Classic - Fall 2014

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FALL 2014

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Celebrating 25 Years History in the Making Legacy Campaign Head of School Report

Board of Trustees, 2014-2015 Jody Billiard, Chairman Larry Kirkman, Vice Chairman Roger Wilkerson, Secretary Don Moseley, Treasurer Carolyn Airing Danny Church Rennie Faulkner Caroline Kelly Greg Love Rich Protasewich Melissa Roper Mike Ross

Mission Statement

Head of School Mark Davis

Editor/Designer, Classic Megan Fair

To assist the Christian family by providing an education marked by a biblical worldview, academic excellence, and affordability, so that students are equipped to be salt and light for God’s glory.

Contributing Writers

Lisa Barlow, Hannah Billiard, Mark Davis, Mary Hill, Kelly Keesling, Larry Kirkman, Stelle Snyder

Photographers

Thank you to the faculty, staff, parents, alumni, students, and friends who shared their photos for this publication

Special Thanks to:

The entire CDS community who contributed to this publication

Submit Story Ideas to: Megan Fair mfair@covenantday.org

Upload Your Photos at:

http://photos.covenantday.org/

Vision Statement Covenant Day School is committed to becoming an exceptional, Christ-centered, college-preparatory school. We will create an environment which develops lifelong learners, critical thinkers and problem solvers who will be actively engaged in the world as ambassadors for Christ. Our appraised, innovative academic courses and comprehensive extra-curricular offerings will be taught through the lens of truth found in the historic Christian faith by godly faculty and staff who are skilled educators and dedicated mentors. Graduates will be prepared for matriculation into leading colleges and universities in order to live out their callings on the global stage. Our distinctive sense of family, with a diverse community of students, families, friends, donors, and alumni, will undergird these efforts necessary to bring excellence to every aspect of Covenant Day School, a ministry of Christ Covenant Church, for God’s glory.

Send Class Notes to:

Linda Glass lglass@covenantday.org

CDS QUICK LINKS HOS Report: www.covenantday.org/publications Athletics: www.covenantday.org/golions ENEWS: www.covenantday.org/cdsenews Fine Arts: www.covenantday.org/finearts Give Online: www.covenantday.org/give Magazine: www.covenantday.org/publications Legacy: www.covenantday.org/legacy

Core Values Christlikeness

A reflection of the work of Christ, loving in thought and deed, serving God and others

Truth

A pursuit of biblical truth so as to develop the knowledge and discernment that guides our judgment and decisions in all areas of life

Integrity

An insistence on biblical principles that develop character, integrity, and moral excellence

CDS celebrated the groundbreaking of its first high school building in 2003.

FEATURES 4 Countless Changes with a Lasting Mission 7 A Mountaintop Experience 10 Behind the Scenes: CDS Theater 11 Building Champions 12 25 Alumni 15 A Lasting Legacy 16 2013-2014 Head of School Report

in this ISSUE ARE YOU A CDS ALUM? Staying connected is easy! Visit www.covenantday.org/alumni to complete the Alumni Update Form!

DEPARTMENTS 2 From the Head of School 8 Classic News Briefs 10 Fine Arts 11 Athletics 12 Alumni News

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Happy anniversary, Covenant Day School! It was a quarter of a century ago that our school began as a ministry of Christ Covenant Church, with one of its focal points being The Guiding Principles of CDS. Specifically, those principles, according to a document dated February 25, 1989, would involve vision, growth, and innovation. Those early principles included the language of CDS pursuing excellence.

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In 1990, CDS revised the school’s constitution and bylaws stating that our students would be prepared through a rigorous and comprehensive academic program and extracurricular activities. The educational program would not be man-centered but God-centered. There would be no place for mediocrity in any part of the school program or in student performance.

The 1993-1994 Strategic Plan spoke of CDS setting a high standard for educational excellence and constantly striving to improve. Also, that plan stated that the strength of the CDS community would be our high quality of Christian like-mindedness.

In 2002, CDS initiated the Fulfilling the Promise Campaign to build a new high school to include classrooms, science labs, and a media center, as well as athletic fields.

The 2004 and 2012 CDS Vision Statements spoke of our high standards for educational excellence, our Christcenteredness, and our desire to prepare our students well for a collegiate experience. Additionally, we reemphasized our focus on innovation in the classroom and our desire for our students to be ambassadors for Christ in the world.

