Spring 2010 | windows magazine

Windows SPRING 2010

W WESTMINSTER SCHOOLS OF AUGUS TA

W WESTMINSTER W WESTMINSTER S C HO O L S O F AU G U S TA 3067 WHEELER ROAD • AUGUSTA, GA • 706.731.5260 • WSA.NET

S C HO O L S O F AU G U S TA

W W W

WESTMINSTER SCHOO L S O F AUGUS TA

WESTMINSTER SC HOOLS OF AU GU S TA

WESTMINSTER S C HO O L S O F AU G U S TA

WINDOWs - SPRING 2010 | 1

Inside This Issue 2

A Word From The Headmaster

A Word from the Headmaster

Dear Friends,

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One of the favorite parts of my job is spending time in the classroom with Westminster students. I recently spent a few hours with the second grade and want to give you the insider’s view.

A Bridge for Generations

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Will You Give Me a Drink?

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Something Beautiful for Westminster – Pamplin Hall

7

Litany of Dedication

8

Join Us for the Journey

9

What Will My School Look Like in 2020?

10

Imagine 2020 The Road Before Us

12

School News

15

In Her Own Words

16

Alumni News

18

Interact With Us

19

Developing News

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After arriving in one of the second-grade classrooms in Pamplin Hall, I lined up at the door with the students. Together we thanked God for the lunch we were about to have, and afterward, a boy asked me to sit next to him at lunch. I quickly agreed.

We marched off to lunch and went through the lunch line. That day’s menu included a BBQ pork sandwich, baked beans, green beans, green jello and a carton of milk. I sat at a table with a variety of second graders (mostly girls), ate my lunch, and talked about losing baby teeth, the tooth fairy, wiggly jello and other important matters.

And by the way, my jello did wiggle. In fact, it wiggled right off my fork and into my milk carton. What an embarrassing moment! But nobody noticed, so I drank my milk as if nothing happened. After lunch we returned to the classroom for a time of prayer.

What a privilege it was to stop in the middle of the school day to take time to pray. Students thanked the Lord for everything imaginable and prayed fervently for their teacher, a dog, the people of Haiti, an ailing grandparent and everything else that was on their hearts. To say the least, I was humbled by their prayers and moved to consider my own. I believe we oftentimes make the Christian faith much more complicated than it is.

In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus makes simple what we too often make complex when he said, “I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.

Therefore, whoever humbles himself like

this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And whoever welcomes a little child like this in my name welcomes me.”

At Westminster, it’s sometimes easy to tilt the focus toward our older students as they near “finished product” status. Of course we’re proud of our graduates and soon-to-be graduates. We have all of the commendable benchmarks to be proud of like college acceptance and AP/SAT scores.

However, we must not forget the important foundation laid at the Day School. It’s times like my recent second-grade visit with a remarkably gifted and dedicated Christian teacher and her students that I praise God for the total PK-12 Westminster experience.

One of our greatest resources is our students, and we are deeply blessed to provide for their education and to learn from them too.

Warm regards,

Steve O’Neil

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A Bridge for Generations When Kelly Hensley Farmer (’78) came to Westminster as an eighth-grade student in what was only the second year of the school’s existence, her classes were held in rooms at National Hills Baptist Church. The yearbook staff met in the basement, and a crossing guard would escort her, along with her classmates, to a field across Washington Road for soccer practice.

She remembers how God used Westminster in her life: “The Lord worked primarily through my wonderful teachers. They took a personal interest in me,” Kelly said. “Westminster was a place of security, accountability, love and concern, and spiritual growth to me. When it was time to pick the right school for our children, my husband and I found the same nurturing environment I had experienced many years before.”

As a senior at Westminster, Kelly became interested in teaching when she worked with the kindergarten classes during study hall.

Kelly’s parents, Forrest and Susan Hensley, were actively involved in Westminster, including serving on the Board of Trustees and volunteering in the classrooms of Kelly and her siblings. Kelly never dreamed that one day she would come back to Westminster to teach.

And she certainly did not consider that she would watch her own two children, Matthew (’03) and Mallory (’05), graduate from her alma mater or that she would be part of changing the landscape of Westminster’s campus.

parent, Andy Pollard and said ‘Andy, I need a bridge for my kids. By the time they walk to the field, they have used up half of the P.E. class time.’ Andy nodded quietly but never directly answered my query.”

Behind the scenes, Mr. Pollard was building the bridge off-site with his crew. One night they slipped anonymously on to campus and installed the bridge. “We came to school one morning and there it was – a bridge over Rae’s Creek with a sign that designated it the Kelly Farmer Bridge,” Kelly laughed. “I think he must have named it after me because I might have mentioned it to him more than once.”

Kelly is passionate about teaching and Westminster. “I was prepared for college, just like my kids were,” she said. “At Westminster we were able to develop leadership skills, participate in athletics and were given opportunities to grow socially, academically and spiritually. I understand better than some that teachers can have a lifelong impact on the thoughts, values, Biblical perspectives and attitudes of the students in their classrooms. There is nothing

like knowing your kids are in the right place. I wouldn’t trade it for anything! We had to make sacrifices along the way to keep them there but Westminster provided my children with a solid foundation and teachers that modeled how to live the Christian life. There is no finer feeling than knowing that we’ve done the best we could for our kids.” ■ Editor’s note: Mrs. Kelly Farmer is currently an instructor of Teacher Education at Augusta State University, where she works with Early Childhood Education students at the undergraduate and graduate levels. She has been honored as Teacher of the Year in Richmond County and was recently awarded the honor of Educator of the Year by Junior Achievement. She enjoys leading a Bible study with some of the girls in her class, and she and her husband, Steve, have been pleased to watch their two children graduate from the University of Georgia with honors. Matthew (’03) is in his third year at the Medical College of Georgia studying to be a physician and Mallory (’05) is a first year elementary school teacher.

Kelly has 20 years of experience as an elementary school teacher with the last six of those being at Westminster. She was one of the speakers at the Pamplin Hall Dedication Service, serving as a representative of the alumni, the teaching staff and the parents. She remembers moving into her newly completed first-grade classroom. “It was one of the greatest days of my teaching life! It was spacious, full of natural light and had so much storage space including a huge closet that allowed me to keep all my teaching resources organized and accessible.”

Only one problem remained with the new school building. The students could only get to the soccer field for P.E. by walking all the way to the front gate and then back to the field because of Rae’s Creek. “I talked to another

The Farmer Family - Mallory Farmer (’05) and her fiance Josh Click (seated), Matthew Farmer (’03), his wife Laura, Kelly (’78) and Steve Farmer

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Will You Give Me A Drink?

As you read this magazine, water is being pumped from a well and into a 20,000 liter tank to be distributed for the use of students at the Samburu Christian Education Center. While this action may not seem remarkable to most Americans, the Samburu people in Maralal, Kenya are overjoyed to have abundant, clean drinking water.

