The Trinity Voice, Winter 2021 by Trinity Episcopal School

THE TRINITY

VOICE MAGAZINE

Smarter, Stronger & More Joyful

Together

Winter 2021 Issue

DEAR

THE TRINITY VOICE /WINTER 2021

TRINITY FAMILY, LOVE IS THE WAY! For many of us, this past year will be remembered as a year of trials by ordeal. A global pandemic, racial reckoning, and political turmoil made for quite the challenging combination, and through it all many of us focused on grace, perseverance, listening and hope. 2020 was certainly one of the most uncertain and challenging years at Trinity, and the same could be said in our nation. As we enter a new year and new decade, I am both hopeful and optimistic that better times are ahead. Love is the Way! As we begin this new year together and seek a fresh start, I hope we will all open our hearts and find a connection to the message from Bishop Michael Curry’s (Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church) most recent book, Love is the Way: Holding on to Hope in Troubling Times. This is a timely message as we come out of this difficult year and look with hope toward the future. Bishop Curry argues that none of our societal ills and challenges can be surmounted without first living in the way of God’s love. Bishop Michael Curry blessed this school in love, way back in 2000 as the Bishop of our diocese. Until 2015 when he was installed as the Presiding Bishop of the entire Episcopal Church, he was active in the life of Trinity and brought his marvelous spirit to our community regularly. Bishop Curry presided over my installation as Head of School in 2011, which I consider one of the great honors and blessings of my life (photos to right). Love is powerful because it transcends individual worries, binds hurting communities, and buoys us when we need it most. There have been countless opportunities to become self-absorbed, wallow in our own pain, and retreat into isolation as a result of the events of the past year. Yet even as we continue to find ourselves at our limits with everything going on, love provides us with a higher call in this moment. Love asks us to care for and take care of, not just ourselves, but each other. Love is fundamental to Trinity and has been a part of our DNA since day one. It is arguably one of the most important lessons we teach as part of a Trinity education. Love of self, love of neighbor, love of community, love of God. Love has been a key in providing grace, staying patient and persevering as we’ve navigated the past year while learning and growing together. So then, how do we individually and collectively call ourselves to embrace, live and promote love in this new

year? I offer the thoughts and questions below to ponder. These are the formation questions that we use with children everyday in nurturing their spiritual development, growing their cultural competency, and fostering a spirit of love.

>> WHO AM I?

This question is focused on dignity, urging our young people to value themselves as made in the image of God and as unique parts of God’s creation in the world. Right down to our fingerprints, each one of us is specially made and meant for a purpose in this world. When there are voices in our society that would demean and denigrate people by judging the exterior, we at Trinity work to counteract those voices through all that we teach, how we play, and what we discover together. This is the central emphasis of our chapel services and faith studies classes at all grade levels – that we are each made in the image of God and are called to a higher purpose. If love is the way, we should critically examine our views, our preconceived notions and our biases, taking a step to recognize and resist those biases.

>> WHO ARE YOU?

In this question, we focus on difference and diversity in humanity. Both the Hebrew Bible and the New Testament call us to love our neighbors as ourselves. We teach our students to recognize the dignity and worth of all those around us, looking beyond our myopic focus on self to learn from and enjoy those around us. In our diversity and belonging lessons, students discover in creative lessons the joys of difference. We undergird all we do with the vital message to give as high a regard for the other person as we do for ourselves. If love is the way, we need to respect and honor the uniqueness and gifts of every individual we encounter and treat them with the dignity and love that God provides for all of us.

>> WHO ARE WE TOGETHER? This third question raises the issue of unity rather than uniformity. This idea goes beyond inclusion to creating a community of belonging, where everyone feels that he or she belongs. We live into how God has made each of us, appreciating both our differences and similarities, and discovering our sense of “family” together. If love is the way, we need to see and listen to others in a manner that provides a sense of care, concern and willingness to change.

For most of us it is easier to love our neighbors when we surround ourselves with people who are from similar backgrounds and who think like us. Trinity’s Mission expects us to be a diverse community, which can make the work of creating a community of belonging that is equitable and provides dignity for all challenging. We believe that by engaging in this work with students, faculty, staff, alumni and parents, we will interrupt the implicit bias that is created naturally in all of us from being part of our society. We hope that by interrupting this natural process, our students will be better able to love their neighbors in the manner God has intended for all of us. I encourage you to take on 2021 with hope and a deep sense of love for yourselves, for your families, for those who are different from you, and for all of God’s children. As we heal and move toward greater justice in our world, I hope you will join me in committing to Bishop Curry’s ideal that love is the way!

Imagine neighborhoods and communities when love is the way. Imagine our governments and nations when love is the way.

WITH PEACE, HOPE & LOVE,

Head of School

Imagine business and commerce when love is the way. Imagine this tired old world when love is the way. - Bishop Michael Curry

PICTURED: THE MOST REV. MICHAEL CURRY, PRESIDING BISHOP OF THE EPISCOPAL CHURCH BLESSED HEAD OF SCHOOL TOM FRANZ IN A SPECIAL INSTALLATION CHAPEL IN 2011.

THE TRINITY VOICE /WINTER 2021

This question uncovers what we together can be, equity for all – at Trinity, in Charlotte, and in our wider society. If we value ourselves and give worth to each other, then we together are in a position to make a positive impact on our wider world. If love is the way, we must seek a higher call than ourselves, and commit to equity and justice for all.

>> WHAT ARE WE CALLED TO DO?

Imagine our homes and families when love is the way.

A LETTER from the BOARD CHAIR

THE TRINITY VOICE /WINTER 2021

PLANNING for the FUTURE To lead the TES Board of Trustees in a year such as this is - to say the least - unprecedented. Our team of 21 has been hard at work as we face major national, local and community challenges: navigating the best ways of conducting school in the midst of an ongoing global pandemic, digging deep to find new pathways for a more racially just and equitable world, and living through a contentious 2020 election cycle and its chaotic aftershocks. All of these occurrences - and many more - affect us deeply as individuals, families, a school and a Board. And yet, we are so blessed to live in this country and to be a part of the TES family. Thanks to countless hours, tireless work and astoundingly creative problem-solving of many across this community, we have thus far kept the spread of COVID-19 at bay at Trinity, safely hosted in-person learning on campus since August, embarked on new social justice initiatives together like the 21-day Equity Challenge, raised a record number of Trinity Fund dollars for financial aid and teacher support, and are communicating more than ever about life at school, even though we are physically apart. To all of you - parents, students, alumni, teachers, staff, leaders, grandparents, fellow Board members and friends - I offer my deepest thanks for standing by us and believing in Trinity this year. Almost a year ago to date, the Board initiated a strategic planning process and established a steering committee to develop a new five-year plan to guide Trinity’s future. Our existing plan, which led to such important initiatives as significantly increased financial aid and the construction of the Center for Community & the Arts, has reached its endpoint (see pages 24-25 for information). Not unlike everything else in 2020, when COVID intervened, the Board and the administrative team shifted gears and focused on re-opening and operating a school under very different circumstances. With much of that immediate work behind us, the Board is now revisiting the strategic planning process and modifying its structure to use Board committees to shoulder the work of building the next plan for 2021-2026. We continue to be aided by consultant Ian Symmonds, who brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to the process. Four areas of strategic focus (noted in the box to the right) will anchor the new plan, all having emerged from the work begun last year. Suffice it to say that the work in these four areas goes on today unabated. However, the planning exercise we are undertaking will deepen the thinking about these strategic areas and create an enlarged vision.

 Maintaining and Achieving the Next Level of Academic Excellence: What does “challenged to academic excellence” look like at Trinity in the future, and how do our students best achieve in that environment?

 Recruiting and Retaining the Next Generation of Trinity Staculty: How will we recruit, hire, develop and retain our faculty and staff in an increasingly competitive market for the best educators, and where do the resources come from to allow for that effort?

 Building a Community of Equity and Belonging for All: What are the best strategies for becoming the place of equity and belonging that we all envision?

 Expanding Trinity’s Reach and Impact: How can Trinity play a larger, more impactful role in educating the Charlotte community as the urban core grows, educational offerings change, and demographics shift? These and other strategic questions are before us, and the time has come to address them. Our hope is that a draft strategic plan can be presented to the full Board for approval in May and then once approved, shared with the entire Trinity family. In addition, the Board of Trustees has been called upon to engage with our families of color to focus more fully and completely on the work of diversity, equity and belonging, not only for itself as a Board, but also for the broader Trinity community. In a collaborative effort between Tom Franz (Head of School), Ayeola Elias (Director of Diversity, Equity & Belonging) and two Board-retained consultants from Carney Sandoe (Lawrence Alexander and Seliat Dario), the Board is being provided with training and education, allowing us to collectively undertake an equity audit of the School’s DEB efforts to date. In addition, this team is supporting Ayeola and Tom in their data gathering and goal setting. The Board is very pleased with this important step, recognizing it is only the first of many steps to be taken down this important path. My deepest thanks again for all that you do in big ways and small to support Trinity, our children and future generations of Wildcats. I am honored to serve as a leader to this Board and this extraordinary community.

Porter Durham Chair, 20-21 Board of Trustees Parent of Grey ‘21, Leighton ‘09, Elisabeth ‘04 & Porter, III

IN THIS

ISSUE 5

The Buzz at Trinity

10-12 >> 20 Questions 14-15 >> What’s On Your Shelf? TES Shelfies!

