Webb School of Knoxville’s Alumni Achievement Awards are presented annually to those alumni who have distinguished themselves in their respective careers and have achieved outstanding success in their chosen professions while upholding the mission of Webb School.
TWELVE SPARTAN ALUMNI, NOMINATED BY THEIR CLASSMATES AND REPRESENTING THIS YEAR’S REUNION CLASSES, ARE BEING HONORED.
WE ARE PLEASED TO CELEBRATE THE FOLLOWING ALUMNI ACHIEVEMENT AWARD RECIPIENTS FOR 2025:
CHIP OSBORN ’60
ANNE SPROUSE ’65
BILL ARBO ’ 75
LAURA MANSFIELD ’80
VICTORIA GILLENWATER ’85
ALAN GRATZ ’ 90
JACLYN CONNER ’ 95
DREW ROWAN ’00
TAYLOR HALL ’05
BRITT STURM ’10
PEIGHTON MESKE ’15
SARAH BAKER ’20
Chip Osborn ’60
Chip Osborn is a distinguished former broadcaster, entrepreneur, and United States Army officer, recognized for his support of hospitals, live theater, civic clubs, and the arts. Before graduating with a degree in business and radio/ television from the University of Tennessee, he was awarded a scholarship by the Tennessee Association of Broadcasters in recognition of his work as a DJ at WBIR Radio, his Reader’s Digest Foundation award, and his leadership in conducting interviews with Pulitzer Prize winners and prominent film stars of the 1960s.
At the height of the Vietnam War, Chip joined the U.S. Army and was commissioned as a second lieutenant. He led a combat photographic team charged with documenting some of the war’s most intense battles. His team was highly decorated: one member received a Purple Heart and Bronze Star, another earned a Silver Star, and Lt. Osborn himself was awarded a Bronze Star and Certificate of Achievement. His Vietnam service has been honored by the Quilts of Valor Foundation and with an invitation to speak on Veterans Day 2023 at the National WWI Museum and Memorial.
Chip began his broadcast career with NBC in New York City before working with MetroMedia in Washington, D.C., and Kansas City, Missouri. In 1978, he purchased KJLA Radio in Kansas City, which earned numerous accolades under his leadership. He also served as president of the Missouri Broadcasters Association and was honored in 1988 as its Distinguished Broadcaster. After selling KJLA, Chip launched three companies: Broadcast Marketing Group, Power Media Corporation, and Persuadable Research Corporation.
Chip has sat on several Kansas City boards, including the Folly Theater and University Health Truman Medical Center, and is a supporter of both the Kansas City Art Institute and the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts. A licensed commercial pilot, he flew his own pressurized aircraft to support his three businesses and often donated flights for patients in need of medical care.
Chip recounts when, in 1956, he first heard about a new boys’ school in Knoxville. Robert Webb sat on his grandparents’ back porch and spoke about the school he had started a year earlier. When Mr. Webb mentioned a new freshman class beginning “right around the corner at the Presbyterian Church,” Chip’s parents encouraged him to transfer from Oak Ridge High School to Webb School’s smaller, more personal environment. Chip said yes. “That single word would change my life forever,” he recalled.
Chip noted that the teachers at Webb – Mr. Jacobs, Mr. Turley, Mr. Bruning, Mr. Donehoo, Mr. Elmore, Mr. Sharp, and Mr. Webb himself – made a lasting impression, but it was his classmates, including Sam Colville, Bill Swann, LeClair Greenblatt, Jim Hart, Hugh Faust, Sterling Shuttleworth, and others, who welcomed him and shaped him the most, teaching him the meaning of camaraderie and enduring friendship. “Of all the things I’ve done and all the experiences I’ve had,” Chip says, “Webb School remains the turning point –the pivotal moment that altered the course of my life in the best possible way.”
Anne Sprouse ’65
For two decades, Anne Sprouse served as a staff chaplain in the Department of Pastoral Care at the University of Tennessee Medical Center in Knoxville, offering quiet strength and compassion to patients, their families, and the medical staff.
In this role, she walked alongside people at their most vulnerable moments, supporting families dealing with sudden loss, comforting those facing cancer or other life-threatening illnesses, and caring for individuals coping with accidents or
unexpected crises. She also extended comfort and counsel to the doctors, nurses, and caregivers who shouldered the weight of helping others.
