SPRING 2020
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A Warm Welcome:
Liaison from Partner School in Haiti Visits STS
Headmaster’s Letter 2 | 1st Grade Learns About Service 12 | Transition to Distance Learning 18 | Letter from the Rector 27
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Table of Contents Features 10 Student Writing Feature 12 1 Grade Learns About Service 18 Transition to Distance Learning 20 Update on St. Timothee’s in Haiti 24 Class Notes st
On the Cover: Sadler Tracy (6th) helps Savannah Mace (1st) plant vegetable seeds in milk cartons, which will be planted later in the St. Timothy’s Learning Garden. Editor and Layout Design: Taylor Lord Director of Advancement: Emily Espenshade
Our Mission St. Timothy’s School is an Episcopal preparatory school committed to educational excellence and the emotional, physical, and spiritual growth of children in an environment where traditional Christian values are emphasized.
Connect with STS StTimothysSchoolRaleigh StTimsRaleigh StTimsRaleigh St. Timothy’s School, Raleigh NC www.sttimothys.org 919-787-3011
Note from the Editor
I am excited to share the new St. Timothy’s School biannual magazine! The updated layout and new name are designed to reflect St. Timothy’s School as a whole.
The Spirit magazine was originally created as a lower school publication and was produced in a newsletter format. Over the years, it has evolved to include stories about the middle school, our alumni and faculty and staff members. To represent the entire school community, we chose to rename the magazine, St. Timothy’s. The new format reflects best practices in school magazine design, streamlines content for readers, allows for updates from a greater number of alumni, and fully completes the transition from the former “newsletter” style. The new name and masthead also provide greater recognition of St. Timothy’s School for those less familiar with us. I hope you enjoy this issue! For questions, comments or story ideas for the next issue, contact me at tlord@sttimothys.org. Taylor Lord (STS Class of 2010), Editor
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Headmaster’s Letter On Friday, February 28, I called together a small group of administrators and teachers, and I asked them to brainstorm how we might continue meaningful teaching and learning if we couldn’t meet on campus for an extended time. I hoped the chances of needing such a plan for STS were slim, and at least one person in the conference room that day later confessed to me, “When you included me in that initial meeting preparing for this possibility, I thought you were crazy.” The phrase “social distancing” had not yet entered into our lexicon.
Hale built our campus that we have stepped away from it. Those whose tireless work has advanced the mission of St. Timothy’s through adversity and whose dedication has extended its teaching beyond its walls will always be known for demonstrating that St. Timothy’s is a community that will withstand any challenge and extends far beyond the buildings and campus at Six Forks and Rowan.” Indeed, we are living in historic times. They are undoubtedly times of hardship, loss, and anxiety— those are realities for many in our community that we should not underestimate or overlook. People are worried about the wellbeing of their loved ones, their jobs, and their businesses. Medical professionals are heroically caring for the suffering and then ending days in isolation, unable to hug their own children for fear of jeopardizing their family’s health. These and so many other challenges are unprecedented in our lifetime.
Just two weeks later, on March 13, we announced that we would be suspending all on-campus activities and moving to distance learning for at least the next month—a timeline ...it’s also subsequently extended for the remainder important of the school year.
And yet, it’s also important that each day we find reasons to celebrate. To choose joy (borrowing a phrase of a recent that each graduate). And these times, as challenging Since then, I’ve continued to seek new day we find as they are, have offered many things words to add to my vocabulary. How reasons to to be grateful for, too—among them, many ways are there to say thank you? celebrate. an extraordinary St. Timothy’s School How many accolades and adjectives are To choose community of faculty and staff, students, there to describe the extraordinary work joy... parents, alumni, and friends who, through of my colleagues to create a whole new their actions, have reaffirmed that no schedule, to learn all new technologies, physical campus is required to be a school that truly and—in a matter of days—to dramatically and fully embraces faith, hope, and love, regardless transform the teaching practices they’d developed of the challenges we might face. over an entire career? How can I reaffirm the incredible love, care, and support of everyone in our In that spirit, we share this magazine with St. Timothy’s community? you—full of reasons for joy and gratitude, and a celebration of a St. Timothy’s community that will I believe Board Chair Joe Diab said it well in a withstand any storm... reminding us that it’s always recent letter to faculty: “In over sixty years, there a great day to be a Titan! has never been a moment since George and Carolyn
Tim Tinnesz, Headmaster
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Student Honors and Awards Scholastic Art Awards Gold Key Ava Spencer, 8th: Pop, Photography Silver Key Ryan Brizzolara, 8th: Following Along, Photography and Road Not Taken, Photography Robbie Brown, 8th: High Five, Photography Clara D., 7th: A Koi Adventure, Sculpture Brooks McCall, 7th: Jewels of the Earth, Photography Margaret Raynal, 8th: Bold Titan, Drawing & Illustration
Did You Kn w? St. Timothy’s School students have been selected to present at the NC Science & Engineering Fair for six consecutive years.
NC Science & Engineering Fair Brooke Hershberger, 6th, The Effect of Light Color on Plant Growth, third place in Biological Science Division at Region 3A Science Fair, advanced to state competition Cole Harris, 5th, Left and Right Brain Dominance, first place at the Region 3A Science Fair, advanced to state competition
Top: “Pop” by Ava Spencer won a Gold Key in the regional Scholastic Art Competition. Below: Gracie May Bardeen is part of the STS Wind Ensemble. Susan Fritts, Band Director, encouraged her to enter the RAFA competition.
Isabel P., 3rd, Plants breathe too!, first place at the Region 3A Science Fair, advanced to state competition
Geography Bee Mac Cobb, 7th: advanced to the State Geography Bee
All-District Band by Competitive Audition Derek Fusco, 8th Leo Molinoff, 7th Hailey Pallister, 8th Sarah Rajaratnam, 6th Will Tinnesz, 6th Chapman Warren, 8th
Raleigh Area Flute Association Review Gracie May Bardeen, 5th: First place in Division 1 - Elementary The months of hard work that the 14 members of the Science Olympiad team put in all year paid off in March at the NC Science Olympiad Regional Competition held in Durham, NC. They placed in nine different competitions.
