Alumni

Christ Church Episcopal School hosted a celebratory evening honoring three decorated athletes, a championship coach, a legendary faculty member, and a distinguished alumnus. The Athletic Hall of Fame recognizes alumni who achieved extraordinary athletic accomplishments while they competed as CCES student-athletes, as well as retired coaches who made exceptional contributions to the CCES athletics program during their coaching tenures. The 2026 Athletic Hall of Fame inductees include Michael Brearley ’08, Brooks Ariail Connor ’94, Frank Wrenn IV ’04, and Coach Joel Rice. The Alumni Association also presented its Mary B. Roper Distinguished Teacher Award to Valerie Riddle, and its Marguerite Ramage Wyche Alumni Service Award to Jimmy Ryan ‘00. Alumni, faculty and staff, coaches, friends, and family gathered in the Rooke Theater of the Hartness Performing Arts Center to celebrate and pay tribute to the impact of these outstanding individuals on the CCES community.

Michael Brearley ’08

Three-sport athlete Michael Brearley is best known for his accomplishments on the soccer field. He led four state championship soccer teams, earned All-State honors three times, All-Region honors four times, and added individual accolades including MVP his junior and senior year and Class A State Player of the Year his senior year. As a member of the varsity basketball team, Brearley was a three-year letter winner, dominating his senior year as team MVP, All-Region, and team leader in steals and assists. As a varsity cross country runner, Brearley was also named team MVP and All-State. He was co-captain of all three sports. In addition to these statistics as a player, Brearley was the founder and inaugural coach of CCES’s JV boys soccer team, beginning in 2010.

David Wilcox, former CCES varsity boys soccer coach and 2021 Hall of Fame inductee, presented the honor to Brearley.

Brooks Ariail Connor ’94

Brooks Ariail Connor was a dominant three-sport athlete, playing for six years on the varsity field hockey team, six years on the varsity basketball team, and five years on the varsity softball team. In field hockey, Connor was named MVP and captain, and earned the All-Star Award. In basketball, Connor was a three-time MVP, three-time All-Region selection, and two time captain. Similarly for softball, Connor earned MVP accolades twice, All-Region and All-State twice, and served as team captain her senior year.

Marshall Stuart, former Upper School Spanish teacher and Connor’s softball coach, inducted her into the Hall of Fame.

Frank Wrenn ‘IV ’04

A member of the varsity boys golf team for six years, Frank Wrenn’s legacy to the CCES golf program is unmatched. He was a member of three state championship teams and garnered All-State and All-Region accolades five times each. He shares a record of winning the individual South Carolina state championship three times. Wrenn was named Region Player of the Year for four consecutive seasons. He was a winner of the prestigious Jimmy Self High School Invitational and of the North/South Senior All-Star Match. He earned honors as team MVP for five of his six years.

RJ Beach, who served as CCES Athletics Director, coached varsity boys golf and basketball, and is a 2022 inductee into the Athletic Hall of Fame, presented Wrenn with the prestigious honor during the ceremony.

Coach Joel Rice

Joel Rice served on the varsity boys football coaching staff from 2007 until his retirement in 2025. His extraordinary career as a football coach spans six decades, and his influence on the lives of young men as a coach, educator, and mentor is unmatched. He coached 10 state championship teams, six of those at CCES, and maintained a perfect 10-0 record at that level. He has also coached in the Shrine Bowl and North/South games. He has been recognized by the South Carolina Football Coaches Association for a Lifetime Achievement Award and earlier this year received the South Carolina Order of the Palmetto, the state’s highest civilian honor. Colleagues and former players cite Rice’s wisdom, steady leadership, discipline, integrity, and presence as critical contributors to his teams’ culture and character.

Rodney Hinton, a former member of the CCES Board of Trustees and 2019 Hall of Fame inductee, introduced Rice during the program.

