STATEMENT of FAITH | 1 :1 IPAD ROLL -OUTNEXT PHASE of CHERRY ROAD RENOVATIONS

HARDING ACADEMY | SPRING 2014

Remembering Dr. Bowie

FOCUS

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FOCUSSpring 2014

FOCUS magazine is published twice a year by the Communications Office at Harding Academy. Deadline for the Fall 2014 issue is June 1 . Please send comments and updates to focus@hardinglions.org.

BOARD of TRUSTEESDon Nickleson, Chairman

Kevin Chadwell

Randy Frederick

Katina Gaines ( ‘84)

Chuck Hanson

Gerald Jerkins

Jay Shappley ( ‘70)

Hubie Smith ( ‘79)

Angie Whitfield ( ‘84)

LEADERSHIP TEAMTrent Williamson

Kevin Starks ( ‘93)

Jennifer Webber ( ‘85)

Greg Howell

Allen Gillespie ( ‘98)

Melanie Semore

Bonnie Jamerson

Doug Pinkerton

TABLE of CONTENTS 2 - Acknowledgments

3 - Welcome Jennifer Webber

4 - Statement of Faith

6 - Remembering Harold Bowie

8 - iPad Environment

10 - Fine Arts Highlights

12 - Steadfast

14 - Athletic News

16 - Students in Service

18 - Harding Highlights

20 - Alumni News

25 - Alumni Connections

LETTER from the PRESIDENT As we continue to live out a grand story of faith at Harding Academy, we strive to develop the kind of organizational health that will make this new chapter of our story the most exciting yet. While we reaffirm our convictions of many core aspects of the school, we are also at work taking strategic steps to become the kind of Christian school in the Mid-south that honors and glorifies God.

Our story has been one of God working in classrooms, hallways, gymnasiums, and throughout the city. In this issue of FOCUS, we remember the earlier chapters of faith as we honor the life of Dr. Harold Bowie. We also share our new Statement of Faith, which deeply reflects who we have become and what we believe as a Christian school. It is our hope that every reader will find the statement meaningful because they can see God at work at Harding Academy.

After reading the Statement of Faith and reflecting on the depth of our beliefs, you will see why Steadfast is the perfect theme for our latest capital campaign. The renovation and naming of our track in honor of Coach Ronn Rubio serves as the perfect launching point for this campaign. It is our prayer that these efforts will reshape much of our outdoor athletic spaces in ways that will reflect our commitment to the vision for the Cherry Road campus: to be a place that brings people together from every part of the greater Memphis area for the glory of God.

Our story of faith continues, and we believe that the best is yet to come. As our students succeed, we succeed, and all glory goes to God. This story is powerful, and we hope that you will continue to support us on our journey of faith!

In Christ,

Trent Williamson

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After more than twenty years with the United States Department of Justice serving as an Assistant

United States Attorney for the Western District of Tennessee, Jennifer Lawrence Webber has joined Harding Academy as Vice President of Advancement. Jennifer attended Harding Academy from kindergarten to her graduation in 1985. She has served on the Harding Academy Board of Trustees since 2004. Jennifer graduated from Abilene Christian University in 1989 and the Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law in 1992. During her time at the United States Attorney’s Office, she successfully prosecuted a wide variety of federal cases and was the founding coordinator of the nationally recognized Project Safe Neighborhoods Initiative.

Jennifer joins Harding Academy after the school recently experienced its largest fundraising year in the school’s sixty-one year history under the leadership of new president, Trent Williamson. The school announced over a year ago that it plans to renew and expand its upper school campus on Cherry Road in East Memphis rather than relocate to Lakeland. “It is a tremendous blessing to have Jennifer join our leadership team at this exciting time in Harding’s history” said Williamson. “Her professionalism, long history with the school, and numerous connections with both alumni and influential leaders in our city

will dramatically impact our efforts to be a school that brings families together from across the greater Memphis area.”

Jennifer is married to Mr. J.P. Webber and they have three children who attend Harding (Jack 10th, Boyd 8th, and Lauren 3rd). They are active members at White Station Church of Christ.

Q&A with JENNIFER Q: God uses our gifts! How has your role as an Assistant United States Attorney prepared you for the challenges as Vice President of Advancement?A: At its core, my prior role was that of an advocate – whether in the courtroom or in the community. Now, I have the honor of advocating for Harding in a variety of venues – whether for the purpose of building our alumni community, refining our admission process, or raising the funds necessary to actively recruit, develop and retain passionate Christian educators, as well as update facilities and expand programs.

Q: What do you see as the biggest opportunity for Harding? A: Fully exploring, embracing, and communicating the value of our Cherry Road campus in light of its location in the heart of East Memphis – within minutes of Mud Island, Mid-Town, Olive Branch, Collierville, and Germantown, and within reach of Lakeland and Arlington.

Q: How has Harding changed the most since you were a student?

A: Technology! The 1:1 iPad initiative has brought technology out of the computer lab and into every classroom, hallway, and home. Also, our Fine Arts department is amazing. In addition to the Institute for Faith and the Arts, which has brought many amazing talents and their testimonies to campus, I recently viewed many of our students’ work on display at the Brooks Museum where their talents and their training were evident for all to see!

Q: What activities were you involved in as a student at Harding?A: My first love was sports! I played throughout elementary and was on the volleyball, basketball, and track teams once I got to Cherry Road. Though I also was involved in Debate and Mock United Nations, I credit my team sport experiences with best preparing me for life.

Q: What single words best describe you? A: Extroverted... to the extreme, according to the Myers- Briggs test!

WELCOME JENNIFER WEBBER

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STATEMENT of FAITH

At the beginning of the school year, the Administrative Leadership Team felt it important to articulate how we approach spirituality and the Christian faith at Harding. Rather than creating a bulleted list of beliefs, an honest and comprehensive Statement of Faith was created. You will see how the Statement of Faith is exemplified in stories throughout the magazine.

Harding Academy is more than a school. We are

a community united by a common faith.

Over the years, we have wrestled with what that means, and with what

a Christian school looks like in our society. Our faith does not make us

immune from the influences of the larger culture, or the weaknesses

of the human condition, but it gives us a vision, confronts us when we

are wrong, holds us accountable, demands that we change and grow,

comforts us with forgiveness and loving encouragement, and motivates

us to strive always to improve – and to make every effort to instill the

same faith in our students. Ours is a story of living for God. We do not

seek to be renowned for greatness by some cultural standard. We seek

only to serve God humbly and with a whole heart. If

anything that we accomplish or any students that

we graduate are considered excellent or exemplary,

Soli Deo Gloria.

We are monotheists. We use biblical names to

refer to God, but recognize that anything we say

is an analogy or a figure of speech referring to a

being who is beyond our comprehension. We use

the term God to refer to a being whose existence

is not dependent upon anyone or anything else,

and upon whom everything else depends. God is spirit, unbound by

time, space, or corporeal limitation. God is ineffable, and the only

appropriate response when contemplating God is awe.

And yet, we do understand God to some extent. We understand God

because he has mercifully chosen to reveal himself to us through his

creation, the prophets, the Bible, and ultimately in the person of Jesus.

Jesus is both the ultimate revelation and the ultimate paradox. We

embrace the mysteries of the incarnation and virgin birth. Even so, there

is much that we cannot explain. We cannot explain how God remained

God the Father while simultaneously emptying himself to become God

the Son. We cannot explain how Jesus was simultaneously divine and

human. Even God’s greatest revelation is not entirely within our grasp.