The desire to give glory to the King of Kings and Lord of Lords by worshiping Him through academics, the arts, athletics, and relationships has been at our heart throughout the years. We must strive to reach our God-given abilities, never resting on our laurels, and live as a community of God’s people: resolute in being a people of hope, waiting upon the Lord in times of trial, and constantly in prayer. For twenty-five years, we have sought to bring the Lord glory and honor in all we do. And we can look back at God’s faithfulness in the past and trust in Him for the future.

Best,

Mark Davis Head of School

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FROM THE VICE CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD

A Praiseworthy Legacy

BY LARRY KIRKMAN, CDS BOARD OF TRUSTEES VICE CHAIRMAN

In the early 1980’s, when our family first tried to find and visit Christ Covenant Church, we missed it completely. It never occurred to us that a church could meet in the double-wide trailer we found at the address we’d been given. When we tried again, after we had completed our transfer from Birmingham, the double-wide was empty!

There was a sign posted inviting us to come and worship with them at Charlotte Christian School.

“From a daring dream in a double-wide trailer to an outstanding Christian school with over 800 students; we have truly been blessed beyond measure

by God’s provision.”

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We found the congregation and knew quickly that we now had our new church home. We had become part of a congregation that held worship services in a school gymnasium, sitting on flimsy folding chairs that were stored in a crate. But the dreams the church’s founders had in that double-wide were now the goals our congregation prayed about whenever we were together. None of us who sat in that gym could have known it then, but we were in a church that God would use for His glory in ways even the boldest visionaries did not see.

As an Elder, I was privileged to be part of the leadership of the church when Christ Covenant made the decision to start a Christian school. We stepped out in faith, moving carefully to make sure we were following God’s lead. When we reflect on the legacy created by more than a quarter of a century of commitment to Christ-centered education, we see that God’s blessings have been and continue to be manifest. I am honored to serve on the Board of Trustees at this point in the school’s history.

I’ve been asked, “What makes the school special?” It is impossible to point to a single aspect because so many factors are part of the equation. The combination of faculty, staff, and parental involvement is essential to the unity that works well to strengthen the very fiber of the school. The oversight by Christ Covenant leadership holding the Board of Trustees responsible for maintaining the direction of the school is a key component. Perhaps most important is that our mission statement was developed early in the school’s life and has served as our compass and continues to be honored without exception by the church leadership, Board of Trustees, faculty, and staff as we seek to continue to raise the level of excellence in developing our young people.

Recently, the school has welcomed the challenge of increasing its profile. We are now well known by an increasingly wider community that sees our uncompromising commitment. But, one of our biggest challenges is the ongoing need for facilities.

Rapid growth over the years has continued to put pressure on just keeping up with the basic need of quality classroom space, much less additional, enhanced facilities.

Our Legacy campaign is an important first step of an exciting long range facility plan that is now in place to address facility issues. I am confident that our school community will see how the plan meets the needs of the school and will embrace it.

It is my prayer that reaching these goals will become a highlight of our legacy.

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FEATURES

Countless Changes with a Lasting Mission

BY LISA BARLOW, CDS ADMISSIONS DIRECTOR

It was the very first faculty meeting at Covenant Day School. All eleven teachers met in the A Building Lunch Room with founding Head of School Barrett Mosbacker, wondering what to expect. They knew that this first year would be crucial to the entire life of Covenant Day School.

Twenty-five years later, over 140 employees meet in various locations for faculty meetings, Look at how much CDS staff meetings, administrative has changed over the meetings, fine arts meetings, past 25 years! Notice mentoring meetings, and the height of the trees coaches’ meetings. And as we and our former athletic fields across the have all learned, every year is parking lot. crucial to the life of Covenant Day School.

Every child is special; every family has a story, and every decision we make as a school must be well thought out and bathed in prayer.

So many things have changed since that first year. Our first kindergartners are now thirty years old. During their kindergarten year, there were no computers on campus; no one had cell phones. There were no smart boards; we had no library, and the tiny parking lot was gravel. The Head of School had to move the church’s cribs out of his office every Monday morning since it doubled as an infant nursery on Sundays. We now have more families, more employees, more programs, and more buildings.

