Cover design by Gracy Watts Volume 18, number 1, the summer 2020 issue of The ROCK magazine was designed and produced by the 2019-20 ROCK staff. This 24-page, allcolor issue was printed by The Master’ Master ’s Press, Dallas, Texas, on 80 lb. gloss text paper. 300 copies were printed and for sale on the TCA campus for $2. Cost of printing is paid for by magazine sales and additional funds from the TCA Communications Department. Adobe InDesign CC 2015 and Photoshop CC 2015 software applications were used for design and layout. Typefaces used throughout: 1985 Marker (headlines), Modern Sans Light (body copy), Work Sans Regular (folio).
The ROCK ROCK magazine staff is comprised of TCA Upper School students. Students join The ROCK ROCK at the beginning of the school year, usually in September, and meet regularly throughout the school year during off periods and outside of school to discuss, decide and execute the magazine’ magazine’s theme, article topics, writing, editing, photography, design and layout. Staffers submit articles for inclusion in each year’ year ’s issue and also judge/ select when there is a call for Middle School and Lower School art and writing submissions for a particular story. If you have feedback, ideas or suggestions for The ROCK ROCK or would be interested in joining the magazine staff for the next school year, please contact Kendall Ellis, TCA publications coordinator and The ROCK ROCK sponsor, at kellis@trinitychristian.org. Trinity Christian Academy 17001 Addison Road Addison, TX 75001-5096 972.931.8325 TrinityChristian.org
Dear Friends, I am so proud to give you the 2019/2020 edition of the rock. This magazine is the profit of a staff who willingly took time in this crazy season to unconventionally create a magazine on home computers and over zoom. Drawing on TCA’s 50 year anniversary, we wanted to bring the experience of walking the hallways at school to the paper. By highlighting a range of topics spanning from environment awareness to sports to dances our staff aimed to Spotlight the variety of students that walk the hallways every day at our school. I and the rest of the staff are extremely grateful for our mentor and supervisor, Mr. Ellis. He trusted our vision and patiently guided us as we created this magazine. Serving as the executive editor of the rock during my senior year of high school fulfilled a dream that I’ve had since the first grade. I could not have imagined a better staff to work alongside for the past year. We hope you enjoy the fruit of our hard work. Sincerely, Ruthie Turner
tca life
discovery
hacks to high school ����������������������������������������� 4
our changing earth ��������������������������������������16
middle school poetry contest ������������������������� 5
women in computer science ��������������������17
the impact of the art department ����������������� 6
character through dances �������������������������18
lower school art competition �������������������������� 8
alumni memories ���������������������������������������20
alumni responses ����������������������������������������������10
sports friday night lights ����������������������������������������������12 high school sports: memories of a lifetime ���14
Every year, through the fields of writing, photography, illustration, design, and more, TCA students gather together to contribute to the entirely student-created magazine, The Rock. This year, in celebration of the 50th anniversary of TCA, we have compiled pieces which thoroughly represent the diversity, passion, community, and spirit of our school. Drawn from many different students, each with their own unique voices, perspectives, and talents, we are very excited to present this year’s The Rock !
Carol ine Spears Design Assistant
attirsector W y c Gra sign D
Ruthie Turner Executive Editor
De Art &
Haleigh Brown
ays LandniorryEHditor
Anna
wrey o L h Bet tor di Art E
Senior Edito r
Se
l iidtoar y l o H ade Ed
C Caro 2
Jun l ine W o ior E od dito war d r
Wi ll Mcintosh Junior Edito r
The ROCK • spring 2020
Peyton Prideaux Design Assistant
r
Junio
A Piece of STORY HI
The Rock—a symbol of TCA and everyone’s favorite object to paint on for the last 40 years. But how did it all start? It all started one Friday night in the year 1981 when two TCA senior football players named Doug Walker and Mike Turner decided to paint their football numbers on this essential piece of history, a large rock near the TCA campus. “They really just wanted to impress girls and stuff like that,” said Ford Baker, a CPA today and senior from the class of 1982. Every time a TCA student drove by the Rock, seeing Walker and Turner’s numbers, the senior boys’ “coolness level” increased. Recognizing the increased popularity Walker and Turner gained from painting the Rock, other senior teammates decided to paint on it, and it turned into a game of one-upmanship. This went on for a about a year. Then, in late 1982, the Rock was moved onto TCA property. The headmaster at the time, Mike Beidel, thought this would be a good tradition to carry on to for years to come. The Rock has had several different locations throughout the years. When Doug and Mike started the tradition that fateful evening, the Rock itself was located on the opposite corner of Addison and Sojurn. It was moved onto TCA property in 1982, and it was moved to where the Jesus statue is now. “Kids used to say, ‘Pick me up at the Rock,’ whereas nowadays, kids say, ‘Pick me up at the Jesus statue,’” said Mr. Kyle Morrill, the head of the Upper School. In the late 1990s, it was moved to the island on the road going into the Upper School. Three years later, it was relocated to where the PAC is now. Now, the Rock is housed outside the Upper School Commons. The Rock has become a symbol of the TCA student body, causing it to become a target of our rival students from Prestonwood Christian Academy. One Thursday night before a Friday night game, the police caught a group of Prestonwood students painting on the Rock, deepening the thick rivalry between the two schools’ students. When Doug Walker and Mike Turner spray painted their jersey numbers on a large rock near the school many years ago, I doubt that they could predict the impact of their actions. The Rock now serves as symbol for TCA’s abundant school spirit. With each repainting of the Rock, students contribute to a history of school pride and leave a small legacy for future students.
