Ravenscroft Magazine - Winter 2013

WINTER 2013 | VOL. XVI. NO. 1

magazine

INSIDE: Celebrating Traditions | Student Showcase | Spoleto Abroad

BIRD’S

eye view

Do you know where this is on campus?

Answer: Middle School breezeway, opposite A.E. Finley Activity Center.

On the Cover: Illustration of Ravenscroft traditions by Kyle Webster

magazine

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FEATURES 8 Memories Made

Celebrating Old and New Traditions

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DEPARTMENTS 2 Vision & Voice

12 Creative Leadership

The Ripple Effect — Turning Words Into Actions

16 Global Citizenship

The World According to Jessie Lutz ’14

18 Innovation & Technology

The Art of Helping Others — Dr. Jack Inge ’80

20 Celebrating 150 Years

A photo story from our 150th events

A Legacy Celebrated — Doreen Kelly, Head of School

4 Notes from the Nest

News and updates from the Ravenscroft community

22 Student Showcase

Gabrielle Rhoades ’13: The Rabbit Hole

24 Center Stage

A Little Bit of Italy — Students Experience Art of Spoleto

26 Game Day

Spirit with a Capital R — School Pride Flourishes at Ravenscroft

Ravenscroft magazine is published twice a year by the Communications Office.

Any suggestions or comments should be directed to 919-847-0900, ext. 2312 or webmaster@ravenscroft.org.

Design by M Creative | Photography by Christine Rucker & Susan Washburn Written by Penny Rogers, Avani Patel & Susan Washburn, Communications staff

28 Alumni News 32 Class Notes 52 Ravenscroft Rewind

An era gone by

VISION

& voice

A Legacy Celebrated Doreen Kelly, Head of School

DEAR RAVENSCROFT COMMUNITY: As the School moves into its next 150 years, my vision for Ravenscroft is a bold one. While our School has traditionally done an excellent job of preparing young men and women for college and beyond, I believe we must do more.

Our mission compels us to “prepare students to thrive in a complex and interdependent world” — but today’s world is vastly different than the one we knew as children. The challenges on our horizon are considerable and some are unknown.

Technology has brought all corners of our globe together, making true diversity a reality. Successful students must be flexible, open-minded, critical thinkers who are able to collaborate with people from a multitude of backgrounds. Traditional academic excellence must be the starting place, not the destination, for tomorrow’s education.

It is not enough that we graduate students who will thrive in college and become professionally and personally successful.

I want to ensure that we graduate young men and women who have a deep personal core, the ability to lead with others, and the confidence and competence to put bold ideas into action for positive impact.

How we achieve this vision for Ravenscroft students will take many paths

and require a change in our thinking. Ravenscroft has been, and will continue to be, a center of learning where academics come first. However, the mindset of infusing our culture with a commitment to develop the leadership and citizenship potential in each of our students must be adopted from top to bottom, inside and out.

We have begun to scratch the surface of this transformational initiative through our partnership with the Center for Creative Leadership, and there are signs of the promise of this collaboration beginning to take root all across campus.

This vision will take time to achieve, but with the support of our Board of Trustees, we are committed to seeing it through.

Sincerely,

Doreen C. Kelly Head of School

RAVENSCROFT TRUSTEE FRAN PUGH NAMED SEYMOUR PRESTON AWARD WINNER THE COUNCIL FOR THE ADVANCEMENT and Support of Education (CASE) named Ravenscroft Trustee Fran Pugh as the recipient of the Seymour Preston Award, presented annually to a school trustee who has exhibited exceptional commitment and leadership in developing voluntary support for his or her institution.

This award pays tribute to Seymour Preston, a long-time trustee of the Lawrenceville School and the first recipient of the award. It was presented to Mrs. Pugh on Jan. 14 at the 43rd Annual CASENAIS Independent School Conference in Washington, D.C. Mrs. Pugh is now serving her 44th year as a trustee and was instrumental in

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positioning the School for academic excellence and a growing enrollment beginning in the ’70s.

Her husband, Dr. V. Watson Pugh ’38, attended Ravenscroft when it was located in downtown Raleigh. Together with a small group of devoted parents, they bought the property the School is built on, allowing Ravenscroft to add grades 9–12.

The Pughs sent their four children to Ravenscroft, have three grandchildren who have graduated from the School, and three grandchildren who are currently enrolled.

Mrs. Pugh acknowledged the honor in a letter to the CASE award committee, saying: “What an honor it is to receive an award named for Mr. Seymour, someone

Left to right: Magda Pugh, David Johnson, HOLLY PUGH JOHNSON ’78, DR. V. WATSON PUGH ’38, Fran Pugh, KATERINA PUGH ’04, CHASE JOHNSON ’14, and VERNON PUGH ’76

who, no doubt, loves Lawrenceville as much as I love Ravenscroft. It has been one of the great joys of my life to serve the faculty, students, and families of our wonderful School.”

CONNECT 1

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KEEP CONNECTED WITH RAVENSCROFT ON ALL YOUR FAVORITE SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORMS 1. Join us on LINKED IN at RAVENSCROFT SCHOOL.

4. Follow our tweets on TWITTER at @RAVENSCROFTNC.

7. Visit our YOUTUBE channel for the latest school videos: YOUTUBE.COM/RAVENSCROFTNC.

2. See our photos on INSTAGRAM at @RAVENSCROFTNC.

5. Check out our SCHOOL FACEBOOK page at FACEBOOK.COM/RAVENSCROFTNC.

8 and 9. Explore our photos on FLICKR at FLICKR.COM/PHOTOS/RAVENSCROFTNC.

3. View our boards on PINTEREST at PINTEREST.COM/RAVENSCROFTNC.

6. Follow our ALUMNI FACEBOOK page at FACEBOOK.COM/GROUPS/RAVENSALUMNI.

www.ravenscroft.org/connect

NOTES

from the nest

Students Honored for Journalistic and Literary Excellence THE NEVARMORE AND EIGHT OF ITS STUDENT CONTRIBUTORS were recognized at the 2012 North Carolina Scholastic Media Association’s (NCSMA) Awards for Scholastic Journalism Excellence. The newspaper earned the overall ranking of “Honor.”

Established in 1938, the NCSMA offers schools and students the opportunity to be critiqued and judged by journalism professionals through an annual, state-wide competition. The “Honor” ranking achieved by Ravenscroft is the third-highest of the NCSMA’s four ranks. The Nevarmore also earned honorable mentions in the Features and Sports categories. In addition, Ravenscroft entered the Online News competition with Nevarmore Online and was awarded an overall ranking of “Honor.”

In addition, The Nevarmore and Nevarmore Online recently won a Gold Medalist Certificate from The Columbia Scholastic Press Association for 2011-2012 issues.

Also competing this year was Ravenscroft’s literary magazine, The Living Hand. The magazine placed second in Cover Design and third in Fiction. It also received an Honorable Mention in Non-Fiction and Poetry, securing an overall ranking of “Distinction,” the second-highest of the NCSMA’s four ranks. In the Columbia Scholastic Press Association competition, The Living Hand received Silver Medalist distinction.

KITTELBERGER ’14 REPRESENTS USA IN USA-CHINA GOLF MATCH Jessica Kitttelberger ’14 was invited by the United States Golf Association (USGA) to represent her country in the USA-China Golf Match held in Northern California in August. Four boys and four girls represented the USGA as members of a team competing against a similar delegation from the People’s Republic of China. Jessica played in a friendship round at The Olympic Club, site of the 2012 U.S. Open, as well as three match play rounds at CordeValle, a USGA championship venue south of San Jose, Calif. The USA-China Youth Golf Match was last played in China in 2008.

JV Football Completes Perfect Season The JV Football team defeated Harrells Academy, 50-24, on Oct. 25 to complete a perfect 10-0 season.

With the victory, Ravenscroft JESSICA KITTELBERGER ’14, right, with competitors clinched its third straight Big from the People’s Republic of China East Independent Football Conference championship.

During the last three years, the team has compiled a record of 31-1.

“This was a great team to coach,” said Head Coach Greg Long.

“They worked extremely hard from early August until the end of the season to achieve this record. The things that they were able to do on the field and learn and remember was amazing. Many of them have played for me for two and three years, so they had plenty of confidence in themselves, and they listened and did everything I and the rest of the coaches could ask of them. It was truly a special team to be a part of.”

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ASHLEY SUH ’15

Students Selected for North Carolina Honors Ensembles

STUDENTS RAISE THOUSANDS FOR AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY IN THE “MOTHER OF ALL RELAYS” For the fourth consecutive year, Ravenscroft students participated in the Hood to Coast (HTC) Relay Race to raise money for the American Cancer Society. The HTC is the largest relay race in the world, starting toward the top Mt. Hood (11,234 ft), and finishing on the beach in Seaside, Ore. The team of 12 students was the second highest fundraising team, collecting more than $55,000. Over the last four years, Ravenscroft’s student teams have raised over $150,000 for the American Cancer Society. This year’s team members were: Max Haensel ’14, Claire Fuscoe ’14, Emily Bedsole ’13, William Christman ’14, David Dameron ’14, Chase Duncan ’13, Meghan Jenkins ’13, Spencer Knudsen ’13, Rebecca Powell ’14, Emily Ratliff ’14, Andrew Smith ’13, and Caroline Zuckerman ’13.

Oboist Claudia Meyer ’13 and bassist Ashley Suh ’15 were selected for the 2012 Honors All-State Orchestra. Honors All-State is made up of the best high school musicians from the Eastern and Western Regional All-State Orchestras.

In addition, Lower School students Elle Schantz ’20 and Shawna Carr ’20 successfully auditioned to participate in the North Carolina Elementary Honors Chorus. They joined the chorus of 195 students who were selected from among more than 600 auditions reviewed by judges.

Ravens Honored for AP, PSAT Performance Seventy-five students in the Class of 2012 and 28 students in the Class of 2013 earned AP Scholar status in recognition of their exceptional achievement on AP exams. Twelve of those students qualified for the National AP Scholar Award by earning an average score of 4 or higher on a five-point scale on all AP Exams taken, and scores of four or higher on eight or more of these exams.

Twenty Ravenscroft seniors were recognized in the 2013 National Merit Scholarship competition. Kyla Babson ’13, Chris Brajer ’13, Ryan Carr ’13, Alex Cooley ’13, Calley Mangum ’13, Claudia Meyer ’13, Elisabeth Schricker ’13, Max Sminkey ’13, and Kate Sweeney ’13 were named National Merit Scholarship Semifinalists. In addition, Aysia Demby ’13 and Mollie Ducoste ’13 were named Semifinalists in the 2013 National Achievement Scholarship Program, which recognizes scholastically talented Black American seniors. Approximately 1,600 Semifinalists will compete for 800 scholarship awards worth $2.5 million. Earning Commended status in the National Merit Scholarship competition were: Will Barefoot ’13, Emily Bedsole ’13, Aysia Demby ’13, Mollie Ducoste ’13, Averi Gaines ’13, Logan Greer ’13, Kelsey Hill ’13, Allison McAdams ’13, Lauren Norris ’13, Alicia Richards ’13, and Mariel Ziperski ’13.

CLAUDIA MEYER ’13 (right)

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NOTES

from the nest

Ravenscroft Visits Site of School’s Founding; Honors First Teacher

Ravenscroft’s faculty and staff — more than 230 strong — began the sesquicentennial by visiting Christ Church in downtown Raleigh to learn about the School’s history from former Assistant Head of School Bruce Miller and Rev. Jim Adams, Rector of Christ Church.

Following the program at Christ Church, Ravenscroft’s faculty and staff

visited Oakwood Cemetery, and conducted a brief service to dedicate a memorial stone for Ravenscroft’s first teacher and principal, Mrs. Jennie Massenburg Henry, who worked at the School from 18681891. Henry was laid to rest in Oakwood without a gravestone in 1917. Spearheaded by the efforts of Miller and Lower School teacher Barbara Paul, the School paid for the creation and installation of the memorial stone.

Paul said that after learning about the School’s interest in donating the marker, dozens of faculty members offered to help contribute. “At the very heart of this is that we are adults who care about children and who want to teach the next generation,” said Paul. “Mrs. Henry exemplified those same traits and set the path for all of us.”

Ravens Chosen for Triangle Youth Philharmonic Ensemble Seven students this year successfully auditioned for coveted spots with the three orchestras which compose the Triangle Youth Philharmonic Association: Triangle Youth Philharmonic, Triangle Youth Symphony, and Triangle Youth Orchestra.

This is the premiere youth orchestra organization in the state, and over the years, Ravenscroft has been well represented.

The commitment level of each student involved is extremely high. Students selected this year for the Triangle Youth Philharmonic are: Sara Brown ’14, cello, Ashley Suh ’15, bass, Andrew Wiehe ’13, trombone, and Stephanie Wiehe ’15, trumpet. Quenton Blache ’19, cello, was selected for the Triangle Youth Symphony, and Sammie Kim ’18, violin, and Melissa Kong ’19, violin, were selected for the Triangle Youth Orchestra. The assistant conductor of TYO is Ravenscroft private lessons strings instructor Jacob Wenger.

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FALL ROUNDUP RAISES NEARLY $25K FOR PARENTS’ ASSOCIATION ENDOWMENT This year’s Fall Roundup, held in September, was a wonderful day of community building and fun, along with some heated competition in the new Laser Tag event and the Lip Sync.

It was also a very successful fundraiser.

The event raised nearly $25,000 for the Parents’ Association Endowment, which benefits students and teachers.

BOOKS FOR BABIES Marines Silent Drill Platoon Performs for Students, Faculty On Oct. 24, Ravenscroft was honored to have the Marine Corps Silent Drill Platoon perform for students and faculty.

The platoon is a 24-man rifle platoon known for its unique precision drill exhibition that includes a series of rifle spins and tosses. After the performances

students had the opportunity to meet the Marines and thank them for their service.

Performances are typically reserved for NFL halftime shows and large military ceremonies, but Ravenscroft was able to secure the performances with the assistance of parent Jeffrey Clark.

The Lower School Student Council collected 1,390 new and gently used books for babies and young children for the Project Enlightenment book drive in October. Last year, Ravenscroft collected 1,388 books, more than any school in Wake County.

Theresa McCain from Project Enlightenment remarked: “Out of all the schools that participate, Ravenscroft is the only school that collects over 1,000 books. It is wonderful to think how many children and families your school’s generosity will touch.”

DADS GROUP BUILDS ENTRANCE FOR CROSS COUNTRY COURSE To honor Ravenscroft’s 2011 Girls Cross State Country Championship team, the Ravens Athletic Club joined with members of the DADS group to construct a cedar arbor over the course entrance. The Ravens Athletic Club proposed the idea and supplied the materials for the project. The DADS (Dads and Daughters and Sons) group constructed the entrance in September. DADS is a growing group of fathers that are committed to the belief that positive, engaged relationships with their daughters and sons change lives for the better. The volunteers, along with Chris Farrow, director of Buildings and Grounds, cut, sawed, dug, drilled, and poured concrete all afternoon to produce a beautiful new entrance.

Three Students Win Awards at Visual Art Exchange Competition Three Ravenscroft students won top awards in the 24th Annual Visual Art Exchange student competition. The gallery opening and presentation of awards was held Nov. 2.

Alexandra Kansler ’17, a student of Julee Thomsen, won first place for Arrangement #1; Tate Russell ’18, taught by Roz Cooper, earned second place for Dog Day Afternoon; and Kaitlin Slattery ’18, also a student of Thomsen, received honorable mention for The Peacock.

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Junior mountain trip in 1993 and now.

SCHOOL’S TRADITIONS are the bedrock of its community — the place from which it builds its story and ticks off the years that create its legacy.

Traditions are the glue that binds together alumni of all ages.

No matter when you were a part of the Ravenscroft community, you participated in some of the School’s traditions. And, you heard stories told about traditions that have since been replaced or relegated to a page in a yearbook and a relic ensconced in an archive room.

No school traditions date back 150 years, or even 75, but many enjoy decades of longevity. Many alumni remember singing the School’s anthem; others might be surprised to learn there is a school anthem. Some fondly recall maypole dances at the Medieval Festival, while others took part in the Madrigal Dinner, a newer tradition that is much different, but recalls the same period of history.

At commencements, our graduates solemnly lift a yellow rose from an ornate vase, walk through assembled family and friends, and present that rose to their mothers. Many believe that tradition is almost as old as the School, but it dates back only a dozen years. The roses in the York Garden, which still bloom today, are a similar memory for others.

Homecoming traditions have remained true over the years.

The Powder Puff football game, the Homecoming Court, the Pep

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Band, and reunions are all still ways we welcome back alumni in the fall.

In Lower School, Grandparents & Special Friends Day dates back at least to the ’80s. Grade-level plays and musicals have been a right-of-passage. Moonlight Math is a not-to-be-missed third-grade tradition that spans three decades. Fifth graders have their traditional trip to Williamsburg, Va. And, of course, there is the annual Field Day tradition capped off by a very competitive tug-of-war.