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The Product of Teamwork and Math Will explains, “We collected everyday materials from home and school. We used these materials to make 2D and 3D objects that could be found on a playground.” Their creativity is impressive—ziplines made from packing styrofoam and zippers, a multi-purpose field and track crafted from paper, soccer goals created from a netted bag that held oranges, and a pond made from an old cookie container.
Imagine
you had 100 square feet to build your dream playground. What would you include? A swingset? Monkey bars? An Olympic-sized swimming pool? Five fifth graders have been tackling this question as a part of a MATHCOUNTS challenge this spring. The MATHCOUNTS Foundation was established in 1983 to encourage students to dive headfirst into math. They hold two competitions each year: this year’s assignments are to create a video to teach a mathematical concept or to make a 3D scale model of a building or playground. Ryan Cleaver, Cole Harris, Miles Kirby, Will Tucker and Carter Wagoner were excited to bring their dream playground to life and went a step further than required when they only used found materials in their model.
It hasn’t been an easy process—the group first had to learn how to work together. Teacher Carol Lockrow says, “MATHCOUNTS club members have challenged themselves with math connections this year, but more importantly, they’ve learned how to work as a team! These five boys often argued about methods, answers and decisions in the group project. Finally, one said, ‘We have to stop fighting and just take a vote!’ They have now been voting for months and their pace has accelerated. Math counts, but democracy counts even more.”
Will Tucker and Carter Wagoner work together to write a description of their project for the competition application.
At first, the boys wanted to include an NFL-sized football field. But when they realized how much space it would take up, they reconsidered and invented a smaller, multi-purpose field that can be used for football, soccer, games of tag and more. With the move to distance learning, the group continues to meet weekly to plan how they’ll finish the playground model. MATHCOUNTS has extended the project deadline to June. Winners are eligible for a trip to the National MATHCOUNTS Competition in Orlando. We look forward to hearing the results of the competition. Good luck!
Left: Ryan Cleaver, Miles Kirby and Cole Harris discuss how to attach the 3D football goal to the playground. Right: Lockrow advises the group.
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The Boys’ Varsity Soccer team.
Titan Athletics Fall & Winter Girls’ Varsity Teams Basketball 1st place Cross Country 4th place Tennis 1st place Volleyball 4th place
Boys’ Varsity Teams Basketball 4th place Cross Country 4th place Soccer 8th place
AD Mike McConoughey and the members of the Girls’ Cross Country team celebrate after a meet.
The Boys’ Varsity Basketball team checks in with Coach Charles Ward.
JV Teams Girls’ Basketball Girls’ Volleyball Boys’ Basketball Boys’ Soccer Lucy Saylors prepares a strong serve during an away tennis match.
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“The fall and winter sports teams at St. Timothy’s were terrific! All of the teams were competitive and fun to watch!” - Athletic Director Mike McConoughey This is the third year in a row that Girls’ Tennis won the conference championship; Girls’ Basketball has won two consecutive conference championships. The Girls’ Volleyball team had a great season.
Coach Ivan Gattis gives the Boys’ JV Soccer team a pep talk before their game.
Grace Palmgren, one of the top scorers of the season, takes the ball down the court.
The Boys’ JV Basketball team gets the tipoff.
Eighth graders on the Boys’ Varsity Basketball team celebrate on Recognition Night.
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WORDSMITHS HARD AT WORK Ask any admissions officer about critical skills for college success and they’ll tell you just how important writing is. It’s not just about how a potential student expresses themselves in the personal essay— good writing can demonstrate the ability to think critically, communicate effectively and inspire others. St. Timothy’s emphasizes student writing because we prepare students for the challenges they will face in high school, college and beyond. Current eighth-grade students submitted essays in late October to the American History Essay Contest, sponsored by the Daughters of the American Revolution. Because this year marks the 400th anniversary of the Mayflower journey and the founding of Plymouth Colony, writers were instructed to put themselves in the Pilgrims’ shoes when crafting their piece. Students Robbie Brown and Chase Raiford both placed in the chapter contest; with a first place ranking, Robbie moved on to the state competition. The national winner will be announced in June 2020. You can enjoy his submission below. “The Voyage of the Mayflower” by Robbie Brown This coming year, 2020, will be the 400th anniversary of the Journey of the Mayflower. The journey was so significant in American history, it is only fit to tell the story once again. Going back over four hundred years from today, the story all started in England, in 1606. At the time we arrive back, about 1606, King James I chartered “The Plymouth Company,” an attempt to establish English colonies on the east coast of America. Around that time, a group of English Protestants called the Pilgrims tried to leave England for religious freedom. In 1608, those Pilgrims managed to settle in Leiden, Holland. They hoped to practice their religion freely in Holland, but they soon found the area to be very unpleasant and not as they hoped. The Pilgrims traveled from Leiden, Holland back to England on Speedwell where they met up with a larger group of people trying to make the journey to America.
The group was told by the Virginia Company they could set up a colony between 38 and 41 degrees latitude. The Pilgrims decided to join a larger group of travelers, and on July 22, 1620, Speedwell and the Mayflower departed from Southampton, England. Several times along the way Speedwell began to leak and headed back to port for repairs. In September 1620, most of the Pilgrims and some extra passengers boarded the Mayflower and left Speedwell behind in Plymouth, England. Finally, in September 1620, the crowded Mayflower set sail under Captain Christopher Jones’s command. The crew brought many important supplies for the journey, but they had some places for improvement. The Mayflower, originally a cargo ship, was eighty by twenty-four feet and held 180 tons of cargo. The passengers took hardtack, beer, dried fish and pork, oats, butter, oil, cider, cheese, and rice. In addition to food, they brought survival weapons, planting tools, and household items such as pots and pans. To clothe themselves they took shirts, pants, hats, and an excessive amount of shoes. They were short on bedding and blankets essential for warmth. Instead, they chose only to bring rugs and a few measly blankets, causing an uncomfortably cold journey. The Mayflower’s voyage across the Atlantic Ocean took a horrible sixty-six days, and some Pilgrims had already traveled an additional two months, coming from Holland. Leaking on Speedwell had
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caused them several delays, so the Mayflower departed in September, possibly the worst departure time. September was the climax of the Atlantic storm season, so embarking in September meant the Mayflower would make landfall at the beginning of winter, the worst time to arrive. To make the journey worse, the ship held over one hundred people yet had no bathrooms, toilets, or showers. Many passengers grew so seasick they could barely stand; one large wave even swept a sailor overboard. By the end of the voyage, the Atlantic storms were so bad the sailors often had to remove the sails and let the boat drift to prevent crashes. Finally, on November 9, 1620, the sickened passengers spotted land, only to realize they had arrived well north of the location in which they received permission to establish a colony. The Mayflower’s crew decided to head south towards the Hudson River, their intended location. Along the southward journey, they faced many sailing problems, extremely rough waters, and several deadly shoals. After nearly shipwrecking twice, the passengers decided to return and explore Cape Cod.
