SPRING 2021
INSIDE:
The Programs Issue > Program Highlights > UNITE > Moving and Learning
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The Classic is published twice a year for the Covenant Day community.
2020-2021 BOARD OF TRUSTEES Don Moseley (Chairman), John Vonder (Vice Chairman), Grant Jordan (Treasurer), Leslie Lindner (Secretary), Danny Church, Kevin DeYoung, Josh Grissom, Land Hite, Caroline Kelly, Yolanda Lindsay, Jared Olshefski, Rich Protasewich, Anne Rogers, Derek Wells, Mark Davis (ex officio)
HEAD OF SCHOOL Mark Davis
EDITOR/DESIGNER, CLASSIC
Megan Fair
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Mark Davis, Katherine Hetherington
SPECIAL THANKS
Thank you to the faculty, staff, parents, alumni, students, grandparents, alumni parents, and friends who shared their stories and photos for this publication.
PHOTOGRAPHERS
Daryl Tutton, Katherine Hetherington, Katie Spata, David Johnson
CDS MISSION STATEMENT
To assist the Christian family by providing an education marked by a biblical worldview, academic excellence, and affordability, so that students are equipped to be salt and light for God’s glory
STUDENT ARTWORK
VISIT US ONLINE
www.covenantday.org /whoweare (Our Values) /golions (Athletics) /arts (Arts) /give (Make a Gift) /publications (Classic Archives) /alumni (Class Notes) /videos (Classic Videos)
COVER PHOTO
Lower school students made cards for children in Nigeria during Missions Week.
Artists (left to right, top to bottom): Macey Thomas (7), Savannah Powers (12), Rebekah Shires (12), Maggie Dirks (8), Will Fitch (11), Bennett Jordan (7), Ellie Heberton (11), Graham Dennison (6), Aiden Rogers (11)
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Theater and Visual Arts Join Forces (see page 10)
FEATURES
Page 4 | Augustine Literacy Project
DEPARTMENTS 2 From the Head of School 4 Classic Features 10 Arts 12 Athletics 14 Alumni News & Class Notes Page 7 | PE: Moving and Learning
Page 8 | The People Behind our Programs
FROM THE HEAD OF SCHOOL
Read more about our recent shoe drive on page 7.
Dear CDS Community, In March I wrote a Friday Reflection for the CDS community about an alumna who is engaging the world in a manner reflective of the Covenant Day School Portrait of a Graduate. The Portrait is an expression of the hopes, prayers, and desires the teachers, staff, and board of trustees have for our students both now, during their college years, and throughout their lives. In short, the Portrait sets goals for our young men and women to: • • • • • •
Pursue biblical wisdom Follow Christ and His ways Learn with a purpose in mind Engage culture Communicate effectively Serve others as Christ has first served us
While I suspect the alumna I mentioned doesn’t get up every morning and read through the Portrait, it is our hope that the many teaching moments each student receives at CDS, including godly mentoring from teachers, chapels, games, and musicals, all become part of a large mosaic of building toward a biblical worldview. In that sense, our young alumna has received godly instruction in the Lord from CDS, her church, parents, community, and God’s Word. Subsequently, it should be no surprise when a young person connects career, challenges, disappointments, serving others, or stepping out in faith to love a neighbor when the Holy Spirit prompts action. In the pages of this edition of the Classic, I ask you to look at the stories and the photographs, consider the names and the accomplishments, imagine the challenges and struggles, and join me in thanking the Lord for allowing each of us, in community, to do our part in preparing young people for kingdom service to the glory of God. And let us all, with joyful hearts, give thanks to the Lord for His goodness to our children. Sincerely, Mark Davis
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Growing, Learning, & Connecting in Community
Covenant Day is intentional about creating programs and new initiatives that help students grow in community and the gifts and talents that God has provided for their lives.
UNITE
Our new high school student diversity group, UNITE, worked together to plan an impactful and informative Black History Month this year. See page 5 to learn more!
International Program
Yearbook
Starting the first week of school, high school students in our yearbook elective begin meeting, brainstorming, taking photos, and getting to work to create a beautiful yearbook that is ready for our families in May!
