Windows | Fall 2106

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FALL 2016

A WORLD OF EXPERIENCES: French Program Expands Beyond the Classroom RUNNING WITH PERSEVERANCE: Commencement 2016 WILDCATS SWEEP STATE IN FIRST HALF OF 2016

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WESTMINSTER

TABLE OF CONTENTS

SCHOOLS OF AUGUSTA

WINDOWS a publication of Westminster Schools of Augusta Westminster Schools of Augusta 3067 Wheeler Road Augusta, GA 30909 706-731-5260 or wsa.net Westminster seeks to glorify God by providing an excellent education that equips students to live extraordinary lives for Jesus Christ.

BRIAN C A S E Interim Head of School MIK E FR EA C E Upper School Principal TRACY LU TZ Interim Middle School Principal

A Word from the Board Chair and Interim Head of School

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L E ARN IN G FOR L IFE A World of Experiences

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Open Arms, Open Homes

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Inaugural Diplomat Award

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Faculty Focus 9 2016-17 Scholarship Recipients

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Running with Perseverance 12

F I N E ARTS An Open Door to the World

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SUE AMES Lower School Principal

"Shrek the Musical" 20

JANE BROWN Chief Financial Officer

AT HL E TICS

ANDREW B RYA N Athletic Director CARRIE BR IG HA M Director of Admissions CRAIG JOHN S ON Academic Dean KATIE TU C K Windows Editor T REY KEEN A N Windows Design and Layout

Special thanks to contributing photographers: Gina Adams, Carrie Brigham, Branch Carter, Lisa Cook, Amy Elder, Mark Fulcher, Lisa Hall, Jordan Lambert, Dana McElmurray, Amy Owen, Jenni Shaver, Katelyn Shiley, Katherine Smith, Mark Tebbs, Katie Tuck and Cindy Whitcomb.

Special thanks to contributing writers: Haley Barinowski ('12), Palmer Brigham ('15), Sarah Saxon ('12), Katelyn Shiley ('16) and Brielle Smith ('15) Cover: Nathan Bailey (’16), Emily Miller (’17), Chris Morgan (’16) and Judah Owen (’21) led the Middle and Upper School cast in a hilarious rendition of “Shrek the Musical” in March.

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Wildcats Sweep State in First Half of 2016

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Record Number Commits to Collegiate Athletics

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2016 Westminster Athletes of the Year 23 Downs Receives GISA Academic Athlete Award

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2016 Westminster Athletics Hall of Fame Inductees

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C OMMU N ITY 25 A L UMN I 2016 Distinguished Alumni Award Winner

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Building a Better World 27 Alumni Notes 28

A R O U N D CAMPU S 32 DE V E L OPIN G N E WS

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Dear Westminster Families, Many of you may know that Steve O'Neil, who has served our school as headmaster for the last eight years, has taken a new position as headmaster at a Christian school in Colorado. We are grateful for his service and will miss both him and his family.

A WORD FROM THE BOARD CHAIR

The board of trustees’ executive committee met regularly over the summer to discuss and interview a replacement for Steve. With the school year so close at hand, a thorough national search for a permanent headmaster was not possible. The board also needed to take some time to prayerfully consider what Westminster needs from its permanent headmaster for the next five to 10 years.

That also takes time and effort. Therefore, an interim replacement seemed to be the most reasonable choice.

After studying and interviewing candidates, the executive committee determined that Middle School Principal Brian Case was the best choice for the interim headmaster position. As most of you know, Brian has done a superb job in his division and is well respected by students, parents and faculty.

Brian has agreed to take on this role and is excited about his new responsibility. During this interim period, Brian will be the point person for the current leadership team.

Chief Financial Officer Jane Brown will be

Dear Westminster Community, As we begin the 44th year of Westminster Schools of Augusta, I want to offer a warm welcome to almost 600 students and families, both new and returning. My hope is that this community of teachers, coaches and families is a place where each child is known, each child is challenged and each child’s potential is realized.

A WORD FROM THE INTERIM HEAD OF SCHOOL L E A R NING FOR LIF E

As the summer progressed, so did the Realize 2020 strategic plan, with the commitment to teach and learn through technology, as well as the ongoing construction of Knox Hall.

Faculty received new laptop computers in the spring and have been training on them to apply technology and teach 21st-century skills to our students. In addition, Knox Hall will allow for enhanced experiences for both the Middle and Upper School students and is slated for completion in early 2017.

a direct report to the board via the finance committee. Tracy Lutz will act as interim Middle School principal.

Although we are in the midst of change, we have exciting things ahead of us and much to celebrate. Knox Hall should be completed this coming school year. We are also working on our goal to raise contributions in order to receive an unprecedented $1 million grant, and although we have new principals in the Middle and Upper School, we have great confidence in their experience and leadership. The board is already rolling up our sleeves to come alongside the faculty and administration as we begin the 2016-17 school year at Westminster.

As scripture promises, there is no reason to worry or to be anxious! Let us all rest in the certainty that the Lord has a plan for Westminster. In the meantime, please join me in prayer for Westminster as we thank the Lord for his continued faithfulness and provision as He leads us into the next school year.

Blessings,

John Phelan Chair, Board of Trustees

walking with students through this year as the purposes of God are revealed in each of them. With great honor and renewed commitment, I am privileged to help lead and serve Westminster as we provide an excellent college preparatory education taught from a biblical worldview.

Blessings,

Brian Case Interim Head of School

I look forward with great anticipation to

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LEARNING FOR LIFE

time is international engagement. Foreign language has been a foundational part of the curriculum for years, and Westminster has experienced an exciting increase in the number of foreign exchange students recently.

A WORLD OF EXPERIENCES:

Just this past school year, Westminster students had several unprecedented opportunities to gain international experience. At the beginning of the spring semester, three French students from SaintDenis International School in Loches, France, came to the United States for four weeks.

In 1993, Saint-Denis created a partner relationship with Aquinas High School to set up an exchange program, and just in the past few years, Augusta Preparatory School and Westminster have followed suit and established their own partnerships with Saint-Denis. While the French students were in Augusta, they got to experience a “month in the life” of a Westminster student. They lived with host families, attended a full load of classes and even participated in some workouts with the track team.

FRENCH PROGRAM EXPANDS BEYOND THE CLASSROOM BY: HALEY BARINOWSKI (’12)

Over the weekend of Commencement, former Headmaster Steve O’Neil referenced a recent conversation he shared with one of Westminster’s founders. The founder expressed his pride and gratitude for being a part of Westminster’s beginning, but he also marveled at what Westminster has become.

He told Mr. O’Neil that the founders could never have pictured how Westminster would develop and the ways it would be thriving nearly 45 years after their dream became a reality.

One of the key aspects of Westminster that has grown steadily stronger over

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As soon as the French students returned home, three Westminster students joined them in France to spend the remainder of the semester studying at Saint-Denis.

Emma Pearson (’18), Bobbi Wardwell (’18) and Susan Yan (’18) lived at Saint-Denis and spent time with host families on the

weekends. They jumped right into their studies as soon as they arrived, taking a week of FLE (francais langue etrangere) classes, which is the French equivalent of ESL (English as a Second Language). They participated in school activities and went on trips with other FLE students.

Jordan Lambert, Westminster’s French instructor, has a special relationship with Saint-Denis – she attended Saint-Denis as a student when she was 16, returned as a teaching assistant while she was in college, and taught there again in 2013 when she and her family moved to France for a year.

However, she said that Westminster’s new relationship with Saint-Denis was not only exciting for her, but also beneficial to the many Westminster students affected.

“It opens up the world to them,” she said.

“Welcoming students from other countries into our community gives our students a different perspective and experiences that they would not otherwise have. I have seen many of our students grow so much and come out of their shells by interacting with these students.”

Mrs. Lambert’s passion for the French language and her familiarity with the country continued to benefit Westminster students as the school year progressed. Over spring

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break, she and her husband took eight students – four from Westminster and four from Aquinas – to France. Whitney Diehl, who teaches Upper School English, also accompanied them, and the group traveled much of the country in the short time they were there. They spent a few days in Loches, experiencing the residential and educational aspects of France as well as catching up with Bobbi, Emma and Susan at Saint-Denis.

Then they traveled to Perigorde, Tours and Paris, seeing historical ruins, wine caves, cathedrals and famous icons.

“Thanks to a wonderful group of students, this was truly an amazing experience,” Mrs. Lambert said. “I am so grateful to have had this opportunity to share so much of the country that I love.”

The whole Westminster community has been positively impacted by more international influences on campus because of Mrs. Lambert’s enthusiasm and leadership. Creating more opportunities to bring exchange students to Westminster, establishing international partnerships and arranging school trips abroad represent the kind of growth the founders likely only dreamed of when Westminster began in 1972. Many thanks to Mrs. Lambert for sharing her passion and experience with Westminster students and families alike! 

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OPEN ARMS, OPEN HOMES: HOST FAMILIES WELCOME INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS

who many times have never before heard the Gospel and to learn firsthand about new global customs and traditions.

As part of the Realize 2020 strategic plan, Westminster seeks to continue to reflect the diversity of the global church, but to do so, host families are needed to welcome our international students into their homes. The McElmurrays - Dana, Paul, Meredith (’14), Abby (’16) and Emma (’19) - took a leap of faith in 2013 and invited Claire Long (’16) to become a part of their family for the following three years. We interviewed Dana about their experience serving as a host family and asked her to share some advice with other Westminster families who may be interested in hosting an international student in the future.

international student. Our final decision to open our home was based on Hebrews 13:16, “Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.” How did you first meet Claire?

