St. Agnes Marks 20 Years with Jim’s East:

Restaurant is Perfect Place for Ring Ceremony After-Celebration

MEMPHIS, TENN. (Feb. 11, 2010)…The rain Friday did not dampen the enthusiasm of the 78 juniors from St. Agnes Academy during their ring ceremony after-celebration Feb. 5 at Jim’s Place East. In total, 261 persons (about 40 more than the previous year), including students, family members and teachers, filled the landmark restaurant as excitement spilled into each room.

“This year marks the 20^th time that we have celebrated at Jim’s East after our ring ceremony at St. Louis Catholic Church,” said St. Agnes Theology Dept. Chair Betty Pate. “We keep coming back because of the consistency in outstanding food and service. The surroundings are beautiful and there’s room for all of us to visit and enjoy being with one another.”

The celebratory group dined on grilled chicken shish kebab with vegetables and rice pilaf, complemented by a house salad with Jim’s signature dressing and accompanying homemade rolls, and finished with chocolate mousse for dessert.

At St. Louis Church, relatives who had previously graduated from St. Agnes handed down their class rings to children, sisters, cousins or grandchildren. It’s a time-honored tradition that celebrates a premier education, religious values and a foundation for the future, according to Ms. Pate. Germantown residents the Wills family and Collierville residents the Forsythe family tied for the largest representation of St. Agnes alumni dating back to 1948.

St. Agnes junior Joy Wills, 16, received her ring from her grandmother, Joy Peete Wills, who graduated in 1948. Her sister Claudia Wills Mabry graduated in 2001 and sister Diana Wills graduated in 2005. Also attending in support were cousin Kristen Alexander (class of 2008) and aunt Barbara Pian Evangelisti (class of 1974).

St. Agnes junior Nicole Forsythe, 17, received her ring from her mother, Terry Harmeier Forsythe who graduated in 1982. Nicole’s aunt Natalie Nevels Harmeier graduated in 1987, her aunt Jo Harmeier Gilbert graduated in 1978, her aunt Mary Harmeier graduated in 1975 and her aunt Meg Harmeier graduated in 1973.

The class of 2011 is just three semesters shy of becoming the 160^th graduating class of the all-girl institution founded in 1851. This year’s theme is “Unity: We are One.”

Photo 002 – The Forsythe Family (Collierville): St. Agnes junior, Nicole, with her family.

From left, Showing off the class rings are: Mom Terry Harmeier Forsythe, sister Lauren Forsythe, Nicole, 17, and Dad Greg Forsythe.

The Wills Family (Germantown): St. Agnes junior class member Joy with her family.

L to R sitting: Sister Diana Wills (38138), Joy, 16, and grandmother Joy Peete Wills.

L to R standing: Mom Claudia Wills, sister Claudia Mabry (38117) and Dad Gordon Wills, Jr.

Gattuso Sisters.

Francesca, class of 2007 (at right), passed down her class ring to younger sibling Amelia Gattuso, 17. The two enjoyed the celebration at
Jim’s Place following the St. Agnes ring ceremony on Feb. 5.

Gattuso Family (East Memphis): St. Agnes junior Amelia with her family.

From left, Mom Jami, Amelia, 17, sister Francesca and Dad Frank Gattuso. Also attending in support was cousin Catherine Gattuso Jacobs, who graduated St. Agnes in 1941. Amelia, who is named after her cousin, bears the middle name of Catherine.

Vescovo Family (East Memphis): St. Agnes junior classmate Jessica and her family.

From left, Mom Daphne, Jessica, 16, and dad Mel Vescovo take a moment from a fine meal to pose for a family remembrance during the
St. Agnes after-celebration at Jim’s East on Feb. 5.

The Girls Have It! St. Agnes juniors, dressed to the nines and proud to represent the Class of 2011, show off their class rings at
Jim’s Place East during a ring ceremony after-celebration.

Front row, from left: Maria Murphy, 16 (38120) and Maggie Pohlman, 17 (38120).

Back row, L to R: Maggie Franklin, 16 (38002); Eleanor Starnes, 16 (38117); Ginny Pampuro, 16 (38139); Emily Nickell, 16 (38139); Kayla Stark, 16, (38120);
Anna Grace Newell, 16 (38111); Sarah Podesta, 17 (38104); Lizzie Colloredo, 16, (38139); and Nicole Forsythe, 17, (38017).

Flanked by Jim’s Place General Manager Bill Taras (at far left, holding menu) and his dad, Jim’s Place co-owner Costa Taras, the St. Agnes faculty say goodbye
after a satisfying meal and lots of good fellowship at Jim’s Place East Feb. 5.

Front row, from left: The St. Agnes faculty includes Art Teacher Janis McCarty (38016) and French and Spanish teacher Anita Kay (38139).

On the back row, from left: Jim’s Place General Manager Bill Taras; Spanish teacher Kueilan Barnes (38002); Latin teacher Betty Luttmann (38125);
Director of the Counseling Center Barbara Olson (38138); Dean of the Upper School Joy Maness (38134); Chair of the Theology Department and teacher
Betty Pate (38122); and Jim’s Place Co-Owner Costa Taras.