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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 Dr. Dwight Carlblom Assistant Head of School and Director of Middle and Upper School David Wang Director of Lower School Dr. Heather French Director of Admissions Tahira Copland Director of Advancement Brittany Spear Director of Athletics Matt James Director of Finance Tara Hughes Director of Learning Services Dr. Morgan James Director of Spiritual Life Rev. Ed Koffenberger Director of Student Life Ryan Seeger Director of Technology Peter Williams Associate Director of Admissions and Advancement Molly Ostmann College Counselor Michele DeCamp
In This Issue: From Dwight's Desk...................................3 50 Days of Giving ......................................4 Student Senate ............................................6 Adjustments We've Made ......................8 19-20 Highlights ..........................................9 Teaching in a Pandemic ........................14 College and COVID .....................................15 Class of 2020 Recognition ...................18 Falcons Spread Their Wings ............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 DWIGHT'S DESK
Hello, Epiphany! We are really excited to present to you this new, collaborative effort at keeping you informed about everything Epiphany. Our Advancement Office has been working at making the connections required to get this to you, and before that they were gathering the articles and pictures and data that make this magazine such an informative and interesting document. All of the efforts that
went
into
this
edition
are
truly
appreciated! We trust that this magazine will give you a view into the path that our students are on. So much will remind you of what took place last year… the “Year of COVID!” The 20202021 school year is shaping up to look so different from our previous fourteen years,
but one thing we know for sure… Epiphany students are Epiphany students, and they will always find a way to make this year special!
You can look forward to seeing
how the year is going in coming editions of The Path! God's blessings,
Dwight Carlblom, PhD Head of School
PAGE 4 GIVING
It was fifteen years ago that Nicholas and Cathy Sparks brought together all the components of what became The Epiphany School of Global Studies. quality
From day one, we have provided a education,
importantly
we
but have
maybe
even
more
provided
a
caring
environment that has encouraged our students to “Love God and Your Neighbor as Yourself” and promoted the qualities of Respect, Responsibility, Service, and Integrity. Great parents send great students to us, and we get to work with them in
We understand that circumstances this year are
the process of becoming great neighbors, great
different
citizens, and great family members.
We are
appreciate your consideration of support. Your
blessed to have this opportunity and this amazing
participation – in the form of a tax deductible gift –
responsibility.
is very important; this is an opportunity to support
With this responsibility comes an opportunity
every aspect of the school’s mission and provide
we’d like to share with you.
Epiphany with the resources to enrich the learning
The cost of
in
many
being
faculty
low as possible in order to keep the school more
development; technology; special programs; tuition
affordable for a wider range of students and to
assistance; arts and athletics; and facilities and
provide community members with opportunities
maintenance.
to
provide Epiphany with the resources to continue to
school
with
philanthropic commitments.
tax-deductible, We
supplement
student
by and
helping
we
environment
salaries;
recruitment
said,
tuition. The school intentionally keeps tuition as
the
each
That
educating each student at Epiphany exceeds
support
of
ways.
fund
professional
By donating before June 1, 2021, you
plan an enriching school year.
funding for our educational and co-curricular
advantage
programs each year with money generated from
website at www.epiphanyglobalschool.org/give and
special gifts to the school and to the Epiphany
clicking on “Donate Now.”
Fund. This year, we are running a 50 Days of
Your gift to the Epiphany Fund is an expression of
Giving campaign that began on September 15 and
your
will continue until November 3.
commitment to support all students in uncovering
It has been
belief
of
this
in
the
opportunity
You can take
school’s
by
visiting
mission
and
our
your
inspiring to see the many ways in which our staff
his/her gifts for the journey.