We first began talking with Claire through Facebook and email. We described our family to Claire and asked about her family and things she liked to do. Meeting her at the Atlanta airport at 6 a.m. was challenging Westminster’s international student program because the flight she arrived on was full of international students. We only had a picture has seen tremendous growth over the past to go by, and appearances change. She was the four years, having gone from only seven last person to walk down from the gate due students in the 2012-13 school year to to the fact that she got lost in the airport. She 19 students in the 2015-16 year. While was hungry and wanted dinner. At that time much of this growth can be attributed to of the morning, the only restaurant open was Westminster’s strong marketing presence Why did you decide to become a host Waffle House or Cracker Barrel, and they abroad thanks to a partnership with New family? only served breakfast. This was Claire’s first Oasis International Education, this program When our family first began talking about introduction to grits, which is now one of her would cease to exist if it were not for the hosting an international student, we discussed favorite meals. families who open their lives and their homes it as a family with our children.

Our family of to host these students from all over the world.

How has your family adjusted to sharing five would become a family of six. That would your home and lives with an international Host families have an incredible opportunity change many things, such as bedroom space, student? to impact a student’s life forever by giving carpooling to events and, of course, sharing them a nurturing, safe home away from Our girls have adapted very well to having bathroom times. With four girls, that’s a big home as they seek to challenge themselves another sister. Claire has also adjusted from deal. The pros outweighed the cons, and we academically and culturally at Westminster. having no siblings to having three sisters. agreed as a family that we wanted to learn They also have the unique opportunity to about another culture, another language Claire’s English was very good when she and share our home and daily life with an share the light of Christ with these students arrived, which made it easy to communicate

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with her. However, our Southern slang wasn’t taught in China, and we have had many laughs over “fixin’ to do something” and “cutting the lights off.” We have also discovered that we must listen intently to how Claire pronounces Chinese because it can get us in trouble if we add an extra syllable. Jobs around the house are shared among all the girls, and they enjoy spending time together cooking in the kitchen. Music is common ground for all the girls, and if you happen to pass them on the road, I’m sure you’ll see them singing in the car together.

What benefits have you seen from being a host family?

We have had great joy in sharing our American traditions as well as our family traditions with Claire. Seeing her experience something for the first time created a sense of enjoyment within our home. Who knew the simple things we do without much thought would create so much laughter and amazement, such as carving pumpkins, dying Easter eggs and fishing? We have also added a few Chinese holidays to our calendar, like Mid-Autumn Festival and Spring Festival. The girls particularly like the Chinese tradition of receiving red envelopes with money during Spring Festival. We have learned how to count to 10 in Chinese as well as say a few Chinese words. Sharing our faith with Claire has been the most rewarding experience. We have introduced Christ and the Bible to her, and hopefully she will share that with her family. Our prayer is that she will open her life to Christ and allow Him to lead her life’s path.

Our family, church and Westminster serve our community in various ways. Claire participated many times over the past three years in community service projects. We are very fortunate that God used our family and school as an example of the love Christians have for other people, and when we show our love, we show that our relationship with Christ is based on love. God tells us to love others so that they’ll see His love in us. When we show God’s love to people, powerful things can happen.

Do you plan to stay in touch with Claire after she goes to college?

Claire will always be a part of our family and is welcome in our home anytime. She plans on returning to our home during Thanksgiving and Christmas.

Would you host another student?

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We would love to host another student someday.

What advice or encouragement would you give to other families who are considering hosting an international student?

Hosting an international student is a rewarding experience. We have gained a broader perspective of the world, especially China. We’ve learned about geography, communication and international cultures,

and our girls love having a sister in another country. Our hope is to someday visit Claire’s home and meet her parents.

Westminster is always seeking new families to host international students for the upcoming school year. If you are interested in becoming a host family or would like more information, please visit wsa.net/community/parents/ host-an-international-student/ or contact Paul Gaffney at pgaffney@wsa.net or Kelly Myers at kmyers@newoasisedu.com. 

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INAUGURAL DIPLOMAT AWARD The American Heritage Dictionary defines a diplomat as an “ambassador appointed to represent a government in its relations with other governments,” or as someone “who uses skill and tact in dealing with others.”

Just this spring, Westminster established the Diplomat Award to recognize students who promote cultural exchange and interaction between Westminster’s domestic and international students. This award singles out those who achieve an extraordinary measure of diplomacy within the Westminster and Augusta communities.

Both a domestic and an international student are chosen for this award for enriching the community – and world – through cultural interaction and assisting other students in the pursuit of academic, social and spiritual excellence.

Selection of international students includes demonstrating these specific criteria: • Leadership • Service • Improvement in and extensive use of English when communicating between other international students, as well as when communicating with domestic students • Extracurricular activities Selection of domestic students includes demonstrating these specific criteria: • Displaying sincere interest in Westminster international students and their culture • Offering assistance to international students in class, during extracurricular activities or at church

The 2016 domestic student recipient of the inaugural Diplomat Award is Thomas Williamson (’16).

Thomas made an intentional effort to reach out to the international students, often eating lunch with them or working with them during study halls.

“It was an encouragement for me to see Thomas reaching out to others whose cultural background differs from his,” said Mr. Paul Gaffney. “His being with the international students may not have always been comfortable for him or them, but it was a blessing for me to see him with them.”

The 2016 international student recipient of the inaugural Diplomat Award is Xiaoyi (Claire) Long (’16).

Claire arrived in America and at Westminster in 2013, entering 10th grade. She immediately jumped into extracurricular activities at school, becoming a member of

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the swim team and participating in the spring musical. She also competed in the Science Bowl and National History Day and was a member of the National Honor Society and Beta Club.

Claire also became actively involved in serving the Augusta community through the school’s annual Winterim service days and through events organized by First Baptist Church of North Augusta.

“Claire has achieved an extraordinary measure of diplomacy within the Westminster community, our local community and our family,” said Dana McElmurray, Claire’s host mom. “She has never turned away from a new experience, challenge or adventure.

She has met close friends, developed new skills and has given our family the awesome opportunity to learn about her Chinese culture, learn some Chinese language and allowed us to share our home and Christ with her.” 

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FACULTY FOCUS: CARLEE VAN DUZER BY: SARAH SAXON (’12) In August of 2015, Carlee Van Duzer joined the Westminster Schools of Augusta family.

With innovative ideas and a noteworthy music background, Miss Van Duzer has brought exciting changes to the Lower School music department during her first year.

Originally from Gainesville, Florida, Miss Van Duzer is a tried and true Florida Gators fan.

Although her roots are in the Sunshine State, she moved to Duluth, Georgia, where she was reared until high school. She then moved to Minnesota, where she attended the University of Northwestern in St. Paul, earning a Bachelor of Music Education, and secured her first job in a position much like her new role at Westminster.

Miss Van Duzer is making her mark on the Lower School in two very distinctive ways. She initiated chapel leadership opportunities for fifth-graders, and she brought a new element of creativity to the spring musical performance.

Embracing her creative spirit, Miss Van Duzer wrote the play and arranged the music for the spring musical performance. She then enlisted her students to help craft some of the choreography and blocking.

Miss Van Duzer has developed leadership roles for all fifth-grade students in the weekly Lower School chapel service by separating students into leadership teams so they are able to serve where their unique skillsets are best suited. Areas of service include leading prayer or the Doxology, introducing speakers, serving as guides during praise and worship and even manning the audiovisual station. Miss Van Duzer hopes her students will develop valuable leadership skills through this experience that will help them step out of their comfort zones and continue using the talents they discover during her first year, and she feels it was along the way. successful. The Kodaly method is a way of developing musical skills and teaching musical Miss Van Duzer also introduced an extension concepts in very young children that uses folk of the Kodaly methodology in her classroom songs, hand signs, pictures, rhythm symbols and syllables.

In the future, Miss Van Duzer would like to offer additional classes for exploration, such as tap dancing.

She said, “Dance helps with kinesthetic development and awareness, which can be just as important as the musical piece.”

In addition to her faculty role at Westminster, she offers a variety of individual and group lessons for students in voice, guitar and piano.

It is Miss Van Duzer’s goal for her students to live each day with Colossians 3:23 in mind: “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters.” She encourages her students to enjoy, learn and assess the classroom material as they give 100 percent in all that they do. She strives to live by this standard in her own life in order to appropriately lead her students by example.

Westminster is very fortunate to have Miss Van Duzer as a part of its community and cannot wait to see how the Lower School and all its students will continue to grow in musical excellence in the future. 

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2016-17 SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS VIRGINIA JARREL WILLIAMSON MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP 2016-17 RECIPIENT: ANDREW REDFERN

Virginia (Ginny) Jarrel Williamson was a student at Westminster from kindergarten through seventh grade. During her academic career, she demonstrated particular talent and distinguished herself as an excellent student. Ginny's death in December 1981 was a great loss to her family and friends. The Virginia Jarrel Williamson Memorial Scholarship was established in 1983 in memory of Ginny and her achievements. It is awarded each year on the basis of scholarship, achievement and Christian citizenship.

The 2016-17 recipient is Andrew Redfern, a third-grade student and son of Mr. and Mrs. Austin P. Redfearn.

BETTY GENE LOVINGOOD SCHOLARSHIP 2016-17 RECIPIENT: ZOEY BRAMHALL

The Betty Gene Lovingood Scholarship is presented annually to a rising kindergarten student at Westminster. It was established at Mrs. Betty Gene Lovingood’s retirement in 1989 in honor of her 15 years of teaching at Westminster. Mrs. Lovingood is known for her love of children and her commitment to preschool youngsters at both Westminster and First Presbyterian Church.

The Lower School principal and prekindergarten teachers choose the recipient for this scholarship based on the following criteria: Christian witness, academic potential and general maturity.

