The PDS Vision

THE

VISION

Building the future of presbyterian day SCHOOL • SUMMER 2012

Phase 2: THE FUTURE OF PDS IS NOW! Presbyterian Day School holds a special place in my heart.

This year my oldest grandson followed in my son’s footsteps and became a PDS boy. I know my grandson is receiving an amazing education, one that is giving him a sure foundation.

When constructing a building, the foundation is essential.

It supplies the support for the architecture and inner workings of the building. The weight of the entire structure rests firmly on its foundation.

The years that a boy spends at PDS are much like a building’s foundation. The skills, knowledge, mindset, and values that a boy learns and practices at PDS are the foundation of his beliefs, actions, and judgment in his adult life. For this essential reason, I want to encourage you to join me in supporting the PDS Building Boys, Making Men campaign.

The second phase of the Building Boys, Making Men campaign is well underway.

We are excited about the gifts that have been committed and look forward to securing the remaining $7.6 million.

This phase of the campaign will touch the daily lives of every PDS boy from Senior Kindergarten through 6th grade.

I am happy that my family is supporting PDS and the Building Boys, Making Men capital campaign. I ask you to join us in guaranteeing the sure foundation boys need in nurturing their minds, their hearts, and their spirits by supporting this important campaign.

Sincerely,

Kemmons Wilson Campaign Chairman

Building a Strong Foundation BELIEVING IN THE BEST EDUCATION POSSIBLE Sai Madasu, who recently completed senior kindergarten, is the first boy in the Madasu family to attend Presbyterian Day School, but he won’t be the last.

His brother, Dhilan, just started pre-kindergarten. Behind him, 2-yearold Ari hopes to someday walk the same halls as his older brothers.

We believe in putting everything into our children’s education.

The boys are the sons of Sara and Ravi Madasu, and they also have a sister, Meghana, a first-grader at St. Mary’s Episcopal School.

This busy family has developed a great appreciation for PDS. They chose PDS because they wanted their boys to be in a nurturing environment where they would receive a well-rounded education with strong academics and a spiritual foundation. Sara said Sai has thrived at PDS. He loves

going to school, she said, because PDS understands how boys learn.

Sara and Ravi were confident that PDS would provide the strong academic foundation their sons will need to succeed later in life. But until they became familiar with the school, they were unaware of the global quality of the PDS curriculum. Sara said she was impressed with the manner in which teachers use technology to broaden the boys’ knowledge of international cultures, religions and history. “Via smart boards and Google Earth, the boys are quickly taken on trips around the world,” Sara said. “What a great opportunity to access the world.”

The Madasu family supports the PDS Annual Fund and the PDS Building Boys, Making Men capital campaign.

Sara explained their philosophy: “We believe in putting everything into our children’s education. It takes more than just paying tuition for all the extra amenities that set PDS apart.

We want our children to have the best educational experience possible.”

The Madasu Family (from left to right): Sai, Sara, Ari, Meghana, Dhilan, and Ravi

Giving Back

Special Gift Funds the PDS Trike Track When PDS senior kindergarten teacher Wendy Wood Edwards began her battle with cancer, Preston Roberts ’09 was in first grade and wanted to do something for Mrs. Edwards, who had been his first PDS teacher.

He lined up sponsors for the bicycling portion of a local triathlon and raised over $3,000 to contribute toward a fund established to assist with her medical expenses. “I biked for Mrs. Edwards,” recalls Preston, son of Christina and Richy Roberts.

The Building Boys, Making Men Campaign Cabinet Kemmons Wilson, Jr. Campaign Chairman

Bruce Campbell

Honorary Campaign Chairman

Don Batchelor ’66 PDS Board Chairman

Earl Blankenship Bo Braswell John Colcolough III Met Crump ’55 Ben Daniel ’80 Edward Dobbs Jimmy Edwards Michael Faber ’90

Upon Preston’s graduation from PDS, the Roberts family chose to make a gift to PDS’ capital campaign to encourage cycling for physical fitness.

In addition to funding the new Trike Track located on the Wendy Wood Edwards Playground, their contribution honors the memory of Mrs. Edwards. The Trike Track is a specially paved course that weaves around the playground where early-childhood students can ride one of the school’s 25 tricycles.

Christina and Richy decided to give because they wanted to show their appreciation for the family’s experience at PDS. Christina explained, “We were so proud of the young man and learner that Preston had become. We felt grateful for the incredible academic, social, and faith foundations he had developed at PDS.” She said they are appreciative of the foundation Preston received at PDS. “Every day when I hear my son

express his desire and intention to act with a generous spirit, wanting to give back, I realize PDS had a lot to do with that,” Christina said. “In addition to Wendy Edwards, Preston had so many incredible teachers who molded, shaped, and modeled for him what it means to live your Christian faith.”

Christina said PDS teachers strive to develop strong partnerships with pupils’ parents. “The PDS teachers, especially in the beginning grades, are essential to establishing partnerships and relationships that enhance the learning experience for each boy,” she said. “What we experienced at

Mrs. Edwards was special to me. She was my senior kindergarten teacher. For my family to give to PDS in memory of her makes me feel connected to PDS forever.

PDS from the very beginning until the end was a wonderful school-andhome partnership with our son at the heart of everyone’s interests.”