Valerie Riddle

The Mary B. Roper Distinguished Teacher Award is presented by the Alumni Association. It honors a current or former faculty member who impacts the alumni community and exemplifies a sincere love for and devotion to the school. Valerie Riddle joined CCES in 1997 and served with distinction as Lower School Chaplain, Assistant Director of the Lower School, and Counselor until her retirement in 2026. Alumni who nominated Riddle for this honor celebrate the relationships she maintains over many years, and the comforting way she counsels alumni during different stages of life and long after graduation from CCES. For many alumni, Riddle maintains the feeling of being known, supported, remembered, and connected to alma mater. Riddle’s legacy as a teacher, chaplain, counselor and administrator is both broad and deep, and the Roper Award celebrates her compassion and commitment. President of the CCES Alumni Association, Marc Aleksinas ‘02, presented the Roper Award to Valerie Riddle.

Jimmy Ryan ’00

The Marguerite Ramage Wyche Alumni Service Award is also presented by the Alumni Association, and it recognizes an alumnus or alumna who embodies the CCES value of service to our school and community. What began as Jimmy Ryan’s creative senior capstone project at CCES more than 25 years ago, grew to become the well-known Mice on Main in downtown Greenville. Ryan’s vision led to the creation of bronze mice statues in downtown, a playful activity that unifies area residents and visitors, and to the publishing of the book Mice on Main, the proceeds of which have funded approximately $150,000 in support for local charities. A successful anesthesiologist, Dr. Ryan delivers compassionate care for his patients and continues to serve and give back to both the CCES and Greenville communities. Nominated by Mayor Knox White ‘72 and former CCES teachers Barbara Carter and Sally Henley, Ryan humbly accepted the Wyche Award presented by Marc Aleksinas.

Congratulations to our 2026 Athletic Hall of Fame inductees, Mary B. Roper Distinguished Teacher and Marguerite Ramage Wyche Alumni Service Award winners. Through their contributions and achievements, these individuals have impacted the lives of countless others and elevated CCES’s reputation for athletic and community excellence. Their legacies will inspire current and future Cavaliers.

You can view photos from the event here. 

Some moments feel especially fitting. 

As the CCES community gathered to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Hartness Performing Arts Center, there was perhaps no better time to honor someone whose vision, leadership, and service helped make that very space possible.

That evening, Kathryn Hartness Norwood ’85 received the Marguerite Ramage Wyche Award for Alumni Service, an honor presented by the CCES Alumni Association to an alumnus or alumna who embodies the school’s value of service through contributions to CCES and the greater community.

Kathryn had been selected to receive the award the previous year, but scheduling challenges delayed the presentation. Celebrating her that night, in the building that stands as one of her most visible legacies to CCES, made the recognition all the more meaningful.

Kathryn was nominated for the award by Carter Shaw Lowrance ’94, who recently served as president of the CCES Alumni Association Board. As Carter shared that evening, Kathryn’s record of service to CCES is extraordinary.

Kathryn served eight years on the CCES Board of Trustees. In early 2011, Kathryn became the lead volunteer and driving force behind the fundraising effort for what would become the Hartness Performing Arts Center. But her role went far beyond fundraising. She had a vision for what the arts could become at CCES and believed they deserved a place of equal importance alongside academics and athletics. That vision became a reality.

Ten years after the Hartness Performing Arts Center opened its doors, thousands of students have learned, rehearsed, performed, designed, built and created within its walls. The building has become a home for music, theatre, creativity and collaboration. A lasting reminder of what can happen when someone believes deeply in what is possible and inspires others to believe alongside them.

But Kathryn’s commitment to service extends far beyond the CCES campus.

In 2015, Kathryn heard social entrepreneur and author Becca Stevens speak about Thistle Farms and its mission to help women who had experienced trafficking, prostitution and addiction rebuild their lives. Deeply moved by that mission, Kathryn helped bring together members of Christ Church Episcopal and Triune Mercy Center to attend a workshop at Thistle Farms in Nashville.

