GAC Today Winter 2015-16

GACSTODAY W I N T E R 2 0 1 5 -1 6

COMMON CORE

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EQUIPPING STUDENTS NOW 9

GAC ATHLETICS

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ALUMNI NEWS

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OPPORTUNITY

TRANSFORMATION

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he other day two senior girls asked to visit with me. They shared a package of ideas about opportunities at GAC: creative new approaches to school life and learning. New “traditions” they thought could have power for GAC even after they graduated, and their own aspirations ahead in life. I was blown away by their depth and maturity, their inspired solutions…and their joy. When they arrived, I assumed I was visiting with a couple of bright teens. As they departed, I watched two significant, mature leaders walk out the door.

That metamorphosis inside them didn’t simply happen by chance. The world of opportunities that GAC teachers and program-builders have designed, along with their parents’ good nurturing, has played a mighty hand in who they have become. Opportunity is spelled out in several ways. You can see it in the power of an increasingly extraordinary and caring faculty—highly skilled and honored by their peers nationally, yet growing more all the time. It is found in the novel programs GAC is offering in 2016—far more than the GAC of only a year or two ago—over 20 all-new programs. You can see opportunity in the experiences of Christian missions and service that are the very DNA of GAC life.

It all reminds me of Jesus’ surprise to his earliest followers. Instead of the confines

of traditional religious codes, he told them why he came: “I have come so that they may have life, and may have it abundantly” (John 10:10). Every day at GAC, we share in fulfilling Jesus’ wish for his children— building abundant, purpose-filled lives that are committed to Him. This edition of GACS Today gives just a glimpse of the uncommon path that GAC life, learning, and culture are creating; of the incredible opportunities that unfold here every day—and the rising transformed lives of hundreds of students.

Sharing in shaping their “Abundant Lives?”

Now that’s an opportunity worth our energies and more. Join us in creating the best of transformations at Greater Atlanta Christian School.

DR. DAVID FINCHER, PRESIDENT

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VOLUME 16 WINTER 2015-16 NUMBER 1B

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COMMON CORE OR UNCOMMON LEARNING?

4 ENRICHED LEARNING 6 LEARNING IS A JOURNEY 9 LEADERSHIP: EQUIPPING STUDENTS NOW 14 BRINGING COMMUNITY TOGETHER 24 ANNUAL REPORT 26 PATH FORWARD 36 ALUMNI NEWS

FRONT COVER Head football coach Tim Hardy leads the team in a post-game prayer after the Spartans secured the Region 6AA title.

(PHOTO: Jessica Ly) EDITOR Jamie Dalton CONTRIBUTORS Robby Ackerley, Kristi Buce, Jamie Dalton, Brian Dolinger, Dr. David Fincher, Scott Harsh, Tammy Hughes, Dr. Robert Lindsay, Becky Martin, Dr. Brad Schultz, Ronnalee Strickland, Josh Thomason, Katherine White GRAPHIC DESIGN Danny Flanagan and Fritz Miller for Fritz Miller Studios, Inc. PHOTOGRAPHERS Robby Ackerley, Chris Holcomb, Lea Long, Mario Lozano, Jessica Ly, Glenn Martin, Kim Smartt, Mary Carol Sullivan, Wes York PRINTING Data Supplies, Inc. The Communications Office at Greater Atlanta Christian School publishes GACS Today semi-annually in winter and summer.

MAILING ADDRESS Greater Atlanta Christian School 1575 Indian Trail Road Norcross, Georgia 30093-2614 WEBSITE www.greateratlantachristian.org Greater Atlanta Christian School practices a non-discriminatory policy of admissions.

gacs today | winter 2015-16

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nless you’ve been off the grid for a while, you know the phrase “Common Core” and that it has something to do with a national agenda for American public schools. It’s not unusual for me or other GAC leaders to be asked, “Where does GAC stand on the Common Core?”

I’m glad you asked.

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DR. DAVID FINCHER

COMMON CORE OR UNCOMMON LEARNING? Just to ensure we are starting with the same definition, Common Core is an educational initiative in the United States that details what K12 students should know in math and English, adopted in 42 states at last count. (It was 48 states, but a few retracted.) It’s been a political football at times – but that’s not our focus. Our focus is the best interest of GAC students to think, thrive, and lead ahead.

Common Core seeks to create a national platform, so that children who move around the nation might find the same learning standards to give American students a chance to catch up to the rising international learning of developed nations (the U.S. has fallen disturbingly behind), and to focus on a new set of skills and knowledge that 21st-century kids need to know, but which many local public districts haven’t adopted.

IN A NUTSHELL, HERE ARE FOUR OUTLOOKS OF WHERE GAC STANDS ON THE COMMON CORE:

FIRST,

as a Christian school with a vision of uncommon, extraordinary, faithfilled, personalized learning for our students, we are thrilled to be independent, not under the auspices of state and local government school requirements. We hold dear our independence because we’ve seen too often various layers of local, state, and federal bureaucracies impose the latest initiatives, only to run to the opposite pole a handful of years later. Our friends in public education are terrific, and we have a number of GAC families past and present who work diligently in public school settings. God bless their good work—as America needs great public schools. However, GAC is not required to adopt government school policies in this area—or our students and families would lose a key portion of the engine that makes GAC special, our independence to think differently and autonomously.

SECOND,

GAC is always observant and quick to adopt research-based best practices in uncommon, unmatched learning for our students, no matter where we find it. Some of those practices are from the best universities and private schools around the nation, such as MakerSpace and our college-level digital approach to learning. Some are “home-grown,” such as the extraordinarily experiences of the Environmental Center, our numerous mission opportunities, and our course on biblical stewardship modeled after The Ron Blue Institute for Financial Planning. And some may even be a national standard or two—even out of the Common Core. We don’t ever reject a concept or great

practice simply because it was born in a state or federal department. Our view is that the Common Core has some values, some standards that are good, even great.

Yet Common Core standards are not the cap, the peak to which we take our students. They can serve as a baseline, scaffolding upon which GAC can build even more for our students – and we do, every day. we believe there are risks in external standards, both to our school’s heart of faith and to the fire of creativity we want to build in students. According to University of Oregon’s Dr. Yong Zhao, the more a nation takes on an internationalized, homogeneous environment, the poorer it does in measures of creativity and innovation— the economic drivers of our nation today (Zhao, Y. World Class Learners: Educating Creative and Entrepreneurial Students, Thousand Oaks, Calif.: Corwin Press, 2012).

GAC has no plans to steal from our students’ creativity to force them into a national singular mold of learning.

In addition, any standards GAC adopts must provide great room for faith in Christ and all of his character and ethics for our children.

THIRD,

extraordinary Christian teachers play a mighty hand in uncommon outcomes for students. Standards are good, but they pale in comparison to the impact of superb, caring teachers. That is why GAC administrators and teachers are dedicating incredible attention to finding and attracting the absolute best teachers to join the GAC faculty, and then committing extraordinary attention to their success, additional education, and evaluation for improvement. Uncommon Christian teachers are the linchpins of student success, far above written standards.

FINALLY,

So does GAC favor defined outcomes (standards) for learning? Absolutely. We already have adopted outcomes – and will regularly adopt new and higher standards in the future. Some of those will match Common Core, and many others will surpass it. Yet we hold even dearer the creativity standards can potentially impair, our freedom from governmental bureaucracy, deep commitment to attracting and growing superb Christian faculty, and the essence of Christian faith and ethics in every lesson. And with those four elements brought into the equation—the formula for GAC success for a generation of students…is anything but common. gacs today | winter 2015-16

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Enriched Learning Dr. Brad Schultz, Elementary Principal

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eginning in the fall of 2016, GAC is launching a new program specially designed for infants through three-year-olds. While this new program for young learners will be grounded in the same Christian mission as other school levels at GAC, it will take a new approach to teaching.

