The Bolles School proudly welcomed alumna and award-winning journalist Emily Turner ’03 as the guest speaker for the 2025-26 school year Pre-planning Kickoff, held August 6 in McGehee Auditorium.

A proud Bolles “Lifer,” Turner began her journey in Kindergarten on the Bolles Lower School Whitehurst Campus and spent her entire preparatory education as a Bulldog. Her return to Bolles as a speaker was a full-circle moment, reminding faculty and staff of the lasting influence of a Bolles education and the power of mentorship, community and lifelong learning.

“This is a place that I will never forget, and the people here have made me who I am today,” Turner said. “I just want you guys to know that the students that go through your classrooms are so lucky to have you. They are so lucky to be here, and I know it's going to be a phenomenal year.”

During her time on the Bolles Upper School San Jose Campus, she was an active member of the Theatre Club and found inspiration in her history teacher, Cormac O’Riordan, whose mentorship helped shape the skills she would need to succeed as a television anchor and investigative reporter. 

After Bolles, Turner pursued higher education at Southern Methodist University and the University of Florida, earning a bachelor’s degree in telecommunications. Her journalism career has spanned newsrooms in Mobile, Orlando, Tucson and San Francisco. She has anchored major news programs, hosted the Reebok CrossFit Games Show and currently serves as the 4 p.m. anchor for Action News Jax and an investigative reporter for Cox Media Group.

Turner has earned two Emmy Awards, two National Gracie Awards and a Regional Murrow Award, and her reporting has covered landmark stories including the Gulf oil spill, the Trayvon Martin and Casey Anthony cases, and wildfires in California. Known for her energy, passion and sense of humor, she continues to make a meaningful impact both on and off the screen.

Beyond the newsroom, Turner teaches English as a second language, enjoys golf and frequently enrolls in community classes to expand her skills. She is also a mother of two and a proud Bolles parent.

Thank you, Emily, for energizing the Bolles faculty and staff and setting a positive tone for the school year ahead! #BulldogProud