The 2016-17 recipient is Zoey Bramhall, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Ian Bramhall.

ROSEMARY LESTER MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP 2016-17 RECIPIENT: OGDEN TABB

Rosemary Lester was a Middle School English teacher at Westminster who loved the Lord and her students. The Lester family and their friends established this scholarship in her memory and for God’s glory. The scholarship is awarded to an eighth-grade student who loves literature, applies himself or herself in the English classroom and is sensitive to spiritual issues.

The 2016-17 recipient is Ogden Tabb, son of Mr. and Mrs. J. Ogden Tabb Jr.

BARBARA MOORE PRUITT MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP 2016-17 RECIPIENT: BETHANY WILLIAMS

Barbara Pruitt was the grandmother of three Westminster students and alumni. The Barbara Moore Pruitt Memorial Scholarship has been established in her memory to assist a student while attending Westminster. It is awarded to a student who shows a serious commitment to study, demonstrates a desire to learn and performs up to his or her capabilities.

The 2016-17 recipient is Bethany Williams, a sixth-grader and the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Brandon Williams.

CRISTINA HOPE OLIVER SCHOLARSHIP 2016-17 RECIPIENT: ANSLEY PANTSARI

The Cristina Hope Oliver Scholarship was established by the Women in the Church of First Presbyterian Church in honor of Cristina Oliver. Mrs. Oliver invested years of her life at Westminster Schools as a mother of two students, our college counselor and a strong supporter of our mission as a Christian college preparatory school. The recipient of this scholarship is decided by a competitive essay contest. To be eligible for this scholarship, the student must be a rising junior or senior in good academic standing and of good character who is also a member of First Presbyterian Church.

The 2016-17 recipient is senior Ansley Pantsari, daughter of Dr. and Mrs. Matthew W. Pantsari.

ELLIOTT EDGARS HAMILTON RIVERS MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP 2016-17 RECIPIENT: LIZZY CAVE

The Elliott Edgars Hamilton Rivers Memorial Scholarship is presented annually to a rising sophomore, junior or senior enrolled at Westminster. The scholarship was established with seed money donated by Elliott’s friends and family and by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Cary Rivers. Through this scholarship, the Rivers family desires to glorify God and remember Elliott as a boy who cultivated his passions for soccer and piano and pursued unabashed friendships. Elliott loved the Lord and approached life with vigor.

This scholarship is intended for an established Westminster student who has applied himself or herself academically, participated in Westminster athletics and is growing spiritually through active involvement in church.

The 2016-17 recipient is junior Lizzy Cave, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Michael Cave.

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2016-17 SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS MATTHEW CLARK MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP 2016-17 RECIPIENT: ASHLEY DAVIS

The Matthew Clark Memorial Scholarship is presented annually to a rising junior or senior at Westminster. The scholarship was established by the friends and family of Mr. and Mrs. John Clark in memory of their son, Matthew. Their desire is to honor God and remember Matthew as a boy who loved life and the Lord.

Selection is determined by a committee composed of the headmaster and the Clark family. The Clarks have asked that the scholarship be awarded to a junior or senior who applies himself or herself academically, participates in athletics and is growing spiritually.

The 2016-17 recipient is junior Ashley Davis, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Zelwin Davis.

AQUILLA SMITH AND DR. RICHARD N. MOSS MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIPS 2016-17 RECIPIENT: AUVIA CARTER

Miss Aquilla Smith was a founding board member of Westminster Schools. The Aquilla Smith Memorial Scholarship was established through a gift from her estate. Her generous support in earlier years provided the resources necessary for Westminster’s preservation and subsequent growth.

The Dr. Richard N. Moss Memorial Scholarship is presented annually to a rising junior or senior who is interested in science or medicine, is a good student and has demonstrated a desire to help others. The scholarship was established by the Moss family and friends of Dr. Moss in the medical community who desire to remember him as a caring physician. Selection is determined by the headmaster and the science department.

The 2016-17 recipient for both of these scholarships is junior Auvia Carter, daughter of Ms. Giovanni Carter.

JOHN W.P. AND CRISTINA HOPE OLIVER SCHOLARSHIP 2016-17 RECIPIENT: LAUREN RICH

Dr. Oliver was pastor of the First Presbyterian Church of Augusta for more than 27 years and a founding member of the board of trustees of Westminster Schools, serving throughout his pastorate in Augusta. Both Dr. and Mrs. Oliver labored tirelessly on behalf of Westminster, its mission, its students, and families. The late Mr. J. Bland Goodwin, Elder Emeritus of the First Presbyterian Church of Augusta, graciously established this scholarship to honor their love for Westminster and their commitment and sacrifice in service there.

From the inception of the school, Mr. Goodwin observed Westminster’s faithfulness to its mission. He was impressed to see Westminster graduates serve Christ in college, life, leadership and service. This scholarship is awarded to a rising student in seventh through 12th grade who demonstrates diligence in coursework; effort beyond the expectations of the teacher; interest and initiative beyond the required course expectations; particular interest and engagement in a field of study; a cooperative and teachable spirit and is an inspiration and encouragement to others in the pursuit of quality academic inquiry.

The 2016-17 recipient is senior Lauren Rich, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Matthew G. Rich.

MICHAEL J. CAVE MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP 2016-17 RECIPIENT: LUKE HARTENBURG

Michael Joseph Cave was the grandson of Dewey Cave, the chairman of the founding board of Westminster. Like his grandfather, he had a radiant smile and loved people. While a student at Westminster, Michael was quick to make a friend and give a word of encouragement. His life made a positive impact on those he encountered.

This scholarship is awarded to a student who positively serves and influences their community, sets an example for others, enjoys life and is industrious. This student is not afraid of hard work, is approachable and sought after.

The 2016-17 recipient is sophomore Luke Hartenburg, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Dale Hartenburg.

WESTMINSTER HONORS SCHOLAR 2016-17 RECIPIENT: NAN WOODWARD

The Westminster Honors Scholarship program was developed to provide the Augusta area with a prestigious, merit-based scholarship award to enable outstanding ninth-grade students to attend Westminster for the Upper School program. To be eligible for scholarship consideration, each student was required to be enrolled in eighth grade somewhere other than Westminster, be nominated by an adult outside the student’s family, submit a complete application for admission and complete an on-campus interview and group testing. Recipients demonstrate academic excellence, a strong work ethic and internal motivation.

Nan Woodward is joining the Westminster Class of 2020 as a Westminster Honors Scholar. She is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Taylor L. Woodward and previously attended Episcopal Day School.

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RUNNING WITH PERSEVERANCE: COMMENCEMENT 2016 BY: BRIELLE SMITH (’15)

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Westminster Schools of Augusta celebrated the graduation of a record 57 seniors in the Class of 2016 with a weekend of events in May. Although traditionally held at First Presbyterian Church, the Commencement and Baccalaureate services were held at Warren Baptist Church this year.

Westminster seniors led their families, friends, and faculty in worship, followed by a sermon from First Presbyterian’s Pastor George Robertson at Baccalaureate. In addition, seniors Caroline Head, Ethan Lynch and Justin Gaffney shared lessons learned in school and personal stories about God’s faithfulness.

Caroline explained how her parents’ divorce was a very unexpected change in her life as a third-grade student. But, even through her time of brokenness, she said that God was able to reveal Himself to her.

“God has been patient with me, knowing that in time, I would see that He is able to bring abundant blessing out of abrupt brokenness,” Caroline said.

She highlighted Philippians 4:12-13 in which Paul speaks of his contentment in all circumstances, and likewise, encouraged the seniors to “anchor your contentment in His unchanging character instead of your own expectations.”

Ethan revealed that he found his identity by being successful in football, instead of in who God created him to be. Then, after tearing his shoulder during senior year, Ethan was told his football career was over.

“I had placed all of my identity in football, and when that was taken away, I became angry and depressed and aimed my

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frustration towards God,” he said.

He likened his life to that of the prodigal son in Luke 15, because it took a devastating blow to get his attention. Despite his injury, Ethan said he recognized that he was being called to a higher purpose on the football team, “to

focus on contributing to the team’s spiritual strength.”

Justin shared a testimony about learning to deal with suffering. He said that his world was rocked his freshman year when his brother began struggling with mental breakdowns.

Justin was angry when he realized there was nothing he could do to help. So he began shutting everyone out of his life, including God. He said he began to feel numb to everything going on around him. Then, during the fall of his senior year, Justin said that he had an encounter with God through prayer that began to change his outlook on his family’s situation.

“The idea of God’s bountiful mercy was always something I struggled to grasp, especially after seeing just how sinful and broken we are. But I can say that whether we believe it or not, God gives us mercy, and He helps us through difficult times,” Justin said.

Following the Baccalaureate ceremony, the seniors and their families were treated to refreshments at a brief Senior Reception, and then came the annual Senior Tribute, a tradition in which faculty members share brief accolades about each of the seniors.

Always a highlight of the weekend, the Senior Tribute demonstrates the immense love that Westminster’s faculty has for its students and reveals the deep relationships formed throughout the seniors’ years in high school.

The Commencement ceremony took place the morning of May 21. Remarks were given by our 2016 Distinguished Alumni Award Winner Mrs. Amy (Hancock) Robertson (’92) (read more about Amy on page 27) and

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keynote speaker Mr. Stephan Bauman, President of World Relief, an international relief and development organization.

Salutatorian Wils Meeks recalled some of his favorite memories at Westminster and thanked the faculty for their valuable influence. He also encouraged the seniors to rely on God when facing the challenges and obstacles that lie ahead.