Our program for young learners will offer a safe, nurturing environment while encouraging active learning. Using the Reggio Emilia teaching philosophy, teachers will incorporate children’s interests with art, music, and play — and help them build a genuine love of learning and a desire to discover the world around them. Children are active participants in the classroom each day.

Share finding with friends and teacher at school

What is Reggio Emilia?

Reggio Emilia is an approach to teaching that seeks to build a genuine love of learning from the earliest stages of development by homing in on how children learn best and how they express their ideas. While some children learn a concept best by drawing, some prefer to put on a play; while some might learn better outside in a hands-on activity, others prefer to read about a subject in a book during story time. Teachers tap into what captures children’s attention and then structure class time appropriately, involving children as active participants in the classroom each day.

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find a bird nest in a tree at home

Play instruments that sound like birds singing during music class

Share creation with family at home

Collect items ON OUR NATURE TRAIL and create a bird nest

Create a Bird Mask in Art

Read a book about birds during story time

Research pictures of birds and the nests they make Dr. Sheree Hill, the newly named director of GAC's program for young learners explains that Reggio Emilia is “an approach that is child-centered and child-driven. It trains children in real-life discovery and learning opportunities that will open their eyes to what is around them.” This program offers a projectdriven approach and zones in on a child’s curiosity, using it as a springboard for learning. photographed by Mario Lozano

Dr. Sheree Hill Named New Director With many years of experience in early childhood education, Dr. Hill’s passion for educating young children and her background in the Reggio Emilia approach make for an ideal match as we launch this exciting new program. GAC president Dr. David Fincher shares, “Dr. Hill’s rich background, unmatched professionalism and inspired learning are exactly what we’ve been looking for, at exactly the right time.”

“I am very excited to have the opportunity to help develop this new program. Being a part of helping children grow as individuals and as learners is my passion. God has given me a marvelous gift by allowing me to build relationships with these children and their families.”

– Dr. Sheree Hill

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Brian Dolinger, Junior High Principal

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ighth grade. I had just performed really well on a large assessment for one of my classes at school. I took the evidence to my father to share the good news of my success, to which he responded, as he always did, “Well, what’s your last name?” This was the standard response my two brothers and I received whenever a positive event took place. To this day, I can call my brothers and ask the same “last name” question and receive the same “Oh, geesh” eye-roll reaction. My father was instilling in us something that seemed playful and a way to build pride in our family. However, it was also something that unintentionally caused us to think about our own success in a very dangerous manner. I remember finding myself later, looking down at an assignment where I had performed poorly and thinking, “Oh no. Am I still a Dolinger?”

Simply put, someone demonstrating a growth mindset believes that intelligence, talents, and skills can be developed and grown with time, effort, motivation, and practice. Conversely, a fixed mindset promotes the idea that intelligence, talents, and skills are pre-determined and limited, dependent upon who you are, or in my father’s thinking, your last name. In a fixed mindset, people spend time documenting their intelligence or talent instead of finding a way to develop it. Either mindset shapes our response to and view of a variety of things, with far-reaching implications.

Let’s take failure as an example. For someone demonstrating a fixed mindset, failure should be avoided at all cost. This mindset leads to a risk-averse perspective where a student faced with an unsuccessful attempt at learning might question who they are instead of how well they have done. With a growth mindset, failure is embraced as an opportunity for learning and growth.

The way we view our own successes and failures, effort and abilities, and determination and talents will shape our attitudes about ourselves, others, and growth. In her book, Mindsets, Dr. Carol Dweck outlines two fundamental lenses through which we can view others and ourselves (Dweck, C.S. Mindset. The New Psychology of Success. New York, NY: Random House, 2006). She defines these lenses as mindsets and distinguishes between a fixed mindset and a growth mindset.

“The most important thing you can do to help your child instill a growth mindset is to praise them for effort rather than for talent.” – CAROL DWECK, PH.D. gacs today | winter 2015-16

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Fixed Mindset 1

Growth Mindset

• Something you're born with • Fixed

• Can always improve

• Something to avoid • Could reveal lack of skill • Tend to give up easily

Challenges

• Unnecessary • Something you do when you are not good enough

Effort

• Should be embraced • An opportunity to grow • More persistant • Essential • A path to mastery

• Get defensive • Take it personally

Feedback

• Useful • Something to learn from • Identify areas to improve

• Blame others • Get discouraged

setbacks

• Use as a wake-up call to work harder next time

s teachers and parents, the feedback we provide our students and children will have a profound influence in developing their mindsets. The following quote is taken from an excellent resource for those who may want to learn more about this topic.

"In fact, every word and action sends a message. It tells children – or students or athletes – how to think about themselves. It can be a fixed mindset message that says: ‘You have permanent traits and I’m judging them,’ or it can be a growth mindset message that says: ‘You are a developing person and I am interested in your development.’”

The most important thing you can do to help your child instill a growth mindset is to praise them for effort rather than for talent. Messages like “You learned that so quickly! You’re so smart!” teach the child that effort is a sign of weakness and that they either are or aren’t smart.

If they encountered difficulty in the future, they wouldn’t know how to deal with it. Instead, messages such as “I like the way you approached that problem,” or “good job to hang in there and find a different strategy that did work,” or “sorry, that seemed to be too easy for you, let’s do something more challenging,” teaches kids that effort is something we can all benefit from to reach our full potential, and that they need to be working purposefully in order to grow (Mindset Works®: Student Motivation through a Growth Mindset, by Carol Dweck, Ph.D. (2013).

Retrieved from www.mindsetworks.com)."

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• Come from hard work

Skills

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At GAC, we believe instilling in our students a growth mindset is of utmost importance. However, these concepts are not recent discoveries, but rather, Biblical truths. In several instances the apostle Paul provides metaphors of running a race or examples of continually striving toward goals. I am thankful that God demonstrates a growth mindset when it comes to our mistakes. We are not under a system built upon expectations of perfection, but rather, one built upon grace and daily choices to abide in Him and strive to be more like our Savior every day.

• We must value both the process and the product. For our students at GAC, we foster environments where learning and growth are the goal.

• We encourage students to take risks and to embrace the learning opportunities that come through failure.

• We value effort, motivation, and persistence that lead to growth and achievement.

• We believe that developing these dispositions in our students will better prepare them for their current and future endeavors.

• We strive every day to help each student grow as Jesus did, in wisdom, stature and favor with God and man.

Learning is a journey, and our attitudes, perspectives, and mindsets will shape that journey to enhance or limit the potential destination.

1. Brigid. "Mindset: Fixed or Growth?" Web blog post.

Orthogals: Striving for Truth...and Normality.

Orthogals. 9 March 2015. Web. 8 December 2015.

LEAD er SHIP

EQUIPPING STUDENTS NOW. AT GREATER ATLANTA CHRISTIAN WE ARE PURPOSEFULLY AND SYSTEMATICALLY BUILDING LEADERS. THE MISSION OF GAC IS TO HELP EACH STUDENT GROW IN WISDOM AND STATURE AND IN FAVOR WITH GOD AND MAN. SCOTT HARSH, VICE PRESIDENT OF STRATEGIC PLANNING & SENIOR HIGH PRINCIPAL

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ith that, we desire to be intentional in equipping the next generation of leaders. In The Leadership Challenge, Posner and Kouzes explain: “If you want to have a significant impact on people, on organizations, and on communities, you’d be wise to invest in learning the behaviors that enable you to become the very best leader you can.” This is what we want for our students: that they would develop a deep understanding of Christ-honoring leadership principles and have the opportunity to practice leadership now. One day soon, our students will photographed by Name Here

be in leadership positions in business, non-profits, medicine, law, education, government, and more.

