News

Cannon Launches First Literary Arts Magazine

This past fall Cannon School launched The Ink, an 80-page, full-color celebration of creativity in our community. Showcasing the very best of Cannon students’ work in poetry, short fiction, essays, photography, art, design, and performance, The Ink is a beautiful testament to our Upper School students’ talents and gifts.

Many thanks to Mrs. Melanie Coughlin, Mrs. Ellen Loflin, Mr. Nate Rogers, and Mr. Richard Smith for their tireless efforts to bring The Ink to fruition! Interested in owning a copy of your own? Visit www.cannonschool.org/ink.

CANNON THEATER COMPANY EARNS ACCOLADES Cannon Theater Company deserves a standing ovation after an amazing performance at the North Carolina Theater Conference earlier this fall. Their production of An Incomplete History of Theater earned awards for “Excellence in Collaborative Playwriting” for the full cast and “Excellence in Stage Management” for Vibha Maheswaran ’20. The second production, Wake Up Call, earned “Excellence in Execution of Style,” and Faith Carpenter ’23 took home an “Excellence in Design and Production” award for her work as deck carpenter for both shows. Bravo!

A strong Cannon Fund enhances educational opportunities for our students today but also protects and increases the value of a Cannon degree in the future. Haven’t made your gift yet? Do so today by visiting www.cannonschool.org/cannonfund, or mail the enclosed envelope with your contribution!

News

FIVE MINUTESWITH CHARLES WITHERSPOON DIRECTOR OF SAFETY AND SECURITY

Before the start of the school year, Cannon School welcomed its first-ever Director of Safety and Security, Mr. Charles Witherspoon. Charles came to Cannon with thirty years of military, law enforcement, and independent security consulting experience, as well as a long history of volunteering as an advocate and mentor for at-risk youth. Mr. Witherspoon has been busy refining our safety and security protocols, as well as designing a comprehensive program for faculty, staff, and students. We caught up with Mr. Witherspoon to learn more.

What have you enjoyed most about working at Cannon? Relationships are paramount for me in my personal and professional life, so hanging out with all the students, faculty, and staff and getting to know them and allowing them to get to know me have been my most enjoyable moments.

What does a typical day look like for you? I begin my day anywhere from 6:30-7:00 a.m. and end my day anywhere from 4:00-9:00 p.m., depending on the after school events that are taking place. Once I arrive, I have a few safety security checks I run through to ensure the school is safe. Then I hit the hallways to nurture and motivate the students, and stick my head in classrooms to be seen by faculty. There are also meetings and supporting leadership with making decisions around safety and security.

What is something we may not know about you? 1. When I was a young boy, I wanted to be like James Bond 007. 2. I like skydiving because I remind fear, I am in charge. 3. My favorite food is Italian. 4. I like to write about my life experiences. 5. I enjoy being around people who can make me laugh. 6. I enjoy motivating people to be GREAT!

MINUTES

News

Girls’ Golf – State Champs!

They’re number #1! Congratulations to our girls’ varsity golf team, who won the 2019 NCISAA state championship by forty-six strokes! Amanda Sambach ’21 earned medalist honors and Sophie Holland ’20 finished in second place. This is the eighth state championship for girls’ golf !

Lower School Students Enjoy Touch-a-Truck Event

Our Lower School students enjoyed a fun Touch-a-Truck event, in which the Concord Police Department, Concord Fire Department, Cabarrus County Sheriff ’s Department, and the NC State Highway Patrol came to campus so students could check out patrol cars, motorcycles, rescue and bomb squad vehicles. The Carolina Highway Patrol even landed a helicopter on the front field!

MARK YOUR CALENDARS The Cannon School Golf Tournament is Coming!

Cannon School Golf Tournament Friday, March 27 Cabarrus Country Club Concord, North Carolina

Register at www.cannonschool.org/golf

News

1,200+ GIFTS DONATED AT PROJECT WRAP-IN

On December 13, Cannon School students from Junior Kindergarten – grade 12 donated and wrapped over 1,200 presents for children in need as part of our twelfth annual Project Wrap-In. This school-wide service project is one of our favorite traditions for a reason – it marries Cannon’s core values, enthusiasm for community service, and holiday spirit. This year’s beneficiaries included: Big Brothers Big Sisters of Cabarrus County, the Ronald McDonald House of Charlotte, Cooperative Christian Ministries, Church of God Children’s Home, Hospitality House of Charlotte, Jeff Gordon Children’s Foundation, Hemby Children’s Hospital, and Young Lives.