The Path - Winter 2025

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THE PATH The Epiphany School of Global Studies Magazine

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

In This Issue: From David’s Desk.......................................................................................................................3 Epiphany Staff................................................................................................................................6 Campus Scenes...............................................................................................................................8 Epiphany PTO..................................................................................................................................11 The Road to New Bern.............................................................................................................14 Growing Up Military..................................................................................................................20 Reflections on Faith, Service, and Foundations......................................................24 From Epiphany to West Point: Lessons in Service and Perseverance.....26 Wings Earned, Lessons Learned......................................................................................30 From Epiphany to the Academy........................................................................................38 Alumni Class Notes....................................................................................................................42 Epiphany Board of Trustees................................................................................................44 Financial Update.........................................................................................................................47 Pathways to Giving...................................................................................................................48 Donor Recognitions...................................................................................................................50 2025 Gala and Auction.............................................................................................................55

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 Judeo-Christian commandment of Love God and Your Neighbor as Yourself, is a comprehensive college preparatory and globally-focused school that inspires students to devote themselves to our core values of respect, responsibility, service, and integrity.

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FROM DAVID'S DESK Twenty years--wow! It's amazing to think that

Responsibility, Service, and Integrity resonate

in the fall of 2006 The Epiphany School of

with these individuals today, and Epiphany

Global Studies began. We started with 92

planted those seeds many years ago. It is

students and 13 staff in that first year, serving

reassuring that the seeds of these core values

grades six through ten. Now, Epiphany has

reappear in the lives of Epiphany graduates

grown to 498 students, spanning Kindergarten

once they leave our hallways. These values are

through Seniors! This school year also marks

like joy, in that they stay steadfast in our

the first group of students who have spent

hearts and minds, not fading like momentary

their entire educational careers at Epiphany.

moments.

Nine

intrepid

seniors

started

at

Epiphany

thirteen years ago! Way to go, Jack, Cadence,

I hope you enjoy reading in this edition of our

Logan,

Anna

Katherine,

magazine about the connection between the

Mason,

and

Caroline!

Ben,

Ava,

Wood, to

military and Epiphany. The communities of

celebrate all of the seniors in the class of 2026

New Bern and Eastern North Carolina benefit

this coming June.

in

We

are

excited

immeasurable

ways

from

the

military's

presence. Epiphany is no different. As the son This year, we celebrate the year with the

of a career US Navy officer, I am grateful for

ministry of Joy! When I have spoken with

those who have been in the military. Thank you

students about the importance of Joy, one of

to all who have served our country. Perhaps

my messages has centered on the difference

one day, other "Little Falcons" will follow this

between happiness and joy. One is temporary

pathway of service. Perhaps they will soar to

and fleeting, while the other lasts and remains

new heights in mind, body, and spirit just like

in our minds and souls. This idea surfaces in

these graduates. Whatever the future holds for

many articles in this issue of The Path. We

our students, we remain excited to celebrate

chose to focus this issue on the impact of the

another year at Epiphany, our twentieth year.

military on the Epiphany community. We see

Thank you for being a part of our journey.

how parents of Epiphany students have served

Enjoy The Path!

our nation. Moreover, we see how Epiphany graduates have served in the military. We are

Peace,

so proud of these individuals, who sacrificed much to defend our country and the freedoms we enjoy. One common theme in the articles demonstrates how the lessons alumni learned at Epiphany continue to serve them after they graduated. The core values of Respect,

David Wang Head of School

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KEY ADMINISTRATORS

David Wang Head of School

Sandra Haddock

Molly Ostmann

Matt James

Asst. Head of School

Director of Admissions

Director of Athletics

Director of Global Education

Julia Connolly

Nancy Coughlin

Calah Ronzheimer

Regina Ruisi

Director of Development

Director of Finance

Director of Lower School

Director of Marketing

Dr. Morgan James

Kirk Ronzheimer

Bobbi Jo Kelly

Ryan Seeger

Director of Spiritual Life

Director of Technology

Director of Upper School

Paul Frantz

Jessica Phelps

Tammy Ponton

Coordinator of Learning Services

Admin. Assistant to the Lower School

Admin. Assistant to the Middle and Upper Schools

Director of Middle School

Natasha ArbeloFredericks College Counselor

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2025-2026 Faculty and Staff Natasha Arbelo-Fredericks Kim Bennett Cristian Bilbao Herrara Peter Blackburn Meredith Boyd Todd Bradley Liliana Campos David Carroll Nohora Cepeda Julia Connolly Kayla Corona Lissette Corona Nancy Coughlin Debra Davis Miguel Delima Josie Doak Matthew Driscoll Billy Dudding Maria Esparza Amy Fitzgerald Jon Fitzgerald Paola Forigua Paul Frantz Susan Frantz Ivy Garris Lynn Gaskins Nicole Goerss Sandra Haddock Lisa Haidt Craig Hearne Matt James Morgan James Bobbi Jo Kelly Kimberly Kelly Ashley Kenner Mark Krcmar

Benjoe Laforteza Julie Larick Kierston Long Lorraine McDonnell Cherise Milburn Karla Olivares-Falcon Molly Ostmann Jessica Phelps Tammy Ponton Oscar Quiros Cindy Reavis Kevin Reese Michael Richards Calah Ronzheimer Kirk Ronzheimer Regina Ruisi Adriana Sanchez Ryan Seeger Zeynep Serbes Laura Smith Malin Soreff Vanessa Soto David Spence Gina Steininger Arlin Tart Ashlee Tetreault Jodi Tomboulian Darlene Verspoor Cindy Walker David Wang Katherinne Wawrzonek Angie Webb Cailin Whitsett Cindy Williams Jason Willis Matthew Willis

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Welcome New Staff!

Kim Bennett

Susan Frantz

Regina Ruisi

MS Language Arts

LS TA

Director of Marketing

Peter Blackburn

Nicole Goerss

Zeynep Serbes

MS Math

US History

MS Science

Billy Dudding

Benjoe Laforteza

Gina Steininger

US Math

MS Science

LS Technology

Maria Esparza

Cindy Reavis

Matthew Willis

LS Spanish TA

Kindergarten

Tech Assistant

We are glad you are here!

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Campus Scenes Traditions, joy, and growth continue on both of Epiphany’s campuses!

Epiphany is celebrating its 20th school year with a ministry of joy!

We kicked off the school year with our traditional Odyssey Days, including our Day of Faith through service. Click here for a video about our sixth graders’ experience featured on WCTI.

Hudson ‘26 was awarded the Martha Hall Jenkins Award, paying for gallery space to display her art at the Community Artists Gallery & Studios throughout the fall.

This group of Juniors was Epiphany’s first “Little Buddies” in our buddy program. Now “Big Buddies,” they bring the program full circle.

PAGE 9 Band students had an instrumental music workshop with Nancy Dimock, principal oboist for the Boston Ballet Orchestra and Carolina Chamber Music Festival.

A group of Middle School students traveled to Yellowstone National Park over Enrichment Week.

Upper School students had the opportunity to travel to Zambia, Botswana, and Zimbabwe for Enrichment Week.

Team Orange wins the Steeplechase trophy for the first time!

Monster Mash is always a highlight at the Lower School!

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Go Falcons!

Congratulations!

Epiphany Varsity Women’s Tennis finished as NCISAA 2A State Runners-Up and Coastal Plains Independent Conference Champions. At the end of the regular season, they were named Number 1 in the 252 area code and 22nd in the state among all schools (public and private)!

Both men’s and women’s Epiphany Cross Country teams finished sixth in the state.

