Trinity Christian School Year in Review 2023-2024

Trinity Christian School is governed by an independent, self-perpetuating Board of Trustees. Trinity has been blessed throughout its history with trustees who are well-qualified both professionally and spiritually to provide leadership as the school has grown.

Shannon Allen, Chair TCS Parent

Craig Maul, Vice-Chair Perinatal Information Systems Analyst Inova Health System

Michael Hardesty, Treasurer Corporate Vice President and Controller Northrop Grumman Corporation

Julie Phillips, Secretary TCS Parent

Wallace L. Butler Managing Senior Counsel Federal - Palo Alto Networks

Steven Chung Partner

Hughes Hubbard & Reed LLP

Nicole Hoplin President Hoplin Jackson Charitable Advisors

Casey Mattox Vice President for Legal and Judicial Strategy Americans for Prosperity

David Meeker Principal Senior Analyst SAIC

William Moss Vice President and Controller General Dynamics Corporation

Aaron Renenger TCS Parent

Santiago Sedaca Chief Impact Officer Wise Responder

Kristen Short Managing Partner Advanced Strategies

Matt Thomas, Ed.D Head of School, CEO Trinity Christian School

Mark Whitaker, Esq. Partner

DLA Piper LLP (US)

Thomas Yates, Esq. Partner

Yates Campbell & Hoeg LLP

Johnny Yun Senior Vice President Yun Wealth Management at RBC

Trinity Christian School exists to educate students to the glory of God by pursuing excellence for mind and heart.

Trinity Christian School is a K–12 independent Christian school serving Northern Virginia.

2019 National Blue Ribbon School

HEAD OF SCHOOL FROM THE HEAD OF SCHOOL

As my first year as Head of School has ended, I have concluded that this has been the best year of my educational career. I say this because of the countless benefits the Lord has graciously extended to me, my family, and the Trinity community.

Too often reflection causes one to think more of the challenges and problems encountered than the ever-present faithfulness of God. Blessings can be written in the sand while our grievances are written in cement. David reminds us that our reflection should begin by savoring the steady blessings and remembering that goodness and mercy have followed us all the days of our lives.

Psalm 103 has encouraged me on several occasions this year because it counters the inclinations of ingratitude and forgetfulness. It is a psalm that reminds us to count our blessings and to name them one by one. It is a psalm that captures our memory because our memory is a handmaid to worship. It is a psalm that calls the believer to reflect on the tangible faithfulness of God.

Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits. Psalm 103:2

As you browse Trinity’s Year in Review, I trust you will be encouraged by the memories and join me in giving thanks to the Lord for his innumerable blessings.

Matt Thomas Head of School, CEO

10 Things

YOU DIDN'T KNOW ABOUT DR. THOMAS

GET TO KNOW OUR HEAD OF SCHOOL EVEN BETTER!

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

He loves to vacuum.

He played the trumpet in junior high.

His favorite cuisine is Italian.

He has always loved to skateboard.

He gets up at 4:00 a.m.

He loves chips and salsa.

He played basketball in high school.

He reads mostly (if not all) non-fiction books.

He wants to retire someday at the beach.

His favorite Bible verse is Acts 20:24.

P.S. He also hates pickles!

Start here!

AUG

TCS dad, Lt. Col. Ledbetter, took the last flight of his military career over our campus. Two of his children, Izzie and Levi, were out on the field as he did, and the entire group of students joined in to form a giant heart, making the experience extra special for both Lt. Col. Ledbetter and his children!

Dr. Thomas kicked off the year at Back-toSchool Faculty and Staff In-Service. The Upper School Worship Team led faculty and staff in song at the end of the week.

MAY

In our annual Grandfriends Day, family and friends visited campus to enjoy a Lower School concert and art show!

Christian band, Rend Collective, shared Trinity’s Instagram story of Lower School student Ethan Beale performing a rendition of the song, “My Lighthouse.”

Alumni from Trinity ’ s Class of 2014 visited campus for their tenyear reunion (see pg. 31)!

APR

TCS Chaplain, Rev. David Stephenson, hosted a Mental Health Panel in Upper School Chapel. Scan the QR code to listen to the podcast version of the conversation.

Students, faculty, and staff all got a glimpse at the wonder of creation as we stopped to observe the solar eclipse!

SEPT

On “See You at the Pole” Day, students gathered around the flagpole to pray for our school and nation.

Head of School Dr. Thomas had a big birthday! Scan the QR code to see how our Lower School students helped us celebrate!

YEAR AT

Some of our

MAR

TCS Wind Ensemble students received a Superior rating at District Band Assessment!

Over Spring Break, a group of performing arts students took a trip to New York City while a group of foreign language students headed to Rome.

Seniors left their mark on Trinity by leaving handprints on the Trinity rock.

OCT

Students across all grades worshiped together at the first K – 12 chapel of the year.

We won our annual Dig Pink Volleyball Game and raised money for the Side-Out Foundation to support breast cancer research! Head of School Dr. Thomas even joined in on the student-faculty game!

A GLANCE

favorite moments

DEC

Students and staff shook the hands of heroes at our annual Veterans Day Chapel.

Our kindergarten students celebrated the 50th day of school in 50s-era outfits!

NOV

Our Color Guard conducted its annual ceremony on National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day to honor those who lost their lives.

FEB

Upper School students performed in Coffee House, our annual student talent show.

TCS Alumnus Mr. Jon Lindsley ‘13 was featured on American Idol!

We collected over 1,000 cans in our SOUP-er Bowl food drive for Central Union Mission!

Our Debate Team made Trinity history when freshman Daisy Jenkins and sophomore Evelyn Turner qualified for nationals (see pg. 30)!

Faculty members joined the Concert Choir/Honors Choral Ensemble to sing “O Holy Night” at this year’s Christmas concert.

JAN

A group of courageous students headed to Washington to walk in the March for Life!

Trinity’s Varsity Cheer Team won the Christian Cheerleaders of America National Championship!

Coach Kevin Ames and alumna Kelsey Meins ‘16 were inducted into the TCS Hall of Fame! Scan the QR code to read more!