Anne graduated from the University of Tennessee with a Bachelor of Science in Education degree and began her teaching career with the KnoxvilleKnox County Head Start program. She later completed both a Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) Residency and a CPE Chaplain Residency at the University of Tennessee Medical Center.
In addition to her chaplaincy, Anne has been an active and respected leader in the broader Knoxville community. She is a 1995 graduate of Leadership Knoxville and was recognized as a Healthcare Hero for her contributions to pastoral care.
Her dedication to leadership and service also includes involvement with organizations such as the Executive Women’s Association, St. John’s Episcopal Cathedral, Trinity Health Foundation of East Tennessee, Frank and Virginia Rogers Foundation, Pat Summitt Foundation, East Tennessee Foundation, and Episcopal School of Knoxville’s Board of Trustees.
Anne’s natural ability to inspire and lead was apparent even as a student at Webb School. She served as president of the girls’ school student government, played on the tennis team, and was recognized in the 1965 Princeps yearbook for her role in establishing Webb’s Honor Code.
When she learned she would receive Webb’s Alumni Achievement Award, Anne responded with her characteristic humility and humor, remarking, “My goodness, I think Mrs. Hudson would be rolling in her grave!”
Bill Arbo ’75
Bill Arbo’s life is best defined not by his remarkable athletic career, but by his decades of quiet service as a pastor, missionary, and community leader. For more than 30 years, Bill has dedicated his life to ministry, living out Webb’s motto, Principes Non Homines, through humble leadership and selfless care for others.
A graduate of the University of Tennessee, Bill spent several years in business before deciding to devote himself to ministry. For nine years, he and his wife, Cheryl, served as missionaries and front-line workers in the southernmost parts of Brazil. Upon returning to Tennessee, Bill continued his calling as lead pastor at First Baptist Church in Jacksboro, where he has ministered faithfully for many years. In addition, Bill works as a substitute teacher and is co-founder of the first Tennessee chapter of Sleep in Heavenly Peace, a national nonprofit dedicated to the simple but powerful mission: “No kid sleeps on the floor in our town.” Through this work, he and countless volunteers have built and delivered handmade beds and bedding for children in need.
While service defines Bill’s life today, many still remember him for his extraordinary athletic accomplishments. Regarded as one of Knoxville’s most decorated high school athletes of the 1970s, he excelled in multiple sports at Webb School. As a sophomore, he earned All-KIL recognition in both football and basketball. The following year, playing quarterback, he was the Knoxville Football League’s third-leading scorer with 17 touchdowns, guiding the Spartans to a seventh-place state ranking and earning All-KFL honors. He also received an All-KIL Tournament Team nod in basketball and brought home gold in the 880-meter relay at the KIL track & field championships. Bill also starred on Webb’s inaugural baseball team, collecting All-County, All-District, and All-KIL accolades, as well as KIL Most Valuable Player honors. During his senior year as quarterback, Bill helped propel his Spartan football team to a 9-1 regular season record and a top-five AP state ranking. He was named Tennessee’s AP Top ‘A’ Player, selected for the All-East Tennessee and All-State teams, and voted KFL Player of the Year. He capped his high school career with All-American recognition and was considered one of the top college football prospects in the state.
Bill went on to play wide receiver for the UT Vols from 1976 to 1978, appearing in 33 games and recording 664 receiving yards and three touchdowns. In recognition of his athletic excellence, he was inducted into the Greater Knoxville Sports Hall of Fame in 2023.
Bills says that his years at Webb School were challenging, as he never quite adjusted to the academic rigor Webb demanded. He noted that it was the staff at Webb, rather than his peers, who had his best interests at heart, “wisely supplementing what I often lacked: encouragement, hope, grace, patience, compassion, kindness, and understanding,” he recalled. “I was treated first as a student, who happened to be an athlete.”
Laura Mansfield ’80
Laura Mansfield is Senior Vice President of Public Relations for Tombras, the largest family-owned advertising agency in America. Based in Knoxville, with offices in Atlanta, Manhattan and Buenos Aires, Tombras has nearly 500 employees and was named 2025 Ad Agency of the Year by Ad Age.
