Several USN families have dusted off their sewing machines and tools to make thousands of pieces of personal protective equipment for health care workers.
By Susan Schoenecker, USNA President 2018-2019 and Kobie Pretorius, USNA President 2019-2020
The minute USNA Past President Susan Schoenecker realized there was a need for personal protective equipment at Vanderbilt University Medical Center and other facilities around town, she got busy. Within days of the first rumbles of COVID-19 in Nashville, Susan had a whole team of USN friends helping her to sew fabric personal protective equipment.
Susan made a great instructional video with clear directions on how to assemble masks, mask covers, and scrub hats. She also directs the effort to collect and deliver hundreds of masks to all the places they are needed. Susan has been an inspiration in our community and we are thankful for her efforts.
"My sewing machine is getting a great workout. We have reintroduced ‘Home Economics’ to our daily routine," said Susan, of remote learning with her children, Abigail '22 and Tyler '20. "Immersed in uncertainty while participating in social distancing, I am grateful to bring out a skill passed on to me from my mother that I can share with my children. Necessitated by the draw on resources caused by COVID-19, there is a significant need of PPE. Amongst an army of friends and fellow hobbyists, we are doing our part by sewing mask covers."
USNA President Kobie Pretorius and several USN families also have made more than 2,000 face shields, under guidance from Vanderbilt University engineering students and USN parent Duke Herrell. The Greenfield, Herrell, Lippolis, Perdikis, Pretorius, and Simmons families, as well as several of Arts Department Co-Chair Jim Manning’s technical theater students, have a goal of 3,500 face shields. Kobie said she, husband Mias, alumna Mia '19, and Stefan '21 spend about an hour a day on the project. Several USN families also have donated elastic to the project.
The girls lacrosse team ended its season in overtime to become state runner-up. Tennis players Carter Kojetin '29 finished as a state quarterfinalist, Sophie Oliver '26 and Mary Kate Adler '28 finished as state semifinalists, and Veer Kodali '29 and Max Parker '29 finished as state champions. Meanwhile, eight runners competed at the state track and field meet in Knoxville, where Griffin Davidson '27, Caleb Freifeld '28, Drew Zwerner '28, and Jack Fruin '27, sprinted to first in the 4x800m relay and Jack also placed first in the 800m dash.
For the entire USN community: an invitation to give in gratitude, in celebration, and in honor of the woman who has given so much to our school. Make a gift at usn.org/giving to support students with needs beyond tuition and honor Interim Director Juliet Douglas.
The Middle School Quiz Bowl finished off another successful season with a trip to the Middle School National Championship Tournament in Chicago. The team fought hard and ended the season as a top-100 program in the country, finishing 75th overall. Congratulations to the team on a great performance and to Lucas Lupu ’31, named an All Star for being the fifth-highest scorer nationwide.
USN Mission: University School of Nashville models the best educational practices. In an environment that represents the cultural and ethnic composition of Metropolitan Nashville, USN fosters each student’s intellectual, artistic, and athletic potential, valuing and inspiring integrity, creative expression, a love of learning, and the pursuit of excellence.