talon - Brentwood Academy

Ta l o n
15
November 2004
Bend It Like BA
T
by DeVan Ard
he crowd was drenched. The coaches were on
in the semi-finals at the Girls Preparatory School, one
edge. And on the mind of every player was a
thing is certain: their play was the full embodiment of
single word: State. With mere minutes to spare
Paul’s inspired words.
and the score tied at one, it looked like the game was
going to go into overtime, making the coveted trip to
Chattanooga that much farther away.
It was a moment of truth, and the Lady Eagles’
fiercest warrior, known by the fans as “K-K,” was up
to the challenge. “Even when it was tied, during the
second half, I knew we were going to win. We had the
momentum and they were freaking out,” said Megan
Blalock, currently in her fourth year as a varsity defender.
With a long ball barely onside and a spectacular goal
past the helpless keeper, Katelyn Rutledge helped
assure Brentwood Academy a spot in the 2004 Girls
State Soccer Tournament. The culmination of a hardfought season, wrought with triumphs and struggles
above: The senior
girls - the epitome
could be felt in the air that October afternoon: they
of leadership
had made it.
through
strength and
“I don’t know how to describe it. It was the
poise - soak up
first time we had ever beaten BGA; it was the first
the summer
time we had ever gone to State; it was the first
sun with
Coaches
time we had ever come back from being down
Bezuidenhout
at the half,” continued Blalock. Perhaps most
and Johnson.
left: Eliza
profoundly, each girl knew that they had met the
Vaughn yells
challenge that they had placed upon themselves
love sonnets from
at the beginning of the year, founded on 2 Timothy
the field to Carter in
the stands.
1:7—“For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a
spirit of power, of love and of selfdiscipline.” Admits Blalock, “We
all wanted to really live out this
verse, and with the victory over
BGA, everyone knew we really
had.”
The girls, led by a core of
seniors including Sarah Storey,
Lane Jacobs, Megan Blalock, Claire
Godwin, Candace Clippard, Katey
Fadler, Paige Parkey, and Katelyn
Rutledge, played hard at the
State tournament in Chattanooga,
which they entered with a record
of 13-4-1. In spite of their defeat by
the defending champions, Baylor, Lara Langworthy, the surprisingly agile freshwoman, attacks the goal with senior support close behind.
th
35
Anniversary
TA L O N
Ta l o n
Brentwood Academy
TA L O N
Talon Staff
Editor-in-Chief
1
November 2004
First Quarter 2004-2005
Volume 35 Issue 1
The Talon is a quarterly publication
produced by students at Brentwood
Academy.
Member of the Tennessee High School
Press Association
DeVan Ard
Assistant Editors
Chris Blankenship
Caitlin Murphree
Comments and suggestions are welcome!
Please e-mail us:
[email protected]
Layout and Design Editor
Rebecca Yarbrough
219 Granny White Pike
Brentwood, TN 37027
Copy Editor
www.brentwoodacademy.com
Production Assistant
Brentwood Academy is a co-educational,
independent, college preparatory school
dedicated to nurturing and challenging the
whole person—body, mind, and spirit—to
the glory of God.
Michael Pelster
Kelsey Moore
Staff Writers
Colleen Boyle
Allison Dove
Jessika Doyel
Addie Lee
Alyssa Mankin
Anita Mathews
Kendrick Newton
Emily Ralls
Mason Revelette
Whit Smith
Sponsor
Barry Robbins
The Talon Brain Trust: Layout Editor Rebecca Yarbrough, Copy Editor
Michael Pelster, Assistant Editor Caitlin Murphree, Editor-in-Chief DeVan
Ard, and Assistant Editor Chris Blankenship. (So sadly, not pictured is our
Production Assistant Kelsey Moore.)
Ta l o n
14
November 2004
Matthew 25: 40
T
by Caitlin Murphree
he beginning of a new school year ushers in not
only a new senior class but also a new senior
service project, a project introduced as Student
Mentors and Resolute Tutors. Also known as SMART,
this endeavor is dedicated to serving the needs of two
local elementary schools, New Hope Academy and
Kirkpatrick Elementary School, over the course of the
school year.
New Hope Academy is an independent school in
Franklin dedicated to economic and racial diversity,
while Kirkpatrick Elementary is a Nashville inner city
public school that has been visited by President Bush
to honor its improvements under the No Child Left
Behind Act.