Ours is not a story of understanding leading to faith, but of faith leading

to understanding.

At the very heart of who we are, without which our hope would

be despair, is the fact that God did not simply become one of us,

but sacrificed himself so that our sinfulness would not separate us

forever from his holiness, and that Jesus demonstrated God’s power

over death by his bodily resurrection and ascension. In a sterile,

disenchanted world that in the end offers only oblivion, we embrace

this act of supreme love and supernatural power that allows the finite

to approach the Infinite, allows the sinful to stand before the Holy, and

gives the weak the forgiveness, strength, and purpose to live abundant,

eternal life.

Harding is a place of struggle. When we put on Christ in baptism, we

accept the Spirit of God into our hearts, resolve to be guided by the Spirit,

die to sin, and live in righteousness. Yet we do not live in righteousness.

We continue to fall short of the glory of God. Our

story is one of repeated falling, then by the grace

of a loving God, we help one another back to our

feet and continue the journey of faith together. Our

ministry confronts us with an extraordinary tension.

Any pretense that Harding employees are always

righteous is not simply hypocritical, but denies the

purpose of Christ’s sacrifice.

We must never set up a Pharisaical system of

righteousness that condemns any employee who

is struggling with sin. Harding would have no employees. Even so,

Harding serves children and teenagers, ages when people are especially

vulnerable. This ministry entails extraordinary responsibilities to

protect and nurture. For this reason our handbook and contracts spell

out in further detail the standards of attitude and conduct required of

those who are employed by or enrolled in Harding.

At Harding we believe that people are whole, and that we are wholly

religious. Our culture tells us that a distinction can be made between

the religious and the non-religious, that individuals and schools can

choose whether or not to be religious, and that individuals can be

religious while the school remains religiously neutral. We deny that

religious neutrality is possible, or that being non-religious is possible.

When one probes the alternatives carefully, it becomes apparent

that, while not everyone believes in God as we know him, all humans

find it necessary to put some entity into the place from which they

have removed God. All humans worship something (in the literal

sense of ascribing ultimate worth to something). All humans deify

something. All schools take a position on deity. The notion that the

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universe-creating, death-shattering Almighty God can be constrained to

the realm of private opinion, and that academic, economic, public, and

professional activities can legitimately be carried on without reference

to him is itself a provocative religious position. Public schools and

secular private schools, while not Christian, are no less religious than

Harding. God can be at the center, some other deity or deities can be

at the center, an impersonal spiritual force can be at the center, human

reason (individually or collectively) or some societal process can be at

the center, or individual human pride or pleasure can be at the center.

But one way or another, there will be a center that is functionally divine.

Like Harding, all schools are religious. At Harding, we recognize it, and

are unambiguously Christian.

All truth is God’s truth. We are all created in the image of God and live

in God’s world. Even those who do not share our faith share a common

experience of creation and a craving to know God, even though they

may not express their faith in the same way. People are at different

places on their journey to God. God loves them all, and so do we. We

have deep respect for people from other traditions, recognize that we

can learn from them, and are eager to share our faith with them. Even

so, Harding is not pluralistic. We believe that God has revealed himself

exclusively in the person of Jesus, and that only through Jesus is God

truly known and human purpose fully realized. The foremost mission

of Harding is to educate students to be followers of Jesus Christ alone.

Although we believe that the church is critical to the survival of the

individual Christian, that no one makes the walk of faith alone, and

we expect every employee of Harding to be part of a local fellowship,

Harding is not church-centered. Harding was founded by members of the

Church of Christ, a branch of the Stone-Campbell movement. Members

of this movement were frustrated by the fragmentation of Christianity

into an ever-increasing number of competing denominations, and

sought to restore a simple vision of Christianity that went back to a time

before the divisions began. They sought to be simply Christians, not a

specific brand of Christian. They were often identified by their slogan,

Christians only, but not the only Christians. Harding

continues to embrace the best of that movement,

with a focus upon the word of God, an emphasis upon

spiritual and ethical formation, and a commitment to

service and mission under the banner of Jesus Christ as

Lord. We will not sustain human traditions when they

cease to play a vital part in communicating the Good

News to a younger generation. Harding Academy is not

a church, but a Christian school. While we embrace and

appreciate our heritage, we recognize that God uses

movements in space and time for His purposes, not

for their purposes and perpetuation. Jesus is Lord. His

church will continue until he returns. But no specific

temporal movement is lord. Harding seeks to be godly

only, biblical only, and relevant to the students

we serve.

Harding seeks to strengthen its relationships with all

Christian fellowships who share the faith described

in this document, that we may build one another up

and work collectively for the growth of God’s kingdom in Memphis. It

is our desire to be an institution that intentionally serves our city as

a source of restoration, reconciliation, and reformation. We embrace

our kingdom obligation to be a source of hope in Memphis and for

Memphis. The kingdom of God is global, and so will be the world in

which our graduates serve. Yes, serve. Whatever else we teach them,

however highly educated they may be according to conventional

standards, the highest calling is to have the mind of Christ, the God who

emptied himself and took the form of a servant. Because Memphis is a

place of continual struggle, we believe that it is exactly the sort of place

that Jesus would serve first. The multi-ethnic stew that is Memphis is

an ideal environment for students to learn how to express their faith

cross-culturally and build friendships that bridge socio-economic and

ethnic boundaries – the very skills and attitudes that they will need in

order to thrive in a globally connected world. Harding believes that

God is powerfully present and at work in Memphis. We wish to be a

part of his work, and are committed to serving this city to the glory

of God. We invite anyone who shares our faith to join with us in this

exciting ministry.

Harding believes that God is powerfully present

and at work in Memphis.

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REMEMBERING DR. BOWIE (1920 -2014)

From our Statement of Faith: Harding seeks to strengthen its relationships with all Christian fellowships who share the faith ... that we may build one another up and work collectively for the growth of God’s kingdom in Memphis.

Dr. Bowie stood at the helm of Harding Academy, first as superintendent and then as president and CEO.

Over those thirty-seven years, from 1961-1998, the country and culture experienced vast and sweeping changes. He has been the single most influential person in the story of Harding Academy.

Born in Conway, AR, a 9-year old Bowie watched the plane crash in which his father died. His sister Shirley was two, and Bowie immediately became the man of the house. At age 10, he worked in restaurants and fields, and at 14 he worked on a soft drink truck, driving the truck and lifting full cases of bottled drinks. He finished high school in three years, finished college in three, and was teaching school by age 19. He met his Pat when they were 15. While he was in high school, he excelled in athletics, particularly baseball. He played in a semi-professional baseball league and even got a tryout with the New York Yankees. After receiving his doctorate and teaching with Arkansas schools and Harding College, he came to Harding Academy in 1961.

Memphis Christian School was a fledgling school founded in 1952. In 1955, the board asked Harding College in Searcy, AR, to take over operation of the school. Dr. George Benson, college president and Bowie’s mentor, renamed the school Harding

Academy of Memphis and in 1961 sent Dr. Bowie to serve as superintendent. So began Bowie’s “magnificent obsession” with this Christian school that would span almost four decades. He prayerfully and skillfully navigated the changes that took the school from an enrollment of 300 to over 2,900 in the 1970s, making it the largest private school in the nation.

