Trinity Today – Winter 2020

Trinity TODAY

CO N N ECT IN G

THE

T RI N I T Y C H RI ST I AN ACAD E M Y CO M M U N I T Y

Silver Linings HOW TCA HAS CONTINUED ITS MISSION AND MEANINGFUL CO M M U N IT Y D E S PIT E T H E CHALLEN G E S O F COVI D -19

WINTER 2020–21

VO LU M E 1 5 , N O . 1

TCA TOGETHER: LEADING THE WAY IN COVID-19 PROTOCOLS / 20

36

ZOOM IN ON TECH TOOLS

/ 26

ROOM TO GROW: TCA’S NEW PreK CENTER

/ 30

E D U C AT I N G A N D D E V E L O P I N G T H E W H O L E P E R S O N F O R T H E G L O R Y O F G O D

EDITOR/ CREATIVE DIRECTOR

Being able to have a Homecoming football game at Tom Landry Stadium after so many events had to be cancelled in 2020 was considered a victory in itself for the TCA community, even more so than the result of the game (though fans were also excited for the win over Fort Worth Christian!). Pictured here, the north end zone became the student cheering section this year as part of physical distancing protocols that allowed for athletic events on campus this fall to be held safely.

KENDALL ELLIS

Homecoming photo and cover photo by Jeff McWhorter ’05

VOLUME 15 • NUMBER 1

COMMUNICATIONS OFFICE KRISTINA SPEARS, Director of Marketing and Communication MADISON CHURCHWELL, Digital Media Specialist

ALUMNI OFFICE BETH HARWELL, Director of Alumni AMEE McGOUGH, Alumni Assistant

A DV I S O RY B OA R D DAVE DELPH, Headmaster SCOTT BERTHEL BEV BIRMINGHAM DON ENGLISH KRISTY KEGERREIS JENNIE KESLER MATT LAMBRO BECKY LEWIS SUSAN MATTOX AMY PRIDEAUX JEFF SMITH CAMILLE LANGFORD WALKER ’82 LISA WONG JUSTIN ZAPPIA

BOARD OF TRUSTEES MARK DYER, Chairman STACEY DORÉ, Vice Chairman DERIC EUBANKS DAVID HARPER MATT HEIDELBAUGH WENDY HERMES MARK LAYMAN STEVE NOVAKOVICH STEPHANIE POLK JEFF PRICE WESLEY SNEED CRAIG WENNING

ABOUT US TRINITY TODAY is published two times a year: Winter and Summer.

TRINITY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY 17001 Addison Road Addison, Texas 75001 972-931-8325 TrinityChristian.org

CONTACT US Send story ideas to Kendall Ellis at kellis@ trinitychristian.org and alumni information to Beth Harwell at bharwell@trinitychristian.org.

FOLLOW US FACEBOOK.COM /TCATrojans TWITTER.COM /@TCATrojans INSTAGR AM.COM /tca_addison

Rising to meet the challenge 2020 H A S BEEN U N PR ECEDEN T ED . . . a word used too many times to describe our world during

the COVID-19 pandemic. As believers the pandemic has given us a chance to live out what we know to be true, that our only hope is in God and that He alone is sovereign. And as a school, it has given us an opportunity to grow in new ways, using our God-given talents and abilities to meet new challenges with creativity, innovation and resilience to lead our students and community well.

Last summer TCA administrators formed a COVID-19 task force that put together a comprehensive re-opening plan called TCA Together. Members of the task force worked tirelessly to address all aspects of returning to campus safely in August. All of this preparation was done simply to be able to fulfill our mission of educating and developing each student for the glory of God, something we sometimes took for granted pre-COVID. In this issue of Trinity Today you will read how this extraordinary effort enabled TCA to meet in person throughout the fall, better serve our at-home learners through new technology

resources, open our new PreK Center for our littlest learners, welcome Stephanie Scott, our new assistant head of Middle School, and give our students the ability to experience many of the activities and traditions that make TCA so special. While being back on campus was a tremendous blessing, students and teachers alike had to find new ways of navigating the school day. In the article “Silver Linings” you will hear from students, teachers and administrators on their perspectives from this fall and what they have learned in this new environment.

As much as we may want to forget 2020, I hope you will see in this issue the story of God’s faithfulness to our school during a time of great uncertainty. I am so grateful to be a part of this community and to watch His continued blessing and provision for TCA. Enjoy!

K R ISTI NA SPEA RS Director of Marketing and Communication

contents

FEATURES

36 SILVER LININGS Students and faculty from all three schools share their perspectives of how life on campus has been during the pandemic, both the challenges and the blessings.

20 TCA TOGETHER

Director of Auxilliary Programs Justin Zappia gives an overview of the successes of re-opening campus this fall due to the outstanding work of our COVID Task Force.

CAMPUS AND COMMUNITY

2 TRINITY TODAY

TROJAN

4

FROM THE HEADMASTER AND THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES

6

GOOD WORKS AND THE HONOR ROLLS

9

SPOTLIGHT ON SERVICE: PARENTTEACHER FELLOWSHIP

10

TCA FOUNDATION: SUPPORTING THE CHRISTIAN SANCHEZ ENDOWMENT / WELCOMING NEW FAMILIES

12

CLASS ACTS

18

INTRODUCING STEPHANIE SCOTT

PHOTOS BY JEFF McWHORTER ’ 05; MUMS PHOTO BY M A DISON CHURCHWELL

26

30

TECH TOOLS

ROOM TO GROW!

Director of STEM and Technology Integration Kelli Duhaney reports how TCA teachers have had to pivot like never before to new technological tools to adapt to current needs.

ATHLETICS

See TCA’s new PreK Center and hear how this most recent campus upgrade has allowed our preK program to flourish even more.

ALUMNI LEGACY

46 THE RETURN OF COACH HAYES

Coach Steve Hayes is back at TCA, again heading up Trojan football, and the program is charging full steam ahead under his leadership.

48

FALL SPORTS SEASON RECAPS

52 ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT This new Trinity Today column highlights how former Trojans are influencing the world for the glory of God in their careers, ministries and other callings. In this issue we profile

52

FROM THE DIRECTOR OF ALUMNI

58

FROM THE ALUMNI ASSOCIATION PRESIDENT

59

ALUMNI NEWS AND EVENTS

60

IN MEMORIAM

DANIELLE PARKER ’20 , KATIE McGINNIS ’03 and JEFF McWHORTER ’05 .

A L U M N I S P O T L I G H T P H O T O S CO U R T E S Y O F D A N I E L L E PA R K E R , F A M I LY L E G A C Y M I S S I O N S I N T ’ L A N D J E F F M c W H O R T E R ’ 0 5

WINTER 2020–21

3

HEADMASTER’S NOTE

W

H AT A Y E A R! What a battle . . . one we are all tired of fighting! I

am comforted to know God is faithful, and He is sovereign! He is still working in and through His people for His glory. Amid the COVID-19 virus, contentious political battles, racial tension and a future unknown, we rest in Him. This has easily been one of the most challenging years for our school: preparing for and executing on-campus learning, adjusting to the ever-changing government guidelines, policies and protocols and in the midst of it all, continuing to prioritize the academic, physical, emotional and spiritual well-being of our students. What a challenge 2020 has been, yet we are so thankful we have remained open for on-campus learning!

Interestingly, the YouVersion Bible App saw searches increase by 80 percent in 2020 with Isaiah 41:10 ranked as the most searched and read verse on the app: “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand” (NIV). What an opportunity to live in these unprecedented days as many are seeking the peace, strength and hope that can only be found in a relationship with God through Jesus! More than ever, we need God’s strength to stand firm as the attacks of the enemy to instill fear will continue.

If we are going to faithfully train our children to engage in what is really a heavenly battle, we need to remember what is going on behind the scenes between God and Satan. One of the major battles took place over 2000 years ago, the first Christmas, when God sent Jesus to earth . . . and continues today.

“If we are going to faithfully train our children to engage in what is really a heavenly battle, we need to remember what is going on behind the scenes between God and Satan.”

A great Sign appeared in Heaven: a Woman [Israel] dressed all in sunlight, standing on the moon, and crowned with Twelve Stars. She was giving birth to a Child [Jesus] and cried out in the pain of childbirth. And then another Sign alongside the first: a huge fiery Dragon [Satan]! It had seven heads and ten horns, a crown on each of the seven heads. With one flick of its tail it knocked a third of the Stars from the sky and dumped them on earth. The Dragon crouched before the Woman in childbirth, poised to eat up the Child when it came. The Woman gave birth to a Son who will shepherd all nations with an iron rod. Her Son was seized and placed safely before God on his Throne. . . . War broke out in Heaven. Michael and his Angels fought the Dragon. The Dragon and his Angels fought back but were no match for Michael. They were cleared out of Heaven, not a sign of them left. The great Dragon—ancient Serpent, the one called Devil and Satan, the one who led the whole earth astray—thrown out, and all his Angels thrown out with him, thrown down to earth. . . . Helpless with rage, the Dragon raged at the Woman, then went off to make war with the rest of her children, the children who keep God’s commands and hold firm to the witness of Jesus (Revelation 12:1–5, 7–9, 17, The Message).

Philip Yancey states, “This is where we live now—on the front lines of a fierce spiritual war that is to blame for most of the casualties (difficulties/challenges) you see around you and most of the assault against you. It’s time we prepared ourselves for it.”

Preparing our students for battle (which begins in our hearts and minds) to discern good vs. evil and remain steadfast, strong and courageous amid conflict and persecution is a significant part of developing faithful disciples of Christ. Modeling Christlikeness, a love of Scripture, unity in diversity, confession, bearing of one another’s burdens and worship are critical in fighting the battle for the rest of life. At some point, COVID-19 will be in the rearview mirror, but while we are on earth (however long that will be), Jesus promised we will have trouble . . . but take heart, Emmanuel has overcome the world, and He lives inside all who believe! While the battles rage, there is great comfort in knowing how this story ends!

D AV E D E L P H , H E A D M A S T E R

4 TRINITY TODAY

“ T H E B AT T L E O F T H E A N G E L S , A S C E N E F R O M M I LT O N ’ S PA R A D I S E LO S T ” E N G R AV I N G B Y G U S TAV E D O R É , PHOTO BY D WA L K ER V I A GE T T Y IM AGE S

TRUSTEE NOTE

I

N T HE MIDST OF A CH AOT IC 2020, we celebrated the miracle of the birth of our Savior Jesus Christ, and we

look expectantly to what God has in store for us in 2021. I can think of no better way to end 2020 than with the celebration of the birth of Christ.

The Gospel of Luke provides the backdrop for our Savior’s birth. In the moments leading up to the birth of Jesus, an angel of the Lord appeared to shepherds in the fields and proclaimed, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger” (Luke 2:8–11, NIV). After the shock of the appearance of one angel, there suddenly appeared a great company of heavenly host singing, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests” (Luke 2:14).

In a lowly, dark and cold barn, our Lord and Savior was born.

An angelic choir and common shepherds celebrated together with Mary and Joseph the birth of our Savior. The birth of Jesus is a celebration of new beginnings, a celebration of hope, a celebration of peace, a celebration of eternal salvation that can only come through faith in Jesus. The birth of Jesus is also a call to action to share the gospel. When the shepherds saw the baby Jesus, “they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them” (Luke 2:17–18).

Jesus Christ is the heart of Trinity Christian Academy as we seek to develop the whole person for the glory of God. As we end 2020 and look forward to 2021, we have much to celebrate and to share.

We give praise to the Lord and express gratitude to our teachers, staff and administrators in our Lower School, Middle School and Upper School for their continued efforts to keep TCA open for in-person education. In academics, four of our Upper School students earned the National Merit Semifinalist designation, and we had students place first and fifth in the 2020 TAPPS Ready Writing Competition. In athletics, our football, cross country, volleyball and cheerleading teams had amazing seasons, and winter sports are in full swing. Head Basketball Coach Randy Feemster celebrated his 400th coaching victory with a win over Legacy Christian. Our TCA Performing Arts program celebrated its return performing “Silver Linings,” and Jon Millet and his team in the Visual Arts Department continue to develop outstanding artists. Our Upper School students have been actively involved in missions and community service opportunities, and we are proud of the work they are doing for the glory of God. Our TCA alumni continue to excel. Mark Paterson ’16 scored his first points for the #2 nationally ranked Baylor University basketball team. Two TCA alumni, Kramer Hickok ’11 and Will Zalatoris ’17, competed in the Bermuda Championship Golf Tournament. Weston Porter ’17 was selected as a Texas Aggie Yell Leader.

This fall we opened a beautiful new PreK Center, and 2021 will bring more exciting opportunities for our TCA community.

While 2020 has been a challenging time for many in our community, it has also been rewarding, and we are grateful for the hope that we have in Christ our Savior. On behalf of the TCA Board of Trustees, our prayer for TCA families is that the Good News and great joy of the birth of our Savior be celebrated and proclaimed by all of us throughout 2021.

“The birth of Jesus is a celebration of new beginnings, a celebration of hope, a celebration of peace, a celebration of eternal salvation that can only come through faith in Jesus.”

M A R K DY E R , C H A I R M A N , B OA R D OF T RUST E E S

“A N A N G E L A N N O U N C E S T H E B I R T H O F C H R I S T T O T W O S H E P H E R D S ” E T C H I N G , W E L LCO M E CO L L E C T I O N . O R G / W O R K S / H Z 76 2 M 3 T

WINTER 2020–21

5

GOOD WORKS

National Merit Recognition Program

National Merit Seniors Hannah Burke, Ryan O’Shea, Ashley Woo and Annie Xia were recently named 2021 National Merit Semifinalists. As Semifinalists, they were among the highest scorers on the PSAT in Texas, a group representing less than one percent of our state’s high school seniors.

TCA seniors Sarah Gerard and Connor Graham were honored through the College Board National Recognition Program. An invitation was extended to students who scored in the top 2.5% of PSAT/NMSQT test takers who identify as African American, Hispanic American, Latino or Indigenous.

In addition, six seniors were named National Merit Commended Students: Leah Kegerreis, Luke Mays, Wilson Roe, Joel Smitherman, Conner Williams and Jason Yang, which places them in the top 5% of the over 1.5 million students who entered the 2021 competition.

Homecoming Queen and Court Senior Kathryn Callahan was crowned the 2020 Homecoming Queen. Her peers elected her based on the character qualities of having a gentle spirit, compassion and integrity. The classes also vote for their representatives based on these qualities. The 2020 Homecoming Court also included freshman Sawyer Tripp (gentle spirit), sophomore Kathryn Richardson (compassion), junior Mary Neuhoff (integrity) and seniors Victoria Dahncke, Lauren Elms, Reagan Rodgers and Annie Xia (all three qualities).

