KING’S RID GE CHRISTIAN SCHO OL
BE STILL
SPRING/SUMMER EDITION 2019
MISSION King’s Ridge Christian School is a Christian community providing a college preparatory education equipping students to know, to serve, and to believe.
VISION King’s Ridge Christian School will become the number one choice for a Christ-centered, academically excellent college prep school and a place for students to build character, discover their unique purpose and calling and grow to make an impact that extends far beyond the King’s Ridge Christian School campus.
PASSION Our passion is to bring every student into a personal growing relationship with Jesus Christ while equipping them to do with excellence all that God has called them to do.
BE STILL is published by the Office of Communications and is free of charge. For additional information, please call 770.754.5738 or visit our website at www.KingsRidgeCS.org. Disclaimer: King’s Ridge Christian School makes every effort to ensure that all names and listings are accurate and complete. If an error has been made, please accept our sincerest apologies. Copyright ©2019 King’s Ridge Christian School
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NOTE FROM THE EDITOR “Anna al aasafiru tuzakzik” This spring, on a lazy Saturday morning, my Lebanese-born husband and I woke up very early to a chorus of birds outside our bedroom window that sounded like a private concert at full volume. As I stared at the clock in disbelief, he shared the Arabic expression above which translates phonetically to “the birds are chirping.” Even after twenty-five years of marriage, he never fails to surprise me with new, random phrases from his home country that I have somehow lived this long without knowing. Later, this moment prompted me to think about our Upper School students and what new words and expressions they learned during Interim Term. This designated week in early winter is a fantastic opportunity for students to learn outside the classroom. Sophomores, juniors, and seniors choose from a selection of domestic or international travel, specific on-campus classes, or internship opportunities. Freshmen learn life skills through activities on campus or serve our community through a variety of service projects. This latest issue of BE STILL not only highlights this remarkable week (pages 12 –15), but also features many of the ways we enhance our academic curriculum through real-life experiences for each student at King’s Ridge Christian School. As the well-known expression goes, we should Never stop learning, because life never stops teaching. This is true no matter how old you are or what phase of life you are in. For example, I met my husband while I was employed at an aviation company in Birmingham, Alabama, of all places—something I never expected. Since then, he has often shared amusing anecdotes from his childhood in Lebanon and has introduced me to all sorts of new things including a fabulous array of Lebanese cuisine. I enjoyed one dish so much that it soon became his nickname for me: Fattoush. Most of my American friends thought he was calling me a Middle Eastern term of endearment. Nope. Fattoush is just a very delicious salad. I’m wishing everyone an enjoyable summer full of new experiences, inspiring expressions, and maybe, just maybe, some fattoush. Michelle Azzi Director of Communications Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me— put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you. Philippians 4:9
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CONTENTS LETTER FROM HEAD OF SCHOOL 5 TO KNOW 6 TO SERVE 26 TO BELIEVE 38
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LETTER FROM HEAD OF SCHOOL What does a year in the life of King’s Ridge Christian School look like? No two days, weeks, months, or years are the same, yet they have a unique flow that makes the school special. Every year is defined by the desire to build a Christian community providing a college preparatory education equipping students to know, to serve, and to believe. The fall semester—the start of a new year—is a time of new beginnings filled with excitement and anticipation. Faculty return and eagerly await the new group of students. Pre-planning is filled with careful scheduling, preparation, and prayer. The first day of school sets the tone for the year as faculty, students, and parents meet in the Student Center where all the faculty surround the students and pray for them and what is in store for the year ahead. I love to see students Pre-K – 12th grade gather on campus, coming together in a true sense of kinship. When spring semester starts, students realize they have only a semester left of the school year. Prospective student interviews fill many days as we begin to determine, through great prayer, which new students and families will join our community. Eighth Grade Promotion is a distinctive event, challenging students as they prepare for their Upper School years. The Senior Dinner is a cherished tradition, in which seniors and their parents enjoy a special dinner celebrating the students’ years at KRCS and completion of their Upper School career. Commencement is the final celebration where we highlight the seniors’ accomplishments, challenge them as they go into the world, and present them with their well-earned diploma and Bible. A year in the life of a student at King’s Ridge Christian School is so much more than just completing a program of study. At KRCS, graduating students are fulfilling our mission and our passion—our deepest desire is that KRCS changes both our students and their families—and that we build a community in which people who cross paths are better because of it. Each of us is on a life journey. The time we spend at KRCS is only a small part of our lives, but my prayer is that all individuals who experience King’s Ridge Christian School will reflect on their time here and praise the Lord for relationships built and the true experience of knowing the Almighty. To God be the glory! Dr. Jeff D. Williams Head of School
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KNOW
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Know What We Have WHAT WOULD JESUS EAT? If you asked KRCS students in grades two through six to name one of their favorite days of the year, they would be bound to say, “The day we get to go to Mrs. Sheets’ Café!” Years ago, Connie Sheets, Lower School Health and PE teacher, came up with the idea of creating an exciting way to encourage our students to try new, healthy, and even international foods. Rather than the typical chicken nugget, pizza, and mac-n-cheese choices found on many kids’ menus, Mrs. Sheets’ Café offers items such as Black Bean Brownies, Green Goodness drink, Apple Cider Chicken, Chickpea snacks and Chocolate Avocado Pudding. Mrs. Sheets’ idea to begin this project was inspired by the book What Would Jesus Eat?
Her thought was that students could connect Bible verses with tasty Israeli and Palestinian dishes. Gradually, international themes as well as a Thanksgiving menu for second grade were added to expand students’ palates. Connie acknowledged that “some kids eat turkey for the first time because it is served sliced with dipping sauces.” The menu, music, and decorations transport avid little eaters to another time and place where they can contemplate how people from different cultures enjoy food. With her heart for the Lord, for children, and for nutrition, Connie has created a tradition that inspires children to try new things, eat healthier foods, and explore new cultures. The name “Mrs. Sheets’ Café” might sound simple, but the richness of this experience is long-lasting for our students.
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MRS. SHEETS’ GRANOLA BARS WITH TOASTED COCONUT PREP: 25 mins
COOK: 40 - 50 mins
SERVINGS: 24 bars
INGREDIENTS ¥¥ 2 large eggs ¥¥ 2 large egg whites ¥¥ 2 cups light brown sugar ¥¥ 2 tbsp. canola oil ¥¥ 2 tsp. ground cinnamon ¥¥ 1/2 tsp. of salt ¥¥ 2 tsp. vanilla extract ¥¥ 3 cups toasted oats ¥¥ 1 1/2 cups toasted coconut ¥¥ 2 handfuls craisins or nuts ¥¥ 2 handfuls raw pumpkin seeds or mini chocolate chips DIRECTIONS 1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees F. 2. Spread out all of the coconut on a foil-lined cookie sheet and bake for 10 - 15 minutes or until lightly toasted. 3. Set aside to cool. 4. Coat an 8” x 11” baking pan with cooking spray. 5. Whisk eggs, egg whites, sugar, oil, cinnamon, salt, and vanilla in a large bowl. 6. Stir in coconut, oats, craisins or nuts, and pumpkin seeds or mini chocolate chips. 7. Spread the entire mixture in prepared pan. 8. Bake until golden brown, 30 - 35 minutes. 9. Cool and then cut bars with a lightly oiled knife. Note: For a thicker granola bar, use an 8” x 8” baking pan and bake slightly longer.
