The Defender Dispatch - Alumni Newsletter - Summer 2022 | |
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After graduating from Rhodes College in 2011 with a BA in Philosophy, Kyle Wukasch ('07) moved to New York City to explore a budding interest in user experience design. While working on his portfolio in design, he moonlighted as a DJ, a creative passion he developed in college. Living and working in New York City was a time of professional and spiritual formation for Kyle. It proved to be an era defined by personal growth and creative exploration. He was privileged to attend Redeemer Presbyterian where he formed life-long friendships and community. He is truly thankful to God for his time at Redeemer. It was there that Kyle experienced a life-long impact helping shape how he sees the importance of a relationship between faith and work.
In 2018, Kyle met his wife, Catherine, through a mutual friend in New Haven, CT.
Catherine and Kyle swapped weekend visits between New York and New Haven from 2018 to 2020, and then married during the pandemic in September of 2020. After getting married, they made their home in New Haven, where Catherine works as a mechanical engineer. Though Kyle is based out of his company’s New York City office, he is working remotely full-time from New Haven. Catherine and Kyle love the east coast and New England, and enjoy weekend getaways to NYC. They love learning about British history (a recent obsession thanks to “The Crown”), discovering new music, visiting museums, watching The Simpsons (Thank you, Andy Black) and reading Dietrich Bonhoeffer. When Kyle is not working or spending time with his wife and his dog, Pippin, he is likely searching for new music to include in his next DJ set. Kyle’s fondest memories of WA are winning the Junior Varsity basketball tournament in 9th grade and class with A. Smith.
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Emma Gregory graduated from WA in 2021. Currently Emma attends Ole Miss, where she is a member of the University Chorus. In March, they performed Beethoven's 9th Symphony at the Cannon Center with the Memphis Symphony Orchestra!
Emma is majoring in Secondary English Education and minoring in Music. Emma’s family still attends WA, with her brothers John and Timothy being in the 10th and 12th grades. Emma’s mother Jannica teaches at Westminster Academy, serving as the Literature teacher for the Sophomore and Senior classes. Emma loves to play the guitar and sing, especially with her school choir at Ole Miss. She also enjoys reading and embroidery.
Her fondest memory of WA includes dance lessons for the Protocol Ball. She loved getting to dance with all of her friends, especially to the East Coast Swing. Recently Emma had the opportunity to go on a spring break mission trip with Ole Miss RUF where they partnered with Sacred Road Ministries. Sacred Road Ministries conducts mission work on the Yakama Reservation in Washington State. They served by helping with the church's youth group and Kids Club. While on the mission, Emma found a love for learning the history of the Yakama people and seeing how Sacred Road has brought the Gospel to the community.
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Nathan Strong ('07) is a graduate of Purdue University with a BA in Mechanical Engineering. Nathan has worked in automotive, aerospace, and other varieties of engineering and is currently working at a door manufacturing company. Nathan is married to Rachel Hiddle, who works as a Doctor of Physical Therapy. They live in Colorado with their two dogs, both rescue pups. Nathan spends most of his free time adventuring in the mountains of Colorado and surrounding western states. Mountain biking, climbing, skiing, and kayaking are his favorite forms of travel in the wilderness.
Of his fondest WA memories, Nathan says, "Rhetoric class was certainly unique and prepared me well for adulthood. So few people can debate these days. Also, the get togethers outside of school with teachers such as James Daniels and Mr. Smith, I will always remember fondly."
His favorite Christmas tradition since moving to Colorado is the yearly tree harvest. With a permit from the forestry service, Rachel, the dogs, and Nathan ski or hike into the Colorado wilderness to find a fresh fir. According to Nathan, "The longevity of the trees are impressive. We typically have a tree up until February. This year we ran across a bull moose. Everyone kept their distance and no drama ensued."
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Shelby Hall ('11) graduated from Ole Miss and is currently working as a Vice President for a full service commercial real estate company called Foundry Commercial. He joined the company in 2015 and for the last five years has been focusing on leasing office space, representing both companies and landlords in Nashville. Shelby married Lindsey Humphrey Hall on January 15, 2022, in Nashville. Lindsey is from Shreveport, Louisiana and went to LSU. The two of them met in Nashville through mutual friends. Lindsey admits to being converted fully into an Ole Miss fan (much to the dismay of her family).
Currently, Shelby says his life in Nashville revolves too much around their dog Bailey. He enjoys playing golf, traveling with Lindsey, and anything Ole Miss sports-related. When asked his fondest memory of WA, he responded, "Too many to remember them all! Some that stick out - our Youth Legislature trips to Nashville were always fun. Now, my office is right next door to the capitol building as well as the Sheraton Hotel which is where we always stayed on those trips. Other fond memories include our basketball teams with Coach Greer and beating Germantown High in soccer our junior year. Lots of great memories in the classroom as well. Mrs. Perry's English classes seem to be on everyones' lists, Capstone with Mrs. Perry, A. Smith, Mr. Kay and others. Hard to beat having Mr. Kinney as your house advisor as well! But my top top top memory is beating Jacob Laurence in the [rhetoric] challenge in the race for the house cup in 2010 and still reminding him of that twelve years later."