Bowie was a visionary, a pioneer, and an innovator whose wheels were always turning. He gained energy from dreaming, and he was always planning, creating, rethinking, and trying to improve. He created satellite elementary schools in church buildings, a model that was implemented by other schools across the country. Under Bowie, Harding became the first school in the Memphis area to build a week of fall break into its calendar. As a leader in the Memphis Association of Independent Schools, he was a singular force in establishing best practices and fraternal collegiality among his peers. Bowie mentored a number of administrators and served as a consultant in Christian schools nationwide. He retired from Harding in 1998.

He gave us all the best of himself with nothing held back. He was honest, sacrificial, inspiring, generous, faithful, selfless, and intentional, and his extravagant love was accompanied by practical wisdom and personal integrity. He believed deeply and lived unapologetically what he believed.

Dr. Dennis Harold Bowie, 82, was welcomed into the kingdom of heaven on January 14, 2014. He was preceded in death by his wife and best friend, Patsy Hogan Bowie.

Memorial gifts may be made to the Harold and Pat Bowie Scholarship Fund

at www.hardinglions.org/donate.

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JEREMY CARR REMEMBERS DR. BOWIE

After graduating in 1994 from MHA I saved up enough money to purchase an old used Toyota

pickup truck. On my way home I decided to stop by Dr. Bowie and “Miss” Pat’s house to show them my new wheels. I was super proud and wanted to show off my truck, but to be honest, as a young man lacking a close relationship with my father, I was simply seeking someone to be proud of me that day. Without notice I knocked on their door. Dr. Bowie invited me in, and we sat on their indoor swing having small talk while “Miss” Pat baked chocolate chip cookies.

After a while I shared with them my exciting news about my new truck. Immediately Dr. Bowie jumped up and excitedly said, “Well, let’s go see it!” I expected him to simply walk around the truck and tell me how nice it was that I had worked so hard to make this purchase. Instead, he opened the driver side door and literally crawled up into the cab. He even cranked it up and commented about all the details on the inside. He was overjoyed

and genuinely proud of my accomplishment.

That day Dr. Bowie made me feel like I was the most special person in the world to him, and he made me feel like my truck was the coolest ride on the streets. Let me remind you that this was a used and beat up pickup truck, not a shiny new vehicle.

That day Dr. Bowie could have chosen to stay inside, but instead he saw an opportunity to be a great encouragement. He saw a young man who really needed a father to be proud of him.

To say that he had a profound impact on thousands upon thousands of people would be quite accurate (if not an understatement). I know that for me ... he was both savior and advocate, humble learner and insightful leader.

- Ivan Benson, former teacher

He was an outstanding example of the saying, “whatever

you do, do with all your might.” As an administrator, he

taught me to admit my mistakes and move on. Not all

the changes he enacted were successful, but he had no

problem admitting it and correcting them.

- Marilyn Sanderson, former administrator

There was no one who influenced my philosophy of Christian education more than Dr. Bowie. He was always searching for excellence, never content with the status quo or mediocrity.

- Bob Diles, former administrator

He was always open to

new ideas in education.

He was always the one

we went to for wisdom in

decision-making.

- Jim and Julie Chester, former teachers

He knew when you needed to be praised and encouraged, and he knew how to criticize you in a constructive way. He was, simply put, one of the best teachers I had ever had.

- Chris Dahlberg, teacher and former student

I loved to be with him when a student discipline problem came to him. He would

say, “You know why you are here and we know what you have done and you have

one chance to tell the truth.” The students never knew if he was bluffing and they

usually told it all.- Ken Cox, former administrator and teacher

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TECHNOLOGY in the CLASSROOM

From our Statement of Faith: Our faith ... demands that we change and grow ... and motivates us to strive always to improve – and to make every effort to instill the same faith in our students.

Harding has always maintained a thoughtful, intentional approach

to technology integration, and we appreciate our students’ need to be technologically proficient. The rapid evolution of new technology and its use to enhance teaching and learning coupled with constant and reliable access to web resources has become increasingly critical for a liberal arts education.

In the summer of 2012 we laid the groundwork for expansion with our extensive infrastructure redesign. In the fall of 2013 Harding Academy rolled out the most extensive technology advancement in our sixty-one year history. Every student in grades 6 - 12 was issued a school-owned iPad to use at school and at home. Every lower school classroom (EC2 - grade 5) was equipped with a center of five iPad minis.

Our teachers have implemented powerful, engaging, and interactive curricula using this new technology. Grades 6 - 12 have adapted a learning management system that connects teachers, students, and parents to daily assignments, teacher communication, and more.

Organization School work has become a paperless circuit in which work flows from teachers to students, is then submitted to teachers for grading, and is finally returned to students without a single sheet of paper being used... or lost in a bottomless locker of

disorganized graded work. Students have quickly become adept at digital file management and report a much higher degree of organization this year.

Creativity Lessons are harnessing a greater level of creativity than ever before. Students are creating, authoring, designing, and showing connections. ThingLink, Educreations, Storehouse, and many digital storytelling apps give students the ability to apply their understanding of ideas taught in class in fresh, interesting, interactive ways. VoiceThread, Explain Everything, and the built-in video and audio recording capabilities of the iPad now give students an avenue through which to exhibit their oral skills.

Social Media Adaptation There are countless ways to adapt today’s social media for educational purposes. Harding Bible teacher, Jason Knight, has had students create a Twitter feed for Confucius, an Instagram account for pictures from a field trip, and a Pinterest board to contrast biblical and cultural perspectives on what constitutes “love.” Our students’ work now has a life and influence far wider than our classrooms or even our school.

Collaboration One of the greatest assets of the iPad is collaboration. Documents can be shared and worked on by groups, and digital discussions can take place through blogs, forums, and backchannel websites like TodaysMeet.

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Problem Solving Perhaps the most important option in a 21st Century classroom is the elimination of walls. Information is readily available to all. Teachers are no longer limited by library and computer lab availability. Essays can be typed in the classroom or on the bleachers. Research databases can be accessed in a hammock in the backyard of the student’s house. Students can reach and be reached by teachers and administrators very quickly and without hassle. Questions can be answered and confusions resolved when direct contact is not physically possible. Students who are unable to be at school can stay abreast of work missed more easily, reducing the workload waiting for them when they return.

Excellent Progress While there is an obvious learning curve in the implementation of any new technology program, Clif Mims, an educational technology professor at the University of Memphis and technology consultant for Harding Academy, is enthusiastic about our progress after only 3/4 of one school year.

It is our prayer that the technology initiative at Harding will substantially enhance our students’ learning experience, allow them to see God’s plan, and prepare them for mobile learning in college and beyond.

A TECH PROJECT SAMPLING

Flipping a lesson offers a new dynamic to classroom instruction. In Pre-Algebra and Algebra 1, I record selected lessons through Educreation. The students watch it at home and take their notes. They love the option of going back to review more challenging material as needed. Then in class, we review notes, discuss difficult areas, and work on the class assignment. I am right there to reinforce lesson principles and give additional help.

- Pasco Howard, Math Teacher

I am using Montessori Words with my class more frequently since they are beginning to blend letter sounds into words. I use this app at my station, so I can adjust for leveled learners.

- Kim Haddad, Jr. Kindergarten Teacher

My students are using their iPads to video each other acting out the Beatitudes for a Bible project

- Belinda Enochs, 5th Grade Teacher

Our Monday scouting reports once took 30 pages per student to give a proper report. Today each student can review a digital scouting report, watch an individually designed film, and receive a digital playbook specific to this week.