by Logan Walters The ROCK • spring 2020
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by Reagan Rodgers 1) Go talk to your teachers. Whether it’s a tough math problem, stress about a test, confusion on your essay, or even social drama, they are more than happy to help, and it will make school and life a thousand times easier. They want you to succeed. 2) Whatever you do, do not park in the senior lot. Trust us on this one. 3) Go all out for homecoming dress up week! It’s so much fun, even if you look ridiculous in your tiger onesie. You can never be too cool or old to play dress up. 4) Quizlet will save your life. 5) READ the books you’re assigned. And by read, we mean actually read. You will be so much better off in the long run. And who knows, you might really enjoy them. That being said, don’t be afraid to hit up Shmoop for a good review before your quiz. 6) Don’t take up too much space in the stands at football games. 7) If you’re planning on getting a spray tan, you might want to go ahead and book your appointment right now. Claudia (TCA girls’ go-to professional spray tan artist) fills up fast, and you don’t want to miss out on being a part of Orange Friday. 8) Get involved! Clubs, sports, fine arts, anything! Its such a great way to meet new peopleespecially upperclassmen. 9) Seniors aren’t at all what they’re like in the movies. Also, they don’t pay as much attention to you as they think you do. If you trip down the stairs by the hole, odds are they are too busy talking about graduation to even notice. 10) Start catching bugs now. The infamous freshman bug project always sneaks up on you. 11) The office has free candy.* A yummy piece is a go to pick-me-up during a long school day. 12) Grades are important, but they aren’t everything. One bad grade won’t ruin your life. 13) Science teachers count tardies, so be on time! 4
The ROCK • tca life
*This recommendation was originally written pre-COVID-19. The office is currently not giving out candy. Just one more reason to look forward to post-COVID-19 normalcy.
We offered a poetry contest to the Middle School in the spirit of this ROCK issue's theme of Community, wanting more than just high schoolers' input and ideas for the magazine. This year's winner was Claire Millet's rhyme poem based on the topic of community as shown through brothers and sisters in Christ.
May we come together in mind of our unity And reach the goal of becoming a community The fool breaches a wayward, blind eye And leaves his humanity to die For those who live a life alone live a short life of the naive Grown up on the outside but inside lives lacking maturity May we live together with love as our rock-hard dream And reach the goal of becoming a community The fool will dream of un-sacred dreams With unity of none to be seen The fool always reaches for isolations as an unearned must And lives a life with everlasting fear and none to give your trust May we, brothers and sisters, come together with a purity And, with the Lord, reach the goal of becoming a community
The ROCK • tca life
5
I have been a part of the Art Department at TCA since kindergarten, and I have loved all of my experiences as a student there. Even though TCA is a small school, the department provides an even smaller place where you can develop friendships with people you normally would not be as close to. I have been able to grow as an individual as I express myself through my artwork, and I have been inspired by the other artists surrounding me. The teachers act as Christian role models who display their faith and allow us to embrace our creativity. Personally, I have had Mr. Millet for the last four years, so I have been able to learn more about him as a person. By having weekly sketches and project deadlines, my work ethic has increased, which is extremely useful in high school. Also, there are numerous competitions for us to enter our artwork into, and we can earn money by placing. The department has cultivated deeper thought in me and my peers and created an environment where artists can see the world through a different lens. I have gained a greater appreciation for the world, the people around me, and the talents that God has given me. by Taya Burgett As an outsider to art, I’ve come to realize how much effort art students put into their works. I remember in middle school seeing peoples’ sketches and realizing how much effort they put into them. It was interesting seeing how much homework they had while choir and band students seemed to have less outside work. I didn’t realize exactly how much effort they put into it until I came to the Upper School and saw the TAG. Art students clearly put hours and hours of effort into this. The AP art show especially displayed their efforts. I specifically remember seeing the different media people used, like movies, sculpture, painting, sketches, or multiple media. No matter what shape or size, these looked like they had been carefully worked on for hours on end with great care. I’d encourage people to check out the TAG to respect their work if you get the chance, or even join art! by Wi lson Roe
The ROCK • tca life
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To celebrate the 50th anniversary of TCA, The Rock asked Lower School students to draw what they think TCA looked like 50 years ago, in the 70s. The only rule was for them to have fun! Many students used their imagination and creativity and made beautiful pictures of what they believed TCA looked like. After some careful debate, we picked the three drawings that we believe best depict TCA in the 70s!
