris, and Hunter Ross.

Junior High All Northwest TN Honor Choir

Congratulations to the following students for being selected tothe Junior High All Northwest Tennessee Honor Choir …

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

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

Alto 1: Lili Mahalati, Meg Howell, Elisa Kapunan, and NicoleNew.

Alto 2: Ashlee Allison (First Chair) and Brylee Whitsitt.Tenor 1: Ethan Schlegel (First Chair), John Giampapa (Second

Chair), Jake Booher, Keaton Miller, and Kwali Bruton.Tenor 2: JD Jaggers, Drake Norris, and Vincent Stanfill.Bass 2: Nick Zerfoss, Brian Bada, and Kavon Bonakdar.

Senior High All Northwest TN Honor Choir

USJ students who were selected to the extremely competitive2014 Senior High All Northwest Honor Choir were ….

Soprano 1: Sierra Glosson, Molly Maroney, and Kate Petrinjak.Soprano 2: Sydney Paris, Rachel Giampapa, Caroline Sam-

mons, Summer Basham, Nicole Sioson, and Addison Dunn.Alto 1: Caroline Miller.Alto 2: Clara Mariencheck, Molly Morris, Emily Sanderson,

Sydney Kwaisgroh, and Ali Butler.Tenor 1: Tyler Bruno and Evan Griggs.Tenor 2: Ethan Baskin, Patrick Aherrera, and Shea Byrum.Bass 1: Elijah Moore.Bass 2: Hunter Ross, Walker Teer, Landon Sellers, Parker Lewis,

Gray Bigford, Trey Smith, Reese Antwine, and Jack Tygart.Rachel Giampapa, Sierra Glosson, Sydney Paris, and Walker

Teer earned the prestigious recognition of being selected to the AllNorthwest Honor Choir six years in a row.

Duke Talent identification Program

Forty-five percent of USJ’s seventh-grade class qualified for theDuke Talent Identification Program. They are:Sidney Askins, Mary Basham, Ian Bates, Caleb Bell, Gabrielle

Berry, Adonis Bond, Jake Booher, Madison Bruno, Chloe Burnette,Sarah Callis, Alexia Celarie, Vin Downing, Gabrielle Evans, MaddyGastador, Evelyn Helms, Alan Henderson, Mary Humphrey, ElisaKapunan, James Laird, Anika Mahajan, Aliah Mahalati, MadisonMaroney, Caleb Martin, Keaton Miller, Felix Nnaji, Nneka Okolo,Adit Patel, William Pucek, Vashwaa Sofat, Ethan Schlegel, BenSmith, Cody Smith, Hope Smith, Tanner Smith, Seth Spry, MaryGrace Studtmann, and Caleb Watlington.

The Duke Talent Identification Program is a nonprofit organi-zation that provides services beyond what is offered in the class-room to help academically gifted students reach their potential.

West Tennessee Regional Art Competition

Several students had artwork accepted into the West TennesseeRegional Student Juried Art Competition. Congratulations to Middle School students Olivia Clarke,

Patrick Evans, and Felix Nnaji; and Upper School students, Harri-son Baker, Deborah Lee Day, Mary Helen English, Loukas Geor-gio, Hope Magee, Ally McFarland, Sarah Pierce, KaylaPuzdrakiewicz, Jordan Stewart, Maddie Studtmann, Samantha Sul-livan, Lydia Woods, and Alannah Yellen.

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

Governor’s School

Three students were selected to attend the Tennessee Gover-nor’s School for the Arts this summer. They are sophomores

Sarah Carraher and Riley Koerner and junior Allyson McFarland.

Alan Wilms, Amanda Holloway, and Sam Rickman

19

Mid-South Scholastic Art Competition

USJ students submitted outstanding artwork to the Mid-SouthScholastic Art Competition this year. Twenty-one winning

entries were recognized, including one Gold Key, four Silver Keys,and 16 Honorable Mentions.

