[SMART boards]
It’s not your granny’s chalkboard anymore
[visit]
www. stjweb.org
[congratulations]
girls 4A state softball champs
[discovery]
points of light
[acknowledgements]
STJ grad is Mobile Mardi Gras King
i n s i d e
S u M M e R 2 0 0 8
columnssum
mer08
Saint James School
a p u b l i c a t i o n fo r s t u d e n t s , a lu m n i a n d f r i e n d s
[the cover]
4 Around the Columns Richardson to lead STJ in 2008-2009
ESL Tutoring Aids Foreign-Born Students
STJ Students Volunteer 1000+ Hours in a Single Day
STJ Glows From Points of Light
Liberty National Endows STJ Scholarships
Jones is new High School Principal
STJ in the News
17 Trojan Tally Girls Softball takes the winners circle
again, and several other 2007-2008 notable moments.
19 Alumni notes From the Alumni Director
Alum Spotlight
Alumni News
7 [It’s Not Your Granny’s Chalkboard Anymore] In a culture where Wii and iPhones are ubiquitous, K-12 campuses across
the country are struggling with modern ways to engage their students. At Saint James, the SMART Board offers new possibilities for students and teachers alike.
9 [Double Delight] It’s a Saint James sweep! Both prestigious Jimmy Hitchcock honors were
awarded to Saint James students during May’s YMCA banquet – marking only the third time that the tributes have gone to classmates at the same school.
11 [The Great Outdoors. A Pictorial essay] During 2007-2008 STJ elementary students began construction of their own
outdoor learning laboratory (with a good deal of parent/teacher support!) Digging in the dirt and moving large stones to construct a pond and butterfly garden, the students enjoyed creating their “new digs!”
13 [Stepping into the Spotlight] The Performing Arts Department has seen tremendous growth from a
small cadre of dedicated students to a company of 240 creative actors, singers, and stage hands whose productions are on the center stage of entertainment in Alabama’s Capital City.
15 [College-Bound! A Pictorial essay] The 82 graduating seniors in the Class of 2008 are headed for colleges
located across the U.S. Their May 19 graduation was a memory-making celebration, full of excitement and even a few moments of introspection.
[de
pa
rtm
en
ts
]
On the cover: Students in the Saint James Class of 2008 take the short walk to their graduation ceremony, which will transform them into alumni. Class President Bilal Ahmed leads the way into the Saint James gym before commencement exercises begin.
insideS u M M e R 2 0 0 8
7
9 11
13
15
August is here and the excitement is everywhere on our campus for another outstanding school year. As we begin our fifty-third year of providing an outstanding education for students, I am reminded that our tradition serves us well. Thousands of students have walked through our doors and when they left, they were better young people for having been here.
Saint James serves a vital role within the Montgomery community and we are always reminded how privileged we are to work with smart, talented students each year. Our faculty and staff, full of anticipation and enthusiasm for the coming year, are committed to providing innovative, challenging, and quality instruction. The hallmark of Saint James School has always been to value each student and recognize that student’s potential for academic and personal growth.
Within this environment, I am honored to serve as your Interim Headmaster for the 2008-2009 school year. I am beginning my twenty-sixth year at Saint James School and am passionate about the Saint James community. My husband, Bill, and I were Saint James parents for many years. Both our children graduated from Saint James School fully prepared for college, and for life. Having served here as a teacher, middle school principal, and academic dean, I know the school from many vantage points. I am humbled and ready to accept the new challenge of serving as your Interim Headmaster, and enthusiastically accept this additional responsibility.
Responsibility is a large part of what we want our students to learn as well. In addition to our rigorous curriculum, we want our students to be confident, independent, and fully prepared to solve the problems facing our world. Global challenges are increasing, requiring students to not only know the basic skills in disciplines, but also to be able to connect those disciplines in creative ways. We are committed to providing students with an education that catapults them to the cutting edge of this bright new future, while maintaining our adherence to the values and traditions that have made Saint James a strong educational institution.
We pride ourselves on the development of the whole child in rigorous academics, athletics, and the arts. I love watching students realize that they have the potential to be an actor, an artist, an athlete, and a stellar student in the classroom. They have the intrinsic talent to succeed. As their educators and parents, we just have to provide the right environment for them to thrive. For that reason, we place a high emphasis on continuous professional development for our entire faculty so they may teach for the future.
The future looks bright for Saint James School! With supportive parents, bright students, and a well-trained, energetic faculty, we are anxiously awaiting to see all the potential unfold this year in our students. I like to say that all children are gifts - some just open their packages earlier than others. I believe we will see many, many packages opened this year as we eagerly approach another great school year.
[the headmaster]from
Melba Richardson Interim Headmaster
Editor Sandra Polizos [email protected]
ContributorsSandra Polizos
Drew Hoover ‘08
PhotographersDavid Robertson, Jr.
Joe Bailey Sandra Polizos
Bob Corley Drew Hoover ‘08
Saint James SchoolInterim Headmaster Melba Richardson
Development Director Sheila Meadows
Public Relations Director Sandra Polizos
Business Manager Bill Furr
Saint JameS Board of d irectorS
Columns is published yearly by Saint James School, 6010 Vaughn Road, Montgomery, AL 36116 and is distributed free
to alumni, and to parents of students, as well as to other friends of the school. Address changes may be sent to the Public
Relations Director, 6010 Vaughn Road, Montgomery, AL 36116 or to [email protected].
Check out the photogallery of our new
website! Visit Saint James online at:
The Montgomery Biscuits’ “Big Mo” makes a visit to the campus in early spring, just in time for some happy ballerinas to get a big hug from the larger than life baseball mascot. Mo toured the campus in advance of STJ Night at Riverwalk Stadium on April 5.
Fred Clark, Chairman
Billy Livings, Vice Chair
Ted Bridges, Secretary
Michelle Parks, Treasurer
Beth Poe, Parliamentarian
Ragan Ingram, Sergeant at Arms
Mary Bradley, Past President
Cynthia Bisbee
Taylor Blackwell
James Dickens
Mike Eley
Scott Gorman
John Hutcheson
George Kent
Bill McGuffin
Chuck Richardson
Bob Runkle
Burt Smithart
Frank Woodson
S u M M e R 2 0 0 8 4
[around the]
w w w . s t j w e b . o r g
Saint James School
[Richardson] to Lead STJ in 2008-2009Academic Dean/Assistant Headmaster Melba Richardson will lead Saint James as Interim Headmaster during the 2008-2009 academic year. Appointed to the position by the school’s Board of Directors, Richardson has served as a teacher, principal, Academic Dean, and Assistant Headmaster in public and independent schools throughout her long career. Her association with Saint James School spans a 25-year period.
Richardson has more than 30 years of cumulative education experience. She serves on the advisory board for the College of Education at the University of Alabama, and is also a member of the National Middle School Association’s on-site professional development cadre, helping middle schools across the United States implement modern concepts to fulfill their mission. Richardson serves as the instructor for Alabama’s Institute for Education in the Arts, training
administrators on how to best utilize arts throughout a school’s curriculum. She has served also served as state president of Alabama’s middle school associations.
Richardson, a native Floridian, completed her undergraduate studies at the University of Alabama, and received her Master’s degree from Auburn University Montgomery. She is married to William Richardson, Dean of Arts and Sciences with the Troy University System. Their two adult children, William Richardson and Mary Catherine Phillips, both attended Saint James School, graduating in 1990 and 1994, respectively.
Fred Clark, chairman of the Saint James Board of Directors, said the next step in the search for a permanent headmaster for Saint James will be development of a formal job announcement which will be widely distributed.
Saint James School now offers a tutorial service assisting students for whom English is a second language. The ESL (English as a Second Language) tutoring sessions are held weekly, and are provided for students needing assistance from elementary through middle and high school. In their sessions, ESL tutor Erin Bishop helps the students with their English comprehension, reading,
and writing skills. Students who hail from as far away as Israel, Korea, and Sweden, are tutored during their elective or P.E. classes.
“With the Hyundai plant bringing people to Alabama, we are becoming more global. International students have unique needs, and we can now meet some of those needs with ESL tutoring,” middle school principal Cathy
Pearson said. “I could see the students’ faces, and they looked so much more confident after just a 45-minute session.”
