The Path - Winter 2024 by The Epiphany School of Global Studies

Calah

Ryan

Bobbi

F R O M D A V I D ' S D E S K

Hello, Epiphany!

Nelson Mandela once said, "Sport has the power to change the world " How profound! I am extremely excited about this edition of The Path and its focus on athletics. We strive to help students soar to new heights in mind, body, and spirit, and there is no better place to achieve this goal than in athletics. Epiphany has maintained its "no-cut policy" for athletics, and some people may argue that this policy weakens our competitive edge. I would argue, however, that this policy creates opportunities for our students who might not have challenged themselves on the basketball court, on the soccer field, or in the swimming pool. We currently field twenty-four teams in athletics across three seasons with Middle School, JV, and Varsity levels. Over 80% of our student population in grades 6-12 participate in athletics.

In this edition of The Path, you will hear amazing stories of success through athletics The role of athletics carries some students to opportunities well beyond Epiphany. Lake Hoard, class of 2017, currently works for the Dallas Cowboys Davis Hall, class of 2025, started a non-profit organization called Serving for a Cause, using his skills at tennis to serve others. Luis McElearney, class of 2024, used baseball to redefine himself and landed a college scholarship. These examples are just a few of the many stories we love to share about the power of sports with the EpiphanyCommunity.

You will also find in this edition our annual report from the Development staff. We are excited about what we have accomplished and cannot wait to take on future challenges My hope for all who read The Path is that you will see the intention behind not only athletics but also all that we do at Epiphany GoFalcons!

Peace,

David Wang Head of School

Epiphany Recognized on the AP School Honor Roll

We are excited to announce that The Epiphany School of Global Studies has received Platinum Status on the AP Honor Roll for the second straight year!! The AP School Honor Roll recognizes schools whose AP programs are delivering results and broadening college access for students. Additionally, Epiphany is being further recognized with the AP Access Award, which honors schools that encourage more underrepresented students to take AP courses. Congratulations to our amazing students and dedicated teachers on this outstanding achievement!

F A

t h l e t i c s a t E p i p h a n y

By Matt James, Director of Athletics

ounded in 2006, The Epiphany School of Global Studies has enjoyed a great deal of success in the short time that we’ve been competing in athletics Conference championships have been won at the middle school, junior varsity, and varsity levels. We have also celebrated state championships in men’s swimming and men’s cross country. Epiphany has been state runners up in men’s cross country, women’s cross country, women’s swimming, women’s tennis, and women’s volleyball. Numerous conference player of the year, conference coach of the year, and all state accolades have been earned by Epiphany players and coaches.

The athletic program at The Epiphany School of Global Studies intends to enrich the lives of all student-athletes and is an essential piece of the student’s full educational experience. Epiphany’s athletic department encourages all students in grades 6-12 to take full advantage of the variety of sports during their years in the Middle and Upper Schools. It supports and allows for participation by all students at any level of competition Currently, we field over 25 teams in 15 sports beginning in sixth grade and continuing through the Varsity level.

Epiphany is a member of the Coastal Plains Independent Conference (CPIC). Member schools include Arendell Parrott Academy, Cape Fear Academy, Coastal Cristian, Greenfield, John Paul II Catholic, Wayne Christian, and Wayne Country Day. CPIC is governed by the North Carolina Independent School Athletic Association (NCISAA), which was organized in 1973 by independent schools throughout the state of North Carolina who desired the opportunity to compete for state championships.

Our athletics programs will continue to flourish as we regularly enhance our coaching staff, beautify our facilities, and upgrade our equipment It is a realistic mindset for our studentathletes, coaches, and school community to know that Epiphany will continue to compete for conference and state championships.

Jonathan Clubbs ‘25 Competes at ISCA Sunfish World Championship

Congratulations to Senior Jonathan Clubbs, who qualified and competed in the 2024 Sunfish World Championship at the Rush Creek Yacht Club in Heath, Texas.

Jonathan was one of 16 youth sailors who competed among 100 of the top Sunfish sailors from 14 countries from October 13 - 19. Way to go, Jonathan!

FromHighSchoolto theDallasCowboys: AJourneyofPassion andResilience.

Alot can happen in 10 years, but every journey has to start somewhere. Mine started in high school where I discovered my passion for sports and the importance of building relationships. As a Cross-Country state champion in 8th grade and a 3-sport student-athlete (tennis, swimming, and soccer) in high school, I learned the importance of teamwork, leadership, and perseverance. These experiences laid the foundation for my future aspirations.

Upon graduating high school, I enrolled in the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, majoring in Exercise and Sport Science, where I would originally study to be a sports physical therapist. After getting my first ever D in Anatomy class, I quickly realized that this career path was not for me. I enrolled in an Intro to Sports Business class, where I discovered my passion for the business of sports and changed my major on the second day of my sophomore year to Sport Administration with a minor in Entrepreneurship. My time at UNC was transformative; I immersed myself in the coursework and practical experiences with the Women's and Men's Basketball and Soccer teams as a marketing intern and with Wasserman, a global sport and entertainment agency, as a Brand and Properties intern. Throughout these experiences, I

was able to network with industry professionals, which ultimately led me to the next step on my journey.

