Perspectives, Summer 2016

Perspectives CHARLOTTE COUNTRY DAY SCHOOL MAGAZINE | SUMMER 2016

CELEBRATING

75 YEARS

JK–12 AND COUNTRY DAY READY YOUNG INNOVATORS REFLECTIONS FROM A LIFER

Ready to Shine Country Day READY

Contents 26 Innovate!

FEATURES

12 16 18 19 20 24 26 30 32

JK–12 and Country Day Ready The Class of 2016: A World of Possibilities Lili Zay: Morehead-Cain Scholar Christien Williams’ Essay of the Week Country Day Ready. Then. Now. Always.

I am a Lifer: Kindergarten Through My Whole Life Innovate!

In His Nature: Thomas Cluderay ’03 Ed Kelly Thoroughly Mastered the Material

DEPARTMENTS 3 Head of School’s Message 4 News & Notes 34 Alumni Scrapbook 37 Class Notes

Perspectives EDITOR Lee-Anne Black CONTRIBUTING EDITOR Jonsie Evans ’95 CONTRIBUTORS Jessica Flaxman Beth Lawing Mike Nuckles Amy Fonville Owen ’81 PHOTOGRAPHY Lee-Anne Black Shannon Drosky Jonsie Evans Joe Hernick Lisa Hernick Beth Lawing Mike Nuckles Brian Osborne Photography Group DESIGN Windtree Studios/Robert Locklear

Our Mission

Through excellence in education, Charlotte Country Day School develops the potential of each student by fostering intellectual curiosity, principled character, ethical leadership, and a responsibility to serve.

Affirmation of Community

Charlotte Country Day School is committed to living as an authentic, inclusive community.

Our pursuit of this commitment to community recognizes and affirms the richness brought by difference and discovered through commonality.

For more information about our Mission, Key Values, and Affirmation of Community, please visit charlottecountryday.org/mission.

CONNECT WITH US WEB: charlottecountryday.org

Perspectives is published twice a year by the Marketing and Communications Office for alumni, parents, staff, and friends of Charlotte Country Day School. Please send questions, comments, or story ideas to lee-anne.black@charlottecountryday.org.

ADDRESS UPDATES: Send address changes to updates@charlottecountryday.org.

ALUMNI: Visit charlottecountryday.org/alumniupdate.

You can also send address changes to alumnirelations@charlottecountryday.org.

FACEBOOK

facebook.com/charlottecountryday facebook.com/charlottecountrydayalumni

TWITTER

@ccdsnews / @ccdsalum / @ccdsbucs

VIMEO

vimeo.com/charlottecountryday

INSTAGRAM

charlottecountrydayschool ccdsalumni

CURRENT PARENTS: Visit BucsNet to update your profile.

2

PLEASE LET US KNOW IF: You received Perspectives addressed to someone who no longer maintains a permanent residence at your home.

OR You have multiple community members at the same address, but you would prefer to receive only one copy for your household.

On the cover

Send requests to updates@charlottecountryday.org.

Inside cover

PERSPECTIVES

In celebration of 75 amazing years, we’re having fun looking back at photos from our early years, like this iconic image.

We're also celebrating today and looking to the future.

The Middle School put on “Guys and Dolls” this spring.

Pictured from left to right are Victoria Whetstone, Charlie Gorelick, and Bo Phillips.

Message from the Head of School School Leadership 2015–16 BOARD OF TRUSTEES

OFFICERS: Arthur C. Roselle, Chair Louis A. Bledsoe III ’77, Vice Chair Todd A. Gorelick ’82, Vice Chair Dr. James W. Roberts, Vice Chair A. Wellford Tabor, Vice Chair Scott R. Stevens, Secretary-Treasurer

MEMBERS: Dr. Adelle Anthony-Williams David M. Benson ’85 Howard C. Bissell* Christi Byron Edison P. Cassels ’87 Theresa Drew Kenneth V. Garcia Mike James Dr. Ameesha P. Kansupada Kathleen Knox Krupa Leigh F. Moran James H. McLawhorn Amy Fonville Owen ’81 Mary Claudia Belk Pilon ’92 Walker L. Poole Steven L. Purdy ’87 Sally Cannon Saussy ’67* Laura A. Schulte Glenn Sherrill ’89 Catherine Stempien William H. Zimmern ’95 Mark E. Reed (Ex-officio) *Life trustee

2015–16 ADMINISTRATIVE COUNCIL Mark Reed, Head of School Scott Waybright, Assistant Head of School Matthew Less, Head of Upper School Warren Sepkowitz, Head of Middle School Adele Paynter, Head of Lower School Joe Hernick, Director of Educational Technology David Lynn, Director of International Studies Brian Wise, Director of Diversity Planning Abe Wehmiller, Director of Athletics Nancy Ehringhaus, Director of Admissions and Financial Aid Lauren Batten, Director of Advancement David Mancos, Chief Financial Officer

I

n the past 18 months, I’ve often referenced our 75th anniversary in my communication and now that special milestone year is here. This issue of Perspectives, along with the launch of a special 75 Years Web site, officially kicks off what is sure to be an exciting and inspiring year for all of us.

We have a broad planning committee, co-chaired by Jonsie Evans ’95, Kristen Walton Wester ’93, and Mary Engel. They have been hard at work planning for a yearlong series of celebrations. As we commemorate this milestone for our school, we plan to honor our past, celebrate our present, and share a vision for the future.

Recognition of our 75th anniversary is also about fostering a deeper sense of community.

There will be many ways for you to be involved and share your Country Day story—and you can get started by turning to page 21.

You can also read about a special notebook we found in our archives that belonged to our founding head of school, Dr. Thomas Burton. In some ways, the notes he penned in the spring of 1940 are our school’s very first strategic plan. Dr. Burton, and others from his era, represents the legacy of strong, forward-thinking leaders who have helped to put Country Day on such solid footing today.

The visionary leadership of our past allows me, the Board, and the administrative team to look forward with confidence.

Throughout this issue you’ll see stories that show how we are continuing to live out and implement our current strategic plan.

From professional development in design Dr. Thomas Burton, our thinking and teachers delivering innovation in the classroom to founding head of school, seniors who are well-prepared for college and eighth-graders represents the legacy of serving others, we are a school that continues to serve students strong, forward-thinking leaders who have helped well with a constant eye on our mission and values. to put Country Day on such solid footing today.

Sincerely,

Mark Reed Head of School

SUMMER 2016

3

News & Notes

251 Years of Service, 11 Retirees

1 Grateful Community

Five of this year’s 11 retirees have given more than 20 years of continuous service to Country Day and our students.

John Burke / 40 Years John began his career as a Middle School science teacher and by the 1980s was serving as the Computer Resource coordinator. His vision and strategic planning paved the way for the school’s leadership in information technology, including as one of the first schools in the country to have Internet access. He retires as manager of Information Technology with his signature on more than three decades of advances in network infrastructure, digital communication, and classroom computing, including our current 1:1 technology program. Alumnus Dr. Fred Gray ’93, who was on the school’s championship Superquest computing team in 1992, said, “John clearly pushed Country Day forward into the 21st century years before other schools arrived there.”

Clare Walton / 32 Years Clare joined as a kindergarten teacher, where she served for many years as a beloved faculty member devoted to her students, as well as a respected colleague and grade coordinator. In 2009, she became Early Childhood director and served as interim head of Lower School last year. Serving on numerous committees and wearing many hats, Clare has given selflessly of herself for the betterment of Country Day and our students. When Clare was named an Honorary Alumna in April, Director of Admissions Nancy Ehringhaus said, “Clare is an early childhood advocate extraordinaire. Her commitment to Country Day has enriched who we are as a school and the lives of countless children. It is Clare’s gentle, engaging, fun, inclusive personality that makes working side-by-side with her a joy.”

Kathy Babula / 29 Years Since joining the Middle School as a Spanish teacher, Kathy has been known and admired for her originality, passion, and thoughtfulness. In addition to nurturing generations of students, she served as eighth-grade coordinator and committed partner to the International Studies office.

As an exchange trip leader, Kathy guided students through Mexico, Costa Rica, and England, and she spent four weeks in Nanjing, China, as an exchange teacher with our sister school. Anna Edgerton ’03, who now uses her Spanish skills regularly as a reporter in Brazil, said of her former teacher and advisor, “She is an excellent teacher by all important measures; her class was fun, unforgettable, and encouraged a love for language and respect for other cultures.”

4

PERSPECTIVES

News & Notes Dina Stolpen / 29 Years Dr. Dina, as she is known, has helped students, faculty, and parents as the Lower School’s guidance counselor. In addition to developing a well-rounded curriculum centered on respect and compassion, Dina created student support groups, planned parent education programs, and initiated community service projects. Most recently, she worked with David Lynn, director of International Studies, to create the popular Around the World and Chinese Language Academy after school programs.

David said, “Dina was a significant mentor to me when I arrived at Country Day, helping me to understand how we could best adapt our International Studies program to support Lower School students. She is a wonderfully open-minded human being who, as a professional, always puts the needs of students first.”

Carol Cramer / 22 Years Carol has served as a Middle School English teacher, so it seems fitting to share this summary written by sixth-grader May McDonnell for The Chronicle, the Middle School student newspaper: “Mrs. Cramer loves grammar, and she always knew she wanted to teach English! Mrs. Cramer has two sons who she says are doing wonderful things, and going through their lives with grace and humor—that is what a lot of teachers are trying to teach us here at the Middle School, how to be prepared for life’s journey. Mrs. Cramer is leaving Country Day so that she, like a lot of other teachers, can spend more time with her family. Mrs. Cramer is also looking forward to spending time with her puppy Callie, or should I say ‘the cutest puppy in the world!’”

We also thank these retirees for their commitment and wish them well in their next venture:

Joanna Cavalaris, Lower School assistant teacher Beth Ellis, Lower School assistant teacher Beth Faircloth, Gift Processing Specialist David Franklin, Plant Operations Frances Hamilton, Assistant Director of Admissions Cindy Turnbull, Lower School assistant teacher

STUDENTS SAY THANK YOU The Class of 2016 used their senior gift to say thank you to all of the Lower, Middle, and Upper School teachers and coaches who have impacted each of them by supporting the Annual Fund. Senior Class President Lucy Pedlow shares why: “The Class of 2016’s donation to the Annual Fund serves as only a small token of our immense appreciation for Country Day and the education we have received here over the years. Our final gift to the school is donated in honor of all of our teachers, advisors, administrators, and coaches who have inspired and pushed us to excel in all areas of life. We know that without their guidance and support we would not be where we are today.”

You can learn more about the Annual Fund by visiting

>>

charlottecountryday.org/annualfund

SUMMER 2016

5

News & Notes

(Left to right): Glenn ’89 and Lisa Sherrill, with sons Jack and Will; Robin and Bill Branstrom; Robbie Branstrom ’06; and Stuart Sherrill ’92.

Steadfast Supporters Since 1981

When it comes to consecutive giving, Robin and Bill Branstrom set the example

L

ike so many in the Country Day community, Robin and Bill Branstrom’s connection to our school began simply as parents. From 1981 to 2006—25 consecutive years—the children of Robin and Bill attended Country Day. Robin’s sons, Glenn ’89 and Stuart ’92 Sherrill, along with Robin and Bill’s daughter, Robbie Branstrom ’06, are Country Day graduates. They also have two grandchildren, Glenn’s sons, who currently attend our school.

Over the years, Robin and Bill have served Country Day as longtime, faithful supporters and community leaders. They have served as members of the Board of Visitors since 2007 as well as in leadership roles for the past several capital campaigns at Country Day. Bill served on the Board of Trustees for eight years, as vice chair and chair of various committees, including Advancement and Committee on Trustees.

Bill and Robin were co-chairs of the Country Day Boosters Club Board.

Recently, they served as chairs of the 6

PERSPECTIVES

Grandparent Committee of the Annual Fund. Currently, they are serving on the Advisory Committee for capital projects.

This spring, they were inducted into the Honorary Alumni Association for their service and commitment to the school and its mission. In honoring them, Board Chair Art Roselle said, “We are extremely grateful to the Branstroms for their deep and faithful commitment to the financial

Robin. “It has educated and nurtured our three children and now two grandchildren.

The faculty, coaches, and administration have given them confidence, encouragement, knowledge, and yes, love. It is a priceless gift that Country Day has given to our family. To be able to give back to the school and express our gratitude to them is a joy for us.”

“We are so indebted to families like the Branstroms,” said Katharine Atkins, director of major gifts.

“They are among nearly 900 donors who have shown consecutive support for Country Day and its students for five years or more, and we’re eager to celebrate everyone who shows this level of loyalty and dedication to the school.”

Look for more information this fall regarding plans to establish a loyal giving society at Country Day.