“We must all remember to cling to the support system that will never change, leave or lead us astray: the Lord, our Heavenly Father,” Wils told the class. He emphasized his point by quoting Joshua 1:9: “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous.

Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”

Valedictorian Evan Downs also encouraged his classmates to cling to the Lord as they begin to run a race that may look different from the ones that they’ve ran thus far.

Evan, a stellar athlete, compared completing high school to running a one-mile race. He emphasized that “keeping a good pace is the most important factor in running a good time.”

Evan told the Class of 2016 that they had just completed the “one-mile race of high school” and are facing the “marathon of college and life beyond.”

“A different kind of race means different running conditions, and runners must adapt to new conditions," he said.

He asked the class, “What kind of runner will you be? Will you be the runner that shoves and pushes people down to get a better position? Or will you be the runner who is willing to pick up a fallen runner in the last 100 meters and help him cross the finish line?”

Evan cited Hebrews 12:1-2, in which Christians are encouraged to run the race with perseverance, and he encouraged his classmates to “be strong despite the challenges you face, and always remember to run your race with perseverance and finish well.”

Congratulations to the Westminster Class of 2016! May you run the race with perseverance, always clinging to Christ! 

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L EARN IN G F O R LI F E

MEET THE VALEDICTORIAN EVAN DOWNS

MEET THE SALUTATORIAN WILS MEEKS

COLLEGE PLANS

COLLEGE PLANS

Attend the Georgia Institute of Technology and major in biomedical engineering with hopes of attending law school to become a patent attorney

Attend Vanderbilt University and major in chemistry with hopes of attending medical school

SCHOOL ACTIVITIES

Science Olympiad, National Science Bowl Captain, Latin Club, Math Club, Varsity Tennis, Peer Tutoring Director, Yearbook Editor, National Beta Club, President of National Honor Society, Senior Class Vice President

Varsity Golf, Varsity Cross-Country, Varsity Track, JV Basketball, Puzzle Club, Sophomore and Junior Class Vice President, Student Life Committee, Men's Literary Quartet, Men’s Literary Solo, Chorus, Advanced Chorale, Men's Ensemble, National Honor Society, Beta Club, Talent Show Participant

COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES Goodwill Volunteer, Singer in Various Nursing Homes, Augusta Youth Chorale, First Presbyterian Church Choir, Vertical Theatre

WHAT HE VALUES MOST ABOUT WESTMINSTER “I value the faculty and the opportunity to pursue rigorous academics with a Christian emphasis. Because the teachers have deep passions for their subjects, I also became more passionate about the material.

The teachers also show how a Christian perspective can be applied to every subject, which is truly special. During my time at Westminster, I gained a great understanding of how to handle academic rigor, and most importantly, I have learned how to defend and grow in my faith.”

L E A R NING FOR LIF E

SCHOOL ACTIVITIES

COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES Doctors Hospital Volunteer, Hope for Augusta Tutor

WHAT HE VALUES MOST ABOUT WESTMINSTER “What I value most about Westminster is the faculty. They are well educated in their fields and really care about each one of their students. Westminster faculty make up a great part of the Westminster community that I love, and I feel like my class and our teachers are a family.”

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THE CLASS OF

2016

BY THE NUMBERS

254

COLLEGE APPLICATIONS SENT

187

NUMBER OF ACCEPTANCES

4.5

AVERAGE NUMBER OF APPLICATIONS SENT PER SENIOR

88.96

FINAL WEIGHTED CUMULATIVE NUMERIC AVERAGE

16 | WINDOWS - FALL 2016

57

SENIORS

8 # OF STATES AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA WHERE THIS CLASS WILL BE ATTENDING COLLEGE (AL, DC, FL, GA, MA, NY, PA, SC, TN)

75%

ATTENDING COLLEGE IN GEORGIA OR SOUTH CAROLINA L EARN IN G F O R LI F E

SAT

COLLEGES THEY WILL BE ATTENDING

AVERAGES

602

CRITICAL READING

593

94

MATH

582

WRITING

27.4 ACT COMPOSITE SCORE AVERAGE

1 EAGLE SCOUT

21 NHS MEMBERS

43

BETA CLUB MEMBERS

L E A R NING FOR LIF E

COLLEGES & UNIVERSITIES TO WHICH SENIORS APPLIED ONE OR MORE TIMES

27

COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES WITH ONE OR MORE MATRICULATIONS

56%

ACCEPTED INTO ONE OR MORE TOP 100 NATIONAL UNIVERSITIES AND NATIONAL LIBERAL ARTS COLLEGES

5

NUMBER OF COLLEGE ATHLETES

1

ATHLETE ATTENENDING A DIVISION 1 SCHOOL

AMERICAN ACADEMY OF DRAMATIC ARTS AUBURN UNIVERSITY AUGUSTA UNIVERSITY BERRY COLLEGE CLEMSON UNIVERSITY COLLEGE OF CHARLESTON COVENANT COLLEGE DREXEL UNIVERSITY FURMAN UNIVERSITY THE GEORGE WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY GEORGIA COLLEGE GEORGIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY GEORGIA SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY MASSACHUSETTS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY MERCER UNIVERSITY NOVA SOUTHEASTERN UNIVERSITY PRESBYTERIAN COLLEGE SAMFORD UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF VISUAL ARTS SEWANEE: THE UNIVERSITY OF THE SOUTH UNIVERSITY OF GEORGIA UNIVERSITY OF NORTH GEORGIA UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH CAROLINA UNIVERSITY OF WEST GEORGIA VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY WOFFORD COLLEGE WORCESTER POLYTECHNIC INSTITUTE WINDOWS - FALL 2016 | 17

FINE ARTS

AN OPEN DOOR TO THE WORLD BY: KATELYN SHILEY (’16) Music truly opens the door to the world. I have sung in choirs for about eight years, and music has taken me to many different places.

However, Westminster's Germany trip over Masters Break was more than just a choir tour; it was a great experience to get a glimpse of another part of the world by seeing history, hearing music, meeting people and being blessed by them all.

Mr. and Mrs. Elder led nine students throughout the trip over Masters Break, including Lisa Xia (’18), Mark Yao (’17),

18 | WINDOWS - FALL 2016

Helen Wu (’17), Matt Zhang (’18), Roy Pang (’17), Grace Juag (’18), Sarah Banta (’19), Christy Newton (’16) and me. Once we landed in Berlin, we met Gary, our tour manager, from Music Contact International and immediately took in the sights around the city. Our group took pictures at famous sites, such as the Brandenburg Gate and a section of the Berlin Wall. The next day brought us to Wittenberg, which is probably best known as the town where Martin Luther lived. Along with viewing the church and its memorial door for Luther’s Ninety-Five Theses, we gave our first performance at the City Church in Wittenberg. The city’s restored streets looked sweet and lively, showing almost no sign of decay from its East German era.

The next day brought us to Leipzig, where we spent our morning on a walking tour, which ended with a performance at St. Thomas Church, where Johann Sebastian Bach worked. Our sightseeing included the pastel-colored St. Nicholas Church, where congregants led prayers for peace

during the Cold War. Eventually, weekly meetings became a crowd of 320,000 people by October 1989. These peaceful demonstrations were the start of the movement to bring down the Berlin Wall.

The power of prayer was shown, and I was touched by this piece of history.

We also traveled to Halle, the hometown of Handel. The view of the Market Church’s towers over the marketplace brought excitement to the whole group. Handel’s statue stood in the middle of the busy square, and we were also able to sing in front of the church. A large portion of our afternoon was spent at the Handel House museum, which once was Handel’s childhood home.

Though we enjoyed browsing through Handel’s history, I will always remember the exhibition of antique musical instruments.

Mrs. Elder was able to play hymns on the harpsicord, and many of us sang in the middle of the museum! After that, we headed back to Leipzig and rested our tired feet in the Coffebaum restaurant, where we ate in a

FI N E A R T S

room dedicated to Robert Schumann, who once composed in the coffee house.

The next day, we rode by train to the beautiful city of Dresden. Our morning began with meeting a few students at a small school there. These students had taken three years of English, so we tried to converse with them during lunch. We had a great time getting to know them as they led us through Dresden’s center. Our tour of Dresden started with the Frauenkirche.

After the bombing of World War II and the fall of the Iron Curtain, the Frauenkirche was finally restored to magnificent beauty, which included a gold and white Baroque interior and a dome that stretched four stories high.

It was intimidating to sing in such a place, as it also was the most crowded of our stops.

Our voices echoed around the dome as we sang. Afterward, an older lady who, judging by her accent, wasn’t an English speaker, told me our choir sang beautifully, and she thanked us for singing. I was touched by the woman’s kindness.

After leaving the Frauenkirche, each German student explained in English the history of monuments and buildings we visited. Our tour included many historical buildings in the city center which had to be rebuilt after the bombing of Dresden. My personal favorite was the Zwinger Palace, a grand, ornate courtyard surrounded by connected pavilions which seemed to come straight out of a fairytale. Later that afternoon, we attended a vesper service at the Kreuzkirche, which included beautiful choir and organ

FI NE A RTS

performances. In between the rush of touring from place to place, the reverent church and music was exactly what we needed to finally pause and breathe.

Sunday marked our last day in Germany.

We attended church at a 100-year-old congregation in Freital, which has a connection to First Presbyterian Church of Augusta missionaries Anne and Jeff Ingram. As we sang songs such as “Who Am I” and “10,000 Reasons” in English, the small congregation sang them in German.

The pastor said that one day in heaven, we will all be able to sing and understand each other. Despite the barriers of language and distance, it was amazing to know that we were serving the same God. Add in more train rides, churches, long walks, good meals, explorations and tight

bonds, then you’d scratch the surface of our Germany trip. I was blessed by beautiful music and the people we met there. It was truly a once in a lifetime trip! 

