Vol. 2 No. 1 - Fall Edition

Experience pisgah post

College Prep. Life Ready.

Winner

inside pisgah 2

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9

10 Welcome New Alumni

12 Pisgah Arts

13 Athletic News

15 PAC Stadium Opens

Private School in north Metro

Vol. 2 | No. 1

Voted Best Private School in North Metro Atlanta In a 2010 poll, the readers of Appen newspapers (Johns Creek Herald, Milton Herald, Forsyth Herald, and Alpharetta-Roswell Revue & News) selected the best businesses in Alpharetta, Roswell, and Milton. The online voting lasted over a two month period and was set up to prevent more than one vote per IP address.

Pisgah topped the list as Best Private School!

Alpha-Omega Graduates What does attending Pisgah for 12 or more years produce? Outstanding young men and women who are extraordinarily prepared for college and ready for life!

During the 2010 graduation ceremony, 11 students were recognized as Alpha-Omega graduates. These are graduating seniors who began attending Mount Pisgah Christian School in kindergarten or even preschool. While the Pisgah they entered in the fall of 1997 is different in many ways from the school they graduated from, the core values of faith, family and knowledge have not changed.

The list of awards and achievements for this outstanding group of graduates is very impressive. Seven were honor graduates, one was valedictorian and one was the Star student (achieved the highest SAT score). In fact, for the last two years, the valedictorians and Stars students were Alpha-Omega graduates. The strength of the Pisgah program from Lower to Middle and through Upper School is apparent not only in the academic achievements of the Alpha-Omega graduates, but in the goals they have set for the future, the relationships they have built and maintained, and the solid foundations they are now relying upon as they venture on to college and the rest of their lives.

Continued on page 6.

(Left to Right): Lindse y O’Sullivan, Mandi McSwain, Chris iller, Jordan Delk, Parsa Behna miri, Lindse y Major, Jordan Janico, Kelsey Van Stee, Aman da Saly ers,Heinm not pictured: Karli Barnett and Alexa Felice

18 P.A.L.S.

Pisgah Pisgah by Preschool: the Numbers

19 Alumni News

…much more

100 than daycare

20 Back to School Calendar

Presorted standard us postage paid atlanta, ga permit #3592

Julia an d Ca rol Jackovich

Mount Pisgah Christian School 9820 Nesbit Ferry Road Johns Creek, Georgia 30022

Back to School Edition

percent of K-12 students performed at or above their ability on standardized tests.

percent of 2010 graduates were accepted to their first college of choice.

freshmen in 2010 – Pisgah’s largest ninth grade class to date.

percent of Prep students participated in athletics in 2009-10.

55

graduates in the Class of 2011 – Pisgah’s largest to date.

25

years of the Pisgah Experience!

97

With exciting new additions this year, Pisgah Preschool continues to go above and beyond traditional daycare by providing premier experiences for children and their parents.

Technology: The importance of exposing children to the ever-expanding world of technology grows every day. Pisgah Preschool is blessed to have an opportunity to share a new technology experience with three and four year old classes. Through a generous grant from IBM, Pisgah is receiving a Young Explorers computer. This kid-friendly computer will provide fun, educational opportunities to students within a classroom setting. Features include a kid-friendly keyboard that is in ABC order to help with letter recognition, a KidDesk customized for each classroom, and interactive games that cover every content area.

Parenting: Research shows that students perform better academically and have fewer discipline problems when their parents are actively involved in their learning. Because fathers are often unable to participate in school daytime activities, Pisgah Preschool has designed a special Dad’s night that will debut this year. Pisgah Preschool half day students Continue on page 2 (or next page)

percent of Prep students performed service hours in 2009-10.

94 76 71

pisgah post

a nd R ea din g a bout th e fu n ol prog ra m ex citi ng Pis ga h Pre scho u were a will leave you wis hi ng yo tea ch ers youn g child a ga in! T he richi ng ex ce l at prov idin g a n en e fo r a nd en ga gi ng ex pe rie nc is every child. Ea ch a ct iv ity tea ch th ou ghtf ully d es ig ned to on s- -but va lu a ble skills a nd le ss so m uch th e child re n a re ha vi ng a y not even fu n ea ch d a y- -t he y m realiz e th ey’re lea rn in g.

What’s in a Name?

Re be cca an d M adison Sibley

Have you compared Pisgah Preschool to others?

What’s the difference between preschool and daycare and what sets Pisgah Preschool apart from others? Use the checklist located at experiencepisgah.org to compare features and benefits of area programs and discover why so many parents choose Pisgah.

Mount Pisgah Christian School has long been blessed with an exceptional program for young children. Through the years, First Steps and then Early School have provided an outstanding experience for infants, toddlers and young learners. Under the care and guidance of highly qualified and gifted Christian faculty, thousands of children have thrived and been touched by the love of Christ in Pisgah classrooms and playgrounds. We look forward to reaching even more children throughout the community in the years to come.

We are pleased to announce a new name for the Early School program: Pisgah Preschool. This new name applies to both the Half and Full Day programs and provides additional marketing opportunities for the program. Although the name is changing, the outstanding experience you have grown to love remains the same!

Actually, Pisgah Preschool just keeps getting better year after year, including these new and exciting recent enhancements: • Happy Science Lab • New Young Explorers Computers for the Threes and Fours • Addition of SMART Table Technology

Singing in the Rain The spring program was titled “Singing in the Rain” and “what a glorious feeling” it was! Grandparents and special friends were entertained with Pisgah’s little rays of sunshine as they sang songs about rain. Grandparents visited the classrooms and received a special “brag book” made by the children to commemorate the day.

Morning with Moms Pisgah Preschool Half Day’s traditional Morning with Moms was a tremendous success again this year.

Moms wore the beautiful bonnets that the children made and enjoyed an elegant morning tea.

n K im a n d Lilly Hoffm a

Lisa an d Ja ke Ja goda Lu cy Loesch

…much more than daycare (continued from p. 1) will be excited to bring dad to school on an evening just for them. Dads and their children will enjoy fun in the classroom and playground and will also have the chance to meet other dads.

Creative Learning: Letterland is a unique, phonics based approach to teaching reading, writing and spelling that Pisgah Preschoolers love. The students are delighted as plain black letter shapes are transformed into child-friendly pictograms. The effectiveness of using characters and actions to teach phonics is supported by scientific research. By integrating phonics with life experience, this method provides children with a systematic and motivating framework for developing full literacy through learning all 44 sounds and their spellings.

How does your toddler spend her days? If she’s a Pisgah Preschooler she’s engaged in exciting learning and discovery that’s preparing her for the opportunities and challenges of tomorrow.

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Sa ylo r Ad am ski

Mount Pisgah Christian School

Vol. 1 | No. 3 | Summer Edition

Busy Bear Tea Party Ms. LeAnne’s class offered a special silent auction item for the Fire & Ice Gala: “Busy Bear Tea Party” for four. The girls made bonnets for the party, had special dress-up time, and enjoyed finger sandwiches, fruit tray, vegetable tray, gold fish, pretzels, cupcakes and ice cream.

Addy Kat e Du san g, Ste llie Bobilin,

Sarah Bet h Ra ley, Ma deline Hicks

Field Day Field Day was a highlight of the year for the little ones! The children were thrilled to run egg and spoon races and had a ball with music and movement. They especially enjoyed frolicking with bubbles and having their faces painted. “What a wonderful way to end an exceptional year,” says Pisgah Preschool Assistant Director Charmaine Botha. “God has been so good to us and we look forward to a new year, knowing that He is in control and guiding our paths.”

Fu n at Fie ld Da y

Sa ck races are a favorit e

Full Day VBS 2010 Pisgah Preschoolers kicked off the summer in a big way at Vacation Bible School. Through Bible stories and creative activities, some of history’s most astounding miracles were showcased including: Jesus’ death and resurrection, Jesus helping His people by healing them, and showing them His love by keeping them safe and calling them to follow Him. The children learned that Jesus is their Savior, helper, and most of all, their friend!

Tyler H un nicutt

“I feel very comfortable leaving my girls here because I love the teachers and staff. They keep me very informed of everything that goes on!”

Sabrina McNerny Mother of two Pisgah Preschoolers

Ge orgia Aqua riu m

Full Day Camp Pisgah Preschool Full Day has been on the move with an exciting summer camp adventure for four and five year olds. From dinosaurs to rocket ships, campfires to aquariums, it has been fun, fun, fun at Camp Pisgah! The campers had a blast making crafts, learning new games, and experiencing a wonderful summer of enrichment! They visited the Atlanta Botanical Gardens, Georgia Aquarium, and the Brunswick Zone, where they explored math and science concepts while bowling. During Dinosaur week, campers became paleontologists, creating their own fossils and even taking a trip back in time to the Fernbank Natural History Museum. The kids were delighted to see real fossils, stand next to life-sized replicas of dinosaurs, and even have a picnic underneath a T-Rex! In July, campers experienced what the word “patriotic” means, had a campout in their classroom, took a trip deep into the jungle, and became chefs for a week. The happy campers can’t wait to have s’more fun next summer!

www.experiencepisgah.org

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pisgah post B.L.E.S.S. The Lower School launched an innovative new ministry opportunity this year: B.L.E.S.S.! The purpose is to pair Lower School students with Upper School students who are participating in mission trips. The LS students pray for these Pisgah missionaries, and encourage them in their efforts to serve others in the name of Christ. The students also write notes which are delivered to the US students while they are on their mission trips. Once they return home, the older students visit the classrooms again to share their experiences, inspire, and thank their young missionary “partners”!

Jos eph M arco wit h thi rd gra ders

Th e Pisga h family sha res wit h oth ers.

Helping the Hungry My purpose is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, na mely, Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

Colossians 2:2-3

M ax Ad en with M rs. Kn ob

lock’s cla ss

Ryan Felice and new friends

ody

ajor pa rt of Se rv ice to ot he rs is aStmud ents, fa cu lty, th e Pis ga h m ission. in sp readin g th e a nd fa m ili es be lie ve vo lu nt ee r a nd lo ve of C hrist th ou ghenth us ia st ically se rv ice proj ects a nd late st se rv ice em b ra ced Pis ga h’ s ry. Buildin g ef fo rt: Patriot’ s Pa nt su ccess of upon th e astoun di ng (m ore th a n this pa st year’s ef fo rt at ed), Pis ga h 5,000 food ite m s d onct fo r N orth will on ce ag ai n co lle ha rit ie s Food Fu lto n C om m un ity C is school year.