The tutoring sessions are part of an ongoing effort at Saint James is to create a friendly and helpful educational environment that will benefit students from all backgrounds.
[ eSL Tutoring Begins at Saint James ]
[STJ Glows Over Points of Light Accolades]STJ’s 2006-2007 Literature and Community Class, taught by Dr. Cliff Browning, was named a national daily “Point of Light” on Nov. 8, 2007. Awarded each weekday, the Points of Light Award is a national honor for an individual or organization that is making a positive and lasting difference in the lives of others. The organization is a nonpartisan, nonprofit group devoted to promoting volunteerism.
The student care team from Saint James was nominated for the honor based on support they provided for Alacare hospice patients
across Montgomery County. The student care team from STJ provided support to more than 15 Alacare patients in Montgomery County, collectively giving more than 700 volunteer hours of service to the program.
The Saint James students received a congratulatory letter from President George W. Bush and Former President George Bush to commemorate their achievement. In addition, each Daily Point of Light honoree received a hand-lettered award certificate to commemorate their high honor.
WSFA-TV 12 produced news stories and interviews related to several events occurring at Saint James, including U.S. Representative Artur Davis’ visit to the school; the middle school’s Career Week; competitions attended by the marching and symphonic bands in Orlando; STJ’s sweep of both male and female Jimmy Hitchcock awards; varsity basketball coach Vincent Royals first meeting with team members; and several live shots for the station’s Friday Night Fever football coverage. In addition, choir and theater department students performed on a variety of the station’s live, longer format venues, previewing upcoming STJ productions.
For its daily news/photographic/web service The Montgomery Advertiser covered Saint James’ participation in the simultaneous national celebration of the penning of the Star Spangled Banner; the school’s leadership in using the Alert System to notify families of pending inclement weather or items of parental concern; Saint James’ student Kara Kirkland’s dance involvement in the opening and closing numbers of the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade; the contribution of more than 1,100 hours by Saint James students to the City of Montgomery on Community Day; tennis player Kat Jackson’s scholarship contract to play for Birmingham Southern College; graduation exercises, and lengthy coverage of the creation of an elementary pond that will be used as an outdoor learning laboratory. The two latter subjects also included in-depth web coverage, with the pond installation also covered with video documentation of STJ elementary students and parents as they dug and landscaped the pond.
Montgomery Living featured stories about Saint James SMART Boards; the Daily Points of Light Award given to Dr. Cliff Browning’s Literature and Community Class; and the Birmingham News’ announcement that Robyn Harmon and Morgan Mullen had been named to the 4A All-State First Team. The articles appeared in the cityscapes section of the monthly River Region magazine.
WAKA-TV 8 also provided coverage of Saint James in its news and interview programs. Topics covered ranged from the elementary pond to arts coverage to live sports news during football season, as well as a February story on the first boys’ soccer player from the Capitol City to sign with a Division I soccer program, Clark Hankins. (Hankins signed a scholarship contract to play ball for the College of Charleston after graduation.)
The Montgomery Independent featured front page coverage of 2000 alum Chad Slaton’s crowning as Mobile’s Mardi Gras King, Saint James’ sweep of the Jimmy Hitchcock Memorial Award, along with numerous articles of ongoing coverage of the school’s academic, arts, and athletic successes.
Jones is a graduate of Virginia Military Institute, where he majored in English and was an Academic All–American football player. He has a law degree and a Master’s degree in Education from the University of Virginia. Jones has been a teacher and coach as well as the Upper School Director at Augusta Preparatory School in Augusta, Georgia, and Head of School at Southampton Academy in Courtland, Virginia.
Saint James High School students collectively volunteered more 1,100 hours of service in a single day to non-profit organizations in Montgomery last spring, when the entire student body hit the streets to participate in the school’s Community Service Day.
Organized by the school’s Student Government Association, the 322 ninth through twelfth graders each volunteered an entire morning of their time to benefit a variety of service organizations such as Habitat for Humanity, Montgomery Hospice, the Rosa Parks Museum, and the Montgomery Zoo.
The annual volunteer project began several years ago, in an effort to introduce Saint James students to the need, impact, and value of service to the community.
“We tried hard to match people and groups with their talents,” student government association member Jane Marie Hutcheson said. “For example, students who performed in our Cabaret sang and danced for students at McInnis School.”
“It’s really important for students to do this, because it helps us see the value of community service,” Hutcheson added. “And the organizations we help are so thankful for what we do. When such a large group of students volunteer, we can really make a difference.”
Liberty National endows Minority Scholarships for Saint James School
Liberty National Life Insurance Company has provided
$150,000 to Saint James School to endow a yearly
scholarship for eligible African American students who
wish to attend the school. The scholarship provides full
tuition as well as registration fees and tuition deposit.
“We know Saint James’ sterling reputation in the
community for providing an excellent education to
its students,” said the letter from Liberty National,
informing administrators of the endowment. “We are
also very keenly aware of the need to improve education
opportunities for young African Americans and are positive
that these endowed scholarship funds will provide their
recipients with first-class educational opportunities.”
S u M M e R 2 0 0 8 6
[around the]
The 2006-07 Saint James Literature and Community Class was named as the nation’s “Daily Point of Light” for Nov. 8, 2007.
www.pointsoflight.org/awards/dpol
The STJ student winners are accessible on the Points of Light website by clicking the “Past Winners“ link on the left navigation bar at
[ ]
STJ
In T
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Saint James 2008 sophomore Mark Ferdinand uses a weed-eater to clear the overgrown areas around the graves at Remount Cemetery. Volunteers from the school brought work gloves and gardening tools to assist in cleaning up the neglected cemetery.
Virginia Native [Craig Jones] Appointed Interim High School Principal
STJ STudenTS VolunTeer 1100+ Hours in One Day
nce upon a time, outfitting modern computer labs gave a school high-tech bragging rights.
Such institutions were the envy of their less tech-savvy neighbors. In today’s competitive, technology-based education environment, however, a school without computers is an anachronism, a vestige of the last century when chalk and blackboard dominated the classroom, and blue-lined paper and the lead pencil were interactive elements. Even when computers became standard business tools, elementary, middle and high school students often had only sporadic access to computers, if they had access at all.
By contrast, by the time Saint James’ 2008 college-bound seniors graduated from high school, they had spent hundreds of hours manipulating and interacting with digital learning tools.
With all Saint James classrooms equipped with wireless internet access, digital hardware liberally dots the landscape of the school’s libraries, journalism labs, and many common areas. Cutting-edge software – from professional desktop publishing tools to sophisticated mathematics applications – is a routine fixture in classrooms across the campus. Innovative technology in the classroom is no longer a luxury. To reach and therefore teach the cell phone, text message, and iPod-obsessed generation such technology is a requirement.
Combining the classroom whiteboard and the computer, the first Saint James SMART Boards appeared on campus in the summer of 2007, thanks to a generous donation by Mike and Hettie Sue Bridger, whose triplet grandchildren attend the school. By April 2008 there were 22 boards on campus with plans to purchase and install 21 more during the summer. By the start of the 2009-2010 school year, the Board of Directors expect to have a SMART Board in each Saint James classroom.
Why all the fuss over a board that, at first glance, appears to be a glorified overhead projector?
“Oh, no, it’s very different from an overhead projector,” sixth grade math teacher Diane Buckner says. “My classroom computer is in my office. If I were using a projector I’d have to go back and forth from the classroom to my office, calling up the lessons in a room that separates me from my students. Because the SMART Board is a computer, my attention and time isn’t diverted from the students. We can just continue seamlessly with the lesson because I don’t have to run back and forth.”
Controlled with a mouse or by touching the surface of the board, a teacher can direct SMART Board computer actions from the front of the room. Instructors can write or draw on the whiteboard with a finger or by using a special pen, underscoring important information by highlighting words or drawing lines or arrows to significant facts. The changes made are saved to the computer where they can be stored, printed or
emailed. The SMART Board computer even recognizes handwritten notes and translates them into printed text on command.
First-year faculty member and third grade teacher Jason Bostic taught with a SMART Board at a previous school.
“Kids respond differently to the board than they do to instruction without it,” Bostic, a graduate of Purdue (B.A.) and Indiana (M.S.) Universities, says.
