2018 Alumni Hall of Fame
On Friday, October 26, 2018 PBS inducted five new members to the Alumni Eagle Hall of Fame. We are honored to have these alumni representing PBS in their communities.
The Alumni Eagle Hall of Fame Award in Abundant Life is given to an alumnus who exemplifies a Christ-centered life and is considered an example and inspiration to all those around them. This year’s recipient is Dr. Don Mayes.
Dr. Mayes graduated as a 13 year senior from Parkview Baptist in 1988 and currently serves as our Superintendent. He holds a B.A. from Marshall University in Business Administration. He also holds an M.A. in Christian Studies and a Doctor of Education, both from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. Before returning to Parkview in 2012, Dr. Mayes served in various administrative and pastoral roles including Superintendent of Indian Rocks Christian School. He has also served on the mission field in Uganda, Mexico, England, China, Romania and Ecuador.
Dr. Mayes believes working with students in a Christian school is the ultimate ministry and counts it an extreme honor to have served at Parkview for the past 6 years. His desire is to introduce students to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ, AND to have them embody Colossians 3:23, where we are instructed to do everything heartily as unto the Lord.
Introducing students to the experience of a mission trip is his greatest joy because of the impact it can have in the life of a young person. A former student states, “During my tenure as a student at PBS I had the privilege of serving with Dr. Mayes on the mission field in Jamaica and live streaming with him during a ballgame. It is rare and truly a blessing to have someone with the complete skill set needed to lead a mission driven college prep school.”
The Alumni Eagle Hall of Fame Award in Academics is given to an alumnus who has excelled in academics, either as a student or teacher, or significantly contributed to the academic development in their community. This year’s recipient is Dr. Kristyn Smith Carver.
Kristyn came to Parkview as a sixth grader and adjusted quickly to life as an Eagle participating in a variety of clubs and activities. After receiving her Bachelor’s of Science in Education from LSU, Kristyn earned a Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Counseling, Master of Theology, and Ph.D. in Psychology and Counseling from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary.
Kristyn is a Licensed Professional Counselor in private practice and holds the Rose Ramsey Chair of Christian Counseling at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary where she has been a professor for eighteen years. She has been recognized for her contributions to the field of foster care and adoption as a recipient of the Angels in Adoption award from the Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute in Washington DC.
As a foster and adoptive mom, Kristyn embraces ministry to kids from hard places both personally and professionally. She considers it a privilege to work with her husband, Kim, to create awareness and bring about positive changes for children in foster care.
Kristyn is thankful for her years at Parkview where she believes her core values, leadership skills and walk with Christ were strengthened through relationships with excellent teachers and mentors.
The Alumni Eagle Hall of Fame Award in Arts is given to an alumnus who has excelled in the arts and has significantly impacted other individuals and their community to excel in the arts. This year’s recipient is Tracy H Sugg.
Tracy is a 1989 graduate of Parkview Baptist and studied art under Ms. Connie Slater. After high school, she attended Mississippi College graduating Magna Cum Laude with a Bachelor’s degree in Art . She then apprenticed for eight years under sculptor Dr. Sam Gore and completed her Master of Fine Art Summa Cum Laude in 2002.
Tracy’s sculpture of Gen. Taduesz Kosciuszko for the town in Mississippi named after him, garnered international attention. This monument has been acquired by the United States Military Academy at West Point and is included in their archived collection. Her portrait series “The Spirit of Polonia” was debuted at the DeLamar Mansion in New York City and displayed as a solo exhibit for three years. In 2000, she was one of seven artists who exhibited in the rotunda of the Russell Senate Building.
Tracy has created sculptures for private collectors, churches, hospitals and corporations, however, her favorite sculptures are her four children: Philip, Colt, Crimson Rose and Robert IV. She and her husband, Robert III have been married for 27 years and live in Tennessee.
The Alumni Eagle Hall of Fame Award in Athletics is given to an alumnus who has excelled in athletics, either as an athlete or coach, or significantly contributed to athletics in their community. This year’s recipient is Jennifer Soileau Burns.
Jennifer Soileau Burns graduated from Parkview Baptist School in 1997 as a 13-year senior. She played on the boys freshman soccer team until her mother, Dianne Soileau, helped bring the first girls soccer team into existence for Jennifer’s sophomore year. At Parkview, Jen earned multiple awards including all district, all parish and all state awards. She was named ALL State MVP and earned a soccer scholarship with The University of Mississippi. Jen’s notable career at Ole Miss included: 4 time MVP, 3 time first team All SEC honors, Academic All American and she held the all-time leading scoring record for over a decade. Her senior year at Ole Miss she was drafted to play professional soccer in the first women’s professional soccer league in the US.
After Jen’s professional career she had the opportunity to start the soccer program at LA Tech University. Jen was recently inducted into the Ole Miss M Club Hall of Fame which is the achievement she is most proud of. Jen and her husband, Bob, have been married for 12 years. They are the proud parents of Bailey Burns who is a 5th grader at PBS.
This year, we would like to introduce the Isaiah 40:31 Award. This is a posthumous award that is given to an alum who exemplified Isaiah 40:31 throughout their life. This year’s recipient is Daniel Gilbert.
Daniel Gilbert was a 2007 graduate of Parkview Baptist School. He was both a dreamer and fearless, as he faced more adversity in his 28 years of life than most ever will. In 2009, Daniel was diagnosed with cancer. His frequent medical treatments and doctor’s visit inspired Daniel to create an online appointment scheduling platform. After several years of hard work and dedication, Local Med was launched.. Daniel always believed his idea would someday become a reality. In fact, on the day that Daniel went to his eternal Heavenly home, Local Med was named the best scheduling software for the dental industry.
That is just who Daniel was…he used his story to help others and proclaim God’s faithfulness to anyone that would listen. Daniel inspired others in so many ways and he is still touching lives today. His mom put it perfectly when she said, “Daniel truly was one of the good guys.” We honor him and remember his life fondly.