The Path - Summer 2024

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THE PATH

The Epiphany School of Global Studies Alumni Magazine

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2301 Trent Road New Bern, NC 28562 2201 Henderson Avenue New Bern, NC 28560 252.638.0122 www.epiphanyglobalschool.org Head of School David Wang Assistant Head of School and Director of Global Education Sandra Haddock Director of Admissions Molly Ostmann Director of Athletics Matt James Director of Development Julia Connolly Director of Finance Nancy Coughlin Director of Lower School Calah Ronzheimer Director of Marketing Dare Oliver Director of Middle School Dr. Morgan James Director of Spiritual Life Kirk Ronzheimer Director of Upper School Ryan Seeger Director of Technology Bobbi Jo Kelly

In This Issue: From David’s Desk...............................................................3 Epiphany named to Advanced Placement School Honor Roll.................................................................................4 Epiphany Earns Model Delegation Recognition at YAG Conference......................................................................6 Epiphany Hosts First Alumni Reunion.....................8 Love in Action Reflection................................................10 2024 Class Speaker, Pawry Shell..............................12 Harrison Little Speaks at the Gala............................15 “Hello” but not “Goodbye”............................................16 Falcons Spread their Wings..........................................18 Class of 2024..........................................................................20 Want to be featured in future issues? Send in your story ideas, travel photos and alumni updates to mostmann@epiphanyglobalschool.org.

The Epiphany School of Global Studies, anchored in the JudeoChristian commandment to Love God and Your Neighbor as Yourself, is a comprehensive college-preparatory and globally-focused school where dynamic and innovative learning is stretched beyond the classroom walls, emphasizing the knowledge, skills, creativity, adaptability, curiosity, and international experiences students will need to flourish in an increasingly globalized 21st century.

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FROM DAVID'S DESK Epiphany

as

a

"Platinum"

school,

showcasing the excellent performance of our students on these nationally recognized

assessments.

The

second

honor names our YAG club as a "Model Delegation" at the annual convention, an award that singles out one club from

! y n a h p i p E Hello,

across North Carolina. These kinds of awards come from the tireless efforts of

Another summer has come and gone, and we begin our nineteenth year as a school. Wow! We are excited to kick off another school year at Epiphany, and we look forward to welcoming over 480 students to our campuses. This year we center

our

ministry

on

one

of

our students and teachers--very well deserved.

Additionally,

this

edition

covers our school's efforts to engage our

ever-growing

alumni

population.

We were thrilled when Harrison Little, class of 2016, spoke at the annual Gala, sharing

his

reflections

on

what

an

"Intention." Purpose . . . focus . . . plan-

Epiphany education has meant to him.

-these

Abraham

synonyms

meaning

of

remind

intention.

us

of

the

Years

ago

Lincoln

once

said,

"Having

a

chosen our course, without guile and

parent once told me that when he

with pure purpose, let us renew our

thought of Epiphany, he reflected that

faith in God, and go forward without

intention and integrity are the two

fear." My hope as you read this edition

words he thought of when thinking of

of The Path is that you will see some of

Epiphany. What a great compliment!

the many ways we intentionally plan

In this edition of The Path, you will see our

intention

to

focus

on

the

culmination of an Epiphany education.

We highlight the accomplishments of our Upper School in articles about the

programs and opportunities to enrich the lives of our students, helping them to become better human beings. Enjoy!

Peace,

AP scores of our students and and Epiphany's

Youth

and

Government

(YAG) Club. The first recognition names

David Wang Head of School

Epiphany Named to Advanced Placement School Honor Roll The Epiphany School of Global Studies recognized for student success in Advanced Placement program while broadening access.

College

Board

announced

that

The

Geography, Latin, Spanish Culture and

Epiphany School of Global Studies has

Language,

been

Politics.

named

Placement® Honor

to

Program

Roll,

the

Advanced

(AP®)

earning

and

US

Government

and

School Platinum

distinction.