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Know What We Have RAISING UP NEW LEADERS: JUNIOR LEADERSHIP INAUGURATION The junior class and their families gathered in the Upper School Howe Commons on April 11 to participate in the second annual Junior Leadership Inauguration ceremony. As rising seniors at King’s Ridge Christian School, these future student leaders model influence and responsibility throughout our Pre-K – 12th grade institution. The Class of 2019 Prefects encouraged the upcoming seniors to examine and evaluate true leadership and its importance. Juniors were called by name to step forward and receive a special medallion from Dr. Jeff D. Williams, Head of School. The front of the medal bears the KRCS crest, while Luke 12:48 is inscribed on the back to remind students that: From everyone who has been given much, much will be required; and to whom they entrusted much, of him they will ask all the more. After giving students their medals, Dr. Williams challenged the Class of 2020 to pursue Christ, model selflessness, and live with integrity. “The expectation for the Class of 2020 is not only that you will be leaders, but that you are and will be great leaders,” he said. “We want you to continue the tradition of greatness at King’s Ridge Christian School. Spiritual leaders don’t make excuses, but assume great responsibility for their attitudes, actions, and outcomes. When you lead as a spiritual leader, your influence will be on all people, not just those who go to this school or live in your neighborhood or those you meet.” The ceremony concluded with KRCS parents praying over their soon-to-be seniors. Dr. Hunter M. Chadwick, Head of Upper School, led this profound moment with a blessing over the class, praying that students would bear Christ’s image well and would be true reflectors of His glory.
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Know What We Have
FROM EVERYONE WHO HAS BEEN GIVEN MUCH, MUCH WILL BE REQUIRED; AND TO WHOM THEY ENTRUSTED MUCH, OF HIM THEY WILL ASK ALL THE MORE. LUKE 12:48
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Know Where We Have Been INTERIM TERM 2019 Interim Term is a unique program offering Upper School students opportunities to explore personal interests, expand their minds, and serve. Each year, KRCS designs and implements a variety of trips, programs, and course offerings that promote twenty-first century skills and engagement with real world challenges and opportunities.
ON-CAMPUS COURSES “I took self-defense, budgeting, games, ironing and sewing, Bible, CPR, on and off campus service, interview skills, car care, and art. My favorite class was service at Giving Children A Chance (GCAC), because we got to impact the lives of foster families for the better by cooking, sorting clothes, and painting furniture. While we were organizing clothes, a new foster mom walked in and it was precious to see how happy she was that we had new outfits she could choose from for the child her family would be taking care of. GCAC is such a selfless and powerful organization and I loved that we got an opportunity to serve through them.
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Know Where We Have Been I was surprised how little I knew about interview skills. It’s definitely not a subject that I would’ve thought about this early on, but I’m so glad King’s Ridge took the time to prepare us for our future interviews. There’s a lot that goes into making a good first impression on potential employers and I feel much more equipped to do so after taking that class. I also enjoyed learning new card games that I’ll be able to share with my family and friends. At my house, we love to hang out together on the weekends and play games as a family, so I loved getting to teach them Spades and Hearts. Coming into Interim Term, I assumed that we would have a packed schedule of classes that wouldn’t actually be useful. I was surprised that we learned a lot of practical skills that will help us long after graduation.” —Eden Williams, Upper School Student
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Know Where We Have Been MIAMI “Interim Term for me was a way to continue to form relationships with our students. You get to be around them in a non-academic setting; it’s more relaxed and kids just naturally open up more. We had a great time in Miami (Perez Art Museum, food and culture tour of Little Havana, airboat ride on the Everglades, snorkeling excursion in Key Largo), but just being around our students and getting to know them better was the best part.” —Dave Burnett, Upper School History Teacher NEW YORK CITY (SENIORS) “After landing in NYC, members of the Class of 2019 explored Times Square and went to the Broadway musical, Dear Evan Hansen. Students visited the MET, American Museum of Natural History, Top of the Rock, Chinatown, Little Italy, Central Park, Central Park Zoo, Grand Central Station, St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Union Square, The Strand Bookstore, FAO Schwarz, Wall Street, 9/11 Memorial & Museum, Staten Island Ferry, Chelsea Market, Statue of Liberty, and many other famous historical sites. The trip is a favorite every year for seniors.” —Dr. Hunter M. Chadwick, Head of Upper School NEW YORK CITY (FINE ARTS) “Five Broadway shows (Dear Evan Hansen, Come From Away, My Fair Lady, Anastasia, Wicked) and private training workshops with two current Broadway actors (Wicked and My Fair Lady) were inspiring, challenging, and transformational. Top of the Rock, Radio City Music Hall, and NBC Studios were just a few of the tours and backstage experiences we enjoyed. The energy was only matched by the enthusiasm and excitement of the students who tasted some of NYC’s best cuisine and theatre the world has to offer. Truly five impacting days of friendship, fun, and memories for a lifetime!” —Holly Krig-Smith, Director of Fine Arts
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Know Where We Have Been GREECE/ITALY “We took a nine-day trip to Greece and Italy to walk in the footsteps of the Apostle Paul on his missionary journey. One of the most amazing experiences was seeing the places and people of the Bible right in front of our eyes as we walked through Ancient Corinth or sat in Paul’s Prison in Philippi or stood on Mars Hill where Paul gave the sermon of the unknown god. The students were given a chance to explore Vatican City and parts of Athens and Rome, including the Colosseum. Our trip was a perfect blend of free time to experience the culture of the cities and guided tours through some of our most impactful Biblical sites.” —Spencer Arnold, Upper School Christian Education Teacher JAPAN “Students experienced both the old and the new in Japan. They visited the medieval farming village of Shirakawa deep in the mountains and learned how the local people have lived for centuries. They fed the famous deer in Nara, a tradition the villagers have practiced for 1,300 years. In Matsumoto, they toured a castle from the Shogun era, and enjoyed a kimono fashion show in Kyoto. Along with sampling local cuisine, they skied and snowboarded in the Olympic Village of Nagano, along with walking the streets of the bustling metropolis of Tokyo. While there, they made friends with local students who had just been let out for recess. Everyone was sad to see us go.” —Matt Watts, Upper School International Student Coordinator and French Teacher UNITED KINGDOM “The UK trip was an eight-day whirlwind tour that took in the rural parts of the Scottish Highlands with the backdrop of wild mountains, castles, and Scottish Lochs (lakes) and the stunning, historic capital of Edinburgh with its mixture of medieval and Georgian history. We then travelled south to England to one of the world’s oldest cities, the vast cultural center of London. The educational value of the trip was such that even as a citizen of the UK for thirty years, I along with the students learned so much about the myths and legends of the UK, its physical landscape, and its complicated history (as well as its important place influencing Europe and the rest of the world through its nation of inventors, artists, and writers).” —Jon Cartmell, Middle School English Teacher
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Know What We Have Done
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Know What We Have Done KRCS ATHLETIC HIGHLIGHTS BASEBALL Varsity – All-Region Honors: First Team – Davis Mortland; Second Team – Ryan Higginbotham, Charlie Jones and Jake Roth; Honorable Mention – Cade Beal and Colin Gorman. JV – Winning record of 4-3. Many of their games were canceled this season due to the weather. Middle School – Advanced to the first round of the Metro 10 playoffs. BASKETBALL Varsity Boys – All-Region Honors: Honorable Mention – Lucas Garabadian and Sterling Johnson. Varsity Girls – Team finished 14-8 overall and made their first appearance in program history in the GHSA State Playoffs. All-Region Honors: First Team – Sophie Smith; Second Team – Carly Fahey; Honorable Mention – Jada Green. JV Boys – Finished the season with eleven wins. Middle School – Both boys teams made the Metro 10 playoffs and the B team went on to win the championship game at home. The girls team finished the season 5-7 and made the first round of the Metro 10 playoffs. GOLF Varsity Boys – Team had a winning season and finished 4th in the Area Tournament. Varsity Girls – Merritt Miller and Katy Ye finished 9th in the GHSA 1A Private State Tournament. Middle School – Finished 7th overall in the Metro 10 Championship.