And yet, where it matters, nothing has changed. Our mission is still to assist Christian families. We still provide an education marked by academic excellence and a biblical worldview. We are still in the business of equipping and preparing young men and women to go out into the world and serve their King. We are still fully committed to making sure that academics and spiritual training are never compromised.

The faculty doesn’t meet in the tiny lunchroom any more, but their meetings haven’t changed much in twentyfive years. Teacher goals today are essentially the same as they were in 1989—to train children to think Christ’s thoughts and to equip young men and women to defend the truth and share it with the world.

Lisa Barlow has served at Covenant Day School since its inception in 1989. She is currently the Director of Admissions, but her roles over the past 25 years have included parent volunteer, general music teacher, band director, health teacher, and bible teacher.

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Covenant Day’s History in the Making Covenant Day School is founded as a ministry of Christ Covenant Church. In 1989, CDS served grades K-5 and added grades 6-9 one at a time over the next five years. Barrett Mosbacker served as the first Head of School.

1989 1991 1994

Groundbreaking on Building C

1992

CDS adds its first library - the size of a closet

CDS adds middle school band & chorus

1993 1997

CDS gets its first bus

Groundbreaking on Christ Covenant Worship Center

1996

CDS hosts its first ArtFest

2002 CDS welcomes its second Head of School, Maren Halvorson

2005

CDS completes its new high school building, adds 12th grade, and joins the Metrolina Athletic Conference

2003 CDS celebrates the groundbreaking of its first high school building and adds 10th grade

2006 2009 2011

2000

First Community Heroes Celebration

2004 CDS joins the Southern Piedmont Athletic Association and adds 11th grade

CDS celebrates its first graduating class

CDS adds Transitional Kindergarten

CDS adopts a new logo and Warner Park Athletic Fields receive new baseball, softball, and soccer fields

2012

CDS welcomes its third Head of School, Mark Davis, and This Green Fish is founded

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2014

CDS joins the Charlotte Independent Schools Athletic Association and begins its Legacy campaign COVENANT CLASSIC | 2014

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FEATURES

From Covenant College to Covenant Day

BY KELLY KEESLING, CDS WEB COORDINATOR

Twenty-five years ago, Lori Myers and Sherry Dixon were students at Covenant College near Chattanooga, Tennessee. During their senior year, they applied for teaching positions all over the Southeast. Each of them received a job offer from a brand new school in Matthews, North Carolina—Covenant Day School.

After praying individually, they both believed God was leading them to Covenant Day. In August of 1990, Lori and Sherry pulled up to the Matthews school in a U-Haul jammed full of supplies, filling their classrooms with decorations, games, and projects as they each prepared for their first class.

Sherry would be teaching 2nd grade; Lori, kindergarten.

When Sherry and Lori arrived, there was only one classroom building (the B Building). The A Building housed the school’s gym and Christ Covenant Church’s worship space. At the time, CDS was only one of about ten private schools in the area. A spot at CDS was hard to get and parents would even spend the night waiting in line to get a spot for their children.

The library was just a closet in what is now the teacher’s lounge area in the B Building, consisting of one wall of wooden shelves and a very narrow path. “Only four kids could fit in the ‘library’ at a time, so they would have to take turns going in to read books,” Sherry recalls. “It’s amazing,” Lori added, “how we have gone from a school with a little closet library to one that is affecting and impacting the entire world through our aquaponics program.”

One thing Sherry and Lori remember most about that first year was that most of the teachers were young and single so “there was a lot of camaraderie.” They were always in and out of each other’s classrooms. Sherry remembers, “We were always encouraging each other, always talking and bouncing ideas off of each other.

We worked long hours because we had to make most things by hand. There were times when we would work late and order pizza together. We would also get together outside of school at times for a cheap dinner or to watch a rented movie.” As Lori put it, “The blessing of having a small school is the intimacy. The blessings of a larger school are the opportunities.”

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For field day, students were divided into teams representing all grades on a big field where Avington Place currently stands. They got to the field by walking on a path through the woods. The playground was a simple one-piece wooden structure in a field where the C Building is today.

Technology on campus has changed as well. When CDS first began, the teachers didn’t even have computers.

But in the last six years, every teacher has a laptop and most classrooms are fitted with smart boards.

