VOICE
THE MAGAZINE OF CHARLOTTE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL • 2020-21 • ISSUE 2
Features
Departments
1 SENIOR WALK
5 SENIOR TRIP: PLAN B
The seniors traded in their skis and slopes for fast passes and Florida heat for the annual senior class trip to Orlando this year.
The class of 2021, participated in the annual senior walk allowing students, faculty, staff and parents to honor the senior class as they walked the campus wearing their graduation gowns.
3 CLASS LIST
Charlotte Christian graduated 105 seniors who were admitted to 124 colleges and earned a total of $4,146,680 in college scholarships.
6 VALEDICTORIAN AND SALUTATORIAN
Congratulations to valedictorian Zach Brown and salutatorian Joseph Sachtleben who are both CCS lifers.
7 ACADEMIC SPOTLIGHT 9 ATHLETIC SPOTLIGHT 11 FINE ARTS SPOTLIGHT 13 DEVELOPMENT 15 ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT 16 CLASS NOTES 19 SCRAPBOOK Send story ideas to laura.goodyear@charchrist.com Send alumni news to alumni@charchrist.com Send address changes to margaret.jackson@charchrist.com
Dear CCS Community, When I was in high school I decided that I wanted to study education in college. My real motive was that I wanted to coach high school football. I knew that my path would need to include the classroom so I decided to major in secondary education. I also knew if I was going to be a teacher, I needed to choose a subject. My highest grades in high school were in math but I didn’t want to teach math and deal with numbers the rest of my life, so I chose history. I figured I could tell stories in the classroom and then head out to the field for my real passion, coaching football. I was drawn to history because of story. I enjoyed teaching the ages of history, in particular the stages our own country went through over the years from its founding. I would ask the students to imagine living in Boston during the Revolutionary years or in Philadelphia as our government was being formed. They considered being at Gettysburg when Lincoln delivered his famous address or living in Oklahoma during the Sooner rush or living in America’s heartland during the depression. Not to mention living during a time when they could hear FDR’s fireside chats or watch on television a man walk on the moon. I always had this dream of living during a memorable part of history that would be in the history books. Of course, 9/11 is one of the moments in time that the clock stopped and life was forever altered. COVID-19 and the last 18 months will certainly be a page in the future history books. We are living in a story that is unfolding before our eyes that no one could have predicted. We shut down our country and isolated ourselves in our homes for several months. When we reemerged, life, work and school were drastically different. We wore masks, walked in one-way hallways, socially distanced in all public places and added words like contact tracing and quarantine to our daily vocabularies. We are in the midst of a story, so we must ask - what is the theme? To answer this important question we have to recognize it is His story. Unlike us, God was not surprised by, and had planned for and providentially ordained the last 18 months. He never left our side and even used it to grow us and draw us closer to Him. I believe God used COVID-19 to remind us of what matters most - relationships - relationship with God and relationships with others. What has been the story on Charlotte Christian’s campus the last 18 months? CCS is God’s school. God is our protector, provider and sustainer. We were on campus for nearly all days of planned instruction. We had less than 8% of our population test positive for COVID-19. God has provided record enrollment and record amounts of dollars given for our Annual Fund and capital campaign. God sustained our teachers and students throughout the school year despite numerous changes, restrictive protocols, cancelled events and modified traditions. It is impossible to look over the last 18 month and not see that God was writing a story in our lives and in our hearts. This story is the same story we read in the Bible - God is in control and we are not. God is good all the time, and all the time God is good.
God Bless,
Barry Giller Head of School
2021
Senior walk
1
CHARLOTTE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL
The CCS community celebrated this year’s graduating senior class with our annual senior walk. Students, faculty, staff and parents honored the senior class as they walked the campus wearing their graduation gowns. The entire campus embraced the tradition with signs and words of encouragement for the class of 2021 as they weaved through the school buildings to the stadium field for a time of prayer with their parents. The walk concluded with taking the annual senior class picture with each student wearing a T-shirt from the college they plan to attend.