Pa nt ry th roug hout ththis prog ra m or To learn m ore a bout plea se co nt a ct to m a ke a d on at io n, m on: js olom on@ foun d er Ja cque So lo g. m ou nt pi sg a hs ch oo l. or

Pray for the team’s physical health, safety, and nutrition.

abor Pray for the work the team will be doing.

motions Pray for the emotional health and well-being of the missionaries and the group.

ocial Pray for the team, their friendships, relationships with one another, that God would unite the team in Christ.

priritual Pray for their spiritual condition - and that God would unite them in Christ.

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Water for the World Each year, the Pisgah family joins in the fight against the number one cause of death in developing countries: contaminated water. The annual 5K/10K in Johns Creek raises money to help establish clean water systems for these countries.

Mount Pisgah Christian School

Vol. 1 | No. 3 | Summer Edition

Summer Mission Trips Shea Church sings and plays games with new friends.

“Going to Kenya was one of the most incredible experiences I could have had before going off to college. The relationships I built with my team and the kids we met will remind me of how blessed I am. Oh and calling my teachers and principal by their first names was fantastic. I can’t wait to go back!”

Hannah Barron, Class of 2010

Relay for Life Pisgah Preschool teachers honor one of their coworkers, Samantha Kee (who has been battling Leukemia), by walking in the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life.

According to the American Cancer Society, the Relay for Life gives people a chance to celebrate the lives of people who have battled cancer, remember loved ones lost, and fight back against the disease.

“It was a great trip and a real eye opening redefinition of poverty for me personally.”

Bill Shelnutt, Head of Prep School

“These kids taught me a lot about faith. They were so innocent and trusting, and they didn’t let poverty stop them from being happy. They were genuinely filled with such joy; it was a beautiful thing to see. They are living, breathing proof that God is really all you need in life. They taught me how important it is to nurture your faith in Christ and work on it every single day.”

Evelyn Barnes, Class of 2011.

Kenya

Stu dents & faculty rea dy to serve

Sydn ey Mas on mak es a new frien d

Costa Rica More than 60 students, families, and faculty members traveled to Costa Rica this summer to teach Vacation Bible School, assist in church and home building projects, and much more. If you and your family have been considering a family mission trip, this is a wonderful introduction to global missions. At press time, the Pisgah team was preparing to return home. Watch for photos and quotes on the school website soon: www.experiencepisgah.org.

www.experiencepisgah.org

To spread the love of Christ across the globe, nine Pisgah students and five teachers and parents traveled to Nakuru, Kenya on a summer mission trip. The group spent most of their time at Mountain Park Academy where they held Vacation Bible School for younger children each morning. The theme was Living Water, so the stories and skits revolved around Moses parting the Red Sea, Noah’s Ark and the women at the well. “Those kids were so adorable and so loving,” said Pisgah senior Evelyn Barnes. “They really made me feel welcome and I felt so blessed.”

In the afternoons, the Pisgah team spent time bonding with the older children through sports, games, talking and relaxing. “This year’s trip wasn’t about me,” said recent Pisgah graduate Cameron Gray of his second trip to Kenya. “I really took steps to be a humble servant, and a true missionary. I had to learn to serve without gratification, and love without expecting anything in return. While I was there, I asked myself, ‘would I really love these kids, if they didn’t love me first?’ and that thought challenged my faith more than anything. I learned that love isn’t about what you receive and how you return it, but it’s about what you have and how you give it.”

“Spending time in Kenya really opened my eyes to a lot of things,” explained Evelyn. “These kids had basically nothing. Most of them had eight other siblings in their families and their meals at school were the only meals they ate that day. Many of them had shoes that were worn down to the sole, if they even had shoes at all.”

100 Teenagers Join Southern Hospitality Workcamp Kristen Laukes, 17, helps paint the home of Joe Rivers Sr. on Tuesday. She is one of several teens who are helping to eliminate substandard housing through the Southern Hospitality Workcamp.

Pisgah’s mission/service trip to Valdosta was spotlighted in the local newspaper!

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pisgah post Alpha-Omega Graduates Karli Barnett “Having attended Pisgah from preschool through the twelfth grade, my experience went beyond just ‘going to school.’ Pisgah became more of a family atmosphere to me,” says Karli. “As I grew, so did Pisgah, and a bond developed between me, my friends, and the school. These attachments gave me a sense of community, loyalty, and devotion to Pisgah.”

The 2010 class valedictorian and an honor graduate, Barnett said she learned many lessons during her time at Pisgah including the importance of hard work and getting involved.

Karli will attend the University of Georgia in the fall. She feels that Pisgah has prepared her for this experience by, “setting high standards and expectations, and holding me accountable for my actions. The lessons learned at Pisgah go beyond academics. It develops your faith and values and prepares you for life. I feel that I am now able to take on the challenges of higher education and have started to plan my career goals.”

Parsa Behnamiri “I liked that [at Pisgah] you could definitely get a little more personalized with the education because of the time the faculty can put into you individually as a student,” says Parsa. “There’s not so many students like at a public school. I believe it is easier here to explore your interests, and extracurricular interests outside of school.”

Parsa will attend the University of Georgia in the fall.

Jordan Delk “Over the years, this school and the people in it became my extended family. I always felt loved and supported throughout the years by all the teachers and friends that I met. They all shaped me into the person that I am today and I am very thankful for my years at Pisgah.”

An honor graduate, Jordan said, “One of the most memorable lessons that I learned from Pisgah was that God has a plan for my life and I need to trust him in all my decisions. Pisgah gave me opportunities to help others and that’s one of the best gifts you can give.”

Jordan will be attending Furman University in the fall. “I think that the lessons that I have learned at Pisgah will allow me to stand my ground in college and be my own person when the world is telling me differently. I now know, because of Pisgah, that no matter where I am, God will be with me in college and in life in general.”

Alexa Felice “Growing up at Pisgah has been a blessing to me in so many ways. I have built amazing friendships with so many of my classmates,” Alexa says. “I have been challenged in my faith by excellent teachers and been held accountable by my friends, while being given the chance to grow as a person because of the individual attention I’ve received.”

Another honor graduate, Alexa says she has learned, “how important it is to really develop a relationship with Christ and be confident in my faith.”

Alexa will be attending the University of Georgia in the fall. She says that Pisgah has prepared her for college because, “I think that I have learned the importance of a good work ethic as a student at Pisgah and I feel that I will be able to face the challenges of college. I also know that I will able to stand firm in my faith because of the solid foundation that Pisgah gave me.”

Chris Heinmiller “Attending Pisgah has helped give me a strong moral foundation,” Chris says.

“Also I feel that the people at Pisgah are a family to me because I’ve known them for so long and I know that no matter what-- I can call on them for help and support.”

Chris says his time at Pisgah has taught him, “To give everyone a chance.

I’ve met all kinds of people while attending Pisgah and I’ve found that it’s much easier to get along with people if you give them a chance to show you who they are before you pass judgment on them.”

He will be attending Texas A&M in the fall and feels that Pisgah has prepared him well for this experience. “One of the things I’ve learned to do over the years is treat others the way you would like to be treated. In college this will help me because I will better understand unfavorable situations when I put myself in someone else’s position.”

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The Tradition Continues

Third Annual Alpha to Omega Breakfast

Just before graduation, each member of the Pisgah senior class is the special guest of honor at a heartwarming event hosted by the kindergarteners. The “Alpha to Omega” breakfast was originated by Pisgah Preschool Assistant Director Charmaine Botha as a beautiful way for kindergarteners to shower graduating seniors with their love and support.

Each senior receives a hand drawn invitation from a kindergarten student, and kindergarten families provide lovely decorations for the event.

The morning begins with a catered breakfast compliments of Brookwood Grill. Following breakfast, the young students sing several special songs, concluding with the heartfelt blessing “May the Lord, Mighty God, Bless and Keep You Forever”. Seniors and kindergarteners then pair up to enjoy playing together on the playground.

“There were seniors at the breakfast that I had as students when they were just two years old,” says kindergarten teacher Diane Winfield. “It is such a “blast from the past” to see just how many families we’ve worked with and loved through the years through church and school. Many of the buildings you see today weren’t even here when these children started school.”

Several seniors noted that this event was the highlight of their senior week. “It was really fun to see all the kindergarteners because we know what a difference Pisgah has made for us and we realize what a difference it will make in their lives,” said salutatorian Kelly Jordan. “Our parents really enjoyed talking with the kindergarten parents because they could share what a blessing Pisgah is going to be for their children.”

Kindergartener Rebecca Dworkin said “When I was looking at the seniors I saw a girl and she was talking to her boyfriend and she was looking at us, and then she cried for us.” She was not the only one who cried that morning. The Alpha to Omega Breakfast serves as a beautiful example of what makes the Pisgah experience so unique.

It is a tradition which will be treasured for many years to come.

Mount Pisgah Christian School

Vol. 1 | No. 3 | Summer Edition

Jordan Janico

Kelsey Van Stee “Pisgah has been a part of my life since I was two years old and I have loved every minute of it. It has truly become my second home,” Kelsey says. “The people I have met, the education I have gained, and the wonderful things I have experienced have all contributed to the person I am today.”

Kelsey will be attending Samford University and plans to become a nurse. “I think my time at Pisgah will help me in college because it has not only prepared me, but has given me a motivation to succeed throughout college and in life.”

A 2010 honor graduate, Kelsey says, “My Theology teacher and volleyball coach, Coach [Charles] Junn, had the biggest impact on my time at Pisgah. He has been such a support on and off the court, as well as in my education and spiritual growth. He has given me true advice and knowledge that I will take with me to college.”

Middle School Field Day More photos from MS Field Day, as well as other events, can be seen at: pisgahphotos.com (password: patriots)

“For me, Pisgah has been all about community, with teachers and friends and administrators. To have gone to Pisgah since preschool means having a place in a family that truly wants to see you succeed.”