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Meet your PTO Team

OFFICERS:

Sarah Risty Davis

Jessica Mills President

Melissa Halton Treasurer

Vice President

Chris Memering

Anna Braun

Secretary

Falcons Nest

CLASS REPS:

Margaret Keasler Kindergarten

Tara Lord Fifth Grade

Jessie Kent First Grade

Stacy Rhinehart SIxth Grade

Stephanie Pinero

Tripp Carroll

Brad Wenner

Samantha Kemske

Second Grade

Seventh Grade

Third Grade

Eighth Grade

Ivan Pajaro

Fourth Grade

Notra Lail Ninth Grade

TALK TO US...

Noel Wildauer Tenth Grade

Jennifer Waddell Eleventh Grade

April Durning Twelfth Grade

pto@epiphanyglobalschool.org

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A Message from the PTO President JESSICA MILLS

Dear Epiphany Families, My name is Jessica Mills, and I am excited to serve as your Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) President this year.

I am a proud mom of a fourth, seventh, and eighth grader here at Epiphany. I am grateful for the opportunities to

Other events our organization hosts throughout the year to further create community within our school while generating connection between our families and the educator community are the Feast of Epiphany and Lower School skate nights.

One of the roles of PTO is distributing funds to staff through our mini-grant program. We meet monthly to review the requests and provide opportunities to enrich student experiences on both campuses. We would love for you to join

volunteer and support our school community through the events hosted by the PTO.

us each month during our meetings to help allocate these funds to staff and students.

We just celebrated our annual Falcon Fest in October. If you missed it, this experience is a beloved event each fall

As parents of Epiphany students, we are all part of the Parent Teacher

with bounce houses, bingo, various games, fairy hair, and everyone’s favorite – cake walk! It is a great opportunity to come out, fellowship with other Epiphany families, and get to

Organization. Events like Falcon Fest offer a wonderful opportunity to get involved, connect with other families, and strengthen our vibrant school community.

know the teachers and leadership team.

The event was a huge success, and we are so thankful for all the volunteers who helped organize, set up, supervise games, donate cakes, and more. It was

Thanks so much for your wonderful

truly uplifting to see everyone come together to celebrate and connect as a

Warm Regards, Jessica Mills PTO President

school family.

support—it really means a lot to all of us! I’m excited to see you at our upcoming events.

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IMPACT SHEET PROVIDED BY PTO VP SARAH DAVIS

The Road to New Bern BY: PATRICK HALL, PARENT OF PEYTON ‘23, DAVIS ‘25 & EMMA ‘28

The day started out like any other the trading floor, they were numerous random Tuesday in the life of a newly married, young professional in Houston, Texas.

Working on the Asset Optimization Desk in the Energy Trading Department of Koch Industries, I was up early and to the office before most people. We had to be ready for the opening bell in New York, and there was at least an hour of prep work to accomplish before the market opened.

Little did I know, events were in progress that would change the course of my life forever.

The first airplane had already hit when I got to my desk that morning. Back then, cell phones were fairly new, and they certainly didn’t include a streaming news service. We got our news primarily from the television, and on

and running all day. The coverage was somewhat vague, but I remember thinking it strange that an airplane had accidentally run into the World Trade Center on such a clear, beautiful day.

We had an intercom system on our office phones that patched us directly to our counterparts on the New York Mercantile Exchange (NYMEX), where we traded natural gas futures. A few of us gathered around the microphone and asked if they knew what was happening.

Our counterpart traders worked down the street about a block away from the World Trade Center, but there wasn’t a whole lot of clarity or understanding until we looked up just in time to see the second plane impact the South Tower. Even with my limited knowledge of national security

PAGE 15 at the time, it was evident that we had just been attacked.

My head immediately went to that article I had just read about Osama Bin Laden and a terrorist group called Al Qaeda.

The chaos of the morning seemed to escalate by the minute, and it culminated in the most horrific televised display any of us had ever seen before. After the towers fell, we were all told to leave our building and go home to family. My wife, Kenzie, worked in the tallest building in Houston, and she was evacuated relatively quickly, but not soon enough for me! I remember feeling stunned, helpless, sad, and then extremely angry.

I had been called to serve before, but this time was different…in so many ways.

Kenzie had been with me through this time when we dated back in college. I was finishing up my “career” as a baseball player, fully aware that the Big Leagues weren’t knocking down my door. I had shoulder surgery after my sophomore year for rotator cuff issues that pretty much sealed the deal.

However, I hung on to the dream through countless hours of rehab and focused work. I loved it: the challenge, the obstacle, the teamwork, the physicality, the mission. This sport was something that the business school, from which I graduated, never did for me. I did, however, love history, and I was a voracious consumer of all things military. My heroes, as a boy and even today, were men like my grandfather, citizen soldiers of World War II who answered the call, fought

insurmountable odds, and built this country out of the ashes of the Great Depression and post-war debris. I envied men of strength, courage, action, and character, and to me, this description perfectly encapsulated the persona of a United States Marine Corps officer. And as I struggled to envision my life after college and baseball, it hit me like a metaphorical sledgehammer. That’s it! That’s what I wanted to do. I had a plan. Join the Marine Corps as an infantry officer.

Serve four years and test my mettle.

Further hone my leadership skills and earn credibility, and then, I’d be ready for business school and the world of high finance!

Kenzie smiled and, with encouragement, wished me the best of luck. She was an independent and enterprising young woman and didn’t quite get the angle, but she was happy for me. We’d stay in touch and see where the years led us, but it was fairly explicit that the military life was not what she was after! I could certainly appreciate that. This quality was one of the things I admired about her so much.

She was her own woman and certainly didn’t need me to define her identity.

She was an optimist and a doer. And while we didn’t know it then, in the years to come, this persona would be the difference maker for her and our family to be.

So that was that. I charged off to start the somewhat nebulous and daunting process of figuring out how to make this desire happen. Becoming a United States Marine Corps (USMC) officer is

PAGE 16 not a walk in the park, and it was a steep learning curve, both physical and emotional. And despite some serious misgivings from family and friends, I remained undeterred and eventually was awarded a contract to attend a 10week job interview at Marine Officer Candidate School (OCS) in Quantico, Virginia, with a report date of June 6, 1999. That was three days after I was supposed to graduate!

I guess backpacking in Europe would have to wait. I didn’t care. I was fired up, and I could not have been more excited about the challenge that lay ahead.

Fate, however, had a different plan. My senior season was going great. I was hitting like crazy and playing some of the best baseball of my life. My parents even asked me what I would do if the unexpected were to happen, and one of those scouts actually offered me a shot.

Truthfully, I don’t know what I would have done, but I was so passionate about earning the title of Marine that I couldn’t see anything else.

My contemporaries in the business school were all strategizing about how to get hired by global investment firms and were fully consumed with interviews every week. I remember feeling sorry for them as I basked in the glow of meaningful purpose and directional certainty. That is, until April 20, 1999, six weeks prior to graduation and OCS, when it was revealed that plans had changed.

Remember that shoulder injury? Well, that had required a major medical evaluation and waiver to get past the review board. I had slipped past ‘em

once, but knew this time was now going to be a long shot. While diving back into first base on a pick-off play, I successfully re-injured my “waivered” shoulder. I was able to finish the season, but it was apparent that something was very wrong. I couldn’t do pull-ups. The pain was acute, and it would not go away. This pain was a problem. I couldn’t keep it from the powers that be any longer, and within a couple of days, after another medical evaluation and a fairly succinct phone call, I was advised that my slot and contract had been revoked. They also informed me that I had everyone’s best wishes for a great life, wherever that should take me. I was crushed…and unemployed.

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again? It was not an easy question and one that we deliberated over for the next few months.

This time was different.

It wasn’t just about me anymore…and this time, we were actually going to war.

Without going into exhaustive detail, the decision was made and With a bum shoulder and a bruised ego, I graduated and limped back home to Texas, attempting to piece together some sort of meaningful plan. Fate delivered me, begrudgingly, to that trading desk but sprinkled in a silver lining to ease the blow. I wasn’t the Marine I thought I was going to be, but it was apparent that I couldn’t live without that girl. We got married in May of 2001, moved out of my death trap rental house, and we spent the summer soaking up the sun in married bliss. Life was good. But on the morning of September 11, 2001, four short months after our wedding, everything changed, and some serious decisions had to be made.