We’re taking seriously the opportunity to equip them now.

We are excited to offer diverse but integrated experiences for students to develop their leadership potential. While we have a leadership development program that spans all ages, I’d like to share the programs that land in the culminating years of the GAC experience. Each of these experiences complement each other as we help students grow their leadership capacity. gacs today | winter 2015-16

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BIBLICAL PRINCIPLES OF PERSONAL FINANCE (juniors, 6-week module in Bible) In partnership with Ron Blue, Kingdom Advisors, and the Ron Blue Institute of Indiana Wesleyan University, we launched a pilot program this fall consisting of a 6-week module in junior Bible. Students have the opportunity to learn Biblical principles of finance and stewardship. This same program will be offered to Christian high schools across the United States beginning next year.

NEW INITIATIVES FOR 2015-2016

GLOBAL LEADERSHIP SEMINAR (sophomores, 5 full days in January) A one-week intensive seminar with a cross-curricular integration of culture, faith, leadership, and communication. This problem-based learning experience will provide students with a study in global human rights focusing on understanding and empathy to develop them as leaders for social change. During this week, sophomores will be excused from other classes. In designing this program, GAC has become an affiliate school with the National Center for Civil and Human Rights. We are one of only seven schools to receive this distinction, and the first to develop a robust program in partnership with the center.

FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM (juniors and seniors) Our Fellowship Program gives students the chance to be mentored by work with professionals in specific industries related to particular student interests.

This program is available to rising juniors and seniors and provides training in interviewing and other professional skills. A key focus of the program is a mentorship during the summer months.

NEW INITIATIVES FOR 2016-2017 10

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WINTER SEMINAR (all students, 5-day intensive, course credit, cross-curricular) 9th Grade – Personal Leadership Seminar: A study in personal leadership discovering character foundation, strengths assessment, and goal setting. (January 2017) 10th Grade – Global Leadership Seminar: A study in global human rights focusing on understanding and empathy to develop leaders for social change. (January 2016) 11th & 12th Grades – Students will choose from a selection of interest-based seminars that encompass cross-curricular, engaging, collaborative, and project based learning.

(January 2017)

ENTREPRENEURIAL LEADERSHIP (seniors, full-year course) This course is offered to seniors who are interested in pursuing entrepreneurial endeavors as business owners or working for companies where innovation is valued. Students will learn business theory and also be put in practical, real-life situations where they will have the chance to solve real-world problems to effect change.

photographed by Name Here

LIFE CALLING COURSE (juniors, semester course) As developing leaders, students must first learn personal leadership. In Making Your Leadership Come Alive, Kubicek writes, “You have to know yourself before you can lead others.”

The Life Calling course provides juniors with that opportunity as they clarify foundational values, discover their unique design, and practice personal leadership.

411 RETREAT (juniors, spring retreat) This leadership retreat provides students with an opportunity to learn leadership principles that help foster a deeper understanding and an exploration of their own leadership style with Christ as the model. The goal is to help students learn to be missional leaders by encouraging them to submit daily to the call of Christ in their lives.

STUDENT COUNCIL (all grades, elected) Students are elected to serve the student body by creating opportunities for the betterment of student life and have the opportunity to establish the framework for student government.

CHAPEL CLASS (juniors and seniors by application) Students develop the skills and confidence to plan engaging chapel experiences for their peers. The chapel practicum class is one of the Bible course options for juniors and seniors by application. Students learn research, preparation, and presentation skills. More than that, they have an opportunity to exert leadership in shaping a culture of spirituality on campus. photographed by Name Here

MISSION TRIPS (all students, Thanksgiving, winter break, spring break, summer) Missions and service are essential parts of our mission. We believe our students are world changers.

Designed to intentionally change students from the inside out, mission teams and service projects flourish on the GAC campus. This past year we sent out 16 student mission teams to 12 countries, helping with projects like construction, day camps, Bible study, tutoring, cleaning, food delivery, and more.

EXISTING LEADERSHIP PROGRAMS

SMALL GROUP LEADER TRAINING (juniors and seniors, year-long commitment) This is a leadership opportunity for junior and senior small group leaders, as well as for younger students who have the opportunity to learn from their older peers. In addition, small group leaders are assigned a faculty mentor to help them prepare for the weekly sessions and to encourage personal growth. In this way, we’re able to foster teacher-student and student-student mentoring.

SPARTAN SERVICE LEAGUE (open to all students by appointment, year-long commitment) The Spartan Service League is a student-led service organization working to cultivate a spirit of service within the student body to support our local community and develop leadership skills specifically in the area of service. Students have the opportunity to lead by serving with this organization and by pursuing leadership positions on the Spartan Service League Board.

In all of these components, we are intentionally equipping our students to be servant leaders. In Good to Great, Collins describes a “level 5 leader” as a leader who “blends extreme personal humility with intense professional will.”

A servant leader is both humble and passionate. It is the special combination of the two that sets him or her apart. Jesus provides the greatest example of servant leadership. In Philippians 2:6-7, the apostle Paul describes Jesus as a servant leader: “Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.”

This is not an easy leadership model to follow, but it is transformational, and that is what we want for our students.

REFERENCES Collins, J. Good to Great: Why Some Companies Make the Leap...and Others Don't. New York, NY: HarperCollins, 2001.

Kouzes, J. & Posner, B. The Leadership Challenge. San Fransisco, CA: Jossey-Bass, 2007.

Kubicek, J. Making Your Leadership Come Alive: 7 Actions to Increase Your Influence.

New York, NY: Howard Books, 2011.

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Local American Legion and American Legion Auxiliary chapters sponsor Boy’s State and Girl’s State Programs each year for deserving young men and women to spend a week participating in various activities with an emphasis on United States government at all levels. We are proud of the following students who were nominated by GAC faculty and participated in this state-wide, selective experience.

GEORGIA GIRL’S STATE Katherine Harper

Katherine Harper

Adebisi Thompson

Robert Jackson

Brandon Toomey

Adebisi Thompson GEORGIA BOY’S STATE Parker Bryant – graduated program with honors Robert Jackson Brandon Toomey

Parker Bryant

NATIONAL HONOR SOCIETY: 110 NEW INDUCTEES • TOTAL 2015-2016 MEMBERS = 177

SPARTAN SERVICE LEAGUE

Service opportunities change everyone involved – those who receive and those who give.

Service is an essential part of the mission of GAC. We believe our students are world changers. Now in its second year, the faculty and student-created Spartan Service League is a group of 9th-12th graders committed to connecting high school students to service opportunities that will directly impact their community. With a priority of students leading other students into service and mission, the Spartan Service League offers higher levels for engagement, involvement, and investment.

The service component of GAC is critically important to shaping these students into young men and women of character and faith.

The culture of service on the GAC campus also fosters a culture of empathy, compassion, love, and respect. In a world full of selfies and personal accolades, it is important to instill an altruistic, outward focus by providing them with opportunities to participate and lead in service.

