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Cannon Magazine Summer 2018

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CANNON THE MAGAZINE OF CANNON SCHOOL

SUMMER 2018


Letter from the Head of School Dear Cannon Community, I have always loved reading about and contemplating the expedition of Meriwether Lewis and William Clark. When the President of the United States says we need to find the best way across and through this new land we have just bought, one has to go explore. Could they have fully grasped what the unknown held in terms of opportunities to see what had not been seen and the challenges to test the will to continue?

MATTHEW E. GOSSAGE HEAD OF SCHOOL

My expeditions now consist of finding a new and different route for the bike ride on Saturday. But in my mind, I can still be Lewis and Clark when I venture out on a different course and take in places and vistas new to me. I have no doubt (again in my own mind) that my speed and efficiency pick up when I enter into the exploring mode. And I marvel at people I meet who share they are exploring a new approach to something that has been theirs for a while, pursuing a completely new activity or endeavor due to a deep curiosity, or trying out a new insight in the real world because they are holding out for something better. There are no guarantees when we go exploring because there is no way of truly knowing. But we do not explore because of the assurance of a done deal. With eyes wide open, we venture out into something unknown because we sense the very strong possibility we may be different and better and wiser for having gone. I urge you to take some time this summer and explore this edition of Cannon Magazine that features members of this community who have ventured out or will be venturing out. There is much to admire about these individuals. There is much to respect about a school that encourages true exploration. Enjoy your summer and thank you for your support of our mission. Sincerely,

Matt

CANNON MAGAZINE SUMMER 2018 Cannon Magazine is published semiannually by the Office of Advancement. Send address changes to rriemersma@cannonschool.org.

EDITORIAL STAFF

ADMINISTRATION

Beth Levanti Director of Marketing and Communications

HEAD OF SCHOOL Matthew E. Gossage

EDITOR Amy Reiss Marketing and Communications Manager

HEAD OF LOWER SCHOOL Michelle Alexander HEAD OF MIDDLE SCHOOL Carla M. Moyer HEAD OF UPPER SCHOOL Debra Otey DIRECTOR OF STUDIES Fabio A. Hurtado DIRECTOR OF ADMISSION William Diskin

DIRECTOR OF ADVANCEMENT Todd W. Hartung Jr. DIRECTOR OF ATHLETICS Dr. Patrick J. Moyer DIRECTOR OF BUSINESS AND FINANCE Whit G. Brown DIRECTOR OF COLLEGE COUNSELING Dr. Beth Wilner DIRECTOR OF INSTITUTIONAL TECHNOLOGY Bill Donovan


Contents

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Commencement 2018. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 News. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 The Curtain Goes Up on Stagecraft . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 The Big Picture . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 Unified in Understanding . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 Exploring Ideas, Engaging Learners . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22

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Leading Their Own Learning . . . . . . . . . 24 Higher Learning. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 Cougars in Action. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28 Alumni . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30

COVER: Thomas Fromke ’19, Maddie Johnson ’20, and Patrick Dodds ’19 work the sound and light boards in the control booth in Cindric Performing Arts Center.

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Cover photo courtesy of Emby Taylor Photography. Cannon Magazine thanks Emby Taylor Photography for capturing images of the Cannon School community throughout the year, many of which are used in this issue. Additional photography courtesy of Amy Reiss, Caeden Otey ’22, Leigh Northrup, and Jeff Doolittle.

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4 | CANNON | Summer 2018


2018 On May 25, the ninety-two members of the Cannon School Class of 2018 gathered on Bryant Central Green to close one chapter—and begin another. “Today I’m asking you not to graduate, but to commence building relationships, to connect, venture, marvel, and cultivate. You will never regret the time spent doing so, and you will enjoy success and ultimately, greater satisfaction in life,” Commencement speaker Dr. Mark Fromke told the Cannon community gathered to celebrate this momentous occasion. The ceremonial cap toss closed out this twentieth annual ceremony, followed by hugs, handshakes, photos, and farewells.

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“In everything we do and everything we accomplish, always go beyond. Never be complacent with the status quo.” – Claire Christman ’18 Valedictorian 6 | CANNON | Summer 2018


“As we disperse across the country and across the world, I have a challenge for you—go forth, go beyond, and succeed. Take your strengths, your knowledge, your experience, your connections gained within our school’s walls, and aim for greatness.” – Alex Coale ’18 Valedictorian Summer 2018 | CANNON | 7


The Time of Our Life(rs) Recent graduates Hallie Isom ’18 and Alex Coale ’18 reflect on a life well-spent at Cannon School Each August, a batch of fourand five-year-old children enter the doors of the Lower School, clutching backpacks and parents’ hands, feeling both excited and trepidatious. Fourteen years later, these same students walk out of the Upper School and across the stage on Bryant Central Green to accept their diplomas—often feeling as nervous and thrilled as they did on their first day of Junior Kindergarten. These students are our “lifers,” dubbed such because they have spent their entire educational life here at Cannon School. The Class of 2018’s eleven lifers carry special and unique memories, beginning with grasping the hand of a senior buddy when they arrive at Cannon. Throughout their fourteen years here, they change, grow, and leave campus as wise and mature young people, ready to take on the world. At each year’s Senior Breakfast in April, two lifers reflect on their time at Cannon and read essays they have written for the family and friends gathered there. Here are two such reflections from Hallie Isom ’18 and Alex Coale ’18.

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Hallie Isom ’18

Hallie Isom ’18 My name is Hallie Isom and I am what Cannon refers to as a “lifer”—meaning I have only spent four years of my life not being a Cannon student. I actually remember my first day of Junior Kindergarten. A student in my class came into the room holding his bowl of cereal that still had milk in it. Mrs. Perkins went up to him and said, “Justin, you need to finish your breakfast before you come to school every day.” I think about this memory every day when Reed Fisk comes into our senior ELP class with two plates of breakfast. Times have changed since that first day in Mrs. Perkin’s class. I have grown a lot, and I’m not just talking about growing two and a half feet taller. During the last fourteen years, I have found Cannon to be a safe place for students to explore and flourish without limitations and the pressure to always be right. I am grateful for the guidance I have received as I learned to use my voice; allowing it to be loud, strong, and assertive when needed. I am grateful for the education I received, encouraging me to think outside of the box or to remove the box all together. As a student, I have grown to think in abstract ways when it comes to learning. I believe that this is one of the things I am most thankful for as I head to college in the fall. In my experience, teachers at Cannon support creativity both in and out of the classroom. When you discover a new way to solve a problem or share a different way to think about a situation in


parents for sending me here because of the exceptional education I have received and the connections I have made the past fourteen years.

