Graham Winchester '06

What year did you graduate from St. George’s?

2006 (first graduating class!)

Where did you attend college?

University of Tennessee/University of Memphis

Where do you live and what is your profession?

I still live in Memphis! I am an Affiliate Broker at Hobson Realtors, a performing/recording musician, and owner of Blast Habit Records. I also work part time giving tours at Sun Studio.

How did St. George’s prepare you for college, career, and life?

It taught me to just be a well-rounded, open and kind person. Many of my teachers were so approachable and down-to-earth. All of the knowledge I gained from studies, tests, etc., was obviously crucial, but there was also just so much to learn about simply being a nice person – being around and observing the teachers and St. George’s family at large. The school also helped me to relax and be myself. If I wanted to try something, I could just try it. There was a fearless approach to everything going on at SGIS.

What activities/sports/clubs, etc., were you involved while at St. George’s?

I was into music, theater, soccer, ultimate frisbee, nature, and was a prefect my senior year. It was so nice to be involved and welcomed into so many different groups/activities.

Which teacher had the greatest impact on you and why?

Honestly I feel bad picking one because there were so many amazing ones. I do think for sure that JP Culley and I saw eye to eye on a lot of things. He was one of those teachers where you’re just like, “So can we be friends and kick it one day?”

What is your favorite St. George’s memory?

I think my favorite memory, the one that just flashed through my mind right when I read this question, was gathering on the soccer field at night before we all graduated senior year. The class faced off against the faculty in a REALLY intense Ultimate Frisbee game. There had been a lot of hilarious talk building up to it, and when the game finally happened, it was so fun and so competitive! It’s a night I’ll always remember. I also really got a kick out of playing soccer senior year. We beat some teams and tied some teams nobody expected we’d have a chance against- it was the debut year/season for St George’s having a Varsity soccer team. We kinda crushed it!

What advice would you give to St. George’s students or young alumni today?

Listen to your teachers and peers. Learn something from them. Get off the technology for part of each day and just CONNECT. Good example- in music class we all went out in the woods and made a recording of everybody playing natural, Earth-made sounds. I was hitting a stump with a stick for crying out loud. That’s an experience you can only get from people and nature, not technology.