2019/2020 ANNUAL REPORT
2019/2020 ANNUAL REPORT Table of Contents Published by:
2
Letter from the Head of School
Cape Fear Academy 3900 S. College Road Wilmington, NC 28412
3
Board of Trustees
4
Honoring Don Berger
5
Financial Picture
6
Annual Fund at a Glance
8
Why We Give: Kim & Tom Dalton
9
Annual Fund Gifts
Jennifer Hanes Sullivan Director of Advancement
17
Other Gifts
Design:
21
Lauren Stasiak Communications Associate
23 FEATURE: Tools of the Trade
Photography:
26 Why We Give: Kristen & Jon Tait
Editors: Cole Dittmer Associate Director of Advancement for Communications
All photos by Cole Dittmer unless otherwise noted
Feature Stories: Written by Cole Dittmer
Address Class Notes to: Paula Sneeden paula.sneeden@capefearacademy.org 910.791.0287 x4513
20 Why We Give: Holly & Cosmo Smith FEATURE: FOSS Kits
24 Alumni Highlight: Tala Goudarzi ’13 27 FEATURE: Success on the Court 28 FEATURE: In Command of Physics 29 Faculty Retirees 30 Remote Learning 31
2020 Commencement
35 Academic Awards 37 Athletic Honors 39 Class Notes 42 In Memoriam
On the Cover: Members of the Class of 2020 walk across the stage during Cape Fear Academy’s 50th Commencement Ceremony that was a drive-in style ceremony on CFA’s campus due to the coronavirus pandemic.
1 | CAPE FEAR ACADEMY
Letter from the HEAD OF SCHOOL
I
n the few months I have had the honor to serve as Head of School at Cape Fear Academy, I have quickly realized I am a very lucky man! Knowing that I accepted this role in the middle of a pandemic, you might rightly ask why it is I feel this way. For starters, in leading CFA, I inherited an educational institution with a long-standing and wellearned reputation for academic excellence. This outstanding school has benefited from the strong leadership of my two immediate predecessors, Don Berger and John Meehl, each of whom has left their mark on Cape Fear Academy and who have provided valuable assistance to me during my transition. Moreover, the people who make up the community of CFA — the students, teachers, parents, trustees, and alumni — have been so welcoming to newcomers and have worked so harmoniously that it feels like one big family.
We could not be more grateful for the positive attitude, resilience, and partnership that was on display in every corner of our community.
Although we witnessed the onset of the coronavirus pandemic near the end of the 2019-2020 school year, the amazing faculty and staff of CFA rose to the occasion and completed another successful year. Highlights of the year included the performance in Carnegie Hall, the continued focus on building STEM initiatives across all three divisions, the nearly instantaneous transition to remote instruction, and CFA’s first ever drive-in Commencement Exercises. We could not be more grateful for the positive attitude, resilience, and partnership that was on display in every corner of our community. In this time when it has seemed that we have been asked to stay apart, you, our most generous and loyal donors have remained steadfast and true. Your ongoing support has never counted for more than it has in the past year. We knew we could count on you. And once again you delivered. We couldn’t be more grateful for your support. In the pages that follow you will find some detailed information about Cape Fear Academy. I hope you enjoy reading the Annual Report. When the pandemic does come to a close, I would love to have a chance to come together, as we have always done, to celebrate our great school and to reconnect with each other — in person! Warm regards,
Edward M. Ellison, Head of School
2019/2020 Annual Report | 2
2019/2020 BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Back Row, L to R: Hal Wells ’93 (treasurer), Donald Berger (Head of School), Connor Keller, Michael Jacobs, Raiford Trask ’79, Peter Kane, Matt Scharf, Jason Dahl, David Sweyer Front Row, L to R: Elizabeth Wells, Louise Mann ’90 (secretary), Porter Young (vice chair), David Sprunt ’85 (chair), Katharine Sullivan ’85, Diane Beecher, Kurt Taylor ’07 Not pictured: Crystal Peebles
Lilly Lancaster ’20, advances the ball in a varsity girls field hockey game versus Carrboro High School on Oct. 4, 2019. During the 2019 season, the team earned its first state playoff win since 2010 and the second playoff win in school history. Lancaster now plays on the field hockey team at Wake Forest University.
3 | CAPE FEAR ACADEMY
Head of School 2012-2020 DONALD BERGER
ABOVE: CFA FILE PHOTO
D
onald Berger served as Cape Fear Academy’s Head of School from 2012-2020 with visionary leadership and a pursuit of excellence that resulted in many significant changes at CFA.
During Berger’s tenure two successful strategic plans were implemented, resulting in many additional programs in our curriculum including robotics, computer science, and Mandarin, as well as the strengthening of math and physics. Enrollment also grew under Berger’s leadership, from 584 students to 655 for the 2019-2020 school year — the second highest in school history. Changes to campus during Berger’s tenure included the addition of the Science & Innovation Center, the Greenhouse, the Welcome Center, and a renovation of Penton Dining Hall. Additionally, a number of traditions were established, including the Bell Ringing and Fence Signing Ceremonies, and the Athletic Hall of Fame. Berger’s excellent leadership continued to shine in his last semester at CFA as the school and community navigated the COVID-19 pandemic. Berger led CFA into a transition
to remote learning in a matter of days while keeping up with the constantly evolving regulations and best practices — all while maintaining CFA’s commitment to academic excellence. CFA’s reputation for excellence has only increased over the past eight years and its students succeed in statewide competitions across academics, athletics, theater, music, and government.
Thanks to Berger’s leadership and a pursuit of excellence, CFA’s students are increasingly recognized across an ever-widening swath of college admissions offices, far beyond North Carolina.
2019/2020 Annual Report | 4
2019/2020 FINANCIAL PICTURE
REVENUE Total Revenue
$12,595,455
Tuition & Fees Other Restricted & Unrestricted Donations
$11,580,932 $573,144 $441,379
EXPENSES Total Expenses
$12,595,455
5 | CAPE FEAR ACADEMY
Salaries & Benefits Facilities Operations Instructional Expenses School Wide Operational Financial Assistance Debt & Reserve Expense
$8,273,373 $1,262,127 $848,302 $843,811 $694,723 $673,119
Annual Fund AT A GLANCE
ANNUAL FUND TOTAL $342,588.93
ANNUAL FUND CONTRIBUTIONS Average gift
$995.90
Current Parents Trustees Grandparents Former Parents Alumni Faculty/Staff Other
$195,123.36 $70,002 $47,530 $13,175 $12,048 $3,859 $851.57
ANNUAL FUND BY DONOR TYPE (listing by primary constituency type only)
Number of gifts
344
Current Parents Grandparents Alumni Former Parents Faculty/Staff Trustees Other
183 62 27 24 24 16 8
2019/2020 Annual Report | 6
The CFA Upper School vocal ensemble performed at Carnegie Hall in New York City as part of the National Fall Sing 9/11 Memorial Concert in October 2019. PHOTO COURTESY OF NATIONAL FALL 7 | CAPE FEAR ACADEMY SING 9/11 MEMORIAL CONCERT.
Why We Give to CFA KIM & TOM DALTON
From left, Tom Dalton, Kim Dalton, Jacob Webber (’14), Mackenzie Dalton Webber (’14), Miller Dalton (’20), Sarah Williams Dalton (’11), Conner Dalton (’11) PHOTO CONTRIBUTED BY THE DALTON FAMILY.
W
e have now had three children complete kindergarten through 12th grade at Cape Fear Academy spanning over 23 years. CFA offered our family the opportunity to invest our educational efforts into a single entity despite a 10-year difference in age between our oldest and youngest child, and a wide difference in educational and extracurricular interests for all of our children. Nearly every school day since we moved to Wilmington, we have driven to the same school to find this stable, first-class, friendly, and intellectuallychallenging group of dedicated educators and friends. We simply doubt that many other local schools could have offered us that kind of opportunity on a single campus, and we are delighted to have made CFA the school for our children. The relationships that our CFA family has brought remains a priority to us and makes up a large portion of the Dalton family. Two of our children married fellow students they met at CFA, and now our CFA family has entered our
immediate family as we spend holidays and share other intimate life experiences together. Beyond an expansion of our immediate family, many of our dearest relationships have been developed at this school and we are grateful for every one of them.
“We have given to the CFA Annual Fund for 23 years because we believe in the mission of educating our children.” Paying tuition at CFA and then giving even more may seem unnecessary to some, but as we look back over our personal educational experiences it is the extra stuff that we pleasantly reminisce about. It is a particular sporting event, theater experience, or Outward Bound moment of growth that sits foremost in our minds. In our opinion, covering the extras of the educational experience offers an excellent value and the annual fund makes the extra experiences possible.