For the past two years, I had struggled with my professional trajectory and was generally unhappy with what I was doing. We batted around a number of different ideas, but nothing seemed to light a fire. Now, in the backdrop of the recent attack on our country, that question that we thought had been put to bed stood over us like an ominous cloud. Do I try again? Rather, do WE try

the die was cast. For multiple reasons, I sought and won an aviation contract that would guarantee me a shot at naval flight school. But first, I had to make it through the crucible of Marine Officer training that would take place over the next year plus. To say that we were upending our lives would be an understatement. Everything was about to change. And it did.

We moved seven times in the first five years of marriage. Kenzie had four different jobs, and we became relocation “experts.”

The only consistency was change, and we learned to adapt to the uncertainty of what was coming next. Officer Candidates School and The Basic School in Quantico.

Aviation Pre-Flight Indoctrination in Pensacola. Primary Flight Training in Corpus Christi. Advanced Jet Training in Kingsville. And, finally, AV-8B Harrier training and my first fleet squadron in Cherry Point. Our ability to pack and unpack household goods was unparalleled. Kenzie’s rule was that we did not go to bed until every box was unpacked and everything was in its

PAGE 18 place. Come hell or high water, that house was going to be a home in the morning!

If past experience was any indication of future performance, we anticipated our stop in eastern North Carolina to be brief, maybe three to four years. We’d do our time, move where we had to, and eventually migrate back to Texas. But as our family grew, we both became conscious of the value of stability, and I did everything I could to keep the family in one place. The nature of the military is highly transient. We change “jobs” and duty stations every three or so years; moving becomes a way of life.

Some people thrive in this environment and welcome the change of scenery.

The Hall family, however, valued roots, and so we did everything we could to make it so. Between Cherry Point and Camp Lejeune, I was able to move back and forth between the two in order to satisfy the necessary professional “churn.” Our family grew, and so did our connection with the community and our neighbors. It was apparent that a deeper bond was forming and that we would be hard-pressed to find a better place to raise kids. As my career advanced, however, the ability to stay in one place would become next to impossible. So, when the day of decision came in the Fall of 2014, we took the off-ramp to leave Active Duty, doubled down on New Bern, and decided to “plant the flag” for good.

New Bern was to be our home.

We had made it. As anticipated, the road was long and difficult, but more scenic than we could have ever

imagined. We met people who would become lifelong friends, lived in places we never knew existed, and had shared experiences that grew us in ways we never thought possible. Conversely, we suffered loss, endured long separation, and fought the constant uncertainty and risk inherent in the profession of arms. The only consistency was the rock of the foundation that persisted at home. With grit, tenacity, and undying optimism, Kenzie’s “make it happen” approach to everything kept us on the rails. However, there was another component to our success that couldn’t be ignored: our community, made up of New Bern and the unbelievable gift of Epiphany.

PAGE 19 Many others have walked this path and will continue to do so in service to our country. Our story is not unique or special, but I share it because it highlights an important theme in my life, one that I value deeply. The word that comes to mind and resonates fully is Teamwork. I have been blessed to be a part of some remarkable teams, some big and some small. The size doesn’t matter.

What matters is the commitment to each other and to a defined/shared goal. Moreover, it’s a commitment to service and excellence in the task and purpose to which you have undertaken. And when you find

that kind of team, and are lucky enough to be invited to play, commit wholeheartedly, and there’s no end to what you can achieve. There is an old African proverb that says, “If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.” Looking back on our journey, much of our family’s success can be attributed to recognizing and partnering with great teams of service.

And so it is with our decision to make New Bern and Epiphany our home. We have been given an opportunity to share in something special, and we have chosen to be a part of a committed team. We choose to go together.

From cash flow, investments, retirement savings, tax concerns, insurance protection, estate planning needs and more, several pieces make up your total financial picture. To reach your full potential, you need to know how to get all these strategies working together for one common goal. We have the skills, knowledge, and years of experience to help bring all the pieces of your financial concerns together into a cohesive plan.

Growing Up Military BY: CADENCE CROWE ‘26

rowing up in a military family means Initially, I didn’t think much about how Ggrowing up in motion. My dad’s career it would impact my life. I only figured took us across states and time zones, teaching me very early on how to adapt, how to pack up and move forward, and how to make the best of every situation.

I was born in San Diego, but we quickly moved across the country—from Colorado to North Carolina. My dad was enlisted and served twenty years in the United States Marine Corps as a flight equipment technician. Needless to say, the first fifteen years of my life were surrounded by jets, bases, and Marines.

For as long as I can remember, I looked up to my dad and his job. I didn’t want to follow in his footsteps per se, but I had a deep admiration for those who served our country. Admittedly, when he decided to retire, I was relieved.

the most significant change would be no more deployments. However, I soon realized that the military was an essential part of who I am. While my day-to-day life didn’t change drastically, I noticed how much I missed certain aspects of active duty life.

Being immersed in military life from such a young age shaped how I see the world. I watched my dad work tirelessly, always focused on the next thing: inspections, deployments, and supervising new Marines. I learned that serving in the military is about commitment, responsibility, and showing up for something larger than yourself. I also saw the challenges that come with military life, including

PAGE 21 frequent moves, long deployments, and the sacrifices that families make alongside their service members. Those experiences taught me resilience, empathy, and adaptability, which are lessons I carry with me every day.

As I grew older, my fascination with flight and the military evolved into a clear goal: to serve as a Naval officer and eventually become a Naval aviator. I learned about the United States Naval Academy through a friend, and quickly realized that it was my dream college. I toured the Academy during my sophomore year and loved every minute of it. Before then, I had toured several colleges and was unsure of where I wanted to go and what I wanted to do.

After visiting the Naval Academy, I realized that it was my top college choice, surpassing every other option I had considered.

The summer before my junior year, I applied and was accepted to the Naval Academy’s Summer STEM program, where we worked in classrooms on

Computer Science, Engineering, Coding, and Mathematics. I met many people with whom I am still in contact today.

This program provided valuable insight into the academic paths that could be pursued depending on one's major. We stayed in Bancroft Hall, ate in King Hall, and toured other campus facilities. I was also lucky enough to be invited to Candidate Visit Weekend, a four-daylong experience where I shadowed a Midshipman doing PT, classes, and getting to know what life looks like as a Mid, more specifically as a freshman.

These opportunities reinforced my ambition and desire to serve in the military.

I hope to receive an appointment to the United States Naval Academy; it has been my goal for my whole high school career. More than a school, the Academy represents the values I hold dear: discipline, resilience, leadership, and service. Growing up surrounded by jets shaped not just my childhood, it is also who I want to become.

Reflections on Faith, Service, and Foundations BY: ROBBIE LAGUARDIA ‘14

Looking back nearly twelve years to the “ancient” graduating class of 2014, I can now see with clarity that my time at Epiphany was a period of building foundations. These were not just academic or social foundations, but moral and spiritual ones as well. Only with time and perspective have I come to fully appreciate how closely those early lessons aligned with the school’s core values of respect, responsibility, service, and integrity. I like to think that these principles have guided the trajectory of my life since leaving Epiphany—through the United States Naval Academy, active-duty service, and into the next chapters of my journey.

Yet, when the seas were roughest, (both figuratively and literally) it was another, unspoken foundation from Epiphany that truly carried me—my faith. The spiritual roots cultivated in Friday Chapel services, morning class prayers, and Love in Action projects provided strength I did not know I possessed. It took years, two deployments, and 620 days at sea within a two-year span to understand a simple truth that every person faces challenges he cannot carry alone. Only when you encounter your own cross do you truly understand that Jesus will be there to lift it with you.