Preston said, “It makes me feel good inside to help others. Mrs. Edwards was special to me. She was my senior kindergarten teacher. For my family to give to PDS in memory of her makes me feel connected to PDS forever.”

Jason Farmer The Roberts Family (from left to right): Collier, Preston ’09, Richy, and Christina

Martha Hess Michael Hess Stephanie Linkous Stilly McFadden ’69 Bryan Nearn ’55 Win Rawson Chris Sanders Fred Schaeffer ’82 Chuck Smith ’60 Barbara Williamson

22 || THE THE

VISION VISION

Pictured, back row (from left to right): Dr. Keith Owen, Field Owen, Dr. Kit Mays, Dr. Will Mays ’88, Diane Mays, Mary Austin Smith, Scott Smith, Dr. Margaret Ann Mays, and Benjamin Mays ’93. Front row (from left to right): Debbie Isom, Head of Early Childhood, Dr. Bethany Owen, Sanford Owen, Bennett Owen, and Darilyn Christenbury, Director of the Crain Center

Commitment

The Mays Family’s giving stretches through four decades Many families have multiple generations of PDS alumni, but perhaps none is as committed as Dr. and Mrs. Kit Mays. The Mays family began their journey with PDS in the fall of 1981 when their eldest son, William H. Mays III, entered kindergarten.

Why Give to The building boys, making men campaign?

and helped prepare our boys and other boys to take their place in the community. We feel we have an obligation to give back to PDS.”

PDS seeks to position itself as a leader by preparing students for a much different and more competitive world.

PDS boys will grow into the future leaders of Memphis, the Mid-South, and the United States. An investment in PDS is a wise investment in our city, region, and country.

The world is changing rapidly; as a result, the world’s educational paradigm is changing rapidly too.

She went on to say she appreciated PDS, as it is a beacon of light in

Our continued support of PDS is a way we can pay a debt we owe to the school that educated and helped prepare our boys and other boys to take their place in the community. We feel we have an obligation to give back to PDS. “We chose PDS for its strong academic standards,” said Diane Mays. “In addition, it was a nurturing environment and the curriculum was excellent. We have always been so impressed with how PDS graduates interact with adults.”

Memphis, which does not compromise its Christian principles, yet maintains a high caliber of academics.

Five years later in 1986, Benjamin K. Mays joined his brother, Will, at PDS.

They have three PDS grandsons (children of elder daughter, Dr. Bethany Mays Owen): Keith Bennett Owen, who just completed senior kindergarten, and twins Alton Field Owen III and Kit Sanford Owen, who both just completed pre-kindergarten.

In the early years, the Mays Family made a significant financial commitment to send four children to private schools. In addition to Will and Ben, Diane and Kit Mays have two daughters, Bethany and Mary Austin.

As many of our families do today, they made choices in order to pay tuition.

But after Will’s first day at PDS, they knew it was worth the sacrifice.

For the last 31 years, Diane and Kit Mays have contributed to the PDS Annual Fund.

Diane said, “Our continued support of PDS is a way we can pay a debt we owe to the school that educated

How Can I Give?

There are many ways you can support PDS through gifts you make today that can bring you tax savings, increased income, and other benefits.

These days, Diane and Kit Mays are again walking the halls at PDS, now as grandparents.

WAYS TO GIVE NOW • Cash • Appreciated Property • Real Estate

OTHER WAYS TO GIVE • Will or Living Trust • Retirement Plans • Trusts • Life insurance

Diane Mays said the PDS of today is more magnificent than the PDS of yesteryear. Just as the world has evolved, PDS has evolved, yet PDS has maintained its rock-solid Christian values and high academic standards.

FOR MORE INFORMATION To learn more about the Building Boys, Making Men Campaign for PDS, contact Cynthia Graham at 901-842-4694 or visit pdsmemphis.org.

Recently, Dr. and Mrs. Kit Mays named the Bible classroom in the Norma T. Wilson Early Childhood Center. The classroom honors their two sons Dr. William H. Mays III ’88 and Mr. Benjamin K. Mays ’93.

THE

VISION | 3

THE

VISION

Building the future of presbyterian day SCHOOL • SUMMER 2012 4025 Poplar Avenue • Memphis, Tennessee 38111-6022

NONPROFIT ORG. US POSTAGE

PAID

MEMPHIS, TN PERMIT NO. 554

The Campaign for PDS is a $26 million comprehensive campaign, with an emphasis on facilities, programs, and endowment. The campaign will give our teachers the tools, ongoing training, and facilities they need to offer boys a world-class education.

2

PHASE

PHASE 2 is Underway PDS’s goal is to raise $10 million. It includes funding to support:

* Music Center * Art Center * Media Center * PReading and Learning Center * Dining Hall and Kitchen

1

PHASE

* PLower School Science Lab * Upper School Science Lab * Scholarships for Students * Professional Development for Teachers

Phase 1 is Complete $16 million has been raised. It includes funding to support:

* PEarly Childhood Center * PPhysical Education Center * PLifetime Fitness Center * PCommons * PMultipurpose Fields * PPlaygrounds * PCrain Center for Global Learning

* PMartin Institute for Teaching Excellence * PScholarships for Students * PProfessional Development for Teachers * PThe Building Boys, Making Men Program * POutdoor Pavilion * PCampus Parking