Classic Magazine - Spring 2017

INSIDE:

SPRING 2017

> Exploring Solar Energy > Alumni Features > Arts & Athletics > Seniors Leave Legacy Before Graduation

Board of Trustees, 2016-2017 Jody Billiard, Chairman Don Moseley, Vice Chairman Jonathan Byrd, Treasurer John Haines, Secretary Carolyn Airing Danny Church Land Hite Caroline Kelly Brian Peterson Rich Protasewich Anne Rogers

Head of School Mark Davis

Editor/Designer, Classic Megan Fair

Contributing Writers

Mark Davis, Janet Grimmer-Kempf, Sherry Kapelar, Brendan Osbourn, Carlee Pierce, Libby Rau, Mary Claire Warren

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

Send Class Notes to:

Linda Glass, lglass@covenantday.org

Mission Statement 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.

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.

CDS QUICK LINKS Athletics: www.covenantday.org/golions ENEWS: www.covenantday.org/enews Arts: www.covenantday.org/arts Give Online: www.covenantday.org/give Magazines: 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

Check out more pictures of The Wizard of Oz on page 15.

FEATURES 4-5 Building a Sustainable Aquaponics System 6-7 Seniors Leave Legacy Before Graduating 8-9 Passion Inspires Teachers 10 Exploring Solar Energy 11 Supporting our Community Heroes 14 Such Stuff as Dreams Are Made Of 17 Lions Spotlight ON THE COVER Covenant Day students and staff toured Italy over spring break! Read about their trip on page 13.

in this ISSUE ARE YOU A CDS ALUM? Staying connected is easy!

Visit covenantday.org/alumni to complete the Alumni Connections Form.

DEPARTMENTS 2 From the Head of School 12 Classic News Briefs 14 Arts 16 Athletics 18 Alumni News

FROM THE HEAD OF SCHOOL

Dear CDS Community, Welcome to the latest edition of the Classic. As you explore the pages of our biannual magazine, I want to encourage you to reflect upon our hopes and goals for our students and graduates of Covenant Day School as stated in Covenant Day’s Portrait of a Graduate.

By God’s grace, as ambassadors for Christ, our graduates are (being) equipped to represent Him well in academics, athletics, and/or fine arts. They are prepared to be salt and light for God’s glory within and across cultures throughout their lives.

As I consider this segment of our Portrait of a Graduate, I recognize the great responsibility and privilege our teachers and staff have in presenting our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, to our students on a daily basis.

Someone once said that every teacher possesses a metaphorical pen upon which they write upon the heart tablet of each child as they pass by them every day. I am thankful that our teachers are writing upon the hearts of our students about our Savior as each class is taught, as each production is directed, and on each field students are coached.

This goal, as stated in our Portrait of a Graduate, is becoming increasingly countercultural. In a day and age in which radical individualism is being sought out at each and every societal turn, the brilliant beacon on the hill, Jesus Christ, calls us to a selfless life of love for our neighbors and triune God. The life of humility, modesty, thirsting for righteousness, demonstrating mercy, and being pure of heart and conscience is the way of our Savior.

Join me in being a thankful people who are grateful for the Lord and His ways and that our children are being taught His Truth about His world and His ways.

Sincerely,

Mark Davis Head of School

READ OUR PORTRAIT OF A GRADUATE WWW.COVENANTDAY.ORG/WHOWEARE

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FROM THE DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT

The Gala

Pictured: Student performers (left) and high school art live auction item (right)

On November 12, we gathered together as a school community for our fifth gala and auction. I have had the privilege of being part of this event since the inaugural gala in 2004. The event has grown from 65 attendees to more than 300.

Over the years, the gala has raised more than $500,000 for various school programs.

Le Méridien proved to be an excellent venue for our community to come together and celebrate this year’s focus: the arts at Covenant Day. The uptown vibe was felt throughout the evening as guests mingled and chatted during the silent auction. Gone were the days of handwritten bid sheets and cumbersome programs. This year’s gala was high tech! Mobile bidding allowed for a streamlined check-in and check-out process. Guests were able to select favorite items and place a bid, then move on to look at other items while visiting with friends. The room was buzzing with phones notifying attendees of their latest bid status. It was a fun and exciting atmosphere.

Entertainment was a highlight for our guests. CDS artist and teacher, Katie Spata, completed a painting while a string ensemble entertained guests as they perused the silent auction items. Our musicals were showcased with Covenant Day’s production of Beauty and the Beast playing while guests were guided to their tables by students dressed as forks and spoons singing “Be Our Guest.” Covenant Day’s a cappella groups, Chordially Yours and No Strings Attached, joined forces for a show-stopping performance of “Na Na Na” by Pentatonix. The evening was a great showcase of Covenant Day’s talented arts community!

At each gala, I am always excited to see what the hot ticket item will be during the live auction. Who knew high school parking spots would be so valuable? But more importantly, I am humbled by the group of volunteers who worked tirelessly on the gala committee to make this event a success. Year after year, I have seen a group of dedicated parents, faculty, and staff come alongside one another to make the current gala better than the last. This year’s gala was no exception!