After completing my undergraduate degree in 2021, I enrolled in the dual degree Sport Business Graduate program at Ohio University, which is the number one Sport Business Program in the world. I immersed myself in multiple graduate assistantships with the College of Business and the athletic department, where I worked as an academic advisor and a marketing GA. I also made lifelong friends (I have already attended four grad school weddings since graduation) After the first year, I found myself gravitating towards pursuing a career within a sports agency to learn more about corporate sponsorships I completed a

second internship with Wasserman, which helped me confirm my future path. But boy, was I wrong. (I will get back to this).

Not going to lie, at this point in my life, I was cruising. I was in the best grad program for what I wanted to do, I was surrounded by the greatest people, I had a great social life, and I was fit and healthy. You know the saying that goes something like, “I never thought anything bad could happen to me….”. Well, this was exactly what I thought until October of 2022.

After completing the Columbus Half Marathon on October 16th, I developed a stress fracture in the neck of my left femur (which I did not even know was there). Two weeks later, I completely fractured my left hip while walking up the stairs. I will spare you the gory details, but I had to have three major hip surgeries from the span of October 2022 – May 2023 (where I was on crutches the entire time, and an emergency total hip replacement on November 8th, 2023 (where I had Titanium hip at the then ripe age of 24). Good news--I am finally cleared to run again on November 8th, 2024!

The only way I came out the other side, not depressed or addicted to painkillers, is because of God, my family and friends, and my extremely optimistic (sometimes annoying) outlook on life, where I choose to be positive more often than not. I only mention this story because I believe everything happens for a reason and that God has a plan for my life, over which I have little control. Even though that was the toughest period of my life, it ultimately is how I got to where I am today. (I will get back to this).

I was always told that the sport industry is all about who you know. So, throughout my grad program, I did just that. We were encouraged to utilize the Ohio University alumni database to network with industry professionals so we could find mentors and learn more about the specific sport careers we wanted to pursue. I utilized this well and was able to

build my network with many sport professionals, mostly in the agency or brand space, who have gone from strangers to mentors, to friends Fast forward to February of 2023, when I participated in the Case Cup Competition at the National Sport Forum Conference in LA.

I was at one of the evening events and heard my name being called. It was the Senior Director of Corporate Strategy of the Dallas Cowboys, Nate Reilly. “You are Lake, right? I was told that I had to meet the girl on crutches.” Little did I know that four of my mentors told Nate that he had to meet me, which they described as “the girl on crutches.” We had an hour-long conversation that night, which turned into a 30-minute phone call with the VP of the Corporate Partnerships Department 48 hours

later, which turned into a video call with 2 of the senior managers a week after that, which led to an in-person overnight interview 3 weeks later. I only submitted my resume as a formality when I got the offer. After 2 years at Ohio, I graduated with my MBA and Masters of Sports Administration on May 5th, 2023. I had my 3rd hip surgery on May 8th, 2023. Then, I moved to Dallas and started my dream job at the Dallas Cowboys on June 1st, 2024. And to think, Nate would have never found me if I had not broken my hip and been on crutches.

I never thought I would break my hip. I

never thought I would live in Dallas. I never thought I would work for a professional sports team. However, by being open to different opportunities, being optimistic, and trusting in God’s plan, I can confidently say I am right where I need to be

Where will I be in 5 or 10 years? I have no idea, but I cannot wait to find out.

The Midgette Family

K E Y A D M I N I S T R A T

David Wang Head of School

O R S

Sandra Haddock Asst. Head of School or of Global Education

mann dmissions

Matt James Director of Athletics

Julia Connolly Director of Development

Dr. Morgan James Director of Middle School

Natasha ArbeloFredericks College Counselor

Nancy Coughlin Director of Finance

Calah Ronzheimer Director of Lower School

Kirk Ronzheimer Director of Spiritual Life

Paul Frantz Coordinator of Learning Services

Bobbi Jo Kelly Director of Technology

Jessica Phel Admin. Assistan the Lower School

Dare Oliver Director of Marketing

Ryan Seeger Director of Upper School

Tammy Ponton Admin Assistant to the Middle and Upper Schools

2024-2025 Faculty and Staff

Natasha Arbelo-Fredericks

Cristian Bilbao Herrara

Meredith Boyd

Todd Bradley

Stephanie Brinson

Tracy Bryant

Liliana Campos

David Carroll

Nohora Cepeda

Julia Connolly

Kayla Corona

Lissette Corona

Nancy Coughlin

Debra Davis

Miguel Delima

Josie Doak

Matthew Driscoll

Hannah Finn

Amy Fitzgerald

Jon Fitzgerald

Paola Forigua

Paul Frantz

Ivy Garris

Lynn Gaskins

Sandra Haddock

Lisa Haidt

Craig Hearne

Matt James

Morgan James

Bobbi Jo Kelly

Kimberly Kelly

Ashley Kenner

Mark Krcmar

Julie Larick

Kierston Long

Ana Lopez

Lorraine McDonnell

Cherise Milburn

Karla Olivares-Falcon

Dare Oliver

Molly Ostmann

Jessica Phelps

Tammy Ponton

Travis Quay

Oscar Quiros

Kevin Reese

Michael Richards

Calah Ronzheimer

Kirk Ronzheimer

Adriana Sanchez

Ryan Seeger

David Siler

Jerry Simmons

Laura Smith

Malin Soreff

Vanessa Soto

David Spence

Arlin Tart

Ashlee Tetreault

Jodi Tomboulian

Caryn Vaughan

Darlene Verspoor

Maria Villalobos

Cindy Walker

David Wang

Katherinne Wawrzonek

Angie Webb

Cailin Whitsett

Cindy Williams

Jason Willis

AMessagefromthe PTOPresident

BRITTANY SPEAR

Dear Epiphany Families,

My name is Brittany Spear, and I am honored to serve as your PTO President this year I'm also a proud mom to a fifth grader here at Epiphany, and like many of you, I treasure every opportunity to support our school and community.

