The Clarion · Alumni News

Once a Lion.
Always a Lion.

From reunions and career milestones to ministry, scholarship, service, family, and lives shaped around the world, TKA alumni continue to carry the Academy's legacy far beyond campus.

Alumni News Summer 2026 The King's Academy
Back on Campus

Homecoming
January 2026

Homecoming moved from football season to basketball during the 2025–2026 school year. Alumni were treated to a buffet on the upper-level walkway of the Tibbetts Building, affording them space to fellowship with some of the best seats in the house.

TKA alumni gathering during Homecoming 2026
01. Kray and Olivia Veal Strickland (FS), foreground left; Travis and Heather Vincent McCloud ('93), background; and Cayla Womac Medders ('93), right.
Cyrille Sandjon supporting the TKA Lions
02. Cyrille Sandjon ('10) brought his well-known enthusiasm back to support the Lions.
Dr. Carter Davis and Jane Wilson at TKA Homecoming
03. Former Board Chairs Dr. Carter Davis ('59) and Jane Wilson ('74) compare notes while watching the game.
Drew and Kristi Smothers at TKA Homecoming
04. Trustee Board Member Drew Smothers ('85) and Kristi Smothers.
Drew Napier and Caleb Krug
05. Drew Napier ('02) and Caleb Krug ('10).
Tom and Kay Smothers Riddle
06. Tom ('77) and Kay Smothers Riddle ('76).
David Kirkpatrick and Chris Tucker
07. David Kirkpatrick ('10) and Chris Tucker (FS).
Former TKA teacher Ray Ishak
08. Former teacher Ray Ishak.
Across the Generations

Alumni News

Career milestones, family updates, achievements, ministry, service, and the continuing stories of Lions around the world.

Judge Dwight Stokes receiving the Carson-Newman Alumni Triumph Award
Judge Stokes receives his award from Carson-Newman University President Dr. Charles Fowler.
Dwight and Elaine Stokes
Dwight and Elaine Stokes.
Class of 1970

Judge Dwight Stokes Honored by Carson-Newman

Judge Dwight Stokes ('70) received the 2025 Carson-Newman University Alumni Triumph Award for Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences.

The award honors alumni who have taken what they learned as Carson-Newman students and achieved success in their respective fields while making a meaningful impact through service to others.

Judge Stokes is General Sessions Court Judge for Sevier County. He served as a trial lawyer in criminal, civil, and appellate practice for 21 years and was elected to the bench in 1998.

He is a member of the 2005 Class of Leadership Sevier. He has served on the Tennessee Commission on Children and Youth and the State of Tennessee Court of the Judiciary.

In 2024, the Tennessee Supreme Court appointed him to the Access to Justice Commission.

Judge Stokes and his wife, Elaine, reside in Kodak, Tennessee. They have two adult sons, Drew and Dustin.

Class of 1971

Steven E. Kitts Reconnects with Dr. Grubb

Steven E. Kitts ('71) reconnected with President Emeritus Walter Grubb at a meeting of the City-Wide Service Group in December at Copper Cellar Restaurant in West Knoxville.

Steven is an active member of the group, and Dr. Grubb was the guest speaker.

Steven's wife, Jenny, is the daughter of Carl Cook ('47, Alumnus of the Year), who passed away in August 2025.

Steven E. Kitts and President Emeritus Walter Grubb
Steven E. Kitts, left, and Academy President Emeritus Walter Grubb, right.
Class of 1975 · Former ASL Staff

Gwendolyn McCool Dimmen

Gwendolyn McCool Dimmen ('75, Former ASL Staff) retired from Knox County Schools and plans to travel and spend time with family.

Her travel plans include visits with family in Alabama, Canada, Iowa, Michigan, and Vermont.

She and her husband, Danny Dimmen, reside in Seymour and attend Valley Grove Baptist Church.