We thank everyone who attended and participated by donating their time, talents, and treasures. Together as a community, we raised more than $147,000 for the arts!

Sincerely, Janet Grimmer-Kempf Director of Development WWW.COVENANTDAY.ORG

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SUSTAINABLE AQUAPONICS SYSTEM IN GRAND GOAVE, HAITI Written by Carlee Pierce, CDS Senior

In the fall, a team of two teachers and two students traveled to Mission of Hope International (MOHI) based in Grand Goave, Haiti, to continue to develop the aquaponics system that was built several years ago. The aquaponics system in Haiti is currently about the size of the system located on the Covenant Day campus. Covenant Day’s aquaponics project was born after the 2010 earthquake when CDS teacher Clifford Chin and several teams from CDS went to Haiti to assist with relief work. The first system was built in Jeremie, Haiti, which allowed for the aquaponics project to develop.

The goal of this past trip was to do research and gain measurements to create a larger aquaponics system at MOHI in the future. The team also desired to build relationships with the staff at the site in Haiti. Covenant Day’s team included sophomores Keller Jones and Connor Westover, CDS teachers Tim Blumenstein and Rusty Randles, and Connor’s mom, Veronica. With the help of Lex and Renee Edme, founders of MOHI, the team was able to measure two areas: one back-to-back with the original aquaponics system Covenant Day had previously built and another across the street in a small village next to Lex’s block factory. This research is the start of a longterm partnership with MOHI with the goal of creating an aquaponic industry in the designated areas.

Because of this opportunity, Covenant Day is launching a class in the fall to gain momentum on building the systems in Grand Goave. “Phase one is having a course next year so a team of students can go to Haiti to build and design,” said Mr. Blumenstein. “Then, phase two is to outfit the whole field to have an industry.” The process of getting to this exciting spot has not been without its challenges, but it is apparent to the whole team that God graciously opened many doors to allow for this new partnership.

Though this trip was primarily based on brainstorming and development, another key component was the opportunity the team had to build relationships and gain valuable experiences from a different culture. The team witnessed many deep struggles experienced in Haiti and returned with thoughts and revelations. Keller shared in a high school chapel that the amount of poverty and ruin was a major shock to her. She spoke to how God has a plan for each of us, despite the great amounts of pain that many experience.

This truth is especially relevant as this project is gearing up. God has allowed for Covenant Day to build incredible relationships and have many unique opportunities. This partnership needs extensive prayer and support as it begins its long and meaningful journey.

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FEATURES

SENIORS LEAVE LEGACY BEFORE GRADUATING Written by Mary Claire Warren, CDS Senior

The final senior Bible project has always been a staple in Covenant Day’s high school curriculum. In the past, seniors wrote an extensive research paper about how Covenant Day and other outside sources have shaped their faith. This year, however, the senior project has transformed into something much more personalized and encouraging for the students. At the beginning of the school year, Covenant Day seniors were prompted to choose a project that allowed them to explore an area of interest and to make relevant and practical connections to Covenant Day’s Portrait of a Graduate. During this year-long project, students documented their research and experiences in an online digital portfolio that was presented to their classmates and teachers.

HELPING THE HOMELESS INSPIRING CHILDREN THROUGH ART

Art has always been a source of encouragement and inspiration for seniors Catherine Pierce, Maggie Barcley, Frances Cauthen, and Julia Haynes. Through their senior project, these students were able to plan and conduct a weekly art class at Brookstone School. They taught 16 children for six weeks, encouraging them to demonstrate their creativity and use their talents in a way that glorifies God. When asked why they chose this particular project, Catherine explained, “We all felt as though art would be the best way for us to leave an impact during our senior year because we all have a passion for art and using it as an outlet to connect with God and glorify Him.” These seniors all agree that their intention of building relationships and encouraging a younger generation to grow in their faith was met. “The overall experience was an incredibly productive one, and I think we accomplished all that we wanted to and more,” Catherine said. “I definitely prefer doing this over an essay because I felt like I learned a lot that I couldn’t have learned through research. Working with kids and coordinating with my group and the administration at Brookstone gave me a taste of the compromises of real life.”

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Jack Allen felt called to commit his project to his passion of helping the homeless.

As a student in a private school who lives in a wealthy area, Jack admitted that it is sometimes difficult to understand the immense poverty that some people face. Jack decided to invest some afternoons into serving food to the homeless with Second Harvest Food Bank while creating relationships. Additionally, Jack visited Church on the Street. “This is a ministry that meets early–and I mean early–on Sunday mornings to serve breakfast uptown to those in need and to share a message with them about Jesus and the love that He has for them.” Jack emphasized the fact that although there are many ways we should be helping those in need around the world, our own city is often overlooked by us.

He went on to explain that one of his biggest influencers in committing to this project was Matthew 25:35-40, which encourages us to feed, house, and clothe those who are in need and that if we do it to the least of these, we have done it to Him. “I truly believe that this project will have a major impact on the senior year of those who partake in it.”