- Gray Yates, Football Coach

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BRINGING SETS to LIFE

From our Statement of Faith: Ours is a story of living for God. We do not seek to be renowned for greatness by some cultural standard. We seek only to serve God humbly and with a whole heart.

By day, Jeff Frizzell is a dentist of 32 years who participates in dental mission work locally and abroad. Paul Hayes

(’77) is the owner of Tri-State Meter, a company that services the natural gas industry. By night, they are set designers extraordinaire at Harding Academy. Together, these Harding dads have designed and built over 14 sets. They derive as much satisfaction from providing service to the students and the school as they do from the thrill of creating backdrops and scenery.

So how did they get started? Their story should be filmed because their quick wit and fabulously funny conversation is fodder for a sitcom. In between jokes, their banter sheds light on the creative process they undergo as they take a theatrical set from concept to finished product.

Paul began his work in theater his senior year of high school. In searching for achievements to put under his yearbook picture, he settled on writing that he “helped with dramatic productions.” So... he decided it might be a good idea to work on one. He signed up to work on the set of the spring 1977 musical, Oklahoma, but director Ken Cox had other plans and

put Paul on stage. Paul said, “I didn’t get to work on the sets. Instead I sang and danced, and kissed a girl.” He truly enjoyed the whole experience and hoped that one day he would have another opportunity to work in theatre.

Jeff’s first involvement with Harding theatre was as a parent. After a chorus concert Paul and Jeff had a conversation about ways they could serve Harding’s fine arts program. They saw a need in the drama department, so they approached then director, Cheryl McClurg, and Harding’s new set design team was born.

Their most difficult set to build was Fiddler on the Roof (2011). The set concept was changed at the last minute, so Paul and Jeff went back to the drawing board creating a completely new visual experience for Fiddler that included three performance levels – a first for Harding. The set was a work of art and definitely lived up to expectations.

Without hesitation they both agreed that the set of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (2009) was their “most fun,” especially the Elvis scene. When Pharaoh appeared in the

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THE MAKING of the MONSTERS

pyramid, they created a backdrop behind him that looked like the gates of Graceland with two guitarists and musical notes. As a pre-performance joke, Paul and Jeff placed their pictures on the faces on the two guitarists. But the joke was on them as Mrs. McClurg decided to leave the pictures up for all performances.

The most challenging production of all for this dynamic duo was Little Shop of Horrors (2013) with Harding’s new director, Jennifer Daniels. Some of the challenges included seating the band on the second level of the set and designing and constructing the Audrey II puppets. It took over two months to bring these strange plant puppets to life. Four Audrey II puppets were built in progressive sizes. The smallest was the size of a houseplant, and the largest was over 8 feet tall with a mouth large enough to easily “devour” an adult. Jeff said that the design and functionality of the Audreys was the handiwork of Paul, and Paul was quick to brag that the creative exterior design and execution belonged to Jeff. With precision, these two worked together to create the only other set of Audrey II puppets in the Memphis area.

Paul and Jeff are each other’s biggest fans and would gladly give full credit to the other. Above all, Paul and Jeff love using their God-given talents to serve the students at Harding as an outreach for Christ.

Paul Hayes and Jeff Frizzell have certainly made their mark on theatrical sets at Harding. Just for the added fun in each production, a tooth design hides somewhere in the set - just their little way of saying, “We were here!”

• Paul developed a lever system to make the largest puppet come to life.

• The puppet skeletons were made out of foam board and covered with thin foam rubber.

• The largest two puppets were covered with fleece, detailed with caulk, and hand painted with acrylic paint.

• Beth Frizzell sewed all the tendrils on the largest puppet.

Above all, Paul and Jeff love using their God-given talents

to serve the students at Hardingas an outreach for Christ.

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The time is right to take the next step in renovating the Cherry Road campus. Thanks to

a generous gift in 2013 we resurfaced the track with the highest quality material and replaced the

stadium lights. We are thrilled to announce this updated track has been named in honor of Coach Ronn

Rubio and was dedicated at the Bonner Relays on March 22.

For 45 years Ronn Rubio has made teaching, coaching, and caring for

teenagers his main work. He has given countless hours of his time to Harding

families, and he has taught hundreds of students the importance of glorifying God

while having fun.

He is highly respected among his peers in the sports of cross country and track. He

coached the 1978 Track State Champion team and has coached cross country teams

to Regional Championships in the 1970s, 1980s, 1990s,

and 2000s, with his most recent in 2010.

Scan to see pics from the Rubio Track Dedication Weekend.

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Stead fast R e n ovatio ns

The Rubio Track is the first step in renovating all of our outdoor athletic areas. Replacing our aging press box with

a new attractive building is a top priority. In addition, the facilities workshop and buses will move to the current location of our tennis

courts, freeing up the center of our campus for future projects and beautifying the approach to our athletic fields. Finally, we will relocate

the tennis courts towards the front of the campus to allow our baseball teams to have a proper right field.

Just as Coach Rubio has shown a steadfast commitment to our students and families, so also Harding Academy is remaining

steadfast in our commitment to unite students from across the greater Memphis area. These projects are one more step in making our

Cherry Road campus a destination for families who want to make Memphis better for all of us and who want to prepare their children to

live strong and courageous lives for Christ.

If Coach Rubio has had an impact on your life, help us honor this Harding teacher, coach, and friend by making a gift

towards the Steadfast Campaign.

Give online at www.hardinglions.org/steadfast

Track Fencing 50,000Press Box 340,000Relocate Tennis Courts 360,000Relocate Facilities Workshop 250,000GOAL: $1,000,000

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ATHLETIC HIGHLIGHTS

From our Statement of Faith: We understand God because he has mercifully chosen to reveal himself to us through his creation, the prophets, the Bible, and ultimately in the person of Jesus.

Ashlyn Dixon

On Thursday, November 21, 2013, Ashlyn Dixon signed a letter of intent to play golf for Colorado Christian

University. What began as a dream has now become a reality. Coach Sam Daniel said, “In my 14 years of coaching, I have never seen anyone work harder than Ashlyn has worked to meet her goal.”

Ashlyn received her first set of golf clubs at 13, joined Parmasters, and began practicing diligently, 5-6 days a week. While it was lonely at times, she loved the challenge of the course and making new friends as she played. In 2010, Ashlyn began playing golf at Harding Academy as an individual with the ability to compete for Medalist in DII-A. With encouragement from her parents and her coaches, Sam and Sylvia Daniels, she made steady and significant improvements

In five tournaments during her junior year, her 18-hole stroke average was 82. She shot a 78 (second best) in the Regional Tournament, qualifying her for the State Tournament. This marked the first time a female from Harding went to State. In

2012 she finished 2nd overall in the Division II-A regional golf tournament and 6th in the State. She also qualified for the Commercial Appeal’s Best of the Preps All Metro Team in 2012 and 2013. Ashlyn placed 6th in 2012 and 4th in 2013 in the Division II-A State Golf Tournament.

Ashlyn’s favorite memory was making 20-ft putt on the 18th hole for a birdie at Region in 2013 and having everyone there to see it! She is looking forward to beginning her golf career in the fall of 2014 at Colorado Christian University. She plans to study communications and hopes to become a marriage and family counselor.