BA will provide landscaping for their campuses,
tutoring, and childcare, in addition to running various
book and clothing drives. Since the project began in
October, the senior class’s hopes for the future of this
project have grown.
“It’s really important to us this year that we not
only address but go beyond serving the basic needs of
these kids,” project chair Kasey Arnold comments. “We
really want to know them by name and love them as
individuals. Our ultimate goal for this service project is
to form and foster relationships that will truly last.” The
senior class believes that such relationships will bring
about the greatest change in these kids’ lives.
In order to more adequately serve the needs of these
two schools, the upper school has been split into two
work forces. Seniors and sophomores are working
with New Hope, while juniors and freshman work
with Kirkpatrick Elementary. The middle school is
supporting the SMART project by participating in coat
drives. Ultimately, the goal of this project is not only to
love and serve the children we work with, but to engage
the entire student body and Brentwood Academy family
America Knows Best
T
by Guest Writer Samantha Stewart
op at the box office this week is Shark Tale, that
ingenious animated classic about sea creatures
who have the courage to take on underwater
bullies. Boy, the people at Pixar were sure taking a
chance with this one, having no idea how an animated
story about life under the ocean would fair at the box
office; yet once again, originality and creativity pulled
through.
Speaking of originality, Hilary Duff and Lindsay
Lohan seem to have invented the word. The versatile
actresses have stretched the limit once again with their
recent films. After the release of Mean Girls, one very
blonde girl confessed to me, “I laughed; I cried; it was
better than Freaky Friday or even Legally Blonde. The next
day I finally had the courage to stand up to that arrogant
bimbo who said my clothes were so last season. I’d just
like to say, ‘Thank you, Lindsay!’”
Yes, thank you Lindsay for using your talent to
promote a better America. Though some might call
these inerrant dramas “chick flicks,” I must say a word
in their defense. I’m reminded of classics such as New
York Minute and Clueless; without films such as these,
we might never have embraced some of the priceless
maxims that bind our country together. The inspired,
“Oh my gah!” and “Shut up, girlfriend!” would never
have found their way into our hearts and homes had
it not been for these breathtaking masterpieces of
cinema.
Thankfully, Americans usually know a good movie
when they see one, despite these so called “haters”
of such beloved classics like Kangaroo Jack, which
triumphantly beat out Cold Mountain for the #1 spot.
America never fails to come through when placing
the most worthy films at the top of their “to see” list.
Though they may get the shaft at the Oscars, at least
America knows a good movie when they see it. And
films like Confessions of a Teenage Drama Queen will
always, I’m sure, be the ones laughing all the way to
the bank as artsy shams like Chicago and Moulin Rouge
get a palm in the face and a cool “As if!” Whatever.
Ta l o n
13
November 2004
The Birdseed Brawl
W
by Ben Neese
here were they? They had to be close, they
always were. Maybe they were gone, or
dead. I can only hope as much, thought the
man in the black suit. His name was Dan. Dan worked
in an office complex on the east side of town. Recently
his car had been impounded on some bogus parking
ticket, and he had been forced to walk home through
Jefferson Park for the past few weeks until
he was able to liberate his vehicle. At
the moment Dan was looking
around, keeping an eye out
for his adversaries.
He was not quite
sure about how this
whole quarrel had
started; and, as far as
he was concerned, it
was as old as time. He
was only concerned
about escaping the
park unscathed.
He was fast approaching
the halfway point, a tacky
fountain of an old man dancing,
when he stopped to listen. It seemed to him
as though there had been a far off sound; but, no, it was
probably just his imagination. Yeah, that was it. He was
way too uptight. He laughed at himself and continued
his journey.
As Dan passed under a row of pine trees he
remembered that the enemy had a new leader, Captain
Dase. Maybe, thought Dan, this new guy has bigger and
better plans than harassing me, but I can’t be too sure. He
knew that Dase was some stupid ruffian, called captain
because of some goofy medal he always wore around
his neck. Nobody knew where he had gotten it; he
probably stole it from some old man while he was
sleeping. Its shiny metal surface impressed the others,
so they followed his every command. Many good men
had tried to steal the medal from the Captain, but none
had ever succeeded.
By this time in his travels, Dan was feeling pretty
good. He was just about three-fourths of the way
through the park and he hadn’t seen a single foe yet.
