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Griffin Strong: An unforgettable year of learning during the COVID-19 pandemic THE DIVERSITY, EQUITY AND INCLUSION STEERING COMMITTEE LOOKS TO THE FUTURE A RECORD YEAR: SDS WELCOMES THE MOST NEW STUDENTS IN 40 YEARS


SK YLYNE R M AGA ZINE

HEAD OF SCHOOL

Rachel S. Deems

Summer 2021

EDITOR

Lee Healy CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Chris Dorrance Emmy Farrell Lee Healy Kevin Wynn DESIGN

Phyllis Kido-Sadagursky Lyons Graphics BOARD OF TRUSTEES 2020–21

Jaime Wall, President Alice Dawson, Vice President Susan Bridges, Treasurer Sarah Hunt-Barron, Secretary Ned Page, Past President Elaine T. Freeman, Trustee Emerita Dick Pennell, Trustee Emeritus Marjorie Boafo Appiah Andrew Babb, Sustaining Vic Bailey III, Sustaining Tricia Barr, Parents’ Community Bear Boyd Sheila Cash, Ex Officio Justin Converse ’92 Rachel Deems, Ex Officio Rick Dent, Jr. ’65, Sustaining Alex Evins ’76, Sustaining William Gray ’00, Alumni Council David Johnson Mimi Killoren, Ex Officio Dr. Chuck Morrow, Jr. ’85 Laura Stille Michel Stone Mark VanGeison Charlotte Verreault, Sustaining Billy Webster, Sustaining Jared Wilson CONTACT US

864-582-7539 Admissions admissions@sdsgriffin.org Alumni alumni@sdsgriffin.org

4 D I V E RS I T Y, E Q U I T Y A N D I N C LUS I O N

The formation of the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Steering Committee laid the groundwork for a greater emphasis on DEI at SDS for years to come.

10 A N U N FO RG E T TA B L E Y E A R D U R I N G C OV I D -19

Unlike many schools across the nation, Spartanburg Day School remained open for a full year of in-person learning during the COVID-19 pandemic. How? New and extraordinary safety measures and the unwavering support of faculty, students and parents.

Make a Gift mimi.killoren@sdsgriffin.org Magazine communications@sdsgriffin.org OUR MISSION

To provide a superior educational experience, in a community of trust, that prepares students for a life well lived.

18 V I S I O N 2 022 E N D OWM E N T C A M PA I G N

Thanks to the commitment of volunteers and generosity of donors, the endowment now tops $33 million.


Departments 2

GRIFFIN DAYS

8 ATHLETICS 16 ARTS 20

I would tell you…

ANNUAL REPORT AND DONORS

27 ALUMNI 31

CL ASS OF 2021

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L AST WORD

IBC REMEMBER WHEN

What a year. The 2020–21 academic year at Spartanburg Day School was one filled with opportunities for growth, challenge and innovation. It was a year when our beloved Griffin community banded together like never before, discovering new ways to connect and show support for our school in the midst of a global pandemic. In the words of our mission statement, we were indeed a “community of trust” and together embodied the phrase “Griffin Strong.” Our faculty rose to the challenges daily, ensuring our students’ unparalleled academic experience was consistent and not lessened. Day after day, our students demonstrated adaptability, determination and grace. Thanks again to our parents for their incredible patience, understanding and encouragement. I am already thinking of ways that we can be together more in the new school year. There is still much uncertainty before us in the year ahead, but all signs point to better days on the horizon. So, before we officially place those learning experiences and memories of 2020–21 away, it’s important that we acknowledge all that we’ve been through together and all that’s been accomplished. You’ll find snapshots of just that on the pages ahead—about navigating a year of learning during COVID19, a record admissions season, an endowment campaign that exemplifies the extraordinary generosity of donors, and an intentional focus on enhancing diversity, equity and inclusion.

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I have always been proud to be a part of this great community, but

R E C O R D E N RO L L M E N T

hold, we’ll come through it together and Griffin Strong-er.

Years of slow but steady growth, combined with an influx of students seeking in-person learning during COVID-19, led to a record year for SDS admissions. Five hundred and one students arrived for the first day of school in 2020— the most in the last 19 years.

perhaps never more than at this moment. Whatever the future may

Rachel S. Deems Head of School


MONTH OF GRATITUDE • NOVEMBER

November marks our Month of Gratitude when we are intentionally thankful for the people, moments and things that make our lives better. One way we celebrate is with our gratitude tree, where students and faculty write what they are thankful for and hang it on the tree.

Griffin Days “WHERE’S THE LOVE?” DODGEBALL GAME • FEB. 10

One of the Middle School’s favorite days of the year is the annual “Where's the Love?” dodgeball game. Students show their Valentine’s Day spirit while participating in friendly competition.

HOMECOMING PARADE • APR. 1

Homecoming this year was shifted from winter to spring to allow for outdoor festivities. Upper School students decorated different floats by grade, then showed off their creativity to the entire school with a parade.

LOWER SCHOOL TALENT SHOW • APR. 14

The Lower School talent show never fails to show off the talent our Griffins possess. Thank you to the Parents‘ Community for their help in organizing this event, along with all of our confident, risk-taking performers who put on quite the show.

PROM • MAY 26

Juniors and seniors posed for photos in their prom finest then danced the night away on Dorrance Plaza.

EXHIBITION • NOV. 13

GRADUATION • MAY 28

Fourth Grade Exhibition is the culmination of the IB Primary Years Program, where students utilize all of the elements of the program to take action and showcase their experiences. Exhibition lays the foundation for future student inquiry and action.

Surrounded by family, friends and faculty, 34 seniors gathered on the Presnell front lawn to receive their diplomas.

I'M A GRIFFIN DAY • OCT. 14 FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL • AUG. 20

Reunited and it feels so good! After spending the previous spring in distance learning, it was so nice to finally be back together and in-person for the first day of school.

HALLOWEEN • OCT. 30

Our Griffins never fail to impress when it comes to creativity and enthusiasm! While we weren’t able to hold the traditional Halloween parade and trunkor-treat, Upper School still found a way to deliver candy to the Lower and Middle School students in the most creative way—a candy chute!

This year's “I'm a Griffin Day” looked a little different than in the past, but we still came together to celebrate our Spartanburg Day School community. From relay games to pumpkin decorating to kickball, students and faculty alike were full of Griffin spirit.


100TH DAY OF SCHOOL • FEB. 5

8TH GRADE TECHFREE DAY • MAY 11 FOURTH GRADE TED TALKS • MAY 13

One hundred days of learning! Lower School students dressed the part and participated in numerous 100-themed activities throughout the day.

PRESNELL PORCH SERIES

Upper School students took advantage of outside spaces for lunch. On several Fridays, students also enjoyed musical lunchtime performances dubbed the “Presnell Porch Series,” featuring talented Griffin musicians.

The fourth grade year at SDS is designed to encourage students to express individual passions and interests. One such opportunity: the muchanticipated Fourth Grade Ted Talks. Students choose a passion, identify a main idea and write their speech as a way to spark the interest of others. This year, students wrote on a variety of topics such as anxiety, faith, animation, pollution and more.

YOUTH IN GOVERNMENT • APR. 14–17

Tech-Free Day has become an annual tradition for our eighth graders. All cell phones and laptops are turned in before class begins. After school, students enjoy a tech-free afternoon with fun games and activities.

READERS PARADE • SEPT. 30

Kindergarten students proudly marched around campus for the annual “We Are Readers Parade” as faculty and students cheered them on.

We’re grateful for the opportunities our students have through Youth in Government each year! Upper School students wrote mock bills to present to a mock trial. They went to Columbia and presented their bills to (hopefully) be passed by the youth governor, participated in elections, experienced real-life courthouse scenarios, and some students even sat as members of a mock legislature!

TURKEY TROT • NOV. 20

FIELD DAY • MAY 13 & 14

The annual turkey trot is one of Spartanburg Day School’s most beloved traditions. These little 4K turkeys trotted around campus to spread their joy and excitement for Thanksgiving.

Students enjoyed building community and working together while participating in all the traditional field day events this year, including sack races, an egg toss, relays and more!

LAST DAY OF SCHOOL • MAY 20

We made it! This year was a memorable one to say the least; despite the challenges, we came together as a community, as always, because we are Griffin Strong. To celebrate the year, students were treated to cookies, snow cones and chicken biscuits to honor their patience, hard work and determination.

FLAG THE LAWN • NOV. 11

“Flag the Lawn” is a schoolwide service project initiated by our boys‘ service organization, Interact Club. Club members sell flags for students to stake in front of the school each Veterans Day. Proceeds benefit Upstate Warrior Solution, an organiza­ tion serving veterans and their families in South Carolina.


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“To accept, educate and empower” DEI Steering Committee plans for the future By Kevin Wynn Middle School English Teacher, DEI Steering Committee Member

A COMMITTEE OF NINETEEN TRUSTEES, FACULTY, STUDENTS AND ALUMNI WAS FORMED TO BEGIN AN INTENTIONAL FOCUS ON DEI STUDY, PROGRAMMING AND EDUCATION.

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s part of Spartanburg Day School’s ongoing strategic plan, and in an effort to strengthen the school’s culture and community for students, parents and faculty, a DEI (Diversity, Equity and Inclusion) steering committee was created during the 2020–21 school year.

The need for an intentional focus on DEI at the Day School became even clearer in the summer of 2020 following terrible acts of racism and violence across the nation, most notably the deaths of Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, George Floyd and others.

“It also weighs heavy on me the painful and frightening conversations happening in the homes of our black students, faculty, alumni and families,” Head of School Rachel Deems wrote in a letter to families in June 2020. “Within our mission statement is the phrase ‘community of trust.’ Those three words are more important today than ever before, and as Griffins, we must be united in our stand against hate, racism and violence. This begins by listening to each other, learning from each other and supporting each other.” Board members Marjorie Appiah and Michel Stone were selected to co-chair the DEI steering

committee, which was tasked with identifying areas of focus and impacting change. The committee roster represents all academic divisions, administration, athletics, alumni and the board of trustees. Students of color were chosen from the Middle and Upper Schools to be a part of the committee as well. “I am invested in improving diversity, equity and inclusion because I believe in representation, fairness and respect,” Appiah said. “True diversity is to ‘see’, listen and accept.” Stone added, “I believe that one’s humanity is inextricably bound to everyone else’s humanity


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and that our DEI work will broaden lenses and spark empathy that can change the world.” To date, the committee has accomplished several goals, including approving a mission statement (to accept, educate and empower a diverse community) and vision (to be a community where everyone is embraced). From there, a webpage was created, and in the fall of 2021, a sub-committee will oversee a DEI survey that will be distributed to alumni, parents, students and faculty members. The information and findings from these will help determine future plans and strategies. Affinity groups continued to meet with the goal of addressing racial and gender issues, as well as providing a platform for parents and students to share opinions, address concerns, and receive support from advisors and fellow group members. In the Lower and Middle Schools, the Latinx Parents Group is advised by Lower School Spanish Teacher Aixa Anderson. The United Students of Color, advised by Middle School English Teacher Kevin Wynn, is geared for Middle School students in the seventh and eighth grades. In the Upper School, the Gender and Sexuality Alliance is advised by Upper School Teachers Amanda McGrath and David Roark. In order to make DEI attainable and applicable, professional development is important. In December of 2020, faculty and student representatives attended the People of Color Conference. For five days, attendees took part in virtual talks and workshops that centered on issues concerning diversity, equity and inclusion. There are plans to not only continue attending

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this conference, but also to take part in other workshops and training opportunities. Sophomore Caleb Xiao was one of 15 Upper School students to participate in the 2021 Virtual Low Country Student Diversity Conference in January.

crucial social skill in civil discourse. Being self-aware and realizing that we as humans are more similar than different will be two things to keep in mind in all of my future conversations in order to help build each other up rather than tear each other down.”

“One speaker that resonated with me discussed civil discourse, which is the mutual airing of views with the purpose of building perspective rather than changing another’s opinion,” said Xiao, who serves as a student representative on the DEI Steering Committee. “I felt that this skill was ever so important now in such a politically divided country. The first step to civil discourse was to know yourself, your tics, and your core values; realize that you have the capacity to love, to hate, to develop biases, to ignore and to learn. He also mentioned unconditional acceptance as a

The committee has a list of short-term and long-term goals for DEI. These goals include sensitivity training for the faculty and students, establishing a curriculum that authentically reflects the diversity of races and orientations, and creating a community that actively embraces and supports a diverse population. For updates on the progress of DEI, visit spartanburgdayschool.org/about/diversityequity-inclusion.