Ashlyn Dixon (12th) Golf; Morgan Murphy (12th) Soccer; Maya Hill (12th) Volleyball; Ellie Arnett (11th) Volleyball; Katie Short (10th) Volleyball; Jonathan Flatt (12th) Football; Cristian Santiago (12th) Football; Brayden Shelby (12th) Football; Christopher Galbreath (11th) Cross Country; Clayton Sharp (8th) Cross Country

BEST of the PREPSJackson Ward Jackson Ward has signed to play baseball at Harding University. Ward was 7-1 on the mound last year with an ERA of 1.93 and batted .302 with 32 RBI in helping the Lions win their second straight regional championship. He was named MVP of the 2013 D2A West Tennessee Regional Tournament and was named to the All Shelby Metro Team. He has a career record of 13-4 with 2.77 ERA.

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SPORTS STAND -OUTS 1. Ellie Arnett was named to the Division II-A All-State volleyball team. This season she also received District Co-MVP and the Regional tournament MVP.2. The Lady Lions celebrated their Regional Championship win.3. Junior high football coach Buster Clemens coached his 100th win.4. The junior high football team played a perfect season, finishing off their undefeated record with a championship win.5. Jon Flatt was selected to play in the Liberty Bowl All Star game. Each player was selected on the basis of

his character, his on and off-field achievements, and his classroom performance.6. Cristian Santiago was named to the TSWA All-State football team. 7. Coach Ryan Derrick was honored as the all-time wins leader in school history.8. Taegan Allen was named to the Tennessee Olympic Development Soccer team for the third consecutive year.

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STUDENTS in SERVICE

From our Statement of Faith: Whatever else we teach them, however highly educated they may be according to conventional standards, the highest calling is to have the mind of Christ, the God who emptied himself and took the form of a servant.

Shoes for Orphan Souls

In the fall of 2013, Harding students collected over 500 pairs of shoes for Shoes for Orphan Souls® in a student-

led service project by Brittain (10th) and Will Lawrence (8th). In a heart-felt presentation to the upper school students, faculty, and staff, the brother-sister team described the need very simply.

“There are over 153 million orphans worldwide; most have no shoes. Children without shoes cannot get an education, and without an education, they have no hope for the future,” said Brittain. The poor rarely have anything of their own, so having a new pair of shoes provides a tremendous feeling of self-worth.

On a trip to Honduras last summer, Brittain saw this need firsthand and described her interaction with the children in an October 30, 2013 Commercial Appeal article. “It was an amazing and humbling experience,” she said. “We washed and put shoes on their feet, many wearing shoes for the first time in their lives, and they were so grateful. You can’t walk away from that experience without realizing just how fortunate you are; how blessed you are.”

This experience resonated with Harding president, Trent Williamson, who took some of our students on the school’s first mission trip to Honduras in March of 2013. Harding is a school of service, and supporting this student effort was a “no-brainer.”

Interest in the project expanded to families in lower school and early childhood who joined in the effort.

Brittain rallied students with flyers, announcements, and even set up a Twitter account for Shoes for Orphan Souls®. Project participants were encouraged to take a selfie or a picture of the new shoes with #hardingsfos. It was exciting to see both student and family purchases surge through the Twitter feed.

God calls us to serve. In donating shoes, we not only uplifted the souls of orphans, but our own souls as well.

SHOES FOR ORPHAN SOULS® is the largest humanitarian aid project of Buckner International, a global Christian ministry dedicated to making life better for orphans, vulnerable children, and families since 1879. (From their website at http://www.shoesfororphansouls.org/)

In donating shoes, we not only uplifted the souls of orphans,

but our own souls as well.

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Approximately 60 members (students and staff) of the Harding Academy family participated in Jesus Loves Memphis on Saturday, October 26, 2013. They began at Colonial Middle School repotting plants and painting accent walls in their teacher lounges. The group then moved into the surrounding neighborhood. They raked leaves, picked up trash, and cleared overgrown areas. Our students were commended by several adults on their work ethic, their attention to detail, and their willingness to wake up to serve at 8:00 a.m. on a Saturday. Harding Academy students are truly exceptional.

Streets Ministries

In September 2013, Harding began a partnership with Streets Ministries, a non-profit organization that works

with students after school in the Graham Heights neighborhood, near Kingsbury Elementary, Middle, and High Schools in Memphis, TN.

Several of our students have committed at least two hours per week to tutor second grade students from Kingsbury Elementary

School. Harding students read with second graders, tutor them in multiplication, and assist them with homework.

The transition from second grade to third grade is a significant year in a child’s life. If children are not reading sufficiently when they enter third grade, learning becomes very difficult and often their reading will not progress. Working with these second graders gives them a better opportunity for success in school and ultimately in life.

While the program is only in its first year, Kingsbury teachers say they can already see a difference in their young students. Karla Nitz, the Elementary Coordinator at Streets, spoke highly of Harding’s student volunteers and their commitment.

Harding Academy is not the only school represented at Streets. On any given day, you may see students from Hutchison, St. Mary’s, and ECS. This ministry is a combined effort that is transforming a neighborhood for the glory of God.

A Million Thanks to Veterans

As a Veterans Day project, students at the White Station campus wrote personalized Thank you Christmas cards with poems and scriptures. They were distributed to our military - active, reserve, and veterans - through A Million Thanks organization. One of the students wrote, “Thank you so much for fighting for us and being away from your family to do this for our country. You are doing a wonderful thing and I appreciate it. ‘Praise be to the Lord my Rock, who trains my hands for war, my fingers for battle.’ Psalm 144:1.”

JESUS LOVES MEMPHIS

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HARDING HIGHLIGHTS

2013 Homecoming CourtOur Representatives: Freshman Rebecca Rowsey escorted by Reid Carlock; Sophomore Alex Kelly escorted by Luke Kolznak; Junior Madison Ramsey escorted by October Williams; Seniors Megan Seward escorted by Carlton Speight, Riley Earnest, 2013 Homecoming Queen, escorted by Kevin Bay, and Ashlyn Dixon escorted by Matt Holman

2013 Homecoming JUGG awardSophomore class leaders (l to r): Karli Williamson, Hayley Ford, Tyrique Liddell, Caroline Sisson, and Melissa King accept the JUGG award at the Homecoming game in September.

Spelling Bee ChampsCordova Lower SchoolMary Paige Rowsey (6th)

White Station Lower SchoolMyles Neely (6th)

Cherry Rd. Upper SchoolKeerthana Raja (8th)

All Southwest Chorus Jr & Sr High Congratulations to our students who were selected by audition for All Southwest Chorus. Senior High: Caleb Cranford (10th) Junior High: Tristan Karpicke (8th); Marquavious Moore (9th); Kendall Ford (9th); Julian Isabel (9th)

Debbie Simpson RecognizedAt the conclusion of Cordova’s Veterans Day chapel program, “Miss” Debbie Simpson, principal of Harding Cordova Early Childhood, was presented with a star from an American flag to honor her for her annual Veterans Day programs.

HOMECOMING 2013

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MAJOR MOMENTS 1. Cameron Davis and Colton Nash were named Offense-Defense All-Americans and invited to participate in the 8th-annual Offense-Defense Bowl Week festivities.2. Dr. Randy Frederick made a special visit to Cherry Road Early Childhood.3. Freshman class officers pose with their Freshman Quest project. Each student in the class added a tile to the stepping-stone to symbolize class unity. 4. The White Station campus put on the production A Charlie Brown Christmas.5. State Representative Mark White visited our 5th graders and presented each of them with a Tennessee Blue Book

in preparation for their visit to the state capital. 6. Laura Garrison donated a painting to be auctioned at the 7th Annual Tony Yeargin Fundraising Dinner and Silent Auction to benefit St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.7. Singer/songwriter Jason Gray inspired the Harding concert audience to see how God’s grace works in a person’s life allowing Christ to become the star of his testimony. 8. Tanish Kothapalle was named a National Champion in the third grade section of the 2013 National Grade Chess Championship.9. On Saturday, November 9, 2013, Coach Ronn Rubio fired the shot that started the race.