16-19

Let’s Go to School in the Midst of a Pandemic

20-21 >> Celebrating the Joyful, Beautiful & Enduring 22-23 >> Welcome to My Neighborhood 24-25 >> Five Years of Record-Setting Generosity 26-29 >> Light the Fire: Exploring Our Roots 30-33 >> Alumni Reflections

Transitions: Celebrating the Class of 2020 38-39 >> Alumni New & Notes Alum Spotlight: David Oates, Curtsy 40-41 >> Parting Words 42 >> Through Darkness Shines Light Written by: Harper Williams, 4th Grade

ON THE COVER (Clockwise from top left): Charlie & William, 1st & 4th Gr. Book Buddies Monica Johnson & Grady Smith, Staculty Buddies Marlow & Scott, K-8 Science Buddies Addi, Joyful 2nd Grader Lillian, Strong Middle Schooler

34-37

THE TRINITY VOICE /WINTER 2021

6-9 >>

The

6 THE TRINITY VOICE /WINTER 2021

BUZZ at

TRINITY Virtual Book Buddies

1st and 4th grade students continue to participate in one of Trinity’s beloved traditions, Book Buddies, through virtual reading experiences. 4th grade students are able to lead and model a love for reading, and 1st grade students are empowered to connect with an older student and improve their reading skills.

Welcoming New Wildcats

This year, we welcomed 80 new Wildcats to our community, including 46 new Kindergarten students and 34 new students in grades 1-8. These students came to us from 56 different feeder schools and 19 different zip codes across greater Charlotte. We are proud to have them as part of the TES family!

Enrichments Bring Creativity and Fun to Cohorts

THE TRINITY VOICE /WINTER 2021

Our enrichment teachers have created amazing experiences that bring creativity, physical challenges and play to our students’ weeks, even while separated in their assigned bubbles. This year’s enrichments include in-classroom general music classes (pictured: 4th graders playing handbells for our annual Lessons & Carols Chapel), visual art classes, faith studies classes and physical education challenges with the Coaches Martin.

Supporting Our Service Learning Partners in Difficult Times

The hunger and food insecurity crisis in our Charlotte community has seen an exponential increase during the COVID-19 pandemic. Led by our 1st grade students and Rev. Peery, the Trinity community dove in to understand the issue and find the best ways to help. Ultimately a new Trinity record was set, with over 1,000 pounds of food donated from across our community for Loaves & Fishes. TES Parents helped deliver this much-needed sustenance before Thanksgiving and were interviewed by WSOC-TV about this remarkable effort!

Digital Learning Lessons with Digital Learning Catalyst Ms. Griffin This school year has brought about a much higher level of technology engagement than ever before. These tools have not only enabled us to be together while apart, they have also provided an opportunity to teach our students more deeply about digital literacy, digital responsibility, digital citizenship and the difference between helpful and detrimental technologies.

THE TRINITY VOICE /WINTER 2021

World Religions: 8th Grade Team Projects

Throughout the first trimester, cohorts of 8th grade students worked in teams to research a chosen social issue, focusing on the views and actions of the five major world religions. One team chose to study LGBTQ+ rights and brought their research to life via an art installation in the lobby. They studied how each major world religion is currently understanding and supporting LGBTQ+ people and presented their findings via this piece.

FLIK Team Pivots to Support Healthy & Safe Lunch Delivery

One of the biggest pivots in adjusting to COVID-19 school life? A new way to prepare, deliver and eat lunch! Our beloved FLIK team has been incredible, implementing a brand new system for over 500 on-campus students, faculty and staff to ensure we continue to get healthy, safe and social-distance friendly lunches! From coming up with countless new menu items and an online ordering platform, to the precision of their delivery system to 33 cohorts, this team certainly deserves a round of applause for helping keep us nourished and on track!

PA Staculty Appreciation

Thanks to the creative ideas and hours put in by our Parents’ Association volunteers, faculty and staff have been fed, caffeinated, known and loved with a variety of surprises throughout the first half of the year! Every gesture - from personalized happy hour kits and surprise donut and coffee deliveries, to holiday cookie exchange platters and random acts of kindness - has been beyond appreciated and helped us get through the madness that this year has brought!

Record Fundraising Season for the Trinity Fund So Far!

THE TRINITY VOICE /WINTER 2021

With many thanks to our over 465 donors to date, we have raised a record number of funds for financial support and professional development, even in the midst of one of the most challenging years in our history. Thank you to all who continue to believe in and support our mission - you change lives daily and we are grateful for your commitment to Trinity!

2021 Freedom Fete

We were honored to host our 17th annual (and first virtual!) Freedom Fete on January 28 with inspiring local leaders, Dr. Lucretia Berry and Rev. Dr. Ben Boswell. This event is meant to celebrate the tireless dedication of those who work in the struggle toward social justice in our community and beyond. Drs. Berry and Boswell shared much about their work doing just that - with children, adults, organizations and more. They broke down the social construct of race with our students by using beautiful stories and metaphors, then spoke to adults in our TES and Charlotte community about how this construct of race has only served as a lie for those in power to hurt, steal and control. To learn more about Dr. Berry’s work, you can visit www.brownicity.com, and to learn more about Rev. Dr. Boswell’s work, visit www.myersparkbaptist.org.

Did You Catch the TES Love Train Video?

2020 was a doozy of a year, no matter how you sliced it. To end the year on a high note, we got a little (or a lot!) of help from our Wildcat friends to put together one of the most fun and uplifting TES videos we’ve produced in recent years. In case you missed it, hold your phone up to the QR code to the left (with your camera on) to watch!

with TES Parent

RAJ

NATARAJAN

THE TRINITY VOICE /WINTER 2021

Jude (6th), Bodhi (4th,), Violet (4th), Ren (K)

What was the last gift you gave to someone? Masks.

Where is your favorite spot on Trinity’s campus?

What’s the most interesting thing you’ve seen or read this week? Too much on many levels, but Indiana has a top 10 football team?!

6 What’s your cure for hiccups?

If you could only eat one gas station food for the rest of your life, what would it be? Slim Jims or spicy pork rinds.

Garbage man, then doctor, then lawyer.

Who inspires you?

Favorite Trinity moment as a parent?

There have been many, but watching Bodhi do his first reading in Wednesday chapel almost 3 years to the day definitely stands out.

Holding my breath.

8 9

What TV show character would it be the most fun to trade places with for a week?

What’s your favorite Charlotte restaurant?

What did you want to be when you grew up?

My family - but recently, seeing Kamala Harris, as an Indian American & African American elected as our next Vice President has been very inspiring for our south Asian community.

When it was there, the Dining Hall (except when I was Dining Room David).

Baby Yoda on Mandalorian, depending on the week.

So many great ones, but Customshop is special for me.

20 QUEST

13 11

What would be the theme song to your life?

What’s your secret talent?

What’s your favorite Disney movie?

Magic for children 5 and under.

Simple Man by Lynyrd Skynyrd.

Old Yeller.

What was your childhood nickname in school?

Which foreign language would you like to be fluent in?

Hadji or Raj Mahal.

Spanish.

15 What do you think about clowns? There is a place for them in our society, but as a community, they should work towards shedding the unfavorable reputation they have developed in recent years.

If you could teach your pet to say one thing, what would it be?

17 If you were a bagel, what type would you be? Honey wheat.

I love you.

20 Favorite Trinity song?

Spontaneity or stability? Why? Spontaneity…because I like (sometimes) wondering where an uncharted path might lead and not knowing how my day might end.

“Movin’ On Up” both for the event and also because I grew up watching The Jeffersons.

What was the last gift you gave to someone?

Where is your favorite spot on Trinity’s campus? Center court of the basketball court.

Who inspires you?

What’s the most interesting thing you’ve seen or read this week?

My wife, my dad, and XC kids with limited talent who run and train harder than everyone else.

What did you want to be when you grew up? A professional cyclist in the Tour de France...didn’t work out.

An article on Politico about the 2020 election campaigns... no comment... face palm.

JASON

Favorite Trinity moment?

Jude (2nd), Jonas (2nd)

What’s your cure for hiccups? Hiccups are involuntary so I try to force a hiccup or ask the person suffering to hiccup for me.

TIONS

with TES K-8 Healthful Living Teacher

What’s your secret talent? I’m pretty good at Trivial Pursuit.

12 What’s your favorite Disney movie? Rogue One, Star Wars…it’s Disney.

8 What TV show character would it be the most fun to trade places with for a week? Jon Favreau on The Chef Show. Seriously, check it out.

9 What’s your favorite Charlotte restaurant? RuRu’s, Optimist Hall, Haberdish, Leroy Fox, Intermezzo, RuSan’s, Sir Ed’s….any of the above.

Bananas (they sell them, I promise, right up by the cash register).

MARTIN

There are too many. Watching the 2014 boys basketball team lose the conference championship at home. We lost but David and Mitchell coached every ounce of talent out of those guys after we spent 3 years trying to set them up for success.

If you could only eat one gas station food for the rest of your life, what would it be?

THE TRINITY VOICE /WINTER 2021

A bike to a neighbor’s daughter.

15 What do you think about clowns?

Didn’t have one.

17 If you were a bagel, what type would you be? Everything, and not the ones that are lightly dusted. Don’t waste our time. I like the ones that are generously covered.

German or Mandarin.

19 18

Flight of the Bumblebee.

Which foreign language would you like to be fluent in?

Disturbing, antiquated, and pointless.

What was your childhood nickname in school?

What would be the theme song to your life?

If you could teach your pet to say one thing, what would it be? “Don’t do it. That’s a bad idea, Jason.”

Spontaneity or stability? Why?

Stability...I’m over 40 and have children. Ask me again in 11 years when the children are 18.

Favorite Trinity song? One Tin Soldier.

with TES Alumna

KANEISHA GASTON

THE TRINITY VOICE /WINTER 2021

Trinity Class of 2005

What was the last gift you gave to someone?

The gift of time to my youngest sister by helping her set up her first salon suite. I’m so happy we get to support each other’s dreams.

Where is your favorite spot on Trinity’s campus?

What’s your cure for hiccups?

A Caldecott medal winner (there’s still time!).

Favorite Trinity moment? Commencement.

Hold it. Always.

I’m slowly working through “The Doctor and the Saint: Caste, Race, and Annihilation of Caste: The Debate Between B. R. Ambedkar and M. K. Gandhi” by Arundhati Roy. I’m enjoying this opportunity to revisit my assumptions about and praise of Ghandi and to better understand the shared historical struggles between African and Asian communities. All our faves are problematic.

What did you want to be when you grew up?

I draw my inspiration from Black communities. Actively creating, actively hoping, actively choosing joy.

