We are Trinity: Stories from Trinity Episcopal School Alumni

WE are

TRINITY STORIES from

our ALUMNI

Since 2004, more than 490 children have come through our doors as students and then graduated to be Alumni of Trinity Episcopal School.

Trinity strives to provide opportunities to shape students into curious scholars, strong leaders, confident risk-takers and contributing members of society.

From graduates in the workplace to those in high school, Trinity Alumni are doing amazing things in the world by sharing their knowledge and special gifts with others.

WEareTrinity.

ourMission Trinity Episcopal School is committed to the breadth of the Episcopal tradition in both its unity and diversity. >> A student of Trinity Episcopal School is challenged to academic excellence while honored as an individual with unique potential. >> As faculty and families together influence young lives, students themselves will be affirmed as ambassadors of grace, citizens who live and teach an ethic of service and respect for others. >> A student of Trinity Episcopal School is trained in the example of Christ and toward a stewardship of healthy body, lively soul and discerning mind.

Creating Scholars, Nurturing Spirituality & Embracing Diversity in Charlotte’s Center City.

KY Atkinson ‘08

Trinity is...Comfortable.

Ky’s Words...

I love that TES was able to help me explore my academic, athletic, and artistic sides, while also exposing me to service learning and helping me explore in faith studies.

It seemed like no matter what your interest was, there was always something to get involved in at Trinity.

Trinity Episcopal School ‘08 Rabun Gap Nacoochee School ‘12 Elizabeth City State University ‘16 US Coast Guard

As an African-American woman training to be a pilot, Ky Atkinson ‘08 has never allowed any challenges to stop her from chasing her dream. On a flight from Charlotte to Florida when she was 4 years old, Ky laid her eyes on the cockpit of an airplane for the first time. From that day on, she knew she was meant to be a pilot. Ky is now a student at Elizabeth City State University where she is working towards her Private Pilot Certificate with a major in Aviation Science and a minor in Air Traffic Control.

Ky was selected for the Coast Guard CSPI (College Student Pre-Commissioning Initiative) Scholarship Program and completed 8 weeks in basic training. Ky is guaranteed a spot in Officer Candidate School for the US Coast Guard when she graduates. This program also awarded her a full scholarship for her senior year at Elizabeth City State.

Jack matkins ‘09

Trinity is... a Launching Pad. Jack’s Words...

At Trinity I learned how to be comfortable in a variety of situations and be a lifelong learner.

The most valuable lesson I learned was the power and importance of community.

Trinity does a great job of encouraging crossclassroom and multi-grade interaction.

Trinity graduates are able to understand not only the value of supportive communities, but also how to create them.

Trinity Episcopal School ‘09 Myers Park High School ‘13 Vanderbilt University ‘17 Vanderbilt Student Government

Because of the time he spent in his 8th grade seminar class researching, discussing and formulating opinions on immigration issues, Jack Matkins ’09 believes that Trinity helped him learn how to interact successfully with different types of people and have meaningful conversations with co-workers, friends and community members.

Involved with the Programming Board, Student Government, Student Activity Fund and Manna International, Jack is a strong leader in his college community at Vanderbilt University.

Jack is pursuing a degree in Economics with a minor in Corporate Strategy and Financial Economics.

Caroline GilL ‘06

Trinity Episcopal School, ‘09 Myers Park High School, ‘13 Vanderbilt University, ‘17 Vanderbilt Student Government

Trinity is...Real.

Caroline’s Words...

Trinity taught me to think outside of the box, to get my hands dirty and to challenge myself to take academic risks.

As a graduate of Trinity, not only do I have great memories and amazing relationships with friends and teachers, but also a personal character strongly influenced by the school’s mission.

Trinity Episcopal School ‘06 Charlotte Latin School ‘10 Washington & Lee University ‘14 Investment Banking Analyst, JP Morgan

Caroline Gill ’06 graduated from Washington & Lee in May of 2014, and a few weeks before leaving her home in Charlotte, she found her Noticing Journal from 6th grade at Trinity. Her dad had taken her to New York for her 12th birthday, and Caroline brought her Noticing Journal, a journal that all Trinity students keep each summer.