An honor graduate, Jordan said that the most memorable lesson he learned from his time at Pisgah was the importance of hard work. “In high school, playing golf year round and taking high level classes means little free time during the week, so I have had to make the most out of the time I can spend doing things.”

Jordan will be attending Vanderbilt University on a golf scholarship in the fall. He said the time management that he learned balancing golf and academics will serve him well in college. He believes Bible teacher Andrew Jones had the biggest impact on his time at Pisgah. “Ever since freshman year at Sharptop, a few other guys and I have met with him once a week. The time he invested with us and the support he has for us has had a substantial impact on my life.”

Lindsey Major “I’ve loved having the opportunity to go to school with some of the same kids for 13 years. I enjoy being able to go back and visit my old teachers. You feel comfortable, like school is a second home.”

Lindsey will be attending the University of Georgia in the fall. She said her time at Pisgah taught her many lessons that will serve her well in college. “Pisgah has given me a moral base and helped me learn to make decisions based on biblical values rather than what’s popular. I feel comfortable in any situation following my own values even if people around me are doing otherwise.”

An honor graduate, Lindsey said that Bible teacher Andrew Jones had the biggest impact on her time at Pisgah. “He really pours himself into each student and is so approachable. He knows how to have fun, but is a powerful role model in just the way he behaves and lives his life every day.

He encouraged me to challenge myself, think critically about my faith and decide for myself what I really believe rather than just accepting what somebody else tells me.”

Mandi McSwain “Attending Pisgah my whole life means a lot to me,” says Mandi. “I made friends who have been with me since I was five and I would not have those friends if it weren’t for Pisgah.”

Mandy said the most memorable lesson she learned at Pisgah, “was the importance of friendships and loyalty.” She said she feels that Pisgah has prepared her for her time at Kennesaw State because, “Pisgah taught me that I will encounter many different people in my life and they will not all have the same beliefs as I do. I learned how to handle that and how to keep my beliefs in the middle of all of the others.”

Mandy believes Meredith Morris is the teacher who most impacted her life, “because of how she encouraged me in my school work and in activities outside of school.

Lindsey O’Sullivan “It was such a privilege to have had the opportunity to attend Pisgah from kindergarten up through twelfth grade. Though I didn’t realize it until postgraduation, Pisgah has become such a second home to me; the sense of family that I received every single year was truly a blessing. Growing up in the Pisgah community really shaped me into who I am today and I am happy to be able to now go forward with the knowledge that I will always be welcome back at my ‘second home’ with open arms.”

Lindsey said that one important lesson she learned at Pisgah was, “the importance of balancing my time between my studies, my friends, and my relationship with Christ.” She will be attending the University of Georgia in the fall, said that she feels this lesson will serve her well at such a large school.

hlight!

Creative co stu m es are a hig

Amanda Salyers

Ca rs on Howe

Ca rolin e No rm an

www.experiencepisgah.org

“Many people are surprised when I tell them I have attended the same school from kindergarten through 12th grade. I would not trade that experience for anything. For me, the most outstanding thing is my friends. Unlike many students, I have had the same core group of friends all the way from kindergarten until my senior year. My three best friends and I are all Alpha to Omega.”

Amanda, an honor graduate who will be attending the University of Georgia, said there are three memorable lessons her time at Pisgah taught her. “First, there is a lot more to learning than just memorizing facts for an A on a test.

At Pisgah, I came to understand that getting an education is an opportunity and a privilege. Secondly, I learned that in every situation, it is always best to be myself. I am created uniquely and for a purpose that is all my own. I will be much more successful in life if I stay true to who I am. Lastly, I have learned that life is less about what I do, and more about who I share it with. It’s not about my jobs or my accomplishments, it’s about the impact I have on people in day-to-day life.”

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pisgah post Technology Enhancements Ma rlon Fu

Thanks to the efforts and contributions of all the students, families, and faculty who participated in this year’s Boosterthon, Pisgah’s Lower School raised almost $100,000, providing tremendous technology enhancements for the new school year.

Live video broadcasts and a new monitor outside the LS office debuted in 2010. Students will continue to improve their presentation skills in morning announcements as they are able to view their very own broadcast.

The display monitor will also serve as a useful source for parent information. Pisgah students will have the ability to enjoy national and international communication via web cam and microphone in the classroom. This will bring the global learning community to Pisgah’s doorsteps.

The Lower School Computer Lab will receive 22 brand new computers all upgraded to Windows 7. They will also begin a new typing program in the 2010-2011 school year, “Type to Learn.”

The computers currently in the lab will be gifted to classrooms for student use along with brand new flat-panel monitors.

The new AV “Rover” system, complete with self-contained mobile projector and sound system, will allow projection capabilities for Fin ley M urp hy Spanish and Music while a flat panel TV accomplishes the same in the Media Center. These 3 specials classes, along with Art will receive Smart Slates which will allow for student/teacher interface. Smart Slates can be passed around to students to add images, information, etc.

A new SMART student response system will enable students to answer real-time assessments during instructional units. This will allow teachers the benefit of an instant assessment of student comprehension on daily work.

A new SMART Table will be utilized in preschool through 3rd grade. The table is similar in function to the SMART Board but is closer to the student and becomes more interactive.

All of this is made possible through your Boosterthon participation. Way to go, Pisgah families!

Ge ntry Arn ett e an d M rs. Sch we rze l

Summer School for Teachers In addition to beach trips and reading lots of good novels, some Pisgah Lower School teachers have been going to school this summer and students will definitely benefit this fall! Kindergarten and first grade teachers and assistants, along with administrators and some substitute teachers, have been attending training sessions to learn additional information regarding research-based best practices in reading instruction. They are learning Ortonbased techniques for providing the fertile soil from which excellent readers will grow. Orton-Gillingham is an approach to reading instruction that uses all three ways that people learn – visual, auditory and kinesthetic. The method is designed to be languagebased, multisensory, structured, sequential, cumulative, cognitive, and flexible.

In addition to this summer faculty development program, all Lower School teachers will be back in the classroom in August continuing to learn more ways to incorporate the interactive Smartboard and the Smart Table into their curriculum and daily activities. This commitment to learning new ways to engage students is just an example of why Pisgah is known for its outstanding teachers.

Alpha-Omega: From preschool student to first grade teacher As children, each of us dreamed of what we would become one day. Whether playing “veterinarian” with our stuffed animals, Sara h as a Pisg ah Pres choo ler “cops” on our bicycle, or “school” with dolls, we all dreamed of doing something fun as grown-ups. Mrs. Sarah Fetz, a classroom teacher at Pisgah, was no different.

Sarah played with her dolls and dreamed of becoming a teacher one day. She grew up in the Alpharetta area with her parents, one brother, two sisters, and actually attended “Three Day Threes” the first year Mount Pisgah Christian School opened its doors in 1986. Sarah fondly remembers her two years Sa rah Fet z as a Pisga h tea che r at Pisgah recalling that Miss Debbie was one of her favorite teachers. There were many things that she loved about her time in preschool, but she really loved her friends!

After Sarah’s fun and exciting time at Pisgah, she continued her education in the public school system, and later attended and graduated from Greater Atlanta Christian School in 2001. “While in high school,” Sarah says “I solidified my decision of becoming a teacher after I spent a lot of time as a mentee to a second grade class.” After high school graduation, Sarah attended Samford and graduated in 2005 with a degree in Early Childhood and Special Education. After years of hard work, her childhood dream became a reality and real children replaced the dolls that once sat and “listened” to her teach when she was a child. After college, Sarah taught in a Fulton County school and later at an elementary school in South Carolina.

With three years of teaching under her belt, Sarah realized that she wanted to teach in an environment which allowed her to openly and publicly serve and honor Jesus Christ. Sarah became part of the Mount Pisgah Christian School family in 2008. She will begin her third year of teaching first grade at Pisgah this fall. “I love teaching in general because I love kids,” says Sarah. “I love being with God’s children, they’re just so real, authentic, and loving. I love being able to brighten their day and help them grow to reach their potential.“ Alpha-Omega usually refers to a graduate who begins Pisgah in preschool or kindergarten, but the term also seems to suit this teacher who has come full circle. Her love for the school and students is evident every day in the classroom and her impact on students will be long-lasting. A former student of Sarah’s, Owen Parker, describes her by saying, “Mrs. Fetz is very pretty, and I learned a lot of math from her; she is a great math teacher!” Sarah says she looks forward to another year of learning and watching her students grow academically, socially, and in their faith.

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Natalie Brown

Pathfinders There’s barely a spare moment to catch your breath when you’re part of Pisgah Pathfinders! As faculty and students wrap up an action-packed summer, they’re also gearing up for an exciting fall that will be filled with discovery, learning, and fun.

The Pathfinders enrichment classes that were so popular this past spring will return for the new school year. Legos will turn into Simple Machines with sound effects. The martial arts and self defense classes will once again help young students gain confidence. Family photos will be turned into memorable scrapbooks and young publishers’ first books. Chapel will again be enhanced by puppeteers’ performances and songs. Chess players will gain more knowledge of the game, and budding artists will put the finishing touches on clay before they become treasured art pieces. Pathfinders truly has something for every child in a fun and “worry-free” after-school environment.

Mount Pisgah Christian School

Vol. 1 | No. 3 | Summer Edition

Does Online Learning Work?

While most of the North Metro Atlanta area realizes what fantastic learning opportunities are available at Pisgah, thanks to technology, the word is now spreading across the country.

Pisgah’s Derek Otieno teaches computer science classes with distance learning students in Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Illinois, New Hampshire and Washington.

“I hold a class once a week for about one hour, although some class sessions have lasted as long as three hours when we get so involved in solving problems,” said Otieno. “I use GotoMeeting software to have a teleconference. This software allows me to An dre w Joh nson (3rd Pla ce), Pro fessor Der share my screens so that all the students can see what I am going over. I can also switch to a student’s screen so that I can and Jon ath an Pag e (1st pla ce) ek Otie no, help with questions. The class sessions are pretty interactive.”

Students agree that the online option is a perfect fit for them. Student Nathaniel Pawelczyk explains, “Contrary to what I’ve sometimes heard, online classes are the best classes I’ve taken and are actually very social. We would generally meet weekly online with Professor Otieno to discuss assignments and the project. He was a great help and is a great teacher. He was always eager to discuss our projects with us and was willing to meet at any time to answer any questions we had.”

