TRIANGLE Brentwood Academy Magazine | Fall 2015
Iron Sharpening Iron TEACHERS GAIN VALUABLE INSIGHTS ON STUDENT PROGRESS
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From the Headmaster
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arlier this fall, parents attended headmaster forums where I was able to spend time speaking about some of the themes I have shared with students as we started the new year. Among many topics, I discussed the following ideas that we continue to emphasize and that I believe are valuable as we carry out our mission here at Brentwood Academy.
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Life in a fallen world: As author Jacques Ellul says in The Presence of the Kingdom, “Our society is a manifestation, which cannot be challenged, of the revelation of God on the subject of our sin: there is none righteous, no, not one.” This echoes the teachings of the apostle Paul in Romans 3.
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Living under authority: In our culture, and in our own nature, there is both an inclination and explicit encouragement to reject any authority higher than our own personal choice.
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God’s Word as absolute truth: In contrast to our culture, which teaches that all values are relative and that there are no absolutes, we believe and teach that the Bible is God’s Word, and that there is absolute truth, personal responsibility, and accountability.
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Our sinful nature and need for a Savior: We also believe and teach that because of our own sinful nature, we are in need of a Savior. Jesus Christ is the only Savior, and is The Way, The Truth, and The Life. A personal decision to accept Christ as Savior and Lord turns our path from death to life individually, and positions us to fulfill our function as believers, which is to point others to Christ.
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The ongoing work of the Holy Spirit: The Holy Spirit is at work in each believer and gives us the ability to respond to life’s circumstances in ways that please God and that point others to a life-giving and life-changing relationship with God through faith in Christ.
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A personal relationship with Christ is essential for us to grow and thrive: With this personal relationship, we can live lives of clarity, consistency, and compassion, in such a way that we will not only have a purpose that is beyond ourselves, but also that will point others to Christ.
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Personal knowledge of Scripture is critical: Without a knowledge of Scripture, our children, and we, will not know how to respond to the problems of evil, suffering, disappointment, hypocrisy in the church, sexuality in all its variations, and our inability to meet the many needs around us. Scripture teaches how God intends for us to define ourselves—that our identity is defined not by our personal preferences or things that we are drawn to—but by his unique design and purpose.
In God in the Dock, author C.S. Lewis says, “If Christianity is not true, then it’s of no importance. If it’s true, it’s of infinite importance. What it cannot be, is moderately important.” As we continue to help our children thrive and flourish, I believe Lewis’ comment can be a main point of encouragement and admonition. If we believe Christianity is true for ourselves and for our children, we are called to do our best to shamelessly promote the truth and encourage one another to do the same. Let’s pray, as the apostle Paul did in Ephesians 6:19, that God will give us the right words to say, and that we may “open our mouths boldly to make known the mystery of the gospel.”
Curt Masters, Headmaster
Brentwood Academy Mission
Brentwood Academy is a co-educational, independent college preparatory school dedicated to nurturing and challenging each whole person— body, mind, and spirit—to the glory of God. 4
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TRIANGLE THE BRENTWOOD ACADEMY MAGAZINE | FALL 2015
HEADMASTER Curtis G. Masters
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Table of Contents 6
Iron Sharpening Iron
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Celebrating the Class of 2015
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Who Do You Play For?
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An Equine Adventure
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A Team With Passion
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Academic Spotlight
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From BA to the Big Stage
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Athletic Update
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Fine Arts Update
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Alumni News
2015-2016 Theme Verse For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age...Titus 2:11-12
HEADMASTER EMERITUS William B. Brown, Jr. 2015-2016 TRUSTEE CHAIR Jon Billington 2015-2016 ALUMNI COUNCIL PRESIDENT Jeri Campbell Moore ‘73 2015-2016 BA PARENTS ASSOCIATION PRESIDENT Leisha Yost EDITORS Leah Hoskins Susan Shafer STAFF WRITERS Lulu Luton Clark ‘76 Leah Hoskins Susan Shafer CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Barbara Carney Phil Goodman Maddie Jarrard ‘16 GRAPHIC DESIGN Phil Goodman PHOTOGRAPHY Andy Collignon Phil Goodman Barry Robbins Jennifer Vickery Smith The Triangle Magazine is published twice annually under the direction of the Brentwood Academy communications department and is distributed without charge to family and friends of the school. Brentwood Academy 219 Granny White Pike, Brentwood, TN 37027 615-373-0611
brentwoodacademy.com facebook.com/brentwoodacademy twitter.com/baeagles instagram.com/ba_eagles_tn Cover: Rebecca Fletcher Holmes ‘93 engages in formative assessment discussions at faculty orientation. Pages 2 and 3: A Fall Friday Night at Brentwood Academy. Photo by Andy Collignon. TR IA N GLE | Fal l 201 5
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IRON SHARPENING IRON Faculty Professional Development Takes Priority
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n early August, while students are squeaking out the last few weeks of sunshine and summer break, BA faculty can be found seated in student desks all over campus. Before they return to teach, the teachers take the place of students as part of BA’s ongoing professional development initiative. Although this continuing education can take place in universities, seminars, and conferences around the country, some of the most important growth comes from within as BA educators teach one another. This year’s back-to-school menu of workshops offered a wide variety of topics. Almost 30 training sessions, led by BA faculty, ranged from learning about how the hard wiring of the brain affects reading to equipping teachers with practical tools for multicultural classroom engagement. Formative Assessment Strategies to Meet Student Needs While teachers had “elective” sessions to choose from, the entire faculty focused on one specific area of study to go deeper into together. This year’s spotlight was on formative assessment, and faculty will expand on the topic as the year progresses. Session trainer and English faculty member Mr. Grant Lehman says that, in simple terms, formative assessment is evaluating “on the fly” where students stand in the learning process and then making adjustments to fit the students’ needs. This is in contrast to summative
(Left) Seventh grade science students problem-solve in teams; (right) Faculty divide into “think-tank” groups during a midsemester professional development day in September.
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COVER STO RY
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Tell me and I forget. Teach me and I remember. Involve me and I learn.
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assessments such as tests which measure a student’s mastery of something at the end of a unit. The assessments are not only evaluative, but are highly engaging and lend themselves to a wide spectrum of creativity across all disciplines. This makes it possible for the faculty to exchange ideas and methods whether it be for foreign language, art class, or math. Over the past months, teachers have continued to meet and encourage one another with new ideas, and classrooms are buzzing with active learning and formative assessment activities.
• In chemistry class, students are using dance moves
to represent the types of motion of atoms bonded in molecules to learn about entropy.
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calculus, students compete in the “Amazing Calculus Race” by solving problems that provide hints for where they can find the next clue in their journey. The team that solves the final problem first wins.
• In Spanish and math classes, students are hooked
on Kahoot, a web-based, fast-paced “game show” that requires quick problem-solving skills and creates some heated competition.
• In most all subjects, students are utilizing entry and
exit cards where questions are posed and must be answered before they can move on to the next task.
Assessments are not only evaluative, but also highly engaging and lend themselves to a wide spectrum of creativity. Because Brentwood Academy teaches on the block schedule with 90-minute classes, Mr. Lehman says it is critical that faculty break up class time with active learning techniques that can also double as assessment tools.
Students compete in “Kahoot,” a web-based competition that requires quick problem-solving skills. TR IA N GLE | Fal l 201 5
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Throughout the year, faculty will continue to gather for in-service sessions to exchange more ideas. “In the hierarchy of learning, it is proven that active participation results in nearly 100% retention, as opposed to reading about a topic or listening to a lecture which only results in about a 10-20% retention rate,” says Mr. Lehman. Teachers are reporting great success in the classrooms even within the first quarter as a result of using some of the formative assessment techniques. Throughout the year, faculty will continue to gather for in-service sessions to exchange more ideas. Mr. Chandler Ganick ’01, who utilizes the Kahoot software frequently, says his algebra students love the technique. “It is great to watch kids realize they understand what we are doing, and to see where they are struggling.” Mrs. Shannon Frost, Spanish, says she has seen the same results. “Teachers can gauge student understanding and provide immediate feedback. The students enjoy the social learning aspect and friendly competition as well as the opportunity to use the iPads in class.”
Teachers say students have begun asking for assessment activities as faculty have rolled out new and creative methods to evaluate student progress.
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GRADUATION
CLASS OF 2015
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rustee chair Mr. John Roberson and Headmaster Curt Masters presented diplomas to the 116 members of the class of 2015 at ceremonies on May 25 at Brentwood Baptist Church. Each graduate also received an inscribed Bible from Alumni Director Lulu Luton Clark ’76. Graduation speakers, selected by the class members, were Sarah Pleasant and Matt Binkley. Mackenzie Phillips was named class valedictorian and Maycie McKay was honored as salutatorian. The recipient of the William Brown Founders Award was Sarah Pleasant, who was selected for her representation of all aspects of the mission of the school. The Andy Anderson Spiritual Life Award went to Allyson Collins. The Carlton Flatt Athletic Awards went to Jacob Cretin and Camille Caldwell. The Clyde Swift Faculty Award, given to the faculty member who exhibits exceptional teaching, went to Mrs. Wendy Stallings, who has been a member of the Brentwood Academy faculty for 12 years.
Award Recipients CLYDE SWIFT FACULTY OF THE YEAR AWARD Mrs. Wendy Stallings, a physics teacher who holds a B.A. from Vanderbilt University and a master’s degree in science and religion from Oxford University (England), was named this year’s Clyde Swift Award winner. Trustee Chair John Roberson described Mrs. Stallings as the kind of teacher who “fosters communication with students which results in deeper relationships in the classroom.” He shared a comment from a parent whose daughter said that Mrs. Stallings makes math and science “cool.” Over the past 13 years, Mrs. Stallings has continued to encourage students to set high standards with her hands-on approach to physics. Last year, under her mentorship, BA’s robotics team captured the top design award among 450 teams in the world at the VEX Robotics World Championship.
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Mackenzie Phillips
Maycie McKay
Valedictorian
Salutatorian
William Brown Founders Award
Maycie distinguished herself as a gifted student, artist, writer, athlete, and follower of Christ. All 20 of her core academic courses in upper school were AP or honors classes, including six AP classes her senior year. She was a fouryear member of the Student Leadership Team and a two-time soccer captain. Maycie attends Lipscomb University on a soccer scholarship.
Sarah was a four-year member of the Student Leadership Team, an FCA officer, Homecoming Queen, a member of the Academy Dancers, an admission ambassador, and graduated with eight AP level classes. She attended the Global Youth Summit on the Future of Medicine at Brandeis University the summer before her senior year, and is pursuing a future in medicine at Duke University.
While conquering 10 AP and 11 honors courses, Mackenzie made significant contributions to the school literary magazine and finished second in the state in tennis. Her love for Spanish led to her involvement in the Sister Cities of Nashville program. She also served as an informal tutor for many of her peers. Mackenzie is pursuing a double major at Washington University in St. Louis.
Sarah Pleasant
Allyson Collins
Jacob Cretin
Camille Caldwell
Andy Anderson Award
Carlton Flatt Athletic Award
Carlton Flatt Athletic Award
Also awarded the Joe Campbell Service Award earlier in the year, Allyson is described by faculty as “authentic, genuine, and humble.” She spent her high school years serving as a summer counselor for Camp Wonderfully Made, a tutor for Preston Taylor Ministries, a pre-K Sunday school teacher at her church, and part of mission teams in Haiti and the Dominican Republic. Allyson is at Lipscomb University.
Jacob wrestled for the varsity team as an 8th grader and became a three-time state placer and state champion runnerup. On the football field, Coach Cody White says, “Jacob was every safety in the league’s worst nightmare as he rushed for more than 1,000 yards his senior year. Jacob will be remembered for the type of teammate he was and his willingness to serve his school and teammates.” Jacob is at Wheaton College (Illinois).
Camille was two-time state champion in shot-put; two-time runner-up state champion in discus, and scored the most points of any individual on the track team. She served as team manager for the varsity girls’ basketball team, and volleyball Coach Shari Christenson describes her as a quiet presence on the floor with an amazing work ethic and love for her teammates. Camille is at Samford University.
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The members of the Class of 2015 are attending 50 different colleges in 21 states across the nation and the District of Columbia. These students were awarded over $7 million dollars in academic, leadership, and athletic scholarships, not including the Tennessee HOPE Scholarship. The following list outlines the schools to which each student was offered admission. The college each graduate is attending is listed in bold italic.
50 Different colleges
William Elliott Abell University of Tennessee Knoxville, University of Alabama, Louisiana State University, University of Mississippi Katherine Wrenne Alexander
University of Tennessee Knoxville
Caroline Grace Ambrose
University of Tennessee Knoxville, Abilene Christian University, University of Alabama, Baylor University, DePaul University, University of Mississippi, Samford University
David Horner Anderson
University of Kentucky, Belmont University, Middle Tennessee State University, University of Mississippi, University of Tennessee Knoxville, Western Kentucky University
Katherine Grace Anderson
ACROSS 21 STATES
$
$7M in SCHOLaRSHIPS
Jo Helen Sudekum Baulch
Auburn University, University of Alabama
Michael Sean Beamon, Jr.