North Texas Giving Day It was a record-setting year with $708,915 raised for TCA on North Texas Giving Day. This is the highest amount raised in TCA history on NTGD! Thank you for giving so generously.

6 TRINITY TODAY

College Signing Congratulations to senior Ian Collier for signing to continue his baseball career at Grayson College.

Upper School All-State and All-Region Choirs Congratulations to the following students on their selection to the TPSMEA All-State and All-Region Choirs:

All-State Choir

TAPPS Ready Writing Award Winners

Soprano II – Anna Kutz and Ashley Woo Alto II – Bryn Correa

The final results for the TAPPS 2020 Ready Writing competition are in! After advancing to the finals, senior Reagan Rodgers placed first in the state, and junior Katherine Novakovich placed fifth. Way to go, girls!

All-Region Choirs Treble Choir – Aubrie Amado, Hannah Ball, Ryan Berry, Hannah Helt, Rachel Mills, Kendall Reding, Hattie Sykes and Peyton Townley

Mixed Choir I Sopranos – Gable Delp II Sopranos – Allie Arthur, Anna Kutz, Emily Watters and Ashley Woo II Altos – Audrey Bryant, Bryn Correa, Sneha Daniel,

Reagan Havel and Madeline Prescott II Tenor – John Badger I Bass – Zach Clift and Christopher Woodhouse II Bass – Brady Doyle

All-State Jazz Band Congratulations to freshman Owen Ellis for making the TPSMEA All-State Jazz Band on bass trombone. Way to go, Owen!

Middle School Honor Choirs All-State Band Congratulations to sophomore Ally Gerard for making the TPSMEA Concert Band on French horn. Nice job, Ally!

Congratulations to these students who made the 2020 TPSMEA Middle School Honor Choir!

Sixth-Grade Choir: Ericksen Appel, Hunter Severson, Kapp McKelvey, Oliver Stone, Jackson McConathy, MJ Smith, Caleb Wenning, Noah Liu, Kate Black, Chloe Belew, Jo Liethen, Emi Nguyen, Phoebe Brantley, Hannah Applewhite, Kyla Buskuhl and Catherine Wilmer

Seventh- and Eighth-Grade Choir: Zach Baker, Lacie Betts, Eliot Brookshire, Reese Cherry, Jackson Dean, Ryan Elms, Hunter Flatt, Grace Fuller, Tesla Galvis, Olivia Hammonds, Charly Hays, Chloe Mae Kimbrough, Campbell Laible, Megan McMullen, Beck Nelson, Sloan Nelson, Samantha Niederhofer, Taylor Rasor, Lexie Ronde, Shealy Seitz, Katie Spears, Shea Spivey, Ella Stewart, Bo Sykes, Jude Tredennick, Kendall Truitt, Katelyn Westover and Kennedy Wood

WINTER 2020–21

7

The Honor Roll Congratulations to all these students who made the First Trimester Honor Rolls:

Summa Cum Laude GPA of 4.2 or higher Seniors Claire Andrews Lexy Babler Luke Babler Libby Barnes Seth Bator Molly Berryman Elizabeth Branstetter Taya Burgett Hannah Burke Brianna Byrd Kathryn Callahan Dawson Chaffin Emily Clay Bryn Correa Jack Courtney Charlie Crawford Anthony Cundari Victoria Dahncke Kelly Dance Connor Dewey Olivia Dewey Brady Doyle Lauren Elms Claire Floyd Sarah Gerard Collin Groezinger Reilly Hanna Jaxx Hatton Reagan Havel Evan Hennes Riley Herzog Andrew Ho Emma Hodge Sydney Johnston Luke Jun Leah Kegerreis Anna Kutz Eva Kutz Lauren Lee Georgia Leeds Hannah Little Morgan Locke Austin Marquardt Jack Maust Luke Mays Will McIntosh Sophie McNeill Delaney Meiser Anna Muccio Kjirsta Olson Ryan O’Shea Avery Overberg Reagan Pierce Peyton Prideaux Brianna Queen Reagan Rodgers Wilson Roe Patricia Sharon Claire Shodeen Boone Simms Joel Smitherman William Sullivan Ashton Karoline Waldrop Adelaide Walker Landry Walton Emily Watters Grace Weir Jackson Wells Addison Willey Caroline Williams Conner Williams Ashley Woo Jackson Wood Caroline Woodward Lauren Wright Annie Xia Jason Yang Kate Yanof Catherine Yates

Juniors Favour Abebefe James Badger Daniel Baker Cecilia Banderob Isabela BarrientosFigueroa Ellie Blocker Shannon Burchett Caroline Cinatl Alyssa Clemovitz Amelia Corliss Collin Dewey Lauren Elvebak Ainsley Ferrell Lynnson Fort Ben Francis Ryan Freese Mary-Michael Graham Riley Hamilton Anna Heidelbaugh Halle Hermes Emily Jones Emily Keramidas Brooks Krantz Emma Layman Jack Layman Annabel Lee Johnny Lipscomb Katelyn Long Jenna Lowrey Allie Mays Mason Merchant Kayla Meyer Justin Miller Jayden Moore Emily Morris Mary Neuhoff Schuyler Noordhoff Katherine Novakovich Madeline Prescott Olivia Priest Josie Raftelis Katie Reding Jackson Rogers Markus Schumacher Caroline Sharp Landrie Smith Preston Spears Sheridan Thexton Luke Tredennick Parke Turner Juliana Voth Lucas Walsh Sydney Wayte Mary Lauren Westover Max Wheless Camden Williams Connor Wines Emelie Wong

Sophomores Courtney Anderson Kate Barclay Elleanna Berthel Cece Bogda Jenna Branstetter Hannah Buford Jake Callahan Matthew Campbell Cole Coronado Lauren Deaton Gable Delp Jack Drake Rose Duncan Ayla Francis Hannah Garcia Ally Gerard Bethany Grimm Carly Haggard Kazia Handoko Peyton Hatfield Morgan Hausz Aly Heidelbaugh James Jeter Camie Jobe Richelle Kim Dylan Kinley Caroline Laible

Charley Kate Ledebur Landon Littleton Joshua Liu Trinity Martin Emma McIntyre Maddie McMullen Lola McNeill Lexi Meador Emily Mercer Max Merrifield Reed Neatherlin Evan Olson Tyler Osterloh Olivia Ouimette Gabrielle Parker Hailey Parmenter Parker Prideaux Dhamar Ramirez Jack Rea Kendall Reding Daniel Richardson Carson Roach Jordan Rutledge Sebastian Silva Cara Smith Alana Soileau Kate Solomon Joshua Staz Hunter Stegman Justin Sunwoo Logan Walters Ruby Watts Lily Yassa Andrew Yates Jocelyn Youn Samantha Zuniga

Freshmen Carolina Anderson Allie Arthur John Badger Finn Barton Heather Brownlee Nathan Chou Jared Courtney James Crawford Sneha Daniel Lucy Dennis Deacon Dortch Owen Ellis Bailey Ellsworth Joseph Fitzgerald Brooks Higginbotham Kylie Jones Ivy Jordan Alex Kim Ally Lee Annabelle Lee William Lehman Grace Leverton Eliotte Lin David Meiser Aidan Mills Dylan Rock Cate Woodward Christian Yang Molly Youn

Magna Cum Laude GPA of 3.8–4.19 Seniors Rex Ah Chu Blake Beal Ben Branning Luke Chan Audrey Anna Chance Zach Clift Ian Collier Paige Cotter Daniel Delp Trey Dyess Jake Gore Connor Graham Will Greenstein Blaine Grimes Ella Grace Hattendorf Brooks Heard Cade Holliday Jon Paul Lipe Evan Mawhee Ashley McCuller Jackson McFarlane Jack McNeill Will Mercer Caroline Murzin Daniel Nelson Delaney O’Shea Jake Schneider Lindsay Shipley Kate Walliser Luke Webber Christopher Woodhouse

Juniors Grace Anderson Aly Bayliss Mary Margaret Bell Madyson Benschneider Heath Booker Olivia Brennan Avery Copple Abigail Crane Kate Goodman Payton Harper Hannah Helt Isabella Jackson Katie Johnson Lila Johnson Will Martin Derek Martinez Rachel Mills Emma Neeman Luke Peron Samuel Rodriguez Henry Smith Anna Claire Somich Ben Sorgen Blaire Weiss Sterling Wyman

8th Grade

Sophomores

Eliot Brookshire Ava Dewey Ella Eubanks Lily Gossett Karys Karlow Sean Meador Rachel Rice Takashi Shaw Sergio Zuniga

Will Bowling David Boylan Tanner Conine William Ferem Caitlyn Hackney Landon Ham Taylor Hervey Luke Johnston JJ Leverton Jaxon Liethen Aidan McCauley Wyatt Merrill Sophia Miller Maxwell Morland Blake Muschalek Seth Pinto Lilly Pool Ella Kate Priest Kathryn Richardson

7th Grade Ally Ballard Scotty Drake Grace Fuller Olivia Hammonds Chloe Mae Kimbrough Nathan Youn

Reese Ryland Christopher Sharon Kate Smith Hunter Springer Emma Kate Sullivan Collin Truitt Nick Wenzel Josie Wilder

Freshmen Cody Baker Gabriel Bibawi Tripp Black Jacob Brennan Kassadi Brown Harrison Brown Katherine Broyles Teegan Burgett Trey Costolo Olivia Cundari Zach Dodgen Luke Dore Aidan Dortch Karalyn Ehmke Dylan Eubanks Camille Getz Ryleigh Habern Audrey Hestwood Haley Janacek David Kramp Trey Malin Erick Martinez Harper McFarlane Eleni McInnis Mycah McKelvey Ava Mills Erick Mills Jake Overmann Luca Palazzo Cate Pou Ensley Pounds Annika Powers Anna Sharpe Evelyn Sullivan Avery Sulzen Sawyer Tripp Cade Trotter Hank Valenta Maddox Vines Tex Walliser Luke West

8th Grade Jenna Barker Lyla Brown Jackson Dean Jackson Duke Ryan Elms Anna Garcia Annabella Hays Emma Helt Abby Jun Brynn Lawrence Elijah Liu Carlos Luna Shelby Martgan Molly Mattox Max McConathy Ava McNaught Alexis Meyer Claire Millet Ellie Neeman Sloan Nelson Blair Neumayer Maya Nguyen Luke Oliver Caleb Olson Addy Orozco Tee Parker Lilly Parrill Sophia Pfannstiel Noah Rodgers Lexie Ronde Shealy Seitz Mae Sharpe Ella Stewart Avery Wells Daniel Yang Ana Sofia Zuniga

7th Grade

Sophomores

Rivers Amison Lucy Anderson Brent Baker Kieffer Barclay Ellery Barton Bliss Bell Clary Bogda Delaney Borud Ella Bricker Caroline Broyles Hagan Casey Lucas Cavazos Theo Cheung Hannah Grace Coleman Sophie Dennis Isaac Duhaney Evie Estrada Hunter Flatt Caroline Hatton Camie Hausz Lily Jeane Hayes Hayes Hermes Summer Jakubek Caitlin Johnson Collin Kilgore Kate Kroeger Campbell Laible Sebastian Lee Reid Lindsay Morgan Lohr Parker Matthews Madison McKenna Steel Meyers Dutch Murzin Kate Overmann Madison Parks Carsen Prideaux Lauren Prideaux Addie Rackley Jaime Ramirez Leyva Taylor Ramsey Megan Ryland Shea Spivey Adysen Thibaudeau Cavanaugh Tripp Kendall Truitt Katelyn Westover Camille Williams Avery Womble Kennedy Wood Charlie Zimmerman Victoria Zuniga

Hannah Ball Luke Berglund Ellie Carter Kyle Causey Harrison Crow Rex Day Will Gallagher Michael Graham Hayden Heflin Charlie Nine Jake Nolan Hannah Schneider Chance Snyder Brian Yates

Cum Laude GPA of 3.5–3.79 Seniors Blake Birmingham Luke Crain Will Duncan Gracie Hudgins Cash McStay Brian Morris Joseph Nash Gavin Thornton

Juniors Aubrie Amado Grant Canter Charlie Franke Claire Grimes MacLean Hays Hollis Jarrell Jonah Key Weston McCabe Alan Morrison Mark Nilson Cody Polk Rhett Rice Anna Roussos Gehrig Scott Luke Townley

Freshmen Abigail Adams Payne Bator Jack Behrman Avery Booker Chloe Borud Bretton Brantley Blake Broekemeier Audrey Bryant Max Burchett Georgia Clay Ava Copeland Jackson Deuillet Lindsey Dorman Bailee Dortch Lauren Janson Jace Lamb Christopher Lampe Olivia Ledebur Dillard Leeds Quade MacFadyen Sam Martin Lexi Mikula Wesley Moss Steven Ramos Bree Ramsey Sydney Ridnour Natalie Weissinger

8th Grade Hannah Belf JoVahn Bernard Parker Burch John Clark Lauren Greenstein Alexa Herrington Hudson Joseph Sophia Latham Kelsey Long Logan McIntyre Reagan Ramsey Brayden Rice Noah Simpson Parker Springer Jack Van Duinen Brett Yanof

7th Grade Rhett Breedlove Reese Cherry Tyler Chiang Judah DeWeese Charly Hays Will Hubbell Ryan Janacek Tommy Linquist Jalen Matthews Megan McMullen Charlie Montgomery Macie Munoz Beck Neatherlin Beck Nelson Samantha Niederhofer Katie Scott Libby Smith Katie Spears Avery-Kate Spence Scotland Stewart Noah Stinson Bo Sykes Violet Truly Annie Turner Caleb Van Duinen Jonathan Yeh

SPOTLIGHT ON SERVICE

Appreciation Expressed

The PTF Faculty and Staff Appreciation Luncheon is an annual tradition. Due to the pandemic and limited volunteers on campus, careful work and planning went into seeing if this event could take place in a modified version. It is one of TCA employees’ favorite days of the year, and PTF had a tremendous desire to host this event. The luncheon was over a four-day period, November 9–12, during which the faculty and staff enjoyed individual catered meals that were distributed in three locations on campus. With decorations and music at all the locations, the day was festive and fun! The buffet was planned and executed by the PTF secretary, Shawnnah Parrill, and she was assisted by the PTF Board. An enormous thank-you to Shawnnah and the board for the sacrifice of your time to make this event happen!

Tradition Continued

This year The Mum Project was headed by three coordinators, Emily Eubanks, Cathy Dortch and Katherine Flatt. These coordinators had already met in February of 2020 to design the mum before the pandemic hit. When we returned to campus in August, the Parent-Teacher Fellowship was not even sure if they were going to be able to sell and assemble mums and garters or if there was even going to be a Homecoming football game. When it was decided that there was going to be a football game, these ladies got back to work! They prepared mum take-home tasks for the freshman parents, and the plan was a success. The coordinators worked tirelessly assembling all the mums and garters. The new process this year also included an online mum store where all orders were placed.

