Patterns - Spring 2015 by St. Martin's Episcopal School

Patterns Editor Christina Mimms Director of Communications

Contributors The Rev. Dr. James Hamner IV Dr. Mary McPherson Jennie Paulsen Printing: Standard Press Photography: Mark Adams, Christina Mimms Administration The Rev. Dr. James E. Hamner IV Headmaster Cindy Alexander Principal, Early Childhood Dr. Mary McPherson Principal, Elementary School James “Skeeter” Lee Principal, Middle School

The Rev. Dr. John McCard Church Rector Patterns is published quarterly by St. Martin’s Episcopal School. Please direct any letters, comments or news items to: St. Martin’s Episcopal School 3110-A Ashford Dunwoody Rd. Atlanta, GA 30319 Attn: Christina Mimms (404) 237-4260 www.stmartinschool.org cmimms@stmartinschool.org

Mission Statement : St. Martin’s Episcopal School is dedicated to providing a quality education of the whole person in a loving, Christian atmosphere, which fosters lifelong learning.

contents

SPR ING

departments

2 3 6 12 16 8

letters

From the Headmaster and the Editor seen & heard

News and happenings in the school community in class

Brain Boost

class notes

News from SMES alumni

voices

Home sweet home

features f e at u r e

True visionaries: St. Martin’s visual arts program

On the cover: Original artwork by 5th grader Edward Hires. View this magazine on your tablet at issuu.com.

2015

letters from the headmaster At school, we often refer to our curriculum as a holistic one, in which our students receive a deep and comprehensive grounding in the knowledge, skills and techniques of the arts and sciences. This includes the ability to communicate clearly and effectively, in writing and speaking; in reading comprehension; in numerical, scientific, cultural, technological and historical literacy; in exposure to other languages, cultures and religious traditions, and the ability to engage constructively in critical, analytical thinking about a myriad of subjects as well as creative, out of the box thinking and understanding. The ability to “connect the dots” from multiple sources of knowledge to see the patterns of understanding which emerge is critical for a deep and authentic education. An integral part of our curriculum is a creative engagement with the fine and performing arts. I am always amazed at the creativity of our students, whether in painting, drawing or sculpture, through instrumental from the editor On the Monday that starts the week-long Celebration of the Arts at St. Martin’s, walking into Warrior Hall feels like a magical stroll through an art gallery. The school is completely transformed by artwork displayed throughout the lobbies and hallways, and it is a beautiful sight. I am blessed in that I often have seen the artwork in progress when I visit classrooms, so I enjoy Celebration of the Arts that much more seeing the students’ completed works on display. I know how much effort went into the projects and it is a proud moment for them to show off their work to their parents. Of course, whenever I visit our art classrooms, I always wish I could stay for a while and jump into their projects. Our students have so much fun in art class, whether they are painting, drawing or crafting. The creative side of me would love to take an art class from one of our teachers. They give

Spring 2015

and choral music, or in our myriad modes of drama performances. Our annual “Celebration of the Arts” showcases our students’ talents and skills. I hope you will have the opportunity to see all of this here at school in the coming weeks. Another essential part of our life here is our active engagement with our larger community through our many service learning opportunities. Every student, every grade, and every faculty and staff member participates in giving back to our community as a tangible embodiment of the great commandment to “love God and our neighbor.” I’ve been particularly glad this school year that our “days of service” have included the participation of so many of our families, whether through our “blessing bags” or “stand up for kids” projects. Thank you for this witness and support. These last two months of school are always full of activity and excitement. I look forward to seeing you here at a school as we continue the wonderful work of education and learning.

instruction but there is also a lot of freedom, and the kids are having so much fun that they almost don’t realize that they learned a new technique or that they tried tempera paint for the first time. There is a lot of research available about the benefits of fine arts as part of elementary education; you can read more about that starting on page 8 in Patterns. Despite that, a lot of schools have cut art programs from their curriculum. St. Martin’s values a well-rounded education, including developing an appreciation for the arts, study of art history, development of artistic skills and the opportunity for creativity and self-expression. And I love that our art teachers say, “There are no mistakes in art.” Those are wonderful words to say to young children, who can work freely and develop confidence that will carry over to their other classes and endeavors.

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seen&heard Warrior thespians score five Superiors at Georgia Jr. ThesCon At the Georgia Jr. Thespian Festival on Feb. 21, held at Columbus State University, SMES students performed in six acting and musical categories. In each of these categories, five-minute selections from plays and musicals were presented. Four of the entries were selected to perform at the closing Showcase, and five of the six SMES entries scored three superiors to qualify for the International Thespian Festival, to be held in summer 2015. Congratulations to all the students who participated: • A Midsummer Night’s Dream — Lewis Jaynes, Abby Ray, Campbell Huber, Francesca Herrera, Arden Adams and Sham Spearman • Peter and the Starcatcher — Victoria Groncezewski, Caswell King, Mitchell Maloney, Davis Futrell, Jack Carson and Matthew Eidson • “What You Want” from Legally Blonde — Gracie Stovall, Taylor Rand, Grayton Hudson, Amanda Stigaard, Bobbi Akin, Audrey Holton, Kyra Grappe, Leilani Mitchell, Lily Jane Hamilton, Lindsey Smith and Grey Kenna • “Show Them a Thing or Two” from Batboy — William Stovall, Julia Metz, DeMarcus Mitchell and Melissa Rubiano • “Freedom” from The Unauthorized Autobiography of Samantha Brown — Caroline Brown and Emily Schmitt. They