A memory I will have after graduation is definitely the senior walk. I wasn’t here during lower school, but each building I entered I would know more and more people. By the time I got to the upper school it was like, ‘wow!’ It was emotional because I have built relationships with so many of the parents and teachers here. We are a family and that was a moment! - Senior Blake Violette
2020-21 ISSUE 2 n
2
Charlotte Christian School
CLASS OF 2021
Charlotte Abig Clemson University
Kalen Bland University of South Carolina
Carson Chow Wheaton College
Philip Abner University of Florida
Makenzie Boyce Colorado State University
Meade Clodfelter Central Piedmont Community College
Kelsey Eshleman Elon University
Ansley Allison Clemson University
Hayden Brandon University of North Carolina at Charlotte
Anna Coles Lipscomb University
Kate Eubanks East Carolina University
Morgan Brown Baylor University
Hudson Collins East Carolina University
Christiana Eudy East Carolina University
Zach Brown University of Notre Dame
Samantha Crocker Wofford College
Will Farrell Wingate University
Hannah Burgess Texas Christian University
Rachel Csoka University of Tennessee
Jonathan Fasciana University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Breya Busby Liberty University
J.T. Daniel Furman University
Skylar Busby York Technical College
Susan Davis Florida State University
Bryson Byrnes Elon University
Elizabeth Davisball University of South Carolina
Ellie Cataldo University of North Carolina at Wilmington
Mason Diel Wheaton College
Kaylee Andrievk North Carolina State University Lange Armstrong University of North Carolina at Charlotte Jimmy Bailey Washington and Lee University Caroline Banker Texas Christian University Stafford Barton University of Alabama Dylan Bedell Marist College Austin Blake University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
3
Congratulationstothe
CHARLOTTE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL
Mitchell Chappell University of Tennessee
Susan Donnelly Elon University
Teddy Piper Edwards University of North Carolina at Wilmington
Hayden Fox Baylor University Andrew French University of North Carolina at Charlotte Anna Fulton Clemson University Cole Fuqua East Carolina University
Jalen Gibbs Morehouse College
Ethan Kemmer University of Tennessee
Tiah Rowe University of South Carolina
Maya Szymborski Appalachian State University
Ashley Glover Wake Forest University
Joey Kuteyi Anderson University
Henry Rutledge University of North Carolina at Charlotte
Jocelyn Tian University of California, Irvine
Addison Goodrich University of Tennessee
Elinor Langdon University of Michigan
Matthew Tuomala Coastal Carolina University
Katie Gowan University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
David Lash Furman University
Zane Rutledge University of North Carolina at Charlotte
Sofia Vachino University of Tennessee
Brennan Long University of Kentucky
Joseph Sachtleben University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Jake Major Appalachian State University
Madelyn Schoen University of South Carolina
Riley Matthews Indiana University
Slade Sikora Appalachian State University
Heather Harriss University of North Carolina at Charlotte
Ben McCartney Auburn University
Phillip Slaughter Amherst College
Cameron Hicks Wofford College
Gabe Merriott East Carolina University
Conner Smith North Carolina State University
Sarah Whiting Elon University
Jack Hilton Auburn University
Garrett Michaud East Carolina University
Hank Soule Purdue University
Shae Whittle Baylor University
Grace Hinson University of North Carolina at Asheville
Gracie Mitchell Appalachian State University
Jackson Spaeth Elon University
Claire Woodley Belmont University
Ben Stokley Wheaton College
Kennedy Young University of Southern California
Emma Hall Auburn University James Harper University of North Carolina at Asheville
Briley Hoff University of North Carolina at Charlotte Hannah Mae Huge University of North Carolina at Wilmington Michelle Igbinadolor Duke University Zoe Jackson Florida Southern College Jack Jesso Baylor University Ashlyn Jimenez High Point University Chip Kasay Dordt University
Jordan Montgomery University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Elena Morales Snavely Taylor University Julia Oliveto James Madison University
J.D. Suarez University of North Carolina at Charlotte
Ava Van Hoy Clemson University Blake Violette Clemson University Abby Warner College of Charleston Preston Weller Clemson University
Ziggy Zeigler Georgia Southern University
Ky Sutherland Lees–McRae College
Mya Olmeda Bridgewater College Noah Ong Vanderbilt University Ben Phillips University of Tennessee McKenzie Reed Western Carolina University Madeline Roddy North Carolina State University
2020-21 ISSUE 2 n
4
class of 2021 by Shae Whittle (‘21) In following the 2020-21 theme of trying new things and rolling with the punches, the seniors traded in their skis and slopes for fast passes and Florida heat during the senior class trip to Orlando this year. Mr. and Mrs. Fair took the lead to create a week-long memorable class experience in Florida in lieu of the annual CCS trip to Breckenridge, Colo. What usually takes six months to plan had to be accomplished in only a couple of months, so stress levels were high; however, the trip was extremely successful and memorable in numerous ways. From feeling like we were on a Food Network show while running through Walmart for groceries to speed walking through parks to get front row on every ride, each day brought new memories and an abundance of class bonding experiences. We started each morning with daily devotions with Mr. Giller talking about the five questions we all ask. We made our way through Sea World, Busch Gardens and Disney Springs, with a final two days in Universal Studios to wrap up the trip. Whether we were screaming until our voices gave out or walking miles upon miles to make each ride, our senior class made the most of our week in Orlando, making it a time we will never forget!
