Class Notes

2008

In April, Heather Ekstrom launched her own outdoor education and backpacking guide company, Burning Daylight Expeditions. Heather spent numerous years participating in and instructing backpacking trips and outdoor education programming and structured her model after all the elements and experiences she looks for in a trip. She’s basing her adventures on the following expectations: small groups, away from crowds, educationbased, eco-conscious, and thoughtful and welcoming. She is leading the first expedition in the Sierras this summer and you can learn more at bdexpeditions.com.

Heather Ekstrom

2009

Sam Jaszewski and Erin Gibbons got engaged on Friday, July 2, in Sag Harbor, NY, surrounded by their friends and family.

2011

Winston Felker got engaged to Meghan Brantley over Easter weekend at Ocean Isle Beach, NC. Winston and Meghan met in 2015 on their first day of work with SunTrust Bank in Atlanta, GA, and started dating in October 2017. They look forward to their wedding in the spring of 2022 in Charlotte, NC.

Sam Jaszewski

Winston Felker

Class Notes

2012

Jane Campbell got engaged to Harris Coley on May 13, 2021. Jane and Harris met through a mutual friend in Charlotte in 2016 and moved to Raleigh in June, where Harris will be attending medical school.

Caroline Johnson Cook celebrated marriage to her husband, Jonathan Cook, in Cary, North Carolina, this past May at the Umstead Hotel and Spa.

Madison Miller Edwards got married in April 2021. Several Cannon alumni were a part of her big day, as both guests and in her bridal party. Madison is grateful for her time at Cannon, sharing, “I made such strong and lifelong friends during my years at Cannon that I will cherish forever!”

Caroline Johnson Cook

Madison Miller Edwards

2015

In May of 2021, Derek Gordon received his Pharm D. (doctorate of pharmacy) from Northeastern University in Boston, MA. He is starting employment with Apellis Pharmaceuticals, Inc., located in Waltham, MA, as an associate manager in the clinical supply chain department.

Danté Lowe graduated with his Master of Business Administration from Lenoir-Rhyne University, with a concentration in analytics & IT.

Derek Gordon

Danté Lowe

Class Notes

2016

Michael Dacus will be attending Stanford University this fall to pursue a master’s degree in aerospace engineering. As part of his graduate studies, he will be involved as a research assistant in Stanford's Global Positioning System (GPS) Laboratory, which focuses on systems involved in aircraft positioning and navigation. He graduated from Clemson University in the fall of 2020 with a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering.

2017

Class of 2017

Congratulations to all members of the Class of 2017 graduating this year and earning their undergraduate degrees. We’re so excited to celebrate you and all of your accomplishments completed and yet to come. Remember - you ALWAYS belong here!

Kendall Applegate graduated from Muhlenberg College on May 24, 2021. She will be starting a full-time job with Lumberlend Co. in Westford, MA as a social media engagement specialist and content strategist.

Following graduation from the University of Richmond this spring, Michael Baker joined Lazard in their middlemarket investment banking division as an investment banking analyst in Charlotte, NC. He’s looking forward to exploring the Queen City!

Annie Earnshaw celebrated graduating from Elon University on May 21, 2021, with a Bachelor of Arts in English. Ahead of graduation, she defended her undergraduate thesis to a faculty defense committee and passed without revisions. After graduation, Annie plans to start her own freelance company and work with small businesses as a freelance writer and social media consultant.

Kalissa Kufner will be interning in the role of an assistant buyer with Burlington stores for the summer of 2021.

Clay Maguire celebrated his graduation from the University of South Carolina this past May.

Alexandria Marion Mills graduated cum laude from the Schreyer Honors College at Penn State in May. While at Penn State, she was president of Volé Penn State Dance Company, Penn State’s largest dance organization, serving upwards of 200 members. Alexandria was inducted into many honor societies, including The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi, Golden Key International Honor Society, The National Society of Leadership and Success, Alpha Lambda Delta National Honor Society, Phi Eta Sigma National Honor Society, and The National Society of Collegiate Scholars. During her time at Penn State, she was able to intern abroad in Australia as well as for United States Congresswoman Virginia Foxx (NC-5) and the United States House Committee on Education and Labor. She will be attending Wake Forest University School of Law in August. Hannah Nelson graduated from Notre Dame’s Mendoza School of Business with a degree in business technology. Hannah will be moving to Chicago and starting her career as a technology risk consultant with Ernst & Young this summer.

Clay McGuire Alexandria Marion Mills

Hannah Nelson

Summer Shinn graduated magna cum laude from the University of South Carolina with a bachelor’s degree in mass communication with a concentration in advertising and graphic design. She is now working with Lowe’s corporate office in Mooresville as an online visual designer.

Zac Venos recently graduated cum laude from Birmingham-Southern College where he received his degree in business administration with a concentration in finance. Zac was a captain of the lacrosse team, where he was named to the Southern Athletic Association All-Sportsmanship Team. Zac has joined Porter White & Company in Birmingham, AL as a financial analyst primarily supporting the firm’s investment banking division.

Taylor Watson graduated from Florida State University this past spring with a Bachelor of Science in hospitality management. She is currently working as a front desk agent for a Hilton property in Tallahassee, FL with plans to continue and grow within the field of hospitality.

Summer Shin

Zac Venos

Taylor Watson

2018

Jackson Welsh recently graduated from the University of South Carolina, earning his degree in political science in three years. He will be attending the University of Tennessee College of Law this fall, focusing on either transactional or public interest law.

Jackson Welsh

Class Notes

2019

Amelia Andretti and Caroline Livingston both competed in the Vertical Mile Challenge at Rocky Face State Park this June. This difficult trail run is a 16+ mile race consisting of eight two-mile loops. Each loop contains a half-mile incline, creating a vertical mile for each lap.

Alex Reulbach was selected as a 2021-2023 recipient of the Ernest F. Hollings Undergraduate Scholarship from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). The award provides the students with a total of $19,000 toward tuition in their final two years of undergraduate study plus a paid summer internship at a NOAA laboratory during the summer between their junior and senior years. The intent is to increase interest in oceanic and atmospheric science, increase support for environmental stewardship, and recruit students to public service careers.

Daphne Reynolds was one of nine interns chosen for the Pixar Undergraduate Program at Pixar Animation Studios for the summer of 2021. Pixar is located in Emeryville, CA, however; the internship will be conducted virtually. For this internship, Daphne will be taught and mentored by Pixar professionals in the art of technical direction for animation.

Amelia Andretti and Caroline Livingston

2020

Declan Hurley is spending his summer as an intern with Grant’s Interest Rate Observer in New York City.

Declan Hurley

We would not have made it through the past year without the support of our amazing faculty and staff! A huge thank you to these incredible educators. They worked tirelessly to ensure that every single Cougar truly believed that they do indeed belong here!