We thank you for
and the entire TESGS community have embraced
thoughtfully considering a gift to the Epiphany
new challenges! We successfully reopened our
Fund and, more importantly, for entrusting your
school, designed new learning spaces, turned the
children’s education to us each and every day.
gyms into classrooms, and engaged faculty to provide both in-person and virtual learning. The
With Gratitude during these 50 Days of Giving,
generosity and support of all members of our community has ensured that Epiphany is not just surviving but thriving as we continue to fulfill our mission. We have seen families support us in amazing ways which enables us to continue being bold and innovative.
Director of Advancement
PAGE 5
PAGE 6 STUDENT SENATE
STUDENT SENATE by Allison Potter '23 Student Senate Secretary
S
tudent senate is a bond of sixteen
students
to
Whether members excel in writing,
twelfth grade. These sixteen students
public speaking, decorating, planning,
contain twelve senators (two senators
cooking, creativity, organizing, or just
in
overall
each
across
grade),
seventh
and
grade
environment outside the classroom.
four
officers
being
a
sociable
or
hard-
(treasurer, secretary, vice president,
working person, there is always a job
and president). The officer positions
or task for a senate member to do.
are filled by Upper School students,
Senate is known for crazy morning
with the president being a senior. All
announcements, fun dances, creative
student senate members join together
Spirit Weeks, intriguing pep rallies, a
and combine their unique, individual
wild all campus steeplechase relay
talents to make a connected school
race, and many school-wide events.
PAGE 7 STUDENT SENATE This year, announcements are made over Zoom by way of video. Spirit
Weeks,
school-wide
Dances,
and
many
in-person
events
are
currently
unable to happen due to the contagion, fear, and risks of COVID-19. However, Senate is going to new heights and new amounts of creativity to connect with the student body, even through the struggles and complications of COVID19. Student Senate has brought chips around to students and teachers during brain breaks and has made walking tacos
for
lunch. struggles
the
student
body
during
COVID-19
brought
great
to
student
body,
the
teachers, and even parents. Student Senate is working on plans for the future to interact with the student body and make this year the best, most memorable year it can be, even though we are all experiencing a pandemic.
PAGE 8 COVID-19
"Our family was absolutely thrilled to have our three children return to In-Person learning at Epiphany this fall, and our children were equally as happy! We realize that the administration and staff put in a tremendous amount of planning and effort to safely open their doors in accordance with state requirements, etc. We feel extremely blessed by all of the phenomenal teachers at Epiphany, and we feel strongly that our children learn best by being in the classroom. As parents, we also feel that socialization is extremely important, and our children need to be around their peers and in a social setting. Even with all the new rules and protocols put into place this year (temperature checks, very small class sizes, mask-wearing, one-way walking direction), our children are still very content and appreciative to be back in the classroom. We sincerely thank Epiphany for all of their hard work and continued dedication to providing a superior educational experience and continued leadership in the community. " McKenzie and Patrick Hall - Epiphany Parents
PAGE 9 HIGHLIGHTS
S T H G I L H G I H 0 2 19 Second Grade Butterfly Release
Odyssey Day of Service aland Trip and New Ze lia ra st u A r e Summ
Fourth Gra de Colonia l Day
Spirit Week
We w elc
omed
twent
y-thre e Chil for a ean E week xchan in Oc ge Stu tober dents
Seniors win the 2019 Powderpuff football tournament!
ip
Yellowstone Tr
Mali Vibes Concert
Ep ip ha ny st ud en
ts pa ck ag ed ov er 30 ,0 00 m ea ls fo r pe op le in ne ed du rin g Ri se Ag ain st Hu ng er
Buddies
Christmas Ca roling in New Bern
PAGE 10 HIGHLIGHTS
Feast of Epiphany
Third Grade Living Museum
Enrichment Day
Grandparents Day
Scholastic Golden Key Award
Scuba Club ame Night Sixth Grade G
piad Science Olym
d the M" artwork aroun New permanent "IS us mp Ca Henderson
ment Convention Youth and Govern
Service Partners
cience Fair Regional S
Senior Love in Action Project
PAGE 11 HIGHLIGHTS
Virtual Learning
PAGE 12
Men's swimming Back-to-Back State Champs!