Screaming until our voices were gone, and staying out in the sun until we were as red as tomatoes - these are the moments I won’t forget from our senior trip. Even though afterwards we couldn’t really talk or move our bodies, we still managed to make the most of it and always make more time for more rides. It was nice to see how the world would be once college starts and now I look forward to it even more! - Senior Ziggy Ziegler 5
CHARLOTTE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL
class of 2021 Valedictorian Joseph Sachtleben | Salutatorian
Joseph Sachtleben will attend the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill next year where he plans to study computer science, possibly pursuing data analytics. As a Charlotte Christian student, Joseph was an AP Scholar with Distinction, was a member and officer of the National Honor Society and participated in many academic challenges. He was a member of the varsity golf team, was co-founder and captain of the school’s broadcasting team and played the cello for the school’s orchestra. He also volunteered as the director of analytics for the varsity baseball team, tracking player’s swing stats to help improve the performance of players’ swings. Joseph started at CCS in kindergarten.
& Salutatorian
Zach Brown | Valedictorian Over the past 13 years, CCS has given me much more than an education. It’s provided me with an outlet for my faith, wonderful friends and all the tools, both academic and spiritual, to approach my future after graduation with confidence. Thanks to the many Bible classes and Christcentered culture I am sure in my own Christian foundation and my ability to defend my faith. Zach Brown will attend Notre Dame University next year where he will pursue a degree in computer science. As a Charlotte Christian student, Zach was on the varsity swim team, was given the Most Valuable Player award for the team his sophomore, junior and senior year, and is the school record holder in five events. He was also a member of Senior Leaders, an organization that mentors younger swimmers and participates in service projects. Zach was named a National Merit Scholarship finalist and an AP Scholar with Distinction. He earned the Seal of Biliteracy and the Maxima Cum Laude Recognition in Latin. Zach started at CCS in kindergarten.
I will miss the tight-knit community that we have at CCS and the many relationships that I have with peers and faculty - this is something that makes CCS truly unique. Over my 13 years at CCS, some of my best memories have come from when I went out of my comfort zone and tried something different. I am thankful for all the faculty and staff at CCS that pushed me to learn more and expand my interests.
2021 Honors Graduates
Honors graduates are recognized for earning a cumulative GPA of 4.0 and above in grades 9-12. Congratulations to the 35 seniors who were recognized as honors graduates.
Charlotte Abig Kaylee Andrievk Jimmy Bailey Caroline Banker Austin Blake Zach Brown Bryson Byrnes Carson Chow J.T. Daniel Elizabeth Davisball Jonathan Fasciana Ashley Glover
Katie Gowan Emma Hall John Hilton Michelle Igbinadolor Zoe Jackson Elinor Langdon Brennan Long Ben McCartney Jordan Montgomery Julia Oliveto Noah Ong Ben Phillips
Madeline Roddy Tiah Rowe Joseph Sachtleben Madelyn Schoen Henry Soule Maya Szymborski Sofia Vachino Ava Van Hoy Sarah Whiting Claire Woodley Kennedy Young
2020-21 ISSUE 2 n
6
ACADEMIC SPOTLIGHT
1
1
1
4
5
6 7
CHARLOTTE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL
1
5
5
5
5
7
1
SCHOLASTIC WRITING WINNERS Charlotte Christian upper school creative writing students earned one Gold Key, four Silver Keys and four Honorable Mentions in the 2021 Mid-Carolina Regional Scholastic Art & Writing Competition. The Scholastic Art and Writing Awards is administered by the Alliance for Young Artists and Writers and is the longest-running, most prestigious recognition program for student achievement in the United States. • Michelle Igbinadolor (12), Silver Key, Personal Essay, “What it Meant” • Zoe Jackson (12), Gold Key, Personal Essay, “My Story” • Jordan Montgomery (12), Silver Key, Poetry, “Black in America” • Shae Whittle (12), • Silver Key, Poetry, “Dining with Depression” • Silver Key, Poetry, “Outperforming robots” • Honorable Mention, Poetry, “How hurricanes are named” • Honorable Mention, Poetry, “Moment museum” • Honorable Mention, Poetry, “My solar eclipse” • Honorable Mention, Poetry Portfolio, “Defining humanity through the ordinary”
2
2 3
5
5
5
4 5 6 7
NATIONAL MERIT FINALIST Zach Brown was named as one of 16,000 finalists nationwide in the 2021 National Merit Scholarship Program.