“It is a priceless gift that Country Day has given to our family. To be able to give back to the school and express our gratitude to them is a joy for us.” stability of our school. Their leadership, first as parents and now as grandparents, has helped Country Day to continue its legacy as a forward-thinking institution committed to developing talented students to be their very best.”

“Charlotte Country Day School has been a part of our lives for many years,” said

News & Notes

Girls’ Lacrosse Team Wins Fourth Straight State Title Dominates All-Observer Team with Coach and Player of Year honors

By Mike Nuckles

W

ith an 18-2 defeat of second-seeded Durham Academy on May 21, the Country Day girls’ lacrosse team (20-1-1) secured its fourth straight North Carolina Independent Schools Athletic Association (NCISAA) State Championship.

A deep team with strengths all over the field, the Bucs were dominant all season, going 15–0 against in-state competition and earning their first-ever Nike/Lacrosse Magazine South Region top ten ranking en route to the state title. Country Day has played in every girls’ lacrosse state championship game since the NCISAA began sponsoring the sport in 2009, compiling a 6–2 record, including four title game wins over Durham Academy “To win four straight titles in any sport is quite a feat,” Abe Wehmiller, director

of athletics, said. “To do it in a sport like girls’ lacrosse, where the talent pool is rapidly growing and we’re seeing more and more parity amongst teams, speaks volumes about how hard this team has worked. This is a truly special group of student-athletes.”

During the championship game, the Bucs opened the scoring with two quick goals from Natalee Palmer, but DA answered back quickly with a goal to make the score 2–1. The Cavaliers threatened to break through on their offensive end numerous times, but goalkeeper Grace

“This program owes a lot to these seniors. They’ve helped shape the foundation and philosophies we look to instill in this program.”

Tabor and the Country Day defense held strong, only allowing one goal over the final 40 minutes of the game.

“This was a close game athletically,” said Kristy Boyles, head coach. “We started out with a lot of nerves in the beginning, but I trusted that they would put their heads down and play. We executed phenomenally well. To only give up two goals was outstanding because DA is such a talented offensive team.”

Country Day was led by a senior class that experienced unparalleled success throughout their high school careers.

The Class of 2016 will leave a legacy of not just wins and championships, but of exceptional teamwork and leadership.

“This program owes a lot to these seniors,” Coach Boyles said. “They’ve helped shape the foundation and philosophies we look to instill in this program. It’s going to be hard to not have them here on the field anymore, but it’s time to see what the underclassmen will do with that mentorship they received.”

In early June, the Charlotte Observer named Lucy Pedlow as its girls’ lacrosse Player of the Year and Kristy Boyles Coach of the Year. Riley Harrison, Julia Loesch, Jaclyn Perkins, Natalee Palmer, and Virginia Poole were named to the Observer first team; Graham McIntosh, Thea Reddin, Sally Dowd, and Grace Tabor made second team.

SUMMER 2016

7

News & Notes

Country Day’s Upper School Faculty

Become Design Thinkers

By Jessica Flaxman, Upper School Director of Studies

I

t has been noted that, in this age of technology and change, our children are likely preparing for work in a world that we adults cannot entirely imagine.

Problem solving is associated with every profession and is considered a key 21st century skill. In light of these realities, this year the Upper School faculty engaged in a professional development experience with consultants from Leadership + Design, a national firm dedicated to teaching educators the merits and the processes of Design Thinking, a strategic way of approaching problem solving.

The work began in a faculty meeting in October, where, using colorful sticky notes, Sharpies, and large sheets of white paper posted around the dance room, teachers generated a long list of possible topics they felt were relevant to the Upper School program and culture. From that list of more than 20 topics, those that were considered especially pertinent to student experience were chosen. The topics included student

FOCUS GATHER

wellness, achievement, motivation, collaboration, creativity, equity and inclusion, and accountability. With the help of L+D consultants who are also teachers in independent schools, on two afternoons in November and February, the faculty learned Design Thinking steps and applied their collaborative creativity toward innovative problem solving on behalf of students.

Working in 18 groups of four, faculty then met together to develop solutions for such problems as “How do we increase social, emotional, and physical wellness to address students as whole individuals?” “How do we encourage greater student collaboration?” or “How might we foster a nonjudgmental environment to encourage creativity?” The groups presented their ideas at the final faculty meeting in June. While some of the ideas generated through the Design Thinking process could eventually be implemented, the ultimate goal is for faculty to hone their skills in teaching the next generation of thinkers and problem solvers.

DELIVER

PROTOTYPE IMAGINE

Q: What is Design Thinking and why is it important?

A: Design Thinking uses logic, imagination,

intuition, research, and systemic reasoning to explore possibilities of what could be on behalf of others. It is human-centered, empathetic, optimistic, process-driven, and action-based. By nature, it is messy, at least at first. Over time, due to the iterative steps, Design Thinking resolves into clear and often elegant outcomes.

The steps that the Upper School faculty practiced were how to gather and focus information based on interviews and research; how to interpret that information and use it to imagine and generate solutions; how to build prototypes; and how to revise and finally deliver plans or solutions. Diverse students in grades 9–12 lent their wisdom along the way.

Q: How are we developing teachers through this Design Thinking work, and how will students benefit in the future?

A: Through professional development

experiences like the Upper School faculty’s year in Design Thinking, Country Day makes visible its commitment to enhancing and challenging its faculty to learn new skill sets and to grow as educators. By learning the skills associated with Design Thinking, the faculty has acquired an exciting 21st century set of tools that they can pass on to their students and with which they can build new assessments and projects for their students.

BUILD

The topics considered especially pertinent to student experiences included wellness, achievement, motivation, collaboration, creativity, equity and inclusion, and accountability.

8

PERSPECTIVES

News & Notes

No Backpack Day With passion and heart, students go beyond academic lessons to make the world a better place By Beth Lawing

I

n mid-April, hundreds of Middle School students intentionally arrived at school without their backpacks.

It was all part of No Backpack Day, a service project dreamed up, championed, and organized by eighth graders Cameron Grainger and Sophie Spada to help create empathy and support for children in Cameroon, who face many struggles to get an education.

The service project they created not only speaks volumes to their big imaginations, but also to the impactful World Geography course that got them thinking about global problems in the first place.

“Country Day’s social studies curriculum allows seventh graders to examine specific problems impacting a particular country by following current events and conducting interviews with cultural liaisons,” explains World Geography teacher Jessica Demeter.

“It’s so much better to examine the dayto-day culture, the customs, and the way of life firsthand from someone who has lived/ lives in a particular country as opposed to reading a textbook.”

The lessons of problem solving made a lasting impression on Cameron and Sophie.

In fact, long after completing their project on the country of Cameroon, the girls felt a continued calling to help tackle the problem of illiteracy in the African country. They just couldn’t shake the memories of lunch meetings with their adult liaison, Abong Fankam, who raised their awareness about the savage inequalities in education that are facing the children of Cameroon.

“We wanted to create a ‘backpack drive’ at Country Day to benefit an organization called A Place of Hope because too many students in Cameroon walk several miles to school and have no backpacks to carry

their supplies,” explains Cameron. “We are so fortunate to go to Country Day. If our backpack rips, we can get a new one, and we take this for granted. We decided to ask Country Day students to donate a new or gently used backpack along with basic school supplies to our cause and also go without their real backpack for a day so that they could see how hard it was.”

“I really like working with kids and connecting with them,” adds Sophie. “I just thought to myself, ‘How cool would it be to connect with less-fortunate kids who are across the ocean from us by doing a service project in their honor?’”

Ms. Demeter is all smiles when she talks about the efforts of her former students. “Cameron and Sophie took the initiative to create something far beyond the expectations of our seventh-grade geography curriculum,” she says. “They rose to the challenge of taking their cause to National Junior Honor Society (NJHS) and to Mr. Sepkowitz and received permission to create No Backpack Day at Middle School.”

Making a Difference Together “Not having a backpack for school is a serious issue that doesn’t always get a lot of the world’s attention,” notes NJHS Secretary Philip Scheurer. “I feel like more attention gets put on a country’s current events than on their more long-lasting problems such as having no backpacks. Having a backpack can also really boost confidence for kids if their books are in better condition.”

The eighth graders got to work. Web sites were researched. Four logistical meetings took place. Posters were created and displayed throughout the campus. An informative video about No Backpack Day was created and shown during Town Meeting to introduce everyone to the problem and generate interest.

Cameron, Sophie, and the NJHS officers got to school early on Friday, April 15, grabbed their iPads, and ran to the Middle School bus stop, where they filmed everyone disembarking from the buses. Loud cheers and shouts of praise greeted the happy, non-backpack-wearing students. In the end, more than 150 backpacks were collected on No Backpack Day. SUMMER 2016

9

News & Notes

Purdy Family Brings Best in Science and Math Education to Our Students Generous gift builds on already strong programming that prepares students for the future

I

n early July, Head of School Mark Reed and Board Chair Art Roselle announced that the Purdy family made an extraordinary $3 million pledge to support Country Day’s key strategic priorities.

This exceptional gift from Verl and Sandra Purdy, Steve ’87 and Beth Purdy, J. Scott Purdy and Claire Purdy, and James Yuhas and Susan Purdy Yuhas ’85 helps bring to life the collective vision that resulted from our strategic planning process several years ago. Together, our community determined that a significant investment must be made to support math and science, dining, and learning centers on Cannon Campus in order to advance

10

PERSPECTIVES

our students’ success, while also continuing to secure our financial future through increased support of the endowment and the Annual Fund.

The Purdy Center for Science and Mathematics, designed to drive innovative instruction and research, will provide the latest technology in lab, classroom, and collaborative learning spaces to meet the growing demand for high-level math and science courses and experiences.

Fittingly, the Purdy family, which represents three generations of scientists, has enjoyed great entrepreneurial business success through the very skills that will be emphasized in this new academic center, including creative problem-solving in

“Strong math and science education will continue to drive this country forward in terms of innovation.

Investing in this way at Country Day is an opportunity to not only carry the sciences forward, but also to give back to a place that has so influenced our lives.”

–Steve Purdy ’87

News & Notes Tom Collins, Science Department chair shared,

“I am humbled and proud to be part of a school where the students have the desire, the school has the vision, and the community shows the support to make science happen. The Purdys are leading the way to make our cutting-edge work possible.”

Leaving a Lasting Legacy One of the most powerful and philanthropic tools available to Charlotte Country Day’s supporters is planned giving. The benefits of planned giving include tax savings, increased income, and providing for heirs, but it also benefits Country Day at the same time.

What is planned giving?

math and science, integrative technology, collaboration, and research.

In making this contribution, Susan Purdy Yuhas ’85 commented, “Our entire family believes the fundamentals of a science, math, and technology-based education are vital. To invest in a field of study that prepares our students for careers that may not even exist yet is incredibly meaningful.”

Mark Reed added, “We are so appreciative of this commitment from a family dedicated to science education. It speaks volumes about the value alumni and parents of alumni place on the education their families receive at Country Day. Every generation of Country Day students has benefitted from the vision and support

of the families who came before them.

Thanks to the Purdy family, this tradition will continue for today’s and tomorrow’s students.”

Construction of The Purdy Center is expected to begin in the summer of 2017, as we conclude our celebration of the school’s 75th anniversary.

To learn more about Country Day’s strategic priorities and comprehensive funding plan, please call Katharine Atkins, director of Major Gifts at (704) 943-4545.

STRATEGIC PRIORITIES Through a community-wide, strategic planning process, these capital priorities surfaced: • New Upper School math/science building (The Purdy Center for Science and Mathematics)

Planned giving includes a variety of philanthropic strategies that help you provide for Country Day while also advancing your own financial and personal objectives. Making a planned gift is a special way to support the school because it allows you to donate assets, yet in some cases defer the time the school actually receives them. The best gift plans improve the donor’s financial and tax situation, often right away.

Several planned giving options are available—the simplest one is a bequest in your will. We strongly recommend you consult with your attorney or tax advisor as you research the most appropriate way to remember Country Day in your will or estate plans.

If you would like to learn more about planned giving at Country Day, please visit charlottecountryday.org/PlannedGiving or call Lauren Batten at (704) 943-4539.

• New Upper and Lower School Student Center with cafeteria (Dowd Student Center) • New Upper and Lower School Learning Centers to include Extended Day • Endowment (to support program, financial aid, faculty professional development, operations) • Continued strength of the Annual Fund

SUMMER 2016

11

Future college lacrosse player

Future sustainability innovator

Future marketing whiz

Future computer scientist

Future entrepreneur

JK–12 and Country Day

Ready

By Lee-Anne Black, editor

12

PERSPECTIVES

Features

L

ast summer, while cleaning my office in preparation for new carpet, I came across a 2003 edition of Perspectives featuring longtime junior kindergarten teacher Wanda Davis, who retired in 2013, and five young Country Day students. I recognized a few of those young faces and was delighted to learn they were all members of the Class of 2016.