Laura directs public relations for regional, national, and global clients and was also instrumental in establishing Tombras’ social media division. Her work on behalf of Sweethearts conversation hearts candy resulted in the firstever Gold Cannes Lion award in the nearly 80-year history of the agency.
Laura has taught both social media and public relations as an adjunct and a full-time professor in the Tombras School of Advertising and Public Relations at the University of Tennessee
Prior to joining Tombras, Laura served as Vice President of Corporate Communications for Edfinancial Services and Edamerica, where she oversaw public relations, advertising strategy, and brand management for the $10 billion national student loan provider and $2 billion national student loan lender. She has also worked as an independent public relations consultant and as a business columnist for the Knoxville News Sentinel/USA TODAY Network.
Accredited in PR by the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA), Laura holds a bachelor’s degree in English and a Master of Business Administration in finance from UT, where she graduated Phi Beta Kappa. She is past president of both the Volunteer Chapter of the PRSA and American Marketing Association Knoxville, and is a member of the Leadership Knoxville Class of 2026. She has also authored a memoir, Geezer Stories: The Care and Feeding of Old People, along with two novels, The Narcissist’s Wife and A Song I Heard the Ocean Sing. Laura says Webb School profoundly impacted her life in many ways, noting that being part of the first girls’ cross-country team at Webb to qualify for state stands out as a milestone. Running track and cross country taught her discipline, perseverance and teamwork. “We learned how to embrace our own vulnerabilities and rely on each other,” Laura recalls. “I can still smell the cinder track and see the blurry, shimmering mirage of ‘The Bridge’ we ran to on I-40. Shout-out to Mr. Heiser and Mrs. Hunter.”
She added that amid today’s turbulent times, she is reminded of the open discourse and free-flowing discussions in her AP classes at Webb. “We passionately expressed our opinions while listening respectfully to those of our classmates,” Laura remarked. “We were encouraged to have a point of view on relevant issues, to think critically and share ideas. I cherish these spirited exchanges that I took for granted at the time. Props to Mrs. Potts, Dr. Pressly, and Mr. Snodgrass.”
Victoria Gillenwater ’85
Victoria Gillenwater is a national and world equestrian champion. Horses she has owned or shown throughout her career have won 64 world championships and 18 People’s Choice Awards. Victoria owns and operates Scenic View Farm, LLC, where she raises, breeds, and competes Friesians, American Saddlebreds, Hackney ponies, and Half Saddlebreds. She has won titles in more than 12 different types of equestrian competition and is renowned for her calm skill on a variety of horses, winning world championships on three she met only at warmup.
As an eighth grader at Webb School, Victoria began competing at the national level and was the standard bearer in Ronald Reagan’s inaugural parade. Ranked among the top ten junior riders in the country, she was later named captain of the United States Saddleseat Equitation Team in her senior year. Leading the team in South Africa, she won three individual gold medals and guided Team USA to its first gold in the Saddleseat division.
Victoria graduated from Centre College with a degree in government and was honored as a Distinguished Alum in 2024. While at Centre, she was ranked the nation’s number one junior rider, earning the American Stock Horse Association (ASHA) Grand National Scholarship and receiving the ASHA Frank Ogletree Youth Award, presented to a rider who exemplifies sportsmanship and serves as a role model within the horse industry.
After completing her master’s degree in communications from the University of Tennessee, Victoria worked on Capitol Hill for Rep. John Duncan Jr. In 2004, following the unexpected passing of her parents and longtime trainer, she left Washington and returned home to take over Scenic View Farm.
Once back in Knoxville, Victoria again captained the U.S. team, earning the overall individual silver medal and leading Team USA to a team silver. In 2018, she was named an Equestrian of Honor by the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF). She owns and showed Zander fan Camelot, the People’s Choice Friesian Horse of the Decade (2020), who was later inducted into the EQUUS Foundation Hall of Fame. Continuing Scenic View Farm’s legacy, Zander was the 2022 USEF Leading Friesian Sire, and Victoria was named USEF Leading Breeder. Zander’s offspring have since won 24 world championships.
Victoria has served on the board of directors of four USEF affiliates and was vice chairman of the U.S. Saddleseat World Cup. In 2020, she was presented the ASHA Gordon Jenkins International Award and was named a Greater Knoxville Sports Hall of Fame inductee for 2024.