Our International Program welcomes high school students from around the world. These students get the opportunity to live with host families throughout the school year as they immerse themselves in the Covenant Day community, while also enriching the experiences of all students on campus. Check out page 7 to see how two of our international students have brought the school community together to make an impact on children in Nigeria.
Summer Camps
Each summer, hundreds of students come to campus to experience our summer camps program. Campers have the opportunity to build, run, shoot, kick, experiment, act, sing, dance, write, swing, score, cheer, design, create, and more! Check out this summer’s offerings at www.covenantday.org/summercamps.
Restoration & Sustainability
Covenant Day embraces the challenge to care for God’s world through integrated programs of instruction that seek to restore and sustain God’s peace in nature and society. Explore our R&S initiatives at www.covenantday.org/learnmore.
Alumni Association
Our alumni are an important and active part of the school community! We love seeing our alumni at reunions, alumni night, athletic events, working as summer camp counselors, and speaking to our seniors!
Parents Association
Every parent at Covenant Day is a member of the Parents Association! The PA hosts a variety of events throughout the year to give parents and students the opportunity to connect with others in the school community while having fun! WWW.COVENANTDAY.ORG
School Spirit
Covenant Day hosts many events throughout the year to foster community and school spirit. Favorite traditions include Spirit Week, All-School Pep Rallies, Freshman Color War, and Homecoming! COVENANT CLASSIC | 2021
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FEATURES
Augustine Literacy Project Our Restoration and Sustainability program is growing! This year, a group of Covenant Day students completed two months of training and a practicum to become Augustine Literacy Project tutors. The Augustine Literacy Project is a non-profit that trains tutors to use the Orton-Gillingham approach to improve the reading, writing, and spelling skills of students in need. Mrs. Caron Lye, Associate Director of Academic Resources at CDS and leader of the group, said that Covenant Day is the first school in the area to pilot the program. With any new program, there are bumps along the way, and this was no different! Plans fell through with the first school due to COVID-19, but God opened the door for Covenant Day students to provide virtual tutoring two days a week with The Nest Academy, a tuition-free school that serves Charlotte’s immigrant and refugee community. While doing the sessions over Zoom has posed some challenges, everyone has come together to make it work. “Our first session was wild, exciting, and filled with tech glitches, but the girls were wonderful,” Mrs. Lye shared. Teachers at The Nest Academy say that students benefit from the program because it reinforces the concepts they’re learning in class, plus they like hearing from a fun, friendly face! However, students at The Nest Academy aren’t the only ones benefitting. Emery Van Voorhis, a junior at CDS said, “I treasure my Tuesday and Thursday afternoons where I can meet with my student over Zoom. It is rewarding to watch her face light up with joy each time she tackles a new letter or a difficult word! I expected this program to be an opportunity to help someone else, but I have been blessed by this time more than I could have ever imagined.” 4
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UNITE Covenant Day’s UNITE group, a new student diversity group, kicked off its first year on campus in a big way by planning Black History Month. The group organized several activities, including selecting music from African American artists to be played for the daily bell change in the high school building, posters highlighting African Americans and their contributions to the world, special chapels and advisory groups, and an inaugural student-produced newsletter. UNITE exists to be a voice for cultural, racial, and ethnic inclusion and diversity at Covenant Day. “We believe that heaven will include all cultures, races, and ethnicities, and we want to emulate the diversity of God’s kingdom here at CDS,” members of the group shared. We look forward to seeing all the ways God uses this group!