They must be losing their edge; that, or Dan was getting
too cunning for them. The latter was more likely. He
had always prided himself on his sneakiness.
Just then he heard it, and this time he could not be
mistaken. From his immediate right, there issued his
opponent’s war cry: “Quack.” Then another came, this
time from the left. He caught a glimpse of one of his
feathered opponents through the trees. In
a few seconds he heard the dreaded
noise surrounding him. Then,
a sudden explosion of
movement.
Dan almost fell over
but caught himself just
in time. He set off at a
full sprint, knocking
down
pedestrians
left and right. He had
to get out of here; so
much depended on it.
It is hard to say what
happened next. In the
ensuing chaos, Dan had little
time to think. He could recall many
quacks, a barrage of pinecones, and a lot of
collisions with flying birds.
When Dan finally came back to a steady mind, he
was lying on his back in a patch of grass next to a trash
can. It had been a good fight, but he could not deny
that he had lost. Dan stood up reluctantly and faced the
medal-bearing duck, Captain Dase.
“Very good, Captain” he said.
“Quack,” replied his opponent.
“Very well then, you deserve it.”
With this, the man withdrew from his pocket a bag
of bird seed and spread it out in front of the victor. He
then took a step backward and bowed. The Captain did
the best he could to return the action, but being a bird,
it was more difficult for him.
“I give you my congratulations, friend. But I warn
you now: tomorrow I will have sunflower seeds, and
those I will not concede so easily.” The man set off,
slightly smiling as he made his way toward the park
exit.
Ta l o n
2
November 2004
Song and Dance Variety Hour at BA
L
by Chris Blankenship and Whit Smith
ed by Coach Perry and a senior duo comprised
of Clint Mason and Mason Revelette, the talent
show was filled with spectacular musical displays and a fantastic dance performance by the senior
girls, with a guest appearance by none other than the
Ice Defender himself, Mr. Fleming Smith, as a more
sublime Michael Jackson in “Thriller.”
Jeff “Conan” Bryant lived up to the expectations of
chemistry students school wide with the only teacher’s
performance, dazzling the theatre with his smoothly
flowing piano solo.
In a display of skill and passion, Austin Stephens
gave BA a new and needed taste of the violin, treating
students to the grace of the classical style.
Taking home the first place prize, sophomore Preston Walls’ performance on the electric guitar was no
surprise. Student support for the show was extremely
strong. Kathleen Dixon felt “it was creative and displayed the diversity of talent that BA has to offer,”
and the gregarious Brian Smith elaborated, “It was
good.” Defensive lineman and FCA officer Josh
Butler offered, “We definitely had the widest range of musical instruments ever, especially because of Austin and his violin.
Preston was his usual self on the guitar,
which is simply amazing. And the senior girls “Thriller” dance was incredible; the way the crowd reacted when
Fleming came out was awesome.”
With the show dominated by musical wonders, we must ask, where are
our other talents? Where are our actors
and masters of obscure talent, the displays of physical skill and verbal prowess? While we were treated to an incredibly diverse musical display, other arts
were most certainly lacking.
In spite of this, the talent show was a
smashing success and a great joy to all present.
Congratulations to all those involved. Wes Cargen
offers his support for the little man: “The backstage
technicians were superb. My hat is off to Cam Day and
Bradley Minnigan.” As it should be, Wes. No hats in the
building!
Rachel Rogers dazzles the crowd with a show-stopping rendition of “Proud
Mary.”
With the senior girls looking on, Fleming Smith’s stunning cameo showed
the audience how it’s done.
T
Ta l o n
3
November 2004
Ta l o n
November 2004
Got LIVESTRONG?
Witnessing to Kurdistan
by Kendrick Newton
by DeVan Ard
his summer I sat in my living room taking in
Olympic games in Greece; and, while watching
the competition, I noticed something most
peculiar. A new fashion had arrived in Athens—Lance
Armstrong’s fluorescent yellow bands, donned not only
by Americans but by athletes from around the globe, all
bearing Armstrong’s symbol of hope and survival.
So when did these bracelets cross over from being a
low-key fundraiser sponsored by six time Tour de France
champion Armstrong into a cultural phenomenon?
Initially funded by Nike Corporation, the yellow
bracelets were introduced this past May by the Lance
Armstrong Foundation. They bear Armstrong’s
“Livestrong” motto and are sold for only one dollar
apiece all over the country, with proceeds going to the
LAF to help fund its cancer education, research, and
advocacy programs.