“I loved Webb School and the people I met there,” Victoria recalls. “I can’t help but wonder if I held the record for the most unexcused absences from having to travel to qualify for national finals.” She added that by her senior year, her friends and faculty and staff at Webb were all cheering for her success.
“I think I paved the way for equestrians to be excused for competitions,” she remarked. “I hope so! I’m proud to be a graduate of Webb School of Knoxville.”
Alan Gratz ’90
Alan Gratz is the bestselling author of more than 20 novels, graphic novels, and novellas for young readers. His 2017 novel, Refugee, has spent more than five years on the New York Times bestseller list and is the winner of 14 state awards. Its other accolades include the Sydney Taylor Book Award, National Jewish Book Award, Cybils Middle Grade Fiction Award, a Charlotte Huck Award honor, and a Malka Penn Award for Human Rights honor. Refugee was also a Global Read Aloud book for 2018. Alan’s 2024 novel, Heroes, 2022 novel, Two Degrees, and his 2021 novel, Ground Zero, were all instant No. 1
New York Times bestsellers, and were ABA Indie, USA Today, and Publishers Weekly bestsellers. His 2019 novel, Allies, debuted at No. 2 on the New York Times bestseller list, while 2018’s Grenade debuted at No. 3.
His other books include Prisoner B-3087 (YALSA Best Fiction for Young Readers pick; eight state awards), Projekt 1065 (Kirkus Best Middle Grade Book of 2016; five state awards), Code of Honor (YALSA Quick Pick for Young Readers), and Ban This Book (featured by Whoopi Goldberg on The View).
Alan has traveled extensively to talk about his books, appearing at schools and book festivals in 39 states and a half-dozen countries, and has been a writer in residence at Tokyo’s American School in Japan, Thurber House in Columbus, Ohio, and Jakarta Intercultural School in Indonesia.
A graduate of the University of Tennessee, where he earned a College Scholars degree in creative writing and later a master’s in English education, Alan is a member of the East Tennessee Writers Hall of Fame.
Alan credits Webb School with shaping his development as a writer – from creative writing with John Tatgenhorst and Martha Gill in Middle School to grammar drills with Dale Norton and novel studies with Warren Heiser, Neil McMahon and Mary Jo Potts in Upper School. He wrote and edited the Middle School pages for the Spartan Spirit, then advanced from reporter to editor-inchief in Upper School, co-edited the literary magazine, contributed to the yearbook, and with Don Green, wrote skits for Chapel announcements and Janet Colbert’s Latin Club.
Alan says one writing moment from Webb has stayed with him for years. In Shirley Dumont’s advanced art class one afternoon, instead of drawing, he wrote what he saw: artists absorbed in their work, a football player and a cheerleader distracted by each other, pranksters making fake IDs, and philosophers treating a corner of the room like an art salon. “I changed their names and wrote them as fictional characters in a slice of life story,” Alan recounts, “and when I was finished, I knew it was one of the best things I’d ever written.” After submitting his story to the literary magazine, its faculty advisor told him that she couldn’t print it, as it was so well written that everyone would recognize who the characters were. “I was both disappointed and delighted,” Alan remarked. “I hated that no one at Webb would read my story, but I was thrilled that I had written it so well that not even fake names could disguise who the characters really were. It was one of the best rejections I ever got, and I’ve been chasing that same writing high – if not the outcome – ever since.”
Jaclyn Conner ’95
Jaclyn Conner is the Associate Dean of the Executive MBA and Evening MBA programs at Emory University’s Goizueta Business School, where she oversees the student experience and delivery models for executives committed to advancing their careers – a role shaped by her extensive experience in program design, development, and planning educational experiences for adult learners.
Before joining Emory, Jaclyn led the instructional design efforts at the University of Southern California’s (USC) Marshall School of Business, leading a team of instructional
designers and media managers to develop the school’s online MBA program. She also served as Director of Program Design and Development in Executive Education, collaborating with custom clients and launching the department’s first online series of short courses.
Jaclyn earned her Bachelor of Science degree from Spelman College, majoring in mathematics, and her Master of Science in Information Design and Technology from Georgia Institute of Technology. She went on to complete her Doctor of Education at USC, with a concentration in educational technology.