Tyler Junior College, Western Kentucky University
Justin Thomas Becci United States Air Force Academy Preparatory School, University of Alabama, University of Tennessee Knoxville James Thompson Berhow
Texas Christian University, Belmont University, University of Tennessee Knoxville
Raleigh Lane Berschback
Point Loma Nazarene University, Auburn University
Lee University, Berry College, Samford University, Taylor University
Matthew Joseph Binkley
Auburn University, Furman University, Lipscomb University, Samford University, University of Tennessee Knoxville
Aaquil Rasool Annoor
Furman University
William Lee Boling
University of Tennessee Knoxville
Deborah Bailey Arthur
University of Kentucky, University of Alabama, Samford University, University of Tennessee Knoxville
Laura Renae Bowling
Belmont University, Lipscomb University, University of Tennessee Knoxville
Turner Joshua Bacon
University of Tennessee Knoxville, University of Alabama, University of Mississippi
Shawn Keith Brashers II
Bethel University, Western Kentucky University
Connor Thomas Brown
Belmont University, Berry College, Mississippi State University, Samford University, University of Tennessee Chattanooga
Madison Olivia Brown
Auburn University, University of Alabama, Louisiana State University, Savannah College of Art & Design, University of Tennessee Knoxville
Riley Alexander Barrett Trevecca Nazarene University, Eastern Kentucky University, Murray State University, Tennessee Technological University Savannah Claire Bastian
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Eckerd College, Appalachian State University, Auburn University, DePaul University, University of Tennessee Knoxville
Stephen Alexander Bryson
Belmont University, University of Alabama, Union University, Western Kentucky University
Mary-Tate Bullion University of Tennessee Knoxville, Belmont University, Lipscomb University, Mississippi State University, Tennessee Technological University
Christian Daniel DiLucchio University of Dayton, University of Arkansas, University of Mississippi, University of Tennessee Knoxville Cameron Thomas Dodd
University of Mississippi, Mississippi State University, Tennessee Technological University, University of Tennessee Knoxville Miami University (OH), Auburn University, University of Dayton, DePaul University, University of Mississippi, University of Tennessee Knoxville
Madeline Gaines Burkhart
University of Tennessee Knoxville, Auburn University, University of Mississippi
Ruby Camille Caldwell
Samford University, Hampton University
Joseph Russell Doeg
Carmen Dianne Campbell
University of Miami, DePaul University, Hampton University, Spelman College
Edison Lee Dupree
University of Kentucky, University of Tennessee Knoxville
Bentley Paige Canady
Savannah College of Art & Design
Samuel Robert Paul Fadler
Mississippi State University, Coastal Carolina University, Eastern Kentucky University, Florida Gulf Coast University
Sabrina Grace Casey University of Tennessee Knoxville, Belmont University, Florida State University, Miami University (OH) Steven Hunter Chappell University of Tennessee Knoxville, University of Tennessee Chattanooga, University of Mississippi Morgan Katarina Clark
Lynn University, Middle Tennessee State University, University of Tennessee Knoxville, Western Kentucky University
Benjamin Michael Clayton
University of Tennessee Knoxville, Auburn University, Baylor University, University of Kentucky, Mercer University, Miami University (OH), Mississippi State University, Tennessee Technological University
Sawyer Clay Clemmons
Auburn University, Clemson University, North Carolina State University, Purdue University
Griffin Allanah Cole
Harding University, Tusculum College
Mary Allyson Collins
Lipscomb University, Baylor University, Berry College, Samford University
John Baylor Cook
Samford University, Baylor University, Belmont University, Mississippi State University, University of Mississippi, University of Tennessee Knoxville
Mary-Margaret Adams Crabb
University of North Carolina Chapel Hill, University of Alabama, University of Georgia, University of Tennessee Knoxville
Jacob Louis Cretin Wheaton College (IL), University of Mississippi, Samford University, University of Tennessee Knoxville Nathaniel Martin Dale
Furman University, Gordon College, University of Richmond
Darby Tatum Daniell Samford University, University of Tennessee Chattanooga Olivia Katherine Davis University of Tennessee Knoxville, Auburn University, Florida State University, High Point University, Indiana University, University of Kentucky, Miami University (OH), Ohio State University
Brendan Edward Finucane III Baylor University, University of Mississippi, Texas State University Maria Juliana Fontecha
Lipscomb University, Carson-Newman University, Florida State University, Ogelthorpe University
Carl James Foster Miami University (OH), University of Colorado at Boulder, Colorado School of Mines, Eckerd College, Georgia Institute of Technology, Indiana University, Macalester College, Purdue University, Rhodes College, University of Tennessee Knoxville Joshua Michael Friday University of Tennessee Knoxville, University of Mississippi, University of Tennessee Chattanooga David Landon Fuller
University of Alabama, Baylor University, Rhodes College, University of Tennessee Knoxville, Washington & Lee University
Lillie Jenkins Grant University of Tennessee Knoxville, Carson- Newman University Bradley Roberts Greer II University of Tennessee Knoxville, Belmont University, Samford University India Alexandria Hall
University of South Alabama
Brittany Nicole Hamrin Herbert Lawrence Hand III
Belmont University
Robert Reid Huddleston
Samford University, Berry College
Jordan Emmanuel James
Georgetown College, Western Kentucky University
Brandon Elijah John
Auburn University, Baylor University, University of Tennessee Knoxville
Patricia Jane Jones
University of Southern California, Auburn University, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
Pennsylvania State University, Auburn University, Belmont University, Clemson University, Furman University, Samford University
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John Alex Keller
University of Tennessee Knoxville, University of Kentucky, Mississippi State University
Clayton Paul Morrison
Wheaton College (IL), Clemson University, Colorado School of Mines, Covenant College, University of Tennessee Knoxville
Carson Brandt King
Clemson University, Auburn University, Miami University (OH), University of Mississippi, Purdue University
Michael David Moseley
Baylor University
Dawson Alan Knox
University of Mississippi, Mercer University, Samford University, University of Tennessee Knoxville
Turner Lewis Moss University of Tennessee Knoxville, Appalachian State University, University of Mississippi, Pepperdine University, University of Tennessee Chattanooga, Western Kentucky University
Holly Madison Knox
Belmont University, University of Alabama, University of Mississippi, Tennessee Technological University
Avery Rose Myrick
Belmont University, University of Alabama, Eckerd College, University of Tennessee Volunteer Bridge Program, Washington College
Rachel Sena Kwami University of Tennessee Chattanooga, University of Alabama, Auburn University- Auburn University Montgomery Seamless Bryant Daniel Nelms Savannah College of Art & Design, Watkins Admissions Program, Tennessee College of Art and Design Technological University, Western Kentucky University Margaret Anne Newman University of Tennessee Knoxville, Auburn University, Miami University (OH), Jenna Grace Langdon Belmont University, University of the Pennsylvania State University Cumberlands, Tennessee Wesleyan College Sara Louise Norton University of Mississippi, Auburn University, Roland Shinhe Lee Baylor University, Furman University, Lipscomb University University of Tennessee Knoxville, Union University Brayden Thomas Oswald Mississippi State University, Lipscomb University, Samford University, Tennessee Vance Steven Lipsey Bethany College, East Tennessee State Technological University University, Graceland University, Minnesota West Community & Technical College, Joy Nancy Owings American University, Abilene Christian Southwest Minnesota State University, Tiffin University, Belmont University, College University, Wayland Baptist University of Charleston, DePaul University Andrea Alejandra Lopez University of Tennessee Knoxville, Auburn University Betty Ellen Lovell
DePaul University, Centre College, Guilford College, University of Rochester, University of Tennessee Chattanooga
Milo VoShon Lumpkin
Georgetown College, Birmingham-Southern College, Thomas More College, Western Kentucky University
Erin Claire Mackie
Southern Methodist University, Baylor University, University of Mississippi, University of Tennessee Knoxville, Texas Christian University
Samuel Kurt Maloney
Louisiana State University, University of Alabama, University of Mississippi, University of Tennessee Knoxville
Cole David Marciniak University of Tennessee Knoxville, Auburn University, University of Mississippi, Samford University Mahyar Ramos Matin Azad
Lipscomb University, Belmont University
John Frank McGregor
University of Tennesse Knoxville, Auburn University, University of Mississippi
Maycie Lane McKay
Lipscomb University
Megan Leigh Meadow
Samford University
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Madeline Elizabeth Parrish New York University, University of the Arts, Point Park University Virginia Adair Patterson University of Alabama, Louisiana State University Tiger Bridge Program, University of Mississippi, University of Tennessee Volunteer Bridge Program Mackenzie Blair Phillips
Washington University in St. Louis
Jackson Rae Pittman United States Naval Academy Prep School, Stetson University Sarah Jessica Pleasant Duke University, Baylor University, Boston University, Clemson University, University of Mississippi, North Carolina State University, University of Tennessee Knoxville, University of Texas at Austin, Vanderbilt University, University of Virginia Colton Cayce Powell
Abilene Christian University, Baylor University
Andrew Mark Rankin University of Mississippi, Butler University, Furman University, University of Georgia, Ohio State University, University of South Carolina, Southern Methodist University, Texas Christian University Peter Alexander Richards
Oxford College of Emory University, University of Tennessee Knoxville
Benjamin Riggs Roberson Lipscomb University, Abilene Christian University, Belmont University, Samford University
Marissa Justine Rogers
University of Tennessee Knoxville
Kendall Elizabeth Ryan University of Tennessee Knoxville, University of Arkansas Claire Germaine Schaefer
Louisiana State University, Auburn University, College of Charleston, Loyola University New Orleans, University of South Carolina
Gabrielle Elizabeth Schaefer
Birmingham-Southern College, Louisiana State University Tiger Bridge Program
Sarah Elizabeth Sheets
Baylor University, Auburn University, Mississippi State University, Samford University
Elizabeth Catherine Smith
University of Mississippi, University of Alabama, Auburn University, University of Tennessee Knoxville
Kendall Paige Swanson Indiana University, Auburn University, California Polytechnic State University, University of Colorado at Boulder, University of South Carolina, University of Tennessee Knoxville Tysen Aguirre Terrell
University of Memphis, Brescia University, University of Kentucky, University of Tennessee Volunteer Bridge Program, Thomas More College, Western Kentucky University
Taylor McKinley Thompson University of Tennessee Knoxville, University of Alabama, College of Charleston, University of Kentucky, Louisiana State University Tiger Bridge Program, University of Louisville, University of Mississippi
Clark Matthew Wilson University of Tennessee Knoxville, Belmont University, Samford University, University of Tennessee Chattanooga John Forrest Wright
Mississippi State University, Auburn University, Tennessee Technological University, University of Tennessee Knoxville
Morgan Brittany Yamek
Baylor University, Appalachian State University, Berry College, Lipscomb University, Miami University (OH), Ohio Wesleyan University, Western Kentucky University
Alexander Russell Yost
University of Tennessee Knoxville, University of Alabama, Belmont University, Lipscomb University, Mississippi State University, University of Mississippi, Samford University
2015 AP Scholars 100 sophomores, juniors and seniors took AP exams in the spring.
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NATIONAL AP SCHOLARS
20
AP SCHOLARS WITH DISTINCTION
12
AP SCHOLARS WITH HONOR
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AP SCHOLARS
Jonathan Ryan Victory
Carson-Newman University, Samford University, Sewanee: The University of the South, University of Tennessee Knoxville, Wheaton College (IL)
Sarah Kathryn Weiss
Louisiana State University, Belmont University, University of Kentucky, Mississippi State University, University of Mississippi, University of Tennessee Knoxville
Jennifer Skye Weissman
University of Mississippi, Samford University, University of Tennessee Knoxville
3 of 3 scored a perfect 5 on the Calculus BC exam
Alexandra Laine Wiechart
University of Kentucky, University of Mississippi, University of Tennessee Knoxville
9 of 9 scored a 4 or 5 on the Calculus AB exam
Edward Nemarkus Wilks Christian Brothers University, Samford University, Troy University Charles Elijah Williams
Middle Tennessee State University, Tennessee Technological University
Chelsea Rae Williams
University of Kentucky, University of Alabama, Belmont University, Lipscomb University, Mississippi State University, University of Mississippi, University of Tennessee Knoxville
Caroline Elizabeth Willis
Auburn University, University of Alabama, Baylor University, University of Kentucky, University of Tennessee Knoxville
4 of 4 scored a 4 or 5 on the AP European History exam
5 of 5 scored a 4 or 5 on the AP Physics 2 exam
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FEATURE STO RY
Who do you play for? Ask this question of any Brentwood Academy varsity baseball player, and you will get a unanimous response: Talan Williams
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alan is an 8-year-old little boy who, less than a year ago, was completely unknown to the BA community. Today, the Crieve Hall Elementary third grader is practically a superstar on BA’s campus.
Talan was introduced to the Brentwood Academy family last spring by alumnus Daniel Cage ‘07, who had recently joined the BA baseball staff as an assistant coach. “I volunteered to coach a little league baseball team in Crieve Hall, and Talan was by far our best player who stood out from the rest. Around Christmas, his mom, Ashley Barnhill, told me he fractured his leg. As time went on, his leg didn’t heal, and Ashley contacted me to tell me Talan had Ewing’s sarcoma, a rare aggressive cancer,” Cage explained. Around the time Talan was diagnosed, the BA varsity baseball team was gearing up for its season and was prevented from playing due to relentless spring rains. The players were becoming restless and discouraged and nerves were wearing thin one day. “I think the guys were whining about the weather and complaining,” described Sgt. Jason Beddoe, father of catcher Evan Beddoe ‘17. “So Coach Cage told them about a very sick little boy across town who would do anything to be able to play the game he loves. He basically told them they needed to be thankful they were healthy enough to even play. That got their attention and one of the seniors asked for the boy’s name. The next day, Coach Cage came into the dugout and saw Talan’s name written on the white board. And then, the seniors asked if they could go visit Talan. They fell in love at first sight.”
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Talan Williams joins varsity baseball players Jay Stanga ‘16 and Ryan Victory ‘15 during a game dedicated to him.
After that, Team Talan was born. Eventually more people were visiting. Sometimes Talan’s mom would have a dozen teenage boys in her house playing video games, reading to Talan, and praying with him. They began reading Scripture to him and sharing devotions. Eventually the BA baseball parents got involved. Families spent time with Ashley and Talan during chemotherapy treatments; they went grocery shopping, mowed Ashley’s lawn, planted flowerbeds, and essentially became part of the family. BA parents
were instrumental in planning a very special day to honor Talan during one of BA’s home games. Talan Day was held on April 28. Talan threw out the first pitch, announced the players from the press box, and was able to hang out on the field with the guys, which quickly led to real friendships that continue today. Both teams set competition aside for a moment that day and gathered around the pitcher’s mound while Coach Buddy Alexander ‘84 prayed for Talan.