Congratulations to the followingstudents: Sarah Pierce, Gold Key; Cal-lie Cantrell, two Silver Keys and twoHonorable Mentions; Rachel Hooper,Silver Key and four Honorable Men-tions; Kayla Puzdrakiewicz, SilverKey; Neeley Atkins, two HonorableMentions; Deborah Lee Day, Honor-able Mention; Loukas Georgio, Hon-orable Mention; Jack Goodwin,Honorable Mention; Laura Mantooth,two Honorable Mentions; ClareRobertson, Honorable Mention; Carson Rogers, Honorable Men-tion; and Brylee Whitsitt, Honorable Mention.

Spelling Bee

Eighth grader Xavier Hawkins, atright, won the Middle School

Spelling Bee and represented USJ in TheJackson Sun’s Regional Spelling Bee. AlanHenderson came in second place, andElisa Kapunan finished third.

Art teacher honored

Upper School Art Instructor Libby Lynch won a SterlingAward, naming her one of the 20 most influential women in

West Tennessee for 2015. The award is given by the Jackson AreaBusiness and Professional Women.

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

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

Achievements, cont. …

The USJ Building and GroundsCommittee has a strategic plan forthe future. Over the last few years,

improvements have been made to buildings,lawn areas, fences, and roofs.

The committee plans to continue improv-ing the USJ campus as part of the school’soverall commitment to excellence.

“Our goal is to address issues before theyhappen,” said Charlie Garrett, Building andGrounds Committee chairman. “We forecastprojects for which we will need to budgetone, two, even five years from now. This givesthe finance committee time to plan and,hopefully, prevents dealing with projects inan emergency setting.”

The committee includes Richard Ayers,Lee Driver, Joe Grace, Josh Hayes, StuHirstein, Jack Peel, Jason Sammons, and JeffWatlington. The group frequently meets toforecast upcoming expenditures and discussongoing projects.

Here are updates on several projects …w Last summer, the committee initiated

painting the exterior of the Upper School be-cause the old paint had begun to peel andlook worn. The project, done over severalweeks, has greatly improved the appearanceof the Upper School building, Garrett said.

w The Bruins Club funded the replace-ment of the baseball fence. The new, black-

vinyl chain-link fence is strategically coveredwith padding to ensure safety for the outfield-ers. The fence is 4 feet high on the sides and 6feet high in the foul corners. Centerfieldboasts a 10-foot by 80-foot “batter’s eye,”which creates a dark background to make thebaseball easier for batters to see.

w The football fieldhouse got a new roofin January. Over time, several leaks had devel-oped, creating problems in various areas, par-ticularly in the weight room.

w Problems with erosion on the groundsalso are being addressed. The site drainage lo-cations are barely noticeable, but could po-tentially cause future problems if they are notreconciled, said Garrett. Concrete and othermaterials have been poured to shore up theculverts where storm water had caused val-leys and pockets in some of the culverts andgrassy swells. This project will continue inthe late spring and into the summer.

“The goal for all of USJ’s Building andGrounds’ projects is to maintain an environ-ment that everyone can be proud of,” saidGarrett. “It is all about creating the best learn-ing environment possible for our children.”

Committee focuses on campus improvements

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

Kimono by Sara Pierce

20

The 2014 HolidayMart had record-high ticket sales,

netting the school morethan $150,000 — thanks, ina large part, to the many par-ent volunteers.

The festivities for the44th annual mart began onThursday night at the Pre-view Party where guests leisurely examined and purchased the mer-chants’ wares before the weekend crowd of shoppers. The ticket salesfor the Preview Party were up from last year, said Anne Short, one ofthe four mart chairmen.

The mart depends on parent volunteers, par-ticularly with events such as the bakeshop, whichis 100 percent profit for USJ. Because of the vol-unteers, many events were extremely successful.

On Friday night, the Jingle Bell Mingle sold twiceas many tickets as the year before, Short said. Women gathered underthe Southern-style, Christmas-themed decorations to socialize andshop. Many merchants reported record sales during the Friday nightevent, she added.