2019/2020 Annual Report | 8
2019/2020 ANNUAL FUND GIFTS Gold Circle $10,000 & Up Anonymous Amanda and Mike Baker* Sandy and Ken Crumrine* Tanya and Peter Kane* Debbie and Mark Mitchell The Cynthia and George Mitchell Foundation* Cacky and Brian West Williamson Family Foundation* Silver Circle $5,000 - $9,999 Carol and Todd Atwood* Colgate-Palmolive Corporation Julie and Jim Balloun The Community Foundation of Greater Atlanta Michele and Brent Brouse Sue and Spencer Carney Cheryl and Paul Colvin* Jennifer and Jason Dahl* Francesca Fazzolari Emily and Huntley Garriott Donna and Michael Jacobs Renaissance Charitable Foundation, Inc. Beth and Dennis Johnson* Roulhac and Greg Johnson The Johnson Family Fund* Andrea and James Johnston Michelle and Kevin Kernan* Louise ’90 and David Mann* Diane Beecher and Mark Morris * Crystal and Harrison Peebles* Wesie and David ’85 Sprunt* Amy and Dave Sweyer* Ava and Raiford ’79 Trask* Carollee Vernon CDV Gift Fund* Jill and Bo Webb Balloun Family Foundation* Elizabeth and Vin ’94 Wells* Porter and Vance Young* Bronze Circle $2,500 - $4,999 Kavita Persaud and Sunil Arora Joanna Miles-Basta and Nicholas Basta Cathy Bouchard* CJ Bouchard* Kelly and Duane Burnette* Mary Jo and Bill ’72 Cameron Dan Cameron Family Foundation Donna and Thomas Gardner Net Logistics
Samantha Gardner Net Logistics* Annie Graham Clannad Foundation Caroline and William Hope* Kimberly Moore and Ted Johnson Stephanie Norris ’86 and Colleen Kochanek Beth and Scott Magrath Jennifer Halna du Fretay and Brett Martin* Mary Papageorgiou-McGrath and Ron McGrath Joan and Steve Moore Verint Americas, Inc. Kari and Michael Papagikos Jenny and Will Purvis Gina and Drew Reger* Loulie and Matthew Scharf* Katharine ’85 and Steve Sullivan* Meredith and Hal ’93 Wells* Jessica Whitney* Navy Circle $1,000 - $2,499 Anonymous (3) Kym and Robby Adams* Amanda and Todd Bariglio Ashley ’90 and Andy Basinger* Elizabeth and Stephen Beacham Airmax Laura and Thomas Covington Wayne Cowan* Hilda Dill ’77 Dan Cameron Family Foundation Cindy and Pete Dugan* Christopher Ennis Stephanie Mann and Chris Fikry Shahrzad Nasseri-Gardner ’89 and Tim Gardner* Danielle and Brett Goulding Catherine Freeman Halligan ’73* Mary and Robert High North Carolina Fenton Foundation Nelson Hughes ’82 Mona and Shane Jones* Jean ’95 and Connor Keller* Martha and Bob King Allison Klein* Paula and Kent Knorr Juliana and Jeffrey Kotzan* Kristen and Chris LaCoe Melissa Church and Patrick Lawton The Benevity Community Impact Fund Caprice Youngblood and Glenn Lea* D’Ann Grady Lettieri ’00 *Consecutive Giving of 5 Years or More
9 | CAPE FEAR ACADEMY
Meredith and Lance Lewis* Abigail and Leonard Mann* Nina and Dickson McLean Foundation For The Carolinas Martha Miles Laura and Heath Miller Sarah and Mike Morris Rose Marie and Tuney Nunnelee Dana O’Donovan Robin and Chad Paul Alexa Revell Carrie and Patrick Roden Claudia and James Sanderford Southern Asphalt Inc. Pam and Mike Schell* Betsy Short Beth Sprunt Annie Gray Sprunt Charitable Trust Annie Gray Sprunt ’83 Annie Gray Sprunt Charitable Trust Shannon and Chris Stephens Jennifer Sullivan Kristin and Jon Tait Anna vans Rens Taylor ’08 and Kurt ’07 Taylor Linda and Neil Underwood* Jennifer and Jimmy Waldrop* Paige and Larry Warshaw Kim and Bryan Weckel Bryan Weckel MD Family Medicine Shannon and Calvin Wells Frances Wells NADA Foundation* Toby Wells NADA Foundation* Marcy and Derek Wright* Jeffrey Zimmer Jasmine and Doug Zucker Friends of CFA $500 - $999 Laura and Tom Apollonio Shana Barclay* Blenda Kwok and Hans Bean Clara and Carl Blackwood Stacy and Greg Borstad Catherine and Russ Britton Rachel Camp RCC Foundation Christine ’82 and Bruce Chappell* Christine and Robert Cortina Sara and George Crane
Kim and Tom Dalton* Claire Efird Caroline and Gregory Gianoplus Laurie and David Glynn* Adair Graham Grace and Bill Gramley* Marie and Stuart Hardy Maya and Dmitry Ivanov Rachel and Robert ’82 Jones* Brandi and Chris ’96 Mason* Meg and David Massey Stephanie Medcalfe Elizabeth and Mat Raymond Gretchen Rivas Infinity Acupuncture Kristin and John Roser Gloria Shaheen Kim and Ted Shipley* Luci and Edward Smith* Karen and Rick Webb Cherry Woodbury* Wendy and Jim Wrigglesworth Rose and Alan Zimmer $499 - $1 Anonymous (4) Deborah and James Adams Cody Adams Amazon Smiles Louise Austell Nancy and John Baden Marnie and Richard Bahner Estelle Baker Kathy Batchler Rachel and Adam Batchler Carter and Ryan Benton Heidi and Don Berger* Karen Stump and Eric Bishop* Karen and Gene Blackwelder Holly and Stowe Blankenship Lisa and Michael Boggio Carlstedt Family Fund* Mary and George Boggio Sue and Ray Borges* Kelly Borton* Laura Bowen* Jetta and Pascal Boyd Boyd Family Foundation Michelle and Glenn Brahosky Kathy and Dean Brennan Bonnie and Tom Broadwater
2019/2020 Annual Report | 10
2019/2020 ANNUAL FUND ($499 - $1, Continued) Anne and Shawn Broderick* Jessi Buechler Julie and David Capps* Gretchen Carlson Carrie Casson* Beth and Bob Cherry Jennifer Chiavetta Ulku and Tim Clark Beth and Mike Connaughton Lisa and Michael Connaughton Patti and Bill Crane Jeannette and Dwight Crim* Jane and Don Croom* Amy and Mac Croom* Suiter ’08 and Ben ’08 Currin* Sue and Andy Dalton Gina DeMattia Mary Boney Denison ’74 Theresa and Anthony DiBernardo* Julie and Dylan Dimock* Elizabeth Longley Donald ’75* Jimmy Doster Elizabeth Dunn ’72 Mary Catherine and Brian Durkin Tiffany Le and Devon Dvorzsak Kathy and Ed Ellison Trisha and Tommy Ellison* Patty and George Elovsky Arzu and Murat Erdem Tiffany and Ben Erichsen Ivonne and Greg Ezzell Rachel Graham Fanning ’92 Ann and Walter Fitzgerald Sharon and Bud Fortner Shannon Morris Fox ’97 Jenn and Carr ’02 Fullagar* Yuki and Martin Gallan Jessica and Jason Gaskill Daisy DeWeese-Gatt and Jason Gatt Deborah Bartholow and Nathan Gergel* Catherine and Marcus Gherardi Marie Gianoplus Caroline ’14 and Alex ’13 Gianoplus Bonnie Perchard and Michael Giblin Judith and Frank Gibson Rachel and Paul Gilbert* Donna and Lawrence Gray Kimberly Halle* Harris Teeter, Inc.*
Rachel and Mark Hatfield* Brad Hays ’11 Emmett Boney Haywood ’73 Wendy and Bill Herrett Caroline and Tony Higgins Leigh Ann and Kelly Hodges* Amanda ’93 and Cade Holliday* Renee Walker Hope ’04 Michelle and Jason Huffman Carol and Henry Jackson Angie and Joe Jackson* Sylvia Jarrell Ashley Jones* Betsy and Bill Joyner Maureen Juneau Joan and Jerry Kaiser Suzy and Thomas Kane Cheryl and Bill Kanzinger Kim Karns Callie and Fred Keller* Becky Kelley Laura and Bob Kellogg* Lisa King Deena and Brandon Korman Carolyn and Michael Kranchalk Elizabeth and Bobby Lallathin Leslie and Walker Lambiotte Carolyn and Kenneth Lancaster Julie and Brannon Lancaster* Macie and Donald Latham Jiffy Motley Lee ’89 Allison ’01 and Brett Lenz* Laura and Christopher ’93 Leonard Christopher and Laura Leonard Charitable Fund* Mimi and Frank Liggett* Sara Katherine Sloan Little ’89 Lowes Foods Susan and Jon Mailey* Tonie and Charles Mann Anna and Will Mansfield Jane and Albert Marr Tony Martin Cindi and Matt Mascia Sharon Matt Jeffrey McAllister Betsy and Angus McDonald Linda and Duncan McFarlane Allyson and Meade McFarlane* Kim and Chris Meehl* Cyndy and Travis Merrill
Betty and Bud Mickle The Mickle Family Fund Elizabeth ’86 and Brad Mickle* Heather and Eric Miles Kit and Robert Miller Lisa Miller* Nicole and Shane Miller* Heather and Billy Mills Capital Group Charitable Foundation Becky Mills* Karin and Tom Mills* Wendy and Charles Mitchell John Monroe YourCause, LLC. Todd Morton* Fernando Moya Jean and Gary Murtagh* David Nash ’89* Sara and Charles Neuwirth Muffie and Ross Newell Emma Newell Alejandra Lopez-de-Nunez and John Nunez Nelda Nutter* Carol and Bobby Palmer* Rick Pensinger ’90 Nancy Phillips Virginia Pierce Yonnie and Bill Pope Amanda Sasser and Craig Pope Ira and Iris Poppel The GE Foundation* Katie and Paul Ragan John Redington Alison and Alan Reid* Mary and David Renquist Keni and Matthew Rienks* Chip Robinson ’79 Margaret and Marvin Robison Lisa and Andrew Rojek* Maria and Chris Rupp Prasanna Ambati and Ajay Sadey Bradford Sanders ’93 Becca and Eric Scott Gretchen and Timothy Scoutelas* Ani and Russell Scuteri* Kristen and Michael Shaheen* Michelle and Gary Sherman Connor Slaughter ’24 Blair and James Sloan *Consecutive Giving of 5 Years or More
11 | CAPE FEAR ACADEMY
Melissa Slovik* Mona Smalley Melissa and Kevin Smith Paula Sneeden ’76* Anne and Bill Squire Colleen St. Ledger Cindy Steiner Hans Stelmach Kate Stelmach Elizabeth and Burt Tait* Amy Tarallo Mallory Tarses* Angela and James Tew* Pam Thibault* Jane and Wailes Thomas Katie Ho and Kenny Tran Frances Trask Nikki Williams-Trawick and Evans Trawick Sarah and Erik van Rens Megan and Miller van Vliet* Maureen Vanscoy* Karen and Joshua Vogel Ashley and Ben Wall* Betsy ’90 and Adam Weinberg Helen ’95 and Steve ’95 Wells* Joyce Whittaker* Carla and Gordon Whitwell* Brian Wiese ’07 Sylvia Wilkins Lonnie Williams ’74* Stacie and James Williams* Justine and Levi Worthington Alumni Anonymous Ashley Basinger ’90* Adam Batchler ’02 Bill Cameron ’72 Christine Trask Chappell ’82* Ben Currin ’08* Suiter Pierce Currin ’08* Mary Boney Denison ’74 Hilda Cameron Dill ’77 Elizabeth Longley Donald ’75* Elizabeth Dunn ’72 Claire Efird ’81 Rachel Fanning ’92 Shannon Morris Fox ’97 Carr Fullagar ’02* Alex Gianoplus ’13