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SEEING GOD IN NATURE The new format of the senior project was created to give students a way to incorporate the things they are genuinely interested in with their faith. Renner Murphy decided to focus on her love for nature for her senior project. She took people out to the farm where she works or on a hike and asked them how they perceived the environment around them. “Nature is where I feel closest to God and see His work most clearly. I was interested to see other people’s perceptions of it and compare them to my own,” Renner said. Through this project, Renner’s hope was that she could show people how our society has been drifting from the natural world and how that can be unhealthy. When asked how she felt about this particular style of the senior project, Renner said, “I really enjoy that this project is so much more hands on. You can write a paper for any class, but to be able to go out and speak with people and gather information and actually invest in something is very unique.”

FAITH & BASKETBALL Christian VanDeVelde, who just finished his final season on the Covenant Day varsity basketball team, used his love of sports as a way to encourage kids in their faith. For his senior project, Christian prepared and gave a sermon to a group of kids that attend Yes I Can, a secular organization that coaches children between the ages of 8 and 15 on their basketball skills. Yes I Can works in and out of several locations, including Covenant Day’s gym.

Through this project, Christian was able to exemplify his skills as a public speaker, talk about his faith, and share his love for basketball with youth who have the same passion. “I hope that I touched at least one player’s life with my sermon and taught him or her the value of courage and faith in the Lord,” he said. “I loved doing this because I love kids and this was a great opportunity to spread the Gospel and the love of God to players who may not be Christians.”

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FEATURES

Passion Inspires Teachers to Act Outside the Classroom Written by Libby Rau, CDS Senior

WE’RE WRITERS, TEAMMATES, ACTORS, ROBOTICS ENGINEERS, VOLUNTEERS, AND THE LIST GOES ON! BUT WHAT ABOUT THE TEACHERS WE INTERACT WITH DAILY WHO EMPOWER US TO PURSUE OUR PASSIONS? WHAT HAVE THEY BEEN UP TO?

The Voice Behind CDS Stories A father of two, basketball lover, and pun enthusiast, Wade Tapp provides vibrancy and structure in the high school every day through his positions as student life director and Bible teacher. Mr. Tapp’s most recent venture is spearheading Covenant Day’s new weekly podcast, CDS Stories. When asked about the purpose of the podcast, Mr. Tapp shared that, “As our school has grown, different community members sometimes feel less connected to each other, so it’s a way to bring important values and stories to different stakeholders.”

In order to foster this unity, Mr. Tapp has been interviewing a range of individuals from students to teachers to alumni, seeking interesting stories that will engage the whole community. Because Covenant Day students and parents are such a large part of his audience, Mr. Tapp hopes the podcast series is not only entertaining, but “makes them feel more connected and that they come to a better appreciation of the values that Covenant Day has and what we esteem as important.” Thanks to Mr. Tapp’s initiative and creativity, the school community can now be more connected than ever.

LISTEN TO CDS STORIES

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Reader, Writer, and Thinker

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Rejoicing over Owls

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Thoreau and the Gift of Being

by Stephen Mitchell Walden Pond

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C H I S TImages IA N Denis Tangney Jr. R / Getty

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“Rejoicing Over Owls: Thoreau and the Gift of Being.”

British literature and AP Language teacher Stephen Mitchell’s article, “Rejoicing Over Owls,” was recently published in the Christian Research Journal (CRJ). Mr. Mitchell has been writing for the CRJ for five years and has contributed a number of articles on Dostoyevsky, Hemmingway, and Camus (just to name a few) to the journal’s esteemed repertoire. When asked what made him so passionate about literature, he stated, “Literature was to me the subject of the most interesting questions of human existence.” Mitchell went on to recall Thomas Hardy’s The Convergence of the Twain that fostered his appreciation for literature in college. Indeed, this appreciation certainly has gone on to manifest itself in clever and insightful ways through Mr. Mitchell’s most recent work,

“As I reread Thoreau’s work, I wanted to talk about his love of the natural world—understand it as a gift—but also maybe where he was naive about how good humanity is intrinsically and perhaps too cynical about human beings collectively,” Mr. Mitchell said. “Thoreau was quite optimistic about human beings as individuals but quite cynical about humans living together. One of the purposes of articles of CRJ is to try and introduce these thinkers and writers to interested Christian readers.”

Mr. Mitchell also expressed what he thought students could take away from the article as well, saying, “Maybe the fact that Thoreau is complicated makes him interesting. The fact that he questions what so many of us take for granted makes him worth reading.”

Needless to say, the Covenant Day community is proud to have a teacher, thinker, and writer like Mr. Mitchell. As he works diligently on pursuing his Ph.D. and teaching in the high school, Mr. Mitchell continues to make time for some of the simple things he loves: tea, reading, and swimming.

Building Community in the Middle School This past October, middle school science teachers Rachael Snelgrove and Amanda Wasielewski had the opportunity to attend the Association for Middle Level Educators Annual Conference in Austin, Texas. Not only did they collaborate with other teachers and administrators, but they presented on building community in middle school and interdisciplinary collaboration projects. Mrs. Wasielewski talked about Windy Gap, grade level challenges within chapels, and advising times in order to flesh out how the Covenant Day middle school builds community, while Mrs. Snelgrove discussed two collaboration projects. She focused on a sixth grade virus project that incorporates science, history, and language arts and a seventh grade project that revolves around the book Left for Dead. “We would definitely like to incorporate more interdisciplinary collaborative projects in the future,” Mrs. Snelgrove said. “I think it brings out individual strengths in students. Looking at the same concepts through different lenses allows them to have a deeper understanding of the whole content.”

