Students begin classes on Aug. 20; Webb marks 143rd year
Posted August 20, 2012
The 2012-2013 school year began on Aug. 20 with healthy enrollment, a diverse student body and a strong roster of new faculty. The student body consists of 299 students: 99 boarders and 200 day students representing 12 different foreign countries and 12 U.S. states. There are 81 new student faces around campus and in the dormitories, with 35 new boarders and 46 new day students this year.
Webb welcomes seven new faculty members who will teach science, Spanish, French, English, English Language Learner classes and provide academic support. Seventy-two percent of Webb’s faculty members have earned advanced degrees. Each faculty member takes on additional school responsibilities outside the classroom including coaching athletic teams, leading student clubs, coordinating student activities and working in the dormitories as dorm parents and advisors.
On Aug. 18, new boarding and day students and their families participated in orientation day. They attended parent and student meetings and took class schedule tours led by student orientation leaders. They also had lunch in the Grace Follin Dining Hall and were guests at a dessert reception with faculty members.
During the opening chapel on Saturday afternoon, Head of School Ray Broadhead welcomed the group and previewed Webb’s challenging academics, diverse community and extensive list of special-interest organizations, sports teams and other extracurricular activities. He told students, “You are about to embark on an exciting educational adventure, and we look forward to learning more about you in the weeks and months ahead.” He also encouraged parents to keep communication lines open and be in partnership with Webb for the best educational outcomes. “Your child is surrounded by caring faculty and students who are motivated. They are in a safe environment with excellent facilities. All of this leads to what we call the “Character of Home.”
Webb School Parents Association Vice President Kelli Dodson and Parents of Webb School Athletes President Natalie Townes also gave overviews of their programs. Boarders moved into their dorms, and the day was capped with a final meeting for new boarding students and their parents.
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New students, parents share thoughts about Webb
As new students and parents checked in, toured, attended meetings and met faculty and staff, they shared their thoughts about The Webb School.
Ulysses Yu, 9th grade boarding student, San Francisco, Calif. - “It’s really a great school and community. I’m really excited about this experience.”
Aaron Clukey, 10th grade day student, Wartrace – Aaron recently moved from North Carolina. He had applied and been accepted twice before, but was unable to attend. Everything fell into place this time, he said, and he’s “glad” to finally be at Webb.
Legend Zhou, 9th grade boarding student, China - “I love Webb.” Legend said he was attracted to Webb because of the programs that are available. He is looking forward to his physics class. Legend is especially interested in the language and community service programs. He also enjoys the “colorful countryside” in the area.
Poppie Grant, 10th grade boarding student, Jamaica – Poppie attended a school fair in Jamaica. She met Director of Admissions Julie Harris and was encouraged by a current Webb parent attending the fair to visit the campus. “Everyone was so nice,” Poppie said of her Webb tour earlier this year.
Neri Li, 10th grade boarding student, China - “I found out about Webb on the Internet. I had always heard of Nashville and wanted to be close to Nashville.”
Jessie Yang, 9th grade boarding student from China – Jessie learned about Webb from her cousin, Vivian Wu, an 11th grade Webb boarding student. Jessie visited the Webb campus along with several other schools. “Webb is the best place.” She looks forward to courses in theatre and math.
Cameron Minnis, 8th grade boarding student, Freeport, Bahamas – “I could just see me coming to Webb. It felt like a good place to be.”
Sarah Dilworth, 11th grade boarding student, Jamaica – Sarah’s brother, Matthew, is a 2012 Webb graduate so she was familiar with Webb. Sarah wanted a new experience at a school with courses not offered at her previous school. She added, “I wanted to be on my own.” Sarah is looking forward to her AP chemistry class.
Alexa Alamillo, 7th grade boarding student, Mexico – Alejo Alamillo, Alexa’s father, said Alexa “came back excited” after a visit to Webb and that made half of his decision. The other half, he said, was made after he met with Head of School Raymond Broadhead and Director of Admissions Julie Harris. “She’s got basic English,” he said. “I want her to be able to manage the English language.”
Megan Floyd, 6th grade day student, Shelbyville – Megan has attended every Webb Visitor’s Day since she was in the third grade, excited about the day she could enroll. She looks forward to taking Spanish and about being the Webb Middle School soccer team goalie. “She’s thrilled to be here,” said Tom Nixon, her grandfather.
Dawson South, 9th grade boarding student, Huntsville, Ala. – The Webb Outerlimits and arts programs interest South. He summed up his decision to choose Webb by saying, “It’s just the whole experience of a boarding school. It’s a really positive environment.”
Katie Breiding, 8th grade day student, Morrison, Tenn. – Harold Breiding, Katie’s father, said that as a truck driver he frequently drove passed Webb. He would see the students outside, noticed the overall atmosphere and thought he “would love for Katie for go here.”
Dustyn Kilgore, 9th grade day student, Readyville, Tenn. – “I wanted to come to Webb in the 6th grade,’ Dustyn said. His family decided he would attend school two more years closer to home before enrolling at Webb. The decision to attend Webb was based on academics. Dustyn also wants to play baseball for the Feet.
Eli Freeman, 9th grade day student, Morrison, Tenn. – Sherry Freeman, Eli’s mother, said they have always known about Webb since they live in nearby Coffee County. She added, “We know people who attend Webb, and they give it high marks.” Eli said it was the “friendliest and prettiest” place he visited.
Colin Paffrath, 9th grade day student, Murfreesboro, Tenn. – The Paffrath family has lived in the area for a number of years, so they were familiar with The Webb School. They also heard first-hand from current students about “athletics and how well they were doing in their classes.”
Jim Sherwood, 9th grade, and Nate Sherwood, 8th grade, day students, Smithville, Tenn. – Webb alumni told the Sherwoods about the school. Mother, Jennifer, said the family looked for a quality education, college preparation and an “environment that seemed fitting of our family values.”
Bailey Dornisch, 8th grade day student, Murfreesboro, Tenn. – Mother, Stacy Dornisch, said she had friends who attended Webb. The family also attended an admissions event at the home of Max and Mary Moss on Feb. 7. “I’m excited about the whole thing,” Bailey said.
Tatiana Jenkins, 10th grade 5-day boarding student, Antioch, Tenn. – Father Curtis Jenkins is a 1992 Webb graduate, and he and wife, Tanisha, selected Webb based on his experiences here. “Webb is a great school,” said Curtis. “She will be well-prepared for college.” He added, “For my daughter to come to Webb is really a dream come true.”
Brent Williams, 10th grade, and Brooke, 6th grade, day students, Manchester – Brent has attended Webb since the 6th grade, so the family was very familiar with the school. Brooke joins him this year. Mother, Susie, said Brooke’s school was reorganizing grades this year, so it was a good time to make a change. Brooke has played the violin for four years and is enrolled in Strings II. She also is a member of the middle school soccer team.
Luke Garland, 6th grade day student, Murfreesboro, Tenn. – Luke’s aunt, Julie Harris, is Webb’s director of admissions. Luke’s mother, Jennifer, said the family still weighed all of the choices before making the final decision. “Luke wanted to come here, and it is the right choice for Luke,” she added.