were elected to close the festival during the closing Showcase. In the area of Theatrical Design, Rachel Smith qualified in Set Design with her Macbeth project and Robin James qualified in Lighting Design, also with a Macbeth project. In addition, St. Martin’s participated in and won the Tech Challenge, a competition in which points are given for proficiency in tech theatre tasks. “It was a tremendous effort by the Warrior Thespians,” said Heidi Cline McKerley, director of speech and drama. “Our students were outstanding and put forth a commanding effort in the individual events of the day. They represented our school very well.”

Band and chorus students excel in the happiest place on earth St. Martin’s 7th and 8th grade band and chorus students fled the winter weather in Atlanta for sunny Florida on Feb. 26 for the third annual Orlando performance trip. The chorus performed at the Disney waterfront stage at the Magic Kingdom, singing several songs, including “This Is A Celebration,” “One World” and “Why We Sing.” They also performed at the Arnold Palmer Children’s Hospital in the Mother and Baby Ward. The band enjoyed a truly unique experience in the Disney Performs Clinic at the Disney Performing Arts Studio. A Disney musician worked with students for two hours, and then the band did a recording session playing a score to part of the movie “Tarzan.” (photo top right) “The students were able to learn a lot

from the clinician and have the true experience of being a studio musician performing an excerpt of the score to the movie,” said Band Director Allen Barbee. The band received a DVD of their performance that shows the movie clip with the music underscoring. “The value of these experiences is immeasurable,” said Music teacher Kathy KellyGeorge. “They practice, they take pride and they create lasting memories.” The students took time to visit the parks and enjoy a stage performance of “Beauty and the Beast” as well.

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Students earn band and chorus honors Band and chorus students showcased their talents at the annual Georgia Independent School Association All Select Band & Chorus weekend, held Feb. 6-7 at King’s Ridge Christian School. The following students were named to the GISA All-Select Middle School Honor Chorus and Band and performed along with 100 other students from across the state. The select chorus students were Deaja Dunbar, Jasmine George and Sidney Walton. The select band students were Arden Adams, Mallory Arrigo, Casey Barbee, Danny Holmes, Connor Hubbard, Will Sjostrom, Ben Voorhies and Lauren Young.

Science Olympians at the ready Elementary School students are preparing for the Science Olympiad competitions, the first of which was held March 28 for DeKalb County schools. Working on events called “Mystery Architecture” or “Deep Blue Sea,” 4th and 5th graders tested their skills in science, teamwork and quick thinking.

The Rev. Canon Alicia Schuster Weltner (above, third from left, with Mother Stefanie Taylor and students) spoke in chapel services on Feb. 3. Her message for the students was ‘Live your lives, day by day, on purpose.’

Spring 2015

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‘Teacher from the Black Lagoon’ author visits SMES What do a black lagoon, the color yellow and a nearsnowstorm have in common? When author Mike Thaler was scheduled to visit St. Martin’s on Feb. 17, even freezing temperatures and a weather delay could not affect his sunny disposition.

a ‘loom’-ing new project

Teachers find their inspiration in many different places. One of EC science teacher Elizabeth Beckwith’s latest project ideas came from both her visit to St. Margaret’s Episcopal School in California as well as Pinterest.

Students now have the opportunity to work on a loom. Beckwith purchased several different kinds of fabric so that they can experience myriad fabrics — how they feel, how easily they can be manipulated and how different fabrics come together. “It’s a great STEAM project and it’s great for teamwork,” Beckwith said. SMES maintenance crew member Jim Cottingham built the loom himself based on a Pinterest photo. It is stained to match the outdoor classroom gazebo. As the weather cooperates, students will have more opportunities to work outside on the loom.

Wearing his signature color yellow, Thaler met with Elementary and Middle School students to discuss his books, including “The Teacher from the Black Lagoon” and “The Computer Teacher from the Black Lagoon.” A Christian since age 60, Thaler also talked about his faith and shared some inspiring words: “God is the great Creator and all creativity comes from him. Plug into that spirit of God when you’re doing what you’re doing and He will help you.”

seen & heard

35 students join St. Martin’s Honor Society St. Martin’s Honor Society held its annual induction ceremony on Jan. 30, welcoming 35 new 7th and 8th grade members. Each student received a pin which he or she may wear daily to school. To be eligible for the Honor Society, students must attend St. Martin’s Middle School for three consecutive semesters and must maintain Honor Roll status. They also must complete service hours and live by the Honor Society Code of Conduct. “Leadership by example” is a key function of Honor Society members. Congratulations to the new members: 7th graders Mollie Albert, Jenna Bertschi, Charlene Bohrer, Benjamin Brown, Lucy Brumbaugh, Zoe Demetry, Lee Fenstermacher, Skeet Fortner, Virginia Gwin Fortner, Davis Futrell, Abby

Parents go back to the classroom In January and February, parents went to “class” with two SMES staff members to learn about both spiritual education and technology usage.

