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PAGE 2
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 15 Year Anniversary .....................................................4 Reflecting on 15 years .................................................8 A Conversation with Mr. Ellenberger ................12 Meet Our New Administrative Assistants .....19 Student Senate ..............................................................20 How We've Stayed Connected ..............................22 The Confidence to Hit "Reply" .............................24 Alumni Class Notes .....................................................26
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.
PAGE 3
FROM DWIGHT'S DESK from
our
families.
This
year
our
ministry was "Connections"; and to be honest,
I
wondered
how
we
would
accomplish that in a year of social
! y n a h p i p E , Hello
distancing and no large gatherings. But we
did!
students
We
stayed
connected.
Our
built
new
friendships
with
What a year it has been! The blessings
classmates and staff, and our families
that have come because of all we have
connected with us by way of Zoom,
experienced this year are tremendous.
athletic events, and more. Our Epiphany
When I look at what our school has
community stayed connected, and for
achieved in just 15 years, with this last
that I feel blessed.
year
most
Join me in both my hope and my
challenging, how amazing is it that we
excitement for the next 15 years. Stay
can
has
connected with us because together we
happened and hopeful for what is to
can do great things in the lives of our
come?
children/students.
Our community, every one of you, has
Blessings,
being be
both
maybe proud
the of
what
shown great faith in us over the years. This year we saw a community come together
to
achieve
"in
person
learning" for our students and support
Dwight Carlblom, PhD Head of School
PAGE 4 15 YEARS
I
t’s hard to believe that The Epiphany
grades 6-10, the Board of Trustees had
School of Global Studies has been
to lay the groundwork and decide what
educating students for fifteen years,
kind of school Epiphany should be.
or that the dream that Cathy and I had
Some decisions may seem relatively
would have wonderfully flourished in
straightforward
the way it has. Nor would it have been
desire for a comprehensive college-
possible without the committed belief
prep education or the desire to found a
and
many
Christian school, for instance – but
different people, including Trustees,
even those decisions required hours of
administrators,
discussion by the
sustained
effort
by
faculty
so and
staff,
in
retrospect
–
the
Board of Trustees,
students and their families, and the
discussions that continue to this very
New Bern community at large. For all
day. What, after all, does
that everyone has done to support Epiphany, Cathy and I remain forever grateful. Perhaps, I think, it might be interesting for some to know a bit about the early years of
Epiphany.
While most people know that the school opened its doors in 2006 to just under a hundred students in
PAGE 5 “college prep
education” really mean,
We
are
endlessly
amazed
at
especially in a world that’s becoming
abilities,
more globalized with every
passing
thoughtfulness
year?
should
administration, faculty and staff. We are
Christianity infuse the daily life for our
thankful for the ongoing efforts and
students? Every
question seemed to
expertise of the Board of Trustees to
beg
questions
also
ensure the long-term viability of the
required answers, and little by little,
school. We are gratified by the love our
the groundwork was laid not only for a
students have for the school and their
successful opening, but for the school’s
daily efforts to uncover their own gifts.
ongoing success in the future. Fifteen
And we feel blessed by families not only
years later, the Board of Trustees still
for
works with the administration in the
trusting the school with the education
hopes
Epiphany
of their children. It is often said that
remains the wonderful school that it is.
gratitude is a gift we can give ourselves.
Cathy and I look on with great pride at
For Cathy and I, the Epiphany School of
how well our graduates have flourished
Global Studies makes gratitude very
at
simple.
How
even
of
the
specifically
more
ensuring
university
that
that
level,
both
professionalism,
the
supporting
of
the
our
school,
and
incredible
but
educationally and spiritually.
Nicholas Sparks Chairman of the Board of Trustees
Catherine Sparks Secretary of the Board of Trustees
for
PAGE 6 15 YEARS
The Epiphany School is formally founded by Nicholas and Catherine Sparks after focus group indicates a strong desire for a college-prep school, rooted in the Christian tradition, with a strong program of Global Studies in New Bern.