In late May, we gathered Mrs. Davis and her former students to recreate a grown-up version of that photo. Despite the rainy conditions, everyone’s spirits were high, and I was so impressed with the easy comfort this teacher and these students still enjoyed.

After the “official” photo was captured, Mrs. Davis gave them each a framed photo of one of their drawings from junior kindergarten.

The seniors were visibly touched by the memento as they smiled, laughed, and hugged over this shared remembrance of their younger selves, and the thoughtful, caring teacher who launched them on their way at Country Day.

CABIR Kansupada Attending the University of Pennsylvania to double major in environmental studies and environmental policy and management

In JK, what did you want to be when you grew up? A chef and violinist with my own

restaurant in Hawaii What do you want to do after college now? Create a sustainability focused

start-up Three high school activities where you spent the most time, had the most passion, or had the greatest impact:

• Music: I have played violin in the Charlotte Symphony Youth Orchestra since seventh grade, local and state ensembles, and the National Association for Music Education’s All-National Orchestra at the Grand Ole Opry. I also co-founded an Asian fusion band that recorded a studio album to raise funds for Instruments for Kids (a Charlotte Symphony music outreach program). My favorite memory is working with Charlotte Symphony Orchestra musicians to mentor students at Winterfield Elementary and teaching them lessons on the physics of music.

• Diversity Awareness Forum: Executive Council and president of the Asian Affinity Club • Varsity Tennis

What do you remember most about JK?

All of us, I think, were nervous when we got out of the car on the first day of junior kindergarten. That, however, immediately melted away when Mrs. Davis and Mrs. Freedman wrapped us in a warm hug as soon as we walked into the classroom.

I appreciate now the shaving cream paintings, construction paper crafts, and playground activities that began to instill the creative and collaborative skills I would need on the rest of my Country Day journey.

renewable energy and its challenges inspired me to continue scientific research on chemically synthesizing less expensive and nontoxic solar energy materials. This research internship was initiated through Country Day’s Science Outreach Program and in partnership with UNC-Charlotte.

Through university-level lab work, field studies, and pure enthusiasm, Mr. Gawle thoroughly prepared all of us to be diligent, curious, and realize that we can change the world.

What do you cherish most about your time at Country Day? Since I started in

JK, I enjoyed a sense of community with a group of students and faculty that have been there since the beginning. This community has supported me in each stage of my education and has taught me that Country Day is a place of independence yet unity, diversity yet community.

I hope to continue embodying these parallels as I move on into college.

What class and/or teacher had the greatest impact on preparing you for college? AP Environmental Science and

the teacher, Mr. Chris Gawle, have had the greatest impact on preparing me for college. He has taught me to look at problems, small and large, from many perspectives, and realize that everything is connected. Our class discussions on

SUMMER 2016

11

Features BYERS Whitman Attending UNC-Chapel Hill to major in business administration

In JK, what did you want to be when you grew up? An artist What do you want to do after college now? I am thinking I want to own my own

business after I have already had a taste of co-founding Shoo Lab Three high school activities where you spent the most time, had the most passion, or had the greatest impact:

• Co-Founder of Shoo Lab: My younger sister Lilly and I started a business in which we custom paint sneakers. We have taken art classes at Country Day and have grown up with a love for arts and crafts. Since technology and texting, including lots of emojis, are such a big part of our lives, we decided it would be cool to incorporate these quirky, youthful symbols on Vans sneakers. Sneakers are the best to wear around school or out of the house because they are so comfortable, but can also be very stylish at the same time. My favorite part of Shoos is that people can wear art that they have customized to express themselves.

• Honor Council representative • Big Brothers Big Sisters mentor

HAMPTON Park Attending UNC-Chapel Hill to major in computer science

lion by cutting up colored paper and then curling some paper for its 3D mane and putting it all together; mine looked so beautiful.

In JK, what did you want to be when you grew up? Policeman

What do you cherish most about your time at Country Day? I will cherish

What do you want to do after college now? Job in computer science/undecided Three high school activities where you spent the most time, had the most passion, or had the greatest impact:

• Playing varsity soccer • Independent study in computer science • Special Olympics What do you remember most about JK?

I remember playing outside for recess.

Also, I remember making a picture of a 14

PERSPECTIVES

the friendships I have made and kept throughout the last 13 years of my life, especially with my friends I’ve known since JK. What class and/or teacher had the greatest impact on preparing you for college? I loved taking AP Computer Science

with Mr. Hackett. It really interested me, and I want to pursue computer science in college.

What do you remember most about JK?

I remember Mrs. Davis’ “ladybug themed” room, the teddy bear parade, and the Thanksgiving feast. We also cooked for each letter of the alphabet that we learned.

What do you cherish most about your time at Country Day? I cherish the lifelong

friendships I have made throughout my time as a student at Country Day. Although school was challenging, I feel certain that I have gotten an excellent education, which will make my transition to college academics smooth.

What class and/or teacher had the greatest impact on preparing you for college? My favorite class and teacher

I have ever had was AP English 11 with Dr. Waples. His teaching style was not traditional, yet I feel it was the most effective and interesting. I enjoyed how he taught through discussion. He found ways for us to learn about the curriculum through our daily experiences, thus making the learning a hands-on, impressionable experience.

Features What do you want to do after college now? I want to go into business and

marketing.

Three high school activities where you spent the most time, had the most passion, or had the greatest impact:

DIANA Dowd Attending UNC-Chapel Hill to major in business

• Gymnastics: I started doing gymnastics when I was five years old and continued competing until the end of my sophomore year when I was a Level 10. When I reached level five, I practiced four hours per day, five days a week. I competed at regionals three years in a row (Level 8 and Level 9 twice) and then at level 9 nationals where I placed sixth all around. My favorite and best events were bars and floor.

• Swimming for Country Day and club teams • Summer internship at Sweetwater Surf Shop in Wrightsville Beach What do you remember most about JK?

In JK, what did you want to be when you grew up? A pop star

NATALEE Palmer Attending Dartmouth College to major in government, international business, or political science; signed to play women’s lacrosse

I remember how lucky I was to have Mrs. Davis as a teacher. She was so kind and

Defense); All-South Charlotte News (Midfield); Academic All-American; “Grit Award” for Country Day • Club soccer • Gwynn Valley Camp staff What do you remember most about JK?

In JK, what did you want to be when you grew up? A singer

I remember being so excited for our school play and I remember “hips and lips.”

What do you want to do after college now? Undecided

What do you cherish most about your time at Country Day? The thing I cherish

Three high school activities where you spent the most time, had the most passion, or had the greatest impact:

• Lacrosse: I play both club lacrosse for the Queen City Stars and for the varsity school team, which has won the state championship for the past four years.

Honors include the Under Armour All-American Underclass Games South Team; Under Armour All-American Underclass Games All-Tournament Team (Defense); North Carolina National Team 1; NCISAA All-State and All-Conference Selection; All-Observer (Midfield/

helped me when I was so nervous to walk in front of the high schoolers during the Halloween Parade, and when I fell out of my chair in art class, knocking out my two front teeth.

What do you cherish most about your time at Country Day? I cherish all of the

amazing friendships I have made at Country Day for the past 13 years. Secondly, I am so thankful for the amazing education that I have received here, which will provide me with many opportunities in the future.

What class and/or teacher had the greatest impact on preparing you for college? AP English 11, taught by Dr. Waples,

was the class that had the biggest impact on me in terms of college preparation.

Dr. Waples really pushed me to think outside the box, which is an essential skill for college, when you will run into situations where there is no single right answer or way to resolve a problem.

They both understood me as a student and taught me to believe in my academic ability.

They improved my writing immensely, they taught me to keep digging when confronted with academic adversity, and they inspired me to want to potentially major in government/political science.

most about my time at Country Day is the incredible education I have received. I will carry on the leadership skills I have learned, my time management skills, and certain memories I have with my teachers and lacrosse team.

What class and/or teacher had the greatest impact on preparing you for college?

Lyn Tillett (AP US History) and Tim Waples (AP English) had the greatest impact on preparing me for college because both of their classes challenged me academically in a way I had never been challenged before.

SUMMER 2016

13

The CLASS OF 2016 is Ready for a

WORLD OF

POSSIBILITIES 119 graduates, admitted to 142 different colleges, with $8.6 million in scholarship offers. From academics to athletics to special talents, the Class of 2016 had outstanding college choices.

Academics

Class members were admitted to many of the nation’s most selective colleges and universities:

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

16

PERSPECTIVES

Features

Athletic Talent

Twenty-two seniors will continue as student-athletes with the following programs:

Birmingham-Southern College Emy Pickens, women’s golf

Florida Southern College Avery Hunter, women’s tennis

Colgate University John Donohue, men’s lacrosse

Furman University Trent Alley, baseball

Connecticut College Julia Loesch, women’s lacrosse

Massachusetts Institute of Technology Christien Williams, men’s basketball

Cornell University Lucy Pedlow, women’s lacrosse Dartmouth College Natalee Palmer, women’s lacrosse Davidson College Ned Morrissett, men’s soccer Denison University Ali Gakenheimer, field hockey Graham McIntosh, women’s lacrosse Peter Pittroff, men’s lacrosse Elon University Cole Bloomer, football Tyler Fewin, men’s soccer Marshall Simmons, football

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Riley Harrison, women’s lacrosse Kathryn Holland, field hockey Kavir Kumar, men’s tennis North Carolina State University Carrie Lewis, women’s soccer Purdue University JD Dellinger, football Roanoke College Campbell Stack, men’s lacrosse Sewanee: The University of the South Warren Holland, football

HONORS PROGRAMS

SPECIAL INTERESTS

University of Alabama College of Charleston University of Georgia University of Mississippi University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Northeastern University University of South Carolina Southern Methodist University University of Virginia

William Byron will pursue his racing career while attending Liberty University.

Below are some of the schools accepting one or more seniors into their Honors programs:

A few students who have found the right college fit to follow their passions:

Alex Domeier will attend Belmont University to major in music.

Christian Holland will continue working toward his commercial pilot’s license at Averett University.

SUMMER 2016

17

Features

Lili Zay Named a Morehead-Cain Scholar

I

n August, when Lili Zay ’16 steps onto the campus of UNC-Chapel Hill, she will also be a member of the Morehead-Cain class of 2020, and the third Country Day graduate in four years to earn this coveted award.

The oldest, and one of the most prestigious merit scholarships in the country, the Morehead-Cain fully funds all costs associated with undergraduate study at UNC-Chapel Hill for four years, and includes additional programs such as four years of summer enrichment opportunities. Lili joins an elite group, as evidenced by the fact that just three percent of candidates receive this highly selective scholarship.

To know Lili is to know why she stands out from the crowd. Lili is an exceptional student, a talented artist, and a passionate leader who made an impact at Country Day because of her empathy and compassion for others, her willingness to take on a challenge, and her engaged presence in the classroom.

Since her freshman year she was very involved in the school’s Diversity Awareness

Forum, and helped to organize and lead the Middle School ACT Conference, as well as lead Upper School assembly discussions on topics like “Apathy, Sympathy, and Empathy.” Lili was also very involved in the drama program and directed the fall one-act play, for which she earned a rating of “excellent” at the 2015 North Carolina Theatre Conference (NCTC) High School Play Festival. And Lili spent a semester at CITYterm in New York City her junior year, where she immersed herself in academic exploration and self-discovery, while blogging about her new experiences and understandings.

Lili is interested in studying philosophy and creative writing, and her career interests include English teacher or an artist of some kind.

Lili Zay and Tim Waples

English teacher Tim Waples is often cited as an educator who makes a tremendous impact on his students. In his beautifully written college recommendation letter for Lili Zay, it’s obvious the feeling is mutual. Here is an excerpt: Walt Whitman concludes the first canto of one of his most famous New York poems, “Crossing Brooklyn Ferry,” with a line that nicely captures my feelings about Lili, because it also nicely captures Lili’s enthusiastic, unrestrained, and intimate orientation towards the world around her: “And you that shall cross from shore to shore years hence are more to me, and more in my meditations, than you might suppose.” Lili’s secret is that she loves life, she loves school, and she loves the people she meets who surprise and delight her. The feeling is mutual: this old ferryman depends upon the youth and the wonder of his passengers to find the inspiration and joy to continue his crossings; getting to know Lili, and being privileged to observe the impressive, enthusiastic, passionate travels that lie ahead for her, will keep me going for a very long time.

In addition to three MoreheadCain Scholars at UNC-Chapel Hill, Country Day is also represented by a Jefferson Scholar at UVA, a Park Scholar at NC State, a Presidential Scholar at Georgia Tech, and a Robertson Scholar at UNC/Duke.