On behalf of the PTO, I want to extend my heartfelt gratitude for making Falcon Fest such an incredible event. Whether you volunteered, donated, or attended with your family, your participation played a vital role in its success. It was truly inspiring to see everyone come together to celebrate and connect as a school family.

The smiles on the kids' faces and the laughter shared throughout the evening were unforgettable. Events like these remind us of the special community we are building for our children, and I am so thankful to be a part of it

Looking ahead, we are excited about all the events planned for the rest of this

school year. Together, we can continue creating meaningful experiences that enrich our students' lives and bring our community closer.

The PTO holds a vital role in distributing funds to staff through our mini-grant program. We have highlighted just a few things we have enhanced classrooms and experiences through our funding. We would love for you to join us each month during our meetings to help allocate these funds to staff and students. Check out the Friday Flyer for meeting reminders!

Thank you again for your enthusiasm and support it means so much to me and to our school! I look forward to seeing you at our upcoming events.

With gratitude,

Brittany Spear PTO President

The Epiphany School of Global Studies Board of Trustees Report 2023-2024

As we look back on the significant strides made during the 2023-2024 school year, The Epiphany School of Global Studies Board of Trustees is delighted to present our Annual Report. This year was marked by notable achievements in academic excellence and community engagement, a

testament to our unwavering commitment to fostering an enriching educational environment.

One of the most encouraging developments has been the significant increase in enrollment numbers, a clear reflection of the growing trust and

To this end, the Board remains focused on enhancing the student experience and securing the school’s future for generations to come. After interviewing several architecture firms, we partnered with The Walker Group to help us complete a comprehensive master plan of our properties. The architects worked closely with the building committee’s results to determine the most effective use of our schools’ properties, paving the way for developments aligned with community needs.

With the master plan now complete, we are thrilled to announce upcoming improvements on the Trent Campus This includes addressing the longstanding need for additional parking. Construction will begin soon behind the Performing Arts Center (PAC), which serves both PAC and sports events. This project is in partnership with Trader Construction, who agreed to complete the project at cost Moreover, a generous family donation will fund a new concession stand with bathrooms, which will be built concurrently. The anticipation of these improvements, which will enhance our campus life, fills

us with excitement and optimism for the future.

Looking ahead, we plan to further enhance our athletic facilities by reconfiguring and adding two new tennis courts. These enhancements will ensure our facilities are more functional and accessible

Our continued focus on innovative educational programs has enriched our curriculum and strengthened our students’ connections to the global community, molding them into empathetic and informed global citizens. The master plan created with The Walker Group has been instrumental in strategically aligning our objectives within the broader educational and community framework.

We take immense pride in being recognized with Epiphany’s Platinum Status on the AP Honor Roll for the second consecutive year! This prestigious award serves as a testament to our unwavering commitment to academic excellence, instilling confidence in our students and their parents about the quality of education we provide.

As we prepare for the 2024-2025 school year, we are setting ambitious goals to build on recent successes. Key among these is the expansion of our interest in our educational offerings. This enrollment surge not only validates our efforts but also reassures you of our school’s popularity and growth, making you proud to be part of this journey.

extracurricular offerings to cultivate well-rounded individuals and the continued upgrading of our facilities in line with our master plan.

Furthermore, our prudent financial stewardship has enabled us to purchase a new bus, enhancing our transportation services. This new addition not only underscores our commitment to safe and reliable travel for our students but also ensures their convenience and comfort, thereby reinforcing our dedication to student welfare.

The partnership between the Board and The Epiphany School of Global Studies, along with the unwavering support of our community, is pivotal in guiding the school’s future. It ensures our

strategic initiatives are aligned with our educational vision and fosters a sense of ownership and pride in our collective achievements. By working collaboratively with our administration and faculty, we aim to create a nurturing environment where students can thrive academically, socially, and emotionally.

As we move forward, we extend our heartfelt gratitude to everyone who contributes to making The Epiphany School of Global Studies a beacon of learning and personal growth. We are excited about the future and remain dedicated to achieving our shared vision Your invaluable support and dedication have been instrumental in our success, and we look forward to continuingthisjourneytogether.