Alex Coale ’18

class, Cannon teachers receive those ideas with open arms. Over the years, I have had multiple teachers ask me what they can do to help me understand something better. During each of those times, the opportunity to get one-on-one help has always been offered graciously, and for that, I am grateful. President John F. Kennedy once said, “As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them.” After you leave Education Way on May 25, remember to show your gratitude to all who have helped to shape you at Cannon—not only saying “thank you,” but by continuing to live your life filled with kindness, courage, and integrity. And remember to “Go Beyond” in everything you do.

Alex Coale ’18 Cannon School has been my academic home for the past fourteen years. It has been so much more than just a school, as it is a place that helped me grow into a confident, responsible adult—ready to take on the challenges of college and beyond. Within the walls of Cannon is a nurturing environment which instills academic, artistic, and athletic excellence throughout all the grade levels. While we are pushed to strive for excellence in all we do, that is coupled with a loving, supportive, and community-driven atmosphere which always extends a helping hand if and when we stumble on the rocky path towards success. I am so thankful to my

When I look back throughout my time at this school, some of my fondest memories are the friendships and connections I have made during my time. Not only will I remember my fellow seniors who never fail to make me laugh, but I have lasting memories from Middle and Lower School as well. I walked into Junior Kindergarten fourteen years ago as probably the shortest and skinniest kid you will ever see— and honestly not much has changed. I walked in trembling in fear until I met my senior buddy. I can remember walking around the playground inside of my cardboard box car with one little hand on my JrK driver’s license and my other in my buddy’s hand. I looked up to my senior buddy so much that I can, to this day, point to his graduation picture on the wall near Foundation Hall. Now, fourteen years later, I am in his spot—having my own JrK buddy and trying to be a great role model and friend like mine was. I am so thankful that my parents kept me here for all this time so I could return the favor—and I hope little Barrett will be able to recognize my picture on the wall in the years to come. In addition to the friendships and meaningful connections, Cannon School also provides all its students with a solid foundational education. Throughout all grade levels and departments, the excellent teachers and small class sizes give us a personalized learning environment where studentteacher and student-student interactions are at the heart of learning and can benefit comprehension of the subject. In many of my more challenging classes, my ability to communicate with the teacher and my peers has been an essential ingredient to my understanding of the material. Without this beneficial atmosphere of learning as a team, classes would be far less enjoyable. During an AP Physics lecture for example, when I can look around the classroom and see the stunned and honestly painful expressions on my classmates’ faces as we struggle through a 45-minute lecture about the rotation of a non-rigid body about parallel axes— the only thing that keeps us sane is knowing that as a team, we can solve anything if we work together. This style of learning as a team has been a blessing for me for the past fourteen years, and I will likely miss it next year when I feel ironically alone in a lecture hall of 300. Even with this, I know that Cannon has prepared all of us for the challenges that we will face next year. I know it might be daunting to change up the routine, but no matter how long or short of a time you have been here, we are ready for anything life can throw at us. And while I am prepared for this change, I will always cherish the time I’ve spent here. Summer 2018 | CANNON | 9


Where is the Class of 2018 Headed to College? Map shows the number of students attending colleges in these states.

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ALABAMA

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Auburn University Samford University CALIFORNIA Northwestern Preparatory School San Diego State University University of California, Santa Barbara

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CONNECTICUT Connecticut College Yale University FLORIDA Jacksonville University University of Florida GEORGIA Georgia Institute of Technology Morehouse College University of Georgia

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INDIANA University of Notre Dame LOUISIANA

NORTH CAROLINA

Louisiana State University

Appalachian State University

MASSACHUSETTS

Central Piedmont Community College

Boston College

Duke University

Harvard University

Elon University

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

High Point University

Guilford College

North Carolina State University Queens University of Charlotte University of North Carolina at Asheville


ABROAD: QUEBEC, CANADA McGill University WALES, UK Bangor University

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2 2 1

SOUTH CAROLINA Clemson University

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1

2

4

University of North Carolina at Charlotte

Coastal Carolina University College of Charleston Francis Marion University University of South Carolina Wofford College TENNESSEE Belmont University

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Sewanee: The University of the South University of Tennessee, Knoxville Vanderbilt University TEXAS Baylor University Houston Baptist University Southern Methodist University

3 University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

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Texas Christian University VIRGINIA

NORTH DAKOTA

Hampden-Sydney College

University of North Dakota

Radford University University of Richmond

University of North Carolina at Wilmington

NEW YORK

PENNSYLVANIA

University of Virginia

Barnard College

Pennsylvania State University

Virginia Tech

Wake Forest University

University of Rochester

University of Pennsylvania

Washington and Lee University

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News

Honor Ceremonies Each spring, the Kindergarten, fourth, and eighth grade classes cross the stage in Cindric Performing Arts Center to accept completion certificates during their annual Honor Ceremonies. This special time gives students, friends, and families an opportunity to reflect on the past and look ahead to the future.

The Cannon Fund – We Did It! Many thanks to our current families, grandparents, alumni, alumni parents, and friends for their generous support of the Cannon Fund! Because of you, we exceeded our goal for the 2017-2018 school year, raising more than $500,000! Your gifts enrich the Cannon experience for every student and faculty member by providing critical operating support that is not covered by tuition alone. We could not do it without you!

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News Cannon School is Turning 50! In the fall of 2019, Cannon School will reach a magnificent milestone—our 50th anniversary as a school. In anticipation of an incredible year of celebration in 2019-2020, the Cannon community will begin preparing for our 50th in this school year. In fact, when you return in August to kick off the 20182019 school year, you will see visible signs on campus reminding us of our history—the history that leads to the future. Cannon’s 50th anniversary celebration is really about you. We cannot wait to share plans for the festivities with you as they continue to evolve over this year!

SAYING FAREWELL TO EARL BEAVER After faithfully serving Cannon School as the Director of Facilities since 2002, Mr. Earl Beaver will retire at the end of July 2018. “Mr. Earl” was often the first face our students saw each morning as he patiently opened car doors and greeted excited students. Whether it was doing daily checks on the grounds and facilities, working with the city on permits, or lining up vendors, Mr. Beaver always remained calm and cool—even in the most stressful situations. “He worked nights, weekends, holidays—he’d take calls in the middle of the night,” said Mr. Luke Wells, Assistant Director of Facilities. “He always said, ‘To work here at Cannon, you have to buy in.’ And he did just that—he was always all in.”