Where the high school now stands were trees and a small SOAR soccer field. In 2003, we broke ground for Covenant Day’s first high school building. Lori recalls how powerful that moment was for the school family because they had been praying for it for a long time.

Twenty-one years ago, the school added the temporary modular units. With all the growth at CDS, the modulars have remained on campus. The Legacy campaign will allow teachers in each division to be together in permanent classrooms—another powerful answer to prayer.

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A Mountaintop Experience: Windy Gap

BY HANNAH BILLIARD ’14

6:30 a.m. I vaguely hear my alarm shrieking in the background of my dream and finally drag myself out of bed to cut off the annoying noise. For a second, I wonder to myself why in the world I am waking up at this hour. Then I remember—today I leave for Windy Gap. I feel a mix of emotions: sadness as I realize this is the last year I will get to participate in this tradition I have been a part of for seven years, annoyance as I think about the bus ride I am about to sit through, and excitement as I think about the zip line, Sippin’ Parlor, and swing — all Windy Gap staples.

I throw the remaining necessary items into my suitcase and sprint out the door, running late as usual. My sister Sarah and I barely make it in time to our bus, and we grab seats toward the back—the only two seats available.

As I stare out the window, I think back to my last six Windy Gap trips. From watching Mr. Tapp and Mr. and Mrs. Bonnema recreate Twilight in the County Seat, to going on the swing for the first time with Caroline McKissick, to feeling awestruck in the presence of performers Drew and Ellie Holcomb, I have made memories at Windy Gap that will stick with me the rest of my life. Reflecting back on these great memories causes me to wonder if there is any possible way that this year’s trip can top the laughter-filled retreats from my past.

When we finally arrive at Windy Gap, I am again amazed at how truly beautiful this place is. My eyes immediately fall on the focal point of the camp: the giant willow tree on the island in the center of Windy Gap’s lake. As I take in the slide, blob, and zip line, which reside in the reservoir, the sand courts immediately come into view. These courts hold a special place in my heart—they are the site of countless volleyball matches that occur during free time. Then I see the rest of the camp—the cabins, the County Seat, the dining hall, and the gym.

After we get situated in our cabins, everyone heads to the County Seat. As I sit down, I am ready to get this first meeting over with and eat some lunch. However, when a totally awesome band shows up on stage followed by a relevant and applicable speaker, my hunger is completely forgotten. Over the next two days, worship becomes the highlight of my trip—praising God with these amazing musicians is such an incredible feeling. In addition, the speaker discusses topics that feel directed toward me—topics like “Being a Martha” and “How to See God.” Not only is 2014’s Windy Gap trip an incredible time of growth for me spiritually, it is also a time in which I enjoy myself—by participating in a hilarious square dancing session, competing with my class in a rodeo, and laughing through hilarious skits during meals. I can honestly say that Windy Gap has positively influenced my life, and I am truly grateful to be a part of a school that makes such a fun and spiritually impactful retreat a priority.

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CDS NEWS (1) CDS Welcomes its Second High School Principal

Dr. Joel Uecker is beginning his first year as Covenant Day’s new High School Principal. Dr. Uecker comes to Covenant Day from Eastern Christian School in North Haledon, N.J. and has additional experience in Christian Education from Norfolk Christian Schools in Virginia and Great Hills Christian School in Texas. Dr. Uecker earned his doctorate in education with a concentration in K-12 Christian School Leadership from Columbia International University. He received a bachelor’s in psychology and kinesiology and a master’s in Clinical Psychology from Wheaton College.

(2) CDS Celebrates its 9th Graduating Class

The class of 2014 marked Covenant Day’s ninth graduating class. Dr. Ravi Zacharias delivered the 2014 Covenant Day School commencement address on Friday, May 30. CDS graduating seniors were accepted to nearly 100 colleges and universities including UNC-Chapel Hill, University of Virginia, Georgia Tech, Virginia Tech, Wake Forest University, NC State, The Citadel, Covenant College, and Wheaton College.

1 Dr. Uecker is pictured with his wife, Caron, and daughter, Audrey.

(3) Theater Students Prepare for Upcoming Musicals

Covenant Day School’s middle and high school theater students are busy preparing for this school year’s musical productions. Middle school students will perform The Little Mermaid, Jr. October 30 - November 1. The high school production will take place March 19 - 21. For times and ticket information, visit the ENEWS.