brought aboard. Also, some of the clothing items including the extra pairs of shoes would not have been necessary. For this particular trip bringing medicine along to help treat diseases would have been vital, as many harsh diseases flared up from living in such close quarters. Also, to endure such a long boring trip, I would bring along all sorts of games. Playing games would pass the time, help the passengers get to know each other better, and be a good way to spend time once we had arrived. Many small things for the trip were important, but also some larger tools would have been useful.
To plan for the journey across the Atlantic, and survival in the new world, I would have made several changes. First of all, in order for the Mayflower’s passengers to have a better trip across the Atlantic, I would have departed earlier in the year to avoid storms and other harsh weather. the ship could have taken a Many passengers Secondly, different route to avoid the horrendous grew so seasick storms. In addition to the timing they could barely changes, I would have taken tools more fit for building houses to survive stand; one the winter, growing food, and trading large wave even with the natives. Finally, because to the Pilgrims the trip was all about religion, swept a sailor religious items would have been essential. overboard.
Once the Mayflower arrived at Cape Cod, several scouting parties set out to explore. The parties found only an abandoned Native American village so they continued searching to find an adequate location for their first plantation. They decided on Plymouth during December of 1620, and before they went ashore the passengers created “The Mayflower Compact,” a short document to establish and keep the law in their colony. The Compact stated an individual would be elected to govern them, and equal laws would be created for the colony. Finally, the “Mayflower Compact” declared allegiance to the King of England.
The expedition would have been very different and gone much more smoothly with a few changes in the course and what was taken along. Despite these challenges, the Pilgrims successfully crossed the Atlantic Ocean and established a noteworthy American Colony. The Mayflower’s The weather during the first winter was very harsh, journey was extremely significant in American and many passengers died from sickness and the history and the voyage is a great accomplishment to cold. If I had been around for the bitter voyage across celebrate, now, four hundred years later. the Atlantic and the first winter in the new colony, I would have prepared quite differently. Several sets of Congratulations to both Robbie and Chase! extra blankets and warm clothes should have been
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First Grade S p r e a d s Kindness
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lementary education isn’t just about developing reading and comprehension skills, learning to add and subtract numbers or diving into the natural sciences. It’s also the time when critical values begin to be established. This year, first graders at St. Timothy’s started to learn the importance of giving back.
Asa Burnham was on board immediately, and she set up the first optional service project, held on Saturday, January 11 at the Durham Food Bank. Since the volunteer event was on a weekend, all first graders and their families were invited to help pack food. Seven students participated with their families; they were given different tasks related to organizing and packing the food. Inspired by feedback from students and the food After talking one day, Dolores Huang and Kristal bank, Huang and Keys organized another service Keys, parents of students in Angie Austin’s class, opportunity just a few days later. came up with the idea of optional service projects for first graders. They presented it to the teachers After school the following Tuesday, 15 first and other parents, who were enthusiastic about graders went to the Waltonwood Senior Living the idea. Community in Raleigh to play Bingo with the
Above, Left: STS students help to organize food at the Durham Food Bank. Above, Right: First graders played games and talked with residents at an assisted living facility.
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residents. The intergenerational playdate was such the first graders are learning and seeing that a hit they decided to return on Friday, February service leadership does have an impact. They have 7 for a game day. “It was a great a stronger awareness of “Our goal time for the residents and our group the needs in their own alike,” said Huang. “When we went was to instill community, and they back for board games, the students see that we can help leadership can picked up on conversations from others right here in and their previous meeting.” Raleigh. Through giving compassion back, we are helping to The fourth optional service project create a kinder place.” was supposed to involve students in our first making and delivering gratitude wanted our firstgraders...” “We cards to the local firemen at Station grade families to create 1. The firemen planned to hold a strong relationships basic fire prevention class—complete with lessons within our school, and to spread on dialing 9-1-1, stop-drop-and-roll drills and a kindness in our community,” said tour of a fire truck. The event was postponed due Huang. “Our goal was to instill to the COVID-19 pandemic, and everyone looks leadership and compassion in forward to rescheduling. our first graders and we think we achieved that.” The students who participated in these optional service projects learned from the voluntary, Thank you to Huang, Keys, Burnham and all the hands-on experience. Burnham said, “Whether volunteers who made these service opportunities they are sorting apples and onions for those less possible! fortunate or playing Bingo with a senior citizen,
Contact the Admissions Office at admissions@sttimothys.org to schedule your virtual campus tour.
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S T U D E N T A R T, MUSIC AND DRAMA 8th grade Scholastic Art Awards submission
scu lptur e
6th grade perspective art
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4 th grade
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8th grade perspective art Annual self-portrait, 8th grade th 5 grade clay m a
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A society’s competitive advantage will come not from how well its schools teach the multiplication and periodic tables, but from how well they stimulate imagination and creativity.
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~Albert Einstein
Every St. Timothy’s School student is enrolled in some type of art class, elective or after-school activity, preparing them to have a competitive edge. Arts education is so important because these are the classes where students can express their creativity, learn how to solve problems using critical thinking, observe the world from a new perspective and unleash their imagination. Both elementary and middle school students are excelling in the arts, whether they’re in a traditional fine arts class, drama, chorus, band or another elective, such as photography class. Band, chorus and drama had scheduled concerts and performances in the spring that were unable to take place due to state orders limiting social gatherings. We look forward to hearing and seeing what band, chorus and drama plan for the fall!