Holiday traditions abound. The Christmas Pageant is always a memory for Tucker Street alumni, and younger students remember holiday chapels and concerts and making gingerbread houses from graham crackers, gobs of white frosting, and candy of all colors.

Middle School students have their own traditions: the eighthgrade mountain trip has changed from a class trip in the mountains of Swannanoa, N.C., to an educational tour of our nation’s capital combined with an outdoor education experience at Heifer International’s Global Village at the Shepherd Springs facility in Maryland.

There are too many memories made at Ravenscroft to recount them all. But, take a walk down memory lane and celebrate our traditions and all the people who have helped establish a lifetime of memories. R

If you have a special memory we have not included, we’d love to have you share those memories, pictures, or other memorabilia. Please visit our website to learn more: www.ravenscroft.org/memories.

Senior dinner in 1987 and yellow roses at graduation.

8th grade trip to Heifer International Global Village in 2012 and the 8th grade mountain trip in 1989.

Making gingerbread houses in Lower School now and the Christmas Pageant in 1946.

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Grandparents Day in 1987 and now.

Moonlight Math now and in 1988.

Damsels service group in 1981 and Key Club service at Wake Relief food bank now.

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Powder Puff Football in 1976 and now.

Soccer Invitational now and in 1974.

Medieval Festival in 1980 and Madrigal Dinner now.

“Annie Get Your Gun” musical performance in 1989 and “Wizard of Oz” in 2012.

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CREATIVE LEADERSHIP

TURNING WORDS INTO

ACTIONS (above) Kindergarten students EMILY CAPELL, ANDY VITELLO, and MORGAN RILEY with their teacher, Lana DuBose, after sharing what the word “leadership” means to them.

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ISUALIZE THAT FIRST RAINDROP — the one that hits the surface of an undisturbed puddle. At first, the impact of the raindrop is limited, reaching just its immediate vicinity. Soon, though, the effect of that single raindrop begins to spread, gradually growing, until the ripples it creates expand throughout the entire puddle.

Now picture this: What would it look like if every Ravenscroft teacher talked about, taught, and modeled the ideals of effective leadership and good citizenship in the same way? It might start just like that one raindrop in a puddle. Eventually, though, also like that raindrop, it would reach — and transform — each and every Ravenscroft student.

The ripple effect of Ravenscroft’s one-of-a-kind partnership with the Center for Creative Leadership (CCL) is already underway. As faculty find creative ways to integrate the School’s new leadership and citizenship initiative, they are connecting with their students and shining light on the leadership and citizenship framework: leading self, leading with others, and changing your world.

Lower School Fifteen members of the Class of 2025 huddled on the brightly-colored rug in Lana DuBose’s Kindergarten classroom, squirming with excitement and eager to share what the word “leadership” means to them.

BRYCE AUGUSTI: “Being respectful to all people.”

MORGAN RILEY: “Being honest and good.”

EMILY CAPELL: “All leaders have to be proactive.”

Proactive. An undoubtedly BIG word for such young students.

Each of DuBose’s Kindergartners, however, can clearly articulate what proactive means, and why it’s an essential part of being a good leader and citizen.

“I have to help other people,” said Andy Vitello.

Morgan echoed his classmate’s remark. “If someone falls down, I won’t laugh at them. I’ll help them up.”

DuBose has ingrained in her students these ideals of leadership and citizenship through simple exercises that are Kindergarten-appropriate. Using a box of crayons is just one of the ways her students have expressed how they see themselves as leaders. Each drawing, which depicts the student in a leadership role, reads: “I am a leader. Be proactive.”

Simple sentences to be sure.

But thanks to the efforts of DuBose, our youngest Ravens are beginning to see themselves as leaders and citizens, with their actions speaking far louder than their words.

Middle School It was an easy adjustment to make to her curriculum, but one that reinforced important values of leadership and citizenship in an unconventional way.

Dr. Michelle Nunalee, a seventh-grade science instructor, has annually taught a unit on animal conservation. Part of the unit includes an exercise that requires students to work in teams to complete a life-sized drawing of a black bear.

“If someone falls down, I won’t laugh at them. I’ll help them up.”

As Nunalee became familiar with the language of Ravenscroft’s leadership and citizenship framework, she realized it could be integrated into her lesson plan.

Before students began working together to draw the black bear, Nunalee used the white board to quickly jot down the three areas of focus: leading self, leading with others, changing your world.

At Nunalee’s cue, students easily identified which areas of the framework applied to the collaborative project they were about to undertake: leading self and leading with others.

“In our unit on conservation, we learn about some of the many species that we have the privilege and responsibility of sharing our habitat with,” said Nunalee. “This activity originally started as a way to get to know black bears a little better, but over the years it has transformed into a leadership activity as well. This year, I was able to make a slight adjustment to the exercise to include our new leadership and citizenship framework. I love to see how excited the students get when they are able to use these concepts and work together to complete their life-size bear and hang it on the wall.”

Leadership drawing by EMILY CAPELL ’25 Winter 2013

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Upper School For Max Sminkey ’13, President of Ravenscroft’s Student Government Association (SGA), the concepts of leadership and citizenship boil down to one word: respect.

Max believes that being an effective leader and a good citizen means listening to and valuing others’ opinions and ideas — something that can be challenging in a community as diverse as Ravenscroft.

“No matter how small the part you play, you do have the opportunity to make a difference. It’s important to have those skills, learn them, and use them later in life.”

Max’s involvement with SGA has given him reason to reflect on how he leads himself, how he interacts with fellow students, and the larger impact he can have at the School.

MAX SMINKEY ’13 discusses upcoming SGA events with SAVANNAH JANE STORY ’13, Mark Laskowski, faculty advisor, and BRYANT DOWD ’13.

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“It’s a balancing act,” said Max. “You have to balance your own life with SGA and everything else you do. You have to be careful with what you do, what you say, and the short and long-term impact of your actions. In the end though, you get to enjoy seeing the work you do appreciated by others in your community.”

Max also recognizes that not everyone can serve the School through SGA, and that’s why he feels all students should have the chance to learn what it means to lead self, lead with others, and change your world.

“Being in the Ravenscroft community really has changed the course of where I would be today,” said Max, who first came to the School as a sixth grader. “People don’t seem to realize that they have the chance to make a difference at the school level or community level. Schools need to teach that. No matter how small the part you play, you do have the opportunity to make a difference. It’s important to have those skills, learn them, and use them later in life.”

The Long-Term Vision Just months into Ravenscroft’s partnership with CCL, the needle is beginning to move.

“I’ve begun to see faculty members who are incredibly talented in their academic disciplines make early connections between the concrete curriculum they are teaching and components of our

Leadership drawing by BRYCE AUGUSTI ’25

leadership and citizenship framework,” said Christopher Ward, CCL team member. “As we continue to co-create this new way of educating our young people, I believe we will witness dynamic growth in the students and the Ravenscroft community that will have a farreaching impact on education and the 21st century world.”

Colleen Ramsden, Assistant Head of School for Academic Affairs, said: “We have created a bold vision statement for our leadership and citizenship initiative which states, ‘As members of the Ravenscroft community we take responsibility for our behaviors and actions and strive to grow and learn through action and reflection. We will honor the perspectives of others and seek to lead through a spirit of collaboration and compassion. We will strive

to serve our communities by helping put bold ideas into action for positive change through courage, creativity, civic engagement, and dedication.’

“Through our partnership with CCL, Ravenscroft is pioneering new ways for young people to embark on a leadership and citizenship journey. We believe this is one of the ways our society will be transformed globally. Ravenscroft students will develop as leaders and will use these new skills and mental models in their everyday work without even thinking about it; faculty will design curriculum with an additional lens of leading self, leading with others, and changing your world; and students will begin to feel the power of a unified leadership and citizenship framework.” R

“Through our partnership with CCL, Ravenscroft is pioneering new ways for young people to embark on a leadership and citizenship journey.”

Students in Dr. Michelle Nuanalee’s seventhgrade science class work in teams to complete a life-sized drawing of a black bear.

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GLOBAL CITIZENSHIP

The WORLD According to a story of tolerance, technology, triumph JESSIE LUTZ ’14 is just like every other teenager. She runs cross country and swims on the varsity level, takes classes, and volunteers in her free time. But in one way, Jessie’s story is unlike any other of her classmates; Jessie is a Chinese adoptee.

Born in the Hunan province of China, Jessie lived in an orphanage until she was adopted at 10 months old.

Her parents brought their beautiful baby girl back to the United States and in 1998, the Lutz family returned to China to adopt their second child, Halle. The girls were both victims of China’s One-Child policy, implemented by the government in 1979 in response to an explosive population growth. Families who did not abide by the policy were often forced to give their children up for adoption to avoid persecution.

They settled with their new parents in North Carolina in 2000. Jessie enrolled at Ravenscroft in 2010 and her sister followed the next year.

“My parents were always great about the adoption.

They were honest with us from the very beginning, and the only time I can remember being sad about it was when I was 5 and wanted to be ‘just like my mommy’ as girls that age do. But from that point forward I was more accepting,” said Jessie.

Jessie says that like every other kid, she sometimes dealt with insensitivity from her peers. “Some kids weren’t nice about me being Chinese. One kid in Kindergarten always referred to me as ‘the Chinese kid’ and refused to call me anything else, so my mom had to step in and say something,” said Jessie. Jessie says that she’s always been the minority and over the years the stereotypes have become more of a nuisance than an insult to her.

Jessie and her family participated in “Families with Children from China,” or FCC, a community organization for young adopted children. The group helped them learn about the Chinese culture and heritage, as well as cope with the challenges of being an adoptee. The pro16

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gram proved very beneficial for Jessie and triggered her interest in exploring her roots, but she noticed that it did not have sufficient resources for teenage adoptees. She took Mandarin at Ravenscroft and realized that she felt odd around American-born Chinese kids who were fluent in the language. She was sure that there were others just like her that could benefit from a resource for adolescent adoptees.

That’s when Jessie discovered China’s Children International.

China’s Children International, or CCI, was founded by Lane Allison and Charlotte Cotter in May 2011. Its mission is “to unite Chinese adoptees from all over the world in addition to providing an extensive network of support for all of us who share this common beginning.”

Jessie serves as a board member for CCI along with Maia Stack, another Chinese adoptee. When the group began, Lane, Charlotte, Jessie and Maia had to face a number of challenges, the greatest of which was the distance between them. Charlotte lives in Vermont, Lane lives in Washington D.C., Jessie lives in North Carolina, and Maia lives in the Wisconsin. Between time differences and distance, the group had to find a way to connect.

“An interesting sub-audience to the Facebook page is the parent audience. Many parents with young Chinese adoptees use us as a resource for the future. This is really exciting for us as an organization because it’s an indication that what we are doing will benefit adoptees in the future as well,” says Jessie.

The group also puts out an extensive bi-annual newsletter that features essays about college and education, Chinese recipes, usersubmitted artwork, and their most recent addition, an Adoptees in Action section. The new section features information about what adoptees are passionate about from extracurricular activities in school to service projects in the larger community.

Eventually, Jessie hopes to make the organization a non-profit and raise funds for organizations like Half the Sky and Love With-

“I recently visited China and it was very liberating to be back in my home country. I blogged about it, and I think a lot of the adoptees will be able to relate to the emotions of being ostracized that is very common here among them.”

This sparked the use of technology within the organization.

“We basically ran on Google,” says Jessie. What began as simply a collaboration tool, however, triggered a variety of different resources for the organization’s members, including a Facebook page, a Twitter feed, a regularly updated blog, a YouTube channel, and more.

“We use social media as a platform to make connections with our teenage adoptees. That’s where they are and it’s the best place to get the message across,” said Jessie.

Jessie coordinates the blog, and she focuses largely on topics about adoption. She is particularly passionate about the “fitting in” factor, as she called it. She also shares tidbits of Chinese popular culture to celebrate Chinese heritage so that adoptees can see their adoption as a cultural experience.

“I recently visited China and it was very liberating to be back in my home country. I blogged about it, and I think a lot of the adoptees will be able to relate to the emotions of being ostracized that is very common here among them,” said Jessie.

Another program that CCI runs is the PenPals via Email program. Each of the board members takes on mentees and helps by answering questions ranging from birth parent searches to math homework help. “It’s an opportunity to share advice and help the mentees grow up. It’s definitely a gratifying experience,” said Jessie.

CCI’s Facebook page holds monthly adoptee chats for their teenage audience, discussing topics including the complications and struggles involved in finding birth parents, dealing with racial remarks and bullying in a positive way, and better understanding Chinese culture.

out Boundaries that benefit Chinese orphanages. Currently, CCI is hosting a t-shirt fundraiser to raise money for the organization.

The t-shirts, featuring a barcode and the words “Made in China,” are available for purchase on CCI’s website and proceeds from sales will go to Half the Sky. The organization also hopes to begin a CCI National Conference that would bring together Chinese adoptees from across the country. “The future of this organization looks really bright to me since so many kids see it as such a resource. We’re trailblazing for them,” said Jessie.

As for Jessie, she hopes to continue her work with CCI and is inspired to do more volunteer work. “The experience I gained with the organization is invaluable. Aside from the relevance of the work, I am gaining communications skills on an entrepreneurial level, understanding the ideal use of resources, and expanding my network.

I feel a lot more confident in my work now,” said Jessie. She plans to continue learning Mandarin and hopes to eventually work with The National Security Language Initiative for Youth, a Government Chinese immersion program.

For now, however, Jessie is happy with what she is doing and how far CCI has come. “I feel so honored to be working with the women I work with,” said Jessie. “I take a lot of pride in the work I do because I know that the only way to go is up.” R Winter 2013

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INNOVATION & TECHNOLOGY

Photo courtesy of Rex Hospital

THE ART OF HELPING OTHERS DR. JACK INGE ’80 ily.

DR. JACK INGE ’80 with his fam

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ITTING IN HIS OFFICE at the Rex Hospital Medical

Plaza, Dr. Jack Inge ’80, reaches behind his desk and pulls out a tattered, overstuffed manila folder.

The file is bursting with dozens of personal “thank you” cards from his patients. This, Inge says, is the reason his job “is the greatest job in the world.”

Inge knew early on that he wanted to become a doctor so he could help others. After being hospitalized for allergies, bronchitis, and pneumonia as a child, he developed a first-hand appreciation for the positive impact doctors can have on their patients.

After graduating from Ravenscroft in 1980, Inge attended East Carolina University, where he received his bachelor of science in biology. He then went on to earn his master’s from N.C. State, and his doctor of medicine from ECU. Since 2007, Inge has been in private practice with MidCarolina Obstetrics and Gynecology and is one of the nation’s leading surgeons using robotic technology to perform hysterectomies and myomectomies. He was the first doctor at Rex Hospital to perform both a hysterectomy and a myomectomy using robotic surgery.

“I knew I wanted to go into a surgical field and I like women’s health because of the variety. Some days we deliver babies, some days we see patients, other days we’re in surgery. We also get to grow old with our patients, and that’s something a lot of medical professions don’t have the opportunity to do.”

Inge says that he has performed more robotic surgeries in the last two years than any other surgeon in North Carolina. Last year alone, he conducted more than 200 surgeries using da Vinci Surgery robot technology.

Because of his expertise in the field, Rex Hospital has been selected as one of 20 “Epicenters” in the nation, and the only one in the state, that teaches the practice of robotic gynecological surgery.

“We teach doctors weekly who come in from Pennsylvania, Ohio, California — across the country. And our patients come from across the country as well because of our reputation as a teaching hospital.”

Performing these procedures using robotic technology has a number of benefits — both for the surgeons and the patients.

“Even though I’m standing 20 feet away from the patient, I’m able to see what I’m doing with 10 times the magnification than my regular eyesight and also use 3D vision. I can also get the robot arms into places where I could never get my fingers.

“Patients recover so much faster when we do robotic surgery. It’s minimally invasive, and people are able to return to work and the rest of their lives much faster.”

Despite his busy schedule as a surgeon, Inge finds plenty of time for activities outside the hospital. He cred-

its one of his Ravenscroft teachers for sparking a passion that he still has today.

“I came to Ravenscroft as a junior because my dad wanted me at the best school you could go to,” said Inge.

“It was the best move I ever made. I wasn’t at the top of

“I came to Ravenscroft as a junior because my dad wanted me at the best school you could go to.” my class — I was an average to above average student, and my strengths were art and doing things with my hands.

I really bonded with my art teacher, Temple Greenberg, and I used to go to her classroom after school and work on extra projects. Surgery is an art form in itself and I think the opportunities I had at Ravenscroft really helped cultivate that side of my brain.”

Inge spends much of his free time creating art through multiple mediums. His office and home are decorated with beautifully painted canvases inspired by artists ranging in style from Guy Harvey to Claude Monet. He also enjoys creating art out of leather and high-end carpentry work.

For Inge, his art provides an outlet from a profession that requires intense focus at all times.

“When you do art, that’s all you think about,” said Inge. “It clears your mind, and it’s very therapeutic.”