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REFLECTING ON A RECORD YEAR

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nrollment at Spartanburg Day School reached record levels in 2020–21, due in part to a steady climb from years of intentional admissions and retention efforts but also a sudden influx of families seeking quality, in-person education amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Now, with enrollment at its highest in nearly two decades, all sights are set on purposeful and long-term enrollment strategies— strategies that meet the needs of both families and the school.

Enrollment tops 500 while welcoming the largest group of new students in 40 years

Five hundred and one students arrived for the first day of school in 2020—the most in the last 19 years. Of those, 159 were new to the school, representing the largest class of new students in 40 years. “There was a great deal of excitement this year to welcome so many new students,” said Head of School Rachel Deems. “Crossing the threshold of 500 students is something we have collectively worked toward for quite some time.” Following a total rebrand in 2016 that included a new mission statement, clearer messaging and a complete website overhaul, general interest in the school was up. “After the rebrand, we really concentrated on building brand awareness,” said Bethany Cobb, director of admission and marketing. “More families were aware of the Day School. Not only did they know about the school, but there was a better understanding of who we are and our point of difference.” As of June, retention for 2021–22 was strong with 91percent of students set to return.

Simultaneously, the school was learning more about why families were enrolling— and staying. Several years of survey data shows that a quality academic program is the top reason families choose Spartanburg Day School. Second and third on the


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list—individual attention through small class sizes and the community that comes with an independent school experience. Additionally, more emphasis was put on “word of mouth,” which empowers faculty and parents to help deliver the SDS message. In 2020, 21 percent of new student enrollments were directly attributed to the work of parent ambassadors and board of trustees members. With positive momentum in interest and enrollment trending upward, school leaders were once again predicting and planning for a higher number of students in 2020–21. Then COVID-19 hit. In March, SDS joined schools across the nation in shifting to distance learning. What 2020–21 would hold was uncertain, and admissions activity reflected that. March and April—traditionally busy months in admissions—were quiet. “We took a major hit in activity during the months of March, April and May,” Cobb recalled. “With families unable to come to campus, we used that time to reexamine how to offer the admissions experience to prospective families. On a dime, we produced virtual tours of the school, organized virtual open house events and found ways to meet with families via Zoom. Admissions never stops, even during a global pandemic.” As SDS announced plans to open its doors for in-person learning in August, the emails and phone calls began pouring in. The summer of 2020 was one of the busiest in school history with more than one half of all new admis­sions for the year being processed in a three-month period.

“We all looked for ways to build community at every possible opportunity.”

Seventy-five applications were processed in the month of July alone—the highest in one month ever. Of the 159 new students in 2020–21, 44 enrolled in August. “Our mission is to provide a superior educational experience,” Deems said. “Despite the challenges the year presented, our faculty went above and beyond to ensure the quality of our academic programs was not diminished. We all looked for ways to build community at every possible opportunity—from Zoom coffees to a distanced candy chute at Halloween. We wanted every student, parent and faculty member to feel engaged as a part of our Griffin family.”

thinking skills are getting deeper and richer. I think it is changing him as a student and a person who looks at the world with a curious and questioning eye.” Now, with some grades full with wait pools, the admissions team and school leaders will focus on strategic growth, especially in the Middle and Upper Schools. Growth continues to concentrate in Preschool and Lower School, which is at its highest enrollment in seven years. “Families are choosing SDS early, and though we’re always striving to improve, retention is strong,” Cobb said. “This is a unique time in our history, and we’re still working to determine its impact on our future. The good news is that despite recent challenges and the uncertainty of COVID-19, enrollment looks good, and families are seeing the value of a Day School experience.”

As of June, 89 percent of first year students and 91 percent of all students were set to return in 2021–22. According to the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS), the average student retention rate is 88 percent. “We have been impressed with the Day School and have seen a very positive change in our son since enrolling,” said one first year parent. “His relationship with his teachers is invaluable. They care and are willing to work with him on a one-on-one basis to make sure he understands the material. His critical

“Our faculty went above and beyond to ensure the quality of our academic programs were not diminished.”

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Athletics

Coaching the Champions A Q&A with Coach Gaines-Phillips & Coach Allsbrook

Griffin Athletics shaped four state championship teams in 2020–21 as the varsity girls’ and boys’ tennis teams and the varsity girls’ and boys’ swim teams claimed SCISA 2A state championships. We chatted with winning coaches Ashli Gaines-Phillips (swimming) and Bob Allsbrook (tennis) about leading these groups to victory.

What is the best thing about coaching? Ashli Gaines-Phillips: Teaching kids the importance of goal setting and watching their self-confidence grow as they work to achieve the goals they set. Bob Allsbrook: The best thing about being a coach is the ability to help my athletes cope with the pressures of competition, and use the results to not only better themselves on the courts, but off.

What’s your guiding philosophy when it comes to athletics? Something you aim to pass on to your student-athletes. AGP: Whether we win or lose, we can learn something and grow from every race we participate in, and oftentimes the best lessons are learned through our losses. BA: The one thing I want all of my student-athletes to understand is if you always do your very best on and off the court, you will never let anyone down, most importantly yourself.

What stood out to you about this season of competition? What will you remember? AGP: The kids remained focused and dedicated throughout the season regardless of the many obstacles we faced due to COVID. They had their eye on the state title and were determined to do whatever was needed to be fully prepared as we went into the state meet. This year’s state title for both boys and girls felt better than any wins in previous years because of how hard we had to fight to get there. BA: With a worldwide pandemic all over the headlines, my teams needed something to take their minds off of the doom and gloom of what they were hearing. Both teams performed exceptionally well throughout each of their seasons, even with all of the background noise.

In your opinion, what makes Griffin Athletics special? AGP: The support and encouragement that these kids and their families offer to one another is like none other. Being a part of Griffin Athletics is like having an extended family to lean on and stand behind you through the good times and the bad. BA: Students at SDS are given the opportunity to play each of three seasons, on three different teams, throughout the entire year. In most schools students are able to play one sport during one season, but only if they are good enough to make the cut. The Day School realizes the importance of competition not only in each individual, but the impact it has on them for the rest of their life. Working together as a team is not only important on the courts and fields, but in business and life in general. SDS students are exceptionally well rounded due to this exposure and opportunity.


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Oct. 17: The varsity girls’ tennis team left everything out on the court, ending another fantastic season with a championship trophy to put on the shelf.

STATE CHAMPIONS! Apr. 30: The varsity boys’ tennis team held onto their title of reigning SCISA 2A state champions!

Oct. 17: The varsity girls’ and boys’ swim teams claimed another state championship victory! The girls’ team placed first, and the boys tied for the top spot with Oakbrook Preparatory School.

Ring Ceremonies, Jan. 20: A celebration was in order for our 2020 state champions! The varsity girls’ tennis team and the varsity boys’ and girls’ swim teams were presented with their championship rings during a break in the basketball games, followed by a reception in the Crowley Concourse.

Top: Varsity girls’ tennis team Center: Varsity boys’ swim team Bottom: Varsity girls’ swim team

Pandemic Athletics: Despite new and challenging COVID-19 restrictions, all of our Griffin athletic teams were able to participate this year. Thank you to our athletic department, coaches, players, families and fans for making this year of competition and camaraderie possible!

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days the SDS campus was closed due to COVID-19

of parents were satisfied with their child’s safety while at SDS.

thermometers purchased

of disposable face masks distributed

faculty or student isolations

faculty or student quarantines

carpool screeners working every day


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“Together, we are Griffin Strong.” That phrase was written and spoken many times throughout 2020–21 to emphasize the collective resilience and purpose of a school community during a global pandemic. The year was filled with research and study, adaptation and change. Many—many—modifications were made in the name of health and safety, and while this may be a year we’re ready to put behind us, it’s not one we’ll soon forget. So with an eye to the future, recorded here are the most noteworthy undertakings of an extraordinary school year.

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From wearing face coverings to practicing physical distancing to spending more time outdoors, all within the SDS community worked together to put health and safety first.


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Face coverings When school opened in August, face coverings—masks— became the newest accessory for every student and faculty member. We tried to make them more enjoyable, offering red, blue and white Griffin masks for all who wanted one, and even crafting one for Spartacus the mascot to wear for the year. Cloth, disposable, colorful or plain, face coverings would be a yearlong dress code fixture as one of the primary means of reducing the spread of COVID-19. Perhaps the most visible indicator of the global pandemic in day-to-day campus life, face coverings became the new normal. They allowed faculty and students to carry on in as normal a way as possible during COVID-19 by reducing the spread of potentially contagious respiratory droplets. Face coverings helped to prevent individuals from both infecting others and catching sickness, explained School Nurse Brelan Montgomery. “They absolutely did what they were supposed to do,” Montgomery said. “The large majority of people who were quarantined based on an exposure at school, because they were wearing their masks, did not catch this virus.” Students and faculty learned to “smile with their eyes” and throw a quick wave in lieu of a smile to say “hello.” “Mask breaks” were woven into the fabric of the school day to give students and faculty safe opportunities—while outdoors and physically distanced—to remove their face coverings. Teachers like Avery Beeson learned to connect and communicate with students despite face coverings literally masking student expressions. “I’ve always been

told that my facial expressions do not mask my emotions,” said Beeson, who teaches third grade. “That said, my third graders and I learned to use our eyes, voice modulation and body language to communicate effectively.”

Wellness screenings and a new focus on health “Good morning! Can I see your app?” Those were often the first words parents and students heard each morning on the Spartanburg Day School campus. Screening stations at each of the four drop-off locations were structured to keep individuals who were sick or had been exposed to illness from entering buildings. The practice also emphasized a collective commitment to the health and safety of the SDS campus and everyone on it each day. Prior to arrival, families answered essential health questions about COVID-19 symptoms and exposure via the SchoolPass app. Mid-year, onsite temperature screenings changed to at-home checks—a modification that 1) recognized a developing awareness of the breadth of COVID-19 symptoms and 2) emphasized that the responsibility for the wellness of everyone on the SDS campus starts at home. An article posted by SchoolPass on lessons from the back-to-school season states that, “Wellness checks have proven to be the most effective and viable screening method available to schools during their reopening.

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This is because potential COVID-19 cases can be identified before students arrive on campus while significantly reducing the operational burden on the school.” All year, families were asked to keep sick children and their siblings home. COVID-19 aside, a secondary result of this requirement was decreased sickness across the board. Montgomery reported only one known case of the flu in 2020–21. “The culture of health awareness shifted dramatically this year,” Montgomery said. “With families monitoring symptoms and using our wellness screening tools daily, students and faculty were not coming to school if they were unwell. No longer were people coming to campus with a sore throat, runny nose or cough. And the internal support students and faculty received when staying home was inspiring. Looking back, I am amazed at the responsibility everyone took to protect our school, which in turn helped us remain in-person. It is my hope that the culture of health awareness will continue long past the pandemic.”

Spaces reimagined When the school year began, top health agencies like the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advised at least six feet of physical distance between individuals to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. Fresh, clean air was also emphasized as a deterrent. That advice led to reimagining the function of every classroom, every hallway and every space on campus. Outdoor learning—and time outdoors, in general—became a priority. Indoors, distancing signs were installed throughout campus. Classroom capacities across all divisions were carefully examined. Grouped desks were separated and organized neatly into spaced rows. The Upper School’s Harkness Tables— large oval tables meant to facilitate discussion and collaboration—were moved to storage and replaced with individual desks and chairs. A wall was knocked down to make more room in a kindergarten classroom.

Face coverings were required of all students and faculty for the duration of the 2020–21 school year. Even Spartacus the Griffin wore his face mask to campus!