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Faculty News E
very Tuesday, Kathryn Donohue gathers her fourth-grade class to read from “First Generation: 36 Trailblazing Immigrants and Refugees Who Make America Great” by Sandra Neil Wallace and Rich Wallace.
The book highlights influential women and men—such as Secretary of State Madeleine Albright, renowned chef Marcus Samuelsson and Sophia Dikembe John Muir Halima Aden Grammy Award-winning musician Carlos Grojsman Mutombo Santana—who traveled from all over the world to live in the United States. After learning about the featured trailblazer of the week, the students work together to write a poem about that person. Each line of the poem begins with the letters C-H-A-N-G-E.
Carlos Santana
Marcus Samuelsson
Diana Al-Hadid
Donohue types the poem, writes a short biography of the trailblazer and places the information on an interactive online map that shows all of the people they’ve studied throughout the year and identifies their country of birth on the world map.
Madeline Albright Adriana Ocampo
Ahmed Zewail
Vinod Dham
Through learning about the various challenges these immigrants and refugees overcame in their lives, fourth graders in Donohue’s class discover the importance of perseverance and they acquire an appreciation of the contributions of many different people, including those not born in the United States.
Fond Farewells... Phoebe Sanders has taught middle school science at St. Timothy’s for 13 years. Earlier this semester, she announced that she and her family are moving to Miami, Florida because of her husband’s job at Collins Aerospace. As the Chair of the Science Department, Sanders led the Science Olympiad team and organized the
Sanders celebrates with her eldest son, Devin, during Recognition Night for eighth-grade athletes. Phoebe Sanders
Bridget Cobb
Middle School Science Fair. Her eldest son, Devin, graduates from eighth grade this year, and son Javan will begin fourth grade in Miami this August. We will miss all of the members of the Sanders family and wish them the best in Miami! Bridget Cobb, a lower school teaching assistant for the past four years, is leaving STS for a position at White Memorial Weekday School, where she worked previously.
Beth Popp
Beth Popp, who joined STS this year as the Middle School Teaching and Learning Coordinator, is leaving to become the Middle School Learning Specialist at Cary Academy.
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ST. TIMOTH Y ’S A nnual F und
The Annual Fund supports faculty professional development opportunities on innovative topics like distance learning. Learn more and make a gift online at www.sttimothys.org/makeagift/.
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r: a f A m ing fro
e h t h t i c i w g m e n i d l n a e a P D s u r i v a n Coro
Learn
St. Timothy’s navigated this unprecedented situation by following daily updates from the state Health Department and Centers for Disease Control, enacting preventive measures and communicating changes in operations with the greater school community.
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mpty classrooms. Empty hallways. Empty playgrounds. Empty administrative offices. No, it’s not a weekend at St. Timothy’s—teachers are still teaching, students are still learning, and the administration is still keeping the school running on track. Welcome to mid-March through the last day of school in early June when the St. Timothy’s campus was closed. Day-to-day operations remained somewhat the same: classes were held, tests and quizzes were given and group projects were worked on. The only difference is that everyone is working remotely. Contingency planning began in early March, with a team of administrators and faculty leaders determining the best platforms, designing distance learning portals, and investigating best practices around scheduling and communication for extended off-campus learning—all still with the hope that we’d never need to use the plans. Local news station CBS-17 learned of our contingency planning, and a reporter came to campus to interview Head of School Tim Tinnesz. Sarah Little, the head of the middle school math department, invited the reporter into her classroom to share some of the preparations.
After close consultation with the Board of Trustees, Mr. Tinnesz announced that St. Timothy’s would to transition to distance learning to provide the students, faculty and staff and parents greater safety from COVID-19. The announcement came on Friday, March 13, right before a scheduled professional development day the upcoming Monday. School was closed for students for the subsequent two days as the recently-developed contingency plans were put into motion: the teachers were trained and Chromebooks and iPads were distributed to lower school students who needed them. Many teachers of the youngest students delivered the classroom materials needed for distance learning by hand. During the transition, CBS-17 checked in with St. Timothy’s to see how the school was managing during the pandemic. Mrs. Little did a follow-up interview with CBS-17 as she prepared to teach that day’s lesson from her kitchen table. She explained that the most important aspect of distance learning is “making sure we have those live interactions with [students to] see how they’re doing, check in on them and have those opportunities for face-to-face interaction as we’re all separated from each other.” At the end of that week on Thursday and Friday, students began utilizing the tools the faculty
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had prepared; they watched distance learning orientations and tutorials, got their new class schedules and began working on independent assignments. Interactive distance learning classes kicked off the following Monday, March 23. Although there were some technological hiccups, all in all, the day went well. Students were excited to see their classmates and teachers, and everyone was determined to make the new style of learning work. Teachers and the IT team brought their A-game that first week. Lisa Kinlaw, fifth-grade literature teacher, used Flipgrid so her students could videotape themselves reading their essay reflections aloud, and watch classmates’ videos and respond to them. Laura Bierer, Pre-K through fifth-grade art teacher, had her students draw their tennis shoes: first from memory, then again while looking at them. Ms. Bierer then had the students explain which drawing they liked better and why, and submit their work by uploading photos. Second-grade teacher Jennifer Scully recorded read-alouds for her class to watch independently. And co-curricular teachers, like Physical Education teacher Ivan Gattis and lower school Science teacher Jane Elkins posted lessons on the distance learning portals that the students could do on their own time to complement work for their core classes. All who had designed and implemented these plans were eager to hear about the student and parent experience in this new distance learning environment, so the School sent out surveys at the end of the first week. A few days later, Mr. Tinnesz shared the incredibly positive feedback with faculty and staff. On Monday, March 23, STS students started interactive distance learning.