There’s no mistaking the connection between Inge’s hobbies and his profession.

“All of this,” Inge said, “led into surgery. I can’t imagine having a better job.”

And a glance at his overflowing manila folders full of patient testimonials confirms that, indeed, Inge chose the right profession. R

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Celebrating

1

years

2

4 3 1. Little Ravens enjoyed having their faces painted at Homecoming.

2. Guests toasted the release of Ravenscroft’s 150th anniversary book, Young Travelers on the Path of Knowledge.

3. DR. and Mrs. P.G. FOX ’42 and DR. and Mrs. V. WATSON PUGH ’38 reminisce at the Tucker Street Alumni Gathering.

4. Senior Class student representatives BRYANT DOWD ’13 and TAYLOR EDNIE ’13 display the class banner on the first day of school.

5. SMEDES YORK ’59 gave the opening address at the 150th Anniversary Flag Raising Ceremony.

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8

7

10 6. Class of 1976 alumni JEFF MORRISON, STEVE NIELSEN, JEFF LOOPER, and DUKE FINLEY at the Homecoming Alumni Celebration.

7. Upper School students JACK TORBORG ’15, JACK PHILLIPS ’15, and JONATHAN CLARK ’15 wear their 150th Anniversary t-shirts on the first 9

day of school.

8. BILLY HOWARD ’73 and his wife, Laurie Shock, authors of Young Travelers on the Path of Knowledge, with KATHLEEN BRANDES ’15, one of the students photographed for the book.

9. Families enjoyed reviewing the 150th Anniversary Timeline display at the Homecoming Dinner.

10. The Homecoming game ball arrived from above, thanks to a team of local skydivers and Paul and Nancy Fayard.

Winter 2013

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STUDENT

showcase

l

The Rabbit Hole

I PEER OVER MY SHOULDER to see who has just arrived outside the massive, wrought iron portal to my home.

Through the twisting iron tendrils and gilded details of the gate, I make out the shape of a tiny white car. A mechanical humming penetrates the quiet morning as the gates begin to part, rattling against the loose gravel of the driveway and screeching their cries of protest as they make way for the visitor. I descend from my perch, hidden among the leaves and branches of a patch of climbing trees.

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A SHORT STORY by Gabrielle Rhoades ’13

What was he doing here on a Saturday?

Grabbing hold of the handlebars, I quickly guide my chrome bicycle toward the cottage.

The little, white-bricked cottage, located at the heart of the property, is topped with a shingled roof, each oystergrey tile speckled with green moss. The sea of emerald grass is broken up by the ashen brown of an ancient tree. The warped trunk of the tree is encircled by a host of honey-hued daffodils, their velvet petals dozing under the soft spring

sun. The solid branches extend up toward the sparkling cerulean sky except for a lone tree limb that hangs low over the driveway, as if greeting anyone who passes by. A gentle wind carries the perfume of blooming peonies across the lawn, rejuvenating the humid morning air trapped by the dense foliage.

I lean my bike against the house, hoping that it won’t topple over onto the road. A car door slams shut and I peek around the corner of the house to where the vehicle has pulled to a stop.

I see George quickly emerge from the car and pop open the boot, pulling out some of his tools. A lean man in his late sixties, he is in astoundingly good health. Decades of work under the sweltering British sun have wrinkled his olive complexion, a characteristic of his Mediterranean heritage. Beneath his short, thinning white hair, his brow seems perpetually furrowed, perhaps as a result of the concentration and focus he devoted to each task in his daily work.

Maintaining the gardens of Frogmore was a job that George inherited from his father, a native of Sicily. Half a century later, George still tends to the expansive gardens, whistling a tune while he traverses the hilly property, oftentimes with weighty sacks of mulch slung over his shoulder. His work is evident in each well-nourished laurel hedge, flower, and, unfortunately for me, the lush green grass. His sharp grey eyes were quick to notice every detail, a skill that proved to be particularly problematic when he began to notice the tread of tires on the grass. I recall one instance when he caught me zooming across the lawn on my bicycle. His cheery face darkened and he let out a torrent of Italian. After that incident, I tried to stay within the confines of the driveway, but the attraction of riding a bicycle over endless grassy knolls was too much to resist for an eleven-year-old child.

I know it’s only a matter of minutes before his hawk-eyes notice the lines of

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For a collection of visual art and writing samples that reflect some our students’ best work, visit www.ravenscroft.org/showcase.

flattened grass resembling a map of the London underground. In an attempt to avoid another scolding, I run through my “secret passage,” a dirt path lined by hedges, leaping over elevated roots.

I had discovered my own wardrobe, my rabbit hole, my threshold to another world, and I couldn’t stop the flood of questions flowing through my head.

I catch a whiff of the earthy mulch as I fly down the hill to the edge of the property. I pause for a minute to breathe in the distinctive scent of wild sagebrush.

The rhythmic beating of my heart echoes in my ears, filling the silence. A pile of dead branches is mounded on top of a small plot of marshy grass. The redbrick wall to my right is being overtaken by a blanket of ivy, camouflaging patches of stinging nettle. I wade across the mire, my favorite polka-dot wellies sinking into the mud. Touching the coarse bricks of the barrier with my fingertips, I observe the cracks and disintegrating mortar that revealed the age of the 1940’s structure. Suddenly, I notice an anomaly in the level brick wall. I pick up an abandoned branch from the pile of lumber and use it to part the curtain of vines that obscures my view. To my endless bewilderment, I see the outline of a rectangular cut-out, a doorway in the middle of the wall. I cautiously gaze into the mysterious space. Although it’s a sunny day, no amount of light can pierce through the barricade of inky black ema-

have children? How many times had nating from within the doorway. they run across the same path through I had discovered my own wardmy “secret passage,” and down the robe, my rabbit hole, my threshold to exposed hill seeking shelter from the air another world, and I couldn’t stop the raids? I impatiently searched the local flood of questions flowing through my library for information, a perpetual head. I stood fixated by my discovery, stack of books piled in my room. Next, too frightened to step into the space. A I turned to the internet as I became furblackbird fluttered past me and landed ther absorbed in my hunt for answers. in a nearby elm, stirring me from my Days of research, however, led me no reverie. Taking one last look, I turned closer to my objective, and eventually, and vowed to return soon.

I abandoned my search.

I heard the gates open again, this Though years have passed, I occasiontime to allow George’s car to leave the ally find my thoughts meandering property. Eager to share my fantastical through those iron gates, past the cottage, unearthing with my family I race back and down to the bottom of that hill up the hill, and fling the kitchen door where all of my unanswered questions open, nearly stumbling over the bottom dwell. What began as a hasty escape from half of the door which I forgot to open a scolding had unimaginable affects and in my haste. I bounded up the stairs to consequences; for, on that spring my sister’s room, gesturing emphatically as I enlightened her of my splendid afternoon, I discovered the bane of every historian: that there are some questions discovery. Without pausing to hear her that can never be answered. R reaction, I ran off to find my parents.

Again I retell my extraordinary tale, but my parents do not share in my childish enthrallment. Instead they explain that the space is actually a bomb shelter, an essential feature for a house built in the Battle of Britain era.

I listen attentively, eager to gather as many facts as I can.

As my previous GABRIELLE RHOADES ’13 thoughts of expeditions into mythical worlds fades, I am puzzled This essay was written as an assignment for by my increasing excitement. New quesMs. Marcia Jones’ Advanced Placement tions begin to crowd my mind, and at English Literature class. Students were that moment, with the determination of a stubborn eleven-year-old, I took on a asked to “write about a place in your past; new quest; I decided to find the answers a place which continues to surface in your to my questions. memories or dreams. Include at least one My curiosity centred on the house’s detailed event which conveys the imporprevious inhabitants and I thirsted for details about their lives. Who were they? tance of that place to you.”

What did they do for a living? Did they Winter 2013

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CENTER

stage

A Little Bit of Italy Students Experience Art of Spoleto

(left to right) Mary Beth Immediata, Upper School History and Social Studies Instructor, with students GABRIELLE RHOADES ’13, BELLA KRON ’13, JACKSON POON ’14, ROSIE WARING ’14, and CALLEY MANGUM ’13.

SPOLETO IS A SMALL TOWN in central Italy, nestled against the Apennine mountain range. This picturesque spot, whose name rolls easily off the tongue in any language, holds wonderful memories for dozens of Ravenscroft students who have participated in the Spoleto Study Abroad program.

This one-of-a-kind educational immersion program was co-founded in 1997 by former Ravenscroft Fine Arts Director Jill Muti, and allows students to study vocal music, visual arts, drama, photography, and creative writing. Spoleto is the hometown of Muti’s husband, Lorenzo, so she knew of all its charm.

But it was her travel experiences with Ravenscroft’s musical programs that were the program’s inspiration.

Muti had toured Europe with Ravenscroft’s student ensembles and 24

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discovered that her students developed a special connection and appreciation for European culture.

She then launched Spoleto Study Abroad as a consortium of eight independent schools, with Ravenscroft as a founding member. The consortium has since grown to include 17 schools from nine states throughout the nation.

Spoleto Study Abroad offers development opportunities for adults and students, and provides distinct advantages for each group. According to the program’s website, the adult programs “facilitate a wonderful opportunity to step into the cultural richness and artistic wealth of Umbria, Toscana, and Lazio.” Student programs are hands-on immersion programs that allow students to “grow academically, artistically, and personally by stepping into the cul-

ture and artistic heritage of the Italian Renaissance.” Students participate in structured courses to enhance their area of expertise while living in Italy affords students the opportunity to absorb the culture of the local people.

The students live together at the Residence di Sant’Angelo convent in the medieval section of Spoleto. The convent has been renovated with modern conveniences to facilitate a comfortable experience. The classes are held in various historical buildings throughout the town.

Program manager Nancy Langston serves as a liaison for Ravenscroft students and faculty interested in participating in the program.

“Students who attend Spoleto Study Abroad comment on how amazed they are with the quality of life during the program. They remark on the funda-

(above) Summer 2012 students visit Florence’s cathedral (right) Historic Spoleto, Italy (bottom right) Creative writing students visit the Piazza Mercato in Spoleto

mental shift that occurs from their customary lives (being rushed, fragmented, multi-tasking, being elsewhere, texting, emailing etc.) to being provided the ability to focus on their work, to delve into a conversation, or to truly experience the harmony of a walk through the city with their new friends. Students gain a deep understanding of themselves.”

Muti, who has been Head of School at Ashley Hall in Charleston, S.C., since 2004, has found that immersing students in European culture not only enlightens them, but also changes their world view.

“Artistically and musically, it has been transformational for many of them because they are able to see the process of art and the relationships between the forms and mediums in the culture surrounding them.” Muti says that most students who have participated in the Spoleto Study Abroad program also study abroad in college for at least one semester.

Muti believes that Ravenscroft’s participants have benefited immensely from the program in a variety of ways. “There are just too many examples of students who grew from the experience. For some, it was about learning the language and seeing the culture, and it made them see the world in a whole different light. For others, it was about the artistic experience.”

Upper School History and Social Studies Instructor Mary Beth Immediata has

spent several summers abroad with the program. She was on the first national committee in June 1997 during the planning process of the program, and went on to teach the program in 1999, 2011, and 2012.

“I can think of no better place, no better way to encourage students to refine their thinking about art and about life within an aesthetic and cultural context than the summers I have spent in Spoleto,” said Immediata. “The entire experience, for students and faculty alike, is an intellectual as well as physical journey, a threeweek interval that functions as a kind of continuing conversation between faculty and students, where young people question and consider the writings, frescoes and sculptures of medieval and Renaissance artists in the morning, create their own works of art in the afternoon and share both their pieces and reflections on the experience in evening master classes.

It truly is a magical experience.”

Calley Mangum ’14, who studied creative writing at Spoleto Study Abroad in 2012, echoes Immediata’s sentiments.

“For me, Spoleto is an experience I will never forget. Though you are immersed in an entirely foreign culture, the city itself feels just like home, where everyone knows everyone else and no one cares that you can’t speak any Italian.

The historic setting and culture gave me an opportunity to take my writing to a new, deeply personal level because I felt a connection with my new, beautiful surroundings.”R Winter 2013

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GAME

day

Spirit with a Capital R School Pride Flourishes at Ravenscroft

Students rushed the court to celebrate the Ravens’ 2012 basketball state title.

THE DREARY, COLD, AND WET WEATHER should have been enough to keep fans away from the 2011 NCISAA Field Hockey State Tournament Championship Game. Factor in an 80-mile trek from your hometown, and the draw to sleep in on a Saturday morning, and you might not have expected to see many Ravens fans at the game.

But there they were — a busload of Ravenscroft Upper School students bundled in sweatshirts, gloves, and hats — chanting from the top of the bleachers above the field.

There are many other stories just like this one. These are the stories of students, who, despite having full schedules, homework, and their own athletics and fine arts events to attend, find time to support their classmates and show their pride for Ravenscroft.

While school spirit is nothing new at Ravenscroft, the intensity has been raised, the number of fans grown, and the involvement across all divisions increased.

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In large part, this is due to the efforts of the students themselves. Ten years ago, a small group of seniors made it their mission to support their classmates at as many athletic events as they could. A couple of years later, the group officially became an Upper School spirit club called Ragin’ Ravens. Since that time, the Ragin’ Ravens has steadily grown to be one of the School’s largest clubs with nearly 200 students. It has been so successful, that Middle School students have

started their own version of the Ragin’ Ravens to help cheer on the Middle School and Junior Varsity teams.

“Our goal is to promote pride and enthusiasm for not only sports, but for the entire school,” said James Turner ’13, co-president of the Ragin’ Ravens.

“We’re proud to go to Ravenscroft, and it’s about showing that pride.”

“Ragin’ Ravens has become a flagship type of club and something that everyone wants to be involved in,” said Will

Barefoot ’13, co-president of the group.

Parent volunteers have also made a huge difference in campus-wide spirit and the sense of community.

In 2002, parents formed the Ravens Athletic Club (RAC) “to support all aspects of athletics ... through the promotion of school spirit, good sportsmanship and volunteer commitment.”

The RAC has helped integrate fine arts into games, inviting students to sing the national anthem, and encouraging a Ravenscroft “Pep Band” to play at big games. The RAC also formed a Spirit Committee of parents who instituted a “Game of the Week” for Varsity sports to help recognize and encourage fan attendance at games throughout the year.

Edgar the Raven, the athletic mascot.

Ned Gonet, who has served as Ravenscroft’s Athletics Director since 1981, said: “It’s been a collaborative effort of a lot of different groups to increase spirit.

The students really took ownership, and they’ve worked along with our cheerleaders to make positive changes. In addition, the Ravens Athletic Club has had a big impact with their vision, their spirit committee, and enthusiastic parent volunteers. The focus has been on making it fun for everyone, increasing fan attendance, and building community in support of our students and coaches.”

Will, who has attended Ravenscroft since the third grade and now plays Varsity Football and lacrosse, recognizes how much more interaction there has been in recent years between student-athletes and the rest of the school.

“I don’t really remember being involved with the Upper School students when I was a Lower Schooler. Now we really try to incorporate the younger students into the pep rallies, help out at carpool, and visit their classrooms. I try to think about how I would have felt to have a star athlete come by and high-five me as a kid, and I would have been ecstatic.”

In addition, Fan Night has become a community-wide affair, as families come out once during each sports season for face-painting, music, and special recognition of all student-athletes.

“We would not be where we are today without the support of the parents,” said James, a member of the Varsity Golf team. “They’ve really put in a lot of time and effort to improve spirit. We know they care about us and about the school community.”

While the School still hosts a traditional Pep Rally each fall for Homecoming Weekend, today’s families also enjoy tailgating events, Trunk-or-Treat at Halloween, and regular appearances from

In February 2012, Winter Break had emptied the classrooms, offices, and studios of Ravenscroft’s campus. But in the Main Arena of the A.E. Finley Activity Center, fans were packed shoulder to shoulder, all dressed in white for the home team, as they cheered the Ravens’ Varsity Boys Basketball team to its first State Championship in the sport since 1980. As the final seconds on the clock ticked away in the Ravens’ 64-52 victory over Greensboro Day, a throng of students rushed the court to celebrate with their classmates.

“Our students were on their feet and loudly involved from the opening tap until the final whistle,” said Head Coach

Kevin Billerman. “There is no doubt in my mind that our student section, at the finals, was a key ingredient in Ravenscroft winning our first Basketball Championship in 32 years.”

That type of atmosphere is precisely what the Ragin’ Ravens hope to create.