Throughout her career, Jaclyn has provided oversight and governance for a portfolio of business programs and implemented curriculum development processes for in-person and online offerings at top-tier business schools, medical schools, and with Fortune 500 companies such as IBM.
Jaclyn is a frequent speaker at national and international conferences. She is currently Board Chair for the Executive MBA Council and Program Committee Chair for Usher’s New Look.
For Jaclyn, Webb School holds a special place in her heart. “The unique offerings that the school provided me helped shaped my approach on life,” she said, adding that Webb taught her to be bold and strong, and to take advantage of every opportunity available. She describes her teachers as exceptional and her classmates as special. As the only African American student in her grade, Jaclyn said she cherished the support of her teachers and the friendships that made each school day welcoming.
Some of her fondest memories at Webb include playing on the high school volleyball team, where Coach Cutler-McMillin taught the feisty and driven squad meditation and visualization techniques to envision not only a well-executed play but also overall excellence. “I still use this tactic of meditation to this day,” Jaclyn notes, “to visualize being great, strive to do amazing things, and remain passionate in my work. I’m very appreciative of Webb School and the impact it has had on my life.”
Drew Rowan ’00
Drew Rowan is Chief Operating Officer and Deputy Director of Zoo Knoxville. Partnering with the CEO, he helps shape organization-wide strategy and oversees internal operations with a focus on revenue growth, cost management, and decisions driven by animal wellness, safety, and guest experience. He leads four core teams – Operations, Facilities, and Construction; Marketing and Communications; Guest Experience; and Animal Care, Conservation, and Education –while managing day-to-day operations, budget oversight, and performance measurement.
Working with the Leadership Team, Drew advances the zoo’s mission and reputation in animal care, education, and conservation, while leading more than 250 staff to achieve goals in attendance, revenue, and impact.
Drew earned a bachelor’s degree in wildlife biology from Colorado State University, followed by a Master of Business Administration from Regis University. He began his professional career as a researcher and zookeeper at Denver Zoo, later holding senior leadership roles responsible for strategy, operations, marketing, government and public relations, and fundraising. He was also the zoo’s lead collaborator and ombudsman with local, state, and federal agencies, as well as civic leaders.
After relocating back to Knoxville, he served as the Director of Advancement for the McClung Museum of Natural History & Culture at the University of Tennessee before joining Zoo Knoxville, where he also held the role of Interim President and CEO.
Actively engaged in professional and community organizations, Drew is a member of the University of Tennessee Chancellor’s Associates, a former board member of the Butterfly Pavilion, and an alum of both Impact Denver and Denver’s Leadership Arts Class of 2017. His professional involvement includes terms on the Association of Zoos and Aquariums Public Relations Committee and the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions PR & Marketing Committee. Additionally, he has contributed many years as the annual conference program chair for the American Association of Zookeepers Professional Development Committee.
Drew says that his most formative memories of Webb School revolve around sports, specifically football and soccer, adding that they were paramount in helping him to develop problem-solving and leadership skills he still relies on today. “Those activities taught me discipline, consistency in preparation, and how to be a leader through adversity,” he said. Drew also noted that Webb helped him discover his love for science and biology, crediting his teachers with creating an environment that not only challenged him academically, but also inspired him to pursue a career focused on preserving and protecting wildlife and wild places. He recalls that his AP Environmental Science class was “critical in giving me the exposure and confidence to explore science as a career option.”
Taylor Hall ’05
Taylor Hall is the founder and principal of Locked On Strategies, a strategic communications firm based in Greenville, South Carolina. Locked On Strategies works with businesses, philanthropic organizations, and political campaigns nationwide to effectively communicate, lead change, and solve problems.
Throughout his career, Taylor has worked to build high-quality schools, advocate for student-centered education policy, and help organizations through crises. He has also served on gubernatorial and presidential campaigns.
After graduating from Furman University with a bachelor’s degree in political science, Taylor worked on Gov. Nikki Haley’s senior staff in multiple roles, including personnel director, cabinet liaison, and political director. During the 2016 election cycle, he was South Carolina state director for Jeb Bush’s presidential campaign and later led advocacy efforts for the State Collaborative on Reforming Education (SCORE) in Nashville, Tennessee. In 2018, he directed all aspects of John Warren’s gubernatorial campaign in South Carolina, then returned to SCORE in an expanded role, overseeing public affairs, policy development, and communications.
