Class of 2016

Memorable. Fun. Innovative. School of Champions. Those are just a few words and phrases to describe the class of 2016.

With creative SISs like The Teenage Experiment, Suburban Farms and Adam’s Army, this year’s seniors have paved the way for more impactful projects to follow.

The class of 2016 has not only been unprecedented in academics and school involvement, but it has been strong in athletics as well. As leaders of the school, the class of 2016 helped their terms gain state championships in football, golf, baseball and basketball. The Bleacher Creatures, with their email and twitter reminders, kept the school excited and informed on upcoming sports events.

They are diverse, creative and spirited, and they truly care about “the lodge.” With all of the accomplishments that the class of 2016 has made, there is no doubt that the senior class is definitely #gettingj16gywithit.

The class of 2016 will undoubtedly leave their mark on St. George’s. To paint a picture of the variety of students that the class of 2016 holds, the Gryphon Gazette interviewed an artist, scholar, public servant and athlete to hear their thoughts on the St. George’s experience and their class.

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The Scholar: Carter Burgess

“If I really put my mind to it, the work will get done,” Academic All-Star Carter Burgess said about his busy extracurricular schedule, in addition to the five AP courses he is taking this year.

Burgess, who will be attending Emory University next year, credits his academic success to his teachers who are “surprisingly understanding,” especially upper school math teacher Ms. Page McMullen.

“Pre-Cal with Ms. McMullen was probably the best class,” Burgess said, even though he also said it was the hardest class he had taken until that point.

Burgess also credits the St. George’s academic “environment of students and teachers, as well as the options [of classes] that you are given,” for making his scholarly work easier and more interesting.

Outside of school, Burgess plays tennis and is on the mock trial team, which can be difficult when the multiple extracurriculars overlap. “The most difficult thing is trying to balance that,” Burgess said.

In regards to what he will take away from his time at St. George’s, Burgess said the ability to approach teachers with questions will take him far in life, as well as being able to engage in conversations with students about material.

However, Burgess voiced that the best thing he has gained through St. George’s is a great group of friends and getting to meet new people throughout high school, from other swimmers on his team to fellow classmates during class trips.

“Having a tight knit group of friends to hang out with has been great,” Burgess said.

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The Artist: Teddrick Boyd

“I love it to death,” Teddrick Boyd said about his choir and theatre experiences within the fine arts program at St. George’s.

Boyd has been singing since he was in second grade and he began acting this year. He voiced that his school experiences as an artist have been fulfilling as well as challenging, and, as it is for everyone, it has been a constant struggle for him to balance extracurriculars and school work.

However, he admitted that choir has brought him out of his shell, as he describes himself as quiet and a listener rather than a talker.

“[St. George’s] has been a place where [there] was a lot of growth for me,” Boyd said. “Coming from a smaller school, I had to learn to adapt, and I didn’t really come out of my shell until I joined choir.”

Boyd joined the choir freshman year and has been doing it ever since, but this year, he decided it was time for a change and joined theatre.

“I always thought my first play would be comedic and funny, and this play was serious and about cancer,” Boyd said.

Despite the intensity of the play, “Wit,” Boyd loved the experience and regrets not participating in plays earlier.

“I loved it,” Boyd said. “The rehearsals were great [and] the people were great.”

Boyd, who is attending the University of Tennessee next year, hopes to pursue the arts in college.

“My love and appreciation for the arts impacted me a lot,” Boyd said. “They have helped me be more outgoing and helped me make new friends.”

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The Public Servant: Katherine Clayton

A volunteer for Ronald McDonald house, Ali’s Way, Streets Ministries and Serve901, as well as a member of the Citizenship Institute, Katherine Clayton is the embodiment of a public servant in the St. George’s community.

Clayton credits her interest in service and volunteer work to her love for her hometown of Memphis.

“Growing up here, I have been able to see the progression we’ve made already, like developing Midtown,” Clayton said. “It creates a better environment.”

Clayton was also the only senior to attend the MedLife trip to Peru earlier this year. The trip gave her a way to make friends she wouldn’t normally be friends with and to “meet a small group of people who also love to serve.” She used the trip as a chance to incorporate two of her interests, traveling and service, into her life.

“I hope I will help pave the way for what [underclassmen] will do in the future and [help] make a lasting impression,” Clayton said.

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The Athlete: Jake Lindow

“Being involved in something is good for anyone’s development,” Jake Lindow said, who has wrestled and played football and lacrosse for the past six years at St. George’s.

Lindow has enjoyed playing sports at St. George’s because he has loved playing sports with people he knows.

As a senior, Lindow has noticed “strong senior leadership leading the team in a positive direction,” both on the field and on the mat.

“We are leaving trophies in the trophy case,” Lindow said of the senior athletes’ greatest impact this school year.

Lindow also credits St. George’s athletics for helping define who he is as a leader and for fostering leadership among other students.

“Sports at St. George’s have helped me learn more about who I am,” Lindow said. “[Athletics] help define school culture in a positive way. That is reflected on the athletic field as well as the academic environment.”