“We’re always trying to be better,” said Will. “We want to be the team that has the student section that the other schools envy … and I think we’ve started to accomplish that.” R

Winter 2013

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ALUMNI

news briefs

Tradition Rekindled with Alumni vs. Varsity Soccer Game

Alumni players (alphabetical) were:

ALEJANDRO ARCINIEGAS ’99, MIKE BRAJER ’10, NATHAN BRAJER ’10, WILLIAM BYRD ’10, ROB CROWLEY ’04, GAVIN DAWSON ’07, WILLIAM EARNHARDT ’02, PETER FARRELL ’07, STEPHEN FARRELL ’01, MARK GOZZO ’08, HAYDEN GRIDLEY ’12, THOMAS HAWKINS ’99, CHARLIE HIRSCH ’12, CURT JOHNSON ’87, MATT KRATTENMAKER ’09, STAHLER MCKINNEY ’07, JAMES PEDEN ’87, JEFF PHILLIPS ’04, COLLIN PRICE ’09, DREW RASBERRY ’11, DAN RESSNER ’99, GREER RICHARDS ’07, HARRISON RIGGS ’07, TORIN SACCOCCIO ’12, THOMAS SCHIEMANN ’11, CASEY STEVENSON ’08, BEN SWANEY ’04, and CONNOR WHITAKER ’11.

IT WAS JUST LIKE OLD TIMES on Aug. 14, as Ravenscroft rekindled a long-time tradition by hosting an Alumni-Varisty Soccer Scrimmage in the campus Soccer Stadium.

The Varsity Boys Soccer team played the team of 28 alumni, with the Alumni team winning by final score of 2-1. The Varsity team took the lead in the first half with a goal by Alex Cooley ’13, but the Alumni came back, scoring two goals in the second half, one by Dan Ressner ’99 and one by Casey Stevenson ’08. The winning goal was scored by Stevenson on a penalty kick with just 4:38 left in the game.

Following the game, everyone gathered in the A.E. Finley Activity Center lobby for a dinner provided by the parents of the Varsity Soccer team players.

Alumni Council Hosts Hospice Garden Work Day With the leadership of Ravenscroft Alumni Council members Marshall Dunlap ’86 and Gerry Jacobs ’87, Ravenscroft alumni came together on Nov. 4 for a work day to help expand a Bereavement Garden at Hospice of Wake County. The facility provides compassionate end-of-life care for terminally ill patients as well as bereavement support for families and friends of those facing the final chapter of life’s journey.

LAURA HELTON KALORIN ’92

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KEITH STROMBOTNE ’04

ELLEN MANN ’98

Ravenscroft Unveils 150th Anniversary Book On Friday, Sept. 28, hundreds of Ravenscroft community members picked up their complimentary copies of our 150th Anniversary Book, Young Travelers on the Path of Knowledge. Authors Billy Howard ’73 and Laurie Shock were on hand to sign copies of the book and greet former and current faculty, parents, parents of alumni, and alumni.

Howard’s photography from Ravenscroft’s 150th Anniversary Book was on display in the Pugh Family Lobby of the Fine Arts Center through the end of October.

If you were unable to join us for the event and would like to receive your copy of the book, please visit www.ravenscroft.org/book.

BILLY HOWARD ’73 and Laurie Shock sign copies of Travelers on the Path of Knowledge

Dr. and Mrs. V. Watson Pugh and Lee and Doris Gupton

TUCKER STREET ALUMNI GATHER AT ST. SAVIOUR’S CENTER

Virginia Waldrop Powell and Marriott Procter Little

Frances Carr, Lillian Stroupe, and Ihrie O’Bryant

To celebrate Ravenscroft’s 150th anniversary, more than 50 alumni who attended the School’s Tucker Street campus returned to the site, now St. Saviour’s Center, on Sept. 9.

Ravenscroft’s oldest alumni happily greeted each other, shared memories, and enjoyed a tour, retracing the steps they had taken 30 or 40 years ago.

“I remember walking through this door singing a hymn,” said Jack Riggan. “And I was married in this church,” said Nell Rubidge. “This was the kitchen, and right here is where we all ate lunch,” said Lee Gupton.

Everyone enjoyed the memorabilia table, picking up old photos and trying to identify themselves and fellow classmates. Memorabilia included hymn books and class annuals, a silver chalice and bowl used at church services, a velvet teacher’s commencement hat, and photos of the Christmas pageant and the maypole dance.

A special video of Tucker Street memories was shown in the Center’s boardroom and was a highlight for many guests.

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ALUMNI

news briefs

Bill Joyner ’80 Inaugural Fine Arts Hall of Fame Inductee Bill Joyner ’80, a renowned professional opera singer since 1985, was chosen as the inaugural recipient of the Ravenscroft Fine Arts Hall of Fame Award.

After graduation from Ravenscroft he earned a master’s degree from the Juilliard School, and a bachelor’s degree from the Catholic University of America. He also studied at the College of William and Mary. Joyner has been engaged at some of the most prestigious opera houses in the world, including the Teatro alla Scala, the Paris Opera, the Deutsche Staatsoper Berlin, the Florida Grand Opera, the Washington National Opera, and the New York City Opera. In his career, he has given over 550 performances of some 50 different BILL JOYNER ’80 roles, in 13 countries on three continents.

Joyner credits the early training he received at Ravenscroft as being instrumental to his success. “Charlie Burt was my choir teacher for four years, and he was fabulous, not only in terms of vocal technique but also in terms of repertoire — my first performances of classical music were as a member of his choir. Jim Powers was my choir teacher for three years, and he and I had many conversations about what being a professional singer really meant. And Joe Sam Routh also helped me discover my passion for performing.” Bill also benefitted from scholarship assistance from the A.J. Fletcher Foundation, which paid for his voice lessons during his Upper School years.

Joyner also cites teachers Bruce Miller, Valencia Willoughby (Siff), Joan Battle, Bill Holleman, and Sylvia White as being especially influential.

Joyner was named a Ravenscroft Distinguished Alumni in 2000. He has returned to Ravenscroft regularly to speak with students about his field and most recently attended a reception in his honor following his performance in the opera Carmen.

“Charlie Burt was my choir teacher for four years, and he was fabulous, not only in terms of vocal technique but also in terms of repertoire — my first performances of classical music were as a member of his choir.”

CHARLES M. WINSTON SR. ’47 RECEIVES DISTINGUISHED ALUMNI AWARD Charles M. Winston Sr. ’47, has been named Ravenscroft’s newest Distinguished Alumni Award winner and will accept his award at the Alumni Association Annual Meeting and Lunch.

Winston, a longtime supporter of Ravenscroft, was the co-founder of Angus Barn and other local restaurants, as well as Winston Hotels. He has served on many local boards including: the American Cancer Society; the North Carolina Museum of History Associates; Raleigh Community Hospital; Rex Hospital Foundation; St. Mary’s College; and the University of North Carolina Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center.

Winston attended Ravenscroft at its Tucker Street location and currently serves as a Ravenscroft Trustee Advisory Council member. Winston, along with his wife, Flo, was inducted into the Raleigh Hall of Fame in October 2011. All seven of his grandchildren have attended Ravenscroft, as did his three children, Marion ’76, Charles ’78, and Bob ’80.

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HOMECOMING WEEKEND is One for the Ages Ravenscroft hosted its 150th Anniversary Celebration Homecoming game in spectacular fashion on Oct. 5, as the pre-game festivities featured a barbecue, bagpipe players, a giant American flag, skydivers, and a victory for the home team.

Over 800 students, alumni, and family members gathered on the Campus Green to enjoy a barbecue dinner before the pre-game celebration began in the stadium.

A duo of bagpipe players from Wake & District Public Safety Pipes and Drums led the pre-game processional which included several inductees from Ravenscroft’s Alumni Sports Hall of Fame, members of the Upper School Key Club, and school community members who have a military or public service background.

The group unfurled a 30x40 American flag as Stephanie Wiehe ’15 played Call to Color on the trumpet and a cappella recording artist John Bower ’03 sang the national anthem.

A team of four skydivers then delivered the game ball, the American flag, and Ravenscroft’s 150th Anniversary flag. North Carolina State Sen. Neal Hunt, a Ravenscroft alumnus, was on hand to accept the American flag alongside Head of School Doreen Kelly and Varsity Football Head Coach Ned Gonet.

As fans cheered the game’s start in a shower of confetti, Ravenscroft’s Crawford Sloan ’15 returned the opening kickoff for a touchdown — a perfect beginning to what would be an eventual 42-0 Ravenscroft victory over visiting Wake Christian.

On Oct. 6, nearly 200 alumni gathered at Carolina Country Club for an Alumni Celebration. Alumni from Tucker Street through the Class of 2008 reconnected with friends and enjoyed great food and a live 11-piece band. Everyone especially enjoyed the continuous slideshow of class collages, yearbook photos, and clips from football games in the ’70s.

Duden and SENATOR NEAL HUNT ’60

KATHERINE HOLDEN ’75, TAL MANGUM ’77, and CLINTON DUNCAN ’76

GRAY TAYLOR ’02 and Lauren Taylor

Tammy and KENNETH HAYWOOD ’85

MARGARET MILLS ’76, ALLISON ELSEE ’76, MARSHA MCNAMARA ’76, VICKIE HARE ’76, LINDA DICKERSON ’76, and JULIE DANIELS ’76

WYNN DORSETT ’78, Grace and JIMMY BROUGHTON ’86, and Jimmy Cox, faculty member

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BIRTHS 5

4

1

7

2

3

6

8

1. MEREDITH YARBROUGH COHOON ’93,

3. ROY HYKAL ’97, son Rafael “Rafi”

6. ART LUMPKIN ’99, son Henry Thomas,

daughter Aurora Julianna “Rorie” Cohoon, May 29, 2012

George, Aug. 8, 2012

Dec. 1, 2011

4. TRIPP LUMPKIN ’98, daughter Evelyn

7. MEAGAN MATT MADDOX ’01, son Samuel James Maddox, Oct. 18, 2012

2. REBECCA FIORE JELLIE ’97, son Alexander

Gray Lumpkin, Sept. 24

Jett Jellie, Dec. 5, 2011

5. ANNA WHITE HOSEA ’98, son Henry Broussard Hosea, June 10, 2012

8. JESSIE HALE TESH ’05, son Parker Adam Tesh, Sept. 18, 2012

TUCKER STREET

ANNIE LEE MCLEOD HANSEN ’59, our alumni blogger in September

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Many Tucker Street alumni gathered together on Sept. 9 for a reception and tour of their Tucker Street school. The building, now St. Saviour’s Center, serves as a meeting place, an educational facility and a hub for programs that promote community health and well-being. Tucker Street alumni also attended the Dec. 10 Upper School Holiday Concert & Tucker Street Reunion. Check out the 150th Anniversary section of the website for more information and photos at www.ravenscroft.org/150.

Congratulations to NEAL HUNT ’60, who was recently re-elected as a North Carolina State Senator (District 15). Neal also participated in the pre-game celebration at Ravenscroft’s 150th Anniversary Homecoming in October, accepting the American flag that was delivered to the field by skydivers.

ANNIE LEE MCLEOD HANSEN ’59 was an alumni blogger in September. Read more at www.ravenscroft/alumniblog.

1973

Ted Salisbury tedsalisbury@hotmail.com

BILLY HOWARD and his wife, Laurie Shock, were in town for the release of Ravenscroft’s 150th Anniversary Book, Young Travelers on the Path of Knowledge. There was an event at the North Carolina Museum of History as well as a reception on campus for alumni, current families and friends to pick up their book and talk with Billy and Laurie. Several of the photographs were on exhibit in the Pugh Family Lobby of the Fine Arts Center through October. To see photos of the event visit www.ravenscroft.org/150 and see the Celebrations section. For more information about getting your complimentary copy of the book, go to www.ravenscroft.org/book.

1974

Lynn Wall McKinney lynnwmck@bellsouth.net

Sympathy goes out to CARLA CHAPPEL MATHESON’S family. She passed away July 6 after a car accident in Windermere, Fla. She is survived by her husband, Mark, and her children, Emily and Drew.

1975

Cindy Poole cindy@cindypoole.com

SARA POPE TITCHENER writes: “My big news is that my middle daughter passed the N.C. Bar Exam last summer! Margaret and her husband, Neil, have moved back to Raleigh and are living on Oberlin.

She is currently looking for a job, so if y’all know of one available, please send me a message on Facebook! My husband, Walt, survived a heart scare last December by spending a week at the WakeMed Heart Center. Thirty years ago I would have never entertained that thought! He is doing great now thanks to all his doctors. We are still living in Dunn and are totally empty nesters now (which actually is kind of great). We are planning a trip to Iceland next summer. I am looking forward to seeing that fascinating country. If you have been there, please send any tips and suggestions my way.”

CHARLIE RAWLS is now a trustee at Burgundy Farm Country Day School in Alexandria, Va., which is where his daughters, Carrie (5th) and Madison (2nd) attend. It is a progressive, private school established in 1946.

KIM REYNOLDS went out to the campus to pick up the 150th Anniversary book and was amazed how the campus has changed! She writes: “Reynolds

is in Kindergarten at Trinity Academy and loving it. He will soon be taller than me! We bought him a drum set for his birthday — he is quite the drummer/musician. EARL JOHNSON ’77 referred me to an outstanding drum instructor.”

Kim has been busy working on the Second Empire Grand Prix Series. The Fall Series goes until New Year’s Eve and the Spring Series starts the first week of January. This spring, there will be a new feature: the Corporate Wellness Challenge where teams sign up and compete for prizes. www.secondempireseries.com. The Second Empire 5K Classic will be on March 24, 2013.

In Memory CARLA CHAPPEL MATHESON ’74 July 6, 2012

ELLEN WOODLIEF HOLDING reports: “We went on a cruise to Alaska last summer with 14 friends and family members, and had a great time. I have retired from the NCDOT, and now do freelance graphic design. My husband, Herbert, retired from the Wake County Sheriff ’s Department.

Our son, Spencer, is a sophomore at NCSU, studying mechanical engineering.”

ASHLEY WILSON BROOK writes: “I enjoyed time with my Brownie troop from 1964 with fellow Ravens

NANCY CROSSIN, former fifth-grade instructor, mother of MEGHAN ’02 and CAITLIN ’05 passed away in November.

SMITH WORTH, AMANDA WORTH, and CINDY POOLE

and lots of other old friends. Sweet time and sweet memories. Also find it remarkable that we are all still in Raleigh!”

As for me, CINDY POOLE, I am currently serving as the Rotary Club of Raleigh’s president and got to travel to Bangkok in May for the Rotary International Convention. There were 35,000 Rotarians representing 202 countries. Our club is N.C.’s oldest civic club and will be celebrating our 100th anniversary in 2014. I am the second woman president in their 98 years! My dad has been a member for 48 years and still goes every week (at age 89)!

Anyone is welcome to come visit!

WILLIAM “DAVIS” JONES, V ’75 December 5, 2012

JANIE ROGERS, former

Lower School teacher, passed away on Dec. 28.

THEO MEYER ’01 January 17, 2013

I am still selling real estate for Fonville Morisey, and appeared on House Hunters on Oct. 1 as the real estate agent! My episode was labeled “picky first time buyer needs sister to keep her grounded.” My daughter, Alex Bumgardner, is a freshman at Clemson, and my son, Dash, is in school here in Raleigh.

Don’t forget, Class of ’75, to go to our Facebook page and join! Remarks from TIM SCHEFFLER are the best!

1976

Mary Catherine Kennedy Sigmon MCKS@KennedyOfficeSupply.com

Many of the Class of 1976 returned for Ravenscroft’s Alumni Celebration on Oct. 6 at the Carolina Country Club. It was a great time to catch up with friends from near and far!

BILLY HOWARD ’73 and SUSAN HARRIS WEST ’73 at the Decatur Book Festival, Sept. 1, 2012 Winter 2013

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notes MARGARET MAHOOD MILLS is serving as the Alumni Council President this year as well as representing alumni on the 150th Anniversary Celebration Committee.

1977

Terry Wallace Chambliss terry.chambliss@duke.edu

Thanks to my ’77 classmates for writing in — we did better this time, but we need to hear from more of you! I’ll try to set a better example myself.

My daughter, Carter, turned 16 this past year and having that additional license in the family has been liberating for all of us! She is a junior at Jordan High and we are all feeling the pressure of AP classes and SAT testing as the college application process looms. My son, Tyler, attends Trinity School of Durham and he recently turned 13. I’m STILL Director of Special Events and University Ceremonies at Duke and happily married to Joe after 22 years.

I received more travel news from REBECCA DAMERON. She said she had a great kayaking trip to Greenland. Rebecca is still leading Sierra Club trips with two to Alaska next year — one cross-country skiing and one service trip. Maybe some Ravens would like to come?

Earlo, a.k.a. EARL JOHNSON, III, writes: “I’m still doing what I love to do — playing drums in a new classic rock band (the old Woodward South, no new name yet) eight to 10 times a year with our latest gig at my son’s frat house (DKE) in Chapel Hill. Talk about feeling old, but with my good friend CHARLES ZEVENHUIZEN in attendance we both felt 20 that night. I am also proud to announce

that in 2013 my wonderful wife Carolyn and I will be celebrating our 30th. Talk about time flying by!

My son, Earl IV, is working full time with Raymond James in NYC and loving it. My daughter, Sydney, is a senior at Old Miss. I say we plan another reunion and give that band a name!