Within a year, Kathryn started Jasmine Road. The organization opened its first home for women in 2018, providing survivors with safety, stability, healing and a path toward a new life. Kathryn continued to look for ways to create opportunity, helping establish Jasmine Kitchen, which provides survivors with job training, employment and opportunities to build careers and financial independence.

Across both her work at CCES and her service in the Greenville community, one quality stands out: Kathryn sees possibility.

She sees what could be better, what could be stronger and what could be created when people are willing to believe in a vision, and then put in the work to make the vision come to life. That spirit of service is precisely what the Marguerite Ramage Wyche Award represents.

Kathryn’s service has left an extraordinary mark on Christ Church Episcopal School, and perhaps most meaningfully, on the lives of people who have been given new opportunities because she cared enough to act.

Congratulations to Kathryn Hartness Norwood ’85 on this well-deserved recognition. We are grateful for her vision, leadership, and extraordinary commitment to serving others!

Ten years after the Hartness Performing Arts Center opened its doors, the space continues to be filled with the sounds, stories and talents of Cavaliers of every age.

At the 10th anniversary celebration, Luke Brownlee ’25 returned to the stage. Not only to perform, but to reflect on what the performing arts at CCES have meant to him and how they continue to shape the person he is today.

For Luke, being part of the performing arts program was one of the greatest privileges of his educational journey. Luke credits Upper School Vocal Music Instructor, Mr. Todd Monsell, and Upper School Theatre Teacher, Mr. Reed Halvorson, with playing an especially important role in that growth. Their patience, mentorship and ability to meet students where they are gave Luke the confidence to take risks in a space where he felt comfortable trying, learning and growing.

Through those experiences, Luke discovered that the lessons of performing arts extend far beyond the stage. He left CCES with a greater sense of confidence, empathy and attention to detail, as well as the courage to become a leader.

Today, Luke is continuing to put those lessons into practice as a student at Furman University, where he also serves as the music director for Furman’s student-run organization, Pauper Players, and is helping lead its production of The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee.

Looking back, Luke describes the performing arts as a defining part of his education and a reflection of the holistic growth he experienced throughout his time at CCES.

His senior-year production of Les Misérables holds a particularly special place in his heart. The show became a culmination of his years in the program and of his efforts to live out the CCES values of character, community, excellence and service.

One of his most memorable moments came during his final performance of “Epilogue,” when the weight of the moment, and the gratitude he felt for the performing arts department, brought him to tears.

Returning to the Timmons stage for the PAC’s 10th anniversary celebration offered a meaningful opportunity to reflect on where his journey began and to share that gratitude with the community that helped shape him. His words serve as a reminder that the impact of the arts isn't measured only in performances or productions, but in the confidence students gain, the relationships they build and the people they become along the way.

As Luke reflected, “I would not be a shred of who I am today without CCES Performing Arts.”

Ten years into the story of the Hartness Performing Arts Center, Luke's journey is one example of the lasting impact this space was created to make. The stage may be part of a building, but for Cavaliers like Luke, the lessons learned there continue long after the curtain closes.

For Arianna (Ari) Gill, the study of language has never been just about vocabulary lists or grammar rules, it’s been about connection, culture, and curiosity.

Ari’s journey began at Christ Church Episcopal School, where she enrolled in Primer and remained through her junior year. Just before her senior year, her family relocated to Colorado following her father’s new job opportunity. While her time at CCES ended a year earlier than expected, the foundation she built here continues to shape her path in meaningful ways.

Now a student at University of Southern California (USC), Ari is studying Human Biology while continuing to pursue one of her greatest passions: Mandarin Chinese. Her dedication to language learning was recently highlighted in an article she authored for USC US-China Institute, titled “Fewer College Students are Studying a Foreign Language—Here’s Why I’m Not One of Them.” In it, Ari reflects on the declining number of college students studying foreign languages and makes a compelling case for why that trend is worth reversing.