(4) Community Heroes Celebration Recognizes Heroes

This year marked Covenant Day’s 15th Annual Community Heroes Celebration. On September 10, the Covenant Day School and Christ Covenant Church communities joined together to honor our community heroes during a celebration service. Heroes included police, fire, and EMS personnel; active duty representatives of the U.S. military branches; retired military servicemen; members of the FBI and CIA; and area politicians. The event concluded with a receiving line where students could thank the heroes for their service.

(5) CDS Athletics Competes in the CISAA & GCMSAA

The 2014-2015 school year marks Covenant Day’s first year in new athletic conferences. Varsity and junior varsity teams have started competition in the Charlotte Independent Schools Athletic Association and middle school teams are competing in the Greater Charlotte Middle School Athletic Association. Our fall teams - cross country, boys soccer, girls tennis, and girls volleyball - have had a strong showing in the new conferences.

(6) CDS Students Named National Merit Semifinalists

Four Covenant Day high school seniors were named semifinalists in the 60th annual National Merit Scholarship program. They are among 16,000 outstanding high school seniors selected on the basis of their scores in the Preliminary SAT. CDS semifinalists include Amelia Brumwell, Mariah Harrelson, Brister Jones, and Joseph Yardley.

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2 Covenant Day School celebrated its 9th graduating class on Friday, May 30, 2014 with 70 seniors!

3 You won’t want to miss this year’s middle and high school musicals!

4 Covenant Day School honors our community heroes at the 15th Annual Community Heroes Celebration.

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(7) CDS Unveils New Master Campus Plan

On Monday, September 29, Covenant Day School kicked off its Legacy campaign. Legacy is the capital campaign to provide the financial foundation for Phase 1 of the school’s portion of the master plan. Through prayerful deliberations, the CDS Board has determined that the most compelling need for our school is to provide quality classroom spaces for all of our students in grades TK-12. For more information, visit www.covenantday.org/legacy.

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(8) CDS Celebrates 25 Years at Back to School Picnic

The CDS community joined together on Friday, September 12, for Covenant Day’s Annual Fall Picnic, hosted by the Parents Association. This year the PA went all out for the annual picnic. Activities included face painting, an obstacle course, volleyball, cornhole, and more fun games! Music was provided by a DJ while students were able to dunk their teachers in a dunk tank. In addition to great food from local food trucks, free popcorn and cake was provided to celebrate Covenant Day’s 25th Birthday!

Covenant Day School unveiled its Legacy campaign on September 29, 2014.

(9) CDS Students Paint Doors for World Habitat Day

Students in the Covenant Day Visual Arts program painted doors that were put on display in Matthews for World Habitat Day on October 4. The doors represented the importance of economical housing for all and were a way for CDS to interact with the Matthews community. These doors will also be used as decorations for the 25th Anniversary of Habitat for Humanity Uptown.

8 Students try to dunk Lower School Principal, Mr. Mark Helmer, in the dunk tank!

(10) CDS Senior Recognized by Congressman Robert Pittenger

On May 10, CDS senior Brister Jones was recognized by Congressman Robert Pittenger with the Congressional Award Bronze Medal. The Congressional Award is the U.S. Congress’ award for young Americans, recognizing students between the ages of 14 and 23 who have accomplished goals in areas of public service, personal development, physical fitness, and exploration/ expedition. CDS Assistant Principal Wade Tapp served as Brister’s advisor for the Congressional Award.

9 CDS students painted doors to be used as decorations for Habitat for Humanity.

(11) Booster Club Makes Impact on CDS Athletics

Approximately 70% of our high school students play at least one sport. The Booster Club works tirelessly to support CDS student athletes. Because of the support of the Booster Club, our teams benefit from the latest sports equipment, uniforms, professional coaches, and the Warner Park Athletic Fields! Fans benefit too with concessions and beautiful facilities to enjoy.

The Booster Club features a variety of membership levels, including a “Little Lions” level for families with only lower school students. To join today, visit www.covenantday.org/golions.

