2018/2019
ANNUAL REPORT
2018/2019 Annual Report | 1
2018-2019
ANNUAL REPORT Published by: Cape Fear Academy 3900 S. College Road Wilmington, NC 28412 910 791 0287
Address Class Notes to: Paula Sneeden paula.sneeden@capefearacademy.org 910 791 0287 x4513
Editors: Cole Dittmer Associate Director of Advancement for Communications Jennifer Hanes Sullivan Director of Advancement
Design: Stephanie Robison
Photography: All photos by Cole Dittmer unless otherwise noted.
Feature Stories: Written by Cole Dittmer
Table of Contents: 2 3 5 6 8 9 12 16 18 20 21 22 25 27
Letter from the Head of School Board of Trustees Financial Picture Annual Fund at a Glance Why We Give to CFA: Amy and Dave Sweyer 2018/2019 Annual Fund Gifts FEATURE: Multiplying Math Fluency Alumni Highlight: Mark Flager ’91 FEATURE: An Hour of Genius Why I Give to CFA: Mary Margaret McEachern Other Gifts FEATURE: Changing the Culture Why We Give to CFA: Michelle and Kevin Kernan FEATURE: Faculty Growth Through Professional Development
29 31 33 36 37 39 40 41
Ready to Go Further: Class of 2019 Academic Awards Class Notes The Arts FEATURE: Beyond the Surface CFA Auction: In the Spirit Athletics Save the Date
A few of the members of the Class of 2019 in the North Carolina Mountains at the end of the annual Outward Bound trip.
PHOTO CONTRIBUTED BY CFA PUBLICATIONS DEPARTMENT.
Letter from
THE HEAD OF SCHOOL well-deserved accolades. Rather than charge attendees for tickets, an appreciative audience donated $3,600 for Nourish NC at the play’s onenight performance. Using those funds, Lower School students packed 2,000 Nourish NC Snack Packs to help combat child hunger in our community. Another highlight was the Varsity Boys Soccer team winning the program’s first NCISAA State Championship. Head Coach and Upper School science teacher Meade McFarlane was also named the StarNews Varsity Coach of the Year. The Cape Fear Academy Theatre Department won 10 awards at the North Carolina Theatre Conference Regionals throughout the weekend of Nov. 2-3, 2018. Both of its plays received outstanding comments and compliments from the judges. The adjudicators acknowledged so much of the very specific work the theatre students completed, from particular acting moments to scene changes, articulation, pacing, character backstories, and set concept and design.
I
t would be impossible to talk about the 2018-2019 school year without mentioning Hurricane Florence. Our CFA community faced the challenges of Florence and worked hard to maintain our established level of excellence. Though we missed 11 school days last September, our faculty, staff and students persevered and it was another outstanding school year at CFA with plenty of highlights throughout. Through the generosity of parents, employees and alums, we raised significant dollars for a CFA Strong fund that helped employees who experienced significant damage to their homes. I can’t think of a better statement about how we value our employees than the outpouring of support we received for the campaign from all sectors of our community.
In spite of the setbacks from Florence we were able to make significant headway on our Strategic Plan’s year one goals. Throughout this annual report you will find evidence of some of the more important accomplishments of our students, faculty and staff working on those goals. As always, thank you for your support of Cape Fear Academy and our school’s mission to prepare each of our students for success in college and life.
Donald S. Berger, Head of School
Despite missing two weeks of rehearsal, the Lower School Musical production of Willie Wonka, Jr. was performed to thunderous applause and 2018/2019 Annual Report | 2
2018-2019
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Board
Back row, L to R: Jason Dahl, Elizabeth Wells, Raiford Trask ’79, Bill Anlyan, Sandra Williams ’82 (past chair), David Sweyer, Matt Scharf, Donald Berger, Pete Dugan Front row, L to R: Diane Beecher, Hal Wells ’93 (treasurer), Porter Young (vice chair), David Sprunt ’85 (chair), Louise Mann ’90 (secretary), Katharine Sullivan ’85, Kurt Taylor ’07 Not pictured: Peter Kane, Janet Tucker
CFA Boys Win First State Soccer Championship The Hurricanes knocked off Gaston Christian School 3-2 Saturday, Oct. 27, at CFA to win the NCISAA 3A State Championship—the first in school history for the Boys Varsity Soccer Team. The team was coached by Upper School science teacher Meade McFarlane, who was in his 14th season as the Hurricanes’ head coach. Campbell McFarlane gave Cape Fear Academy the lead in the 13th minute when he used his hip to find the back of the net. Early in the second half, Campbell McFarlane scored again, this time with his head off an assist from Vance Young. Gaston Christian School scored just one minute later to make it 2-1, and then tied the match in the 54th minute. With 13 minutes left Tommy Morton sent in a low cross 3 | CAPE FEAR ACADEMY
towards goal and the ball found Connor Smith, who scored the final goal of the game with a shot into the right corner of the goal. The team celebrated the win with a large crowd of family, friends and supporters of all ages that came to watch the game.
Varsity Girls Volleyball
2018-2019
FINANCIAL PICTURE
Revenue Total Revenue
$12,405,531
l Tuiton & Fees l Other l Restricted
$11,095,136 $768,798 $541,597
and Unrestricted Donations
Expenses l Salaries & Benefits $7,891,627 l School Wide Operational $650,343 l Financial Assistance $667,478 l Facilities Operations $1,576,510 l Instructional Expenses $889,295 l Debt & Reserve Expense $730,278
5 | CAPE FEAR ACADEMY
Total Expenses
$12,405,531
Annual Fund
AT A GLANCE
Annual Fund Total
$329,906.33
Annual Fund Designations Number of gifts
362
l Area of Greatest Need 292 l Academic Excellence 24 l Arts 11 l Athletics 5 l Technology 7 l Faculty Development 6 l Financial Aid 8 l Diversity & Inclusion 9
Annual Fund by Donor Type (Listing by primary constituency type only)
l Trustee l Current Parents l Alumni l Grandparents l Former Parents l Faculty/Staff l Other
17 177 27 51 22 30 38
Average gift
$911.34
2018/2019 Annual Report | 6
Kindergarten’s production of “The Mitten”
Why We Give to CFA
AMY AND DAVE SWEYER
Reed ’19, Elizabeth ’16, Brittany ’13, and alumni parents, Amy and Dave Sweyer
PHOTO CONTRIBUTED BY THE SWEYER FAMILY.
O
ur family gives to Cape Fear Academy to support the school’s mission of discovering and developing individual potential while preparing their students for success in college and beyond. Our three children had very different talents and interests and benefitted uniquely from the school’s mission, excelling not only in academics but also in sports, drama, leadership, government and community involvement. Cape Fear Academy offers opportunities to all their students that are typically only available to
select groups of students at other local schools. As our kids have moved through their college experiences and into their careers, we can see that they are prepared to succeed as they reach the next stages of their lives. We believe this is due to the fact that not only could each follow their own unique path to success, but also a result of their involvement in the different opportunities that Cape Fear Academy offers alongside their strong academic curriculum.
2018/2019 Annual Report | 8
2018-2019
ANNUAL FUND GIFTS Gold Circle - $10,000 & up Anonymous Amanda and Mike Baker* Tanya and Peter Kane* Michelle and Kevin Kernan Debbie and Mark Mitchell The Cynthia and George Mitchell Foundation* Silver Circle - $5,000 - $9,999 Anonymous Julie and James Balloun The Community Foundation of Greater Atlanta* Cheryl and Paul Colvin Sandy and Ken Crumrine* Jennifer and Jason Dahl Francesca Fazzolari Emily and Huntley Garriott Donna and Michael Jacobs Beth and Dennis Johnson* Roulhac and Gregory Johnson The Johnson Family Fund Carole and Richard Johnson* The Johnson Family Fund* Melissa Church and Patrick Lawton Louise ’90 and David Mann* Joan and Steve Moore Verint Americas, Inc. Diane Beecher and Mark Morris* Crystal and Harrison Peebles Jill and Chris Scerri Holly and Cosmo Smith Wesie and David ’85 Sprunt* Amy and Dave Sweyer* Ava and Raiford ’79 Trask Carollee Vernon CDV Gift Fund* Jill and Bo Webb Balloun Family Foundation* Elizabeth and Vin ’94 Wells* Cacky and Brian West Williamson Family Foundation* Meredith and Jeff Wilson J. Tylee Wilson Family Foundation Porter and Vance Young* Bronze Circle - $2,500 - $4,999 Carol and Todd Atwood* Cathy Bouchard CJ Bouchard* Kelly and Duane Burnette* Samantha Gardner Net Recycling Jennifer Halna du Fretay and Brett Martin Kari and Michael Papagikos Jenny and Will Purvis Loulie and Matt Scharf* Carol Ann and Bill Sharbaugh
Katharine ’85 and Steve Sullivan* Catherine and Randy Tyre Meredith and Hal ’93 Wells* Jessica Whitney Navy Circle - $1,000 - $2,499 Anonymous (3) Kym and Robby Adams* Beth Adams and Scott Magrath Elaine and Bill Anlyan Meryem and Taner Basaga Ashley ’90 and Andy Basinger* Joanna Miles-Basta and Nicholas Basta Martha Basta and Corrina Miles Elizabeth and Stephen Beacham Heidi and Donald Berger* Sutton and Christopher ’90 Boney* Frank Corcoran Laura and Thomas Covington Wayne Cowan* Regina and Chris Cox Marion and Kenneth Dodge Cindy and Pete Dugan* Kim and David Dunn Stephanie Mann and Chris Fikry Liz and Keith Forkin Semper Sozo, Inc. Shahrzad Nasseri-Gardner ’89 and Tim Gardner* Tammy Godusi and Amir Ghoddoussi Danielle and Brett Goulding Cathy Freeman Halligan ’73 Kristen and Kirk Harmon Caroline and William Hope* Nelson Hughes ’82 Mona and Shane Jones* Jean ’95 and Connor Keller* Allison Klein* Velvet and Mike Kleppinger Kristen and Chris LaCoe Caprice Youngblood and Glenn Lea D’Ann Grady Lettieri ’00 Meredith and Lance Lewis Mary Papageorgiou-McGrath and Ron McGrath Nina and Dickson McLean Foundation for the Carolinas* Rose Marie and Tuney Nunnelee Beth and Howard ’83 Penton* Brandy and Will Powers Trisha and Scott Price Gina and Drew Reger Alexa and Jeremy Revell Pam and Mike Schell Betsy Short Luci and Edward Smith* Shannon and Chris Stephens Kim and Ben Stephenson* Jennifer Sullivan
9 | CAPE FEAR ACADEMY
*Consecutive Giving of 5 Years or More
Golden Bell
ANNUALSOCIAL DONOR PARTY SPRING
Golden Bell Society donors gather at the nCino headquarters for the annual Spring Social.