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FI N E A R T S

ATHLETICS

WILDCATS SWEEP STATE IN FIRST HALF OF 2016 GIRLS VARSITY TENNIS EARNS FIRST STATE CHAMPIONSHIP

one of us as a Christian.

The Westminster girls varsity tennis team won the state team tennis tournament for the first time in the history of Westminster Schools. The girls won three rounds to capture the GISA state team title, beating Frederica Academy, Deerfield School and Brookwood.

Even though we are losing three seniors, I am very excited about four returning starters for next year and newcomers. Hopefully, we’ll also see new tennis courts in the future of Westminster.

We asked Coach Leisa Tebbs to give us an inside look at the varsity girls tennis program this year and chat about her hopes for the future.

What were the team’s goals going into this year?

Our team goals were to experience making it to the state team tennis tournament while knowing we had the capability to win the state title for the first time.

Give us a brief summary of the team’s experience at the state tournament.

What do you hope to see from the program in the future?

How do you spiritually encourage your players?

We always have a devotion or prayer time before practice or a match. The most important spiritual encouragement I can give my team is to let them know I am here to encourage, coach and pray for them.

What do you hope your athletes take away from their tennis experience?

I loved my college tennis coach for this reason: She loved the Lord above all, and she demonstrated it daily with her team by her words, deeds and actions. I pray that my players feel the same about me.

the season with a 15-4-0 record, despite facing much adversity and pressure earlier in the season.

It takes talented, coachable players to win three state titles, according to Coach Mike Freace - players who are willing to sacrifice for their fellow teammates and travel the journey together day by day. He also said it takes a heavy dose of fun.

“One of our team’s core values this year was to have fun,” Coach Freace said. “They certainly accomplished this to the highest degree.”

He also credited his outstanding coaching staff.

“I think I have the greatest coaching staff ever,” Coach Freace said. “They really are the key to our success, and I am not just saying that. They are the most talented and committed group of coaches. I am very blessed to have them around me.”

The graduation of senior players Seth Robinson (’16), Benj O’Neil (’16) and Ian

We competed against three schools to win the finals against Brookwood. It was very exciting because every girl on the team was cheering for each other as they were competing on the court. It was a great experience as a coach seeing your team wanting the best for each other.

What would you say is your greatest accomplishment this year besides winning the state tournament?

Coaching and teaching young ladies the value of Christ in their life and the importance of being true to yourself as a Christian. Coach Mark Tebbs, my assistant coach, had a wonderful devotion he shared with the girls the night before the state tournament. He shared that Christ expects the best from each

AT H LE TICS

BOYS VARSITY SOCCER WINS THREE-PEAT STATE TITLE The boys varsity soccer team took home their third consecutive state title May 7 after a 4-0 victory against Fugees Academy. They ended

Vickery (’16) will leave a few gaps to fill on the team, but Coach Freace is still optimistic.

“I’m looking forward to having another chance to coach a great group of guys, be a part of their lives and have the opportunity to impact them more than just on the soccer field,” he said.

WINDOWS - FALL 2016 | 21

2016 INDIVIDUAL STATE CHAMPIONS

for swimming, but as one who glorifies the Lord in all that he does.”

In addition to our two team state championships this year, two Westminster Wildcats took home individual state titles.

We congratulate these outstanding studentathletes for their hard work, determination and proven athletic prowess.

STUART CAMPBELL FOOTBALL WORCESTER POLYTECHNIC INSTITUTE

KYLIE DUCKWORTH (’18) GIRLS TENNIS SINGLES

JOSHUA FULCHER (’17) SWIMMING Joshua Fulcher is no stranger to the winner’s podium. In 2016 he racked up his third straight state titles in the 200- and 500-yard freestyles and the 100-yard backstroke. He was also named All-State and the team’s Most Valuable Player.

In addition to swimming for the Wildcats, Joshua has spent 13 years swimming with a year-round club team. His skills have reached a level that has drawn the attention of several Division 1 college teams, including the University of Georgia and the Georgia Institute of Technology.

“Over the years, I've watched Joshua mature in his approach to his training,” said his mom and varsity swim coach Lynn Fulcher. “He has added weight training and become mindful of his nutrition and the importance of sleep, forgoing his famous favorite snack of Sour Patch Kids and Mountain Dew for more quality fuel like yogurt smoothies.”

Although he missed a 2016 Olympic trials qualifying time in the 400-meter freestyle by just 1.36 seconds, Joshua will compete in the Speedo Junior National Championships this December in Columbus, Ohio. He also hopes to capture three additional GISA state championship titles in 2017, which would take his total to 12 individual titles.

“It is one of my greatest joys to be both his mom and coach, a God-given privilege to participate in His greater plan,” said Coach Fulcher. “It is my prayer that Joshua will continue on in life not only as an ambassador

22 | WINDOWS - FALL 2016

Kylie Duckworth’s tennis career started when she was seven years old. At age 11, she began playing tournaments, and she has played for two years on the Westminster varsity girls tennis team. Kylie is ranked No. 38 in the South and No. 250 nationally.

As evidenced by her pursuit of the game from a young age, Kylie loves tennis and works to improve her game through weekly training ROB NEWTON FOOTBALL with an instructor. In addition to her state BERRY COLLEGE singles title, she also won the girls region singles title and was named All-State. In June, she was named The Augusta Chronicle’s AllArea Girls Tennis Player of the Year.

Kylie will return to the Westminster courts this coming spring as a junior, and Coach Leisa Tebbs said that she is eager to see Kylie continue to excel physically and spiritually.

“I hope to see her continue to grow strong in her faith and allow God to direct her path through life,” said Coach Tebbs. 

RECORD NUMBER COMMITS TO COLLEGIATE ATHLETICS

SETH ROBINSON & ANNA ROBERTSON SOCCER COVENANT COLLEGE

The Class of 2016 sent more studentathletes to the collegiate level than any other class in Westminster history. Four athletes committed to NCAA Division III schools, while one committed to a Division I school.

"I am very proud of each and every one of our student-athletes and the positive impact they make while at Westminster,” said Athletic Director Andrew Bryan. “I'm grateful that five of our seniors from this year's class will seek to make an impact on and off the field as they continue to participate in athletics at the next level, and I am confident they will represent us well." 

DARIA STAN SOCCER UNIVERSITY OF GEORGIA

AT H LE T I C S

2016 WESTMINSTER ATHLETES OF THE YEAR Each year, Westminster recognizes its most outstanding male and female athletes with the Athlete of the Year award. This award is presented at the annual Athletic Awards Banquet in the spring and is based on a point system that includes participation and high levels of performance. Being recognized at the GISA region and state levels also factors into consideration.

CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR 2016 RECIPIENTS,

CATHERINE PAULK & NYGL EADDY.

FEMALE ATHLETE OF THE YEAR:

MALE ATHLETE OF THE YEAR:

CATHERINE PAULK (’16)

NYGL EADDY (’16)

CROSS-COUNTRY ACCOLADES

FOOTBALL ACCOLADES

Named All-Region

Four-year member of the varsity football team

SWIMMING ACCOLADES

Team captain

Key member of the 2015-16 GISA state runner-up girls swim team.

Named All-Region

SOCCER ACCOLADES

Named to the Greater Augusta Sports Council All-Area Football team, The Augusta Chronicle All-Area team and was selected to play in this year’s Border Bowl

Four-year member of the girls varsity soccer team Named All-Region Named All-State

Named All-State

BASKETBALL ACCOLADES Four-year member of the boys basketball team Named All-Region and helped lead the team to a region championship this season Also a member of the 2016 varsity track team and has played on the varsity boys soccer team in previous years

AT H LE TICS

WINDOWS - FALL 2016 | 23

DOWNS RECEIVES GISA ACADEMIC ATHLETE AWARD

ninth, 10th and 11th grades and the state champion in 10th grade, which earned him the designation of The Augusta Chronicle Player of the Week. He was also named to the All-South Team for the Footlocker CrossCountry Championship races in ninth and 11th grades.

Evan also began his varsity track career in eighth grade, earning All-Region honors in Evan Downs (’16) was one of 10 GISA ninth through 12th grades. He is a threeRegion AAA student-athletes to be selected time region champion in the 800-meter and as a 2016 Morris C. Johnson Award recipient.

1600-meter races and a four-time winner The GISA Coaches Association Academic of the 3200-meter race. Additionally, as a Athlete Award is given to the best senior sophomore, he was the state champion in the student-athletes in the association. The 1600-meter and 3200-meter races, earning award was renamed the Morris C. Johnson him an All-State designation. He was named GISA Academic/Athlete Award in 2002 in the team’s most valuable runner three years in recognition of the outstanding contributions a row.

Mr. Johnson made to this association during Evan joined the varsity golf team in eighth his tenure as executive director. grade, too, earning All-Region honors each The purpose of this award is to recognize year and All-State honors as a freshman. He those senior athletes within the GISA who has been team MVP since ninth grade. have excelled in sports and the classroom. To qualify, the student-athlete must be in the top Evan holds the school records in crosscountry for the 5k, in track for the 10 percent of his or her senior class or in the 1600-meter and 3200-meter races and in top 10 of his or her class; have a cumulative golf for the lowest 18-hole score. He also was GPA of 3.75 out of a possible 4.0; have scored at least 1900 on the SAT or 26 on the named Westminster’s Male Athlete of the Year in 2013 and 2014.

ACT; and letter twice in the sport in which he or she is nominated.