18

PERSPECTIVES

Features

Essay of the Week

ent Christien Williams ’16 is a standout stud , vard Har to itted adm was on many levels. He .

MIT nd atte will Stanford, and Columbia, and cted sele His Common Application essay was the as an Essay of the Week and appeared in .

Huffington Post in June

“Let’s briefly go over how the code works. We don’t want to lose our audience...” I said.

Audience? Is that really me—the kid who once feared center stage—organizing and leading my presentation team at Caltech?

My journey towards valuing audience and setting my own stage goes back to Dad’s prodding: “Christien, go tickle the keys.”

That was Dad’s way of saying practice the piano, but the younger me was consumed by science and invention—hover boards or a version of Tony Stark’s “Jarvis.” Music seemed irrelevant to technological innovation. However, in seventh grade, piano propelled me beyond that narrow lens.

“Would you be interested in playing during town meeting?” Mr. Sepkowitz, the Middle School principal, startled me with this question. Swallowing the lump in my throat, I replied, “Sure,” yet behind my gleaming 12-year-old eyes, a voice yelled, “Don’t do it!” My mind raced with the thought of hitting a wrong note, and being unable to finish my performance.

I chose a piece I knew well, Guitars of Seville, as well as Clementi’s Sonata in C, Opus 36, Number 1, a more challenging piece. I practiced relentlessly after school every day. Legato here, with the sustain pedal; then staccato, no sustain, Legato again; now a crescendo; finally a ritardando.

Finally, performance day arrived and Mr. Sepkowitz announced, “...Christien Williams will be playing for us this morning.”

Descending the bleachers and sitting at the piano, I masked my anxiety. When I began to play, I forced my fingers to overcome their tremors. Legato here, with the sustain pedal; then staccato, no sustain, Legato again; now a crescendo; finally a ritardando.

Hitting the final key, I looked up to see my friends’ and teachers’ faces of wonderment and applause, and even some teary eyes.

I later realized that this performance was about more than just piano. The subsequent year, I carried this new confidence to my interest in student government. Walking onto the stage, not to a piano stool but to a podium, to deliver my election speech to become the president of the middle school, I recalled my fingers that once tremored above a keyboard; this time, I was poised. I began with my slogan: “My name is Christien Williams, and I’m here to do what’s right!”

The 7th grade performance that once ignited stage fright became my catalyst to occupy podiums and preside over student government meetings. From freshman class representative to student body president, I journeyed through high school leadership positions requiring me to learn from being on center stage. Soon, I married my knack for student government, and its foundations in presentation and leadership, with my love for math and science, which helped me pursue my interests in engineering.

Still a dreamer in high school, I acted on those dreams by pursuing inventions every summer. At UVA, I programmed computers to make digital images that turn geometry into art. At East Carolina University, I worked in a lab to autonomously control a robot with human thoughts. Then there was Caltech, where I was on a team of students that programmed our own version of the snake game. Through each project, I sometimes found myself drawing on those lessons from the piano and the podium.

At Caltech, studying functions and loops consumed my days while I prepared for, and emerged as a leader in, my team's presentation. My leadership skills emanated during this preparation period as I pushed the team to focus on audience. The overwhelming nerves that preceded my 7th grade moment were absent when I presented to Caltech professors. I now knew that innovation couldn’t carry itself without communication and presentation skills, and that challenges in life, such as big performances, compel me to learn to leap further and to create. Piano taught me to be confident, and that focus, tenacity, and preparation cultivate success. Maybe playing the piano was more than just tickling keys.

SUMMER 2016

19

Country Day Ready: Then. Now. Always.

In the first few years, Country Day students attended school in a series of leased homes.

18

PERSPECTIVES

Features

IN EARLY APRIL, archivist Lisa Hernick discovered an inconspicuous pocket-sized, spiral-bound notebook, nestled at the bottom of a box containing student profiles, Board of Trustee notes, and other records from Charlotte Country Day School’s first year beginning in September 1941. Written on the cover: “Country Day School Notes, Thomas Burton, Southern Pines, North Carolina.”

Much to her delight, when she opened the booklet, Lisa found pages of neatly written notes from our founder, Thomas Burton, on his meetings with community leaders in the spring of 1940. The theme of these meetings and conversations was constant: Rallying families around a visionary new concept in education—the independent day school—which he believed combined “the advantages of an excellent public school with those of a superior boarding school.” In addition to noting a strong preference for calling the new school Charlotte Country Day, rather than North Carolina Prep, Dr. Burton detailed the solid support among many parents who were ready for Charlotte’s first independent school. This little gem from the archives is the school’s first artifact and could be considered our school’s first strategic plan.

As fun as it was to find Dr. Burton’s early notebook, we know that many, many thousands of students, parents, teachers, and friends have their own Country Day stories to tell, their own mementos to share. We hope you’ll join in as we spend the next year celebrating our school’s 75th anniversary. Turn the page to learn more on how you can take part in this yearlong, community celebration.

SHARE YOUR STORY In commemorating 75 amazing years, we hope you’ll join us in honoring our past, celebrating our present, and sharing in our vision for the future.

We want to foster an even deeper sense of community, and we hope you’ll be a part of it.

You can start right now by taking a trip down memory lane and sharing your Country Day story with us. We’d like to hear why your time at Country Day—as a student, parent, teacher, or friend—was personally meaningful to you. Send your story to: CountryDay75@charlottecountryday.org. Or, see the many other ways to engage with us on the next page.

SUMMER 2016

21

Help Us Celebrate 75 Incredible Years Since our founding in 1941, Country Day has been leading the way in education. Our history—whether seven decades ago or just last year—is chock-full of “firsts.” It’s also filled with the people who make Country Day so special and who are always looking forward. Throughout the 2016–17 school year, we will be celebrating our 75th anniversary in

THEN

&

NOW

various ways.

YOU CAN TAKE PART no matter where you are in the world, how you are connected to the school, or how you like to communicate and engage.

ONLINE: charlottecountryday.org/CountryDay75 SOCIAL: Tag your posts #CountryDay75

In 1983, Lower School computer teacher Karen Sullivan gathered students around one of our 12 Apple IIe computers—a very big deal at the time.

E-MAIL: CountryDay75@charlottecountryday.org

What do you think technology will look like in the future for Country Day students? #CountryDay75

22

PERSPECTIVES

Today, all students in grades 3–12 have their own school-issued iPad or Surface tablet. And the Lower School computer lab is being converted into a Maker’s Space for students to collaborate, design, and problem solve.

Features

Share Your Stories Share your stories or submit a photo or video: charlottecountryday.org/ CountryDay75

Millie Dalton Cox Class of 1966 Marilyn Mills, my first-grade teacher, was in a wheelchair because of polio. As a first grader, I, too, was in a wheelchair because of polio. The Plant Operations men had made me a special desk. I complained, wanting a desk like the other students. Ms. Mills pulled me aside and said, “Young lady, these men have worked hard to do something special for you and you need to say ‘thank you’.”

I will never forget this lesson.

Bob Witman Retired Varsity Football Coach

Kristen Walton Wester Class of 1993 Lining up with all the students and teachers for an aerial photo during the school’s 50th anniversary year made me realize I was part of something bigger.

I’m excited for my children to have a similar experience as we recreate the photo for the 75th.

ARE YOU READY? LET’S GET STARTED!

Katherine Edwards Class of 1980

Frank Justice encouraged my writing and was always there to listen and give me good advice. He helped build my confidence when I was struggling through my teenage years.

Alvin Pearman ’01 showed me what the standard of dedication to excellence is!

MARK YOUR CALENDAR FOR SEPTEMBER 22. That’s the day we first opened our doors 75 years ago and we’ll be commemorating the occasion in a special way at the All-School Convocation that morning.

• It’s a community-wide celebration for everyone connected to Country Day • Our special guest speaker is Margaret Gragg Bissell, who served as Head of School from 1992–2009 • Students and faculty and staff will recreate the aerial photo taken during Country Day’s 50th anniversary year • A reception will follow for all guests

THROUGHOUT THE YEAR, we’re going to continue to celebrate in ways large, small, and in between by bringing the 75 Years theme to all school events and activities. You’ll receive more details in the special 75th Anniversary Calendar of Events, which will be mailed later this summer.

In the meantime, be sure to check out the News and Events page on charlottecountryday.org/CountryDay75.

We’re looking forward to celebrating this special year with you! Thank you for helping us be “Country Day Ready: Then. Now. Always.”

SUMMER 2016

23

I am a Lifer – Kindergarten Through My Whole Life

By Amy Fonville Owen ’81

Editor’s Note: On April 12, Amy was named Alumna of the Year for her professional accomplishments as a business leader and consultant, along with her work as a dedicated trustee, supportive volunteer, and involved parent. In her acceptance remarks, Amy, who is a member of the 75th Anniversary Planning Committee, eloquently expressed her “Country Day story” as a member of this community then, now, and always.

L

egendary Southern writer William Faulkner said, “Always dream and shoot higher than you know you can do. Do not bother just to be better than your contemporaries and predecessors. Try to be better than yourself.”

We all have a Country Day story. As a student from kindergarten through graduation, I am a lifer. But my story really begins with my two grandfathers. My father’s father, Claude Fonville, died in 1950 when my dad was a teenager. Although the family did not have a lot, my grandfather saved enough to make sure my dad and his sisters could go to college—education was important.

My mother’s father, Carl McCraw, lost his father, my great-grandfather, when he was a little boy. To support his family, Carl worked in the mills of Kings Mountain as a child. He took night courses, but attending college full time wasn’t possible for him.

He started his banking career as a runner, 24

PERSPECTIVES

and his hard work led to his becoming the president and CEO of First Union Bank, as well as Charlotte’s Man of the Year, plus other honors.

It was my grandfather’s appreciation for education and wanting more for future generations that led Mr. McCraw to suggest my parents consider sending their firstborn to a school he was hearing a lot about—Country Day. It was a bold idea.

After all, public schools offered a quality education, and Country Day was expensive. But my grandfather thought the $500–600 annual cost of Country Day kindergarten would be worth the investment, even though it was a lot for my parents to spend on me, and eventually my brother, Chuck.

My parents said education was something they could do for their

Woods, called my name for talking out of turn. It only happened once; I couldn’t handle the embarrassment again because I was so shy. The nurturing and encouraging atmosphere I experienced in Lower School propelled me to secure my confidence.

By seventh grade when I left the Lower School campus, I had overcome a lot of my bashfulness.

Life was easier and definitely more fun. Country Day offered a wide breadth of programs and opportunities. I could try new experiences. My earlier dance training allowed me to become part of our modern dance company led by Mayreese Koraly. She took me under her wing as we performed in the theater, and dance was treated like a varsity sport. As a result of her mentoring, I went to Governor’s School for dance. Later, I played the lead

“My parents said education was something they could do for their children that no one could ever take away. It was a lasting gift.” children that no one could ever take away.

It was a lasting gift. They decided private school was worth a try.

When I arrived on Carmel Road to start school, I was painfully shy. My poor mother had to call my teachers and speak for me because I couldn’t muster the courage to speak for myself. That’s why it was so helpful that I was blessed with supportive and caring teachers. I was mortified when my beloved first-grade teacher, Martha

in a musical. Remember that shy little girl?

I was on the stage in the arts and making speeches as Student Body president. This encouraging and loving environment helped me escape my shyness.

And thank goodness! There was no room for timidity when I was a student leader serving on a committee to merge rival Carmel Academy with Country Day— picking a neutral mascot and combining school colors. What a job that was!

Features I was blessed with a group of wellknown Country Day teachers—John Burke for biology, Paulette Beatty and Win Robinson for foreign language, Bob Plyler for history, Dolly Hickman for science.

And Margaret Gragg taught me English. In fact, she was my advisor and college guidance counselor, at a time when we used a typewriter to apply for college. My father has often said that the eloquent recommendation letter Margaret wrote on my behalf to the Morehead committee carried its weight in gold.

After 13 years, I graduated with many dear friends. Many of those close friends are still close friends now, and my children are classmates and friends with theirs. When I attended Carolina, I felt very well prepared. English teachers like Margaret Gragg Bissell and Mary Allen Todd exposed me to writers like William Faulkner. I worked diligently on a Country Day paper about Faulkner’s The Sound and the Fury and earned an “A.” At Carolina, I revised it and submitted a new paper on the same novel. My updated high school work earned an “A” in college. Now that’s Country Day Ready!

When I was a ninth grader, there was a senior on the basketball team I never spoke to—that was a huge age gap. He also went on to Carolina, and we spoke a couple of times there, that’s all. But Country Day connections endure. Dale was practicing medicine in California and wrote me a letter asking me to go out when he came to town. Remember, we didn’t have cell phones or e-mail. On our first date, that I called an interview, we talked about many topics, including Country Day and our favorite teachers.