2006
In August, 2006 The Epiphany School opens its doors to grades 6-10 with 92 students and 13 employess.
2007
In 2008, Grade 12 is added. First travel abroad experiences offered, and first international studentteacher arrives. Trent Road site purchased.
2008
In 2007, Grade 11 is added. First foreign exchange student arrives and travel abroad partners vetted.
2009
In 2010, The Epiphany School becomes The Epiphany School of Global Studies.
2010
In 2009, Grade 5 is added. School gains membership in the NC Association of Independent Schools First graduating class celebrated.
2011 In 2011, construction begins on the Middle and Upper School campus on Trent Road. Epiphany gains membership in the Southern Association of Independent Schools.
PAGE 7
In 2012, Epiphany is accredited by the Southern Association of Independent Schools and Southern Association of Colleges and Schools The Trent Road campus opens its doors to grades 7-12. Grades 3-4 added.
2012
2013 In 2013, Henderson campus renovated to add Grades K- 2 with Spanish Immersion. Trent Road campus expanded for Grade 6.
2016 In 2016, Epiphany celebrates 10 years of learning and growth.
2021 In 2021, Epiphany celebrates 15 years of learning and growth and enthusiastically looks toward the future!
PAGE 8
REFLECTING ON 15 YEARS By: David Wang Assistant Head of School, Director of Middle and Upper Schools
Fifteen years--that is a long time to
would still be at this wonderful school
be in one place or working one job. As
fifteen years later. There is something
the son of a US naval officer, I grew
unique and special, however, about this
up moving often, never spending more
school community that has kept me in
than five years in any one place. My
New Bern.
life
had
transitions
become of
used
moving
to
the
In the early years at Epiphany, the
and
the
school’s mission statement began with
challenges that arise with each new
the
following
words,
“We
are
a
move. I have lived in Hawaii and
community of faith and scholarship.”
Maine and many states in between
Community is the word that stood out
them. In 2006 when I started at
the most to me. Whether in advisory
Epiphany, I never imagined that I
groups, on retreat experiences, or in
PAGE 9
the farthest reaches of Costa Rica, we build
community
students,
our
amongst
teachers,
our
and
our
neighbors. The start of a school year begins with a focus on community. We play
games,
learn
about
life
at
Epiphany, and form friendships in the community of fellow students and teachers. The Buddy Program, which pairs
juniors
with
kindergarten
students and seniors with first-grade students, strengthens the community bonds between Henderson and Trent Campuses. It is amazing to watch the bonds that form between these little Falcons cupcake
and
the
treats,
big
Falcons
over
kite-flying,
and
leprechaun traps. These bonds can
PAGE 10 15 YEARS realities of COVID-19 in the 2020-2021 school
year
have
impacted
us.
Our
typical efforts to build community at Epiphany have been thwarted by the requirements of social distancing--we can’t have groups larger than twelve students in a classroom, we can only place so many athletes on a bus for an away game, we can’t hold Chapel in the become so strong that I have even seen a little Falcon help her big Buddy paint her parking space during the summer.
Moreover,
the
final
experience of any Epiphany student is Love in Action, a service program that allows seniors to spend their last month of school in “community” with one another serving those members of our New Bern community who are most deserving. Our seniors complete builds with Habitat for Humanity, play games
with
the
residents
of
RHA
Howell, or travel to Belize to serve a school
overseas.
These
soon-to-be
graduates truly learn the meaning of “Love
God
Yourself”
and
while
Your
Neighbor
demonstrating
as
how
strong a community Epiphany can be. Though the mission has changed over the
years,
this
emphasis
on
the
concept of community remains strong at Epiphany. It is funny how the
PAC on a Friday in person. Despite these
challenges,
however,
we
have
shown collectively levels of resiliency and creativity that have generated new possibilities for our school community. We can create virtual meetings with Zoom that allow us to make crazy announcements.
