Alumni beyond Edgehill: Mikeie Reiland '11
In this feature, we check in with PDS/USN alumni in all walks of life, all over the world for a look at all that life beyond Edgehill can entail.
By Sierra Smith, Communications Specialist
A distinguished narrative nonfiction writer, the Class of 2011's Mikeie Reiland has been published in Oxford American, The Bitter Southerner, SB Nation, and more including this recent feature on Nashville Soccer Club's Hany Mukhtar.
When he's not writing about athletes, or telling other important cultural stories, he's can often be found working with student-athletes as the High School boys Ultimate Frisbee coach.
As his coaching season ramps up, Reiland took a moment to share with us a few fond USN memories and how his time as a student on Edgehill helped prepare him for his current roles.
A: [Lower School Spanish Teacher] Maestra Vázquez is the greatest. Also, I play on a frisbee team, Nashville 'Shine, with USN alumni like Jack Spiva '13, Eli Motycka '13, Margie Quinn '09, Jesse Shofner '11, Sam Fisher '16, Nicky Farren '16, and Sydney Neal '21.
If you or someone you know is doing great work beyond Edgehill, please complete the form here to be considered for future installments of this series.
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A distinguished narrative nonfiction writer, the Class of 2011's Mikeie Reiland has been published in Oxford American, The Bitter Southerner, SB Nation, and more including this recent feature on Nashville Soccer Club's Hany Mukhtar.
When he's not writing about athletes, or telling other important cultural stories, he's can often be found working with student-athletes as the High School boys Ultimate Frisbee coach.
As his coaching season ramps up, Reiland took a moment to share with us a few fond USN memories and how his time as a student on Edgehill helped prepare him for his current roles.
Q: Please share a favorite memory from your time at 2000 Edgehill.
A: Winning State with the frisbee team junior year (2010) and senior year (2011).
Q: Is there anything else you'd like to share? Q: How did your USN education prepare you for the work you're doing today?
A: All my classes and teachers were great. [Former HS Spanish Teacher Lourdes Cuellar], my advisor, really pushed me in AP Spanish, which I still use to interview people for stories.
Most of all, though, from Profe Cuellar and from Mike Lutz and [MS Science Teacher] Tobey Balzer '02, the frisbee coaches, I learned how to work and improve at the things I care about. And to push through these buffer layers of irony and emotional distance and imposter syndrome that can sometimes keep kids from really going after what they want. I'm doing that with writing right now.
Most of all, though, from Profe Cuellar and from Mike Lutz and [MS Science Teacher] Tobey Balzer '02, the frisbee coaches, I learned how to work and improve at the things I care about. And to push through these buffer layers of irony and emotional distance and imposter syndrome that can sometimes keep kids from really going after what they want. I'm doing that with writing right now.
Q: What's one piece of advice you have for USN students?
A: This is borrowed from my friend Jesse Shofner '11, "Be willing to risk heartbreak." If you like really like something — writing, frisbee, pottery, music, theater, coding, etc. — I think it's healthy to want it to work out so bad that you'll be pretty upset if it doesn't.
As a 16-year-old, it's easy to be hyper-self-aware and not want to put yourself out there in case you mess up. But what's worse is to not try at all! I think I'm mixing Jesse and Sam Obisanya from Ted Lasso at this point.
As a 16-year-old, it's easy to be hyper-self-aware and not want to put yourself out there in case you mess up. But what's worse is to not try at all! I think I'm mixing Jesse and Sam Obisanya from Ted Lasso at this point.
A: [Lower School Spanish Teacher] Maestra Vázquez is the greatest. Also, I play on a frisbee team, Nashville 'Shine, with USN alumni like Jack Spiva '13, Eli Motycka '13, Margie Quinn '09, Jesse Shofner '11, Sam Fisher '16, Nicky Farren '16, and Sydney Neal '21.
If you or someone you know is doing great work beyond Edgehill, please complete the form here to be considered for future installments of this series.
School News
List of 3 news stories.
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Music Night REMIX tickets go on sale November 16
Join USNA on Saturday, January 30, for all the nostalgia, none of the teenage drama. This adult-only concert will feature USN's faculty house band, The K-12 Situation, with proceeds benefiting the school.Read More -
Seniors take field trip to cast first ballot
Read MoreAll 40 eligible University School of Nashville students in the Class of 2037 registered to vote ahead of the voter registration deadline, and Eleanor Mixon '27 and Dylan Omary '27 walked across the street from USN to the Scarritt Bennett Center to cast their first ballots on the final day of early voting. -
The ballot box and beyond: USN Seniors civically engaged
Students in High School History Teacher Cameron Parsons' Advanced Topics: American Government and Politics Class have been working diligently on civic engagement projects that required them to participate in the democratic process.Read More
Athletics News
List of 3 news stories.
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Mountain Bike Team Takes on “Electric" State Champs Trails, Dehner Snags Overall Podium Medal
With trail names like Megawatt, Electric Avenue, High Voltage and Livewire, the mountain bike team knew it was time to pedal out some extra watts for their NICA/TICL State Championships at Raccoon Mountain, and survive the technical trails above Chattanooga full of boulder gardens, rock drops and sandy rubble.Read More -
Mountain Bike Team Takes on Winged Deer Trails, HS Makes Podium Appearance
Read MoreWinged Deer Park and trails in Johnson City hosted our 4th race on Sunday October 11th, and despite a bit of hurricane outwash winds and showers - and reduced team numbers due to fall break and distance from Nashville - our racers utilized all available skills and speed which helped “wing" Sophomore Claire Dehner to a 4th place podium spot, our first podium appearance and medal for the season. -
HS athletics recaps for September 11-17
Tiger golfers have officially qualified for the region tournament, and our other teams are not far behind. Volleyball sits near the top of the district, finishing up regular season play next week with Senior Night. Girls soccer continues to hold first place in the district after another 9-0 win, and our cross country runners are chasing after some school records. To round it all out, our mountain bike team traveled to Oakfield to continue to improve on their times for the season. There’s plenty more where that came from- so be sure to come out to the River Campus, Sperling Gym, or out on the road to cheer on our Tigers before their seasons end.Read More
Contact
Edgehill Campus
2000 Edgehill Ave.
Nashville, TN 37212
Phone: 615-321-8000
Fax: 615-321-0889
Email: info@usn.org
River Campus
1200 County Hospital Road
Nashville, TN 37218
2000 Edgehill Ave.
Nashville, TN 37212
Phone: 615-321-8000
Fax: 615-321-0889
Email: info@usn.org
River Campus
1200 County Hospital Road
Nashville, TN 37218
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.
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.