These ladies sacrificed so much of their personal time to this project, and we are so grateful. We appreciate the great contribution all our volunteers make to our TCA community. All monies collected from the sales of mums and garters go to the freshman class account to be used for their senior trip.

WINTER 2020–21

9

TCA FOUNDATION

Virtual Garage Sale Benefits Christian Sanchez Endowed Scholarship

BY BECK Y D. LEW IS, EX ECU TI V E DI R ECTOR, T R I N I T Y C H R I ST I A N AC A DE M Y F OU N DAT ION

F

OR A L MOST SI X MON T HS OF 2020, TCA mom Rhonda

Sanchez and her neighbor, Susan Lee, hosted a virtual garage sale on Facebook, raising more than $20,000 for the Christian Sanchez Endowed Scholarship at TCA.

In 2019, Rhonda and Susan hosted a traditional garage sale and raised $5,000 for the scholarship. It was their intention to host the sale annually, raising funds for Student Tuition Aid and sharing Christian’s story and the positive impact TCA had on his life. They were disappointed when the 2020 pandemic threatened the viability of an in-person sale.

“We noticed on social media that so many of our friends were using the time at home to get organized and clean out. I was frustrated that we were said. In response, she and Susan decided to host a virtual garage sale through

About Christian Sanchez and the Christian Sanchez Endowed Scholarship

Facebook and offer contactless pick-up.

Christian Sanchez, son of Rhonda Sanchez and Jimmy

going to miss out on all the ‘treasures’ that our friends were purging,” Rhonda

The determined ladies requested donations from their friends who were

Sanchez, was a member of TCA’s Class of 2021. He was

“quaran-cleaning” and posted the first item for sale on June 7. Word spread

an excellent student, a promising athlete, an artist

quickly, and Rhonda and Susan were amazed at both the quantity and quality

and a caring friend. Above all, Christian was a joyful,

of the items they received. “It was like Christmas every day because we never

adventurous young man. He loved his family, his friends

knew what would appear on the porch,” Rhonda said.

and the Lord. In 2016, the summer before his eighth-grade

The Christian Sanchez Scholarship Fundraiser Facebook page has over 550

year, Christian died unexpectedly in a weather-related

members, and items sell quickly. Rhonda and Susan paused the sale during

accident while on a Boy Scout camping trip in the boundary

the Thanksgiving holidays and plan to resume sales in the spring of 2021.

waters of Canada.

10 TRINITY TODAY

P H O T O S CO U R T E S Y O F R H O N D A S A N C H E Z A N D T H E T C A F O U N D AT I O N

G I V E B AC K

TCA Foundation Welcomes New Parents

Friends who knew Christian and helped bring items for the garage sale—left: seniors Daniel Delp and Conner Williams and below: senior Joseph Nash and sophomore Luke Johnston

The TCA Foundation hosted Coffee with the Headmaster in October. Parents representing 76 new families joined Headmaster Dave Delph and TCA Foundation Executive Director Becky Lewis on a Zoom call.

During the event, Dave shared the history of TCA and the development of the campus over the last 50 years. Becky explained the role of the TCA Foundation, including community and fundraising events, philanthropic opportunities and the Alumni Association.

Although the event could not be hosted on campus as in the past, the Foundation still endeavored to show hospitality to our new families by providing them with a “breakfast box” to enjoy during the call.

The Christian Sanchez Endowed Scholarship was established in 2016. The fund is invested by the TCA Foundation, and a portion of the earnings each year provide tuition assistance to a student at TCA. Since inception, more than 170 people have contributed directly to the fund, and hundreds have contributed through fundraising events like the virtual garage sale.

For more information about the scholarship, please contact Belinda Branstetter at the TCA Foundation: 972-447-4742 or bbranstetter@trinitychristian.org.

WINTER 2020–21

11

CLASS ACTS

FLUFFY FRIENDS No bear hugs this year? How about a bear to hug! Secondgraders were given individual fluffy teddy bears for support, love and of course . . . snuggles!

VIRTUAL BOOK REPORTS Third-grade students wrote a poem about a fiction book they read for a book report. Students then recorded themselves reading their book report on Seesaw. Each student’s video was assigned a QR code, and classmates were able to scan to listen to others’ book reports to learn about a different book. In years past this book report was written out, but thanks to having iPads this year, students were able to use them to learn about other books in a fun and unique way.

12 TRINITY TODAY

F L U F F Y F R I E N D S P H O T O B Y T C A F A C U LT Y ; V I R T U A L B O O K R E P O R T P H O T O B Y J E F F M c W H O R T E R ’ 0 5

LOW E R S C H O O L PreK FALL PICNIC PreK students had their annual fall picnic on the football field this year.

They played corn toss and had marshmallow races with their class on the field where the “big kids” play football. The fall weather was fabulous for this special day!

KINDER COLOR DAY Our kindergarten students celebrated Color Day! They learned all about the beautiful rainbows God has given us to remind us of His faithfulness and the colors that make them up.

VIRTUAL READER PARENTS Our first-graders enjoyed parents reading to their classes despite not being able to be on campus. There were a few siblings and pets that joined in the fun, too!

TRADITION OF GIVING As a part of their grade level mission project, fourth graders collected over 1,100 boxes that will be shipped all over the world through Operation Christmas Child.

Donations this year included boxes from the Lower School faculty and staff packing party!

P R E K P I C N I C P H O T O A N D K I N D E R CO LO R D AY P H O T O B Y M A D I S O N C H U R C H W E L L ; R E A D E R PA R E N T S P H O T O B Y T C A F A C U LT Y ; O P E R AT I O N C H R I S T M A S C H I L D P H O T O B Y K E N D A L L E L L I S

WINTER 2020–21

13

CLASS ACTS

ANCIENT EGYPT COMES TO LIFE Fifth-grade students presented findings about ancient Egypt in full costumes using their iPads. They researched specific topics and created slides to teach the class using the Keynote app.

SWEET SCIENCE LAB Our seventh-graders had fun with a DNA science lab. Students were able to build a DNA structure out of marshmallows, twizzlers and toothpicks. Life in Middle School sure is sweet!

CAMO DAY To remember World War I and mark the start of their reading of All Quiet on the Western Front, eighth-graders celebrated Camo Day— because World War I was the first time soldiers wore camouflage.

14 TRINITY TODAY

E G Y P T A N D C A M O P H O T O S B Y T C A F A C U LT Y ; S W E E T S C I E N C E L A B P H O T O B Y M A D I S O N C H U R C H W E L L

M I D D LE S C H O O L

WELCOME TO THE ER Sixth-graders used math skills to complete the operation . . . order of operations, that is!

50 DAYS! Middle and Upper School students enjoyed ice cream sandwiches to celebrate being in school for 50 days in this unprecedented year!

MIDDLE SCHOOL FALL PEP RALLY Trojan spirit was alive and well at the fall Middle School pep rally at Tom Landry Stadium! Our eighth-grade cheerleaders, Trojan Belles dance team and Middle School Band did an amazing job performing and leading our students. We loved celebrating our fall sports teams!

E R M AT H C L A S S P H O T O B Y K E N D A L L E L L I S ; P E P R A L LY P H O T O A N D 5 0 D AY S P H O T O B Y M A D I S O N C H U R C H W E L L

WINTER 2020–21

15

CLASS ACTS

THE SHOW MUST GO ON

IN-CLASS AND VIRTUAL LAB Honors Anatomy & Physiology classes have been hard at work learning about homeostasis. We are so thankful to have technology that allows our at-home learners to join in our lab activities!

Photo: Julie Francis

This fall our Upper School Advanced Drama cast performed “Silver Linings.”

The show was a compilation of eight different one-act scenes focusing on various types of relationships. This cast has shown us that despite many obstacles this year, the show must go on!

ADOPTED ATHLETE Senior Trojanette Georgia Leeds was gifted a custom Homecoming mum from the K2 kindergarten class! K2 adopted Georgia at the beginning of the year along with multiple other Lower School classes who adopted and support our senior athletes.

HOMECOMING DRESS-UP DAYS Upper School students celebrated Homecoming week with special dress-up days to show their school spirit. This year’s dress-up themes were Monochromatic Monday, Decades Tuesday, Sports Wednesday, Kids’ Show Characters Thursday and Food Friday.

16 TRINITY TODAY

“ S I LV E R L I N I N G S ” P H O T O A N D T O P D R E S S - U P D AY P H O T O B Y K E N D A L L E L L I S ; A D O P T E D AT H L E T E P H O T O A N D B O T T O M D R E S S - U P D AY P H O T O B Y M A D I S O N C H U R C H W E L L ; S C I E N C E C L A S S P H O T O A N D A R T W O R K P H O T O S B Y T C A F A C U LT Y

U PPE R S C H O O L

AMAZING ARTWORK Here are some samples of drawings done by the talented juniors in our Drawing II class, taught by Frances Allen.

CHEMISTRY Sophomore chemistry classes studied electron configuration focusing on the Aufbau principle of filling energy levels based on the position of the element on the periodic table.

CHEMIS TRY CL A SS PHOTO BY JEFF McWHORTER ’ 05

WINTER 2020–21

17

CAMPUS LIFE

organization in the state of Texas, with currently more than 75 schools across the state as well as in Arkansas. I served in a variety of administration and leadership roles, both at the campus and district level.

My time with RES allowed me to grow both professionally and spiritually and taught me many valuable lessons about leadership, student progress and overall school growth.

About a year and half ago, I had been feeling the Holy Spirit whisper to me that it was time for a change and a return back to private Christian education. This idea was something I struggled with, as I was not unhappy in any way at my current job, but I found myself desiring to walk in obedience to the Holy Spirit's leading. In his book Crazy Love: Overwhelmed by a Relentless God, Francis Chan said, “But God doesn't call us to be comfortable. He calls us to trust Him so completely that we are unafraid to put ourselves in situations where we will be in trouble if He doesn't come through.” So,

MINISTRY IN THE MIDDLE New Assistant Head of Middle School Stephanie Scott shares how God has equipped her and led her to TCA

after much prayer, I resigned my position at RES to take this leap of faith.

I spent last year substitute-teaching at several different private, Christian schools in the area, and TCA was by far my favorite.

The warm welcome each day by students and staff and the friendly spirit of the faculty I encountered on my visits solidified TCA as a special place which I would love to join.

I fully and whole heartedly believe in the mission and vision of Trinity Christian

I was blessed to be able to attend First

Academy. I believe it is our responsibility as

my sister, cousins and I would

Baptist Academy growing up, and it was the

Christian educators to raise up a generation

always play school. When we

main reason that I returned to Christian

of students who both are academically

would play, I was always the

education. I wanted to give back the blessing

grounded and can ascertain absolute truth.

teacher. I would create real assignments for

God allowed me to experience during such

There are many intelligent people in our

my “students” to work on, and I would give

formative years. After graduating from

world today, capable of having significant

real grades. My family would often comment

Baylor, I taught for ten years at Carrollton

influence over many different industries

how serious I took my role in this pretend,

Christian Academy in the Middle School

and people; however, they are void of

playful setting, leading me to realize early

and Upper School as well as served as the

absolute truth. They have bought into the

on just exactly how I wanted to spend my

teacher advisor in many student leadership

lie of secular humanism, and our culture

life. Education has always been my central

organizations. After my time at CCA, I

is on the brink of defrauding students of

focus when it came to my career, and I

went to work for a charter school company

developing any moral compass whatsoever.

cannot remember a time when I wanted to do

for fourteen years. Responsive Education

In Crazy Love, Chan describes our culture

something different.

Solutions (RES) is the largest charter school

like this: “We are a culture that relies on

W

HEN I WA S A L IT T L E GIR L ,

18 TRINITY TODAY

PHOTOS: JEFF McWHORTER ’ 05

M I D D LE S C H O O L

I believe we need to teach, model and expect the highest level of character and integrity in our students, so as to make sure when they leave TCA we have cultivated people with a God-fearing worldview based on truth. technology over community, a society in

This is truly my passion and my heart for my

used by HIM to further the gospel with a

which spoken and written words are cheap,

own children as well as every student I have

Kingdom-focused mindset. The Bible tells us

easy to come by and excessive. Our culture

the privilege to engage.

in Isaiah 40:8,

says anything goes; fear of God is almost

I am humbled and extremely blessed

unheard of. We are slow to listen, quick to

to be given the opportunity to join the

speak and quick to become angry.” This is

amazing faculty and staff at Trinity Cristian

why I believe we need to teach, model and

Academy. I know God orchestrated my being

expect the highest level of character and

here and has a wonderful plan to use me

integrity in our students, so as to make sure

in the Middle School for His purpose. I am

when they leave TCA and begin their own

excited to use my talents for His glory as I

lives and careers we have cultivated people

begin this new chapter in my career, and I

with a God-fearing worldview based on truth.

look forward with great anticipation to be

“The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever.”

How awesome it is to know that regardless of the ever-changing world in which we live, God’s word will remain faithful and true forever!

WINTER 2020–21

19

20 TRINITY TODAY

TCA TOGETHER:

Leading the Way in COVID-19 Protocols Among National Independent Schools

BY J U S T I N Z A PPI A , D I R E C T O R O F AU X I L L I A RY PR O G R A M S PHO T O G R A PH Y B Y J E F F McW HOR T E R ’05

Reopening the school in the middle of a pandemic was an all-hands-on-deck effort that began immediately following the conclusion of the virtually conducted 2020 spring academic term. Realizing the monumental task before them, TCA’s board and administration decided to enlist the help of a group called AUXS to provide its expertise and guidance as all the possibilities to re-open were considered. AUXS was able to provide the school with the most up-to-the-minute research on virus spread and mitigation while giving TCA access to experts in the fields of cleaning, disease prevention, air filtration, epidemiology and many other COVID-related categories that were not necessarily in the purview of a typical school administration.

WINTER 2020–21

21

A TCA COVID Task Force was assembled and broken into five teams, each responsible for recommending the safest, most effective ways to proceed with the opening of school in the late summer of 2020.

STUDENT EXPERIENCE TEAM

KEY CONTRIBUTIONS IN RE-OPENING

The Student Experience Team was responsible for looking at all areas of the student experience (core and specialty academic programs, athletics, after-school care, special events, etc.) and how these experiences would look different in the various school program scenarios. Consideration was frequently given to school mission, culture, community and mental and physical health and wellness of all those impacted by the decisions needing to be made.

• Preparing for both in-person and virtual instruction

CAMPUS LOGISTICS TEAM

KEY CONTRIBUTIONS IN RE-OPENING

The Campus Logistics Team was responsible for reviewing all areas of campus operations, including furniture, room layouts, cleaning and janitorial questions, dining considerations, repurposing space as needed, security, carpool and many other details of campus life. In addition, this team worked closely with the Health, Safety and Wellness Team (below) to ensure sufficient operational support related to screening.