EDDIE WOODHOUSE wrote to tell me his son is a junior at Duke. Eddie still stays in touch with CHUCK WRIGHT, both personally and through their interest in politics. Chuck — what’s the news?

BYRON JONES was recently awarded Teacher of the Year at Statesville Middle School as well as District Teacher of the Year for the Iredell-Statesville School System. He has spent the last 25 years serving the North Carolina Public Schools as both a K–12 Visual Arts Instructor and School Administrator.

He credits part of his love for the study of art to Ms. Olsen, his art instructor at Ravenscroft.

TAL MANGUM writes: “The Mangum household entered into a ‘new normal’ in 2012. Michael began commuting to west Texas as the interim CEO of a large oil & gas construction company. Our eldest, WALKER ’08, graduated from Texas A&M and landed a job in the Athletics Department of SMU in Dallas. To have a child ‘off the ticket’ and living independently is an answer to prayer. Meanwhile, the female Mangums have essentially pitched a tent at Ravenscroft. CALLEY ’13 is enjoying her 14th and final year on campus, while I am privileged to be one of the Tri-Chairs heading up the School’s yearlong 150th Anniversary celebration. Between all the events for senior parents and all the planning meetings for the sesquicentennial, I’m on campus more this year than ever before.”

Let me hear from you next time, Class of ’77!

Class of 1976 ladies gather at VICKIE GARRABRANT HARE’S home for lunch before the Alumni Celebration on Oct. 6. Back row, left to right: BECKY HINES BOYETTE, MARY CATHERINE KENNEDY SIGMON, AVA WATKINS, ALLISON ELSEE, LINDA DABAGIAN DICKERSON, EILEEN MERWARTH HENDREN, CLINTON LEE DUNCAN. Front row, left to right: VICKI GARRABRANT HARE, JULIE DANIELS, MARION WINSTON, MARGARET MAHOOD MILLS, BEVERLY MCDONALD TURNER, MARSHA SANDERS MCNAMARA.

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1978

Leif Petterson Leif.peterson@me.com

A group of us gathered together to celebrate JIM EDWARDS’ survival of Leukemia. Organized by NAT WALKER and BETH PLEASANTS MCCAIN, it became a snacks and drinks event that all where very happy with!

We send our sympathy to NAT WALKER on the death of his mother, Sallie Walker, who passed away on July 28.

1979

Allison Gilbert Holmes allisonholmes@nc.rr.com

TIM BRADY writes that he is thinking about cashing it in and moving to Costa Rica. He says that he is ready to relax and just go fishing. Will keep you posted if he does move.

LAWRENCE WATTS says that his oldest son, Adam, is a sophomore at Charlotte Latin and plays on the Varsity Soccer team. Every four to five years, the coach takes the team to Europe for a team building, soccer training and tourist event. This year’s squad voted for Barcelona, and Lawrence was not about to miss his chance to go with them. He said that he didn’t realize how much was involved with chaperoning 30 teenagers in Barcelona for 10 days.

Lawrence obviously survived to tell about it. He also mentioned that his son, Adam’s coach is LEE HORTON ’74, who played for Ravenscroft when we were freshmen. What a small world!

Lawrence said that the trip was a blast and the boys did very well, going 2-0-1 vs. U19 teams from the Barcelona area. All across Barcelona you could hear the Hawks’ chants … the locals loved it. Adam actually started talking to him about four days into the trip, although the son wasn’t so fired up when Lee asked Lawrence to train with the boys one afternoon and then join him on the bench for the evening’s game. All in all, an incredible experience traveling abroad.

Daniel, who is 12, and Tracy, held down the fort in Charlotte and had some quality time together.

Daniel’s soccer team actually won the Dick’s Sporting Goods tournament while Lawrence and Adam were away.

MONIQUE DERBY writes that she has recently joined the Board of Directors for the Child Advocacy Center in Winchester, Va. This is an organization that brings law enforcement, the court system, social services, medical care and therapy together to work with children that have been abused. She has

been amazed at the work the center does for these children. After going through the program, it is wonderful to see how resilient the children are and know they will have a good future ahead of them.

Monique also stated that she and her husband, Mark, celebrated 26 glorious years being married in October. Way to go, Monique and Mark!

EVELYN SCRUGGS MURRAY writes that she is still running her family business, Briggs Hardware. She is single and loving it. Her daughter, Ashley, is a senior at Broughton. After all of these years, Evelyn is still involved in politics. She worked for Ronald Reagan and then returned to Raleigh and has been the campaign manager for several campaigns. Now she is the N.C. Director for Faith and Freedom Coalition, working to get out the evangelical vote.

Evelyn also has a prison and homeless ministry that allows her to give back to the community.

The Ravenscroft 150th Alumni Celebration was tons of fun. There were seven of us from our class.

ANNE SIGMON, EDITH WOOTEN, ALLEN MASSEY, TOM GIBBONS, CATHY EDWARDS LULL, LISA PHILLIPS PERKINSON, and myself. We all had a good time together.

Class of 1978 gathering: Back row, left to right: NAT WALKER, ANN NORRIS O’NEAL, RUTH ANNE SALLY MARENYI, TONY TUCKER, KATHARINE HOGAN KANE, WALTON JOYNER. Middle row: MARC SCRUGGS, GEORGE SMITH, JIM EDWARDS, JEANNE CSAPO ROBBINS, BETH PLEASANTS MCCAIN, LEIF PETTERSON, BRAD STEED, ANDY MAJORS. Front Row: ALLISON ALDERMAN MORISSETTE, CATHY PLUMMER STEED, WALTER NOTTINGHAM.

I wish that more of you could have come and we could have had a mini reunion but please plan on making it to our 35th in 2014.

EDITH WOOTEN BAILEY and her husband, Ivan Bailey, told me about a two-week trip to Italy that they took last spring. Edith is also going to Brazil for her yearly conference. Sounds like fun. Edith is still living in the D.C. area. They have also rescued a greyhound that they love. I believe that her name is Gigi.

LISA PHILLIPS PERKINSON came from Greenville, S.C. Her youngest is a senior in high school. He is getting ready to go on a college visit to University of Colorado in Boulder. She hopes that he doesn’t go that far away from home. Lisa looked great, as always.

Anna Gupton, daughter of STEVE GUPTON ’79, in the nook of the Castle Garden in Oberwesel, Germany

A TRADITION OF SERVICE Cindy Poole ’75

CINDY POOLE ’75 is president of

the Rotary Club of Raleigh and traveled to Bangkok in May for the Rotary International Convention. There were 35,000 Rotarians representing 202 countries. The Rotary Club of Raleigh is North Carolina’s oldest civic club and will celebrate its 100th anniversary in 2014.

Cindy is the second woman president in their 98 years! Her father, who is 89, has been a member for 48 years and still attends meetings every week.

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BRETT HIGHTOWER’S ’79 award-winning artwork at the N.C. State Fair

STEVE GUPTON ’79 with his son, Tommy, at Oberwesel, Germany

MARY BERKSTRESSER-MONCK’S ’79 son, Tom, at his wedding

CATHY EDWARDS LULL said that her daughter Jordan has graduated from East Carolina and is there for med school. This is her first year there. Cathy is a good mom and goes down every few weeks and brings her food that she has made. Cathy said that Jordan doesn’t have time for much these days.

STEVE GUPTON wrote that he took his family to

I keep running into NAT WALKER ’78. His oldest, Nathan, is in school with my boys at Daniels Middle School. Nat and his wife, Curry, were at the 150th party, as well.

SCOTT LUIHN said that both of his girls are at Ap-

BILL CLARK writes that he is dating a great gal, Margaret “Happy” Hynes. She is a Charlotte native and living in NYC at the moment. She is a UNC undergrad and grad school alum.

ELIZABETH WILLIAMS MARTIN says that she is working as a property manager for a real estate company in Chattanooga, Tenn. Johnny and Elizabeth are still living on Lookout Mountain (21 years). Her daughter, Elizabeth, graduated from Saint Mary’s last year and is a freshman at the University of Tennessee-Knoxville. Sons, Marshall, 16, and Phillip, 14, are at McCallie School and staying very active with lots of soccer. Both are on travel teams so they are gone a lot. For two years that Elizabeth (daughter) was in Raleigh, Elizabeth (mother) spent a lot of time on the road back and forth. She loved catching up with ANNE SIGMON and MARGIE JOHNSON SPRINGER on her many visits. Now that her daughter is at UT (only 2 hours away), Elizabeth is missing her trips to Raleigh. She and her family did come to Atlantic Beach for a couple of weeks this past summer and saw lots of the beach crowd.

SKIPPER DAY says that he is sorry that he missed the Ravenscroft Alumni Celebration. He was watching the Pack pull off a much unexpected win against Florida State. His son, CHAD ’07, who graduated from State this past May, finally got a job! He started work with CapTrust and will be in Raleigh working in their main office at North Hills. His other son, WILSON ’11, has started his sophomore year at State. He is technically listed as a redshirt freshman so he still has four years of eligibility on the golf team.

Our former teacher and friend, BJ WARREN, and her husband, Henry, are chairing the Annual Ravenscroft Golf Classic this year which is part of the 150th year celebration. I am assisting them and I encourage all alumni, guys and girls to join us this spring. It will be held at North Ridge Country Club on May 6 with a shotgun start at 1 p.m.

This should be a fun event, if we get enough participation, there is a chance we could fill both courses which would be great. Registration is now open at www.ravenscroft.org/golf.

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Europe this summer. A great two-week adventure.

They stayed in an incredible castle on the Rhine River in Germany, visited good friends in Holland, experienced Paris, and hiked the Alps in Zermatt, Switzerland. palachian State. One is a senior and the other is a freshman. Scott is having fun with photography and is looking forward to getting back into making videos. He lives in Wake Forest and is trying to enjoy their empty nest.

MARY BERKSTRESSER-MONCK says that her oldest son, Tom Jr, got married on Aug. 11, 2012. Mary is also a grandma to Brysyn Thomas Monck, born on Aug. 29, 2011. She says that life has gotten very busy lately. Her youngest son, Cole, is going to participate this spring in the Special Olympics at Ravenscroft.

RENA WATKINS MACGILL and JIM MACGILL have sold their house in Raleigh and moved to Topsail Beach, N.C. Jim has taken a job in Wilmington.

BRETT HIGHTOWER won first place at the State Fair — see photo of his artwork. It was the amateur division (defined to be minority of income from art). He writes: “This is the second time I’ve won, both were pictures of my daughter. Ironic, since I have painted no other pics of her. Last time was 2009. The first was a formal picture, this one much smaller and a less flattering picture. Interesting note, she swims for the Marlins of Raleigh and practices 10 hours a week at Ravenscroft. Little did I know when I swam there in 1978, 1979 that I would have a daughter years later who practiced there!”

1981

Madeline Gilbert Madgilbert1963@yahoo.com

We send our condolences to GAIL CUTTER, who writes: “My husband, Damon Craig Hutcheson, passed away suddenly on Friday, Oct. 5. We only met in 2003 and married on July 11, 2004, so our life together was sweet but far too short.”

CAROL BURHANS BURNS and her husband live in Winston-Salem. Her son just graduated from Auburn University.

BETSY WALTON writes that she and her husband own a horse farm and they used to breed and show Appaloosa horses, winning numerous World and National Appaloosa championships. Once she had their son in 1995, all of that slowed down and now she’s a “Sports Mom” and has three retired horses.

She also writes that BJ WARREN’S beach house is right behind hers at Topsail Beach.

BETSY BARRINGER HOAGLUND writes that she and her husband, Roger, live in Evergreen, Colo., just west of Denver. She and Roger own Sage Telecommunications which builds fiber optic, telecom, and cable networks. They love living in Colorado. In the summers, they fly fish, hike, golf, and camp. And in the winters they ski and snowshoe. They also enjoy traveling and spent two weeks in England and Ireland this past summer.

MITCH MITCHELL writes that he has a 4 and a 6-year-old and they’ve “ruined” him. Mitch tore his rotator cuff from the car seat, and had a ruptured cervical disc from monkeying around with the kids. He says he should have done this earlier.

JENNIFER GOODMAN COCKWRIGHT’S son, Tanner, is a freshman at Virginia Tech.

reason for me not to take up running, marathons, and definitely triathlons. Bill also posts some funny comments on Facebook. You keep me very entertained, Bill!

BILL STEED’S youngest, Taz, is once again playing on the same football team as my nephew, Stuart Holmes. I ran into Bill at one of their football games about a year ago. And talk about running into fellow Ravens — I ran into LEE ANN DAY ’82 in Charlotte recently. We were both checking out of the same hotel and literally ran into each other at the main entrance of the hotel.

I live in Atlanta, but travel to N.C. and S.C. as a fabric sales rep for interior designers. When I’m not traveling, I enjoy taking cooking classes. Although sometimes when I’m home reproducing what we’ve learned, I think I need to have KELLY WORTH MITCHELL on speed dial.

HARRIET ASHBY BOND’S daughter, Ashby, is a senior

Keep me posted with your news. You can email me or friend me on Facebook.

at Saint Mary’s and her son, Jack, is at Christ School in Asheville, with her youngest still at home in Walterboro, S.C.

1982

For the more active of our classmates, KELLY WORTH MITCHELL had planned to run in the NYC marathon to benefit Canines for Service. The race was cancelled due to damage from Hurricane Sandy.

BILL LITTLE recently ran the B2B Fall Iron Distance.

Last year in one of his triathlons, he crashed his bike and dislocated his shoulder. After having someone in the crowd help pop it back in, he completed the race to then find out that he had also broken his collar bone. That’s good enough

ELLEN WOODLIEF HOLDING ’79 and family on their cruise in Alaska

William Gaither wmgaither@msn.com

HARVEY HAIGLER, BILL LITTLE, DAN RUSSLER, BILL STEED in a 1981 yearbook photo

BETSY MAMOULIDES HOCKADAY writes: “I teach group fitness at Lifetime Fitness in Cary (come take a class with me!). I am also a fitness coach for Beachbody (P90X company). My oldest daughter is a sophomore at Appalachian and I homeschool my youngest daughter, who is a sophomore. I lead a home Bible study group and my husband owns a commercial HVAC company.”

MIKE SHERRER ’82

1981 Ravens: Front row: BILL LITTLE, BILL STEED, WILLIAM ALLEN, SCOTT PLUMMER, BILLY MANN and JEFF JAREMA. Second row: JAMES JOYNER, HAYWOOD HARDEN, HARVEY HAIGLER, and VERN HUNTER Winter 2013

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WEDDINGS

1

2

4

3

5

1. JOHN CATHCART ’92 married Ivey Lynn

3. JANIE SMITH ’98 married Sean Brooks

5. BEN CHESSON ’03 married Kelli Mackie

Cherry on June 23

on July 14

on June 2

2. VANESSA SHEFFIELD ’92 married Paul

4. ALLISON HODGES ’03 married Bucky

6. CELESTE ALLEN ’06 married Chris

McDonald on May 5

Westmoreland on October 5

Chapman October 22, 2011

JOE E. JEFFREYS recently served as dramaturg for the world premiere of Tennessee Williams’ last full-length play, In Masks Outrageous and Austere, presented Off-Broadway starring Shirley Knight.

MIKE SHERRER started working with Village Design Group (www.villagedesigngroup.com, msherrer@ villagedesigngroup.com) in June 2012. The firm is in Southern Pines, but Mike still lives in Raleigh and handles clients for Village Design Group in Raleigh/ Durham/Cary/Chapel Hill and surrounding areas.

He has access to many resources (furniture, fabrics, lighting, accessories, and more) and is available to assist in all phases of new construction to renovations

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to consultations and advice — no project is too big or too small.

GENE DANIELS writes: “Wow! It’s been 30 years since we were at Ravenscroft. I still keep in touch with LEAH, KATHARINE, and CHARLIE and had lunch in Raleigh a few weeks ago with PHYLLIS YORK BROOKSHIRE. Always love catching up, and miss seeing all of our classmates.

Facebook has really helped, but I would love to get together with everyone and let our kids run around.

Every spring since JOHN FREEHAFER passed away, we have gone to the beach with his wife, Deb, and son, Greyson. It has been nice to keep those connections fluid, and I will undoubtedly pass along some Freeha-

fer stories to Greyson as he grows older. We moved to Clinton about eight years ago to build a new golf course and just decided to build a house and stay here. There are many things I really like about being in a small town, but certainly miss the options that living in Raleigh has. Hadley and I have three kids, our oldest daughter is Blake, 14, and twins Taylor (son) and Cameron (daughter) are 12. They all attend Harrells Christian Academy, and it surely brings up some trash talking when my son plays Ravenscroft in JV football. I’ve really enjoyed going back to Ravenscroft for his games. It has changed quite a bit in the last 30 years.

“After 20 years in the golf course design and construction business, we have begun to diversify into several different business lines. The golf course business is still my first love, but the changing economy has certainly had its effects on the industry. We branched out into military construction and have had the opportunity to work on U.S. military installations all over the southeastern U.S. My business partners and I are currently building a new Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge, Ram dealership here in Clinton, and hope to be open by spring, so give me a call if you need a car. We have also finally worked through the permitting process and have opened a distilled spirits facility in Clinton called Tobacco Road Distillers.