For Ari, the motivation to learn Mandarin is deeply personal. Inspired by her grandfather who grew up in Singapore, and a desire to learn more about him and where he grew up, she began studying the language in Middle School. What started as an academic interest quickly grew into something more profound.

Ari credits much of her growth and love for Mandarin to her time at CCES, especially under the guidance of Middle and Upper School Mandarin teacher Jane Chen. “She made all the difference,” Ari shares. “Ms. Chen’s vibrant personality and genuine love for both the language and her students stood out immediately.” Through Ms. Chen’s teaching, Ari began to see Mandarin not just as a subject, but as a meaningful and practical way to engage with the world.

From her early days in 7th grade to her later years in high school, Ari’s passion deepened. Today, she describes herself as having a working proficiency in Mandarin and continues to actively engage with the language at USC. She is involved with the university’s U.S.- China Institute, where she serves as an ambassador, helping welcome and connect with exchange students.

Ari describes learning a new language as an art, one that extends far beyond words. “You don’t just learn a language,” she explains. “You experience a culture.” It’s a perspective that has guided her academic journey and continues to influence how she connects with others in her day to day life.

Her story is a testament to the lasting impact of meaningful mentorship and a strong educational foundation. Though her path took her from Greenville to Colorado and now to Los Angeles, Ari carries with her the lessons and relationships that helped spark her passion.

We are so proud of Ari and all she has accomplished, and we can’t wait to see where her love of language and learning takes her next!

The Christ Church Episcopal School community gathered for an evening of connection and camaraderie at the second annual Cavalier Networking Night, a growing tradition that continues to strengthen ties across generations of Cavaliers. Hosted by the CCES Alumni Association and generously sponsored by Coldwell Banker Caine Realtor Thomas Cheves and Velda and Jackson Hughes, the event brought together nearly 150 attendees.

Alumni from a wide range of class years were joined by parents of current students, parents of alumni, and members of the greater Upstate community. The diverse mix of guests created a dynamic atmosphere filled with meaningful conversations, new introductions, and renewed friendships. From first handshakes to familiar reunions, the evening provided a wonderful setting for connection, relationship building, professional networking and fun.

The program featured remarks from Alumni Association President Carter Lowrance ’94 and Head of School David Padilla, both of whom spoke to the strength of the Cavalier network. The evening’s featured speaker was Dr. Courtney Tollison Hartness, a proud member of the Class of 1995. Dr. Hartness shared insights from her professional journey and reflections on CCES from her experiences as a student, alumna, and now parent of a current student. She affirmed the enduring value of a CCES education and the unique sense of community that pervades school culture. 

As the Cavalier Networking Night concluded, it was clear that this new tradition is here to stay.  With strong attendance and enthusiastic participation, the event continues to build momentum, and the CCES community looks forward to continuing and growing this special tradition in the years to come.

Click here to view the full event photo album. 

Continue reading to enjoy Courtney Tollison Hartness’s complete remarks:

“Good Evening!

While thinking about what I wanted to say tonight, the concept of community was continuously front of mind. I’ve spent the last two years writing a bicentennial history of Furman. The root of the word history is story and when history is taught or written well it is enjoyed as a story. As I was writing about Furman’s move to Greenville, or about the Duke Endowment, or when one of our graduates became President of Finland, I repeatedly realized that Furman is special because of her people, and the same is true of CCES. 

If you go to the CCES website, the opening page offers a simple yet powerful message: “Where You Belong.” You will also see the words: Character. Community. Excellence. Service. 

We know our community is special because we feel it. What is harder, however, is articulating why this community is so special. Why are we grateful to be part of CCES?

In 1959, the year the school was founded, an article in The Greenville News declared that the new school aimed to offer an “academically rigorous education in a Christ-centered environment.” That is a laudable aspiration, but are there are lots of schools with that mission who aren’t thriving as we are over 60 years later. 

At its core, the strength of the community lies in its values-driven, holistic and experientially-based education. 