Prior to the installation of the well and pump, the people of Maralal relied on the town’s water works which were only able to supply 20 percent of the water needs for the whole town. A two-year drought brought the need for water to a critical level for the pastoral Samburu people. Cattle and goats - the livelihood of the tribe - were dying, and the Samburu Christian Education Center’s Maralal Christian Academy faced the reality of having to close.

When the Westminster community heard about this crisis in September 2009, the senior prefects decided to lead the charge to raise funds for the cause. Service prefect Katelyn Rimer noted, “We decided that these kids were just like us but just a little less fortunate. We wanted to help them, student to student, because we had plenty of the resources that they needed.” Kris Key, Minister of Discipleship at Trinity-on-the-

Hill United Methodist Church, spoke to the student body about the $12,000 needed to complete the well project only a week before the money was due.

Members of the student leadership team were looking for an opportunity for service that could impact the Westminster community while making an impact world-wide. “When the need was laid right in front of us, we were glad for the opportunity to partner with a group of people and begin developing a relationship with the school there,” said chapel prefect Aaron Harris. Development prefect Emily Mecredy agreed. “Even though it was a last minute need, we felt like God sent the opportunity to us and we thought we’d just do the best we could. I’m really proud of the school; it was neat to see people even bring in spare change for this cause,” said Miss Mecredy.

The student-led initiative yielded more than $5,000. These funds were combined with those from another area school and $5,200 from

Primary school children at Maralal Christian Academy

Trinityon-the-Hill United Methodist Church to meet and exceed the financial need!

In November, the Westminster community met for an all-school assembly to hear an update and words of thanks from a Samburu seminary student, Michael Lolwerikoi, and the professor through whom we heard about the need, Bill Goold. After the celebration assembly, the two visitors met with Mike Freace and the student

Professor Bill Goold with high school students in Maralal, Kenya

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with nya

leadership team to explore opportunities for the two schools to further the connection between them.

Michael Lolwerikoi and Bill Goold speak to Westminster students

Mr. Goold, professor of Music and Worship at Asbury Theological Seminary, said, “In His wonderful and gracious way, God chose to connect Westminster Schools of Augusta with the Samburu Christian Education Center. This match between need and supply has proven to truly be a match made in heaven. We have seen God in every phase of this connection.”

One week before Christmas, the motor was started and the pump was turned on for the first time. In a city of approximately 50,000 people, the first and only water well was activated and began pumping. The gathered crowd of excited, thankful people rejoiced to see a steady stream of pure water emerge from the well. Samburu shouted with joy and praised the Lord for answering their prayers, according to Professor Goold.

Currently work is going on to construct a water tower to house the abundant supply. Michael Lolwerikoi returned again to Kenya in January to follow up on the final details of the well project.

From afar, Maralal Christian Academy and Westminster Schools of Augusta do not seem to have much in common. One is a school you already know very well. The other serves more than 500 children in Maralal, Kenya. But both are full of students, faculty and staff that love the same Lord.

Samburu singing songs of praise

“I think that this project has made as big of an impact here as it did in Maralal. Kids were lining up to give money for people they didn’t even know,” said Katelyn Rimer, service prefect.

“Sometimes service projects can be hard to get going with teenagers because today’s world is so self-focused, but I was pleasantly surprised at the results. I still hear people at school talking about Maralal every day.”

“Clean, pure water is life. God has used the students at Westminster to give the gift of life to children in northern Kenya. Because of the love and care from students at WSA, children in Maralal, Kenya were able to return to their classes in January,” Mr. Goold noted. “When their school closed early in December because of no water, they did not expect to return in January. Today they are back in school, drinking pure water and washing hands before meals because God is good. His goodness is shown through His people.” ■

Chandler Norris, Josh Nichols, Jay Hartmann and Ned Pruitt led the Westminster community in songs at the Celebration Chapel in November 2009

“Will You Give Me A Drink?”

The Westminster community was asked the same question last September that Jesus asked the woman at the well in John 4:7. They learned that people in Maralal, Kenya needed $12,000 to complete a well project for their school.

They also learned that the had one week to Mr. Greiner and his class in the midst of acommunity geography lesson. respond.

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Something Beautiful for Westminster

Pamplin Hall At 8 a.m., on a Monday, students move through Pamplin Hall like flood waters. They twirl, skip and saunter, being careful NOT to run in the hallway to their respective classrooms. A few minutes later, the students are greeted by the intercom with a warm “Good morning. It is time for morning music.” A small group of student voices join together to sing a praise song. Then the whole student body can be heard reciting the Pledges and singing the Doxology. Birthdays and other announcements are made, prayers are said, and the typical school day for a Day School student at Westminster begins.

It was not always this way. As late as 1999, classes for pre-kindergarten through fifth grade students were not in a self-contained building.

Though some lower grade classes were held in the current Upper School buildings, other elementary school classes were held in doublewide trailers on what is now a practice field near the Upper School gym.

“A new building wasn’t just something that would be nice to have, it was a ‘need to have’.

Our parents knew it was essential; the middle and high school students needed more space as well,” said Dr. John Lindsell, who was serving as Westminster’s headmaster at the time.

In the late 1990s the need became acute.

But thanks to two generous gifts, a building campaign was begun. An anonymous donation of land was the first of these two gifts. It was an answer to prayer.

“It was simply woods, and the property didn’t even belong to the school. But I remember walking in those woods praying that God would allow Westminster to have something beautiful

there,” said Mr. David Hanks, who served as Chairman of the Board of Trustees at the time.

The second gift came from Mr. and Mrs. Robert B. Pamplin, Sr. The Pamplins had given a generous gift to First Presbyterian Church for the purpose of building new educational facilities at the church. Though they were living in Portland, Oregon, the Pamplins were members of First Presbyterian, her family, the Reeses’, home church. They appreciated the sound, biblical teaching of First Presbyterian and were very interested in the teaching ministry there.

Oliver and the ministry of First Pres, of which Westminster was an integral part, that made this lead gift possible,” said Mr. Hanks. The Westminster Board of Trustees stepped out in faith with the Session of First Presbyterian Church, and they were pleasantly surprised and very grateful for the Lord’s provision of the additional funds.

Many people united to provide children with a more conducive learning environment. There were several gifts of magnitude, but it was the support of numerous contributors in varied amounts that ultimately made the building possible. Additionally, 100 percent of the board, faculty and administration contributed financially to the building campaign.

Over lunch in a private dining room at the Pinnacle Club, the Pamplins announced their proposed gift to Dr. John Oliver. Dr. Oliver served as pastor of First Presbyterian Church “It was the largest capital campaign we had from 1969 to 1997 and is a founding trustee of ever undertaken as a school,” Mr. Hanks said.

Westminster.

“The last At that lunch major update Mr. Pamplin was in the said, “John, you 1980s, when a may choose campaign was to direct held to update some of the the gym and funds toward add classrooms building at and the current the school.”

Upper School The $800,000 cafeteria. designation We were Mrs. Joiner’s class listens served as the able to keep at the groundbreaking ceremony lead gift for the costs down campaign but by utilizing the gift grew to volunteers. exceed $1 million dollars by the time the school With professional guidance, much of the work utilized the funds. for that project was handled by parents, trustees and friends of Westminster,” he said.