In addition to leading Locked On Strategies, Taylor is a co-owner and operator of the national coffee franchise Black Rifle Coffee Company, including its first South Carolina outpost and the company’s inaugural location in Myrtle Beach. He is also a major in the Tennessee Air National Guard, where he has held multiple roles since 2012, including intelligence analyst and public affairs officer.
For Taylor, one of the most memorable aspects of Webb School was the meaningful impact teachers had on their students. “Webb educators productively challenged us and cared about every student individually, which helped us succeed,” he said. “My experience at Webb was shaped by fantastic teachers, and I truly wouldn’t be where I am today without their positive mentorship and instruction in middle and high school.”
Britt Sturm ’10
Britt Sturm is Vice President of Agri Feed Pet Supply, where he owns and operates two Knoxville-based stores. Since returning to Knoxville in 2016 to lead operations, he has driven significant growth and elevated the business’s profile. Under his leadership, Agri Feed Pet Supply has earned multiple accolades, including Best Overall Multi-Unit Retailer, Best Eco-Friendly Pet Store, and most recently, Best of Knoxville distinction in 2024.
Britt has also spearheaded the development of the company’s e-commerce business, expanding its reach far beyond East Tennessee. Today, Agri Feed Pet Supply not only provides local delivery across Knoxville but also ships nationwide, serving tens of thousands of pets and their families throughout the United States.
A graduate of Lindenwood University with a Bachelor of Science degree in entrepreneurial studies and a Master of Business Administration in finance, Britt is passionate about animal welfare, health, and nutrition. He serves on several boards, advises organizations in multiple capacities, and consults for other pet supply businesses across the country. He says his vision is clear: to enrich the lives of pets and their people with trusted, sustainable, and expert care.
Britt says that he is proud to have attended Webb School from first through 12th grade, graduating as a member of the school’s very first firstgrade class. “When I reflect on my years at Webb, I realize just how deeply those experiences shaped the person I am today,” he notes. “Webb was more than a school; it was a place where teachers and coaches cared about our success, challenged us to think beyond ourselves, and opened our minds to new perspectives.”
Some of his favorite Spartan memories come from the creative classrooms of Mr. Cantrell and Mr. Letitia, “where art allowed us to explore ideas freely,” Britt said, and from Mr. White’s English classes, which taught the value of communication and connection through crafting letters to businesses and sports organizations. Brother Dave’s quirks brought joy and curiosity to learning, and even in elementary school, opportunities like the Stock Market Club introduced him to investing, finance, and business – sparking interests that continue to shape his career today.
“While each teacher brought their own unique influence,” Britt added, “together they represent what makes Webb School so special: a community of educators whose dedication leaves a lasting impact.”
Peighton Meske ’15
Peighton Meske is a competitive distance runner and is completing an Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree at the University of Tennessee, where she previously earned a Bachelor of Science in kinesiology.
An accomplished athlete since high school, Peighton continues to excel, having qualified for the United States Olympic Marathon Trials for Paris 2024 by placing runnerup at the 2023 Carmel Marathon in a time of 2:36:33. More recently, she won the 2024 Knoxville Marathon and the 2023 Disney Half Marathon.
As an undergraduate at UT, she was a standout member of the women’s cross-country and track & field teams and captained the Lady Vols crosscountry team her junior and senior seasons. She posted career-best times across a range of distances, including 21:41.7 for 6,000 meters at the 2016 NCAA South Regional, 10:07.59 for 3,000 meters at the 2018 USC Power 5 Challenge, and 17:31.32 for 5,000 meters at the 2019 Clemson Tiger Paw Invitational. Competing in SEC Championships, NCAA regionals, and major invitationals, Peighton steadily improved her times, earned top finishes, and showed leadership and dedication throughout her collegiate running career.