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photographed by Lea Long, Jessica Ly & Glenn Martin

DEDICATING THE HEART OF CAMPUS After much anticipation, the Cross Tower was lit for the first time on December 5th during the annual Let’s Light the Night Christmas festival. Graciously sponsoring the Cross Tower and Baptismal in the early stages, Andy and Jane Adams were instrumental in making it a reality. In addition, on Grandparents’ Day 2014, the plans for the Cross Tower were unveiled, and many grandparents were inspired and gave generously. One family in particular, JC and Harriet Rash, were led to make a commitment to help bring the Bastian Center Stage Cross Tower to life. Visit the Cross Tower and see the engraved scriptures on the stepping stones. Students in each school level as well as Andy and Jane Adams selected the scripture verses.

In conjunction with the Cross Tower lighting, several adjacent projects were dedicated. The center of campus is now alive with the Bastian Center Stage, generously supported by Ed and Anna Bastian. Flanking both sides are Hollis Smith Plaza and Strickland Plaza with new outdoor learning spaces and green areas, thanks to Mike and Haley Strickland and his parents, Clyde and Sandra Strickland. All of these areas provide new venues for our students to perform, learn, worship, and interact on a daily basis in the heart of campus.

We are grateful for the many people who have helped make the center of campus a reflection of the heart of GAC. Because of your generous support, the mission of GAC will continue to thrive.

Strickland Plaza

photographed by Mario Lozano

Cross Tower

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Homecoming. Grandparents' Day. Let's Light the Night. More than simple events, they are opportunities to connect, to grow together, to build memories for a lifetime. Thank you for sharing them with us.

B R I N G I NG

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photographed by Name Here

COMMUNITY

photographed by Mario Lozano, Jessica Ly & Glenn Martin

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TO G E T H E R

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photographed by Mario Lozano, Jessica Ly & Glenn Martin

Explore Financial Aid possibilities for your family. Here are examples of families who have received financial assistance. All situations are taken into account.

Paying for a private school is one of the largest single investments a family will make before college years. We strongly believe a Greater Atlanta Christian School education is worth it.

1/3

of GAC student body received some type of financial assistance from one or more sources.

Family of six with four children

Family of three with one child

Family of four with two children

($130,000 family adjusted gross income)

($87,000 family adjusted gross income)

($140,000 family adjusted gross income)

For more information visit www.greateratlantachristian.org/financial-aid. gacs today | winter 2015-16

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Marching Spartans at the Georgia Contest of Champions

• 2nd place in Class AA • 2nd place overall in their division (combined A, AA, AAA) • 3rd highest visual score of all bands (A through AAAAA) • Drum Major Tylor Lee earned 1st place honors with an unprecedented score of 189/200

Band Awards • Zach Musser was selected as 1 of 2 tenor saxophone players in the entire state for the All-State Jazz Band • Tylor Lee was selected to play with the Atlanta Youth Wind Symphony • Vivienne Emde was selected to play with the Metropolitan Atlanta Youth Wind Ensemble

BAND

• Rachel Stiles was selected to play with the Metropolitan Youth Symphony Orchestra

Orchestra

Katelyn Choe, viola (9th grade)

Four students passed the first round of All-State auditions. Second round auditions will be held in early 2016.

Niharika Singareddy, violin (8th grade)

Calvin Dong, cello (9th grade) Emily Wyche, viola (8th grade)

Dance Dance Team Secures Top Spot For the fourth year in a row, the Gold Dance Team came home state champions in the performing arts division of the Georgia High School State Dance Competition.

Gold Dance Team Awards: • State Champions in the performing arts division • 2nd place in the pom division • 2nd place overall dance team • Nicole Smartt placed 2nd overall • Jada Jones took home 1st place overall The team also brought home awards from the Tremaine Dance Convention and Competition:

Drama One Act Play Cast Wins Top Prize

The GAC cast of John Lennon & Me stole the show at the 2015 Georgia Theatre Competition. The talented actors won the coveted first place trophy and were fan favorites. Under the direction of Clif Jones, the winning cast includes: Rebecca Buechler, Dorey Casey, Rachel Finazzo, Alexandra Hord, Robert Jackson, Parker Jennings, Stephen Lamb, Connor Tarpley, Caroline Wigmore, and Bethany Wood. As state winners, the drama cast will represent Georgia at the Southeastern Theatre Conference in March.

• Jada Jones and Jasmine Jones - 1st overall Senior Musical Theatre Duo/Trio

The drama cast placed 2nd in the region. Parker Jennings and Stephen Lamb were selected to the All-Star cast.

• Jada Jones - 2nd overall Senior Jazz Soloist and Senior Year Long Scholarship Winner

Best Actress

• Jasmine Jones – Convention Scholarship Winner • Aliyah Young – Certificate of Excellence in Hip Hop

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Rachel Finazzo was selected as Best Actress for her portrayal of Star, a teen living with cystic fibrosis, a vivid imagination, and Beatle-mania.

photographed by Glenn Martin, Kim Smartt & Wes York

PACE SETTER Tylor Lee is hard to miss. Lee, a senior, and a five-time member of the Georgia All-State Band and member of the Atlanta Youth Wind Symphony, is GAC’s Drum Major and led the Marching Spartans to win 2nd place in Class AA at the Georgia Contest of Champions. The marching band is a unique environment where Junior and Senior High students rely on each other’s hard work in hopes of a spectacular final product. Band Director Wes York explains that a big part of the Drum Major’s role is to “teach younger students how to march and help them learn their music.” This leadership opportunity has been a defining moment for Lee and he really enjoys how the group takes care of one another and how everyone helps the “rookies” learn the ropes.

As the pace setter for the entire band, Lee has collaborated with multiple school clubs to cultivate an atmosphere of high energy for which Friday nights at Spartan Stadium are known. Reaching beyond the minimum requirements, Lee has enlisted the help of the popular student Red Zone to collaborate on song choices as well as choreography.

York compliments Lee’s dedication to the band: “Tylor has been studying the art of conducting with a former UGA drum major, and it has paid great dividends on the field.”

Lee earned 1st place honors in the Drum Major category in Class AA at the Georgia Contest of Champions. Respected by his peers, Lee leads by example, never asking any more from them than he has already done himself.

BACKSTAGE WITH RACHEL FINAZZO Senior Rachel Finazzo wowed the competition at the 2015 Georgia Theatre Competition, taking home the Best Actress award for her portrayal of Star, a thirteen-year-old living with cystic fibrosis.

As a leader in the drama department, Finazzo has an exceptional ability to influence others in her performances. She explains how performers constantly depend on others throughout a show, and how that sense of trust has affirmed in her a desire to impact the lives of others. Drama director, Clif Jones, notes what an encouragement Finazzo is to her cast mates and cohorts off-stage: “She always has a positive attitude and is a role model to others.” Currently, Finazzo serves the next generation of GAC actors as a student director for the ninth grade class.

Finazzo tributes a lot of her theatrical success to director Clif Jones and credits him for instilling in her a work ethic that will benefit her after high school. She would like to turn her love of performing into a career and hopes to major in Musical Theatre.

photographed by Jessica Ly & Glenn Martin

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VOLLEYBALL

SUPER

6

ATHLETES

ELITE 8 IN STATE PLAYOFFS Garrett Covington Basketball

3RD PLACE IN AREA 4AA • Emily Becker was named Co-Player of the Year for Area 4AA. Lauren Brown, Cienna Townson, and Cammie Caldwell also made the 2015 All-Area Team.

• New Team Season Records: Highest team serving percentage 94.5%; most team digs in a season 1,880 • Emily Becker: Area 4AA Co-Player of the Year; First Team All-County; Senior All-Star; All-State Award • New individual school records - most digs in a season 650, most digs in a career 2,206, most sets played in a career – 395 • Lauren Brown: Area 4AA All-Area Team; Second Team All-County; All-State Award • Cammie Caldwell: Area 4AA All-Area Team • Cienna Townson: Area 4AA All-Area Team; Second Team All-County; AllCounty Scholar Athlete; All-State Award “COACHY” REACHES 400TH WIN Volleyball coach Kristy Shelton reached a milestone in her career as she and her team celebrated her 400th volleyball win.