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“That game was probably one of the best experiences I’ve been a part of,” Evan Beddoe said. “It’s hard to put into words how it meant not just something to him, but also something big to us, too.” “He’s my hero. He’s the happiest kid you’ll ever meet,” BA third baseman Jay Stanga ‘16 said. “He has a right to feel upset and hurt, but he puts on a brave face every single day. Hanging out with him makes you realize that whatever problems you may have are really insignificant.”
“Life is tough, but it’s the way you handle it that matters. There is no better example of that than Talan himself.” —Daniel Cage ‘07
“It’s always such a joy and a pleasure to be around him; he brings so much life to you,” third baseman Warren Preston ‘16 said. “If he can be that positive with everything he’s going through, then why should any of us ever complain?” “This isn’t a service project for these guys,” assistant baseball Coach Chandler Ganick ‘01 said of the friendships. “That’s what makes this different. They’re friends. There’s no other way to see it.” Coach Ganick was instrumental in coordinating one of the most recent projects that the BA community has rallied
Find the video at:
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reformance.com
“When you see how many lives have intersected through Talan, you know it is the signature of God.” —Jason Beddoe
around to help Talan—a Goodwill donation drive, hosted at Crieve Hall Elementary School earlier this fall. “Just seeing how much they love me and how much they really care is amazing,” Talan said. “I know a lot of people think it is, but cancer is not that bad. I mean you go through chemo and all that, yeah that’s pretty frustrating, but you learn a lot from it and you learn who your real friends are that stand up to the plate. It looks like it’s bad, but it teaches you something. It teaches you who you are, and how special you are. I’ll go through it as many times as it comes back, and I’ll fight through it.” Talan’s treatment included 11 rounds of chemotherapy and eight weeks of radiation treatment. Since last spring, Talan has returned to campus for pep rallies and for a special treat before the MBA football game. Head Coach Cody White made Talan an honorary team captain and awarded him the privilege of coming out to mid-field for the coin toss before kickoff. Another chapter in this amazing story has been Talan’s introduction to Reformance Apparel Company. Jason Beddoe says when he met Talan, he knew he had to do something for this family and to share his story. Beddoe contacted a friend at Reformance who produces the video series “Who Do You Play For.” He also had a friend in video production who volunteered to produce Talan’s story and to get Joe Buck to narrate it. “When you see how many lives have intersected through Talan, you know it is the signature of God,” said Jason Beddoe. When you see an innocent little boy who is carrying such a heavy burden, you’re mystified by the fact that he rises above it and continues to keep a positive spirit. It breeds hope. That’s what Talan does for me personally…he gives me a glimpse at the heart of God.” “I don’t know why this happened to Talan, but God has a purpose for him,” Cage said. “Life is tough, but it’s the way you handle it that matters. There’s no better example of that than Talan himself.” On November 1, Talan and his mother received word that he is officially in remission.
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Jackson Buchanon’s Equine Adventure
BA ALUMNUS LANDS ONE OF 12 PLACES IN PRESTIGIOUS THOROUGHBRED PROGRAM
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early all of us can measure what we know about thoroughbred horse racing in twominute increments. We see two minutes of the Kentucky Derby, two minutes of the Preakness and about two and a half minutes of the Belmont Stakes. We know the world of thoroughbred horse racing involves very large, colorful, and strange hats. It involves billions of dollars, jockey silks, colts, and fillies. Jackson Buchanon ‘11 knows much more than that about the thoroughbred industry already, and will know just about all there is to learn about thoroughbred horse racing. Upon completion of his University of Kentucky degree in equine science, he applied for and was awarded one of 12 spots in the prestigious Darley Flying Start program.
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Darley Flying Start is a two-year, full-time international management and leadership-training program for the thoroughbred industry. Twelve candidates are selected annually to receive the scholarship, which includes full expenses and a monthly allowance. The Darley Flying Start program was founded in 2003 by the ruler of Dubai and prime minister of the U.A.E., Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum. Sheikh Mohammed owns a global breeding and racing operation named Godolphin and one of the best stallion rosters in the world, named the Darley Stallions. The Darley name comes from the Darley Arabian, one of three foundation sires of the modern thoroughbred racing bloodstock. In 95% of modern thoroughbred racehorses, the Y chromosome can be traced back to this single stallion.
Training takes place in Ireland, England, and Kentucky in year one; and in Australia and Dubai in year two, where Jackson and his international classmates will spend several months in each location studying various aspects of thoroughbred racing. His journey began in August at Kildangan Stud (horse farm to the rest of us) in County Kildare, the rural heart of the Irish horseracing industry. While studying in Ireland, class members have attended race meetings throughout the country, completed an equine anatomy and physiology degree from the University College of Dublin, and attended the Goffs bloodstock sales while also working on the farm in the mornings.
“There is a bench atop a hill that overlooks the gallops...my favorite spot to spend some quiet time with God.”
Jackson’s comments about the Irish experience so far: The highlight of my first month has been living and working on the farm. It is one of the most beautiful places I have ever seen. Covered in green grass, the farm is “mowed” by fat, happy charolais cattle and sheep. Eight-foot shrubs line every fence line and road. Each barn looks more like a Brentwood house than a horse barn. There are fountains and perfectly manicured lawns in the middle of the barn yards. Everything is kept to perfection. We are currently breaking the yearlings for the racetrack and it is such an experience because it seems that each horse I touch is worth millions of dollars. It is a magical place. There is a training track in the back of the farm that is no longer in use. It is a mile gallop with wood chips and inside of the circular track is a big straw field. The outside of the gallops are lined with massive hedges and the fields surrounding the gallops are home to many horses, sheep, and cattle. There is a bench atop a hill that overlooks the gallops and it has become my favorite spot to go think/decompress/spend some quiet time with God. It has become one of my favorite places in the entire world. Ireland is no doubt busy: working in the yards (barns) from 8:00-1:00; class from 2:00-5:00; and working on assignments and studying until midnight or later. We take visits throughout the week to different training yards, farms, veterinary hospitals, and government agencies throughout Ireland. There is definitely not a lot of time for sleep! The funny thing is that, in my hardship, I find myself remembering the same rigorous schedule that I had at BA. I find it humorous how much my time at BA has impacted my future. I feel very blessed for the past experiences of my school, and as I have discussed with the rest of my Darley Flying Start classmates, I am the only one to be fortunate enough to say that!
Jackson Buchanon ‘11 (center) with two of his Darley classmates on the beaches of Ireland.
2015-2016
SCHOOL-WIDE SERVICE PROJECT The Red Wagon Project is a collaborative effort between teens in the community and Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt to provide extra support items for Children’s Hospital patients and their families during their hospital stay. Red Wagon Project Ambassadors are recruited to coordinate donation drives in their schools, churches, community organizations, or neighborhoods.
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Perfect Scores Seniors Olivia Cook and Thomas Koch Ace the ACT
The ACT is a standardized test that measures high school students’ college readiness, with portions of the test covering English, mathematics, reading, science, and an optional writing test. Cook and Koch are part of the fewer than one-tenth of one percent of students who take the ACT and earn a perfect score of 36. Cook, a member of the international award winning BA Robotics Team, is also on the Math Team, Youth in Government, and the National Honor Society. She attended the 2015 Governor’s School for Emerging Technology and holds a brown belt in bujutsu, a Japanese martial art. Koch, who is also a National Honor Society member, is a BA Admission Ambassador and serves as a Big Brother. He plays trumpet in both the BA band and the jazz ensemble. All Tennessee students are required to take the ACT, and Brentwood Academy students take it twice, once as juniors and again as seniors.
CHESS CHAMP Michael Bowling ‘18
Sophomore Michael Bowling is a state champion chess competitor, winning the title in a tournament sponsored by the Tennessee Chess Association. He competed against a large field of other students to win the title at a tournament on the Tennessee Tech campus. Michael started playing chess in the first grade through a chess program at his elementary school and credits his mentor, Mr. Ron Seaney, with his love of the game and with his learned skills. To keep his chess skills sharp, Michael plays chess at least once a week and also plays online.
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Mr. Brown Inspires Each fall, the middle school Student Leadership Team is treated to a special lunch and visit from Founding Headmaster Bill Brown. Mr. Brown takes time to show students photos from the “early years” and share the history of our school’s founding and mission.
The Admission Team: Gloria Bourgeois, Lisa Greene, Sue Gering, Jenny Cretin, Kurston Biggers ‘97, Jason Mathews
T A Team
With Passion MEET THE BA ADMISSION TEAM
he common thread running through the admission team at Brentwood Academy is passion for the mission. Talk to any member of the team and you will quickly find out that their passion is highly contagious. Just ask any prospective student or parent after they finish a tour with one of the members of the team. Most leave infected with the BA “bug” and come back for more. That may be why almost all of the members of the team were BA parents before they came to work in the admission office. The one exception is alumnus Coach Kurston Biggers ’97, whose threeyear-old daughter is just not quite old enough to attend BA, but can be spotted in her uniform with the cheerleaders on Friday nights. “When I start a tour, I tell parents I have the best job in the world,” says team leader Mr. Jason Mathews, who joined the admission office as director in May. “I’m just sharing something I believe in as a parent. It is so easy to speak to other parents about what they are going to experience.” Mathews has two children, Bryce ’16 and Baylee ’20, and also teaches AP economics while coaching the offensive line for the varsity football team.
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Kurston Biggers ‘97 and Gloria Bourgeois greet visitors for tours every Tuesday and Wednesday.
“When we accept a student, we are accepting the entire family. It is a privilege to speak from that perspective,” says Mathews. Team veteran Mrs. Sue Gering agrees. She now guides families through the financial aid process, after having led the team as admission director for 10 years (see page 28). Like Mathews, she served as a faculty member (math department chair and computer teacher) and has two alumni children, Meg ’01 and Sarah ’04.
“The buildings may be nicer and our population may be more diverse, but the depth and the relationships are the same.” — Kurston Biggers ‘97
She has seen the process evolve over the past decade, yet remain consistent by focusing on the key to the process— relationships. “We spend a lot of time investing in relationships with our prospective families. Even though a lot has changed in the past 10 years with the explosion of the digital age, what hasn’t changed, but has gotten even better, is that we seek to know families so well before admission decisions,” Mrs. Gering explains.
Lisa Greene and Jenny Cretin on the first day of school this year.
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“One reason families choose BA is because of the relationships their children have with exceptional teachers and coaches. I know because my children are benefitting from that today.” — Jason Mathews Assistant Admission Director Mrs. Jenny Cretin, parent of Jacob ’15, who is at Wheaton College, estimates that by the time a family reaches the point of decision, they have spent a minimum of 12 hours of individualized attention through the entire process. “Just one element of our process that is unique is that we spend a full hour interviewing students and their parents,” says Cretin. “At every level of the process—from the campus tours to Admission Day to shadow days and interviews—we are getting a deeper insight into students, and parents are getting to know us better to see if their children belong here.” Coach Biggers has been a team member for six years and decidedly has the strongest testimony of how the BA experience is a family decision, and not just for the student. When Biggers leads a tour, he shares his own story of how his family’s decision profoundly changed their lives. “When I came to BA as a freshman in 1993, it was more as a punishment. I was a bad kid. I literally had never heard the name Jesus Christ,” he explains. “I came to Christ when I was a junior and my mom did the same my senior year. She passed away when I was 24 and she was 47. Because we came to BA and were introduced to Christ, I know I will get to be with her again one day. She loved this place, and she would be thrilled to know that I am on the admission team and sharing her story with others.”
APPLICATION PROCESS AND CHECKLIST Below is an outline of Brentwood Academy's admission application process with important dates. • Submit your online application (and $50 application fee) which serves as your registration for Admission Day and student testing (November 14 or February 6). • Schedule your family interview following Admission Day by calling our office at (615) 523-0611. Interviews last about an hour. • Schedule a student shadow day (optional) by calling the Admission Office. Prospective students are invited to visit during a regular school day to learn more about campus life by "shadowing" a current student in their classrooms. • Admission decisions are mailed in mid-January to applicants who have tested in November. Applicants who test on February 6 will be notified in late Spring.
As the lone alumnus on the admission team, Biggers has a unique perspective. “The core of BA will never change. The buildings may be nicer and our population may be more diverse, but the depth is the same and the relationships are the same,” he says.
Biggers returned to BA in 2004 after playing football at the University of Tennessee, graduating, and working for D1 Sports Training for several years.
Biggers is often seen leading a weekly campus tour, offered every Tuesday and Wednesday morning at 8:30 AM. In addition to being in charge of assigning faculty and staff to responsibilities on Admission Days, Biggers coordinates the Big Brother/Big Sister program which pairs older students with brand new ones.
“Coach (Carlton) Flatt called me one day to tell me I was going to be his next strength and conditioning coach, and I’ve never looked back,” says Biggers.
At the core of any great team is the heart of the operation, and in the case of the admission office it is the sweet smiling faces of Mrs. Gloria Bourgeois and Mrs. Lisa Greene. Both are BA
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moms: Gloria has two alumni children, Taylor ’01 and Austin ‘02; and Lisa has two alumni children, Taylor ’11 and Caroline ’13, and two current students, Andrew ’16 and Alex ’19. Mrs. Bourgeois holds the team honor of most years served in the admission office, 16 years, and Mrs. Greene is the rookie, having joined in July. “Gloria and Lisa just get things done,” says Mathews. “They are the first faces of BA to most of our families. Their smiles and their warmth are invaluable. They are great ‘people’ persons.” From the newest to the oldest member of the admission team, it is clear each member is sold out on one another. “We are so cohesive,” says Mrs. Gering. “If someone sees a need, they just meet it.” Mathews says, “Being new, I am so thankful for the tremendous resource I have in Nancy (Simpkins Brasher ’73) and Sue who have done this for so many years. They know the job and are so affirming. They ‘nurture and challenge’ me, and I know I can lean on them for advice and guidance.” Mrs. Brasher served as admission director in the 1990s and has served as middle school director since 2000.