We will initially be producing a full line of vodka products under the name Red Wolf Vodka.”

WILLIAM GAITHER wants folks to join Facebook and the Ravenscroft Facebook Alumni Page. If you are on Facebook connect with him at wmgaither@ facebook.com.

1983

Caroline Day Plummer Carolinedayplummer@gmail.com

DABNEY HOLLIS writes: “I recently served as the Georgia Finance Chair for Governor Romney. I am living in Atlanta with my husband, Sam, and my two children, Tift, 14, and Suzanne, 13.”

BEN “BENJYE” ROSE writes: “I had a job title change officially on July 1 to Director of Human Services for Cabarrus County. The new title is due to the consolidation of Social Services, Transportation, and Aging in to one department. We spent Labor Day in Pigeon Forge and had a wonderful time discovering the mountains of Tennessee. My daughter, Anna, started middle school this year and is involved in dance and is still singing. She performed two songs at Frank Liske Park in Concord for the park’s anniversary celebration, including Saturday in the Park.”

JOE DIAB is serving on the Ravenscroft Alumni Council.

ELIZABETH JONES DEMPSTER writes: “If friends’ children are coming to N.C. State tell them to look me up; I teach lots of freshmen math classes — my office is SAS 3240.”

CRAIG PARKER writes: “After graduating from Ravenscroft in ’83, I attended Campbell University, Buies Creek until ’86, and then transferred to NCSU. I enlisted in the U.S. Navy in ’90 and served during the Gulf War and Operation Desert Storm in satellite and special communications. I served aboard the USS Newport News, a fast-attack nuclear submarine, stationed in Norfolk,Va. I also served as a member of the Squadron Communications Staff for Destroyer Squadron 10, and Destroyer Squadron 2.

“1992 was an interesting year for Destroyer Squadrons 10 and 2! In an effort to streamline the fleet and consolidate efforts, Destroyer Squadron 10 was decommissioned on 1 September ’92, and the destroyer classes native to Squadron 10 were absorbed by Squadron 2; Spruance, Kidd and Arleigh Burke, and increased the number of classes Destroyer Squadron 2 maintained and trained. As part of the merger, ComDesRon 2 also assumed the title of Commander, Naval Surface Group Norfolk (ComNavSurfGru). With that added responsibility, Destroyer Squadron 2 provided the oversight for the manning, material, and readiness for all cruisers and destroyers home-ported in Norfolk. Now in charge of training for ships based in Norfolk, ComDesRon 2 led bi-weekly waterfront in-port training in both Radio/Combat Information Center and Visual Communications, coordinated mutual training exercises between surface and subsurface units with bi-weekly mutual training meetings, and served as Training Conference Board Chairman for team trainers managed by ComTraLant. It was an exciting and valuable learning experience for me!

BENJYE ROSE ’83 with family in Pigeon Forge, Tenn.

CHIP PERRIN ’83, with his nephew Sam Nier, at Sam’s first UNC game

“In 1997, I moved to Annapolis, Md., and worked in the marine industry as a yacht rigger, carpenter, and production manager. In 2011, I begin working with the U.S. Navy as a civilian Department of Defense employee, as a sail maker for the U.S. Naval Academy. We support the collegiate, varsity and offshore sailing programs.”

1984

John Parham john@legacyws.com

WHIT PROCTOR, TIM WICKER, JOHN PARHAM, VANCE EDWARDS, and TOM ROHWEDER were all in attendance at the NCSU vs. Citadel game in early October in Raleigh. Whit is selling real estate in Beaufort, N.C. Vance is a radiologist in Goldsboro, N.C., and Tim has his CPA practice in Raleigh. Many of you are familiar with the Gateway Restaurant owned by

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notes YES, IT IS A SMALL WORLD

Zac Moretz ’86 and Dene Dawson ’85

Kate Dempster (ELIZABETH ’83’s daughter) and Carly Plummer (CAROLINE DAY PLUMMER ’83 and SCOTT PLUMMER ’83’s daughter) at Camp Cheerio. Girls are both in seventh grade.

Back in the day, they were soccer teammates at Ravenscroft. And now, ZAC MORETZ ’86 and DENE DAWSON ’85 both live in Concord, N.C., and work about 100 yards from each other. Dene is the program director for Habitat for Humanity of Cabarrus County and Zac runs a commercial real estate business and practices motorsports law for Moretz & Skufca, PLLC. Their buildings are across the parking lot from each other.

They played together on Ravenscroft’s first lacrosse team in 1985 and 1986, and Dene coached the team after he graduated. Just a few short years later (well, 26) they are now playing lacrosse together in a men’s league called “Clashed” in Concord.

They explained that the youth league in Concord is called the Clash, so they made the old men’s league past tense. Neither thought they would ever play lacrosse again — much less with each other, so they are really enjoying playing together again.

Martina and Tom Rohweder. Tom brought the large cooker to the game and a feast was enjoyed by all on Armed Services Day. I see JIMMY JOHNSON on a regular basis since we both have children at Ravenscroft. TIM WICKER’S son plays on the JV football team and it’s great to see our children playing on fields we once roamed. BETTY BODA’S mother resides in the same community, Cypress, where my parents reside. JOHN RHODES and I celebrated our 47th birthdays on Oct. 27 since we both were born on the same day.

Susan, wife of ADAM JONES ’85, and daughters, Lilly, 4, and Ainslie, 7 months, enjoying the carrousel at Pullen Park.

That’s all I know for now. If you would like to share the events in your lives, email them to me.

Look forward to hearing from you soon and come back to the ‘Croft when you are in town. It’s a whole new experience from when we were there.

I am serving on the Alumni Council as presidentelect and it has been a great way to reconnect and meet other alumni.

1985

Holly Parker Preston Jepreston@mindspring.com

Well, a FEW of you heard my plea and responded!

Thanks so much! (Frank responded out of sympathy!) Hilarious!

CAROLYN PORTER MCDONALD reports that she and her family have moved to a new home in Atlanta.

She included that, recently-turned-two daughter, Cacki, is keeping her very busy!

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DENE DAWSON writes that he and family are doing well living in Concord, N.C. His email mentioned that he was supposed to be elk hunting with Chris Haga that particular weekend, but had to postpone. He keeps in touch with ASHTON POOLE and CHRIS CONNOR. Dene has reconnected with ZAC MORETZ ’86, and they play in an adult lacrosse league in Concord. (Old Man’s League, as Dene referred to it!). Dene shared that he had recently come across some pictures of our 7th Grade Europe Trip with Ms. Severe. “What a group, what a trip!” he said.

FRANK BRICIO reports that he lives in Cary with wife, Katie, and sons Ben, 13, and Eddie, 9. They recently took a family vacation to Boston, where they enjoyed an evening with BRIAN BEAKEY, who is teaching science in New Hampshire.

PRESTON MILLER writes that daughter, SAVANNAH, ’13, is applying to colleges and hopes to attend Duke, Stanford, or Vanderbilt. The age old family question is, if she attends Duke, will Preston have to pull for a new team, after being a long time State fan and alum?! (Wife Elizabeth has worked at Duke for 20 years, so he already hears “it” from her). Son SAM, ’18 is in seventh grade.

ADAM JONES writes: “We live in Chapel Hill, which is a great fit for our little family of Tar Heels. I still own Mill House Properties, where we specialize in property management and investment real estate.

My wife is with Furniture Today Magazine. We stay quite busy with work, the two girls, two dogs and enjoying our farmhouse near Lake Gaston.

My best to all.”

As for me, it was a busy spring and summer, folks!

Parker graduated in June, a “lifer” from Ravenscroft. Two weeks after graduation, she somehow, contracted a horrendous case of bacterial meningitis. After 10 days in ICU at WakeMed, six of those on a ventilator, she came home to continue her recovery surrounded by her family, and the most fabulous friends imaginable. (TAYLOR NEWCOMB ’12,

CAT GREEN ’12, AMANDA LAMPURI ’12, HANNAH LEAHY ’12), my most fabulous surrogate children, I love

you all from the bottom of my heart. Your love and concern for Park over the summer was overwhelming, and so, so dear!). So, we were well enough, (Thanks to Dr. Todd Harris!) to carry on with the plan of attending the University of Alabama. (Roll Tide!). Parker is a happy, healthy, Phi Mu, Sports Communications Major. Look out Erin Andrews and Bubba Cunningham. My son, Tate, is a freshman at Broughton, where husband, Joe, attended ’79–’83. He is on the Dive Team and enjoys time at the beach house and golf with Joe. Thanks for the communication, friends!

1986

MARSHALL DUNLAP writes: “After four-and-a-half years I am wrapping up a great experience at the North Carolina Solar Center. I am not, however, departing from the world of sustainable building. I’ll be ramping up a new position at Green Horizon, a Durham-based home performance contractor, where I will be serving as sales director for the eastern half of the state and will bring a new range of services to the company’s profile including LEED consulting and third-party verification for green building programs. I am also chairing the Community Service committee for the Alumni Council and we had our workday at the facility to continue implementing the garden we started on last year for Hospice of Wake County.”

KELLY MIMS BURKHARDT is serving as co-president of the Ravenscroft Parents’ Association.

CAROLINE WIGGS CATE is a grant writer at South Piedmont Community College in Monroe. She also serves on the board of directors for Literacy Council of Union County.

Congratulations to GEORGE HOLDING, who was elected to serve in the U.S. House of Representatives (District 13). George is married to LUCY

HERRIOTT HOLDING ’89.

1987

Gerry Jacobs Gerryjacobs1969@gmail.com

GERRY JACOBS is serving on the Alumni Council and has a new job as Field Marketing Manager for Checkers Drive-In Restaurants. He writes: “It was truly great to see everyone at the 150th Anniversary Celebration for the school which also served as our 25th class reunion. KATE HAUSER came in from New York, JULIE LORIA came in from the D.C. area, AMY PARKER SPARKS from Charlotte and HAL BERNSTEIN from Richmond. Many thanks to the Raleigh crew for turning out in good numbers. It was great seeing KATHERINE HAMLIN, CHUCK UNDER-

WOOD, WOOFER DAVIDIAN, REZA HATEFI, KEN KENNEDY, DAVE SCHICK, and DAVID BURKHARDT. It turned out

to be a really nice evening reminiscing with old friends. I look forward to getting back in touch with you all over the coming months and hope that we can have an opportunity to see each other again as a class in the near future. Until then, be safe, be happy and be well.”

KATHERINE ANNE HAMLIN is serving as secretary on Alumni Council.

150TH ANNIVERSARY BOOK—YOUNG TRAVELERS ON THE PATH OF KNOWLEDGE Ravenscroft’s 150th anniversary book, Young Travelers on the Path of Knowledge, was written by BILLY HOWARD ’73 and Laurie Shock, and features photography by the award-winning Howard. The book traces the long, intertwined history of the School and the city of Raleigh.

One copy of the 150th Anniversary Book is provided at no cost to all alumni. Please stop by the RavenZone to pick up your copy, or make arrangements for shipping. Further information is on the website at

www.ravenscroft.org/book.

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notes A TRUE PASSION FOR THE GAME Coach Bill Holleman

TOM “T.J.” ABRAHAMS’ ’89 book has made the Amazon bestseller list for political fiction in both the US and UK.

Bill Holleman is a name well known to Ravenscroft soccer players past and present. In October, he was on campus for Homecoming and participated in the pre-game celebration marking the School’s 150th anniversary.

Coach Holleman, former faculty member and coach, and the School’s first Alumni Sports Hall of Fame inductee (1994), was responsible for the development of soccer in the Raleigh area. He began Ravenscroft’s soccer program in 1970 and served the school for 10 years as a teacher, soccer coach and athletic director. His win-loss-tie record during that period was 224-37-13 and his 1977 and 1978 teams were North Carolina Independent Schools state champions.

He promoted the sport of soccer throughout the Triangle, and started the School’s annual soccer invitational which in September 2011 celebrated its 40th year. Coach Holleman founded the National Soccer Coaches Association of America chapter in North Carolina and was named to the N.C. Soccer Hall of Fame in 2000. He was named the Regional Coach of the Year three times, along with numerous other awards.

After his collegiate soccer career at Campbell College he coached first at Sanderson High School in Raleigh and then at Ravenscroft. He was the Venue Executive Director during the 1994 FIFA Men’s World Cup, and served as of Birmingham (Alabama) Olympic Soccer. In 1979, Holleman moved to Atlanta as soccer coach and athletic director at The Lovett School.

As Coach Holleman retires this year, many former faculty and students at Ravenscroft and The Lovett School are honoring him with a donation to The NCSAA Foundation’s Holleman Fund, to further promote soccer coaching. For more information visit www.ncsaa.org or www. facebook.com/HollemanFund.

CURT JOHNSON will be inducted into the North

Luke and Samantha Abrahams, children of TOM “T.J.” ABRAHAMS ’89

Carolina Soccer Hall of Fame Class of 2013.

Curt was an All-State midfielder at Ravenscroft, and then played at N.C. State from 1987-90. As a senior captain, he led N.C. State to the ACC Championship and the NCAA semifinals. Curt is currently President of the North American Soccer League’s Carolina RailHawks.

JAMES PEDEN and CURT JOHNSON returned to campus to participate in the Alumni vs. Varsity Soccer scrimmage in August, helping the Alumni team to a 2-1 victory over the Varsity squad.

1989

Amy Copeland Petitfils and Sonya Smith Beacham acpetitfils@yahoo.com sbeacham@cfcc.edu Thomas and Braxton Hines, sons of BLAIR HINES ’92.

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We extend our sympathy to MATT DIEHL on the death of his mother, Carolyn, who passed away on Aug. 8.

Our sympathy also goes to TORI KATEN MISSBACH on the death of her grandmother, Gertrude Chisena, who passed away in June.

TOM “T.J.” ABRAHAMS (tom.abrahams@gmail.com) just celebrated his 13th anniversary at KTRK-TV, the ABC-owned station in Houston. He is the weekend evening anchor and political reporter.

He was in Charlotte last year for the Democratic convention. It was his fifth national convention.

Tom and his wife, Courtney, have been married for 17 years. Their daughter, Samantha, is 13 and their son, Luke, is 10. See the photo of them on a recent trip to Mt. Rushmore. Tom has published his first book! It’s a political thriller called SEDITION. You can read more about it at the website www. seditionbook.com.

1990

KELLY POWELL GOULD is serving on the Ravenscroft Alumni Council and is very involved with activities at Ravenscroft. She has first grader, Garland, and a fourth grader, Andrew.

1991

Our sympathy goes to ALEX KATEN on the death of his grandmother, Gertrude Chisena, who passed away in June.

Congratulations to MICHAEL PAINTER, who has been named to the Board of Directors of the WakeMed Foundation.

1992

Stephenie Butler Stiffe1974@aol.com

I hope everyone in the Class of ’92 is doing well. It was nice to hear from some of you. I just started my second year on the Alumni Council and am joined this school year by LAURA HELTON KALORIN. It’s great to be involved, especially this year as we celebrate 150 years of history as a school. I have also spent a lot of my time these past few months volunteering with the Wake GOP, helping candidates such as NEAL HUNT ’60 get elected this November.

ZACH ASHTON writes: “Work, kid’s school and sports seem to take up the majority of my time these days.

I ran into ANNA YARUR NORRIS and one of her kids last month at Dick’s Sporting Goods at Crossroads and had lunch with SCOTT MAUZY ’91 and MIKE THORNE ’91 back in May.” I saw EMILIE BAKER ROBINSON recently. She and her husband just moved to Charlotte from Atlanta.

Welcome back to N.C., Emilie!

JOHN CATHCART writes: “Ivey Lynn Cherry and I were married on June 23, 2012 in the Village Chapel on Bald Head Island, N.C. SCOTT CATHCART ’96 served with great aplomb as best man, and RUSTY DEMENT ’90 also attended. Rusty and I took his boat, the Double Deacon, to the gulfstream the week of the wedding, and enjoyed supporting Lynn’s brother as he landed his first sailfish — a great start to the week. After a quick trip to Costa Rica with plenty of sun, unreal food and more good fishing, we are back in Raleigh.”

In August, CHRIS CONLEE married Kathy Penny in a beautiful private ceremony in New Hampshire.

They followed it with a fun celebration that included family and friends.

DOUG MYERS writes: “Big year of change for me. I moved down to a little farm outside Wilmington after seven years in Holly Springs. I also left teaching and now work in clinical research for PPD. It’s great to be back in the private sector!”

VANESSA SHEFFIELD MCDONALD married Paul McDonald of Houston, Texas, on May 12, 2012. It was an intimate ceremony on a riverboat in fabulous

Austin, Texas. The couple honeymooned in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic.

