OFFICIAL ALUMNI ORGANIZATION FOR WHITES CREEK HIGH SCHOOl

During a time of social unrest following the killing of George Floyd, the COVID-19 pandemic, and discussions of school closures in Metro Nashville Public Schools (MNPS), Loretta Parson ’86 and Catherine Miller-Bowers ’82 organized a virtual meeting on June 18, 2020, via Zoom. The meeting, attended by 15 Whites Creek High School (WCHS) alumni and MNPS District-1 School Board Representative Dr. Sharon Dixon Gentry, addressed concerns about the potential closure of WCHS.

Prompted by unresolved concerns about the closure of Robert E. Lillard Elementary, Dr. Roderick J. Glatt ’85 proposed a follow-up meeting to discuss MNPS’s ReimaginED initiative, which could impact WCHS’s academic structure. This meeting was held on June 19, 2020, via Google Meet, with 12 alumni attending. Alum Glatt presented the initiative, and Alum Miller-Bowers chaired the session. A third meeting was scheduled.

On June 26, 2020, the same group reconvened to prepare for the upcoming ReimaginED Cluster Townhall on June 29. Glatt moderated the meeting and proposed forming an organization to advocate for WCHS, which was unanimously supported. Alums Barbour and Fields were tasked with researching past alumni association efforts. Glatt also created a GroupMe named “WCHS Alumni Network” for communication.

On July 7, 2020, nine alumni met again and officially adopted the name “Whites Creek High School Alumni Network.” This marked the beginning of efforts to formally incorporate the organization.

Beginning July 7, 2020, the Whites Creek High School Alumni Network (WCHSAN) met weekly on Tuesday evenings. On July 28, 2020, the election of officers was held with 10 alumni in attendance. The following founding board members were elected:

• President: Dr. Roderick J. Glatt ’85
• Vice President: Perrion Barbour ’90
• Secretary: Dr. Iris Colette Olige ’90
• Treasurer: Bonita Fields ’85
• Members-at-Large: William Gilmore ’79, Loretta Parson ’86, Catherine Miller-Bowers ’82

In recognition of their consistent contributions, Dr. Glatt appointed Cathy Anderson Jobe ’85, Dr. LaSheryl Jones-Hall ’88, and Dr. Karen Beard ’97 as additional board members-at-large.

Following the election, key milestones were achieved:

• Membership dues were set, with board members contributing an additional $100 to establish startup funds.
• Dr. Glatt and Cathy Anderson Jobe drafted bylaws (approved on third reading), obtained an EIN, filed a charter application, and registered WCHSAN as a Tennessee corporation on July 31, 2020.
• A 501(c)(3) application was submitted (approval pending), and a business bank account was opened.
• On August 21, 2020, WCHSAN was approved as a registered School Support Organization (SSO) by MNPS, enabling capital fundraising for WCHS. Notably, the MNPS Audit Department was led by alum Taronda Frierson.

Under Dr. Glatt’s leadership (2020–2025), WCHSAN:

• Launched its website and social media platforms
• Secured nonprofit status and created the official logo
• Established a digital office via Google for Nonprofits
• Developed standard forms and led fundraising efforts, including the successful “Show Your Love” campaign in February 2025, which raised $1,784.55 in 14 days
• Awarded its first scholarships in 2021 and expanded awards in 2024
• Partnered with former Principal Bruce Bowers to launch the “Once A Cobra, Always A Cobra” scholarship, seeded with a $500 gift
• Organized membership drives and grew alumni engagement annually

In 2025, Dr. Glatt passed the gavel to Catherine Miller-Bowers ’82. The journey continues—and The Creek is Still Rising!