SOFTBALL

SPARTAN

Emily Becker Volleyball

SPOTLIGHTS

SPORTS

MULTIPLE SOFTBALL PLAYERS WERE HONORED THROUGHOUT THE COUNTY AND REGION THIS SEASON: • 6AA All-Region team: Amanda Briskin and Claire Holcomb • All-County varsity softball team: Hannah Beasley, Kristen Grimes, and Amanda Briskin • Gwinnett County Team of the Year: Amanda Briskin • Gwinnett County Team of the Year Scholar Athlete: Hannah Beasley

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Amanda Briskin and Claire Holcomb photographed by Name Here

FOOTBALL

Region 6-AA Champions Final Four in State Playoffs Ranked #3 in Class AA Final Poll Touchdown Club of Gwinnett All-County Awards: • Davis Mills – Player of the Year – Quarterback • Brooks Buce – Second Team Offense – Kicker • Devin Cochran – First Team Offense – Offensive Lineman • Ford Higgins – Kevin Maloof Award • Liam Sullivan – Scholar Athlete Award • Chad Dybdahl – Dave Hunter Award • Tom Meeker – Tally Johnson Award

HOMECOMING KING & QUEEN

Joshua Pickens & Dana Markert

photographed by Chris Holcomb, Jessica Ly, Glenn Martin & Mary Carol Sullivan

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Best-selling

Authors T

hirty-one students in Senior High wrote and illustrated an eBook and became #1 best-selling authors on Amazon. The eBook If I Were in Charge provides insight and recommendations on autism, stereotypes, adoption, homelessness, children’s rights, health care, genetic research, student loans, energy, and a dozen more subjects. Launched on November 4, the eBook soared to the top of the charts and hit #1 in several areas on Amazon.com and is now available in paperback.

Our student authors and illustrators teamed with Gary Martin Hays and Adam Weart, co-founders of the Georgia-based publishing company, We Published That.

Gary and Adam helped our students reach #1 best-selling status and provided five $1,000 scholarships.

#1

in Hot New Releases in Social Issues in Teen and Young Adult #2 in Communications and Social Skills

Student authors & illustrators: Hannah Beasley Emily Becker Buck Blanz Stephanie Breon* “Rape on College Campus” Lauren Brown* “Education Reform”

Zachary Henderson* “Friendship for Special Needs Kids” Adia Hu Alexis Joy Matthew Kenworthy* “Exercise = Power” Yvonne Ma

Rebecca Buechler

Clarke Permenter

Ryan Cameron

Alex Rowe

Krison Chen

Emma Rush

Mary Kathryn Clark

Sarah Russell

Madison Crane* “ADHD”

Stone Shallat

Laura Fazekas

Alexandra Skidmore

Victoria Garner Katherine Harper

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Kevin Shrake Jake Stephens Liam Sullivan

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Anna Taylor Adebisi Thompson Julie Vo Chris White *Each of these students received a $1,000 scholarship from the Law Offices of Gary Martin Hays.

Books are available for purchase in the Spartan Store and on Amazon.com. You will enjoy reading the creative solutions our students came up with for complex issues.

THE DOCTOR IS IN Congratulations to Robert Lindsay (GAC Class of 2002) on receiving his Doctorate in Education from Lipscomb University in Organizational Leadership and Strategic Change. Dr. Lindsay currently teaches U.S. and World History in the Senior High and is a service coordinator for the Spartan Service League. photographed by Name Here

GAC NAMES TWO NEW MEMBERS TO BOARD OF TRUSTEES

Andy Adams is founder and principal of Strategic Benefits Advisors, a benefits consulting firm. Andy and his wife, Jane, have a son, Jake (GAC Class of 2017). The family attends Johns Creek Presbyterian.

Jeff Street is president of Via Consulting Group, LLC and founder of SynergyScape, LLC, a global social media platform. Jeff and his wife, Tracy, have two daughters at GAC – Kennedy (Class of 2016) and Reagan (Class of 2019). The Streets attend Free Chapel Church in Gainesville, GA.

GAC GOVERNANCE The following individuals currently serve in a voluntary capacity as members of the following boards as authorized in the bylaws and policies of Greater Atlanta Christian School.

GAC BOARD OF TRUSTEES Chair: Fernando Nasmyth Andy Adams Joe Arnold Deborah Akindele Dr. Major Boglin Michelle Brechbühl Jim Combee (Chair Emeritus) Jim Conkel Steve Eaton Steve Elrod Jeff Foxworthy Lee Freeman Bart Harper Bill Long Gary Long Don McLaughlin Allen Nichols Ned O’Brien Steve Phillips Russ Reynolds Billy Schroer photographed by Mario Lozano

David Scobey, Jr. Carrie Shumard Joyce Shumard Jeff Street Dr. Todd Stewart Tom Tabor Jim Tidwell John Wood The GAC Board of Trustees “guards the trust” for God’s school, charts the course, ensures the fiduciary stewardship and sees that the institution has the resources needed to fulfill and expand its mission.

GAC FOUNDATION BOARD OF DIRECTORS Chair: Steve Eaton Joe Arnold Ed Bastian Ulrich Brechbühl Gary Chamblee

Jim Combee Jim Conkel Brad Dinsmore Lee Freeman Bart Harper Bill Long Fernando Nasmyth Terry Nichols Mac Schneider Billy Schroer Dr. Todd Stewart Tom Tabor Jim Tidwell Melanie Walton John Wood The GAC Foundation Board of Directors supports the mission of GAC by financial governance of the school's endowment for short and long-term benefit of the school, faculty, students and total program. gacs today | winter 2015-16

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ANNUAL R E P O RT

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photographed by Jessica Ly

DEAR GREATER ATLANTA CHRISTIAN SCHOOL FAMILY,

I

n today’s changing world, our children need Christian education more than ever. As an independent Christian school, we rely on you, our donors, to support us year after year.

Your support is vital since tuition only covers approximately 85% of our annual budget and does not build or renovate buildings.

The school depends on the generosity of Christian stewards like you who have a heart for the ministry of GAC. Ever since GAC was chartered in 1964, you and others before you have given generously to make this school an example of how to educate the whole child. Our mission is ever strong – to grow each student as Jesus did: in wisdom and stature and in favor with God and man.

If you have not made a gift yet, I encourage you to consider blessing us this year using the envelope provided. Thank you for being a champion of Christian education and GAC.

Blessings to each of you, Katherine White, Vice President of Advancement

∞

Many are the plans in a man’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails. Prov. 19:21

GREATER ATLANTA CHRISTIAN SCHOOL INCOME, EXPENSES AND RESERVES -

ANNUAL REPORT

Income Year Ended June 30, 2015 Net Tuition and Fees

32,695,299

75%

Contributions & Campaign Advances*

9,034,961

21%

Auxiliary Services

1,562,413

3%

Investment Income

87,900

0%

Other Income

346,555

1%

43,727,128

100%

Total Income

$

$

Expenses, Capital Outlays, and Reserves Year Ended June 30, 2015 Teacher/Staff Salaries and Benefits

18,121,710

41%

Curricular Programs & Materials

6,228,126

14%

Financial Aid

1,412,549

3%

Auxiliary Services

1,082,572

3%

Plant Maintenance & Utilities

2,038,643

5%

Interest

818,809

2%

Depreciation & Amortization

4,034,150

9%

General, Administrative, & Development

1,274,711

3%

Other Expenses

1,316,910

3%

Capital & Endowment Project Reserves

6,823,358

16%

In-Year Construction/Capital Additions from Operations

575,590

1%

43,727,128

100%

Total Expenses, Capital Outlays, and Reserves

$

$

* Contributions are reported here on a cash basis. photographed by Name Here

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G A C 2 0 1 4 -2 0 1 5 A N N UA L R E P O R T

This year you answered when we asked you to prayerfully support not only the Annual Fund, but also the Path Forward capital campaign. So far, approximately $26.5M has been raised in pledges and gifts out of the needed $29.7M. Because of you, many blessings have occurred and many lives have been changed, and, God willing, there are more to come.

