New Alumni Board Members Get Grilled
I’m a fan of the new members of the PDS/USN Alumni Board. I’m also a fan of the question and answer interviews from old “teen” magazines. So….
We put new Alumni Board members—Judy Hopton Lawrence ’68, Keith Belton ’86, Brad Gulmi ’89, Sarah Nadler Wolf ’99, and Bobby Perry ’03—to the pop star treatment.
What was your favorite class at PDS/USN?
Judy Hopton Lawrence: My favorite class at PDS was Miss Tyler's English class. You never knew what might happen in class or who might show up.
Keith Belton: Western Civ. [with Polly Fields], with the lively discussions.
Brad Gulmi: I always liked Mr. Rod's classes. Maybe it's because we could throw paper airplanes out the window from the third floor. I still remember flying one all the way over the back fence across the old soccer field.
Sarah Nadler Wolf: It’s a toss up between Mr. Dorris’ 7th grade Social Studies class and Dr. Lavine’s high school Social Conscience elective: both encouraged me to think in new ways about equality and history.
Bobby Perry: Historical method with Connie Culpepper and Vince Durnan: it was amazing to learn what a unique history PDS/USN has.
One thing you would change about your time at PDS/USN?
Judy Hopton Lawrence: I wouldn't change a thing.
Keith Belton: Full sized basketball court/gymnasium with air circulation that doesn't make the gym smell like the pool, but that's been addressed.
Brad Gulmi: I would have gotten my driver’s license earlier like most kids do these days. Carpool was tough.
Sarah Nadler Wolf: I wouldn't change much (though the air conditioning in the third floor hallway is a plus).
Bobby Perry: I would've been in my sister Beth '99's classes so I could've copied her homework.
Did anything embarrassing happen you at PDS/USN? Are willing to share?
Judy Hopton Lawrence: Lots of stories, but I don't think you would want them in print.
Keith Belton: No answer
Brad Gulmi: I'm sure it did, but I must have blocked it out of my memory.
Sarah Nadler Wolf: My parents spied on my friends and me during our Senior Prom at Cheekwood. I was mortified. I have since recovered.
Bobby Perry: The most embarrassing thing that happened to me at school was that my now wife, Mollie, dumped me before Mr. Robins' American Literature class one morning in front of all my friends.
What do you do now? What is your favorite or least favorite part of what you do?
Judy Hopton Lawrence: I am a make-up artist and have been doing this for 23 years. I work on TV shows, commercials, photo shoots, and award shows. The best part of my job is all the people I meet and places I go.
Keith Belton: Development Director at Matthew Walker Comprehensive Health Center — enjoy working for an agency where the focus is on providing health care to anyone.
Brad Gulmi: I own a healthcare company, Medical Direct Club (www.medicaldirectclub.com) that I founded in 2009. I enjoy making my own decisions and being free to carve my own path. Starting my own business is the best decision I ever made.
Sarah Nadler Wolf: I work in development communications for Vanderbilt University Medical Center. My favorite part of my job is helping the university connect with its many constituents—alumni, faculty, staff and patients.
Bobby Perry: I am pursuing a JD/MBA at Vanderbilt. My favorite part is I'm walking distance from USN, so I can stop by and cause problems just like the good ol' days.
What was the most popular song your Senior Year?
Judy Hopton Lawrence: When I was a senior, "Hey Jude" by the Beatles was a popular song.
Keith Belton: Any song by RUN-DMC hit #1 on the charts.
Brad Gulmi: For me it was something by the Police or Reggae.
Sarah Nadler Wolf: I am embarrassed to admit the first one I thought of was Britney Spears' "Hit Me Baby One More Time."
Bobby Perry: "In Da Club" by 50 Cent.
Final Comments:
Brad Gulmi: On a personal note, I am married and have two amazing children Maximus, 4, and Sofia, 9 months. We live in Oak Hill in Nashville.
Sarah Nadler Wolf: After living in Washington, D.C., I am happily back in Nashville and married to a USN classmate (Matthew Wolf). Rosa, our 20-pound puggle, pretty much rules our life.