R D O F T R U S T E E S

Dan Murphy Chair

Cathy Sparks Co-Founder

Isa Gratacos Vice Chair

McKenzie Hall Secretary

John Hawkins Treasurer

Ken Gray

Kate Horney

Joe Osenni

Reid Parker

Beth Walker

FinancialUpdate

The fiscal year (FY) that ended June 30, 2024, was a strong year for The Epiphany School of Global Studies. The school had 50 more students enrolled at year-end compared to the prior year, an increase of almost 12% over the year ending June 30, 2023. The increased enrollment allowed us to provide teachers and staff compensation adjustments to bring them up to scale compared to North Carolina Public and Private Schools and make us much more competitive as an employer Additionally, during FY 2024, due to the generosity of faculty, staff, parents, and benefactors, we established the Dr. Dwight Carlblom Endowment Fund, which continues to grow to the ultimate goal of providing scho management, we were effective in the classroo on the Henderson cam Center. We ended the enrollment, and expand friends and family of Th

THE PHELPS FAMILY

Proud to support

The Impact of Tennis

ByDavisHall‘25

“It takes time and hard work to do anything that is worthwhile.”

Of all the clubs, organizations, and countless projects I have spent my time on during my high school career, nothing has impacted my life quite like athletics. It allows me to grow in nearly every aspect of my character and is also one of the most enjoyable things I do.

Healthy competition pushes us to grow. For me, it makes me realize the value of focusing less on perfection and winning my matches and rather on the experience and lessons that can be gained from a loss. It has also made me grow as a leader. On the team, my leadership abilities have developed exponentially during my stint as a captain, and one of my favorite things about tennis is helping the younger guys find their footing on the court Tennis has taught me how to work hard by waking up early before school to

practice and traveling for tournaments on the weekend. That, combined with my course load, has forced me to master time management, something that can certainly get away from us in our busy lives. It has even allowed me to support my community with my nonprofit, Serving For A Cause (tennisfocused charity).

Too many times, I hear people say, “I would play that sport, but it seems too difficult or takes too much time.” Yet, it takes time and hard work to do anything that is worthwhile. Sports allow us to bond with our peers, participate in healthy competition, grow as leaders, and give back to our school. Athletics have been a staple of my time at Epiphany, and it is a facet of my life that I hope to continue as long as I am able.

Campus Scenes

Traditions, fun, and growth continue on both of Epiphany’s campuses!

An updated version of our website launched in August!

We added a new bus to our fleet!

Everyone loves their buddy!

International Family Night hosted on the Lower School campus featured Latin American student dance performances, singing by Mr Corona, and we were treated to a lively and colorful visit from Los Chinelos!

Craven County Clean Sweep recognized Epiphany with their Clean Business award for October! Thanks to the students and staff for caring about our environment and community!

Fall Sports Pep Rally

Our Girls Tennis Team finished out the season as 2A State Runners Up an Sophomore Abi Rose was named All State

Epiphany launched a Girls on the Run club for our Lower School students this fall This club is centered around principles of healthy living, self-confidence, and joyful movement for girls in particular

Trent Campus students delighted audiences with their Fall theater production of “Fast Food ”

Team Tie Dye clinches the 2024 Steeplechase title.

Monster Mash at the Lower School is always a highlight

Trent Campus staff dressed as the emotions from Inside Out during Spirit Week!

FromtheDirectorof Development

JULIA CONNOLLY

Dear Epiphany Community,

Although new to the position of Director of Development, I am not new to The Epiphany School of Global Studies I have been in many of your shoes as a parent of two children with diverse interests and needs My oldest son graduated in 2022. While here, he nurtured his passion for soccer, which he went on to play in college Through the Christian lens through which our children are educated, he learned to lead by example by holding steadfast to his convictions and being true to himself – to “Love God and Your Neighbor as Yourself.” My youngest graduated last year in the Class of 2024 At Epiphany, he achieved many honors through his academics and developed his leadership skills through participation in clubs such as Youth and Government (YAG) and Student Senate He also dabbled in the arts by taking part in the Annie Jr musical performance last spring. My point in telling you about my boys is that we are so fortunate to have Epiphany – a school that caters to diverse needs and interests all while

ensuring our children are wellprepared for college and life beyond school!

Being an employee of Epiphany has opened my eyes to how much planning and intentional efforts go into ensuring our children have the best opportunities to “uncover their gifts for the journey ” Our leadership, faculty, and staff all work together to provide exceptional classroom learning opportunities, foster our students' interests through clubs and travel opportunities, find opportunities for our students to give back to our community through service projects, ignite their passion for the arts through performances and visual arts, and learn the value of teamwork with our competitive sports programs

Our students are provided with so many wonderful and safe opportunities to reach outside their comfort zones and find their gifts while at Epiphany I am honored to work at a school that cares so deeply about its students

As a parent, I also appreciated that The Epiphany School of Global Studies is intentional about keeping the cost of tuition manageable What you may not realize, however, is that tuition does not cover the entire cost of educating our children The gap that exists is reduced through generous philanthropic gifts from kind and thoughtful donors to The Epiphany Fund and through Epiphany’s largest fundraiser, the annual Gala and Auction If you have not already, please

consider making a gift to The Epiphany Fund before the end of the school year and/or sponsoring or attending the Gala and Auction: Celebrating Italy on March 22, 2025. By doing so, you are not only closing the gap between tuition and the true cost of educating our children, but you are also making a difference in the daily lives and educational opportunities of our students, faculty, and staff!