Caroline came across a sentence that struck her as ironic and comical - “New York is so fun to visit, but I would never live there.”

Little did 12-year-old Caroline know that she would start her career in New York City and take the values she learned at Trinity with her.

With a degree from W&L in Economics and minors in Math and Poverty & Human Capability Studies, Caroline now is an Investment Banking Analyst in the Capital Markets Group at JP Morgan in New York.

Her desire to help others is one component of Caroline’s strong faith. Caroline was able to find and join a church in New York and attributes her church community to one of the reasons she loves living in the “Big City.”

preston holmes ‘05

Trinity is...Family.

Preston’s Words...

Trinity helped shape me into a wellrounded individual and confident student - characteristics I rely on for my success in law school.

Trinity’s challenging academic curriculum, beneficial enrichment programs and competitive athletic opportunities prepare students to excel both academically and socially in new environments.

Trinity Episcopal School ‘05 Christ School (NC) ‘09 Auburn University ‘13 Penn State School of Law ‘17

Preston Holmes ’05 did not go on the typical Spring Break his senior year at Auburn University. Instead of going to the beach, lake or mountains like most of his friends, Preston came back to Charlotte to spend a week volunteering at Trinity alongside Athletic Director and PE Teacher David Martin. In addition to assisting in PE classes, Preston also read to lower school students, taught a math lesson in 1st grade and helped teachers with whatever they needed. Preston appreciated all that Trinity did for him while he was a student, and he wanted to give back his time and services so that other children could have the same experience.

Since his time at Trinity, Preston has served as the President of the Auburn Economics Club, worked as a Congressional Intern on Capitol Hill, placed first in the Illinois Mock Trials and served as a member of the Phi Alpha Delta legal fraternity and the Black Law Student Association.

Courtney stabingas ‘06

Trinity is...

Koinonia.

Courtney’s Words...

Trinity taught me the importance of being in a close community and having compassion for those who surround you.

I believe embracing diversity and striving to understand others is one of the most important things we need to do as students, citizens and human beings.

Trinity Episcopal School ‘06 Bellevue Christian School (WA) ‘10 Pepperdine University ‘14 Vanderbilt University ‘17 Fulbright Scholarship Recipient

With a major in International Studies from Pepperdine University and a passion for education, Courtney Stabingas ’06 knew she wanted to be a teacher, but was not sure where she wanted to start that journey. Courtney gained a love for being abroad when she spent her sophomore year studying in Heidelberg, Germany.

During her senior year, Courtney was granted the prestigious Fulbright Scholarship to teach English in Athens, Greece.

Through the Hellenic-American Educational Foundation, Courtney worked as an assistant to the English teachers in 1st through 6th grades. Living in Greece exposed her to different cultures and reminded her of the importance of embracing diversity which she learned during her time at Trinity. Now that her one-year commitment in Greece has come to an end, Courtney is pursuing a Master in Elementary Education at Vanderbilt University.

Andy smithey ‘12

Trinity is...

Enlightening.

Andy’s Words...

At St. Mary’s, I serve as the 2015-16 Executive SGA President. I know I would not have been prepared for this role had teachers at Trinity not revealed my potential to me.

Jason Martin, my Koinonia leader, constantly held me to his high expectations because he knew I could reach them. Because of this, I have a greater confidence and know I am capable of leading.

Trinity Episcopal School ‘12 St. Mary’s School (NC) ‘16 Student Body President

Andy is a natural born leader and credits Trinity for being the first place where people helped her realize she had this potential. In the fall of 2014, Andy Smithey ’12 was nominated by her all-girls high school, Saint Mary’s School in Raleigh, to attend the 2015 Student Leadership Conference (SLC) organized by the Alliance of Girls’ Schools Australasia. After an intense application process, Andy was one of two girls from the United States chosen to attend the leadership conference with 150 young girls from around the world at Bond University in Queensland, Australia.

Andy loved the opportunity to surround herself with girls who were different than her but on a similar journey to find how they can fulfill the role of being a leader.