“It was the Pamplins’ regard for Cris and John

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Such demonstrations of commitment to the school served to remind the trustees that there were many people who were willing to give to Westminster in various ways.

Though she was in elementary school, Miss Becca Wiggins (’09) remembers the groundbreaking ceremony.

“I remember looking around at all the trees and wondering how that would turn into a building,” recalls Miss Wiggins. She was part of Mrs. Julia Joiner’s third-grade class which contributed something extra to the building project – a time capsule.

“I remember planning the capsule and putting it into the ground. I also remember talking with friends about how old we would be and what we’d be doing when it was time to dig it up,” Miss Wiggins said. The time capsule has been buried for more than 10 years and will remain under ground beneath the stairs at the entrance to Pamplin Hall until 2025. According to Mrs. Joiner, her class included a recent copy of the newspaper, a school directory, a beanie baby, a deflated soccer ball, a class picture signed by each student and other items in the time capsule.

Dr. Lindsell worked with the architect, Al Cheatham to design Pamplin Hall based on pictures he had taken of various New England private schools. Special features such as the design of the windows and the cupola reflect this New England inspiration. The barrel ceiling in the foyer was almost eliminated from the plan to save money, but Mr. Cheatham donated the resources to keep it in.

worked to research and determine the type of brick that would be used in the project, and a group of teachers met weekly to pray about every aspect of Pamplin Hall. In prayer these teachers were claiming God’s promise from the first part of Psalm 127:1: “Unless the LORD builds the house, its builders labor in vain.”

Dr. Lindsell was not the only one hard at work on the new building. More members of the Westminster community contributed than can be named. The Building Committee, comprised of Charles Coleman, Al Lovingood, Mike Roberts, David Hanks and Ron Gates, diligently poured over the details. Volunteers

Leader: In affirmation of the Faith once delivered to the saints, which Faith was acknowledged by the founders of Westminster Schools and continues to be spelled out in the articles of faith to which trustees, administration, faculty and staff adhere, People: We offer this building to the Triune God.

All those who were involved are quick to give the glory to God for the results. Pamplin Hall was officially dedicated to the Lord on September 30, 2000 with a litany of praise and thanksgiving.

The building exceeded the expectations of all who were involved. The natural light, spacious classrooms and air-conditioned gym provide a place where Westminster can continue its standard of excellence in education to its students and families.

Mr. Hanks’ prayer from all those years ago is answered daily in Pamplin Hall.

When classes are dismissed at the end of the day, smiling students pour out of those same hallways. The Lord indeed allowed a wooded piece of land to become something beautiful for Westminster. ■

Leader: In thanksgiving to God for the faithful stewardship of all who have given from personal resources entrusted to them by the Lord Himself to provide this building for Seventh grade students take on the ropes course.

Westminster Day School, People: We dedicate this building to the glory of God.

Editor’s note: Excerpts from the video of the Pamplin Hall Dedication Service can be seen at www.wsa.net/site/pamplin.htm

Leader: In consecration of the lives of all who are responsible to guard and guide young lives in the development of mind, body and spirit in this building where the historic Christian Faith is the foundation and framework for all learning, People: We commit this building to the Lord Jesus Christ, the Wisdom of God. Leader: In dependence upon the Lord Himself Who brought this school into being and Who has protected it and prospered it for nearly thirty years, People: We dedicate this building to our faithful Savior.

R.W. Allen served as the contracting firm, with Rick Allen overseeing the project. A general contractor by trade, Dr. Lindsell was able to act as the project manager during construction. All the while, he continued with his duties as headmaster.

“John Lindsell was at home in his hard hat and tool belt. He loved to put them on and go up to the construction site to check things out,” said Susan Tostemar, who served as Dr. Lindsell’s assistant at the time. He had an invaluable knowledge of the building process.

THE LITANY OF DEDICATION For PAMPLIN HALL

Breaking ground on Pamplin Hall in the fall of 1998.

Leader: In anticipation of the future for this building and its use, unknown to us this day, and with trust in God, Who alone knows the future and Who will ensure that His counsel will stand and all His good pleasure will be accomplished, People: We surrender Pamplin Hall with confidence to the Triune God – Father, Son and Holy Spirit – to Whom be glory now and forevermore. Amen.

The Litany above was written by Dr. John W.P. Oliver and recited at the dedication ceremony for Pamplin Hall.

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Join Us for the Journey

Imagine 2020 The Road Before Us

What will Westminster look like in 2020? The current second-grade students bring answers that include flying buses and computers at each desk. They also speak of rocket shoes and robots. When Steve O’Neil landed in Augusta in July 2008, he was already thinking about Westminster’s need for a plan for the future.

Soon after, a team of individuals was put together to work off of the effort of those before him and the Strategic Planning Committee began to devise answers to the same question.

The strategic planning process is like planning a trip. It answers the questions, “Where do I want to go?” “How do I get there?” and “What is the purpose of the trip?” One traveler may know he wants to go to New York City while another may know the specific table at the restaurant on Broadway where she would like to eat. Some think of strategic planning as a tedious process to produce a document that will sit on a shelf, and others think the plan is all about bricks and mortar. It is more than either of those perceptions; it is more like answering the question “Who do I want to be when I grow up?”, according to Strategic Planning Committee member Mike Harris.

The process began with committee members spending time to listen to the community. In November 2008, a survey went out to sixth through twelfth grade students, current parents, faculty, staff, recent alumni and board members.

The data from those surveys played a significant role in the formation of the plan.

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The next spring, about 50 members of the Westminster community gathered for a workshop led by Mike Harris. The workshop provided an opportunity for new voices to be heard. Three additional parent forums provided more opportunity for feedback.

“It was important to receive input from various stakeholders, including parents, students, faculty, staff, board members, alumni and grandparents,” said Headmaster Steve O’Neil. Representatives from each of those groups participated in the process.

“And the whole process was bathed in prayer,” Steve continued. “As Christians, I think the plan had to outpace what we could do ourselves to put us on our knees. George Robertson did a great job of pushing the committee outside of what was comfortable. He encouraged us to dream big and think of the long term.”

Board Chairman Bill Thompson noted, “The new strategic plan pushes us to the limit. In the process we asked repeatedly, ‘How can this happen?’ But with God, all things are possible.

He does expect us to work hard and work smart in the process, though.” Bill added that he loves that the plan takes us to a place we can’t achieve without God’s strength, guidance and help.

Some of the plans call for growth in the student population. Though the prospect of 800 students may seem daunting, the idea of three tracks at each grade level ensures that intimacy and community will still be upheld. Larger

enrollment will increase the resources available for each student so Westminster is able to offer a higher level of excellence, more opportunities socially, academically and in extracurricular areas.

“There is nothing in the plan that can’t be accomplished, though others may say ‘I’m not so sure about that’, the output is kids being educated well and that is exciting!” Mike said.

Various members of the community have already been in contact with the school to find out how they can help make the plan a reality by contributing financially or tangibly to the process.