Some, like Dolly Hickman, made a huge impact. She rescued eighth-grade Dale and was instrumental to me. Maybe I made it to the next round of interviews with Dale because he learned Margaret gave me As when he could only manage a B- in her class. Who would’ve thought I’d marry a Country Day alum—it really came full circle.

Now we continue my grandfathers’ and my parents’ values, as does my brother and his family, because our three children are Buccaneers. Alex graduated in 2014, Lindsey is a senior, and Gracey is a sophomore. Sending our three children to our

alma mater perpetuates the legacy in all the generations of my life.

When we moved to Milwaukee to support Dale’s cardiology fellowship, the kids went to a strong private school there. But it wasn’t Country Day. We were delighted to come back. It’s hard to put into words how special it is when your children are being coached and taught by your own teachers. We know they are in good hands with them and all the others who mold the next generation.

So you see, Country Day is entwined in my biography as a place where I learned inside and outside the classroom, formed important friendships, and even found a wonderful husband.

Now I have the honor of being on the Board of Trustees. It has been a pleasure to work with Mark and his leadership team.

We are incredibly fortunate. Supporting the school as an alumna, parent, and volunteer is so natural because I owe so much to this school.

I am a lifer—kindergarten through my whole life. Like Faulkner suggested, I’ve tried to be better than myself. Thank you for this wonderful honor.

Amy ’81 and Dale ’78 Owen, with children Gracey ’18, Lindsey ’16, and Alex ’14.

SUMMER 2016

25

in¡no¡vate verb

1. make changes in something established, especially by introducing new methods, ideas, or products.

Contribu tors L ee-An ne B lack , Be th L

awi ng, and Ad e

ter ayn le P

26

PERSPECTIVES

Features

IT’S EASY to talk about innovation and lots of educational organizations and business leaders do. After all, innovation skills−like creativity, critical thinking, communication, and collaboration−are regularly recognized as necessary preparation for a fast—changing and complex global society. At Country Day, students, teachers, and administrators demonstrate innovation in varied ways that rise as much from seizing unique opportunities and allowing passionate teachers to dream big, as they do from intentional, strategic planning for the future. Take a look at three ways students in JK−12 were innovative this past spring.

SIXTH GRADER BUILDS 3D HAND

T

HE MIDDLE SCHOOL’S Spotlight Challenge allows students to learn more about the issues, passions, and ideas that are important to them as individuals. Once they have chosen an issue, students design their own oral presentation to deliver in front of their classroom peers, with the strongest presentations moving on to grade-level and school-wide competitions.

This year’s Spotlight Challenge Winner, sixth-grader Eleanor Blumer, didn’t just write a speech about the future of 3D-printing body parts for disabled children—she actually made her own 3D-printed hand. First, she took the initiative to introduce herself to eighthgrade science teacher Simon Keilty and get his help in using the Middle School’s 3D printer. Together, they collaborated to create the intricate “bones” that make up the human hand.

Once the pieces came out of the 3D printer, Eleanor spent two full days sanding them meticulously and then pinning them together. To create movement, Eleanor then experimented with weaving different types of elastic thread through her 3D “bones” until she had built her own prototype for

fully-articulating a child’s hand.

Below are excerpts from the presentation that made Eleanor this year’s Spotlight Challenge winner.

“A couple of years ago I decided to tag along with my dad, who is a doctor, and we went to the Levine Children’s Hospital.

While he rounded his patients I wandered around the floor and spotted a little boy without fingers on his hand. I have never stopped thinking about this little boy that I saw. Later I learned that the little boy had symbrachydactyly. This is an issue that can occur in unborn babies when their hands do not fully develop. There are also children who lose their fingers or hands in accidents and have to live without being able to pick up a pencil or put on their clothes by themselves.

“3D printing is becoming more popular in industries such as the health care industry. The current prosthetics are either made out of fabric or metal. These are assembled by humans and can cause irritation to the skin or if not fit properly they can cause joint problems. With 3Dprinted hands that won’t be a problem because machines will accurately make

them out of plastic or acrylics. Prosthetics can cost thousands of dollars and 3Dprinted hands will only cost the material fee which is estimated around 30 dollars depending on the size.

“The best thing about these hands is that the kids know that they don’t look normal but that’s what makes them special. They can show their personality on these hands because they can design them how they want, instead of the doctors picking out them for the children.”

Upon hearing about Eleanor’s project, Vyomesh Joshi, the president of 3DSYSTEMS in Rock Hill, South Carolina, presented Eleanor with her own 3D printer.

He wrote in an e-mail: “I am deeply impressed with your knowledge of and your capabilities in 3D printing. I encourage you to continue learning all you can about this technology. An understanding of advanced manufacturing techniques like 3D printing will be the key to some of the most interesting engineering and technology jobs of the future. You’re already well on your way!”

SUMMER 2016

27

COMPUTATIONAL PHYSICAL BIOCHEMISTRY AND 3D MODELING

E

VERY FRIDAY during lunch, nine seniors met with science teacher Tom Collins to discuss their advances on a project to research, design, and 3D print dynamic physical models of proteins to help in the understanding of how they fold.

Using visualization software, students analyzed a data bank of more than 100,000 proteins to measure the positions of atoms in a crucial part of the proteins’ structures. Others worked on automating the process using computer code that searches thousands of structures. The third team fine-tuned and test-printed the physical model of the protein they would create using the school’s 3D printer.

As these students presented their progress each week, they spoke with confidence and passion about their work. If you didn’t know better, you might think you walked in on an upper level college chemistry course. In fact, this project extends research conducted at Berkeley Lab to create a physical model of the polypeptide chain.

When Mr. Collins, who is also department chair, came across a 2013 article published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, he reached out to the Berkeley Lab authors to see if his independent studies students could take the research a step further.

“We started by 3D printing the original work; the authors made the code for the model open source and were very happy to help us with teething problems. We are now extending their work, looking to take the study beyond the backbone of the protein,” says Mr. Collins. “We are attempting to accurately model the cysteine side group, focusing on when it is involved in disulfide bridge formation. This is a link between peptide chains in proteins and is of huge structural importance in biological molecules such as insulin, whose function relies upon these structures. Many medical disorders are thought to involve the misfolding of proteins and the disulfide bridge itself seems to be involved in some neurodegenerative conditions.

This is an exciting area of active research.”

A new math and science building, which rose to the top of strategic priorities during the school’s strategic planning process, will allow for even more primary research opportunities for students.

28

PERSPECTIVES

That summary may sound daunting, but it’s not that far removed from the college-level Organic Chemistry course these students recently completed at Country Day. Austin Anderson, Irene Bao, David Conaway, Gordon Cory, Ben Hunter, Andy Gong, Cabir Kansupada, John Moore, and Christien Williams used their already strong knowledge in the sciences to help advance real-world research.

Mr. Collins will lead another group of students next year to continue this year’s work toward producing an improved protein model. “The results will be used in our classrooms and shared worldwide, so others can reproduce and print our work,” says Mr. Collins.

You can learn more by visiting a student-created Web site: charlottecdbiochem.com

Features

THE LITTLEST INNOVATORS

T

HIS SPRING, the Lower School held a Maker’s Week in which students in all grades collaborated on age-appropriate projects that allowed them to imagine, design, create, test, and revise.

“The ‘Maker’ idea is based on some old— and very sound—educational theory that children learn best by doing, and that they can access really complex, sophisticated ideas through hands-on exploration and creation,” explains Adele Paynter, head of Lower School.

In junior kindergarten and kindergarten, students worked in teams to create marble roller coasters. Here are a few excerpts from their thinking: • “You really have to work together. Otherwise your marble rolls away and then what will you do?”

• “If you make it steep, the marble rolls really fast. But too steep it just falls right off!”

• “We added a cover so the marble wouldn’t fall off, and it worked and other people copied our idea…that’s okay though.”

In first and second grades, students made cardboard automata (moving sculpture), which is a fun way to explore simple machines and to begin to understand how levers, camshafts, and linkages can create different kinds of motions. Third and fourth graders explored motion, force, thrust, and drag by creating stomp rockets, with the winning rocket sailing well over 50 feet in the air.

“The result was splendidly messy and engaging, and fostered deep learning,” said Ms. Paynter.

This summer the Lower School computer lab will be transformed into a Maker’s Space (12 powerful iMacs, perfect for design work, have already been installed). This space will expand on curriculum that is already taking place in the classroom.

For instance, kindergarten classes have integrated many age-appropriate aspects of design thinking and engineering into their play-based learning curriculum.

Each kindergarten classroom has sets of LEGO Education Series simple machines which promote purposeful problem solving as students work together to follow specific design instructions. They also collaborate on more abstract lessons, like working in groups to plan, design, and construct a building using toothpicks and mini-marshmallows. Through trial and error, willingness to revise, and persistence, the groups create unique structures.

“Today’s students need to develop both abstract and concrete thinking skills,” says kindergarten teacher Sherry Harris. “We’re very excited about the new Maker’s Space.

The children just want more and more, and we know this is preparing them not only for their future classes and courses, but also for a workplace that values these kinds of skills.”

This year oversized foam imagination blocks were added to the playground to enhance imaginative play and creative problem solving.

SUMMER 2016

29

Thomas Cluderay ’03 is the trifecta of nature lovers.

His job is to protect the earth. His hobby is to explore it.

And his passion is capturing its beauty.

By Jonsie Evans ’95, Director of Alumni Relations

28

PERSPECTIVES

Features

I

“

think we’re in the middle of a defining time, not only for our country, but also our planet,” says Thomas Cluderay ’03.

“Change is happening in our environment presenting enormous stakes for our way of life and for our ecosystem.

Nevertheless, I remain optimistic, because at the same time, there are still many people willing to face our challenges and employ innovative thinking in order to make a positive difference.”

As general counsel for Environmental Working Group (EWG), Thomas is certainly doing his part to follow his passions. He describes EWG, a national nonprofit based in Washington, DC, as “an organization that advocates greater protections for the food we eat, the air we breathe, and the water we drink, aiming to empower people to live healthier lives in a healthier environment.”

As the chief legal advisor to EWG’s leadership and staff, Thomas provides in-house counsel on a range of nonprofit law matters for the organization. He also works closely with EWG’s government affairs team to develop strategies for advancing the organization’s policies on public health, consumer protection, and the environment. EWG’s goals include finding solutions to challenges such as threats to drinking water caused by pollution and the need to ensure the safety of chemicals found in our everyday lives.

When he’s not working, Thomas is traveling around the world and spending time outdoors. He is most at home when he’s out discovering new places. And it’s usually by backpack with his camera and tripod in tow. In addition to seeking new vistas of inspiration, he spends hours and sometimes days waiting for the perfect moment to capture the splendor of nature in his photographs.

“We make the effort to know the world and to learn what is good for it.”

- Wendell Barry, author and environmentalist

Thomas explains, “For me, photography is the outlet I’ve chosen to get to know the world. I like it because it’s a medium that forces you to become more aware of your surroundings, reflecting on what it means to be in a particular place. What’s more, it affords the added luxury of allowing you to share your experiences with others.”

Thomas credits his teachers at Country Day for encouraging him to entertain new ways of thinking and to stretch beyond what he thought was possible. He continued to broaden his experience as a Morehead Scholar at UNC-Chapel Hill and double-majored in journalism and Latin American studies. Thomas then moved to Washington, DC, where he earned his law degree at Georgetown University, and has lived there ever since.

Thomas came back to campus in February to speak to our Upper School students at the Cum Laude Society Induction ceremony. His former advisor, Marsha Newton-Graham, also attended the ceremony as a surprise guest and “big fan” of our speaker.

SUMMER 2016

31

Ed Kelly Thoroughly

Mastered Material

the

By Jonsie Evans ’95, Director of Alumni Relations

30

PERSPECTIVES

Features Sitting between two history experts discussing Frederick the Great, I was instantly transported back to my sophomore year in Honors European History and felt a tinge of fear about a looming pop quiz and my inadequacy related to the subject matter.

“If you thoroughly master the material, you will do well,” echoed in my head.

Thankfully, I swiftly came back to the present and realized what an honor it was to be in the company of retired Country Day faculty member Ed Kelly and his former student and advisee Lieutenant Colonel Steven Cole ’91.

The last time these two saw each other was when Ed chaperoned a student trip to Washington, DC, and Steven was serving as director of public relations for the Third Infantry Regiment, overseeing PR assignments for the Army’s ceremonial unit. Steven met Ed and his students at Arlington National Cemetery to watch the Changing of the Guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Eight years had passed, but they picked up right where they left off, reminiscing about their time as teacher and student at Country Day. During Upper School, Steven took as many of Ed’s history courses as possible, including Honors and AP European History and Ancient Medieval History.