The Golden Bell Society is central to the success of the Cape Fear Academy Annual Fund. This society is named for our landmark golden bell, which when rung, represents our students’ proudest moments. These donors proudly make generous, unrestricted Annual Fund contributions at the $1,000 level and above to ensure that the Cape Fear Academy students receive the best possible education, year to year.
2018/2019 Annual Report | 10
2018-2019 ANNUAL FUND (Navy Circle $1,000 - $2,499, Continued) Kristin and Jon Tait Anna van Rens Taylor ’08 and Kurt Taylor ’07 Linda and Neil Underwood* Jennifer and Jimmy Waldrop* Vernon Watkins Kim and Bryan Weckel Bryan Weckel MD Family Medicine Frances and Toby Wells* Shannon and Calvin Wells* Cherry Woodbury*
Friends of CFA
$500 - $999 Anonymous Julie and Brannon Lancaster* Blenda Kwok and Hans Bean Jennifer Smith Bissette ’01* Clara and Carl Blackwood William Cameron ’72 Dan Cameron Family Foundation* Rachel Camp RCC Foundation Kim and Tom Dalton* Karen and Drew DiMarino Julie and Dylan Dimock Carol Anne and Bryan Durham Jessica and Richard Edwards Nina Yokochi-Funkhouser and Stephen Funkhouser Grace and Bill Gramley Marie and Stuart Hardy Rachel and Robert ’82 Jones Paula and Kent Knorr Eugene Mallar IBM Abigail and Leonard Mann Brandi and Chris ’96 Mason* Stephanie Medcalfe Amie and John Monteith Sarah and Mike Morris Lee McCrillis and Thom Porter* Kristin and John Roser Claudia and James Sanderford Southern Asphalt, Inc. Gloria Shaheen Beth Sprunt Karen and Rick Webb Sandra ’82 and Bart Williams* Rose and Alan Zimmer $250 - $499 Anonymous Buffy and Steve Anderson Laura and Tom Apollonio Louise Austell Ryan Barclay* Shana Barclay* Lisa and Michael Boggio Carlstedt Family Fund* Stacy and Greg Borstad
11 | CAPE FEAR ACADEMY
Jetta and Pascal Boyd Boyd Family Foundation Sue and Andy Dalton Arzu and Murat Erdem Ivonne and Greg Ezzell Marie and Alex Gianoplus Karen Gunther Harris Teeter* Leslie and Drew Houston Lauren Itzkowitz Scott Itzkowitz Maya Peltsverger and Dmitry Ivanov Kendra and Mack Kellermann Deena and Brandon Korman Carolyn and Kenneth Lancaster Laura and Christopher ’93 Leonard* Liz ’87 and Nelson ’77 MacRae Cyndy Cordero and Travis Merrill Heather and Eric Miles John Monroe YourCause, LLC Mandy and Merrette Moore Fernando Moya Jean and Gary Murtagh Rick Pensinger ’90 Yonnie and Bill Pope Ira and Iris Poppel The GE Foundation* Prasanna Ambati and Ajay Sadey Ani Scuteri* Kim and Ted Shipley Ashley and Vic Sikka Blair and James Sloan Lillian and Percy Smith Anne and Bill Squire Elizabeth and Burt Tait* Olivier Van Dierdonck ’82 Megan and Miller van Vliet* Karen and Joshua Vogel Sylvia Wilkins $101 - $249 Anonymous Laura Bowen* Kathy and Dean Brennan Christine ’82 and Bruce Chappell Ulku and Tim Clark Trisha and Tommy Ellison* Katharyn and John Harvey Brooks and Mitch Lamm Allison ’01 and Brett Lenz* Lowes Foods Fredricka and Frederick Meine Lisa Miller* Alejandra Lopez-de-Nunez and John Nunez Alison and Alan Reid* Jan Bridges-Sorenson and Dave Sorenson Amy Tarallo Carla and Gordon Whitwell* Will Young ’12
*Consecutive Giving of 5 Years or More
Multiplying
MATH FLUENCY
T
he relationship most people have with math is as binary as the subject itself — you either love it or hate it — just like the answer to x + 3 = 5 is either correct or incorrect. Nonetheless, math is essential to daily life no matter the profession. At Cape Fear Academy, the introduction of a dedicated math specialist in Lower School is helping third through fifth graders develop a positive relationship with math. Moving from a more limited role in math enrichment at CFA to becoming the Lower School Math Specialist, Kim Parker works with every student in third through fifth grades at least once a week. No matter their math fluency level, Parker said it is important for all students to receive that extra attention. “All kids need enrichment in some way, some in their skills, some in problem solving,” Parker said. An added benefit to all students seeing Parker is that the stigma around seeking more help in math has disappeared along with their anxiety towards math.
my office saying ‘Ms. Parker, we solved it, we solved it!’ They had been working on this on their own time and that was really encouraging to see.” In addition to working with students, Parker also spends time helping Lower School teachers with math instruction. Lower School Director Stephanie Medcalfe said the work Parker is doing with the students’ number sense has been key in increasing the math fluency in those grades. “That is the basis of all math and if you don’t have good number sense then you can’t be flexible with numbers and manipulate them to solve complex problems,” Medcalfe said. “When I was a high school principal before I came to CFA I saw kids sitting in algebra 2 who wouldn’t know if they were wrong on a problem by 10 or 100, and that number sense starts down here in lower school.” At the end of the year Parker distributed a math survey to students to learn how they felt about math after the year working with her:
“Nobody gets the attitude that they ‘have’ to go see Ms. Parker because they are struggling in math,” she said. “It’s really been the opposite, there is no stigma with it now.” During each of the 30 minutes sessions she spends with students throughout the day, Parker uses games, brain teasers, and group work to get them to increase their math curiosity. “Last week I had a problem of the week, which is a known unsolvable equation in math, and the kids worked on it everyday they were there,” she said. “They just knew they were going to solve it and they were literally running into
$1 - $100 Anonymous (4) Cody Adams* Amazon Smiles Sara Jordan Anlyan ’04 and Matthew ’03 Anlyan Kate Anlyan-Raney ’99 Jennifer Avery* Marnie and Richard Bahner Mary Squire Bance ’07 Jennifer and David Barnes Erika Batalla Jeanie Bellamy Claire Bennett* Cynthia Berger
Laurie and Phil Bernard Karen and Eric Bishop* Charlie Boisky ’00 Sue and Ray Borges Kelly Borton* Michelle and Glenn Brahosky Brahosky’s Enterprise, Inc. DBA Glenn’s Home Repair Bonnie and Tom Broadwater Gail Broderick Anne and Shawn Broderick* Linda and Tim Calhoun Mark Campbell* Julie Capps* Gretchen Carlson
- Fourth Grade Student
- Fourth Grade Student
- Third Grade Student
Atlanta and Reynold Carrera* Dawn Carter* Carrie Casson* Bruce Chappell ’13 Perry Chappell ’10 Lisa and Michael Connaughton Carla and Brian Cox Patti and Bill Crane Jeannette and Dwight Crim* Amy and Mac Croom* Suiter ’08 and Ben ’08 Currin* Annette Davis Gina DeMattia Mary Denison Theresa and Anthony DiBernardo*
2018/2019 Annual Report | 12
2018-2019 ANNUAL FUND ($1-$100, Continued) Elizabeth Longley Donald ’75 Julie and Michael Donlon Tiffany and Devon Dvorzsak Chrissy Ettefagh Shirley and George Everhart Emily and Benedict Fancy* Bethany and Jamison Fee Shannon Morris Fox ’97 Laura Frey Jenn and Carr ’02 Fullagar* Yuki and Martin Gallan Lynn and Jeff Gallop* Deborah and Nathan Gergel* Catherine and Marcus Gherardi Elizabeth Gibbs* Bonnie Perchard and Michael Giblin Rachel and Paul Gilbert* Donna and Lawrence Gray Kimberly Halle* Eli and Matt Hamel Rachel and Mark Hatfield* Karen and Gerald Head* Angela Fuller Heick ’91 Leigh Ann and Kelly Hodges* Amanda ’93 and Cade Holliday* Michelle and Jason Huffman Angie and Joe Jackson* Carol and Henry Jackson
Virginia and Lee Johnson* Ashley Jones* Betsy and Bill Joyner Eric Julien ’93* Maureen Juneau Suzy and Thomas Kane Cheryl and Bill Kanzinger* Kim Karns Suvarna and Atul Karve Callie and Fred Keller* Laura and Bob Kellogg* Chris Kershaw Erwin Key Mabel ’97 and Hal Kitchin Cindy Koonce* Juliana and Heffrey Kotzan Laura and Jay Kranchalk* Elizabeth and Bobby Lallathin Teresa Lambe* Macie and Donald Latham Debbie Leonard* Mimi and Frank Liggett Mary Lisa and Erik Lindstrom Lisa and Christian Lloyd Sharon and Jerry Mailey Susan and Jon Mailey* Tonie and Charles Mann Lisa Mansfield Mark Mantey ’95
Tony Martin Sharon Matt Betsy and Angus McDonald Linda and Duncan McFarlane Allyson and Meade McFarlane* Kim and Chris Meehl* Melissa and Matt Mendez Marjorie and William Michael Betty and Bud Mickle The Mickle Family Fund Kit and Robert Miller Nicole and Shane Miller* Velena and Stanley Miller* Karin and Tom Mills* Becky Mills* Wendy and Charles ’86 Mitchell Michelle and Todd Morton* Frankie and Michael Moulton* David Nash ’89* Nelda Nutter Lynn O’Connell* Caroline Page ’08 Bobby Palmer* Lisa and Bob Pelosi* Nancy Phillips Robbie Bright-Poole and Mike Poole Proactive Lifestyle Events Tobi and Patrick Ragon* Lisa and Doug Ramsey
*Consecutive Giving of 5 Years or More
Fifth graders help Little Explorers and Kindergarteners pack Snack Packs for Nourish NC following Hurricane Florence.