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One family wrote, “The hard work that has gone into this process is evident and greatly appreciated! We are so grateful to be reconnected in our STS community and to have an established routine and a bit of normalcy. Aside from a few Chromebook freezes (which I’m told is normal!) the technology platforms seem to be working very well also. Kudos to the IT team in their new roles and also to the teachers for adjusting to teaching in this new environment while balancing their own home lives.” Another said, “I commend all the teachers at STS for rolling out this whole new style of learning in such a quick time frame! I also commend them for having extra help sessions and being available to talk! You all are WONDERFUL!” And a third, “Fantastic attitude and energy of the staff and leadership. You all jumped in at a time of crisis and made this change happen in record time.” All faculty and administrators have been heartened by the widespread support and are very grateful for the flexibility and understanding students and parents have shown during this extraordinary time.
“We are so grateful to be reconnected in our STS community and to have an established routine and a bit of normalcy.”
Community is such an important aspect of life at St. Timothy’s—and that hasn’t changed even though we’ve moved to virtual platforms. Social distancing and distance learning have inspired us to invent new ways to connect. A group of administrative staff started meeting weekly to brainstorm and plan virtual events. This newly created community outreach team has come up with numerous ideas for students, Ms. Bierer keeps her students engaged with asynchronous art projects.
The STS campus is closed, but learning continues virtually.
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Mr. Turnage was touched when car after car honked its horn during the drive-by birthday parade. parents, prospective families, alumni and the Basketball Team Day, Pajama Day and Bring Your greater St. Timothy’s community to stay involved. Favorite Stuffed Animal to Class Day.
The Powells were one of the many STS families that participated in the Note in the Pocket Virtual 5K.
One of the most popular of these new community building events is the virtual walking challenge. On Friday, March 27, St. Timothy’s challenged our community to walk during distance learning. And wow, did the St. Timothy’s community show up by walking, jogging and running! Within a week of the roll-out, more than 1,240 miles were already recorded. Keep up the great work!
Lindsay Behrens and Tim Coleman, the Heads of Lower and Middle School, respectively, have continued their Coffee and Conversation sessions. Now held through video conferencing, Mrs. Behrens and Mr. Coleman have designated times when they meet with parents of certain grade levels to answer questions and share updates about distance learning and the curriculum in general.
On the weekend of April 24, many St. Timothy’s families got in their miles by participating in the virtual Note in the Pocket Socks & Undie 5K Rundie. Note in the Pocket is a local nonprofit that collects clothing for impoverished and homeless children in Wake County. Mr. Tinnesz, who serves on the board, fielded a team for the event. So many people signed up for the 5K that we won an award for having the largest team.
Attending to our community’s various needs, the Friends’ Prayer Group began to convene weekly on Thursday afternoons instead of early mornings once a month. Using Zoom, participants gather for a devotional and pray for both the St. Timothy’s community and the world at large.
Students now participate in weekly spirit days—Themed Thursdays and Friends T-shirt Fridays. Each Thursday is a different theme, like
The community outreach team also circulated resources for St. Timothy’s families, such as a list of available babysitters for parents, and a list of restaurants and businesses to patronize that have a direct connection to the school. In addition, the team shared links to numerous external resources like Marbles Museum, PBS Kids and Scholastic,
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that parents can consult when looking to entertain and further educate their children.
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treasured tradition from happening. Shortly thereafter, a team of teachers and administrators personally delivered a ceiling tile to each eighth grader so they can decorate it from home, with a promise that we will return to campus to hang those tiles together as soon as we can. That team of volunteers drove everywhere from Raleigh and Wake Forest to Cary and Knightdale.
Just like any school year, we’re celebrating birthdays. First-grade teacher Angie Austin and former Security Officer Clarence Turnage were both surprised on their special days by birthday parades, organized by parents. Mr. Turnage’s birthday surprise was such a success that CBS-17 featured it in a story on their evening newscast On the night of Monday, May 4, a few faculty that same week. and staff used the cover of the darkness to place yard signs in front of the houses of As this year’s eighth graders are unable to spend those graduating eighth graders. On Tuesday their spring semester together physically, the morning—exactly one month before the last day social media team decided to do something of school— the STS Class of 2020 woke up to special for the last few months of the school the surprise and were thrilled with the unexpected year. Each eighth-grade student is highlighted on recognition. Facebook and Instagram with a post that includes their photo and fun facts about them, like what There’s no question that this spring has they’ll miss most about St. Timothy’s, what their been difficult. But what is amazing is how the favorite class is or if they prefer the beach or the St. Timothy’s community has rallied in the mountains. face of adversity. Everyone—parents, students, faculty, staff and friends of STS—has tackled this The same day that St. Timothy’s announced challenge together and with optimism. that the beloved eighth-grade trip to DC was not happening, Mr. Tinnesz decided that our We can’t wait to welcome you back to campus! circumstances would not prevent another
Each eighth grader was surprised with a yard sign in the front of their house one month before the last day of school.
Congratulations
STS Class of
2020
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lthough Boucan-Carré is more than one thousand miles from Raleigh, the city is near and dear to the St. Timothy’s School community. Nestled in the remote Haitian village is our partner institution, St. Timothee’s School, which nurtures and educates more than 150 children, ages five to 18. We partnered with St. Timothee’s in 2016, after former Headmaster Mike Bailey brought the opportunity to current Head of School Tim Tinnesz’s attention. Mr. Tinnesz worked to establish the partnership and since then, small groups of faculty, staff and church members have gone to Boucan-Carré on three occasions to get to know the students and teachers at St. Timothee’s, explore the town and experience Haitian culture. This past January, Eudras Ceus, the liaison between the two schools, visited us for a week. Lisa Lowrance, middle school Spanish teacher, and Kathryn Donohue, fourth-grade teacher, worked together to coordinate his schedule, as they have both traveled to Haiti and wanted to make sure that St. Timothy’s extended the same
warm welcome that our partner institution has always given us. During his time here, Eudras maintained a packed schedule. In one day, he spoke to middle schoolers during Chapel and made laminated placemats with a fifth-grade Community Connections class and toured the school grounds and read a book written in both English and Creole to second graders and enjoyed a fiesta with a fourth-grade Spanish class and presented to STS faculty and staff! Over the next few school days, Eudras read to Pre-K and kindergarten students, taught Creole to fourth and sixth through eighth graders, made sticks of chalk out of Plaster of Paris with the sixth-grade Create Class and spoke at a lower school assembly. A former math teacher, Eudras also swapped lesson ideas with our teachers. The visit culminated with our Dine for Haiti Spaghetti Dinner that served as both a fundraiser for St. Timothee’s School and a communitybuilding event. Dozens of families came laden with food to donate: dinner rolls, pans of baked spaghetti, salad fixings, desserts and drinks.