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In Lower School, students enjoyed a new outdoor class­­room, designed and constructed by Lower School Teacher Trey Roehl. Tables were made from donated cable spools, and Roehl used a fallen pine tree for stools. “As a teacher I have always enjoyed taking my class outside to learn in nature’s classroom,” Roehl said. “With all the uncertainty about what the last school year would bring, I was happy to be able to work with administration and our amazing maintenance staff to create an outdoor learning environment for the older Lower Schoolers… It was great this year to see students and teachers enjoying and utilizing the space, and I look forward to seeing it continue to be used in the future.” Middle School students used folding stools on frequent trips outside. Upper School invested in new outdoor tables and chairs for the Taylor Courtyard. Large outdoor tents made time in the fresh air more possible. Upper School Environmental Science Teacher Bonnie Webster said she hopes the increased time outdoors is here to stay. “As it turns out, parents around the world are right—being outdoors is actually good for us!” Webster said. “Science tells us that being outdoors improves our focus, provides us with a critical source of Vitamin D, and can help us manage stress. As we shift back to normal, I hope we hold onto this new habit that has the potential to improve our physical and mental health each day.”

Learning flexibility At the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, students and teachers spent March through May of 2020 at home and finished the school year via distance learning. As the summer progressed, planning efforts shifted to returning in August, five days a week and in person. Campus was accessible to students and faculty only, and most events were canceled or modified. All efforts and decisions were focused on keeping students and faculty safe and the campus open for learning. Video conferencing became the norm. Students and faculty used Zoom to conference into classrooms and participate from home. Parent-teacher conferences were held via Zoom, as were most meetings. The Modified Distance Learning (MDL) program utilized technology to extend the reach of the classroom beyond the physical space on campus, providing flexible, effective access to students at home.

In the fall of 2020, 27 students in third through 12th grades—including three Chinese Upper School students— opted to complete at least the first semester in distance learning at home. Two-thirds of those students chose to return to in-person learning mid-way through the year. MDL was also offered to students and faculty not able to be on campus due to a COVID-19-related absence. Over the course of the year, students received the benefits of MDL 387 times—some participated more than once. “Teachers were amazing at making sure the students studying off campus felt like a part of the school community,” said Trish Cobourn, who coordinated the MDL program. “They included them in every way possible, from making them part of group projects to including them in class discussion. They demonstrated flexibility as students appeared online with little notice, welcoming them and valuing their online presence. This year was difficult for teachers and students alike, but everyone handled it with grace.”

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Arts

The art of building community Lower School artists collaborate on two inspiring pieces By Emmy Farrell Lower School art teacher

All Lower School students, from pre­school to fourth grade, contributed to two large art installations in the winter and spring.


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Hawk Hurst, April: It’s always a treat to have visiting artist Hawk Hurst on campus. Hawk spent several spring days on campus working with sixth and eighth graders to create authentic, Native American–style flutes and drums from start to finish. This instrument-making tradition is music to our ears and has become a much-anticipated rite of passage for our Middle Schoolers.

Community is a prominent characteristic to the overall culture of Spartanburg Day School, and the art department is no exception. This year, while navigating the challenges of COVID-19, what community looks like changed and evolved, but we have been creative, especially in the art room. Community through art was represented this year through two collaborative works showcasing the talents of our preschool to fourth grade students in a big way. I have always enjoyed collaborative art work because it can make a simple drawing into a profound work. I love the community within this school. My first few years here I loved seeing Upper Schoolers interact with Middle Schoolers on sports teams and just how accepting they were. I loved seeing how excited and in awe Lower School students were to be in the presence of Middle and Upper students. How caring every student was at all school events or simply walking down the hallways. It is something that I have missed seeing, but I know it will be something I will see again.

You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown!, April 27–29: The Peanuts Gang, aka 10 Upper School theatre students and three faculty members, performed You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown on three captivating evenings. The feel-good and funny show was all about the joys of childhood and life.

Nancy Corbin Permanent Art Collection inductees: Since the 1980s, Spartanburg Day School’s permanent art collection has served as an always-growing, always-evolving testament to the talent and rich creativity of the visual arts program. The collection grows every year as new pieces are added and displayed throughout the school. This year, the pieces shown here were added.

For this year at least, Lower School students worked together to create two large artworks, separately but collectively. In the spring, preschool students learned how to make painted paper that kindergarten, first and second grade students used to make houses, flowers and butterflies. Third grade students painted the large butcher paper in the background and fourth grade students created paper people and drawings of animals. As a teacher, I present one or two ways to create a piece of art and then leave it up to the students to make it their own. My original plans usually don’t include an air filtration machine on the top of a snowy house or a nearly life-size person, or a squirrel in a Metallica T-shirt, but I believe it is my job to say “yes” to each child’s take on the collaboration… within reason, of course. The pieces come together with an electric staple gun (my newfound best friend as an art teacher) and lots of glue. The scenes are a compilation of skills, abilities and creativity of individual students but together they are amazing works of art. Community through art speaks to the idea that we all play a part in this world, but there are times when our work shines brighter when paired with others. These works represent the true character of our community— working together and finding joy even in the most difficult of circumstances.

17

Top: “Second Baptism” by Lara Mallen (11th grade) Right: “Desert Sunset” by GianniRostan Johnson (4th grade) Below: “Face Jug” by Braeden Ledford (8th grade)


18

S K Y LY N E R M AGA Z I N E

Vision 2022

Endowment

SECURING THE GRIFFIN LEGACY THROUGH ENDOWED GIVING

Spartanburg Day School’s most recent strategic plan prioritized financial sustainability as one of four areas for intentional focus. And while several worthy fiscal strategies were set as goals, increasing the school’s endowment quickly rose to the top of the list as a foundation for long-term success. What is an endowment exactly? In short, it’s a permanent fund to enhance educational programming, attract and retain talented teachers, and ensure that current and future Griffins continue to have an unparalleled educational experience. Gifts to the endowment are held in perpetuity with an investment com­mittee providing oversight for good stewardship of all endowment funds. A percentage of the endowment's total market value is made available each year to support the school. The Day School’s endowment was established in 2004, with a value of $2.2 million. The endowment has grown steadily over time but never with the intensity from the recent Vision 2022 campaign—a result of the strategic plan and something that will benefit the students now and for generations to come. Vision 2022 has secured more than $12 million in donations to the endowment—surpassing the campaign’s original $10 million goal. Campaign leadership launched a quiet phase in February 2020, paused during the height of the pandemic, then resumed with a renewed focus in September 2020. In May 2021, all Day

School constituents were updated on progress and asked to participate. As of the close of the fiscal year on June 30, the endowment totaled $33.5 million. SDS parents Bear Boyd and Belle Montgomery served as co-chairs of Vision 2022. Boyd said that while they were confident in achieving the goal, the committee never imagined they would reach it so quickly, especially while navigating the uncertainty of the COVID-19 pandemic. “We knew we had an aggressive goal but we felt it was the right goal and would be crucial to ensuring the long-term success of the school,” Boyd said. “The success of this cam­paign is 100 percent attributable to the hard work of the Endowment Committee and the generosity of the Spartanburg Day School community. We have received support from alumni, current parents, past parents, faculty, grandparents, friends of the school, board members… people have stepped up and helped us. It has truly been an honor to be involved with this campaign and be a part of the committee.” While the majority of endowment funds are unrestricted, some restricted gifts benefit specific programs or initiatives. The Mildred Harrison Dent Arts Endowment, benefiting arts programing at SDS, is one example. Another is the many named merit scholarships awarded to high-achieving students like Hope Moreno, the 2021 valedictorian and recipient of the Bristow Endowed Scholarship.

“As a student at Spartanburg Day School I have gained more than just an excellent education; I have gained a community that has become like a family to me. People in this community have gone out of their way to help me achieve my goals and be successful in high school and I will always be grateful for that,” said Moreno, who will enroll at Wofford College in the fall. “I will remember most the kindness of my classmates, teachers and other members of the SDS community, which made me feel embraced and accepted. This community has had a great impact on me and has helped prepare me for my future. I hope that one day I can maybe give someone the same opportunity that has been given to me as a recipient of a scholarship.” Gifts to the endowment provide stability to the school because they are gifts for a lifetime. Endowment earnings, along with tuition revenue and annual fund gifts, are essential to school operations. A strong endowment keeps tuition affordable for families and reduces reliance on less predictable revenues. “Quite simply, Vision 2022 is one of the most important campaigns in the school’s history,” said Head of School Rachel Deems. “All donors want to know their gift will make a difference in the lives of students. Gifts to this campaign will make a difference today, tomorrow and for future generations of Griffins who will benefit from extraordinary teachers and outstanding programs.”


S U M M E R 2 0 21

19

Vision 2022 Donors $1,000,000+ DONORS Carter & Geordy Johnson Susu & George Johnson Ann Cobb & Stewart H. Johnson Rose M. Johnston Stacy & Jack McBride Betty & Walter Montgomery Susanna Johnson Shannon & Timothy Shannon Michel & Eliot Stone George E. Stone † Jaime & Benjamin Wall

VISION 2022 DONORS The Alfred Moore Foundation Dr. Kofi Appiah & Dr. Marjorie Boafo-Appiah Mr. & Mrs. Andrew Babb Mr. & Mrs. Justin Bailey Mr. & Mrs. Vic Bailey III Mr. & Mrs. Andrew W. Barnes Mr. Brad Barron & Dr. Sarah Hunt-Barron Betty & James K. Stone Foundation

Mr. & Mrs. Pascal S. Boyd III Mr. & Mrs. Lawrence Caudle Mr. & Mrs. Justin A. Converse Mr. & Mrs. Paul Coté Mr. & Mrs. Chris Crowley Dr. & Mrs. Ty Dawson Rachel & Ken Deems Mrs. Phyllis DeLapp Mrs. Alice Eberhardt Mr. T. Alexander Evins Mr. & Mrs. Christopher Falatok Mr. & Mrs. Charles D. Fogarty Ms. Elaine T. Freeman The Freeman Family Mr. & Mrs. Benjamin Graves Ann B. Johnson Mr. & Mrs. David Johnson Carter & Geordy Johnson Susu & George Johnson Ann Cobb & Stewart H. Johnson Rose M. Johnston Mr. & Mrs. Michael Judice Mr. & Mrs. Tom Killoren, Jr. Loblolly Group, LLC Stacy & Jack McBride

Mr. & Mrs. Marion L. McMillan, Jr. Mr. & Mrs. Benji Miller Mr. & Mrs. John Montgomery Betty & Walter Montgomery Mr. Kenny Moore & Ms. Susan A. Bridges Morgan Corp. Dr. & Mrs. Daniel Norris Mr. & Mrs. Corry Oakes Mr. & Mrs. Rick Pennell, Jr. Mr. & Mrs. Gary Pope The Rose & Walter Montgomery Foundation Susanna Johnson Shannon & Timothy Shannon Mr. & Mrs. Brand Stille Michel & Eliot Stone George E. Stone † Mr. & Mrs. Dudley Strange Mr. & Mrs. James F. Thompson Mr. & Mrs. Mark VanGeison Jaime & Benjamin Wall Mr. Billy Webster Mr. & Mrs. Jared Wilson

Deceased

Endowment Total: $33.5 Million as of June 30 $35M

CAMPAIGN STEERING COMMITTEE

$30M

Elaine T. Freeman, Honorary Chair Bear Boyd, Co-chair Belle Montgomery, Co-chair Alice Dawson, Development Chair Rachel Deems, Head of School Mimi Killoren, Director of Giving Jaime Wall, President, Board of Trustees

$25M

$20M

$15M

$10M

$5M

’04 ’05 ’06 ’07 ’08 ’09 ’10 ’11 ’12 ’13 ’14 ’15 ’16 ’17 ’18 ’19 ’20 ’21


20

S K Y LY N E R M AGA Z I N E

2020—2021

Annual Report

ENDOWMENTS General Endowment

975,192

2020 Gala Donations

2,800

2020–21 Library Books

1,410

Trowbridge Endowment

181,089

Merrie and Gary Clark Faculty Training Endowment

9% Miscellaneous

$584,267

903,300

Vicky Strange Faculty Endowment

16% Gifts

2020 Annual Fund

Mildred Harrison Dent Endowment for the Arts

Mildred H. Dent Endowed Faculty Chair

75% Net Tuition Revenue

$2,822,498

Larrabee Endowment

Talbot Halbach-Merz Endowment

REVENUE:

GIFTS

Roger Milliken Visiting Fellows Endowment Harkness Table Endowed Speaker Series

2021 Annual Fund 94,370 1,476,643 90,326 997,108

43,216

2021 Gala Donations

2,150

Alumni Memorial Scholarship

625

Athletics

12,600

Bristow Endowed Scholarship

1,000

Graduate Care Packages

25

78,435

Clark Endowment

100

38,071

COVID-19 Fund

100

Griffin Legacy I

2,612,574

Deborah Black Fund

Griffin Legacy II

8,081,276

Delta Yearbook

Vision 2020

9,850,717

Diversity Fund

2,702 9,378

General 5% Endowment

88,782

Dorrance Garden Endowment

Dorrance Garden Endowment

36,340

Dorrance Professional Development

Total Endowment

$28,326,721

50 600

25,000

Flag the Lawn

1,000

Food Pantry

100

Elaine T. Freeman Scholarship

15,000

Krauss Baschab Family Foundation ENDOWED SCHOLARSHIPS

EXPENSES:

Spartanburg Day School Scholarship

Library $1,693,023

77% Salaries and Benefits

Alumni Memorial Endowed Scholarship

33,210

8% Institutional Support

Mike R. Johnson Scholarship

281,231

6% Instructional Support

Roger Milliken Scholarship

156,796

Ben Stone Scholarship

121,577

Elaine T. Freeman Scholarship

157,219

5%

Physical Plant

4% Activities

12,913

Christopher A. Dorrance Scholarship

49,666

Mildred H. Dent Endowed Scholarship

5,432

156,455

Alli Hoy Scholarship

110,971

Total Endowed Scholarships

48,593 $4,278,006

UNRESTRICTED Board Designated Endowment TOTAL ENDOWMENT ASSETS

Matt Mosley Scholarship

1,500

Parents’ Community

913 30,251

Restricted Special Projects Seth M. Milliken Foundation

3,000 250,000

Thanks 2020

2,950

Vision 2022 Endowment

6,059,059

Vision 2020 Endowment

275,000

2020–21 Total Gifts

$7,326,096

1,450,920

Bristow Endowed Scholarship

Matt Mosley Scholarship

300

Restricted Scholarships

Jo Woodyard Scholarship

Gantt Scholarship

1,000

$614,017 $33,218,744

ANNUAL FUND GIVING HISTORY 2016

$502,092

2017

569,308

2018

525,958

2019

564,117

2020

584,267

5-Year Total

$2,745,742


S U M M E R 2 0 21

21

2020 Annual Fund Donors

TRUSTEE’S CIRCLE ($50,000+) The Trustee’s Circle was established to honor friends whose lifetime contributions to the Annual Fund surpass $50,000. The Alfred Moore Foundation Arcadia Foundation Arkwright Foundation Atchison Transportation Service Mr. & Mrs. Andrew Babb Mr. & Mrs. Vic Bailey III Betty & James K. Stone Foundation Mr. & Mrs. William Blackford Mrs. Margaret Bridges Mr. & Mrs. Chris Cannon Compass Group USA, Inc. Mr. & Mrs. Justin A. Converse Mr. & Mrs. Chris Crowley Mr. & Mrs. Brendan Church Mr. Frederick Dent, Sr. † Mr. & Mrs. Frederick Dent, Jr. Mr. & Mrs. Chris Dorrance Mr. T. Alexander Evins Fidelity Charitable Gift Fund Mrs. Elizabeth Floyd † Mrs. David A. Fort † Mr. & Mrs. David Johnson Ann Cobb & Stewart H. Johnson Mr. & Mrs. Paul Lehner Leigh Fibers, Inc. Stacy & Jack McBride Milliken & Company Mr. Roger Milliken † Mr. Kenny Moore & Ms. Susan A. Bridges Morgan Corp. Old South Trading Co. Mr. & Mrs. J. Patrick O’Shaughnessy Romill Foundation The Rose & Walter Montgomery Foundation Dr. & Mrs. Anthony A. Sanchez Spartanburg County Foundation Spartanburg Day School Parents’ Community

Deceased

Mr. & Mrs. Warwick Spencer Michel & Eliot Stone George E. Stone † Jaime & Benjamin Wall Mr. Billy Webster IV Ms. Lindsay Webster

HEADMASTER’S CIRCLE ($10,000+) The Headmaster’s Circle highlights individuals whose annual contributions are $10,000 or above. Anonymous The Alfred Moore Foundation Mr. & Mrs. Andrew Babb Betty & James K. Stone Foundation Mr. & Mrs. Chris Cannon Mr. & Mrs. Brendan Church Mr. & Mrs. Justin A. Converse Mr. & Mrs. Chris Dorrance Mr. Michael Fluegge & Mrs. Kimberly Kent Mr. & Mrs. David Johnson Mr. & Mrs. Benji Miller Old South Trading Co. Spartanburg County Foundation Spartanburg Day School Parents’ Community Michel & Eliot Stone Jaime & Benjamin Wall

SKYLYN CIRCLE ($5,000+) Arkwright Foundation Ayco Charitable Foundation Mr. & Mrs. Pascal S. Boyd III Mrs. Margaret Bridges Ms. Kathleen M. Cates Mr. MacFarlane Cates, Jr. † & Mrs. Margi Cates Mr. & Mrs. Chris Crowley Dr. & Mrs. Ty Dawson Mrs. Phyllis DeLapp Ms. Mabel Hospital Mr. & Mrs. Tom Killoren, Jr. Stacy & Jack McBride

Milliken & Company Mr. Henry Peabody III & Dr. Donna Peabody Mr. & Mrs. Rick Pennell, Jr. Mr. Billy Webster Mr. & Mrs. Geoffrey Wilson

VISIONARY CIRCLE ($2,500+) Arkwright Foundation Bailey Foundation Mr. & Mrs. Victor Barr Mr. Brad Barron & Dr. Sarah Hunt-Barron Benevity Community Impact Fund Mr. & Mrs. William Blackford Mr. & Mrs. Martin Cornelson Mr. Dan Cothran Rachel & Ken Deems Mr. & Mrs. Magruder H. Dent Mr. T. Alexander Evins Mr. & Mrs. Charles D. Fogarty Follett College Stores Mr. & Mrs. Barney Gosnell Mr. & Mrs. Bill Hamilton Ms. Mary Lib Hamilton Mr. & Mrs. Stephen J. Hedges Mr. & Mrs. Kevin Hudson Ann Cobb & Stewart H. Johnson Mr. & Mrs. John Montgomery Betty & Walter Montgomery Roebuck Wholesale Landscaping The Rose M. Johnston Family Foundation Mr. & Mrs. Joel Sansbury Mr. & Mrs. John W. Simon, Sr. South Carolina Christian Foundation Mr. & Mrs. Warwick Spencer Mr. & Mrs. Brand Stille SwaimBrown Wealth Management Dr. & Mrs. Christopher Thomas United Way of the Piedmont, Inc. Mr. & Mrs. Mark VanGeison Mr. & Mrs. John F. Verreault III Mr. & Mrs. Michael Williams

1957 SOCIETY ($1,957+) Mr. & Mrs. Albert Aiken, Jr. Dr. Kofi Appiah & Dr. Marjorie Boafo-Appiah Mr. & Mrs. Gregory J. Atkins Mr. & Mrs. Robert Atkins Mr. & Mrs. Vic Bailey III Mr. & Mrs. Stanley Baker Mr. Doug & Dr. Julie Cecil Mrs. Elizabeth S. Chapman † Mr. & Mrs. Paul J. Coté Ms. Elaine T. Freeman Mr. Brandt Goodwin & Ms. Amy Goulding Mr. & Mrs. Roger Habisreutinger Dr. & Mrs. Robert S. Harley Dr. & Mrs. Ronald Januchowski Mrs. Pauline Ketchum Mr. Bhargava Kondaveeti & Dr. Rianna Kondaveeti Mr. & Mrs. Ryan Langley Mr. & Mrs. Paul Lehner Mr. & Mrs. David Lyon Mr. & Mrs. Robert Lyon Mr. & Mrs. Will Montgomery Mr. Kenny Moore & Ms. Susan A. Bridges Mr. & Mrs. Corry Oakes Dr. & Mrs. Michael Orseck Mr. & Mrs. Ned Page Mr. & Mrs. Rajarshi Patel Mr. & Mrs. Chris Raffo Mr. & Mrs. Robert Rain Raymond James Endowment Fund Mrs. Justine M. Russell Dr. Jeffrey Smith & Dr. Alison Smith Smith Medical Group Mr. & Mrs. James Switzer GOLD ($1,500+) Drs. Thomas Ashley & Juliette Saad Bella Vision, LLC Mrs. Georgia Ray Blanton Mr. & Mrs. Daniel H. Bradley Mr. Mike Brierton & Dr. Aundie Bishop

Dr. & Mrs. Brian Brown Mrs. Anne Brady Carlson & Mr. Jeff Carlson Mr. & Mrs. Tony Cash Mr. & Mrs. Christopher Couchell Drs. E. Levon & Kirsten Eastin Mrs. Alice Eberhardt Mr. George Evans & Dr. Brandi Hardin Mr. & Mrs. Eric Foust Mr. & Mrs. Dean J. Garritson Mr. & Mrs. John Gramling Harper Corporation Ms. Laura Beeson Henthorn Ms. Ann Johnson Mr. Tripp Johnson & Dr. April Johnson Mrs. Ashley Kemp & Mr. Jeff Kemp Mr. & Mrs. Chris Kennedy Mr. & Mrs. Todd Kleman Mr. & Mrs. Avinash Lawrence Dr. & Mrs. Caleb Loring IV Mr. & Mrs. Scott Montgomery Dr. Charles E. Morrow, Jr. Mr. & Mrs. William Mueller Drs. William & Susan Owens Mr. & Mrs. Hank Steinberg Dr. Shaun Tang & Dr. Tanya Tang Mr. & Mrs. James Fletcher Thompson Mr. & Mrs. John B. White, Jr. Mr. & Mrs. Donald Wildman Mr. Shawn M. Wilson & Dr. Janet Wilson

SILVER ($1,000+) Mr. & Mrs. Allen Amick Mr. & Mrs. Steven Blanton Dr. Joseph A. Boscia & Dr. Susan M. Bottone-Boscia Mr. & Mrs. Terry Cash Mrs. Jean Crossley Mr. Leighton Cubbage Mr. & Mrs. Christopher Falatok Mr. William Greer Mr. Robby Kocisko Mr. & Mrs. John Kopchinski


22

S K Y LY N E R M AGA Z I N E

Why We Give

Leigh Anne and Ryan Langley, parents to Lilla ’28, Jack ’30 and Chamberlain ’35

WHEN OUR YOUNG FAMILY first toured Spartanburg Day School as we were looking for the best place to educate our oldest daughter, daughter Lilla, Lilla,we wehad hadno noidea ideawhat whatwe wewould wouldfind findininthe the works for SDS’s inaugural 3K class at the school. We honestly did not intend to send her to SDS. Ryan and I were both educated in public schools, and tuition was a real factor in our budget at that time. I’ll never forget the look we gave each other as we walked out of the building—total affirmation that as parents we had an obligation to find the resources for our daughter to be a part of this incredible and unique school. That was nine years ago. Today, Lilla is joined by both her siblings, siblings Jack Jack(3rd (3rdgrade) grade)and andChamberlain Chamberlain(2K) (2K),asasmembers membersofofthe theGriffin Griffincommunity communityand and we as parents are more committed than ever to sustain this environment for them. In our ever-changing world we believe an independent education is fundamental to teaching a curriculum meant to meet each and every child at their level. Our children are receiving such an education through the International Baccalaureate (IB) program at SDS. Through public speak­­­ing, sports and music requirements, they are taught to be risk takers and to explore, speak examine, and problem-solve as they learn. They are learning facts, sure, but much more importantly they are becoming confident people who are comfortable in their own skin and prepared for a life well lived. We give to continue the smaller class size at SDS. The smaller classes help identify individual students’ weak areas and promote their strengths. We give because of the dedicated teachers at SDS. Within this tight-knit community, teachers and students have close relationships which naturally leads to mentorship and a role model connection. This type of setting encourages our impassioned teachers to engage with the students and instill a love of learning. We give to continue the support for the exceptional parental involvement at SDS. Our school community is like no other! The Parents’ Community is invested in the well-being of the school, school the teachers, and the faculty. and From faculty. social From andsocial sportsand events sports to fundraisers events to fundraisers and the Gala, and the the Gala, parents theofparents of Spartanburg Spartanburg Day Day School School make make anan invaluable invaluable contribution contribution to the to the health health and and vitality vitality of SDS. of SDS. We give because through the visual and performing arts program our students are taught to embrace the original, imaginative imaginative,and andexpressive expressiveparts partsof ofwho whothey theyare. are. We give because the athletics program, led by successful coaches and athletes in their own right, challenges our kids to work hard, learn healthy habits, and to play as a team; all skills which are obviously essential to a productive and healthy life. Please consider giving to Spartanburg Day School. In addition to all the foregoing, your gift will help enhance educational programming, to attract attract and and retain retain talented talented teachers, teachers, and and ensure to ensure that that current current and and future future Griffins Griffins will continue will continue to have to have a superior a superior educational educational experience. experience.