Sue and Dee Reddick David Renquist Keni and Matthew Rienks* Margaret and Marvin Robison Tameka and Richard Rodgers Lisa and Andrew Rojek* Bradford Sanders ’93 Iris Sasser Nancy Hanson Scheunemann ’72 Gemma Schrum ’06 Hermion and Richard Schrum Becca and Eric Scott Gretchen and Timothy Scoutelas* Kristen and Michael Shaheen* Michelle and Gary Sherman Melissa Slovik* Mona Smalley Paula Sneeden ’76* Katya and Bill Spicuzza Mallory Tarses* Angela and James Tew* Pam Thibault* Jane and Wailes Thomas Janet and Roger Tucker* Sarah and Erik van Rens Maureen Vanscoy Ashley and Ben Wall* Betsy and Adam Weinberg ’90 Helen ’95 and Steve ’95 Wells
J.B. Whittaker* Brian Wiese ’07 Stacie and James Williams* Lonnie Williams ’74* Tazza and Stephan Woditschka Linda Wyatt Alumni Anonymous Kate Anlyan-Raney ’99 Sara Jordan Anlyan ’04 and Matthew Anlyan ’03 Mary Squire Bance ’07 Ashley Maloy Basinger ’90* Jennifer Smith Bissette ’01* Charlie Boisky ’00 Chris Boney ’90* William Cameron ’72 Bruce Chappell ’13 Christine Trask Chappell ’82 Perry Chappell ’10 Ben Currin ’08* Suiter Pierce Currin ’08* Mary Boney Denison ’74 Olivier Van Dierdonck ’82 Elizabeth Longley Donald ’75 Shannon Morris Fox ’97 Carr Fullagar ’02* Catherine Freeman Halligan ’73
Angela Fuller Heick ’91 Amanda Paul Holliday ’93* Nelson Hughes ’82 Robert Jones ’82 Eric Julien ’93* Jean Graham Keller ’95* Mabel Trask Kitchin ’97 Allison Wagner Lenz ’01* Chris Leonard ’93* D’Ann Grady Lettieri ’00 Liz White MacRae ’87 and Nelson MacRae ’77 Louise Woodbury Mann ’90* Mark Mantey ’95 Chris Mason ’96* Charles Mitchell ’86 David Nash ’89* Shahrzad Nasseri-Gardner ’89* Caroline Page ’08 Rick Pensinger ’90 Beth and Howard Penton ’83* Bradford Sanders ’93 Nancy Hanson Scheunemann ’72 Gemma Schrum ’06 Paula Sneeden ’76* Betsy Southerland Weinberg ’90 David Sprunt ’85* Katharine Efird Sullivan ’85*
CFA
FAMILY PARTNERSHIP Cape Fear Academy would not be what it is today without the inspirational involvement of our parents and families. From financial contributions to the countless hours of volunteered time, our parents, grandparents, alumni and friends demonstrate their commitment to a CFA education on a daily basis.
The CFA Family Partnership Steering Committee, pictured from left to right: Christine Chappell ’82, Grounds Liaison, Meredith Wells, Middle School Liaison, Cindy Koonce, VP of Finance and Operations, Allison Klein, Athletics Liaison, Crystal Peebles, President, Luci Smith, Upper School Liaison, Beth Adams, Development Liaison, Cheryl Colvin, Admissions Liaison, Jill Webb, Arts Liaison, Caroline Hope, Lower School Liaison.
With Crystal Peebles leading the way, more than 100 volunteers organized community building events such as the CFA Biennial Auction, Homecoming Cookout, Blue and Gold Spirit Days and a sold out crowd for Lower School Bingo Night. The Family Partnership provided funding for Mini Grants for all three divisions, a world renowned special guest speaker and strategic planning initiatives to help propel CFA even further. CFA is grateful for all their hard work!
14
2018-2019 ANNUAL FUND (Alumni, Continued) Anna van Rens Taylor ’07 and Kurt Taylor ’08 Raiford Trask ’79 Hal Wells ’93* Helen Lambeth Wells ’95 Joseph Wells ’95 Vin Wells ’94* Brian Wiese ’07 Lonnie Williams ’74* Sandra Williams ’82* William Young ’12 Current Parents Anonymous (7) Kym and Robby Adams* Laura and Tom Apollonio Marnie and Richard Bahner Amanda and Mike Baker* Ryan Barclay* Shana Barclay* Meryem and Taner Basaga Ashley ’90 and Andy Basinger* Joanna and Nicholas Basta Elizabeth and Stephen Beacham Blenda Kwok and Hans Bean Jeanie Bellamy Heidi and Donald Berger* Karen and Eric Bishop* Lisa and Michael Boggio* Sutton and Chris ’90 Boney* Sue and Ray Borges Stacy and Greg Borstad Cathy Bouchard CJ Bouchard* Anne and Shawn Broderick* Kelly and Duane Burnette* Julie Capps* Atlanta and Reynold Carrera* Christine ’82 and Bruce Chappell Ulku and Tim Clark Cheryl and Paul Colvin Lisa and Michael Connaughton Laura and Thomas Covington Carla and Brian Cox Regina and Chris Cox Jeannette and Dwight Crim* Amy and Mac Croom* Sandy and Ken Crumrine* Jennifer and Jason Dahl Kim and Tom Dalton* Karen and Drew DiMarino Julie and Dylan Dimock Marion and Ken Dodge Julie and Michael Donlon Cindy and Pete Dugan* Carol Anne and Bryan Durham Tiffany Le and Devon Dvorzsak Jessica and Richard Edwards Trisha and Tommy Ellison* Arzu and Mehmet Erdem Chrissy Ettefagh
15 | CAPE FEAR ACADEMY
Ivonne and Greg Ezzell Emily and Benedict Fancy* Bethany and Jamison Fee Stephanie Mann and Christopher Fikry Liz and Keith Forkin Semper Sozo, Inc. Jenn and Carr ’02 Fullagar* Nina Yokochi-Funkhouser and Stephen Funkhouser Yukie and Martin Gallan Lynn and Jeff Gallop* Shahrzad Nasseri-Gardner ’89 and Tim Gardner* Samantha Gardner Net Recycling Emily and Huntley Garriott Deborah and Nathan Gergel* Catherine and Marcus Gherardi Tammy Godusi and Amir Ghoddoussi Bonnie Perchard and Michael Giblin Rachel and Paul Gilbert* Danielle and Brett Goulding Grace and Bill Gramley Eli and Matt Hamel Marie and Stuart Hardy Kristen and Kirk Harmon Katharyn and John Harvey Rachel and Mark Hatfield* Karen and Jerald Head* Leigh Ann and Kelly Hodges* Amanda ’93 and Cade Holliday* Caroline and William Hope* Leslie and Drew Houston Michelle and Jason Huffman Lauren and Scott Itzkowitz Maya Peltsverger and Dmitry Ivanov Michael and Donna Jacobs Renaissance Charitable Foundation, Inc. Beth and Dennis Johnson* Roulhac and Greg Johnson The Johnson Family Fund Carole and Richard Johnson The Johnson Family Fund* Mona and Shane Jones* Rachel and Robert ’82 Jones Ashley Jones* Tanya and Peter Kane* Suvarna and Atul Karve Jean ’95 and Connor Keller* Kendra and Mack Kellermann Laura and Bob Kellogg* Michelle and Kevin Kernan Mabel ’97 and Hal Kitchin Allison Klein* Velvet and Mike Kleppinger Paula and Kent Knorr Cindy Koonce* Deena and Brandon Korman Juliana and Jeffrey Kotzan Laura and Jay Kranchalk* Kristen and Chris LaCoe Elizabeth and Bobby Lallathin Brooks and Mitch Lamm Julie and Brannon Lancaster* *Consecutive Giving of 5 Years or More
Alumni Highlight
MARK FLAGER ’91 Mark Flagler, Class of 1991, stands just below the summit of Mt. Elbrus in the Caucasus Mountains of southern Russia on a videography assignment for his company, Flagler Films.
PHOTO CONTRIBUTED BY MARK FLAGLER ‘91.
C
ape Fear Academy alumnus Mark Flagler, Class of 1991, currently lives in Celbridge, County Kildare in Ireland where he owns and manages Flagler Films, a video production company that specializes in outdoor videos. He is an award-winning producer and cameraman with television broadcast experience as a producer, director, cameraman, editor, script writer and presenter. Flagler Films works on an array of video projects including corporate, outdoor recreation and adventure, nonprofit, government agencies, mountain rescue, renewable energy, tourism and others. “I love working on video projects focused on the outdoors and specialize in outdoor recreation and adventure video projects,” Flagler said. “I’ve hiked over 10,000 miles on trails on four continents to capture the wild and scenic places found on our planet.”
Continental Divide Trail, which both won awards and received great viewer ratings on PBS stations across America. For the past 3 years he has also spent his time volunteering as a mountain rescuer in Portland, OR and in Ireland. While his love of traversing mountains may not have grown in the coastal plains of Wilmington, Flagler said he did learn how to climb life’s obstacles at CFA. “The classes were tough but my favorite teachers always told me to believe in myself and to never give up,” he said. “ They instilled in me the belief that things can be difficult at times but if I work hard enough it will eventually work out. Those teachers didn’t just teach me, they listened to me, supported me and had the patience to help me grow as a person and not just a student.”
