The Trojan Spring 2022

Students enjoy performing to live audiences once again!

Implementing Strategic Plan One Step at a Time

Dear Wesleyan Family,

In this spring issue of the Trojan we would like to continue sharing with you some of the progress we have made in our final two focus areas as laid out in the 2020-2025 Strategic Plan: Christian Community and Stewardship. Just two years into our strategic plan’s implementation, we are pleased to share that we have made great strides in each area.

Christian Community In Hebrews 10:24-25, God’s word reminds us, “And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.”

While Wesleyan Christian Academy is an academic institution, it is also a family of believers and an organization devoted to growing young men and women who “will be equipped to serve Christ and influence the world“ as stated in our mission.

We have faced a variety of cultural and political issues together over the years and we expect this to continue. Therefore, the value of our strong Christian community continues to grow. Consequently, we are committed to providing even more opportunities to grow together in community.

or financial support to two schools in our area that serve students from communities in need: Kirkman Park Elementary and Montlieu Academy of Technology. In addition, our spiritual life department and athletics department jointly created Wesleyan Athletics Cares this year, an initiative that gives our sports teams an opportunity to serve members of our community in need together.

You may not know that Wesleyan is one of a very few Christian schools in North Carolina that are committed to not just serving students with learning differences in a college-prep setting, but providing specialized programming to ensure they are receiving the information in a way that meets their needs. Because of the incredible work of our Enrichment Center’s leadership and teachers, our school is recognized as one of the best schools in our region for students with mild to moderate learning differences

Our weekly Chapels are a mainstay in the life of Wesleyan, when students worship with their classmates, teachers and school staff, providing a time for reflection. Worshiping the Lord together is just one way our students are growing together. Our middle and high school students have also begun studying the Word together in small groups this year. We are excited to see the fruit from these times of a smaller community.

In addition, it is Wesleyan’s priority to serve diverse communities - be it different races, learning styles or economic backgrounds. Our families have been given numerous opportunities to serve - through providing hands-on, material

And last but not least, there’s a reason we call ourselves the Wesleyan family: the students and parents of Wesleyan Christian Academy love to be together. Over the last few years, gathering together has been difficult due to the season our world has been in, but thankfully, this year we were able to fellowship together! Not only did we enjoy many Wesleyan traditions like October’s Homecoming and May’s PTO Fun Night, we added a few, including the first Snow Ball Dance in January and Family Fun Night at the Sandy Ridge Campus in April.

Stewardship Our Stewardship focus encompasses a broad range of projects, including expanding our AGG Fundraising campaign to include a Silent Auction, growing our financial aid resources, constructing new facilities and programs on the Sandy Ridge Campus and ensuring that we are maximizing every resource available to provide our students with an elite education, undergirded by God’s word, to help our students reach their God-given potential.

Thanks to your generosity and support, our Annual Gift Giving program continues to be an incredible success. Adding the Silent Auction has been a fun and fruitful opportunity for the entire Wesleyan family, helping our AGG fund reach new heights. In the auction’s second year it raised $48,481.00, helping bring Wesleyan’s 2022 AGG Campaign total to more than $402,000, all of which is channeled to student programming.

As the years have passed, we are blessed that Wesleyan’s leadership and Board of Directors remain committed to supporting our financial assistance program. This is one more reason we were thrilled to make Wesley Place Thrift, our newly acquired thrift store next door, a reality. This new venture creates a funding source for WCA student financial assistance while providing an on-site business with which our new Economics and Entrepreneurship class may engage.

As we have shared with you in the new digital publication, “The Ridge Report” we are encouraged by the momentum that is building for our programming at our Sandy Ridge Campus. In the last six months, we have completed the Ludy M. Strother Leadership Course, installed a grill pad adjacent to the open-air pavilion, built a softball field, broken ground on an outdoor amphitheater and groomed and prepared the soccer field to enjoy our Varsity Girls soccer games during the spring.

Just as we have the baseball field at Sandy Ridge, we look forward to renting the softball and soccer fields to sports organizations in the years to come which will bring in additional revenue to fund both our needs and dreams for the Sandy Ridge Campus.