FOUR HOUSES

ONE FAMILY

Trinity’s house system is built upon our school’s core values of truth, courage, and service, which are united in our common bond of faithfulness. In Trinity’s four houses, students build community, not only as an Upper School student body, but also as members of smaller house and form communities. These houses and forms create opportunities for students to foster relationships with peers in the Upper School (houses) and within their own grade levels (forms). Trinity’s faculty and staff are members of houses as well, leading our students in example and prayer. The aim is for students to feel a sense of belonging at Trinity and to know that they are each seen, known, and loved

Part of this house system involves some friendly competition between the four houses, culminating in the awarding of a House Cup to whichever house ends the year with the most house points. This year, House Veritas won handily with 20 points, with House Fidelis in second with 18.5 points, House Fortitudo in third with 17.5 points, and House Caritas in fourth with seven points.

1 This year, the first day of school was also House Day! Students spent time with their respective houses, bonding as groups, coming up with cheers and chants, and even competing in games!

Houses competed in a game of Capture the Chicken, a Trinity favorite, on our turf fields for house points!

November Madness is a house competition that involves many challenges like chess, basketball, tug of war, and more!

In our annual Quizbowl competition, each house provided a team from each grade (7 – 12) to compete in various rounds of trivia. Students were quizzed on their knowledge in English, math, science, history, Bible, and general knowledge.

Throughout the year, houses hold assemblies where all members in a house meet together to go over house business, build team spirit, worship and pray together, play games, and sometimes even hold talent shows!

Our house system also acts as an avenue for intergrade connection as students within each house range from grade 7 – 12. Thus, at house assemblies, all grades are represented. Near the end of the year, students in House Caritas honored graduating seniors by gathering in the gym and praying over them in groups!

Veritas House of Truth

Fortitudo House of Courage

Fidelis House of Faithfulness

Caritas House of Service

STEAM DAY

DRIVING INNOVATION

For the first time ever, Trinity held a STEAM Day! This full-day Upper School engineering and design competition required students in each house to work as a team to design and produce a model car with functioning wheels using only cardboard, tape, and hot glue. The cars were then judged by a panel of faculty and staff based on aesthetics, realism, durability, distance traveled, and teamwork! Our clever and creative students did not disappoint!

#FOURHOUSESONEFAMILY

LOWER SCHOOL

There’s always something fun happening in kindergarten! From 50s Day to Election Day to the Hundredth Day to Valentine’s Day, these little ones sure do love to celebrate! This year, they even had a “Book Bakery” to sample different book genres!

First-grade students explored nature in their science classes, improved their skills in After School Enrichment, celebrated Pi Day, and even presented on famous characters of American history!

In Grade 4, students got creative with clay and dioramas and even traveled back in time on Colonial Day! Three brave fourth-grade students even conducted a sit-down interview with Trinity’s Head of School Dr. Thomas!

This year, students in second grade were busy discovering the world around them through science labs, outdoor exploration, and even Native American Day, in which they studied and celebrated Native American culture.

Third-grade students spent their year reading, writing, calculating, acting, and exploring! Perhaps most notable was their amazing “Famous Virginians Wax Museum!” In this assignment, students wrote research papers on various famous Virginians and created frames decorated with facts about them. They came into school dressed as their famous Virginians and “came to life” at the touch of a button, reciting brief biographies in character! Different classes signed up to visit the “wax museum” and hear the students present as their famous Virginians.

According to third-grade teacher Ms. Lauren Kim, the goal of this assignment was for students to learn about Virginia’s history while practicing their research and summarization skills.

“I am very proud of what the students accomplished,” Ms. Kim said. “They all spoke with confidence and delivered their speeches well!”

These sixth-grade students spent the year growing and preparing for Upper School by spending time in prayer and spiritual conversation with Mr. Peter Schnuda, reading to kindergarten students in the library, and getting some serious hands-on learning with Mrs. Shannon Wise in science class, including planting and nurturing a garden right here on campus!

Meet Selah!

“For my project, I chose Sarah Garland Boyd Jones. She was the first African American woman to pass the Virginia State Medicine Board examination... [Her story] inspired me because it doesn't matter if you're Black or white... God can help people to do anything.”

In fifth grade, students became engineers in their rollercoaster lab, detectives in their fingerprint lab, microbiologists in their microscope lab, and archaeologists on Egyptian Day! They even presented their science fair projects to the lower grades, demonstrating mastery of their learning by teaching!

UPPER SCHOOL

At Trinity, our Upper School includes students in Grades 7 – 12. These important years are marked by experiential learning, where students are not merely listening to lectures but actively engaging in curriculum!

In our science classes, students experiment, dissect, measure, observe, record, and present. As they discover the beauty, intricacy, and vastness of creation, they also discover more about their Creator!

In this annual class activity, environmental science students debate the best energy source, presenting relevant research and statistics and citing their sources. Teams debate one versus one, and students vote on a winner in this bracketstyle tournament until only one team is given the coveted Energy Award that comes with a trophy homemade by Mrs. Schiffman herself!

In Mrs. Kimberly Schiffman’s biology class, students learn about genetics and how modern scientists can edit genes to directly influence genetic outcomes. While the curriculum covers the science behind this, Mrs. Schiffman pushes her students to think deeper and engage their biblical worldview to consider the ethical implications of this application of science. Every year, her students sit in a circle and engage in a debate on this topic, applying what they’ve learned in class to current, real-world scenarios.

Ms. Bethany Rexroth’s eighth-grade civics class held a mock presidential election this year. Students split into parties, chose candidates, and organized into teams of debaters, pollsters, advertising managers, and more. This process culminated in a presidential debate in the gym in front of an audience of classmates and faculty members!

Tenth-grade English students participated in the annual “Macbeth Trials,” in which students impersonate, question, and cross-examine different characters from the Shakespearean play, ultimately deciding who is truly at fault for the king’s murder. Students utilize textual evidence, craft and present arguments, engage in healthy debate, and even laugh a little in the process!

CELEBRATING SENIORS

Senior year is special here at Trinity. We love to celebrate, encourage, and prepare these students in particular as they ready to leave home and embark on their next chapters. We do this through challenging projects, special privileges, and honored traditions.