10 CDS senior Brister Jones was recognized by Congressman Robert Pittenger with the Congressional Award Bronze Medal.

SAVE DATE the

BOOSTER CLUB ANNUAL Golf ClassIC MAY 4, 2015 / Pine LAKE COUNTRY CLUB

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FINE ARTS

Behind the Scenes When high school classes began in 2004, Covenant Day began to devote more time to developing a Theater Program. Major productions early on included Little Women, Down to Earth, and Sleeping Beauty. Today, Covenant Day’s Theater Department is led by Charlene Thomas. Charlene has been at CDS since 2008 and holds a bachelor’s degree in music from Berklee College of Music and a master’s from Columbia University. Under her leadership, Covenant Day’s Theater Department has grown to produce two musical productions each year along with other dramatic productions, and students have won a variety of prestigious awards. In 2013, Covenant Day secured its first Blumey Awards appearance, and CDS student actor Evan Bertram was named Best Featured Performer.

2009 2010

CDS students perform You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown, Covenant Day’s first full musical production.

CDS Theater presents Bye Bye Birdie and joins Christians in Theatre Arts and the North Carolina Theatre Conference. CDS middle school performs its first full musical, Seussical, Jr. Parents of the cast actually made it rain for Covenant Day’s high school musical, Singin’ in the Rain, and middle school students dazzled the audience with their performance of Willy Wonka, Jr.

2011 2012 2013

In the spring, high school students presented the play, The Pink Panther, while middle school students entertained the CDS community with Mulan, Jr.

2014

High school students performed Curtains and received two Blumey Award nominations. Mark your calendars for this year’s middle school musical, Little Mermaid, Jr. on October 30 - November 1.

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CDS Theater secured its first Blumey Awards appearance and received nine award nominations with its high school musical of Beauty and the Beast. They also performed You Can’t Take it with You for their spring play. Middle school students performed Cinderella, Jr. The Theater Department also joined the International Thespian Society as troupe #7797.

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ATHLETICS

Building Champions

BY MARY HILL, CDS ATHLETIC ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT

In February of 2009, the Covenant Day Varsity Boys Swim team competed in the NCISAA State Championship in Cary, NC. On the surface, this was nothing new; the team had been part of a winning tradition already, having claimed back-to-back championship titles in 2007 and 2008. What had changed was that Covenant Day had just made the jump from being a 2A school to joining the 3A ranks, comprised of the largest schools in the state association.

As the team took the blocks for the final relay, they knew they were poised to make history as the first Covenant Day team to win a 3A State Championship. With a relatively small core group of swimmers in comparison to their competitors, they hit the water and let adrenaline and muscle memory take over. When they emerged from the pool, the victory was sealed and the celebration began.

The team itself had spent months training, logging many hours in the pool as well as on the team bus to and from their off-campus practice venue. These long hours together forged a bond that allowed the team to develop a winning mentality. Former Coach Sarah Haggard fostered a family-style environment that encouraged swimmers to rely on each other and to spur one another on in their quest for the 3A state title. They learned to balance academics and athletics, developing a discipline that served the team well.

Though several members of the team were year-round swimmers who practiced daily with their club teams, they made the commitment to be a part of the CDS team.

This dedication to becoming a part of something bigger than one’s self is a concept on which school athletics is built. As 2009 State Championship swimmer John Kempf said, “We were all there for each other; no one swam for himself. That was the best part of the whole experience; all of the state records, championships and rings were simply a bonus.”

Members of the 2007 Championship Boys Swimming Team include Adam Boone, Hunter Rowan, Ethan Rowan, John Kempf, Hayes Wilkerson, Charlie Goforth, Caleb Ernsberger, Luke Cooper, and Will Johnson.

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ALUMNI NEWS

25 ALUMNI

This year marks Covenant Day’s 10th graduating class. Our graduates have been staying busy with graduate school, careers, weddings, volunteering, and more.

Check out what some of our alumni are up to!

BRITTANY STOUT (’13) After CDS, Brittany traveled to four different countries with Adventures in Missions World Race Gap Year program. She worked with missionaries in a variety of ministries. Next stop?

Covenant College to major in Community Development!

Michael is MICHAEL WOODY pursuing (’06) his PhD in Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics at the University of Pennsylvania where he was awarded a National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program grant. Prior to pursuing his doctorate, Michael worked as the Head of the Science Department at Korea International Christian School in South Korea.

Mallory spent nine months studying in Japan before landing a job as a Language Project Specialist at Choice Translating.

She oversees the branding department and serves as the in-house Japanese and culture MALLORY BARLOW (’07) translator consultant.