In addition to his athletic accomplishments, Evan began running on the varsity crosscountry team in eighth grade. He earned All-Region and All-State honors every year through 12th grade. He was the team’s most valuable runner and the region champion in

Evan also excelled in the fine arts as a member of the literary team and is the Class of 2016 valedictorian. He will be attending the Georgia Institute of Technology in the fall. 

2016 WESTMINSTER ATHLETICS HALL OF FAME INDUCTEES The Westminster Athletics Hall of Fame was started in 2007 to recognize former students who have made outstanding contributions to Westminster’s athletic program and to establish a tradition in school pride. While not alumni, this year the athletics department decided to honor the founding fathers of Westminster’s soccer and basketball programs, Otis Balkcom and Jack Moon, by inducting them into the Athletics Hall of Fame.

Otis Balkcom was Westminster’s first headmaster and basketball coach. He served from 1972-75 and now lives in Willmore, Kentucky, with his wife, Joy. “From an early age, basketball has played an important role in my life,” Mr. Balkcom said.

“Even today, I enjoy watching college ball,

24 | WINDOWS - FALL 2016

especially my beloved Kentucky Wildcats.

Playing high school and college basketball as well as coaching for years has provided many hours of enjoyment and opportunity for impacting others, both for me personally and for my family.”

Mr. Balkcom hired Jack Moon directly out of Asbury College to establish Westminster’s soccer program in 1972. Mr. Moon also taught science and P.E. and coached other sports at Westminster. After a five-year stint at Westminster, he went on to earn a master’s degree from the University of Kentucky and teach at multiple other schools. Mr. Moon and his wife, Edie, live in Seoul, Korea, where he serves as an administrator at the Seoul Foreign School. 

JACK MOON

OTIS BALKCOM

AT H LE T I C S

COMMUNITY

STUDENTS BECOME GAME-CHANGERS This past year, the Upper School partnered with the local Rotary Club to start its very own Interact Club. Interact is a high school service club that works to better its community while bettering its members in the process. In addition to performing service projects, at each meeting, a member of the Rotary Club attends and answers questions about his/her job and shares their personal testimony.

During March and April, John Gaylor (’18) and Emily Rogers (’17) led the Westminster Interact Club in sponsoring a video game drive throughout the Middle and Upper Schools. The games were sent to a non-profit organization called Game Givers, which donates video games and consoles to sick children in Atlanta hospitals.

“My good friend, Max, started the organization,” said John. “I met him through an organization called 21st Century Leaders.

One night when we were in the same room at a leadership conference, he told me about Game Givers. He told me all about how he started it and who he was helping. I saw his true devotion and the passion he had for this project, and it made me want to do whatever I could to help!”

The club collected 150 games and three

FAITH FOOD FACTORY C O MMUNITY

consoles to contribute to Game Givers. In the future, Emily and John hope to establish a relationship with Children’s Hospital of Georgia so that the games collected during next year’s drive will benefit children in the local community.

For more information about the organization and how you can help, visit gamegivers.org.

FOURTH-GRADERS VOLUNTEER AT FAITH FOOD FACTORY As part of the fourth-grade service learning unit, the students visited the Faith Food Factory at Golden Harvest Food Bank. They learned about the organization and how it helps those in need. One of the longtime helpers at the food bank taught the students how to sort the donations according to foods that are safe to eat and those that are expired or unsafe.

Students said that they loved helping sort canned goods and other donated items into large bins. They rotated jobs, including checking for expiration dates, sorting items into large crates and taping boxes shut for later distribution. Many students and parents commented that this was by far their favorite field trip. They even expressed a desire to come back again to help.

BIRDS OF THE FIELD The third grade, with the help of parent Claire Freace, created a painting to help decorate the clinic of Christ Community Health Services, which offers affordable, quality primary health and dental care to the uninsured and underserved of Augusta.

The class wanted to give the workers there

GAME GIVERS another opportunity to be reminded of the Lord and to share how God cares for the least – even the birds of the field. The painting was presented to Christ Community’s Co-founder and Medical Director (and Westminster parent) Dr. Robert Campbell on the last day of school.

This project was a fulfillment of Mrs. Julia Joiner’s vision to have the third grade contribute to the local community.

POULTRY FOR A CAUSE As part of the yearlong study of communities and community helpers, the prekindergarten and transitional kindergarten classes

THIRD GRADE PAINTING WINDOWS - FALL 2016 | 25

participated in the Samaritan’s Purse Poultry Project. They raised funds to buy chicks to support families in need.

“This project allowed us to explore farm animals and the importance of farmers in a community,” said transitional kindergarten teacher Debbie Corbin. “We were also able to learn why chickens are such a wonderful creation of God and how chickens can help those not as fortunate as us.”

• Brookdale Assisted Living • Brandon Wilde Assisted Living In addition, two groups did yard work for the elderly, and one group was tasked with creek cleanup on the Westminster campus.

One project was particularly fulfilling for the advisory groups assigned to complete it.

Students with Coaches Ackley and Bryan worked alongside Fireside Ministries staff to transform a vacant lot near Walton Way into a community garden for local veterans.

They even customized the plant beds to accommodate those veterans who are wheelchair-bound.

According to the website, God’s compassions are new every morning (Lamentations 3:23), and so are fresh eggs for families who raise chickens supplied by Samaritan’s Purse. A gift of $14 provides about 12 chicks or other poultry that will soon lay enough protein-rich Slayton Lutz (’17) told The Augusta eggs to feed a family, with enough left over to Chronicle, “It’s a great way for me to not only sell or trade at market. give back to those who have sacrificed so much for us, but it also helps me transition The students were able to raise $150, which back to school life after the long break,” will pay for about 129 chicks. he said. “It’s a lot of fun to work with my buddies, and I feel good knowing I’m helping UPPER SCHOOL STUDENTS people.” 

SERVE AUGUSTA

On Jan. 5 and 6, our Upper School students participated in the fourth annual Winterim, a hands-on opportunity to serve others in the Augusta community.

The Winterim program allows students to invest selflessly in the community for two full days. Students were divided by advisory groups and paired with a local nonprofit.

They worked directly with homeless individuals, organized food and shelter for those in need and shared the love of God in the CSRA. Students performed projects at: • Fireside Ministries • Hope House • Goodwill Industries • Ronald McDonald House • Augusta Canal • Bridge Ministry • Washington Commons • Elmcroft Senior Living • Hope for Augusta • Augusta Care Pregnancy Center • Georgia War Veterans Nursing Home • Family Promise of Augusta • Augusta Humane Society

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COMMUNITY

ALUMNI 2016 DISTINGUISHED ALUMNI AWARD WINNER: AMY (HANCOCK) ROBERTSON (’92) BY: PALMER BRIGHAM (’15) Westminster is larger than it seems. At first glance, it’s comprised of a mere 600 students, which is smaller than a single graduating class at some schools. But Westminster’s influence expands much further, as demonstrated in the life of our 2016 Distinguished Alumni Award winner Amy (Hancock) Robertson (’92).

The education and Christian framework that shaped her at Westminster reaches beyond Augusta to places like Mexico and Chile, where Amy and her family serve on the mission field.

Amy was enrolled from ages four through 18 at Westminster, where she was challenged academically in the classroom, physically on the basketball court, and socially, emotionally and spiritually as she developed her own worldview. She said that she is still being influenced today by the Westminster teachers

who invested in her relationally and by classmates who still inspire and encourage her.

Moments that have stuck with her include memorizing scripture in Miss Betty Gene’s kindergarten class and being challenged to “live in Christ’s strength” by Ms. Volpitto in sixth grade. She went on to be named female Athlete of the Year and valedictorian of her graduating class, but it was more than those accomplishments that prepared her for college. It was the spiritual strengthening she gained at Westminster that gave her the confidence to share Christ and stand strong in her beliefs at Vanderbilt University.

Furthermore, it was there at the Reformed University Fellowship where she first met Steve Robertson.

Amy graduated Phi Beta Kappa from Vanderbilt in 1996 with a Bachelor of Arts in English literature, and a short time later, she and Steve were married. After a few years of living and working in Nashville, Tennessee, the Robertsons were called to vocational ministry, and in 2000, moved to Guadalajara, Mexico, to plant a church for Mission to the World.

Amy described it as an “all-family endeavor” as the Robertsons established Cristo Rey Eterno, where Steve served as pastor. The Robertsons opened their home and lives – which soon included their three children, Joseph, Mary Beth and Johnny – regularly, hosting neighbors, visitors and those in need.

They also facilitated women’s groups and children’s educational programs and trained men and women in Mexico to lead them. The Robertsons were also involved in supporting a foster care home, writing and adapting Bible studies in Spanish and looking for new opportunities to share the Gospel.

As the Distinguished Alumna addressed the class of 2016 during Commencement, she defined the word “distinguished” as “God in us, a full-time calling.” She also encouraged the graduates to pursue that calling and lean on God as their secure and unchanging rock, even when the path is not always clear.

Amy discovered how she fit into God’s story of redemption at Westminster. She responded to His calling on her life and continues to follow Him, taking the Westminster education that shaped her beyond the classroom to now serve in Chile and wherever else the Spirit leads her and her family. 

BUILDING A BETTER WORLD: JOSH ADAMS (’13) Josh Adams (’13), an architecture student at Auburn University, applies his skills beyond the classroom. During the fall 2015 semester, Josh participated in Auburn’s Rural Studio Project, a program that provides architecture students with the opportunity to create real-world solutions to the lack of affordable housing in West Alabama’s underserved and impoverished Black Belt region.

A L U MNI

BY: PALMER BRIGHAM (’15)

opportunity to assist the community we live in and offer them a better standard of living, whether it’s by building families cost efficient homes, a new ball park or a volunteer fire station.”

