inside mus winter 2014

Volume 16, Number 1, Winter 2014

ARTS Artist-in-Residence Shares Colorful World 8

SPORTS Varsity Golf Captures State Championship 10

SCIENCE Owl Geologists Uncover Fossils 18

HIGH HOOPSFedEx Forum Hosts MUS Players and Singers

Owlcolades 3 Notable Honors

4 AP Scores

6 Semester Honor Rolls

Fine Arts 7 Fall Play: Anon(ymous)

8 Artist-in-Residence

9 Winter concert

Sports Buzz10 Golf

12 Football

16 Cross Country

Campus News18 Heartbeat for Health

18 Geology Fossil Hunt

19 Robot Warriors

19 Helping Hands

20 Caught on Camera

Insights22 Parents’ Association Update

23 College Corner

Table of Contents

Upon encountering adults who learn what I teach, a provocative response I often receive

is, “I wish I had taken Latin when I was in school.” I ponder the reasons why mature adults seem to yearn for lost halcyon days with the mother tongue. Is it those irresistible declensions? That lesson on the passive periphrastic? The arcane mysteries requiring the Dative of Agent?

Latin has been a requirement at MUS since 1893, but tradition is not the only reason we con-tinue to require it. Despite popular rumor, some of the elder schoolmasters around here do not, in fact, retain Roman citizenship. So what place, then, has the first century in the 21st century? Improved verbal scores on standardized tests, better English grammar knowledge, a foundation for Romance language study, and an immersion in the classical fountain from which Western civi-lization flows are all acknowledged checks in the “why take Latin” column. My purpose here is not to expound upon these but to take you in a more forward-looking direction with the course of study that many perceive as the most past-focused.

Although a Latin background can give one a decided advantage in law or medical school memorization or in the easy absorption of Spanish vocabulary, I submit that the greatest learning advantage is in the conceptual side of Latin. The neural process of translating Latin stimulates rea-soning capabilities. The business of Latin study is not to communicate as the Romans did in the first century, but to teach us to think in the 21st century.

Students are exposed to an ordered world of linguistic thought, or as a pharmacist once told me, “the most logical language ever created by man-kind.” This is, in fact, the advantage of studying a written language from a fixed window of time, lib-erated from the feverish linguistic flux of the here and now. I never use the quadratic equation in my daily life, but does this render the study of algebra obsolete? Of course not. When students join the workforce 10 or 15 years from now, they’re not going to be expected to solve geometric proofs or to translate ablative absolutes. Latin is a cor-relative to math, though it is seldom appreciated as such. In my work with the boys of Hull Lower School, I see the study of Latin as a kind of bridge

between math and English, a link between the hemispheres of the brain.

What we learn and how we apply learning are of equal importance. This is why we must be pru-dent in curricular choices – for language in partic-ular – because the latest often turns out not to be the greatest. There’s more at stake than the mere acquisition of a skill set for a singular marketplace task. We need to build metacognitive thinkers who can adapt quickly to solve complex problems and then turn to another problem with a different set of variables. The ability to solve the problems of the future – isn’t that what we’re trying to teach?

The Latin roots of the word education (ex + ducere) reveal a “leading out” of the darkness of ignorance. The logic of Latin helps turn students toward the light, even though they don’t realize it while sifting through the sequence of tenses to find the right subjunctive form. When a young person pulls Latin sentences apart and puts them back together, parsing forms within the realm of gram-matical possibilities, the mind is learning to think critically.

The finest horse-buggy manufacturer went bankrupt not because the company made infe-rior products, but because the owners failed to recognize that their business was transportation. Rendering Caesar’s words into English across the ages is a highly specialized skill, but it is also an acquired art that builds a highly developed mind. A mind that can search intelligently for answers, rationally sift through many possible results, and articulate effective solutions to others – does that ever go out of style?

Perhaps this ability – or adaptability – is what adults recognize in their peers who studied Latin in their schoolboy days.

Straight From the Top

Trey Suddarth, Chairman of Foreign Languages [email protected]

ON THE COVER:From left, senior Andrew Counce, sophomore David Nelson, and senior Bailey Buford reach for a rebound during Memphis University School Night at FedEx Forum. For more photos see page 18

Photo by Joe Murphy Photography

First - Century Education in the 21st Century

26 Percent of Senior Class Recognized by National Merit Scholarship Corporation

Owls Online For more stories and up-to-date news from MUS, visit the online version of Inside MUS at insidemus.wordpress.com.

2 Ins ide MUSWinter 2014

Owlcolades 3 Notable Honors

4 AP Scores

6 Semester Honor Rolls

Fine Arts 7 Fall Play: Anon(ymous)

8 Artist-in-Residence

9 Winter concert

Sports Buzz10 Golf

12 Football

16 Cross Country

Campus News18 Heartbeat for Health

18 Geology Fossil Hunt

19 Robot Warriors

19 Helping Hands

20 Caught on Camera

Insights22 Parents’ Association Update

23 College Corner

Table of Contents

26 Percent of Senior Class Recognized by National Merit Scholarship Corporation

Dennis Parnell, left, and Malik Smith were named

Outstanding Participants in the National

Achievement Scholarship Program.

National Merit and National Achievement Semifinalists, front row, from left, Stephen Pacheco, Samuel Ostrow, Davis Howe, Salman Haque, Josh Hawkins, Zain Virk, Matthew Gayoso, Garret Sullivan, William Lamb, Kameron Bradley; back row, David Blankenship, Ben Ormseth, Sam Neyhart, Aditya Shah, Josh Douglass, Harrison Williams, and Paul Stevenson

The National Merit Commended seniors are, front row, from left, Seamus Fitzhenry, Andy Sorensen,

Will Wells, Shivam Bhakta, and Cole Ettingoff; back row, Nick Schwartz, Reed Harrison, Kameron Bradley,

Chris Galvin, and Tal Keel.

Fourteen National Merit Semifi nalists, three National

Achievement Semifi nalists, 10 National Merit Commended students, and two Outstanding Participants in the National Achievement Scholarship Program add up to an impressive statistic: 26 percent of the Class of 2014 received recognition from the National Merit Scholarship Corpora-tion. The14 national Merit Semifi nalists represent the highest number of any school in the Memphis area and the second highest in the state (University School of Nashville has 22). Three additional seniors are semifi nalists in the National Achievement Scholarship Program, which recognizes outstand-ing black high school students in the United States. The National Merit Semifi nalists are Josh Douglass, Matthew Gayoso, Salman Haque, Davis Howe, William Lamb, Sam Neyhart,

Ben Ormseth, Samuel Ostrow, Stephen Pacheco, Aditya Shah, Paul Stevenson, Garret Sullivan, Zain Virk, and Harrison Williams. The National Achievement Semifi nal-ists are David Blankenship, Kameron Bradley, and Josh Hawkins. More than 1.5 million high school students entered the 2014 scholarship program through the 2012 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test, accord-ing to the National Merit Scholarship Corporation. About 16,000 were selected as National Merit Semifi nal-ists based on their scores, making them eligible to advance to fi nalist status and compete for 8,000 scholarships worth about $35 million. In the National Achievement Scholarship Program, 1,600 students were named semifi nal-ists. If they become fi nalists they have an opportunity to compete for $2,500

National Achievement Scholarships or corporate-sponsored scholarship awards. The National Merit Scholarship Program also awarded 10 seniors Commended status, recognizing their achievement on the 2012 PSAT. These students are Shivam Bhakta, Kameron Bradley, Cole Ettingoff, Seamus Fitzhenry, Chris Galvin, Reed Harrison, Tal Keel, Nick Schwartz, Andy Sorensen, and Will Wells. In addition seniors Dennis Parnell and Malik Smith were named Outstanding Participants in the National Achievement Scholarship Program, indicating their scores on the PSAT were in the top 3 percent of more than 160,000 black students in the United States who requested consideration in this year’s competition.

3Ins ide MUSWinter 2014

177 students took 365 tests in 19 subject areas • 38% scored 5 • 30% scored 4 • 21% scored 3

89% of Owls received a score of 3 or higher, compared to a national average of 58%. • MUS average was 3.91 • National average was 2.87

Twenty-nine students received the AP Scholar designation, indicating they earned scores of 3 or higher on three or more AP exams.