Caroline Barnes Gianoplus ’14 Catherine Freeman Halligan ’73* Brad Hays ’11 Emmett Haywood ’73 Amanda Paul Holliday ’93* Renee Walker Hope ’04 Nelson Hughes ’82 Robert Jones ’82* Jean Graham Keller ’95* Becky Charlap Kelley ’03 Jiffy Motley Lee ’89 Allison Lenz ’01* Christopher Leonard ’93* D’Ann Grady Lettieri ’00 Sara Katherine Sloan Little ’89 Louise Woodbury Mann ’90* Chris Mason ’96* Elizabeth Sloan Mickle ’86* Charles Mitchell ’86 David Nash ’89* Shahrzad Nasseri-Gardner ’89* Stephanie Norris ’86 Rick Pensinger ’90 Chip Robinson ’79 Bradford Sanders ’93 Paula Sneeden ’76* Annie Gray Sprunt ’83 David Sprunt ’85* Katharine Sullivan ’85* Kurt Taylor ’07 Anna van Rens Taylor ’08 Raiford Trask ’79* Betsy Southerland Weinberg ’90 Hal Wells ’93* Vin Wells ’94* Helen Lambeth Wells ’95* Steve Wells ’95* Brian Wiese ’07 Lonnie Williams ’74* Current Parents Anonymous (5) Kym and Robby Adams Laura and Tom Apollonio Kavita Persaud and Sunil Arora Marnie and Richard Bahner Amanda and Mike Baker* Shana Barclay* Amanda and Todd Bariglio Ashley ’90 and Andy Basinger* Joanna Miles-Basta and Nicholas Basta
Rachel and Adam ’02 Batchler Elizabeth and Stephen Beacham Blenda Kwok and Hans Bean Carter and Ryan Benton Heidi and Don Berger* Karen Stump and Eric Bishop* Holly and Stowe Blankenship Lisa and Michael Boggio Sue and Ray Borges* Stacy and Greg Borstad CJ Bouchard* Cathy Bouchard* Anne and Shawn Broderick* Michele and Brent Brouse Jessi Buechler Kelly and Duane Burnette* Julie and David Capps* Sue and Spencer Carney Christine ’82 and Bruce Chappell* Jennifer Chiavetta Ulku and Tim Clark Cheryl and Paul Colvin* Lisa and Michael Connaughton Christine and Robert Cortina Laura and Thomas Covington Sara and George Crane Jeannette and Dwight Crim* Amy and Mac Croom* Sandy and Ken Crumrine* Jennifer and Jason Dahl* Kim and Tom Dalton* Hilda Dill ’77 Julie and Dylan Dimock* Jimmy Doster Cindy and Pete Dugan* Mary Catherine and Brian Durkin Tiffany Le and Devon Dvorzsak Trisha and Tommy Ellison* Christopher Ennis Arzu and Murat Erdem Tiffany and Ben Erichsen Ivonne and Greg Ezzell Rachel Fanning ’92 Stephanie Mann and Chris Fikry Jenn and Carr ’02 Fullagar* Yuki and Martin Gallan Shahrzad Nasseri-Gardner ’89 and Tim Gardner* Samantha Gardner Emily and Huntley Garriott Jessica and Jason Gaskill
2019/2020 Annual Report | 12
2019/2020 ANNUAL FUND (Current Parents, Continued) Daisy DeWeese-Gatt and Jason Gatt Deborah Bartholow and Nathan Gergel* Catherine and Marcus Gherardi Caroline and Gregory Gianoplus Bonnie Perchard and Michael Giblin Rachel and Paul Gilbert* Laurie and David Glynn* Danielle and Brett Goulding Grace and Bill Gramley* Marie and Stuart Hardy Rachel and Mark Hatfield* Wendy and Bill Herrett Leigh Ann and Kelly Hodges* Amanda ’93 and Cade Holliday* Caroline and William Hope* Michelle and Jason Huffman Maya Peltsverger and Dmitry Ivanov Donna and Michael Jacobs Beth and Dennis Johnson* Kimberly Moore and Ted Johnson Roulhac and Greg Johnson Andrea and James Johnston Mona and Shane Jones* Rachel and Robert ’82 Jones* Ashley Jones* Tanya and Peter Kane* Connor and Jean ’95 Keller* Laura and Bob Kellogg* Michelle and Kevin Kernan* Lisa King Allison Klein* Paula and Kent Knorr Stephanie Norris ’86 and Colleen Kochanek Deena and Brandon Korman Juliana and Jeffrey Kotzan* Kristen and Chris LaCoe Elizabeth and Bobby Lallathin Leslie and Walker Lambiotte Julie and Brannon Lancaster* Melissa Church and Patrick Lawton Caprice Youngblood and Glenn Lea* Allison ’90 and Brett Lenz* Meredith and Lance Lewis* Beth and Scott Magrath Susan and Jon Mailey* Louise ’90 and David Mann* Anna and Will Mansfield Jane and Albert Marr Jennifer Halna du Fretay and Brett Martin* Cindi and Matt Mascia
Brandi and Chris ’96 Mason* Sharon Matt Betsy and Angus McDonald Allyson and Meade McFarlane* Mary Papageorgiou-McGrath and Ron McGrath Kim and Chris Meehl* Cyndy Cordero and Travis Merrill Elizabeth ’86 and Brad Mickle* Heather and Eric Miles Laura and Heath Miller Nicole and Shane Miller* Heather and Billy Mills Karin and Tom Mills* Wendy and Charles ’86 Mitchell Debbie and Mark Mitchell Joan and Steve Moore Sarah and Mike Morris Diane Beecher and Mark Morris* Fernando Moya Jean and Gary Murtagh* Sara and Charles Neuwirth Dana O’Donovan Carol and Bobby Palmer* Kari and Michael Papagikos Crystal and Harrison Peebles* Amanda and Craig Pope Jenny and Will Purvis Katie and Paul Ragan Gina and Drew Reger* Alison and Alan Reid* Alexa Revell Keni and Matthew Rienks* Carrie and Patrick Roden Kristin and John Roser Maria and Chris Rupp Prasanna Ambati and Ajay Sadey Claudia and James Sanderford Loulie and Matthew Scharf* Becca and Eric Scott Gretchen and Timothy Scoutelas* Kristen and Michael Shaheen* Michelle and Gary Sherman Kimberly and Ted Shipley* Luci and Edward Smith* Melissa and Kevin Smith Wesie and David ’85 Sprunt Hans Stelmach Kate Stelmach Shannon and Chris Stephens Kristin and Jon Tait Elizabeth and Burt Tait* *Consecutive Giving of 5 Years or More
13 | CAPE FEAR ACADEMY
Mallory Tarses* Angela and James Tew* Pam Thibault* Katie Ho and Kenny Tran Ava and Raiford ’79 Trask* Nikki Williams-Trawick and Evans Trawick Linda and Neil Underwood* Megan and Miller van Vliet* Karen and Joshua Vogel Jennifer and Jimmy Waldrop* Ashley and Ben Wall* Paige and Larry Warshaw Jill and Bo Webb Kim and Bryan Weckel Betsy ’90 and Adam Weinberg Frances and Toby Wells Helen and Steve Wells* Elizabeth and Vin ’94 Wells* Meredith and Hal ’93 Wells* Cacky and Brian West Jessica Whitney* Carla and Gordon Whitwell* Stacie and James Williams* Justine and Levi Worthington Wendy and Jim Wrigglesworth Marcy and Derek Wright* Porter and Vance Young* Jeffrey Zimmer Jasmine and Doug Zucker Grandparents Anonymous (2) Deborah and James Adams Louise Austell Nancy and John Baden Julie and Jim Balloun Kathy Batchler Karen and Gene Blackwelder Clara and Carl Blackwood Mary and George Boggio Jetta and Pascal Boyd Michelle and Glenn Brahosky Bonnie and Tom Broadwater Rachel Camp Beth and Mike Connaughton Wayne Cowan* Patti and Bill Crane Jane and Don Croom Sue and Andy Dalton Theresa and Anthony DiBernardo* Patty and George Elovsky
Francesca Fazzolari Ann and Walter Fitzgerald Sharon and Bud Fortner Donna and Thomas Gardner Marie Gianoplus Adair Graham Donna and Lawrence Gray Betsy and Bill Joyner Maureen Juneau Joan and Jerry Kaiser Suzy and Thomas Kane Callie and Fred Keller* Martha King Carolyn and Michael Kranchalk Carolyn and Kenneth Lancaster Macie and Donald Latham Mimi and Frank Liggett* Abigail and Leonard Mann* Tonie and Charles Mann Linda and Duncan McFarlane Betty and Bud Mickle Martha Miles Kit and Robert Miller John Monroe Rose Marie and Tuney Nunnelee Yonnie and Bill Pope Elizabeth and Mat Raymond Mary and David Renquist Pam and Mike Schell* Gloria Shaheen Betsy Short Blair and James Sloan Mona Smalley Beth Sprunt Jane and Wailes Thomas Frances Trask Carollee Vernon Karen and Rick Webb Shannon and Calvin Wells Joyce Whittaker* Sylvia Wilkins Cherry Woodbury* Parents of Graduates Anonymous (2) Carol and Todd Atwood* Estelle Baker Amanda and Mike Baker* Kathy Batchler Lisa and Michael Boggio Stacy and Greg Borstad
2019/2020 Annual Report | 14
2019/2020 ANNUAL FUND (Parents of Graduates, Continued) Kathy and Dean Brennan Catherine and Russ Britton Anne and Shawn Broderick* Mary Jo and Bill ’72 Cameron Rachel Camp Christine ’82 and Bruce Chappell* Beth and Bob Cherry Jeannette and Dwight Crim* Jennifer and Jason Dahl* Kim and Tom Dalton* Theresa and Anthony DiBernardo* Hilda Dill ’77 Caroline and Gregory Gianoplus Judith and Frank Gibson Annie Graham Caroline and Tony Higgins Mary and Robert High Angie and Joe Jackson* Cheryl and Bill Kanzinger Laura and Bob Kellogg* Lisa King Allison Klein* Julie and Brannon Lancaster* Meg and David Massey Nina and Dickson McLean Kim and Chris Meehl* Elizabeth ’86 and Brad Mickle* Heather and Eric Miles Karin and Tom Mills* Debbie and Mark Mitchell Wendy and Charles ’86 Mitchell Diane Beecher and Mark Morris* Jean and Gary Murtagh* Alejandra Lopez-de-Nunez and John Nunez Robin and Chad Paul Virginia Pierce Ira and Iris Poppel* John Redington Margaret and Marvin Robison Lisa and Andrew Rojek* Loulie and Matthew Scharf* Kristen and Michael Shaheen* Blair and James Sloan Mona Smalley Beth Sprunt Annie Gray Sprunt Anne and Bill Squire Shannon and Chris Stephens Katharine ’85 and Steve Sullivan*