Flagler has produced television documentaries about hiking the 2,168-mile Appalachian Trail and 3,100-mile 2018/2019 Annual Report | 16
2018-2019 ANNUAL FUND (Current Parents, Continued) Melissa Church and Patrick Lawton Benevity Community Impact Fund Caprice Youngblood and Glenn Lea Allison and Brett Lenz* Meredith and Lance Lewis Mary Lisa and Erik Lindstrom Lisa and Christian Lloyd Liz ’87 and Nelson ’77 MacRae Beth and Scott Magrath Susan and Jon Mailey* Louise ’90 and David Mann* Jennifer Halna du Fretay and Brett Martin Brandi and Chris ’96 Mason* Sharon Matt Betsy and Angus McDonald Allyson and Meade McFarlane* Mary Papageorgiou-McGrath and Ron McGrath Kim and Chris Meehl* Melissa and Matt Mendez Cyndy Cordero and Travis Merrill Heather and Eric Miles Nicole and Shane Miller* Karin and Tom Mills* Charles ’86 and Wendy Mitchell Debbie and Mark Mitchell The Cynthia and George Mitchell Foundation* Amie and John Monteith Mandy and Merrette Moore Joan and Steve Moore Verint Americas, Inc. Sarah and Mike Morris Diane Beecher and Mark Morris* Frankie and Michael Moulton* Fernando Moya Jean and Gary Murtagh Kari and Michael Papagikos Crystal and Harrison Peebles Robbie and Mike Poole Lee McCrillis and Thom Porter* Brandy and William Powers Trisha and Scott Price Jenny and Will Purvis Tobi and Patrick Ragon* Lisa and Doug Ramsey Gina and Drew Reger Alison and Alan Reid* Alexa and Jeremy Revell Keni and Matthew Rienks* Tameka and Richard Rodgers Lisa and Andrew Rojek* Kristin and John Roser Prasanna Ambati and Ajay Sadey Claudia and James Sanderford Jill and Chris Scerri Loulie and Matt Scharf* Becca and Eric Scott Gretchen and Timothy Scoutelas* Kristen and Michael Shaheen* Carol Ann and Bill Sharbaugh Michelle and Gary Sherman Kim and Ted Shipley
17 | CAPE FEAR ACADEMY
Ashley and Vic Sikka Luci and Edward Smith* Holly and Cosmo Smith Jan and Dave Sorenson Wesie and David ’85 Sprunt* Shannon and Chris Stephens Kim and Ben Stephenson* Amy and Dave Sweyer* Elizabeth and Burt Tait* Kristin and Jon Tait Mallory Tarses* Angela and James Tew* Pam Thibault* Ava and Raiford ’79 Trask Linda and Neil Underwood* Megan and Miller van Vliet* Karen and Joshua Vogel Jennifer and Jimmy Waldrop* Ashley and Ben Wall* Vernon Watkins Jill and Bo Webb Balloun Family Foundation* Kim and Bryan Weckel Bryan Weckel MD Family Medicine Betsy ’90 and Adam Weinberg Frances and Toby Wells* Helen ’95 and Steve ’95 Wells Elizabeth and Vin ’94 Wells* Meredith and Hal ’93 Wells* Cacky and Brian West Williamson Family Foundation* Jessica Whitney Carla and Gordon Whitwell* Stacie and James Williams* Meredith and Jeff Wilson J. Tylee Wilson Family Foundation Tazza and Stephan Woditschka Porter and Vance Young* Grandparents Anonymous Louise Austell Julie and Jim Balloun The Greater Atlanta Foundation* Martha Miles and Corrina Basta Cynthia Berger Clara and Carl Blackwood Pam and Pascal Boyd Boyd Family Foundation Michelle and Glenn Brahosky Bonnie and Tom Broadwater Gail Broderick Rachel Camp Wayne Cowan* Patti and Bill Crane Sue and Andy Dalton Annette Davis Theresa and Anthony DiBernardo* Shirley and George Everhart Francesca Fazzolari Marie and Alex Gianoplus Donna and Lawrence Gray
*Consecutive Giving of 5 Years or More
An Hour
OF GENIUS
H
ow often do you get the chance to work on a cause or issue in your community by whatever means you decide without fear of failure? For the Cape Fear Academy Middle School students who enrolled in Becca Scott’s Genius Hour elective for the 2018-2019 school year that was their reality every day during sixth period. The idea of Genius Hour arose from similar programs CFA Middle School teachers Becca Scott and Rebecca Wells saw at education conferences. When Middle School Director Carla Whitwell asked the teachers what electives they would like to teach, Scott mentioned the idea for Genius Hour. “These are independent passion projects that are driven by student-interests with a way to make our world better,” Scott said. “It was all very student-driven and I just served in a supportive role once the students were set on subject and direction.” The projects students decided on pursuing ranged from building a website with playlists for Alzheimer’s patients to DIY crafting projects like handmade soaps and bracelets to support local charities, to creating a business that would deliver birthday boxes to underprivileged children on their birthdays. Due to the variety of projects that were happening all at once in her classroom, Scott said a bonus outcome was that the students would teach each other about their projects as well. “It was rewarding to see them working outside of an academic class and to see where their interests and passions lie, because a lot of the projects were so personal,” she said. “A passion project is usually based on a personal experience so there that was that next level of getting to know each other.” Results and outcomes for every project were openended and varied, which helped the elective break away from the traditional class structure. “When you teach a certain subject you have goals you have to hit, and this was so interdisciplinary you have to be ok with just being flexible,” Scott said. “Each day was a new adventure, we didn’t know where we were going to be at the end.” Once the students were invested in their projects Scott said she often had a hard time getting them to put down their work every day and move to their next class. While Genius Hour could have worked in lower school or upper school as well, Scott believes middle school
Middle school students work on their Genius Hour passion projects in Becca Scott’s classroom inside the Science and Innovation Center.
students were a good test group for the elective. “Middle school is a great place to try it because they tend to have really strong opinions and want to do things to make their world better,” she said. “These kids at CFA are the kids with the time, resources, and support that can make these changes in our community and it all starts with that passion of theirs.” At the end of the school year not all of the students’ projects were complete and some continued working on their projects in their own time after the year. Balancing traditional academic classes with more abstract, design-centered thinking is important for the development of students that will be prepared to meet the challenges they will face in college and their careers, Scott said. “I think this was more about finding their interests and a little bit of grit and stamina to stick with something for a long time,” she said. “It was almost like falling in a black hole of knowledge, in a good way.”
2018/2019 Annual Report | 18
2018-2019 ANNUAL FUND (Grandparents, Continued) Betsy and Bill Joyner Maureen Juneau Suzy and Thomas Kane Callie and Fred Keller* Erwin Key Carolyn and Kenneth Lancaster Macie and Donald Latham Mimi and Frank Liggett Sharon and Jerry Mailey Eugene Mallar Abigail and Leonard Mann Tonie and Charles Mann Linda and Duncan McFarlane Fredricka and Frederick Meine Kit and Robert Miller Velena and Stanley Miller* John Monroe Rose Marie and Tuney Nunnelee William Pope Sue and Dee Reddick Mary and David Renquist Iris Sasser Pam and Mike Schell Gloria Shaheen Betsy Short Blair and James Sloan Mona Smalley Lillian and Percy Smith Katya and Bill Spicuzza Beth Sprunt Jane and Wailes Thomas Catherine and Randy Tyre Carollee Vernon CDV Fund* Karen and Rick Webb Shannon and Calvin Wells* J.B. Whittaker* Sylvia Wilkins Cherry Woodbury* Parents of Graduates Anonymous (3) Buffy and Steve Anderson Elaine and Bill Anlyan Carol and Todd Atwood* Amanda and Mike Baker* Jennifer and David Barnes Laurie and Phil Bernard Lisa and Michael Boggio* Stacy and Greg Borstad Kathy and Dean Brennan Anne and Shawn Broderick* Linda and Tim Calhoun Rachel Camp Atlanta and Reynold Carrera* Dawn Carter* Christine ’82 and Bruce Chappell Frank Corcoran Jeannette and Dwight Crim* Jennifer and Jason Dahl Kim and Tom Dalton*
19 | CAPE FEAR ACADEMY
Theresa and Anthony DiBernardo* Julie and Dylan Dimock Bethany and Jamison Fee Yuki and Martin Gallan Karen Gunther Lauren Itzkowitz Scott Itzkowitz Angie and Joe Jackson* Virginia and Lee Johnson* Carole and Richard Johnson The Johnson Family Fund* Cheryl and Bill Kanzinger* Laura and Bob Kellogg* Allison Klein* Laura and Jay Kranchalk* Teresa Lambe* Liz ’87 and Nelson ’77 MacRae Nina and Dickson McLean Foundation for the Carolinas* Karin and Tom Mills* Wendy and Charles Mitchell Diane Beecher and Mark Morris* Alejandra Lopez-de-Nunez and John Nunez Lisa and Bob Pelosi* Beth and Howard Penton* Iris and Ira Poppel The GE Foundation* Lee McCrillis and Thom Porter* Margaret and Marvin Robison Hermion and Richard Schrum Kristen and Michael Shaheen* Blair and James Sloan Mona Smalley Beth Sprunt Anne and Bill Squire Shannon and Chris Stephens Kim and Ben Stephenson* Katharine ’85 and Steve Sullivan* Amy and Dave Sweyer* Pam Thibault* Janet and Roger Tucker* Sarah and Erik van Rens Shannon and Calvin Wells* Sandra ’82 and Bart Williams* Cherry Woodbury* Porter and Vance Young* Rose and Alan Zimmer Faculty and Staff Anonymous Cody Adams* Laura Apollonio Jennifer Avery* Shana Barclay* Erika Batalla Claire Bennett* Donald Berger* Sutton Boney* Sue Borges Kelly Borton* Laura Bowen*
*Consecutive Giving of 5 Years or More
Mark Campbell* Julie Capps* Carrie Casson* Christine Chappell ’82 Lisa Connaughton Jeannette Crim* Amy Croom* Gina DeMattia Theresa DiBernardo* Trisha Ellison* Chrissy Ettefagh Benedict Fancy* Emily Fancy* Jamison Fee Laura Frey Carr Fullagar ’02* Nathan Gergel* Elizabeth Gibbs* Paul Gilbert* Kimberly Halle* Rachel Hatfield* Leigh Ann Hodges* Amanda Holliday ’93* Angie Jackson* Virginia Johnson* Ashley Jones* Bill Kanzinger* Cheryl Kanzinger* Kim Karns Jay Kranchalk* Kristen LaCoe Elizabeth Lallathin Teresa Lambe* Allison Lenz ’01* Debbie Leonard* Sue Mailey* Lisa Mansfield Tony Martin Meade McFarlane* Stephanie Medcalfe Chris Meehl* Eric Miles Lisa Miller* Nicole Miller* Becky Mills* Todd Morton* Nelda Nutter Lynn O’Connell* Bobby Palmer* Bonnie Perchard Nancy Phillips Tobi Ragon* Alison Reid* Keni Rienks* Lisa Rojek* Becca Scott Gretchen Scoutelas* Ani Scuteri* Melissa Slovik* Paula Sneeden ’76* Dave Sorenson Gretchen Soule
Why I Give to CFA
MARY MARGARET McEACHERN
I
t seems not long ago that I strolled across the commencement stage to receive my Cape Fear Academy diploma as a member of the Class of 1988. The class of only 19 students was more like a large, extended family than a high school class. Most high school seniors can hardly wait to exit the campus for the last time, but that was not the case with the Class of ’88. I recall vividly the moving montage of students’ lives projected to our class song, Forever Young, by Alphaville. There was not a dry eye in the crowd; no student, family member or faculty member left that ceremony without soiling a tissue or two.
CFA FILE PHOTO
This background forms the basis for my desire to support this wonderful institution in every way possible. Without seed money through contributions long ago, the school would not have existed and I would have been deprived of my education and experiences there. I give today to show my appreciation, and I Mary Margaret McEachern with her husband, Robert Dillow, at the am so proud of all that the school has 2018 Cape Fear Academy Spring Porch Party at the Carolina Yacht Club. accomplished since that day I graduated in 1988. The campus has grown immensely. The facilities and programs since added are stellar, and of a quality far superior to As an alumnus, I feel a special kinship to the school. those provided by similar preparatory schools in much I want to see it continue to thrive and provide the larger areas. highest-quality education humanly attainable. The high school building, athletic complexes and other added facilities are simply stunning, and I am particularly fond of the Science and Innovation Center. After earning my physics degree in 2009, I had an appreciation for science, mathematics and technology. With this new facility, Cape Fear Academy is the standard against which all others should be judged. I feel that my education put me at an advantage for continuing education through college, law school, my legal career, and, ultimately, my physics studies. It prepared me for life and for what it means to achieve. The familial atmosphere, favorable faculty/student ratios, and ample opportunities for growth outside the normal classroom set Cape Fear Academy apart from any other school in the Greater Wilmington area. I feel that, armed with the well-rounded education the school provides and the all-important relationships forged, current and future students will become competent leaders of our communities, states and nation.
