'26 Alumni Magazine, Winter

Lausanne Collegiate School 1381 W. Massey Rd., Memphis, TN 38120 901.474.1000 lausanneschool.com

Greetings from your alma mater and the Lausanne Collegiate School campus! I truly hope you find our new Alumni Magazine, the LynxLens , to be informative, interesting, and inspiring.

The return of our Alumni Magazine is a significant moment for our school and we hope a wonderful experience for you as a graduate of Lausanne Collegiate School. In these pages, you’ll find stories describing impressive achievements and contributions by our Lausanne graduates, as well as our faculty’s innovative approaches to educating our students with The Lausanne Way always at the forefront of our mission.

I am personally so honored to be a part of the Lausanne Community, having joined our team as Chief Development Officer in May 2025. My wife Ann is the Assistant Director of College Advising at Lausanne, and our daughter Zoe is

GREETINGS!

from Zach Pretzer

a freshman at Lausanne and truly having a wonderful experience as a new student and Lynx. I’ve already seen this year just how remarkable our graduates are—our Lausanne alumni are changing our world for the better on a daily basis!

There are many educational, programmatic, artistic, and athletic offerings and highlights that make Lausanne a special place; however, perhaps the most significant feature of our alumni, students, faculty and families is that we are all truly a family and a Lausanne community. Our community is what makes us strong, and our alumni are such an important part of this community. We want to do everything we can from campus to make you feel connected to your alma mater and give ample opportunities to return to Lausanne and stay involved. We are so unbelievably proud of what you have accomplished as an alum, and we hope you are just as proud to call Lausanne Collegiate School your alma mater and a part of your lifelong family.

As you will see in the LynxLens, Lausanne Collegiate School’s future is very bright and there is much to

be excited about. We are the #1 rated school in the entire state by Niche.com, we are opening a beautiful new Upper School in Spring 2026, our middle school and lower school will receive much-needed renovations and modernizations with the help of donors, we will celebrate our Centennial during the 2026–2027 academic year, and our faculty will continue to educate our students and prepare them for continued education and life in a global environment.

Please let us know how we can help you stay involved and engaged at Lausanne—and we are always excited to hear from our alumni! Additionally, please consider donating to Lausanne and helping to ensure our future remains bright. We can’t grow our campus and guarantee our future sustainability and educational excellence without the support and generosity of our alumni.

Thank you.

Gratefully,

Zach Pretzer Chief Development Officer Proud Parent of Zoe ’29

LAUSANNE My Community, My Career, My Family

by John Brewster

The first day of school this year felt strange. After 52 years in the classroom (the last 32 of which were at Lausanne), not experiencing the excitement of the first day of a new year left me feeling a little empty.

I always loved teaching—the subject, the students, and my fellow teachers and staff. The environment was a true community, with us all working towards a common goal: the advancement of young minds. I also loved my subject: advanced level mathematics. Math was problem solving, like a game or a puzzle—taking a base knowledge of the subject and applying it to solve problems, using the best strategy possible. I tried getting students to appreciate the thrill and feeling of accomplishment that comes with successfully solving problems. Being able to witness the feeling of success within my students enlightened me each and every day.

Having taught in five schools during my career, I was really able to appreciate Lausanne Collegiate School as the pinnacle of those institutions. When I first arrived, I really did not know a whole lot about the school, but I quickly came to appreciate everything it had to offer and what it stood for. It was such a welcoming place to students and teachers alike. I was able to work together within our department, yet at the same time use my own creativity to develop the classroom environment I wanted to present my subject in. I wanted all students to feel like they were part of a team working to realize a common

goal of mastering the course material.

The school itself was unique in that it was accepting of all students regardless of their nationality, race, religion, and areas of strengths or weaknesses. We did not expect all students to be top mathematicians or scientists. We appreciated and welcomed the artists, actors, athletes, musicians, and students of any area of interest or expertise. We wanted to be a nurturing place for the outgoing and introverted students. This is why I came to love my employment and realize Lausanne was where I wanted to finish my career. I have enjoyed watching the alumni transition into their adult lives. I have seen former students attain all sorts of careers. I have former students who are actors, cooks, law enforcers, doctors, lawyers, business people and everything in between. In fact, my optometrist and lawyer are both former students.

I will miss LCS for many reasons. This is where my kids graduated from. This is where I met my wife of 27 years. This is where I came to know and admire many fellow teachers and staff. This is where I can tell people that I taught school for many years. I consider Lausanne part of my family.

THE BRIGHT FUTURE

of the Class of 2025

From their very first days on campus to their final walk across the graduation stage, the Class of 2025 has left an indelible mark on Lausanne. This outstanding group of 101 seniors has pursued their dreams with curiosity, resilience and ambition, and their results speak for themselves.

of the Class of 2025

549 College acceptances

241

71

Matriculation to in

Different colleges and universities Institutions Different states

29 In scholarship offers

$16.1 million

CLASS OF 2025

Collectively, they earned an incredible 549 college acceptances to 241 different colleges and universities across the country. Their next chapters will take them far and wide as they matriculate to 71 institutions in 29 states, carrying the spirit of Lausanne with them wherever they go.

Even more inspiring, the Class of 2025 was awarded an extraordinary $16.1 million in scholarship offers—a testament to their dedication, character and strength of preparation. As they join the Lausanne alumni family, we celebrate not only where they are headed but also the legacy they leave behind: one of excellence, leadership and boundless possibility.

Once a Lynx, always a Lynx. The world is ready for the Class of 2025!