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Know What We Have Done LACROSSE Varsity Boys – 10-5 winning record in their inaugural varsity season. All-Area Honors: First Team – Jack Deady, Ethan Joseph and Brant Satterly; Honorable Mention – Dean Giacobbe. Varsity Girls – Advanced to the Sweet 16 in the GHSA State Playoffs for the first time. Middle School – Won two Metro 10 Championships (girls and senior select boys). SOCCER Varsity Boys – Made the first round of GHSA State Playoffs for the second year in a row. All-Area Honors: First Team – Davis Bryan, Evan Danyo, Nico Hoyos and Joseph Patti; Second Team – Sam Adler and Brandon Bowers. Varsity Girls – Finished with an 8-7 winning record and almost made the GHSA State Playoffs. All-Area Honors: First Team – Kate Ares, Eleanor Arnold, Kendall Cook (Area Co-Player of the Year), and Daniella Johansson. Middle School – Boys and girls soccer teams worked diligently all season and while young, they competed strongly against every opponent. SWIMMING Varsity – Swimmers worked hard all season and some personal records were broken. Kayla Winters went on to qualify for the State Meet at Georgia Tech, and she signed a Letter of Intent to swim collegiately at American University this fall. Middle School – Finished 6th place overall at the Metro 10 Meet.
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Know What We Have Done TENNIS Varsity Boys – Finished with a winning record of 6-4 and qualified for the Region Tournament. Varsity Girls – Finished 6th in the Region and almost qualified for the Region Tournament. Middle School – The boys finished at 4-4, while the girls finished 7-1 and captured 2nd place in the Metro 10 Championship. TRACK & FIELD Varsity – Three runners qualified for the Region Finals and two of these runners qualified for the State Meet – John Robinson (200m) and Rachel Smith (800m). John Robinson competed in the final round of the GHSA 1A Private State Track and Field Meet at Berry College, placed 6th overall in the 200m, and set a new personal record of 22.8 seconds. Middle School – Boys and girls team won the Metro 10 Combined Team Championship.
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Know What We Have Done FINE ARTS HIGHLIGHTS The Fine Arts Academy served over 150 students (private instruction in Piano, Guitar, Voice, and Strings; Visual Art; KRCS Dance; KRCS Acting); Partnerships – Greater Atlanta Girls’ Choir, Christian Youth Theater of Atlanta. Fine Arts Academy Recital on May 6 featured ninety-three students (grades 1 – 12). UPPER SCHOOL Honors International Thespian Troupe #7445 inducted twenty-six members with fifty-seven active members. Students Cast in Georgia Thespian Conference Opening Number – Gracie Haschak and Emma Elizabeth Smith. 4th Annual Black and White Gala featured sixteen seniors in Fine Arts, six graduating with Honors in Fine Arts, and one senior, Remi Bogdanovich, who signed a Letter of Intent with UGA to be a Dance Dawg in the fall.
NEWSIES (cast and crew of over sixty-five) set record number attendance with over $15,000 in ticket sales and performed to over 5,000 students and educators at the Georgia Theater Conference Invitational. Georgia High School Musical Theater Awards: Shuler Ensemble Performers – Haidyn Bye and Gracie Haschak; Star Council Member – Sammy Hughes; Honorable Mention for Technical Execution – Sammy Hughes and Kathy Winchell; Honorable Mention for Musical Direction – Jenny Piacente. Individual Evaluations at Georgia Theater Conference received Superior and Excellence awards. King’s Ridge Voices awarded all Superior scores at the GMEA Large Group Performance Evaluation.
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Know What We Have Done GHSA REGION 2, PRIVATE A LITERARY TEAM CHAMPIONS 2019 GHSA Region Individual Results 2019: Oral Interpretation, Humorous – 1st place – McKenna Edenfield; Extemporaneous Speaking, Domestic – 2nd place – Ryan Duffy; Extemporaneous Speaking, International – 1st place – Chris Williams; Essay, Argumentative – 1st place – Jason Nguyen; Essay, Personal – 1st place – Skylar Tucker; Essay, Rhetorical – 2nd place – Andi Jones; Boys Solo – 2nd place – Charlie Erbrick; Girls Trio – 2nd place – Haidyn Bye, Anna Corinne Galbreath, and Anna Gunnigle. GHSA State Individual Results 2019: Oral Interpretation, Humorous – 3rd place – McKenna Edenfield; Extemporaneous Speaking, Domestic – 4th place – Ryan Duffy; Extemporaneous Speaking, International – 5th place – Chris
Williams; Essay, Argumentative – 3rd place – Jason Nguyen; Essay, Personal – 5th place – Skylar Tucker; Essay, Rhetorical – 5th place – Andi Jones; Boys Solo – 8th place – Charlie Erbrick; Girls Trio – 4th place – Haidyn Bye, Anna Corinne Galbreath, and Anna Gunnigle. MIDDLE SCHOOL All State Chorus Members: Lily Gardiner, McKinley Lucenay, Marques Muscott, Alexa Page, and Logan Rawson. Musicals: 5th and 6th grade musical, Schoolhouse Rock Live, JR. (cast of forty-two students), and 7th and 8th grade musical, Shrek The Musical, JR. (cast of twenty-eight students with crew of eight Upper School students), were sold-out shows.
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Know What We Have Done KRCS BOARD OF TRUSTEES KEYNOTE SPEAKER - ALL FACULTY AND STAFF MEETING FEBRUARY 2019 Virginia Martin, KRCS Board of Trustees, and her husband Mike are the parents of KRCS alumnae Julia (‘14) and Lucy (‘17). Virginia thanked the faculty and staff for their tireless dedication and love for our students, and ended her devotional with 1 Corinthians 15:58 – Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain. APRIL 2019 Amy McGruder, KRCS Board of Trustees, and her husband Paul are the parents of KRCS students Case, Smith, and Zane. Amy shared Ephesians 4:2-3 as the foundation for her devotional as she encouraged all faculty and staff, no matter their role, to use patience when dealing with others – Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.
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Know What We Have Done COMMUNITY BUILDING EVENTS Over the past academic year, KRCS ONE Association events were created to increase pride and school spirit, strengthen relationships, and introduce a number of ways parents can be involved in King’s Ridge Christian School. The direct and indirect impact our community events have on our King’s Ridge community is vital for a variety of reasons. These KRCS ONE events provide opportunities for participation, volunteering, and encourage involvement for all students and families. We look forward to seeing you at these upcoming 2019 – 2020 KRCS ONE Association events. ¥¥ ¥¥ ¥¥ ¥¥ ¥¥ ¥¥ ¥¥ ¥¥
CONVOCATION/BACK TO SCHOOL SOCIAL TIGER TAILGATE CHRISTMAS AT THE RIDGE RIDGE RUN MEN’S ANNUAL GOLF CLASSIC LADIES’ TENNIS OPEN LIVE SHOP EAT JOY
AS IRON SHARPENS IRON, SO ONE PERSON SHARPENS ANOTHER. PROVERBS 27:17
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Know Where We Are Going CHRISTIAN LIFE King’s Ridge Christian School welcomes Bo Towns as the new Director of Christian Life starting July 1, 2019. Bo has over twenty-five years of Christian Education administrative experience in areas such as chapel, mission trips, retreats, youth camps, and Bible curriculum. Bo holds a Master of Arts in Biblical Studies from Dallas Theological Seminary, and a Bachelor of Arts in Speech Communication and Rhetoric from Louisiana Tech University. Prior to KRCS, he was a Bible teacher in Houston, Texas, Associate Pastor at Fellowship Bible Church in Topeka, Kansas, and Camp Director at Camp Vesper Point in Chattanooga, Tennessee. “My wife, Laurie, and I are convinced nothing significant happens without trusting God through prayer, so we have been praying for the KRCS students, faculty and staff, families, and the entire
community as well. I can’t wait to observe and to be a part of worship with this community!” — Bo Towns
FINE ARTS Holly Krig-Smith, Director of Fine Arts, shared, “Excellence in the Fine Arts is the KRCS student experience through the lens of the mission to know, to serve, and to believe. Our vision is to continue to engage young minds and hearts in the arts, resulting in creative and aesthetic thinkers that are educated consumers of the arts and influence the world with their gifts and talents.” Holly’s leadership skills as a collaborator and creative thinker, paired with her true servant’s heart, will be the catalyst to continue to build our state and nationallyrecognized Fine Arts Department at KRCS. Holly and her husband Steve are parents of KRCS student Emma Elizabeth, and older daughter, Madeline, who attends Samford University.
