Grecian Adventure

Faith Virtue Knowledge Faith Virtue Knowledge Faith Virtue Knowledge Faith Virtu Faith Virtue Knowledge Faith Virtue Knowledge Faith Virtue Knowledge Faith Virtue Knowledge Faith Virtue Knowledge

St. David’s

Grecian Adventure

Seniors travel in the footsteps of Paul, weaving together the components of faith, virtue, and knowledge that they have focused on at St. David’s.

Graduation

Heading off to college is the final step in the four year adventure. Students choose colleges that reflect their personalities and interests.

Senior Stories From independent studies to spiritual development, seniors reflect on their St. David’s experiences.

St. David’s Snapshot is a quarterly publication that highlights the unique ways in which St. David’s School strives to fulfill its mission of preparing young men and women for college and life in the vital areas of faith, virtue, and knowledge.

. .. d r a c t r o p e r l a n e fi Our graduates: th

sent emic calendar and ad Greetings to all, ac 2 01 -2 11 20 e th ed out rful acHaving recently clos celebrate the wonde to t an w e w , ge es lle co ve often said, “As go ha our graduates off to I . ed ev hi ac s ha this class ainly a complishments that l, this class was cert el W .” ol ho sc e th goes hool. Let’s the senior class, so about St. David’s Sc ue iq un is t ha w s ct special one that refle e highlights: look at some of th 2 llectively received 17 co , 00 12 of T SA e averag ass of 2012, with an • The graduating cl . ceptances to itutions in 25 states st in 71 to s C-Chapel Hill, 14 ac ce N an U pt to s acce ce an pt ce ents ces included 16 ac options for our stud ul rf de on w r he • College acceptan ot any e University, and m North Carolina Stat er hips – the highest ev back page). rs e la th ho on sc t it lis er e m th ge ee (s in colle . received $3,186,160 of just 45 students s • In addition, they as cl or ni se a ith w e school, in the history of th seen e are blessed to have w s, ce an pt ce ac ge colle l program essive statistics and perlative educationa su a s le up In addition to impr co at th e in an atmospher d. our students flourish Tr uly, we are blesse . ew vi ld or w n ia ist hr with an authentic C mblies to our honors day asse om Fr . ed ss pa ve ha t exerhe-year festivities 40th commencemen r ou to s se ci er All of the end-of-t ex up hip, and we our annual movingul for your partners ef at gr e ar baccalaureate, from e w ut B students. go by so quickly. the success of our d an cises; it all seems to ys jo r ou of e with you som are excited to share ished look at how we fin a ke ta t’s le so n, io reflect map for is always a time for —they are the road ds or w y pl sim t The end of the year no are ue and Knowledge the year! Faith, Virt this headmaster. t a privity it is to lead, wha ili sib on sp re a t ha W d your ay God bless you an lege it is to serve. M hool. bless St. David’s Sc od G ay m d an , es ili fam d,

Onward and upwar

eadmaster

H Kevin J. Lockerbie,

the Apostle ll, the ver y spot where Standing on Mars Hi a perfect eek philosophers, offers Paul reasoned with Gr our senior on book of Acts alive opportunity to bring the trip to Greece.

On the cover: with the ancient Odeon behind him, Chandler Ray soaks up the sights of the Acropolis, snapping photos along the way.

College choice journey Ivy league decisions “I want access to some of the world’s most brilliant people,” said Powell Eddins in his interview with Harvard admissions. “I told them point blank, ‘I could get an education as good at UNC, but I want to be surrounded by excellence.’ It was the truth about why I wanted to go there...and they loved it.”

Powell’s preparation involved more than just a successful St. David’s education.

The college office partnered with teachers and community members to help him clarify his goals, while engaging him in mock interviews to help him hone his presentation.

Despite having dreamed

of attending an ivy league college for many years, choosing Harvard wasn’t simple. Duke, USC, and Emory courted him, flying him to their campuses, offering generous scholarships. But when it came down to it, Powell said, “it was all about the fit.”

He is excited to go and is thankful for the preparation he received at St. David’s. “It was the relationships with my teachers that made all the difference,” he said. “Having role models that I could go to for personal or academic reasons, with so much wisdom, knowledge, kindness, and willingness to share; that was so valuable.”

Powell Eddins, Harvard University

Spiritual preparation Ready to face the challenges Josh McClenney sees spiritual development and academic excellence as going hand-in-hand. “In terms of knowledge, the St. David’s curriculum is one which has challenged me and prepared me for life in college and beyond,” he said.

Not only does Josh feel ready to face the academic

world, but he feels prepared to face the spiritual challenges he’ll encounter along the way.

“Spiritually, I feel confident in where I am in my walk with God,” Josh explained, “and St. David’s has helped me grow in my faith -- I feel comfortable in my faith as I go off into the world.”

Real world learning

Josh McClenney, UNC - Chapel Hill

Forensic chemistry and bedbugs “The data from my lab work was actually used in research at NC State,” said Becky Whatley, explaining how her independent study at NCSU had a real-world application. Like many seniors, Becky chose a specialized area of study that she wanted to try out while still in high school.