Ed was also his advisor and the advisor to the Student Council, of which Steven served as student body president his senior year. Steven recalled, “By the time

I was a senior, we had been through a lot together. We had a strong relationship, and I could be honest with him.”

Ed added with fatherly pride, “He was not the perfect student, but he was good.”

After graduation, Steven attended the United States Military Academy at West Point and earned a bachelor’s of science in history. He later received his master’s in African history from the University of Maryland. Before getting into public relations for the military, he returned to West Point as an assistant professor of history. “I taught American history,” Steven said, then looked over to Ed and added, “Sorry, Mr. Kelly.”

Ed, whose focus was European history, responded with, “I love you the same,” and continued, “You know, you can call me Eddie Kelly.”

“I know I can, but it’s hard,” Steven admitted, and we all laughed.

I chimed in and acknowledged that Ed was one of the hardest teachers I ever had, including my college professors. Steven

Ed Kelly taught at Carmel Academy and then Country Day for more than 35 years, serving as head of the History Department and academic dean for social studies, guidance, and related subjects. He was an advisor to the Student Council and led numerous student trips to Washington, DC, and Italy. In 1990, he was named the Richard Bray Master Instructor in history.

Ed was inducted into the Honorary Alumni Association in 1994, received the Faculty Exceptional Performance Award twice during his tenure, and was awarded the J.R. Williams Fellowship Travel Grant in 2009. He is also a member of The Oak Society (see page 11).

agreed, “I don’t think Mr. Kelly ever gave any grades. Your grade was earned.”

Then, addressing Ed directly, he said, “You weren’t the easiest of teachers at Country Day.” Ed joked, “I thought I was Caspar Milquetoast.” (In case you’re like me and need to look this one up: Caspar Milquetoast, whose last name is a deliberate misspelling of milk toast, was a comic strip character from the 1920s associated with being soft spoken and weak.)

Then the conversation turned more serious, as Ed shared how much he loved teaching. “My goal as a teacher was to help my kids learn. That was the biggest blessing of my life.”

Ever the educator, Ed gave me one more history lesson before we parted, explaining “Positivist” and “Realist” historical philosophies. “Positivists say a fact is concrete, immutable, and indestructible.

We can recreate the past as it was. Conversely, realists say it’s more complex.

A fact is not a fact until it is established.”

Well, I don’t know about theories of history, but I do know this: It is fact that Mr. Ed Kelly is one of the most respected faculty members in the history of our school. That has been well established.

Alumni Scrapbook

Bob Plyler Honored

E

ach year, the Alumni Association presents the Distinguished to a fault, do not let his unassuming manner fool you—he is Faculty Award to a faculty member who has made outstand- a determined competitor. Over the years, he has coached ing and unselfish contributions to thousands of Country Day athletes in the school. This year’s honoree baseball, basketball, and football, and is Bob Plyler, a beloved teacher, he established and developed our golf compassionate student advisor, program into one of the best in the state. and dedicated coach.

With gentle, yet persistent, encourDuring his four decades at Country agement, Mr. Plyler instills confidence Day, Mr. Plyler has made a lasting and in his student-athletes. His teams have significant impact on generations of won numerous state and conference students and alumni. He joined the championships, and many of his Upper School history department in players have gone on to play golf at the 1976 and has been instrumental in the collegiate and professional levels. growth and evolution of the history Al Dickens ’81, one of his former curriculum at Country Day, including student-athletes who later coached the development of political science alongside him, shared, “His daily and AP U.S. History and Government examples of selflessness were both and Politics courses. instructional and inspiring. He showed Dr. Robert Dixon ’83 presented the 2016 DFA to Bob Plyler, his former teacher and coach, during His classroom offers an open us the importance of lifting up others commencement exercises for the Class of 2016. atmosphere conducive to dialogue and by our words and actions, and that the exchange of ideas, and his steady, supportive, and reassuring we should always do whatever we can to make those around manner puts students at ease. Although Mr. Plyler can be kind us successful.”

Announcing the Rick Stack Wrestling Endowment Fund

C

ountry Day is excited to announce the creation of the Rick Stack Wrestling Endowment Fund, which will underwrite our wrestling program. Given in honor of Rick Stack, longtime teacher and coach, this fund was established by wrestling alumni to stand as a tribute to the inspirational role Rick has played in so many lives.

During his two decades at Country Day, Coach Stack taught physical education at our Middle School and served as our varsity wrestling head coach. Under his leadership, the Bucs won five conference titles and six state championships and were known to be one of the best high school wrestling programs in the Southeast.

Jay Murphy ’88 shared the following about Coach Stack: “It is impossible to summarize all that Coach Stack has done for me and so many other young men who have been fortunate enough to cross paths with him. He taught me about self-respect, confidence, discipline, and purpose. I am certain I would not be the same person I am today without Coach in my life.”

Country Day recognized Coach Stack’s dedication to students on two prior occasions. In 1985, the school presented him with the Carl Bolick Coaches Award, given annually to the coach who best exemplifies the qualities of a character-builder who develops student-athletes into better people. And in 1992, Coach Stack received the Alumni Association Distinguished Faculty Award.

Now, thanks to the generosity of our alumni, and especially Hiro Nakato ’89, Glenn Sherrill ’89, and Richard Worrell ’91 who made leaderships gifts to seed the fund, Country Day is pleased to once again honor Rick Stack for all he has contributed to our school community and the impact he has made on many generations of students.

Former Bucs wrestlers David Flowers ’94 and Richard Worrell ’91 with Coach Rick Stack.

Alumni Scrapbook

Alumni Volunteer & Distinguished Faculty/Staff Appreciation Luncheon This annual luncheon is given in appreciation for our current Alumni Association volunteers and faculty and staff who have served Country Day for 20+ years, are members of the Honorary Alumni Association, or have previously won the Alumni Association Distinguished Faculty Award.

Former Upper School colleagues Tim Timson and Julia Britt enjoyed catching up.

These former Lower School faculty/staff represent a total of 112 years of service to the school: Wanda Davis, Clare Walton (retired this school year), Doodle Smith, and Sylvia Ashcraft.

2016 Alumni Service Award Honoree: Steven Vaughn ’84

I

n recognition of his extraordinary service to Country Day and outstanding volunteer leadership in support of our Alumni Relations program, we were delighted to present Steven Vaughn ’84 with the 2016 Alumni Service Award during Reunion Weekend. Steven has been a loyal supporter of the Alumni Association and the school for three decades and continues to generously offer his time, expertise, and resources to further our mission.

From 2001–2006, Steven was an active member of the Alumni Council, including a term as president. When the school resurrected the Alumni Council in 2014, he agreed to come back as past president.

Steven has also volunteered at Alumni Career Day and with the Alumni Annual Fund, and he’s served on numerous committees, including his Class Reunion Committee and the Alumni Council Nominating Committee.

In addition to the countless hours he’s devoted to Country Day, Steven has been one of the school’s most consistent donors.

In fact, he’s participated in the Annual Fund consecutively for the last 20 years. He’s also contributed to the two previous capital campaigns and the John R. Cook Memorial Endowed Scholarship Fund.

As a dedicated Country Day alumnus and now parent, Steven eagerly jumps in to help with whatever is needed, and he does it with a big-hearted, humble spirit. Jonsie Evans ’95, director of Alumni Relations shared, “The thing I admire most about Steven is his positive attitude. His authenticity permeates the way he interacts with others and naturally draws people to him. He leads with heart, and he makes a difference.”

Steven is pictured with Patrick Hobson ’89, who presented him with the award, and Head of School Mark Reed at the Alumni Volunteer & Distinguished Faculty/Staff Appreciation Luncheon.

SUMMER 2016

31 35

Alumni Scrapbook

BBQ & Oyster Roast Margaret Martin Rubiera ’66 and her husband, Miguel, enjoyed seeing her former classmate Millie Dalton Cox ’66 and her husband, Tom, perform as members of Sugar Creek, the bluegrass band which played at the BBQ.

Alumni Lacrosse Game Former Country Day teammates and collegiate lacrosse athletes Dave D’Alessandro ’10 (Bucknell University) and Kip Haddock ’09 (U.S. Military Academy at West Point) played in the game this year.

Classmates, family, and friends enjoy watching the friendly, but competitive, game, including the Howe family: Harold Howe ’72 and Kathy Jackson Howe ’74, Trey Howe ’01 (who played in the game) and his wife, Jess, Khaki Howe ’03, Janie Howe Dickson ’06, her husband, Paul, and their son, Meade.

Alumni Baseball Game

Alumni Events

The annual Alumni Baseball Game draws Bucs baseball alumni from many decades back to the diamond for good, old-fashioned fun.

In February, several dozen alumni joined us for an event in San Francisco, including Chris Corwin ’88, Alex Gakenheimer ’13, Meg Martin ’01 and her guest, Josh Silber, John Blackwelder ’89, Davis Hunt ’05 and his partner, Kristopper Cruz.

Brothers Danny Meltsner ’86 and Brian Meltsner ’82 had a laugh with their former baseball coach Ed Walton.

36

PERSPECTIVES

In March, close to 100 alumni attended the New York City gathering, hosted by Harold Hope ’90 and his wife, Kate, at the beautiful Knickerbocker Club, including Margaret Draper ’73, Pooja Bavishi ’02, and Nethea Rhinehardt ’89.

Class Notes

CLASS NOTES 1966

The Class of 1966 celebrated our 50th Class Reunion on April 8–10. The weekend kicked off on Friday evening with a garden tour and cocktails at the Duke Mansion, hosted by Peter Thompson and Sayre Lineberger Tribble. During the day on Saturday, Tom and Millie Dalton Cox played with their bluegrass band, Sugar Creek, at the BBQ & Oyster Roast on campus and then hosted the Class Reunion party at their home that evening. To wrap up the weekend, guests enjoyed a walking tour of Uptown guided by Millie and Don Porter followed by coffee and pastries at Amelie’s. Many thanks to everyone who was able to join in the festivities, and to those who were absent, you were certainly missed! View reunion photos online.

Bill Brabson owns Classic Window & Door in Georgetown, South Carolina, and is a member of “The Hammer Heads,” a group that builds ramps for handicapped people in the area.

Although he is retired from full-time teaching, John Howe works one month each summer on a different college campus as treasurer for MathPath, a camp for mathematically gifted middle school students. He and his wife, Karen, also enjoy leaving their home in New Jersey during the coldest and warmest months of the year to visit their daughter and two granddaughters in Oakland, California.

Adelaide Johnston Skoglund is deeply involved in her community at the Ocean Reef Club in Key Largo, Florida. She enjoys living next door to her mom (91 years young) and having her sister visit often. In 2004, she bought a house in Linville, North Carolina, and spends part of June, September, and October there.

Chad Smith – See Memorials on page 44.

1973

George “Chip” Hunter continues to work as a project coordinator for Medecins Sans Frontieres (Doctors Without Borders) at the Nyarugusu refugee camp in Northern Tanzania, the third largest refugee camp in the world. You can watch a video interview of Chip and get a 360-degree perspective of the neighboring Nduta camp here: http://bit.ly/chiphunter73

1975/1976

The Classes of 1975 and 1976 celebrated a combined 40th Class Reunion during Reunion Weekend 2016 at Shain Gallery, a contemporary art gallery in Myers Park managed by alumna Sybil Wornall Godwin ’99. View reunion photos online.

CLASS OF

1966 REUNION

CLASSES OF

1975-76 REUNION

SUMMER 2016

37

Class Notes wife, Angel, and their two sons Zach and Harrison, live in South Charlotte.

1976

Anne Gover, Missy Whedon Hall, and Sarah Hewson Owens reunited for a weekend getaway in Linville, North Carolina, in May. Anne traveled from her home in Pincher Creek, Alberta, Canada, and Sarah flew in from Oregon. Missy lives in Charlotte where she works at Carmel Professional Dentistry.

1977

Frank Conner and his wife, Susan, are the proud parents of not one, but two, college graduates.

Twins, Michael and John, graduated May 7, 2016, from Georgia Southern University. Michael will begin a master’s program in creative writing at American University, and John will complete an internship in recreation therapy and start a full-time position in August. Son, Henry, is a third-year culinary student at Johnson & Wales University in Charlotte. Daughter, Lauren, is a rising high school sophomore and very active in the marching band. Frank and Susan are enjoying some international travel.

Mark and Mary Lu Kelly Leatherman were thrilled to welcome their second grandson, William Armand Choiniere, on April 21, 2016. William, his big brother, Luke (2), and their parents live in Matthews, North Carolina, so Mary Lu gets to enjoy the grands often. After almost 15 years, Mary Lu was downsized when her position was eliminated in mid-April. She began a new career as a physician recruiter with Carolinas Healthcare System in May.