Do Justice, Love Mercy, Walk Humbly The H. Brent McKnight Justice and Mercy Oratory Contest is a special annual tradition that honors the late U.S. District Judge H. Brent McKnight and his legacy. Judge McKnight, also a Covenant Day parent, highly valued the ability of young people to articulate what they believe. The biblical teachings of justice, mercy, and humility were foundational to Brent’s character and his work as a judge. Thus, Covenant Day formed the Justice and Mercy Oratory Contest in his memory. Each year, students competing in the contest receive a prompt based on the theme verse Mrs. McKnight selected, “He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?” (Micah 6:8). Students write a 3–5 minute speech in response to the prompt, which changes every year. The judges select a winner based on the content, originality, topic, and delivery of the speeches. This year, senior Nick Bash took home the top prize for his speech! Mrs. McKnight shared that the contest not only honors her late husband, Brent, and his legacy, but also serves as an annual renewal of hope for her. “I leave the contest each year with hope that these future generations and these future leaders are thoughtful, passionate people who have the ability to apply biblical principles not only to their own lives but also to the challenges that face our world. For this reason, I wish more people would attend the contest. The speeches are worth hearing,” she said. This year, Mrs. McKnight’s daughter-in-law, Hannah Silver McKnight, was one of the judges. Hannah is married to the youngest McKnight son, Samuel (‘16). They will attend graduate school at the University of St. Andrews in the fall. Mrs. McKnight’s oldest son, Brent (‘12), is married to Ashley and will graduate from Duke University School of Law in May. He will clerk for two federal judges after graduation. Her middle son, Matthew (‘14), recently left the Washington, D.C. staff of Senator Ben Sasse to complete a graduate degree in Theology at Wycliffe Hall, Oxford. He will attend Duke Law in the fall. WWW.COVENANTDAY.ORG
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FEATURES
A Decade of School Spirit
Whether it’s roller skates, a beach chair, streamers, or wrapping herself in Christmas lights, CDS lifer and president of the Covenant Crazies, senior Hallie Barnwell, has always gone all out with her school spirit! Some of her favorite costumes over the years include a three little pigs costume, a Greek goddess salad dressing outfit, season’s day when she brought a beach bag and used a beach chair in class, roller skates for ‘80s day, and a Christmas costume where she wrapped herself in lights and plugged them in during each class. Hallie’s school spirit is so much a part of her story that she wrote her college essay about the time she wore roller skates to school for spirit week. It must have worked because she got into her college of choice! In addition to being the president of the Covenant Crazies and organizer of all things school spirit, Hallie was also a cheerleader and involved in the theater program. Over the years, she’s participated in eight musicals. After performing in her first musical in sixth grade, Hallie was hooked, but the praise dance group in lower school is where she says her love of dance and the arts first bloomed. Looking back, Hallie shared what makes Covenant Day special is the small environment. She said since it’s a smaller school, it’s easier to get the whole grade involved in different activities such as pep rallies. Hallie has also enjoyed the opportunity to give back by working with younger students through the Little Lions cheerleading program. In the future, Hallie would like to combine her love of theater and kids with a career in the arts where she can use theater to teach kids about God. Wherever the Lord leads Hallie, her Covenant Day family will be cheering her on! Next year, Hallie will attend Samford University where she will be a cheerleader and study theater for youth. 6
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LS PE with COACH PELC
The primary purpose of lower school PE? Joy! Coach Pelc, our lower school PE teacher, believes that kids should learn through play. He accomplishes this by focusing on major motor skills and team sports. But it’s not all fun and games. “I think the tension between joy and stress is hard in education; we don’t just care that the kids are happy. They may not like all sports, but we really focus on what can get them playing confidently,” he said. “ That may be myself participating with them or simplifying the rules, but we don’t regularly do easy, cute activities. We push our students to sacrifice, push their bodies, finish, compete, and sometimes they would say ‘suffer’ through things!” The hope is that by the time students enter middle school, they’ve had a small taste of every team sport Covenant Day offers. Coach Pelc also serves as the programs director for Camp Lion and coaches varsity football and middle school lacrosse. When he’s not at Covenant Day, he enjoys spending time with his wife and son, Leo. Practical–yet comprehensive–is what it’s all about in middle school PE. Coach Parrish uses a mix of Fitness for Life curriculum, strength work using a block-zero program, and Rick Howard’s Catch-22 - Why Fundamental Motor Skills Are So Important, to create a holistic approach to the development and growth of students. He is certified in strength and conditioning, and even started the first weight room at Covenant Day years ago!