Our strategic plan will continue to guide us for the next several years, and we look forward to seeing all that God has in store for our school and our community. It has been our joy and pleasure to serve you throughout this semester and we are thankful to the Lord for each and every one of you

For His glory and our children’s good,

Dr. David Ray Head of School

A FOND FAREWELL...

In late November the Board of Directors shared with Wesleyan families that I would be closing my time at Wesleyan Christian Academy in May to move my family to San Antonio, allowing us to be closer to our daughter, son-in-law, and his family. Our son is also joining us and he will be enrolling in college there locally. Praise be to God, we will all be together in one place! We are thankful He has also provided a new position for me as Head of School at San Antonio Christian School.

I am grateful to the Lord for His provision not only for my family, but for Wesleyan in bringing Dr. David Ray into the Wesleyan family, and for a strong school board and staff that are passionate about pursuing God’s best and His excellence.

I am excited for the next 50 years at Wesleyan, a new campus on the horizon, and new leadership that is bringing a strong vision for the future. I will always be a huge advocate and cheerleader for Wesleyan…count on me to continue to lift you in prayer every day!

Your love and support, coupled with your partnership, has inspired me in far greater ways than I ever anticipated since coming to Wesleyan. The countless souls that have been saved since 1971 is the primary reason we all do what we do and it's been my greatest honor and blessing to have served you and your children during this incredible journey.

As I close the door on this season, know I will unceasingly pray that you will continue in Wesleyan’s mission and vision to know and live the Truth, and to proclaim His name until the Lord comes.

Dr. Rob Brown, Head of School (2009-2022)

Former Heads of School Mr. Joel Farlow (left) and Dr. Rob Brown (right) pose with new Head of School Dr. David Ray (center) earlier this year.

Cover photography: Blythe Glover

2-3 Letter from the Head of School Strategic Plan Helps Propel Wesleyan Forward

5-6 Academics | EARLY ED GRADUATION

Wesleyan’s PreK Program Graduates 58!

7 Alumni | WISHING YOU OUR BEST! Birth Announcements and Engagements

8-9 Development | AGG GOLF TOURNAMENT 2022 Golf Tournament Helps AGG Set Record!

NEW HEAD OF SCHOOL TAKES LEAD IN JUNE

10 We Are Wesleyan | ACCOMPLISHMENTS Current Students & Alumni Pursue Excellence

11-13 Athletics | ATHLETES PURSUE COLLEGE CAREERS

sincere

Wesleyan Christian Academy thetrojan Spring 2022

We are thrilled to share that on June 1, Dr. David Ray, former Associate Head of School, stepped into the role as our new Head of

Upon news of Dr. Rob Brown’s resignation, the Board of Directors spent hours in prayer seeking God’s will for our next Head of School. At the beginning of their search, Board Chair John Vernon stated, “Finding the right candidate is paramount to the future of Wesleyan. In the cultural environment we are living in, the board and I believe that evidence of that individual’s close relationship and walk with the Lord is of the utmost importance for the Head of School position.” The board was also seeking a candidate who had extensive and successful leadership experience in education, among

While interviewing candidates, it became evident that Dr. David Ray fit every criteria, and was the person to lead Wesleyan forward. In December, the board extended an offer, and he accepted. We are excited for you to get to know Dr. Ray both as a person and as our next Head of School. Praise be to God for placing this Godly man at the helm of our school for such a time as this.

academics Early Education Center Graduates 58 PreK- 4 Students!

One minute they’re babies and the next they are GRADUATING?! That’s right! We are pleased to share that Wesleyan’s Early Education Center held a graduation ceremony for its 58 graduating Prek-4 students on May 22.