1978

Joel “J” Martin is busy developing innovative, nonslip flooring solutions at his company, Eco-Grip Flooring. Having invented the product composition several years ago, J has installed commercial flooring in a number of local and national restaurant chains, including Applebee’s, Outback Steakhouse, Wendy’s, and Hickory Tavern. He has also ventured into the equestrian and medical industries, providing non-slip flooring for barns, assisted living centers, and surgical suites. J, his

CLASS OF

1986 REUNION

38

PERSPECTIVES

The Class of 1978 offers our sincere condolences to Dale Owen and his family for the loss of his father, Dr. Kenneth Owen, on November 16, 2015, and his mother, Lura Owen, on January 24, 2016.

1980

Mark Uptegraff’s son, Mark Steven Uptegraff ’14, returns to UNC-Chapel Hill this fall as a redshirt sophomore on the football team. See Mark Steven Uptegraff ’14 note for more details.

As a senior assistant city attorney in Charlotte, Karen Culbreth Weatherly is responsible for all environmental and bankruptcy matters for the city. She and her husband, Bo, spend their spare time watching son, Will (13), play basketball and lacrosse and their daughter, Wynne (16), compete in hunter/jumper equestrian competitions.

Karen’s son, Sam Poole ’11, works as an analyst for Banks Street Partners in Charlotte.

1982 Katherine Edwards, Wendi Levine Frost, Marty Glenn, Hunter Johnston McLawhorn, and Libby Brown Sarvis got together to celebrate Marty’s birthday and bid her farewell as she embarks on a new chapter in her business and professional life.

Having founded Core Centric Pilates in Charlotte nine years ago, Marty is relocating to Charleston, South Carolina.

Bruce Elder is president and chief executive officer at First South Bancorp, Inc. He and his wife, Sherry, live in Washington, North Carolina.

Jay Martin and his wife, Jeanne, are sending their third son, Win, off to UNC-Chapel Hill in August, leaving just one son, Sam, at home with mom and dad.

Hunter Johnston McLawhorn’s daughter, Bess McLawhorn ’15, returns to Davidson College this fall as a sophomore.

Abbi Power retired from working for the state of Texas in January. She enjoyed retirement for nine whole days before beginning work for an Air Force contractor supporting environmental clean-up efforts around the country. Abbi’s son attends Georgia Tech.

Country Day was proud to receive an official NFL Super Bowl 50 football in honor of Mike Cofer, who played for the world champion San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowls XXIII and XXIV. The Class of 1982 offers our sincere condolences to Chip Knox and his family for the passing of his sister, Elizabeth Knox, on April 12, 2016.

1983

The Class of 1983 offers our deepest sympathy to our classmates and their families who lost loved ones in recent months. Ansley Bost Calhoun’s father, Tommy Bost, passed away on February 3, 2016. Seth Perkinson’s mother, Sue Allen, passed away on January 12, 2016. Aven Owen Williams lost her father, Dr. Kenneth Owen, on November 16, 2015, and her mother, Lura Owen, on January 24, 2016.

In March 2016, Steve Tomanchek became a general sales manager for WAVE3 News, a Raycom Media affiliate, in Louisville, Kentucky.

He previously worked as a local sales manager at WBTV in Charlotte.

Class Notes

CLASS OF

1991 REUNION

1984

John Phillips - See Memorials on page 44.

1985

The Class of 1985 offers our deepest sympathy to our classmates and their families who lost loved ones in recent months. Lesley Morgan Evers’ father, Ron Morgan, passed away on May 30, 2016, and Sandy Knox’s sister, Elizabeth Knox, passed away on April 12, 2016.

Matthew McKelway has been named director of the Mary Griggs Burke Center for Japanese Art at Columbia University. Matthew is a Takeo and Itsuko Atsumi Professor of Japanese Art History at Columbia and an expert in the history of Japanese painting.

1986

The Class of 1986 celebrated our 30th Class Reunion during Reunion Weekend 2016 at the home of Melissa Gibson Estes and her husband, Bryan. View reunion photos online.

1987

The Class of 1987 offers our deepest sympathy to Connor Bost and his family for the passing of his father, Tommy Bost, on February 3, 2016.

1989

1991

The Class of 1991 celebrated our 25th Class Reunion during Reunion Weekend 2016 at The Olde Mecklenburg Brewery. View reunion photos online.

The Class of 1991 offers our deepest sympathy to Drew Morgan Bolyard and her family for the passing of her father, Ron Morgan, on May 30, 2016.

1992

Nicole Berzack married David Keylin on September 6, 2015, at Wild Dunes Resort in South Carolina.

After a lifetime in Charlotte, Whitney Brackett moved to Greenville, South Carolina, with his wife, Caroline, and their three children: Fin (9), Josie (6), and Beau (18 months). They love Greenville, but miss their great friends in Charlotte and Country Day, of course. Their oldest son Fin attended Country Day.

1993

The Class of 1993 offers our deepest sympathy to Otis Morgan and his family for the passing of his father, Ron Morgan, on May 30, 2016.

James Scott’s most recent book, Target Tokyo: Jimmy Doolittle and the Raid That Avenged Pearl Harbor, is a 2016 Pulitzer Prize Finalist in the History category. In his book, James uses Chinese, Russian, and Japanese sources to expand the story of the first American attack on Japan during World War II.

1994

The Class of 1989 offers our sincere condolences to Melia Northcott Hunt and her family for the passing of her father, Gresham Northcott, on May 22, 2016.

In recognition of the generosity of SteelFab Inc. and their contributions to the Charlotte community, the Mecklenburg County Council of Boy Scouts of America named Glenn Sherrill, his father, Ron Sherrill, and his uncle, Don Sherrill, as Distinguished Scouting Citizens for 2015.

become a RYT-200 yoga instructor. She is enrolled in the advanced studies program for RYT500 instructors through Asheville Yoga Center and plans to open her own studio, Spirit Yoga, in a few months. Christie also teaches at a recovery house for 12-step program participants. She and her husband, Boaty, have two children, a daughter, Monty, and a son, Wright.

Katherine Joyner Daly was named to the Charlotte Business Journal’s 40 Under 40 class for 2016, an award that recognizes individuals who are making major strides in their careers and having a positive impact on their communities.

Katherine has been with Bank of America for 17 years and is currently a senior vice president.

She is an active board member for a number of non-profits, including Bee Mighty, Mint Museum Auxiliary, Lifespan, and Charlotte Green, and a member of Good Friends. Katherine and her husband, Ryan, have a daughter, Pryor (5), and a son, Richard Helms (3).

Since moving to Hendersonville, North Carolina, four years ago, Christie Worrell Alexander has

SUMMER 2016

39

Class Notes

CLASS OF

1996 REUNION

1994 Continued Peter Rives is now the assistant director for the Office of Wellbeing at Wake Forest University and works with James Raper.

The Class of 1994 offers our deepest sympathy to Billy Roberts and his family for the passing of his mother, Ginger Roberts, on May 14, 2016.

1995

Rachel and Marc Lovelace are proud to announce the arrival of their daughter, Morgan Anne Lovelace, on January 18, 2016. Marc is finishing a posting in Okinawa, Japan, and he and his family are returning to the U.S. this summer.

Tripp Phillips has been named the 2016 Intercollegiate Tennis Association Men’s National Assistant Coach of the Year. Now in his tenth year on the UNC-Chapel Hill staff, Tripp was promoted to associate head coach in 2013. This season he helped lead the Tar Heels to the ITA National Team Indoor Championship, the first No. 1 ranking in program history, the most wins in program history (28), and a third consecutive NCAA Elite Eight appearance. While playing professionally, Tripp was ranked as high as 29th in the world in doubles, qualified for Wimbledon, and reached the U.S. Open round of 16. A 2000 UNC graduate, he earned All-American honors as a Tar Heel player and was a recipient of the Patterson Medal, which goes each year to Carolina’s top senior male and female athletes.

1996

The Class of 1996 celebrated our 20th Class Reunion during Reunion Weekend 2016, at the home of Aubrey Moore Grier and her husband, Brandon. View reunion photos online.

40

PERSPECTIVES

1997

Mary Joyner Greene is now the associate director of philanthropy for the Wyoming Outdoor Council, the state’s oldest independent statewide conservation organization whose mission is to protect Wyoming’s environment and quality of life for future generations. Mary previously worked for the National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS) as a senior field instructor, a program supervisor at multiple international locations, and as the organization’s faculty recruitment and development coordinator. She lives in Lander, Wyoming, with her husband and daughter.

Martin and Lauren Evans Wilkinson joyfully announce the birth of their fourth daughter, Virginia Martin Wilkinson. Virginia Martin was born on January 7, 2016, and joins big sisters Laine (6), Louise (4), and Isabelle (2).

1998

Anna Blair Rohrer Kneisel and her husband, Jamie, live in Charlotte with their two sons, William (5) and Jack (3). William attended junior kindergarten at Country Day this past year and had a great time in the Big Saturday Color Run.

Margaret Brown married Seth Conger at River Run Farm in Valle Crucis, North Carolina, on August 1, 2015.

2000

Margaret Rose Black and her husband, Eric Fish, joyfully welcomed their first child, Charles Barnwell “Barnes” Fish, on June 16, 2015. The family resides in Washington, DC. Katherine Lee Buck and her husband, Greg, are excited to announce the birth of their second daughter, Caroline, who was born on February 5, 2016, and joins big sister, Elizabeth.

Class Notes The Class of 2000 offers our sincere condolences to Jimmy Roberts and his family for the passing of his mother, Ginger Roberts, on May 14, 2016.

2003

Thomas Cluderay - See story on page 30.

2001

The Class of 2001 celebrated our 15th Class Reunion during Reunion Weekend 2016, at VBGB. View reunion photos online.

2002

Kasey Pryor Fisher and her husband, Jeff, welcomed a son, Robert Blaine Fisher, on February 5, 2016. Blaine joins big brother, James (2).

Nicolas Politte received an MBA from the University of Colorado Leeds School of Business in May 2016 and is working on starting a business that will break new ground by bringing craft beer to Central America. His hope is to raise enough capital to fund the start-up of Chelatenango, his craft brewery in Guatemala. The name ‘Chelatenango’ stems from the fusion of two local words.

‘Chela’ is the slang word for beer in the regions of southern Mexico and Guatemala. ‘Tenango’ is the indigenous Nahuatl word for ‘place of.’ As a former Peace Corps volunteer in Guatemala, Nicolas also plans on being a social activist for the rural Guatemalan community and hopes to build a water purifying plant within the first two years of being in business.

2004 Austin and Sarah Donaldson Eargle welcomed a son, Whitner Lee Eargle, on December 17, 2015. The family lives in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina.

Sarah Bell Farber and Adam Farber ’05 joyfully announce the birth of their first child, Sarah Sutton Farber. Sutton was born on May 9, 2016.

Brantley Anders Templeton, her husband, Ryan, and big brother, Henry, welcomed Robert Everett Templeton on February 16, 2016.

Meredith Richter Powell and her husband, Dave, welcomed a daughter, Ella Duval Powell, on February 12, 2016. Ella is healthy and happy to be with her brother and sister, twins Rivers and Porter (1 1/2) at the family’s home in Brooklyn, New York.

Sally Kenney King and her husband, Matt, welcomed a daughter, Meares McLendon King, on February 9, 2016.

John Pitts is the director of project management for the Charlotte Motor Speedway. He and his wife, Meredith, have a daughter named Harper Myers Pitts.

CLASS OF

2001 REUNION

SUMMER 2016

41

Class Notes

CLASS OF

2006 REUNION

and her husband, Sean, live in New Bern, North Carolina.

Josh Preiss graduated from Emory University School of Medicine in May 2015 and is completing his general surgery residency at the University of North Carolina School of Medicine.

2008

Robert Culp will attend Harvard Business School in the fall. He has been an associate with The Carlyle Group in Washington, DC. Brian McNamara works as a paramedic and a fireman in Leland, North Carolina, just outside of Wilmington. He is a shift commander and present acting lieutenant.

2009

Lindsey Sturges Smith and her husband, Robert, are excited to announce the arrival of their son, Thomas Harrison Smith. Thomas was born on January 19, 2016, and joins big brother, Joshua (5), and big sister, Lucy (2).

2005

Adam Farber – See Sarah Bell Farber ’04 for note.

Caroline Henderson is engaged to be married to Eric Dowd on October 22, 2016.

Will Sullivan is an assistant public defender in Asheville, North Carolina. He is engaged to be married to Zephyr Jost in September.

