TALLULAH FALLS SCHOOL ON CAMPUS MAGAZINE BonNOT YOUR AVERAGEAppetit SCHOOL LUNCH WELCOME BACK FALL SPORTS BON APPETIT MRS. HARRIS AFTER FIVE MONTHS, WE ARE LADY INDIANS VOLLEYBALL NEW SCHOOL DINING CONNECTING WITH STUDENTS FINALLY BACK TOGETHER. CELEBRATE AT STATE MENU FACELIFT AFTER FIVE DECADES Inside cover Page 22 Page 14 Page 10 FALL 2020 TALLULAH FALLS SCHOOL PRESIDENT AND HEAD OF SCHOOL DR. LARRY A. PEEVY TFS ADVANCEMENT TEAM EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR DIRECTOR OF DIRECTOR OF DIRECTOR OF BACK FOR ADVANCEMENT COMMUNICATIONS AND MEDIA CREATIVE SERVICES SPORTS COMMUNICATION Sonya M. Smith E. Lane Gresham Brandi Wood AND DIGITAL MEDIA tudents took cautious but confident first Brian Carter Ssteps into the new academic year at Tallulah Falls School on Aug. 24. If the first day of school is any indication of So, my first day of school was good. I was With enrollment for the 2020-21 academic year how the rest of the year goes, I’m excited for really happy to see my main friends in person CONTENTS at 531 students – 423 day students and 108 what’s to come! rather than just talking to them on the phone. I boarding students, the Light in the Mountains Grey Bourlet, Tallulah Falls was really glad to see my teachers and know NEWS remains bright. that they are doing okay. I was pleasantly surprised though by how Simeon Respress, Cornelia 03 2020 Legacy Leader Although face coverings masked smiles as smoothly everything went on my first day, as 04 Twin Rivers Challenge Rides Again students arrived on campus, sparkling eyes everyone had to deal not only with COVID-19, I haven’t been so happy to see so many and muffled greetings to friends, teachers and but also with a new block schedule. beautiful happy faces in a while. The day went 08 New to the TFS Family other staff members delivered a hearty dose of Caleb Carter, Demorest by fast but it was very enjoyable. There are a 09 A Slice of History positivity. lot of changes that the students have to get 14 Not Your Average School Lunch My first day of school made me realize senior used to but over time it will get better. This New students, greeted with welcoming words, year is going to be very exciting and lots of fun. year will be hard but I feel that the TFS family made connections with peers while faculty Although I have a few difficult classes, I can’t can do it. This year will be full of surprises and and staff made sure everyone passed through wait to experience senior year with friends! changes, and it will be a year to remember. health screening portals before entering Since COVID-19 is still active, we are taking Trent Thomas, Bahamas ACADEMICS academic buildings. all precautions in school, and I think it will be effective in the long run. I can’t wait to see 06 Youth Apprentice Program MY BROTHER’S KEEPER “We are pleased with the start of the new what my senior year holds! 18 year,” said President and Head of School Larry Rebekah Jennings, Clarkesville 10 Mrs. Linda Harris: Making A. Peevy. “We are optimistic the extensive Alumni Connections CLASSROOM preparations we put in place for our reopening Alumni Stories will minimize the exposure to the virus; we are 12 TO LINKEDIN counting on the TFS family to partner with us 13 On Campus Spotlight when students are away from campus.” Smooth Sounds SPOTLIGHT ON 17 MRS. LINDA HARRIS Fine Arts Creations at TFS As students return to classrooms and other 26 areas, physical distancing is required and 28 Let the Sorting Begin frequent hand-washing is encouraged throughout the school day. Members of the class of 2021 arrived extra 10 early to meet the sun and to savor biscuits SPORTS volleyball with classmates before commencing with sweet 16 the business of preparing for graduation. 17 Equestrian Program Feedback from the seniors illuminated the SENIORS LEAD THE TEAM Driving Forward determination of the group to live out the first TO ANOTHER HISTORIC month’s theme – “Better Together.” 18 My Brother’s Keeper SEASON 20 Middle School Tennis Champions 22 Volleyball—Sweet 16 24 XC Breaking School Records 22 DESIGNER CONTRIBUTING WRITERS PHOTOGRAPHY Brandi Wood Brian Carter E. Lane Gresham E. Lane Gresham Brandi Wood EDITOR Eric Pereira Crump Photo E. Lane Gresham Scott Neal Charles Mullis Jordan West Jarrod Coffey CLASS OF 2021 1 GEORGIA TREND 2020 LEGACY LEADER allulah Falls School President and Head Peevy, who helped develop the guidance uccess comes in many forms. Here at Tallulah Falls School, we are celebrating a Tof School Larry A. Peevy has been system for the Saturn Five Rocket; he was Ssuccessful return to campus for in-person learning after a challenging spring and named one of 15 Legacy Leaders in Georgia also highly involved in the launches of all the summer. by Georgia Trend magazine. Apollo missions. Preparations