Class of 1980

Todd Perkins

Todd Perkins ('80) is President/CEO of United Cerebral Palsy of Mobile, Alabama.

He says he enjoyed his days at the Academy very much and continues to keep in touch with several classmates.

“HCBA changed my life for the better.”
Class of 1983

Mary Shepherd Fuller

Mary Shepherd Fuller ('83) lives in Ringgold, Georgia, with her husband, Robert, where they work with Harvest Deaf Ministries.

She attended Tennessee Temple and has served in missions around the world.

Class of 1995

Slobodan Kozomara: A Life Changed at TKA

Slobodan Kozomara ('95) understandably had divided loyalties during the 2026 FIFA World Cup. He primarily pulled for England, where he currently lives, while also hoping to see the United States succeed.

Slobo came to TKA from Bosnia in August 1993 as the region became increasingly embroiled in civil war. During his sophomore year, he lost contact with his family, and TKA became his home in a very real sense.

“TKA played a major role in changing the trajectory of my life at the most important juncture. It was all thanks to the people at the Academy who gave me support and made me feel welcomed. I am extremely grateful and forever thankful for that.”

His family eventually made their way to England and was able to re-establish contact with him. Following TKA, Slobo graduated from Tennessee Wesleyan University.

Two years later, he moved to England to be closer to his family and make up time lost during nearly a decade of separation.

He works as a physical therapist at a local hospital. His parents and sister live in the same town, and the family sees one another often.

“The King's Academy is an amazing place. It certainly holds some of the best memories of my life.”

The Kozomaras plan to vacation in the United States in the next couple of years and visit TKA.

Dr. Agnieska Lukaszczyk
Dr. Agnieska Lukaszczyk.
Class of 1999

Dr. Agnieska Lukaszczyk

Agnieska Lukaszczyk ('99) addressed the TKA Legacy Gala audience by video in March, recalling her move from Warsaw, Poland, to The King's Academy.

Following graduation, she earned her B.A. in Political Science from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, and her master's degree from American University's School of International Service in Washington, D.C.

She completed postgraduate work in Management of Space in New Economies at the Warsaw School of Economics and earned her Ph.D. in Defence and Security/Space Security from the Polish Defense Academy.

  • Research Fellow, European Space Institute
  • Executive Director/Chairperson, Space Generation Advisory Council
  • Brussels Office Director, Secure World Foundation
  • Policy Officer, European Commission
  • European Union Policy Director
  • Senior Director, European Affairs
  • Vice President, Government Affairs, Europe/Middle East/Africa for Planet
  • Founder, hiALtitude Consulting
  • Space Advisor, Andart Global
  • Senior Advisor, Renaissance Strategic Advisors
  • Chair, Sustainability Task Force, International Astronautical Federation

Currently living in Belgium, she hosted the Munich Space Summit in March 2026 with major European space representatives in attendance.

Class of 2002

Bryan Walker

Bryan Walker ('02) is Worship Pastor and Media Director of Faith Baptist Tabernacle in Jamestown, Tennessee.

He and his wife, Bethany, reside in Cookeville with their four children.

Bryan is also the winner of two Dove Awards presented by the Gospel Music Association.

Class of 2008

Grant & Hollie Beeler

Grant Beeler ('08), CPA, is a tax accountant at Heather L. Martin, CPA, PLLC, in Maryville.

Hollie Reagan Beeler ('08) is a Kindergarten teacher with Alcoa Elementary School.

They have two children, Lynnleigh, 10, and Boone, 7.

Class of 2009

Nick Lovelace

Nick Lovelace ('09) received his bachelor's degree in Marketing from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, and his MBA from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

He resides in Seymour with his wife, Hayley, and their children, Deacon, Harper, and Jacey, on their 10-acre farm.

Nick is currently Director of World Choice Investments.