The Friday Tea Room and My Dolland Me, which had two sessions onSaturday, also sold out and were ex-tremely successful.

In an effort to make the HolidayMart experience more efficient for theshopper, online ticket sales were intro-duced for the first time. Plans are to ex-pand and offer online ticket sales againnext year.

Another first was the Bruins Bistro,a luncheon place that served salads,chicken salad on a croissant, chicken

casserole, coffee, and desserts all three days where the Dad’s Grill for-merly was located.

“We are always improving to make the Holiday Mart experiencebetter,” said Leanne Richardson, one of the mart

chairmen.Hayley Wilkerson and Kim Rainey also were

chairmen with Short and Richardson. Since theyhad also been chairmen for the 2013 mart, their

chairmen duties are over. Nikki Watlington and Tar-sha Basham will chair the 2015 mart with Short and Richardson.

Richardson graduated from USJ in 1987. Short was a student atOld Hickory Academy in 1970, the year it opened. She remembersher parents going to meetings to start the independent school. Both

women later sent their own children toUSJ.

With Watlington and Basham onboard, the four chairman are in the pre-liminary planning stages for the 2015mart. New for next year may be a chil-dren’s event on Sunday.

The Holiday Mart is the ParentsClub’s largest fundraiser each year.

“As an alum and a parent, I knowthe importance of the mart for ourschool,” Short said. “We would love tohave all parents involved.”

HOLiDAy MART

2014 Holiday Martbreaks a few records

Merchants, above, filled theCarl Perkins Civic Centerwith thousands of gift ideas.The 2014 mart chairmen,from left, were LeanneRichardson, Kim Rainey,Anne Short, and HayleyWilkerson.

Volunteering at the Friday Tea Room were alums KatherineTucker and Ashley Teague and alumni parent Carol Kirkland.

The 2015 HolidayMart will be Friday,

November 20, throughSunday, November 22.

21

All Summerw Camp Bruins: 2, 3, or 5 days a week, 7:30

a.m. to 5:30 p.m., 2 year olds through rising5th graders

w Lower School Summer Library: 9 a.m. to 3p.m. Tuesdays in June and July except forJuly 28. Special program at 10 a.m. Free

Week One: May 26-29 (Tues-Fri)w Girls Basketball: Rising 2nd-8th, $100

w Boys P.E. Games with Coach Dunn: Rising7th-9th, $100

Week Two: June 1-5 w ACT English Prep: Rising 10th-12th, $150

w Best of the West Soccer Camp: Rising 1st-12th, $120

w Guided Summer Reading (Tues/Thurs)Week 1 of 4: Rising 6th-9th, $125 total

w LEGO Programming and Robotics: Rising5th-9th, $175

w Little Bruins yoga: 3 to 6 year olds, $80(*See box)

Week Three: June 8-12w ACT MATH Prep: Rising 10th-12th, $150

w Boys Basketball: Rising K-2nd, $100; Rising3rd-8th, $120

w Guided Summer Reading (Tues/Thurs)Week 2 of 4

w Little Bruins Gymnastics: 3 to 6 year olds,$80 (*See box)

Week Four: June 15-19w Art-rageous Art Camp: Rising 1st-7th, $150

one session/$225 for bothw Baseball Camp (Mon to Thurs): Rising 1st-

4th, $100; Rising 5th-8th, $125w Driver’s Ed: Must be age 15 by June 1, $395

w Guided Summer Reading(Tues/Thurs) Week 3 of 4

w Jackson National GolfAcademy: Rising 1st-5th, $130

w Little Bruins Art Camp: 3 to 6year olds, $90 (*See box)

w Tennis Camp with DonNewman: Rising 3rd-8th, $90

Week Five: June 22-26w Jackson National Golf

Academy: Rising 6th-12th,$130

w SCRATCH intro to ComputerProgramming: Rising 2nd-6th, $150

w Guided SummerReading(Tues/Thurs)Week 4 of 4

w Little BruinsAdventure Camp:3 to 6 year olds, $150 (*See box)