Students begin researching, planning, and writing their Senior Thesis papers junior year. By the end of senior year, they are ready to present their Oral Defenses in front of a panel of faculty and administration. This is the culmination of the hundreds of hours they’ve poured into the process. It has also come to represent the final checkpoint before they graduate and move beyond the walls of Trinity.

Each year, seniors participate in Model Senate! This is a simulation of the United States Senate Floor Debate in which students are assigned committees and political parties, run for leadership positions, draft legislation on a selected topic, bring in guest speakers for committee hearings, revise legislation, and pass it through a committee. This culminates in a day-long, intensive simulation of the Senate Floor Debate, complete with filibusters, amendments, alliances, and more!

Seniors begin the school year with the Senior Retreat. This is a time when the senior class gets off campus for a weekend together with a handful of faculty and staff, worshiping, praying over the school year, studying God’s Word, having fun, and bonding together as a class.

Trinity honors the senior and junior classes with prom, a formal dance at the end of the year. The theme of this year’s prom was Masquerade Ball! Complete with fine dining, community building, and spirited dancing, it’s safe to say it was a night to remember!

Senior girls participated in an in-house flag football game (known as Powder Puff) against junior girls, while the senior boys took on the role of cheerleaders! Upper School students loved watching, cheering, and laughing from the sidelines. The girls impressed us with their athleticism while the boys had us all giggling at their haphazard but wholehearted cheer routines. Congratulations to the senior girls for handily beating the juniors!

“Senior Retreat was a great time of spiritual encouragement for us. Especially during times of worship, all of us singing together made us feel united.”

-Charlie Copeland ‘24

With 88 students, this year’s graduating class was the largest Trinity has ever seen! We've come a long way from the three students that made up Trinity’s first graduating class in 2001!

Meet our Lifers!

This year’s Trinity “Lifers” have been students at Trinity since they entered kindergarten in 2012! We’ve loved to watch them grow! What a bittersweet goodbye!

Meet Jingteng!

Jingteng first came to Trinity in 2019 when he was in Grade 7. Unlike most students who start in the Upper School, Jingteng came from China and spoke almost no English. While the cultural transition was incredibly challenging, he looks back on that time fondly, recalling how ardently his classmates pursued friendship with him despite the language and cultural barriers.

He remembered sitting by himself at lunch when a group of Trinity students approached him, finding an alternative way to communicate and connect.

“They just invited me to join them and play cards,” he said. “At first I felt embarrassed for not being ‘normal’ but... looking back, I'm so happy that I made those friends.”

When he joined the cross country team, he found an even deeper sense of belonging, particularly with one of his new teammates, Liam Chu.

“Liam made me feel like a ‘normal’ person. I couldn't understand what he was talking about, but he didn’t even

seem to notice,” he laughed. “We just had fun together anyways.”

He also credits his teachers and staff members for helping him as he adapted to his new environment. One teacher in particular had a huge impact on him: his math teacher, Mrs. Cathy Case.

“When I was in her math class, she was so patient with me,” he said. “Back then, I couldn’t express myself, but Mrs. Case was the person that I could talk to.”

Now as a recent graduate leaving the community that became his family, he is deeply thankful for the ways the school prepared him. While he noted that his ability to express himself in writing will aid him at University of Virginia next year, he noted that the most impactful tool with which Trinity has equipped him is courage.

“The students here are courageous,” he said. “They dare to express themselves, and they don’t hold their faith to themselves. I feel like this school has brought me courage. The people here shared with me how to do that.”

CONGRATULATIONS TO

Richard Christian Abidin‡ University of Virginia

Lincoln James Allen‡ Texas Christian University

Joseph Alles† Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University

Annika Lee Allmacher‡ New York University

Dominic Ryan Attiliis‡ ................... Liberty University§

Nicole Ayad‡ ..................... George Mason University

David Bahnan‡

University of Virginia

Mary Mae Bailey‡ Wheaton College

Christopher John Balle‡ Clemson University

Grace Caroline Boutz‡ Liberty University

Nora Isabelle Bruenjes‡

Messiah University

Reagan Gayle Buff* ............... James Madison University

Alyssa Burns ................ University of Mary Washington

Ethan Cole Bustamante‡ University of Virginia

Addison Ackley Carr‡ The Ohio State University

Shaun Taek-Joon Chung‡ United States Coast Guard Academy

Carter James Cole† Virginia Tech

Charles Robert Copeland† ................. Baylor University

Evan P. Crouse†

William and Mary

Thomas Morgan Crumley† .................... Virginia Tech

Audrey Cecilia Elam‡ Virginia Tech

Camryn Evans‡ Clemson University

Emily Ann Fischer‡ James Madison University

Andrew Bryan Fisher† Belmont University

Emerson Ruby Fridenberg Longwood University

Robert Fritsch‡ Gap Year

Jack Grace‡ Case Western Reserve University§

Katherine Meilan Hanna* .

Virginia Tech

Sherry Grace Helito .............. George Mason University

Kiki Helmer† .......................... Saint Mary’s College

John Thomas Higgins* Liberty University

Katherine Hill Plymouth State University

Grayson May Hill* University of Tennessee (Chattanooga)

Roger Douglas Hill III ................University of Kentucky

Sydney Parrish Hill‡

. University of South Carolina

Knox Benjamin Houston ................. Liberty University

Jack Hume‡ Penn State University

Matthew Daniel Hwang‡ Virginia Tech

Elliot Jang‡ University of Virginia

Kaylee Alexis Janysek‡ Northeastern University

Joby Eunsang Jung‡

Paige Madison Kelly‡

Justin Kim‡

University of Virginia

Christopher Newport University

University of Virginia

Micah Randall Kirby* Virginia Tech

Aryaan Isaiah Lal‡ Virginia Tech

William Owen Lam Arizona State University

THE CLASS OF 2024!