It is not just about dreaming big, though. The core values have sharpened the focus on things that were not in focus and given new priority to values that were not necessarily mentioned before.

“Elements of the plan and values are being implemented right now. The Core Values provide a rubric with which we can check our priorities,” Steve said. “I am proud that we have concrete values that represent us as a Christ-centered school with a missional purpose, including the desire to graduate well-rounded students and create opportunities for service.”

The key verse, Mission Statement, Vision Statement, Goals and Strategies are on the pages that follow. For a complete listing of the Strategic Plan with Core Values and participant listing, please visit www.wsa.net/vision.htm or request a copy to be mailed to you by emailing publications@wsa.net. ■

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What Will My School Will Look Like In 2020?

The current second grade students were asked to imagine what their school will look like in 2020, when they are seniors in high school. Many ideas were listed on the bulletin boards near the second grade classrooms but a few excerpts from the answers they gave are featured below.

We would use rocket shoes to fly around on the soccer field and we will have a science class where you type in a place and it takes you there.

Nicholas Kershner Then you go to lunch and get what you want by telling the table your order. Cate Coley The smart board will talk.

Kayla Green I think there will be more elevators… (and) more classes.

Mary Phillips Hollan If you are studying the arctic, you hear, feel, taste and see the arctic.

Payton Hollis We will also have a flying school bus.

Jillian Kitchens I will have a Bible that reads to you, and flips its pages.

Wright Andrews The computers will be stuck to our desk so we will do all our work on the computer. Kate Lynch I will really like it because each day will be the best day of my life.

Thomas Ellicott In the lunchroom, you will say what you want and it will fall from the ceiling. Micah Franklin There will be gumball machines at the front desk. We would have laptops at our desk or back table.

Amelia Frances Myers I can’t wait to teach a senior class myself because I would love to be a teacher at Westminster after I graduate. Erica Swierski The teachers will say “Welcome Highschoolers!”

Mary Ellis Baker

I want a huge soccer field, swimming pools, and a football field. Sam Herrin The halls would be a pool that would allow you to swim to class!

Hailey Wright People hope there will be (a) five story building… I want the gym to be huge.

Abigail Griner I would love coming to school my Senior year at Westminster.

Rhys Medcalfe

We might have a stadium! The upper school might have escalators.

Mackenzie Norman

I wonder if they will have remote control lockers?

Grant Fuller

There will be hundreds more students.

I think that there will be a stadium for all the plays. Christina Brown

I imagine a see through elevator and huge lockers.

Erin Colley

I think there will be robots. There will also be scoreboards.

Jacob Anderson

I hope we get our own computer at our desk. In 2020, I want a bigger classroom. Selah Owen

Whenever somebody got sick or hurt, the nurse would say boom and you would feel better. Callie Franks

We will also have an indoor pool and hot tub for the swim team. On Valentine’s Day we get cupcakes.

Maybe, just, maybe we could get anything at any time.

Kylie Smith

glimpses into the future as seen by some of our second graders!

Robots would help in the rooms. We will have more teachers, too.

Christian Dement I think there might be lockers with rooms inside them.

Nora Williams I would love for there to be a Westminster College because I love this school. Maybe there could be bigger classrooms like 55 foot ones.

McKenna Wiggins

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Imagine 2020 The Road Before Us

Mission Statement Westminster seeks to glorify God by providing an excellent education that equips students to live extraordinary lives for Jesus Christ.

Goals & Strategies GOAL #1 - STUDENTS We will provide opportunities for students to broaden and deepen their education and develop their faith, and we will provide academic support to help each student meet or exceed Westminster’s standards.

Strategy #1 We will provide academic instruction that prepares students for the opportunities and challenges of the 21st century, both in and beyond college.

Strategy #2 We will expand opportunities for service and leadership at school, locally and globally so that students may apply their knowledge and enact their faith as they engage real-world problems.

Strategy #3 We will expand our offerings in athletics and fine arts and will promote a school culture that values both equally.

Strategy #4 We will develop a strong summer program to serve Westminster students and others in the Augusta community.

Strategy #5 We will provide academic support for all Westminster students so that they may develop their God-given potential.

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GOAL #2 - Faculty & Staff We will recruit and develop the very best faculty and staff and challenge and equip them to advance Christian education locally and worldwide.

GOAL #3 - COMMUNITY We will be known throughout the reg embodiment of our core values and o excellence in all things.

Strategy #1 We will recruit and develop exceptional faculty and staff who embody and promote Westminster’s core values.

Strategy #1 We will establish and sustain relations churches, ministries, and other organiz positively impact the Augusta commun

Strategy #2 We will ensure that salaries and benefits are competitive in the local, regional, and national marketplaces.

Strategy #3 We will develop a professional growth culture for faculty and staff.

Strategy #4 We will use our school’s resources, including faculty and staff, to advance Christian education in Augusta, the United States, and the world.

Strategy #2 We will broaden the racial, ethnic, and diversity of our students, faculty, and s reflects the diversity in the Central Sav (CSRA) and the world.

Strategy #3 We will develop external and internal m publicize the value of a Westminster ed

Strategy #4 We will deepen our relationship with o church, First Presbyterian Church of A

Strategy #5 We will celebrate our 40th Anniversary an opportunity to remember and comm faithfulness.

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God is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us!

- Ephesians 3:20

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Vision Statement

In 1972, a small group of parents created Westminster Day School in order to offer an exceptional college-preparatory education with a decidedly biblical worldview. Building on this solid foundation, Westminster Schools of Augusta is committed to leadership in Christian education and to help each student achieve his or her God-given potential.

In order to fulfill this vision for 2020, Westminster will work toward achieving the following objectives:

• • • • • • • • • •

The school will dramatically grow to become a diverse and dynamic campus with more than 800 students (approximately 55-60 students per grade level and three sections per grade level).

We will help students advance their education and strengthen their faith in preparation for college and for life.

Our entire school community will be taught and challenged to “love our neighbor” and to demonstrate spiritual and moral courage.

We will recruit the very best Christian faculty and staff, compensate them fairly, and promote a culture of professional growth and service.

We will be innovative in our teaching and technology.

We will expand our curriculum, fine arts and sports offerings so that each student has many opportunities and experiences.

We will strengthen our financial position while maintaining affordability and expanding access.

We will serve the broader community in deliberate and meaningful ways.

We will support this vision by providing appropriate facilities and resources.

We will challenge the entire Westminster community (faculty, staff, alumni, students and parents) to engage and serve our local community and the world.

Through the leadership of the Board of Trustees and administration, the commitment of the faculty and staff, the support of parents and students, and the sacrifices and determination of all, Westminster Schools of Augusta will equip students to address local and global challenges, in service to God and humanity.

MUNITY roughout the region for the ore values and our pursuit of s.

GOAL #4 - Facilities & Property We will develop and implement a campus master plan to ensure that we have the necessary land and facilities to fulfill our mission, to realize our vision, and to achieve our goals.

sustain relationships with local nd other organizations in order to Augusta community.