At the beginning of the school year Bostic’s classroom was the only one in the third grade equipped with a SMART Board. Within weeks excitement about the new classroom tool spread. Parents and grandparents shared their students’ enthusiasm when they saw the boards at Back-to-School night and made plans to raise funds to furnish each third grade classroom with a SMART Board. Within weeks the funds were raised and the boards were purchased.
“How I learned in class when I was in elementary school is nowhere like students are learning today,” the 30-year-old Bostic says. “If a parent watches the kids using the SMART Boards and says, ‘We didn’t have anything like this in the past,’ the experience shows what positive progress we’ve made in teaching kids. And parents value that.”
“If we’re watching a video on the SMART Board, I can pause the footage and write or highlight over the video – so it makes more of an impression on them,” Bostic says.
“I especially like the fact that I can save what I’ve done and I can pull it back up if a student is absent and I need to go over it again. Another thing I love about the SMART Board is that it has a double screen feature. I used it when we started multiplication facts. On one screen I had multiplication tables, on the other screen math
problems – and I could demonstrate to the kids, showing them exactly how to use the tables to solve the problems.”
Both Buckner and Bostic agree the SMART Board’s interactive tools and animation provide learning incentives for today’s media-savvy students.
“It’s more a medium that they’re used to, so they’re interested,” Buckner says. “Using the board we’ve flipped coins and tossed dice for probabilities and to come up with fractions. It’s amazing how one tiny thing makes the students feel like they’re doing something that’s fun, rather than just doing a math problem. They feel like it’s not old school, and they’re not as bored by it because it’s in tune with their generation.”
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SMART Boards are the most
recent addition to Saint James’ digital learning environment.
Jason Bostic
I was in second grade and our first computers rolled into our class. We said, ‘Wow!’
That’s the same reaction kids here had to the SMArT Board: ‘Wow, what is this?’”
– Jason Bostic, 3rd grade teacher[ ]
Granny’s Chalkboard
Diane Buckner
“I can remember when
O
it’s not your
anymore
eadership, church involvement, and academic excellence. these are the criteria for selecting
the recipient of the Jimmy Hitchcock award, named after the auburn University graduate who lived as a paragon of spiritual, intellectual, and leadership qualities. the candidates for this award hail from all over montgomery county, and each year the competition is stiff as every aspect of the nominees’ lives is scrutinized to see who best embodies the values held by the Jimmy Hitchcock award. this year, two students from Saint James stood head and shoulders above the rest.
Class of 2008 seniors Clark Hankins and Robyn Harmon had long and celebrated athletic careers at Saint James. Hankins, a veteran soccer player, accepted an athletic scholarship to the College of Charleston in South Carolina. If that weren’t enough Hankins was also the all-purpose kicker for the football team as well as a force on the basketball court. Robyn Harmon, whose exploits on the softball diamond are unmatched, signed an athletic scholarship at Samford College where she will continue her softball career while pursuing a career as a veterinarian. She also played varsity volleyball in which she led the defense with over 400 digs in one season.
As great as home runs, perfect saves, and the thrill of winning are, the real test of the Jimmy Hitchcock nominee is performance off the playing field.
Hankins, a member of Frazer United Methodist Church, works outside of the church with Younglife, a group for high school students that involves Christian activities, and Wyldlife, a similar middle
[by Drew Hoover ‘08]
school group, for which Clark
was a leader.
“Most of my spiritual growth comes from
Younglife, Wyldlife, and
Campaigners, which is a closer group
for people growing in their faith,” Hankins said.
Hankins is also one of the first students to be selected for the Peer Leadership Program at Saint James. There, he met weekly with two freshman advisories to help them adjust to high school.
Harmon is a member of HopeWell Methodist Church, where she helps with the offering, the services, and raising food for the church’s food bank, and is even on the finance committee. At Saint James School, Robyn was a member of the Key Club, Science Club, and Fellowship of Christian Athletes. In her spare time, she likes to work for the humane shelter and coaches in a summer sports camp for underprivileged kids.
“My family has been a great support group for me, and my church has helped me grow up in a very spiritual atmosphere, and my coaches and teammates have been more than I could’ve ever asked for. I’ve been very blessed.”
Just two days before graduating, Harmon pitched through four games, leading her team through the state softball tournament for her second state title and third appearance in the championship. Named the state tourney’s Most Valuable Player, she pitched four shutouts in the state playoffs, helping the Trojans end the season with a record total of only four losses. The accolades continued to roll in for Harmon, when she was named the Montgomery Advertiser’s Class 1A-4A All-Metro Player of the Year and unanimously selected the Class 4A Player of the Year by the Alabama Sports Writers Association.
even before he moved to montgomery, Jerry Browning realized that the Hitchcock awards were a highly important accolade and an honored tradition of high school athletics in the capital city. But the relatively new StJ athletic director couldn’t fully appreciate the event’s unique significance until both awards were given to StJ students – marking a first for Saint James and only the third time in the award’s history that the boy’s and girl’s awards have gone to classmates at the same school.
For Browning the honor was a wonderful punctuation to the end of his first year on the job. Like Athletic Directors at other schools, he coordinates events, mingles with parents at games, and looks to the overall well-being of Saint James’ athletic program. A 13-year veteran girl’s basketball coach, former Hoover High School Athletic Director, and longtime sports lover, Browning brings experience from a large, nationally ranked athletic program to Saint James.
Browning describes himself as someone who loves to win and has won often, but he believes that there is more to the game than a team’s record. Saint James has not always been a “powerhouse” for sports because of its rigorous academic standards, but Browning believes that this will change.
“We’re not always going to get the biggest and fastest athletes, but I think we’ve got some great coaches that care about these kids, and I think we will be successful,” Browning said. “I want kids at other schools to think ‘Hey, look at Saint James. They’ve got nice facilities and great coaches and that’s where I want to go.’”
Coming from a school where ESPN and MTV would call the office to televise events, where ten thousand people
showed up for football games, and where 160 kids came out for the football team, Browning says he is thrilled to be at Saint James. The smaller school allows him time to be with his children and see them during the day, and get back down to chatting with sports parents at baseball games on late weekday afternoons.
“Saint James gave me a great opportunity,” Browning said, “This is a good school and I hope that I can do things to make it better.”
nicheCArVInG oUT HIS
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L
DOUBLE DELIGHT!
Jerry Browning
As these pictures indicate, elementary students (and their parents) have provided much of the muscle needed to develop this living outdoor laboratory!
Saint James was the first school in Central Alabama, to participate in Ponds for Kids, a conservation education program sponsored by the Alabama Wildlife Federation, the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources and the Alabama Cooperative Extension System.
S u M M e R 2 0 0 8 1 2
outdoorsthe great
During the 2007-2008 school year
Saint James constructed a new
outdoor classroom, located directly
outside of the elementary science
lab. Primarily designed to engage
elementary students with hands-
on learning opportunities about
ecosystems, water quality, and
wildlife, the outdoor classroom
features an aquatic studies area
and a butterfly garden.
Elementary science teacher Rena Russell coordinated development of the new addition, which began by digging a 180-square-foot pond in October. The pond is the centerpiece of a water garden, which includes a waterfall and a 10-foot stream. While the water garden created quite a splash among students, a butterfly garden was added in the spring. Plans call for the addition of a nature trail, raised bed garden, and rock garden to be added during upcoming years.
hen Lis Donaldson took over
as STJ’s Choral Director in 1999, there were 20 students in the middle school choir and four
in the high school choir. Fast forward nine years to 2008’s 100-member middle school choir and the 60-student high school choral group. The 400% increase for middle school and 1400% increase in the older choir participants are demonstrable successes for the program Donaldson is diligently working to build.
“Sure I’m proud of those numbers, but what they really prove is that a strong choral program is something that STJ students and their parents want and love. We couldn’t have gotten the numbers up that dramatically if that weren’t the case,” Donaldson quickly replies.
As the mother of two Saint James graduates, Donaldson had ample time to observe the music program at the school long before she was asked to take the Choral Director position.
Lonny Harrison is Donaldson’s “partner in crime,” as she likes to refer to him. Director of Theatre at Saint James, Harrison received his Masters degree from the University of Alabama. His Design/Technical Production specialty was honed at the Alabama Shakespeare Festival (ASF), the Montgomery-based regional theatre that is the sixth largest Shakespeare Festival in the world. Working and learning at ASF, Harrison had no idea he’d land a job at the sprawling private school located just across the street.