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Congratulations to Andrew Robinson (’18), who graduated summa cum laude and Valedictorian of Mississippi College School of Nursing! He has accepted a Pediatric Oncology Nurse Residency position at St. Jude in Memphis.
Pictured: Andrew with his sister Katie Robinson Freeman ('12)
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Jonathan Sessions ‘08, Georgianna Wells ‘16, Emily Jordan ‘17, Caroline Walker ‘15, Mason Hodges, Witt Wells ‘12 and Mark Bellott ‘09 enjoyed reconnecting at a gathering in NYC. | | |
Classical education is exhausting work. | |
Yearbook signing day! How many signatures did you get in yours? | |
Remember giving it your all and pulling a muscle or two during Field Day tug-of-war? | |
We've added a third 1st Grade class! | |
Welcome to Mrs. Laurel Smith's First Grade! | |
We have brand new Upper School boys and girls bathrooms! | |
The newly renovated Upper School girls bathroom | |
Westminster Academy at the Forrest Spence 5K | |
The High School Cross Country team had a great showing this weekend at the Forrest Spence 5k. Sarah Catherine Donovan won 2nd place as overall female. William Sherrod, Elizabeth Tenent, Samuel Sherrod, Timothy Gregory, Molly Cate Anthony, Emma Kate McDaniel and Caroline Sherrod each placed in their age divisions. Coach Kenneth Read won first place in his age division. Way to Go, Defenders! | |
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There are numerous ways you can get involved at Westminster this school year. We need your help with:
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Substitute teaching in Grammar School and Upper School. Training will be on September 16. Contact Mrs. Scott at kscott@wamemphis.com
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Volunteering in the library on Wednesdays. Mrs. Halford needs helpers during two shifts: 9-11:30am and 12-3pm. Email her at vhalford@wamemphis.com.
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Subbing in the most hoppin' part of the school - the main office! Lend a hand with the busy happenings of the school and love on our kids. If interested contact Kathryn at kwalker@wamemphis.com.
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Westminster Academy is seeking an Administrative Assistant for the Office of Admissions and Marketing
This position will support all admission and marketing activities, including administrative details for applications, scheduling appointments, and maintaining student databases for Westminster Academy.
The Ideal Candidate Will Be:
• Highly IT literate and comfortable with a variety of programs
• Knowledgeable and enthusiastic about classical Christian education
• Personable, energetic, and able to work with parents, colleagues, and outside agencies with professionalism and cheerfulness
Desired Skills
• Excellent organizational skills
• Self-starter with effective time management
• Strong communication, interpersonal, and relationship building skills
• Flexible and willing to work non-traditional hours as needed (late nights and some weekend hours)
• Experience with software application databases
• Alumni are strongly encouraged to apply!
This is a part-time position of up to 25 hours per week, as scheduled with the Director of Admission and Marketing. Inquiries and resumes should be addressed to Kathryn Walker at kwalker@wamemphis.com.
We are also seeking a Part-time Aftercare Assistant to work with and for the Director of Aftercare. The Aftercare Assistant hours are from 2:30 – 6 pm five days a week and the position is ready to fill immediately. Responsibilities include engaging with students, ensuring the safety, security and welfare of students in aftercare, facilitating snack time and free play, maintaining the cleanliness and organization of any equipment and space utilized by aftercare, and promptly responding to emergencies. Preferred applicants should have an interest in education, a love for children, a passion to bring Christ into the aftercare experience, and a desire to learn more about classical Christian education. Westminster Academy is committed to teaching all truth as God’s truth through the lens of Scripture from a historic Reformed theological perspective. All applicants should carefully review our website, www.wamemphis.com. Interested candidates should send cover letters and resumes to Mrs. Kathryn Walker at kwalker@wamemphis.com.
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Upcoming Dates to Remember | |
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September 16 - Substitute Teacher Training at 8:05 am
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September 30 - Rhetoric Challenge at 8:10 am in the Sanctuary
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October 7 - Upper School House Field Day
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October 22 - Whole Hog Roast for all WA male alumni and their fathers at the Halford Barn
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November 1 - Reformation Assembly at 8:10 am with Pastor Tommy Lee from Riveroaks Presbyterian Church
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November 11 - Veterans Day Assembly at 8:10 am with CAPT Linda Janikowsky, USN (Ret)
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December 15 - Choir Christmas Concert at 6:30 pm (Alumni are invited to sing "Carol of the Bells" with the choir)
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There are many ways to stay connected to Westminster Academy... | | | | | |
