Publications & Alumni

List of 8 items.

• Robert Vestal '05

  My journey at Woodland included seven formative years that fostered my curiosity and shaped my future career trajectory. 

  
  

  From 4th grade onward, I consistently sought challenging academic work. My math teachers recognized and supported advanced learning, providing me with Algebra II and pre-calculus textbooks to explore beyond the standard curriculum. This early intellectual hunger would become a defining characteristic of my academic and professional path.

  
  

  My time at Woodland was marked by significant personal growth. As the 8th-grade yearbook editor, I developed critical leadership skills in organization, delegation, and meeting deadlines – capabilities that would serve me well in my future medical career. Involvement in school plays also nurtured my creativity, teaching me the value of spontaneity and self-expression.

  
  

  Perhaps most importantly, Woodland provided me with transformative relationships, including Debbie Brooks, a teacher who profoundly influenced my approach to interpersonal interactions. Her ability to bridge different groups and her infectious warmth became a model for my own social approach.

  
  

  My Woodland experience laid the groundwork for remarkable achievements:

  • Graduated salutatorian from Memphis University School
  • Earned a full scholarship to Washington and Lee University
  • Received a fully funded research grant in 2011, working in the Nobel Prize-winning Brown Goldstein Lab at UT Southwestern
  • Pursued and achieved childhood dream of becoming a physician
  • Specialized in ophthalmology

  Today, I am more than just a comprehensive ophthalmologist at Memphis Eye & Cataract Associates. I have translated professional skills into meaningful community service, including founding a volunteer ophthalmology clinic at the Memphis Muslim Medical Center and serving as a volunteer physician at Church Health Center, performing cataract surgeries for uninsured patients.

  
  

  Beyond professional accomplishments, I define my current journey through faith. As a church leader, I am dedicated to "growing in knowledge of the Lord, and obedience to Christ, and living in step with the Holy Spirit."

• Sarah Grace Taylor '21

  My educational journey at Woodland from 1st to 8th grade was transformative, profoundly shaping my academic and personal development. The school's intimate learning environment and dedicated faculty provided me with experiences that have been instrumental in my growth.
  
  

  Small class sizes at Woodland taught me the importance of building meaningful relationships with educators. These early interactions became a cornerstone of my academic success, helping me develop communication skills and confidence serving me throughout my educational career.
  
  

  Leadership opportunities at Woodland were particularly impactful. The skills I developed in collaboration and group dynamics prepared me to seek and excel in leadership roles during high school at Hutchison. This foundation has been evident in my subsequent achievements, including leadership positions in various school organizations.
  
  

  My passion for learning, cultivated at Woodland, has led to significant academic recognition:

  • Induction into the Cum Laude Society
  • National Honor Society membership
  • College Board AP Scholar with Distinction (2023-24)

  Beyond academics, I've embraced leadership roles that reflect my Woodland experience:

  • Peer Council Representative, supporting freshman transitions
  • President of the Latin Honor Society
  • President of the Government Club

  As a senior at Hutchison School, I'm currently navigating college decisions with a clear vision. My college academic plan is to major in accounting and pursue a graduate degree.
  
  

  The seeds planted at Woodland—a love for learning, leadership, and intellectual curiosity—continue to shape my path forward. 

• Daxton Saunders '22

  My Woodland education gave me a strong foundation that has shaped who I am today. Mrs. Sully’s English class prepared me to write effectively and stay actively engaged while reading—skills that have been invaluable throughout my time in high school at Memphis University School (MUS). Somehow, Mrs. Lester even made math fun and engaging, and the foundations she built allowed me to take AP Statistics in my junior year and stay on track for Calculus, even though math has never been my favorite subject. Mrs. Booten’s class made coming to school a joy and instilled in me a lifelong love of learning that I will carry into college and beyond. Of course, I can’t forget the “B” Coach Creasy gave me in PE—it still haunts me, and I’m plotting my revenge!
  
  

  My lessons and experiences at Woodland have carried over into every part of my academic and personal life. Since leaving, I was named to the MUS Faculty Honor Roll every semester and the MUS Dean’s Scholar list every quarter. I was honored to receive the Jackson James Robert’s Fellowship in the summer of 2024, which allowed me to study Spanish in Panama City, Panama. More recently, I was awarded the National Security Language Initiative for Youth Scholarship for the summer of 2025, which allowed me to study Russian in Riga, Latvia. At MUS, I also played varsity soccer my sophomore year and co-founded and served as President of the Love for Elders Club, which has been deeply meaningful.
  
  

  One of my favorite memories from Woodland was the project in computer science class where we built arcade games. I loved the challenge of creating something functional from scratch and using creativity to solve problems. While COVID unfortunately canceled trips to Chicago and Washington, D.C.—which I know would have been amazing experiences—that project still stands out as a highlight of my time there.
  