“When I came by I saw the potential in the new facilities Saint James had built. The stage was practically brand new. There were no curtains, no lights - not a lot of anything. So I knew that whoever got the job would have a tremendous impact on the theater program at the school. I was lucky enough to get the position, and I’ve been reaping the benefits ever since.”
Together Donaldson and Harrison have created what many Montgomery locals consider a performing arts “powerhouse” at Saint James School. In their years together, the duo has staged large-scale theatrical
extravaganzas such as Grease, Bye Bye Birdie, Fiddler on the Roof, Seussical the Musical, and most recently, Annie, as well as smaller but equally impressive productions of Godspell and Blithe Spirit, to name a few. In addition, Donaldson, with Harrison’s technical assistance, has created Cabaret, an annual song and dance revue that features middle and high school choral students in
elaborately choreographed musical numbers.
“Early on, before I had the Choral Director job, it occurred to me that the glue to the choral music program
here at Saint James was, perhaps, musical theatre,” Donaldson says. “The very first year after I finished my Masters, we took a few students and went up to Illinois for ‘Show Choirs of America.’ And we’ve gone there every summer since.”
Donaldson, whose face lights up with the discussion of show choir camp, says that a thousand students from
Asked how Harrison and Donaldson make the choral and theatre students of a small Alabama school realize that they are capable of working in much larger artistic venues, and going to Broadway or even Hollywood, Donaldson replies: “I tell them all the time that we are not from small town Alabama; we are going to be professional and we’re preparing you for New York City, if that’s where you want to go.”
Beyond their instruction, encouragement, and the excellence that
Harrison and Donaldson demand, their passion for the job is readily apparent to even the most casual observer of any class, rehearsal, or performance.
“It’s true. We love it. The kids realize that we know what we’re talking about, we’re committed to it, and that we have great love for our students. And that makes them trust us and want to follow us anywhere,” Donaldson says. “And what’s just as important is that the parents realize those same things, and they trust us too.”
S u M M e R 2 0 0 8 1 4
spotlight
Lis Donaldson
Lonny Harrison
W
across the U.S. take part in the Show Choirs of America camp each summer, including about 20 students from Saint James.
“The kids get to dance with famous choreographers from all over - and Broadway people are brought in to perform,” Donaldson says. “Up there sometimes a kid will take a risk with a performance, because they’re not with their peer group. The whole experience just builds their confidence and teaches them things.”
Donaldson is quick to point out, however, that show choir performances are secondary to the overall choir experience at Saint James.
“The most important thing is for kids to learn basic music. We never sacrifice music knowledge for show choir. I teach four classes of choir a day, along with music theory and a piano and vocal performance class.”
To round out the strong performing arts curriculum, Harrison teaches two theater arts classes, two technical theater classes, a production class, and an eighth grade drama class.
As proof of the strong music and theatre foundations available at the school both Donaldson and Harrison proudly point to a lengthy list of graduates who are continuing the performing arts careers they began at Saint James.
“We have a guy who graduated from here, Matt Cowart (’00), who was accepted to the North Carolina School of the Arts after graduation. When he finished there, he worked as Assistant Director on the Broadway revival of 110 in the Shade, which received five Tony nominations,” Donaldson enthusiastically reports. “And this summer he’s in South Africa, as first assistant director of a movie version of Master Harold and the Boys with Danny Glover.”
STePPING INTO THe
Donaldson and Harrison are justified in their bragging rights. In addition to Cowart, Jonathan Williamson (’01), who is the resident scenic designer for Marietta’s Theatre in the Square, was recently nominated for a Suzi Bass Award – which recognizes theatrical excellence in the Atlanta area. Kate Morton (’03), also in Atlanta, works with the city’s Shakespeare Theater. And David Mims (’00), is in Las Vegas working with Cirque de Soleil.
So why has such a relatively young Department had so many graduates continue on in successful performing arts endeavors?
“I don’t think any other high school in the state – certainly not around here – takes the time to train their students to the point where they can just step into a college or professional experience,” Donaldson points outs.
“They did it here and they see how it all fits together,” Harrison says. “We offer several classes, and as a result of those and our performances the students see how it all works, behind the scenes. That’s what makes us special.”
collegebound
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Commencement exercises for Saint James School’s Class of 2008 were held on May 19, at 6 p.m. in the gym. All 82 of the graduates will attend colleges and universities across Alabama and throughout the nation in the fall.
Alabama Supreme Court Chief Justice Sue Bell Cobb, the first female Chief Justice in the state’s history, was the commencement speaker for occasion. The parent of a sixth grader currently attending Saint James, the Chief Justice reminded the 2008 graduates of the importance of a well-lived life.
Included in the Saint James Class of 2008 are the six students recognized by the National Merit Scholarship Program and the Advanced Placement Scholars Program, as well as both of Montgomery’s 2008 Jimmy Hitchcock
Award winners, Montgomery’s Youth and City Mayor, the National Forensic League’s Deep South Original Oratory Champion, and an entire class of students recognized for their service to Montgomery as recipients of the National Daily Points of Light Award. In addition to these accolades the class included the recipient of the University of Alabama’s Bailey Thompson Award for Student Journalism, a National Scholastic Silver Key Award recipient, several Alabama Scholastic Gold Key Award recipients, members of the Alabama 2008 Honor and All-State Show Choirs, several award winning student athletes and members of a variety of sports championship teams, including the 2008 4A State Championship Softball Team. The 82 graduating seniors were accepted to a total of 69 colleges and universities throughout the country and awarded more than $3.2 million in merit-based scholarships.
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Saint James School volleyball team members Robyn Harmon and Morgan Mullen were named to the Birmingham News 4A All State First Team, and team member Sarah Stout was distinguished with an Honorable Mention. Only 10 players throughout the state are chosen for the First Team, making it a significant honor for both the players and the Saint James Athletics Program.
Stout was also selected as a member of the 2008 AHSAA Volleyball All-Star South Team, competing with eleven other elite players from around the state in Huntsville in July.
Looking forward to the 2008 season, Coach Amy Patterson says she will have eight returning players and anticipates a strong team. Following a successful 2007 season (43-11 record), Patterson says STJ should have one of the top 4A teams in the state in ‘08.
The Montgomery Advertiser named Trojan pitcher Blaine Jordan it’s Class 1A-4A Baseball Player of the Year in June. Joyner completed his high school career with a 21-3 record, with 247 strikeouts in 161 innings. His final season batting average was .430, with six home runs, 42 RBIs, and 43 runs. STJ infielder Will Martin and designated hitter Matt Burnside were also named to the Advertiser’s 1A-4A All Metro Baseball Team.
The STJ 2008 team clinched the title of 4A Area 4 Baseball Champions for the seventh straight year. Coach Keith Lucky said the team’s good showing was the result of the boys’ enthusiastic support of one another and their hard work. The Trojans baseball team competed in the state playoffs, but lost in the quarterfinals in May.
When the Saint James’ boys basketball teams hit the courts next season, the students will be playing for a veteran high school and college coach who’s not only played the sport internationally, but has also led teams of both sexes to winning seasons. Alabama native Vincent Royals, will lead the Trojan basketball program in 2008 - 2009. Coming to Saint James from Charlotte, North Carolina, Royals was Head Boys Basketball Coach and health education instructor at the Phillip O. Berry School of Technology in the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools System.
During his initial meeting with the team
the six-foot-seven-inch Royals outlined his coaching philosophy to players and parents and provided the students with a set of guidelines and expectations. Athletic Director Jerry Browning took the opportunity to provide the new STJ basketball coach with a school visor and ball cap.
“I think of this as donning my battle gear,” Royals joked with students as he adjusted the new STJ-colored ball cap to fit his head.
Royals’ coaching career began at Alabama A&M where he served as Head Women’s Basketball Coach from 1979-1983 compiling a record of 59-16 in three seasons. He left Alabama A&M and as a player, participated
in the International Basketball League in Colorado Springs, traveling overseas as a member of the All Armed Forces International Basketball Team. In 1987 Royals returned to Alabama A&M where he served as an assistant in the men’s program until 1996. His high school coaching career began in 1996 at Smiths Station High School, where he created a winning program -- amassing a 67-37 record in four years. In 2002, Royals started the basketball program at the newly formed Phillip O. Berry School of Technology in Charlotte N.C. and led his team to the playoffs in three out of five years at the school.