Joshua Andrew Lauer* Virginia Tech

Paula Shaiel Lemus‡ Louisiana State University

Callum Lingle‡ Virginia Tech

Jocelyn Claire Lohmeyer† Georgetown University

Ross Allen Lohmeyer‡ .................. University of Florida

Josephine Amille Malone‡

Liberty University

Benjamin Richard McNiff‡ ............. University of Virginia

Makana Kyomita Merrifield† James Madison University

Evie Miller‡ The University of Tennessee

Katherine Rose Miller University of Mary Washington

Ajai Johari Mitchell* .............. James Madison University

Aaron Morales‡

Lukas Moussa*

University of Maryland

The Ocean Corporation

Molly Anne Murphy‡ University of Florida

Andrew Stewart Nelson‡ James Madison University

Benjamin Matthew Nicosia‡ The Ohio State University

Zarah Esther Osman* Hampton University

Emily Park‡ ...................... George Mason University

Ian Park† ......................... Johns Hopkins University

Zachary Hyunsoo Park† ...................... Virginia Tech

Maelle Leilani Paul* Saint Mary’s College

Nathaniel Scott Pearson‡ Christopher Newport University

Katelyn Mackenzie Randel† Texas Tech University

Haley Elisabeth Rexroth‡ The University of Tennessee

Grace Christine Rihani‡. . .University of Virginia (Wise Campus)

Christopher Joseph Romani‡ Baylor University

Daniel Andrew Ron* James Madison University

Steven Ron ............................. Liberty University

Kaitlyn Schwartz‡ ...................... Saint Mary’s College

Jacob Paul Sedaca‡

. . University of Virginia

Jingteng Shuai‡ University of Virginia

Emma Hope Thomas† Baylor University

Lauren Elise Thompson‡ Clemson University

Caterina Cecilia Ubelhart. . . . Christopher Newport University

Christian Vought ............................ Berry College

Luke JiaEn Wang‡ .......................... Duke University

Ethan Frazer Whitaker‡ University of Virginia

Allison Grace Witdoeckt‡ University of Pittsburgh

Kristen Ann Womack‡ University of Virginia

Irene Isabella Yaroschak. . . . .Richard Bland College of William and Mary

Henry Storey Yates‡ ................ Wake Forest University

Laela Yu‡ ................................... Virginia Tech

*Cum Laude †Magna Cum Laude ‡Summa Cum Laude §Deferred Scan the QR code to view a recording of the Commencement ceremony.

K

12 ON ONE CAMPUS

Trinity is a K – 12 school, meaning our littlest Gryphons are in kindergarten, and our biggest are getting ready to leave the nest and head to college. Because of this broad age range, students have the unique opportunity to interact with other students in various grades and stages of development, allowing for mentorship, role modeling, learning, and teaching... and also so many adorable moments!

In one of our favorite Trinity traditions, every Lower School class “adopts” a group of four to five seniors to care for throughout the year. The Lower School students pray for their seniors before tests, write them notes of encouragement, and look up to them. In turn, the seniors visit their adoptive Lower School students, playing with them, talking with them, reading to them, and sometimes even bringing treats or playing music for them. The tender moments of connection that happen in the process are priceless!

In the Lower School Reading Buddies Program, kindergarten students learn from sixth-grade students, while the sixthgrade students act as role models and mentors. This also prepares the sixthgrade students to enter the Upper School the following year!

In our Educational Internship Program, Upper School students act as helpers in Lower School classrooms, guiding and teaching younger students!

Several times throughout the school year, the entire student body gathers in the gym for a joint Chapel. During this shared time of learning, worship, and fellowship, seniors sit with their “adopted” Lower School classes on the gym floor, modeling prayer and worship for their young companions.

At the beginning of each year, seniors take their “First Walk,” commemorating the start of their last year at Trinity. At the end of the school year, they walk again, this time in their caps and gowns, commemorating the end of their time here. In both walks, Lower School students line the sidewalks to cheer on their “adopted” seniors!

PERFORMING ARTS

Performing arts at Trinity is about performing not to our own glory, but to the glory of God. We believe that through our voices, our instruments, and our acting, we point to a higher truth. It is through the honing of our skills and our pursuit of excellence that we honor the gifts with which God has endowed us and use them to point to the message of the gospel.

This year, Trinity’s Drama Department welcomed a new theater director: Trinity Alumna ‘18 Ms. Bella Kitts! Ms. Kitts is also the new Lower School music teacher. We were so pleased to welcome one of our beloved alumni back onto to campus. Under her leadership, Trinity put on two spectacular plays, one in the fall and one in the spring.

The fall play was “And Then There Was One: A Spoof,” which was a wacky and whimsical “whodunnit!” In this parody of the famous Agatha Christie mystery novel turned play, students delighted the audience with their comedic performance.

In the spring, students did another twist on a classic: “The Wonderful Wizard of Oz.” From the costumes to the set to the acting, this production was a huge hit for adults and children alike! The play featured students in both the Upper and Lower School, providing yet another way for students of all ages to connect and create something together!

We are so impressed with these talented students and so proud of Ms. Kitts for stepping into a new role at her old school and blessing Trinity with her gift of directing!

Our annual Grandfriends Day concert is one of the most adorable days of the year at Trinity! Lower School students sing for an audience of parents, grandparents, and friends. The concert is followed by an art show in which guests can visit classrooms and see their students’ artwork!

Meet Ian!

Senior Ian Park first came to Trinity in 2012 when he was in kindergarten, making him a Trinity “Lifer.”

He has been involved in performing arts at Trinity in so many capacities ever since he joined the Upper School in Grade 7. He plays guitar on Trinity’s Worship Team, performs in the annual Performing Arts Café, and plays the clarinet and guitar in both Band and Jazz Band.

This year, he was selected for AllState Band, placing fifth among all clarinets from across the state!

While Ian clearly has a God-given musical gift, he credits much of his growth as a musician and performer to Trinity’s performing arts program and its faculty, particularly

Every year, Trinity holds a Performing Arts Café, a fun concert that features jazz band, orchestra, and choir! This year’s theme was “Under the Spotlight!”

Performing Arts Department Chair

Dr. John Nye. According to Ian, Dr. Nye’s gift as a teacher is displayed in the students’ marked improvement from one year to the next.

