VISITS CHRIST SCHOOL

by Andrew Pearson

Many luminaries have visited Christ School in its 122-year history. Congressmen and senators with influence in Washington, artists at the top of their craft, and athletes who went on to become household names.

Speaking of, it’s a little-known fact among the boys today that NBA legend Steph Curry once played basketball against the Greenies in Mebane Field House. And it was Curry who was name-checked to introduce a special afternoon appearance by “The Steph Curry of the Church” – Michael Curry, the 27th Presiding Bishop and Primate of The Episcopal Church. Bishop Curry was in Asheville in November to help the Episcopal Diocese of Western North Carolina celebrate its 100th anniversary. He sat at the front of St. Joseph’s Chapel for an hour-long question and answer session with Christ School students and faculty, moderated by Father John Roberts and the Rt. Rev. José A. McLoughlin.

“What a blessing to be with this community,” Bishop Curry said.

“I was a school chaplain many years ago now and I know what a remarkable time this is for you that will live with you for the rest of your lives. I just pray God’s blessing on each one of you that your dreams will be true and that you will bless God’s dream for the entire world. It’s just a joy to be here with you.”

Bishop McLoughlin presides over the Episcopal Diocese of WNC and is part of Christ School’s Board of Trustees. He said it was “a pleasure and a privilege” to have Bishop Curry visit the area.

Born in Chicago in 1953, Bishop Curry has been an ordained priest since 1978 and was elected to a nine-year term as Presiding Bishop and Primate in 2015. He has authored five books and is a regular guest on national and international media programs. He became the first American to preach at a British royal wedding when he gave a sermon at the 2018 nuptials for Meghan Markle and Prince Harry. Bishop Curry returned to campus on Sunday to preach to over 700 guests at a revival service inside Mebane Field House. n

Young Men Of Distinction

The first time Kennedy Achugamonu ’23 stepped onto campus was the day he moved into his dorm. That nerve-wracking drive down Christ School Road still makes him shudder. Because he arrived on campus after the start of school, he likens that first week to jumping into a moving river.

Kennedy first discovered Christ School through a video he watched about a Greenie basketball player. Something about the school stuck in his mind. “In 9th grade I wasn’t very happy with my school, so I started looking at other options and had Christ School in the back of my head from that video,” he said. “I looked at the website and found the application – I had never done anything like that before – but I submitted my application. It was the middle of the pandemic, so I didn’t visit or anything.” Kennedy took a leap of faith and left his home in Arlington, VA, for 500 acres in Arden. His mid-year transition to Christ School amid COVID-19 protocols was challenging, but Kennedy quickly set about making his mark on the community. Now, as a senior, he is the Prefect in South Carolina House, a student leader in the Alliance, and the president of the Black Student Union.

“It’s funny because throughout my life I’ve always been the one friend who could communicate kids’ desires to adults. That has helped me in leadership roles where I’m an intermediary between students and faculty.” That ability to bridge the gaps has made Kennedy a model student and role model for his fellow Greenies.

In the classroom, he leads by example in part by urging the school to offer more classes in engineering and computer science. “I’ve taken AP Computer Science Principles and AP Computer Science at Christ School. This past summer I learned the coding language Python,” he said. He spent the summer after his junior year working with an organization that helps teach elementary and middle schoolers to code.

“Christ School can offer a curriculum beyond the textbook. If we had more courses that were hands-on with coding and engineering, it would be amazing.”

When you speak with Kennedy, a common theme emerges: when a proverbial door opens, he walks right through it. “My parents always tell me to capitalize on opportunities now, because you don’t know if they’ll ever come back,” he said. To a greater degree than most teenagers, Kennedy has watched his parents make sacrifices to provide his family with opportunities. He, in turn, has worked his hardest at Christ School to take those opportunities and run. Kennedy’s dream is to attend a top university to major in Business and Computer Science. If his track record at Christ School is anything to go by, he’ll have more open doors in front of him than he could have ever imagined. n

As with so many students who entered high school around 2020, Rhodes Feild’s ’23 teenage trajectory was changed by the COVID-19 pandemic. Near the beginning of the pandemic, Rhodes found himself in a situation that unexpectedly pushed him toward Christ School.