My years at the United States Naval Academy were filled with rigorous

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“Faith, I’ve learned, is a living part of who we are. It ebbs and flows with life’s seasons, yet it is always within reach when we call upon it.” coursework, collegiate athletics, and military training. What was often missing, however, was a focus on faith.

A typical day consisted of formations, demanding classes, several hours of sailing practice, a late meal, and long evenings studying in Nimitz Library.

During this time, I adopted the Naval Academy’s core values of honor, courage, and commitment, adding them to those instilled at Epiphany. While these virtues were tested and strengthened daily, my faith remained relatively dormant as I learned to navigate life independently for the first time. Faith, I’ve learned, is a living part of who we are. It ebbs and flows with life’s seasons, yet it is always within reach when we call upon it.

After graduation, I reported to my first ship, the USS Philippine Sea, a Ticonderoga-class guided missile cruiser homeported in Mayport, Florida. As an Ensign, my role was to qualify as a Surface Warfare Officer—a demanding process involving mastery of ship systems, navigation, and warfare tactics.

I served as the Communications Officer, leading a division of fifteen sailors and managing all line-of-sight, satellite,

and digital communication systems aboard. It was a period of excitement, growth, and constant challenge.

In June 2020, the Philippine Sea deployed independently to the Middle East. We were sent “alone and unafraid” to support freedom of navigation in a region marked by instability, including several Iranian hijackings near the Strait of Hormuz. Our mission was dynamic, ranging from drug interdiction and joint exercises with regional navies to escorting merchant vessels and even rescuing shipwrecked refugees in the Mediterranean. Despite the operational dangers, the greatest challenge was isolation. As a COVID-deployed ship, we quarantined for weeks before departure and were prohibited from any port visits during the ten-month deployment.

“The phrase “God never gives us more than we can handle” is often misunderstood; it does not mean we can handle everything, but r a t h e r t h a t w e a r e n e v e r w i t h o u t G o d ’s s t r e n g t h t o c a r r y w h a t w e cannot.”

Life onboard with 350 sailors confined within the ship’s steel walls required daily resilience. Together we celebrated birthdays, holidays, and milestones far from home. As a division officer, I often stood before my sailors, reassuring them through multiple extensions that we would soon see our families again.

The leadership of our captain and the camaraderie among the crew were indispensable. During this time, I practiced service and integrity daily but still relied primarily on my own strength rather than my faith.

Soon after returning, I received orders to my next ship—the USS Spruance, based in San Diego. Learning that I would deploy again for another eight months to the South China Sea was devastating. My resilience had carried me far, but early into that deployment, the pace became overwhelming. It was

then that I met Chaplain Ron Wade, whose guidance reignited my spiritual life. With his encouragement, I began reading Scripture daily and found renewed strength in the familiar passages of Christ’s life that had once inspired me at Epiphany.

I vividly remember sitting in the ship’s chapel during a Sunday service, realizing that I could not endure this deployment on my own. In that moment, one that must be personally experienced to be understood, I felt the tangible presence of Jesus beside me.

The phrase “God never gives us more than we can handle” is often misunderstood; it does not mean we can handle everything, but rather that we are never without God’s strength to carry what we cannot.

PAGE 27 Now, nearly two years removed from active duty, life has become easier, but I strive to remember my faith as fervently in peace as I did in hardship.

Over my service, I spent 620 days deployed from August 2020 to August 2022, exceeding the Navy’s two-year operational limit by 220 days in support of mission requirements. Those days away from family, friends, and home taught me more about faith, endurance, and grace than any textbook or training ever could.

To the students at Epiphany, I offer this encouragement—keep your faith and your relationship with Jesus at the forefront of your life. Prioritize it alongside your studies and ambitions.

Your faith will sustain you in times of trial and guide you in times of joy. It is never farther away than a prayer, a conversation, or a quiet moment in chapel.

God bless.

R eceiving my acceptance letter into Army career since have certainly West Point and serving my country was a long-time dream of mine, but I owe much of my success to the culture of service that Epiphany fostered. Service takes many forms, and the spirit of giving back that I experienced at Epiphany deeply influenced my military career, from my days as a student to leading a platoon of soldiers. My education at West Point continued to shape me into a leader of character, but that journey began much earlier, with the values I learned from my teachers and classmates in New Bern.

My four years at West Point and my

brought their share of challenges. Yet through every difficult moment, the foundation of values and the sense of service I developed at Epiphany and strengthened at West Point have given me a solid foundation to stand and lead on.

The road to West Point was not an easy one. The support of my friends and teachers at Epiphany was instrumental in helping me reach that goal, especially when things didn’t go as planned: I was denied admission the first year I applied – a tough blow to my confidence and clarity on what path I would be taking

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From Epiphany to West Point: Lessons in Service and Perseverance BY: TRISTAN STEWART ‘16

“Failure is inevitable, but it is never final.” next. Confident that I wanted to lead a life of service and leadership and determined to try again, I enrolled in a small military prep college in Alabama with the goal of reapplying to West Point the next year. I worried I was falling behind my peers and questioned whether I was on the right path. What felt like failure then turned out to be a gift.

That extra year gave me valuable time to grow and prepare for the privilege of leading soldiers after graduation. I also formed lifelong friendships, many of which continued at West Point and still endure nearly a decade later. More

importantly, I learned what it means to truly commit to a goal. Failure, I discovered, can be one of our greatest teachers. How we respond to setbacks defines the kind of people we become. I also learned not to rush the process.

When we don’t meet our goals on our preferred timeline, it’s easy to feel like we’ve fallen short. But looking back, I’m grateful for that detour, the relationships I built, and the lessons I learned along the way.

Challenges still arise daily, both in the Army and in everyday life, but each experience – whether a success or setback – has helped shape who I am today. To current Epiphany students dreaming up and wanting to pursue their own academic, professional, and personal goals, I’ll leave you with this truth: failure is inevitable, but it is never final. The path to success might not look exactly how you expect it to, but if you stay persistent, remain flexible, and keep your values at the center of what you do, good things will follow. Above all, continue to serve others in a way that is meaningful to you. That, more than anything, will guide you wherever life leads.

Wings Earned, Lessons Learned BY: ANNA WALKER ‘17 hen I applied for the United States myself to become a better MH-60S pilot W Naval Academy in the summer of 2016 every day. All running jokes aside, before my senior year, I knew 100% it was where I wanted to go for college, but I truly had no idea how far it would take me beyond those four years. Once I got into the Naval Academy, I had three main goals: surviving Calc 3, getting my 5k time down, and becoming a pilot. Having survived Calc 3 and now deployed on the USS Gerald R. Ford, I have two different goals: still trying to get my 5k run time down and pushing

earning my aviator wings of gold to become a helicopter pilot for the US Navy has been the hardest but most rewarding journey, and I wouldn’t trade it for anything.

Every Naval Aviator’s journey starts with commissioning through some Officer program, whether it is the Naval Academy, Merchant Marine Academy, ROTC, or OCS. I’m a little biased, but I

I still have to show some school pride and say that my route was the best (Go Navy, Beat Army!). The Naval Academy introduced me to Aviators from every platform whether it be pointy nosed jet, helicopters, or the big wings like P-8s and started to turn the wheels in my own head of what I wanted to fly one day. Second class year (junior year), I took the required ASTB, which is a combination of multiple choice questions and a hands-on controls portion. It doesn’t sound like a beast,

but you can only take it three times total and your score will reflect if you can be a Pilot, Naval Flight Officer, or neither at all. Aviator hopefuls go through an interview process with their mentor, and then ultimately it’s out of your hands completely until Service Selection in November of your Firstie year (senior year) where on the same day every single Firstie finds out their Service Selection Assignment.