I loved going to Ms. Janet Pérez’ computer room. She was a technology instructor and pushed me every time I stepped foot inside her room.

What’s the most interesting thing you’ve seen or read this week?

Who inspires you?

QUESTIONS

What TV show character would it be the most fun to trade places with for a week? I’d love to trade places with Craig (from Craig of the Creek, Cartoon Network) so I can explore that creek and learn from Jessica.

What’s your favorite Charlotte restaurant?

This is tough. I love a great trucker’s stop. Circle G’s is my favorite. I also love exploring foods of the Diaspora—traditional and reimagined. In that case, Leah and Louise is my favorite, too.

11 12

What’s your secret talent?

If you could only eat one gas station food for the rest of your life, what would it be?

I’m like Raven Baxter. I have glimpses of the future.

What’s your favorite Disney movie? Inside Out. A great reminder that people and our emotions are complex and that we handle each other with care.

13 What would be the theme song to your life? Ella’s Song by Sweet Honey in the Rock or Kamasi Washington’s Fists of Fury.

What do you think about clowns?

What was your childhood nickname in school?

They exist in real life and they are evil.

My friends Latrice Hopkins and Reid Kutrow and I formed a legion based on Snoop Dogg’s group at the time and I was “Puff Neisha”. The legion dissolved rather quickly :)

20 18

Which foreign language would you like to be fluent in?

If you were a bagel, what type would you be?

If you could teach your pet to say one thing, what would it be?

I don’t like bagels - I’m from NC! I like biscuits and I’d be a Bojangles BoBerry Biscuit.

“No.” I feel pets are tired of entertaining humans.

Swahili.

Andy Capps hot fries.

19 Spontaneity or stability? Why? Spontaneity because our imaginations are our best weapons and I enjoy seeing others do the unexpected.

Favorite Trinity song? I like the classic TES spirit song are there more than that now?

PICTURE THIS: 13 THE TRINITY VOICE /WINTER 2021

Mr. Piscitelli and Ms. Armas sent their 5th grade students around campus on a scavenger hunt, asking them to find and measure the volume of various structures as part of one of their fall math units. Creative, fun, student-driven and centered on constructing meaning via the real world - all fundamentals of a constructivist TES lesson!

WHAT’S ON YOUR SHELF?

THE TRINITY VOICE /WINTER 2021

Presenting

TES #Shelfies Looking for a way to drive away some of the winter and COVID blahs? Feel as though you’ve watched all of Netflix this year? We went on a quest to find out what is on Trinity shelves and AirPods to gain some inspiration and fresh content for all.

TOM FRANZ

AYEOLA GAMBLE ELIAS

DIRECTOR OF DIVERSITY, EQUITY & BELONGING I’m Still Here: Black Dignity in a World Made for Whiteness by Austin Channing Brown (Our TES Embracing Diversity Community Book Read)

HEAD OF SCHOOL The Way of Love Podcast with The Most Rev. Michael Curry, Bishop of the Episcopal Church (Open the camera on your phone & point to this QR code to access the podcast).

LILLA “I HAVE A BOOK PROBLEM” CLARK MS ENGLISH FACULTY • Once Upon an Eid: Stories of Hope and Joy by 15 Muslim Voices, S.K. Ali and Aisha Saeed • Serafina and the Seven Stars, Ron Beatty • Love is the Way, Bishop Michael Curry • Goodnight Stories for Rebel Girls, Elena Favilli & Francesca Cavallo • This Will Make it Taste Good, Vivian Howard • Chirp, Kate Messner • The Overstory, Richard Powers • In the Valley, Ron Rash

“If this stack reveals anything, I hope that it communicates that I’ll read anything, as long as I’m taken to new and exciting places and am faced with challenging concepts. Some of these authors are well-loved, so I find comfort in the prose, but love the new narratives. Some of these titles are novels I can’t wait to read so I can share them with students. Reading is about balance, and I’d encourage all to create a stack that challenges, entertains, informs and comforts.”

JAY SMITH

K-8 INSTRUCTIONAL ASSISTANT

NOTE from TES: We are so proud of Jay for recently publishing his very own book, “How I Learned to Sing” through a grant from the Arts & Science Council, which awarded him with one of four Emerging Creators Fellowships! Jay’s book can be purchased online at Amazon, Barnes & Noble or Walmart.

CHLOE MILLING

MARCUS CLARK

TES ALUMNA ‘19

TES BOARD MEMBER • A Promised Land by Former President Barack Obama

• Love is the Way by The Most Rev. Michael Curry, Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church

“I keep books in various rooms, so depending on where I am in the house, I read a chapter or two. I have four books in rotation right now.”

THE TRINITY VOICE /WINTER 2021

ALBUMS: • Petite Afrique, Somi • Post Tropical, James Vincent McMorrow • Kingdom in Blue, Kupla

One of my reading obsessions is Heather Cox Richardson’s Letters from an American. She is a professor of 19th Century History at Boston College, lives in Maine, and puts out her newsletter every night at about 3am. If you subscribe to her newsletter you’ll find it in your inbox as soon as you wake up, and you can start your day with a broad look at what has happened in our country the day before. Heather is the first thing that I read every morning, even before I have my first cup of coffee. Her insights are calm and cool, but much of her writing looks through the lens of history, and she is able to let us know why we have found ourselves in the place we are today. Hold your phone camera up to the QR code below to read an article the New York Times recently put out about her and her newsletter. Then I urge you to sign up to receive it each morning like me!

BOOKS: • The Alchemist, Paulo Coelho • Peace from Broken Pieces, Iyanla Vanzant • The Four Agreements, Don Miguel Ruiz • How I Learned to Sing (See note below)

LINDA MINOR

RETIRED TES FACULTY

Through the difficulties we’ve all faced in the past year I have found that my connection with literature and music has grown stronger. Not only does it provide an escape from the repetitious days in quarantine, but it never fails to fill me with a certain calm and clarity. A QUICK, FEEL GOOD PLAYLIST: • Taylor Swift: Her two newest albums Folklore and Evermore are not only filled with a musical elegance but a poetic quality, which I really enjoy.

• Billy Joel: “New York State of Mind” and “Uptown Girl” are two that I’ve always listened to, among many others.

READING:

Poetry has been and always will be one of my favorite things to turn to; here are a few of the poems and writers I’ve been obsessing over:

• W.B. Yeats: “The Song of the Happy Shepherd”, “A Cradle Song”, “The Pity of

ANN CLARK TES BOARD MEMEBER The current book I am reading is Caste: The Origins of our Discontents by Isabel Wilkerson.

She is also the author of The Warmth of Other Suns and won the Pulitzer Prize for feature writing in 1994 while she was writing for the New York Times. Wilkerson uses a storytelling approach to chronicle the journeys of individuals such as Martin Luther King, Jr., Satchel Page and herself as she explores the unspoken caste system in our country.

Love”, “When You Are Old”, “The Rose of the World”, and many more. I was gifted a full collection of his works for my eighth grade graduation and have been able to read more of his writing than ever before. Yeats has a lovely sophistication in his writing, and I’ve been enjoying picking apart each work to find hidden meanings.

• Anything by Louise Glück. This last author is a huge inspiration to me as

she received the 2020 Nobel Prize for her writing. She began to publish her poetry when she was just a teenager and continued to follow her dream of writing throughout her life. She still is creating now, at age 77. ___ NOTE from TES: We are thrilled to announce that Chloe, currently a student at the NC School of the Arts has released her first single, My Love, on Spotify! Hold your phone up (with camera on!) to the QR code above to take a listen - soothing, brilliant and full of feeling, all wrapped up into one!

THE TRINITY VOICE /WINTER 2021

LET’S GO TO SCHOOL in the Midst of a

PANDEMIC

How we are keeping the magic of Trinity, our constructivist curriculum and community spirit alive during one of the most challenging moments in our School’s history? An interview with Division Heads, Chris Weiss and Tracy Onze takes a deeper look. The past year has been anything but ordinary. We woke up on Friday, March 15, 2020, with the world seemingly turning on a dime and a new challenge ahead - shifting our entire school into emergency remote learning in 48 hours time. From there, the year brought us many unexpected, but not surprising highs, most notably, the ingenuity and creativity with which our teachers, students, parents and leaders responded to the pandemic and new learning modes at hand. Of course, the past year has also brought its challenges - isolation, missing many of our favorite school traditions, worry over our community’s health and more. But perhaps the most important thing, in true Trinity fashion, is how much we have learned along the way. We have been sponges working to soak up all of the wisdom, silver linings and lessons this year has taught us - about teaching, learning, love and resilience. We hope that the interview below offers you - our extended community - a behind-the-scenes view into how we’ve tackled the past year, most especially how we’ve pivoted to be able to keep the magic and special spirit of Trinity alive in our (sometimes virtual!) classrooms and hallways.

Chris Weiss Head of Lower School/ Asst. Head of School Wildcat Since 2000 Tracy Onze Head of Middle School Wildcat Since 2003

Q: What were some of the most challenging parts of shifting from emergency remote learning and preparing for this 20-21 school year? A: Tracy Onze, Middle School Head One of the most challenging parts of preparing for this school year was the ever-changing information regarding protocols for opening school safely. We spent several weeks over the summer constructing schedules for students in all different scenarios - a regular school year, a remote school year, a hybrid school year. By mid-summer it was clear that in order to open safely, it was best to have students organized into cohorts and we once again had to go back to the drawing board to recreate those schedules. Trying to figure out things such as how to fit students into new makeshift spaces on campus while still honoring social distancing guidelines was nothing short of challenging. From there, we had to rethink classroom furniture choices, find storage spaces for large items and create new workspaces/offices for our teachers. I cannot thank our facilities team enough - their crew was such an amazing help throughout this process!

__ Q: How do you continue to cope with the everevolving situation and unknowns? A: Chris Weiss, Lower School Head I try hard to stay in close contact with our teachers, students, and parents to get a sense of what they’re thinking about, worrying over, a general temp-check. It keeps me grounded in the “why” of what we’re trying to accomplish each day.