Mr. & Mrs. Mark Mezger Dr. Weston F. Milliken New Method Laundry & Cleaners Mr. Cary L. Page III Mr. & Mrs. Ricky Richardson

BRONZE ($500+) Mr. & Mrs. Steve Baldwin Ms. Laurie G. Ballenger Mr. & Mrs. Andrew W. Barnes Mr. & Mrs. Jay W. Beeson, Jr. Dr. & Mrs. James Black Blackbaud Giving Fund Mr. & Mrs. Benjamin C. Boland Mr. & Mrs. Pascal Boyd Mr. Timothy H. Brannon Mr. Todd Cash Catlla Consulting LLC Dr. Ki Chung & Dr. Rachel Chung Dr. & Mrs. Gary Clark Mr. & Mrs. Gary Coats Mr. Christopher M. Crowley, Jr. Ms. Kathleen Crowley Dr. & Mrs. John Dunbar Mr. Ron & Mrs. Susan Evans Mr. & Mrs. John Fairey Mr. & Mrs. Dan Foster Mr. William Gray Mr. & Mrs. Clifford Halstead Mrs. Elsa C. Hepner Mr. Jamin Hujik & Dr. Stephanie S. Hujik Mr. & Mrs. Brandon Klein Mr. & Mrs. Chandler Lehman Mr. Stefan P. Leonhardt Dr. Joseph Lever Ms. Lucy Lynch Dr. Navid Madani & Dr. Jennifer Madani Mr. & Mrs. Carl Mason Mr. & Mrs. David R. Meeks Mr. & Mrs. Jesse Myers Mr. Ron Nance Mr. & Mrs. Douglas B. Nash Mr. Daniel S. Nava & Mrs. Gabriela R. Cruz Dr. & Mrs. Daniel Norris Mr. & Mrs. Fredrick G. Phillips, Jr. Mr. & Mrs. Gary Pope Mr. & Mrs. Norman Pulliam, Jr. Mr. & Mrs. Marshall C. Rogers Mr. & Mrs. Simeon Skinner Mr. & Mrs. Chris Stone III Mr. William T. Teel & Dr. Nickole Teel Mrs. Mary Anne L. Thomas Mr. & Mrs. Jared Wilson Mr. Berkeley W. Young

Deceased

GRIFFIN ($250+) Mr. Winthrop Allen & Dr. Heather Allen Mrs. Aixa O. F. Anderson Mr. & Mrs. Scott Anderson Mrs. Duffy Baehr & Dr. Troy Beavers Mr. & Mrs. J. P. Baehr Mr. & Mrs. Lamar Baehr Mr. & Mrs. Vic Bailey IV Mr. Warren Bareiss & Ms. Lizah Ismail Ms. Dawn Gantt Benson Dr. & Mrs. Baker Boles Mrs. Stacey Brewer Mr. & Mrs. Benjamin F. Brown Mr. & Mrs. Michael Brown Mr. & Mrs. Niles H. Brown Mr. Travis Carroll Mrs. Katie Clayton & Mr. Bryant Clayton Dr. & Mrs. Jeff Cleland Mr. Charles & Dr. Blair Clementson Mr. & Mrs. William S. Cochran The Honorable & Mrs. Roger Couch Dr. Nicholas F. Fleming Mr. Aaron T. Frost Mr. & Mrs. Jimmy Garrity GE Foundation Mrs. Missy Gerscovich & Dr. Dan Gerscovich Mr. Charles B. Habisreutinger Mr. Henry Hamilton Mr. & Mrs. Charles B. Hanna Mr. Lukas Hauser & Dr. Julie Sexeny Mr. & Mrs. Andy Haynes Dr. Boone Hopkins & Dr. Chandra Hopkins Mr. Clyde Hospital III Mr. & Mrs. William Hoy III Mrs. Sunny Huckaby Mrs. Ann Humble Mr. Andrew E. N. Jones Mr. & Mrs. Clayton Jones Mr. Paul Judge & Mrs. Kelly Prichard-Judge Mr. & Mrs. Ryan Kennedy Mrs. Elizabeth Belser Kistler Mr. & Mrs. Subrahmanyam Kondaveeti Mr. Edward Krauter & Ms. Amy Richards Mr. & Mrs. Manning Lynch Dr. Bradley Martsberger & Dr. Carolyn Martsberger Mr. & Mrs. Ben Maxwell Mr. & Mrs. William McGirt Mr. & Mrs. Dennis Mitchell Mr. & Mrs. Drew Monitto


S U M M E R 2 0 21

Mr. Michael Murphy Mr. & Mrs. Andrews Myers Mr. & Mrs. Melbourne Myers Mr. & Mrs. Mark Nowell Mr. & Mrs. Robert Overton Mr. & Mrs. Frank C. Page Mr. & Mrs. Boone Peeler Mr. & Mrs. Nicholas Phillips Ms. Heather Poole Mr. & Mrs. Steven Querin Dr. & Mrs. Alex Richardson Mr. Chris Schwendimann Mr. & Mrs. Chris Sizer Dr. & Mrs. James Speaman Dr. & Mrs. Nalin K. Srivastava Mr. Mark Steinman Mr. & Mrs. Simon Stricklen Ms. Margaret Sullivan Mr. Mark Suter Mr. & Mrs. David Taylor Mr. & Mrs. Brian Tolbert Mrs. Lori Tolbert Drs. Aaron & Kimberly Toler Ms. Susan Pennell Towson Dr. & Mrs. Kevin Weatherill Mrs. Mary Willis

FRIEND (OTHER) Mr. & Mrs. Bob Allsbrook Mr. & Mrs. Ron Ary Dr. Nasir Awan & Dr. Sairah Awan Ms. Hannah Babb Mr. & Mrs. Justin Bailey Mr. & Mrs. Michael Ball Ms. Kim Ballenger Mr. & Mrs. Dick Barnes Ms. Jean Barr Mr. & Mrs. Bill Beedon Ms. Avery Beeson Ms. Katie Beeson Ms. Kristy Belcher Ms. Taylor Birch Mr. & Mrs. John Birney, Jr. Mr. Henry J. Blackford III Mr. & Mrs. Price Blackford Mr. David Bloxham Mr. & Mrs. Nils Bouwmeester Dr. & Mrs. Michael Bozard Mr. Matthew Brown Mr. Danilo Burgos & Dr. Alysa Handelsman Mr. & Mrs. Nick Buxton Mr. & Mrs. Eric Cable Mr. & Mrs. Paul Camp Ms. Katie Carter Mr. & Mrs. Lawrence Caudle Ms. Rachel Chalmers Mrs. Sally Pennell Chambers Mr. & Mrs. Steven Chapman Mrs. Sarah Slater Chesser Ms. Kelly Cino Mr. & Mrs. Eric Cobb

Mrs. Trish Cobourn Ms. Emily Cart Cochran Ms. Marguerite R. Cochran Mrs. Celia Wise Cooksey Mr. & Mrs. Bradley Cooper Mr. & Mrs. Michael Corbin Mr. Stephenson M. Corbin Mr. & Mrs. Eric Davis Ms. Ginger Reynolds Davis Dr. & Mrs. Kirk Davis Mr. Scott Davis Dr. & Mrs. William Davis Mr. William Dawes & Ms. Esther-Irene Egan Miss Birdie Dawson Miss Poppy Dawson Ms. Kathleen Waldenfels Dorman Mr. Michael Duckett & Dr. Kim Duckett Mr. & Mrs. Patrick Dunfee Ms. Susan Willis Dunlap Ms. Anne Elliott Mr. & Mrs. Marcus Elliott Ms. Nicole T. Engler Mr. Radu Enuica & Dr. Dorotea Gabel Mr. Will Ericson Mr. Darryl L. Evans Ms. Emmy Farrell Ms. Marlene Ferguson Mr. Randall Fernanders Fidelity Charitable Gift Fund Ms. Trisha Fields Dr. & Mrs. Tim Fisher Ms. Frances Henderson Ford Mr. David S. Foster Ms. Ivey Foster Fox Rothschild LLP Mr. & Mrs. Rob Foy Ms. Danielle Frías Ms. Melinda Byrd Frierson Mr. Matt Garner & Ms. Andrea Ulloa Mr. & Mrs. Tommy Genoble Mr. & Mrs. Nicholas Gilman Ms. Rebekah L. Gladson & Mr. Mac Sawyer Ms. Katie Glass Mr. Scott Gray Mr. & Mrs. Cardinal Greenidge Mrs. Anne Louise Greer Mr. & Mrs. Cameron H. Greer Mr. Dalton S. Greer Mr. & Mrs. Brian Grigg Mr. James K. Hamilton Mr. & Mrs. John Harmon Mr. & Mrs. Brad Harris Mrs. Martha Harris Mr. & Mrs. Daniel Healy Ms. Leah Hedge Ms. Lori Hetrick Ms. Peggy Hiatt

Mr. & Mrs. TJ Hines Mr. Tommy Hodge Mr. Corey L. Holcomb Mr. John Holland Mr. & Mrs. John M. Holmes III Mrs. Elsa Hudson Mr. Luke Hummel Mrs. Ann Hunt Mr. & Mrs. Mitchell Hutchins Mr. & Mrs. Max T. Hyde Mr. & Mrs. Loy Jeffords Mr. Hao Jia Mr. & Mrs. Christopher Jones Mr. & Mrs. Michael Judice Prof. Claire Kahane Mrs. Tina Kurkis Ms. Celena E. Kusch Mr. & Mrs. Barry Ledford Mr. & Mrs. Jason Lonon Mr. Alessandro Luz & Ms. Betina Luz Mr. & Mrs. Jason Lynch Mr. & Mrs. Grant S. MacMillan Mr. & Mrs. William L. Massey Mr. & Mrs. Duane McFarland Mr. & Mrs. Michael McGrath Mrs. Ashley Moody Ms. Danielle Moore Mr. Alfred G. New, Jr. Mr. & Mrs. Gregory Nibert Mrs. Debbie Nowlin Ms. Ashley K. Oakes Ms. Elizabeth I. Oakes Ms. Lauren Oakes Mr. Joseph Omlor & Dr. Helen Maddux Ms. Maria Orlova Ms. Rebecca Parrish & Mr. Remsen Parrish Mr. Rupesh Patel & Ms. Deborah Kozel Mr. & Mrs. Ronald Peeler Ms. Paige Phillips & Ms. Ashli Gaines-Phillips Mr. & Mrs. William Phillips Mrs. Hayley F. Pickens Ms. Kellie Pifer Mr. & Mrs. Richard Pinkley Mr. & Mrs. Kevin Pogue Mr. & Mrs. Marc Rabb Ms. Catherine Rainey Dr. & Mrs. Jay Ratliff Mr. John Toliver Reel Dr. & Mrs. Tod R. Reel Mr. Tod R. Reel Mrs. Sara Edwards Rhinehart Mr. & Mrs. Richard Rhodes Mr. Bishop Richardson Mr. & Mrs. Rob Richardson Ms. Zelle Richardson Mr. & Mrs. Matthew Risch Mr. David Roark & Dr. Kate Roark