2006

The Class of 2006 celebrated our 10th Class Reunion during Reunion Weekend 2016 at Draught. View reunion photos online.

Robbie Branstrom is now a broker at MPV Properties in Charlotte.

Sarah Kridler Carroll earned her doctorate of Veterinary Medicine from Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine in May 2016 and accepted a position as an associate veterinarian at Riverbank Animal Hospital in Kinston, North Carolina. She

42

PERSPECTIVES

Devon LoParo and Amy Barrus LoParo ’07 are expecting their first baby, a girl, on July 4. In May, Devon received his PhD in clinical psychology from Emory University. The family plans to stay in Atlanta, where Amy is a content strategist, and Devon will begin a postdoctoral fellowship at Emory School of Medicine.

The Class of 2006 offers our sincere condolences to Sarah Schweppe and her family for the passing of her mother, Martha Schweppe, on May 25, 2016.

Patrick Steele graduated from the University of North Carolina School of Medicine on May 7, 2016. He will complete his medical residency at East Carolina University/Vidant Medical Center.

2007

Amy Barrus LoParo - See Devon LoParo ’06 for note.

Laura Wearn posted an even-par 72 to win the inaugural Gosling’s Dark ’n Stormy Classic at Atlanta National Golf Club on May 21, 2016.

2010

Tyler McFayden completed her second year of research in an electrophysiology cochlear implant lab in Omaha, Nebraska. She is thrilled to be moving back to the Southeast this fall to begin a PhD program at Virginia Tech and will pursue a joint degree in clinical and developmental psychology with an emphasis on the intersection of language and autism spectrum disorders.

Class Notes The Class of 2010 offers our sincere condolences to Mac Schweppe and his family for the passing of his mother, Martha Schweppe, on May 25, 2016.

2011 REUNION TIME - The Class of 2011 will celebrate our 5th Class Reunion over the Thanksgiving holiday on November 26, 2016. Stay tuned for more details and please contact the Office of Alumni Relations if you would like to volunteer on our Class Reunion Committee.

2012

Wade Leach graduated cum laude from Davidson College with honors in political science in May and plans to attend Wake Forest University School of Law this fall. He recently co-authored a book review published in Survival: Global Politics and Strategy, a London-based international and defense studies journal.

As a senior captain on the MIT track and field team, States Lee earned Academic All-District accolades for the second time in his collegiate career this spring. He also became an All-American for the sixth time in his career and fifth time as a member of the 4x400-meter relay team. States helped set the MIT record in the event at the 2016 NCAA Division III Outdoor Track and Field Championship with a time of 3:11.74. During the indoor season, he also broke the program record in the 400-meter dash (48.00) and the

4x400-meter relay (3:14.43). He rounded out his indoor collegiate career as an NCAA qualifier in the 400m and 4x400m relay at the 2016 NCAA Division III Championship. States majored in mechanical engineering and served as the managing director of Community Outreach in the MIT Media Lab and as the co-coordinator of the Freshman Leadership Program on campus.

In December 2015, Alli Smith graduated magna cum laude with honors in psychology from Sewanee: The University of the South. She now works as a research assistant for the Appalachian Center for Resilience Research.

Kerchuan Soong graduated from the Pratt Institute with a bachelor’s of industrial design in May 2016. During the fall of her senior year, she was selected to design the award for Legends 2015, Pratt’s annual scholarship benefit honoring icons of art and design whose works have helped shape the cultural landscape. Kerchuan opted to work in ceramics, inspired by the possibilities of combining a traditional medium with modern form in her award design. You can watch a short video about the inspiration and process that went into the making of the award here: http://bit.ly/ kerchuansoong12

2013

Kelsie Grice led the Randolph-Macon College women’s tennis team to a great season (17–2).

She played number-one seed in singles and doubles and made All Conference in both.

fyi

ALUMNI

Antonia Keen was named a 2015–16 Daktronics-NAIA Competitive Cheer Scholar-Athlete. She recently graduated from William Penn University with a degree in elementary education.

Lauren McFayden is interning for the FBI in Charlotte this summer.

2014

Mark Steven Uptegraff, a sports management major at UNC-Chapel Hill, will be a redshirt sophomore on the Tar Heel’s football team this fall. At 6’ 3” and 305 pounds, he is the center offensive lineman on the starting field goal team and the traveling team. Mark Steven’s former classmate, Thomas Jackson is also a wide receiver on the team.

Dalton Waite - See Memorials on page 44.

Homecoming Weekend: September 30–October 1, 2016 Festivities include a Pre-game Cookout and Varsity Football Game on Friday night, followed by sports reunions for boys’ basketball, field hockey, and boys’ soccer on Saturday. We’re also bringing back the co-ed flag football game.

75th Anniversary Celebration

Reunion Weekend: April 28–29, 2017

This yearlong celebration is the perfect time for alumni to get involved and reconnect with your alma mater. Whether you live near or far, there will be lots of opportunities for you to help us celebrate (see pages 21–23). Look for the 75th Anniversary Calendar of Events in your mailbox later this summer and check out our Web site for details. charlottecountryday.org/CountryDay75 #CountryDay75

Reunion Weekend features events for all alumni and their families, parents of alumni, and current and former faculty and staff. We’ll have class reunions for the 2s and 7s, plus sports reunions for baseball, boys’ lacrosse, and girls’ soccer. If you’re interested in volunteering on your Class Reunion Committee, contact the Office of Alumni Relations. alumnirelations@charlottecountryday.org

Alumni LinkedIn Group Our Alumni LinkedIn Group is a valuable resource for alumni of all ages. Join the group to network with fellow alums across the globe, post job opportunities with your company, or research your next career move. bit.ly/ccdsalum_linkedin

SUMMER 2016

43

Class Notes

In Memoriam We are deeply saddened by the loss of the following alumni and faculty/staff members of our Charlotte Country Day School community.

Alumni Chad Smith ’66 died suddenly on January 25, 2016. He received both his bachelor’s and master’s of science from the Georgia Tech School of Textiles. Chad spent his career working in the textile dyes and chemicals industry. He volunteered at the Men's Shelter of Charlotte and with various dog rescue organizations. An avid runner, Chad twice completed marathons in under four hours. He is survived by his wife, Linda, and daughter, Catherine.

John Phillips ’84 passed away unexpectedly from natural causes on February 4, 2016, in Birmingham, Alabama. John spent the majority of his life in Charlotte, which he always considered home. He received a BA in history from Davidson College, an MA in military history from the University of Alabama, and a JD from the Cumberland School of Law. John was a talented attorney who spent most of his career as a civil servant. He was a successful assistant district attorney, public defender, and civil litigator. John is survived by his children, John DeWitt Phillips Jr., Anna Adams Phillips, Katherine Elizabeth Phillips, and David Luke Phillips.

Dalton Waite ’14 passed away unexpectedly on March 1, 2016. Dalton attended Suffolk University in Boston. His talents in life were many, in spite of being legally blind, including a special ability to express himself through writing, acting, and music. Dalton had an extraordinary spirit and compassionate soul that saw the value in all people, and he especially connected with Boston's homeless population. He is survived by his parents, John and Mary Brand Waite ’84; sister, Ansley Waite ’15; uncle and aunt, Kenny and Elizabeth Brand Letts ’88, and their children, Madison ’15, Kenny ’17, and Alfred ’19; uncle and aunt, Chris and Sally Brand Lawrence ’90, and their children; and his grandparents, Alfred and Betsy Brand and Dee Dee Waite.

Faculty and Staff Retired faculty member and coach, David Wheeler Sr., passed away on April 27, 2016. David was a standout, three-sport athlete in high school and went on to play football in college.

He continued to enjoy athletic competition throughout his life, including competing in the U.S. Masters Track and Field Senior Games, and he was inducted into the Belmont Abbey College Sports Hall of Fame in 2005. For over 14 years, he coached three sports and taught physical education at Country Day. He went on to enjoy a successful career at Charlotte Motor Speedway, where he worked for almost three decades until his retirement. David is survived by his wife of 42 years, Suzanne Wheeler, and his children, Suzy Wheeler Molihan, David Wheeler Jr., and Daniel James Wheeler.

In Memoriam listings in this issue include notices received by the Office of Alumni Relations from January 1–May 15, 2016.

44

PERSPECTIVES

SHARE YOUR NEWS Submit a Class Note online at charlottecountryday.org/classnote, or contact your Class Agent.

1966 - Millie Dalton Cox - milliedcox@gmail.com 1972 - Dorothy Tull Mothershead dotmothershead@gmail.com 1977 - Mary Lu Kelly Leatherman - marylul@bellsouth.net 1980 - Katherine Edwards - keedwards@live.com 1980 - Karen Culbreth Weatherly kweatherly@charlottenc.gov 1981 - Alice Griffin Shrader - aliceshrader@gmail.com 1982 - Chip Knox - charles@knoxgroupinc.com 1982 - Wanda Culbreth Townsend wandatownsend@parkerpoe.com 1983 - Betsy Downs McIntyre bmcintyre@lincolnharris.com 1984 - Debbie Ostrow Vitale - dovnc@aol.com 1985 - Nancy Hanes Sasz - nancysasz@icloud.com 1986 - Melissa Gibson Estes mgibsonestes@carolina.rr.com 1987 - Laurie Goldman Smithwick laurie@leapdesign.com 1988 - Edwin Peacock - edwin.peacock@nmfn.com 1989 - Melia Northcott Hunt - meliahunt@msn.com 1990 - Mary Beth Tice McIntyre marybeth@belleproperties.com 1991 - Steven Cole - cole.steven@icloud.com 1992 - Jenny Hall Robeson - jennyhall1@yahoo.com 1993 - Jaime Morris Pearman jaimepearman@carolina.rr.com 1994 - Sarah Nichols Hughes - shughes@wlu.edu 1995 - Jill Triana - jtriana76@gmail.com 1996 - Karen Hutchinson Ridout karen.ridout@charlottecountryday.org 1997 - David Walker - davidbwalker@gmail.com 1997 - Betsy Currie Zarzour - betsyzarzour@gmail.com 1998 - Holly Walker Hunter - ehwhunter@gmail.com 1999 - Logan Chalk Foose - lfoose@cchrealtors.com 2000 - Kara Hager - kara.hager@gmail.com 2001 - Amanda Lemonds Tomlinson amandaltomlinson12@gmail.com 2002 - Brantley Anders Templeton brantley.templeton@gmail.com 2003 - Blakely Offutt Infante - blakely.offutt@gmail.com 2003 - Ivan Mothershead - imothershead@gmail.com 2004 - Sarah Bell Farber - sarah.b.farber@gmail.com 2005 - Caroline Henderson henderson.caroline1@gmail.com 2006 - Sarah Schweppe sarah.schweppe@wellsfargoadvisors.com 2007 - Carver Morrow - carvermorrow@gmail.com 2008 - Anne Howard Dooley annehowarddooley@gmail.com 2009 - Caroline Davis - carolinelenoradavis@gmail.com 2010 - Gatesy Hill - shghill@gmail.com 2011 - Lindsey Freedman - lfreedman11@gmail.com 2012 - Alli Smith - smithal1@sewanee.edu 2013 - Caroline Allbert - ceallbert@gmail.com 2014 - Megan Schlernitzauer m.schlernitzauer14@gmail.com 2015 - Shannon Baker - shanbake@live.unc.edu 2016 - Lucy Pedlow - lpedlow12@gmail.com

BUCSNOTES A ROUND-UP OF FUN FACTS EVERY BUC MIGHT LIKE TO KNOW.

83,720

The number of pizza slices served in Dickson-Sanger Dining Hall last year. That’s about 2,392 slices every “Pizza Day” in a dining hall built in 1960 for 600 patrons, and which now accommodates more than 1,200 daily.

800+

The number of Instagram followers we have @charlottecountrydayschool, since we launched in September. Join with us as we celebrate #CountryDay75.

560

The number of Lower and Middle School students who participated in the inaugural Color Run to kick off this year’s Big Saturday “Color Me Happy” theme.

1,341

The number of grandparents and special friends who joined us on May 6 for Grandparents and Special Friends’ Day, a very special Lower School tradition.

6

The number of Country Day programs to win at least four consecutive state championships. Girls’ lacrosse (2013–2016) is the most recent, joining boys’ lacrosse (2008–11), boys’ tennis (1994–2003), girls’ tennis (1990–97 and 2000–03), softball (1998–2001), and boys’ golf (1985–88).

SUMMER 2016

45

Nonprofit Org. US Postage

PAI D

Charlotte, NC Permit No. 984

1440 Carmel Road Charlotte, NC 28226-5096 charlottecountryday.org

Our Special Olympics video, created by parent Doug Drew, generated 449 reactions, comments, and shares, including words of appreciation for Country Day students from the parents of the athletes.

449 Likes