• Measuring the spaces to determine usability

HEALTH, SAFETY AND WELLNESS TEAM

KEY CONTRIBUTIONS IN RE-OPENING

The Health, Safety and Wellness Team was responsible for reviewing and updating current practices, policies and procedures relating to student and staff health (physical, social and emotional) on campus, how we would respond to concerns around COVID-19, screening and physical distancing recommendations and contract tracing. The Health, Safety and Wellness Team also maintains connections to the local department of health for guidance.

• Aligning TCA policies with local, state and federal COVID-19 guidelines

BUSINESS CONTINUITY TEAM

KEY CONTRIBUTIONS IN RE-OPENING

The Business Continuity Team was responsible for considerations related to maintaining the school moving forward, including enrollment, financial sustainability, personnel and policies, informational technology and infrastructure and fundraising. This group was also responsible for ensuring adequate legal and insurance coverage for moving forward in a density-controlled model.

• Determining the required investment for all COVID-related initiatives

COMMUNICATIONS TEAM

KEY CONTRIBUTIONS IN RE-OPENING

This team was responsible for ensuring clear, consistent and mission-oriented communications were prepared and distributed in a time-sensitive manner to the school's constituents.

• Creating a webpage that would effectively outline reopening plans and COVID-19 protocols

22 TRINITY TODAY / TCA TOGETHER

• Adjusting the numbers of children per in-person classroom to properly distance • Moving forward with the decision to play sports, conduct band and choir and hold other specialty classes • Providing after-school care for working families • Determining how to safely run school lunchtime in each division

• Determining what signage would be necessary and how to properly mark usable spaces • Researching and determining the best air filtration/purification systems to use • Identifying everyday supply needs and purchasing what would be necessary to re-open • Hiring a new cleaning service (Healthcare Services Group) to best serve our new sanitation measures • Determining which lunch services could best be delivered to students/staff

• Determining policies/procedures related to positive cases on campus, close contacts, and contact tracing • Determining how children and employees should be screened upon arrival each day • Ensuring all decisions consider best practices for the physical, mental and emotional health of all community members • Aligning policies campus-wide across all academic and non-academic forums

• Fundraising to support our COVID safety protocols • Continuing the admission process during the uncertainty of density control • Identifying legal responsibilities and implementing policies with regard to mitigation efforts • Deploying technology to accommodate at-home learning, if required

• Designing signage to unify us in the “TCA Together” COVID-19 effort • Determining and delivering the most effective communication strategies when positive cases were detected or presumed on campus

▶ 120 Swivl units were purchased to allow children and

adults off campus to have the same classroom experience as those at school.

▶ 500 iPads were purchased to enhance classroom

technology access and so all Lower School students would have the ability to learn off campus if at any point their instruction switched from in-person to virtual.

▶ Nine Promethean interactive display boards were added

(for a total of 93 across campus) to accommodate a lower density distancing model.

▶ 23 wireless access points were upgraded around campus to keep up with increased wireless device demands and support live-streaming equipment.

▶ Teacher training in new applications such as Zoom, Swivl, Seesaw, Microsoft OneNote, Microsoft Teams and other useful virtual tools were successfully implemented.

▶ Most filters on campus were upgraded to MERV13 rating,

which is recommended to mitigate the spread of COVID-19.

▶ Air purification towers were purchased for locations not suited for MERV-13 filters.

▶ HVAC equipment was enhanced so that additional fresh air would be brought into the buildings.

▶ Hospital-grade air scrubbers were purchased for areas such as gyms, cafeterias, auditoriums, etc.

▶ Continues to participate in weekly Zoom meetings with national infectious disease experts to stay ahead of national trends and predicted spread.

▶ Meets weekly as part of a DFW area independent school nurses group with Dr. Chung, head epidemiologist for Dallas County, to keep up with local trends.

▶ Completed a twelve-hour COVID-response training course headed by Dr. Adrianna Bravo.

▶ Completed a six-hour Johns Hopkins contact-tracing course.

▶ Identified and outfitted a safe clinic isolation area for

those on campus who are confirmed or presumed COVIDpositive, located in the Upper School PAC backstage area.

▶ We nearly doubled our typical summer admittance during 2020 even with COVID-19 grade-level caps.

▶ We saw a fifty-percent increase in our typical summer inquiries through the Office of Admission.

▶ Despite limitations on our in-person previews and tours, the Office of Admission currently reports an increase in applications for next school year.

▶ Stickers and signs were purchased to mark and

label hallways, classrooms, sidewalks and driveways on campus.

WINTER 2020–21

23

As the administration and the board made bold decisions regarding the opening of the 2020-21 school year, planning of many of the details of TCA’s programs were ongoing throughout the fall and into the winter. Much of what makes TCA such an amazing place to get an education is the unique experiences provided to the learners. Here are some of the amazing ways such programs were able to continue in a COVID-adjusted world: ZOOM This popular meeting application has been essential for children to be able to meet with their class virtually throughout the pandemic.

Additionally, certain special classroom programs have been able to continue through the use of this technology. Second-grade “Star Students,” for example, are able to Zoom with their parents and other family members during the school day to recognize the accomplishments of the child. Additionally, Lower School classes that “adopted” senior athletes have been able to meet with and get to know their athletes through the use of this technology. Middle School at-home learners are beginning to see the benefits of using Zoom “breakout rooms” for small-group assignments.

SEESAW Lower School at-home learners are able to upload assignments and watch instructional classroom videos through the use of this program. Parents are also able to easily see the work a child has completed through Seesaw.

MICROSOFT ONENOTE Many Middle School teachers have implemented the use of this program as a means of organizing their class assignments and assessments.

MICROSOFT TEAMS Microsoft Teams in the Upper School is like a beefed up version of Zoom. Teams has turned every classroom in the Upper School into a digital classroom. It’s a central place for live class sessions and is fully integrated with all other Microsoft apps, including Word, Outlook and OneNote.

CHAPELS A new live-streaming feature from the PAC allows weekly Upper School chapels (and other special events) to be broadcast into each classroom and homes since the number of students allowed to gather in large groups is limited. Lower School fourth-grade students still have the opportunity to lead Thursday chapels through their participation in recorded games, activities and worship team. Middle School has adjusted its chapel space from the MCB to the PAC this year, where they can accommodate two grade levels at a time with the ability to live stream the service to at-home learners.

24 TRINITY TODAY / TCA TOGETHER

HOMECOMING It was amazing to see our school pull off a physically distanced 2020 HOCO football game! It was complete with home stands at halfcapacity, student sections distanced in the makeshift endzone seats, pre-ordered and pre-packaged concessions and cheerleaders and the dance team rooting on their Trojans while the band played their supporting role in fine fashion. The HOCO court was successfully featured at halftime, and our players did their part by providing a stunning come-from-behind win for the fans!

ATHLETICS Many schools nationally and locally were reluctant to open school in person, and therefore participation in athletics for them was completely off the table. TCA, however, decided that masking and mitigating risk as much as possible would allow for our students to compete this year. Since making this decision to allow volleyball, cross country, football, cheerleading and dance to proceed, new studies have shown a low risk of the transmission of COVID-19 on the playing field.

MIDDLE AND UPPER SCHOOL BAND AND CHOIR The band director has been having his students record themselves using the application Flipgrid so he can most quickly and efficiently assess their performances and provide them with feedback. Band and choir have been able to effectively spread out in de-densified classrooms while effectively using shields and other plexiglass guards to prevent the spread of droplets.

School nurses Vicki Gillespie and Donna Smith—along with all our Clinic staff— have worked tirelessly this year ensuring the best care for our students on campus, keeping abreast of the ever-changing health and safety protocols and COVIDrelated guidelines and performing the vital work of contact tracing for positive COVID-19 cases that has helped our campus remain open. The TCA community is appreciative of their critical contribution to our school’s mission.

“The most amazing aspect of our return to school continues to be the TCA community.”

STEMSCOPES This digital integration of STEM lessons is being launched throughout all Lower School science curricula during the first half of the 2020-21 school year.

AFTER-SCHOOL CARE Although many schools have decided to forego their after-school care programs during the pandemic, TCA felt it was important to continue to serve families with work obligations that would not allow them to pick up their children at regular school dismissal times. Pick-up for Lower School children has been streamlined in that we are now able to offer parents curbside service when they arrive to pick up their children after hours.

PARENT CONFERENCES Lower and Middle School teachers were able to conduct thousands of conferences with TCA parents in late October.

Parents reported that the convenience of being able to Zoom from work or home was a blessing to their family.

PEN PALS This traditional experience between our kindergarten and third-grade classes has been modified this year. Although students still communicate in writing to one another, their “live” interpersonal meetings now take place virtually through the use of Zoom technology.

Many thanks to all the staff of our new cleaning service, Healthcare Services Group, who have expertly worked to provide the safe and sanitary conditions for our return to campus this year!

Pictured here: Campus Supervisor JD Kappeler and Regional Manager Connie Lancaster with some of the wonderful HCSG staff who serve our Lower School and Middle School

All of the above initiatives (and so many more) allowed for an amazingly successful start to the uncertain 2020-21 school year for TCA students. Beyond all the bells and whistles that allow programs to run effectively, however, the most amazing aspect of our return to school continues to be the TCA community—teachers helping children, everyone serving one another around campus and amazing opportunities for students to learn in a funloving, collaborative environment (whether in-person or at a distance) with the support of parents, faculty, administration and the board. How blessed we are to be able to continue traditions, allow kids to play, learn and grow and be surrounded by families who know that Jesus will see us through this! We are TCA Together!

WINTER 2020–21

25

ZOOM IN ON TECH TOOLS WHEN WE ROAM THE HALLS OF TCA’S THREE SCHOOLS AND SEE TEACHERS USING NEW TECHNOLOGY TOOLS, WE OFTEN OVERHEAR TEACHERS REMARK THAT THEY ARE LEARNING AND GROWING AS THEY IMPLEMENT NEW TECHNOLOGY IN THE CLASSROOM. FACULTY AT TCA HAVE ALWAYS EXPERTLY APPLIED THEIR CONTENT KNOWLEDGE AND TEACHING SKILL IN THE CLASSROOM TO OFFER STUDENTS THE RIGOROUS CURRICULUM FOR WHICH TCA IS KNOWN. HOWEVER, DURING THIS YEAR THESE PROFESSIONALS HAVE GONE THE EXTRA MILE IN ADAPTING NEW TECHNOLOGY TO MEET EDUCATIONAL NEEDS.

B Y K E L L I D U H A N E Y, DIR ECTOR OF STEM AND T ECH NOLOGY I N T EGR AT ION PHOTOGR APH Y BY J E F F McW HOR T E R ’05

Like most teachers in the United States, faculty faced an unprecedented challenge in March 2020 when the TCA campus closed in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. In a matter of days, learning had to be shifted to a new, virtual format, with teachers rapidly adopting new teaching tools and techniques.

To keep learning going and students connected, teachers found themselves in a new position, each as chief learner in his or her own classroom.

Any one of the new technological tools teachers now heavily rely on would have normally been implemented over the course of several months, with professional development offered to ensure a smooth adoption. However, without the luxury of time, faculty went from welcoming students back to campus from spring break to holding class meetings via Zoom. Several faculty had not utilized the Zoom video conferencing platform before, but they quickly became adept at hosting meetings, using breakout rooms and utilizing other advanced features of the program. Lower School teachers swiftly acclimated to using Seesaw, a digital learning program that enables learners to creatively express their learning through video and audio submissions and provides an easy way for teachers to leave personalized feedback for students. Middle School teachers relied on the school website, utilizing their class pages more than during normal school operations.

From the topics pages and resource boards, students turned in digital assignments and received feedback from faculty in a timely fashion. Upper school faculty continued to use Microsoft OneNote to house their

WINTER 2020–21

27

“AS EDUCATORS WE HAVE CHOSEN TO BE LIFELONG LEARNERS AND EXAMPLES TO OUR STUDENTS. EDUCATION IS EVER CHANGING, SO JUST AS WE EXPECT OUR STUDENTS TO COME WITH A GROWTH MINDSET AND TAKE ON ANY CHALLENGE THEY FACE, SO MUST WE!” —THIRD-GRADE TEACHER HALEIGH MANHKONG

IN THE UPPER SCHOOL, TECHNOLOGY TEACHER KENT PENDLETON BEGAN USING A CUSTOMIZABLE DIGITAL PLATFORM CALLED CODE HS TO COMPLEMENT THE COMPUTER SCIENCE COURSES OFFERED TO STUDENTS.

28 TRINITY TODAY / ZOOM IN ON TECH TOOLS

class materials, giving students a repository for class lectures, notes and assignments.

Once back on campus in the fall, teachers implemented even more technology in the classroom, increasing access for students who attend classes from home.

Lower School students have each been issued an iPad for school use, making our entire student body 1:1 with devices. Additionally, each classroom at TCA is outfitted with a Swivl robot, which rotates to follow the teacher around the room while transmitting the video and audio feed for participants who are not physically in the classroom. This technology provides a physical presence in the room for virtual learners. Students who attend class from home can still be actively involved in classroom discussions, guided reading groups, partner work and specials by using the new Swivl technology.

Teachers have modified lessons to include athome learners, frequently pairing them with students who are in the classroom to complete partner work. For older grades, lectures and class activities recorded using Swivl are available for later viewing, enabling this technology to be used for non-COVID purposes, such as when students miss school for athletics or other schoolsponsored trips.

Middle School teachers have creatively incorporated technology in new ways to continue the strong community ties that are synonymous with the school. Math teacher Wanchi Lowe utilizes the new Swivl and Zoom technology to foster relationships with her sixth- and seventh-graders. At the beginning of most of her classes, Mrs. Lowe spends a few minutes connecting with students at home. “Although these moments are short,” she says, “the time is valuable because it allows our at-home learners to build relationships with their classmates and get to know them better.” It is helpful for students to spend time building these relationships so when at-home learners are paired with students on campus for classwork or special activities using Zoom breakout rooms, they are familiar with one other and able to complete their work or special projects.

Third-grade teacher Haleigh Manhkong cited the challenge of integrating more technology in the classroom during these unusual times, saying, “My biggest takeaway from all of this

so far is as educators we have chosen to be lifelong learners and examples to our students. Education is ever changing, so just as we expect our students to come with a growth mindset and take on any challenge they face, so must we!”

Increased usage of technology since last spring caused school administrators and faculty to creatively address curriculum needs by implementing new programs for students. In the Upper School, technology teacher Kent Pendleton began using a customizable digital platform called Code HS to complement the computer science courses offered to students. Lower School teachers have adopted an innovative digital science curriculum, STEMscopes, that includes comprehensive digital resources that complement hands-on exploration kits used in the classroom. Library media specialists in each school division have increased the number of eBooks available for students to check out for research and pleasure reading.