The lists on the following pages show the names of parents, grandparents, faculty, staff, alumni, and friends who financially supported Greater Atlanta Christian School over the last fiscal year.

We have prepared this Annual Report not only to thank you, but also for you to see that we are good stewards of your financial gifts.

THE CAMPAIGN FOR GREATER ATLANTA CHRISTIAN SCHOOL

Generous donations to the Path Forward capital campaign are making major initiatives possible on the campus of Greater Atlanta Christian School. To date, GAC has received more than $26 million in pledges and donations, and we are our way to reaching our goal of $29.7 million.

There are still projects that need additional funding in order to begin. Help us reach our goal of $29.7 million so that the remaining projects can be completed.

Your donation will change lives.

THE POSSIBILITIES ARE ENDLESS. HELP US FINISH STRONG. Path Forward Steering & Campaign Committees Andy & Jane Adams Jim & Therese Bailey Ed Bastian Ulrich & Michelle Brechb端hl Alan & Jennifer Briskin Chris & Misha Collinson Bryan & Lanette Crute Malcolm & Dee Dee Cunningham Brad & Connie Dinsmore Lee Freeman Jim & Angela Grant 26

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Roberto & Rocio Gutierrez DeAngelo & Jada Hall John & Cathy Kahn Bruce & Zahra Karinshak Dan & Suzanne Landreth Bob & Connie Lussier Jonathan & Kip Matas Mike & Carol Morris Fernando Nasmyth Josh & Kim Osborne

Ruddy & Rhonda Polhill (Campaign Chairs) Brian & Leah Pugh Jason & Tiffany Rash Russ & Lisa Reynolds Jim & Mary Rose Segun & Michele Salami Ben & Bonnie Sloan Tyler & Leah Winkler John & Alicia Wood

“The new Art & Design Center is a very inspiring place for students to explore and create. As a visual arts teacher, it is wonderful to look out through the floor-to-ceiling windows and see God’s creation.

The industrial chic design promotes an attitude of production and students are able to move around with plenty of space to create. I feel more prepared for success because the space is more conducive to creative art classes than our previous space.” ­­ — Holly Ballenger, Visual Arts Teacher

COMPLETED PATH FORWARD PROJECTS

ART & DESIGN CENTER

photographed by Mario Lozano & Jessica Ly

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HOOVER FIELD HOUSE

“The addition of Hoover Field House allows our male and female athletes involved in cross country, football, lacrosse, and track adequate space to prepare for and participate in their respective athletic seasons with excellence. Athletes and coaches have access to a new facility including: three locker rooms, a training room, a large meeting area, several breakout rooms, a kitchen, several coaching offices, and a large digital scoreboard. Our athletes are proud to call Hoover Field House home.”

— Dr. Tim Vick, Athletic Director

COMPLETED PATH MULTI-SPORT COMPLEX

“The lacrosse program is so excited about the addition of the MultiSport Complex for the 2015-2016 season. This will allow the lacrosse teams to have their own space and allows for program growth. The new facility also gives us the flexibility to potentially host more than one game at a time by utilizing both Spartan Stadium and the Multi-Sport Complex fields. In addition, the new space will allow the youth teams to practice on campus rather than renting practice space off campus.

This facility is a huge blessing for many athletes.”

— Tim Ball, Boys Lacrosse, Varsity Head Coach 28

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photographed by Mario Lozano

CROSS TOWER & CENTER STAGE

“When people step onto our campus and see the Cross Tower at its center, it is our desire for them to know immediately to whom we belong. It’s a beautiful way to daily express that Jesus and the cross are the very heart of GAC. The Center Stage will be a place for educational discussions, student performances, special speakers and concerts.”

— Dr. David Fincher, President

FORWARD PROJECTS “The newly redesigned Strickland Plaza provides an area for students to interact and share interests inside and outside of the classroom. Whether students are throwing a football, catching up on the day’s activities, or having class or a small group meeting at the new tables, the plaza has become a space for community.”

— Bill Burton, Administrative Vice President

STRICKLAND PLAZA photographed by Name Here

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WE’VE COME A LONG WAY. BUT THE With rapidly growing visual and performing arts programs, GAC is in need of more suitable spaces for use by our more than 50 creative classes. Due to the large number of students involved in the arts, it has become difficult to appropriately coordinate performances and to provide adequate stage time for students to perform.

A new Performance Hall will offer: • 34,000 square-feet, 65% larger stage • Second venue to hold chapels, class programs, and performances • Addition of a balcony to increase the seating capacity to 1,000 • Black Box Theatre (intimate theatre and additional practice space) for drama groups

PERFORMANCE HALL

• Larger rehearsal space for band, orchestra, School of Music in Williams Fine Arts Center • New space for choir, AP Music, Chapel Practicum, and performing arts faculty

TEACHING EXCELLENCE INITIATIVES

Great teachers make a crucial difference for our children. We recognize the importance of the teacher and have developed a Teaching Excellence Program with three strategies: • Establish a model for recruiting great teachers through an intentional focus on teacher recruitment along with a Faculty Associate program.

• Advance teaching skills through more targeted professional development • Enhance teacher assessment with teaching reward grants for those performing at the highest levels We must identify and cultivate extraordinary teachers who are dynamic in the classroom and share GAC’s Christian values. By creating a recruitment endowment, necessary funding will be available to cover staffing and expenses in perpetuity, allowing us to focus on attracting and selecting the best faculty for our students.

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FOLLOWING PROJECTS STILL NEED FUNDING. As the landscape of education changes, it is vital that our facilities adapt to the current needs of today’s students. The current Junior High and Senior High buildings are two of GAC’s largest and oldest educational facilities.

JUNIOR HIGH/SENIOR HIGH REDESIGN

We will completely renovate both buildings to include: • A new look and feel including walls and flooring • Movable desks and chairs, allowing for quick changes for collaboration • Additional portable technology for group work and display • Collaborative alcove settings in hallways for students to gather for projects With additional funding, construction will begin late May 2016 and is slated to be complete by the fall of 2016.

LEADERSHIP & ENTREPRENEURIAL PROGRAM

GAC strives to launch students into the world as capable leaders and creative thinkers. As part of the Leadership & Entrepreneurial Program, students will have the opportunity to study real-world problems and arrive at creative solutions in a collaborative setting.

This new curriculum dynamically combines: • leadership training focused on building character • a Senior High entrepreneurial course developing skills to start both for-profit and non-profit businesses • mentoring by community and business leaders • an annual speaker series featuring diverse leaders who have attained high levels of success in their field of expertise photographed by Name Here

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YOUR TAXES. YOUR CHOICE.