Kaki Nunnally 3B
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The ROCK • tca life
Lainey McCoy 1D
Magnolia Mayer K5
The ROCK • tca life
9
We asked Trinity alumni to describe the impact of their time at TCA in thre e words, and these were their responses. Laurie Sanders Pi llsbury - caring, growing, memorable Martha Parker - happy, encouraging, faith Chi ldress Pi llsbury - sincere, fun, l ife changing Jerry Remington - foundational, inspirational, memorable Jon Mi llet - always, radically, transformative Nikki Johnston - impactful, endearing, lasting Amy Prideaux - well-rounded, prepared, l ife-changing
10
Craig Stites - challenged, accompl ished, champions
The ROCK • tca life
Brian Spence - welcoming, inspiring, forgiving CeCe Scott - refining, unique, rich Adam Sims - shaping, enriching, preparatory Jef frey McWhorter - challenging, relational, fun Justin McGe e - enjoyable, relational, formational Graham Glosser - traditional, Christ-l ike, adventurous Frances Allen - personal, scaf folding, methodical, kingdom bui lding Thomas Neuhof f - foundational, fun, formidable Daniel Davidson - formative, enjoyable, educational Flora Neuhof f - fun, inspiring, unique Jake Wal ker - encouraging, caring, challenging
The ROCK • tca life
11
Friday Night Lights by Cade Holl iday
As our football team storms the field, the crowd erupts in cheers as our friends and family begin playing. But why? What causes moments like these to be so impactful to either the spectators or the players? How does this sport create these moments of unity in our school? In hopes of finding the answers to these questions, I spoke with Blake Mercer, a senior football player, and Eli Pierce, a first-grader. I started off with asking Blake a few questions about his experience. As a running back and a safety, Blake got the best of both worlds in both offense and defense. With over five years of playing football, Blake has truly seen the impact of football on our community and in the Upper School. Blake recognized that the sport is a team effort: He told me that people shouldn’t be going through the program by themselves but instead surrounding themselves and establishing a sense of comradery. Blake told me that it was important to find some older mentors. He believed that it was important for the team to look up to someone, as it allows the team to set up good examples for one another. And that's why Blake enjoyed playing for so much of his life. Driven by his love for the sport, he enjoyed the togetherness that brought the football team together and how many friendships he began due to this sense of unity. With that in mind, Blake hopes that the team can look to the past for motivation. He told me that if he had the chance to do it over again, he would do it every time. 12
The ROCK • sports
Now let’s look at Eli’s view of football. Eli started playing after watching his brother Reagan play. He thanks Reagan for teaching him how the big kids play. Each conversation with his brother motivates him to practice harder and to follow in the footsteps of his older brother. He loves being able to play with his friends-something that Blake said was a key part in his years of football. Eli has fallen in love with scoring touchdowns and field goals. The exhilaration he gains each time his team scores has not only led Eli continue playing football but also to develop a passion for the game. With Reagan as a key motivator, Eli looks up to him with the hope of one day being in Reagan’s shoes. Football provides unity for students on the field and in the stands.