Yet, there is more… 

Perhaps part of what makes our community special is that it is intergenerational. The 5-year-olds who enter Primer constitute a community, full of fresh promise, and so do their parents, many of whom will develop meaningful bonds over the course of the next 13 years. The teachers, coaches, chaplains, staff, and administrators who teach, mentor, and care as they challenge young minds constitute a community, and so do the Golden Cavaliers, a group of CCES retirees. The graduates who gather at the Alumni Christmas Party every December 23^rd and those who return for reunion years rejuvenate the deep bonds forged during our time as students. Grandparents of current students who were once parents of students pass on an appreciation for CCES that has endured. CCES is a rich tapestry of interwoven micro-communities, bound together by hands old and new. It is a community you can be part of for life. 

Perhaps another part of what makes our community special is that it is cross-cultural. For at least 15 years, Greenville-Spartanburg has boasted the highest per capita international investment in the country. Our local economy is international and the school embraces that internationalism. My son’s first grade class has 3 German students in it. I love going to chapel with my son and singing “This is the Day” in English, Spanish, and German. The school boasts exchange programs – in fact, one of my closest friends at CCES was an exchange student from Surrey, England.

Yet, as the school celebrates and cultivates a curiosity about global cultures, it maintains a deep and sustained focus on the Christian faith and on serving and shaping the Greenville community -- another aspect of why CCES is special. In the spirit of St. Martin, who teaches us to care for others, the school offers a class in Service Leadership, but those values are also deeply embedded in the CCES culture. Not a week goes by without a student drive to donate coats, canned food, books, or even gently used musical instruments to those in need. Students routinely venture off campus to donate their time and engage in internships or other activities that complement the curriculum. 

CCES students are out, making a difference for good in Greenville and beyond, and so are the school’s graduates, parents, grandparents, faculty, staff, and others. The imprint of CCES – professionally, philanthropically, and in myriad civic and faith organizations – is strong.  

In conclusion, I want to share my first experience with CCES. It was silly, in hindsight. As a child, my mother and I visited the lower school, which was then located downtown at Christ Church. My only memory is of the woman we met with telling us that classes would often go into the cemetery with crayons and big rolls of white paper that students rolled out over the grave markers and colored so that the inscription from the marker would imprint on the paper. Well, the prospect of that terrified me enough to stay away. 

Fast forward several years. I approached my parents and asked if we could consider CCES again. Thankfully, my visit to the Cavalier Drive campus was much less scary. I was happy, motivated, and grateful as I began my CCES experience. 

Throughout the rest of my time at CCES, I remained happy, motivated, and grateful…grateful to be part of the school and really grateful that my childhood fears of cemeteries had not stymied one of the best decisions of my life. 

Fast forward a few decades. When it came time to send our oldest child to school, there was no question about where I wanted him. A year and a half ago, when we dropped our son off for his first day of Primer, I was still feeling happy, motivated, and grateful, and more importantly, he seemed that way, too. 

Professors like to inspire contemplation, so in that spirit, I’ll conclude with a challenge that I hope will prompt reflection and action. Why are you grateful to be part of this community? And, how can you best contribute to it, knowing that the CCES of the future depends on us?”

–Dr. Courtney Tollison Hartness ‘95

There’s a special kind of magic that comes when holiday lights glow softly, ornaments catch the light just right, and a beloved tradition brings people together year after year. Bon Secours St. Francis’ Festival of Trees has been that kind of magic for four decades — a celebration of community, generosity, and Christmas wonder. This year, as it marks its 40th anniversary, the story feels more personal and more meaningful than ever.

At the heart of that story is Susannah Pazdan Hogg, CCES alumna from the Class of 2015. For her, the Festival is more than an event; it’s a family story, a connection to a grandmother she loved deeply, and a thread that ties together generations. Her grandmother, Mack Pazdan, was the very first chair of the Festival of Trees. What began as her vision — a small weekend gathering at the Duke Power Building in 1986 — has grown into one of Greenville’s most cherished holiday traditions, where beautifully decorated trees bring joy to the community and continue to support the programs of Bon Secours St. Francis Health System.