Armstrong wore one for his sixth consecutive victory
in the Tour de France and said in mid-August that he
would never take off the inspirational band.
Now they are everywhere, and I wasn’t the only
one to notice this. “I don’t know what it was with
the Olympics, but something happened there,” says
Michelle Milford, associate director of public relations
for the LAF. On the Monday after the games, the LAF
sold more than 300,000 bracelets in a single day.
Just how popular are the yellow bracelets? The Lance
Armstrong Foundation set an initial sales goal of five
million bracelets. As of the publication of this article, it
has sold over 12 million. In fact, a second manufacturing
plant has come on board in an attempt to keep up with
orders. The ultimate validation, however, of the bands’
popularity is that at this moment eBay has some 35
pages of Livestrong bracelets for sale, with many priced
at over a dollar.
It’s just a rubber band, dyed bright yellow, but it
has made people feel they are doing something helpful
just by slipping it on their wrists. Rare is the product
in American pop culture that can both be cool and
promote the greater good.
R
ecently I sat down with Charmaine Jamieson,
mom of Brentwood Academy junior A. K.
Jamieson and active volunteer in Nashville’s
Kurdish community. She has a unique perspective on
America’s involvement in Iraq and knowledge about a
people you won’t hear much about on the news.
Talon: You’ve been working with Kurds in Nashville
for about twelve years now, and have been to Iraq and
met with the commanding US general there, as well as
the governor of a major Kurdish city. Talk for a moment
about the people themselves and where they come
from.
Mrs. Jamieson: Kurdistan is not an actual country; it
is made up of a people called the Kurds, who originally
were the Medes. Remember that in Biblical times there
were the Medes and the Persians. The Iranians are
directly descended from the Persians and the Kurds are
directly descended from the Medes. Most people do not
realize how far back the history of the Kurds actually
goes.
News From the Three Dens
by Colleen Boyle
O
12
nly a quarter into the school year, the
Brentwood Academy Middle School is already
bustling. Mr. Berger held the inaugural Middle
School dodgeball tournament. An intense competition
took place on September 11 and was a huge success.
Following a fierce battle filled with blood and sweat, the
team known as the Dodgeballers (Jackson Boyd, Phillip
Henninger, David Hood, Natalie Longeway, Thomas
Lundborg, Chandler Parks, Anna Kate Read, Josh
Tidwell, Maggie Webb and Ms. McClary) triumphantly
took the crown.
Recently, the seventh graders made the annual trek
to Blue Hole, where they bonded as a class and took
advantage of the amenities that Blue Hole has to offer,
including swimming, rope swinging, and waterfall
jumping. The eighth graders also made the trip down
to Mammoth Cave, where they learned more about
their fellow classmates.
The current Bible study groups are also in full swing,
while the sixth and seventh grade boys eagerly await
the establishment of a dodgeball Bible study.
That’s the latest news from the middle school side
of Brentwood Academy. Be sure to come and check out
what is going on.
Charmaine Jamieson: an ambassador of hope to the Kurdish people.
A slideshow of new and interesting hairdos for Mrs. Brasher entertains two
fun-loving middle school girls, Esther Buck and Claire Brandon.
After the First World War, Kurdistan was divided
into four countries by the French and British—Iraq, Iran,
Turkey, and Syria. The Kurds are Islamic by faith, but
they are a totally different ethnic group than the people
around them. Most people mistake them for Arabs, but
they are not Arabs—they are Kurds. And they have in
their history people like King Darius of the Medes, who
spoke to Daniel in the lion’s den. He told Daniel that if
his God was able to deliver him from the lion’s den, He
would be the God of the Medes.
Talon: How did you get involved with the Kurds in
Nashville?
Mrs. Jamieson: Twelve years ago during Desert
Storm, I remember watching cable TV and seeing
America’s precision bombs going through chimneys,
and we would applaud and think how great, how
accurate they were. And then there would be pictures
of hundreds of thousands of Kurds being marched up
the hills, and I remember thinking, “Is there anything I
can do to help these people?” That same year, just a few
months later, the Kurds were brought to Nashville, and
someone asked me if I would teach them English. They
had come over after Saddam had committed a genocide
of Kurds. He killed more than 182,000 Kurds in that
one year, and his goal was to obtain the oil-rich fields
of Mosul and D’hook in Northern Iraq. Saddam came
in with his men and killed the Kurds who were living
there, drove them out of their homes, and took over the
city. That was Mohammed’s technique for taking over;
the strength and power of the most brutal person is
what dominates in the area.