Nick and Hayley Lovelace and their children
The Lovelace family
Nick and Hayley Lovelace and their children.
Class of 2010

Caleb Krug

Caleb Krug ('10) and his wife, Courtney, reside in Sevierville with their son, Andy, who was born in 2025.

Caleb is a CPA tax accountant with Forvis Mazars.

Ten Years Later

Class of 2016 Reunion

Together Again

A Decade of Stories to Share

Danielle Quesinberry, who served as SGA President during her senior year, was the organizing force, with help from social media, behind the Class of 2016's 10-year reunion at Ivey House in Seymour.

More than 30 graduates and spouses gathered for catered food from Buddy's BBQ and Papa John's Pizza, along with a photo booth, selfie station, cornhole, board games, Nintendo Switch, and cards.

All three sets of the class's “multiples” were present: twins AJ and Makensie Mink, twins John and Sam Rector, and triplets Ethan, Griffin, and Landon Gantte.

Austin Shaffer traveled from Georgia and Kristina Brown came from North Carolina.

Conversations were lively around athletic events, class trips including Guatemala, yearbooks and pictures provided by TKA Librarian and Alumni Relations Lori Kooch ('89), and stories about classmates' journeys since 2016.

Austin Shaffer, Danielle Quesinberry, and RJ Fanti
Austin Shaffer, Danielle Quesinberry, and RJ Fanti.
Kristina Brown, Danielle Quesinberry, and Makensie Mink
Kristina Brown, Danielle Quesinberry, and Makensie Mink.
Members of the TKA Class of 2016
Clockwise from top left: Isaiah Gilmore, Austin Shaffer, Bailey Brackins, Griffin Gantte, Julia Weech, and Sarah Herbert Connor.
Members of the Gantte family
Griffin and Andrea Gantte, Landon Gantte, Shianne and Ethan Gantte.
Where They Are Now

The Next Generation

Recent graduates continue to build on their TKA foundation through scholarship, careers, family, ministry, leadership, and service.

Class of 2017

Dr. Kaiyi Jiang Joins Princeton Faculty

Dr. Kaiyi Jiang ('17) is launching his teaching career as Assistant Professor of Bioengineering in Princeton University's Omenn-Darling Bioengineering Institute.

Following graduation from TKA, Kaiyi earned his B.S. in Bioengineering and Biomedical Engineering from Rice University.

He then attended the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, where he earned his Ph.D. in Biological/Biosystems Engineering.

Earlier this year he was named an inaugural Amgen Science Fellow and accepted his position at Princeton.

He is also a co-founder of Foundry Biosciences in Thousand Oaks, California, where his team endeavors to unlock longevity with AI-generated proteins.

Kaiyi came to TKA from Dalian, Liaoning, People's Republic of China.

As a junior at TKA, he competed against 20,000 of the world's brightest high school students for China's prestigious Dongrun-Yau Science and Mathematics Awards and subsequently placed in the Top 10.

“They chose TKA because they valued its commitment to integrity and service. They wanted me to be in an environment where character mattered just as much as the grades.”

Kaiyi credits TKA's STEM program with teaching him not simply formulas, but how to think critically and approach problems with curiosity.

Baker Allen Blair
Baker Allen Blair.
Class of 2019

Drew Blair Welcomes Son, Baker Allen

Drew Blair ('19) and his wife, Ellie, announce the birth of their son, Baker Allen Blair, on July 16, 2026.

Drew is teaching math and serving as assistant football coach at William Blount High School in Maryville, Tennessee.

Class of 2020

Nathaniel Hall

Nathaniel Hall ('20) and his wife, Anna, celebrated the birth of their son in June 2026.

They have maintained connections with TKA through their ministry with youth at Seymour First Baptist Church and have particularly enjoyed building relationships with TKA resident life students.

Nathaniel is completing his master's degree in Mechanical Engineering at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville.

Class of 2020

Madeline Reagan

Madeline Reagan ('20) says several members of her class make it a point to get together at least once a year.