MS PE with COACH PARRISH
Coach Parrish has been a coach for more than 30 years, including 13 years with Covenant Day’s varsity track team and six years with the middle school cross country program. His favorite part of coaching is being a part of the daily adventures of a middle school student. “I love the relationship,” he shared. “Every day is something new.” He also believes that play and sport are a form of worship and enjoys sharing that truth with students. In his spare time, Coach Parrish enjoys reading, studying, learning to cook, and spending time with his children.
Spreading Hope Through Shoes Imagine not having adequate shoes to run, play, and participate in sports. Iffy and Eseosa, two students in Covenant Day’s International Program, knew what this was like back home in Nigeria, but that all changed when they received new shoes through Access to Success (A2S), a local non-profit. “Getting shoes that day was the highlight of my week,” Iffy remembered. “I was so excited and happy and could not wait to start using them. The feeling of getting shoes like the ones I received was unexplainable. I had never gotten shoes like that in my life. That was a turning point for me. I started playing basketball and got involved in the Access to Success After School Academy.” This year, during our annual Lower School Missions Week, Iffy and Eseosa had the chance to give back by organizing a shoe drive with A2S. With the help of our entire school community, over 500 pairs of shoes, more than half of which were brand new, were collected. Students also wrote letters with pictures and notes of encouragement. The shoes and letters will make their way to children in Nigeria this summer! Tiffany Wilkinson of A2S said, “We have no way of knowing how these shoes and letters will impact the lives of those in Nigeria, but I know that it will change their lives for the better. They will share smiles, inspire hope, and empower dreams.” WWW.COVENANTDAY.ORG
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FEATURES
The People Behind the Programs Behind every program at Covenant Day are teachers and staff who, through their passions and commitment to Christ-centered learning, have spearheaded dozens of programs over the decades that have made lasting impacts on thousands of students. Jackie Gesin, LS Spanish Teacher
Learning a new language can be a daunting task, but Mrs. Gesin’s lower school students are always eager and ready to learn. She says as soon as her students come in, they ask with a twinkle in their eyes, “What are we doing today?” That’s because Mrs. Gesin incorporates what she calls “fun factors” into every lesson! Puppets, crafts, and even things from nature like insects are just a few examples of how Mrs. Gesin uses hands-on learning to make Spanish fun and engaging. Mrs. Gesin loves being part of a team of educators who all have the same goal. “I believe our goal to serve Him, educate the minds and reach the hearts of our students brings us closer together as educators,” she shared. “It is a joy to serve together.” In her spare time, Mrs. Gesin enjoys spending time with her family, laughing, playing games, and being a grandmother for the first time! This summer will be her 15th summer working as a camp nurse in Liberty Corner, N.J., the same summer camp where she met her husband 38 years ago.
Mr. Hunter, a native of Charlotte, joined the Covenant Day community two years ago as a Bible teacher in the high school with a passion for helping students see Jesus Christ from all the Scriptures. You also might catch him playing piano for school musicals, choir, or student vocal auditions. His favorite part about teaching is engaging with students. He also loves the great camaraderie he shares among fellow teachers. “I believe the CDS community beautifully weds academic excellence and loving, Christian community,” he said. “I’ve been impressed by the quality of our teachers and the maturity of our students.” Mr. Hunter, his wife, Caitlyn, and their two daughters love spending time outside at parks and playgrounds. His family has a “Mission Im’parks’ible” to explore every park in the Charlotte area. They also enjoy family singalongs and belting out their favorite Disney tunes. Mr. Hunter loves to compose piano music, write and arranges hymns and psalms, and pour-over coffee.
William Hunter, HS Bible Teacher
After 16 years as a middle school life science teacher at Covenant Day, one thing is for sure: Mrs. Wasielewski has never been bored! She says the middle school at Covenant Day is unique because of the strong community of faculty and staff. “We laugh a lot both together and at each other, and that camaraderie and purposeful relationship-building spill over into our classrooms,” she shared. “We do a lot of learning but know how to have fun while doing it. Relationships with our students are the key to our success.” While students work on exciting projects in her science and CREATE classes, the number one biblical conversation is around how to work in groups and with other people. “We talk about how God wants us to interact with each other and how we all bring different gifts and talents to the table,” she said.