Amy and Dave Sweyer* Pam Thibault* Frances Trask Sarah and Erik van Rens Shannon and Calvin Wells Cherry Woodbury* Marcy and Derek Wright* Porter and Vance Young* Rose and Alan Zimmer Jeffrey Zimmer Faculty & Staff Cody Adams* Laura Apollonio Shana Barclay* Don Berger* Sue Borges* Kelly Borton* Laura Bowen* Julie Capps* Gretchen Carlson Carrie Casson* Christine Chappell ’82* Lisa Connaughton Jeannette Crim* Amy Croom* Gina DeMattia Theresa DiBernardo* Trisha Ellison* Carr Fullagar ’02* Jessica Gaskill Nathan Gergel* Paul Gilbert* Kimberly Halle* Eli Hamel Rachel Hatfield* Leigh Ann Hodges* Amanda Holliday ’93* Angie Jackson* Ashley Jones* Bill Kanzinger Cheryl Kanzinger Kim Karns Kristen LaCoe Elizabeth Lallathin Allison Lenz ’01* Susan Mailey* Tony Martin Jeffrey McAllister Meade McFarlane* Stephanie Medcalfe
Chris Meehl* Eric Miles Lisa Miller* Nicole Miller* Becky Mills* Todd Morton* Emma Newell Nelda Nutter* Bobby Palmer* Nancy Phillips Katie Ragan Alison Reid* Keni Rienks* Lisa Rojek* Becca Scott Gretchen Scoutelas* Ani Scuteri* Melissa Slovik* Paula Sneeden ’76* Colleen St. Ledger Cindy Steiner Jennifer Sullivan Amy Tarallo Mallory Tarses* Maureen Vanscoy* Carla Whitwell* Justine Worthington Friends Kathy and Ed Ellison Carol and Henry Jackson Sylvia Jarrell Muffie and Ross Newell Connor Slaughter ’24
Other Gifts
Corporate Giving 88 Soho, LLC Airmax Amazon Smiles The Brand Consultancy Bryan Weckel MD Family Medicine Coastal Beverage Colgate-Palmolive College Road Animal Hospital Duke Energy Dunn Funeral Home & Cremation Services EmergeOrtho Harris Teeter, Inc.* ImpactAssets *Consecutive Giving of 5 Years or More
15 | CAPE FEAR ACADEMY
Infinity Acupuncture Little Pond Caterers Lowes Foods Lumina Wealth Management NASA Net Logistics Origin Commercial Ventures II Southern Asphalt Inc. Tropical Smoothie UBS Financial Services, Inc. United Therapeutics Verint Americas, Inc. Wells Brothers Construction YourCause, LLC ZV Pate Foundations Balloun Family Foundation* The Benevity Community Impact Fund Boyd Family Foundation Clannad Foundation Dan Cameron Family Foundation Capital Group Charitable Foundation Carlstedt Family Fund CDV Gift Fund The Community Foundation of Greater Atlanta* Fidelity Charitable Foundation For The Carolinas The GE Foundation The Johnson Family Fund* John F Kennedy Library Foundation Christopher and Laura Leonard Charitable Fund The Cynthia and George Mitchell Foundation* NADA Foundation North Carolina Community Foundation North Carolina Fenton Foundation RCC Foundation Renaissance Charitable Foundation, Inc. Salisbury Community Foundation The Mickle Family Fund Annie Gray Sprunt Charitable Trust U.S. Charitable Gift Trust Williamson Family Foundation Gifts in Kind Coastal Beverage Barbara and Ronald Downing Little Pond Caterers Lumina Wealth Management Amy and Bill Smith Tropical Smoothie Cafe Wells Brothers Construction
Restricted Giving $1000 & Up Anonymous Hilda Dill ’77 Dan Cameron Family Foundation Claire Efird ’81 CFA Family Partnership EmergeOrtho Stephanie Mann and Chris Fikry Emily and Huntley Garriott Denise and Mark ’82 Hooten Beth and James ’79 Hooten Kay Ingersoll Treva and Clayton Jenkins Michelle and Kevin Kernan* Velvet and Mike Kleppinger Nina and Dickson McLean Foundation For The Carolinas Peggy and John Meehl Joan and Steve Moore Verint Americas, Inc. North Carolina Community Foundation Trisha and Scott Price Holly and Cosmo Smith Origin Commercial Ventures II Katharine ’85 and Steve Sullivan* Linda and Neil Underwood* Kim and Bryan Weckel Bryan Weckel MD Family Medicine Pam and James Wenning Jessica Whitney* Cumulative Lifetime Giving $50,000 - $99,000 Anonymous Buffy and Steve Anderson Carol and Todd Atwood* Alice and Jay ’87 Baker* Environmental Chemists, Inc. Amanda and Mike Baker Estelle and Johnnie Baker Michelle and John Bratton Sandy and Ken Crumrine* Vicki and Ken Dull Catherine and David Floyd Jean and John Lovett Lumina Wealth Management Myra and Tim Matt Joe McKinney Peggy and John Meehl Vicki and Tim Milam Debbie and Mark Mitchell The Cynthia and George Mitchell Foundation*
2019/2020 Annual Report | 16
2019/2020 OTHER GIFTS ($50,000 - $99,000, Continued) Lori and Rick Randall Amy and Dave Sweyer* Thomas Construction Group JoAnna and Cecil Worsley Porter and Vance Young* Rose and Alan Zimmer $100,000 & Up Anonymous (4) Julie and Jim Balloun The Community Foundation of Greater Atlanta* Jennifer and David Barnes Jean Bellamy Angela and Robert Brown Sheila and Wayne Carlstedt Carlstedt Family Fund CFA Family Partnership CFA Partners, LLC Beth and George Chadwick Melinda and Lee ’74 Crouch Dan Cameron Family Foundation Mary and David DeMoss Margaret and Steve Diab Hilda ’77 and Matthew Dill Nancy and Tom Dooley The Edward E. Ford Foundation Lauren ’80 and Earl Galleher Susan and Roger Gendron Harvest Charities
Mary and Brian Hayes Mary and Robert High Janet and Robert Huth Carole and Richard Johnson Tanya and Peter Kane* Jean and Dan Kehl Martha and Bob King Trish and Tom Looney Sandy and Hank Marks Anna and Mark Maynard Phyllis McGovern Nina and Dickson McLean Cyndi and Ronnie McNeill Diane Beecher and Mark Morris The Brand Consultancy* Robin and Chad Paul Beth and Howard ’83 Penton Denise and Dan Smith Wesie and David ’85 Sprunt* Beth and Laurence Sprunt Anne and Bill Squire Teresa and Keith Stark Shannon and Chris Stephens Jackie and Glenn Tilton Marjorie and Allen Trask, Sr. Sarah and Erik van Rens Deedy and John Vincent Cacky and Brian West* Helyn and Jim Wisner
In Honor Of Maya Arora ’20 Sunil Arora and Kavita Persaud
Lucy Dimock ’24 Clara and Carl Blackwood
Peggy and John Meehl Kim and Chris Meehl*
Corrina Basta ’26 Martha Miles
Ava ’33 and Eliza ’34 Goulding Danielle and Brett Goulding
Emma Newell Muffie and Ross Newell
Will ’18, Cole ’18, Jack ’23 and Cate ’27 Boggio Mary and George Boggio
Hudson Huffman ’26 Wayne Cowan*
Paula Sneeden ’76 Anonymous
Angie Jackson Henry and Carol Jackson
Paula Sneeden ’76 Annie Graham
CFA Teachers Juliana and Jeffrey Kotzan*
Gray ’19, Lilly ’20 & Council ’25 Lancaster Carolyn and Kenneth Lancaster
The Sprunts Mimi and Frank Liggett*
Lisa, Megan ’24 & Kelsie ’28 Connaughton Patty and George Elovsky
William ’25, Carter ’27, Cully ’27 & Henry ’29 Mann Tonie and Charles Mann
Evan Das ’21 Bonnie and Tom Broadwater
Delia ’24 & Campbell ’21 McFarlane Linda and Duncan McFarlane
CFA Faculty and Staff Birgit and Edward Arb*
*Consecutive Giving of 5 Years or More
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The Students Kelly and Duane Burnette* Louise ’25 and Libby ’26 Wells ’26 Frances and Toby Wells* Vance Young ’20 Jane and Wailes Thomas
In Memory Of Bryan Connaughton Beth and Mike Connaughton Charles Daniels Brandi and Chris Mason* Dott Taylor Hooten Beth and James ’79 Hooten
Jeff Murtha The Michelle Clark Team College Road Animal Hospital Sarah and Adam Compton Laura and Dave Cormier Laurie and David Glynn* Victoria and Paul Kendrick Julie and Alan King Becky and Joe Owen Ani and Russel Scuteri* South School PTO
Barbara Proctor Judith and Frank Gibson Graham Proctor Chip Robinson James Robinson Piotr Slomski, Coach and Friend of CFA Kathy Batchler Susan Willets Judith and Frank Gibson Louie Woodbury Cherry Woodbury*
CFA Family Partnership Cape Fear Academy would not be what it is today without the inspirational involvement of our parents and extended families. From financial contributions to the countless hours of volunteered time, our CFA community demonstrates their commitment to our mission on a daily basis. With Crystal Peebles leading the way, more than 100 volunteers organized community‑building events such as our annual Homecoming Cookout, Lower School Bingo Night, and our Blue and Gold Spirit Days to name a few. The Family Partnership also supports our faculty and campus through their Mini Grant program, which provides more than $15,000 across all three divisions. CFA is grateful for all of their hard work! Crystal Peebles President
Jennifer Waldrop Arts Liaison
Ava Trask Grounds Liaison
Melissa Smith Vice President of Finance & Operations
Alexa Revell Athletic Liaison
Paige Warshaw Lower School Liaison
Alisa Harris Vice President of Communications
Marnie Bahner Fall Athletic Coordinator
Meredith Wells Middle School Liaison
Emily Garriott Vice President of Development
Michelle Kernan Winter Athletic Coordinator
Luci Smith Upper School Liaison
Beth Adams Admissions Liaison
Allison Klein Spring Athletic Coordinator
Host Families Our thanks to these families who opened their homes to host international students during the 2019-2020 academic year. By hosting an international student at Cape Fear Academy you ensure that our campus is a more diverse and exciting place for our students to learn and grow. Marion & Gordon Dalgleish Marinov, Evan
Alison Caplanson & Colin Mcwhinnie Misic, Ivan
Sarah & Robert Flaherty Shi, Minzhe (Mike)
Andrea & Peter Stein Crvendakic, Elena
Jeannette & Dwight Crim Xia, Youxue (Summer)
Carol Ruby Liu, Chengyi
Lauren Itzkowitz, Scott Itzkowitz Bonsu, Emmanuel
Janessa & Josh Lawrence Qiu, Si (Anna)
Joanna Hernandez Wang, Zesong (Joseph)
Regina & Chris Cox Lefebvre, Georges
Michelle & Kevin Kernan Yu, Wenxuan (Jack)
Amy & Bill Smith Zhou, Wenbo (Jerry) 2019/2020 Annual Report | 18
PHOTO COURTESY OF YAG.