Mr. Gary Robinette Ms. Garnett Rodgers Mr. Trey Roehl Mr. & Mrs. Andrew Roush Mrs. Beth Ryan Mr. & Mrs. Herb Schafer Dr. Timothy Schmitz & Dr. Catherine Schmitz Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories Mrs. Rogers O. Settle Ms. Leslie Shealy Mrs. Bobbie Jean Shepard Dr. & Mrs. Charles H. Skipper Mrs. Cathy Smith Mr. & Mrs. Richard Smith Mr. & Mrs. Roy Smith, Jr. Mr. & Mrs. Tom Smith Ms. Jillian Sorrenti Mrs. Lisa Southard Ms. Rose M. Spencer Mrs. Tyler Spencer Ms. Emily Stauber Ms. Kaylyn Stevenson Mr. Robert Strait Mr. & Mrs. Will Strait Mr. David Stramecky & Ms. Barbara Christensen Mr. & Mrs. Dudley Strange Ms. Muffy Stuart Dr. & Mrs. Wallace Taylor Mr. Efrem Tekie & Ms. Elizabeth Flores Mrs. Sarah Terrell Mr. Peter Terry Ms. Elizabeth Teter & Mr. John Lane Ms. Joan Tobey Mr. Todd Turner & Mrs. Kelsea Turner Ms. Lee Vasbinder Ms. Stacey Vinesett Mr. & Mrs. Brad D. Wall Mr. John A. Wallace, Jr. Mrs. Sara Walsh Mrs. Bonnie Webster Mr. & Mrs. Tom Webster Mr. & Mrs. Frank Weihrauch Ms. Ann Marie Wesneski Ms. Andrea West Mrs. Emma Whitehill Dr. Bev Whitmire Mr. & Mrs. Thomas Whitmire Mr. Reid Wildman Mr. & Mrs. Woodrow Willard Mrs. Lee Anne Williams Ms. Meg Wilson Ellis Mr. & Mrs. Rand Wilson Mr. & Mrs. Steven Woodin Mr. Kevin Wynn Mr. Bob W. Yundt

23

Mr. Brian Zuercher & Ms. Megan Michalowski PARENT PARTICIPATION BY GRADE

CLASS OF 2021 Mr. & Mrs. Lamar Baehr Mrs. Duffy Baehr & Dr. Troy Beavers Mr. Brad Barron & Dr. Sarah Hunt-Barron Mr. & Mrs. John Birney, Jr. Dr. Joseph A. Boscia & Dr. Susan M. Bottone-Boscia Mr. Todd Cash Mr. & Mrs. Justin A. Converse Mr. & Mrs. Jimmy Garrity Dr. & Mrs. Robert S. Harley Ms. Laura Beeson Henthorn Mr. & Mrs. Christopher Jones Dr. Navid Madani & Dr. Jennifer Madani Mr. & Mrs. Robert Overton Drs. William & Susan Owens Mr. & Mrs. Ned Page Mr. & Mrs. Richard Pinkley Mr. & Mrs. Steven Querin Mr. David Roark & Dr. Kate Roark Mr. & Mrs. Marshall C. Rogers Michel & Eliot Stone Mr. Robert Strait Mr. & Mrs. James Fletcher Thompson Mr. & Mrs. Brad D. Wall CLASS OF 2022 Dr. Kofi Appiah & Dr. Marjorie Boafo-Appiah Mr. & Mrs. Pascal S. Boyd III Mr. Todd Cash Mr. & Mrs. Eric Cobb Mrs. Trish Cobourn Mr. Michael Duckett & Dr. Kim Duckett Mr. & Mrs. Dean J. Garritson Mr. & Mrs. Benjamin Graves Mr. & Mrs. Kevin Hudson Dr. & Mrs. Ronald Januchowski Mr. & Mrs. Clayton Jones Mr. & Mrs. Tom Killoren, Jr. Mr. & Mrs. John Kopchinski Dr. Joseph Lever Mr. & Mrs. Jason Lonon Mr. & Mrs. Dennis Mitchell Mr. & Mrs. Andrews Myers Mrs. Sara Edwards Rhinehart Mr. & Mrs. Roy Smith, Jr. Mrs. Lisa Southard Mr. & Mrs. Brand Stille Ms. Margaret Sullivan Mr. & Mrs. Mark VanGeison


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S K Y LY N E R M AGA Z I N E

Mr. & Mrs. Frank Weihrauch Mr. & Mrs. Geoffrey Wilson

CLASS OF 2023 Mr. & Mrs. Gregory J. Atkins Mr. Warren Bareiss & Ms. Lizah Ismail Mr. & Mrs. Paul Bopp Mr. & Mrs. Justin A. Converse Mr. Dan Cothran Mr. Radu Enuica & Dr. Dorotea Gabel Mr. & Mrs. Jimmy Garrity Mr. & Mrs. Tommy Genoble Mr. & Mrs. Nicholas Gilman Mr. & Mrs. Barney Gosnell Mr. & Mrs. Stephen J. Hedges Ms. Lori Hetrick Mr. & Mrs. David Johnson Mr. Tripp Johnson & Dr. April Johnson Mr. & Mrs. Barry Ledford Dr. Navid Madani & Dr. Jennifer Madani Mr. & Mrs. Michael McGrath Mr. & Mrs. Drew Monitto Dr. & Mrs. Daniel Norris Ms. Paige Phillips & Ms. Ashli Gaines-Phillips Mr. & Mrs. Richard Pinkley Ms. Heather Poole Mr. & Mrs. Chris Raffo Mr. & Mrs. Marshall C. Rogers Mr. Chris Schwendimann Dr. & Mrs. Nalin K. Srivastava Mr. & Mrs. Brand Stille Mr. David Stramecky & Ms. Barbara Christensen Dr. & Mrs. Christopher Thomas Mr. Todd Turner & Mrs. Kelsea Turner Mr. & Mrs. Thomas Webster Mr. & Mrs. Geoffrey Wilson CLASS OF 2024 Mr. & Mrs. Allen Amick Mr. & Mrs. John Birney Jr. Mr. Michael Duckett & Dr. Kim Duckett Dr. & Mrs. John Dunbar Mr. & Mrs. John Gramling Mr. & Mrs. Benjamin Graves Dr. & Mrs. Robert S. Harley Mr. & Mrs. Max T. Hyde Mr. Tripp Johnson & Dr. April Johnson Mr. & Mrs. Demetrios Liollio Mr. & Mrs. Carl Mason Mr. & Mrs. Melbourne Myers Drs. William & Susan Owens Mr. & Mrs. Boone Peeler

Deceased

Mr. & Mrs. Norman Pulliam, Jr. Mr. & Mrs. John W. Simon, Sr. Mr. & Mrs. Simeon Skinner Mrs. Lisa Southard Michel & Eliot Stone Mr. & Mrs. Simon Stricklen

CLASS OF 2025 Mr. & Mrs. Pascal S. Boyd III Mr. & Mrs. Gary Coats Mr. & Mrs. Christopher Couchell Mr. & Mrs. Charles B. Hanna Mr. Paul Judge & Mrs. Kelly Prichard-Judge Mr. Robby Kocisko Mr. & Mrs. Avinash Lawrence Mr. & Mrs. Barry Ledford Dr. & Mrs. Caleb Loring IV Mr. & Mrs. Scott Montgomery Ms. Maria Orlova Mr. & Mrs. Ronald Peeler Mr. & Mrs. Will Strait Mr. & Mrs. Brian Tolbert CLASS OF 2026 Mr. & Mrs. Victor Barr Dr. Ki Chung & Dr. Rachel Chung Dr. & Mrs. Jeff Cleland Mr. & Mrs. William S. Cochran Mr. & Mrs. Dean J. Garritson Mr. & Mrs. Nicholas Gilman Mr. & Mrs. Clifford Halstead Mr. Jamin Hujik & Dr. Stephanie S. Hujik Mr. & Mrs. Max T. Hyde Mr. & Mrs. David Johnson Ann Cobb & Stewart H. Johnson Mr. & Mrs. Andrews Myers Ms. Rebecca Parrish & Mr. Remsen Parrish Mr. David Roark & Dr. Kate Roark Mr. & Mrs. Marshall C. Rogers Mr. & Mrs. David Taylor Mr. & Mrs. Geoffrey Wilson CLASS OF 2027 Mr. & Mrs. Paul Bopp Mr. George Evans & Dr. Brandi Hardin Dr. & Mrs. Tim Fisher Mr. & Mrs. Brad Harris Ann Cobb & Stewart H. Johnson Dr. & Mrs. Caleb Loring IV Mr. & Mrs. Scott Montgomery Mr. & Mrs. Taylor Moody Mr. & Mrs. Melbourne Myers Mr. & Mrs. Boone Peeler Mr. & Mrs. Ronald Peeler Dr. Timothy Schmitz & Dr. Catherine Schmitz Mr. & Mrs. Brian Tolbert

CLASS OF 2028 Mr. & Mrs. Pascal S. Boyd III Dr. & Mrs. Michael Bozard Mr. & Mrs. Benjamin F. Brown Mr. & Mrs. Eric Cable Mr. & Mrs. Eric Cobb Mr. & Mrs. Christopher Couchell Dr. & Mrs. Ty Dawson Mr. Radu Enuica & Dr. Dorotea Gabel Mr. Michael Fluegge & Mrs. Kimberly Kent Mr. & Mrs. Charles D. Fogarty Mr. & Mrs. Barney Gosnell Mr. & Mrs. Max T. Hyde Mr. & Mrs. Ryan Langley Mr. & Mrs. Ben Maxwell Mr. & Mrs. Michael McGrath Mr. & Mrs. Mark Mezger Mr. & Mrs. John Montgomery Dr. & Mrs. Michael Orseck Mr. & Mrs. Robert Overton Mr. & Mrs. Marc Rabb Dr. & Mrs. Jay Ratliff Mr. & Mrs. Brian Tolbert Jaime & Benjamin Wall CLASS OF 2029 Mr. & Mrs. Justin Bailey Mr. & Mrs. Benjamin C. Boland Dr. & Mrs. Brian Brown Dr. & Mrs. Jeff Cleland Ms. Danielle Frías Mr. Matt Garner & Ms. Andrea Ulloa Mr. & Mrs. David Johnson Mr. Edward Krauter & Ms. Amy Richards Mr. Alessandro Luz & Ms. Betina Luz Dr. Bradley Martsberger & Dr. Carolyn Martsberger Mr. & Mrs. John Montgomery Mr. & Mrs. Taylor Moody Mr. & Mrs. William Mueller Mr. Daniel S. Nava & Mrs. Gabriela R. Cruz Mr. Rupesh Patel & Ms. Deborah Kozel Ms. Paige Phillips & Ms. Ashli Gaines-Phillips Mr. & Mrs. Steven Querin Mr. & Mrs. Simeon Skinner Dr. Jeffrey Smith & Dr. Alison Smith Mr. & Mrs. Simon Stricklen Mr. William T. Teel & Dr. Nickole Teel Mr. & Mrs. Jared Wilson

CLASS OF 2030 Dr. & Mrs. Tim Fisher Mr. Brandt Goodwin & Ms. Amy Goulding Mr. & Mrs. TJ Hines Ms. Celena E. Kusch Mr. & Mrs. Ryan Langley Dr. & Mrs. Caleb Loring IV Mr. & Mrs. Jason Lynch Mr. & Mrs. Grant S. MacMillan Mr. & Mrs. Ben Maxwell Mr. & Mrs. Benji Miller Mr. Daniel S. Nava & Mrs. Gabriela R. Cruz Mr. & Mrs. Will Strait Jaime & Benjamin Wall Mr. & Mrs. Michael Williams Mr. & Mrs. Geoffrey Wilson CLASS OF 2031 Mr. & Mrs. Nils Bouwmeester Mr. & Mrs. Eric Cable Dr. Ki Chung & Dr. Rachel Chung Mr. & Mrs. John Fairey Mr. & Mrs. Rob Foy Mr. & Mrs. Nicholas Gilman Ms. Rebekah L. Gladson & Mr. Mac Sawyer Mr. & Mrs. Clifford Halstead Mr. & Mrs. William Hoy III Mr. Jamin Hujik & Dr. Stephanie S. Hujik Ms. Ann Johnson Ann Cobb & Stewart H. Johnson Mr. & Mrs. Chandler Lehman Mr. & Mrs. Demetrios Liollio Mr. & Mrs. William McGirt Mr. & Mrs. John Montgomery Mr. & Mrs. Will Montgomery Mr. & Mrs. William Mueller Mr. & Mrs. Nicholas Phillips Dr. Jeffrey Smith & Dr. Alison Smith Mr. & Mrs. David Taylor Mr. & Mrs. Michael Williams CLASS OF 2032 Mr. & Mrs. Andrew W. Barnes Mr. & Mrs. Rob Foy Ms. Danielle Frías Mr. & Mrs. Daniel Healy Dr. Boone Hopkins & Dr. Chandra Hopkins Mr. & Mrs. Max T. Hyde Mr. & Mrs. Jason Lynch Mr. & Mrs. Will Montgomery Mr. & Mrs. William Mueller Mr. & Mrs. Kevin Pogue Mr. & Mrs. Robert Rain