Amanda Wasielewski, MS Science Teacher 8
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Mrs. Wasielewski also serves as the MS Science Department Chair, MS Windy Gap Retreat Committee Chair, and CREATE elective teacher for sixth grade. Mrs. Wasielewski, her husband, and three children will soon embark on a new adventure, but we are grateful for her years of service, laughs, and learning along the way! WWW.COVENANTDAY.ORG
Doreen Donnelly, HS Administrative Assistant
A lot can change in twenty years, and Mrs. Donnelly has been here to witness it all, both as a parent and an employee. She started working at Covenant Day as the “all-school receptionist” when the school only went through middle school. After seven years, she moved to the high school administrative assistant position and has been at it for the past 13 years. Mrs. Donnelly loves working in the high school because it’s never boring! She loves the energy that teenagers bring and getting a birds-eye view to watch them grow over the years. When she’s not at school, Mrs. Donnelly loves visiting her grandchildren, planting flowers, organizing closets, and reading. In her free time, she also enjoys walking, bike riding, cooking, and eating! She is also passionate about ministering to younger women through conversation, listening, and giving encouragement. Whether through phone calls, texts, or over lunch, she desires to help by praying for them, touching base, and hopefully leading younger women to bring their burdens to the Lord.
When she looks back on her first year of teaching, Mrs. Bell will have a memorable story to share. Not only has it been a unique year, but because she was an assistant in first grade last year, Mrs. Bell had the chance to “move up” to second grade with some of her former students. “I love that in my first year of teaching, I can say that I’ve walked with these kiddos into second grade together,” she said. Mrs. Bell grew up in a Christian school, and because of that impact on her life, she always knew she wanted to be part of that experience for others. “I love seeing my students light up when they make connections about the world around them and can see our Creator’s hand in it all,” she shared. “Walking onto campus every morning, I thank God that I can be part of His kingdom work - doing what I love!” In her free time, she enjoys exploring Charlotte, trying new restaurants, going on walks with her husband and dog, enjoying the sun, going on coffee runs, shopping, and cooking. Mrs. Bell and her husband are passionate about supporting church plants and ministries, particularly those geared toward students and young adults. One thing Nanci won’t be doing in her spare time: riding a bike! She shared that she never learned how to ride a bike, which her students think is hilarious!
Matthew Broadus, MS History Teacher WWW.COVENANTDAY.ORG
Nanci Bell, 2nd Grade Teacher
Mr. Broadus loves people, and it shows! Living life side-by-side, growing, learning, and teaching students is what drives him. His heart for middle school grew out of his experience in middle school when he became a Christian and made lifelong friends at a Christian school. He hopes to help students during the sometimes awkward and challenging years of middle school to not only grow and learn but to enjoy as well! Although he’s only been at Covenant Day a short time, he’s already made a big impact. After moving from Ohio earlier this year, he shared that the Covenant Day community helped make the transition easier. “My favorite thing about working at the middle school has been my coworkers,” he said. “In addition to my coworkers, the students make working in the middle school exciting. Every day is an adventure that enriches my life. They keep me on my toes, and I never leave a class period without at least a couple of good laughs.” A true Renaissance man, in high school, Mr. Broadus bowled, played soccer and basketball, participated in plays, musicals, school government, the improv team, and the marching and symphonic band where he played the sousaphone/tuba. Today, he enjoys a good board game, deep conversations with his wife, movies, plays, and visiting museums, zoos, and aquariums. He still loves bowling and said if anyone is interested in putting together a bowling club, he’s ready to help coach and hit the lanes! COVENANT CLASSIC | 2021 9
ARTS
Theater and Visual Arts Join Forces This year, drama teacher Mr. Michael Eubanks and high school teacher Mrs. Katie Spata joined forces to bring the set of Into the Woods to life! Mr. Eubanks and Mrs. Spata both had a vision of enhancing both the theater and arts programs by teaching students to collaborate and work in a team environment. Into the Woods provided the perfect opportunity to bring both departments together. Fine Arts Director Mrs. Sherie-Beth Wilson said, “Their leadership, combined with the talent and hearts of our art students, is what made this endeavor possible. It was a wonderful experience, and I, for one, am looking forward to seeing it continue next year and for many years to come.” 10
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Q&A with Sherie-Beth Wilson, Fine Arts Director Q: How was the set design and construction done in years past?