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FEATURES

exploring

SOLAR ENERGY

The Covenant Day Butterfly Garden has become a beautiful landmark on campus and has given students opportunities to learn in new, interactive ways. Covenant Day’s sixth grade STEM class has been tasked with building a solar powered irrigation system for the butterfly garden and they’re hard at work learning the ins and outs of solar energy.

In order to break down the ultimate goal of creating a solar powered irrigation system for the garden, middle school teacher Amanda Wasielewski and high school robotics team advisor Russ Eppley have started with lessons in electricity. Students recently completed solar powered cars and are beginning a smaller version of the irrigation system for the bog area of the garden.

This project has allowed students to learn about electricity, how solar energy works, using solar energy as a clean energy source, project-based learning skills, and understanding ways they can give back to the CDS community. “Students have really loved the solar cars,” Mrs. Wasielewski said. “Mr. Eppley and I have been thrilled to watch them learn as we go. We have been very intentional in letting them figure out problems and solutions as they work through project-based learning. The students have gone above and beyond our expectations.”

At Covenant Day, we are passionate about identifying ways to show students of all ages that they can make an impact on the world around them. “Often, students think they are too young to achieve anything beyond the regular everyday responsibilities,” Mrs. Wasielewski said. “This project is something that they will be able to look back on in years to come as a way they helped change their school for the better.”

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TK students with Matthews Police Chief Rob Hunter

SUPPORTING OUR COMMUNITY HEROES For nearly two decades, the Covenant Day community has looked for ways to show appreciation to our local heroes. This year, in addition to our annual Community Heroes Celebration and partnering with the police department during Doulos Day, our students and teachers have come up with creative ways to show our local officers that we are grateful for their service.

Covenant Day’s partnership with the Matthews Police Department offers lower school students the chance to actively give back throughout the school year. Each lower school class has been assigned several officers for whom they pray for and give treats to several times during the year. “It is vital for our public servants to know that they are appreciated, cared for, and prayed for on a continual basis,” project coordinator and teacher Caroline Orsillo said. “At times I can’t enter my office because there are so many treats for the cops! Students are learning that showing appreciation to those who protect us daily is important and that praying for someone whom they may not even know has great value.”

Additionally, Mrs. Orsillo has organized several larger projects that impact the entire lower school. During the Snacks for Cops Drive, students collected candy, trail mix, granola, chips, and other treats to create snack bags for the officers to take with them while they are on patrol or WWW.COVENANTDAY.ORG

in the office. Each bag also contained cards of well wishes and prayers. This year, students submitted a snack as their entry fee for the Turkey Trot. These stocked a Thin Blue Line Café during the weeks leading up to Christmas where officers could come by campus and pick up a drink or treat. Before the days of icy weather in January, cinnamon rolls and hot cocoa were delivered to officers at the police department. Later that month, several parents made pots of chili for lunch and brought them to the police department to show their appreciation and gratitude. On Valentine’s Day, parents and students partnered together to provide muffins and treat bags with notes of appreciation to officers. In the spring, officers were invited to campus for a BBQ lunch and ice cream social.

“The students have been very excited about this partnership,” Mrs. Orsillo said. “It has been a positive effort for the students and their families. Additionally, Chief Hunter and the officers have been most appreciative.”

Many of the officers stopped by campus to meet students during Turkey Trot to show their support. It has been such a rewarding partnership and we look forward to continue supporting our local community heroes!

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CDS NEWS ContainIt Hosts Sporting Clay Shoot Fundraiser (1)

On March 31, more than 120 people gathered together for ContainIt’s first Sporting Clay Shoot Fundraiser at Meadow Wood Farms. The event raised approximately $50,000 for ContainIt. The team is currently working on finishing the construction of three containers of the 14-container complex for Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota.

These include a family unit, a singles unit, and a kitchen/bathroom unit.

In May a team of students, faculty, and representatives from Edifice and Little and Associates will be traveling to Pine Ridge to deliver the three containers. The team will be working alongside the Lakota Native Americans on the reservation for final installation.

CDS Tri-M Music Honor Society Inducts New Members (2)

The Tri-M Music Honor Society is a program of the National Association for Music Education which focuses on creating future leaders in music education and music advocacy. Service is an important component of Tri-M and these students have served at CDS music programs and assisted at Charlotte Concert Band concerts. In January, the CDS chapter of Tri-M inducted seven new members: Elizabeth Ashley, Rachel Peterson, Hannah Tutton, Grayson Carter, Keller Jones, James Ormond, and Liz Yardley. Congratulations to these accomplished musicians!