Additionally, donor contributions enable the school to provide opportunities for talented students without the means to afford full tuition. It is contributions and endowments that enable the school to constantly upgrade its facilities and add cutting-edge services such as those provided by the Science and Innovation Center. Giving to Cape Fear Academy is personally gratifying to me, not only in obvious ways – nice tax deductions, honors, invitations and the like – but most importantly in the intrinsic sense of satisfaction I have from knowing that my contributions are helping families of bright students who desire to succeed, and who do succeed. It is as though, in some wonderful “circle of life” manner, I am giving back to my own family. Cape Fear Academy is more than just a school, it is a proving ground, a legacy, a family. I am grateful for the ability to contribute to such a wonderful institution, and I will continue to do so as long as I live.
2018/2019 Annual Report | 20
2018-2019 ANNUAL FUND/OTHER GIFTS (Faculty and Staff, Continued) Jennifer Sullivan Amy Tarallo Mallory Tarses* Maureen Vanscoy Carla Whitwell* Friends Kim and David Dunn Carol and Henry Jackson Chris Kershaw Marjorie and William Michael Betty and Bud Mickle Linda Wyatt
Other Gifts Corporate Giving Anonymous Amazon Smiles Atlantic Animal Hospital & Pet Care Resort Axis Fitness and Training Axis Yoga and Studio Bald Head Island. LLC BB&T Beanie & Cecil Brahosky’s Enterprise, Inc. DBA Glenn’s Home Repair The Brand Consultancy Bryan Weckel MD Family Medicine Cameron Art Museum Campbell and Covington Civil Works Contracting, LLC/The Scerri Family Coastal Beverage Colgate-Palmolive Corporation Country Club of Landfall Crabby Chic Don Lee Camp and Retreat Center The Donut Inn Environmental Chemists, Inc. First Citizens The Fisherman’s Wife The Girls Style Boutique Harris Teeter* HVAC Starplus, LLC IBM ImpactAssets Imperial Trading Company J.Long Custom Homes, LLC Laura Covington Interiors Little Pond Caterers Lowes Foods Michelle Leonard Photography nCino Net Recycling New Oasis International Education Noe Beauty The Palm Garden The Penthouse Port City Java
21 | CAPE FEAR ACADEMY
Proactive Lifestyle Events Protocol Reeds Jewelers Renaissance Charitable Foundation, Inc. Sean’s Private Surf Instruction Semper Sozo, Inc. South End Surf Shop Southern Asphalt Inc. Wells Brothers Construction Wrigglesworth Ace Hardware YourCause, LLC Corporate Sponsors Anonymous BB&T J. Long Custom Homes Campbell & Covington Orthodontics Coastal Beverage Company HVAC StarPlus Flik Independent School Dining First Citizen Bank Civil Works Contracting, LLC/The Scerri Family Foundations Anonymous Balloun Family Foundation* The Benevity Community Impact Fund Boyd Family Foundation Carlstedt Family Fund* CDV Gift Fund The Community Foundation of Greater Atlanta* Cucalorus Film Foundation The Cynthia and George Mitchell Foundation* Dan Cameron Family Foundation* Fidelity Charitable Foundation For The Carolinas The GE Foundation The Johnson Family Fund Roulhac and Greg Johnson The Johnson Family Fund Carole and Richard Johnson* J. Tylee Wilson Family Foundation North Carolina Community Foundation, INC Peter Berkey Foundation RCC Foundation Salisbury Community Foundation The Mickle Family Fund Gifts in Kind Atlantic Animal Hospital & Pet Care Resort Axis Fitness and Training Axis Yoga and Studio Bald Head Island, LLC The Brand Consultancy Gill Barclay Beanie & Cecil Anne and Shawn Broderick* Edie ’81 and Jim ’79 Brown Cameron Art Museum Campbell and Covington Coastal Beverage Country Club of Landfall
*Consecutive Giving of 5 Years or More
Changing
THE CULTURE
F
rom students to faculty and administrators, members of the Cape Fear Academy Upper School community have noticed a shift in the culture thanks to two major projects — the creation of the Citizenship Guide and an overhaul of the Honor Council. Upon arriving to CFA in the summer of 2017, Upper School Director Eric Miles has had a hand in both of these projects. After CFA Head of School Don Berger tasked Miles with the job of rewriting the Citizenship Guide, Miles spent 4 months on the project. The finished result is a document that defines what it means to be a citizen at CFA, explains the Upper School’s core values and community standards, and lays out the philosophy of discipline. “I think the Citizenship Guide and the way it describes what the consequences are for each of the three levels of infractions makes the students think, and that is what you want with teenagers,” Miles said. You want them to consider their actions before they go through with it.” However, having the community guidelines in place were just part of the equation. The other was the renaming and retooling of the Honor Council, which is the elected body of students that review and adjudicate infractions by their Upper School peers. Originally named the Judiciary Council, Miles said he wanted to change the name to reflect the new direction of the Citizenship Guide. “In my mind judiciary sounded very punitive and I wanted to stress the Honor Code, so the name Honor Council brought a new light to it,” he said. “Working with [Upper School social studies teacher and Honor Council faculty liaison] Laura Bowen and the Honor Council we rewrote the bylaws and the confidentiality agreement for its members.” In addition to changing the name of the council, one of the other many changes made was the process by which the seven members of the council are appointed. Whereas the members used to be elected by a solely popular vote, now students are nominated by faculty members and then the Upper School student body votes on the nominees. Upper School social studies teacher and Honor Council faculty liaison Laura Bowen has served as the faculty liaison for the council for four years and her role is to provide support to the council. Though she likes to let the students run as much of the process and infraction hearings as possible, Bowen said she does help the council brianstorm questions to ask during the hearings and works with the chair of the Honor Council to deliver reports from the hearings.
The members of the 2019-2020 Honor Council, who were installed during the spring semester of 2019. From left to right: Owen Johnson, Brooks Meine, Noah Durham, Honors Council Chair Maya Aurora, Ramsey Trask, Katie Meine, Vance Young. “When you come in front of the council it is serious now, and I don’t think that was always the case,” Bowen said. “It has really evolved over the last four years and I think Eric [Miles] really made a commitment to changing the image of the group and he was behind me all the way in working to do that.” Another person Bowen credits with helping to cement the legitimacy of the council is Senior Maya Aurora, who has been on the Honor Council all four years of her time in the Upper School and now serves as chair of the council. “I wanted to be involved in student government or leadership in some way,” said Aurora, who is also a member of the Student Government Association. “When I first started a lot of people either didn’t know what it was or didn’t think it was that serious. After Mr. Miles came we worked together with Ms. Bowen to make a lot of changes, make it more visible in the school and make it more transparent.” Serving as the chair of the Honor Council means Aurora must live up to the highest standards of the honor code and handle the infraction cases of her peers without talking about them outside the Honor Council. However, she fully embraces her role and is thankful for the experience it has provided her as she goes on to college to potentially study public policy or law. “Typically these are honorable kids and they want to leave a lasting impact on the culture of the school,” Miles said of the members of the Honor Council. “If you are interested in law or similar degrees colleges see this as a very prestigious position because of the social pressures you are under.” Since the changes to the Citizenship Guide and Honor Council, Miles, Bowen and Aurora said they have seen a drastic change in the Upper School culture and the perception of the Honor Council. In the first year after these changes infractions were cut in half and Miles sees that trend continuing into the future with more buy-in from the students, faculty and staff. 22
2018-2019 OTHER GIFTS (Gifts in Kind, Continued) Crabby Chic Leland Crane Lumina Wealth Management Cucalorus Film Foundation Don Lee Camp and Retreat Center Julie and Michael Donlon The Donut Inn Mary Catherine Durkin Claire Efird ’81* The Fisherman’s Wife Liz and Keith Forkin Yuki and Martin Gallan The Girls Style Boutique Laura Covington Interiors Little Pond Caterers Louise Mann ’90* Michelle Leonard Photography Becky Mills* Alice and Charles Mintz Amie Monteith nCino New Oasis International Education Noe Beauty The Palm Garden Jennifer and Jonas Pate The Penthouse Cathryn and Zachary Piech Robbie Bright-Poole and Mike Poole Port City Java Protocol Reeds Jewelers Gina and Drew Reger Lee Riley Sean’s Private Surf Instruction Paula Sneeden ’76* South End Surf Shop Wesie and David ’85 Sprunt* Katharine ’85 and Steve Sullivan* Thalian Hall Center for the Performing Arts Holly Bryan Thorson ’84 Ava and Raiford ’79 Trask Tres Bleu Boutique True Blue Butcher & Table Two Wheeler Dealer Wells Brothers Construction Helen ’95 and Joseph ’95 Wells Rebecca and Rock Wells Wilmington Dermatology Center The Wine Sampler Wine Store Woof Gang Bakery Wrigglesworth Ace Hardware ZIA Boutique
Sheila and Wayne Carlstedt Carlstedt Family Fund* Alice and Jay ’87 Baker Estelle Baker CFA Family Partnership* Francesca Fazzolari Liz and Keith Forkin Donna and Tom Gardner Treva and Clayton Jenkins Michelle and Kevin Kernan Velvet and Mike Kleppinger Mr. Patrick Lawton and Mrs. Melissa Church The Benevity Community Impact Fund Louise ’90 and David Mann* Mary Margaret McEachern ’88 Graham Proctor Pam and Mike Schell Kristin and Jon Tait Pam and Jim Wenning Porter and Vance Young
Restricted Giving $1000 & Up Anonymous Kavita Persaud and Sunil Arora Louise Austell Marnie and Richard Bahner Peter Berkey Foundation Dan Cameron Family Foundation*
Cumulative Lifetime Giving $50,000 - $ 99,000 Anonymous Buffy and Steve Anderson Carol and Todd Atwood* Amanda and Mike Baker* Alice and Jay ’87 Baker/Environmental Chemists, Inc. Estelle and Johnnie Baker Julie and Jim Balloun* Michelle and John Bratton Sheila and Wayne Carlstedt/Carlstedt Family Fund* Sandy and Ken Crumrine* Vicki and Ken Dull Catherine and David Floyd Tanya and Peter Kane* Jean and John Lovett Lumina Wealth Management Myra and Tim Matt Peggy and John Meehl Joe McKinney Vicki and Tim Milam Lori and Rick Randall Wesie and David ’85 Sprunt* Thomas Construction Group JoAnna and Cecil Worsley Porter and Vance Young* Rose and Alan Zimmer $100,000 & Up Anonymous (2) Jennifer and David Barnes Jean Bellamy Angela and Robert Brown Dan Cameron Family Foundation* Sheila and Wayne Carlstedt/Carlstedt Family Fund* CFA Family Partnership* CFA Partners, LLC Beth and George Chadwick Melinda and Lee ’74 Crouch Mary and David DeMoss Margaret and Steve Diab
23 | CAPE FEAR ACADEMY
*Consecutive Giving of 5 Years or More
Photo
Fifth graders present a check to The Good Shepherd Center for $1,200 from the proceeds of their Biz World projects.