Q: Will you continue to grow the partnership between theater and visual arts?
A: In the past, theater directors relied heavily on parent volunteers to construct and paint the set. This year, under the direction of Mr. Eubanks, the build took place in one day with parents, and then students helped with all other aspects leading up to the show. This shift in the construction phase opened the door for Mrs. Spata to jump in with her art students and have them add many of the final touches that brought the set to life.
A: We are looking forward to continuing this partnership and finding a way to make it more official. Since scheduling and time were some of our biggest challenges, we hope to establish a set design club or team for our visual artists that will have leadership roles focused on the planning aspects of the design as well as the creative aspects. A much needed career skill for any professional artist.
Q: What were the biggest challenges or surprises?
A: Start on the painting as soon as possible—it takes longer than you think! Learn to work with the space you have. We have a unique theater that isn’t large or grand by design, but it can create an intimate setting that transports the audience to a new place or story. Build upon what you already have, rather than trying to re-create a new space.
A: Time and scheduling were the biggest challenges. When the students were working on the sets, it limited what scenes we could run during rehearsals. It was easier for the visual artists to work on the set when rehearsals were not happening; however, some of the most exciting moments were when the visual artists got to step back from their work and see the actors incorporate it into a scene. It was like watching a painting come to life. Q: What were the benefits of partnering together? A: Friendships formed between both programs, and it helped instill newfound confidence in many of our students.
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Q: What lessons did you learn?
Q: Any little-known facts about the set design and construction you can share? A: We were very blessed to receive a large donation of lumber from C.M. Tucker Lumber Company. The beautiful Into the Woods set would not have been possible without this generous donation. We send a huge thank you to the entire Tucker family for their willingness to help us create such a beautiful set that brought both our programs together this year.
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ATHLETICS
BOOSTER CLUB
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Building School Spirit, Preserving Traditions, and Supporting Student-Athletes WWW.COVENANTDAY.ORG
The Booster Club, run by parent volunteers, is an essential support group for the athletic department. Booster Club Board members volunteer their time to meet with Mrs. Sherry Kapelar, our athletics director, at least once per month as a group. Additionally, they also work with each other in sub-committees to brainstorm ways to support the athletic department. Booster Club fundraising efforts provide enhancements to our athletic fields and upgrades to equipment. They also support training for coaches and athletic staff and supplement needs for our athletic teams. Evidence of fundraising efforts by the Booster Club is visible at every CDS facility! However, none of this is possible without the volunteers who are essential to the success of the Booster Club. The group relies on parent volunteers to operate games and fundraising events. The need can range from three to 50 volunteers depending on the event. The circumstances of this year created some unique hurdles, but the Booster Club continued to play a significant role in encouraging our teams and rallying our Lions fans.
“Booster Club president, Allison Nelson, faced the challenges of a pandemic by keeping perspective and providing avenues for continued Booster Club involvement through live streaming and team support.”
- Sherry Kapelar
save the date Annual Golf Tournament September 13, 2021 WWW.COVENANTDAY.ORG
See your dollars at work!