“This was my second year taking an online course from Professor Otieno,” said home school student Ethan Johnson. “Both of the classes I took (AP Computer Science A/AB and Fundamentals of Building Web-Based Applications) provided a wealth of knowledge. Professor Otieno’s advice and assistance has been invaluable throughout, and has consistently been clear and accurate. The one-on-one nature of his work with me allowed me to glean much more than I could have in a more group-oriented class, since I could explore the subject at my own pace and have more personalized assistance where needed. Being homeschooled, I am able to take advantage of the benefits of this mode of learning in all subjects, and this was a natural extension of that ethos to an area that was not accessible to me locally.”

Recently, three groups of students from Otieno’s AP Computer Science class competed in the Web Challenge 2010, Live and eLearn Competition, sponsored by the Technology Association of Georgia (TAG) Collaborative. Obviously, the online instruction they are receiving is paying off because their results are impressive. Three students from Pennsylvania, Illinois and North Carolina developed a card game based on chemistry to win the Most Useful Concept Award. Three other students from Maryland, Connecticut and New Jersey created a web site to teach high school chemistry students the basics of chemical equilibrium. They earned a third place award for the Most Effective Implementation.

Congratulations to Professor Otieno and your dedicated students from across the country for this outstanding accomplishment. Pisgah is pleased to offer online courses such as these as an extension of existing curriculum to provide additional choices and schedule flexibility for students. Like the minimesters, these online options provide a wealth of opportunities that enable students to explore and pursue their passions and interests.

MS Summer Book Club Have you ever dreamed of fighting off monsters with a magical pen that turns into a sword? Or what would happen if you on ssi cu found a valuable pearl? Maybe you have dreamed of becoming dis e th M rs. Di xon fa cilitate s an expert hunter? Middle School students embarked on these journeys all summer long as they participated in the book club reading program discussing novels like Percy Jackson and The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan, The Pearl by John Steinbeck, or Where the Red Fern Grows by Wilson Rawls.

On several occasions this summer, students had the opportunity to meet with friends, talk about books, and have lunch together. The Summer Book Club gave students a chance to discuss important themes and find meaning in the novels. According to rising seventh grader Lucy McCroskey, “discussing a difficult book with your teachers and friends can help you understand it better.” Students look beyond simple plot elements to find meaning and connections to their own lives in the characters and stories. Jacob Dixon’s favorite so far is Percy Jackson and The Lightning Thief. “I like the fights with monsters and Percy is a cool kid.”

Do they know that reading about a young misfit boy who discovers he is the son of Poseidon and battles monsters as he embarks on a quest to save the world from the wrath of Ares is actually a lesson in Ancient Greek Mythology that helps to prepare them for studies of Shakespeare? Probably not, but we will keep that under our hats for now.

St ud ents ga

in in sight into no ve

www.experiencepisgah.org

to pursue her iQu est ena bled La cey Rulegssee llleve l ten nis dream of pla yin g col

iQuest innovations Exercise your talent. Pursue your dream.

Pisgah’s groundbreaking iQuest program is expanding to a new level that will enable even more students to benefit from its innovative structure and approach to education. For the past three years, iQuest has been vital for outstanding athletes or performers whose practice, performance and tournament schedules demand either increased flexibility in their schedule or additional hours in the day to devote to dedicated practice sessions.

This program has been of great benefit to the athletes within the program. A member of the class of 2010 and iQuest student, Lacey Russell, was able to turn her additional practice time on the tennis court, while maintaining academic excellence, into a scholarship and a spot on the tennis team at Emerson College in Boston, Massachusetts. Billy Kennerly, a rising senior and member of the iQuest program since his freshman year, has been verbally committed to Clemson University since last summer. The iQuest program has allowed him the time to train and practice intensively on a daily basis.

His hard work has earned him All-State Golf honors and he is ranked as one of the top 50 junior golfers in the nation!

Dr. Bryan Smyth, the original architect of the program, noted, “As the needs of the students in the program have evolved, so has the program. It has become clear that some students primarily want the concentrated day feature so they are able to get in more practice time. Others want the flexibility because of intense travel schedules and the 2010-11 versions of iQuest will be responsive to the needs of both students.”

For the first time, iQuest will offer online classes in addition to its on-campus education programs. As Dr. Smyth noted, those students who primarily want the early-release feature, will simply take their courses during the first five periods of the day. This will allow them to be on the practice field by 1:30 most afternoons.

Students who travel often will be able to take some of the courses online. “The online courses, administered by Pisgah through our partnership with k12.com, allow iQuest students to take rigorous traditional, honors, and AP courses with real teachers and a clear pacing guide, but with the flexibility to learn and complete work as the student’s schedule demands,” said Smyth. The online option allows iQuest students, therefore, to customize their educational plan to meet their needs.

Students or families interested in the iQuest program should contact Dr. Smyth at 678-3363439 or bsmyth@mountpisgahschool.org.

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pisgah post

Welcome New Alumni

Karlin Noelle Barnett University of Georgia

Hannah Katherine Barron Samford University

Parsa Badiei Behnamiri University of Georgia

Laura Leigh Blanco Presbyterian College

Lindsay Jane Bostic University of Alabama

William Brannon Bowes Georgia Southern University

David Sean Brown Southern Polytechnic State University

Shea Nicole Church Furman University

Antasia Deanene Cooper Valdosta State University

Matthew Kenneth Cubin The George Washington University

Katherine Elaine DeGiorgi University of Georgia

Jordan Marie Delk Furman University

Alexa Nicole Felice University of Georgia

William Brown Finnell Berry College

Jeffrey Karl Gabriel Georgia Institute of Technology

Elizabeth Hart Gates Georgia Southern University

Jonathan David Gordon Tennessee Technological University

Cameron Bennett Gray Samford University

FeDale Lamar Hall United States Air Force Academy

Chris Kirby Heinmiller Texas A&M University

Jordan Pahl Janico Vanderbilt University

Kelly Alaina Jordan Samford University

Eleni Daren Keeter University of South Florida, Tampa

Junyeul Lee Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University - FL

SoHyun Lee New York University

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Mount Pisgah Christian School

Vol. 1 | No. 3 | Summer Edition

Class of 2010

Jordan Thomas Lewis Auburn University

Lindsey Mason Major University of Georgia

Meghan W. McCarthy Auburn University

Julia Ann McLendon University of Mississippi

Amanda Faith McSwain Kennesaw State University

Emily Kathryn Messer Appalachian State University

Benjamin Timothy Mortimer University of Georgia

John Michael Motz, II Marquette University

Lindsey Elizabeth O’Sullivan University of Georgia

Graham Jackson Peters Georgia Southern University

Megan Elizabeth Raymer University of South Carolina

Matthew Caleb Reilly Sewanee: The University of the South

Larissa Mary Rusell Emerson College

Amanda Marie Salyers University of Georgia

Allison Claire Stuart Mississippi College

Kelsey Elizabeth Van Stee Samford University

Daniel Alexander Vernon Appalachian State

Reece Alexander White University of Georgia

Hyungmo Yeon Midwestern State University

Jihea Yoon School of Visual Arts

The Pisgah Experience Works!

94% of 2010 graduates were accepted to their first college of choice. www.experiencepisgah.org

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pisgah post

A Choral Renaissance

New voices, new faces, new classes, new spaces.

The Pisgah Choral Program has seen a renaissance of interest fueling a year of notability in learning and performing. In addition to broadening their understanding of music history, Pisgah students increased their facility in music theory and significantly sharpened their skills at sight-singing.

Choral Director Erik Buxon explains, “As a music educator, the aforementioned are fundamental in establishing ourselves as an artistic force in our minds and in the community; but perhaps the M r. Bu xton lea ds the Middle Sch ool most noticeable expression of our development is Cho rus found in the outstanding performances presented this year. Our students gave four public concerts in which they sang music from the Broadway stage, movies and television. At Christmastime our audience was treated to some spectacular holiday fare and was surprised with a performance of “Carol of The Bells” for which the students were joined by Pisgah faculty and staff in what I know will become a tradition.”

The choruses concluded the year with a concert finale of American folk songs performed with the Preparatory Band and Strings. Other performances included singing at the annual Christmas Services held for the entire student body and memorable appearances on the 2010 Baccalaureate and Commencement Service programs. Additionally, chorus students had the opportunity to attend a local community performance of the musical, Annie and an Atlanta Opera presentation of the opera, Orfeo and Euridice at the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre.

“One of the benefits in seeing high-quality musical presentations is that it sets for students a bar of excellence and aspiration,” said Buxton. “Our students have rallied around the ideals of outstanding attitudes, unparalleled teamwork and tenacious musicianship. We believe these are the keys to establishing a tradition of excellence and leaving a legacy of distinction.”

Meg an Ray mer, Shea Chu rch, Kels ey Van Stee

Pisgah Arts Takes on New York Pisgah Art students traveled to New York this spring where they toured the famous Parsons New School for Design, (where the hit Lifetime TV show Project Runway is filmed). The group also saw much of the city, from Chinatown to Central Park. They also enjoyed a Broadway musical and visited the famous Museum of Modern Art.

S.T.A.R. - A Spring Sensation!

The “STARS” were out in full force as drama and choral students from both Middle and Upper School participated in the Spring Theatre Arts Revue. Performances included video projects, monologues, and solo and musical duet numbers.

The evening culminated with the one act play entitled “When Shakespeare’s Ladies Meet”, a comedic work which presented several of Shakespeare’s well-known leading ladies as they embark on a discussion surrounding the subject of love. An enjoyable evening for all, S.T.A.R. promises to be a traditional favorite for many years to come as the Pisgah Arts program continues to grow.

Katie Och s an d She lby Ha ll

Pisgah Portraits Uplift Children Across the Globe Twenty students created inspiring portraits for Uganda orphans through the unique mission: The Memory Project, sponsored at Pisgah by the National Art Honor Society.

