Benjamin Cheng. Staff Photo
At 13 years old, Briarcrest Christian School seventh-grader Benjamin Cheng has pretty big goals. “I really want to go on Broadway,” he explained, “and become famous there.”
While Cheng plans to get a college education first — to get his bearings and build a stable foundation in case Broadway doesn’t work out — he already has a very impressive resume for someone who has only been performing for a few years.
Alexis, Madison, and Peyton Sessions. Photo by Dana Goode.
Briarcrest high school students and Lakeland residents, Alexis, Madison, and Peyton Sessions have qualified for the TSSAA State Tournament later this month. Alexis and Madison, seniors, placed third in the region in doubles, and Peyton, a freshman, placed third in the region in singles.
The Sessions sisters have been playing tennis for five years, and compete at the high school level and the USTA state and southern levels. Alexis is currently competing in the number one position, and Madison competed in the number one position last year. As a doubles team, Alexis and Madison qualified for the state tournament both their freshman and sophomore years. Last year, Peyton won the middle school Shelby League Tournament becoming the first Briarcrest student to capture that title. This year Peyton is currently undefeated at the number three singles position.
Following the TSSAA State Tournament, the sisters plan to continue their USTA tournaments in June with the Tennessee State Qualifying Tournament and the USTA Southern Tournament. Alexis and Madison will attend Mississippi State University this fall, and plan to walk-on the tennis team.
Photo courtesy of SBA.
The award-winning SBA “Eagle’s Eye” staff includes Arlington resident Destinee Williams (second row, second from left).
The St. Benedict at Auburndale High School student newspaper The Eagle’s Eye was again recognized by the THSPA (TN High School Press Association). On March 10, the newspaper received All-Tennessee Honors, the highest rating given for a school newspaper, and also placed third in the state overall.
The following staff members and freelance artist also received top honors: Amanda Slade third place for Features Writing, Sarah Timmins (freelance cartoonist) third place for Cartoon/Illustration and Alanna Oliphant Honorable Mention for Cartoon/Illustration. The Eagle’s Eye staff sponsor and teacher is Dianna Cervetti.
Back row (l to r): Trent Williamson, Harding Academy President; Kerry Sweeney, Memphis Tigers coach; Al Stevens, Harding baseball coach; Kevin Starks, Vice President and Athletic Director
Front row (l to r): Carla Ward, Jackson Ward, Joe Ward. Photo Courtesy of Harding Academy.
Lakeland resident Jackson Ward of Harding Academy has signed to play baseball at Harding University. Ward was 7-1 on the mound last year with an ERA of 1.93 and batted .302 with 32 RBI in helping the Lions win their second straight regional championship and second straight state runner-up finish. He was named MVP of the 2013 D2A West Tennessee Regional Tournament and was named to the All Shelby Metro Team. He has a career record of 13-4 with 2.77 ERA.
Jackson’s father, Joe Ward said, “Growing up in Memphis, Jackson has been very fortunate to play with and against some good players who are really great kids. Coach Al Stevens at Harding Academy and Coach Kerry Sweeney from the Tigers organization do an awesome job developing players. We are all excited that Jackson will be continuing his baseball career. My wife and I are very proud of him every day, but today was very special.”
Tipton-Rosemark Academy presents the Tony Award-winning musical Fiddler on the Roof March 28 – April 5 in the new Performing Arts Center on the TRA campus at 8686 Rosemark Road in Millington.
Performances are 7:00 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, March 28 and 29, with a 2:00 p.m. matinee performance on Sunday, March 30. The show continues its run at 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights April 3-5. Tickets are $14 for adults and $10 for students. Thursday, April 3 is Student Night and student tickets will be discounted to $7.
The musical produced well-known songs such as Tradition, Sunrise, Sunset, If I Were a Rich Man, and Matchmaker.
Arlington resident junior Carli Long will play Shaindel, the mother of Motel the tailor, while Arlington native eighth grader Franny Walker will play a Jewish woman.
For more information on Tipton-Rosemark Academy’s production of Fiddler on the Roof, call Todd Goode at(901) 409-4984 or visit the school’s website at www.tiptonrosemarkacademy.net to purchase your tickets online.