NATIONAL MEDAL AWARD Senior Zoe Jackson won the National Medal Award and the American Voices Medal from The Alliance for Young Artists and Writers. 230,000 works of art and writing were submitted to the 2021 Scholastic Awards and Zoe’s piece was selected as one of only 2,000 works to receive a National Medal, placing her within the top 1% of all submissions.
KNIGHTS OF THE ROUND TABLE 50 fifth grade students were recognized as Knights of the Round Table for participating in the Reading Knights program every quarter while in lower school. Lower school students read 19,385 books this year as part of the Reading Knights program.
MULTICULTURAL FESTIVAL Lower school students enjoyed celebrating and learning about other cultures from around the world through a variety of activities. The day culminated in a Parade of Nations.
NHS 39 upper school students were inducted into the National Honor Society.
NJHS 47 middle school students were inducted into the National Junior Honor Society.
2020-21 ISSUE 2 n
8
ATHLETIC SPOTLIGHT
Chip Kasay Dordt University
Will Farrell Wingate University
3
Mya Olmeda Bridgewater College
3
3
4
5 9
CHARLOTTE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL
BASKETBALL
2
FOOTBALL
BASEBALL
BASEBALL/FOOTBALL
Mason Diel Wheaton College
5
3
FOOTBALL
1 2
Ben Stokley Wheaton College
3
3 4 5 6
SPRING ATHLETIC SIGNINGS Congratulations to five Charlotte Christian student-athletes who signed national letters of intent to participate in collegiate athletics. The spring group joins 12 other student-athletes who have signed this year for a total of 17 CCS student-athletes from the class of 2021.
• • • • •
Mason Diel, Baseball/Football Will Farrell, Baseball Chip Kasay, Football Mya Olmeda, Basketball Ben Stokley, Football
Wheaton College Wingate University Dordt University Bridgewater College Wheaton College
COACH GREG SIMMONS’ 700TH CAREER WIN Congratulations to Varsity Baseball Head Coach Greg Simmons on his 700th career win with Charlotte Christian as the Knights defeated Carmel Christian, 3-0, in the NCISAA state tournament. Coach Simmons took over the varsity baseball program as the head coach in 1992. In his 29 years at the helm, Coach Simmons has accumulated a career record of 702-252-1, 15 state championships and 21 conference championships. He has coached 90 student-athletes who committed to playing baseball in college, 10 student-athletes who were drafted into the MLB, four who made it to the big leagues and one who signed as a free agent.
FIVE CISAA PLAYERS OF THE YEAR Congratulations to the following student-athletes who were named players of the year by the conference for their respective sports this year: • Morgan Brown - Cheerleading • Wynne Gore - Softball • J.D. Suarez - Baseball • Sarah Whiting - Dance
• Henry Rutledge - Football
GIRLS’ LACROSSE PROGRAM This spring Charlotte Christian hosted its inaugural season of girls’ lacrosse fielding a junior varsity and middle school club team that provided an opportunity for 42 girls to participate in this new sport. The junior varsity team was led by Girls’ Lacrosse Program Head and Head Coach Kelsey Kaplan and Assistant Coach Olivia McCarrick. Both coaches brought a wealth of experience having played for their respective colleges, Berry College and Gordon College. Junior Olivia Jackson was a high contributor for the team scoring the most goals and sophomore Connie Kofoed was a leader in taking most of their draws. “We had a great first season,” shared Coach Kaplan. “We only had three girls with previous experience playing lacrosse and improved so much that by the end of the season we had the fundamentals down and were pulling it all together to score on our opponents. We pulled out two early wins that were exciting for the team.”
BASEBALL & SOFTBALL STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS Congratulations to both the varsity baseball and varsity softball teams for earning state championships this season. The varsity baseball team earned its 16th state championship in CCS history by defeating Wesleyan Christian in a three-game series and totaled a 22-7 season record. The varsity softball team earned its first state championship in CCS history. The Knights defeated Cannon School in a three-game series to finish the season 17-2.