Teachers and administrators continue to reimagine activities and adapt to constraints that do not allow for meeting in large groups. Instead of holding in-person events, teachers have learned to utilize virtual platforms to aid them as they build community and strengthen relationships with families. Mrs. Manhkong said she is thankful for this approach that provides a venue for communication with students and parents. Instead of meeting face-to-face for parent-teacher conferences this fall, faculty in Lower School and Middle School conducted meetings via Zoom.

For many years, third-grade and kindergarten classes have paired as pen pals, conducting many activities together. The goal of these partnerships was to help students get to know one another and build community within the Lower School. In the past, the classes have taken nature walks together when kindergarten studied a unit on trees. At Thanksgiving, students gathered for a party celebrating the season. Throughout the year, students wrote letters back and forth with one another. Teachers used their new knowledge of video streaming to creatively adapt and facilitate the pen pal program.

Now, pen pal activities between classes are conducted via Zoom, using

Swivl technology. Teachers start a group meeting and then utilize the breakout rooms in Zoom so students can still get to know one another and grow their friendships while using technology to do so at a safe distance. Students have enjoyed the interaction with other classes.

Another long-standing tradition is the adoption of a graduating senior by a Lower School class during the school year. Typically, the senior visits the Lower School classroom to introduce himself or herself and answer questions about Upper School life. In the past, seniors have frequently participated in learning centers and classroom parties and even come out to play with Lower School classes at recess. Unable to physically visit with their seniors this year, many Lower School classes have visited virtually with their seniors using Swivl. First-grade teacher Natalie Floyd’s class adopted senior Kathryn Callahan this fall. Kathryn wrote, “It has been wonderful and so sweet to Zoom with the first-graders.” She relayed a story about students raising their hands to ask questions through the screen.

Her favorite question was “What is your favorite snake?” The video interaction helps the students to get to know their senior even when she can’t visit face-to-face, providing encouragement to all. The firstgrade class also wrote handwritten letters to Kathryn and sent special treats and photos to her before games. With Mrs. Floyd’s creativity, aided by technology, this fun tradition can continue this year.

Although school is back in session and the majority of students are on campus, many faculty continue to adapt and reinvent their teaching to meet the limitations brought about by social distancing and COVID-related restrictions. One of the greatest outcomes of the school’s closure was that students were able to see their teachers learn to use new tools and technology. Teachers at TCA have always had the goal of igniting learning for students and showing them that learning takes place not only in the classroom but outside of school as well. One teacher remarked that being a learner in her own classroom this year helped her to be a better teacher. By learning to utilize technology in new ways, teachers demonstrate that learning is a continual, lifelong process.

WINTER 2020–21

29

ROOM TO

30 TRINITY TODAY

GROW! PreK Classes Find a New Groove in Their Very Own Space B Y LY N N E K L E I N , P r e K T E AC H E R PH O T O G R A PH Y BY J E F F M cW H O R T E R ’0 5

When Carol Pond and I started the preK program six years ago, we had a dream in mind. We had these two little classes of ten or eleven kids, and we thought that maybe one day we would have enough classes to be an entire grade level—maybe in ten years. But it’s just astonishing what God has done. He has blessed this program beyond measure. I had no idea we would have four full classes so soon! In years past, I thought I would teach first grade forever and had no idea preK was going to be my absolute love. The program has grown, and now we have a new facility specifically tailored to the needs of TCA’s youngest learners.

WINTER 2020–21

31

In previous years, our preK classrooms had been somewhat spread out in the Lower School building. The other Lower School teams were always so gracious as we would from year to year have to have a preK room nestled in with first grade or take a workroom space to add a new class. But now preK has its own space and a new place to call home. Everything from the new, larger classrooms to our ample storage space to covered walkways from our building to other spots on campus has been a blessing and made us feel that our program and, most importantly, our students are well cared for.

Starting with our new classrooms, everything about them makes them happy, warm places to learn and explore. The light in the rooms is gorgeous. It’s just so bright, which makes it fun.

In my classroom, half the wall is windows! Our ceilings are higher, making the rooms seem that much more spacious and allowing us to hang student artwork and other decorations without adults bumping their heads on anything.

Because we are in a separate space, we were able to put our cubbies in the hallway, rather than in the classroom. So the kids’ jackets, bags, lunchboxes are right outside our doors, freeing up an entire wall in each classroom to use for centers and books and learning.

We all have great closet space in our rooms. In the past, we were spread out in the Lower School building and using borrowed space to store our supplies. We had taken over closets and activity rooms and spaces in people’s classrooms all over the building. Now we have plenty of storage space, and we’re not taking up every extra nook and cranny of the Lower School building.

32 TRINITY TODAY / ROOM TO GROW!

Having our own workroom has been essential to our team being better organized. Before, we were sharing a workroom with everyone else, so we couldn’t leave things out because others would be coming in to use the space. Now, we have a huge table to work on and all of our supplies in one place—craft supplies, party supplies, anything we’re doing. When we’re getting our materials ready for our centers or a project, we can make an assembly line of our supplies and leave that out from one day to the next. The greater ease of planning and preparing has been incredible.

Bathrooms are a big deal with early childhood education. In addition to a full set of restrooms dedicated to preK at the west side of the facility, we also have a bathroom connected to each classroom. We do lots of bathroom breaks down at the big bathroom, but you’ll always have one who needs an extra potty break, so it’s really nice to be able just to send a student to the class bathroom without disrupting a lesson or activity.

Having our break room has been a big help as well—having a quiet space when we have to take a phone call or just sit for a minute and still be right next the class. Our specials teachers come to our room, and while they are working with the kids, I can hear if they need anything because I’m just right across the hall.

Though we’re not doing any cooking with our classes right now because of sanitation protocols, we are equipped with a kitchen, and in the future, we’ll be able to use that for activities like when we make make applesauce and other fun activities.

Everything about our new classrooms makes them happy, warm places to learn and explore.

WINTER 2020–21

33

The kids are singing, jumping, dancing and playing—what you want for them as four-year-olds. y I think the timing of God’s provision of this building in this particular year has been one of the biggest things we are thankful for. I have such peace knowing the kids have their own space. We really are isolated from everyone, which is good and bad, but in this particular year, with the need of isolating different groups of students to mitigate the spreading of illness, we can have an easier time keeping the preK students safe. We’ve been really careful with all of our protocols, but being in our own space has helped tremendously.

We also feel quite safe due to extra security measures that are in place in the new facility. We have exterior and interior doors that lock automatically, so no one who doesn’t need to be in our building can get in. When we need to send a child out into the hallway to his or her cubby, we know the student can go and return unaccompanied.

PreK is a place where there is a lot of life, a lot of activity and often times a lot of noise—joyful noise. In the past with preK in the other building, we always had to be very quiet in the spaces that we were using because they weren’t just our spaces. We would take kids to the bathroom, and we always had to play the game “Quiet Mouse, Still

34 TRINITY TODAY / ROOM TO GROW!

Mouse” and do all the other things we could think of to keep them silent, so as not to disturb classrooms as we walked through the hallways. In the new facility, walking down the hall is quite joyful. The kids are singing, jumping, dancing and playing—what you want for them as four-year-olds. It is a sweet scene to walk through the glass doors of the building. You walk in, and you definitely hear preK. You hear them from every room. You might hear singing or Bible memory or the hum of centers time with inquisitive minds exploring new acitivities. In the other building, there were times classes in higher grade levels might have been testing right across the hall when I had my centers times scheduled, so I’d have to tell the kids, “We’re going to have to shut the door, and we’re going to have to keep it down because of the other classes.” But it has really benefitted our kids that we don’t ever have to worry about our sound level anymore. It’s loud most of the time. And that’s the way it should be for preK. By the same token, when it’s time for quiet, being isolated from the rest of Lower School is crucial. Our kids nap. Before, we were always putting up big signs asking people to be silent at certain

times of the day because preK students were napping. Now we really don’t have to worry about it. It’s quiet in our space when we need it to be, and when we’re up, we’re up. That’s been a huge blessing, too!

Our Common Room has been a welcome addition. Right now, we don’t ever gather all the preK classes together because of physical distancing protocols, but one class at a time uses the Common Room and the Foyer for an indoor recess area. We’ve bought things that are suitable for inside play, and that extra space for the kids to get all their wiggles out and benefit from physical activity, even on cold or rainy days, has been a helpful tool as we’re meeting the students’ needs throughout the school day. Right now, that room is also used in the mornings and afternoons for before-/after-school care.

In the future when there isn’t a need for physical distancing, we’ll be able to use the Common Room to have a story time with two classes at a time or other activities where we’re doing a presentation of some kind. For example, we have guests like the creature teacher who come to speak and present to the kids, and we usually have

had to borrow a space to accomodate more than one class. It will be an amazing space to be able to gather for acitivites like that and even to get all fifty kids together at a time if we want! I also foresee eventually having all our kids in the Common Room for afternoon carpool, that room being right next to where the sidewalk is leading to the pick-up area. We could also at times have group lunches in there and picnic on the floor. It will be a versatile and very useful space.

We’re still in shock. It has always been a dream one day to have our own preK center, and now that day is here! The way this unfolded, during a time when everything is so strange, there were ways that this facility has been a blessing that we didn’t even expect or imagine, and we are so thankful. We’re looking forward to the day when the campus is completely back to normal and we can put up a sign, actually have a ribbon-cutting ceremony and welcome the whole TCA community through our doors to see firsthand this top-notch facility that has added so much to our preK program.

WINTER 2020–21

35

Silver

For TCA students and faculty alike, the joy of learning, growing and doing life together on campus with face-to-face (though masked) interaction has been a bright light to combat some of the dark times we’ve had in 2020. Read some Trojans’ perspectives of how God has blessed us individually and as a school during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Linings PH O T O G R A PH Y BY J E F F M cW H O R T E R ’0 5

PERSPECTI V ES ON A PA NDEMIC

NATALIE FLOYD, FIRST-GRADE TEACHER Some of the greatest blessings of teaching at TCA are the fellowship and the community. There is something so sweet and special about being able to openly talk about Christ with students, families and coworkers.

Reminding each other of the hope that we have in Christ and encouraging one another to have joy during trials is a common occurrence in the TCA community. Although the pandemic has changed how we interact, it has not changed the core of our strong sense of community, nor has it deterred our community from finding other ways to fellowship. COVID-19 is definitely a trial that has come with hardships and sorrow, but I have also witnessed many blessings through these last months.

One of the ways I feel it is most evident that God is at work at TCA is that we are able to have school in person.

The students being back in the classroom is a HUGE blessing! The interaction that takes place between the students and the teachers is a vital part of life at TCA. The students are resilient, and once the boundaries were put in place to keep them safe, they have excelled! They write letters, draw pictures and love one another in the way they know how, and they are so happy to be together.

We constantly discuss in our classes how God has kept us healthy and safe. Relationships and bonds are being formed, and memories are being made.

Another unexpected blessing of the pandemic has been the opportunity to observe many of my fellow educators think and “teach” outside of the box to come up with creative solutions for instruction. Since the specials teachers rotate to the classrooms, it has provided a front-row opportunity to observe my fabulous co-educators instruct the students. Their creativity and joy is contagious, and they have inspired me to adapt my lessons and rise to the occasion. God is so good to give us such a depth of knowledge, wisdom and expertise in our faculty. We know that God has placed us at TCA during this time for a purpose, and it is wonderful to watch people excel during a trial.

Teaching during COVID-19 has been a challenge; however, I have found that God has used it to remind all of us to persevere. We are doing this together as a community of believers who are fulfilling our calling from God. Joy, hope, love and faith are here all around us. I love the encouragement of James 1:2–3: “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.” I’m so blessed to be a part of the TCA community!

38 TRINITY TODAY / SILVER LININGS

“I get to play in centers with my friends!”

—TATE BARTON, PreK

“I like being with my teacher here.”

—HANNAH ROSE HINCKLEY, PreK

“Being at home was more boring. I like that I get to play with my friends and go on the playground.”

—VIV LARSEN, KINDERGARTEN

“I love that I can get books from my teacher and take them home.”

—HENRY SHERR ARD, KINDERGARTEN

I like being in the classroom more than being at home. I like that we are back in school and I get to see my friends, and we actually get to spend time with each other and talk to each other, but we can’t get too close, you know? It is kind of weird that we can’t touch and hug each other, but I am learning how to show love without touching other people. For example, saying, “Are you OK?” if someone gets hurt or writing a nice note to someone.

—CHANLEY HODGES, SECOND GR ADE

I like being at school because I get to see all my friends, and I like doing all the work. I don’t really like wearing masks, but I would still like to be at school, so I will wear my mask. It’s sad that I can’t hug my friends when I want to, but I can still do an

elbow bump. I write notes to people. I also like to tell people nice things like “Thank you,” “Good job!” and “You’re doing great!” So all the weird things are OK with me because then it means I get to be at school.

—LILLIAN HERRELL, SECOND GR ADE

One thing that I really like is that I get to Zoom with our pen pals! And I like that I have my own iPad! —ALAYNA BEHN, THIRD GR ADE

Some things have changed. Now we have to eat here in the classroom, but before we ate in the cafeteria.

We stay in the classroom more and get to have a better bond with our friends and even make new friends. If there were anything I didn’t like, I’d tell you, but honestly, nothing in this school bothers me.

—LEO NIMA, THIRD GR ADE

I love being back in school so I can see my friends, and I like getting to know my teachers and other students I haven’t been in class with before.

—MATTHEW LOWREY, FOURTH GR ADE

I love being at school so I can ask questions and get immediate help. At school, we get great practice and help learning the subject we are studying. I love being in class with my friends! I missed the small things and the big things when we were at home last spring. I even missed my own little cubby!

—KATE MARTIN, FOURTH GR ADE

“Joy, hope, love and faith are here all around us.”

WINTER 2020–21

39

The reason why I have a really good connection with TCA is that the boys I play football with taught me brotherhood and how to work as a team and play for Christ. Even though COVID-19 is there, it doesn’t pose a problem to the way we play for Christ and are a brotherhood together. This has helped me very much and makes me a lot happier since I can play my favorite sport with my friends. God has taught me that you’re not playing because you want to impress girls or you want to be cool. It’s about playing for the glory of God and the joyfulness in the game. I love the coaches and all the people who work for the football team. I’m playing it for Christ, and I’m going to have the best season ever.