But the land should be completely given back to
the Kurds. They should have their own nation and
have their ancestral land returned to them. I don’t
know if that will ever be granted to them. But they’re
happy right now taking one step at a time. They’ve
had a peaceful existence for the past twelve years, and
during those years under the No-Fly Zone [American
air protection of Northern Iraq], they have built schools
and other buildings that they couldn’t have had under
Saddam in 1991.
Talon: After 1991, was there still a fear of Saddam?
Mrs. Jamieson: Now, the Kurds were always in fear
of Saddam; as long as he was alive, he could come and
run out the Americans.
Talon: Even though he really couldn’t have.
Mrs. Jamieson: Right. But there was still a fear of him
and his chemical and biological weapons. It was not a
sure thing for them that they would live in safety. There
was still a fear of “How much can we rebuild, since
Saddam is not captured?” But now that he is captured
and his two evil sons are dead, their relief is something
that we, as Americans, cannot even comprehend.
to be continued in the next edition...
E
Ta l o n
November 2004
Ta l o n
4
November 2004
And The Nominee Is...
She’ll Just Keep On Dancing
by Chris Blankenship
by Jessika Doyel
ight days and $4.4 million later, our nation’s
nominating conventions are finally over. Marked
by heated debates and a close call to determine
the nominees, America finally has its Democrat and
Republican presidential candidates: Jimmy Carter and
Gerald Ford.
That would have been in September of 1976. Unlike
the 1976 conventions, when the Republican nomination
came down to Gerald Ford’s 1187 votes over Ronald
Reagan’s 1170 , conventions for the past seven elections
have been extremely predictable: everyone knew which
candidate would be accepting the nomination.
Today, Americans know the winner months in
advance. The conventions, once a scene of heated debate,
divided ballots cast, and even sporadic fistfights, are
now simply another publicity platform — a $15 million
per party publicity platform.
While getting the issues out is extremely important,
E
11
are the conventions still necessary? Bush and Kerry
have been attacking each other over everything from
welfare policy to Ashley Simpson’s new album ever
since it became clear that Kerry was “electable.”
Despite the inane focus on both candidates’ roles
during the Vietnam War, it is still easy to ascertain either
of their current stances on a major issue. Was anyone
honestly unaware of who was for abortion or not, who
was for homosexual marriage and who will not stand
for it, or who was in favor of repealing or maintaining
the tax cuts?
If anyone needs a convention to get a feel for Bush’s
or Kerry’s stance on an issue, they should pull their
head out of the sand and open their eyes.
The conventions were enjoyable to watch; the
spectacle and passionate speeches made it so. They were
not, however, worth thirty million of the taxpayers’
dollars.
U
ndoubtedly you have seen Courtenay Davis
around the halls of Brentwood Academy; her
charismatic personality and inviting spirit are certainly hard to miss.
Courtenay is one of those
few devoted Murfreesboro residents who go to
Brentwood Academy.
She has attended BA
since her freshman
year and over the past
four years has participated in BA’s dance
class. Courtenay has been
dancing for 13 years and is a
member of the Academy Dancers.
Her favorite movie is the witty sequel
Father of the Bride Part II: “I used to watch that movie
over and over, but it is still funny every time. You gotta
love ‘Franck’; he’s the best.”
Although Courtenay’s senior year
has just begun, she can already
see changes arising in her class
at BA and in her life to come
after high school, “The best
thing is that the whole
grade is coming together.
I look forward to deciding where to go to college
and starting that next step
in my life.” As you can see,
Courtenay is a talented young
lady, always optimistic about the
challenges and rewarding experiences
that await her just around the bend.
An Election Reflection
To College...and Beyond!
by Rolph Vader—Talon Imaginary Guest Staffer and Presidential Candidate
by Kelsey Moore
very four years in the United States of America,
a horrible beast wakes from its comatose state
and devours the nation in its greed,
pandering, and animosity. Ambiguous and
misleading rhetoric seeps forth from the
mouth of the beast and infects everything it
touches. And this year, the beast was twice
as strong.