Selby Austin Hall Ballinger Ben Blackmon Kameron Bradley Daniel Britton Tucker Brock Alec Carro Ashton Clark Hayden Combs Andrew Crosby Connor Dowling Jake Eissler Cole Ettingoff Wellford Gould Reed Harrison

Grant Hechinger Davis Howe Jarrett Jackson Michael Jalfon Peyton Klawinski William Mann Taylor Martin Hurston Reed Amit Shah Walker Sims Andy Sorensen Noah Thomas Harrison Williams Yunhua Zhao

A record number of MUS stu-dents, 89, earned AP Scholar Awards in the College Board’s 2013 Advanced Placement exams.

“This is the highest number of AP scholars we have had to date,” Mr. Flip Eikner, academic dean, said. “The results indicate a great deal of work and dedica-tion from these students, many of whom earn college credit for their scores.”

MUS offers 20 Advanced Placement courses designed to reproduce the difficult content of college-level courses and help the students learn focused study habits.

The highest possible score of 5 deems the student “extremely well qualified” in that particular subject area. Of the 365 tests taken by MUS students, 38 percent earned the highest mark. The average score of all tests taken by Owls was 3.91. The national average is 2.87. Nearly 89 percent of exams taken by MUS students resulted in a grade of 3 or higher, surpass-ing the national average of 58 percent.

In the Calculus BC test, 23 students earned the top score, with one receiv-ing a 4 and the other a 3. In addition, all students taking AP exams in the following courses earned a 3 or higher: European History, English Literature and Composition, Computer Science A, Physics C: Electricity and Magnetism, Chinese Language and Culture, Latin, Spanish Language, and Music Theory.

AP Scholar Awards

Andrew Raves ’13 received the top honor of National AP Scholar, granted to stu-dents in the United States who receive an average score of at least 4 on all AP exams taken and scores of 4 or higher on eight or more of these exams.

Thirty-six students received AP Scholar with Distinction honors, indicating they earned an average score of at least 3.5 on all AP exams taken and scores of 3 or higher on five or more of these exams.

Jared Ashkenaz Shivam Bhakta Seth Carson Forrest Field Cole Flemmons Matthew Gayoso Kyle Gossett Salman Haque Josh Hawkins William Hoehn Drew Hutson Srujan Jampana

RajuTal Keel Farhan Kheraj William Lamb Daniel McGowan Bennett Mercer Utkarsh Mishra

David Montgomery Leshan Moodley Andrew Raves Andrew Renshaw Brian Ringel Nick Schwartz Aditya Shah Sam Shankman Edward Simpson Blake Smith Garret Sullivan Sylvester Tate Walker Thompson Mac Trammell Tejvir Vaghela Zain Virk Nathan Vogt Jonathan Wilfong

Twenty-three students received the AP Scholar with Honor designation, indicat-ing they earned an average score of at least 3.25 on all AP exams taken and scores of 3 or higher on four or more of these exams.

Philip Aiken Derrick Baber David Blankenship Walker Bussey- Spencer Colin Donoghue Renn Eason Seamus Fitzhenry Travis Floyd Chris Galvin Charlie Goodfellow Witt Hawkins Fraser Humphreys

Edward Lake Ryan MayzellAndrew MillerSam NeyhartBen OrmsethSamuel Ostrow Richard OuyangStephen PachecoMarshall SharpPaul StevensonBen Taylor

Record 89 Owls Earn AP Scholar Awards

2013-14 Student Ambassadors selected from the junior class are, front row, from left, Griffi n Wilson, Max Meyer, Yunhua Zhao, Hays Moreland, Connor Wright, Zack Whicker, Alex Carruthers, second row, Jeff Guenther, Pierce Rose, Townsend Warren, Michael Reddoch, Sherman Tabor, Will Farnsworth, third row, Ted Helmhout, Zach Walker, Hayden Meacham, Brad Jarratt, Richard Ouyang, back row, Ty Wolf, Jack Gray, Preston White, Jack Christenbury, and Tom Garrott. Student Ambassadors are the face of MUS, serving as hosts at events and guiding visitors and alumni on tours of the school.

Owl Ambassadors


Owls Score at Pro2Serve Math Contest

The Owls scored high in the Pro2Serve Math Contest at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, November 14. Junior Yunhua Zhao was a Top-10 scorer, earning a $16,000 scholarship to UTK, should he decide to attend the school. In a field of 64 teams from large and small schools for the double-elimination Math Bowl, the team of senior Garret Sullivan, and juniors Richard Ouyang, and Zhao won first place, small school division. The team of senior William Lamb, junior Matthew Gayoso, and eighth grader Chang Yu placed third among small schools.

In the individual division more than 600 students from across the state took the Fermat I test, a one-hour exam with 25 multiple-choice questions.

About 10 percent of participants advanced to the next level, including 8 of the 14 Owls competing – seniors Gayoso, Nick Schwartz, and Sullivan; juniors Ouyang, Zhao, and Jeffrey Zheng; sophomore

Math Scholars Bring Home Lauds

TMTA Top Math Students

In the 2013 Tennessee Math Teachers Association High School Math Contest, from left, junior Baty Daniel placed fi fth in the state inprecalculus, eighth grader Jackson Moody placed fi fth in algebra I, eighth grader Chang Yu placed second in geometry, and senior Garret Sullivan and junior Richard Ouyang tied for fi rst place in calculus. Not pictured: Jared Ashkenaz ’13 placed sixth in statistics.

Daniel Tancredi; and eighth grader Yu.

These eight moved on to the Fermat II contest, a one-hour test with eight problems that generally require proof (with partial credit possible).

“Most questions are easy to under-stand but really difficult to solve,” Dr. Steve Gadbois, instructor in math, said. “Many years, the best students are for-tunate to essentially solve about half of the eight.

In Fermat I the top scorers included Ouyang, Sullivan, and Zhao. In Fermat II, in addition to Zhao, Sullivan and Ouyang were top scorers, but they have previously won the scholarship.

Other students competing were juniors Azeez Shala, Hamid Shirwany, Ahmed Latif, and Walker Lee, and freshman Brooks Eikner. Mr. Loyal Murphy ’86, instructor in math, accompanied the students, along with Gadbois.

Student-Powered Math Contest

A group of Owl math scholars led by Matthew Gayoso, Richard Ouyang, Garret Sullivan, and Yunhua Zhao founded, organized, and ran an MUS math competition. Held in the Dining Hall January 18, the event drew 59 students from eight area schools. The contest included questions in a format similar to the Ameri-can Mathematics Competition, administered in schools February 4 and 19. Students on the organizing team included, front row, from left, Nevin Naren, Ouyang, and Walker Lee; back row, Jeffrey Zheng, Hamid Shirwany, Sullivan, Zhao, Jason Stein, Chang Yu, and Gayoso.


Dean’s Scholars

Grade 12 Shivam BhaktaMichael BirnbaumAlec CarroHayden CombsJosh DouglassConnor DowlingRenn EasonCole EttingoffSeamus FitzhenryChris GalvinMatthew GayosoSalman HaqueReed HarrisonJosh HawkinsTal KeelWilliam LambBen OrmsethSamuel OstrowStephen PachecoDennis ParnellNick SchwartzAditya ShahAndy SorensenPaul StevensonGarret SullivanStephen TsiuTejvir VaghelaZain VirkHarrison WilliamsChase Wyatt

Grade 11 Alex CarruthersJack ChristenburyAlex CresonBaty DanielAndrew ElsakrWill FarnsworthJack GrayJack HawkinsJack HirschmanAshish KumarAhmed LatifWalker LeeRobby MatthewsHayden MeachamWilliam MerrimanJack MullinsNevin Naren

Jerry OatesRichard OuyangMichael ReddochHamid ShirwanySherman TaborGriffin WilsonYunhua ZhaoJeffrey Zheng

Grade 10 Reed BarnesSam BartzChandler ClaytonForest ColerickDavid DabovNathan DinhDylan EchlinWitt FesmireTom FowlkesPhilip FreeburgOwen GalvinHenry KeelGrayson LeeEric MakapugayWill McAteeSaatvik MohanMurray MorrisonPatrick MurphyJosh MyersPatton OrrBilal SiddiqDaniel TancrediLinhao Zheng