Opportunities other than Pilot include Naval Flight Officer, Surface Warfare

PAGE 32

Officer, Marine Air or Marine Ground, Submarines, and Special Warfare like SEALs or EODs. As a relieved Firstie who got my first choice to become a Pilot, it felt like the hard part was over, but in reality I hadn’t even gotten started.

Following Commissioning, all Aviators start their journey in the beautiful white sandy beaches of Pensacola, Florida, where they learn the basics of flight and finish by passing a check ride in a Cessna. In between, you earn the right to finally be able to wear the luxurious flight suit decked out with funny patches, feeling like you’re the coolest person in the room. Fun fact, you’re not, and you will get humbled every single day for the next three years without fail. It’s safe to say I learned more after graduating college than I think I did in college.

Immediately after finishing this first stage, I moved to Corpus Christi, Texas, to start the next stage, called Primary.

In Primary, you fly the T-6B, learning aerobatics, emergency procedures, and ultimately get to solo the aircraft. In that moment, I realized that I really do love aviation, but didn’t really like flying by myself because of how much I love to talk, and I set my eyes on the helicopter route.

Each aircraft has its own manual, per se, which is called the NATOPS, and as an Aviator, it is your job to “know the contents thoroughly,” as stated on the first page. I felt like I never had enough time or brain capacity to memorize over 1,100 pages or emergency procedures, system diagrams,

schematics, and general physics. For all my teachers and friends who knew me, I was not a “STEM girl”; I was more of a political science or literature type. I spent at least six to eight hours a day studying on top of briefing and flying my gradecards for another eight to twelve hours a day. As if things couldn’t get any harder, right before Primary my dad passed away, leaving me to wonder if I could honestly handle everything being thrown at me. I think it is important to acknowledge how important it is to ask for help and to be able to push yourself past your own prescribed limits of what you think you can do; what you are capable of is so much farther than what you think you can handle. I was struggling in Primary and relied heavily on my mentors and friends to study with, vent with, and

laugh about botched flights with. It took me longer than I like to admit to ask for help, but when I did, sharing the yoke of my burden changed my entire flight school experience.

Flight School, like every other challenge in life, is very much personal but so much more shared. Our procedures are written in blood and there is nothing more dangerous than someone who won’t admit they don’t know what they are doing. Everyone has to put in their individual work every day but by talking with others, asking questions, and acknowledging what you need to work on is how Aviators truly become masters of their aircraft. Even Blue Angels, the best of the best in the world, have hours of debriefs after each flight, pointing out every mistake so that they can learn as a team and be better, safer, more technical aviators. I

Initially I was surprised by how many others felt exactly how I felt, but gradually it made more sense when I realized we were all type A, perfectionist types who accepted nothing but perfect and struggled when we couldn’t meet that mark. All throughout Flight School, I was pushed by my peers and instructors to become better mentally, physically, and morally, and I will always be grateful for that awful first year that taught me who I was.

Following Primary, I selected helicopters as my platform and moved back to Milton, Florida, for the next act of Flight School: Advanced. Every platform has a different location for advanced and I was ecstatic to go back to Florida where the majority of my friends were as they elected to have less moves and stay in one command for

PAGE 34 their trainings. After the gauntlet that was Primary for me, Advanced was much easier, but that was probably due to the fact that I had better study habits, more flight experience, a bigger risk bubble, and a more intense drive.

As we like to say, “Things don’t become easier; you just get better at doing hard things.” Advanced finished before I had even realized it started, and I winged October 13, 2023. In typical Navy fashion, I packed up and moved the next week to Norfolk, Virginia, for the FRS (Fleet Replacement Squadron)— or the Rag, if you’re familiar—to learn how to fly a real gray fleet aircraft; the MH60 Sierra.

I was getting better at doing hard things, and after finishing the FRS at HSC-2, I fleeted up to join HSC-9 in their 2024 pre-deployment cycle and absolutely love being a part of the Trident family. If you’ve been keeping track, I Commissioned in May 2021, winged in 2023, but only joined my fleet squadron in October 2024 so this process took a little over three years from start to finish. Graduating from the Naval Academy as an Aviator you owe a minimum of eight years, but you don’t start “paying back” until you wing.

I’m almost five years into my Naval Career and have only really done two years of my contract. This sequence might seem weird to include, but my point is that, as fun as it is to fly a twohour bag, there is so much work and training that goes into even a tenminute flight, and you have to want every single second of it. Earning your wings is a massive point of pride, and it creates a family across platforms,

ranches, and decades out of shared experiences. I think every Aviator will agree that not every day is going to be easy or glamorous, but it’s always worth it because of how much you love flying.

There is no way Aviators would make it through all of flight school, and some don’t, without actually loving our jobs.

All the long days and hard nights have gotten me to where I am today, and all my training has come together for my

first deployment.

I’m currently deployed (and writing this article) on the USS Gerald R. Ford. My days always start with a cup or two or three of coffee and a solid workout. Then I start the rest: studying, a pre-flight brief, a 3-5 hour flight, debrief, more studying, and I always find time to get some food.

Let me be the first to tell you, life on the carrier is not glamorous in the slightest, but even after four months, there are still moments where I audibly say, “Okay, that was pretty cool.” It’s

hard to believe that four years ago I had barely started this journey, and now I’m in charge of a 23,000 lb aircraft and the well-being of all the crew members within it. It was not an easy journey, and I didn’t love every part of the process, but it has changed me for the better.

My outlook on dynamic problems has changed completely; I’ve learned how to fail and learn from it.

Most importantly, the one trait that has led me to the most success as an Officer and as a Pilot is to be comfortable

PAGE 36 asking for help. The more I showed that I was willing to learn and ask others for their input, the more others came and asked for mine in return. You can’t be part of any organization without being willing to show vulnerability, and it has done nothing but strengthen my bonds between fellow Pilots, our Maintainers, and my Aircrew.

I might not still have the fastest run time – that’s a deployment goal right now – but I love my job, and I would encourage anyone interested in Naval Aviation to pursue it. It’s an amazing community filled with people who will challenge you, push you to further goals, and be by your side for every failure and success.

have a rough flight, amazing flight, or just want to talk to someone else who gets it. He still gives me the best advice, and I’m only lucky enough to receive it because one day in 2022, I failed a flight, and even though I was embarrassed, I was brave enough to call and ask for help.

LT Anna Walker HSC-9 Operations Team

To this day, I still call my aviation mentor Dave Schnorenberg every time I

John Robert and Alison Mattocks Proud to support

From Epiphany to the Academy BY: JOE CHRISE ‘20

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There are few questions I’ve been asked During my time as “DJ” at many a school more often in life than some version of “Why the Naval Academy?” I have fashioned many answers depending on the sincerity of the person asking, but none more true than this answer: to give back to the country that gave my family everything.

My mother immigrated to the United States from the Philippines as a young woman and overcame tremendous hardship to achieve the life she has now. My father grew up working on other people’s farms to provide for his family until he earned the opportunity to be the first in his family to attend college. In their own ways, both of the people who raised me achieved the American Dream, and I was fortunate enough to witness it firsthand. My older sister, too, provided me with guidance and support. Once I realized this fact, I began to see every challenge as an opportunity, and every opportunity as icing on the cake.

If I were to spill all my memories from Epiphany onto the kitchen counter and sort them by emotion, the “embarrassment” jar would probably be the most full. This thought is likely a result of the persisting psychological effects of missed wide-open layups, awkward interactions with girls, multiple failed Senate elections, and some truly questionable fashion choices. Though at the time I wished those moments had never happened, I know now they were necessary in building the courage to fail. I rarely missed an opportunity to make a fool of myself in those early years.

dance, I witnessed ballets of missteps and dance moves unworthy of daylight.

However, those are the moments I remember most fondly—when people simply put themselves out there or asked someone “out of their league” to dance. I think the middle schoolers' lack of fear of embarrassment (as opposed to the high schoolers') was what made their dances great. My biggest piece of advice to anyone still at Epiphany is this one: dance at every dance to the best of your ability—especially if you dance horribly.