Josh described the project as more than just a hands-on, design-build experience.

During the spring 2016 semester, Josh traveled to Rome, Italy, to study abroad with Auburn’s School of Architecture. While taking studio courses, he studied the modern and ancient architecture that is unique to Rome.

“It [was] the culture shock of living amidst the rural south, in a town of only 180 people, many of whom live under the burden of poverty,” said Josh. “It’s the understanding of the social responsibility that architects have to the world around them. We are afforded the

The combination of these two experiences over the past year has shaped his time during the five-year architecture program at Auburn, and he is looking forward to the possibilities that the expansive program can provide him in the future. 

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1999

ALUMNI NOTES

Kathryn (Tucciarone) Turner (’99) and her husband, Emmett, welcomed Robert Dawes Turner into the world on Nov. 13, 2014. He is joined by siblings Mae and Betts.

1992 Danielle “Dani” (Wong) Moores (’92) and her husband, Sean, celebrated the birth of their first child, Adelind Gray Moores, on March 22 at Augusta University Health. The baby weighed 6 lbs., 10 oz., and was 19 3/4 inches long.

attorney at Jackson Law Offices, P.C. and is responsible for growing the family practice in Augusta and Columbia, South Carolina, and increasing client representation in cases of catastrophic injury and corporate fraud, among others. In the magazine, he stated that he believes he has been positively formed by Westminster Schools of Augusta and remains active in ensuring that alumni giving is at the highest percentage possible.

2002 Adam James (’02) helped lead worship at Westminster’s Closing Convocation in May, along with Amy Owen, his sister, and Paul Owen, his brother-in-law and Westminster’s director of drama.

KATHRYN (TUCCIARONE) TURNER (’99)

2000 Jenna (Lindsell) Isaacson (’00) and her husband, Chad, welcomed Dane Christopher Isaacson on March 30. Dane joins sister Emma, 5, and brother Jack, 3.

DANIELLE “DANI” (WONG) MOORES (’92)

1997

ADAM JAMES (’02)

Brad Bohannon (’97) is serving as vice president of government relations for the Georgia Lottery Corporation in Atlanta. Brad and his wife, Alicia, have two girls, Macie Lynne, 7, and Maddison, 3. They live in Newnan.

2004

JENNA (LINDSELL) ISAACSON (’00)

Laura (Bailey) Turrentine (’04) and her husband, Jake, welcomed Paul Charles Turrentine on March 4. He weighed 8 lbs., 4 oz. and measured 21 inches long. He is joined by big brother Luke.

2001 Austin Jackson (’01) was named one of Augusta Magazine’s Top 10 in 10 Young Professionals to Watch in 2016. He is an

BRAD BOHANNON (’97) LAURA (BAILEY) TURRENTINE (’04)

AUSTIN JACKSON (’01)

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A LU M N I

Mary3 Cornelia3Rebecca Ivins3 is a Williamson County Young Life

William Jewett (’04) and Jenny (Reichl) Jewett (’08) celebrated the birth of their son Silas Andrew Jewett on Jan. 27. He weighed 8 lbs., 11 oz. and was 21 1/2 inches long. William is currently an Upper School mathematics teacher at Westminster, and Jenny is an occupational therapist at University Hospital.

february 13, 2016

=

2008

=

Every good and perfect gift is from above. – James 1:17

ALEX (WELSH) IVINS (’04)

2005

WILLIAM JEWETT (’04) AND JENNY (REICHL) JEWETT (’08)

Lee Turley (’04), founder of Dream House, LLC, a real estate investment, development and consulting firm in Nashville, recently launched EpicBnB, a premier vacation rental management company. In addition, his wife, Jessica, was promoted to clinical director with Aspire Healthcare in Nashville, one of the largest palliative care providers in the country. “God's been really blessing my wife’s and my career. It's been so humbling to see Him pull off things that we can lay no claim to!”

19.5 inches leader=and has recently been recommended to become a member of the area committee.

6 pounds 8 ounces

Welcomed with Love and Thanksgiving by Curt, Alex, and Susanna

Jenny Wiggins (’05) married Matt Drake on February 20 at Perimeter Church in Johns Creek, Georgia. Becca (Wiggins) Overcast (’13), sister of the bride, served as matron of honor. Jamie Wiggins (’12), brother of the bride, sang with Becca during the ceremony.

JENNY WIGGINS (’05)

Maxwell Mitchell (’08) was recently promoted to Mergers and Acquisitions Transactions Services at Deloitte & Touche in Atlanta. He is part of a senior tax consultant team, providing businesses with due diligence and tax structuring services.

The move is an upward step in Deloitte's Management Development Program.

Allison Sowell (’08), a 2012 honors graduate of Clemson University, received her Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from the Arnold School of Public Health at the University of South Carolina in December 2015. Her doctoral research was titled and focused on the “Relationship Between Foot Strike Pattern and Stride Length in Recreational Runners.”

ALLISON SOWELL (’08)

2007

2010

Rebecca Morris (’07) is an assistant director of alumni relations at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee, where she has lived since graduating from Clemson University in May 2011. She serves as an event planner and program director for multiple alumni chapters across the country. In addition,

Mary Frances McGahee (’10) (pictured far right) returned to Augusta last summer after teaching in Greenville, South Carolina. She is teaching fourth grade at Garrett Elementary.

LEE TURLEY (’04)

Having enjoyed living in Arizona and exploring the West, Alex (Welsh) Ivins (’04) and her husband, U.S. Army Captain Curt Ivins, are relocating to Kansas. While they will miss hiking the Red Rocks of Sedona, they report that they are looking forward to family time with their children at their new duty station. Additionally, they celebrated the birth of their third daughter, Mary Cornelia Ivins, in February.

A L U MNI

MARY FRANCES MCGAHEE (’10)

REBECCA MORRIS (’07)

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Emily (Mecredy) Wise (’10) received her Master of Arts in teaching from Duke University. This degree included a 27-week internship in two Durham high schools alongside classes in the English doctorate program. She plans to teach high school English in the Raleigh-Durham area beginning this fall.

NATALIE WALTERS (’11)

2012

EMILY (MECREDY) WISE (’10)

Chris Nabholz (’10) married Audrey Crane on Dec. 19, 2015, at Christ Church Presbyterian in Evans. Timothy Nabholz (’13) served as best man. Chris and Audrey met while attending Augusta University, where both were involved with Campus Outreach. They live in Augusta, where Chris is a P.E. teacher at South Columbia Elementary and a varsity assistant baseball coach at Augusta Christian, and Audrey is a kindergarten teacher at Cedar Ridge Elementary.

Mary Elizabeth Goodell (’12) recently won Wheaton Shark Tank, an entrepreneurial competition among Wheaton College students modeled after the eponymous television show. Her fashion concept called Flourish, a business designed to sell sustainably made dresses by employing victims of sexual violence, took home first place. Mary Elizabeth graduated May 8 from Wheaton with a Bachelor of Arts in business/economics and a studio art minor.

She has accepted a job as development coordinator for a non-profit in Chicago called Hope Works.

IVEY HERRINGTON (’12)

Sabrina Rush (’12) recently graduated from The George Washington University in Washington, D.C., where she studied international affairs and minored in journalism and mass communication.

The graduation ceremony took place on the National Mall in the shadow of the Washington Monument. The President's helicopter, Marine One, even flew over the ceremony to land at the White House, making it a very #OnlyatGW moment, a popular Twitter hashtag at the university.

Sabrina will stay in Washington and work alongside fellow Wildcat Will Dent (’05) in the office of U.S. Senator Johnny Isakson.

SABRINA RUSH (’12) MARY ELIZABETH GOODELL (’12)

CHRIS NABHOLZ (’10)

2011 Natalie Walters (’11) completed a sixmonth reporting internship with the popular news website Business Insider in New York City, where she interviewed presidents and CEOs, including former Apple CEO John Sculley, and she met Bill Nye and Ivanka Trump. Her articles received more than 25 million views, and she was consistently ranked on the top 10 author leaderboard.

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Ivey Herrington (’12) graduated Magna Cum Laude from Berry College in May, majoring in accounting. She was a member of Berry's Intercollegiate Horse Shows Association equestrian team all four years and was a captain her junior and senior years.

Ivey is a member of the Beta Gamma Sigma honors society and received the Georgia Society of Certified Public Accountants award her senior year for academic excellence.

Ivey is now working at Georgia Pacific's corporate office in Atlanta as an accountant.

Sarah Saxon (’12) graduated Magna Cum Laude from High Point University on May 7 with a Bachelor of Arts in human relations and a minor in marketing. She is working for Albemarle Corporation as a communications coordinator at their corporate headquarters in Charlotte, North Carolina.

SARAH SAXON (’12)

A LU M N I

WILDCAT PACKS Westminster hosted Atlanta-area alumni at the Piedmont Driving Club on May 5.

Madison Roberts (’96), Robin (Zetterburg) Sally (’95) and Robert Watts (’04) served as hosts, and former headmaster Steve O'Neil and Mr. David Hanks attended, bringing greetings from Westminster and taking some time to update everyone on Westminster happenings. In addition to the hosts, the following alumni attended: Neil Bitting (’08), Brad Bohannon (’97), Lynn (Rumbley) Dougherty (’94), Bennett Ford (’02), Allison Hood (’05), Hudson Hooks (’95), Carla (Wong) McMillian (’91), Nancy McQuillen (’94), Maxwell Mitchell (’08), Sloane Oliver (’91), Morgan Purvis (’02), Graham Roberts (’03), Zach Story (’94), Mary Neil Stroud (’00), Megan Williams (’98) and Ashley Wilson (’98).