Pearce Lewis (’20) is sworn in as the 2019-2020 Youth and Government Governor at the YAG Youth Legislator Conference in Raleigh in February 2020.
Avery Block (’25) helps Hailey Helmstaedter (’32) learn about the human body with Play-Doh as part of the Kindergarten Anatomy Academy.
John and Claire McNeill (’33) react to the eating competition between the Lower, Middle and Upper School division directors during the opening assembly.
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Why We Give to CFA HOLLY & COSMO SMITH
PHOTO CONTRIBUTED BY KENI RIENKS.
Anticipating the complex world issues the leaders of the future will need to solve, Holly and Cosmo Smith decided to start the Origin Scholars Program at Cape Fear Academy. Beginning in the 2019-2020 school year, the program provides professional enrichment opportunities for outstanding CFA faculty to develop innovative courses that teach students to understand and address significant problems that face our local, regional, national or global communities. The program is named after Cosmo’s company, Origin Commercial Ventures, which partners with universities, research institutes, and healthcare organizations to harness the collective power of their intellectual property, add to their talent base and help them maximize the impact and value potential of their combined assets. Upper School science teacher Keni Rienks and Middle School science teacher Becca Scott are now leading the Origin Scholars program at CFA.
“Two primary areas for Origin are climate adaptation and breakthrough cell and gene therapies,” Cosmo Smith said. “Keni and Becca not only have an interest in these areas, but have demonstrated leadership inside and outside CFA. They’re especially talented in their fields and understand how important it is to enable their students not to wait on these challenges, but to do something about them now.” In Rienks’ course, “River to Shore: Protecting Wilmington’s Water Resources,” students will gain an understanding of global, national, and local water resource management strategies through project-based learning within the local Wilmington area. The culmination of this year-long course will be a capstone project in the spring semester that will offer potential solutions to local water-related issues to community leaders while involving cross-curricular skills-based practices that can be carried further into the student’s academic and professional life.
CFA students testing water quality at Wrightsville Beach as part of the Origin Scholars courses.
Scott will lead two courses, one in the fall semester and one in the spring semester. In “Advanced Genetics: Who are you?”, students will expand on the principles of genetics, heredity, adaptations and evolution, and the course will include a special focus on scientific modeling. Scott’s spring semester course, “Biotechnology: New Choice, New Responsibility,” will focus on the newest biotechnology principles available such as CRISPR, cloning, stem cells, Genetically Modified Organisms, personalized medicine, and designer babies. Students will explore the various careers in genetics and biotechnology through interviewing and shadowing professionals in those fields. “Globally, the world will face some of its greatest challenges in the next 25 years—whether that’s adapting to climate change, ensuring food supply, or closing health and wealth disparities, sustainability represents an overarching strategy,” Cosmo Smith said. “Origin believes there is no greater resource for meeting these sustainability challenges than helping teachers create context for what students are learning, so they can make an impact with it at that moment. The emphasis of Origin Scholars is less about grades and more about enabling teachers and students to make an impact on their communities today.”
From left, Cosmo, Phoebe (’27) and Holly Smith PHOTO CONTRIBUTED BY THE SMITH FAMILY.
2019/2020 Annual Report | 20
FOSS Kits AID STEM EDUCATION IN LOWER SCHOOL
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n an effort by the Lower School to bolster hands-on science learning and to align the science curriculum within the division, the Cape Fear Academy Lower School turned to the The Full Option Science System (FOSS).
Alison Vliet, dean of lower school curriculum and second grade teacher, said they liked the detailed planning the FOSS kits provided, which allowed CFA faculty to focus their planning efforts on the core content areas.
FOSS was designed by the University of California, Berkeley’s Lawrence Hall of Science to provide every child with the opportunity to develop their ability to think scientifically. The FOSS staff at the Lawrence Hall of Science devised FOSS to fully integrate active investigation and multi-sensory learning, an approach proven effective for all learners, regardless of prior knowledge, language, or background.
“They dive deep into each of the three areas of science, life, physical, and Earth, and build upon each other each year to help students make connections.”
PHOTO CONTRIBUTED BY ALISON VLIET.
The kits that were ordered covered topics like: materials and motion, and trees and weather for kindergarten; sound and light, plants and animals, and air and weather for first grade; insects and plants, solids and liquids, and pebbles, sand, and silt for second grade; motion and matter, and structures of life for third grade; energy, and environments for fourth grade. Vliet first used a FOSS kit when she received a CFA Family Partnership mini-grant to purchase the first two kits a few years ago. After trying them out, Vliet recognized the value they would provide for the entire Lower School and added it to year 2 of the current strategic plan. In response, the CFA Family Partnership donated more than $15,000 to fund this request for the 2019-2020 school year.
Second graders complete an activity that tests flotation with their FOSS kits.
FOSS kits were ordered for kindergarten through fourth grades, and every kit contains the modules, courses, and grade level kits for 32 students with enough consumables for 3 classes and using durable materials for repeated use.
“The FOSS kits are highly engaging and hands-on, providing meaningful science experiments for students,” said Alison Vliet
Ailish Legbeti (’31) uses FOSS kit materials to test the properties of air.
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Ramsey Trask (’20, left) and Harrison Steven (’20) and perform in “Dress Rehearsal: A Catharsis in Two Acts,” an original play written by Mack Webb (’20) that advanced to the state level of the North Carolina Theatre Conference competition.
2019/2020 Annual Report | 22
Tools of the Trade MAKER CLASS INVITES STUDENTS TO BE CREATIVE WITH FABRICATION EQUIPMENT
Riley Palmer (’25) uses the Science and Innovation Center’s newest 3D printer during Maker Class to create a prototype.
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or Cape Fear Academy students in seventh and eighth grade, the Maker Class elective is designed to open the world of possibilities in Bill Kanzinger’s lab inside the Science and Innovation Center. While Maker Class has been offered for around six years, Kanzinger said the new space inside the Science and Innovation Center has greatly expanded the possibilities for the class in the past two years.
The idea of Maker Class is to take all the different tools, machines, and software available in Kanzinger’s lab, and expose the students to how everything works together. “The first two thirds of the semester we teach them about all the machines and the software, and in the final third they have a chance to complete an independent project that incorporates the machines or software they enjoy using the most and then exploring that with more depth,” Kanzinger said. “Not only do we have more space now, but we brought in more equipment so there is a lot more flexibility with what we can teach and the students have a lot more they can accomplish.” That list of equipment includes everything from six 3D printers using three different modes of printing, to a laser printing CNC machine, heat presses, embroidery machines, and more. However, before the students use the machines on their projects they learn about graphic design software and conceptualize their end products. Then, the entirety of
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the project lives on an online portfolio website, which also allows students to gain web design skills. “Every year there are a handful of kids that will have a project that I’ll look at and wish I had that level of talent,” Kanzinger said. “Some of them are just spectacularly complex projects, and some of them have amazing creativity, design and detail that creates something that looks very professional.” Even after students leave Maker Class, Kanzinger hopes what they learned will prompt them to think about how they can use the equipment in his lab for projects in other classes and subject areas, like how one of the 3D printers could be used in a social studies project.
“What I hope is that every kid realizes they have the ability to create almost whatever they want and that if they have a passion for something this is an opportunity for them to explore that and build on skills they probably didn’t know they even had,” Kanzinger said. “Then, when students leave this class they will look at this equipment and know they can come back to it and use it any way they want.”
Alumni Highlight TALA GOUDARZI ’13
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he experiences and education she received at Cape Fear Academy have led CFA alumnus Tala Goudarzi ’13 to the nation’s capitol as she serves as the Senior Advisor to the Chief of Staff and Special Advisor to the Secretary of Commerce at the U.S. Department of Commerce in Washington, D.C. After graduating from UNC Chapel Hill in 2017 and majoring in broadcast journalism and political science, Goudarzi has worked in the office of a variety of elected officials and government agencies. Most recently she worked for the U.S. Department of Energy before moving to the U.S. Department of Commerce. In her current role, Goudarzi serves as the point of contact for both U.S. and international businesses who would like to meet with Secretary Wilbur Ross. In addition, she oversees the operations of the front office, mediates both internal and external issues, and travels as part of the secretary’s delegation. Attending Cape Fear Academy from pre-k through 12th grade helped prepare her for the high-demand jobs she has held working for the government.
“One of the things I loved most about the school was the wide range of activities we had available. I was able to
P TA H O L A TO GO S C UD ON AR TR ZI IBU ’1 TE 3. D
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I think CFA instilled in me a strong sense of responsibility, work ethic, and the ability to multitask.
participate in drama, Star Search, and tennis. I was always excited and encouraged to take on more responsibility, and was helped in managing my time,” Goudarzi said. While she has many, one of Goudarzi’s favorite memories from her time at CFA came during the Lower School Grandparents and Special Friends Day when she was in the third grade and sang the character Esmerelda’s part from the song “God Help the Outcasts” in the Disney movie “The Hunchback of Notre Dame.” “My great grandmother made my costume and all the grandparents were always so happy to see everyone perform,” she said. “Looking back on old videos, I have no idea how the teachers got all of us to stand in one place. The event was truly special and unlike anything I’ve ever seen at any other school!”
2019/2020 Annual Report | 24
Christopher Stokes (’32) hurdles a bar during the Jump Rope for Heart day in the main gym. 25 | CAPE FEAR ACADEMY
Why We Give to CFA KRISTEN & JON TAIT
From left, Kristen, Turner (’31) and Jon Tait
PHOTO CONTRIBUTED BY THE TAIT FAMILY.
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rowing up in New Bern my brothers and I were able to attend a local independent school and now with our family living in Wilmington, we naturally wanted a similar experience for our son, Turner ’31, said Jon. Cape Fear Academy teachers understand how to motivate and engage students so that they may reach their highest potential and that was the exact experience we were hoping for. For Turner, the small class sizes and the teacher to student ratio are key. As parents, we are comforted knowing that he is receiving whatever attention he might need during the learning process. As it relates to COVID, CFA has made it a priority to help Turner feel connected to his classroom, teachers and friends whether he is with them in person or learning from home.