ALL-NCISAA WINTER & SPRING Congratulations to 15 student-athletes on earning recognition from the state. Baseball Calvert Clark Will Farrell J.D. Suarez Judd Utermark Girls’ Basketball Ryan Swilling
Girls’ Soccer Taylor Suarez Softball M.C. Eaton Wynne Gore
Track and Field Triston Cropp 4x200 relay Andrew French 4x200 relay Kyron Jones 4x200 relay
Henry Rutledge 4x200 relay, long jump Phillip Slaughter shot put
Wrestling Hudson Jones (three-time state champion)
Tre Wilfong
2020-21 ISSUE 2 n
10
FINE ARTS SPOTLIGHT
1
2
3
4
4
5 Briley Hoff (Senior)
5 • Silver Key, Art Portfolio, “Messy is Beautiful”
11 CHARLOTTE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL
Grace Hinson (Senior)
• Silver Key, Mixed Media, “Eat M
1 2 3 4 5
KNIGHTVISION Each year the growth of our artists, young and old, is celebrated in an all-school art show called KnightVision. This spring the 2021 show launched as a virtual art show. It featured artwork from every student involved in the visual art curriculum as well as original compositions from our upper school digital music students.
JUBILEE JUNCTION, LOWER SCHOOL MUSICAL The lower school musical Jubilee and the Elation Celebration debuted this spring as an original musical written by Charlotte Christian alumna Polly Hilton (‘11) that takes place in Jubilee Junction. Home to the famed Opti-Meter, short for the Optimism Meter, Jubilee Junction claims to be the happiest town on the planet. The Opti-Meter is a device that keeps Jubilee happy and all is peachy keen until one fateful day when the Opti-Meter suddenly breaks down. The cast of 41 enthusiastic students in grades 4 and 5 began rehearsals in February and navigated an intricately designed rehearsal and filming process that allowed flexibility for students to stay within their classroom cohorts and accommodate At-Home learners. Led by the directing duo of Mrs. Elisa Dennehy and Mrs. Kim Marco and their creative production team, the cast came to life and flourished in spite of COVID-19 related obstacles.
MURDER AT THE CHILI COOK-OFF, UPPER SCHOOL PLAY The fine arts department partnered with playwright Patrick McDonald for the debut performance of Murder at the Chili Cook-Off, a play set in Huggle, Texas at the 40th annual chili cook-off where a motley crew of contestants are assembled to jockey for the coveted $300 cash prize and bragging rights to the best chili in Huggle. Under the direction of Director of Theatre Claire Hilton (‘11), a cast of 16 upper school students took the stage to perform this memorable experience. Murder at the Chili Cook-Off debuted with invitation only live performances and also a live stream performance for those who could not attend in person.
SPRING CONCERTS After a long season of virtual and pre-recorded performances, the outdoor spring concert series was such a blessing. Performing outdoors afforded the fine arts family an opportunity to gather as a community to enjoy a picnic dinner, live music and awards recognizing the growth and accomplishments of our fine arts students. God’s presence was palpable, from the striking sunsets and heavenly weather to the lively conversation and laughs exchanged between families engaging in fellowship on campus for the first time in over a year.
SCHOLASTIC ART WINNERS Congratulations to eight middle and upper school visual arts students on earning recognition in the 2021 Mid-Carolina Regional Scholastic Art and Writing Competition. The group earned two Gold Keys, five Silver Keys and seven Honorable Mention awards. Megan Dale (Grade 11)
• Honorable Mention, Painting, “Dreaming of the Louvre”
Addison Floyd (Grade 8) • Honorable Mention, Sculpture, “Sport Courts”
Victoria Haynes (Grade 11) • Honorable Mention, Digital Art, “Heliophobia”
Grace Hinson (Senior) • Silver Key, Mixed Media, “Eat Me”
Briley Hoff (Senior)
• Silver Key, Art Portfolio, “Messy is Beautiful” Honorable Mention, Painting, “Slow Down My Thoughts”
Michelle Igbinadolor (Senior) • Honorable Mention, Digital Art, “Falling”
Katie Joe (Grade 7)
• Gold Key, Comic Art, “Drowning in Math” • Gold Key, Drawing and Illustration, “Demon” • Silver Key, Comic Art, “Smoke Signals” • Silver Key, Drawing and Illustration, “Smoking Rainbows” • Silver Key, Drawing and Illustration, “Trinity”
Jordan Montgomery (Senior)
• Honorable Mention, Art Portfolio, “The Evolution of African American Identity” • Honorable Mention, Painting, “Empowerment”
Me” 2020-21 ISSUE 2 n
12
DEVELOPMENT
Thank you to the Charlotte Christian community for helping us surpass the 2020-21 Annual Fund goal!
$615,000
We wrapped up the year with over raised in cash and pledges as of June 1, 2021.
