Cognitio Fall Issue Vol.3 Iss. 1
December , 2015
Cognitio
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FM High School Ellen Perry, Logic & High School Reception, Registrar (972) 639-5849 Nancy Heath, Logic & High School Attendance (972) 584-9187
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FM Grammar
Teri Praslicka
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School Health
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College Guidance Kathy Schaefer, Director of College Guidance & Testing
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(972) 584-9164
Cognitio December- Vol.3 Iss.1
Inside this Edition Welcome 3 Lori Pellerin 5 2nd Grade, Grammar School Megan Best 7 6th Grade English and Latin Gerri Colvin 9 Study Center Director, Speech, Debate & Theatre Teacher Email Asante 11 Varsity and Assistant Junior Varsity High School Boys Basketball Kayleigh Moore 13 Student Leader Aaron Southerland 14 Student Leader
Bill Rector
Polly Dwyer
Diana Wall
Jon Jordan
Headmaster
FM Campus Administrator
Grammar School Director
Dean of Students
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Christian Classical Collaborative
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Coram Deo Academy’s mission is to train ethical servant-leaders and wise thinkers who will shape culture for the glory of God.
Coram Deo Academy Working together for a brighter future
Welcome to the fourth year of Cognitio. Cognitio is Latin for “the process of getting to know someone or something”. Each seasonal edition over the next few years will feature members of our faculty and student leaders for the purpose of acquainting the reader with the many excellent people at CDA. The student leaders represented in Cognitio are elected by their peers and are either House Presidents or Senior Class Officers.
mind and are suited to support each level of a child’s formative academic years.
The first tool, Grammar, is the learning of people, places and things. This naturally appeals to young children who eagerly look for these in their Bible, phonics, math, history and language lessons. The second tool, Logic, is the understanding of the rules that govern those things previously learned. Middle-school students are typically attracted to A classical Christian education this style as they learn to assoutilizes the Trivium of Gram- ciate things and connect ideas mar, Logic and Rhetoric to pro- in their classes. Rhetoric is the vide students with the tools of art of persuasion. High school lifelong learning and instill in students easily learn to apply them a love of wisdom. The sophisticated reasoning and reason this type of education is strive for excellence in their so effective is that these three studies and in the totality of tools also cooperate with the their lives. God-authored design of the
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2nd Grade, Grammar School
Lori Pellerin
Introduce us to your family My husband, Danny, and I have been married for 16 years. We have a son, Cam who is 13 and a daughter, Taylor who is 11. They both attend CDA and love it. We also have a spoiled dog, Whitney. Where do you attend Church? RockPointe Church List the Colleges you attended. Texas A&M University (Whoop!) What degree(s) do you hold? I have a B.S. in Interdisciplinary Studies with specializations in both math and reading. Share with us some of your accomplishments. I graduated from Texas A&M with honors, was on the Dean’s List and received a Distinguished Student award. I was named Teacher of the Year when I taught 3rd grade in Garland ISD. Are there committees you serve on at school, church and in the community? I’m the president and CEO of the Pellerin crew. Describe a favorite moment in life? I know that it’s a cliché answer but, becoming a mother was a moment in my life that is hard to beat. The profound way that moment changed me and my ability to love is indescribable.
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Besides the Bible, what was the last book you read? Reading is by far my favorite way to spend my free time! Mostly, I read fiction and the last book I read was The Girl on the Train. Why do you think manhole covers are round? They are round because it makes them easy to put back on when removed and they can’t fall into their circular opening. What are you most afraid of? Answering surveys about myself that are published for other people to read. The spotlight terrifies me. What did you care most about when you were ten years old? Roller-skating and my friends‌..why? I was a 10 year old girl! Do you have a life motto, favorite Bible verse, or do you have a favorite quote? Philippians 4:6-7 is my favorite Bible verse. It brings me so much peace. If you could be any animal found on a carousel, what would it be and why? A Unicorn of course. They are magical, mystical and loved. If you could take any adventure trip possible, what would it be? Scuba diving on the Great Barrier Reef. The beauty I would imagine would be amazing!
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6th Grade English and Latin
Megan Best
Introduce us to your family I am the only child of my dear parents, Lynne and Larry. We are a close-knit family who enjoys being present to each other and to the wider community. Where do you attend Church? The Lutheran congregation I’ve attended for twenty years moved out of Coppell in June. Presently, I am exploring churches in the Coppell area, but make it a practice to worship with the body of Christ every Sunday. List the Colleges you attended. I received a Bachelor of Arts in History at the University of Dallas. I have hopes to pursue a graduate degree at some point in the near future.