Why We Give to CFA
MICHELLE AND KEVIN KERNAN
A
s we have seen through the experiences of our two Upper School students, Chloe and KJ, Cape Fear Academy’s teachers, coaches and administration do an outstanding job of inspiring and believing in their students. This support system builds excellent self esteem, confident students, and nurtures future leaders, which we have also seen first hand with our international student, Jack. The faculty truly care about their students, and the students’ success is their success. Academic excellence aligns closely to our personal priorities. High levels of academic excellence are more
likely achieved when our schools have the necessary resources and most up to date technology. Both of these require frequent investments made possible through philanthropic donations to ensure our students have the best. With those investments and the amazing faculty and staff at CFA, we have confident and articulate students who will be well prepared for the next phase of their lives. CFA’s continuous exposure to leadership opportunities have significantly developed our children as leaders, which will serve them well as they enter college and their careers.
The Kernan family: from left, Michelle, Chloe, Jack Yu, KJ, and Kevin.
25 | CAPE FEAR ACADEMY
2018-2019 OTHER GIFTS ($100,000 & Up, Continued) Hilda ’77* and Matthew Dill Nancy and Tom Dooley The Edward E. Ford Foundation Lauren ‘80 and Earl Galleher Susan and Roger Gendron Harvest Charities Mary and Brian Hayes Mary and Robert High Janet and Robert Huth Carole and Richard Johnson* Jean and Dan Kehl Martha and Bob King Trish and Tom Looney Sandy and Hank Marks Anna and Mark Maynard Phyllis McGovern Nina and Dickson McLean* Cyndi and Ronnie McNeill Morgan Stanley Smith Barney Global Impact Funding Trust, Inc Diane Beecher and Mark Morris/The Brand Consultancy* Robin and Chad Paul Beth and Howard ’83 Penton* Denise and Dan Smith Beth and Laurence Sprunt Anne and Bill Squire Teresa and Keith Stark Shannon and Chris Stephens Jackie and Glenn Tilton Marjorie and Allen Trask, Sr. Sarah and Erik van Rens Deedy and Jon Vincent Cacky and Brian West* Helyn and Jim Wisner Science and Innovation Center Donors Anonymous Laura and Tom Apollonio Louise Austell Alice and Jay ‘87 Baker/Environmental Chemists, Inc. Estelle Baker Julie and Jim Balloun Balloun The Community Foundation of Greater Atlanta* Kathy Batchler Mary and George Boggio Sheila and Wayne Carlstedt/Carlstedt Family Fund* Meilia and Gerald Cox Chrissy Ettefagh Francesca Fazzolari Liz and Keith Forkin Donna and Thomas Gardner Shahrzad Nasseri-Gardner ’89 and Timothy Gardner* Suzy and Thomas Kane Michelle and Kevin Kernan Martha and Bob King Allison Klein* Melissa Church and Patrick Lawton The Benevity Community Impact Fund Louise ’90 and David Mann* Mary Margaret McEachern ’88 Velena and Stanley Miller*
*Consecutive Giving of 5 Years or More
Pam and Mike Schell Beth Sprunt Wesie and David ’85 Sprunt* Kristin and Jon Tait Thomas Construction Virginia and John van Vorst Carollee Vernon/CDV Gift Fund** Wells Brothers Construction Jessica Whitney Porter and Vance Young* In Honor Of Julia Andrews ’15 Dr. and Mrs. William H. Michael, Jr. Sully ’95, Katie ’99 and Matthew ’03 Anlyan Mr. and Mrs. William G. Anlyan, Jr. Megan and Katelyn Apollonio Mr. and Mrs. David Renquist Azra Basaga Mr. and Mrs. Taner Basaga Tyler and Gunnie Beacham Mr. and Mrs. Stephen L. Beacham Reilly and Carrington Benton Mr. and Ms. George W. Joyner Cate, Jack, Will ’18 and Cole ’18 Boggio Mr. and Mrs. Wayne Carlstedt Mason Bouchar Ms. Cathy L. Bouchard Mr. Claude J. Bouchard, III Taylor Brennan ’12 Mr. and Mrs. Dean W. Brennan The Kids of CFA Mr. and Mrs. Duane S. Burnette Megan and Kelsie Connaughton Mr. and Mrs. Michael P. Connaughton, Jr. Miller Dalton Mr. and Mrs. William A. Dalton Evan Das Mr. and Mrs. Tom Broadwater Gia Davidson Ms. Francesca Fazzolari Lucy Dimock Mr. and Mrs. Carl Blackwood Sunny Elizabeth Everhart Dr. and Mrs. George Everhart Ava Goulding Mr. and Mrs. Joseph B. Goulding Ms. Betsy Short Audrey Holsten Mr. Brian Wiese Dott Hooten Dr. James P. Hooten, Jr. Hudson Huffman Mr. Edward W. Cowan
2018/2019 Annual Report | 26
Faculty Growth Through
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT MIddle School assistant director and Spanish teacher Trisha Ellison attended the Annual Conference for Middle Level Education in Orlando, Florida. Ellison said the opportunity is unique because the whole conference is dedicated to middle school education. “We are always looking at new ways to do things to improve areas like scheduling, teamwork, and in-class instruction,” Ellison said. “It is really a chance to refresh and rejuvenate, and discover more modern practices in the classroom.”
Second grade teacher Alison Vliet works on spelling with a student in her classroom.
T
The keynote speaker for the conference was Rosalind Wiseman, author of “Queen Bees and Wannabees,” which is a self-help book that focuses on patterns of aggressive teen girl behavior and how to deal with them, and was, in large part, the basis for the 2004 movie “Mean Girls.”
he students are not the only ones actively learning and improving their skills with each school year--the Cape Fear Academy faculty also spend time honing their craft each year though professional development opportunities at home and abroad. The 2018-2019 school year was no different with faculty in all divisions attending conferences of all varieties.
One of the new classroom teaching techniques Ellison learned about that she brought back to CFA was the use of interactive notebooks. Instead of students merely writing down notes in a notebook, interactive notebooks involve making foldable notecards and quiz games on each page to encourage the retention of information. Now the majority of the middle school Spanish department employs these notebooks.
Many members of the Lower School faculty attended a series of workshops at The Hill School in Wilmington. The first in the series allowed the teachers to experience what it would be like to be a student with a learning difference in a regular education classroom, and the anxiety that accompanies those differences. Second grade teacher Alison Vliet said she and her fellow Lower School teachers learned strategies to help students with learning differences in their own classrooms at CFA.
In preparation for teaching a new AP Computer Science course in the CFA Upper School for the 2019-2020 school year, Upper School science teacher Carr Fullagar attended the AP Computer Science Summer Institute at Rutgers University.
The next workshop focused on a topic that will continue to be a focus of the 2019-2020 school year in Lower School--executive functioning, which is a set of processes that all have to do with managing oneself and one’s resources in order to achieve a goal. Through the workshop, the teachers learned what executive functioning is and what it looks like to children. It highlighted executive functioning deficiencies teachers might see in school age children and how to help them overcome those deficiencies by utilizing the latest in brain research to support the teaching. To round out the workshop series, the Lower School teachers learned about the connection between nutrition and optimal brain health, and how it relates to the classroom learning. 27 | CAPE FEAR ACADEMY
“Since we were expanding computer science it was helpful to learn the ins and outs of the course and the AP curriculum,” Fullagar said. “You learn from a professional that has been doing it a long time, but more importantly you collaborate with 40 or more teachers that are all teaching the same courses. It gives you a lot of insight about teaching computer science as a whole.” Throughout the five-day conference, Fullagar learned from world-renowned computer science educator Maria Litvin, wrote around 40 different programs in Java code, and learned about a variety of labs and activities for use in the CFA computer science classroom. The professional development opportunities did not end with these examples, and many other faculty and staff members broadening their knowledge to better prepare the students of CFA.
2018-2019 OTHER GIFTS (In Honor Of, Continued) Gray, Lilly, and Council Lancaster Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth C. Lancaster Allison Lenz ’01 Dr. Stephen K. Funkhouser and Dr. Nina L. Yokochi-Funkhouser Mrs. Lenz Mr. and Mrs. Kent M. Knorr Susan J. Mailey Mr. and Mrs. Jerry Mailey William, Carter, Cully and Henry Mann Dr. and Mrs. Charles Mann
In Memory Of Johnnie C. Baker Mrs. Estelle Baker Alice and Jay ’87 Baker Charles Daniels Mr. and Mrs. Christopher P. Mason, Jr. Christina Gianoplus Mr. and Mrs. Alex Gianoplus Fred Matt Ms. Sharon Matt Barbara Proctor Mr. Taylor Gebert
Louise Mann and Family Mrs. Frances D. Woodbury Meade McFarlane Mr. and Mrs. Duncan McFarlane John Meehl Kim and Chris Meehl* Mrs. Miller Mr. and Mrs. Kent M. Knorr Everlee, Nash and Nicole Miller Mr. and Mrs. Stanley Miller Arrison Moya Dr. Fernando R. Moya Bonnie Perchard Dr. Stephen K. Funkhouser and Dr. Nina L. Yokochi-Funkhouser Virginia S. Pierce Lt. and Mrs. Benjamin M. Currin Landon ’19 and Berkeley Scharf Erwin Key Melissa Slovik Dr. Stephen K. Funkhouser and Dr. Nina L. Yokochi-Funkhouser Harrison Spicuzza Colonel and Mrs. William L. Spicuzza Isabel Vogel ’19 Dr. and Mrs. Joshua Vogel Mack and Raney Webb Balloun Family Foundation James and Catherine Whitney Mr. and Mrs. John Lennon Jace Williams Dr. and Mrs. James E. Williams, Jr. Brayden and Charlotte Wurch Mr. and Mrs. John Wurch Vance Young Mr. and Mrs. Wailes Thomas
*Consecutive Giving of 5 Years or More
CFA Parent, Ajay Sadey, volunteers at 2019 Homecoming.