“Coach Royals brings a wealth of experience to our school,” Saint James Athletic Director Jerry Browning said. “Programs are not built overnight, but I feel confident that his vision and leadership will move Saint James in the right direction”
Chris Henry is the newest name to be added to the plaque of state champions in the Julian McPhillips Field House on the Saint James campus. One of two state champions in the history of the Saint James wrestling program, Henry won his finals match in February against Timmy Mayfield of Cleburne County High School by pin in a mere 3:07. The 2008 champion in the 105 pound classification pinned his opponent in the second period for the win.
Henry is one of several reasons the STJ wrestling team was celebrating in 2008. Senior Zach Debardelaben placed third in the state tournament and seven Saint James wrestlers qualified for state level competition, a record for the program.
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Saint James shortstop Will Martin connects with the baseball during a Trojans game. The Trojans were the 4A Area 4 Champions for the seventh year in a row.
STJ Has State Wresting Champ! Chris Henry, center, is the new 2008 State Wrestling Champ in the 105 pound classification. Henry is flanked by (l) STJ wrestling coach Craig Duncan and assistant coach Pat Freed.
[sports]S T J ’ S R oya l S M e e T S Pl ay e R S a n d Pa Re n T S
trojan tally
TroJAnS rEGAIn STATE 4A SofTBALL TITLE
The Saint James Trojans won the State 4A Championship on May 17. The team won the title in four games, shutting out their competitors in each matchup.
for the fourth time since 2001, the Saint James Trojans claimed the state 4A softball championship. The team has been state runner up twice in the same period.
The Trojans lost just four games during the entire season, creating a new school record to go along with the 4A championship.
Pitcher robyn Harmon threw four shutouts in the state tournament to help give the Trojans the state title. Harmon was named the tournament’s MVP, marking the third time she’s received that honor in state tourney play.
The Alabama Sports Writers Association named Harmon the 2008’s Class 4A Player of the Year and Coach Karl Smeltzer the 4A Coach of the Year.
Listeners around the world can listen to Saint James football games starting in the fall of 2008 when WALX, fM radio station 100.9, will begin broadcasting the Trojans’ upcoming 2008 season and streaming the games live over the internet. The live broadcasts on LAZEr 101 - WALX 100.9 fM will greatly enhance the quality and coverage area for STJ radio/internet listeners. To listen over the internet, fans should go to www.stjtrojans.com and click on the link for the live broadcast. STJ alumni and fans are encouraged to help support this new Trojan football broadcast by contacting the station to advertise their business during the games.
for the 2008 Trojan football schedule, go to www.stjweb.org/athletics[ ]
STJ Golfers Complete Successful Season
Saint James varsity golf team members and Coach McIntyre display their winning trophy as the 4A Section 1 Champions at Lagoon Park in Montgomery in April.
Two Saint James students were named to the Montgomery Advertiser’s All-Metro First and Second Golf Teams for 2008. Eighth grader Andrew Klasing was selected as a First Team golfer, while freshman Rob Chisenhall was named to the newspaper’s Second Team.
The honors came on the heels of the second best finish in the history of STJ’s golf team. Consisting of two eighth graders and three ninth
graders, the golfers completed the season at 63-18. The team, consisting of Klasing, Chisenhall, Drew Brantley, Jeremy Wolfe, and Rucker Methvin finished third in the State Championships on May 12-13 and won the Class 4A South-State Championship at Cottonwood on May 5.
Jeff McIntyre ‘98 coached the winning golfers during his first year at Saint James. McIntyre also teaches World History.
2008 Football Games to be Broadcast on WALX 100.9 FM
STJ WRESTLER IS STATE CHAMPION
HARMON AND SMELTZER NAMED
4A PLAYER, COACH OF THE YEAR
[ ]
Saint James Program Has 4A Volleyball first Team and All-Star Members
Joyner Named Class 1A-4A Baseball PLAYER OF THE YEAr
alumni
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C L A S S n o T E S
mike eley ‘74 Mike and wife, Lisa, live in Montgomery and have four boys, Landon, Chase, Parker and Tyson. Landon is an STJ graduate, and Chase, Parker, and Tyson currently attend Saint James.
Joel Pearson ‘76 Joel and wife Cathy live in Montgomery, and have two children, who attended Saint James. Their youngest graduated from STJ in May.
Joanna (Stewart) austin ‘76 Joanna says she’s a “Stay-at-Home” mom in Montgomery – the home maker and cook! Her 26-year-old son Adam has his own apartment, but comes by, and 23-year-old Thomas is at home and has a 2 year old baby girl, named Taylor. Joanna and husband Terry have been married 12 years. Joanna loves to raise animals and garden.
cathy (Slaton) Pearson ‘76 Cathy, who was the Guidance Counselor in the middle school for years, became Saint James Middle School principal in 2007. Cathy is married to Joel Pearson (‘76), a Montgomery attorney. Cathy and Joel’s children, Nan and Hartley, graduated from STJ in 2006 and 2008, respectively.
allen newton ‘77 Allen is a neonatologist in Montgomery. He and his wife, Brenda, have three children; their oldest, graduated from Saint James in 2007 and now attends The Citadel.
wayde thornton ‘78 Wade married Amy Jungwirth (also ’78) and they live in Montgomery. Their son, John, played for the Saint James Trojans, graduated in May and will attend Huntinddon in the fall. Wayde is a Purchasing Agent at Store Room Fasteners.
Laura (Vitty) weaver ‘78 Laura lives in Perrysburg, Ohio and teaches for the Ohio Virtual Academy. She and her husband, Dr. David Weaver, were married last year in Grand Rapids, Ohio. Laura received her National Board Certification and is anticipating work on her Masters. David is Director of the Genomics Core Lab at the University of Toledo Health Science Campus and is also a former dentist. They are enjoying their new home with two Jack Russells and a cat. Laura’s mother, Emma Vitty, formerly of Prattville, also resides with them.
amy (Jungwirth) thornton ‘78 Amy married Wayde Thornton (1978) after their 10-year STJ reunion. The Thorntons live in Montgomery. Amy teaches 7th grade English at Eclectic Middle School. The Thornton’s son, John, just graduated from STJ.
cameron reeder ‘79 Cameron is employed by Jenkins Brick Company in Madison, Alabama. He is an ordained minister and plays in a Christian rock band called Paul Says Hello. Wife Sherry is a homeschool mom and church secretary.
Ken Harsha ‘79 Ken lives in Pike Road and has three sons, the oldest of which is 26, and the youngest is 10. He has worked at Browder Veneer for 14 years, and has eight grandchildren.
Bradley Blamires ‘79 Bradley attended Brigham Young University, receiving a Bachelor’s in Zoology. He received his J.D. from McGeorge School of Law in Sacramento and now practices law in southern California, where he resides with his wife, Sandra, and their daughter Hope Elisabeth.
robert norman ‘80 Rod and wife Laura live in Prescott, Az.
david rudd ‘81 David and wife, Shari, live in Montgomery. David teaches 10th grade World History at Saint James.
eric Ponder ‘82 Eric is an attorney in Atlanta, heading the office of Slaten & O’Connor, a general litigation firm based in Montgomery. Eric says he had a great time at the recent 25th reunion of his class.
ragan ingram ‘82 Ragan is the Government Relations Manager for the State of Alabama’s Department of Insurance. Ragan and wife Karen have two children, who both attend Saint James. Ragan serves on the Saint James Board of Directors, and Karen is President of the STJ Band Boosters.
angela (roberts) Stout ‘84 Angela and husband Mark live in Montgomery. They have four children, three of whom have attended/are attending Saint James. Their children are 25, 23, 16, and 13.
ashley (thompson) duncan ‘85 Ashley and husband, Gerald Duncan, live in Ramer. They have a son, Hunter, who attends STJ.
april (Hager) Jones ‘85 April lives in Montgomery and her daughter, Martha-Claire, is an upcoming senior at STJ.