According to Director Amy McNeill, “It was such a blessing to be a part of this special day! These little ones were so proud of themselves—as they should be. Wesleyan’s kindergarten teachers have a real treat in store, as many of

Our

thanks goes to Blythe Glover Photography for serving as the official photographer for Wesleyan Christian Academy.

these students are enrolled in our TK and Kindergarten classes for the 20222023 school year!”

alumni academics

From Eggs to Chicks… a Lesson on the Value of Life

As our third grade students prepared for the annual Charlotte’s Web study, Mrs. Derr had an extra special project up her sleeve. Just in time for spring, she was planning to hatch some baby chicks with the help of her students!

With an incubator set up and eggs in place on March 8, the journey began. Over the course of the month,

the students helped make sure the eggs were turned each day, and the temperature and humidity were kept at the perfect measures. And just a few weeks later, the squeals of excitement were audible in the elementary hallway as students returned to their classroom on Monday, March 29 to find 15 baby chicks! What a beautiful lesson in the beauty, and fragility, of life!

HOSPITALIST LECTURES AP BIO

We love having Wesleyan parents on campus to share their knowledge with our students!

In February, Dr. David Tat, an Infecttious Diseases (ID) Hospitalist and Wesleyan parent, spent time with Mrs. Alexander's Advanced Placement (AP) Biology block discussing the nature and structure of viruses.

With Covid-19 fresh on students’ minds, Dr. Tat spent time explaining the Covid virus structure and replication, in addition to how the consumer tests work to identify the virus. Not surprisingly, the students were very engaged and challenged Dr. Tat with some provoking questions, which he graciously answered.

Birth Announcements

The following alumni have welcomed new babies into the world recently:

Gracie Rae Billings

Dallas & Erica Martin Billings Born 1/18/22

Teddy Murrell

Tommy & Deven Griffin Murrell Born 2/17/22

Alexander James O'Connor (Xander)

Michael & Leah Griffin O'Connor Born 4/19/22

Ella ‘Ellie’ Scott Craver

Dan & Brittany Craver Born 4/8/22

Alumni News! 2022 Engagements!

To submit a birth, engagement, wedding, or significant accomplishment to the Trojan, please email dstone@wcatrojans.org with the subject line: “Trojan Alumni Submission”. Please include name of the alumnus and graduation year, fiance’s or spouse’s name, and baby’s name and birthdate (if newborn submission). If including photos, please send a .jpeg or .png digital image. Thank you!

Gracie Rae Billings

Zach Thompson and Maddie Wheeler

Teddy Murrell

Drew Glover and Mikayla Crofford

Alexander James O'Connor

Grace McNairy and Jackson Bowman

Ella Scott Craver

Jaxon Barber and Macy Thurmond

development

AGG Nelson O. Silver Golfers’ Challenge

AGG CORPORATE SPONSORS ENJOY A GREAT DAY OF GOLF AND FELLOWSHIP!

This year’s AGG golf appreciation tournament was held on April 11th at Willow Creek Country Club in High Point. This was our second spring tournament, and we were blessed with yet another beautiful day of fun and fellowship. Thank you to the 120 golfers that participated in this year’s event.

Many thanks to our corporate sponsors, current students, parents, grandparents, and alumni for your continued support of our Annual Gift Giving Campaign. We appreciate the hard work, dedication, and support from our AGG committee, parent volunteers, and our administration. The total amount raised for this year’s campaign was more than $402,OOO What a blessing!!! The Annual Fund is a vital part of our school as it allows us to provide additional enhancements for our students, which helps keep our tuition increases to a minimum.

wesleyan we

TOP

Senior and Varsity Swim Team member Caroline McNairy was named to the list of top 25 NCISAA Female Swimmers!!

West Point Cadet John Linton ('19) completed the esteemed "Sabalauski Air Assault School" as a member of the 101st Airbourne Division in 2021.

ONE OF FOUR UNC FRESHMEN NAMED LIGHT ON THE HILL SCHOLARS, RECOGNIZED FOR ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE, LEADERSHIP, AND SERVICE.

SEAN FINAN (2022) INVITED TO PLAY IN THE 5TH ANNUAL TAR HEEL CUP

After completing 6 years of service, Mark McLamb, Captain US Army, was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the US Marine Corps on May 15.

a rising senior at the USNA was selected by leadership to serve as one of six in the Brigade of Midshipmen and is now the commander for one battalion, consisting of 5 companies. Her new title will be MIDN Lieutenant Commander Madeline G. Cashion.