Left: Students at St. Timothee’s checking out their new bags from STS. Right: Eudras reads a book written in English and Creole to second graders.
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Eudras Ceus Visits STS Parents, faculty and staff members volunteered to set up, serve and clean up after the event. With all event items donated, we were able to allocate all the proceeds to our partnership. Approximately 200 students, parents, faculty and staff enjoyed the community dinner and heard Eudras explain the significant impact our school has on St. Timothee’s. Thanks to your generosity, we raised over $3,000 that will directly benefit the school in Haiti. As the whirlwind week came to a close, it was time for Eudras to begin packing for Haiti— however, there was one big problem. He couldn’t fit everything into his suitcase! Luckily, that issue was easily solved and, gifted with two more suitcases, Eudras was able to take two refurbished laptops, two flutes and other small instruments, school supplies, sticks of chalk, STS swag, five red and five blue STS soccer jerseys, laminated placemats, whiteboard markers and more back to his school community.
in Haiti is an integral part. Our partnership isn’t one-way. It’s mutually beneficial, as we expand our students’ horizons and develop personal relationships with the St. Timothee’s students, faculty and staff. This year, 11 middle school students were nominated to be “Haiti Helpers;” they made posters promoting the Dine for Haiti Spaghetti Dinner to hang up around school and helped greet guests and make the dinner an enjoyable evening for everyone. John Michael Waite, an eighth-grade Haiti Helper and the Student Council President, said, “The St.Timothy’s partnership with our sister school in Haiti has shown me a different view of how kids like me live. It has made me more appreciative of my life and the opportunities here in the United States.”
Since the beginning of our partnership, St. Timothy’s has supported our sister institution Why does St. Timothy’s support a school in financially: helping to provide meals for every Haiti? As part of our Episcopal identity, we are student, potable water, Internet access, school called upon to educate, nurture and strengthen supplies and other essentials. The daily meal at our community—of which St. Timothee’s School school is sometimes the only meal students eat.
Eudras socializes with St. Timothy’s faculty and staff, parents, students and friends during the Dine for Haiti Spaghetti Dinner.
In 2016, all classes were held in a single room with multiple teachers instructing their students at once. Now, St. Timothee’s is closing off formerly open-air buildings.
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S P R I N G 202 0 Fifth graders show off some of the college memorabilia available at the Attic Treasures = Haiti Education fundraiser, held during the Talent Show.
When the partnership first began, all of the students at St. Timothee’s gathered in one large room—used as the church on Sundays—to learn. At any moment of the day, lower school students learn to form letters and write their name while upper-level students work on complex math problems and dive into literature. The only separation between the classes is that the bench seats face different directions, so the students can look at their teacher.
the lack of transparency about billions of dollars the government had received to help rebuild the country after a devastating 2010 earthquake. As society focused on political issues, rumored embezzlement and the country’s economic state, construction at St. Timothee’s halted in its tracks. The school was closed for months, as it was too dangerous for the students to travel to school.
Can you imagine trying to focus on the lesson with four or five other classes going on at the same time?
The situation gradually improved, and students returned to school. As things continue to get back to normal, St. Timothee’s plans to resume construction.
With our financial assistance, St. Timothee’s started to construct new classrooms so they could separate students. Construction commenced, but quickly stalled when the country was thrown into political unrest.
During his time at St. Timothy’s, Eudras talked about this moment in St. Timothee’s recent history. After learning about the situation, our community was inspired to find additional ways to generate support for the partnership.
In the summer of 2018, Haitians began protesting rapidly increasing fuel prices. The protests became deadly and more frequent as people began to express their dissatisfaction with the corruption of the government led by President Jovenel Moïse.
Earlier this semester, fifth grade math teacher Carol Lockrow discovered a hidden treasure in her attic: hundreds of framed and loose art prints by artist Jerry Miller. The long-time Cary resident, who favored pen-and-ink drawings, focused primarily on scenes from North Carolina. He drew landmark buildings on college campuses, lighthouses at state beaches, everyday nature vignettes and more. When Mrs. Lockrow uncovered these masterpieces, she immediately
Groups of people gathered in the streets of highly-populated cities, including the capital of Haiti, Port-au-Prince. Haitians were upset about
St. Timothee’s students are enjoying a sunny day outside.
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Eudras teaches Creole to Mrs. Lowrance’s Spanish class.
wanted to share them. With help from her fifth graders, Mrs. Lockrow organized a fundraiser called Attic Treasures = Haiti Education. She and her students sold more than $800 worth of the artwork and college memorabilia and have given the proceeds to supplement monies St. Timothy’s contributes to fund new construction and to supplement teacher salaries at St. Timothee’s.
By visiting St. Timothy’s, Eudras has given us a first-hand account of how our financial support has helped the St. Timothee’s community grow over the years. Recently, we received a very generous six-figure legacy gift from a prior donor who was supportive of our partnership with St. Timothee’s. We are blessed with this unexpected gift, and are actively considering the best ways to use the funds for the benefit of the partnership.
In addition, all ticket sales to the St. Timothy’s Talent Show, amounting to more than $600, have We are happy and grateful for Eudras’ visit, been dedicated to our partner institution. and that we are continuing to strengthen our partnership with St. Timothee’s School in Haiti. Eudras helps students write messages in Creole to make laminated placemats.
Three classes are being taught in one room at the same time at St. Timothee’s.