Kevin watkins ‘86 Kevin is Senior Account Manager for Sevista Technologies in Alpharetta, Ga. Kevin and his wife, Michelle, were married in 1991. They live in Lawrenceville, Ga. and have a four-year-old.
chris Strane ‘87 Chris and wife Melissa live in Peyton, Colorado with their two children. Chris is a Major in the USAF and says he’s looking forward to retirement! In addition to Colorado (he’s lived there twice), Chris and Melissa have lived in South Carolina, Germany, and Illinois.
Keri (crocker) Lucas ‘87 Keri teaches German at Oak Mountain High School in Birmingham where she lives with her husband, James, and their two children.
Sheri (Harsha) dunn ‘87 Sheri and spouse Brandy live in Wetumpka and have three children, ages 9-18.
matthew grose ‘88 Matthew and wife Scarlett have two children, ages nine and seven. They live in Great Falls, Virginia.
Penni (wood) watts ‘88 Penni is married to Eric Watts, and they live in Vestavia Hills, Ala. They have three children. Penni is a registered nurse at UAB in the critical care float pool. She also works in the Risk Management Dept. at UA’s Health Services Foundation.
carin thomley coleman ‘88 Carin is a dental hygienist in Birmingham and is married to husband Joel Coleman, a 1986 STJ alum. They have one child, a preschooler.
wendi (gossett) carroll ‘88 Wendi is married to Greg Carroll. They live in Dacula, Ga. and have 3 children. Wendi is the owner of a window dressing business in Dacula.
Saint James’ Alumni Association started things off this year with an after work social on Feb. 28 at the old “Kat-n-Harri’s” in Cloverdale. It was a perfect time to catch up with old
friends and see who has moved back to Montgomery and made it their home once again. We had such a good response to this event that we’ve had many requests for another one before the summer is over!
The Alumni Association is also updating their data base to include email addresses, so future events and reminders can be sent via email as well. If you are a past Saint James Alumni, please forward your email address to me at [email protected] so we can be sure to include you in the upcoming alumni news and events.
For the upcoming school year, we are planning to have past alumni speak to the middle school on the importance of their education at Saint James and how it will prepare them for college and a career.
And, be sure to mark your calendars to come “back to school” for the STJ vs. MA Homecoming game on Sept. 26! See you there!
– Jacqueline Hughes, STJ Alumni Association President
a message from [the alumni president]
Members of the Saint James Class of 1988 gathered for their 20th reunion in Montgomery on June 13-14. The group established a very active website for their reunion plans and began making plans to celebrate their 25th in five more years. Visit stjames88.wordpress.com
class of ’88 Holds 20th reunionStJ’s class of 1988 held their 20-year reunion on June 13-14 in montgomery. the 33 former students and their families enjoyed a montgomery Biscuits baseball game to get reacquainted with their classmates on friday night. the next night the graduates and their spouses/dates met at the former Kat & Harry’s/wesley’s location for great music, food, and above all, great company! the thirty-somethings all agreed that ten more years was far too long to wait for another reunion and vowed to gather and celebrate their 25th in 2013.
C L A S S n o T E S
robert mangum ‘88 Robert and wife Gina live in Montgomery, with their four children, who range from ages 4-14.
Ben freeman ‘88 Ben and wife Michelle live in Dothan and have two nine-year-old girls.
macon miles ‘88 Macon and wife Kristen live in Redondo Beach, Cal. They have two children: Caleb is a three-year-old, and Emery is a year old.
michelle (Pittman) Horne ‘88 Michelle is married to Trey Horne and they live in Heritage, Tennessee, with their three-year-old, Hyatt. Michelle is the Director of Media for Brookdale Senior Living in Nashville.
Skip Perkins ‘88 Skip and his family live in Columbus, Georgia. He and wife Ashley have five children. Skip is an attorney for Synovus Family Asset Management.
Penni (wood) watts ‘88 Penni is married to Eric Watts, and they live in Vestavia Hills. She is employed with with the UAB School of Nursing, where she is an instructor. The Watts have three children.
anita (Hollon) rowland ‘88 Anita owns Smarty Pants Consignments in Tallassee, where she lives with husband Anthony Jay Rowland, the CFO of Prehab Diabetic Supplies. They have four children.
alicia (Brown) Kellum ‘88 Alicia and husband Wain Kellum have a one-year-old son and live in Atlanta.
rod roller ‘88 Rod and wife Melissa live in Helena, Ala. and have two children, aged 12 and 3.
Laura (Phillips) Lecher ‘88 Laura and husband Brent live in Jackson, Tenn.
timothy wilson ‘89 Tim just returned to Montgomery after a number of years in the Air Force. He is attending Huntingdon College, studying music.
edie (williams) cox ‘89 Edie and husband Ned Cox live in Charlotte, No. Carolina. They have two children, a six year old boy and a two year old girl.
Jennifer (Lester) cannon ‘89 Jenifer and husband Creighton live in Millbrook. Jennifer is a kindergarten teacher in Prattville. They have two children.
Kimberly Vines ‘89 Kimberly works as a medicinal chemist in the pharmaceutical industry in the Greater Boston area.
allison (roller) Pouncey ‘89 Allison is married to Major Michael Pouncey, a US Army Helicopter Pilot. Their home is in Clarksville, Tenn., and they have two children. Allison volunteers approximately 100 hours per month as a Family Readiness Group Leader. She helps military families learn to cope with deployments and deployment-related issues, teaches them about available resources, and guides them through the stresses that they may incur.
Leslie claybrook ‘89 Leslie and husband Perry Robinson live in Houston where she is the Associate Athletics Director for Rice University. Perry is the head volleyball coach for Second Baptist High School in Houston.
Jim gowan ‘89 Jim and wife Christie live in Montgomery, where he’s the VP (and he says blacksmith!) for Gowan Iron.
Laurie (Stewart) fulkerson ‘89 Laurie and husband Vance live in Birmingham where he is a commercial contractor. They have three children.
michael Vogl ‘89 Michael is a pilot for US Airways. He and wife Stacey live in Portsmouth, Rhode Island. They have three children.
Scott Berger ‘90 Scott and wife Valerie live in Winston-Salem, No. Carolina. They have three children: two girls and a boy, who are five and under.
craig gates ‘91 Craig and his wife Rachel live in Atlanta, where he is the Assistant Art Director for the Atlanta Business Chronicle. He says that when he’s not home-brewing beer, building guitars, recording music or working on their late-1940’s ranch-style house, he watches reality shows about murder or scours local antiques markets with Rachel.
Kristen weber ‘91 Kristen lives in Seattle, Washington.
Steve Barton ‘93 Steve and his two business partners own and operate four personal wineries in Texas and Colorado. They import high quality juices from around the world and then hand craft, blend and ferment all of their wines in each of the retail wineries. They specialize in daily tastings, personalized labels, and private events. He says he can’t wait to make the 20 year reunion, as the tenth was a blast!
courtney (manning) Stodghill ‘94 Courtney and husband Brad live in Trussville and have two children, ages three and two.
chris adams ‘94 Chris and wife Patti live in Wetumpka, and have a one-year-old child.
Ken Klinger ‘95 Ken is married to Kelley (Chesnutt), who graduated from STJ in 1996. Ken earned a B.A. from Huntingdon and a Master of Sports Science from the US Sports Academy. Ken was recently named as the head basketball coach at Catholic High School in Montgomery. He previously coached the STJ varsity basketball team, and was named CCC Basketball Coach of the Year for 2004-2005.
Karl frost ‘95 Karl earned his BS degree from Troy University in Montgomery and is working as a Program Manager for the Alabama Dept. of Economic and Community Affairs. Jennifer, his wife of four years, is the Senior Accountant for the Dept. of Homeland Security. They live in Elmore, Ala. and have Karson, a two-year-old.
Hollie (Price) Lee ‘95 Hollie and husband, Craig, live in Opelika.
Brent Quinney ‘95 Brent and wife, Sarah, live in Vestavia Hills. He graduated from the University of Alabama with a B.S. in Biology in 1999, and graduated from UAB Medical School in 2004. Currently he is a surgery resident at UAB. Brent will pursue a Vascular Surgery fellowship starting in June 2009.
meredith Hitch ‘96 Meredith’s undergraduate studies took place at The University of the South in Sewanee, Tenn. She graduated in May 2000 with a BS in Biology. She then headed for the West Indies, where she attended St. George’s University School of Medicine on the island of Grenada. She graduated on June 12, 2005, to begin her Pediatric Residency at the University of Louisville.
caroline (Pirtle) Pauley ‘96 Caroline and husband Kyle Pauley live in Opelika.