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News New Family Connections Calling all new families! Our New Family Connections (NFC) Committee is here to support you as you transition to Cannon School. Each fall, they offer new parents and families multiple ways to connect with our community. We would love to meet you, so join us for one (or more!) of the events listed here. Questions? Check out our webpage at www.cannonschool.org/newfamilies or contact Emily Davis, Associate Director of Admission, at edavis@cannonschool.org.

August 14, 7:00 – 9:00 p.m. New Family Event at Twenty-Six Acres Brewing Company (Parents only) August 15 New Student Orientations (Invitations with times to follow) August 23, 3:15 – 5:00 p.m. Papa Robb’s Lower School Playdate September 7 Lower School Family Picnic (Time TBA) October 19, 7:00 p.m. New Family Welcome Tent at Cannon Football Game November 8, 7:00 – 9:00 p.m. Meg-Art New Family Painting Event (Parents only)

Meet our NFC Committee! These ladies are happy to answer any questions from our new families. Pictured left to right: Beverly Maynor, Holly Grouse, Holli Delaney, Teri Jones, Maria Polsky, and Jen Erdin. (Not pictured – Christy Condon)

Our Mission, Painted Our mission statement, “Cannon School nurtures relationships at the heart of learning and engages the learner in a journey of growth,” was the inspiration behind a painting that artist (and Cannon parent) Nancy Hilliard Joyce created at this year’s Visual Arts Night. Mrs. Joyce worked on the piece during a live painting demonstration, where students and families could engage with her and ask questions as she painted. The Visual Arts Night theme of “Art Beyond Borders” provided Mrs. Joyce the idea of a global scene; she then painted a heart on Cannon School’s location to represent our “heart of learning,” as well as a flock of birds (a mainstay in her paintings) to show our “journey of growth.” The painting will be hung as a creative, visual reminder of our mission as a school. 14 | CANNON | Summer 2018

Join us for a walk! We will have Dorton Park trail walks at 8:10 a.m. on August 29 and September 5, 12, and 26.


The Curtain Goes Up on Stagecraft Cannon’s Technical Theater Program Steals the Show It’s opening night of the Cannon Theater Company’s production of Peter and the Starcatcher, and the crowd quiets as the lights dim. A bickering ensemble of actors enters the empty stage and welcomes everyone. The play has begun. While the audience focuses on the action on stage, there is much they do not see. It is not only the actors who make this production excellent, but also those who never set foot on stage that night. Dozens of students have spent months preparing for this show— building sets, creating sound cues, costuming actors. They are part of Cannon’s new stagecraft program, which has introduced them to the technical and production aspects of theater.

Patrick Dodds ’19 won the Barbizon Excellence in Design and Production Award in stage management for Too Much Light Makes the Baby Go Blind. Summer 2018 | CANNON | 15


Enter Stage Right The addition of stagecraft classes, at both the Middle and Upper School levels, arose in part because of the popularity of Cannon’s theater program. During the 2015-2016 school year, Director of Theater Arts Andy Macdonald found himself turning away interested students because he didn’t have room in his classes. The decision was made to hire Ms. Jessica Zingher at the Upper School level. Ms. Zingher, a seasoned educational theater teacher with a bachelor’s degree in theater and a master’s degree in educational theater for college and communities, took the helm at the beginning of the 2017-2018 school year, teaching two stagecraft classes. (Ms. Zingher also holds a bachelor’s degree in anthropology.)

Will Rauer ’22 and Jackson Spiggle ’22 work on the set for the Middle School spring production of Shaking it Up with Shakespeare.

“Teaching kids about theater and helping them find a passion for it is something I’ve been doing since I was a teenager myself,” said Ms. Zingher, whose first job, over a decade ago, was that of an art specialist. “When it comes to theater programs, technical theater is like the icing on the cake. I liked how Andy Macdonald and Deb Otey (Head of Upper School) wanted it to be an integral part of the program.”

More Than the Sum of its Parts Stagecraft is a unique program that combines several different aspects of theatrical production. Students begin the year by trying out all the different elements and then deciding which they like best.

Katherine Calcagno ’21 and Grace Kramer ’20 work on dress repair while Sam McDermott ’19 checks out costume options. 16 | CANNON | Summer 2018


Sam McDermott ’19, Andrew Aldous ’19, and Thomas Fromke ’19 work on a set build.

“Set design begins when we look at scripts and have the kids think of it as more of an environment and less of a background for the dramatic action to happen,” said Ms. Zingher. “We think of it in terms of theme and mood and what we’d like the audience to get out of the set. Then we do dramaturgical research, pull out images from productions, and come up with a concept.”

Excellence in Design and Production Award in stage management for the production of Too Much Light Makes the Baby Go Blind. “Patrick managed a very technically complicated show. I don’t know many high schoolers who could seamlessly pull off 57 cues,” said Ms. Zingher.

Then, looking at elements of design like line and color, students use tools to physically construct sets, then paint and rig them. The result is a set that helps audiences better understand and enjoy the production.

Stagecraft classes were also offered as an arts elective at the Middle School level this year, taught by Ms. Christiana Holyer. The course incorporated the same elements as Upper School, with students exploring set, sound, lighting, and costume design, as well as stage management.

Sound and lighting design consists of how to hang and manage equipment, create a lighting palette, and produce sound and lighting cues. “We want students to think critically about why they are doing what they’re doing. So, during a particular scene in Peter and the Starcatcher this year we asked, ‘Why would this singer want to light this in red? How does this play into a script?’” said Ms. Zingher. Students learn to use the sound and light boards in the control booth, both before and during performances. Costume design consists of looking at a character in a script and translating that into something visual, so not only the actor tells the story. Students scour the costume closet for ideas as well as learn how to hand sew and use sewing machines. This year, classes touched on how makeup can help define a character, and Ms. Zingher looks forward to further exploring that concept next year. Each production also utilizes a stage manager, whose job it is to ensure that the production runs as it should. At this year’s North Carolina Theater Conference High School Play Festival, our own Patrick Dodds ’19 earned the Barbizon