BLAIR HINES writes: “My wife, Tracey, and I, along with our children, Thomas and Braxton, are living in Beaufort, S.C., between Charleston and Hilton Head. I am currently the Department Head of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery at Naval Hospital Beaufort in Beaufort. I serve the Marine Recruits at Parris Island, S.C., as well as the active duty members at Parris Island the Marine Corp Air Station. I was promoted to the rank of Commander on Sept. 1.”

GEORGE VENTNERS ’92 and his wife, Meg, on safari in South Africa

LAURA HELTON KALORIN is serving on the Alumni Council and is chairing the Career Week Committee. She participated in the Hospice Work Day on Nov. 4 with her husband, Carmin, and children VICTOR ’24, AUDREY ’26, and Hope.

GEORGE VENTERS writes: “Meg and I went to South Africa for two weeks in August and spent time on a hunting/photographic safari for about 10 days and then went to Cape Town for five days. We jumped in a shark cage off Seal Island when in Cape Town with some great white sharks swimming around the boat which was pretty exhilarating. Our kids are Cole (GCV III), age 4, and Evie, age 3.”

VANESSA SHEFFIELD MCDONALD ’92 and her groom, Paul, along with family GLENN SHEFFIELD ’97 and ERIN SHEFFIELD BROVET ’94

1993

Penny Abrahams Rogers progers@ravenscroft.org

It was great to see CRAIG WILLIAMS, KRISTEN PEED LUDWIG, and JUD BURNETTE at Homecoming. I also had the chance to meet Kristen’s husband, Danny, for the first time. They are a great couple, and I know they will be very happy together — even if they live way too far away in Cleveland. I told Kristen that I heard more than a touch of a Midwestern accent layered on top of her Southern one!

Craig was at the Homecoming game with his wife, Melissa, and their four beautiful children. All four kids have the most gorgeous blond hair and I know they keep Craig and Melissa very busy! I’m fortunate enough to catch up with Craig at least every six months when I head to his dentist’s office, and occasionally when I’m walking through our neighborhood — I live just around the corner from him.

JUD BURNETTE ’93 with nieces Libby (pink) and Weezie (blue) Gibbons

Last summer, COLBY BURRELL MCCLURE and her family moved from Raleigh to an area called Palmetto Bluff in Bluffton, S.C. She says that they are building a house on the May River and it should be ready sometime in early June. Sloan, 8, Blaine, 7, Walker and Shields, 3, are all adjusting well to their new schools. She also said they “love the low country and coastal living!”

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notes

1996 Baby Playdate: left to right — Jewell’s daughter, Willa; Mandy’s son, Caleb; Katy’s son, Rocky; Liz’s daughters Libby and Weezie

It was also wonderful to hear from MEREDITH YARBROUGH COHOON. Meredith wrote: “My husband, Greg, and I live in Greensboro, where we are in the midst of some renovations to our 90-year-old house.

We welcomed our first child, a daughter, last year. Aurora Julianna ‘Rorie’ was born on May 29, surprising us a few months early, as she wasn’t due until August. After a few weeks in the NICU, she came home in July and is doing great. Greg is a software developer in Cary, and I am currently a student at Duke Divinity School.”

home from Los Angeles for the time being and is continuing her work freelancing and doubling as a fantastic mom to Willa. Mandy is also balancing the working mother gig wonderfully as mother to sweet Caleb, and bookkeeping for her family business. I, KATY GEIL SMYTH, am also juggling work and motherhood but enjoying every second. Hard to believe Rocky turned a year old in December.

I have enjoyed seeing so many of you around town!

If only I could persuade you to send in some class notes! You can always find me on Facebook or by email at katygeil@hotmail.com.

Congratulations to Meredith and her husband! Be sure to check out the picture of their gorgeous little girl on page 32.

REBECCA FIORE JELLIE and her husband, Jason, welcomed their first son, Alexander Jett on Dec. 5, 2011. The Jellies live in Atlanta, Ga., and are enjoying quality time with baby Jett and their two puppies Oliver and Lu Lu.

As for me, PENNY ABRAHAMS ROGERS, there’s not too much new news to report. We recently adopted a rescue puppy named Chester, adding to our Newfoundland puppy, two guinea pigs, and two beta fish. I think if we bring any more pets into the house we may have to build an ark. My children, Jack, 12, and Julianna, 10, are in sixth and fourth grade at Ravenscroft. It’s hard to believe, and a little bit scary, that I have a student in the Middle School. Mr. Duggan (remember him?) is my son’s homeroom advisor — amazingly the same homeroom advisor I had in seventh grade back in 1987!

I really enjoyed volunteering with fellow alumni during our Hospice Work Day in November as we worked to expand a bereavement garden at the Raleigh Hospice facility. I hope some of you can make it back to join me as a volunteer for Special Olympics at Ravenscroft in April. It’s a fun way to connect with each other and the community. Let me know if you’re interested in helping out.

1996

Katy Geil Smyth

1997

Elizabeth Warren Hamilton Ecarver22@nc.rr.com

JENNIFER MERRILL WARNE and her husband, Kevin, have a new baby girl, Campbell, born on July 24.

Two weeks after Campbell’s birth, Jennifer’s husband became the head coach of Georgetown men’s lacrosse team.

ROY HYKAL and his wife are happy to announce the birth of their little boy Rafael “Rafi” George, born Aug. 8, 2012.

As for me, ELIZABETH WARREN HAMILTON, I live in Raleigh with my husband Shannon, and our son, Henry, who is 2.

It is exciting to hear all the wonderful news. I have created a Facebook group for our class so look out for news and announcements that way too! Email me any news during the year: ecarver22@nc.rr.com.

1998

Ellen Mann Ellen.b.mann@gmail.com

katygeil@hotmail.com

Move over Class of 1996! The Class of 2029 is coming your way!

I had the best time catching up with LIZ BURNETTE GIBBONS and Libby and Weezie Gibbons, 7 months, JEWELL GREEN and Willa, 7 months, and MANDY PARKER BLONK and Caleb, 7 months, in September for a Ravenscroft playdate!

Liz is enjoying staying at home with Weezie and Libby. Cutest twins I have ever seen and Liz is one of the best mothers I have ever seen! Jewell is

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Hope everyone in the Class of 1998 had a great fall! A few great updates from y’all which is always fabulous! We love hearing from you so keep up the good work.

Congratulations to TRIPP LUMPKIN and his wife, Jennifer, on the birth of their daughter Evelyn Gray Lumpkin, weighing in at 7 pounds 8 ounces.

Tripp and Jennifer are loving the new addition to their family and the small amount of sleep they are getting! We love you, Tripp, and are thrilled for you both!

A big congratulations to JANIE SMITH, who got married on July 14 to Sean Brooks here in Raleigh.

MANY RAVENS helped them celebrate including ANNA

ART LUMPKIN writes: “My son, Henry, is now ap-

WHITE HOSEA, MICHAEL ANDERSON, SYDNEY WHITE LEWIS, KATE SKVARLA CUTSHALL, CARRIE BRENNEMAN GALLOWAY ’00, and ELLEN MANN! Janie and Sean are

proaching 1 year old. He is already walking around the edges of the furniture while holding on so it is scary to think that he may be walking soon. The scary part for me is that it definitely appears that Henry is taking after me in appearance.”

still living in New York and Janie recently celebrated her five-year anniversary at McKinsey & Company.

2000

Congrats to ANNA WHITE HOSEA and her husband, Robert, as they welcomed Henry Broussard Hosea on June 10! Henry was a whopping 10 pounds, 6 ounces and 23 inches long and is just a joy! We are so happy for you Anna and Robert!

Congratulations to MICHAEL ANDERSON, who has been named to the Board of Directors of the WakeMed Foundation.

As for me, ELLEN MANN, last summer I visited Peru to hike the Inca Trail into Machu Pichu! It was an amazing trip — four days hiking and camping to reach Machu Picchu and seven more days recovering and eating my way through Peru! I’ve included a pictures of me looking OH so lovely at Dead Woman’s Pass — 13,769 feet above sea level! Many thanks to JANIE SMITH BROOKS for all of her words of wisdom and advice, since she had done the same trip the year before! I’m also serving on the Alumni Council and am co-chair of the Alumni Annual Fund Cabinet with PHILLIP SIMSON ’00.

Keep the great updates coming and if you haven’t joined our Class of ’98 page on Facebook, please do so! It’s a great way to keep up “real time” with folks!

1999

Allison Drummond Stewart allisonkathleenstewart@gmail.com

Congratulations to NATHAN BASKERVILLE, who was elected to the N.C. State House (District 32).

MARY CRAVEN HINES DAWKINS and her husband, Burney, climbed the Tetons to celebrate their fifth anniversary.

HANNAH JOHNSON ONG writes: “I completed my forensic psychiatry fellowship at the University of Maryland in June 2012. My husband, Ryan, and I are still living in the Maryland suburbs of D.C. and we celebrated the completion of my training as well as our fifth anniversary with a cruise to Mexico and Grand Cayman. In July, I started a new job as an attending psychiatrist at Clifton T. Perkins Hospital, Maryland’s only maximum security forensic psychiatric hospital.”

Melissa Warren Dougher Mbrady23@nc.rr.com

JOSIAH DREWRY is working at the American University in Cairo, Egypt.

DIANA SCHOFIELD was promoted to Acting Director of the Tidewater Child Development Clinic in Norfolk, Va. She completed her first Olympic distance triathlon in Ramseur, N.C., in September and placed second in her age group! She also had a reunion with JENA WITTKAMP HOWARD and CARLY APPLE on Bald Head Island in May and had a great time!

ANNA WHITE HOSEA ’98, MICHAEL ANDERSON ’98, SYDNEY WHITE LEWIS ’98, KATE SKVARLA CUTSHALL ’98, CARRIE BRENNEMAN GALLOWAY ’00 and ELLEN MANN ’98 at Sean and JANIE SMITH BROOKS ’98 wedding

JAMES GOODNIGHT was featured in The News and Observer for his work renovating the historic Raleigh Industrial Bank building at 200 South Salisbury Street in downtown Raleigh.

PHILLIP SIMSON is co-chairing the Alumni Annual Fund Cabinet with ELLEN MANN ’98.

2001

ELLEN MANN ’98 looking “OH so lovely at Dead Woman’s Pass in Peru — 13,769 feet above sea level!”

Jaclyn White Morgan jaclyn.w.morgan@gmail.com

CHESTER ALLEN and EMILY TAYLOR FARRELL are serving on the Alumni Council and Emily is chairing the Outreach Committee.

MEAGAN MATT MADDOX and husband, Clint, welcomed Samuel James Maddox on Oct. 18.

JESSICA GLADWIN writes: “I am still living in Raleigh and I’ve recently started a new job! I am the new Planner for the Town of Butner, north of Durham.

It has been an adjustment moving from county/ regional planning to local planning but I am really enjoying the work thus far! I am being exposed to Parks and Recreation Planning, especially with grants and greenways, and MPO/Transportation Planning; along with the more general responsibilities like permitting and reviews. I am thrilled to be back to work as a Planner!

MARY CRAVEN HINES DAWKINS ’99 and her husband, Burney, celebrating their fifth anniversary at the Tetons

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notes MARINE LEADER REMEMBERS HIS ROOTS 1st Lt. Rashawn King ’04

A Raven in the making: James, son of JOHN RITCHER ’01

1st Lt. RASHAWN KING ’04 is featured in a Marines national ad campaign that launched in early November. The campaign focuses on community impact and serving others, and includes television ads, magazine ads, and a series of online videos (www. marines.com/impact).

Several of the videos and photos feature King visiting Ravenscroft, speaking with both members of the Class of 2019 and the Varsity Football team.

Fifth-grade Instructor Barbara Paul is also interviewed in one of the videos, as is Lower School Administrative Assistant Mrs. Robbin King, Rashawn’s mother.

After graduating from Ravenscroft, King attended the U.S. Naval Academy, where he starred as a defensive player for the Midshipmen football team. He then joined the Marines and is currently stationed at Camp Pendleton in California.

2002

Kristen Anderson Hudson and Stacey Ingram Carothers kristenanderson@gmail.com Stacey219@gmail.com ANNA CLAIRE MURNICK ’03, SAMANTHA BARNETT EVANS ’03, CALLIE ALLEN LOWE ’03 and SCOTT MANNING ’03 at ALLISON HODGES ’03 wedding

LOGAN ROSIE writes: “I recently moved to Helsinki, Finland, to do research on a biofuels grant from the US-EU as part of my dual-MS in Forestry degree from NCSU and SLU in Sweden. I will be moving to Alnarp, Sweden, (30 minutes from Copenhagen) in January to continue my research before returning home sometime in July or August of 2013.

BEN WHITED and Celia Pyle welcomed Hank, born Oct. 17, weighing in at 9 pounds, 8 ounces.

STUART PRESNELL is serving on the Ravenscroft Alumni Council and is a member of the Awards Committee.

2003

Anna Claire Murnick acmurnick@gmail.com

MAX GROSSMAN writes: “I am living in New York with my fiancée, Holly Sharpless, and getting married in Greensboro in November. My parents are up here as well on the UWS, and Holly and I just bought our first home — the parlor level of a brownstone in Harlem. I recently started a new job as a Literary Agent at Abrams Artists, after working as a Development Executive at Scott Rudin Productions for the past year and a half, focusing in Theater and TV. I also just passed the one-year anniversary of my bone marrow transplant, which

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I received last June after being diagnosed with Aplastic Anemia in January of 2011. It was a rather tough time for me and my family, but we’re happy to say the ordeal is behind us now!”

ANNA CLAIRE MURNICK writes: “ALLISON HODGES married Bucky Westmoreland on Oct. 5, in Raleigh. I served as a bridesmaid along with EMILY HODGES ’00 as maid of honor. SAMANTHA BARNETT EVANS, CALLIE ALLEN LOWE, and SCOTT MANNING were in attendance as well.”

ALEX EGLER writes: “Right now I am managing security at The Mid Nightclub in Chicago. We have had a crazy year of shows with DJ’s like Skrillex, Tiesto, and Calvin Harris.”

BEN CHESSON and Kelli Mackie were married on June 2, 2012 in Chapel Hill. The wedding party included KATHERINE CHESSON ’01, DAVID FAJGENBAUM, SCOTT MANNING, and MAX GROSSMAN. Also in attendance were KATHERINE MANN, JOHN BOWER,

CAITLIN PRAZENICA ’06, GENA FAJGENBAUM COMBS ’98, and LISA FAJGENBAUM ’96.

ERIK CIPAU writes: “Hello, fellow old people. I’ve missed seeing all of you for the past almost 10 years. I hope everyone is happy, successful, and satisfied with where they’ve found themselves nowa-days, or are at least working hard to get to where they want to be. As for me, here’s a little run down of what I have been up to.

“I’m living in Boston and have been working for the Massachusetts Securities Division since the end of August. I graduated from Northeastern Uni-

versity School of Law last May. Before I graduated I completed four internships, made law review, represented the school in the 37th Annual National Trial Competition, was elected to two student government positions, helped a committee select a new assistant dean, and helped draft and pass a new law school charter. Crazy times. I just found out, the same day I wrote this note, that I passed the Massachusetts Bar Exam! I can now say that after three plus years chasing a dream, the hard work has paid off. I can’t wait to see what life has in store for me next. I send my love and best wishes to you all!”

WILLIAM MOSS is serving on the Ravenscroft Alumni Council and is chair of the Membership Committee and serves on the Awards Committee. He also was a guest speaker at Ravenscroft’s Thanksgiving Chapel in November.

2004

Keith Strombotne ks@thecommunintycloud.com

KEITH STROMBOTNE is on the Ravenscroft Alumni Council and is serving on the Community Service Committee. He was one of the volunteers who helped at the Hospice Work Day in November.

RASHAWN KING was on campus last summer to film part of a Marine’s ad campaign in which he is featured. Rashawn, a 1st Lt., spent the day visiting Mrs. Barbara Paul’s classroom for a video shoot, and then participated in a still photo shoot with members of the Ravenscroft Varsity Football team.

You can find the ads at http://www.marines.com/ global-impact/community-impact.

2005

Jessie Hale Tesh Jessie.tesh@gmail.com

JESSIE HALE TESH and husband, Adam, welcomed Parker Adam Tesh, who was born at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, Sept.18. He is 22 inches long and 7 pounds and 13 ounces of absolute perfection.

AKEIA BLUE writes: “I received my Masters in Sport & Exercise Psychology from Barry University in May. After some travelling to Europe and out West to the Grand Canyon and Vegas, I moved to Laurel, Md. I am currently working in College Park and will be applying for Ph.D. programs in the coming months.”

CAMERON MILLER is living in Los Angeles, Calif., and working as a freelance graphic designer.

2007

Rob Byrd robertbyrd@gmail.com

CHAD DAY was named to the Academic All-ACC Golf team for the second straight year. He graduated from N.C. State last May and has started work with CapTrust and will be in Raleigh working in their main office at North Hills.