Mr. William T. Teel & Dr. Nickole Teel Mr. Efrem Tekie & Ms. Elizabeth Flores

CLASS OF 2033 Mr. Winthrop Allen & Dr. Heather Allen Mr. & Mrs. J. P. Baehr Mr. & Mrs. Steven Blanton Dr. & Mrs. Brian Brown Mr. Travis Carroll Dr. & Mrs. Ty Dawson Mr. & Mrs. Christopher Falatok Ms. Ann Johnson Mr. & Mrs. Chris Kennedy Mr. Bhargava Kondaveeti & Dr. Rianna Kondaveeti Mr. Alessandro Luz & Ms. Betina Luz Dr. Bradley Martsberger & Dr. Carolyn Martsberger Mr. & Mrs. Kevin Pogue Mr. & Mrs. Gary Pope Mr. & Mrs. Matthew Risch Mr. & Mrs. Joel Sansbury Dr. & Mrs. James Speaman Dr. Shaun Tang & Dr. Tanya Tang CLASS OF 2034 Mr. Winthrop Allen & Dr. Heather Allen Mr. Mike Brierton & Dr. Aundie Bishop Mrs. Katie Clayton & Mr. Bryant Clayton Mrs. Missy Gerscovich & Dr. Dan Gerscovich Mr. & Mrs. John Harmon Mr. & Mrs. TJ Hines Mr. & Mrs. William McGirt Mr. & Mrs. Will Montgomery Mr. & Mrs. Melbourne Myers Mr. Henry Peabody III & Dr. Donna Peabody Mr. & Mrs. Robert Rain CLASS OF 2035 Dr. & Mrs. James Black Dr. & Mrs. Brian Brown Mr. Danilo Burgos & Dr. Alysa Handelsman Mr. & Mrs. Lawrence Caudle Mr. & Mrs. Brendan Church Mr. Charles Clementson & Dr. Blair Clementson Mr. & Mrs. Marcus Elliott Mr. & Mrs. John Fairey Mr. & Mrs. Christopher Falatok Mr. & Mrs. Daniel Healy


S U M M E R 2 0 21

Mr. Bhargava Kondaveeti & Dr. Rianna Kondaveeti Mr. & Mrs. Ryan Langley Mr. & Mrs. Duane McFarland Mr. & Mrs. Rajarshi Patel Mr. & Mrs. Richard Rhodes Mr. & Mrs. Joel Sansbury Mr. & Mrs. Chris Sizer Mr. Efrem Tekie & Ms. Elizabeth Flores Dr. & Mrs. Kevin Weatherill Mr. & Mrs. Steven Woodin

CLASS OF 2036 Mr. & Mrs. Steven Blanton Dr. & Mrs. Baker Boles Mr. William Dawes & Ms. Esther-Irene Egan Mr. & Mrs. Michael Judice Mr. & Mrs. Ryan Kennedy Mr. & Mrs. Brandon Klein Mr. & Mrs. Mark Nowell Dr. Shaun Tang & Dr. Tanya Tang Mr. & Mrs. Thomas Whitmire Mr. Shawn M. Wilson & Dr. Janet Wilson Mr. Brian Zuercher & Ms. Megan Michalowski

MEMORIAL DONORS

Dr. & Mrs. Gary Clark

Mr. & Mrs. Vic Bailey III In Memory of Mrs. BobE Briske In Memory of Mrs. Gloria Pennell Mr. Andrew W. Barnes In Memory of Ms. Millie Gillespie Mrs. Kristy Belcher In Memory of Mrs. Peggy Johnson Mr. Henry J. Blackford III In Memory of Mr. Frederick B. Dent, Sr. Mr. & Mrs. Mark Blackman In Memory of Judge Clyde H. Hamilton Dr. & Mrs. Adam Blumer III In Memory of Dr. Matt Mosley Mr. & Mrs. Koger Bradford In Memory of Mrs. Gloria Pennell Ms. JoAnn W. Bristow In Memory of Mr. Brent Bristow Mr. & Mrs. Chris Cannon

In Memory of Judge Clyde H. Hamilton In Memory of Mrs. BobE Briske Mr. & Mrs. Paul J. Coté In Memory of Mrs. BobE Briske Miss Birdie Dawson In Memory of Mr. Hilton Dawson Mr. & Mrs. Frederick Dent, Jr. ’65 In Memory of Mr. Richard Dargan Mrs. Kathleen Dorman In Memory of Mrs. Phyllis R. Waldenfels Ms. Danielle Frias In Memory of Mr. Alcibiades F. Pimentel Fox Rothschild LLP In Memory of Mr. Frederick B. Dent, Sr. Ms. Elaine T. Freeman In Memory of Mr. Frederick B. Dent, Sr. Mr. William Greer

In Memory of Judge Clyde H. Hamilton Ms. Sally Chamber In Memory of Mr. Ben Stone

In Memory of Mr. Frederick B. Dent, Sr.

Mr. Brandt Goodwin In Memory of Ms. Millie Gillespie Mr. & Mrs. Roger Habisreutinger

Mr. Russell Merritt In Memory of Rodgers & Jerry Gaines Dr. & Mrs. Jan Postma

In Memory of Judge Clyde H. Hamilton Mr. Andy Hayes In Memory of Mrs. Anne Cheney Ms. Mabel Hospital In Memory of Dr. Matt Mosley Mrs. Elsa Hudson In Memory of Mr. Frederick B. Dent, Sr. Mrs. Ann Humble In Memory of Mr. Frederick B. Dent, Sr. Ann Cobb & Stewart H. Johnson In Memory of Mrs. BobE Briske Prof. Claire Kahane

In Memory of Dina & Max Katz Mrs. Elizabeth Kristler In Memory of Virginia “Ginger” Stephen Mr. & Mrs. Marion L. McMillan, Jr.

In Memory of Mr. Frederick B. Dent, Sr.

In Memory of Judge Clyde H. Hamilton Ms. Catherine Rainey In Memory of Ms. Marty Copenhaver In Memory of Ms. Jackie Timms Mr. & Mrs. Warwick Spencer In Memory of Mr. Frederick B. Dent, Sr. Mrs. Emily Stauber In Memory of Mrs. BobE Briske Mr. & Mrs. Dudley Strange In Memory of Mr. Frederick B. Dent, Sr. Mr. & Mrs. George Todd In Memory of Mr. Frederick B. Dent, Sr. Jaime & Benjamin Wall In Memory of Mr. Frederick B. Dent, Sr. Mr. Berkeley W. Young

In Memory of Mr. Craig L. Harmon

2020 ANNUAL FUND DRIVE PARENT PARTICIPATION BY GRADE ’21:

59.5%

’29:

58.3%

’22:

51.1%

’30:

60.0%

The Captain Pennell Society

’23:

65.2%

’31:

56.8%

Join the Leaders of Our Past with a Gift to Our Future

’24:

51.4%

’32:

48.2%

’25:

48.3%

’33:

64.3%

’26:

51.2%

’34:

40.7%

’27:

37.9%

’35:

74.1%

’28:

85.2%

’36:

78.6%

Total 2020 Annual Fund Parent Participation: 52.6% MATCHING GIFT COMPANIES

Bank of America Matching Gifts Benevity Community Impact Fund Blackbaud Giving Fund GE Foundation Milliken & Company YourCause, LLC

25

The youngest children in our school today will graduate in the year 2036. What their future will bring is hard to fathom. What is far easier to see is that in the formative years of our school’s history, parents invested with extreme generosity and foresight in the education of future genera­tions. Without their vision and leadership, the students who are with us today would not have had the good fortune of receiving a Spartanburg Day School education. Your planned gift to the Captain Pennell Society* will help fuel another era of educational opportunities and student achievements in our community. The vehicles to make planned gifts are numerous and can allow you to realize immediate or deferred tax advantages. You do not need to be of a certain age or extremely wealthy to make a big difference. You just need a plan. If you wish to explore how you may join the leaders of our past by establishing your own legacy, please contact Mimi Killoren in the development office at mimi.killoren@sdsgriffin.org or 864-582-7539 ext. 2015. *The Captain Pennell Society honors the memory of Captain Roy J. Pennell, who, in 1961, donated the land on which the school is built. The society recognizes those who have included the Spartanburg Day School in their estate planning.


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S K Y LY N E R M AGA Z I N E

HONORARY DONORS

Misti and Kevin Hudson, 2020 Annual Fund Chairs Thank you for your leadership and service.

2020 ANNUAL FUND VOLUNTEERS

Alice Dawson, Development Chair Duffy Baehr Davis Barnes Erin Couchell Laura Gramling Alicia Harmon Misti Hudson Ann Mullins Johnson Leah Kent Leigh Anne Langley Mary-Stewart Loring Melinda Maxwell Kirsten Miller Belle Montgomery Faith Pope Winn Taylor Nickole Teel Sally Thomas Frazier Wilson Janet Wilson Shawn Wilson STAFF

Rachel Deems, Head of School Mimi Killoren, Director of Giving Sally Spencer, Alumni Relations Manager Valerie Massey, Development Assistant

Mr. & Mrs. Scott Anderson In Honor of Mrs. Meg Elliott & Ava Elliott (2035) Mr. & Mrs. Ron Ary In Honor of Matt Barr (2026) Mr. J. P. Baehr In Honor of Mrs. Catherine Baehr Ms. Laurie G. Ballenger In Honor of Ms. Jo Woodyard & Ms. Linda Hudgins Mr. & Mrs. Bill Beedon In Honor of Travis ’09, Kia ’10, Ashley ’16 & Kyle ’18 Tracy Ms. Katie Beeson In Honor of Abby Henthorn (2021) Mr. Danilo Burgos & Dr. Alysa Handelsman In Honor of Mrs. Aimee Woodin & Mrs. Trish Fields Mr. Todd Cash

In Honor of Ashlin (2021) & Raegan (2022) Cash Mr. & Mrs. Paul J. Coté In Honor of Mr. & Mrs. Chris Dorrance Mr. Dan Cothran In Honor of The Cothran Triplets (2023) Mr. William Dawes & Ms. Esther-Irene Egan In Honor of Robert Egan (2036) Miss Poppy Dawson (2028) In Honor of Ms. Rebekah L. Gladson ’07 Ms. Meg Wilson Ellis In Honor of Charles S. Wilson (2029) Ms. Nicole T. Engler In Honor of Mr. & Mrs. James Trowbridge Ms. Ginger M. Floyd In Honor of Mrs. Ann Dobbs Mr. Michael Fluegge & Mrs. Kimberly Kent In Honor of Cash Fluegge (2028) Mr. David S. Foster ’13

In Honor of Mrs. Martha Ivey Tiller Ms. Ivey Foster ’06

In Honor of Mrs. Martha Ivey Tiller Mr. Matt Garner & Ms. Andrea Ulloa In Honor of Mia Garner (2029) Dr. & Mrs. Robert S. Harley In Honor of The Harley Sisters

Mr. Tommy Hodge In Honor of Tradd (2029) & Susanna (2031) Hodge Mr. Hao Jia ’14

In Honor of Ms. Joan Tobey Mr. & Mrs. Ryan Kennedy In Honor of Jackson A. Kennedy (2036) Mr. & Mrs. William L. Massey In Honor of Mr. & Mrs. Chris Dorrance Mr. & Mrs. William McGirt In Honor of Mac (2031) & Carolina (2034) McGirt Mr. & Mrs. Curtis McGirt In Honor of Mrs. Sarah McGirt Mr. & Mrs. Drew Monitto

Want to give? Visit our website: spartanburgdayschool.org/support or contact our development office: 864-582-7539, ext. 2015, or mimi.killoren@sdsgriffin.org

In Honor of Roman Monitto (2023) Mrs. Ashley Moody In Honor of Caroline (2029), Lilly (2027) & Olivia (2029) Moody Mr. & Mrs. Jesse Myers

In Honor of William (2026) & Thomas (2022) Myers Mr. & Mrs. Ron Nance In Honor of Jackson A. Kennedy (2036) Mrs. Debbie Nowlin In Honor of SDS Students Mr. Joseph Omlor & Dr. Helen Maddux In Honor of Rebecca Omlor ’05, Jennifer Brophy ’10 & Matthew Omlor ’10 Drs. William & Susan Owens In Honor of Lillian (2021), Thomas (2024) & William Owens ’19 Mr. & Mrs. Roy Smith, Jr. In Honor of Mrs. Stacey Brewer Mr. & Mrs. Richard Smith In Honor of Zachary Rawlinson (2023) Ms. Rose M. Spencer In Honor of Mr. & Mrs. Warwick Spencer Michel & Eliot Stone In Honor of Elizabeth Stone (2021) Mr. Shawn & Dr. Janet Wilson

In Honor of Bennett Wilson (2036)

Is your name missing? The development office has made every effort to ensure that the information contained in these pages is accurate and complete. Please note that this report acknowledges the Annual Fund Drive during the calendar year of 2020 (January– December). Should you discover an error or omission, please accept our apologies and contact the development office: 864-582-7539, ext. 2015, or mimi.killoren@sdsgriffin.org.