Learning—and Growing

“The skills and experience that students gain in the Middle School stagecraft class have applications beyond the show they are supporting,” said Ms. Holyer. “As students learn to analyze a play and acquire new skills in working with tools, painting, and designing sets, costumes, and props, they are also improving their critical thinking ability, getting better at working as a team, and taking ownership of their role in a wonderful show. Seeing the fruits of their labors on the stage is incredibly satisfying and that, combined with their hard-won knowledge, leaves them in a prime place to pursue technical theater at the Upper School level.” Ms. Zingher agrees that technical theater offers opportunities for students to learn and grow—even if they find the idea of standing on a stage in front of hundreds terrifying. “Stagecraft is an application art, so it’s a way in which students can use visual arts, research, social studies, writing, and math. It is a wonderful program for those who don’t necessarily think of themselves as ‘theater kids.’” Summer 2018 | CANNON | 17


The Big Picture

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The New Middle School Addition and Upper School Technology Space 18 | CANNON | Summer 2018

This August, we will open the doors to the new, 23,000 square-foot Middle School addition, as well as a renovated Outback building to serve as a technology space for the Upper School.


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1. World Language suite—flexible classroom space for grades 5 – 8 2. Atrium/common area with screen capabilities and creative seating options for collaborating and presenting 3. Connected to the current Middle School building 4. Middle School library with books, study pods, and flexible furniture options

5. Science labs with roll-out cabinetry to make demo tables and exposed ceilings featuring drop-down power cords 6. Seventh and eighth grade classrooms situated to foster a sense of community 7. Technology space that includes a Makerspace Studio, Fabrication Studio, Computer Studio, and Video and Audio Recording Studio, allowing students to engage in virtual reality, augmented reality, robotics, media arts, videography, electronics, and circuitry Summer 2018 | CANNON | 19


Unified in Understanding: Middle School Volunteers with the Special Olympics

The stands in Boswell Gym are packed with Middle Schoolers, buzzing with excitement in anticipation of the athletes about to make an appearance on the volleyball court. By the door, a cluster of cheerleaders chant and wave their pom-poms. To the average onlooker, it could be the start of a highly-anticipated conference championship game for our Cannon Cougars. But the athletes who enter the gym aren’t our students—they’re members of the Cabarrus Thunder, a volleyball team of Special Olympians from around the county. And they’re here to play. Cannon School has had a longstanding relationship with the Special Olympics of Cabarrus County that has spanned the last thirteen years and touched hundreds of our students’ lives. This year proved no exception, with Middle School students involved through our Service Learning program. Mrs. Stephanie Ranson, Director of Middle School Service Learning, says that each year begins with intentional work to help Cannon students create a culture of acceptance and respect. “We make an effort to help our students focus on the Olympians as people, rather than seeing their differences,” said Mrs. Ranson. “We teach our kids that these are just normal people who have an obstacle in their way—like all of us do,” said Mr. Leigh Northrup, Middle School Dean of Innovation, who helps lead the program. This year, Special Olympics Cabarrus County Program Coordinator Emily Riley reached out and said that the eleven athletes who make up the Cabarrus Thunder Volleyball Team had been chosen to represent Team North Carolina at the USA Games in Seattle, Washington this summer. Could Cannon School do something to help raise awareness? The service learning groups sprang to action, helping to organize an annual Middle School Spirit Night at the Charlotte Checkers game, with proceeds from each ticket helping the organization. They also brought the team out to Boswell Gym for a pep rally and 6-on-6 scrimmage, so the team could take on some of Cannon’s teachers and Middle School volleyball players. Prior to the game, students from the fifth and sixth grade Special Olympics service learning group invited the athletes for a social hour to mix, mingle, and get to know each other. Mrs. Ranson believes it’s the personal interaction with athletes that most helps our students develop empathy and learn acceptance. “What we hear from our kids is that it’s uncomfortable, and they go into it worried but come back empowered because they have broken down those barriers and feel they’ve accomplished something great,” she said.

Sara Trufant ’22 poses with her buddy at the Cabarrus County Special Olympics Spring Games. 20 | CANNON | Summer 2018

In April, all sixth and eighth grade students, as well as fifth and seventh graders from the Special Olympics service groups attended the Cabarrus County Special Olympics Spring Games, where more than 1,000 local athletes participated. All of our students began the day marching with athletes in the Opening Ceremonies. After that, our


younger students were solely responsible for creating the “young athletes area,” a space for special needs children under 8 who are too young to officially compete in the Olympics. This space consisted of eighteen stations of games and activities, which Cannon students ran. Our older students acted as buddies for the Special Olympians who competed in the track and field events. Sara Trufant ’22 was involved with many aspects of the Special Olympics outreach this year, and she feels it helped her grow as a person. “Along the way on the rewarding journey of working with the Special Olympians, I learned that I enjoy helping others and seeing the smiles on their faces,” she said.

A Cabarrus Thunder athlete is cheered on as he enters Boswell Gym for the 6-on-6 scrimmage against Cannon School.

“The Olympians are always grateful for what they are given and enjoy life to the fullest. I have been inspired to go out and volunteer for the benefit of others because of the incredible opportunity to work with the Cabarrus Thunder.” Mrs. Ranson and Mr. Northrup agree that each of our Middle School students is better off because of their experience with the Special Olympics. “They better understand the human connection and recognize similarities rather than differences,” said Mrs. Ranson. “I feel like our kids get so much more out of it than the other way around, and it just blows me away.”

Kenlee Griffin ’23 awards a medal to his buddy at the Cabarrus County Special Olympics Spring Games.

Cannon Middle School Recognized as the Special Olympics North Carolina Organization of the Year This past December, Cannon Middle School was recognized as the 2017 Special Olympics Organization of the Year for being an exemplary supporter of the program. Over the years, Cannon Middle School has helped the program and athletes with everyday expenses, run the young athletes’ area at the annual Spring Games, brought over 100 volunteers to the Games, and created a school-wide community of acceptance by bringing together students with and without intellectual disabilities. Pictured here, Mrs. Ranson and Mr. Northrup receive the award from Special Olympics Cabarrus County Program Coordinator Emily Riley and Lindsay Waldron, Vice President of Community Resources.

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Exploring Ideas, Engaging Learners: Lower School Hub Time It’s a Friday morning in the Idea Hub, and the first graders gathered there are buzzing with excitement. Each one is called upon to do a presentation about the topic of the week—in this case, bats and spiders. Avery Wagner and Penelope Conklin sing a song they wrote about spiders’ habitats. Parker Powell presents a puppet show he created about fruit bats. Nathan Cain shows everyone the board game he made using interesting facts about spiders. Each presentation is unique in its information and different than the last. Over the course of the morning, students learn everything from what a tarantula preys upon to the characteristics of a vampire bat.