We
can
play
four-
square and pick-up basketball outside as champions now. I think these kinds of accomplishments are what give me the greatest pride when it comes to Epiphany. I know that in the future, no matter the challenges that arise, the community
of
Epiphany
will
come
together and succeed. I look forward to the next fifteen years and the continued evolution of the Epiphany community.
PAGE 11
PAGE 12 FACULTY HIGHLIGHT
A Conversation
with
Mr. Ellenberger
Brittany Spear sat down to talk with JT Ellenberger about his 15year tenure with The Epiphany School of Global Studies. Following is a transcription of that interview. How did you get to Epiphany? OK,
so
New
wife's
there, and she said, "You told me that
hometown, and she had a great job
you used to teach English. I heard they
opportunity, and her dad was getting
are opening a new school, and they are
old, so we came down here. I was
looking for teachers." I thought maybe I
working
church
could get a part-time gig. So, I went
musician in Pennsylvania. When we
over to talk to the people, and they said
checked
church
the school isn't happening anymore; it's
down here, it turned out they needed
being moved somewhere else--I didn't
someone because their organist was
really know what the details were--but I
leaving, so I took that job; but I had a
had already sent in my application.
little bit of time on my hands--I was
Anyway, I didn't hear anything, I didn't
mostly the babysitter for my two little
hear anything, I didn't hear anything,
girls. I went to choir
and then I found out from someone else
as out
Bern
a
is
my
practice one night, and this lady was
full-time
the
Lutheran
PAGE 13 that everyone over there packed up
How
and came over here [Epiphany]. So I
been at Epiphany?
got my resume and took it over.
I spent eight years in the University
Shortly after that, I got a phone call
environment. The thing I liked about it
from Mr. McLaughlin, and he said, "Do
most was the interaction I had with the
you want to talk?" So, I went over and
students. I didn't think I would make a
met him in this old house that isn't
good classroom teacher so much, but I
there anymore, and we talked for a
thought I'd be the guy sitting around
little while, about 3 hours, and at the
the table with the brightest ones in the
end of it, he said, "I don't need an
room, and we would **deep voice**
English teacher because we don't have
seriously
enough students, but I want to keep
someone who is 13 coming up and
your name around just in case." So, I
asking me," Mr. Ellenberger, why should
went home, then got this really nice
I do this?" and having to explain why, I
letter that said some nice stuff, but
wasn't really certain that this particular
that they really couldn't use me right
kind of environment was right, but I was
now. I figured that was all over. Until
attracted to the school and the team of
one
administrators. I didn't know if I could
day,
I
was
sitting
with
my
has
your
teaching
discuss
experience
things**.
Having
youngest daughter, Hope, watching
talk
cartoons, and the phone rings. It's Mr.
experience was in a college setting. I
McLaughlin
still
had to modify the way I taught, but I
interested in being a teacher, not an
didn't have any problem relating to
English
two
younger students. They looked at me as
history classes. And I said, "Sure, why
someone who is kind of a weirdo, and I
not," and he said, "I'll meet you at the
always got along with them. There are
Food Lion." So, I get the kid in the car
always students who act up or ones who
and drive out, and along comes this
are not interested in what I'm teaching,
car with an arm sticking out holding
but I cannot think of a single kid I was
two textbooks. It pulls up next to me,
not able to reach in some way or
and Mr. McLaughlin said, "Be at the
another.
Baptist church tomorrow morning at
teacher? No, I'm still not. I'm usually
9:00. Here, take these," and he drove
three weeks behind in grading and all
off. So the next day, I show up, and I
the professional, necessary things, but
think I've been at every meeting since
as far as establishing relationships with
(except for a few),
the students, that I can do. And if
asking
teacher
but
if to
I'm teach
and the rest they say is history…
to
an
8th
Was
I
grader
the
because
world's
my
perfect
PAGE 14 there's been one good thing about this
When I listen to your story--so much
year, it's that the class sizes are
has happened since you were given the
relatively small, so I've had more
textbooks in the parking lot--is there
interaction with the students this year
one thing you can pinpoint as an
than I have had in any other year.