(l to r): Bo, wife Laurie, children Reid, Josie, Ellie, Tanner, and Tanner’s wife, Jennifer.
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Know Where We Are Going ATHLETICS Crissy Watkins served as Middle School Athletic Director during the 2018 – 2019 school year, and she will transition into the new role of Women’s Athletic Director for grades 5 – 12. Prior to joining KRCS, she taught, coached, and served as Athletic Director at Whitefield Academy and also served as Co-President of the Metro 10 Middle School League. Crissy holds a Master of Science in Kinesiology/Sport Psychology from Georgia Southern University and an undergraduate degree in Psychology and Kinesiology from Georgetown College. Crissy and her husband Chris live in Cumming with their five children – Claire, Andrew, Benjamin, William, and Harper. “I am beyond excited to move into this position and serve the KRCS community in a new role. My vision for Women’s Athletics centers on fostering a winning culture full of passionate coaches and athletes who understand the mission and vision of the school. My primary focus always will be on experiences of our student-athletes; providing them with the best possible opportunity to be successful both on and off the fields and courts. I’m looking forward to a great year!” — Crissy Watkins
Jeff Pickren has been named Men’s Athletic Director for grades 5 – 12. Coach Pickren has served in a variety of roles at King’s Ridge over the years, including Head Football Coach and Program Coordinator, Dean of Students, and Christian Education teacher. Jeff holds a Master of Arts in Religion from Reformed Theological Seminary and a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from the University of Georgia. Jeff and his wife Sally are parents of KRCS students Riley and John Pat. “I am so excited to take on the role of Men’s Athletics Director at King’s Ridge Christian School. We love this school and the community that it represents. My goal is for the Men’s Athletic program to be a vehicle to advance the mission, vision, and passion of the school by developing young men to be the very best they can possibly be.” — Jeff Pickren
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SERVE
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To Serve Others LOWER SCHOOL
GRADE LEVEL SERVICE PROJECTS
During the school year, Lower School students participated in numerous schoolwide and grade level service projects including:
Pre-K collected snacks that were distributed to students at Alcova Elementary School, a Title 1 school in Gwinnett County. Kindergarten visited Alpharetta First United Methodist Church to make teddy bears to benefit their Buddy Bag Ministry program. Teddy bears are presented to children in need or those with a long-term illness, along with a blanket, books, and art supplies. First grade visited Morningside Assisted Living on Valentine’s Day to deliver their homemade cards and letters to residents and played Bingo with them. Second grade created care bags for the nurses at CHOA. Third grade collected gently used coats, sweaters, sweatshirts, and blankets for children and families in need at Hembree Springs Elementary School. Students also participated in “Lemonade Wars” by setting up lemonade stands to collect funds for Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation for Childhood Cancer. Fourth grade made pillowcases for the young patients at CHOA.
CAPE DAY Students collected funds to benefit Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta (CHOA) and wore a cape (either homemade or purchased from CHOA) over their spirit wear on Cape Day in support of the superhero children fighting injury and illness every day. PROJECT CANAAN/HEART FOR AFRICA Lower School collected socks and undergarments for children at Project Canaan – Heart for Africa’s 2,500-acre large-scale land development project being used to bring hope to the tiny Kingdom of eSwatini (formerly Swaziland). The Project Canaan Children (PCC) program provides a safe haven for orphans and vulnerable children.
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To Serve Others MIDDLE SCHOOL As we look to live out the example that Jesus set for us, over 100 Middle School students participated in our two mission trips this winter, logging over 700 hours of service in Montgomery, Alabama, and Macon, Georgia. As part of their own Day of Service, our sixth grade students visited Lionheart Gardens and Meals by Grace in the spring. ¥¥ Lionhart Gardens is an organic farm tended by faculty, staff, and students of the Lionhart School in Alpharetta. Lionheart serves students with autism and other special needs. Our students planted vegetables, watered plants, put mulch down, raised beds, pulled weeds, and spent time with Lionhart students. ¥¥ Families who rely on breakfast and lunch at school for their children may experience difficulty during spring break, so our students prepared bags of breakfast and lunch items at Meals by Grace to help them through the week. We believe missions and service are critical components to equipping our students to learn that our gifts and talents are not just our own, but that they are to be used to further the Kingdom. Doug Pesce Head of Middle School
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To Serve Others CONGRATULATIONS TO THE KRCS INTERACT CLUB FOR ANOTHER BEAUTIFUL MOONLIGHT SONATA! This March, the Interact Club hosted its Second Annual Moonlight Sonata, an intergenerational prom, at The Metropolitan Club of Alpharetta. Over 175 North Fulton senior citizens made new memories during a fabulous afternoon that included a seventeen-piece band, dancing, food, and prizes. Upper School students mixed, mingled, and danced with the guests throughout the event. “It was an immense privilege to be able to serve the seniors of North Fulton at the Moonlight Sonata,” shared Cambri Driskel, Interact Club President. “The ability to help bridge the gap between generations and watch our club members come alongside our guests to serve them is an amazing blessing. This year, we added a live surprise performance by the King’s Ridge Christian School dance team and the attraction of a 1941 Cadillac parked outside the Metropolitan Club for the guests to look at and
take pictures with on their way inside the event. We added these little touches in hopes of doing one more thing to make the seniors feel special. All of this wouldn’t have been possible without the support of the Alpharetta Rotary Club, supportive advisors, and the generosity of many local sponsors.” The Moonlight Sonata is a celebration of our senior guests and is completely free of charge for those living in local assisted living facilities. Attendee Heather Terry remarked, “Congratulations on another beautiful Moonlight Sonata! I loved watching all of the King’s Ridge students truly engage with the seniors, ensuring everyone was well taken care of. All the seniors enjoyed the band—my absolute favorite part is watching the kids invite the seniors out for spins on the dance floor! The venue looked so beautiful and festive—kudos to the decorating team! From the welcome committee to the last dance, the event was run beautifully. I know the seniors felt valued, loved, and appreciated. Thank you for your leadership, your faithfulness, and your heart! Looking forward to next year!”
DO NOT CAST ME AWAY WHEN I AM OLD; DO NOT FORSAKE ME WHEN MY STRENGTH IS GONE. PSALM 27:17
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To Serve Others
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To Serve KRCS
KING’S CORNER Did you hear? In order to provide our community convenience, peace of mind, and high-quality, affordable uniforms, King’s Corner will now be selling NEW uniforms! The uniform industry as a whole has changed, and due to scarce market availability, high cost, and lengthy production time, the KRCS uniform product line has been simplified for each grade level, which in turn reduces the number of pieces families will need to purchase. Beginning July 9, King’s Corner will open throughout July every Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM and 5:00 PM and 7:00 PM. New uniforms, nearly new uniforms, and new spirit wear items will be available for purchase. The store is located across from the football field.
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To Serve KRCS IMPORTANT DETAILS ¥¥ All garments will be available in unisex and girls/ladies cut. ¥¥ All khaki pants from size 28 and up will be unhemmed. ¥¥ Middle School and Upper School ties will be a stock item. ¥¥ Nearly-new uniforms will continue to be sold at the store. ¥¥ For the 2019 – 2020 school year, new uniforms will ONLY be available via preorder with a two-week turnaround time. We will try our best to fulfill orders without incident, but there may be items on backorder throughout the year. ¥¥ Pre-orders will take two weeks to process and will be available to order and for pick up in the store. ¥¥ Starting in August, new uniform orders will be placed on the 1st and 15th of each month. ¥¥ Sample sizes of each garment will be available for sizing at King’s Corner.
