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Dear alumni,
What do you remember about the start of a new school year at PDS and at USN? I remember climbing the many and well-worn stairs in High School and the excitement of receiving my new class schedule, reconnecting with friends, and meeting my teachers. Watching our students return to the halls and stairways after a summer away from campus, I have been struck by how much the beginning of a school year has not changed. Peals of laughter come from Middle School. I have witnessed the growing confidence of Lower School students as they navigate around a cluster of High Schoolers discussing their latest reading assignment in the hallways. Though much has changed, much has remained the same, including the familiar smell of 2000 Edgehill as summer turns to fall — if you know, you know.
A new school year brings the return of some of our well-loved alumni events and activities as well. Our USN roadshow resumes on Wednesday, October 19, when I’ll join Head of High School Quinton Walker and Assistant Head of High School Student Affairs Nicole Jules in Chicago to host our first Alumni & Friends Dinner of 2022-2023. RSVP here.
Alumni events for Artclectic (October 20-22) are back this year too, with newly-named Cafe Artclectic expanding from the traditional Parents of Alumni Coffee to include former faculty and staff and Gold Circle Alumni (1972 and years prior), and the return of the Alumni ARTbash happy hour, both on Friday, October 21.
As we continue to welcome new Director Amani Reed, we have added opportunities for alumni near and far to get to know him. Up first are two Zoom sessions moderated by Alumni Board President Stephen Schleicher '01 and exclusively for PDS/USN alumni: a midday session on Monday, October 10, and an evening session on Wednesday, November 2. Check your inboxes next week for an invitation and for additional details. In the meantime, please feel free to email me with any questions you might have for Amani to answer during the virtual discussion.
Finally, save the date for Reunion 2023: May 4-6, 2023. We’re celebrating all alumni, but particularly the class years ending in three and eight. Let me know if you are interested in planning a gathering for your class. It will be here before we know it.
Stuff we all get? Souvenirs, wearables, and gifts? Before we order another round of tumblers or mugs for alumni events, please send me a line about the kind of swag you'd like to have from your alma mater.
I have enjoyed hearing from so many of you in my first six months on the job. The memories you have shared, the questions you submit, and your continued passion for the school make my work fun. Please continue to stay in touch and involved. We need you, and we appreciate you. .jpg)
Alumni Director
615-732-6714
P.S. A special thanks to the many of you who have filled out our Volunteer Interest Form. Click here to let us know how you might like to be involved in the life of the school and with the PDS/USN Alumni Association.
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Alumni Adventures
 Alumni enjoy a unique engagement opportunity focused on estate planning and connecting with others in the PDS/USN community. |
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Class Notes
1949
HS Geology & Filmmaking Teacher Steve Smail joined Geologist Bob Miller to investigate rock exposures at Narrows of the Harpeth in Harpeth River State Park.
1961
Cathy Goodwin is an author, speaker, and online marketing consultant living in Philadelphia. Her latest book about ageism and stereotypes is available here. Caution: this book contains profanity, sexual content, and references to medically-assisted death.
1968
Director Amani Reed joined the Class of 1968’s September Zoom. In attendance were Alumni Director Leigh Hicks '05, Shannon Paty, Steve Griffith, Luther Harrell, David Miller, Patty Klein, Kathy Small Hattendorf and Barry Kammerud.
1973
The Nashville Entrepreneur Center will induct classmates Amy Kurland and Mike Shmerling into the Entrepreneurs' Hall of Fame. Both will be formally honored at the 2022 NEXT Awards on October 24, at the Schermerhorn Symphony Center. Learn more here.
1988
1992
Darek Bell was featured in the Nashville Business Journal for his next project in Franklin, a 151,000-square-foot-self-storage facility at Berry Farm.
1995
When David Schach learned that the tour of USN alumnus Tommy Prine '14 would take him to nearby Novato, California, David decided to see the show and surprise Tommy by wearing a USN T-shirt. “His reaction was priceless,” he said.
1997
Srijaya Reddy, along with proud big brother Kethan '35, welcomed Seetha Karra Reddy on June 24, 2022.
2000
USN English Department Chair Freya Sachs attended the 2022 Departmental Leadership Institute at The Pomfret School in Pomfret, Connecticut. Also in attendance was Montgomery Bell Academy English Department Chair Gracie Killman Bassett '06. Freya wrote that the program offered participants “the opportunity to pause and reflect–about how to give and receive feedback effectively, about how to guide conversation towards curricular change, and about how to build capacity for leadership and communication.”
2004
Anna Myint was a featured guest on an episode of WPLN’s “This is Nashville.”
2005
Kathryn Berk wed Peter Sjolander on September 3, 2022.
Assistant Director of Admissions Scott Collins earned a Doctorate of Education from Vanderbilt University’s Peabody College in May with a concentration in K-12 educational leadership and policy. Collins' capstone defense explored the sustainability of small independent schools, and his findings were shared by the National Association of Independent Schools on August 17. Collins also joined the alumni association board of directors for his alma mater, Wofford College.
Edward “Teddy” Atwood Jarrett joined Katie Goldstein Jarrett, Ben, and big brother Charlie, on April 26, 2022.