Every Friday during the fall, we come and support our friends. Outside of entertainment, why are these games so impactful? They establish a sense of school spirit and unity. The younger kids look up to the football players. It's important we realize this because our sports are impacting someone one way or another. We need to be good role models because kids like Eli are looking up to us, and it's important that with sports we help create the future of our school. With that in mind, let's focus on the future of our school and start creating these special moments so that one day a lowerschooler or middle-schooler can realize just how impactful these things are, and it will hopefully motivate them to do the same.
The ROCK • sports
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High Scho ol Sports: Memories of a Lifetime by Wi ll McIntosh
Memories. They fill our thoughts with many
Perfect snap, perfect hold, and the senior
emotions when we look back on them. Whether
kicker drove the ball right through the uprights.
they be happy, sad, exciting, boring, or even
The crowd went crazy, junior football player
awkward, memories form the way we see certain
Blake Beal remembers, “I’ve never seen a louder
times of our lives. When we move along the path
crowd in high school before that moment.” David
past high school, we will have so many memories
Asche was the talk of the school that week,
of different emotions from high school. Many
as that memory will be immortalized in the
of them will come from school dances, hanging
students’ minds.
out with friends on the weekends, or school-
The second memory that was re-stated
appropriate parties. But, the memories I want
multiple times was on the basketball court. And
to focus on seem to be the most shaping ones,
it so happened to be on rival Prestonwood’s
sports memories.
basketball court. In a December basketball
Sports take a huge role in shaping our high
game of the 2018-2019 basketball season for the
school years. In sports, we form brotherhoods
Trojans, Prestonwood started the first half firing
and sisterhoods with our teammates on our field
on all cylinders with a 15-point lead. But with
of play, we watch our fellow students show off
huge contributions from seniors John Shaw, Brett
their skill in their sport, and we grow as Christians
Kaufmann, Sam Norris, junior Will Compton and
through lessons we will only learn from sports.
sophomore Gavin Thornton, they came back to tie
Whether it be the championships, upsets, heart-
it in overtime. As TCA went up by 3, Prestonwood
wrenching losses, game-winners, and much more,
drew up a play in the last 15 seconds to attempt
our sports memories will last forever. So, I asked
to tie it up. As they ran through the play, the
students, teachers, and coaches about their
Prestonwood guard threw a cross-court pass to a
favorite sports memories at TCA.
seemingly wide open Prestonwood player. Well, he
When I asked the students, two specific
wasn’t. Senior John Shaw went and intercepted
memories were repeated many times. The first
the pass, breaking down the court for a wide
one is on the football field. In TCA’s first football
open lay up to seal the game. Shaw ended up
game at Tom Landry Stadium in August of 2018,
with 20 points that game and was praised for
TCA matched up against a solid ESD team. Much
his excellent performance versus the rival Lions
excitement was coming into the game, as new
for weeks.
head coach and former NFL coach and player
Then, I asked for more of a retro perspective
Mike Singletary led the Trojans from the sideline
from administrators and coaches. When I asked
for the first time. As the game was nearing an
Head of Upper School Kyle Morrill, his favorite
end, it was tied 28-28 on the 20-yard line. Senior
memory dated back to his coaching days in 2001.
kicker David Asche was called to kick the game
His girls basketball team pulled off an amazing
winning field goal. The Trojan crowd was silent as
upset in the semifinal playoffs over Bishop Lynch,
we awaited the snap.
who had won the previous twelve years. With all odds against his team, they won the state championship!
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The ROCK • sports
Varsity Boys Basketball Coach Randy Feemster
The team had a great season, but it didn’t
also had a very distinct memory on the basketball
end on a great note. They would go to the
court, in the semifinals of the state tournament. He
state championship and lose by 1 because of a
drew up a play for his sharpshooter son, Caleb
missed extra point to tie the game.
Feemster, who hit a long deep three to send the
Nothing beats the feeling of these
Trojans to the state championship. Nothing feels
memories, whether it be a happy or sad
better than a game winner.
feeling. As we go through high school, we
Alumnus and former football team standout,
should cherish every moment because before
History/English teacher and assistant football
we know it, those current moments will turn
coach Justin McGee had a very heart-wrenching
into memories that may be forgotten. The
memory. It happened in his senior year in the state
nostalgia of sports is like no other because of
championship versus Nolan Catholic. A Trojan
these variety of emotions that come with it.