  

  This summer, I studied Russian in Riga, Latvia, for six weeks through the State Department’s National Security Language Initiative for Youth Scholarship. I just began my senior year at Memphis University School, and looking ahead, I plan to attend college with a strong international relations and global business program. My dream schools include the University of Southern California, Princeton, Georgetown, the University of Miami, and UCLA—preferably somewhere with palm trees! Ultimately, I hope to serve as a Foreign Service Officer and later pursue a career in international business.
  
  

  Reflecting on my journey, I can say with confidence that Woodland played a huge role in shaping my path. As I like to put it, “Woodland helped foster my curiosity to explore different places, which ultimately led to traveling to Panama and Latvia.” I am incredibly grateful for the teachers and experiences at Woodland that prepared me for high school and beyond. And on a lighter note, I’ll add this: “I’m pretty sure Warrior Ball could be the next pickleball!”

• Molly Aslin '13

  I attended Woodland for ten years, which was an integral part of my upbringing. With my mom working there and my sister enrolled alongside me, Woodland felt like family and gave me the confidence to stand out—a quality that carried into high school and beyond. 

  
  

  One vivid memory that shaped my future came in fifth-grade science with Ms. Reese, when we watched a PBS Nova documentary on modern physics. While some classmates were disinterested, I was captivated and told my mom that evening, “I know what I want to do when I grow up. I want to study quantum physics.” That single class sparked my journey toward becoming the scientist I am today. At the same time, teachers such as Mrs. Boeving, Mrs. Joyner, and Mrs. Boydstun instilled in me a love of reading and the value of being well-rounded, which has enriched both my education and my life beyond STEM. 

  
  

  The confidence and curiosity instilled in me during my years at Woodland contributed directly to my later successes in high school at St. Mary’s Episcopal School. At St. Mary’s, I was Salutatorian and Honor Council President and earned the Yale University Book Award and Mary M. Davis Loyalty Award. 

  
  

  At Mount Holyoke College, I pursued physics with passion, earning department honors, conducting research at national labs, publishing as a first author, and balancing academics with athletics as a member of the varsity rowing team. I was:

  • Awarded the 21st Century Scholarship ($25,000/year)
  • Awarded the Joseph Skinner Fellowship for Physics (2021) and the Bennett Prize for Physics (2018)
  • Involved in research internships at Texas A&M University Cyclotron Institute (2019), Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory (2019), General Atomics (2020) 
  • Published as a “first author” on an undergraduate research paper
  • A member of the varsity rowing team (NEWMAC Academic All-Conference Team)

  Now, as a PhD candidate in nuclear engineering at UW–Madison, I focus on experimental plasma physics to help advance nuclear fusion energy. Alongside my research, I lead initiatives supporting women and gender minorities in plasma physics and frequently engage in outreach to inspire younger students. 

  
  

  While I remain undecided about my career path after my PhD, I am considering becoming a research scientist or professor. Looking back, I know with certainty that Woodland set me on the path I walk today, teaching me to dive headfirst into new challenges and giving me the confidence to be authentically myself.

• Mollie Marshall '11

  My Woodland education gave me a strong foundation that continues to influence my life today. My fifth-grade teacher, Mrs. Rodgers, fostered an enriching learning environment where I felt both comfortable and confident. Her patience, passion for teaching, and genuine care for each student made a lasting impression and continue to shape the way I approach my work and relationships. Woodland also cultivated in me a deep passion for learning and a strong emphasis on respect, both of which have carried me through my education and into my career.

  The critical thinking and communication skills I developed at Woodland opened the door to many opportunities in college. I co-led interfaith service trips, conducted grant-funded research using data from the New Zealand IDEAL Study to better understand the effects of maternal methamphetamine use and psychopathology on infant mental health and development, and served as secretary of the student government. Today, those same skills support me in my career as a senior Registered Behavior Technician at Nationwide Children’s Hospital, where I collaborate with behavior analysts to review data, design programming, mentor new staff, and connect meaningfully with the children and families I serve.
  
  

  Some of my favorite memories from Woodland come from being part of the cheerleading team in middle school. That experience helped me gain confidence, strengthened my sense of school pride, and allowed me to share that pride with peers, teachers, and the broader community.
  
  

  Currently, I work with a team of professionals to help autistic children develop social and play skills, build emotional regulation toolkits, reduce challenging behaviors, and learn adaptive life skills. Looking ahead, I am committed to continuing a career centered on learning, growth, and service to others.
  
  

  As I reflect on my years at Woodland, one truth stands out clearly: “Woodland’s enriching environment instilled in me a love for learning and a passion for working with and helping others.”