Grade 9 Carter BraswellDarius CowanPhilip DeatonAndrew DouglassBrooks EiknerKian GhodoussiAlex HydeAmmaar KaziCade KlawinskiRavi LipmanJack McCaghrenRahul MehraAneesh RamCallaway RogersRamiz SomjeeJacob Suppiah

McLean ToddHenry TrammellTom WellsRay Zhou

Grade 8 Charlie EvansBrad KerkhofBarry KlugJackson MoodyAkaash PadmanabhaTyler RakersJon StaffelBobby WadeChang Yu

Grade 7 Joshua Blackburn James Blatchford Garrott Braswell Jack Dabov Trey Fussell Ethan Hurst Bailey Keel Ev Nichol William Quinlen Sellers Shy Jim Thomas Weston Touliatos

Dean’s List

Grade 12 James BedwellLeo BjorklundDavid BlankenshipChandler BrownLucas CrenshawTully DickenJosh DixonJohn EstesDrew EvansMichael FitzsimmonsTravis FloydBlake FountainSam FowlkesTucker FoxConnor GoodwinBud HarrisWitt Hawkins

Jack HenkeMax JenkinsLee JenningsGrayson LynnJay MitchumLeshan MoodleySam NeyhartJohn RichardsonJackson RobertsJames SextonHarrison StewartHunter VarnerWill Wells

Grade 11 Evan ArkleBaker BallMarvin BanksCharles BrandonChandler BraxtonProctor FordMike FrymireJeff GuentherTed HelmhoutMichael JacobsDavid JohnsonKeegan JonesAugust KlinkeJohn MaddenNicholas ManleyCarter McFerrinMax MeyerSelden MontgomeryRoberto OlveraJoseph PrestonPreston RobertsAndrew SheltonCaleb TaylorAugie Van DeveerJim WaggonerZach WalkerPreston WhiteTy WolfChristian Yarwood

Grade 10 Hudson AnthonyAndres CarroTucker ColerickMatthew DavidoffJackson Dickinson

Matt FuessBolton GaydenAndrew HanissianGil HumphreysAustin LacyJason LinAlex MansourMac McArtorWinn MedlockJonathan PetersWilliam RantzowAndres SalasRussell SandsZach ShulkinJack SkahanReid SmithDaniel TangColin ThrelkeldConnor Whitson

Grade 9 Webster Austin Max Bannister Christian Berry Eli Christenbury Frederick Danielson Charlie Gilliland Grady Hecht Henry Holmes Matthew Horton Josh Karchmer Parker Kaye Jamie Lindy John McBride Jake Meskin Kanha Mishra Ogonna Oraedu Joey Rodriguez Jacob Rotter Kirk Ruaro Mason Rudolph Alex Salazar Will Schneider Sloan Schneiter Matt Silver Evan Smith Jack Solberg Harrison Tabor Joshua Tyler Josue Vela Timothy White Charlie Wiener

Luke Wilfong Alex Wolf

Grade 8 Josiah CrutchfieldBenton FerebeeAlexander GoodwinCarlo GuinocorOmkar HosadJackson HowellLiam KaltenbornJohn McBrideThompson McDonaldHastings McEwanWilliam MillerSam PayneRick ReinhardZachary StreetJohn Ross SwaimMatthew TempleJason WangJacob Webb

Grade 7 Louis AllenStephen ChristenburyAnders CrooneBrock DallstreamJonathan DouglassWilliam GarlandBen GillilandDavid HolmesNicholas HurleyEthan LamLee LinkousWill MaidenJohn MannHudson MillerThomas MirthSam NelsonHouston PateKaedmon PenneyBrandan RoachellJet TanLoyd TempletonWarren TurnerTy WilliamsHenry WoodPhilip WunderlichDavid ZakPhilip Zanone

M U S H O N O R R O L L SFirst Semester 2013-14 School Year

Congratulations!6 Ins ide MUSWinter 2014

Fine

Arts

Play goes Anon(ymous)

Anon(ymous), Naomi Iizuka’s re-imagining of Homer’s Odyssey, came to life on the Hyde Chapel stage in November. The play tells the story of a young refugee named Anon, separated from his mother in a shipwreck while fleeing their war-torn homeland. He journeys through the United States, encountering a hodgepodge of people – some hilarious and kind, some dangerous and cruel – as he searches for his fam-ily. From a sinister one-eyed butcher’s lair, to three beguiling barflies’ roadhouse, to a sadistic overseer’s sweatshop, Anon navigates a chaotic, ever-changing landscape.

Ms. Leslie Barker directed the play, with technical direction and lighting design by Mr. Robert Fudge, technical director of theater, and fight choreography by Mr. Tim Greer, director of theater.

Cast members were seniors Francis Carlota, Paul Stevenson, and Chase Wyatt; juniors Evan Arkle, Baker Ball, Andrew Elsakr, Brad Jarratt, and Daniel Nathan; and freshman Dylan Riggs. The cast also included Hutchison students Evey Eason and Emily Faber and St. Mary’s students Neely Battle, Clara McDonald, Eliza Oehmler, and Isabelle Yawn.

Crew members were juniors Jack Mullins and Jim Waggoner, stage managers; seniors Luke Stallings and Will Wells and freshman Charlie Wiener, run crew; junior Brad Jarratt, painter; sophomore Nathan Dinh, sound operator; and freshman Chris Padilla, lighting operator.

Shivam Bhakta and Davis Howe work on constructing the set in Theater Production class.

From left, Francis Carlota, Evan Arkle, Neely Battle, Andrew Elsakr, Daniel Nathan, Emily Faber, Baker Ball, Brad Jarratt, Evey Eason, Paul Stevenson, Chase Wyatt, and Eliza Oehmler

Emily Faber, left, Andrew Elsakr, and Isabelle Yawn

Anon(ymous) cast members, kneeling, from left, Chase Wyatt, Neely Battle, Isabelle Yawn, Daniel Nathan, and Clara McDonald; standing, Evan Arkle, Evey Eason, Emily Faber, and Baker Ball

From left, Daniel Nathan, Baker Ball, Clara McDonald, Evey Eason, Chase Wyatt, and Paul Stevenson

Luke Wilfong Alex Wolf

Grade 8 Josiah CrutchfieldBenton FerebeeAlexander GoodwinCarlo GuinocorOmkar HosadJackson HowellLiam KaltenbornJohn McBrideThompson McDonaldHastings McEwanWilliam MillerSam PayneRick ReinhardZachary StreetJohn Ross SwaimMatthew TempleJason WangJacob Webb

Grade 7 Louis AllenStephen ChristenburyAnders CrooneBrock DallstreamJonathan DouglassWilliam GarlandBen GillilandDavid HolmesNicholas HurleyEthan LamLee LinkousWill MaidenJohn MannHudson MillerThomas MirthSam NelsonHouston PateKaedmon PenneyBrandan RoachellJet TanLoyd TempletonWarren TurnerTy WilliamsHenry WoodPhilip WunderlichDavid ZakPhilip Zanone


Fine

Arts

Artist-in-Residence Colors Our World

Mrs. Nancy Cheairs blended vivid color and metaphorical imagery in the painting she created as 2013 artist-in-residence from December 9-13. Students in Mr. Grant Burke’s 2-D Design class enlisted her assistance as they created paintings based on songs. Read more about Cheairs’ visit and watch her painting come to life, day by day, in Inside, the online version of our school magazine, at insidemus.wordpress.com.

Mr. Grant Burke helps Grant Stevenson with his canvas, as Wesley Grace, left, Tal Keel, and Caleb Taylor work on their paintings.

Wesley Grace interprets the song ‘Feed Moncrief’ by King Kobraz.

Fredrick Thompson paints Adele’s ‘Set Fire to the Rain.’

Tal Keel and Grayson Lynn hard at workMrs. Nancy Cheairs consults with Cole Harrison on his painting.

Imagination in 3-DIn Mr. Jim Buchman’s fall 2013 Art 7 class, students created three-dimensional sculptures that express their interests – which included horned animals, fi sh, birds, monsters, and helmeted fi gures, among other designs. The process begins when the students design and build a corrugated cardboard form, which they then cover with layers of wire mesh, plaster cloth, and putty. The fi nal step is applying a layer of shellac – and showing off their artwork, of course. For more photos visit the Fine Arts section of Inside, the online version of our school magazine, at insidemus.wordpress.com.