There are many other avenues to give to The Epiphany School of Global Studies, as you will see on the following page Any gift is appreciated! Thank you to those who have already given this year – you are making an impact at Epiphany and we are grateful for you! Thank you also for entrusting Epiphany with the education and development of your children. We are honored you chose an Epiphany experience for your children!

With much gratitude,

Julia Connolly Director of Development

In its second year, The Epiphany School of Global Studies has launched our “Fund a Need” campaign! This campaign identifies specific school needs that will help us make tomorrow better than today for our current and future students.

There

A v e n u e s f o r G i v i n g

are several avenues for giving to Epiphany! Which one makes the most sense for you?

Volunteerism and in-kind gifts are always appreciated. Volunteering and sharing your gifts and talents at Epiphany help to make the school more financially sound by supplementing paid positions Likewise, providing in-kind gifts from businesses or individuals, often supporting classroom instruction or for the auction at our annual Gala reduces our budget by gifting items we might otherwise need to purchase.

Make an unrestricted monetary gift to The Epiphany Fund. Contributing to The Epiphany Fund supports essential academic and cocurricular programs, faculty development initiatives, and daily upkeep of our campuses. The Epiphany Fund is the most flexible and immediate source of income for the school’s operating expenses All gifts can be received by cash, check, or credit card

Help us build the principle of The Dr. Dwight Carlblom Endowment Fund. The goal of this endowment is to provide scholarships for children who might otherwise not be able to attend Epiphany. A gift to the endowment is a long-term investment that will ensure the school reaches more students and creates economic diversity in our student body

Celebrate Epiphany by attending and/or sponsoring our Annual Gala and Auction. This year’s Gala and Auction is on March 22, 2025, and the theme is Celebrating Italy The money raised at the Epiphany Gala and Auction goes directly into The Epiphany Fund to help close the gap between tuition and the actual cost of educating our students

Thank you for being part of our success by giving

Maybe you have a specific initiative in mind? Consider supporting Fund a Need, the Black and Gold Club, and/or Friends of the Arts (FOTA). Restricted giving to any of these also makes a difference for our faculty and students. Fund a Need was established to help us grow with identified needs to improve specific programs or the school in general Gifts to the The Black and Gold Club support our robust athletics programs with uniforms, equipment, field maintenance, transportation, and much more FOTA contributions enhance the Epiphany arts program with the purchase of musical instruments, materials needed for the arts, educational speakers for the arts, show royalties, set decorations, costumes, and more

Legacy giving can be a win-win! Legacy giving, often called planned giving, may be a way to reduce estate and/or inheritance taxes Legacy giving is created by planning future gifts to our school with bequests in a will or through a retirement account, life insurance policy, or other assets. If interested in legacy giving, we encourage you to discuss this type of gift with your financial planner

Does the company you work for provide matching gifts? If so, this way is great to double the impact of your gift! Please check with your employer to see if The Epiphany School of Global Studies qualifies.

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Gifting securities such as stocks or other capital assets is another win-win for all. By donating securities to Epiphany, you not only support our school, but you may also be able to reduce your taxable income in a given year or reduce your capital gains in the future

The Epiphany Fund supports the essential academic and co-curricular programs, faculty development initiatives, and daily upkeep of our campuses. It is the most flexible and immediate source of income for the school’s operating expenses, helping to close the gap between tuition and the actual cost of educating our students.

A special thank you to Willow Holdings, Inc. and Nicholas Sparks for their generous contribution to our Global Program, allowing Epiphany to offer special travel opportunities to our students.*

$2,000 to $3,000

David and Linda Bullock

Tripp and Sarah Carroll

Ken and Anita Gray

John Hawkins

Chris and Kathryn Taylor

$1,000 to $1,999

Steven and Laura-Jean Bell

Gary and Caroline Flannery

Daniel and Bobbi Jo Kelly

Edmund and Holly Knott

Hiram and Janis Mayo

Mike and Joan McDonald

Pate-McClintic Foundation

Donald Cready and Alison Rowat

Mark and Srinuan Sinning

Catherine Sparks and Slade Trabucco

Gene and Maggie Witter

$500 to $999

Austin Bros. Fisheries, Inc.

Coastal Craftsmen, LLC

Juan Padro and Isa Gratacos

Minges Bottling Group

Tom and Greta Mitchell

Daniel and Maryanne Moore

Rhett and Jill Taylor

David and Amy Wang

Britt and Lydia Warren

$250 to $499

Steve and Christi Bunting

Patrick and McKenzie Hall

Patrick and Kate Horney

Charles and Patricia Hughes

Drew and Margaret Keasler

Dan and Ashley Murphy

Joseph Osenni and Angela Park

Reid and Angela Parker

Law Klay & Yutra Paw

Beth Walker

Brad and Erica Why

$100 to $249

Kenneth and Angela Bell

James R Copland III

Gary and Ashley Curry

Jane Dickerhoff

JT and Karen Ellenberger

Scharlene Fry

Ivy Garris

Jeffrey and Sandra Haddock

David and Lisa Haidt

Eileen Melton, In Honor of Abby Wathen

John and Lorraine Miller

New Bern Area Chamber of Commerce

Sandra Parker

Saw Kaw and Sher Paw

Douglas and Dianna Scott

David Siler

Allen and Susan Stroud

Tarheel Building Systems Of New Bern, Inc.