Hollis (crawford) marshall ‘97 Hollis is married to Will Marshall and they have a two-year-old. The Marshalls live in Montgomery.
Shannon (williams) gemeinhardt ‘97 Shannon graduated from Southern Mississippi with a B.S. in Biochemistry. She and husband, Greg, live in northern Kentucky, in the suburbs of Cincinnati, where she currently stays at home with their young son, Thomas. Greg works for a polymer chemical company as a research and development scientist.
michael Padgett ‘97 Michael is an actor in New York City, who has performed musical theater in and around the NYC area. He is an FSU graduate, and a member of the Actors Equity Association. To see a clip from a performance and a list of his performances, visit his website at michaelpadgettactor.com
craig Bowman ‘98 Craig graduated from Millsaps College in Jackson, Miss, in 2002, with a BA in elementary education. He recently joined the STJ faculty, where he will be teaching 5th grade in the fall of ’08.
grace mcPhillips ‘98 Grace and Corbett Lunsford performed at Cool Beans at the Cafe d’Art in Montgomery in Feb. Grace has previously danced with the Lyric Opera of Chicago in Salome with Deborah Voight, sung with the famous Stanley Paul Orchestra, and made short films and commercials.
alexis Keene ‘98 Alexis lives in Montgomery.
Jeff mcintyre ‘98 Jeff began teaching ninth grade World History at Saint James in Aug. 2007. Jeff and his wife, Rebekah, live in Montgomery.
meredith (darneille) camp ‘98 Meredith is a Financial Planner in Atlanta, with Merchant Capital, LLC. She was married to Bill Camp in 2005. Meredith gave birth to a 7lb. 3oz. boy on April 3, 2008.
muray (rembert) marshall ‘98 Muray and husband Sam live in Montgomery. They have a 16-month-old son.
courtenay (Hylton) morrow ‘98 Courtenay graduated from the University of Virginia in 2002, and is currently a medical student at Touro University Nevada College of Osteopathic Medicine in Henderson, NV. She will graduate in 2010. Her husband Rob, a fellow UVA grad, is a Lieutenant in the US Navy.
rachel durden ‘98 Rachel lives in Montgomery.
Josh Lynch ‘98 Josh received the Bachelor of Music Degree in Music Education, Cum Laude from Samford University in 2002. He was the assistant director of bands at McAdory High School in the Jefferson County School System from 2003-2006. Currently, Josh is the director of bands at Bumpus Middle School in the Hoover City School System and also assists with the band program at Hoover High School. He and his wife Melanie live in Helena, Ala. with their young son, Taylor.
mallory tosch ‘98 Mallory lives in Hoboken, NJ, where she is a litigation associate at Shearman & Sterling LLP, in NYC.
Jill (funkhouser) Brown ‘98 Jill and her two boys live in Lynn Haven, Florida.
C L A S S n o T E S
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Jay gilliland ‘99 Jay earned his B.E. from Auburn University, Montgomery and is teaching elementary physical education at Saint James. He also is an assistant varsity football coach, assistant varsity baseball coach and is head coach for STJ’s JV baseball team.
Kimberly (miller) Scott ‘99 Kimberly is married to STJ alum Adam Scott (also Class of 1999). They have two children and live in Birmingham. Kimberly is currently pursuing a doctorate in Optometry degree from The University of Alabama at Birmingham.
adam Scott ‘99 Adam is an Assistant Estimator with Robins & Morton in Birmingham, Al. He and his wife Kimberly (also an STJ grad) have two young children.
chad Slaton ‘00 Chad lives and works in Mobile. Chad was selected by the Mobile Carnival Association to be the 2008 Mardi Gras King (see highlighted article). He moved back to Mobile after graduation from Alabama, and now works for the commercial real estate brokerage company, Cummings and Associates.
Sallye Jeffcoat ‘00 In October Sallye gave a piano recital in Ligon Chapel at Huntingdon College. She is currently pursuing a doctorate of Musical Arts in piano performance at the University of Alabama while studying with Amanda Penick. She is the vocal department accompanist and a theory department graduate teaching assistant at Alabama and also teaches private piano lessons for UA’s Community Music School. Sallye has a Masters of Music from the University of Oklahoma in piano performance with an emphasis in piano pedagogy and a Bachelors of Music from Louisiana State University.
Stuart Beale ‘00 Stuart lives in Birmingham, where he is a pharmaceutical sales rep. He and wife Laura were married in December 2007.
adrienne Kimble ‘00 Adrienne graduated from Auburn University in 2005 with a B.A. in Mass Communications and a minor in Political Science. She worked on Lucy Baxley’s 2006 campaign for Governor. She was the Finance Assistant for Alabama Democratic Party prior to moving to Washington, DC., in March 2007. Adrienne is currently a fundraiser for the southern region at the DSCC, the political organization that supports the nation’s 51 Democratic Senators.
christy (Spurlin) Bise ‘00 Christy and husband, Josh, live in Montgomery.
meredith mcghar ‘00 Meredith works for the Alabama Board of Medical Examiners in Montgomery. She was the STJ Varsity Cheerleading sponsor for the ‘07-’08 football and basketball seasons.
Brock Howell ‘00 Brock received his B.S. in molecular biology from Auburn Univeristy in 2005 where he graduated Summa Cum Laude. He was a member of Phi Kappa Phi which is the nations oldest, largest and most selective all-discipline honor society. He was also an active member of Omicron Delta Kappa which recognizes outstanding campus leadership. Brock attends the University of Alabama School of Medicine and will graduate in May of 2009. He expects to start his orthopaedic surgery residency upon graduation. Brock and Amy Huckaby, a UGA graduate and optometry student, will marry on June 6th, 2009.
matt cowart ‘00 In May ‘08, Matt was Associate Director for “Camelot” with the New York Philharmonic, at the Lincoln Center in New York. The play starred Gabriel Byrne, Christopher Lloyd, and Fran Drescher. He was Assistant Director for the 2007 Broadway revival of “110 in the Shade,” a musical that was nominated for five Tony Awards. This summer Matt plans to be in South Africa, working at the first assistant director of a movie version of “Master Harold and the Boys” with Danny Glover.
Jacqueline (Perkins) Hughes ‘00 Jacqueline is Saint James’ new Alumni Association President. She looks forward to working with all Saint James alums to further develop the Association and help the school meet the needs of all alums!
Larry mcLemore ‘00 Since Aug. of 2007 Larry has taught 11th grade history at Saint James and coached the STJ middle school football team. Larry married Josie Mitchell in May. He received his B.A, from Huntingdon and his M. Ed. from Vanderbilt University.
Sarah (mcelvy) Plummer ‘01 Sarah and husband Chris married on Sept. 22, 2007. They live in Nashville, TN.
niko corley ‘01 Niko graduated from the University of Alabama in 2005 with a B.A. from the School of Communications. He lives in Montgomery where he is the Public Relations Director for the Alabama Association for Justice, the professional organization for the state’s trial lawyers. He is also a founding member and president of the Montgomery chapter of Delta Waterfowl.
allison (warren) chernin ‘01 Allison graduated from Teacher’s College Columbia in May 2008. She will be employed by the NYC Department of Education in the fall, teaching ninth grade English in Brooklyn, N.Y. She was married in July.
I have enclosed a check for $____________ payable to Saint James School.
Name(s)_________________________________________________________ (as you wish it/them to appear in the Annual Report.)
Home Address_______________________________ City________________________ State ______________ Zip ______________
Home Phone: __________________ Preferred email _____________________________ (This is my __ personal __ business email.)
“Matching Gift” company name (if applicable)___________________________________________________________________
May we acknowledge your gift in lists and publications? Yes______ No________
SAInT JAMES SCHooL GCE Annual fund Pledge/Gift formYes, you have my strong support for Saint James School. Please accept my tax-deductible gift of $______ to the GCE Annual Fund to help the continuation and growth of the school’s excellent education programs.