Susannah’s father, John Pazdan ’80, still remembers those early days vividly. “All the live trees were delivered to our house,” he recalls. “It was a family effort to get them downtown, set them up, and water them. My mother poured so much love into it. She would be so pleased to see how it’s grown, how this event brings people together every year. Having Susannah involved now feels like the Festival has come full circle — and it keeps her memory alive in the most beautiful way.”

Susannah’s connection to the Festival deepened at CCES. As a middle schooler, she made ornaments in Mr. Brent Roberts’s art class, learning not only the joy of creating something by hand but also the value of contributing to a community effort. Those early experiences planted a love for service and celebration that would follow her into adulthood.

Recently, Susannah took a new role at Bon Secours St. Francis, and she had no idea that one of her first major responsibilities would be overseeing the Festival of Trees. From my perspective, it was a joy to watch her in action; as families wandered through the hotel, marveling at each tree, Susannah’s face lit up. It was clear this wasn’t just a job — it’s her life: to love and serve the Greenville community, help raise funds for the programs at St. Francis, and honor every person she meets. At one point, a community member approached us and said they had seen Susannah on the news and were thrilled, declaring this year’s Festival the best one yet! The delight on her face in that moment said it all.

Now, as an alumna and member of the CCES Alumni Association Board, Susannah brings the school’s spirit full circle. Each year, CCES students, faculty, and staff help decorate the Festival trees, turning the process into a joyful, collaborative tradition. “It’s incredible to see students and volunteers come together,” Susannah shares. “Even Mr. Wes Clarke, Head of the Upper School, came on a Sunday to help get the trees ready. It’s not just about decorating, it’s about community and generosity.”

For Susannah, stepping into a leadership role for the Festival is both deeply personal and profoundly rewarding. “It means so much to me. I get to carry on my grandmother’s love for St. Francis. St. Francis was in her DNA, and now it’s in mine.”

The Festival of Trees has always been about more than fundraising. It’s about families pausing to admire each decorated tree, neighbors helping neighbors, and traditions that are remembered fondly and passed along. For Susannah, for John, and for the many CCES students, faculty, and volunteers who have contributed over the years, it is a living memory — one that sparkles brighter every December.

From handmade ornaments in middle school, to honoring a beloved grandmother’s vision, to shepherding a Greenville tradition with the support of her school and community, Susannah’s story is a reminder that legacies are not just inherited; they are lived, shared, and celebrated. And for John, seeing his daughter carry that torch is a joy he treasures deeply.

This year, as countless trees fill the Festival with light and warmth, the magic feels sweeter than ever — a quiet, glowing testament to family, community, CCES, and the enduring joy of Christmas in Greenville.

For 13 years, Lily Thomas ’24 called CCES home — a place where her passion for the performing arts began and where her talent blossomed. Now, as a sophomore at Clemson University, Lily is embracing an exciting new chapter that recently took her from the classroom to the movie set.

This summer, Lily had the opportunity of a lifetime when she starred in Student Film: The Movie, a project funded by the South Carolina Film Commission Grant. The film was produced by Clemson World Cinema Professor of Practice, Sam Sokolow, along with BrandCinema, and the film was written by Julia Fowler, who is known for her work in Southern comedy. After an extensive audition process, Lily landed one of the starring roles.

Unlike traditional films, A Student Film: The Movie incorporates improv from its actors, which gave Lily the chance to showcase her creativity and adaptability on screen — skills she’s been honing since her days performing at CCES.

At Clemson, Lily is majoring in Performing Arts with a concentration in Theater and an emphasis in Acting, while also pursuing a minor in Animal Science. Her path to this point began in fifth grade, when she took the stage in Shrek The Musical, Jr. at CCES. From that moment on, Lily performed in every production the school offered.