Charlotte Christian hosted the third annual 24 Hour Giving Day Challenge on March 9, 2021 to fund multiple improvements including campus beautification, security upgrades and continued technology advancements. There was an incredible response with 147 donors giving a record $55,465 to this campaign. Thank you to all the parents, grandparents, alumni and friends who made the challenge successful.
13 CHARLOTTE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL
charlotte christian school
Sporting Clays Tournament
‘21
Charlotte Christian experienced the largest participation and money raised in the sixth annual Sporting Clays Tournament held on May 7 at Meadow Wood Farms. More than 180 members of the CCS community, including 18 CCS alums, filled a morning and afternoon flight of clay shooting and fellowship. More than
$35,000
was raised for the Annual Fund.
Special thanks to title sponsor Seedspark and all the donors for the first virtual silent auction.
The staff and volunteers were the ultimate hosts. Everything was well organized and so much fun. A great event for CCS! - Julie Smith, alumni parent and current grandparent
2020-21 ISSUE 2 n
14
ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT
GOD’S HANDIWORK IN ACTION Polly Hilton (‘11)
Charlotte Christian School alumna Polly Hilton (‘11) recently reconnected with the CCS fine arts program in an exciting way. Now an accomplished playwright and actor in New York City, Ms. Hilton wrote an original musical for the lower school’s spring mainstage production, Jubilee and the Elation Celebration. Ms. Hilton shared about her fine arts experience while at CCS and its impact on her life and career since graduation. I am so thrilled to be speaking to this because my journey with the CCS fine arts department still very much informs who I am as an artist. My journey was one of learning humility, taking steps of boldness in the face of failure and ultimately working tirelessly to achieve my goals. To be transparent, my journey started off on the wrong foot. I came to CCS as an incoming freshman and had been performing my whole life, both professionally and educationally. I was drawn to Charlotte Christian due to the vibrant theatre program and more than anything, I wanted to be a part of the ACT 1 competition team. But when the day came for my audition, I walked into the room prideful, unprepared and entitled. I thought my resume and raw talent would guarantee me a spot on the team but of course, I totally blew the audition. I did not know my lines, I had a standoffish attitude and made a fool of myself. So rightfully, I did not make the team. That rejection was mortifying and for the first month as a CCS student, I was ashamed and terrified to even set foot in the fine arts department. I felt like a failure. But thanks to kind and insightful mentorship from my teachers and the encouragement of my new-found friends, I began to volunteer with the ACT 1 team as props master, or as the “Prop-Tart,” which is what the senior team members
15 CHARLOTTE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL
dubbed me. No, it was not the path I had planned for my freshman year, but it was the path I needed. It was the path God had planned for me. That year I learned the ins and outs of technical theater - these are skills that have gone on to inform my professional work. I learned that hard work beats talent when talent does not work hard. Never again would I show up to an audition unprepared. I learned true humility. I learned that most of the time, showing up prepared, with a smile on my face and a kind heart is more important than being able to hit the high note. By the end of my freshman year, after months of painting sets, ironing costumes and pulling props while waiting in the wings, I finally stepped on stage as an understudy at a theatre competition with the ACT 1 team (something that was rarely ever done or allowed at the time). The best part of that experience was the outpouring of support and joy from the other team members, parents and faculty as I took my finale bow. These were individuals who had witnessed my change of heart and knew how hard I had worked to earn my place on that stage. In the years to come, I would go on to make ACT 1 and participated in countless competitions, which
culminated in winning best actress awards at both the North Carolina Theatre Conference (NCTC) and Southeastern Theatre Conference (SETC) levels my senior year. I participated in all the mainstage musicals and was a student choreographer for the middle school shows. But in spite of all this, I carried what I learned my freshman year with me - both the technical skills and the work ethic. My senior year, I did a directed study in theatrical design for our competition show, Into The Woods Jr. I not only performed in the piece, but Polly the “Prop-Tart” got to design the look of the show as well. This is perhaps what I am most proud of from my time at CCS, for it exemplifies my journey from beginning to end and shows God’s handiwork in action.
2021
SAVE THE DATE
Charlotte Christian School
DISTINGUISHED ALUMNI AWARD
OCTOBER 1 - 2, 2021
HOMECOMING WEEKEND CHARLOTTE CHRISTIAN VS. RABUN GAP Friday, Oct. 1 at 7 p.m.
Charlotte Christian will present the fourth annual Distinguished Alumni Award and Alumni Service Award during the 2021-22 school year. Alumni will be recognized for their extraordinary achievements in their field of work; outstanding contributions to the welfare and advancement of Charlotte Christian; and exceptional acts of service.