Gillin, Emma Halaburt, Lily Jane Hamilton, Reggie Harris, Cale Lennon, Leilani Mitchell, Shannon Murphy, Taryn Murphy, Laila Nicholson, William Payne, Caroline Perry, Taylor Rand, Caroline Seelke, Will Sjostrom, Lily Steck, Jordan Wissman and Emily Wood, and 8th graders Nate Arney, Victoria Gronczewski, Ryan Harvey, Grayton Hudson, Helen Kolker, Matthew Larkin, Nicole Mulford and Miller Reid.

Water, water everywhere: 7th graders on tap Georgia is full of natural resources but in a recent 7th grade project, students learned that some of the state’s rivers and lakes are in jeopardy. Inspired by their summer reading book, “A Long Walk to Water,” students selected a freshwater body of water to research and then create a presentation. Several students selected the Chattahoochee River while others chose Lake Oconee, the Savannah River, and other nearby lakes and rivers. Their research discussed the water’s importance, who uses it, what states depend on it, its location, the length of the river, and animals in or near the body of water. For example, Lake Oconee is home to catfish, largemouth bass, black bass and crawfish. It has high levels of bacteria due to pollution, and there has been a decrease in the fish population in recent years. In their projects, students also shared ideas to conserve water and protect the body of water, such as turning off water while brushing teeth, re-using water bottles or taking shorter showers. On Feb. 5, students and parents attended an evening program at school to present their projects and to hear from speaker Jess Sterling, watershed protection specialist with Chattahoochee Riverkeeper. In other exciting news, student Simon Tolbert was asked by Chattahoochee Riverkeeper to post his project on their Facebook page.

Chaplain Stefanie Taylor held an informative meeting to discuss the Episcopal tradition and religious education at St. Martin’s. She also talked about how she became a priest and the “Episcopal basics,” i.e., reason, scripture, tradition and experience. On Feb. 20, Director of Academic Technology Kinshasa Msola hosted a meeting to talk about digital citizenship and safeguards for students using devices and social media. Parents enjoyed the opportunity to take the same “quiz” that students do regarding appropriate online behavior. Parent coffees typically are held throughout the fall and winter to provide education and discussions for parents with different school representatives.

Fifth grader Will McLaren received the ‘Best Picture’ award at the 2nd Annual St. Martin’s Film Festival, held Jan. 23, for his film ‘Signs of Bad Luck.’ patterns

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in class Brain Boost By Dr. Mary McPherson, Elementary School Principal

Reading program gives students critical skills. “Reading is a basic tool in the living of a good life.” - Joseph Addison St. Martin’s has always had an exceptionally strong Language Arts program from Beginners to 8th grade. Language Arts can be a large umbrella that encompasses many areas of learning: reading, writing, grammar and vocabulary. Reading is the mother of them all. Think about how often you read every day. Don’t only think of books or magazine articles but also texts, emails, street signs, restaurant menus, etc. Reading is integral to our daily lives and it is the foundation for everything children do in school from Language Arts to Math to the Arts. Without a solid foundation in reading, schoolwork and life, in general, are difficult. Two years ago, the Elementary School adopted a new reading program, Houghton Mifflin’s Journeys, because it does a good job of incorporating all Language Arts areas while providing curricular structure. The Journeys series has been wonderful as it provides the tools teachers need to ensure students learn the critical skills they need to progress through Elementary School in preparation for Middle School. No program is completely comprehensive or serves the unique needs of every school. The ES teachers saw a need for a more differentiated approach to teaching phonics than what was built into the Journeys series but would still complement the structure of the reading program. This year, the Elementary School has taken the next step, with the help of Student Support Services, to ensure that lower ES (1st-3rd) students are securing the phonics skills they

need to be excellent readers. By the end of 3rd grade, students’ phonics skills need to be secured so that transition to upper elementary reading expectations is as smooth as possible. Brain Boost, a term coined by the ES faculty along with Student Support Services, has proven itself over the last few months to provide the targeted practice with phonics rules application needed for 1st through 3rd graders. St. Martin’s supports meeting children’s academic needs where they are, and the structure of this program provides that opportunity for students and teachers. In fact, the program has proven to be very helpful for students transferring into St. Martin’s in upper Elementary and Middle School who did not get a strong phonics foundation in their previous schools. For these students, it is used as a targeted instruction with an after-school tutor. The overall emphasis of the Brain Boost program is to quickly assess, in August, what each child’s needs are for targeted phonics instruction. Students are then placed in small groups with a teacher who works for 20 minutes, two to three times a week on these specific skills. Students are then given a midyear assessment to track their progress, and the student groups are restructured to continue to meet their phonics needs. Students are assessed again in May to track the progress they made over the school year and to provide a baseline for next year’s teacher. Students have already made wonderful progress in understanding and applying phonics rules. This will lead to them being excellent readers who are fully ready to take on the added expectations of “reading to learn” in 4th grade and beyond.