Mrs. Aimee Pfitzner helps Avery Wagner ’29 and Penelope Conklin ’29 with their song about bats.

This is the first graders’ “Hub Time,” and Friday is the culmination of a week of research and application. The action takes place in the newly redesigned Lower School Idea Hub—a collaborative, creative, energetic space that acts as a next-generation school library. Because modern-day students accumulate information differently than they have in the past, the Idea Hub was designed as a place in which students utilize multiple forms of technology such as Chromebooks, laptops, iPads, and the IDEA wall—as well as traditional books. It’s also a great space for tinkering and makerspace challenges. “Our purpose behind creating this time was to bring together the expertise of our classroom teachers, assistants, and cocurricular teachers to create deep learning experiences for our students,” said Mrs. Melissa Fox, Lower School Dean of Studies. “We wanted to create experiences beyond what happens in the classroom on a daily basis such as makerspace activities, design thinking, integrated units, research projects, service learning, and choice boards.”

Parker Powell ’29 uses a glue gun to make his bat puppet.

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Each week, a different Lower School grade level has Hub Time for about an hour a day. Every Monday, an entire grade gathers in the Hub, along with all the classroom teachers, assistants, and co-curricular teachers. A topic is presented that relates to the course of study, ranging from southeast states


Kaylee Dobbins ’29 and J.J. Stoudmire ’29 work on their research with Mr. Stuart Coale.

Grace Ter Poorten ’27 presents the information she learned about coding.

Coleson Bryan ’27 works on a sculpture.

Ruthie Hillman ’27 does some sewing.

to rainforests to polar bears. Students begin by investigating the topic—or a subtopic that interests them. There’s plenty of assistance here, since so many teachers are in the Hub with them, ready to lend a hand. After choosing a topic, students then decide how they would like to present their findings. This could be through mediums such as theater, songs, poems, board games, action games, sculpture, paintings, videos, and 2- and 3-D models. They spend several days creating their final product, which they present to the grade level on Friday. “Hub Time is a great place for students to step out of their comfort zones to research, explore, experience, and share their learning in a way that pushes them to take risks and go beyond surface learning of concepts,” said Mrs. Fox. “Students have the support and guidance of many adults as they take these deep dives in their learning.” “Hub Time celebrates the aspect of our mission statement in which we ‘engage the learner in a journey of growth,’ Mrs. Fox continued. “The time engages Lower School students by giving them choice in the learning process, allowing them to seek, discover, and evolve as people. Their presentations at the end of the week reflect how they can thrive in an environment that allows them to discover their own personal learning journey.” Summer 2018 | CANNON | 23


Leading Their Own Learning: Fifth Grade Will Shift to Standards-Based Grading Imagine this: you’re a student in a fifth-grade math class, and you take two tests. You ace the first test with a 100% score. On the second test, however, you’re feeling unwell, barely able to finish the questions. Your score comes back at 20%. The two scores are averaged for a final result of 60%—a D-, according to the traditional letter grade system. But…does that D- accurately reflect what you as a student know about the math curriculum? After all, letter grades A through D within their alignment on a 100-point scale each represent 10 percent of the grading scale. An F represents 50% of the scale—far more numerically significant. This was the type of hypothetical situation that kept Fabio Hurtado awake at night. As Cannon School’s JrK-12 Director of Studies, Mr. Hurtado’s job is to ensure that our students are assessed in a way that most accurately reflects their mastery of the content. 24 | CANNON | Summer 2018

“Somewhat independently, schools and lawmakers have come to the same conclusion: the old models of student assessment are out of step with the needs of the twenty-first-century workplace and society,” said Mr. Hurtado. A little over a year ago, Cannon joined the Mastery Transcript Consortium—a collective of schools “organized around the development and dissemination of an alternative model of crediting and transcript generation” (Mastery Transcript Consortium). “These folks were having a national conversation about what it means to learn something, what it means to have mastery—used as a synonym for learning— and what it means to have competence in something. We wanted to know how we could start to have those conversations at Cannon,” said Mr. Hurtado. For the last two years, “We have been committed to shifting the way we did curriculum work—from writing curriculum maps to writing learning outcomes. Curriculum maps are teacher-


“This approach has the potential to give students and parents much better feedback, feedback that shows student strengths.” – Mr. Hurtado

The second part of the model would provide students with feedback on their growth by replacing numerical grades with a performance-based approach giving narrative feedback in the areas of communication, teamwork, curiosity/creativity, and meta-cognition. This would help students better understand how the development of certain habits can make content learning easier. “This approach has the potential to give students and parents much better feedback, feedback that shows student strengths,” said Mr. Hurtado. Middle School Dean of Studies Mrs. Catherine Jones concurs. “What I love about standards-based grading is that it is simply good communication. It promotes clear thinking from educators about ‘what we are teaching,’ and it delivers to students a clearer understanding of ‘what we are learning.’ Standards take the guess work out of the classroom – everyone knows the learning goal, and those goals are reflected directly in the language of the standards.”

centric, while learning outcomes are student facing.” These student learning outcomes would specify what students will know or be able to do at the end of a unit.

What is Standards-Based Grading? Standards-based grading differs from a traditional grading system in that it measures students’ proficiency on welldefined course objectives rather than using the assignation of letter grades to an entire subject. Teachers create contentbased standards for each year, with each skill related to content knowledge. Then each student receives a number on a scale of 0-4 that reflects how he/she has mastered that content. “This helps to isolate and identify content knowledge and truly reflect what each child knows,” said Mr. Hurtado. “This is feedback on their learning.”