The Memory Project is a unique initiative in which art students create portraits for children around the world who have been orphaned, abandoned, neglected, or otherwise disadvantaged. The goal of the project is to inspire caring and a positive sense of self. According to the organization, the project is directed by the nonprofit My Class Cares. Given that children who have been abandoned, orphaned, abused, or neglected usually have few personal keepsakes, the purpose of the portraits is to provide them with a special memory of their youth, to honor their heritage and identity, and to help them build a positive self-image. Regarding the art students who make the portraits, this is an opportunity for them to open their hearts to children who have endured many hardships, and to promote the value of sharing kindness with others.

Last year Pisgah students sponsored seventeen portraits to be created for orphans from the Ukraine.

Dear Ms. Geiselmayr and Artists, The kids in Uganda have received the portraits you made for them!

No doubt it was one of the most exciting days of the year. The adults described it as a festival. By the end of the delivery the entire school yard was crowded with kids running around to show the portraits to their friends – an explosion of colorful images.

Thanks so much to all of you for being part of the Memory Project.

You have given these kids unique gifts to last a lifetime.

Thank you, The Memory Project

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Art Show and Tea Weavings, animal prints, ocean scenes, and still lifes were among the many beautifully framed works of art displayed by kindergarten through fifth grade students at this year’s Lower School Art Show and Appreciation Tea. Each student in the Lower School had a piece in the show, which was coordinated by Art Teacher June Pettway.

Throughout the school year, LS Art has focused on organic shapes and forms. “Everything we do in Art gives students better tools with which to express their creativity,” explained Mrs. Pettway.

While viewing the artwork, parents enjoyed homemade sandwiches, muffins, and salads provided by Early and Lower School faculty members. Teachers worked hard to show their appreciation of our families in a tangible way.

Jeff Bostic’s company, “Artome”, graciously supplied matted frames and display stands for the show. Parents were able to purchase the frames, with all proceeds going to support Lower School arts initiatives. Bostic shared with Mrs. Pettway, “My hope is that the arts at Pisgah are able to benefit from the money that was raised.”

The arts will indeed benefit, thanks to such strong participation by Pisgah’s wonderful families.

Mount Pisgah Christian School

Vol. 1 | No. 3 | Summer Edition

Collegiate Athletes Five members of Pisgah’s class of 2010 will move on to become student athletes at the collegiate level.

Doug Dixon, Athletic Director

Dixon Adds New Role Doug Dixon will return to a familiar role in the fall as he will be adding the title of Athletic Director to his role as head football coach. Dixon served as the AD and head football coach at Riverside Military Academy before coming to Pisgah. Dixon will report to Blake Davenport, who will still serve as the General Manager for Pisgah Athletics.

“My goal for our athletic program is to put every person who participates in athletics in the best possible position for success, not only on the field or court, but in life,” said Dixon. “This can be achieved through hard work, discipline, trust, commitment, loyalty, and perseverance by our athletes and coaches and support from our administration, teachers, families and the community.”

With 51 teams, more than 65 coaches and over 600 student athletes, Davenport felt there was a need for organizational expansion within the athletic department. Seventy-one percent of Middle and Upper School students participate in athletics. “Doug has been a tremendous asset to the department as a whole since he first arrived,” said Davenport. “After working with Doug over the past year, I have a great understanding of what motivates him and makes him a fine Christian role model. I’m very excited to have someone with the experience and expertise of Doug in the AD role. As much as his twenty plus years of coaching and AD success brings to the table, Doug Dixon the person, is what makes him the best fit for Pisgah Athletics. As most of us have seen over the last few years, Doug’s energetic personality and passion for building our students to be great young adults is what makes him special. Even if you’ve only been to a few Pisgah athletic events in the past, chances are very good that you saw Coach Dixon there. His level of dedication will put Pisgah in the best position for success.”

As AD, Dixon’s responsibilities will include: • Assessing the school’s athletic programs to include rules and regulations, coaching assessments, scheduling, eligibility and athletic contracts with all Varsity Head Coaches (VHC) reporting to him.

• Attend the athletic events of the school whenever possible, working in conjunction with the GM, Assistant AD, and other school leadership.

• Attend numerous AD meetings within the state and our region.

• Work with the GM and VHCs in planning athletic awards.

• In conjunction with the athletic trainer, will be responsible for keeping on file a current physical for each student athlete.

• In conjunction with the coaches, arrange transportation of all athletic teams.

Davenport will continue to oversee the school’s athletic department, Patriot Community Sports (formerly, Pisgah Sports) program, and will manage the Patriot Athletic Campus.

While at Riverside, Dixon oversaw the development of an $11 million dollar athletic facility, hosted state championship meets in wrestling and swimming, earned the GISA Excellence in Athletics Award in 2005 and 2006, won 11 state championships and in his last three seasons at Riverside their teams won 78 percent of their contests.

www.experiencepisgah.org

Jordan Janico (Vanderbilt) and Michael Motz (Marquette) will be taking their golf skills to the Division I level next year. Midway through the season, head golf coach Bryan Smyth commented on both players.

“One of the co-MVP’s last year, Michael has had a great high school career and has played very well in tournaments this year.

He was on the All-tournament team while finishing 2nd in the Spartan Lanier Challenge. His 74 at the Atlanta Athletic Club Invitational helped propel Pisgah to a 3rd place finish against the best teams in Georgia.”

And as for Janico, “A four-year varsity player and a co-MVP in 2009, Jordan is one of the top junior golfers in the country. For the past two years, he has been Pisgah’s low scorer at the region tournament as Pisgah took 2nd and 1st in 2008 and 2009, respectively. Soon after shooting 62-67 in a junior tournament this summer, he accepted a golf scholarship to Vanderbilt University.”

FeDale Hall will be attending Air Force’s prep school to play football in 2010 with an eye towards attending the Academy in 2011. ““FeDale is one of the best all around athletes I have had the opportunity to coach and he is also the one of the best students. He was an integral part of all of our successes. He has developed all of his talents to not only be a better athlete but a better student. He is prepared to not only excel on the field but in the classroom as well,” said head football coach Doug Dixon.

Matt Reilly has signed to play soccer at the University of the South – Sewanee. Matt will join older brother Joe who is a member of Sewanee’s baseball team. Joe was recently named to the Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference (SCAC) Baseball All-Sportsmanship team.

Mich ae l Motz

Jord an Jan ico

FeDale Ha ll

“Matt is a very dangerous player up top and is composed under pressure,” said head boys’ varsity soccer coach Trey Arnette earlier this year.

“He is a great captain who has played for me since he started high school.”

Tennis sensation Lacey Russell will be attending Emerson College in Boston. “Lacey was the only senior on our girls team this spring and served as captain and mentor to the seven freshmen. Her play on the court and the leadership she provided throughout the season played a large part in the success we had and with our ability to finish third in the state -- the highest GHSA ranking ever for a Pisgah tennis team. Lacey will be the first Patriot tennis player to go on and play tennis at the college level. She has set the bar at a high level that should pay dividends for all those tennis players who come after her. Her dedication to the game and her neversay-die work ethic will serve her well as part of the Emerson College tennis team,” said head tennis coach Ken Bomar.

Matt Re illy

La ce y Ru sse ll

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pisgah post Coaching Update There will be a lot of new faces on the sidelines this season as the Athletics Department welcomes five new varsity head coaches. New to Pisgah are softball coach Haley Henry and girls’ basketball coach Jennifer Osborne. Familiar faces in new positions include Leah Horan (volleyball), John O’Connor (baseball) and Caitlin Goss (cheerleading).

“I am very excited to have this tremendous group of coaches leading our varsity programs. Each one of these coaches possesses great character and passion for children. They are primarily concerned with the development of the child becoming a young adult with great character who strives to be their best academically, socially, spiritually as well as athletically. Each of them clearly shows the understanding that there is a process that leads to what we want in a Pisgah graduate who is ‘College Prepped and Life Ready’,” said Blake Davenport, General Manager for Pisgah Athletics.

“These coaches have the experience and the expertise developed from playing and coaching at numerous levels that has not only prepared them, but will help them take our student athletes to the level they aspire to achieve. Specific to our current level of each respective program they coach, these coaches have a plan of how to best utilize where we are now. What makes them special is their vision and work ethic to reach the great potential Pisgah Athletics has in the very near future. The fastest way to get there is through coaches and student athletes playing and promoting multiple sports and each of these coaches shares this philosophy,” Davenport continued.

Leah Horan Leah Horan takes over the volleyball program for the 2010 season.

Horan served as the head JV and assistant varsity coach in 2008.

Prior to coming to Pisgah, Horan posted an impressive coaching tenure at Cardinal Mooney High School in Sarasota, Florida.

Horan spent five years at Cardinal Mooney, three as the varsity assistant and two years as the head coach. As the head coach, she guided the team to the 2007 regional finals. As an assistant in 2005, Cardinal Mooney finished as the district champions and the regional runners-up.

“I am extremely excited to be named the head coach of the volleyball program at Pisgah and I am really looking forward to the upcoming season,” Horan said. “Goals that I have set for the upcoming season include encouraging the girls to be wellrounded athletes, as well as implementation of a weights and plyometric training program at the varsity level. Another goal is create a cohesive program so that the transition from Middle School volleyball to Varsity is a smooth one. I am also going to focus a lot of my attention on building the program starting from the Lower School up through the Varsity level.”

Before moving to Atlanta, Horan was the Suncoast Volleyball Club High School Director from 20062008. She was also an assistant coach with the North Atlanta Volleyball Club. Horan played collegiately at the University of Montevallo from 1998-2001. Following her playing career, she served as a graduate assistant at Missouri Western State College. A 2002 graduate of the University of Florida with a degree in English, Horan teaches freshman and sophomore English classes.

John O’Connor John O’Connor will take over the baseball program for the 2011 season.

O’Connor previously served as the head Middle School baseball coach and assistant varsity football coach at Pisgah.

“I’m excited and thankful to be the head coach of Pisgah baseball. This is an exciting time for Pisgah baseball. We have a lot of quality players already in our program and the rising MS classes are stocked with very good players,” O’Connor said. “Our players will play hard and will strive to be good role models for the Middle and Lower School athletes.

I look forward to continuing the momentum of the program next spring.”

A native of New Jersey, O’Connor attended Don Bosco Prep High School, where he lettered in

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baseball and football and helped to lead his team to a football state championship. O’Connor played baseball at Rutgers University, and made two appearances in the NCAA tournament with the Scarlet Knights. He graduated from Rutgers with a BA in Sports Management.