S U M M E R 2 0 21

Alumni

’96 MARRIAGES : Quint Carlisle to Anna Prioletti on August 14, 2020.

Keep in touch! This edition shares alumni news submitted through May 2021. Send your news for future editions to: alumni@sdsgriffin.org or facebook.com/SDSAlumni

’06 BIRTHS: To Michael Bargar, a daughter, Vesper Lahxin Bargar, on August 2, 2020.

’99

to Regan Moseley on April 25, 2021. MARRIAGES: John Holland

BIRTHS: To William Stratford, a daughter, Magnolia Marie Stratford, on June 30, 2020. To Robert Haynes, a son, Baxter Anderson Haynes, on December 30, 2020.

’08 MARRIAGES: Lauren Gould to Thomas Bestor Ward IV on September 12, 2020. BIRTHS: To Amy DeVore Dameron, a daughter, Addison Claire Dameron, on May 26, 2021.

To Morgan Haynes, a daughter, Ola Marie Haynes, on May 3, 2021. BIRTHS:

BIRTHS: To Jefferson Whisenant, a son, Palmer Thomas Whisenant, on December 29, 2020.

’10 ’01 GRADUATE DEGREES: Jacob Skipper

received a Master of Science in Business Analytics from the College of William & Mary. ’04

to Liam McDougall on August 14, 2020.

to Katy Wilson on September 26, 2020. MARRIAGES: Lawton Jeffords

GRADUATE DEGREES: Maggie

Dunlap received a Master of Arts in Spanish from Middlebury College.

MARRIAGES: Aimee Wise

BIRTHS: To Jessica Kuperavage, a son, Alexander James Kuperavage, on March 16, 2021.

’05 BIRTHS: To Max Corbin, a daughter, Nancy Nairobi Corbin, on July 9, 2020.

MARRIAGES: Megan Duesterhaus

to

Daniel Mastin on July 1, 2020.

Magnolia Marie Stratford

GRADUATE DEGREES: Laney Coker

received a Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology from the University of Mississippi. Dalton Greer received a Doctorate of Athletic Training from the University of Idaho.

Melissa June Hubert

’14 GRADUATE DEGREES: Julie Cao

’09 ’00

’13

’12 MARRIAGES: Harper Grier to Haven Coker on August 29, 2020. James Hamilton to Molly Milner on October 24, 2020. Caroline Starnes to Corey Holcomb ’11 on April 10, 2021. BIRTHS: To Corey James Hubert, a daughter, Melissa June Hubert, on October 22, 2020.

received a Doctor of Pharmacy from Rhode Island University. Matt Henderson received a Juris Doctor from the University of South Carolina School of Law. ’15

Nancy Nairobi Corbin

Addison Claire Dameron

MARRIAGES: Will Cobb to Anna Alexander on July 25, 2020. Nora Duesterhaus to Everett Haugh on April 17, 2021.

In Memoriam ALUMNI:

Drew Brannon ’93 Millie Gillespie Craig Harmon ’82 Heather Juel ’96 B.J. Kale ’90 Katie Brown Maxwell ’90 Michael Taylor ’76 Chris Wilauer ’71

Ola Marie Haynes

Palmer Thomas Whisenant

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S K Y LY N E R M AGA Z I N E

Maggie Dunlap ’10 received a Master of Arts in Spanish from Middlebury College.

John Holland ’99 and Regan Moseley

Aimee Wise ’04 and Liam McDougall Matt Henderson ’14 received a Juris Doctor from the University of South Carolina School of Law. Pictured with Craig Lyon ’14 and Nic Holcomb ’15.

Caroline Starnes ’12 and Corey Holcomb ’11 wedding party

Will Cobb ’15 and Anna Alexander

Hank Barron ’19, a former Griffin mascot, now suits up as the Xavier University musketeer!

Lawton Jeffords ’10 and Katy Wilson with the Jeffords family


S U M M E R 2 0 21

Julie Cao ’14 received a Doctor of Pharmacy from Rhode Island University.

Harper Grier ’12 and Haven Coker

Michael Bargar ’06 with daughter Vesper Lahxin Bargar

Megan Duesterhaus ’13 and Daniel Mastin

Dalton Greer ’13 received a Doctorate of Athletic Training from the University of Idaho.

Lawton Jeffords ’10 and Katy Wilson

Laney Coker ’13 received a Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology from the University of Mississippi.

Right: Lauren Gould ’08 and Thomas Bestor Ward IV wedding. Below: Lauren Gould ’08 with her mother, Ellen Gould.

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S SK KY Y LL Y YN N EE R R M MA AG GA AZ Z II N N EE

Alumni Highlights

COLLEGE CARE PACKAGES

In the fall, parents of the Class of 2020 helped assemble special college care packages for their recent Griffin graduates.

LIFERS

Eleven seniors graduated this year as “lifers,” having spent every academic year since 4K as Griffins.

SIX DEGREES CONCERT

"UNKNOWING" ART SHOW

A few Class of 2020 alumni returned to campus in December as the band Six Degrees for one of several lunchtime “Presnell Porch Series” concerts. What a performance by Emmet Overcarsh and 2020 alumni Tashler Greene, Rachel Johnson, Vance Lever and Nicholas Rawlinson!

Artists Liz Stubbs ’86 and Penny Treese were the artists behind the capsule collection of their show “Unknowing,” which was on display in the Mildred Harrison Dent Fine Arts Gallery from Sept. 1 through Oct. 23.

ALUMNI COUNCIL

Help us give a huge Griffin “thank you!” to the 2020–21 alumni council for staying involved and supporting SDS virtually this year. Council members are: William J. Gray ’00, President Jayde Barton ’11 Billy Blackford ’75 Hunter Brown ’07 Ann Bomar Caudle ’01 Kathleen Crowley ’08 Ginger Davis ’80 Susan Willis Dunlap ’81 Darryl Evans ’06 Randall Fernanders ’08 Aaron Frost ’09 Missy Garner Gerscovich ’04 James K. Hamilton ’12 Cathryn Hunt Judice ’06 Lucy Lynch ’08 Faith Marett Pope ’01 Richard Rhodes ’98 Caroline Richardson ’02 Ricky Richardson ’71 Rogers Brandt Settle ’03 Chris Stone ’73 Jay Wakefield ’80 Adam Whitehill ’10 Reid Wildman ’04

CAGGIANO MEMORIAL ALUMNI AWARD

This year’s Caggiano Memorial Alumni Award was presented to Jay Wakefield ’80. This award is presented annually to an alumnus who has made a significant contribution to the life of the Day School. Since graduating, Jay has continued to give back to SDS, sending his children to the Day School, serving on the alumni council and always being an advocate for the Griffins.

Save the Date Join your fellow alumni for good food and good fellowship. Thanksgriffin: November 24, 2021 Spring Social: April 30, 2022


S U M M E R 2 0 21

31

Congratulations

Class of 2021

Yasmine Awan

Ford Baehr

Elliot Barron

Jack Birney

Frank Boscia

Wofford College

University of Colorado Boulder

College of the Holy Cross

College of Charleston

College of Charleston

97% of seniors were admitted into one of their top three colleges 76% admitted to their top choice

Ashlin Cash

Ligon Chewning

Marianna Converse

Corey Garrity

Abby Gillfillan

Sewanee: The University of the South

Wofford College

Wake Forest University

Emory & Henry College

Clemson University

Grayson Hannah

Ashley Katherine Harley

Abby Henthorn

William High

Sterling Hunt

University of Mississippi

Baylor University

University of Georgia

The New School: Mannes School of Music

Zachary Jones

Anna Mallen

Myles Moore

Hope Moreno

Jonathan Overton

Western Carolina University

Furman University

Ithaca College

Wofford College

University of South Carolina—Union

118 of 166 applications were offered admission Admitted to 59 different colleges in 18 states Will attend 25 colleges in 11 states

High Point University

$6 million in combined scholarships and grants over a four-year period, averaging $176,470 per student.

Lillian Owens

Eli Page

Grace Pinkley

Grace Querin

Noah Randall

William Roark

Marshall Rogers

University of Richmond

Duke University

High Point University

College of Charleston

Furman University

Randolph-Macon College

Washington and Lee University

Madeline Salley

Elizabeth Stone

Daniel Strait

Kempson Thompson

Levi Wall

Ian Wishard

Tingwei Zhang

Gap Year

Wake Forest University

Wofford College

Guilford College

Citadel, Military College of South Carolina

Franciscan University of Steubenville

Ohio State University


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S K Y LY N E R M AGA Z I N E

You are ready to begin the next stage of your lives

Last Word

By Chris Dorrance SDS Headmaster 2001–12

Former Spartanburg Day School Headmaster Chris Dorrance delivered a poignant commencement address to the Class of 2021 in May, one that marked the close of a chapter, both for the graduates and for him personally. After retiring from SDS in 2012 following 11 years as headmaster, Dorrance remained living and active in Spartanburg, teaching, serving on several boards and committees and working as an education consultant. Through it all, he was a loyal champion of the Griffins. This summer, after two decades in Spartanburg, he and his wife, Alice, made the move to Florida to be closer to family and friends. Below, please enjoy a slightly amended version of his parting remarks to graduates.

W

e are gathered today to celebrate you, the Spartanburg Day School Class of 2021, and this important milestone you have reached. Since you first stepped foot on this campus, it has been the school’s task to prepare you for a life well lived—for jobs not yet created with technology that currently doesn’t exist to solve problems not yet discovered. Think of the pandemic that has changed our lives and the race to discover a vaccine. Generations (somewhere between 15 and 20 years in length) are often used to identify common characteristics of an age group and to analyze how current events shape their political, social and economic viewpoints. Although there is plenty of room for disagreement and difference within a generation, there are many similarities worth noting and understanding. Why is this important? You, members of the Z Generation —74 million people born between 1996 and 2012—now comprise 22% of the nation’s population and 32% of the world’s population. Along with the millennials (1980– 1995), you share many common values that differ from

my generation, the baby boomers. Together you comprise over 50% of the workforce and will soon become a majority of eligible voters. Both generations tend to be more driven by issues than by political parties. Together you are the most racially and ethnically diverse cohort of Americans, have more education, and are the most technologically comfortable in a time of rapid change. You are coming of age at a time when America needs the younger generations most. We live now in the midst of a pandemic that has placed a “searchlight” that emphasizes many of this era’s structural shortcomings. These periods of disruption are unsettling but common to the American experience. Every forty to fifty years, America must reorgan­­ize the relationship of the American economy and society. Clearly the winds of change are overtaking the values and expectations that have long defined us. It may be hard to be optimistic in this period of seismic upheaval, but we must remember that America has overcome equally challenging times of war and economic depression. I have great faith that these graduates and the members of their generation can chart the course and steer the ship to calmer and better waters. And I look forward to seeing what they will become as parents, citizens and leaders. I know they have been taught to choose the hard right over the easy wrong. So, I say to you Griffin graduates: You are ready to begin the next stage of your lives, and you will provide America with much needed oxygen and energy in what I believe strongly will be a time of rebirth and promise. God bless you!


Remember when…

Spartanburg Day School’s campus has always been known for its beautiful landscaping and outdoor spaces. Students and faculty were especially thankful for them this year when they were spending more time outside in the fresh air. Many classes enjoyed spending time in the Senior Courtyard, pictured here, which was added to campus in 1965.


Nonprofit Org U.S. postage

PAID Greenville, SC 29602 Permit No. 1431

1701 Skylyn Drive Spartanburg, SC 29307

EDUCATION FOR LIFE 2 years through 12th grade

864.582.7539 admissions@sdsgriffin.org spartanburgdayschool.org

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