Epiphany had 84% of seniors who took at

least

one

AP

exam

during

high

school, 76% of seniors scoring a three The AP® School Honor Roll recognizes

or higher on at least one AP exam, and

schools

32% of seniors who took five or more

whose

AP

programs

are

delivering results for students while

AP exams!

broadening access. Schools can earn this

recognition

annually

based

on

“We

are

very

excited

about

the

criteria that reflect a commitment to

recognition from the College Board,”

increasing

culture,

says David Wang, Head of School at

providing opportunities for students to

Epiphany. “The acknowledgment is a

earn college credit, and maximizing

testament

college readiness.

school’s AP teachers and the hard work

college-going

to

the

dedication

of

the

of the school’s students.”

Epiphany currently offers the following AP

courses:

Biology,

Calculus

AB,

Calculus BC, English Language, English Literature, European History, Human

“AP

represents

an

opportunity

for

students to stand out to colleges, earn

PAGE 5

college

credit

potentially

and

boost

placement,

their

grade

and point

College Board’s Advanced Placement® Program

(AP®)

enables

students

to

averages,” said Trevor Packer, head of

pursue college-level studies—with the

the AP program. “The schools have

opportunity

shown that they can expand access to

advanced placement, or both—while still

these college-level courses and still

in high school. Through AP courses in

drive

38

high

performance

–

they

represent the best of our AP program.”

subjects,

challenging think

to

earn

each exam,

critically,

college

credit,

culminating students

in

a

learn

to

construct

solid

arguments, and see many sides of an issue—skills

that

college and beyond.

prepare

them

for

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Epiphany Earns Model Delegation Recognition at this Year’s Youth and Government Conference Epiphany’s Youth and Government Club

photo, or social media to report on the

is

amazing

one

of

the

Upper

School’s

most

work

other

classmates

Some

students

work

to

leadership

positions

in

the

popular clubs. Every year, students in

have

Grades 9-12 participate in mock state

achieve

government,

legislative,

executive branch as Chief Justice, State

judicial, and executive positions. These

Treasurer, or even Governor. Being part

students work hard all year writing mock

of this amazing club helps students build

bills and learning how to argue that

life-long skills and amazing friendships.

including

done.

their

legislation in chambers; they write briefs to argue both sides of cases in mock

This

year,

the

Epiphany

Youth

and

appellate courts or prepare for their

Government Delegation had one of its

mock criminal proceedings, and they

most successful years at the conference

work as members of broadcast, print,

to date. We took 33 delegates to

PAGE 7 conference,

more

our

Our state officers for the 2025 year will

membership from last year. Our Mock

be Zoe Brougher, who was appointed

Trial

Managing Media Editor, Nathan Huber,

Team

of

than Lily

doubling Huber,

Luis

McElearney, Peyton Raper, and Kevin

who

Coughlin made it to the All Stars round

Analyst,

of competition. We had two bills signed

appointed State Treasurer. And finally,

into YAG law by the Youth Governor:

because of this delegation’s hard work,

House

Bill

and

Davis

Senior Hall,

who

Standen,

about

everyone

feel

creating a redistricting commission to

carrying

out

end partisan gerrymandering, and House

Epiphany YAG delegation was awarded

Bill

the

34,

written

by

Wood

Mattocks,

welcome the

prestigious

Y

to

was

incredible

Leah

commitment

Budget

Paige

and

written

appointed

by

Christman

33,

was

at

core

award

making YAG,

and

values,

the

of

Model

Elizabeth Moore, and Colt Raper about

Delegation! Epiphany is proud of the hard

repealing the clean language clause due

work and dedication of all these students!

to its violation of the First Amendment.

In addition to these accomplishments, Maria Padro, because of her incredibly welcoming personality, was voted “Most Outgoing,” and Lily Huber, because of her impeccable attention to detail and knowledge of law and order, was voted “Best Witness” for the 2024 conference year.