w Tennis Camp with Ted Measley: Rising K-2nd, $100; Rising 3rd-12th, $150

Week Six: June 29-July 3: NO CAMPS

Week Seven: July 6-10w Football Camp (Mon to Wed): Rising 1st-8th,

$100w Musical Theater Camp (Week 1): Rising 1st-

9th, $160w volleyball: Rising 3rd-8th, $100

Week Eight: July 13-17w July Boys Basketball Camp: Rising

5th-8th, $150w July Soccer Camp: Rising

1st-8th, $100w Little Bruins TOT

Basketball: 3 to 6 year olds,$80 (*See box)

w Musical Theater Camp (Week 2)

Week Nine: July 20-24w Algebra Academy i: Rising

8th-9th, $150w Keyboarding for Middle

School: Rising 6th-8th, $125w Kids yoga: Rising 1st-5th,

$90w Tennis Camp with Ted

Measley: Rising K-2nd,$100, Rising 3rd-12th,$150

Week Ten: July 27-31w Math Fundamentals: Rising 6th-8th, $150w Spanish Academy: Upper School Spanish I &

II, $150w Tennis Camp with Ted Measley: Rising K-

2nd, $100, Rising 3rd-12th, $150

Art • Theater • Sports • Academics • Day Camp • Robotics & More

Summer Camp Detailsw More details about each camp will be online at

www.usjbruins.org/camps March 31.w Camps and classes, including Camp Bruins, are open

to everyone, not just USJ students. w * Extended care available after each Little Bruins

camp, 10:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m., lunch included, $75 aweek, $20 a day.

w For information on camps, registration, orpayments: Melissa Zerfoss, Director ofSummer Programs, at mzerfoss@usjbruins.org.

w For more information about Camp Bruins orLittle Bruins Extended Care: Faith Dixon,Director of Camp Bruins, atfdixon@usjbruins.org.

Join us for a summer of fun …

USJ summer camp registration opens March 31 at www.usjbruins.org/camps

22

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

USJ parents, faculty, staff, alumni, and friends

enjoyed an evening at the Dutch Garden Cen-

ter Conservatory for the second annual Boots

& Bowties fundraiser in January.

The evening featured music from Jessi Alexander, Jon

Randall, Randy Montana, and Jonathan Singleton. Patrons

enjoyed food prepared by Coyote Blues, beer tasting with

Fat Bottom Brewery, wine tasting with Forked Vine Wine

& Spirits, and both live and silent auctions.

Corporate sponsors of the event were West Tennessee

ENT Clinic — Dr. and Mrs. Karl Studtmann, Jones Fam-

ily of Companies, and Friends of USJ, a group of alumni.

“Thank you to all who donated auction items, the vol-

unteers, and our sponsors,” said Emily Richards, USJ’s Di-

rector of Development.

23

Alumni News

Melanie Layden, a 2008 USJ graduate, is a TV newsproducer and weather anchor on Channel 4,WSMV in Nashville.

She mostly took her education at USJ for granted, shesaid, until she began college. “I wasn’t a straight ‘A’ student atUSJ, but I excelled in college. I suddenly realized how greatmy education was at USJ and how it prepared me so well formy future.”

Layden had many interests at USJ. She excelled in English,her favorite class was geometry, she took French for seven years,and she ran cross country.

She found herself drawn to journalism. She decided to majorin broadcast journalism and minor in French at Ole Miss.

While there, Layden began working for the college televisionstation. She won the Journalism Excellence award her senioryear, which allowed her to pay for much of her remaining tuition.

After graduation, Layden became a producer and morningtraffic reporter in Huntsville, Alabama, where she was responsi-ble for choosing stories and writing the newscast. She became in-volved with Huntsville Young Professionals, an organization thatworked to raise money for children’s charities and local hospitals.