Student Advances to State Level in DAR Essay Contest

Each year, Covenant Day AP U.S. History students compete in the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) American History Essay Contest. This year, Covenant Day sophomore Davis Troutman’s essay advanced beyond the district and regional levels to be named the top North Carolina essay. This marks the first time in school history that a Covenant Day student has advanced to the state level. This American History Essay Contest, open to high school students, was established to encourage young people to think creatively about our nation’s great history and to learn about history in a new light. This year’s essay prompt was “Technology’s Impact on the Voyage of Christopher Columbus.”

1 ContainIt hosted its first Sporting Clay Shoot Fundraiser on Friday, March 31 at Meadow Wood Farm.

2 The Covenant Day chapter of the Tri-M Music Honor Society inducted seven new members in January (pictured with Tri-M officers and CDS band teacher Megan Tuttle).

High School Students Host Live in the Student Commons (3) Live in the Student Commons is new to the high school this year and is organized by CDS International Thespian Society President, senior Brendan Osbourn, and senior Chris Johnson. Every quarter, students gather in the student commons during lunch to enjoy live music from their classmates. Students showcase their musical talents whether vocally or by playing a variety of instruments.

3 Seniors Brendan Osbourn and Chris Johnson created Live in the Student Commons this year for students to showcase their musical talents during lunch.

University of Georgia Gives CDS Positive Report (4)

Covenant Day recently received a much awaited health report from Odum School of Ecology at the University of Georgia. The report stated that all the monarch butterflies tested by our second and third grade students were free of Ophryocystis elektroscirrha (OE). OE is a debilitating protozoan affecting the monarch population and its eventual migration to Mexico. Our garden was carefully monitored, and eggs and caterpillars were collected to be observed by the classes involved. The efforts have paid off, and for the first time our butterfly samples were free of OE! As a result we have been asked to continue the partnership with the scientists as they make progress with their research.

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4 Congratulations to our young researchers for a positive report from Odum School of Ecology at the University of Georgia.

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Senior Recognized for Outstanding Achievement in Acting (5)

Covenant Day took home several awards during the North Carolina Theatre Conference (NCTC) in the fall. Students performed Like Silver Seven Times Refined and were judged and given feedback by a group of professional actors and directors. Senior Gabriel Moore received the Outstanding Achievement in Acting award and CDS drama teacher Rebecca Santrizos received the Excellence in Directing honor. Covenant Day’s performance of Like Silver Seven Times Refined received an excellent rating.

Sophomore Awarded Trip to Washington, D.C.

Congratulations to Covenant Day sophomore Dylan Gentner for being selected as a winner of the Congressional Seminar Essay Contest through the National Society of Colonial Dames of America. She will have the opportunity to attend an all-expenses paid, week-long seminar in Washington D.C. in June with winners from all over the United States.

Students Tour Italy During Spring Break (6)

Covenant Day students traveled to Italy over spring break to experience culture, history, and the sights. They began their trip in Venice, which is made up of 118 islands and 170 boat canals and learned about the art of blowing glass. After Venice, the group traveled to Florence where they watched a leather-making demonstration and climbed to the top of the famous Duomo (Santa Maria del Fiore) before making a one-day journey through Tuscany. They stopped in Siena to learn about ll Palio, a horse race that brings together the entire city twice a year. Traveling to Cortona, they were able to sit and enjoy the views seen in the movie, Under the Tuscan Sun. Assisi stunned them with its white and pink marble and its two cathedrals built in tribute to Saint Francis and Saint Claire. They traveled past Mt. Vesuvius to Sorrento, taking a boat to visit Capri and its beautiful waters. The afternoon was spent learning about the incredible history of Pompeii. The tour ended in Rome where students learned about the many layers of Italy while walking through the Roman Forum, the Coliseum, and visiting Vatican City. Next year, Covenant Day will visit Peru during spring break. Email Katie Spata at kspata@covenantday.org for details.

5 Senior Gabriel Moore (right) received the Outstanding Achievement in Acting award at NCTC.

6 A group of students, staff, and parents spent their spring break touring Italy.

2017 Spring Break Italy Trip

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ARTS

“Such Stuff As Dreams Are Made Of ”

Written by Brendan Osbourn, CDS Senior

The works of William Shakespeare are a major focus in the grand tradition of theater. From the philosophy of his words to the emotion of his characters, few writers, if any, have managed to match his pen, whether it be on stage, screen, or page. Shakespeare’s scripts are so beautiful and complex that it is still common to try to memorize and recite excerpts in order to improve oneself as an actor. In North Carolina there is an acting competition to see who can best recite a monologue from one of Shakespeare’s plays. This year, Covenant Day freshman Noelle Sylvia had the honor of attending this competition.

This year, Covenant Day held its first in-school Shakespeare competition, in which members of the various high school theater classes memorized and recited monologues in front of a panel of judges. The monologue had to be longer than 12 lines, but shorter than 20, and from one of Shakespeare’s 37 plays. “If we find that this competition is a positive experience for all involved, we will plan to open up this opportunity to the entire school in coming years,” Fine Arts Director SherieBeth Wilson said. Over a dozen students competed, and Noelle was chosen to attend the statewide competition at Wingate University in February. This is the first time in several years that Covenant Day has sent a student to the Shakespeare Competition, the signal of a renaissance within the theater department.