At left: Claire Conarro works on Brain Boost activities with Marjee Williams. Top: Page Pearson works with 2nd graders on word webs in the Library. Bottom: Lynne Perry talks with 2nd graders.

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feature

True visionaries By Christina Mimms, Editor

Visual arts classes give students opportunity for self-expression and to build self-confidence.

I Above: Fish art by Liza Love, 4th grade Right: 7th graders Lily Jane Hamilton, Leilani Mitchell and Sydney Royal ink their etched plates.

Spring 2015

n art classes at St. Martin’s, there are no mistakes. There are few rules. There is passion. Creativity. Self-confidence. And much, much more. Amid splashing paint, cutting yarn and molding clay, students gain a lot from art class, both in knowledge and personal growth. Starting in Early Childhood with teacher Suzanne Ford, students study many different artists and in doing so, learn about culture, history and techniques. They often create their own art based on famous works, from Dr. Seuss to impressionists. In sampling different techniques and types of media, students build fine motor skills by holding paintbrushes, cutting with scissors or weaving fabric. Fine motor skills are crucial for handwriting but also for future robotics engineers or surgeons, for example. An understanding of line, shape, form and space is critical for a future architect or urban planner. According to research from Johns Hopkins University, students respond positively when learning through visual arts. Because they are growing up in a highly visual world, surrounded by the images from TV and other

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“screens,” well-developed spatial intelligence gives them “the ability to perceive the visual world accurately, to form mental images of physical objects, and to recognize variations of objects.” Spatial reasoning abilities are crucial for such higher brain functions as music and complex mathematics. In addition, the human brain has a visual cortex that is five times larger than the auditory cortex. To state it simply, a picture is indeed worth a thousand words to a young mind. Consider the historial significance of cave drawings in the Pyrennes mountains and carvings in temples in ancient Greece. Without the ability to interpret visual statements, historians would have no story to tell. Art classes help to develop these visualspatial skills. The world incorporates more than just words and numbers on papers and computer screens. Art education teaches students how to interpret, criticize and visualize. In their work, students must follow step-by-step instructions, make decisions and solve problems. Their projects often require a good amount of patience. Taking a wrong

turn or forgetting a step may have some consequences. Understanding how to take an idea from its inception through the process of experimentation and production, and into a final satisfying visual product is itself a worthwhile learning experience, states the Johns Hopkins research. Of course, teachers support the students and provide guidelines, but they give students freedom to choose colors, what to draw, how to accomplish their goal and in so doing, help them learn how to make choices and think critically. Tapping into their creative sides allows them to use the right side of their brains, thus enjoying more well-rounded development. “There are no mistakes. They can just enjoy and create,” Ford said. “Anybody is an artist.” Both Ford, who teaches Beginners through 2nd grade, and Nena Allen, who teaches 3rd through 8th grades, agree that confidence is the greatest skill that young students gain from art. They develop confidence by completing their projects and they gain a visual reminder of their accomplishment. Students also compliment each other’s work in art class,

perhaps more so than in other classes because they can easily see what others have done. “I am building on what Mrs. Ford has given them,” Allen said. “They are coming in with self-confidence and no fear. They can work independently and they can take an idea of their own and make it come to fruition.” “I do have rules and instructions for them to follow,” Ford explained. Everyone works on the same project for the class period or over several weeks but how the students execute the project is their own method. “I like that you’re allowed to do whatever you want within the project,” said 7th grader Lily Jane Hamilton. “You can’t really make mistakes. You can always keep working and try to change things.” Self-management becomes more important in art classes in upper Elementary and Middle School, where students are bigger and everyone moves around a lot to get supplies, work at different stations, go to the sink, etc. “You have to have a lot of physical space in art,” said Allen, who also moves about the classroom quite a bit to assist students. In a recent, particularly messy project,

Above: Monotype by Jackson Chilton, 8th grade

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Above, top: 8th grader Matthew Peragine works on a collage in art class. Above, bottom: Raccoon art in the style of Charlie Harper by Munch Jones, 1st grade

Spring 2015

students etched different patterns on CDs, then swiped them with ink and pressed them on paper. The project required students to wear gloves and aprons, and handle the materials carefully to avoid making a large mess and to create a successful print. “Sometimes a project doesn’t quite work out,” Allen said. “We’re always honing and refining, and there are always new materials.” Middle School Principal Skeeter Lee has often said to Allen after she suggests a new project, “Try it. See what happens.” Last year Allen got a potter’s wheel on loan to try out with her 8th grade class. They were able to make two bowls, but manipulating the clay and the wheel proved far more difficult than anyone realized. “There was lots of clean-up,” Allen said. Still, everyone gained a great appreciation for ceramics and the process of making pottery. Eighth grader Matthew Peragine said that the wheel was his favorite class project, but he enjoys all aspects of art class. “Ms. Allen creates fun projects,” he said. “She gives you advice but she’s not telling you what to do. It’s not super structured. It’s fun to do what you want to and to show your vision.” Allen may not repeat the wheel often, but students do other, less complicated work with clay, as well as tempera paints, sculpture with different materials, yarn, fabric and other textiles, pen and pencil. Sometimes they will go outside to gather leaves, which turn into ceramics or other works of art. Her students learn about 2D and 3D art, light, shadow, still life and color theory, and study famous as well as lesser-known artists. Sometimes Allen incorporates another area of curriculum with art. For example, one year for the Art Show students made ceramic wind chimes to study the science of movement, wind and gravity. She also makes sure to include some traditional projects to help students hone a particular skill.