TEACHER NATE JARRETT (2007) "THE LION AT DAWN"

IRELAND ALSTON (5TH GRADER) "THE SECRET OF THE YELLOW MOON"

Authors Among Us!

Wesleyan alumnus and high school teacher, Dr. Nate Jarrett, wrote his second book, “The Lion at Dawn” which was published by Oklahoma University Press. / Fifth grader Ireland Alston made excellent use of her time during the pandemic by writing and publishing a historical fantasy novel, “The Secret of the Yellow Moon” with her grandfather on Saturday mornings via Zoom! Ireland’s book reached the top 10 of historical fiction for children on Amazon. / Lauren Miller, 5th grade Enrichment teacher, has published a series of journals alongside a devotional and series for adults and kids titled “Book Club for One”. Each of these books and authors can be found on Amazon.com.

SYDNEY BUCK (2021)

Wesleyan

LAUREN MILLER (ENRICHMENT TEACHER) "BOOK CLUB FOR ONE"

MADDIE CASHION (2019) US NAVAL ACADEMY MIDSHIPMAN

MARK MCLAMB (2018) CAPTAIN US ARMY

CAROLINE MCNAIRY (2022)

25 NCISAA FEMALE SWIMMER

JOHN LINTON (2019) WEST POINT CADET

athletics

Winter Athletic Teams

Winter Athletic Awards

VARSITY GIRLS BASKETBALL

Coach's Award Taylor Hawley

Most Improved Player Ashley Browne

Most Valuable Player Lily Pereira

VARSITY BOYS' BASKETBALL

Most Valuable Player Luke Grace

Most Valuable Player Jefferson McLamb

Coach's Award Alex McGee

VARSITY GIRLS SWIMMING

Most Valuable Swimmer Caroline McNairy

Most Improved Swimmer Emma Tarter

Coach's Award Katie Kirkman

VARSITY BOYS' SWIMMING

Most Valuable Swimmer Harrison Gardner

Most Improved Swimmer Tyler Fogle

Coach's Award Ethan Hoots

VARSITY BOYS' WRESTLING

Most Valuable Wrestler Malcolm Black

Most Improved Wrestler David Perdue

Coach's Award Bryce Neel

VARSITY CHEERLEADING

Most Valuable Cheerleader Ally Ford

Most Valuable Cheerleader Kyla Pesayanavin

Coach's Award Maddie Merhoff

JV BOYS' BASKETBALL

Most Improved Player Brandon Novak

Coach's Award Jasean Williams

MS BOYS' BASKETBALL (RED)

Most Improved Player Cole Bowman

Coach's Award Matheson Barber

MS BOYS' BASKETBALL (GOLD)

Most Improved Player Cole Patton

Coach's Award Spencer Brooks

MS GIRLS' BASKETBALL

Most Improved Player Kyla Denton

Coach's Award Blythe Cunningham

Second Round of College Commits signing day

ELLA ABBOTT - SWIMMING - Mars Hill University

THOMAS BOWMAN - BASEBALL - Pitt Comm. College

AVA BROWN - VOLLEYBALL - Newberry College

HARRISON GARDNER - SWIMMING - UNC Chapel Hill

CARTER GLOVER- SOCCER - Taylor University

LUKE GRACE - BASKETBALL - Southwestern Illinois

TREVOR HOWARD - SOCCER - Columbia International

CHRIS KELLEY - SOCCER - Chowan University

JEFFERSON MCLAMB - BASKETBALL - Southwestern Illinois

CAMERON PARKER- BASKETBALL - Carolina University

MACOY STRAWN - SOCCER - Lenoir Rhyne University

Varsity Cheerleaders

Varsity Boys Basketball

Varsity Girls & Boys Swimming

Varsity Girls Basketball

MS Boys Basketball (Red)

MS Boys Basketball (Gold)

Varsity Wrestling

JV Boys Basketball

MS Girls Basketball

campus life

We Take Our Fun Seriously And It Shows! State Champions, Snow Ball Kings, and Triad Moms, Oh My!