Once at the competition, Noelle was required to perform her monologue in front of a panel of judges for adjudication.

“It was a great experience and really fun,” Noelle said. “I was the only freshman there and so it was a really good learning time to see what next year would look like.” The winners of each individual panel session were then chosen to perform in front of an audience composed of all of the students competing that day. “My favorite part was watching the other monologues performed by the other students,” continues Noelle. “They really brought it, and it was so interesting to hear all the different ways people portrayed Shakespeare.”

Noelle has been involved in Covenant Day’s theater program since middle school and was a member of the cast of this year’s musical, The Wizard of Oz. She enjoys all forms of theater, but especially Shakespeare. “I like Shakespeare because he takes emotions that are felt and puts them into words. I love theater because I love taking a character and making it my own.”

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Houghton Singers Leave Students Inspired Traveling from Western New York, the Houghton Singers brought a unique experience to Covenant Day high school students during their 2017 Spring Tour. The a cappella ensemble, made up of undergraduate and graduate students at Houghton College, opened the morning with several popular secular songs and provided a Christian worldview on the songs, sharing how we can find God’s message of hope woven throughout the world. Following this performance, the Houghton Singers led our high school students in a time of worship.

During lunch, our choir and a cappella students attended a master class led by the Houghton Singers and their director, Kelly Van Kirk. Kelly worked with our students on loosening their body movement to help facilitate a great sound when performing. She also discussed the importance of enunciation and maintaining their energy level throughout the entire piece. Toward the end of the class, the Houghton Singers worked on a piece called “On My Way Home” and performed it together with our students. “This experience not only educated the students on vocal and music technique, but it helped inspire them on their journey as performers for the Lord,” Fine Arts Director Sherie-Beth Wilson said.

Merry Old Land of Oz

Covenant Day High School Presents The Wizard of Oz.

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ATHLETICS

FROM OUR ATHLETIC DIRECTOR I began my leadership role in the CDS Athletic Department in July 2016. The summer is typically the perfect time to begin a position in athletics since students are not on campus and the department seems to operate at a slower pace. I am proud to say we’ve created great momentum and have been running at full speed since I arrived!

A consistent theme for this school year has been growth. Covenant Day has fielded several new teams and added athletic trainers. We have also grown our digital presence by placing an emphasis on the quality, accuracy, and timing of information on our website. Our efforts to connect with our constituents have also increased through the use of social media, particularly Twitter. In addition: • • •

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Our new game schedule database feeds directly into our website so the website has the most accurate (real-time) information.

We have an app for mobile devices for keeping track of schedules, scores, and rosters.

We have created an athletics news page on the website so fans can keep up with the latest news about our athletes, teams, and coaches who have been recognized internally or by external organizations.

We have post-game recaps and coach bios published on each team page.

We tweet during games throughout the week to recognize the accomplishments of our athletes and coaches.

Finally, we have partnered with the Covenant Crazies to create The Coveys, our version of the ESPY awards. This event takes place after each season to recognize our JV and varsity teams. I am excited for the continued growth of our athletic department and am committed to continue recruiting and retaining highly qualified Christian coaches who are committed to our mission and core values.

Sherry Kapelar Athletic Director

MEET THE CRAZIES Written by Brendan Osbourn, CDS Senior

GROWTH FOR THE LIONS CDS added a MIDDLE SCHOOL FIELD HOCKEY TEAM this past fall with plans to add a varsity team next year.

MIDDLE SCHOOL BOYS LACROSSE has moved to interscholastic status and will be competing on the new on-campus field.

After taking a year off, CDS will field VARSITY BOYS GOLF this spring, giving us two boys golf teams (MS and varsity).

CDS made a big leap to start a FOOTBALL PROGRAM this past fall. Our inaugural team consisted of students in grades 7-9.

Next season, we anticipate fielding a MS team (7-8) and JV (9-11).

Due to the growing number of athletic teams, CDS has increased the number of ATHLETIC TRAINERS who are available on a daily basis.

Covenant Day’s school spirit is evident every day on campus, but nowhere does it roar greater than during the schoolwide pep rally.

Bleachers packed wall-to-wall with students of all ages, cheers echoing throughout the gym, friendly competition, and support for our athletic teams are the earmarks of this favorite event. But the pep rally is no spontaneous happening. It’s made possible by Covenant Day’s Covenant Crazies, a dedicated group of students who love CDS. Founded by alumni Chandler Bolles (’10) and Davis Toney (’11), the Crazies are a group of students who strive to be the resident “hype” men and women for Covenant Day. Each year, the group plans homecoming week and spirit week in addition to the pep rally, and also sets themes for the games and promotes them through social media. The Crazies also work with their advisor and the athletic department to organize the Coveys, Covenant Day’s athletic seasonal awards show. The next time you’re at a CDS athletic event, keep an eye out for this crazy group of students!

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Lions Spotlight

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1. Johnny Pu (9th) and James Jiang (10th) are in their first year at Covenant Day and were quick to get involved! They are both from China and are enrolled at Covenant Day through the New Oasis International Program. Not only has James excelled in the classroom, he competed on the basketball and lacrosse teams and plays the violin. Johnny, in addition to being a talented piano player, was a top-5 runner on the boys cross country team and also competed in basketball and track and field.