Eighth grade at Epiphany marked the beginning of who I consider myself to be today. I can remember two canon events that thoroughly changed the trajectory of my life.

The first happened at the North Carolina State Track and Field Championship during my eighth-grade year. I had narrowly qualified for the 300m. At the time, our track team was talented with senior long-distance runners whom I regarded highly. I remember sitting in a circle on the field within the track, waiting for the conclusion of the awards ceremony, when the senior guys on the team embraced how talented and how much potential another young member of the team had. Though it seems silly now, I remember feeling left out of the quick exchange of praise. However, minutes later, Coach Juan came to my side and told me privately that he believed I was “wired for greatness” on this team and congratulating me for qualifying.

Though it may seem small, that moment

PAGE 40 changed my mindset for the better.

The second event occurred during my freshman year trip to Costa Rica. I was on a bus beside Mrs. DeCamp when she turned and looked at me and said, “You know, I think you would make a great Park Scholar.” She was referring to NC State’s premier full-ride scholarship— something I had never imagined for myself.

I never did become a state champion or earn the Park Scholarship. However, I worked with those goals in mind, which in turn made the Naval Academy a viable reality. From that, I learned two lessons: hard work is never wasted, and you can change someone’s life for the better in fewer than twelve words.

There is never a moment too small to make a positive impact.

The most fulfilling period of my life came when I served as the company training officer during my senior year at the Academy—a chance to be the “Coach Juan” or “Mrs. DeCamp” in someone else’s life. As the Training Officer (“Train-O”), I was responsible for developing our freshmen—our plebes —into upstanding future officers. In truth, my main method of doing so, the way I knew best, was through physical training.

In a practical yet unrelenting way I wanted to show my people that they were capable of much more than they might have

PAGE 41 ever believed. I showed my belief in their abilities sometimes with words, but more often with the enforcement of high standards. Consequently, this practice also held me to a higher standard than I thought I was capable of.

In my circles, there’s a very popular expression that says, “It is better to be a warrior in a garden than to be a gardener in a war.” I believe this statement to be true, of course, but I think this truth undermines the importance of being a gardener. Life, through mind, body, and spirit, needs watering and tending. I don’t think anyone can fully conquer an enemy until they have conquered themselves, just as you can’t win the war for your heart until you win the battle in your mind. This thought was one of the several messages I tried to instill in my plebes, and one I have to constantly

hold near in my own life. Life can be boring during periods of transformation, like a plant still unsprouted underground. However, that is the time when you become everything you were meant to be. Though I should add that boredom, much like embarrassment, is a choice.

Upon graduating from the Academy, I earned a master’s in electrical engineering from the Naval Postgraduate School, and I am now in the initial stages of flight school.

Though I cherish these opportunities, I yearn for my next chance to make a positive impact on those placed in my care. I am grateful that the military has afforded me the leadership experiences I have had and yet to hold.

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i n u m es

A l ss Not

a l C

Sydney Herron, Class of 2012, is going to be the new Program Manager for Orange County Animal Services in Chapel Hill. She spent the past three years building up the programming for adoptable dogs and cats at Burlington Animal Services, and she’s excited to be able to help expand the programs in Orange County.

She said Yes! Maggie Frye ‘17 got engaged on May 20,2025

Pablo Fulbrook ‘17 is currently a Tour Actor/Director on the Missoula Children’s Theatre Red Truck national tour. He travels around the country bringing week-long theatre camps to kids all over the nation!

PAGE 43

Ashton Smith ‘17 recently returned from the Philippines, where she served with the Peace Corps. She visited Epiphany in October and delivered a Chapel message to our Middle and Upper School students on the joy of serving others. Pictured on the right with Mrs. Fitz, also a former member of the Peace Corps, and Mr. Laforteza, who is from the Philippines.

PAGE 44

BOARD OF TRUSTEES

Dan Murphy

Cathy Sparks

Chair

Co-Founder

McKenzie Hall

John Hawkins

Secretary

Treasurer

Peter Moeller

Joe Osenni

Isa Gratacos Vice Chair

Ken Gray

Kate Horney

Reid Parker

Beth Walker

PAGE 45

A Letter from the Board of Trustees Dear Epiphany Community, This school year, our theme of JOY reminds us that true joy is found when we live out our mission: to love God and our neighbor as ourselves. It is with this spirit of gratitude and excitement that we share news of the wonderful growth and expansion taking place at Epiphany in the upcoming years.

to expand parking and improve traffic flow, creating a safer and more convenient experience for families. We are also shifting the location of the soccer field to make room for new facilities, including a future concession stand with restrooms that will enhance Falcon athletics and provide parking for campus events.

Finally, along with these facility upgrades, we are proud to announce a new

We are thrilled to announce plans to begin a brand-new Transitional Kindergarten program that could be available as soon as the fall of 2027.

This exciting addition allows us to serve families from the very beginning of their child’s educational journey, setting a strong foundation in faith, learning, and community. We are working on the creation of a dedicated classroom on the Henderson Campus as well as the development of a highquality curriculum experience. Our timeline allows us to adequately research best practices for Transitional Kindergarten and provide interested families with the answers they need.

Additionally, our Trent Campus is preparing for exciting improvements that will better serve our growing community as well. Plans are underway

more

partnership

with

our

local

sheriff’s office to strengthen oncampus security, ensuring a safe and nurturing environment for every student. Deputies for Craven County will be on campus on designated days to provide visibility and safety.

All of these initiatives flow from our mission and vision. Anchored in the commandment to love God and our neighbor as ourselves, Epiphany calls our students to live with respect, responsibility, service, and integrity. As we continue to pioneer our unique program of global studies, we remain committed to uncovering the gifts of each student, preparing them with the knowledge and experiences to succeed in the future.

The

expansion

of

programs

facilities is about far more than

and

PAGE 46 buildings. It is about shaping the hearts and minds of our students, creating space for discovery, and cultivating joy as they uncover their unique gifts for the journey ahead. We’re proud to foster a community where students, faculty, and staff live out our core values of respect, responsibility, service, and integrity, and where each member of the Epiphany family can flourish.

As a Board, we are deeply committed to intentional prayer for our school community—students, teachers, and parents alike—and we invite you to join us. Together, we are writing the next chapter of Epiphany’s story, and we are deeply grateful for your prayers, your partnership, and your unwavering support.

With gratitude and joy, The Board of Trustees

A PN PO LW Y

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Financial Update The 2024–2025 fiscal year, which concluded on June 30, 2025, was an exceptional one for The Epiphany School of Global Studies. We experienced a modest but meaningful increase in enrollment from the previous year and are thrilled to welcome more than 490 students in grades K–12. The continued expansion of the North Carolina Opportunity Scholarship has played a significant role in supporting this stability, helping us keep a high level of enrollment while making an Epiphany education more accessible to families across our community. For the year ended June 30, 2025, approximately 72% of our students received an Opportunity Scholarship award.

This past year also brought exciting improvements to our campus. In September 2024, we added a brand-new Blue Bird activity bus to our transportation fleet, enhancing our ability to support athletics, field trips, and other school activities. In addition, we upgraded the entire 5th Grade Annex with new flooring, creating an even more welcoming and engaging learning environment for our students.

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the families, friends, and supporters of The Epiphany School of Global Studies. Your commitment and generosity continue to make our mission possible, and your partnership helped make this year such a tremendous success.

Looking ahead, we remain dedicated to attracting and retaining exceptional educators by offering competitive salaries and comprehensive compensation packages. Our goal is to ensure that we continue to bring the finest faculty and staff to Eastern North Carolina—professionals who inspire, challenge, and guide our students every day.