player fumbled the ball in the fourth quarter when
After high school, the lessons we learned in
TCA had the lead, causing Nolan to be able to
sports will apply to almost everything we do in
tie it up and send it to overtime. In the second
the “real” world. So be grateful for your sport,
overtime, the Trojans scored a touchdown, but
though the practices may be grueling, because
it was called back because of a holding call,
it will be over before we know it. Never again
forcing them to kick a field goal. The Vikings
will we feel the feeling of the crowd going
would then score a touchdown and win the state
crazy because of what we did. Never again
championship. Another distinct memory, but this
will we battle against opponents with our
time a devastating one.
brothers and sisters like this. Never again will
Lastly, I asked Coach Mercer, physics teacher
we be constantly knocked down and always
and varsity football assistant head coach. His
getting back up. So soak up the present so
favorite memory happened to be the 2009 football
we can look back with gratitude at what
season. That year, TCA beat #1 in the state, Celina
sports did for us.
High School.
The ROCK • sports
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by Anna Beth Lowrey 1. Since the start of the Industrial Revolution, the amount of carbon dioxide in our atmosphere has only increased, with average temperatures rising 1.8° F in the last 150 years. 2. As of September 2016, CO2 levels have not been below 400 ppm (parts per million), a record high in human history. 3. With more heat and water vapor in the atmosphere, our earth is more susceptible to tropical storms, droughts, and other natural disasters. 4. Natural disasters caused by the changing of temperatures intensely affect those in poverty. Unable to recover, many people in third-world countries are faced with hunger, homelessness, and sickness as a result of these circumstances beyond their control.
1) Eat Less Meat
Relying less on the consumption of meat in your diet is one of the easiest and most effective ways to help reduce carbon emissions. The livestock industry is responsible for 65% of worldwide nitrous oxide emissions-a gas more harmful to the earth than carbon dioxide. Try giving up meat a couple meals a week. Or, if you’re really up for a challenge, try to go vegan.
2) Say No to Single-Use Plastics
Approximately 1,000,000 plastic bottles are bought in the world every minute. Of plastic bottles purchased in the US, only 23% end up in the recycling bin. Try carrying around a reusable water bottle instead-just make sure that it’s a clear container to keep in line with TCA Upper School policies.
3) Try to Carpo ol
Emissions produced through transportation are responsible for fifteen percent of the average American’s carbon footprint. While it is next to impossible to live in the DFW area without relying on cars for transport, try carpooling when you can. Not only are you helping the environment, but a friend in the passenger seat makes tollway traffic more enjoyable.
4) Limit Uses of Electricity
About 75% of electricity consumed by the average household occurs when a product is not in use. Before you run out the door for school after snoozing a few too many times, try to remember to turn off the lights and unplug things like hairdryers and charging cords.
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The ROCK • discovery
Women in Computer Science (or the Lack Thereof) by Ruthie Turner Strong, capable women have paved the way for female integration into previously male-dominated fields. Women such as Marie Curie and Sandra Day O’Connor successfully integrated themselves into the science and law fields. In science, Marie Curie, a physicist, conducted profound research on radioactivity. She became the first female Nobel Prize winner in 1903 for her discoveries. In law, Sandra Day O’Connor served as the first female Supreme Court justice from 1981 to 2006. These women and many others have opened doors for females to pursue their passions no matter the field it may be in. Although women have broken down boundaries and integrated themselves into most fields, women remain severely outnumbered in computer science. Boys outnumber girls 4:1 among AP Computer Science exam takers, while more than half of AP test takers are female, and furthermore only 18% of computer science graduates were female in 2015. As the only girl in AP Computer Science, I was troubled by the fact that no other girls wanted to pursue the class, so I discovered some of the factors contributing to this large gap. I found that with a few simple changes, the field could become significantly more integrated. There are many reasons for the gender gap in computer science, but the solutions to the issues are relatively simple. The lack of female representation in the field creates issues because women are not generally attracted to a maledominated field. To fix this problem, computer science leaders need to constantly encourage women to engage in the field. The more role models young girls have in the field, the more young girls aspire to be a part of the field. In order to attract more people, women specifically, to computer science, the University of California at Berkeley renamed their basic computer science course “The Beauty and the Joy of Computing.” In 2014, women outnumbered men in the course. This proves that with better course marketing, computer science gathers more female interest.