—HOLDEN TURNER, SEVENTH GR ADE

When all of TCA’s activities and aspects are restored, the part of school life I would look forward to the most would definitely be Big Blue! I know we technically have it now, but we are not allowed to enter anytime as we please or get snacks. I remember in sixth grade and seventh grade practically everyday I would make the trip up to Big Blue to get a treat. Every time I would either get the caramel drumsticks or the coconut popsicle—they were a perfect cooldown for those hot days in Texas! Also, people would join their friends to eat and hang out after school, brightening even those pesky Mondays. And the merchandise! I love it all; I just cannot wait for the time when I can create more joyous memories at this school’s prized rendezvous spot!

—ALEXIS MEYER, EIGHTH GR ADE

COVID-19 has limited a lot of daily life socially and physically, but I believe coming to TCA has definitely let me be more social and have some connections during the pandemic. Some things that have helped me are going to school and seeing everyone. The pandemic has made many things difficult, like how we do things and what we think when someone coughs. It has made going out different and social gatherings different, like with the masks and not knowing what someone’s face actually looks like. But it has helped me realize that whatever God is doing, it is for a reason, and he has blessed me that I can go to school. God has his reasons, and God can make something good out of something that has affected people globally. I also feel like God has taught me to believe in him and trust in him. He has given me privileges to many things right now that most kids do not have.

SHAWN LEDEBUR, MIDDLE SCHOOL COUNSELOR On October 27, my husband, John, and I were diagnosed with COVID-19. Ten days later my husband was admitted to the hospital with double pneumonia and COVID-19. We were both overwhelmed by the love and support we felt from our sweet TCA community during our COVID experience. Several friends brought our family dinner, brought us medicine and checked on our well-being multiple times a day.

The kids’ teachers were loving and gracious throughout our time at home. They checked on them individually and guided them through several weeks of being at-home learners. We were flooded with Christ’s love through our TCA community. They were truly the hands and feet of Jesus, and we are so grateful.

—AVA SOLOMON, SEVENTH GR ADE

40 TRINITY TODAY / SILVER LININGS

M I D D L E S C H O O L F O O T B A L L P H O T O B Y T C A Y E A R B O O K S TA F F

“The pandemic has helped me realize that whatever God is doing, it is for a reason” —Seventh-grader Ava Solomon

SH AWN L EDEBUR PHOTO BY K ENDA L L EL L IS

WINTER 2020–21

41

While it may seem that the life we once knew has been vanquished by the COVID-19 pandemic that has rampaged through the world, leaving only destruction and death in its wake, there is always a glimmer of light in the darkness; we just need to seek it out. If God always revealed His beauty and never threw in seemingly impossible obstacles for us to overcome, all value created through expanding your personal relationship with Him would be fruitless.

Only through hardship and strain can the necessary growth occur, and this pandemic is simply a tool used to call His believers to seek Him out rather than cower in the dark. This great challenge, along with the many difficulties associated with it, was not intended to be shouldered by the likes of one person. If you try to bear the burdens of depression, anxiety and stress caused by the pandemic alone, you will inevitably fail, and for this reason God has placed those who care for us, whether it be our family, friends, neighbors or even co-workers, around us. They have been placed there so that when you fall, they will be there to shoulder your burdens and pick you up when you do not have the strength to keep on going. By keeping firm in our faith, placing trust in the people around us and asking for help when needed, we are able to find tranquility in this time of constant turmoil.

In order to sypher the full value out of life during COVID-19, staying connected with friends and family, maintaining healthy habits of mind and body and cultivating our faith allow us to continue to live life and overcome all the barriers placed in front of us. Keeping faithful in reading the Word and remembering to find the time to attend church, whether it be virtual or in person, enables one to add meaning and fulfillment to one’s life during a time in which lockdowns and widespread fear have stifled the world. Our time on this earth is limited, and even though a terrifying pandemic has drastically altered our way of life, as believers and citizens of our nation, we must continue to stay true to our beliefs and true to ourselves. While it may seem easy to disregard our responsibilities and devotion to Christ under the excuse of this unprecedented time, continuing to persevere is the only way to live life well and the only way to maintain a strong bond with your family, faith and community. —COLLIN DEWEY, ELEVENTH GR ADE

42 TRINITY TODAY / SILVER LININGS

Every high-schooler has great expectations for senior year. As they move up the ranks, climbing ever closer to that golden, final year, students eagerly anticipate the special events, opportunities and privileges that await them as a last hurrah.

Most don’t anticipate a global pandemic—and neither did I. When the COVID-19 crisis first began, it became extremely easy to fall into a state of ingratitude, fear and, honestly, anger. Obviously, I was majorly disappointed at the postponing of the senior trip and other exciting senior celebrations. But more importantly, there was a threat facing the entire world that was causing people to get hurt, a threat that my loved ones or I could fall victim to, and there seemed to be nothing I could do about it.

Thankfully, we serve a good God, one who holds Truth for all situations, and the Lord specifically directed me towards the book of Habakkuk during that troubling time. I had never read this book before and had no idea what it was about, but when I read its three short chapters, I was overwhelmed with the powerful message it held.

Habakkuk was in a situation very similar to my own: his homeland was in a state of unprecedented crisis, and he was crying out to God in confusion and frustration and grief. He wanted answers, and more importantly, he wanted God to deliver His goodness into his life—but only if God’s good plan aligned with his own. So when he heard that the Lord was addressing the injustice and violence plaguing his home tribe of Judah by sending the Babylonians to defeat them in battle, he was not a fan of the idea, to say the least. Why was God using the Babylonians, a people arguably more corrupt than the Israelites, as a part of His plan? Why did Israel have to walk a path of destruction to find renewal? Well, we really don’t know. We also don’t know why God let this pandemic happen. But we do know this: God can show His glory even in the worst situations—especially then. So it is vital for us to trust Him in the midst of the storm, because He sees the things we don’t.

Eventually, Habakkuk came around—and so did I. Through God’s patience and grace, we both came to a very important conclusion, one that we all must come to if we want to find peace in this world: sometimes the reality of God’s goodness doesn’t perfectly fit into our idea of goodness, and that’s okay. In fact, it’s fantastic, because the goodness that God has in store for his children is infinitely more wonderful than anything we could ever conceive on our own. Yes, bad things happen. That’s the painful reality of a world full of sin, and it’s okay if that reality confuses or frustrates us. But thankfully, we serve a compassionate, awe-inspiring God who can take even the worst circumstances and use them to work everything out for the good of those who love Him, as Romans 8:28 tells us.

In the words of Habakkuk 3:19, He “enables [us] to tread on the hights,” even when struggles befall us.

Even though this school year has looked far from normal, God’s goodness has been shining through the darkness. My friendships have become stronger as we have all become more intentional about loving each other well, from sending each other notes to planning socially distanced picnics, and I feel that I am learning what it truly means to be content.

What’s happening in our world right now is bad—there’s no denying that—and I would never want to belittle the sorrow of the suffering. But even in the hurting, even in the uncertainty, we can hold onto this unwavering truth: we serve an indescribably good God. And through Him, we can tread on the heights.

“Even though this school year has looked far from normal, God’s goodness has been shining through the darkness.” —Senior Reagan Rodgers

—REAGAN RODGERS, TWELFTH GR ADE

WINTER 2020–21

43

“It is important to process and vocalize our disappointments and discouragements. Although I feel bad for our seniors, I also feel proud of them for how they are rolling with their final year.”

44 TRINITY TODAY / SILVER LININGS

JEREMY GREGORY, SENIOR BIBLE TEACHER As I listen to people share their challenges concerning work during the pandemic, I feel very torn and thankful.

Torn in that I empathize with their struggles, fears, and uncertainty from sheer boredom in lockdown to sickness even death, lack of work or no work, little to no pay, fading hope to despair. Many people are certainly not feeling this advent season of joy, hope, peace and love.

But I am also extremely thankful.

Something happened that I did not expect last year (which was my first year at TCA). In September I posted on Facebook, “The joy in teaching is returning . . .” And I meant it. I loved being at TCA. Going to work and not having to worry about . . . well, anything, except teaching!

(There’s a long story about my previous gig. Maybe another day I’ll share it.) Yes, joy—and also hope, peace and love—rebounded big time in me when I joined TCA. With supportive and encouraging and kind administrators, staff, teachers, students and parents, I found a new groove here.

The only regret I had was that I had not been here sooner.

And then the pandemic hit.

March was such a strange month. Returning from my first trip to Israel with TCA, I was on a high! But then we barely made it back to the states and went straight into lockdown. The struggles adjusting to that third trimester were heavy. Nevertheless, we pressed forward.

Now that we are nearly halfway done with this school year, juggling split classes, hiccups with online Microsoft Team meetings, wearing masks and many other adjustments, the peace, joy, hope and love in teaching are still alive.

The way our school rolled with the pandemic made me all the more thankful I am here. Indeed, I feel for the seniors: from cancelled dances and empty gym seats to no offcampus lunches. I hear some people push back against these “disappointments” as “first-world problems,” trivial issues compared to others. And that’s true, looking at the big picture. However, I believe it is still important to process and vocalize our disappointments and discouragements. It is healthier to own it than to suppress it.

Although I feel bad for our seniors, I also feel proud of them. I’ve enjoyed getting to know them and how they are rolling with their final year. The key, I believe, is how our leaders encourage us (teachers and students) to adjust, collaborate, learn, tweak, grow and keep moving forward.

Of course, we haven’t done everything perfectly. I’ve certainly dropped the ball multiple times (like forgetting to turn off the mute button on the iPad). Nonetheless, during this pandemic Christmas as we light the Advent candles— peace, joy, hope and love—I am thankful I am here at TCA and look forward to moving on together.

WINTER 2020–21

45

ATHLETICS

The Return of Coach Hayes L

BY DON ENGLISH, B OYS AT H L ET IC DI R E CT OR

AST WINTER, we welcomed Coach Steve Hayes back

quarterbacks at Henderson High School in East Texas. He and I talked often,

to TCA. Our enthusiasm to see Coach Hayes return this year

and it was clear that he enjoyed his sabbatical from head-coaching, yet he

to TCA, where he coached from 2004 to 2014, is not only due

confidently believed that he would again become a head coach. During the

to the fact that he is an outstanding leader and one of the

search, it became crystal clear to me that Coach Hayes was the best man for

more progressive offensive minds in high school coaching but also because he

the job. Steve loved our school’s mission of “developing the whole person for

is a coach who intentionally invests in the lives of his players, coaching staff

the glory of God” and believed strongly that athletics play a major role in that

and community.

development. Steve was also familiar with our school’s culture and unique

I first met Coach Hayes when he and I were coaching at Plano East Senior

challenges. Ultimately, I could feel the empathy he had for our players due to

High. My son, Jordan, was blessed to be coached by Steve in 2002 on a very

our recent lack of success on the field. As we neared our Christmas holiday

talented team which lost to eventual state champion Mesquite High School in

deadline to name a coach, it became quite evident that Coach Hayes was the

the first round of the state playoffs at Texas Stadium. Having the opportunity

best candidate to quickly return our football program to its winning ways.

to observe Coach Hayes, I always came away impressed by the way he would consistently teach, mentor and mold student-athletes.

A decade later, Coach Hayes, then the TCA varsity football head coach and boys athletic director, called and wanted to meet for lunch to talk about

Once Coach Hayes was named head coach, he rapidly got to work! While building his coaching staff, he met with every Upper School underclassman and his parents in his first few weeks.

Clint Schumacher, offensive line coach and father of junior Marcus

the baseball program. I soon discovered the school was looking for its first

Schumacher, recalls, “When Coach Hayes arrived, he quickly made

full-time baseball coach, and he wanted me to apply. The issue was that I had

transformative changes. The expectations for players and for coaches were

just completed my first year at Plano West and believed I would be hurting

identified, shared and enforced. His infectious enthusiasm, positivity and

my players and families if I were to leave so soon. After speaking and praying

optimism spread throughout the team. The players began to see themselves

with my wife of now forty years, I was led to share the possibility with my

as capable of being successful and—because of the work they were putting

supervisors in Plano, who all agreed it was a great opportunity and one I should

in—deserving of that success.”

pursue. Ultimately, I was hired and spent three great years working alongside

In order to encourage players to be all that God desires, Coach Hayes

Coach Hayes as the varsity baseball head coach and assistant athletic director.

deployed the theme of “dangerous and good,” borrowing from C. S. Lewis’s The

However, as God sometimes chooses to do, he led Coach Hayes and his family

Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, to exhort his players to become more like

away to Enid, Oklahoma, to coach the smallest school in the largest division.

their Creator—good but not necessarily safe. This attribute is evident in Lewis’s

Subsequently, TCA struggled in football during Coach Hayes’s six-year absence. In the meantime, I was named the boys athletic director and saw first-hand the ups and downs in our football program. When our varsity football head coach position came open last winter, Dave Delph and I spent a great deal of time searching for the best possible candidates for our student-athletes.

As a result, we interviewed several outstanding coaches in the DFW area, yet one name kept coming to mind, Steve Hayes. By this time, Steve was coaching

46 TRINITY TODAY / SILVER LININGS

classic story in what the chacters Mr. and Mrs. Beaver tell Lucy: “If there’s anyone who can appear before Aslan without their knees knocking, they're either braver than most or else just silly.”

“Then he isn't safe?” said Lucy.

“Safe?” said Mr. Beaver; “don't you hear what Mrs. Beaver tells you?

Who said anything about safe? 'Course he isn't safe. But he's good.

He's the King, I tell you.”

T ROJ A N LI F E

“Coach Hayes calls us to chase a standard rather than be satisfied with mediocrity, and I believe this mindset is one of the biggest keys to our success this season.”

—Senior Reagan Pierce

Team captain Reagan Pierce describes the transformation: “Coach Hayes completely changed our team culture by changing our expectations of Trojan football. He calls us to chase a standard rather than be satisfied with mediocrity, and I believe this mindset is one of the biggest keys to our success this season and will continue to be a key element for the success of Trojan football in the years to come.”

Like John Eldredge shares throughout his book Wild at Heart, young men want to know, “Do I have what it takes?” and “Can I get the job done?” A major reason why young men are drawn to football is so they can discover how hard

As I watched our players this season, it was evident that great enthusiasm was building with each victory. The kids are obviously having fun!

“Coach Hayes is both a great coach and a great man,” explains team captain

and how far they can push themselves to achieve greatness while learning to

Daniel Delp. “He expects the most out of us. The coaching staff as a whole

honor God and serve others.

pushes us to be the best football players and young men we can be.”

Next, Coach Hayes saw the need to begin recruiting TCA students who

Our Upper School football roster will grow significantly now that our student

were not currently playing football. By late spring, Coach Hayes and his staff

body has seen the excitement and pride our players have had winning together

increased the Upper School roster dramatically. Once our kids made the

wearing the Trojan blue and white!

commitment to one another and to our program, it was time for strength and

I couldn’t be more thrilled and optimistic about the future of Trojan football

development and offensive and defensive installments. Finally, Coach Hayes

with Coach Hayes leading our program. His experience and ability to impact

initiated leadership training sessions for his new staff and players throughout

young men has proved to be a tremendous asset to TCA athletics as we pursue

the spring and summer months, holding himself and others accountable for

our Christ-centered mission.

long-term personal growth.