ACADEMIC HONORS

VALEDICTORIAN:

Alex Lachica

SALUTATORIAN:

Liam Martin

IB DIPLOMA AWARD:

Ruby Martin

MIGNON DUNN FINE ARTS AWARD: Emma Kerr

SCHOLAR ATHLETE AWARD: Sathvik Nath

BARBIE BURGMEIER SCIENCE AWARD:

Tanish Sonone

EDDIE SPENCER SOCIAL STUDIES AWARD: Liam Martin

JOHN BREWSTER MATH AWARD: Tanish Sonone

MARCIA PLANCHON WORLD LANGUAGES AWARD:

Elisa Hurtado Arellano

ENGLISH AWARD:

Ruby Martin

JAPPE OUTSTANDING SENIOR AWARD:

Ruby Martin

WILLIAM W. GOODMAN STUDENT PHILANTHROPY AWARD:

Lauren Demery

NELSE ROCKMAN THOMPSON SERVICE AWARD:

Sarah Przybyszewski

HEADMASTER SCHOLARS WITH DISTINCTION:

Kaylee Alford, Nicholas Holland, Emma Kerr, Alex Lachico, Liam Martin, Ruby Martin and Tanish Sonone

NATIONAL MERIT FINALIST: Ezra Baer, Abhi Battini, Nicholas Holland, Elisa Hurtado Arellano and Tanish Sonone

CLASS HONORS

MISS LAUSANNE: Lauren Demery

MR. LAUSANNE: Henry Page

SGA PRESIDENT: Lauren Demery

CLASS PRESIDENT: Henry Page

CLASS VICE PRESIDENT: Finn Murphy

DEIB COMMITTEE CHAIR: Alex Lachica

SPIRIT & SOCIAL MEDIA COMMITTEE CHAIR: Sathvik Nath

HERITAGE AWARDS

16 YEARS: Henry Page

15 YEARS: Kendall Watts

14 YEARS: Zii Carter

Naji Ghandour

Ishaan Merchant

Nate Wittke

13 YEARS: Ada Dukes

Haris Farooq

Lincoln Rasoul

Kabir Syali

12 YEARS: Levi Dorsey

Emma Kerr

Delaney Price

Tanish Sonone

STEVEN RUSSELL — with Love for Collegiate Sports

I knew from a young age that sports would always be an integral part of my story. That passion guided me to study communications in college, where I immersed myself in studying broadcasting and then landed a job in television news.

I worked my way up the ladder until I became a videographer covering athletics. But as the media landscape shifted, I knew I needed to find something else. Luckily, this search led me to Lausanne—a place that I found brought me back to the sidelines in a way that combined both my skills and my love for sports.

I joined Lausanne Collegiate School as a Web Producer and Digital Content Manager, where I was a familiar presence at games and events. When Lausanne created the position of Sports Information Director, I knew I wanted to do it. With it came the opportunity not just to highlight current student-athletes, but also to deepen the connection between the school and its alumni.

Working alongside our colleagues in Development, I’ve seen how powerful it is to keep those relationships strong. Our alumni have so much wisdom to share with our current students as they prepare to take the next steps in their athletic and academic journeys.

This June marks my 10th year at Lausanne. In this decade, I have had a frontrow seat to watching athletes grow, graduate and achieve remarkable things both on and off the field.

For me, one of the most rewarding parts of the job is reaching out, celebrating alumni accomplishments and reminding them that Lausanne is still cheering for them.

And when the former players return to campus, standing once again on the sidelines and walking the halls where their stories began, it’s clear just how much Lausanne still means to them.

They truly are Lynx for life.

1 Daija Patton ’17

Lausanne Collegiate School is proud to announce that alumna and former collegiate standout Daija Patton has been named the new Varsity Girls Volleyball Head Coach, bringing home a familiar face and ushering in an exciting new era for Lynx Volleyball following the retirement of Coach Phil Laquinta after over a decade of service.

2 Levi Dorsey ’25

Lausanne is proud to recognize Levi Dorsey as the 2025 Outstanding Male Athlete, an award that honors a student-athlete who exemplifies excellence in competition, leadership, and commitment. Dorsey’s impact on both the

football and soccer teams has made him a standout representative of Lynx athletics.

3 Sophie Rush ’25

Before graduation, Sophie Rush was named Lausanne’s Outstanding Female Athlete, a well-earned recognition of her excellence across academics, athletics and leadership. As she prepares to continue her soccer career at New Mexico State University as a Division I athlete, Rush leaves behind a lasting legacy at Lausanne.

4 Sathvik Nath ’25

Lausanne announced Sathvik Nath as the 2025 Scholar-Athlete of the Year this year at

graduation. This prestigious award honors a student who exemplifies excellence in academics and athletics. Nath’s remarkable achievements in the classroom and on the tennis court made him a deserving recipient.

5 Jessica Green ’09

Lausanne girls basketball head coach Jessica Green hit a milestone on Tuesday when she achieved her 100th win as a head coach. The Lynx defeated Ridgeway 46-15. “While I appreciate this personal accomplishment, this milestone is more of a testament to the hard work and dedication of every player and coach who has been on this journey with me,” Green said.

COLLEGIATE SPORTS

LYNX FOR LIFE

6

Lauren Avant Sumski ’10

Former Lausanne basketball standout Lauren Avant Sumski ’10 will be among seven honorees inducted into the Rhodes College Athletic Hall of Fame later this year.

7 Clara Norman ’23 and Sadie Sims ’24

Lausanne Lacrosse alumni Clara Norman ’23 and Sadie Sims ’24 are playing together on the Mississippi State lacrosse team.