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Marlon Brown, Wide Receiver for the Baltimore Ravens

Marlon Brown (’09) enrolled in junior kindergarten at Harding in the fall of ’95, left and later returned. Before re-entering, he hit a roadblock over his braids. At the time they violated the handbook rules. One administrator weighed in saying, “Braids make life much easier for kids.” The rule was adjusted, Marlon came on board, and Harding Academy hasn’t been the same since.

Marlon was always a giant kid at Harding. Today he is 6’5” and his playing weight is 205 lbs. He was pivotal on whatever team he played, interscholastic or local private and city leagues. If Marlon played, there would be a good chance for a win and the assurance of strong competition. (See a partial list of his honors below.)

From the start, Marlon’s height and skills drove him toward basketball, but his Harding teachers and coaches encouraged him to play more than one sport. Football became one of his “other” sports and soon emerged as the major focus. Videographer Russ Turman (’94) captured game highlights showcasing Marlon’s athleticism and speed. Those clips began popping up on YouTube, prompting calls from dozens of Division 1 coaches. Marlon Brown, football player, was for real.

Brown’s letter of intent to play for Georgia took place in the Ellers Gym with ESPN’s cameras rolling. Alumni from the past paused to watch, bragging about the ’09 graduate who would soon play football at a much higher level at the University of Georgia.

Georgia sharpened Marlon’s skills as a wide receiver. By his senior year he was expected to draw attention in the NFL draft. A torn ACL during the Ole Miss game sidelined him for the remainder of that season. Now he faced a different goal - the full rehabilitation of his knee.

At this point the grit and determination that God built into Marlon Brown showed up powerfully. The NFL draft came and went. Moving to Plan B, he became a free agent. This time the phone rang, one call from Houston and another from Baltimore. With fewer receivers on the Texans’ roster than the Ravens’, Marlon flew to Texas. Houston proved a poor fit, so Marlon headed home. On the way a call came to his phone from Coach Harbaugh himself. Marlon recalled, “He was genuine and honest with me. He sold me on the program.” Marlon was Baltimore bound!

Ravens spokesperson Jim Caldwell reported, “Marlon Brown has taken the field like a storm. He didn’t just make the team. He made an impact.” A later interviewer asked him how he felt watching practices from the sidelines during his rehab. “I was so bored. When I finally got to practice, there was no easing in. I only had one shot to impress the coaches.” And he did.

High School Football Stats/Honors

• Totaled 1,785 all-purpose yards with 19 TDs in 2008 including 338 yards and 4 TDs in the state championship game

• First Memphis private schooler to be named a

PARADE All-American in 2009

• 2008/2009 Under-Armour All-American Team

• Tennessee’s D2-A Mr. Football for 2008

• Ranked No. 1 on Rivals.com TN Postseason Top 35

• Ranked No. 24 overall player on ESPNU 150

• Ranked No. 3 wide receiver by ESPN.com

ALUMNI NEWS

“He didn’t justmake the team.

He made an impact.”

From our Statement of Faith: If anything that we accomplish or any students that we graduate are considered excellent or exemplary, Soli Deo Gloria.

Marlon eludes defenders as he heads for more yardage. (Photo permission by Baltimore Ravens.)

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Marlon wears a #14 jersey and is the first Ravens rookie to catch a touchdown pass in the first two games played. Part of that is a result of his rapport with quarterback Joe Flacco, a rarity for rookies. Asked how that happened, Marlon commented, “At meetings the quarterback tells you to run the routes a certain way, so I do.” Marlon makes it sound simple.

Marlon is focused. Commenting on practice he said, “I always try to go out there and get better at one thing every day. And the sky is the limit from there.” Talking about making big plays in a prior game he responded, “It’s nothing complicated. We just went out there on a couple plays, and Joe threw strikes and I ran good routes. It is what it is.”

Staying centered in the world of professional sports is challenging. He quotes his grandmother, Ms. Calvary Malone, “Don’t overthink things.” Obviously that advice is working well. The football from his first touchdown went to her. Marlon calls her Granny, and Granny is on the sidelines whenever she can be.

During Marlon’s senior year at Harding Academy, the senior boys’ Bible class organized a chapel presentation. Their premise was that even big, strong athletes have challenges. In response to the question, “Is there anything you are afraid of?” Marlon responded, “Oh, yeah! My Granny!” She’s definitely special. But so is Marlon Brown!

Jay Papasan, Bestselling Author

Jay Papasan (’87) is a writer. His first attempt at writing a book was in junior high, and by high school his skills were already sharp. Not much red ink was spilled on his essays. After graduation he headed to college as an English Literature/French major at the University of Memphis. He still loves his Tigers! Next he refined his French skills at the University de Paris with a degree in

French Literature. He completed his M.A. in English Literature with an emphasis in writing at New York University. Sounds simple, but there were sidebars to each degree... things like relaunching the graduate literary journal at NYU and teaching creative writing to severely disabled patients at Goldwater Hospital. Jay didn’t just acquire an education. He used it along the way.

Jay freelanced as a writer briefly, but accepted his first major position with HarperCollins Publishers in New York. He worked as an assistant editor with many authors, two of note being soccer Olympian Mia Hamm who wrote Go for the Goal and body builder Bill Phillips whose book, Body for Life, stayed on the New York Times bestseller list for seven years and sold over 3.5 million copies.

Books where Papasan collaborated were successful. Gary Keller, principal of Keller Williams Realty, noticed. Jay joined forces with Gary coauthoring many award-winning and bestselling titles including the Millionaire Real Estate series. Jay is now the Executive Editor and Vice President of Publishing at Keller Williams Realty and president of Rellek Publishing.

The two men most recently coauthored The ONE Thing, The Surprisingly Simple Truth Behind Extraordinary Results. Released in

February of 2013, it appeared on 100 bestseller lists during its first 100 days of release. Two of those lists were the New York Times and the Wall Street Journal. This book addresses success in life itself.

Jay says “... True leadership is teaching, and ultimately teaching is communication. Good teachers tell us what we need and lead us to resources to learn more. The best teachers ask great questions that evoke an “aha” or learning moment. That’s what we try to do with our books. We strive to get readers to ask big questions about their life and their business and, in the process, get closer to the answers they need.”

Once upon a time Harding teacher, Sylvia Bond, gave her class a writing assignment for a Grandparent Day tribute. Jay wrote about chasing his grandmother’s black cat around the house with a bag of flour trying to make it white, destroying her house in the process. He later heard that Mrs. Bond had circulated his story among the faculty. Jay wrote, “I remember that being a pivotal confidence boost on my path.” Jay’s path has come a long, long way!

The Jay Papasan / Marlon Brown “One Thing” Connection

As we did research on Jay, we were also writing about Marlon Brown (’09), rookie with the Baltimore Ravens this season. A quote by Marlon appearing on the Ravens’ website said, “I always try to go out there and get better at one thing every day. And the sky is the limit from there.” There it was…the idea of ONE thing. We shared the quote with Jay. A copy of The ONE Thing appeared via FedEx on the next business day, complete with Jay’s autograph and comment. Jay knew all about wide receiver Marlon Brown because of his fantasy football team, but had no idea the two of them were fellow alumni.