“I was kayaking during COVID and in that group was Havilah Cooper’s ’23 mom,” said Rhodes. “When I found out that that Havilah was at Christ School, we started to do some research. I wanted something different than my old school and remote learning; attending Christ School meant that I could learn in person.”

Rhodes attended his previous school in his hometown of Greenville, SC, his whole life, but he decided it was time to make a change. “The transition was really tough with all of the social distancing,” he said. Fortunately, that initial transition became easier and easier as pandemic restrictions eased and Rhodes began to create his path at Christ School.

At Christ School, Rhodes has participated in many different programs, but he’s found a passion in rock climbing. “Climbing has been a recent interest that the school has let me find,” said Rhodes. “For years I did cross country and track, but I moved over to climbing this past year, which has been really fun; climbing is always a challenge.”

As you talk to Rhodes, you realize that finding a challenge is a common thread in his pursuits. When he graduates, he will have exhausted every math and science offering at the school. He has gone beyond the standard math curriculum and is taking Linear Algebra this year with Dr. Houston. Rhodes’ academic passion lies in the STEM fields and his excitement about math, science, and engineering is palpable.

“Engineering – maybe more chemical engineering or even just chemistry – is where I’m leaning,” he said when asked about his plans for college. “Dr. Harris is my advisor. I’ve done every science offered at Christ School but saved chemistry for senior year; it has been my favorite class by far.”

Rhodes’ ethos toward school, extracurriculars, and life in general is to choose the most demanding path. “If I fail, that’s okay, but if I don’t challenge myself, I’ll never know if I could have done it,” he said. “Last year I took the hardest course load of my life. I overreached a little and it took me down a little bit, but I’m much happier that I went for it than if I didn’t. The takeaway was to learn to know when you are failing. If you keep telling yourself that you’re ‘good’ it can become more problematic the longer it goes.”

That mature insight and perspective is typical of what you find in the understated Rhodes Feild. Regardless of where he goes in life, he will always hold himself to the highest standards. n

RHODES FEILD ’23

YEAR: SENIOR

HOMETOWN: GREENVILLE, SC.

If you wear Greenie gear to nearly any local golf course, you’re likely to get asked, “Do you know Jamal Hutchison? He plays for you guys, right?”

Those golfers may know Jamal as a winner of junior tournaments, but more than likely, they also know him as the guy who practices for hours, regardless of whether it’s raining, scorching hot, or blisteringly cold.

“I get that work ethic from my dad,” explained Jamal. “Dad talks about how he wouldn’t leave the basketball court for twelve hours when he was growing up. I know that’s what I need to do if I want to make it.”

“Jamal carries himself with a quiet confidence that only comes from putting in countless hours of practice,” said Christ School varsity golf coach Graylyn Loomis ’10. “He has both a drive and commitment that are exceedingly rare.”

Jamal’s hard work began to really pay off this past summer. He consistently finished near the top of golf tournaments, culminating in a victory at the Skyview Golf Tournament at the Asheville Golf Course. The Skyview, which was founded 1960 as an African American event and integrated shortly after, has grown over the years and now draws players from across the southeast for its professional and amateur divisions. Jamal, who grew up attending Skyview each year, shot 68-73-69 for a winning score of six under par with his parents proudly watching on, as they do in nearly all of his tournaments.

Jamal’s success has attracted a lot of attention. He recently committed to play golf at North Carolina Central University where he plans to major in business. Beyond college, Jamal also caught the attention of professional golfer Harold Varner III. Varner chose Jamal to be the keynote speaker at his foundation’s gala dinner last year at Charlotte’s Quail Hollow Club. Varner, who has become a mentor and friend to Jamal, will undoubtedly be a resource for Jamal as he chases his goal of playing professional golf. At Christ School, Jamal radiates quiet confidence as an Admission Liaison where he meets with and tours prospective families around campus. He recognizes his younger self in the prospective boys. “I was nervous and didn’t know what to expect when I toured campus for the first time and I can see that now in them,” he said. Jamal credits his advisor, Mr. Britto, for helping him learn the ropes at school. “Mr. Britto and I both came to Christ School at the same time. We were both new and it was fun getting acquainted with everything at the same time.”

Jamal approaches most things in life with a motto that he and his father have shared since Jamal was young. “You can always make par,” explained Jamal. “It’s true in golf and life. You can hit three bad shots and one good shot to make a par. Even if things are going badly in your life, it only takes one good thing to turn it around.” n

Henry Lytle ’23 has a voice that most Greenie fans would recognize. For the past four years, he has had a consistent presence as a commentator in Christ School Broadcast Network (CSBN) live streams of Greenie athletic games.