An alumni tailgate will precede the game. Milestone reunion information to come. Please contact Director of Alumni Relations Reid Fronk at reid.fronk@charchrist.com if you have any questions or would like to be involved with the reunion planning.
CLASS NOTES Send your alumni news to: alumni@charchrist.com
18
Colin Gallagher contracted with Coastal Carolina Army ROTC as well with the South Carolina Army National Guard as a cadet while in college. He will commission as an officer in the United States Army in May of 2022. Elizabeth Lineberger is in her junior year at Anderson University and is working on a bachelor’s degree in marketing. After she graduates, she plans to pursue a master’s degree in supply chain management from Anderson. She accepted a marketing internship with Asterisk Interactive for this summer and was honored to be selected out of 2,000 applicants.
Please visit
charlottechristian.com/alumoftheyear
Emma Pfeiler earned a Gil Internship last fall through University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and a recap of her participation in the research can be found at https://psychology.unc.edu/gilinternship.
17
Elizabeth Gowan graduated Honors Laureate in May 2021 from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with a bachelor of science degree in business administration and economics from Kenan-Flagler School of Business. In April she was inducted into the UNC chapter of the Phi Beta Kappa Honor Society. Elizabeth will begin her professional career with Ernst & Young in Charlotte. Jillian DePinto graduated Magna Cum Laude with a bachelor’s degree in interior design and a minor in entrepreneurial studies from Appalachian State. She will be moving back to Charlotte to begin work as an interior designer with BB&M Architecture.
to nominate an outstanding alum. Nominations will begin July 1.
16
Macall Collins Bennett launched a photography business, Macall Bennett Photography, this past fall. She has enjoyed being able to capture memories for families to have for years to come. Her work can be found at www.macallbennettphotography.com. Jack Owens (‘16) and Cali Kofoed (‘16) became engaged this past spring. Duncan Weller has been accepted to the medical school at the University of South Carolina in Columbia for the fall of 2021. He graduated with honors from the College of Charleston in December 2020 and majored in public health. Duncan has recently been featured in the College of Charleston magazine regarding his work in the mental health field.
2020-21 ISSUE 2 n
16
CLASS NOTES
15
Tori Parker Ortega graduated from nursing school at Carolinas College of Health Sciences and accepted her dream job as a labor and delivery nurse in the Charlotte area.
13
Katy Farrell became engaged to Michele Ragonesi in December 2020. The couple met at TCU and live in New York. They are planning a wedding for next year. Michael Drury has earned his master’s degree in human psychology and is currently working as an human resource director. He and his wife are proud parents of two children.
11
Maggie Walker has been running her southern wedding planning business, Maggie Walker Weddings, for more than five years. She is based in Chattanooga, Tenn., and is looking forward to booking more weddings as vaccines are distributed. She enjoys hiking in the area, traveling to visit her family and friends in Charlotte and being involved in her community.
Uyioghosa Uwensuyi-Edosomwan graduated from medical school in April and will start an internal medicine residency at East Carolina University in July.
10
Kelby William Brown Jr. completed his Doctor of Medicine (MD) degree at Duke University School of Medicine, and will begin his four-year residency training at UNC Hospital in the Department of Neurology.
08
Mason Bradley and his wife, Becca, welcomed a baby girl, Ansley Blanche, on Jan. 8, 2021.
07
Chris Ferebee (‘07) and Jacque von Gnechten Ferebee (‘07) welcomed a son, John Joseph, in January. He joins his three year old siblings James Ephraim and Eleanor Joy. The family moved to Austin, Texas in 2020 where Chris continues his engineering work with Tesla Motors and Jacque has joined the operations staff at Celebration Church.
Cramer McCullen will be leaving his current role as a hospitalist and ultrasound fellow at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia this summer and transitioning to a family medicine clinical/teaching faculty position at Prisma Health in Columbia, S.C. He is looking forward to being closer to home, family and friends.
06
Jordon Simmons is entering his fifth season as the assistant head coach/ director of strength and conditioning at the University of Nevada. The football team is coming off of an impressive 7-2 campaign in 2020. He still checks on CCS athletics on a regular basis.
05
Ivan Rudnitsky is the cofounder and president of Slavic Business Association, a non-profit founded in 2021 to provide professional development and relationship building to the Slavic community in Charlotte. Fran Pfrimmer Sutton and her husband, Drew, welcomed their second child, Theodore Philip, on Sept. 1, 2020. Teddy joins 4-year-old brother, John.
