News & Announcements
TFS Celebrates 2025 Alumni of the Year
It was a joyous occasion for Tallulah Falls School alumni as they gathered for the 2025 TFS Homecoming on Saturday, April 26. The day began with the induction of four athletes into the TFS Athletic Legends Hall of Honor. Valencia Whaley (' 07), Sharon Durkan (' 10), Malcolm Jones (' 11), and Caleb Griffis (posthumously, '19) were honored.
As guests flipped through old yearbooks, they reminisced about memorable moments in the classroom, on the field, in the dining hall, during work duty, and in the dorms. Laughter filled the air as alumni from across the country reunited for the annual homecoming luncheon.
Executive Director of Advancement Sonya Smith welcomed alumni and introduced President and Head of School Dr. Larry A. Peevy to the group. Peevy extended a warm welcome to alumni and provided a school update.
"Students, faculty, and staff see this as home. That is the most important part of who we are as a school. We continue to foster and build a family atmosphere," Peevy said.
At the homecoming luncheon, long-time staff member and media specialist Linda Harris presented the 2025 Alumni of the Year Award to Will "Sedge" Johnston, a graduate from the Class of 1986.
For the past 25 years, Johnston has worked as an airline transport pilot, traveling around the globe. He spent several years conducting flights for NetJets, the world's largest and most diverse private aircraft fleet, where he flew many high-profile clients, including Madonna, Tom Hanks, Mariah Carey, and Tiger Woods.
Additionally, he has held important roles in other prestigious companies, notably serving as chief pilot for Gibbs International for 14 years. Currently, he is the chief pilot for the aviation department at Michelin North America. "I've traveled all over the world to places I never imagined I would visit," he said, highlighting memorable journeys to Dubrovnik, Croatia, Turkey, and various locations in the Middle East.
This is not his first career. After graduating from TFS, Johnston served in the Air Force for three years and worked in law enforcement for 11 years. He had not thought about becoming a pilot.
"My mom was diagnosed with cancer. Before she passed away, she gave me a gift certificate for a flying lesson because she knew it was always something I wanted to do," Johnston explained. "It was going to be a hobby. I didn't intend to leave the police force, but doors opened, and people helped me transition into it as a profession."
Johnston emphasized that he would not be who he is today without the foundation he received at TFS. "I learned to respect people, to work well with others, to support friends, and the value of discipline," he said. "Everyone on campus had a way of imparting life lessons – teaching us that everything we learned could be applied to life beyond academics."
TFS Dean of Students Jimmy Franklin was a dorm counselor when Johnston attended TFS. "Sedge was a great student. He was always quick to volunteer, and he helped to make things on campus run smoothly," Franklin said. "Sedge has a kind heart and helped other students feel like they had a home away from home. He helped people feel comfortable."
Johnston reiterated the impact the family atmosphere had on his life. "When I walked into the doors of TFS, I had 50 mothers and fathers and 100 brothers and sisters. It was an extended family," he said. "I honestly don't know where I would be today if I had not gone to Tallulah Falls School."