Tom and Lisa Van der Veer

Phillip and Judy Zellers

$10 to $99

Michael and Sara Blair

Tracy Garris Bryant

Amanda Carey

Robert and Frances Jean Ficek*

Will and Hannah Finn

Jonathan and Leigh Anne Friesen

Lynn Gaskins

Johnson, Mirmiran & Thompson

Mildred Munroe

Bobby and Verna Parker

Charles and Sarah Smith*

Craig and Denise Wilber

In-kind Donations

CarolinaEast Medical Center

Tart's Cleaning LLC

Joe Winn

*Donations went towards Epiphany’s Global Program

Fund a Need

Fund a Need identifies specific school needs that will help us make tomorrow better than today for our current and future students.

Contributions to the 2023-2024 “Fund a Need” impacted the school in several ways:

With the purchase of a commercial-grade refrigerator, we were able to expand food services for our students.

Art education became easier as a result of proper drafting tables and stools for the art classroom on the Trent Campus On the Henderson Campus, iPads became available to supplement art instruction in grades 3-5 art education, and a double sink was installed in the art room.

Spanish Classes became more engaging with iPads supplementing classroom instruction

Our band instruments expanded with several percussion instruments, including a xylophone, wood blocks, and several other percussion instruments.

The Athletics Department is now able to haul equipment to sporting events more easily now that we have a utility vehicle!

$5,000 to $10,000

Epiphany PTO

Scott and Taylor McClellan

Viking Turbine Services, Inc

$1,000 to $2,500

Patrick and McKenzie Hall

Mike and Michelle Hearne

John Robert and Alison Mattocks

George and Dare Oliver

Joseph Osenni and Angela Park

Dean and Jill Thompson

$500 to $999

Charles and Holly Benson

Marilyn Brewer

James and Tahira Copland

Wade Wall and Kathleen Coyle

Thomas and Leslie Van Dyke

Joseph and Meredith Geiger

Juan Padro and Isa Gratacos

Ken and Anita Gray

John Hawkins

Amy Mills

Dan and Ashley Murphy

Reid and Angela Parker

Adam and Jessica Phelps

Jason and Alison Raper

John Rexroad

Bob Sliter

Rhett and Jill Taylor

Beth Walker

David and Amy Wang

William and Millie Warren

John and Stephanie Zannis

$250 to $499

Kyle Van Middlesworth and Jennifer Aron

Justin and Jenna Gifford

James and Ashley Kenner

Sandy Rea

$10 to $249

Jonathan and Leigh Anne Friesen

Steven and Donna Gentry

Quinn and Amy Headington

Mike and Alana Huber

Stuart and Dax Jennings

Jason and Amy Willis

Christine Zellers

Black and Gold Club

The Black and Gold Club supports Epiphany’s athletic program. Gifts to the Black and Gold Club support our teams with uniforms, equipment, field maintenance, transportation, and much more.

A special thanks to the Give Grow Foundation and Joseph and Meredith Geiger for their generous gift to the Black and Gold Club

$1,000 to $1,500

Cynthia Midgette

Joseph Osenni and Angela Park

Catherine Sparks and Slade Trabucco

Friends of the Arts (FOTA)

FOTA is a membership club for parents who wish to support the arts for grades K-12. With each contribution, the Performing and Visual Arts Department at Epiphany is able to purchase items such as musical instruments, materials needed for the arts, educational speakers for the arts, show royalties, set decorations, costumes, and more.

$750 to $1,000

George and Dare Oliver

Catherine Sparks and Slade Trabucco

$500 to $750

Ralph and Edith Clark

John Robert and Alison Mattocks

$250 to $499

Kevin and Nancy Coughlin

Minges Bottling Group

$10 to $249

Todd Bradley

Robert and Frances Jean Ficek

In-Kind Donations

Juan Padro and Isa Gratacos

David and Lisa Haidt

Luke and Alison Quebedeaux

$500 to $749

Ed and Mary Koffenberger

Evan and Blythe Restelli

$250 to $499

Kevin and Nancy Coughlin

Anthony and Angela Genzale

Stuart and Dax Jennings

Christopher and Kimberly Oncavage

Charles and Sarah Smith

Kenneth Wooten

Christine Zellers

$10 to $249

Robert and Frances Jean Ficek

Nolan and Jodi Tomboulian

Charles and Sarah Smith

The 2024 Gala and Auction: Arabian Nights can be summed up with one word MAGICAL. When you walked into the Gala, you immediately felt transported to an Arabian country with bright pink and purple colors and a tent in the middle of the room serving signature cocktails, including Timeless, Cave of Wonder, and Wishmaker The sights were not the only aspect of the night to grab your senses! The NC Middle Eastern Music Ensemble filled the room with the pleasant sounds of music from another land Our taste buds danced with flavors, such as hummus, feta, tzatziki,

kabobs, and baklava by Marrakesh

Mediterranean Guests also visited Mehak Minhas Artistry and left with intricate henna tattoos to round out the Arabian feel of the evening What an amazing night!