In addition to her role as Student Body President, Andy also serves on the Saint Mary’s Vestry, plays basketball & soccer and runs cross country for the school.

Photo Source: Woodberry Forest School, & Linda Hogan, Photographer

ROSS WINSTON ‘11

Trinity is...Sprouting.

Ross’ Words...

On my first day at Trinity, midway through 3rd grade, there was a large sign on the door to Mrs. Dellinger’s classroom that read ‘Welcome Ross Winston, You Belong Here’.

This sign symbolized the start of a great new beginning and a good change.

Trinity Episcopal School ‘11 Woodberry Forest School (VA) ‘15 Duke University ‘19 Eagle Scout

Ross Winston ’11 has always had a knack for technology. In the spring of his junior year at Woodberry Forest, Ross was awarded the 2014 Noland Summer Fellowship allowing him to spend 4 weeks in Ghana over the summer installing a computer lab at a school of 250 students. Since returning to the United States, Ross has continued to work remotely on the lab in Ghana. He returned to Africa in the summer of 2015 to install IT equipment and implement an electronic records system at a hospital in Tanzania.

During the summer after his sophomore year, Ross was hired to serve as the Interim Technology Director at Trinity and later worked as the Mobile Device Administrator at Woodberry. Ross is not sure where he would like to be after graduating from Duke University but is interested in the integration and accessibility of medicine & technology in the developing world.

Meredith Nelson ‘10

Trinity is...

Welcoming.

Meredith’s Words...

My sound values, reinforced by Trinity, guide me to make the right decisions and to treat others with kindness & respect.

The most important value I learned at Trinity was to be open to people of diverse backgrounds. Everyone is unique and worth getting to know for distinct reasons. Diversity is to be embraced and celebrated as it can create an environment where people are continuously learning from each other.

Trinity Episcopal School ‘10 Myers Park High School ‘14 Stanford University ‘18 Stanford Symphony Orchestra

When Meredith Nelson ’10 traveled to Chapel Hill her junior year of high school to see renowned scientist Joseph DeSimone speak, she had no clue how it would impact her life in the future. After seeing DeSimone speak, Meredith read and learned about his research and then emailed him, which inclined DeSimone to offer her an internship in his Chapel Hill lab that summer. Meredith reported directly to an M.D./Ph.D. student and worked to create and test iontophoretic devices by filling microscopic devices with a cancerfighting drug and testing their success by inserting them into pancreatic tumors.

During Meredith’s freshman year at Stanford University, she worked at DeSimone’s 3D printing company, Carbon3D, doing research and printing for the company. DeSimone and Meredith’s connection is one that started in 2012 and is still going strong.

matt williams ‘11

Trinity is...

Service.

Trinity Episcopal School, ‘05 Christ School, Asheville, ‘09 Auburn University, ‘13 Penn State School of Law, ‘17

Matt’s Words...

Going to a K-8 school benefitted me academically while also giving me the people skills to make connections with my teachers.

My experience taught me to be kind and considerate to everyone around me and allowed me to make sure my light was always shining through.

Trinity Episcopal School ‘11 Charlotte Country Day School ‘15 University of North Carolina-Charlotte ‘19

When Matt Williams ’11 received a Gold Key Scholastic Art Award for his fused glass work at Country Day, he knew glass was the art medium he wanted to pursue. In his senior year, Matt took AP Sculpture & 3D Art, along with AP Physics & AP Calculus, and also found time to spend in the art studio creating fused glass pieces. When not studying or creating glass scultpures, Matt played sports and volunteered.

Matt played receiver on the Country Day football team all four years of high school.

He ran track and also played ultimate frisbee.

In addition to athletics, Matt is passionate about volunteering as well. Matt was the President of the Big Brothers & Big Sisters Chapter at Country Day and President of the Bow Tie Club, a group of juniors and seniors that opened doors during carpool for the lower school students to welcome them to school. Matt also served as the student council representative for the Class of 2015 at Country Day. He is now studying at the University of North Carolina Charlotte.