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Share with us some of your accomplishments. I am thankful to look back at the opportunities God gave me at the University of Dallas. By his grace, I successfully completed an internship at the George W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum which required a fifteen-page paper and two twenty-minute presentations. Simultaneously, I wrote a forty-page thesis for my History degree. Needless to say, it was a semester that required intensity and focus! The Lord provided mentors throughout those months which made the formational challenge one that I will never forget. Are there committees you serve on at school, church and in the community? I am looking for opportunities to plug-in with organizations that serve the marginalized members of our society. What is a life lesson you have learned? I am continually learning that life moves very quickly, and that in order to live wisely and well, one must always sift out the urgent from the important. Many tasks beckon us, but sometimes we need to remind ourselves of David Brooks’ question: at the end of life, will our eulogy virtues or our résumé virtues shine brightest? Describe a favorite moment in life. During the summers of my childhood, I went to an all-girls Christian camp on an island in the middle of a lake in the Adirondack Mountains. Every year, our cabin would go on an overnight hike, make dinner over a campfire, and sing songs under the stars. Those were some of my favorite memories. What was the last book you read? One of the last books I read was, “Let’s All Be Brave,” by Annie F. Downs.
If you could master any competitive skill or competition, which competition would it be and why? I would really love to master every major accent in the United States. Linguistics, sound, and speech are all fascinating to me. It would also be really fun to introduce myself to people at a dinner party with a different accent each time! What did you care most about when you were ten years old? I cared most about visiting my cousins in Atlanta. They are a family with seven kids, and I loved every minute spent with them. There was always some game to make up, a park to explore, and a song to sing. Do you have a life motto, favorite Bible verse, or do you have a favorite quote? John 18:2-4 (The Message translation): “Judas, his betrayer, knew the place because Jesus and his disciples went there often. So Judas led the way to the garden, and the Roman soldiers and police sent by the high priests and Pharisees followed. They arrived there with lanterns and torches and swords. Jesus, knowing by now everything that was coming down on him, went out and met them. He said, ‘Who are you after?’ They answered, ‘Jesus the Nazarene.’” I try to ask myself, “Who are you after?” when faced with trials and blessings. I also want my response to be: “Jesus.” If you could take any adventure trip possible, what would it be? Why? I would visit every National Park in Canada and the United States over the course of two years. I’d love to witness the beauty and splendor of the Lord’s handiwork in its preserved and unadulterated state.
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Study Center Director, Speech, Debate & Theatre Teacher
Gerri Colvin Introduce us to your family God blessed me with two wonderful parents, Don & Lynanne Maize from Spearman, Texas. I am Married to Minnesota Twins fan Jeff for 25 years. My Sons are CDA graduate Carson (senior at Oklahoma State University)and Creekview HS junior Devon. My daughter CDA freshman Libby Colvin Where do you attend Church? We attend Metrocrest Presbyterian Church in Carrollton
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List the Colleges you attended. Attended West Texas State University, Canyon, TX and hold a Bachelor of Science degree in Speech & Theatre Education Share with us some of your accomplishments. Lifetime Member honors recognition in PTA Taught for 27 years in public and private school settings First Diamond Coach in National Speech & Debate Association 2013 Directed 26 shows at Coram Deo Academy Finalist for National Speech & Debate Association Teacher of the Year 2015
What are you most afraid of? June Bugs and leaving my closet door open. When I was four, I thought my white dress in my closet was a ghost. If you were asked to unload a 747 full of jelly beans, what would you do? Promise every CDA 6th-8th grader that they could eat as many jelly beans as they wanted AFTER the plane is unloaded. It WOULD get done. If you could master any competitive skill or competition, which competition would it be and why? I would want to sing; and then win a Tony for Outstanding Actress in a Musical Performance.
Are there committees you serve on at school, church and in the community? I’m on the safety committee at CDA. I serve on the Sunday morning hospitality team and run the sound for Sunday morning worship service at my church.
How do you measure success? If something gives me joy and I’ve learned something, I consider it a success. Not gonna lie that trophies or money are great, but that’s not a goal for me.
What Christian character trait have you worked to develop in your life? I have worked to develop patience, but every time I ask, I get slammed with stuff that creates impatience! Obviously, I haven’t mastered it yet, and God knows I need to keep at it.
What did you care most about when you were ten years old? Why? Ten was a goal year - it just sounded like a cool age to be. Sixteen was the next one since I would get a driver’s license.
What is a life lesson you have learned? There’s always a way; always a person who knows more than you do, and God is ultimately in control of all. Describe a favorite moment in life? Besides getting married and having children, my favorite night was spent at Carson’s CDA graduation and having the honor of being onstage with every 2012 graduate and giving them their diplomas. My favorite moment of that favorite moment was NOT crying all the way through!
Do you have a life motto, favorite Bible verse, or do you have a favorite quote? My husband once said, “There’s no such thing as bad cheesecake.” It’s true and everyone should make it their life motto. I also love the passage in Jeremiah 29:511 where God tells the people to take up full residence where they have been made captives in Babylon. He promises to come and rescue them because he has plans to prosper them. These verses encourage me when I increasingly feel like a Christian alien in a pagan world.