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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.* $5,001 to $10,000

Daniel and Bobbi Jo Kelly

The Cushman Fund, through the NC

Edmund and Holly Knott

Community Foundation

John Robert and Alison Mattocks Pate-McClintic Foundation, with

$2,000 to $5,000

appreciation for the recommendation

John Hawkins

of Gary and Caroline Flannery

Clinton and Carolyn Massey Dan and Ashley Murphy

Mike and Joan McDonald, In Honor of Jake and Sam McDonald

Evan and Blythe Restelli

Joseph Osenni and Angela Park

Catherine Sparks and Slade Trabucco

Tommaso & Ellen Serra Chris and Kathryn Taylor

$1,000 to $1,999

Dean and Jill Thompson

David and Linda Bullock, In Honor of

David and Amy Wang

Peyton, Davis & Emma Hall John Eric Chrise

Gene and Marguerite Witter

PAGE 51

$500 to $999

Aung Myo and Mar Bee

Reneè Carroll

New Bern Area Chamber of Commerce

Maria Galloway, includes a matching gift

Bobby and Verna Parker

from her employer, IAT Insurance

Reid and Angela Parker

Group, Inc.

Tarheel Building Systems of New Bern,

Patrick and McKenzie Hall

Inc.

Drew and Margaret Keasler

Dave and Denise Tayloe

Jim and Cheryl McKee, In Honor of

Karen von Clef

Warren and Jackson Horney Sean Milburn Tom and Greta Mitchell Paula's Italian Restaurant

Anonymous, In Honor of Abigail Wathen Anonymous $25 to $99

Kirby and Laura Smith

Charles and Eloise Bryan

$250 to $499

Jonathan and Leigh Anne Friesen, In

Steve and Christi Bunting Brian and Christine Ferrell Charles and Patricia Hughes Brandon and Shaina Spears

Frederick and Stephanie Duckworth Honor of Epiphany Teachers and Staff, includes a matching gift from Leigh Anne’s employer, Johnson, Mirmiran & Thompson

Anonymous

Sam Zavitz

$100 to $249

In-Kind Donations with a value over

Kay Austin James R Copland III Ken and Gayle Daras David and Cheryl Foreman, In Honor of Jessie Kent Ken and Anita Gray Jeffrey and Sandra Haddock Patrick and Kate Horney Don and Paula Jessup John and Lorraine Miller, In Honor of Henry & Eleanor Miller Minges Bottling Group Michael Raines and Allison Mitchell

$250 CarolinaEast Medical Center Seth Miller and Samantha Cunningham Direct Relief Murphy Matza Wealth Management

Thank you to our donors in the 2024-2025 School Year. Your gift is appreciated and makes an impact each day!

PAGE 52

The music education at Epiphany became a bit more streamlined with the purchase of Music Stands, a Rolling Transport, and Soundproofing Panels.

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

Contributions to “Fund a Need” impacted the school in several ways in 2024-2025: Epiphany’s Astronomy Program will never be the same! With the Celestron Computerized Telescope, students unlocked the secrets of the universe in astronomy labs and inspired the next generation of stargazers.

Further enhancing the safety and security of the students on the Henderson Campus, we were able to install window tinting for added protection.

Adding a Mackie Thump 118S 1,400watt 18-inch Powered Subwoofer, Student Senate Dances just became more fun and inviting! $1,000 to $5,000 Epiphany PTO Ken and Anita Gray Beth Walker $500 to $999 Tripp and Sarah Carroll Joseph Osenni and Angela Park $20 to $499 Renewed Wellness Counseling Will and Hannah Finn Christine Zellers

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Annual Scholarships Donated To support students in need, there are scholarship opportunities provided to Epiphany, including: The Rural School Alliance (RSA) Scholarships provided

by Nicholas Sparks through Willow Holdings, Inc. The Falcon Scholarship awarded by John Robert and Alison Mattocks This year, there was also an Anonymous Hardship Scholarship donated to one of our families.

Thank you to the above donors for your dedication to ensuring those who would otherwise be unable to attend Epiphany come and receive the gift of education that will last a lifetime!

The Dr. Dwight Carlblom Endowment Fund will build a legacy for The Epiphany School of Global Studies. Established as a scholarship fund for students in need, the endowment will support children who might not otherwise have the opportunity to attend Epiphany. This long-term investment ensures the school reaches more students and creates economic diversity in our student body. $1,000 to $2,500 David and Linda Bullock, In Honor of Peyton, Davis, & Emma Hall John Robert and Alison Mattocks Catherine Sparks and Slade Trabucco, In Memory of Trawick “Buzzy” Stubbs Jr. $500 to $999 Drew and Margaret Keasler Jerry Simmons $20 to $499 JT and Karen Ellenberger Daniel and Bobbi Jo Kelly Aung Myo and Mar Bee Ernest Walker

PAGE 54 Elite Sponsor, $750 to $999 Landscape Restoration, LCC Dan and Ashley Murphy Pro Sponsor, $500 to $749 Joseph Osenni and Angela Park Rookie Sponsor, $250 to $499 Timothy and Cynthia Midgette Hall of Fame Sponsor, $1,000 to

Daniel and Maryanne Moore

$3,000

Joseph Osenni and Angela Park

Chick-fil-A New Bern

Reed and Cailin Whitsett

Joseph and Meredith Geiger

Whit and Sue Whitsett

Joe and Leigh Healy

Anonymous

John Robert and Alison Mattocks Anonymous Anonymous

In-Kind Donations to Athletics Joseph and Meredith Geiger Walter and Sarah Kerner Matt and Maureen Rose

George and Dare Oliver Charles and Sarah Smith Richard and Gina Steininger Gabriel and Helen Stix Reed and Cailin Whitsett Christine Zellers Anonymous

Backstage Sponsor, $500 to $749 Evan and Blythe Restelli Friend Sponsor, $250 to $499 William S. Blakemore Robert and Frances Jean Ficek

Other Donations, $50 to $249 Sallie Baxter, In Honor of Evie Curry Todd Bradley Scharlene Fry, In Honor of Catie Cordle Nolan and Jodi Tomboulian Anonymous

Charlene Geiter

In-Kind Donations to the Arts

Jason and Chris Memering

Neil Oliver

PAGE 55

2025 Gala and Auction On March 22, 2025, the Trent Campus was transformed into an Italian escape for Epiphany’s largest fundraiser of the year—our Annual Gala and Auction: Celebrating Italy. Guests were greeted by a warm Tuscan palette of champagne ivory, soft coppery terracotta, and tantalizing peach, brought to life by breathtaking floral arrangements and wine-inspired centerpieces designed by Alison Mattocks. The evening was serenaded by the captivating sounds of live opera from vocalist Steven Williamson and pianist Kiersten Long, adding a touch of la dolce vita to the night.

Guests indulged in a delectable culinary experience courtesy of il Cigno Italiano, featuring a custom pasta bar and elegant desserts, while Sassy Spirits delighted with signature cocktails

including, Limoncello Spritz, Aperol or Campari, Limoncello Martini, and Negroni. From the first sip to the last bite, the evening was a feast for the senses—delizioso!

Grazie! The Gala and Auction raised over $215,000 in net profit for the Epiphany Fund, which provides critical, flexible support for academics, cocurricular programs, faculty development, and the daily upkeep of our campuses, ensuring every student receives an exceptional Epiphany education. Grazie mille to our generous sponsors and donors, whose philanthropy made the evening possible, especially: Donors and Paddle Raisers: Catherine Sparks & Slade Trabucco, Anonymous Donor, Ben & Allison Bunting, Trey &

PAGE 56 School family-created baskets, and treasures from New Bern and surrounding local communities, from an autographed helmet from Truist Wealth – Sports and Entertainment to a OneWeek Starter Camp at Camp Seagull or Seafarer. Truly, c’era qualcosa per tutti— there was something for everyone!