Epiphany for you--a moment of this is
For every bane, there's a blessing,
why I’m doing this work?
and that's this year's blessing, that
I have every thank you note a student has ever written and every letter of recommendation I've ever written. There is not one story. Those would tell the story.
I've gotten to know them better. And because the 7th and 8th graders have to walk around the circle [oneway hallway], I know the names of many of the 8th graders already, and I'm looking forward to having them in my
classroom
next
year
because
there's a pile of brains out there. I've got 3-4 who love to read and stop by to borrow books now and again. I think it's great they want to read something. I'm going to be able to retire about the time that this years' freshmen graduate, and I'm going to have to make a decision about continuing. The missus would like me to have only one job, but I'm pretty sure that this isn't the one I want to give up, even though being a church musician is what I was really trying to do; I just wasn't good enough to be hired for a full-time ministry here. But in the larger plan, things seem to have worked out, and, as a person of faith, I recognize that it is a blessing to be able to do both. Truth to tell, I cannot even believe that all this happened the way it did.
All students pique the teacher's interest in some way, we see what is good in them, and hopefully, we can emphasize that and help them improve and be their best. The only way to teach well is to be in
a
decent
relationship
with
the
students. You don't have to be their buddy, but it helps a lot if they know that you will support them and they can come to you. We are not establishing friendships but a relationship of the spirit, not just the teacher/student. I never want to disparage my colleagues who work in the public schools--they have it hard. If this opportunity had not shown up, I would not be a teacher. I'd still be banging away on an organ or tuning pianos. One thing I think we've done
well
here
professional appreciate
is
encouraging
camaraderie. the
things
our
We fellow
teachers bring to the table. Epiphany truly is a family--the people who work here are my family members. Like any
PAGE 15 other family, we bicker, but we get
I feel there is something beyond every
over it, and we come back to break
single person in this place, but all of
bread
that
together,
lives
together
somehow
that
I
miss
with
my
whatever it has that we all bring to this
colleagues. And I truly feel I am in a
place (even our flaws), that there is this
God-centered environment as much in
spiritual gravity that comes from the
this place as I do in any church. It's
students, the teachers, the parents, the
not as if everyone is worshiping all the
people who run the board, the bosses,
time. It's more like an autonomic
everyone, and all of that is almost a
spiritual
living organism and I get to be one of
scheduled
though
gatherings
experience;
it
happens
whether you want it to or not. We have the best Head of School we could possibly
have;
he
knows
how
to
manage the school and the people in it. He was exactly what we needed, exactly when we needed it. I'm like everyone else, I go home and complain about what happened that day, but it never puts a dent in what this place is doing and who it's doing it for.
the cells! Over the years, there have been so many things that have evolved and changed.
What
are
your
hopes
for
Epiphany and its future? The vision for the place was always, and I believe is still, to be the global school that Mr. Sparks wants it to be. Fifteen plus years ago, some folk in New Bern had these dreams and then this place
I never talk about this place with someone without smiling.
showed up. But like everyone else who's trying to create something, we hoped to
Ever.
bring it into existence immediately like
I discovered a long time ago that I had
God, "Let there be Epiphany, and then
the ability to teach students younger
there was Epiphany, and there was
than
in
affordable tuition and a giant school and
colleges. I have been blessed to have
all these people going to this place and
lasting connections to some of our
that place, and being exchange students
graduates. There are graduates who
and all that." There has been some of
still ask me questions, who ask me
that, obviously. We are growing, but, on
how things are going, and for advice. I
the other hand, one of the focuses we
can't imagine anyone with any brains
had that kind of took control was that
would ask me for advice, but they do!
we wanted to get smart students into
It's all something that is truly divine in
excellent
its own way. Divine in the sense that
might happen ten, fifteen years down
the
ones
I
was
used
to
schools.