Bailey Keel works on his sculpture of a duck.

Ethan Hurst applies putty to his Two-Mouthed Monster.

From left, Joshua Blackburn, Michael Gayoso, Brock Dallstream, and J.J. Johnson, put their heads together.

From left, Griff Griffi n, Hall Upshaw, and Trey Fussell putty and sand their sculptures.


Sounds of the Season

Hiltonsmith marks

30th Winter Concert

Mr. John Hiltonsmith, chair of the Fine Arts Department, directed the Winter Concert for the 30th time December 12, and the students presented him a gift marking the milestone. The concert included seasonal music performed by the a cappella group Beg To Differ; the quartet Beg To Dif-four; Mr. Loyal Murphy ’86, instructor in math; and Opportune, a coed ensemble directed by senior Rashaan Jiles. Accompaniment was by the school’s Studio Band. Studio Band members are seniors John Estes, guitar/bass; Doug McClew, drums/percussion/keyboard; Malik Smith, drums/percus-sion; and sophomores Eric Makapugay, guitar/bass; Patrick Murphy, keyboard; and Theo Wayt, guitar/bass/keyboard. Beg To Differ members are seniors Andrew Counce, Andrew Elsakr, Rashaan Jiles, Samuel Ostrow, and Paul Stevenson; juniors Evan Arkle, Baker Ball, Nicholas Manley, Selden Montgomery, Michael Reddoch, Sherman Tabor, Augie Van Deveer, and Townsend Warren; and sophomores Tom Fowlkes, Jalen Friendly, Patrick Murphy, David Nelson, and Harrison Tabor. See more photos from the concert – and fi nd out what Hiltonsmith has learned over his 30 years directing the concert – in the Fine Arts section of Inside, the online version of our school magazine, at insidemus.wordpress.com.

Students, including Baker Ball, right, present Mr. John Hiltonsmith with a gift marking his

30th anniversary directing the Winter Concert.

Mr. Loyal Murphy ’86 rocks “Santa Claus is Back in Town,” along with Theo Wayt

and Eric Makapugay.

Samuel Ostrow, left, Sherman Tabor, Patrick Murphy, and Rashaan Jiles make up the

Beg To Diff-four quartet.

Evan Arkle sings “Santa Claus is Comin’ to Town,” accompanied by Studio Band members, from left, Patrick Murphy on piano, Doug McClew on keyboard, Eric Makapugay on guitar, Mr. John Hiltonsmith on guitar, Theo Wayt on bass, and Malik Smith on drums.

Members of the Studio Band, from left, Doug McClew on bells, Malik Smith

on drums, John Estes on bass, and Eric Makapugay on guitar, accompany vocalist Rahaan Jiles as he serenades Kennedi Woods of Hutchison School with “All I Want for Christmas is You”

during the Winter Concert.


Welcoming back six of their top golfers from last year’s team,

the 2013-14 varsity golf squad was poised for a successful season. With solid contributions from the newcom-ers and the returning seniors, the team racked up a 34-14-1 overall record, winning both the regional tournament and the state tournament to claim the Owls’ fi rst TSSAA II-AA team golf championship since 1996. In addition junior Hays Moreland took the state individual championship. Seniors Francis Carlota, Hayden Combs, and Tucker Fox; juniors Moreland and Ross Redmont; and sophomore Parker Sexton, all returning from last year’s third-place state tournament fi nish, brought experience and leadership to the squad. Freshmen Goodman Rudolph, Mason Rudolph,

Trent Scull, and Lamar Mallory were important contributors both in the regular season as well as in post-season competition. MUS took a 6-7, early season record into the annual Baylor Pre-view tournament in Chattanooga in August, where they fi nished fi fth. The Owls beat impressive teams from Knoxville Webb, Montgom-ery Bell Academy, Ensworth, and Brentwood Academy. Redmont led the team with a two-day total of 149 (+5), followed by Fox and Sexton at 156 (+12) each. The squad then returned home for the rest of the regular season, beating White Station, St. Benedict, and Briarcrest in the run-up to the regional-qualifying rounds. Combs, Fox, Moreland, Goodman Rudolph, Mason Rudolph, and Mallory (alternate) qualifi ed for the regional

Owl golfers, from left, Mason Rudolph, Lamar Mallory, Trent Scull, Francis Carlota, Goodman Rudolph, Ross Redmont, Hayden Combs, Tucker Fox, Hays Moreland, and Coach Cliff Frisby

Hays Moreland won the individual state championship.

Varsity Golf

After Slow Start, State Championship Crowns Season

By Andrew Millen ’08


tournament at Quail Ridge, where a top-two fi nish in a fi eld of four was the key to returning to the state tournament. Led by Moreland’s 68 (-2), the Owls dominated regional opponents Briarcrest, Christian Brothers, and St. Benedict, coming in fi rst place by 10 strokes and easily qualifying for state. Goodman Rudolph (74), Mason Rudolph (77), Fox (78), and Combs (85) rounded out an impres-sive team performance. The same fi ve-man team traveled to Manchester’s WillowBrook Golf Club on September 23 to compete in the state tournament. The Owls fi nished day one in a three-way tie for third place, just three strokes behind fi rst-place Baylor. MUS would need a total team performance to take the lead on day two, and that’s exactly what the players delivered. The squad knocked 14 strokes off its tally, surging to an 11-shot win over Baylor to win the tournament. Fox fi nished with a 148 (+4), Combs and Goodman Rudolph both shot 4 under their day-one score to fi nish at 150 (+6), and Mason Rudolph improved by 3 strokes to fi nish at 159 (+15). Moreland led the team and the tournament with a 140 (-4) on his way to earning medalist honors and winning the individual state championship.

Moreland’s performance at state was cited in his selection as a fi nalist in The Commercial Appeal’s Best of the Preps competition. Combs, Fox, and Goodman Rudolph, were also named to the BOP Private Schools Boys Team. Coach Frisby praised his senior captains, Combs and Fox, for set-ting the tone and guiding the team through the competition. “These guys played hard,” Frisby said. “They followed the game plan,

Owl golfers with the state trophy, from left, Lamar Mallory, Parker Sexton, Goodman Rudolph, Hayden Combs, Tucker Fox, Hays Moreland, Mason Rudolph, and Coach Cliff Frisby

Junior varsity golfers included sophomores Sam Bartz, Bob E. Mallory, and Patton Orr, and freshman Jake Meskin.

Coach: Jason Peters ’88

Record:A-Team, 4-1B-Team, 5-0Won 2013 Shelby League Junior Division Championship

and they peaked at the right time after a slow start to the season. They found their stride right as they got near the championship.” The experience will be valuable for the team’s young talent, as Frisby looks to build on this year’s success in the future.

Lower School golf team members include, front row, from left, Hall Upshaw, Walker Crosby, Philip Wunderlich, and Coach Jason Peters ’88; back row, Robin Coffman, Ben Cox, Matthew Rogers, Wyatt Berry, Daniel Black, and Call Ford. Jackson Bridgforth is not pictured.

Lower School Golf

Roster:Eighth graders: Wyatt Berry, Daniel Black, Jackson BridgforthSeventh graders: Robin Coffman, Ben Cox, Walker Crosby, Call Ford, Matthew Rogers, Hall Upshaw, Philip Wunderlich


The outstanding run for the MUS varsity football program

continued in 2013 as Coach Bobby Alston and his team fi nished the year 10-3, claimed the top seed out of the Western Division, and went all the way to the BlueCross Bowl to vie for a state championship. One of the main strengths of the team was the defense, which started as many as nine seniors. Up front, senior Malik Smith anchored the defensive line while seniors Bobby Lewis and Will Morrison starred at end positions. These linemen did a good job holding up offen-sive linemen so that the safeties and linebackers could make plays. The linebacker corps included seniors Michael Fitzsimmons and James Prather and sopho-more Tim Hart, while the strong safeties, seniors Bud Harris and Trey Moore, were very athletic and versatile. And in the secondary cornerback squad, seniors Lucas Crenshaw and Tate Solberg and junior MaLeik Gatewood along

with junior free safety A.J. Hunt all played essential roles this year. This unit held opponents to an av-erage of only 16.4 points per game and kept fi ve opponents under 10 points. The improvement of the offense throughout the season also was a key factor in the success of the team. The two senior quarterbacks, Blake Bennett and James Sexton, each handled their roles excellently and guided the team with their steady play as the offense averaged more than 30 points per game. Both quarterbacks had good years partly because of the play of their offensive line, which included starting tackles senior Kyle Naes and junior Drew Richmond, guards senior Dennis Parnell and junior Brant Newman, and center junior Mike Frymire. This physical line not only protected Bennett and Sexton on throwing downs, but also opened up holes for running back Colton Neel, a junior who had a record-setting

Led by Anthony Walton (1), a team captain, the Owls are pumped up and ready to face Kingsbury.