Jay Papasan lives in Austin, TX with his wife Wendy and their two children, Gus (9) and Veronica (8).

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Nancy W. Averwater, Medical Care Pioneer

When Nancy Averwater (‘85) became a registered nurse 24 years ago, her original intent was to care for people as family. Even in her wildest dreams, she could not have imagined the far-reaching impact her vision and caring would have across the city, region and health care community in general.

Soon after joining Baptist Memorial Health Care in 1993, her leadership abilities emerged. Currently CEO of several Baptist entities that provide services in Tennessee, Arkansas, and Mississippi, Nancy has oversight of four home health agencies, six hospices, a medical equipment company, a home infusion pharmacy, and the CONCERN Employee Assistance Program. Nancy also served as CEO of the Baptist Minor Medical Centers from 2006 - 2013.

Nancy spearheaded the area’s first tele-health home care program to help improve the overall health of home care patients and reduce the number of times patients with chronic conditions have to be hospitalized. The program has enabled thousands of home-bound patients in the area to be monitored daily by nurses who quickly assess changes in the patient’s condition and implement interventions that prevent costly re-hospitalizations and improve quality of life.

While CEO of the Baptist Minor Medical Centers, Nancy led her team to launch the first urgent care mobile app, which provides a quick and easy way for patients to pre-register for a visit to the clinic. The premise of the app is to reduce the amount of time patients have to spend in the waiting room, thus expediting care in the clinic.

Like any great leader, Nancy believes the voices of patients and clinicians speak loudest. She incorporates these voices into strategic planning sessions and produces plans that are embraced from the boardroom to the front-line caregiver.

The voice that resonates most with Nancy is one she considers a “call to action” for a service that is too often overlooked. She will never forget the call from a distraught husband whose wife had been diagnosed

with brain cancer. Listening to his anguish when explaining his wife did not want to die at home in the presence of their children and hearing him plead, “Why does this city not have a place where she can go,” sparked a fire that resulted in her greatest accomplishment, bringing the first residential hospice to the metro-Memphis community. The Baptist Trinity Hospice House, a 24-bed residential hospice, and the Kemmons Wilson Family Center for Good Grief, a comprehensive bereavement center located adjacent to the Hospice House, opened in the late fall of 2010. All services at the Center for Good Grief are free of charge. To date, the hospice house has provided care to over 750 patients, and the Center for Good Grief has helped nearly 6,000 individuals.

Most recently, Nancy has played a pivotal leadership role with Healthy Shelby’s county-wide collaborative to get 100,000 individuals to make a life plan through the Five Wishes program, a simple form that allows individuals to state their preferences on care should they ever become incapacitated or otherwise unable to speak for themselves. Along with other area hospital collaboration, Nancy helped plan a panel discussion for area business leaders and HR directors about the benefits of the program and how to implement it in their respective business settings.

In 2001 Nancy received the Memphis Business Journal’s Top 40 Under 40 award. Additionally she received the Memphis Business Journal’s Health Care Hero Award for Administrative Excellence in 2012, and was recently named as one of the top 25 Super Women in Business in 2013.

Nancy is a 1985 graduate from Harding Academy. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Harding University, and Master of Health Administration from the University of Memphis. Nancy lives in Collierville with her husband Chuck, who is the owner of Smacker’s BBQ Seasoning & Sauces.

Nancy believes the voices of patients

and clinicians speak loudest.

Nancy was named as one of the top 25 Super Women in Business in 2013

by the Memphis Business Journal.

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Dorie Turner Nolt, Press Secretary for the U.S. Department of Education

Dorie Turner Nolt (‘97) has been appointed the Press Secretary for the U.S. Department of Education. Turner Nolt will run U.S. Education Secretary Arne Duncan’s press office, overseeing the 7-member staff that deals with the day-to-day and long-term media coverage of President Barack Obama’s education agenda. Turner Nolt and her husband, John, are relocating to Washington, D.C., from their home in Atlanta, where they have lived for the last seven years.

Turner Nolt was most recently the Assistant Director of Communications for the Georgia Department of Education. Prior to that, she spent six years as the Atlanta-based national education reporter for The Associated Press, covering everything from local school board battles to federal policy battles. She started her journalism career covering higher education for the Chattanooga Times Free Press after graduating from the University of Tennessee with a degree in journalism in 2001. She has also reported for Newsweek.

Dorie started seventh grade at Harding in 1991 and quickly fell in love with her English and history classes. Teachers like Trent Williamson and Paul Goddard brought history to life and instilled in her a love of politics. Michael and Melanie Semore tapped into Turner Nolt’s love of writing and encouraged her to join the school newspaper and yearbook staffs, her first taste of journalism that ultimately led to a 12-year career as a reporter. Mr. Semore, in particular, pushed Turner Nolt to refine her writing by editing, re-editing and re-editing

(and re-editing) her papers until they were nearly perfect. He encouraged students to develop a love for literature and poetry by playing Garrison Keillor’s “The Writer’s Almanac” in class each day.

Turner Nolt graduated from Harding in 1997 with honors.

Follow Turner Nolt on Twitter at @dorieturner or @EdPressSec.

’78 Lions Gather to Celebrate 35 Year-Old Victory

Rob Davis planned a reunion for the football team from the 1978 season. Following a barbeque lunch the team settled in to watch game film from their past. Time was spent visiting and praying together. Tributes were given to Coach Jerry Escue, head coach, and to the two assistant coaches, Mike Hedrick and Ron Copeland. Thanks to Chris Galbreath (’90), the film from their victory over MUS was digitized and mailed to each of the men who were present.

Pictured are: Row #1, L to R: Sam Gay, Jerry Escue, Mike Hedrick, Ron Copeland, Robert Williams, Richard Hamlet, Bernie Folkerts. Row #2, L to R: Kenny Beaver, David Parker, Kenny Roberts, Robbie Davis, Kevin Marshall, Brian Primm, Steve Guyman, Robbie Kiihnl, Jeff Sissom. Row #3, L to R: Bob Bush, David Bourland, Greg Poston, Trey Weldon, Cary Ledbury, Jonathan Bivens, Ronnie Kiihnl

John and Dorie Turner Nolt live and work in Washington, D.C.

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Class Reunions

Class of 1963

Pictured (l to r): Jannie Crawford Hadley, Larry Arick (’61), Eloise Arick Moffatt, Ellis Haguewood, Peggy Grandi Haguewood, Carolyn Johnson Harris

Class of 1983

Pictured (l to r): Front row - Judy Phillips, Bryant Brooks; Back row - Melanie Ward Morgan, Steve (Hodges) Arnold, Jennifer Criswell Bernard, Valerie Fister Lindley

Class of 1989

Pictured (l to r): William Slankard, Eric Hinson, Jonathan Mooneyham, Kevin Arick, Geoff Linder (’90) honorary ’89 grad, Jay and Amy Bethea, Philip Cummings, Greg Rubio

Class of 1993

Pictured (l to r): Sharon Stewart, James Rogers, Micki Emmons Hardeman, Andrea Gilliland Marbry, Susan Bishop Shumaker, Rebecca Riley, Chris Eaves

Class of 2003

These ‘03 graduates attended Harding Wooddale together beginning in kindergarten.Pictured (l to r): Back row – Katie Westmoreland Easter, Jennifer Whitlock Smith, Eric Dolan, Andrew Corum, James Polmonari, Daniel Cossey. Front row – Laura Lemmons Stephens, Hillary Lee Henderson

The 2003 alumni group poses for their group picture at the River Inn restaurant in Harbor Town.