As a senior at Webb School, Peighton secured her third consecutive individual state title at the Division II-A state cross-country championships, becoming the first triple state individual champion in the history of Webb’s cross-country program. She also led her Lady Spartans to their third straight team crown. A three-time PrepXtra Girls Cross-Country First Team and All-KIL honoree, she was named PrepXtra Girls Cross-Country Runner of the Year in 2012 and 2014, and was featured in Sports Illustrated’s “Faces in the Crowd.” Also a multiple All-PrepXtra and All-KIL selection for girls’ track & field, Peighton won the 1,600 at state her senior season.
Peighton notes that few people can claim that a school helped raise them, “but for me, I was fortunate enough to have Webb School be part of my life from the very beginning,” she said. Since both her parents worked at Webb –her father was longtime Spartan football coach, David Meske, and her mother, Lyn Meske, was Executive Assistant to the President – she grew up running around campus, hanging out in the president’s office, and watching her dad’s practices for as long as she can remember. “There isn’t a memory from my childhood when Webb wasn’t part of it,” she recalls. Peighton also shared that she feels fortunate to have developed close relationships with many of the “outstanding faculty, staff, and coaches at Webb,” thanks to her family’s long-standing friendships with them. Even now, she continues to be coached by her former Webb cross-country and track coach through Knoxville Endurance. “Webb School has made a significant impact on my family,” she states. “I am genuinely proud to be a Webb Spartan for life!”
Sarah Baker ’20
Sarah Baker is the owner of Bella Bridesmaids in Knoxville, part of a network of nearly 50 showrooms nationwide offering one of the largest collections of bridesmaid dresses from the world’s leading designers.
Having graduated from Webb School in the midst of COVID-19 and facing the uncertainty of going away to college during the COVID lockdown, Sarah chose to stay closer to home by attending the University of Tennessee, majoring in hospitality and tourism management. During college, she worked with wedding planners and vendors, but said she was still unsure of where her path would lead.
That path revealed itself when Sarah began working part-time at a friend’s bridal boutique. She quickly fell in love with retail and the world of bridal fashion, and when her friend mentioned plans to close the boutique, something clicked. Sarah eventually took the leap to purchase the business during her junior year of college. “It was a terrifying decision – balancing the pressures of entrepreneurship with finishing my degree,” she recalls, “but it turned out to be one of the best choices I’ve ever made.”
Sarah says that running a business has taught her more than she ever expected and has given her newfound confidence. “Looking back,” she added, “I can see how the lessons I learned at Webb – courage, hard work, and self-belief – prepared me for this journey and continue to guide me every day.”
For Sarah, who had attended Webb since kindergarten, the school community was her family for 13 years, leaving an impact that will last a lifetime. “I deeply cherish the friendships I made there – relationships that remain some of the strongest pillars in my life today,” she notes. Even now, Webb continues to shape her journey. Whether it’s a customer who walks into Bella and shares a Webb connection, or a fellow alum business owner offering mentorship, “those experiences have been monumental in helping me grow my business.”
She reflected on how much she learned at Webb, both academically and socially. In kindergarten, Mrs. Seiler sparked her love of fashion with the book Fancy Nancy. Mrs. Lee revealed the joy of math in fourth grade, and Mrs. Kirk encouraged creativity. In Middle School, Ms. Eastwood emphasized hard work and dedication, while in high school, Mrs. Kile showed that stepping outside your comfort zone can make learning exciting.
“These lessons have carried over directly into my career,” Sarah stated. “Whether I’m selecting our spring 2026 collection, managing accounting and budgeting, designing creative marketing campaigns, or using the people skills I honed throughout my time as a Spartan student, I continue to rely on the foundation that Webb gave me every single day.”
ALUMNI
AS SOCI AT IO N
THE PURPOSE OF WEBB SCHOOL OF KNOXVILLE’S
ALUMNI ASSOCIATION IS TO PROMOTE UNITY AND FELLOWSHIP AMONG THE SCHOOL’S ALUMNI,
TO LEARN OF AND CONSIDER THE PROGRAMS AND NEEDS OF THE SCHOOL, AND TO ENGAGE IN SUCH ACTIVITIES THAT WILL ENABLE WEBB SCHOOL TO GROW AND PROSPER.
OUR MISSION
The mission of Webb School is to inspire and nurture the full potential of each individual and to prepare our students to serve as leaders of character in tomorrow’s world.