2. Four seniors on the CDS baseball team have committed to play baseball at the collegiate level. These student athletes are Heath McKay (Anderson University), Mitchell Cope (Anderson University), Eli Ellington (UNC Charlotte), and Ellison Byers (Catawba University).

3. Junior Katie Culpepper has not only made a difference in Covenant Day’s athletic program as a talented multi-sport athlete (softball and field hockey), but she also played the clarinet in the orchestra for The Wizard of Oz. 4. Senior Sarah Billiard was recognized for her accomplishments as a gifted basketball and volleyball player in Sports Illustrated’s “Faces in the Crowd.” Sarah will be attending the University of Virginia in the fall to play volleyball.

5. CDS teacher and coach Rachael Snelgrove has excelled in her role as the head coach for Covenant Day’s newest athletic program for girls field hockey. She recently earned her Level II Coaching Certification from the USA Field Hockey organization. Fall 2017 will mark Covenant Day’s first season with a varsity girls field hockey team.

WWW.COVENANTDAY.ORG

COVENANT CLASSIC | 2017

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ALUMNI NEWS

CLASS NOTES 2006

Lauren (Harvey) Batt married Jeremy Batt in September and they live in Charlotte.

2009

Kathryn started an architecture and interior design company, Khorner Design, LLC. Tyler Ramsland lives in Chicago and is engaged to Jenna Tippmann.

Brian and Olivia (Hyatt) Groves (‘09) welcomed their first baby, Boone Hyatt Groves, on March 7.

Lindsay (Holden) Herrington married Alex Herrington in November. They live in Charlotte and Lindsay works at TIAA.

2007

Jeremy Clayton and his wife, Julia, welcomed their first child, Charles Clayton, on December 26.

Will Horner married Kathryn (Mullinax) Horner (‘08) on August 17. Will works for Anadarko Petroleum as a geologist in Midland, Texas.

Arielle deBrun is engaged to Joe Crain III and they are planning a July 8 wedding.

COVENANT DAY WEDDINGS 1

Alexa (Smith) Reynoso is an account manager with Mosaic and won a chairman’s award for integrity this year out of a pool of 1,000 nominees.

1LT Daniel Martin was deployed to Afghanistan in January with the 6th Squadron, 1st United States Cavalry as part of Task Force Anvil, under Train Advise Assist Command-East, in support of Operation Freedom’s Sentinel.

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2008

Kathryn (Mullinax) Horner married Will Horner (’09) on August 17. Brian Schindler (’08) was their photographer.

JIMMY BLOOMS

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4 1. (Harvey) Batt (‘06) 2. (Holden) Herrington (‘06) 3. (Villarreal) Rothrock (‘11) 4. (Roberts) Ferguson (‘13) 5. (Cauthen) Williams (‘10) 6. (Mullinax) Horner (‘08, ‘09) 7. (Kleven) Fomin (‘10) Adams (‘16): Not Pictured

Since a young age, she’s always loved flowers and would make sure to learn the names of each and every one. Today, Covenant Day alumna Julie Ford (’07) has made a business out of her passions called Jimmy Blooms.

Since she created the business in the summer of 2014, Julie has been creating beautiful floral arrangements for weddings, gifts and sympathy, anniversaries, baby showers, large events, and more. She has also started selling flowers throughout the year at 7th Street Public Market in Uptown Charlotte. Additionally, she has been partnering with SkillPop in Charlotte to teach classes on flower crowns and floral arrangements. “I decided to take the risk and do something I love and figure out if I could make it a career as well,” she said. “It definitely wasn’t easy and there was a lot of work involved at the beginning as I had a fairly busy job at the YMCA for the first two years of my business. My dad always told me to go after my passion and make it my work, and that really stuck for me.”

For Julie, her faith has made a big impact on owning her own business. “I believe flowers are a symbol of growth, new beginnings or seasons, hope, and the Father’s love for us,” she said. “So, I strive to share that as best as I can through my business.” Julie started a fund called Flowerless Fund to raise money to provide free flowers for people who need them most. For more information, visit www.jimmyblooms.com.

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INSPIRING PEOPLE THROUGH HER PASSION FOR DANCE When she came to Covenant Day as a five-year-old, Amy Leonall (’11) had already been dancing for three years. She continued to dance while a student at Covenant Day and went on to earn her bachelor’s degree in dance performance at Oklahoma City University.

Amy continued to pursue her passion in dance as a Dallas Cowboy Cheerleader and dance instructor. This past summer, Amy stepped out in faith and co-founded Eminence Dance Complex in Roanoke, Texas. Her studio teaches tap, ballet, jazz, contemporary, modern, tumbling, drill team prep, stretch and conditioning, musical theatre, and leaps and turns to dancers of all ages. “I have the opportunity to run my own studio and instill the passion I found for dance at a young age into every student that walks through my front doors,” she said. “And those are the moments I continually cherish in my heart.”