“Dr. Nye has really pushed us to the limit of what we could’ve achieved this year,” Ian said. “If you compare us from last year to this year, we’ve become so much better. He’s very persistent and pushy... that sounds really mean [laughs], but I truly mean it as a good thing! He’s like a good coach in that way.”

Dr. Nye’s knack for both supporting and pushing his students has become part of the performing arts culture at Trinity.

“Just that persistence and that good coaching has taught me what it means to be a good teammate,” Ian explained. “I think the culture is incredibly supportive of one another. We celebrate our victories together while also pushing each other to be even better.”

Another element of the performing arts culture comes into play in the interactions between older and younger Upper School students. Within band, orchestra, and choir, students range from seventh to twelfth grade, meaning there is ample opportunity for mentorship between students. There are even opportunities for Upper School

students to mentor Lower School students through things like Band Buddies, in which Upper School students help Lower School students practice their instruments after school, or the annual Instrument Petting Zoo, in which Upper School students demonstrate various instruments to Lower School students to help them discover what they might be interested in playing themselves.

“It’s so cool to get to know the kids but also help foster their growth,” Ian said.

Ultimately, Ian’s favorite thing about performing arts at Trinity has less to do with the improvement of his skill and more to do with the familial and distinctly Christian culture.

“We’ve kind of grown up together,” he said. “It’s formed this community that feels like brothers and sisters. We’re all growing together and performing music to the glory of God instead of ourselves.”

Next year, Ian will be attending Peabody Conservatory at Johns Hopkins University, where he will be pursuing a unique double-major in clarinet and recording arts & sciences. We can’t wait to see him use his gifts to glorify God in college and beyond!

VISUAL ARTS

At Trinity, we believe that, being made in the image of our Creator, we too have the ability and calling to create. We also believe that our creation should reflect the truth, beauty, and goodness of God. Art is important and valuable because it speaks to our identity as image-bearers and can be a mouthpiece for the gospel. We are constantly in awe of what our students create, and we love coming alongside them to help them hone their craft and open their eyes to new ways of seeing the world around them.

In October, Trinity’s Upper School art students took a field trip to the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts. In the following days, they participated in the “VMFA Chalk It Up Challenge!” They beautified the sidewalks of our campus with chalk drawings inspired by their visit to the VMFA. The arc never looked better!

Trinity photography students created these incredible “light paintings” using lights and long-exposure photography to capture motion! Experimenting with new techniques is all part of the creative process!

Every year, this art project is one of our favorite transformations! These amazing student self-portraits came a long way after some instruction from Visual Arts Department Chair and Upper School Art Teacher Mrs. Deb Dayhoff! A little time, practice, and an amazing art teacher sure can make a huge difference! We are blown away by the talent and growth of our students every day at Trinity!

ATHLETICS

Thriving Now and Investing for the Future

One of the core words in Trinity’s athletics RISE culture is “investment,” which we define as a purposeful giving of our time and effort to our teammates for the benefit of the present season and seasons to come, even if we don’t ever see or reap the fruit of our labor. Every success from this season stems from work done in previous years.

Before there were turf fields, before there was a gym on campus, before Trinity was part of the Virginia Christian Athletic Conference (VCAC) or the Virginia Independent Schools Athletic Association (VISAA), there were student-athletes, teachers, and coaches who made the most of every opportunity.

Every athlete is an important piece of the puzzle, a tool used in God’s almighty plan to share and celebrate his glory on the field, the court, the pool, or the track.

Here are some of the athletic achievements that Trinity celebrated this year:

• Boys Varsity Soccer and Varsity Golf both had first-time state championship victories.

• Varsity Cheer won the Christian Cheerleaders of America Grand National Championship for the second time in three years.

• Boys Cross Country, Girls Cross Country, Field Hockey, Girls Swim & Dive, Girls Soccer, and Golf all won conference championships. We also had eight varsity conference runner-ups.

• Ten different athletes earned Conference and/or State Player of the Year recognition in their respective sports, and eight coaches earned Conference and/or State Coach of the Year recognition.

The level of investment that this class of almost 70 senior student-athletes and managers leave behind is staggering. When we think of what has been done this year alone, we are filled with hope for the future.

To all our Trinity alumni who have participated in Trinity athletics, the time, effort, and energy you devoted to the program keeps Trinity successful today.

To our current student-athletes who have more athletics seasons to come, it is exciting to see what you are doing and how you will impact the future of Trinity.

athletes before you, younger Gryphons now look forward to one day playing on the foundation you built.

Past work leads to current success. Current work leads to future success. We praise God for his innumerable blessings each season and for the years to come!

THIS IS TRINITY’S WIN SOCCER STATE CHAMPIONS

Trinity’s Boys Varsity Soccer Team had a tremendous year. Not only did it go 16-2-2, but it made Trinity history when the boys won the VISAA Division II Soccer State Championship.

According to senior Jack Grace, a mid-season rough patch was the catalyst for the boys’ eventual state victory. Jack believes their confidence going into a game against Wakefield School, a Division III school, lulled them into a false sense of security. When two key Trinity players were unexpectedly out, Wakefield beat them 1-0, and the devastating loss began a needed shift in the team’s mentality.

“That loss really made us look at ourselves in the mirror,” Jack said. “We realized we can’t just rely on our few best players to win. We’d have to do it together as a team.”

A few weeks later, in a regular season game against Highland School, things seemingly got even worse for the team when a key player, junior Graham Whittle, suffered a seasonending injury that required major surgery. In that moment, the team was shaken.

“I’m not sure if you’ve ever seen 30 boys out on a field just crying, but it was wild,” Jack said.

Though traumatic in the moment, Jack believes it was that difficult time

that pushed the boys to try harder and care more deeply.

“I think that’s when we truly realized that we have to stick together and play for Graham and for something larger than ourselves,” he said. “In my mind, that’s when we changed from a team that was having fun and playing well to a team that could actually win this.”

And after that, the boys did play incredibly well, losing only in the conference championship against Seton School but then beating them in the state semifinals. The moment they realized they’d be playing in the state championship, a parent in the stands took a video on her phone. In the video, the boys are celebrating on the field, enjoying their victory as a team. But upon closer inspection, the viewer will notice one player is not with them. Rather, he is off to the side, sitting with one of the boys from the Seton team, consoling him. That boy was Jack.