8 Natalie Dale ’00

Natalie Dale ’00 officially hung up her poms in 2012, but her journey from Lausanne to the sidelines of the NBA and NFL is a story of perseverance and passion. Like many Memphis girls in the ’80s and ’90s, Dale dreamed of being on a college team like the University of Memphis Pom Squad, performing on a national stage. But her path was far from traditional. Instead of choosing a large school with an established cheer and pom program, she followed her heart to Lausanne.

9 Ben Bolton ’22, Luke Work ’24 and Max Gilbert ’23

Tennessee Vols Football versus Mississippi State Football game featured three former Lynx as Ben Bolton ’22, Luke Work ’24 and Max Gilbert ’23 all suited up and took the field.

10 Luke Work ’24

With college football right around the corner, we caught up with Lausanne alum Luke Work ’24, who is set to begin his sophomore season as an offensive tackle for Mississippi State. Luke played in 11 games for the Bulldogs last season, starting seven. Five of those starts came at left tackle and two at right tackle. Work hit the weight room this off-season and added some muscle, adding 15 pounds to his frame. The result? A stronger and faster version of himself.

11 Shreyas Nath ’24

When people hear the name Shreyas Nath ’24, chances are they think tennis. And for good reason. A three-time state champion and 2023 doubles runner-up with the Lausanne boys’ tennis team, Nath built a legacy on the court. Add in his All-Metro accolades, and it is clear his game spoke volumes. But there’s much more to Shreyas than aces and forehands. Off the court, he was just as accomplished. With a stellar 4.0 GPA, he earned spots in the National Honor Society, National Art Honor Society and Rho Kappa Social Studies Honor Society. His academic focus was especially evident during his senior year when he received the Excellence in DP Spanish ab initio SL Y2 award.

12 Orli Katz ’20

Orli Katz ’20 was never one to stay in a single lane. Whether digging into complex theories in the classroom, diving for volleyballs or editing the student newspaper, she made the most of every opportunity at Lausanne. Doing it all with excellence.

13 Jad Hamze ’21

For Jad Hamze ’21, Lausanne was not just a school but his home. A “Lynx for Life” in every sense of the word, Hamze spent his entire academic career at Lausanne, building a legacy of leadership, academic excellence and lasting friendships. Over his 15 years, he became a familiar face on campus. He was a Heritage Club member, Co-President of the Student Government Association and a standout student inducted into both the Cum Laude Society and National Honor Society.But it is the little moments that Hamze still cherishes most.

14 Zoeya Khan ’23

Today, Khan is a professional pickleball player on the Carvana Professional Pickleball Association Tour, trading the tennis courts for pickleball courts while studying at the University of Texas. “Being a pro on the PPA Tour has been surreal,” Khan said. “I feel so fortunate to wake up each day and do what I love. It’s a privilege to train and compete at the highest level.” Khan credits her “go-getter attitude” to her time at Lausanne.

FROM LAUSANNE LEGEND

to Chair of Ideas

On Friday, February 28, 2025, something special settled over Lausanne’s Upper School with the kind of electricity that only happens when one of our own comes home.

Cameron Payne ’13, this year’s Chair of Ideas recipient, stepped onto campus and instantly lit up the room. He spoke to students not just about his journey, but about their possibilities, urging them to see the opportunities woven into every corner of this place.

“You are in the perfect school to make this happen,” he told them, his voice full of conviction. “These people

are going to push you. You can walk through the doors, and it feels like love. You want that forever.” Cameron’s message, uplifting, grounded, and deeply personal, reminded students of the magic that happens when you let yourself dream boldly. As he shared one of his favorite mantras, “Don’t wake up, keep dreaming,” he encouraged every Lynx in the audience to stay rooted in passion, purpose, and possibility.

A proud member of the Class of 2013, Cameron forever shaped Lausanne’s basketball legacy. In his senior year, he earned the title of Mr. Basketball, only the second Lausanne player to do so, while also leading the Lynx to their first state championship in boys’ basketball. His performances were unforgettable: 24 points, six rebounds, and four assists in the semifinal win over

Franklin Road Academy, followed by 22 points, six rebounds, and five assists as Lausanne powered past ECS for a dominant 67–43 victory. His excellence earned him the title of state MVP, but more importantly, it etched his name into Lausanne history.

Each year, Lausanne awards the Chair of Ideas to an individual whose achievements and character illuminate the heart of our mission. Since its creation in 1994, this honor has been awarded 26 times to visionaries who remind us who we are and what we can become.

This year, we are proud to welcome Cameron Payne as Lausanne’s 2025 Chair of Ideas. He returned not just as an alum, but as a living reminder that dreams grow powerful roots here.

THE COURAGE

to Keep Going

When I think back on Lausanne, I don’t just see classrooms or fields. I see a family that taught me how to stretch and belong at the same time.

It was the place that asked more of me, and somehow gave even more back. The standard of excellence I met there, academically, athletically and personally, became the foundation I’ve stood on in every chapter since.

Balancing classes, football, track and leadership roles in those hallways was my first real lesson in time management and character. That rhythm of preparing well, competing hard and serving others carried me to the Naval Academy and into the fleet. Wearing a Navy uniform has a way of clarifying what matters: your word, your team and the people you’re entrusted to lead. Some days, the challenge is the mission itself; other days, it’s remembering that the sailors beside you are human beings with stories, hopes and families. The job is to honor both the task and the person.