2006
Maureen Shelton is enjoying her final year of residency as Chief in Psychiatry at Mayo Clinic. Maureen and her husband Luke welcomed their son Conrad Shelton in June 2021.
2007
Marci Levy Kleinrock and Jacob welcomed Anna Rose Leigh on November 29, 2021.
2010
Alumni Board member Jamye Hardy hosted a small-group luncheon for Director Amani Reed and several alumni friends on September 16. The group enjoyed the conversation and toured the Edgehill Campus. In attendance were Savannah Espinosa '11, Jameice Holmes '13, Ben Jelsma '10, Kayla Miller '10, Dalaina Kimbro '13, and Jessica Friley Ensley '06.
2012
“ Don’t Look Black” by Preston Crowder premiered August 19 and ran through September 3 at Nashville’s Darkhorse Theater. The production was developed during Preston’s fellowship with Tennessee Playwrights Studio in 2020 and focuses on four white friends who enter an underground Black immersion experience.
2018
A short film by Jaran Huggins entitled “Sheet Music” has been selected and will make its U.S. premiere at the 53rd annual Nashville Film Festival on September 30. Huggins wrote, “The film follows two Black musicians at immense odds moments before a performance at a nightclub in 1930s Harlem,” and features his brother Bryard Huggins '13, an original song performed by composer Chloe Kibble '13, and was helped by the behind-the-scenes photography of Marcus Maddox '12. Temple University’s Diamond Screen Film Festival 2022 awarded the film Best Direction; Best Cinematography; Best Producing; Audience Choice Best Film; and Best Undergraduate Film. It will also run during the Philadelphia FirstGlance Film Festival in October.
2022
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Campus News
 Director Amani Reed reflects on the first few weeks of school. |  |  Thank you to the many families, faculty, and staff who have donated their pre-loved books, games, and puzzles for resale. Fall Book Frenzy takes place Thursday, October 6 through Saturday, October 8 in Cheek Gym. This annual event benefits the Hassenfeld Library and gives local nonprofits and public school teachers an opportunity to refresh their bookshelves at no cost. |  Our independent school was recognized among regional and national public relations agencies and multinational corporations with four Parthenon Awards for the nine-month campaign “Renewing Diversity, Equity & Inclusion at USN,” which culminated with the 2021 DEI Report. |  The National Merit Scholarship Program honors students who through their PSAT scores show exceptional academic ability and potential for success in rigorous college studies. |  Did you know High School Art Teacher Chris Cheney also is known for his printing press work? |  Third Grade Teacher Barbara Voehler has spent many summers, including the last one, teaching in her native country of Switzerland. Continue reading to find out how this special professional opportunity came about and how it influences her work at 2000 Edgehill. |  Students left 2000 Edgehill for three days away from screens and textbooks to build and strengthen class bonds and set intentions for the year ahead. For those who stayed behind in Nashville, photo albums from each grade-level are available; simply click the class retreat you’d like to view: freshman retreat, sophomore retreat, junior retreat, senior retreat. |  College Counseling and Diversity & Community Life offices teamed up to host a community-wide event for Black students and families. |  USN's first-ever Kickoff Cabaret set the tone for an entertaining year of arts events. View photos from the evening in the album here. |  She will lead a team of four and manage a collection of nearly 30,000 books, numerous digital resources, and the PDS/USN Archive as well as continue to engage students with books for education and entertainment. |  Committed to lifelong learning, many University School of Nashville faculty took advantage of lighter summer schedules to pursue professional development opportunities. Read on for the many adventures, observations, and takeaways that faculty returned to campus with in August. |  The Robert O. Beauchamp Chair honoring an exemplary educator in the field of science was awarded to High School Science Teacher Tamara Berthel. |  With the boys team sporting 2021 state championship rings, High School’s cross country teams hope to capitalize on last season’s successes. |  The Edgehill Campus underwent routine maintenance over the break, while the River Campus received several significant upgrades. |  As longtime counselor Beth Eberl assumes the new role of Director of Counseling, we welcome Latricia Watkins, Randi Days, and Trish Buckner to work with students in Lower, Middle, and High Schools, respectively. |  While students were away from campus, many faculty & staff received accolades, earned achievements, and accomplished professional and personal milestones. |
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Photos
 Bob Miller '49
 Leigh Hicks '05, Shannon Paty '68, Steve Griffith '68, Director Amani Reed, Luther Harrell '68, David Miller '68, Patty Klein '68, Kathy Small Hattendorf '68 & Barry Kammerud '68
 Tommy Prine '14 & David Schach '95
 Gracie Killman Bassett '06 & Freya Sachs '00
 Former Director Vince Durnan & Scott Collins '05
 Savannah Espinosa '11, Director Amani Reed, Jameice Holmes '13, Ben Jelsma '10, Kayla Miller '10, Dalaina Kimbro '13, Jessica Friley Ensley '06 & Alumni Board Member Jamye Hardy '10
 Jaran Huggins '18 |
Stay Connected
To submit a class note or share news, pictures, or updates with the USN community:
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| University School of Nashville
2000 Edgehill Avenue | Nashville, Tennessee 37212 | 615-321-8000 | info@usn.org |
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