www.covenantday.org/boosterclub
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ALUMNI NEWS
Here from the Beginning
Six children and twenty-three years later, the Roberts family would do it all over again! Mrs. Mary Roberts and her husband, Mr. Tim Roberts, long-time Christ Covenant members, first learned about Covenant Day in the ‘80s when plans to start a Christian school took shape, and parents had to camp out in the gym to turn in their application! Mrs. Roberts said, “We were excited that the type of education we desired was right here on our church campus.” She served on the school board in the early ‘90s and Mr. Roberts as an elder at Christ Covenant. Between school and church, the Roberts family spent a lot of time on campus. So much so that there was a running joke that they should pitch a tent on campus! It took 23 years, but all six of the Roberts children were lifers at Covenant Day. The oldest, Mark (‘08), began kindergarten at Covenant Day in 1994. Mary Frances started the year after in 1995 (‘08). Brad (‘11) started three years later in 1998. Carol Ann (‘13), Palmer (‘15), and Virginia Kay (‘17) each followed two years after the other, with Virginia Kay ending the Roberts legacy when she walked across the stage in 2017! Mrs. Roberts said that one of her favorite memories was driving her children and their classmates on field trips. She said having a teal 12 passenger van came in handy! She enjoyed getting to know her children’s teachers, friends, and friends’ parents. Many of those relationships formed years ago have stood the test of time. “I love the people at CDS,” she said. “Many of them are the teachers and staff that I grew to love when they taught and cared for my children many years ago.” When Mrs. Roberts youngest was in high school, she began substituting in the Covenant Day offices. Today, she covers lunches for two of our administrative assistants and works as the afternoon lower school receptionist. She said she’s blessed that she didn’t have to go through the CDS withdrawal after her last child graduated. So, what are the Roberts children up to now? Mark got a business degree from Montreat College and now works in Asheville for Goodwill Corp. He also works part time in marketing for Carolina Mornings, a cabin rental company. Mary Frances graduated from Covenant College and worked for several years as a child life specialist before becoming a stay-at-home mom to Eden (2) and John (6 months). Bradley received a biblical and theological degree from Covenant College. He is the youth director at Fairview Christian Fellowship (PCA) in Fairview, NC, and is finishing his Masters of Divinity degree at RTS in Charlotte part-time. Carol Ann graduated from Covenant College and is the CEO of Choices Pregnancy Resource Center Chattanooga, TN. She also began XO Events & Design, a wedding and event planning company, and has started a part-time role as an account representative for Canaan Group and Associates. Palmer graduated from Liberty University and is commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the Air Force through the ROTC program. He is currently at Vance AFB, OK, learning to fly in their Undergraduate Pilot Training. Virginia Kay is a senior at Covenant College studying business and sociology. She is an intern for Signal Energy Constructors in their human resources department and anticipates a full-time position upon graduation. She also works with Carol Ann at XO Events & Design. Even though the Roberts family are now spread out across the country; they still try to make time to get together. When they do, they enjoy board and card games, outdoor activities, and playing with the new little ones. On reflecting over their 23 years at Covenant Day, Mrs. Roberts said, “We are very thankful for God blessing our family with a rich theology that was woven into the academics, extracurriculars, and our church life. God is good!” 14
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ALUMNI CLASS NOTES
’12 Nancy Pendleton was awarded Teacher of the Year at her high school for 2020-2021.
Submit your class notes online at www.covenantday.org/alumni.
’06 Lindsay (Holden) Herrington and her husband welcomed their first baby, Graham Matthew, into the world on February 2. ’07 Caroline (Farish) Pickens, and her husband, Ryan, welcomed their third son and brother Hudson James on October 7. ’07 Daniel Martin married Austin Brown on January 23 in Mint Hill. The couple resides in Blue Bell, PA. ’08 Joe Holden married Bailey Glenn in September. The couple lives in Charlotte. ’08 Heather Leonall was engaged to Steven Melcher on December 12. They are planning a June wedding. ’09 John Kempf and his wife Emily welcomed their first child, Ellie Merritt, on February 10. ’10 Kayla (Osterhus) Cherry and her husband welcomed their baby girl, Ainsley Rose, on January 7.
Herrington ‘06
Blong ‘12
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’10 Hayes Wilkerson is engaged to Caroline Lewis. They are planning a September wedding in Raleigh and will reside in Charlotte. ’11 Rosalyne (Wier) Arceneaux and her husband welcomed their baby boy, William Garrett, on November 20. Older brother, Rowan Joseph, is two years old. ’11 Josh Glover and his wife Sarah welcomed their baby girl, Lyndon James, on March 31. ’11 David Loman started his own fitness coaching business, Loman Health LLC.
Martin ‘07
Sloan ‘10
Pendleton ‘12
’10 Sarah (Leonall) Palacio and her husband welcomed their baby boy, Jonathan Chase, on November 13.
’12 Rachel Blong is engaged to Cameron Williams. The couple is planning a May 2022 wedding.