When asked about the interaction, Jack explained that he’d played against this particular player about eight times in his high school career and had always admired him for his athleticism and humility. In Jack’s view, the least he could do was be there for this fellow athlete and brother in Christ.

“I know in that moment, he was blaming himself for the loss, because if I was him, that’s what I’d be doing too,” Jack said. “I knew that moment was an opportunity to show God’s love to this guy and to show that soccer is more than just the game. It’s not just about the sport. It’s not about winning or losing. It’s about the people.”

That same mentality applied to their state victory as well. When they brought home the state trophy and walked in the celebratory parade at Trinity, the boys didn’t see themselves as the stars. Rather, they saw their entire school community celebrating a victory that they all fought for and won together.

“This isn’t my win. This isn’t the captains’ win. This isn’t the 28-guyson-the-field’s win,” Jack said. “This is a win for everybody who has ever cared about Trinity soccer: the parents, the managers, the coaches, every single fan who showed up to a game. Everybody played a part. This is Trinity’s win.”

YOUNG AND HUNGRY

WINS THE STATE

This year’s Varsity Golf Team made Trinity history when it won the Division II VISAA State Championship this spring!

While our golf program (which began in 2014) has seen individuals go to states, never before have we qualified for states as a team, much less won!

Senior Chris Balle, the team’s captain, had a particularly special game. It was the last game of his high school career, and not only did he win states with his team, but he also made an eagle on hole three and scored his personal best, breaking 80.

“It definitely was a fever dream of a round, and I couldn’t have imagined a better way for my golf career to end,” Chris said. “But really, it’s just a testament to the hard work our team and coaches put in, and luckily it all came through in the right moment.”

It can’t go unnoticed that the team is young, especially for having just won the state championship. It is comprised of three seventhgrade students (who practice with the team but will not be able to compete until eighth grade), five eighth-grade students, one tenth-grade student, two eleventhgrade students, and one graduating senior (Chris). Winning the state title at such a young collective age speaks to the players’ impressive skill level.

Evans. New to the team this year, he has quickly proven to be an invaluable asset to the team, consistently scoring in the low seventies and occasionally upper sixties. This year, he was even named VCAC “Golfer of the Year.”

Ethan began golfing casually with his father at a very young age and realized around age 10 that he may have a particular knack for the sport. He began playing and performing very well in tournaments. Just a couple of years in, he was approached by Adidas® and TaylorMade®, which now sponsor him. While Ethan could have continued competing as an individual, he decided to join Trinity’s team this year and says he is so

“I’m so glad I joined,” he said. of us on the team have become really good friends. The camaraderie is probably my favorite thing [about the team] and just how well we bond. It’s not just a team. It’s a

Ethan also noted that as an unapologetically Christian team, they play for something even bigger than their school. They pray together before and after every game and remind one another that their identity and worth are not tied to any particular score or outcome.

“It’s really cool to see how the team just knows that none of us are really playing for wins,” he said. “Obviously we had a great season, but we know that even if we were defeated the entire season, we still would be the same because we have Christ.”

Ethan had an amazing season and is so excited for what next year will bring. While he is sad they are losing Chris, having a young team is an advantage as they won’t lose many players next year.

One notable up-and-comer on the team is eighth-grade student Ethan

According to Ethan, playing for Trinity has taught him the true value of teamwork.

“This is the first time I’ve really ever played with a team for golf,” he said. “When you play with a team, even if you have a bad day, you have to stay in it because you’re playing for something more than just yourself. You’re playing for your team and your school.”

As Chris closes out his time at Trinity and plans to major in engineering at Clemson University in the fall, he had some advice to share with his team for next season.

“Don't let failure or frustration define you because it will happen all the time in golf,” he said. “Work with your coaches and mentors as much as you can, because they not only develop your skills but also your character and mentality.”

Congratulations on an amazing season, TCS Varsity Golf Team! We can’t wait to see what’s in store!

MOMS IN PRAYER

MOMS IN PRAYER

One example of God’s faithfulness to Trinity is his provision of prayer warriors who daily cover our campus in prayer. One such group dedicated to lifting up our school to the Lord is “Moms in Prayer.” This group of TCS mothers meets weekly to share specific Trinity-related prayer requests, whether they be for specific people or families, current challenges that our school faces, or even general prayers for the safety and well-being of our community. We firmly believe God is pleased to work through the faithful prayers of these godly women to bless Trinity and its families. We cannot thank these women deeply enough for their dedication to TCS!

Every year, our amazing Parent-Teacher Organization (PTO) blows us away with its care and provision for the Trinity community. To kick off the school year, they host the annual Fall Family Picnic, bringing the community together by providing this fun event where families can connect. In the cold winter months, they warm our teachers’ and staff members’ hearts (and bellies) by delivering “Christmas Coffee” to offices, workrooms, and classrooms. They host events for families to fellowship with one another like the Lower School Bingo Night and Upper School Paint Night. They also create events that nurture connection within families, like the Father-Daughter Dance and the Father-Son Campout. Then, in the spring, they surprise and delight us every day of Teacher Appreciation Week with treats, games, prizes, gifts, and, this year, even a Kona Ice truck! On top of all of this, at regular intervals throughout the school year, they host faculty and staff appreciation lunches, which each include a fun theme, a meal, drinks, and dessert!

This list only scratches the surface of the myriad of ways in which the PTO blesses Trinity. The kind and generous parents who make up our PTO truly ensure that every single faculty and staff member at Trinity feels seen, known, and loved. Words cannot express our gratitude!

ORGANIZATION

FAITHFUL GIVING

Trinity Classic

In what has become one of our favorite traditions, we kicked off the school year with the fourth annual Trinity Classic on September 18! Our community blew us away by raising $74,000 for our Annual Fund, which allows more students to afford a Trinity education.

Over 30 people participated in the morning pickleball clinic, while 88 golfers participated in the afternoon tournament. This was Dr. Thomas’ first Trinity Classic. He joined the pickleball clinic in the morning and stood at one hole all afternoon to greet the golfers as they made their way through the course.