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This year, Allen introduced the app called Sketchbook Express on iPads. Her 5th graders worked with their 2nd grade buddies to draw and create with the app. “It is very nice that our school allows us leeway to try new projects,” Ford said. “I love coming up with new ideas and surprising the kids. They get so excited.” Her students work with tempera paints, crayons, oil pastels, printmaking, different types of papers, collagraphs, weaving, finger-knitting and more. Many of their projects are seasonal or themed in some way. For this year’s Art Show, her students followed the styles of known artists including Eric Carle, Wayne Thiebaud and Charlie Harper. Second grade worked with a theme of building and architecture. Ford and Allen typically attend national conferences every few years where they can gather new ideas. They also meet with other art teachers in Atlanta to have roundtable discussions. Teachers usually bring samples of their students’ work to share and discuss how a project was executed. Ford always tests out a new project before introducing it to students to make sure that the appropriate age level can handle it. “I don’t repeat too many projects year after year, which keeps the class fresh for me, too,” Ford said. Allen does the same with her classes. “It’s fun to figure out how to make something work for them,” she said. “It’s great to see their breakthrough ‘aha’ moment and to see them accomplish something.” Eighth grader Caroline Dickson remembers being in Ford’s art classes, in which she often read students a story about an artist and then instructed students to create their own interpretation. Like other students, Caroline also enjoys that art class is not as structured as other classes. “Art isn’t something you have to think about. You just do it,” she said. She likes still-life painting and drawing the best and would like to paint more. She also loves to draw animals, particularly

Jacks Hosker and Luke Wilkins work on butterflies in Pre-K art class.

horses, and sketch. Since she also enjoys creative writing, she may make a career of writing and illustrating children’s books. Caroline appreciates that St. Martin’s teachers are so supportive of her. “Ms. Allen always encourages me to keep trying,” she said. In turn, Caroline encourages other students in art. “Just have fun and don’t stress about it,” she said. And in case students need more opportunities to feed their creative sides, they can participate in after-school art programs with the Origami Club and the Knitting Club. Allen started the Knitting Club last spring based on student interest. Several who knew how to knit needed a time and space to knit, while others wanted to learn. They meet after school weekly to perfect their skills. They donate the scarves they knit to charitable organizations. The Origami Club launched this year by 5th graders Jesse Reames, Patton Jaynes and Benjamin Nordstrom, who are teaching other students the techniques. Lara Nordstrom, mother of Benjamin,

said that he started learning origami several years ago when they lived in Charlotte. He is primarily self-taught from watching online videos and now is sharing it with other students. Nordstrom said she really enjoys that all three of her sons (Benjamin, Jonathan and Christian) can take art classes at SMES. “It keeps them well-rounded and the projects are presented so well,” she said. “It’s so interesting to them and I like that they do all different kinds of things — oils, pastels and all types of media.” Additionally, she likes that her children are learning to appreciate different artists and their works of art. “They are also learning the science of art, such as mixing colors,” she added. While most children truly enjoy art and the fun of the class, the end result teachers strive for is simple. “I want them to walk away with selfconfidence and independence. Whether they go into theater or science, they can always draw upon that creative part of themselves,” Allen said.

Above: ‘Blue Dog’ artwork in the style of George Rodrigue by Tyler Levitt, Pre-1st

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class notes 1995 Titania Gibson Jordan was

featured in the January issue of Simply Buckhead. She is chief marketing officer of KidsLink, a secure social media app for families. Edward Roberts, his wife Ginna and their daughter Mia welcomed Edward Alexander Wagner Roberts “Teddy” on Dec. 30, 2014. He was 7 lbs, 10 oz, and 20.5 in. long.

ment at BrightWave, an email marketing agency. Patrick Hastings, his wife Martha and their son Pierce welcomed Bradley Malcolm on Dec. 11, 2014 at 5:24 a.m. They live in Baltimore, where Patrick teaches English at the Gilman School.

1999 Amanda Pearson is in nurs-

ing school at Georgetown University School of Nursing & Health Studies in Washington, D.C. She graduated from the Westminster Schools and also studied at Bogazici University in Istanbul, Turkey. She is engaged to Robert Tashima.

1996 2001 Elisabeth Varner Moore has Matt Angrisani is an account accepted a surgical internship with Chesapeake Surgical Veterinary Specialists in Annapolis, Md.

executive with Translation, a consulting firm in New York. He graduated from University of Georgia and Marist.

director of business develop-

Andrew Breunig married Jeannine Rupp on Oct. 27, 2014, at Teton National Forest in Jackson, Wyo. (photo at right)

1997 Thomas Barnhart is senior Keep in touch!

Please send your news and updates to alumni@stmartinschool.org Photos also welcome! Visit our Alumni pages online at www.stmartinschool.org and on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn!