She received her bachelor's degree in Kinesiology from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, in December 2022 and her master's degree in Recreation and Sport Management from UT in May 2025.

She currently works at 21st Mortgage while pursuing a career opportunity in sport administration.

“I can't imagine my life without the 13 years I spent at TKA.”
Jinshu Leo Liu, Class of 2021
Class of 2021

Jinshu “Leo” Liu

Jinshu Leo Liu ('21) completed his undergraduate degree in Human Resources Management at The Ohio State University Fisher College of Business in 2024, completing the four-year program in three years.

He then earned a Master of Science in Public Management (Policy Economics) at University College London in 2025.

Leo currently resides in Beijing, China, where he works as Human Resources Manager for a state-owned enterprise.

He is also involved in financial investment and private fund-related work and is contemplating a Ph.D. in business administration, finance, or management.

“I am deeply grateful to TKA for the education, guidance, and support I received during my time there. I truly miss my life at TKA.”
Class of 2022

Gavin Hensley: Faith After the Fall

Gavin Hensley ('22) graduated with a degree in Accounting from Tennessee Technological University in 2024.

During his enrollment there, he accumulated 29 credits during one semester, 23 through Tennessee Tech and six through College Board.

Yet what Gavin describes as miraculous happened before graduation.

In November 2022, the small single-engine airplane he was piloting experienced catastrophic engine failure near Sparta, Tennessee.

During the resulting descent, the aircraft clipped obstacles before coming to rest nose-down, with damaged wings and a fuel leak in a grassy area.

Although in shock, Gavin was able to extract himself from the cockpit and move away from the airplane.

Gavin is quick to acknowledge the grace of God in his survival and says such an experience will do wonders for one's prayer life.

Gavin is now a J.D. candidate at Georgetown University Law School in Washington, D.C., and has accepted a 2027 summer associate position with Dechert as a finance and tax attorney.

He has also continued overseeing his family-oriented glamping resort in Pigeon Forge, a venture originally dreamed up while he was in high school with classmate Hunter Smith ('20).

Gavin Hensley
Gavin Hensley ('22).
Gavin Hensley's airplane following its emergency landing
Gavin affirms that this is not the way you want your airplane to land.
Tyler and Halle in 2025
Tyler and Halle in 2025.
Tyler and Halle in 2026
Tyler and Halle in 2026.
Class of 2022

Tyler Overdorf

Tyler Overdorf ('22) and Halle Leslie were married July 16, 2025, near Chattanooga, Tennessee.

Tyler completed his B.S. degree in Psychology at Johnson University in May 2026 and begins work toward his M.A. in Counseling at JU this fall.

He currently works in operations at K Brew in Knoxville while Halle works in the Johnson University Admissions Department.

Continuing Connections

Former Faculty & Staff

The TKA story extends beyond graduates to the faculty and staff members who have invested in generations of students.

Stacy Box and Diane Grubb
Former Resident Life Faculty

Stacy Box

Stacy earned her B.A. in Psychology from Azusa Pacific University and completed her Master of Science in Clinical Psychology at Vanguard University in Costa Mesa, California, in May 2022.

Having completed additional requirements for the State of California, she currently maintains a private practice with Journey's Counseling in Mission Viejo, California, as a Marital and Family Therapist.

She is also an associate working toward becoming a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor.

Stacy Box, right, during her December 2025 visit to TKA with her aunt, former TKA First Lady Diane Grubb.
Tyler and Miracle Sane with their three sons
Former Resident Life Staff

Rev. Tyler Sane

Rev. Tyler Sane was ordained in 2020 as International Evangelist by Times Square Church in New York City.

During 2026, he is preaching in India, Zambia, Kenya, Ghana, and Nigeria.

His wife, Miracle, is from India, where her father oversees numerous churches. She serves on the music staff at Times Square Church.

They reside in New Jersey with their three sons.

Tyler and Miracle Sane with their three sons.