for this unprecedented start to the academic year truly showcase the Peevy was featured in the 35th-anniversary The second was Major General Peter Boylan, dedication of the faculty and staff. And, because of a solid partnership with edition as the recognition highlights president of Georgia Military College while parents and guardians, we’ve maintained a safe and healthy school environment individuals who have dedicated themselves Peevy was vice president for enrollment and thus far. to improving lives across the state. retention services. SUCCESS With the majority of students working hard on campus, we are also joined by “My first reaction was surprise when I “He was an extraordinary leader and a true blended learners from across the globe, temporarily unable to join us in person. received the letter,” he said. “I thought of the American hero,” Peevy said. In the academic realm, students are off to a strong start, with last year’s record- hundreds of strong legacy leaders across breaking number of presidential scholars honored recently with outdoor events the state of Georgia and when I saw that I Members of the TFS Board of Trustees spoke featuring special menus and activities. had been named, I felt both honored and to how Peevy has excelled at surrounding humbled at being named one of the top 15.” himself with the best-qualified people in his administration. His communication Despite necessary adjustments, student-athletes experienced continued Peevy’s career in education spans multiple Peevy was also asked about the important to the board was also highly praised. To AT TFSsuccess – the varsity girls’ volleyball team made it to the Sweet 16, middle school boys’ decades as he spent his first 35 years in lessons he has learned during his time in commemorate Peevy’s many contributions and girls’ tennis teams won championships and the varsity cross country team competed top administrative roles at the University education and the military. during his time at the school, the board in at the state level. of Montevallo, Georgia College and 2016 named the upper school academic State University and ending his college Always be flexible. “No two days are alike complex in his honor. Another highlight this fall was the return of the Twin Rivers Challenge, a premier cycling administrative career as vice president for and every day presents not only tremendous event benefiting student scholarships. Thanks to the steadfast support of community enrollment and retention services at Georgia happiness but also a new set of challenges,” TFS Board of Trustees member Judy Forbes sponsors, the event raised more than $65,000 and attracted a record number of riders Military College, according to the Georgia he told The Northeast Georgian. said initiatives such as the school’s character eager to experience the beauty of Northeast Georgia during a peak leaf weekend. Trend article. education program which focuses on student The second most important lesson, whether development and Peevy’s leadership during These fundraising efforts help students achieve success in life; many TFS graduates In 2007, he joined Tallulah Falls School as in the military, education or administrative the COVID-19 pandemic are just a few of the are engaged in an impressive variety of college and career endeavors. A new initiative president and head of school. Under his area is to truly understand that you don’t know exemplary actions he has made. to connect with the alumni base is underway with Mrs. Linda Harris reviving strong leadership, “the private five-12 day and everything nor do you have all the answers. connections with former students. boarding school has elevated its academic Because of that, you have to learn to put Peevy appointed a Risk Management rigor, expanded its facilities and grown its your confidence in the people surrounding Committee when he first learned of the Also new for this year is the addition of Flik Independent School Dining student body to more than 500 students from you. Also, when solving problems, don’t look COVID-19 pandemic to analyze what to the TFS community. Flik is under the leadership of Director of Dining seven states and 20 countries,” the article at them as major issues but rather a series of challenges they faced and to develop a plan Services David Janecek and Executive Chef Eric Mulville, with former states. small problems that can easily be resolved. and methodology to solve each problem one by one. The school has since welcomed director Harriett Worrell acting as a liaison during the transition. During his tenure at TFS, Peevy has also “LEARN TO PUT students back with successful in-person and Students, faculty and staff are being introduced to an attractive and earned many awards and honors including blended online learning.