Computer science gathers more female interest. Women tend to stray away from computer science because they feel as if they cannot make a difference within the field. Presenting computer science-based jobs, such as national defense, cyber security, and artificial intelligence, in which a more visible outcome is made can also attract more women to the field. With minor alterations, the count of women in computer science could grow significantly and quickly. Many organizations have stepped up to the plate and created easy ways for women to integrate themselves into compute science. At Harvey Mudd University, a math, science, and engineering college in California, women make up 55% of the computer science majors. They credit the integration to marketing and dissolving stereotypes. For younger women, Reshma Saujani founded Girls Who Code. The program provides free summer and afterschool courses in computer science to middle and high school girls. With an original group of only 20 girls in New York, the program has grown immensely, and it now serves 40,000 girls in all 50 US states. Another amazing platform for young women was created by Karlie Kloss, a famous runway model with nearly seven million Instagram followers. She has used her fame to spread her organization, Kode with Klossy. Kode with Klossy provides girls with the resources they need to become integrated in code by providing summer camps to females who are interested in the tech field. These organizations are breaking down walls for women who desire to join the computer science field and are making the path to a career in tech accessible and fun for women of all ages. Breaking into a male-dominated field is no easy feat, but with the improvements within the field, the difficulty is lessening. Computer science has readied itself for women. Now, the field just needs women to step up to the plate and close the gender gap in technology.
The ROCK • discovery
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by Ruthie Turner “West Virginia, mountain mama,” croons John Denver along with five hundred excessively sweaty high-schoolers in the Addison Convention Center. While each student spends their weekdays submersed in their own friend group, for one night, one song, their arms are around the shoulders of familiar strangers as they belt the unifying lyrics of John Denver. At these dances, the loving community that TCA provides is best exemplified. The sound of pouring sand marks the beginning of “Sandstorm,” an exhilarating techno-dance song by Darude. As the song starts, large upper-classman boys and a few brave girls form a circle with a near-gravitational force pulling the entire dance floor towards its center. As energy and suspense build with the song, freshman and new mosh participants prepare for the climax of the song by exchanging comforting “I got you” glances with more confident, taller moshers. When the song’s beat drops, every student jumps towards the center of the circle creating the “Sandstorm Mosh.” For three minutes, cares of hallway reputations disappear as everyone hangs on to random peers as the song progresses. Because the “Sandstorm Mosh” tends to be the roughest three minutes of each dance with constant jumping and accidental body slamming, the ideal TCA student’s character is revealed as everyone goes to great lengths to keep fellow students on their feet.
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The ROCK • discovery
Great precautions are always taken to keep students off the ground, yet somehow a student, usually a smaller girl, always ends up laying on the dance floor after slipping, following an accidental shove from a boy probably twice her size. Once the fall victim is spotted, students around him or her do their absolute best to pull the student from the ground and reimmerse him or her in the chaotic fun of the dance. In stepping away from their fun to help a student up from the ground, these students show the character for which TCA encourages students to strive. This character consists of loving servitude and a deep valueing of fellow students. While this character surely appears in the day-today hallway conversations, the dance environment allows it to flourish and truly come to light.
When Hayden Stone, a senior, grabs the mic from the DJ, every student at the dance flocks to his footsteps on the small stage. Hayden’s karaoke rendition of Queen’s anthemic “Bohemian Rhapsody” has become a staple at TCA dances. As Hayden belts the operatic section of the song, the crowd sings along at full volume demonstrating unity in support of a fellow classmate. Due to TCA’s rigorous academic environment, competitive interactions between peers appear naturally, but during the three hours of the dance, competition is forgotten and exchanged for complete support. While this support roams the halls alongside the competition, in the frenzy of grades and challenging schedules sight of this adoration can often feel lost. Every dance, especially during Hayden’s epic concert, TCA students are reminded of the loving kinship they can find in their peers and encouraged to carry this comradery with them as they walk the hallways.
As the time nears eleven thirty, the iconic piano introduction of Journey’s “Don’t Stop Believin’” blares through the speakers signaling the last song of the night. Students jump around striving to hit the song’s high notes and confidently strumming imaginary Fender Stratocasters. Free of all the pressures of academic and family life, at the dance, five hundred students can uninhibitedly display their true character one that exudes supportive inclusion, selfless servitude, and deep love for fellow students. Following the end of the song, students leave the venue physically exhausted yet encouraged and filled with joy after being immersed in the highlights of their peers characters.