Social and Auction

The tournament saw fierce competition in the golf portion with a student team emerging as the winners. The team, consisting of Ethan Evans, Anthony Patton, EJ Hoplin, and Thatcher Hoplin, showcased its skills, foreshadowing an amazing season for Trinity’s Varsity Golf Team (see page 26).

That evening, senior Chris Balle spoke at the banquet dinner, sharing how a Trinity education has positively and profoundly shaped his life and his character.

This year’s annual social and auction brought in over $530,000 for the Annual Fund. This is the highest amount ever raised in a TCS auction on a non-anniversary year, showing our community’s faithfulness and generosity!

This was Dr. Thomas’ first Trinity auction as Head of School. Because he is originally from California, the auction’s “Surf’s Up” theme was a perfect fit! The theme was inspired by Psalm 93:4, “Mightier than the thunders of many waters, mightier than the waves of the sea, the LORD on high is mighty!” The auction volunteer Decorating Committee wowed and delighted by transforming the gym into a beautiful beachfront boardwalk, complete with ocean-like ceiling streamers, string lights, and even colorful food truck facades where guests could grab a bite to eat! These food trucks, which were the talk of the night, were created by Trinity’s National Art Honors Society students, who volunteered their time and creativity to help Trinity raise money for the Annual Fund. The auction also featured caricature artists, a tropical drink stand, and a surf shop with exclusive Trinity merch. As always, there were raffles, games, and a live auction with an auctioneer. There was also a special video that featured the story of one of our

own staff members and how God used money from the Annual Fund to bless her family in a difficult time.

At the end of the night, awed by God’s goodness and the generosity of the Trinity community, Dr. Thomas led guests in singing the hymn “Great is Thy Faithfulness” acapella right there in the gym, noting that he could not think of a better way to give thanks to the Lord for his abundant faithfulness.

Why it Matters

The Annual Fund assists every family by bridging the gap between the actual cost of a Trinity education and the amount of tuition paid. Additionally, it benefits many TCS families through Variable Tuition, having granted 1.8 million dollars this past school year. Without the Christlike generosity of our community, 260 students along with their unique personalities and talents would be absent from our halls. The money raised through events like these greatly enriches the Trinity Christian School community.

FACULTY

At Trinity, we often say that our teachers are the lifeblood of our school. They are the faithful hands and feet of Jesus to our students, not only teaching them from an academic standpoint (though they do this with excellence), but also holistically caring for each student. Our teachers see that every single one of their students is made in the image of God, and as such, is deserving of love, care, and respect. While they skillfully guide students through curriculum, they also impart truth, instill courage, and inspire service through their words, actions, and example. Our teachers in both the Lower and Upper School approach every single subject through the lens of biblical truth, whether they teach science, English, or art! We believe Christ is to be recognized and glorified in every subject, every class, and every student. It is our greatest joy to see our teacher-student relationships flourish as our teachers selflessly educate students to the glory of God by pursuing excellence for mind and heart.

IN THEIR WORDS: QUOTES FROM STUDENTS ABOUT TEACHERS AT TRINITY

Mr. de Gastyne, you have been such an example to me (and many other young men) of a Christ-following and Lordfearing Son of God! You’ve impacted me more than you know.

Mrs. Knight, thank you for being such an amazing mentor the last two years and showing me the light of Christ at all times! You are such a blessing to me and this school, and we are so appreciative of you!

Mrs. Case, you are the kindest teacher I have ever met... you accepted me and encouraged me to meet new friends. You guided me through the hardest time, and I am really grateful for having you as my first math teacher.

Mrs. Gardner, you are the best! You have helped me navigate through so much during my time at Trinity. You always come in the room with a smile on your face, and I truly see Christ's love through you!

Meet Mr. Marshall!

One example of a teacher making a huge impact on his students is Upper School history teacher Mr. Aaron Marshall. He teaches students in Grade 10, both U.S. History and AP U.S. History. Earlier this year, he was nominated for the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) Outstanding Teacher of American History Award. During an afterschool teacher meeting, Ms. Linda Keys from the Pentagon Chapter of the DAR made a surprise visit to present Mr. Marshall with the nomination in front of his colleagues. According to her, he was nominated due to his particular connection with his students and his ability to make history meaningful and relevant to his students.

As part of the nomination process, one of his students wrote to the DAR about having Mr. Marshall as a teacher, and Mrs. Keys read the anonymous letter aloud at the meeting.

“History had always been unenjoyable for me,” the student wrote. “...but through Mr. Marshall's teaching, I realized it was because of the way I had been taught history before. I grew to love history through his class. Mr. Marshall taught me the importance of studying history and how it can apply to current events, which changed my perspective.”

Upon hearing the student’s letter, Mr. Marshall said he felt incredibly

humbled. He especially loved hearing that this student recognized the important role history plays in influencing how we think about and interpret current events. He’s much more interested in teaching students how to think critically through a historical lens than to simply regurgitate historical facts.

“I don’t like it when people come out of a history class just knowing more about names, dates, and locations. That’s just rote memorization,” he said.

According to Mr. Marshall, this way of thinking critically also applies to students in their faith as they interact with non-believers.

“As a Christian, it is crucial to not only think about what we are doing well or not doing well as a nation or society, but then also where other people are coming from,” he said. He believes seeking to understand others, particularly in light of historical and cultural context, is incredibly helpful as we navigate how to minister and witness to others and collectively seek to improve our nation from a sociopolitical standpoint. In other words, he is less interested in teaching students what to think and more concerned with teaching them how to think.

Aside from teaching history, Mr. Marshall also coaches the Debate Team, a team that made Trinity history this year when ninth-grade student Daisy Jenkins qualified for nationals in “U.S. extemporaneous speaking” and eleventh-grade student Evelyn Turner qualified for nationals in the “Lincoln-Douglas Debate.” In June, both girls will compete in the National Championship.

While the Debate Team at Trinity is considered a club, it is truly an academic competitive team, and unlike athletic teams, there are no divisions. Our team competes against other Christian schools, non-Christian private schools, and

public schools alike, meaning the competition is steep. That makes this win all the more impressive.