Spring 2015

2006 Jerry Reese attends Loyola

University in New Orleans. He also works for the local ABC-TV affiliate. He graduated from Marist.

2007 Tara Thomas is a senior at

University of West Georgia.

2008 Claire Brehm is the swim

team manager at University of Virginia. She graduated from St. Pius.

2010 Hannah Rose Adams is a

freshman at Rhodes College, intending to double major in political science and international studies. She is a Kappa Delta, an elected member of the Social Regulations Council, a student employee in the Office of Alumni Relations, and a part of the Women’s Leadership Initiative. This spring, she will be the as-

Darby Thomas is a freshman at Rollins College. She is on the rowing team and she recently pledged Alpha Omicron Pi sorority.

2011 Julia Beck has been accepted at Middlebury College. She will spend the first semester traveling abroad and will start classes next February. She attends Pace Academy.

Riley Gessner has signed a letter of intent to play football at Furman University. He played tight end at Dunwoody High School and has a 3.8 GPA. He chose Furman over 15 other Division I offers and plans to major in business. Jon Walsh was accepted at University of South Carolina. He attends Mount Vernon Presbyterian School.

nis and varsity volleyball at Mount Vernon Presbyterian School.

ated from University of Notre Dame in May and is working on a startup business.

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Will Domenico attends Reinhardt University.

2012 Ming Byce plays varsity ten-

2005 Jay Eichelberger graduLucy Gosselin is living in Prague, Czech Republic, teaching English. She graduated from the University of Florida and Bishop Moore high school in Orlando. She traveled through England in December.

Delta pre-law organization.

sistant stage manager for the production of “And Baby Makes Seven.” She is a founding member of the new pre-law club, which will soon be affiliated with the national Phi Alpha

Alexandria Cannon attends Holy Innocents’, where she is on the student diversity leadership council and is in the National Honor Society and the French Honor Society. She won the French III award last year and she is a student ambassador. She also plays lacrosse. This past summer, she participated in the National Youth Leadership Conference in the law and advocacy program at Yale University.

Tara Thomas’07, Dr. Mary McPherson and Darby Thomas ’10 at the Alumni Christmas Social, held at Olde Blind Dog on Dec. 17. Meghan Clark is a varsity football and basketball cheerleader at St. Pius. Caitlin Hubbard is on the honor roll at Marist. She played on the varsity girls’ state champion tennis team. Erin Huff attends St. Pius, where she is on the principal’s list, plays varsity lacrosse and is the sports section editor for the yearbook. She is a student council representative and was one of top 20 varsity cross country runners. She is finishing her Girl Scout Gold Award and is taking AP Calculus and AP English. Sallie Kirven is on the dean’s list at St. Pius, where she is

John Addison ’06 and Houston Hendon ’08.

involved with dance, French Club and the running club. She is taking AP Biology and French IV honors. Pierson Klein attends Westminster. She is on the varsity squash team and is nationally ranked in U.S. squash in the top 50 for girls under 19. She received the U.S. Squash Scholar Athlete Award and participates in A+ Squash, a tutoring and squash program for inner city kids. Her classes include AP biology, AP English, AP European history, and honors pre-calculus. She is a member of Girl Empowerment through Relationships, Leadership, Service (GERLS), the Spectrum Club, Gender Equality & Relations (GEAR) and the Eco Club.

Holy Innocents’ students Mary Mac Hailey ’11, Kaitlyn Hoad ’14, Caroline Hamner ’11 and Coleman Murphy ’14 visited SMES 8th graders on Jan. 14.

Richard “Hatch” Means is a junior at Lovett. He plays soccer and is treasurer of the outdoors club. Last summer, he traveled to Israel, caddied for Cherokee Town & Country Club and

Class of 2007 alumnae Sarah Bonaparte and Casey Arnold.

Maddy Nelson and Olivia Haas, both Class of 2010.

worked on Governor Deal’s election campaign. Sally Smith is taking AP U.S. History and AP English at St. Pius this year, and she is copresident of the green club. Nicholas Stigaard attends St. Pius, where his classes include AP U.S. history, AP English language and composition, and honors analysis. He runs cross country and is on the JV soccer team. Laura Sundal is on the honor roll at St. Pius. She is taking three AP classes and is in the STAND club and girls’ running club. She is on the varsity cheerleading competition squad and the football and basketball spirit squads. She received the 2014 Varsity Competition Coaches Award. Brittany Walsh was on the head of school’s list for first semester this year at Mount Vernon Presbyterian. Her classes include AP language and AP U.S. history.