T

IMPACT GAC.

he state of Georgia created an educational tax credit program in 2008 that allows taxpayers to redirect and pre-pay a portion of their state taxes to benefit students at an independent school of their choice. Taxpayers apply for this tax credit via a third party Student Scholarship Organization, or SSO. At GAC, our SSO is called Georgia GOAL. Because of those who requested their tax dollars be forwarded to benefit students at Greater Atlanta Christian School, more than 100 students were able to experience a GAC education this year.

Single taxpayers can contribute up to $1,000

Last year was an historic year for Georgia GOAL. On January 1, 2015, taxpayers in the state of Georgia requested more than $91 million in tax credits, blowing past the $58 million cap set by Georgia legislators. The GAC community alone requested over $880,000 in tax credits – an increase of 37% from the previous year. The Georgia Department of Revenue responded to this unprecedented demand by prorating the requested tax credits for all taxpayers at 63%. To put this in context, out of the $880,000+ that was requested by the GAC community, only ~$550,000 was received.

C-Corporations can redirect up to 75% of their state tax liability to help deserving students at GAC

BY THE NUMBERS

Taxpayers that are married, filing jointly can contribute up to $2,500 Owners of S-Corporations, LLCs or Partnerships (pass-through entities) can redirect up to $10,000 per partner

Each year, more and more students receive a dynamic educational experience at GAC with the assistance of the Georgia GOAL program. In order to maintain the current number of students receiving assistance from this program, we must increase the number of donors we have at GAC. For more information about this program, please contact Becky Martin at bmartin@ greateratlantachristian.org. Thank you to all who are a part of making attending GAC a reality for these students.

“Everyone is always connected. We all come together when we need to, and it’s just so much fun being on a campus that’s like that. Instead of school, you think of it more as a family.”

– Micaiah Kimble-Glover, 12th grader and Georgia GOAL recipient 32

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photographed by Glenn Martin

SAVE THE

DATE:

MARY POPPINS JANUARY 28, 29 & 30 AT 7:30 P.M. JANUARY 31 AT 2:00 P.M.

BLACK & WHITE GALA MARCH 24 AT 6:00 P.M. LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS MAY 10, 12, 13 & 14 AT 7:30 P.M.

INTO THE WOODS MARCH 17 & 18 AT 6:30 P.M. MARCH 19 AT 2 & 6:30 P.M.

LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS May 10, 12, 13 & 14 at 7:30 p.m.

ALL SCHOOL EASTER CHAPEL MARCH 24 AT 9:00 A.M.

GRADUATION MAY 26 AT 7:00 P.M.

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FUNDRAISING E

very year, the GAC community enjoys a four-week fundraising blitz known as the Annual Fund. Complete with dodge ball tournaments, donuts, class competitions, crazy dress up days, and

fun incentives and surprises, the Annual Fund contributes toward our daily operational budget.

More than 97% of our parents made tax-deductible donations that not only contribute toward salaries, utilities, and classroom resources, but also help keep tuition increases to a minimum. We exceeded our goal of $750,000 and were able to provide funding for special projects like the new Elementary Gallery furniture, MacBook Airs for 4th and 5th graders, an armed Sherriff's deputy on campus, an updated bell system for Junior High and Senior High, and increased fiberoptic cabling. We had a record-breaking Annual Fund this year, thanks to you!

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photographed by Mario Lozano

Thank you to our dedicated parent and student volunteers for their leadership in helping make a record-breaking Annual Fund possible!

ANNUAL FUND CABINET Duncan & Jill Angove Dwight & Nichole Austion Courtney & Martha Braswell Alan & Jennifer Briskin Conrad & Jessica Brooks *Matthew & Katherine Carr Craig & Melani Chumley Philip & Kimberly Civins Joe & Shannon Collins Lanier & Allison Coulter Bryan & Kim Cox Steve & Jackie Easley Bennett & Danna Finkles Julius Green & Taryn Taylor

DeAngelo & Jada Hall Orpheus & Sony Heyward Michael & Brenda Johnson *John & Cathy Kahn Mac & Alexis McIntosh Mike & Heather Miars *Peter & Beth Ostapiuk Amy Pittman Jeff & Lisa Russell Don & Marian Sheffield Ken & Connie Shumard *Cliff & Seana Simpson Chris & Jennifer Taylor Christopher & Melissa Zornes

STUDENT ADVANCEMENT LEADERSHIP TEAM (S.A.L.T.) Njisane Adesegun Madison Averill Emily Becker Hans Brechbuhl Jordan Bullard Becca Colehower Bo Davies Luke Harte Ford Higgins Aiden Jarrett Micaiah Kimble-Glover Tylor Lee

Riley Martin Mallory Morris Aubrey Nickelsen Justin Parker Mary Russell Sarah Russell Avery Strickland Liam Sullivan Brandon Toomey Cienna Townsend Owen Van Beber

*School Level Chairs

85% • Tuition

15%

The Annual Fund supports the GAC operating budget

• Annual Fund • GAC Endowment • Miscellaneous Income photographed by Name Here

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A L U M N I

NEWS G A C 2 0 1 5 -2 0 1 6 A L U M N I N E W S

M i s s i n g

A L U M N I

As we approach our 50th anniversary, we’d like to get back in touch with these alumni. Please encourage all alumni (including you!) to update your contact information online at www.greateratlantachristian.org/alumni.

∞

CLASS OF 1970 Harry Spencer Dennis Barr

CLASS OF 1971 Bob Black Kathy Watts Riggs Robin Morris Thompson Carla Hedden Hutto Dee Rankey Steve Blackman

CLASS OF 1972 Wayne Moody Sandy Woodruff Hinds John Wimpey Pam Butt Reynolds

CLASS OF 1973 Jan Casteel Breingar

CLASS OF 1974 Ted Carter Neil Holloway Doug Holloway Debbie Thomas Whittington Winston Mattox Joyce Edwards Lockman Cynthia Ann Defreese Heery

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CLASS OF 1975 Vickie West Jackson Carol Weaver Gunter

CLASS OF 1976 Denise Mason Ranallo Jon Austin Patti Kelly Wood Judy Coker Hoggard

CLASS OF 1977 Keith Dunn Rachel Redding Shelby Horn Chamblee John Kelly Ricky Cordell Carol Carlson Brown Melinda McDonald Stratham Steve Dekker

CLASS OF 1978 Tommy Bohanon Mark Thomason Ted Clovis David Mize Al Hedden Debra Woodruff McCoy Jeff Chitwood

CLASS OF 1979 Julie Hollingsworth Chris Morris Keith Burgess Billy Mooney Kim Miller Wilkie

CLASS OF 1980 Jenny Miller Wright Scott French Chris Dickinson LaDonna Bible Tribble Harley Underwood Jim Cherry CLASS OF 1981 Patrick Crump Stan Hudgins Brenda Cherry White Ron Woodward Mark Story Hope Stark Strozinsky Kandy Barker Stan Butt Gary Bryant Jack Nolan

CLASS OF 1982 Kelley Yancey Jeff Preston Hope Pierce Melanie Murphy Foden Vicki Johnson

SAVET H E DATE

Throughout the year there are many opportunities for alumni to connect. Update your contact information to receive special event updates at greateratlantachristian.org/ alumni.