I hereby pledge to Saint James School the sum of $_______________. I intend to pay my pledge as follows:
semiannually______ quarterly______ other (please specify) _______________________________________
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Beth Briand ‘01 Beth is a clinical pharmacist, working with Baptist Health in Jacksonville, Fla. After graduating from Samford with her Doctor of Pharmacy degree in 2007, she completed her residency in Savannah. One of Beth’s goals is to become a Board Certified Pharmacotherapy Specialist in the fall of 2008.
cathy reinehr ‘01 Cathy graduated from Huntingdon College in 2005 with a B.A. in English. Since then she’s worked in the family business, lived in New York City, and traveled to France and Germany. Cathy now works for Huntingdon as webmaster and Publications Designer. She says her next move will likely involve graduate school in some way.
wes Stewart ‘01 Wes was married in the summer of 2006. He and wife Kristi live in Tuscaloosa.
Victor ingalls ‘02 Victor is attending seminary in Rome, where he will study for the next five years. Victor celebrated Mass with the Pope in New York City, during the Pontiff’s U.S. visit in April.
Laura (rabon) aman ‘02 Laura married Frank Aman, also from Montgomery. They are living in Auburn, Ala. while Frank finishes Veterinary School. Laura works for Eli Lilly and Company as a pharmaceutical sales representative.
courtney austin ‘02 Courtney, a former Auburn University cheerleader, is currently a writer for Southern Breeze magazine, which is based out of Orange Beach, Ala.
rebecca chambliss donellan ‘02 Rebecca is enrolled in the Cumberland School of Law. She and husband Will, a resident physician, live in Homewood.
Hillary Ballant ‘02 Hillary is a 2006 graduate of Birmingham-Southern College, receiving her BA in English and Creative Writing. She lives and works in Birmingham, AL as a Sales and Marketing Representative for Encore Rehabilitation and Sports Medicine.
Lindsay (Lanier) Kennington ‘03 Lindsay graduated from Asbury College in Wilmore, KY in December of 2006. She married her high school sweetheart, Jared Kennington, in March, 2007. They live in East Montgomery, within walking distance of Saint James! She is an Environmental Consultant for Maxwell AFB, and is also currently pursuing a Master’s Degree from AUM in Psychology.
Katherine morton ‘03 Kate is currently an actor with the Atlanta Shakespeare Company in Atlanta, Ga.
meghan townes ‘03 Meghan begins her studies for the Masters in Public Humanities at Brown University in September, 2008, where she received a tuition scholarship. She graduated Summa Cum Laude and Phi Beta Kappa from the College of William and Mary in 2007.
catherine Steineker ‘03 Catherine graduated from Huntingdon College with a BA degree in Communication Studies in May. She was married on May 20th at the Maison Dupuy in New Orleans to Eli Miller. Catherine is currently employed by Leanne’s Interiors.
C L A S S n o T E S
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When Mardi Gras kicked off in Mobile last february, 2000 Saint James graduate Chad Slaton reigned over festivities as King felix III, the King of the oldest Mardi Gras celebration in the United States.
“He was very excited and very humbled about being King,” his mother, Saint James Development Assistant Gillette Slaton, said. “We got a phone call asking if he would take the honor. When I contacted him about it, he thought I was lying. There was dead silence on the phone and he said, ‘Are you kidding?’”
The King and Queen of Mobile Mardi Gras are selected by the Carnival Association almost a year in advance of fat Tuesday. Their coronation took place on the Saturday before Mardi Gras, in an annual event that national Geographic magazine has described as rivaling that of European royalty. The coronation was followed by the white-tie-only King’s Supper, where more than 1000 revelers celebrated the new king’s reign.
Slaton was actually born in Mobile, despite moving with his family to the Capital City in 1993. Immediately after graduating from the University of Alabama, Slaton returned to his hometown, where the 25-year-old now works as a sales agent with Mobile commercial real estate brokerage company, Cummings & Associates.
SAINT JAMES GRAD ISMobile Mardi Gras King
“He was very excited a nd ver y humbled about being King,” h i s mother, Sa in t J ames
D e v e l o p m e n t A s s i s t a n t
G i l l e t t e S l a t o n , s a i d .”
I heard one speaker describe the term “mixed emotions” by describing a fifth grade boy who watched his school burned down, knowing he had left his brand new baseball mitt in his desk! Well, it is certainly with mixed emotions that Stephanie and I leave Saint James School. As William Shakespeare put it—“Parting is such sweet sorrow.” As you know, the pull of family is strong and Stephanie and I feel that pull and hence the decision to move to the Atlanta area.
Saint James is such a fine school, with a strong academic program, competitive athletics, and perhaps the best fine and performing arts program in the state. In the end, it is the people who are affiliated with Saint James that are its strength. Teachers who love children, love their discipline, and love teaching. Parents who are concerned with providing the very best educational opportunity to their children. And students who are a joy to teach, coach, and direct.
Much has been accomplished during the last six years. The abutting land has been acquired; the weights have been replaced in the weight room; the fly system has been installed in the theater; a baseball/softball press box is in place along with lighting for the softball field; additional grand stands have been added at the football stadium; lighting has been installed on the quad along with new sidewalks; an elementary kitchen has been added; Smart Board technology will be in more than 60% of the classrooms by the fall; wireless internet has been added; canopies are being constructed; and the list goes on and on.
At Leu elementary school we have added the K-3 program, adopted new text books, and added the outdoor classroom at the science lab. The Middle School enjoys new electives and exploratories. At the high school, we have a new advisory program in place and a peer advising system, both designed to help our students with the high school experience. We have additional AP offerings and a revised history curriculum. The summer reading program has been revised and improved at both the middle and high schools.
A fine administrative team is in place and a capable interim has been hired. Melba Richardson has been promoted to Interim Head of School and she will do an excellent job with her expanded responsibilities. So Saint James will not miss a beat and I truly believe Saint James’ best years are yet to come!
The Board has approved a long-term plan for the school that will take Saint James to the next level. So hold on and enjoy the ride, Saint James is only going to get better and better.
Thank you for allowing me to serve as your head for the last six years. It has been my privilege and honor to work with our students, with one of the finest faculties in the Southeast, and with our parents. I leave Saint James proud of our past accomplishments and looking forward to what the future holds for STJ! Go Trojans!
a farewell from [Dr. Lindsell]
John H. Lindsell
anna Bern ‘04 Anna has been elected into the Phi Beta Kappa Society at Indiana University, Bloomington, signfying that she is one of the nation’s top students in liberal arts and science studies. Anna majored in Psychological and Brain Sciences. Phi Beta Kappa is a National Honor Society that recognizes outstanding achievement in the Arts and Sciences.
Brady Holt ‘04 Brady lives in Mobile, and works for ProEthic as the Territory Manager/Sales Rep. for the Mobile area.
emily meadows ‘04 Emily graduated in May from the University of Alabama. She received a magna cum laude BS degree in Biology.
callie corley ‘05 Callie was tapped for The XXXI, a senior women’s honorary society recognizing the 31 most outstanding women at the University Alabama during Honors Week in April. The tapping took place on “the mound” by Bibb Comer Hall on the Alabama campus. She was also tapped for Mortar Board, a national honor society for men and women based on leadership, scholarship and service. Callie is pursuing a double major in Journalism and Political Science at UA in Tuscaloosa.
Katheryn walker ‘06 Katheryn was honored as the 2006-2007 freshman with the highest scholastic record in Auburn University’s College of Sciences and Mathematics. The honor was bestowed by Phi Kappa Phi, the highest all-discipline academic honor society at Auburn University. Katheryn was honored for her distinguished academic achievement at a ceremony and reception in Dec. in the Foy Union Ballroom, where she received a monetary award for her honor.
nan Pearson ‘06 Nan is a rising junior at the University of Alabama.
deaths
Lewis terry ’79 passed away on Feb. 4, 2008. While at STJ Terry was a member of the varsity basketball team. He received a business degree from Samford in 1983, where he played varsity basketball his freshman year and was a member of Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity. He graduated with a J.D. degree from Cumberland School of Law and practice in Dothan until 1991. At the time of his death Lewis was with the law firm of Sherrer, Jones, and Terry.
editor’s note: Class notes are submitted by alumni and are not verified by the editors. While we welcome class news, Columns is not responsible for information contained in class notes.
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