Strategy #1 We will develop and implement plans to replace the Middle and Prep School facilities to educate over 400 students from sixth through twelfth grades.

acial, ethnic, and international nts, faculty, and staff that better n the Central Savannah River Area d.

Strategy #2 We will enhance and develop Day School facilities to educate over 400 students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade.

nal and internal marketing plans to a Westminster education.

Strategy #3 We will enhance and develop athletic facilities and fields for a total enrollment of over 800 students.

lationship with our sponsoring rian Church of Augusta.

Strategy #4 We will enhance and develop fine-arts facilities and space for a total enrollment of over 800 students.

40th Anniversary (2011-2012) as ember and communicate God’s

Strategy #5 We will develop and initiate a plan to purchase additional property for future generations.

GOAL #5 - FINANCE We will strengthen Westminster’s financial position while ensuring its affordability for present and future students.

Strategy #1 We will develop and implement a comprehensive financial plan (2010-2012) for increasing cash reserves, producing income, improving endowments, and managing debt.

Strategy #2 We will conduct a capital campaign to fund Westminster’s objectives.

Strategy #3 We will develop additional sources of revenue apart from tuition, fundraising, and endowments.

Strategy #4 We will ensure adequate financial aid is available to support families with demonstrated financial need.

Strategy #6 We will use our facilities and property to meet needs and to promote relationships in the larger community.

WINDOWs - SPRING 2010 | 11

School News Spring 2010 Art for Others

A Shining Accomplishment

In December, the seventh grade art class used their talent and time during the holiday season to serve others with our wonderful creations.

They worked on pottery for the Empty Bowl event held at the Augusta Jewish Community Center and made ornaments as gifts for loved ones.

Rebecca Shine signed her letter of intent with the University of Louisville to become the first female in Westminster’s history to sign with a Division-1 school in tennis. The Augusta Chronicle featured her accomplishment in the November 18, 2009 edition.

The biggest artwork project for the Fall 2009 semester was a large scale painting that is currently displayed in the Academic Resource Center. A Claude Monet painting inspired the piece, and the students had a great time creating this lasting work for the school.

Frances McGahee, Parker Rhodes, Katelyn Rimer, Heather Rivers, Rebecca Shine, Meagan Snyder and Sarah Walters are now registered as a group with Adopt-A-Stream.

The class is monitoring the branch of Rae’s Creek which crosses the Westminster campus.

Adopt-A-Stream is part of the Environmental Protection Division of the Georgia Department of Natural Resources.

“The Adopt-A-Stream program gives our Environmental Science class a meaningful way to apply what we are learning in class and enables us to contribute our services to a valuable community effort,” Mr. Merwin said.

Young Masters of Art

Musical Liberty Upper and Day School Students gathered together on January 5 to welcome the musical group, Exodus, from Liberty University. Exodus is a modern worship band that uses today’s Christian music to boldly lead others in worship.

This eight-member team travels throughout the U.S. and Canada ministering in churches, high schools and youth camps.

2009 NSCAA High School Team Academic Award Winner Westminster was one of only 68 schools across the United States to receive the honor earning the NSCAA Team Academic Award for exemplary performance in the classroom during the 2008-09 academic year for both varsity soccer teams. Both teams performed well academically with a grade point average (GPA) of 3.57 for the girls team and 3.63 for the boys.

To qualify for the award, a team must have a minimum GPA of 3.25 for the entire academic year. Way to go students and Coach Freace!

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Works of art by Lila Capps, Mira Lonnrot, Frances Plunkett and Roy Smith were accepted for the Morris Museum’s recent juried art show, Young Masters. The creative works of our students and others across the CSRA were on display during the month of February.

Colonial Times in Pamplin Hall Mrs. Bone and Mrs. Volpitto led our fifth-grade students in celebrating Johnny Tremain Day on Friday, January 15. The classes read Johnny Tremain, a novel about a fictional apprentice in the times immediately preceding the Revolutionary War. Activities allowed students to taste a bit of colonial life by participating in colonial-era crafts, such as stenciling, copper punching, candle-making, and knot tying. The classes were featured in a story in The Augusta Chronicle on January 21, 2010.

The Rae’s Creek Adoption Members of Mr. Merwin’s AP Environmental Science class were awarded certification in the Adopt-A-Stream program in the biological and chemical analysis of stream sites. Alyssa Cameron, Joshua Coleman, Emily Hood, Katelyn Matthai, Will McCartney, Mary

Twice As Nice Due to our growth, the kindergarten through third-grade students presented two performances of the Day School Christmas Musical, The Christmas Lamb in December.

Both performances were held in the Day School gym and depicted Christmas celebrations from around the world.

Scholar Athlete

Wild Wild West

The strong academic record and athletic achievements of Joshua Coleman were honored in February. He was featured on WJBF News Channel 6 as a recipient of the WJBF Scholar Athlete Award. The news station came on campus to present him with the award and record a video segment about him.

On February 11, the fourth-grade students dressed as cowboys and American Indians as they celebrated the history of the American Southwest. In addition to attending a virtual rodeo and pow-wow, they participated in an Apache round dance and sang “I have decided to follow Jesus” in Apache. A picture from the festivities was featured in The Augusta Chronicle on February 12, 2010.

Flipping Out The Westminster Booster Club hosted the Pancake Flip with all-you-can-eat pancakes on February 5. During half time of each varsity basketball game a pancake eating competition was held. Competitors included Elizabeth Daniel, Mary Elizabeth Goodell, Haley Meeks, Hope Patterson, Isaac Halverson, Akonwi Ngoh, Ned Pruitt, and Drew Speese. Haley won the girls competition by eating five pancakes. Akonwi came away victorious in the boys competition after putting away 11 pancakes.

Mark Tebbs is quickly approaching 400 wins, with 373 in his career, so far.

On the middle school level, three boys teams and one girls team competed during the winter season. A strong number of boys showed interest in basketball, allowing for a C-team to be developed through our academy program. All four teams did a tremendous job representing the school.

Basketball in Review The boys and girls varsity basketball teams went to the state tournament again this year.

The girls team, under first year head coach Greg Wilson, showed consistent improvement and seemed to peak at the right time. The team consisted of of 10 underclassmen and is setting the foundation to continue a strong program in the future. The team’s lone senior and captain, Katelyn Matthai, eclipsed the 1,000-point mark as is one of only three to do so in the history of girls basketball at WSA. The boys team was tied for the regular season championship but lost out to the No.1 seed on a tie breaker between three teams. Head coach

Food Drive The Middle School Food Drive for Golden Harvest Food Bank held during the month of November yielded over a half ton of food for the Augusta community. The homeroom competition ended with a clear winner as Mr. Bell’s homeroom brought in 416 pounds of food, winning the pizza party. A total of 1,134.13 pounds of food was collected by our Middle School students.

The Day School students also collected food for Golden Harvest, bringing in 29 barrels of food items. Thanks to all the students who are helping to feed the hungry in our community.