We understand the school’s mission and vision for growth and development into the future. Tuition alone would not be enough to keep our school at the head of the pack and help cover the extras that make the CFA experience so special. For example, CFA’s engagement programs for both students and parents are well integrated within the school’s overall mission and goals and CFA truly feels like a community for us.
“We choose to give to CFA so that Turner may benefit now and others may benefit for years to come.”
2019/2020 Annual Report | 26
Success ON THE COURT
The varsity boys basketball team poses after winning the CRC tournament.
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ape Fear Academy’s varsity basketball teams built upon the success of recent years to continue their winning trends for the 2019-2020 season. The culmination of the season included both the girls’ and boys’ teams reaching the state semifinals.
The girls basketball team advanced to the North Carolina Independent Schools Athletic Association (NCISAA) semifinal game for the second year in a row and finished with a 20-8 record. Led by head coach Ray Beatty this was also the third year in a row the varsity girls won the Coastal Rivers Conference (CRC) regular season and tournament titles. In addition to the team’s success Chloe Kernan (’20) scored her 2,000th career point and Kaia Simpson (’20) scored her 1,000th career point while they both achieved NCISAA All-State accolades. Kernan also committed to play basketball at Division III Washington University in St. Louis.
The varsity girls basketball team poses after winning the CRC tournament. PHOTOS CONTRIBUTED BY CFA PUBLICATIONS STUDENTS.
The varsity boys basketball team, led by head coach Tony Martin advanced to its second straight NCISAA Semifinal appearance in the 2019-2020 season. CFA was led by NCISAA All-State players George Lefebvre (’20) and Emmanuel Bonsu (’20). Like Simpson, Bonsu also eclipsed the 1,000 point mark during the 2019-2020 season. The varsity boys team went undefeated in the CRC, captured both the regular season and tournament titles, advanced to the NCISAA 3A Final Four while winning 24 games, and reached the championship game of the Rotary Roundball Classic, which featured teams from across the southern United States. The class of 2020 placed full scholarship student-athletes at three outstanding colleges with Lefebvre committing to the University of Vermont, Ivan Misic committing to Bentley University, and Bonsu committing to Stonehill College.
It feels really good to have reached that point, Kernan said after scoring her 2,000th point. My teammates and the overall CFA community made me feel really special and made it all the more exciting. Chloe Kernan (left) and Georges Lefebvre (right) are joined by their families during their college commitment letter signing ceremony.
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In Command OF PHYSICS
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eaching the subject of physics took on new life in the Cape Fear Academy Upper School with the arrival of U.S. Army Brigadier General [Ret.] Edward Naessens for the 2019-2020 school year. Naessens and his wife retired to southeastern North Carolina after 38 years of service in the U.S. Army with his last 12 years serving as the head of the Department of Physics and Nuclear Engineering at the United States Military Academy at West Point.
“Sometimes I look at teaching as a venue to actually inspire students with some of my experiences in life,” Naessens said. “Building a student’s character as well as their scientific literacy is my passion.”
Bret Collie (’20, left) and Aiden Keller (’20) use a scale in preparation for a physics lab.
“Physics, by the very nature of the discipline, allows the ideas to flourish when solving problems,” Naessens said. “Physics allows the students to develop those critical and creative thinking skills, and then conduct experiments to validate them.” Currently CFA offers: General Physics, Honors Physics, AP Physics 1 (algebrabased physics), and AP Physics C (mechanics and calculus-based physics). An essential component to the teaching of physics are labs that help students see real-world examples of the concepts of physics they learn. Since arriving at CFA, Naessens has built up the lab equipment — some of which was funded through philanthropic donations — available to his students to a level that matches what his students had access to at West Point. “CFA has gone out of its way to give me the equipment I have asked for, which is the same that I had at West Point,” he said.
Ed Naessens instructs his class on procedures for the next physics lab.
With a bachelor of science in nuclear physics from West Point, a master of science degree in physics from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, and a PhD in nuclear engineering and science from RPI, Naessens’ love of physics began early in his life. It started when he read “Cheaper by the Dozen,” the semi-autobiographical work of Frank Bunker Gilbreth Jr. and Ernestine Gilbreth Carey, who were efficiency and life skills experts that used creativity and ingenuity in science of time and motion to relate it to their childhood growing up in a household of 12 children.
“The equipment we have is far better than most high schools, colleges and universities across the world,” he said. In addition to learning about the science of physics, Naessens said the subject also teaches students valuable life lessons they can use beyond the classroom. “Physics improves the life skills of developing models to prove (or disprove) an assertion, and of observing and analyzing information for correctness,” he said. “I hope…that students better appreciate the world around them, inside them, and beyond them.” 2019/2020 Annual Report | 28
Honoring Faculty Retirees OUR THANKS TO THEIR YEARS OF SERVICE Ani Scuteri
With a career that spanned 34 years at Cape Fear Academy, Ani Scuteri watched decades of students graduate from CFA. During her tenure at CFA, Scuteri taught Lower, Middle and Upper School Spanish, served as the Upper School dean, and the international student coordinator. Of the countless memories experienced at CFA, one of Scuteri’s highlights came when fellow Upper School faculty member Laura Bowen mentioned her when Bowen competed on an episode of Jeopardy. Bowen, her students, and Scuteri met at the now closed Sahara Restaurant to watch the episode of Jeopardy Bowen was on. When it came down to the final Jeopardy question Bowen’s answer was “who is Ani Scuteri.” Known for her professionalism and compassion for all students, these two critical characteristics made Scuteri a beloved member of the CFA Community. As one of her former students said, “She has an appreciation for others who are bold enough to march to their own beat. They bring her joy. I can’t think of a better quality for a teacher to have. The world is a more interesting place because she made so many of us feel loved and appreciated.”
Theresa DiBernardo
Theresa DiBernardo started at Cape Fear Academy in August of 1992 as a coteacher in second grade and taught in the Lower School until 2018 when she moved into a role as the learning skills program coordinator and skills tutor. During her tenure as a Lower School teacher, she was instrumental in bringing the Japanese and African units of study to life. These were integrated units that included reading, writing, social studies, and science, and included a celebration and program at the end of the unit. She also started a second grade musical called, “The Elephant Twins,” which was an adaptation of Rudyard Kipling’s “Elephant’s Child.” DiBernardo is also credited with starting some of the first CFA summer camps and led other auxiliary programs.
Lynn O’Connell
Lynn O’Connell originally joined Cape Fear Academy in 1999, and again in 2014. During her two tenures O’Connell built and maintained an award-winning and incredibly successful choral program. When O’Connell returned for her second tenure at CFA in 2014 she inherited a depleted choral program with only five Upper School students and by the end of her first year back she had 35 students. One of the biggest achievements for the choral program came in O’Connell’s last year at CFA when the Upper School vocal ensemble performed at Carnegie Hall in New York City as part of the National Fall Sing 9/11 Memorial Concert in October 2019. O’Connell also served as the vocal director of the North Carolina Theatre Conference winning production of “Disaster! The Musical” in 2018, which also went on to compete at the NCTC state competition. Consistently providing her students with opportunities to perform outside of the CFA campus, O’Connell found an unrivaled sense of joy in music that spread to her students.
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Remote Learning CONNECTING THROUGH CORONAVIRUS
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ike millions of other school around the world, the emergence of the coronavirus pandemic in the early spring of 2020 changed nearly everything at Cape Fear Academy — from the basic operation of the school to annual events canceled, postponed or altered, and a greater awareness of the social-emotional needs of every student. With CFA’s commitment to delivering an exceptional academic experience intact, the school quickly transitioned into a remote learning environment for all divisions on March 17, 2020.
Brothers Colin (’27) and Tyler (’25) Brouse collaborate on homework at home.
In lieu of the traditional awards ceremony, fifth grade teachers Sue Borges and Lauren McLean visit Tessa Zuker (’27) to present her with the Lower School Faculty Recognition Award.
Bo Adams (’26), a student in Ms. Wells’ middle school science class completes a science lab at home.
While the transition included its share of challenges, CFA’s parents consistently expressed their gratitude and admiration for the effectiveness of their children’s new educational experience at CFA. As everyone in the CFA community grew more familiar with Zoom, SeeSaw, Google Classroom and connecting through screens, the mission of CFA endured and students continued to learn and grow with their teachers and classmates.
Mr. Fancy’s Upper School honors technical theatre class meets via Zoom.
Learning from home involved some new study buddies, shown here with Tala Holliday (’27) and her family dogs.
Upper School math teacher Mr. Palmer teaches over Google Meet. *ALL PHOTOS ON THIS PAGE CONTRIBUTED BY CFA FAMILIES AND FACULTY.
2019/2020 Annual Report | 30
Ready to Go Further 2020 COMMENCEMENT
Ethan Sikka celebrates at CFA’s first drive-in graduation.
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n a year unlike any other, the sixty-six seniors of the class of 2020 celebrated their graduation from Cape Fear Academy in a ceremony unlike any in the school’s history. Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and restrictions on the size of indoor and outdoor gatherings, the graduates and their families participated in CFA’s first drive-in graduation ceremony in front of the Athletic Center on May 29, 2020. Former CFA Board of Trustees Chairman and alumni parent Marvin O. Robison was honored at the ceremony for being named an Honorary Alumnus of Cape Fear Academy. Robison served on the Board of Trustees of Cape Fear Academy from 2008-2015, including as the Vice Chair from 2010-2011 and Chair from 2012-2014. Robison also served as the Chair of the Capture the Energy, Fuel the Future Campaign Chair, which raised funding to add the athletic complex across from the main campus in 2011, a Valedictorian Kathryn Meehl
Salutatorian Maya Arora
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new road looping the main campus, a new 43,000 square foot gymnasium with classrooms in 2011, and the Erin E. McNeill Fine Arts Center in 2012. Robison and his wife, Margaret, have had two sons graduate from Cape Fear Academy — William ’10 and Ross ’14. Departing Head of School Donald S. Berger was also honored at the ceremony for being named an Honorary Alumnus of Cape Fear Academy. Berger served as Head of School of Cape Fear Academy from 2012-2020, and represented Cape Fear Academy’s guiding core principles of academic excellence, character, community and opportunity. While Mr. Berger served as Head of School, Cape Fear Academy witnessed the renovation and construction of a greenhouse, the iCenter, the Welcome Center and the Science and Innovation Center. Berger and his wife, Heidi, have had one child attend Cape Fear Academy, Anna ’24.