This fall O’Connor will be the head Middle School football coach. He will also lead Patriot Community Sports Baseball Academy. He and his wife Kerry have been married for 19 years and have two children – Katie (16) and John (14).

career at Monroe Academy. She has also been the head coach at Wesleyan College in Macon, and was the assistant coach at the Westfield School.

“I am really excited about the opportunity [to coach at Pisgah] and the upcoming talent,” Henry said.

“So far all the people I have met are extremely nice and I am looking forward to working with them.”

“My goal is to establish a competitive program,” she said. “I want to teach the fundamentals of softball that prepare players for the next level. I also love those teaching moments on the field that lead to life lessons.” In addition to coaching softball, Henry has coached basketball on the high school Caitlin Goss and college levels. She will be assisting with the Caitlin Goss takes the reins of the basketball program, as well as teaching Bible and cheerleading program in 2010. working as a full-time substitute at Pisgah.

Goss currently works as the Executive Administrative Assistant for Patriot Community Sports. “I Jennifer Osborne am thrilled and humbled to have the opportunity After a three-year coaching stint to serve as coach for these girls. I am passionate at Decatur High School, Jennifer about investing in the lives of young women. I know Osborne comes to Pisgah to head I will learn so much from them as well,” said Goss. the girls’ basketball program. At Goss began cheering in Middle School and later Decatur, Osborne turned around a cheered for the football and competition squads program that had not been to the state tournament at Chattahoochee and Northview High Schools. or had a winning record in ten years. Osborne She also cheered for the Atlanta Jayhawks, a helped guide her squad to consecutive winning traveling competition squad, for two years. Goss seasons and a trip to the state tournament. says her goals for the cheerleading program “I am so excited to be at Pisgah,” Osborne include, “maintaining an atmosphere in which both said. “I was really attracted to the small school the individual cheerleader and squad as a whole environment and the fact that I can practice my can thrive physically, academically, emotionally, faith and express myself. I thought it was important and spiritually. I would also like to see the squad that when I taught and coached the students could promote and uphold team spirit for the entire see all of me. ” Pisgah community and to support and maintain current Pisgah spirit traditions, while working to A Gwinnett County native, Osborne played introduce new traditions that interconnect with the basketball and softball at South Gwinnett High School. After two years of college at Spartanburg values and goals of our school.”

Methodist, Osborne finished her collegiate With a degree in Early Childhood Education from career at Gardner-Webb where she played both Berry College, Goss worked as a Kindergarten basketball and softball. She spent five years at teacher and has been a counselor and director Norcross High School as the head varsity softball for Camp All-American. She also has experience coach and the assistant basketball coach. After coaching swimming and golf. Caitlin and her Norcross, Osborne coached at Decatur where she husband Jeremiah reside in Johns Creek. was the head softball and basketball coach.

Haley Henry Haley Henry will take over the softball program beginning with the 2010 season. Henry brings coaching experience from the middle, high school and college levels to the Lady Patriots program.

Henry played softball at Tift County High School before moving on to play at Presbyterian College.

After graduating Cum Laude with a degree in Christian Education, Henry began her coaching

“My goal is to start with fundamentals and work from the ground up. I want to work with the lower levels on up – from kindergarten to varsity,” Osborne said. “For the varsity team, my goal is to finish .500. I also want to show them that winning comes with having fun and trusting in your coach and each other. I really want to build the program up.” Osborne, who has earned a Masters degree in Educational Leadership, will teach PE and also work with the softball program at Pisgah.

Mount Pisgah Christian School

Vol. 1 | No. 3 | Summer Edition

Pisgah Sports has a new name: Patriot Community Sports. The name change will help reduce any misconception that the program is limited to only enrolled students and church members. The program is designed to serve athletes throughout the community.

“With a steady increase in participation and the addition of the new athletic campus, the program will begin putting more emphasis on becoming the premier player development organization in the north Metro area,” said General Manager Blake Davenport. “To achieve this goal, Patriot Community Sports will also be launching various academy style programs to attract older student athletes.” Premier coaches are a major draw for athletes year after year and the program continues to add new superstars each season.

Register for fall sports at patriotcommunitysports.com.

Ne w Sta diu m at the PAC

Sports Review Varsity Baseball

PAC Stadium Opens This Fall It seems like only yesterday that the large crane with the 3 ton weight was dropping down on the barren soils with deep dynamic compaction.

The soil was barren, the old house and ugly trailers were on the site and the view from the street was deplorable. Two years later, the site has been transformed and the Patriots are preparing to host their first Varsity home football game at the Patriot Athletic Campus.

This past spring and throughout the summer, the PAC was filled with students and athletes. In all, over 500 athletes practiced and/or played at the PAC just this spring, including Pisgah Sports and Pisgah Baseball Academy Red Sox Baseball team.

The impact this fabulous facility has on the Pisgah athletic program is evident in the successes of the teams and the memories now being made by families as they share time together at the PAC. “Year one at the PAC has been a wonderful experience,” said Blake Davenport, General Manager of Pisgah Athletics. “We can’t say enough how thankful we are for those who made it possible, including everyone who gave to the PAC campaign and to Project Manager Sonya Tablada. Please be assured that your gifts have been a blessing this year and will be for many years to come. We also appreciate the patience parents have had this year with the inconveniences of ongoing construction and the wettest year in recent memory. It has all been worth it.”

At press time, construction of the stadium was nearly complete. In eager anticipation of the stadium opening, hundreds of families have purchased commemorative bricks to line the entrance walkway. Lighting and seating is in place and additional parking spaces and sidewalks are ready. Sonya Tablada, Capital Project Manager for Pisgah, says “The construction crews are working long hours and many Saturdays to bring the stadium on line for the first home game on August 27th. Thus far, the weather has been nearly perfect and we have had no major setbacks. Let’s all pray that this continues.”

The Patriotic Athletic Campus is indeed a place to be proud of-- from a desolate landfill to a beautiful place that will impact the lives of children and families for many years to come. We’ll see you in the fall for all the action at the PAC. Go Patriots!

The Varsity Baseball team qualified for the state playoffs for the first time since Pisgah moved to GHSA play. The Patriots finished 9-19 overall, but were 6-6 in region play. The squad earned the No. 4 seed in the region. In the playoffs, Pisgah lost to a more experienced Bremen squad 8-1 and 16-0.

The Patriots earned their playoff berth with exciting wins over Providence and St. Francis. Against Providence, Pisgah trailed 3-0 most of the game, but the team scored three runs in the sixth inning and another three runs in the 7th inning to take a 6-3 lead into the bottom of the 7th. After pitching six strong innings, Hank Shaw gave way to Danny Schneider with the bases loaded and one out in a 6-4 ballgame. Schneider recorded two outs on three pitches as the Patriots held on 6-5.

In the playoff clinching game, Pisgah trailed St. Francis 3-1 with two outs in the top of the 7th inning. Down to their last strike, Patriot right fielder Danny Schneider hit a three-run home run to give Pisgah a 4-3 lead. St. Francis scored a run in the bottom of the 7th to bring the score to a tie and send the game into extra innings. After a scoreless 8th inning, FeDale Hall scored in the 9th inning on a Zach Thayer single to give Pisgah a 5-4 lead. After recording the first two outs in the bottom of the 9th, Schneider gave way to Shaw who got the final out.

Schneider (.418 avg., 21 RBIs) was named 1st Team All-Region. Hank Shaw (3-3 with 3 saves, 3.68 ERA, 12 walks in 38 innings pitched) was second team All-Region as a pitcher and Honorable Mention as a hitter. Hall (.385 avg. 22-of-23 stolen bases) and freshman Adrian Celata (.297, 14 RBIs) were named offensive Honorable Mention. Joseph Marco (3-6, 5.94 ERA) and Taylor Hammons (1-2, 3.33 ERA) were named Honorable Mention as pitchers.

Pla yin g at Turner Fie ld was a sea son hig

hlig ht

Grah am Cla ytor

Kyle Jackson

Middle School Baseball The Middle School B baseball team earned the first Pisgah championship won at the PAC this spring. The Patriots defeated Mount Paran 7-5 to win the NAML title.

“It’s was great to see the kids really take pleasure in winning a championship together,” said head coach Todd Greene. “They worked hard for it, and they deserved it. They were the best B team in NAML by far.”

In the championship game, Jonathon Horan pitched six strong innings. Mount Paran stormed back, scoring five runs in the 6th inning. With the bases loaded, an alert JR Cendoya turned a single to right field into an out at first base to end Paran’s threat.

On the season, Pisgah finished 8-2. “I was very proud of our boys this season. We were able to fight through some tough weather and field arrangements early on, and the boys never complained. They had the heart and desire to win every game we played,” Greene added.

Other highlights of the season include an Aaron Payne home run against St. Francis. Trailing early 7-0, the Patriots won 11-7. “That was one of the longest [home runs] from a kid that age I’ve seen in a long time,” Greene said. He also pointed to a stolen base of home by Jacob Greene in the 6th inning against Fellowship to tie the score. Zach Messinger later stole home to win the game in the 7th inning.

Continue on page 16 (or next page)

www.experiencepisgah.org

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pisgah post Spring Sports Review (continued) Varsity Tennis As has become their custom, the boys’ and girls’ varsity tennis teams both ended their season in the state tournaments. The girls advanced to the quarterfinals before falling to Walker, while the boys advanced to the second round before losing to Athens Academy.

After being ranked as high as No. 3, the girl’s finished the season ranked No. 7 in class A. They advanced further in the state tournament than any Varsity Ten nis Tea m previous Pisgah squad and captured the region championship with a 3-2 win over Wesleyan. The Lady Patriots finished with a 15-3 overall record. “This team’s success is a little surprising, since seven of the 10 members of the team are freshmen. But they have played at a level beyond their years and that’s why they are in the position they are in,” said head coach Ken Bomar before the state tournament.

In the playoffs, the Lady Patriots easily defeated Trion High School (5-0) and Lakeview Academy (5-0) in the first two rounds. In the quarterfinals, Pisgah lost 3-2 to Walker. Walker would go on to advance to the championship match. Picking up wins for the squad were Taylor Carlson at No. 2 singles (6-0, 6-4) and the No. 1 doubles team of Cissy Jamieson and Nicole Peters (6-3, 6-7, 6-0).