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CL ASS NOTES This year is the inaugural year of the STS Alumni Club. Alumni of all graduating classes receive a monthly email with updates from the School, alumni spotlights, invitations to alumni gatherings and more. St. Timothy’s alumni are excited to connect with the School: more than 25 people from the STS Classes of 2006-2012 came to socialize at Lynnwood Brewing Concern around Thanksgiving, and the High School Alumni Homecoming Dinner—always a big hit—drew more than 90 high schoolers back to campus in late January. Read on to see what our alumni have been up to!
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Jenny Eyster Halasz (1) is married to Neil Halasz. They have two children, Daniel, age 13, and Brian, age nine. Jenny owns her own business, JLH Marketing, Inc.
says, “It’s been so wonderful being back home and working with an organization that helps so many people in my community.”
Tyler Kress (4) has been living and working in the heart of Silicon Valley for the past two years. He moved 2006 to California after accepting a job in the Trust & Safety Department at Jenny Erwin (2a) recently showed Google, where he works as a data her newest collection (2b) of her analyst. Tyler’s team is responsible equestrian-inspired clothing line, for ensuring that developers using Apacceli, at Paris Fashion Week Google Cloud are building apps (PFW). She was among the 10 Up that are safe for the public to use. and Coming Designers of the PFW He writes, “it’s been a wonderful “Ones to Watch” competition. Jenny experience so far, and I’m constantly started Apacceli in 2018 and went motivated by the level of impact of to New York Fashion Week last year. my work. Even small decisions have She currently attends the Savannah the potential to protect billions of end College of Art and Design, where she users!” He is also taking advantage of is getting her master’s in luxury and the outdoor activities that California fashion management. To keep up has to offer, from skiing in Tahoe, to with Jenny’s latest accomplishments hiking in Yosemite, and rock climbing and clothing launches, sign up for Apacceli’s newsletter on www.apacceli.com, and follow her on Instagram at @apacceliofficial.
2007 Sarah Griffin (3) moved to Durham with her fiancé and their dog in September. She is working at the UNC TEACCH Autism Program as an Autism Specialist. Sarah mainly works with toddlers who have been diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder and their caregivers, helping them understand their child’s unique learning style and developing strategies to help them learn. Sarah
in Joshua Tree National Park. His latest adventure was a 10-day road trip with his girlfriend through Arizona, where they visited the Grand Canyon and countless state parks. “I’m glad that I made the move out West, but North Carolina is definitely calling me back!” Cameron (’07, 5a) and John Austin Luck (’10, 5b) run a production company called Openwater Films’. They started it almost two years ago and focus on creating highend promotional and brand videos, documentaries, and commercials. The brothers have worked with several companies in North Carolina, California and Florida. Cameron says, “We’ve had the opportunity to film in some incredible places, including a recent shoot in Puerto Rico for an adventure travel company. I’m looking forward to what the future
Where in the world are our alumni in college?
Every February, St. Timothy’s sends a Valentine’s Day treat to its alumni in college. Parents of 8th graders bake pans of brownies and volunteers get together to stuff boxes with the homemade goods, candy, pens, sticky notes and STS swag. This year, we sent more than 150 goodie boxes to alumni in three different countries!
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has in store for us!” Kelsey Mann (6) left the clothing industry over a year ago to pursue physical therapy. She has been taking prerequisite classes and gaining hands-on experience in PT clinics. In early February, Kelsey was accepted to the acclaimed Doctor of Physical Therapy program at the University of Southern California. Vaughn Vreeland (7) is a senior video journalist with New York Times Cooking. He explores different cultures through food, working with food stylists and recipe developers to create videos of tantalizing dishes.
2008 Quinan Dalton (8) has been living in New York for the past two years. She recently switched from fashion to costume design. Quinan currently works as a Costume Production Assistant on an upcoming TV series called “The Flight Attendant,” scheduled to premiere in September on HBO Max.
2009 David Foye (9) returned home from Afghanistan in late March. David graduated from West Point and is a Lieutenant in the 82nd Airborne Division at Ft. Bragg, NC. Abigail Gay (10) works as a private equity investor with PEAK6 Investments in New York City.
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Huston Wallace (11) is a Legislative Assistant in the Office of Congresswoman Kendra Horn, representing Oklahoma’s 5th Congressional District. He works in the following issue areas: energy, agriculture, environment, natural resources, interior, tribal affairs, animal welfare and nutrition. Within those fields, Huston reviews upcoming legislation; makes vote recommendations for the Congresswoman; drafts legislation, letters and speeches; and meets stakeholders and constituents. Huston graduated from Duke University in 2017 with a BS in Economics. He moved to DC in April 2018 and interned for the North Carolina Governor’s office before interning
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for Congressman Charlie Crist from Florida’s 13th Congressional District. Huston first started in Congresswoman Horn’s office as a Staff Assistant in January 2019 and has since worked his way up to become a Legislative Assistant. Look at him hanging out with Bill Nye, the Science Guy!
2010 Rachel Powell Maloney (12a) married Connell Maloney on October 19, 2019 at Christ Church in Charlotte, NC. The newlyweds celebrated afterward at the Duke Mansion. They live in Washington, DC. (12b) School friends Taylor Lord (third from left) and Caitlin Garrabrant Gile (last on right) were bridesmaids.
Meet the 2020 Graduation Speaker Haley McKeown ’09 graduated from High Point University in 2017 with a BA in Journalism and a minor in Sport Management. As president of her class, Haley gave a commencement speech alongside Wolf Blitzer. Throughout her time at High Point, she was a member and president of Kappa Delta sorority, a volunteer for Career Services and a University Ambassador. Haley currently works at Wasserman, a sports marketing and talent management agency in Raleigh. She helps support the Wells Fargo sponsorship strategy and golf partnerships and also co-manages an internship program. Haley says, “I couldn’t be more excited to come back to where my education started at St. Timothy’s. As a member of St. Timothy’s Church since I was baptized, I can truly say my faith, values and knowledge are rooted in the lessons and experiences I had as a student. My time at St. Timothy’s built the foundation that enabled me to continue to pursue my educational, leadership and career aspirations to this day.”