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Honestly, seeing our students, whether on-screen or on-campus, is what keeps us going--they serve as a compass and purpose in all of this. - Chris Our senior administrative team is incredibly collaborative and supportive of one another and this work. In the midst of all the hard decisions, we always have each other and manage to find something to lift up, even on the hardest of days. As individuals and as a team we aim to keep a clear focus on the Mission of the school, which helps us look past the distractions and stay focused on what’s good for the community--kids and adults.

__ Q: Beyond the School’s mission, what are some of the other “north stars” that guide you toward making the best decisions for our students, teachers and families? A : Chris Weiss, Lower School Head I keep a running movie or mental picture in my head of our teachers and students doing all the things we’ve always done--singing at Greet the Week (even in the freezing cold), walking up the sidewalk on 9th Street headed to ImaginOn, the blessing we receive at the end of Chapel--all of those images are etched in my head and my heart so that when making decisions, big

or small, I try to consider the greater good. Besides that, there’s so much to read and from a variety of sources, and I stay in close contact with a network of other independent school leaders locally and in the southeast. What decisions are they making and why?

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SCHOOL

I love research in general, so there is always something flagged in my inbox to follow up on to see what I can learn or what we might be missing. On a day-to-day basis, the Lower School administrative and support teams are phenomenal, as is our entire faculty. Listening to their perspectives and feedback to check for blindspots is critical. Decisions are never made in a vacuum, and ultimately, after looking at all perspectives, my gut and even more so my faith and charge to fulfill the School’s mission function as those “north stars” in making decisions.

in the Midst of a

PANDEMIC

continued...

__ Q: What have been some of the beautiful surprises of this year? In that vein, any lessons learned or things we might consider keeping even as we go back into a “normal” year (hopefully soon!)? A: Tracy Onze, Middle School Head One of the most beautiful surprises this year has been the blossoming creativity all around Trinity. Students have devised new recess games and activities amongst their cohorts. They’ve found ways to engage in art projects to help beautify their classroom spaces and celebrate their uniqueness. 8th graders have figured out how to connect with and spend virtual time with kindergarten science buddies they have yet to meet in person. With the tireless support of our technology team and digital learning catalyst, teachers are constantly learning and implementing new technology applications to teach concepts, form connections, and gather evidence of learning. Through virtual Greet the Week and K-8 Chapel, our chaplains have created new ways to spread joy and continue our K-8 connection.

To say Trinity’s spirit is still alive this year would be an understatement. It has harnessed a new level of resilience and strength, overcoming challenging circumstances to shine brighter than before. We are grateful to all who have made this year possible and better than we could have ever imagined last March!

- Tracy

What is it like to be an

AT-HOME LEARNER?

We interviewed two Lower School Wildcats to learn more about their experiences as at-home learners this past year. 19

What have been some of the best parts about at-home learning? with my family but also continuing to learn with my friends and my teachers. I knew all of the changes at school were important and were put in place to keep us safe, but they were really overwhelming for me. Being able to do school at home gave me a break from wearing masks all day and I really needed that. How about some of the more challenging parts? Kosta (Gr. 5): I really miss my friends and

teachers and seeing them in person. When we all did the one-week full distance learning it was nice to see all my classmates on one screen. What makes you feel connected to Trinity and your friends / cohort during these times when we have to be more separate? Kosta (Gr. 5):The end of day class meetings

with my teachers and other at-home learners make me feel connected. It’s nice to chit chat and interact with them. Jack (Gr. 4): Being able to see everyone

through Zoom has helped a lot. My teachers called on me often so I didn’t feel left out and I could use the “raise hand” function if I wanted to talk. They tried really hard to make me feel like I was still in the classroom. How have your teachers helped you throughout this experience? How do they make lessons fun and engaging, even though you aren’t in the classroom in person? Kosta (Gr. 5): It’s helpful to be able to

communicate freely with my teacher by email, using chat in class, and end of day check in. Sometimes we play Jeopardy and Scattergories. That is a lot of fun! Jack (Gr. 4): They make sure I can access all of the games or activities online,

What do you miss most about TES during non-COVID times? Kosta (Gr. 5): I really miss the school plays.

I look forward to them every year. I also miss music and playing the violin. Jack (Gr. 4): I really miss being able to

interact with my friends and everyone at Trinity - right now we can only be with our cohort. I miss playing football at recess and having fun at lunch and going on field trips. What is your favorite subject to learn about right now and why? Kosta (Gr. 5):My favorite subject is math!

I have always loved math. Trying to solve math problems is like a brain teaser. Also, in social studies we did a state project. I was assigned to California. I learned so much about California in my research. It was fun to do a slideshow at the end of that unit. Jack (Gr. 4): Math,

because we are starting to learn how to do more complex problems and I really like that. What are you looking forward to most about next year when things are (hopefully!) back to normal? Kosta (Gr. 5): Being back to school in person

and not having to social distance or wear a mask. Being able to interact with all my classmates and not just my blue cohort. Going back to a normal schedule. Jack (Gr. 4): Not having to be 6 feet apart,

constantly hand-sanitizing, wearing masks all the time - I’m just looking forward to not being worried about COVID anymore.

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Jack (Gr. 4): Being able to be home

and they print things for me and send them home with my sister. We have weekly check-ins where they ask how I am doing, and I feel like they really care about me and want to help. Mrs. Monte and Ms. Corley are awesome teachers.

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CELEBRATING the JOYFUL, BEAUTIFUL and ENDURING

This perseverance has been a beautiful and enduring gift, as it has revealed the courage, strength and positive power within us all.

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Of the silver linings that we’ve seen in the 20-21 school year, one of the biggest has been the gift of perseverance, grit and resilience found in all of us, most especially our children. Time and time again this year, we’ve seen our community overcome adversity to keep moving forward. From creating socially distant games at recess to bravely returning to school after a cohort quarantine, our students, teachers, staff and parents have chosen to show up, to reinvent the wheel and to continue pressing ahead even when the realities at hand seem overwhelming.

At first glance, the task our Honor Code asks of us may seem a taller order when thinking about this past year. Yet, leave it to the Trinity community to find the beauty within one of the biggest challenges our school has seen in its 21 years.

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Did you know that TES currently pulls students from 30 zip codes across Charlotte? This geographic diversity is just another piece of what makes our community so unique, rich and full of a beautiful patchwork of life experiences and histories. While all of our roads lead to Trinity, where we come from matters, as our homes, neighborhoods, communities and favorite places make up a piece of us that we bring to campus every day. To celebrate where we come from and what we bring together, we put a question out to our Trinity community - asking students and families to show us their nooks, corners and pockets of Charlotte, telling us what they love most about their home sweet home. We all know that Trinity has the longest sidewalks in Charlotte. We hope you will enjoy seeing a window into our extended community beyond Trinity’s uptown campus, hopefully finding a few new places to explore along the way!

Andriy & Nailea Nunez Zip Code: 28215

jade watkins Zip Code: 28216 We are thankful to have Mecklenburg County’s Sunset Hills Public Golf Course less than five minutes away from our house!

maxcolaco Zip Code: 28211 I like the SouthPark Regional Library because I can walk there from my house. It is a good place to study and I love being able to check out books.

Reedy Creek Park is our favorite place - we play a lot there and grow closer together. We have so many great memories of playing with our cousins, parents and friends there. We love to ride our bikes, go on the hiking trails, play on the big spinner and in nonCOVID times… get ice cream!

Zoleigh & Stone Little Zip Code: 28203

We live in Stonehaven and belong to our neighborhood swimming pool. We spend every last day of school celebrating at the pool, swim on the swim team, and spend most summer days and nights hanging out there. “My favorite thing at the pool is the slide!” (Ann Houston, 7)

Winnie & declan keels Zip Code: 28205 Our favorite spot in our neighborhood is the Oakhurst Community Garden. We love it because it is a green space open to our entire community. Before the pandemic, we would gather with our neighbors for Halloween parades and weekend barbecues. One summer, we used a garden plot to grow tomatoes, cucumbers and peppers! The garden is also home to a public art installation that brings some much needed color in the winter months.

Jacksononze Zip Code: 28078 One of my favorite places in my Huntersville neighborhood is my very own driveway! There is nothing better than playing hockey and basketball outside with my family and friends. And while it’s not in my neighborhood, one of my other favorite places in all of Charlotte is the Extreme Ice Center in Indian Trail where I practice and play with the Queen City Royals.

Talan Young Zip Codes: 28031 & 28205

Ethan Brown Zip Code: 28209 The cul de sac in our neighborhood is special to me because my friend Tommy lives in the cul de sac. Tommy has been my friend since I moved here 7 years ago. Also, Papa John’s on South Blvd is my favorite because it has the best pizza!

Cornelius was awesome because it sits beside Lake Norman! The best part about the lake was being able to go boating and exploring the islands. It’s special because I like spending time with my friends on it. We recently moved to Plaza Midwood, which is great because it’s filled with lots of cool neighborhood restaurants and stores. There’s lots of diversity here! One of my favorite restaurants is The Grinning Mule. What makes it special is that it’s a non profit restaurant that supports the community!

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Zip Code: 28211

Jane, Phelps & Ann Houston Young

Our favorite place in our neighborhood is our street, McDonald Avenue...the BEST street in Dilworth! Why? We have so many friends on our street, including several from our Trinity family! "Camp McDonald" is all day every day and it's the best! There are also many great restaurants and shops right at the end of our street!

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Five years of

RECORD-SETTING

GENEROSITY

Celebrating the Close of the Together for Trinity Campaign and Growth of the Trinity Fund

In the 2015-16 school year, Trinity began a five-year comprehensive capital campaign with three primary components, set to be funded by an ambitious $12 million goal. In just three years, the goal was surpassed. The result? More students than ever before benefited from financial assistance, construction began on the Center for Community & the Arts and the endowment grew by 180%. Today, as we complete the fifth and final year of this extraordinary Together for Trinity campaign, we look back on the awe-inspiring generosity that has made so much possible for our community, and the recordsetting ‘20-21 Trinity Fund that now marks its final year.