Head of School Award Maya Arora Vance Young
Alumni Award Margaret Dill Ivan Misic
School Service Award Kiera Draffen Georges Lefebvre
Donald S. Berger, Head of School from 2012-2020, was honored at the ceremony for being named an Honorary Alumnus of Cape Fear Academy
Marvin O. Robison was honored at the ceremony for being named an Honorary Alumnus of Cape Fear Academy
2019/2020 Annual Report | 32
CLASS OF 2020 The members of the Cape Fear Academy class of 2020 were accepted to the following colleges and universities. Agnes Scott College Appalachian State University Arizona State University Auburn University Bard College Bates College Belmont Abbey College Belmont University Bentley University Boston College Boston University Bucknell University California Institute of the Arts Campbell University Case Western Reserve University Chatham University Clark Atlanta University Clark University Clemson University College of Charleston Cornell University Dartmouth College Davidson College DePaul University Dickinson College Drexel University Duke University East Carolina University Elon University Emerson College Emory University Florida Southern College Florida State University Fordham University Franklin and Marshall College Furman University George Mason University George Washington University Georgetown University Georgia College Guilford College Harvard College Hawaii Pacific University High Point University Hollins University
Huntingdon College Indiana University-Bloomington (Kelley School of Business) Ithaca College Jacksonville University James Madison University Keuka College Lake Forest College Lehigh University Loyola Marymount University Loyola University Maryland Miami University-Oxford Michigan State University Middlebury College New York University North Carolina A & T State University North Carolina Central University North Carolina State University at Raleigh North Carolina State University North Carolina Wesleyan College Pace University-New York Pennsylvania State University Pratt Institute Queens University of Charlotte Rochester Institute of Technology Rutgers University-New Brunswick San Diego State University Santa Clara University Savannah College of Art and Design Spelman College Suffolk University SUNY at Purchase College SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry Syracuse University Temple University Texas Christian University The New School The Ohio State University The University of Alabama The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill The University of Tampa Transylvania University
Trinity University University of California-Berkeley University of California-Irvine University of California-Los Angeles University of California-Santa Barbara University of California-Santa Cruz University of California-San Diego University of Cincinnati University of Colorado Boulder University of Denver University of Georgia University of Illinois at Urbana- Champaign University of Kentucky University of Maryland-College Park University of Massachusetts-Amherst University of Miami University of Mississippi University of North Carolina at Asheville University of North Carolina at Charlotte University of North Carolina at Greensboro University of North Carolina Wilmington University of Notre Dame University of Richmond University of San Diego University of San Francisco University of South Carolina University of Southern California University of Vermont University of Virginia University of Wisconsin-Madison Vanderbilt University Virginia Tech Wake Forest University Warner University Washington and Lee University Washington University in St. Louis William and Mary Wofford College Young Harris College
Class of 2020 Endowment Total raised $41,815 Cape Fear Academy celebrated the class of 2020 — the school’s 50th graduating class — by creating the Class of 2020 Endowment Fund. The goal of $25,000 was almost doubled and Class of 2020 Endowment Fund became the first class endowment in school history. The fund honors the 50th graduating class and ensures their legacy for the generations of Cape Fear Academy students to come.
Kavita Persaud and Sunil Arora Marnie and Richard Bahner Christine ’82 and Bruce Chappell Sandy and Ken Crumrine Kim and Tom Dalton Hilda Dill ’77 Dan Cameron Family Foundation Jimmy Doster Rachel and Paul Gilbert Grace and Bill Gramley 33 | CAPE FEAR ACADEMY
Caroline and Tony Higgins Renee Walker Hope ’04 Michelle and Kevin Kernan Lisa King Julie and Brannon Lancaster Meredith and Lance Lewis Kim and Chris Meehl Virginia Pierce Claudia and James Sanderford Southern Asphalt Inc.
Luci and Edward Smith Melissa and Kevin Smith Mallory Tarses Ava and Raiford Trask ’79 Jill and Bo Webb Balloun Family Foundation Cacky and Brian West Williamson Family Foundation Porter and Vance Young
Valedictorian Kathryn Meehl 2019/2020 Annual Report | 34
2019/2020 ACADEMIC AWARDS
HEAD OF SCHOOL’S PURCHASE AWARDS
Maeve Kelly
Grace Haslam 35 | CAPE FEAR ACADEMY
LOWER SCHOOL Blue & Gold Award Marian Mansfield Everlee Miller Jackson Vliet Ethan Gatt Ava Mason
Faculty Recognition Award William Clucas Lulu Wells Tessa Zucker Trey Ragan Ivy Lenz
Geography Bee Arvin Karve
MIDDLE SCHOOL True Blue/Solid Gold Award May Boney Luca Kellogg
Faculty Recognition Award Lucy Dimock Walter Marr
Triangle Award Cooper Herrett
UPPER SCHOOL Head of School’s Purchase Awards Maeve Kelly Grace Haslam Simmons-Wenning Scholarship for Fine Arts Pierceson Squires National Merit Scholarship Program Finalist Maya Arora Faculty Recognition Awards Grade 9 Makena Scanlon Faculty Recognition Awards Grade 10 Logan Aimone & Lilly Scoutelas
Band Directors Award Lauren McWhinnie Ramsay Trask
Filmmaking/Technical Theatre and Design US Filmmaker Award Andrew Gramley
Honors Band Award Laura Kate Lindstrom Addie Bloom
Technical Theatre and Design Tess Tarses
Department Award Spencer Lampkin Mack Webb Chorus Independent Study Vocal Ensemble Davis Kranchalk Honors Vocal Ensemble Abigail Smith
Faculty Recognition Awards Grade 11 William Dahl & Delilah Mills
Computer Science Department Department Award McLain Adams
Faculty Recognition Awards Grade 12 Sterling Thomas
Drama Department Award Maeve Kelly
AP Capstone AP Seminar Award Erik Head
Outstanding Dedication and Performance in Theatre Arts Charlie Murtha
Art Excellence in Visual Art Award Lindsay West
English Department Department Award Kiera Draffen Casey Medlin
2020 Eastern/Central NC Scholastic Art Awards Lindsay West, two Silver Keys for paintings “Harlequin” & “Pool Noodles” Grace Haslam, Honorable Mention for photograph “Jump”
Barbara Proctor Award Brooke Sanderford High Tide Award Andrew Gramley Joey McGarry
Mathematics Department Department Award David Novak Si (Anna) Qiu Wenxuan (Jack) Yu Science Department Department Award Kiera Draffen Dot Taylor Hooten Award Katie Meehl Social Studies Department Department Award Pearce Lewis Tyler Smith Publications/Photography Department Award, Publications Gwenyth Austin, Caroline Crumrine, Margaret Dill, Fin Doster, Parker King, Miles Lindstrom, Joey McGarry, Casey Medlin, Eve Morton, Ethan Sikka, Harrison Spicuzza Department Award, Photography Liza Collie, Jason Huang, Andrew Gramley, Allison Raible World Language Department Department Award Katie Meehl Connor Smith
2019/2020 Annual Report | 36
Athletic Honors INDUCTING THE SECOND CLASS INTO THE CAPE FEAR ACADEMY ATHLETIC HALL OF FAME
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hampionship teams and historic players and coaches from Cape Fear Academy’s decorated history of athletics were inducted into the Cape Fear Academy Athletic Hall of Fame during a ceremony Saturday, Jan. 25, at the Erin E. McNeill Fine Arts Center on the CFA campus.
The second class inducted into the CFA Athletics Hall of Fame included the 1987 Varsity Boys Basketball Team, the 2005 Varsity Girls’ Tennis Team, Coach James V. Hall, and players Charles G. Mitchell, III, Patrick J. Regan and Carly E. Weiss. All inductees and their families enjoyed a ceremony and reception honoring their achievements inside the Brown Family Theater.
The 2005 Varsity Girls Tennis Team
won the school’s first NCISAA Tennis State Championship in a victory against Parrott Academy played in Greensboro.
Pictured, from left: Elise Rouse ’08, Anna van Rens Taylor ’08, Jessica Talbot Woessner ’07, Katie Lovett Butler ’08, Coach Beverly Blalock, CFA Athletic Director Chris Meehl. Not Pictured: Amanda Charlap ’06, Clayton Freeman ’11, Alexis Gainey Swist ’08, Kathleen Hayes ’10, and Esther Walker ’10.
The 1987 Varsity Boys Basketball Team
won the school’s first ever NCISAA State Championship with a 65-62 win over Salem Baptist Christian School in a game played at High Point College.
Pictured, from left: Jay Baker ’87, David Smith ’88, Will Stanfield ’88, Scott VanNote ’89, Mike Boedeker ’87, Mario Ciardella ’87, Keith Thorburn ’87, Matt Johnson ’87, Coach Jim Hall, CFA Athletic Director Chris Meehl. Not pictured: Holt Bradshaw ’87, Chris Johnson ’89, Trey Rust ’90, and Josh Sherrill ’89.
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Coach James V. Hall was the Head Varsity Boys Basketball Coach from 19821998 and taught physical education from 1982-2013. Jim also served as the Athletic Director from 1987-1993 and coached a number of teams in baseball, lacrosse, and soccer. Jim’s varsity basketball teams won two NCISAA Basketball State Championships in 1987-1994.
Charles G. Mitchell, III ’86 was a soccer All-Conference Player of the Year his junior and senior years. He scored 35 goals in 25 games during his senior campaign. Charles continued his soccer career at Clemson University, where he was a member of the 1987 National Championship team. In addition to playing, Charles has had an extensive career as a referee, tallying over 700 collegiate, 100 professional, and 15 international games.
Patrick J. Regan ’13 was named NCISAA All-State three times during his lacrosse career. During his senior year, he was named US Lacrosse All American, team Most Valuable Player, Conference Player of the Year, and led the Hurricanes to wins over Charlotte Catholic and Durham Academy, the first and only time in school history. Patrick’s jersey was also retired that day.
Carly E. Weiss ’06 played four sports and earned 15 varsity letters. During her sophomore year, she was the Most Valuable Swimmer and an All-Conference soccer player. In her senior year, Carly was again All-Conference and Most Valuable Player in Varsity Soccer as well as Varsity Cross Country, and Varsity Swimming. Carly broke many school scoring records, marking her as one of the most decorated athletes in the school’s history.
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CLASS NOTES Class of 1997
Class of 2009
Travis Davison and wife Cari announce the birth of a daughter, Eleanor Anne Davison, born May 18, 2020.
Kristin Kelly Broyles and husband Nathan announce the birth of a daughter, Edith Blaire Broyles “Blaire” born May 29, 2020.
Paige Buffkin graduated from Colorado State University with Masters in Business Administration specializing in Marketing Management. She lives and works in Raleigh NC with Cisco Systems as a program manager for the Digital Journeys Platforms team. Alexii Lardis Lazaridis received her Masters Degree from Teachers College, Columbia University.