Epiphany Hosts First Alumni Reunion In

December

2023,

graduates

from

various classes returned to New Bern to attend our Alumni Reunion, making the event a resounding success. The reunion was held downtown near the holiday season and saw a great turnout, with alumni representing a broad spectrum of graduating classes.

their excitement about the enthusiastic participation and hopes to make this a

cherished

To ensure alumni stay informed about future events and other alumni news, the council encourages all alumni to update their contact information in the alumni directory, connected strong

The school’s Alumni Council expressed

reunion

experiences.

tradition.

The

gathering provided an opportunity for former students to reconnect, reminisce, and share their post-graduation

linked is

key

community

below. to

Staying

maintaining

that

Epiphany

the has

cultivated over the years.

The council looks forward to welcoming even more graduates in the years to come!

Update your Information!

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2024 Love in Action Reflection

By Patrick Connolly, ‘24

I spent a large part of my Love in Action

Micheal, the site's supervisor for our time

time at Habitat for Humanity. If anyone

there. He was a very patient man who

doesn’t know what H4H is, it is an

wanted nothing more than to teach us

organization that works with families,

how to do whatever our task was, and

local

how to do it efficiently and effectively.

communities,

and

volunteers

around the world to provide affordable and safe homes for those who may not be

On the first day, he was teaching me how

able to afford them. They do incredible

to put up siding, then a few days later,

work, and I was honored to be a part of

flooring, then how to fill the holes the

it.

nails left in a door jam, and how to use a

When I first walked on site, I was quite honestly expecting to be bored out of my mind. I didn’t know what to expect.

Maybe I’d dig a hole? Sweep a worksite?

Who knows? Instead, I was introduced to

nail punch when a nail didn't go in all the way. Throughout my time working with Micheal, I got to know who he was and why he was there. He loved the purpose behind his work; he saw what he did as

PAGE 11 more than work. While everything we did

Love in Action was what we, as students,

was checking off a list to finish this

made it to be. We got out what we put in.

house, to him, it was more than that. It

I put in blood, lots of sweat, no tears, and

was checking off a list with a family in

I got out an experience I will never

need in mind. He was working so that a

forget. I got to take part in the changing

family would be able to sleep safely with

of lives. Sure the work that I alone did

a roof over their heads. I admired that. It

may have been minuscule compared to

made me realize that while we were

the whole, but I got to be a part of a

there

to

project that will allow someone else to be

graduate, our work meant so much more

a part of something bigger. It made me

than that.

realize the importance of putting purpose

to

fulfill

a

requirement

Sure, we put up siding, after we went home and got to take a nice shower to wash off the day. But the siding that we put up will soon allow a family to sleep safely at night. The flooring we put down may have been infuriating at times when a piece we painstakingly measured and

into my work and how much of an impact just one person can have on the lives of others. For that lesson alone, I would put in twice the blood, sweat, and maybe a few tears if I had to. I cannot thank Epiphany and Pastor Kirk enough for giving me this opportunity to learn. I am

cut broke upon installation, but that

happy to say I will be signing up to do

flooring will soon support a family that

more work with Habitat for Humanity

could have earlier been sleeping in a

this summer. Thank you.

shelter.

2024 Class Speaker, Pawry Shell The first time I stepped foot in the

now, I found those exact principles I

Trent Campus of Epiphany, I was a

wanted in my school right here at

rising 6th grader about to have an

Epiphany.

interview

with

intimidating

a

very

individual

scary

and

named

Mr.

Seeger. To be honest, the interview was a blur to me because I was completely terrified,

but

I

do

remember

a

particular question he asked me: “If you could create your own school, what would be the rules and principles you would

incorporate?”