Who
knows
what
PAGE 16 the road. JT might win the lotto and
Sometimes it’s hard to explain why we
will give Epiphany half of it! I think
are so different from other schools.
that we are a little bit more content
How do you think Epiphany is unique?
with what we are managing to do now
I
than we have been before. In the
graduated from the school, and neither
beginning, we wanted to go from 0 to
regrets graduating from Epiphany. I
Harvard in two years; it wasn't that
now have a little grandbaby crawling
we didn't have the students. I see our
around, and we've already decided that
students who have come through here
she will be in the Class of 2038. I
and what they are doing now, and I'm
believe that this is a school that has a
proud to have been their teacher;
different idea of what school spirit is.
even the ones who didn't like me as a
One of the things that we can do here is
teacher. I've had students say, "Mr.
to get close enough to students to
Ellenberger, I like you, but I hate
understand their needs, their anxieties,
poetry," but one day, I got a message
the things that they can do well, and we
from one of those students that said,
can
"Mr. Ellenberger, I read this poem the
miracles? Generally, we don't have to,
other day..." And I was like, "Ahhhh!!"
especially since the ones who come up
**heavenly sounds** The rewards of
from our lower school are very well
being a teacher do not necessarily
prepared
for
the
Trent
stop when you pass out the diplomas
Experience.
I
believe
the
and see what they do.
relationships that we are able to create
have
two
work
[daughters]
with
them.
are special and lasting.
who
Do
we
have
work
Road personal
PAGE 17
The real gift here is our smaller
They're going to learn more from
student body; a teacher can't give
the love than they will from the
anybody much personal attention if they have 90 people lined up outside the door. I spend all the time I can spare with students; I like it, I like getting to know them, what they are afraid of, what they love, how they feel
about
things,
and
about
the
school and the teachers. I think that is the chief thing. Once or twice, our existence has been threatened and, somehow or another, we have been able to overcome those problems with the help of God, and now we're doing most of what we set out
to
do.
The
things
that
were
expected of Epiphany in the beginning are
still
happening.
The
kinds
of
book. I believe that 100%. I'm so lucky in a lot of ways. I miss having
the
arrangements
we've
had
before [covid]; this has been hard on all of us; hopefully, we will get back to something that looks like normal, and I'm all for that because I think a lot of things in the last year and a half have been
hard.
It's
been
hard
for
the
students, too. Hopefully, we will be able to get back to that; obviously, none of us can do anything to help that except try to understand, try to encourage. I feel for the students; they work hard. They are a good bunch. There hasn't ever been a bad bunch.
instruction we wanted to give, an
When you see people and they ask
engaged lives,
in
students'
about Epiphany, how do you describe
above
all,
teachers
Epiphany?
the
mission
of
I say it's the best thing that ever
involvement and
committed
to
this
place. Somehow or another, those folk who took the chance that a local organist would be able to handle what was put in front of him and have the job done the way it was supposed to be done got lucky. There's never been a kid I didn't want to help. If you love the
students,
despite
whatever
problems they bring you, and if you treat them like someone you love, you'll be all right.
happened to me. I tell them how I managed to get here and all the happy accidents that have enabled me to do the things that I do. I talk
about
my
colleagues
who
are
excellent, my bosses who are excellent; I talk about the physical plan, which is as
excellent
as
we
can
make
it
presently. I talk about the things that we do.
PAGE 18
While we focus on academics
given my disposition for that kind of
because we realize that is the
music and being a part of a church's
center of what we are doing, we also focus on developing persons who are thoughtful and
musical life, it is a very satisfying thing to sit down at an instrument that a bunch
of
amateurs
people
happy
by
built
making
and
make
music
on
Sunday morning, but nothing compares
appreciative. We have small class sizes, we have teachers who are very, very good at what they do, and we've got them from kindergarten on up… and that's basically it. I sell the package and how happy I am to be a part of it. We've got a variety of people, and
to Epiphany. While that organ will be around a long time after I'm not, so will this school. Which one is going to be more important to me in the long run? It's this place. And to think I did not want to come to New Bern, North Carolina.
somehow or another, we all manage to
God moves in a mysterious way
get involved and manage to stick
His wonders to perform:
together.