2013 Donald Barbee attends

Dunwoody High School, where he is in the Latin Club. He serves as assistant coach

for the Chamblee First United Methodist Church Basketball team. He recently ran his first 5K marathon in the Bahamas for Disney Cruise Lines. Parker Benefield attends McCallie School, where he plays lacrosse and tennis, and works with Habitat for Humanity. Nicolas Caceres attends St. Pius. He is in Pius Players and performed this year as Caliban in “The Tempest,” the wolf in “Little Red Riding Hoodlum” and Will in “Godspell.” He also narrates the pre-game videos for SPX Football. Ceci Conrad attends Holy Innocents’, where she is on the dean’s list and plays volleyball. Claire Dame runs varsity cross country and track at Lovett School. Kristen Elliott plays on the varsity tennis team at Dunwoody High School. Maggie Fitzgerald is on the honor roll at Marist. She is a varsity basketball cheerleader, a JV football cheerleader and plays lacrosse. She also is on

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class notes

Kendall Witty-Williams ’12 and Ryan Connor ’13.

Class of 2012 boys at the Alumni Social, held Feb. 12.

the yearbook staff.

club and film club. She takes AP English and history.

Matt Haidet is captain of the Marist robotics team, which recently won a Vex Robotics Competition. (photo below)

Cheyenne Murray attends Stone Mountain High School. She is involved with anime, beta and chorus clubs. She is on the swim team and soccer team. She is taking AP world history and has a 4.0 GPA. Connor Preston is on the cross country, wrestling and track teams at Wesleyan School. Joe Regas plays football and baseball at St. Pius.

Grant Kelly played on the Marist varsity boys state champion tennis team. Jack McGinnis is enjoying Holy Innocents’, where he is pursuing his interests in film and screenwriting. Maggie Mixon attends Mount Vernon Presbyterian School. She is a varsity cheerleader, plays varsity tennis and served as the varsity wrestling manager/scorekeeper. She is a school ambassador and is in the business

Spring 2015

Class of 2014 girls Addie Duke, Diane DeLany, Maggie Sjostrom and Julia Steck.

in the chorus and the BearTunes and was the National Honor Society talent show champion. Evelyn Vaughn attends Norcross High School. Her classes include AP world history, gifted language arts, chemistry/biology, Spanish II honors and accelerated algebra. She is on student council and is a member of the Readers’ Rally, the Blue Crew, the African American Leadership Roundtable and the Interact Club. She also played freshman volleyball.

Ken Roberts is performing in Addie Duke, Shelby McIntyre and “Hamlet” at the Will ver Jordan Ricketts, Class of 2014. Westminster Meulen plays Schools. He was in the musical football at St. Pius. “Spamalot” earlier this year and he is working on his Eagle Madlyn Wright is on the Scout project. cross country and track teams at St. Pius. Abby Thomas is a sophomore at St. Pius, where she is on the football film crew Charlie Albert plays football and served as wrestling team at St. Pius. He was moved up manager. She helped coach A to practice with the varsity team volleyball at SMES this football team heading into past fall. the fall state championship game. He is in honors geomIain Thomas plays varsity etry. golf at Holy Innocents’. He is

= st. martin’s episcopal school

2014

Jharionne Anderson attends Atlanta Girls School. She led the varsity cross country team to a 4th place win at the GISA 1-AAA Region Meet this season. She placed 3rd overall at the meet and earned a spot on the All-Region Team. She is on the track team this spring. Jake Anderson is at North Atlanta High School, where he is taking AP biology and analytical geometry and is receiving all As. He also is in the robotics club. Katie Crofton is taking five honors classes at Wesleyan. She is in the Model Arab League and is in mock trial. She also runs cross country. Diane DeLany is on the JV football and basketball cheerleading squads at St. Pius. She is taking three honors classes and is on the principal’s list. She runs varsity track & field and is in the baking club and photography club. Joey Ferguson played basketball at Marist this year. Nicki Green is on the honor roll at Greater Atlanta Christian. She plays basketball and soccer and is in the Fellowship of Christian Athletes.

Emma Smith, Victoria McDuffie, Sarah Frost and Evan Sharp from the Class of 2012. Gavin Guest was on the Pace Academy homecoming court this year. He played JV and varsity football, and lettered in football. He also plays JV baseball. Davis Hatcher made the head of school honor list at Holy Innocents’, where he is on the football and track & field teams. Kaitlyn Hoad attends Holy Innocents’, where she is taking Spanish II and AP geography. She also is on the cross country team. Alyssa Holmes attends Riverwood High School. Her classes include AP govern-

Caroline Barnes, Alexandria Cannon, Erin Barnes and Ming Byce from the Class of 2012.

ment, honors geometry, honors English and honors French II, and she is a cheerleader. Ashlyn Kelly was on the St. Pius state runner-up varsity cross country team. She also runs track and is in the French Club and baking club. Weldon Kolker plays varsity soccer at St. Pius. She also is in the Spanish Club. Marc LeVan is in five honors classes at Lakeside High School. He also runs cross country and track. Canon Lynch attends Pace Academy. She plays JV volleyball and varsity soccer and her classes this year include honors geometry, honors ancient history, honors literature, honors math and physics. Matthew Morris is running track at Marist. Sydney Muse is a cheerleader at Pace Academy. She is in honors English.