WESLEYAN SHOWS UP BIG FOR FIRST FAMILY FUN NIGHT & ANNUAL PTO FUN NIGHT!

This year, Wesleyan’s Alumni Committee and Trojan Club joined forces to launch the first Family Fun Night at our Sandy Ridge Campus on Friday, April 8. Though the bounce houses had to come down because the weather was windier than we had hoped, spirits remained high. And how couldn’t they? With the Trojan Club grilling burgers on the new grill pad adjacent to the open-air pavilion, our first Varsity Girls Soccer

team competing on their new field and the Varsity Baseball Team battling an opponent at the baseball stadium while music filled the air, it was a great night to be a Trojan. All proceeds raised from this event went to our Athletic Department for a new sound system for the baseball stadium.

After a two-year sabbatical, it’s no surprise that this year’s Annual PTO Fun Night was the largest on record!

From photo booths and cake walks to Sunset Slush and bounce houses –and so much more – we know some students (and parents!) who slept extra well that night! Proceeds from this event went to our PTO to help support various student and faculty projects throughout the year. Thanks to the countless volunteers and organizers who spent months planning these events - we are so thankful for each of you!

Meet your 2022 Battle of the Books State Champions!! These Wesleyan 5th graders spent part of their 2021 summer reading selected books for the upcoming Battle of the Books season. When school started, their reading comprehension and memory skills were tested each week through inner-team mock competitions led by advisors Emily Mack and Lauren Miller. In March, the BOB team took first place over the O’Neal School, Asheville

Christian, St. Pius Catholic, and Greensboro Day School in the district competition. Next stop? The State Championship against Westchester Country Day School, St. Raphael, and First Impressions Academy, which Wesleyan hosted. Thanks to the hard work and dedication of the team and its advisors, the team brought home their 2nd consecutive State Championship. Way to go!

What did our first Sadie-Hawkins Snow Ball Dance need? A Snow Ball King, of course! Congratulations to Wesleyan Christian Academy’s first Snow Ball King, senior John Wagner The competition was tight, with a Snow Ball Court made up of Ethan Hoots, Duncan Bell, Zeb Hunt and Logan Prillaman, but John will forever hold the title of Wesleyan’s first Snow Ball King!

WESLEYAN VOTED 1ST CHOICE BY TRIAD MOMS

There’s no greater honor than to be selected as the number one choice by members of the Triad community! In this year’s 2022 Triad Moms on Main Choice Awards, Wesleyan Christian Academy was named the number one choice in the High Point/Kernersville community in 3 categories: Independent / Private School, Preschool Program, and Summer Camp!

Thanks to everyone who voted for us! We are so grateful to serve you!

Wesleyan Christian Academy thetrojan Spring

FIRST SNOW BALL

JANUARY 29, 2022

FATHER-DAUGHTER DANCE

FEBRUARY 11, 2022

fine arts Performing Arts Students Deliver Beautiful Production of “Cinderella”!

Performing Arts students returned to the stage in 2022 with a production of “Cinderella” in February following two challenging years of Covid. According to Fine Arts Director Joe Hilliard, “Our performing arts students were thrilled to perform to near full-house, live audiences this year.” Hilliard added that there was an increased level of excitement and energy, and a special closeness of cast, orchestra, and crew.

One of the highlights of this year’s performance was a hard-to-believe transition of Cinderella from maid to princess right before the audience’s eyes. This transition was made possible by one of the department’s “graduating parents”, Debbie Rudolph, who has volunteered her time and efforts to create magnificent costuming for the last seven high school musical productions. One of Mrs. Rudolph’s partners in crime, Mrs. Gail Spence is also “graduating” after five years of unwavering dedication to set design and building. We have been so blessed by their talents! Thank you!

fine arts A Spring to Remember…

PERFORMING

ARTS SHINE

To say it was good to be back in the auditorium to experience the vocal and instrumental talents of our students this spring is truly an understatement. This year’s middle and high school band and choral concerts were an absolute treat for audiences.