Lacey Russell fell in No. 1 singles 6-2, 6-1, to Katherine Oudin, twin sister of tennis phenom Melanie Oudin. Paige Edwards dropped her No. 3 singles match 6-2, 6-4. While Emily Knight and sister Liz Knight dropped their No. 2 doubles match 6-4, 6-2. “We had a great season,” said Bomar. “But I think we could be a lot better next year.”

The boy’s team finished their season 12-5 and ranked No. 8 in class A. The team finished as region runners-up after dropping the region championship to Wesleyan 3-0. In the first round of the state tournament, the boys easily defeated Gordon Lee High School 5-0. The Patriots lost to Athens Academy 3-0 in the second round. Senior Jeff Gabriel joined sophomores Will Jamieson and Ross Hudgins to form the squad’s singles lineup. During the playoffs, Jamey Russell /Kyle Starke and Mike Reinsel/ Clayton Farmer played doubles.

Varsity Soccer This spring the varsity boys’ soccer team captured its first winning season since entering GHSA competition in 2010. The Patriots finished 7-4 and outscored their opponents 27-13.

“It was a great season,” said head coach Trey Arnette.

“After years of hard work, our game has finally come together. We played our game consistently, where in the past we were very inconsistent.”

Arnette added that the team played a very competitive Be n Mozin go schedule including two teams (Hebron and Landmark Christian) that went on to the second round of the state tournament. The Patriots lost to Hebron 2-1 and defeated Landmark 1-0 in a shootout. The team was led in scoring by Matt Reilly, who will be continuing his soccer career at the University of the South.

“Matt has come a long way in just a few short years; it shows you what hard work will do,” Arnette said.

“He has developed into a great striker and is fast and dangerous on the ball. I am excited he is getting the opportunity to play at University of the South.”

Middle School Soccer The Pisgah girls’ Middle School soccer team had an incredible run in the 2010 season, going undefeated in the regular season and losing in penalty kicks in the NAML championship game.

“The Middle School girls had a blessed and awesome season. It was a true honor to have the opportunity to lead and coach this team,” said head coach Doug Yearwood. “The amazing thing about this team was its focus and team chemistry. From the first match to the Championship game, the girls stayed very focused on our mission and the moment - never looking too far An na Froh sin ahead. All thirteen players came together and really meshed into one. Their commitment to God and to each other was impressive. The players exhibited tremendous maturity and always battled through adversity with grace and honor.”

The Lady Patriots finished 10-1-1 on the season. They scored 43 goals, while only allowing seven.

Pisgah also recorded seven shutouts. “There is no question that the focus was on team,” Yearwood continued. “Successful soccer is a total team effort and the players’ focus and determination allowed Continued on page 17

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Braves Pisgah Night Join the fun as the Atlanta Braves take on the Los Angeles Dodgers at Turner Field on Pisgah Night August 13th 7:35 pm Purchase tickets at experiencepisgah.org

2011

Pisgah Golf Classic September 27th For details and to register: www.experiencepisgah.org

Board of Trustees Chris Anderson Glenn Davenport Curtis Hicks Glen “Happy” Mayer Jean McGarrity Bruce Parker Matt Tanzy Doug Williams, Chair Steve Wood Board bios are posted at www.experiencepisgah.org

Mount Pisgah Christian School

Vol. 1 | No. 3 | Summer Edition

Sports Review (continued)

She lley, Nick, Cla ire, and Myron Ma rtin

Volunteer Spotlight: The Martins When she was in the corporate world, Shelley Martin was a project manager. Now she is using those skills to help the Mount Pisgah Athletic Association. This year Shelley was in charge of scheduling volunteers for all Pisgah Athletics. She also helped put together the fall, winter and spring journals. In the fall she will take on the responsibility of selling spirit wear.

When her son Nick started at Pisgah three years ago, Shelley and her husband Myron immediately became involved in MPAA. Shelley has been the team parent for Middle School and JV baseball.

Myron has worked the chain gang for football, done scoreboard duty, was involved with the Johns Creek Council meetings for the PAC and provided some expert opinion on lighting.

“The Martins are a key to the success of MPAA. We rely heavily on them for a variety of duties and they are always willing to be involved,” said John Delk, President of MPAA. “They are truly a ‘go-to’ couple who are committed to Pisgah and who help make sure that our students have high-quality opportunities for competition through sports. We are extremely blessed to have them involved.”

“Shelley did a great job of handling the challenging task of coordinating volunteers,” said General Manager of Athletics Blake Davenport. “These are very exciting times at Pisgah as our athletic program becomes more in depth and competitive.

For this progress to continue, it is imperative that the parental support grows at the same rate. The Martins have been a big piece of that support.”

MPAA Memberships in the Mount Pisgah Athletic Association will again be available this fall.

Memberships come in different levels with different opportunities for families to support MPAA and receive benefits. Information is available at experiencepisgah.org.

“Membership in MPAA is not just for parents of kids who play sports, but is a way for all families to support Pisgah. We intentionally design the levels of membership to include opportunities for people to get involved without having kids playing sports,” said John Delk, MPAA President.

Delk said the money raised is used to augment the school budget for athletics and pays for items such as: • Athletic equipment and supplies • Field and court maintenance • Transportation costs • Awards & Banquets expenses

www.experiencepisgah.org

them the success they achieved on the field.” In the championship game, Pisgah jumped out to a 2-0 lead, but a resilient Mount Vernon squad rallied to tie the game at 2. “The championship game was unbelievable,” Yearwood said. “It was an afternoon of tremendous accomplishment on several fronts.

First, the number of fans that came out to support Middle School soccer was amazing. There must have been 250 to 300 fans combined!”

“Second, our players put everything they had into that game. After getting off to an amazing start and a 2-0 lead, our opponent, Mt. Vernon, showed amazing resiliency and tied the game. As we found out in the semi-final, penalty kicks can be very rewarding and they can also be a tough way to lose a game. The ball did not bounce our way in the end but it did not take away from an amazing season,” Yearwood said. Looking ahead Yearwood added, “The eighth grade class will make its way to High School and our varsity team will be a lot of fun to watch over the next four years.”

Varsity Golf The varsity golf team finished second as a team at the GHSA state meet. The Patriots were led by Billy Kennerly and Jordan Janico, who both posted 69s. This score tied Kennerly and Janico with Brookstone’s Cates Culpepper for low medalist honors.

The Patriots shot 298 as a team, eight shots behind class A champion Brookstone. Michael Motz shot a 74, while Mitchell Phillips and Evan Piedrahita both shot 86.

While his score did not figure in to the teams’ total, Alex Steinbaum shot a 92. The tournament was played at the a t hi dra Pie n Eva Green Island Golf Club in Columbus.

The team also captured the Region 7-A championship defeating Wesleyan, their closest competition, by 22 strokes. Motz and Kennerly were low medalists for the region tournament finishing with 69s.

Janico carded a 70. This was the second consecutive region title for Pisgah, who finished the season undefeated in head-to-head matches for the third season in a row.

Varsity Track The Pisgah varsity track team had four athletes qualify for the state meet in 2010. Sam Reilly qualified in the 3200 meters, Ben Otieno in the triple jump, Bryant Laursen in the discus and Will Finnell in the 800 meters. Reilly was the only athlete to score at the state meet, finishing 8th with a time of 10:28.

“The boys’ varsity track team was the most complete team we have had here at Pisgah,” said head coach Gary Downs. “We had guys entered and scoring in every event. We even had our first entry in the pole vault Katie Stra win ski when Mike Delguardia scored 5th in the region meet with only 7 days of practice. The girls’ team is building and we’re hopeful that some rising 9th graders are ready to join the team, especially sprinters.”

Coach Downs believes the state of the art track at the Patriot Athletic Campus was a major plus for the team this year. “The PAC allowed us to be more prepared than ever before. Having actual lanes to practice relays, a high jump, a discus pad, the PAC allowed us to practice like never before which allowed us to compete like never before. It took a lot less creativity to accomplish what we wanted than with our previous set-up.”

Varsity Basketball Both the boys’ and girls’ basketball teams showed tremendous improvement during the 2009-2010 season.

The boys finished 12-12 and in 4th place in the region.

The varsity boys won more games last season than their total wins in the last three years combined. The Patriots upset two top ten teams (Greenforest Academy and Athens Christian) and defeated Fellowship three times. It was the first time Pisgah posted double-digit wins since moving to GHSA. Da nny Sch neider The team was led by point guard Kyle Sloter, who was named first team All-Region after averaging 16 points, five rebounds and four assists per game. Sloter was named the team’s Offensive Player of the Year. Other key contributors for the boys were Blake Piedrahita (Honorable Mention All-Region), Danny Schneider (Johns Creek Continued on page 20

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pisgah post New Officers for 2010-11 Audrey Smith an

d La uren Thomps

on en

joy picnic Dear Pisgah Family, you wonderful We would like to express our gratitude to all of . such an effortless and parents for ma king our job as officers of P.A.L.S rewarding one!

2009-10 in Review provide students, Tha nks to your generosity, P.A.L.S. was able to events that were faculty, and staff with a plethora of progra ms and ough your dedication thr n, itio add In all. by d oye enj and d iate rec app h the Shoppers’ to Pisgah, we raised the following dollars throug Rewa rds Progra ms: $3,725.25 fro m Publix $2,231.69 fro m Kroger $1,591.47 fro m Box Tops $1,126.42 fro m Target support ma ny It is through these dollars that P.A.L.S. is able tolab in the Lower initiatives including replenishment of the science s, and teacher School, teacher appreciation celebrations, field trip .L.S. would like to luncheons/snacks during conference days, etc. P.Aus gift of time and tha nk the following Pisgah parents for their generoof P.A.L.S. committees talent in tackling leadership roles as coordinators for the 2009-2010 school yea r:

We are pleased to welcome new P.A.L.S. officers for the 2010-2011 year, which include the following Pisgah parents: 55 Gay Lynn Morrison – Secretary 55 Teri Hudgins – President, Upper School 55 Lisa Dworkin – President, Middle School 55 Heather Wilson – Co-President, Lower School And as we receive our new officers and wish them the best of luck in their new roles, we must, sadly, also say good-bye to our outgoing officers: 55 Vickie Parker – President, Upper School 55 Patti Juliano – President, Middle School 55 Keisha Childress – Co-President, Preschool Full Day 55 Katherine Hilton – Co-President, Preschool Full Day We sincerely appreciate all of their time and passion as they have served within the P.A.L.S. organization over the past years and wish them all the best.