F A L C O N
Cheerleading National Champions!
Women's Swim team takes second in State Meet
Conner Wang '20 Signs with the Queens University
JV Volleyball earned CIC Conference
Men's Swim Team
Regular Season and Tournament Championships!
Middle School Boys Basketball finished as co-regular season conference champions!
Athletic facility improvements continue to be made. New chairs and scoring table in the gym. Wind screens added to tennis courts and soccer field, as well as a new scoreboard!
A T H L E T I C S
PAGE 13 ALUMNI
TEACHING IN A PANDEMIC By Hannah Blackerby '12
A
Miss Blackerby waving to her online students
long with many other things in our lives,
COVID-19
directly
impacted
teaching
and
Starting
school
in
August
brought
new
challenges. Beginning kindergarten is a special,
learning. I was in my 4th year of teaching
unique
kindergarten this March when I was asked to
Kindergarten is many children’s first experience
create some consumable learning packets to
with school, and starting it online was not ideal. I
send home with Pitt County’s kindergarteners
spent a lot of time thinking of ways to make
to cover two weeks of instruction. I assumed
kindergarten engaging online, as well as ways for
that after those two weeks, we would be back in
students to form positive relationships with each
school teaching and learning again. Little did I
other. I continue to learn more each day, and I
know, we would still be teaching and learning
am so proud of my new kindergartners for
from home in late September! Teachers across
beginning school virtually! I am thankful for my
the country have stepped up to the plate by
time at Epiphany for teaching me the importance
completely reinventing teaching to suit an
of adaptability and perseverance. Though most
online environment in a matter of days. For my
educators
kindergarten team and myself, this looked like
uniquely challenging, especially for elementary
learning
finding
students, we have worked diligently to make the
innovative ways to reach students and their
best of the situation. I am so proud of my
families, and working around the clock to make
profession for being innovative and personal, and
online learning personal and relatable for my
for always working to do what is best for kids. I
families and students.
am proud to be a teacher!
new
technology
tools,
time
for
agree
students
that
learning
and
parents.
remotely
is
PAGE 14
15TH ANNIVERSARY
PAGE 15 ALUMNI
COLLEGE AND COVID By Mary Grace Brinson '18
I
f college is supposed to be the best four
this socially distanced education is being
years of your life, this is turning out to be… a
forced to be away from the community I had
little stranger than expected. I was not
formed
expecting to have a security guard at the Old
Epiphany,
Well, preventing students drinking from it
second nature, something I worked hard to
on the first day of class. I did not expect to
reconstruct in a large university setting.
be delivering Legal Spanish presentations in
Inspired by some of Epiphany’s ideals of
slippers to my professor on the other side of
service and integrity, I came to understand
the country. And when I agreed to work for a
that
digital marketing agency, I did not think it
pandemic when built on a good foundation.
would be so digital.
As
It doesn’t take long to find someone else
Panhellenic Executive Council, my role took a
drowning in the digital world and missing
drastic turn when in person events no longer
the community that is so much easier to
seemed to be a thing. A $15,000 fundraiser
foster in person. The most daunting part of
and a week of activities dedicated to eating
around
at
community
strong Vice
me
and
friendships
President
Chapel
of
Hill.
At
friendship
is
can
weather
Events
on
a the
PAGE 16 ALUMNI disorder awareness quickly shifted to more personal interactions and programs dedicated to our members’ wellbeing. Completely changing what my role looked like gave me the chance to build something for myself and for my successors to use. Epiphany taught me how to aspire to leave my mark on the things I care about, especially the things that provide something for someone in need. Anxious to prove myself at my summer internship, I found the learning curve difficult and the completely virtual training to be overwhelming. But instead of cowering away from the challenges, I have been encouraged to tackle them, using challenges as an opportunity for growth and a chance to figure out how to optimize a webpage, create marketing content and be published on a website. Maybe it takes a pandemic to realize many of the things that you didn't realize shape you. So, as I continue to navigate my best four years from my desk, I’m not scared or upset anymore. I am excited to see what part of the challenge I can conquer next.