The
students
who
come
here understand what we're going to do. It's the students who make it; it's the young people who are here and
He plants His footsteps in the sea, And rides upon the storm.
the parents who are behind them. We're here to serve the students. I wouldn't have it any other way. And that’s pretty much my story. When we started to put that organ in,
Deep in unfathomable mines Of never-failing skill; God treasures up His bright
I would go from here to there, and we
designs
had three retired guys who loved
And works his sovereign will.
tinkering
around
and
were
really
jazzed to get the installation done. They would meet me at 7:00 am, and I
Blind unbelief is sure to err,
would tell them what they had to have
And scan His work in vain;
done and when I'd be back after my
God is His own interpreter,
classes. When I was done here, I
and God will make it plain.
would go there. A couple of miracles happened, and we got it built. To me,
PAGE 19 STAFF
Meet our New Administrative Assistants
Jessica Phelps
Betsy Downard
Lower School
Middle & Upper School
Jessica has a BA in Education from the
A native of Greater Cincinnati, Betsy
University of North Carolina-Wilmington, and worked as a 6th grade teacher and preschool teacher before joining the Epiphany family. Hobbies: Going to the beach, bike rides downtown with her family to get a Pepsi from the fountain, and practicing yoga. Fun Facts: Jessica realized she was afraid of heights climbing Angels Landing in Utah. She has walked 30 miles in 3 days for a fundraiser. Mario Kart is her favorite Nintendo game. Favorite Places She has Traveled: Ocracoke and Victoria, Canada
graduated from Centre College in Danville, Kentucky. Her professional background has been in communications and marketing in both the public and private sectors. Betsy and her husband relocated to New Bern in the fall of 2018. They have two adult sons. Hobbies: Traveling, hiking, taking day trips to the beach, and exploring North Carolina Fun Fact: Prior to moving to New Bern, Betsy’s only time in eastern North Carolina was the summer she spent as a Camp Seafarer counselor. Favorite Places She Has Traveled: Family trips to Grand Cayman, Switzerland, Rome, and Vatican City.
PAGE 20 STUDENT SENATE
STUDENT SENATE by Allison Potter '23
Student Senate Secretary
Pictured: Student Senate executive team . Bayleigh - President, Emma - Treasurer, Emma - Vice President, Allison - Secretary
For as long as I can remember at
on May 1 on the soccer field. We hosted
Epiphany, Student Senate has hosted
this event for grades 5-12, and there
two
events
were games and music. Also, Kona Ice
traditionally. These include an end-
came out, and our school-wide grill
of-the-year dance for all grades and a
master, Señor Craig Hearne, made us
prom for grades 10-12. Well, with
some of the best hotdogs ever. For the
COVID, these events seemed to be a
first time in a long time, students were
struggle, but for our Senate team, it
able to bond with other grades through
was not impossible. We knew that an
games of kickball, soccer, corn hole,
end-of-the-year dance for all grades
and
could not happen because of social
conversation. I am very proud of all of
distancing
guidelines.
However,
the senators and officers for chipping
Student
came
with
into this event to serve their school.
end-of-the-year
Senate
alternative
that,
I
up
believe,
an
even
just
carrying
on
a
some
students enjoyed more. We came up
Another event that was quite difficult to
with “The Tailgate.” This event was
host was prom. Typically, prom is at the
PAGE 21 STUDENT SENATE all to gather together. On the night of May 7, students spanning from grades 10-12 put on their new dresses, rented tuxedos, boutonnieres, and corsages, and went to Copper Ridge for prom. We began the night with salads, grilled chicken, and pasta. The night ended with trying to get Coach Campbell and Mr. Barlow to do the Wobble. Overall, Taken during the Tailgate. From L to R: Allison (grade 10), Addison (grade 5), Emma (grade 11).