With the 2022 spring choral productions also came the acknowledgement that these would be Fine Arts Director Joe Hilliard’s last productions, after announcing his retirement earlier this year. In a very special performance, Men of Servant was joined by numerous alumni of the group that Mr. Hilliard has shepherded for so many years. It was a chill-invoking performance that will be remembered for years to come.

spiritual life

Faith in Action

CELEBRATING NEW COMMITMENTS TO

CHRIST

During a middle school and high school chapel in April, Pastor Deon shared a heartfelt evangelistic message with our students. We had the privilege of celebrating with nearly 50 students who made a first-time commitment or renewed their commitment to Christ. These students recognized their need for a Savior and made a decision to make Jesus Christ the Lord of their lives. God is working in the spiritual lives of our students, and we cannot wait to see how he uses them in the future!

HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS SERVE IN LOCAL SCHOOL

For many years, high school students from Wesleyan have had the opportunity to work with Guilford County’s Communities in Schools Breakfast Buddy program. Because of COVID, the program was suspended; however, this spring, we were thrilled to be back at the Montlieu Academy of Technology in High Point. Over 20 Wesleyan high school students began their morning once a week by serving as a buddy

to a student at Montlieu. Each week, this face-to-face contact was a time for Wesleyan students to serve as mentors to these precious children. Just the simple task of helping them with their homework or encouraging them to do their best in school has been life-changing for them and Wesleyan students. We look forward to working again next year with this wonderful organization

SERVANT LEADERSHIP AT WESLEYAN

Students at Wesleyan are continuously looking for ways they can make a difference and impact our community and world. Wesleyan juniors Ethan Jamroz and Megan Jobe did just that. Together with the help of other students, staff, and parents, they led a project to collect new and usable shoes that were donated to the humanitarian organization Samaritan’s Purse. Well over 200 pairs of shoes were donated and shipped! Samaritan’s Purse will give these shoes to people in need around the globe along with the Gospel message. We are very proud

MEALS NEW COMMITMENTS TO CHRIST

MEALS FOR MISSIONS

of Ethan and Megan for bringing this need to our student body and everyone who donated shoes. Along with receiving a college-preparatory education at Wesleyan, students are genuinely being equipped to serve Christ and influence the world.

As part of this year’s servant leadership initiatives, students have helped serve more than 200 meals to people in our community. Because of their love and concern for others in need, Wesleyan students worked with Church Under the Bridge, a compassion ministry in Greensboro. They also packed food boxes on the second Tuesday of each month to send to the Macedonia community in High Point. More than 200 meals were served to those in need from their hard work. We appreciate our very own Chef Scott in the WCA cafeteria, who consistently provided delicious and healthy meals for the Macedonia Family Resource Center, and to the many students who came to the cafeteria after school to pack

the food to be delivered to families of the Macedonia community, their faithfulness to do this each month was greatly appreciated. Church Under the Bridge was an even greater opportunity as Wesleyan students were able to be face-to-face with people as they served meals to the homeless while also sharing a message of hope in Christ with them. What a great example of being the hands and feet of Jesus.

SMALL GROUPS AT WESLEYAN

This year we started a new avenue of discipleship for students seeking growth in their faith. Thirty-six (36) small groups were formed and led by WCA staff members and our senior chaplains. Students were not required

to attend a small group but decided to participate solely on their own, and that’s exciting! During their lunch hour, 259 middle and high school students met with their small group leader for an 8-week discipleship study. Many great conversations happened in these groups. One student commented that she liked getting into the Word with others, while another said small groups helped him focus more on God, and he enjoyed praying with others. At the end of the eight weeks, it was evident that both the students and leaders felt that their time together was well worth it. Thank you to everyone who participated! We are all the better for it and know a lot more about the goodness of our God!

STUDENTS EMBRACE SERVICE AND COMMUNITY THROUGH CHRIST

CHURCH UNDER THE BRIDGE

SHOE DRIVE SMALL GROUPS