Mission: Possible Mr. Hurtado began a conversation with Mrs. Carla Moyer, Head of Middle School, about the possibility of introducing a standards-based grading approach in the fifth grade. The logic behind this? “Fifth graders are coming from the Lower School, and they’ve never had grades,” said Mr. Hurtado. He met with the fifth-grade team in the early winter, and they’ve been working together since then. At the beginning of the 2018-2019 school year, the Class of 2026 will enter fifth grade and pilot a standards-based grading program for a year. “This is about student-directed learning and missionaligned grading,” said Mr. Hurtado. “I believe that if we are committed to a journey of growth, we owe it to students to show them how they are growing and how far they are from the target goal.” Summer 2018 | CANNON | 25


Higher Learning How Conversations with Colleges are Helping Change Learning at Cannon

Earlier this spring, the Cannon community watched ninety-two members of the Class of 2018 cross the stage, accept their diplomas, and become alumni of Cannon School. In a few short weeks, they will go on to college and begin the next phase of their lives. So, what do our students’ lives look like once they have stepped onto the manicured lawns of higher education institutions? Are they prepared for the academic rigor and coursework that accompanies this next step? This question was of great interest to our faculty and administration, and it posed a bit of a paradox. Despite the fact that many had dedicated a good portion of their lives to education, the truth was that they may not have stepped foot on a college campus in years. A lot has changed in higher education, and it’s easy to lose track of what’s happening. “We’re living with the reality that we are a college-prep school, but how well do we know that landing place?” asked Dr. Kellen Graham, Upper School Academic Dean. A group of faculty and administrators set out to answer that question with a series of visits to colleges and universities. What they have learned over the course of the last year will be utilized to help ensure that our students are best prepared for the future.

Observation and Conversation “We wanted to find out what the first-year experience looks like and what faculty think is most important for students to have when they come to school,” said Dr. Beth Wilner, Director of College Counseling. “Independent schools are really good at answering the question, ‘How do our kids get into fill-in-the-blank school?’ What we’re doing now is reframing it and asking, ‘Once our kids get in, will they be prepared? Are they sufficiently prepared to work at the college level?’” The conversation began when Mr. Matt Gossage, Head of School, reached out to colleagues at the University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill, Catawba College, and the University of South Carolina, opening the door to the process. A group which included Mr. Gossage, Dr. Graham, and Dr. Wilner, as well as Mrs. Deb Otey, Head of Upper School, Mr. Fabio Hurtado, JrK-12 Director of Studies, members of the college counseling team, and Upper School English and social studies faculty, visited each of these campuses. They arrived on campus each morning and began the day by observing a humanities class. That was followed by a post-observation debrief and discussion, often including the professor who had taught the class, as well as department chairs and department members. It didn’t take long to learn the qualities professors valued in firstyear students. “The conversations we’ve had have been with English and history faculty, and we’ve found that the concepts of inquiry, 26 | CANNON | Summer 2018


“Colleges and universities are saying to us loud and clear – the more flexible and autonomous our kids are in high school, the easier and more successful their transition to college will be.” – Dr. Graham curiosity, and the ability to generate good critical questions are (viewed as) most important,” said Dr. Graham. “Colleges and universities are saying to us loud and clear— the more flexible and autonomous our kids are in high school, the easier and more successful their transition to college will be. A lot of schools talk to us about how to deprogram kids from rote, standardized ways of thinking. When we described to them some of the signature learning experiences we’re creating, they lit up and were excited.” One of these signature learning experiences will be in next year’s advanced English classes. Instead of gauging student knowledge with a standardized test, a portfolio system will be incorporated, culminating in a portfolio defense at the end of the year. “The portfolio defense will be a public event, open to anyone in our community, and our kids will have the opportunity to stand, reflect, and present their learning in a way that is more compelling than sitting at a desk and taking a Scantron test,” said Dr. Graham.

Growing Together Through Learning Having Cannon faculty involved in these conversations has been critical for ensuring future success. “They were at the table, working directly with professors, engaging in conversations about bridge-building from high school to college, and those conversations were really helpful,” said Dr. Graham. “We have found that not only our teachers, but college faculty members are energized by these conversations,” continued Dr. Graham. “As a high school teacher, you spend

your whole career preparing students to go to college, and you may never set foot on a college campus. On the other end, college faculty are beholden to the kids we are preparing and sending them. Here, there was a real reciprocity and a real desire to know more, and a shared appreciation. For me, it was so neat to fuse both of those worlds together.” Another hallmark of the college campus visits included speaking with admission directors and provosts. “We want to make changes that will help our students be more successful, but we don’t want to bypass admission in the process. (We talked to them) about what we witnessed in the classroom, what we heard are relevant skills, and what we’re thinking in terms of classes,” said Dr. Wilner.

On the Right Path Both Dr. Graham and Dr. Wilner were pleasantly surprised by the feedback they received in regard to what Cannon is already doing. “One of the most encouraging things we learned is that in the cases of classes that we transformed from AP (Advanced Placement) to advanced—the social studies and English tracks—the college faculty we talked to agree with us that (the classes) will better prepare students for college level work in those disciplines, and we stand a better chance of igniting in those kids an intellectual spark if we go away from that standardized curriculum. We thought we knew that, but having it reaffirmed at each college we talked with was powerful,” said Dr. Graham. “And one of the pleasant surprises we learned is that many of the things we are already doing at Cannon—we’re already knocking it out of the park,” said Dr. Wilner. So, what’s on the horizon for Cannon School? Since the college visits this year focused on how to best prepare our students for the teaching of humanities at the college level, next year will focus on STEM. The group already has a trip to Virginia Tech planned for the fall, and they are working on additional schools. “It’s all about understanding where our kids are headed,” concluded Dr. Graham. “We want to know more about what is on the other side of the fence and how we build the best bridge to get there.”

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Whether it’s on the courts, course, or field, or in the classrooms or hallways, our Cougar student-athletes always make us proud. This spring proved no exception, with many studentathletes and teams experiencing success and marking notable accomplishments.

Drew Balsbough ’18

Middle School lacrosse won its first-ever Greater Charlotte Middle School Athletic Association (GCMSAA) conference title, capping an outstanding 14-1 season. Gabby Holloway ’20 was named NCISAA All-State and was the CISAA conference player of the year for girls’ softball. Gabby, a pitcher, was also the Cougars’ Offensive MVP. Sean Jenkins ’18 was named CISAA All-Conference First Team, as well as NCISAA All-State. Sean will play tennis next year at Connecticut College. Amanda Sambach ’21 was the youngest player to compete in this spring’s Symetra Classic. The tournament is part of the Symetra Tour, the official qualifying tour of the Ladies Pro Golf Association (LPGA). Rohan Handa ’18, a pitcher, was named CISAA All-Conference Second Team and will play for Yale University this fall. Kendyl Lauher ’21 was named CISAA All-Conference Second Team and won the team’s Offensive MVP award. Sofia Rooney ’21 won the heptathlon event at the USATF Junior Olympic Region 16 meet. The freshman also broke the school record for the 100 m hurdles this spring. Narayan Mohan ’21 was named individual medalist, finishing 4-under, when the boys’ golf team took the NCISAA 3A state championship title this spring. Narayan was named to the All-State Team, along with Lansdon Robbins ’18, Michael Childress ’18, Michael Sanders ’18, and Charlie Barr ’21. Drew Balsbough ’18 was named an All-State athlete in three sports—football, wrestling, and lacrosse.