JONATHAN DABBS (’14)

Jonathan received the Grove City College Trustee Scholarship and is a percussionist in the orchestra at Grove City College. While at CDS, Jonathan was in the band and helped bring aquaponics technology to Haiti.

SHARE YOUR STORY Let us know about the milestones in your life weddings, births, honors, awards, mission trips, and promotions! Submit your updates online at www.covenantday.org/alumni for our Class Notes section in the Spring Magazine!

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Katy Foltz (’09)

Katy is pursuing her masters degree in geology at Oklahoma State University. She is a Research Assistant in the Geology Department and has recently completed a summer internship at Noble Energy Inc. in Houston.

Chapman Silander (’08)

KRISTIN KEARNS MICKEY (’06) Kristin is one of Covenant Day’s first “lifers.” She lives with her husband, Ryan Mickey, and son, Silas, in Decatur, GA.

Laura Gennings (’09)

Chapman will be running in the 2014 NYC Marathon with Grant Johnston (’09) to benefit the Pat Tillman Foundation. He currently works at Regions Financial Corporation as an Analyst for the Energy and Natural Resources Group.

Laura founded a New Leaf Foundation in 2007, a nonprofit that helps low income families turn over a new leaf financially and spiritually. She recently finished her Masters in Accounting at UNC-Chapel Hill and is back in Charlotte working as a Tax Consultant.

Visit www.newleaffound.org for more information about her nonprofit.

WWW.COVENANTDAY.ORG

LAUREN VILLARREAL (’08)

KJ is a member of the collegiate cheer Large Coed team at NC State. He also volunteers with Cru where he is able to serve students on campus as well as attend a weekly Bible study. KJ is KJ Fon-Ndikum (’13) majoring in Statistics and Economics.

Lauren works for Charlotte Area Young Life. In June she traveled to Tanzania with Young Life Expeditions and witnessed 300 students meet Jesus. She also climbed Mount Kilimanjaro and was presented a certificate from the Tanzania Government recognizing her summit.

Parker is interning in L.A. at Warner Bros Records in the digital marketing department. He is assisting the department with building strategies for WBR’s summer releases, including many top artists. Last summer he interned at Atlantic Records in New York City under the SVP of Sales, gaining additional experience in the music industry.

Chad Hite, a medical sales representative, volunteers with the Urban Ministry in Charlotte. Chad is involved in the Room In The Inn program where homeless men are given a place to stay the night and a hot meal during winter months.

Mary Frances Roberts (’08)

CATHERINE CROUCH, APRIL MILLER, SADIE PUGH (’13) PARKER ULRY (’10)

Chad Hite (’09)

Catherine, April, and Sadie started their own business, Lilacs and Co., as juniors at CDS. Although they now attend three different colleges, their business is stronger than ever!

In addition to selling their bow ties at college events and the Queens Cup Steeplechase, they are now creating custom bow ties to match wedding colors. All three alumnae are involved in sororities on campus. Catherine and Sadie are also Young Life leaders, and April is involved in Campus Crusade.

Mary Frances has dedicated countless hours volunteering with kids throughout college. She is now a PRN Child Life Specialist at Levine Children’s Hospital and works to help children and their families overcome life’s most challenging events.

BETHANY HAINES (’09)

Bethany has recently returned to the Carolinas to teach first grade at Westminster Catawba Christian School in Rock Hill, SC after spending a year teaching second grade in Florida. For Bethany, her experience at Covenant Day School has impacted her as a teacher. “The faculty at CDS invested in me over the course of my two short years at CDS as they did with any other student who had been at CDS since kindergarten,” she said. “As a teacher myself, I seek to care about the individual students in my classroom in the same way that the faculty and staff cared for me at CDS.” WWW.COVENANTDAY.ORG

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ALUMNI NEWS BRIAN GROVES (’08) and OLIVIA HYATT GROVES (’09)

CHRIS CHASE (’13) After spending a week in Nicaragua with Bless Back Ministries, Chris, a biology major at Wofford, was moved to intensify his pursuit of a medical degree. He recently earned his North Carolina EMT licensure and a national certification. He plans to work with the EMS in the Matthews and Spartanburg areas to gain experience in the medical field.