She recently accepted her current job in Nashville. “I’m really

happy to be back in Tennessee,” she said.Layden is also pursuing a masters degree in meteorology

through Mississippi State to become a certified meteorologist. “When I went to college, I wasn’t sure exactly what I would

do, but I had always been fascinated by weather,” she said.“Growing up in West Tennessee, I saw several tornadoes ripthrough my hometown. It peaked my interest in learning how topredict these storms and, in turn, possibly save lives.”

Layden is still settling into her position at WSMV, becomingfamiliar with the city, and reconnecting with old friends. “I havekept up with a lot of my friends and teachers at USJ.”

“Now that I am out of college and working, I have told myparents that they made a great decision in sending me to USJ. Itotally took it for granted. USJ set me up to excel and becomewho I am today.”

Melanie Layden:TV News Producer

Melanie Layden reports on the weather on WSMV TV in Nashville.

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

Alumni Tailgate: 5:45 to 6:45 p.m. Bruin Walk at 6:45 p.m. Free game tickets for alumni who contact Melissa Zerfoss, Director of Alumni Relations, at mzerfoss@usjbruins.org.

In memoriamThe USJ family sends its sympathy to the families of the fol-

lowing board members …w Dr. James Barker, who died February 20, was an EDS

Board member from 1980 to 1985. He and his wife, Anne, havethree children: Jim, John, and Elizabeth. All three attended Episco-pal Day School. Elizabeth is married to Mark Bennett, a 1990 USJgraduate. Grandson Harris Barker is in the eighth grade at USJ.

w Jim Matthews, who died November 30, was an EDS Boardmember from 1977 to 1981. Jim and his wife, Sharon, have twochildren: Mary Jane and Jimmy, who both attended EDS. Jimmygraduated from USJ in 1990. 

w Dorsetta Smith, who died February 10, was a USJ Boardmember from 2004 to 2009. She and her husband, Henry, havetwo children, Ashley, a 2009 USJ graduate, and Trey, a sophomore.

Class of 1974They are 40 years older, so members of the Old Hick-

ory Academy Class of 1974 gathered for a reunionlast fall. Pictured, back row, left to right, are Preston Shiv-ley, Ruth Ann Haynes Morrison, Scott Yarbro, EddyKoonce, Teresa Sanderson O’Neal, and Rick Burrow;and front row, left to right, Max Jordan, Freddie Hill,Andy Allison, and Bill Hymers. “We've got spirit —we’ve got more! We're the class of ’74!”

24

Class of 1994

Classes of 1978-1981The Old Hickory Academy classes of 1978, 1979, 1980, and 1981

hosted an Old Friends Weekend Reunion in September for allalumni of OHA, Episcopal Day School, and USJ. The event kicked offFriday, September 19, for an 8 p.m. Dutch treat social hour at FlatironGrill on Vann Drive. The next night, the group gathered for a reunionparty at the home of Bobby Bond.

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

Pictured, above, from left, are SteveShelton, ’79; Mark Johnson, ’78; JoshMiller; Ron Smith, ’79; Bob Bond; Kim-berly Haynes Miller; Chuck Treadway,’79; Kim Masoud, ’79; Elizabeth Smith;Boyte; Ginger Masoud, ’80; Lee AnneFranks, ’79; Laura Johnson Miller, ’80; Sonja Staples Drews, ’80;and Susan Brummitt Bond, ’81.

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

Reunions

More than 20 classmates and their families attended their 20-year class reunion during the USJ Home-coming weekend. Members of the Class of 1994 met Friday evening at the Homecoming game to

watch USJ play Jackson Christian. They also had photos made with the class and families. (Above.)On Saturday evening the class gathered at the home of Brad Hayes and reminisced with  food and drink.