FINANCIAL AID “Our board of directors has made an intentional effort to make a BA education affordable to families who may otherwise never have the opportunity,” says Director of Financial Aid Sue Gering. “Our school is generous. Just this year, 207 of our students are receiving more than $2 million in need-based aid.” The average award is $10,659. Brentwood Academy does not offer merit-based scholarships. The aid is strictly need-based which is defined as the difference between what it costs to attend Brentwood Academy and a family’s ability to pay. No family receives full tuition assistance, which is intentional, according to Mrs. Gering. “When a family has some ‘skin in the game,’ so to speak, they are more invested in the mission,” she explains. “The favorite part of my role is seeing how families sacrifice to make this experience possible for their child.” “Every family’s story is heard as part of the process. It is critical we know them and they know our heart and desire to make a BA education possible for their child,” she says. To help navigate the aid process, the admission office has provided a complete step-by-step process and checklist on the “Tuition and Financial Aid” page on the BA website under the “Admission” tab. All applications for aid are made through a third party organization called School and Student Services (SSS)—sssbynais.org/parents. Once the application is submitted, SSS recommends an amount of aid for consideration to the BA financial aid committee.
Mathews is clear that the unofficial, but most valuable player of the team, is the faculty at large. “This is not a five or six person job,” he explains. “One of the reasons families choose a BA education is because of the relationships their children will have with our exceptional teachers and coaches. I know because my children are benefitting from that today.”
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What is your greatest hope for your children? Justin Johnson ’17 is a member of the Academy Singers. HIs parents say they chose BA because they wanted him to be known and to be surrounded by mentors who would speak into his life in addition to what he hears at home.
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Apart from their saving faith, our greatest hope is that our children discover and develop their God-given gifts and talents and that they learn to integrate their faith into all of life.”
- Steve and Trudy Johnson parents of Justin Johnson ’17
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ACADEMIC S P OT L I G H T
Two BA Alumni Experience the Fulbright Program
The Fulbright Program is the flagship international educational exchange program sponsored by the U.S. government and is designed to increase mutual understanding between the people of the United States and the people of other countries. The Fulbright U.S. Student Program offers fellowships for graduating college seniors, graduate students, young professionals, and artists to study, conduct research, and/or teach English abroad. The program was founded in 1946. Share in the adventures of two graduates from the Class of 2010, Zack Brown and Lindsey Rowe.
by Zack Brown ‘10
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oing into my Fulbright year in Tajikistan, I knew three things: I was curious about the economic and political development of Soviet satellites; I wanted to experience “the world” before life became too restricting; and I was willing to go beyond my comfort zone in order to learn and experience. I did not know any of the languages my students would be speaking, nor much about the town I would be in, nor how to teach. Granted, Fulbright
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had sent me through an intensive English teaching course, but my only real experience managing a classroom was in an honors history of philosophy course at Samford University. Teaching English and parsing Dante are rather different. Throughout the year, though, I found myself using and appreciating methods and strategies I had learned at Brentwood Academy—from both inside and outside the classroom. I taught at the Tajik Pedagological Institute in Panjakent, which is about 40 kilometers from the Uzbek border.
Even though students learn English from elementary school onward, mastery is still a long way away for most. A majority of the people in Panjakent could recognize some words and read a few sentences, but could not have a conversation beyond “Are you American? Can you get me visa?” Students had a great eagerness for learning English, but few actually committed to learning in a structured method. My main struggle was instilling work ethic in students who, up until that
Zack Brown ‘10 views a summer sunrise in a valley in Nepal.
point, had either gotten their grades by just showing up, cheating, or having their parents bribe the teacher. The problem of work ethic is manifold. For one thing, going to school is not seen as the requirement that it is in the U.S. Rather, it serves as a reprieve from labor-intensive housework for the girls and a time to mess around with friends for the boys. My high school students had little reason to exert much effort in their schoolwork, so trying to make it clear that they would have to work when they were in class with me was a hurdle. In some instances, students needed a useable connection for learning to seem worthwhile. For instance, students often mentioned how they hated their science classes. When I asked why, without fail they would respond that the teachers only lectured and that there were not materials for doing experiments and seeing things in action. Hearing this made me appreciate the hands-on science classes I had—dissecting cats with Mr. Steve Hollis and titrating solutions and lighting tables on fire with Mr. Jeff Bryant. I was able to integrate some science application learning into my English classes—when we talked
about weather, rather than just learning words, we discussed friction and rubbed our hands together to feel the heat. Making the language applicable to the rest of students’ lives was a key to showing them why it was important to study.
being a teacher, I had an inkling that I would want to be one like “Babs”— where students enjoyed the class for the content, but knew that they had to work not only because the tests were hard, but also because the material was challenging and worthwhile.
And study they had to. I remember hearing horror stories about Mrs. Barbara Stewart’s ancient history tests before starting that class in freshman year. Because of these tales and the pressure that came with them, I did study harder and did know the material better than I would have otherwise. I attribute my study skills and success in college directly to all of Mrs. Stewart’s classes. When I considered the idea of
My inclinations were correct. Students told me that my tests were harder than any they had ever taken before, even state exams. I’m not sure whether or not to be proud of that, or to feel bad for my students. Because of the rigor of the tests and the amount of material students had to know, I was able to measure improvement and reward students who
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Having competed on a national level with BA’s forensics team and performed in a handful of fine arts productions, I was better equipped to write, produce, and direct a play than other Fulbrighters. did improve, creating a motivational system. Another Fulbrighter and I devised systems where we would move students into different classes based on their scores on tests. Students tried harder because they wanted to learn more and work on more challenging material.
had never directed a play, nor had I been involved with any production since my senior year of high school.
In my most advanced class, we focused on reading and comprehension skills. I enjoyed hearing what students thought about different articles and seeing if they could conjecture about possible events in a book. These and other free-form conversations about cultural comparison made me so thankful for similar conversations I had in Mrs. Cameron Phillips’ and Mrs. Cindy Lovell’s (Montgomery) English classes. And the grand BA tradition of memorizing Robert Frost lives on in Panjakent. When students asked me about American poetry, I pulled up “The Road Not Taken” and made some Frost fans for life. Some of Mrs. Carolyn Dobbins’ favorites were hits on our open-mic poetry day.
Farzona and I held auditions for college and high school students. We had about 13 girls show up and exactly two guys, neither of whom were Romeo material. We ended up just asking people to be the roles we thought they would perform well. I resolved to rewrite the play in modern, ESL-appropriate language (script available at internationaleveryman. wordpress.com). Once the script was done, we moved into practices. Here, the language barriers and work-ethic issues were on full display.
In January, I was on the phone with fellow 2010 BA alumnus Paul Clymer when I got a call from my coordinator, Farzona. She asked me if we could do a Valentine’s Day play to help students practice speaking skills. She wanted to perform Romeo and Juliet for the town at the local theater. Before saying whether it was possible, I paused, thinking about the language issues that may be caused by that play, the potential logistical nightmare it posed, and the fact that I
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But then my Fulbright mantra—“Never say no”—dictated the decision. Thus began the most harried time of my grant period.
Having competed on a national level with BA’s forensics team and performed in a handful of fine arts productions, I was better equipped to write, produce, and direct a play than other Fulbrighters may have been. In teaching blocking and how to walk on stage, I relied on the same methods that Mrs. Holly Shepherd had taught me as when I was Captain Hook in the middle school production of Peter Pan. We took a day to learn about scales of emotion and how to show it on the face and in the voice. I appreciate fully now the different ways Mr. John Cox ‘00, Mr. Ryan Hubbard, and Mrs. Joanna Franzke Glick helped me craft different emotional responses for competition. Being able to express
onesself was something that a lot of my students did not have the luxury of doing in their daily lives or at home. It was extremely rewarding to see them show how their characters felt and thought about different relationships between their characters, and apply the lessons of expression in other areas of their lives. When a BA production had a kiss, it was a big deal, a show-stopping moment that got the audience roaring. Typically, Romeo and Juliet involves a big kiss scene as well. Not the Panjakent version. To make sure that parents, relatives, and gossiping neighbors would not be offended or apt to spread rumors that the woman playing Juliet was, in actuality, going to marry the man playing Romeo, we settled on a very scripted peck on the hand. The kiss between Lauren Rogers ‘10 and Davis Denney ‘10 in our middle school production of Tom Sawyer was hotter. The performance went well, despite some typically Tajik mishaps, and I was exceedingly proud of my students for the work they had put into the production. It was interesting to see how, with the knowledge that they would be performing for their friends and family and representing their school, students’ determination and effort became more pronounced. That same sense of duty was instilled in me by the fine arts department—if you mess up, you’re not just making yourself look bad, you’re making your school look bad. I went into my Fulbright year knowing that I wanted to try out teaching, thanks in part to the teachers I had at BA. I thoroughly enjoyed learning alongside students, helping ideas form, and seeing light bulbs turn on. The level of respect I have for my teachers is now so much higher. Regardless of language barriers, location, or availability of resources, teaching is tough work, especially with middle and high schoolers. I am so grateful for all of the people who helped shape me into the thinking person I am today.
Lindsey Rowe ’10
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erhaps a seed was planted when Lindsey Rowe ‘10 enrolled in a seventh grade Spanish class at Brentwood Academy. It was a perfect fit and she went on to take Spanish classes every year at BA, including an AP Spanish course.
Fast forward to college days at Vanderbilt University, where Lindsey majored in Spanish along with developmental psychology. After her sophomore year, she was awarded a Fulbright Summer Institute grant, which allowed her to travel to London for the summer to study. A plus was being in London during the Olympics. During her junior year, she spent a semester in Madrid, Spain, as part of Vanderbilt’s foreign study program. During her college senior year, she applied for and was named a Fulbright Scholar. At this time, she also applied to and was accepted by Teach for America, a twoyear program which places college graduates in inner city schools. After receiving her B.S. degree from Vanderbilt, she headed for Madrid and a year of serving as an English teaching assistant in a public bilingual high school in Madrid. At this school, all classes (except Spanish) are conducted in English so Lindsey was able to use her skills of teaching English as a second language to ninth grade students. She also had the opportunity to work with students in a program entitled Global Classrooms International, a program much like the Model U.N. in which she had participated as a Brentwood Academy student. Her year in Spain also allowed her the time to travel throughout Europe and Spain and to thoroughly explore Madrid. She lived with a Spanish family during her time in Madrid and met a number of other Fulbright Scholars also serving in Madrid. Lindsey is back in Nashville and is working with Teach for America, which gave her a one-year deferral so she could go to Spain. At Tusculum Elementary in Nashville, Lindsey is teaching second grade. Many of her students are of Hispanic background so once again she is teaching English as a second language. After her tour with Teach for America ends, Lindsey may pursue a Ph.D. It has been a while since that seventh grade girl first began her Spanish classes, but her work has certainly flourished.
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LOOKING BACK
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J. Mac Brown ’83, David Stansell ’86 and Trace Blankenship ’85 spent numerous hours in the booth at the back of the theatre making certain sound and lighting enhanced the fine arts productions as well as assemblies. This photo is circa 1982. The booth has been totally updated several times since this photo was taken and now is truly “state of the art” for theatre production.
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COME SEE WHY IT’S A
GREAT DAY AT BA!
ADMISSION DAY Saturday, February 6, 2016 • Register Online or call (615) 523-0611
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OPEN HOUSE
CAMPUS TOURS
April 2, 2016 No reservations needed. Call (615) 523-0611 for more information.
Every Tuesday & Wednesday at 8:30 AM No reservations needed. Call (615) 523-0611 for more information.
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FUTURE READY Check Out BA’s New Responsive Website
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After a year of planning, designing, and developing, the BA website now takes the school into the foreseeable future. With stunning photographs of students and faculty, minimal graphics, and video enhanced web pages, the BA website allows the values, tradition, and mission of Brentwood Academy to be told in a way that can be accessed “on the go” via smartphone or desktop computer.
We live in a world that is increasingly dependent on information being readily available via the Internet.
Web technologies continue to progress so website platforms become more resilient to the changing demands of user experiences. Reconfigurations of current website designs are now part of a continual marketing and branding strategy. We live in a world that is increasingly dependent on information being readily available via the Internet. This has resulted in a massive increase in Internet usage on mobile devices. According to an April 1, 2015, Pew Research article, “64% of American adults now own a smartphone of some kind, up from 35% in the spring of 2011. Smartphone ownership is especially high among younger Americans, as well as those with relatively high income and education levels.” Americans are now more Internet savvy and more connected than ever.
When the communication team at BA began plans in early 2014 to revamp the aging school website, it was critical that the website be a “responsive design.” No more pinching and pulling to see information on your phone. Responsive web design means that the site is optimized and easily viewed across a wide range of devices. Simply put, the website will look good on your phone.
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4Q FOU R QU EST I O NS
Mrs. Bonnie Hall How did you hear about Brentwood Academy, and what made you apply to teach here? I first learned of Brentwood Academy while in college at Vanderbilt. I met several alumni and learned more about the school. When I finished grad school, I applied to BA because I was intrigued by the Christian foundation with strong academics. No job opening existed when I interviewed in March. In June, I was about to accept a job from another school, and I decided to check my email. Mr. Paul Compton had emailed me informing me the calculus teacher was retiring, and BA wanted me in for a second interview. BA felt “right,” so I took a leap of faith. That was 15 years ago; BA still feels right. What is it like being mathematics department chair? Given that I have only been chair for a few months, I am still in the midst of a very steep learning curve. The math department is filled with an amazing group of professionals. Every teacher strives to better his or her craft, and we work extremely well together. Because of that, it is an amazing department to lead. What was it like getting your master’s at Stanford? I’m a southern girl. I had moved back to Mississippi after Vanderbilt, so heading out west was a big step for me. I loved it! My cohorts were from all over the world. I loved sharing ideas about how the mind works and various teaching strategies. I was also a token southerner. I remember a professor making introductions in a research group. He shared each person’s name and field of study. For me, he added “and she’s from Mississippi.” That was common. The sheer fascination with the southern culture was something I had not expected. Tell us a little bit about your family. My husband, Billy, and I are both from Mississippi. We went to the same high school and we were acquaintances, but didn’t date then; our paths crossed again after 14 years. We have one little girl, Anna Baria. She is five years old and loves coming to all the BA events. She asks me at least once a week how long she has to wait before she can be a BA Eagle. We really feel as though Nashville is our home. Much of that is due to the love and support we have received from the BA family over the years.