WHAT ARE THE CHANGES TO THE UNIFORMS? Lower School ¥¥ Plaid skorts, jumpers, and Peter Pan collars are being discontinued; however, these items will be grandfathered into the 2019 – 2020 school year only.
¥¥ Pre-K – 4th grade girls can wear the purple knit polo dresses. ¥¥ Students will be allowed to wear solid black sneakers on formal day instead of formal shoes. ¥¥ Girls will be wearing khaki skorts every day and on formal day.
Middle School ¥¥ Grey plaid skorts are being discontinued; however, these items will be grandfathered into the 2019 – 2020 school year only. ¥¥ Students will be allowed to wear solid black sneakers on formal day instead of formal shoes. ¥¥ Girls will be wearing khaki skorts every day and on formal day. ¥¥ The Middle School tie is being discontinued and boys will wear the Upper School tie.
Upper School ¥¥ Charcoal skorts and pants are being discontinued; however, these items will be grandfathered into the 2019 – 2020 school year only. ¥¥ Girls will be wearing khaki skorts every day and on formal day. Boys will be wearing khaki pants on formal day.
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To Serve KRCS
AND 3RD TIME’S A CHARM! After two weather cancellations, planning, and replanning – our first annual TigerFest was launched on April 12, 2019. TigerFest, a KRCS community-focused fundraising event that included schoolwide arena activities, field competitions, carnival games and rides, lunch, and an auction, was a huge success, raising over $200,000 gross for KRCS. More importantly, the day brought together every single student, faculty, and staff member as ONE. God blessed our community with perfect weather, the TigerFest committee showcased their event planning expertise, faculty and staff enjoyed the fun they created for their students, parents felt and saw the true spirit of King’s Ridge Christian School, and students left with bags full of hard-won prizes. Congratulations to the PURPLE TEAM for winning the 1st Annual TigerFest Arena Games! Mark your calendar as TigerFest 2020 is scheduled for March 27, 2020!
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To Serve KRCS
With Gratitude Each 2018 – 2019 Athletic, Fine Arts, and Parent Club board member made a difference in our community, and their servant’s heart inspired us all. ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION Tanya Lamkin Shannon Smith Perian Rogers Carolyn Kester Tracy Ball Becky Dano JP Stewart Sunday Christopher
President VP of Communications VP of Fundraising VP of Special Events VP of Concessions VP of Memberships Co-Treasurer Co-Treasurer
FINE ARTS ASSOCIATION Dawn Bye Rebecca Mecker Kelly Miller Holly Lucenay Jeanine Stampfl Laurie Smith Valorie Davis Kym Hall Shannon Chau Jinny Abi-Sarkis Jennifer Aaron Lisa Mongelli Susan Galbreath Susan Castano
President President - Emeritus VP of Marketing & Communications VP of Lower School Events VP of High School Events VP of Community Events VP of Community Events VP of Community Events Middle School Sub-Committee Middle School Sub-Committee Upper School Sub-Committee Upper School Sub-Committee Treasurer Recording Secretary
PARENT CLUB Kristen Wise Heather Weldon Jaime Dearth Nandie Gibbons Martha Hunter Melissa Efferth Courtney Palmer Beth Ann Braswell Anita French Wendy Gregory Yvette Daniel
President President Elect VP of Communications VP of Fundraising VP of Community & Hospitality VP of Lower School Events Middle School Representative Upper School Representative Treasurer Treasure Elect Secretary
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To Serve KRCS 2019-2020 KRCS ONE ASSOCIATION
Tanya Lamkin Kristen Wise Heather Weldon Jennifer Cockrel Kate Vaughn Amy Jenkins Jaime Dearth Marti Hunter Rita Morgan Wendy Gregory Molly McNeese Tracy Ball Dawn Bye Anita French Wendy Gregory Susan Galbreath Jeanine Stampfl Yvette Daniel Melissa Efferth
ONE Chair ONE Co-Chair ONE Co-Chair Fundraising Co-Chair Fundraising Co-Chair Fundraising Co-Chair Communications & Marketing Chair Communications & Marketing Co-Chair Community & Hospitality Chair Community & Hospitality Co-Chair Parent Club Chair Community Events, Athletic Chair Fine Arts Chair Treasurer Co-Treasurer Co-Treasurer Co-Treasurer Secretary Secretary
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BELIEVE
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To Believe LETTER TO MY YOUNGER SELF Written By Eliana Lucenay Dear Five-year-old Me, There is a lot to learn in life, and some things...you just have to go for them. Just for starters here are a few tips. Number one, always follow your dreams, and work hard for them. Number two, you aren’t always going to win, but try again. Number three, this isn’t a perfect world and no one in it is perfect, so keep your head up no matter what you face. Number four, keep practicing, whether it’s lacrosse or any sport. You will have off days, just stay focused. And last but not least, being a part of something bigger than yourself is amazing. If you and your whole team work hard and stay dedicated, you can do incredible things . Remember—it is all for His Glory! Sincerely, Eliana Rising KRCS Fifth Grader
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To Believe LETTER TO MY YOUNGER SELF Written By Ivey Bowling Dear Fifth Grade Ivey, You are going up to the Middle School next year! I know you are super nervous. DO NOT be nervous. Trust me. You are going to have the most fun you have ever had in your life. You will meet so many good friends and make some long-lasting relationships. The teachers are way nicer than you may have heard. They really do help you out a lot. Go to any help sessions they have. You will not go on any mission trips until seventh grade, but you will wish you would have gone sooner. You will make so many friends and will form amazing relationships, and you will help so many people. You will make some older friends on the trips too, and those friendships will definitely help you in the long run. Enjoy every FAT time with your friends. You will make so many incredible, lasting memories in those thirty minutes on the field. Play any sport or choose any fine art that you want to. Do not be afraid to try anything. You will not realize your real passion until you find the thing you love to do. Be on that team. Be in that play. Play that sport you want to play. One day you will wish you had tried things. Your class trips are going to be so much fun. Never complain about having to learn stuff on those trips because you will use that knowledge. Also, do not do anything crazy unless you want to go home. Savannah is so fun, especially when there is a tornado near your hotel and you have a drill with all your friends. Disney is the most fun trip you will ever take. You will make SO many fun memories and make new friends with some classmates.
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Do not hang out with the people that only seek drama. You will realize that hanging out with them was a mistake when you get caught up in the drama too. Hang out with the friends who love God and seek a relationship with them. These friends will always be there for you, and you will never have to worry about having any drama issues as long as you are with them. Seek a relationship with Jesus. Yes, it might take a little while, but slow and steady wins the race. You will never regret going to The Rising with Ms. Pope. Go as often as you can. You will make the best memories there, especially worshiping the Lord with your friends. The bus rides there are so much fun and it only gets better from there. Middle School is so much fun if you have the right friends. Make the most out of every minute.
Every laughing until you cry moment.
Every Thursday when you get Chick-fil-A. Every class trip. Every FCA meeting.
Every game you win. Every loving friend.