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

25

w We extend our sympathy to the family of Jim Vinson, Class of1994. Jim died December 3, 2014, in Jackson after a brief illness. Hewas a member of the basketball and baseball teams. He was a 1999graduate of Union University. Jim was an avid fan of the St. LouisCardinals baseball team and the University of Tennessee Volunteers.He is survived by his parents, Fred and Jane Haynes Vinson.

w Sarah Barnes Fratesi, Class of1995, and her husband, Joe, wel-comed new baby Leah on July 23,2014. Leah has two older brothers:Nate, age 6, and Caleb, age 4. Sarah isan optometrist. The family lives inStarkville, Mississippi.

w Maria Reese, Class of 1998,married Jeff Zerr August 10, 2014, inChicago. Maria, who graduated from Stanford University and theUniversity of Southern California Keck School of Medicine, is an at-tending physician practicing sports medicine at the RehabilitationInstitute of Chicago. Her residency and fellowship were in physicalmedicine and rehabilitation.

w Jay Wilson, Class of 1999, and hiswife, Becky, welcomed their second child,Sadie Anne, on August 28, 2014. Sadiehas a 3-year-old brother, Connor. Thefamily lives in Memphis where Jay is avice president at Mercer Capital, a na-tional business valuation and financialadvisory firm. Jay has also recently co-au-thored several books, including TheESOP Handbook for Banks, The Bank Di-rector’s Valuation Handbook: What Every Director Must Know AboutValuation, and Acquiring a Failed Bank: A Guide to Understanding,Valuing, and Accounting for Transactionsin a Distressed Environment.

w Mary Beth Haltom, Class of1999, married Daniel Ethan White onNovember 15 at Second PresbyterianChurch in Nashville. The couple lives inNashville where Mary Beth is a partnerwith the law firm Lewis, Thomason,King, Krieg, and Waldrop. She gradu-ated summa cum laude from UnionUniversity with a bachelor’s degree inhistory. She was captain of the UnionUniversity Lady Bulldogs basketball team andearned Academic All-American honors.

w Jenny McDaniel Dennison, Class of2001, and her husband, Chesley, Class of2000, welcomed a new baby, Sophie Ella, onJanuary 16, 2014. Chesley is the Manager ofthe Commercial Telecom Sales Division for

Jackson Energy Authority. Jenny is a stay-at-home mom after being a Pharmaceuti-cal Sales Specialist for seven years.

w Jennifer Fisher Tachenko, Classof 2000, and her husband, MichaelPaul, welcomed new baby SolomonRiver on January 13, 2015. He has a bigsister, Keziah, who is 5, and a big brother, Reuel, who is 3.

w Nicolas Arcuri, Class of 2003, earned his medical degree atDr. William M. Scholl College of Podiatric Medicine at RosalindFranklin University of Medicine and Science in Chicago. His surgicalresidency was at New York Presbyterian-Columbia and New YorkCommunity Hospital. He served as chief resident his final year andvolunteered at the New York marathon as a podiatry team captain atthe finish tent. He is practicing at the Podiatry Clinic of Jackson withDr. Terry Holt.

w Katie Brush Nickey, Class of2005, and her husband, Donnie, wel-comed their second child. Darby Hannahwas born on May 26, 2014. She was sevenweeks premature, but is healthy anddoing well. She has a 3-year-old brothernamed Trey. 

w Carrie Brown Smith Campbell,Class of 2007, and her husband, Nick,Class of 2002, welcomed twin girls totheir family on August 27, 2014. SmithKathryn was born one minute beforeSarah Wray. The girls have an olderbrother, Peyton, who is in the third gradeat USJ.

w Courtney Byrd, Class of2010, was crowned Miss MississippiUSA last fall in Tunica, Mississippi.Courtney will participate in the MissUSA pageant in June.

w Elizabeth Breeden, Class of2011, married Brock Sain on December14, 2013, at Calvary Baptist Church inJackson. Brock proposed to Elizabethwhile on a Caribbean cruise with theirfamilies. Elizabeth will graduate inMay with a degree in broadcast newsjournalism and a minor in marketing.The couple currently lives in Cordova,Tennessee, where Brock works for theState of Tennessee. He graduated in2009 as a forensic chemistry majorfrom the University of Mississippi.

w Lee Mayhall, Class of2012, was named to the 2014 Capital One Academic All-America

Alumni updates

Sadie Anne and Connor Wilson

Solomon River Tachenko

Caleb, Leah, and Nate Fratesi

Mary Beth and Daniel White

Sophie Ella Dennison

Darby Hannah Nickey

Courtney Byrd

Elizabeth and Brock Sain

Campbell twins

Alumni updates1990-1999

2000-2009

2010 ...