A heartfelt grazie to the incredible Gala Committee, whose creativity, energy, and dedication brought warmth and heart to the night:

Lucy Doak, Lee & Dana Hiner, Dan & Ashley Murphy, and John Robert & Alison Mattocks Platinum Sponsors: Wealth Management Fiume Orthodontics

Murphy Matza and Rankin &

Gold Sponsors: Emerson House Interiors, Juris Link, John Staton & Cara Hamm, and Wildauer, Copland & Phelps Families Adding to the excitement were our live and silent auctions. Auctioneer, Luke Proctor, inspired spirited competition as guests eagerly bid on extraordinary experiences, including a week-long trip to Tuscany, Italy, a Venetian glass sailboat brought back from the Epiphany Family Trip to Italy, and Enrichment Week at the Salty Pelican in Emerald Isle from Matthew and Nicole Levine, and more! The silent auction featured teacher experiences, Lower School student art, Middle and Upper

Stacy Rhinehart & Mike Wildauer, CoChairs, Bradley Wenner, Stage Coordinator and sixth through eighth grades Basket Coordinator Decoration Team: Alison Mattocks Cynthia Midgette Marianne Moore Auction Team: Amy Mills, Auction Coordinator Kim Barrett Jessica Bentacourt Sarah Pajaro Stephanie Pinero Dax Jennings, K-5th Grade Project Coordinator Cindy Brougher, 9th through 12th Basket Coordinator

PAGE 57 Julia Connolly, Director of Development David Wang, Head of School Dare Oliver, Director of Marketing McKenzie Hall, Board Trustee This event would not have been possible without the countless volunteer hours and dedication of the Gala Committee! Grazie! Thank you!

Finally, a heartfelt grazie di cuore to all our families and community friends who attended. Your support made the night a resounding success and helps our students uncover their gifts for the journey.

Looking ahead, mark your calendars for Epiphany’s Gala & Auction: Roaring Into The '20s, celebrating our 20th Anniversary on Saturday, March 21, 2026! Get dolled up and spiffy for a night of jazzy décor, a swell meal from The Chelsea, and plenty of swanky entertainment. Join us for a memorable evening of community, camaraderie, and celebration of The Epiphany School of Global Studies—truly the Cat’s Meow of Eastern North Carolina.

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Thank you to all the others who made the 2025 Gala and Auction: Celebrating Italy a success!

Live Auction Appeal and

$2,500 to $4,999

Donations

Ken and Anita Gray Landon Sparks

Thank you to all of those who made a gift or raised their paddle during the

$1,000 to $2,499

Live Auction Appeal:

Steve and Christi Bunting Clifford and Darlene Clark

$15,000 to $20,000

James and Tahira Copland

Catherine Sparks and Slade Trabucco

Walter and Amy Mills

Anonymous

Peter and Sarah Moeller Anthony and Annie O’Brien

$7,500 to $10,000

Baird “Trey” and Lindsey Paschal III

Ben and Allison Bunting

Beth Walker

Trey and Lucy Doak

Reed and Cailin Whitsett

Lee and Dana Hiner Dan and Ashley Murphy

$500 to $999 Brian and Julia Connolly

$5,000 to $7,499

Patricia Connolly

John Robert and Alison Mattocks

Ed & Mary Koffenberger Scott and Taylor McClellan Benjamin and Natalie Shelton Tim and Kendal Wilson $499 to $100 Steven and Laura-Jean Bell Brent and Diep Deacon Alan and Tammy Ferebee Tracy Moebius Allen and Stacy Rhinehart John Staton and Cara Hamm

PAGE 61

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 Aegean Med Spa Allie Cline Photography Animal Hospital of New Bern Baldree's Tire and Service Baxter's 1892 Baxter's Family Eye Care Beary the Hatchet Beauty Bar by Heather

Cork Wine Bar & Bistro

Sabrina Bengel

Lissette Corona

Bern City Cigars

Cottonwood Farm

Cristian Bilbao Herrara and Adriana

Ruth Cresenzo

Sanchez

Crystal Coast Boat Charters and Rentals

Bill's Pet Shop

Debra Davis

Black Cat Shoppe

Miguel Delima and Paola Forigua

Brad Poirier Photography

Down East Dance

Todd Bradley

Andrew and April Durning

Brew H2ouse

ECU Athletics Ticket Office

BSH Home Appliances Corporation

Emerson House Interiors, LLC

Liliana Campos

Envee Spa

Canophera Dog Toys

Esthetics

Carolina Bagel Co. & Deli

Expressions in Clay

Carolina Creations

Alan and Tammy Ferebee

Nohora Cepeda

Hannah Finn

Joan Charland

Front Street Pediatric Dentistry

Coastal Sole

Fruits of Her Hand Goat Milk Soap

Coastal United Soccer Association

Ivy Garris

Matthew and Jessica Conard

Lynn Gaskins

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Joseph Geiger Glow Aesthetics Boutique Kristi Gollish Grant's Menswear Scott and Anne Griggs Jeffrey and Sandra Haddock Harbour Pointe Golf Club Craig Hearne Hearne's Fine Jewelry Heron Hospitality Emilio Iacch il Cigno Italiano/Pelican Shoal, LLC It's Sew You Embroidery & Monogramming Jane's Embroidery Jewelry & More Judy Felkamp Pottery Kim Kelly Ashley Kenner Le Petit Bisou Matthew and Nicole Levine Locked In Athletics Kierston Long Ana Lopez Lula Balou Made in NC & Galley Stores Mayte Sweets Michelle Salsman Photography Timothy and Cynthia Midgette Walter and Amy Mills Daniel and Maryanne Moore Morehead City Country Club Greg and Kelli Muse National League of Junior CotillionsNew Bern Chapter Nautical Wheelers

New Bern Auto Group New Bern Civic Theatre New Bern Family Eye Care New Bern Golf & Country Club New Bern Golf & Country Club, Tennis New Bern Golf & Country Club, Golf Shop New Bern Gymnastics New Bern Historical Society New Bern Southpaws Baseball Joseph Alec and Tammi Newton Organized by Anne Marie Overman Capital Management, LLC Sarah Pajaro Pampered Chef by Dawn Ferreira Passionate Paws Co: Pet Grooming, Care Services, & Products Paula's Italian Restaurant Peacock's Plume Pelican's SnoBalls of New Bern Precision Moulding & Woodworks, Inc. Jessica Phelps Paula Purves

PAGE 63 Oscar Quiros and Vanessa Soto

Taberna Country Club

Rankin and Fiume Orthodontics

Take Two

Kevin Reese

Small Batch Specialty Gifts

Sierra Reilly

Snap Dragon

Rescue the Party Rentals

Truist Wealth - Sports and

Rinnova Spa & Wellness Center

Entertainment

River Landing

Tryon Palace Foundation

Calah Ronzheimer

Darlene Verspoor

Russell Family Dentistry

Britt and Lydia Warren

Savages Wood-Burning Pizzeria

Katherinne Wawrzonek

Scout and Cellar Wine By Dana Hiner

Mary Angela Webb

Serving for a Cause

Bradley Wenner and Andrea Terry

David Siler

Whistle Express Car Wash

Small Batch Specialty Gifts

Cailin Whitsett

Snap Dragon

Cynthia Williams

Malin Soreff

Jason Willis

Sugar Bees Bloomery

Wine and Design

SunBern NC

World Leadership School

Surf Wind & Fire

YMCA Camps Sea Gull and YMCA

Sweet Bee's Bakery Sylvan Learning Center

Camp Seafarer

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

Editor: Molly Ostmann

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

On the Cover: Robbie LaGuardia

Contributors: Patrick Hall - Parent ‘23, ‘25, ‘28 Cadence Crowe ‘26 Robbie LaGuardia ‘14 Tristan Stewart ‘16 Anna Walker ‘17 Joe Chrise ‘20