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Bonnie Baria Hall Position: Chair of the BA Mathematics Department AP calculus teacher Education: Jackson Preparatory School B.S. Vanderbilt University M.S. Stanford University Bonus Fact: Bonnie was the last person hired by Bill Brown before his retirement in 2000.
4Q FOUR QUESTIONS
Dr. Allen West
George Allen West IV ‘94 Position: Orthodontist BA Board of Trustees Education: Brentwood Academy B.S. University of Tennessee D.D.S. University of Tennessee School of Dentistry Vanderbilt Medical Center Orthodontic Residency Bonus Fact: Allen was a groomsman in Peyton Manning’s wedding.
What is it like as an alum to be back serving on the Board of Trustees? It has been a true joy serving on the board of the school I attended. The school has changed a lot in the last 20 years, and I am thankful for the opportunity to serve. Are you involved in any community activities? Yes, we are involved in a project called Cul2vate which helps train people how to grow food in an effort to feed the hungry. We are in the building phase on two locations in Williamson and Davidson counties. What are your hobbies? Walking, talking, sitting, playing, listening, working, digging, lifting, climbing, crawling, falling, and chain sawing as long as they are all outside. Our family loves to be outside so, as a family, we participate in all of the above! Tell us a little bit about your family. I married Emily Stewart ‘95 who is a BA alumna. She came as a sophomore from Dickson County High School. Our friendship started at that time which somehow led to marriage, two children, two dogs, and now I am 40! Our daughter Dakota is nine, and our son George is seven. My wife and children changed my life because God used them to show me personally how much He loves me.
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Barnes and Noble Booksellers in Cool Springs hosted Dr. Rene Rochester and her co-author for a book signing on Saturday, November 21.
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Doc Roc’s New Book Focuses on Thought Processes
BA Author
By Maddie Jarrard ‘16
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r. Rene Rochester’s passion for teaching is evident in her constant engagement with students—from the students who attend her afterschool study hall to the “students” who attend her speeches at conferences. Now, Dr. Rochester, affectionately referred to as “Doc Roc,” teaches a broader audience with the release of her new book written, of course, for teachers. On September 10, Dr. Rene Rochester and her co-author, Dr. Annita Kerr-D’Amico, released The Culturally-Wired Brain: Why Cultural Bridging is Critical for Learning and Understanding.
“It’s knowing everybody looks through their own glass,” Dr. Rochester said, explaining the importance of cultural acclimation. “Everybody comes to the table with something. Let’s find out what that something is.” The book focuses on dealing with the root system of thought processes. In order to assimilate into a new culture, one has to “re-wire” their brain. “You learn how to learn new things,” Dr. Rochester said. One method the book examines is code switching, a “mental or verbal skill that uses ideas from more than one language or culture in order to ‘see’ or understand another individual’s point of view.”
Dr. Rochester explained that the book was inspired by a combination of her experiences as a teacher and as a student. Being the first African American to earn a doctorate of health education from the University of Texas, she has been breaking cultural barriers all of her life. The book presents the importance of recognizing people of different cultures and acclimating to their learning needs.
“You can learn anything. You just may have to go about it a different way,” Dr. Rochester said.
The Culturally-Wired Brain is primarily directed towards teachers like herself, or anyone trying to understand other cultures better. Dr. Rochester said, “As teachers, we do a lot of the talking, but don’t allow the students to do a lot of the talking.”
The implementation of the book’s practices is one of the best parts for Dr. Rochester. Her favorite chapter is the one she wrote to the church and the community, which is a call to parents, teachers, pastors, and community members to share in the role of a teacher in children’s lives. This chapter also delves into the relationships between adolescent development and spiritual development. “I love to teach God’s people His truth, or at least invite them into the conversation,” Dr. Rochester said.
Throughout the book, she stresses the importance of teachers becoming more “attentive students of our students.” Ultimately, the goal is for teachers to be able to learn and adapt to the learning needs of their individual students—recognizing that different cultures require different kinds of attention. Dr. Rochester explained the difference between two different cultures with this example: In South Africa, their “Hello” is a kin to “Sawa bona,” which means “I see you.” The return greeting, where we may say “Hello” back, they say “Sik hona,” which means “I am here.” Explaining the translation requires a cultural understanding that surpasses simple phrase substitution.
Now, Dr. Rochester and Dr. Kerr-D’Amico are releasing a workbook for the church that goes along with The Culturally-Wired Brain, as well as conducting workshops centered on implementing the ideas the book presents.
Dr. Rochester and Dr. Kerr-D’Amico sent copies of the book to powerful figures in society such as President Obama and Oprah Winfrey, hoping to inform as well as inspire a movement of change in education. Dr. Rochester said, “We all bring something expressive. We might have grown up in a different garden, but we’re called together to be a bouquet.”
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Jalen Ramsey ‘13 Jalen Ramsey, a junior football and track standout at Florida State, has been touted as one of the top NFL draft picks for next season. He was recently named one of 16 semifinalists for the Jim Thorpe Award, given to the top defensive back in the country.
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FROM BA
TO THE
BIG STAGE
B
rentwood Academy football has gone bi-coastal, as Eagle football alumni represent colleges across the country. Much is being written about Jalen Ramsey ‘13 of Florida State and Graham Shuler ‘13 of Stanford. Another alumnus, Derek Barnett ‘14, gets plenty of ink around the SEC. In case you’ve sequestered yourself from sports pages in recent years, in three football seasons at Florida State, Jalen Ramsey has already earned Freshman All-American, All-American and first team All-ACC honors. He won the ACC long jump title at the outdoor and indoor championships last season, and also
ran lead leg on the ACC outdoor champion 4x100 relay. These performances earned Jalen All-American honors in track. Jalen credits BA for preparing him for academics and athletics. He said, “BA prepared me for college athletics in football and track because I competed against some of the best athletes in practice and in our conference during games or meets. BA’s weight program is also very good because it kept me in good shape. Not everyone else coming into college even knew how to lift properly.” Regarding academics, he said, “BA prepared me for college academics in every subject. All bases were covered while I attended BA, from speech to math, English, science, and history. I didn’t go into college worrying about not being able to keep up with my academics. I already had the blueprint from my time in high school. Also the block schedule in high school is really good because that’s exactly how it is in college.” Jalen’s spiritual roots, nourished at BA, have grown stronger, as well. “I read the Bible every single day, I go to chapel with the football team, and I surround myself with other Christians and people of faith so that we can push each other spiritually. Hanging around a good group of people makes it easy. The football team are all guys of faith and we pray together after every practice and before and after every game.” On the west coast, Graham Shuler, the starting center for the Stanford Cardinal, is on the Rimington Award watch list. Closer to home, Derek Barnett wowed the SEC with his prowess at defensive end for the Tennessee Volunteers, when he finished his freshman season setting the Vols’ record for most sacks (10) and tackles for loss (20.5) in a season by a freshman and lead the entire SEC in TFLs (18) in league play. For his freshman performance, he was named Grantland National Rookie of the Year and was named to several freshman All-American teams.
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Graham Shuler ‘13 Senior center Graham Shuler has been named to the Rimington Trophy watch list for the second year in a row. The trophy is presented annually to the nation’s best center. He started every game in 2014 and helped lead the offensive line at Stanford to a No. 18 national ranking in tackles for loss allowed. In 2015, Shuler has started every game and (as of press time) helped the Cardinal lead the Pac-12 with only one loss.
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Derek Barnett ‘14 Sophomore Derek Barnett has been named to the Midseason Watch List for the Ted Hendricks Award (Defensive End of the Year Award). He has started every game in 2015 at right defensive end. As a freshman, Barnett played all 13 games, starting 10, and led all true freshmen in the SEC in tackles with 72. For 2015, he was named to the Preseason All-SEC Second Team by the Coaches and Associated Press.
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B R E N T W O O D A C A D E M Y A L U M N I F O O T B A L L P L AY E R S
WHERE ARE THEY NOW? San Diego Chargers
King Dunlap ‘03, Ryan Carruthers ‘09
University of Colorado
Mike McIntyre ‘84, Head Coach
Hamilton Tiger Cats (Canada)
Kent Austin ‘81, Head Coach
Bethel College
Shawn Brashers ‘15
Eastern Kentucky University
Tyler Swafford ‘14
Florida State University
Jalen Ramsey ‘13
Furman University
Aaquil Annoor ‘15
Georgetown College
Shon Lumpkin ‘15, Jordan James ‘15
Houston Baptist University
Max Staver ‘13, Brandon Taylor ‘14
Johns Hopkins University
Jonah Reels ‘14
Lindsey Wilson College
Marcus Graham ‘14, Kamil Malone ‘14
University of Maryland
Christian Carpenter ‘12
Middle Tennessee State University
William BeAird ‘11
Murray State University
D’Montre Wade ‘13
Rhodes College
Reid Besch ‘13
Samford University
Justin Anderson ‘13
Stanford University
Graham Shuler ‘12
Tennessee State University
Joseph Johnson ‘14
Tennessee Tech University
Radir Annoor ‘12
Tyler Junior College
Michael Beamon ‘15
U.S. Air Force Academy
Connor Johnson ‘13
U.S. Naval Academy
Kwazel Bertrand ‘11, Amos Mason ‘13,
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Jackson Pittman ‘15
University of Mississippi
Dawson Knox ‘15
University of Tennessee
Nathan Renfro ‘11, Derek Barnett ‘14
Virginia Military Institute
Stephen Miller ‘13
Virginia Tech University
Woody Baron ‘12
Wheaton College
Jacob Cretin ‘15
Helen Phillips ‘21 is an honor student and one of three middle school golfers named to the 2015 All-HVAC team. Her parents, Kevin and Kathryn Phillips, are serving as this year’s Annual Fund Chairs because they know the importance of investing in the mission and ministry of Brentwood Academy.
“
What is your greatest hope for your children?
Our hope for our children is that they achieve balance, have an accurate sense of self, know love, and that they are loved—while being grounded by a lifelong pursuit of learning and strong faith.”
- Kevin and Kathryn Phillips parents of Helen ‘21 and Jackson ‘19
Give online by visiting brentwoodacademy.com/give
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ATHLETIC
U P DAT E
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Spring/Summer Athletic Recap TRACK The boys’ varsity track team earned its 22nd state title in May. George Patrick ‘16 was named the 2015 Track Athlete of the Year by The Tennessean and the Gatorade State Boys’ Track Athlete of the Year. He was also selected to Team USA and finished fourth at the World Championships in Cali, Colombia in July where he set an American Youth record with 7,493 points in the decathlon. George is the son of Jason Patrick ‘89, a standout decathlete during his years at BA and the University of Texas. BASEBALL Ryan Victory ‘15 was named to the 2015 All State Baseball team. He is currently playing baseball at Carson Newman College. GOLF Middle School students Helen Phillips ‘21, Mason Elzinga ‘21 and Jack Morris ‘20 were named to the HVAC All-Conference team. TENNIS Mackenzie Phillips ‘15 finished second in the state for Div. II-AA tennis. She is continuing her tennis career at Washington University in St. Louis. CROSS COUNTRY Varsity girls’ and boys’ cross country won state championships (see back cover) on November 7. Brother and sister Carter ‘19 and Claire ‘17 Cheeseman finished first (see page 50). Middle school girls’ cross country placed second in the HVAC Championship. VOLLEYBALL Middle school volleyball finished the season in second place. Halli Henninger ‘18 was voted to the Div. II Middle/East Region All-Star Team. Cara Sadler ‘16 and Maddy Williams ‘18 were named honorable mention. FOOTBALL Brock Schoenwald ‘16 was recognized by the Great American Rivalry Series as a Scholar Athlete. Brock and five other senior teammates were also named to the Tennessee All-State Academic Team: Chris Hopkins, Ryan Johnson, Bryce Mathews, Jack Propst, and Isaac Way. On October 29, Scott Wells ‘99 presented BA with the NFL’s Super Bowl High School Honor Roll Gold Ball. The NFL is presenting a ball to high schools across the nation who have had graduates active in a Super Bowl. TR IA N GLE | Fal l 201 5
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Running runs deep in Cheeseman family (September 23, 2015) BRENTWOOD — Their father, Ken, ran cross country and track at Virginia. Their mother, Cathy, did the same at Chattanooga, and their oldest sister, Allison, is a two-time TSSAA cross country champion and runner at Davidson. For Brentwood Academy track and cross country athletes Claire and Carter Cheeseman, you could say running runs in the family. “There’s some deal of pressure I guess, just kind of living up to the family name,” said Carter Cheeseman, a freshman. “But I don’t necessarily feel it as much (at Brentwood Academy). I feel like people don’t think of me as a Cheeseman; they think of me more as a good runner.” Claire Cheeseman set a new personal record (17:59.22) at last weekend's Trinity/Valkrie Invitational in Louisville. In any case, the Brentwood Academy brother-sister duo has measured up so far. Claire Cheeseman, a junior, has posted top 10 finishes in each of her three state meet appearances, including Division II-AA thirdplace finishes in 2013 (19:15.32) and 2014 (19:15.32). “It was a real blessing running with Allison because she really knew how to lead well,” said Claire, who ran alongside her older sister during her two state championship campaigns (2012, 2013). “I was just able to learn from her and kind of get my feet wet and get comfortable. Now
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I kind of know what I’m doing and I can take the lead.” Last year as an eighth-grader, Carter Cheeseman finished fifth (16:21.43). Both are the top returning runners in Division II-AA, and both appear poised to capture state titles at the state championships Nov. 7 at the Steeplechase course. “You can never be entirely confident because I think there’s going to be really good competition,” Carter said. “I’m looking forward to the state meet and seeing what I can do there.” Easing Them In Claire and Carter were introduced to running at a young age, but they were by no means thrust into the sport. “We always wanted them to do whatever they desired, but we did get their feet wet when they were little, just in those little Vanderbilt track meets,” Cathy Cheeseman said. Claire and Carter began running cross country in the fourth grade. “They weren’t really training though,” Cathy said. “You have two practices a week and maybe four meets.” Unlike basketball and football, in cross country, it’s a little harder to spot a standout at such an early age. “I think you can at least tell that there is a toughness or that they have a head for it, so to speak,” added Cathy, who has coached at Brentwood Academy since 1997, helping lead the Lady
Reprinted with permission from
Eagles to three state cross country championships and five runner-up finishes. “I think if you’re willing to do the things over time, that’s when you find out if someone is great or not.” It wasn’t until Claire and Carter arrived at Brentwood Academy in the seventh grade that they began to take the sport seriously. “Seventh grade is basically when I started doing year-round training, but this is the first year I’ve had a chance to train with the high school team,” Carter said. “Last year I didn’t get that opportunity, and I definitely feel a lot stronger than I did last year. I put in a lot more work this summer than last year." Bouncing Back The oldest Cheeseman child, Allison, currently a sophomore at Davidson, didn’t have the freshman season she had hoped for. Looking back, however, it was through no fault of her own. “She had an iron deficiency that we didn’t know about, and she struggled mightily,” Cathy Cheeseman said. “All season she just kind of kept declining, so over the winter we had her checked and her iron level was way low. “I think she feels strong now. She had her first 5K this weekend. It wasn’t exactly what she wanted, but I thought it was a solid start.” Allison posted 65th-place finish at last weekend’s Commodore Invitational (18:16.3). Due to Brentwood Academy’s trip to Louisville for a meet, Cathy was unable to attend. However they’ll both be in attendence for this weekend’s Charlotte Invitational.