Mary Grace and her sister Olivia '23
Mary Grace her Senior Year at Epiphany with her Little Buddy Kate '29
PAGE 17 ALUMNI
Welcome to Epiphany's Alumni Portal
Last year Epiphany launched its alumni portal. The alumni portal is a way for Epiphany to keep up with you, and for you to keep up with Epiphany. The more alumni who take advantage of this portal, the more engaging and useful it will be. I encourage you to visit www.epiphanyalumni.org and update your information. Only verified Epiphany alumni will have access to the portal, and Epiphany does not share your information with any outside groups. Through this portal, you will find a directory to help you reconnect with old classmates and friends. Advertise and search for jobs. Network with other alumni. Stay up to date on school news and alumni events. Give to the Epiphany Fund. And stay connected to your alma mater. Epiphany is also in the process of creating an Alumni Board who will meet throughout the year to plan events and opportunities to keep you all connected to the school. The portal will be a platform for the Alumni Board to communicate with the greater alumni community about events and opportunities for engagement. If you are interested in serving on the Alumni Board or have questions about the Alumni Portal, please contact me at mostmann@epiphanyglobalschool.org.
Molly Ostmann Associate Director of Admissions and Advancement
Visit www.epiphanyalumni.org to update your contact information
PAGE 18
CLASS OF 2020
"The rise of the Coronavirus has shown the full depth of the dedication found in the Class of 2020. Not only did we face the challenges associated with online learning but we also had to adapt to not being able to see each other everyday. To not be able to experience the milestones that we thought were coming. . . We found a way to stay together, and I am so grateful to have been a part of a group of people so focused on forming stronger relationships." -excerpt from Alex Dalrymple's Valedictorian address.
PAGE 19
PAGE 20 TRAVEL
FALCONS SPREAD THEIR WINGS
2
1
3
6 4
7
5 1. Hutch '20 and Kirby '22 Smith in San Francisco. 2. Blake Spear '32 in Western NC.. 3. Tara '21 and Mrs. Thurman (staff) in Paris. 4. Caleb '19, Katie '25 and their brother Zachary Myers in Israel. 5. Marisa Kelly '18 front of the Puente Romano that goes over the Guadalquivir River in Cordoba, Spain. 6. Cadence Crowe '26 traveled to meet two of her favorite authors R. Beatty and K. DiCamillo. 7. Tara '21, Mrs. Thurman (staff) and Drew Maune '17 in Colombia.
PAGE 21 TRAVEL
10 9
8
13 12
11
8. Sydney Kitchen '18, sophomore at University of Edinburgh, in front of the Edinburgh Castle. 9. Ryan Crowe '29 and family at a Buffalo Sabers game at the First Niagara Center in Buffalo, NY. 10. Ben '28, LIz '31, Tahira (staff) and Jim Copland in the Bahamas. 11. Charlie Knowles '20 in New Zealand. 12. Charlotte Antry '21 and Tara Thurman '21 in Barbados. 13. Caroline '26 and Addison Strickland '29 and parents in the Painted Desert in Arizona. 14. Caleb '19, Katie '25 and their brother Zachary Myers in Death Valley., CA
Board of Trustees Nicholas Sparks - Chair Cathy Sparks Missy Blackerby Isa Gratacos Ken Gray Erin Hartman John Hawkins George Oliver Phil Pritulsky Chris Richey
On the Cover:
Second grade butterfly release September 2020
14 The Path The Epiphany School of Global Studies Magazine Published twice each year
Editor:
Molly Ostmann Associate Director of Admissions and Advancement
Contributors:
McKenzie and Patrick Hall, Parents Allison Potter '21 Hannah Blackerby '12 Mary Grace Brinson '18