She fondly recalls learning from Upper School Theater Teacher Reed Halverson, particularly during her time performing in Hello, Dolly! with Mill Town Players. “That was a pivotal experience for me. Working with acting professionals really opened my eyes,” Lily reflected.

When it came time to apply for college, Lily had always dreamed of attending Clemson. With the encouragement and guidance of Lindsey Waters, Associate Director of College Counseling, Lily successfully navigated the early-action audition process and received her acceptance in December 2024. “Ms. Waters was such a support throughout that whole process,” Lily said. “She truly cared and helped me get where I wanted to go.”

Looking back on her time at CCES, Lily says the lessons she learned went far beyond the stage. “My ability to make connections and talk to people in a business setting is something I learned at CCES,” she said. “I’m not intimidated in those environments. I know how to communicate clearly and professionally.” She credits her teachers for her ability to be intentional and confident in her communication.

Lily also expressed deep gratitude to Lower School Music Teacher Joy Hughes, who gave her early opportunities to perform and explore her love of singing and acting.

So, when can we catch Lily on screen? A Student Film; The Movie is set to premiere at Clemson in Spring 2026. We can’t wait to cheer her on.

Congratulations, Lily! Your CCES family is so proud of you and excited to see where your passion and talent take you next.

Sometimes the best groups come together in the most unexpected ways. That was the case for The Jerries—a band made up of CCES students Jerry Gan ’27, Powers McKissick ’26, and Anabelle Levy ’26, along with alumni Hunter Frederick ’25, Alex Greene ’25, Sierra Kremenliev ’25, and John Walter Whisenhunt ’25. Different ages, different friend groups, and different paths, yet their shared love of music created something unforgettable.

The idea began with the encouragement of CCES Upper School Theater Teacher, Reed Halvorson, who encouraged the students to try playing together; each member bringing their unique skillset ranging from violin to drums, their first performance was a night to remember. Their inaugural show took place during the Young Artist Series in September of 2024. From there, The Jerries hit the stage at Prom in the spring of 2025, and later capped off their run with a memorable final concert on the eve of the Class of 2025 graduation. That last show wasn’t just about music—it was about giving back. The Jerries chose to host the concert as a fundraiser for the Ronald McDonald House, raising $2,500 through ticket and merchandise sales.

For Jerry ’27, a member of the Teen Leadership Board for the Ronald McDonald House, the cause was deeply personal. He underwent a medical procedure over the summer, and seeing his parents juggle between caring for him and managing the hassles of being away from home, he learned firsthand just how many challenges families face in these situations. “I’ve always valued the RMHC’s mission,” Jerry shared. “These families are especially vulnerable and there are not a lot of charities like the RMHC that care for them. I’m really thankful that I was able to help in some small way.”

The Jerries’ benefit concert was made possible by the support and creativity of CCES Assistant Technical Director JT Rider, Technical Director and Production Manager John King, and Director of the Arts Katie Leckenbusch, who all helped bring the event to life. Jerry also shared special thanks for Upper School Counselor Zay Kittredge ‘06, who stayed through their entire dress rehearsal, the CCES security team for ensuring the event ran smoothly, and the Head of Upper School, Wes Clarke, who gave the green light for the concert and helped coordinate security. “We couldn’t have done it without each and every single one of them,” Jerry emphasized.

When asked about their time together, The Jerries looked back with nothing but fondness. They laughed about the funny moments, remembered the thrill of performing, and expressed gratitude to CCES for giving them the space to create music and memories together. Some of their favorite moments were simply being together on campus the day before graduation, knowing they were part of something bigger than themselves.

This summer, the group reunited once more—not on stage, but at the Ronald McDonald House to present their $2,500 check. It was a moment none of them will soon forget.

With four members now in college and three still at CCES, fans can’t help but wonder—will there ever be a reunion tour? While the future is uncertain, one thing is for sure: The Jerries left a lasting impact on CCES and the Greenville community. And in the meantime, you can relive a bit of their magic by streaming The Jerries’ Christmas Album on Spotify.