A lot of folks know me because I chased a dream that started on Friday nights under the lights. In high school, I wanted the NFL, and I was blessed to reach that mountaintop. But the view surprised me. I learned quickly that identity can’t be tied up in a jersey, even if it is a dream-come-true. There were twists I didn’t expect, like the Navy initially denying my request to delay service so that I could keep pursuing that dream, and later getting cut by the Buccaneers. Those were hard turns. I wrestled with disappointment, even depression, and had to relearn something Lausanne had put

in me years earlier: resilience isn’t a reflex; it’s a process. You pause, you process, you pray and then you push forward. In that space, purpose gets deeper.

One of my favorite reminders came from my senior year at Navy when I lost my starting job. Suddenly, leadership wasn’t a title; it was how I showed up from the sideline. Influence without position is a humbling curriculum. And it has served me every day since. Today, as a Naval Officer, the part I love most is leading young sailors and watching them grow. There’s nothing like seeing someone discover what they’re capable of and knowing you helped create the conditions for that to happen.

I still hold Lausanne close to my heart. Some of my closest friendships started there, and we kept up with those group texts, quick calls and showing up for each other’s milestones. I still cheer when I see a classmate win and still feel that old spark when I step back on campus. My favorite memories? Easy: Friday nights, a sea of blue and white, the whole community breathing in rhythm, and that senior year run to 14–0 that will always live in my heart. And in the quieter moments, I think of teachers who held a high bar and a soft landing at the same time. People like Dr. Graham and Mr. Jenkins, who made excellence feel both expected and possible.

The classroom doors at Lausanne opened me to a bigger world. That global perspective nudged me toward political science at the Naval Academy and widened my lens on service and leadership. Now, alongside my duties in uniform, I’m pouring energy into developing tools and curricula that help young people build resilience, purpose and the kind of character that outlasts outcomes.

Titles change. Seasons change. But leadership, with integrity and care, stays constant even as technology and geopolitics keep shifting the landscape.

If we were grabbing coffee, alum to alum, and you asked what I’m most proud of, I’d say this: “Every opportunity I’ve had to represent my family, my school and my city with my values intact.” Whether I’ve been standing watch as an intelligence officer or pulling on an NFL jersey, I’ve tried to lead with purpose and remember who I’m accountable to.

And to the young alum reading this nervous about what’s next, here’s what I wish someone had told me sooner: don’t be afraid of the unknown. The comfort zone is a great place to rest; it’s a terrible place to grow. Trust your preparation. Trust the people who’ve poured into you. Be patient with the process—especially when it isn’t going according to plan—because the setbacks you’re trying to avoid often become the very stories that shape you.

Also, be intentional with your relationships. Lausanne gives you a network that’s bigger than you realize when you’re walking between classes. Treat it like the asset it is. Show up for each other. Reach out. Ask for help. Offer it. Years from now when the titles and scoreboards change, those are the ties that hold.

These days, when I’m not on duty, you’ll catch me reading, writing, traveling, mentoring, coaching, or trying to convince a golf ball to cooperate. (Still a work in progress.) But wherever I am, I carry Lausanne with me. I carry the standard, the community and the belief that leadership is about people first.

I’m grateful for the chance to come back and speak with our Upper School students this February. I’ll tell them what I remind myself: lead with character, care for your team and keep walking, even when the path bends. We get to be part of something bigger than ourselves, and that’s a gift worth stewarding well.

Lifelong Learner and Proud Forever Lynx LAUSANNE ALUM

FULL-CIRCLE MOMENTS

When I was invited to be part of the LynxLens, I couldn’t help but smile. What an honor—and what a full-circle moment. I’m constantly amazed by what Lausanne students and alumni are doing today—in academics, athletics and communities around the globe.

Looking back at my time here in the late ’80s, I realize just how much this school shaped me. The lessons weren’t always obvious then, but they show up in my life every single day.

Raising money for the Junior/Senior Banquet? It became training for my volunteer work with Facing History & Ourselves. Yearbook deadlines with Mrs. Prillaman? They prepared me for journalism school at the University of Georgia, and every professional project since. A spring break trip to Communist Russia with Mrs. Feldmann sparked a lifelong love of travel and curiosity about other cultures.

Lausanne taught us to lead, to speak up and to create what didn’t yet exist—lessons that eventually took me all the way to Washington, D.C., interning for a Congressman and working with the advance team for the President and Vice President of the United States.

LESSONS I’VE LEARNED

What happens at Lausanne prepares you, but it doesn’t define you.

Math was never my strength, and I had tutors several times a week. But no one I’ve worked beside since, including engineering graduates from MIT and Stanford, has ever cared. What matters is the work you do and the integrity you bring to it.

You’ll always have to prove yourself, and that’s a good thing.

Your next boss won’t care how popular you were or what sport you played; they’ll care about your consistency and follow-through.

Do what you say you’ll do.

Your word is your reputation. Be reliable. It’s that simple, and that rare.

You’ve got to be in it to win it.

The biggest regrets in life usually come from not trying. Say yes. Show up. Step outside your comfort zone, even when it’s scary.

Seek mentors and be one.

Mrs. Feldmann challenged me to think bigger. Mrs. Prillaman taught me how to lead. Mrs. Fockler showed me how to write well, and that is a gift I still use daily. Mentorship isn’t about age; it’s about sharing curiosity and care.

Trust your gut.

Preparation matters, but so does instinct. You know more than you think you do. Listen to yourself.

Celebrate everything.

Big milestones and small moments all count. Celebrate birthdays, blue skies, and ordinary Tuesdays. Life’s too short to wait for a reason.

Say thank you.

Never miss a chance to tell someone they made a difference. Gratitude never gets old.

FOREVER CONNECTIONS

“The friendships you’re forming now will carry you farther than you think.”

Some of my closest friends are still the ones I met at Lausanne. We’ve celebrated, mourned and grown together through every stage of life. Those bonds are timeless.

