I attended Westminster School of Nashville for grades 1-8. There was not a high school yet, so I transitioned to Brewster Academy in New Hampshire. Brewster Academy was very similar to WSN. It was difficult getting into Brewster Academy, but I was admitted because of my strong self-advocacy skills. I will have to admit though, the first two years were the hardest of my life.  While I was attending Brewster Academy, Mrs. Rayburn visited Brewster to learn more about their computer program. It was great seeing her on campus!

After graduating from Brewster Academy, I enrolled at the University of Hartford in Connecticut. Even though writing was difficult for me, I majored in Creative Writing on purpose. It was my biggest weakness, but I wanted to prove to myself that I could do it; after doing it, I now know I can do anything. Brewster Academy helped to build upon what WSN began. WSN really helped me with my reading comprehension and concentration and Brewster really focused on my writing. Although majoring in Creative Writing was really intensive, I began to really enjoy it and liked the challenge of trying to get published. I minored in Psychology.

I am currently in my third year as an affiliate broker at Keller Williams Realty. I work out of the Nashville-Green Hills office.

My most memorable experience from WSN would have to be anything to do with friends, from playing sports to being in class. I stay in touch with many friends from WSN. We all just bonded well. Facebook has really helped with this, too. My favorite athletic moment was almost beating Ensworth in basketball during middle school.  

I am currently a friend on the Facebook alumni page, and I recently played in the first-ever Alumni vs. Current Students Basketball Game on January 7. I also spoke to Upper School students on January 7 about what college life is like.

My grandfather always said, “The harder you work, the luckier you get.” This quote encompasses it all. You have to work as hard as you can now to pave the way for life. If you don’t give 100 percent now, then you are setting this trend for the future. You have to be both selfish and selfless at the same time--life is competitive, with schools and jobs. You can’t slack off.

It was all about the experience. Teachers at WSN did a great job of keeping everything together. CIA (campus and high school) was just a concept then, but we always had the fantastic faculty. WSN/CIA has small classes with a large focus, and you can’t get that anywhere else. Mrs. Rayburn and her staff were such forward-thinkers to envision this place today back when I was at WSN. Hands-down, this is the nicest school in Nashville. I do remember playing a role in today’s campus when I was at WSN. I was Head for a Day and got to shadow Mrs. Rayburn. I had my suit and tie on, and I remember Mrs. Rayburn telling me to draw the “new” school (CIA). I drew a fabulous fountain in the quad. I’m still waiting to see that fountain!

WSN taught me many things, including self-advocacy skills. WSN focused on my reading comprehension and focus. I am grateful for all of this. I really began to enjoy reading while at WSN; I remember that Mrs. Jenkins set up a reading program where you could earn points for reading books. I was (and still am) very competitive and always wanted to earn the prizes for reading!

Getting married in September 2010 has definitely been the most exciting! My wife, Lana, is an architect and was born in Russia and moved to the United States when she was five. We knew of each other through mutual friends when we were growing up but didn’t meet until we were adults. I knew I wanted to marry her the first time I saw her! We are both adventurous and go-getters.

My plans include traveling and a good balance between work and play. I plan on living in Nashville and raising kids, and I would love to own my own real estate company.