Time flies. Before you know it, you will be going into Upper School. Love, Ivey Rising KRCS Ninth Grader
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To Believe LETTER TO MY YOUNGER SELF Written By Coby Harris Dear 14-year-old Coby, When your family tells you that you’re moving to Georgia from Virginia, accept the growth and change in your life. You’ll be upset that you won’t keep in touch with all of your friends, but understand that sometimes that’s just how life is. You’ll learn to appreciate the closest friendships you have and you’ll thank me later. When you walk into Upper School and up to your locker on the first day of school, accept that things are going to be different. Be talkative, confident, and don’t worry about how you look. Find your hobbies and devote valuable time to them while your course load is light. Make friends and hang out with them as much as possible. It may seem extra, but if you don’t—you’ll look back and wish you had spent every extra moment with them. It’s October, swim season is here! Don’t rely on your prior experience and talent to race. P ractice as if you had no talent whatsoever, and were trying to prove yourself. Dedicate yourself to the sport, learn from the seniors about how to lead, embrace your new family, and most importantly, have fun. It’s January, tennis season is here! You clearly know what you’re doing and don’t need to prepare for the season, right? Nope. Don’t pass on the opportunity when your Dad asks if you want to come play at the neighborhood courts. Don’t be quiet, get involved, and dedicate yourself. Work your hardest in practice so that you’re properly prepared for matches. You’re going to make it to the region tournament and lose, but learn that you need to step up and become a leader.
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Sophomore year has arrived and you’re feeling excited. Work hard in your classes, and don’t take the ability to learn for granted. Become a leader on the swim team and grow into the position that God wants you in—you’ll appreciate it later. In the fall, be proud to help out the Middle School tennis team and become a leader. B e vocal, be kind, and be confident. Homecoming’s arrived and don’t worry about having a date or not; either way you’ll have fun. Appreciate the friends you go with, they’ll be your best for the next few years. Junior year is here and you’re feelin’ on top of the world. You’re no longer a freshman wondering where your place in school is. When you fail your first AP Chemistry test, understand that you’ll go on to get a 97 on the final exam and finish with an A. S uccess doesn’t always come easy. Understand that you will fail in your life and it’s nothing to be ashamed of. Learn what you’re doing wrong, don’t slack off, and work your behind off. Swim season is here, and you’re a Co-Captain. How exciting! This role is your platform! The lower classmen are looking to you and you’ve been given a chance to positively impact those around you. Be a leader and don’t goof off, but find the balance between fun and professionalism. Master your craft, practice, and enjoy the talent that God has given you in the sport of swimming. Tennis season is here and you’re going to need to be a leader for the team. Don’t put yourself above others, but understand that you’ll need to step up and find an effective way to lead. Finish strong in your classes, and H AVE FUN! Appreciate those around you. You’re only going to be fourteen for so long and you should enjoy it. Your entire life is ahead of you, and you’ve been given a blank slate to draw your life’s path. Sincerely, Coby Rising KRCS Twelfth Grader
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To Believe LETTER TO MY YOUNGER SELF Written By Hayden Danyo Dear 14-year-old Hayden, Somehow, four years of Upper School have turned into less than four weeks. In that short time, y ou have walked through low valleys and climbed tall peaks, learning in the process how to navigate through a small section of life. These four years have taught you the true definitions of growth, setbacks, and triumph, which have ultimately fostered a change within your soul and mind. Looking back, there are so many things that I wish you would have known upon embarking on your Upper School journey. Today, I am going to share these things with you, in hopes that you live life wholeheartedly and intently. Be brave and courageous, never afraid to seek what you want out of life because far too often, our timidity hinders the pursuance of our passions. Invite each day with open arms of gratitude and hopefulness and go to bed each day with the utmost satisfaction of the life you have lived, the impact you have had, and the time you have given. Understand that struggle breeds strength and that out of the darkest of circumstances can come the brightest of opportunities. Cultivate kindness, even when it seems undeserved because you never know the pain or tribulations that someone may be facing every day. Take time to make time with your friends, family, and yourself because such relationships are vital to getting through life.
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Additionally, understand that a relationship with God is so much more than listening to Thursday morning chapels and Sunday morning sermons. A relationship with God should be cultivated each and every day by talking to Him and reading His word. Be a kid while you still can, making mistakes in the process but also having the maturity to take full responsibility for your wrongdoings. Do not define your self-worth by a number on a page or a grade in the gradebook because those successes and failures are so short-lived. Solely allow your passions for knowledge, not your outward desires, to guide your academic undertakings. More so, let such curiosity for knowledge steer how you behave, constantly asking questions, doing more than what is expected, and never complaining. Most importantly, continually thank the One who made your journey possible. Always lie in reference to Ephesians 5:19-20 which states: Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Enjoy every aspect of Upper School—the good, the bad, and the stressful—because it goes by in the blink of an eye and one day, you will find yourself with less than four weeks of Upper School, wishing for a chance to do it all over again. I would hope that you live intently and love invariably, taking into account all these pieces of advice. Though, if you decide against doing so, I only hope that you would follow this one piece of advice: Be Unapologetically Yourself. Hayden Danyo KRCS Class of 2019 Salutatorian
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Believe In The Future
Congratulations to the Class of 2019
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Wishing you all the best. May the road always lead you back to KRCS.
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Believe Beyond the Ridge An alumnus (/əˈlʌmnəs/; masculine) or an alumna (/əˈlʌmnə/; feminine) of a college, university, or other school is a former student who has either attended or graduated in some fashion from the institution. The word is Latin and simply means “student,” but to us, our KRCS alumni simply means “family.”
WEDDINGS
BIRTHS
2011
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2012
2013
Mackenzie Guhl married Ben Scott on May 25, 2018, at The Wheeler House in Ball Ground, Georgia. (3)
2015
Courtney Guhl married Brad Tyrrell on December 2, 2018, at West Milford Farm in Cumming, Georgia. (1) Kayley Anderkin married Matt Mewbourne on May 19, 2019, at White Oaks Barn in Dahlonega, Georgia. (2)
Lauren Valentino married Jerryn Migliore on April 27, 2019, at The Chapel on McEver in Gainesville, Georgia. (4)
Rachel Smoltz VanderPol and her husband Joel welcomed John Allen VanderPol on July 20, 2018. (7) Ansley Jenkins Willis and her husband Joe welcomed twins Brooks Walton Willis and Brody Stiles Willis on November 14, 2018, making Leigh (2) a proud sister. (8) Bethany Sides Brown and her husband Zachary welcomed Levi Benjamin Brown on November 26, 2018. (9)
2013
Emma Elizabeth Heer married Ryan Mazzilli on February 2, 2019, at the Carondelet House in Los Angeles, California. (5)
2014
Grace Cagle married Thomas Smith on December 15, 2018, at Monteluce in Dahlonega, Georgia. (6)
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Believe Beyond the Ridge 2007
Clayton French and Erica Moore became engaged on May 16, 2019, in Maui, Hawaii. (11)
analyst for New York Life. In 2018, she returned to Atlanta and is currently an Implementation Consultant for SaasOptics. (13)
2008
2011
Lauren Ailts graduated from the University of Georgia in 2012. Shortly thereafter, she moved to New York City to pursue a career in advertising. Today, Lauren continues to reside in Manhattan and is an associate director at a large media agency.
2009
Andrew Marshall graduated from Auburn University and now resides in Marietta after starting his career in Gainesville, Florida. He is employed by BoomTown, a software development company based in Charleston, South Carolina. Andrew is a senior Android developer and creates apps for use in the real estate market.
2010
Vaughn Elkourie works for ELEAGUE with Turner Sports as a Social Media Producer. Macey Hill graduated from Shorter University with a Communications degree and a minor in Theater. She is currently living in Florida working as a Guest Relations hostess, trainer, and coordinator in Epcot. She is also a Walt Disney World VIP tour guide, hosting families and high-profile guests. (12) Hillary McManus attended Elon University in North Carolina and graduated in 2014 with a degree in Accounting. Upon graduation, she accepted a position as an accounting
Rory Park recently accepted a position as an Account Strategist with Google New York. He lives in Brooklyn. Mackenzie Ryals graduated from the University of Georgia in 2015 with a Public Relations degree, and after college, she began an internship at Edelman, a PR and communications marketing firm. She is now a Senior Account Executive in their Atlanta office, focusing on food and beverage and consumer-sports clients. (14)
2012
Pat Meisel graduated from Belmont University in 2016 and is currently living in Nashville and playing in the Dagger Hearts band. (15) Ashley Merkin graduated with a degree in Neuroscience from Centre College in Kentucky. After graduation, she lived in Germany for two years and traveled to over twenty-five countries. She currently lives in Adelaide, South Australia, and works for the Neuromotor Plasticity and Development Lab through the University of Adelaide. As soon as she is granted permanent residency in Australia, she will begin her PhD and continue her career in Neuroscience. (16) Connor Winkle graduated from Miami (OH) University in 2016 and is now a Specialist in Marketing and New Development at the Sunrise Senior Living Community Support Office in McLean, Virginia.