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Varsity and Assistant Junior Varsity High Schoool Boys Basketball
Email Asante
Introduce us to your family My beautiful bride’s name is Allison and our amazing baby boy is Lyon (pronounced Lion) Jude Asante. Where do you attend Church? We attend an incredible church in Dallas known as Shoreline Dallas. List the Colleges you attended. I had the pleasure of attending Dallas Baptist University where I studied Broadcast Communications and Business. Share with us some of your accomplishments. Founded, operated and owned a nationwide basketball business when I was in 9th grade. Lived in Africa for 4 years, became a radio deejay and television host after I graduated college and will one day become a successful entrepreneur so that I can inspire the world with the gifts God has given me. Are there committees you serve on at school, church and in the community? I’m involved in the video and media team at my church. What Christian character trait have you worked to develop in your life? Leadership - trying to serve people first and not myself. What is a life lesson you have learned? Be patient with people because God is patient with you.
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Describe a favorite moment in life? When my high school basketball team was fortunate to attend 2 state final fours. What is an unusual talent or gift that others would say you possess? I have a voice for radio, which I used for 10 years as a radio deejay. What was the last book you read? Everyone Communicates Few Connect John Maxwell What are you most afraid of? I do not like German Shepherds. If you were asked to unload a 747 full of jelly beans, what would you do? Call my wife to eat them with me. If you could master any competitive skill or competition, which competition would it be and why? Chess - because of the strategy.
How do you measure success? I measure success by purusing and accomplishing what you enjoy in life and not what society encourages you to do. What did you care most about when you were ten years old? Why? Soccer - It showed how me to persevere and push though obstacles What is the song you sing when you think no one is listening? I don’t have many songs running though my head and if I did, I’m not sure I would be singing it out loud. Do you have a life motto, favorite Bible verse, or do you have a favorite quote? “Be More Concerned With Your Character Than Your Reputation, Because Your Character Is What You Really Are, While Your Reputation Is Merely What Others Think Of You.” - John Wooden. If you could take any adventure trip possible, what would it be? Zurich, Switzerland because the people are incredibly friendly and the culture is unique.
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Introduce us to your family. May dad is Mike and my mom is Cindy. Ryan is my brother. He is a sophomore at CDA. I attend Lamb of God Lutheran Church in Flower Mound.
dent Award, Youth Leadership Board at church. What does “wise thinker” and “ethical servant leadership” mean? Becoming a “wise thinker” means examining a situation carefully and weighing all the options before making an informed decision. Ethical servant leadership means putting others before you and leading others while upholding Christian values.
Tell what you plan to do after high school. After high school I plan to attend and graduate college, and then start a family. I am applying to a few different colleges, so I am not sure which one I will attend. However, I know that I plan What was your best class at to major in CDA? chemical I have so engineering The secret to success at many classes and minor CDA is to actually read to choose in secondfrom, but the books! Keep up ary educabecause of with history and chem- my love for tion. istry readings/outlines math I have to Share some because they will come go with Mrs. of your acDrennan’s 8th back to haunt you. complishgrade Algements. bra I Freshman year: Summa Cum Laude, Who is strongest? Spiderman 2nd Team All-District 3A or Batman? Softball, All-Region Band Batman is definitely stronger Ensemble. than Spiderman. Sophomore year: Summa Cum Laude, 1st Team All-Dis- What did you care most trict 3A Softball, Honorable about when you were 10 Mention All-State 3A Softball, years old? Why? All-Region Band Ensemble. One of the various unimJunior year: Summa Cum portant things that I cared Laude, 2nd Team All-District about when I was 10 years 4A Softball, All-Region Band old was my Lego city. It was Ensemble, All-State Band constantly being invaded by Ensemble, National Junior my brother’s Star Wars and Classical League Latin Honor Indiana Jones Legos, so I had Society, Distinguished Stuto protect it.
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Kayleigh Moore
Grade 12 President of Wallace First Lieutenant in Symphonic Band
Introduce us to your family. My Mom and Dad are Kurt and Jennifer Southerland. My older brother is Ryan (CDA Alumni 2013) and my younger brother is Jordan (CDA 8th grader). I attend church at Valley Creek Church.
What is a favorite “feel good” book or movie that you like to read or watch multiple times? Secret Life of Walter Mitty What kinds of games do you like to play? Ultimate Frisbee and hackie sack and I like to watch Rugby. Who is strongest? Spiderman or Batman? Batman – Spiderman relies on webs. Batman actually has to punch things.
What are your plans for after high school? I plan to study Biblical and Theological Studies at Multnomah University in Portland Oregon. I am looking at a four year undergraduate degree but also considWhat did Becoming a wise ering a proyou care gram to earn thinker means evaluat- most about my Bachelor ing common situations when you and Master’s were 10 through Biblical truths. years old? in five years instead of Why? seven. Whenever I was ten, let’s see that would Share some of your achave been 8 years ago, so I complishments during high probably cared most about school. soccer. I am proud of being back to back district champs in What Christian character trait drama. I also am very proud have you worked hard to deof being on the CDA Soccer velop or do you most want to team and making it to the see developed in your life? playoffs. Faithfulness – I feel like I have worked to develop and What was your best class at want to continue to develop CDA? faithfulness in my walk with Drama! I love the road trips the Lord. I also want to help and fun times. others develop their walk with the Lord.
Aaron Southerland
Grade 12 Senior Class Vice President, House Chaplain of the House of Wright, Logic School Chaplain
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