Both the girls and boys A-teams reached the CSRA semifinals. Congratulations to all of the middle school teams on a great season and special thanks to coaches Rob Woods, Mike Hearon, Ross McDaniel and Virginia Wright.

Winnings That Keep Giving Because Anderson Jenkins won first place in a national art contest last year, 23 large boxes of pens and other art supplies were awarded to our school. The art department decided to give a portion of our pens back to the Lord to meet the needs for a mission trip to Nepal.

Fifth-grade students unwrapped, tested and counted about 1,030 pens to send with the Nepal mission team to assist with gospel presentations. Some pens will go to children and others will be distributed during clinic hours. Please pray that the Lord will use this to open hearts to the gospel.

This year, two Westminster Day School students received honorable mentions in the same contest, the Wonderful, Colorful World Contest. There were more than 5,000 entries this year and Ava Burgess’ Through the Eyes of a Butterfly and Dorothy McLeod’s Bird Sanctuary placed in the top 50 in grades 3-5. When that group was narrowed, they were selected as two of only eight 8 honorable mention winners.

You can see the winning pieces at http://www. sakuraofamerica.com/?q=node/330

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School News Acts of Kindness As part of a lesson about acts of kindness to others, Mrs. Barfield’s PK class took a field trip to Build-A-Bear on February 8 to make bears for other children. On February 10, they traveled to the MCGHealth Children’s Medical Center to present the bears to hospitalized children. The children donned face masks, heard from MCGHealth staff about how the bears would be used and were able to meet a couple of the recipients.

In

H

Continued from page 13 Thanks to Coach Adam Diehl for all his hard work with the swimmers this season.

Congratulations to all the teams on their efforts and how well they represented WSA in the pool this year! To see a more detailed listing of individual awards, visit the athletic achievements section of the Athletics home page on wsa.net.

Grandparents & Grandfriends Day Westminster is thankful for the role that Grandparents and other friends play in the lives of our students. The Day School held a Grandparents and Grandfriends day on February 12 to honor these special people.

More than 300 people joined the Day School students for Chapel service. Students recited scripture memory and led songs of worship, and Mr. O’Neil was the Chapel speaker. He spoke on the school theme “Break the Mold.” After the chapel service, guests were dismissed to visit the students’ classrooms.

Thanks to Mrs. Lawson, who coordinated the Chapel service, and Catherine Wahl and her team of volunteers who made this day a great success.

The Watson-Brown Foundation is supported by area school systems. This educational initiative fosters civic responsibility, heightens an appreciation for local history and introduces the students to the world of philanthropy.

The Junior Board awards $25,000 in grants annually to worthwhile preservation projects in the Central Savannah River Area (CSRA) of Georgia and South Carolina. During the school year, the Junior Board conducts research, pre-grant inquiries and site visits. Preservation awards are made in June.

Songs of Praise Our combined Upper School choir welcomed the Christmas season with festive music at a December concert. The vocalists were accompanied by string instruments and piano.

You can see an excerpt of the concert by visiting the Westminster Drama page on YouTube or the video drop down on the Fine Arts tab at wsa.net.

The Middle School Band Christmas Concert took place on December 7 in the Upper School Gymnasium. The concert featured both the beginning and intermediate bands performing together and separately for the entire middle school.

Swimming to the Championship After a season of preparation and competition, 13 members of the Westminster swim team went to Georgia Tech on February 6 to compete in the GISA State Swim Meet. The JV Boys team came home as State Champions, and many students placed individually. The Westminster Swim Team also placed second at both the December Augusta Prep Invitational and the Atlanta Girls School Invitational in January.

Additionally, they took home third place at the January Augusta Prep Invitational.

Invention Convention The fourth grade students gathered for the annual Invention Convention on February 18.

Student inventions were presented to judges and awarded red, blue and yellow ribbons. The Augusta Chronicle featured a story on the event on February 19, 2010.

Philanthropy Starts Now Students Emily Hood, Kelly McGahee and Mary Frances McGahee are serving on this year’s Watson-Brown Junior Board.

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Athletic Achievements and Fine Arts Accolades The Middle School Athletic Assembly took place on February 11, 2010. A listing of those who received recognition at this event and throughout the year is available on the athletic achievement section at wsa.net. Go to the athletics homepage to find the link.

Recent Fine Arts accolades may be found on the Fine Arts News page, located in the Fine Arts section of the website.

In Her Own Words

Hope Patterson

I have attended Westminster for 11 years — ever since Pre-K — before the Day School building was constructed. I love the challenging academics, Christian community and genuinely caring teachers and students here at WSA. This year I’ve participated in Science Olympiad, the Art Club, Social Dance Club, several honors classes, and for the first time, the Debate Team.

I love arguing (or so I’m told) and may want to pursue a career in law, so I decided the debate team would be a great opportunity for me to get a taste of what a law career might be like and to hone my speaking, researching, and reasoning skills.

The Westminster Debate program was founded in 1987 by Dr. John Bartlett, and since its conception has been very successful. Several debaters have gone on to win regional and state tournaments, and some have continued to debate well into college.

This year Mr. Diehl and Mr. Johnson coached our team. They arranged a workshop over the summer with a former Westminster Varsity debater, Palmer Lawrence and held many practice debates for us throughout the season.

Overall, they really helped us prepare for the tournaments and to learn the ins and outs of arguing well.

At first, debate was a little frustrating to learn.

There are so many different types of arguments to make, and so many little details to cover in a round. You also really have to know what you’re talking about. Speaking incredibly fast is also a key part of debating. Debate topics deal with U.S. government policies, and you often have to put aside your personal beliefs about the issue

in order to win a round. Sometimes advocating abortion or communism during a round was a bit difficult, but I think it helped me better understand what I believe and why I believe it.

After preparing so hard for months, our team was finally ready to debate in tournaments. The first tournament, the Wake Forest Early Bird National Tournament, was a little humiliating.

My partner and I lost every single round!

However, at the next tournament held here at Westminster, we came in second place in the Varsity division. Our other team got first place in the Novice division, and we also won several speaker awards. At the Stratford Debate Tournament in Macon, Westminster also did very well.

Finally, it was time for the Regional Tournament at Mercer University in Macon. Wes Maddox and I spent hours during and after school preparing. We had tubs filled with papers and a laptop full of debate documents. By the time we reached the college campus, Wes and I were ready to win - and we did! Wes and I came in first place overall, and he and I won first and second place speaker awards, respectively.

The other participating Westminster team took second place. We were so excited to be going to the state tournament, especially since we were both first-year debaters. We did not win the state tournament, but both teams placed very well in speaking and arguing. It was a very impressive season overall for the whole team.

Debate not only helped me learn better speaking and arguing skills, but it also allowed me to glorify God and prepare to serve in His kingdom. Our team prayed before many

Freshman, Hope Patterson debating rounds, and I think by using our gifts in debate we are pleasing God. Also, I am better prepared to defend my faith in college and later in the workforce. I am so grateful to be in a place like Westminster where even arguing can be used for His glory! ■

Arthur Rankin and Jep McNair prepare for a tournament

Haley Meeks and Ann Elizabeth Gore

RECENT DEBATE TEAM RESULTS The 2009-2010 debate team was comprised of Mary Elizabeth Goodell, Michael Goodell, Ann Elizabeth Gore, Isaac Halverson, Sharon Holland, Christopher Lamberts, Tyler Lewis, Wesley Maddox, Jep McNair, Haley Meeks, Hope Patterson, Brad Pond, Arthur Rankin, David Robeson and Rodney Wendt.