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Believe Beyond the Ridge 2013
Ralph Corser used his time wisely while at Georgia Tech, creating a 3D printing business and developing an automated 3D printer. He graduated with a Mechanical Engineering degree and now works at JS Thomas Service, an HVAC commercial service company. (17) Connor Richard graduated from The Ohio State University in 2017 with dual majors in History and Political Science. While there, he also studied at The Paris Institute of Political Studies (Science Po) and had the opportunity to Run with the Bulls in Pamplona, Spain, in 2016. In the fall of 2019, he will be a second-year student at the University of Georgia School of Law.
2014
Gena Brown graduated from The University of Alabama in May 2019, honors and magna cum laude, with majors in Anthropology and Geology, minors in Evolutionary Studies and The Blount Initiative. She is now at George Mason University in Fairfax, Virginia, working on a master’s degree in Bio-Anthropology. Chase Elliott captured his first win of 2019 at Talladega Superspeedway on April 28. This comes after a successful 2018, with his first NASCAR Cup win at Watkins Glen, followed by wins at Dover and Kansas. He was also voted 2018’s Most Popular Driver in the Cup Series. (18) David Guhl graduated from Samford University in May of 2018 with a degree in Computer Science. He then went to work for a Chick-fil-A franchise in Birmingham, Alabama, where he is currently a manager. David will depart to China on a mission trip with the English Language Institute of China (ELIC) and will serve for twelve months. Upon his return, his desire is to pursue a career with Chick-fil-A as an owner/operator. Allison Hoskins graduated from the University of Georgia and is a Policy and Communications Analyst/Liaison at the CDC’s Division of Global HIV and TB (DGHT) Global Tuberculosis Branch (GTB), an ORISE Health
Communications Fellow, and she has been recognized as a 2019 Global TB Elimination Champion. (19) Josh Leonard and Austin Volz have been great friends since second grade and were roommates through their years at Samford University. Last May, Austin graduated with a double major in Business Management and Entrepreneurship, and Josh will be graduating this fall with a degree in Professional Studies. In the fall of 2018, they started a real estate/remodeling business and have been in the process of gutting and renovating a home in Hoover, Alabama. Check out @nailedit_remodeling on Instagram for pictures of their current project. (20)
2015
Penny Hart has signed with the Indianapolis Colts following a standout performance at this year’s Senior Bowl and a record-setting career as a wide receiver at Georgia State. (21) Henry Jones, Berry Golf Team Captain, shot a 73-69-69 (5 under par) to secure fifth place out of ninety golfers at the Rhodes College Spring Classic, and a spot on the alltournament team. After graduation from Berry, Henry will work for East Lake Golf Club. (22) Colin Richard will graduate from UGA Terry College of Business in May 2019 with a BBA in Marketing and International Business. He also earned a minor in Spanish, and in between junior and senior years, worked as a summer intern in a digital marketing start-up in Barcelona. While touring Spain that summer, he ran with the bulls in Pamplona, Spain. Colin will be working for Scientific Games in digital marketing upon his graduation from UGA. Brandt Stallings played baseball at Georgia Tech for two years, then transferred to Georgia College for his junior year where he met Caylee, his fiancée. After a season with Georgia College, Brandt was drafted by the Cincinnati Reds and played his first half season in Billings, Montana, and Greeneville, Tennessee. (23)
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Believe Beyond the Ridge Kelcie Winters, a senior at Southern Methodist University, recently received the Distinguished Finance Major Award and Delta Sigma Pi Scholarship Key. She will graduate summa cum laude in May with a degree in Finance. Along with maintaining a 4.0, she was a four-year letter winner for SMU swimming and team co-captain this year. Kelcie has accepted a position in Dallas, Texas, as a Financial Analyst in the Power Division of Prudential Capital Group. (24)
2016
Kyle Brnovich, a junior at Elon University, was drafted by the Los Angeles Angels in the 2019 Major League Baseball (MLB) Draft. (25) Alexandra Stampfl, a junior at the University of Virginia, is a third-year member of the Virginia Dance Team and was there in April to celebrate the Cavaliers as they captured their first NCAA men’s basketball title. (26)
2017
Chris Bobo is a defensive back for the Auburn Tigers who joined the team as a walk-on in August of 2018. He is a Pre-Aerospace Engineering Major and one of twenty-one football players named to the Fall 2018 Academic Honor Roll. (27) Kyle Brown is a sophomore at Berry College in their Creative Technologies program. He is an offensive lineman on the Viking football team, which has won their conference championship for the last three years. Sean Duffy is attending Reinhardt University in Waleska Georgia, studying Psychology. Maddy Harris, a sophomore at Wake Forest University, is involved in Ambassadors in Admissions, the Board of Investigators and Advisors, Alpha Delta Pi sorority, Pi Alpha Delta (the Pre-Law fraternity), and also plays Club Soccer. She is double majoring in Politics & International Affairs and Criminal Sociology.
Jack McHugh, a sophomore at Samford University, placed fourth in 110m hurdles and fifth in the 4x100 relay at the 2019 Southern Conference Outdoor Track & Field Championships. Jack won the 110m Hurdles State Championship during his senior year at King’s Ridge. Tanner Wakefield just finished his second year at Francis Marion University, studying business and playing baseball. His team made the playoffs and competed in the PBC Championships in St. Augustine. Sydnee Walker is currently in her second year at the University of Oregon. As a Journalism major, she is a Sports Reporter and Anchor for Duck TV Sports: a studentrun television network. She is an Executive Board Member for the Association for Women in Sports Media, which connects young students with elite sports journalists. (28)
2018
Parker Lefton is winding down his first year at Columbia University. He has been working out for football year-round while continuing his studies, primarily in Economics. Parker made the travel squad in his first season as the backup long snapper and after a successful spring ball season, he is listed at number one on the depth chart. The Columbia Lions are looking to compete for the Ivy League title in their 2019 campaign. (29) Michael Wein began his acclimation to Wake Forest University and the rigors of academics coupled with baseball in July of 2018 during the Summer II session. Now in his first spring semester, Michael has been learning a great deal from his coaches and fellow teammates as he juggles school with games at home and on the road. The Wake Forest coaching staff has placed Michael with the New York Collegiate League for the summer where he will play for the Mansfield Destroyers.
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Believe Beyond the Ridge ALUMNI LEGACY LUNCHEON In February, KRCS launched this exciting new event. The Alumni Luncheon is primarily for King’s Ridge alumni parents, offering them a chance to reconnect with the school and one another. Forty alumni, parents, faculty, and guests gathered for lunch at Naylor Hall in Roswell to hear New York Times best-selling author and KRCS alumni parent, Karen White, discuss her impressive writing career. Parents in attendance expressed appreciation for the opportunity, not only to hear from Karen, but also to share a delicious meal and catch up with old and dear friends. Plans are in the works for next year’s event, tentatively scheduled to coincide with the opening of the new wing of the Upper School, so stay tuned! STAY CONNECTED Alumni and Public Relations Coordinator Mary Beecham oversees alumni relations at KRCS. Please contact Mary at mbeecham@kingsridgecs.org with contact information, updates, or any questions about our alumni programs. Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kingsridgealumni Like us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kingsridgealumni
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Believe In The Power of Giving For many years, our school’s approach to fundraising has been to make numerous appeals for gift support throughout the school year. Moving forward, there will only be one coordinated and unified opportunity to make a voluntary gift to the KRCS Annual Fund. This allows King’s Ridge Christian School to leverage its resources and fund the school’s highest priorities with one annual appeal to our community.