Continued, page 27 …

26

At one time, Drs. David andAmy Self had the most chil-dren at USJ. Now, they have

only one child who has not graduated. The Selfs are both pediatricians at the Children’s Clinic. When

they moved their family to West Tennessee in 1995, they re-searched the local schools with the hopes of finding a collegepreparatory school with a high commitment to excellence.

“There was no comparison,” said Amy. “We knew that USJ hadthe best educational program in the area.”

Four of the Self ’s six children — Josh, Caleb, Ethan, and Eli —began attending USJ when they were in pre-kindergarten, whiletheir older two children — Ryan and Lauren — began in seventhgrade and fifth grade, respectively. The Selfs said that they couldn’tbe more pleased with the results of their children’s USJ education.

While the Selfs took advantage of some of the sports and fine artsprograms that USJ had to offer, academics was always the main focus.Her children had many opportunities, Amy said, but their favoritepart of USJ was the quality education that they received.

“I can’t say enough good things about the academics at USJ,”she said. “The teachers at USJ really care about the students and

have a heart to educate each individual. We are so thankful for USJand for the excellent education that has been given to our children.”

Lauren was the first of the Self children to graduate from USJ in2001. Josh graduated in 2010, Caleb in 2012, and Ethan in 2014. Both she and her husband have been particularly impressed withthe outcome of their children’s college careers, Amy said.

Ethan, for example, never took an AP class and had few honorsclasses while at USJ, but he learned to study well and has excelledhis first year of college. He told his mother that his studies in col-lege are less rigorous than his classes at USJ. This was exactly whatthe Selfs had hoped.

Another son, Josh, graduated with 40 hours of college credit be-cause of the AP classes that he was able to take at USJ.

The last of the Selfs six children, Eli, is in the ninth grade. Themost difficult part now is figuring out who will take him to school,his mother said.

“For more than 10 years we have had a driver in the family.Doing carpool again is new for us.”

Drs. Davidand Amy Self:Thankful forUSJ education

The Self family, from left, Josh, Caleb, David, Ethan, Amy, Lauren, Eli, and Ryan

young Alumni Brunch

As finals were winding down in December,faculty, staff, and USJ’s youngest alumni

enjoyed brunch while reconnecting and sharingstories from college. The annual Young AlumBrunch was held for members of the Classes of2010 through 2014.

Pictured, clockwise, from top left, are ThomasButler, Jim Hardegree, Rob Platt, Linda Hawks, Lauren andLashlee Randolph, Katie Exum, Haley Hall, Bridget Clark,

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

27

Division IIFirst Teamfootball teamby the Col-lege SportsInformationDirectors ofAmerica. Lee,who has a 4.0 GPA in industrial chemistry,is the first football player in University ofNorth Alabama school history to be namedto the First Team Academic squad. Lee, whowas featured on the 2014 Lion footballmedia poster, game day program, and ticketcover, was a top receiver on the team with an11.5-yard per reception average. Other hon-ors Lee earned this season included All-GulfSouth Conference Team and Capital ONEAcademic All-District team.

w Chase Hensley, Class of 2013, hasaccepted a scholarship to play baseball hisjunior and senior years at Middle TennesseeState University. Chase, who excelled inboth football and baseball at USJ, had a hardtime deciding what sport he wanted to do in

college. He originally committed toArkansas Tech in football, but changed hismind and decided to play baseball at JonesCounty Community College in Mississippi.Chase chose MTSU, an NCAA Division Ischool, over Louisiana Tech, Delta State andArkansas-Monticello.