“It was awesome; it confirmed that I want to pursue something along these lines in college,” she explained.

Chemistry teacher Mrs. Norma Pedersen mentored

Becky as she researched in preparation for her culminating experience in a forensic research lab at NC State. Using state-of-the-art centrifuge equipment, Becky engaged in a complex process to extract DNA from bedbugs, then participated in the analysis of its DNA patterns.

Becky’s independent study became a part of important research towards a bedbug eradication program -- and a key component in directing her towards a field of study.

Becky Whatley, University of Mississippi

Ephesus

Athens

Corinth

“The devotionals were awesome,” said Will Sinden. “Especially the one at Ephesus.”

Will Sinden Will recalled the moment when the group sat for a brief devotional in the ancient theater of Ephesus, and Mr. Lockerbie read from Acts chapter 19 -- where a mob of Ephesians stormed the theater, dragging Christians in to be attacked. The Apostle Paul struggled to get into the theater to defend them as the mob chanted “Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!” and a riot swirled around those early Christians. “It was a powerful experience,” explained Will about being in the very spots that the drama of biblical history unfolded.

“I had no idea how amazing it was going to be,” said Adam DelPapa.

Adam DelPapa “Following in the footsteps of Paul was really enlightening.” Adam explained that the passages “meant so much more to me while I was there,” adding, “and being in the cave at Patmos, in silence, thinking about how John wrote his Revelation -- it was incredible.”

Jonnie Weiandt saw Carson reading Revelation and decided to join in.

“We had Jonnie Weiandt some good discussion,” Jonnie explained.

They discussed the significance of the site and what they saw of it in Revelation, the pros and cons of what has been done to honor the site, and what it meant to them. They remarked about the remoteness of the island, and how God came in a vision, inspiring John to write holy scripture.

“Ephesus and Corinth really stood out as well,” said Jonnie.

“To think that this was where Paul actually walked, to sense all the action of the events around us. It was right where we were.”

Headmaster Lockerbie opens the book of Acts in the theater at Ephesus, reading about the events that happened in that very spot.

Patmos

“Something about being in that place [the Grotto of St. John] made it click Carson Hurt for me,” said Carson Hurt. “It brought it closer, made me realize this was from God.” Carson was intrigued and decided that when he got back to the cruise ship, he’d pull out his Bible and take another look at the book of Revelation. “It sparked an interest in me; it made me think about the book of Revelation in another way.”

Carson saw John as a man willing to suffer for Christ.

Beneath the bells of the Monastery of St. John, Harrison Stewart and Chandler Ray discuss the island of Patmos with Mr. Cianca.

Biblical history comes alive across the Aegean Sea

“It was a powerful experience”

Leaving the cruise ship behind to follow his Greek guide up the cliffs of Santorini on his donkey, Kyle Huggins waves as he progresses upwards. Everyone took the alpine cable car back down to the dock.

Letter to self: one of the senior trip traditions is to read the letters that the students wrote to themselves during the freshman retreat. Lauren Bateman and Raines Ivey chuckle as Campbell Stewart reads hers.

It took a day trip to Turkey to get to Ephesus, and it was quite a sight. Devney Hoft and Wesleigh Vick stand in the public square, at the Library of Celsus, where the apostle Paul undoubtedly spent plenty of time while establishing the church there.

Greece

Above: Having breakfast on their Athens hotel rooftop, with the ancient ruins of the Temple of Zeus behind them and the Acropolis in front of them, Taylor Dickens, Lauren Bateman, Julia Canavan, and Emory Cooley look forward to another day of discovery, with the trip for the day being Corinth, where they would soon walk on the very stones that the Apostle Paul walked. Left: Corinth’s Temple of Apollo stood behind Paul as he spoke in the city square, much as it does behind Forrest Lasher and Oluwole Nylander-Thompson here.

Paul stayed in Corinth for 18 months, establishing a church, to whom he later wrote the letters of I & II Corinthians. Mr. Lockerbie led the seniors in a thoughtful devotional from I Corinthians as they stood in the ancient city.

N

ightly baklava runs, tzatziki sauce with fresh bread at every meal, and grilled souvlaki -- the food was almost as epic as the sights.

Even the picky eaters let loose and joined in on the fun. But the succulent dishes were just a taste of the purpose of the traditional senior trip to Greece. It was a time to discover, bond,

Eat, Pray, Bond

grow, and learn.

Riding the donkeys up Santorini’s cliffside “was a memorable experience, and I’d do it again in a heartbeat,” said Becky Whatley, adding with a chuckle, “even though it smelled!” These were new experiences shared with longtime friends who would soon be heading off to distant colleges. The Medi-

terranean cruise, the deep blue waters of the Aegean, the ancient Parthenon, the 3,500 year old Mycenaean palace, and much more presented eye-opening adventures to the class.