Congratulations on another successful season!

GISA Region 4AAA Tournament

State Debate Tournament

Wesley Maddox and Hope Patterson won the title of GISA Region 4AAA Champion.

David Robeson and Isaac Halverson placed fifth.

David Robeson and Isaac Halverson took region Runner-Up designation.

Hope Patterson and Wesley Maddox took sixth place.

In addition to these awards, Wesley Maddox received first place Speaker Award and Hope Patterson was awarded second place Speaker.

Isaac Halverson also received the eighth place Speaker award.

WINDOWs - SPRING 2010 | 15

Alumni News Spring 2010

Alexa Burgess (’08), Martha Kathryn Menger (’08), Kathryn MacDonell (’08), Lauren Snyder (’08), Savannah Carson (’08), Traci Bone (’08) and Mackenzie Burgess (’09) at the Young Alumni Social.

The first Young Alumni Social was held on December 21. More than 30 students from the classes of 2005 through 2009 attended during the Christmas break.

Alan (’79), Shirley, Melissa (’07) and Ryan (’09) Walters opened their home to host this year’s event. Attendees made s’mores on the fire pit, caught up with old friends and enjoyed dinner catered by Moe’s Southwest Grill. Next year, the event will welcome back the classes of 2006 -2010.

Class of 1992 Dio Cheatam (’92) moved from California to north Atlanta in May 2008 with his wife Cheri and daughter, Samari, 5. He keeps busy coaching his daughter’s soccer team and is the President of Alpharetta Magazine, a monthly publication.

Class of 1980 Kay Lovingood (’80) is in her 21st year of teaching music at Martinez Elementary School.

One of her hobbies is photographing the flowers, bugs, and landscapes of God’s nature.

For six weeks last fall, several of her best photos were on display at The Inner Bean coffee shop on Davis Road in Martinez. She also has photos available for sale on the web.

Class of 1989 Greg Volpitto (’89) lives in St. Louis, MO, with his wife Jennifer and teenage daughter Millie, third grade son Davis, and pre-schooler Ada. Greg has been a pastor in youth and worship ministry since graduating from Covenant College in 1993.

16 | WINDOWs - SPRING 2010

teaching math and science to middle-school students at Heritage Preparatory School in Atlanta.

Class of 1997 Billy Burroughs (’97) and Lauren (Garrison) Burroughs (’99) welcomed William Garrison Burroughs on January 20, 2010. The couple resides in Martinez and teaches at Evans High School. Lauren teaches English and coordinates the Senior Project, while Billy teaches Biology and Anatomy.

Dio Cheatam (’92) with his wife, Cheri and daughter, Samari

Class of 1994 Jason Faulkner (’94) graduated from Vanderbilt University in 1998 with a bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering and received his Masters in Aerospace Engineering with a focus in Combustion Sciences from Georgia Tech in 2000. After working for Georgia Tech as a Combustion Research Engineer for a year, he moved to Houston, Texas to join Fluor Corporation, where he worked for five years as a field engineer. Since the fall of 2007 he has been

William Garrison Burroughs

Class of 1999 David Cantrell (’99) currently resides in Augusta, where he serves as Development Specialist for Goodwill Works Foundation, the fundraising arm of Goodwill Industries of Middle Georgia and the CSRA. Goodwill will soon open their Career Campus in Augusta, which will provide certified degrees in high

growth industries to local citizens with barriers to employment. David is also a member of the Augusta-West Rotary Club and Leadership Augusta Class of 2010.

Class of 2000 Joanna (Hatcher) Miller (’00) married David Anthony Miller on Saturday, July 11, 2009 at Christ Church Presbyterian. Haley (Hatcher) Krouse (’98), Sarah Hatcher (’03), Lauren Hatcher (’06), Kathryn (Tucciarone) Turner (’99), Victoria (Folley) Hulsebus (’00), and Sarah (Stovall) Stewart (’00) served as attendants in the wedding. Joanna teaches Kindergarten at Monte Sano Elementary in Augusta and completed her Masters in Teaching at Augusta State University in December 2009.

Tony is an electrician with Reynolds Electric Company. The couple lives in Augusta.

Laura (Bailey) Turrentine (’04) married Jake Everett Turrentine on Sunday, December 27, 2009 at the Church of the Good Shepherd.

Mary Ellen Stebbins (’04) served as the maid of honor in the wedding. Laura teaches Language Arts at Heritage Academy in Augusta and will complete her Masters in Teaching at Augusta State University in April 2010. Jake will graduate from the Medical College of Georgia School of Medicine in May 2011. The couple resides in Augusta.

hs

Laura (Bailey) Turrentine (’04) and Jake Turrentine

Class of 2003 Blanche Conger (’03) completed her MA in Classics from the University of Virginia in May 2009, writing her thesis on verbal repetition in the Roman poet Propertius. She teaches Latin classes at the University and began working on her Ph.D. Classics last fall.

Class of 2004 Jack Ellis (’04) married Kelly Houde on January 11, 2010 in Seattle, Wash. He works as a Senior Analyst for a Washington, DC consulting firm called Morgan Borszcz Consulting, where he earned the designation of 2009 Top Performer.

Kristine Merriman (’04) received a Master of Science in Archaeological Science from the University of Oxford last fall. She continues to live in Oxford and is now working towards her doctorate. She will be returning to Israel this summer as a staff member for the Tel Megiddo excavations.

Andrew Whittaker (’08) was elected to serve as a sophomore representative to the Student Government Association (SGA) at Georgia College and State in Milledgeville, Ga. He will be a Senators and will act as a liaison between the students and the SGA. They also work on legislation, policy and special projects for the students.

Class of 2009

ell nd al.

Joanna (Hatcher) Miller (’00) and Tony Miller

campus philanthropy program, ugaMiracle, benefits Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta. The organization gives students the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of Miracle kids through personal interactions and fundraising.

Throughout the year, ugaMiracle members hold special events and fundraisers to raise awareness about their cause.

Class of 2007

Daniel Smith (’04) attends Houghton College where he plays soccer. He was recently awarded the American Mideast Conference Freshman of the Year and was named to the AMC All-Conference team. Editor’s note: Daniel’s parents are on the mission field but he attended Westminster for the 2007-2008 school year.

The Alumni News provided is submitted by alumni and friends of Westminster. Send your Alumni News to Carrie Brigham at brigham@wsa.net.

Julian Allgeier (’07) is a junior playing at Covenant College, where he excels in soccer.

He was named an NCCAA All-American, NCCAA Scholar Athlete and to the NCCAA All-Tournament team last fall.