I’m grateful for teachers who saw my potential. One of them, Brenda Robinette—my senior-year AP English teacher in her very first year at Lausanne—is still a dear friend, and that kind of lasting bond is exactly what makes this place special. I’m grateful for my parents who sacrificed to send me here (and covered more math tutors and fender-benders than I care to admit!) and for my family who continue to be my biggest cheerleaders. Watching my nephew Jack ’31 grow up at Lausanne reminds me how special this community is.

True wealth isn’t measured in dollars, it’s in the people, purpose and joy that fill your life. Lausanne gave me the foundation for all of that, and for that, I’ll always be grateful.

2025–2026 ALUMNI BOARD

Jarred Reed ’09

Alumni Board President Partner at Lewis Brisbois Bisgaard & Smith, LLP

St. Louis, MO

Jarred Reed ’09 attended Lausanne from first through 12th grade, a journey that shaped both his academic foundation and his calling to the legal field. After graduating, he earned his bachelor’s degree from George Mason University and his law degree from the University of Tennessee in Knoxville. His passion for law began at Lausanne, where a summer internship with the Memphis Bar Association after his junior year gave him the opportunity to work closely with Mr. Andre Wharton, Esq. of The Wharton Law Firm, founded by Mrs. Ruby Wharton and former Memphis mayor A. C. Wharton, Jr. That experience set him on a clear path toward becoming an attorney. Today, Jarred practices at the prestigious national firm Lewis Brisbois Bisgaard & Smith LLP.

In 2023, Jarred was appointed President of the Lausanne Alumni Board. Reflecting on this moment, he shared, “I was shocked to receive the invitation. As one of the first minority graduates to hold this position, I took the role seriously and I knew it would be a challenge—yet a necessary one.” His leadership vision continues to expand, and he is now honored to serve on Lausanne’s Board of Trustees, a role he had long hoped to hold.

Jarred recently celebrated a personal milestone as well: he and his wife, Kate Scott, tied the knot on July 12, 2025, marking the beginning of an exciting new chapter for the Reed family.

Looking back on his years at Lausanne, he carries with him one of the most meaningful lessons learned: the importance of kindness toward those with different perspectives. To young professionals considering a similar path, his advice is thoughtful and grounded:

“First, find your passion in whatever field you choose. I value the legal field because lawyers wear multiple hats and become ‘experts’ in their clients’ subject matter. Having a foundation for one’s interests allows you to narrow your practice areas with purpose.”

Alex Scarbrough Fisher ’05

Alumni Board Vice President Trust Advisor and Vice-President at Regions Private Wealth Management Nashville, TN

“I spent 16 years of my life at Lausanne, from the Cottage through my senior year, and can say with confidence that Lausanne shaped who I am as a person. It’s a school that opened my eyes to a global community, taught me to work hard and think critically, and most importantly, was a place where I felt known and appreciated as a person. In service on the alumni board, my goal is to continue that legacy of Lausanne by making sure our alumni feel known by the school and appreciated for who they are in their next chapters of life beyond Lausanne’s doors.”

Alex Scarbrough Fisher ’05 practiced law in private practice in Nashville for over a decade following her graduation from Vanderbilt Law in 2012. She changed careers in 2023 with a move to Regions Bank Private Wealth Management as a trust advisor, where she is responsible for private wealth clients with $5M and up in assets under management and serves as the relationship manager on trusts and estates where Regions Bank is named trustee or executor. She plans to sit for her certified financial planner designation in 2026 after three years of coursework through the American College of Financial Services.

In addition to practicing law and now managing trusts, Alex still teaches yoga in Nashville, Tennessee. After completing her 200-hour yoga teacher training in 2015 and teaching in a yoga studio on Music Row for eight years, Alex went back to yoga teacher training in 2023, where she completed her 300hour training. She is now a 500 RYT yoga teacher in Nashville. Alex teaches with Small World Yoga, a local nonprofit in Nashville that connects yoga with community. Most recently, she began teaching an afterschool yoga club in partnership with Small World Yoga at a public metro Nashville elementary school. And most importantly, she is the proud mom of two boys, Jackson, age seven in first grade, and Cole, age four in pre-kindergarten.

Lausanne Collegiate School 2025–2026 Alumni Board Members

8 Asena Atalaya May-Gauchet ’05

Associate – Aviation Finance, Clifford Chance US LLP New York, NY

9 Alex Carpenter ’07 HR Operations, Technology, and Information Systems at Surgery Partners Nashville, TN

10 Dr. Sharwil Bell ’08 Doctor of Physical Therapy for 901 Physical Therapy, PLLC Memphis, TN

11 Ryan Thorton ’08 Head of Catalog Music at YouTube/Google Los Angeles, CA

12 Dr. Evan Bailey ’09 Dentist at The Dental Connection Memphis, TN

13 Hillary Weiss Samuels ’10 Associate Attorney at Leslie Gattas & Associates Memphis, TN

14 Maya Todd ’14

Account Executive for the Memphis Hustle Memphis, TN

15 Dr. Jessica Reed ’14 Pediatrics Specialist at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP)

Philadelphia, PA

Sister of Jarred Reed ’09, Jordan Reed ’17, and Jason Reed ’19

16 Christine Odom Kreilick ’15 Quality Supervisor for AB Mauri North America

Memphis, TN

17 Emma Whitehorn Fleming ’17 Outreach Programs Coordinator at the Memphis Brooks Museum of Art Memphis, TN

DAVID POOL My Lausanne Experience

My connection with Lausanne started long before I’d ever seen or visited the campus.