IT’S NOT TOO LATE TO JOIN US! We are incredibly proud of our community and grateful to all who have shown such a deep commitment to Trinity! We know that demands for financial aid and teacher support will only continue to increase as we live into 2021 and beyond, and are committed to doing all that we can to provide a Trinity experience to as many deserving students as possible, supporting our teachers in the ways they need along the way. ____________

In that spirit, if you would like to consider making a gift to our 2020-21 Trinity Fund as we close this incredible campaign, please contact Director of Advancement Lauren Harnett at lharnett@tescharlotte.org or visit www.tescharlotte.org/give today!

Total Donors: 1,100

(Including Capital Gifts & five years of Trinity Fund)

$14,299,937

GROWING OUR ENDOWMENT: Coming Together for our Students & Teachers Endowment in 2016:

‘16-17 Financial Assistance:

Endowment in 2021:

‘20-21 Financial Assistance:

$5.5M

$15.4M

$1.48M $2.13M

BUILDING THE CENTER FOR COMMUNITY & THE ARTS (CCA): Coming Together for our Program & Campus The CCA is currently home to 6 Middle School cohorts as well as Middle School office space, making in-person school in a pandemic possible.

Pre-COVID, the CCA proudly hosted 8 perfomances and largescale community events from January to March 2020.

BOLSTERING THE TRINITY FUND: Coming Together for our Purpose & Mission Total Trinity Fund Dollars Raised Over Campaign:

$3,506,900

Total 5-Year Trinity Fund Commitments Over Campaign:

The 180% growth of our endowment over the past five years empowers us to fund our commitment to socioeconomic diversity, responding to a growing demand for affordability for all of Charlotte. A strengthened endowment also provides permanent, ongoing funding for faculty/staff professional development and allows us more financial flexibility to reward outstanding faculty/staff as part of ongoing retention initiatives.

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Total Raised:

The CCA has added a much-needed 25,456 square feet to our campus footprint, creating a multi-purpose space for our performing arts, spiritual life and community gatherings and outreach programs. This year specifically, the CCA has made on-campus school possible for all grade levels.

The Trinity Fund as part of the Together for Trinity campaign is critical as it has illuminated the need for annual, long-term support to our financial assistance and professional development budgets. Together with the draw from our endowment, we are able to meet the need and demand for these two important programs that uphold our purpose and mission.

147 Donors

A RECORD-SETTING 20-21 YEAR IN PROGRESS! Thanks to our 469 donors to date, including 67 first-time donors and 117 donors who increased their giving this year, alongside generous match donors, we have raised more than $830,000 toward this year’s Trinity Fund (as of 2/1/21)! This means we have raised more money for financial assistance and professional development in a shorter time than ever before. And in a year as challenging as this one, we could not be more grateful for the incredible generosity of this community.

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LIGHT the FIRE: Exploring Our Roots

In addition to the extensive professional development that is part of the regular routine at Trinity Episcopal School, there is a special opportunity that comes around just once a year: The Light the Fire grant - which exists to Light the Fire of our faculty and staff in out of the box ways that reward their longevity and commitment to the School. Employees who have served the community for three consecutive years are encouraged to apply, and applicants are asked to look for experiences that align with their passions and push them outside of their comfort zones, shaping them into better teachers, administrators and community members in the process.

HOLY LAND

PILGRIMAGE Rev. Peery’s Journey Exploring the Roots of Different Faith Traditions

As Dean of Community Life and Lower School Chaplain, Rev. Lindsey Peery immediately knew that her dream Light the Fire experience would be a pilgrimage through the Holy Land, visiting and soaking in the sacred sites she teaches her students about regularly. Questions often come up in her classes such as, “Is Bethlehem real?” or “Is the tomb where Jesus was buried still there?,” With these historical sites now alive in her mind, Lindsey’s experience continues to impact her and our TES students to this day. In seeing these sites first hand, Lindsey sought to more deeply understand the three Abrahamic religions that hold them all as holy. By deepening her understanding, Lindsey’s also deepened her commitment to embracing religious diversity here at Trinity and beyond.

Pictured (Left): Lindsey in The Garden of Gethsemane (Below): Touching the Western Wall and praying for our TES community

While it represents a very small portion of our budget, this grant is truly unique, as it is a chance to see a member of our community’s personal passions and professional aspirations meet. The hope is that the recipient will grow as a person, while developing skills and experiences that will benefit our community and students every day. Past grants have empowered faculty and staff to study music and performing arts in NYC, the Reggio Emilia education method in Italy, the education system in Finland, photography with National Geographic, water all over the world, and even trained our beloved school dog. In 2019, two Light the Fire grants were awarded: one journey with two stories to Monica Johnson (Assistant to the Head of School) and Graciela Ponjuan (Administrative Coordinator) and one to Rev. Lindsey Peery (Lower School Chaplain). These are their stories.

2019 Recipients

Rev. Lindsey Peery

Monica Johnson

Graciela Ponjuan

Making the pilgrimage to the Holy Land was truly a spiritual journey for me. There were many moments when I just stopped and looked down at my feet, grounding myself and reminding myself that I was walking in the footsteps of Jesus and on the land that is holy for the three Abrahamic faiths. For me, the places I felt most connected to God were some of the holy sites we visited outside of historical church buildings. I have always felt connected to God in creation and deeply enjoy worshiping on mountain tops and ocean shores as much as in sanctuaries.

A continuation of my reflection on different faith experiences was my journey crossing from Israel into Palestine to spend the day in Bethlehem. While there, we worshiped with Palestinian Christians and met with organiziations working for peace and reconciliation between Israel and Palestine. As we met with leaders, I noticed children playing on a playground in the shadows of the wall dividing Israel and Palestine. I thought of their lives and the lives of my children, and my students, reflecting on how different their experiences have been and how their worldviews are being shaped by those differences. As a woman in ministry, the experience that felt most powerful was my visit to Magdala, a first century fishing village along the shore of the Sea of Galilee which is considered to be the home of Mary Magdalene. When we were there, we visited a recently discovered first century synagogue where it is believed that Jesus taught and visited often. At this site, there was also a center for women in ministry. In this space, there were pillars with the names of women from the Bible on each pillar. One pillar is left blank, for all the unnamed women and for all the women to come after - an incredibly powerful testament to the work of women then, now and in the future. The place I felt the most connected to God was during my visit to the garden tomb where Jesus was laid to rest after his crucifixion. I had the opportunity to go inside the tomb, and when I came back out, I sat and looked back at the tomb for quite some time. I pondered Mary Magdalene and her visit to the tomb that first Easter morning, finding it empty, and her conversation with the gardener, who turned out to be Jesus. From there she went out to share the good news with the world. I often connect my call to ministry to this story of Mary and Jesus at the tomb, and having the opportunity to visit her hometown as well as the garden tomb in person was truly powerful.

Finally, the place I felt a strong connection back to our Trinity family was at the Western Wall - the only wall of the temple still standing today.

As I approached the Western Wall, I carried with me a small piece of paper. The paper had the names of my family members as well as a prayer for our TES community. As I placed my prayer on the wall, I prayed for our community and for my family.

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On our first day in Jerusalem, we had communion on the Mount of Olives overlooking the city. From that spot you can see three of the most sacred places to all three Abrahamic faiths: the Dome of the Rock, the Western Wall, and the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. Seeing these places so close together was truly eye opening. As we celebrated communion on the mountain, we heard the Muslim call to prayer. Partaking in this sacrament as Muslim brothers and sisters answered the call to pray, was truly beautiful to me, as I witnessed people of different faiths worshipping in their own ways at the same time in the same place.

Two of these memorable places were Mount Tabor, the place where Jesus stood with his disciples and experienced the transfiguration, and the Jordan River, the water where Jesus was baptized, the same water where the Israelites crossed from the wilderness to the promised land. At both of these places, I felt a strong connection to God because they are places He made himself known and because they are important to both the Christian and Jewish traditions.

Standing at the wall, I felt a connection to God, a connection to my Jewish brothers and sisters who were praying beside me, as well as overflowing gratitude to Trinity Episcopal School for making this spiritual pilgrimage and Holy Land journey possible for me. This was truly memorable and a powerful moment. I have heard people say that before you visit Israel, you read the Bible in black and white, but after you visit, you see the Bible in color. This was definitely true for me. My hope during the trip was for my experiences to help the children I teach see the stories from scripture in color as well. Every picture I took, every journal entry I made, was to help me remember and internalize the experiences, so that I can share them with my students at Trinity every day. This holy journey forever changed me. It changed my teaching, it changed my preaching, it changed my perspective on the world and it forever changed my faith in the God who sustains us all. Pictured (Top): The view of Jerusalem from the Mount of Olives. (Left): The Garden Tomb where Mary Magdalene met Jesus on the first Easter morning.