Ravens attending Celeste Allen Chapman’s wedding: RUSH DORSETT ’06 KATELYN PAUL ’06, SPENCER BUSBY ’06, LYSANDRA LESTINI ’06, ELIZABETH DARDEN’ 06, LAUREN JANSON ’06, ABBY MURNICK’ 06, ASHLEY YAKOPEC ’05, CELESTE ALLEN CHAPMAN ’06, DEE CONDREY ’06, ELISE DORSETT ’06, PHILIP MILLER ’06, NICCOLO MUTI ’06, HUNTER BRATTON ’06, and WHIT KELLEY ’06

TRE’ COTTEN writes: “I’m in preparation for The Color Purple the Musical. It is based off of Alice Walker’s Pulitzer Prize winning novel. I am one of the principle roles (Harpo) and one of the youngest lead actors, but I am surrounded by extremely talented professional actors who I have been learning from every second! This is by far one of THE most talented casts I have been a part of thus far! And most importantly a (true) story that has touched millions of lives over the years!”

2009

Kathryn Fogartie, Jack Greenberg and Sallie King Katfogartie@gmail.com shking@email.unc.edu Jack.d.greenberg@gmail.com

LINDSAY COWHER has been actively immersed in the world of education. She spent last summer working as a Teacher Assistant in London at an international school with kids from all over the world. This year at Elon University she is working in a fifth grade classroom, as well as volunteering in a Greensboro Newcomer School for refugee children. She will be a full-time student teacher in fifth grade this spring.

Upon graduation, she wishes to work in an urban Title I school and obtain ESL licensure.

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notes BO ANDREWS was named an All-ACC golfer as well as named to the Academic All-ACC Golf team for the second straight year along with CHAD DAY ’07.

LANNY FUNSTEN broke two career records for the Davidson football team the weekend of Oct. 12, including the Davidson’s all-time records for receptions and receiving yardage.

Group basketball photo: left to right: BRIAN REKUC ’09, STEFAN STOYANOVICH ’10, CASEY STEVENSON ’08, RYAN KELLY ’09, LUKE DAVIS ’10, MATT WILSON ’09, MADISON JONES ’12, ARU KOK ’09, MIKE EHILEGBU ’10, DOMINIC PARKER ’08, SEAN BILLERMAN ’10

BRAD KELLY is enjoying his time at Campbell University. Last summer he enjoyed an internship with U.S Trust/Bank of America in Charlotte. Brad was accepted into Campbell’s 3/2 program, a program allowing students to earn their BBA and MBA at an accelerated pace. This year Brad is working as a Graduate Assistant on campus, and next summer he will be interning in Atlanta, Ga. with U.S Trust/ Bank of America in the Buckhead office.

2010

Natalie Salmonese, Tyson Pressell and Chase Bernhardt salmonesenc@appstate.edu tarheel2006@gmail.com ccbern@umich.edu

NATALIE SALMONESE writes: “Last summer I was a Market Research Intern for the Biltmore Company. I worked on a big project with the Biltmore Wine Company. I also am now an administrative assistant for the Office of the Chancellor at Appalachian.”

BIZZY ROSS writes: “I am in Paris for the semester studying art history and French!”

GEORGE LABUSOHR writes: “I’m assistant directing and fight directing a main stage show at Savannah College of Art and Design, as well as participating in the main stage Improv Company.”

TYSON PRESNELL writes: “A team of 12 of us at UNC completed the Hood to Coast Relay in Oregon in August. Brought back memories of the good old days!” Tyson was the captain of the team, which raised over $23,000 for the American Cancer Society.”

CAROLINE WILLAUER is a student at George Washington University’s Elliott School of International Affairs and is an intern for U.S. Senator Olympia Snowe.

LESSONS LEARNED IN THE WYOMING WILDERNESS Victoria Pace ’10

VICTORIA PACE ’10 returned to campus on Nov. 1 to talk to Upper School students about her experience with the National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS).

She spent several weeks with a small group of strangers (who quickly became friends) in the Wind River Range, located in west central Wyoming.

Victoria, who is a student at UNC-Chapel Hill, admitted that she was not the type of person people would ever have imagined roughing it in the wilderness.

She said she decided she needed to challenge herself and get out of her comfort zone. She said she not only learned valuable outdoor survival skills, but learned the value of good communication. She highly recommends the NOLS experience, and reminded students that Ravenscroft Upper School students can apply for funding of an outdoor learning experience through the JEFFREY TAKACS ’78 Endowment Fund.

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2011

Patrick Bailey, Zaki Haidary and Allie Withers Jpb693@gmail.com zakihaidary@gmail.com alliewithers@gmail.com

Congratulations to JENNA PEPE, who earned a spot on N.C. State’s All-Girl Cheerleading Team.

BAKER MILLS has been awarded the Dean D. Smith and H. Bronson Smith Scholarship by the College of Arts and Sciences at the University of South Carolina.

BRAD GUILLET is really enjoying the Architecture

fraternity. Over the summer I went to Canada on a young life hiking trip, pebble beach for golf, and Jamaica with friends. “

BRIANNA BRYAN writes: “Wake Forest is a perfect distance from home where I can still go home if I want but still have a change of scenery from Raleigh. I like that not everyone here is from North Carolina too. I have a busy workload but it’s manageable. Also there are always events going on so I don’t get bored easily!”

WILLIAM CARTER, who attends Wake Forest, says, “College is going well.”

Program at UNC-Charlotte! Most of the class went on a field trip to Chicago in October and had a wonderful time exploring the city. In his spare time he is playing tennis, golf, soccer, flag football and mountain boarding.

DAIN CLARE, who is at UNC-Chapel Hill, says: “It was definitely a change of pace going from a small school to a huge public university, but I have found college to be fun and exciting experience.

I have met new people and tried new things, and I couldn’t be happier! “

2012

MATT COLWELL, who attends UNC-Charlotte,

Angelika Barth, Jordan Jeter and Lewis Stocks agbarth@ncsu.edu jjeter@elon.edu lhstocks@ncsu.edu

LEXY BADER is taking a pretty wide variety of classes at Boston College. As for extracurriculars, she has joined the Appalachian Service trip group, a Christian fellowship, and a few others, all of which she loves, and also joined the Dance Marathon. It took her some time to settle in but she’s really starting to like it!

ANN BARNETT loves Carolina! She is pledging Kappa Delta and involved in two campus ministries, RUF and College Life.

ANGELIKA BARTH writes: “I am loving my friends here at N.C. State, the school spirit and especially my major, Fashion and Textile Design, which blends the sciences, maths, and design. I have also joined a Bible study (through CRU), Art2Wear (a student-coordinated fashion show), and am spirit chair for NCSU Duke Children’s Hospital Dance Marathon.

LAURA BEACHAM, who attends Clemson, has pledged the sorority Alpha Phi.

GARRETT BIRD has been accepted into the Carnegie Institute of Technology and is studying Civil and Environmental Engineering. He is also a member of the Carnegie Mellon football team and playing wide receiver. In addition, he is pledging the Beta Theta Pi fraternity chapter on campus.

ALEX BOWEN, who attends N.C. State writes: “My college experience is going great. I am pledging a

writes: “College has been awesome. Classes are going well and I’m pledging Kappa Alpha.”

ACC Basketball Ravens, left to right: JOELL HOPKINS’ 11 (Florida State), MADISON JONES ’12 (Wake Forest), LUKE DAVIS ’10 (North Carolina) and RYAN KELLY ’09 (Duke)

MITCHELL COOK attends N.C. State and has joined Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity.

MAX DEARINGER, who attends Georgia Tech, writes: “I joined a fraternity, Sigma Phi Epsilon, and that’s been keeping me pretty busy. Through the fraternity I play a few intramurals. I’m on Freshman Council which is a group of students that organizes events for the freshman class, and I’m a member of a bible study group called Campus Outreach.”

BENNETT DOTSON says he has “successfully made it through hell week at VMI and met some awesome people. God has had his hand in everything so far here at VMI and while it is not easy by any means, I like it. Basketball workouts have been going great.”

PERRY DUBOW says: “I absolutely love Davidson. My hall’s flicker ball team made it to the final playoffs.

I tutor at-risk first graders at the Ada Jenkins center once a week and I’m taking lots of politics classes to work towards my political science major.”

AUSTIN EDWARDS is at N.C. State and keeping very busy with his engineering major. He is exploring the various concentrations of engineering before making a concrete path.

BRADLEY EHILEGBU says: “So far college has been fun and I feel like Ravenscroft prepared me very well.

It’s pretty important to manage your time well and I feel like that will be the key for me to continue to do at Randolph.”

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notes ANDREW FRANZ, who attends Washington & Lee

CHARLIE HIRSCH writes: “N.C. State offers so much

University, writes: “I really like the campus in the mountains. It has been a great fit. Basketball has been lots of fun and I have great teammates.”

for incoming freshman. I have not been able to take advantage of everything, but I have enjoyed playing intramural sports with the guys on my hall, tailgating as N.C. State upset FSU, exploring my engineering major, making new friends in my classes, and learning to live on my own. My first semester has been great as I have made so many new friends learned so much, but also have kept up with my past and kept close contact with past friends. I look forward to getting more in-depth with my major, as well branching out further and making more friends.”

SARAH FRITSCH says: “I love UNC, I pledged Kappa Delta (we do community service within the sorority), joined a campus ministry called Cornerstone, and I am starting intramural sports!”

COLE GONET ’09 and NICK RITCHER ’11 both play football for the University of Richmond.

CONOR FRY writes: “I’m enjoying football and being on a team with great teammates and coaches. I love the people at Chapel Hill and the fact that I’m close to home but not too close.”

GRACE FUSCOE says: “I’m playing club soccer at Vanderbilt and I do a lot with RUF (Reforming University Fellowship) classes are hard but my major HOD (human and organizational development) is my favorite by far. Downtown Nashville is really fun and there are always concerts!”

COREY GARRITY writes: “Being at Concordia I am loving the spiritual life. Growing in my faith is definitely my highlight. I am also loving the small campus feel. The sense of community here is reassuring and comforting. I am also involved in Bible studies, intramural Frisbee/basketball, and also CYM, which is Concordia Youth Ministry.

There are about six CYM groups, and we all go to churches and host lock-ins for the youth. Concordia University at Chicago is such a great fit for me.

I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else!”

LAUREN GRADY says: “UNC has been great! I love it here! I’m a member of Alpha Chi Omega sorority.”

She is a potential Journalism and Mass Communication major with a minor in Music.

CATHERINE GREEN writes: “Since graduation I have joined the Iota Rho chapter of Zeta Tau Alpha at East Carolina and been involved in raising funds for breast cancer awareness and education. I have been playing intramural flag football with my sorority and joined the Student Pirate Club!”

HAYDEN GRIDLEY says: “I’m really enjoying Carolina

MIKE HUTTER is involved with the Carolina Sports Business Club and also the club basketball team.

He says: “I’ve really enjoyed it so far whether it’s meeting new people every day or being able to make my own decisions about everything. I used to be a devoted Duke fan, but I’ve slowly been switched over to rooting for the Tar Heels.”

MICHAEL RYAN attends Arizona State University and has started volunteering at the Humane Society.

CONNER TUNG has DJ’d for a 1,000+ person party at Miami University, Oxford, Ohio, and is pledging Alpha Kappa Psi. NICK WARING is walking on for the Georgetown lightweight Crew Team.

MISSY ROBERSON is playing volleyball for the University of Wyoming.

ALLIE GUY, who attends Guilford College, has really

JOSH SILVER is working in Rhode Island Hospital with a program called Health Leads, which works with underprivileged families, who need help getting connected to resources and help in the community.

EMILY HIGH says: “College of Charleston is amazing and fun!”

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MOLLY HULL writes: “In the past couple of months I have been working toward majoring in Art History at Meredith and I intend on obtaining a doctorate. I am participating in many community service opportunities with the girl scouts, food bank and on Meredith’s campus. I loved my teachers that have opened my mind on working with art going on within our community. Meredith has exceeded my expectations as a liberal arts college and has provided me with resources for me to create my own major.”

so far. Classes are interesting but very work-intensive. It hasn’t been too hard adjusting to large lecture classes, I’ve just had to work a little bit harder and be more independent. I’m also playing for the club soccer team. The transition has been really easy and it feels like I’ve been here for years. “ been enjoying tennis. She’s been playing at one and two on varsity and also enjoyed her work-study, which is where she tutors kids at a homeless shelter.

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JOHN HOCKMAN is studying at West Virginia University and is a pledge at TKE.

REID SCALES is pledging Sigma Epsilon at Chapel Hill, and is close to locking up an internship with Poyner Spruill!

PARKER TROUTMAN is currently pledging Pi Kappa Phi fraternity at the University of Alabama.

either volunteering with Catholic Campus Ministries or playing intramural sports.

MATT WYCKOFF attends Lehigh University and

SCOTT GOLDCOTT is playing lacrosse at Mars Hill and

received a Progress Energy Carolinas Merit Award scholarship. The award, worth $1,500 per year, was given based on academic achievement, leadership, potential to succeed, work experience, and school and community activities.

AVI MUNDRA is at East Carolina University, currently pledging Theta Chi, and majoring in biology with intent to become a dentist.

CORINNE MAY is at Duke and is on the club swim team and is also in training for a two-week preorientation trip to the N.C. Mountains for incoming freshmen next year.

PARKER PRESTON is working in the Alabama athletic communications office. This job includes behind scenes work, updating the website, designing media guides, and even work during press conferences!

WILL MUELLER is very involved in pledging Alpha Kappa Psi at UNC-Chapel Hill.

MATT MCDOWELL is enjoying his freshman year at Colgate, Involved in DoRAK club, which stands for Do Random Acts of Kindness, and also playing intramural sports.

NATE MCDOUGALL is pledging Phi Sigma Kappa at The University of South Carolina.

JORDAN JETER is very busy in his first year at Elon

is also a ball boy for the men’s soccer team.

CAROLINE MASON is thoroughly enjoying New York City and the Fashion Institute of Technology.

Along with classes, she works as an assistant to a stylist. This allows her to work with and be credited in some of her favorite magazines such as Elle, V Spain and Rolling Stone.

HANNAH LEAHY is majoring in business and minoring in Spanish, and she is also a part of the Student Wolfpack Club at N.C. State.

FORREST PEED is spending the majority of his time at East Carolina playing intramural sports including racquetball and dodge ball.

JAKE MORIN is currently pledging Kappa Sigma at East Carolina University.

AMANDA LAMPURI is attending East Carolina University and is a member of Kappa Delta Sorority.

Kappa Delta has helped her become involved in philanthropy and intramural sports.

University. When he isn’t in class, he can be found

Former Faculty and Staff Welcomed at Thanksgiving Chapel More than 30 former faculty and staff members returned to Ravenscroft on Nov. 20 for the 150th Anniversary Thanksgiving Chapel. Attending the event were: SARAH ADAMS, BETSY BEALS, JACK & MARILYN BUDROW, VIRGINIA BYRNE, JULIE COX, MARY DASCOMBE, BETSY DAVIS, CAROLYN EVERETT, JANE FITZHUGH, ANDREW GATT, PATSY GOODWIN, CYNTHIA HEMMINGER, MARY SUE HITCH, SUZANNE HUGHES, JERRY DRATZER, LAUREL KREISEL, DANA & DAVID LINDQUIST, MAURIE MORAN, PANSY MORTON, MARGARET MOSS, MARY MOSS, FRANCOIS NEL, PEG NEWSOME, VICKI OEHLING, LESLIE PRESSEL, EVELYN STEVENS, TERRIE SWANN, JULIA TARASOVA,and B.J. WARREN.

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rewind

MORTGAGE BURNING CELEBRATION On December 19, 1984, Ravenscroft President Grover Smith and Chairman of the Board Snow Holding ceremoniously burned the School’s mortgage note, before a delighted audience of parents, students, faculty and Trustees. Although the ceremony was perhaps more symbolic than legal, it was nevertheless a monumental and historical event in school history, marking the School’s freedom from the financial constraints of the past.

Adapted and reprinted from Story of a Southern School, Susan Ehtesham-Zadeh

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PLEASE SAVE THE DATE

Raleigh Convention Center

Saturday, April 20, 2013 6:30 p.m.

Reception, Dinner, and a Dessert Buffet Cocktail Attire $150 per person For more information, visit www.ravenscroft.org/gala

Jennie Hayman, Tal Mangum ’77, Mary Brent Wright Chairs, 150th Anniversary Celebration Jan Floyd, Noel Lichtin, Liza Williams Chairs, 150th Anniversary Celebration Gala

Non-Profit Org US Postage PAID Raleigh, NC Permit No. 9

7409 Falls of Neuse Road Raleigh, NC 27615 Return Service Requested

OUR MISSION

The Ravenscroft community, guided by our legacy of excellence, nurtures individual potential and prepares students to thrive in a complex and interdependent world.

TORI ZILLMANN ’14

This artwork entitled “Nurse’s Hut” (Jones Health Center) was created in Ms. Julie Cardillo’s Art Foundations class. The materials are Prismacolor markers and Micron pen on paper.