Sometime around 1985, I read an article in the Commercial Appeal (or the Memphis Flyer) about Lausanne. It did not focus on fundraising, sports prowess or academic achievement; the article was simply about Lausanne and included a photo of two coeds and a Chocolate Lab during a spring afternoon on the banks of Blue Heron Lake.

I cannot find the article today, but I will never forget how it made me feel then. I was a senior in high school, and the two people I saw in the photo were Lausanne students at about my age. During my high school years, I was at times self-conscious, fighting to develop an identity, struggling to decide on a school and career, and occasionally uncertain and uneasy about relationships. That photo in the article conveyed a different picture about Lausanne students. As the young lady and young man enjoyed the Lausanne campus with Hershey (the ever-present neighborhood Labrador), they seemed relaxed and serene, comfortable in their own skin and comfortable being with each other. They came off as intelligent and curious. Instead of teen angst, the photo showed two teens developing independence and maturity, at ease in their surroundings, expressing themselves, enjoying each other’s company and comfortable in their environment. The article painted a tolerant environment and a love of academia.

I remember my envy, thinking, “Wow, Lausanne is idyllic! I wish I were there.”

In 1993, one of my high school classmates (then a teacher at Lausanne) contacted me recommending me to apply for a teaching position. She told me the headmaster, Dr. George Elder, was dedicated to starting

a music program. With that article etched into my memory, I decided that Lausanne would be the perfect environment to continue my teaching career. Becoming a part of the Lausanne family, however, required overcoming two small hurdles: I was still working on my Master of Arts in teaching, so I was not yet certified; and worse, as a working musician, I sported a ponytail, which was not favored in my previous teaching position. My visit to the campus, interview, and the Board of Directors’ decision regarding whether to hire a young teacher with a ponytail confirmed what the article had conveyed all those years before:

Lausanne was indeed an idyllic community full of tolerant and positive people. I taught at the school from 1994 through 1998.

I loved my time teaching at Lausanne. I started the upper school music program, which featured a pep band and show choir. I also had the pleasure of teaching literature for two years. While the students weren’t as “perfect” as the article portrayed, they were so well-adjusted that having taught in three other environments (public and private), I immediately noticed how unique and special Lausanne and its students were.

I am so proud of my former students. I taught in a fledgling music program with few students for only four years, yet four of my students are now successful full-time musicians. Many others still perform part-time. Others are veterinarians and medical doctors, lawyers, engineers, writers, business owners, outdoorsmen and women, high school teachers and college professors, meteorologists, actors and actresses, and on and on. I stay in close contact with many of my former Lausanne students and families, and occasionally participate in their family functions such as graduations, birthdays and weddings. I still enjoy visiting the campus, and although I love my current occupation, I sometimes long for a return to my Lausanne teaching days.

2025 Alumni Weekend

Alumni Weekend 2025 was one for the books.

Friday felt like coming home.

We kicked off with an all-class reception buzzing with hugs and “remember when?” moments, followed by campus tours of the new Upper School that had everyone dreaming big. Then, under the lights, the Lausanne Lynx football team closed the night with a statement Homecoming win over the St. George’s Gryphon (56–6), with alumni leading the cheers.

Saturday kept the glow going with a delicious Welcome Back Brunch (and even better conversation), followed by separate class reunion parties that each brought their own flavor of fun! Thank you to every Lynx who came back, hosted a gathering or brought a friend along. The spirit of this place is you, and weekends like this prove it. Forever Lynx.

1975 Alumni Reunion

Surrounded by familiar faces and decades of shared stories, the Class of 1975 gathered at Grace Sandusky McLaren ’75’s home for an unforgettable evening of celebration. From thoughtful gifts to heartfelt conversations, it was a reunion rich in warmth and connection.

1995 Alumni Reunion

The Class of 1995 made Saturday night one for the books! Their reunion dinner at TCP Southwind featured an epic throwback game night with Lausanne trivia, music, and bingo, proving that Lynx know how to mix nostalgia with nonstop fun.

2005 Alumni Reunion

The Class of 2005 reunited for a night of great food and even better memories, beginning with a cozy dinner at Belle Meade Social before heading to Bog & Barley to continue the fun. It was an evening overflowing with nostalgia, connection, and the joy of being back together.

2015 Alumni Reunion

The Class of 2015 gathered at the Kreilick’s home to relive old memories and create new ones. A perfect reunion for an unforgettable class.

2015 2005

THE CAMPAIGN FOR BEST

Building for the Next 100 Years

of the Class of 2025

For generations, Lausanne has been more than classrooms and hallways. It’s where lifelong friendships are forged, passions are discovered and futures are launched. But as our school has grown, our historic campus can no longer provide the space and resources needed for today’s dynamic curricula.

That changes in Spring 2026, when the new Upper School will open its doors. Featuring 32 state of the art, customizable classrooms, this new facility is designed for both group collaboration and one-on-one learning, supporting the IB curriculum and innovative programs in science, robotics, virtual reality and the Lausanne Design Agency.

Our new Arts Wing will be a creative hub like no other, featuring a black box theater, dance studio with a spring floor, design classrooms and fabrication lab, and a 2D art room filled with natural light—all spaces where students can explore, create and excel.

As we celebrate Lausanne’s Centennial Year in 2026, we invite you, our Lausanne alumni community, to play a pivotal role in this next chapter. By making a gift or pledge to the Campaign for Best, you are helping to rebuild and transform our campus, ensuring future generations can enjoy facilities that match the excellence of their education. The leadership of our alumni community in this campaign ensures that your legacy remains deeply woven into Lausanne’s next century.