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Hannah Messick (15) graduated Magna Cum Laude from East Carolina University with a BS in Nursing on May 2, 2019. She immediately went on to pass the NCLEX exam, earning her the title RN-BSN. In July, Hannah started a new graduate nursing position in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at WakeMed.
Olivia Jones Hankin (16) married Charles Hankin on July 4, 2018.
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Email alumni@sttimothys.org Fill out the form on the website Reach out on social media
Bank of America. She will work for them fulltime starting in July.
University of North Carolina at Chapel Bailey Ham (13) works as an Hill. She interns at the Operations Associate for Headfirst National Trust, getting a Marley’s sister, mother look at their publishing Summer Camps, which runs six and uncle also attended process as it pertains to different summer day camps in the St. Timothy’s. Her Washington, DC metro area. In the museum work—which off-season, she works with a team of grandmother, Olga directly relates to her other Operations Associates to focus Simpson, was a librarian aspiring double major on facility relations, hiring, equipment for more than 20 years, in English-CMPL and and says, “The entire and warehouse organization. This Art History. In February, family has wonderful summer, Bailey will be back in the she was working at memories of the school the Benjamin Franklin camp setting as the Site Director at the National Cathedral campus. She’ll and holds it dear in their House, one of the many hearts.” oversee the STEM and Multi-Sport museums that fall under programs as well as communicate the supervision of the 2014 between on-site leadership teams National Trust. Following and Headfirst headquarters, ensuring Stephanie Ann Harris this, Stephanie spent that everything runs smoothly. (18) is studying abroad time at the Ham and Keats Houses. in London through a Hollis Bay Hatfield (14) is getting program with Honors her master’s degree in wildlife Stephanie says that Carolina at the conservation and management at University College Dublin in Dublin, Ireland.
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Marley Shattuck (17) will graduate magna cum laude from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte in May with a major in Business. She was in the honors program and Beta Gamma Sigma, the business honor society. Last summer, Marley interned as a corporate audit analyst with
“The National Trust does a lot of work in the literary industry concerning English heritage and culture, so I’ve been studying the relationship between the literature of these museums and the actual museum experience.”
2016 Emma Colavecchio (19) and Harris Upchurch (20) were named National Merit Scholarship® Semifinalists; less than 1% of high school seniors throughout the United States were named Semifinalists.
Faculty Alumni Spotlight Ivan Gattis (‘74), the Physical Education teacher, attended St. Timothy’s School from pre-kindergarten through eighth grade. During his time as a student, Mr. Gattis remembers playing in the new gym when it was built, eating Stewart sandwiches and ice cream for lunch and getting in trouble with Father Hale when he and his friends picked berries off the bushes and threw them at each other. Mr. Gattis says, “The best feeling I got when I first came back to work was one of familiarity. The values and ideals that were taught to me are still being taught today. That continuity, the merging of the past and present is important.” Thanks for sharing, Mr. Gattis!
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Letter from the Rector In the Marvel Studios film “Avengers: Age of Ultron,” Iron Man, played by Robert Downey, Jr., asks his fellow Avengers how they plan to beat the biggest threats in the universe. Actor Chris Evans as Captain America replies, “Together.” When Iron Man responds by stating, “We’ll lose,” Captain America replies again saying, “Then we’ll do that together, too.”
our community already was! “Doing it together” is something I have already seen time and time again on campus, but it may be something others are now seeing in all its glory for the first time.
My own conclusion is that such togetherness finds its source in our school’s Christian foundation and identity. We are not just any old educational institution. We are a unique organization modeled on an older and more What do we so admire about banding together global community, the Church—a body of to face our shared challenges? How many people brought together by God, frequently films, novels and short stories can you think challenged, and perpetually changed as it of that show how a group of people put aside seeks to know and love God through following their differences and unite their efforts to in the footsteps of its Savior and Lord, Jesus. achieve a common goal? Just look at the Despite all the challenges and changes disciples in the Bible. In spite of their many it faces, the Church is founded on the differences, they work together to follow Jesus faithfully and to spread the word of the idea of one. As the Apostle Paul reminds a congregation in the ancient city of Ephesus, Lord to all those willing to listen. “There is one body and one Spirit; you were As Rector of this parish, and as one deeply called to one hope; one Lord, one faith, one connected to St. Timothy’s School at every baptism; one God and Father of all, who is level, I have been inspired—though not over all, and through all, and in all” (Ephesians surprised—at how our school community 4:4-6). The Church is called to be one. Any has banded together during these unique and community that finds its foundation in the uncertain times. We haven’t stood by and Church, like our school, should seek to do witnessed as St. Timothy’s School created an likewise. otherwise non-existent community; rather, What all these changes have shown me, is through this coronavirus pandemic, we’ve seen proof of just how strong and connected that being one is just what we are doing—and doing well! Father Allen Waller Rector, St. Timothy’s Episcopal Church
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Girls’ Varsity Basketball Team Does It Again A
fter an incredible season last year, the 2019-2020 Girls’ Varsity Basketball team hung onto their accolades. Following an undefeated regular season, the Titans faced off against Grace Christian and Cary Academy in the first two rounds of the Capital Area Middle School Conference tournament. St. Timothy’s defeated both schools and moved on to the finals, where they were up against St. David’s. The first half was close, but with a home-court advantage and fans in the stands cheering them on, the Titans took control of the second half of the game. Co-captains Mya Lemons and Macie Gross, both eighth graders,
helped lead the Titans to victory—the Girls’ Varsity Basketball Team beat St. David’s with a final score of 30-18.
“This team was a joy to coach.”
The team was comprised of 10 eighth graders, many of whom were part of the championship team last year. Head Coach Mike McConoughey and Assistant Coach Jason Lemons were proud to see the girls communicate well on the court and play their hardest throughout the season. Mya Lemons and seventh graders Grace Palmgren and Grace Frances Longino were the three top scorers of this season.
“This team was a joy to coach,” said Coach Mike. “They worked hard throughout the season, and it showed in the final game.” Congratulations, Girls’ Varsity Basketball team! We can’t wait to cheer you on again next year.
The Girls’ Varsity Basketball Team poses with the championship cup.