Triangle editor’s note: On November 7, Claire and Carter Cheeseman finished first in the TSSAA State Championship, leading both the girls’ and boys’ teams to state titles.
Claire ‘17 and Carter ‘19 Cheeseman stand atop the winners’ podium at the TSSAA Division II-AA State Championship. (Below) Cathy Cheeseman doubles as a proud mom and the head coach of the girls’ varsity cross country team at BA.
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Spring Dance Show
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Annie
To Kill A Mockingbird
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ALUMNI NEWS 70 Laura Jungmichel Allen ’74 founded Public Risk Insurors four years ago and the company has grown to be the largest public entity insurance agency in Tennessee. The company insures cities, counties, and schools. Laura and her husband, Dave, went to Las Vegas in July to renew their wedding vows on their 10th anniversary. Gordon Kennedy ’78 performed a twoman acoustic tour with Peter Frampton in August. Gordon has written songs for the up and coming Bonnie Raitt album due out early 2016. He has a song on the Target exclusive version of Don Henley’s new “Cass County” album.
80 Meril Bonds Gerstenmaier ’81 works with husband, Dave, in their Richmond, Virginia-based landscape architecture business. She has served as CEO and, following a merger with Stewart Engineering, she now serves as vice president of operations. Mike Vicary ’83 is the owner of Cambridge Leather, a company selling executive gifts to large companies, with a special niche market in professional golf and golf shops.
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Laura Hill Born ‘86, became a certified lymphedema therapist in July, 2014. This is a new addition to her regular physical therapy job at Northeast Alabama Regional Medical Center Rehab Services Department in Anniston, Alabama. Her oldest son, Trey Rigsby, was accepted into the Alabama School of Mathematics and Science in Mobile and began his tenth grade year in August. Her youngest son, Tyler Rigsby, is in the ninth grade at the Donoho School in Anniston. Charlie Hynes ’86, wife, Elaine, and children, Charlie 13, Will 11, and Henry 8, have moved back south after living in New Jersey for six years. They currently live in Watkinsville, Georgia. Charlie works for Burlington Stores as VP of East Coast Distribution and Elaine is a teacher’s assistant at Athens Academy. Lee Hemmrich Hunt ’86 is the department chair for business programs at Aiken Technical College in Aiken, South Carolina. She was named Faculty Member of the Year at the May, 2015 commencement. Trey Kelley ‘86 is in his third year with SAIC supporting the US Army Fixed Wing Project Management Office. He was promoted this past year to program manager. Viva, his wife, just attained the milestone 10 years as an Army civilian and has assumed responsibilities as the Deputy of the US Army’s UAS Foreign Military Sales with the US Army Unmanned Aircraft Systems Project Management Office. Daughter Karrie lives in Mobile, and gave birth this past year to grandchild number three. Son Thomas graduated magna cum laude in May from the University of Alabama Huntsville with a degree in aerospace
engineering. He accepted a position as a Navy civilian in Jacksonville, Florida, working on the F-18 program. Son Taylor is second year cadet at the US Military Academy at West Point. Brent Glossinger ’87 has taken a position at Valor Christian High School where he will be teaching the “Life and Teachings of Christ” and coordinating discipleship programs. He previously was at Front Range Christian School for 13 years. Brent and his family live in Littleton, Colorado.
90 Susan Hemmrich Flanagan ’90 has recently changed jobs and is now the Southwest regional manager for Solatube Inc. in Dallas, Texas. Ashley Kemp Hendry ’95 accepted the new position of venue sales manager at The Tennessee Performing Arts Center (TPAC) in Nashville. Ashley and her husband, Bryan, live in Brentwood with their son, Barrett. Curt ‘Revelette ‘99 and Mason ‘04 Revelette’s restaurant chain, Jonathan’s Grille, made the Inc. 5000 list of Fastest Growing Companies for the third year in a row. They also opened a Santa Monica, California, office for their company, Vet On Demand, an app allowing pet owners the ability to video chat with a veterinarian from their mobile devices.
BA W ELCOMES NEW CH I L D RE N O F ALUM N I
Eighteen children of alumni enrolled at Brentwood Academy this fall as new students. They join 88 returning alumni children students, bringing the total of children of alumni to 106 this year. Front row (left to right): Sophia Perry (Brad Perry ’92), Lilly Jones (Nicole Hardwick Jones ’90), Eliza Helton (Mike Helton ’88), Dora Stansell (David Stansell ’86), Lily Wilson (Courtney Rudolph Wilson ’91), Anna Perry (Matt Perry ’98), Ann Grace Wall (Courtnay Baron Wall ’90), and Bailey Gaidos (Brad Gaidos ’82). Back row: Mae Holmes (Kyle ’93 and Rebecca Fletcher ’93 Holmes), Matthew Perry (Matt Perry ’98), Davidson Lunn (Eddie Lunn ’94), Aidan Brown (Ley ’79 and Jackie Bethel ’85 Brown), Zephan Murphy (Chris Murphy ’86), Jackson Wells (Scott ’99 and Julie Crosthwait ’99 Wells), Ragon Petty (Robin Perkins Petty ’93), Meredith Lane Finucane (Michael Finucane ’90). Not pictured are Reilly Callis (Charlotte Sheriff Callis ’84) and James Patrick (Jason Patrick ’89).
Trael Webb ’99 left the Department of Justice division of Real Property Management in Washington, D.C. to become director of American University’s Office of the University Architect, where he is responsible for all on-campus building and renovation projects.
00 Andrew Causey ’00 and his wife, Lisa, live in Franklin, Kentucky. Andrew serves as pastor of worship arts at Crievewood Baptist Church in Nashville. Brandon Broach ’01 and wife, Emily, have been married 10 years. They have a daughter Ella, 6, and a son Luke, 4. They live in Birmingham, Alabama. Brandon works for Stanley Black and Decker in sales and is currently in ministry school at The Highlands College. They are both involved in leadership at Church of the Highlands. Patrick Kenny ’01 graduated with the 2015 class from the Executive MBA program at the Vanderbilt Owen Graduate School of Management. Charlie Howell ’02 is in his third year of graduate school at the Seattle School of Theology and Psychology in Seattle, Washington.
Adam Martin ‘02 started his new role with Lifepoint Health, in May, 2015, as the chief operating officer of Wythe County Community Hospital in Wytheville, Virginia. Stephanie Broach ‘03, just graduated from Dallas Theological Seminary with her master’s in biblical counseling and is living in Birmingham, Alabama. Kelly Dillon ‘03 has recently been promoted to Jefferson County School’s English as a second language goal clarity coach. The schools are in Louisville, Kentucky. Jordan Rutledge Long ’03 is a graduate of David Lipscomb University with a journalism degree and she co-owns her company, Rare Assembly, a website design and branding company. Rare Assembly works with companies of all sizes to create unique brands in print and on the web. Lara Flatt Dawson ’04 and her family are moving to Charleston, SC in November. Her husband received a job promotion with Boeing. Beth Gillem ‘04 graduated with a master’s degree in marriage and family therapy from Trevecca University. Beth is now with Sage Hill Counseling in Nashville where she is a therapist and group facilitator.
Jordan Carnell Hajacos ’04 was promoted to assistant director of sales and marketing for the Vanderbilt Student Centers. Maggie Howell ’04 is living in Charleston, South Carolina, and is special projects manager for the Southeastern Wildlife Exposition. Aaron Broach ‘05 works in Montgomery, Alabama, for the architectural firm JMR+H Architecture. Katey Fadler ‘05 is living in Nashville and is the youth sports coordinator at the Franklin YMCA. Katelyn Rutledge Brown ’05, her husband, Luke, and son, Rutledge Evans Brown, live in Nashville. Katelyn graduated from the Art Institute of Charleston with a double major in culinary arts and business management. She has her own business, Katelyn Brown Photography. @katelynbrownphotography Katie Morrison Newton ‘05 and husband, Heath, recently moved from Portland, Oregon, to Austin, Texas, and will be making their home in Pflugerville, near Round Rock, Texas. They have one child, Joel, and are expecting their second child in March, 2016.
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Elizabeth Raymond ’05 started a new position as college counselor at Christ Presbyterian Academy in September. She was formerly with Grace Christian Academy in Knoxville. Addison Edmonds ’05 has taken his love of hunting and of his dog, Gunner, and invented the “perfect” dog travel kennel. Called Gunner Kennels in honor of his four-legged pal, the company, under Addison’s design direction, makes kennels that surpass others now on the market in both safety and durability. He hopes to expand the company into lifestyle products in the hunting sports. Learn more at gunnerkennels.com. Sarah Storey ‘05 is enrolled at the University of Virginia in Charlottesville pursuing an M.Ed. in educational psychology: applied developmental science. Chris Cate ’06 is a data scientist with Hospital Corporation of America in Nashville. He and his wife, Jessi, live in Thompson’s Station.
Taylor ‘06 and Lydia Northern ‘06 Dudney are living in Brentwood. Lydia works for Johnson Audiology, a Chattanooga-based clinic, that is expanding to Cool Springs and Murfreesboro. Taylor works for Pyxl, Inc. as a graphic designer with offices in the Nashville Germantown area. Caroline Carter Smith ‘06 and a friend founded a new business in early 2014 called Help You Dwell. Help You Dwell is a home organizing and staging company with office space in The Hive, a community of creative entrepreneurs in a shared workspace, located in “Downtown North” in Knoxville. Erin Grimson McCall ‘10 of Erin McCall Photography also has an office in The Hive. Sarah Stow, ‘06, was awarded a Ph.D. in chemistry at Vanderbilt University in August, 2015. Sarah is a postdoctoral scholar at Vanderbilt in the McLean Laboratory with Dr. David Hercules. She received a B.S. in chemistry and a B.S. in mathematics from the University of Georgia.
Caitlin Burkhart Byrd ‘07 graduated in May, 2015 with a M.S. in nursing and will continue to work for HCA at Centennial Heart as a nurse practitioner. Aly Holland ’07 works for Backroads, an active travel company. She started leading cycling tours, but now is a specialist in the Crisis Management department at company headquarters in Berkeley, California. Claire Parks ’07 is in her third year teaching first grade at Edmondson Elementary School in Brentwood. Rachel Caudell Anderson ‘08 and her husband, Caden, both work at New Hope Academy in Franklin. This is Rachel’s third year as a kindergarten teacher and Caden’s second year as P.E. teacher. Caden also assists David Peden ’97 at Battle Ground Academy with the high school boys’ basketball team. Laura Bumbalough ’08 works at Vanderbilt Medical Center as a labor and delivery nurse since graduating from Villanova University.
C HI L D R EN O F A LUM N I • 2 0 1 5 GRAD UAT ES
Receiving their BA diplomas on Memorial Day were 11 children of BA alumni. Front row: Connor Brown (Ley ’79 and Jackie Bethel ’85 Brown), Allyson Collins (Jay Collins ’84), Kate Alexander (Buddy Alexander ’84) and Bradley Greer (Brad Greer ’85). Back row: Cameron Dodd (Nan Torbert Dodd ’78), Nathan Dale (Jan Rodgers Dale ’80), Brendan Finucane III (Brendan Finucane ’88), Dawson Knox (David ’90 and Rachel Clift ’90 Knox), Sam Maloney (Dawn Denny Evans ’85), Turner Bacon (Buddy Bacon ’82) and Ryan Victory (Callie Fowlkes Victory ’83). Of note, is the fact that 125 children of Brentwood Academy alumni have graduated from BA.