Michael Fitzsimmons (44) and Brant Newman (60) block for Christopher Davis against Kingsbury.

Michael Fitzsimmons (44) glances back as Gary Wunderlich (48) fi res off a punt.

James Sexton (15) and Dennis Parnell (78) roll into position.

VARSITY FOOTBALLSeason Capped with Exciting Run for State Championship


season by scoring 24 rushing touch-downs, besting the mark of 23 set by Andy McCarroll ’86 in 1985. This season he rushed for 1,014 yards, despite being the team’s only running option for much of the season. The quarterbacks also had a bevy of talented receivers to throw to, including seniors Sam Fowlkes, Witt Hawkins, Devin Perry, and juniors Christopher Davis and Connor Wright. Perry had one of the best careers in MUS history, fi nishing fi rst in career receiving yards with 2,560, second in career receptions with 140, and fi rst in receiving yards in a season with 1,007. The Owls started the season at 1-2 after an opening loss to Brent-wood Academy at Vanderbilt, a home win over Kingsbury, and an emotional setback in Little Rock, AR, to Pulaski Academy. Howev-er, MUS ended the regular season with seven straight wins, highlight-ed by a dominant 26-9 win against perennial power South Panola, MS, and a 45-9 home victory over rival Christian Brothers. The Owls also secured non-conference victories over Liberty Tech in Jackson (30-6); Lafayette County, MS (35-7); and Craigmont (42-20); and divi-sion wins over St. Benedict (45-16) and Briarcrest (35-7). The 3-0 division record earned MUS the fi rst-round bye in the

TSSAA Division II-AA playoffs. The Owls faced Chattanooga’sMcCallie in the quarterfi nals, defeating the Blue Tornado, 23-10. The triumph allowed the team to face Montgomery Bell Academy in the semifi nals, a game in which the Owls trailed 17-3 before rallying to win, 23-17. In the fi nals the team could not sustain a fourth-quarter lead and fell to four-time defending state champion Ensworth, 27-10. Alston was proud of his team and their accomplishments. “The leadership of our seniors was very strong and helped us over-come the adversity that we faced,” Alston said. “Whether it was our rough start to the season or some of the injuries we encountered along the way, our players and coaches

stayed close, and the trust in each other was outstanding.” Even though the program will miss its 32 senior players and three senior managers (Drew Bell, Cole Ettingoff, and Connor Goodwin), they have set a good example for the younger players to follow in the future, to continue the excellence of the MUS football program.

Junior Varsity Football

Coaches: football staff

Record: 5-0

Roster:

Juniors: Marvin Banks, Jack Christenbury, Mitchell Clark, Austin Darr, Christopher Davis, Win Duncan, Marcus Evans, Wesley Grace, Will Hays, Lewis Hergenrader, Peyton Jones, John Madden, Carter McFerrin, Mackenzie Mosby, Gaines Whitington, Griffi n Wilson, Connor Wright, Christian Yarwood

Sophomores: Hadley Allison, Carter Coleman, Drew Crain, David Dabov, Jackson Dickinson, Witt Fesmire, Matt Flaherty, Tom Fowlkes, Jalen Friendly, Bolton Gayden, Terrell Jackson, Mac McArtor, William Rantzow, Jack Skahan, Bridger Smith, Michael Swift, Daniel Tancredi, Swep Wallace, David WatkinsFreshmen: Josh Gray, Rashad Haynes, Ryan Pahlow, Evan Smith

As James Sexton (15) looks on, Colton Neel (22) races through a hole created by Kyle Naes (71), Brant Newman (60), and the rest of the offensive line in the quarterfi nal game against McCallie.

Witt Hawkins breaks away.

Marvin Banks (24) heads downfi eld accompanied by teammates Win Duncan (62), Hadley Allison (70), and Austin Darr (79).

13Ins ide MUS

Winter 2014

FRESHMAN FOOTBALL

Coaches: football staff

Record: 2-3

Roster:

Freshmen: Burch Baine, Keith Burks, Eli Christenbury, Philip Deaton, Reeves Eddins, Hugh Fisher, Bradley Foley, Kobe Gibson, Charlie Gilliland, Josh Gray, Marcus Gronauer, Rashad Haynes, Jack Heathcott, Henry Holmes, John Walker Huffman, David Jordan, Cole Middlebrook, Ben Mims, Christopher Nanney, Wyatt Neyhart, Ogonna Oraedu, Ryan Pahlow, Brent Robinson, Jacob Rotter, Max Scott, Evan Smith, Jack Solberg, Harrison Tabor, Joshua Tyler

Eighth grader Tide Faleye

Philip Deaton (16) shows perfect form in jarring the Briarcrest defender as Ryan Pahlow (36) and David Jordan (81) rush to assist

Blue team quarterback Bobby Wade (11) outruns the Ram pursuer to pick up a nice gain.

As Dorian Hopkins (62), far left, Barry Klug (50), and John William Farris (88) tangle with offensive linemen, Conor McGowan (18) drags down the Holy Rosary running back.

Josh Gray (40) runs the ball as Tide Faleye (5) and Kobe Gibson (56) block.

Blue and Red brothers face one another on Hull-Dobbs Field at Stokes Stadium. The Red Team was victorious, 8-6.

Lower School Football

Eighth Grade:Joe CarterBaugh DosterSean FitzhenryMatt FogelmanEric GrayAustin HamiltonJordan HaysJames JenkinsMcCall KnowltonCaleb MayBo McEwanAedan McKayMac RobinsonJohn Ross SwaimBobby Wade

Bays WebbWill WestJaylen WilbonSeventh Grade:Riley Bennett,Anders Croone,Jack DabovTrey FussellGriff Griffi nThomas HaydenSeth McKayHouston PateMatt RhodesSellers ShyLiam TurleyBilly Weiss

Blue Team

Head Coach Bobby Wade ’84 Assistant Coaches: John Barton ‘95, Larry Heathcott, Chris Rogers, Ben Stallworth ’07, Jack Steffner ’09, Robert Vest

Record: 5-2

Roster:

Red Team

Head Coach Jim Burnett ’83 Assistant Coaches: Craig Christenbury ’83, Derek Clenin ’03, Richard Moore ’98, Russell Nenon ’06, Buck Towner ’07

Record: 5-1

Roster:

Eighth Grade:John BoltonJosiah Crutchfi eldBuchanan DunavantJack EasonDavid GainesMichael JenningsBarry KlugConor McGowanNick RezaeeTrey ThomasJake WilbournRucker WilkinsonSeventh Grade:Scott BurnettStephen ChristenburyBen Cox

John William FarrisBen GillilandMaurice HamptonWade HarrisonDorian HopkinsBailey KeelEmerson ManleySam NelsonKaedmon PenneyJacobi RiceMatthew RogersDekari ScottAlden SoutherlandLoyd TempletonJohnathan WhiteheadHenry Wood


2013 varsity football seniors, front row, from left, Jay Mitchum, Anthony Walton, Sullivan Ford, Andrew Crosby, Sam Fowlkes, Witt Hawkins, James Sexton, Grayson Lynn, Gary Wunderlich, and Drew Flaherty; second row, from left, Tate Solberg, Bud Harris, Blake Bennett, Dennis Parnell, Kyle Naes, Devin Perry, Stephen Tsiu, Hunter Varner, Cole Ettingoff, Lucas Crenshaw, Will Morrison, Tal Keel, Myatt McClure, and Michael Fitzsimmons; back row, from left, Trey Moore, James Prather, Malik Smith, John Estes, Bobby Lewis, and Renn Eason (not pictured: players Josh Dixon and Blake Wallace and managers Connor Goodwin and Drew Bell)