Franccezka Descalzi ‘13

Trinity is...a Sculptor.

Franccezka’s Words...

Because of Trinity, I had a great foundation to enter the crazy world that is high school and was academically prepared for all of my classes freshman year.

The teachers at Trinity really help you get to the place you need to be before you graduate.

Trinity Episcopal School ‘13 Charlotte Catholic High School ‘17 Honor Women’s Choir

After spending a week in New York City during Trinity’s Without Walls (WOW) week in 6th grade, Franccezka found her true love for music and theater. Trinity’s Middle School Choir was where her passion for singing grew, and she is now a member of the nationally recognized Charlotte Catholic Honors Women’s Choir.

Franccezka also has a passion for learning. She works very hard to maintain a high GPA and is taking AP classes in her junior year, one being English, her favorite subject. Not only does she enjoy singing and learning, but she also loves to serve others.

Franccezka is involved with the St. Matthew’s Catholic Church Muffin Ministry, a group that bakes muffins and sends them to homeless shelters and other organizations. Franccezka hopes to continue her love for singing and serving throughout the rest of high school and into college.

Adam watts ‘11

Trinity is...

Unique.

Adam’s Words...

Trinity played an integral role in shaping me as a scholar and in developing my spirituality.

Through service learning, Trinity helped me expand my horizons & become more comfortable with people from all walks of life.

The most valuable thing I learned at Trinity is that things are rarely at the surface level: the grade, the service hours , etc.; it is about pursuing excellence in everything you do and the idea that our faith should be woven into everything we do.

Trinity Episcopal School ‘11 Charlotte Latin School ‘15 Northwestern University ‘19

From 2011 - 2015, Adam Watts ’11 was a member of the Urban Eagles, a group funded by the Charlotte Eagles soccer team. The team met once a week and organized boys’ soccer teams in urban neighborhoods to help guide young boys on their spiritual journey.

Adam was a leader in this group and played on a team with Urban Eagles players and local high school students. Adam traveled with the Charlotte Eagles to Brazil on a spiritual journey in the summer of 2014. The team did mission work by playing soccer with young students at local schools.

Adam was also a member of the Charlotte Latin boys’ soccer team all four years of high school, and served as captain his senior year.

Adam is a freshman at Northwestern University where he is pursuing a degree in Engineering.

pemberton heath ‘04

Trinity is...

Nurturing.

Pemberton’s Words...

Trinity nurtured and cultivated me as a learner in such a way that I was poised to thrive in a boarding school environment that demanded a balance of independence and collaborative community living.

Trinity instilled within me an authentic love of learning. I wouldn’t be doing what I am doing now had I not developed a real passion for being in school and learning.

Trinity Episcopal School ‘04 St. Andrew’s School ‘08 University of Virginia ‘12 Jefferson Scholar Post-Baccaulareate, Harvard University ‘15

Pemberton Heath ’04 is a true believer in the idea that all things happen for a reason. Because of Trinity’s nurturing environment, Pemberton was academically prepared for success at St. Andrew’s School and went on to receive the Jefferson Scholarship from the University of Virginia. After graduating from UVA, Pemberton returned to St. Andrew’s to teach statistics and pre-calculus and to coach soccer and lacrosse.

Pemberton then moved to Boston and completed the post-baccalaureate medical program at Harvard University.

While in Boston, Pemberton was involved in clinical research groups and shadowed an orthopedic oncologist.

Pemberton believes that Trinity empowered her to be a lifelong learner, and she is now teaching at Thayer Academy in Braintree, MA, while she applies to medical school.

Great schools have alumni who are actively involved, and our alumni success illustrates the value of a Trinity education.

I am so grateful for these and all other alumni who share their stories, exemplifying Trinity’s mission and core values as citizens of the world.

-- Tom Franz, Head of School

Trinity graduates attend many different high schools, both local public and independent, as well as boarding schools from California to Vermont.

After high school, Trinity’s Alumni go on to attend colleges and universities around the world where they pursue a variety of majors and fields of study.

Trinity’s earliest graduates are now in the workplace, pursuing careers locally, nationally & globally.

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