On March 6, Lookout Mountain School welcomed families, friends, and community members for two of its most anticipated annual traditions, bringing generations together in support of the school and its students.
The day’s events kicked off with Grandparents Day, during which LMS grandparents and special guests gathered for musical performances, school updates, and classroom visits. Later that evening, at Night Out for Lookout, LMS parents and members of the broader community enjoyed a festive meal, live music, and opportunities to bid on memorable items and experiences through silent and live auctions.
At the heart of both events was the shared purpose of investing in the future of LMS and honoring its legacy, both as a school and a generational gathering place for the Lookout Mountain community.
Making Memories and Building Space for the Future
Grandparents Day began with a warm welcome from Principal Emily Haney in the LMS auditorium, after which students took the stage for musical performances. Donned in western attire for this year’s theme - Saddle Up for Lookout - kindergarten through second grade students delighted the audience with a rendition of “Happy Trails,” while third- through fifth-graders sang “Keep on the Sunny Side.”
Following the performances, grandparents and special guests were invited to visit classrooms, where students proudly shared examples of their work and classroom activities. The cafeteria was open for refreshments, and many guests stopped by the library at the end of the event to purchase books dedicated in their student’s honor.
LMS parents Kellie and Hank Currin served as chairs for this year’s event, leading the planning and coordination with a team of parent volunteers, including Erin Brafford, Anna Williams, Laura Patterson, Lindsey Parks, Mary Catherine Hewitt, Kate Roebuck, and Elizabeth and Kennedy Griffin.
The afternoon also offered an opportunity for LMS and PTA leaders to provide an update on the school’s outdoor revitalization project, which is transforming the underutilized football field and surrounding area into a vibrant, multi-use space for students, families, and the broader community.
Phase One of the project comprised installation of new turf and lights, with construction well underway. The next phase involves integration of natural stone bleachers, designed to blend into the mountain landscape as a permanent place for gathering. Grandparents and special guests learned about the vision for this second phase, dependent upon sufficient fundraising, and generously offered their support with donations pledged throughout the afternoon.
Saddle Up for a Night to Remember
The celebration continued later that evening at Night Out for Lookout, LMS’s annual adults-only fundraising event. Event chairs Tracy Moore and Kim Fugate and assistant chairs Bronwen Wiggins and Lindsey Mitchell organized the event around the theme of the day - Saddle Up for Lookout. Guests arrived in western-inspired attire, ready to support the school while enjoying dinner, music, and community.
The silent auction, which opened online prior to the event, was set up indoors alongside a taco buffet, creating a lively space for bidding and gathering. Guests browsed and bid on a wide range of items, from sporting event tickets and concert experiences to spa packages, original artwork, and the always-popular fifth grade nativity. Western-themed student photos and picture ornaments decorated the space.
Outside, the event lawn was tented and thoughtfully arranged with tables, a stage for the band, and a dance floor. Fire pits and an electric bull added to the festive atmosphere. LMS parents and community members alike appreciated the expanded layout throughout the club, which allowed for more space to mingle, relax, and enjoy the beautiful weather.
LMS PTA president Jenny Tucker kicked off the live auction, thanking volunteers and energizing the crowd before turning the program over to professional auctioneer Victoria Underwood - her third year in a row supporting the event. Victoria enthusiastically auctioned off luxury trips and items, including a custom piece commissioned for the LMS community by artist Genesis the Greykid and a week-long stay at a stunning beachfront home on 30A - both of which drew spirited bidding from attendees. Adding to the excitement, for the first time the live auction also included a cockapoo puppy, which quickly became one of the most memorable moments of the evening.
The auction’s success was a direct result of the many generous community members and businesses who donated trips, luxury items, and experiences.
“We’d like to express our gratitude to our generous donors, our co-chairs, all of the volunteers who helped make this event possible,” said event chair Kim Fugate. “We’d also like to thank our amazing PTA president, Jenny Tucker, who shepherded us through the fundraising planning and execution.”
The paddle-raise portion of the night, which began immediately after the live auction, collected donations for phase two of the field revitalization project. The total raised surpassed all expectations, exceeding the needed amount to continue transforming the school’s field into a new venue and greenspace for the entire Lookout Mountain community.
“Our beloved school, including its teachers, staff, and our students, are the cornerstone of our community,” said Mrs. Tucker. “I’m incredibly proud of our Night Out for Lookout chairs and co-chairs and all the committee members who made this evening a success.”
The event wrapped up with live music spanning country covers to crowd-pleasing singalongs, led by the band Courtney Cowart and the Bad Matador. For the second year in a row, they kept the energy high throughout the evening, drawing guests to the dance floor until the very last song.
“The evening was a great success, and we’re so grateful for the opportunity to come together and support LMS and our Lookout Mountain community as a whole,” said Ms. Fugate. “The total raised surpassed our expectations and will support operational needs at the school, as well as the new field bleachers.”