2013 Football Awards

Team Position Awards O� ensive Line Brant Newman O� ensive Receiver Devin PerryO� ensive Back Colton Neel Defensive Line Malik Smith Linebacker James PratherBuzzards Trey Moore Secondary Lucas Crenshaw Special Teams Gary Wunderlich Team Special Awards

Steve Minkin Headhunter Award for most tacklesMichael Fitzsimmons

Holiday Ham – Trey Jordan “Do Right” AwardAnthony Walton Dan Gri� n Spirit AwardO� ense: Witt Hawkins, Devin Perry Defense: James Prather W.S. Roberts MVP AwardO� ense: Colton NeelDefense: Michael FitzsimmonsAll-Star Selections – 2013

Tennessee Titan Mr. Football D-II AA Back FinalistDevin PerryTennessee Titan Mr. Football Kicker Finalist Gary Wunderlich

Liberty Bowl High School All-Star TeamTrey MooreKyle NaesDennis ParnellDevin PerryJames PratherMalik SmithGary Wunderlich

Under Armour All-America GameGary Wunderlich

Touchdown Club of Memphis Defensive Player of the YearJames Prather

D-II AA West Coaches All-Region Team1st TeamMichael FitzsimmonsTrey MooreColton NeelDennis ParnellDevin Perry

James PratherDrew RichmondMalik SmithGary Wunderlich

2nd TeamBlake BennettLucas CrenshawTim HartWitt HawkinsA.J. Hunt

Will MorrisonKyle NaesBrant NewmanJames Sexton

Commercial Appeal Best of the Preps Football FinalistsO� ense: Devin PerryDefense: James Prather

BOP All-Metro Private SchoolsMike FitzsimmonsTrey MooreColton NeelDevin PerryJames PratherDrew RichmondMalik SmithGary Wunderlich

Tennessee Sports Writers Association Division II All-State Team

O� ense:Colton NeelDevin PerryDrew Richmond

Defense:James PratherTim HartGary Wunderlich


Cross-country runners must train in all seasons – traversing miles upon

miles of road, trail, and turf and build-ing strength in the gym – to maximize their potential. Coach Joe Tyler and Coach Jonas Holdeman, who joined

Tyler this season and brings years of running experience to the program, stress to their runners the importance of working the entire year. Their com-mitment not only results in individual

improvement, but more important, to the improvement of the team. The 10 varsity runners on the 2013 cross-country team reaped the benefits of their commitment, improving their times and making a strong showing at the state meet. With only two seniors this year’s varsity team was young, but these sea-soned runners played important roles throughout their careers. Not only did Berry Brooks and Cole Stockstill work hard and provide excellent leadership during intense workouts and competitions, but also they brought personality and lightened the mood during down times, keeping the team balanced. A talented group of younger runners logged the miles alongside them. Juniors Carlton Orange, Pierce Rose, Christian Schneiter, and Max Simpson and sophomores Billy Dunavant, Philip Freeburg, Matt Fuess, Alex Mansour, and CJ Turner all improved, portending future success for the program if they continue to be committed in the off-season. The Owls raced in six meets, beginning with the Memphis Twilight Cross Country Classic, held at the Mike Rose Soccer Complex. Other local meets included the Frank Horton Invitational, which the

C R O S S C O U N T R YOwls won, and the Shelby County Championships, in which MUS placed second. The team also traveled to Alabama twice in the regular season, visiting Hoover for the Hoover Invitational and Oakville for the Jesse Owens Classic. All of these competitions helped ready the Owls for the state meet, held again at the 3.1-mile Percy Warner Park Steeplechase Course in Nashville in early November.

At the state meet the Owls finished third out of 11 teams with 72 points, just 14 points behind runner-up Brentwood Academy. Orange was the Owls’ best runner, completing the three-mile course in 16:20.90 to claim fifth overall. Other MUS finishes included Rose (eighth), Turner (15th), Simpson (21st), Freeburg (23rd), Brooks (36th), and Stockstill (46th). Chattanooga’s McCallie won the event, finishing with 47 points. With their performances this season, several Owls received acclaim. Brooks, Freeburg, Orange, Rose, Simpson, and Turner all were named to The Commercial Appeal’s Best of the Preps All-Private School team, and

Commitment Yields Success for Varsity Runners

Owl runners with the Frank Horton Invitational prize, from left, Matt Fuess, Pierce Rose, Cole Stockstill, Max Simpson, Carlton Orange, Alex Mansour, Berry Brooks, and Philip Freeburg Photo: Lela Simpson-Gerald

Carlton Orange

Berry Brooks Pierce Rose


Orange and Rose were named fi nalists for the Best of the Preps Cross-Country Runner of the Year. Additionally, Tyler was named Best of the Preps Cross-Country Coach of the Year for the second consecutive year.Brooks recieved the school’s Russ Billings Most Valuable Award for Cross Country. Coach Tyler was pleased with the season and looks ahead to next year. “As legitimate contenders next year, we need to build up some sweat equity over the next 10 months,” Tyler said. “I am excited to see how we respond to this role and whether we work for our goals or simply just wish for them.” With the team already participating in winter workouts, the work has begun.

Davis Harano, left, and Jamie Lindy

Junior Varsity

Lower School

Coaches: Antony Eddy and David Ferebee

Record:

Shelby League Cross Country Champions: Liam Kaltenborn, sixth; Hastings McEwan, eighth; Weston Touliatos, 10th; Kayhan Mirza, 14th; Garrott Braswell, 27th; Smith Duncan, 29th; Alex Humphreys, 30th

The team ran in four regular-season meets in which individual times were kept, not team scores.

Lower School cross country team members, front row, from left, Stillman McFadden, Thompson McDonald, Smith Duncan, JoJo Fogarty, Garrott Braswell, Hudson Miller, Omkar Hosad, Weston Touliatos, and Lee Linkous; second row, Coach Antony Eddy, Louis Allen, Miller Grissinger, Jacob Herter, Benton Ferebee, Charlie Rhodes, Liam Kaltenborn, Kayhan Mirza, Hastings McEwan, Philip Zanone, and Coach David Ferebee; back row, Aidan Lonergan, Warren Turner, Chris Kerkhof, and Tate Bailey.

Five Owls who have committed to play sports for college teams gathered in the Wiener Hospitality Room along with coaches, family, and friends for National Signing Day, November 13.

Patrick DiMento, Lacrosse, Furman UniversityMichael Fitzsimmons, Baseball, University of Mississippi Jackson Roberts, Lacrosse, Furman UniversityWalker Sims, Tennis, United States Naval AcademySeth Young, Baseball, Itawamba Community College

s i g n i n g u p

Fellow Owls gather round the fi ve signees, from left, Seth Young, Walker Sims, Jackson Roberts, Patrick DiMento, and Michael Fitzsimmons

Roster:

Eighth graders: Tate Bailey, Smith Duncan, Benton Ferebee, Miller Grissinger, Omkar Hosad, Alex Humphreys, Liam Kaltenborn, Brad Kerkhof, Chris Kerkhof, Aidan Lonergan, Thompson McDonald, Hastings McEwan, William Miller, Charlie Rhodes, Wilkes RowlandSeventh graders: Louis Allen, Garrott Braswell, Jacob Curlin, JoJo Fogarty, Jacob Herter, Lee Linkous, Ryan Matthews, Stillman McFadden, Hudson Miller, Kayhan Mirza, Wright Sampietro, Weston Touliatos, Warren Turner, David Zak, Philip Zanone.

Coaches: Joe Tyler and Jonas Holdeman

Record:

Frank Horton Invitational: 12th out of 14 teamsMemphis Twilight Cross Country Classic: 16th out of 24 teamsShelby County Championships: 4th out of 13 teamsThe team also ran in four regular-season meets in which individual times were kept, not team scores.

Roster:

Senior Tejvir VaghelaJunior Jerry Oates, Varsity and JV ManagerSophomores: Matt Fuess, Mac McHugh, Patrick Murphy, Jordan Wallace Freshmen: Carson Boucek, George Crews, Parker Ford, Davis Harano, Jamie Lindy, Will Schneider, Sloan Schneiter


CAMPUS NEWS

Juniors and seniors in Mr. Vincent Beck’s Honors Geology class recently traveled to Coon Creek Science Center in McNairy County, one of the most important fos-sil sites in North America. After a brief lecture about the region, the students took samples of dirt that is rich with fossils from a creek bed. “The fossil site represents a 70 million-year-old marine envi-

ronment that was once covered in ocean waters,” Beck said. “It’s a great opportunity for students to get out of the classroom and see and experience some real geology.” Back in class, the students carefully examined the dirt and rocks for such fi nds as fossilized clam, scallop, and oyster shells, crab legs, worm burrows, and coprolites (fossilized feces).