Join us in fueling the next 100 years of innovation, creativity and Lynx pride. Together, we’re building more than classrooms; we’re building a legacy.

LAUSANNE CLASS NOTES

2008

Sharwil Bell DeHarte ’08 and Shelley DeHarte tied the knot on July 19, 2025! We are so thrilled for the happy couple and wish them a lifetime of love and happiness.

2009

Alex Fraser ’09 and Trey Fisher ’09

From classmates to colleagues to family friends, we love seeing our Lausanne grads hanging out together! These two graduated side by side and are now thriving in their careers while staying connected.

2010

Hannah Law Herndon ’10 and her husband, John Herndon, tied the knot on July 29, 2023, and their family has only grown sweeter since. They joyfully welcomed Baby Jack Richard Herndon on August 12, 2025. Arriving at 7 pounds and 20.5 inches long, Jack is healthy, thriving and already filling their home with so much love.

2013

Roy Lan ’13 matched into the General Cardiology Fellowship program at The Texas Heart Institute, at Baylor College of Medicine.

2012

Stephanie Clein Cohen ’12 and her husband Jared joyfully welcomed their son Grant Maxwell on April 5, 2025, in Jacksonville, FL.

2014

Samantha Greer ’14 and husband Jerry Greer celebrate their son Byron’s first birthday. The couple is also expecting a baby boy in January 2026. She is part of the Staff Counsel for Norton Rose Fulbright US LLP. Her practice focuses on financial institutions, insurance and product liability.

2016

Josh Clein ’16 is celebrating one year at Washington State University as a Therapist and Mental Performance Consultant, specializing in sports psychology. He and his future wife Andrea will also be wed next summer.

Raghav Ranga ’16

earned a B.A. from Georgetown University in 2020, followed by a Master of Public Health from George Washington University in 2021. He then returned to Georgetown University for medical school, graduating in 2025, and matched at Georgetown again for an internal medicine residency.

2017

Camren Talor ’17 became a winged aviator for the United States Marines Corps. He will be flying the V-22 Osprey stationed out of Camp Pendleton, CA. Camren says he wouldn’t have gotten here without the support of Lausanne and the lessons the school taught him.

2018

Ethan Ferguson ’18 is engaged to Molly McDonald, with a wedding planned for December 2025. The couple is also building their first home together in Cordova, Tennessee. Ethan is the founder and president of Cinilope LLC, a software company he started while still a student at Lausanne, which now specializes in artificial intelligence, robotics and emerging technologies.

Destiny Hinton ’18 earned a Master of Arts in Advertising and Public Relations, along with a Certificate in Digital Communication from The University of Alabama.

2020

Kelvin Borges ’20 proudly earned two degrees from North Carolina State University: a B.S. in Chemical Engineering and a B.S. in Paper Science and Engineering, celebrating a big achievement and a strong foundation for future endeavors.

Jacqueline Lee ’20 graduated from the University of Michigan Ann Arbor in May 2024 with a B.S. in Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology. After working as a research assistant in a lab studying blood-clotting diseases, she will continue her education at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center College of Medicine in Memphis, TN.

2021

Nick Floyd ’20 graduated from Rhodes College with a Bachelor of Arts in Business, concentrating in accounting and finance.

Anjali Borschel ’21 graduated from Emory University with a degree in Anthropology and Theater Studies. This fall, she’s off to begin her next exciting chapter at the USC Gould School of Law. We can’t wait to see all she accomplishes on this new journey!

LAUSANNE CLASS NOTES

Brandon Bruckman ’21 and Hailey tied the knot on May 24, 2025, and jumped right into their next adventure, starting the Doctor of Physical Therapy program together at the University of Missouri the very next week!

Justice Crawford ’21 is excited to share that he will be pursuing a Juris Doctor at Harvard Law School this fall as a member of the Class of 2028.

Isabel Kagoo ’21 proudly graduated from the University of St Andrews with a Master of Arts (Honours) in International Relations and Social Anthropology.

Carlin Sutter ’21 proudly earned a degree in Business Psychology with a minor in marketing, combining a passion for understanding people with a foundation in business strategy.

2024

Virginia Derrick ’21 recently graduated from DePaul University with a Bachelor’s in Anthropology and a minor in creative writing. She has plans to attend graduate school for medical anthropology and start EMT training in January 2026. She recently published an article manuscript in the DePaul Liberal Arts and Sciences undergraduate student research journal Creating Knowledge for the DePaul anthropology department. For the last year, she has also been working with an anthropology professor on his book manuscript based on his research on political consciousness among Honduran migrants in the context of the 2009 military coup.

This summer, Salem Aqraa ’24 had the opportunity to intern at the Swiss Consulate in Marseille, France. During the internship, he drafted briefs and speeches for the Consul General, prepared meeting materials, compiled research on French politicians, supported daily administrative and diplomatic operations and helped organize a celebration for Swiss citizens in Southern France turning 18.

As we close out this edition of the Alumni Magazine, I can’t help but feel grateful and excited.

Putting this issue together has been such a joy. It has given us the chance to celebrate your milestones, share your stories, and reflect on all that makes our Lausanne community so special.

These past five years working at Lausanne have genuinely been some of the most meaningful years of my life. I have grown here, just like our students do. I have built real friendships. Relationships that have started with a phone call, an email, a tour, or a simple “hello” at an event, and somehow turned into a community I now can’t imagine my life without. Serving our families and alumni has been a privilege, but it has also been personal. Watching my nephew, Cailan Jackson ’25, walk across

GO LYNX!

the stage last year was one of my proudest moments. Being able to see him learn, lead, and grow at Lausanne reminded me why this place is home. It is the home my family chose, and the one I am so grateful to be a part of.