Pickens ‘07
Cherry ‘10
’10 Lauren (Villarreal) Sloan and her husband welcomed their baby, Isabel Brittle, on November 27.
Palacio ‘10
Porter & Rosser ‘12
’12 Caleb Porter and Rebekah Rosser are engaged and are planning a December wedding in Charleston, SC. Caleb is working at LPL Financial as an associate service consultant, and Rebekah is working for US Bank as an RCA officer in anti-money laundering. Rebekah is also pursuing a graduate degree in investigations. ’13 Lauren Andersen authored a peerreviewed article titled “Analyzing the Spatial Determinants of Local COVID-19 Transmission in the United States” with colleagues and students from Appalachian State that was published in the scientific journal Science of the Total Environment. ’15 Gracie (Groves) Greer married Garrett Greer on March 20. The couple resides in Alabama where Gracie is an RN at The Children’s Hospital of Alabama. ’15 Caroline (McKissick) McDonald married Zach McDonald on April 2. The couple lives in Lakeland, Florida. ’15 Caroline Stroud is engaged to Seth Nelson.
Holden ‘08
Wilkerson ‘10
Andersen ‘13
Leonall ‘08
Arceneaux ‘11
Greer ‘15
Glover ‘11
McDonald ‘15
Kempf ‘09
Loman ‘11
Stroud ‘15
COVENANT CLASSIC | 2021
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ALUMNI NEWS ’15 Leah Wright became the youngest ultra-high net worth manager in Vanguard history with her recent promotion, leading a team of skilled relationship managers. ’16 Jessica Boyce traveled to Tijuana, Mexico, where she worked as an EMT volunteer and lived with the Sisters of the Missionaries of Charity for a month. This medical mission trip was with an organization of volunteer healthcare professionals who helped with critical healthcare needs due to COVID-19. ’16 Cameron Echols is engaged to Tyler Trant. The couple met in Australia, and they are planning a summer 2022 wedding in the OBX. Cameron is an account executive at Mix+Shine Marketing & PR and lives in Destin, FL. ’16 Cameron Waters is engaged to Jacob Willis and they are planning a November wedding. The couple will live in Greenville, SC.
Wright ‘15
Joye ‘17
16
Boyce ‘16
Sharrett ‘17
COVENANT CLASSIC | 2021
’17 Brooke Akers is engaged to Eli Wolf. They are planning a September wedding in Alabama. After graduation, Brooke will work with All Things Ministries, and the couple will reside in Auburn, AL. ’17 Sarah Billiard was recognized by the University of Virginia for achieving her 1,000th kill in her collegiate volleyball career. She will continue her volleyball career at UNC Wilmington for graduate school this fall. ’17 Hannah Joye is engaged to Sam Fletcher. They are planning an August wedding in Charleston, SC, and will reside in Charlotte. ’17 Nathan Sharrett is engaged to Katie Cochran, and they are planning a December wedding in Ohio. Nathan was named the Crossroads League Player of the Week for Indiana Wesleyan University Soccer.
Echols ‘16
Carter ‘17
Waters ‘16
Thomas ‘17
’17 Katherine (Stroud) Carter married Jacob Carter on January 2, 2021. The couple is living in Mooresville, NC. ’17 Joel Thomas was elected the student body vice president at Liberty University. His achievements include creating new diversity initiatives, starting cultural intelligence training for executive leadership, and advocating for mental health initiatives. ’18 Elizabeth Bryan and Davis Swann were engaged at Chapel Hill and are planning a 2022 wedding. They plan to remain in Chapel Hill after the wedding. ’18 Sophie Lindner competed in the Division 1 NCAA Swimming and Diving Championships in March 2021. She was awarded two relay first team AllAmerica titles (7th and 8th) and two relay honorable mention All-America titles. Sophie also placed 13th in both the 100m and 200m backstroke, earning individual honorable mention All-America titles.
Akers ‘17
Billiard ‘17
Bryan & Swann ‘18
Lindner ‘18
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Sara Carter (12) Madelyn Bradley (10) Nick Bash (12)
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Olivia Mueth (12)
COVENANT | 2019 17 Artwork byCLASSIC Senior Emily Keefer
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