PHOTOS: JEFF McWHORTER ’ 05

LET’S GO, TROJANS!

WINTER 2020–21

47

ATHLETICS

TH E VA R S IT Y FOOTB A LL TE A M wrapped up a

successful 2020 campaign with a 21-19 victory over previously unbeaten Episcopal School of Dallas on Friday, November 13. The Trojans finished with a 5-1 record overall. The season began with the Trojans snapping a 21-game losing streak against Pittsburg High School, a 4A public school in East Texas. In the second week of the season, TCA jumped to a 20-3 halftime lead against Legacy Christian at The Star in Frisco. Legacy rallied to a 23-20 advantage when the Trojans appeared to score a go-ahead touchdown with two minutes remaining in the game. Unfortunately, TCA lost. The next several weeks saw the impact of COVID-19 as games were cancelled, new opponents were scheduled, and the season’s schedule changed day to day. In that stretch of time, the Trojans pulled out a remarkable come-from-behind Homecoming victory against Fort Worth Christian, captured a blowout win against previously unbeaten Brookhill, were awarded a forfeit against Faith Christian and showed remarkable toughness in beating an athletic ESD team, resulting in an overall record of 5-1. Despite many challenges, this year’s group of seniors successfully restored the winning tradition of TCA football, and with many underclassmen returning we look forward to growing that success in the next few years!!!

TH E TROJ A N VA R S IT Y CH E E R LE A DE R S made the best of the 2020

season! They started the year off with summer outdoor practices and camp in early August. The girls adjusted to yelling, tumbling and stunting with masks. It was a huge blessing to be able to cheer for as many football games as we did. Since we didn't have any pep rallies this fall, the girls started a new tradition by performing our full cheer routines at halftime of the Friday games. Highlights for the team this year were cheering at The Star and our Homecoming game! The girls kept smiling throughout this unprecedented season as they were led by captain CAROLINE WOODWARD, co-captain MOLLY BERRYMAN and co-captain PEYTON PRIDEAUX .

The varsity cheerleaders combined with the JV

VARSITY FOOTBALL

cheerleaders in order to prepare all season long for the TAPPS cheerleading competition on December 7. ​The TCA cheerleaders faced many challenges the week before the competition, so our third-place finish was a true victory! We had 24 girls compete in the Spirit Division. LUCY TREDENNICK finished in the top five finalists for the individual tumbling competition. OLIVIA PRIEST and GABLE DELP were awarded First Team All-State! HAILEY PARMENTER was awarded Second Team All-State, and AVERY COPPLE and MOLLY BERRYMAN were awarded Honorable Mention. After many challenges and disappointments this year, the varsity cheerleaders continued to persevere and overcome!

VARSITY CHEERLEADING 48 TRINITY TODAY

PHOTOS: JEFF McWHORTER ’ 05

S P O R T S B E AT

TH E

L A DY

TROJ A N

VO LLE Y B A LL

TE A M found success in new ways during a

season that could only be described as “different and difficult.” They had to play through socialdistancing guidelines, locker room guidelines and mask guidelines. The pre-season started out with only having four games instead of twenty-four, so the team had to come together quickly. The Lady Trojans started the season by beating the current 5A state champion, Prince of Peace, in five sets.

This set them in the right direction for the year, winning all pre-season games. Starting district with a five-set loss was a tough game to take, but they bounced back by winning the next six games in a row! They finished out the season with a five-set victory against Parish to clinch their first district title in years and a 7-3 district record! Beginning post-season, the Lady Trojans faced a tough Ursuline team they had already beaten twice and managed to pull out a four-set victory to advance to the second round. In the next round, they faced a strong Bishop Lynch team, which they split with 1-1 during the season. In a back-and-forth match, the Lady Trojans came out victorious in the fifth set, winning 16-14 and advancing to the state semifinals, where they played Liberty Christian from Argyle. In a match that saw many lead changes and tough sets, the Trojans ended up losing in the fifth set to end the season as the third-place team in Texas! The coaches, players and parents are very proud of how the season ended and want to thank all of their fans for their support.

Congratulations to the following volleyball players for earning district and state awards: KATHRYN CALLAHAN – First Team

All- District, All-Tournament Team for State, First Team All-State TRINITY MARTIN – First Team

All-District, Honorable Mention All-State ANNA HEIDELBAUGH

– Second Team All-District, AllTournament Team for State SYDNEY WAYTE – Second

Team All-District COURTNEY ANDERSON –

Honorable Mention All-District JOSIE RAFTELIS – Honorable

Mention All-District

VARSITY VOLLEYBALL

ATHLETICS

S P O R T S B E AT

TH E VA R S IT Y G I R L S A N D BOYS CRO S S COU NTRY TE A M competed

well this season despite many challenges. The girls team was able to place in the top five in the team standings three times. They finished seventh at the 6A TAPPS State Championships.

The highlight of the season for the girls team was the runner-up finish at the 6A TAPPS District 1 Championships. JENNA LOWREY, RACHEL MILLS, AVERY OVERBERG

and KATE SOLOMON were awarded AllDistrict honors. Jenna Lowrey finished fifth at the 6A TAPPS State Championships. She earned All-State and Academic All-State honors.

The boys finished third at the 6A TAPPS

VARSITY GIRLS CROSS COUNTRY

District 1 Championships. SETH BATOR, LUKE TOWNLEY, CONNOR DEWEY and RYAN FREESE earned All-District honors.

The team finished 13th at the 6A TAPPS State Championships. The Ennis Invitational race was one of the highlights for the boys’ season.

They were able to win the team championship at that meet.

The chosen theme and verse were “Press On!” (Philippians 3:14).

VARSITY BOYS CROSS COUNTRY 50 TRINITY TODAY

PHOTOS: JEFF McWHORTER ’ 05

Charging toward our goal together So far this school year, because of your support through the Athletic Booster Club, we have been able to equip our student-athletes and programs with the following: Production equipment for video board at Landry Stadium and in MCB Gym HUDL subscription for all sports Team banners displayed on campus Summer 2020 workout assistance Two handheld cameras for stadium Sound system for ATC Backpacks for cross country

Pom poms for dance team Blocking sled for football Folding goals for boys soccer Rain jackets for girls soccer Pool heater for Bent Tree West pool, where swim teams practice Backpacks for volleyball Tear-away pants for girls basketball

ALUMNI

A LU M N I

Letter from the Director of Alumni

I

N SUCH U N USUA L T IMES, I am trying to focus on the blessings

that seem to be much more visible to me this year. I am blessed to be able to come to work every day at TCA and grateful they are holding school in person! While many alumni events have been cancelled or are being done differently this year, my goal is to find ways I can connect with our alumni since we cannot meet in person.

We sent the Class of 2020 care packages for their first semester of college.

I am grateful that most graduates were able to go to their universities for their freshman year. Our care packages consisted of snacks, candy, a Starbucks gift card, a card from the Alumni Association and a handwritten note from a current senior wishing them well their first semester. I hope our care packages brought them a feeling of home when students are experiencing some isolation this year!

We are blessed to have 101 legacy families with 162 students attending TCA. A legacy family is a family in which at least one parent is a TCA graduate.

We usually host a legacy breakfast in the fall and give all the students a legacy T-shirt that they can wear to school that day. This year, we designated November 19 as “Legacy Day.” We could not host the breakfast, but we still gave the students a legacy t-shirt, and this year we also gave the parents a shirt. It was great to receive pictures of many of the families in their legacy shirts.

We are having to rely more on electronic communication to our alumni than in-person meetings and events. Alumni and families should have received our quarterly Trojan Tradition alumni e-newsletter in October, and the next issue will come out in January. We have also been contacting all our alumni to update their contact information. If you have an address, email, phone or name change, please go to trinitychristian.org/alumni to update your contact information. Also be sure to follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Linked In to stay on top of all alumni news. We have discontinued the “Where Are They Now?” section in Trinity Today, and instead we will be posting updates on our social media pages, so please continue to send me your news (weddings, births, achievements and awards, etc.) by email to bharwell@trinitychristian.org.

We were not able to hold our annual alumni homecoming dinner in October, but we hope we can host our Spring Alumni Weekend on April 23–35, 2021.

We have reunions from last year and this year to celebrate, and we are looking forward to another alumni vs. varsity baseball game. We plan on making a decision by the end of January for this event based on COVID government guidelines, so stay tuned and please pray that we will be able to hold this event!

We really miss seeing our alumni, and we pray for all of you regularly that you are staying safe and healthy and continue to follow our Lord Jesus Christ.

BET H H A RW E L L Director of Alumni

52 TRINITY TODAY

Danielle Parker ’20

WA K E F O R E S T UNIVERSIT Y FRESHMAN

W

HIL E

T HE

CORONAV IRUS

has affected the world greatly, specifically changing the way we interact and eliminating many opportunities to gather in person, some have turned the obstacle into opportunity.

During the quarantine lockdown last spring, Danielle Parker ’20 created a virtual girls’ Bible study group for incoming Wake Forest freshmen. Through social media, Danielle was initially able to invite 15 girls to join in the study. Danielle, along with her friend Emily, created a Bible study covering the book of James to share. The group began meeting virtually once a week, studying the Word but also using the forum to intentionally get to know one another as incoming freshmen, including sharing personal testimonies.

Danielle told us, “It was so beautiful to watch all of these girls dive deep into God’s Word together. It was so incredible to see the Lord faithfully answer so many of our prayers that we would be able to find Christian community at Wake Forest—something which I think many of us were nervous about. Yes, I did start the Bible study, but by no means was it about me or me leading these girls. It was a place where freshman girls could humbly meet each other and grow together under the power of the gospel.”

Once the first semester kicked off, the group had grown to 75 freshmen girls. Danielle knows

S P OTLIG HT

the Lord’s hand brought this special group together. She said, “Finding and making friends on campus is not easy with masks on and social distancing, so the Bible study was the biggest blessing!”

This isn’t the first time Danielle has been a pioneer in a new ministry. While a student at TCA, she was instrumental in creating the Reach Every Corner (REC) club in the Upper School. Her family had been making bags to give to people on the streets in Dallas to help with some of their basic needs, and Danielle had the idea of starting a club where TCA students could work together to do the same thing, filling bags with food, a water bottle, hygiene products, a gospel tract, information about homeless shelters in the area and handwritten notes from the students. Her desire was to bring together the TCA community in order to minister to those in need and be a light for Christ. The REC club continues packing bags throughout each school year to provide to students and teachers to keep in their cars and pass out when they have an opportunity.

US teacher and REC sponsor Greg Merrifield says that current TCA students have been inspired by Danielle’s vision and leadership of the club. He says what stands out to those who know her is “her passion for reaching and helping others, along with her organization, creativity, and diligence.” Assistant Head of Upper School Janie Heard concurs, noting that “Danielle has a heart of gold, an affinity for helping and boundless energy.

Add to that she’s a bold visionary and has the ability to carry out her vision.”

Danielle credits TCA for teaching her to endeavor to be a bold leader for Christ. This instilled value and the experience of taking initiative in ideas for ministry gave her the courage to reach out to unfamiliar faces, and now she has been blessed with a Christian community of close friends at Wake Forest just as she was at TCA. — B H

P H O T O C O U R T E S Y O F D A N I E L L E PA R K E R

LE G AC Y

ALUMNI

Katie McGinnis ’03 M I S S I O N A RY

F

OR A LU MNA K AT IE McGIN N IS ’03,

serving others through mission work has been a lifelong pursuit. From a young age, the Lord planted a strong desire in Katie’s heart to work with children coping with difficult experiences, and He persistently pursued her throughout her young adult life to live out His divine calling.

Katie recalls first experiencing an immense sense of fulfillment while on a TCA mission trip to Mexico in high school. Additionally, the trip opened her eyes to the poverty and suffering that existed outside the predominately affluent North Dallas culture. And while the feeling of fulfillment remained with Katie as she participated in additional mission trips with TCA and her church, she was unsure how to make missions fit in with her busy schedule as a college student.

After college, Katie secured her dream job as a certified child life specialist and spent six years working at children’s hospitals, helping families work through traumatic life and medical experiences. While she loved her job tremendously, she felt the Lord calling her to Uganda in 2013. For about one year, Katie attempted to ignore the pull toward missions. She compares herself to Jonah and his aversion for Nineveh: “I just couldn’t envision leaving my successful job to go into the uncertain world of missions. At one point around that time, I even told one of my roommates that I had zero desire ever to step foot on the continent of Africa.”

But God had other plans, and she finally answered His call.

54 TRINITY TODAY

In 2014, Katie quit her job and traveled to Uganda, where she immediately felt called to full-time missions. Her eyes were opened to the vast poverty existing in areas of Africa, as well as the staggering gaps in the healthcare system.

The short-term trip reignited her passion for missions, and when she returned to the US, she began raising funds to support a long-term trip back. On her next trip, Katie was able to move to Uganda for a year. She worked closely with two Ugandan pastors, implementing projects benefitting the community, including establishing a health clinic in a remote village, creating meal programs feeding more than 2,000 children weekly, providing child life services at medical outreach clinics and working with 110 women from a slum community to create a sustainable jewelry business using local materials. Katies shares, “My time in Uganda really opened my eyes to the immense poverty that exists in certain parts of Africa and some of the serious gaps in their healthcare systems. It completely solidified my desire to work to improve psychosocial care for children and families in low-resource healthcare settings in Africa.”

During her time in Uganda, Katie realized she would need additional specialized training to make a significant long-term impact, so she returned to the US and earned a master of public health degree from Vanderbilt University.

After earning her advanced degree, Katie transitioned back to full-time missions as the Lord orchestrated her move to Zambia in 2017. She now serves as the director of psychosocial services for Family Legacy Missions

P H O T O S CO U R T E S Y O F F A M I LY L E G A C Y M I S S I O N S I N T E R N AT I O N A L

A LU M N I S P O T LI G H T

International, a Christian non-profit organization providing holistic care for more than 14,000 vulnerable children in Zambia. In her impactful role at Family Legacy, Katie oversees psychosocial care initiatives, including counseling services, training in child development, trauma, grief and sexual abuse for the organization’s staff members and several additional trauma-based programs provided by the organization. Katie is passionate about helping the vulnerable and orphaned children of Zambia overcome their traumatic experiences and watching them grow into thriving adults. She considers it a privilege to partner with her Zambian staff members at Family Legacy to empower these most incredible children.