• Levi Miller '21

  My Woodland education was filled with memorable teachers and experiences for 10 years, but without a doubt, the one who had the greatest impact on me was Mrs. Booten. I first had her in 5th and 6th grades, and then she became my 7th and 8th grade science teacher. Over four years, she was my classroom teacher and my coach on the cross-country and track teams. Her influence is hard to capture in words, but she felt more like a close friend than just a teacher. With her relatability, encouragement, and wisdom, she played a significant role in shaping me into who I am today, and I remain deeply grateful to her.
  
  

  Woodland instilled in me a deep sense of Warrior pride, something that I still carry with me and strive to recreate in new environments. The close-knit relationships I built with my teachers, coaches, and classmates there became the standard by which I judge every new school or community I’ve been part of since. That family-like atmosphere taught me the importance of belonging, and it continues to shape how I approach relationships and leadership. I loved every moment I spent at Woodland.
  
  

  After graduating, one of my biggest successes has been stepping into leadership opportunities, both in academics and athletics. The closeness of our Class of 2021 encouraged me to lead by example and bring people together, and when I transitioned to high school, I felt equipped to take on challenges with confidence. The leadership skills I developed at Woodland continue to guide me.
  
  

  Some of my favorite memories come from playing basketball. Coach Al Graham invested so much time into helping me grow, not just as a player, but also as a teammate. From my early days shooting around in After School Care, to running plays he designed for me during games, to working out in an empty gym even during high school, Coach Al instilled in me a love of basketball that I will always carry with me.
  
  

  I worked a couple of jobs this summer to save money before heading off to college, one at a plant nursery doing landscaping, and the other was continuing the pressure washing business I started back in Memphis, The Pressure’s On, now operating in St. Louis, where we moved a couple of years ago. This fall, I will begin at the Neeley School of Business at Texas Christian University, and plan to major in Finance and Accounting. My goal is to one day build a successful business, raise a family, and positively impact as many people as I can.
  
  

  Looking back, it’s hard not to smile at some of the moments that defined my Woodland experience. One that stands out came from Mr. Askew, who said right before spring break in 2020: “I don’t know why we are talking about coronavirus instead of doing the assignment. There are literally only 20 cases in the US. It will not affect us at all.” Little did we know how much our lives were about to change.

• Ashlyn Barclay '14

  Ashlyn Barclay ‘14 attended Woodland for 1st through 8th grades. She reflects, “Woodland's intimate educational environment profoundly shaped my academic and personal development. The small class sizes created a nurturing space where I could actively participate, ask questions, and receive personalized attention from invested teachers. This environment allowed me to explore various extracurriculars and forge lifelong friendships.”

  
  

  A pivotal moment was the 7th and 8th-grade trip to Washington, D.C., particularly our visit to the Newseum. This experience ignited a lasting passion for journalism and history. Years later, during my master's studies, I eagerly returned to D.C., and those formative memories are still vivid in my mind.

  
  

  Mrs. Boydstun, my fourth-grade teacher, was instrumental in cultivating my love for reading. Her wisdom that "reading could take us anywhere" became a guiding principle. She instilled in me the understanding that reading is not just an academic skill, but a gateway to broader understanding and exploration.

  
  

  My educational journey has continued with significant milestones:

  • Master's in Mass Communication from Louisiana State University's Manship School
  • Currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Communications at Columbia University's Journalism School
  • Research focusing on war reporting, legacy media, and state-controlled narratives

  Looking ahead, I aim to complete my doctoral dissertation and pursue an academic career as a professor, with the opportunity to inspire and work with the next generation of students.

  
  

  From the small classrooms of Woodland to the research halls of Columbia, my educational journey has been defined by curiosity, mentorship, and a commitment to understanding the world through communication and storytelling.

• Madelyn Havard '20

  Madelyn Havard ‘20 attended Woodland for eight years. She graduated from St. Agnes Academy in May 2024 and is a freshman at the University of South Carolina studying Public Health. Madelyn is involved in a social sorority, a pre-professional fraternity, and the top scholars community. She is on the pre-med track, aspiring to become a pediatric physician at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.

  
  

  Madelyn credits Woodland with providing a supportive, close-knit community that shaped her educational journey. The school's personalized approach taught her to ask questions, advocate for herself, and develop strong leadership skills that would prove crucial in her future academic pursuits. Because of the strong foundation developed at Woodland, Madelyn went on to achieve the following accomplishments:

  • Valedictorian at St. Agnes Academy
  • Stamps Scholar at the University of South Carolina
  • President of STEM Club in High School
  • Leader of St. Jude Children's Research Hospital Fundraising Initiative
  • Tutor in St. Agnes Academy Tutoring Lab

  Madelyn says, "Woodland provided me with a foundational love of learning that I have carried with me throughout my high school journey and my current college career.”