COUGARS IN ACTION 28 | CANNON | Summer 2018


Amanda Sambach ’21

Rohan Handa ’18

Sean Jenkins ’18

Sofia Rooney ’21

Gabby Holloway ’20

Kendyl Lauher ’21

Summer 2018 | CANNON | 29

Narayan Mohan ’21

Middle School Lacrosse


Looking Back

The History of Cannon’s Alumni Board In July, two of our inaugural Alumni Board members—President Eddie Alcorn ’04 and Secretary Marie Morgann ’01—wrapped up their tenure after serving on the Board for the last eight years. They sat down to chat about their memories with Mrs. Lynda Abel, Alumni Relations Manager from 2011-2016. MM: Eddie, would you talk about how you joined the Board? EA: It started with Todd Hartung sending an e-mail to some recent Cannon graduates in spring of 2011. He was interested in starting an alumni association to help find ways of bringing alumni back to Cannon. MM: There was an introductory meeting, and almost everybody who was a part of that meeting became a part of the inaugural Board. To see all these people that I’ve known since I was younger—and obviously I knew and loved Eddie, we’ve known each other since we were teenagers—it was a great group. LA: What was your favorite alumni event from the last eight years?

Marie Morgann ’01 and Eddie Alcorn ’04 pose in front of 65 Union Street, the original home of Cabarrus Academy— now Cannon School.

EA: The 10-year reunion for 2005 and the 5-year reunion for 2010 (combined event). That was a tremendous reunion. There was just a great turnout, a lot of fun that everyone had there. MM: I think what was so enjoyable about it was just seeing people who had come, maybe with trepidation, maybe they’ve come by themselves. Maybe they’ve flown a long way, not knowing what it’s going to be like. But then, just the joy on their faces as they saw the teachers they knew, or a classmate. People who ended up being better friends, just from that shared experience of seeing each other again. LA: How do you feel about the future of Alumni Board leadership?

Members of the Class of 2005 gathered for their ten-year reunion back in 2015.

EA: At the Alumni Board meeting in May, the new President, Vice President, and Secretary were voted into their positions. I am really excited to have President Isabelle Powell’s leadership, given how much she’s already done for the alumni program. She’s already supported so many different events. And Hillary Gruce ’08 and Ashley Rivenbark ’10 as Vice President and Secretary—I think it’s just so great to bring them in and have those new connections that they’ll be able to build with the rest of the years of alumni. LA: So, you’ll both be involved as mentors for the next year? MM: Definitely.

Members of the Class of 2010 gathered for their five-year reunion in 2015.

30 | CANNON | Summer 2018

EA: It was important to Isabelle to have somebody else who could offer a historical perspective or a validating voice to just say, “You’re doing a great job,” “Keep this up,” or “This is something we’ve encountered before.” MM: We want people to benefit from what we’ve learned through trial and error. What struck me at the last Alumni Board meeting and as we’ve sat here talking is that being engaged with you all has been amazing. Love, love. Forever more, whatever it takes to keep things moving forward.


A Letter from Isabelle Powell ’08

Incoming Cannon Alumni Board President As a Cannon student, I never imagined becoming the Cannon Alumni Board President. I was too busy coordinating outfits for the basketball games or figuring out a way to get my homework finished before study hall so I could spend that time hanging out with friends. Joining the Alumni Board has been fun—I’ve been able to see where all those friends landed and connect with them on what they’re doing now. I’ve connected with others too, some from different graduation years, or different friend groups. What I’ve seen is that we all can relate to each other regarding the unique experiences that Cannon provided and the equally unique positions it led each of us to now that we are #adulting. Cannon continues to change, but the special traditions (including one day that shall not be named) help it remain irreplaceable.

This year my class will hold its 10-year reunion. So much has changed over the last ten years—for Cannon and its alumni. I’m looking forward to seeing engagement rings, meeting toddlers, and hearing about recent and upcoming trips. I know there will be lots of hilarious, and possibly embarrassing, memories to share as well. Even though it has been a decade since we’ve all been together, I don’t feel that old yet—and I hope my classmates don’t either. That’s one thing I admire about Cannon: it is timeless.

Isabelle Powell ’08 Alumni Board President, 2018-2019

New Alumni Board President Isabelle Powell ’08 (third from left) is joined by Board members, past and present, at a Board meeting this May. Pictured, left to right: Marie Morgann ’01, Eddie Alcorn ’04, Isabelle, Ashley Rivenbark ’10, Jane Campbell ’12, Alumni Relations Coordinator Sarah Allgood, and Hillary Gruce ’08.

Summer 2018 | CANNON | 31


Alumni Events Our Alumni Lacrosse Game in May had players from 2008-2017 squaring off against our Cougar varsity team.

Upcoming Events: Alumni Soccer Game August 11, 2018

Homecoming

October 19, 2018

Homecoming 5K October 20, 2018

Class Reunions for the Class of 2003, 2008, and 2013 December 21, 2018

Look for more information to come about the Alumni Jazz Jam, Cougar Holiday Party, and Alumni Night at the varsity basketball game!

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Many thanks to all those who attended our annual Alumni Flashback gatherings in Chapel Hill and Charlotte on April 5! These fun events allowed Cougar alumni to catch up and enjoy each other’s company.


Class Notes 2004

2006

Eddie Alcorn finished his first year in the master’s of social work program at UNC-Chapel Hill, where he’s training to work in aging and geriatric mental health. He continues to work in strategy at UNC Health Care and teach health care administration at North Carolina Central University and UNC-Chapel Hill. He’s looking forward to coaching a women’s club ultimate frisbee team this summer.

Maggie Vandura Shrader was married in October 2017 in San Diego. She met her husband while working for the San Diego Padres. The couple recently moved to Nashville, TN, where Maggie works for Eventbrite and her husband works for the Nashville Sounds.