Ms. Cynthia Burnett with Diane DeLany, Elizabeth Goines, Callie Maloney and Marin Shaw, whom she taught in 1st grade.

Middleton Parker plays football and

Boys from the Class of 2014 at the Alumni Social.

lacrosse for Marist. Jacob Reading is on the varsity cross country team at Greater Atlanta Christian School and is currently playing soccer.

William served as a 2015 Page for Senator Fran Millar and is pictured with him along with Lieutenant Governor Casey Cagle (photo below).

Ansley Reese is on the freshman council at St. Pius. She also is in the photography club, French club and art club. Molly Richardson is playing varsity soccer at Pace Academy. She ran varsity cross country in the fall and is taking four honors classes. She also participates in Baking for Breast Cancer and the green club. Jordan Ricketts is a varsity cheerleader for football and basketball at Mount Vernon Presbyterian. She is taking all honors classes and is in several clubs, as well as the school musical. She had a 4.25 GPA in her first semester and made the head of school’s list. William Roberts attends the Baylor School, where he is on the crew team, and plays French horn and trumpet. He continues to participate in his church brass ensemble, to progress as a Life Scout and to serve as a cotillion assistant.

Reese Simpson is at the Kent School, where she is on the crew team and the diving team. She is involved with journalism and is in the performance choir. Maggie Sjostrom is on the cross country, swimming and track teams at Marist. She made the dean’s list this year and sings in the chorale. Her classes include AP World History. Sarah van Duser attends St. Pius, where she plays JV softball and runs track. Kathleen Weber plays volleyball at Mount Vernon Presbyterian. Additional alumni news from the Red & Blue Dinner will publish in the summer issue of Patterns.

patterns

= Spring 2015

voices

Spring 2015

= st. martin’s episcopal school

JENNIE PAULSEN, SOCIAL STUDIES TEACHER

Home sweet home. After graduating from college and moving to Atlanta, I applied to teach at St. Martin’s. Dr. Neely Young explained that chapel was an integral part of the curriculum. “Hmmm,” I thought. “I can do this; I have been to church before and believe in God. Certainly, the Almighty wouldn’t have placed me here if He didn’t think I belonged.” And so, our chapel services became my church. I sang the hymns and memorized the Apostles Creed. I loved the homilies and enjoyed the changing of the altar colors. It was like being welcomed at a beloved neighbor’s house that wasn’t truly my own. My religious upbringing was scanty at best. My Methodist mother taught me by example. Kneeling with me at my bedside, we recited the Lord’s Prayer and prayed. While living in Virginia Beach, my mother began to fall ill and, knowing she didn’t have too many Sundays left, gave me a choice: church or the beach. Needless to say, I cherished those sunny, sandy afternoons. From then on, I was conflicted about formally belonging to a church. And then one day, God chose a dear Episcopalian friend to smooth my path. He asked why I had never been confirmed. He made me realize that I didn’t have to be on the outside of my faith looking in. He convinced me that God would welcome me. Through my friend, God was asking me to make a commitment and come home. Our chaplain, Mother Stefanie Taylor, didn’t hesitate when I asked her to sponsor my confirmation. She spent five weeks with me one-onone, answering my questions, praying with me, and instructing me about the Episcopal faith. On Dec. 14, 2014, I was confirmed by Bishop Wright at the Cathedral of St. Philip. When I approached the altar to receive his blessing, I was nervous. I didn’t know if I should stand or kneel. As though he read my mind, Bishop Wright looked me in the eye and smiled so broadly that I felt his sunshine bask my face. “You can stand or kneel. Either way is fine!” I knelt. He asked me if I was confirming my faith. “Yes,” I said. “Yes, I am.” To which he replied, with a father’s love and a squeeze of my shoulders, “Welcome home, Jennie. Welcome home.” Mother Taylor gave me a Prayer Book as a confirmation gift. My friend who led me to this wonderful place took me to dinner. When I got home, I thought about what a meaningful day it had been and whether I could live up to what I had confirmed to do. I opened my new Prayer Book and read Stefanie’s inscription: “Jennie: Remember that being confirmed is not conformity but rather a support group for your own faith journey.” Amen.

Join the fun at The Camp at St. Martin’s this summer! Camp hours: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. (Drop-off at 8:30 a.m.) Ages Pre-K through 8th grade Camp Session I: June 1 – June 26, 2015 Camp Session II: July 6 – July 31, 2015

Golf, tennis, lacrosse, baseball, soccer, volleyball, cheerleading, princess camp, football, dance, LEGO Bricks, edible art, puppetry, science, typing, computer, academic brush-up camps and more! Scan the QR code to register today! Mark McDaniel, Director of Summer Programs

St. Martin’s Episcopal School 3110-A Ashford Dunwoody Road Atlanta, GA 30319

Join us for Celebration of the Arts!

Thursday, April 16 & Friday, April 17 Art Show 6 p.m. • Musical 7 p.m. Sunday, April 19 Art Show 1 p.m. • Musical 2 p.m. Follow us! Twitter @NewsatSMES, Instagram @smesatl, facebook.com/smesatl