Geology Students Discover Fossilized Treasures

For more photos visit the Academics/Science section of Inside online at insidemus.wordpress.com.

Junior Charles Brandon takes a closer look.

Senior Thornton Brooksbank and junior Chandler Braxton look for hidden fi nds.

Junior and senior Heartbeat mentors and seventh graders share pizza and wisdom about abstaining from drugs and alcohol. Heartbeat for Health

Junior Sherman Tabor and senior Renn Eason, in back, with seventh graders, from left, Sellers Shy, Emerson Manley, Wade Harrison, Clay Harrison, Anders Croone, Jory Meyers, Jack Powell, Justin Martin, Hudson Miller (in back), and Kirklin Perkins

Senior Hayden Combs and junior Hays Moreland, in back, with seventh graders, from left, Josh Tanenbaum, Jacobi Rice, Jacob Curlin, Alden Southerland, Jet Tan, Brandan Roachell, Jacob Herter, Weston Touliatos, and Sam Nelson

Memphis University School Night at FedEx Forum featured the basketball Owls playing Houston High School and Beg To Differ singing the National Anthem. Fans stayed to watch the Memphis Grizzlies take on the Utah Jazz at the December 23 event.

Grizzlies Host Owls

The Grizzlies’ Tony Allen addresses the FedEx Forum crowd before

Beg To Differ sings.

Senior Chris Galvin prepares to shoot a free throw as seniors David

Blankenship and Michael Baker await the rebound.


From left, junior Robby Matthews, eighth graders John McBride and Matthew Temple, and junior Michael Jacobs ring bells for The Salvation Army.

The MUS robotics team, only in its second year of existence, claimed a runner-up finish and the Control Award for the best programming at the FIRST Tech Challenge competition held January 11 at St. Louis (MO) Community College. The competition pitted 29 teams of engi-neers against one another to see which of their robots were most adept at various tasks. The students built and programmed the robots to compete in the FIRST Tech Challenge game. Each match started with an autono-mous period, when the robot ran via its program, attempting to accomplish three

R O B O T W A R R I O R Sobjectives. This was followed by a driver-controlled period, said Mr. Lee Loden, instructor in physics and faculty advisor. Mr. Phillip Stalls, instructor in math, also advises the group. “Our robot routinely accomplished two of the autonomous objectives and often did all three,” Loden said. “Many times we had such a lead after the autonomous period we already knew we would win the match.” To see the official guidelines and an animation of the game, visit tinyurl.com/ka4ujzf (fast forward to 2:15 for the game).

The MUS robot

The MUS robotics team displays their hardware. Pictured, from left, are juniors Jack Hirschman, Zack Whicker, and Alex Creson, senior William Lamb, junior Thomas Hayes, senior Sam Neyhart, and sophomores Hunter Finney and Reed Barnes. (Senior Samuel Hecht is not pictured.)

The Civic Service Organization kicked off last semester with Service Week. Owl volunteers contributed more than 500 hours in several projects, including delivering meals with MIFA, working with kids at Perea Preschool, cleaning the Wolf River Greenway, and tutoring students at Kingsbury Elementary. Other proj-ects last semester included a 5K run benefiting Mid-South Food Bank, making sandwiches for Memphis

Helping Hands

Owls, from left, juniors Michael Jacobs, Joseph Preston, and David Scharff, and sophomores Drew Crain and Owen Galvin spend recess with Kingsbury students.

From left, sophomore CJ Turner, freshman John McBride, sophomore Nathan Dinh, junior Daniel Nathan, senior Aditya Shah, and freshman Chris Padilla make sandwiches for Memphis Union Mission.

Union Mission, collecting donations for The Salvation Army, and creating care packages and collecting coats for the Community Alliance for the Homeless.

Senior Cole Ettingoff noticed a shortage of shelving at Lester Com-munity Center and decided to do something about it. After consulting with Director Walter Casey, Ettingoff purchased the materials and enlisted several fellow Owls to construct four shelving units and deliver them to the center. “The guys who volunteered

didn’t gain anything for themselves – didn’t even receive service hours – but they stepped up to make it happen,” Ettingoff said. “[Senior] Luke Stallings applied his experience from working in MUS theater production to design the shelves.” The shelving units now promi-nently display trophies at the center.

Shelf Space

Seniors Will Wells, left, Cole Ettingoff, and Jeremy Boshwit work on constructing the shelving for Lester Community Center.

Bell Ringers


Student Ambassadors gather before leading tours during Admissions Open House.

Roman Dress DayEighth graders Mac Robinson

and Jordan Hays wore their best ancient attire on

Roman Dress Day.

A Little LeaveningAt right, students in Mrs. Laura Lawrence’s seventh-grade class, from left, Kaedmon Penney, J.J. Johnson, Stuart Grow, and Josh Tanenbaum, admire the leavened fruits of their labors during a recent class on fermentation.

Remember the PancreasAbove, Lower School students welcome back eighth grader Josiah Crutchfield, center, who had suffered a pancreatic injury that required extensive medical treatment. They are wearing T-shirts emblazoned with the words “Remember the Pancreas” in his honor.

Tour Guides

Model UNFreshman Government Club members,from left, Brooks Eikner, Joey Rodriguez, and Kanha Mishra at YMCA Model United Nations in Nashville


Homecoming Pep

The 2013 Football Homecoming Court, from left, senior Blake Fountain, Katie Buckmaster, senior Patrick DiMento, Lauren Atkins, senior Cal Edge, Parker Tenent, junior Will Farnsworth, Loring Gearhardt, senior John Valentine, Susannah Straton, senior Jackson Roberts, and Sandy Smith

From left, sophomores CJ Turner, Tim Hart, Terrell Jackson, Thomas Pickens, and junior Carlton Orange at the 2013 Football Homecoming pep rally

Shivam Bhakta, Tejvir Vaghela, and Walker Sims were among the more conservatively dressed seniors.

Shivam Bhakta, Tejvir Vaghela, and Walker Sims

Headmaster Ellis Haguewood leads the crowd in 15 snappy rahs.

Senior Chris Galvin goes for the follically challenged look.

Senior Cal Edge dons full mane for his role.

Owls who attended the SLAM program, a summer academic enrichment and leadership development program for middle-school students from schools throughout the Mid-South, shared their experience with visitors at Admissions Open House. From left, juniors Richard Ouyang, Xavier Greer, Roberto Olvera, Carlton Orange, and Kamar Mack have also served as SLAM counselors.

BookballNo bat? No problem. Freshmen Wyatt Neyhart, left, and Jack Solberg press a book and a crushed-paper ball into service for an impromptu game of baseball in Morrison Courtyard.


It is hard to believe we are in the second half of our school year. Where did 2013 go? We have added another year of events, activities, and facts to our memories. Here are a few random facts I recently came across:

- 2013 is composed of four different digits – that has not happened since 1987.

- Nationally, most students in the Class of 2014 do not know how to write in cursive.

- $566,400 is the most a contestant can win in a single game of Jeopardy.

The Parents’ Association has been busy generating some facts and stats of our own in 2013. Hospitality chairs Alice and Warren Ball, assisted by numerous volunteers, fed 125 faculty and staff members for a welcome-back lunch on August 5. They consumed 260 pieces of chicken and gallons of iced tea.

Spirit chairs Leslie and Bryan Darr along with assis-tants Cindy and Lloyd Grissinger racked up $65,000 in spirit-wear sales in 2013. Please visit the bookstore to sup-port MUS by wearing our colors.

Margaret and Ed Apple have added 240 families to the Parents’ Association membership roll this year. You can still join by emailing [email protected]. Your $50 tax-deductible fee helps fund many programs and activities for our sons.

Robin and Rick Hanna, community welfare chairs, wel-comed 19 new families to MUS at a dinner on September 12. Please continue to look for these new parents and include them in your grade’s activities.