Marked by a screaming Vermont Yalie,
a billionaire Massachusetts Yalie with his
thousand dollar hair-dos, and a Texas
Yalie whose presidential bid is founded
on “strategery,” this year’s campaign (the
beast) has been rife with scandal, empty
promises, and stories about the Vietnam
War. The dual-party, avarice-driven, blueblood aristocracy has wastefully spent
millions of donated and taxpayer-produced
dollars in an attempt to cover up its own
corruption and special interests.
But I am not bitter about this. I know what the
people want; they want occupational toxic exposure
reform! This election
has been all about
unimportant issues
like Iraq and the
economy. Where was
accountability from
the USDA during
the debates? Where
was the voice of the
people then, when it
really mattered? Such
are the thoughts that
I have had on this
year’s election.
Though I may be
forgotten, I am not
yet gone. Remember,
in 2008, I’ll be back.
W
ith application deadlines fast approaching,
Brentwood Academy’s seniors now carry
the full load of their college decisions on
their shoulders. Burdened by one of the most weighty
decisions of their lives, many feel “homeless” in
their indecision and doubts. To help, a few recent BA
graduates shared their thoughts and advice on this next
phase of life.
“I wish I knew that it was okay to do
what I wanted to do. Do something you
wouldn’t normally do — branch out.”
Dana Warren ‘03, Samford University
“Laundry stinks because they [the
machines] are supposedly “industrial,”
but mine at home is three times as
big. It’s a scandal.” Michael Jones ‘04,
University of Tennessee
“I didn’t know I would miss BA. I
hate having to walk so much.” William
Griggs ’04, Emory and Henry University
“At college I’m just a number; at
BA I was a face. I miss my teachers and
life at BA.” Emily Oldham ’04, Auburn
University
“I miss musicals at Brentwood
Academy like there’s no tomorrow.
It’s harder to get involved at college,
but do it or you won’t make friends.”
Jordan Carnell ’04, Auburn University
“I wish I had applied to more
colleges when I was a senior. I didn’t
think I would get in, but I should have
at least tried. I mean, you have nothing
to lose.” Hart Hoppe ’04, Columbia College
of Chicago
“I wish I had known I was never
going to sleep, ever, and at least a
little bit about economics, because it’s
my hardest class ever.” Shay Laws ’04,
DePauw University
B
Ta l o n
5
November 2004
Ta l o n
10
November 2004
A True Renaissance Man
These Eagles Need No Wings
by Caitlin Murphree
by Alyssa Mankin
rentwood Academy’s newest addition to its staff
is likely to become one of its finest, as well as
youngest, members. A newlywed and recent
graduate of Belmont University, Brandon Owen is ready
to take on what BA has to offer. In his first year at BA,
this energetic twenty-four-year-old teacher/coach is set
to tackle Christian Dynamics in addition to coaching
golf and basketball on both the middle school and high
school levels. Recently I sat
down
with Coach Owen to
discover a little
bit
more
about
t h e
teacher,
the coach,
and the man.
Q: Why BA?
A: I felt like I was certainly called to work in education in coaching, predominately, but I’m excited for so many other reasons. I
had some great opportunities at Belmont to go straight
through graduate school after college, and I was so fortunate to work with people who had graduated from
BA. It was through those relationships that I got to
know a little bit about the school, and I certainly loved
it. I really like the importance that BA places on the
spiritual life of the students and the role that athletics
plays as a part of a complete education. But those were
only the reasons I was interested in it. Why am I here?
Probably because Coach Pitts thought enough of me to
let me join the staff, but along with that, God has provided so much in the classes I have been able to teach
(which have become such blessings in my life) and on
the golf team in my opportunity to coach them.
Q: What role do you think your personal faith plays in
both the classroom and in the athletic arena?
A: Let me say it this way: my faith is of primary
importance to me in the approach that I take in
the classroom as well on the athletic field. My
prayer is that my relationship with Christ
will underlie every decision I make and
every word I say to my students and
players, so that within their development as Brentwood Academy students my faith will be an example
to them and help them mold their
own personal relationships with
Christ. That is ultimately why I
want to coach; I want to see that
same spiritual element within the
players. It’s also certainly how I
approach Christian Dynamics, so
that I may help bring it out in my
students as well.
Q: What is your favorite aspect of
Brentwood Academy thus far?