Ready to
GO FURTHER Forty-nine graduates turned their tassels at Kenan Auditorium on May 31, 2019, for the Cape Fear Academy Commencement Ceremony. Former CFA Board of Trustees Chairman, Sandra Williams ’82, pictured below, was honored at the ceremony in being named a Trustee Emeritus for her numerous years of service on the Board of Trustees, other various CFA boards and committees, and her continued philanthropic support of the school. Salute to Seniors honored the Class of 2019 with the presentation of awards, which included:
Valedictorian Ana Sharbaugh, pictured above Salutatorian Ariana Baginski Head of School Award Holt Robison Libby Moore Alumni Award Ariana Baginski Walker Moore School Service Award Erica Harris Isley Pulliam
Class of 2019, Kenan Auditorium
Class of 2019 The members of the Cape Fear Academy Class of 2019 were accepted to the following colleges and universities:
Appalachian State University Boston College Bucknell University Campbell University Carnegie Mellon Univ Colgate University College of Charleston College of William & Mary Davidson College DePaul University Drexel University East Carolina University Elon University Emmanuel College Fordham University Furman University George Washington University Guilford College Hampden-Sydney College High Point University Hofstra University James Madison University Loyola University Maryland Loyola University New Orleans NC Central University NC State University Penn State University Pepperdine University Pratt Institute Providence College Purdue University Queens University of Charlotte
Rhodes College Ringling College of Art and Design Savannah College of Art and Design Simon Fraser University Stevens Institute of Technology Temple University The New School UNC-Asheville UNC-Chapel Hill UNC-Charlotte UNC-Greensboro UNC-Wilmington University of Alabama University of Chicago University of Denver University of Georgia University of Maryland University of Massachusetts University of Miami University of Mississippi University of Notre Dame University of Richmond University of South Carolina University of Southern California University of Tennessee University of Virginia Virginia Military Institute Virginia Tech Wake Forest University Warren Wilson College Washington and Lee University Wofford College 2018/2019 Annual Report | 30
2018/2019 ACADEMIC AWARDS Lower School
Upper School
Spelling Bee Brady Price
Simmons/Wenning Scholarship for Fine Arts Sasha An
Blue & Gold Award Georgie McGrath Cate Boggio Eden Rienks Jace Williams
Faculty Recognition Award - Grade 9 Sofia Darnall
Faculty Recognition Award Chase Leonard John Dugan Jonah Warshaw Libby Wells
Middle School True Blue/Solid Gold Eleanor Ruth Burnette Stephen Victor Chiavetta Faculty Recognition Award Delilah Devin Hutchins Galen Burke Davis Triangle Award Emily Ella Cox Geography Bee Griffin Hales
Middle School students use nets to discover what lives in one of the lakes at Airlie Gardens.
31 | CAPE FEAR ACADEMY
Faculty Recognition Award - Grade 10 Davis Kranchalk Faculty Recognition Award - Grade 11 Ivan Misic Faculty Recognition Award - Grade 12 Abby Yeargan English Department Department Award Ana Sharbaugh Barbara Proctor Award Ariana Baginski Social Studies Department Department Award Chiara Kellogg World Language Department Department Award Harry Shaheen
Mathematics Department Department Award Ana Sharbaugh Cole Frazier Drew Vliet Evan Zhang Science Department Department Award Erica Harris Dott Taylor Hooten Award Macy Magan Band All District Cameron Tait
Drama Outstanding Professionalism and Dedication to the Performing Arts Jacob Waldrop Davis Kranchalk Excellence in Performance Ariana Baginski Mack Webb Filmmaking/Technical Theatre and Design Outstanding Filmmaker Award Jacob Waldrop Technical Theatre and Design Award Ariana Baginski
Directors Award Ramsay Trask Chorus Honors Vocal Ensemble Outstanding Members Mason Bouchard Kieran Barclay
Sterling Thomas, Class of 2020, and Ethan Miles, Class of 2019, program a robot inside the Science and Innovation Center.
Outstanding Independent Study Vocal Ensemble Members Adrian Jones Lilly Chiavetta Art Excellence in Visual Art Award Grace Haslam Scholastic Art Awards Grace Haslam Avery Bishop Delilah Mills Head of School’s Purchase Award Patricija Venckute Brooke Sanderford
2018/2019 Annual Report | 32
Class Notes Class of 1991 Katherine Carroll married Frank Crociata on December 12, 2018. Jerry Wilkins and wife Jennifer announce the birth of a daughter, Abigail “Abbey” Rose Wilkins, born July 3, 2019.
Class of 1995 Sullivan Anlyan McRae and husband Scott announce the birth of a son, William “Billy” Speight McRae, born August 15, 2019.
Class of 1998 Nathan Anderson and wife Sally announce the birth of a daughter, Zoe Josephine Anderson, born November 19, 2018.
Class of 2001 Chris Ledbetter and wife Sarah announce the birth of a daughter, Madison Reid Ledbetter, born September 12, 2019.
Class of 2003 Andrew Janney and wife Stacy Sears Janney announce the birth of twins, Julianne Grace and Barrett Andrew, born December 7, 2018.
Class of 2004 Eliot Garner and wife Katie announce the birth of a daughter, Betty Kristian Garner, born June 7, 2019. Brendan Hayes and wife Danielle announce the birth of a son, Ryan Elliot Hayes, born June 9, 2019.
Class of 2005 Pictured above: CFA alumni gather at Wrightsville Beach Brewery for the 1990’s Class Reunion. Below: CFA Head of School Don Berger, second from right, stands with CFA alumni gathered in Atlanta, GA for an alumni social.
Jennifer and Jamie Haugh announce the birth of a daughter, Henrietta Delaplane Haugh, born September 20, 2019. Mark and Janna Maynard announce the birth of a daughter, Eleanor McFadden Maynard, born August 10, 2018.
Class of 2006 Lauren Chadwick Allen and husband Patrick announce the birth of a son, Thomas Grady Allen, born December 6, 2018, Micaela Moreland Camp and husband Chris announce the birth of a Macklyn Grace Camp, born August 6, 2019. Dena Stanley Snyder and husband Andrew announce the birth of a daughter, Sutton Kathryn Snyder born May 17, 2019.
Class of 2007 Bobby Lubanski and wife Emma announce the birth of a daughter, Elizabeth Mast Lubanski (Ellie), born December 18, 2018.
Class of 2008 John Anderson and wife Sarah announce the birth of a son, Silas Knox Anderson, born November 18, 2018. Kelly McCallion married John Ridenour on June 16, 2019. Emily Barnes Wilkinson and husband Ben announce the birth of a son, Emmett David Wilkinson, born July 1, 2019.
Class of 2009 Taylor Zumber graduated from Medical School at UNC Chapel Hill. Her first year residency will be in Athens, GA, then she goes for a three-year dermatology residency at UNC.
Class of 2010 Nick Beall married Krista Smart on June 15, 2019. Alessandra Losa married Blayze DiPasquale on June 8, 2019. Michael Zambrowski graduated from dental school at UNC Chapel Hill. He lives and works as a dentist in Hampstead, NC.
Class of 2013 Ryan Leighton attends University of South Carolina where he is seeking a PhD in Environmental Health Sciences. Matt Stone and wife Emily announce the birth of a son, Wyatt Matthew Stone, born February 5, 2019.
Class of 2014 Mackenzie Dalton and Jacob Webber were married on August 3, 2019. Leah Falor graduated in December 2018 from East Carolina University with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. Leah, BSN, RN, accepted a job at UNC Health Care where she works in the Acute Wound and Burn Unit in Chapel Hill. Addison Lalier’s college graduation was incorrect in the 2018-2019 Annual Report. Addison graduated from UNC Chapel Hill with a Bachelor of Arts in Business Journalism.
Class of 2015 Victor Agbafe graduated from Harvard University Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Arts in Government. He currently is applying to medical school and hopes to pursue an MD/JD in the next few years. Julia Andrews graduated from East Carolina
University with a Bachelor of Science in Public Health. She will start nursing school in the fall of 2019. Jason Atwood graduated from Duke University with a degree in public policy and will join Green Corps. Ingram Ballard graduated from East Carolina University with a degree in business management. Colleen Beaupre graduated from Loyola University of Chicago with a Bachelor of Business Administration in International Business. She remains in Chicago to work at Karrie Leung Public Relations. Taylor Bellinger graduated from The University of Alabama with a Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting and Finance. She is pursuing a Masters of Science in Business at Southern Methodist University. Chase Berry graduated with a degree in public relations from the University of South Carolina. Camile Bourne graduated in 2018 from Marymount Manhattan College with a Bachelor of Arts in Cinema, Television, and Emerging Media/Digital Journalism. She attends the University of North Carolina School of the Arts to pursue her Masters in Fine Arts for Creative Producing. Nick Boyce graduated from NC State with a Business Administration degree and works in Raleigh for Wrigglesworth Enterprises. Trey Carraway graduated from Jacksonville University with a degree in finance and lives in works in Jacksonville, FL, at Total Quality Logistics. Francesca Catania graduated from University of Pennsylvania with a business degree with a concentration in finance. She works for JP Morgan in New York, NY. Alyx Copley graduated from University of South Carolina with a Finance/Operations and Supply Chain with a concentration in Business Analytics. She works as a Process Improvement Analyst at Home Depot Corporate in Atlanta, GA. Clark Dozier graduated from College of Charleston with a marketing degree. Will Floyd graduated from UNC Wilmington with a Bachelor’s Degree in Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations. He is the Vice President of Atlantic Marine in Wilmington, NC. Madeleine Gabbard graduated from High Point University with a Bachelor of Science in Human Resource Management and Services. Jack Gallop graduated from UNC Chapel Hill with a Bachelor of Arts in Media and Journalism. Lea Jaffe graduated 2018/2019 Annual Report | 34
Class Notes 2018 Alumni Soccer Game
from Berklee College of Music with a bachelor’s degree in music business and management. Elon University graduate Joseph Keller is one of 50 individuals selected nationwide for the Emmys/ Television Academy Foundation’s 2019 Internship Program, which provides paid internships at top Hollywood studios and production companies. Dowling King graduated from Elon University with a strategic communications degree. She lives and works in Washington, DC, as a junior associate with the Clyde Group. Savanah Knowles graduated from NC State with a Bachelor of Science in Fashion and Textile Management. She is working at Belk’s corporate office in their retail development programing. Katy Kohut graduated from NC State and is working as a content writer in Raleigh and also singing in a jazz group. Kellie Konitzer graduated from UNC Chapel Hill with a Bachelor of Science in Biology. She lives and works in Raleigh where she is attending NC State for a Master of Science in Physiology and working as a medical scribe. Taylor Lackey graduated from UNC Wilmington with a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science. Julia Lensch graduated from University of South Carolina Honors College with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. As a registered nurse, she works for Duke University Hospital in their pediatric cardiac ICU. Tayah Lowery graduated with a double major in Psychology and Biology from the University of Mount Olive. Trey Moore graduated from UNC Chapel Hill with a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry. He is enrolled in the UNC School of Medicine. Omar Murad is joining the United States Air Force. Sheila Nunez graduated from Davidson College with a degree in Psychology. She lives in 35 | CAPE FEAR ACADEMY
Atlanta, GA, and works at Vulcan Materials. Parks Nunnelee graduated from UNC Wilmington with a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Studies. Logan Oberg graduated from Berry College with a pre-veterinary medicine degree and a minor in chemistry. He currently attends Clemson University studying chemical engineering. Monique Olsen graduated from University of Wisconsin Madison with a neurology and global health degree. She is applying to physician assistant school. Tanner Paul graduated from UNC Chapel Hill with a Bachelor of Arts in Economics. He works in the Washington, DC, area for Collaborative Solutions as a technology consultant. Patrick Redington graduated from George Mason University with a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering. He lives in California, and works for Lockheed Martin in their space systems division. Shepherd Sullivan graduated from UNC Chapel Hill with an economic and public relations degree. She is enrolled at UNC Chapel Hill pursuing her Masters of Accounting. Kaitlin Sweyer graduated from Elon University with a degree in psychology. She works in Orlando, FL, for Walt Disney Corporate offices in guest services. Juliet Taylor graduated from UNC Chapel Hill with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. She is a nurse at NHRMC in Wilmington, NC. Graham Tinsley graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Exercise and Sport Science. Shelley Wehner graduated from UNC Chapel Hill with a Bachelor of Arts in Media and Journalism. Fisher Yeargan graduated from UNC Chapel Hill with a Bachelor of Science in Business Admin. He lives in Ft. Myers, FL, and works for Gartner MSE as an account manager.