Julie and Philip Wunderlich ’90 and Anne and Drew Wilson, Lower School and Upper School hospital-ity chairs, hosted two wonderful coffees in September. They invited the moms of 110 seniors and 124 new stu-dents to celebrate the start of the year. Peggy and Ellis Haguewood graciously opened their home, as they do each year for these events. Julie Wunderlich and Anne Wilson also coordinated breakfast for 138 MUS faculty and staff members during each day of exam week.

Our seventh-grade representatives, Elizabeth and Bo Allen ’86, and 10th-grade class representatives, Lauren and Dan Keel, hosted parent parties in September with more than 130 people attending.

Catherine and Ray Stallings organized our annual Parent Phonathon. With 45 volunteers calling MUS families, they raised more than $230,700 for the Annual Fund. If you have yet to send in your pledge, please do so today. You can also go online to musowls.org, click on “Support MUS,” and give to the Annual Fund.

Nada and Scott Fountain, admissions chairs, hosted the

MUS Admission Open House on October 20. A contin-gent of 178 people worked to welcome our guests, includ-ing 14 parents who helped with setup and 45 parents who served as hosts, along with 50 faculty and staff members, six alumni, 50 junior and senior Student Ambassadors, four SLAM student counselors, five maintenance work-ers, and four security guards. The event drew 301 visitors from 28 zip codes.

Arts coordinators Janet and Gary Stevenson and Terri and Jeff Jarratt organized food and drinks for the 25-member cast and crew of the fall play, Anon(ymous). More than 400 folks attended the three evening perfor-mances. Mark your calendar for the spring play, Monty Python’s Spamalot, March 29-April 1.

November also was a busy month for the eighth-, ninth-, and 12th-grade classes. Ashley and Bert Robinson ’90 (grade 8), Susan and John Huffman (grade 9) and Elizabeth Crosby and Eric Barnes (grade 12) organized parent parties with more than 250 parents attending. WOW!

If you have not taken part in Parents’ Association events, we encourage you to find your niche. It is never too late to join. Your time at MUS will be enhanced as you make new friends, see our sons in action, and become bet-ter acquainted with other parents.

We look forward to seeing you at the many events and activities in 2014.

GO, OWLS!

Parents’ Association Success Adds Upby Tina and Walter Edge, Parents’ Association Chairs

Access Parents’ Association information at musowls.org/NetCommunity/ParentsAssociation

Insig

hts


COLL

EGE

CORNERGracias. Merci. Gratias tibi ago.

No matter how you say it, in any language, the words “thank you” truly mean a great deal, es-

pecially in the college admission process. As you visit colleges and universities, you will undoubt-edly meet with admission counselors. Whether the conversation is short or long, it is imperative you follow up with a handwritten note of thanks. This practice demonstrates interest in the school, and it can make you a more desirable candidate than someone with similar academic credentials who fails to send a thank-you note. Moreover, your personal message could brighten the recipient’s day.

Ms. Megan Andrews Starling, assistant director of admission at Rhodes College, said writing notes of thanks after an interaction is a re� ection of good manners and great preparation for a student’s future professional life.

“Since it’s an extra step that many do not take, it’s a form of communication that makes you memorable to your college admission

counselor,” she said. “Leaving a positive impres-sion on your counselor that is reinforced by a thoughtful, handwritten note is always worth your e� ort.”

As our junior students move through the college admission process, they participate in mock interviews with members of the MUS com-munity. As a culminating step in that process, students are encouraged to write a personal note expressing their appreciation. It demon-strates respect and gratitude for the interview-ers, who extend their time and e� ort on the students’ behalf.

A thank-you note sent to college admission counselors likewise shows respect and gratitude, and it will very likely end up in your personal � le.

“Maybe it doesn’t secure you an automatic letter of admission, but it certainly won’t hurt, and you never know how much di� erence it can make,” Starling said.

Following are some tips for writing a thank-you note to a college admission counselor:

* Send your note soon after the interview so the counselor has a better chance of remembering you.

* Handwrite your note – do NOT send an email message.

* Write a quick draft � rst. Keep it short and to the point.

* Write in blue or black ink on high-quality stationery or a blank thank-you note card. (You can � nd professional paper and cards at o� ce supply stores.)

* Be sure to use the interviewer’s name and proper title.

* Personalize the note by mentioning topics discussed during the interview, such as your interest in the Psychology Department or the university’s chapter of Engineers Without Borders.

* Have someone read your note to check the spelling and grammar.

College Counseling Information: (901) 260-1332 or go to www.musowls.org/NetCommunity/CollegeCounseling

by Mr. Brian K. Smith, Director of College Counseling

On the Road to College, Gratitude Goes a Long Way

Parents’ Association Board of Directors 2013-14

Chairs Tina and Walter Edge

Treasurers Cindy and Sam Ettingoff

Secretaries Kourtney and Reed Colerick

Admissions Nada and Scott Fountain

Arts Coordinators Terri and Jeff JarrattJanet and Gary Stevenson

Communication/Parent Education Katie and Wade West

Community Welfare/Mentoring Robin and Rick Hanna

Fundraising Laurie and Jeff Meskin

Grandparent Programs Missy and Horace Carter ‘89

Hospitality Alice and Warren Ball

Hospitality, Upper SchoolAnne and Drew Wilson

Hospitality, Lower School Julie and Philip Wunderlich ‘90

Membership Margaret and Ed Apple

Phonathon Catherine and Ray Stallings

Spirit Chairs Leslie and Bryan Darr

Spirit Chair AssistantsCindy and Lloyd Grissinger

Grade 12 Reps Elizabeth Crosby and Eric Barnes

Grade 11 Reps Jennifer and Keith Merriman

Grade 10 Reps Lauren and Dan Keel

Grade 9 Reps Susan and John Huffman

Grade 8 Reps Ashley and Bert Robinson ‘90

Grade 7 Reps Elizabeth and Bo Allen ‘86

Anita Walton, center, has been the varsity football team’s foremost cheerleader in the stands. (Inset) Walton, pictured with Spanish instructor Jenny Fernandez, also cheered on her son, senior Anthony Walton, during the faculty-student basketball game.

Spirit Chair Leslie Darr, right, and assistant Cindy Grissinger

Phillip and Tarria Perkins with their son, 7th grader Kirklin, man the information table at Open House.

Dana Goodwin, Cathy Spisak, Lilibeth Carlota, and Julie Boshwit recall years of shared memories at the breakfast for senior moms.

Insights


Memphis University School6191 Park AvenueMemphis, TN 38119

Non-profitOrganizationU.S. Postage

PAIDMemphis, TN

Permit No. 631

March 6 End of Third Quarter

March 7-14 School Holiday: Spring Break

March 29- April 1 Spring Musical: Monty Python’s Spamalot

April18 School Holiday: Good Friday

May 5-9 Senior Exams

May 5-14 AP Exams

May 14 End of Fourth Quarter

May 15-22 Underclassmen Exams

May 18 Baccalaureate and Graduation

May 19 School Holiday: Hutchison/

St. Mary’s Graduations

May 23 Last Day of School, Half Day

May 26 Memorial Day – Administrative

Offices Closed

Theater Season 2014

Ellis HaguewoodHeadmaster

Barry RayUpper School Principal

Clay SmytheLower School Principal

Bobby AlstonDirector of Athletics

Bonnie BarnesDirector of Hyde Library

Flip EiknerAcademic Dean

Perry DementDirector of Advancement

Claire FarmerDirector of Annual Fund

Rankin FowlkesDirector of Business Operations

Bebe JonakinDirector of Counseling Services

Ann LaughlinDirector of Alumni and Parent Programs

Brian K. SmithDirector of College Counseling

Andrew PayneDirector of Communications

Peggy WilliamsonDirector of Admissions

Liz Copeland Managing Editor

Michael Guthrie Graphic Designer

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THE MUS MISSION: Memphis University School is a college-preparatory school dedicated to academic excellence, cultivation of service and leadership, and the development of well-rounded young men of strong moral character, consistent with the school’s Christian tradition

Monty Python’s SpamalotMarch 29 – April 1Hyde Chapel, 7:30 p.m.

Lovingly ripped off from the classic film Monty Python and the Holy Grail, the musical comedy Monty Python’s Spamalot parodies the legend of King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table – with the assistance of showgirls, cows, killer rabbits, and French taunters. Tickets will be available at the door: general admission - $15, MUS students - $10

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