A: The people. I haven’t been here
very long, but I’ve really loved the opportunities I’ve been blessed with in teaching and
coaching so far. I’ve been most encouraged by the
acceptance I’ve felt from the faculty members, administrators, and students alike. I’ve felt so welcomed. The
relationships that I’ve begun with those people have
been all the more encouraging as well. It’s really nice
that we hire such good people here. It presents such a
great opportunity to get to know them.
Q: And do you want to stay here for a while?
A: That’s the plan. I do want to continue my education and hopefully get a doctorate in education someday. But for now, I’m really looking forward to enjoying
the opportunities I’ve been given here at BA.
B
oth the boys and girls cross country teams
have soared past competition in the first half
of their season. Led by Coach Harper, the boys
have managed three wins in four tries, falling only to
nationally ranked Houston at the Tennessee Classic.
Senior Andrew Bumbalough has led the team, winning
each of his races in addition to breaking the Steeplechase
course record with a time of 14:36 and a 53 second
victory over the closest competitor.
Says this resident Gatorade Tennessee Track and
Field Athlete of the Year, “I feel the season has gone really
well; the guys ran a great race at UTC, winning against
a fairly strong field, and then also at the Tennessee
Classic. We ran tough but lost to a nationally ranked
team out of Memphis, and the guys and I are looking
forward to competing at the state meet in November.”
The Lady Eagles, led by seniors Kelsey Tunney,
Paige Griffin, and Rachel Bachmann, have had quite a
successful season. The junior varsity and varsity both
claimed victories in the Tennessee Classic, a feat not
matched in a decade. With all the varsity runners from
2003 returning for the 2004 season, the Lady Eagles
hope their successful September turns into a strong
finish in early November at the state meet. Coach Cathy
Cheeseman explains, “This team has experience, talent
and heart. I believe we can be in the mix with the best
teams in the state.”
Considering their performance in the Region meet
on Thursday, October 28, it seems very possible. The
girls placed second, only 10 points behind Harpeth
Hall. The boys swept past the competition with a low
score of 23 to second place MBA’s 70.
Side Out!
V
by Whit Smith
olleyball is an ancient sport. Originating in
the western-most part of Persia, “volekbule”
was played not for fun, as it is today, but for
the right to rule peoples and vast tracts of land. The
indigenous tribes of old assembled six of their greatest,
fiercest warriors to decide the fate of thousands.
If you’re reading this caption and haven’t gone to a girls’ volleyball
game, we at Talon have one word for you — shame.
Actually, I have no idea when or where volleyball
came about and, as a matter of fact, neither do you.
But that’s not important. What is important is that
Brentwood Academy has assembled six of its finest
ladies to lead us into battle this season: Ashley Burrow,
Jana Boozer, Kathleen Dixon, Carrie Smith, Lacey
Lawrence, and Samantha Little. With Coach Randal
Wilcher at the helm, our Lady Eagles have served us
ace after ace, complete with a charged atmosphere and
a ferocity rivaling that of a Friday night football game.
When asked about this season’s volleyball program,
Ashley Burrow says she feels that “the volleyball team
is already doing great this season. We’ve got a talented
group of seniors this year, as well as a strong group of
underclassmen. Our only problem is a lack of student
support, really; I just think that more students should
come out. They don’t know what they’re missing!”
Indeed. If you’ve never attended one of the many
intense displays of feminine finesse and fury, I encourage
you to shuck your online social “studies” and come out
to see the Brentwood Academy girls volleyball team in
action. GO EAGLES!
Ta l o n
9
November 2004
We Don’t Rebuild, We Reload
T
[losing] the McCallie game really helped; we had a lot
more intensity in everything we were doing,” said Brian
Ralls, the senior at left tackle for the Eagles. Leading the
Eagles is an experienced and talented pack of seniors
on top of their game.
Perhaps the greatest task for the team was overcoming
the effects of Parker Cason’s knee injury, which brought
the season of one of the Eagles’ leading seniors to an
abrupt halt. “I thought I was going to be out for the
entire year, but when I found out it wasn’t torn, it was
unreal. It was like I was given another chance.” Parker’s
absence in the games he missed was dramatically felt,
especially on the scoreboard. And though the Eagles
were unable to repeat last year’s victory over MBA,
Cason is sure of one thing: the seaason is not over.