prom was very different from a usual year, but it was a success, and some
New Bern Golf and Country Club, and
may even say that they enjoyed it better
all events are inside. But this year, we
than a normal prom.
did not want to gather together inside because who wants to take 15-minute mask breaks at prom? We knew we had
to
find
another
venue
that
allowed us to be outside for most or all of the event. Then, Copper Ridge on the Neuse in James City came on our radar. Copper Ridge has beautiful scenery that allows everyone to be outside. Also, Copper Ridge gave us the option of having dinner there, which served as another reason for us
Pictured: L to R: Emma (grade 11), Diggs (12), Allison (10), Zarek (10), Charlie (11), Madelyn (11), Ben (outside guest). At dinner at prom.
PAGE 22 CONNECTION
Connected How We've Stayed
In a year where we were encouraged to distance ourselves and stay apart, we found creative ways to live out this year's ministry and stay connected on each campus, between campuses, and to our community.
Games with friends during Brain Breaks
Zooms with authors and special guests
Held traditional events, like battle of the brains, virtually
Kindergarten created goodie bags for medical staff at Carolina East
Virtual Alumni visits in the classroom
PAGE 23 CONNECTION
Lower School held virtual events for Grandparents and parents
Zooms with authors and special guests
Service clubs continued to serve our community
Trent Campus Tri-M Students performed for Lower School Students during lunch.
Lower School held virtual events for Grandparents and parents
Seniors Love in Action, serving the New Bern Community. K & 11, and 1 &12 grade buddies met virtually throughout the year, and finally got to gather together in May!
PAGE 24 ALUMNI
THE
CONFIDENCE
TO
During my time at Epiphany I traveled the
world,
made
"REPLY" By: Andrew Breasure '18
capable of. I did well in school, but I
and
didn’t really desire to be much more
added MLA format to my arsenal. I
than a strong student and a professional
learned
American
baseball player. Epiphany challenged me
Revolution in Mrs. Chiles’ class and
to keep pushing myself to see what
how to do Stoichiometry with Mr.
other
talents
DeCamp. I constructed a solar panel
school
was
with Mrs. Brown and read Frankentein
introducing
with Mrs. Fitzgerald. However, the
particularly this one about these things
most important things I learned were
called Lollipop moments. Essentially,
about myself. I came to Epiphany
this
rather unsure of the influence I was
moments that go on to change your life.
about
3-pointers,
HIT
the
term
I
might
also me
refers
possess.
The
responsible
for
to
to
Ted
Talks,
insignificant
PAGE 25 ALUMNI I had mine freshman year of college,
systems.
Every
and my life has not slowed down yet.
member
from
week
a
another
new
staff
school
meets
with me to introduce “Beers Aren’t Bad.” During my first semester at NC State,
This
new
approach
my friends were all joining fraternities
education will hopefully effect lasting
and not having the best time. They
change
were being hazed and struggling in
campuses. Greek Life at NC State is
school as a result. Witnessing how
changing, and I am proud to have had a
they were being mistreated by these
hand in it.
on
on
hundreds
substance of
college
organizations upset me, and I wanted to make a change. I got an email with
While
the opportunity to recharter Pi Kappa
academically
Phi at NCSU. My dad was a Founding
prepared me to be an adult and a
Father of the same organization at
leader. I am no longer scared to stand
Barton College. I decided to take on
up for what I believe in or fight for the
the challenge. As I look back, I cannot
little guy. I now know that nothing is
fully account for all that has happened
impossible, and no goal is too great.
since. I started this fraternity in my
There
dorm room with a small handful of
influenced my life, but Epiphany stands
friends and people who also wanted a
out.
different
responding to that Pi Kappa Phi email.
Greek
experience.
Three
Epiphany
are My
prepared
for
many
college,
people
Lollipop
who
Moment
the Top Pi Kappa Phi chapter in the
Epiphany to have been critical in giving
country. Personally, I won the award
me the confidence to hit “Reply.”