The ROCK • discovery
19
Students who roamed the hallways many years ago have come back, and they are still spotted in the cafeteria and classrooms today. Why? Trinity has more than twenty alumni teachers. Many of high school students cannot wait to leave high school, however these alumni loved their experience at TCA enough to come back as teachers! We asked different alumni teachers to share some of their favorite and most memorable memories from their time as students. Each highlight similar points of community, sports, and funny moments but reveal how TCA influenced them individually in their own life.
Sally Pearce '06 One of my standout memories from TCA is the opening run-outs of Friday night football games. As varsity cheerleaders, we would all stand hand-in-hand right in front of the giant paper banner we painted for the team, ready to sprint in front of the boys as they charged onto the field to begin the game. Amped with anticipation, as soon as we heard the first RIP! of the paper, we ran as fast as we could, laughing and leading the boys through the lines of Trojanettes toward our stands of cheering students and parents. The excitement and adrenaline from the run-outs was the perfect way to start the game and get ready to cheer on our Trojans! Another sports memory of mine from high school was when I was a freshman playing on the varsity girls soccer team. We had a tournament in Louisiana, and we were taking a bus, leaving from the field house for a long drive. Everyone got settled in, and then all of a sudden, one of the senior girls blasted Justin Timberlake’s song, “Cry Me a River,” and elaborately sang along at the top of her lungs. After that performance, for the entire duration of the drive, we listened to and sang that song probably 3,000 times over and over and over.
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The ROCK • discovery
Still, every time I hear “Cry Me a River,” I can’t help but smile and think of TCA soccer! One of my favorite memories from regular school days is when I was quietly studying in the library. All of a sudden, JR Raspberry walked in the door, climbed up on one of the main tables in the middle of the library, and started playing his guitar and singing very loudly! We were all in shock and waiting to see what the stern, serious librarian would do. To our amazement, she came out of her office, walked up near the table, starting smiling, and clapped along!
Justin McGe e '06 Probably my favorite part of TCA were the relationships I had with my teachers and coaches. Ranging from Mrs. Azzi and Mrs. Legband to my football coaches, Matthew Hamilton and Steve Hayes, these current and former TCA employees have helped shape who I am today, all the while pointing me to Christ. I will be forever indebted to them for the abundance of love and guidance they have provided me.
One of my favorite memories occurred on senior trip. Mrs. Harmon, two other students (one regrettably in flip flops), and I decided to hike a path beyond the famous punchbowl near the place we stay. We were following a creek that cut through mountain, so hills were on both sides of us. Well, we were having a blast exploring an area none of us had hiked before, and we sort of lost track of time. Mrs. Harmon realized we probably should begin trekking back toward home, but none of us wanted to go back the same way we came. So, we decided we would scale one of the hills surrounding us—thinking it wouldn’t take too long to get to the ridge, walk across it, and back down to our lodging. One, we realized fairly quickly we were wrong. This was more of a mountain than a hill. Two, one of my classmates was wearing flip flops! He could barely keep up with us, and later, he said he was only able to know where we were because of the bright orange OSU shirt I was wearing. Finally, as the sun had nearly set, we arrived at the top of the ridge and encountered a beautiful, breathtaking scene. Stretching far to one side were the plains of Kansas; on the other side were the heights of Pikes Peak. We paused, waiting for the scuffed-up feet of our flip-flopped friend, but more so to rest in the beauty of God’s grandeur and his sheer mercy in providing this gift. Finally, when we were all gathered together again, we walked down the ridge of the mountain, through the goats or sheep that grazed around us, and boasted to the others of the adventure we just had. A lovely moment I will never forget!
Amanda Mowrey Rogers '88 One of my favorite memories at TCA was getting to be in the 1984 senior play, Flowers for Algernon, as an eighth-grade student. In the spring of the years 1983, 1984, and 1985, the drama teacher at that time, Brian Denny (TCA graduate 1973), directed a senior play. In 1983, the play was The Crucible, and in 1985, the play was Don't Count on Forever, and all the cast members were members of the senior class. But when they did Flowers for Algernon in 1984, they needed two kids to play the child versions of the adult characters. I had just discovered a love for theater my seventh-grade year when I took my first drama class. I loved the collaboration and the storytelling of the stage. I loved performing. And I also loved that all the seniors knew who I was and spoke to me in the hallway, even as a lowly eighth-grade student. There were several senior girls who picked me up for rehearsal, gave me a ride home after rehearsal, and let me have a glimpse into their lives and friends. I thought I was a big deal! These girls even gave me a gold pinkie ring for my 14th birthday, which I still wear today. They were kind to me, and that made all the difference.