For Amy, her time at Covenant Day as a “lifer” proved to be beneficial as she grew in her relationship with Christ. “The real world and life after high school and college can be scary,” she said. “But with the solid foundation in Christ I have and always knowing He is my Rock and my Savior, I can have zero fear of the future and what is to come. I am continually thankful for Covenant Day, where I was taught by my teachers what it means to be a true woman of Christ.”

2010

Leo Barcley is engaged to Jenna van Eyk and they currently live in Raleigh.

Julia (Cauthen) Williams married Hampton Williams on March 25.

Bethany (Lesh) Woolfolk and Andrew are proud parents of our first Covenant Day alumni twins! Ryan Robertson and Brady Lloyd were born on December 1.

Julia Cedarholm is engaged to Dylan Maloney and planning a May 28 wedding in Mooresville. They will continue to reside in Charlotte.

2013

McClain Cauthen will graduate this May and move to Nashville in August for the 2017 Nashville Fellows Program.

Carol Ann (Roberts) Ferguson married Teron Ferguson on New Year’s Eve at Loray Mill in Gastonia.

2011

Leah (Villarreal) Rothrock married Wade Rothrock on January 14 and they live in Charlotte.

2012

Katie Core is engaged to Daniel Reid.

Kveta (Kleven) Fomin married Mark Fomin on November 6 and they live in Charlotte.

Mary Melton is engaged to Stuart Lockhart and is currently working as an athletic trainer at Covenant Day. WWW.COVENANTDAY.ORG

Hunter Greer finished a design internship for Brooks Brothers in New York this past summer and graduated from Appalachian State in December with a communications major and a fashion design minor. He currently works at BB&T in High Point.

Lane Baker has completed an original museum exhibit “Imagining the Empress” as part of the Dumbarton Oaks Ephemera Collection.

2016

Griffin Adams married Londa English on March 11.

Sydney Robinson recently received an award from the College of Health and Human Performance at East Carolina for her excellent academic performance.

Caleb Ernsberger is currently deployed in the Middle East.

Justin Fisher got engaged to Elise Rosier on December 14.

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ALUMNI NEWS

ALUMNI EVENTS

CDS GRADUATION - CLASS OF 2017 FRIDAY, JUNE 2 AT COVENANT DAY

CLASS OF 2012 FIVE YEAR REUNION SATURDAY, JUNE 17 AT TYBER CREEK

CLASS OF 2007 TEN YEAR REUNION SATURDAY, JULY 29 AT CDS & HEIST

ALUMNI SOCCER SCRIMMAGE

FRIDAY, AUGUST 4 AT WARNER PARK

ALUMNI VOLLEYBALL SCRIMMAGE

THURSDAY, AUGUST 3 AT THE CDS MAIN GYM

HOMECOMING & ALUMNI DINNER FRIDAY, OCTOBER 13 AT WARNER PARK

COVENANTDAY.ORG/ALUMNI Alumni Parent Dinner

VISIT COVENANTDAY.ORG/ALUMNI FOR ADDITIONAL REUNION DETAILS 20

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Nearly 100 alumni parents joined together for the annual alumni parent dinner in the new high school student commons on January 26. This year’s dinner was hosted by Sue and Dave Hiller, Joy and Stephen Groves, and Wendy and Craig Birchfield. Parents from all 11 graduating classes were represented.

After a great meal and fellowship, parents were entertained by some of our talented students. The evening included performances from our new sixth grade choir, directed by Rose Davis, as well as from the lead roles of our high school musical, The Wizard of Oz. The evening wrapped up with a tour of the new high school.

WWW.COVENANTDAY.ORG

2017 IMPORTANT DATES August 18

August 21 August 21-23 August 22 August 23 August 23-25 August 25 August 27 August 31 September 1 September 4 September 5 September 7 September 20 October 2 October 6-9 October 11 October 13 October 19 October 20 October 23 October 26-28 October 31 November 3 November 3-4 November 8-10 November 9-10 November 10 November 17 November 22-27 December 7 December 14 December 15 Dec. 18-Jan. 2 January 3

MS/HS Student Orientation New Student/Parent Social Lunch Back to School Expo HS Windy Gap First Day of Classes for grades 1-8 TK/K Begins MS Windy Gap First Day of Classes for High School Convocation LS Back to School Night New Parent Breakfast Labor Day, No School HS Back to School Night MS Back to School Night Community Heroes Chapel HS Speaker Symposium Fall Break/Columbus Day, No School MS Parent/Daughter Breakfast Homecoming TK-12 Admissions Open House Faculty Professional Development, No School Lion’s Cup Tennis Tournament MS Musical Winter Sports Tryouts Begin MS Fall Social TK-12 Admissions Open House ERBs - Half Days for LS/MS TK-12 Parent/Teacher Conferences HS Students Only: No School Holiday Market Thanksgiving Holiday, No School MS/HS Band/Choir Concert LS Christmas Concert Half Day - Christmas Christmas Holiday, No School Faculty Professional Development, No School

For a complete list of CDS events, visit www.covenantday.org/calendar.

Please note that all events are subject to change.

Artwork by Daniela Dahlgren (11th)

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