John Spain Laura Smyth Mark Paschall

CLASS OF 1989 Rob Eby Heather Cerrone Silvia Paul Jones Jennifer Collins Goodpaster Leslie Long Gober Shay Evans Mary-Catherine Kenny

CLASS OF 1990 Stacey Bandtlow Bradford Chung Tsay Susan Flowers Elliott Tamara Bartlett Robinson Garner Andrews Yuki Kimizuka Okabe Keri Simons Rush

G A C 2 0 1 5 -2 0 1 6 A L U M N I N E W S

CLASS OF 1986 Lane Brooks Mark Spraggins Katherine Reynolds Joanna Porter Wayne Guthrie Jenni Camp Damon McClurg Brad Williams

CLASS OF 1987 Reggie Padgett Van Cole Shawn Eidson Lorie Phillips Auten Brian Stute

CLASS OF 1988 Aaron Hulsizer Marcus Strickland Elizabeth Miller Riley David Case Andres Balbas Laura Thompson Staci Baker Angie Davis Laura Dutton Rabinowitch

∞

DellaNoce Kim Butt Kris Gustafson Boucher David Killingsworth Nanette Brown Lovins

CLASS OF 1983 Carol Landerfelt Smith David McKim

CLASS OF 1984 Kelly Youngblood Mitchell Marlin McKeever Scooter Bryan Mark Cary

CLASS OF 1985 John Codner Cathy Webb Williams Susan Osborn Sarah Ann McConnell Biegelsen Amy Killingworth Tommy Cross Shannon Alsup Susan Howington

April 16

1975 Spartan baseball team reunion

1975, 1976, 1977, 1986 & 1996 Reunions for the following classes are in the works!

Fall of 2016

Homecoming dates and information coming soon!

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CLASS OF 2013 Kevin Steele was recently named one of six University of Georgia recipients of the National Security Education Program's David L. Boren Scholarship to study abroad. Kevin is pursuing majors in International Affairs and Arabic. «

G A C 2 0 1 5 -2 0 1 6 A L U M N I N E W S

CLASS OF 2011

kevin steele

Jackson and Megan (Read) Horne were married in August 2015.

Jackson graduated from Lipscomb University in May 2015 and works in IT for HealthTrust. Megan graduated from Harding University in May 2015 and works in advertising for M3 Accounting and Analytics. The Hornes live in Nashville, TN. « Ensign Henry “Bo” Tullis graduated with honors from Georgia Institute of Technology in December 2014 with a Bachelor of Science degree in International Affairs and a certificate in European Studies. Bo graduated from U.S. Naval Officer Candidate School in August 2015.

CLASS OF 2008 sara collins

jackson horne

Sara Collins married Dustin White in November 2014. Since graduating from Georgia Institute of Technology in 2012, Sara has worked for Deloitte Consulting in their Human Capital practice.

The Whites live in Smyrna, GA with their two golden doodles, Loca and Bear. « Katie Rowell married Roger Wells in August 2015 in Marietta, GA. Roger graduated from the University of Georgia in 2011 and works as a landscape architect in Atlanta. Katie recently graduated from the Medical College of Georgia Physician Assistant program. The couple lives in Vinings, GA. « Kimberly Steele is working on a Master’s degree in Public Administration at the University of Georgia.

∞

Kayla Tausche married Jeff Izant in Atlanta in April 2015. They currently live in New York City, where Kayla hosts "Squawk Alley" on CNBC from the New York Stock Exchange and Jeff is an attorney. «

katie rowell

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kayla tausche

CLASS OF 2007 Justin Schneider married Hope McCarty in June 2015. After working as a designer for Adidas and New Balance, Justin founded Wolf & Shepherd, a shoe company that combines running shoe technology with classic dress shoe design. Hope, who is an avid runner, coaches Track and Field at the University of North Florida.

They currently live in Jacksonville Beach, FL and are expecting their first baby. »

justin schneider

CLASS OF 2006

brock and ashley bennett

Sophie Edwards married Jamie Ekstrom in May 2014 in Oxford, GA. Sophie works at The Atlanta Speech School and is a regular performer on the Main Stage at Whole World Improv Theater.

Jamie works at the Marcus Autism Center. Their home is in Vinings, GA. »

»

Conrad and Katie (Coker) Lynch were blessed with a baby girl, Lucille Marie (Lucy), on September 11, 2015. The Lynches live in Auburn, AL.

lucille marie lynch

bethany garner

sophie edwards

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G A C 2 0 1 5 -2 0 1 6 A L U M N I N E W S

Bethany Garner and David Cullen were married in August 2015 in Kinsale, Ireland at Ballinacurra House. After a honeymoon in Croatia they now live in Glenageary, Dublin, Ireland with their two dogs, a British bulldog, Elvis, and French bulldog, Darla. Bethany works at Accenture Interactive as the User Experience and Service Design Manager. »

∞

Brock and Ashley (Skorcz) Bennett were married in September 2015, ten years from their first date in high school. Brock is an Assistant Baseball Coach at Georgia State University, and Ashley is a Registered Dietitian at Children's Healthcare of Atlanta. The Bennetts live in Atlanta with their dog, Juice. »

CLASS OF 2005 Taylor and Emma Davis welcomed a son, Wilkes, in March 2015.

Taylor works at Hebron Christian Academy in Dacula as the Athletic Director and volleyball head coach. His team won the state title in 2014. The Davis family lives in Lawrenceville, GA. « Chris Gilbert graduated from Lenoir Rhyne University in 2009 with a Bachelor’s degree in Business Management. He graduated from Auburn University in 2015 with a degree in Entrepreneurship & Family Business. « Daniel and Katelen (Nichols) Jennings welcomed daughter, Piper Elizabeth, in May 2015. Piper joins older sister, Lilly (3). The Jennings live in Gallatin, TN. «

CLASS OF 2004 Chris Freeman married Lauren Lounette in June 2015 at 550 Trackside. Lauren is a special needs teacher at Baggett Elementary School, and Chris works at Northwest Exterminating. «

2nd lieutenant chris gilbert and sergeant kent gilbert.

katelen nichols

chris freeman

Chris Moore married Amy Schwartz in May 2015. Amy is from Chicago, IL and a graduate of Moody Bible Institute. Chris and Amy met while working with Hellenic Ministries in Athens, Greece. Currently, the Moores live in downtown Athens and serve the refugees that are pouring through Greece by the thousands every week. They help meet the needs of the refugees through a number of avenues and focus on shining the light of Jesus in this land and into their lives. « Deep Shah, M.D. has been named a member of University of Georgia Alumni Association's 40 Under 40 Class of 2015.

chris moore ansley & sadie ann davis

CLASS OF 2003 Reed and Gretchen (Gailey) Davis welcomed daughter, Sadie Ann, in August 2015. Sadie joins big sister, Ansley. The Davis family lives in Atlanta, GA. «

CLASS OF 2000

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G A C 2 0 1 5 -2 0 1 6 A L U M N I N E W S

taylor davis

samuel kusek

Kevin and Emily (Gott) Kusek welcomed son, Samuel Wade, in March 2015. Samuel joins big sister, Lillie. The Kuseks live in Cypress, TX. «

CLASS OF 199 7 katie wittgens

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winter 2015-16 | gacs today

Katie (Wittgens) Weaver welcomed son, Benjamin, in August 2015.

Benjamin joins siblings Hadley (6) and Alexander (3). «

Register Now! Ages 3-18 June 6 - July 29

GAC is the place for summer fun. Check out our weekly enrichment opportunities in athletics, arts, academics, and more! greateratlantachristian.org/summer-camp

THE SPARTAN STORE store.greateratlantachristian.org

gacs today | winter 2015-16

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Norcross, GA Permit #11

1575 indian trail road norcross, georgia 30093 ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED Greater Atlanta Christian School Incorporated admits students of any race, color, national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national and ethnic origin in the administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, scholarships and loan programs, and athletic and other administered programs.

obvious choice the

for an unmatched education Encourage your friends to take the next step. Invite them to an Open House and share your GAC experience.

Find upcoming dates at greateratlantachristian.org/schedule-a-visit