Fortunately, there are lots of other volunteer assignments within the P.A.L.S. organization which we feel confident could benefit from their involvement! Thank you ladies for your service to our school and to P.A.L.S. Again, we thank you all for your commitment to the P.A.L.S. organization and encourage you to remain involved in the coming year. It is each of YOU who make P.A.L.S. the incredible organization that it is. We look forward to seeing you all again at the P.A.L.S. ‘Back to School Picnic’ on August 16th!

Warmest Regards, P.A.L.S. Executive Committee

P.A.L.S. Volunteers (Parents Are Loyal Supporters) Hospitality Preschool Half Day Lower School Middle School Upper School

Teacher Appreciation Kim Davenport & Anna Eberhard Maureen Anderson & Malin Shibley Mary Janico Mary Janico & Lynn Salyers

Preschool Full Day Preschool Half Day Lower School Middle School/Upper School

Caroline Kelly & Stephanie Dunn Kim Hoffman Shelly Duskin & Shannan Gaudette Sandi Cheek & Lin Kennerly

P.A.L.S. School Store

MS Media Center Coordinator

Rhonda Dalton, Fran Ainsworth, Dominique Frascino

Brenda Villwock

Operation Christmas Child

Bible Study

Preschool Half Day Lower School

Joan Delk

Wendi Sellars & Janet Rhoades Karen Pardue & Sherrie Boylan

Rewards Program

Thankful Tuesday

Sharman Gray & Gay Lynn Morrison

Mimi Harris & Leigh Ann Bishop

Room Parent Coordinators Preschool Full Day Preschool Half Day Lower School

Tonya Miller Dawn Reed Nancy Kasselman

Connect Event Coordinator Karen Pardue

P.A.L.S. Cookbook Meredith Emerson & Rhonda Dalton

Watch DOGS

Sunshine Parent Deannie delaGuardia

MS School Grade Level Reps 6th Grade 7th Grade 8th Grade

Vania Venizelos & Kacey McCroskey Beth Tanzy & Margaret Gibson Mimi Doss

US School Grade Level Reps 9th Grade 10th Grade 11th Grade 12th Grade

Kelly Steinbaum Pam Stark & Teri Hudgins Deannie delaGuardia Mary Janico & Lynn Salyers

Jennifer Aliff & Michelle Bartlett

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Mount Pisgah Christian School

Vol. 1 | No. 3 | Summer Edition

Alumni News Drew Jordan Class of 2006 A history major at Presbyterian College, Drew was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the National Guard. He will serve in Field Artillery. He has also earned a spot on the Dean’s list for the spring semester.

Joe Reilly Class of 2007 A junior outfielder on Sewanee’s baseball team, Joe was selected to the 2010 Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference (SCAC) Baseball All-Sportsmanship Team. Reilly batted a .303, including 27 hits. He scored 23 times and batted in 12 runs.

Chris Reeder Class of 2008 Chris has been accepted into a competitive coop program for NASA. Beginning this fall, he will complete three tours with NASA alternating between school and work. When he returns, he will complete another tour abroad at UGA’s Oxford England facility.

Please send your alumni news to Rebecca Williams, Director of Marketing & Communications at: rwilliams@mountpisgahschool.org

Join the Pisgah family for the first Homecoming celebration to be held at the brand new Patriot Athletic Campus. The Advancement Office cordially invites all Pisgah alumni to join us for all the festivities at the PAC on October 15th.

Please RSVP to srocchio@ mountpisgahschool.org. www.experiencepisgah.org

Underground Unveiling

Th e Ne w Un derground Bu idli ng

Mount Pisgah United Methodist Church announced that construction on its North Campus student ministry building, named “The Underground” is nearly complete and the grand opening is slated for Aug. 22. Much of The Underground is designated as worship space large enough to seat 500 people, with full light and sound production capabilities, and a 40-foot rear projection screen located at the back of the stage. There are two break-out classrooms on either side of the stage which will be used for Sunday school classes, Bible studies, and small groups throughout the year. The Underground includes a café area for the students and will be used for Bible studies and small groups. There is also a video game area, pool table, lounge area, and outdoor recreational space that will be a part of the new facility. “We are so excited about the wonderful things God is going to do in and through our students as we prepare to move ‘Underground,’” said Alan White, Mount Pisgah’s Student Ministries Pastor. For more information on The Underground, visit www.mountpisgah.org.

A Reminder from Trey Arnette, Director of Advancement You have a say in where your Georgia tax dollars are being spent. The Georgia GOAL scholarship program is a “student scholarship organization” to which you can redirect a portion of your Georgia tax liability in order to provide need-based financial assistance to new students entering Mount Pisgah Christian School either in kindergarten or transferring from a public school.

Pisgah has seen a significant increase in the number of families applying for financial assistance and currently provides nearly one million dollars in need-based financial aid to qualified students. With the significant budget cuts in North Fulton schools, we are likely to see more applicants coming from public schools, many of whom will be requesting need-based financial aid. Obviously, GOAL is a great opportunity for us to offer these families an incredible opportunity. The Georgia GOAL Scholarship Program has been allotted a potential $50,000,000 of redirected tax dollars, but we are only able to apply for monies designated specifically to Mount Pisgah Christian School, (and Pisgah is just one of nearly 100 schools participating in the Georgia GOAL). Of this $50,000,000, scholarship dollars are allocated on a first come, first served basis. What does that mean? If the maximum is reached before Pisgah families participate, there are zero dollars for which we can apply to assist in financial aid.

While GOAL will provide additional funding for financial aid, the school’s operational needs are supported annually by the Excellence Fund. GOAL is not a charitable contribution to the school, nor should it be considered in lieu of supporting the mission and vision of Pisgah through giving to the Excellence Fund.

How you can help: 1. Determine if you will be able to participate in the GOAL Scholarship Program and how much of your Georgia tax liability you would be willing to redirect to assist with need-based financial aid for families applying to kindergarten at Pisgah or coming from public schools. The maximum you can redirect are as follows: • 75% of tax liability for C-corps • $2,500 for married, filing jointly • $1,000 if filing individually 2. Download and fill out GOAL Form IT-QEE-TP1 from this website: www.goalscholarship.org. Drop the form off at the Advancement Office or mail it to: Georgia Department of Revenue Qualified Education Expense Credit 1800 Century Blvd. NE Suite 8301 Atlanta, GA 30345 3. If the maximum of the $50,000,000 has yet to be reached, you will receive your approval from the DOR, you can then write a check made payable to “Georgia GOAL Scholarship Program, Inc.” Make sure you designate Mount Pisgah Christian School in the memo section of the check.

You have 30 days from when you receive your approval to make a contribution.

The check and a copy of the approved Form IT-QEE-TP1 can be dropped off at the Advancement Office or mail to: Georgia GOAL Scholarship Program 5 Concourse Parkway Suite 200 Atlanta, GA 30328 4. GOAL will send you a confirmation form, along with the approved Form ITQEETP1.

You will need BOTH forms to send in with your state tax return in order to claim the Education Expense Credit.

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pisgah post

August 2010 1

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6th Grade Exploratory

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Freshman Experience

Used Uniform Sale

“Pisgah Night”

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First Full Day of School Pathfinders Boot Camp Begins

24 Meet & Greet for Preschool Half Day US Curriculum Night

First Day for Preschool Half Day MS Curriculum Night

LS Parent Night

Varsity Football Game at the PAC

Check the online calendar for complete details: experiencepisgah.org

Sports Review (continued) Neighbor Athlete of the Week), Joseph Marco (Most Improved Player award) and Grant Williamson (Coach’s Award).

On consecutive nights in January, Hank Shaw and Brian Ginty both hit eight three pointers in a game. Shaw first (against Excel) and then Ginty (against Galloway). Eight three-pointers in a game is not only a school record, but ranks both players at No.8 in Georgia high school history.

Despite a young squad, the Lady Patriots finished the season 9-14. Emily Raymer was one of two freshmen named to the All-Region squad. Raymer averaged 12 points and 10 rebounds per game. Against Atlanta International, Raymer was two blocked shots short of a triple double.

One highlight for the team was a 47-44 win over Athens Christian. Raymer paced Pisgah with 24 points and 19 rebounds. “We had been beaten by AC just before the break and were able to go to Athens and shut down their offense. It was probably one of the best played games of the season,” said head coach Ashley McNair.

On the season McNair said, “Even with four seniors, we were a young team. There were times during the season we would have five freshmen on the floor at one time.”

McNair also pointed to senior Kate DeGiorgi as one of the team leaders. DeGiorgi finished her Pisgah career with over 500 rebounds. “[She] was a solid player who always gave you results in every game,” McNair said.

Going forward, McNair is very excited about the future.

Jordan Delk and Rachel Plate “This was the first year we were able to have a Junior Varsity team that consisted of only 8th and 9th graders.

These girls went 5-8 playing many teams that had sophomores and even at times juniors on the floor,” she said. “It was also exciting for the program as the JV team was led by eighth graders Avery White (rebounds) and Madison Brainard (points). With the talent we have in what will be our 9th and 10th grade class next year, anchored by our two juniors; this team has all the potential over the next few years. It is an exciting time for girls’ basketball here at Pisgah.”

Madison Claytor

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Executive Leadership Mount Pisgah Christian School 9820 Nesbit Ferry Road Johns Creek, GA 30022 678-336-3443 experiencepisgah.org

Scott Barron President Gentry Arnette, III Director of Development Blake Davenport General Manager of Athletics Susan Hutto Director of Support Services Tammy Mozingo Director of Admissions Nancy Shaw Head of Primary School Bill Shelnutt Head of Preparatory School Brenda Slack Director of Finance Dr. Bryan Smyth Executive Director of Academic Affairs & College Guidance Rebecca Williams Director of Marketing & Communications

Mount Pisgah Christian School