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Amy Fadler ‘08 is teaching eighth and ninth grade history and theater at Lighthouse Christian Academy in Nashville. She also is the middle school and high school volleyball coach and the theatre arts play director. Matthew Rosenbaum ‘08 was recently featured in American Theatre magazine for his part in the Ingram New Works readings. Matthew is performing professionally for the 2015-2016 season with the Nashville Repertory Theater in Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead, with Studio Tenn in It’s a Wonderful Life, and with the Nashville Children’s Theatre in Cinderella. Jess M Rutledge ’08 is a graduate of the University of Tennessee Knoxville in accounting, received his master’s degree in accounting from David Lipscomb University, and he works for Ernst and Young in Nashville. Annie Alexander ‘09 will complete her nursing program from Columbia State in November. Her undergraduate degree is from the University of Tennessee Knoxville. Savannah Ellis ‘09 is on staff at Fellowship Bible Church in Brentwood. She is worship leader for the youth and leader of the high school girls. Charlotte Fraser ’09 is currently attending Aveda Institute in Nashville to be an esthetician. Caitlin Glasgow ’09 is living in Prague in the Czech Republic. She moved there in July and plans to stay through April, 2016. She is teaching English as a foreign language. She will travel as often as she can when she is not teaching. Ali Hearon ’09 graduated from Belmont University in May, 2014, with a degree in social work. She received her M.S. in social work from Baylor University in May, 2015. She is employed by the Texas Baptist Convention and works in the Christian Life Commission as a hunger and care ministries specialist in Austin, Texas. DJ Luna ‘09 graduated from Vanderbilt University in 2013 and works for Conoco Phillips Oil Company in San Antonio, Texas.
Paul Meehan ‘09 is a software sales development representative at CloudSense in New York, NY. Riley Moore ’09 and his four-member band, The Walking Guys, left Portland, Maine, in July and backpacked their way on foot from performance to performance during a 50-show tour, which culminated in Nashville in November. Along with recording a live album, the group filmed a documentary during the journey, capturing every song, city, and culture along the 1,600-mile road trip. Chenelle Terry ’09 is a multi-media journalist and news reporter for both the KTAL NBC 6 and KMSS FOX 33 News teams in Shreveport, Louisiana. Chenelle joined KTAL last October after obtaining a M.S. degree in broadcast and digital journalism from Syracuse University. In August, 2014, she graduated summa cum laude from the one-year accelerated program which also included a Capstone as a Washington, D.C. news correspondent. Chenelle graduated cum laude from Samford University in May, 2013, receiving a B.A. in journalism and mass communication. After joining KTAL NBC 6, Chenelle was assigned additional duties with KMSS Fox 33 after a corporate merger. Chenelle is a member of the Omicron Delta Kappa Leadership Honor Society, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., and the National Broadcast Society. Grace Davis ‘10 graduated with a M.S. in education from the University of Tennessee Knoxville in May, 2015. She is teaching second grade at A.Z. Kelley Elementary School in Antioch, Tennessee. Chandler Parks Blalock ‘10 graduated from the University of Tennessee Knoxville in May, 2015 with a M.S. in education and started teaching tenth grade English at Independence High School in Franklin in August, 2015. She will help coach the girls’ track team in the spring. Will Blalock ’10 graduated in May, 2015, from Lipscomb University with a double major in business and finance. He is a production/operations manager at Celebration Homes.
Jenny Wise Black ‘93 and Julie Littlejohn Champion ‘02 each spent several years working independently to serve groups and individuals in the areas of counseling and consulting. In 2014, they “reconnected” to form a new company, combining Julie’s analytical background and Jenny’s love of creativity. The two had first met when Julie was a Brentwood Academy student, with Adam Black ’92 as one of her teachers. The Know You Group offers leadership development groups to women and students where they offer a series of personality assessments and then explore creative and analytical resources in a community setting. The Know You Group offers group settings for learning about yourself and practical ways you can live out the art of who you are. Jenny holds a B.S. in psychology and a B.A. in speech communication from Western Kentucky University. After her own two children started school, she went back to school and earned a Master’s in marriage and family therapy from Trevecca Nazarene University. For the past five years, she has been in private practice in Brentwood, Tennessee. Jenny is a licensed marriage and family therapist who specializes in pre-marital counseling, spiritual health and creativity. Julie is a graduate of Southern Methodist University with a B.A. in psychology and a French minor. Hired in 2006 as the assistant athletic director at Currey Ingram, Julie returned to Nashville and spent five years teaching, coaching athletics, and fulfilling counseling roles as a social skills coach. During this time, Julie returned to school and completed a master’s in counseling psychology at Lipscomb University. Through her involvement with various athletic teams throughout her life, Julie was exposed to the impact of effective communication, leadership, and motivation in accomplishing goals. She saw how the knowledge gained from tools like assessments and discussions can transform relationships. Julie is a certified practitioner in the Myers Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI), the DiSC personality assessment, and the Strong Interest Inventory. Check out their website at theknowyougroup.com
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Daly Cantrell ’10 is a graphic designer for Athlon Sports magazine in Nashville. Zachary Ellis ‘10 will graduate from Lipscomb University with a degree in mechanical engineering in December. Olivia Holladay ‘10 is working on a master’s degree in counseling psychology and will graduate in May from Tennessee State University. Catherine Meehan ’10 is working for Caterpillar Financial in its Financial Foundation Program. Spencer Smith ’10 has moved to Cincinnati, Ohio, and works for Cushman and Wakefield in commercial real estate. Spencer graduated from Samford University in December, 2014, with a degree in communication studies. Emily Stow, ‘10 is in her second year of a doctoral program at the University of Tennessee Knoxville. She is in the Department of Biochemistry/Cellular and Molecular Biology. Emily received her B.S. in cellular biology from the University of Georgia in May, 2014.
Jessica Butler ‘11 graduated with honors in May from Emory University with a degree in political science. She is planning to attend law school.
Jessica Ganick ’11 graduated from the University of Tennessee Knoxville, and is employed as operations manager for Barre’ 3 exercise studios in Nashville.
Stuart Dale ’11 is a preschool teacher and the middle school swim coach at Christ Presbyterian Academy. She graduated from Auburn University.
Alexandra Harper ‘11 had her photography selected from hundreds of advanced photojournalism students from the University of Tennessee to be featured on the walls of the Tennessee State Museum. The Eyes on LaFollete project, now celebrating more than 20 years, is a collaboration between the University of Tennessee Knoxville and the LaFollett Press. Students spend the weekend in the town of LaFollete to capture images of everyday life of the people of small town America. Alexandra is the only UT journalism student to land a one-on-one taped interview with the legendary Phillip Fulmer. Alexandra completed internships at the NBC affiliate WBIR in Knoxville and Channel 5’s Talk of the Town in Nashville. She is now an account executive for Fox 17 News. Alexandra competed in the Miss Tennessee USA Pagent in October and was fourth runner-up.
Madison Eley ’11 graduated cum laude with a B.S. in Spanish from the University of Tennessee Knoxville in May, 2015. While at UT, she was a member of Alpha Delta Pi, a Student Ambassador, served on The Cross leadership team and as a CEA Alumni Ambassador. She is continuing her education at UTK by pursuing a master’s degree in education. Sarah Jordan Priest ’11 graduated summa cum laude from the University of Tennessee Knoxville and is now employed at Brookdale Senior Living Solutions as a recruiting coordinator in their HR department in Brentwood. Her college majors were marketing and international business.
ACADEMY DA NC ER S A LUM N AE K E E P O N DA N CIN G The Academy Dancers have a winning record of consecutive state championships under the leadership of BA faculty member Robyne Kennedy. But what happens when those talented dancers graduate and move on to college? In the Class of ’15, four dancers have auditioned for and made dance squads at their various colleges. From the University of Kentucky, Chelsea Williams ’15 writes, “Game day is so surreal. Each time I look out into the crowd I can’t help but smile and think of how far I have come. I love my Wildcats, but will always remember from which nest I came! A piece of my heart will always be in the BA dance studio.” Maddie Parrish ‘15, a student at New York University Tisch School of the Arts relates, “I am studying for a B.F.A. I take about 26 hours of dance classes and academics per week, with additional rehearsals at night and on weekends. I was one of 60 Tisch dancers chosen to take part in a work entitled ‘Polaris,’ choreographed by Crystal Pite, the owner of the world renowned contemporary dance company Kidd Pivot. The work was presented at the New York City Center, as a part of Lincoln Center’s White Light Festival in November 2015.” From the University of Mississippi, Sara Norton ‘15 writes, “I’m so honored to wear this (Ole Miss) uniform! I’m so grateful for the BA dance program that prepared me for this moment. I was ready for the next level thanks to my amazing high school coaches.” Sarah Pleasant ’15 states, “When I started dancing on the BA Dance Team in sixth grade, I had no idea that it would be preparation for dancing at Duke (University) basketball games in historic Cameron Indoor Stadium. To be honest, I had no intentions of dancing in college, but I’m so thankful that God would allow me to have this opportunity.”
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Rachel Dale ’13
Shannon Evins ‘11 graduated from Samford University in May, 2015 with a degree in nutrition and dietetics. She has been selected to do a dietetic internship at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston. Dylan Healey ‘12 is a senior scholarship golfer at Cal State San Marcos. Last year, he was a first team NAIA All-American for the Cougars and the Region and Conference Champion. Dylan competed in the pre-qualifying stage for the PGA Web.Com Tour and recently won the 100th Southwestern Amateur in Scottsdale, Arizona. We hope to see him soon on the PGA Tour! Matthew Keller ‘11 graduated summa cum laude from Spring Hill College with a B.S. degree in science and a major in biology (pre-med). He was named the top student as the President’s Scholar in biology. As a student leader on campus, he was awarded the Student Life Achievement Award, which is given to one graduating senior who has contributed the most to the quality of campus life through his co-curricular activities and leadership positions. Matthew received the most prestigious award given by the college, the Ignatian Award. This award recognizes one graduating male student who has best fulfilled the ideals of Jesuit education for scholarship, leadership, and service. He competed at the national level for outstanding Sigma Chi of the year and was named the winner for 2014-15. He will now serve two years on Sigma Chi’s National Executive Council. In August, Matthew started Saint Louis University Medical School.
Rachel Dale ’13, who attends Gordon College, spent the summer working for a community development organization in Phnom Penh. She helped write copy for the organization’s website, as well as promotional materials and product descriptions for their fair trade items—all while having the opportunit to minister to “the least of these.” From Rachel’s blog:
Taylor Reece ’11 is starting her senior season on the Samford basketball team and is a graduate student in nurse practitioner school.
Griffin Ganick, ’13, transferred from Austin Peay University to Trevecca Nazarene University, and is playing baseball for the Trojans. Jamie Wiggins ‘13 was awarded President’s Scholar her first year at Western Kentucky University. Jamie is majoring in business finance with a minor in entrepreneurship. She has been accepted into the Gordon Ford College of Business and is a member of the National Society of Collegiate Scholars and Phi Mu. She is a member of Delta Sigma Pi. Jamie studied abroad this past summer in Prague, Czech Republic. She studied international business and enjoyed traveling throughout Europe.
The work of Sunrise is as varied as it is beautiful. What started as an initiative to provide extra medical care and food to people who are living with AIDS quickly morphed into a holistic program with an interest in almost every issue facing the people they serve. Simple medical assistance became bi-monthly homebased care visits and an on-site hospice unit. Infant formula was added to the medication and food supplement that was being distributed to patients as a preventative measure against the further spread of AIDS through breastfeeding. Soon, Sunrise was involved with the local prison, providing extra medical care and food for the sickest inmates—specifically those with AIDS, tuberculosis, and typhoid. A five-month peacemaking class (called Peace Bridges) was added to the prison programs. The class was so successful that they decided to develop one for local church leaders as well. For further development of the community, they have an education support plan for local school children so that the cycle of poverty and disease might stop with the future generation. All of these ministries are wrapped in the love of Christ and a desire to see the whole person redeemed.
Adrienne Sandifer ’11 is the new sixth grade math teacher at Hillsboro Middle School in the Williamson County School System. Becca Eddings ’12 has been accepted into the Doctorate of Physical Therapy Program at Tennessee State University. Becca will complete her B.S. degree at the University of Tennessee Knoxville in December, 2015, and enter the DPT Class of 2019 at Tennessee State University in June, 2016. ALUMNI IN HAITI Students from the classes of 2014 and 2015 joined 147 Million Orphans on a mission trip to Haiti last summer.
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In Memory of Thomas Clark Hammond, Jr. ’76 Thomas Clark Hammond, Jr. ’76 passed away on September 6, 2015. He is survived by his wife, Carol Hammond, of Germantown, parents Thomas and Barbara Hammond of Memphis, brothers Randall Hammond ‘77 (Kaye) of Denver, Colorado, and Cobb Hammond of Memphis, and sister Melanie Mendoza (Roland) of Frisco, Texas. He was preceded in death by his son, T.C.
Molly Malone ’13 spent this summer studying in an intensive language program in St. Petersburg, Russia. She says Russia is a beautiful place with such a rich history. She misses it constantly and says her homemade borsch isn’t nearly as good!
Caroline Greene ‘13 is studying abroad at the University of St. Andrews in Scotland. She is in the Divinity School taking classes at St. Mary’s College, and is studying the issues and history of theology under A.J. Torrance, a member of the Torrance family of Scottish theologians. She is also studying the New Testament with a focus on Paul and his epistles under N.T. Wright, a leading New Testament scholar. Caroline will return to Baylor University in January to finish her degree in corporate communications, with a minor in religion. Will Haynie ‘13 completed his second season as starting catcher at the University of Alabama and had a successful summer playing for the Cotuit Kettleers in the Cape Cod Collegiate League. He finished the summer season third overall in the league in RBI’s and second in home runs. Will also received the Daniel J. Silva Sportsmanship Award, which is given to the player who exhibits sportsmanship while representing the league and is voted on by the league umpires. He was also named to the 2015 Cape Cod All League Team.
Tom was a life-long learner, poet, animal lover, brilliant storyteller, perpetual wisecracker, and as of late, a mentor to fellow grieving parents. He received his undergraduate degree from Sewanee: The University of the South in 1982. While at Sewanee, he was a member of Alpha Tau Omega Fraternity, Order of Gownsmen, Red Ribbon Society, the Wellingtons, and Order of the Silver Spoon. Tom received his Master of Arts in English from Texas Christian University in Fort Worth, Texas.