ATLANTA-AREA ALUMNI

The "Old" Alumni Social was held Dec. 26 at Teresa's Mexican Restaurant. Attendees included alumni who were visiting home from Russia, Egypt and Miami, as well as an alumnus from 2004 who had left the school prior to graduation and had not seen his former classmates in 10 years. Afterward, several alumni groups congregated in various places around town, including Sky City, Southbound Smokehouse and in alumni homes. Those who couldn’t be there are invited to the next gathering on Dec. 26, 2016.

• Youngest Graduate in Attendance: Sharon Holland (’11) •Oldest Graduate in Attendance: Gene Long (’97) •Farthest-Traveling Graduate: David Degner (’02), who currently lives in Cairo, Egypt

YOUNG ALUMNI SOCIAL

The Young Alumni Social for the classes of 2011-2015 was held on Dec. 18 at the home of Lucianne and Bill McCartney. This was the largest gathering yet, and alumni got reacquainted while having a catered meal from Moe’s Southwest Grill.

The Class of 2000 held a 15-year reunion last fall. Thanks to the following alumni for attending: (front row) Jay Duncan, Victoria (Folley) Hulsebus, Mary Neil (Hanks) Stroud; (back row) Caleb Morris, Katherine (Coleman) Johnson, Joanna (Hatcher) Miller and Jeremiah Miller.

Alumni, we want to hear from you! Submit information regarding general updates, births, marriages, vocational information and service involvement to alumni@wsa.net. You may also use our online form at wsa.net/community/ alumni. 

A L U MNI

CLASS OF 2000

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AROUND CAMPUS

PROM KING AND QUEEN Congratulations to Katelyn Shiley (’16) and Seth Robinson (’16) for being chosen queen and king of the 2016 Westminster Prom held in April at the Boathouse Community Center.

2016-17 STUDENT LEADERSHIP TEAM Congratulations to the 14 students selected for the 2016-17 Student Leadership Team (SLT).

• Co-Heads: Elizabeth Carter (’17) and Noah Kershner (’17) • Fine Arts: Kaleigh Anderson (’17) • Service: Emily Miller (’17) and Bryce Biggerstaff (’17) • Student Life: Katie Bell Fulcher (’18), Emily Rogers (’17) and Noah Lee (’17) • Spiritual Life/Chapel: Ellie Lynch (’18) and Michael Hitchcock (’17) • Admissions: Ansley Pantsari (’17) • Unity: Julia Pruitt (’17) • Athletics: Brandon Shiley (’18) and Brandon Smith (’18)

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The SLT is a group of juniors and seniors chosen to work cohesively as a team to help lead the student body.

knowledge from there. I was so excited when dad said that he would make me two raised bed gardens at our house. From that point on in 2012, I have loved it and try growing new plants all the time.”

The SLT is focused both on selection and development of leaders. This particular team oversees the big picture of life at Westminster, Mr. Johnson and Mrs. Whitcomb decided and past experience is a key qualification it would be fun if Hogan worked with for members. Each undergoes leadership Westminster’s youngest students to create training and is assigned an adult mentor to provide support throughout the year. This is an invaluable relationship as SLT members cultivate their leadership skills.

A BLOOMING COLLABORATION During the spring, the pre-k class and Kindercubs collaborated with Hogan McCully (’19) on what would become a school-wide garden project.

Hogan is passionate about gardening and plants and asked Academic Dean Craig Johnson if he could create a garden at the Upper School.

“I became interested in gardening when I was little,” Hogan said. “I started with beans and peas and then rapidly expanded my

AROU N D C A M P U S

a garden that would produce crops for our FLIK lunch program and flowers for our classroom.

Both Hogan and Mrs. Whitcomb said they look forward to continuing their blooming collaboration during the 2016-17 school year.

Mrs. Whitcomb said, “Hogan daily cared for the garden during the school year and has done an amazing job growing plants in what is essentially sand!”

MEDAL OF HONOR RECIPIENT VISITS SCHOOL

The Westminster community garden, which is located next to the Lower School parking lot, has produced a variety of vegetables, including radishes, tomatoes, mustard greens, cucumbers, peas, zucchini, peppers, broccoli and kale. Faculty and staff were encouraged to harvest vegetables for their personal use or even add some plants of their own. During the summer months, an automatic watering system was installed to ensure the garden would continue to flourish even while school was out of session.

“The Real Forrest Gump,” visited Westminster in January. Or, at least that’s how some people describe Sgt. Sammy L. Davis (pictured above with Renord James, a veteran and Westminster employee).

“I want the Westminster community to realize that planting, caring and harvesting a garden does not take that much of their time and that it is pretty and it makes food,” said Hogan. “I want people to recognize the work that goes into gardens, but also how much you get out of them and how much it affects their communities.”

A ROUND CA MPUS

The U.S. Army veteran, who spoke to our Middle and Upper School students during a joint assembly and shared a presentation with fifth-graders at the Lower School, earned a Medal of Honor – the nation’s highest military award for valor – for his service in the Vietnam War. In March 1967, Davis was sent to South Vietnam as a private first class and was assigned to Battery C, 2nd Battalion, 4th Artillery Regiment, 9th Infantry Division.

On November 18, 1967, his unit at “Fire Support Base Cudgel” west of Cai Lay fell under machine gun fire and heavy mortar attack by an estimated three companies of Vietcong.

Upon detecting the enemy’s position, Davis manned a machine gun to give his comrades cover as they fired artillery in response. Davis was wounded, but he ignored warnings to take cover, opting to take over the unit’s burning howitzer and firing several shells himself. He also didn’t let a broken back keep him from crossing a river on an air mattress to help rescue three wounded American soldiers.

He ultimately found his way to another howitzer site, where he continued to fight the NVA attack until the enemy fled. Davis said the battle lasted about two hours.

Davis was subsequently promoted to sergeant and received the Congressional Medal of Honor from President Lyndon B. Johnson exactly one year and one day after the nightlong firefight. Years later, footage of President Johnson putting the medal around Davis's neck appeared in the movie Forrest Gump (with Tom Hanks' head substituted for Davis'), and Gump's fictional Medal of Honor citation was loosely based on Davis' real one.

Davis retired in 1984, his wartime injuries finally hindering him from active duty. 

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FACULTY & STAFF YEARS OF SERVICE AWARDS At the year-end faculty/staff luncheon in May, those who celebrated milestone anniversaries during the 2015-16 school year were honored for their achievements. These hard-working and dedicated employees are appreciated for their love of Westminster and their service to our students and Lord.

Special recognition was given to Mrs. Julia Joiner, Mrs. Jeannie English and Mrs. Sandy Ham, who all retired at the end of the school year.

Mrs. English celebrated 20 years of faithful service to Westminster, Mrs. Ham celebrated 18 years, and Mrs. Joiner celebrated 23 years at Westminster and 34 years of teaching. 

RETIRING: Julia Joiner, Jeannie English and Sandy Ham (not pictured)

30 YEARS OF SERVICE: Janice Esposito

20 YEARS OF SERVICE: Jeannie English and Julie Wiggins

25 YEARS OF SERVICE: Sue Ames, Mark Tebbs and Kennard Major

15 YEARS OF SERVICE: Mike Freace, Peggy Dixon and Margaret Gulledge (not pictured)

10 YEARS OF SERVICE: Regina Franklin, Debbie Corbin, Jordan Lambert and Vivian Hornsby (not pictured)

5 YEARS OF SERVICE: Katherine Smith, Caroline Whitcomb, Lanier Goodell, Lisa Cook, Debra McLarnon, Micah Waldecker Amy Elder, Traci Boutwell, Denae O’Neil and Sharon Albea (not pictured)

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AROU N D C A M P U S

DEVELOPING NEWS We have seen remarkable progress on Knox Hall this summer, and I know we are all looking forward to the day when we will be able to enjoy this wonderful new facility next semester. As chair of the capital campaign committee, I wanted to update you on the progress of our fundraising efforts and thank each of you for your support of Knox Hall.

As of this writing, we have commitments of $4.3 million toward our $5.9 million goal.

But perhaps the most exciting news to share is our opportunity to receive a $1 million challenge grant from a foundation that desires to support our school. In order to receive this grant, the foundation has challenged us to raise $4.9 million in gifts or pledges by November 30. We have been chipping away toward this challenge for over a year and are excited to inform you that we only need additional gifts totaling $600,000 to receive this grant.

This is an amazing opportunity for the school on several levels. First, this $1 million grant would be the largest single gift the school has received in its history. Second, this foundation is one of few that actively supports our Christian mission and values and also funds large capital projects. Third, this foundation has a long history of recurring support to its beneficiaries once a relationship has been established. Representatives from the foundation have already visited campus and have seen our long-term capital improvement needs firsthand. To find a partner that values our mission and is willing to continue to invest in our future is a rare find and certainly a provision from the Lord.

We have already raised a significant amount of money in support of Knox Hall, as well as the addition of Wheeler Field, technology upgrades and the refurbishment of the Upper School gym. Again, thank you so much for your support! We now look to seize on this opportunity to realize this $1

D E VE L OPING NEWS

million challenge grant. Simply put, this grant represents a transformational opportunity for the school as we position ourselves for continued growth and success over the next 10 years.

If you have not already, please consider making a gift today and be a part of this exciting opportunity.

Warm Regards,

Allen Grinalds Capital Campaign Chair

Online gifts may be made at wsa.net/giving.

Checks may be sent to Westminster Schools of Augusta c/o Development Office, 3067 Wheeler Road, Augusta GA 30909.

For gifts of stocks or securities, please contact Carrie Brigham at 706-731-5260, ext. 2220 or cbrigham@wsa.net.

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