President
at
NC
State
and
the
National President of the Year Award. By 2023, a $5 million mansion will be finished to house the next class of leaders. I now oversee the entire IFC Community at NC State and work with other
universities
incorporate
new
nationwide
to
alcohol-education
programming into their Greek
of
was
seconds, but I consider my years at
Chapter
total
have
Best IFC Fraternity at NC State and
Outstanding
a
also
That
Most
took
it
years later, we have been named the
for
moment
me
120
PAGE 26
u l A
i n m
o N s s a l C
s e t
'19
1
4 Brandon Damgaard has joined the NC Army National Gard and completed his Initial Enlisted Training last August. He recently became an uncle and godfather to
some
wonderful
babies
in
his
life
and
has
completed his first semester at ECU majoring in Biology with minors in military science and Spanish.
'18
Taylor Glover (4) has become a major leader on Barton College's campus and currently serves as a Resident Assistant,
SGA
President,
a
Student
Ambassador,
Presidental Leadership Fellows Peer Leader, President of Lambda Phi Epsilon, President of Alpha Phi Sigma, and was Founder of the campus' "Shatter the Silence" Initiative. Joshua LeRay (2) is majoring in Forestry at NCSU and has recently started his own business. Check him out at www.bonsaiguync.com!
2
'17
Ashley Bell (1) graduated early from ECU and now attends the Charleston School of Law. Andrew Maune graduated summa cum laude from NCSU with a B.A. in Foreign Languages with a concentration in Spanish Languages and Literature in May 2020. Drew has now graduated summa cum laude again from NCSU this May with an M.A. in Spanish with
a
Hispanic
Literature
and
Cultural
Studies
concentration. In the fall, Andrew will be attending the University of California Davis to begin a Ph.D. program in Spanish with a Designated Emphasis in
3
Critical Theory. He was offered a multi-year funding package from UC Davis and will serve in the role of Teacher Assistant while pursuing his degree.
PAGE 27
5 '17
10
6
Anna Walker (3) received her service assignment as a member of the United States Naval Academy's class of 2021. This summer she will begin the necessary steps to becoming a Naval Pilot. Jeffrey Williams concluded his baseball career and earned a B.S. in Mathematics from Eastern University
11
this May. He became engaged to Andrea Murillo on January 4, 2021, in Guanacaste, Costa Rica, and has recently been accepted to NC State University's Masters in Mechanical Engineering program.
'16
Tristan Stewart (5) will graduate from West Point on May 22.
7
He will train for nine months at Ft. Benning,
GA, and will then join the 82nd Airborne at Ft. Bragg,
14
NC.
'14
Robbie LaGuardia (7) recently visited Epiphany to thank the members of NJHS for the military care packages that were sent to him and his fellow sailors while they were stationed in the Gulf of Bahrain.
'13
Kristin Peed Beute (6) is currently an ICU nurse at Carolina East Medical Center. She received her BSN from ECU after graduating from NCSU magma cum laude with a bachelor's in Human Biology.
She
married her high school sweetheart, Derek Beute on May 16, 2020.
She is starting her Doctorate of
Nursing Practice program in Nursing Anesthesia at ECU to become a CRNA with plans to graduate in 2024. Zulay Romero (8) has published a book of poetry, narratives, and artwork entitled She Saw Hell and Survived It.
8
PAGE 28
PAGE 29
CONGRATULATIONS
EPIPHANY CLASS OF 2021 We look forward to celebrating you in the Fall issue of The Path!
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:
Mrs. Haddock's Global 'issues Class Zooming with students from around the world under the 15th anniversary seal.
The Path The Epiphany School of Global Studies Magazine Published twice each year
Editor:
Molly Ostmann Associate Director of Admissions and Advancement
Contributors:
Nicholas Sparks Cathy Sparks David Wang
JT Ellenberger Allison Potter '23 Andrew Breasure '18