Thank you for the countless hours and resources invested by the 2024 Gala and Auction Committee:

Anne Griggs (Co-Chair)

Stacy Rhinehart (CoChair)

Christa Tarver (CoChair)

Anna Braun

Alison Mattocks

Adam Phelps

Michael Wildauer

McKenzie Hall, Board of Trustees, Secretary

Dan Murphy, Board of Trustees, Chairman

Dare Oliver, Director of Marketing

David Wang, Head of School

Amy Willis, Director of Development & Volunteer

The 2024 Gala and Auction: Arabian Nights would not have happened without your commitment to The Epiphany School of Global Studies.

Their hard work was rewarded with profits over $133,000 for The Epiphany Fund. Contributing to this success was our generous

sponsors, including our: Presenting Sponsor: The Nicholas Sparks Foundation

Platinum Sponsors: Murphy Matza Wealth Management, The Phelps Family, and Rankin & Fiume Orthodontics

Gold Sponsors: Catherine Sparks & Slade Trabucco, Hearne’s Jewelers, The Midgette Family, and New Bern Auto Group And so many othersThank you for your dedication to The Epiphany School of Global Studies

Adding to the success of the night was our live and silent auction. Our live auction, with auctioneer Madison Crum, bolstered our event by providing a competitive spirit for the

greater good of The Epiphany School of Global Studies. Attendees couldn’t help but try to outbid one another with the exciting packages, such as Orthodontic Treatments from Rankin & Fiume, a stunning diamond pendant from Hearne’s Jewelers, a Bald Head Island Getaway provided by Andrea Terry & Brad Wenner, and so much more Our silent auction featured several experiences provided by our Epiphany teachers, art projects from our Lower School students, and fabulous baskets provided by our Upper School families Additionally, there were items from our New Bern Community allowing there to be something for everyone! We cannot thank our Epiphany teachers and community members enough for graciously giving to our auction to support Epiphany! Thank you also to Epiphany’s PTO for all their help in organizing the auction!

Auction: Arabian Nights. The night would not have been a success without you! Thank you for supporting Epiphany’s mission and helping our students “uncover their gifts for the journey!”

The 2025 Gala and Auction: Celebrating Italy is just around the corner as it is on March 22, 2025 You will have the opportunity to surround yourself with the elegance of Italy, featuring flavorful Italian cuisine provided by the chefs from il Cigno Italiano, picturesque décor, and engaging entertainment. We hope to see all our Epiphany families and community friends come out for a fun night benefitting The Epiphany School of Global Studies!

Finally, thank you to all our families and community friends who came to our 2024 Gala and

Thank you to all the others who made the 2024 Gala and Auction: Arabian Nights a success!

Live Auction Appeal

Thank you to all of those who made a gift, between $5,000 and $250, through our Live Auction Appeal:

Tripp and Sarah Carroll

Nan Clemmons

James and Tahira Copland

Joseph and Meredith Geiger

Lloyd and Cille Griffith

Patrick and McKenzie Hall

Ronald and Valentina Meeks

Joseph Osenni and Angela Park

William and Tammy Ponton

Matt and Maureen Rose

James and Christa Tarver

In-kind Donations to the Gala and Auction

Thank you to the faculty and staff, individuals, community members, and businesses who graciously gave their resources to support Epiphany’s Gala and Auction:

A Dog's Dream

A Painted Home at the Craft Studio

Beartown Bistro & Pizza Company

Beauty Bar by Heather Bern Pilates, LLC

Bill's Pet Shop

Bishop's Marina RV Park

Bobby Karmi

Meredith Boyd

Todd Bradley

Stephanie Brinson

BSH Home Appliances Corporation

Buff City Soap

Liliana Campos

Carolina Therapy Connection

Kenneth Carroll

Nohora Cepeda

Comet West New Bern

James and Tahira Copland

Cottonwood Farm

Kevin and Nancy Coughlin

Ron and Cathy Cox

Crystal Coast Boat Charters and Rentals

Brandon Lewis Damgaard

Down East Dance

Bud & Beverly Ellis

Emerson House Interiors, LCC

Alan and Tammy Ferebee

Hannah Finn

Allison Forrester

Paola Forigua

Front Street Pediatric Dentistry

Fruits of Her Hand Goat Milk Soap

Ivy Garris

Lynn Gaskins

Christin Adkins Grady

Scott and Anne Griggs

David and Lisa Haidt

Harbour Pointe Golf Club

Craig Hearne

Hearne's Fine Jewelry

Heron Hospitality

Lee and Dana Hiner

It's Sew You Embroidery & Monogramming

Kim Kelly

Laser Hair Removal & Skin Center

William and Anne Lathan

Laura B. Overman Photography

Matthew and Nicole Levine

Ana Lopez

Lula Balou

Made in NC & Galley Stores

Chuck McGuire

Michelle Salsman Photography

Mitchell Hardware

Greg and Kelli Muse

Na Ne

New Bern Family Eye Care

New Bern Golf & Country Club

New Bern Historical Society

Karla Olivares-Falcon

Olive Tree Family Counseling, PLLC

Christopher and Kimberly Oncavage

Paula's Italian Restaurant

Peacock's Plume

Precision Moulding & Woodworks, Inc.