The Arts 5.
7.
6.
8.
1.
2.
Cape Fear Academy’s robust fine arts program had another fantastic year with tremendous student achievements in theater, band, chorus, and visual art. One highlight included the Lower School production of Willy Wonka, Junior, which was postponed due to Hurricane Florence but raised $3,600 for the charity NC Nourish. Other arts highlights included eight middle school students making the 2019 Middle School All-State Chorus, and the Upper School Theatre Department winning 10 awards at the North Carolina Theatre Conference.
1. Second grade students act in the annual production of “The Elephant Twins.”
2. Members of the Middle School Chorus perform in the Brown Family Theater.
3. Little Explorers paint still lifes of vegetables in the Lower School art classroom.
3.
4. Avery Bishop, Class of 2022, paints in her fine arts class. 5. The 2019 Upper School musical, “Oklahoma” performed at historic Thalian Hall in downtown Wilmington.
6. The percussion section of the Middle School band performs during its spring concert.
7. Berkely Scharf, Class of 2021, sculpts stone in her fine arts class.
8. Georgie McGrath, Class of 2027, plays Willy Wonka during the 2018 Lower School Musical, “Willy Wonka, Jr.”
4. 2018/2019 Annual Report | 36
Beyond
THE SURFACE Philanthropy transforms the Brown Family Theater Stage Floor
T
he McNeill Fine Arts Center’s Brown Family Theater is Cape Fear Academy’s largest performance space accommodating over 500 attendees. Each year the stage is used for five Middle and Upper School courses, six full theater performances, four chorus and band concerts, over 20 Lower School presentations, six end-of-year award ceremonies, art shows, numerous faculty and staff meetings, and community performances, to name a few. On average the stage is used at least 10 hours a day for student instruction, rehearsals and performances. With so much use over the past eight years, the original stage flooring received considerable wear and tear. Originally constructed using plywood, the stage recently required repairs beyond what the CFA maintenance and fine arts departments could maintain. Students were even prohibited from performing barefoot due to the risk of splinters, and a longterm solution was needed.
Upper School Spring Band Concert
Thanks to a significant gift from the Berkey Foundation, CFA began a refurbishment of the McNeill Fine Arts Center stage floor in the summer of 2019. The original plywood flooring was replaced with tongue and groove hardwood flooring that will last for 20-30 years. Now, students in Lower, Middle, and Upper School can use the stage for instruction, rehearsals, performances and much more. Ben Fancy, CFA Fine Arts Department Chair, said the new surface will elevate the theater space to a level those who continue in theatre and the arts will experience in college and beyond. “Having a new stage installed is a game-changer for the performing arts at CFA,” Fancy said. “The improvement in the quality of performing surface for our student actors, dancers and faculty utilizing the space to produce performances and presentations elevates the conditions of our stage’s surface to a level of excellence we have not yet experienced in our beautiful theater.
Upper School Winter Play, “The Man Who Came to Dinner”
In the Spirit
AUCTION
Thanks to the support of the Cape Fear Academy community, our In the Spirit auction was an enormous success — netting more than $115,000! A crowd of parents, alumni, faculty, staff and friends gathered at The Surf Club on Wrightsville Beach for a fun evening watching the NCAA basketball tournament, bidding on an incredible selection of silent and live auction items to include trips, one of a kind experiences, and the ever popular lower school art projects. The event wouldn’t have been possible without the tireless efforts of our co-chairs Louise Mann ’90 and Wesie Sprunt, pictured bottom right, and their committees:
Steering Committee: Hilda Dill ’77 Julie Donlon Liz Forkin Emily Garriott Kristen Harmon
Cyrstal Peebles Katharine Sullivan ’85 Ava Trask Jessica Whitney
Host Committee: Alex Austin Beth Adams Amanda Baker Ashley Basinger Elizabeth Beacham Cheryl Colvin Laura Covington Cindy Dugan Shahrzad Gardner ’89 Caroline Hope Jean Keller
Brooks Lamm Meredith Lewis Stephanie Mann Jane Marr Betsy McDonald Elizabeth Mickle Sarah Morris Jennifer Pate Jenny Purvis Beth Riebe Kim Shipley
THIS PHOTO CONTRIBUTED BY WRIGHTSVILLE BEACH MAGAZINE.
We are grateful for the generosity of this year’s auction sponsors and to the many parents, teachers, and community members who donated items for the auction, purchased auction packages and worked behind the scenes to make the event such a fun night for all. The benefit auction is Cape Fear Academy and the Family Partnership’s signature fundraising event. A gala is held every other year and will be held again in the spring of 2021.
FIRST CITIZENS BANK THE SCERRI FAMILY FLIK SCHOOL DINING
ANONYMOUS 39 | CAPE FEAR ACADEMY
HVAC STARPLUS
Athletics FA student-athletes and coaches had one of the best C athletic years in the 51-year history of Cape Fear Academy. CFA finished 4th among all North Carolina Independent School Athletic Association (NCISAA) 3A schools in the Wells Fargo (Wachovia) Cup standings, which tied the highest finish in school history. In addition to the Varsity Boys Soccer team’s state championship (pictured on page 3), here are a sample of other athletic highlights from the year:
1. Members of the Middle School Girls Lacrosse team battle for the ball. Cape Fear Academy has over 40 athletic teams, including 11 at the Middle School level.
1.
2.
3.
2. The CFA Sailing Team won 1st place at the Charleston regatta, 2nd place at Sunbury, GA regatta, 4th place at the Jacksonville, FL regatta, and qualified for South Atlantic Interscholastic Sailing Association District Championship for the first time in school history.
3. Grant Sutherland, Class of 2024, competes in the long
4.
jump as part of the Middle School Track and Field Team. Middle School students are eligible to compete in sports as early as the spring semester of sixth grade.
4. Chloe Kernan, Class of 2020, dribbles during a Varsity Girls Basketball game. The team recorded its second straight 20-win season and were champions of the NCISAA Coastal Rivers Conference regular season and tournament.
5.
5. Ana Sharbaugh, Class of 2019, was named to the NCISAA All-State team, was the CRC Player of the Year, named to the CRC All-Conference team, and was undefeated in her career at CFA.
6. Libby Moore, Class of 2019, was named to the NCISAA
6.
7.
All-State team, the CRC Player of the Year, and now plays on the UNC Chapel Hill Women’s Soccer Team.
7. Emmanuel Bonsu, Class of 2020, drives during a Boys Varsity Basketball game. The team recorded the most Wins in school history, were NCISAA State Tournament Semifinalist, and champions of the CRC Tournament.
8. Seated, from left, Preston Meehl (lacrosse, Rhode’s College), Henry Murtagh (lacrosse, Stevens Institute of Technology), and Ethan Miles (soccer, Virginia Military Institute) after signing their commitment letters to play their respective sports in college. Other collegiate athletes from the Class of 2019 included Holt Robison (soccer, Colgate University), Libby Moore (soccer, UNC Chapel Hill), and Matt Kiatipis (basketball, Simon Fraser University).
8.
9. Members of the Varsity Girls Golf team hoist the NCISAA Runners-Up trophy after the end of the season state-wide tournament.
10. Holt Robison, Class of 2019, was part of the NCISAA State Champion Boys Varsity Soccer team and now plays for the Colgate University Men’s Soccer Team.
9.
10.
2020
SAVE THE DATE Homecoming Cookout Friday, January 24th, 2020 Athletic Center Athletic Hall of Fame Saturday, January 25th, 2020 McNeill Fine Arts Center 80’s Class Reunion Saturday, January 25th, 2020 The Palm Room, Wrightsville Beach Lower School Grandparents and Special Friends Day Wednesday, February 12, 2020 McNeill Fine Arts Center Middle School Grandparents and Special Friends Day Thursday, February 13, 2020 McNeill Fine Arts Center Porch Party Friday, May 8th, 2020 Carolina Yacht Club, Wrightsville Beach Salute to Seniors Thursday, May 28th, 2020 Kenan Auditorium, UNCW Commencement Friday, May 29th, 2020 Kenan Auditorium, UNCW
41 | CAPE FEAR ACADEMY
Senior Holt Robison, Class of 2019, helps Phoenix Reid, Class of 2030, sign his name during the annual Fence Signing Ceremony the week before commencement.
Coached by third grade teacher Elizabeth Lallathin, far right, and CFA parent Suvarna Bhade, back row second from left, CFA’s inaugural FIRST LEGO League (FLL) team, HurricaneBots, won its first award with the Strategy and Innovation Award at the North Carolina regional qualifier in Newport on Jan. 12.
3900 South College Road Wilmington, NC 28412 capefearacademy.org
WILMINGTON, NC PERMIT #44
PAID
NONPROFIT ORG. US POSTAGE