I

remember

replying with something along the lines of, “The school should make everyone

Now, when I was preparing for this speech, I knew that it would be nowhere near as great as Martin Luther King’s “I Have a Dream” speech or President

Abraham

Lincoln’s

“Gettysburg Address” speech. But what I did know was that I wanted to share my experience

and

leave

you

all

with

something you would find useful in your journey of growth.

an

I’ll admit that the first few years of

environment where kindness is spread

being at Epiphany were hard. I was in

throughout the building.” Looking back

middle school and I was still figuring

feel

safe,

and

it

would

be

PAGE 13 I’m sure many of you have felt like you couldn't fully be yourself in a place, or you feel ashamed of being judged. But every one of us in this room has a story to tell, a unique background we grew up with, and a talent we can share. I encourage you to not lose sight of that part of you: that identity that makes you so unique. Don’t give yourself up so easily just to fit in with the rest, to fit the mold, or to impress and satisfy others. Your confidence in who you are and your identity may inspire others to do the same.

If there was one thing that I looked up to the most, it was the class of 2018. I out who I was. Somewhere along the

remember Maggie Polo’s bright smile as

way, the confidence I once had in

she made the morning announcements,

myself began to wither away; I wanted

and

to hide my background, where I came

dressed as a king, delivering a speaking

from, and my identity from everyone

part during the Feast of Epiphany. I also

around me. The anxiety I felt from

vividly remember him making an effort

anyone asking me about myself was

to show his gratitude to me after my

overwhelming, and it was tiring to hide

friend Peyton had ratted me out to him

every aspect of my life from my peers

that I had complimented his public

and

being

speaking skills. That was seven years

judged. But as I spent more time within

ago. And although they are long gone

these walls with the people in my class,

and graduated, I still remember them

I began to realize that this environment

and think back on how much of an

is a safe space; that despite feeling so

effect they had on my life. That was

small and irrelevant, I had found friends

when I realized that I wanted to inspire

and classmates who cared about my

others

story. My identity is the biggest part of

Andrew Breasure, and others in the

who

class of 2018 had inspired me. If I was

teachers

I

am,

out

and

of

I

embraced it sooner.

fear

wish

of

that

I

had

I

remember

the

way

Andrew

that

Breasure

Maggie

never going to be student body

Polo,

PAGE 14 president or one of the Three Kings, I at least wanted to lead the way they did.

And

I

hope

I

have

for

my

fellow

underclassmen. I know I’ve tried. I know we (the class of 2024) have tried.

So,

for

those

of

you

who

will

be

stepping up soon, whether from the lower campus to the Trent campus, middle

school

to

upper

school,

or

juniors to rising seniors, try to be the ones you’ve always looked up to. Try to inspire others…because you may never

I know that every one of us will go out

know how many young eyes look up to

and do great things wherever life takes

you and your leadership.

us. We fought hard for our goals, and for our future careers, and who knows,

And amidst everything that you do in

maybe what we want to do now will

this school and will continue to do out

completely change later on in life. But

into

and

whatever we choose to do, I hope that

thankful for the opportunities you have

all of you, in the audience and up on the

had here. Not everyone is as blessed as

stage, will remember why you did this,

we are to be here, experiencing a

why you put in so much of your time

journey as special as this one. I hope

and effort, and why you are making the

you

sacrifices that you are.

the

world,

won’t

stay

take

it

grounded

for

granted.

Remember your goals, your values, and morals, and try to live by them. It’s hard to believe that we won't be sheltered by the walls of this building forever. Start building an internal shelter; whether it is your faith in God, what you believe in, or what you stand for, use those things in a world filled with chaos and uncertainty. Epiphany has already given you something to start with: the four pillars,

and

to

love

God

and

your

neighbor as yourself. Build on that foundation.

Minor Myers Jr. once said, “Go into the world

and

do

well.

But

more

importantly, go into the world and do good.” One day you will be on this stage,

preparing

yourself

for

what

comes next and reminiscing on the time you spent here at The Epiphany School of Global Studies. But until that time comes, the class of 2024 bids farewell to you all.