Together, the day’s events once again reflected what makes Lookout Mountain School so special: a deeply connected community, a shared commitment to students, and a tradition of showing up to build something meaningful for the next generation.
by Kirsten Yates
The day’s events kicked off with Grandparents Day, during which LMS grandparents and special guests gathered for musical performances, school updates, and classroom visits. Later that evening, at Night Out for Lookout, LMS parents and members of the broader community enjoyed a festive meal, live music, and opportunities to bid on memorable items and experiences through silent and live auctions.
At the heart of both events was the shared purpose of investing in the future of LMS and honoring its legacy, both as a school and a generational gathering place for the Lookout Mountain community.
Making Memories and Building Space for the Future
Grandparents Day began with a warm welcome from Principal Emily Haney in the LMS auditorium, after which students took the stage for musical performances. Donned in western attire for this year’s theme - Saddle Up for Lookout - kindergarten through second grade students delighted the audience with a rendition of “Happy Trails,” while third- through fifth-graders sang “Keep on the Sunny Side.”
Following the performances, grandparents and special guests were invited to visit classrooms, where students proudly shared examples of their work and classroom activities. The cafeteria was open for refreshments, and many guests stopped by the library at the end of the event to purchase books dedicated in their student’s honor.
LMS parents Kellie and Hank Currin served as chairs for this year’s event, leading the planning and coordination with a team of parent volunteers, including Erin Brafford, Anna Williams, Laura Patterson, Lindsey Parks, Mary Catherine Hewitt, Kate Roebuck, and Elizabeth and Kennedy Griffin.
The afternoon also offered an opportunity for LMS and PTA leaders to provide an update on the school’s outdoor revitalization project, which is transforming the underutilized football field and surrounding area into a vibrant, multi-use space for students, families, and the broader community.
Phase One of the project comprised installation of new turf and lights, with construction well underway. The next phase involves integration of natural stone bleachers, designed to blend into the mountain landscape as a permanent place for gathering. Grandparents and special guests learned about the vision for this second phase, dependent upon sufficient fundraising, and generously offered their support with donations pledged throughout the afternoon.
Saddle Up for a Night to Remember
The celebration continued later that evening at Night Out for Lookout, LMS’s annual adults-only fundraising event. Event chairs Tracy Moore and Kim Fugate and assistant chairs Bronwen Wiggins and Lindsey Mitchell organized the event around the theme of the day - Saddle Up for Lookout. Guests arrived in western-inspired attire, ready to support the school while enjoying dinner, music, and community.
The silent auction, which opened online prior to the event, was set up indoors alongside a taco buffet, creating a lively space for bidding and gathering. Guests browsed and bid on a wide range of items, from sporting event tickets and concert experiences to spa packages, original artwork, and the always-popular fifth grade nativity. Western-themed student photos and picture ornaments decorated the space.
Outside, the event lawn was tented and thoughtfully arranged with tables, a stage for the band, and a dance floor. Fire pits and an electric bull added to the festive atmosphere. LMS parents and community members alike appreciated the expanded layout throughout the club, which allowed for more space to mingle, relax, and enjoy the beautiful weather.
LMS PTA president Jenny Tucker kicked off the live auction, thanking volunteers and energizing the crowd before turning the program over to professional auctioneer Victoria Underwood - her third year in a row supporting the event. Victoria enthusiastically auctioned off luxury trips and items, including a custom piece commissioned for the LMS community by artist Genesis the Greykid and a week-long stay at a stunning beachfront home on 30A - both of which drew spirited bidding from attendees. Adding to the excitement, for the first time the live auction also included a cockapoo puppy, which quickly became one of the most memorable moments of the evening.
The auction’s success was a direct result of the many generous community members and businesses who donated trips, luxury items, and experiences.
“We’d like to express our gratitude to our generous donors, our co-chairs, all of the volunteers who helped make this event possible,” said event chair Kim Fugate. “We’d also like to thank our amazing PTA president, Jenny Tucker, who shepherded us through the fundraising planning and execution.”
The paddle-raise portion of the night, which began immediately after the live auction, collected donations for phase two of the field revitalization project. The total raised surpassed all expectations, exceeding the needed amount to continue transforming the school’s field into a new venue and greenspace for the entire Lookout Mountain community.
“Our beloved school, including its teachers, staff, and our students, are the cornerstone of our community,” said Mrs. Tucker. “I’m incredibly proud of our Night Out for Lookout chairs and co-chairs and all the committee members who made this evening a success.”
The event wrapped up with live music spanning country covers to crowd-pleasing singalongs, led by the band Courtney Cowart and the Bad Matador. For the second year in a row, they kept the energy high throughout the evening, drawing guests to the dance floor until the very last song.
“The evening was a great success, and we’re so grateful for the opportunity to come together and support LMS and our Lookout Mountain community as a whole,” said Ms. Fugate. “The total raised surpassed our expectations and will support operational needs at the school, as well as the new field bleachers.”
Together, the day’s events once again reflected what makes Lookout Mountain School so special: a deeply connected community, a shared commitment to students, and a tradition of showing up to build something meaningful for the next generation.
by Kirsten Yates
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