HUNTER ROWAN (’11)

Brian and Olivia were married on February 1, 2014. Brian completed his BS in Aerospace Engineering from Virginia Tech and a MS in Aerospace Engineering from NC State and is currently a Research and Development Engineer at Controls Southeast, Inc. in Pineville. Olivia works as an Account Coordinator at WebsiteBiz , a Digital Marketing Agency in Charlotte. In 2007, as a junior at CDS, Olivia earned her pilot’s license.

She spent time working for FlyCarolina before transitioning into the advertising and public relations field. Brian and Olivia serve together at Threshold Church in Matthews, NC.

While continuing his academic studies for the United States Merchant Marine Academy, Hunter spent 332 days at sea sailing on various U.S. Flagged Vessels. He has visited 9 different countries ranging from the Mediterranean, Northern Atlantic, and the Gulf of Mexico. He serves as the Platoon Commander at the Academy and is the Men’s Varsity Swimming and Diving Team Captain.

SPENCER HUTCHINSON (’14) HILLIARY ADAMS (’10) A Biomedical Engineering major, Hilliary graduated Magna Cum Laude and held multiple leadership positions during her time at Clemson. She recently moved to Philadelphia and is working at Globus Medical as an Associate Project Engineer. She is a part of the product development division that designs new spinal medical devices and maintains existing products already on the market.

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HAYES WILKERSON (’10) Hayes was a team captain for the Wheaton College Varsity Men’s Swim Team. He helped lead the team to a Conference Championship Title, was named CCIW Men’s Swimmer of the Week, and is a school record holder.

He currently works as a Financial Analyst at Kimberly-Clark. On Sundays, he leads a children’s Sunday school class at his church.

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Spencer is in his freshman year at Cedarville University. He is a member of the Cedarville University men’s baseball team and is pursuing a BS in Exercise Science. Spencer is also an Eagle Scout and is a small group leader at his church.

LEO BARCLEY (’10)

While at Covenant College, Leo was the Vice President of the Rugby Club and volunteered at a local church teaching ESL. He is now at NC State pursuing a degree in Civil Engineering.

WWW.COVENANTDAY.ORG

ALUMNI CAMPAIGN NEWS LEGACY As we look back on the historic milestones of our school and God’s faithfulness, we remain committed to providing our students an education that is marked by a biblical worldview and academic excellence.

This past year, a master campus plan was developed by the CDS Board of Trustees to address facility needs for future generations of CDS students and families. The focus of the plan is on placing our students in facilities that will best suit their learning needs for today and tomorrow. Legacy is the capital campaign that will provide the financial foundation for Phase 1 of the school’s portion of the master plan: providing quality classroom space for all students in grades TK – 12. The Legacy campaign supports these three strategic initiatives:

Build a new facility to support a high school of 450+ students

Constructing a new high school will provide space for 450+ students. The new facility of approximately 56,000 square feet will allow for optimal growth of the high school student body and overall development of our curricular and co-curricular programs.

Relocate our middle school into the current high school building

Moving our middle school into the current high school building will provide larger classroom space, wider hallways, excellent science labs, guidance space, and a media center for our middle school students. We also have a growing need to develop our middle and high school PE and athletic programs, and as a result, a fitness room addition will be built here.

Eliminate the modular classrooms

Providing permanent classroom space for our lower school students will help maintain our vision for a comprehensive and innovative Christian education. The construction of the new high school and relocation of the middle school will enable Building B and Building C to be utilized for all lower school classroom instruction and will eliminate the need for modular classrooms. In addition, Building C will have improvements made to the Harbor for theater/music program needs and to the current Fireplace Room for dining hall needs. Building B will receive cosmetic upgrades, and the lower school playground will be relocated to be more accessible to our lower school students. Future Phase II plans for the lower school include the construction of a new, two-story addition to Building C, moving all lower school students under one roof.

Visit www.covenantday.org/legacy to check out a video of our new Master Campus Plan!

WWW.COVENANTDAY.ORG

funding goal: $14 MILLION

We understand that determining your level of financial support to the Legacy campaign is an important decision.

We ask that you pray about making a sacrificial gift in support of this opportunity for students today and for future generations.

For more information about the Legacy campaign including a video, pictures, and naming opportunities, visit us online! www.covenantday.org/legacy COVENANT CLASSIC | 2014

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