USN faculty Lauren Hagen and Jody Reynolds “rescued” a tree damaged during the derecho for USN students to enjoy.
By Jody Reynolds, Kindergarten Teacher
While out walking the streets of Nashville, our very own Naturalist Lauren Hagan, noticed a beautiful 200-year-old Chinkapin oak had come down on Whitland Avenue. I noticed them as well, and our plan began for a rescue mission. Good thing my son, Ry Dukes (a former USN student) is home. What a workout!
Lauren asked the tree owner, Drew Alexander ’88 for permission to take some rounds for the nature play area of our playground that Naturalist Lisa Preston established in her tenure at USN. He graciously donated them to us. While we were there, we were able to rescue some big logs from a downed magnolia as well.
How wonderful for the students at USN to be able to work with this 200-year-old wood.
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.