FROM SLAVERY TO BLACK ROYALTY:

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Monica Johnson & Graciela Ponjuan

EXPLORE THE IDENTITY OF BLACK WOMEN & EXAMINE THE FORMATION QUESTION “WHO AM I?” Inauguration Day 2021 was a day of celebration, honor, and history. We watched with many emotions as Kamala Harris, the first woman, first African-American, and first Asian American, was sworn in as Vice President of the United States. Kamala’s journey to the White House represents the journey of many women of color, especially Black/African-American women. In fact, she often references her Black, Asian American identity, how it shaped her and what it means for women of color. Just as Kamala’s identity shaped her, our Light the Fire experience was a personal quest to shape our own identities as Black women in America. Looking back at the summer of 2019 when we embarked on our journey, we could not have imagined the significance of our trip and how this moment in history magnified our quest for identity. Our Light the Fire proposal, inspired by the Young Children of Color affinity group that we both lead, was centered on the first of our four Trinity formation questions: “Who am I?”. As we worked with the young children in our group - specifically the young girls - we kept coming up against the struggle of realizing that we, the adults leading the group, had a difficult time responding to the very same question we were asking our students to answer. The question for us was rooted in exploring our identities through the lens of how things have shifted for Black

women over the past 500 years, from slavery to Black royalty. Through slavery, the identities of our ancestors - their names, families, histories, and cultures - were stripped away, intentionally and systemically. They endured more than what seems humanly possible - they were bound like animals and reduced to nothing more than what those in power deemed them to be. And yet, they survived, found ways to lead even when oppressed, and gave tirelessly to make things even a bit better for the next generation. And here we are today, on the shoulders of those who came before us - with a Black woman now seated in the West Wing and another as part of the British Royal Family. Our exploration of our identities became even broader as we visited historical sites, museums, an all-girls high school, and De Montfort University’s The Stephen Lawrence Research Centre, a social justice advocacy center run by native North Carolinian, Dr. Kennetta Perry. One of the most impactful experiences of our trip was seeing the “Timalle” exhibit (by Francois Piquet) at the International Slavery Museum in Liverpool. The exhibit (pictured on this page) is a re-enactment of the binding of human beings using drafts of slave reparations forms. Binding was a practice used as a physical restraint to control Africans and prepare them for transport from their native lands throughout the Transatlantic Slave Trade. The exhibit hit us viscerally - you could feel deep in your flesh the inhumanity of the act and the power

Pictured (Far Left): Timalle (Int’l Slavery Museum in Liverpool) a sculpture of a young male slave prepared for transport. (Left): St. Martin-In-The-Fields High School for Girls

that was yielded. We felt our collective history as Black people being forever shifted as bodies, minds, spirits and identities were dismantled. From there, we visited St. Martin-in-the-Fields, one of the oldest schools for girls in the UK. Today, the school serves a student body of almost 90% girls of color from all different backgrounds, religions and ethnicities. Just like our young ladies of color, these young women are trying to answer questions about their identities, their place in the world, their hopes for the future. Being around them and their energy, hope and excitement for the progress that is being made for Black women was moving. They live in a world where a female Black Vice President and a Black member of the Royal Family are now possible, opening more doors for their generation than ever before. Various other experiences shaped our journey, our understanding of ourselves and our histories along the way. And since our trip, the thread of this identity journey has also manifested for other Black women as they continue to step into positions of power, bear children that tie the British monarchy to the deep history of slavery, and read poems on a national stage that stir our souls. The opportunity to explore identity together was all the more meaningful as we shared ideas, worked in partnership and supported one another. Although it was one journey, our two voices reflect on our individual experience. MJ: My experience has opened my eyes to my true identity as a child of GOD. I didn’t get an answer to the question, Who am I? But I can now answer Whose I am. My identity is in Christ. And, through the holy spirit when you treat people right, when you love people right, and when you forgive fast, you have the grace of God. This not only allows me to help the YCC students on their journey to answering the formation question Who Am

I? but to truly understand their identity as a person and their connection to God. GP: This journey gave me insight into the power of hope and determination! Hope is more than a motivational thought or a fading daydream - hope is a nothingis-impossible-with-God firestorm that refuses to be quenched! African women - enslaved, fugitive, and free - imagined new identities and lives beyond the oppressive restrictions intended to prevent them from ever experiencing liberty, self-respect and power. These women navigated social and legal prohibitions to reclaim their identities and to develop their own ideas about liberty as they escaped from slavery, initiated freedom suits, created entrepreneurial economies, pursued education, and participated in political and social change. All of this paved the way for the freedoms young women of color experience today. It was heartwarming to see this power of hope manifested through the young girls we met at St. Martin-in-the-Fields School - they were assured, fearless and empowered! Beautiful identities and individualities who are continually being cultivated in God’s grace. Experiencing the fruits from the bravery of the black women whose shoulders they stand on. They know they can be anything - an innovator, a professional, a princess and even the Vice President of the most powerful nation in the world! The power of hope and determination reimagined - God is indeed good!

While answering the question of “Who am I?” is a universal struggle for Black women, our Light the Fire experience empowered us to dig more deeply into our identities and to consider what we can do to “teach one and lift one.” We stay focused on our goal of inspiring young women of color at Trinity to do the same. Our hope is that they find a place of power in our shared histories as Black women, pride as they look to the Kamala’s, Meghan’s, Miss Gracie’s and Miss Monica’s of the world, and strength as they look at the many possibilities before them.

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Museum

...Our Light the Fire experience empowered us to dig more deeply into our identities Pictured (Above Left): Stephen Lawrence Research Centre at De and to consider what Montfort University we can do to ‘teach (Middle): Train from London to Liverpool - visiting the one and lift one’. International Slavery

ALUMNI Reflections

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Brandon Tucker Trinity Episcopal School ‘17 NC School of Science & Mathematics ‘21

Alumni tell us about the foundation their time at TES provided and what lessons they are taking into their lives and educational journeys today.

As I reflect on my time as a Wildcat, two lessons in particular impacted me beyond the walls of Trinity: the value of community service and the inspiration to explore my passion as a creator. When Trinity welcomed me in 5th grade, I eagerly anticipated a unique classroom experience in a caring and supportive environment. Indeed, Trinity provided challenging academics catered to my previous learning experience. Outside of the classroom, I made some of my closest friends with both students and teachers. However, I did not expect what became one of my greatest opportunities at Trinity: Odyssey of the Mind (or OM, for short). In OM, my team of

seven students had to create and present an original performance with theatrical and technical elements. Mr. Merritt and Mr. Kolander, our trusty coaches, patiently guided us through writing a script, using power tools to build sets and props, and performing with confidence onstage. By the time I graduated from Trinity, four years of OM taught me the skills to create functional products and, moreover, inspired me to continue to explore my creative passion in the future.

BRANDON WITH FELLOW TES ALUMNI VISING CAMPUS

In high school, this inspiration led me to not only continue Odyssey of the Mind, but also attend the North Carolina School of Science and Math where 31

I had opportunities for advanced coursework and research in engineering. However, my years of service learning at Trinity encouraged me to also use my

For instance, I currently teach Java programming to middle school students across North Carolina through weekly webinar sessions. As I prepare these lessons, I remember Mr. Thornton’s famous “flipped classroom” and the numerous videos I watched throughout his classes at Trinity. This summer, I will lead a 3D-Printing and Computer-Aided-Design program at Engineering Camp

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passions and skills to serve my community.

Charlotte, and I am similarly reminded of Ms. Rudisill’s WOW Week focusing on programming with microcontrollers. My efforts eventually came full circle when I returned to Trinity last year to help coach OM. Even then, I found myself relying on the knowledge and experience my original coaches had taught me. BRANDON DESIGNED AND PROGRAMMED A ROBOT DURING A ROBOTICS WOW WEEK IN 6TH GRADE.

Through enriching opportunities to explore my passion as a creator, Trinity inspired my path as a student and gave me the tools to be a successful servant in my community.

“Through enriching opportunities to explore my passion as a creator, Trinity inspired my path as a student and gave me the tools to be a successful servant in my community.” BRANDON WITH HIS TRINITY OM TEAM WON THE STATE TITLE & COMPETED AT WORLDS COMPETITION IN 2017

ALUMNI 32

Reflections

THE TRINITY VOICE /WINTER 2021

(continued...)

Emma Martin Trinity Episcopal School ‘15 Charlotte Latin School ‘19 Wake Forest University ‘23

Looking back at my Trinity experience, there are countless lessons and experiences I could reflect on and each one has lent itself to shaping who I am today. From book buddies to service learning, math lessons and round table discussions, and musical performances to art class Trinity gave me the perfect balance of structure and room to figure out who I was. A few core lessons stand out to me from my time as a Trinity Wildcat. TES taught me how to live my life guided by Christ’s love; TES helped me redefine my understanding of what it means to be successful. Lastly, TES instilled in me the importance of building relationships and leaning into those relationships in order to always be learning from those around you. After graduating from Trinity in 2015, I went onto spend four years at Charlotte Latin School and then went onto attend Wake Forest University. I am currently a sophomore studying Studio Art and English with a minor in Spanish. Something that has posed a challenge in a world where people are consistently put under a microscope and the world around you seems riddled with moments of doubt and uncertainty has been trying to answer questions such as: Who am I? What do I believe in? What is important to me? However, something that has become a guiding light for me throughout the years of trying to answer these questions

has been asking myself: is what I’m doing sending the love of Christ back into the world? I saw Christ’s love embodied in the people around me every day at TES; every single person from the workers in the cafeteria to our teachers and chapel leaders poured their whole heart into serving each student with the same level of intention and care. Each person that stepped foot into the building was seen as an equal and was not just accepted, but celebrated; it did not dawn on me until leaving Trinity the reality that this was something so unique to the TES community. Additionally, Our involvement in service learning from kindergarten to eighth grade showed us as students the importance of carrying the love of Christ outside of our own community. Whether faced with questions of self reflection, engaging in discussion with people who come from different backgrounds than myself, or deciding what to pursue in life I consistently come back to this concept of being a vessel for Christ’s love. My time at TES taught me that while challenging myself academically and in my plans for the future, it also taught me that the word “success” encapsulates much more than what lies on my report card or how many zeroes come at the end of my future paycheck. I have always challenged myself striving to be the best I can and achieve at a high level, but I think one of the more

Lastly, my time at Trinity showed me just how significant relationships can be in your life and how crucial they can be in your every day learning in and out of the classroom. The bonds I was able to build with teachers are ones that are important to me still today. I always

THE TRINITY VOICE /WINTER 2021

what I want to pursue in my life. Because the teachers were by our sides to celebrate every victory, big or small, we were given the confidence to push ourselves further than we thought possible.