Henry’s love for broadcasting started early during his time at Christ School. “Since I was little, I wanted to be in front of the camera and part of the action,” said Henry. “Broadcasting at Christ School was one reason that I wanted to come here. My experience with CSBN has inspired me to pursue broadcasting in a professional setting.”

Henry found that professional setting during an internship this past summer in Hawaii. After seeing an online advertisement for an internship at a news station in Maui, Henry applied and was accepted. Once he solved the puzzle of finding housing in a state 4,510 miles away, he arrived and loved every second. “I learned about being in front of the camera, as well as what it takes to run the business from the management side,” Henry said. “On my off days I hiked volcanoes or surfed in the ocean.” Henry took that experience in Hawaii back to Christ School for his senior year, where he has worked with CSBN on broadcasts or runs the PA at games.

Hawaii isn’t the only far-off place that Henry’s interests have taken him. The fall of his sophomore year he did a semester school program in Idaho with the Alzar School. “It’s an outdoor leadership school,” he explained. “You’re in school for a month before a two-week expedition in Idaho. We then did another two-week expedition in the Oregon desert. We got lost on that trip and I was leading it.” The leadership skills that Henry developed during that semester fueled a service project he launched upon his return: gathering winter clothing for a local homeless shelter.

Henry, who is the Christ School Sacristan, finds that helping those in need aligns with his faith. “I help bridge the gap between the chapel program and the students,” he said. “I ring the Angelus Bell and read the prayers, but I also help with Fellowship and Bible studies.” Recently Henry gave a sermon during a student-led eucharist chapel where he preached about living virtuously, helping others, and forgiveness.

During his time at Christ School, Henry has participated in baseball, mountain biking, kayaking, strength training, and CSBN. An Eagle Scout, Henry seems to always be looking for the next goal or challenge. n

YEAR: SENIOR HOMETOWN: RALEIGH, NC

Because of the level of respect that Jack Shimer ’23 has earned from students and faculty alike, it’s hard to believe that he has only graced our campus for two years. When his advisor, Jameel Brenneman, introduced him for his senior speech, he said “Jack established himself as an ideal Greenie not after a year or even a few months, but within weeks.”

At the end of his first year at Christ School, Jack was named Prefect in Gardner House. He was then voted Head Prefect by his peers. That first year at Christ School didn’t start smoothly, though. Jack arrived for early football and almost immediately broke his arm. His first season was spent largely on the bench or filming practice and games. Despite that, Jack said that first season as a Greenie, “made me completely fall in love again with football. My goal now is to play in college.”

Jack credits part of his early success at Christ School to a senior mentor. “I was striving to get a senior leadership position because of Charlie Bednar ’22. He was the Prefect in Gardner House, and he was a great role model and a great leader. Charlie helped me as a new student to delve in and become a Greenie. I wanted to follow in his footsteps.” When asked about paying that mentorship forward, Jack recognizes the underclassmen that look up to him. “I love being a role model for younger guys on campus.”

Jack discovered Christ School through his friend and fellow Raleigh native Bill Young ’23. “He spoke very highly of Christ School,” said Jack. “I took a tour and immediately knew this was the place for me.”

When Jack thinks ahead to college, he sees himself somewhere that he can find a closeknit community like Christ School. Denison University is a top choice, but he’s open to a number of different schools where he hopes to play football. Wherever he enrolls in college, he will apply his life philosophy to whatever he pursues: “I’m determined, driven, and disciplined enough to keep doing the right thing every day,” he said.

In his senior speech, he acknowledged others who have helped him at Christ School. “The people here are what make this place so special. The teachers, coaches, and faculty members preserve what it means to be a Christ School man. They want you to succeed.” n

Christ School varsity football coach Chad Walker believes that his team’s 2022 season can be best defined by one word: resiliency.

Early-season losses in the closing minutes or overtime built the character and fight of a Greenie team that ultimately finished its season with an appearance in the NCISAA Division I state semifinals.

Led by senior co-captains Tray Mauney ’23, Jack Shimer ’23, and Zack Myers ’23, the Greenies didn’t allow widespread injuries or sickness to stop them from ending the regular season with an impressive 11th straight victory over eventual NCISAA Division II state champion Asheville School.