Katie remembers her time at TCA fondly and credits her teachers for a playing a significant role in her spiritual growth during her high school years. Some of those same teachers are now members of her support team! In March of 2019, the TCA Africa Mission Trip, comprised of students, parents and staff, traveled to Zambia to work directly with Katie and Family Legacy. It was a full-circle experience for Katie as her organization was on the receiving end of the blessings produced from the trip. TCA is so proud of alumni like Katie who live out their faith through love and service. — A M

O P P O S I T E PA G E - Katie McGinnis ’03 with her sponsored child in 2019

at the 10th anniversary celebration of the Tree of Life Children’s Village in Zambia, a residential home for 650 orphans and vulnerable children T O P L E F T - Katie McGinnis ’03 with girls who live at the Tree of Life

Children’s Village, in front of Emma’s House, one of 64 residential houses at the Children’s Village (Ten to twelve children and two Zambian house mothers live in each house.)

T O P R I G H T - Counseling team of the Hill Wellness Center, a combined

clinic and counseling center in Zambia

A B O V E - TCA Africa mission team, which traveled to Zambia and served

with Family Legacy Missions International in March 2019

WINTER 2020–21

55

ALUMNI

Jeff McWhorter ’05

PH O T O J O U R N A LI S T

T

T O P - Bryan Gamez, an 18-year-old senior soccer player at Thomas Jefferson High School

in Dallas, looks through the field house window while waiting out a rain delay before a game.

A B O V E - Goalkeepers on the Thomas Jefferson varsity boys soccer team practice at the

school soccer field.

56 TRINITY TODAY

EN OR T W ELV E HISPA N IC

are enjoying a wellearned treat after a soccer game at one of their favorite spots, Raising Cane’s.

Among the group of varsity players seated at tables in the restaurant are a few adults who are congratulating the players, though from appearances, they are not proud parents—more likely just friends of the team. Amid the celebratory recounting of the boys’ winning plays from the game and good deal of laughing and joking around, two young men at the end of one table have a more serious look on their faces as they are talking with a friendly-looking, bearded man with a camera slung over his shoulder. His look is as intense as the boys’, though his contagious smile brightens the mood often enough.

The two boys are Bryan Gamez, 18, a senior at Thomas Jefferson (TJ) High School in Dallas, and Cesar Escobar, 17, a junior at TJ. This is the first time they are meeting photojournalist Jeff McWhorter ’05, who with other members of Northway Church in Dallas had been seeking to invest relationally in the students of TJ. It was the T EENAGE BOYS

P H O T O S CO U R T E S Y O F J E F F M c W H O R T E R ’ 0 5

A LU M N I S P O T LI G H T

beginning of two years building a relationship with Jeff and allowing him to tell their story as Central American immigrants through his photography.

Bryan had come to the US with his family from El Salvador a few years back when he was 14, and Cesar and his family had arrived from Honduras when he was 15. They had both left their country of birth to escape being recruited by dangerous MS-13 gangs, which have in recent years gained extensive power through brutal criminal activity in Central American countries.

Jeff earns his living as a photographer for a variety of clients, including the Dallas Morning News, the Associated Press, SMU, TCA (see his photography throughout Trinity Today!) and other schools and non-profits in the area, but his greatest passion has always been long-form documentary photojournalism. Meeting Bryan and Cesar in 2017, Jeff decided that an important project that he wanted to work on was telling their stories, which are similar to the stories of many families at TJ, which is over 95% Hispanic.

“They were excited to talk to me,” Jeff recalls.

“They were excited that someone was interested in hearing them tell their story.” He describes the crux of what he is seeking to relate with his photo documentary The Time We Have Here: “Here are these boys who are living their daily, normal high school life—playing soccer, trying to earn money to buy a car and buy new shoes, dating, going to prom—but always under the surface, there is the reality that the United States government is determining whether or not they meet the criteria to stay here.” It’s a heavy burden that weighs on these students on top of the normal stresses of teenage life.

What Jeff loves about photojournalism is that he says it feels very pure and honest, the goal being to show people for who they are, for better or for worse. This is very different than when he is doing photography work for clients whose goal is to market their organization, products or services. He shoots a lot of high school sports, which was a natural way to start with documenting the boys he was getting to know at TJ, but he told them, “I’m not really here to get cool pictures of you kicking the soccer ball on the field. I’m here because I’m interested in the deeper story of your life, where you came from and what your experience has been as immigrants.”

Jeff says it’s something that is pretty unusual for most people—to have someone follow you around to document their day-to-day life. But one of the things that makes Jeff’s work so compelling is that it does show those “unimportant” moments of their lives, the moments sometimes in which the

real person comes out. Jeff says you have to be a “faithful presence” in people’s lives, and then they begin to trust you to tell their story.

Jeff describes a crossover between documentary photojournalist and cross-cultural ministry. He says, “A lot of it is just simply physically being there—showing up repeatedly in the same place and showing them I really mean it when I say I’m interested in their life and their story.”

For Jeff, it goes back to the image of God in people. What he wants to communicate to the young men he’s photographing is “Who you are matters. I don’t care to see the version of you that is the best, cleaned-up version. I’m interested in who you are, what your story is, no matter what it is.” When Jeff shows people through his photography work that their lives are worth documenting, he is affirming that despite their circumstances, they are image bearers of God, providing validation, hope and empowerment to people who are facing serious, even lifethreatening, struggles.

One thing that is important to Jeff in doing this kind of work is seeking always to avoid a savior mentality, thinking he has the answers to people’s struggles. When troubled teens tell him about questionable activities they may be getting into, he resists the urge to scold or lecture about how they should be living their lives. He instead asks them to tell him more about it. Why are they making those choices? What do they think about their future? As a photojournalist, he is staying within the ethical bounds of not manipulating the situation he’s documenting, and as someone seeking to show Christ’s love, what Jeff has found is that this kind of honest listening to other’s perspectives rather than speaking his thoughts has opened doors for future opportunities down the road as the relationships continue to develop.

Bryan has relayed to Jeff that there are things he’s told him that he hasn’t told anyone else. Jeff doesn’t think that’s because he’s all that special; it’s just because he was someone there listening to Bryan, someone interested in his life, so Bryan would talk to him. The line between being a true documentarian and becoming a confidante can be blurred, but as that progression has naturally happened, Jeff has been grateful to be able to call Bryan a friend. He has even hired him to be an assistant with some of his other photography work. Now at the point of having earned Bryan’s trust, as the two spend time working together or even just visiting at one another’s homes, more discipleship-oriented conversations happen, where

Bryan asks Jeff’s advice and perspective on things going on in his life.

Jeff sums up how he feels God calls him to use his vocation as a ministry: “It comes down to being really invested where I am. I want to be a neighbor, knowing the people I live near. I want to see an increase in cross-cultural relationships. In light of the conversations that continue to happen about race in our country and inequality in education, to me it all comes back to the problem that we don’t know each other. You take care of the people you know and love, and if you don’t know and love anybody that doesn’t look like you, then there’s no crossover. I hope that the work I do helps to promote cross-cultural relationships.”

Jeff is encouraged by passages in the Bible that point to people who are in lowly situations, people looked down on by others for their background or lack of status, but who honor God in their brokenness. When we see people who may be living rough lives, we can think that those people need us because our lives are more put together. But Jeff tries to remember that Jesus tells those of us who think we have the answers to look to those who we think are beneath us to learn what true humility is.

About a year after the project, Jeff was heading again to Raising Cane’s to meet Bryan and Cesar with a few of their friends. As he was driving to the meet-up, Jeff was thinking since he was the adult, he should pay for the kids’ meal. But when he arrived, there were about eight kids, and he was thinking to himself, “Oh, I’m not sure I want to pay for all these kids. It’s going to be kind of expensive.”

He was the last one in line, and when he got to the counter to place his order, Bryan said, “Hey, I got you. I am paying.” It was one of the events that has stuck out in Jeff’s mind, reminding him that often he has a lot to learn about generosity from people who have less than he does.

The Time We Have Here was published in the Dallas Morning News and recognized by Pictures of the Year International. Jeff has also documented the aftermath of the tornado that hit both his church, Northway Church, and TJ High School on October 20, 2019. He continues documenting the story of TJ as they face the challenges of COVID-19 while still dealing with the effects of the tornado. — K E

CHECK IT OUT

View Jeff’s documentary projects

The Time We Have Here, The Boys of Booker T and Twisted Together at his website,

JEFFREYMCWHORTER.COM

WINTER 2020–21

57

ALUMNI

LE G AC Y

Letter from the Alumni Association President

L

IFE T ESTS US DA ILY. Sometimes the test is

seemingly inconsequential, and other times it is all consuming. What defines us is the decisions that we make while responding to those tests. 2020 will be reflected in the annals of history as a year that has tested everyone to what many might have previously considered would be their breaking point. However, there is a silver lining. What we gain by being tested is the wisdom and experience needed for the future.

This is especially true for those who lead us. This past year saw many leading through uncharted waters without any previous data to inform their decisions which would deeply impact others. In nature, the outcome of intense pressure often culminates in the most remarkable things.

Likewise, the unwavering leadership of the staff, faculty and administration of TCA during this time of intense pressure has resulted in an extraordinary outcome. TCA is stronger now than it was a year ago. We are a better and more close-knit community.

Who would have thought that isolation would bring so many closer together?

On behalf of all the TCA alumni and the Alumni Association, I want to thank everyone at TCA for their steadfastness and grit during 2020.

We must now use the lessons learned from this past year and look to the future—2021 and beyond.

For the Alumni Association, this year has been spent reflecting on what has been done in the past and what we could do better in the future. We asked ourselves, “Why?” We have been questioning everything.

58 TRINITY TODAY

How can we be better stewards? What can we do to invigorate our alumni base?

I have been a member of the Alumni Association Board since 2015, and this past year has been my favorite year of service. While we have not been able to hold our usual events or meet in person, we have accomplished a great deal. Our goal was to do something that is difficult for any organization—we put a metaphorical mirror up and asked how we could improve. There have been some amazing ideas that have been shared, and we are excited to begin working towards implementation.

As we progress through 2021, we would like to become better known to the entire TCA community. The Alumni Association should be a present participant on campus. Our desire is that our alumni feel more supported by our board.

Almost everyone reading this will one day be an alumnus or be the parent/grandparent of an alumnus. Your opinion matters to us.

What can we do better?

Please contact anyone on the Alumni Association Board with ideas or to get involved. We would love to hear from you.

2020 tested us, but it also prepared us for 2021 and beyond.

LA N E CON N ER ’99 Alumni Association President

SPRING ALUMNI WEEKEND April 23–25, 2021

UPCOMING EVENTS & ALUMNI NEWS SPRING ALUMNI WEEKEND A PR I L 2 3 –2 5 ( T E N TAT I V E )

We have not been able to meet with our alumni since January 2020, and we are very excited to plan a fun alumni weekend this spring where we can gather together. We want to celebrate individual reunions for the classes of 1976, 1981, 1986, 1991, 1996, 2001, 2006, 2011 and 2016. And we have rescheduled for this spring the individual reunions for the classes of 1975, 1980, 1985, 1990, 1995, 2000, 2005, 2010 and 2015.

We will make a decision on our plans for this event soon based on possible COVID-19 restrictions. Stay tuned for more details for this event!

ALUMNI ASSOCIATION BOARD ( AU G U S T 2 0 2 0 – J U LY 2 0 2 1) LANE CONNER ’99 , President ASHLI BURBRIDGE AVERY ’98 , Vice President

of Connections JACKIE SCHIMMER HARRISON ’86 , Vice

President of Alumni Parents MICHAEL NOVAKOVICH ’13 , Vice President

of Alumni Parents

STAY CONNECTED Be sure to follow us on social media: www.facebook.com/ TCAAlumniAddison www.instagram.com/tca_alumni_ addison

UPDATE YOUR CONTACT INFORMATION Moved? Changed your email and/or cell

BR ANDON WADDELL ’97, Vice President of

number? Go to www.trinitychristian.org/

Community

alumni/update-contact-information to

ANNIE ARMES WOOD ’14

CALLING FUTURE TROJANS!

JO ANN FERRELL HODGES ’87

The TCA Office of Admission is currently accepting applications for the 2021-22 school year and would love for our alumni to join the legacy family. Applications are due January 15, and the application fee is waived for alumni. Applications received after January 15 will not be considered in the first round of decisions, but acceptances will still be made based on availability. Please contact Leslie Cotter McCabe ’90 at lmccabe@ trinitychristian.org with questions and for the waiver code.

TYLER GALVIN ’15 KENTON GETZ ’84 KATE LYNCH ’97 DAVID PURCEY ’01 BETH HARWELL,

Director of Alumni

If you are interested in learning more about being on the Alumni Association Board, contact Beth at bharwell@trinitychristian.org.

update your info.

PAVERS Honor a current student, alumnus, faculty, staff or family member with a brick paver.

For $150, a paver may be purchased and placed in the Alumni Garden next to the TCA Performing Arts Center. All proceeds benefit the Alumni Association and Student Tuition Aid. For more information contact Director of Alumni Beth Harwell at bharwell@trinitychristian.org or go to www.trinitychristian.org/alumni to order online.

WINTER 2020–21

59

IN MEMORIAM WINTER 2020–21

Cal Greer, alumni parent May 13, 2020

Donald Ray Rector Jr., alumni parent, faculty spouse August 18, 2020

David Brooks Jones ‘83 September 4, 2020

Lorenzo Leslie “L.L.” Cotter III, alumni parent, TCA Foundation Board member, 2003–2020 October 30, 2020

William “Bill” Edwin Millet Jr., alumni parent November 11, 2020

Steven Michael Ellis, alumni parent November 29, 2020

Ronald D. Watts, PhD, alumni parent January 1, 2021

LAST WORD CHRISTMAS CARING TCA has had a long relationship with Carter BloodCare and has hosted two mobile blood drives on campus this school year, most recently on December 3 when over 30 teachers, students and parents donated blood. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, many blood drives have ended up cancelled, so the blood supply is critically low, which made it particularly important for TCA to do our part to help.

There is still a desperate need for blood in all parts of the country, so please, if you can, go to CARTERBLOODCARE.ORG and sign up to donate.

IN MEMORIA M PHOTO BY JEFF McWHORTER ’ 05; B LO O D D R I V E P H O T O B Y K E N D A L L E L L I S

NON PROFIT U.S. POSTAGE

17001 Addison Road Addison, TX 75001

NOTE TO PARENTS

If this publication is addressed to a graduate who no longer maintains a permanent address at your home, please notify Kendall Ellis at kellis@trinitychristian.org of his or her new mailing address. Thank you!

© 2021 TRINIT Y CHRIS TIAN AC ADEMY, PRINTED BY MILLE T THE PRINTER , DALL A S, TE X A S

PAID DALLAS, TX PERMIT 2650