“I saw Christ’s love embodied in the people around me every day at TES; every single person from the workers in the cafeteria to our teachers and chapel leaders, all poured their whole hearts into serving each student with the same level of intention and care. Each person that stepped foot into the building was seen as an equal and was not just accepted, but celebrated; it did not dawn on me until leaving, the reality that this was something so unique to the TES community.”

valuable things I took from Trinity was that those things are only fulfilling if you are passionate about what you are doing and you have friends and mentors to share the accomplishments with. I have had the goal of being an architect for a very long time, and I remember coming to this realization in middle school. It wasn’t because it seemed practical but because my teachers had fostered what I was passionate about and I eventually realized I could take those things and make a path out of them. I have been investing my time in the arts for as long as I can remember (art, writing, theater), and I have always enjoyed problem solving. Because Trinity allowed us to explore these areas freely, emphasizing the arts just as much as math or science, I was able to place importance on these activities that would eventually become a significant part of my college experience and inspire

look forward to seeing teachers such as Ms. Rankey or Ms. Castillo when I go back to visit and I have gone onto value getting to know my teachers in high school and in college because it has lent itself to me feeling more comfortable asking questions and pursuing a higher level of understanding in the classroom. I also value these relationships because when you get to know your teachers well, you learn life lessons from them in addition to concepts out of a textbook. I have also grown to value relationships with my peers in the classroom because the discussions we would have at Trinity taught me how much I could learn by engaging in conversation with the person sitting next to me. Trinity taught me that everyone brings different skills and experiences to the table and you can learn so much simply by showing an interest and asking questions. I will forever cherish my Trinity experience and the lessons I have taken from it. I am who I am today because of the people I learned from and the values they instilled in me. I want to conclude by saying thank you to the teachers, the faculty, the staff, and to all of my peers because what makes Trinity special is the people and it is because of them that Trinity has become a home I can always go back to.

Trinity taught me how to be kind, how to serve it allowed me to make friendships that I will keep

THE TRINITY VOICE /WINTER 2021

TRANS Celebrating the

Trinity wasn’t just a school. It was a safe space, a community, a place I often sought happiness. So, as this chapter comes to an end, I thank everyone that has ever made an impact in my life here. I grew, I learned and I believed because of Trinity. - Sofi Pieri

This school has helped me through so many things in the past nine years; it has taught me to appreciate everyone for their unique abilities, to live with honor and righteousness, to show integrity and honesty, to be kind to others, and to spread happiness and joy throughout the world. - Charlie Whitmire

Class of 2020

others, and how to be responsible for my actions; forever, and has shaped me into who I am today. - Megan Reif

THE TRINITY VOICE /WINTER 2021

The Trinity Class of 2020 made their mark on our school in so many ways, not the least of which is cementing their place in history with our first ever drivethrough commencement ceremony. Finishing out their final year at Trinity with emergency remote learning, we were thrilled to see these bright, shining faces under the arch, as we celebrated their contributions and accomplishments. Complete with cheering and (socially distant) teachers and administrators, the pride was palpable as these Wildcats said “see you later” to their Trinity home. These next pages honor the Class of 2020, their time at Trinity, and their resilient, courageous transition to the next chapter.

ITIONS:

Thank you Trinity for giving me a great education and raising me to be an independent, intellectual, and capable student and person. I’ve learned how to be a respectful and well-educated person that can express herself and influence others. Thank you, Trinity, for being patient with me through my hard times and for blessing me with your guidance. - Nathalia Ortega-Colon

CLASS OF 2020 THE TRINITY VOICE /WINTER 2021

HIGH SCHOOL CHOICES

Isabelle Ahdieh Myers Park High School Davis Angel Myers Park High School Gyasi Boyd East Mecklenburg High School Katherine Bray Virginia Episcopal School, VA Celia Brown† Community School of Davidson Patrik Burling† South Mecklenburg High School Lily Casey East Mecklenburg High School † Cameron Craycraft Myers Park High School Lucy Anne Dosser† Myers Park High School Brylie Edwards† Lake Norman High School Anaya Elias Providence High School † Henry Faison Eaglebrook School Cassell FitzHugh Myers Park High School Mary Fresina Providence High School Henry Geis Myers Park High School † George Glassner Charlotte Latin School Harrison Grigg Providence Day Scool † James Harper Charlotte Latin School Addison Harrill Myers Park High School † Jonathan Hernandez Charlotte Engineering Early College Finley Holzman† Myers Park High School Alayna Jurch Myers Park High School † Olivia Lee Myers Park High School Nathaniel Lewis Myers Park High School Patrick Lewis Myers Park High School Marlynn Martinez Myers Park High School Ciara McCourt Myers Park High School † Nicholas Merritt Myers Park High School

Tristan Merritt† Myers Park High School Samira Messele East Mecklenburg High School † Virginia Nebrig Northwest School of the Arts Esaias Newberry Myers Park High School Joanna Ogburn† Myers Park High School † Nathalia Ortega-Colon Myers Park High School Sofia Pieri Charlotte Catholic School † Marshall Pifer Charlotte Country Day School Sofia Plaza Myers Park High School † Sophia Powell Providence Day School † Robert Raible, III Myers Park High School † Megan Reif Myers Park High School Livia Reuter Charlotte Country Day School Roy Richards Providence Day School † Timothy Ryan Northwest School of the Arts † Roslin Sanchez Myers Park High School Harry Shaw, V The Millbrook School, NY Mary Claire Smith Providence Day School Frederick Smith, II Blair Academy, NJ † Troy Szeker Myers Park High School Addison Tilley Myers Park High School Fritz Veltman† Cate School, CA † Teresa Viser Myers Park High School Julianna Weeks Myers Park High School Charles Whitmire† Myers Park High School † Skyler Woods Myers Park High School † Margaret Young St. Andrew’s School † Grace Zarzour Myers Park High School

(† = Lifer Student; HS Choices as of August 2020)

Trinity is part of a very small collection of schools that decide to walk a different path. A different way of teaching their students. A different way of working with their community. A different school, in general. Now, just being a “different” school doesn’t directly change my view of things, but Trinity and its teachers decided to not just use their differences from most schools as a marketing tactic; they decided to work in our community, and spread the message of equality and diversity the best they could. Trinity will always stay in my heart as one of the greatest educational experiences that I have had in my life. - Nate Lewis

THE TRINITY VOICE /WINTER 2021

We are resilient. We are the Class of 2020.

Zoom’ing to Our Next Adventure...

NEWS & THE TRINITY VOICE /WINTER 2021

NOTES 2018

Jack Guenther (TES ‘18) “I verbally committed to swim and study at The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill for the fall of 2022.”

2017

Emily Horn (TES ‘17) “This year, I continued running cross country, helping my team place second for the first time at the State Meet. I am also competing on the archery and golf teams. I am excited to have been elected student body president and I also lead my school’s National Honor Society chapter and prom committee. The eighth grade D.C. trip at Trinity led to my interest in government and public policy. As a result, I pursued an internship with SC State Rep. Spencer Wetmore where I am working on a proposal for a state level Endangered Species Act. I also worked as an intern with U.S. Congressman Joe Cunningham and communicated with constituents to resolve problems with stimulus checks, health care, veteran benefits, and more. Next year, I will be attending the University of Virginia, where I plan to major in politics or public policy.”

2004

Laura Reimann (TES ‘04) “I am now a school nurse working for Mecklenburg County. I have assisted in COVID tracing and administration of the COVID vaccination. I have also been accepted into graduate school at Michigan State to get my masters in public health! My little one that was featured in a previous Trinity article is now 18 months and wears her Future Wildcat onesie :)”

she will return to the Advancement Office in a permanent position as the Advancement Coordinator where she will continue her work with fundraising support, social media, and alumni initiatives! Welcome Back, Joan!

WILDCATS IN ACTION

Former TES teacher Mary Kate McAlister and alumni Mary Cate Kiser (TES ‘19) and Katie Zarzour (TES ‘19) meet up for an annual Thanksgiving run!

ALUMNI SCHOOL UPDATES

Join us in congratulating the following alumni on their continued success in higher education:

Matthias Farley (TES ‘07) For two years in a row, the New York Jets honored Matthias with the Marty Lyons Community Service Award. This award is given to the player who gives from the heart through charity and community involvement as voted on by Jets staff. Matthias, who plays Safety, was also named as a team captain for the 2020-21 season. Congratulations, Matthias!

Sylvia Johnston (TES ‘11) is attending Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago.

2016

Kaneisha Gaston (TES ‘05) Kaneisha along with former TES teacher, Vanessa Williams, launched an online bookstore highlighting small Black businesses and publishing presses (www.rrbbookstore.com)

2010

Joan Palumbo (TES ‘07) joins the Trinity Staculty! This fall Joan joined the Advancement team on a temporary basis to provide crucial support during the 20-21 Trinity Fund campaign. She also assisted where needed in the classroom as a K-8 Instructional Support Assistant. We are thrilled that

We have been so grateful to all alums who have participated in virtual Trinity events this past fall for rising high school families and prospective Trinity students. Your stories make a deep impact and we are so proud to watch you shine!

Kennedy Jones (TES ‘17) “I am a senior at Providence Day School and signed on National Signing Day to play soccer at Elon University.” Kate Wolcott (TES ‘16) “I am one of the baseball managers for Wofford College’s D1 Baseball team and am the only female manager on staff.” Gabrielle Stewart Carden (TES ‘10) “I am part of the inaugural class of the University of Michigan-Flint Physician Assistant program and plan to graduate in 2023.”

Thomas Johnston (TES ‘12) is attending Trinity Lutheran Seminary at Capital in Columbus, Ohio. Noah Carroll (TES ‘15) is a sophomore at Wake Forest and is a Politics and International Affairs Major, Chemistry Minor and is on the Pre Med track. Annie Carroll (TES ‘17) will be attending Davidson College in the fall.

THANK YOU!

Tyler Bell Liv Eubank Jack Mast Sophia Powell Ryan Schang

Emma Colaco Clara Long Josie Pitt DD Saldarini Katie Zarzour

5 QUESTIONSwith ALUM DAVID OATES

David is also the son of former teacher and current Director of Admission & Financial Aid Jennifer Moore!

Q: What is one of the biggest lessons you learned at Trinity and have taken with you on your journey to where you are today?

Q: Favorite item you’ve personally bought or sold on Curtsy? Craziest item you’ve seen bought or sold on Curtsy?