Many of the most memorable experiences on the trip took place when the group visited sites that played prominently in the New Testament narrative.

Walking through the cities that Paul lived in, praying in the very cave where John wrote the Revelation -- these were moments that many seniors will remember for a lifetime.

The annual pilgrimage to Greece is much more than a sightseeing vacation -- it’s a culminating experience in the four-year adventure at St. David’s.

Caitlyn Reynolds and Katherine Boliek proudly don the caps of their next educational destination: Butler University for Caitlyn and UNC for Katherine.

Chairman of the Board Mr. Joe Knott gives the graduates their final charge. He enthusiastically congratulated them on their success and admonished them to rise to the challenges ahead.

From seniors to freshmen once again... the graduates put on their caps from the colleges they will soon be attending.

Justin New pauses in the Commons to read the comments the faculty wrote on his senior portrait. These final words from the faculty are treasured by both the graduates and their parents.

Facing page: New graduates Haley Bubac and Morgan Bridgers are all smiles as they leave the gym at the conclusion of the commencement exercises. The faculty lined the exit route and celebrated the occasion with the graduates and their families.

Graduation

The Final Event A

fter the last exam is graded, yearbooks signed, the trip to Greece concluded and the final awards bestowed, there was only one activity left for the class of 2012: graduation. Determining these students “prepared for college and life,” the administration awarded diplomas to the graduates, along with a Bible embossed with the St. David’s seal and their initials, prayers for their success, and words of wisdom from commencement speaker Mr. Joe Knott, chairman of the board of trustees.

The event was packed full of St. David’s traditions, from a bagpiper leading the procession, and the faculty choir singing an “Irish Blessing” to the graduates’ reminiscences from the valedictorian, Sam Doyle, and salutatorian, Matt McMillan.

A special tradition included the wall of senior portraits, each one signed by faculty members who wrote special memories that they shared with the graduates during their time at St. David’s, or one last pearl of wisdom before saying goodbye. The new graduates took their photos with them as mementos to keep.

As soon as they tossed their graduation caps in the air, the new alumni donned another type of cap -- one from the college that they would soon be attending.

At the luncheon, the attendees noted the directional sign with all the colleges listed that showed just how far and wide the 26 colleges selected by our senior class are scattered.

But no matter how far they travel from this campus, they will always have a home to return to on White Oak Road.

In our words

How did St. David’s prepare you for college?

“

St. David’s provided me with an environment where I felt safe and comfortable asking questions and letting the teacher know when I didn’t understand.

This allowed me to excel where I needed to and get the base of knowledge necessary to succeed in college before I arrive on campus.”

-- Harrison Stewart

“

St. David’s has provided the academic rigor of college classes as well as infinite opportunities to be independent. St. David’s teaches initiative which is a crucial trait to possess in order to succeed in college life! I owe much of the readiness I feel to the faculty’s dedication and excellence at what they do!”

-- Hannah Bornhofen

“

I feel confident entering my freshmen year at American from the years of support and encouragement from the faculty and staff at St. David’s.

They have taught me to be an autonomous individual by providing leadership opportunities in academics, sports, spiritual life, and community service.”

-- Lauren Bateman

St. David’s School 3400 White Oak Road Raleigh, NC 27609 Return Receipt Requested

2012 College Choices Lauren Bateman Catherine Boliek Hannah Bornhofen Adam Bridgers Morgan Bridgers Haley Bubac Nathalie Buffaloe Julia Canavan Emory Cooley Adam DelPapa Taylor Dickens Austin Donze Sam Doyle Kaitlin Dunston Powell Eddins Will Flaugher Emma Gierman Hanna Gierman Brett Griffith James Harrod Devney Hoft Kyle Huggins Carson Hurt

American University UNC - Chapel Hill University of Virginia Wake Forest University East Carolina University East Carolina University St. John’s University North Carolina State University North Carolina State University UNC - Wilmington Wake Forest University Louisiana State University Duke University UNC - Chapel Hill Harvard University Middle Tennessee State University Elon University UNC - Chapel Hill UNC - Chapel Hill Western Carolina University Randolph-Macon College Elon University UNC - Chapel Hill

Raines Ivey UNC - Chapel Hill Lindley Jones University of Alabama Ben Keator Pfeiffer University Forrest Lasher East Carolina University Josh McClenney UNC - Chapel Hill Matt McMillan Clemson University Joe McOwen North Carolina State University Justin New UNC - Chapel Hill Oluwole Nylander-Thompson UNC - Chapel Hill Zach Rabon Savannah College of Art &

Design Chandler Ray UNC - Charlotte Caitlyn Reynolds Butler University Peyton Robbins North Carolina State University Titus Sfirlea UNC - Chapel Hill Will Sinden Wake Forest University Ryan Stevens North Carolina State University Campbell Stewart High Point University Harrison Stewart Hampden-Sydney College Wesleigh Vick Washington and Lee University Jonnie Weiandt LeTourneau University Becky Whatley University of Mississippi Chris Widin UNC - Chapel Hill