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ALUMNI CONNECTIONS

1964

Paperboy by Vince Vawter (’64) has been named a winner of a John Newbery Honor Book Award for 2014. The American Library Association names one winner and four Honor winners. The Newbery Honor event is generally described as the “Academy Awards of young people’s literature.” Vince and his wife Betty will travel to Las Vegas in June to accept the award.

1987

Kara Greaves (’87) Barbour has been named head of the lower school at Lausanne Collegiate School beginning fall of 2014.

1988

Nikki and Eric Gardner (’88) announce the birth of Jameson Edge, born September 26, 2013. Proud sisters are Hannah and Emily. Eric is a vascular surgeon, and the family lives in Germantown, TN.

1994

Avett Portis Shake was born on January 25, 2013, to Chad and Courtney Portis (’94) Shake in Spring Hill, TN. He joins his three sisters, Dailey (10), Maisy (8), and Rebecca Rose (3). Proud grandparents are Charlie and Becky Dailey (’69) Portis of Germantown, TN.

1995

Sarah and Clay Midyett (’95) are the parents of a baby girl, Ruby Claire, born May 6, 2013. Clay is a dentist in Collierville, TN.

1997

Tim and Paige Dickerson (’97) Heinz announce the birth of Ellison Murray Heinz, born February 28, 2013. They reside in Collierville, TN.

Caden Ryan Barker was born March 24, 2013, to Brian and Lesley Donaldson (’97) Barker. Aaron, Natalie, Andrew, and Brenden Barker are the big brothers and sister. Tom and Cathy Donaldson are his grandparents. Both families now reside in Bella Vista, AR.

1999

Jeremy and Megan Bennett (’99) Kreimer are the proud parents of Natalie Grace born on November 18, 2012. The Kreimers live in east Memphis near Harding Academy.

Kera and Jeff Hubbard (’99) along with daughters, Hannah and Harper, welcomed their new daughter and sister, Henley Faith, into their family on 11/12/13! Kera and Jeff are youth ministers in Dallas, TX. Karen and Sonny Hubbard (’68) are the proud grandparents.

2000

David (’00) and Jacquelynn Tull (’01) Hardin welcomed a new son, Ellis Sean Hardin, who was born June 6, 2013. Macy Kaylyn Hardin is Ellis’ big sister. The family lives in Collierville, TN. David is Art Director for Sullivan Branding.

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2001

Dr. Vikram Saini (’01) and Kara Watson (’01) Saini welcomed Asher Charles into their family on July 15, 2013. Proud grandparents are Chuck (’73) and Karen Gray (’74) Watson of Memphis. The Saini family resides in New Orleans, LA. Dr. Saini has been awarded a two-year Vitreoretinal Surgery Fellowship by the University of Alabama-Birmingham/Retinal Specialists beginning in July of 2014.

Maurice and Tenielle Smith (’01) Buchanan were blessed with twins, Mason Alec Buchanan and Madison Alise Buchanan, who were born January 20, 2014. The family lives in Lebanon, TN. Tenielle is the Assistant Dean of Students at David Lipscomb University with a focus on Intercultural Development.

2002

On November 8, 2012, Amanda Wallace (‘02), along with her son Joshua Wallace and her parents John and Kandy Kieffer (’75) Wallace, welcomed her daughter Aleena June Wallace into the world. Proud aunt is Angela Wallace (‘99).

Brad and Heather Dees (’02) Smith announce the birth of their son, Brantley Paul, born May 31, 2013. Brad is a wholesale insurance broker, and Heather is a nurse practitioner with Stern Cardiovascular Clinic. Philip (’78) and Debbie Dees (’77) Sisson are Brantley’s grandparents.

2003

Andy and Jenny Edwards (’03) Sanders announce the arrival of Lucas Andrew Sanders, born July 21, 2013. The family lives in Birmingham, AL. Proud grandparents are Bubba and Debbie Edwards.

Tyler Brooke Ford was born on July 25, 2013 to Patrick and Allison Hubbard (’03) Ford. The family has recently moved to West Islip, New York, where Patrick is now the minister of the West Islip Church of Christ on Long Island. Paternal grandparents are Karen and Sonny Hubbard (’68) of Memphis.

Murray and Erin Nickleson (’03) Butler welcomed Douglas Hayes Butler to their family on November 8, 2013. Siblings Cole and Jordan are pictured with baby Hayes. Don and Denise Nickleson are his proud grandparents.

Jamie and Michael Jerkins (’03) announce the birth of their son, Jonah Michael, born October 16, 2013. Proud grandparents are Susie and Gerald Jerkins. Both families reside in the Memphis area.

2005

Camden Asher Farmer made his arrival on October 28, 2013. Austin and Lydia Sisson (’05) Farmer are his parents. The family lives in Collierville, TN. Debra and Jerry Sisson are his proud grandparents.

2006

The creative marriage proposal of Shay Crawford (’06) to Stephanie Silvers was filmed and reported on ABC News Inside Edition on December 26, 2013. Shay is a left-handed pitcher for the Tampa Bay Rays on their farm team, the Charlotte Stone Crabs. Shay’s parents, Rick (’72) and Susan Dennis (’76) Crawford, his sister, Megan Crawford (’08), and others from the two families took part in the romantic production. Scan the QR code at right to see the story as it aired on Inside Edition.

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2007

Claire Annebel Frizzell arrived on October 10, 2013. Ashley and Scott Frizzell (’07) are her proud parents. Scott teaches history for Harding Academy and is working toward his PhD in African American History at the University of Memphis. Photo by Daniel (’08) and Emily (Lynn) (’08) Wickliff.

Richard Michael and Jacqueline Dukes (’07) Edlin were married December 15, 2012, in Memphis, TN. The couple lives in Spring Hill, TN, where they are awaiting the arrival of twins.

2009

Andrew and Bonnie Smith (’09) Norwood were married on June 2, 2012. The couple resides in Little Rock, AR, where Bonnie is an accountant and Andrew teaches Spanish at Lighthouse Charter School.

Kalena Baskin (’09) married Jared Gaines on August 2, 2013. The couple resides in the Montgomery, AL, area where Jared serves as a youth minister and Kalena is preparing for a career in nursing.

Sarah Fleischhauer (’09) married John Andrew Pelcharsky on November 9, 2013. The couple resides in Memphis where both are working on their EMT licenses. Sarah will also complete her paramedic license by next summer.

Molly Elliott (’09) and Jeff Glover were married at Carahills in Eads, TN, on June 1, 2013. Molly completed her undergraduate degree in education from Harding University and now teaches 4th grade at Harding’s White Station location.

Chris and Courtney Ralston (’09) Loftis were married on June 15, 2013. They are both attending UTHSC where Courtney is a first year pharmacy student and Chris is a second year medical student. They live in midtown Memphis.

2010

Samantha Thompson (’10) and Adam Kalwas (’10) were married July 12, 2013, at Shelby Farms. The couple lives in Knoxville, TN, where Adam is working toward a degree in advertising and Samantha is currently working on a research team studying early childhood development.

Houston Dove (’10) and Garrett Lim (’10) have both been accepted to University of Tennessee Medical School for the fall of 2014.

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going on in your life, and keep

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Send your news to

alumni@hardinglions.org.

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Directors of Alumni Relations

1100 Cherry Rd.Memphis, TN 38117www.HardingLions.org

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