After a thirty-two year tenure as BA head coach,
legend Carlton Flatt broke Tennessee’s all-time win
record this season. Coach Flatt has led the Eagles to nine
State Championships and is determined to win number
ten this season. The chance of another Clinic Bowl
appearance looks promising for the Eagles, after the loss
to McCallie lit a fire under the team. Senior Brian Ralls
is optimistic about the fate of his team: “Hopefully, this
The Fighting Irish bow to defeat in the face of the formidable Brentwood
Academy Special Team.
same intensity and excitement will carry on for the rest
of the season and on into
the playoffs.”
Key linebackers Tyler
Griffin and Parker Cason,
along with defensive end
Barry Turner have been
anchoring the defense the
entire season and won’t
let up until the task is
complete. “Every team
has its ups and downs,
and I think we’ve had
our down point; the only
direction for this team to
go is up,” offers Griffin.
“We’re not backing down
from anybody.”
In the words of the
immortal Cosmo Kramer,
“Giddyup.”
Barry Turner stares down the defense while preparing to strike, leaving several Independence Eagles in his wake.
6
November 2004
Autumn in Hickory Hills
by Mason Revelette
he 2004 Eagles football season has once again
brought Carlton Flatt Field to life, and the team
is aiming for another shot at the Clinic Bowl.
Going into Homecoming week, the team is coming
together and playing a far superior game on both sides
of the ball.
Despite losing two narrow defeats earlier in the
season, the team became much more focused on the
task at hand. “I think that the way we practiced after
Ta l o n
W
by Emily Ralls
hether it’s getting away for the weekend
with friends, putting off homework for a
little longer, or the anticipation of meeting
with the Creator of the Universe, the Upper School Fall
Retreat gets Brentwood Academy students excited.
This year was truly special because of the alumni
who returned to speak and lead worship. Jared Black
(’94), a youth minister and first-rate orator, spoke to
the attendees three different times. He discussed who
we were before Christ and who we are now that we
are in Christ. Jerry Wise (’96) led worship with
his remarkable voice and musical ability.
Interestingly, this retreat marks the first time
alumni have both spoken and led worship
at a BA retreat. On Saturday evening,
senior Rachael Meadors shared her
moving testimony describing how
God had used the hard times in her life
to bring greater glory to Him.
That night we learned several
fascinating facts about a few of our
faculty counselors. For example, Mrs.
Berger once dated an NFL quarterback, and
Coach Husband was voted “Best Legs” on his
college dance team, while Coach Perry was once
arrested for mooning. Last but not least, we discovered
that Coach Pitts had received more out–of–school
suspensions during his freshman year than anyone in
his high school.
After watching an emotional UT vs. Florida game,
everyone was called to the gym for a massive dodgeball
tournament. Every team fought with heart under the
flourescent lights in the dusty gym until midnight, but
none claimed real victory. The match is currently under
review.
Charles Yarbrough’s expression of pain is only momentary on this memorable and fun Fall Retreat.
Lindsey Locke seems thrilled about spending free time interlocking arms
with her fellow sophomore girls.
The junior guys put on their best Abercrombie faces.
Ta l o n
7
November 2004
Homecoming 2004...
Ta l o n
8
November 2004
...A Trip Back to the 1920’s
R
esplendent with four-button suits, flapper
dresses, and other subtle references to an otherwise rambunctious era, this year’s homecoming
was one of new traditions and old favorites.
Whit Smith, escapee and Zorro impersonator, serenades the Senior Hall
on Mexican Fiesta Day.
Senior boys Stephen B. and Andrew B. prepare for a siesta on fiesta day.
Ashley Hopmeyer gives new
meaning to the phrase “four
eyes” on Middle School
mis-match day.
The football cheerleaders flash their flapper-like moves during halftime.
Fleming Smith “thrills” the ladies with his smooth moves at the dance.
above:
Homecoming Queen Wende
Jackson is escorted off
the field by her elated father.
Mike Bowen sweeps Lindsey Moore off her feet, taking her breath
as well as her heart. What a dreamboat....
Freshman Chelsea Hagan pulls a Pretty Woman at the
Homecoming dance...lady in red.
By day our Production Assistant, by night a rowdy instigator of ballyhoo, Kelsey Moore freezes
senior Rob Queener in the 20’s as a Hoovervillite takes in the mayhem.