ALUMNI ALBUM
Colin Gallagher (‘18)
Mason Bradley (‘08)
Elizabeth Gowan (‘17)
Chris & Jacque von Gnechten Ferebee (‘07)
17 CHARLOTTE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL
Jillian DePinto (‘17)
Jordon Simmons (‘06)
Macall Collins Bennett (‘16)
Ivan Rudnitsky (’05)
Jack Owens (‘16) & Cali Kofoed (‘16)
Fran Pfrimmer Sutton (‘05)
04
98
Reid Fronk and his wife, Lindsey, welcomed a son, Caleb Hays, on March 22, 2021 in Charlotte. Caleb was 8.5 lbs. and 21 in. and joins proud sisters, Paige and Rorie.
Phebe Mack Shirley earned a Master of Science in organization development from Queens University of Charlotte in May 2021.
Charlene Mack graduated from Wake Forest University with her MBA. She now serves as the vice president of movement building for WEPOWER in St. Louis and is a teaching fellow for Harvard University’s Leadership, Organization and Action program. With her parents in memory, she is committed to coupling faith with justice to strengthen patterns of inequity through leadership development and system change.
Kristin Coke is collaborating with her father, Dr. Karl Coke, on a project called God’s Land Journey. It is a virtual tour of Israel - the places where Jesus walked, and more. They have 27 videos and accompanying study notes available so far and the project goal is 56 videos. Visit godslandjourney.com for more info and to subscribe to the journey.
Zach Watson is the new owner of Iron Tribe South End gym located off of Bank Street in the South End area of Charlotte.
01
Justin Chin is attending seminary part-time at Birmingham Theological Seminary. He owns a law firm serving the Atlanta-Metro area that specializes in divorce and litigating custody of children.
92
Todd Fuller has been married to Elizabeth (Libby) Shaw since 2005. The couple has three children Emma (11), Grant (8) and Elise (6) and the family lives in Charlotte. Todd has worked for Bank of America as an operations research analyst II since August of 2016. The family recently went on vacation in Florida and swam with bottlenose dolphins.
Tori Parker Ortega (‘15)
Katy Farrell (‘13)
Michael Drury (‘13)
Reid Fronk (‘04)
Charlene Mack (‘04)
Todd Fuller (‘92)
Maggie Walker (‘11)
90
Matt Franklin (‘90) and Ashley Houston Franklin (‘92) celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary this year.
79
Donna Willis Bohmfalk has more than 20 years of experience in nursing education and took a position as the director of a pro-life clinic and ministry in League City, Texas. The mission of the clinic is to help young women make informed choices but most importantly to have a chance to teach them about Jesus and His eternal life saving plan of salvation. She has two nieces who were married in 2019 and she is excited to become a great aunt in September 2021.
Uyioghosa Uwensuyi-Edosomwan (‘11)
Kelby Brown (‘10)
Matt Franklin (‘90) & Ashley Houston Franklin (‘92)
Donna Willis Bohmfalk (‘79)
2020-21 ISSUE 2 n
18
1
CHARLOTTE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL
13 14
2
5
6
9
10
15
3
4
SCRAPBOOK
7
1.
Middle School Earth Day
2.
All-School Easter Chapel
3.
Lower School Field Day
4.
Class of 2021
Baccalaureate Service
5.
President’s Cup
6.
Grade 5 Promotion
7.
Grade 5 Promotion
8.
All-School Easter Chapel
9.
Lower School Knightsfest
8
10. Grade 8 Promotion 11. Grade 8 Promotion 12. Grade 8 Principal Cup Winners 13. Kindergarten Promotion 14. Lower School Knightsfest 15. Class of 2021
Baccalaureate Service
16. National Day of Prayer Chapel 17. Class of 2021
11
16 17
Baccalaureate Service
18. Middle School Earth Day
12
18
2020-21 ISSUE 2 n
7301 Sardis Road Charlotte, NC 28270 (704) 366-5657 www.charlottechristian.com
FOLLOW US ON
Class of
2021 by the numbers
$4,146,680
96
Graduates Played a Sport During Upper School
35
Honors Graduates
(cumulative GPA above a 4.0)
30
in College & University Scholarships
Lifers (started in
JK, K or Grade 1)
(through 5/19/21)
25
11
Seals of Biliteracy
9
Regional Scholastic Writing Awards
6
Regional Scholastic Art Awards Athletes 5 CISAA of the Year
(baseball, cheerleading, dance, football and softball)
Service Hours Earned During Upper School Career
Academic Conservatory Distinctions AP Scholars
124 College Acceptances
College Athletic Signees
17
Service
14,488
Hours
18
1
National
Merit Finalist Scholastic 1 National Writing Award