KJ Blue ’14 made the Dean’s List his first semester. He is a business major with a concentration in finance. He was nominated as most prominent leader for the class of 2018 and was inducted into the 100 Black Men Collegiate Charter Chapter at Clark Atlanta University. Zane Cantrell ’14 is a sophomore majoring in business at the University of Tennessee Knoxville and is a member of Kappa Sigma fraternity. Abbie Whitehurst ’14 has chosen to take a gap year and is a full-time intern with Preston Taylor Ministries in its “LEAP Year” program. She is the assistant advancement director, as well
as the assistant director of PTM Life, PTM’s health and wellness program. Brady Williams ’14 made the Dean’s List at the University of Alabama in the fall and the President’s List last spring. He is dually enrolled in the engineering program and the STEM M.B.A. program. Will Boling ’15 and Allison Cheeseman ’14 represented their respective universities in Nashville by participating in the Commodore Classic Cross Country meet in September. Will is attending the University of Tennessee Knoxville and Allison is attending Davidson College in North Carolina.
Brennan Sehrt ’13 attends the University of Alabama at Birmingham and has been accepted into their School of Nursing, January 2016. Madeline Glenn Thomas ’10 recently moved to Charleston, South Carolina, to be a resident actor at Charleston Stage for their 2015-2016 season. She has played Ulla in the Mel Brooks musical, The Producers.
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Margaret Phillips ’13 is attending Appalachian State University and is studying abroad in Ankora, Turkey this semester.
Madison Brown ’15 is on the Auburn Freshman Leadership Council. There were over 2,000 applicants and only 135 were selected. She is working on the Service Committee and majoring in apparel and textile merchandising and design.
Hi Mr. Sawyer! I hope this school year is going well. I hadn’t spoken to you in a while so I thought I would say hi. I really miss your class, I don’t get to take any fun literature classes until next semester and that has been very hard for me. We have midterms coming up and most of my Professors don’t believe in exams so I have mostly research papers instead of exams. While my classmates are panicking about writing 1,000-2,000 word papers I have already finished most of them two weeks in advance. I am very thankful for the research papers we had to write in your class because that has really made the biggest difference in my courses. Your class really prepared me for the college workload and I don’t feel overwhelmed here because of it. I hope I get to see you when I come home for break! Alexandra Wiechart ‘15 Editor’s Note: A college freshman at the University of Kentucky writes to her BA English teacher, Mr. David Sawyer.
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REUNITED AND IT FEELS SO GOOD
1975
Class Reunions for 75 • 80 • 85 • 90 • 95 • 00 • 05
1980 2000
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1985
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(Left to right) Anna Thon ‘07 and her husband, John; Brooks West, son of Aubrey Naish ‘03 and Matt West ‘03; Consetta Ricciardi, daughter of Stacey Ricciardi ‘92; Price Franklin Reynolds, son of Jill Crosthwait Reynolds ‘00 and her husband, Brett; Jande Jackson ‘03 and her husband, Thomas; Elizabeth Adele and Kenneth Hughes, twins of Dana Warren Herring ‘03 and her husband, Warren; Rob Murphy ‘08 and his wife, Lindsay.
MA RR I AGES Laura Hill ‘86 to Erik Born on February 14, 2014 Austin Kemp ‘97 to Lauren Clark on May 1, 2015 Clay Perry ‘00 to Tatum McKnight on October 11, 2015 Lauren Peck ‘01 to Shawn William Cannon on September 25, 2015 Jande Jackson ‘03 to Thomas Royalty on September 6, 2015 Hunter Arnold ‘04 to Amanda Watts on September 20, 2015 Daniel Booth ‘04 to Heather Buchanan on November 8, 2015 Shay Laws ‘04 to Michael Shiely on September 9, 2015 Mary Lynn Ware ‘05 to Chad Adcock on January 3, 2015 Stephanie Allen ‘06 to Kris Williams on October 17, 2015 Morgan Arnold ’07 to Scott Newell on January 17, 2015 Larry Brooks ‘07 to Gretchen Lee Grant on October 10, 2015 Andy Davis ‘07 to Aisha Arroyo on August 28, 2015 Matthew Proctor ‘07 to Kelly Derryberry on June 13, 2015
Chad Taylor ‘07 to Sara Traynor on October 11, 2015 Anna Thon ’07 to John Karpinsky on June 27, 2015 Jeffrey Townes ‘07 to Leigh Steele on July 11, 2015 Laura Bumbalough ‘08 to Tyler Bradley on November 7, 2015 Logan Innis ‘08 to Bryan Kerr on April 25, 2015 Rob Murphy ‘08 to Lindsay Prozan on May 16, 2015 Caitlin Rodgers ‘08 to Luke Chapman on October 31, 2015 Brittany Cameron ’09 to Taylor Brasher ’09 on May 2, 2015 Chandler Parks ’10 to Will Blalock ’10 on July 11, 2015 Maggie Brian ’10 to Jay Luna ’10 on June 13, 2015 Erin Grimson’10 to Phillip McCall on January 10, 2015 Robert Hinson ’11 to Kaylyn Greene on August 22, 2015 Christina Priddy ‘11 to Austin Reed on May 10, 2015
BIRTHS Stacey Ricciardi ’92 a daughter, Consetta Grace Ricciardi, born March 16, 2015 Patrick McCoin ’95 and wife, Nicole, a son, Richard Austin, born July 1, 2015 Josh Raymond ’99 and wife, Rachel, a daughter, Mary Carson, born August 26, 2015 Andrew Causey ’00 and wife, Lisa, a son, Jacob Andrew, born March 31, 2015 Jill Crosthwait Reynolds ’00 and husband, Brett, a son, Price Franklin, born June 10, 2015 Adam ’00 and Mary Lewis Rosenbaum ‘00 a son, Jasper Oak, born February 25, 2015 W. Patrick Kenny ‘01, and wife, Robin, a son, William Patrick, Jr., born July 23, 2015 Lucy Cox Miller ’01 and husband, Knight, a daughter, Reese, born October 1, 2015 Duncan Blount ’02 and wife, Komel, a son, Alexander Thomas, born April 21, 2015 Austin Bourgeois ’02 and wife, Emily, a son, Jack Mathis, born January 14, 2015 Adam Martin ’02 and wife, Anna, a daughter, Hailey Grace, born December 12, 2014 Dana Warren Herring ’03 and husband, Warren, twins, Elizabeth Adele and Kenneth Hughes, born November 11, 2014 Paul Moore ’03 and wife, Laura, a daughter, Abigayle Lauren, born September 29, 2015 Matt ’03 and Aubrey Naish ‘03 West a son, Brooks, born April 7, 2015 Brandon Albright ‘04 and wife, Ashlee, a daughter, Mabel Julia, born April 3, 2015 Katelyn Rutledge Brown ’05 and husband, Luke, a son, Rutledge Evans Brown, born September 3, 2014 Drew Bledsoe ’07 and wife, Katie Beth, a daughter, Hadley Beth, born October 6, 2015
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BRENTWOOD ACADEMY 42 McCALLIE SCHOOL 31
BRENTWOOD ACADEMY
HOMECOMING O ctob er 2 9-31 , 2 015
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䐀䔀䌀䔀䴀䈀䔀刀 㐀ⴀ㘀Ⰰ ㈀ 㔀
THANK YOU TO EVERYONE WHO HELPED MAKE THIS YEAR’S SHOW A GREAT SUCCESS! Thank you to our Art Show Committee Co-Chairs: Elizabeth Franklin and Jennifer Conder Logistics: Brittany Drescher Hospitality: Mary Wilson Design: Tara Ward Payout: Heidi Kaye and Leah Wilson Accounting: Renee Kovick Artist Volunteers: Amy Brandon
2015 ARTI STS 2 Angels Jewelry Ronald Baldwin Frank Baggett Melissa Payne Baker Paula Barnett Amanda Bennett Jennifer Bowman Laurel Browning Carol Carmichael Lisa Carroll Jim Chapman Christina Cohn Fred Cox Tonya Crawford Amy Crews Vicki Denaburg Debbie Dunn Lauren Dunn Ginny Elder Kathy Fitzgerald Leatha Frost Shannon Haas
[ DAVID NICHOLS 2015 FEATURED ARTIST]
Dennis Harris Denise Hawkins Jonathan Howe Bitsy Hughes Gina Hurry Bari Jacobs Elaine Jackson Susan Jones Thalia Kahl Shari Lacy Janet Laws Ronald Lewis Emily Little Suzanne Lynch Spears McAllester Lisa McReynolds Kellie Montana Carol Moon Paige Morehead Melanie Morris David Nichols Ginger Oglesby
Marty Parker Bill Paul Sherri Parrish Mickey Payne Peggy Peden James Richardson Andy Saczynski Lorna Sanders Jacqueline Saporiti Vicky Shipley JJ Sneed Liza Snyder Streater Spencer Narrow Gate Artisans Mary Miller Veazie Amber Wallace Barbara Wehby Marilyn Wendling Tracy Yarbrough York and Friends
26TH ANNUAL BRENTWOOD ACADEMY EAGLE CLASSIC GOLF TOURNAMENT
MONDAY, APRIL 25, 2016 THE GOVERNORS CLUB IN BRENTWOOD
EAGLE CLASSIC golf tournament
CORPORATE SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES Title Sponsor: $15,000 Presenting Sponsor: $7,500 Tournament Sponsor: $5,000 Hole Sponsor: $2,000 Contact angie_collins@brentwoodacademy.com for more information. Tournament Chairs: Kelli and Jon Walters
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B R E N T WO O D ACA D E MY L E A D E R S H I P Trustee Board 2015-2016 Jon Billington, Chair Bill Decker, Chair-elect Adam Black ‘92 J. Mac Brown ‘83 Dorothy Bullard Sharon Moore-Caldwell, M.D. Jeff Moseley Cayce Powell John Roberson David Rogers Paul Rutledge Sharon Sheriff Allen West, D.D.S. ‘94
Honorary Trustees C. Dan Brown 1983-1986, 1991-1995, 2007-2009 Albert Gasser (deceased) T. P. Kennedy (deceased) Walter Knestrick 1976-1986 Hampton Pitts 1992-1998 Ambassador Joe M. Rodgers (deceased) Ben Rowan 1979-1985 Bill Sheriff 1978-1984 William Wadlington, M.D. 1973-1982 Richard Wright 1994 -2005
Administration Curtis G. Masters, Headmaster William B. Brown, Jr., Headmaster Emeritus Ray Mullican ’80, Assistant Head Paul Compton, Upper School Director Nancy Simpkins Brasher ’73, Middle School Director Jason Mathews, Admission Director Andy Bradshaw, Dean of Students Rian Berger, Spiritual Life Director Cody White, Athletic Director Susan Shafer, Communications Director Andi Holbrook, Donor Relations Director Leah Hoskins, Public Relations/Publications Lulu Luton Clark ’76, Alumni Director Jason Oggs, Business Manager Paula Booten, Registrar Shelley Miller, College Counseling Director Courtney Jones, Assoc. College Counseling Director Jason Beddoe, Security Director
Parents Association Board 2015-2016 Parent Ambassadors 2015-2016 Leisha Yost, President Jill Holmes, President-elect Tony Arnold Shannon Barnhill Tara Blue Shannon Clemmons Jennifer Conder Cathy Jo Elwood Kristi Stone Elzinga ‘88
Chris Woodlee
John and Mandy Atchley Nathan and Amy Brandon Mike and Lisa Bussard Sonny and Stacey Clark Brett and Sandy Cornelius Kevin and Kathy Culp Scott and Shannon Drumm Rod and Natasha Freeman Andy and Carol Hammons Matt and Allison Hayes Eric and Leslie Henderson Del ‘86 and Mary Page Hickman Ted and Karey Johnson Mike and Leigh Ann Marks David and Lauren Massey John and Robin McClellan Jack and Natalie Patterson Don and Lisa Rollins Mark and Terri Schoenwald David ‘86 and Gina Stansell Jimmy and Tara Ward
Alumni Council 2015-2016
Student Leadership Team 2015-2016
Leslie Henderson Mary Page Hickman Nicole Hardwick Jones ‘90 Ron Jones Michelle Simpson Joe Taylor ‘86 Lana Thrasher Pam Tyner Terri Vafiades Pete Wittman Kym Whitley
Jeri Campbell Moore ‘73, President Cody Taylor ‘09, Vice President Dale Cornwell North ‘75 Kathy Capps ‘79 Dick Cole ‘84 Beth Holder Throckmorton ‘84 Andrew Vaughn ‘85 Scott Cathey ‘86 Angela Peters Lauer ‘88 Franye Goad Johnson ‘86 Matt Jennings ‘92 Richmond Williams ‘93 Patrick McCoin ‘95 Kim Elliott Smith ‘95 Jason Rowlett ‘97 Rachel Fletcher Allen ‘97 Wyatt Allen ‘98 Jake Eaton ‘98 Katie Horrell Jacobs ‘03 Elizabeth Edmonds Walker ‘03 Hunter Askew ‘06 William Ball ‘09
Meredith Beck ‘16 Reece Bennett ‘16 Avery Billington ‘17 Anna Lynne Brandon ‘19 Sarah Bryant ‘18 Carter Cheeseman ‘19 Claire Cheeseman ‘17 Chris Clark ‘17 Will Collins ‘19 Katie Conder ‘17 Mary Capers Elder ‘16 Jackson Harvey ‘18 Kennedy Jarvis ‘18 Andrew Long ‘18 Bryce Mathews ‘16 Thomas Neal ‘16 Ben Pearce ‘19 Jack Propst ‘16 Madison Reynolds ‘16 Brock Schoenwald ‘16 Parker Suedekum ‘16 Ellie Smith ‘19 Willa Stansell ‘19 Sommer Grace Weldon ‘16 Ashlynn White ‘17 Toby Wilson ‘18
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219 Granny White Pike Brentwood, TN 37027 brentwoodacademy.com
B OYS’ & GI R LS’ C R OS S CO U N T RY
STATE CHAMPS! For the first time since 2004, both the boys’ and girls’ varsity cross country teams won state championships in the same year. The boys’ team is coached by Marshall Smith ‘97 and the girls’ team is coached by Cathy Cheeseman. Seventeen runners were named to the All-Midstate Cross Country Team for the 2015 season. Way to go Eagles!
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