2019 – 2020 KRCS ANNUAL FUND In the spirit of giving and streamlining the number of asks of each family, the school will be combining the KRCS ONE Annual Fund and Association Memberships. No donation amount is too small as each voluntary gift advances the mission of King’s Ridge Christian School. Parent participation is a crucial statistic that major donors and foundations look at when considering investing in KRCS, as well as something that independent reviewers analyze when ranking schools. Each voluntary gift has a much broader impact than its financial support alone. The level of your gift to the KRCS ONE Annual Fund will place you in a membership level. Each level has amazing deliverables that include King’s Corner gift certificates, spirit wear swag, marketing deliverables, reserved seating and parking, event tickets and more. The 2019 – 2020 KRCS Annual Fund campaign will kick off on the first day of school – August 7, 2019.
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Believe In The Power of Giving FUNDRAISING KRCS ONE SPONSORSHIPS The KRCS ONE Association will continue to leverage our resources effectively and to simplify communications, fundraising, and volunteering opportunities. Sponsorships have been created to deliver maximum benefits for corporate and family sponsors. The level of opportunities for a sponsor will be determined by which level of sponsorship is purchased. Each level has a number of year-long deliverables that include, but are not limited to, marketing deliverables, branding, event tickets and more. Detailed information regarding sponsorship levels will be shared with you in the near future. THE ONE SPONSORSHIP $15,000+ THE TIGER SPONSORSHIP $10,000+ THE CUB SPONSORSHIP $5,000+ ATHLETIC BANNERS $2,500+ TIGERFEST $500+ RIDGERUN $500+ LADIES’ TENNIS OPEN $500+ GOLF CLASSIC $500+
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Why King’s Ridge Christian School? This week has been surreal. I have to admit, the fact that we’re now finished with our senior year really didn’t hit me till I had to sit down to write this speech and think about how our stories began. Remember those simpler days back in Lower School? Those carefree days of naps after lunch and story time in a circle? If you said no, you’re just like me ‘cause I can’t really remember them either. But when I started talking it over with some friends, the memories started to come back. Like having to wear a clip-on tie every Friday in kindergarten. Or were you ever placed in a different homeroom than your best friend? Didn’t it just feel like the end of the world? Like I’m never going to have friends this year and will die all alone. Oh, don’t even get me started about leaving the backpack at home. Did you ever have one of those dreaded experiences where you’re in a rush and you make it to school just before the bell rings only to realize that you forgot your backpack at home on the kitchen counter? Yeah, I had that happen to me more times than I would like to admit. I don’t know what I thought was going to happen to me, but I do know that I was crippled with fear. Then we moved on to the next chapter of our lives, Middle School. I’m sure we’ve all tried to repress the memories of body odor, AXE bombs, puberty, and braces, or pants that were too short because we were growing so fast. Remember the awkward formal dances where the room was segregated into boys and girls and nobody knew what to do? Good times. Then came freshman year, and we thought we had finally made it, but: the classes got a lot harder and we started having AP exams, and we had to learn to balance academics with our social lives and sports or theatre. In March, all the guys had to come up with a wildly creative promposal worthy of Instagram. Perhaps the greatest predicament of all is when you show up to school, and all the senior spots are filled with juniors. I’m sure some of these struggles will
seem funny to us one day; some might even seem funny now. The ironic thing about adversity is that it comes with benefits. If you consider our past struggles, it’s clear that in working through them, we gained valuable perspectives, the foundation of wisdom. Those days of forgetting our backpacks at home probably seem like nothing to us today. We’ve become stronger in the struggle, able to endure harder trials. The sad thing is that we live in a world that is obsessed with perfection, so we are tricked into believing that our lives are meant to be free of conflict, but that is a dangerous lie that leads to dangerously false expectations. In The Screwtape Letters, C.S. Lewis explains that life is, in reality, a cycle of peaks and troughs. Once we reach a peak, a trough is bound to follow and vice versa. A wise person realizes this and focuses on living in the moment during the peaks, knowing that the troughs to come will only last for a short time and will leave us with strength and knowledge. We need to remember that in this life, God never promised us an easy ride, quite the opposite. Christ actually says that as Christians we should expect adversity in the world: in John 16:33, He says: I have told you these things, so that in me
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you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world. And there is the good news! God has the world in his hands. Even from Lower School, we were taught this with songs that we would sing every Friday at Chapel. Christ has overcome the world for us; we just need to have faith in Him and His promises. Another solacing truth is that Christ has not left us alone. He has given us people in our lives to help us get through adversity, through the troughs. First and foremost, He has given us our families. They are there for us when no one else is, and we could never do anything to make them love us any less. These are the people who brought us our backpacks, the people who listened to us vent about classes, and the people that will be there for us as we move into this next chapter of our lives. Thank you to all the moms and dads out there who never stopped loving us even when we messed up. And a special thank you to my mom who is always there to support me when I sometimes take on more than I can handle (although that’s never the case, right?) and to my dad who always taught me do as he says and not as he does. But family members aren’t the only people God put into our lives to help us. He also gave us friends, the people who would pick us back up after we were AXE bombed in the locker room. They are the people in our lives who want to celebrate with us in the peaks and want to help us get through the troughs. Finally, all the teachers out there (like Mrs. Volz or Mr. Watts) are more than just educators, they’re friends. These teachers are the ones who will stay after school for two hours with you whether you’re stressed out because of your exams or you just broke up with your
boyfriend or girlfriend. And they’re always there to offer their wisdom. All of these people make up this awesome community that we have at King’s Ridge, a community that has provided us with a safe place to learn, face adversity, and grow in this chapter of our lives. As we begin this next part of our story, we are all looking forward to the new peaks that await us. But let’s not let the world deceive us into believing that our lives will be perfect and conflict free. We’ve always been taught that any good story must have conflict; in fact, good stories are driven by conflict. And what better stories are there than the ones that God is writing for each of our lives? If our lives are like books made up of many chapters, then our stories have only just begun. Know that your story will have some conflict, but fill your pages with stories of perseverance and resolve, knowing that you are being guided by the greatest author of all, God. Colby Lamkin KRCS Class of 2019 Valedictorian
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Vanna Chadwick
Welcome To The King’s Ridge Family Vanna, a two-year-old goldendoodle, is a 2019 graduate of Canine Assistants in Milton, Georgia, and will serve as a facility service dog for KRCS. She has been trained to enjoy the company of all ages and her job is to be lovable and available to the entire school community. Canine Assistants and the Arnold family graciously donated Vanna to King’s Ridge and she will be cared for by the Chadwick family. She will spend most of her days in the Kendrick Center, but is happy to make an appearance in a classroom.
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Mark Your Calendar August 2019 – May 2020 August 7 First Day of School
January 7 Classes Resume
September 2 Holiday/Break
January 20 Holiday/Break
October 14 Holiday/Break
February 17–21 Winter Break
October 15 No School for Students Professional Development for Faculty/Staff October 23 All School Conference Day November 25–29 Thanksgiving Break December 23–January 3 Christmas Break January 6 No School for Students Professional Development for Faculty/Staff
March 9 No School for Students Professional Development for Faculty/Staff March 20 All School Conference Day March 27 TigerFest April 6–10 Spring Break April 13 Make Up Day/Possible Holiday May 15 Baccalaureate May 16 Commencement
King’s Ridge Christian School is a Christian community providing a college preparatory education equipping students to know, to serve, and to believe.
He says, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” Psalm 46:10
2765 Bethany Bend Alpharetta, GA 30004 770.754.5738 www.KingsRidgeCS.org
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