The quarterfinals of the state playoffs proved a giant test for the Greenies as they traveled to Charlotte Latin missing 16 players. It was a match that is referred to on campus as “The Flu Game.” The Greenies battled back from an early deficit to avenge an opening-week loss and win 36-35 in overtime.

Offensively, this year’s team had several new and young faces contribute early and often with tight end Matthew Pethel ’23, running back Kaden Brown ’24, wide receiver Khalil Conley ’24, wide receiver Brewer Nitcher ’25, athlete Morlue Eesiah ’24, and offensive lineman Luke Anderson ’25 among many others making their mark as a unit that averaged over 300 yards a game.

The Christ School defense was led by all-state selections in linebacker Cayden Jones ’24, defensive end Josh Harrison ’24, and safety Zack Myers ’23. Throughout the season, newcomers to the defense in defensive lineman Eythan Serrano ’25 and defensive back Vincent Lytle ’24 contributed to the solid play of veterans JoVaughn Hudson ’23, Cooper Perone ’24, Jack Shimer ’23, and Quinton Cancel ’23.

The Greenies defense finished the year with 85 tackles for a loss, 47 sacks, and 17 forced turnovers (interceptions and fumbles).

As of December, four players had committed to play college football – Zack (NC State University), Tray (Lafayette College), Quinton (Davidson College), and Tom Tang ’23 (Oberlin College). n

Football

Coaches:

Chad Walker

Antonio Britto

Chris Daller

Pat Dansdill

Mike Freeman

George Johnson

Randy Lytle

Scott Perone

Captains:

Zack Myers ’23

Tray Mauney ’23

Jack Shimer ’23

All-Conference:

Khalil Conley ’24

Tray Mauney ’23

Dylan Lindsey ’23

Josh Harrison ’24

Cayden Jones ’24

Zack Myers ’23

Quinton Cancel ’23

All-State:

Cayden Jones ’24

Josh Harrison ’24

Zack Myers ’23

SOCCER under the lights

Coaches:

Guy Campbell ’00 P’24 P’26

Jeremy Jordan P’26

Jameel Brenneman

Benjie Colberg

Captains:

Reeves Cates ’24

Jackson Knoll ’23

Ethan Rose ’24

Brendan Regan ’24

All-Conference:

Brendan Regan ’24

Carter Compton ’24

Truett Compton ’25

All-State:

Carter Compton ’24

The Christ School varsity soccer team went 1110 this fall and lost in the second round of the NCISAA 4-A state tournament. The Greenies were the runner-up in the Carolinas Athletic Association with eight of their 10 losses coming by either a single goal or by penalty kicks after a scoreless overtime.

“The 2022 schedule tested us every game,”

Coach Guy Campbell ’00 P’24, P’26 said. The Greenies played a difficult schedule, but still outscored their opponents, 38-30, with 11 different individuals scoring goals.

Wells Edwards ’25 led the team in goals (nine). The Greenies were led in assists by Jaron Richardson ’23, Jackson Knoll ’23, Truett Compton ’25, and Bradley Campbell ’24, each finishing the year with four assists. Ben Yang ’24 led the team in saves (155), which is 7.8 saves per game, and had seven shutouts.

The Greenies will lose four seniors to graduation – Jackson, Jaron, Jonathan Chen ’23, and Max Hartwig ’23.

Jaron, Jonathan, and Max played two years of varsity for the Greenies, with a combined 20 wins. Jackson has been a four-year varsity player and been part of 30 wins in his career at Christ School.

“This group will be remembered for the impact they have had on our culture within our program and throughout the school,” Coach Campbell said.

“They have contributed as much to our young players off the field as they have on it.”

“The 2022 Team played the game the right way and we reestablished us as a top team in North Carolina,” Coach Campbell said.

“The coaches see a tremendous opportunity for the Greenies for years to come. This senior class helped cement our identity as a team on and off the field. The foundation for us is set for next year. Our successes in the future will be directly attributed to the class of 2023. We played very good teams this year and won some big games. Beating (High Point Wesleyan Christian Academy) at their place, in front of 2,000 fans, pretty much sums up where we are as a program right now. We can beat anyone, anywhere, and we know it.” n