Adam and Jessica Phelps

William and Paula Purves

Michael Raines and Allison Mitchell

Rankin and Fiume Orthodontics

Rinnova Spa & Wellness Center

Calah Ronzheimer

Adriana Sanchez

SeaDek MidAtlantic

Small Batch Specialty Gifts

Laura Smith

Snap Dragon

Malin Soreff

Southern Persnickety

Catherine Sparks and Slade Trabucco

Taberna Country Club

Tart's Cleaning LLC

The Bonafides

The Emerald Golf Club

Tidewater Appliance & Mattress

Tryon Palace

Caryn Vaughan

Maria Villalobos

Katherinne Wawrzonek

Bradley Wenner and Andrea Terry

Cailin Whitsett

Cynthia Williams

Jason and Amy Willis

World Leadership School

Epiphany’s First Chilean Exchange Experience

Reflections By Katherinne Wawrzonek and Cristian Bilbao, Faculty Trip Leaders

Epiphany looks forward to welcoming students from El Colegio Los Cipreses for the second time in the fall of 2025!

Iam delighted to recount the extraordinary experience our students had during the recent immersion exchange program with El Colegio Los Cipreses in Chile. This journey allowed our students and myself as the leader to deeply engage with Chilean culture, history, and education, resulting in an experience that will resonate with us for years to come.

Our students were warmly welcomed into Chilean life by our host families while also attending classes taught in Spanish and interacting academically with their Chilean peers. This immersive environment offered an unparalleled opportunity to understand Chile’s educational system while forming meaningful connections with local students. The faculty and administration at El Colegio Los Cipreses went to great lengths to ensure our students felt at home, organizing diverse activities to facilitate interactions with Chilean families and community members.

Throughout the program, our students were fortunate to explore several culturally significant sites. A highlight was our visit to Sewell, a UNESCO World Heritage site situated in the Andes, which served as home to workers at one of the world’s largest copper mines. This visit provided our students with valuable insights into Chile’s rich industrial heritage. Another memorable destination was Parque en el Aire, where students experienced the natural beauty of Chile’s trails and participated in a high ropes course as they interacted with local members of the community. Additionally, students were able to visit Pichilemu, renowned as the global capital of surfing, which introduced them to an iconic aspect of Chilean coastal culture.

Our students also had the chance to explore picturesque towns, historic churches, and a local farmers’ market, where they found unique souvenirs to bring home. Each of these experiences allowed our students to develop a profound appreciation for the traditions and warmth of the Chilean people.

We are grateful this exchange program fostered invaluable cultural understanding, lasting friendships, and unforgettable memories We are deeply appreciative to El Colegio Los Cipreses for their hospitality and meticulous planning, which ensured a truly enriching experience for our students

-Katherinne Wawrzonek

When I was told that I would be traveling with a group of students to Chile, I was excited and had a lot of expectations. This trip was not only about exploring the beautiful landscapes, immersing ourselves in the culture of Chile, or practicing Spanish; it was also about creating connections among our students, the students at Colegio Los Cipreses, and the local community

Our time at Colegio Los Cipreses was a great opportunity for our students to create these connections. The initial shyness of all the students faded away as American and Chilean students started to talk and spend time together. They shared stories, laughter, and even played some soccer and basketball during PE class. It was amazing to witness how quickly students started to communicate in both languages, Spanish and English

culture, and background, we all share a common desire for understanding and acceptance. When we stepped out of our comfort zones and experienced new places, languages, and cultures, we created bridges that transcended borders and brought our countries and cultures closer.

As a trip leader, I felt very proud because I could witness these interactions. I saw firsthand how our students adapted to situations that they had not experienced before and taught people in Chile a lot about American culture. I certainly believe that this trip will leave a lasting impact on our students, inspiring them to continue seeking out opportunities to connect with people from diverse backgrounds, learn from other cultures, and share their own culture with other people around the world.

-Cristian Bilbao

Falcon to Southpaw to Bulldog.

by Luis McElearney ‘24

Being able to be a part of the Epiphany baseball team during high school was very special I got to watch something grow from my freshman year, when we didn’t have enough players to field a team, to my senior year, when we were competing at a varsity level Just because we didn’t win the most games doesn’t mean there wasn’t something special being built around this team. There were a lot of young talented kids who will be very successful in baseball once they are able to grow and develop. We also had a great coach, Matt James,

who was very patient with this growing team and helped these players grow and learn the game of baseball I’m very excited to be able to watch this team grow throughout the next couple of years and see how they compete. There is a bright future for Epiphany baseball

After high school, I was given the opportunity to play with the New Bern Southpaws in the Old North State League, a collegiate wood bat league in North Carolina. Throughout the summer, I had the opportunity to watch

college baseball, compete against other college players and learn from my teammates around me. I was able to get my first collegiate baseball opportunity before even stepping foot on campus. I didn’t get a great deal of playing time, but I took advantage of the opportunity to pick the brains of my teammates and see what they’ve all learned throughout their time playing college baseball Overall, the season went great as we finished first in our division and made the playoffs, but the experience that I

was given from being able to play with the Southpaws was the best part of it It helped me with my transition into baseball here at Gardner-Webb University. I've already been able to adjust to what it's like to compete at a collegiate level, and it's put me ahead of the other freshmen who weren't given the same opportunity as me. I loved being able to play over the summer, and I will be pitching with the Southpaws again in the summer of 2025.