Her family tree has bloomed and grown on the Lipscomb campus for several generations, and Penny Staggs Tenpenny is grateful for her roots. She’s a product of both Lipscomb High School and College, where she cheered and was honored as a Campus Beauty, a class officer, and a member of Delta Sigma social club. She stepped away from her Nashville real estate business for a few minutes this week for a brief visit with LipscombSports.com ...

What years did you compete for Lipscomb, and who coached you?

I cheered my sophomore, junior and senior years – from the fall of 1973 through the spring of 1976. Sarah Keith Gamble was our sponsor.

What teammate was most memorable, and why? 

Faye Shumaker Harlin became a dear friend, and we continued to be close after school. She was energetic and loved life, school and her friends. She was a good cheerleader also. 

What degree(s) have you earned, and when? 

I earned my Bachelor of Science (Home Economics) from Lipscomb in 1976.
 

Why did you attend Lipscomb? 

My parents moved here from Dunlap, Tennessee to put us in Lipscomb Elementary, Middle and High Schools. I am one of five children. My dad's sister is Margaret Meador, who was practically an institution at the elementary school. I started in the 4th grade with her as my first Lipscomb teacher, and it was an incredible way to begin. I love Lipscomb and never considered going anywhere else. Aunt Margaret gave me, and all her students through the years, such a love for the Bible and for Lipscomb. As I grew older and began to learn what was truly important in life, I realized what a sweet gift she was to me. 

What is your favorite athletic memory at Lipscomb?

I considered cheering to be a sweet gift, and I truly loved it.  Cheering against Belmont was always a highlight, and one year was especially memorable. That specific year we took lots of road trips, we did our best to study and do our homework on the road, and I happened to be living in the Home Economics house (across the street from campus on Belmont Boulevard). I ended up getting sick with pneumonia and had to miss our biggest game, the game against Belmont, which was broadcast on local television. I had to watch the game from the hospital, and I’ll never forget seeing a huge sign the cheerleaders made for me and held up in front of the TV cameras. 

I loved seeing the crowd get into the ballgame. The cheerleaders saw it as our responsibility to get the crowd moving to cheer. And they did cheer!

Who influenced your athletic career at Lipscomb? 

Linda Meador was my cousin and the daughter of Margaret Meador. She was twelve years older than I, and she also cheered her sophomore, junior and senior years at Lipscomb. I loved watching her cheer, both in high school and college, and she helped it become my dream to cheer one day at Lipscomb College. The Lord blessed me and gave me that gift :) 

What’s your favorite non-athletic memory from your time here? 

I will never forget the student show hosted by Delta Nu social club – Delta Na Na Na. My husband, Nick, was in the very first show, which was incredibly exciting because every student in the entire school came to see it. Alumni Auditorium was packed – it truly was a big deal back then! The next year Delta Nu put the show on again, and I was the only girl in the show. I was "Run Around Sue," and it was fun. Nick was in Delta Nu and I was in Delta Sigma. 

What is (are) the most valuable lesson(s) you learned in your time at Lipscomb? 

"To love God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength; and to love your neighbor as yourself." I’m also so thankful for my Christian teachers and friends that I made in my years there. They still are my best friends, and they are the "Body of Christ" to me as needs arise.

Who were your favorite professors & why? 

Barbara Clark is the first that comes to my mind. She was an excellent teacher in my field (Home Economics and Education), and she was so loving.  She blessed me with both knowledge and understanding, and I am thankful for her effective use of her God-given gifts. 

Denny Loyd is another who made a strong impact on me. He is an amazing story teller, and I could listen to him read all day long.

What do you do now? 

I am a Realtor in Nashville. Nick and I are the "Tenpenny Team." We love serving others and seeing their dreams of owning their first home come true or finding just the home the Lord has for them as they move to Nashville! I also am a Bible School teacher for the fourth grade at Harpeth Hills Church of Christ. I love my fourth graders, and I hope I am honoring Margaret Meador – she taught fourth grade both at Lipscomb and at Hillsboro church, and I had her both places. I’ve found fourth graders will listen and take to heart the Word as a true message from our Lord. I love that grade! 

Tell us about your family: 

Nick and I have been married for more than 42 years, and we are blessed with three children and five grandkids! Nicole Tenpenny Henderson is married to Austin, and they have two children: Caleb (12) and Annelise (8). David "Hunter" Tenpenny is married to Leslie McCarty, and they have two children: Grayson (6) and Anna Grace (21 months). Will T. Tenpenny is married to Kayla Bybee, and they have one son: Oliver (14 months).

We live in Franklin, just south of Nashville, and we consider it a true blessing that all our children and grandchildren live in the middle Tennessee area.

FAST FINISH:

Favorite food: Filet Mignon – nothing better than a good steak and potato.
Favorite TV show or movie: “Blue Bloods” and Hallmark movies
Favorite Scripture: II Tim 3:16-17 – “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”
Favorite sports team: Besides the Bisons? Nashville Predators
Pet Peeve: When people think society owes them something
Person I most admire: Margaret Meador – she showed me God in her love for Him.
Favorite season: Fall – I love to dove hunt, I love cool weather coming, and I love the anticipation of deer season.
Salad or dessert: Dessert
Dream vacation spot: Anywhere with my kids and grandkids
Early morning or late night? Late night

You may connect with Penny by email at penny@tenpennyteam.com or on Facebook: Penny Tenpenny