Meredith Berry Letendre attended Wake Forest University and majored in business with a minor in health policy and administration. After graduating from Wake, she joined a leadership development program at Bridgestone Americas, Inc. headquartered in Nashville, Meredith Berry Letendre TN. She spent four years with the company in a financial analyst role before going back to school and pursuing her master’s in health administration at UNCChapel Hill. Meredith then moved to Boston, MA, where she was a senior consultant in the analysis and planning department at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, then a business manager for the Translational Accelerator at the Brigham. She married Craig Letendre in October 2017 in Charlotte, NC.

2005 Will Bertram and his wife, Lauren, celebrated their wedding on the Eastern Shore of Maryland in May. Ryan Lubert and his wife, Megan, welcomed a baby boy in January 2018.

2008 Kathryn Harris recently graduated from medical school at Meharry Medical College in Nashville, TN. Upon graduation she received the Leonard Tow Humanism in Medicine Award, which recognizes a graduating student who demonstrates both Kathryn Harris clinical excellence and outstanding compassion in the delivery of care and who shows respect for patients, their families, and healthcare colleagues. Her future plans are to become an interventional cardiologist and save lives one heart at a time, as well as conduct cutting-edge research on the newest stents and artificial heart valves. She intends to Katie Brown Pearce get advanced training in palliative medicine and will be starting her internship and residency in internal medicine at the University of Maryland Medical Center in Baltimore, MD. Katie Brown Pearce and Ian were married in November 2017 in Cornelius, NC. They met at North Carolina State University at the Raleigh Wesley Foundation.

Summer 2018 | CANNON | 33


Class Notes 2009 Emily Fradley and Jacob Gindman got engaged in February in the North Carolina Mountains at Grandfather Vineyard and later spent the weekend in Blowing Rock celebrating with friends. The two met while studying abroad in Paderno del Grappa, Italy Emily Fradley in 2012 and began dating their senior year of college when they returned from Europe to the University of South Carolina. Their wedding is set for May 25, 2019 on St. John in the US Virgin Islands, where Emily’s family has had a home for over 40 years. Emily works for CPI Security as a senior recruiter, and Jacob is a managing director at Linium. The couple recently bought their first home in Charlotte. Katherine Vendley used an unfortunate incident to help shape her career. While she was a senior at Cannon, she had surgery for a torn ACL. After her recovery, she shadowed her surgeon as part of a senior project. The experience, combined with her love of Mr. Coggins’s science classes, helped determine her path, and this past May she graduated from the University of South Carolina with a master’s of nurse anesthesia.

gotten to this point without the excellent teachers (special shout outs to Mr. Booker and Mrs. Huffman for those crazy AP classes that taught me how to study), friends, and lessons learned while at Cannon! Hayden Keziah is the new Healthcare Administrator at Pruitt Health - Neuse in New Bern, NC. She relocated to the area in early April and is very excited to continue her career in long-term care (and to live on the coast near all the beautiful NC beaches). Working with the elderly is a passion that gives her life meaning and purpose. She will graduate with a master’s in health administration from Appalachian State University in May of 2019.

2011 Dylan Mason graduated from Emory University School of Law in Atlanta, GA with honors this past May. After graduation, Dylan returned to the Charlotte area to begin his law career.

2012 Cassie Calvert participated in and completed this year’s Boston Marathon. It was the 122nd running of the Boston Athletic Association’s Boston Marathon and took place on April 16, 2018.

2010

Camille Davis

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Camille Davis has spent the last four years in Houston for medical school at Baylor College of Medicine and finally graduated this May, after eight years of school, as Dr. Davis! She is headed to the University of Alabama at Birmingham Hospitals for residency training in anesthesiology. She says she couldn’t have

Tyler Carson Leach and her husband, Brendon, welcomed daughter Tatum Marie on April 2, 2018. The family currently lives in Austin, TX, where Tyler works in sales for Dell Technologies. Cassie Calvert

2013 Bradley Barnhart graduated in May from Purdue University after majoring in biomedical engineering and


Class Notes minoring in electrical and computer engineering. While in school, he did a medical research co-op with Cook Research. He also served as president of the Purdue Student Engineering Foundation, hosted campus tours and events, was a tutor and mentor to other students, played competitive recreational soccer and co-ed softball, was a member of Pi Kappa Phi, and made Dean’s List every semester. This fall, he plans to pursue a master’s in electrical and computer engineering at Stanford University. Dana Norton had such a blast when she went on the Cannon School marine biology class trip to Pigeon Key, it set her path for the future. She graduated with a degree in marine biology from the College of Charleston and is now working in Pigeon Key as an education intern. She was excited when the current Cannon students visited Pigeon Key this spring! Barclay Sparrow graduated Phi Beta Kappa and summa cum laude from William & Mary in spring 2017 and works as a theater talent assistant at United Talent Agency in New York.

2014 Christian Wilson graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Economics (magna cum laude) from Boston College. Prior to graduating, Christian was inducted into the Order of the Cross and Crown, the oldest and most prestigious honor society in the College Christian Wilson of Arts and Sciences at Boston College. During Christian’s senior year, he served as president of the Liturgy Arts Group and played all four years in the BC bOp! Jazz Band as a vibraphonist and percussionist (continuing his involvement with jazz music that he started at Cannon!). He will begin work as an economic consultant with Charles River Associates in Boston.

2015 Jessica Abel earned the UNC School of Media and Journalism Clarence E. and Jane P. Whitefield Scholarship this year, which honors academic achievement and commitment to university advancement. Jessica Abel She is a public relations major and was selected as a senior marshal of the Class of 2019. She’ll serve alongside the General Alumni Association, the Chancellor’s Office, and the Senior Class President and Vice President.

2016 Hannah Stewart has launched an ethically minded brand of artisan-made and globally inspired apparel and apartment goods called Bettermen. She recently returned from Ghana, where she spent three weeks serving at the Global Servants compound in Kumasi at House of Grace home for girls. House of Grace allows the opportunity for a group of girls to attend school and continue education while also connecting and collaborating with local artisans to curate Bettermen’s first collective.

2017 Michael Baker received the award for Freshman Male Athlete with the Highest GPA at the University of Richmond.

Michael Baker

Joseph Wilson, a track and field athlete at Montreat College, broke the school record in the long jump at the 2018 AAC Outdoor Track and Field Championships.

Summer 2018 | CANNON | 35


Moving to this fall‌

The 2018 Cannon School Golf Tournament Friday, September 28, 2018 Cabarrus Country Club in Concord, NC


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