w JosephPatterson,Class of2014, andLee Mayhall,Class of2012, metagain on thegridiron inSeptember as the former teammates turnedto rivals. Joseph plays for Mississippi Col-lege, and Lee plays for the University ofNorth Alabama. UAB won the game.

w Meredith Maroney, Class of 2014,will compete in the Miss Tennessee Scholar-ship Pageant this June as Miss Dyersburg. Afreshman at the University of Tennessee,Knoxville, she is pursuing a double major in

journalism and electronic media and His-panic studies and a double minorin history and political sci-ence. Meredith wants to makea difference through her plat-form “Making Memories:Building Connectionsthrough Alzheimer’s.” She isinvolved in the Arts &Alzheimer’s organizationat UT and is attendingcommunity service eventsfor other Alzheimer’s or-ganizations in Tennessee. She is a memberof Alpha Omicron Pi sorority and theKnoxville chapter of the Young America’sFoundation.

Basketball alumni were honored during the January 23 homegames against Rossville Christian Academy. The eventcapped off Basketball Spirit Week with themed dress-up days

and a Friday pep rally.During halftime of the girls’ game, members of the 2005 state

runner-up Lady Bruins team were honored. Jessie Metcalf McBeth,Katie Brush Nickey, and Dr. Amy Page were recognized on the court.The remaining 2005 Lady Bruin team members include CourtneyAlvey, Kacie Fite Butterworth, Anna Fowler Mullins, Katie Harper,

Mary Haynes, Carrie Beth Henson, Megan Klipfel, Megan LatimerPhillips, Becca Morris, Melissa Morrison, Lauren Smith, AddieStone Molpus, Audra Taylor, and Rachel Young.

“This year marks the 10th anniversary of their winning season,and we are so happy to have them with us tonight,” said game an-nouncer and Upper School History Department Chair Don Roe.

During the halftime of the boys’ game, alumni challenged facultyin a pickup game. Players on the alumni side included Westin Brant-ley, ’12; Abbey Orr, ’11; Austin Rogers, ’14; and Will Wright, ’12.

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

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

Basketball Homecoming game honors alumni

Alumni updates Update your information!Help us keep you informed about events and

reunions by updating your information and

preferences at usjbruins.org/alumni. Holiday Mart

and Preview Party invitations are not mailed, so

include an email address. You may also contact

Melissa Zerfoss at mzerfoss@usjbruins.org.

… Continued from Page 25

Lee, left, and Joseph

28

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USJ Weekend April 17 & 18

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

Association, USJ Weekend will offer baseball, softball, and tennis games, a barbecue lunch

with inflatables for the younger kids, and an outdoor movie that will open with live music

from Upper School students. Alumni and current families may obtain free tickets to any of the

games by emailing mzerfoss@usjbruins.org. Free tickets must be reserved in advance.

Friday, April 17w 4 p.m. Softball doubleheader, USJ vs. ECS. Several former players

will be recognized between games. An alumni hospitality tent will be

available.

w Families are invited to enjoy live music featuring Upper School

students on the football field before the outdoor movie. Music will

start as soon as the softball doubleheader ends.

w 7:30 p.m. Movie at The U, sponsored by the Student Government

Association. A family friendly movie will be shown on the football

field for all current families and alumni.

Saturday, April 18w 11 a.m. Barbecue at The U. Enjoy lunch just inside the

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

Inflatables will be available for the younger kids. Free to all current

families and alumni.

w 12 p.m. USJ vs. Arlington. The 1999 State championship baseball

team will be recognized between games.

w 2 p.m. JV team vs. Arlington

w 3:30 p.m. Tennis match

Note: Varsity boys soccer will play at 6 p.m. Saturday at JCS.

Seniors on the 1999State Championshipbaseball team were,above, from left,Roger Cook, DrewLester, J.R. Dunn,Coach Jimmy Carey,Rob Byrd, TimmySikes, and AndrewWhite. USJ Weekend will honor members of the team and bring backthe tradition of gathering with family and old friends on campus.