PAGE 15

Harrison Little ‘16, Reflects on His Epiphany Experience at the 2024 Gala and Auction Harrison Little, Class of 2016, returned to Epiphany for the annual Gala and Auction to share his reflections on his middle and high school journey and its impact on who he is today.

He

thanked

the

community

for

supporting Epiphany so that the school can continue to give back to students like him and others with the enduring impact of an Epiphany education.

Click the video link above to view his speech.

PAGE 16

“Hello” but not “Goodbye” Not new faces on the Leadership Team

Tahira Copland

Amy Willis

Julia Connolly

Molly Ostmann

Director of Admissions We

are

very

professionalism

grateful and

Director of Development

for

intention

the Tahira

Amy Willis leaves a legacy of customer service

and

compassion

in

the

dutifully brought to her role as Director

development office as she steps away

of Admissions for the past four years. We

from Epiphany as an employee. Still, we

will miss her in the admissions office, but

are

take

around Epiphany’s halls or in Mr. Willis’s

some

comfort

in

knowing

the

grateful

to

continue

to

see

her

Copland family is not leaving New Bern or

science classroom.

Epiphany! We will see Tahira around as a

Julia Connolly, parent of two Epiphany

parent and on the court as a volleyball

Alumni, Matthew ‘22 and Patrick ‘24,

assistant coach!

moved into the development role in May.

A familiar face, Molly Ostmann, moves

She brings with her a knowledge of

from Administrative Assistant into the

fundraising for non-profits and a passion

Director of Admissions role. Her 11 years

for Epiphany after her sons' experiences

at Epiphany and time spent on both campuses give her a unique perspective of the school and make for an easy transition into Admissions.

as students.

PAGE 18

FALCONS SPREAD THEIR WINGS

1

3

7

2

4

5

8

6

1. 9th Grade students in Costa Rica 2. Will Brandt, ‘29 and dad fishing in Guatemala 3. Mason Oliver, ‘25 and dad in front of the Old State House in Boston 4. Oliver Family in the Dominican Republic 5. Mrs. Tomboulian in the Bahams 6. Mrs. Coughlan with her husband at a Buffalo Bills game 7. Zoe Bardo ‘28 in Disney World 8. Hilliard ‘24, Josie ‘25, Wilton ‘28 and family in Mammoth, CA.

9

10

11

13

14

12 16 15

18

17

9. Charlie ‘24, Luke ‘28, Emily ‘30, and Madeline ‘32 Wildauer in front of Raido City Music Hall in New York City 10. Luke Wildauer ‘28 at a NY Jets vs. Washington Commanders Game 11. Milah Peters‘30 at Chichen Itza, Mexico 12. & 13. Annabelle ‘20, Amelia ‘31, and Allison ‘34 Mills at the Kennedy Space Center and at the Sombrero Beach Lighthouse in Marathon, FL. 14. The Daniels, Geiger, Hall, and Hiner families skiing during enrichment break 15. Kate ‘28 and Will ‘31 Geiger with their parents skiing in Vail 16. Mrs. Ostmann after scuba diving under the Pitons in Saint Lucia 17. Bentley ‘29 and Piper ‘31 Williamson snowmobiling 18. Will Geiger ‘31 after an emergency appendectomy in Vail, CO

P A PGAE G1E8 2 0

Class o

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f 2024

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P A PGAE G1E8 2 2

Senior Awards: Service, Global Citizen, Arete

Valedictory Address

PAGE 23

Board of Trustees Dan Murphy - Chair Cathy Sparks Isa Gratacos Ken Gray McKenzie Hall Kate Horney John Hawkins Joe Osenni Reid Parker Beth Walker

On the Cover: Youth and Government Members with their Model Delegation recognition

The Path The Epiphany School of Global Studies Magazine Published each year

Editor:s Molly Ostmann

Contributors: Mrs. Fitz Patrick Connolly ‘24 Pawry Shell ‘24 Harrison Little ‘16