Class of 2003
Class of 2010
Brittany Parrish married Brad Spell on March 28, 2020. Matt Williams began jotting down ideas in 2013 for short science fiction and fantasy stories. Several years and several hundred thousand words later, Kingdomturn was published and can be purchased on Amazon.
Shelby Jones lives in Raleigh, NC, where she works in a Clinical Research Company (CRO), Syneos Health. She is the manager in the grants department. Alessandra Losa married Blaze Steffano on June 8, 2019. Rachel Powell married Chas Skidmore on August 8, 2020. Genna Zimmer married Jared Lippell on April 4, 2020.
Class of 2000
Class of 2004 Whitney Roberts Hill and husband Mark announce the birth of a son Asa James Hill, born May 12, 2020. Ben Sass and wife Lindsey announce the birth of a daughter, Ava Raine Sass born June 23, 2020.
Class of 2005 Sarah Tedder Pirog and husband Kenny announce the birth of a daughter, Ava Mae, born March 26, 2020. Andi Matt Van Trigt has been named a partner with the law firm Murchison, Taylor, & Gibson, PLLC. She focuses her practice on real estate.
Class of 2007 Ally Beall married Eli Cook in March 2020.
Class of 2008 Hanna McMurry Barkley and husband Bryan announce the birth of a daughter, Julia McLeod Barkley, born May 13, 2020. Henry Moss lives and works in New York City where he is completing his last few months of his prelim surgery year at NYP Columbia. Kelly McCallion Ridenour and husband John announce the birth of a son, Thomas McCallion Ridenour, born November 2019. Lexy Perrott Wheeler and Evan Wheeler are living in Columbia, SC, where they are both working in the emergency room at their local hospital. Lexy is a Physicians’ Assistant and Evan is a resident physician.
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Class of 2011 Brittain Knowles married Danny Young on February 29, 2020. Margaret McClain married Mark Forest on October 27, 2018.
Class of 2012 Lydia Gabbard graduated from UNC School of Law at Chapel Hill in May 2019. She lives and works in Raleigh, NC, at Fairview Investment Services. Sarah Gilbert lives in Maryland and works in Washington DC for Congressman Neal Dunn (FL02) after working for retiring NC Congressman George Holding (NC-02) for 3.5 years. She serves as Congressman Dunn’s senior legislative assistant working on health care policy; tax and defense/ homeland security issues. Susan Hyman worked abroad in Costa Rica and Guatemala for the past year. Due to the coronavirus, she returned to USA and is now enrolled at Wake Forest University working on her Masters for Spanish Interpreting and Translation. Sarah Wallace graduated from Western Michigan University Cooley Law School with a Doctor of Law degree. She lives and works in Tampa, FL as a Legal Intern at the State Attorney’s Office for the 13th Judicial Circuit. Mariah Woodbury graduated from Duke University in Nursing. She is working for UNC Health.
Class of 2013 Anna Corcoran lives and works in Denver, CO in the Mother/Baby Unit at UCHealth University of Colorado Hospital. Gaby Marino is living in Charlotte working for Corporate Headquarters of Belk as a Merchandise Assistant.
Class of 2014 Becca Plasky graduated with a masters degree from Ohio State University in May 2020. She is receiving a dual masters in public administration and public health and received the MPA in May. She will finish her second master program and receive her MPH in 2021.
Class of 2015 Jack Beermann graduated from NC State University with a BA in Art Studies. Kate Brennan graduated from Flagler College with a Bachelor Degree in Journalism and Political Science. She is attending Law School at American University. TJ Carter graduated from NC State University with a degree in Industrial Design. Dillon Corcoran graduated from Appalachian State University with a BS in Psychology. He was selected in the Marine Corps Officer Program and will attend Office Candidate School this Fall. Britt Creighton graduated from High Point University with a BS in Business Administration. She lives and works in New York City for Julie Vos, a fine jewelry company, on the wholesale team. Rylie Das graduated from University of California Santa Barbara with a degree in Global Studies. Tyler Smith graduated with a BS in Public Health from UNC Chapel Hill. Hannah Williams graduated from NC State University with a degree in Fashion and Textiles.
Class of 2016 Jay Andrews graduated from NC State. Matt Bangert graduated from NC State University with a BSBA in Business Administration. Tony Batchler graduated with a Psychology and Community Justice major from Guilford College. He currently attends UNCW working on his Masters in Social Work. Emily Cooke graduated from NC State University with a degree in Engineering. Dylan D’Erminio graduated from NC State University with a degree in Business Economics. Lila Das graduated
from UNC Chapel Hill with a BA in Psychology. She is with Teach for America in San Diego, CA. Elisabeth Dill graduated from NC State University with a degree in Chemical Engineering. Rebecca Early graduated from University of South Carolina Honors College with a BS in Public Health. Nick Gianoplus graduated from NC State University with a Psychology degree. Julia Gillies graduated from UNC Chapel Hill with a BA in Public Policy. Raeven Goodman graduated from Florida A&M with an engineering degree. Her second book was published this past summer. Caspian Goudarzi graduated from High Point University with a BS in Biology. He is applying to med schools and studying for the MCAT. Madison Graham graduated from UNC Wilmington with a BS in Business Administration. Michael Greco graduated from High Point University with a Business Administration/Business Management degree. Gray Hancock graduated from NC State University with an Art and Design degree. Alicia Harris graduated from Davidson College with a BA in Environmental Studies. She plans to take a gap year before going to graduate school. Eugenia Jenkins graduated with a BS in Business Administration from UNC Chapel Hill. She lives in Columbia, SC and works in real estate. Rip Judge graduated from Villanova University with a degree in Business Administration. He lives and works in New York City as a Markets ELP analyst at BNY Mellon. Caroline Marapese graduated from the College of Notre Dame with a degree in Business. Katherine Drew Marapese graduated from the United States Naval Academy with a Chemistry degree. Micah McDaniel graduated from Spelman College with a BS in Mathematics. She will be living and working in Atlanta, GA as a Data Analyst with IBM. Maxx Middelton graduated from NC State University with a BS degree in Business Administration and Management. He is a project engineer for Ajax Building Company in Gainsville, FL. Amber Moore graduated from UNC Greensboro with a Drama degree. Henry Murtha received his BA in Media Studies from UNC Greensboro. Phillip Njapa graduated from University of Rochester with a Finance degree. Emily Norris graduated with a
2019/2020 Annual Report | 40
CLASS NOTES (Class of 2016, Continued) degree in Integrated Marketing Communications from UNC Wilmington. Corey O’Berto graduated from UNC Chapel Hill with a degree in Business Administration. He lives and works in Charlotte, NC for Red Venture. Matthew Pleasant graduated from Furman University with a degree in Politics and International Affairs. Josh Reda graduated from College of Charleston with a Business degree. Forrest Singletary graduated from NC State University with a degree in Environmental Technology. Lizzie Sweyer graduated from Wake Forest University with a BA in Biological and Medical Services. She is working in Charlotte for Marsh where she is a TRAC
associate. Nick Thibault graduated with a Marketing degree from NC State University. Diana Wasserman graduated from UNC Chapel Hill with a BS in Statistics and Analytics. She lives and works in Charlotte, NC, as an Advisory Analyst at Deloitte. Zach Weinstein graduated from Louisiana State University with a Business degree. Barton Williams graduated with a BS in Business Administration from UNC Chapel Hill. He is an Investment Banking Analyst with Cain Brothers and Company in New York City. Emma Wright graduated with a Psychology degree from NC State University.
Members of the CFA classes of the 1980s gather at The Palm Room in Wrightsville Beach on Jan. 25 for their class reunion.
41 | CAPE FEAR ACADEMY
Beverly Altobellis August 25, 2020 Mrs. Altobellis was married to the late Julian A. Altobellis, a Founder of Cape Fear Academy. She had three children Carolyn A. Baker, Kathryn Altobellis (deceased) and Fred Altobellis. Fred attended Cape Fear Academy for one year.
In Memoriam Betty Godwin
Hugh Primrose
Betty Godwin was the spouse of a Founder, James Z. Godwin, who passed away. The Lower and Middle School building was named in his honor on August 17, 1987. They had four children, Mary Godwin Kermon, Zach Godwin ’71, Margaret Godwin ’81, John Godwin’75 (deceased). Mary Kermon had one son attend CFA, Michael Kermon ’06. Zach had two children attend CFA, James ’99 and Sarah ’03.
Class of 1971 The son of the late Hugh W. and Dorothy S. Primrose. Hugh was a U.S. Navy veteran. He had a lifelong love of golf, and through the PGA apprentice program became a Class A member of the PGA of America. He served as a club professional and was a retired life member of the PGA. Primrose retired from Corning after 24 years working for the company.
February 29, 2020
Ruth Kalmar Lewis May 10, 2019
Class of 1981 The daughter of John Nicholas Kalmar and Claire Reid Kalmar, Ruth was an architect by training and a farmer through family legacy. She honed her artistic talents through collaboration with like-minded friends, and she developed wonderful long-term friendships with many skilled craftsmen who converted her ideas into beautifullydesigned projects.
Natalie “Lee” Perry October 29, 2019
Class of 1985 The daughter of Rogene and Fraser Perry of Wrightsville Beach, NC. Natalie “Lee” attended Cape Fear Academy, then went to St. Catherine’s in Richmond, VA, from which she graduated in 1985. She attended the UNC Charlotte School of Architecture before transferring to the University of Kentucky and graduating in 1988 with a MFA degree. Lee then attended NC State, obtaining a degree in Landscape Architecture.
February 21, 2020
James “Chip” Robinson December 14, 2019
Class of 1979 The son of Dr. James and Nancy Robinson. After graduating from CFA, Chip attended Wofford College in Spartanburg, South Carolina, then returned to Wilmington and graduated from UNC Wilmington in 1986 with a B.A. in Philosophy and Religious Studies He owned and managed Clear Springs, Inc. bottled water company for many years, then worked for several years in the timber and residential real estate appraisal profession. His first and final career stops were in sporting goods sales, through which he enjoyed sharing his expertise in and enthusiasm for hunting and fishing.
Peter Saffo
January 17, 2020 Class of 1976 The son of the late William Peter and Angeline Batuyios Saffo, Peter was born in Athens, Greece on November 8, 1957 and was a life-long resident of the greater Wilmington area. He attended Forest Hills Elementary School, Cape Fear Academy, and Hoggard High School, Class of 1976. 2019/2020 Annual Report | 42
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