The year ahead promises to be one of the most exciting in our school’s history. In just a few short months, we will open the doors of our brand-new high school building, a space designed to inspire future generations of Lynx. And on the horizon, we look forward to an extraordinary milestone: Lausanne’s Centennial Celebration. 100 years of learning, leading and growing together—and we can’t wait to honor this incredible legacy with all of you.

This magazine is a celebration of our past, present and future. From weddings and new careers to achievements and family milestones, it has been a privilege to highlight all the ways our alumni continue to make an impact in their communities and beyond. I can only imagine what stories we’ll be sharing in the year ahead, and I can’t wait to celebrate them with you.

STAY CONNECTED

As we prepare for this next chapter, we’d love to hear from you! Use the QR code included to update your contact information or share your latest news. We want to make sure your story is part of Lausanne’s history.

Here’s to our Lausanne family, to the past 100 years, and to the bright future ahead.

MY CUP IS FULL and Running Over

I began collecting tea sets shortly after my mom passed away five years ago. It’s because tea sets remind me of the very elegant hostess she was… gracious, hospitable, welcoming, warm and attentive.

She loved entertaining! An expression she often used was, “My cup is full,” meaning someone is not just content, but has enough energy, love and resources not only to meet their needs but also to share with others.

It described her life in the best of times. Recently, on an evening in September, as I entered the newly opened Marriott Hotel near my home to attend Lausanne’s annual Trustees’ Soirée, I was thinking to myself, “How full my own cup is!” To be invited to enjoy a lovely evening in a beautifully appointed space with so many wonderful friends seemed pretty terrific in and

of itself. I had no idea the surprise that was planned for me that night!

I’ve always been anxious to learn who would be each year’s recipient of the Lausanne Way Award, and I still cannot find the words to describe the stunned disbelief and overwhelming joy I felt hearing my own name read aloud by the headmaster at this year’s event! I am tearing up now remembering the tidal wave of combined shock, humility and gratitude! The award says it is given to someone who is an inspiration through service to others, but I feel undeserving of such a tribute because I have not given back a fraction of a percent of what Lausanne has given me.

My love for Lausanne spans over six decades (beginning as a third grader) when a Lausanne teacher, Evelyn Ray, suggested to my parents that Lausanne would be a good fit. It was love at first sight for me! The original gymnasium was constructed while I was in elementary school. I remember being completely enthralled, watching the building take shape from groundbreaking to us being able to

actually walk through the doors! It likely influenced the architecturallyrelated career choices I made. 20 years passed after my graduation before I returned to campus. While working for the contracting firm on Lausanne’s new Middle School, I received a letter from a fifth grader named Christie Widener, whose class had been given the task of inviting alums back to campus. Since I was already on campus every day, I decided to visit the fifth grade classroom to let Christie know how much I appreciated the invite… and my love for the school was reignited once again! I started attending recitals, theatre performances, ball games, international dinners, auctions, fall festivals… I was back at school every chance I got.

Since then, I have been most impressed by how the campus has grown with at least five extensive building campaigns, including Shockey Hall, unimaginable upgrades to the playground, the first-class EPAC (Elder Performing Arts Center), the new state of the

art Library and well-thought-out Gym, and the new football field that is home to championship teams, along with a well-maintained track and upgraded tennis courts. Today, the new High School building is underway, with major renovations planned for all other classroom areas. These are required additions due to the ever-expanding student body.

There were 24 in my graduating class (all girls), and now my heart swells with pride hearing about the current number of graduates and their collective scholarships to the best universities in the world. What a pleasure, too, looking up as I walk through the cafeteria and seeing the flags from 70+ nations represented!

After my return to campus in the 1990s, I joined the Alumni Board and truly began to see how important it is to the well-being of every student; the self-confidence, drive and determination that is instilled by the school’s leadership,

“I continue to learn. I continue to be encouraged. I continue to feel my adoration for everything Lausanne represents.”

whether it be a teacher, an alum or any other individual at Lausanne whose priority it is to make a positive difference in their lives. From the time I attended, Lausanne has understood an individual’s limitations while capitalizing on their strengths. All students are encouraged and challenged to follow their most impossible dreams. This is best evidenced by my old basketball uniform that is currently on display in the Library. Even now, I’m only 5’1” with two-inch heels, but I played every game with my whole heart! My stature was short growing up, but my aspirations were tall.

I also wrote an article for Lausanne Magazine. My assignment was to capture an alum’s outstanding accomplishment. My favorite question was asking about their sweetest memory from Lausanne. As for my own sweetest memory, I could write a book of the beloved stories I repeatedly tell about my impactful experiences at Lausanne, but I will take this opportunity to thank Jean Perry, my upper school art and art history teacher. Something about the way she

taught art history made me want to learn everything I could about the subject! For example, she would describe a cathedral and I could feel the warmth of the sun’s pure white light streaming through the mosaic-stained glass, turning the windows into a brilliant, vibrant display of color. Jean inspired my love of architecture and continued to encourage me still as a teacher, but more so as a dear friend until her death a few years ago. I believe, though, that Jean was typical of the devotion and commitment Lausanne looks for and expects from its educators.

I continue to learn. I continue to be encouraged. I continue to feel my adoration for everything Lausanne represents. On that note, to now be recognized in this special way by people I admire and love so dearly is the honor of my lifetime. So, as the soirée ended that evening, I felt so much love from literally everyone in the room making their way to hug and congratulate me… to borrow that familiar phrase again, “My cup is not just full, but running over!”

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