Winter Catherine Cawley (’07) is engaged to Jonathan Davis of Lookout Mountain, Ga. The wedding will take place on June 12, 2010, at First Presbyterian Church of Augusta.

Mary Rob Plunkett (’07) is a junior at Georgia College and State University. She also plays soccer and was named a NSCAA All-American in Daktronics and made NSCAA All-Region and All-Conference.

To see these and more photos of the Young Alumni Social, check Willie Wildcat’s Facebook page.

Melissa Walters (’07) attends the University of Georgia, where she serves as an Ambassador of the Terry College of Business. The Ambassadors promote pride and diversity within Terry and serve as its primary student communicators.

Class of 2008 Maxwell Mitchell (’08) is serving as the Electronic Media Chair for ugaMiracle at the University of Georgia. A student-run

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INTERACT

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WESTMINSTER S CHOOL S O F AU G U S TA

with us

Westminster Schools of Augusta is ready to take the social media world by storm. Are you following Headmaster Steve O’Neil on Twitter? Have you asked Willie Wildcat to be your friend on Facebook? Have you checked out our photos on Flickr? The Westminster community is just a click away.

Come join us.

If you aren’t friends with Willie Wildcat on Facebook yet, you are missing out!

It is a quick way to get an overview of what is happening on campus and beyond. Through Facebook, we are able to put our headlines, video, and photos all in one place, but you have to be friends with Willie to be able to see it all.

Recently seen on Facebook: photos from the PK field trip to Macaroni Grill, the WJBF Player of the Week Award presentation, videos of fine arts performances from Mr. Paul Owen and more!

We will continue to expand our presence online, but we cannot do it without your help and participation. Contact the Marketing and Communications Department and publications@wsa.net if you want to be more involved in media sharing. ■

Headmaster Steve O’Neil brings you some of the latest news in 140 characters or less on www.twitter.com/wsawildcats. From current events and sports news, to the happenings of fine arts, there is no better place to stay informed about what’s going on in our school community.

Our flickr page is just getting started, but you can find us on www.flickr.com by searching for Westminster Schools of Augusta under the people category.

Enjoy our photostream of campus life.

We have a goal to photo share with our parents, students, and teachers, so please add us to your contacts on flickr so that we can show people the school through the eyes of YOUR lens.

18 | WINDOWs - SPRING 2010

Also, if you are in the habit of posting videos of students or events on YouTube, let us know! We might just feature your video on Twitter and Facebook. Check out our website at www.wsa.net/aboutus/ video.htm to see the videos Mrs. Aimee Lynch produced to introduce people to Westminster.

Developing News get involved. Every gift counts, no matter the amount. As we look to foundations to provide outside support, participation percentages are just as important as the amounts given.

Please join those who have already pledged or given to this year’s campaign. An envelope has been included in this issue. You’ll notice the envelope has new giving level opportunities as well as pledge and payment information. If you prefer, you may give online at wsa.net.

Preparations are under way for the Westminster Auction – Surfin’ WSA! – Hang 10 in 2010. I hope you’ll join us for this great night of food, fun, friends and fundraising.

The committee, led by Jessica Blanchard and Lisa Forrester, has gone through great lengths to ensure there will be items in a variety of price points at the silent and live auctions.

Kelly Hitchcock is working with our young artists to provide another round of unique art for the live auction. I trust you will all be anxious to see the contributions made by your child(ren) to the auction this year.

Event details are on the back of this magazine so make your reservations today. Don’t miss your opportunity to win a $4,000 credit for next year’s tuition or a $1,000 gift certificate to Windsor Jewelers. Raffle tickets for both prizes are on sale. Your ticket purchases and bids are additional ways to help support Westminster. Last year the auction brought us $70,000 closer to our Westminster Fund goal.

Since tuition does not cover the cost of a student’s education, your unrestricted gifts to the Westminster Fund help bridge this gap. It supports athletics, fine arts, tuition assistance, professional development and capital improvements. We hope to have 100 percent participation this year to meet our goal of $350,000 by June 30.

Currently, we have gifts and pledges totaling $158,580. With the kind of success we saw at last year’s auction, we anticipate being at 65 percent of our goal by the end of April. But to reach our ultimate goal, we need everyone to

Westminster Windows

a publication of Westminster Schools of Augusta.

Westminster Schools of Augusta 3067 Wheeler Road Augusta, Georgia 30909 706-731-5260

Steve O’Neil Headmaster

Craig Johnson

Upper School Principal

Sue Ames

Day School Principal

Although our main program for support is the Westminster Fund, there is another opportunity for you to increase our tuition assistance funds. The Georgia GOAL Scholarship program allows Georgia tax payers to redirect up to $2,500 of their Georgia State Taxes to Westminster. These funds are available to students from the public schools who wish to attend Westminster. After the student has met the academic requirements and qualified for tuition assistance through our independent financial aid service, they may receive these funds as part of the financial aid package. By accessing these funds for new students, more resources are available in our budgeted funds for existing students.

David Anderson

In 2008 more than $64,000 of GOAL funds were available to our students. I’m thankful to say we have more than doubled that in 2009, with a total of $138,000. But planning for 2010 starts now.

Sarah Childers

Separate from your gift to the Westminster Fund, this is an opportunity for you to give at no cost to you. As you fill out your tax returns this month, look at Georgia Form 500 to see how much you are paying Georgia in state taxes. Then access our website under the Giving tab, or call me to see how you can participate in this program.

Special thanks to the following contributing writers: Carrie Brigham, Sarah Childers, Hope Patterson, Erin Kirchhoff and Steve O’Neil. Thank you also to the contributing photographers: Carrie Brigham, Bill Goold, Erin Kirchhoff, Aimee Lynch, Alex McCallie, Amy Owen, Caroline Powell and Sabrina Rush. Photos for the Pamplin Hall story are from the Westminster archives.

Gratefully,

Carrie Brigham

Director of Finance and Operations

Carrie Brigham

Director of Development

Mike Freace

Athletic Director

Aimee Lynch

Director of Admissions

Erin Kirchhoff

Director of Marketing and Communications Westminster Windows Editor

Communications Coordinator

Trey Keenan

Westminster Windows Design and Layout

Westminster Windows is published as a service to our alumni, families, and friends.

Please submit questions, comments, or news items to publications@wsa.net.

Cover: The first graders donned goggles at the presentation of The Christmas Lamb in December. Photo by Amy Owen.

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S C HO O L S O F AU GU S TA

W W W

NON PROFIT ORGANIZATION US POSTAGE PAID AUGUSTA, GA PERMIT NO. 265

WESTMINSTER S C HOOLS OF AU GU S TA

Westminster Schools of Augusta 3067 Wheeler Road Augusta, Geogia 30909 AUG U S TA www.wsa.net SCHOOLS OF AUGUS TA

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WESTMINSTER

Save the Date

Surfin’ WSA Auction Friday, April 23, 2010 • Knox Surf Shack 2248 Cumming Road Dinner • Live & Silent Auction • Beach Music Make your reservations today!

Go to www.wsa.net/giving/auction.pdf for more information.