“I’m insanely proud of them,” Mr. Marshall said of his team. “I love the fact that the kids can now say, ‘Hey, we did something that was really big for our school.’”

Aside from the competitive aspect, Mr. Marshall is passionate about

debate because of how it benefits any student who practices it. He believes that, regardless of how well a student performs in the competitive season, he or she will be better off for having practiced debate, not only academically, but spiritually as well.

“Being a part of speech and debate exposes students to certain skills that are necessary in public speaking and argumentation,” he said. “And any solid Christian who intends to defend his or her faith in this world, where criticism of Christianity is commonplace, needs to be able to argue effectively. As the Apostle Peter says, ‘You must have an adequate defense for your faith.’”

As a school, we are so thankful to be able to boast teachers like Mr. Marshall, who work hard and care deeply, making an eternal impact in our students’ lives.

ALUMNI

CLASS OF 2014 CELEBRATES 10 YEARS

Trinity alumni from the Class of 2014 celebrated their 10-year reunion with a visit back home to TCS! Alumni Mrs. Melanie (Kangelaris) Delano, Mrs. Kim (Osborne) Johnson, and Mr. Andrew Fuller organized the event and included a mix of on and off-campus gatherings.

To kick off the reunion, Trinity hosted a campus tour led by Dean of Curriculum and Instruction Mrs. Lori Byre and English Department Chair and Upper School English Teacher Ms. Kim Johnson. The event was a huge success with over 30 alumni and guests in attendance.

“We could barely get them out of the parking lot. They were having such a great time reconnecting and

laughing,” Mrs. Byre laughed. “It was clear they missed each other and valued their Trinity friendships.”

Many attendees came with their new spouses, fiancés, or young children, bringing a new generation to campus. A particularly touching moment occurred when they entered the Upper School building and saw a slideshow featuring pictures of them from over the years playing on our TV monitors.

Later that evening, 58 alumni and guests met at the Country Club of Fairfax for the reunion party. They played Reunion Bingo and spent time socializing and reconnecting. Class members traveled in from Arizona, Oklahoma, Idaho, Indiana, Florida,

“As I looked around the room, I was grateful that my parents invested in my TCS education for me to get to know all these people! I now get to raise my kids with friends from Trinity who are also passionate about biblical parenting, and I look forward to seeing what the future has for all of us!” -Kim Johnson

“Watching how the Lord is using the Class of 2014 nationwide was such a palpable reminder to us of his faithfulness.” -Luke Welgoss

Pennsylvania, Texas, Kansas, and North Carolina.

Alumni parent Mrs. Gayle Fuller, opened her home to other alumni parents to gather, reconnect, and reminisce. Alumni parent Mrs. Laura Cranston hosted an after party for the alumni to continue the fun!

What is the Class of 2014 doing now? They are engineers, doctors, nurses, accountants, church leaders, teachers, a civil affairs Army captain, a U.S. Army helicopter pilot, attorneys, husbands and wives, and moms and dads!

We are already looking forward to hosting the Class of 2015 next year!

WHERE ARE THEY NOW?

ALEX CLENANCE

Mr. Alex Clenance is a captain in the Army and looks forward to returning from deployment this summer. He is stationed in North Carolina where he and his wife, Rebecca, welcomed a little girl last summer. Alex maintains close friendships with several TCS classmates.

KAHLA SHEETS

Mrs. Kahla (Seymour)

Sheets and her husband, Gavin, met in college at Wake Forest University and married in 2022. Gavin debuted for the Chicago White Sox in 2021, so they live in Chicago during the baseball season but move around at least three times a year for spring training, on-season, and off-season. Kahla works remotely at Stanley Black & Decker in brand marketing. They recently bought a house right outside of Baltimore, MD, and have added Beau, a black lab, to their family.

MICHAEL BAGNOLI

Mr. Michael Bagnoli is in medical school with less than one year to go. His wife, Caitlin, is a veterinarian. They currently live in Roanoke, VA, but will be moving next year for residency, wherever that may be.

LUKE & TAYLOR WELGOSS

Mr. and Mrs. Luke and Taylor (Shuler) Welgoss have been married for five years and together for

12 years (since their sophomore year at Trinity). They live in Fairfax, VA, with their son, Elliot, who was born in January. Luke is a critical care nurse and is pursuing his doctorate in nurse anesthesia to become a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA). He loves caring for people during their most vulnerable moments. Taylor is the social media director at their church in Arlington, VA, and is the best mom to Elliot.

GARRETT SNARE

Mr. Garrett Snare and his wife, Sarah, married in 2023 and live in Sterling, VA. He works in software sales at MicroStrategy and is the assistant head coach of the Trinity's Boys Varsity Lacrosse Team.

ALICE KEITH

Ms. Alice Keith has lived in three countries and two states since graduation. She worked in archaeology after undergrad and completed a master’s degree in England. She recently accepted a museum curator job with the National Park Service in Jacksonville, Florida. Her hobbies include reading, drawing, early modern paleography, and being outside.

KIM JOHNSON

Mrs. Kim (Osborne) and her husband, Curtis, reside in Richmond, VA, with their son, Wells. During her senior year at Trinity, Kim started her photography business, which has blossomed into a fulfilling career. She leads Young Life and coaches JV cheerleading at a local public high school. This role allows her to coach a sport and share the gospel with students who might not hear about Jesus otherwise. Kim was instrumental in planning the Class of 2014 reunion. You can view Kim’s work at kimjohnsonphoto.

CLAIRE WANG

Ms. Claire Wang spent four years as an Army engineer officer at Ft. Carson, CO, after graduating from the United States Military Academy. In 2022, she successfully assessed for the Civil Affairs Regiment, one of the smallest branches in the Army. She is at the tail-end of her 15-month training pipeline, culminating in the 19-day Survival, Evasion, Resistance, and Escape (SERE) course. She will be stationed in Ft. Liberty, NC, which is one and a half hours away from Duke University where her brother, Luke ‘ 24, will be attending. Luke is an upcoming Blue Devil/AFROTC cadet, and Claire is excited to spend more time with him.