A: I never cared much for rules or authority growing up, which would get me into trouble. Despite the headaches I sometimes caused them, my teachers never waivered in their belief that I could do anything I set my mind to. This was communicated often.

A: Most of Curtsy’s customers are women (& primarily women’s clothes) but I’ve scored some men’s Lululemon pieces that slipped through. You’d be shocked at the non-clothing items people try to put on there. Recently someone tried to find a roommate by posting a photo of herself and the available room. Gotta admire the hustle!

One day, after speaking up one too many times in history class, my teacher gave me a “stern talking-to,” as we call it in the South. I chilled out after that, but a month later I did something boneheaded and nervously awaited another rebuke. “You’ve been doing awesome lately,” he told me. “Sometimes in life when we’re working toward something, we slip up, and that’s ok.” That’s the biggest lesson that comes to mind: the power of grace. Q: What has been one of the biggest joys in being an entrepreneur? How about one of the biggest challenges? A: I find a lot of joy in the process of creation. The satisfaction we feel at a job well done tends to be proportional to how hard that thing was; in that way, the challenge is inextricably tied to the joy. My favorite times working on Curtsy are those when we were confronted with an existential crisis, or another failed experiment, and we needed to figure out what came next.

About Curtsy:

Curtsy was founded as an online buy/sell app that makes it easier and faster for casual sellers to list items by reducing the amount of work involved to sell. It also doesn’t matter how many followers a seller has, which makes its marketplace more welcoming to first-time sellers. “The big gap in the market is really for casual sellers — people who are not interested in selling professionally,” explains Curtsy CEO David Oates. “In pretty much every other app that you’ve heard about, pro sellers really crowd out everyday women. Part of that is the friction of the whole process,” he says. Curtsy now has several hundred thousand people who buy and sell on its iOS-only app, with an average transaction rate of three items bought or sold per month. It also recently closed a third round of Series A funding, bringing their collective funding total to $14.5 million in funding from private / angel investors.

Q: When you think of your fellow Trinity peers, what words would you use to describe Trinity alums as a whole? A: It’s a great group! I really enjoy reading the updates in here, even if I don’t recognize the names. My fellow Trinity alums are crushing it out there. Let’s go with that: “crushing it.” Q: You live in San Francisco - since we’re all dreaming of post-COVID travel, what are some of your favorite recommendations to see/ eat/ do in your home city? A: San Francisco is best explored on foot! More so than other cities, there aren’t really “sights” to “see” here — the entire thing is the sight! Some great walks are along Valencia Street in the Mission (perhaps picnicking in nearby Dolores Park), Hayes Valley to Alamo Square, Fort Mason to the base of Golden Gate Bridge, and the Palace of Fine Arts to the top of the Lyon Street Steps. Biking through Golden Gate Park is really fun as well.

More About David:

David Oates followed his passion and natural ability for entrepreneurship, leaving Northeastern University his freshman year to work at HubSpot, where he designed their CRM product at age 18. To earn some extra money, Oates started delivering for DoorDash and became their #1 driver nationwide. This experience sparked his interest in two-sided marketplaces and eventually guided him toward his role at Curtsy, serving as CEO and working on design and growth. To read the full Forbes profile on David and the Curtsy team, use your phone camera to scan the QR code below.

THE TRINITY VOICE /WINTER 2021

Recently named to the Forbes “30 under 30” list for Retail and e-Commerce, alum David Oates, Co-founder of Curtsy, answers a few questions about his journey since his time at TES.

TES ‘08, Myers Park ‘12 Co-Founder & CEO: Curtsy, The buy/sell app for cute clothes

THE TRINITY VOICE /WINTER 2021

Parting Anna Okrah

K-8 Learning Catalyst

Trinity’s mission and core values have shaped how I live my life, raise my own children, and support and educate Trinity’s children. The concept of “noticing” guides much of how I try to live, teach and parent. Focusing on noticing allows us to practice empathy for all, connect to the joyful, beautiful and enduring, and explore topics and subjects that ignite our natural curiosity and wonder.

The empathy that is woven into the very fabric of Trinity, the faculty and staff who work here, and the students who learn here provides a foundation on which we help create curious, engaged scholars who are able to study academic and social concepts through a wide lens. By taking time to NOTICE the world and the people in it, I strive to create spaces and opportunities for learning and growth for all people.

As an African-American, I was raised to value education. I always understood that education was so precious because everything that was given to you could be taken away from you, but the things you learned become a part of you. Educated and educating - I am my ancestors’ dream come true!

Dawn Wheeler Kindergarten Instructional Assistant I was drawn to Trinity because of the value placed on educating the whole child. Even with our youngest students, there is an emphasis on helping children to live into their unique potential and to dream big dreams.

It challenges them to think broadly and to see beyond what is obvious. At its core, Trinity strives to bring out the best in those we serve. At the same time, Trinity is not utopia. Like many of us, it is not yet what it is fully called to be and do in this community. Trinity, like me, has a long road in its commitment to being more like Christ. Also like me, Trinity is working hard every day, trying to figure out how to be the best for our students, faculty and staff, community and ultimately, the world.

WORDS “How does the Trinity mission - and its three core values - play out in your life both inside and outside of school?”

Trinity’s mission and core values are an integral part of my life. I could write extensively on this connection and still not fully capture the impact the Trinity community has had on me over the past seven plus years. It has impacted me as a teacher, a partner, a parent and a community member. Valuing the individual child as a unique learner in a room full of unique learners is core to Trinity.

Sean Casey Middle School Science Teacher

This is core not only to my teaching philosophy but also my life philosophy. Two common refrains I learned early at Trinity, that run through my head each day, whether directed at my students or at myself, are: “you are exactly who God intended you to be,” followed by, “ I am so glad you are here today”. These allow us to feel grace. To be kind to ourselves and to others. To understand that we are all full of imperfections that make us exactly who we are supposed to be. All of that is the beauty of Trinity’s mission and core values. In my opinion, at the very heart of Trinity’s mission and core values is the tenet of respect and service to others. This tenet is core to my interaction with others in the Trinity community and in my broader community. It is core to my identity. That was not necessarily true prior to my tenure at Trinity. Trinity has helped me find my voice. Through Trinity’s influence, I now use my voice to help fight for those who are marginalized in our society. I write this reflection having just ended a Zoom book club call focused on how to make this a world a better place. How to create systems in our communities that enable all of God’s children to experience the same privileges that I do. Today, much of my life outside of Trinity is spent trying to create environments of equity and promote social justice for all. There is no truer reflection of Trinity’s influence and impact in my life.

THE TRINITY VOICE /WINTER 2021

While each issue of The Voice is full of wonderful updates, photography, perspectives and more, we leave you with a few final reflections from those who make this community so very special: our teachers.

42 THE TRINITY VOICE /WINTER 2021

THROUGH DARKNESS SHINES LIGHT Written by: Harper Williams, 4th Grade

The world has been broken, But definitely not shattered, Our hearts were open, But then got devoured, From all this pain, this loss and gain, Life is more than just days put together, Life is moments that will always matter, The hospital beds, the lonely nights, the scary frights, Of what comes next in our world, Is it wrong to be grieving?, Is it wrong to be sad?, Is it wrong to be holding on to your mother or dad?, Your family, your friends, Holding on to your life not knowing when it will end, It’s hard every night, We need to put aside our differences and come together as a Nation, And hold on to hope, Give grace, And have patience, Cause we’re all here for a reason and have dreams we believe in, From being a vet, To owning a pet, From changing the world, to having a girl, These are all dreams that we hope to achieve, No matter our race, age, size or shape, This is us and we were made to be great, We were made to be great!

A NOTE FROM HARPER: “In response to seeing Amanda Gorman recite ‘The Hill We Climb’ at the Inauguration, I wrote this poem to show that no matter how hard it is to get through something (like 2020), that if we just put our heads together and accept all kinds of people, we will realize they are just like us and deserve the same amount of respect because we’re all just people who have dreams and achievements. Everyone is important. Also, if you had or have a loved one in the hospital, always remember it will get better. They know you are there for them and holding their hand physically or mentally. Just re-read this poem until it gets better, because it will. This Nation will always be together no matter how far apart we are.”

The Trinity Voice

20-21 Board of Trustees

is a publication produced by the Advancement Office of Trinity Episcopal School in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Porter Durham, Chair Casey Rogers, Past Chair Angus McBryde, Treasurer Barbara Cantisano, Secretary

Volume 6, Issue 1

Dr. Katherine Addison Anne S. Bowman Eugene Brown Ann Clark Marcus Clarke Amy Colaco Marisella Cuervo Tere Ey Terrie Hagler Gray David Hatch Jamie Kiser Dr. Dana McDonald Mann Rev. Amanda Robertson Molly Shaw Holly Welch Stubbing Frank Toliver Court Young

As faculty and families together influence young lives, students themselves will be affirmed as ambassadors of grace, citizens who live and teach an ethic of service and respect for others. A student of Trinity Episcopal School is trained in the example of Christ and toward a stewardship of healthy body, lively soul and discerning mind.

Director of Advancement Lauren Harnett lharnett@tescharlotte.org Marketing & Communications Director Katie Brown kbrown@tescharlotte.org Development Director Katie Keels kkeels@tescharlotte.org Visual Communications Manager Jessica Masanotti Interim Advancement Coordinator, Fall/Winter 2020 Joan Palumbo

THE TRINITY VOICE /WINTER 2021

A student of Trinity Episcopal School is challenged to academic excellence while honored as an individual with unique potential.

Our Mission Trinity Episcopal School is committed to the breadth of the Episcopal tradition in both its unity and diversity.

EX OFFICIO Thomas J. Franz, Head of School Brooke Smith, PA President

Trinity Episcopal School admits students of any race, color, religion, national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the School. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national and ethnic origin in administration of its education and admissions policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic and other school - administered programs.

save the date

All-School Virtual Celebration of the Trinity Fund & the School Year

WEDNESDAY APRIL 14, 2021

750 E. 9th Street Charlotte, NC 28202-3102 T | 704. 358. 8101 www.TEScharlotte.org