Caldwell named McCallie's Distinguished Alumnus

McCallie School headmaster Kirk Walker, right, congratulates Distinguished Alumnus Hardwick Caldwell III.

Hardwick "Hacker" Caldwell III, class of 1966, was presented McCallie School's Distinguished Alumnus Award at the school's recent Chattanooga Alumni Luncheon.

Caldwell has served on the McCallie School Board of Trustees for all but two years since 1993. He was board chairman from 2010 until 2013. He has also served on the boards of United Way of Greater Chattanooga, Girls Preparatory School, Community Foundation of Greater Chattanooga, Allied Arts of Greater Chattanooga (now ArtsBuild), Hunter Museum of American Art, Chattanooga Neighborhood Enterprise, Boys Club of Chattanooga, Smithsonian American Art Museum and the University of North Carolina.

Caldwell is president of TSWII Management Co., a limited partnership that invests in hedge funds. He and his family have been instrumental in contributions toward the Caldwell Honors Scholarship, the Caldwell Chair of English Composition, the L. Hardwick Caldwell Jr. Chair of Christian Ethics, the annual fund, the new science building and many more McCallie projects.

DAR chapter presents awards

Daughters of the American Revolution award winners Jennifer Ley Crutchfield, left, and Stacy Lynn Kehoe, right, with Regent Jan Owens Perry.

The Judge David Campbell chapter of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution recently presented awards to Jennifer Ley Crutchfield and Stacy Lynn Kehoe.

Crutchfield received the Women in American History Award for her promotion of Chattanooga. She is the author of "Chattanooga Landmarks," director of public relations at WTCI-TV and was editor of Chattanooga Parent Magazine, in which she wrote the column "History Mystery," exploring Chattanooga landmarks and history.

She has been a Chattanooga Historic Destinations Examiner , a relocation agent for families moving to Chattanooga and taught an afterschool program called Chattanooga History Mystery Detective Club.

Kehoe received the DAR Community Service Award for her work with the Signal Mountain and Ooltewah divisions of the United States Naval Sea Cadets. She led Sea Cadets through many community service activities such as cleanup after the 2012 tornadoes, replacing trees at the National Cemetery and participating in Wreaths Across America ceremonies.

Wendt takes top awards in film contest

Rhea County Academy student Jonathan Wendt, left, speaks at the Christian Youth Film Festival after winning several awards for his film, "The Indian's Revenge.

A local filmmaker scored second place at the 20th anniversary Christian Youth Film Festival held in Bakersfield, Calif., recently.

Rhea County Academy student Jonathan Wendt's film, "The Indian's Revenge," received second place overall with a cash prize of $890. Additionally, he received awards for Best Director, Best Cinematography, Best Editing and Best Production Value.

"I was amazed. They kept calling my name and it was like a blur. When they asked me to speak, all I could say was 'I thank God, my family and my crew.' I also thanked my Dad, who was a big help to me," says Wendt.

Because he won the Best Director award, Wendt has been offered free directing classes with Clay Banks Studios in Hollywood. Banks was one of the judges for the competition along with actor Basil Hoffman, rising Christian actress Jenn Gotson, author Connie Flieshauer, actress Amanda Nugent, producer Susan Silvestri and producer David Wood.

Wendt's film can be viewed on YouTube by searching for "The Indian's Revenge."

CSAS, Custer win orchestra honors

Chandler Custer, concert master of Chattanooga School for the Arts and Science's Symphonic Orchestra, recently received top recognition as Outstanding Soloist in the Instrumental Division of Festival Disney.

Custer, an 18-year-old senior at CSAS, plays violin. He is the son of Theresa Custer and Napoleon Custer.

The Disney-produced competitive music festival is open to concert bands, jazz ensembles, marching bands, orchestras and show choirs from across the country. The CSAS Orchestra, conducted and directed by Gary Wilkes, also received "Best in Class" Orchestra and a Festival Disney Gold Award.